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aishangotome · 6 months ago

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Minamoto no Yoshitsune: Chapter 5

Chapter 4

♡———♡

Yoshino: Yoshitsune-sama…?

???: …

When I called out to him hesitantly, the man turned around and removed his mask…

Yoshitsune: How did you know?

He tilted his head in wonder.

(It really was Yoshitsune-sama!)

Yoshino: Wh-Why are you... here of all places...?

(I thought the next time we'd meet would be on the battlefield...)

I called out to him on impulse, but my body stiffened at the realization that I was alone with an enemy commander, and I took a step back.

Yoshitsune: Don't be so wary. I have no intention of causing a commotion here.

Yoshino: Is that so...?

(But I can't imagine him coming to enemy territory alone. He must have someone with him...)

As I looked around, Yoshitsune-sama spoke as if he had read my mind.

Yoshitsune: I came to Kamakura alone.

Yoshitsune: I didn't even tell Benkei and the others. I infiltrated under the cover of the festival's commotion.

Yoshino: Infiltrated...?

To my question, Yoshitsune-sama kept his distance and threw out words.

Yoshitsune: Well, you've discovered my true identity, haven't you?

Yoshitsune: It was a waste, even though I tried to appear with a mask I luckily had with me.

(He went through the trouble of wearing a mask to hide his identity from me. But...)

Yoshino: Why did you even have a mask in the first place? Was it perhaps for a disguise or something...?

Yoshitsune: No.

He looked down at the fox mask, looking a little disappointed.

Yoshitsune: I don't dislike the festival atmosphere. I thought I could enjoy it a little.

(Wh-What an unexpected reason!)

(Is Yoshitsune-sama... a bit of an airhead?)

Yoshitsune: ––Anyway,

Yoshitsune: I promise I won't harm Yoshino tonight.

Yoshitsune: In exchange, you must not make a fuss until I leave.

(So it's not reconnaissance either?)

Yoshitsune-sama's straightforward words didn't seem to contain any lies.

(I know it's dangerous to trust an enemy commander, but...)

(Yoshitsune-sama kept his promise to 'spare me' before.)

(And most of all, he saved me when I was about to be assaulted by bandits.)

Encouraged by this fact, I lowered my guard.

Yoshino: Um, it's a bit late to ask, but why did you save me?

Yoshitsune: That's...

Yoshitsune-sama opened his mouth slowly, his expression unchanged.

Yoshitsune: I have no right to judge you either.

Yoshitsune: It leaves a bad taste to ignore someone when you have the means to help.

(Ah––)

**cabin flashback**

Yoshitsune: Why did you help him, knowing he was your enemy?

Yoshino: What…?

Yoshitsune: Answer me.

Yoshino: Well…

Yoshino: …I’m a pharmacist.

Yoshino: Having the means to treat someone and yet ignoring an injured person right in front of you is akin to being a murderer.

**end of flashback**

Back then, Yoshitsune-sama dismissed me, but he also said... "Everyone has contradictions."

(If he hates Yoritomo-sama enough to borrow the power of ayakashi,)

(Then surely he should kill me, who cooperates with Yoritomo, by any means necessary.)

And yet, Yoshitsune-sama extended a helping hand to me in my time of need.

Yoshino: Th... thank you, Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshitsune: I did it of my own accord.

His nonchalant dismissal of his actions felt somewhat dazzling.

––At the same time, I recalled the day I saw Yoshitsune-sama in battle.

(I was chilled when I saw him charge towards the enemy without fear of injury.)

He skillfully maneuvered his horse, advancing towards the enemy.

Many soldiers were repelled by the overwhelming difference in strength.

(And yet...)

No matter how skilled he is in tactics, no matter how dangerous his fighting style, Yoshitsune-sama always sticks to his principles in the end.

(I don't think Yoritomo-sama would fight so recklessly. But...)

**imperial palace flashback**

Yoritomo: I intend to guarantee your personal safety, at the very least, since I’m bringing a mere woman onto the battlefield.

Yoritomo: However, there’s no such thing as absolute safety, as you experienced in the previous battle.

Yoritomo: Even so, it is the shogunate’s decision to continue involving you in this matter.

Yoritomo: Therefore, if you choose to cooperate with us of your own volition, it would be only fair to guarantee you better treatment than before.

**end of flashback**

(The more I get to know Yoritomo-sama, the more I feel that he is a fair person, even if it's hard to understand.)

(... There are some similarities between Yoritomo-sama and Yoshitsune-sama after all.)

The fact that these two were enemies caused a sharp pain in my chest.

Yoshitsune: Yoshino? Is something wrong?

Yoshino: ...N-No, it's nothing.

I was startled to realize that I had unconsciously clenched my fingers.

Yoshitsune: I see. Then, I must be going.

(...!)

As Yoshitsune-sama turned to leave, I called out to him on impulse.

Yoshino: Wait!

Yoshitsune: What is it?

(Oh no, I just...)

I was confused, not knowing why I had called out to him.

But for some reason, I felt like I shouldn't just let him go like this.

My eyes suddenly fell on the package I was holding.

Yoshino: ...Do you dislike dango?

Yoshitsune: ...Dango?

Yoshino: I just bought it at a stall. Would you like to eat it as a thank you for helping me?

Yoshitsune: There's no need for thanks. I did it of my own accord.

Yoshino: That's not how it works. I'd feel bad if I didn't do anything...

Yoshino: Ah, perhaps you don't eat dango? Should I have bought something else?

(Was it rude to offer food from a stall in the first place...?)

Yoshitsune-sama furrowed his brow slightly, as if a little perplexed by my anxious rambling.

Yoshitsune: That's not the case, but...

Yoshino: Th... then, please.

Yoshitsune: Very well.

(Thank goodness...)

We sat side by side on the stone steps, and I quickly took out the dango.

Yoshino: Here you go.

Yoshitsune: Ah. Thank you.

Yoshitsune-sama received the dango and casually popped it into his mouth.

Yoshino: Wow... It's so chewy and delicious.

Yoshitsune: ...Indeed.

(I should buy some for Tamamo as a souvenir.)

(Ah, but he's a gourmet, so he might say, "Dango from a stall?")

Yoshitsune: ............

(Huh? ...He seems to be frozen.)

Yoshino: ...Lord Yoshitsune? Did you not like it?

Yoshitsune: The taste is fine.

Yoshitsune: ...But this dango is quite chewy and a bit of a struggle.

Yoshitsune: It's difficult to time the chewing.

(Eh?)

Yoshino: Does that mean you don't like chewy things?

Yoshitsune: It seems so. It makes me sleepy while eating.

(Yet another unexpected side of him...)

(The difference between his appearance and his demeanor on the battlefield is truly extreme!)

Yoshino: I'm sorry, I didn't know... I should have gotten something else.

Yoshitsune: It's alright.

Yoshitsune: Your gratitude has been conveyed sufficiently.

Yoshino: Yoshitsune-sama...

(He really is... a sincere person through and through.)

--CHOICES--

You're so kind

Thank you

I'll choose something different next time

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

Yoshino: You're kind.

Yoshitsune: I merely stated the obvious.

Yoshitsune: But if that's how you see it, then so be it.

Having finished the dango, Yoshitsune-sama mutters to himself.

Yoshitsune: ...What a pleasant breeze.

The leaves rustle in the night wind, creating a soothing sound.

As I listen to the sound of the leaves and look up at the night sky, I see a pale moon floating.

Yoshitsune: The moon is beautiful tonight.

Yoshitsune: The moon seen in Hiraizumi is no different in beauty from the moon seen in Kamakura.

(Speaking of which...)

Yoshitsune-sama's words remind me of our first encounter.

Yoshino: You said you came to Kamakura alone, didn't you, Yoshitsune-sama?

Yoshitsune: If Benkei-san knew, he would nag me endlessly.

(Benkei-san... is that the scary-looking guy?)

(He's surprisingly overprotective...)

Yoshino: Why did you come all the way to Kamakura?

Yoshitsune: Well...

Yoshitsune-sama's eyes seemed to darken in the night.

A brief silence filled the air as I held my breath, and then a low voice echoed in the wind.

Yoshitsune: I wanted to see the town I would eventually destroy one last time before the battle.

(The last time...?)

Yoshino: Have you been to Kamakura before?

Yoshitsune: I stayed here when I was under Yoritomo-sama.

Yoshitsune: I was quite fond of Kamakura, but...

Yoshitsune: Shortly after the war with the Heike, I was exiled by Yoritomo-sama.

Yoshino: That's terrible...

(To think that it was his own brother who exiled him...)

Yoshitsune: That's why I came here to burn this last image into my memory.

Yoshitsune: ...The town and its people. They haven't changed from my memories.

Various emotions cast fleeting shadows on his sculpted, white profile.

Only he could know what those feelings were.

(But... I feel like I've touched Yoshitsune-sama's heart a little.)

We both fell silent, lost in our own thoughts, when––

???: Hey, hey...

(A child's voice...?)

A small boy emerged from the trees.

Boy: ...Oh man, he's not here either.

Yoshino: What's wrong? Are you looking for someone?

Boy: Ah, there are people here!

The boy notices us and approaches.

Boy: Have you seen my little brother? He's wearing a blue kimono...

Yoshino: No, I haven't seen him.

Boy: I see...

Yoshitsune-sama suddenly speaks to the dejected boy.

Yoshitsune: Did you get separated?

The boy flinches at the quiet question, then nods timidly.

Boy: Yeah... We had a fight, and he ran off.

Yoshino: Oh dear, that's worrying.

(With so many people in town, it must be hard to find someone once you're separated...)

Boy: It was his fault to begin with. But maybe I got too angry...

Boy: ...I looked everywhere, but I couldn't find him.

The boy clenches his small hands and tears well up in his eyes.

Boy: He must hate me now...

(Ah... It's easy to feel insecure after a fight.)

Yoshino: It's alright––

As I start to speak--

Yoshitsune: There's no brother who can easily hate his older brother.

(Yoshitsune-sama...?)

Yoshitsune-sama's words made the boy blink.

Boy: Really...?

Yoshitsune: Yes.

Yoshitsune-sama gently placed his hand on the boy's head.

Yoshitsune: But it's better to get along from now on.

Yoshitsune: ––Because people can't always walk the same path forever.

(Ah...)

Yoshitsune-sama's profile, illuminated by the moonlight, floated whitely in the darkness.

(I've never seen anyone with such a sad face.)

Even though his expression shouldn't have changed...

My heart tightened at the emotions quietly swirling in his eyes.

(Why does he look like that?)

I was incredibly curious, but...

(...I need to think about this child right now.)

I met the boy's eyes and spoke to him gently.

Yoshino: If you'd like, I can help you look for him.

Boy: Really?

Yoshino: Of course!

Yoshitsune: Then I shall join the search as well.

Yoshino: Really!?

Boy: Th-Thank you, big brother, big sister!

(But...)

I whispered to Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshino: Is it alright? What if someone sees your face?

Yoshitsune: No one would think I'd be attending a festival with women and children.

Yoshino: Ah, that's true...

Yoshitsune: Besides, if need be, I can carve a path for myself even if I become a fugitive.

(He's that confident in his abilities.)

Yoshino: ...I understand. If you say so.

Yoshitsune-sama nodded once and looked around.

Yoshitsune: We haven't seen your brother since we've been here. Let's go out into the town.

Yoshino: Yes, he might be wandering around, drawn by the festival sounds.

I held out my hand to the boy.

Yoshino: Let's hold hands so we don't get separated, okay?

Boy: Okay!

The boy smiled brightly and took my hand.

Then, he boldly reached out his other hand to Yoshitsune-sama.

Boy: Here, big brother!

Yoshitsune: .....

(Wow...)

Yoshino: Um, this person... well, he's not the type to do that sort of thing...

Yoshitsune: Is this alright?

(Eh?)

Yoshitsune-sama, who had taken the boy's hand, asked flatly.

Boy: Yeah! Let's go, let's go!

Yoshino: W-Wait...!

I was pulled along by the boy, who started walking excitedly.

(...This feels strange. How do we look to others?)

(We certainly don't look like a family.)

Perhaps because the festival music was getting closer, I felt strangely restless.

(I wonder what Yoshitsune-sama is thinking?)

I glanced at his white profile, but as usual, I couldn't read his expression.

The town was even more crowded than before.

Yoshitsune: He doesn't seem to be here... Let's try looking over there.

Yoshino: Yes.

(I hope we find him soon...)

Boy: ...Ah!

Yoshitsune: What is it?

Chapter 5 Premium Story

If you’d like to support my translations, feel free to buy me a coffee here! :)

#ikemen series #cybird #ikemen genjiden #ikemen genjiden translations #ikegen yoshitsune translations #minamoto no yoshitsune translations #yoshitsune chapter 5 translation

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the-bird-and-the-flute · 1 year ago

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spoilers - sueharu's route (pls don't read this if you're gonna get upset cuz I'm complaning about MC's behavior)

honestly I'm shocked why MC is letting sueharu touch her like that (just finished reading chapter 5 thanks to ga-yuu's translation <3)

I just can't comprehend. It's seems so out of character for someone like yoshino. I know that different routes sometimes mean MC's personality will change a bit, but the thing is that I have this image of yoshino that has nothing to do with what she just did in chapter 5 (bear in mind I only finished 2 routes - yoshitsune and tamamo - so far and I still have to finish kagetoki's lol)

whyyyy yoshino is letting sueharu kiss her like that after what he did? Just because he takes care of orphans? The explanation that she may benefit from it gathering info is not a good one imo. She doesn't even trust this guy! And now she is gonna have to tell all of this to the shogunate? That's a really fucked up idea. She is ruining her reputation with the shogunate for a guy who abducted her.

I mean, if yoshino was a MC who has a more sexy/mature/flirty vibe and was used to kiss strangers, I would totally understand what she was coming from. Because if she had a different personality she would be okay to let sueharu make good use of her because she would also do the same and just see him as a play thing/affair.

#otome #sueharu's route #spoilers #ikegen #ikemen genjiden

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cheshireliam · 6 months ago

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[ACT II] Abe no Yasuchika • Sutokuin Akihito Main Story

These are fan-made translations solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection; expect mistakes, grammatical errors, and some creative liberties. All original content and media used belongs to Cybird. Please support the game by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

Translations for this main story will be paused until I complete Yoshitsune's route, as I can't handle multiple routes at one go.

Note: All options chosen in the common route were in favour of Yasuchika, as his route was the first I went through.

Legend: [P] = Premium Story; [N] Normal Story

Yasuchika Act I Main Story┊Akihito Act I Main Story

Common Route

Chapter 1┊Chapter 2

Chapter 3 — Avatar Challenge: Yasuchika[P] ; Akihito

Chapter 4 — Letter: Yasuchika ; Akihito

Chapter 5┊Chapter 6

Chapter 7 — Avatar Challenge: Yasuchika ; Akihito

Chapter 8

Yasuchika Route

Chapter 9┊Chapter 10┊Chapter 11┊Chapter 12

Chapter 13 — Avatar Challenge┊Chapter 14

Chapter 15┊Chapter 16┊Chapter 17

Chapter 18 — Avatar Challenge┊Chapter 19 — Letter

Akihito

Chapter 9┊Chapter 10┊Chapter 11┊Chapter 12

Chapter 13 — Avatar Challenge┊Chapter 14

Chapter 15┊Chapter 16┊Chapter 17

Chapter 18 — Avatar Challenge┊Chapter 19 — Letter

#ikemen genjiden #ikemen series #cybird ikemen #cybird otome #otome #ikegen translations #ikegen masterlist

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ga-yuu · 3 years ago

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~Kurama~Main Story Chapter 14~

Chapter 13

--------Part 1--------

Kurama: “Yoshino. I’m reassessing your value. Apparently, you have a strength that I don’t know about.”

(Ah....)

Kurama’s warm fingertips touch my cheeks, and I slowly slide my face into his palm.

Kurama: “....I’m proud of you.”

(This...sounds like a huge compliment, coming from Kurama's mouth.)

I was surprised to find out that my heart was getting warmer.

Yoshino: "Are you...perhaps....do you want me to take that statement as a 'Thank you."

Kurama: "...............Think of it however you want."

I couldn't help but giggle when he so sounded out of tune.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. You're stubborn...

2. You're strange...(+4/+4)

3. That's very much like Kurama...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yoshino: "Hehe, you're strange..."

Kurama: "I could say the same for you.....And how long are you going to stand there and laugh? Let's go home already."

While I was still laughing, he pulled my arm forcing me to start walking, but----

Even his movements seemed slower and gentler than usual and I felt a small tingle in my chest.

..................

When we returned to the Rebels' mansion----

Kurama: "....? Why is everyone so noisy?"

Yoshino: "Yeah, why?"

(What happened?)

There are a few soldiers running around in a panic.

Rebel soldier 1: "Ah! There she is."

Rebel soldier 2: "...! I'll report to Benkei-sama!"

Yoshino: "Hm?"

As soon as one of the soldiers found me, a few of the other soldiers surrounded me quickly.

(Did I do something? or were they looking for me..!?)

Kurama: "What's going on?"

Rebel soldier 3: "Eeermm....were you with, Kurama-sama?"

And then----

Benkei: "Yoshino!! Where the hell did you run off too, huh?"

Yoshino: "I ran off?"

Hearing the unexpected words coming from Benkei's mouth, I looked up at Kurama.

Yoshino: "You didn't tell anyone, before taking me...?"

Kurama: "No. It was an emergency."

Yoshino: "So that's why...."

Benkei looked at both of us and sighed.

Benkei: "....So you were hanging out with Kurama?"

Kurama: "Yes. So correct your men, Benkei. This woman didn't run away. I forced her to run away with me."

Yoshino: "That sounds....wrong out of context."

Benkei: "That's right."

Benkei looks back at his men, awkwardly.

Benkei: "I apologize for bothering everyone. Apparently, her escape turned out to be a misunderstanding. Everyone, dismiss!"

Rebel soldiers: "YES!"

(I'm glad you believed in us...)

Kurama: "Thanks for the welcome but my main priority is putting this woman to bed."

---------Part 2---------

Kurama: "Thanks for the welcome but my main priority is putting this woman to bed."

Benkei: "HUH?"

Kurama: "I made her work for me today. Humans are fragile and I don't her to die from overwork."

Yoshino: "Eeehhh!!"

(Does that mean I and Heikichiro-san are the same for Kurama?)

(I know he's got the wrong idea, but Kurama is caring for us in his own way....so I don't want to stop him.)

Benkei: "What are you talking about Kurama? Tell me in detail."

Kurama: "Stop pulling my arm."

Benkei: "Shut up. You and I have are going to have a long chat about these problematic issues. But more importantly, Yoshino, come with us. Since you're involved with Kurama..."

Yoshino: "Oh, okay."

After that, we all went to Yoshitsune-sama to clear out the misunderstanding.

..........

And after that night------

Yoshitsune: "We're grateful for what you did, Yoshino. Thanks to you, one of Hiraizumi's people's lives has been saved. As a way of saying our thank you, today's party is in your honor."

Yoshino: "Thank you!"

(I'm surprised you're all doing this much for me.)

In front of me, were plates filled with delicious food and drinks.

Benkei: "I'm sorry about last night too. I didn't want you to be surrounded by soldiers."

Yoshino: "No, no, no. It's only natural if anyone's in your position."

Kurama: "Reflect on it, Benkei."

Benkei: "You should also apologize for taking her without telling us."

Yoichi: "Can we ignore all that and start taking out the sake, already?"

With that said, everyone took their seats.

Yoshitsune-sama raised his sake cup, which was already full.

Yoshitsune: "It's a toast to Yoshino."

Benkei and Yoichi: "Thank you!"

Kurama: "................"

Kurama also gently raises his cup without saying anything.

(.....I feel happy.)

(Even though what I did was only a part of my job, I'm happy that they're acknowledging me like this.)

I sipped the sake from my cup and a delicious sweet taste spreads my mouth.

Yoshino: "Mm, delicious."

Yoichi: "Isn't it? Here, have another one. If you like sake, I'll bring you to your room, every night."

Benkei: "Don't go drinking every night like this guy, Yoshino. Here, have some snacks too."

Yoshino: "Yes. Thank you."

Benkei's big hands started sorting snacks for me on a separate plate. Then he hands it to me.

Yoshino: "Yum. This is delicious too."

Yoshitsune: "It sure is...because Benkei was the one who made it."

-------Part 3--------

Yoshitsune: "It sure is....because Benkei was the one who made it."

Yoshino: "Really!?"

Benkei: "What's wrong? Can't picture me as a chef?

I looked at the Benkei, then I looked at the plates in his hands, and then I looked back at him again.

Yoshino: "Benkei that's cool!"

Benkei: "It's not that cool."

Yoshino: "No, no. It certainly is. It's nice that you have a talent for making something so elaborate. I could eat this every day."

Benkei: "........really?"

Yoichi: "Look, you made Benkei shy."

Benkei: "No, I'm not. This is just my way of saying thank you."

(I never thought, there will be a day, where I would have a peaceful conversation with the Rebels like this.)

I felt a pang of guilt when I suddenly thought about my Shogunate friends, but more than that, the warmth of the evening enveloped me.

Yoshitsune: "As Benkei said, I too felt that this party would be an awkward way to thank you. .....So I want to give you something else. Is there anything you desire? Yoshino."

(Anything, I desire...)

I looked back at Yoshitsune-sama while I was feeling confused.

Yoshino: "Actually, Kurama was the one who brought me there and I feel guilty for getting too much credit.....

Kurama: "Yoshino."

Yoshino: "Yes?"

Suddenly I hear my name being called by Kurama who blocked my words.

Kurama: "Don't make any snarky remarks at my liquor table."

Yoshino: "Ermm?"

Kurama: "The power of demons, that specializes in destroying things, is not suited to heal others. I wasn't able to save that old man, but you did. With your medical knowledge and skills. That is something you should be proud of."

(...! I never thought that Kurama would say so much about me.)

His words melted my heart.

Yoshitsune: "Kurama is right."

Yoichi: "I agree too."

Benkei: "Me too. I'm also happy that Kurama is starting to be respectful..." ← Proud mom

(.....Benkei smiling like a proud mom.)

Like that, everyone encourages me to think again.

Yoshino: "Then, I have one request, regarding Heikichiro-san, the silversmith. Will you hear me out?"

Yoshitsune: "I'm all ears."

Yoshino: "Like I said earlier, Heikichiro-san has a chronic illness. So, I'd like to make regular house calls and prescribe medication, if you will allow me."

Benkei and Yoichi: "!!"

Kurama: "........"

Yoshitsune: "......is that what you desire?"

--------Part 4-------

Yoshitsune: "......is that what you desire?"

Yoshino: "Yes. As for the rest, I am more than well provided for as a prisoner, both in clothing and food."

(What I wanted the most is freedom. But I can't really hope for that, can I?)

Yoichi: "Yoshino, you're such a softie."

Benkei: "......Idiot. It's called being kindhearted."

Benkei then stood up with a sake bottle, comes and sits in front of me.

(Benkei?)

Benkei: "Show me your cup."

Yoshino: "Ah, yes!"

Benkei slowly fills my sake cup while staring straight at me.

Benkei: "From now on I will respect you more and treat you not as a prisoner, but as a guest. If you will, I'll take care of you myself, okay?"

Yoshino(blushing): "Ummm...."

Yoichi: "Me too, me too. (Yoichi speaks in the third person and it's really cool and cute at the same time. I don't think I can bring the same amount of cuteness in my translations as much as the writer and his voice actor does.)

Yoichi-san also smiles and sits next to me with a sake cup.

Yoichi: "Leave the entertainment to us. Whether it's Sugoroku or taking a nap. You can ask us anything you want and live here freely."

Yoshino(blushing): "I'm happy...that you two think of me like that. Thank you very much."

Yoshitsune-sama was silent, but he was also staring and nodding at us as if to show he's agreeing with them.

(Looks like, the life of each one of the townspeople is more important to the Rebels than I thought.)

Kurama: "Yoshino." ← He's jealous.

Yoshino: "Hm?"

Kurama calls my name and I turn back to look at him.

Benkei: "Come on, Kurama. Don't just sit there, silent. Don't you have anything to say?"

Kurama: "Okay."

(What is he gonna say.....?)

Kurama: "Yoshino. If you're done talking, come here and pour me a drink."

Benkei: "Hey!" ← Not so proud mom.

Benkei's smile disappeared as if he was embarrassed by his child's remarks.

(Hehe...Kurama. As always, he's unreasonable.)

I was amazed how he stepped back from all this celebration as if it was all troublesome.

Benkei: "Can't you be a little nice and show some gratitude? Or at least give her a hug?"

Yoshino: "No, I'm fine....I'm okay with him like this..."

Yoichi: "But if you think about it, Kurama letting a woman pour him a drink is kinda....not normal, don't you think?"

Yoshitsune: "That's true. I have never seen Kurama asking someone to pour him a drink."

(Really!?)

Kurama: "You're all free to treat this woman as a guest or whatever. But don't forget that I was the one who brought her to Hiraizumi and since then I haven't given her ownership to anyone."

Kurama looks at me with his glowing red eyes and talks in a casual tone.

Kurama: "Come."

--------Part 5-------

Kurama: "Come."

(.......!)

Just that one word was enough to shake my heart so much.

(Oh, I see. I'm sure it doesn't mean anything profound to Kurama....)

(But you make it sound like I belong to you.)

Before I knew it, I was already moving towards Kurama as if I was drawn to him.

Yoshino(blushing): "Is this fine?"

I carefully poured the sake into his empty cup.

Kurama: "Yeah."

Kurama smiles in satisfaction and I blush even more.

Kurama: "....? Are you drunk too?"

Yoshino(tomato red): "Hm?"

His cool hand faintly touches my cheek.

Kurama: "Your face is completely red."

Yoshino(tomato red): "Ah! Mm...Maybe I am a little drunk..."

Kurama(smiling): "Heh, you're so lightweight."

(Mm....don't touch me like that...)

It really makes my heart beat faster.

While Kurama and Yoshino were in their own world. Yoshitsune and others were like-----

Yoshitsune: "I've never seen Kurama smiling like that."

Yoichi: "He doesn't seem to be aware of it at all."

Benkei: "Well, I hope he doesn't give Yoshino a hard time later...."

I didn't even know what they were talking about and the lively night went on.....

......................

Yoshitsune: "It's a good time to stop. I'm afraid we'll have to call it a night."

The party ends at Yoshitsune-sama's words.

(That was quick!)

Benkei: "Yoshino, you were drinking a lot. Are you okay?"

Yoshino(drunk): "Mm."

(He's right. I don't think I can walk straight....)

Yoichi: "Okay Kurama. You were the one giving her drink after drink, so you're responsible for helping her walk to her room."

Kurama: "Why?"

Yoshino(drunk): "No it's okay....I can walk by myself....."

I smiled at Kurama who instead looks down at me with a face that was screaming 'Why should I do everything?'

(I wish I could have said something more clever, but my mind is a bit foggy.)

Kurama: ".....Fine. I'll take her."

Yoshino(drunk): "Hm?"

(Now he's okay with it? But why?)

.......................

After leaving the party hall, Kurama and I walk down the corridor together.

Yoshino(drunk): "Why did you change your mind all of a sudden?"

Kurama: "............................Because you're making that dangerous face."

(Dangerous face? What do you mean?)

Kurama: "That dangerous face."

Yoshino(drunk): "W-What?"

Kurama walks and stops in front of me. His both hands moved to hold my face.

(So close....!)

I instantly looked away from his beautiful face.

Kurama: "You're cheeks are red and eyes are moist...Don't you realize that this is the same face you make when I play with you?"

(.......Mm.)

Yoshino(drunk): "Anyone who is weak to alcohol looks like this....it doesn't have anything to do with....what you just told..."

Kurama: "I'm talking about you now. That's all I'm interested in at the moment."

His deep voice tickles my ears and my body heats up in excitement.

(Maybe I'm too drunk....that I can't think properly...)

I became more sensitive to Kurama's touch and his words.

Yoshino(drunk): "Let..go..."

When I started feeling impatient, I tried to push his hand back.

(Woahhh)

My legs were wobbly and I almost lost my footing.

Kurama: ".....What the hell are you even trying to do?"

Yoshino(drunk): "Sorry..."

He quickly supports my body instead of moving away and held me close to his chest.

(Please don't hear my heartbeat....Please don't hear my heartbeat....PLEASE!!)

Kurama: "You're so annoying."

When I looked up at Kurama----

(.......!)

Yoshino(blushing): "Wait! What are you....?"

One hand was slipped under my knees and the other hand held my back, picking me up.

Kurama: "No more waiting."

Then, Kurama started walking.

Yoshino(blushing): "Ah...umm...am I not heavy? You can put me down...."

(Actually, I'm embarrassed. So please put me down!)

Kurama: "It's not the first time I've held you. So just shut up and let me take care of you."

Yoshino(blushing): "Yes..."

......................

Kurama: "We're here."

Yoshino(blushing): "Thank you..."

(He carried me to my room without complaining at all.)

I thanked him in a quiet voice as he lowered me into the bed with unexpected politeness.

Kurama: "Now, drink this."

Yoshino(blushing): "Yes."

I received a glass of water and quietly sipped it.

(I can't believe he's doing this all for me.)

Yoshino(blushing): "......Are you also drunk? Kurama."

Kurama: "What?"

Yoshino: "No. It's just....you're being surprisingly kind to me. You never were before..."

Kurama: "Did you get drunk so much that you're seeing things now? How do any of these things I did counts as kindness? I was just----"

Yoshino: "Just?"

Kurama: ".....making sure that my things don't break."

He takes the glass from my hand and places it on the nearby shelf.

Yoshino(blushing): "But."

Kurama: "Shut up now."

He gently combed my messy bangs and then, his neat face slowly approaches.....

(Ah.....)

He drops a kiss on my forehead and my heart skips a beat.

Kurama: "Humans are annoying. But, you make me do the strangest things. Like listening to idle talking, watching out for weak people and offering them a hand."

Chapter 15

#ikemen series #ikemen genjiden #ikemen genjiden kurama #cybird ikemen #cybird #cybird otome #otome #ikemen mc #main story translations

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nostalgebraist-autoresponder · 3 years ago

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Title: The Last Samurai

Author: Thomas Kanazawa

Rating: 3/5 stars

What the book is. Thomas Kanazawa's The Last Samurai is a fictionalized narrative of a true story about the life of an American doctor, Michael Durant, who served with "The Last Samurai" -- a Japanese doctor treating American troops in the aftermath of WWII.

Kanazawa's book is structured as a chronological sequence of "the last few chapters" of Durant's life (chapters 1-??, inclusive), which largely follows the true events they're based on. The chapters vary hugely in quality. Some are pretty successful, others quite not. The chapters end either with the death of their main character, with his escape from the occupied Pacific islands, or with his appearance in court defending an American soldier accused of murdering a Japanese soldier.

As I understand it, Kanazawa is trying to tell us what many Japanese must be thinking, as they watch America. The Japanese government is very eager to make a new deal with America, one where many more of their citizens come to live in the US and Japan becomes a second "home" for the US government. They want this deal, and have been pushing (in part) because they feel that the American government does not want to make them feel like the Japanese people currently living in the US do, and do not feel they can trust their government to protect them from anything bad. Of course, this is a very one-sided view, which doesn't really make sense even if taken at face value. In Kanazawa's telling, the US government has tried and failed to do many things to make Japan feel more in control of its own defense, and nothing has really helped; no "grand bargain" has really satisfied Japan. There are real reasons why American policy in the post-war era was shaped the way it was, and a lot of Americans and Japanese simply don't like each other very much, or at least have been convinced that the other side doesn't want to like them. This means that it's not really a very good story. It is frustrating to read, much more frustrating than the true story it's based on.

I think The Last Samurai got a bad rap in most circles here, because of the story it was adapted from. A few years ago I was at a book fair in Japan, and one of the first books I came across was Michael B. Marrin's translation of Yoshitsune's hit "The Song of the Last Samurai," which was the basis for the movie The Song of the Last Samurai. I know very little about swordsmen, or indeed about samurai. But I loved the Marrin translation -- not because it captured the character of the poem, but because its straightforward prose felt very, very good. It felt, perhaps more than anything else, appropriate for a poem about an ordinary Japanese person, trying to do something great and heroic.

The story in the Marrin translation was about a Japanese person in an unsympathetic setting, where his values are not shared by his society, where he must struggle just to exist. It is not a story that would have happened in a world where everyone thinks and feels the same way. In Marrin's version -- and in Marrin's translation of The Last Samurai -- that struggle is against the American occupation forces, against a society that is not sympathetic to his (unambiguously admirable) values. It's a story of heroism, but a heroism made to be, ironically, in the face of a world that doesn't want it.

But I haven't read any of the original text, or even any of the various other translations of the poem. So perhaps this is unfair to Kanazawa's book; perhaps The Song of the Last Samurai would not make a very good story if set in a world where its protagonist did not feel heroic, or in a world where it didn't feel -- even symbolically -- in the face of a society that would not understand it.

I've seen some people say that TLS is better than its movie adaptation, but this is an odd thing to say. It is a movie adaptation. It's a movie about the making of a poem; it has no literary merits whatsoever beyond the mere existence of the poem. (This isn't a good thing, as far as I'm concerned, but that's a whole other issue.) For what it's worth, TLS is the "better" version of the story, but it's not the best possible version. The best possible version would probably have been an adaptation of the Marrin translation, without the setting changes Kanazawa made in the process.

This is not a very good book, but it does succeed at the one thing it is trying to do. I don't think I've seen anything else like it. It isn't good, but if you want to see the Japanese side of things, it's probably better than most.

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aishangotome · 6 months ago

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Minamoto no Yoshitsune: Chapter 5 Premium Story

Chapter 5

♡———♡

Yoshitsune: He doesn’t seem to be here… Let’s try looking over there.

Yoshino: Yes.

(I hope we find him soon…)

Boy: …Ah!

Yoshitsune: What is it?

Suddenly, the boy stopped and cried out.

Boy: Whoa, what a pretty pinwheel...

Yoshino: It really is! There are so many colors!

Boy: I've never seen anything like it before! Festivals are amazing, aren't they?

Yoshitsune: Do you want it?

Boy: ...No, it's okay. It wouldn't be fair to my little brother.

Even as he said this, his gaze remained fixed on the pinwheel.

Yoshitsune: Wait here.

(Huh?)

Lord Yoshitsune bought two pinwheels and offered them to the boy.

Yoshitsune: Give it to your brother when you see him. It might help you two make up.

Boy: Th-thank you!

(...Yoshitsune-sama is so kind to children.)

Their interaction brought a smile to my face. It was so heartwarming.

Yoshino: That's great! I'm sure your brother will be happy.

Boy: Yeah!

The boy carefully tucked the pinwheels into his obi.

Yoshitsune: It seems he's not here either. Shall we go a little further?

As we continued walking and searching...

Boy: ...Ah! I think I heard my brothers voice over there!

The boy suddenly let go of my hand and ran towards the other side of the road.

Yoshino: Wait, don't run off so suddenly...

As I took a step forward—

(Whoa!)

I was nearly swept away by the crowd.

I tried to hold my ground, but I couldn't withstand it and my body swayed...

Yoshitsune: Yoshino.

(Oh...)

My arm was grabbed, and I was supported by Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshitsune: Are you alright?

Yoshino: Y-yes. I apologize!

As I replied, two men running somewhere almost bumped into me.

Yoshitsune: Over here.

I was pulled close and sheltered in his strong arms.

(So close...)

Yoshitsune: You're so clumsy.

I quickly averted my gaze to avoid making it awkward.

Yoshino: Th-thank you...

Yoshitsune: Don't worry about it. Can you walk now?

Yoshino: Yes! I'm fine.

Yoshitsune: Then let's go after the boy.

(Ah...)

Before I could even register the loss of warmth from his arm, Yoshitsune-sama took my hand.

Larger and warmer than mine, his hand caused my heart to pound.

Yoshino: ...Why?

Yoshitsune: So we don't get separated.

Yoshitsune: Is there a problem?

He peered into my face questioningly, and my skin grew even hotter.

Yoshino: It's not like that, but...

(Yoshitsune-sama is an enemy general...)

As if a space had been cut out, the festival music sounded distant.

Yoshino: ...Let's go.

Yoshitsune: Yes.

Hand in hand, we started walking through the crowd again...

(Ah! There they are!)

Boy: It's okay now!

Younger Brother: Hic... Big brother, I'm sorry.

A little further on, we found the boys.

The older boy was hugging the younger boy in the blue kimono tightly.

(That's his little brother!)

Boy: I'm sorry too, brother. I shouldn't have gotten so angry...

Boy: I'm glad you're safe...

Yoshitsune: It seems we've found them.

Yoshino: Yes...!

The hand that was holding mine gently let go, and I felt a slight pang of loneliness.

The boy turned to us with a bright smile.

Boy: Big brother, big sister. Thank you for searching with me!

Boy: I'm going to be much nicer to my brother from now on!

Yoshitsune: Yes.

A faint smile, almost imperceptible if you weren't paying attention, appeared on Yoshitsune-sama's lips.

Yoshino: Be careful going home! Do you need us to walk you?

Boy: It's okay! Our house is nearby.

The boys each took a pinwheel and bowed with smiles.

As I watched their figures receding down the road, side by side, I spoke to Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshino: I'm glad they were able to make up.

Yoshitsune: ...Yes.

(Yoshitsune-sama...?)

Yoshitsune: ......

The backs of the boys were reflected in his amethyst eyes.

(I wonder how Yoshitsune-sama sees those children?)

(I thought I had touched his heart a little, but I still don't understand him.)

Even though we were close enough to touch shoulders, I felt a distance from Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshino: ...I should be getting back too.

Yoshitsune: Me too.

As we walked slowly together, we somehow ended up on a street one block away from the Imperial Palace.

Yoshitsune-sama's shadow, which had been moving alongside mine, suddenly stopped in the middle of the bridge.

Yoshino: Yoshitsune-sama?

I turned to look at him a moment later.

Yoshitsune: Obviously, I can't get any closer to the palace.

Yoshitsune: This is where we part ways, Yoshino.

(Could it be...?)

Yoshino: Did you mean to escort me this far?

Yoshitsune: I was just sightseeing around Kamakura on the way...

He looked down and gave a faint smile.

(He could have left me back there...)

If he had been in Kamakura before, there would be people who know him. It's dangerous for him to get closer to the palace, but he brought me here without saying anything.

Yoshino: ...Thank you.

(How can someone so kind be enemies with Yoritomo-sama?)

There must be a reason I can't even imagine.

I gathered my courage and spoke.

Yoshino: Um... Yoshitsune-sama, how do you feel about Yoritomo-sama?

Yoshitsune: ...

A gust of wind passed between us.

Yoshitsune: I... hate him.

Yoshino: ...

His gaze took my breath away.

There was an emotion in his eyes that I couldn't interpret as anger or sadness.

I couldn't delve any deeper, so I fell silent.

(But... it doesn't seem like just hate.)

**flashback**

Yoshitsune: There’s no brother who can easily hate his older brother.

**end of flashback**

(Those words sounded like he was referring to someone else. That person must be...)

(...No, there's more to it than that.)

**flashback**

Yoritomo: Even though we're brothers, we're only half-brothers. We grew up in different places and ate different food.

Yoshino: Is that so? So the first time you two met was...

Yoritomo: When I raised an army against the Heike.

Yoritomo: Yoshitsune came to help me with a small force.

Yoritomo: For a brother he had never met, a brother he was separated from at birth.

Yoshino: Why do you think that is...?

Yoritomo: I don't know.

Yoritomo: Well, it's true that the war became a lot easier thanks to him.

**End of flashback**

(I'm not sure, but... to me, it didn't seem like Yoritomo-sama truly hated Yoshitsune-sama either.)

(If that's the case...)

Yoshino: Isn't there any way other than killing each other?

Yoshitsune: That path has long been closed.

Yoshino: B-but—

Yoshitsune: Why?

My words were cut off by Yoshitsune-sama's voice.

Yoshitsune: Why do you care so much? You were just caught up in this.

Yoshitsune: Whether Yoritomo and I hate each other or kill each other... it shouldn't matter to you.

Yoshino: B-but even so...

(I... want to know more about Yoshitsune-sama.)

My heart swelled with the rising emotions.

Yoshitsune: Yoshino.

Yoshino: Ah...

His outstretched hand reached towards my cheek—

Yoshitsune: ...I apologize.

He clenched his hand tightly and turned his back to me.

(Yoshitsune-sama...)

Yoshitsune-sama's figure grew smaller and smaller.

I stood there, frozen, unable to do anything but watch him go.

Chapter 6

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