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apothecaryscript · 3 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?”

羅門「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��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、全く話は来なかったな」

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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