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apothecaryscript · 4 months ago

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Episode 8 : Wheat Stalks / 第8話『麦稈(Mugiwara)』

猫猫「帰ってきたんだ…んん…ああ…べたつく。おやじは…畑か」

Maomao “Kaette kitanda. Nn…Aa… Betatsuku. Oyajiwa… hatake ka.”

Maomao “Oh, right, I’m home. So sticky. Dad… Must be out in the field.”

猫猫「もう、年も年だし、畑仕事はやめてもらいたいが…自分で育てた薬草で、薬作るのが好きなんだよな、おやじ」

Maomao “Mo, toshimo toshi-dashi, hatake-shigotowa yamete moraitaiga… Jibunde sodateta yakusode, kusuri tsukuru-noga sukinan-dayona, oyaji.”

Maomao “I wish he’d stop working the field at his age, but he just really enjoys making medicine out of the herbs he grows.”

猫猫「壊れる…見ない顔だな。よその禿か…。おやじなら、ちょっ…」

Maomao “Kowareru… Minai kaodana. Yosono kamuroka… Oyajinara, cho…”

Maomao “Don’t break it. I don’t know you. Are you a servant at a different brothel? My dad’s- Hey!”

禿「来て！」

Kamuro “Kite!”

Serving girl “Come with me!”

禿「姐さん！薬屋連れてきた！」

Kamuro “Neesan! Kusuriya tsurete-kita!”

Serving girl “Big Sis! I brought the apothecary!”

妓女「早く！」

Gijo “Hayaku!”

Courtesan “Hurry!”

猫猫「この匂い…！」

Maomao “Kono nioi…!”

Maomao “This smell…”

妓女「あっ、薬屋さん！とりあえず、吐かせたけど…」

Gijo “A, kusuriya-san! Toriaezu, hakaseta-kedo…”

Courtesan “Apothecary! I made them throw up already, but…”

猫猫「まだだ！男が息してない。女の呼吸も浅い。喉に嘔吐物が残ってないか確認する。そっちを頼む」

Maomao “Madada! Otokoga iki shitenai. Onnano kokyumo asai. Nodoni outo-butsuga nokotte-inaika kakunin suru. Socchio tanomu.”

Maomao “Right! The man isn’t breathing! The woman’s breathing is too weak. We’ll check if there’s any vomit left in their throats. You check her.”

妓女「え…ええ」

Gijo “E…ee.”

Courtesan “Y-Yes!”

猫猫（脈もない…喉には詰まってない。唾液だけか）

Maomao (Myakumo nai. Nodo-niwa tsumatte-nai. Daeki dakeka.)

Maomao (No pulse. Nothing clogging the throat. Just saliva.”

妓女「水を持ってきて！」

Gijo “Mizuo motte-kite!”

Courtesan “Bring water!”

猫猫「水は飲ませるな！炭だ、炭を用意しろ」

Maomao “Mizuwa nomaseruna! Sumida, sumio yoi-shiro.”

Maomao “No water! Bring charcoal. Charcoal!”

禿「は…はい！」

Kamuro “Ha…Hai!”

Serving girl “Y-Yes!”

猫猫「朝から一体、何なんだよ…あ～、風呂入りたい」

Maomao “Asa-kara ittai, nannan-dayo… Aaa, furo hairi-tai.”

Maomao “Great way to start the morning. Wow, I need a bath…”

妓女「ありがとう、薬屋さん。2人とも落ち着いたわ」

Gijyo “Arigato, kusuriya-san. Futari-tomo ochi-tsuitawa.”

Courtesan “Thank you, apothecary. They’re both stable now.”

猫猫「あ…そのままにしてくれ」

Maomao “A… Sono-mamani shite-kure.”

Maomao “Wait, leave that alone.”

妓女「吐いたものも？」

Gijo “Haita monomo?”

Courtesan “Even what they threw up on?”

猫猫「毒が残ってるかもしれない」

Maomao “Dokuga nokotteru-kamo shirenai.”

Maomao “There could still be poison in it.”

妓女「毒？！」

Gijo “Doku?!”

Courtesan “Poison…”

妓女「お茶の準備するわね」

Gijo “Ochano junbi suru-wane.”

Courtesan “I’ll go make some tea.”

猫猫（倒れていたのは妓女と、その客…部屋には酒とタバコの匂いが充満していた。酒瓶が2つ。割れたガラスの器。これは…麦稈か？キセルに、タバコの葉…面倒くさいことをやらかすもんだ）

Maomao (Taorete-itanowa gijoto, sono kyaku… Heya-niwa saketo tabakono nioiga juman shite-ita. Saka-binga futatsu. Wareta garasuno utsuwa. Korewa…mugiwaraka? Kiseruni, tabakono ha… Mendo-kusai koto’o yarakasu monda.)

Maomao (The two who collapsed here were a courtesan and her customer. The room was filled with the scent of alcohol and tobacco. Two bottles. Broken glass cups. This is… a wheat stalk? A pipe and some tobacco leaves. They really went out of their way to cause trouble.)

禿「これ、炭…」

Kamuro “Kore, sumi…”

Serving girl “I’ve got the charcoal…”

猫猫「ああ、あと木簡と、書くものも」

Maomao “Aa, ato mokkanto kaku-monomo.”

Maomao “Good. Also, get me a text plate and something to write with.”

禿「え？」

Kamuro “E?”

Serving girl “Huh?”

猫猫「南の外壁のそばの畑に、うちのおやじがいるはずだから、あとで連れてきてくれ」

Maomao “Minamino gaihekino sobano hatakeni, uchino oyajiga iru-hazu dakara, atode tsurete kite-kure.”

Maomao “My dad should be out in the fields, near the southern wall. Bring him over here later.”

禿「分かった」

Kamuro “Wakatta.”

Serving girl “Got it.”

猫猫「遅かったな、おやじ」

Maomao “Osokattana, Oyaji.”

Maomao “You’re late, Dad.”

羅門「この子が足を気遣ってくれたんだ」

Ruomen “Kono koga ashio kizukatte kuretanda.”

Luomen “This girl was worried about my leg.”

猫猫「炭は潰しておいた」

Maomao “Sumiwa tsubushite oita.”

Maomao “I crashed the charcoal.”

羅門「ああ、すぐに薬草に混ぜて飲ませよう」

Ruomen “Aa, suguni yakusoni mazete nomaseyo.”

Luomen “Yes, let’s mix it with the herbs and give it to them immediately.”

妓女「飲める？」

Gijo “Nomeru?”

Courtesan “Can you drink this?”

妓女「あの人は？」

Gijyo “Ano hitowa?”

Courtesan “What about him…?”

妓女「無事よ。薬も飲んだし」

Gijo “Bujiyo. Kusurimo nondashi.”

Courtesan “He’s safe. He had the medicine, too.”

羅門「処置の仕方は、まあまあかな」

Ruomen “Shochino shikatawa, maa-maa-kana.”

Luomen “Your treatment’s not bad.”

猫猫「まあまあかい」

Maomao “Maa-maa-kai.”

Maomao “‘Not bad’, huh?”

猫猫（おやじは、１の情報から、２も３も知ることができる人間だ）

Maomao (Oyajiwa, ichi-no joho-kara ni-mo san-mo shiru kotoga dekiru ningenda.)

Maomao (Dad’s able to deduce two or three things from a single piece of information.)

羅門「これは何の毒だと思った？」

Ruomen “Korewa nanno doku-dato omotta?”

Luomen “What kind of poison do you think this was?”

猫猫（来た！親父はたまにこうやって勉強させようとする）

Maomao (Kita! Oyajiwa tamani ko-yatte benkyo saseyoto suru.)

Maomao (Here goes! Dad sometimes tries to make me learn stuff this way.)

猫猫「タバコの葉は猛毒だ。心中で使うなら、これだと思う」

Maomao “Tabakono hawa modokuda. Shinju-de tsukau-nara, koredato omou.”

Maomao “Tobacco leaves are deadly poisons. That would be what they’d use in a double suicide.”

羅門「水は飲ませなかったようだね」

Ruomen “Mizuwa nomase-nakatta-yodane.”

Luomen “You didn’t have them drink water, right?”

猫猫「飲んだら逆効果だろ？」

Maomao “Nondara gyaku-koka daro?”

Maomao “Water would make things worse, right?”

羅門「そうだね、胃液が毒の吸収を抑えることもあるから、その場合は逆効果だろう。でも、もしこれが、最初から水に溶かしたものであったなら？」

Ruomen “Sodane, iekiga dokuno kyushuo osaeru kotomo aru-kara, sono baaiwa gyaku-koka daro. Demo, moshi korega, saisho-kara mizuna tokashita monode atta-nara?”

Luomen “Correct. Gastric juices can prevent the intake of poison in some cases, so diluting it might make things worse. However, what if this poison was already soaked in water?”

猫猫（ハッ…嘔吐物に葉が混じってない。見逃した…まだ寝ぼけてんのかな。水に溶かしたものであれば、薄めた方がいい場合もある。よし…覚えた）

Maomao (Ha… Outo-butsuni haga majitte inai. Minogashita… Mada neboketen-nokana. Mizuni tokashita monode areba, usumeta-hoga ii baaimo aru. Yoshi…oboeta.)

Maomao (There are no leaves in the vomit. I missed that. Maybe I’m still half asleep. If the poison was soaked in water, sometimes diluting it with more water is good. Got it. Lesson learned.)

ーーーーー

気前がいい婆「すまないねえ」

Kimaega ii Babaa “Sumanai-nee.”

Generous Madam “Sorry for the trouble.”

猫猫（客用の茶菓子をふるまうとは…なかなか気前が良い。なるほど…器に紅が移らないように使うのか）

Maomao (Kyaku-yono chagashio furumau-towa… Naka-naka kimaega yoi. Naruhodo… Utsuwani beniga utsura-naiyoni tsukau-noka.)

Maomao (Serving us snacks reserved for customers? That’s quite generous of her. I see, it prevents lipstick from getting on the cup.)

婆「ほんとに助かったよ。これは心ばかりだが…」

Babaa “Hontoni tasukattayo. Korewa kokoro-bakari-daga…”

Madam “You really saved us. This is just a small token of our gratitude.”

羅門「いや、そんなに…」

Ruomen “Iya, sonnani…”

Luomen “Oh no, that’s too much―”

猫猫「おやじ。今月、やり手婆に家賃払えるのか？」

Maomao “Oyaji. Kongetsu, Yarite-Babaani yachin haraeru-noka?”

Maomao “Dad, can you afford rent this month?”

羅��「では…」

Ruomen “Dewa…”

Luomen “Ah, in that case…”

猫猫（まったくこの親父は…。今回のは、花街では珍しくもない心中だろう。身請けできない男と、年季の明けない女がそろえば、そんなことばかり思いつくのだ。…しかしあの男、身なりは随分上等だった。顔だちも甘く、金にも女にも困りそうにない。偏見で考えると怒られそうだが…妓女との未来を憂いて毒を飲むようには見えなかった…）

Maomao (Mattaku kono oyajiwa… Konkai-nowa hana-machi-dewa mezurashikumo nai shinju daro. Miuke dekinai otokoto, nenkino akenai onnaga soroeba, sonna koto bakari omoi-tsuku-noda. Shikashi ano otoko, minariwa zuibun joto datta. Kao-dachimo amaku, kane-nimo onna-nimo komarisoni nai. Henkende kangaeruto okorare-sodaga… Gijo-tono miraio ureite dokuo nomu-yoniwa miena-katta…)

Maomao (Jeez, you old man… Must have been a double suicide. Not exactly rare in the pleasure district, A man who can’t afford to buy out a courtesan, and a courtesan with time left on her term. People like that often reach this same conclusion. Still, that man was very well-dressed. He had a handsome face, too. Didn’t seem like someone who’d be short on money or women. Dad wouldn’t approve of me judging through stereotypes, but… He didn’t seem like someone who’d drink poison with a courtesan out of despair for their future.)

猫猫「ちょっと、様子を見てくる」

Maomao “Chotto, yosuo mite-kuru.”

Maomao “I’m going to go check on them.”

猫猫（男の方が容体が重かったな…）

Maomao (Otokono hoga yodaiga omokattana…)

Maomao (The man seemed to be in worse condition…)

猫猫「何やってる！」

Maomao “Nani yatteru!”

Maomao “What are you doing?!”

禿「邪魔しないで！こんなやつ、死んだ方がいいんだ！」

Kamuro “Jama shinaide! Konna yatsu, shinda-hoga iinda!”

Serving girl “Don’t stop me! This guy deserves to die!”

妓女「あっ、あんたたち、何してるの！」

Gijo “A, Anta-tachi, nani shiteruno!”

Courtesan “Wh-What are you doing?!”

妓女「薬屋さん、ちょっとお話いいかしら？」

Gijo “Kusuriya-san, chotto ohanashi iikashira?”

Courtesan “Apothecary, may I speak with you?”

妓女「彼は元々、問題の多い客だったの。妓女に甘い言葉をかけて身請けをほのめかしては、飽きたら捨てるを繰り返す。恨みばかり買って、逆上した女に刺されそうになったり、毒を盛られたこともあったわ。けど、豪商の父親に甘やかされて、ことあるごとに金で解決してた。最近では、親に頼んで、娼館まで護衛を付けて来ていたわ。この子の姉も、あの男に捨てられたの。これからは一緒に暮らせるって、喜んでいたのに…身請けの当日に、急に白紙にされて…だから、許せなかったんだと思う。今回一緒に毒を飲んだ子にも、懐いていたから」

Gijo “Karewa moto-moto, mondaino ooi kyaku dattano. Gijoni amai kotobao kakete miukeo honomekashi-tewa, akitara suteruo kurikaesu. Urami bakari katte, gyakujo-shita onnani sasare-soni nattari, dokuo morareta kotomo attawa. Kedo, goshono chichi-oyani amayaka-sarete, koto-aru-gotoni kanede kaiketsu shiteta. Saikin-dewa, oyani tanonde, shokan-made goeio tsukete kite-itawa. Kono kono anemo, ano otokoni suteraretano. Korekarawa isshoni kuraserutte, yorokonde-itanoni… Miukeno tojitsuni, kyuni hakushini sarete… Dakara, yuruse-nakattan-dato omou. Konkai isshoni dokuo nonda ko-nimo natsuite itakara.”

Courtesan “That man was always a problem customer. He’d sweet-talk a courtesan and insinuate that he would buy her out. When he got tired of her, he’d just dump her. He was widely hated. Some woman tried to stab him, even. He’d been poisoned in the past, too. But his rich merchant father pampers him. He settles everything with money. Recently, he asked his father to hire guards for him to travel to the brothels with. This girl’s older sister got dumped by him, too. She was so happy she could live with him, but on the day of the buy-out, he suddenly canceled on her. That’s why, I think, she couldn’t forgive him. The courtesan who drank the poison today was close to her, as well.”

猫猫「だから、目をつむれと？そんな客なら、出入り禁止にすればいいものを」

Maomao “Dakara, meo tsumureto? Sonna kyaku-nara, deiri kinshini sureba iimono’o.”

Maomao “So, you want me to pretend I didn’t see anything? If he’s such a problem, why not just ban him?”

妓女「入れ込んだのは、あの子の方なの」

Gijo “Irekonda-nowa, ano kono ho-nano.”

Courtesan “It’s the courtesan who fell for him."

猫猫「それで心中騒ぎとなれば、娼館としては頭が痛い話ですね」

Maomao “Sorede shinju-sawagito nareba, shokanto shitewa atamaga itai hanashi desune.”

Maomao “In that case, I suppose word of a double suicide would make matters worse for the brothel.”

猫猫（やけに手厚かったのは、豪商の息子を自分の店で死なせずに済んだからか…そして…それが逆に理不尽に感じられたのだろう）

Maomao (Yakeni teatsukatta-nowa, goshono musuko’o jibunno misede shinasezuni sunda-karaka… Soshite sorega gyakuni rifujinni kanji-raretano-daro.)

Maomao (So, they served us the good snacks because we prevented a rich merchant’s son from dying on the premises. And… That must have felt unfair to her.)

猫猫「分かりました」

Maomao “Wakari-mashita.”

Maomao “I understand.”

ーーーーー

猫猫（今日はたまたま私が家に帰っていたが、いつも買い物をしている子なら、おやじのいない時間くらい知っていたかもしれない。普通なら医者を呼ぶ状況で、わざわざ不在の薬屋を呼びに来たとすれば…あの禿、小さい割に恐ろしい…）

Maomao (Kyowa tama-tama watashiga ieni kaette-itaga, itsumo kaimono’o shite-iru konara, oyajino inai jikan kurai shitte-itakamo shirenai. Futsu-nara ishao yobu jokyode, waza-waza fuzaino kusuriyao yobini kitato sureba… Ano kamuro, chiisai warini osoroshii…)

Maomao (I just happened to be home today, but if the girl shops with us often, perhaps she knew when my dad is usually away. Normally you’d call for a doctor at a time like that, but she went out of her way to find a missing apothecary. That servant girl is scarier than she looks.”

羅門「せっかく帰ってきたというのに、何だったねぇ」

Ruomen “Sekkaku kaette kitato iunoni, nandatta-nee.

Luomen “It’s too bad your homecoming turned out this way.”

猫猫「おやじ、さっきの見せて。」

Maomao “Oyaji, sakkino misete.”

Maomao “Dad, show me that money from earlier.”

猫猫（うん、ちゃんと入ってる。案の定、口止め料まで…でもなんだか引っかかる。話からして、男はかなりしたたかだ。そんな男が、惚れた腫れたで心中など起こすものだろうか）

Maomao (Un, chanto haitteru. Annojo, kuchidome-ryo made… Demo nandaka hikkakaru. Hanashi-kara shite, otokowa kanari shitatakada. Sonna otokoga, horeta-haretade shinju-nado okosu mono-daroka.)

Maomao (Yep, all there. As expected, including hush money. Something bothers me, though. Judging from the stories, the man is pretty clever. Would someone like him join a double suicide over romance?)

猫猫「ならば無理心中か？いや、毒を盛られたことのある男がそう簡単に…」

Maomao “Naraba muri-shinju ka? Iya, dokuo morareta kotono aru otokoga so kantanni…”

Maomao “Was it a forced suicide? No, a man who’d been poisoned before wouldn’t easily-“

羅門「猫猫、憶測でものを言っちゃいけないよ」

Ruomen “Maomao, okusokude mono’o iccha ikenaiyo.”

Luomen “Maomao, you shouldn’t speak based on conjecture.”

猫猫「おやじはもう、真相に気づいているんだろ？」

Maomao “Oyajiwa mo, shinsoni kizuite irundaro?”

Maomao “Dad, you already figured out what really happened, right?”

猫猫（思い出そう。現場に何があったか…見逃したものはないか）

Maomao (Omoidaso. Genbani naniga attaka… Minogashita monowa naika.)

Maomao (Let’s try to recall what was at the scene and what I might have missed.)

猫猫「タバコの葉は猛毒だ。心中で使うなら、これだと思う」

Maomao “Tabakono hawa modokuda. Shinjude tsukau-nara, koredato omou.”

Maomao “Tobacco leaves are deadly poisons. This would be what they would use in a double suicide.”

羅門「もしこれが、最初から水に溶かしたものであったなら？」

Ruomen “Moshi korega, saisho-kara mizuna tokashita monode atta-nara?”

Luomen “However, what if this poison was already mixed in water?”

妓女「入れ込んだのは、あの子の方なの」

Gijo “Irekonda-nowa, ano kono ho-nano.”

Courtesan “It’s the courtesan who fell for him.”

禿「こんなやつ、死んだ方がいいんだ！」

Kamuro “Konna yatsu, shinda-hoga iinda!”

Serving girl “This guy deserves to die!”

妓女「今回、一緒に毒を飲んだ子にも懐いていたから…」

Gijo “Konkai, isshoni dokuo nonda konimo natsuite itakara…”

Courtesan “The courtesan who drank the poison today was close to her as well.”

猫猫「なるほど。器に紅が移らないように使うのか」

Maomao “Naruhodo. Utsuwani beniga utsura-naiyoni tsukau-noka.”

Maomao “I see, it prevents the lipstick from getting on the cup.”

猫猫（これは心中じゃない。殺人だ。水に溶かしたもの…麦稈…種類の違う2色の酒…）

Maomao (Korewa shinjuja nai. Satsujinda. Mizuni tokashita mono… Mugiwara… Shuruino chigau ni-shokuno sake…)

Maomao (This wasn’t a double suicide. It was murder. Poisoned water, wheat stalks, two separate drinks with different colors…)

羅門「もう終わったことだよ」

Ruomen “Mo owatta koto dayo.”

Luomen “It’s already over.”

猫猫「分かってる」

Maomao “Wakatteru.”

Maomao “I know.”

猫猫（心中じゃなく殺人。しかも、殺そうとしたのは妓女のほうだ。犯行に使われたのは、タバコを漬けた毒の酒。しかし、護衛を付けるほど用心深くなっている男に、どうやって毒酒を飲ませたのか…簡単だ。毒見をして見せればいい。

妓女が無事なら、男は酒を口にする。しかし、実際に毒の酒を飲めば、女も無事では済まない。そこで道具を使った。酒は2種類、器は1つ。酒は、中身が違えば、濃さや重さが違う。重い酒の上に、軽い酒をゆっくり注げば、層ができて、見た目が良い。客を喜ばせる小ネタとして使えば…怪しまれることなく、妓女は下の層だけを麦稈で飲んでみせた。妓女も、上澄みの酒を飲んだ。死なないように、少しの量を。自分も死んでしまえば、元も子もない。男が死に、自分が生き残る計算を考えた上で、朝方に事を起こしたのだろう。そして都合よく、それを発見する人間がいた。儚げだが、それでいてしたたかだ。）

Maomao (Shinjuja naku satsujin. Shikamo, korosoto shita-nowa gijono hoda. Hankoni tsukawareta-nowa, tabako’o tsuketa dokuno sake. Shikashi, goeio tsukeru-hodo yojin-bukaku natte-iru otokoni, do-yatte dokushu’o nomaseta-noka. Kantanda. Dokumio shite misereba ii. Gijoga buji-nara, otokowa sakeo kuchini suru. Shikashi, jissaini dokuno sakeo nomeba, onnamo buji-dewa sumanai. Sokode doguo tsukatta. Sakewa ni-shurui, utsuwawa hitotsu. Sakewa, nakamiga chigaeba, kosaya omosaga chigau. Omoi sakeno ueni, karui sakeo yukkuri sosogeba, soga dekite mitamega yoi. Kyakuo yoroko-baseru konetato shite tsukaeba… ayashima-reru-koto naku gijowa shitano sodakeo mugiwarade nonde miseta. Gijomo uwazumino sakeo nonda. Shinanai-yoni, sukoshino ryo’o. Jibunmo shinde shimaeba, motomo komo nai. Otokoga shini, jibunga ikinokoru keisan’o kangaeta uede, asagatani koto’o okoshitano-daro. Soshite tsugo-yoku, soreo hakken-suru ningenga ita. Hakanage-daga, sorede-ite shitatakada.)

Maomao (Murder, not a double suicide. And it’s the courtesan who tried to kill the man, using drinks laced with tobacco poison. But the man was cautious enough to have guards around. How did she get him to drink the poison? Simple. She took a sip as well. If the courtesan was safe, the man would drink, too. But if she drank the poison, she’d be in danger herself. That’s why she used a trick. Two drinks, one cup. Different drinks have varying thicknesses and weights. By pouring a lighter drink slowly over a heavy drink, you can create a pretty-looking, layered drink. She used that as a small parlor trick to impress her guest. Then, she used the wheat stalk to drink just the lower layer, without raising suspicion. Afterwards, she drank from the upper layer as well. Just a little bit, so it wouldn’t kill her. She didn’t want to end up dead herself. She did the act in the morning to increase the odds that he would die, and she would survive. And conveniently, someone came to witness it. She appeared fragile, but she’s actually quite clever.”

禿「姐さん、何やってるの？寝てなきゃダメ！」

Kamuro “Neesan, nani yatteruno? Netenakya dame!”

Serving girl “What are you doing, Big Sis? You should stay in bed!”

猫猫（禿の行動は、どこかおかしかった。男を手遅れにするために、わざわざ医者ではなく薬屋を訪ね、おやじを呼ぶのにも時間をかけた。そこに姐ちゃんへの心配はなかったのだろうか。実の姉と同じように、また親しい者が死ぬとは考えなかったのだろうか。まるで、死なないと分かって行動しているようだった…なんて、考えすぎだろうか。そして、禿にやたら同情的な妓女。金払いのいい、やり手婆。怪しいと思ったら、いくらでも怪しいと思えてしまう。もしやみんな…ハア、憶測でものを言っちゃいけないか…）

Maomao (Kamurono kodowa, dokoka okashi-katta. Otoko’o teokureni suru-tameni, waza-waza isha-dewa naku kusuriyao tazune, oyajio yobuno-nimo jikan’o kaketa. Sokoni, neechan’eno shinpaiwa nakattano-daroka. Jitsuno aneto onaji-yoni, mata shitashii monoga shinu-towa kangae-nakattano-daroka. Marude, shinanaito wakatte kodo shite-iru yo-datta… nante, kangae-sugi daroka. Soshite, kamuroni yatara dojo-tekina gijo. Kane-baraino ii, yarite-babaa. Ayashiito omottara, ikura-demo ayashiito omoete shimau. Moshiya, minna… Haa, okusokude mono’o iccha ikenaika…)

Maomao (The servant girl did behave a bit strangely. In order to make sure the man didn’t survive, she went to an apothecary, not a doctor. She even took her time bringing my dad over. Wasn’t she worried that her ‘Big Sis’ would die? Wasn’t she worried that someone close to her would die again, like her real sister? It’s almost as if she knew the courtesan would survive. Or am I over-thinking this? In addition, the other courtesan was sympathetic to the servant girl. Plus, the very generous madam… Once I start doubting, there’s no stopping. Could they all have been… I shouldn’t speak based on conjecture.)

猫猫（ずっと帰りたかった花街も、本質は後宮と変わらない。花園であり、鳥かごだ。みんな、閉じこもった空気に毒されていく。妓女も、周りの毒を食らうことで、甘い毒へと変わっていく。あの妓女がどうなるのかは分からない。ドラ息子が毒を飲まされたと訴えるかもしれないし、逆に娼館側が商品を台無しにされたと脅すかもしれない。…どちらでもいい。そんなことをいちいち考えていては、この街で生きていけない）

Maomao (Zutto kaeri-takatta hana-machimo, honshitsuwa kokyuto kawaranai. Hanazonode ari, torikagoda. Minna, tojikomotta kukini dokusarete-iku. Gijomo mawarino dokuo kurau-kotode, amai dokueto kawatte-iku. Ano gijoga do naruno-kawa wakaranai. Dora-musukoga dokuo nomasaretato uttaeru-kamo shirenaishi, gyakuni shokan-gawaga shohin’o dainashini saretato odosu-kamo shirenai. …Dochira-demo ii. Sonna koto’o ichi-ichi kangaete-itewa, kono machide ikite ikenai.)

Maomao (I really missed this pleasure district, but in essence, it’s no different from the rear palace. It’s both a garden and a cage. The stale, trapped air poisons everyone. The courtesans also eat the poison around them to become a sweet poison themselves. I don’t know what’ll happen to that courtesan. Maybe the annoying customer will assert that she tried to poison him. Maybe the brothel will accuse him of ruining their merchandise instead. Well, whatever. You can’t live life in this neighborhood worrying about every little thing.)

梅梅「猫猫」

Meimei “Maomao.”

猫猫「梅梅姐ちゃん」

Maomao “Meimei neechan.”

Maomao “Meimei.”

梅梅「もう後宮に戻るの？」

Meimei “Mo kokyuni modoruno?”

Meimei “You’re going back to the rear palace already?”

猫猫「年季がまだ1年残ってるし、仕事を放棄したら迷惑がかかる」

Maomao “Nenkiga mada ichi-nen nokotterushi, shigoto’o hoki shitara meiwakuga kakaru.”

Maomao “I have a year left on my term. I also have work to do that I can’t force on others.”

梅梅「そう…せっかく帰ってこられたのに。猫猫が急に行方不明になって、みんな心配してたのよ。白鈴も女華も、おばばも。」

Meimei “So… Sekkaku kaette-korareta-noni. Maomaoga kyuni yukue-fumeini natte, minna shinpai shiteta-noyo. Pairinmo Jokamo, Obabamo.”

Meimei “That’s too bad. You just got back. Everyone was worried when you suddenly went missing. Pairin, Joka, and even the old lady.”

猫猫「え？そんなこと、一言も…」

Maomao “E? Sonna koto, hitokotomo…”

Maomao “Really? She never said…”

梅梅「いつも通りだったでしょう？あんたが帰ってきたからよ」

Meimei “Itsumo-doori datta-desho? Antaga kaette kita-karayo.”

Meimei “She acted like usual, right? It’s because you came back.”

猫猫「そっか…おお～」

Maomao “Sokka… Oooo”

Maomao “I see.”

梅梅「や～だ、さみしくなっちゃった？よしよし～」

Meimei “Yaaada, samishiku nacchatta? Yoshi-yoshiii.”

Meimei “Oh no, did I make you all sentimental? There, there!”

猫猫「ちょ…梅梅姐ちゃん！」

Maomao “Cho… Meimei neechan!”

Maomao “Come on, Meimei!”

梅梅「猫猫、離れには行ったの？」

Meimei “Maomao, hanare-niwa ittano?”

Meimei “Maomao, did you visit the annex?”

猫猫「ん…あとで行く」

Maomao “N… Atode iku.”

Maomao “I’ll go later.”

ーーーーー

羅門「気を付けるんだよ」

Ruomen “Kio tsukerun-dayo.”

Luomen “Take care of yourself.”

猫猫「おやじも。行ってきます」

Maomao “Oyajimo. Itte-kimasu.”

Maomao “You, too. I’m off.”

猫猫（3日間の里帰りは、あっという間に終わった）

Maomao (Mikka-kanno sato-gaeriwa, atto iumani owatta.)

Maomao (My three-day homecoming was over before I knew it.)

白鈴「もう帰っちゃうなんて、残念だわ～。ねえ？李白様？」

Pairin “Mo kaecchau-nante, zan’nen-dawaaa. Nee? Rihaku-sama?”

Pairin “I’m so sad to see you go so soon! Right? Master Lihaku?”

李白「やは～、実に残念だ」

Rihaku “Yahaaa, jitsuni zan’nenda.”

Lihaku “Yes! I’m so sad, too!”

猫猫（いい夢見れたみたいだな…一度天上の甘露を知れば、地上には戻れない。きっと、生かさず殺さず、搾り取られることだろう…とはいえ、前払いで足りなかった銀を補うのは私だ）

Maomao (Ii yume mireta mitai-dana… Ichido tenjono kanro’o shireba, chijo-niwa modorenai. Kitto, ikasazu korosazu, shibori-torareru kotodaro… Towa-ie, mae-baraide tarinakatta gin’o oginau-nowa watashida.)

Maomao (Looks like he had a good dream. Once you have a taste of the heavenly dews, there’s no turning back to reality. I’m sure they’ll squeeze him dry, gently but thoroughly. That said, I’m the one that has to cover for the amount that I couldn’t pay up front.)

やり手婆「帰ってくるときは連絡しな」

Yarite-Babaa “Kaette kuru-tokiwa renraku shina.”

Madam “Let me know when you’re coming home next.”

猫猫（おかげで次の身売り先が決定である）

Maomao (Okagede tsugino miuri-sakiga ketteide aru.)

Maomao (And thus, my next buyer has been determined.”

ーーーーー

壬氏「む～っ…」

Jinshi “Muuuu…”

猫猫（なぜだろう？やたら、こっちを睨んでいる…。早めに退散しよう）

Maomao (Naze-daro? Yatara, kocchio nirande-iru… Hayameni taisan shiyo.)

Maomao (What’s with the intense stare? I’d better make my escape.)

猫猫「では、着替えてまいりますので」

Maomao “Dewa, kigaete mairimasu-node.”

Maomao “I’ll go get changed.”

桜花「あとで」

Infa “Atode.”

Yinghua “Tell us…”

愛藍「いろいろ」

Airan “Iro-iro.”

Ailan “Everything…”

貴園「聞かせてね」

Guien “Kikasetene.”

Guiyuan “Later!”

壬氏「応接室で待っているぞ。フンッ」

Jinshi “Osetsu-shitsude matte-iruzo. Fun.”

Jinshi “I’ll be waiting for you in the parlor.”

猫猫「失礼いたします」

Maomao “Shitsurei itashi-masu.”

Maomao “Excuse me.”

猫猫（なんだか態度が悪い気がする…気のせいだろうか？気のせいにしたい。気のせいにしよう。にしても…なぜ2人きりなんだ）

Maomao (Nandaka taidoga warui kiga suru… Kino sei daroka? Kino seini shitai. Kino seini shiyo. Ni shitemo… Naze futari-kiri nanda.)

Maomao (For some reason, he seems really upset. Am I over-thinking it? I hope I’m over-thinking it. Let’s go with that! Why are we alone, anyway?”

壬氏「里帰り、行ってきたようだな」

Jinshi “Sato-gaeri, itte-kita-yodana.”

Jinshi “So, you went home, huh?”

猫猫「はい」

Maomao “Hai.”

Maomao “Yes.”

壬氏「どうだった？」

Jinshi “Do datta?”

Jinshi “How was it?”

猫猫「みんな元気そうで、何よりでした」

Maomao “Minna genki-sode nani-yori deshita.”

Maomao “Everyone’s doing well, so I was glad for that.”

壬氏「そうか」

Jinshi “Soka.”

Jinshi “I see.”

猫猫「はい」

Maomao “Hai.”

Maomao “Yes.”

壬氏「李白っていうのは、どういう男なんだ？」

Jinshi “Rihakutte iunowa, do-iu otoko nanda?”

Jinshi “What is this Lihaku fellow like?”

猫猫「ん？身元引受人です」

Maomao “N? Mimoto hikiuke-nin desu.”

Maomao “He was my guarantor.”

猫猫（なぜに名前を知っている？）

Maomao (Nazeni namaeo shitte-iru?)

Maomao (How does he know that name?)

壬氏「意味が分かって言っているのか？その意味が」

Jinshi “Imiga wakatte itte-irunoka? Sono imiga.”

Jinshi “Do you even know what that means?”

猫猫「ええ。身元のしっかりした高官でないと、引受人にはなれないと」

Maomao “Ee. Mimotono shikkari-shita kokande naito, hikiuke-nin-niwa narenaito.”

Maomao “Yes. Only a higher-ranking official with a good record can serve as a guarantor."

壬氏「かんざしをもらったのか？」

Jinshi “Kanzashio moratta-noka?”

Jinshi “Did he give you a hairpin?”

猫猫「何本も配っていましたので、義理でいただきました」

Maomao “Nanbonmo kubatte imashita-node, giride itadaki-mashita.”

Maomao “He was passing out several, so I took one as a consolation prize.”

壬氏「つまり、義理でもらったものに、俺は負けたんだな？」

Jinshi “Tsumari, giride moratta-mononi, orewa maketan-dana?”

Jinshi “So, I lost to a consolation prize, huh?”

猫猫（うん？）

Maomao (Un?)

壬氏「俺もあげたはずなんだが、全く話��来なかったな」

Jinshi “Oremo ageta hazu-nandaga, mattaku hanashiwa konakattana.”

Jinshi “I thought I gave you one too, but I never heard from you.”

猫猫（俺？何だ、要するに自分に話が来なかったのが気に食わないのか。不思議なものだ…面倒ごとには関わらないほうが楽に決まっているのに。暇人だから厄介ごとでも構ってもらいたいのか？）

Maomao (Ore? Nanda, yo-suruni jibunni hanashiga konakatta-noga kini kuwanai-noka. Fushigina monoda… Mendo-goto-niwa kakawara-nai-hoga rakuni kimatte-iru-noni. Hima-jin dakara yakkai-goto-demo kamatte morai-tai-noka?)

Maomao (Huh? In other words, he’s just unhappy because I didn’t rely on him instead? Weird. It’s obviously way better to not get involved in any trouble. Is he so bored that he wants attention even if it’ll cause problems?)

猫猫「申し訳ありません。壬氏様にご満足いただける対価など、思いつかなかったもので」

Maomao “Moshi-wake arimasen. Jinshi-samani gomanzoku itadakeru taika-nado omoi-tsukana-katta-monode.”

Maomao “I’m sorry. I couldn’t think of a repayment that you’d enjoy.”

壬氏「対価って何だ？お前、それを李白ってやつに払ったのか？」

Jinshi “Taikatte nanda? Omae, soreo Rihakutte yatsuni haratta-noka?”

Jinshi “What repayment? Did you give something to this Lihaku guy?”

猫猫「ええ。一夜の夢に喜んでおりました」

Maomao “Ee. Ichiyano yumeni yorokonde orimashita.”

Maomao “Yes, I granted him a night of blissful dreams.”

壬氏「なっ…！一夜…」

Jinshi “Na…! Ichiya…”

Jinshi “A night…”

猫猫「フンッ、大変ご満足いただけたようで、こちらとしても、頑張った甲斐がありました」

Maomao “Fun, taihen gomanzoku itadaketa-yode, kochirato shitemo, ganbatta kaiga arimashita.”

Maomao “He seemed very happy. I worked hard, so I’m pleased with myself.”

猫猫「何してるんですか？シミになる前に、これで…。失礼しますよ？すぐ洗濯に出した方がいいかと。茶碗もすぐ片付けますから、触らないでくださいよ。ハア…失礼します。スーッ」

Maomao “Nani shiterun-desuka? Shimini naru maeni, korede… Shitsurei shimasuyo? Suguni sentakuni dashita-hoga iikato. Chawanmo sugu katazuke-masu-kara, sawara-naide-kudasaiyo. Haa… Shitsurei shimasu. Suuuu”

Maomao “What are you doing? Let’s wipe you off before it stains. Excuse me. You should get this washed right away. I’ll clean up the cup right away, too. Don’t touch it. Excuse me. Whoosh.”

玉葉妃「フフッ、アハハハハハッ」

Gyokuyo-hi “Fufu, Ahahahahaha!”

猫猫「ん？うぎっ」

Maomao “N? Ugi!”

Maomao “Ow!”

玉葉妃「アハハハハハハッ、フフフフッ、フフッ」

Gyokuyo-hi “Ahahahahaha, Fufufufu, fufu.”

(Continue to episode 9)

#the apothecary diaries #薬屋のひとりごと #apothecary english #apothecary romaji #薬屋　英語　学習 #apothecary diaries #薬屋のひとりごと　英語

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zura-janai-loser-da · 5 years ago

Photo

#kusuriya no hitorigoto #maomao #jinshi #gaoshun #ruomen #rihaku #rakan #basen #honnyan #gyokuyou #picture

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kusuriya-no-hitorigoto · 6 years ago

Video

youtube

Maomao and Ruomen (the other pharmacists, Jinshi and Gaoshun)

#kusuriya no hitorigoto #maomao #ruomen #vine

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k0uhi · 2 years ago

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fandom: kusuriya no hitorigoto pairing: basen & maomao tags: modern au; neighbors au; other: the vibe is cottagecore but the plot is horror

thinking about a basen-maomao cottagecore-esque neighbors au (they were neighbors! who are also found family! at some point!) because the very possible sibling dynamic of them is just too good to pass up

their first meeting goes like this:

he's just moved, consider it training, of a sorts, while he;s away from jinshi's side

he thinks it's a good idea regardless. he needs to temper his patience, and he needs a holiday. jinshi even told him to, and he insisted, so he really can't object

that said… the ad said that he'd have no neighbors, so why is there a cottage across his?

when he arrives at the property, it's all forest sound and birds, but he can see shadows from his neighbor's house. there's a light from the second floor, and stays as such

"you're the tenant?" rude, but ok. he whips around to see… a tiny girl. "you're a bit bulkier than i expected but new help is new help."

"now hold on," he says, forgetting to be completely nervous. "are you the one who posted the ad? it said no neighbors."

"no neighbors but me," she replied drily. "and my ward, but he's quiet, and does the chores."

he groaned. but jinshi already paid for this, and expects him to be at least more tempered when he comes back, so fine. "wait, what did you mean by 'help'?"

"everyone who stays here helps out part time with my research or with the chores. obviously, you do your own thing, but i need help gathering things from the forest every now and then, or i'd need you to help out with something physically demanding."

"…is this what the ad meant by reformed after a month?"

"i have no idea what's on the ad. my friend posted it for me, but it seems accurate enough." he sighs. "seems like you need to unpack though. call me maomao."

"basen." but wait… "you wouldn't happen to know a man of about forty with really thick eyebrows and sighs like the world is against him would you?"

"i know plenty of men like that."

"…the one im referring to. does he call you xiao mao?"

her eyebrows lift. it seems both incredibly intimidating and incredibly baffling. "sir gaoshun's son. a pleasure. last i heard, you fainted dead away when a woman touched your hand. will you be alright here?"

"just call me basen, please. and i have no idea what youre talking about."

"hoh. anyway, when do you want your tour? i'll head it, but i'd need to bring chou'u."

"perhaps later, after lunch…"

she nods, and then faces the road. she points out the directions for the market and the grocery, and other things he might need before she finishes with "i'd invite you over, but it looks like you're not particularly interested. have fun unpacking." and then walking away

other details i thought of but doesnt seem to fit anywhere yet:

jinshi and basen are childhood friends and work in the same company

maomao's a pharmacist, though she's kept up a hobby for researching traditional medicinal practices

the property is the ra family's that has been neglected over the years, that ruomen foisted off rakan. sits a little ways off a forest

maomao has a proper garden this time but forages every saturday

chuo'u became her ward after a minor accident a few years back

maomao and jinshi are distantly acquainted, having been classmates at university, but havent really interacted much since. she's had more contact with gaoshun, an acquaintance of her father's. he buys the tea blends she makes

xiao ran and shi sui posted the ad. they thought itd be funny.

#*fic #just vibing #dont ask where ruomen and the rest of rokushoukan are #i only had thoughts for basen and maomao to be neighors and bicker all the time #they are SIBLINGS and they have my heart #knh

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nanachanart · 3 years ago

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Inktober 2021 - Day 03: Vessel

Jujutsu Kaisen (Sukuna Ruomen) Fan Art

https://instagram.com/nanachanart

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iwillfightformydream · 10 months ago

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Little Maomao & Lahan: we’re back from the store!

Lakou & Lahan’s older brother: Hi welcome back, did you get potatoes like we asked at the store?

Little Maomao & Lahan: Nope, we got herbs, a counting board(abacus), and new scissors.

Lakou: . . . . What . . .

Lahan’s older brother: . . . . Why

Little Maomao & Lahan: :D

Lakan who witnessed their entire interaction “Crackling”: Hehehaha

Luomen who also witnessed their interaction: Welp, those 2 are definitely my grandchildren

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iwillfightformydream · 10 months ago

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In my functional la(ra) clan:

Maomao still lives with Luomen but he’s more of a grandpa or uncle to her, as she actually has a positive relationship with her bio father Lakan.

They live around the same area as in Canon as Luomen enjoys, planting herbs way too much. They tried to move

So Maomao and Lumen live in a very slightly bigger house, and still live near the pleasure district.

Maomao still knows poison and herbs but has some skills in Go and Shogi thanks to Lakan. Lahan has also helped her become better in finance.

Lahan is still skilled in finances, and knows a bit, not very much about poisons and herbs due to Maomao and Luomen he has a bit of resistance to poison thanks to Maomao giving him barely poisonous tea and is also has some skills in Go and Shogi thanks to Lakan.

#kusuriya no hitorigoto #functional la(ra) clan #Maomao #lakan #rakou #rahan #ra clan #rakan #la clan #luomen #ruomen #knh ra clan #knh la clan #knh maomao #the apothecary diaries

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iwillfightformydream · 10 months ago

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Gide:Welcome to the palace

*points to the clans*

Gide: these are the clans

*points to the La(Ra) clan*

Gide: this is the La(Ra) clan

Gide: careful they bite

#functional La(Ra) clan #well not exactly #but more like they have a better relationship with each other #la clan #knh la clan #ra clan #knh Ra clan #kusuriya no hitorigoto #the apothecary diaries #Maomao #Lahan #Lakan #rakan #rahan #loumen #rouman #luomen #ruomen

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apothecaryscript · 4 months ago

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Episode 1 "Maomao" / 第1話『猫猫(Maomao)』

羅門(ルォメン)「猫猫」

Ruomen “Maomao”

Luomen “Maomao”

猫猫「ん？」

Maomao “N?”

Maomao “Hmm?”

羅門「緑青館(ろくしょうかん)に薬を届けてくれないかい？」

Ruomen “Rokushokanni kusurio todokete kurenai-kai?”

Luomen “Could you deliver some medicine to the Verdigris House?”

猫猫「うん、分かった、おやじ」

Maomao “Un, wakatta, Oyaji.”

Maomao “Yeah, got it, Dad.”

羅門「最近、女狩りが多いから、気を付けて行くんだよ」

Ruomen “Saikin Onna-gariga ooi-kara, kio tsukete ikundayo.”

Luomen “Be careful out there. Kidnappings are on the rise.”

猫猫「大丈夫だって。帰りに畑寄ってくるよ」

Maomao “Daijobu datte. Kaerini hatake yotte-kuruyo.”

Maomao “I’ll be fine. I’ll stop by the herb plot on my way back.”

羅門「ああ、よろしく」

Ruomen “Aa, yoroshiku.”

Luomen “Yes, please do.”

猫猫「行ってきまーす」

Maomao “Ittekimāsu.”

Maomao “I’m off!”

ーーーーー

やり手婆「ふーん…これっぽっちかい」

Yarite Babaa “Fūn… Koreppocchi kai.”

Madam “Huh, is this all you’ve got?”

客「全財産だ、頼むよ」

Kyaku “Zen-zaisain da, tanomuyo.”

Customer “It’s my life savings! I beg you!”

やり手婆「これじゃ、お話にならないね」

Yarite Babaa “Koreja, ohanashini naranaine.”

Madam “This is a non-starter.”

客「あれが緑青館の誇る三姫の一人、売れっ子の白(パイ)鈴(リン)か！」

Kyaku “Arega Rokushokanno hokoru San Hime no hitori, urekkono Pairinka!”

Customer “That must be Pairin, one of the famous Three Princesses of the Verdigris House!”

やり手婆「タダで見んじゃないよ！」

Yarite Babaa “Tadade minja naiyo!”

Madam “If you want to gawk, pay up!”

ーー��ーー

猫猫「んー、治りが悪いな。配合を変えてみよう」

Maomao “Ñ, naoriga waruina. Haigo’o kaete-miyo.”

Maomao “Hmm, it’s taking too long to heal. I’ll tweak the recipe some.”

白鈴「あら、猫猫」

Pairin “Ara, Maomao”

Pairin “Oh, Maomao!”

猫猫「白鈴姐ちゃん」

Maomao “Pairin-neechan”

Maomao “Hey, Pairin”

白鈴「…って、また傷増えてるじゃないの」

Pairin “…Tte, mata kizu fueteruja naino”

Pairin “Hey, you have more wounds again!”

猫猫「ああ…いつもの薬の実験だよ…わっ」

Maomao “Aa… Itsumono kusurino jikken dayo… Wa.”

Maomao “It’s just my usual drug experiments.”

白鈴「ちゃんとご飯食べてる？」

Pairin “Chanto gohan tabeteru?”

Pairin “Are you eating well?”

猫猫「姐ちゃんは相変わらずご立派なことで…」

Maomao “Neechanwa aikawarazu gorippana kotode…”

Maomao “You seem to be very well nourished, as always.”

やり手婆「猫猫！また実験とか言って、部屋を爆発させたりしちゃ、承知しないよ。…それとも、うちで妓女として働くかい？」

Yarite Babaa “Maomao! Mata jikken-toka itte, heyao bakuhatsu sasetari shicha, shochi shinaiyo. …Soretomo uchide gijoto-shite hataraku kai?”

Maomao “You’d better not be setting off explosions again for your so-called experiments! Or, would you like to start a career as a courtesan?”

猫猫「げっ！ばあちゃん、薬、置いとくよ」

Maomao “Ge! Baachan, kusuri oitokuyo.”

Maomao “Yikes! Granny, I left your meds here!”

やり手婆「爺（じじい）によろしくな。…ったく」

Yarite Babaa “Jijiini yoroshikuna. …Ttaku.”

Madam “Say hi to your old man for me. Sheesh.”

女華(ジョカ)「猫猫の声がしたけど」

Joka “Maomaono koega shitakedo.”

Joka “Did I just hear Maomao’s voice?”

梅梅(メイメイ)「あれ？猫猫は？」

Meimei “Are? Maomaowa?”

Meimei “Hey, where’s Maomao?”

白鈴「行っちゃった」

Pairin “Icchatta.”

Pairin “She took off.”

ーーーーー

猫猫「やり手婆め… 隙あらば妓女になれって言ってくる」

Maomao “Yarite Babaame… Suki-araba gijoni narette itte-kuru.”

Maomao “That shrewd old bag, always trying to make me a courtesan…”

猫猫「おお～！フフフッ、おお～！フフフフッ…」

Maomao “Ooo! Fufufu. Ooo! Fufufufu…”

三人組「ヘヘヘヘヘッ…」

San-nin-gumi “Hehehehehe…”

猫猫「まさ��、人さらい？うわっ！」

Maomao “Masaka hito-sarai? Uwa!”

Maomao “Could it be? Kidnappers?!”

猫猫「…あ～あ…おやじ、心配するだろうな…」

Maomao “…Aaa… Oyaji shinpai suru-darona…”

Maomao “Dad’s gonna be really worried…”

ーーーーー

やぶ医者「東宮のご誕生です！梨花(リファ)様、おめでとうございます！」

Yabu Isha “Toguno gotanjo desu! Rifa-sama, omedeto gozaimasu!”

Quack Doctor “The prince is born! Congratulations, Lady Lihua!”

ーーーーー

紅娘(ホンニャン)「無事にお生まれになったそうです」

Hon’nyan “Bujini oumareni natta sodesu.”

Hongniang “The prince was born safely.”

玉葉(ギョクヨウ)妃「そう、よかった」

Gyokuyo-hi “So, yokatta.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “I see. Wonderful.”

ーーーーー

〈三ヶ月後〉

〈San-kagetsu-go〉

〈Three months later〉

猫猫「露店の串焼きが食べたいなあ…、おやじ、ちゃんと飯食ってんだろうか」

Maomao “Rotenno kushi-yakiga tabetainaa… Oyaji, chanto meshi kutten-daroka.”

Maomao “I want meat skewers from a stall… I wonder if Dad’s eating properly.”

猫猫（はた迷惑にも売り飛ばされたか、身代わりにされたのか知らないが、あれからもう３か月。御殿も花街も大して変わらないな。できれば後宮なんて一生関わりたくなかったが…まあ、来てしまったものは仕方ない。せっかく薬師としてそれなりの生活をしてたのに。）

Maomao (Hata-meiwaku-nimo uritoba-saretaka migawarini saretanoka shiranaiga, arekara mo san-kagetsu. Gotenmo hanamachimo taishite kawaranaina. Dekireba kokyu nante issho kakawari-taku-nakattaga… Maa, kite-shimatta-monowa shikata nai. Sekkaku kusushi toshite sorenarino seikatsuo shiteta-noni.)

Maomao (I’m not sure if I was sold off or ransomed, but annoyingly, it’s already been three months. The palace and the brothels are really similar. If I had a choice, I’d have nothing to do with the rear palace, ever. But…Well, what can I do, now that I’m here? I was living a pretty good life as an apothecary, and now…)

猫猫(後宮は帝の子を成すための女の園だ。男子の立ち入りは一切禁止。入れるのは国で最も高貴な方と、その血縁。あとは大切なものを失った、元男性である宦官(かんがん)だけ。妃、女官、合わせて2000人、宦官1000人の大所帯だ。上級妃や中級妃、下級妃と違って、私たちのような使いっ走りの下女は、いつ命をなくしてもおかしくない)

Maomao (Kokyuwa Mikadono ko’o nasu tameno onnano sonoda. Danshino tachiiriwa issai kinshi. Haireru-nowa kunide mottomo kokina katato, sono ketsu-en. Atowa taisetsuna mono’o ushinatta, moto danseide aru kangan dake. Kisaki, nyokan, awasete ni-sen-nin, kangan sen-ninno oojotaida. Jokyu-hiya chukyu-hi, kakyu-hito chigatte, watashi-tachino yona tsukaippashirino gejowa, itsu inochio nakushitemo okashiku nai.)

Maomao (The rear palace is a garden of women who are to give birth to the emperor’s children. No men are allowed to enter. The only people allowed in here are the emperor, his kin, and eunuchs, “formerly male” individuals who lost an important part of their body. It’s a huge collective of two thousand concubines and servants, and one thousand eunuchs. Unlike the high, mid, and low-ranking concubines, we serving girls are expendable and can lose our lives at any moment.)

猫猫「次は引きこもりの下級妃様か…。まあ、お給金が出てるだけ、まだマシか」

Maomao “Tsugiwa hiki-komorino kakyuhi-samaka…　Maa okyukinga deteru-dake mada mashika.”

Maomao “Next in line are the shut-in, low-ranking concubines. I guess, at the very least, I get paid.”

小蘭(シャオラン)「ねえ、猫猫！この札、どこの部屋か分かる？」

Shaoran “Nee, Maomao! Kono fuda dokono heyaka wakaru?”

Xiaolan “Hey, Maomao…Do you know which room this plate is for?”

猫猫「ああ…これは藤の九だから、あそこだよ」

Maomao “Aa… Korewa fujino kyu dakara asoko dayo.”

Maomao “Oh, this one is Wisteria-9, so over there.”

小蘭「ありがとう！」

Shaoran “Arigato!”

Xiaolan “Thank you!”

猫猫（女官の中には字が読めない者も多い。後宮に勤める以上、最低限の礼儀はたたき込まれるが、文字の読み書きになれば話は別だ。文字が読めてお給金が上がったとしても、結局人さらいに間引かれる金額が増えるだけ。そんな下女でもごくまれに、下級妃になることがある。要は…見た目だ。そばかす、絶壁、肉なし体型…私には関係ない話だな。けっ。悪目立ちして命の危険が増えるくらいなら、今のままがいい。おとなしく働いていれば、2年で出れる。）

Maomao (Nyokanno naka-niwa jiga yomenai monomo ooi. Kokyuni tsutomeru ijo, saiteigenno reigiwa tataki-komareruga, mojino yomi-kakini nareba hanashiwa betsuda. Mojiga yomete okyukinga agattato shitemo, kekkyoku hito-saraini mabikareru kingakuga fueru-dake. Sonna gejo demo goku mareni, kakyu-hini naru-kotoga aru. Yowa…mitameda. Sobakasu, zeppeki, nikunashi-taikei… Watashiniwa kankei-nai hanashi dana. Ke. Waru-medachi shite inochino kikenga fueru kurai-nara, imano mamaga ii. Otonashiku hataraite-ireba, ni-nende dereru.)

Maomao (Many of the servants are illiterate. In order to work in the rear palace, they’re taught the bare minimum essentials of etiquette. But reading and writing is a whole different story. The raise I would get for being literate would just get swiped by my kidnappers. That said, even servants like us could become low-ranking concubines. What’s key is…Looks. Freckles. Flat. Given my skin-and-bones look, that’s not applicable to me. If I stood out, my life would be at risk. I’m better off just laying low. All I have to do is work hard. I’ll be out in two years.)

猫猫「酒飲みてぇ～…」

Maomao “Sake nomiteee…”

Maomao “I need a drink.”

ーーーーー

小蘭「ねえねえ、聞いた？中央に、ものすご～くきれいな宦官がいるんだって！ここんとこ、みんなその話で持ち切りなんだよ！」

Shaoran “Nee nee, kiita? Chuoni, monosugooku kireina kanganga irundatte! Kokontoko, minna sono hanashide mochikiri nandayo!”

Xiaolan “Hey, did you hear? I heard there’s a super beautiful eunuch in the central area. Everyone’s been talking about him!”

猫猫「へえ…」

Maomao “Hee…”

Maomao “I see.”

小蘭「そんなに美形なら、一度は見てみたいよね。そう思わない？」

Shaoran “Sonnani bikei nara, ichidowa mite-mitai yone. So omowanai?

Xiaolan “I’d like to get a glimpse of him, if he’s so handsome! Am I right?”

猫猫「宦官ねえ…」

Maomao “Kangan nee…”

Maomao “An eunuch, huh?”

ーーーーー

高順(ガオシュン)「随分とお痩せになって…」

Gaoshun “Zuibunto oyaseni natte…”

Gaoshun “She has lost much weight.”

壬氏(ジンシ)「ああ…」

Jinshi “Aa…”

Jinshi “Yes.”

玉葉「小鈴(シャオリン)…」

Gyokuyo-hi “Shaorin…”

Concubine Gyokuyou “Xiaoling…”

壬氏「申し訳ないのですが…医官は今、東宮の処置にかかりきりでして…」

Jinshi “Moshiwake naino-desuga… Ikanwa ima, toguno shochini kakari-kiri deshite…”

Jinshi “I’m sorry, the physician is busy attending to the prince.”

玉葉妃「…そうですか」

Gyokuyo-hi “…So desuka.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “I see…”

ーーーーー

下女��まだ3か月と半年だっけ？」

Gejo “Mada san-kagetsuto han-toshi dakke?”

Serving girl “They’re only three months and six months old, right?”

下女「そうそう、東宮と鈴麗公主(リンリーひめ)のお二人ともよ」

Gejo “So so, toguto Rinrī himeno ofutari-tomoyo.”　

Serving girl “Yeah, both the prince and Princess Lingli…”

小蘭「や…やっぱり呪いなのかな？」

Shaoran “Ya…Yappari noroi nanokana?”

Xiaolan “Is it really a curse?!”

猫猫「何の話？」

Maomao “Nanno hanashi?”

Maomao “What are you talking about?”

小蘭「猫猫、知らないの？今、後宮内はこのウワサで持ち切りなんだよ。後宮で生まれるお世継ぎの連続死！今までの帝の御子が三人とも、生まれてからだんだん弱って亡くなったんだって。おかしいと思わない？」

Shaoran “Maomao, shiranaino? Ima, kokyu-naiwa kono uwasade mochikiri nandayo. Kokyude umareru oyotsugino renzoku-shi! Imamadeno mikadono mikoga san-nin-tomo, umarete-kara dandan yowatte nakunattan-datte. Okashiito omowanai?”

Xiaolan “You didn’t hear, Maomao? The entire rear palace is buzzing about this rumor. The deaths of all the heirs born in the rear palace!　All three of the emperor’s children born so far grew weak and passed away! Doesn’t that seem weird?”

猫猫「３人とも？」

Maomao “San-nin-tomo?”

Maomao “All three?”

小蘭「今回も似たような感じみたい」

Shaoran “Konkaimo nita-yona kanji mitai.”

Xiaolan “And it looks like the same thing’s happening now.”

猫猫「具合が悪いってこと？」

Maomao “Guaiga waruitte koto?”

Maomao “You mean they are unwell?”

小蘭「そう！そして今度は、玉葉様のところにも、梨花様のところにも、お医者様が入って行ったんだって！」

Shaoran “So! Soshite kondowa Gyokuyo-samano tokoro-nimo Rifa-samano tokoronimo, oisha-samaga haitte-ittan-datte!”

Xiaolan “Yes! And this time, the doctor went to visit both Lady Gyokuyou and Lady Lihua!”

猫猫「ふーん…」

Maomao “Fūn…”

Maomao “Huh…”

小蘭「今の帝には皇后がいないから、東宮が生まれたら梨花様が皇后になるんだよね？」

Shaoran “Imano mikado-niwa kogoga inaikara, toguga umaretara Rifa-samaga kogoni narun-dayone?”

Xiaolan “The emperor doesn’t have an empress consort, so that makes Lady Lihua, who gave birth to the prince, the empress consort, right?”

猫猫「まあ、当然だろう。帝に皇后がいない今、東宮を持つ妃、梨花妃は後宮のトップと言えるだろう」

Maomao “Maa tozen daro. Mikadoni kogoga inai ima, toguo motsu kisaki, Rifa-hiwa kokyuno topputo ierudaro.”

Maomao “Naturally, I guess. Since there is no empress consort, Concubine Lihua gave birth to the prince, so she should be considered the top of the rear palace.”

小蘭「だけど帝の寵愛は玉葉様に傾いているってウワサなの。そのへんのことも、呪いと関係あるかもしれないって」

Shaoran “Dakedo mikadono choaiwa Gyokuyo-samani katamuiterutte uwasa nano. Sono henno kotomo, noroito kankei arukamo shirenaitte.”

Xiaolan “But then, rumor says the emperor favors Lady Gyokuyou. They say that could be related to the curse, too.”

猫猫「権力争いか…」

Maomao “Kenryoku arasoika…”

Maomao “A power struggle…”

小蘭「梨花様の方が、容体は重いのかな。お医者様がつきっきりらしいよ」

Shaoran “Rifa-samano hoga, yodaiwa omoinokana. Oisha-samaga tsukikkiri rashiiyo.”

Xiaolan “Lady Lihua might be worse off, since the doctor is always with her.”

猫猫「梨花様ご自身も？」

Maomao “Rifa-sama gojishinmo?”

Maomao “Lady Lihua herself is sick, too?”

小蘭「うん、母子共に。頭痛とか腹痛とか、吐き気もあるって聞いたなあ」

Shaoran “Un, boshi tomoni. Zutsu-toka fukutsu-toka, hakikemo arutte kiitanaa.”

Xiaolan “Yeah, mother and child both. Head and stomach aches. Nausea too, I think.”

猫猫「頭痛、腹痛、吐き気…」

Maomao “Zutsu, fukutsu, hakike…”

Maomao “Headache, stomachache, nausea…”

小蘭「やっぱり絶対、呪いだよ～！”

Shaoran “Yappari zettai, noroi dayoo!”

Xiaolan “It has to be a curse!”

猫猫「呪いだなんて、くだらない」

Maomao “Noroi danante, kudaranai.”

Maomao “Curses are stupid.”

小蘭「え～！」

Shaoran “Eeee!”

Xiaolan “Huh?”

ーーーーー

猫猫「頭痛に腹痛に吐き気… 考えられるのは毒殺か… いや、皇位争いなら公主が狙われる理由はない。毒を盛られた可能性は少ないだろう。疑うとすれば、病気か… もしかして、血筋だろうか」

Maomao “Zutsuni fukutsuni hakike… Kangae-rareru-nowa dokusatsuka… Iya, koi-arasoi-nara himega nerawareru riyuwa nai. Dokuo morareta kanoseiwa sukunai-daro. Utagauto sureba, byokika… Moshika-shite, chisuji daroka.”

Maomao “Poison is a possibility. No, if it’s over the position of imperial heir, it doesn’t make sense to go after the princess. Deliberate poisoning is low on the list of possibilities. Could an illness be more likely? Perhaps something hereditary?”

猫猫「たかがウワサ話に何を真剣になってるんだ。こんなのは、ただの憶測にすぎない。すぎないが…ちいとばかし、行ってみるか。そそそそそ…」

Maomao “Takaga uwasa-banashini nanio shinkenni natterunda. Konnanowa tadano okusokuni suginai. Suginaiga…chiito-bakashi itte-miruka. Sososososo…”

Maomao “Why am I taking a rumor so seriously? It’s all just conjecture. But still… I guess I can take a quick peek.”

ーーーーー

猫猫「さすが上級妃の宮が集まっているだけあって、柱一つとっても、私たちのいる建物よりよっぽど洗練されてるな…」

Maomao “Sasuga jokyu-hino miyaga atsumatte-irudake atte, hashira hitotsu tottemo watashi-tachino iru tatemono-yori yoppodo senren sareteruna…”

Maomao “Given this is where all the high-ranked concubines’ pavilions are, every building is exquisite, right down to the individual pillars.”

梨花妃「お前が悪いんだ！」

Rifa-hi “Omaega waruinda!”

Concubine Lihua “It’s your fault!”

桜花(インファ)「玉葉様！」

Infa “Gyokuyo-sama!”

Yinghua “Lady Gyokuyou!”

梨花妃「自分の子が娘だからと、男子の吾子を呪い殺す気だろう！」

Rifa-hi “Jibunno koga musume dakarato, onokono ako’o noroi-korosu kidaro!”

Concubine Lihua “You’re trying to curse my son, because your child is a daughter!”

玉葉妃「そんなわけないと、あなたも分かっているでしょう。小鈴(シャオリン)も同じように苦しんでいるのですから」

Gyokuyo-hi “Sonna wake naito, anatamo wakatte-irudesho. Shaorinmo onaji-yoni kurushinde iruno-desukara.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “You know that’s absurd! My Xiaoling is sick, too!”

宦官「梨花様は、相当お怒りだな」

Kangan “Rifa-samawa, soto oikari dana.”

Eunuch “Lady Lihua is furious.”

宦官「玉葉様も、お気の毒に」

Kangan “Gyokuyo-samamo, okinodokuni.”

Eunuch “I feel sorry for Lady Gyokuyou.”

ーーーーー

高順「壬氏様…」

Gaoshun “Jinshi-sama…”

Gaoshun “Master Jinshi…”

壬氏「はぁ…」

Jinshi “Haa…”

Jinshi (Sigh)

ーーーーー

玉葉妃「ですので、娘の容体も診ていただきたいのです。」

Gyokuyo-hi “Desunode, musumeno yodaimo mite-itadaki-taino desu.

Concubine Gyokuyou “That’s why I’d like to examine my daughter’s state, as well.”

やぶ医者「ええ…でも、あの…」

Yabu Isha “Ee… Demo, ano…”

Quack Doctor “Yes… Well… Um…”

猫猫（あの真ん中のオロオロしてる宦官が医官か？バカだろ、あのヤブ。あれだけ妃二人のそばにいて本当に気づいてないのか？いや、それ以前に知らないのか？幼児の死亡、頭痛と腹痛と吐き気。そして何より、梨花様のげっそりとした様子。やはりこれは呪いでも何でもない。問題はどう伝えるかだ。）

Maomao (Ano mannakano oro-oro shiteru kanganga ikanka? Baka daro, ano yabu. Aredake kisaki futarino sobani ite hontoni kizuite-nainoka? Iya, sore-izenni shiranai-noka? Yojino shibo, zutsuto fukutsuto hakike. Soshite naniyori, Rifa-samano gessorito shita yosu. Yahari korewa noroi-demo nandemo nai. Mondaiwa do tsutaerukada.)

Maomao (Is that flustered eunuch in the middle the physician? What a stupid quack. He seriously still hasn’t noticed? After spending all that time near the concubines? Or rather…Maybe he really doesn’t know? Death of the infants. Headache, stomachache, nausea. And most of all, how Lady Lihua seems so worn out. As I thought, this is no curse. The only issue is, how do I tell them?)

猫猫「何か書けるものさえあれば…」

Maomao “Nanika kakeru mono sae areba…”

Maomao “If only I could find something to write with…”

ーーーーー

杏（シン）「フンッ…」

Shin “Fun…”

ーーーーー

猫猫（東宮が亡くなられたという話が回ってきたのは、それからひと月もしない頃だった）

Maomao (Toguga nakuna-rareta to-iu hanashiga mawatte-kitanowa, sorekara hito-tsukimo shinai koro datta.)

Maomao (Barely a month passed before word got around that the prince had passed away.)

ーーーーー

玉葉妃「何か聞きたいことでもあるようですね」

Gyokuyo-hi “Nanika kikitai koto-demo aru-yodesune.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “It seems like you have a question for me.”

壬氏「それは…」

Jinshi “Sorewa…”

Jinshi “Is that…”

玉葉妃「私が水晶宮を訪ねて、娘を診てもらいたいと言った日です。あのあと、窓辺に置いてありました。この枝に結んで。」

Gyokuyo-hi “Watashiga Suisho-kyuo tazunete, musumeo mite moraitaito itta hidesu. Ano ato, madobeni oite arimashita. Kono edani yunde.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “The day I visited the Crystal Pavilion, to ask to have my daughter examined, I found this on the windowsill, tied to this branch.”

壬氏「石楠花(しゃくなげ)、ですか」

Jinshi “Shakunage, desuka.”

Jinshi “A rhododendron.”

玉葉妃「“おしろいはどく、赤子にふれさすな”…無知は罪ですね」

Gyokuyo-hi “‘Oshiroiwa doku. Akagoni fure-sasuna.’ …Muchiwa tsumi desune.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “‘The white face powder is poison. Don’t let the baby touch it.’ …It truly is a sin to be ignorant.”

壬氏「宮中の医官は、このような遠回しなことをしないでしょう」

Jinshi “Kyuchuno ikanwa, kono-yona toomawashina koto’o shinaidesho.”

Jinshi “The palace physician would not take such a roundabout approach.”

玉葉妃「ええ。最後まで東宮の処置が分からないようでしたから」

Gyokuyo-hi “Ee. Saigo-made toguno shochiga wakaranai-yodeshita-kara.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “Agreed. He never could seem to figure out how to treat the prince.”

壬氏「この文、一体誰が…」

Jinshi “Kono fumi, ittai darega…”

Jinshi “Who could have sent this message?”

玉葉妃「それを探していただきたいのです」

Gyokuyo-hi “Soreo sagashite itadaki-tainodesu.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “I’d like you to find out.”

壬氏（…そういえば、あの時…）

Jinshi (…Soieba, ano toki…)

Jinshi (Coming to think of it, back then…)

ーーーーー

猫猫「何か、書けるものさえあれば…」

Maomao “Nanika, kakeru mono sae areba…”

Maomao “If only I could find something to write with…”

ーーーーー

壬氏「承知しました。これはしばらく預かってよろしいですか？」

Jinshi “Shochi shimashita. Korewa shibaraku azukatte yoroshii-desuka?”

Jinshi “Understood. May I keep this for the time being?”

ーーーーー

小蘭「帝は生き残った公主様を慈しんで、玉葉様のもとに通っているんだって」

Shaoran “Mikadowa ikinokotta hime-samao itsukushinde, Gyokuyo-samano motoni kayotte-irundatte.”

Xiaolan “I heard the emperor is visiting Lady Gyokuyou a lot, to show his love for the surviving princess.”

猫猫「梨花様のところへは？」

Maomao “Rifa-samano tokoro-ewa?”

Maomao “What about Lady Lihua?”

小蘭「全然、ウワサ聞かないね」

Shaoran “Zen-zen, uwasa kikanaine.”

Xiaolan “Haven’t heard anything about her.”

猫猫「ああ…都合のいいことで」

Maomao “Aa… Tsugono iikotode.”

Maomao “How convenient.”

宦官「ああ、こんなところにいた。今すぐ、宮官長の部屋に来るようにとのことだ」

Kangan “Aa, konna tokoroni ita. Imasugu, Kyukan-chono heyani kuruyoni tono kotoda.”

Eunuch “Oh, there you are. You are to report to the Matron of the Derving Women immediately.”

猫猫「へ？」

Maomao “He?”

小蘭「呼び出し？」

Shaoran “Yobidashi?”

Xiaolan “You’re being summoned?”

猫猫「何の用だろう…」

Maomao “Nanno yodaro…”

Maomao “For what, I wonder?”

ーーーーー

宦官「よし、ではここに集まった全員、中に入るように」

Kangan “Yoshi, dewa kokoni atsumatta zen’in, nakani hairu-yoni.”

Eunuch “All right, all of you who’ve gathered here, head inside.”

猫猫（下女が偉い人に呼び出されるなんて…嫌な予感しかしない。ただの人手不足か？）

Maomao (Gejoga erai-hitoni yobidasareru-nante… Iyana yokan-shika shinai. Tadano hitode-busokuka?)

Maomao (Serving girls getting summoned by the high officials can’t be good news… Or do they just want more workers?)

壬氏「わざわざ集まってもらって申し訳ない」

Jinshi “Waza-waza atsumatte-moratte moshiwake nai.”

Jinshi “Thank you all for coming.”

猫猫（なんだ、この偉そうな女官は…）

Maomao (Nanda, kono erasona nyokanwa…)

Maomao (Who is this arrogant-looking woman?)

壬氏「私は、後宮管理者の壬氏だ」

Jinshi “Watashiwa, kokyu-kanrishano Jinshi da.”

Jinshi “I am Jinshi, manager of the rear palace.”

猫猫（男なのか。さては小蘭が言っていた、ものすごく美しい宦官というのはこいつのことか…。もったいないな、この美貌があるのに子供が成せないなんて）

Maomao (Otoko nanoka. Satewa Shaoranga itteita, mono-sugoku utsukushii kanganto iunowa koitsuno kotoka… Mottai-naina, kono biboga arunoni kodomoga nasenai-nante.)

Maomao (That’s a man? Ah, that must be the good-looking eunuch that Xiaolan was talking about. That’s a waste. He’s so handsome, but he can’t have children.”

『そこのそばかす女、お前は居残りだ』

“Sokono sobakasu-onna, omaewa inokorida.”

“You with the freckles, stay here.”

猫猫「ん？ソバカスお…んな、やばい！」

Maomao “N? Sobakasu-o…nna, yabai!”

Maomao “Huh? Freckles? Stay…? Oh, no!”

壬氏「今日はこれで解散だ。部屋に戻っていいぞ。」

Jinshi “Kyowa korede kaisanda. Heyani modotte iizo.”

Jinshi “We’re done here. You may all return to your rooms.”

下女「え？どういうこと？」

Gejo “E? Doiu koto?”

Serving girl “Huh? What was that about?”

猫猫（何か目を付けられるようなヘマをしたか？まさか、先日の文が…　そうか！この中で文字を読める下女は私だけ！それをあぶりだすためにあの書き物を…　やばい、早く逃げよ…！）

Maomao (Nanika meo tsuke-rareru-yona hemao shitaka? Masaka, senjitsuno fumiga… Soka! Kono nakade mojio yomeru gejowa watashi-dake! Soreo aburidasu tameni ano kaki-mono’o… Yabai, hayaku nigeyo…!)

Maomao (Did I do something to get attention?! Wait, did the message from the other day… Ah! I’m the only servant here who can read! He wrote that just now to single me out! Oh, no! I have to get out!)

壬氏「ダメじゃないか。君は、居残りだよね？黙ってついてこい。」

Jinshi “Dameja naika. Kimiwa inokori dayone? Damatte tsuite-koi.”

Jinshi “Come now. I just told you to stay. Just keep quiet and follow me.”

猫猫（ハメられた…）

Maomao (Hamerareta…)

Maomao (It was a trap…)

壬氏「不思議だ…調べたところ、君は文字が読めないことになってるんだが…」

Jinshi “Fushigida… Shirabeta-tokoro, kimiwa mojiga yomenai-kotoni natterun-daga…”

Jinshi “This is odd. I looked you up. It said you couldn’t read.”

猫猫「はい、卑賎の生まれでして…何かの間違いでしょう」

Maomao “Hai, hisenno umare deshite… Nanikano machigai desho.”

Maomao “I am of lowly birth. It must be a mistake.”

猫猫（誰が教えるか！世の中は、無知なふりをしていたほうが立ち回りやすい。大体、この男になんで文のことがバレてるんだ？十分周りに気を付けていたのに…ぐぬぬぬぬぬ…なんて疑り深いんだ！…てか、暇人すぎるだろ！）

Maomao (Darega oshieruka! Yono-nakawa, muchina furio shiteita-hoga tachimawari-yasui. Daitai, kono otokoni nande fumino kotoga barete-runda? Jubun mawarini kio tsukete-itanoni… Gunununununu… Nante utaguri-bukainda! …Teka, himajin-sugiru-daro!)

Maomao (I’ll never admit it. Pretending to be ignorant makes everything easier in this world. Besides, how did this man find out about the messages? I made absolutely sure nobody was around… He’s so mistrustful! Rather, he must have nothing better to do!)

紅娘(ホンニャン)「どうぞ」

Hon’nyan “Dozo.”

Hongniang “Please.”

壬氏「失礼します」

Jinshi “Shitsurei shimasu.”

Jinshi “Excuse me.”

猫猫（何をとがめられるのやら…　生きて帰ってこれるといいけど…）

Maomao (Nanio togame-rareruno-yara… Ikite kaette koreruto iikedo…)

Maomao (What will I be punished for? I hope I make it out of this alive.)

壬氏「かの者を連れてまいりました」

Jinshi “Kano mono’o tsurete mairi-mashita.”

Jinshi “I brought her.”

玉葉妃「どうぞ。手数をかけました」

Gyokuyo-hi “Dozo. Tesuo kakemashita.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “Come in, Thank you for your trouble.”

猫猫「あ……よかった」

Maomao “A……Yokatta.”

Maomao “I’m so glad.”

玉葉妃「…あなたが…。鈴麗の命を助けていただき、感謝しています」

Gyokuyo-hi “…Anataga… Rinrino inochio tasukete itadaki, kansha shiteimasu.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “So, it was you. Thank you for saving Lingli’s life.”

猫猫「そ…そのようなことを、される身分ではございません」

Maomao “So…Sono-yona kotoo, sareru mibun-dewa gozaimasen.”

Maomao “P-Please, I’m not worthy of such kindness!”

玉葉妃「いいえ、どれほど感謝してもしきれません。あなたは、やや子の恩人ですもの」

Gyokuyo-hi “Iie, dorehodo kansha shitemo shikire-masen. Anatawa, yayakono onjin desumono.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “No, I can’t ever thank you enough. You are my baby’s savior.”

猫猫「人違いではありませんか？何か勘違いをされているのです」

Maomao “Hito-chigai dewa arimasenka? Nanika kan-chigaio sarete-irunodesu.”

Maomao “Perhaps you have the wrong person? There must be a misunderstanding.”

猫猫（否定して首をはねられると困るが、関わり合いにもなりたくない！）

Maomao (Hitei-shite kubio hanerareruto komaruga, kakawari-ainimo naritaku nai!)

Maomao (I don’t want to get beheaded for lying, but I don’t want to get involved, either!)

壬氏「実は、玉葉妃から、あるものをお預かりしている。これは、下女の仕事着に使われる布だと知っているか？」

Jinshi “Jitsuwa, Gyokuyo-hikara arumono’o okari-shiteiru. Korewa, gejono shigotogini tsukawareru nuno-dato shitte-iruka?”

Jinshi “Concubine Gyokuyou showed me something. Did you know this fabric is used in the clothing for the serving girls?

猫猫「そういえば、似てますね」

Maomao “Soieba, nitemasune.”

Maomao “It does look similar, I suppose…”

壬氏「ああ、尚服に関わる下女用のものらしいな。例えば、君のような洗濯係とか…。もしかして、スカートの裾でも裂いたのだろうか？」

Jinshi “Aa, shofukuni kakawaru gejo-yono mono rashiina. Tatoeba, kimino-yona sentaku-gakari toka… Moshika-shite, sukātono suso-demo saitano-daroka?”

Jinshi “Yes, for those who work on clothing, I hear. Like laundry worker, such as yourself. Did you rip apart a skirt, perhaps?”

猫猫（そこまでバレていたのか…）

Maomao (Soko made barete itanoka…)

Maomao (So, he figured out that much already…)

壬氏「説明してもらおうか。なぜ、石楠花の枝を窓辺に置いたのだ？」

Jinshi “Setsumei shite moraoka. Naze, shakunageno edao madobeni oitanoda?”

Jinshi “Now, you will explain why you put that flower on the windowsill.”

猫猫「……あの日、事件の真相に気づいたからです。原因は、おしろいだと。私の育った花街でも、高級おしろいを使っている妓女は多くいました。そしてほとんどが、おしろいに含まれる毒に体をむしばまれ、命を落としました。命と美貌を天秤にかけ、結局どちらも失ってしまった…。私は、薬屋でしたので、毒には詳しいのです。」

Maomao “……Anohi, jikenno shinsoni kizuita-karadesu. Gen’inwa, oshiroi dato. Watashino sodatta hana-machidemo, kokyu-oshiroio tsukatte-iru gijowa ooku imashita. Soshite hotondoga, oshiroini fukumareru dokuni karadao mushibamare, inochio otoshi-mashita. Inochito bibo’o tenbinni kake, kekkyoku dochiramo ushinatte-shimatta… Watashiwa kusuriya deshitanode, dokuniwa kuwasiino-desu.”

Maomao “Because I figured out what was wrong that day. That the cause was the makeup powder. There were many courtesans who used high-end powder in the brothels that I grew up in. Most of them were poisoned by it and lost their lives. They tried to trade life for beauty and lost both. I used to be an apothecary, so I know a few things about poisons.”

壬氏「そのおしろいは…」

Jinshi “Sono oshiroiwa…”

Jinshi “That face powder…”

玉葉妃「子供の乳母が使っていたものです。他のおしろいに比べて白さが目立つと、好んで使っていました。乳母も体調が悪かったようなので、暇を出しました。金子も十分与えて…」

Gyokuyo-hi “Kodomono ubaga tsukatte-itamono desu. Hokano oshiroini kurabete shirosaga medatsuto, kononde tsukatte-imashita. Ubamo taichoga warukatta-yonanode, himao dashimashita. Kinsumo jubun ataete…”

Concubine Gyokuyou “It was used by the baby’s nurse. She said it has a better whitening effect compared to other powders. She seemed to have gotten ill too, so I gave her a break. I paid her properly, too.”

壬氏「そうですか」

Jinshi “Sodesuka.”

Jinshi “I see.”

玉葉妃「無知は罪ですね。子供の口に入るものを、もっと気にかけるべきでした」

Gyokuyo-hi “Muchiwa tsumi desune. Kodomono kuchini hairu mono’o, motto kini kakeru-beki deshita.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “It truly is a sin to be ignorant. I should have paid more attention to the things that go into my baby’s mouth.”

壬氏「私も同様です。もっと早くに気づいていれば、多くの命が救えたかもしれない。東宮も…」

Jinshi “Watashimo doyo desu. Motto hayakuni kizuite-ireba, ookuno inochiga sukueta-kamo shirenai. Togumo…”

Jinshi “I am guilty, as well. Had I noticed sooner, I might have been able to save more lives. The prince, too…”

玉葉妃「文を見つけて、梨花妃にもおしろいのことを伝えましたが…私が何を言っても、逆効果だったみたいです」

Gyokuyo-hi “Fumio mitsukete, Rifa-hi-nimo oshiroino koto’o tsutae-mashitaga… Watashiga nanio ittemo, gyaku-koka datta mitai desu.”

Concubine Gyokuyo “When I saw the message, I told Concubine Lihua about it, as well. But it seemed like everything I said only made her believe me less.”

猫猫「それで…私は何をすればよろしいのでしょうか」

Maomao “Sorede…watashiwa nanio sureba yoroshiino-deshoka.”

Maomao “So… What can I do for you?”

玉葉妃「それでは今日から、私の侍女になってもらいます！」

Gyokuyo-hi “Soredewa kyokara, watashino jijoni natte-moraimasu!”

Concubine Gyokuyou “Well, starting today, you’ll be my lady-in-waiting!”

ーーーーー

語り「猫猫が抑えられないもの。それは、好奇心と知識欲。そして、ほんの少しの正義感。」

Katari “Maomaoga osae-rarenai mono. Sorewa, kokishinto chishiki-yoku. Soshite, honno sukoshino seigi-kan.”

Narration “There are some things Maomao cannot hold back. Curiosity, a thirst for knowledge…And just a smidgen of a sense of justice.”

猫猫「ヤバい、ヤバい、ヤバい、ヤバい、ヤバい、ヤバい、ヤバい、ヤバい…いや、おとなしく働いていれば、どこにいたって…」

Maomao “Yabai, yabai, yabai, yabai, yabai, yabai, yabai, yabai… Iya, Otonashiku hataraite-ireba, dokoni itatte…”

Maomao ”No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no… No, if I keep a low profile, it shouldn’t matter where I―”

小蘭「あっ、猫猫！おかえり、猫猫。どうだった？」

Shaoran “A, Maomao! Okaeri, Maomao. Do datta?”

Xiaolan “Hey, Maomao! Welcome back, Maomao! How was it?“

語り「こうして猫猫は、帝の寵愛を受ける玉葉妃の侍女となったのだった。まあいわゆる、出世である。」

Katari “Koshite Maomaowa, mikadono choaio ukeru Gyokuyo-hino jijoto nattano-datta. Maa iwayuru, shussede aru.”

Narration “And thus, Maomao became a lady-in-waiting of Concubine Gyokuyou, recipient of the emperor’s love.

Put simply, it was a big promotion.”

ーーーーー

兵士「おい！！」

Heishi “Oi!!”

Soldier “Hey!”

兵士「毒だ！！」

Heishi “Dokuda!!”

Soldier “It’s poison!”

(Continue to Episode 2)

#the apothecary diaries #薬屋のひとりごと #learning japanese #薬屋のひとりごと　英語 #apothecary diaries

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apothecaryscript · 3 months ago

Text

Episode 18 : Lakan / 第１8話『羅漢(Rakan)』

壬氏「妓女の価値を下げるには、どうすればいい？」

Jinshi “Gijono kachio sageru-niwa, do-sureba ii?”

Jinshi “How does one decrease the value of a courtesan?”

猫猫「子を孕ませれば、価値などないに等しくなります」

Maomao “Ko’o harama-sereba, kachi-nado naini hitoshiku narimasu.

Maomao”A pregnancy would reduce it to nearly nothing.”

壬氏「あっ…」

Jinshi “A…”

猫猫「目的の店は、あれではないでしょうか？それでは、私は失礼します」

Maomao “Mokutekino misewa, are-dewa nai-deshoka? Sore-dewa, watashiwa shitsurei shimasu.”

Maomao “Is that the place you’re looking for? Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

壬氏「ここでか？」

Jinshi “Kokode-ka?”

Jinshi “You’re leaving now?”

猫猫「せっかく変装したのに、私が中に入ってはダメでしょう」

Maomao “Sekkaku henso shita-noni, watashiga nakani haittewa dame desho.”

Maomao “Me going in there would ruin all the work we put into your disguise.”

壬氏「ああ…」

Jinshi “Aa…”

Jinshi “Right…”

猫猫「では」

Maomao “Dewa.”

Maomao “Goodbye.”

猫猫（…大丈夫。何の感慨もなく言ってのけたはずだ…）「今宵はお楽しみくださいませ」

Maomao (…Daijobu. Nanno kangaimo naku itte-noketa hazuda…) “Koyoiwa otanoshimi kudasai-mase.”

Maomao (It’s fine. I pulled it off with no apparent emotion.) “Enjoy yourself tonight, good sir.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫（ハッ、…ハァ、ハァ、ハァ、ハァ…昔の夢…いや、赤子の頃の夢か…ハァ…あんなこと話したせいかな）

Maomao (Ha, …Haa, haa, haa, haa… Mukashino yume… Iya, akagono korono yumeka… Haa…Anna koto hanashita sei kana.)

Maomao (A dream of the past… Or rather, from when I was a baby. I bet it’s because I talked about it.)

羅門「おはよう」

Ruomen “Ohayo.”

Luomen “Good morning.”

猫猫「あ…おはよう、おやじ」

Maomao “A… Ohayo, Oyaji.”

Maomao “Morning, Dad.”

羅門「今日は、どうするんだい？」

Ruomen “Kyowa, do surun-dai?”

Luomen “What are your plans for today?”

猫猫「別に」

Maomao “Betsuni.”

Maomao “Nothing.”

羅門「特に用がないんだったら、緑青館に行ってくれないかい？」

Ruomen “Tokuni yoga nain-dattara, Rokushokanni itte kurenai-kai?”

Luomen “If you’re not busy, can you pay a visit to the Verdigris House?”

猫猫「いいけど…」

Maomao “Iikedo…”

Maomao “Sure.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――

右叫(ウキョウ)「よう、猫猫。お勤めはいいのか？」

Ukyo “Yo, Maomao. Otsutomewa iinoka?”

Ukyo “Hmm? Hey, Maomao. Are you off work?”

猫猫「休みもらえたから」

Maomao “Yasumi moraeta-kara.”

Maomao “I got a vacation.”

右叫「休みなのに、結局薬屋に来てんだな」

Ukyo “Yasumi nanoni, kekkyoku kusuriyani kiten-dana.”

Ukyo “You’re at the apothecary even on your off day?”

猫猫「ついでにね。それで来たわけじゃないけど」

Maomao “Tsuide-nine. Sorede kita wakeja nai-kedo.”

Maomao “Just passing by. It’s not the main reason why I’m here.”

やり手婆「待ちな！白鈴」

Yarite-Babaa “Machina! Pairin.”

Madam “Hold it, Pairin!”

白鈴「その話は、もういいじゃない。あら？猫猫！フフフッ。アハハッ、おかえり！」

Pairin “Sono hanashiwa, mo iija nai. Ara? Maomao! Fufufu. Ahaha, okaeri!”

Pairin “Haven’t we discussed this enough by now? Oh? Maomao! Good to see you back!”

猫猫「暑いよ、白鈴姐ちゃん…」

Maomao “Atsuiyo, Pairin-neechan…”

Maomao “You’re suffocating me, Pairin.”

白鈴「私は寒いわ…おばばの小言ばっかりで」

Pairin “Watashiwa samuiwa… Obabano kogoto bakkaride.”

Pairin “I’m the one suffocating from our old granny nagging me all the time.”

やり手婆「話はまだ終わってないよ！さあ、どっちにするんだい！」

Yarite-Babaa “Hanashiwa mada owatte-naiyo! Saa, docchini surun-dai!”

Madam “I’m not done with you! You have to choose one or the other!”

白鈴「ええ～？おばば、しつこい…」

Pairin “Eeee? Obaba, shitsukoi…”

Pairin “Really?”

猫猫（よく分からないけど、白鈴姐ちゃんも大変そうだな…）

Maomao (Yoku wakara-nai-kedo, Pairin-neechanmo taihen-sodana…)

Maomao (I don’t know what this is about, but it looks like Pairin has a lot on her plate, too.)

やり手婆「お前がはっきりしないからだろ！さっさと決めちまいな！大体、お前がいつまでも居座るから、こっちが話を取り持ってやってんだろ」

Yarite-Babaa “Omaega hakkiri shinai kara-daro! Sassato kime-chimaina! Daitai, omaega itsu-mademo isuwaru-kara, kocchiga hanashio torimotte yatten-daro.”

Madam “It’s your fault for not making up your mind. Now decide! Besides, you’re the one that’s making me bring these offers to you by hanging around!”

白鈴「頼んでません！おばばはいつも勝手なのよ」

Pairin “Tanonde masen! Obabawa itsumo katte nanoyo.”

Pairin “I didn’t ask! You’re always so pushy!”

やり手婆「は～勝手とは何だい勝手とは…」

Yarite-Babaa “Haa, katte-towa nan-dai, katte-towa…”

Madam “What do you mean, pushy?!”

猫猫「ささささ…」

Maomao “Sasasasa…”

Maomao “Sneak, sneak, sneak.”

やり手婆「あ？猫猫。来てたのかい？」

Yarite-Babaa “A? Maomao. Kitetano-kai?”

Madam “Hmm? Was Maomao here?”

右叫「さっきからいましたよ」

Ukyo “Sakki-kara imashitayo.”

Ukyo “She’s been here for a little while.”

白鈴「離れに行くのかしら？」

Pairin “Hanareni ikuno-kashira?”

Pairin “Is she going to the annex?”

やり手婆「ふん…」

Yarite-Babaa “Fun…”

―――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫「…おはよう」

Maomao “…Ohayo.”

Maomao “Good morning.”

猫猫（昔は毛嫌いされて追い出されたけど、もうそんな元気もないか。それとも、とうに言葉も忘れたか…病が進んで、記憶もずたずたに引き裂かれてる。…おやじの薬はよく効くけど、こうなっては気休めにもならない。それでも、与えるしか治療法が分からない）

Maomao (Mukashiwa kegirai sarete oidasareta-kedo, mo sonna genkimo naika. Sore-tomo, toni kotobamo wasuretaka… Yamaiga susunde, kiokumo zuta-zutani hiki-sakare-teru. …Oyajino kurusiwa yoku kiku-kedo, ko-nattewa kiyasume-nimo nara-nai. Sore-demo, ataeru-shika chiryo-hoga wakara-nai.)

Maomao (She used to hatefully chase me out, but I guess she doesn’t have the energy anymore. Or perhaps she’s forgotten how to talk entirely. With her illness worsening, her memories are in shreds. Dad’s medicine works well, but at this point, it won’t even provide temporary relief. Still, giving her the medicine is the only treatment we can think of.)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

右叫「あの客、また来てますよ」

Ukyo “Ano kyaku, mata kite-masuyo.”

Ukyo “That customer is back again.”

やり手婆「…まったく、鼻が利くねえ…梅梅を呼びな」

Yarite-Babaa “…Mattaku, hanaga kiku-nee… Meimei’o yobina.”

Madam “He’s got a good nose on him. Get Meimei in here.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫（緑青館は、今でこそ格式ある妓楼だが、十数年前、泥のかかった看板をかけていた時期がある。この妓女はその数年間に客を取り、不幸にも梅毒をうつされた。おやじが緑青館を訪れた頃は、ちょうど病が潜伏期間に入っていたらしい。病状を伝えていれば対処もできただろうが、突然現れた元宦官の男を、皆が素直に信じるはずがなかった。客を取らねば食うていけない…それが妓楼の掟だ。数年後、再び発疹が出始めると、腫瘍は瞬く間に広がった…。以来、女は客の目の届かぬこの離れに押し込められている。使い物にならなくなった妓女がドブに投げ出されなかっただけ寛容だ…）

Maomao (Rokushokanwa, imade-koso kakushiki-aru giro-daga, ju-sunen-mae, dorono kakatta kanban’o kakete-ita jikiga aru. Kono gijowa sono su-nenkanni kyakuo tori, fuko-nimo baidoku’o utsusareta. Oyajiga Rokushokan’o otozureta korowa, chodo yamaiga senpuku-kikanni haitte-ita-rashii. Byojo’o tsutaete-ireba taishomo dekita daroga, totsuzen arawareta moto-kanganno otoko’o minaga sunaoni shinjiru hazuga nakatta. Kyakuo tora-neba kuute ikenai… Sorega girono okiteda. Su-nengo, futatabi hosshinga de-hajimeruto, shuyowa matataku-mani hirogatta… Irai, onnawa kyakuno meno todokanu kono hanareni oshikome-rarete-iru. Tsukai-mononi naranaku-natta gijoga dobuni nagedasare-nakatta-dake kan’yoda…)

Maomao (The Verdigris House is now a reputable establishment, but a decade or so ago, it used to operate in shame. This courtesan served customers during that era, and was unlucky enough to catch syphilis as a result. By the time Dad came to the Verdigris House, the illness was in incubation. If he’d known about the illness, he might have been able to treat her, but nobody trusted a eunuch who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. She had to serve customers. There was no other way to live. That was the law of the courtesan. A few years later, when the rashes started to reappear, the sores spread almost instantly. Since then, this woman has been locked up in this annex, out of sight of the customers. It’s quite generous. Courtesans who can’t work are usually just thrown out into a ditch.)

猫猫「だいぶ匂いがこもってるな…香も少し焚くか」

Maomao “Daibu nioiga komotteruna… Komo sukoshi takuka.”

Maomao “This room’s pretty stuffy. Maybe I’ll burn some incense, too.”

猫猫「ん？どうした？」

Maomao “N? Doshita?”

Maomao “What is it?”

禿「姐さんに言われて…あの変な眼鏡の人がいるから、こっちには戻らない方がいいって」

Kamuro “Neesanni iwarete… Ano henna meganeno hitoga iru-kara, kocchi-niwa modora-nai-hoga iitte.”

Serving girl “Big Sis told me the weirdo with the monocle is here, so you shouldn’t go out there for now.”

猫猫「そうか、分かった」

Maomao “Soka, wakatta.”

Maomao “Right, got it.”

猫猫（ここにいれば、あの客が来ることはない。緑青館の顧客で、古いなじみのあの男…）

Maomao (Kokoni ireba, ano kyakuga kuru kotowa nai. Rokushokanno kokyakude, furui najimino ano otoko…)

Maomao (As long as I stay put, that man won’t come out here. A long-time customer of the Verdigris House, an old acquaintance…)

猫猫（バカな女…）

Maomao (Bakana onna..)

Maomao (Stupid woman.)

梅梅「お疲れ～。あのお客さん、もう帰ったよ」

Meimei “Otsukareee. Ano okyaku-san, mo kaettayo.”

Meimei “Thanks for being so patient. That guy’s gone now.”

猫猫「梅梅姐ちゃんが相手してたの？」

Maomao “Meimei-neechanga aite shitetano?”

Maomao “Meimei, did you spend time with him?”

梅梅「他にいないでしょ？よかった、姐さん今日は具合良さそうね。猫猫にまた、あの話が来たわ」

Meimei “Hokani inai-desho? Yokatta, Neesan kyowa guai yosasone. Maomaoni mata, ano hanashiga kitawa.”

Meimei “Who else can? Oh, I’m glad Big Sis seems to be doing well today. Maomao, you’re getting that offer again.”

猫猫「ええっ…」

Maomao “Ee…”

猫猫「姐ちゃん、よく付き合えるね」

Maomao “Neechan, yoku tsuki-aerune.”

Maomao “I don’t see how you put up with him, Sis.”

梅梅「そう？おばばも金払いさえ良ければ何も言わないし」

Meimei “So? Obabamo kane-barai-sae yokereba nanimo iwanaishi.”

Meimei “It’s not so bad. The old lady doesn’t care as long as he pays up.”

猫猫「婆が私を妓女にしたがるのは、そういうことだろうね。雇われてなければ、今頃売り飛ばされてたかも��

Maomao “Babaaga watashio gijoni shitagaru-nowa, so-iu koto darone. Yatowarete nakereba, ima-goro uritoba-sareteta-kamo.”

Maomao “That’s probably why she keeps wanting to make me a courtesan. If I didn’t have my job, I might have been sold off by now.”

梅梅「他から見たら、またとないご縁だわよ？望み望まれを願って叶う妓女が、どんだけ少ないか分かる？」

Meimei “Hoka-kara mitara, matato nai goen dawayo? Nozomi-nozomare’o negate kanau gijoga don-dake sukunaika wakaru?”

Meimei “It’s a really good deal, from where I’m standing. Do you know how rare it is for a courtesan to get everything they want?”

猫猫「婆なら、銀の重みでそんなもん蹴り飛ばすからね…」

Maomao “Babaa-nara, ginno omomide sonna mon keri-tobasu karane…”

Maomao “Since our old lady would easily let the weight of silver overrule that.”

梅梅「フフフフッ。極楽行きの船賃をため込んでるから、しかたないわよ」

Meimei “Fufufufu. Gokuraku-ikino funa-chin’o tamekonderu-kara shikata-nai-wayo.

Meimei “Who can blame her? She’s saving up for her boat fare to heaven.”

梅梅「私もそろそろいい年だし、ちゃんと考えないとね…」

Meimei “Watashimo soro-soro ii toshi dashi, chanto kangae-naitone…”

Meimei “I’m getting older now. I should start taking this seriously.”

猫猫（まだ三十路前だけど、妓女としては引退の年齢だもんな…）

Maomao (Mada misoji-mae dakedo, gijoto-shitewa intaino nenrei damonna…)

Maomao (She’s not even thirty yet, but as a courtesan, that’s retirement age already.)

猫猫「独立すれば？」

Maomao “Dokuritsu sureba?”

Maomao “Why not strike out on your own?”

梅梅「フフッ。もう少しだけ…もう少しだけ、この仕事続けるわ」

Meimei “Fufu. Mo sukoshi-dake… mo sukoshi-dake, kono shigoto tsuzukeruwa.”

Meimei “Just a while longer. I’ll keep working here for just a while longer.”

猫猫（梅梅姐ちゃんの感情は、私にはよく分からない…深く考えたくもない。もしそれが、恋というものだとしたら…そんな感情はきっと、私を産んだ女の体内に置いてきてしまった…）

Maomao (Meimei-neechanno kanjowa, watashi-niwa yoku wakara-nai… Fukaku kangae-takumo nai. Moshi sorega, koito-iu mono-dato shitara… Sonna kanjowa kitto, watashio unda onnano tainaini oite-kite shimatta…)

Maomao (I don’t know what’s going through Meimei’s mind. It’s not a rabbit hole I want to delve into. If it’s what everyone knows as love, that’s an emotion I’m sure I left behind, in the womb of the woman who birthed me.)

梅梅「久しぶりに背中流そうか？」

Meimei “Hisashi-burini senaka nagasoka?”

Meimei “Let me scrub your back. Haven’t done that in ages.”

猫猫「えっ、いいよ…」

Maomao “E, iiyo…”

Maomao “Huh? No thanks.”

梅梅「いいから、いいから」

Meimei “Iikara, iikara.”

Meimei “Come on, come on.”

白鈴「フフッ、流しっこなんて懐かしい！」

Pairin “Fufu, nagashikko nante natsukashii!”

Pairin “Yeah, it’s been a while!”

女華「やってもらいな。明日からまたしばらく帰ってこれないだろ？」

Joka “Yatte-moraina. Ashita-kara mata shibaraku kaette korenai-daro?”

Joka “Let her do it. You’re going to be gone again for a while, right?”

猫猫「ええ～…」

Maomao “Eeee…”

Maomao “Huh?”

梅梅「サービスするんだから、上客の件も忘れないでよ？」

Meimei “Sābisu surun-dakara, jokyakuno kenmo wasure-naideyo?”

Meimei “I’m doing this as a freebie, so you have to help me find good customers, okay?”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏（ハア…まさか、待ち合わせの店が花街のような接待をしていたとは…そんなものを買いに行ったわけじゃないのに…）

Jinshi (Haa… Masaka, machi-awaseno misega hana-machino-yona settai’o shite-ita-towa… Sonna mono’o kaini itta wakeja nai-noni…)

Jinshi (I didn’t expect the meeting place to offer services like in the pleasure district. That wasn’t what I was there for.)

壬氏「薬屋、少しいいか？」

Jinshi “Kusuriya, sukoshi iika?”

Jinshi “Apothecary, do you have a moment?”

猫猫「はい」

Maomao “Hai.”

Maomao “Yes.”

壬氏「水蓮と飲んでくれ。変人からの土産だ」

Jinshi “Suirento nonde-kure. Henjin karano miyageda.”

Jinshi “Share this with Suiren. It’s a souvenir from a weirdo.”

猫猫「変人からですか？ありがとうございます」

Maomao “Henjin-kara desuka? Arigato gozaimasu.”

Maomao “From a weirdo? Thank you.”

壬氏「ああ…」

Jinshi “Aa…”

Jinshi “Yeah.”

猫猫「それでは仕事に戻りますので…」

Maomao “Sore-dewa shigotoni modori-masu-node…”

Maomao “Well then, I’m getting back to work.”

水蓮「…あらあら」

Suiren “…Ara-ara.”

Suiren “Oh, dear.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

水蓮「今夜は精進料理だから、小猫も肉や魚をつままないようにね。休憩中だからって、お留守になりすぎちゃダメよ」

Suiren “Kon’yawa shojin-ryori dakara, Shaomaomo nikuya sakanao tsumama-nai-yonine. Kyukei-chu dakaratte, orusuni nari-sugicha dameyo.”

Suiren “We’re having a vegetarian dinner today, so Xiaomao, don’t eat any meat or fish, all right? You’re taking a break, but don’t completely lose consciousness.”

猫猫「あっ…精進料理ですよね」

Maomao “A… Shojin-ryori desu-yone.”

Maomao “Right, vegetarian!”

猫猫（しまった…仕事してればすぐに頭から離れると思ったんだけど）

Maomao (Shimatta… Shigoto shitereba suguni atama-kara hanareruto omottan-dakedo.)

Maomao (Dammit, I thought working would get my mind off of it.)

水蓮「それと、変な草を物置に隠すのもダメよ」

Suiren “Soreto, henna kusao mono-okini kakusu-nomo dameyo.”

Suiren “Also. No more hiding weird plants in the warehouse.”

猫猫（うっ…うん、気が抜けない）

Maomao (U…Un, kiga nuke-nai.)

Maomao (Yikes. She’s sharp.)

水蓮「置き場所がないなら、壬氏様にお願いして、余ってる部屋を使わせてもらったら？」

Suiren “Okibashoga nai-nara, Jinshi-samani onegai shite, amatteru heyao tsukawasete morattara?”

Suiren “If you can’t find anywhere to put it, why don’t you ask Master Jinshi to let you use one of the vacant rooms?”

猫猫「いえ、貴人の住まう場所を薬棚扱いはできません」

Maomao “Ie, kijinno sumau basho’o kusuri-dana atsukaiwa deki-masen.”

Maomao “No, I can’t use a noble person’s home as a medicine cabinet.”

水蓮「小猫は、気にしてないように見えて、結構区切りをつけているわよね」

Suiren “Shaomaowa, kini shite-nai-yoni miete, kekko kugiri’o tsukete-iru-wayone.”

Suiren “Xiaomao, you appear apathetic, but you’re actually very keen when it comes to knowing where you stand.”

猫猫「私は卑しい生まれの娘ですから…ここにいるのも、本当に不思議な縁です」

Maomao “Watashiwa iyashii umareno musume desu-kara… Kokoni iru-nomo, hontoni fushigina en desu.”

Maomao “I am of lowly birth. It’s a small miracle that I’m even here.”

水蓮「そうね。でも、貴い生まれだからと言って、最初から別のものだと思わないで。何がどう転がって、人生どうなるかなんてわからないもの。身分だけで何でも分けるのは、もったいないわ」

Suiren “Sone. Demo, totoi umare dakarato itte, saisho-kara betsuno mono-dato omowa-naide. Naniga do korogatte, jinsei do naruka nante wakaranai-mono. Mibun-dakede nan-demo wakeru-nowa mottainaiwa.”

Suiren “Perhaps. But remember, just because a person is of noble birth doesn’t make them inherently different from the start. Nobody knows how a person’s life can twist and turn. Separating everything based only on status can lead to missed opportunities.”

猫猫「そうですか？」

Maomao “So-desuka?”

Maomao “Really?”

水蓮「ええ、そうよ。さて、お仕事よ。お使いを頼めるかしら？」

Suiren “Ee, soyo. Sate, oshigotoyo. Otsukaio tanomeru kashira?”

Suiren “Yes, really. Now, back to work. Can you run an errand for me?”

猫猫「失礼します！薬をいただきにまいりました！」

Maomao “Shitsurei shimasu! Kurusio itadakini mairi-mashita!”

Maomao “Excuse me! I’ve come to puck up some medicine!”

医官「ああ、少し待っていろ」

Ikan “Aa, sukoshi matte-iro.”

Doctor “Yes, wait just a moment.”

猫猫（わあっ、はあ～フフン。ハハッ、ハハハッ。やぶ医者が管理する後宮の医局とは大違いだ。ここは軍部が近くて、けが人も多いから…ああ…この苦みが口の中に広がる匂い…薬棚には何が入ってるんだろう…医局中を漁りたい…！ウフフッ。…いやっ、ダメだ…こらえろ～！）

Maomao (Waa, haaaa, fufun. Haha, hahaha. Yabu-ishaga kanri suru kokyuno ikyoku-towa oochigaida. Kokowa gunbuga chikakute, keganinmo ooi-kara… Aa…Kono nigamiga kuchino nakani hirogaru nioi… Kusuri-dana-niwa naniga haitterun-daro… Ikyoku-juo asaritai…! Ufufu. …Iya, dameda…Koraerooo!)

Maomao (This is nothing like the rear palace pharmacy that the quack doctor was running! This place is close to the military, so they must get a lot of injuries. Ah, this smell that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth… I wonder what they have in the medicine cabinets? I’d love to rummage through this whole place… No. I must control myself!)

翠苓「何やってるの？」

Suirei “Nani yatteruno?”

Suirei “What are you doing?”

猫猫「あの時の…。ただ薬を待っていただけですが」

Maomao “Ano tokino… Tada kusurio matte-ita dake desuga.”

Maomao “She’s that… Just waiting for some medicine.”

医官「翠苓！来ていたのか」

Ikan “Suirei! Kite itanoka.”

Doctor “Suirei! You’re here.”

翠苓「詰所の常備薬をいただきに」

Suirei “Tsumeshono jobi-yakuo itadakini.”

Suirei “I’m here to resupply the medicines at the guardhouse.”

医官「ああ」

Ikan “Aa.”

Doctor “Right.”

猫猫（詰所？そういえば、以前会ったのも軍部の近くだったな…）

Maomao (Tsumesho? Soieba, izen atta-nomo gunbuno chikaku dattana…)

Maomao (The guardhouse? Come to think of it, the last time I saw her was near the military wing.)

医官「変わりはないか？アハハッ、私は元気だ」

Ikan “Kawariwa naika? Ahaha, watashiwa genkida.”

Doctor “How are you? I’m fine.”

猫猫（薬草の匂いがしたのは、軍部に勤めているからか。…妙に毛嫌いされてるような）

Maomao (Yakusono nioiga shita-nowa, gunbuni tsutomete-iru-karaka. …Myoni kegirai sareteru-yona.)

Maomao (She must smell like herbs because she works there. I wonder why she seems to dislike me.)

医官「他に要るものはないか？」

Ikan “Hokani iru monowa naika?”

Doctor “Is there anything else you need?”

翠苓「特にありません」

Suirei “Tokuni arimasen.”

Suirei “No, nothing else.”

医官「はあ…本来なら官女なんてやらなくていいのに…な、なんでもない！それより薬だろ！」

Ikan “Haa… Honrai-nara kanjo-nante yaranakute iinoni… Na, Nandemo nai! Sore-yori kusuri daro!”

Doctor “A court lady shouldn’t be doing this… F-Forget I said anything! You need medicine, right?!”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫（何の薬だろう…？）「フン…ぺろり」（…芋の粉か？壬氏様の薬だよな？）

Maomao (Nanno kusuri daro…?) “Fun…Perori.” (…Imono konaka? Jinshi-samano kusuri dayona?)

Maomao (I wonder what kind of medicine this is.)”Lick.”(Potato flour? This is for Master Jinshi, right?”

猫猫（考えてみたら、壬氏様は不可解な点が多い…。半月に一度ほど定期的に回ってくる仕事もそうだけど、前日からゆっくり湯あみをして、香をたいて出かけて…精進料理もそう。まるで禊だ。宦官も祭祀をやれるのだろうか？高貴な人物であればおかしくないけど、それほどの男がなぜ宦官に？壬氏様も、先の皇太后…女帝の一存で宦官にされてしまったのだろうか？おやじのように…）

Maomao (Kangaete-mitara, Jinshi-samawa fukakaina tenga ooi… Han-tsukini ichido-hodo teiki-tekini mawatte-kuru shigotomo so-dakedo, zen-jitsu-kara yukkuri yuami’o shite, ko’o taite dekakete… Shojin-ryorimo so. Marude misogi da. Kanganmo saishi’o yareruno-daroka? Kokina jinbutsude areba okashiku nai-kedo, sore-hodono otokoga naze kanganni? Jinshi-samamo, sakino kotaigo…joteino ichizonde kanganni sarete shimattano-daroka? Oyajino-yoni…)

Maomao (Thinking about it, Master Jinshi is pretty mysterious. Not just the work he gets assigned every few weeks, but taking long baths the day before, and burning incense before leaving… The vegetarian food, too. It’s like a purification ceremony. Are eunuchs allowed to perform ceremonial rites? It’s not out of place for a noble to do that, but if he’s of such high rank, why is he a eunuch? Was he also made a eunuch by the unilateral decision of the previous empress dowager? Like my dad?)

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壬氏「あの娘の養父は、元宦官で医官だそうだ」

Jinshi “Ano musumeno yofuwa, moto kangande ikan da-soda.”

Jinshi “The girl’s adopted father is a eunuch and former doctor.”

高順「元医官に教えを受けたなら、あの知識は納得がいきますが…元宦官ですか？」

Gaoshun “Moto ikanni oshieo uketa-nara, ano chishikiwa nattokuga iki-masuga… Moto kangan desuka?”

Gaoshun “If she studied under a former doctor, it explains why she’s so knowledgeable, but… A eunuch?”

壬氏「そうだ」

Jinshi “Soda.”

Jinshi “Yes.”

高順「そんな優秀な医官が宦官の中にいたでしょうか…」

Gaoshun “Sonna yushuna ikanga kanganno nakani ita-deshoka…”

Gaoshun “Did we ever have such a skilled doctor among the eunuchs?”

壬氏「ん？」

Jinshi “N?”

羅漢「失礼するよ」

Rakan “Shitsurei suruyo.”

Lakan “Pardon me.”

壬氏「ハア…」

Jinshi “Haa…”

羅漢「先日の話の続きをしましょうか」

Rakan “Senjitsuno hanashino tsuzukio shimashoka.”

Lakan “Shall we pick up the discussion from the other day?”

壬氏「本当に、ずいぶんあくどいことをされたようですね」

Jinshi “Hontoni, zuibun akudoi koto’o sareta yo-desune.”

Jinshi “It seems you played quite a few dirty tricks.”

羅漢「失礼な…トンビには言われたくないですな。10年以上かけて、ようやくやり手婆を説得したのに、横からかっさらわれた身にもなるといい」

Rakan “Shitsureina… Tonbi-niwa iwaretaku-nai desuna. Ju-nen-ijo kakete, yoyaku yarite-babaa’o settoku shita-noni, yoko-kara kassara-wareta mi-nimo naruto ii.”

Lakan “How rude! I don’t want to hear that from a thief. I spent a decade convincing that old madam, and you stole her out from under my nose.”

壬氏「油揚げを返せと？」

Jinshi “Abura-age’o kaese to?”

Jinshi “So you want your prize returned?”

羅漢「いいや、いくらでも出しましょう。昔と同じ轍は踏みたくないのでね」

Rakan “Iiya, ikura-demo dashi-masho. Mukashito onaji tetsuwa fumitaku-naino-dene.”

Lakan “No, I’ll pay whatever you ask. I’m not keen on repeating my past mistakes.”

壬氏「嫌だと言ったら？」

Jinshi “Iyadato ittara?”

Jinshi “And if I refuse?”

羅漢「そう言われると、何も言えませんな。‘あなた様’に逆らえる者など…片手の指ほども存在しない」

Rakan “So iwareruto, nanimo iemasenna. ‘Anata-sama’ni sakaraeru mono-nado…katateno yubi hodomo sonzai shinai.”

Lakan “Then there’s nothing I can do, is there? You can count on one hand the number of people who can defy someone as high up as you.”

壬氏（やはり…俺の正体に気づいている…）

Jinshi (Yahari… Oreno shotaini kizuite-iru…)

Jinshi (As I thought, he does know who I really am.)

羅漢「ただ、‘娘’がどう思うかなのですけど…」

Rakan “Tada, ‘musume’ga do omouka nano desu-kedo…”

Lakan “I’m just concerned about what my daughter would think, is all.”

壬氏「くっ…」（ああ、嫌だ…。つまり、そういうことだ。認めたくないが、羅漢は…猫猫の実の父親だ…）

Jinshi “Ku…” (Aa, iyada… Tsumari, so-iu kotoda. Mitome-taku-naiga, Rakanwa… Maomaono jitsuno chichi-oyada…)

Jinshi (Ugh. So that’s really what it is. I don’t want to admit it, but Lakan is Maomao’s father by blood.)

羅漢「娘に、そのうち会いに行くと伝えていただけますか？では」

Rakan “Musumeni, sono-uchi aini ikuto tsutaete itadake-masuka? Dewa.”

Lakan “Could you just let her know I’ll be visiting her sometime? Bye, now.”

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壬氏「…薬屋」

Jinshi “…Kusuriya.”

Jinshi “Apothecary.”

猫猫「はい」

Maomao “Hai.”

Maomao “Yes.”

壬氏「今度、お前に会いたいという官がいるのだが」

Jinshi “Kondo, omaeni aitaito-iu kanga iruno-daga.”

Jinshi “There’s an official who wants to meet you sometime soon.”

猫猫「どんな方ですか？」

Maomao “Donna kata desuka?”

Maomao “Who is he?”

壬氏「前から話している変人だ。名は羅漢という…」

Jinshi “Mae-kara hanashite-iru henjinda. Nawa Rakan to-iu…”

Jinshi “It’s the weirdo I’ve been telling you about. His name is Lakan―”

壬氏「あっ…。…どうにか、断っておく…」

Jinshi “A… …Donika, kotowatte oku…”

Jinshi “I’ll turn him down somehow.”

猫猫「ありがとうございます。では、仕事に戻りますので」

Maomao “Arigato gozaimasu. Dewa, shigotoni modori-masu-node.”

Maomao “Thank you. I’ll get back to work now.”

壬氏（…あんな顔は初めて見た…もう、二度と見たくない）

Jinshi (…Anna kaowa hajimete mita… Mo, nidoto mitaku-nai.)

Jinshi (I’ve never seen her make a face like that. And I never want to see it again.)

猫猫（ハア…やっぱり気付かれてたか…）

Maomao (Haa… Yappari kizukare-tetaka…)

Maomao (So, he found out.)

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猫猫「この匂い…薬草畑だ！ここにも！そこにも！あそこにも！はあ～」

Maomao “Kono nioi… Yakuso-batakeda! Koko-nimo! Soko-nimo! Asoko-nimo! Haaaa.”

Maomao “This smell… It’s an herb garden! Here! And there! And there, too!”

翠苓「またあなたなの？」

Suirei “Mata anata nano?”

Suirei “You again?”

猫猫(おっ！あ…あああ…いかん、これはどう見ても怪しすぎる)

Maomao (O! A… Aaa… Ikan, korewa do mitemo ayashi-sugiru.)

Maomao (Oh, no. This is way too suspicious.)

猫猫「安心してください、まだ何も採ってません」

Maomao “Anshin shite kudasai, mada nanimo totte-masen.”

Maomao “Don’t worry. I haven’t taken anything yet.”

翠苓「その手の汚れ…今から採ろうとしてたと認識していいかしら？」

Suirei “Sono teno yogore… Ima-kara toroto shitetato ninshiki shite ii-kashira?”

Suirei “Is it safe to assume from the dirt on your hands that you were just about to?”

猫猫（ひいいっ…ああ…）

Maomao (Hiii…Aa…)

翠苓「別に咎めないわよ。ここは非公式な畑だし…ただ、医官も知っている場所だから、あまり出入りしないほうがいいわ」

Suirei “Betsuni togame-nai-wayo. Kokowa hi-koshikina hatake-dashi… Tada, ikanmo shitte-iru basho dakara, amari deiri shinai-hoga iiwa.”

Suirei “I’m not trying to punish you. This is an unofficial garden, anyway. But the doctors know about this place too, so I’d advise against frequent visits.”

猫猫「この場を任されているんですか？」

Maomao “Kono bao makasarete-irun-desuka?”

Maomao “Are you in charge of this place?”

翠苓「さあね。私も、好きなものを植えさせてもらっているだけ」

Suirei “Saane. Watashimo, sukina mono’o ue-sasete-moratte-iru-dake.”

Suirei “Who knows? I’m just allowed to plant what I want here.”

猫猫（雑草だけを選んで抜いている…たしか翠苓と呼ばれていたな。人のことは言えないが、あまり活力のあふれる性格ではなさそうだ）

Maomao (Zasso-dakeo erande nuite-iru… Tashika Suirei to yobarete-itana. Hitono kotowa ienaiga, amari katsuryokuno afureru seikaku-dewa nasa-soda.)

Maomao (She’s pulling up the weeds. Suirei, I think her name was? Not that I’m one to talk, but she doesn’t seem very excitable.)

猫猫「何を植えているのですか？」

Maomao “Nanio uete-iruno-desuka?”

Maomao “What are you planting?”

翠苓「蘇りの薬…」

Suirei “Yomigaerino kusuri…”

Suirei “A medicine to resurrect someone.”

猫猫「ハッ…！それは…！」

Maomao “Ha…! Sorewa…!”

Maomao “Is that…?!”

猫猫（死者が蘇ることのできる薬…！そんなものが実在するなら…喉から手が出るほど欲しい！）

Maomao (Shishaga yomigaeru kotono dekiru kusuri…! Sonna monoga jitsuzai suru-nara… nodo-kara tega deru-hodo hoshii!)

Maomao (A medicine that can bring the dead back to life… If such a thing exists, I want it more than anything!)

翠苓「冗談よ」

Suirei “Jodan yo.”

Suirei “Just kidding.”

猫猫「冗談…」

Maomao “Jodan…”

Maomao “A joke…”

翠苓「あなた、薬師って聞いたけど…どれほどの腕前なのかしら？」

Suirei “Anata, kusushitte kiita-kedo… Dore-hodono ude-mae nano-kashira?”

Suirei “I heard you’re an apothecary. Just how good are you?”

猫猫「さあ…」

Maomao “Saa…”

Maomao “I don’t know.”

翠苓「もう少し先の話だけど…ここに朝顔を植えるわ。…それじゃあ」

Suirei “Mo sukoshi sakino hanashi dakedo… Kokoni asa-gao’o ueruwa. …Sorejaa.”

Suirei “A little while from now, I’ll be planting some morning glories here. Goodbye.”

(Continue to episode 19)

#apothecary english #apothecary romaji #the apothecary diaries #apothecary diaries #薬屋のひとりごと #薬屋のひとりごと　英語 #薬屋　英語　学習 #learning japanese #japanese

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