R11:CO1 06.txt

張り裂けた空間のはざまから、強引にひきずり出された。%K%P
I was forcibly dragged back into reality, bursting out of the empty space.

産声をあげる余裕さえなく――。%K%P
Without enough time to give even a baby's first cry――

私は今、新しい世界へと生まれ落ちた。%K%P
I was born into a new world.

こころ「ここは……」%K%P
Where...

こころ「……どこ？」%K%P
...is this?

私の前には正方形の小さなガラス窓があった。%K%P
In front of me was a small, square glass window.

開かれた右の手のひらが窓の中央を覆っている。%K%P
The open palm of my right hand was pressed tight against the glass.

手のひらをどかしてみた。%K%P
I lowered my palm from the window.

白く曇ったガラスの表面に手形がくっきりと残っていた。%K%P
A palm print remained clearly visible on its cloudy white surface.

服の袖でそれらを拭うと、闇の中に見覚えのある像が浮かんだ。%K%P
I wiped it off with my sleeve, and a familiar image appeared.

こころ「私……」%K%P
Me...

こころ「私……だ……」%K%P
It's... me...

頭の中がぼうっとしていて状況がうまく把握できない。%K%P
I felt dazed; my head was cloudy.

けれど、窓ガラスに映ったその相貌が私のものであることだけはしっかりとわかった。%K%P
However, I could clearly understand that the image reflected in that windowpane was my own.

もう２０年もともに連れ添った顔だ。間違えるわけがない。%K%P
It's the same face I've had for twenty years now. There's no way I could be mistaken.

そのことに気づいたとたん、頭の中を覆っていた霞が剥ぎ取られるように消え失せた。%K%P
As soon as I realized that, the haze in my head immediately disappeared.

私は下を向き、服を確かめ、手のひらを眺め、手の甲を見つめた。%K%P
I looked down, checked my clothes, looked at my palms, and stared at the backs of my hands for a few moments.

左右の指先で、顔の輪郭をなぞり、肌の質感を味わい、髪の長さを測った。%K%P
The fingers of both my hands traced the contours of my face, felt the texture of my skin, and ran through my hair, checking its length on their way through.

ぴょんぴょんと飛び跳ねてみる。%K%P
It sprang up and down.

首と腰のあたりに鈍痛があったが、先ほどの痛みに比べればたいしたことはなかった。%K%P
There were dull pains in my neck and hip, but it wasn't all that bad compared to the pain I had felt before.

大きく伸びをする。%K%P
I stretch my arms out as wide as I can.

深呼吸を何度か繰り返してから、私は大きな声で言った。%K%P
I take a series of deep breaths, and start speaking out loud.

こころ「そっか、夢だったんだぁ！」%K%P
I see, so it was all a dream!

夢とは言え、今こうして自分の身体を取り戻したことは私にとって大きな喜びだった。%K%P
Even though it was just a dream, I somehow felt really happy to be back in my own body again.

私は窓に映った自分に向かってニッコリと微笑みを浮かべ、振り返った。%K%P
I cast another glance at my reflection, then turned my head.

こころ「あ……」%K%P
Ah...

そこには見知らぬ男性と女性の姿があった。%K%P
Before me were the figures of an unfamiliar man and woman.

吐き出された感嘆詞がプカプカと虚空を漂う。%K%P
The words I had blurted in surprise hung in the silent air.

なんだかとても気まずくなって、私は軽く肩をすぼめた。%K%P
I suddenly felt very awkward, and gave a slight shrug.

気まずさの原因は、私のくちからもれたひとり言にあった。%K%P
The source of the awkwardness was the words that had come out of my mouth earlier.

まさか私の背後に誰かがいるなんて思いもよらなかったのだ。%K%P
I didn't stop to think that I might not be the only person in the room.

こころ「あのぉ……えーと……」%K%P
Um... uuhhh...

意味のない言葉でその場を取りつくろいながら、私は自分の置かれた状況を分析してみることにした。%K%P
Mumbling these meaningless words, I tried fruitlessly to relieve the tension of the moment, while at the same time attempting to analyze the situation I found myself in.

まず、ここはどこなのか？%K%P
First of all, where am I?

あたりを見まわしてみると、天井や床や内壁はすべて木材で出来ていることがわかった。%K%P
As I took a look around, I could see that everything, including the roof, the floor, and the walls, was made out of wood.

私の立ち位置を基準にして、右手には２段ベッドがあり、左手には玄関と思しきドアがあった。%K%P
From where I stood, I could see a double bunk bed to the right and a doorway to the left.

向かい側の壁際には木製のテーブルと、丸太をぶつ切りにしただけの簡素なイスが何脚か置かれている。%K%P
Near the wall across the room stood a wooden table, along with a few simple chairs made from chopped logs.

こちら側の壁、私のすぐ傍らには古いドラム缶を溶接して作った無骨なストーブが設置されていた。%K%P
By the wall beside me was a rustic stove made out of old oil barrels.

パチパチと弾けるような音が聞こえるのは、中でたき木が燃えているからだろう。%K%P
I could hear a crackling sound, most probably produced by the red-hot logs burning inside the stove.

ストーブの上に置かれたブリキのヤカンからは、もくもくと白い湯気が立ち昇っていた。%K%P
Cumulus clouds of white steam rose from the tin kettle placed upon the stove.

２段ベッドを含めた部屋全体の広さは、おおむね１２畳程度といったところだろうか。%K%P
Considering how large the double bunk bed was, the floor of the room would have probably fit twelve tatami mats.

実際にはもうひとまわりぐらい広いのかも知れないが、壁にはめ込まれた窓が極端に小さいために窮屈な印象を抱かせるのだった。%K%P
It may have actually been one tatami larger, but the window embedded in the wall was so tiny, it made the room feel rather cramped.

（山小屋……？）%K%P
(A mountain hut...?)

それ以外の可能性は今のところ思いつかない。%K%P
I couldn't think of any other possibilities.

確認のため、窓の外をのぞき込んでみた。%K%P
I looked out the window to make sure.

のっぺりとした奥行きのない闇が広がっているだけで、手がかりになりそうなものは何も……。%K%P
There was only the featureless, depthless darkness spread out as far as the eye could see. There wasn't anything that could provide me with a clue....

いや、何も見つからなかったわけではない。%K%P
It wasn't that I couldn't see anything.

雪だ。%K%P
Snow.

じっと目を凝らして暗闇の奥を探ると、さかまくように乱舞する粉雪の影が薄っすらと見えた。%K%P
My eyes were searching the scenery for more clues, but all they could see was the powdery snow dancing violently in the frozen darkness like pampas grass in the wind.

窓のふちにも氷と化した白い結晶がびっしりとこびりついている。%K%P
Crystals of ice decorated the edges of the window.

手がかりとしては心もとないが、少なくともここが南の島の楽園でないことだけはこれではっきりとした。%K%P
These scant clues didn't give me any idea of where we were, but this was definitely no southern island paradise.

私は思いついたように身震いした。%K%P
Then it hit me.

寒い……。%K%P
The cold....

それも尋常な寒さではなかった。%K%P
And it wasn't just your average cold.

隣のドラム缶ストーブを抱きかかえてしまいたくなるほど身体の芯が凍えていた。%K%P
My body was freezing to its core, enough to make me want to hug the barrel stove beside me.

男「おい、どうしたんだ？」%K%P
Hey, what's wrong?

声が私を振り向かせる。%K%P
The voice made me turn around.

男性が気遣うような眼差しで私のことを見ていた。%K%P
The man looked worried as he watched over me.

男「大丈夫か？」%K%P
You all right?

大丈夫……とは言えない。%K%P
"I'm all right" ...wasn't something I could honestly say.

突然こんな冷凍庫みたいな場所に放り込まれて、目の前には見ず知らずの人間がふたりもいて……。%K%P
Being suddenly seized by this freezing cold, with two completely unfamiliar people in front of me...

そうだ、この人達はいったい何者なんだろう？%K%P
Just who were these people?

正面に立った男性はフード付きのアウターを着ていた。%K%P
The man in front of me wore a hooded jacket.

短く刈り込まれた髪は無造作に乱れている。%K%P
His short-trimmed hair had casually fallen into disorder.

口元や顎にはまばらに生えた無精ひげがあり、張り出した頬骨とともに精悍な印象を与えた。%K%P
There was a sparse amount of stubble growing around his mouth and chin, and his prominent cheekbones gave him a dauntless appearance.

身体のラインは見事にシェイプアップされている。%K%P
His body was in good shape.

わずかばかりの贅肉もそこには付着していないようだった。%K%P
His figure was trim.

とは言え、細身の体型というわけでは決してない。%K%P
That being said, by no means was he thin.

肩や胸に程よくついた筋肉の隆起は、服の上からでも見て取れた。%K%P
The muscles on his shoulders and chest were toned to the degree that their contours were visible through his clothes.

ひとことで言えば、極めて男性的な、たくましい体つきをしていた。%K%P
If anyone asked me, I'd have to say that he had an extremely manly, strong body.

ただそれとは対照的に、ふたつの瞳だけが何やら哀しげな憂いを秘めているように見えた。%K%P
In contrast to this air of strength that his body gave off, his eyes seemed to be doing a poor job of hiding his overwhelming sadness.

一方、女性の方はと言うと……。%K%P
The woman....

彼女はストーブの前でうずくまっていた。%K%P
was crouching in front of the stove.

十二ひとえのように大量の毛布にくるまった彼女は、両手でスチール製のカップを握りしめていた。%K%P
Wrapped up in many layers of blankets like an empress in her robes, her hands grasped a steel cup.

視線は私の方ではなく、カップの中へと向けられている。%K%P
Her eyes were not on me, but staring aimlessly at the contents of the cup.

意図的に目をそらしているように見えなくもない。%K%P
However, it didn't seem as if she was avoiding eye contact intentionally.

服装は毛布に覆われているのでよくわからなかった。%K%P
Her garments were covered by the blankets, so I couldn't tell what she was wearing underneath.

ダークブラウンのハイヒールだけが足元からわずかにのぞいている。%K%P
I could only see her dark-brown high heels.

この場にはあまり似つかわしくない靴だった。%K%P
The shoes weren't well suited for a place like this.

場違いなのは靴だけではない。%K%P
And her shoes weren't all that looked out of place.

髪をアップに束ねた彼女は、洗練された大人の雰囲気を身にまとっていた。%K%P
The woman, with her hair in an updo, gave off an air of calm sophistication.

いわゆるハイソサエティな感じ、と言っては大袈裟すぎるだろうか。%K%P
Would it be an exaggeration to say she was from high society?

ドラム缶ストーブやブリキのヤカンや毛羽立った木材に囲まれた空間の中では、彼女の姿はひときわ異彩を放って見えた。%K%P
Surrounded by the drum stove, the tin kettle, and the assorted timber, her appearance was particularly conspicuous.

男性の方は３０代半ば、女性の方は２０代後半ぐらいの年齢だと思う。%K%P
The man looked as if he was in his mid-thirties, while the woman appeared to be in her late twenties.

もちろん、それらはあくまでも推定年齢であって、実際にはもっと上かも知れないし下かも知れない。%K%P
Of course, that was just my estimate; they could have been younger.

いずれにせよ、ふたりが私よりも年上であることだけは間違いないだろうと思った。%K%P
Anyway, I thought it was clear that both of them were older than me.

私はまず……。%K%p
First off, I....

男性の方に声をかけた
Talk to the man

女性の方に声をかけた
Talk to the woman

男性の方に声をかけた。%K%P
...tried talking to the man.

こころ「あの……すみません……」%K%p
Um... excuse me...

女性の方に声をかけた。%K%P
...tried talking to the woman.

こころ「あの……すみません……」%K%P
Um... excuse me...

彼女は答えなかった。%K%P
No response came from her.

私の方を見ようともしない。%K%P
She didn't even try to look at me.

何も言わずにカップにくちをつけた。%K%P
Remaining silent, she brought the cup to her lips.

寒さのためか、両手に包まれたスチール製のカップはカタカタと揺れていた。%K%P
The steel cup, wrapped in her two hands, was rattling and shaking; it must have been from the cold.

こころ「すみません、聞いてますか？」%K%P
Excuse me, are you listening?

もう一度声をかけたが反応はない。%K%P
I tried one more time, but yet again got no response.

どうやら無視されているようだ。%K%P
It seemed that I was being ignored.

私は疑問を投げかけるように男性の方へと目を向けた。%K%P
I turned my face to the man and decided to ask a question.

彼はズボンの後ろポケットに手を突っ込んで、深々と首をすくめて見せた。%K%P
His hands were placed deep in the back pockets of his trousers, his head slightly bowed.

仕方がない。私は彼に向かってこう尋ねてみることにした。%K%p
With nothing else to do, I start talking.

ここはどこですか？
Where are we?

あなたは誰ですか？
Who are you?

こころ「ここは……どこですか？」%K%P
Where... are we?

男「山だ」%K%P
On a mountain.

こころ「山？」%K%P
Mountain?

男「そう、真冬の雪山だ」%K%P
Yes, a snowy mountain in midwinter.

彼はいくぶん投げやり気味にそう答えた。%K%P
He answered somewhat casually.

こころ「真冬の雪山って言っても、いろいろと、あると思うんですけど……」%K%P
There should be more to it than that... right?

男「そうだね」%K%P
Yeah, you're right.

男「東北地方の、どこかじゃないかな？」%K%P
This might be the Tohoku region...

彼は口元の無精ひげを撫でていた。%K%P
He stroked his stubble.

私は寒さに震えながら肩を抱き、傍らのストーブに半歩ばかり近づいた。%K%P
I held myself tighter as I trembled from the cold and meekly stepped toward the stove.

こころ「もしかして、知らないんですか？　ここがどこなのか」%K%P
Could it be that you don't know? You don't know where we are?

男「ああ、知らない」%K%P
You're right, I don't know.

男「こっちの方が教えてもらいたいぐらいさ」%K%P
I was hoping you'd be able to tell me.

どういうことだろう？%K%P
What did he mean by that?

これだけの情報量では何が何だかさっぱりわからない。%K%P
There's no way I could possibly figure out where we were.

私は彼の言葉の続きを待った。%K%P
I just waited for him to go on.

男「それよりも、大丈夫か？」%K%P
More importantly, are you all right?

こころ「あなたは……誰ですか？」%K%P
Who... are you?

男「おいおい、忘れちまったのか？」%K%P
Hey hey, have you forgotten about me already?

彼はあきれ果てた様子で腕組みをした。%K%P
He folded his arms, appearing frustrated.

男「ついさっき教えたばかりだろう」%K%P
Didn't I tell you my name just now?

ついさっき？　どういうことだろう？%K%P
Just now? What did he mean?

私は彼の言葉の続きを待った。%K%P
I waited for him to continue.

男「ほんとに大丈夫か？」%K%P
Are you sure you're feeling okay?

こころ「大丈夫……って？」%K%P
What... do you mean?

男「いや、その、なんと言うか……」%K%P
No, uh... how should I say this...?

男「こんなことを言っては失礼かも知れないが……」%K%P
What I'm about to say may be a bit rude...

男「きみの様子は……」%K%P
But you...

彼は片方の眉をあげ、チラリと視線をそらしてから言った。%K%P
He raised one of his eyebrows, drawing my eye momentarily, before continuing.

男「普通じゃない」%K%P
You're acting kind of strange.

こころ「……えっ？」%K%P
...eh?

男「怒らないでくれよ？」%K%P
Don't be mad, okay?

男「きみはさっきからずーっと挙動不審な言動を続けている」%K%P
A while ago, you were saying all kinds of weird things.

男「突然わけのわからない言葉を発したり、暴れたり、叫んだり、ひとり言をポツリとこぼしたり……」%K%P
All of a sudden, you started spouting nonsense, acting violently, screaming, and pausing for a long time while speaking...

男「かと思うと、今度はふいに、しおらしい素振りを見せたりして……」%K%P
And now you're all gentle and everything...

男「まあ、あのときの衝撃で、精神的に相当なダメージを受けたのだとは思うが……」%K%P
Well, with the shock from what happened, it wouldn't be surprising if you'd suffered a decent amount of mental damage, but...

こころ「あのとき？」%K%P
A shock?

男「そうだ」%K%P
Yeah.

男「飛行機が墜落したときのことだよ」%K%P
From the airplane crash.

――墜落。%K%P
――Crash.

どうして今まで忘れていたのだろう？%K%P
Did I already forget what had happened up until now?

私はあの夢で見た出来事を、あたかも現実に起きたことのように錯覚していた。%K%P
Reality and dreams were completely mixed up in my head as I tried hard to make sense of things.

けれど、そうじゃないのだ。あれは夢だったのだ。%K%P
So that means the building and the people I saw before must have been all part of a dream.

だとしたら、他の乗客はどうなったのだろう？%K%P
Then, the crash... what happened to the other passengers?

ゆには助かったのだろうか？%K%P
Was Yuni saved?

とは言え、一抹の不安を抱きながらも、私はなぜか取り乱したりはしなかった。%K%P
Although I couldn't be sure and felt a tinge of uneasiness, for some reason, I wasn't really all that worried.

平常心とまではいかなくとも、あの夢の中で経験した混乱ぶりに比べれば随分と心が落ち着いていた。%K%P
Though I was still in a rather strange state of mind, I was definitely much calmer than the me in that dream.

不思議なことに、私の中には確信めいた予感があった。%K%P
There was a mysterious feeling of confidence in me.

ゆには必ずどこかで生きているという予感が……。%K%P
A feeling that Yuni was definitely alive somewhere....

男「やはりそうか」%K%P
So it's as I thought.

男「きみは墜落のときのことを覚えていないんだね？」%K%P
You don't remember the crash, do you?

こころ「いえ、そんなことありません」%K%P
No, I don't think it's that.

こころ「ちゃんと覚えてますよ、全部」%K%P
I remember it. Everything.

私は即答した。%K%P
I replied immediately.

彼は大きく首を傾げて言った。%K%P
Surprised, he tilted his head.

男「覚えてる？　ほんとに？」%K%P
You do remember? Really?

こころ「ええ」%K%P
Yes.

男「だけどきみはさっき……」%K%P
But earlier, you...

こころ「？？？」%K%P
???

男「……まあ、いいか」%K%P
...Well, I guess it doesn't matter.

男「とにかく座りなさい」%K%P
Anyway, have a seat.

男「なにか温かいものでも飲むかい？」%K%P
Do you want me to get you something warm to drink?

男「かなり長いあいだ意識を失ってたからね、喉も渇いてるだろう」%K%P
You were unconscious for a long time; your throat is probably dry.

彼はテーブルのそばへと歩み寄ると、その上に置かれていたスチール製のカップを手に取った。%K%P
He went over to the table and picked up a steel cup.

手のひらで、イスに座るようにと促す。%K%P
With one hand, he gestured for me to take a seat.

私は毛布にくるまった女性のわきを通り過ぎ、壁に背を向ける形でテーブルの奥に腰を下ろした。%K%P
I passed behind the woman who was wrapped up in the blankets and sat down at the table with my back to the wall.

こころ「あの、どういうことですか？」%K%P
Um, just what exactly did you mean?

男「なにが？」%K%P
What did I mean about what?

男性はストーブの隣に立っている。%K%P
The man stood near the stove.

ブリキのヤカンをつかみ取り、カップにお湯を注いでいた。%K%P
He grabbed the tin kettle and poured some hot water into the cup.

こころ「私のこと、挙動不審だって言ったじゃないですか」%K%P
You said that I was acting oddly, didn't you?

男「うん、言ったね」%K%P
Yeah, I said that.

男「仕方がないだろう？　事実なんだから」%K%P
It's the truth, after all.

こころ「そういうことじゃないんです」%K%P
That's not quite what I mean.

こころ「理由を訊いてるんですよ、私は」%K%P
I'd like to know if there was any reason for it.

男「理由か……」%K%P
A reason, huh...

男「説明してあげてもいいが……」%K%P
I can try to explain...

男「その前に、まずはこれを飲みなさい」%K%P
But first of all, drink up!

彼が私の前にカップを置く。%K%P
He placed the cup in front of me.

中をのぞき込むと、赤みがかったオレンジ色の液体が揺れていた。%K%P
I took a peek inside the cup, and saw a reddish-orange liquid swaying lazily within.

こころ「なんですか？　これ」%K%P
What is this?

男「カモミールティだよ」%K%P
It's chamomile tea.

男「倉庫で見つけたやつだから、賞味期限の保証はできないけどね」%K%P
I found it down in the storeroom, though, so I can't guarantee it'll be fresh.

彼の視線は部屋の隅へと向けられている。%K%P
He glanced briefly at a corner of the room.

そこには長方形の穴がぽっかりとあいていた。%K%P
There was an open rectangular latch.

穴は玄関のすぐわきにあった。%K%P
The hole was right next to the door.

ハシゴが取り付けられている。%K%P
There was a ladder there.

ここからでは奥は見えないが、恐らく『倉庫』というのはそこに、つまり私達のいるこの階の真下に設けられているのだろう。%K%P
I couldn't see inside from here, but that was most likely the "storeroom" right below us.

男「カモミールには鎮静作用があるんだ」%K%P
Chamomile has a tranquilizing effect.

こころ「なるほど、要するに気持ちを落ち着けろと？」%K%P
I see. So in other words, it'll calm me down?

男「まっ、そういうことだね」%K%P
Well, something like that.

私は興奮しているわけでもなかったし、半狂乱になって我を忘れているわけでもなかった。%K%P
I wasn't particularly agitated or excited at anything.

けれど喉が渇いているのは事実だ。断る理由もない。%K%P
But it was true that my throat was dry, so there was no reason to refuse the offer.

私は彼に勧められるがまま、カップにくちをつけた。%K%P
Just as he had suggested, I brought the cup to my lips.

こころ「あちちっ」%K%P
Hothothot!

こころ「でも……」%K%P
But...

こころ「美味しいかも」%K%P
It's kind of good.

青リンゴに似た爽やかな香りが鼻腔をくすぐる。%K%P
A refreshingly gentle aroma similar to that of green apple tickled my nose.

熱い液体は喉の奥へと流れ込んで、身体の芯をポカポカと温めた。%K%P
The hot liquid made its way down my throat, gently warming me to the core of my body.

生き返ったようだ、という表現はこの場にこそふさわしいと思った。%K%P
"I'm alive again!" ...would be the expression that described the way I felt best.

男「よかった」%K%P
That's good.

こころ「ん？」%K%P
Hm?

男「その笑顔のことだよ」%K%P
That smile of yours.

男「笑ったきみを見たのは初めてだからね」%K%P
It's the first time I've seen you smile.

そんなことを言われると、さらに頬がほころんでしまう。%K%P
Now that he mentioned it, my face did feel like it was smiling.

少し照れくさかった。%K%P
It was a little embarrassing.

私はカップから立ち昇る湯気に鼻先をもぐり込ませて言った。%K%P
The steam rising from the cup slipped into my nose as I started talking.

こころ「ごめんなさい、もう一度だけ、訊いてもいいですか？」%K%P
I'm sorry, but can I ask you one more question?

こころ「名前……」%K%P
Your name...

こころ「さっきは『教えたばかりだ』って言ってましたけど……」%K%P
You said you had just told me a while ago, but...

彼はテーブルを挟んで向かい側に腰を下ろした。%K%P
He sat down at the table across from me.

口元がゆるんでいるのは失笑のせいだろう。%K%P
His mouth was open, and he was laughing.

何がそんなにおかしいのだろうか？%K%P
Just what is so funny, exactly?

理由はよくわからなかったが、ひとまず、その笑みに悪意は込められていないようだったから私は気にしないことにした。%K%P
I didn't quite understand why he was laughing, but I didn't really mind it, as his laugh didn't seem the least bit ill-intentioned.

男「無理もないさ、あんな出来事が起こった後なんだ」%K%P
I guess it's no surprise, all things considered.

男「こうして普通にしゃべっていられることの方が不思議なくらいだよ」%K%P
It's actually pretty amazing that we're having somewhat of a normal conversation like this.

彼はアウターのポケットから、くしゃくしゃになったタバコのケースと銀色のライターを取り出した。%K%P
From his jacket pocket, he took out a creased and crumpled pack of cigarettes, along with a silver lighter.

こころ「そう言えば、まだ名前、うかがってませんでしたよね？」%K%P
Now that I think about it, you still haven't told me your name yet, have you?

男「名前？」%K%P
Name?

こころ「ええ、あなたの、名前です」%K%P
Yeah, your name.

彼はテーブルを挟んで向かい側に腰を下ろした。%K%P
He sat down at the table across from me.

男「おいおい、まいったな……」%K%P
Oh man, here we go again...

男「さっき教えたばかりだろう？」%K%P
Didn't I tell you my name just now?

こころ「さっき？」%K%P
Just now?

さっきっていつのことだろう？%K%P
"Just now"? When exactly was "just now"?

私には心当たりがなかった。%K%P
I have no idea.

男「まあ、忘れてしまったとしても無理もないか」%K%P
Eh, I guess it wouldn't be impossible for you to forget.

男「そうとう気が動転してるみたいだったからね」%K%P
You did seem pretty upset.

意味がわからない。%K%P
I didn't know what he meant by that.

彼はいったい何の話をしてるんだ？%K%P
What in the world was he talking about?

首をひねる私をよそに、彼はアウターのポケットからタバコのケースと銀色のライターを取り出した。%K%P
As I struggled to wrap my head around what he had said, the man reached into his jacket pocket and took out a pack of cigarettes, along with a silver lighter.

ケースの頭をトントンとたたき、１本、くちにくわえる。%K%P
He tapped a cigarette out of the pack and placed it in his mouth.

慣れた手さばきでライターのフタを開いた。%K%P
He handled the lighter incredibly naturally, snapping it open with ease.

小気味のいい金属音とともに赤い炎がふわりと灯る。%K%P
After the crisp metallic sound faded, a red flame softly flickered into being.

彼はタバコの先端を炎に近づけ……%K%P
Carrying the flame close to the tip of the cigarette...

男「ふーっ」%K%P
Fuuu.

紫色の煙を吐き出しながら言った。%K%P
He exhaled in a puff of purple smoke.

黄泉木「黄泉木聖司だ」%K%P
Yomogi Seiji.

黄泉木「よろしくな」%K%P
Nice to meet you.

タバコを左手に持ち替え、握手を求めてくる。%K%P
He placed the cigarette in his left hand, and extended the other to me in greeting.

私は快くその手を取った。%K%P
I gladly shook it.

岩のようにゴツゴツとした肉厚の手のひらだった。%K%P
His palm was so thick and rugged, it was as if it was made of rock.

するとそのとき――。%K%P
And then――

突然鳴り響いた物音……。%K%P
Suddenly, a loud noise....

私は反射的に手を引っ込めて身構えた。%K%P
Acting on instinct, I pulled my hand back defensively.

黄泉木「お～い、どうしたんだぁ～？　大丈夫かぁ～？」%K%P
Heeey, what happened～? Are you all right～?

黄泉木と名乗ったその男性が、部屋の隅に向かって声をかける。%K%P
The man who had introduced himself as Yomogi shouted into the corner of the room.

そこには先ほどの四角い穴があいていた。%K%P
There in the corner was the square hole I had seen just a few moments ago.

？？「うん！　だいじょうぶぅ～！」%K%P
Yeah! I'm all riiight～!

？？「ちょっと手すべらせちゃっただけだからぁ～！」%K%P
My hand just slipped a little, that's all～!

声は穴の下から聞こえた。%K%P
A voice could be heard coming from inside the hole.

聞き覚えのある声だ……。%K%P
A familiar voice....

――まさか！？%K%P
――It couldn't be!

私は飛び上がるように席を立った。%K%P
I shot up from my seat.

黄泉木「なんだ？　また例の発作じゃないだろうな？」%K%P
What's the matter? Are you having another one of your episodes?

彼が問いかけてきたが、答えている余裕はない。%K%P
I didn't have any time to answer.

思うよりも先に身体が動き出していた。%K%P
Before I could even think, my body had sprung into action.

ハシゴにしがみつき、スルスルと滑り落ちるように階下へと降り立つ。%K%P
Clinging to the ladder, I glided down along it and descended to the basement.