2019 New Year Recollections

## New Year's Holiday Day 1

 There's not long left until New Year's, huh.
So much has happened this past year, and there's only 4 days left of it. お正月までもう少しですね
いろいろあった今年一年も、あと四日です

 So many new people, many first-time encounters...
When it gets to the end of the year, it makes you remember a whole year's worth of fun times. たくさんの出会いがあったり、初めての事に遭遇したり……
年末になると、一年分の楽しかったことが思い出されるよ

 That's so true...
Ah, since we're here, how about we do some reminiscing? そうですね……
あ、せっかくの機会ですから、今年一年の帝國図書館の振り返りをしませんか？

 Yeah, may be a good idea.
It's time to discuss and wrap up our thoughts from this year towards the next year. ああ、いいかもしれない
来年に向けて今年の語り納めだね

 That's right! Ok then, I'll go from the top of this year.
We had a snowball fight in January. If snow falls again this year, I wanna try it with everyone this time. そうです！　じゃあ、今年の始めからですね
1月は雪合戦をしました。今年も雪が降ったら、皆でやりたいです

 It was my first time getting serious in a snowball fight.
I love both winter and snow, so it was really fun. If we do it next year too, I'll give it my all. 雪合戦で本気になるのは初めてだったよ
僕は冬も雪も好きだから、本当に楽しかった。来年もやるなら、全力でやるつもりだよ

 In February, we had our first research on alchemy, huh.
Everyone got into it, helping collect flasks. 2月には、初めての錬金研究があったね
フラスコを集めるお手伝いに、皆が興味をもっていた

 There's a significant amount of those who are brimming with curiosity for writing. I wanted to go help, myself. 物書きは好奇心旺盛な方が多いですよね。僕もお手伝いに行ってみたかったです

 In March, we went to a western world.
Everyone gave off a different vibe than usual, and apparently it was a bit scary for Nankichi-kun... 3月は、西洋の世界に行ってきました
皆さんいつもと雰囲気が違って、南吉くんには少し怖かったみたいです……

 I had a lot of fun getting to see everyone looking a bit more... dangerous than usual. いつもと違う怪しい雰囲気の皆が見られて、僕は楽しかったよ

 That's right. I'm not really good with scary things, but... everyone looked so cool in their western-style clothing, 'cause they don't usually wear it. そうですね。僕も怖いのは苦手ですけど……皆さんの珍しいお洋服姿は格好良かったです

 There's also tomorrow, so let's stop our reminiscing here for today.
As always, please take good care of me in the next year. 明日もありますし、今日の振り返りはここまでにしておきますね
来年も、変わらずよろしくお願いいたします

 That's right. They do say the new year is a good chance to change up your feelings, but...
There is only one path for me, so take care of me in this upcoming year. そうだね。新年は新たに気持ちを切り替える機会だと言うけれど……
僕の道は一本だから、来年もよろしくね

## New Year's Holiday Day 2

 It's already the end of the year, huh!
Anything you left undone? もう年末なんですね
今年やり残したことはもうないですか？

 Nah, nothing to regret.
A lot of things went down this year, huh... 俺は、もう思い残すことはないよ
今年もいろいろあったなぁ

 That's true, for example...
We delved into "Snow Country" to look for Kawabata-san. そうですね、例えば……
4月は、川端さんを探しに『雪国』に潜書しました

 Yup. It sure is tough to say goodbye to precious friends... I'm glad the two could meet again. ああ。親友と離れ離れは辛いよな……二人がまた会えてよかったぜ

 But speaking of precious friends, in May I met Musha in a haunted school in a parallel universe.
I even met a me who wasn't me and got... a feeling I couldn't describe. 親友と言えば、俺は5月に幽霊の出る学校で違う世界の武者に会ったな
ついでに自分じゃない自分にも会って、なんとも言えない気持ちになった

 A you that's not you of that world, huh... 自分じゃない世界の自分、か……

 I didn't meet another self, but I did go to a western style world where there apparently was a fake of me.
It was seriously a weird feeling to celebrate a me who wasn't me, but...
I was really glad for the things the you who was there said. 僕は自分とは会ってないけれど、以前僕のニセモノがいたという西洋の世界に行きました
僕じゃない僕を祝われる、っていうのは変な気分だったけど……
そこにいたあなたの言葉は、僕まで嬉しくなりました

 I was there, too? I feel kinda embarrassed even though I wasn't the one who actually said them, heh... そこにも俺がいたのか？　俺が言ったんじゃないけど、なんだか照れくさいな……

 Fufu, the library always has something interesting or strange going on.
I hope we can have lots of encounters again this coming year. ふふ、図書館は不思議で面白いことばかりです
来年もまた、こんな出会いがたくさんあるといいですね

 In the library, there's lots of things you have to do before the time passes, huh.
Let's make the next year one where we can be like "That was fun as hell" at the end of it. この図書館で今しかできないことってあるよな
来年の暮れには、また「楽しかった」って言える年にしようぜ

## New Year's Holiday Day 3

 Tayama-sensei, There's only two days left of the year, is the New Year's prep all done yet? 田山センセ、今年もあと2日やけど、そろそろ正月の準備してはります？

 Yeah, everything's perfect! The New Year makes me think of beautiful girls in furisode... I wanna hurry up and go for my first shrine visit of the year!  おう、バッチリだ！　新年といえば美少女の振り袖……初詣に早く行きたいぜ
それまでは、今年の夏を思い出して待つか

 You betcha. Umm, this year in the summer...
In July that is, we delved right on into Yuuzou-sensei's book, "Towards the Truth". そうですねえ。えーと、今年の夏は……
7月に有三センセの『真実一路』に潜書しましたね

 Feelings were mixed on that, but it was good to hear that they seemed to have reconciled. なんか複雑そうな感じだったけど、仲直りできたようでよかったな

 And then in August, we delved into the book I wrote!
Just as I expected, the shining sun, the white sand, the sparkling ocean! But the beautiful women... そして8月は、オレが描き下ろした本に潜書したぜ
期待通りの輝く太陽、白い砂浜、煌めく海！　ただし、美少女は……

 Now, now. Everyone was sayin' they had a grand ol' time! まあまあ。みんな海を楽しめたって言うてましたよ

 A new writer came in September, too...
And then in the beginning of October I STRONGLY remember that book by some alchemist. 9月も新しい文豪が来たり……
10月初めの方にあった、どっかのアルケミストの本も印象的ですねえ

 "Technique of connection", huh. Linking fates with a woman... I wanted to hear more about that, honestly...! 「結縁の術」か。女の子と縁を結ぶ……ちょっとこれは、詳細を聞きたかったな……！

 Well, ain't much you can do about some things in this world...
Ya never can tell what'll happen in this here library!
I'm sure excited for what'll happen in the future, too! まあ、世の中そう上手いこといかんもんやとは思いますけど……
この図書館なら、何があるかわからんですからね！
これからもどんなことがあるか、ドキドキですわ

 For real! You can see so many previously unknown worlds here.
I bet a summer full of things we've knever experienced is waiting for us again this year! 本当だよ。ここでは知らない世界がたくさん見られるぜ
来年も、オレたちが経験したこともないような夏が待ってるだろうな！

## New Year's Holiday Day 4

 The scent of winter's plum blossoms / Fragrant for the last time this year / It's New Year's Eve!
This year, too, we reached the last day!  寒梅の薫りおさめや大三十日！
今年も最後の日だな！

 Everything all set for New Year's?
Then let's have a final reflection of what's happened. 年明けの準備は万全か？
それじゃ、最後の振り返りをしていこう

 In October, some alchemists from another world came here.
It was a strange combo of a tiny older brother and giant younger brother, but they were some reliable, good folks. 10月は、外の世界の錬金術師がやって来たな
小さい兄貴と大きい弟の不思議なコンビだったが、頼りになるいい奴らだった

 Oh man, those brothers were so interesting. Hope we run into them again one day. いやあ、おもしろい兄弟だったよ。また会えるといいな

 In November it was the Imperial Library's anniversary!
My pupils also got transmigrated, and the library got all lively again! 11月は帝國図書館の記念日だったな！
俺の弟子たちも転生して、また図書館が賑やかになったよ

 The library keeps getting more and more people. I guess the fun just keeps growing as well. 図書館はどんどん人が増えていくなあ。まだまだ楽しくなりそうだ

 And in December, we had Christmas!
We kinda went big-scale for this one, or, how can I say this... it was a different Christmas than the kind I've known... そして12月は、クリスマスだ！
今年はちょっと規模が大きかったと言うか、俺の知っているクリスマスと違ったな……

 Never thought things'd turn out like that, huh... But I had a blast! まさかあんな展開になるとはな……でも、俺は楽しかったぜ！

 Haha, me too. It was a refreshing Christmas.
...Now then, tomorrow is a new year. Let's make this another fun one! はは、俺もだ。新鮮なクリスマスだったよ
……さて、明日からは新しい年だ。来年も、楽しい一年にしよう

 We'll have more friends join us next year, and it's gonna get more and more lively.
Looking forward to the new year! 来年は仲間もさらに増えて、賑やかになるだろうなあ
新しい年も楽しみだ！

## New Year's Holiday Day 5

 Happy New Year. 新年明けましておめでとうございます

 Let's have a good one this year, too! 本年もよろしゅうおたの申します

 Even though we say it's the new year, it's not like anything much changed between yesterday and today...
It feels a bit strange. 新年と言っても、昨日今日で特別何かが変わるわけでもないし……
なんだか不思議な感じだね

 Now now, let's talk about something New Year'sy since we're here!
What kinda year do you wanna have? まあまあ、せっかくですから新年らしい話でもしましょ
今年はどんな年にしたいです？

 What kind of year, huh... It's a good thing to make some resolutions. どんな年、か……今年の抱負を決めておくのはいいことかもね

 Right! Anyway, my resolution is... "Scoundrel"!
I'll live as I please with these good looks for yet another year, hehe!  そうですよね！　ちなワシの今年の抱負は……「無頼漢」！
好きに生きていく美男子、今年もこれで行かせていただきますわ

 Uh, does scoundrel have that kind of meaning to it? I feel like it doesn't, though... えっと、無頼漢ってそういう意味なの？　なにか間違ってる気がするけど……

 Don't you worry your little head about it. What'll you do, Shuusei-san? 細かいことは気にせんといてください。秋声さんはどうします？

 For me, "Peaceful daily life " is probably it... But I foresee a quick demise of that one... 僕は、「平穏な日常」かな……って目標に掲げてる時点で、前途多難だ

 Hey now, but all the non-peaceful times ended up being tons of fun, didn't they! そのぶん楽しいことばかりやないですか！

 Well... That's true.
I wouldn't like it if it was every day, but I guess it's fine to have everyone being all loud once in a while... それは……そうだね
毎日は嫌だけど、たまになら皆で賑やかなのもいいかな……

## New Year's Holiday Day 6

 It's New Year's huh. Happy New Year! お正月だね。あけましておめでとう

 Yes. Let's have a good one this year, too. はい。今年もよろしくお願いしますね

 We were so busy reminiscing on the year at the end of last year.
And we finally made it to the new year, so how did you two spend it? 昨年末は、一年の振り返りで忙しかったな
やっと迎えたお正月だが、二人はどう過ごしたんだ？

 I played Karuta with everyone yesterday and had some osechi.
I'd like to fly some kites and play Fukuwarai as well.  僕は、昨日は皆でかるたをしたり、おせち料理を食べたりしました
今日は凧揚げや福笑いもやりたいと思っているんです

 Those activities are very fitting for the holiday.
As for you, Nakano? お正月ならではの過ごし方だな
中野はどうだ？

 I just relaxed all day yesterday.
For winter, nibbling cold sweet bean jelly under a kotatsu is the best. 僕は、昨日は一日ゆっくりしていたよ
冬はこたつで冷たい水ようかんを食べているのが一番だから

 That's a nice way to spend it, as well.
You can really tell what kind of person you are from how you spend your New Year's. それもいい過ごし方だな
お正月に何をするかは個性が出るなあ

 Haruo-sensei, what did you do for New Year's? 佐藤先生は、お正月をどう過ごされたんですか？

 I brought out all the New Year's decorations and waited around for my disciples to come visit. 俺は正月飾りを出してから、門弟たちが訪ねて来るのを待っていたよ

 It must be lots of fun having your disciples willing to coming to greet you. 挨拶に来てくれるお弟子さん達がいると、賑やかでいいね

 There are all kinds of ways to spend New Year's, as we've seen.
Lively, relaxed, and all wonderful New Year's! それぞれにいろんなお正月の過ごし方があったんですね
賑やかなのも、穏やかなのも、いいお正月です！

## New Year's Holiday Day 7

 For your precious sake, / Once my eager life itself / Was not dear to me... 君がため　惜しからざりし　命さえ……

 Yeah! I got it! はいっ
とれました！

 Ahh, it was right in front of me!?
I couldn't find it! ああ、目の前にあったのか
見つけられなかったよ

 I couldn't remember the second half of the poem! 僕はとっさに下の句が思い出せなかったな

 Fufu. I especially wanted to get this card.
It's a lovely poem. ふふ。僕、この札はとりたかったんです
素敵な和歌ですから

 Oh man, I feel like it's been so long since last time we did Hyakunin Isshu. それにしても、正月に百人一首をやるって
すごく久しぶりな気がするよ

 I haven't played Karuta since I was a kid!
Never thought I'd be playin' with everyone in the library! かるた遊びなんて子供の頃以来ですわ
それがまさか、図書館の皆でやることになるとはなぁ

 Yeah, right when the New Year started we had that madness with the Hyakunin Isshu, so...
when I really think about it, I feel like it might not be the best time for fun and games... 新年早々、百人一首の騒動が起こったからね
よく考えたら遊んでる場合じゃない気もするけど……

 Well, learning the Hyakunin Isshu can also be considered part of our job, I'd say. まあ、百人一首を知ることも今は仕事の一環じゃないかな

 Yeah.
And it fits the season, so it's all good. そうだな
それに、季節感があっていいじゃないか

 Sigh... The first three days of the New Year are almost over.
But the problem at hand isn't solved, so let's hold on to these New Year feelings. はあ、正月三が日はもう終わりだよ
でも問題はまだ解決しそうにないからね。もう少しだけ、お正月気分でいよう