apothecaryscript

[apothecaryscript]

～11巻ドラマＣＤ　Vol.2『徳利の謎（とっくりのなぞ/Tokkuri’no Nazo）』 (2/2) / Vol.2 of Drama CD for the Light Novel vol.11 “The Mystery of the Sake Bottle” (2/2)～

The drama CD is a bonus for the special edition of light novel vol.11, and you can find the audio on You Tube.

Please note that the English lines are just my translation.

This post cannot be reblogged, and please do not repurpose it, since I have no intention of infringing the copyright of this drama CD and I don’t want this post to be distributed to an unspecified number of people.

So if you’d like to share this post with someone, please advise them to visit my blog. I’ll put a link to this post on the home page of my blog.

(Back to 1/2 →Please click here.)

（ノック/Knocking）

猫猫「おや？」

Maomao “Oya?”

Maomao “Oh?”

主人「お客様(きゃくさま)、失礼(しつれい)いたします」

Shujin “Okyaku-sama, shitsurei-itashi-masu.”

Owner “Excuse me, sir.”

猫猫（食前酒(しょくぜんしゅ)に、前菜(ぜんさい)は冷菜(れいさい)の盛(も)り合(あ)わせ…！汁物(しるもの)はフカヒレかぁ…ああ～うまそう…！今(いま)すぐ食(た)べたい）

Maomao (Shoku-zen-shu’ni, zensai’wa reisai’no mori-awase…! Shiru-mono’wa fuka-hire-kaa… Aaaa uma-so…! Ima-sugu tabe-tai.)

Maomao (The aperitif, and a cold appetizer platter…! The soup is shark fin… Ahhh, it looks delicious…! I want to eat it right now.)

主人「お飲(の)み物(もの)はよろしかったでしょうか？」

Shujin “Onomi-mono’wa yoroshi-katta-desho-ka?”

Owner “Would you like a drink?”

高順「ヒレの酒(さけ)が有名(ゆうめい)と聞(き)く。全員(ぜんいん)に頂(いただ)こう」

Gaoshun “Hire’no sake’ga yu-mei-to kiku. Zen’in’ni itadako.”

Gaoshun “I heard that sake with grilled fish fins is famous. Let’s all have some.”

ヒレ酒（ひれざけ/Hirezake）: hot sake with grilled fish fins (especially pufferfish or sea bream)

主人「ヒレですか…。身(み)は、お持(も)ち致(いた)しますか？」

Shujin “Hire-desu-ka… Mi’wa, omochi-itashi-masu-ka?”

Owner “Fin? Would you like the fish meat?”

高順「ぜひ頼(たの)む」

Gaoshun “Zehi tanomu.”

Gaoshun “Please, by all means.”

主人「かしこまりました。他(ほか)にはありませんか？」

Shujin “Kashiko-mari-mashita. Hoka’niwa ari-masen-ka?”

Owner “Understood. Is there anything else?”

猫猫（挙手(きょしゅ)！）

Maomao (Kyoshu!)

Maomao (Raising a hand!)

主人「何(なん)でしょうか」

Shujin “Nan-desho-ka.”

Owner “What is it?”

猫猫「せっかくですので、皿(さら)を使(つか)いたいと若旦那様(わかだんなさま)がおっしゃっています」

Maomao “Sekkaku-desu-node, sara’o tsukai-tai-to waka-danna-sama’ga osshatte-imasu.”

Maomao “The young master says he’d like to use the plates since we’re here.”

主人「お気(き)に召(め)すものがありましたか？皿(さら)はお気(き)に召(め)さば、お持(も)ち帰(かえ)りいただけるよう、手配(てはい)いたします。どの皿(さら)でしょうか？」

Shujin “Oki’ni mesu-mono’ga ari-mashita-ka? Sara’wa oki’ni Mesaba, omochi-kaeri-itadakeru-yo, tehai-itashi-masu. Dono sara-desho-ka?”

Owner “Did you find anything you liked? If you like the plate, we can arrange for you to take it home. Which plate would you like?”

猫猫「そうですね。三人(さんにん)いるので、三枚(さんまい)選(えら)んでもよろしいですか？」

Maomao “So-desu-ne. San-nin iru-node, san-mai erandemo yoroshii-desu-ka?”

Maomao “Right, since there are three of us, can we choose three?”

主人「どうぞ。お好(す)きな物(もの)を」

Shujin “Do-zo. Osuki-na mono’o.”

Owner “Here you go. Whatever you like.”

猫猫「では、テンマ(天麻)と人参(にんじん)と、阿芙蓉(あふよう)の皿(さら)をお願(ねが)いします」

Maomao “Dewa, tenma’to ninjin’to, afuyo’no sara’o onegai-shimasu.”

Maomao “Then I’d like a plate of gastrodia tuber, ginseng, and afuyou please.”

阿芙蓉（あふよう/Afuyo）… Please just read it as afuyou for now. You’ll see later.

主人「…あ…」

Shujin “…A…”

Owner “Ah…”

猫猫（主人(しゅじん)の表情(ひょうじょう)が変(か)わった…！）

Maomao (Shujin’no hyo-jo’ga kawatta…!)

Maomao (The owner’s expression has changed…!)

主人「テンマと人参(にんじん)はありますが、阿芙蓉(あふよう)の皿(さら)は、確(たし)か、なかったはずですが…」

Shujin “Tenma’to ninjin’wa ari-masu-ga, afuyo’no sara’wa, tashika nakatta-hazu-desu-ga…”

Owner “We have gastrodia tuber and ginseng, but I’m pretty sure we don’t have any afuyou plate…”

猫猫「そうですか。若旦那様(わかだんなさま)、見間違(みまちが)いだそうですよ」

Maomao “So-desu-ka. Waka-danna-sama, mimachigai-da-so-desu-yo.”

Maomao “I see. Young Master, it seems you must have seen it wrong.”

壬氏「うん…」

Jinshi “Un…”

Jinshi “Yeah…”

猫猫「申(もう)し訳(わけ)ありません。若旦那様(わかだんなさま)はもういい大人(おとな)ですのに繊細(せんさい)で、初対面(しょたいめん)の方(かた)の前(まえ)では緊張(きんちょう)されるのです」

Maomao “Moshi-wake-ari-masen. Waka-danna-sama’wa mo ii otona-desu-noni sensai’de, shotaimen’no kata’no mae’dewa kincho-sareru-no-desu.”

Maomao “I’m sorry. Although the young master is already an adult, he is sensitive and gets nervous in front of people he meets for the first time.”

主人「そうですか…。では、給仕(きゅうじ)は呼(よ)ばれない限(かぎ)り、部屋(へや)には入(い)れません」

Shujin “So-desu-ka… Dewa, kyu-ji’wa yobare-nai-kagiri, heya’niwa re-masen.

Owner “I see… Then I never let the waiter enter the room unless called.”

猫猫「ありがとうございます。では、代(か)わりにハス(蓮)をお願(ねが)いします。お持(も)ち帰(かえ)りできますよね？」

Maomao “Arigato gozai-masu. Dewa, kawari’ni hasu’o onegai-simasu. Omochi-kaeri deki-masu-yone?”

Maomao “Thank you. Then we’ll have a lotus instead. We can take it home, right?”

蓮（はす/Hasu）: lotus

代わりに（かわりに/Kawari-ni）: instead

主人「かしこまりました。お持(も)ち致(いた)します」

Shujin “Kashiko-mari-mashita. Omochi-itashi-masu.”

Owner “Understood. I’ll bring it.”

かしこまりました（Kashikomari-mashita）: Keigo (humble & polite form) of “わかりました“  

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫「さてさて…。さすがに一見(いちげん)さんで阿芙蓉(あふよう)は駄目(だめ)でしたか」

Maomao “Sate-sate… Sasuga-ni ichi-gen-san’de afuyou’wa dame-deshita-ka.”

Maomao “Well, well… I guess afuyou wasn’t a good choice for a first-time customer.”

一見さん（いちげんさん/Ichi-gen-san）: first-time customer, one-time customer　⇔　常連(じょうれん)さん、ごひいきさん、おなじみさん

壬氏「阿芙蓉(あふよう)とは？」

Jinshi “Afuyou-towa?”

Jinshi “What is afuyou?”

猫猫「芥子(けし)、と言(い)えば分(わ)かりますか？」

Maomao “Keshi, to-ieba wakari-masu-ka?”

Maomao “Do you know what I mean when I say opium poppy?”

壬氏「け…！芥子(けし)だと！？」

Jinshi “Ke…! Keshi-dato!?”

Jinshi “O-Opium poppy?!”

高順「若旦那様(わかだんなさま)、声(こえ)を落(お)として…」

Gaoshun “Waka-danna-sama, koe’o otoshite…”

Gaoshun “Young Master, please lower your voice…”

猫猫「はい。ところで…食前酒(しょくぜんしゅ)をいただいてよろしいでしょうか、若旦那様(わかだんなさま)？何(なに)かあってはいけませんので、自分(じぶん)めが先(さき)に食(た)べさせていただきます」

Maomao “Hai. Tokorode… shoku-zen-shu’o itadaite yoroshii-desho-ka, Waka-Danna-sama? Nani-ka attewa ikemasen-node, jibun-me’ga saki-ni tabe-sasete-itadaki-masu.”

Maomao “Yes. By the way… may I have an aperitif, Young Master? Because nothing bad should happen to you, I’ll eat first.”

“め” in “自分めが”、“私めが” means to humble oneself.

壬氏「本当(ほんとう)に毒見(どくみ)か…？普段(ふだん)あまり食(た)べないくせに、こういう時(とき)だけ食(く)い意地(いじ)が張(は)っているよな」

Jinshi “Honto-ni dokumi-ka…? Fudan amari tabe-nai-kuse’ni, ko-iu-toki-dake kui-iji’ga hatte-iru-yona.”

Jinshi “Are you really testing it for poison? You don’t usually eat much, but you get greedy at times like this.”

食い意地が張っている（くいいじがはっている/Kui-iji’ga hatte-iru）: be a glutton, have a big appetite, greedy as a pig

猫猫「美味(おい)しいものをたらふく食(た)べられるよう、食事(しょくじ)を減(へ)らしてきました。ところで番頭(ばんとう)さん、ヒレの酒(さけ)と言(い)うと、やはり、あのヒレの酒(さけ)でしょうか？」

Maomao “Oishii mono’o tarafuku tabe-rareru-yo, shokuji’o herashite-kima-shita. Tokorode Banto-san, hire’no sake-to-iuto, yahari, ano hire’no sake-desho-ka?”

Maomao “I’ve been eating less so I can eat tons of delicious food. By the way, Head Clerk, when you said sake with grilled fish fins, were you referring to the sake with that one’s fin?”

高順「はい。フグがあると言(い)いましたが、珍味(ちんみ)ですし、何(なに)より有毒(ゆうどく)なので、大(おお)っぴらに食(た)べさせてもらえないそうです。というわけで、ヒレ酒(ざけ)から頼(たの)むようにと知人(ちじん)に言(い)われました」

Gaoshun “Hai. Fugu’ga aru-to ii-mashita-ga, chin-mi-desu-shi, nani-yori yu-doku-nanode, ooppira-ni tabe-sasete-morae-nai-so-desu. To-iu-wake’de, hire-zake-kara tanomu-yo-ni-to chijin’ni iware-mashita.”

Gaoshun “Yes. I said they had pufferfish, but it’s a delicacy and, more importantly, it’s poisonous, so it’s not openly served. Therefore my friend told me to start by ordering some sake with fins.”

珍味（ちんみ/Chin-mi）: delicacy, dainty, tidbit

大っぴらに（おおっぴらに/Ooppira-ni）: openly, publicly

猫猫「ほうほう。楽(たの)しみですねぇ！…ということで、いただきます！若旦那様(わかだんなさま)」

Maomao “Ho-ho. Tanoshimi-desu-nee! …To-iu-koto’de, itadaki-masu! Waka-danna-sama.”

Maomao “I see. I’m looking forward to it! So, let’s eat! Young Master.”

壬氏「もう、食(く)え食え」

Jinshi “Mo, kue kue.”

Jinshi “Just eat, eat!”

猫猫「はい！まずは食前酒(しょくぜんしゅ)を……しっかり漬(つ)け込(こ)んである、あんず酒(ざけ)ですねぇ。もう少(すこ)し強(つよ)い酒(さけ)でもいいのですが、ヒレ酒(ざけ)に期待(きたい)するとして…ピータン豆腐(どうふ)…ん～いい塩梅(あんばい)の塩加減(しおかげん)です。（はむっ）棒棒鶏(バンバンジー)は胡麻(ごま)のタレとよく合(あ)っている。添(そ)えてある野菜(やさい)もシャキシャキと歯(は)ごたえがいい…！新鮮(しんせん)なものを使(つか)っていますね。鶏肉(とりにく)がほろほろと口(くち)の中(なか)で崩(くず)れるのに、茹(ゆ)ですぎで味(あじ)が落(お)ちているわけでもない。酒(さけ)と一緒(いっしょ)に茹(ゆ)でています。このキュウリとクラゲの和(あ)え物(もの)はいけますよ！クラゲのコリコリ、キュウリのシャキシャキ、胡麻(ごま)の風味(ふうみ)もいいです！酸味(さんみ)と辛(から)さがちょうどよく釣(つ)り合(あ)っていて…」

Maomao “Hai! Mazu’wa shoku-zen-shu’o…… Shikkari tsuke-konde-aru, anzu-zake-desu-nee. Mo-sukoshi tsuyoi sake’demo ii-no-desu-ga, hire-zake’ni kitai-suru-to-shite… Pītan-do-fu… Nnn, ii anbai’no shio-kagen-desu. (Hamu.) Ban-ban-jī’wa goma’no tare’to yoku atte-iru. Soete-aru yasai’mo shaki-shaki-to hagotae’ga ii…! Shinsen-na mono’o tsukatte-imasu-ne. Tori-niku’ga horo-horo-to kuchi’no naka’de kuzureru-noni, yude-sugi’de aji’ga ochite-iru-wake’demo nai. Sake’to issho-ni yudete-imasu. Kono kyu-ri’to kurage’no ae-mono’wa ike-masu-yo! Kurage’no kori-kori, kyu-ri’no shaki-shaki, goma’no fu-mi’mo ii-desu! Sanmi’to karasa’ga cho-do yoku tsuri-atte-ite…”

Maomao “Okay! First, an aperitif… well-marinated apricot liquor. A stronger liquor would be fine, but I’m looking forward to the sake with fins… Tofu with century eggs… Mmm, just the right amount of saltiness. (nom) The bang bang chicken goes really well with the sesame sauce. The accompanying vegetables are also crunchy and chewy… They use fresh ingredients, don’t they? The chicken falls apart in my mouth, while it’s not overcooked to lose its flavor. They’re boiled with sake. This cucumber and jellyfish salad is great! The jellyfish is crunchy, the cucumber is crisp, and the sesame flavor is great! The sourness and spiciness are balanced just right…”

壬氏「妙(みょう)に饒舌(じょうぜつ)だな…」

Jinshi “Myo-ni jo-zetsu-dana…”

Jinshi “You’re strangely talkative…”

饒舌な（じょうぜつな/Jo-zetsu-na）: talkative  -more formal word than “おしゃべりな”

高順「若旦那様(わかだんなさま)。研究者(けんきゅうしゃ)気質(きしつ)は、自分(じぶん)の得意分野(とくいぶんや)になると饒舌(じょうぜつ)になるのです」

Gaoshun “Waka-danna-sama. Kenkyu-sha-kishitsu’wa, jibun’no tokui-bun’ya’ni naru-to jo-zetsu-ni naru-no-desu.”

Gaoshun “Young Master, researcher personality tends to be very talkative when it comes to their areas of expertise.”

気質(きしつ、かたぎ/Kishitsu, Katagi): personality, character, nature, disposition

壬氏「普段(ふだん)からこれくらい話(はな)せばいいのに」

Jinshi “Fudan’kara kore-kurai hana-seba ii-noni.”

Jinshi “I wish you would talk like this all the time.”

猫猫「若旦那様(わかだんなさま)、もしピータンがお嫌(きら)いでしたら、この小姓(こしょう)めが代(か)わりに食(た)べますので、何(なん)なりと…」

Maomao “Waka-danna-sama, moshi pītan’ga okirai-deshi-tara, kono kosho-me’ga kawari-ni tabe-masu-node, nan-nari-to…”

Maomao “Young Master, if you don’t like century eggs, I’ll eat them for you, so please…”

壬氏「いや、普通(ふつう)に食(く)えるから。……うん…うん。確(たし)かに悪(わる)くないな」

Jinshi “Iya, futsu-ni kueru-kara. ……Un…un. Tashika-ni waruku-nai-na.”

Jinshi “Yes, I can eat it. Yes… Yes… It’s certainly not bad.”

猫猫（宮廷料理(きゅうていりょうり)を毎日(まいにち)お食(た)べになっているので、上(うえ)から目線(めせん)だなぁ）

Maomao (Kyu-tei-ryo-ri’o mai-nichi otabe’ni natte-iru-node, ue’kara-mesen-danaa.)

Maomao (He eats royal cuisine every day, so he is a bit condescending.)

上から目線（うえからめせん/Ue’kara-mesen）: condescending, looking down on  -a slang among young people

高順「汁物(しるもの)も美味(おい)しいです」

Gaoshun “Shiru-mono’mo oishii-desu.”

Gaoshun “The soup is also delicious.”

（ノック/Knocking）

高順「どうぞ」

Gaoshun “Do-zo.”

Gaoshun “Please come in.”

主人「お客様(きゃくさま)、失礼(しつれい)いたします」

Shujin “Okyaku-sama, shitsu-rei-itashi-masu.”

Owner “Excuse me, sir.”

猫猫（おお……おおおおお！！！ヒレ酒(ざけ)に、鍋(なべ)…！グツグツ煮(に)える中(なか)に見(み)える魚肉(ぎょにく)は、まさにフグ！）

Maomao (Oo……Ooooo!!! Hire-zake’ni, nabe…! Gutsu-gutsu nieru naka’ni mieru gyo-niku’wa, masa-ni fugu!)

Maomao (Oh…Ohhhh!!! Sake with fins and a hotpot dish…! The fish meat visible in the boiling water is definitely pufferfish!)

主人「まだ鍋(なべ)が熱(あつ)いので、お取(と)りいたしましょうか？」

Shujin “Mada nabe’ga atsui-node, otori-itashi-masho-ka?”

Owner “The pot is still hot, so would you like me to dish out the food for you each?”

猫猫「いえ、結構(けっこう)です！若旦那様(わかだんなさま)は、他人(たにん)がいるとお食事(しょくじ)できないので」

Maomao “Ie, kekko-desu! Waka-danna-sama’wa, tanin’ga iruto oshokuji-deki-nai-node.”

Maomao “No, it’s fine! The young master can’t eat if there are other people around.”

主人「ああ…それは残念(ざんねん)。では、こちらをどうぞ」

Shujin “Aa… Sore’wa zan-nen. Dewa, kochira’o do-zo.”

Owner “Oh… I’m sorry to hear that. Then, please have this instead.”

高順「ほう…確(たし)かに、この料理(りょうり)なら皿(さら)の絵(え)が映(は)えますね」

Gaoshun “Ho… Tashika-ni, kono ryo-ri-nara sara’no e’ga hae-masu-ne.”

Gaoshun “I see… It’s true, the picture on the plate really stands out with this dish.”

主人「薄造(うすづく)りでございます」

Shujin “Usu-zukuri’de gozai-masu.”

Owner “It’s thinly sliced sashimi.”

薄造り（うすづくり/Usu-zukuri）: Sashimi that is sliced thinner than normal

猫猫「透(す)けるほど薄(うす)く切(き)ったフグの刺身(さしみ)…！かなりの腕前(うでまえ)の料理人(りょうりにん)だぁ！それに…」

Maomao “Sukeru-hodo usuku kitta fugu’no sashimi…! Kanari-no ude-mae’no ryo-ri-nin-daa! Soreni…”

Maomao “The pufferfish sashimi is sliced so thin you can see through it! What a skilled chef! And…”

高順「これは何(なん)だ？…と若旦那様(わかだんなさま)がおっしゃっております」

Gaoshun “Kore’wa nan-da? …To waka-danna-sama’ga osshatte-ori-masu.”

Gaoshun “The young master says ‘What’s this?’”

猫猫（真(ま)っ白(しろ)な塊(かたまり)に焦(こ)げ目(め)をつけている、これは…！）「白子(しらこ)ですか！」

Maomao (Masshiro-na katamari’ni koge-me’o tsukete-iru, kore’wa…!) “Shira-ko desu-ka!”

Maomao (A pure white lump with browned marks… This is…) “Milt?!”

主人「はい。素材(そざい)の味(あじ)を生(い)かすために、軽(かる)く塩焼(しおや)きにいたしました」

Shujin “Hai. Sozai’no aji’o ikasu-tame’ni, karuku shio-yaki’ni itashi-mashita.”

Owner “Yes. we lightly grilled it with a little salt to bring out the flavor of the ingredients.”

猫猫（わっ…分(わ)かってる～！）（じゅるっ）

Maomao (Wa… Wakatte-ruuu!) (Juru.)

Maomao (Th-They really know right!) (slurping)

高順「こら、よだれが出(で)ているぞ。…と若旦那様(わかだんなさま)がおっしゃっております」

Gaoshun “Kora, yodare’ga dete-iru-zo. …To waka-danna-sama’ga osshatte-ori-masu.”

Gaoshun “The young master says ‘Hey, you’re drooling.’”

猫猫「…失礼(しつれい)しました」

Maomao “…Shitsu-rei-shima-shita.”

Maomao “…Please excuse me.”

主人「はっはっはっは。お気(き)に召(め)したようで。それから、お持(も)ち帰(かえ)りの品(しな)も、こちらにご用意(ようい)しております」

Shujin “Hahhahhahha. Oki’ni meshita-yo-de. Sore-kara, omochi-kaeri’no shina’mo, kochira’ni goyo-i-shite-ori-masu.”

Owner “Hahaha. It seems you liked it. And, we have some items prepared for you to take home.”

猫猫（あれは…とっくり？とっくり二(ふた)つに布(ぬの)包(づつみ)が一(ひと)つ…）

Maomao (Are’wa… tokkuri? Tokkuri futatsu’ni nuno-zutsumi’ga hitotsu…)

Maomao (Are those… sake bottles? Two sake bottles and one cloth bag…)

主人「封(ふう)をしっかりしていますが、早(はや)めのご使用(しよう)をお勧(すす)めします。それでは、失礼(しつれい)いたします」

Shujin “Fu’o shikkari shite-imasu-ga, haya-me’no go-shiyo’o osusume-shimasu. Sore-dewa, shitsu-rei-itashi-masu.”

Owner “It is tightly sealed, but we recommend using it as soon as possible. Well then, I shall take my leave now.”

壬氏「…いやはや、現物(げんぶつ)が出(で)てくるとは」

Jinshi “…Iya-haya, gen-butsu’ga dete-kuru-towa.”

Jinshi “Wow, I never thought the real thing would come out.”

いやはや（Iya-haya）: Oh! Wow! Oh dear! – This is a word that means surprise, which can be used in either a good or bad way.

高順「大(おお)きさと言(い)い、形(かたち)と言(い)い、例(れい)の物(もの)と一緒(いっしょ)ですね。小姓(こしょう)、どうですか？」

Gaoshun “Ookisa-to-ii, katachi-to-ii, rei-no mono’to issho-desu-ne. Kosho, do-desu-ka?”

Gaoshun “Both the size and shape are just like the one in question. What do you think, Page?”

猫猫「そうですねぇ。まずは冷(さ)めるといけないので、料理(りょうり)に手(て)をつけてもよろしいでしょうか？」

Maomao “So-desu-nee. Mazu’wa sameru-to ikenai-node, ryo-ri’ni te’o tsuke-temo yoroshii-desho-ka?”

Maomao “That’s true. First of all, may I eat the meal before it gets cold?”

壬氏「…お前(まえ)なぁ…」

Jinshi “…Omae-naa…”

Jinshi “…You…”

猫猫「だって、美味(おい)しく食(た)べているか聞(き)き耳(みみ)立(た)てているかもしれないじゃないですか。ならば、満足気(まんぞくげ)に食(た)べてやるのが礼儀(れいぎ)だと思(おも)います！」

Maomao “Datte, oishiku tabete-iru-ka kiki-mimi tatete-iru-kamo shire-nai-ja nai-desu-ka. Naraba, manzoku-ge-ni tabete-yaru-noga reigi-dato omoi-masu!”

Maomao “Well, they might be listening to see if we’re enjoying our meal. So, I think it’s polite to eat it with satisfaction!”

壬氏「それもそうだが…」

Jinshi “Sore’mo so-daga…”

Jinshi “That’s true, but…”

猫猫「ということで、毒見(どくみ)させていただきます！」

Maomao “To-iu-koto’de, doku-mi-sasete-itadaki-masu!”

Maomao “So, let me test it for poison!”

高順「今日(きょう)の小姓(こしょう)は元気(げんき)ですね…」

Gaoshun “Kyo’no kosho’wa genki-desu-ne…”

Gaoshun “The page is in good spirits today…”

壬氏「普段(ふだん)は寝起(ねお)きかというくらい、やる気(き)がない低(ひく)い声(こえ)なのにな」

Jinshi “Fudan’wa neoki-ka-to iu-kurai, yaruki’ga nai hikui koe-nanoni-na.”

Jinshi “Usually, her voice sounds low and unmotivated, like she just woke up.”

猫猫���くぅ～！うまい、うまぁい！」

Maomao “Kuuu! Umai, umaai!”

Maomao “Kuuu! So good, so good!”

壬氏「…お、おい！全部(ぜんぶ)食(た)べるつもりじゃないだろうな？その白子(しらこ)とかいうやつ」

Jinshi “…O, Oi! Zenbu taberu-tsumori-ja nai-daro-na? Sono shirako-toka iu-yatsu.”

Jinshi “…H-Hey! You’re not planning on eating the whole thing, are you? That thing called milt?”

猫猫「あ、白子(しらこ)は念(ねん)のため、若旦那様(わかだんなさま)は食(た)べない方(ほう)がよろしいかと」

Maomao “A, shirako’wa nen’no-tame, waka-danna-sama’wa tabenai-ho’ga yoroshii-kato.”

Maomao “Oh, just to be on the safe side, I think it would be best for you, Young Master, not to eat the milt.”

念のため（ねんのため/Nen’no-tame）: just in case, to be on the safe side

壬氏「どうしてだ」

Jinshi “Do-shite-da.”

Jinshi “Why not?”

猫猫「フグは内臓(ないぞう)に毒(どく)が溜(た)まりやすいのです。白子(しらこ)はフグの種類(しゅるい)によっては、毒性(どくせい)があるので念(ねん)のため、食(た)べない方(ほう)がよろしいかと」

Maomao “Fugu’wa naizo’ni doku’ga tamari-yasui-no-desu. Shirako’wa fugu’no shurui’ni yotte’wa, doku-sei’ga aru-node nen’no-tame, tabenai-ho’ga yoroshii-kato.”

Maomao “Poison tends to accumulate in the internal organs of pufferfish. Depending on the type of pufferfish, the milt can be poisonous, so just to be on the safe side, I think it’s best not to eat it.”

壬氏「お前(まえ)は食(た)べているじゃないか」

Jinshi “Omae’wa tabete-iru-ja nai-ka.”

Jinshi “You’re eating, aren’t you?”

猫猫「念(ねん)のためです。あと刺身(さしみ)についている、湯引(ゆび)きした皮(かわ)も、やめておいたほうがいいです。他(ほか)に、刺身(さしみ)も生(なま)ですのでお口(くち)に合(あ)わないかもしれないです」

Maomao “Nen’no-tame-desu. Ato, sashimi’ni tsuite-iru, yubiki-shita kawa’mo, yamete-oita-ho’ga ii-desu. Hoka-ni, sashimi’mo nama-desu-node, okuchi’ni awa-nai-kamo shire-nai-desu.”

Maomao “Just for you, to be on the safe side. Also, you should avoid the parboiled skin that comes with sashimi. Also, sashimi is raw, so it might not suit your taste.”

壬氏「俺(おれ)の食(た)べられるものがないだろう！なぁ、番頭(ばんとう)！」

Jinshi “Ore’no tabe-rareru-mono’ga nai-daro! Naa, Banto!”

Jinshi “There’s nothing for me to eat! Right, Head Clerk?”

高順「そうですね…。小姓(こしょう)、一人(ひとり)では食(た)べ切(き)れないと思(おも)いますので、私(わたし)も引(ひ)き受(う)けます」

Gaoshun “So-desu-ne… Kosho, hitori’dewa tabe-kire-nai-to omoi-masu-node, watashi’mo hiki-uke-masu.”

Gaoshun “That’s true… I don’t think the page can eat it all by himself, so I’ll take care of it, too.”

壬氏「番頭(ばんとう)！」

Jinshi “Banto!”

Jinshi “Head Clerk!”

高順「何(なに)かあってはいけませんので、若旦那様(わかだんなさま)は鍋(なべ)をつついてください」

Gaoshun “Nani-ka atte’wa ike-masen-node, Waka-Danna-sama’wa nabe’o tsutsuite-kudasai.”

Gaoshun “Because nothing bad should happen to you, Young Master, please eat the rest of the hotpot dish.”

つつく（Tsutsuku）: poke, peck, nudge

鍋をつつく(鍋をつつく/Nabe’o tsutsuku): take the food from the hotpot with chopsticks ＝ eat a hotpot dish

壬氏「裏切者(うらぎりもの)…。なぁ、その、白(しろ)いやつだけでも、いいだろ？」

Jinshi “Uragiri-mono… Naa, sono, shiroi yatsu-dake’demo, ii-daro?”

Jinshi “You betrayer… Hey, at least the white one is okay, right?”

猫猫「そんなに食(た)べたいんですか？」

Maomao “Sonna-ni tabe-tai-n-desu-ka?”

Maomao “Do you really want to eat that much?”

壬氏「見(み)たことが無(な)い食(た)べ物(もの)は気(き)になるじゃないか。あぁ、ところで、白子(しらこ)って何(なん)だ？」

Jinshi “Mita-koto’ga nai tabe-mono’wa ki’ni-naru-ja nai-ka. Aa, tokorode, shirakotte nan-da?”

Jinshi “I’m always curious about foods I’ve never seen before. Um, by the way, what’s milt?”

猫猫「白子(しらこ)の意味(いみ)も知(し)らなかったんですね。えっと…何(なん)というか…」（壬氏(ジンシ)は……無(な)いんだよな…）

Maomao “Shirako’no imi’mo shira-nakatta-n-desu-ne. Etto… Nan-to-iu-ka…” (Jinshi’wa…nain-da-yona…)

Maomao “You didn’t even know the meaning of milt. Um… how should I put it…” (Jinshi…doesn’t have the one…)

壬氏「何(なん)だ？…どこを見(み)ている？」

Jinshi “Nan-da? …Doko’o mite-iru?”

Jinshi “What? Where are you looking?”

猫猫「魚(さかな)の生殖(せいしょく)器官(きかん)、精巣(せいそう)のことを『白子(しらこ)』と言(い)います。人間(にんげん)で言(い)えば、睾丸(こうがん)、ですね」

Maomao “Sakana’no sei-shoku-kikan, seiso’no koto’o ‘shirako’to ii-masu. Ningen’de ieba, ko-gan, desu-ne.”

Maomao “The reproductive organs of fish, the testes, are called milt. In human terms, they would be called testicles.”

壬氏「うん、分(わ)かった。お前(まえ)にやる」

Jinshi “Un, wakatta. Omae’ni yaru.”

Jinshi “Okay, I get it. I’ll give it to you.”

猫猫「ありがとうございまーす！」（宦官(かんがん)には言(い)いにくい言葉(ことば)だ）

Maomao “Arigato gozai-maaasu!” (Kangan’niwa ii-nikui kotoba-da.)

Maomao “Thank you very much!” (It’s hard to say to a eunuch.)

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水蓮「坊(ぼっ)ちゃま。お帰(かえ)りなさいませ」

Suiren “Bocchama. Okaeri-nasai-mase.”

Suiren “Young Master, welcome back.”

壬氏「ああ、水蓮(すいれん)。皆(みな)に湯冷(ゆざ)ましを頼(たの)む」

Jinshi “Aa, Suiren. Mina’ni yu-zamashi’o tanomu.”

Jinshi “Oh, Suiren. Please bring everyone some cooled boiled water.”

湯冷まし(ゆざまし/Yuzamashi): water that was boiled and then cooled down to room temperature

水蓮「はい、かしこまりました。あらあら、猫猫は随分(ずいぶん)美味(おい)しいものを食(た)べさせてもらったようね。血色(けっしょく)がいいわ」

Suiren “Hai, kashiko-mari-mashita. Ara-ara, Maomao’wa zuibun oishii mono’o tabe-sasete-moratta-yo-ne. Kesshoku’ga ii-wa.”

Suiren “Yes, I understand. Oh my, Maomao, it looks like you had a lot of delicious food. Your complexion is looking good.”

猫猫「水蓮様(スイレンさま)。留守(るす)を任(まか)せてしまい、申(もう)し訳(わけ)ありません」

Maomao “Suiren-sama. Rusu’o makasete-shimai, mo-shi-wake ari-masen.”

Maomao “Lady Suiren, I’m sorry for leaving you home.”

水蓮「いいのよ。歳(とし)を取(と)ると外出(がいしゅつ)が億劫(おっくう)になるの」

Suiren “Ii-noyo. Toshi’o toru-to gai-shutsu’ga okku-ni naru-no.”

Suiren “It’s fine. As you get older, it becomes troublesome to go out.”

億劫な（おっくうな/Okku-na）: troublesome, bothersome

猫猫（なら、いいんだけど）

Maomao (Nara, iin-da-kedo.)

Maomao (That would be fine, then.)

壬氏「さて、薬屋(くすりや)。持(も)って帰(かえ)って来(き)たとっくりについてだが」

Jinshi “Sate, Kusuriya. Motte-kaette-kita tokkuri’ni tsuite-daga.”

Jinshi “Now, Apothecary, about the bottles we brought back…”

猫猫「はい。とっくりの中身(なかみ)を見(み)せていただきます。まずは人参(にんじん)から」

Maomao “Hai. Tokkuri’no naka-mi’o misete-itadaki-masu. Mazu’wa ninjin’kara.”

Maomao “Yes. Let’s see what’s in the bottles. Let’s start with the ginseng.”

壬氏「野菜(やさい)と言(い)うより、木(き)の根(ね)っこのようだ」

Jinshi “Yasai’to iu-yori, ki’no nekko’no-yo-da.”

Jinshi “It looks more like a tree root than a vegetable.”

猫猫「紅参(コウジン)と言(い)います。食欲(しょくよく)不振(ふしん)、嘔吐(おうと)、下痢(げり)、疲労(ひろう)回復(かいふく)、滋養強壮(じようきょうそう)に良(よ)い生薬(しょうやく)です」

Maomao “Ko-jin’to ii-masu. Shoku-yoku-fushin, o-to, geri, hiro-kaifuku, jiyo-kyo-so’ni yoi sho-yaku-desu.”

Maomao “It’s called red ginseng. It’s a herbal medicine that’s good for loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue recovery, and for strengthening the body.”

壬氏「ほう。次(つぎ)のは？」

Jinshi “Ho. Tsugi’no’wa?”

Jinshi “I see. What’s next?”

猫猫「天麻(テンマ)は、オニノヤガラという植物(しょくぶつ)の根(ね)っこや茎(くき)を乾燥(かんそう)させたものです。めまい、麻痺(まひ)、痙攣(けいれん)などに処方(しょほう)されます」

Maomao “Tenma’wa, oni’no yagara-to-iu shoku-butsu’no nekko’ya kuki’o kanso-saseta mono-desu. Memai, mahi, keiren-nado’ni shoho-sare-masu.”

Maomao “Gastrodia tuber is made from the dried roots and stems of the plant Tall gastrodia. It is prescribed for dizziness, paralysis, convulsion, etc.”

高順「最後(さいご)のこれは？」

Gaoshun “Saigo’no kore’wa?”

Gaoshun “What’s the last one?”

猫猫「ハスの模様(もよう)が付(つ)いた包(つつ)みには、見(み)ての通(とお)りの蓮根(れんこん)。野菜(やさい)として知(し)られますが、生薬(しょうやく)として用(もち)いることも多(おお)いですね」

Maomao “Hasu’no moyo’ga tsuita tsutsumi’niwa, mite’no toori’no renkon. Yasai-to-shite shirare-masu-ga, sho-yaku-to-shite mochiiru-koto’mo ooi-desu-ne.”

Maomao “Inside the package with the lotus design is lotus root, as you can see. It’s known as a vegetable, but it’s also often used as a herbal medicine.”

水蓮「あら。美味(おい)しそうな蓮根(れんこん)ね。すりおろして汁物(しるもの)にしましょうか？」

Suiren “Ara. Oishi-so-na renkon-ne. Suri-oroshite shiru-mono’ni shima-sho-ka?”

Suiren “Oh, that lotus root looks delicious. Shall I grate it and make soup?”

猫猫「お願(ねが)いします、水蓮様(スイレンさま)」

Maomao “Onegai-shimasu, Suiren-sama.”

Maomao “Please, Lady Suiren.”

水蓮「ウフフ…」

Suiren “Ufufu…”

壬氏「いいのか？」

Jinshi “Ii-noka?”

Jinshi “Is it okay?”

猫猫「はい。上物(じょうもの)ですが、普通(ふつう)の蓮根(れんこん)ですから」

Maomao “Hai. Jo-mono-desu-ga, futsu-no renkon-desu-kara.”

Maomao “Yes. It’s high quality, but a regular lotus root.”

高順「とっくりは後宮(こうきゅう)に落(お)ちていたものと同(おな)じと見(み)て間違(まちが)いないですね」

Gaoshun “Tokkuri’wa ko-kyu’ni ochite-ita-mono’to onaji-to-mite machigai-nai-desu-ne.”

Gaoshun “I’m pretty sure that this is the same bottle that was dropped in the rear palace.”

猫猫「はい。とっくりが薄(うす)くて小(ちい)さい理由(りゆう)は、薬入(くすりい)れだったからですね。気密性(きみつせい)も高(たか)く、ちょうどいいからそのまま、手紙(てがみ)を詰(つ)めて井戸(いど)へと流(なが)したのでしょうね。どうしてもっと安価(あんか)な竹(たけ)どっくりではなく、こんな綺麗(きれい)なとっくりを使(つか)うのか、不思議(ふしぎ)でした」

Maomao “Hai. Tokkuri’ga usukute chiisai riyu’wa, kusuri-ire-datta-kara-desu-ne. Kimitsu-sei’mo takaku, cho-do ii-kara sono-mama, tegami’o tsumete ido’eto nagashita-no-desho-ne. Do-shite motto anka-na take-dokkuri’dewa-naku, konna kirei-na tokkuri’o tsukau-noka fushigi-deshita.”

Maomao “Yes. The reason the bottle was so thin and small is because it was used to hold medicine. It’s also airtight and just right, so they stuffed the letter in it and let it go down the well. I wondered why they used such a beautiful sake bottle instead of a cheaper bamboo one.”

高順「しかし、阿芙蓉(あふよう)はないと言(い)われた点(てん)はどう考(かんが)えていますか？小猫(シャオマオ)。割(わ)れたとっくりには確(たし)かに芥子(けし)の花(はな)のようなものが描(か)かれていますよ」

Gaoshun “Shikashi, afuyou’wa nai-to iwareta ten’wa do kangaete-imasu-ka? Shaomao. Wareta tokkuri’niwa tashika-ni keshi’no hana’no-yo-na mono’ga kakarete-imasu-yo.”

Gaoshun “But what do you think about the part where we were told that there was no opium poppy, Xiaomao? There is definitely something that looks like a poppy flower painted on the broken bottle.”

猫猫「そこなんですけど、三(みっ)つほど仮定(かてい)できます」

Maomao “Soko-nan-desu-kedo, mittsu-hodo katei-deki-masu.”

Maomao “About that, I can make three assumptions.”

壬氏「三(みっ)つ？どんなだ」

Jinshi “Mittsu? Donna-da.”

Jinshi “Three? What do you think?”

猫猫「一(ひと)つ、孔雀館(くじゃくかん)の楼主(ろうしゅ)は、一見(いちげん)さんにいきなり阿芙蓉(あふよう)を出(だ)すヘマはしなかった。二(ふた)つ、実際(じっさい)、阿芙蓉(あふよう)の品書(しなが)きはなかった。三(みっ)つ、阿芙蓉(あふよう)という品書(しなが)きが間違(まちが)っていた」

Maomao “Hitotsu, Kujaku-Kan’no ro-shu’wa, ichigen-san’ni ikinari afuyou’o dasu hema’wa shinakatta. Futatsu, jissai, afuyou’no shina-gaki’wa nakatta. Mittsu, afuyou-to-iu shina-gaki’ga machigatte-ita.”

Maomao “First, the owner of the Peacock House didn’t make the mistake of serving afuyou to a first-time customer. Second, there was no afuyou on the menu. Third, the menu ‘afuyou’ was incorrect.”

壬氏「うん？二(ふた)つまでは分(わ)かるとして、三(みっ)つめは何(なん)だ？」

Jinshi “Un? Futatsu’madewa wakaru-to-shite, mittsu-me’wa nan-da?”

Jinshi “Hmm? I understand the first two, but what’s the third one?”

猫猫「そのままです。壬氏様(ジンシさま)は、阿芙蓉(あふよう)、と聞(き)いて何(なに)を思(おも)い浮(う)かべますか？」

Maomao “Sono-mama-desu. Jinshi-sama’wa, afuyou-to kiite nani’o omoi-ukabe-masu-ka?”

Maomao “Just as it is. Master Jinshi, what do you think of when you hear the word afuyou?”

壬氏「そうだな。花(はな)と言(い)うより、阿片(アヘン)を思(おも)いつく」

Jinshi “So-dana. Hana-to-iu-yori, ahen’o omoi-tsuku.”

Jinshi “Let’s see. Rather than flowers, I think of opium.”

阿片（アヘン/Ahen）: opium (drug)

猫猫「はい。なので、阿芙蓉(あふよう)ではなく、芥子(けし)、と言(い)えば良(よ)かったのかもしれません」

Maomao “Hai. Nanode, afuyou’dewa-naku, keshi-to-ieba yokatta-no-kamo shire-masen.”

Maomao “Yes. So maybe I should have said ‘opium poppy’ instead of afuyou.”

壬氏「どっちも同(おな)じだろ」

Jinshi “Docchi’mo onaji-daro.”

Jinshi “They’re both the same.”

猫猫「芥子(けし)は芥子でも、芥子の実(み)なら合法(ごうほう)でしょう？」

Maomao “Keshi’wa keshi’demo, keshi’no mi-nara go-ho-desho?”

Maomao “But in case of poppy seeds, then it’s legal, right?”

高順「そういうことでしたら、孔雀館(くじゃくかん)でまた注文(ちゅうもん)してみましょう」

Gaoshun “So-iu-koto-deshitara, Kujaku-Kan’de mata chu-mon-shite-mimasho.”

Gaoshun “If that’s the case, let’s order from the Peacock House again.”

猫猫「ぜひ、私(わたし)も連(つ)れて行(い)ってください！」

Maomao “Zehi, watashi’mo tsurete-itte-kudasai!”

Maomao “Please, take me with you!”

壬氏「おい！まだ問題(もんだい)が解決(かいけつ)していないぞ。すぐ日程(にってい)を確認(かくにん)するんじゃない、薬屋(くすりや)」

Jinshi “Oi! Mada mondai’ga kaiketsu-shite-inai-zo. Sugu nittei’o kakunin-surun-ja nai, Kusuriya.”

Jinshi “Hey, the problem hasn’t been solved yet. Don’t check the schedule right away, Apothecary.”

猫猫「失礼(しつれい)しました」

Maomao “Shitsurei-shima-shita.”

Maomao “Please excuse me.”

壬氏「はぁ…。芥子(けし)の実(み)なら、ああやって隠(かく)れて取引(とりひき)する必要(ひつよう)もないだろ」

Jinshi “Haa… Keshi’no mi-nara, aa-yatte kakurete tori-hiki-suru hitsuyo’mo nai-daro.”

Jinshi “(Sigh) If it were poppy seeds, there would be no need to trade them in secret like that.”

猫猫「そうなんですよ。阿片(アヘン)なら分(わ)かるんですが、芥子(けし)の実(み)をとっくりに隠(かく)して送(おく)ろうとする意味(いみ)が分(わ)かりません。いくら持(も)ち込(こ)みが厳(きび)しい後宮(こうきゅう)でも、芥子(けし)の実(み)くらいなら食材(しょくざい)扱(あつか)いですよね。阿片(アヘン)ならともかく。孔雀館(くじゃくかん)が本当(ほんとう)に阿片(アヘン)を取(と)り扱(あつか)っていたら、また別(べつ)の問題(もんだい)になりますけどね」

Maomao “So-nan-desu-yo. Ahen’nara wakaru-n-desu-ga, keshi’no mi’o tokkuri’ni kakushite okuro-to-suru imi’ga wakari-masen. Ikura mochi-komi’ga kibishii ko-kyu’demo, keshi’no mi-kurai-nara shoku-zai-atsukai-desu-yone. Ahen-nara tomokaku. Kujaku-Kan’ga honto-ni ahen’o tori-atsukatte-itara, mata betsu’no mondai’ni nari-masu-kedo-ne.”

Maomao “That’s right. If it was opium, I would understand, but I don’t understand why they would try to hide poppy seeds in a bottle and send them. Even though the rear palace has strict rules about what can be brought in, poppy seeds would still be considered a food ingredient. Of course, opium can’t be brought in. If the Peacock House really was dealing in opium, that would be a whole other issue, though.”

猫猫（遣(や)り手婆(てばばあ)にタレこんだら、意気揚々(いきようよう)と孔雀館(くじゃくかん)潰(つぶ)しにかかるだろうしなぁ…）

Maomao (Yarite-Babaa’ni tare-kon-dara, iki-yo-yo-to Kujaku-Kan tsubushi-ni kakaru-daro-shi-naa…)

Maomao (If I tell Old Madam, she’ll be excited and try to destroy the Peacock House…)

タレこむ（Tarekomu）: inform on, tell on,

壬氏「いや、後宮(こうきゅう)では、阿片(アヘン)も医薬品(いやくひん)として許可(きょか)した記憶(きおく)がある」

Jinshi “Iya, ko-kyu’dewa, ahen’mo iyaku-hin-to-shite kyoka-shita kioku’ga aru.”

Jinshi “No, I recall that opium was also permitted as a medicine in the rear palace.”

猫猫「えっ、本当ですか？」

Maomao “E, honto-desu-ka?”

Maomao “Oh, is that true?”

壬氏「高順(ガオシュン)���

Jinshi “Gaoshun.”

Jinshi “Gaoshun.”

高順「はい。すぐお持(も)ちします」

Gaoshun “Hai. Sugu omochi-shimasu.”

Gaoshun “Yes. I’ll bring it right away.”

高順「こちらです」

Gaoshun “Kochira-desu.”

Gaoshun “Here it is.”

猫猫（後宮(こうきゅう)の妃(きさき)たちの記録(きろく)か…。似顔絵(にがおえ)に、詳細(しょうさい)な記録(きろく)が書(か)いてある）

Maomao (Ko-kyu’no kisaki-tachi’no kiroku-ka… Nigao-e’ni, sho-sai-na kiroku’ga kaite-aru.)

Maomao (A record of the concubines of the rear palace… Detailed records are written with the portraits.)

壬氏「あぁ…これだ。三年前(さんねんまえ)。下級妃(かきゅうひ)・シンイー？」

Jinshi “Aa… Kore-da. San-nen-mae. Kakyu-hi, Shin’ii?”

Jinshi “Ah… This is it. Three years ago. Low-ranking Concubine Xinyi?”

I don’t know the kanji for シンイー, but it may be “欣怡” or “信宜”.

猫猫「この方(かた)が阿片(アヘン)を？どういう方(かた)でしょうか？」

Maomao “Kono kata’ga ahen’o? Do-iu-kata-desho-ka?”

Maomao “This person used opium? What kind of person is she?”

壬氏「今(いま)の主上(しゅじょう)の後宮(こうきゅう)を発足(ほっそく)する際(さい)、最初(さいしょ)に来(き)た妃(きさき)たちの一人(ひとり)だ。商人(しょうにん)の娘(むすめ)で、身分(みぶん)は低(ひく)いが、美貌(びぼう)と知性(ちせい)があり、しばし寵愛(ちょうあい)をいただいていた。しかし、三年(さんねん)ほど前(まえ)、体(からだ)に腫瘍(しゅよう)ができる病(やまい)になった」

Jinshi “Ima’no shujo’no ko-kyu’o hossoku-suru-sai, saisho’ni kita kisaki-tachi’no hitori-da. Sho-nin’no musume’de, mibun’wa hikui-ga, bibo’to chisei’ga ari, shibashi cho-ai’o itadaite-ita. Shikashi, san-nen-hodo-mae, karada’ni shuyo’ga dekiru yamai’ni natta.”

Jinshi “She was one of the first concubines to come to the current emperor’s rear palace when it was established. The daughter of a merchant, she was of low social status, but she was beautiful and intelligent, and was the favorite for a time. However, about three years ago, she became ill and developed tumors in her body.”

猫猫「悪性腫瘍(あくせいしゅよう)ですか…」（不治(ふじ)の病(やまい)だ。親父(おやじ)でも、延命(えんめい)治療(ちりょう)くらいしかできないだろう）

Maomao “Akusei-shuyo-desu-ka…” (Fuji’no yamai-da. Oyaji-demo, enmei-chiryo-kurai-shika deki-nai-daro.)

Maomao “It was a malignant tumor…” (It’s an incurable disease. Even my dad can only provide life-prolonging treatment.)

壬氏「ああ。治療(ちりょう)はどこでやっても難(むずか)しいということで、せめてもの温情(おんじょう)で、阿片(アヘン)を使(つか)わせたのだ。妃(きさき)として最期(さいご)を迎(むか)え、遺体(いたい)は後宮内(こうきゅうない)に安置(あんち)されている」

Jinshi “Aa. Chiryo’wa doko’de yattemo muzukashii-to-iu-koto’de, semete’mono onjo’de, ahen’o tsuka-waseta-noda. Kisaki-to-shite saigo’o mukae, itai’wa ko-kyu-nai’ni anchi-sarete-iru.”

Jinshi “Yes. It was difficult to treat her anywhere, so as a gesture of mercy, we gave her opium to use. She died as a concubine, and her body is kept in the rear palace.”

猫猫「どうしようもない理由(りゆう)ですね…。他(ほか)には無(な)いんですね？」

Maomao “Do-shiyo’mo-nai riyu-desu-ne… Hoka’niwa nain-desu-ne?”

Maomao “That’s an unavoidable reason… Are there no other cases?”

壬氏「後宮内(こうきゅうない)で麻薬(まやく)など流行(はや)ったら、目(め)も当(あ)てられんからな」

Jinshi “Ko-kyu-nai’de mayaku-nado hayattara, me’mo ate-raren-kara-na.”

Jinshi “If drugs were to become popular within the rear palace, it would be too awful to look at.”

目も当てられない（めもあてられない/Me’mo ate-rare-nai）: too awful/terrible/pitiful to look at, an absolute disaster

猫猫「持(も)ち込(こ)まれたことはなかったとして、持(も)ち込(こ)もうとした記録(きろく)は残(のこ)ってませんか？」

Maomao “Mochi-komareta-koto’wa nakatta-to-shite, mochi-komo-to-shita kiroku’wa nokotte-masen-ka?”

Maomao “Even if it was never brought in, is there any record of an attempt to bring it in?”

壬氏「ん？そう言(い)えば、シンイー妃(ひ)が死(し)んでからも、しばらくの間(あいだ)、彼女(かのじょ)に薬(くすり)を送(おく)って来(き)た者(もの)がいたな…。妃(きさき)は死(し)んだといくら言(い)っても、なかなか信(しん)じなかったらしい」

Jinshi “N? So-ieba, Shin’ii-hi’ga shinde-kara’mo, shibaraku’no aida, kanojo’ni kusuri’o okutte-kita mono’ga ita-na… Kisaki’wa shinda-to ikura ittemo, naka-naka shinji-nakatta-rashii.”

Jinshi “Now that I think about it, even after Concubine Xinyi died, there was a man who sent her medicine for a while… No matter how many times we told him that she had died, he seemed reluctant to believe it.”

猫猫「記録(きろく)は残(のこ)っていますか？」

Maomao “Kiroku’wa nokotte-imasu-ka?”

Maomao “Are there any records?”

高順「確(たし)か、ウェイという武官(ぶかん)です。シンイー妃(ひ)とは、兄妹(きょうだい)のように育(そだ)ったと聞(き)いています」

Gaoshun “Tashika, Wei-to-iu bukan-desu. Shin’ii-hi’towa, kyo-dai’no-yo-ni sodatta-to kiite-imasu.”

Gaoshun “I believe he is a military officer named Wei. I heard that he and Concubine Xinyi had been raised like siblings.”

猫猫（兄妹(きょうだい)ねぇ…。邪推(じゃすい)するな、というのは無理(むり)があるよなぁ）

Maomao (Kyo-dai-nee… Jasui-suru-na-to iu-nowa muri’ga aru-yo-naa.)

Maomao (They’re brother and sister… It’s almost impossible for me to believe it exactly as it was.)

邪推する（じゃすいする/Jasui-suru）: suspect, have a suspicious mind, read something into something, let one’s imagination run wild

猫猫「その武官(ぶかん)、今(いま)は何(なに)をしていますか？」

Maomao “Sono bukan, ima’wa nani’o shite-imasu-ka?”

Maomao “What does that military officer do now?”

高順「詳(くわ)しく調(しら)べないと分(わ)かりませんが、以前(いぜん)は城壁外(じょうへきがい)の警備(けいび)をやっていたはずです。調(しら)べてみますね」

Gaoshun “Kuwashiku shirabe-naito wakari-masen-ga, izen’wa jo-heki-gai’no keibi’o yatte-ita-hazu-desu. Shirabete-mimasu-ne.”

Gaoshun “I don’t know for sure until I investigate further, but I believe he used to be on guard duty outside the palace walls. I’ll look into it.”

猫猫「ありがとうございます。あと、シンイー妃(ひ)が亡(な)くなられた後(あと)、仕(つか)えていた侍女(じじょ)たちはどうなったか、知(し)りたいです」

Maomao “Arigato gozai-masu. Ato, Shin’ii-hi’ga nakuna-rareta-ato, tsukaete-ita jijo-tachi’wa do-natta-ka, shiri-tai-desu.”

Maomao “Thank you. Also, I would like to know what happened to the ladies-in-waiting who served Concubine Xinyi after she died.”

高順「かしこまりました」

Gaoshun “Kashiko-mari-mashita.”

Gaoshun “I understood.”

壬氏「それで何(なに)か分(わ)かりそうなのか？」

Jinshi “Sore’de nani-ka wakari-so-nano-ka?”

Jinshi “So does that tell you anything?”

猫猫「分(わ)かるかもしれませんし、分(わ)からないかもしれません」

Maomao “Wakaru-kamo shire-masen-shi, wakara-nai-kamo shire-masen.”

Maomao “It might tell us something, or nothing.”

壬氏「あ…何(なん)だ、それは」

Jinshi “A… Nanda, sore’wa.”

Jinshi “What’s that?”

猫猫（さてさて…あとはお楽(たの)しみ）

Maomao (Sate-sate… ato’wa otano-shimi.)

Maomao (Now then… wait and see.)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

高順「ウェイという武官(ぶかん)についてですが、数日前(すうじつまえ)に怪我(けが)をしていたことが分(わ)かりました。後宮(こうきゅう)の周(まわ)りの堀(ほり)で取(と)り逃(に)がした不審者(ふしんしゃ)は、この男(おとこ)だったそうです」

Gaoshun “Wei-to-iu bukan’ni-tsuite-desu-ga, su-jitsu-mae’ni kega’o shite-ita-koto’ga wakari-mashita. Ko-kyu’no mawari’no hori’de tori-nigashita fushin-sha’wa, kono otoko-datta-so-desu.”

Gaoshun “Regarding the military officer named Wei, we learned that he was injured a few days ago. It seems that this man was the suspicious person who got away around the moat outside the rear palace.”

猫猫「そうですか。では、妃(きさき)の侍女(じじょ)たちについては？」

Maomao “So-desu-ka. Dewa, kisaki’no jijo-tachi’ni-tsuite’wa?”

Maomao “I see. And what about the concubine’s ladies-in-waiting?”

高順「ほとんどが後宮(こうきゅう)を去(さ)っていましたが、一人(ひとり)有能(ゆうのう)な者(もの)がいて、後宮(こうきゅう)に残(のこ)っていました。例(れい)の武官(ぶかん)とやり取(と)りしていたのは、その侍女(じじょ)でした」

Gaoshun “Hotondo’ga ko-kyu’o satte-imashita-ga, hitori yu-no-na mono’ga ite, ko-kyu’ni nokotte-imashita. Rei-no bukan’to yari-tori-shite-ita-nowa, sono jijo-deshita.”

Gaoshun “Most of them had left the rear palace, but one capable person remained. It was that lady-in-waiting who had been communicating with the military officer in question.”

猫猫「やはり…」

Maomao “Yahari…”

Maomao “I thought so…”

壬氏「なぜ分(わ)かった？」

Jinshi “Naze wakatta?”

Jinshi “How did you know?”

猫猫「分(わ)かった、と言(い)うか、可能性(かのうせい)を考(かんが)えました。隠(かく)れてまで何(なに)か特別(とくべつ)な手紙(てがみ)と、恐(おそ)らく、芥子(けし)関連(かんれん)の何(なに)かを手(て)に入(い)れようとした理由(りゆう)について。後宮(こうきゅう)での密通(みっつう)は、最悪(さいあく)死罪(しざい)になります。だから、双方(そうほう)にどんな目的(もくてき)があってやり取(と)りをしていたか考(かんが)えました」

Maomao “Wakatta-to-iuka, kano-sei’o kangae-mashita. Kakurete-made nani-ka Tokubetsu-na tegami’to, osoraku, keshi-kanren’no nani-ka’o te’ni-ire-yo-to-shita riyu’ni-tsuite. Ko-kyu’deno mittsu’wa, sai-aku shi-zai’ni nari-masu. Dakara, so-ho’ni donna mokuteki’ga atte yari-tori’o shite-ita-ka kangae-mashita.”

Maomao “I knew, or rather, I have considered the possibilities, about a reason why they went into hiding to obtain a special letter, and perhaps something related to opium poppies. Adultery in the rear palace is punishable by death at worst. So I have considered what purpose each party had in communicating with each other.”

壬氏「ほう…。では、武官(ぶかん)と、シンイー妃(ひ)の元(もと)侍女(じじょ)、それぞれどんな目的(もくてき)があったと考(かんが)えた？」

Jinshi “Ho… Dewa, bukan’to, Shin’ii-hi’no moto-jijo, sore-zore donna moku-teki’ga atta-to kangaeta?”

Jinshi “I see… So what did you think were the purposes of the military officer and Concubine Xinyi’s lady-in-waiting?”

猫猫「まず武官(ぶかん)ですが、壬氏様(ジンシさま)も気(き)づいてらっしゃるでしょ？シンイー妃(ひ)のことを、妹(いもうと)のようにであれ、恋愛(れんあい)感情(かんじょう)であれ、深(ふか)く想(おも)っていた。しかし、シンイー妃(ひ)は突如(とつじょ)後宮(こうきゅう)に入(はい)り、そのまま帰(かえ)らぬ人となった。情熱的(じょうねつてき)な人(ひと)ほど、信(しん)じられないと思(おも)うでしょう。遺体(いたい)すら、後宮(こうきゅう)から出(で)ることはないのですから…」

Maomao “Mazu bukan-desu-ga, Jinshi-sama’mo kizuite-rassharu-desho? Shin’ii-hi’no koto’o, imo-to’no-yo-ni’de-are, ren’ai-kanjo’de-are, fukaku omotte-ita. Shikashi, Shin’ii-hi’wa totsu-jo ko-kyu’ni hairi, sono-mama kaera-nu hito’to natta. Jo-netsu-teki-na hito-hodo, shinji-rare-nai-to omou-desho. Itai-sura, ko-kyu’kara deru-koto’wa nai-no-desu-kara…”

Maomao “First of all, about the military officer, you must have noticed too, haven’t you, Master Jinshi? He cared deeply for Concubine Xinyi, whether it was as a sister or romantically. However, Concubine Xinyi suddenly entered the rear palace and passed away. The more passionate he is, the more unbelievable it must be. Since even her body never left the rear palace…”

壬氏「お手付(てつ)きになった妃(きさき)は原則(げんそく)、後宮(こうきゅう)に骨(ほね)を埋(うず)めることになる」

Jinshi “Ote-tsuki’ni natta kisaki’wa gen-soku, ko-kyu’ni hone’o uzumeru-koto’ni naru.”

Jinshi “In principle, a concubine who was visited by the emperor will be forced to spend the rest of her life in the rear palace.”

猫猫「だが、皆(みな)が死(し)んだと言(い)い、後宮(こうきゅう)に薬(くすり)を送(おく)ろうにも突(つ)き返(かえ)された。年月(ねんげつ)が経(た)ち、ようやくシンイー妃(ひ)のことを忘(わす)れようとしたところで、出会(であ)ってしまった。妃(きさき)の元(もと)侍女(じじょ)に」

Maomao “Daga, mina’ga shinda-to-ii, ko-kyu’ni kusuri’o okuro’nimo tsuki-kae-sareta. Nen-getsu’ga tachi, yo-yaku Shin’ii-hi’no koto’o wasure-yo-to shita-tokoro’de, deatte-shimatta. Kisaki’no moto-jijo’ni.”

Maomao “But everyone said that she had died, and when he tried to send medicine to the rear palace, they rejected it. Years passed, and just when he was finally starting to forget about Concubine Xinyi, he met her former lady-in-waiting.”

高順「元(もと)侍女(じじょ)は、シンイー妃(ひ)が入内(じゅだい)する前(まえ)から仕(つか)えていました。武官(ぶかん)と面識(めんしき)があったそうです」

Gaoshun “Moto-jijo’wa, Shin’ii-hi’ga judai-suru-mae’kara tsukaete-imashita. Bukan’to men-shiki’ga atta-so-desu.”

Gaoshun “The former lady-in-waiting served Concubine Xinyi even before she entered the rear palace. She was apparently acquainted with the military officer.”

猫猫「はい。後宮(こうきゅう)の女官(にょかん)と武官(ぶかん)が出会(であ)う場面(ばめん)などは限(かぎ)られます。前回(ぜんかい)の園遊会(えんゆうかい)の後(あと)くらいですよね。井戸(いど)の幽霊(ゆうれい)騒(さわ)ぎがあったのは」

Maomao “Hai. Ko-kyu’no nyokan’to bukan’ga deau bamen-nado’wa kagirare-masu. Zenkai’no en’yu-kai’no ato-kurai-desu-yone. Ido’no yu-rei-sawagi’ga atta-nowa.”

Maomao “Yes. There are only a few occasions when a lady-in-waiting from the rear palace and a military officer meet. It must have been after the last garden party, when the ghost at the well happened.”

壬氏「その通(とお)りだ。しかし、二人(ふたり)が手紙(てがみ)のやり取(と)りをする理由(りゆう)が分(わ)からんぞ」

Jinshi “Sono toori-da. Shikashi, futari’ga tegami’no yari-tori’o suru riyu’ga wakaran-zo.”

Jinshi “That’s right, but I don’t understand why they would exchange letters.”

猫猫「元(もと)侍女(じじょ)が武官(ぶかん)に、こう囁(ささや)いたとしたら、どうですか？ “シンイー妃(ひ)はまだ存命(ぞんめい)している。しかし、特殊(とくしゅ)な病(やまい)のため隠(かく)さねばならない。後宮(こうきゅう)の治療(ちりょう)はあてにならない。弱(よわ)っていく妃(きさき)のために、薬(くすり)を用意(ようい)してくれないだろうか”と」

Maomao “Moto-jijo’ga bukan’ni, ko sasayaita-to-shitara, do-desu-ka? ‘Shin’ii-hi’wa mada zonmei-shite-iru. Shikashi, Tokushu-na yamai’no-tame, kakusa-neba nara-nai. Ko-kyu’no chiryo’wa ate’ni nara-nai. Yowatte-iku kisaki’no tame’ni, kusuri’o yo-i-shite-kurenai-daroka-to.”

Maomao “What if the former lady-in-waiting whispered to the military officer: ‘Concubine Xinyi is still alive. However, she has a special illness that must be hidden. The treatments in the rear palace are unreliable. Can you prepare some medicine for the weakening concubine?’”

高順「その通(とお)りです。武官(ぶかん)もそう証言(しょうげん)していました」

Gaoshun “Sono toori-desu. Bukan’mo so sho-gen-shite-imashita.”

Gaoshun “That is correct. The military officer also testified that.”

猫猫「細(こま)かい打(う)ち合(あ)わせは、武官(ぶかん)が元(もと)侍女(じじょ)にかんざしでも贈(おく)って、後宮(こうきゅう)の外(そと)で話(はな)したのではないでしょうか。宮廷(きゅうてい)の内外(ないがい)を警備(けいび)する武官(ぶかん)であれば、後宮(こうきゅう)の水路(すいろ)についても耳(みみ)にしたことがあったのかもしれません」

Maomao “Komakai uchi-awase’wa, bukan’ga moto-jijo’ni kanzashi-demo okutte, ko-kyu’no soto’de hanashita-no-dewa nai-desho-ka. Kyu-tei’no nai-gai’o keibi-suru bukan’de-areba, ko-kyu’no suiro’ni-tsuite’mo mimi’ni shita-koto’ga atta-no-kamo shire-masen.”

Maomao “The military officer would have given the former lady-in-waiting a hair stick or something and discussed the details outside the rear palace. If he was a military officer guarding the palace both inside and outside, he might have heard about the waterways in the rear palace.”

壬氏「武官(ぶかん)の動機(どうき)は分(わ)かった。でも、元(もと)侍女(じじょ)の動機(どうき)が分(わ)からん。なぜ武官(ぶかん)に連絡(れんらく)を取(と)ろうとしたのか、分(わ)かるか？」

Jinshi “Bukan’no do-ki’wa wakatta. Demo, moto-jijo’no do-ki’ga wakaran. Naze bukan’ni renraku’o toro-to-shita-noka, wakaru-ka?”

Jinshi “I understand the military officer’s motive, but I don’t understand the former lady-in-waiting’s motive. Do you know why she tried to contact him?”

猫猫「はい。その前(まえ)に、一(ひと)つ確認(かくにん)を」

Maomao “Hai. Sono mae’ni, hitotsu kakunin’o.”

Maomao “Yes. Before that, let me confirm one thing.”

壬氏「何(なん)だ？」

Jinshi “Nan-da?”

Jinshi “What?”

猫猫「シンイー妃(ひ)のために用意(ようい)された阿片(アヘン)、妃(きさき)が亡(な)くなった後(あと)、全(すべ)て回収(かいしゅう)しましたか？」

Maomao “Shin’ii-hi’no tame’ni yo-i-sareta ahen, kisaki’ga naku-natta-ato, subete kaishu-shima-shita-ka?”

Maomao “Did you collect all the opium prepared for Concubine Xinyi after she died?”

高順「薬(くすり)は全部(ぜんぶ)使(つか)い切(き)ってしまったと報告(ほうこく)が残(のこ)っています」

Gaoshun “Kusuri’wa zenbu tsukai-kitte-shimatta-to ho-koku’ga nokotte-imasu.”

Gaoshun “There are reports that all the medicine has been used up.”

猫猫「あくまで侍女(じじょ)たちの自己(じこ)申告(しんこく)、ですよね。阿片(アヘン)は、使(つか)い方(かた)次第(しだい)では薬(くすり)。ですが中毒性(ちゅうどくせい)があり、麻薬(まやく)の面(めん)の方(ほう)が強(つよ)いです。元(もと)侍女(じじょ)は、阿片(アヘン)を味(あじ)わってしまったのではないでしょうか」

Maomao “Akumade jijo-tachi’no jiko-shinkoku, desu-yone. Ahen’wa, tsukai-kata-shidai’dewa kusuri. Desu-ga chu-doku-sei’ga ari, mayaku’no men’no-ho���ga tsuyoi-desu. Moto-jijo’wa, ahen’o ajiwatte-shimatta-no’dewa nai-desho-ka.”

Maomao “That’s just the ladies-in-waiting’s own report, isn’t it? Opium can be a medicine depending on how it’s used. But it’s addictive, and more like a drug. I think the former lady-in-waiting may have had a taste of opium.”

猫猫（元(もと)侍女(じじょ)は妃(きさき)の治療中(ちりょうちゅう)、阿片(アヘン)を吸(す)い込(こ)んでしまった。妃(きさき)が死(し)んだ後(あと)も後宮(こうきゅう)に残(のこ)ったが、阿片(アヘン)を吸(す)いたくなった。軽(かる)い中毒(ちゅうどく)症状(しょうじょう)になっていた。しかし、阿片(アヘン)を手(て)に入(い)れようにも、元(もと)侍女(じじょ)にはツテも金(かね)も無(な)い。だから偶然(ぐうぜん)再会(さいかい)した武官(ぶかん)を利用(りよう)した。また、麻薬(まやく)による夢(ゆめ)を味(あじ)わうために…）

Maomao (Moto-jijo’wa kisaki’no chiryo-chu, ahen’o sui-konde-shimatta. Kisaki’ga shinda-ato’mo ko-kyu’ni nokotta-ga, ahen’o suitaku-natta. Karui chu-doku-sho-jo’ni natte-ita. Shikashi, ahen’o te’ni-ire-yo’nimo, moto-jijo’niwa tsute’mo kane’mo nai. Dakara gu-zen saikai-shita bukan’o riyo-shita. Mata mayaku’ni-yoru yume’o ajiwau-tame’ni…)

Maomao (The former lady-in-waiting smoked opium while treating the concubine. After the concubine died, she remained in the rear palace, but she wanted to smoke opium again. She was slightly addicted. However, even if she wanted to get some, she had neither the connection nor the money. So she used the military officer whom she met by chance. To experience another drug-induced dream…)

高順「小猫(シャオマオ)。孔雀館(くじゃくかん)で注文(ちゅうもん)した芥子(けし)があります」

Gaoshun “Shaomao. Kujaku-Kan’de chu-mon-shita keshi’ga ari-masu.”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao, I have the opium poppies we ordered from the Peacock House.”

猫猫「また行(い)ったんですね。私(わたし)を誘(さそ)ってくれなかったんですね」

Maomao “Mata ittan-desu-ne. Watashi’o sasotte-kure-nakatta-n-desu-ne.”

Maomao “You went again. You didn’t invite me, did you?”

壬氏「高順(ガオシュン)、ずるいぞ」

Jinshi “Gaoshun, zurui-zo.”

Jinshi “Gaoshun, that’s not fair.”

ずるいぞ！(Zurui-zo!): That’s not fair! That’s cheating! That’s sly!

高順「残念(ざんねん)ながら私(わたし)も行(い)っていません。ちょうど、知人(ちじん)が孔雀館(くじゃくかん)に行(い)くということで、頼(たの)みました。中(なか)を開(あ)けますね」

Gaoshun “Zan’nen-nagara, watashi’mo itte-ima-sen. Cho-do, chijin’ga Kujaku-Kan’ni iku-to-iu-koto’de, tanomi-mashita. Naka’o ake-masu-ne.”

Gaoshun “Unfortunately, I didn’t go there either. An acquaintance of mine happened to be going to the Peacock House, so I asked him to get this. Let’s open it.”

猫猫「…やはり、阿片(アヘン)なんて大(おお)っぴらに取引(とりひき)しませんよね。芥子(けし)は芥子(けし)でも、芥子(けし)の実(み)ですね。しかも…（フンフン、フン）しっかり炒(い)ってあって、種(たね)として栽培(さいばい)しようとしても、芽(め)が出(で)ることはないでしょう。何度(なんど)も武官(ぶかん)とやり取(と)りしたのは、芽(め)が出(で)なかったからでしょう」

Maomao “…Yahari, ahen-nante ooppira-ni tori-hiki-shimasen-yone. Keshi’wa keshi-demo, keshi’no mi-desu-ne. Shikamo… (Fun-fun, fun) shikkari itte-atte, tane-to-shite saibai-shiyo-to-shitemo, me’ga deru-koto’wa nai-desho. Nando’mo bukan’to yari-tori-shita-nowa, me’ga denakatta-kara-desho.”

Maomao “…After all, opium is not something that is traded openly. It’s still opium poppy, but it’s poppy seeds. And… (sniff, sniff…) they’re roasted thoroughly, so even if you tried to cultivate them as seeds, they wouldn’t sprout. The reason she had so many exchanges with the military officer must be because they didn’t sprout.”

壬氏「芥子(けし)の実(み)は、流通(りゅうつう)させる際(さい)、加熱(かねつ)するようにしているからな。ちなみに、元(もと)侍女(じじょ)の部屋(へや)から、植木鉢(うえきばち)がいくつか出(で)て来(き)たらしいぞ」

Jinshi “Keshi’no mi’wa, ryu-tsu-saseru-sai, kanetsu-suru-yo-ni shite-iru-kara-na. Chinami-ni, moto-jijo’no heya’kara, ueki-bachi’ga ikutsu-ka dete-kita-rashii-zo.”

Jinshi “When distributing poppy seeds, they must be heated beforehand. By the way, it seems that several flower pots were found in the former lady-in-waiting’s room.”

猫猫（これは言(い)い逃(のが)れできないな…）

Maomao (Kore’wa ii-nogare-deki-nai-na…)

Maomao (I guess there’s no room for excuses…)

高順「小猫(シャオマオ)。一(ひと)つ気(き)になることがあるのですが…いいですか？」

Gaoshun “Shaomao. Hitotsu ki’ni-naru koto’ga aru-no-desu-ga… ii-desuka?”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao. There is one thing I’m concerned about… Could I ask?”

猫猫「何(なん)でしょう？」

Maomao “Nan-desho?”

Maomao “What is it?”

高順「武官(ぶかん)が、シンイー妃(ひ)はまだ生(い)きていると信(しん)じ、薬(くすり)を手(て)に入(い)れようとしたのは分(わ)かります。元(もと)侍女(じじょ)が阿片(アヘン)を忘(わす)れられず、武官(ぶかん)を利用(りよう)してでも手(て)に入(い)れようとしたのも分(わ)かります。ですが、なぜ孔雀館(くじゃくかん)はあんな遠回(とおまわ)しな方法(ほうほう)で生薬(しょうやく)を売買(ばいばい)していたのでしょう？やはり、違法(いほう)な薬(くすり)も売(う)られているのでは？」

Gaoshun “Bukan’ga, Shin’ii-hi’wa mada ikite-iru-to shinji, kusuri’o te’ni-ireyo-to shita-nowa wakari-masu. Moto-jijo’ga ahen’o wasure-rarezu, bukan’o riyo-shite-demo te’ni-ireyo-to shita-nomo wakari-masu. Desu-ga, naze Kujaku-Kan’wa anna too-mawashi-na ho-ho’de sho-yaku’o baibai-shite-ita-no-desho? Yahari, iho-na kusuri’mo urarete-iru-no-dewa?”

Gaoshun “I understand that the military officer believed that Concubine Xinyi was still alive and tried to obtain the medicine. I also understand that the former lady-in-waiting had not been able to forget about the opium and tried to use him to obtain it. But why was the Peacock House selling herbal medicines in such a roundabout way? After all, aren’t they selling illegal medicines as well?”

猫猫「たぶん、健全(けんぜん)なものしかありませんよ。あるとしても、殿方(とのがた)が元気(げんき)になる薬(くすり)が多(おお)めに置(お)いてあるくらいでしょうね」

Maomao “Tabun, kenzen-na mono-shika ari-masen-yo. Aru-to-shitemo, tono-gata’ga genki-ni naru kusuri’ga oome-ni oite-aru-kurai-desho-ne.”

Maomao “Probably, there’s only healthy stuff. Even if there is anything, it’s probably just a lot of medicine to make the men vigorous.”

壬氏「意味(いみ)が分(わ)からん。違法性(いほうせい)が無(な)いなら、隠(かく)す必要(ひつよう)もないだろう」

Jinshi “Imi’ga waka-ran. Iho-sei’ga nai-nara, kakusu hitsuyo’mo nai-daro.”

Jinshi “I don’t get it. If there’s nothing illegal about it, there’s no need to hide it.”

猫猫「そこは商売人(しょうばいにん)と客(きゃく)の駆(か)け引(ひ)きです。隠(かく)される方(ほう)が、気(き)になって注文(ちゅうもん)したくなるってことはありませんか？」

Maomao “Soko’wa sho-bai-nin’to kyaku’no kake-hiki-desu. Kaku-sareru-ho’ga, ki’ni-natte chu-mon-shitaku-narutte koto’wa ari-masen-ka?”

Maomao “It’s a game between the merchant and the customer. Don’t you think being hidden makes you more curious and more likely to order?”

壬氏「うーん…そんなものか？」

Jinshi “Uuun… Sonna-mono-ka?”

Jinshi “Hmm… Is that so?”

猫猫「肌(はだ)を露出(ろしゅつ)させた踊(おど)り子(こ)より、御簾(みす)の隙間(すきま)から垣間見(かいまみ)える深窓(しんそう)の令嬢(れいじょう)のくるぶしのほうがそそられる…という殿方(とのがた)は多(おお)いのですよ」

Maomao “Hada’o roshutsu-saseta odori-ko-yori, misu’no sukima’kara kaima-mieru shinso’no reijo’no kurubushi’no-ho’ga sosorareru…to-iu tono-gata’wa ooi-no-desu-yo.”

Maomao “There are many men who find the ankles of a sheltered young lady visible through the gaps in the blinds more enticing than a dancer exposing her skin.”

深窓の令嬢（しんそうのれいじょう/Shinso’no reijo）: a sheltered/well-protected/well-bred young lady

壬氏「踊(おど)り子(こ)の肌(はだ)より、深窓(しんそう)の令嬢(れいじょう)のくるぶし…」

Jinshi “Odori-ko’no hada-yori, shinso’no reijo’no kurubushi…”

Jinshi “The ankles of a sheltered young lady than the skin of a dancer…”

猫猫「はい。そんなものです」（まさに上手(うま)い商売(しょうばい)してるよ、孔雀館(くじゃくかん)の主人(しゅじん)は）

Maomao “Hai. Sonna mono-desu.” (Masa-ni umai sho-bai-shiteru-yo, Kujaku-Kan’no shujin’wa.)

Maomao “Yes, that’s it.” (The owner of the Peacock House is exactly a very good businessman.)

猫猫「せっかくですので、この芥子(けし)の実(み)、早速(さっそく)いただきましょうか。…水蓮様(スイレンさま)、芥子(けし)の実(み)が手(て)に入(はい)りましたので、何(なに)か使(つか)えませんか？」

Maomao “Sekkaku-desu-node, kono keshi’no-mi, sassoku itadaki-masho-ka. Suiren-sama, keshi’no mi’ga te’ni hairi-mashita-node, nani-ka tsukae-masen-ka?”

Maomao “Since we have the opportunity, let’s have these poppy seeds right away. Lady Suiren, now that we have these poppy seeds, is there anything you can use them for?”

水蓮「あら、焼(や)き菓子(がし)にでも入(い)れて食(た)べましょうか」

Suiren “Ara, yaki-gashi’ni-demo irete tabe-masho-ka.”

Suiren “Oh, how about we put it in some baked goods?”

猫猫「はい」

Maomao “Hai.”

Maomao “Yes.”

(The End)

[apothecaryscript]

～11巻ドラマＣＤ　Vol.2『徳利の謎（とっくりのなぞ/Tokkuri’no Nazo）』 (1/2) / Vol.2 of Drama CD for the Light Novel vol.11 “The Mystery of the Sake Bottle” (1/2)～

The drama CD is a bonus for the special edition of light novel vol.11, and you can find the audio on You Tube.

Please note that the English lines are just my translation.

This post cannot be reblogged, and please do not repurpose it, since I have no intention of infringing the copyright of this drama CD and I don’t want this post to be distributed to an unspecified number of people.

So if you’d like to share this post with someone, please advise them to visit my blog. I’ll put a link to this post on the home page of my blog.

猫猫(マオマオ)「こんなもんかな。綺麗(きれい)になったぞ。あー、寒(さむ)っ」

Maomao “Konna mon-kana? Kirei-ni natta-zo. Aaa, samu.”

Maomao “I guess this is enough. It looks cleaned now. Ahh, it’s cold!”

こんなもんかな＝こんなもの（でいい）かな

水蓮(スイレン)「猫猫？どこかしら」

Suiren “Maomao? Doko-kashira.”

Suiren “Maomao? Where are you?”

猫猫「ああ、はい！いかがなさいましたか？水蓮様(スイレンさま)」

Maomao “Aa, hai! Ikaga nasai-mashita-ka? Suiren-sama.”

Maomao “Oh, yes, here! How can I help you, Lady Suiren?”

水蓮「あ…掃除中(そうじちゅう)だったのね。ちょっと気(き)になることがあって…ついてきてくれない？」

Suiren “A… So-ji-chu-datta-none. Chotto ki’ni naru-koto’ga atte… Tsuite-kite-kure-nai?”

Suiren “Oh, I see you were cleaning. There’s something I’m wondering about… Can you come with me?”

猫猫（どうしたんだろうか…）

Maomao (Do-shitan-daro-ka…)

Maomao (What happened…?)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫「ここは？」

Maomao “Koko’wa?”

Maomao “What is this place for?”

水蓮「物置(ものおき)よ。ちょっと昼間(ひるま)にお掃除(そうじ)してもらったんだけど、なんかネズミがいるみたいで」

Suiren “Mono-oki-yo. Chotto hiruma’ni oso-ji-shite-morattan-dakedo, nanka nezumi’ga iru-mitai-de.”

Suiren “This room is used for storage. I had it cleaned out during the daytime, but it looks like there’re some mice in here.”

猫猫「ネズミ…ですか」（はは～ん？）

Maomao “Nezumi…desu-ka.” (Hahaaan?)

Maomao “Mice?” (Oh, I see…)

水蓮「そうなの。どうしようかしら？」

Suiren “So-nano. Do-shiyo-kashira?”

Suiren “Yes. What should we do?”

猫猫「では、煙(けむり)でいぶして追(お)い出(だ)しますか？」

Maomao “Dewa, kemuri’de ibushite oidashi-masu-ka?”

Maomao “Then, shall I smoke them out?”

水蓮「いいわね！ぜひお願(ねが)いするわ」

Suiren “Ii-wane! Zehi onegai-suru-wa.”

Suiren “That would be great! Please, by all means.”

ぜひ（是非/Zehi）: by all means ＝ 「是非とも」「ぜひぜひ」

猫猫「いきますね。バタバタ…　出(で)て来(こ)―い！」

Maomao “Iki-masu-ne. Bata-bata… Dete-koooi!”

Maomao “Let’s start. (Smoking…) Come out!”

バタバタ/Bata-bata（パタパタ/Pata-pata）: Onomatopoeia for a sound of fanning (Another meaning: footsteps of running or rushing)

官女たち「ケホケホ…ぎゃあ！」

Kanjo-tachi “Keho-keho… Gyaa!”

Court ladies “(Coughing)(Screaming)”

水蓮「あなたたち、お掃除(そうじ)は終(お)わったのよね？」

Suiren “Anata-tachi, oso-ji’wa owatta-no-yone?”

Suiren “You all… have finished cleaning already, haven’t you?”

官女たち「申(もう)し訳(わけ)ございませ～ん！」

Kanjo-tachi “Moshi-wake-gozai-maseeen!”

Court ladies “We are sorry!”

水蓮「いつもながら困(こま)るわね。懲(こ)りたと思(おも)ったら、次(つぎ)の人(ひと)たちが忍(しの)び込(こ)んでくるのよ。忍(しの)び込(こ)んで、夜這(よば)いかけようなんて…」

Suiren “Itsumo-nagara komaru-wane. Korita-to omottara, tsugi’no hito-tachi’ga shinobi-konde-kuru-noyo. Shinobi-konde, yobai kake-yo-nante…”

Suiren “As always, it’s so troublesome. Once I thought they learned, but another group will sneak in again. Trying to sneak into his room at night…”

懲りる（こりる/Koriru）: learn one’s lesson from the mistakes/bad experiences

This word is not used for a good meaning.

夜這いをかける（よばいをかける/Yobai’o kakeru）: sneaking into one’s bedroom, night crawling

猫猫（いや、困(こま)るとか以前(いぜん)だよ…！）

Maomao (Iya, komaru-toka-izen-dayo…!)

Maomao (No, the problem is far more serious than just “troublesome”…)

困るとか以前だよ　＝　困るとか（いうよりもっと）以前（の問題）だよ

猫猫「…ということがございました、壬氏様(ジンシさま)」

Maomao “…To-iu-koto’ga gozai-mashita, Jinshi-sama.”

Maomao “…That is what happened, Master Jinshi.”

猫猫（ばあやに頼(たの)まれて、壬氏(ジンシ)にかくかくしかじかと説明中(せつめいちゅう)）

Maomao (Baaya’ni tano-marete, Jinshi’ni kaku-kaku-shika-jika-to setsumei-chu.)

Maomao (I’m explaining this and that to Master Jinshi at the request of the old maid.)

かくかくしかじかと（Kaku-kaku-shika-jika-to）: this and that, such and such, so and so

壬氏「またか…」

Jinshi “Mata-ka…”

Jinshi “Again…”

猫猫（またって…）

Maomao (Matatte…)

Maomao (Again, huh?)

高順(ガオシュン)「官女(かんじょ)が潜(もぐ)り込(こ)むのは、これで7度目(ななどめ)ですね」

Gaoshun “Kanjo’ga moguri-komu-nowa, kore’de nana-do-me-desu-ne.”

Gaoshun “This is the seventh time court ladies have infiltrated.”

猫猫「高順(ガオシュン)様(さま)、それはどうツッコめばよろしいでしょうか？」

Maomao “Gaoshun-sama, sore’wa do tsukkomeba yoroshii-desho-ka?”

Maomao “How should I react to you, Master Gaoshun?”

ツッコむ（つっこむ/Tsukkomu）, ツッコミを入れる（つっこみをいれる/Tsukkomi’o ireru）: throw in a punchline, point out the obvious

Japanese comedy is based on the two elements of “ボケ（ぼけ/Boke）: funny man” and “ツッコミ(つっこみ/Tsukkomi): straight man”. In this case, Gaoshun said “This is the seventh time” like a funny man, and Maomao tried to say something like a straight man but couldn’t find what to say, so she asked “How should I react?”

水蓮「文官(ぶんかん)は1回(いっかい)、武官(ぶかん)も2回(にかい)はあるわよ」

Suiren “Bunkan’wa ikkai, bukan’mo nikai’wa aru-wayo.”

Suiren “There’ve been more, a civil servant once, and military officers twice.”

猫猫「大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)なんですか、ここの警備(けいび)」

Maomao “Daijobu-nan-desu-ka, koko’no keibi.”

Maomao “Is the security here really okay?”

高順「さすがにこの部屋(へや)周辺(しゅうへん)には入(はい)らせませんので」

Gaoshun “Sasuga-ni kono heya shu-hen’niwa hai-rase-masen-node.”

Gaoshun “We won’t let them in the area around this room, no matter what.”

さすがに means “no matter what” or “at any rate” in this case.

猫猫「水蓮様(スイレンさま)、壬氏様(ジンシさま)は樹液(じゅえき)を出(だ)す体質(たいしつ)なのでしょうか？」

Maomao “Suiren-sama, Jinshi-sama’wa jueki’o dasu tai-shitsu-nano-desho-ka?”

Maomao “Lady Suiren, does Master Jinshi have a physical constitution that exudes sap?”

水蓮「いくら坊(ぼっ)ちゃまでも、桃色(ももいろ)の汗(あせ)は出(で)なかったと思(おも)うけど…」

Suiren “Ikura bocchama-demo, momo-iro’no ase’wa denakatta-to omou-kedo…”

Suiren “I don’t think even young master could have sweat pink…”

壬氏「水蓮(スイレン)に薬屋(くすりや)、何気(なにげ)に失礼(しつれい)なことを言(い)うな」

Jinshi “Suiren’ni Kusuriya, nanige-ni shitsurei-na koto’o iu-na.”

Jinshi “Suiren and Apothecary, don’t be so rude casually.”

何気に（なにげに/Nanige-ni）: casually, inadvertently, somehow, kind of ＝何気なく（なにげなく）、なんとなく

水蓮「あらあら」

Suiren “Ara-ara.”

Suiren “Oh, dear.”

猫猫「失礼(しつれい)しました」

Maomao “Shitsurei-shima-shita.”

Maomao “Please excuse me.”

猫猫（それにしても難儀(なんぎ)なお人(ひと)だ…やたらめったら美形(びけい)なばかりに…）

Maomao (Sore’ni-shitemo, nangi-na ohito-da… Yatara-mettara bikei-na-bakari-ni…)

Maomao (That said, he’s such a high-maintenance person… Just because he’s indiscriminately good looking…)

難儀な人（なんぎなひと/Nangi-na hito）: difficult/troublesome/high-maintenance person

やたらめったら(Yatara-mettara): indiscriminately, thoughtlessly, wildly, recklessly ＝めったやたらに・と

猫猫「今後(こんご)も似(に)たようなことは起(お)こりますか？ええ、起(お)こりますね」

Maomao “Kongo’mo nita-yo-na koto’wa okori-masu-ka? Ee, okori-masu-ne.”

Maomao “Will something similar happen again in the future? Yes, it will.”

高順「経験上(けいけんじょう)、無(な)いとは言(い)い切(き)れません」

Gaoshun “Keiken-jo, nai-towa iikire-masen.”

Gaoshun “From experience, I can’t say it won’t happen.”

水蓮「広(ひろ)いから、私(わたし)と猫猫(マオマオ)だけじゃ手(て)が回(まわ)らないもの。定期的(ていきてき)によその侍女(じじょ)も使(つか)わないといけないのよね」

Suiren “Hiroi-kara, watashi’to Maomao-dake-ja te’ga mawara-nai-mono. Teiki-teki-ni yoso’no jijo’mo tsukawa-naito ikenai-no-yone.��

Suiren “This place is so big, so Maomao and I can’t handle it all by ourselves. We have to use other ladies from time to time.”

手が回らない（てがまわらない/Te’ga mawara-nai）: can’t handle/manage

よその（余所の・他所の/Yoso-no）: other, strange, elsewhere

猫猫（道理(どうり)で部屋(へや)の外(そと)にいつも護衛(ごえい)がいるわけだ…）

Maomao (Do-ri’de heya’no soto’ni itsumo goei’ga iru-wake-da…)

Maomao (No wonder there’s always a guard outside the room…)

道理で（どうりで/Do-ri’de）: No wonder

猫猫「確(たし)か、髪(かみ)の毛(け)が縫(ぬ)い付(つ)けられた下着(したぎ)が、壬氏様(ジンシさま)の下着(したぎ)に混(ま)じっていたと聞(き)いたことがありますけど」

Maomao “Tashika, kami’no-ke’ga nui-tsuke-rareta shitagi’ga, Jinshi-sama’no shitagi’ni majitte-ita-to kiita-koto’ga ari-masu-kedo.”

Maomao “I’m sure I heard that there was an underwear with hair sewn into it mixed in with Master Jinshi’s underwear.”

壬氏「言(い)うな」

Jinshi “Iu-na.”

Jinshi “Don’t say that.”

猫猫「今後(こんご)の対策(たいさく)のために、壬氏様(ジンシさま)が他(ほか)にどんなことをされたか、詳(くわ)しく聞(き)きたいのですが」

Maomao “Kongo’no taisaku’no tame’ni, Jinshi-sama’ga hoka’ni donna koto’o sareta-ka, kuwashiku kiki-tai-no-desu-ga.”

Maomao “I’d like to hear more about what else Master Jinshi has been done so that we can take measures in the future.”

壬氏「わざとやっているのではないな？」

Jinshi “Waza-to yatte-iru-no-dewa nai-na?”

Jinshi “You are not doing this on purpose, are you?”

水蓮「いっぱいあるんだけど…印象的(いんしょうてき)なのは何(なん)だったかしら」

Suiren “Ippai arun-dakedo… Insho-teki-nanowa nan-datta-kashira.”

Suiren “There are so many… but I wonder which one was the most memorable.”

壬氏「言(い)うのか？」

Jinshi “Iu-noka?”

Jinshi “Are you going to say it?”

高順「官女(かんじょ)10人(じゅうにん)玉突(たまつ)き事故(じこ)はどうですか？」

Gaoshun “Kanjo-ju-nin tama-tsuki-jiko’wa do-desu-ka?”

Gaoshun “What about a 10 court ladies pileup accident?”

玉突き事故（たまつきじこ/Tama-tsuki-jiko）: pile-up, chain reaction crash

壬氏「ああ…あれな。一番下(いちばんした)になった官女(かんじょ)はあばら骨(ぼね)が折(お)れていたな。急(いそ)いで医務室(いむしつ)に運(はこ)んでもらった記憶(きおく)がある」

Jinshi “Aa… are-na. Ichi-ban shita’ni natta kanjo’wa abara-bone’ga orete-ita-na. Isoide imu-shitsu’ni hakonde-moratta kioku’ga aru.”

Jinshi “Oh… That one. The lowest court lady had broken ribs. I remember she was rushed to the doctor’s office.”

水蓮「坊(ぼっ)ちゃまを曲(ま)がり角(かど)で待(ま)ち伏(ぶ)せしていたんでしたっけ…流行(はや)っていた恋愛(れんあい)小説(しょうせつ)の真似(まね)ごとだったかしら。迷惑(めいわく)よね～…」

Suiren “Bocchama’o magari-kado’de machi-buse-shite-itan-deshitakke… Hayatte-ita ren’ai-sho-setsu’no mane-goto-datta-kashira. Meiwaku-yoneee…”

Suiren “They were lying in wait for young master at the corner… imitating the popular romance novels, weren’t they? How annoying…”

猫猫「質問(しつもん)ですが、壬氏様(ジンシさま)に近づくと、皆(みな)、阿呆(あほう)になる病(やまい)にかかるのでしょうか？」

Maomao “Shitsumon-desu-ga, Jinshi-sama’ni chika-zuku-to, mina, aho’ni naru yamai’ni kakaru-no-desho-ka?”

Maomao “I have a question. Do people who get close to Master Jinshi catch a disease that turns into idiots?”

高順「小猫(シャオマオ)。まず賢(かしこ)い人(ひと)は壬氏様(ジンシさま)に近(ちか)づこうとは思(おも)いません。利益(りえき)よりも実害(じつがい)の方(ほう)が大(おお)きすぎます」

Gaoshun “Shaomao. Mazu kashikoi hito’wa Jinshi-sama’ni chika-zuko-towa omoi-masen. Rieki-yorimo jitsu-gai’no-ho’ga ooki-sugi-masu.”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao. First of all, no wise person would dare approach Master Jinshi. The actual harm would be far greater than the benefits.”

壬氏「高順(ガオシュン)…」

Jinshi “Gaoshun…”

Jinshi “Gaoshun…”

高順「壬氏様(ジンシさま)近辺(きんぺん)の護衛(ごえい)や事務官(じむかん)を選(えら)ぶのがどんなに大変(たいへん)な事(こと)か…ここぞという人材(じんざい)に限(かぎ)って、無理(むり)だと断(ことわ)られて」

Gaoshun “Jinshi-sama-kinpen’no goei’ya jimu-kan’o erabu-noga donna-ni taihen-na koto-ka… Koko-zo-to-iu jinzai’ni kagitte, muri-dato kotowa-rarete.”

Gaoshun “How difficult it is… to select the bodyguards and administrative staff for Master Jinshi… Whenever we find the best people, they always turn us down.”

壬氏「く、苦労(くろう)をかけていることは知(し)っている」

Jinshi “Ku, Kuro’o kakete-iru-koto’wa shitte-iru.”

Jinshi “I-I know you’ve had a hard time.”

猫猫「なるほど」

Maomao “Naru-hodo.”

Maomao “I see.”

水蓮「坊(ぼっ)ちゃまの洗濯物(せんたくもの)を頼(たの)もうにも、度々(たびたび)下着(したぎ)が減(へ)るから困(こま)ったわね。一時期(いちじき)、仕方(しかた)なくここの井戸(いど)で洗(あら)ってたわよ」

Suiren “Bocchama’no sentaku-mono’o tanomo-nimo, tabi-tabi shitagi’ga heru-kara komatta-wane. Ichi-jiki, shikata-naku koko’no ido’de aratteta-wayo.”

Suiren “Even if I ask someone to do young master’s laundry, the underwear often goes missing, so it was a real hassle. For a while I had no choice but to wash it in the well here.”

猫猫「洗濯(せんたく)？今(いま)はやってませんよね」

Maomao “Sentaku? Ima’wa yatte-masen-yone.”

Maomao “Laundry? We’re not doing that right now, are we?”

水蓮「それがね、お洗濯(せんたく)するのに水(みず)が合(あ)わなかったみたいで、服(ふく)が傷(いた)んだり色落(いろお)ちしたりしたのよ」

Suiren “Sore’ga-ne, osentaku-suru-noni mizu’ga awa-nakatta-mitai-de, fuku’ga itanda-ri, iro-ochi-shita-ri-shita-noyo.”

Suiren “Well, it seems the water wasn’t suitable for washing, so the clothes got damaged and the colors faded.”

猫猫「水質(すいしつ)が他(ほか)と違(ちが)うんでしょうか？後宮内(こうきゅうない)ではそんなことありませんでしたけど」

Maomao “Sui-shitsu’ga hoka’to chigau-n-desho-ka? Ko-kyu-nai’dewa sonna-koto ari-masen-deshita-kedo.”

Maomao “Maybe the water quality is different from the other places? It never happened in the rear palace.”

高順「こちらの井戸(いど)は、地下水(ちかすい)を利用(りよう)しております。後宮(こうきゅう)の井戸(いど)は、川(かわ)から水(みず)を引(ひ)いたものなので、違(ちが)うのではないかと」

Gaoshun “Kochira’no ido’wa, chika-sui’o riyo-shite-ori-masu. Ko-kyu’no ido’wa, kawa’kara mizu’o hiita-mono-nanode, chigau-no’dewa nai-ka-to.”

Gaoshun “This well uses groundwater. The well in the rear palace draws water from the river, so I think that might be different.”

猫猫「なるほど」（川(かわ)の水(みず)だと、どうしても不純物(ふじゅんぶつ)が混(ま)じる。偉(えら)い人(ひと)のお家(うち)は、深(ふか)く掘(ほ)った綺麗(きれい)な地下水(ちかすい)を使(つか)うわけですねぇ）

Maomao “Naru-hodo.” (Kawa’no mizu-dato, do-shitemo fujun-butsu’ga majiru. Erai hito’no ouchi’wa, fukaku hotta kirei-na chika-sui’o tsukau-wake-desu-nee.)

Maomao “I see.” (River water inevitably contains impurities. The homes of important people use clean groundwater that has been dug deep.)

猫猫「では他(ほか)に、壬氏様(ジンシさま)はどんな嫌(いや)がらせを――」

Maomao “Dewa hoka-ni, Jinshi-sama’wa donna iyagarase’o―”

Maomao “So, what other harassment has Master Jinshi been―”

壬氏「あ――、もういいだろう！他(ほか)の話題(わだい)に行(い)こう。井戸(いど)と言(い)えば、高順(ガオシュン)」

Jinshi “Aaaaa, mo ii-daro! Hoka’no wadai’ni iko. Ido’to-ieba, Gaoshun.”

Jinshi “Ah, that’s enough! Let’s move on to another topic. Speaking of wells, Gaoshun.”

高順「はい。ここ最近(さいきん)、後宮(こうきゅう)で妙(みょう)な噂(うわさ)がありまして…」

Gaoshun “Hai. Koko saikin, ko-kyu’de myo-na uwasa’ga ari-mashite…”

Gaoshun “Yes. There have been some strange rumors going around the rear palace recently…”

猫猫「後宮(こうきゅう)で噂(うわさ)など、いつものことですよね」

Maomao “Kokyu’de uwasa-nado, itsumo’no koto-desu-yone.”

Maomao “Rumors are common in the rear palace, right?”

高順「ですが、明(あ)け方(がた)近(ちか)く、いつも井戸(いど)の周(まわ)りでカチャカチャと食器(しょっき)のような音(おと)がするということで、女官(にょかん)たちから調(しら)べてほしいと訴(うった)えがありました」

Gaoshun “Desu-ga, ake-gata-chikaku, itsumo ido’no mawari’de kacha-kacha-to shokki’no-yo-na oto’ga suru-to-iu-koto’de, nyokan-tachi’kara shirabete-hoshii-to uttae’ga ari-mashita.”

Gaoshun “However, the ladies-in-waiting have requested that we investigate the fact that there is always a clanging sound like dishes coming from around the well around dawn.”

猫猫「井戸(いど)の周(まわ)りで食器(しょっき)の音(おと)？誰(だれ)かが洗(あら)い物(もの)をしていただけでは？」

Maomao “Ido’no mawari’de shokki’no oto? Dare-ka’ga arai-mono’o shite-ita-dake’dewa?”

Maomao “Sound of dishes around the well? Maybe someone was just washing up, wasn’t she?”

猫猫（なーんかそういう怪談話(かいだんばなし)があったような…）

Maomao (Naaanka so-iu kaidan-banashi’ga atta-yo-na…)

Maomao (I think there is a ghost story like that…)

In Japan, there is an old ghost story about a maid who broke one of the family heirloom plates in the set, was killed and thrown down a well, and became a ghost whose voice can be heard counting the plates every night from the well.

高順「怪談話(かいだんばなし)の幽霊(ゆうれい)かもしれないから、怖(こわ)くて仕事(しごと)ができないと女官(にょかん)たちが言(い)い出(だ)しました」

Gaoshun “Kaidan-banashi’no yu-rei-kamo-shire-nai-kara, kowakute shigoto’ga deki-nai-to nyokan-tachi’ga ii-dashi-mashita.”

Gaoshun “The ladies-in-waiting started saying they were too scared to do their jobs because they thought it might be a ghost from a ghost story.”

猫猫「そういうことですね」

Maomao “So-iu-koto-desu-ne.”

Maomao “I see.”

壬氏「仕方(しかた)なく宦官(かんがん)たちを向(む)かわせたら、井戸(いど)にいた人物(じんぶつ)が驚(おどろ)いて逃(に)げてしまった」

Jinshi “Shikata-naku kangan-tachi’o muka-wase-tara, ido’ni ita jinbutsu’ga odoroite nigete-shimatta.”

Jinshi “We had no choice but to send the eunuchs over, and the person at the well became frightened and ran away.”

高順「そして、これが逃(に)げた人物(じんぶつ)が落(お)としたものです」

Gaoshun “Soshite, kore’ga nigeta jinbutsu’ga otoshita-mono-desu.”

Gaoshun “And this is what the person who escaped dropped.”

猫猫「茶碗(ちゃわん)の欠片(かけら)…ですか？」

Maomaco “Chawan’no kakera… desu-ka?”

Maomao “Is it… a fragment of a rice bowl?”

茶碗（ちゃわん/Cha-wan）: a rice bowl, a tea bowl

茶碗 can mean a tea bowl, but usually means a rice bowl. (For drinks, we use the word “湯飲み（ゆのみ/Yunomi）”

猫猫（…にしては、少(すこ)し変(か)わった形(かたち)をしている…。鮮(あざ)やかな釉薬(ゆうやく)が万遍(まんべん)なくかけられているな。絵(え)も描(か)かれてる）

Maomao (…Ni-shitewa, sukoshi kawatta katachi’o shite-iru… Azayaka-na yu-yaku’ga manben-naku kake-rarete-iru-na. E’mo kakare-teru.)

Maomao (It has a slightly unusual shape for it… It’s evenly covered in a vibrant glaze. It also has a picture.)

壬氏「そのように見(み)えるが…」

Jinshi “Sono-yo-ni mieru-ga…”

Jinshi “It may seem that way, but…”

猫猫「ん…食器(しょっき)ではなく、球体(きゅうたい)のようですね」

Maomao “N… Shokki’dewa-naku, kyu-tai’no yo-desu-ne.”

Maomao “Hmm… It’s not tableware, it looks like a sphere.”

壬氏「不思議(ふしぎ)だろう。皿(さら)や茶碗(ちゃわん)であれば、洗(あら)い物(もの)をしている理由(りゆう)も分(わ)かる。仕事(しごと)が遅(おそ)い下女(げじょ)が、やり残(のこ)したものを片付(かたづ)けることもある」

Jinshi “Fushigi-daro. Sara’ya chawan’de areba, arai-mono’o shite-iru riyu’mo wakaru. Shigoto’ga osoi gejo’ga, yari-nokoshita-mono’o katazukeru-koto’mo aru.”

Jinshi “It’s strange, isn’t it? If it’s plates or bowls, I can understand why they have to wash them. Sometimes a slow servant girls will clean up what they left undone.”

猫猫「変(か)わった形(かたち)ですので、後宮(こうきゅう)で支給(しきゅう)されている食器(しょっき)ではないですね。こんな派手(はで)な釉薬(ゆうやく)は使(つか)わないでしょう」

Maomao “Kawatta katachi-desu-node, ko-kyu’de shikyu-sarete-iru shokki’dewa nai-desu-ne. Konna hade-na yu-yaku’wa tsukawa-nai-desho.”

Maomao “It has an unusual shape, so it’s not tableware provided in the rear palace. They wouldn’t use such flashy glazes.”

猫猫（後宮(こうきゅう)はめんどくさいもんなぁ。備品(びひん)を壊(こわ)したなら、全部(ぜんぶ)報告(ほうこく)しないといけないし）

Maomao (Ko-kyu’wa mendo-kusai-mon-naa. Bihin’o kowashita-nara, zenbu ho-koku-shinai-to ike-nai-shi.)

Maomao (It’s troublesome in the rear palace. If you break any of the equipment, you have to report it.)

猫猫「備品(びひん)でなければ、妃(きさき)の私物(しぶつ)でしょうか」

Maomao “Bihin’de nakereba, kisaki’no shibutsu-desho-ka.”

Maomao “If it’s not equipment, then it’s probably a concubine’s personal belonging.”

壬氏「ああ、妃(きさき)の誰(だれ)かの持(も)ち物(もの)を盗(ぬす)んだのではないかと、疑惑(ぎわく)が上(あ)がっている。だから俺(おれ)のもとに持(も)ち込(こ)まれた。お前(まえ)はこれが何(なん)だと思(おも)う？」

Jinshi “Aa, kisaki’no dare-ka’no mochi-mono’o nusunda-no’dewa-nai-ka-to giwaku’ga agatte-iru. Dakara ore’no moto’ni mochi-komareta. Omae’wa kore’ga nan-da-to omou?”

Jinshi “Yes, there has been suspicion that someone may have stolen some of a concubine’s belongings. That’s why this has been brought to me. What do you think this is?”

猫猫「何(なに)かと言(い)われても…とりあえず、全体図(ぜんたいず)（全体像(ぜんたいぞう)？）を知(し)りたいので、一度(いちど)全部(ぜんぶ)くっつけてみてもいいですか？」

Maomao “Nani-ka-to iware-temo… tori-aezu, zentai-zu’o shiri-tai-node, ichido zenbu kuttsukete-mitemo ii-desu-ka?”

Maomao “Well, I don’t know…but I’d like to get the overall picture, so may I just glue everything together?”

壬氏「やってみろ」

Jinshi “Yatte-miro.”

Jinshi “Give it a try.”

高順「膠(にかわ)では難(むずか)しそうですか」

Gaoshun “Nikawa’dewa muzukashi-so-desu-ka.”

Gaoshun “Does it seem difficult to use animal glue?”

膠（にかわ/Nikawa）: animal glue, hide glue, glue, gelatin

水蓮「ご飯(はん)で作(つく)った糊(のり)より、いいと思(おも)うんだけど」

Suiren “Gohan’de tsukutta nori-yori, ii-to omoun-dakedo.”

Suiren “I think it’s better than glue made from rice.”

猫猫「漆(うるし)を使(つか)うと聞(き)いたことありますけど、すぐにはくっつきませんからねぇ。絵(え)が描(か)いてあるから、合(あ)わせやすいと思(おも)ったんですけど…えーと、これとこれと…」

Maomao “Urushi’o tsukau-to kiita-koto ari-masu-kedo, sugu’niwa kuttsuki-masen-kara-nee. E’ga kaite-aru-kara, awase-yasui-to omotta-n-desu-kedo… Eeeto, kore’to kore’to…”

Maomao “I’ve heard of using lacquer, but it doesn’t stick right away. I thought it would be easy to match because it has a picture on it… um, this and this…”

漆（うるし/Urushi）: lacquer, urushi

水蓮「こっちじゃないかしら？」

Suiren “Kocchi-ja nai-kashira?”

Suiren “Maybe it’s here?”

高順「ははっ」

Gaoshun “Haha.”

猫猫「あ、そこ合(あ)います」

Maomao “A, soko ai-masu.”

Maomao “Oh, that fits right in.”

水蓮「これは…」

Suiren “Kore’wa…”

Suiren “This one is…”

猫猫「これ、これじゃないですか？」

Maomao “Kore, kore-ja nai-desu-ka?”

Maomao “Isn’t this it?”

水蓮「あら、ほんとぴったりね」

Suiren “Ara, honto pittari-ne.”

Suiren “Oh, it really fits perfectly.”

高順「はは…」

Gaoshun “Haha…”

猫猫「後(あと)は…後(あと)は、あっ、ここは？」

Maomao “Ato’wa… Ato’wa, a, koko’wa?”

Maomao “And…then, ah, how about here?”

高順「いいですね」

Gaoshun “Ii-desu-ne.”

Gaoshun “Looks good.”

壬氏「皆(みな)…楽(たの)しそうだな」

Jinshi “Mina… tanoshi-so-dana.”

Jinshi “You all… look like having fun.”

猫猫「壬氏様(ジンシさま)。まだ全部(ぜんぶ)くっつけるのに時間(じかん)がかかりそうなので、仕事(しごと)をやっていてください」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama. Mada zenbu kuttsukeru-noni jikan’ga kakari-so-nanode, shigoto’o yatte-ite-kudasai.”

Maomao “Master Jinshi, it will take some time to glue everything together, so please continue your work.”

壬氏「俺(おれ)だけ仲間���(なかまはず)れにするのか？」

Jinshi “Ore-dake nakama-hazure’ni suru-noka?”

Jinshi “Am I the only one being left out?”

仲間外れにする（なかまはずれにする/Nakama-hazure’ni suru）: leave out

高順「壬氏様(ジンシさま)、机(つくえ)の書類(しょるい)は明日(あした)の朝(あさ)に提出(ていしゅつ)できるようにお願(ねが)いします」

Gaoshun “Jinshi-sama, tsukue’no shorui’wa ashita’no asa’ni teishutsu-dekiru-yo-ni onegai-shimasu.”

Gaoshun “Master Jinshi, please have the documents on your desk ready to be submitted tomorrow morning.”

壬氏「高順…お前(まえ)もか」

Jinshi “Gaoshun… Omae’mo-ka.”

Jinshi “Gaoshun… you too?”

猫猫「あー、はいはい。やはり球体(きゅうたい)。変(か)わった形(かたち)のとっくりみたいですね。花(はな)…たぶん、ひなげしの絵(え)が描(か)かれています」

Maomao “Aaa, hai-hai. Yahari kyu-tai. Kawatta katachi’no tokkuri-mitai-desu-ne. Hana… tabun, hinageshi’no e’ga kakarete-imasu.”

Maomao “Ah, yes, yes. It is a sphere after all. It looks like a strangely shaped sake bottle. There is a flower… maybe a poppy on it.”

水蓮「とっくり？じゃあ、お酒(さけ)を飲(の)んでいたのかしら？妃(きさき)の部屋(へや)から盗(ぬす)んでこっそり飲(の)んでいたとか」

Suiren “Tokkuri? Jaa, osake’o nonde-ita-no-kashira? Kisaki’no heya’kara nusunde kossori nonde-ita-toka.”

Suiren “A sake bottle? So she must have been drinking? Maybe she stole it from the concubine’s room and drank it secretly.”

猫猫「…いえ、少(すこ)し違(ちが)う気(き)がします。（フンフン、フン…）」

Maomao “…Ie, sukoshi chigau ki’ga shimasu. (fun-fun, fun…)”

Maomao “No, I think it’s a little different. (Sniff, Sniff…)”

高順「小猫(シャオマオ)。さすがに酒(さけ)の匂(にお)いは残(のこ)っていないのでは」

Gaoshun “Shaomao. Sasuga’ni sake’no nioi’wa nokotte-inai-no’dewa.”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao, surely there’s no smell of alcohol left.”

猫猫「違(ちが)います。これ、この注(そそ)ぎ口(ぐち)の部分(ぶぶん)、見(み)てください」

Maomao “Chigai-masu. Kore, kono sosogi-guchi’no bubun, mite-kudasai.”

Maomao “No, that’s not it. Look at this spout part.”

水蓮「あら、何(なに)かついてるわね」

Suiren “Ara, nani-ka tsuiteru-wane.”

Suiren “Oh, something is on it.”

猫猫「ロウみたいです」

Maomao “Rou-mitai-desu.”

Maomao “It looks like wax.”

水蓮「ロウって、ロウソクのロウよね？なんでロウがついているのかしら？」

Suiren “Routte, ro-soku’no rou-yone? Nande rou’ga tsuite-iru-no-kashira?”

Suiren “Wax is candle wax, right? I wonder why there’s wax on it?”

猫猫「他(ほか)にもう一(ひと)つ、気(き)になることがあります」

Maomao “Hoka’ni mo-hitotsu, ki’ni naru koto’ga ari-masu.”

Maomao “There’s one other thing that I’m curious about.”

壬氏「何(なん)だ？」

Jinshi “Nan-da?”

Jinshi “What?”

高順「壬氏様(ジンシさま)、仕事(しごと)は…」

Gaoshun “Jinshi-sama, shigoto’wa…”

Gaoshun “Master Jinshi, how is your work going…”

壬氏「高順(ガオシュン)、いいじゃないか。これを聞(き)いたら、ちゃんとするから」

Jinshi “Gaoshun, ii-ja nai-ka. Kore’o kiitara, chanto suru-kara.”

Jinshi “Gaoshun, come on. If I hear this, I’ll do it properly.”

水蓮「高順(ガオシュン)、仕方(しかた)ないから許(ゆる)してあげてちょうだい」

Suiren “Gaoshun, shikata-nai-kara yurushite-agete-chodai.”

Suiren “Gaoshun, we have no choice, so please forgive him.”

高順「水蓮殿(スイレンどの)…」

Gaoshun “Suiren-dono…”

Gaoshun “Lady Suiren…”

壬氏「水蓮…」

Jinshi “Suiren…”

Jinshi “Suiren…”

水蓮「私(わたし)は洗(あら)い物(もの)をするから、猫猫(マオマオ)は続(つづ)けていいわよ。後(あと)で話(はなし)を聞(き)かせてね」

Suiren “Watashi’wa arai-mono’o suru-kara, Maomao’wa tsuzukete ii-wayo. Ato’de hanashi’o kikasete-ne.”

Suiren “I’ll do the washing up, so you can continue, Maomao. Please tell me about this later.”

壬氏「ということだ。続(つづ)けてくれ」

Jinshi “To-iu-koto-da. Tsuzukete-kure.”

Jinshi “So, please continue.”

猫猫「分(わ)かりました。このとっくり、随分(ずいぶん)小(ちい)さく作(つく)られているんです」

Maomao “Wakari-mashita. Kono tokkuri, zuibun chiisaku tsuku-rarete-iru-n-desu.”

Maomao “I understand. This sake bottle is made to be quite small.”

壬氏「確(たし)かに。これでは、酒(さけ)がたくさん入らないな」

Jinshi “Tashika-ni. Kore’dewa, sake’ga takusan haira-nai-na.”

Jinshi “That’s true. This can’t have much drinks in it.”

猫猫（小(ちい)さく丸(まる)いとっくり…井戸(いど)の近(ちか)く）

Maomao (Chiisaku marui tokkuri… Ido’no chikaku.)

Maomao (A small, round sake bottle… near a well.)

猫猫「すみませんが、とっくりは後宮(こうきゅう)のどこの井戸(いど)に落(お)ちていたんですか？」

Maomao “Sumi-masen-ga, tokkuri’wa kokyu’no doko’no ido’ni ochite-ita-n-desu-ka?”

Maomao “Excuse me, but which well in the rear palace was the sake bottle around?”

壬氏「後宮(こうきゅう)の南側(みなみがわ)だ」

Jinshi “Ko-kyu’no minami-gawa-da.”

Jinshi “It’s on the south side of the rear palace.”

猫猫「南側(みなみがわ)ですね…」

Maomao “Minami-gawa-desu-ne…”

Maomao “The south side…”

猫猫（人気(ひとけ)のない時間(じかん)、注(そそ)ぎ口(ぐち)のロウ、まんべんなくかけられた釉薬(ゆうやく)…）

Maomao (Hito-ke’no nai jikan, sosogi-guchi’no rou, manben-naku kake-rareta yu-yaku…)

Maomao (The quiet time, the wax on the spout, the evenly applied glaze…)

猫猫「そういうことね」

Maomao “So-iu-koto-ne.”

Maomao “I get it now.”

壬氏「薬屋(くすりや)、何(なに)か分(わ)かったようだな」

Jinshi “Kusuriya, nani-ka wakatta-yo-dana.”

Jinshi “Apothecary, you seem to have figured something out.”

猫猫「分(わ)かったような…分(わ)からないような？」

Maomao “Wakatta-yo-na… wakara-nai-yo-na?”

Maomao “I think I got it… or I may not get it.”

猫猫（確信(かくしん)はないから言(い)いたくない。何(なに)より、疑問(ぎもん)に思(おも)う点(てん)がいくつかある）

Maomao (Kakushin’wa nai-kara iitaku-nai. Nani-yori, gimon’ni omou ten’ga ikutsu-ka aru.)

Maomao (I don’t want to say it because I’m not sure. Above all, there are a few things I don’t understand.)

壬氏「しらばっくれるな。勿体(もったい)つけると気(き)になって仕事(しごと)にならない」

Jinshi “Shirabakkureru-na. Mottai-tsukeru-to ki’ni natte shigoto’ni nara-nai.”

Jinshi “Don’t pretend you don’t know. If you kept me in suspense, I’d be too distracted to work.”

しらばっくれる(Shirabakkureru): pretend not to know

勿体つける（もったいつける/Mottai-tsukeru）: be coy, keep in suspense　＝もったいぶる

高順「小猫(シャオマオ)」

Gaoshun “Shaomao.”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao.”

猫猫「…分(わ)かりましたよ」

Maomao “…Wakari-mashita-yo.”

Maomao “I understand.”

壬氏「よし、話(はな)してくれ」

Jinshi “Yoshi, hanashite-kure.”

Jinshi “Okay, tell me.”

猫猫「あくまで私(わたし)の予想(よそう)、予想です」

Maomao “Akumade watashi’no yoso, yoso-desu.”

Maomao “This is just my prediction. Prediction.”

壬氏「分(わ)かっている」

Jinshi “Wakatte-iru.”

Jinshi “I know.”

猫猫「このとっくり、普通(ふつう)のとっくりよりも随分(ずいぶん)丸(まる)くて小(ちい)さく、さらに注(そそ)ぎ口(ぐち)にロウがついています。注(そそ)ぎ口(ぐち)に栓(せん)をして、さらにロウで塞(ふさ)いだのでは、と推測(すいそく)しました」

Maomao “Kono tokkuri, futsu-no tokkuri-yorimo zuibun maruku-te chiisaku, sara-ni sosogi-guchi’ni rou’ga tsuite-imasu. Sosogi-guchi’ni sen’o shite, sara-ni rou’de fusaida-no’dewa-to suisoku-shima-shita.”

Maomao “This sake bottle is much rounder and smaller than a normal one, and there is wax on the spout. I assume that the spout was plugged and then sealed with more wax.”

壬氏「随分(ずいぶん)厳重(げんじゅう)に栓(せん)をするんだな。酒(さけ)が酸(す)っぱくならないようにか？」

Jinshi “Zuibun genju-ni sen’o surun-dana. Sake’ga suppaku nara-nai-yo-ni-ka?”

Jinshi “They seal the bottle very tightly. Is that to stop the drinks going sour?”

猫猫（酒(さけ)は保存(ほぞん)状態(じょうたい)が悪(わる)いと酢(す)に変(か)わったりするけど、この場合(ばあい)は…）

Maomao (Sake’wa hozon-jo-tai’ga warui-to su’ni kawattari suru-kedo, kono baai’wa…)

Maomao (If the alcohol is not stored properly it will turn into vinegar, but in this case…)

猫猫「恐(おそ)らく、水(みず)が入(はい)らないようにです。このとっくりは、しっかり釉薬(ゆうやく)がかけられているので、水(みず)が染(し)み込(こ)むことはありませんが、注(そそ)ぎ口(ぐち)から入(はい)ったら、意味(いみ)がないので」

Maomao “Osoraku, mizu’ga haira-nai-yo-ni-desu. Kono tokkuri’wa, shikkari yu-yaku’ga kake-rarete-iru-node, mizu’ga shimi-komu-koto’wa ari-masen-ga, sosogi-guchi’kara haittara, imi’ga nai-node.”

Maomao “Probably to stop water getting in. This sake bottle is heavily glazed, so water won’t seep in, but if it got in through the spout it would be pointless.”

壬氏「なぜ水(みず)が入(はい)らないように封(ふう)をする？」

Jinshi “Naze mizu’ga haira-nai-yo-ni fu’o suru?”

Jinshi “Why do they seal it to prevent water from getting in?”

猫猫「それは、中(なか)の手紙(てがみ)を濡(ぬ)らさないため、でしょうね」

Maomao “Sore’wa, naka’no tegami’o nurasa-nai-tame, desho-ne.”

Maomao “That’s to keep the letter inside from getting wet, I guess.”

壬氏「手紙(てがみ)？」

Jinshi “Tegami?”

Jinshi “A letter?”

猫猫「正規(せいき)の方法(ほうほう)で手紙(てがみ)を送(おく)ると、後宮(こうきゅう)では検閲(けんえつ)をされますよね。見(み)られたくない手紙(てがみ)を送(おく)る為(ため)、暗号(あんごう)や別経路(べつけいろ)で送(おく)ることは珍(めずら)しくないですよね」

Maomao “Seiki-no ho-ho’de tegami’o okuru-to, ko-kyu’dewa ken’etsu’o sare-masu-yone. Mirare-taku-nai tegami’o okuru-tame, ango’ya betsu-keiro’de okuru-koto’wa mezurashiku-nai-desu-yone.”

Maomao “If you send a letter through the proper channels, it will be censored in the rear palace. It’s not uncommon to send letters in codes or via a different route if you don’t want them to be seen.”

壬氏「ああ…では、とっくりの中(なか)に手紙(てがみ)を入(い)れて…つまり、そういうことか」

Jinshi “Aa… Dewa, tokkuri’no naka’ni tegami’o irete… Tsumari, so-iu-koto-ka.”

Jinshi “Oh… So they put the letter in the bottle… that’s what it means.”

猫猫（やっと気(き)づいてくれた）

Maomao (Yatto kizuite-kureta.)

Maomao (Finally he noticed that.)

壬氏「井戸(いど)を、水路(すいろ)を使(つか)って手紙(てがみ)を運(はこ)んだということか」

Jinshi “Ido’o, suiro’o tsukatte tegami’o hakonda-to-iu-koto-ka.”

Jinshi “So the letter was transported using the well, the waterway?”

猫猫「はい。後宮内(こうきゅうない)には、水路(すいろ)が張(は)り巡(めぐ)らされています。水(みず)は後宮(こうきゅう)の外(そと)から流(なが)れてくるので、後宮(こうきゅう)の南側(みなみがわ)に隣接(りんせつ)する外廷(がいてい)の北側(きたがわ)にも、同(おな)じ水路(すいろ)を使(つか)った井戸(いど)があってもおかしくありません。とっくりが小(ちい)さく薄(うす)く作(つく)られているのは、円滑(えんかつ)に水路(すいろ)を通(とお)るように、浮(う)かぶようにするためです」

Maomao “Hai. Ko-kyu-nai’niwa, suiro’ga hari-megura-sarete-imasu. Mizu’wa ko-kyu’no soto’kara nagarete-kuru-node, ko-kyu’no minami-gawa’ni rinsetsu-suru gaitei’no kita-gawa’nimo, onaji suiro’o tsukatta ido’ga attemo okashiku-ari-masen. Tokkuri’ga chiisaku usuku tsuku-rarete-iru-nowa, enkatsu-ni suiro’o tooru-yo-ni, ukabu-yo-ni suru-tame-desu.”

Maomao “Yes. There are waterways throughout the rear palace. Water flows from outside the rear palace, so it would not be strange if there was a well using the same waterway on the north side of the outer court, adjacent to the south side of the rear palace. The reason the bottle is small and thin is so that it can move smoothly through the waterways and float.”

壬氏「秘密(ひみつ)の手紙(てがみ)を入(い)れたとっくりを外廷(がいてい)の井戸(いど)から流(なが)して、その先(さき)にある後宮内(こうきゅうない)の井戸(いど)で引(ひ)き上(あ)げるのか」

Jinshi “Himitsu’no tegami’o ireta tokkuri’o gaitei’no ido’kara nagashite, sono saki’ni-aru ko-kyu-nai’no ido’de hiki-ageru-noka.”

Jinshi “Are they going to put the secret letter in a bottle and then float it down a well in the outer court, and then pull it up from a well in the rear palace?”

猫猫「井戸(いど)には、とっくりが引(ひ)っかかるように網(あみ)でもつけて、誰(だれ)もいない時間(じかん)を狙(ねら)って引(ひ)き上(あ)げるのでしょうね。例(たと)えば夜(よる)や早朝(そうちょう)なら、後宮(こうきゅう)の女官(にょかん)は井戸(いど)を使(つか)うことなどありませんから。とっくりは証拠(しょうこ)隠滅(いんめつ)のために割(わ)って捨(す)ててしまえばよろしいでしょう。割(わ)れた茶碗(ちゃわん)を捨(す)てるゴミ置(お)き場(ば)に混(ま)ぜてしまえば、分(わ)からなくなります」

Maomao “Ido’niwa, tokkuri’ga hikkakaru-yo-ni ami’demo tsukete, dare’mo inai jikan’o neratte hiki-ageru-no-desho-ne. Tatoeba yoru’ya so-cho-nara, ko-kyu’no nyokan’wa ido’o tsukau-koto-nado ari-masen-kara. Tokkuri’wa sho-ko-in’metsu’no-tame’ni watte sutete-shimaeba yoroshii-desho. Wareta chawan’o suteru gomi-okiba’ni mazete-shimaeba, wakara-naku nari-masu.”

Maomao “She probably put a net in the well so that the sake bottle would get caught, and then she would pull it up when no one was around. For example, at night or early in the morning, the ladies-in-waiting of the rear palace wouldn’t use the well. She could just break the sake bottle and throw it away to destroy the evidence. If she mix it in with the trash where they throw out broken teacups, it won’t be discovered.”

壬氏「ただ、近(ちか)くの宿舎(しゅくしゃ)にいた女官(にょかん)たちがそれを見(み)て、幽霊(ゆうれい)だと騒(さわ)ぎ始(はじ)めたと」

Jinshi “Tada, chikaku-no shukusha’ni ita nyokan-tachi’ga sore’o mite, yu-rei-dato sawagi-hajimeta-to.”

Jinshi “However, the ladies-in-waiting in the nearby quarters saw it, and they started making a fuss, saying it was a ghost.”

猫猫「なので、壬氏様(ジンシさま)に見張(みは)るように命令(めいれい)された官(かん)に見(み)つかり、慌(あわ)てて逃(に)げようとしてとっくりを落(お)としてしまった。欠片(かけら)まで回収(かいしゅう)できないので、中身(なかみ)の手紙(てがみ)だけ拾(ひろ)った」

Maomao “Nanode, Jinshi-sama’ni miharu-yo-ni meirei-sareta kan’ni mitsukari, awatete nige-yo-to-shite tokkuri’o otoshite-shimatta. Kakera-made kaishu-deki-nai-node, nakami’no tegami-dake hirotta.”

Maomao “So, when she was found by the officer who was ordered to watch over by Master Jinshi, she dropped the bottle in her haste to escape. She couldn’t retrieve all the pieces, so she just picked up the letter inside.”

高順「辻褄(つじつま)は合(あ)いますね」

Gaoshun “Tsuji-tsuma’wa ai-masu-ne.”

Gaoshun “That makes sense.”

辻褄が合う（つじつまがあう/Tsuji-tsuma’ga au）: consistent, make sense, logical

猫猫「あくまで、私(わたし)の勝手(かって)な妄想(もうそう)の産物(さんぶつ)です」

Maomao “Akumade, watashi’no katte-na mo-so’no san-butsu-desu.”

Maomao “It’s just a product of my own imagination.”

壬氏「では薬屋(くすりや)。さらに妄想(もうそう)を追加(ついか)してくれ。受(う)け取(と)った手紙(てがみ)の返事(へんじ)はどうする？後宮(こうきゅう)の井戸(いど)の水(みず)の流(なが)れから、また外廷(がいてい)の井戸(いど)に手紙(てがみ)を戻(もど)すことはできないぞ」

Jinshi “Dewa Kusuriya. Sarani mo-so’o tsuika-shite-kure. Uke-totta tegami’no henji’wa do-suru? Ko-kyu’no ido’no mizu’no nagare’kara, mata gaitei’no ido’ni tegami’o modosu-koto’wa deki-nai-zo.”

Jinshi “Then, Apothecary, please add some more imagination. How will she respond to the letter she received? From the flow of water in the well of the rear palace, she can’t put the letter back in the outer court well.”

猫猫（この野郎(やろう)…）「手紙(てがみ)に、返事(へんじ)を求(もと)めてないのかもしれません。もし返事(へんじ)が必要(ひつよう)でしたら、また流(なが)れに任(まか)せてしまえばよろしいかと」

Maomao (Kono-yaro…) “Tegami’ni, henji’o motomete-nai-no-kamo shire-masen. Moshi henji’ga hitsuyo-deshitara, mata nagare’ni makasete-shimaeba yoroshii-kato.”

Maomao (You…) “Maybe he didn’t want a reply to his letter. If he does need a reply, I think it’s best to just let things go with the flow again.”

この野郎（このやろう/Kono yaro）: you jerk, you bastard

In this case, Maomao is just a little annoyed, because Jinshi keeps trying to get answers from her even though she doesn’t want to be specific what she isn’t sure about. I don’t know which word works in English but “jerk” or “bastard” is too harsh. In Japanese, この野郎 or コノヤロー is a mild insult, especially if you only think it. After all, この is “this”, and 野郎 is “guy”, and she is just thinking “This guy” in a rougher way.

壬氏「流(なが)れに任(まか)せる？」

Jinshi “Nagare’ni makaseru?”

Jinshi “Just go with the flow?”

猫猫「水(みず)を入(い)れたら、出(だ)さねばなりません。高順(ガオシュン)様(さま)。確(たし)か汚水(おすい)は、専用(せんよう)の水路(すいろ)を通(とお)って、後宮(こうきゅう)の外(そと)に流(なが)しますよね」

Maomao “Mizu’o iretara, dasa-neba nari-masen. Gaoshun-sama. Tashika osui’wa, sen’yo’no suiro’o tootte, ko-kyu’no soto’ni nagashi-masu-yone.”

Maomao “Once water is put in, it must be taken out. Master Gaoshun, wastewater is drained outside the rear palace through a special waterway, right?”

高順「はい。後宮(こうきゅう)の外(そと)の堀(ほり)へと流(なが)され、また大河(たいが)に戻(もど)します」

Gaoshun “Hai. Ko-kyu’no soto’no hori’eto nagasare, mata taiga’ni modoshi-masu.”

Gaoshun “Yes. It will be washed into the moat outside the rear palace and then returned to the great river.”

猫猫「そして、汚水(おすい)を流(なが)せば、どうしてもゴミなど、異物(いぶつ)がどこかに溜(た)まりますね」

Maomao “Soshite, osui’o nagaseba, do-shitemo gomi-nado, ibutsu’ga doko-ka’ni tamari-masu-ne.”

Maomao “And when you flush wastewater, garbage and other foreign objects are bound to accumulate somewhere.”

高順「堀(ほり)に溜(た)まったゴミは、月(つき)に数回(すうかい)掃除(そうじ)をさせていますね」

Gaoshun “Hori’ni tamatta gomi’wa, tsuki’ni su-kai so-ji’o sasete-imasu-ne.”

Gaoshun “The trash that accumulates in the moat is cleaned up several times a month.”

猫猫（掃除人(そうじにん)に混(ま)じって手紙(てがみ)を回収(かいしゅう)するか、それとも集(あつ)められたゴミを漁(あさ)るか…）

Maomao (So-ji-nin’ni majitte tegami’o kaishu-suru-ka, sore-tomo atsume-rareta gomi’o asaru-ka…)

Maomao (He joins the cleaners in collecting the letter, or rummages through the trash?)

漁る（あさる/Asaru）: rummage through, scavenge

壬氏「なるほど。しかし、このとっくりを再利用(さいりよう)するのは不可能(ふかのう)じゃないだろうか？さすがに堀(ほり)に落(お)としたら衝撃(しょうげき)で壊(こわ)れそうだぞ。井戸(いど)から井戸への短(みじか)い距離(きょり)ならまだ分(わ)かるが…」

Jinshi “Naru-hodo. Shikashi, kono tokkuri’o sai-riyo-suru-nowa fukano-ja nai-daro-ka? Sasuga-ni hori’ni otoshi-tara sho-geki’de koware-so-dazo. Ido’kara ido’eno mijikai kyori-nara mada wakaru-ga…”

Jinshi “I see. But wouldn’t it be impossible to reuse this bottle? If it were dropped into a moat, it would probably break from the impact. I could understand if it were only a short distance from one well to another, but…”

再利用する（さいりようする/Sai-riyo-suru）: reuse

The kanji “再” is exactly the same as “re” in English, which means “again”.

再生する（さいせいする/Saisei-suru）: regenerate  再確認する（さいかくにんする/Sai-kakunin-suru）: reconfirm  再開する（さいかいする/Saikai-suru）: restart   再会する（さいかいする/Saikai-suru）: see/meet again

不可能（ふかのう/Fukano）: impossible

The kanji “不” is exactly the same as “im” in “impossible”, “dis” in “disadvantage（不利益/ふりえき）”, or “un” in “unhappy（不幸な/ふこうな）”, which means “no” or “not”.

猫猫「別(べつ)の物(もの)を使(つか)えばよろしいかと。後宮(こうきゅう)にはたくさん材料(ざいりょう)がありますから」

Maomao “Betsu’no mono’o tsukaeba yoroshii-ka-to. Ko-kyu’niwa takusan zairyo’ga ari-masu-kara.”

Maomao “Maybe they should use something else. There are plenty of materials in the rear palace.”

壬氏「材料(ざいりょう)？」

Jinshi “Zairyo?”

Jinshi “Materials?”

猫猫「壬氏様(ジンシさま)は、陶器(とうき)や玻璃(はり)のとっくりばかり使(つか)っておられますが、庶民(しょみん)には手軽(てがる)に作(つく)れる別(べつ)のとっくりがあります」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama’wa, to-ki’ya hari’no tokkuri-bakari tsukatte-orare-masu-ga, shomin’niwa tegaru-ni tsuku-reru betsu’no tokkuri’ga ari-masu.”

Maomao “Master Jinshi, you only use ceramic and glass bottles, but there is another type of bottle that common people can easily make.”

使(つか)っておられます ＝ Keigo(respectful and polite) form of 使っている

壬氏「別(べつ)のとっくり？」

Jinshi “Betsu’no tokkuri?”

Jinshi “Another bottle?”

猫猫「軽(かる)くて香(かお)りもいい、竹(たけ)のとっくりも悪(わる)くないのですよ」

Maomao “Karuku-te kaori’mo ii, take’no tokkuri’mo waruku-nai-no-desu-yo.”

Maomao “The bamboo bottle, which is light and has a nice aroma, isn’t bad either.”

猫猫（いかん。…いかん、いかん。酒(さけ)が飲(の)みたくなった…！）

Maomao (Ikan. …Ikan, ikan. Sake’ga nomi-taku-natta…!)

Maomao (No. No, no. Now I feel like drinking…!)

壬氏「確(たし)かに、竹(たけ)なら堀(ほり)に浮(う)かんでいてもおかしくない。後宮内(こうきゅうない)にも竹林(ちくりん)があるしな」

Jinshi “Tashika-ni, take-nara hori’ni ukande-itemo okashiku-nai. Ko-kyu-nai’nimo chiku-rin’ga aru-shi-na.”

Jinshi “Indeed, it would not be strange for bamboo to be floating in the moat. There is a bamboo grove in the rear palace after all.”

猫猫「あくまで、私(わたし)の妄想(もうそう)です」

Maomao “Akumade, watashi’no mo-so-desu.”

Maomao “It is nothing but my imagination.”

猫猫（…けど、なんか引(ひ)っかかるんだよなぁ…。それも説明(せつめい)しとくべきか？）

Maomao (…Kedo, nan-ka hikkakaru-n-dayo-naa… Sore’mo setsumei-shitoku-beki-ka?)

Maomao (…But something’s stuck in my mind… Should I explain that too?)

壬氏「分かった分かった。水蓮(すいれん)」

Jinshi “Wakatta wakatta. Suiren.”

Jinshi “I get it, I get it. Suiren.”

水蓮「はい、坊(ぼっ)ちゃま」

Suiren “Hai, bocchama.”

Suiren “Yes, young master.”

猫猫「こ、これは…！」（さ、酒(さけ)だ―――！）

Maomao “Ko, Kore’wa…!” (Sa, Sake-daaaaaaa!)

Maomao “Th-This is…!” (B-Boooooze!)

壬氏「とっくりの話(はなし)ばかりしていたから、少(すこ)し飲(の)みたくなった」

Jinshi “Tokkuri’no hanashi-bakari shite-ita-kara, sukoshi nomi-taku-natta.”

Jinshi “Since we’ve been talking about sake bottles so much, I feel like having a drink.”

水蓮「そんな気(き)がしたので、お持(も)ちしました」

Suiren “Sonna ki’ga shita-node, omochi-shima-shita.”

Suiren “That’s what I felt, so I brought it.”

壬氏「さすが水蓮(すいれん)だな」

Jinshi “Sasuga Suiren-dana.”

Jinshi “As expected of Suiren.”

猫猫（うわあぁ、うわあぁぁ！酒(さけ)！酒ぇぇ！）

Maomao (Uwaaa, uwaaaa! Sake! Sakeee!)

Maomao (Woohoo, wooohoo! Booze! Boooze!)

高順「小猫(シャオマオ)。よだれが垂(た)れています」

Gaoshun “Shaomao. Yodare’ga tarete-imasu.”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao. You’re drooling.”

猫猫（じゅるるっ）

Maomao (Jururu.)

Maomao (slurping)

高順「壬氏様(ジンシさま)。書類(しょるい)がまだ終(お)わっておりません」

Gaoshun “Jinshi-sama. Shorui’ga mada owatte-ori-masen.”

Gaoshun “Master Jinshi, your paperwork hasn’t been completed yet.”

壬氏「高順(ガオシュン)。一杯(いっぱい)くらいゆっくりさせろ。お前(まえ)もどうだ？」

Jinshi “Gaoshun. Ippai-kurai yukkuri-sase-ro. Omae’mo do-da?”

Jinshi “Gaoshun, let me have just a glass of drink and relax. How about you too?”

高順「いえ、私(わたし)は…。それより」

Gaoshun “Ie, watashi’wa… Sore-yori.”

Gaoshun “No, I’m… More importantly…”

猫猫（じゅるっ）

Maomao (Juru.)

Maomao (slurping)

壬氏「ふん…仕方(しかた)ない。薬屋(くすりや)、一杯(いっぱい)だけだぞ」

Jinshi “Fun… Shikata-nai. Kusuriya, ippai-dake-dazo.”

Jinshi “Hmm… I guess that can’t be helped. Just one drink, Apothecary.”

猫猫「はい！いただきます！」

Maomao “Hai! Itadaki-masu!”

Maomao “Yes! Thank you!”

壬氏「今日(きょう)一番(いちばん)いい返事(へんじ)だな」

Jinshi “Kyo ichi-ban ii henji-dana.”

Jinshi “That’s the best reply I’ve heard today.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫（とっくりの話(はなし)から数日(すうじつ)が経(た)った）

Maomao (Tokkuri’no hanashi’kara su-jitsu’ga tatta.)

Maomao (A few days have passed since the conversation of the sake bottle.)

水蓮「猫猫」

Suiren “Maomao.”

Suiren “Maomao.”

猫猫「はい、水蓮様(スイレンさま)。どうかされましたか？」

Maomao “Hai, Suiren-sama. Do-ka sare-mashita-ka?”

Maomao “Yes, Lady Suiren. Is something wrong?”

猫猫（掃除(そうじ)してないの、バレたか？）

Maomao (So-ji-shite-nai-no, bareta-ka?)

Maomao (Did she notice that I haven’t cleaned up?)

水蓮「高順(ガオシュン)が呼(よ)んでいるわよ」

Suiren “Gaoshun’ga yonde-iru-wayo.”

Suiren “Gaoshun is calling you.”

猫猫「あ、高順様(ガオシュンさま)が？」

Maomao “A, Gaoshun-sama’ga?”

Maomao “Master Gaoshun?”

猫猫「高順様(ガオシュンさま)、どうかされましたか？」

Maomao “Gaoshun-sama, do-ka sare-mashita-ka?”

Maomao “Master Gaoshun, is something wrong?”

高順「はい。先日(せんじつ)のとっくりの件(けん)で、小猫(シャオマオ)の言(い)う通(とお)り、堀(ほり)を見張(みは)らせていたところ、怪(あや)しい者(もの)がいました」

Gaoshun “Hai. Senjitsu’no tokkuri’no ken’de, Shaomao’no iu-toori, hori’o miha-rasete-ita-tokoro, ayashii mono’ga ima-shita.”

Gaoshun “Yes. Regarding the sake bottle from the other day, I had someone keep watch over the moat as you said, and there was someone suspicious there.”

猫猫「捕(つか)まえたのですね？」

Maomao “Tsukamaeta-no-desu-ne?”

Maomao “You caught him, didn’t you?”

高順「いえ、逃(に)げられてしまいました。捕(つか)まえようと揉(も)み合(あ)いになったそうですが、面目(めんぼく)ありません」

Gaoshun “Ie, nige-rarete-shimai-mashita. Tsukamae-yo-to momi-ai’ni natta-so-desu-ga, menboku ari-masen.”

Gaoshun “No, he escaped. Apparently there was a scuffle when they tried to catch him, but… We are really ashamed of ourselves.”

面目(めんぼく)ない・ありません(Menboku-nai, ari-masen): I’m ashamed of myself (for having failed something), I have no face to show, I’m sorry for my behavior.

猫猫「あら」

Maomao “Ara.”

Maomao “Oh.”

高順「けれど違(ちが)う所(ところ)で手掛(てが)かりを見(み)つけたので、見(み)ていただきたいのです」

Gaoshun “Keredo chigau tokoro’de tegakari’o mitsuketa-node, mite-itadaki-tai-no-desu.”

Gaoshun “However, I found a clue somewhere else, so I’d like you to take a look.”

手掛かり（てがかり/Tegakari）: a clue

猫猫「何(なん)でしょうか？…お皿(さら)ですね。牡丹(ぼたん)の絵(え)が描(か)かれていますね。あれ、これもしかして、ホーローでしょうか？」

Maomao “Nan-desho-ka? …Osara-desu-ne. Botan’no e’ga kakarete-imasu-ne. Are, kore moshika-shite, hōrō desho-ka?”

Maomao “What’s that? …It’s a plate. It has a picture of a peony on it. Is this, by any chance, enamel?”

もしかして(Moshika-shite): by any chance, perhaps, could it be

猫猫（ホーロー。七宝焼(しっぽうや)きとも言(い)う。金属(きんぞく)の表面(ひょうめん)に玻璃(はり)の釉薬(ゆうやく)をかけて作(つく)るものだ）

Maomao (Hōrō. Shippo-yaki-tomo iu. Kinzoku’no hyo-men’ni hari’no yu-yaku’o kakete tsukuru-mono-da.)

Maomao (Enamel, also known as cloisonne. Made by applying glass glaze to the surface of metal.)

猫猫「先日(せんじつ)の割(わ)れたとっくりと、よく似(に)た色(いろ)に絵柄(えがら)ですね」

Maomao “Sen-jitsu’no wareta tokkuri’to, yoku nita iro’ni egara-desu-ne.”

Maomao “It has a similar color and pattern to the broken bottle of the other day.”

高順「はい。実(じつ)はあの後(あと)、急(いそ)いでどこで作(つく)ったとっくりか、釉薬(ゆうやく)を頼(たよ)りに調(しら)べたのです。ところが都(みやこ)のどこの焼(や)き物屋(ものや)でも取(と)り扱(あつか)っておらず、偶然(ぐうぜん)似(に)ていると見(み)つけたのが…」

Gaoshun “Hai. Jitsu’wa ano-ato, isoide doko’de tsukutta tokkuri-ka, yu-yaku’o tayori’ni shirabeta-no-desu. Tokoroga miyako’no doko’no yakimono-ya’demo tori-atsukatte-orazu, gu-zen nite-iru-to mitsuketa-noga…”

Gaoshun “Yes. Actually, after that, I quickly tried to find out where the sake bottle was made, based on the glaze. However, it wasn’t being sold at any pottery stores in the capital. And by chance, I found one that looked similar…”

猫猫「ホーローだったというのですね」

Maomao “Hōrō-datta-to iu-no-desu-ne.”

Maomao “So it was enamel.”

猫猫（道理(どうり)で珍(めずら)しい色(いろ)だと思(おも)った）

Maomao (Do-ri’de mezurashii iro-dato omotta.)

Maomao (No wonder it was a rare color.)

猫猫「どこで見(み)つけたのですか？」

Maomao “Doko’de mitsuketa-no-desu-ka?”

Maomao “Where did you find it?”

高順「知人(ちじん)に皿(さら)を集(あつ)める趣味(しゅみ)の者(もの)がいましたので聞(き)いたところ、似(に)た物(もの)を持(も)っていたので貸(か)してもらいました。とある飲食店(いんしょくてん)で売(う)っているそうです。ちょうど、魚料理(さかなりょうり)を得意(とくい)とする料理人(りょうりにん)がいる店(みせ)でして、以前(いぜん)小猫(シャオマオ)と交(か)わした約束(やくそく)が守(まも)れるのではないかと誘(さそ)いに来(き)ました」

Gaoshun “Chijin’ni sara’o atsumeru shumi’no mono’ga ima-shita-node kiita-tokoro, nita-mono’o motte-ita-node kashite-morai-mashita. Toaru inshoku-ten’de utte-iru-so-desu. Cho-do, sakana-ryo-ri’o tokui-to-suru ryo-ri-nin’ga iru mise-deshite, izen Shaomao’to kawashita yakusoku’ga mamo-reru-no’dewa-nai-kato sasoi’ni kima-shita.”

Gaoshun “I have an acquaintance who has a hobby of collecting plates, so when I asked him about it, he had something similar and I borrowed it. Apparently it’s sold at a certain restaurant. It just so happens that the restaurant has a chef who specializes in fish dishes, so I came to invite you over hoping that I could keep a promise I made to you before, Xiaomao.”

とある・ある（Toaru, Aru）: a certain

猫猫（魚料理(さかなりょうり)？約束(やくそく)…？はて、何(なに)かあった…はっ！）

Maomao (Sakana-ryo-ri? Yakusoku…? Hate, nani-ka atta…Ha!)

Maomao (A fish dish? A promise? Hmm… I wonder what… Oh!)

猫猫「フグ！フグですか！？」

Maomao “Fugu! Fugu-desu-ka!?”

“Pufferfish! Is that a pufferfish?!”

高順「小猫(シャオマオ)、落(お)ち着(つ)いてください」

Gaoshun “Shaomao, ochi-tsuite-kudasai.”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao, please calm down.”

猫猫「はい。どこへなりともついて行(い)きます！」

Maomao “Hai. Doko’e-nari-tomo tsuite-iki-masu!”

Maomao “Yes. I’ll follow you wherever you go!”

どこへなりとも ＝ どこへでも、どこにでも

高順「そうですか…では、今晩(こんばん)あたりに出(で)かけようかと思(おも)います。ちゃんと水蓮殿(スイレンどの)には許可(きょか)を取(と)りますから、安心(あんしん)してください。その格好(かっこう)のままではどうかと思(おも)うので、着替(きが)えも用意(ようい)します」

Gaoshun “So-desu-ka… Dewa, kon-ban-atari’ni dekake-yo-ka-to omoi-masu. Chanto Suiren-dono’niwa kyoka’o tori-masu-kara, anshin-shite-kudasai. Sono kakko’no mama’dewa do-ka-to omou-node, kigae’mo yo-i-shimasu.”

Gaoshun “I see… Then I think we’ll go out tonight. I’ll get permission from Suiren, so don’t worry. I don’t think It’s appropriate to go in that outfit, so I’ll bring a change of clothes.”

猫猫「はいっ！」（フーグ！フーグ！フーグ！エヘヘヘヘヘ…）

Maomao “Hai!” (Fuuugu! Fuuugu! Fuuugu! Ehehehehehe…)

Maomao “Yes!” (Pufferfish! Pufferfish! Pufferfish! Hehehehehe…)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

高順「さて、着(つ)きました」

Gaoshun “Sate, tsuki-mashita.”

Gaoshun “Well, we’ve arrived.”

壬氏「ほーう、ここが例(れい)の店(みせ)か」

Jinshi “Hooo, koko’ga rei’no mise-ka.”

Jinshi “Oh, so this is the restaurant in question.”

例の（れいの/Rei’no）: in question, that, that we’ve been talking about

猫猫（んん…何(なん)で…）

Maomao (Nn…Nande…)

Maomao (Hmm… Why…)

壬氏「悪(わる)くない店構(みせがま)えだが、場所(ばしょ)が場所だな」

Jinshi “Waruku-nai mise-gamae-daga, basho’ga basho-dana.”

Jinshi “It doesn’t look like a bad restaurant, but the location is a problem.”

場所が場所だな　＝　場所が悪(わる)いな、場所が問題(もんだい)だな

猫猫（…壬氏(ジンシ)までいるんだ…しかも覆面(ふくめん)なんてして）

Maomao (…Jinshi-made irunda… Shikamo fukumen-nante shite…)

Maomao (…is Master Jinshi also here…? Even wearing a mask?)

壬氏「薬屋(くすりや)。何(なに)か言(い)いたいことがあるのか？」

Jinshi “Kusuriya. Nani-ka iitai koto’ga aru-noka?”

Jinshi “Apothecary. Is there something you want to say?”

猫猫「いえ何(なん)でもありません。壬氏様(ジンシさま)こそどうしたんですか、覆面(ふくめん)などつけて（棒(ぼう)）」

Maomao “Ie, nan-demo ari-masen. Jinshi-sama-koso do-shita-n-desu-ka, fukumen-nado tsukete.(Bo)”

Maomao “No, it’s nothing. What’s wrong with you, Master Jinshi? Why are you wearing a mask?” (in a monotonous voice)

（棒）＝（棒読み/ぼうよみ/Bo-yomi）: monotonous reading, reading in a monotone voice, flat reading

高順「場所(ばしょ)が場所ですので…」

Gaoshun “Basho’ga basho-desu-node…”

Gaoshun “Because the location is…”

猫猫「ですよねー。まさか花街(はなまち)のど真(ま)ん中(なか)とは思(おも)いませんよ…」

Maomao “Desu-yoneee. Masaka hana-machi’no do-man’naka-towa omoi-masen-yo…”

Maomao “I agree. I would never have thought it would be right in the middle of the pleasure district…”

“ど” in “ど真ん中” means “right” or “just” to emphasize the following word.

高順「小猫(シャオマオ)こそ、馬車(ばしゃ)に隠(かく)れてどうしたんですか？慣(な)れ親(した)しんだ場所(ばしょ)でしょう」

Gaoshun “Shaomao-koso, basha’ni kakurete do-shitan-desu-ka? Nare-shita-shinda basho-desho.”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao, why are you hiding in the carriage? It is a place you are familiar with, isn’t it?”

猫猫「慣(な)れ親(した)しんだ場所(ばしょ)だからですよ。私(わたし)の顔(かお)が割(わ)れているんです。しかも、ここって緑青館(ろくしょうかん)とは競合関係(きょうごうかんけい)にある妓楼(ぎろう)なんですけど」

Maomao “Nare-shita-shinda basho-dakara-desu-yo. Watashi’no kao’ga warete-irun-desu. Shikamo, kokotte Rokusho-Kan’towa kyo-go-kankei’ni aru giro-nan-desu-kedo.”

Maomao “That’s exactly because it’s a place I’m familiar with. My face is well-known. And this is a brothel that competes with the Verdigris House.”

高順「はい。だから小猫(シャオマオ)には着替(きが)えてもらいました」

Gaoshun “Hai. Dakara Shaomao’niwa kigaete-morai-mashita.”

Gaoshun “Yes. That’s why I asked you to change your clothes, Xiaomao.”

壬氏「似合(にあ)っているぞ、薬屋(くすりや)」

Jinshi “Niatte-iru-zo, Kusuriya.”

Jinshi “It suits you, Apothecary.”

猫猫「薬屋(くすりや)とか言(い)ったらバレますって。ここで商売(しょうばい)してたんですから」

Maomao “Kusuriya-toka ittara bare-masutte. Koko’de sho-bai-shiteta-n-desu-kara.”

Maomao “If you call me Apothecary, I’d be found out. Since I was doing business here.”

猫猫（着替(きが)えろと言(い)われて小姓(こしょう)の服(ふく)を用意(ようい)されたと思(おも)ったら、こういうことね…。壬氏(ジンシ)に至(いた)っては覆面(ふくめん)つけてるし、高順(ガオシュン)は高順で、雰囲気(ふんいき)をガラリと変(か)えている。宦官(かんがん)が妓楼遊(ぎろうあそ)びしているって、印象(いんしょう)良(よ)くないのかな？）

Maomao (Kigaero-to iwarete kosho’no fuku’o yo-i-sareta-to omottara, ko-iu-koto-ne… Jinshi’ni itatte’wa fukumen tsuke-teru-shi, Gaoshun’wa Gaoshun’de, fun’iki’o garari-to kaete-iru. Kangan’ga giro-asobi-shite-irutte, insho yoku-nai-no-kana?)

Maomao (They gave me page clothes when they told me to change, and this is what happened… Jinshi is wearing a mask, and Gaoshun looks completely different. I wonder if it’s not a good impression to see eunuchs hanging out at brothels?)

猫猫「壬氏様(ジンシさま)まで来(く)る必要(ひつよう)なかったのでは？」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama-made kuru hitsuyo nakatta-no’dewa?”

Maomao “Probably there was no need for Master Jinshi to come over here, wasn’t there?”

壬氏「壬氏様(ジンシさま)ではないだろう。ここでは…そうだな…主人(しゅじん)と小姓(こしょう)の関係(かんけい)だ」

Jinshi “Jinshi-sama’dewa nai-daro. Koko’dewa… So-dana… Shujin’to kosho’no kankei-da.”

Jinshi “I’m not Master Jinshi now. Here… Letme see… We are in a relationship of…a master and a page.”

猫猫（普段(ふだん)と変(か)わらないけど）

Maomao (Fudan’to kawara-nai-kedo.)

Maomao (Same as usual, though)

猫猫「では、若旦那様(わかだんなさま)、でよろしいですか？」

Maomao “Dewa, waka-danna-sama, de yoroshii-desu-ka?”

Maomao “Well then, is ‘young master’ alright?”

高順「若旦那様(わかだんなさま)、では行(い)きましょうか」

Gaoshun “Waka-danna-sama, dewa iki-masho-ka.”

Gaoshun “Young Master, shall we go then?”

壬氏「行(い)くぞ。番頭(ばんとう)に小姓(こしょう)」

Jinshi “Iku-zo. Banto’ni Kosho.”

Jinshi “Let’s go, Head clerk, and Page.”

猫猫（実(じつ)はノリノリでは？）

Maomao (Jitsu’wa nori-nori’dewa?)

Maomao (He’s actually doing this in high spirits, isn’t he?)

ノリノリな（Nori-nori-na）: onomatopoeia for being excited, feeling so good, being in high spirits

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫（孔雀館(くじゃくかん)。緑青館(ろくしょうかん)と同(おな)じ高級妓楼(こうきゅうぎろう)だが、緑青館(ろくしょうかん)が妓女(ぎじょ)の芸(げい)を売(う)りにするのに対(たい)し、孔雀館(くじゃくかん)は料理(りょうり)の旨(うま)さを売(う)りにしている。こうして高官(こうかん)たちが食事(しょくじ)を求(もと)めてやって来(く)るように）

Maomao (Kujaku-Kan. Rokusho-Kan’to onaji ko-kyu-giro-daga, Rokusho-Kan’ga gijo’no gei’o uri’ni suru-no’ni taishi, Kujaku-Kan’wa ryo-ri’no umasa’o uri’ni shite-iru. Ko-shite ko-kan-tachi’ga shokuji’o motomete yatte-kuru-yo-ni.)

Maomao (The Peacock House. It is a high-class brothel just like the Verdigris House, but while the selling point of the Verdigris House is the performances of the courtesans, that of the Peacock House is the delicious food. So, high-ranking officials come to eat here, like this.)

孔雀館(くじゃくかん)の主人(しゅじん)「ようこそ、おいでくださりました」

Kujaku-Kan’no shujin “Yo-koso, oide-kudasari-mashita.”

Owner of the Peacock House “Welcome, thank you for coming.”

猫猫（一見(いっけん)優(やさ)しい笑顔(えがお)の好々爺(こうこうや)であるが、遣(や)り手婆(てばばあ)並(な)みの守銭奴(しゅせんど)らしい…）

Maomao (Ikken yasashii egao’no ko-ko-ya’de aru-ga, Yarite-Babaa-nami’no shusendo-rashii…)

Maomao (At first glance he appears to be a good-natured old man with a gentle smile, but they say that he is a miser on per with the greedy old madam…)

好々爺（こうこうや/Ko-ko-ya）: good-natured old man, good old man

守銭奴（しゅせんど/Shusen-do）: a miser, money-grubber, scrooge

〇〇並みの（〇〇なみの/〇〇Nami’no）: on per with 〇〇, on the same level as 〇〇

主人「さあ、奥(おく)に部屋(へや)をご用意(ようい)しております」

Shujin “Saa, oku’ni heya’o goyo-i-shite-ori-masu.”

Owner “Please come in, we have a room prepared for you in the back.”

猫猫（確(たし)かに、��偉(えら)いさん御用達(ごようたし)だけあって、調度品(ちょうどひん)の趣味(しゅみ)はいい。季節(きせつ)の花(はな)が描(か)かれているものが多(おお)いな…。妓女(ぎじょ)たちの楽器(がっき)の腕(うで)も悪(わる)くない。皿(さら)が飾(かざ)られ、交互(こうご)に妓女(ぎじょ)たちが立(た)っている）

Maomao (Tashika-ni, oerai-san-goyo-tashi-dake-atte, cho-do-hin’no shumi’wa ii. Kisetsu’no hana’ga kakarete-iru-mono’ga ooi-na… Gijo-tachi’no gakki’no ude’mo waruku-nai. Sara’ga kaza-rare, ko-go-ni gijo-tachi’ga tatte-iru.)

Maomao (Indeed, as expected of a purveyor to higher-ups, the furnishings are of good taste. Many of the items have seasonal flowers painted on them… The courtesans’ musical instrument skills are also not bad. Plates are displayed and the courtesans stand alternatively.)

御用達（ごようたし、ごようたつ/Goyo-tashi, Goyo-tatsu）: purveyor

交互に（こうごに/Ko-go-ni）: alternatively

主人「もしよろしければ、好(す)きな食器(しょっき)をお選(えら)びください。ごゆっくりと。料理(りょうり)はすぐご用意(ようい)しますが、何(なに)かあれば、…っはは、鈴(すず)を鳴(な)らしてお呼(よ)びください」

Shujin “Moshi yoroshi-kereba, suki-na shokki’o oerabi-kudasai. Goyukkuri-to. Ryo-ri’wa sugu goyo-i-shimasu-ga, nani-ka areba… haha, suzu’o narashite oyobi-kudasai.”

Owner “If you like, please choose your favorite tableware. Take your time. The food will be prepared right away, but if you need anything… Haha… just ring the bell and call me.”

壬氏「皿(さら)か…別(べつ)にどれでもいいのだが、選(えら)んだ方(ほう)がいいのか？」

Jinshi “Sara-ka… Betsu-ni dore-demo ii-no-daga, eranda-ho’ga ii-noka?”

Jinshi “A plate… any plate is fine, but should I choose one?”

猫猫「隠語(いんご)ですよ。皿(さら)と交互(こうご)に妓女(ぎじょ)が並(なら)んでいたでしょう。食事(しょくじ)を楽(たの)しむのもいいですが、妓女(ぎじょ)と戯(たわむ)れませんか？という意味(いみ)です」

Maomao “Ingo-desu-yo. Sara’to ko-go-ni gijo’ga narande-ita-desho. Shokuji’o tanoshimu-nomo ii-desu-ga, gijo’to tawamure-masen-ka? to-iu imi desu.”

Maomao “It’s a slang term. The courtesans were lined up alternating with the plates, weren’t they? It means, ‘It’s fine to enjoy your meal, but would you like to flirt with the courtesans?’”

戯れる（たわむれる/Tawamureru）: play, flirt, frolic

壬氏「飯屋(めしや)ではなく妓楼(ぎろう)だったな」

Jinshi “Meshiya’dewa naku giro-datta-na.”

Jinshi “It is not a restaurant but a brothel, after all.”

猫猫「孔雀館(くじゃくかん)の場合(ばあい)、役人(やくにん)の談合(だんごう)にも使(つか)われているので、呼(よ)ばれない限(かぎ)り妓女(ぎじょ)も来(こ)ないと思(おも)います。ただ、ちょっと緑青館(ろくしょうかん)とも違(ちが)った高級(こうきゅう)妓楼(ぎろう)なので、あまりよく知(し)らないんですよね…。うちの薬屋(くすりや)にも、ここの妓女(ぎじょ)たちは客として来ないし…」

Maomao “Kujaku-Kan’no baai, yaku-nin’no dango’nimo tsuka-warete-iru-node, yobare-nai-kagiri gijo’mo konai-to omoi-masu. Tada, chotto Rokusho-Kan’tomo chigatta ko-kyu-giro-nanode, amari yoku shira-nai-n-desu-yone… Uchi’no kusuriya’nimo, koko’no gijo-tachi’wa kyaku-to-shite konai-shi…”

Maomao “In case of the Peacock House, it is also used by officials for collusion, soI don’t think courtesans will come until they are called. However, it is a high-class brothel that’s a bit different from the Verdigris House, so I don’t know much about it… The courtesans here don’t come as customers to my apothecary either…”

壬氏「そうなのか？番頭(ばんとう)」

Jinshi “So-nano-ka? Banto.”

Jinshi “Is that so, Head clerk?”

高順「えーっと…私(わたし)はこういう店(みせ)にはあまり行(い)かないもので…ただ、知人(ちじん)はあの並(なら)んだ皿(さら)の一(ひと)つが気(き)に入(い)り、1枚(いちまい)譲(ゆず)り受(う)けたそうです」

Gaoshun “Eeetto… Watashi’wa ko-iu mise’niwa amari ika-nai-monode… Tada, chijin’wa ano naranda sara’no hitotsu’ga ki’ni-iri, ichi-mai yuzuri-uketa-so-desu.”

Gaoshun “Well, I don’t come to these kinds of stores very often… but my acquaintance liked one of the plates and took one.”

猫猫「見(み)せてもらった皿(さら)も花(はな)が描(か)かれてましたね。とりあえず口(くち)が軽(かる)そうな妓女(ぎじょ)を選(えら)んで、どこで作(つく)っているか聞(き)きますか？知(し)っているかどうか分(わ)かりませんけど」

Maomao “Misete-moratta sara’mo hana’ga kakarete-mashita-ne. Toriaezu kuchi’ga karu-so-na gijo’o erande, doko’de tsukutte-iru-ka kiki-masu-ka? Shitte-iru-ka-do-ka wakari-masen-kedo.”

Maomao “The plate you showed me also had flowers painted on it. Should I pick a courtesan who seems loose-lipped and ask her where it’s made? I don’t know if she knows, though.”

壬氏「何(なに)か、気(き)になったことはないのか？」

Jinshi “Nani-ka, ki’ni-natta-koto’wa nai-noka?”

Jinshi “Is there anything that piqued your interest?”

猫猫「私(わたし)は何(なん)でも屋(や)ではありませんよ。若旦那様(わかだんなさま)」

Maomao “Watashi’wa nan’demo-ya’dewa ari-masen-yo. Waka-danna-sama.”

Maomao “I’m not an all-rounder, Young Master.”

何でも屋（なんでもや/Nan’demo-ya）: jack-of-all-trades, all-rounder

猫猫（…とは言(い)え、気(き)になったことはあったなぁ…）

Maomao (…Towa-ie, ki’ni-natta-koto’wa atta-naa…)

Maomao (…But there was one thing that piqued my interest...)

壬氏「ああ…気(き)になったことがあったみたいだな」

Jinshi “Aa… Ki’ni-natta-koto’ga atta-mitai-dana.”

Jinshi “Ah… it seems there was something that piqued your interest.”

猫猫（だんだん、表情(ひょうじょう)読(よ)むの上手(うま)くなってるな…）

Maomao (Dan-dan, hyo-jo yomu-no umaku-natteru-na…)

Maomao (He’s getting better at reading my facial expressions…)

高順「何(なん)でもいいので教(おし)えてください」

Gaoshun “Nan’demo ii-node oshiete-kudasai.”

Gaoshun “Anything is fine, so please tell me.”

猫猫「皿(さら)の模様(もよう)が気(き)になりました。若旦那様(わかだんなさま)と番頭(ばんとう)さんは、どの皿(さら)の模様(もよう)が目(め)に留(と)まりましたか？」

Maomao “Sara’no moyo’ga ki’ni-nari-mashita. Waka-danna-sama’to banto-san’wa, dono sara’no moyo’ga me’ni tomari-mashita-ka?”

Maomao “I got interested in the pattern on the plate. Young Master and Head Clerk, which plate’s pattern caught your eye?”

壬氏「皿(さら)の模様(もよう)と言(い)われても、牡丹(ぼたん)や菊(きく)なら覚(おぼ)えているが…」

Jinshi “Sara’no moyo-to iware-temo, botan’ya kiku-nara oboete-iru-ga…”

Jinshi “Plate pattern? I can only remember peonies and chrysanthemums…”

高順「私(わたし)も、ハスや蘭(らん)なら分(わ)かりますが、他(ほか)は覚(おぼ)えていません」

Gaoshun “Watashi’mo, hasu’ya ran-nara wakari-masu-ga, hoka’wa oboete-imasen.”

Gaoshun “I can remember the lotus and the orchids, but I don’t remember the others.”

猫猫「モッカ(木瓜)、シラン(紫蘭)、センリョウ(千両)、コウジュタン(香薷？)にサンザシ(山査子)…」

Maomao “Mokka, shiran, senryu, ko-ju-tan’ni sanzashi…”

Maomao “Chaenomeles fruit, bletilla striata, sarcandra glabra, crested latesummer mint, and hawthorn…”

I’m not sure if each name of the plants is correct. As for コウジュタン especially, I could only find コウジュ instead of コウジュタン.

壬氏「よく覚(おぼ)えているな…というか詳(くわ)しいな」

Jinshi “Yoku oboete-iru-na…to-iuka kuwashii-na.”

Jinshi “You remember it well… or rather, you know a lot about it.”

猫猫「ええ。絶対(ぜったい)間違(まちが)えないようにしっかり覚(おぼ)えたものばかりです」

Maomao “Ee. Zettai machigae-nai-yo-ni shikkari oboeta-mono-bakari-desu.”

Maomao “Yes. I memorized them all so that I wouldn’t make any mistakes.”

壬氏「お前(まえ)がしっかり覚(おぼ)えているということは…毒(どく)か」

Jinshi “Omae’ga shikkari oboete-iru-to iu-koto’wa… Doku-ka.”

Jinshi “If you remember it clearly then… it must be poison.”

猫猫「生薬(しょうやく)です！まぁ、毒(どく)になるものもありますけど」

Maomao “Sho-yaku-desu! Maa, doku’ni naru mono’mo ari-masu-kedo.”

Maomao “They’re herbal medicines! Although some can be poisonous.”

高順「道理(どうり)で見(み)たことが無(な)い花(はな)が多(おお)いと思(おも)いました。観賞用(かんしょうよう)の花(はな)の他(ほか)に、色々(いろいろ)な生薬(しょうやく)の材料(ざいりょう)となる植物(しょくぶつ)が描(か)かれていたことで、何(なに)が気(き)になったのですか？」

Gaoshun “Do-ri’de mita-koto’ga nai hana’ga ooi-to omoi-mashita. Kansho-yo’no hana’no hoka’ni, iro-iro-na sho-yaku’no zairyo’to naru shoku-butsu’ga kakarete-ita-koto’de, nani’ga ki’ni natta-no-desu-ka?”

Gaoshun “No wonder there were so many flowers I’d never seen before. What caught your attention by the fact that there were also plants that are used for various herbal medicines depicted in addition to ornamental flowers?”

猫猫「はい。好(す)きな皿(さら)を選(えら)べ、と言(い)われたら、多(おお)くの客(きゃく)は深読(ふかよ)みして妓女(ぎじょ)を選(えら)ぶでしょう。素直(すなお)に皿(さら)を選(えら)んだとしても、多(おお)くは見知(みし)った花(はな)が描(か)かれている皿(さら)を選(えら)ぶと思(おも)います。でも、他(ほか)の地味(じみ)な花(はな)の皿(さら)を選(えら)び、尚且(なおか)つ花(はな)の名前(なまえ)を言(い)い当(あ)てたとしたら…妓楼(ぎろう)の主人(しゅじん)はどう思(おも)うでしょうか」

Maomao “Hai. Suki-na sara’o erabe, to iware-tara, ooku-no kyaku’wa fuka-yomi-shite gijo’o erabu-desho. Sunao-ni sara’o eranda-to-shitemo, ooku’wa mishitta hana’ga kakarete-iru sara’o erabu-to omoi-masu. Demo, hoka’no jimi-na hana’no sara’o erabi, nao-katsu hana’no namae’o ii-ateta-to-shitara… Giro’no shujin’wa do omou-desho-ka.”

Maomao “Yes. If asked to choose a plate they like, most customers would read too much into it and choose a courtesan. Even if they chose plate straightforwardly, I think the most would choose a plate with a familiar flower on it. But what would the owner of the brothel think if he chose a plate with a more plain flower on it and guessed right the name of the flower?”

高順「生薬(しょうやく)と分(わ)かっていて注文(ちゅうもん)したということですか？」

Gaoshun “Sho-yaku’to wakatte-ite chu-mon-shita-to iu-koto-desu-ka?”

Gaoshun “So he knew it was a herbal medicine and still ordered it?”

猫猫「高級店(こうきゅうてん)には、隠(かく)れた品書(しなが)きがある、というものです」

Maomao “Ko-kyu-ten’niwa, kakureta shina-gaki’ga aru, to-iu-mono-desu.”

Maomao “They say that high-end stores have hidden menus.”

壬氏「では、俺(おれ)が注文(ちゅうもん)すればいいか？」

Jinshi “Dewa, ore’ga chu-mon-sureba ii-ka?”

Jinshi “Then, should I order it?”

猫猫「いえ。どうせなら覆面(ふくめん)の若旦那様(わかだんなさま)の美声(びせい)は聞(き)かせないでおきましょう」

Maomao “Ie. Do-se-nara fukumen’no waka-danna-sama’no bisei’wa kikase-naide-oki-masho.”

Maomao “No. If possible, let’s not let them hear the masked young master’s beautiful voice.”

(Continue to 2/2)

[apothecaryscript]

Are you familiar with Hyuuga-sensei’s 聖女に嘘は通じない (English title “You Can’t Bluff the Sharp-Eyed Sister”)? If so, do you have any opinions about it?

Sorry, I haven't read any of her other works. I've only watched a lot of Japanese TV dramas and only knew about the famous anime, so actually KNH is the first light novel I've ever read. If I had more free time, I'd like to read and watch other works more, but that may be difficult at the moment...

[apothecaryscript]

It was so hard to summarize this in one chart...

[apothecaryscript]

Thank you for writing the scripts! It helps ME with my Japanese language lessons!

You are very welcome! Let's have fun, and learn the language together.

[apothecaryscript]

the site for sazen's secret is back up btw!

https://comic.herobunko.com/viewer/speed.html?cid=b12aa61ad229e535ffc29a97f0385130178c1959

Thank you for your message! Please see my reblog of Sazen's Secret, with my addition of the outline of the short story.

[apothecaryscript]

About a Short Story "Sazen's Secret"

Today, this short story was released online by official website of HERO bunko. I have just read the contents, and found that my guess was correct.

Sazen found Loulan lying on the snow and took her to a cabin to treat her wounds. Sazen used to know the doctor who was exiled from the rear palace with Taihou's daughter, imprisoned in a room in the stronghold by Shenmei, and forced to create an elixir of immortality for her. He is also the one who taught Suirei how to make medicines. Sazen used to carry foods to the doctor's room and sometimes helped him make some medicines, so he could treat Loulan. Before Sazen found Loulan, he had stolen some books from the burning stronghold, and Loulan noticed the books in the cabin and asked him "Please bring them to the capital, for the sake of this country." When Loulan recovered, they went their separate ways. She said to him, "You should become an apothecary. That's probably your calling." He laughed and said "That can't be true."

That's the outline of this short story, which is connected to the opening episode of the next season. If you want to read it in Japanese, please see here.

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

Sorry for posting about this, before posting my memo for the final episode.

In the last scene of Ep.47, a man who was a guard of the stronghold found something shiny in a bush. His name is Sazen, 左膳(さぜん), and he will appear in the next season and beyond. This scene doesn't exist in the original novel. I thought this scene would continue in the final episode, but it didn't.

Sorry if I'm wrong since this is just my guess, but I think the thing shining in a bush was Maomao's hair stick and Sazen would find Loulan lying on after falling off the balcony. The reason why I think so is because I noticed that there was a short story titled "左膳の秘密/さぜんのひみつ/Sazen's Secret" that was a special bonus for purchasing the original novel in the past. Sazen is not a doctor but he knows a little more about medicine than the average person, and he could help Loulan. Otherwise she could not have recovered from that state and escaped to the port town on her own, without being noticed by the soldiers around the stronghold. Her life was saved because the hair stick caught the bullet and she fell on soft, fallen snow, but she was still bleeding and too flamboyant overdressed to hide.

Unfortunately, we can't buy and read that short story now. When the 9th volume of the novel was released, if you bought 2 specific items at Animate, an anime goods store, you could get a bonus in exchange for your receipt. Just for your reference, I attach the photo of a leaflet of the campaign.

Orange-colored "復刻SSペーパー" seems to be the one. It says "全2種", which means there were 2 versions, and I don't know if the story was only one "Sazen's Secret" with 2 different pictures, or there was one more other short story.

Attached below is a screenshot of an online flea market site where they are for sale.

I'm very curious about it but I don't think I'd buy it at that price... although I understand it's not too expensive, considering the rarity of the product. (In fact, I can see other sites where the SS was purchased for around 10,000 yen.)

The author Hyuga sensei said on X that she had requested to animate it to the anime production staff, and actually the scene where Sazen found something shiny was animated in Ep.47, so I believe they'll provide us something in future. I can't wait but I'll wait...

[apothecaryscript]

Memo for Episode 24 (the Final Ep for Season 2) “The Beginning”

壬氏「ああ、すごく眠(ねむ)い」

Jinshi “Aa, sugoku nemui.”

Jinshi “Yes, I’m very tired.”

眠い（ねむい/Nemui）… sleepy, tired

I wonder if it’s simply an error or not, but the translation should have been “Yes, I’m very sleepy.”

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猫猫「なぜと言(い)われても…ここは忌(い)むべき場所(ばしょ)です」

Maomao “Naze-to iwaretemo… koko’wa imu-beki basho-desu.”

Maomao “I mean… This place is unclean.”

忌むべき（いむべき/Imu-beki）… abominable, detestable

忌む（いむ/Imu）… abhor, avoid, refrain from, taboo

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猫猫（うっ！覚(おぼ)えていやがったか）

Maomao (U! Oboete-iyagatta-ka.)

Maomao (Yikes. He remembers.)

Verb ＋ (し)やがる（～(shi)yagaru）…

It’s used to describe someone is doing something annoying or intimidating to the speaker. It’s very rude and rough word, used only in conversations among very close friends or as an insult. (Maomao is just thinking, not speaking out loud.)

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猫猫「壬氏様(ジンシさま)は、それを凌駕(りょうが)しております」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama’wa, sore’o ryoga-shite-orimasu.”

Maomao “You are much more than just that.”

凌駕する（りょうがする/Ryo-ga-suru）… surpass, exceed, overwhelm

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壬氏「…なぁ。俺(おれ)は、傷一(きずひと)つで価値(かち)がなくなるような男(おとこ)か？顔(かお)だけのはりぼてか？」

Jinshi “…Naa. Ore’wa kizu-hitotsu’de kachi’ga naku-naru-yona otoko-ka? Kao-dake’no haribote-ka?”

Jinshi “Hey. Am I… Am I the kind of man who would lose all his value from just a scar? Is my pretty face the only value I hold?”

はりぼて（Hari-bote）… paper tiger, hollow shell, something whose appearance is impressive but the contents are lacking

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猫猫「フッ。前(まえ)より男前(おとこまえ)になったではありませんか」

Maomao “Fu. Mae-yoru otoko-mae’ni natta’dewa ari-masen-ka.”

Maomao “You’ve become more manly than before.”

男前（おとこまえ/Otoko-mae）… handsome, good looking

This is a compliment to a guy, but we also use this word for women who behaves in a bold and respective manner. I like the translation “manly” very much in this case. Jinshi has behaved gracefully in the rear palace so far, and there is no doubt that he was beautiful, but he did not fit the Japanese word “otoko-mae,” which means manly coolness. Recently we often use the word “イケメン(Ike-men)” for a good-looking guy, but イケメン is used for just a guy’s good looks, while 男前 has a nuance that includes not only the face but also the generosity, strength, and boldness of one’s words and actions.

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壬氏「はは…狐(きつね)につままれたようだ」

Jinshi “Haha… Kitsune’ni tsuma-mareta-yoda.”

Jinshi “It’s like I’ve been tricked by a fox.”

狐(きつね)につままれる(Kitsune’ni tsuma-mareru)… being tricked by a fox ＝ 狐(きつね)に化(ば)かされる(Kitsune’ni baka-sareru)

Although we also say “狸(たぬき)に化(ば)かされる(Tanuki’ni baka-sareru)” for the same meaning, we don’t say “狸(たぬき)につままれる(Tanuki’ni tsuma-mareru)”. I don’t know why.

つまむ(Tsumamu)… pinch, pick something up with fingers/chopsticks

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猫猫「でかいな」

Maomao “Dekai-na.”

Maomao “It’s big.”

でかい(Dekai)… big, large

This is a rougher word than “大きい(おおきい/Ookii)”. Maomao’s way of speaking is very rough when she is in the pleasure district.

趙迂「だろ？」

Cho-u “daro?”

Chou-u “I know, right?”

だろ？＝そうだろ？＝でかいだろ？… manly way of speaking

でしょ？… feminine way of speaking

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猫猫「狸寝入(たぬきねい)りですか？壬氏様(ジンシさま)」

Maomao “Tanuki-neiri-desu-ka? Jinshi-sama.”

Maomao “Are you pretending to sleep, Master Jinshi?”

狸寝入り（たぬきねいり/Tanuki-neiri）… pretending to sleep

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猫猫（足(あし)がしびれるなぁ…）

Maomao (Ashi’ga shibireru-naa…)

Maomao (He’s putting my legs to sleep.)

足が痺れた（あしがしびれた/Ashi’ga shibireta）… My legs went to sleep, My legs are numb.

Nowadays, even in Japan, people often sit on chairs, so if I occasionally sit up straight in “seiza(正座/せいざ)” position, my legs go numb in half an hour. I don’t know how long Jinshi was asleep, but I bet if I were Maomao I would have had to move his head to the pillow soon. But I love this scene very much! How cute Jinshi’s sleeping face on her knees is!

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やり手婆「チッ、わ～ったよ！」

Yarite-Babaa “Chi, waaatta-yo!”

Madam “Dammit. Fine!”

わーったよ！＝わかったよ！(Got it!)

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露天商(ろてんしょう)「はい、じゃあこちら、商品(しょうひん)お渡(わた)し。毎度(まい��)あり！」

Roten-sho “Hai, jaa kochira, sho-hin owatashi. Maido-ari!”

Stallholder “Here’s your goods. Thank you!”

毎度あり！＝毎度あり（がとう）！… Casual and lively way of saying “Thank you!” mainly used by small shop owners

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露天商「おい、商品(しょうひん)だ。冷(ひ)やかしはやめてくれよ。買(か)うのかい？」

Roten-sho “Oi, shohin-da. Hiyakashi’wa yamete-kure-yo. Kau-no-kai?”

Stallholder “Hey, that’s valuable. Don’t waste my time. Are you buying?”

冷やかし（ひやかし/Hiyakashi）… window-shopping, just looking, not buying

It also has a meaning of “making fun of”, in case it’s used in places other than stores.

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子翠「じゃあ、物々交換(ぶつぶつこうかん)ならどう？はい、これ」

Shisui “Jaa, butsu-butsu-ko-kan-nara do? Hai, kore.”

Shisui “How about a trade, then? Give this a look.”

物々交換（ぶつぶつこうかん/Butsu-butsu-ko-kan）… barter, barter exchange, barter trade

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Unlike the hopeless story up until now, the final episode had many reliefs. First of all, Loulan and the children were alive. When I first read the original web novel, Loulan did not fall from the balcony and was killed by royal soldiers, so I was surprised when I found out that she survived in the published light novel, but I was also very happy. I can’t help but imagine what would happen if Tamamo went from the port town to Japan. But I wish at least Suirei would be informed of the fact that Loulan is fine.

Secondly, Xiaolan has successfully found a new job. No matter how many times I watch the scene where Maomao sheds tears after reading Xiaolan’s letter, I always end up crying along with her. Maomao has experienced and will continue to experience many hardships, but this is the only scene in which she is shown crying. The happy days she spent with Shisui and Xiaolan must have been such an irreplaceable memory for her. Regarding Xiaolan, a manga titled “小蘭回想録（しゃおらんかいそうろく/Shaoran-kaiso-roku）” has started, with Xiaolan as the main character. I haven’t read it yet, so I want to read it soon. If possible, I want to read a manga or a novel about Shisui as well, someday.

Thirdly, Jinshi made a strong advance on Maomao. Her words, “Actually, a few more scars might be helpful for you. You’ve become more manly than before” were the highest compliment he could ever receive, as he is self-conscious about his good looks. Although Maomao didn’t intend to do so, It’s no wonder that her words make him lose his control.

This is the end of Season 2, and at the same time, the decision to produce a sequel was announced. This Season 2 was the first one since I started my blog, so it was hard to make three posts a week in time for the next episode: a transcription of the main story, my Memo, and a translation of Maomao no Hitorigoto. But your comments and likes encouraged me to enjoy it with you all until the end. Thank you so much! As for KNH, I’m thinking of posting my translations of the rest drama CD’s stories, and my Memo for each episode of Season 1 if you want. From January next year, I’ll be completely focused on “Frieren” because Season 2 will start, but until then I’ll work at my own pace. So if you have any requests or questions, please feel free to contact me at any time. I hope I can help you learn Japanese in an enjoyable way to the best of my ability.

Lastly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the author Hyuga sensei and to everyone involved in the anime production, although I know none of them read my blog. I really enjoyed watching KNH, and I’m looking forward to the next season.

[apothecaryscript]

Maomao no Hitorigoto Episode 48 “Masks” / 猫猫のひとりごと　第48話　『仮面（かめん/Kamen）』

You can watch the video on YouTube, uploaded by the official Toho Animation account.　→ Link to X

Please note that the English lines are just my translation.

猫猫(マオマオ)「子(シ)の一族(いちぞく)の砦(とりで)での一件(いっけん)…今(いま)思(おも)い返(かえ)してみると、あっという間(ま)の出来事(できごと)だったな…。皆(みな)、秘(ひ)めた思(おも)いを胸(むね)に仮面(かめん)をつけていた…ということか」

Maomao “Shi’no ichi-zoku’no toride’deno ikken… ima omoi-kaeshite-miruto, atto-iu-ma’no dekigoto-datta-na… Mina, himeta omoi’o mune’ni kamen’o tsukete-ita…to iu-koto-ka.”

Maomao “Thinking back on the incident at the Shi clan’s stronghold, it went by so quickly… Everyone was wearing masks, keeping their secret feeling in mind…”

思い返す（おもいかえす/Omoi-kaesu）… think back, look back

壬氏(ジンシ)「猫猫！猫猫！」

Jinshi “Maomao! Maomao!”

Jinshi “Maomao! Maomao!”

猫猫「お目覚(めざ)めですか、壬氏様」

Maomao “Omezame-desu-ka, Jinshi-sama.”

Maomao “Are you awake, Master Jinshi?”

壬氏「あぁ…よかった」

Jinshi “Aa… Yokatta.”

Jinshi “Ah…, thank goodness.”

猫猫「？」

壬氏「またいなくなったのかと…」

Jinshi “Mata inaku-natta-noka-to…”

Jinshi “I thought you’d disappeared again…”

猫猫「膝枕(ひざまくら)は足(あし)の血流(けつりゅう)に悪(わる)いので」

Maomao “Hiza-makura’wa ashi’no ketsu-ryu’ni warui-node.”

Maomao “Since lap pillow is bad for the blood flow in my legs.”

膝枕（ひざまくら/Hiza-makura）… lap pillow

壬氏「俺(おれ)のそばから離(はな)れていいと許可(きょか)した覚(おぼ)えはないぞ」

Jinshi “Ore’no soba’kara hanarete ii-to kyoka-shita oboe’wa nai-zo.”

Jinshi “I don’t think that I gave you permission to leave my side.”

猫猫（え…。この変態(へんたい)宦官(かんがん)改(あらた)め、変態(へんたい)皇弟(おうてい)が！…あ、仮面(かめん)と言(い)えばこの人(ひと)も…じ～～～…。実(じつ)に多種多様(たしゅたよう)な、狸(たぬき)や狐(きつね)に劣(おと)らない見事(みごと)な変化(へんげ)の数々(かずかず)…）

Maomao (E... Kono hentai-kangan aratame, hentai-o-tei’ga! …A, kamen-to-ieba kono hito’mo… Jiiiiii… Jitsu-ni tashu-tayo-na, tanuki’ya kitsune’ni otora-nai migoto-na henge’no kazu-kazu…)

Maomao (What…? You perverted eunuch, no, perverted imperial brother now! …Speaking of masks, this guy, too… (stare…) A truly diverse and impressive array of transformations, not inferior to those of a tanuki or a fox…)

××改め〇〇（××あらため〇〇/××aratame〇〇）… was ×× but is 〇〇 now

多種多様な（たしゅたような/Tashu-tayo-na）… various, diverse, wide variety of

〇〇に劣らない(〇〇におとらない/〇〇’ni otora-nai)… not inferior to 〇〇

変化（へんげ/Henge）… transformation, disguise

変化（へんか/Henka）… change

壬氏「な、んん…、何(なに)か言(い)いたいことがあるなら、はっきりと言(い)え」

Jinshi “Na, nn…, nani-ka ii-tai-koto’ga aru-nara, hakkiri-to ie.”

Jinshi “Whaー If you have something to say, say it clearly.”

猫猫「いえ、壬氏様は、実(じつ)に様々(さまざま)な顔(かお)を持(も)つお方(かた)だなと」

Maomao “Ie, Jinshi-sama’wa, jitsu-ni sama-zama-na kao’o motsu okata-dana-to.”

Maomao “No, I just thought you were a man with many different faces, Master Jinshi.”

様々な（さまざまな/Sama-zama-na）… various ＝ 色々な（いろいろな/Iro-iro-na）

壬氏「フフッ、だが、それももうお終(しま)いだ」

Jinshi “Fufu, daga, sore’mo mo oshimai-da.”

Jinshi “Haha, but that’s over now.”

お終い（おしまい/Oshimai）… The end ＝　終わり（おわり/Owari）

猫猫「えっ」

Maomao “E.”

Maomao “Huh?”

壬氏「正体(しょうたい)が知(し)れてしまった以上(いじょう)、お前(まえ)の前(まえ)で仮面(かめん)をつける必要(ひつよう)はもうなくなった。晴(は)れて、秘密(ひみつ)のない関係(かんけい)になった、と言(い)うことだ」

Jinshi “Sho-tai’ga shirete-shimatta-ijo, omae’no mae’de kamen’o tsukeru hitsuyo’wa mo naku-natta. Harete, himitsu’no nai kankei’ni natta-to iu-koto-da.”

Jinshi “Now that you know my true identity, I no longer need to wear a mask in front of you. This means that we now (openly) have no secrets between us.”

晴れて（はれて/Harete）… formally, publicly, officially, openly

猫猫（はややややや…やばいやばいやばい！後宮(こうきゅう)での勤(つと)めが終(お)わったのに、また嫌(いや)な予感(よかん)がぁ…！）

Maomao (Ha-yayayayaya… Yabai, yabai, yabai! Kokyu’deno tsutome’ga owatta-noni, mata iya-na yokan’gaa…!)

Maomao (Oh my gosh! I’ve finished my job at the rear palace, but I have a bad feeling about this again…!)

壬氏「ところで、邪魔(じゃま)されてしまった続(つづ)きの続きを…しないか？」

Jinshi “Tokorode, jama-sarete-shimatta tsuzuki’no tsuzuki’o… shi-nai-ka?”

Jinshi “By the way, shall we… continue from where we were interrupted again earlier?”

猫猫 「ハァッ！ヤ―――！」

Maomao "Haa! Yaaaaaaa!"

Maomao "Yikes! Noooooo!"

壬氏「おい！待(ま)て！猫猫！！」

Jinshi “Oi! Mate! Maomao!!”

Jinshi “Hey! Wait! Maomao!!”

猫猫「おしまい。また会(あ)う日(ひ)まで」

Maomao “Oshimai. Mata au hi-made.”

Maomao “That’s it. Until we meet again.”

[apothecaryscript]

Did you see they posted Sazen's secret? https://comic.herobunko.com/novel/contents/1947 as of writing this the site is down LOL. When I get time off of work I might try to do my own translation since it's good practice.

Wow! Thank you for your information! Although I can't see the site yet because it's still down, I'm very glad to know they released the story! Oh, are you going to translate it? That's a very good idea. After reading the story, I'll post on whether my guess was correct or not. There are so many comments on X from people saying they want to see it soon but they can't. That's the proof of how many people are interested in KNH and I'm getting excited!

[apothecaryscript]

About a Short Story "Sazen's Secret"

Today, this short story was released online by official website of HERO bunko. I have just read the contents, and found that my guess was correct.

Sazen found Loulan lying on the snow and took her to a cabin to treat her wounds. Sazen used to know the doctor who was exiled from the rear palace with Taihou's daughter, imprisoned in a room in the stronghold by Shenmei, and forced to create an elixir of immortality for her. He is also the one who taught Suirei how to make medicines. Sazen used to carry foods to the doctor's room and sometimes helped him make some medicines, so he could treat Loulan. Before Sazen found Loulan, he had stolen some books from the burning stronghold, and Loulan noticed the books in the cabin and asked him "Please bring them to the capital, for the sake of this country." When Loulan recovered, they went their separate ways. She said to him, "You should become an apothecary. That's probably your calling." He laughed and said "That can't be true."

That's the outline of this short story, which is connected to the opening episode of the next season. If you want to read it in Japanese, please see here.

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Sorry for posting about this, before posting my memo for the final episode.

In the last scene of Ep.47, a man who was a guard of the stronghold found something shiny in a bush. His name is Sazen, 左膳(さぜん), and he will appear in the next season and beyond. This scene doesn't exist in the original novel. I thought this scene would continue in the final episode, but it didn't.

Sorry if I'm wrong since this is just my guess, but I think the thing shining in a bush was Maomao's hair stick and Sazen would find Loulan lying on after falling off the balcony. The reason why I think so is because I noticed that there was a short story titled "左膳の秘密/さぜんのひみつ/Sazen's Secret" that was a special bonus for purchasing the original novel in the past. Sazen is not a doctor but he knows a little more about medicine than the average person, and he could help Loulan. Otherwise she could not have recovered from that state and escaped to the port town on her own, without being noticed by the soldiers around the stronghold. Her life was saved because the hair stick caught the bullet and she fell on soft, fallen snow, but she was still bleeding and too flamboyant overdressed to hide.

Unfortunately, we can't buy and read that short story now. When the 9th volume of the novel was released, if you bought 2 specific items at Animate, an anime goods store, you could get a bonus in exchange for your receipt. Just for your reference, I attach the photo of a leaflet of the campaign.

Orange-colored "復刻SSペーパー" seems to be the one. It says "全2種", which means there were 2 versions, and I don't know if the story was only one "Sazen's Secret" with 2 different pictures, or there was one more other short story.

Attached below is a screenshot of an online flea market site where they are for sale.

I'm very curious about it but I don't think I'd buy it at that price... although I understand it's not too expensive, considering the rarity of the product. (In fact, I can see other sites where the SS was purchased for around 10,000 yen.)

The author Hyuga sensei said on X that she had requested to animate it to the anime production staff, and actually the scene where Sazen found something shiny was animated in Ep.47, so I believe they'll provide us something in future. I can't wait but I'll wait...

[apothecaryscript]

Episode 24 (Ep.48) – Final Episode of Season 2: The Beginning / 第24話（第48話）・シーズン２最終話　『はじまり(Hajimari)』

子族兵(しぞくへい)「うっ…」

Shi-zoku-hei “U…”

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猫猫(マオマオ)「何をやっているのでしょうか？壬氏様(ジンシさま)」

Maomao “Nani’o yatte-iru-no-desho-ka? Jinshi-sama.”

Maomao “What are you doing, Master Jinshi?”

壬氏「あっ！あ、違(ちが)う！これは！」

Jinshi “A! A, chigau! Kore’wa!”

Jinshi “N-No! I’m just…”

猫猫「ん…。ん？壬氏様(ジンシさま)、その顔(かお)は…？」

Maomao “N… N? Jinshi-sama, sono kao’wa…?”

Maomao “Hmm? Master Jinshi, your face…”

壬氏「あっ…。大(たい)したことない。かすり傷(きず)だ」

Jinshi “A… Tai-shita-koto nai. Kasuri-kizu-da.”

Jinshi “It’s nothing. Just a scratch.”

猫猫「ん…。見(み)せてください」

Maomao “N… Misete-kudasai.”

Maomao “Let me see it, please.”

壬氏「あ……うっ…」

Jinshi “A…… U…”

猫猫「ん…、失礼(しつれい)します」

Maomao “N…, shitsurei-shimasu.”

Maomao “Excuse me.”

猫猫「むぅ……。雑(ざつ)な縫(ぬ)い方(かた)ですね」

Maomao “Muu…… Zatsu-na nui-kata-desu-ne.”

Maomao “The stitches are messy.”

猫猫（すぐにでも縫(ぬ)い直(なお)したいけど、疲(つか)れで手(て)が……）

Maomao (Sugu-ni-demo nui-naoshi-tai-kedo, tsukare’de te’ga…)

Maomao (I want to redo them now, but I’m tired enough that my hands are shaky…)

猫猫「ハァ…、前線(ぜんせん)に出(で)たのですか？」

Maomao “Haa…, zen-zen’ni deta-no-desu-ka?”

Maomao “Were you on the front lines?”

壬氏「俺(おれ)だけ安全(あんぜん)な場所(ばしょ)で見物(けんぶつ)ともいかんだろう」

Jinshi “Ore-dake anzen-na basho’de kenbutsu-tomo ikan-daro.”

Jinshi “I can’t just sit back in a safe place to watch.”

猫猫「それでよろしいじゃないですか。そういう立場(たちば)なんですから。わざわざ危(あぶ)ない所(ところ)に行(い)かないでください。壬氏様(ジンシさま)が怪我(けが)をすると、周(まわ)りが迷惑(めいわく)するんです」

Maomao “Sore’de yoroshii-ja nai-desu-ka. So-iu tachiba-nan-desu-kara. Waza-waza abunai tokoro’ni ika-naide-kudasai. Jinshi-sama’ga kega’o suru-to, mawari’ga meiwaku-suru-n-desu.”

Maomao “You can and should. That’s your role, after all. Don’t put yourself in danger on purpose. When you get hurt, the people around you get in trouble.”

壬氏「ハハッ、そうだな。怪我(けが)をするつもりはなかったんだが」

Jinshi “Haha, so-dana. Kega’o suru-tsumori’wa nakatta-n-daga.”

Jinshi “You’re right. I wasn’t exactly planning on getting hurt, though.”

猫猫「あっ…、誰(だれ)だってそうでしょう！」

Maomao “A…, dare-datte so-desho!”

Maomao “No one ever does!”

壬氏「あっ。……妙(みょう)な頼(たの)みを聞(き)いてしまったからな。…お前(まえ)は、楼蘭(ロウラン)と仲(なか)が良(よ)かったのか？…友人(ゆうじん)だったのか？」

Jinshi “A. …Myo-na tanomi’o kiite-shimatta-kara-na. …Omae’wa, Roran’to naka’ga yokatta-noka? …Yujin-datta-noka?”

Jinshi “I granted a strange wish. Were you and Loulan close? Were you two friends?”

猫猫「よく…分(わ)かりません」

Maomao “Yoku… wakari-masen.”

Maomao “I’m… not sure.”

猫猫（友人(ゆうじん)…。少(すく)なくとも、私(わたし)にとってはそれに近(ちか)い関係(かんけい)だったと思(おも)う。楼蘭(ロウラン)…子翠(シスイ)と小蘭(シャオラン)、3人(さんにん)でつるんで話(はな)すのは、悪(わる)くなかった。子翠(シスイ)がどう思(おも)っていたかは分(わ)からないけど）

Maomao (Yujin… Sukunaku-tomo, watashi’ni-totte’wa sore’ni chikai kankei-datta-to omou. Roran…Shisui’to Shaoran, san-nin’de tsurunde hanasu-nowa waruku-nakatta. Shisui’ga do omotte-ita-ka’wa wakara-nai-kedo.)

Maomao (Friends… At least from my point of view, I think that would be mostly true. Loulan… Shisui, and Xiaolan. Hanging out as a trio wasn’t bad at all. But I don’t know how Shisui felt.)

猫猫「本当(ほんとう)に、よく分(わ)からない人(ひと)だったので…」

Maomao “Honto-ni, yoku wakara-nai hito-datta-node…”

Maomao “I never really did figure her out.”

壬氏「俺(おれ)にもな。…分(わ)からないままで終(お)わってしまった」

Jinshi “Ore’nimo-na. …Wakara-nai-mama’de owatte-shimatta.”

Jinshi “I feel the same. It all ended before I understood any of it.”

猫猫「そうですか…」（そうか。子翠(シスイ)は……）

Maomao “So-desu-ka…” (Soka. Shisui’wa……)

Maomao “I see.” (So, Shisui is…)

楼蘭「後(あと)は頼(たの)んだから」

Roran “Ato’wa tanonda-kara.”

Loulan “Please take care of the rest.”

猫猫（私(わたし)にできるのは、子翠(シスイ)に託(たく)されたことを全(まっと)うする。それだけだ）

Maomao (Watashi’ni dekiru-nowa, Shisui’ni taku-sareta-koto’o matto-suru. Sore-dake-da.)

Maomao (All I can do is complete the task Shisui entrusted to me. That’s all.)

猫猫「できました」

Maomao “Deki-mashita.”

Maomao “All done.”

壬氏「すまない」

Jinshi “Suma-nai.”

Jinshi “Thanks.”

猫猫「ひどい顔(かお)ですよ。お休(やす)みになられては？」

Maomao “Hidoi kao-desu-yo. Oyasumi’ni nararete’wa?”

Maomao “You’re a mess. Shouldn’t you rest?”

壬氏「ああ、すごく眠(ねむ)い」

Jinshi “Aa, sugoku nemui.”

Jinshi “Yes, I’m very tired.”

猫猫「うわっ、ここで眠(ねむ)らないでください」

Maomao “Uwa, koko’de nemura-naide-kudasai.”

Maomao “Don’t sleep here, please!”

壬氏「なぜだ？疲(つか)れた」

Jinshi “Naze-da? Tsukareta.”

Jinshi “Why not? I’m tired.”

猫猫「なぜと言(い)われても…ここは忌(い)むべき場所(ばしょ)です」

Maomao “Naze-to iwaretemo… koko’wa imu-beki basho-desu.”

Maomao “I mean… This place is unclean.”

壬氏「それは分(わ)かる。だったら…」

Jinshi “Sore’wa wakaru. Dattara…”

Jinshi “I’m aware. So…”

猫猫「うおっ。え…」（壬氏様(ジンシさま)の手…こんなに冷(ひ)えて…）

Maomao “Uo. E…” (Jinshi-sama’no te… Konna-ni hiete…)

Maomao (Master Jinshi’s hands are so cold.)

壬氏「なら…何(なん)でお前(まえ)はここにいる」

Jinshi “Nara… Nande omae’wa koko’ni iru.”

Jinshi “Then, why are you here?”

猫猫「私(わたし)とて子供(こども)くらい哀(あわ)れみます」

Maomao “Watashi-tote kodomo-kurai awaremi-masu.”

Maomao “Even I feel pity towards children.”

壬氏「そうか。お前(まえ)は薬(くすり)の師(し)に言(い)われて、死体(したい)には触(ふ)れられないのではなかったか？」

Jinshi “Soka. Omae’wa kusuri’no shi’ni iwarete, shitai’niwa fure-rare-nai-no’dewa nakatta-ka?”

Jinshi “Is that so? I thought your mentor forbade you from touching corpses.”

猫猫（うっ！覚(おぼ)えていやがったか）

Maomao (U! Oboete-iyagatta-ka.)

Maomao (Yikes. He remembers.)

壬氏「そんなお前(まえ)が、長(なが)い間(あいだ)こういう場(ば)にいるとは思(おも)えんのだがな」

Jinshi “Sonna omae’ga, nagai aida ko-iu ba’ni iru-towa omoen-no-daga-na.”

Jinshi “It makes me wonder why you’d linger here for so long despite that limitation.”

猫猫（妙(みょう)なところで勘(かん)が働(はたら)く…。どう言(い)い訳(わけ)したもんか…）「あっ」

Maomao (Myo-na tokoro’de kan’ga hataraku… Do iiwake-shita-mon-ka…) “A.”

Maomao (He’s weirdly sharp like this sometimes. What excuse should I use?)

壬氏「この傷(きず)はどうした？」

Jinshi “Kono kizu’wa do-shita?”

Jinshi “How’d you get hurt here?”

猫猫「ろくでもない人(ひと)がいまして」

Maomao “Rokudemo-nai hito’ga imashite.”

Maomao “I ran into a bad person.”

壬氏「あ…襲(おそ)われたのか？」

Jinshi “A… Oso-wareta-noka?”

Jinshi “Were you assaulted?”

猫猫「女性(じょせい)です」（こいつ…他人(たにん)の貞操(ていそう)にいちいち干渉(かんしょう)してくるのは何(なん)なんだ？）

Maomao “Josei-desu.” (Koitsu… Tanin’no teiso’ni ichi-ichi kansho-shite-kuru-nowa nan-nanda?)

Maomao “It was a woman.” (Why’s this guy so concerned about my chastity all the time?)

猫猫「うぅ！」

Maomao “Uu!”

壬氏「傷(きず)は残(のこ)らないだろうな？」

Jinshi “Kizu’wa nokora-nai-daro-na?”

Jinshi “I hope this doesn’t leave a scar.”

猫猫「これくらいすぐ引(ひ)きます」

Maomao “Kore-kurai sugu hiki-masu.”

Maomao “This will fade very quickly.”

壬氏「傷(きず)は残(のこ)すな」

Jinshi “Kizu’wa nokosu-na.”

Jinshi “Make sure it doesn’t scar.”

猫猫「その言葉(ことば)、そのままお返(かえ)ししてもよろしいでしょうか？」

Maomao “Sono kotoba, sono-mama okaeshi-shitemo yoroshii-desho-ka?”

Maomao “May I say the exact same thing to you, too?”

壬氏「ハハッ、俺(おれ)は男(おとこ)だ。問題(もんだい)ない」

Jinshi “Haha, ore’wa otoko-da. Mondai-nai.”

Jinshi “I’m a man. This isn’t an issue.”

猫猫「壬氏様(ジンシさま)は、それを凌駕(りょうが)しております」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama’wa, sore’o ryoga-shite-orimasu.”

Maomao “You are much more than just that.”

壬氏「そんなもの知(し)るか」

Jinshi “Sonna-mono shiru-ka.”

Jinshi “I don’t care.”

猫猫「では私(わたし)も知(し)りません。傷一(きずひと)つで価値(かち)がなくなるようなら、それまでのことです」

Maomao “Dewa watashi’mo shiri-masen. Kizu-hitotsu’de kachi’ga naku-naru-yo-nara, sore-made’no koto-desu.”

Maomao “Neither do I, then. If a simple scar would nullify my value, so be it.”

壬氏「…なぁ。俺(おれ)は、傷一(きずひと)つで価値(かち)がなくなるような男(おとこ)か？顔(かお)だけのはりぼてか？」

Jinshi “…Naa. Ore’wa kizu-hitotsu’de kachi’ga naku-naru-yona otoko-ka? Kao-dake’no haribote-ka?”

Jinshi “Hey. Am I… Am I the kind of man who would lose all his value from just a scar? Is my pretty face the only value I hold?”

猫猫「…むしろ、もう少(すこ)し傷(きず)があってもいいかもしれません」

Maomao “…Mushiro, mo-sukoshi kizu’ga attemo ii-kamo shire-masen.”

Maomao “Actually, a few more scars might be helpful for you.”

壬氏「あっ」

Jinshi “A.”

猫猫（壬氏様(ジンシさま)は美(うつく)し過(す)ぎる。そのせいで周(まわ)りは心(こころ)を乱(みだ)され、見(み)た目(め)ばかりに目(め)をやってしまう。だけど、壬氏様(ジンシさま)の本質(ほんしつ)は見(み)た目(め)ほど華美(かび)じゃない。もっと実直(じっちょく)なものだ。それはたぶん見(み)た目(め)の美(うつく)しさよりも、ずっと価値(かち)がある）

Maomao (Jinshi-sama’wa utsukushi-sugiru. Sono-sei’de mawari’wa kokoro’o midasare, mita-me-bakari’ni me’o yatte-shimau. Dakedo, Jinshi-sama’no hon-shitsu’wa mita-me-hodo kabi-ja nai. Motto jicchoku-na mono-da. Sore’wa tabun mita-me’no utsukushisa-yorimo, zutto kachi’ga aru.)

Maomao (Master Jinshi is too beautiful. That causes ripples in the hearts of the people around him, making them focus on just his beauty. But Master Jinshi’s true essence isn’t flamboyant, like his appearance. He’s much more solid and practical. That’s probably much more valuable than his outer beauty.)

猫猫「フッ。前(まえ)より男前(おとこまえ)になったではありませんか」

Maomao “Fu. Mae-yoru otoko-mae’ni natta’dewa ari-masen-ka.”

Maomao “You’ve become more manly than before.”

壬氏「はっ…あっ。ぐっ！」

Jinshi “Ha… A. Gu!”

猫猫「うわぁ」

Maomao “Uwaa.”

壬氏「うっ…う…ぐぅ…」

Jinshi “U… U… Guu…”

猫猫「はぁ？」

Maomao “Haa?”

壬氏「あ～…」

Jinshi “Aaa…”

猫猫「どうしたんですか？」

Maomao “Do-shita-n-desu-ka?”

Maomao “What’s wrong?”

壬氏「状況的(じょうきょうてき)に我慢(がまん)しようと思(おも)っていたんだが…」

Jinshi “Jokyo-teki-ni gaman-shiyo-to omotte-itan-daga…”

Jinshi “Given the situation, I was going to hold it in.”

猫猫「ん？ですから眠(ねむ)いのなら早(はや)くここを出(で)…えっ？」

Maomao “N? Desu-kara nemui-no-nara hayaku koko’o de… E?”

Maomao “Well, if you’re sleepy, you can go and―Huh?!”

壬氏「平常心(へいじょうしん)でいけると思(おも)ったんだが」

Jinshi “Heijo-shin’de ikeru-to omotta-n-daga.”

Jinshi “I thought I could maintain my composure.”

猫猫「はい？」

Maomao “Hai?”

Maomao “Huh?”

壬氏「案外(あんがい)というか、思(おも)った以上(いじょう)にいけたようだ」

Jinshi “Angai-to-iuka, omotta-ijo’ni iketa-yoda.”

Jinshi “I think I did better than expected, all things considered.”

猫猫「はっ？」（この状況(じょうきょう)！）

Maomao “Ha?” (Kono jokyo!)

Maomao (Wait, this situation…)

猫猫「壬氏様(ジンシさま)！お、お眠(ねむ)りになられた方(ほう)がよろしいのでは？」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama! O, Onemuri’ni narareta-ho’ga yoroshii-no-dewa?”

Maomao “Master Jinshi, shouldn’t you try to get some sleep?”

壬氏「まだ大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)だ」

Jinshi “Mada daijobu-da.”

Jinshi “I’m fine.”

猫猫「では痛(いた)み止(ど)めを…」

Maomao “Dewa itami-dome’o…”

Maomao “How about some painkillers, then―”

壬氏「あと30(さんじゅっ)分(ぷん)ぐらいなら我慢(がまん)できる」

Jinshi “Ato sanjuppun-gurai-nara gaman-dekiru.”

Jinshi “I can still go for about another half hour.”

猫猫「何(なに)が30分(さんじゅっぷん)なのでしょうか？」（やつれた顔(かお)で何(なに)言(い)ってんだこいつ！い…いかん！）

Maomao “Nani’ga sanjuppun-nano-desho-ka?” (Yatsureta kao’de nani itten-da koitsu! I…Ikan!)

Maomao “A half hour of what, exactly?” (What is he saying when he looks that exhausted?! This… This is bad!)

2人「あっ」

Futari “A.”

壬氏「な、何(なん)だ？今(いま)の音(おと)は…」

Jinshi “Na, Nan-da? Ima’no oto’wa…”

Jinshi “What was that sound?”

猫猫「はっ…」

Maomao “Ha…”

壬氏「おい！」

Jinshi “Oi!”

Jinshi “Hey!”

猫猫「違(ちが)う…。…違う」

Maomao “Chigau… …Chigau.”

Maomao “No. No…”

女の子「う…」

Onna’no-ko “U…”

猫猫「はっ！」

Maomao “Ha!”

女の子「うぅ…」

Onna’no-ko “Uu…”

猫猫「あ…あっ」

Maomao “A… A.)

楼蘭「薬(くすり)よ」

Roran “Kusuri-yo.”

Loulan “It was medicine.”

猫猫（子翠(シスイ)は『毒(どく)』と言(い)わず『薬(くすり)』と言(い)った。人(ひと)を一度(いちど)殺(ころ)し、もう一度(いちど)蘇(よみがえ)らせる…蘇(よみがえ)りの薬(くすり)……）

Maomao (Shisui’wa ‘doku’to iwazu ‘kusuri’to itta. Hito’o ichi-do koroshi, mo-ichi-do yomigae-raseru… Yomigaeri’no kusuri……)

Maomao (Shisui said it was medicine, not poison. A medicine that kills a person, but brings them back to life… The resurrection medicine…)

猫猫「うぅ…」

Maomao “Uu…”

壬氏「生(い)きているのか？」

Jinshi “Ikite-iru-noka?”

Jinshi “Is she alive?”

猫猫「壬氏様(ジンシさま)！お湯(ゆ)！お湯(ゆ)を用意(ようい)してください！あと、温(あたた)かいものを！服(ふく)でも、食(た)べ物(もの)でも、何(なん)でも！」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama! Oyu! Oyu’o yoi-shite-kudasai! Ato, atatakai mono’o! Fuku’demo, tabe-mono’demo, nan-demo!”

Maomao “Master Jinshi! Hot water! Get some hot water, please! And something warm! Clothes, food, anything!”

猫猫（蘇(よみがえ)った子供(こども)を、壬氏様(ジンシさま)がどうするかは分(わ)からない。それでも、私(わたし)が連(つ)れて来(こ)られたのはこのためだ）

Maomao (Yomigaetta kodomo’o, Jinshi-sama’ga do-suru-ka’wa wakara-nai. Sore-demo, watashi’ga tsurete-korareta-nowa kono-tame-da.)

Maomao (I don’t know what Master Jinshi will do with the resurrected children. But still, this is what I was brought here to do.)

壬氏「一度(いちど)死(し)んだ者(もの)…」

Jinshi “Ichi-do shinda mono…”

Jinshi “Died once…”

楼蘭「では、一度(いちど)死(し)んだ者(もの)は見逃(みのが)してくださるのですね」

Roran “Dewa, ichi-do shinda mono’wa minogashite-kudasaru-no-desu-ne.”

Loulan “So, you’ll let those who’ve died once go.”

壬氏「はは…狐(きつね)につままれたようだ」

Jinshi “Haha… Kitsune’ni tsuma-mareta-yoda.”

Jinshi “It’s like I’ve been tricked by a fox.”

猫猫「壬氏様(ジンシさま)！」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama!”

Maomao “Master Jinshi!”

壬氏「ああ、分(わ)かった。……フッ。おい！桶(おけ)に湯(ゆ)だ。それに毛布(もうふ)。温(あたた)かい飲(の)み物(もの)も用意(ようい)しろ」

Jinshi “Aa, wakatta. ……Fu. Oi! Oke’ni yu-da. Soreni mofu. Atatakai nomi-mono’mo yoi-shiro.”

Jinshi “Right, got it! Hey! Fetch some hot water in a pail, and blankets. Get some warm drinks, too!”

禁軍兵(きんぐんへい)「はっ！」

Kin-gun-hei “Ha!”

Royal soldier “Yes, sir!”

高順(ガオシュン)「壬氏様(ジンシさま)？……はっ！」

Gaoshun “Jinshi-sama? ……Ha!”

Gaoshun “Master Jinshi?”

女の子「ハァ…、ハァ…」

Onna’no-ko “Haa…, haa…”

男の子「うっ…ハァ…」

Otoko’no-ko “U… Haa…”

猫猫「人手(ひとで)をよこしてください！できれば、翠苓(スイレイ)を！」

Maomao “Hito-de’o yokoshite-kudasai! Dekireba, Suirei’o!”

Maomao “I need more help! Bring Suirei, if possible!”

壬氏「高順(ガオシュン)、頼(たの)む」

Jinshi “Gaoshun, tanomu.”

Jinshi “Gaoshun, do it.”

高順「分(わ)かりました」

Gaoshun “Wakari-mashita.”

Gaoshun “Understood.”

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏「湯(ゆ)はここへ置(お)くぞ」

Jinshi “Yu’wa koko’e oku-zo.”

Jinshi “I’m leaving the hot water here.”

猫猫「ありがとうございます」

Maomao “Arigato gozai-masu.”

Maomao “Thank you.”

壬氏「続(つづ)きは、またでいいか？」

Jinshi “Tsuzuki’wa, mata-de ii-ka?”

Jinshi “Can we continue some other time?”

猫猫「あ～、はいはい」

Maomao “Aaa, hai-hai.”

Maomao “Yeah, yeah. Sure.”

壬氏「翠苓(スイレイ)。子供(こども)たちが蘇(よみがえ)ったぞ」

Jinshi “Suirei. Kodomo-tachi’ga yomigaetta-zo.”

Jinshi “Suirei. The children have come back to life.”

禁軍兵「お、おい！！」

Kin-gun-hei “O, Oi!!”

Royal soldier “H-Hey!”

翠苓「ハァ…、ハァ…」

Suirei “Haa…, haa…”

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

白鈴(パイリン)「新年(しんねん)早々(そうそう)おめでたいわねぇ。東宮(とうぐう)のお披露目(ひろめ)があるんですって？」

Pairin “Shin-nen-so-so omedetai-wanee. Togu’no ohirome’ga arun-desutte?”

Pairin “How festive at the beginning of the year. The new crown prince is being revealed, right?”

女華(ジョカ)「らしいね」

Joka “Rashii-ne.”

Joka “That’s what I heard.”

梅梅(メイメイ)「お祝(いわ)い尽(づ)くしで、お客(きゃく)さんたちも気前(きまえ)がいいったら。おばばも算盤(そろばん)はじいて大喜(おおよろこ)びよ」

Meimei “Oiwai-zukushi’de, okyaku-san-tachi’mo kimae’ga iittara. Obaba’mo soroban hajiite oo-yorokobi-yo.”

Meimei “With all the festivities in the air, our guests are quite generous, too. Our old Grams can’t stop smiling at her abacus.”

白鈴・女華「フッ、アハハ…」

Pairin, Joka “Fu, ahaha…”

梅梅「お后様(きさきさま)も、猫猫が仕(つか)えてた玉葉妃(ギョクヨウひ)で決(き)まったそうだし」

Meimei “Okisaki-sama’mo, Maomao’ga tsukaete-ta Gyokuyo-hi’de kimatta-so-dashi.”

Meimei “I heard Concubine Gyokuyou, who Maomao served, is going to become the empress.”

鈴麗公主「フフッ」

Rinrī-hime “Fufu.”

玉葉妃「ウフフ…」

Gyokuyo-hi “Ufufu…”

猫猫『出産(しゅっさん)も無事(ぶじ)に済(す)み、おやじは花街(はなまち)に戻(もど)らず宮廷(きゅうてい)に残(のこ)ることになった。もともと理不尽(りふじん)な理由(りゆう)で後宮(こうきゅう)を追放(ついほう)されたおやじだが、医師(いし)としての腕(うで)は確(たし)かだ。花街(はなまち)に帰(かえ)したくないのも当然(とうぜん)だ』

Maomao “Shussan’mo buji’ni sumi, oyaji’wa hana-machi’ni modora-zu kyutei’ni nokoru-koto’ni natta. Moto-moto rifujin-na riyu’de kokyu’o tsuiho-sareta oyaji-daga, ishi-to-shite’no ude’wa tashika-da. Hana-machi’ni kaeshi-taku-nai-no’mo tozen-da.”

Maomao “After the baby was delivered, they decided to keep my dad in the palace, rather than return him to the pleasure district. He was originally thrown out of the rear palace unreasonably, but his skills as a doctor are solid. It’s only natural that they would want to keep him.”

猫猫『壬氏様(ジンシさま)には、あれ以来(いらい)会(あ)っていない。子(シ)の一族(いちぞく)の処理(しょり)と、本来(ほんらい)の仕事(しごと)が忙(いそが)しいのだろう』

Maomao “Jinshi-sama’niwa, are-irai atte-inai. Shi’no ichi-zoku’no shori’to, honrai’no shigoto’ga isogashii-no-daro.”

Maomao “I haven’t seen Master Jinshi since then. He must be busy cleaning up after the Shi clan, while doing his original job at the same time.”

壬氏「ん…、ハァ…」

Jinshi “N… haa…”

猫猫『それはめでたいと同時(どうじ)に、私(わたし)が後宮(こうきゅう)で用(よう)なしになったことを意味(いみ)していた』

Maomao “Sore’wa medetai-to-doji-ni, watashi’ga kokyu’de yo-nashi’ni natta-koto’o imi-shite-ita.”

Maomao “That is all good news, but also meant that I no longer had a place in the rear palace.”

猫猫（…とは言(い)え、花街(はなまち)の方(ほう)が忙(いそが)しいんだよなぁ。おやじが作(つく)り置(お)きしてたっていう薬(くすり)も、とっくにないし）

Maomao (…Towa-ie, hana-machi’no-ho’ga isogashii-n-dayo-naa. Oyaji’ga tsukuri-oki-shitetatte-iu kusuri’mo, tokku-ni nai-shi.)

Maomao (That said, it’s busier working here in the pleasure district. The medicines my dad stocked up before he left have already run out.)

趙迂(チョウウ)（響迂(キョウウ)）「おい、そばかす！おやつくれ！」

Cho-u(Kyo-u) “Oi, Sobakasu! Oyatsu kure!”

Chou-u(Kyou-u) “Hey, Freckles! I want snacks!”

猫猫「あんまり走(はし)り回(まわ)るなよ。この間(あいだ)まで寝(ね)たきりだったんだから」

Maomao “Anmari hashiri-mawaru-na-yo. Kono-aida’made neta-kiri-dattan-dakara.”

Maomao “Don’t run around so much. You were bedridden until just recently.”

趙迂（響迂）「平気(へいき)だっての！」

Cho-u(Kyo-u) “Heiki-datte-no!”

Chou-u(Kyou-u) “I’m fine!”

猫猫（あの後(あと)、子供(こども)たちは5人(ごにん)とも蘇(よみがえ)った。その中(なか)で、最後(さいご)まで目覚(めざ)めなかったのが、こいつだ）

Maomao (Ano-ato, kodomo-tachi’wa go-nin-tomo yomigaetta. Sono-naka’de, saigo’made mezeme-nakatta-noga, koitsu-da.)

Maomao (The five children all came back to life afterwards. This one took the longest to wake up.)

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

翠苓「薬(くすり)はまだ実験(じっけん)の段階(だんかい)だった。本当(ほんとう)なら、確実(かくじつ)に効果(こうか)が出(で)てからと……」

Suirei “Kusuri’wa mada jikken’no dankai-datta. Honto-nara, kaku-jitsu-ni koka’ga dete-kara-to…”

Suirei “The medicine was still experimental. I wanted to wait until I knew for sure it worked…”

猫猫（最後(さいご)に残(のこ)った響迂(キョウウ)は記憶(きおく)を失(うしな)い、半身(はんしん)にも軽(かる)く麻痺(まひ)が残(のこ)った。それでも、あんな状態(じょうたい)から生(い)き返(かえ)ったのは、運(うん)がいいと言(い)える）

Maomao (Saigo’ni nokotta Kyo-u’wa kioku’o ushinai, han-shin’nimo karuku mahi’ga nokotta. Sore-demo, anna jo-tai’kara iki-kaetta-nowa, un’ga ii-to ieru.)

Maomao (Kyou-u took the longest to come back. He lost memory, and is lightly paralyzed on one side of his body. Still, he should consider himself lucky that he came back from that state at all.)

猫猫（他(ほか)の子供(こども)たちは皆(みな)、名前(なまえ)を変(か)えて生(い)かされることになった。どういう理由(りゆう)か知(し)らないが、先(さき)に目覚(めざ)めた子供(こども)たちは、元(もと)上級妃(じょうきゅうひ)の阿多様(アードゥオさま)が、4人(よにん)とも引(ひ)き受(う)けてくれたらしい。そして、翠苓(スイレイ)も。宮廷(きゅうてい)を引(ひ)っかき回(まわ)した翠苓(スイレイ)だったが、情状酌量(じょうじょうしゃくりょう)の余地(よち)ありと判断(はんだん)されたようだ。何(なに)より、先帝(せんてい)の血筋(ちすじ)だ。監視付(かんしつ)きだが、命(いのち)までは取(と)られまい）

Maomao (Hoka’no kodomo-tachi’wa mina, namae’o kaete ika-sareru-koto’ni natta. Do-iu riyu-ka shira-nai-ga, saki’ni mezameta kodomo-tachi’wa, moto-jokyu-hi’no Āduo-sama’ga, yo-nin-tomo hiki-ukete-kureta-rashii. Soshite, Suirei’mo. Kyu-tei’o hikkake-mawashita Suirei-datta-ga, jo-jo-shakuryo’no yochi-ari-to handan-sareta-yo-da. Nani-yori, sentei’no chisuji-da. Kanshi-tsuki-daga, inochi-made’wa torare-mai.)

Maomao (The other children had their names changed and lived on. I don’t know what the reasoning was, but all the children who woke up first were adopted by former high-ranking concubine Ah-Duo. She also took in… Suirei. Suirei caused trouble all over the palace, but it seems they determined that she has extenuating circumstances. Moreover, she carries the blood of the late emperor. She’ll be under surveillance, but won’t be executed.)

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫（記憶(きおく)を失(うしな)った響迂(キョウウ)だけが、他(ほか)の子(こ)とは別(べつ)に育(そだ)てた方(ほう)が良(よ)かろうと、花街(はなまち)に来(く)ることになったわけだが……ある意味(いみ)ここが一番(いちばん)安全(あんぜん)って、どういう理屈(りくつ)だよ）

Maomao (Kioku’o ushinatta Kyo-u-dake’ga, hoka’no ko’towa betsu-ni sodateta-ho’ga yokaro-to, hana-machi’ni kuru-koto’ni natta-wake-daga…… Aru-imi koko’ga ichi-ban anzentte, do-iu rikutsu-dayo.)

Maomao (Kyou-u, with his memory loss, was the only one to come to the pleasure district, as they decided he should be raised apart from the other children. What did they mean by ‘this is probably the safest place, in a way?’)

趙迂（響迂）「あった！いてっ！何(なに)すんだよ！」

Cho-u (Kyo-u) “Atta! Ite! Nani sun-dayo!”

Chou-u(Kyou-u) “Found it! Hey! What was that for?!”

猫猫「勝手(かって)に食(く)うな、バカ趙迂(チョウウ)」

Maomao “Katte-ni kuu-na, baka-Cho-u.”

Maomao “Don’t eat that without permission, stupid Chou-u.”

猫猫（『響迂(キョウウ)』改(あらた)め、『趙迂(チョウウ)』。新(あたら)しい名前(なまえ)だ。本人(ほんにん)が前(まえ)の名前(なまえ)の響(ひび)きを覚(おぼ)えてたから、苦肉(くにく)の策(さく)だけど）

Maomao (‘Kyo-u’ aratame, ‘Cho-u.’ Atarashii namae-da. Hon’nin’ga mae’no namae’no hibiki’o oboeteta-kara, kuniku’no saku-dakedo.)

Maomao (His name was changed from ‘Kyou-u’ to ‘Chou-u.’ It was a last resort, since he remembered some of the sound of his former name.)

猫猫「趙迂(チョウウ)、ほら、こっち」

Maomao “Cho-u, hora, kocchi.”

Maomao “Come on, Chou-u. Take this.”

趙迂「おっ。やった！遊(あそ)んでくる！」

Cho-u “O. Yatta! Asonde-kuru!”

Chou-u “Yes! I’m gonna go play!”

趙迂「うわっ！痛(い)ててて…」

Cho-u “Uwa! Itetete…”

Chou-u “Ouch…”

猫猫「ん？赤羽様(セキウさま)…」

Maomao “N? Sekiu-sama…”

Maomao “Hmm? Lady Seki-u?”

赤羽「…久(ひさ)しぶり」

Sekiu “Hisashi-buri”

Seki-u “Long time no see.”

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

赤羽「薬屋(くすりや)とは聞(き)いてたけど、花街(はなまち)のお店(みせ)だったのね」

Sekiu “Kusuri-ya-towa kiiteta-kedo, hana-machi’no omise-datta-none.”

Seki-u “I heard you’re an apothecary now, but I didn’t realize you were in the pleasure district.”

猫猫「東宮(とうぐう)のお披露目(ひろめ)は済(す)んだのですか？」

Maomao “Togu’no ohirome’wa sunda-no-desu-ka?”

Maomao “Did the crown prince’s reveal go well?”

赤羽「ええ、無事(ぶじ)にね。みんな猫猫によろしくって。あとこれ、預(あず)かってたの。渡(わた)しておかないと、寝覚(ねざ)めが悪(わる)いから」

Sekiu “Ee, buji-ni-ne. Minna Maomao’ni yoroshikutte. Ato kore, azukatte-ta-no. Watashite-oka-naito, nezame’ga warui-kara.”

Seki-u “Yes, without any trouble. Everyone asked me to send their regards. Oh, and this. I had to give this to you. It wouldn’t sit well with me otherwise.”

猫猫「…小蘭(シャオラン)」

Maomao “…Shaoran.”

Maomao “Xiaolan…”

赤羽「あなたと子翠(シスイ)がいなくなって、落(お)ち込(こ)んでたんだから。一言(ひとこと)くらいあってもいいのにって」

Sekiu “Anata’to Shisui’ga inaku-natte, ochikonde-tan-dakara. Hitokoto-kurai attemo ii-nonitte.”

Seki-u “She was really sad because you and Shisui left. She hoped you would at least leave a message for her.”

猫猫「確(たし)か、私(わたし)も子翠(シスイ)も、表向(おもてむ)きは引(ひ)き抜(ぬ)かれて後宮(こうきゅう)を出(で)たことになってたんでしょうか？」

Maomao “Tashika, watashi’mo Shisui’mo, omote-muki’wa hiki-nukarete kokyu’o deta-koto’ni natte-tan-desho-ka?”

Maomao “I think the official story was that both Shisui and I were hired elsewhere, right?”

赤羽「ええ。でも…明(あか)るい性格(せいかく)って色々(いろいろ)得(とく)よね。仕事(しごと)はできるわけじゃないけど、放(ほう)っておけないっていうか」

Sekiu “Ee. Demo… akarui seikakutte iro-iro toku-yone. Shigoto’wa dekiru-wake-ja nai-kedo, hotte-oke-naitte iu-ka.”

Seki-u “Yes. But… It’s good that she stays so positive. She’s not the best worker, but also, you just can’t leave her alone.”

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赤羽「じゃあ、元気(げんき)で」

Sekiu “Jaa, genki-de.”

Seki-u “Well, then, take care.”

猫猫「はい。赤羽様(セキウさま)も」

Maomao “Hai. Sekiu-sama’mo.”

Maomao “Yes. Same to you, Lady Seki-u.”

猫猫（赤羽様(セキウさま)は、小蘭(シャオラン)がどう過(す)ごしていたかを詳(くわ)しく話(はな)してくれた。私(わたし)たちがいなくなって、湯殿(ゆどの)でひとり一生懸命(いっしょうけんめい)に働(はたら)く小蘭(シャオラン)を、何(なん)となく放(ほう)っておけなかったみたいだ）

Maomao (Sekiu-sama’wa, Shaoran’ga do sugoshite-ita-ka’o kuwashiku hanashite-kureta. Watashi-tachi’ga inaku-natte, yudono’de hitori issho-kenmei-ni hataraku Shaoran’o nanto-naku hotte-oke-nakatta-mitai-da.)

Maomao (Lady Seki-u explained to me in detail how Xiaolan did. After we left, Xiaolan kept working diligently at the baths. Lady Seki-u couldn’t just leave her by herself.)

猫猫「そっか…。小蘭(シャオラン)には、もう…。ん…。『猫猫、元気(げんき)にしてる？』」

Maomao “Sokka… Shaoran’niwa, mo… N… ‘Maomao, genki’ni shiteru?’”

Maomao “I see… Xiaolan isn’t… ‘Maomao, how are you doing?’”

小蘭「私(わたし)は元気(げんき)だよ。年季(ねんき)が明(あ)けて、後宮(こうきゅう)を出(で)ることになりました。簪(かんざし)をくれたお妃様(きさきさま)に気(き)に入(い)ってもらえて、お妃様(きさきさま)の実家(じっか)の妹(いもうと)の下女(��じょ)にって紹介(しょうかい)してもらえたの。いっぱいいっぱい頑張(がんば)るつもり！あ～あ。ほんとはちゃんと話(はな)して伝(つた)えたかったなぁ。いつかまた、猫猫と子翠(シスイ)に会(あ)いたいな。またみんなでアイス食(た)べたいよ」

Shaoran “Watashi’wa genki-dayo. Nenki’ga akete, kokyu’o deru-koto’ni nari-mashita. Kanzashi’o kureta okisaki-sama’ni ki’ni-itte-moraete, okisaki-sama’no jikka’no imo-to’no gejo’nitte sho-kai-shite-moraeta-no. Ippai-ippai ganbaru-tsumori! Aaaa. Honto’wa chanto hanashite tsutae-takatta-naa. Itsuka-mata, Maomao’to Shisui’ni aitia-na. Mata minna’de aisu tabe-tai-yo.”

Xiaolan “I’m doing well. My tenue is up, and I’m leaving the rear palace. A concubine who gave me a hair stick liked the work I do, so she hired me to work for her younger sister back home. I’ll do my best and more! Oh, I wish I could tell you in person. I want to see you and Shisui sometime soon. I want to eat ice treats all together again.”

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猫猫「雪(ゆき)か…」

Maomao “Yuki-ka…”

Maomao “Snow…”

猫猫（子翠(シスイ)の死体(したい)は、雪(ゆき)をいくらかき分(わ)けても見(み)つからなかったそうだ。春(はる)になって雪(ゆき)が解(と)けたら、もう一度(いちど)捜(さが)すと言(い)っていた）

Maomao (Shisui’no shitai’wa, yuki’o ikura kaki-waketemo mitsukara-nakatta-so-da. Haru’ni natte yuki’ga toketara, mo-ichido sagasu-to itte-ita.)

Maomao (I heard they couldn’t find Shisui’s corpse, no matter how much snow they dug up. Supposedly they’ll search again, once spring comes and the snow melts away.)

猫猫「…ん…。見(み)つからなければいい」

Maomao “…N… Mitsukara-nakereba ii.”

Maomao “I hope they never find her.”

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猫猫「う～ん…。新(あたら)しい薬(くすり)、いまいちピンと来(こ)ないな…。おっ、フフ～ン。よ――し！」

Maomao “Uuun… Atarashii kusuri, ima-ichi pin-to konai-na… O, fufuuun. Yoooooshi!”

Maomao “Hmm. This new medicine isn’t exactly what I envisioned. Oh, I know. Here we go!”

壬氏「何(なに)をする気(き)だ」

Jinshi “Nani’o suru ki-da.”

Jinshi “What are you trying to do?”

猫猫「ん？」

Maomao “N?”

壬氏「む…」

Jinshi “Mu…”

猫猫「壬氏様(ジンシさま)…お仕事(しごと)は片付(かたづ)いたのですか？」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama… Oshigoto’wa katazuita-no-desu-ka?”

Maomao “Master Jinshi. Did you finish all of your work?”

壬氏「たまには休(やす)んでもいいだろう」

Jinshi “Tama’niwa yasunde’mo ii-daro.”

Jinshi “I deserve a break every now and then.”

やり手婆「ホホホ…こちらどうぞ。ではごゆっくり。フンッ！」

Yarite-Babaa “Hohoho… Kochira dozo. Dewa goyukkuri. Fun!”

Madam “Hee hee! Here you are! Please, enjoy!”

猫猫（何(なん)なんだよ…。あっ、綺麗(きれい)になってる。おやじが縫(ぬ)い直(なお)したのかな？）

Maomao (Nan-nan-dayo… A, kirei-ni natteru. Oyaji’ga nui-naoshita-no-kana?)

Maomao (What’s gotten into her? Oh, it’s all cleaned up now. Did my dad redo the stitches?)

壬氏「フゥ…」

Jinshi “Fuu…”

猫猫「お疲(つか)れのようで」

Maomao “Otsukare’no-yo-de.”

Maomao “You seem tired.”

壬氏「人事(じんじ)はもとより、子(シ)の一族(いちぞく)の領地(りょうち)の処理(しょり)や…いろいろな」

Jinshi “Jinji’wa moto-yori, Shi’no ichi-zoku’no ryo-chi’no shori’ya… iro-iro-na.”

Jinshi “I’ve been managing our staff, lands owned by the Shi clan, and so on.”

猫猫（子(シ)の一族(いちぞく)の人間(にんげん)は、既(すで)にほとんど処刑(しょけい)されたと聞(き)いた。領地(りょうち)は国(くに)の直轄(ちょっかつ)になるんだっけ。森林(しんりん)資源(しげん)が豊富(ほうふ)な土地(とち)だし、国(くに)はかなり潤(うるお)いそうだ。木材(もくざい)かぁ…紙(かみ)にしてくれると嬉(うれ)しいけど）

Maomao (Shi’no ichi-zoku’no ningen’wa, sude-ni hotondo shokei-sareta-to kiita. Ryo-chi’wa kuni’no chokkatsu’ni narun-dakke. Shinrin-shigen’ga ho-fu-na tochi-dashi, kuni’wa kanari uruoi-so-da. Moku-zai-kaa… Kami’ni shite-kureru-to ureshii-kedo.)

Maomao (I heard the members of the Shi clan were mostly executed already. Their land’s being reclaimed by the government, I think. It’s full of great forestry resources. That should boost the national treasury. Lumber, huh? I hope they make a lot of paper.)

壬氏「おい」

Jinshi “Oi.”

Jinshi “Hey.”

猫猫「ん？」

Maomao “N?”

壬氏「俺(おれ)をいないように扱(あつか)うな」

Jinshi “Ore’o inai-yo-ni atsukau-na.”

Jinshi “Stop treating me like I don’t exist.”

猫猫「すみません。つい癖(くせ)で」

Maomao “Sumi-masen. Tsui kuse’de.”

Maomao “I’m sorry. Old habits.”

壬氏「うっ…、まぁいい。約束(やくそく)を果(は)たしてもらおうか」

Jinshi “U… Maa ii. Yakusoku’o hatashite-morao-ka.”

Jinshi “Fine. You have a promise to keep.”

猫猫「約束(やくそく)？」

Maomao “Yaku-soku?”

Maomao “Promise?”

壬氏「アイスの材料(ざいりょう)を揃(そろ)えてやっただろう？」

Jinshi “Aisu’no zairyo’o soroete-yatta-daro?”

Jinshi “I got you your ice treat ingredients.”

猫猫「アイス？あぁ！かんざし…！」

Maomao “Aisu? Aa! Kanashi…!”

Maomao “Ice… Oh, the hair stick!”

壬氏「どうした？」

Jinshi “Do-shita?”

Jinshi “What’s wrong?”

猫猫「いえ、その…簪(かんざし)なのですが…あげちゃいました」

Maomao “Ie, sono… kanzashi-nano-desu-ga… age-chai-mashita.”

Maomao “Well, um… About the hair stick… I gave it away.”

壬氏「は？」

Jinshi “Ha?”

Jinshi “Huh?”

猫猫「春(はる)になったら見(み)つかるかもしれません」

Maomao “Haru’ni nattara mitsukaru-kamo shire-masen.”

Maomao “Maybe we’ll find it when spring comes.”

壬氏「何(なん)で春(はる)なんだ」

Jinshi “Nande haru-nan-da.”

Jinshi “Why spring?”

猫猫「見(み)つからないかもしれません」

Maomao “Mitsukara-nai-kamo shire-masen.”

Maomao “We might never find it.”

壬氏「ん？」

Jinshi “N?”

猫猫「巡(めぐ)り巡って、どこかの露店(ろてん)にでも並(なら)ぶかも…」

Maomao “Meguri-megutte dokoka’no roten’ni-demo narabu-kamo…”

Maomao “It might end up in a storefront somewhere.”

壬氏「売(う)り払(はら)ったのか！」

Jinshi “Uri-haratta-noka!”

Jinshi “You sold it!?”

猫猫「売(う)り払(はら)ってません！あ～、その…子翠(シスイ)に……楼蘭(ロウラン)にあげました。いつか返(かえ)してとは言(い)ったのですが…」

Maomao “Uri-haratte-masen! Aaa, sono…Shisui’ni……Roran’ni age-mashita. Itsuka kaeshite-towa itta-no-desu-ga…”

Maomao “I didn’t sell it! Well, um… I… I gave it to Shisui… Loulan. I asked her to give it back to me someday.”

壬氏「…そういうことか。なら、もう一(ひと)つの方(ほう)の約束(やくそく)を果(は)たしてもらおうか」

Jinshi “…So-iu-koto-ka. Nara, mo-hitotsu’no-ho’no yakusoku’o hatashite-morao-ka.”

Jinshi “I see. You can fulfill your other promise, then.”

猫猫「話(はなし)は最後(さいご)まで聞(き)け…でしたっけ？」

Maomao “Hanashi’wa saigo’made kike… deshitakke?”

Maomao “Listen to what you say until the end, was it?”

壬氏「そういうことだ」

Jinshi “So-iu-koto-da.”

Jinshi “Right.”

猫猫「はい。それではどうぞ」

Maomao “Hai. Sore-dewa dozo.”

Maomao “Alright. Go ahead, please.”

壬氏「あ……」

Jinshi “A……”

猫猫「どうぞ？」

Maomao “Dozo?”

Maomao “Go ahead?”

壬氏「う～ん…」

Jinshi “Uuun…”

Jinshi “Yeah…”

猫猫「ないんですか？」

Maomao “Nai-n-desu-ka?”

Maomao “Nothing to say?”

壬氏「いや、あるんだが…。よく考(かんが)えると、話(はな)すべきことはもう分(わ)かっているだろうから」

Jinshi “Iya, aru-n-daga… Yoku kangaeruto, hanasu-beki-koto’wa mo wakatte-iru-daro-kara.”

Jinshi “Well, there is, but… Thinking on it, you already know what I wanted to tell you.”

猫猫（そりゃまぁ立場(たちば)のことなら今更(いまさら)だよな…）

Maomao (Sorya-maa tachiba’no koto-nara ima-sara-dayo-na…)

Maomao (I guess all that stuff about his status is old news.)

猫猫「では、代(か)わりに別(べつ)のでも」

Maomao “Dewa, kawari’ni betsu’no-demo.”

Maomao “In that case, is there something else?”

壬氏「別(べつ)の……う…」

Jinshi “Betsu’no…… U…”

Jinshi “Something else…”

猫猫（結局(けっきょく)ないのかよ）

Maomao (Kekkyoku nai-no-kayo.)

Maomao (So, there’s nothing?)

猫猫「…何(なに)をなさっているんですか？」

Maomao “…Nani’o nasatte-irun-desu-ka?”

Maomao “What are you doing?”

壬氏「これで意味(いみ)が分(わ)かるか？」

Jinshi “Korede imi’ga wakaru-ka?”

Jinshi “Does this make it clear what I mean?”

猫猫「人(ひと)の唾液(だえき)には、毒(どく)がある場合(ばあい)がありますよ」

Maomao “Hito’no daeki’niwa, doku’ga aru baai’ga ari-masu-yo.”

Maomao “Human saliva can be poisonous, sometimes.”

壬氏「くっ！お前(まえ)に多少(たしょう)の毒(どく)は効(き)かないだろ！う～～～！」

Jinshi “Ku! Omae’ni tasho’no doku’wa kika-nai-daro! Uuuuuuu!”

Jinshi “Light poisons won’t work on you!”

猫猫「いっ！だだだだだ…！噛(か)み殺(ころ)す気(き)ですか！！うっ…あ…」

Maomao “I! Dadadadada… Kami-korosu-ki-desu-ka! U…A…”

Maomao “Ow, ow, ow! Are you trying to bite me to death?!”

壬氏「そうしたい気分(きぶん)にもなる」

Jinshi “So-shitai kibun’nimo naru.”

Jinshi “Sometimes I really want to.”

猫猫「ちょっ…」

Maomao “Cho…”

Maomao “What―”

壬氏「まずは砦(とりで)の続(つづ)きからだ」

Jinshi “Mazu’wa toride’no tsuzuki-kara-da.”

Jinshi “Let’s pick up where we left off at the stronghold.”

猫猫（あ……���っぱり綺麗(きれい)だな…）

Maomao (A……Yappari kirei-dana…)

Maomao (This really is clean…)

壬氏「フッ。お前(まえ)も、毒(どく)をためているのか？」

Jinshi “Fu. Omae’mo, doku’o tamete-iru-noka?”

Jinshi “Do you have poison in you, too?”

猫猫「は？」

Maomao “Ha?”

Maomao “Huh?”

趙迂「そばかす！見(み)ろ！」

Cho-u “Sobakasu! Miro!”

Chou-u “Hey, Freckles! Look!”

壬氏「はっ！？」

Jinshi “Ha!?”

趙迂「お前(まえ)これ欲(ほ)しがってたろ？」

Cho-u “Omae kore hoshi-gatteta-ro?”

Chou-u “This is what you wanted, right?!”

猫猫「おっ、でかした」

Maomao “O, dekashita.”

Maomao “Oh, good job!”

趙迂「へへへっ」

Cho-u “Hehehe.”

猫猫「でかいな」

Maomao “Dekai-na.”

Maomao “It’s big.”

趙迂「だろ？」

Cho-u “daro?”

Chou-u “I know, right?”

壬氏「どうしていつも邪魔(じゃま)が入(はい)る…！」

Jinshi “Do-shite itsumo jama’ga hairu…!”

Jinshi “Why do I always get interrupted?”

趙迂「ん？その兄(にい)ちゃん、どうしたんだ？」

Cho-u “N? Sono niichan, do-shitan-da?”

Chou-u “What’s wrong with that guy?”

猫猫「フゥ…お疲(つか)れなんだよ。はい、駄賃(だちん)の黒糖(こくとう)」

Maomao “Fuu… Otsukare-nan-dayo. Hai, dachin’no kokuto.”

Maomao “He’s very tired. Here’s your payment. Brown sugar.”

趙迂「うっひゃあ！じゃあな！」

Cho-u “Uhhyaa! Jaa-na!”

Chou-u “Yay, bye!”

猫猫「フゥ…ん？婆(ばばあ)、寝床(ねどこ)一(ひと)つ用意(ようい)して。香(こう)はよく眠(ねむ)れるやつね」

Maomao “Fuu…N? Babaa, nedoko hitotsu yo-i-shite. Ko’wa yoku nemureru-yatsu-ne.”

Maomao “Grams, prepare a bed for him, please. Some incense to help with rest, too.”

やり手婆「チッ、わ～ったよ！」

Yarite-Babaa “Chi, waaatta-yo!”

Madam “Dammit. Fine!”

猫猫「お疲(つか)れのようですし、ゆっくりお休(やす)みください」

Maomao “Otsukare’no yo-desu-shi, yukkuri oyasumi-kudasai.”

Maomao “You seem very tired, so please go get some rest.”

壬氏「分(わ)かった。休(やす)む」

Jinshi “Wakatta. Yasumu.”

Jinshi “Right. I’ll rest.”

猫猫「うおっ。えっ？」

Maomao “Uo. E?”

Maomao “Huh…”

壬氏「枕(まくら)はこれを使(つか)う」

Jinshi “Makura’wa kore’o tsukau.”

Jinshi “I’ll use this as my pillow.”

猫猫「壬氏様(ジンシさま)？」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama?”

Maomao “Master Jinshi?”

壬氏「………」

猫猫「狸寝入(たぬきねい)りですか？壬氏様(ジンシさま)」

Maomao “Tanuki-neiri-desu-ka? Jinshi-sama.”

Maomao “Are you pretending to sleep, Master Jinshi?”

壬氏「ん……」

Jinshi “N……”

猫猫「フゥ……」

Maomao “Fuu……”

猫猫（足(あし)がしびれるなぁ…）

Maomao (Ashi’ga shibireru-naa…)

Maomao (He’s putting my legs to sleep.)

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

露天商(ろてんしょう)「はい、じゃあこちら、商品(しょうひん)お渡(わた)し。毎度(まいど)あり！」

Roten-sho “Hai, jaa kochira, sho-hin owatashi. Maido-ari!”

Stallholder “Here’s your goods. Thank you!”

子翠「おじさん」

Shisui “Ojisan.”

Shisui “Hey, mister…”

露天商「あいよ！あっ…え？」

Roten-sho “Ai-yo! A… E?”

Stallholder “Yep! Huh?”

子翠「これって、蝉(せみ)？」

Shisui “Korette, semi?”

Shisui “Is this a cicada?”

露天商「ああ、古(ふる)い時代(じだい)によく作(つく)られた、玉製(ぎょくせい)のだよ」

Roten-sho “Aa, furui jidai’ni yoku tsuku-rareta, gyoku-sei’no-dayo.”

Stallholder “Yeah, it’s made of jade, popular in the old days.”

子翠「へぇ…玉(ぎょく)かぁ…」

Shisui “Hee… Gyoku-kaa…”

Shisui “Oh, jade, huh?”

露天商「おい、商品(しょうひん)だ。冷(ひ)やかしはやめてくれよ。買(か)うのかい？」

Roten-sho “Oi, shohin-da. Hiyakashi’wa yamete-kure-yo. Kau-no-kai?”

Stallholder “Hey, that’s valuable. Don’t waste my time. Are you buying?”

子翠「う～ん…お金(かね)あんまりないなぁ」

Shisui “Uuun… Okane anmari nai-naa.”

Shisui “Hmm… I don’t have much money.”

露天商「なら触(さわ)らないでくれよ」

Roten-sho “Nara sawara-naide-kure-yo.”

Stallholder “Then don’t touch it.”

子翠「じゃあ、物々交換(ぶつぶつこうかん)ならどう？はい、これ」

Shisui “Jaa, butsu-butsu-ko-kan-nara do? Hai, kore.”

Shisui “How about a trade, then? Give this a look.”

露天商「簪(かんざし)かい？うお！何(なん)だこりゃ！この辺(へん)でお目(め)にかかれる代物(しろもの)じゃねえぞ！はぁ～…」

Roten-sho “Kanzashi-kai? Uo! Nanda korya! Kono-hen’de omeni kakareru shiro-mono-jaj nee-zo! Haaaa…”

Stallholder “A hair stick? What is this?! You don’t see this kind of thing out in these parts!”

子翠「どう？」

Shisui “Do?”

Shisui “What do you think?”

露天商「嬢(じょう)ちゃん、こいつをどこで…あ、いや！交渉(こうしょう)成立(せいりつ)だ」

Roten-sho “Jo-chan, koitsu’o doko’de… A, iya! Kosho-seiritsu-da.”

Stallholder “Miss, where did you―, I mean, no, it’s a deal!”

子翠「じゃあ、もらってくね！」

Shisui “Jaa, moratte-ku-ne!”

Shisui “Thanks, I’ll take this!”

子翠「綺麗(きれい)～…フフッ、ねぇ、おじさん」

Shisui “Kireeei… Fufu, nee, oji-san.”

Shisui “So pretty. Hey, mister!”

露天商「ん？」

Roten-sho “N?”

Stallholder “Hmm?”

子翠「私(わたし)の名前(なまえ)、玉藻(タマモ)っていうんだよ」

Shisui “Watashi’no namae, Tamamotte iun-dayo.”

Shisui “My name’s Tamamo.”

露天商「玉(ぎょく)の『玉(たま)』と海(うみ)の『藻(も)』で『玉藻(タマモ)』かい？海(うみ)の寵愛(ちょうあい)でも受(う)けそうな名前(なまえ)だな」

Roten-sho “Gyoku’no ‘tama’to umi’no ‘mo’de ‘Tamamo’kai? Umi’no cho-ai-demo uke-sona namae-dana.”                                 

Stallholder “‘Tama’ like the ‘gyoku’ for jade, and ‘mo’ as in seaweed? Sounds like a name with blessings from the ocean.”

玉藻（子翠）「うん！…そうだねぇ…。海(うみ)の向(む)こうとか、面白(おもしろ)そうだよね…。じゃあ、ありがとうねぇ！バイバ～イ！」

Tamamo (Shisui) “Un! …So-danee… Umi’no muko-toka, omoshiroso-dayo-ne… Jaa, arigato-nee! Bai-baaai!!”

Tamamo (Shisui) “Yes! Right… The other side of the ocean sounds exciting. Alright, thanks again! Bye-bye!”

(Season 2 End)

[apothecaryscript]

Do you often watch the movies aired on Friday Roadshow?

Not so often, actually. But that time slot always shows very popular movies like Disney, Ghibli, and Hollywood masterpieces, so I sometimes watch it. For the past six months, I took baths or did housework while the movie is playing so that I can watch KNH after the movie, though...

Come to think of it, I've rarely been to a theater to see a Ghibli movie, and always watched it on Friday Roadshow.

[apothecaryscript]

Characters in KNH often use wood and bamboo strips for writing, because it’s said to be cheaper than paper. I’ve had trouble finding sources in English online, but it looks like in Chinese history, jiǎndú like that fell almost completely out of use relatively early, but Japanese people were using mokkan for much longer. Do you know if this impression I have is correct?

I don't know Chinese history, but as far as I found the information online, mokkan was used from 7th - 9th century in Japan. It's true that they mainly used mokkan instead of paper because it was cheaper. But wood is stronger than paper when wet, and the writing can be erased by scraping the surface with a knife, making it reusable. So actually people had used either wood or paper depending on the purpose and the situation, before paper became widely used. As for bamboo, although it grows in abundance in Japan, there have been no excavated examples of bamboo slips.

[apothecaryscript]

Maomao no Hitorigoto, Special Episode: Investigate the USJ -Second Half- / 猫猫のひとりごと　特別編　『～USJを調査せよ～後編（ユーエスジェイをちょうさせよ・こうへん/Yū-esu-jei’o chosa-seyo, Ko-hen）

You can watch the video on YouTube, uploaded by the official Toho Animation account.　→ Link to YouTube

Please note that the English lines are just my translation.

猫猫(マオマオ)「万能薬(ばんのうやく)・龍珠散薬(りゅうずさんやく)と、その薬(くすり)で起(お)きている中毒症状(ちゅうどくしょうじょう)の調査(ちょうさ)のため、壬氏様(ジンシさま)と共(とも)に、USJへと調査(ちょうさ)に行(い)くことに。壬氏様(ジンシさま)は、事件(じけん)の早期(そうき)解決(かいけつ)のため、この地域(ちいき)全体(ぜんたい)にお触(ふ)れを出(だ)し、地元(じもと)の薬師(くすし)たちを集(あつ)めているらしい」

Maomao “Ban’no-yaku, Ryuzu-san’yaku’to, sono kusuri’de okite-iru chu-doku-sho-jo’no cho-sa’no tame, Jinshi-sama’to tomo-ni, Yū-esu-jei’eto cho-sa’ni iku-koto-ni. Jinshi-sama’wa, jiken’no so-ki-kaiketsu’no tame, kono chiiki-zentai’ni ofure’o dashi, jimoto’no kusu-shi-tachi’o atsumete-iru-rashii.”

Maomao “To investigate the panacea Ryuzu-san’yaku and the poisoning symptoms it causes, I came here, Universal Studio Japan with Master Jinshi. Master Jinshi has issued an edict to the whole region and is gathering the local apothecaries to solve the case quickly.”

猫猫「壬氏様(ジンシさま)、そろそろ調査(ちょうさ)を開始(かいし)したいのですが…」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama, soro-soro cho-sa’o kaishi-shitai-no-desu-ga…”

Maomao “Master Jinshi, I would like to begin my investigation soon…”

そろそろ（soro-soro）… soon, it’s about time (The time is about to come slowly and quietly)　<adverb><onomatopoeia?>

It means “soon” but you can use this word when you’re calm and not in a hurry. In English, “It’s about time to…” seems to be the closest. You can use this word when you want someone to start doing something soon without making them feel nervous or uncomfortable. Or, for example, when you want to leave your friend’s home, you can say “そろそろ帰(かえ)るね/I’m leaving soon” in a softer way.

On the other hand, if a mother tells her kid to “hurry up and do your homework!” and he replies “そろそろする”, she might get angry and say, “そろそろじゃなくて、今(いま)すぐしなさい！/Just do it right away!”

壬氏「ああ、早(はや)く始(はじ)めたい気持(きも)ちはやまやまなんだが…地元(じもと)の薬師(くすし)たちにも声(こえ)をかけていてな。集合(しゅうごう)時間(じかん)まで、もうしばらくあるんだ。慣(な)れない土地(とち)で調査(ちょうさ)をするのでは、いつも以上(いじょう)に苦労(くろう)をかけると思(おも)ってな」

Jinshi “Aa, hayaku hajime-tai kimochi’wa yama-yama-nan-daga… jimoto’no kusushi-tachi’nimo koe’o kakete-ite-na. Shu-go-jikan’made, mo-shibaraku arunda. Nare-nai tochi’de cho-sa’o suru-no’dewa, itsumo-ijo-ni kuro’o kakeru-to omotte-na.”

Jinshi “Yeah, I really want to get started, but I’ve already called the local apothecaries, and there’s still a while until the meeting time. I thought it’s going to be even harder than usual to do research in unfamiliar territory.”

やまやま（Yama-yama）… a lot 　（ “Mountains” is also “山々（やまやま）” and I think they are originally the same word.）

In most cases, this word is used like “～したいのはやまやまですが…”, that means “I really want to～, but…”, and you can decline an offer without offending the other person.

猫猫（壬氏様(ジンシさま)も、たまには気(き)が利(き)くじゃないか…）

Maomao (Jinshi-sama’mo, tama-niwa ki’ga kiku-ja nai-ka…)

Maomao (Master Jinshi is a thoughtful man, occasionally…)

たまに/-には(Tama-ni/-niwa)… occasionally, once in a while

壬氏「何(なん)だ、その薄(うす)ら笑(わら)いは…。また失礼(しつれい)なことを考(かんが)えているな？」

Jinshi “Nanda, sono usura-warai’wa… Mata shitsurei-na koto’o kangaete-iru-na?”

Jinshi “What’s with that smirk… are you thinking of something rude again?”

猫猫「いえ、そんなこと、ありませんよ！どんな薬師(くすし)の方々(かたがた)とお会(あ)いできるか、楽(たの)しみです。この地域(ちいき)独特(どくとく)の薬(くすり)など、あるんだろうか…！後(あと)で店(みせ)も案内(あんない)してもらいたいなぁ。植生(しょくせい)についても詳(くわ)しい方(かた)だといいなぁ～！」

Maomao “Ie, sonna-koto, ari-masen-yo! Donna kusushi’no kata-gata’to oai-dekiru-ka, tanoshimi-desu. Kono chiiki-doku-toku-no kusuri-nado, arun-daro-ka…! Ato’de mise’mo an’nai-shite-morai-tai-naa. Shoku-sei’ni tsuite’mo kuwashii kata-dato ii-naaaa!”

Maomao “No, that’s not the case! I’m looking forward to meeting all the apothecaries. I wonder if they have medicines that are unique to this area…! I’d like to be shown around the shops later. I hope they’re knowledgeable about the vegetation too!”

壬氏「猫猫…頼(たの)むから、迷惑(めいわく)だけはかけるなよ？地元(じもと)の薬師(くすし)を困(こま)らせるような行動(こうどう)は控(ひか)えてくれ」

Jinshi “Maomao… Tanomu-kara, meiwaku-dake’wa kakeru-na-yo? Jimoto’no kusushi’o koma-raseru-yo-na ko-do’wa hikaete-kure.”

Jinshi “Maomao… Please, just don’t cause any trouble. Please refrain from any actions that may cause trouble to the local apothecaries.”

猫猫「失礼(しつれい)ですね…。私(わたし)がいつ勝手(かって)な行動(こうどう)をしたというのですか？」

Maomao “Shitsurei-desu-ne… Watashi’ga itsu katte-na ko-do’o shita-to iuno-desu-ka?”

Maomao “That’s rude… When have I ever acted on my own accord?”

壬氏「お前(まえ)…入口(いりぐち)やサメの村(むら)での行動(こうどう)をもう忘(わす)れたのか！…んん…まぁいい。集合(しゅうごう)時間(じかん)まで、もう少(すこ)し園内(えんない)を回(まわ)ってみるとしよう」

Jinshi “Omae… iri-guchi’ya same’no mura’deno ko-do’o mo wasureta-noka! …Nn…maa ii. Shu-go-jikan’made, mo-sukoshi en-nai’o mawatte-miru-to shiyo.”

Jinshi “Hey, have you already forgotten what you did at the entrance and the shark village? Hmm…Oh, well, fine. Let’s go around the park a bit more until the meeting time.”

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏「ここは…美(うつく)しい庭園(ていえん)だな」

Jinshi “Koko’wa… utsukushii teien-dana.”

Jinshi “This is… a beautiful garden.”

猫猫「立派(りっぱ)な薔薇(そうび)が咲(さ)いてますね…。庭師(にわし)の方(かた)が丁寧(ていねい)に育(そだ)ててらっしゃるのですね」

Maomao “Rippa-na so-bi’ga saite-masu-ne… Niwashi’no kata’ga teinei-ni sodatete-rassharu-no-desu-ne.”

Maomao “The roses are blooming beautifully… The gardener must have been taking good care of them.”

育ててらっしゃる ＝ 育てる “raise/grow” ＋ いらっしゃる（Keigo-respectful form of “いる”） “be ～ing”

壬氏「そうだな。そう言(い)えば、この辺(あた)りに美味(おい)しい食事処(しょくじどころ)があるとか…行(い)ってみるか？」

Jinshi “So-dana. So-ieba, kono atari’ni oishii shokuji-dokoro’ga aru-toka… Itte-miru-ka?”

Jinshi “That’s right. By the way, I heard there’s a nice restaurant around here… Shall we go and check it out?”

猫猫「あっ！あれはもしや薬草(やくそう)！？さささささ…」

Maomao “A! Are’wa moshiya yakuso!? Sasasasasa…”

Maomao “Ah! Could that be a medicinal herb?!” (Left quickly…)

壬氏「ちょっと待(ま)て猫猫！！」

Jinshi “Chotto mate Maomao!!”

Jinshi “Wait a minute, Maomao!!”

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫「うぉ～～～！！ここには珍(めずら)しい植物(しょくぶつ)が多(おお)いですね～！全部(ぜんぶ)大(おお)きい！持(も)って帰(かえ)ってもいいですか？」

Maomao “Uooooooo!! Koko’niwa mezurashii shoku-butsu’ga ooi-desu-neee! Zenbu ookii! Motte-kaettemo ii-desu-ka?”

Maomao “Wow!! There are a lot of rare plants here! They’re all big! Can I take some home?”

壬氏「だ・め・だ！！まったく……」

Jinshi “Da-me-da!! Mattaku……”

Jinshi “No way!! Oh, come on…”

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏「この町(まち)は、土産屋(みやげや)が多(おお)くあるみたいだな」

Jinshi “Kono machi’wa, miyage-ya’ga ooku aru-mitai-dana.”

Jinshi “It seems like there are a lot of souvenir shops in this town.”

猫猫「ええ。皆(みな)さん頭(あたま)に、動物(どうぶつ)の耳(みみ)や顔(かお)？の被(かぶ)り物(もの)…帽子(ぼうし)のような物(もの)を着(つ)けてますね。この地域(ちいき)で流行(はや)っているんでしょうか？」

Maomao “Ee. Mina-san atama’ni, do-butsu’no mimi’ya kao?-no kaburi-mono… bo-shi’no-yo-na mono’o tsukete-masu-ne. Kono chiiki’de hayatte-irun-desho-ka?”

Maomao “Yes. Everyone is wearing animal ears or faces… things like hats, on their heads. I wonder if they’re popular in this area.”

壬氏「おぉ～…猫猫！あれを着(つ)けてみないか？せっかくこのような賑(にぎ)やかな町(まち)に来(き)たんだ。記念(きねん)にどうだ？」

Jinshi “Oooo… Maomao! Are’o tsukete-minai-ka? Sekkaku kono-yo-na nigiyaka-na machi’ni kitanda. Kinen’ni do-da?”

Jinshi “Ohhh… Maomao! Why don’t we try that on? We’ve come all the way to this lively town. How about that as a memento?”

猫猫「あ、いえ私(わたし)は結構(けっこう)です。記念(きねん)でしたら、壬氏様(ジンシさま)お一人(ひとり)でどうぞ。さ、そろそろ集合(しゅうごう)時間(じかん)ではないですか？行(い)きますよ」

Maomao “A, ie watashi’wa kekko-desu. Kinen-deshitara, Jinshi-sama-ohitori’de do-zo. Sa, soro-soro shu-go-jikan’dewa nai-desu-ka? Iki-masu-yo.”

Maomao “Oh, no thank you. If it’s as a memento, Master Jinshi, please go ahead and wear it on your own. Now, isn’t it almost time to gather? Let’s go.”

お(Keigo-respectful) ＋ 一人(ひとり)でどうぞ（Ohitori’de do-zo）“by yourself/alone/on your own, please”

I’m not sure which phrase is the best in this case. Maomao perfectly and politely declined his proposal.

壬氏「…くすん…」

Jinshi “…Kusun…”

Jinshi "...sniff..."

くすん(Kusun)… onomatopoeia for “a teardrop in one’s mind/heart”

Usually, we use “ぐすん” for teardrops, so “くすん” gives off something much lighter. Actually in the animation, you can see Jinshi doesn’t shed tears. So it may express his disappointment and sadness before the tears. If you know any useful English word for this case, please let me know. (Google Translate gave me the word “sulk”, but I don’t think it works here.)

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猫猫「まだ薬師(くすし)の皆(みな)さんの姿(すがた)が見(み)えないですね」

Maomao “Mada kusushi’no mina-san’no sugata’ga mie-nai-desu-ne.”

Maomao “The apothecaries haven’t shown up yet.”

壬氏「間(ま)もなく集合(しゅうごう)時間(じかん)だから、じきに来(く)るはずだ」

Jinshi “Ma’mo-naku shu-go-jikan-dakara, jiki-ni kuru-hazu-da.”

Jinshi “It’s about time to meet, so they should be here soon.”

猫猫「お集(あつ)まりいただく薬師(くすし)の皆(みな)さんにも、私(わたし)がいただいた調査書(ちょうさしょ)と同(おな)じものをお渡(わた)しするのでしょうか？」

Maomao “Oatsumari-itadaku kusushi’no mina-san’nimo, watashi’ga itadaita cho-sa-sho’to onaji mono’o owatashi-suruno-desho-ka?”

Maomao “Will all the apothecaries gathered here be given the same investigation report that I received?”

壬氏「ああ、その通(とお)りだ」

Jinshi “Aa, sono toori-da.”

Jinshi “Yes, that’s right.”

猫猫「この調査書(ちょうさしょ)には薬包紙(やくほうし)が付(つ)いていますね」

Maomao “Kono Cho-sa-sho’niwa yakuho-shi’ga tsuite-imasu-ne.”

Maomao “This investigation report comes with medical paper.”

付いている（ついている/Tsuite-iru）… come with, be with, attached

猫猫（これで例(れい)の龍珠散薬(りゅうずさんやく)の材料(ざいりょう)を見(み)つけて包(つつ)む…ということか。どんな薬(くすり)なんだろう！？何(なに)が入(はい)っているのかなぁ～？あぁ～…！早(はや)くお目(め)にかかりた～い！）

Maomao (Kore’de rei’no Ryuzu-san’yaku’no zairyo’o mitsukete tsutsumu…to-iu-koto-ka. Donna kusuri-nan-daro!? Nani’ga haitte-iruno-kanaaaa? Aaaa…! Hayaku ome’ni kakari-taaai!)

Maomao (I guess that we’re going to find the ingredients for that Ryuzu-san’yaku and wrap them up… What kind of medicine is it?! I wonder what’s in it?! Ahh! I want to see it soon!)

猫猫「ここで、猫猫の豆知識(まめちしき)。薬包紙(やくほうし)とは、調合(ちょうごう)した薬(くすり)を、服用(ふくよう)1回分(いっかいぶん)ずつに分(わ)けるために用(もち)いられる紙(かみ)のこと。正方形(せいほうけい)の薄手(うすで)の紙(かみ)を折(お)ることで、袋(ふくろ)の形(かたち)にして使(つか)われる。古来(こらい)より様々(さまざま)な折(お)り方(かた)の流派(りゅうは)が存在(そんざい)しており、紙一枚(かみいちまい)とはいえ、その歴史(れきし)は深(ふか)い」

Maomao “Koko’de, Maomao’no mame-chishiki. Yakuho-shi-towa, cho-go-shita kusuri’o, fukuyo ikkai-bun-zutsu’ni wakeru-tame-ni mochi’i-rareru kami’no koto. Seiho-kei’no usude’no kami’o oru-koto’de, fukuro’no katachi’ni shite tsuka-wareru. Korai-yori sama-zama-na ori-kata’no ryu-ha’ga sonzai-shite-ori, kami-ichi-mai-towa-ie, sono rekishi’wa fukai.”

Maomao “Here is bits of knowledge from Maomao. Medicine paper is paper used to separate compounded medicine into individual doses. It is used by folding a square piece of thin paper into the shape of a bag. Since ancient times, there have been various schools of folding, and even though it is just a single piece of paper, its history is profound.”

壬氏「さあ、ここからの調査(ちょうさ)は任(まか)せたぞ。龍珠散薬(りゅうずさんやく)の謎(なぞ)を解明(かいめい)してくれ。見事(みごと)謎(なぞ)を解(と)き明(あ)かしたら、特別(とくべつ)な褒美(ほうび)をやろう」

Jinshi “Saa, koko’kara’no cho-sa’wa makaseta-zo. Ryuzu-san’yaku’no nazo’o kaimei-shite-kure. Migoto nazo’o toki-akashi-tara, tokubetsu-na ho-bi’o yaro.”

Jinshi “I’ll leave the investigation to you from now on. Please solve the mystery of the Ryuzu-san’yaku. If you manage to solve it, I’ll give you a special reward.”

猫猫「はい。薬師(くすし)の皆(みな)さんと協力(きょうりょく)して、中毒(ちゅうどく)症状(しょうじょう)の謎(なぞ)を解明(かいめい)してみせます」

Maomao “Hai. Kusushi’no mina-san’to kyo-ryoku-shite, chu-doku-sho-jo’no nazo’o kaimei-shite-mise-masu.”

Maomao “Yes. I will show you that I will solve the mystery of the poisoning symptom, in cooperate with other apothecaries.”

[apothecaryscript]

Just to follow up, here's USJ/KNH part 2: https://youtu.be/yYU9_O9K_94?feature=shared I stuck the Youtube automatic transcript into Google Translate but what came out was largely gibberish. :D No matter - I also found the English event page: https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us/events/universal-cool-japan-2025/kusuriyanohitorigoto. Maybe there'll be reviews once it opens...today/tomorrow, I think!

Yes, I've been already working on it! Maybe I can post it within today, or tomorrow at the latest. Please wait for it a little...

[apothecaryscript]

Memo for Episode 23 (Ep.47) “The Shi Clan”

馬閃「ぬけぬけと！」

Basen “Nuke-nuke-to!”

Basen “What a brazen lie!”

ぬけぬけと(Nuke-nuke-to)… an onomatopoeia for “brazenly” or “shamelessly”.

Basen said this single word, but the whole thing is something like: よくもぬけぬけと、そんなことが言(い)えるな！/How dare you say something like that so brazenly?

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子昌「どうせ処刑台(しょけいだい)に上(のぼ)るなら、ひと思(おも)いに仕留(しと)めてやればいいものを」

Shisho “Dose shokei-dai’ni noboru-nara, hito-omoi’ni shitomete-yareba ii-mono’o.”

Shishou “If he’s bound to be executed anyway… You should just finish him off swiftly.”

どうせ(Dose)… anyway, anyhow, at any rate

This word is followed by negative content, and it means the speaker is unhappy about the situation but there is nothing he can do about it and he has given up.

ひと思いに（一思いに/ひとおもいに/Hito-omoi-ni）… instantly without hesitation

It means both “instantly/immediately” and “without hesitation”.

(Synonym) 一気に（いっきに/Ikki-ni）… all at once, at a breath

ひと思いに is used when doing something that one would normally hesitate to do, while 一気に can be used for anything.

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兵士（寒山）「お、俺(おれ)は言(い)ってない！」

Heishi “O, Ore’wa itte-nai!”

Shi clan soldier “I-I never said that!”

The soldier’s name was not mentioned in the original novel, but the Japanese subtitle had it as “寒山”. I don’t know how to read… (“Kanzan”? If it is read in Japanese…)

Anyway I felt sorry for him because he had to take part in Shishou’s play as a cruel villain, if he had really ‘never said that’.

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楼蘭「翠苓姉様(スイレイねえさま)、もうひどいことはされていませんか？」

Roran “Suirei-Nee-sama, mo hidoi-koto’wa sarete-imasen-ka?”

Loulan “Suirei, my dear sister, has she stopped abusing you?”

Shisui usually called Suirei “姉様（ねえさま）” without her name, but here she said “翠苓姉様(すいれいねえさま)”. This line seems to be spoken to Suirei, but for Jinshi to hear. Shisui wanted appeal to Jinshi that the frightened woman was Suirei, and that in reality she had just been forced to commit various evil acts by Shenmei.  

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若い神美「その話(はなし)は白紙(はくし)ね」

Wakai Shenmei “Sono hanashi’wa haku-shi-ne.”

Young Shenmei “That deal is no more.”

白紙（はくし/Haku-shi）… cancellation of plans and events

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楼蘭「ちゃんとお父様(とうさま)は敵役(かたきやく)を演(えん)じきれましたか？」

Roran “Chanto Oto-sama’wa kataki-yaku’o enji-kire-mashita-ka?”

Loulan “Did my father adequately fulfill his role as the evil mastermind?”

The Kanji “敵” can be read both “てき(Teki)” and “かたき(Kataki)”.

てき(敵/Teki)… enemy  ⇔ 味方（みかた/Mikata）… ally, friend, supporter

かたき(敵 or 仇/Kataki)… an enemy against whom you have a deep grudge

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楼蘭「ウフフ…。顔(かお)だけのバカなら本当(ほんとう)に良(よ)かったのに」

Roran “Ufufu… Kao-dake’no baka-nara honto-ni yokatta-noni.”

Loulan “Oh, if only you were just an idiot with a pretty face.”

顔だけのバカ　＝　顔がいいだけで他(ほか)に何(なに)もいいところがないバカ/an idiot who has a pretty face but nothing good else

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壬氏「努力(どりょく)する」

Jinshi “Doryoku-suru.”

Jinshi “I’ll do what I can.”

努力する（どりょくする/Doryoku-suru）… make efforts

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楼蘭「ありがとうございます。お母様(かあさま)、これが私(わたし)にできる精一杯(せいいっぱい)なんです」

Roran “Arigato gozai-masu. Okaa-sama, kore’ga watashi’ni dekiru sei-ippai nan-desu.”

Loulan “Thank you. Mother, this is the best I can do.”

精一杯（せいいっぱい/Sei-ippai）… do one’s very best, to the utmost/fullest, with all one’s might

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壬氏（止(と)めれば良(よ)かっただろうか…。いや、できなかった。世紀(せいき)の悪女(あくじょ)の、一世一代(いっせいいちだい)の舞台(ぶたい)。壊(こわ)すことなんてできない。目(め)をそらすこともできなかった）

Jinshi (Tomereba yokatta-daroka… Iya, deki-nakatta. Seiki’no akujo’no, issei-ichi-dai’no butai. Kowasu-koto-nante deki-nai. Me’o sorasu-koto’mo deki-nakatta.)

Jinshi (Should I have stopped her? No, I couldn’t have. The final performance of a once-in-a-generation evil… There was no way I could ruin it. Nor could I avert my gaze from it.)

世紀の悪女（せいきのあくじょ/Seiki’no aku-jo）… an evil woman/wicked woman/villainess of the century

一世一代の舞台（いっせいいちだいのぶたい/Issei-ichi-dai’no butai）… once-in-a-lifetime performance, by far the best/greatest/most important performance of one’s life

In this line, 世紀の悪女 and 一世一代の舞台 are both very powerful and important phrases, so I wanted them to translate 一世一代の into more impressive word than just “final”… I guess they wanted to emphasize 世紀の悪女 the most. I wonder if an evil “of the century” is not so common phrase in English and they replaced it with “once-in-a-generation”…?

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壬氏「俺(おれ)がいなければ、こんな目(め)には……あっ」

Jinshi “Ore’ga ina-kereba, konna me’niwa……A.”

Jinshi “If I wasn’t here, she wouldn’t have had to go through this…”

This line shows his constant fear of “not wanting to put Maomao in danger.” Even though he is in a position to get anything he wants, he always hesitates to get too close to her. Of course, there is the other big reason that he doesn’t want to ignore her feeling and take a forceful approach, though. But the history in KNH is really intricately intertwined. If Jinshi had never been born, Luomen would not have been exiled from the rear palace, and Lakan would not have been sent to study abroad, either. In that case, Maomao would have grown up in a privileged environment as the daughter of the La clan, but she would not have found the profession of an apothecary, which is what makes her happiest. I can only think that Jinshi and Maomao are strongly bound together by fate.

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見張りの男「はぁ…。ん？あれは…」

Mihari’no otoko “Haa… N? Are’wa…”

Guard “Hmm? Is that…”

I didn’t want to give spoilers to those who haven’t read the original work, but... this man will appear in the next season and beyond. In the previous episode, after he escaped from the stronghold, he saw the explosion and returned. That suggests to us that ‘Season 3 of the anime has been already in production’, I believe. (Yay!) However, the scene where he found something shiny in the bush is not in the original novel. There were several posts on Japanese SNS from people who had the same question. According to the information in the post, there was a short story about this as a bonus for the limited edition of the original novel published a long time ago. Apparently, the story is about Loulan after falling off a balcony, and hopefully, it will be revealed in the next final episode.

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The scene where Loulan dances on the balcony was a spectacular scene that was much longer and more beautifully staged than I had expected. Even though I had already read the original work, I was moved to tears, so I can only imagine how shocking it must have been for those who hadn’t read the original work… I wonder why she would go to such lengths for the sake of such a terrible mother, but as long as there was a rule that the entire family would be punished if any serious crime was committed, she, who was born and raised as Loulan, would not have been able to continue living as Loulan.

The next episode is finally the last one of Season 2. It’s inevitable that you will cry. Let’s enjoy this masterpiece together!