#よちゃん? is that how you spell her name?

[pngblog]

could i PRETTY PLEASE GET YO CHAN I LOVE HER SO MUCH YO CHAN THE SEAL SHES SO ADORABLE!!!!!

[ganbaruwayo]

ロミオとシンデレラ・Romeo and Cinderella

doriko ft. Hatsune Miku Translation by Platonic水を食べる / Free to use with credit and a link back to this post or the cover video.

私の恋を悲劇のジュリエットにしないで Don't make my love into the tragedy of Juliet ここから連れ出して… Take me away from here…

そんな気分よ That's the feeling I get.

パパとママにおやすみなさい Say goodnight to papa and mama, せいぜい いい夢をみなさい at the very least, let them have sweet dreams 大人はもう寝る時間よ Bedtime's come for the grownups now

咽返る魅惑のキャラメル Recoiling from choking on that captivating caramel,* 恥じらいの素足をからめる sweet like the way it entwines my bashful and bare legs** 今夜はどこまでいけるの？ How far can we go tonight?

噛みつかないで 優しくして Please don't bite—Be gentle with me, 苦いものはまだ嫌いなの since I still hate bitter things, ママの作るお菓子ばかり食べたせいね 'cause I ate nothing but mama's homemade sweets

知らないことがあるのならば If there's something that I don't know about 知りたいと思う 普通でしょ？ I think I'd want to know, that's normal isn't it? 全部見せてよ Show me it all, あなたにならば見せてあげる私の… and only if it's to you, I'll show you my-

ずっと恋しくてシンデレラ Always yearning, I'm Cinderella, 制服だけで駆けていくわ I'll run away in nothing but my school uniform 魔法よ時間を止めてよ Just like with magic, put a stop to time, 悪い人に 邪魔されちゃうわ or else the villains will come and interrupt us***

逃げ出したいのジュリエット Wanting to run away, I'm Juliet, でもその名前で呼ばないで but don't call me by that name そうよね 結ばれなくちゃね That's right, we have to stay tied together,**** そうじゃないと楽しくないわ Or else it's no fun at all!

ねえ 私と生きてくれる？ Hey, will you live together with me?

背伸びをした長いマスカラ I put on a bit too much mascara いい子になるよきっと明日から I promise that I'll be a good girl tomorrow, 今だけ私を許して so just for now, please excuse me

黒いレースの境界線 This black lace marks the line of the border, 守る人は今日はいません and today there aren't any guards present 越えたらどこまでいけるの？ If you cross over, how far will you go?

噛みつくほどに 痛いほどに Keep on biting down, so hard that it hurts, 好きになってたのは私でしょ I was the one that fell in love with you, wasn't I? パパはでもねあなたのこと嫌いみたい Papa, though, seems like he really hates you

私のためと差し出す手に You said it's for me who you're holding out your hand 握ってるそれは首輪でしょ and held inside—that's a collar, isn't it? 連れ出してよ 私のロミオ Take me away, my Romeo, 叱られるほど遠くへ So far away that we're scolded!

鐘が鳴り響くシンデレラ The bells are ringing, and Cinderella ガラスの靴は置いていくわ has left behind her glass slipper だからね 早く見つけてね so, hey, hurry up and go looking for her, 悪い夢に 焦らされちゃうわ or else she'll become frustrated by bad dreams

きっとあの子もそうだった Undoubtedly, Cinderella did it like that too— 落としたなんて嘘をついた She lied when she said she dropped it on accident そうよね 私も同じよ That's surely right, I'm the same as her, だってもっと愛されたいわ because I want to be loved even more by you

ほら 私はここにいるよ Hey, look at me, I'm right here

私の心そっと覗いてみませんか Won't you take even a tiny peek into my heart? 欲しいものだけあふれかえっていませんか Can't you see how it's full of nothing but desire? まだ別腹よもっともっとぎゅっと詰め込んで I've still got room for dessert, stuff me tightly with more and more いっそあなたの居場所までも埋めてしまおうか Why don't we go until the place you are is totally filled up?

でもそれじゃ意味ないの —But that doesn't have any meaning at all!

大きな箱より 小さな箱に幸せはあるらしい They say that happiness comes only in small boxes どうしよこのままじゃ私は What to am I to do? If this doesn't change, あなたに嫌われちゃうわ you're gonna end up hating me!

でも私より欲張りなパパとママは今日も変わらず But, greedier than I am, Mama and Papa won't change today either そうよね 素���でいいのね That's right, since honesty is so good and all, 落としたのは金の斧でした "What I've dropped was the golden axe…"

嘘つきすぎたシンデレラ I heard Cinderella, who told too many lies, オオカミに食べられたらしい ended up getting eaten by the wolf どうしようこのままじゃ私も What am I to do—If this doesn't change, いつかは食べられちゃうわ I'll end up being eaten some day too!

その前に助けに来てね Come and rescue me before that, okay?

Translation notes *咽返る as in 咽せ返る, removing the せ makes it read as "pulling one's throat back," hence the "recoiling" **The verb here - karameru or "entwine" - is almost identical to the spelling of caramel in the previous line, making it like a comparison. ***I think it's worth mentioning that 邪魔 here is a word used in the phrase is お邪魔します, which is common to use when entering someone's room/house and means "sorry to interrupt you." Just a funny double meaning/connotation that I wouldn't want to be left vague or totally lost given that the only 'villain' we're given in this story is their parents…if you get it you get it. ****結ばれる means to be united/joined in marriage but also "to be fastened" as in like…tying together a knot. I mean like uhhh yeah you know what this is also if you get it you get it like if you know you know, you know?

[rainbowxocs]

How did you come up with everyone’s names? I see a lot of them are Japanese in origin?

That’s a very interesting question actually!!

So, specifically the Okutama crew are from Japan. I’ve been doing a plotline with them so that’s why most of the names on the blog are Japanese atm. Lol.

My characters names come from, all sorts of places. But I’ll just talk about Okutama specifically because it’s very interesting to me.

Most of My Okutama characters Date back to around.. 2015? 2016? Somewhere around there? They originally were fan characters for a VERY problematic game which I shall not mention. In fact, I use to run the most popular role playing group FOR that game on deviantart. It was a very weird time.

(Also warning, I am learning Japanese- but like.. I’m essentially a -1 year old while speaking in Japanese. So bare with me-)

Are Yoru- Are was the first character I ever made for this fandom, She originally was a self insert because the game allowed you to customize your MC and I essentially made a weird murdery version of me. Their original name was: アレクシス (Arekushisu) よる (Yoru), Which was essentially a very badly google translated version of my dead name, and the word Night (because she was edgy you see), Her name is now just Are because 99.9% of the time back then we called them アレ-ちゃん (Are-Chan). (And also the connection to my dead name made me feel weird lol and the connection to ME made me feel weird as well). Are is probably the most incomprehensible name in actual Japanese.. cause アレ is not, a name. But she has been called Are for so long I can’t imagine calling them anything else.

Yukai Mori (Yukai Hayashi)- Yukai was the second character I made, I’m like 99% sure. She was the first OC I posted to the roleplay group. She hasn’t changed much over the years, besides just, generally making her more realistic. I don’t remember the exact origin of ユカイ 林 (Yukai Hayashi). I remember wanting to give her a very unassuming name, so knowing like 11 year old me I might have just been like “Popular Japanese Names 2016” or whatever. Her new last name 森 (Mori) however comes from the word Forest. Hayashi means Woods. You can tell cause both kanji look like groups of trees 林森 . It was a subtle way to make her distance herself from her family while also still being connected to it. Her nickname is Kai-Chan! Or カイ-ちゃん

Chie Hayashi (チエ 林)- Chie’s origin is Actually really cute! She’s named after my Moms college roommate. I made her because Yukai originally had like- 12 sisters or something? But that’s shrunk down to 2- because jfc.

Kyandi Amai- Kyandi is very easy to.. figure out. she’s a person made of candy.. so.. キャンぢ 甘い (Kyandi Amai), She canonically named herself, cause I don’t think her mom would.. just name her candy baby.. candy.. She’s named after the borrowed English word for Candy, vs the word Ame (あめ), Amai however does mean sweet.

Ai Amai- Kyandis Mom, She’s a witch who accidentally turned a piece of candy alive. 愛 甘い (Ai Amai) her name is ALSO a pun. Ai means love, therefore her name would essentially be Love Sweets or I love Sweets.

Hana Seta (花 瀬田)- HANA! my beloved! She was the first one in my second generation of Okutama OCs. Where I shifted from roleplay groups to solely roleplaying with my friend Morgan. Hana was originally created as a mascot for Instagram, but solely shifted into a wackier character. I don’t remember Hana’s name meaning anything in particular. Her name means Flower and her last name means essentially rice farmer.

Kagayaki Tekikya (輝き滴下)- Originally based on J.D from Heathers.. which.. is an incredibly funny fact when you look at the character now. His last name is based on Tekiya which are the predecessors to the Yakuza. Over the years the extra K was added in and, I just cant spell it any other way. I don’t think that Kagayaki itself tho had a specific origin for me, though it does mean shiny. His nickname is Kaga-Kun or かが-くん, He can also go by 빛나는 테키키아 , Which is what his mother use to call him in her native language (Korean), he doesn’t often go by this though.

Keh Spo (ケースポ): So in Japan, normally before you get to know someone you would say their last name first, like for example Doe John instead of John Doe. So Keh’s name is Spo Keh… cause.. he’s spooky… and a ghost hunter.. thats it thats all there is too it.

Makai Mori (魔界 森): The last of the Hayashi Sisters. Makai essentially means hell or evil. Her name was not given to her by the Hayashi family, it was more of a nickname given to her before she got adopted. Makai’s demon name or True name is Beelzebub, She was named after the real Beelzebub due to her being a glutton demon and also due to her carnivorous nature attracting flies. Demons have two names, due to havinf a demons true name means having power over that demon. She also has a tendency to be called a Hellion but in a very literal sense.

Evey Aiki (イービー あいき): Aiki is a word for love. Which relates to Evey’s um… obsessive tendencies.. However I believe I chose the name Evey just because it sounded pretty. Its not a Japanese name but it is a Latin one apparently! And it means life! Which is… ironic… considering its um.. Evey..

Uru Nanamo (ウルナナモ): I do not fully remember why I named Uru this, and the translation of his name doesn’t give me much clues. However her name means to possess and budding flowers. Due to him being adopted allot, she has a few other last names as well. 朝原 (Asahara which means Field) (たなか, Tanaka, which… also means field..). He is also called Onee-Uru or Big Sister Uru. As a term of endearment by Atsu.

Atsu Kaigan (アツ 海岸): I also do not fully remember where Atsu’s name comes from exactly. BUT: It means Twin Coast!

Yuki Sho (雪翔): I wanted Yuki and Mizuki’s names to rhyme some what because they’re twins. Yuki means snow, and Sho means Royal essentially? I chose Sho because it comes from the Ryukyuan kingdoms Royal family.

Mizuki Sho (ミズキ翔): Mizuki’s name is based on a flowering tree! So he is based on spring vs Yuki who is based on Winter.. They both have a yin yang sort of thing about them. Mizuki is normally a feminine name but it is sometimes used as a male name.

TW: Because some of my characters are from the past, there are some darker themes in the story. Nothing below here goes into detail however i will explain the basic description of certain things.

Specific TWs: Child Abuse, Prositution, Historical Sexism, Just Yknow general stuff you’d find in the 1400s unfortunately.

Some Titles my Characters Have:

Yukai: Former Wakagashira of The Hayashis. Essentially what that means is that Yukai use to be the second highest ranking in her family and would handle allot of the different jobs and what not and organize things. (Side note, The Hayashis would be essentially a small town mafia. So- yknow. They would have different rules than your most popular Yakuza organization.. so just suspend your disbelief a little that there’s,, high ranking women in this mafia... cause thats not accurate irl—-)

Are: HOLY SHIT SHE HAS SO MANY TITLES. Okay. So. In order of which she got them.

Kamuro (A child courtesan who was being trained by an Oiran (a high ranking prostitute) They would be in charge of running errands and getting food for their Big Sister/Oiran)

Oiran (A high ranking Prositute, who was trained to do performance art, like tea ceremonies, dancing, music, etc.)

Maiko (A young girl who is training to be a Geisha.)

Geisha (A Entertainer which specializes in the performing arts, Mostly singing and dancing)

Maid (Low Ranking Servant, mostly does chores and cooking)

Otoshiyori (Personal Servant/Assistant to the Emperor and his Wife, the Empress)

Sokushitsu (Concubine)

Kikoe-Ogimi (Grand Royal Priestess)

Myobu (High Ranking Kitsune)

Chie: Current Oyabun of the Hayashi’s, Basically the leader of the Hayashi Family mafia due to her parents dying.

Hana: Hime Hana, Princess Consort of Hell. because she’s currently the wife of Lucy Ferr, one of the princesses of hell, she has a Royal title specifically only in hell. (It’s a Long Story). There are more common terms for princess than Hime, but due to Hana’s kinda old fashioned style she would probably use Hime. She also does not have the title “Her Imperial Highness” due to her not being in a ruling position in Japan.

Kagayaki:

Former Wakagashira of The Tekikya Family.

Maiko (Geisha and Maiko is traditionally a only female practice, however, considering theres literally portals to hell in town, most people don’t care in this universe-)

Jenn-Chan, Onee-Jenn (Full Name: Jenn-Da-Benn, or Big Sister Jenn. This is Kagayaki’s drag queen persona, Her style is mixing together modern j-fashion and traditional clothing such as Kimonos and what not. Known for accidentally shattering a window with one of her heels)

Keh:

Itako (A Blind spirit medium)

Miko (A Shrine Maiden in Shintoism)

(Both of these terms tend to be female only, but gender is fucky in this universe so-)

Yokai (This is a self proclaimed title, He also sometimes calls themself a protector of Yokai)

Ai:

Grand Witch of Okutama (Shes a very powerful witch lol)

The Original Onna Musha (Onna Musha is a term to refer to Female warriors normally alongside Samurai, due to Ai being old as dirt and also being a very powerful Warrior she is often called this)

Makai: Former Shateigashira of the Hayashis

Uru: Kami no Okurimono (Gift of Gods, A title given to him from his first family. Who was yknow.. a cult..)

Atsu: Hogo-Sha no Kami (Protector of Gods)

Yuki:

Hime Yuki (Princess Yuki)

Kamura

Oiran

Waremechan (Essentially means Cunt-Chan. A very offensive title given to her after she died)

Mizuki:

Oji Mizuki (Prince Mizuki)

Shi No Oji (Prince of Death, Given to him after his death as a way to respect him.)

[mikasaluna]

生きていたんだよな

⚠ WARNINGS：potentionally triggering content ! graphic suicide descriptions ! self harm ! dark content !

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT. MINORS WILL BE BLOCKED IMMEDIATELY.

「 Keep in mind your triggers and do not engage if it will provoke negative emotions. You are responsible for your own actions. 」

♥️

notes：gender neutral pronouns, angst, fluff (kind of?), 1,640 words

If you need help I recommend posting on r/suicidewatch or searching for your area’s local suicide helpline using ctrl+f on the following wikipedia page.

♥️

A/N：Also, I didn’t realise until now as I’m writing the tags, that most people spell Kuroo’s first name as “Tetsuro” without the “u”. I wrote it differently because that’s just the direct Japanese spelling and I didn’t know. Sorry about that.

Haikyuu!! / ハイキュー!!

Kuroo Tetsurou 黒尾鉄朗 

Kaji, hatsu, mame. Kaji, hatsu, mame. Kaji, hatsu, mame. You repeated the radicles to yourself as you wrote out the character over and over, feeling the muscle memory in your wrist kicking into gear. Your head was throbbing, hundreds of kanji readings swimming around in your mind. Now more than ever, the pressure of growing up had began to weigh down on you like a pile of bricks. Trying to make sense of all the pre-set rules in your life was difficult enough as it was, but just trying was never good enough. Nothing ever was. For every happy person in the world, there had to be an opposite, there had to be a person like you. It was pathetic. You were so damn pathetic. 

Your relationship with your mother, who’d left Japan to raise you all on her own, was hanging by threads. Could you really blame her though? Your grades had been falling steadily over the semester, and the scholarship which you’d worked so hard for was slipping through your fingers. You’d given up on yourself, and you wouldn’t be surprised if she’d given up on you too. The things that used to be so easy, laughing together at your little wooden dining table, became so far away, every night like a video tape stuck on repeat.

一体何を思ってるんだろう！バカの？

“What the hell are you thinking! Are you stupid?”

Why should you care? Maybe things would be easier if you just let your life fall to pieces. Maybe once you had nothing left to hold on to, you could finally break free. Maybe all this time, all you ever were was stupid. 

わかんない。

“I don’t know.”

You were lying through your teeth. Of course you knew. You were stupid for ever believing in all the things that made your life worth living, because they didn’t mean a thing at all. Locking yourself in your room, like you always did, isolating yourself. Too craven to face your problems, too tired to care. I can’t do this anymore. You’d been wandering through life aimlessly for so long. Searching for something, anything; waiting for that reason to come into your life, like every other person was insistent it would. Forcing yourself through each and every day, waiting and waiting; but it was time you realised, that reason never really existed at all. It was just another lie people told themselves, to try and make sense of their own existence. You were sure they knew as well as you did now, somewhere deep in their hearts, that their lives, your life, was just another figure on the chart. Another meaningless statistic. Your thoughts were racing, clogging up your brain and threatening to spew out of your mouth. You pulled your diary out from under your pillow;

’Thursday, 24th of December’

「Today’s a special day, isn’t it? I don’t know if I’ll be around for Christmas this year, that’s okay, it was never really my thing anyway. 

お母さん、ごめんなさい。いま、離れなくちゃダメだ。　　」

“Okaa-san, I’m sorry. I have to leave you now.”

With that, you couldn’t take it anymore. You’d been thinking about this day longer than you could bear, drafting your final words over and over in your head. But when it came down to it, was there really a right thing to say?

Grabbing your grey hoodie, you plugged some headphones into your i-pod. You’d figured that leaving your phone behind was a better idea, it meant that no one could call or track you. You’d do it right, and this time you’d make sure not to wake up ever again. Reaching the pavement outside, you began moving along you streets. You walked slowly, taking the time to look along the streets one last time. It was almost nostalgic, dream-like in a sense. The urban road you grew up  which you had never payed much mind, was calming. For once in a long time, you felt truly at peace.

There was a parking building nearby, one which your Okaa-san often parked in. It was tall and old, reaching 7 storeys into the sky, surrounded below by solid, grey asphalt. This was it. In the elevator ride to the top floor your heart was beating hard in your chest, thoughts so loud you thought they’d grow out of your mind and become real. You couldn’t allow yourself to look back now.

Standing by the ledge of the building, you looked out over the city, and wondered if anybody could see you up there. What would they think of you, somebody who’d throw their life away so easily? Hitting play on your i-pod, 生きていたんだよな (ikiteitandayona) by あいみょん (aimyon) began to play. The lyrics were tragic and bittersweet, but the rhythm made your adrenaline pump. You teetered even closer to the building’s edge, legs wobbling. The height made you feel dizzy as you peered down off the drop, and all the way down to the pavement below. But not for a second did you feel scared.

冷たいアスファルトに流れるあの血

♩ ‘On the cold asphalt, their blood flows.’

赤さが綺麗で綺麗で

♩ ‘That red is beautiful, beautiful.’

How long would you fall? You thought, sitting down and swinging your legs over the side of the building. You almost wanted to laugh. It reminded you of all those times you had snuck onto the school roof with your classmate in high school, what was his name again? Kuroo? Right, Kuroo Tetsurou. On the last week of school while you were skipping last period maths together, you had convinced him to smoke a joint with you right there on the roof. Those were the final memories you had ever made together, since you’d each left for different universities. Why were you thinking of him now, of all times?

最後のサヨナラは他の誰でもなく

♩ ‘Their last goodbye,'

Standing up, you leaned back and looking out over the view, one last time.

自分に叫んだんだろう

♩ ‘screamed to nobody but themself.’

You took a breath in, deep enough to feel your lungs burn. Tears stung at your eyes, but you bit them back and closed your eyes. Part of you wished you could fix this all, but you didn’t know how. You didn’t have the energy to try and make things better.

鳥になって 雲をつかんで

♩ ‘becoming a bird and grabbing the clouds’

Shuffling your toes over the edge, you had made the decision in your head.

風になって

♩ ‘becoming the wind...’

Your muscles relaxed, and you allowed yourself to fall off of the edge.

“WAIT-!” You heard a scream for a split second, a hand grabbing hopelessly at the back of your hoodie as you began to descend. It was too late now. The wind in your ears blocked out the voice yelling from above, muffling the sound. It was strangely tranquil here, floating down off the the 7th floor, the clearest your head had felt in months. Nevertheless, you couldn’t help but wonder.

Was this the right choice?

Finally, the concrete embraced you as your body slammed into the ground.

[This artwork does not belong to me. I saved it to my laptop a long time ago and now I can’t find the source, if you know the artist please send me a message so I can credit properly.]

________________________________________________________________

Your eyes fluttered open and bright white light flooded your vision.

Where the hell am I?

Everything hurt. Your head was pounding and your mind was fuzzy. Cotton sheets lay underneath your aching body and a mess of black hair lay beside you. Someone was sitting on a chair next to the bed, his cheek resting on your arm, shoulders rising and falling slowly in his sleep.

“Tetsurou?” Your voice came out broken and hoarse. 

He lifted his head slowly, eyes red and swollen, had he been crying? 

“W-where am I?”

“We’re in the hospital,” he said shakily “the firefighters caught you when you fell.”

The memories came flooding back. That’s right, you jumped. So, that wasn’t the ground you felt back then? Your head was filled with questions, but you weren’t sure where to start. He probably thought you were pathetic too, but part of you was just so happy. Happy you were alive to see him again. Kuroo had to be the only friend who ever really understood you and your stupid humor, having him there reminded you of that. Maybe it had impacted you more than you realised, not having a single person at uni who really got you.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He uttered quietly from beside you.

“Tell you what, Tetsurou?” You looked over, sitting up steadily. His eyes were filled with pain.

“I was so scared, why didn’t you tell me what was going on!” Kuroo covered his face with his hand, but you could still see the tears falling onto his lap as he spoke. “I-I love you, you know that right? I still love you, and I would do anything... so why the hell didn’t you come talk to me!” His confession was broken and hurt, but it made your stomach twist. You couldn’t even understand it yourself, why you felt like this.

“What was I supposed to say? I’m pathetic, I don’t have any other reason.” It was true. Compared to most people, your life was easy. You had a family, a home, friends, education. What reason did you really have? To try to end your life, to be unhappy at all.

“I don’t care about that, just please... don’t leave me again.” It was the first time you’d ever heard Kuroo being so serious, and it almost scared you. Tears were stinging in your eyes at his words. You felt his big arms wrap around you, enveloping you in a safe, warm hug as your tears stained his shirt. Were you really so oblivious that you never realised how he felt about you?

“O-okay... and, Tetsurou?” 

“Yes?”

“I love you too.”

[pupa-cinema]

Happy Go Lucky Heads - SHOW-GUTS - Lyrics English Translation

Lyrics: Sekihan   Music: 324 こたつこたつこたつで In my kotatsu, kotatsu, kotatsu　 みかんみかんみかん Oranges, oranges, oranges こたつでスマフォ片手に　 In my kotatsu, with cell phone in hand みかんみかんみかん Oranges, oranges, oranges こたつこたつパソコン　 Kotatsu, kotatsu, laptop みかんみかんみかん Oranges, oranges, oranges こたつテレビパソコン　 Kotatsu, TV, laptop みかんみかんみかん Oranges, oranges, oranges

ああああああああああ AAAAAA 家でこたつ入って　 Cozy at home, I slip into my kotatsu 何も変化なし Life is static ずっと食って寝てるさ　 All I do is eat and sleep 何も変化なし Life is static そうだ！抱負思いついたよ　 Oh get this! I just thought of a grand idea どやさどやさどやさ Smirky, smirky, smirk だけど！既に忘れちゃったよ　 But wait! I already forgot it 何も変化なし Life is static

噛みしめる年越しのそば Nibbling away at toshikoshi soba (歯ごたえはなく　コシもない) (There’s nothing to dig my teeth into, it isn’t chewy) 寝正月　明日の自分の Spending the holidays in bed, it’s a metaphor for what I’m gonna be tomorrow; 鏡餅メタファー(陽！) A metaphor for kagami-mochi (Yo! [Light])

さぁ　さぁ　表へ走れ Come now, come now, dash outside the house 怠惰　掻き分けて　そら　参れ　参れ Blast past my lazy feelings, 'tis shrine visit time, shrine visit time さぁ　さぁ　サーフ　初詣 Come now, come now, surf on: Hatsumoude 人の波を乗り越え　神頼み(陽！) Surf over the sea of people, make a prayer to God (Yo!)

尊い　踏み出す一歩 With good vibes, I take the first step 胸に　初めてのぼる　日の出　日の出 Inside my heart rises the first sunrise, sunrise 本当のあたしデビューなの This girl right here is debuting her true self 今だ見せつけるべし！ね？SHOW-GUTS！ Now’s my moment of glory! Ain’t it? SHOW-GUTS!

こたつこたつこたつじゃ　 Kotatsu, kotatsu, just being in my kotatsu いかんいかんいかん This is all wrong, all wrong, all wrong こたつでスマフォ片手じゃ　 Just in my kotatsu, with cell phone in hand いかんいかんいかん This is all wrong, all wrong, all wrong こたつこたつパソコン　 Kotatsu, kotatsu, laptop いかんいかんいかん This is all wrong, all wrong, all wrong こたつテレビパソコン Kotatsu, TV, laptop いかんいかんいかん This is all wrong, all wrong, all wrong

ああああああああああ AAAAAAAAA こたつ抜けて服着て　to the 神の前 I slip out of my kotatsu, get dressed, and go to stand before the Gods 遠路電車乗り継ぎ　to the 神の前 Swapping train lines back and forth on my long journey to go stand before the Gods どうだ！俺は生��れ変わった　どやさどやさどやさ How do you like me now! I’ve been reborn! Smirky, smirky, smirk そうさ！これで万事解決！　to the 神の前 How’s that for a happy ending! All’s swell! Now I go to stand before the Gods

脳内　語りかけるは In my head They talk to me (万物の神　マイティーゴッド) (The creation Gods, the mighty God) カジュアル　ストリート風 Casually, like streetpunk style 今風の神だ What a hip God

さぁ　さぁ　神の御前だ You’re in the presence of the Gods 何を　お願いしよう　参れ　参れ What ever should I pray to them for, it's shrine visit time, shrine visit time 「No No　それじゃ届かない “No no, they won’t lend an ear if you pray like that まずは　礼儀作法の　嗜みを　そんで First you gotta learn proper etiquette もっと　普段の暮らし This is something you can practice even- そこで　出��ることから　改善　改善 -throughout your day to day life, so pull it together, pull it together 一回帰れ　出直せ」 Leave, and come back when you're ready” なぜに　厳しすぎるぜ　Oh MY GOD！ What the hell, this is way too strict

THIS IS JAPANESE HOW TO PRAY THIS IS JAPANESE HOW TO PRAY

目覚めたこたつの中で I woke up snug in my kotatsu (部屋着　出掛けた跡もない) (Still in my pajamas, no sign that I ever left) 初夢　夢オチなんて My first dream of the year, I can’t believe it was all a dream (なんてオメでたい) (How happy go lucky) 今年の年越しのそば Eating toshikoshi soba (歯ごたえぱない　コシぱない) (My teeth dig right into it, its so chewy) 寝正月　今日の自分よ Spending the holidays in bed, that’s me alright 変わる時が来た A chance to change..

さぁ　さぁ　表へ走れ Come now, come now, dash outside the house 怠惰　掻き分けて　そら　参れ　参れ Blast past my lazy feelings, 'tis shrine visit time, shrine visit time さぁ　さぁ　サーフ　初詣 Come now, come now, surf on: Hatsumoude 人の波を乗り越え　神頼み(陽！) Surf over the sea of people, make a prayer to God (Yo!) 尊い　踏み出す一歩 With good vibes, I take the first step 胸に　初めてのぼる　日の出　日の出 Inside my heart rises the first sunrise, sunrise 本当のあたしデビューなの This girl right here is debuting her true self 今だ見せつけるべし！ね？SHOW-GUTS！ Now’s my moment of glory! Ain’t it? SHOW-GUTS!

Footnotes:

● Kotatsu and oranges: https://www.giantbomb.com/kotatsu/3055-2702/ . They’re so cozy you never want to leave... Turn the TV on and melt..

● Toshikoshi soba: new year's noodles. They're traditionally eaten because the long shape is metaphorical for living a long fulfilling life in the years to come, not to mention how tasty they are!

● Kagami mochi are two mochi cakes stacked up on each other, with a daitai orange on top! It’s said to be a vessel for the God to come visit your house, spend time with you and bless you. The two mochi represent light and dark, night and day: hence the ‘Light陽’ in the lyrics. 陽 is read ‘Yoh’, similar to the hip word ‘Yo’, so Sekihan used it with double meaning.

They’re called kagami because they’re shaped like old circular mirrors, and like yata no kagami, such mirrors were believed to be vessels for Gods! The daidai(橙) fruit on top is reddish because red is believed to be the color ward off evil, PLUS it’s a strong fruit that stays on the tree throughout the years PLUS it’s even a pun - daidai is close to the word daitai ‘代々‘ meaning ‘years after years’.

● Hatsumoude is the visiting of a shrine at the beginning of the new year, to pray for good luck and draw fortunes. It is typically done the first 3 days of the January, leading to shrines becoming crowded full to the brime: hence the ‘sea of people’ in the lyrics.

● Watching the first sunrise of the year is believed to be good luck, the vivid and blazing beginning! ● Your first dream is believed to be an omen too! It sets the stage. ● Omedetai is actually a word with new years nuances in the first place. It originates from verb めで meaning “praise”, the holidays are a celebration worthy of praise, thus it just evolved into a standard new years greeting. ●  The title is a verbal pun: 正月(New years) is pronounced shougatsu, so they took a macho twist on it and turned it into “Show Guts”, pronounced similar. It’s intended hold the spirit of a “Show me your guts, your vigor” type of thing.

● Many people don’t know the proper amount of times to clap or bow their head when praying at Hatsumoude, which is what inspired the lyrics and an easter egg in the music: it’s replicating the “ 2 bows, 2 claps, 1 bow” praying etiquette done at shrines. https://cooljapan-videos.com/en/articles/bxcpxfg0

● Interview(via Meetia) https://meetia.net/interview/omedetashowguts Interviewer(Yamada Soutaro): Tell me about “SHOW-GUTS”. Besides the lyrics being seen in an optimistic light,

Sekihan: Yep. In terms of concept, the message is hidden under the guise of memes but, at its core is the idea that “Nothing will ever change so long as you never try to move forward on your own volition".

Ever since we started this band, I've come  to think this a lot lot, and now it's become part of who I am deep down. I'm personally glad I pinpointed this feeling, so now it's my turn to preach it to others. This feeling and aaalll of this type of stuff is going right into our songs.

mao: Then there's "2 bows, 2 claps, 1 bow" in it as well, because we wanted to include that. Well, 324 did.

324: Ever since we made this song I never forget "2 bows, 2 claps, 1 bow" anymore! Every time I prayed I'd need to google it beforehand! I'd be at a loss of what exactly to do.

● The text at the beginning of the music video reads 謹賀新年(Happy new year), along with mountain and bird imagery-climbing mountains to see the first sun rise in its full glory is a tradition, while the birds' beaks look resemble a rooster's, as the song was released in 2017, the year of the rooster.

Then the letters behind the stage spell out the band name, but it’s done in the style of kakizome: calligraphic writing of one’s new year’s resolution.

[andersunmenschlich]

Mazenda attacks

―何!? —What!?

あたしはあわてて身を起こす。 I jerked upright with a start.

その日の夜。 That night.

偽名で宿に部屋を取り、二階にある自分の部屋で眠っていたのだが… We took rooms at an inn under false names, and I was sleeping in my room on the second floor....

目がさめたのは、焼けつくような殺気のせいだった。 What woke me was a burning bloodlust.

枕もとに置いた剣を手に取り、ベッドのふちにひっかけていたマントに手を伸ばす。 I grabbed the sword I'd put by my pillow and reached for the mantle on the bed's edge.

その瞬間。 That instant.

ドゴワゥッ！ Dgowu!

強烈な衝撃が、部屋全体をゆさぶった。 An intense shock shook the entire room.

「…なっ…!?」 "—Wha—!?"

マントを背中にはおりつつ、部屋のドアを開く。 Slinging the mantle over my shoulders, I opened the room door.

「くっ…！」 "Ugh—!"

コゲくさいにおいと熱気が顔を打つ。 Hot air and the smell of burning struck my face.

そして、ふたたび宿をゆるがす振動と爆発音。 And, once again, the inn shook to the sound of an explosion.

熱気がぐんっ、とはね上がる。 The heat leaped/rose sharply.

階段のほうは、はやオレンジ色に染まっていた。 The direction of the stairs was already steeped in orange.

―誰かがここを攻撃している！ —Someone's attacking this place!

となればおそらく―狙いはあたしとゼロス。 In which case—they were probably aiming for me and Xellos.

あたしは浮遊（レビテーション）の術を唱えつつ、ふたたび自分の部屋へ戻る。窓を開くと、そこから宙に身を踊らせ― Chanting the Levitation (Floating) spell, I returned to my room. Open the window, leap into the air—

がさしゃどっ！ Gashadon!

「…あいたたたたた…」 "...Owwwww...."

…そ―だった。 ...Right.

とっさのことですっかり忘れていたが、ふつ―じゃ術はつかえないんだっけ… In the heat of the moment I completely forgot, but I can't use magic normally, can I....

今の浮遊（レビテーション）も、窓から飛び出したその瞬間は、ふわり、とした手ごたえがあったのだが、結果は―ごらんの通りだったりする。 In the moment when I leaped out the window, that Levitation spell had responded with a soft, lifting feeling, but the ultimate outcome was—well, this.

ま下に背の低い木が植えてあったからいいようなものの、そうでなければ、���くらいくじいていたかもしれない。 Because a short tree was growing directly below, things turned out all right. If it hadn't been, I could've ended up with twisted legs.

…しまった。あの呪符（タリスマン）使ってみるんだった… ...Nuts. If I'd used that talism....

などと思いつつ、なんとか植木の間からはい出す。 I thought, extricating myself from the tree.

その目の前に― Directly before my eyes—

彼女は静かに立っていた。 She was standing quietly.

「―ひさしぶりね―」 "...Been a while, hasn't it...."

紅い唇が、笑みの形に小さく歪む。 The red lips slant slightly in the shape of a smile.

「聞いたわ。バルグモンから。 ―あなた―あのリナ = インバースなんですって？」 "I heard. From Bargumon. ...You—you're that Lina Inverse?"

ねちりとした光を瞳に浮かべ、マゼンダは、一歩しずかにあたしの方に歩み寄る。 Eyes glinting with a distorted light, Mazenda takes a slow step toward me.

「―アメリアは…アメリアとガウリイは無事なの!?」 "...Amelia.... Are Amelia and Gourry all right!?"

彼女の放つ、なんとも言えないプレッシャーに気圧されて、あたしははじわり、と後退する。 Overpowered by the indescribable pressure she gives off, I (waver and) fall back/retreat.

額ににじむこの汗は、はや宿の半ば近くをなめ回す、炎の生んだ熱気のせいだけではない。 The sweat rising on my forehead is now longer purely the result of the heat from the flames licking the nearby inn.

「―ああ。あの女の子の方は無事でしょ。たぶん、ね。 もうひとりの方は知らないけれど…」 "...Oh. The girl is all right. Probably. I don't know about the other one, though...."

「あの獣人たちは、何て言ってたの？たしかヴェドゥルとか言う…」 "Those beastmen, what were they called? Vedru, I think—"

「知らないわ…」 "I don't know...."

熱気に髪をなびかせて、また一歩、マゼンダは歩み寄る。 Hair fluttering/waving/swaying in the hot air, Mazenda advances another step.

「あのひとたちには会ってない…私が合ったのはバルグモンにだけ… ―けど、あなたの名を聞いた時にはおどろいたわ… もしもあなたが、リナ = インバースだということを知ってれば… はじめに出会ったあの時…遊んだりせずに、その場で殺しておけばよかった…」 "I didn't meet those people.... I only saw Bargumon.... But my, I was surprised when I heard your name.... If I'd known you were Lina Inverse... the first time we met... I should have killed you on the spot, no playing around...."

「それにしても…いきなり宿に火をつけるなんて、あんましスマートなやりくちじゃないわね…」 "Even so... abruptly setting fire to an inn? That's not a very smart way of doing things, is it...."

言って、あたしはその場で足を止めた。 I say, standing my ground.

マゼンダの顔に、ややけげんそうな色が浮かぶ。 A slightly dubious/puzzled/suspicious color rises to/shows itself on Mazenda's face.

「―そう言えば―バルグモンの話だと、あなたの他にもうひとり、得体の知れない神官（プリースト）がいた、ということだけど― もう火に巻かれたのかしらね？」 "—Come to think of it—according to Bargumon, there was someone besides you: a strange priest—I suppose he's wrapped in flames by now."

「いえ―」 "No—"

あたしはゆっくりとかぶりを振った。 I shook my head slowly.

「いるわ。あなたの後ろにね…」 "He's here. Behind you...."

彼女は低い笑みを漏らす。 She smiles very slightly.

「…ふふ…つまらない嘘ね…」 "...Haha... such a foolish lie...."

「―いいえ―本当ですよ。マゼンダさん」 "No—it's the truth, Ms. Mazenda."

そのとたん― In that instant—

マゼンダの顔がまともにこわばる。 Mazenda's face freezes.

「―ま―まさか―」 "N—no way—"

ゆっくりと、彼女は首をめぐらせる。 Slowly, she turns her head.

視線の行きつくその先に― And there—

黒いローブの神官（プリースト）の姿。 The figure of a black-robed priest.

「―ゼロス！」 "—Xellos!"

マゼンダは、悲鳴に近い声を上げた。 Mazenda cries in a voice that's almost a scream.

「なんで―なんであなたがこんあ所に!?」 "Why—why are you here!?"

「いやいや…それはこっちのセリフですよ…まさか、よりによって、魔王信仰の邪教の幹部さんとは…」 "No, no.... That's my line. ...How unexpected, that you'd be high in the ranks of a demon lord-worshiping cult, of all things...."

言ってゼロスは苦笑を浮かべる。 Xellos says, smiling wryly.

「けど―それならそれで、自分の教祖様が、一体何の目的で動いているか、くらいのことは把握しといた方がいいと思いますけどねぇ…」 "However—that being the case, I really think you would do well to grasp with what aim, precisely, your honored leader is moving, at the very least...."

「―す…するとクロツが持ち帰ったのは―!?」 "S—so what Kurotsu brought back—!?"

よほど動揺しているらしく、自分の親分呼び捨てである。 Evidently greatly shaken, she refers to her own boss without any honorifics.

絶句するマゼンダに、ゼロスは深々とうなずくと、むしろ嬉々とした口調で、 Xellos nods deeply to the speechless Mazenda and speaking in an unnaturally/unexpectedly merry tone, says,

「そう。異界黙示録（クレアバイブル）の写本です。 ―こいう立場になった以上、あなたと僕は敵どうし。そうでなくても― あなたを野放しにしておくわけにもいきませんからね」 "Yes. A Claire Bible manuscript. —Due to this situation, you and I are enemies. ...Even if the situation were different, I could hardly leave you at large."

「―どうするつもりよぉ…」 "...What do you plan to do...."

今にも消え入りそうな口調で言いながら、後ろに退るマゼンダ。 Mazenda's voice is a vanishing moan as she backs away.

さっきまでの、あたしに対する余裕ぶっちぎりの態度はどこへやら、もはやすっかり腰が引けていたりする。 The attitude of overflowing confidence she'd had toward me had now entirely flowed away.

おびえまくっているマゼンダに、ゼロスはにっこりほほえむと、 Xellos smiled sweetly at the terrified Mazenda.

「…どうする、って…決まってるでしょう」 "What, you ask... isn't it obvious?"

その瞬間。 That instant.

「ひぃっ！」 "Aaa!"

マゼンダは、小さな悲鳴を上げるやいなや、迷うことなく身をひるがえし、炎を上げて燃え盛る、宿の中へと身を踊らせる！ Mazenda emits a tiny scream and, without hesitation, turns and flings herself into the blazing inn!

「ちょっとぉっ！」 "Whoa—!"

思わず声を上げるあたしの肩に、そっとゼロスは手を置いた。 I exclaim involuntarily, and Xellos gently puts his hand on my shoulder.

「ち…ちょっとゼロス！これって一体ど―いうことなのよっ！」 "H—hang on, Xellos! What the heck is this!?"

しかしあたしの問いには答えず、 But without answering my question,

「―追います」 "—I'm going after her."

「…へ？」 "...Say what?"

思わず間の抜けた声を出すあたし。 without thinking [a voice drawn (from me) by the moment] I raise

「僕は今からマゼンダさんを追いかけます」 "I am going to pursue Ms. Mazenda now."

「追いかける…ってあんた、正気なの!?相手はもう火の中よっ！」 "Pursue her... you say—are you sane!? She's in a fire!"

「いえいえ、大丈夫。彼女はこれくらいじゃあ死にませんよ」 "No, no, it's all right. Something like that isn't going to kill her."

何が大丈夫なんだ。それは。 What part of that is 'all right'.

「ともかく―僕は今から彼女を追いかけて、必ず何とかしてみせます」 "In any case—I am going to pursue her now, and I will certainly manage something for you."

「…な…何とか…って？」 "...So-something....?"

「つまり、あなたの術が使えるようにしてさしあげる、ということです」 "In other words, what I do will give you the ability to use your magic."

すずしい顔で彼は言う。 He says with a clear, unruffled expression.

「一時協力の約束をしたすぐあとで申し訳ありませんが―必ず追いついてみせますから。教えてください。連中の本拠は？」 "I apologize for leaving so soon after the promise of temporary alliance—but I will follow and catch up with you. Please, tell me: where is the group's headquarters?"

「―マ―マインの村あたりよ…」 "...So-somewhere around the town of Main...."

思わず正直に答えるあたし。 Unthinkingly, I answer honestly.

「―わかりました。それでは僕はこれで。いずれ近いうちにまたお会いしましょう」 "Understood. Well then, I'm leaving now. Let's meet again sometime soon."

そう言うと、ゼロスはその言葉の通り、マゼンダの後を追い、迷うことなく炎の中に飛び込み、消えた。 So saying, Xellos does just as he said and follows Mazenda, leaping without hesitation into the roaring flames of the blazing inn, and vanishes.

二人が消えたそのあたに、残るはあたしと、なおも激しく火の手を噴き上げる宿屋。 After their disappearance, only I and the ever more violently burning inn remain. (Translator's note: Now, that's what you call an innferno.)

「―何なのよ…一体…」 "...What in the name of...."

あたしはただただぼ―ぜんと、燃え上がる炎眺めていたのだった… I stood blankly, dazed, and watched the blazing flames....

もしこれで、宿の火事が消えたあと、二人の焼死体が発見されたりしようもんなら、指さして笑うぞ、などと心の中で思いつつ。 If their burnt corpses are discovered after this fire's burned out, I'm gonna point and laugh.

—白銀の魔獣, chapter 2, page 66 (100)

[kaialone]

Spirit Tracks Translation Comparison: Before the Final Battle

This will be a comparison of the original Japanese version and the US English localized version.

Specifically, this will cover the cutscene after the Demon Train is defeated, during which Princess Zelda and Link prepare for the final battle.

You can also watch this cutscene for yourself in English and Japanese. If you want, you can check out the EU English version, too.

For the comparison, the usual points apply:

Bolded is the original Japanese text, for the reference.

Bolded and italicized is my translation.

Italicized is the official NOA translation.

A (number) indicates that I have a specific comment to make on that part in the translation notes.

As you read this, please keep in mind that with translations like these, it’s important not to focus on the exact literal wordings, since there is no single “correct answer” when it comes to translations.

Rather than that, consider the actual information that is being conveyed, in which way, and why.

--

Characters in this part who had their names changed between versions:

Sharin = Anjean, Mallador = Malladus, Dego = Byrne, Kimaroki = Cole

--

Final Preparations:

Anjean:

いよいよ大詰めじゃな

This is it.

This is it.

Anjean:

マラドー達を倒せば 全てが終わる

Once you beat Mallador and the other one, it will all be over.  (1)

Once we defeat Malladus, all of this can end.

Anjean:

ここは ワシも共に行こう おぬしらだけでは危険すぎる

This time I'm also coming with you. It’s too dangerous for you two to go alone.

I shall accompany you from here on out.

It's too dangerous for just the two of you.

Byrne:

師匠は私と戦った傷が いえていないでしょう

Master, I know your wounds from our battle haven't healed yet.

But your wounds from our battle are still fresh.

Byrne:

それに奴らの気配を探るため 多くの気も使ったはずです

And you must have used up a lot of energy just trying to find those guys.

And what's to come will be very demanding.

Byrne:

ここは私が…

This time, I will...  (2)

It's my turn now, Master. It's...the least I can do.

Zelda:

シャリン様 休んでいてください

Lady Sharin, please rest.

Yes, Anjean, it's time for you to rest.

Zelda:

たかだか魔王と 子分一人です

リンクと わたしだけで充分ですよ

It is only a demon king and one henchman.

Link and I will suffice.

Link and I can take care of them.

After all, it's just Malladus and Cole.

It'll be a piece of cake.

Zelda:

あなたもです

The same goes for you.

You should stay behind too, Byrne.

Zelda:

怪我人は おとなしく していてくださいな

You are injured, so you should keep resting for now, alright?

You're both too injured to help us now.

Byrne:

…

...

...

Anjean:

分かった…

Alright...

As you wish, my dear.

Anjean:

おぬしたちに全て 任せよう…

よろしく頼む ゼルダ リンク

We'll leave everything to you...

I'm counting on you, Zelda. Link.

It's up to you two, then, Link and Zelda.

May the spirits be with you.

Anjean:

今のワシには これくらいしか してやれん…後を頼む

This is all I can do for you now... the rest is up to you.

I can do no more. You must go forth on your own.

Zelda:

シャリン様 ありがとうございます

Thank you so much, Lady Sharin.

Thank you for everything, Anjean.

Zelda:

リンク …参りましょう

Link. ...Let us depart.

It's time for us to go, Link.

Zelda:

…ね リンク…

...Say, Link...

Oh, but one last thing before we go.

Zelda:

一つ聞かせてください あなたは 戦いが終わったら…

There is one thing I would like to ask you. Once we finish this battle...

Once we put all this ugliness behind us,

we'll both resume our normal lives.

When that happens, what are you going to do?

Zelda:

その後は…どうするのですか？

What will you do... after that?

What will you become?

Link:

機関士になる / 剣士になる / わからない

Become an engineer. / Become a swordsman. / I don't know.

Engineer. / Warrior. / Dunno.

Zelda:

そうですか…では いきましょう リンク

I see... Well then, we should go, Link.

I see... Well, I think we can go now, Link.

Anjean:

さすがは あの ばあ様の血筋…ということかの

She really does take after that old grannie... Wouldn't you say so?  (3)

Her ancestors would be proud of her.

Byrne:

……

...

...

Translation Notes:

In Japanese, マラドー達/Maradō-tachi is used again here. Since Anjean probably doesn’t really know Cole’s name, I went for “Mallador and the other one“. Given the context, leaving Cole out entirely like the English version did would make sense as well.

Since Byrne doesn’t finish his line in Japanese, the exact details of what he meant to say are up to interpretation. So I tried to make my translation not too specific.

The line I adapted as “She really does take after that old grannie“ would more literally translate to something like “Just like I’d expect from that old gannie’s lineage”. But this is the sort of phrase that generally carries the basic sentiment of the former, so I went for that in my adaptation, because I felt it sounded more natural in English.

--

Comparisons & Thoughts:

This is a rather short cutscene, but it’s the proverbial calm before the storm, the last moment of rest before the final battle.

As such, there are a few important moments in it that I want to go over in more detail, so this section won’t be as short.

-

We will start with this bit of dialogue from Byrne:

And you must have used up a lot of energy just trying to find those guys.

And what’s to come will be very demanding.

In the Japanese version, Byrne is referring to earlier, where Anjean tried to find Malladus and Cole by sensing their energy. This process has apparently cost her a lot of her own energy as well, according to Byrne.

So, Anjean is not just injured and drained from her battle with Byrne, she hasn’t even really rested since then, and used up more of her power, too.

In the English version, Byrne instead points out that the coming battle will be demanding.

I’m assuming they changed the mention of Anjean’s search since they already changed so many details about that. Another possibility is that they just mistranslated the Japanese line here.

Either way, this means that in the English version it’s less clear just how bad a shape Anjean is in.

-

Like I mentioned in the translation notes, Byrne’s next line is technically not complete in Japanese.

He literally says ここは私が/koko wa watashi ga, which in this context can be pretty safely be adapted as something like “This time, I will” or “It’s my turn now”, but there is some room for the imagination when it comes to the exact details of what he might’ve wanted to say.

The fact that he trails off doesn’t seem arbitrary to me, though.

My personal interpretation is that it’s a combination of Byrne just being almost too injured to speak so much himself, and possibly him not wanting to fully express his feelings, trying not to seem vulnerable. It’s likely that he does feel somewhat guilty about what he did, and wants to make up for it.

But that’s just me.

In the English version, Byrne’s line is completed, and they add “It’s…the least I can do”  to it.

This spells out what was one possible interpretation in the original Japanese, and in turn gives Byrne a direct admission of guilt here.

I think this was probably another change made to make Byrne seem a bit more openly sympathetic, though it also could’ve just been to make his line less vague and thus easier to understand.

-

In both the Japanese and English versions, Zelda expresses her confidence that Malladus and Cole will be easy to beat for her and Link.

But each version does it slightly differently.

In Japanese, she says it’s “only a demon king and one henchman.”

This one works in a slightly ironic manner. Zelda is clearly dismissing the two as a threat, saying she and Link could easily handle them, but at the same time, a literal demon king is not something you would normally dismiss so easily.

So, in one sense, Zelda is also showing her confidence here by acting like a demon king is not something to be taken as a serious threat.

Similarly, Cole is dismissed by just being called “one henchman”. Notice also how Zelda doesn’t refer to either of them by name in this line, disregarding the two even further.

In English, she says it’s “just Malladus and Cole.“

The way Zelda is simply referring to these two by their given names here also comes across as dismissive, just in a different manner.

Just using their names can work to downplay them, treating them like they’re just some guys, rather than the dangerous demons they are.

But, if that was the intent, it’s a bit weakened by the fact that characters usually just refer to these two by their given names anyway, so there isn’t much of a contrast to how they normally talk about them.

In any case, the English version also adds the line “It’ll be a piece of cake”, making Zelda’s tone more clear.

-

This next point might be a bit long, but I wanted to talk about it.

When asking Anjean and Byrne to rest, Zelda says this:

You are injured, so you should keep resting for now, alright?

You’re both too injured to help us now.

There isn’t actually any problem with the English version here. It’s a logical way to adapt the Japanese line.

At most, you could argue that Zelda comes across as slightly more caring in Japanese, but her intent is clear either way, I feel.

But there is something else here that I noticed.

While it could be a coincidence, I think this line from Zelda might be a parallel to a previous line Cole said, earlier in the Japanese version of the game.

Specifically, this line he said when he first revealed his true nature:

“You brat should’ve just kept playing pretend-monarch at the castle like a good girl!!”

Because of that, I tried to adapt both lines in a way that gets across their similarities, but they’re more apparent in Japanese, so let me break them down for you.

Zelda’s line in this cutscene here is “怪我人は おとなしくしていてくださいな”, which reads as “kega-nin wa otonashiku shiteite kudasai na“.

One could translate it slightly more literally as: “You injured ones should stay here quietly, alright?”

Cole’s line was “ガキはおとなしく城で王様ごっこしてりゃいいんだよ!!“, which reads as “gaki wa otonashiku shiro de ōsama-gokko shiterya iinda yo!!”.

One could translate this one slightly more literally as: “You brat should've just stayed at the castle quietly, playing pretend-monarch!!”

As you can see, the two lines have a notably similar structure in Japanese.

In particular, they both make use of the adjective おとなしく/otonashiku, which literally means “quiet”, but can also have more specific meanings depending on the context.

In Zelda’s line, she is using “quiet” in a manner that means “to rest”, “to take it easy”, etc.

In Cole’s line, he’s using “quiet” in a manner that means “well-behaved”, “like a good child”, etc.

Again, the similarities could be a coincidence, but I can’t help but feel this was an intentional parallel.

If you interpret it that way, it shows the contrast between the two, specifically the way they talk to those whom they are responsible for.

Adding to that, it also shows the contrast between Cole referring to Zelda as just a brat, and the reliable and caring way Zelda acts in reality, now that she has had to take up responsibility.

In any case, this is still a big moment for Zelda, since her actions and words in this scene seem to prove her merit and growth to both Anjean and Byrne.

With that said, even if we do assume this is an intentional parallel, it’s also very subtle. Because of that, the fact that the English version didn’t also include a possible parallel like that isn’t much of a loss for a casual audience.

I wasn’t too happy with how the English version adapted Cole’s line back then, but Zelda’s English line in this scene right here is completely fine.

-

When Anjean says that she will leave it to Zelda and Link, the English version adds the line “May the spirits be with you” to her dialogue.

I’m guessing this was supposed to give more weight to her words here, to make them sound more important or the like?

But I don’t think it works that well here, since the point that the game ends up making is that Zelda and Link manage to protect the land without divine protection.

“May the spirits be with you” sounds nice as a phrase, but it’s at odds with the game’s story when you actually stop and think about it.

-

The next bit I want to go over is the question that Zelda asks Link, and the answers he can give.

In the Japanese version, Zelda asks Link what he will do after their battle is over, to which Link can either reply “Become an engineer”, “Become a swordsman”, or “I don’t know”.

The English version once again has the problem of dealing with the limited space in Link’s replies, so they have to rephrase this section to make it fit.

As a result, they have Zelda ask what Link will become once they resume their normal lives, to which Link can either reply “Engineer”, “Warrior”, or “I dunno”.

There isn’t really much you can do about text space like that, so I understand why the English version adapted it this way.

But I also think some small details are lost because of this.

In Japanese, Link’s answers get to be slightly more elaborate, with Link himself being the one who uses the wording “become”. This makes it feel more like Link does want to make a choice here, one that he has thought about himself.

In English, Zelda is the one to bring up the idea of what to “become”, so it leans a bit more towards this being mostly Zelda’s concern, which isn’t helped by Link’s answers being so brief.

Again, the English version couldn’t really have done much else here, but the effect is still worth mentioning.

While this is just a short moment, it’s also something kind of unique to Spirit Tracks. I’ve briefly touched upon it before, but I want to take this moment to talk about it in more detail.

In general Zelda games, it’s somewhat common to have Link start out as a regular boy with a normal life, which is then interrupted by the game’s respective main plot.

And occasionally, the games will address the idea of how Link will resume a normal life afterwards, if he will at all. Though Link’s actual fate is usually not explored.

In that sense, Spirit Tracks is unique for directly asking the player this question, in a way that actually affects the game’s ending. After the credits, there is a brief epilogue scene, which will show Link having made the choice that the player has selected in this cutscene here.

But it’s also not that random for Spirit Tracks of all Zelda games being the one that allows one to choose directly.

While Link’s regular life is interrupted by this game’s plot, Link also doesn’t really have to quit being his regular self in order to be the hero Hyrule needs.

Yes, he has to learn how to be a swordfighter, but he never has to stop being an engineer. And Link doesn’t just continue being an engineer throughout this adventure, he actually needs to be one in order to succeed.

The game continues to put a lot of emphasis on Link’s profession as an engineer, especially gameplay-wise, but also in some story aspects.

This goes so far that there is even an option to unlock Link’s engineer outfit and wear it instead, with no obligation to wear the green tunic ever again. And you unlock it by collecting stamps across stations, which is a common promotional activity for railway travelling in Japan.

Basically, Link being an engineer is given a similar amount of importance as him being a swordfighter, and it’s ultimately up to each individual player to decide which they consider more fitting.

This is an aspect that makes Spirit Tracks stand out among other Zelda games. In comparison, think about how relevant Link being a goat shepherd ends up being during his adventure in Twilight Princess, or him being an apprentice smith in A Link Between Worlds, etc.

And this is not me saying those examples are bad, they’re just notably different in the way they approach this idea.

Going back to the translation comparison, I think the Japanese version does a slightly better job with this whole idea, for the reasons I’ve gone over.

But, the English version still works perfectly fine, especially in this cutscene here. The differences are just minute.

-

And finally, we have Anjean’s last line in this cutscene:

She really does take after that old grannie... Wouldn't you say so?

Her ancestors would be proud of her.

In the Japanese version, this is notably the second time Anjean directly refers to Tetra with the term ばあ様/baa-sama, which will still display Tetra’s name if you tap it.

You can see that little easter egg in the image at the very top of this post.

In the English version, they once again adapt a mention of Tetra with the more general “ancestors” here.

But this time, one can’t even chalk it up to a translation error, since Anjean is unquestionably referring to Tetra here.

The only thing I can think of is the fact that the original Japanese version includes the term 血筋/chisuji here, meaning “lineage” or “bloodline”, and that perhaps this made them decide to go for “ancestors” in English.

Even then, it’s still glossing over Tetra.

Once again, this really is a shame, I personally feel.

In Anjean’s very first scene, the English version retained the fact that she was talking about Tetra specifically, but pretty much every other mention of Tetra since then has been adapted as just “ancestors” instead.

And I really don’t know why they did this, especially in this particular moment.

It seems like such a strange thing to do, intentionally weakening the connection Anjean has to Tetra, as well as Anjean comparing her with Zelda?

I mentioned before that I think the English version may have wanted to imply that Tetra was Zelda’s grandmother, rather than a more distant ancestor.

But they already acknowledged that Anjean knew Tetra personally, so even that wouldn’t explain the change here.

So, I can only  assume that, for some reason or another, they really did just feel that Anjean referring to Zelda’s ancestors in general worked better?

-

Before we move on, one last thing I want to go over is Anjean referring to Tetra as ばあ様/baa-sama for the second time here.

There will actually soon be a bit of a pay-off to Anjean referring to Tetra like that. But aside from setting that up, I think it reappearing here is also to emphasize how this is a personal moment for Anjean.

After all, this is her own personal way of referring to Tetra, in contrast to just saying “your ancestor” as she does most of the time when telling Zelda about her.

And for the audience, it serves as another direct reminder of Tetra’s indirect presence in this story.

On the the term itself, during Anjean’s first appearance I talked about how you can’t really adapt the easter egg of tapping the word to display Tetra’s name, like you can in Japanese.

So the options you’re left with is either just adapting ばあ様/baa-sama alone, or just going for “Tetra” instead.

I personally think that one compromise one could go for is to pick one specific moment where you have Anjean say “Tetra” out loud.

And for me, this cutscene here is probably the moment where I would do it.

Like I said back when Anjean used it the first time, Tetra’s literal name being hidden in an easter egg like that probably reflects Anjean, and potentially the audience, having a deeper personal connection to Tetra.

In the sense that Tetra is someone Anjean, and potentially the audience, actually knew in the past. In contrast, Zelda may be her descendant, but never met her personally.

That’s why I think this cutscene right here would be the best opportunity for a non-Japanese adaptation to have Anjean literally say “Tetra”, since it’s a similarly private moment. Just Anjean reminiscing about Tetra to Byrne, while Zelda and Link have already left, and thus don’t hear what she says.

In that way, this could reflect the vibe of the original easter egg, so to speak.

But at the same time, Anjean referring to Tetra as ばあ様/baa-sama is also important for the pay-off that’s to come, which is why I ultimately decided to stick with “grannie” in my adaptation here, too.

I just wanted to think about where I would put a single literal mention of the name “Tetra”, if I wanted to include it somehow.

Ultimately, the English version opted to omit Anjean having a special way of referring to Tetra entirely, so this is all hypothetical talk anyway.

Though I think the fact that I talked about this as much as I did should make it obvious that I don’t think omitting it was a good call on their part.

-

Looking at this cutscene as a whole, I do think it was localized alright in English.

There are a few details that bother me, sometimes as a result of prior localization changes, but everything besides those is just fine.

Overall, this cutscene ended up being another mixed bag this way, but I don’t think there is anything here that would stand out as odd if the English version was all you knew.

While I went on a lot about particularly small differences during this part, I think the only difference that significantly hurts the scene is the English version glossing over a direct mention of Tetra. But that’s not an issue specific to this scene alone, either.

It’s just a strange choice that this localization started going with for some reason I can’t really figure out. If it even was a conscious choice, that is.

And that’s the end of this part right here. Feel free to check out the next one!

--

< Previous Part | Start | Next Part >

--

[beevean]

逆転裁判　逆転姉妹 Part 1 (捜査 1)

I’m really having fun with playing Gyakuten Saiban :D It’s such a goldmine when it comes to new vocabulary and expressions - plus it’s just fun to play.

Since now the cases are getting pretty long, with the investigation parts and the interacting with the characters, there are way too many new words I discovered, so I’m going to make multiple posts. This one goes from the beginning of the case to shortly before Phoenix’s first visit to Maya in the Detention Center. Here are part 2 and part 3.

This time I’ll put my general observation before the huge wall of vocabulary:

1) As the people who watched the anime in Japanese know, the equivalent of Redd White speaking in obnoxiously pretentious English is him speaking in obnoxiously pretentious Engrish - what’s interesting is that it’s spelled in katakana, just to emphasize how this guy tries way too hard. For example, “don’t you know?” becomes “ドンチュノウ？” (this guy is going to be a pain to understand...)

2) The Gatewater Hotel is called 板東ホテル (ばんどう) in Japanese. From what I could find it may be simply the surname of the hotel founder (板東 is a real surname and there’s no pun or reference I could get), but finding out there was a concentration camp with the same name seriously freaked my out. Whatever the case, I definitely prefer the English joke.

3) This is something I haven’t seen pointed out, not even in the AA wiki - Redd White’s first name in Japanese is マサル (spelled with the 大 kanji) but 勝る also means “to excel, to surpass, to exceed”, which I think was a deliberate choice for such an arrogant buffoon like White.

Whether her name is Maya or Mayoi, the poor girl just can’t catch a break...

預かる　（あずかる）  　to look after, to take care of

扱いする　（あつかい）　to treat

機械　（きかい）　machine, mechanism

代わりに　（かわりに）　instead (of)

書類　（しょるい）　documents

事務所　（じむしょ）　office

かしら　I wonder (fem.)

打ち合せ　（うちあわせ）　advance arrangements, preparatory meeting

通話　（つうわ）　telephone call

録音　（ろくおん）　audio recording

渡す　（わたす）　to hand over*

読み込む　（よみこむ）　to read thoroughly/repeatedly

油断する　（ゆだん）　to be careless, unprepared

気の毒　（きのどく）　pitiful, unfortunate

沈黙　（ちんもく）　silence

すっかり　completely, totally

移動する　（いどう）　to move, to transfer

気絶する　（きぜつ）　to faint

寝かせる　（ねかせる）　to put to bed

温もり　（ぬくもり）　warmth

急速に　（きゅうそく）　rapidly

確実に　（かくじつ）　certainly

辛い　（つらい）　painful, heart-breaking, difficult

訳にはいかない　（わけ）　 impossible to do (although wants to)

頭部　（とうぶ）　head, cranium

即死　（そくし）　instant death

散らばる　（ちらばる）　to be scattered around

奥　（おく）　inside

倒れる　（たおれる）　to fall, to be destroyed in a collapse

製　（せい）　made of

電気スタンド　（でんき）　 desk lamp

破片　（はへん）　fragment, broken piece

手がかり　（てがかり）　clue

紙切れ　（かみきれ）　piece of paper

べっとり　sticky

なんとも　quite, really

皮肉　（ひにく）　irony

命　（いのち）　life, lifeforce

奪う　（うばう）　to snatch away

機能　（きのう）　function

重視　（じゅうし）　regarding as important, putting emphasis on

領収書　（りょうしゅうしょ）　hand-written receipt

通報する　（つうほう）　to report (to the police)

意外　（いがい）　unexpected

電子メール　（でんし）　e-mail

専用　（せんよう）　exclusive use

帳簿　（ちょうぼ）　account book, register

資料　（しりょう）　documents

ぎっしり　tightly

並ぶ　（ならぶ）　to line up

受話器　（じゅわき）　receiver

螺子　（ねじ）　screw

いくつか　a few, some

作業　（さぎょう）　work, operation

途中　（とちゅう）　in the middle of

お巡りさん　（おまわり）　policeman

書き残す　（かきのこす）　to leave a note behind

法廷　（ほうてい）　courtroom

実生活　（じっせいかつ）　real/everyday life

訪れる　（おとずれる）　to visit, to call on

本棚　（ほんだな）　bookshelf

ビビる　to feel nervous, to feel self-conscious

通じる　（つうじる）　to be open, to lead to

失敗作　（しっぱいさく）　failed creative work, flop

来客用　（らいきゃく）　for visitors or guests

革張り　（かわばり）　leather-covered

高級品　（こうきゅうひん）　high-class item

受付　（うけつけ）　reception desk

事務用品　（じむようひん）　office supplies

泰然　（たいぜん）　 orderly, well-organized

という訳だ　（というわけだ）　 this is why, this means

心当たり　（こころあたり）　having in mind, happening to know of, idea

流石に　（さすがに）　as one would expect​

裏　（うら）　other side

刑事　（けいじ）　police detective

課　（か）　department

駆けつける　（かけつける）　 to run to, to rush somewhere

引き取る　（ひきとる）　to take into one’s possession

間際　（まぎわ）　just before

告発する　（こくはつ）　to indict

書　（しょ）　(police) station

取り調べ　（とりしらべ）　investigation

解放する　（かいほう）　to release

明け方　（あけがた）　dawn

*the most common meaning of this verb is “to ferry across”, but this is the first time I’ve seen it with this meaning. To be more specific, Mia Fey tells Redd White “渡せない”, “I cannot hand [the documents] over”

[lux-ace]

faberge.alvashie’s Inktober2k18 collection - 女の子とキツネ

Title Translation: The Girl and the Kistune

Inktober Day 3 "Kitsune Kylo" (狐, "fox") Translation: マスクのモンスタ�� (Monster in a mask) Story: A girl sold as a slave to the local samurai by her parents, and a demon feared and banished to the forest by the Priestess... two lonely souls find each other and find their own belonging... Would their union bring forth peace or simply end in a thorny path? *She was five years old when she was sold into slavery.

Inktober Day 4 “Rokurokubi” (ろくろくび, "pulley neck") Translation: ろくろ首さん (Rokurokubi-san) Story: Every year the Kitsune would put a disguise seal to appear human and to bring his little friend to the Hanabi festival. On the girl’s 12th year, they met a fellow yokai in the festival. She offers her dango 🍡 in hopes to befriend the Rokurokubi. *Phasma/Rokurokubi-san that Rey/Rei wants to befriend.

Inktober Day 5 “Makura-Gaeshi” (枕返し, "pillow flipper") Story: The Makura-Gaeshi is a child Yokai that gets your pillow and flips it as a prank. This Makura-Gaeshi, named Vivi, was caught red handed. He accidentally awakened the sleep deprived Kistune. The Kitsune’s friend tries her best to calm the flames of his anger as she helplessly clings to his back. Translation: Rey/Rei - 便*! (Ben*!) Ben - ガキ! (Brat!) BB-8/Vivi - 不毛の犬! (Barren dog!) *Ben (便) in japanese means flights

Inktober Day 6 “Yurei” (幽霊, "ghost") Translation: Rose - クククク.. (kukukukun...) Story: Fifteen years had come and gone... She had found out her Kistune, for the life of him, cannot remember his birthday. She decided to celebrate it on they day they met. She celebrated this by reversing their roles. The Kistune as a human and the human as a Yokai. Her friend Rose, the Yurei, helped her look like a Yokai. Every time the Kistune would look at her, she couldn’t figure out if he was holding back a laugh or a grin. This made her happy. *Rose/Yurei is a friend of Rey/Rei.

Inktober Day 7 “Tengu” (天狗, "heavenly dog") Story: At sixteen, she met a Tengu. He was beautiful, like a dark angel...like her Kitsune... She knew her Kitsune was off limits. He often refers to her as Ko (子 - child) or Moyashi (もやし - bean sprout), thus, reinforcing how he could only see her as his baby sister. She would enjoy flirting with the Tengu, only to have her over protective Kitsune fussing around her....cus hey, a girl can dream, right? *The Tengu she's flirting with is Poe Dameron.

Inktober Day 8 “Gashadokuro” (がしゃどくろ, "rattling skull") Story: When people die and they suffer hunger in their death, they turn into the Gashadokuro. After finding out the truth about her parents, girl wondered into the pauper’s grave looking for their stone. In the darkness, the souls of the people who died of starvation merged together into a Gashadokuro. When she thought all hope is lost, her Kitsune came to the rescue. In his hand, he held the Katana blessed by Amaterasu. The blessing of the goddess granted the sword the power of the blinding light to banish evil. *The Gashadokuro is loosely based on the Rancor Pit.

Inktober Day 9 “Umibozu” (海坊主, "sea bonze or sea monk") Story: The Umibozu is a yokai known to capsize any ship or boat that comes its way... While the Kitsune was giving the girl her first boat ride, they encountered a gentle Umibozu who chose to rock their boat instead of flipping it. The sudden rocking caused the Kitsune to lose his balance and topple over his passenger...strange... he remained in the same position even after he found his balance. Translation: クククク.. (nnnnnnnn....)

Inktober Day 10 “Tsukumogami” (付喪神, "tool kami") Story: An old friend, the tsukumogami, had visited the Kitsune. It lost its way through the long corridors of the shrine and found its way to the girl. Frightened, she kicked and screamed, alerting her protective kitsune. He came rushing to her room in a frenzied speed. Upon the sight of him, the tsukumogami wrapped itself in glee around his his old friend and tangled itself in a hug...dragging the girl in the process... *The Tsukumogami is loosely based on porgs.

Inktober Day 11 “Dodomeki” (百々目鬼, "many-eyed demon") Story: For so long she had kept her feelings for her kistune a secret but on her 17th birthday she decided to confess. She wore her best attire and took her time to fashion her hair. When she arrived at the meeting place, she found him with another. Bazine, a dodomeki, who steals anything she gets her hands on...had now stolen what was most precious to her... Words died in her throat and the shattered shards of her heart pricked her eyes. “He was never mine to begin with”- her conscience scolded her... as her feet carried her away in vain hope of fleeing from the heart wrenching pain...

Inktober Day 12 “Yuuki Onna” (雪女, "Snow Woman") Story: After the incident with the Dodomeki, the girl wandered off. She stumbled upon an unlikely “friend”, Yuuki Onna. She was icy and frank like the snow she draws from. Yuuki asked her what a human like her was doing in their realm, the girl replied: “I need to find my place in this world”. The yokai laughed and told her to go home to her own world because a human never belonged in the yokai realm. The girl agreed...

Inktober Day 13 “Betobeto-san” (べとべとさん, "Mr. Betobeto") Story: Mr. Betobeto is a yokai who follows travelers around and he just so happens to have followed a very important missing girl. With huge mouth, he decided to gossip his find to the Kistune. *Two years since Rey/Rei left him, the light inside the Kitsune was snuffed out.

Inktober Day 14 “Otoroshi” (おとろし, "scary") Story: While the Kitsune was on his way to the human territory, the girl found solace in the town’s shrine. She had befriended a foreign monk in training, and a local Yokai guardian of the shrine, Otoroshi. Despite its harsh looks, it means no harm. It protects the shrine from the impure and those with ill will. She felt safe and comfortable in the shrine...but something feels wrong...terribly wrong... The head monk of the shrine, an old withered man, would teach his students how to banish yokais or how to bind them for use... *Rey/Rei is now 19-years old, traveling alone for two years, after she left the Kitsune. The foreign monk in training that Rey/Rei met is Finn.

Inktober Day 15 “Shuten Doji” (酒呑童子 しゅてんどうじ - a nickname, meaning: “little drunkard”) Translation: Shuten Doji: 玉藻 (Tamamo) Kitsune: おいこの野郎! (Oi, bastard!) Story: The girl wondered around the shrine and found a small cottage almost covered by the shrine’s trees. She took a peek inside and found the Shuten Doji. The Shuten Doji smirked and grabbed her. She struggled against the iron hold of the alcohol reeking yokai. In his drunken stupor, he mumbled about how his master would be displeased of having her found him. He started calling her Tamamo (玉藻 - moss ball) and assuring her he’ll take good care of her. She wanted to kick, to scream but some unknown magic had held her. Just when she thought all hope is lost, the Kitsune burst into the doors.

Inktober Day 16 “Ibaraki Doji” (茨木童子いばらきどうじ, “Thorn Tree Child”) Story: The Shuten Doji’s loyal chief deputy, the Ibaraki doji, was tasked to take care of the kitsune. In blind rage, the kitsune didn’t notice the seal tapped into his skin by his opponent. The seal weakened his abilities and forced him to retreat with the unconscious girl. Surprisingly, the Shuten doji and Ibaraki doji didn’t follow them. What could this seal mean? Will everything go back to the way it was?

Inktober Day 17 “Ushirogami” (後神, “behind spirit”) Story: After the escape from the shrine, the Kistune confronted the girl about the night she ran away. Fear brewed in her belly. The thought of rejection muddled her integrity. She couldn’t look at him as he innocently asked her why... Her fear grew stronger and it captured the attention of Ushirogami. A yokai who feeds off of fear. The Kistune called her name and she was too weak to resist.. “大好きだよ” The Kistune laughed and replied: “愛してるよ”. Translation: Girl - “I really like you” Kitsune - “I love you”

Inktober Day 18 “Kitsunebi” (狐きね, “fox fire”) Story: They say a Kitsunebi can often be seen during yokai events such as the night parade of one hundred demons, processions or meetings, and yokai wedding ceremonies... it’s formed when a fox breathes a ball of fire to light their way in the night. The Kitsune breathes the fire within set aflame by the girl. All seems to be well... except for the strange throbbing brand by the kitsune’s nape. It’s a little painful, it’s a little itchy but he could ignore it; especially in a moment like this.

Inktober Day 19 “Jorogumo” (じょろうぐも, “entangling bride/ whore spider") Story: The strange mark on the Kistune grew more painful each day. The constant throb of pain inches his conscience to darkness. They believed him to be poisoned, so the went to an old friend, the Jorogumo. The Jorogumo is an expert in making poisons but upon closer inspection, she concluded that this was no poison. It’s a beckoning spell.

Inktober Day 20 “Ubume” (うぶめ, “woman in late pregnancy”) Translation: Ubume - さようなら... (good bye) Kitsune - ママ (mama) Story: The kitsune had started being more open to the girl; he decided to tell her his past. His mother died giving birth to him. The grief of her spirit turned her into an Ubume. She took care of him until he was able to sprout his second tail. She then decided he was able enough to fend for himself so her spirit was able to rest in peace. *The Ubume, the Kitsune's mother in spirit, is Leia Organa.

Inktober Day 21 - “Nopperabo” (のっぺらぼう, “faceless monk”) Story: When the Kitsune suppresses his power the throbbing pain of the mysterious seal lessened. Now that he’s feeling a bit better he decided to take a night stroll with the girl in the human territory...unbeknownst them both, a spy from the shrine had located them. The Nopperabo will soon report the progress of the Ibaraki dōji’s seal to the shrine leader.

Inktober Day 22 - “Futakuchi Onna” (ふたくちおんな, “two-mouthed woman”) Story: The seal has been activated and the Kitsune lost his control over himself. It beckons him to its master. The Futakuchi Onna tried her best to hold him down and stop him but the Kistune was too strong for her. On the other end of the Futakuchi’s hair she held the girl to protect her from the destruction of the thrashing yokai but her efforts were futile... The girl lost her kitsune.

Inktober Day 23 - “Kappa” (河童, “river child”) Story: She was on her way to the shrine to retrieve the kitsune. With her, she brought a staff wrapped in protective seal to be able to fight any yokai she may come to face. As she neared, she felt her staff grow heavy... A baby kappa had latched itself to her staff. *The Kappa latching on to Rey/Rei is BB-9E.

Inktober Day 24 - “Tamamo no Mae” (たまものまえ, "Lady Duckweed") Padme - 帰って来いアナキン... (Come here, Anakin..) Story: In the depths of the Kistune’s unconsciousness, he dreams of a lady... a lady calling for someone named Anakin to come home. Strange... the voice the lady has resembles someone very important to him but he couldn’t remember who. *Lady Duckweed is Padme Amidala, Kylo Ren's grandmother.

Inktober Day 25 - “Nurikabe” ( ぬりかべ, “Painted wall”) Rey - 家に帰ろう.. (Let’s go home...) Story: Nurikabes that got in the way were hacked in one fell swoop of the Kitsune’s katana. He’s determined to fulfil his master’s bidding. Kill her. The girl... she was happy to finally see him after so long. If coming home with him meant her death then so be it... at least she had tried...

Inktober Day 26 - “Hitostume Kozo” (ひとつめこぞう, "one-eyed priest boy") pt1 Story: After he capture, she was brought by the kitsune to the head monk of the shrine. It’s an eerie sight to see a monk surrounded by hitotsume kozo. As the little yokais fiddles around the monk’s robes, the Kitsune asked for his next step and monk ordered him to kill her... *The head monk is Snoke, in which Kylo Ren serves under by force.

Inktober Day 26 - “Hitostume Kozo” (ひとつめこぞう, "one-eyed priest boy") pt2 Story continues:  The Kistune’s hands trembled as he drew his sword... and delivered the killing blow... The spell is broken... and her blood splashed on his face...

Inktober Day 27 “Wa Nyudo” (わにゅうどう, “wheel priest”) Story: The Wa Nyudo is a yokai that collects wicked souls and drags them to hell for torment. Today it brings a deliciously wicked soul. A soul of an old man. Scarred to deformity by an evil yokai, he took his hate and anger on the innocent...be it a yokai or not. He became a priest, not for virtue, but to learn the art of having power of the yokai. He twisted his sense of justice and abused his power. In his lust for power, he underestimated the Kistune. In a deceptive move and a flicker of control over the spell, the yokai stabbed through the girl’s shoulder and on to the priest’s throat... the nightmare came to an end. The girl was wounded by the shoulder but nonetheless fine. The priest drowned in his own blood. The yokais free from tyranny.

Inktober Day 28 - “Kodama” (こだま, “Tree spirit”) Story: Deep in the forest, in a house made of a hollow tree, there was a kitsune and a girl... They were surrounded by Kodama who maintain the balance of the forest but to them, they were each other’s balance. They found the belonging the seek and bliss of paradise in one another.

Inktober Day 29 - “Inugami” (いぬがみ, “dog spirit”) Story: The two had adopted an Inugami, a loyal service dog. Though an Inugami is made to serve their masters, they had treated it as their own child. A child... they decided to have one.

Inktober Day 30 - “Baku” (ばく - no translation) Story: When their son had nightmares, a Baku is summoned. It eats nightmares and leaves behind good dreams. *Their baby's name is Anakin.

Inktober Day 31 - “Hyakki Yagyo” (ひゃっきやぎょう - “the night parade of one hundred demons”) Story: Yokais and humans grew closer. Old misunderstandings and disagreements faded into history. In honour of their unity, a yearly yokai parade takes place, the Hyakki Yagyo. Within this parade is the fruit of the unity between yokai and human. Young Anakin, son of the kitsune and the girl, came from nothing and everything.

The End.

[riptl]

キミだけに - Tachibana Hibiki (CV: Aoi Yuuki) Symphogear XV Song Translation

(translation by @zetsubouquet and @jubipro on twitter. TL notes at the bottom)

キミだけに by Tachibana Hibiki (Aoi Yuuki)

The sun sets, the wind shifts, gently lit by the street light Distracting me from anxious, lonely things. I was scared too, it was scary being all alone. The night's darkness reflects the past. My right hand, my heart, All that I am exists for the sake of the future. ...but all I do is destroy things. Embracing the pain in my heart with kindness, "Let's go find a night that isn't so lonely," you said Like the falling heavens, On that hill under the stars, I clasped your hand in mine and squeezed back...your hand... But I can't cry here... I'm a weak, broken, uncool hero. I'm always in trouble, so I didn't notice your tears. Hurt by the words, "I'm going out for a minute." I didn't even get the chance to protect you. Thank you for being born. Your entire spirit is what helped me stand up. Eternal Love...that's how I'd have to reply, right? The hard part's that I'm stupid, So I don't know if I can say it well, but This is just a fraction of all the stars. That we're living together at the same time, holding hands, It's such a miracle...! My right hand, my heart, All that I am exists for the sake of the future. ...I want you to promise me forever. The two characters of your name spell out the ordinary everyday, The times when I can say "See you tomorrow!" Let my flower bloom in your sunshine. Together let's make our dreams resound...resonate! Let's both live on...! I'm okay with being a broken, uncool hero, As long as I can protect the one thing in front of me.

TL Notes/Thoughts

So, to start, we cried a lot translating this song, and we need you to understand why. Some of this is up to interpretation, but for the most part it felt pretty obvious. 

My right hand, my heart, All that I am exists for the sake of the future. ...but all I do is destroy things.

“ わたしの全部は未来の為にあると”

Miku’s name,  小日向 未来 (Kohinata Miku) is spelled with the same kanji as future. So you can assume the line has the double meaning of “All that I am exists for the sake of Miku.”

The last verse was exceptionally hard to translate. 

君の名が付いたその二文字の時を…

また明日ね!と言える日常を…!

Hibki is speaking about the characters that make up Miku’s name (future), and how that has so much meaning to her in the sense that she can say “See you tomorrow!” every day...(I cry)...

The next line also has some amazing, tough to translate wordplay. This time using Hibiki’s name as well.  Tachibana Hibiki (立花 響)

陽だまりの中で花を立ち咲かせて

Hidamari no naka de Hana wo Tachisakasete

Hidamari, or sunny spot, can relate to the Kohinata (小日向) of Miku’s name, literally small sunshine. Hana is flower, and also the second character of Hibiki’s name, followed by Tachisakasete (standing/let it bloom) using the first character of Tachibana.

and immediately following is a line that uses 響 (Hibikasete). 

一緒に夢を響かせて…響かせて!

If you read this far thanks for taking the time to hear about what things got caught up in the language barrier. I’ll leave you with two of the verses and a visual I think they wanted to be in your head when listening to the song.

Like the falling heavens, On that hill under the stars, I clasped your hand in mine and squeezed back...your hand... But I can't cry here... 

This is just a fraction of all the stars. That we're living together at the same time, holding hands, It's such a miracle...!

original:

日が落ちて風が変わる街灯がそっと点く 不安なこと孤独なこと紛らわすかのように わたしも怖かった一人が怖かった 夜の闇の鏡過去を映すから わたしの右手はわたしのココロは わたしの全部は未来の為にあると …だけど、壊してばっかりだ そんな胸の痛み優しく包むように 「寂しくない夜を見に行こう」と 銀河が降るような 星の丘でぎゅっと 握り返した君の手を…君の手に 泣いちゃいけないのに… オンボロでカッコ悪い弱虫なヒーローだ いつだってピンチじゃなきゃ君の涙だ気づけない 「ちょっと行ってくる」の台詞で傷つけて 守らせる隙さえあげられなかった 生まれてきたこと「ありがとう」と言う 君の全霊がわたしを立たせたんだ 永愛…返事をしなきゃだね 難しいことはわたしは馬鹿だから 上手に言えるかわからないけど 星の数ぶんの一つに今いるよ 一緒の時を生きてるよ…手を繋ぎ こんな奇跡なんて…! わたしの右手はわたしのココロは わたしの全部は未来の為にあるよ …永遠を誓わせて欲しいんだ 君の名が付いたその二文字の時を… また明日ね!と言える日常を…! 陽だまりの中で花を立ち咲かせて 一緒に夢を響かせて…響かせて! 共に生きてゆこう…! オンボロでカッコ悪いヒーローだっていいんだ 目の前のたった一ひとつ守ることが出来れば

[four-loose-screws]

Chrom / Maribelle Supports - Localization vs. the Original Japanese

FE Game Script Translations - FE Novel Translations - Original FE Support Conversations - Ko-fi

In this post series, I’m analyzing all of Chrom’s supports to see if he was any different in the localization!

———————————

C Support

Interestingly, despite “drop formalities, we are good allies” being a trope that comes up constantly in both Japanese and English in Fire Emblem, at the beginning of the support, it’s only in the English that has Chrom asks Maribelle to just call him “Chrom.”

Japanese:

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

あら、クロムさん。▼ (Oh, Chrom-san!)

[クロム] (Chrom)

マリアベルか？▼ (Is that you, Maribelle?)

Localization:

Maribelle:

Oh! Good day, milord.

Chrom:

Hello, Maribelle. ...And just Chrom is fine, please.

In the Japanese, Maribelle didn’t say anything about how much harder things must be for Chrom. Instead, she notes how considerate he always is, and is thankful for his kindness.

Japanese:

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

あぁ…クロムさん。▼ (I will... Chrom-san.)

あなたはどんな時にも周囲の者への (No matter what, you never)

気配りをお忘れにならないのですね。▼ (forget to be considerate of those around you.)

このご厚意、ありがたく頂戴しますわ。▼ (I gratefully accept your kindness.)

[クロム] (Chrom)

いや、そんな、感激されるほどの (No, it’s not something)

ことは言ってないが…▼ (you have to thank me for, but...)

まぁ…とにかくお前も休め。▼(Well... anyway, you should rest, too.)

Localization:

Maribelle:

Well... I confess I sometimes find myself wishing for a respite. But then I remind myself how much harder it must be for you! Heavy lies the crown and all that, yes? So it's my duty to help you however I can!

Chrom:

Your dedication is appreciated, Maribelle. ...A little extreme, maybe, but appreciated. Just promise to look after yourself as well. Will you do that? ...For me?

And in this last exchange is a very slight change. Maribelle doesn’t say she enjoys her time together with Chrom, she only asks him to come talk to her again when he has time.

Japanese:

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

クロムさん…またお時間がおありの時には (Chrom-san... please come talk to me again) ぜひお話をさせてくださいませ。▼ (when you have the time to do so.)

[クロム] (Chrom)

ああ、もちろんだ。▼ (Yeah, of course.)

Localization:

Maribelle: I so very much enjoy our time together... I pray we find opportunity to do it again. Chrom: I hope so, too...

B Support

The support starts out pretty much the same in both the Japanese and localization. Maribelle’s language just seems a touch more creative in the English, but not by much in this case!

Japanese:

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

ええと、これは…その、(Umm. Ｔhis is.... Uh,)

リズに近づく男どものリストですわ。▼ (a list of the men who have come close to Lissa.)

リズの魅力に惑わされた男どもを (It contains a plan)

把握しておいて、近づかせないように▼(to catch the men who are bewitched by her charms)

策を巡らせるための (so that they can’t get close to her.)

重大な機密書類ですのよ。▼ (It’s a very important, classified document.)

[クロム] (Chrom)

お、お前…！(Y-You...!)

そんなことしてたのか…？▼ (made something like that...?)

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

ええ、当然ですわ。▼ (Yes, of course!)

リズはクロムさんの妹君にして、(She is your younger sister,)

イーリス聖王国の第二王女。▼ (and the second princess of the Halidom of Ylisse.)

そしてわたくしの親友ですもの。(and I am her close friend.)

何人たりとも近づけさせはしませんわ。▼(I won’t let many people get near her!)

Localization:

Maribelle:

I've been keeping track of men who may be getting too close to Lissa! My darling is a bewitching vixen, even if she doesn't realize the power of her charms. So when these lecherous men get too close, I drive them back from the ramparts!

Chrom:

...You aren't joking, are you. Why on earth would you do such a thing?!

Maribelle:

Isn't it obvious? Lissa is your younger sister, and the princess to the royal house of Ylisse! It falls upon me, her bosom friend and true companion, to save her from scallywags!

But then things deviate a little bit in the second half. The localization took out the fact that Chrom specifically asked if he’s safe from Maribelle’s scrutiny, and he actually asks to see the list. But it all ends the same, with Maribelle saying that she interviews all the men to see if they are worthy of Lissa’s presence, and Chrom asks her to keep taking care of his little sister.

Japanese:

[クロム] (Chrom)

…でも、俺もリズと一緒にいることは (...But I’m with Lissa a lot, too.)

多いが、それはいいのか？▼ (Is that okay?)

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

もちろんですわ。▼ (Of course.) クロムさんはリズの兄上ですし、(You are Lissa’s older brother,) 真に高貴なお方ですもの。▼(and of the highest nobility.)

[クロム] (Chrom)

そ、そんなことはないと思うが…▼ (I don’t think I’m that proper, but...) まぁ、俺は (Well, it doesn’t look like) 叱られることがなさそうで安心したよ。▼(you’re going to scold me, so I feel at ease.) できればそのリストの奴らも (If it’s okay with you,) 許してやってほしいがな。▼ (I want you to show me the list.) どうせただリズと仲良く (This is just all the men who) 話をしてるだけだろう？▼ (chat with her isn’t it?)

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

いえ、いくら同じ軍に所属する仲間とはいえ、(I mustn’t let even let our allies in the same army) そう安々とリズには近づかせませんわ。▼ (come up to Lissa so calmly!) そうですわね…▼ (I cannot...!) まずはわたくしとの面談を (First, they must interview with me) 数回踏まえてなら、▼ (multiple times, then based on those interviews,) 考えなくもありませんが。▼ (I will consider it.)

[クロム] (Chrom)

ははっ、マリアベルは相変わらずだな。▼ (Ha ha, you’re the same as ever, Maribelle.) でも、お前がそばにいてくれれば (But, if you’re by her side,) リズも安心だ。これからもよろしく頼む。▼ (then she’s safe. Please continue taking care of her.)

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

はいっ！　お任せください！(Yes! You can count on me!) 必ずクロムさんのお役に立ってみせますわ！▼ (I’ll will absolutely do my best to help you!)

Localization:

Chrom:

...Scallywags? Er, look, Maribelle. I think my sister can guard her own ramparts just fine.

Maribelle:

Ha! Don't be so naive! It seems even great men are blind when it comes to matters of the heart!

Chrom:

Hey! I am NOT blind! ...And you're being paranoid! There's no harm in Lissa having a few friends among her comrades-in-arms.

Maribelle:

That they are comrades makes them more dangerous! Snakes in the den, says I! As such, I've put a strict screening process in place. Any man who would speak to Lissa must first be interviewed by me. Many times. AND provide supporting documentation, of course!

Chrom:

...Heh. I guess in a way it's reassuring to know that Lissa has you watching over her. Well then, I'll trust you to keep her safe for me.

Maribelle:

Of course, milord! A woman of my position would offer no less!

A Support

In the Japanese, Chrom says that Maribelle shouldn’t push herself to care for him just because he’s royalty, a few extra words that the localization left out.

Japanese:

[クロム] (Chrom)

ああ…いつも気遣いありがとう。▼ (Yeah... Thank you for always looking out for me.) でも…俺が王族だからって、(But... you aren’t pushing yourself too much) あんまり無理をすることはないんだぞ？▼ (because I’m royalty, right?)

Localization:

Chrom: Of course. Thank you, Maribelle. But you really need to stop exhausting yourself on my behalf. I don't deserve it.

The second line of this dialogue was totally added in the English, though it was implied in the Japanese.

Japanese:

[クロム] (Chrom)

マリアベルが俺やリズを大切に (Just as you think) 思ってくれているように、▼ (of Lissa and me, as very important,) 俺たちにとっても、(you are also) お前は大切な存在なんだからな。▼ (important to us.)

English:

Chrom: Just as you care for me and Lissa, so do we care about you. We would never forgive ourselves if you came to harm for our sake.

And while the meaning is essentially the same in both versions, the English chose to use some common English sayings here instead of a more direct translation.

Japanese:

[クロム] (Chrom)

ああ、一人で無理をすることはないんだ。(Good, we shouldn’t force ourselves to do the impossible all alone.) 一緒に協力しながら歩んでいこう！▼ (Let’s walk onwards as we cooperate together!)

Localization:

Chrom: We must stand shoulder to shoulder. Divided we fall, but together we rise!

S Support

This support is largely the same, but it has a lot of little differences, so strap in and get ready for this post to suddenly get a whole lot longer.

As is common in the Japanese, Maribelle’s tea elderberry tea and gooseberry jam crumpets were not given a specific type or flavor, she just said the generic “tea” and “sweets.”

Japanese:

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

クロムさん！▼ (Chrom-san!)

お茶とお菓子をお持ちしましたわ！(I brought tea and sweets!)

甘い物を食べると疲れが取れますわよ？▼(Surely eating something sweet will ease your exhaustion?)

[クロム] (Chrom)

マリアベル、ありがとう。(Maribelle, thank you.) せっかくだから、いただくとしようか。▼ (Since you went through the trouble, I’ll have one.) あ！　…これは俺が子供の頃から (Hey! ...This is the sweet) 好きなお菓子だよな！？▼ (I liked as a child, isn’t it!?) …どうして知っていたんだ？▼ (...How did you know?)

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

リズに教えてもらいましたの。▼ (Lissa told me.)

[クロム] (Chrom)

そうか、あいつなら確かに知ってるはずだ。▼ (Oh yeah, she would know for sure.)

Localization:

Maribelle: Milord! I've brewed elderberry tea and buttered some crumpets. Won't you rest a spell?

Chrom: Well, since you've gone to all this trouble... Wait. Is this gooseberry jam? It was my favorite as a child! How did you know?

Maribelle: A little bird told me... Chrom: A little bird named Lissa, I wager. Heh heh, that girl...

In the Japanese, Maribelle also says she can’t compare to Lissa, but the sentence before that gives slightly different reasoning from the localization.

Japanese:

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

さすがリズですわ…最愛の兄のことは (Of course Lissa... would know her)

ちゃんと把握されています…▼ (beloved brother that well.)

わたくしなんて敵うはずもない…▼ (I couldn’t compare...)

Localization:

Maribelle: Oh, how I envy your sister... You have such affection for her... And you have spent a lifetime together... How can I ever compare?

Chrom doesn’t say anything about Maribelle being his friend in this line in the Japanese here. He just wonders why Maribelle is comparing herself in such a way to his sister.

Japanese:

[クロム] (Chrom)

マリアベル、なにを言っているんだ？(Maribelle, what are you saying?) あいつは妹だぞ？▼ (She’s my sister.)

Localization:

Chrom: Maribelle, what are you talking about? Lissa's my sister. You're my...friend.

Maribelle doesn’t put herself down and say she is dreary and plain at all in this line of the Japanese.

Japanese:

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

でも…あの…その。▼ (But... um... uh...) クロムさんの近くには、(Around you,) リズやリズのお友達を始めとして、▼ (there’s Lissa and her friends...) 貴族の女性方がたくさんいて… (and may court women...) クロムさんと親しくされていましたわ…▼ (They are all so close to you...)

Localization:

Maribelle: Yes, but you are also royalty and... And you're surrounded by all these fine and noble women! All the time! Lissa and her friends...the court ladies... Oh, you must have such wonderful times! I feel so dreary and plain by compare.

Chrom doesn’t say anything at all about royal court in the Japanese, but comments that women surround him simply because he is royalty and they are being polite.

Japanese:

[クロム] (Chrom)

ん…？　まぁ俺も一応王族だからな。(Huh...? Well yeah, pretty much just because I’m royalty.) ひととおりの礼儀はわきまえているが…？▼ (Don’t you know they’re just being polite...?

Localization:

Chrom: Wonderful times?! Hah! Royal court is dull as an anvil. It's my duty to attend, but that's all. ...And it's a loathsome duty at that.

While Maribelle’s speech is a bit more flowery in the localization, she really does say in the Japanese as well that she wants to just hide away and disappear in a hole.

Japanese

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

…えっ？▼ (...Huh?) ………▼ (.........) あああああーーーっ！！▼ (Ahhhhhhhhhh!!) わ、わたくしとしたことが、思わず (I-I just accidentally) 本音をポロリと言ってしまいましたわっ！▼ (let my true feelings slip!) ああ、ああ～～～んっ！▼ (Ahhh! Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!) は、は、恥ずかしいですわ～～！▼ (I-I-I’m so embarrassed!) あな、あな、穴があったら入りたいっ！▼ (I-I-I want to get in a hole!) 入った後は誰か、(And have someone) 土をかぶせて下さいませ～～！！▼ (cover me with dirt afterwards!!)

Localization:

Maribelle: ...Wait. Did I say that out loud? ...I said that out loud, didn't I? ...Loudly. *face reddens completely* OH, GODS! Chrom, PLEASE pretend you didn't hear that! I don't know what came over me! Curse this blasted battle fatigue! My mind must be on the moon! Oh, that the ground might open up and swallow this foolish creature!

In the localization, Maribelle says she just had to confess her feelings and couldn’t keep them in anymore, but in the Japanese, she said her feelings simply slipped.

Japanese:

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

で、でも知られてしまったからには、▼ (B-But since I accidentally told you,) このマリアベル…！　気持ちをやはり (I, Maribelle...! Have decided I really do) 伝えたいと思いました…！▼ (want to confess my feelings...!)

Localization:

Maribelle: B-but now I just don't care anymore! I had to confess, and I'm glad I did. It's like a horrible weight has been lifted from my shoulders!

The Japanese here doesn’t imply that Lissa was impatiently waiting for Chrom to marry, just that she’ll give Chrom and Maribelle’s marriage her blessing.

Japanese:

[マリアベル] (Maribelle)

きっとあの子のことですから… (Since it’s Lissa we’re talking about...) わたくしたちのこと、祝福してくれますわ？▼ (She’ll give us her blessing, right?)

Localization:

Maribelle: Lissa? Oh thunder, she'll be more excited than anyone! "My big brother is FINALLY getting married," she'll say!

-------------------------

Well, despite all of those little changes, Chrom and Maribelle are very much the same. While Maribelle’s speech is a bit more flowery in the English, she was clearly always dramatic to begin with.

Next will be Chrom / Gaius!

[argeriant18]

Chiisana Lion (Yook Sungjae [BTOB] x Reader)

よくある日常の1ページに 現れた少し不愛想な猫 (yoku aru nichijou no ichipeeji ni arawareta sukoshi buaiso na yatsu) (An unfriendly cat (guy) appeared in a page of an ordinary life.)

ケガをした足がかわいそうで 見兼ねた女の子は助けてのでした (kega wo shita ashi ga kawaisou de mikaneta onna no ko wa tasuketa no deshita) (A girl couldn't be indifferent to his injured leg, and so she helped him.)

A girl named [Y/N] pulled a cat out of a hole of a fence it got stuck in.

"Oh, you poor thing." She pouted at the cat when she noticed his injured leg.

She took a bandana from her bag and she wrapped it around his leg.

"There!" She smiled as she accomplished her job. And the cat just stared at her.

"Well, I gotta go. See you soon, kitty." She beamed before she walked away to wherever she was going.

The cat stared at her retreating form as if it had something to say as she went further away from view.

"ありがとう"すら伝えられニャい 涙が落ちて魔法がかかる ("arigatou" sura tsutaerarenyai namida ga ochite mahou ga kakaru) (Can't even tell "Thank you" to you, I shed tears, and then I was caught in a spell.)

The cat looked down as if it was crying.

Suddenly, two guys approached him.

"Poor kitty." The black haired man said and he lifted the cat off the ground. "Don't cry. We'll make a way for you to show how grateful you are for her kindness. Right, Minhyuk?"

The black haired guy looked back at his companion, a blonde male that was Minhyuk.

Minhyuk snapped his fingers and they were suddenly surrounded by the galaxy.

「秘密だよ」("himitsu da yo") ("It's a secret")

"It'll be our secret. Okay, kitty?" The black haired guy said to the cat before he set it down on the floor that magically appeared out of nowhere.

月は言葉を与えて 太陽は人の姿を与えた (tsuki wa kotoba wo ataete taiyou wa hito no sugata wo ataeta) (The moon let him speak, and the sun turned him into a boy.)

"I, Seo Eunkwang, with the power of the moon, grant you the ability of speech. From now on, you will be able to talk like a human being." The black haired man casted a spell on the cat and it gave off a moonlit glow.

"I, Lee Minhyuk, with the power of the sun, grant you the body of a male human. From now on, you will be able to look like a human being and interact with them." The blonde haired man casted another spell and the cat gave off the warm glow of the sun.

After the light had subsided, a male human was in front of them instead of a cat.

He looked surprised as he looked at himself.

"Well, how do you like it?" Eunkwang was the first to approach him and the guy just stared at him. "Hey, you can speak. Why don't you try it?"

The guy opened his mouth to speak, "Is this for real?"

Eunkwang and Minhyuk smiled.

"Well, now that you're human, you're going to need a name." Minhyuk said and Eunkwang nodded, deep in thought.

"How about Sungjae?" He suggested and the guy nodded his head.

"Sungjae." He tried saying it. "I like it."

"Yook Sungjae." Minhuk said. "How about that?"

Sungjae smiled. "It's great. Thank you!"

キラキラと世界を輝かせよう イッツ•ショウタイム！！(kirakira to sekai wo kagayakaseyou ittsu.shoo taimu!!) (Let's shine the world, it's ShowTime!)

君なりの恩返しを (kiminari no ongaeshi wo) (Repay the favor of what she did for you in your own way.)

"Well, now that that's settled." Minhyuk snapped his fingers again and the galaxy around them faded and they were back to the real world near the fence where Sungjae got stuck in.

"Let's shine the world, Sungjae." Eunkwang smiled at him and patted his shoulder.

"It's show time!" He and Minhyuk said in unison.

"It's time to repay the kindness she showed you in your own way." Minhyuk said with a smile.

Sungjae nodded, determined.

"I will!"

(フレーフレ ニャーニャ ) 紳士に ((furee furee nyaa nyaa) shinshi ni) ((Hooray, hooray, meow, meow!) Like a gentleman)

(レッツゴー レッツゴー) 手を取り ((rettsu goo rettsu goo) te wo tori) ((Let's go, let's go!) Hold her hand)

(フレーフレ ニャーニャ) その手に ((furee furee nyaa nyaa) sono te ni) ((Hooray, hooray, meow, meow!) To her hand)

(エスコート エスコート) キスを ((esukooto esukooto) kisu wo) ((Escort, escort!) Kiss her)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

A few days later, Sungjae and [Y/N]'s path crossed again and they became pretty close in a span of a few days.

人の姿を手に入れたのに へまばかり ほらまたやらかしちゃってる (hito no sugata wo te ni ireta no ni hema bakari hora mata yarakashichatteru) (Although he became as a boy, he only make stupid mistakes, oh, there again.)

"You know, even if he became human, he seems to still have catlike mannerisms." Minhyuk said as he observed Sungjae and the girl from a rooftop with Eunkwang.

They were hidden from their sight as the rain poured down and he held onto his umbrella as he looked on at what was going to happen.

Sungjae and [Y/N] were stranded at a bus stop.

"Hey! This is my chance!" Sungjae thought excitedly. "I'll take off my jacket and I'll cover both of us with it and then we'll walk in the rain together! Romantic? Yeah!"

He got ready to take out his jacket when [Y/N] took out an umbrella from her bag.

"Wow, how stupid." Minhyuk snickered as the two stared at each other for a few seconds before Sungjae broke out laughing.

それでも猫はめげずに笑う 叶わぬ恋を諦めずにいました (soredemo yatsu wa megezu ni warau kanawanu koi wo akiramezu ni imashita) (Nevertheless, he keep laughing. He didn't give up this impossible love.)

"It's nice to see that he keeps a good outlook on life though." Eunkwang commented with a smile as he saw Sungjae and [Y/N] walk together with an umbrella above both of them. "It's good to see that he's determined."

Minhyuk tore his eyes away from the young couple and looked at Eunkwang.

"You do realize that we have to tell him, right?" He said.

Eunkwang looked up at the sky and gave a bitter smile.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

"See you tomorrow, Sungjae!" [Y/N] said when they both reached her house.

"Aww, can you at least give me a little kiss before I leave?" Sungjae asked.

"Aigooo," [Y/N] cooed. "But, ok, sure."

She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you for walking me home, Sungjae." She smiled and she went to the door of her house to open it.

"See you tomorrow." He said and waved at her before he turned to leave.

He walked for a few minutes when he saw Eunkwang and Minhyuk approach him.

"We need to talk." Minhyuk said, he snapped his fingers and they were surrounded by the galaxy once more.

"How are the two of you getting on?" Eunkwang asked.

Sungjae smiled.

"We're doing great! I'm planning on confessing to her soon and then we'll finally be lovers."

Minhyuk glanced at Eunkwang worriedly.

本当の事は伝えられニャい バレてしまうと魔法が解ける (hontou no koto wa tsutaerarenyai barete shimau to mahou ga tokeru) (Cannot tell her the truth. If she founds out, the spell will break.)

Eunkwang sighed.

"Sungjae, we have to tell you something."

Sungjae stared at them for a moment.

"What is it?"

"Our spell can't last forever." Eunkwang said. "Once you confess to her, the spell will break and you'll be back to being a cat."

Sungjae felt his breath hitch.

"Once the spell break, they won't remember you even exist. You'll be wiped out from their memory." Minhyuk added. "So don't tell her the truth."

「約束だ」期限は近づくいていて ("yakusoku da" kigen wa chikazuite ite) ("It's a promise." The time limit is approaching.)

"Don't tell her that you love her," Eunkwang said barely above a whisper but you could hear it in his voice that he didn't want any of this to happen and that he didn't even want to say what he was saying. "Unless you want to become a cat again."

誰からも去られてしまうのだ (dare kara mo wasuresararete shimau no da) (Everyone will forget about me.)

Sungjae stood there in shock.

"Everyone is going to forget about me if I confess my feelings." He thought. "Even she will forget I exist, right?"

ドキドキな世界に飛び込んだけどイッツ•正体！！(dokidoki na sekai ni tobikonda kedo ittsu.shoutai!!) (I jumped into the exciting world, but it's the truth!)

"Sungjae," Minhyuk spoke. "Sorry to break it to you but it's the truth."

Sungjae still stood there motionless as Eunkwang just watched on anxiously.

君は人にはなれない (kimi wa hito ni wa narenai) (You cannot be a real human.)

"Even if you look like a human, our spells can't do much." Minhyuk said. "You can't be a real human, Sungjae."

Sungjae clenched his fist.

"Reality is harsh."

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

(フレーフレ ニャーニャ ) それでも ((furee furee nyaa nyaa) soredemo) ((Hooray, hooray, meow, meow!) Even so)

Sungjae ran.

His breath was quickening up as he increased his pace.

(レッツゴー レッツゴー) がむしゃら ((rettsu goo rettsu goo) gamushara) ((Let's go, let's go!) Desperately)

He saw one of the [Y/N]'s friend, Kristy, and he stopped in front of her.

He told her that she should tell [Y/N] to meet up with him at the bus stop they got stranded in.

"Also, thank you for everything." Sungjae said as he grabbed her hand and shook it repeatedly before he ran off leaving Kristy confused.

"What was that about?" She muttered before she took her phone out and texted [Y/N].

(フレーフレ ニャーニャー) 今だけ ((furee furee nyaa nyaa) ima dake) ((Hooray, hooray, meow, meow!) Just now)

Sungjae ran around telling everyone how he was thankful for them and that [Y/N] should go and meet up with him.

Everyone was confused but they didn't question him and just informed [Y/N].

(エスコート エスコート) 夢を ((esukooto esukooto) yume wo) ((Escort, escort!) Your dream)

"I know what the consequences will be if I confess to her." Sungjae thought as he ran to the bus stop they were going to meet at and the corner of his eye he thought he saw Eunkwang and Minhyuk when he passed by a house with a terrace.

"I'm willing to risk that just to let her know!"

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

惹かれ会二人には 別べの幸せしかなくて(hikareau futari ni wa betsubetsu no shiawase shikanakute) (Two were attracted to each other, but they have different happiness.)

[Y/N] waited for Sungjae at the bus stop they got stranded in.

She's a bit worried about what he wants to tell her.

She saw him running towards her, panting.

"Hey, Sungjae?" She gave her some water from her water bottle. "Are you okay? What happened?"

Sungjae drank from it and he gave it back to her as he regained his composure.

わかってるけど我慢できない 驚かないで話を聞いて (wakatteru kedo gaman dekinai odorokanaide hanashi wo kiite) (I know that, but I can't be patient. Don't be surprised, will you listen to me?)

"This is gonna surprise you but please listen to me, okay?" He said to her and she just nodded.

"Okay," [Y/N] said. "What is it?"

僕は... (Boku wa...) (I...)

"I. . ." Sungjae struggled to get the words out of his mouth. He could see Eunkwang and Minhyuk watching him up on a tree.

"I love you."

「お別れだ」("owakare da") ("It's time to say goodbye.")

He closed his eyes.

He wasn't anticipating her answer but he was waiting to turn back into his cat form.

"Goodbye, [Y/N]"

月は言葉を奪って 太陽は人の姿を奪った (tsuki wa kotoba wo ubattte taiyou wa hito no sugata wo ubatta) (The moon took his voice away, and the sun took his shape of a boy away.)

Sungjae's body shone with light and he turned back into his cat form.

Eunkwang looked on, he was a little sad and Minhyuk just gave a little sigh.

"The things we do for love, huh?" He whispered. "Sacrifice."

すれ違い女の子は振り返る (surechigai onna no ko wa furikaeru) (They went pass each other, and the girl looked back.)

[Y/N] was shocked when he confessed but when the light appeared, she had to shield her eyes. When she opened her eyes again, Sungjae wasn't there anymore.

少しだけ悲しそうな顔に見えた (sukoshi dake kanashisou na kao ni mieta) (She seemed to be in a little sad face.)

"Sungjae?" She called out as she looked around, a little sad and a little confused.

Little by little, her memories of him began to fade away. When it was gone completely, she began to question what she was doing there.

あの日から 好きでした今日も明日も見守ってる (ano hi kara suki deshita kyou mo asu mo mimamotteru) (Since that day I was in love with you.)

When she realized she had somewhere to be, she ran off.

Sungjae watched him, he was now a cat again.

"I've always been in love with you."

"Well, what's your plan now?" Eunkwang walked over to him and picked him up.

Sungjae just looked up at him with big round eyes.

"Eh, I can't bear this." Eunkwang said and he casted a spell for him to speak when he was around him and Minhyuk.

"It's okay, you can still show your love by being her favorite cat." Minhyuk said and patted Sungjae's head.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The next day. . .

"Waahhh!!! Kitty!!! You're here!!" [Y/N] squealed when she saw Sungjae on her way back home.

Sungjae meowed and she picked her up to give him a cuddle.

"Wow, you seem to be following me a lot. I saw you a while ago, too. Just this morning." [Y/N] chuckled.

Sungjae just meowed and licked her on the lips.

[Y/N] was shocked for a while before she giggled.

フレーフレ ニャーニャ 紳士に ((furee furee nyaa nyaa) shinshi ni) ((Hooray, hooray, meow, meow!) Like a gentleman)

"Wow, that cat." Minhyuk observed them up from a tree. "He has a better love life than we do."

レッツゴー レッツゴー 手を取り ((rettsu goo rettsu goo) te wo tori) ((Let's go, let's go!) Hold her hand)

"Well, at least he's happy." Eunkwang smiled. "We're bound to find someone soon in the right time. For now, let's be happy for Sungjae."

フレーフレ ニャーニャ その手に ((furee furee nyaa nyaa) sono te ni) ((Hooray, hooray, meow, meow!) To her hand)

Minhyuk nodded and continued to look at Sungjae and [Y/N], she was happy to be with him and he was happy to be in her arms.

"Yeah."

エスコート エスコート キスを ((esukooto esukooto) kisu wo) ((Escort, escort!) Kiss her)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The End

[redux-pain]

CHAPTER 16: Hospital, part 2

(Rui’s flashback begins here)

基本的に私は占う内容を

電話やメールなどで確認してから、 引き受けるかどうか判断する。

Ｕｓｕａｌｌｙ，　Ｉ　ｃｏｎｆｉｒｍ　ｍｙ　

ｐｒｅｄｉｃｔｉｏｎｓ　ｂｙ　ｐｈｏｎｅ　ｏｒ ｅ－ｍａｉｌ　ｔｏ　ｇｕａｒａｎｔｅｅ　ｔｈｅｍ．

[Rui:] Basically...

I confirm the subject of my predictions by phone or email, and then decide whether I’m going to accept the job.

でもこの日は違った……。

Ｂｕｔ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｄａｙ　ｗａｓ　ｄｉｆｆｅｒｅｎｔ．

[Rui:] But not that day...

見知らぬ少年が、 事務所に駆け込んできた。

Ａ　ｂｏｙ　Ｉ’ｄ　ｎｅｖｅｒ　ｓｅｅｎ　ｃａｍｅ ｒｉｇｈｔ　ｉｎｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｏｆｆｉｃｅ．

[Rui:] A strange little boy came running into my office.

その少年は入ってくるなり、 こう言ったの。

Ｈｅ　ｗａｌｋｅｄ　ｒｉｇｈｔ　ｉｎ　ａｎｄ ｓａｉｄ　ｔｏ　ｍｅ：

[Rui:] As soon as he was inside, he said...

気をつけて。悪い奴らが お姉ちゃんを狙っている！

”Ｂｅ　ｃａｒｅｆｕｌ．　Ｓｏｍｅ　ｂａｄ　ｇｕｙｓ ａｒｅ　ａｆｔｅｒ　ｙｏｕ．”

[Kei:] “You’ve gotta be careful, miss! There are bad guys after you!”

[note: ‘miss’ = onee-chan, the usual way a child would address an unfamiliar older girl]

「気をつけて。悪い奴らが

　お姉ちゃんを狙っている！」

[Kei:] “You’ve gotta be careful, miss! There are bad guys after you!”

[note: yes, there are two of this line in the script files. Kei’s two lines in this sequence, and Rui’s grey one, are in another part of the scene003 file, presumably so they can have the grey color applied. But his first line is ALSO in with the main part of this scene, so this was fun to piece back together. They’re unvoiced, so for a few minutes I thought the written EN script was adding sentences.]

彼は何度もそう言っていた。さらに驚くべきことに、

その少年は私が何度も街で 見かけたあの男の子だった。

Ｉ　ｓｈｏｕｌｄ’ｖｅ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｓｕｒｐｒｉｓｅｄ，

ｂｕｔ　Ｉ　ｆｅｌｔ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｉ’ｄ　ｓｅｅｎ　 ｔｈｅ　ｂｏｙ　ｍａｎｙ　ｔｉｍｅｓ　ｂｅｆｏｒｅ．

[Rui:] The even more surprising part was

that he was the little boy I’d been seeing around town.

少年は遠野ケイと名乗った。

Ｈｅ　ｓａｉｄ　ｈｉｓ　ｎａｍｅ　ｗａｓ　Ｋｅｉ．

[Rui:] He said his name was Tohno Kei.

[note: Tohno isn’t とうの (Touno) but とおの (Toono). The two sounds are identical but spelled differently.]

「お姉ちゃん、危ないんだ！

　早く、この街から逃げて！」

”Ｉｔ’ｓ　ｄａｎｇｅｒｏｕｓ　ｈｅｒｅ！ Ｈｕｒｒｙ　ａｎｄ　ｌｅａｖｅ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｔｏｗｎ！”

[Kei:] “You’re in danger, miss! You have to get out of this town, quick!”

彼は何度もそう言っていた。

Ｈｅ　ｓａｉｄ　ｔｈａｔ　ｍａｎｙ　ｔｉｍｅｓ．

Rui:] He kept saying that over and over.

事情を聞いても何もわからない。

Ｈｅ　ｓａｙ　ａｎｙｔｈｉｎｇ　ｅｌｓｅ．

Rui:] Even after he explained himself, I still didn’t understand.

[note: this doesn’t match at all, so I apologize if I messed up while piecing this together, but it’s spread over several different files in a confusing order]

親御さんのことや住んでいる場所を 尋ねても何も喋らない。

Ｉ　ａｓｋｅｄ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ｈｉｓ　ｐａｒｅｎｔｓ， ｗｈｅｒｅ　ｈｅ　ｌｉｖｅｓ．　Ｎｏ　ａｎｓｗｅｒ．

Rui:] I asked about his parents and where he lives, but he wouldn’t say a thing.

「それで、私の何が危ないの？」

”Ｗｈｙ　ａｍ　Ｉ　ｉｎ　ｄａｎｇｅｒ？”

Rui:] “So, how am I in danger?”

少年は真剣なまなざしを向けた。

Ｈｅ　ｌｏｏｋｅｄ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｓｅｒｉｏｕｓ．

Rui:] He looked at me very seriously.

こんな状況下だが、 美しい瞳をしているって感じた。

Ｉ　ｎｏｔｉｃｅｄ　ｔｈａｔ　ｈｅ　ｈａｄ　ｖｅｒｙ ｂｅａｕｔｉｆｕｌ　ｅｙｅｓ．

Rui:] Even under the circumstances, I noticed he had beautiful eyes.

それはどこかで見たような 奇妙な感覚だった。

Ｔｈａｔ’ｓ　ｗｈｅｎ　Ｉ　ｆｅｌｔ　ｔｈａｔ Ｉ’ｄ　ｓｅｅｎ　ｈｉｍ　ａｒｏｕｎｄ　ｂｅｆｏｒｅ．

Rui:] And I had a strange feeling I’d seen them before.

悪い奴が、お姉ちゃんの力を 狙っているんだ。

Ｔｈｅ　ｂａｄ　ｇｕｙ　ｗａｎｔｓ ｙｏｕｒ　ａｂｉｌｉｔｙ．

[Kei:] This bad guy is after your power.

お姉ちゃんを殺そうとして いるんだよ。

Ｈｅ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｋｉｌｌ　ｙｏｕ．

[Kei:] He’s trying to kill you.

だ・か・ら……、 話が全然見えないんだけど。

Ｉ　ｃａｎ’ｔ　ｓｅｅ　ａｔ　ａｌｌ．

[Rui:] Like I said... I don’t understand what you mean.

誰が私を殺そうとしているの？

Ｗｈｏ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｋｉｌｌ　ｍｅ？

[Rui:] Who’s trying to kill me?

それは…わかんない……。

Ｗｅｌｌ，　Ｉ　ｄｕｎｎｏ　ｔｈａｔ．

[Kei:] I... I don’t know that part...

わかんないって…どういうこと？ 君、わかんないのに……。

Ｗｈｙ　ｎｏｔ？　Ｗｈｙ ｄｏｎ’ｔ　ｙｏｕ　ｋｎｏｗ？

[Rui:] What do you mean, you don’t know? If you don’t know...

なんで誰かが私を殺そうとして いるって、わかるのよ？

Ｈｏｗ　ｃａｎ　ｙｏｕ　ｓａｙ Ｉ’ｌｌ　ｄｉｅ　ｂｕｔ　ｎｏｔ　ｋｎｏｗ？

[Rui:] Then how do you know someone’s trying to kill me?

探しているんだけど、 まだ見つかんないんだ……。

Ｉ’ｍ　ｓｅａｒｃｈｉｎｇ，　ｂｕｔ ｄｏｎ’ｔ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｙｅｔ．

[Kei:] I’m trying to find him, but I haven’t yet...

でも危ないのは確かだよ。

Ｉｔ’ｓ　ｃｅｒｔａｉｎ　ｙｏｕ’ｌｌ　ｄｉｅ．

[Kei:] I know you’re in danger, though.

だってアイツの影が、お姉さんの 近くにいるのを見たんだもの。

Ｂｅｃａｕｓｅ　Ｉ　ｓａｗ　ｈｉｓ ｓｈａｄｏｗ　ｎｅａｒ　ｙｏｕ！

[Kei:] ‘Cause I saw his shadow near you.

影……？　影？

Ｓｈａｄｏｗ？

[Rui:] Shadow...? A shadow?

ほんとだよ、 ほんとに見たんだってば！

Ｉ’ｍ　ｎｏｔ　ｌｙｉｎｇ！ Ｉ　ｓａｗ　ｉｔ．

[Kei:] It’s true! I saw it! I did!

はいはい…はぁ……。

Ｈｅｈ，　ｙｅａｈ．

[Rui:] Okay, okay! [Sigh]...

それなら今度その影を見つけたら、 お姉さんに連絡してくれる？

Ｐｌｅａｓｅ　ｔｅｌｌ　ｍｅ　ｗｈｅｎ ｙｏｕ　ｓｅｅ　ｉｔ．

[Rui:] Call me the next time you see that shadow, then, okay?

そして少年のそばまで行き、 彼の肩に触れようとした。 そのとき……。

Ｒｕｉ　ｇｅｔｓ　ｃｌｏｓｅｒ　ａｎｄ ｔｒｉｅｓ　ｔｏ　ｔｏｕｃｈ　ｈｉｓ ｓｈｏｕｌｄｅｒ．

/And, stepping up to the young boy, she tried to touch his shoulder. Then.../

ダメ！！　ボクに触っちゃ！！

Ｎｏ！　Ｄ���ｎ’ｔ！

[Kei:] No!! Don’t touch me!!

少年の肩��触れた。 ルイにはそれからの記憶が まったく無い。

Ｓｈｅ　ｔｏｕｃｈｅｓ　ｈｉｍ ａｎｄ　ｐａｓｓｅｓ　ｏｕｔ．

She made contact with the boy’s shoulder. Rui remembered nothing clearly after that.

うつろな意識の中で、 ルイは微かに思い出していた。

Ｉｔ’ｓ　ａｌｌ　ｂｌｕｒｒｙ．

There was one vague memory, less conscious than instinctive.

[note: literally ‘in hollow/vacant consciousness, Rui vaguely remembered [X]’, I hope I’m getting the implication right]

あの瞬間……、 物凄く邪悪な何かを感じた。

Ｒｉｇｈｔ　ｔｈｅｎ　ｓｈｅ　ｆｅｅｌｓ ｓｏｍｅｔｈｉｎｇ　ｐｕｒｅ　ｅｖｉｌ．

That at that moment... she felt an unbelievably evil presence.

血まみれになった少年、 そして闇の中で横たわる 自分の姿……。

Ｓｈｅ　ｓｅｅｓ　ａ　ｂｌｏｏｄｙ　ｂｏｙ ａｎｄ　ｈｅｒｓｅｌｆ　ｌａｙｉｎｇ　ｉｎ ｔｈｅ　ｄａｒｋ．．．

A young boy covered in blood, and her own body lying in the darkness...

限りなき闇が訪れ……、 強酸のように触れるもの すべてを蝕んでいく 巨大な害意を感じたのだ。

Ｉｔ’ｓ　ｅｎｄｌｅｓｓ　ｄａｒｋｎｅｓｓ， ｗｉｔｈ　ｓｏｍｅｔｈｉｎｇ　ｔｒｕｌｙ ｅｖｉｌ　ｌｕｒｋｉｎｇ．

She felt the advent of unending darkness.... an immense malice corroding all it touched like a powerful acid.

[laugh-eigo-bennkyou]

2020.11.28-29 yoshi

失敗から学ぶ！ 使えるビジネス英語 from Asari

電話応対　応用編(1) 英語が苦手なヒロシ君が、実体験をもとにビジネス英語の理解を深めていくこのコーナー。今回は電話応対におけるフレーズの応用版をご紹介します！

【電話の接続が悪い】 ◆「電話が遠い」って、何と表現すればいい？

―電話が鳴る― ヒロシ：This is Sakurai speaking. How may I help you? 　　　　（サクライです。いかがいたしましょうか？） 顧　客：＠＃％★￥ ヒロシ：（うわ！電話が遠くて全然聞き取れない！） 　　　　Your phone is far.（✕誤り） 　　　　（あなたの電話は遠いです。）

　国際電話では、接続状況が悪くて相手の音声が聞き取りにくいことがよくあります。このような時に日本語では「電話が遠い」と表現しますが、直訳では不自然な英語になってしまいます。こんな時に、お互いが「Hello?」を繰り返していても埒が明きませんので、慌てずに「We have a bad connection. I can hardly hear you.」（接続が悪くて聞き取れません。）と説明してかけ直してもらいましょう！

〇正解：We have a bad connection. I can hardly hear you. Would you please call me back? 　　　　（接続が悪くて、聞き取れません。かけ直してもらえますか？）

【名前が聞き取りにくい】 ◆名前が聞き取れない時には、どうすればいい？

―再び電話が鳴る― 顧　客：Hi! I would like to speak with Mr. Ohno. Is he available now? 　　　　（オオノさんとお話し出来ますか？） ヒロシ：May I have your name please? 　　　　（あなたの名前をお伺い出来ますか？） 顧　客：I am Gruberoba-Netrebko. 　　　　 （私は、グルベローバ－ネトレプコです。） ヒロシ：グ、グル、ホWhat???（✕誤り）

　外国人の名前は、例えば、トム・クルーズとかブラッド・ピットのように、クリアでわかりやすいものばかりとは限りません。国にもよりますが、長かったり、日本語にない発音が入っていたりで、何度聞き返しても聞き取れないことがあるものです。こんな時、たびたび聞き返すのは相手に失礼なので、1回でわからない時には「Would you spell out your name, please?」と、スペリングを聞いて正確に名前を確認しましょうね。

〇正解：Would you spell out your name, please? 　　　　（お名前をスペルアウトしてもらえますか？）

【「ランチ休憩中」の伝え方】 ◆「ランチ中です」と回答する時は？

ヒロシ：（ええと、大野部長は今ランチ休憩中だから…） 　　　　He is eating his lunch now.（✕誤り） 　　　　（彼は今昼食を食べています。）

　「He is eating his lunch now.」（今昼食を食べています）は、文法的に誤りではありませんが、ダイレクトすぎて少々不自然な感じがします。 ランチ中は、『He is on his lunch break now.』の方がスマートで自然でしょう。また、このバリエーションには、「He is out for a lunch break.」「He went out for lunch about 10minutes ago.」「He has just stepped out for lunch.」などもありますので、状況に応じて使い分けてみましょう！

〇正解：He is on his lunch break now. 　　　　（彼は今ランチ休憩中です）

【戻る時間を聞かれた時は？】 ◆戻る時間は曖昧さを残して所要時間を伝えよう。

顧　客：I see. When is he coming back? ヒロシ：He will be back at 1 o’clock.（✕誤り） 　　　（彼は1時に戻ります。）

　この返答は、日本国内の時には問題ありませんが、国際電話の時には時差がありますので少々不親切です。相手によっては「今日本は何時ですか？」と、確認する方もいらっしゃるでしょう。そこで、このような混乱を避けるために「He will probably be back in half an hour.」など、あと何分、何時間で戻るのかを伝える方が適切です。また、いつ戻るのかが不確定な場合は、probably（おそらく）や I think…（だと思われます）をつけるなど、曖昧さを残して伝える方がベターです。 　このバリエーションとして、前述の通り「I think he will be back in half an hour.」（彼は30分で戻ると思います。）や「He is supposed to be back within half an hour.」（彼は30分以内には戻るはずです。）などもOKです！

〇正解：He will probably be back in half an hour. 　　　　（彼は、たぶん30分で戻るでしょう。）

失敗から学ぶ！ 使えるビジネス英語 from Asari

電話応対　応用編(2) 英語が苦手なヒロシ君が、実体験をもとにビジネス英語の理解を深めていくこのコーナー。前回に引き続き、電話応対におけるフレーズの応用版をご紹介します！

【「ミーティング中です」と伝える時は？】 ◆「ミーティング中」には何と答える？

顧　客：Is Ms. Matsumoto in today? ヒロシ：（今、松本さんはミーティング中だから…） 　　　　She is in a meeting at the moment. 　　　　（彼女は今、ミーティング中です。）

　ヒロシ君こちらは正解です！ミーティング中もランチ休憩中と同じ返答の仕方でOKです。 　これ以外のバリエーションとしては、「She is having a meeting right now.」「She is seeing her clients now.」（今、顧客に会っているところです。）なども使えます。

〇正解：She is in a meeting at the moment. 　　　　（彼女は今、ミーティング中です。）

【ミーティングの終了時間を聞かれた時は？】 ◆終了時刻の伝え方もランチの戻り時間と同様でOK！

顧　客：When is it going to be over? ヒロシ：（ええと、ミーティングは3時までだから…） 　　　　It will be over at 3 o’clock.（✕誤り） 　　　　 （3時に終了します。）

　これもランチの戻り時間同様、国際電話の際は所要時間を伝えた方が親切ですね。あと1時間くらいで終了の場合であるなら、正解は「It will be over in one hour or so.」となります。 　このバリエーション��は、ランチの時同様に「I think it will be over in one hour or so..」（1時間くらいで終了すると思います。）や「It is scheduled to be over within one hour or so.」（1時間くらいで終了する予定です。）などが使えます。不確定な内容については、返答に曖昧さを残しておくことがポイントです。

〇正解：It will be over in one hour or so. 　　　（1時間くらいで終了します。）

【単語や内容が聞き取れない時は？】 ◆相手の話が聞き取れない時はどうする？

顧　客：She hasn’t sent me the financial report for this month. Can you ask her to send it to me when she returns? 　　　（彼女が今月の財務報告書をまだ送ってきていないんです。彼女が戻ったら送ってくれるように頼んでもらえますか？） ヒロシ：（え？？なになに？聞き取れないよ！）あ、あ…えっと…（✕誤り）

　初心者の方にありがちなのは、相手の言っていることがわからない時に言葉に詰まってしまうこと。こんな時には、遠慮せずにもう一度繰り返してもらいましょう。短めのフレーズなら「Excuse me?」「I beg your pardon?」。長めのフレーズなら「Would you repeat one more time?」「Would you speak more slowly please?」などがポピュラーな聞き返し方です。例えば、Financial reportというキーワードだけが聞き取れない時には、ピンポイントで「What would you like to receive from her?」などと聞き返せれば、より簡潔に会話を進行させられます。

〇正解：Would you repeat one more time? 　　　（もう一度繰り返してもらえますか？）

【出張中と答える時は？】 ◆出張に関する返答は？

顧　客：Can I speak with Mr. Ninomiya, please? 　　　　（ニノミヤさんとお話し出来ますか？） ヒロシ：（二宮君は、昨日出張でミラノに行ったから…） 　　　　He went to Milano yesterday.（✕誤り）   　　　（彼は昨日ミラノに行きました。）

　この返答も決して間違いではありませんが、『出張』というワードを入れて返答しないと、プライベートかビジネスか不明ですので、「He is on a business trip.」「He went to Milano on a business trip.」などと返答した方が親切ですね。さらに、顧客はスケジュールが気になるでしょうから、「He in on a business trip, and won’t be back until next Monday.」などと、いつ戻るのかについても伝えてあげられればパーフェクトです！

〇正解：He is on a business trip to Milano and won’t be back until next Monday. 　　　（彼はミラノに出張中でして、来週の月曜まで戻りません。）

　いかがでしたか？事前にパターンを予想しておき、いざというときには自信をもって受話器を上げてみてくださいね！

[sensei-hanzo]

Nights into Dreams Manual Comparison

Saturn Version Japanese Manual Translation English Manual あなたは、「夢」について考えたことがありますか？ 「夢」とは私達に最も近く、でも、時には最も遠い不思議な世界…。では私達が毎晩見ているその不思議な世界や夢の中で私達に語りかけてくる「あの人たち」は、いったい何なのでしょう…。このような素朴な疑問に、これまで何人もの学者達が幾つもの仮説を立てては、さまざまな説明を繰り返してきました。考えてみてください、夢の世界は実在すると。そして眠りにつくと私達の意識だけが、「夢」という異次元空間へと旅立つことを…。 Have you ever thought about dreams? Dreams are mysterious worlds that are very close to us, but sometimes very distant. So, what are those mysterious worlds we see every night, and who are the people in them who talk to us? Countless scholars have come up with theory after theory to try and answer this simple question. Consider this: What if dreams are real? What if every time we fall asleep, our consciousness travels to an alternate dimension called a dream? That night Elliot and Claris return home, thinking of themselves as failures, not realizing that the real challenge is about to begin. In the world of Nightopia where our dreams are played out, an evil being is gaining tremendous power. He is Wizeman the Wicked, and through his creations the Nightmaren, he captures precious dream energy from humans. If he is not stopped, he will rise from the subconscious and enter our world. No power on Earth will be able to stop him. 人は眠りにつくと、ナイトディメンションという異次元空間へ旅立ちます。そこには、私達の楽しいという意識から投影されて創り出された夢の世界「ナイトピア」と、暗くて恐ろしい夢の世界「ナイトメア」という２つの世界が存在していました。ナイトピアは、ビジターという夢の訪問者がイデアと呼ばれる光に自分の意識を投影することで創り出されていました。 When people fall asleep, they are transported to an alternate dimension called the Night Dimension. The Night Dimension is composed of two worlds: Nightopia, a world created by projecting what we think of as fun, and Nightmare, a dark and scary world. Nightopia was created by dream visitors projecting their will onto spheres of light called Ideyas. As Wizeman's Nightmaren start fulfilling his horrible plan, a Nightopian escapes from the dream world and begs the sleeping Elliot and Claris to save the world from the evil being. Just a few moments ago they felt like total failures. But now that the world needs their help, Elliot and Claris feel, for the first time in their lives, a courage growing within them. They accept the Nightopian's desperate request. 純粋を表すホワイトイデア、成長を表すグリーンイデア、知性を表すブルーイデア、希望を表すイエローイデア、そして勇気ある者だけに宿るというレッドイデア…。イデアは全部で５つありましたが、今ではすべてを持つビジターは珍しく、とくに勇気のイデアを持つビジターは、ほとんどいなくなってしまったといわれていました。この物語の主人公、エリオットやクラリスも私達と同様に、イデアによってナイトピアを楽しむビジターの１人でした。しかし、彼らはまだ気づいていなかったのです…。２人は勇気のイデアを持っているということを。そしてある出来事をきっかけに、それぞれ大きな事件に関わることも…。 There are five Ideyas — White Ideya which represents purity, Green Ideya which represents growth, Blue Ideya which represents intelligence, Yellow Ideya which represents hope, and Red Ideya, which only dwells within those with courage — but it has become rare for a dream visitor to have all five. Dream visitors who have the courage Ideya in particular are said to be all but lost. The protagonists of this story, Elliot and Claris, are dream visitors who enjoyed the Nightopia created by their Ideyas just like us. However, they did not realize that both of them held the courage Ideya, or that a certain event would cause them to get wrapped up in a big incident... The creature explains to them that they need to recover four types of dream energy from Wizeman's Ideya Capture, a group of large machine-like beings. The four energies are White (representing purity), Green (wisdom), Yellow (hope), and Blue (intelligence). その頃、夢の世界では危機的な異変が生じていました。ナイトメアの支配者・ワイズマンが、ビジターからすべてのイデアを奪い取り、ナイトピアを片っ端から消滅させ始めたのです‼ 『イデアさえなくなればナイトピアは消滅する…。そして我がナイトメアがすべてを支配するのだ！』。 この大計画の遂行のために、ワイズマンは数々のナイトメアンを創り出し、続々とナイトピアに送り込みました。その中には、ファーストレベルと呼ばれる極めて優秀な魔人も2体含まれていたのです。さぁ、ナイトピアは大騒ぎ。見たこともないナイトメアンの来襲により、ビジターたちもナイトピアンたちもうろたえ、どうすることもできません。あっという間に、４つのイデアを奪われ、次々に消滅していきました。 A disaster was occuring in the world of dreams. The ruler of Nightmare, Wizeman, has started stealing the Ideyas of the dream visitors and destroying their Nightopia! "Without the Ideyas, Nightopia will disappear... Then my Nightmare will rule all!" Wizeman created countless Nightmaren and sent them into Nightopia to carry out his plan. Among them were two extremely powerful demons classified as first level. Now, Nightopia is in chaos. The dream visitors and Nightopians panic when they see the unfamiliar Nightmaren invade and have no way to resist. In the blink of an eye, their four Ideyas are stolen and Nightopia start disappearing one after another. Wizeman will attempt to steal Elliot and Claris' dream energy and try to confuse them by placing them in strange dream worlds. These worlds are places developed from the depths of their minds. The fifth and rarest of the dream energies, bravery (Red in colour), is the only type of energy Wizeman and his henchman cannot steal. It is said that the only one not yet under Wizeman's power is NiGHTS, who appears as an aerial acrobat and is attracted to red dream energy. The Nightopian believes that Elliot and Claris possess this rare energy, and thus NiGHTS will come to their aid. エリオットもクラリスも、それぞれのナイトピアでこの大事件に巻き込まれ、ナイトメアンたちは彼らのイデアを４つすべて奪い取りました。しかし、ナイトピアは消滅しなかったのです。２人は襲い来るナイトメアン達を払いのけ、恐怖と戦いながらも何とか自分たちのナイトピアを救おうと、わずかな勇気を振り絞っていました。そのときです。彼らの頭上に勇気のレッドイデアが出現したのは…。 Elliot and Claris are wrapped up in their own Nightopia's crises, having their four Ideyas stolen by the Nightmarens. However, their Nightopia did not disappear. They drove off the attacking Nightmaren and worked up whatever courage they could as they battled their own fear to try and somehow save their Nightopia. It was then that the red Ideya of courage appeared above their heads... The Nightopian warns that sooner or later Wizeman will send the most powerful of his Nightmaren, his henchmen, after Claris and Elliot. The two children will need the help of NiGHTS every step of the way to thwart Wizeman's plans if they are to restore peace to Nightopia. 昨夜出会った有機のイデアを持つ少女・クラリスのことを思い出しながら、イデアパレスの外を眺めていたナイツは、再び勇気のイデアを持つ少年を見つけました。ナイツはすぐにエリオットに微笑みかけ、そして元気に叫びました。 『やい、オマエ！すぐにオレをここから出せ！』 ナイツは、ワイズマンの大計画のために創り出された魔人でしたが、自由を好み誰の指示にも従おうとしなかったため、ワイズマンの逆鱗に触れ、夢の狭間に位置するイデアパレスに閉じ込められ、二度と出られないように呪縛をかけられていたのです。 『その勇気のイデアがあれば、オレはここから出られるんだ！オマエの５つのイデアとオレの力さえあれば、あのワイズマンを叩きのめすことだってできるんだゼ！』 ナイツの叫び声に導かれるようにエリオットが近づくと、勇気のイデアの赤い光で、イデアパレスの結界が消滅しました。 『今度はオレの力を見せる番だ!!』 NiGHTS gazes outside his Ideya Palace, recalling Claris, the girl he met last night who had a courage Ideya. Just then, he sees a boy who also has a courage Ideya. NiGHTS smiles at Elliot, calling out to him cheerfully. "Hey, you! Get me outta here!" NiGHTS was one of the demons created to carry out Wizeman's plan, but his love for freedom and unwillingness to follow orders angered Wizeman, who locked him in an Ideya Palace in the space between dreams and placed a spell on it so he couldn't leave. "Your courage Ideya can help me escape! With my power combined with your five Ideyas, we can take down Wizeman!" When Elliot approached, drawn in by NiGHTS's voice, the red light of the courage Ideya nullified the barrier on the Ideya Palace. "Now it's time for me to show you MY power!" 呪縛から解放されて再び自由の身となったナイツは、エリオットの手を取り、地面を蹴って天高く舞い上がりました。するとエリオットは、一瞬のうちにナイツの体と同化し、自らの意志で、空を自由に飛べるようになったのです。 『さっきのパレスがもう豆粒ぐらいの大きさになっている。スゴイよ、ナイツ‼これならワイズマンにきっと勝てるね‼』 『…昨夜もそう言って驚いた女の子もいたゼ。確かクラリスとかいったな』 ナイツは今と全く同じ出来事があったことをエリオットに話そうとしましたが、エリオットはもうすべてが上の空で何も聞いていない様子でした。 『よぉし、それじゃ、手始めに奪われた４つのイデアを取り戻そうゼ‼５つのイデアが集結すればワイズマンのいるナイトメアにひとっ飛びだ‼』 With the spell broken, NiGHTS was free again. He took Elliot's hand and jumped high into the air. Then, in the blink of an eye, Elliot fused with NiGHTS and was able to fly through the sky. "That Palace looks so tiny from up here! This is awesome, NiGHTS! I'm sure we'll be able to beat Wizeman like this!" "...I met a girl last night who was surprised just like you are and said the exact same thing. I think she said her name was Claris." NiGHTS tried to tell Elliot how the this same situation had happened before, but Elliot didn't seem to be listening. "Okay, let's start by taking back the four stolen Ideyas! Once we have all five of them, getting to Wizeman's Nightmare will be a piece of cake!" 宿敵ワイズマンを倒し、何事にも恐れない真の勇気を掴むため、ナイツ、エリオット、クラリスの３人が挑む果てしない「夢」と「勇気」の冒険が、今まさに始まったのです。 So began NiGHTS, Elliot, and Claris's endless adventure of dreams and courage to defeat Wizeman and obtain true courage, which would let them face anything without fear.

First, a couple notes on my translation. Generally, I used the localized terms whenever possible just for simplicity's sake. The official translation didn't take many liberties with those, so I don't see any reason not to use them. Also, the Japanese uses the English word "visitor" to refer to humans in the dream world, but the official text didn't seem to have any equivalent for this so I translated it as "dream visitor".

Now then... Where to even begin? The differences between the two versions far outnumber the similarities, but I'd like to highlight some of the key differences.

It hardly needs to be said, but the Japanese story is much wordier than the English one. The philosophical introduction is gone entirely and the English jumps straight into setting up the story. Part of the reason why it starts so suddenly ("That night...") is because the English manual put the character profiles before the prologue, whereas the Japanese manual has them after. The English is written with the assumption that you already have an idea of the two protagonists' backstories.

The first paragraph also contains one of the biggest deviations from the Japanese story, namely the notion that Wizeman is plotting to enter the real world. I guess the localizers wanted to up the stakes a bit? Only ever seeing nightmares for the rest of your life must not have been a big enough threat in their eyes.

The English also glosses over the existence of the second half of the Night Dimension, Nightmare, only focusing on Nightopia (in fact, it doesn't mention the term "Night Dimension" at all). On that note, I'd also like to bring up something interesting and difficult to translate about the Japanese: it refers to Nightopia as one of the two worlds that make up the Night Dimension, but later on it implies that each person has their own Nightopia. This sounds kind of contradictory in English but is easier to pass off in Japanese because a noun being plural often doesn't affect its form. I chose to keep the plural of Nightopia as just "Nightopia".

The English features a Nightopian coming into the real world and persuading Elliot and Claris to save the Night Dimension, whereas in the Japanese they make the decision to try and save Nightopia of their own will from within their dreams. It feels like the English tried to put more emphasis on their bad experiences in the real world as a motivating factor for going on their adventure, rather than saving Nightopia being a strong enough motivation on its own.

The English condenses the explanation of Ideya, which I don't really think is bad. It even includes a mention to the Ideya Capture, which isn't mentioned at all in the Japanese. What each color symbolizes stays pretty close to the original, although "wisdom" for green is a bit of a departure.

The English says that it's Wizeman who puts them in the dream worlds, which kind of contradicts the notion that Nightopia is a world projected from our own minds, and also leaves out any mention of other people's Nightopia being destroyed. The Japanese gives some insight into the composition of the Nightmaren (that they're divided up into different "levels") and starts to set up the connection between NiGHTS and Reala. I also want to note that the Japanese refers to NiGHTS and Reala as majin (translated as "demons"), not Nightmaren. I don't know if that distinction is supposed to mean anything.

The English states that Wizeman cannot steal the red Ideya, which I suspect they added to give a reason why the enemies don't just steal that one, too. It also says that NiGHTS is "attracted" to red Ideya, which in my opinion is kind of odd and takes away his agency. For some reason the English takes out all of NiGHTS characterization and almost treats him like an animal who just acts on instinct.

The only thing the English says about NiGHTS's allegiance is that he is "the only one not yet under Wizeman's power", which is pretty vague. The only what? Nightopian? Nightmaren? The Japanese clearly states that NiGHTS was created by Wizeman but was locked away for disobeying orders. On that note, the English doesn't mention the Ideya Palace at all, nor does it mention how Elliot and Claris fuse with NiGHTS.

The Japanese implies that Elliot and Claris met NiGHTS on different days. An interesting fact, though I'm not sure it has any greater significance for the story. The two take down Wizeman together, so it seems like their journeys end at the same time.

I think that about sums up the main differences between the two prologues. I might compare some other parts of the manual later (like the profiles), but this post is getting pretty long already so I'm going to end this here. Thanks for reading!

[andersunmenschlich]

Conversation in a Diner

「…なるほどぉ…それはなかなかたいへんですねー…」 "...I seee.... That's quite serious...."

ホット・ミルクをすすりつつ、ちっとみたいへんそうじゃない口調でゼロスはいづちをうつ。 Xellos said in a tone that didn't sound serious at all, sipping hot milk.

近くの村のちいさなメシ屋。 A little eating house in a nearby village.

かなり遅めの昼食をとりながら、あたしはこれまでのいきさつを、彼に説明したのだった。 While having a rather late lunch, I had explained the sequence of events to him.

時間がはずれているせいか、あたしたちのほかにはほとんど客もいない。 Possibly because the time was wrong, there were almost no customers other than us.

「けど、今ふと思ったりしたんですけど、呪文が封じられているなら、僕の呪符（タリスマン）を買ったところで無意味なんじゃないですか？」 "But—it's just occurred to me—if your spells are blocked, wasn't your purchase of my talismans pointless?"

「そうでもないわよ。一日一回術を唱えて様子を見てるんだけど、どーも封印が弱くなってきてるみたいなの。ほんのちょっとずつ、だけどね。封じられたその日は、『明り（ライティング）』を唱えたってなーんも起きなかったんだけど、きのう唱えてみたら、なんとかローソクくらいの明るさになったわ。…ま、それもすぐ消えちゃったし、攻撃呪文なんてそれこそ唱えるだけムダってもんでしょうけど…この呪符があればなんとか、初級の攻撃呪文くらいは扱えるんじゃないかなー、って」 "No, actually. I've been chanting one spell a day and watching the results, and it looks like the binding's getting weaker. Just a little bit at a time, though. The day of the binding, I recited the Lighting spell and nothing happened at all, but when I tried it yesterday I managed about a candle's worth of light. ...Well, it vanished almost instantly, and attack spells don't work at all, but... with these talismans I figured I might be able to pull off an elementary attack spell, maybe."

「なるほど…しかし、術の封印がゆるんで来ているとゆーのは…マゼンダさんの術が甘かったか、でなければ、あなたの魔力容量（キャパシティ）がケタ外れに大きいのか…」 "I see.... But if the seal is loosening, that means... either Ms. Mazenda's spell was lax, or (if that's not the case) your magical capacity is exceptionally large...."

「いずれにしろ、だましだましやりながら、まずはなんとかガウリイと会流しないと…」 "Either way, while using every trick in the book, first I have to run into Gourry somehow...."

あたしは空になった皿に目を落としたままでつぶやく。 I muttered, looking down into my now-empty plate.

「…まあ、ガウリイの方は、彼のことだから、なんとかやってると思うんだけど…それより心配なのはアメリアの方ね」 "...Actually, Gourry can probably take care of himself... Amelia's more worrying."

「大丈夫なんじゃないですか」 "Isn't it all right? / She's probably just fine."

「…どーゆー根拠でそーゆーのーてんきなセリフが吐けるのよ？」 "How can you say something so scatterbrained? / What basis do you have that makes you able to say such a heedless thing?"

「そりゃあまあ…ですねぇ…」 "Wellll... you seee...."

彼はホット・ミルクをひとくちこくんっ、と飲みくだし、 He took a deep drink of his hot milk, swallowed.

「えぇっと…さっきの状況なら、敵はそのアメリアさんを、その場で殺すこともできたはずですよね。ナイフか何かでひと突きすればすんだことなんですから。それをわざわざ、荷物になるのを承知の上で連れていったということは、何かに利用する、というつもりがあったからでしょう？」 "Mmm... based on the situation earlier, the enemy could have killed this Miss Amelia right there, yes? A single stab with a knife or some such thing would have done it. Despite knowing that she'd be a burden, they went out of their way to take her along with them, which suggests that they must have some use for her, right?"

「―つまり、あたしたちをおびき寄せるエサね」 "—In short, as bait to lure us in."

「そういうことです」 "That sort of thing,"

こっくるうなずくゼロスくん。 Xellos said, nodding.

あたしはため息をつきながら、 I sighed.

「…あのねぇ…それくらいはあたしだって読んでるわよ。あたしの心配してるのは、つまり…何とゆーか…命があったからって無事だとは限らない、ってことよ」 "...Now, look... I'd figured that much out myself. What I'm worried about is, well... how do I say this... just because somebody's alive doesn't mean they're all right."

ようやく運ばれてきた食後の香茶をすすりながらあたしは言う。 I took a sip of the after-meal tea that had finally arrived.

「それもだいじょーぶなんじゃないですか」 "That's probably just fine, too,"

またもやカルク彼は言う。 he said lightly (again).

「敵にマゼンダさんがいっらしゃる以上、そのアメリアさんの術を封じることもできますから、喉をつぶす、などという手段は取らないでしょう。それに、敵にしてみれば、アメリアさんを盾にして、あなたたちを倒したあとは、もちろん彼女を殺してしまうつもりでしょうが…どうせ殺すなら、儀式にでも使ったほうが合理的じゃあありませんか」 "Since Ms. Mazenda is among our enemies, this Miss Amelia's magic can be sealed, which means they probably won't crush her throat or anything like that. In addition, looking at it from their point of view, while they almost certainly intend to kill Miss Amelia after using her as a shield and defeating you (plural), wouldn't it be more rational to use her in, say, a ceremony or some such thing, since they're going to kill her anyway?"

「―儀式!?」 "—A ceremony!?"

香茶を持った手を止めて、あたしは思わず問い返。 I exclaimed, my tea-holding hand stopping.

「そうです。敵も一応宗教集団ですから。宗教に凝ったひとって、なぜか儀式とかが大好きなんですよね。ましてや敵は、魔王信仰などというシロモノ。となれば儀式として考えられるのは…」 "Yes. The enemy is also more or less part of a kind of religious group. For some reason, elaborately religious people love rituals and such-like. And our enemy worships a demon king, which means that when it comes to rituals...."

「生け贄!?」 "Live sacrifice!?"

思わず声を上げるあたし。 I blurted.

「そいうことです。生け贄は、なるべく清く美しいも��というのがセオリーです。ならば彼らは、アメリアさんに無意味な迫害をしたりはしないでしょう。…しっかし…」 "That sort of thing, yes. The theory is that a live sacrifice should be as pure and beautiful as possible. That being the case, they shouldn't meaninglessly persecute Miss Amelia. ...Still...."

ゼロスくん、やや複雑な苦笑を浮かべ、 Displaying a wry smile with slightly mixed emotions, Xellos continued,

「あの連中、人間があがめたてまつったからって言って、魔族がよろこんで、何かしてくれるとでも思ってるんでしょうかねぇ…本気で」 "Do you suppose those people really think that just because they've reverently offered up a human, mazoku will be pleased and do something for them... seriously."

「ま、他力本願で自分勝手に生きよう、ってぇ奴は多いから」 "Well, there're a lot of people who want to rely on others so they can live however they want,"

ため息まじりにあたしは言う。 I sighed.

「神サマの方につぃたら、どうしたって『自分勝手』の方が実現できないから、なら魔王の方の力を借りよう、ってなもんじゃないの？」 "It's a 'since we can't get 'however I want' by going to God, let's borrow a demon king's power,' sort of thing, right?"

「…ま、そんなところですか…」 "...Well, something like that...."

醒めた表情で言うゼロス。 Xellos said with a jaded expression.

「―あ。けどさ。敵が、人質として使い終わったあとは生け贄にしよう、ってとこまで思いつかなかったら？」 "—Oh. But hey. What if they don't think of using her as a sacrifice after they're done using her as a hostage?"

「それはないでしょう。なにしろクロツさんは、徹底した合理主義者ですから」 "They almost certainly will. After all, Mr. Kurotsu is a complete pragmatist."

「…クロツ？」 "Kurotsu?"

どこかで聞いたことがあるよーな…？ I have the feeling I've heard that name somewhere before...?

「あのひとたちのボス…教祖様、って言うんですかね」 "Their boss... guru, I suppose."

あ。そーか。 Ah. I see.

確か三人で敵の集会所へ言った時、あのバルグモンとかいう男が言っていた名である。 If I'm remembering right, when we three went to the enemy's meeting place, that Bargumon guy said the name.

「それで―あんたの方は、いったい連中とどーゆーふーに関わってたわけ？」 "So—how are you mixed up with these guys?"

「いやぁ…実はライゼールの方で、彼らとあるものの取りあいやってたんですよ。ま、くわしく話せば長くなるので、かいつまんで話しますけど結局クロツさんたちが、まんまとそれを手に入れて、本拠地のここへ帰って来て、ということです」 "Welll.... The fact is, we were both trying to get the same thing in Raizel. Telling the whole thing would take a long time, so this is just a summary, but ultimately Kurotsu and his people successfully got hold of it and returned to their headquarters here."

「…思いっきりかいつまんで話したわね…ま、いいけど…それで、一体何なの？その『あるもの』ってぇのは？」 "...That's an extremely summarized summary, isn't it. ...Well, whatever. So, what is it? That 'thing' you were both after?"

「…いやぁ、はっはっは。たいしたもんじゃありませんよ」 "...Ah, nooo, ha ha ha. It's [not an important/a trivial] object,"

言いながら、視線をそらし、ホット・ミルクをまたひと口。 he said, looking away and taking another drink of hot milk.

「あのねぇ…あんな連中やあんたみたいなのが争奪戦やってるよーなモノが、つまんないもんのはずないでしょーが。…正直に答えちゃいなさいよ」 "Now look... anything that that bunch and someone like you are fighting over couldn't possibly be boring, could it. ...Be honest/frank/straightforward."

「…いや…まあ…その…」 "...No... well... that's...."

ゼロスくん、何やらもぐもぐ言いながら、やがてぽそりとつぶやくように、 Xellos, mumbling something, finally almost whispered,

「…ただの『写本』ですよ」 "...It’s just a manuscript."

「…写本…？」 "...A manuscript...?"

写本、って言ったって… Did he say 'a manuscript'....

―まさか!? —No way!?

「ちょっと待って！」 思わずいすから立ち上がるあたし。 Involuntarily, I stood. "Hold it right there!"

「リナさんっ！声が大きいですよっ！」 "Ms. Lina! You're being very loud!"

あわててなだめるゼロスのことばに、あたしはふたたびいすに腰かける。 Xellos said, hastily trying to get me to act normal again. I sat back down.

―店のおやじさんが、うさんくさそうな目でこちらを眺めているのを視界の片隅にとらえ、あたしは声を殺してゼロスに尋ねる。 I saw the shopkeeper staring at us suspiciously out of the corner of my eye. Suppressing my voice, I asked Xellos,

「…写本って、あの『写本』なの？」 "...When you say 'manuscript', do you mean that manuscript?"

「…たぶん…その写本です…」 "...It's... probably that manuscript...."

「―異界黙示録（クレアバイブル）―」 "—The Claire Bible (Otherworld Revelation)—"

あたしの小さなつぶやきに、彼はこっくりとうなずいた。 I whispered, and Xellos nodded.

異界黙示録。 The Claire Bible.

それは、魔道士の間に伝わる伝説だった。 It was a legend among magicians.

こことは別の世界の、魔族たちや、魔道の奥義が記されているという魔道書。 A book of magic telling the secrets of sorcery, and mazoku, from worlds other than this.

オリジナル一冊と、その部分的な、不完全な写本のいくつかのみが、どこかに存在するという。 The legend said that only the single complete original and a number of fragments, incomplete copies, exist... somewhere.

魔道士うちで、ただ『写本』と言う場合は、それ―異界黙示録、実在説が根強いが、確たる証拠があるわけでもなく、ただの伝説にすぎない、という者もいる。 Among mages, just saying "manuscript" means "Claire Bible manuscript"—the rumor of its existence is deep-seated, but there's no definite evidence and there are those who say it's nothing more than a legend.

しかし― However—

実在するのだ。異界黙示録は。 The Claire Bible does exist.

かつてあたしは、郷里（くに）の姉ちゃんといっしょに、ディルス王国へと行ったことがある。 Once, I visited the kingdom of Dirus with my older sister.

その王宮には、こんな話が伝わっていた。 In the royal palace, we heard this:

かつてここには『写本』が存在したのだが、かなり昔、何者かによって焼かれてしまった、と。 That once a manuscript existed here, but that it was burned by someone quite a long time ago.

しかし『写本』に書かれた内容は、代々王宮づきの賢者によって言い伝えられてきており、あたしは幸いそれを耳にすることができたのだが― But the contents of the manuscript had been passed down through generations by the sages attached to the royal palace, and happily I was able to hear it—

かなりうそくさい話ではあったが、あたしは面白半分に、その言い伝えをもとにして、ふたつの術を組み立てた。 It was a very untrue-sounding story, but just for the fun of it I used what I'd heard as the basis for constructing two magic spells.

そして、うちの一つは実際に発動したのだ。 And one of them actually worked.

―車破斬（ギガ・スレイブ）― —Giga Slave (Wheel Destroyer)—

魔王の中の魔王、『金色の魔王（ロード・オブ・ナイトメア）』の力を借りて、この世界に虚無を引き入れる術。 A magic that draws on the power of the demon lord of all demon lords, the Lord of Nightmare (the Golden Demon Lord), and brings nothingness itself into this world.

その破壊力は、人が使えるうちでもっとも強力と言われている、竜破斬（ドラグ・スレイブ）の力をかるく上回る。 Its destructive power can be said to be the strongest a person can wield, easily surpassing the power of the Dragon Slave.

もしもディルスの言い伝えが―いや、それよりもまず異界黙示録（クレアバイブル）とその写本の存在がでたらめならば、決して発動するはずのない術である。 If the things passed down in the kingdom of Dirus—no, if the idea that Claire Bible and its manuscripts exist were rubbish, that magic spell would never have worked.

それができてしまった、ということは、とりもなおさず、伝説の魔道書が実在することを意味していた。 The fact that it did means that the legendary book of magic truly exists.

しかし― However—

あたしはそのことを、魔道士協会には報告しなかった。 I didn't report that to the Mage's Association.

人が扱うには、あまりにも大きすぎる力のような気がしたのだ。 I had the feeling that it was far too much power for people to wield.

やりようによっては世界さえ、滅ぼしうるほどの力である。 It's a power that, depending on the way it's used, could destroy the world itself.

…とは言っても。 ...That said.

『写本』が実在するからと言っても、ゼロスくんとあの連中が取りあいをしたモノが、本物だったとは限らないが。 So manuscripts really exist—that didn't mean the thing Xellos and the cult were fighting for was the real deal. 

「…でも…その『写本』って、本物なんでしょうね？」 "...But... is that 'manuscript' of yours genuine?"

あたしはわざと、疑いのまなざしをゼロスに向ける。 I purposely turned a doubtful look on Xellos.

「どっかの村が、村おこしか何かのために『写本がある』なんてふれまわった、なんてことかもしんないわよ」 "Some village somewhere might've spread the rumor that there was a manuscript there in order to revitalize the place or something like that."

「―ああ。よくあるそ―ですねぇ。そ―いう事件」 "—Yes, indeed. That's a common event."

カルい口調で答えるゼロス。 Xellos answered in a light tone.

「『伝説の魔道書』と称して、自分で書いた愚にもつかない本を、マニアに高く売りつけるとか… けど今回のこれは、そ―いうのとは違うはずです。 僕のカン、というのもむろんありますけど、何よりクロツさんが、教団の主力の大半をあの『写本』の奪取にふりわけ、自分自身も足を運んだ― そこまでやる以上、かなりの確信があったはずです。 その点から考えてみても、あれが本物だという可能性は高いと思いますよ」 "Selling a nonsensical, self-written book to enthusiasts for a high price, calling it the legendary book of magic and so on.... But this one is probably different. There is, of course, my intuition, but above all else, Mr. Kurotsu put over half the cult's main force into taking that manuscript, and even took a personal hand himself—to go that far, he must have been quite certain. Even if you consider that point, I believe the probability of it being genuine is high."

…なんか苦しいリクツのよ―な気がするが… ...I have the feeling that theory's pretty strained....

しかし『写本』が本物かどうか、ということよりも、重要なのは― But more important than whether the manuscript is real or not is—

「それで―」 "So—"

あたしは彼の瞳をじっと見すえて言った。 I spoke looking right into his eyes.

「その『写本』には一体何が書かれているの？いや、それよりあなた、その『写本』を手に入れて、一体何するつもり？」 "Exactly what's in that manuscript? No, more importantly: what do you intend to do once you've gotten your hands on it?"

「…う―ん…」 "...Mmm...."

ゼロスはしばし、困ったような顔をして、 Xellos looked uncomfortable for a little while, then:

「…僕の方にもいろいろと事情がありまして…言えることと言えないことがあるんです。 ただ―これだけはお約束します。 絶対に、『写本』を悪用したりはしませんから」 "...I have various circumstances myself... there are things I can and can't say. However—I promise you this: I absolutely will not misuse the manuscript."

むろん― Naturally—

そうと言われて、はいそ―ですか、と信じるほど、あたしはお人好しじゃない。 I'm not good-natured enough to say "oh, okay" and believe someone just because they've said that.

しかしともあれ、彼がその、クロツたちと対立していることだけは、どうやら確かなようである。 But whatever the case, at least the fact that he and Kurotsu's bunch were opposed seemed certain.

ガウリイの行方もわからず、あたしの魔術もたよりにならない今となっては、たとえ一時的なものにせよ、味方がほしいところである。 At this moment I didn't know where Gourry was, couldn't rely on my magic, and wanted an ally even if only a temporary one.

「―わかったわ。それじゃあそのことについては聞かない。 …けど、連中の方は『写本』を使って一体何をするつもりなの？」 "—All right. In that case I won't ask about that. ...But what do that bunch plan to do with the manuscript?"

あたしの問いに、ゼロスは苦笑を浮かべつつ、 In response to my question, Xellos smiled wryly and said,

「…そりゃあ…僕に聞かれたって困りますけど…まあ、あ―いった人たちですから、すべての人が幸せになりますように、なんて目的でないことは確かでしょうね」 "That's... a little troubling, being asked that question... well, since they're the kind of people they are, it's probably certain that they're not going to wish for everyone's happiness or anything like that."

「なるほどね―ね、ひとつ提案があるんだけど―」 "Yeah. Say, I have a proposal—"

「一時手を組まないか―でしょ？」 "Shall we work together temporarily—right?"

「あたり。敵の本拠はわかんないけど、近くにあった集会所までなら案内してあげられるし、あたしとしても、味方がいた方が心強い」 "Bullseye. I don't know where the enemy's headquarters is, but I can guide you to a meeting place near here, and even I feel better having an ally."

「―いいですよ。それに、敵にマゼンダさんがいる以上、ほうっとくわけにもいきませんからね」 "—All right. Besides, since Ms. Mazenda's here, I can hardly leave things as they are, can I."

「…わけありね」 "...Because reasons, I'm guessing."

「秘密です」 "It's secret."

言ってゼロスは、人さし指を、自分の口に押しあてた。 Xellos said, and touched his index finger to his mouth.

―かくて。 —Thus.

あたしとゼロスとのにわかコンビは結成されたのだった。 The impromptu Lina-Xellos combo was formed.