~Life goes on as it never ends...~
A week of office days, and only 2 1/2 of chapters left to translate. I do believe it's not that long till it's finally fully done~
After some more time passed by while spending it in that manner, Hikaruko returned home.
Her husband, who departed right after their marriage, personally taking responsibility for the mistake of the command - suicided.
--Hikaruko, became a widow.
[Fortunnately she didn't bear a child of his, isn't it?]
Is, how Teruaki phrased it.
Though it does sound like a crual/bad excuse, Hikaruko is still young. It was probably a form of Teruaki's compassion, born from him thinking that it's still possible for her to redo it if it's now.
Visiting her room, with a bit of a surprised expression Hikaruko traced her bed with a finger.
[This room, hasn't changed one bit compared to how it was before I got married]
[It's mothers idea. 'Because that's the kind of age we're in']
[Though to me, she hadn't mentioned one bit, about that]
As Hikaruko showed a small smile, she sat down on the bed.
[...I did think of staying in that house, as it is]
[Aa]
[But, both mother & father-in-law said that it's better for me to return]
Since I can't think of what to say to her, I just respond to them.
[With him...we hadn't talked much even before the wedding...and he did depart right after. He was a kind man...probably, that is what I think to be the case]
Hikaruko cast down her eyelids.
[I, don't even know, if I liked him or not]
[...I see]
The quiet confession is sad. That figure that wouldn't cry, is sorrowful instead.
Sitting down next to her, I embraced that tiny head. Without resisting, Hikaruko obetiently leans closer.
We don't even feel like saying anything. Just, it seemed a hole had opened somewhere inside our hearts and only the sound of the wind breezing through was heard.
It seems the wind, had extinguished something inside of Hikaruko.
--I want to see you.
I can't think of anything but that.
Even though the inside of my heart feels this empty, I'd still hold pleasant chats when meeting someone, and can face arguments while looking serious.
I can both affix a seal to the documents, and even pass decisions. It's a feeling as if somewhere inside of me, is cut off and moving on it's own.
[...Today's schedule is?]
To Mitsunobu, who asked after putting in order his appearance, Tokieda would open his memo pad like usual. And with an expression no different from the usual, he answered.
[Nothing]
「…………」
[There is nothing planned]
Since Tokieda replied far too calmly, Mitsunobu frowned.
[...I do think, that there was a gathering in the morning?]
[It seems, it was canceled]
[The dining in the afternoon?]
[Since the other party is in bad shape, this too ended up cancelled]
[The inspection of the factory together with the minister, who was fathers friend--]
[It was changed for Teruaki-sama to attend to that]
[Why?]
[The other day, when attending a dinner party, it seems the ministers daughter was quite fond of Teruaki-sama, so he was nominated for it. The mess that follows after that too, will be attended by Teruaki-sama]
[...I see. And so because of that, you say that there is nothing planned?]
[Yes]
Like a gust of wind to a house of cards. Though it does seem everything was planned but, I felt like I was fine with that too. Since in any case my face was in the state where the stubs have turned into silk wadding. Even when it comes to the energy to latch onto work, I don't have any right now.
--Though saying that.
Lying down on the bed, Mitsunobu would strench out and absentmindedly gaze at the scenery outside a window that's seen from there.
--When I truly end up having time to spare, there isn't really much for me to do is there...
I come to realize quite a bit, how much for these several years I had done nothing other than what was needed.
If it was during the time I was a student, the time belonged to me, my body too belonged only to me. Since it was before I became like 'that' with Norizane, if I was bored I'd browse through the Medchen's in town or frequently visiting strange-looking shops. There was never a time I didn't know what to do with myself like this.
The scenery seen outise the window, was just branches overgrown with leaves, it was like it was no different to that day.
--Really, it's like nothing had changed compared to that day.
Mitsunobu would look away, and rise up from the bed. As he'd descend down the stairs while arranging his outfit, it was just the time to bump heads with Tokieda who had left the library.
[I'll go out for a moment]
[Should I prepare a car?]
[No, it's fine]
Since when was it, that it switched to a season where coats weren't needed? The wind was strong but the rays of sunshine were so warm Mitsunobu stripped the jacked he had been wearing and hung it from his arm. Once stepping out of the crowded streetcar, at a glance, the streets unchanged from before spread out.
I squint my eyes. The last time I came to this place, it was when I was visiting Kaname who was still laying in sickbed so it has probably been 4, 5 years since?
During that time I had come by car, so I wouldn't even calmly observe the streets. I cross left & right by the railway station in an open area. I noticed a few strores I'd recognize.
The grocery store students would go to buy things, judging from the windows patched by paper, seems to have been shut down due to lack of goods. The married couple that had given us this & that extra during the times Norizane and I'd visit, I wonder where they are now...?
As I'd walk while looking carefully, there were also rebuilt buildings, stores that had shut down like that grocery shop...
Was it the remains of the army's memorial day, signboards with ''Destroy them(1)'' written on them were left standing isolated by the roadside.
Though I didn't really feel bewilderment by the changes in the streeta, however walking for a while I realize that my body has memorized the path. My feet had chosen the alleyway for entering the hill reaching rowards the school, naturally..
Even if I had lived in this town for only 3 years, it certainly has become my flesh&bones.
Was he in the middle of sabotaging, wearing coats with school caps, the student holding books in one hand opposite of Mitsunobu was descending towards the town.
As I'd cease my gait and see him off, there was someone who called out to me.
[You, aren't you Kaneko?]
As he'd look over my shoulder, folding a towel by the belt in his waist, a skinny man wearing thick glasses was looking at Mitsunobu. Familiar features, with a bent back posture.
[...Could it be, Akita?]
To Mitsunobu's question, the man happily nodded many times.
TBC - Back to the beginning.
1) Improvising 'r me, as the google search for literal term 「撃ちてしやまむ」 results about it basically a phrase/lyric along the the lines of 'I'll destroy them by shooting (the enemy)''
After some more time passed by while spending it in that manner, Hikaruko returned home.
Her husband, who departed right after their marriage, personally taking responsibility for the mistake of the command - suicided.
--Hikaruko, became a widow.
[Fortunnately she didn't bear a child of his, isn't it?]
Is, how Teruaki phrased it.
Though it does sound like a crual/bad excuse, Hikaruko is still young. It was probably a form of Teruaki's compassion, born from him thinking that it's still possible for her to redo it if it's now.
Visiting her room, with a bit of a surprised expression Hikaruko traced her bed with a finger.
[This room, hasn't changed one bit compared to how it was before I got married]
[It's mothers idea. 'Because that's the kind of age we're in']
[Though to me, she hadn't mentioned one bit, about that]
As Hikaruko showed a small smile, she sat down on the bed.
[...I did think of staying in that house, as it is]
[Aa]
[But, both mother & father-in-law said that it's better for me to return]
Since I can't think of what to say to her, I just respond to them.
[With him...we hadn't talked much even before the wedding...and he did depart right after. He was a kind man...probably, that is what I think to be the case]
Hikaruko cast down her eyelids.
[I, don't even know, if I liked him or not]
[...I see]
The quiet confession is sad. That figure that wouldn't cry, is sorrowful instead.
Sitting down next to her, I embraced that tiny head. Without resisting, Hikaruko obetiently leans closer.
We don't even feel like saying anything. Just, it seemed a hole had opened somewhere inside our hearts and only the sound of the wind breezing through was heard.
It seems the wind, had extinguished something inside of Hikaruko.
--I want to see you.
I can't think of anything but that.
Even though the inside of my heart feels this empty, I'd still hold pleasant chats when meeting someone, and can face arguments while looking serious.
I can both affix a seal to the documents, and even pass decisions. It's a feeling as if somewhere inside of me, is cut off and moving on it's own.
[...Today's schedule is?]
To Mitsunobu, who asked after putting in order his appearance, Tokieda would open his memo pad like usual. And with an expression no different from the usual, he answered.
[Nothing]
「…………」
[There is nothing planned]
Since Tokieda replied far too calmly, Mitsunobu frowned.
[...I do think, that there was a gathering in the morning?]
[It seems, it was canceled]
[The dining in the afternoon?]
[Since the other party is in bad shape, this too ended up cancelled]
[The inspection of the factory together with the minister, who was fathers friend--]
[It was changed for Teruaki-sama to attend to that]
[Why?]
[The other day, when attending a dinner party, it seems the ministers daughter was quite fond of Teruaki-sama, so he was nominated for it. The mess that follows after that too, will be attended by Teruaki-sama]
[...I see. And so because of that, you say that there is nothing planned?]
[Yes]
Like a gust of wind to a house of cards. Though it does seem everything was planned but, I felt like I was fine with that too. Since in any case my face was in the state where the stubs have turned into silk wadding. Even when it comes to the energy to latch onto work, I don't have any right now.
--Though saying that.
Lying down on the bed, Mitsunobu would strench out and absentmindedly gaze at the scenery outside a window that's seen from there.
--When I truly end up having time to spare, there isn't really much for me to do is there...
I come to realize quite a bit, how much for these several years I had done nothing other than what was needed.
If it was during the time I was a student, the time belonged to me, my body too belonged only to me. Since it was before I became like 'that' with Norizane, if I was bored I'd browse through the Medchen's in town or frequently visiting strange-looking shops. There was never a time I didn't know what to do with myself like this.
The scenery seen outise the window, was just branches overgrown with leaves, it was like it was no different to that day.
--Really, it's like nothing had changed compared to that day.
Mitsunobu would look away, and rise up from the bed. As he'd descend down the stairs while arranging his outfit, it was just the time to bump heads with Tokieda who had left the library.
[I'll go out for a moment]
[Should I prepare a car?]
[No, it's fine]
Since when was it, that it switched to a season where coats weren't needed? The wind was strong but the rays of sunshine were so warm Mitsunobu stripped the jacked he had been wearing and hung it from his arm. Once stepping out of the crowded streetcar, at a glance, the streets unchanged from before spread out.
I squint my eyes. The last time I came to this place, it was when I was visiting Kaname who was still laying in sickbed so it has probably been 4, 5 years since?
During that time I had come by car, so I wouldn't even calmly observe the streets. I cross left & right by the railway station in an open area. I noticed a few strores I'd recognize.
The grocery store students would go to buy things, judging from the windows patched by paper, seems to have been shut down due to lack of goods. The married couple that had given us this & that extra during the times Norizane and I'd visit, I wonder where they are now...?
As I'd walk while looking carefully, there were also rebuilt buildings, stores that had shut down like that grocery shop...
Was it the remains of the army's memorial day, signboards with ''Destroy them(1)'' written on them were left standing isolated by the roadside.
Though I didn't really feel bewilderment by the changes in the streeta, however walking for a while I realize that my body has memorized the path. My feet had chosen the alleyway for entering the hill reaching rowards the school, naturally..
Even if I had lived in this town for only 3 years, it certainly has become my flesh&bones.
Was he in the middle of sabotaging, wearing coats with school caps, the student holding books in one hand opposite of Mitsunobu was descending towards the town.
As I'd cease my gait and see him off, there was someone who called out to me.
[You, aren't you Kaneko?]
As he'd look over my shoulder, folding a towel by the belt in his waist, a skinny man wearing thick glasses was looking at Mitsunobu. Familiar features, with a bent back posture.
[...Could it be, Akita?]
To Mitsunobu's question, the man happily nodded many times.
TBC - Back to the beginning.
1) Improvising 'r me, as the google search for literal term 「撃ちてしやまむ」 results about it basically a phrase/lyric along the the lines of 'I'll destroy them by shooting (the enemy)''