＜逃走＞ Escape

天: looks alright to me now.

僧: This one gets my approval.

味: Just fixed some things up, lemme know what you think.

天: Seems fine to me.

味: All right then, let's wrap this one up.

&lt;逃走&gt; Escape

[僧: Did some proofreading, asked a question, had a suggestion or two.] ''[僧: Also, something I have to ask because I'm not sure if it's been addressed before. Rick goes on about the night he spent with Ran during mating season, but that scene is, technically, skippable. So will we have an alternate version of this scene, and future scenes that mention that night, for people who skipped over that scene?]''

''[天: Oh... ok your right, never thought about that. :S I just tried it out in the game, if you don't see the sex scene a part of this chapter gets skiped. I'm guessing when we insert the text the game will automatically skip those lines if the conditions aren't met.]''

''[僧: All right, sounds good. Well, did a second proofreading and everything looks good.]''

''[天: Did the same. Everything seems fine now.]''

冷たい川のせせらぎを聞きながら、釣り糸を垂らす. どうも今日は当たりが悪いらしく、釣れたのは小魚ばかりで、そういうのはすぐに川に戻した. 時々、せっかく逃がしてやった魚が同じ餌に食いついてきたりして、思わず笑ってしまうこともあったが、夕飯のおかずが未だに釣れていないことは、どうにも笑えない.

I cast my fishing rod to the murmuring of the cold river. They're not biting much today, all I've caught until now were small ones that I threw back right away. Sometimes, one of those small fish will go for the same bait a second time, and I can't help but laugh about that, though it's not really a laughing matter that I still haven't caught anything for dinner.

ランも来ていないみたいだし、まったくつまらない. 天気がいいから綺麗な夕焼けが見られそうなのがせめてもの救いかな. しばらくの間、仕方がないので鼻歌なんかを歌いながら魚釣りに勤しんだ.

Since it seems like Ran won't show up today either, this is going to be one boring night. The beautiful red sunset is the only thing that's saving this night for me. I don't got a choice right now, so I hum a song and focus on fishing.

[味: The grammar used towards the end seems so far out of place from what's been used before :x]

日も暮れかけ、一応夕飯になりそうなくらいの魚を捕ることはできた. ランも来ないみたいだし、まさかこのまま彼女を待つこともないだろう.

The sun is already setting and I by far haven't caught enough fish for dinner yet. Seems like Ran really won't come today, don't tell me, could it be because of what happened between us?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This part get's skipped if the player didn't see the "That Feeling" chapter - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ふと、俺の脳裏に、先日の発情期でのランとの行為が思い出された.

Suddenly all the things we did on that night in the mating season spring up in my mind.

あれ以来会ってないわけだけど、なんとなく、次に会うのが恥ずかしい気がした. 発情期だったとはいえ、自分を抑えられずにランに詰め寄ったこと. ランもランなりに予想外に俺との行為を望んでいたこと.

We didn't have a chance to meet each other after that night, yet for some reason I feel like it'll be really awkward when we do. Me being unable to hold back and forcing myself upon her, which I can't blame solely on the mating season [味: I think awkward would work better than embarrassing in this instance]. And she was actually inviting me to do so, which isn't like her at all. [天: translated it a little freer, to sort of keep the "こと" at the end of each sentence.]

その時の気持ちよさを思い出すと、頭の先から、尻尾の先までぞわぞわっとした感覚にとらわれてしまった. 別に恋人同士だったわけではないし、終わった後もそうなったわけではない. 俺はランのことなんて、ほとんど知らないのに.

As I remember how good I felt on that night, a shiver runs from my ears to the tip of my tail and a feeling of uneasiness engulfs me. It's not like we're lovers or anything, just because we did that doesn't mean we're together or something like that. I don't even really know Ran.

気持ちなんかより、カラダの方を先に知ってしまった. 頭の中を余計な妄想が駆けめぐる. 俺は、頭をぶんぶんと振って、それを追い出そうとする.

Rather than getting to know her feelings, I got to know her body first. Tons of wild fantasies swirl around in my head. I shake my head wildly to make those thoughts stop.

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【リック】「ふぅ・・・」 やっぱり今日は来ないのかな. 俺は、帰路に向けて、足を踏み出した. 飛び石を渡り終わると、もう一度振り返ってみるが、やっぱりランはいなかった.

魚籠を担いで、村へと続く道を歩いていたときだった. 【ラン】「・・・リック！」 背中越しにランの声が聞こえた.

Rick: "*Sigh*..."

I knew it, she really isn't going to come, is she? I get on my feet and get on my way home. After jumping over the stepping stones to the other side of the river I turn around one more time and look back, but Ran isn't there after all.

As I continue down the road that leads back to the village, the fishing basket on my back...

Ran: "...Rick!"

I suddenly hear Ran's voice behind me.

【リック】「やぁ、ラン」 まさかと思いながらも、聞き間違えようのない声に、なんだか嬉しくなって、大げさに両手を広げて振り向いたりしてみた.

【ラン】「・・・リック」 ランが息を切らせながら、俺の胸の中に飛び込んでくる. おいおい、そういう展開なの？

Rick: "Hey, Ran."

As I'm still thinking "This can't be!", hearing her unmistakable voice makes me so happy that I turn around with my arms melodramatically wide open.

Ran "...Rick."

Still gasping for breath she suddenly jumps into my arms and squeezes herself against my chest. W-What? How did it end up like this?

【リック】「ラ、ラン. どうしたのさ、いきなり. 今日はもう来ないのかと思ったよ. 俺、もう少しでさ、」 【ラン】「お願い！　どこかに私を隠して！」 ランが俺の言葉を遮って、俺の胸ぐらを掴み、怯えた顔で懇願した.

【リック】「え、え、どうしたのさ、」 【ラン】「お願い！　早く！」 ランが俺の身体を揺する. いったい何事だ？

Rick: "Ra-, Ran! What's the matter? I thought you wouldn't come today. You know, that made me a little,..."

Ran: "Please! Hide me somewhere!"

She interrupts me and, while holding on tightly to the fur on my chest, begs me with a frightened face.

Rick: "Eh, eeh, what happened?"

Ran: "Please! Hurry!"

I can feel her shaking in my arms. What the hell is going on?

ふと、花畑に向かう道の方から、ざわついた声が聞こえてきた. 【？？？】「あっちに行ったぞ！　川の向こうだ！」 その声を聞いたランの顔が青ざめていくのがわかった. 耳は後ろに倒れ、尻尾を身体にに絡ませるように巻いていた.

Suddenly I hear loud voices from the direction of the flower field.

???: "She went that way! On the other side of the river!"

When she hears that voice I can see her face turn white as a sheet. Her ears flap back against her head and her tail entwines tightly around her body.

''[僧: Maybe I'm thinking about this too hard, but her face is covered with fur. How would he know that she turned white? Maybe replace with "her eyes got as wide as dinner plates" or some similar expression?]''

''[天: Hm the problem here is that in Japan you turn blue/green as a sheet, so it works even with her white fur ^^"". Here's a pic to give you an impression what she looks like during the whole scenehttp://yfrog.com/2trang (the sprite doesn't change despite of what's written there) if you think we should change it, we can use the dinner plate version too.]''

''[僧: Actually, looking at the image some more, I think it should work. Let's leave it as it is.]''

【ラン】「早くしないと、捕まっちゃう！」 【リック】「わ、わかった」 何のことかはよくわからなかったが、ランは随分怯えている様子だ. 俺は、ランを適当な茂みに隠し、何事も無かったように装うことにした.

Ran: "If we don't hurry they will catch me!"

Rick: "A-, alright!"

I have no idea what's going on, but Ran seems to be extremely scared. I hide her in the bushes next to me and act like nothing happened.

しばらく経つと、例の声の主とおぼしき連中がこちらの方へやってきた. 【縞尻尾１】「ん、てめぇは、バストークの奴か・・・」 男は荒く呼吸をしながら、俺の顔を見た. 尻尾が縞模様なところを見ると、どうやらザパトの村の連中らしい.

After a while the people I heard before appear.

Striped Tail 1: "Huh? What the hell, you're from Bastok aren't you..."

He looks at me, still breathing heavily. Guessing from the stripe pattern on their tails they are from Zapat.

【リック】「当たり前だろ？　この辺は、もうバストークの村だぜ？」 【縞尻尾１】「気にいらねぇな」 【縞尻尾２】「アニキ、そんなこと言ってる場合じゃ　ないっすよ」

Rick: "Of course I am! Bastok is down this road after all, isn't it?"

Striped Tail 1: "Like I give a shit."

Striped Tail 2: "Hey Boss, we ain't got no time for this!"

【縞尻尾１】「そうだな. おい、てめぇ. こっちに牝ガキが　一匹来なかったか？　尻尾を布でぐるぐる巻きにしている　ヘンな奴だ」 【リック】「ああ、そういや、さっき俺の横を　通り過ぎて行ったな」 【縞尻尾１】「なに！？　そいつはどこへ行った？」

Striped Tail 1: "Ah, right. Hey, smart-ass! Did you see a little girl come this way? A strange brat with a rag wrapped around her tail."

Rick: "Ah, that girl. She ran past me just a minute ago, I think."

Striped Tail 1: "What!? Which way did she go?"

【リック】「あっちだったかな？　確か、森の方へ逃げて行ったぜ？」 【縞尻尾１】「本当か？　ウソをつくとただじゃ　おかねえぞ？」 縞尻尾の一人は、そう言って俺の胸ぐらをぐいと掴んだ.

Rick: "I wonder, I think she went over there. Yeah I'm sure, she ran into the forest!"

Striped Tail 1: "Really? You're not shitting me, are ya?"

The striped tail that said that grabs me by the collar.

俺は、その手を振り払って、吐き捨てるように、 【リック】「ウソを言っても仕方ないだろ？　だいたい、こっちの道はバストークの村に　続いてるんだ. ザパトから逃げてきた奴が、　わざわざ逃げ込むか？ それともあんたら、その人数で、　村に入る気かい？」

I shake his hands off and yell at him.

Rick: "So what if I'm lying, what other way could she go? If you go down this road you'll be in Bastok. You think someone that ran away from Zapat could hide there? Besides, do you plan to search the village with that handful of guys?"

俺は、ランの隠れている茂みとは、まったく反対の方向を指さして、そう言った. 【縞尻尾２】「そうっすよ、アニキ. まさか、あいつでもバストークへは　いかんでしょう？」

I point in the opposite direction of the bush Ran is hiding in, as I say that.

Striped Tail 2: "He's right Boss. There no way she'd try to hide in Bastok, right?"

バストークの村に住んでる連中だってティーゲルみたいに気の荒いやつらはたくさんいる. 縞尻尾がノコノコと村に現れたことを知ったなら、タコ殴りの目に遭ってもおかしい話じゃない.

We got a lot of people in Bastok that are short-tempered just like Tiegel. If they heard that some striped tails would be so insolent as to walk around in the village, I wouldn't be surprised if they beat the living daylights out of them.

縞尻尾は手下の言葉を聞いた後、眉間にしわを寄せて、俺の方を見た. 【縞尻尾１】「・・・てめぇの言うとおりだな. おい、テント、あっちを捜せ！」

縞尻尾は俺の言葉を信じるのも気に入らないらしく、 舌打ちをしながら、森の方へ手下の縞尻尾を向かわせた.

After listening to his henchman, the leader of the group wrinkles his forehead and looks at me.

Striped Tail 1: "... guess you're right, smart-ass. Hey, Tent, we'll search over there."

Though it didn't seem like he believed me, he clicks his tongue and sends his henchmen into the forest.

そして、俺の方へ一瞥をくれると、自らも森の方へと走っていった. 相変わらず、ザパトの縞尻尾というのは、礼儀知らずで嫌な連中だ. 争うことは嫌いだが、やはり縞尻尾の連中が気に入らないというのは、 俺がバストークの人間である証明なのだろうか.

Then he looks back at me one last time before he too follows his men into the forest. As usual, those striped tails from Zapat got no manners at all. Disgusting. I'm against that feud we got with them, but it's obvious why we hate them so much.

【リック】「ラン、もう出てきても大丈夫だよ」 俺は縞尻尾の連中が見えなくなったのを確認して、茂みに隠れているランに声をかけた. がさごそと、茂みから音が聞こえて、身体中に葉っぱをつけたランが這い出てきた.

Rick: "Ran, they're gone, you can come out now." I say to Ran, who's hiding in the bushes, after making sure that the striped tails are out of sight. The bush rustles, and Ran comes crawling out of it covered in leaves all over.

【ラン】「あの・・・リック」 【リック】「今は、何も言わなくていいよ. とにかく俺のうちに行こう. あそこなら、縞尻尾の連中は　やってこれないし、村から　離れているから、　誰かに見られることもない」 俺は、沈んだ顔で俯いたままのランに手を差し伸べる. ランは、俺の顔をちらりと見て小さくうなずくと、その手を取った.

Ran: "Um... Rick?"

Rick: "You don't have to explain anything right now. Anyway, let's get to my house. The striped tails won't come there and it's a little outside the village, so nobody's gonna find you there."

I reach out for Ran, who's still staring at the ground gloomily. She looks up to me just for a moment, nods slightly and takes my hand.

ランと俺は、一応縞尻尾の連中を警戒しながら、家まで戻った. まさか、バストークの村の中まで追いかけてくるなんて、バカなことはしないだろう. しかし、突然女の子なんて、しかもザパト村の女の子なんて連れて帰ってナップはなんて言うだろう.

We make our way back to my home, always watching out for that group of striped tails, even though I don't think they'd be stupid enough to follow us to Bastok. But I wonder what Napp will say when I bring a girl from Zapat back home.

【ラン】「・・・ここが、リックの家？」 【リック】「うん、ここにいれば、安心だからさ. そうだ、ちょっとついてきて. 弟がいるんだ」 俺はそう言うと、ランの手を引いて、ナップの部屋に向かった.

【リック】「ナップ、ちょっといいかい？」 部屋のドアを軽くノックした後、かちゃりとノブを回す.

Ran: "... is this your house, Rick?"

Rick: "Uh huh, you can feel safe now that you're here. That's right, come with me for a moment. I've got to introduce you to my little brother."

As I say that I pull Ran with me into Napp's room.

Rick: "Napp, you got a moment?"

I say as I knock on his door before turning the knob.

【ナップ】「兄さん、お帰り. あれ？　後ろの人は、誰？」 ランの姿に気がついたナップは、俺の背中越しに廊下の方を覗き込んだ. 【リック】「俺の友達だよ. なんだか、悪そうな連中に追われてたから　助けてあげたんだ」

Napp: "Big brother, welcome home. Huh? Who's that girl behind you?"

He had noticed Ran, who was looking into his room from behind me.

Rick: "Ah, she's a friend of mine. Some bad guys are looking for her right now, so I'm helping her out."

それを聞いたナップが、途端に難しい顔をする. そして、俺をちょいちょいと手招きする. 俺は、ランに『ちょっと待って』と言ってナップの近くに寄った. 【リック】「なんだい、ナップ」 ナップがさらに手招きをする. どうやら、耳を貸せ、ということらしい. 俺が耳を傾けると、ナップは小声で話しかけてきた.

As Napp hears that he gets a serious look on his face. He beckons me to come closer. I tell Ran to wait a moment and go over to him.

Rick: "What's up, Napp?"

He still beckons me to come nearer, I lean down, my ear next to his mouth. He whispers into it.

【ナップ】「追われてたって、なにさ」 【リック】「だからさ、魚釣りの帰りに、　追われてるところを助けたのさ」 【ナップ】「兄さんの知ってる人？」 【リック】「ああ. 随分前に知り合いに　なったんだ」

【ナップ】「どこの誰なの？　名前は？」 【リック】「名前は、ラン. いい名前だろ？　それ以外は・・・、知らない」 【ナップ】「し、知らないって・・・. もし、犯罪者だったらどうするのさ？　犯罪者を匿うと、共犯になるのは　知ってるだろ？」

Napp: "What do you mean, 'looking for her'?"

Rick: "You see, when I came back from fishing she was being followed and I saved her."

Napp: "Do you know her, big brother?"

Rick: "Aah, sure. We were acquaintances even before that"

Napp: "Where is she from? What's her name?"

Rick: "Her name is Ran. A nice name isn't it? Um and aside from that... I know nothing."

Napp: "Y- you, know nothing you say...? What if she's a criminal, what are we gonna do then? We'd be guilty of complicity, you know that?"

【リック】「お前は、ランが犯罪者だって　言うのか？」 【ナップ】「そうは言ってないけど、　兄さんは彼女が無実だって証明できるの？」 【リック】「いや、その・・・」 【ナップ】「・・・・・・. 本人に聞いてみるのが、一番だよ」

結局、ランを呼んで話を聞くことにした. 確かにナップの言うとおり、何もわからないまま、ランを匿うのはある意味危険かもしれないと思った. ナップとランの自己紹介が終わったところで俺はランに事情を尋ねた.

Rick: "You want to tell me Ran is a criminal?"

Napp: "That's not what I'm saying, but big bro, do you have any proof that she's guiltless?"

Rick: "Um, no, I mean..."

Napp: "...... it's best to ask her that directly I think."

In the end we asked her to tell us her story. It's true that I don't know anything about her, and just like Napp said, it might be dangerous to hide her here. Once Napp and Ran introduced themselves to each other, I ask Ran about what happened.

【リック】「で、ランはどうしてあいつらに　追いかけられてたの？」 【ラン】「・・・・・・」 【リック】「あいつら、悪い奴らなんだろ？　ザパトの連中みたいだったけど、　あの面は悪人の顔だ」

【ナップ】「兄さん、ちゃんと聞かなきゃ. ランさん、何があったか、　教えてほしいんですけど」 【ラン】「・・・・・・」 【リック】「ラン、黙ってちゃわからないよ. もしかして、本当に何か　罪を犯しちゃってるとか？」

【ラン】「・・・・・・」 【ナップ】「ランさん？」 【ラン】「・・・ごめんなさい」

Rick: "So, Ran, why were those guys chasing you?"

Ran: "......"

Rick: "They are the bad guys aren't they? They looked just like a typical gang of Zapat guys, they sure had "villain" written on their foreheads in bold letters."

Napp: "Brother, don't put words in her mouth. Ran, what happened? We would like you to explain us."

Ran: "......"

Rick: "Why won't you say anything Ran? Did you really commit some crime after all?"

Ran: "......"

Napp: "Ran?"

Ran: "... I'm sorry."

ランは、結局、何も言わず、終始俯いたままだった. 俺としては、このままここに置いてあげたいのだけれど、もし、ランが罪を犯しているのならば、ランのためにもならないし、たぶん、俺達だって困る. けれど、ランはどうしても言いたくないのか何を聞いても首を横に振るばかりで、結局何もわからなかった.

In the end we couldn't get one word out of her, all she did was stare at the ground. I myself would like to just keep things the way they are right now, but if Ran really did commit some crime, we can't just keep her here for her own sake, it could get me and my brother in trouble too. But no matter how often we ask her she just shakes her head and stares down, so in the end we were none the wiser.

【ナップ】「兄さん、どうするのさ. ボクは彼女が何をしたかわからないけれど　言えないようなことだもの. 正直、このまま　匿うには反対だよ」 ナップはランと俺の顔を交互に見ながらそう言った.

どうしよう. ●ランに自首を勧める. ○どうにかナップを説得する.

Napp: "What should we do, big brother? I don't know if that girl did something or not, but she won't say a thing for some reason. To be honest, the way things are right now, I'm against letting her stay here."

Napp was looking at me and Ran in turns as he said that.

What should I do?

●Tell Ran to turn herself in.

○Try to persuade Napp somehow.

Finished version
&lt;逃走&gt; Escape

冷たい川のせせらぎを聞きながら、釣り糸を垂らす. どうも今日は当たりが悪いらしく、釣れたのは小魚ばかりで、そういうのはすぐに川に戻した. 時々、せっかく逃がしてやった魚が同じ餌に食いついてきたりして、思わず笑ってしまうこともあったが、夕飯のおかずが未だに釣れていないことは、どうにも 笑えない.

I cast my fishing rod to the murmuring of the cold river. They're not biting much today, all I've caught until now were small ones that I threw back right away. Sometimes, one of those small fish will go for the same bait a second time, and I can't help but laugh about that, though it's not really a laughing matter that I still haven't caught anything for dinner.

ランも来ていないみたいだし、まったくつまらない. 天気がいいから綺麗な夕焼けが見られそうなのがせめてもの救いかな. しばらくの間、仕方がないので鼻歌なんかを歌いながら魚釣りに勤しんだ.

Since it seems like Ran won't show up today either, this is going to be one boring night. The beautiful red sunset is the only thing that's saving this night for me. I ain't got a choice right now, so I hum a song and focus on fishing.

日も暮れかけ、一応夕飯になりそうなくらいの魚を捕ることはできた. ランも来ないみたいだし、まさかこのまま彼女を待つこともないだろう.

The sun is already setting and I by far haven't caught enough fish for dinner yet. Seems like Ran really won't come today, don't tell me, could it be because of what happened between us?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This part get's skipped if the player didn't see the "That Feeling" chapter - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ふと、俺の脳裏に、先日の発情期でのランとの行為が思い出された.

Suddenly all the things we did on that night in the mating season spring up in my mind.

あれ以来会ってないわけだけど、なんとなく、次に会うのが恥ずかしい気がした. 発情期だったとはいえ、自分を抑えられずにランに詰め寄ったこと. ランもランなりに予想外に俺との行為を望んでいたこと.

We didn't have a chance to meet each other after that night, yet for some reason I feel like it'll be really embarrassing when we do. Me being unable to hold back and forcing myself upon her, which I can't blame solely on the mating season. And she actually inviting me to do so, which isn't like her at all.

その時の気持ちよさを思い出すと、頭の先から、尻尾の先までぞわぞわっとした感覚にとらわれてしまった. 別に恋人同士だったわけではないし、終わった後もそうなったわけではない. 俺はランのことなんて、ほとんど知らないのに.

As I remember how good I felt on that night, a shiver runs from my ears to the tip of my tail and a feeling of uneasiness engulfs me. It's not like we're lovers or anything, just because we did that doesn't mean we're together or something like that. I don't even really know Ran.

気持ちなんかより、カラダの方を先に知ってしまった. 頭の中を余計な妄想が駆けめぐる. 俺は、頭をぶんぶんと振って、それを追い出そうとする.

Rather than getting to know her feelings, I got to know her body first. Tons of wild fantasies swirl around in my head. I shake my head wildly to make those thoughts stop.

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【リック】「ふぅ・・・」 やっぱり今日は来ないのかな. 俺は、帰路に向けて、足を踏み出した. 飛び石を渡り終わると、もう一度振り返ってみるが、やっぱりランはいなかった.

魚籠を担いで、村へと続く道を歩いていたときだった. 【ラン】「・・・リック！」 背中越しにランの声が聞こえた.

Rick: "*Sigh*..."

I knew it, she really isn't going to come, is she? I get on my feet and get on my way home. After jumping over the stepping stones to the other side of the river I turn around one more time and look back, but Ran isn't there after all.

As I continue down the road that leads back to the village, the fishing basket on my back...

Ran: "...Rick!"

I suddenly hear Ran's voice behind me.

【リック】「やぁ、ラン」 まさかと思いながらも、聞き間違えようのない声に、なんだか嬉しくなって、大げさに両手を広げて振り向いたりしてみた.

【ラン】「・・・リック」 ランが息を切らせながら、俺の胸の中に飛び込んでくる. おいおい、そういう展開なの？

Rick: "Hey, Ran."

As I'm still thinking "This can't be!", hearing her unmistakable voice makes me so happy that I turn around with my arms melodramatically wide open.

Ran "...Rick."

Still gasping for breath she suddenly jumps into my arms and squeezes herself against my chest. W-What? How did it end up like this?

【リック】「ラ、ラン. どうしたのさ、いきなり. 今日はもう来ないのかと思ったよ. 俺、もう少しでさ、」 【ラン】「お願い！　どこかに私を隠して！」 ランが俺の言葉を遮って、俺の胸ぐらを掴み、怯えた顔で懇願した.

【リック】「え、え、どうしたのさ、」 【ラン】「お願い！　早く！」 ランが俺の身体を揺する. いったい何事だ？

Rick: "Ra-, Ran! What's the matter? I thought you wouldn't come today. You know, that made me a little,..."

Ran: "Please! Hide me somewhere!"

She interrupts me and, while holding on tightly to the fur on my chest, begs me with a frightened face.

Rick: "Eh, eeh, what happened?"

Ran: "Please! Hurry!"

I can feel her shaking in my arms. What the hell is going on?

ふと、花畑に向かう道の方から、ざわついた声が聞こえてきた. 【？？？】「あっちに行ったぞ！　川の向こうだ！」 その声を聞いたランの顔が青ざめていくのがわかった. 耳は後ろに倒れ、尻尾を身体にに絡ませるように巻いていた.

Suddenly I hear loud voices from the direction of the flower field.

???: "She went that way! On the other side of the river!"

When she hears that voice I can see her face turn white as a sheet. Her ears flap back against her head and her tail entwines tightly around her body.

【ラン】「早くしないと、捕まっちゃう！」 【リック】「わ、わかった」 何のことかはよくわからなかったが、ランは随分怯えている様子だ. 俺は、ランを適当な茂みに隠し、何事も無かったように装うことにした.

Ran: "If we don't hurry they will catch me!"

Rick: "A-, alright!"

I have no idea what's going on, but Ran seems to be seriously scared. I hide her in the bushes next to me and act like nothing happened.

しばらく経つと、例の声の主とおぼしき連中がこちらの方へやってきた. 【縞尻尾１】「ん、てめぇは、バストークの奴か・・・」 男は荒く呼吸をしながら、俺の顔を見た. 尻尾が縞模様なところを見ると、どうやらザパトの村の連中らしい.

After a while the people I heard before appear.

Striped Tail 1: "Huh? What the hell, you're from Bastok aren't you..."

He looks at me, still breathing heavily. Guessing from the stripe pattern on their tails they are from Zapat.

【リック】「当たり前だろ？　この辺は、もうバストークの村だぜ？」 【縞尻尾１】「気にいらねぇな」 【縞尻尾２】「アニキ、そんなこと言ってる場合じゃ　ないっすよ」

Rick: "Of course I am! Bastok is down this road after all, isn't it?"

Striped Tail 1: "Like I give a shit."

Striped Tail 2: "Hey Boss, we ain't got no time for this!"

【縞尻尾１】「そうだな. おい、てめぇ. こっちに牝ガキが　一匹来なかったか？　尻尾を布でぐるぐる巻きにしている　ヘンな奴だ」 【リック】「ああ、そういや、さっき俺の横を　通り過ぎて行ったな」 【縞尻尾１】「なに！？　そいつはどこへ行った？」

Striped Tail 1: "Ah, right. Hey, smart-ass! Did you see a little girl come this way? A strange brat with a rag wrapped around her tail."

Rick: "Ah, that girl. She ran past me just a minute ago, I think."

Striped Tail 1: "What!? Which way did she go?"

【リック】「あっちだったかな？　確か、森の方へ逃げて行ったぜ？」 【縞尻尾１】「本当か？　ウソをつくとただじゃ　おかねえぞ？」 縞尻尾の一人は、そう言って俺の胸ぐらをぐいと掴んだ.

Rick: "I wonder, I think she went over there. Yeah I'm sure, she ran into the forest!"

Striped Tail 1: "Really? You're not shitting me, aren't ya?"

The striped tail that said that grabs me by the collar.

俺は、その手を振り払って、吐き捨てるように、 【リック】「ウソを言っても仕方ないだろ？　だいたい、こっちの道はバストークの村に　続いてるんだ. ザパトから逃げてきた奴が、　わざわざ逃げ込むか？ それともあんたら、その人数で、　村に入る気かい？」

I shake his hands off and yell at him.

Rick: "So what if I'm lying, what other way could she go? If you go down this road you'll be in Bastok. You think someone that ran away from Zapat could hide there? Besides, do you plan to search the village with that handful of guys?"

俺は、ランの隠れている茂みとは、まったく反対の方向を指さして、そう言った. 【縞尻尾２】「そうっすよ、アニキ. まさか、あいつでもバストークへは　いかんでしょう？」

I point in the opposite direction of the bush Ran is hiding in, as I say that.

Striped Tail 2: "He's right Boss. There no way she'd try to hide in Bastok, right?"

バストークの村に住んでる連中だってティーゲルみたいに気の荒いやつらはたくさんいる. 縞尻尾がノコノコと村に現れたことを知ったなら、タコ殴りの目に遭ってもおかしい話じゃない.

We got a lot of people in Bastok that are short-tempered just like Tiegel. If they heard that some striped tails would be so insolent as to walk around in the village, I wouldn't be surprised if they beat the living daylights out of them.

縞尻尾は手下の言葉を聞いた後、眉間にしわを寄せて、俺の方を見た. 【縞尻尾１】「・・・てめぇの言うとおりだな. おい、テント、あっちを捜せ！」

縞尻尾は俺の言葉を信じるのも気に入らないらしく、 舌打ちをしながら、森の方へ手下の縞尻尾を向かわせた.

After listening to his henchman, the leader of the group wrinkles his forehead and looks at me.

Striped Tail 1: "... guess you're right, smart-ass. Hey, Tent, we'll search over there."

Though it didn't seem like he believed me, he clicks his tongue and sends his henchmen into the forest.

そして、俺の方へ一瞥をくれると、自らも森の方へと走っていった. 相変わらず、ザパトの縞尻尾というのは、礼儀知らずで嫌な連中だ. 争うことは嫌いだが、やはり縞尻尾の連中が気に入らないというのは、 俺がバストークの人間である証明なのだろうか.

Then he looks back at me one last time before he too follows his men into the forest. As usual, those striped tails from Zapat got no manners at all. Disgusting. I'm against that feud we got with them, but it's obvious why we hate them so much.

【リック】「ラン、もう出てきても大丈夫だよ」 俺は縞尻尾の連中が見えなくなったのを確認して、茂みに隠れているランに声をかけた. がさごそと、茂みから音が聞こえて、身体中に葉っぱをつけたランが這い出てきた.

Rick: "Ran, they're gone, you can come out now." I say to Ran, who's hiding in the bushes, after making sure that the striped tails are out of sight. The bush rustles, and Ran comes crawling out of it covered in leaves all over.

【ラン】「あの・・・リック」 【リック】「今は、何も言わなくていいよ. とにかく俺のうちに行こう. あそこなら、縞尻尾の連中は　やってこれないし、村から　離れているから、　誰 かに見られることもない」 俺は、沈んだ顔で俯いたままのランに手を差し伸べる. ランは、俺の顔をちらりと見て小さくうなずくと、その手を取った.

Ran: "Um... Rick?"

Rick: "You don't have to explain anything right now. Anyway, let's get to my house. The striped tails won't come there and it's a little outside the village, so nobody's gonna find you there."

I reach out for Ran, who's still staring at the ground gloomily. She looks up to me just for a moment, nods lightly and takes my hand.

ランと俺は、一応縞尻尾の連中を警戒しながら、家まで戻った. まさか、バストークの村の中まで追いかけてくるなんて、バカなことはしないだろう. しかし、突然女の子なんて、しかもザパト村の女の子なんて連れて帰ってナップはなんて言うだろう.

We make our way back to my home, always watching out for that group of striped tails, even though I don't think they'd be stupid enough to follow us to Bastok. But I wonder what Napp will say when I bring a girl from Zapat back home.

【ラン】「・・・ここが、リックの家？」 【リック】「うん、ここにいれば、安心だからさ. そうだ、ちょっとついてきて. 弟がいるんだ」 俺はそう言うと、ランの手を引いて、ナップの部屋に向かった.

【リック】「ナップ、ちょっといいかい？」 部屋のドアを軽くノックした後、かちゃりとノブを回す.

Ran: "... is this your house, Rick?"

Rick: "Uh huh, you can feel save now that you're here. That's right, come with me for a moment. I've got to introduce you to my little brother."

As I say that I pull Ran with me into Napp's room.

Rick: "Napp, you got a moment?"

I say as I knock on his door before turning the knob.

【ナップ】「兄さん、お帰り. あれ？　後ろの人は、誰？」 ランの姿に気がついたナップは、俺の背中越しに廊下の方を覗き込んだ. 【リック】「俺の友達だよ. なんだか、悪そうな連中に追われてたから　助けてあげたんだ」

Napp: "Big brother, welcome home. Huh? Who's that girl behind you?"

He had noticed Ran, who was looking into his room from behind me.

Rick: "Ah, she's a friend of mine. Some bad guys are looking for her right now, so I'm helping her out."

それを聞いたナップが、途端に難しい顔をする. そして、俺をちょいちょいと手招きする. 俺は、ランに『ちょっと待って』と言ってナップの近くに寄った. 【リック】「なんだい、ナップ」 ナップがさらに手招きをする. どうやら、耳を貸せ、ということらしい. 俺が耳を傾けると、ナップは小声で話しかけてきた.

As Napp hears that he gets a serious look on his face. He beckons me to come closer. I tell Ran to wait a moment and go over to him.

Rick: "What's up, Napp?"

He still beckons me to come nearer, I lean down, my ear next to his mouth. He whispers into it.

【ナップ】「追われてたって、なにさ」 【リック】「だからさ、魚釣りの帰りに、　追われてるところを助けたのさ」 【ナップ】「兄さんの知ってる人？」 【リック】「ああ. 随分前に知り合いに　なったんだ」

【ナップ】「どこの誰なの？　名前は？」 【リック】「名前は、ラン. いい名前だろ？　それ以外は・・・、知らない」 【ナップ】「し、知らないって・・・. もし、犯罪者だったらどうするのさ？　犯罪者を匿うと、共犯になるのは　知ってるだろ？」

Napp: "What do you mean, 'looking for her'?"

Rick: "You see, when I came back from fishing she was being followed and I saved her."

Napp: "Do you know her, big brother?"

Rick: "Aah, sure. We were acquaintances even before that"

Napp: "Where is she from? What's her name?"

Rick: "Her name is Ran. A nice name isn't it? Um and aside from that... I know nothing."

Napp: "Y- you, know nothing you say...? What if she's a criminal, what are we gonna do then? We'd be guilty of complicity, you know that?"

【リック】「お前は、ランが犯罪者だって　言うのか？」 【ナップ】「そうは言ってないけど、　兄さんは彼女が無実だって証明できるの？」 【リック】「いや、その・・・」 【ナップ】「・・・・・・. 本人に聞いてみるのが、一番だよ」

結局、ランを呼んで話を聞くことにした. 確かにナップの言うとおり、何もわからないまま、ランを匿うのはある意味危険かもしれないと思った. ナップとランの自己紹介が終わったところで俺はランに事情を尋ねた.

Rick: "You want to tell me Ran is a criminal?"

Napp: "That's not what I'm saying, but big bro, do you have any proof that she's guiltless?"

Rick: "Um, no, I mean..."

Napp: "...... it's best to ask her that directly I think."

In the end we asked her to tell us her story. It's true that I don't know anything about her, and just like Napp said, it might be dangerous to hide her here. Once Napp and Ran introduced themselves to each other, I ask Ran about what happened.

【リック】「で、ランはどうしてあいつらに　追いかけられてたの？」 【ラン】「・・・・・・」 【リック】「あいつら、悪い奴らなんだろ？　ザパトの連中みたいだったけど、　あの面は悪人の顔だ」

【ナップ】「兄さん、ちゃんと聞かなきゃ. ランさん、何があったか、　教えてほしいんですけど」 【ラン】「・・・・・・」 【リック】「ラン、黙ってちゃわからないよ. もしかして、本当に何か　罪を犯しちゃってるとか？」

【ラン】「・・・・・・」 【ナップ】「ランさん？」 【ラン】「・・・ごめんなさい」

Rick: "So, Ran, why were those guys chasing you?"

Ran: "......"

Rick: "They are the bad guys aren't they? They looked just like a typical gang of Zapat guys, they sure had "villain" written on their foreheads in bold letters."

Napp: "Brother, don't put words in her mouth. Ran, what happened? We would like you to explain us."

Ran: "......"

Rick: "Why won't you say anything Ran? Did you really commit some crime after all?"

Ran: "......"

Napp: "Ran?"

Ran: "... I'm sorry."

ランは、結局、何も言わず、終始俯いたままだった. 俺としては、このままここに置いてあげたいのだけれど、もし、ランが罪を犯しているのならば、ランのためにもならないし、たぶん、俺達だって困る. けれど、ランはどうしても言いたくないのか何を聞いても首を横に振るばかりで、結局何もわからなかった.

In the end we couldn't get one word out of her, all she did was stare at the ground. I myself would like to just keep things the way they are right now, but if Ran really did commit some crime, we can't just keep her here for her own sake, it could get me and my brother in trouble too. But no matter how often we ask her she just shakes her head and stares down, so in the end we were none the wiser.

【ナップ】「兄さん、どうするのさ. ボクは彼女が何をしたかわからないけれど　言えないようなことだもの. 正直、このまま　匿うには反対だよ」 ナップはランと俺の顔を交互に見ながらそう言った.

どうしよう.

●ランに自首を勧める.

○どうにかナップを説得する.

Napp: "What should we do, big brother? I don't know if that girl did something or not, but she won't say a thing for some reason. To be honest, the way things are right now, I'm against letting her stay here."

Napp was looking at me and Ran in turns as he said that.

What should I do?

●Tell Ran to turn herself in.

○Try to persuade Napp somehow.