Don't Mind Me, I'll Just Watch From the Shadows...
@crintinthegreat
Not much to say here. I spend a lot of time playing video games, watching anime or reading manga. I draw too, but I tend to get sidetracked, and take forever to finish anything... Ah, procrastination.
[After walking for quite a while, I could finally see a building in the distance.]
{"すごい……。お城のような...}
["Amazing... It's like a castle...]
...
{……お城だよね."}
[... That actually is a castle, isn't it?"]
{お城のような場所とかいう話ではない。見事に、お城だ。}
[Not just any castle. A magnificent one.]
{唖然としてしまう。夢の中だということは、}
[I'm awestruck. As if to further prove that this is undeniably a dream, this]
{ここは姉の学んでいた心理学等の世界なのだ。}
[scene looks just like the one my sister had described from that psychology book.]
{心の中の世界……。自分の中にこんなメルヘンな部分があったとは……。}
[This is a world built from my own desires... And there's a fairy tale castle in it...]
"...
{うわあ..."}
[Yikes..."]
{城を見て赤面するという、端から見るとわけの分からない反応をしてしまう。}
[My face goes red with embarrassment. Such a gaudy building seems
incomprehensible to have come from my mind.]
{こう……アダルトな夢のほうがまだ恥ずかしくなかったかもしれない。}
[Even a more... adult dream would have been less embarrassing than this.]
{性別によらず、私の年でそういう夢をみるのは正常だ}
[At my age, that kind of thing is far more normal]
{（と、保健の授業でやっていた）。}
[(at least, if my health sciences class is to be believed).]
{関心・興味のあるお年頃だし、そっち方面なら甘酸っぱい気持ちで納得}
[My teachers say this is an age of "interest, curiosity, and coming to terms with ]
{できた。むしろ、こういう夢のほうが問題だ。}
[bittersweet emotions". So it's dreams like this seem questionable.]
{昔書いてとうに忘れていた作文や絵を貼り出されている気分。}
[This feels more like a drawing I might have done when I was young, and long
since forgotten about.]
{見たくない。恥ずかしすぎる。}
[I don't even want to look at it. It's humiliating.]
{（私がメルヘン好きだったなんて……）}
[(Who knew I had such a deep love of fairy tales...)]
{（このピラピラした服も、実は好きなんだったりして……）}
[(Maybe I've actually secretly loved these frilly clothes all along...)]
(...)
{（……うわあ）}
[(... Wow.)]
{赤くなった顔が、今度は青ざめる。}
[My red face drains of colour at that thought.]
{この、少女趣味な服装は私の好みではない。}
[There's no way these childish outfits are to my tastes.]
{……と、自分では思っていた。}
[... Or so I thought.]
{姉の趣味だ。これは私の趣味ではない、と。}
[These are to my elder sister's liking. Not mine.]
{いい家の娘ならば}
[If I were the daughter of a wealthy family,]
{この年齢で着ていてもおかしくないデザインだが、ピラピラしすぎている。}
[it wouldn't be strange to wear things with these fluttery designs.]
{私は、もっとシンプルな服のほうが好きだ。}
[But I prefer simpler outfits, myself.]
{姉はこういう服を着ると喜ぶが、私自身は年を重ねるごとに}
[My sister is always delighted to put on things like this,]
{恥ずかしくなってきた。似合うかどうかもあるだろうが、好みもある。}
[but I get more ashamed to wear them every year.]
{姉が誉めてくれたように、けして似合わないわけではないと思う。}
[She praises me when I wear them, but I don't think they suit me at all.]
{しかし、趣味じゃない。}
[It's just not my taste.]
{(...でも、お城を夢みるようなら、}
[(... But, if you see a castle like this in your dreams,]
{自分に対する認識を改めたほうがいいかもしれない.)}
[your bound to reevaluate what you thought of yourself.)]
{（趣味じゃないと思っていた服も、こうして夢の中でまで身に着けているし...)}
[(On top of that, if these clothes really weren't to my tastes, then why am I
still wearing them in this imaginary world...?)]
{これで、お城の中に金髪碧眼の王子様でも待っていたらどうしよう。}
[What if there's a handsome prince waiting for me in that castle, with blonde hair]
{その上、白馬になんか乗っていたら……}
[and blue eyes... riding a white horse, or something...]
{（……ウザすぎる）}
[(... That would be too much.)]
{（頭から、落馬してしまえ……）}
[(I'd have to rip him off the horse...)]
{白馬の王子。それだけはないと信じたい。}
[Prince Charming. I don't want to believe there's someone like that in there.]
{そんなメルヘンなものが深層心理から現れたら、}
[If that's the kind of thing that manifests in my psyche, then everything I knew]
{これまで信じてきた自分像が、がらがらと音をたてて崩れてしまう。}
[about myself would be destroyed. I can already imagine the sound it would
make as it shattered.]
{怖いもの見たさというか、一種の意地のようなチャレンジャー精神で、}
[As if it were a challenge to prove myself wrong,]
{城のほうへ向かった。}
[I headed towards the castle with a fire in my eyes.]
{面倒臭がりの私としては、画期的な行動だ。}
[It should be noted that this was a revolutionary behaviour, coming from
someone as unmotivated as myself.]
{なにしろ、見るからに城は遠い。遠目に見ても明らかなのだから、}
[Regardless, the castle is still extremely far away. That's clear, even from this]
{実際に歩けば途方もないだろう。}
[distance. It's still going to be an absurd amount of walking to get there.]
{広大な庭を突っ切らねばならず、更に城は丘の上にある。}
[The castle is situated at the top of a massive hill, and before that, there's a vast
garden maze to cross.]
{時計塔を下りるだけで死にそうになったのに,}
[Even though I practically died from descending that Clocktower,]
{チャレンジャーすぎる行動といえる.}
[my body was powered by determination.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{"……無謀だった."}
["... This was a terrible idea."]
{城は、やはり遠かった。歩いても歩いても近付かない。}
[The castle is still so far. I walked and walked, and I'm nowhere near it.]
{近付いてはいるのだろうが、見た目には遥か彼方、遠くのままだ。}
[I have to wonder if I'm really getting any closer at all. As it is, it still feels miles
away.]
{そもそも、城へ行き着くまでの庭が広大だ。さすが私の夢、甘くない。}
[Even just the garden on the way to the castle is massive on it's own. As
expected, my dream wasn't going to go easy on me.]
{先程下りてきた塔といい、やたらと運動をさせてくれる世界だ。}
[Apparently, coming down that tower wasn't enough physical exertion to satisfy]
{最近、運動不足気味だという警告なのだろうか。}
[this world. Now that I think of it, maybe this dream is really just telling me I need
more exercise.]
{"……ん？"}
["... Hn?"]
Peter: {"……あれ?"}
["... Huh?"]
Alice: "...
!!!!!"
Peter: {"アリス!"}
["Ah! Alice!"]
Alice: {"ペーター！！！あんた……!!!"}
["Peter!!! You-...!!!]
{これは夢だ。だが、夢だとしてもこいつだけは許せない。}
[This is a dream. But even in a dream, this man is unforgivable.]
{白馬に乗った王子様以上に撲殺したい.}
[I didn't want to find a Prince Charming here, but this is so much worse.]
{アダルトな夢でも,こいつとだけは御免.}
[I'm tempted to just beat him to death right now. Thank God this wasn't a
mature dream after all, because I would just feel sorry for myself then.]
Peter: {"なんだ、もう我慢できなくなったんですか?"}
["What on Earth are you doing here? Has your patience already run out,
my dear?"]
Alice: {私の冷たい視線など気にせず、ペーターはにこにこ笑う。}
[Without noticing my icy glare, Peter just smiled brightly.]
{"我慢できないって..."}
["My patience...?"]
Peter: {"僕と離れ難いのなら、最初からそう言ってくれればいいのに.}
["If it hurt you so to be apart, you should have told me from the start.]
{やっぱり、僕のことが必要なんでしょう？}
[As expected, you need me near.]
{もうちょっと素直になってくれれば、僕だって..."}
[If you could only be more honest, I would--"]
Alice: {バキッ！！！}
[Wham!!!]
{"……何か雑音が聞こえたわ."}
["... I thought I heard something, but I must have been mistaken."]
{思い切り、殴り付ける。本当に……我慢ならない男だ。}
[I struck him with all my heart. I genuinely have no tolerance for this man.]
Peter: {"……っ……た〜〜〜……}
["... Oh... owww~~~...]
Nngh...
Tch...
{……ふっ."}
[... Hm~."]
Alice: "...?"
{ペーターはしばらく苦しんでいたものの、やがて痛みに歪んだ表情を戻し、}
[Peter only seemed to suffer for a moment, before his expression of pain twisted]
{薄く笑った。前に殴ったときと、反応が違う。}
[into a thin smile. This isn't the same kind of reaction he gave the last time I hit
him.]
Peter: {"……ふふふっ."}
["... Hmhmhmhm~."]
Alice: {"……な、なに？打ち所が悪かった?"}
["... Wh-What happened? Did I knock something loose?"]
{（不気味……）}
[(This is unsettling...)]
Peter: {"分かっていますよ、アリス..."}
["My apologies Alice, I see now..."]
Alice: {言葉通り、得心顔で何度も頷くペーター。}
[As he said this, he began lightly nodding his head over and over, as if he was
satisfied with his own conclusion.]
{何を分かっているというのか。本気で、不気味だ。}
[What is it that he thinks he sees? This isn't giving me a good feeling.]
{"何が..."}
["What are you-..."]
Peter: {"僕の理解が足りなかったということです。}
["I'd like to apologize for my earlier understanding. Or should I say, lack thereof.]
{これが、あなたの愛情表現なんですよね?"}
[But now I know the truth of the matter. That this is how you show your love!"]
Alice: "Nng...
{……はあ?"}
[... Whaa--?"]
{素っ頓狂な声を上げてしまう。}
[My voice raised in confusion.]
{理解が足りないどころではない。}
[It's not that I don't understand what he said.]
{このウサギの言うことは、到底理解の及ぶ範疇を超えていた。}
[It's that this rabbit's words are beyond comprehension.]
{しかしペーターは、気にする様子もなく話し続ける。}
[However, Peter can't read the situation, and continues his rambling.]
Peter: {"勤勉な僕といえども、外界の知識には疎い。バッチリ勉強し直しておきました.}
["I'm an educated man, but there is knowledge that I lack. I must further studies on your world. There are secrets I've yet to crack.]
{知識不足ゆえ、あなたの歪んだ愛情表現を受け止め切れなかったとは……}
[Poorly informed as I was, how could I have known of your twisted affection?...}
{僕の不徳のいたすところです."}
[I am unworthy of your love, and ashamed by my prior objection."]
Alice: "...
{病院に行くべきだわ。そして、入院して一生出てこないほうがいい."}
[You should see a doctor. It may be better if you just stay hospitalized for a
while. Maybe for life."]
Peter: {"愛情表現にも、いろんな形がある。}
["There are many ways to show you care. No need to be shy.]
{あなたは、ちょっとばかりアブノーマル嗜好な照れ屋さんなんですよね."}
[Your abnormality's a minor quirk. I won't bat an eye."]
Alice: "...
{て、照れ屋さんですって……？恐ろしいことを言わないでよ."}
[S-Shy...? Don't say something so off-putting."]
{ぞわわわわっと、背筋が寒くなる。}
[Brrrr, a shiver runs down my spine.]
{ちょうど、自分の感性に疑いを持ち始めていたところだ。}
[At that point, my own refuting seemed weak.]
{疑惑が強まりそうなことを言わないでほしい。}
[I think that only strengthened his resolve. I wish I hadn't said anything.]
{「照れ屋さん」なんていう恐ろしい単語と自分を結び付けたくなかった。}
[I just can't stand the thought that he'd put my name beside the term "shy".]
{"それに、アブノーマルって何よ。私はいたってノーマルだわ.}
["Besides, what's "abnormal" about me? I'm completely normal.]
{あんたみたいな変質者と一緒にしないで."}
[Don't lump me in with a deviant like you."]
{睨んでも堪えないことは、すでに分かっている。}
[I couldn't help but glare at him.]
{しかし,分かっていたからといってこの男を前にして睨まずにいられるだろうか.}
[With a man like this, I can't take my eyes off him for a second.]
{無駄だと分かっていても、睨んでしまう。}
[It may be futile, but I still have to do it.]
{そして、やっぱりペーターには堪える様子がない. 何を言っても無駄なようだ.}
[Though, Peter doesn't seem affected at all. No matter what I say, it's useless. He
won't hear it.]
Peter: {"僕は真面目なウサギです。}
["I'm a straightforward rabbit, as I've already said.]
{真面目すぎて、そっち方面での愛情を理解しきれなかった."}
[But I was clearly too straightforward, and your inclinations were misread."]
Alice: {"…………。そっち方面って、どっち方面よ."}
["... My inclinations? What do you mean by inclinations?"]
Peter: {"え？エスかエムかでいうと、エスだという方面で..."}
["Hm? If I were to guess, you would be an S..."]
Alice: {ペーターは、微笑む。}
[Peter smiles again.]
{相変わらずどこか裏がありそうな……、「にこにこ」という表現ではなく}
[But as usual, there's something more to his expression... It's not what you'd call]
{「にまにま」とか「にやにや」とかいう表現が適しそうな笑顔だ。}
[a friendly smile, it's more like a self-satisfied smirk, or a smug grin.]
{（エスかエムですって……！？どっちでもないわよ！？）}
[(An S...!? I'm no such thing!)]
{発言内容と合わせ、気が遠くなりそうになる。}
[Considering the implications of his words, I feel lightheaded.]
Peter: {"でも,一つ問題が持ち上がっているんですよね.それも,かなり重大な問題が..."}
["But now there's one more issue I must raise. A dire matter, I must confess..."]
Alice: {"……持ち上がっている問題は一つどころじゃないわ."}
["... No. I don't want to hear it, no matter what this dire matter is."]
{これも、おそらく言っても無駄。}
[I say, knowing full-well that it's not going to stop him.]
Peter: {"残念なことに、エスかエムかでいうと、僕もエスの方面なんです。}
["When speaking in terms of M and S, I too am the latter.]
{困りましたね、これじゃ成立しない."}
[And that concerns me, since it means that our arrangement could be shattered."]
Alice: {"成立しなくて結構よ！ナニを成立させる気なの、この変質者...!"}
["There is no 'arrangement', thank you very much! What kind of connection do
you think I have with you, pervert!?"]
Peter: {"何って……。……言わせる気ですか？}
["What kind...? ... You want me to say it?]
{ああ……、そういう趣向ですもんね.}
[Ah hah~... so that's your aim.]
{う〜ん、属性が同じっていうのもなんだか楽しいですね。}
[Mmhm~, it could be fun after all if our traits are the same.]
{僕って、案外とそっち方面でもいけるかも..."}
[Who knows? I may even end up being quite good at this game."]
Alice: {"勝手に、どこへでもいってなさい。……顔を近付けないでよ.}
["Feel free to go play that game by yourself... And keep your face
away from me.]
{どいて。私、お城へ向かうの."}
[You're evil. Leave me alone. I'm heading to that castle."]
{そこまで城へ行くことに固執していたわけではない。}
[I'm not even that insistent on getting to the castle anymore.]
{どちらかというと、途中で諦めようかと考えていたところだ。}
[Maybe I'll find a nice place to give up on the way. Either-or.]
{しかし、今はいい逃げ口上に思える。}
[But for now, I think it's a good excuse to get out of here.]
Peter: {"だから、僕に会いに来てくれたんでしょう?}
["So you really did come just for me?]
{城なら、僕の領土です。}
[Since, that castle is my home, you see. And if you're tired,]
{滞在してくれてもいいし……、そうだ、僕の部屋で暮らしましょう.}
[there's no need to stray... since my room can be shared during your stay.]
{お城で、僕とずっと一緒に暮らすんです。}
[Plus, I'm always on the castle grounds, each day of the year.]
{あなたは、どこにも行かなければいいんです。僕もどこにも行きませんから.}
[So if you chose to move out here for good, you can always keep me near.]
{ねえ、いい案だと思いません?"}
[So what do you say, Alice? Is my proposal music to your ear?"]
Alice: {ペーターの顔が近い。文句の付け所がない美形だ。}
[Peter's face is close. Still, I can't find any point to complain about as far as looks.]
{言っている台詞はやばいストーカーか変質者にしか聞こえないが、}
[Every word he says is that of a degenerate stalker,]
{メルヘンなフィルターを通せば甘く聞こえないこともない。}
[but if I force it through a fairy tale filter, it sounds almost sweet.]
{"…………。まさか……"}
["... No way..."]
Peter: {"はい?"}
["Yes?"]
Alice: {"まさか、あんたが王子様なんじゃないでしょうね?"}
["There's no way... Are you actually a prince?"]
Peter: {"……王子様?}
["... A prince?]
{いいえ？権力はありますけど、僕は王子などではなくて..."}
[Where did you get such a thought? I may have power, but a prince I am not..."]
Alice: {"……なんだ。王子ならよかったのに."}
["... Huh. That's a shame. I would've like it if you were a prince."]
Peter: {"なんです、王子なんかが好みなんですか?"}
["Is a prince the type of man you'd prefer?"]
Alice: {"落馬させてやれたのにって話よ."}
["I was just looking forward to pulling you down off your horse."]
Peter: "Hnn???"
Alice: {"なんでもないわ。こっちの話."}
["Don't worry about it. It's not important."]
{意味が分からないという顔に、溜飲が下がる。}
[I felt some satisfaction as he looked at me in confusion.]
{私なんて、この夢を見始めてから意味が分からないことだらけだ。}
[That was the same look I must have had when I first came into this dream.]
Peter: "Mh...
{王子様なんてものがお好みとはね。女の子らしいことだ."}
[If a princely type will sate your hunger, your tastes suit a girl much younger."]
Alice: {言葉は優しいが、声は冷たい。見下すような話し方。}
[His tone is gentle, but his words are sharp. He speaks as if he's looking
down on me.]
{"王子様が好きなわけじゃないわよ."}
["Princes aren't to my tastes at all."]
{一応は断りを入れておくが、話を聞いてくれることは期待していない。}
[It came out sounding more or less like an excuse, but I don't expect him to]
{予想通り、ペーターは聞いてくれない。}
[hear anything I said anyway. And, unsurprisingly, he ignores me.]
{聞いていないというより、聞く気がないのだろう。}
[It's not that he can't hear, I think he simply doesn't care to hear.]
{大きなお耳は、自分に都合のいいことしか聞こえないらしい。}
[Those huge ears only pick up on what's convenient for him.]
Peter: {"でも、いいですよ。あなたのためなら、僕は女王も裏切ります.}
["But I don't mind. If it's for you, even my Queen's allegiance will swing.]
{……あ、でも、そうしたら王になってしまいますけど。}
[... Ah-, but that wouldn't turn out quite right. For then I would become King."]
{それくらいの些細な違いなら、いいですよね?"}
[Would you still be fine with that? It's such a trivial thing."]
Alice: {ぴょこっとウサギ耳が動いたが、可愛らしくもなんともなかった。}
[His rabbit ears bounced expectantly, but it wasn't cute at all.]
Peter: {"嬉しいですか？ねえ、アリス、僕を好きになってきました?"}
["Well, Alice? Does that plan fill you will glee? If I can deliver, will you come
to love me?"]
Alice: {先刻とは別の意味で、ぞぞっとする。}
[Just like earlier, I shudder. But, more intensely this time.]
Peter: {"ねえ、早く僕を好きになってくださいよ."}
["I hope you're going to change your tune. It would be such a blessing if you'd
love me soon."]
Alice: {"だれが、あんたなんか……}
["Who would ever--...]
{ちょ……顔が近……"}
[H-Hey... Back up a bit..."]
{顔がどんどん近付いてくる。}
[His face drew steadily closer and closer.]
{押し返そうとしたが,手を握られ,うまく力を入れられないようにもっていかれる.}
[When I tried to push him away, he took my hands in his, and held them there
with force.]
{（なに、コイツ……。結構……）}
[(What's with this guy... He's--...)]
{"……っつ……"}
["... Hhn--..."]
{キスされる。}
[Going to kiss me.]
CHOICE
{何もしない.}
[Do nothing.] (Peter +1)
OR
{もう一度殴ろうとする.}
[Hit him again.] (=)
==================== FIRST CHOICE ============================
Alice: {"～～～～っ."}
["Gh~~~~."]
{身が竦んだ.}
[My body feels paralyzed.]
{もう一度先刻のように殴ってやろうかと思うが,なぜか手が出ない.}
[I want to clench my hands into fists to punch him, but my hands aren't moving.]
{手は握り込まれているが抵抗くらいはできるはずなのに、なぜか。}
[It's not because he's holding me so tightly I can't move. I should be able to resist,]
{段々と、この顔が迫ることにも慣れてしまったのだろうか。}
[so why aren't I moving? Have I just accepted that this is going to happen,
regardless?]
{（いやいや。まさか、そんな）}
[(No, no! I would never let that happen.)]
{こんな変態ウサギになど慣れたくない。}
[I can't just "get used" to the actions of such a perverted rabbit.]
{しかし抵抗しなかったのは、彼の気をよくしてしまったようだ。}
[And now, my lack of resistance seems to have encouraged him.]
Peter: {"今度は殴ろうとしないんですね、アリス。ふふ……っ."}
["Alice, what a welcome sight. So you've decided not to fight? Hmhm~..."]
Alice: {"……っ!"}
["... Ngh!"]
{息が触れるほどの距離で囁かれる。このままでは、また……。}
[I could feel his breath on my face as he whispered the words. At this rate, he's
going to--...]
================== SECOND CHOICE ===========================
Alice: {"～～～～っ."}
["Gh~~~~."]
{身が竦んだ。もう一度先刻のように殴ってやろうと、両手に力を込める.}
[My body feels paralyzed. Both of my hands clench into fists, preparing to
punch him again.]
{握り込まれてしまっているが、ぐいぐいと動かし、拘束を解こうとする。}
[Even though he was gripping me tightly, I kept struggling to free myself.]
Peter: {"ふ……、駄目ですよ、アリス。僕だって、そう何度も大人しくは殴られません"}
["Hm~... Now now, Alice, try to be good. I've been meekly accepting your
abuse far more than I should."]
Alice: {"この……っ!"}
["This is--... Ng!"]
{息が触れるほどの距離で勝ち誇ったように囁かれる。このままでは、また...}
[I could feel his breath on my face as he whispered the words with elation. At this rate, he's going to--...]
=============================================================
"..."
* Peter steps back
{……と、覚悟を決めて目を閉じようとしたとき、ペーターはぱっと離れた。}
[... I had closed my eyes, bracing myself. But suddenly, I felt Peter's hands
release.]
Peter: "..."
Alice: {（……？何だか分からないけど、助かった？）}
[(...? I don't quite understand, but, he's letting me go?)]
Peter: {"……何の用です？伝令ですか?"}
["... Another message? What is it this time? You should know that interrupting
me is practically crime."]
Soldier 2: {"……はっ。お邪魔をして申し訳ありません、ホワイト卿."}
["... Hup. I apologize for the intrusion, Lord White.]
Alice: {私は接近に気付かなかったが、近くに兵士が立っていた。}
[I hadn't noticed him approach, but a soldier was standing right behind me.]
Peter: {"まったくです。邪魔なのは明らかなんですから遠慮してもらえません?"}
["Of course you do. You're aware you're a pain. So then, why don't you
simply take this chance to refrain?"]
Soldier 2: {"女王陛下がお呼びなのです。すぐ謁見室に来るようにとのご命令で..."}
["Her Majesty the Queen has requested your presence. It's an order, sir. You
have to come to the Audience Chamber immediately..."]
Peter: "...
{はあ……。ご命令とあらば、仕方ありませんね...}
[Haa... These meaningless orders feel like a tether...]
{せっかくいいところだったのに。すみません、アリス。僕は行かなくては."}
[I'm sorry Alice, I must go. But I'm so glad we could share this precious
time together."]
Alice: {"ちっともすまなくなんかないわ。ばんばん行って来てちょうだい。}
["No need to apologize. It sounds like you're awfully busy.]
{戻ってこないでね."}
[Don't even worry about having to come back."]
{いいところだったのはペーターだけで、私としては危機一髪だった。}
[Peter is the only one who thought this had been a pleasant interaction. From]
{中断させてくれた兵士に感謝する.}
[my side, it was more of a close call. I'm thankful for the soldier's interruption.]
Peter: {"あなたって、本当に照れ屋なんですね."}
["You really are too kind, Alice."]
* Peter approaches and gives her a small kiss
Alice: {ペーターは、置きみやげとでもいうように頬にキスをする。}
[Peter kissed my cheek as if he was leaving a parting gift.]
{ちゅっという音に、再びぞっとした.}
[The sound of it made me shudder again.]
Soldier 2: {"ホワイト卿、お急ぎください. 大幅な遅刻に、女王陛下は大層お怒りで..."}
["Lord White, we should make haste. If you're late again, Her Majesty will be
furious..."]
Peter: {"なんです、急かさないでください。三時という約束だったはずですよ?"}
["I've no reason to rush, so you can stop with your plea. I know perfectly well
that our meeting is at 3."]
Peter: {"約束してから昼の三時は四回くらいきたかもしれないですが、}
["It may be true that 3 o'clock has passed, but all 4 were afternoon.]
{夜の三時はまだきていない。夜に間に合えばいいでしょうに.}
[That's 15:00, if I'm not mistaken. We'll meet at the first 3 under the moon.]
{僕はきちんと時間を守っているのに、いつも遅刻魔とか酷い言われようだ...}
[I'm always exactly on time, you see, so I can't understand why you always
impugn..."]
Alice: {しれっと言い切るペーター。分かっていて言っている顔だ。}
[Peter is nonchalant. His expression says that he doesn't think he's in the wrong.]
{"あんたって最悪。どこが真面目なのよ."}
["You're the worst. I thought you said you were a serious rabbit?"]
Peter: {"アリス、拗ねないでください。男たる者、仕事があるんです。}
["My darling Alice, you must be so upset I can't stay.]
{僕は真面目なウサギだから、上司の呼び出しには逆らえない.}
[But as a man, and a serious rabbit, my boss is someone I cannot disobey.
{この城にいくらでも滞在していいですから、後で又会いましょう.}
[If you choose to linger in the castle, it would be a welcome treat. Then, after
I return again, once more we can meet."]
Alice: {"もう会いたくない。}
["I don't want to see you again.]
{あんたがいない内に帰るから、安心して仕事に励みなさい."}
[I plan to get home without your help, so you can just focus on your job."]
Peter: {"さてさて、ところで……"}
["Right, right, there's one thing I still have to ask..."]
Alice: {やはり人の話を聞かない男だ。}
[Words just pass right through a man like him.]
{顔に貼りついたような微笑みを浮かべたまま、兵士に向き直る.}
[Wearing the same smile as always, he turns to face the soldier.]
Peter: {"... 僕の話、聞いてしまいましたよね?"}
["... How much did you hear, as you came for this task?"]
Alice: {ペーターは、懐中時計を持ち上げた。}
[Peter took out his pocket watch.]
{なぜか、兵士はひっと声をあげる。脅えたような声に、疑問符が浮かぶ。}
[And for some reason, the soldier flinched. Seeing his frightened reaction raised a question mark for me.]
{ペーターは時計を持ち上げただけだ。この男が意味の分からない行動に}
[All Peter did was lift up his watch. It's a behaviour that even I'm used to seeing]
{出るのには慣れてきたが、時計を触るのはそうおかしな行動でもない。}
[by this point. He's checked it many times in this conversation alone.]
Peter: {"この子のためなら女王も裏切ると言った部分です。聞いていたでしょう?}
["Were you present when I said that I'd betray the Queen for this girl?]
{あれ、聞かれちゃマズイお話だったんですよ.}
[Because that is one rumour I can't allow to swirl.]
{反逆罪なんて言われたら面倒です。さすがに、怒られてしまいそうだ."}
[I'd rather avoid the accusation of treason. It would be a pain to receive
scolding for such an unnecessary reason.]
Alice: {（怒られるくらいじゃすまないと思うけど……）}
[(I would think such a crime would get a bit more than a scolding, but...)]
Soldier 2: {"きっ、聞いていません……！そんな話は……"}
["I-I wasn't listening to your conversation...! I didn't hear anything...!"]
Alice: {兵士は、青くなって首を振る。彼が何をそんなに恐れているのか分からない。}
[The soldier was so vehemently denying it that he looked like he was turning blue.
But I still don't understand what he's so afraid of.]
{ここは、意味の分からないことだらけだ。}
[Though, that could be said of so many things here.]
Peter: {"……そうですか?}
["... Is that so?]
{でも、今聞いてしまったじゃないですか。同じことですよね."}
[Well, regardless, you've still heard it now. The knowledge is the same, and that
I can't allow."]
* There’s a flash...
Alice: {懐中時計が光る。}
[The pocket watch started to glow.]
{光っただけでなく、銃に変わった。ユリウスの工具と同じように。}
[Not only glow, but transform. It became a gun, just like Julius' wrench.]
{だが、異なる銃だ。}
[But, a different model of gun.]
* BANG *
{どんっと、低い音がして、兵士が倒れる。}
[There was a short bang, and the soldier collapsed.]
{それが銃声だとは、しばらく気付かなかった。}
[It was only then that it registered that the sound had actually been a gunshot.]
{ぽかんとしている私を無視して、}
[I just stared vacantly as Peter then]
{ペーターは倒れた兵士に更に何発か撃ちこんだ。}
[fired even more bullets into the soldier's body without even looking up.]
* Bang * Bang *
{どん、どん、と。また低い音がする。}
[Bang, bang. The same low sound echoes through my ears again.]
{痙攣なのか衝撃による振動なのか、撃ちこむたびに兵士の体が跳ねた。}
[The soldier's body jumps with each shot, and I can't tell whether it's caused by the impact of the bullet, or if they're only his dying spasms.]
Peter: {"……伝令、ご苦労様です."}
["... Thank you for your report."]
Alice: {動かない兵士を見下ろし、確認する。それから、私に向き合った。}
[He looked down on the unmoving soldier, as if waiting for confirmation.
Then, he turned back to me.]
Peter: {"驚かせました?"}
["Did that startle you, my dear? I tried to keep it short."]
Alice: {心配と期待がないまぜになった声音で尋ねられた。}
[His voice was a mixture of concern and anticipation.]
{どういう答えを待っているのか、この男の気持ちなど知るはずもない。}
[I don't know what kind of response to give, since I have no idea what's going]
{不安がりながらも面白そうに、私の反応を待っている。}
[on in this man's head. The way he's waiting for my reaction seems like he
can't decide whether he's anxious or excited.]
"...
{……手品?"}
[... This is a trick, right?"]
Peter: "Hn...?
{……っぷ、くく……}
[... Mm... mhmhm~...]
{はっ、ははっ！違いますよ、違います、アリス.}
[Ahahahaha~! Not at all, Alice! What a silly thing to say!]
{手品じゃありません。あははは."}
[I would never try to deceive you that way! Ahahahahaha~."]
Alice: {"そうね、夢の世界で手品もないか。ユリウスも同じようなことをしていたから、}
["Oh, right. There wouldn't need to be "magic" in a dream world. It's just that,]
{そういう手品が流行っているのかと思っただけ."}
[Julius did a similar trick earlier, so I guessed it was just a common thing
around here."]
Peter: {"... ユリウス."}
["... Julius."]
Alice: {ペーターは、ぴたりと笑いを止めた。}
[Peter's laugh was immediately cut off.]
Peter: {"ユリウス＝モンレー?"}
["Julius Monrey?"]
Alice: {"そうよ?}
["Yes?]
{他のユリウスなんて知らないわ。}
[I don't know of any other Julius. If there's another person with the same name]
{同姓同名の別人でもいない限り、先刻会ったユリウスよ."}
[around here, then to clarify, I'm referring to the one we spoke to earlier."]
Peter: {"ユリウス＝モンレーが銃を撃ったんですか？あの偏屈者が,あなたのために."}
["Julius shot his gun? Is that what you're trying to say? So you can even make
that obstinate Clockmaker sway?"]
Alice: {"私のためってわけじゃないわ。}
["It's not like he did it for my sake or anything. I was just being a nuisance.]
{門限についてうるさく騒いだから、仕方なくって感じで……"}
[He probably only used it as a last resort since I was being so noisy..."]
{すすんでやったというふうには、とても見えなかった。}
[It definitely didn't feel like something he wanted to do.]
Peter: {"同じこと。同じことですよっ。どう違うっていうんです.}
["Your words and mine sound exactly the same. If he really shot, then you are
to blame.]
{あいつが銃を撃つって意味は……}
[And for a man such as him, that fact is simply too strange...]
{ああ、先刻立て続けに時間が変わったのはそういうわけだったんですね!?"}
[Ah! So, was that also the reason for the sudden time change!?]
Alice: {"え……え～と?}
["Er... Huh?]
{そのせいで、遅刻しちゃったのかしら？だとしたら悪いことを……}
[Is that why you were late today? If so, I am sorry about that...]
{...でも、昼四回分も遅刻しているのよね？じゃあ、私のせいってわけじゃ..."}
[... But, since you were already 4 days late, don't try and blame me for the rest..."]
Peter: {"遅刻なんてどうでもいいんです！……いや、よくないか。よくないな.}
["I could care less how many days I neglect!... No, I'm upset by something I
did not expect.]
{それより、アリス、ユリウスに気に入られたんですね！？酷いです."}
[How dare that Julius fall for you!? He's a terrible man! Tell me it isn't true!"]
Alice: {"気に入られた？気に入られたの、あれで……}
["Fall for me? I think it's a bit much to say that all of a sudden...]
{気に入ってくれたのなら、もっと優しくしてくれればいいのに."}
[If he was interested in me at all, I'd hope he would be a bit more friendly."]
Peter: {"ユリウスにしてみれば,銃を撃ってやるだけでお気に入りもお気に入りですよ!}
["If we're speaking of Julius firing a gun, you're already clearly his number one!]
{余所者だからといって、過剰に優しすぎる!"}
[Even with your role of Outsider in mind, he was being far too kind!"]
{……何を怒っているの？ユリウスが親切にしてくれたのが羨ましいの?"}
[... Is that what's got you so mad? You're just jealous that Julius actually
showed me some consideration?"]
Peter: {"羨ましいわけないでしょう！悔しいんですよ！酷いです!!!"}
["There's no reason at all for me to be jealous! That pitiful man is
just overzealous!!!"]
Alice: {"酷いことなんてしていないわよ。何を言っているの."}
["I don't think that's the case. What are you even talking about?"]
{会って間もない人間に旧友を取られたような感覚かとも思ったが、}
[It feels strangely like a situation where the two old friends get divided by]
{彼らはそんなに親しそうには見えなかった。}
[a newcomer. Except, those two don't seem to be close.]
Peter: {"酷いですよ！！！浮気するなんて!"}
["And you're equally awful, I hope you're aware!!! I can't believe you would
even indulge this affair!"]
Alice: "...
{……あんたと話していると、頭痛がしてくる."}
[... Talking to you makes my head hurt."]
Peter: {"浮気した罪の意識ですよ."}
["That's the guilt of your fickleness that you'll have to bear."]
Alice: {……もはや、言い返す気も失せる.}
[... I don't even feel like responding anymore.]
{浮気などした覚えはない。罪の意識など芽生えるわけもない。}
[I have no recollection of any kind of "affair", so my conscience is clean.]
{大前提として、こいつと付き合った覚えなどないのだ。}
[More importantly, I don't recall being involved with this man in any way either.]
Peter: {"あんまり浮気しないでくださいよ。}
["Please be more considerate. It makes me sick to see you cheat.]
{本当は、僕以外の誰にも気に入られてほしくないんです.}
[You should only wish to be with me. Can't you hear when I entreat?]
{この世界にいてもらうためなら仕方ないですけど、本当は..."}
[But, if it means that you'll stay in this world, perhaps I shouldn't compete..."]
Alice: {"はあ..."}
["Hah..."]
{ペーターはその後もぶつぶつと言ったが、私は右から左に聞き流していた。}
[Peter's words trail off into mumbles, but I wasn't paying attention anyways.]
Peter: {"... ……じゃ、僕はお仕事に行ってきます。ヒステリー女の相手って}
["... Well then, I should be off to work. You're so hysteric it's causing me stress.]
{疲れるんですけど、浮気じゃないんで安心してくださいねっ.}
[And please know that you can rest assured about your escapades.]
{僕は、あなた一筋ですからっ."}
[I'll stay devoted to you nonetheless."]
{"... 夢でも許せないくらい、いけ好かない男だわ."}
["... Even in a dream, I can't forgive a man who's this horrible."]
{地面に倒れた兵士は消えてなくならない。}
[The soldier was still lying on the ground, exactly where Peter left him.]
{グロテスクというほどではないが、現実味のある夢だ。}
[I wouldn't go as far as to say this is some grotesque nightmare, but it's certainly
a dream that presents everything as a harsh, palpable reality.]
{しばらくすると、別の兵士が現れて片付けていった。}
[After a little while, some other soldiers appeared to remove the body.]
Soldier 4: {"残像が片付けに来るまで放置していたら、}
["If this is left until the Afterimage arrive,]
{女王陛下がお見咎めになるかもしれない..."}
[Her Majesty may place the blame on you..."]
Soldier 3: {"片付けておこう…"}
["We'll take care of it..."]
Alice: {（残像……？）}
[(Afterimage...?)]
{（残像ってなんだろう……）}
[(I wonder what that means...)]
{ところで、兵士達は皆帽子を被っているが、}
[But besides that, all of the soldiers here have such tall hats.]
{ウサギ耳はついているのかいないのか。}
[Do they all have rabbit ears like Peter?]
{直接聞いてみる気にはなれないが、気になった。}
[I don't feel like I should ask them directly, but I'm curious.]
(...)
{（さてと。私はどうしよう……）}
[(What am I supposed to do now...?)]
CHOICE
{城へ向かう.}
[I should continue to the castle.] (=)
OR
{迷路の庭を散策してみる.}
[I'll walk around the garden maze.] (Ace +1)
==================== FIRST CHOICE ============================
Alice: {ペーターに会って気が削がれたが、城へ向かう。}
[Even though it was discouraging to run into Peter, I decide to continue on
to the castle.]
{他に目的地もない。さしあたって、滞在場所を決めなくてはならなかった。}
[I don't have anywhere else to go. So, at least for now, I should stay here.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{城への道も遠かった。丘の上にあるので迷うことなくたどり着けたが、}
[The path up the hill to the castle is long, but at least I won't get lost. Still, even]
{目的地が見えているからといって距離は縮まらない。}
[though I can clearly see my destination, it doesn't appear to be getting any closer.]
{話し相手もなく、延々と坂を上る。くじけそうになるが、}
[With no one to talk to, I trudge further and further up the steep hill.]
{時計塔と同じく引き返すのも面倒だという理由でなんとか上りきった。}
[It was disheartening, but going all the way back to the Clocktower was too much
trouble, so I kept climbing.]
{(...階段も坂も大嫌い.}
[(... Hills and stairs are detestable things.]
{これで城に着いても階段だったりしたら,どうしてくれよう.)}
[What would I even do if I have to climb another staircase inside the castle?)]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{嫌な想像まで広がり始めたところで, 上り坂は終わった. やっと城に到着する.}
[Just as my imagination was spreading to such terrible thoughts, my climb was over. At last, I had arrived at the castle.]
{"すごいお城..."}
["It's incredible..."]
{いろんな意味で、「すごいお城」だ。}
[Incredible in a number of ways.]
{大きく、立派なお城。きらびやかで、豪勢で……。}
[This castle is grand and imposing. But also gaudy and lavish...]
{そして……、メルヘンだ。現実の城にはありえないくらい華美な装飾。}
[It's like... a fairy tale. No real castle would ever have an over-the-top design like this.]
{メルヘンチックなモチーフ。}
[Everything is themed.]
{ハートがいっぱい……}
[There are hearts everywhere...]
{（夢の国だけあって、斬新なデザインのお城だわ）}
[(Only a country of dreams would have such an unusual design for a castle.)]
{（見事なまでに……）}
[(In order to be beautiful...)]
{（……機能性が度外視されている）}
[(... It completely ignores any kind of functionality.)]
{ぽかんと城を見上げる。}
[I stare blankly up at the castle.]
{しばらく見物していても見飽きないくらい、非現実的だった。}
[Yet no matter how long stared, I never got tired of looking at it. It's unbelievable.]
{自分の想像力に感心してしまう.}
[I have to admire my imagination.]
{私の中にこんなメルヘンな部分があったとは...}
[To think that this glittering castle came out of my head...]
{驚きの連続だ。}
[The surprises just keep coming.]
{（……こうしていても、仕方ないわね）}
[(... I won't get anywhere like this, though.)]
{しばらく城に見惚れていたが、}
[I looked at the castle for a while, but I knew that I]
{突っ立っていても何も進展はないので城へ入っていく。}
[wouldn't make any progress by just standing around. It was time to head in.]
{これも、現実ではありえない。咎められるとかいう以前に、}
[More proof that there's no way that any of this could be real. People shouldn't]
{普段ならどかどかとお城へ乗り込もうという気になどならない。}
[be able to just waltz right into a castle like this without being stopped or questioned.]
{それ以前に、城に行く機会などない。}
[I've never even had a chance to enter a castle before.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* She steps through the front entrance
{城内に入る。}
[I'm inside.]
{城内は城内で、やはり機能性などまったく無視した構造になっていた。}
[Even the castle's interior ignores any kind of functionality.]
{（この装飾には一体何の意味が……）}
[(What's the point of having all of this useless decoration...?)]
{（いや、そもそも装飾に意味なんてないか……）}
[(No, I'm certain there's no reason to any of it...)]
{感心しながら（半ば呆れ混じりではあるが）しばらく歩いていくと、}
[After walking around in a daze of admiration (and slight disgust),]
{メイドに出くわした。}
[I came across some maids.]
{こんなところまで勝手に入ってきて怒られるのかと思ったら、}
[I expected them to be upset that I was wandering around in here,]
{彼女達は非常に丁重な対応をしてくれる。}
[but the women gave me a strangely courteous reception.]
Maid A: {"ようこそ、ハートの城へ."}
["Welcome to Heart Castle."]
Alice: {最初から出迎える態度だ。侵入者に対する態度ではない。}
[Rather than treating me like an intruder, they greet me like a guest.]
Maid A: {"宰相閣下から伺っております.}
["We were told of your arrival by His Excellency, the Prime Minister.]
{おもてなしするようにと。あなた様にはこの城に滞在していただきます."}
[We will provide you whatever you require during your stay here at the Castle."]
Alice: {疑問が顔に表れていたようで、説明してくれる。しかし、意味が分からない。}
[They must have seen the suspicion on my face, because they started to explain. But, I still don't understand.]
{滞在させてもらえるのは願ったりだが……。}
[I was hoping to find a place to stay, but...]
{"宰相閣下?"}
["His Excellency, the Prime Minister?"]
{（誰だ、それは……。そんな偉い人に知り合いなんていないわよ）}
[(Who is she talking about...? I haven't met anyone here with a title like that.)]
Maid A: {"ペーター＝ホワイト様。ホワイト卿です."}
["The Prime Minister, Mister Peter White."]
Maid B: {"宰相閣下。王族を除いては、一番の権力者ですわ."}
["His Excellency is the most powerful person in the country, outside of the
royal family."]
Alice: {"ペーターが！？宰相！？あいつが!?}
["Peter!? A Prime Minister!? Him!?]
{あいつが宰相なんて、何かの間違いじゃないの!?"}
[Someone like him can't be in a position like that. There must be some mistake!"]
{先刻のユリウスではないが、}
[I know I said this about Julius earlier, but this time I honestly believe]
{同姓同名で別人がいるのかもしれないと本気で考えた。}
[there has to be another person with the exact same first and last names.]
{首相。政務処理の最高官。王政の最高補佐官。}
[Prime Minister. The person who handles the most important government affairs.
The highest tier of a monarchy's politics.]
{宰相といっても、意味は幾通りかある。}
[The title could have a number of meanings.]
{どれを指しているとしても、かなりの高位だ。}
[But no matter which one you choose, it's a considerably powerful position.]
{彼女達の言うように、王族などの特殊な権力者を除いては最高位にあたる。}
[As the maids said, it's the most prominent position outside of the royal family.]
{……と、習った。私の知るペーターがそれにあたるとは思えない。}
[... I understand that much. But, the Peter I know doesn't fit that title.]
Maid A: {"ペーター＝ホワイトというお方はホワイト卿ただお一人ですわ."}
["There is only one Peter White, and that is Prime Minister White."]
Maid B: {"たとえ同じ名前の者がいたとして、}
["Supposing there was another man with the same name,]
{すでにホワイト卿に撃ち殺されていることでしょう."}
[I am quite sure Prime Minister White would have shot him long ago."]
Maid A: {"あの方、お耳がいいんですもの.}
["He has excellent ears.]
{同じ名前など、お許しになるはずがありません."}
[I am certain he would not forgive someone if he heard them using his name."]
Alice: {"……そうかもね。心狭そうだもん、あいつ."}
["... Maybe it is him. Sounds like his heart is small enough."]
{どうやら同一人物らしい。}
[It seems like it's the same person after all.]
{（この国って、あんな奴に宰相を任せているんだ……）}
[(This country would trust a man like that as their Prime Minister...?)]
"..."
{この国、この城はおかしい。}
[This castle and this entire country are insane.]
{おかしいといえば、この人達もだ。}
[These people are strange, too.]
{同じような顔で、同じような服装、同じような声。美人だが不気味なメイド。}
[The same face, the same clothes, the same voice. A pair of beautiful, yet uncanny,
maids.]
{敵意などは感じないが、どうも打ち解け辛そうだ。}
[I don't feel any hostility, but I also don't think I'll be able to speak to them easily.]
{少し警戒してしまって固くなる. }
[I can't help my nerves. The maids haven't]
{メイド達も表情を変えず, なんだか気まずくなった.}
[changed their expressions at all, and this atmosphere is making me uneasy.]
???: {"ただいま~"}
["I'm home~"]
* Footsteps approaching
Alice: {城の入り口付近で佇んでいると、場違いな明るい声が響いた。}
[As we stood there by the castle entrance, a lively voice suddenly echoed through
the hall, instantly killing the tension.]
Maid A: {"エース様……"}
["Master Ace..."]
Maid B: {"おかえりなさいませ……"}
["Welcome home~..."]
Ace: {"久々の我が家だぜ…… ３００時間帯ぶりぐらいだな.}
["I haven't been back in a while... It must be at least 300 periods.]
{３１７だったはずだ。合ってるかな?"}
[I was expecting around 317. Is that about right?"]
Alice: {ひょいと横を向き、メイドに尋ねる。}
[He turned and casually asked the maids.]
{エースと呼ばれた男は、兵士達とは異なる服装をしていた。}
[The man they called Ace was dressed differently than the soldiers I've seen.]
{異なるものの、城の関係者らしい服だ。デザインが似ている。}
[He's clearly still related to the castle, though. The design is consistent.]
Maid A : {"…いいえ、エース様が前回お城を出てから３１２回時間帯が変わりました."}
["Ah... No, Master Ace. It has been 312 periods since you left the castle."]
Maid B: {"……お久しぶりです."}
["... It has been a while."]
Ace: {"おっ、なんだ、俺の計算より５回分も早いじゃないか。俺も進歩しているんだな."}
["Oh, what~? That's 5 periods faster than I thought. I'm improving~."]
Maid A: {"……そうですわね."}
["Ah... It appears so."]
Maid B: {"……進歩されておりますわ。}
["... You have certainly improved~.]
{前々回は４３９回時間帯が変わるまでお戻りになりませんでしたもの."}
[There were 439 periods before you returned the last time."]
Ace: {"だろ？俺って、前進してるよな."}
[Really? I guess I am making progress."]
Maid A: {"その調子で、一足飛びに前進なさってください.}
["This is a great leap forward, but please continue to advance.]
{そうすれば、わたくし達も女王陛下にあたられずすみますわ."}
[That way, we won't have to keep facing the Queen's reprimands."]
Ace: {"ははっ、すまないすまない。帰りたくても帰ってこれなかったんだよ.}
["Ahaha~, sorry, sorry. But I couldn't make it back faster even if I wanted to.]
{俺って、よく道に迷うんだよなあ……}
[I always end up getting lost...]
{でも, 期待しててくれよ! 俺はやるぜ. いつか, 道に迷わないようになってやる."}
[But, you just wait! Someday, I'm going to make it back without getting lost even
once~."]
Alice: {私には, メイド達の言葉は嫌味に聞こえる. だが,男にはそうは聞こえないようだ.}
[The maid's voices were dripping in sarcasm, but the man didn't seem to notice.]
{からからと明るい。}
[He just let out another lighthearted laugh.]
{この国の時間基準はよく分からない。それにしても、４３９回も時間帯が}
[I don't know what the norm is in regards to time in this country. Nevertheless, if]
{変わるまで帰ってこられないとは、「よく道に迷う」ですむレベルなのだろうか。}
[he hasn't been home in 439 periods, I don't think 'I always end up getting lost' really conveys the extent of it.]
Maid B: {"楽しみにしておりますわ……"}
["I will be happy to see it..."]
Ace: {"うん、楽しみにしていてくれ!"}
["Yup, look forward to it!"]
Alice: {（なんてポジティブな人なのかしら……）}
[(How is he such a positive person...?)]
{（なんて……）}
[(He's...)]
(...)
{（………なんて気が合いそうにない人なんだろう）}
[(... I don't expect I'll get along very well with this guy.)]
{見るからに前向きな人だ。}
[You can tell how enthusiastic he is with just one look.]
{私は後ろ向き。かつ根が暗い。}
[The complete opposite of me. I'm a pessimist right down to my roots.]
{こういう明るい人を見ていると、余計に暗くなりそうだ。}
[And looking at someone this cheerful only makes me feel even worse.]
"..."
{私は前向きな人が苦手だが, だいたい先方も私を嫌う.}
[I'm not good at dealing with positive people, and they generally don't like me very]
{距離を置きやすくていい.}
[much either. It'll be easy to put some distance between us.]
{男と目が合う。}
[The man finally noticed me.]
Ace: {"君は？見ない顔だね."}
["And you are...? I've never seen your face before."]
Maid B: {"この方は、宰相閣下のお客人です.}
["She is a guest of the Prime Minister.]
{おもてなしするよう仰せつかっております."}
[We have orders to give her a warm reception."]
Alice: {私が問われたのに、メイド達が答えてしまう。}
[Even though he was addressing me, the maid answered before I had a chance.]
{それはそれで都合がよく、流せるものなら流してしまいたかったが、}
[Not that I mind. She summed up my circumstances well enough, and I'd rather not]
{エースは私の挨拶を待っているようだ。}
[speak if I don't have to. But, Ace still seemed to be waiting on my response.]
Ace: {"ペーターさんのお客さん？珍しいなあ……."}
["Peter has a visitor? That's unusual..."]
Alice: {じろじろと私を見る。}
[He stared at me with uncertainty.]
{メイドの説明だけでは足りなかったらしい。}
[I guess the maid's explanation wasn't enough.]
{もっと詳しく知りたいという思惑を隠しもしない。}
[He wasn't hiding the fact that he wanted to hear more.]
{"……私は、アリス＝リデル。よろしく、エースさん."}
["... My name is Alice Liddel. Nice to meet you, Mister Ace, sir."]
{メイド達が敬称をつけていた。この人はそれなりの身分の人なんだろう。}
[The maids referred to him as 'Master Ace', so he must be a man of decent
social standing.]
{服装からも、一般の兵士とは別格なのだと知れる。}
[From his attire alone, I can tell he's more than just an average soldier.]
{無礼に当たらない程度に素っ気なく自己紹介する。}
[I introduce myself carefully, as to avoid insulting him.]
{あまり話したくないし、話しこめばおそらく相手をも不快にさせてしまう。}
[It would probably only make things uncomfortable if I say any more, anyway.]
Ace: {"よろしく！俺はエース."}
["Nice to meet you! My name's Ace."]
Alice: "...
{……ども、エースさん."}
[... Hello, Mister Ace."]
{（いや、だから、先刻もエースさんって言ってるでしょう。}
[(I just said his name. And the maids have said it multiple times.]
{重複して名乗る必要はないのよ……）}
[He didn't need to repeat it...)]
{私は嫌なやつなので、苦手な相手だと粗探しまでしてしまう。}
[I'm so awful. I'm always finding fault in other people for no reason.]
{こういう人と話していると、自分の嫌なところがむき出しになる。}
[Talking to someone like this always brings my worst points to the surface.]
{だから、尚のこと嫌いになるのだ。}
[Which only makes me hate him all the more. I just want to take my anger]
{八つ当たり気味だが、自分の卑屈さが見えるから嫌う。}
[out on him, because he makes me see my own meanness all the more clearly.]
Ace: {"エースだって! アリス."}
["I said Ace, Alice!"]
Alice: {"名前はもう伺いましたけど?"}
["I just said your name, didn't I?"]
Ace: {"エース。さん付けは取ってくれよ?}
["No 'Mister'. Just Ace."]
{君みたいな女の子にエースさんなんて言われるの、なんだか変な感じだ."}
[It feels weird for a young girl like you to call me Mister."]
Alice: {"でも… 彼女達はエース様って言っているわ。私もそう呼んだほうがいい?"}
["Sorry... I thought that would be better, since the maids were treating you so highly. What would you rather be called? Sir Ace?"]
{呆れて、話し方を崩す。}
[I was so caught off guard, all the subtlety in my speech was gone.]
{どれくらいの地位の人かは知らないが,}
[I don't know what kind of title he has, but it's not very likely]
{呼び捨てにするような身分でもなさそうだ.}
[that he's in the kind of position where people would refer to him without honorifics.]
{それに、そんなにフレンドリーな関係になりたくない。}
[Besides, I'm not interested in getting that friendly with him.]
Ace: {"よしてくれよ！エースさんより、更に酷い...}
["Please don't! That's even worse than Mister...]
{……なあ?"}
[... Don't you think?"]
Alice: {エースは、メイド達に同意を求めた。}
[Ace looked to the maids for agreement.]
Maid A: {"わたくし達は、使用人ですから."}
["We are no more than servants."]
Maid B: {"敬称をおつけするのは当然のことですわ、エース様."}
["It is only natural that we use honorifics when speaking with you, Master Ace."]
Alice: {メイド達はそ知らぬ顔ですます。}
[The maids avoided the question.]
{（私もそうしたい……）}
[(I should follow their example...)]
{だが、私と彼女達とでは立場が違う。}
[But, sadly, the maids and I aren't in the same position.]
Ace: {"エース様って呼ぶな.}
["Stop calling me Master.]
{……って、何度言っても聞いてくれないよな。いいかげん、慣れたぜ。はあ..."}
[... Tch, you never listen, no matter how many times I ask. I guess it doesn't matter, I'm used to it. Hah...]
Alice: {"ふ……"}
["Hehe..."]
{うんざりした様子が面白い。少しばかり優しい気分になる。}
[It's kind of funny to see him admit defeat. It's at least lightened the mood a little.]
{無意識のうちに、小さな笑いが漏れた。}
[I let out a small laugh without even realizing.]
{"私はここの使用人じゃないから、敬称はよしておくわ。エース."}
["Since I don't work here, I guess I don't have to use honorifics with you. Ace."]
Ace: {"！助かるよ。お客さんにまでエース様なんて呼ばれちゃ堪らない.}
["Oh-! I've been spared~. I couldn't bear it if the guest was going to be so formal
with me, too.]
{ありがとう、アリス。君はいい子だね."}
[Thanks, Alice. You seem like a good girl."]
Alice: {（いい子……）}
[(A good girl...)]
{"私、いい子って言われるのは好きじゃない."}
["I don't like being called a good girl."]
{下手に好かれても困る。冷たく応じた。}
[My response was cold. I never know how to deal with people when they say things like that.]
{素っ気なく言ったのに、エースは堪えもせずきょとんと私を見返した。}
[But, at my harsh reply, Ace just stared at me in confusion.]
{失礼な態度をとる私を責めもせず、どうして？というような顔をしている。}
[I don't understand. Rather than persecuting me for my rude behaviour, it was as if he just wanted to ask 'why'?]
{（……ああもう、参るわ）}
[(... Ugh, I give up.)]
{素直で、分かりやすい。いい子なのは、この人だ。}
[He's so honest and easy to read. A genuinely nice guy.]
{そして、私はいい子が嫌い。}
[And, I hate nice guys.]
{"嫌いなの."}
["I hate..."]
{あなたみたいな人が。口の中で呟く。}
[People like you. I grumble under my breath.]
Ace: {"そっか……}
["I see...]
{...嫌な呼び方しちゃってごめんな? 言わないよう気をつけるから許してくれよ."}
[... I'm sorry for calling you something you didn't like. I'll be careful not to say it again, so I hope you'll excuse the mistake."]
Alice: {エースは、何の躊躇いもなく謝罪する。}
[Ace apologizes with no hesitation.]
"..."
{呆れた。}
[I'm stunned.]
{（本当にいい人なんだわ、この人……）}
[(This guy really is a good person...)]
{エースが謝る必要なんて、まるでない。その必要があるとしたら、私のほうだ。}
[There was nothing for him to be sorry for. If anything, I should be the one apologizing.]
{態度も悪いし、なんの非もないのにエースを嫌っている。}
[I'm terrible. I have no reason to hate Ace.]
{つんけんしていて、最悪だ。自分が恥ずかしくなってくる。}
[I can't believe I'm this unsociable. I'm ashamed of myself.]
{"こちらこそ……その..."}
["I'm sorry too... that..."]
{急にもじもじしてしまう。なんだろう。}
[I don't know why I suddenly feel so nervous.]
{なんだって、そんなにむきになって苦手意識を出してしまったんだろう。}
[Why am I making it so obvious that I'm not used to dealing with things like this?]
{子供っぽい振舞いだ。}
[I feel like a child.]
{"訳のわからない因縁をつけちゃって..."}
["There was no reason for me to say that to you..."]
Ace: {"? いいって、いいって.}
["Huh? It's okay, don't worry about it.]
{君だって、俺がエース様なんて呼んでほしくないって言ったら聞いてくれた}
[After all, you listened when I said I didn't want you to call me Mister Ace, didn't you?]
{じゃないか。俺も気を遣うべきだったよな."}
[I should give you the same consideration."]
Alice: {（……っあ～～～～）}
[(... Aah...)]
{（ウザくなるほどいい人だわ。申し訳ないけど、素直に謝れない……）}
[(He's such a good person it's annoying. I'm sorry, but I could never apologize
so meekly to everything...)]
{前向きで明るくて、おおらか。その上、鈍い。}
[This is a kind, pleasant, open-minded man. But dense above all else.]
{私の嫌いなタイプの典型だ。自分が悪いのに、謝る気になれない。}
[A perfect example of the type of guy I hate most. Even though I know I'm a
bad person, I don't feel like I should have to apologize for it.]
Ace: {"さて、と。久しぶりの我が家だ。部屋に戻って寛ぐか."}
["Well then~. It's been such a long time since I've been home. I should relax in my room
for a bit."]
* Ace turns to leave
Alice: {そう言って、エースはすたすた歩き出す。}
[With that said, Ace briskly started to walk away.]
Maid A: {"……エース様."}
["... Master Ace."]
Maid B: {"……ご自分のお部屋でしたら、反対ですわ."}
["... If you wish to return to your room, it would be the other way."]
Ace: {"ん？あれ?}
["Hm? What?]
{でも、俺の部屋って南の端だったはずだぜ?"}
[But I thought my room was in the South Wing?"]
Alice: {呼び止められて振り返ったエースは、きょとんとして進行方向を指差す。}
[Ace looked over his shoulder at us, and pointed down the hall in the direction]
{メイドは二人揃って肩を落とした。}
[he was facing. Both of the maids' shoulders sunk in unison.]
Maid A: {"…………南は、あちらです."}
["... The South Wing is that way."]
Maid B: {"お進みの方向は北東ですわ..."}
["You are heading Northeast..."]
Alice: {メイドが指差した方向に目を向けるエース。}
[Ace turned his gaze to where the maid was pointing.]
{ぽん、と手を打ちそうな勢いで顎を引いた。}
[In a snap, he spun on his heels.]
Ace: {"おお！そっかそっか！迂闊だったな."}
["O~h~! Got it, got it! I guess I wasn't paying attention."]
Alice: {（迂闊、ですむ誤差？まったくの別方向じゃないの……）}
[('Wasn't paying attention'? He was going the complete opposite direction...)]
Maid A: {"…………ご案内いたしましょうか?"}
["... Would you like us to escort you?"]
Maid B: {"また、城内で遭難なさると厄介ですし..."}
["It would be no trouble, since it is within the castle..."]
Ace: {"いいよ、君らも仕事があるだろ？}
["It's fine. You guys have your own jobs to handle, right?]
{ペーターさんの命令を後回しになんかしたら、後が怖いぜ?}
[It would be scary to deal with Peter later if he hears you didn't finish your work.]
{旅で焦ると、ろくなことない。俺はのんびり行くさ."}
[Besides, I'm not in any rush. I'd rather take my time, and make the most of the
journey."]
* Ace starts walking again
Alice: {自分の家（城？）の敷地内に入っても、彼の旅は終わっていないらしい。}
[Even though he's in his own home (castle?), his 'journey' isn't finished yet?]
{特に挨拶もないので、そのまま見送る。}
[Since we hadn't had much of an introduction, I decided it was better to see him
off without asking.]
Ace: {"あ、そうだ、アリス."}
["Oh, that's right. Alice."]
Alice: {"なに?"}
["What is it?"]
{去り際、彼は振り向いてにっと笑った。}
[Just as he was about to leave, Ace looked back over his shoulder with a smile.]
{少年のような笑い方をする人だ。同じ城の重職でも、ペーターとは大分違う。}
[He smiles brightly, like a little boy. He may be an official in the same castle, but he is considerably different than Peter.]
Ace: {"俺は、君みたいな子、嫌いじゃないぜ."}
["I don't hate girls like you."]
Alice: "...?"
Ace: {"好きなタイプだ。だから、俺のこと嫌わないでほしいな."}
["I like your type. So, I hope you don't hate me."]
Alice: "...
Huh...!?"
{かっと頬が熱くなる。好きなタイプだと言われたことに対してではない。}
[I could feel my cheeks turn bright red. But it wasn't because he called me his type.]
{（……気付かれていたんだわ）}
[(... It was because he knew.)]
{彼は気付いていたのだ。}
[He knew all this time. When I made such a fuss over being]
{私が「嫌い」だと言ったのは、いい子だという表現ではなくエースに対して。}
[called a good girl earlier, he knew that my anger was really directed at him.]
{この人はちゃんと気付いていた。前向きで明るくて、おおらか。}
[This is a kind, pleasant, open-minded man. Who is fully aware of his surroundings.]
{私の嫌いなタイプの人間. でも、鈍くはない.}
[I still don't like people like him. But, he's not dense.]
{こういったタイプは総じて鈍いものと思っていたが、}
[I always thought this kind of person was just thick-headed,]
{彼はそれに当てはまらなかったようだ。}
[but at the very least, that standard doesn't apply to him.]
{エースは、私が頬を赤らめているのを見て優しい目をした。}
[Ace looked at my blushing cheeks with gentle eyes.]
* Ace turns to leave
{そのまま去ってしまう。}
[Then left without another word.]
{彼が悪いわけではない。けれど、馬鹿にされたような気がした。}
[It isn't his fault, but I feel like an idiot.]
{錯覚だ。彼の目には裏表がなかった。}
[It's all in my head. There was no hidden meaning to that look.]
{これは、私が自分で勝手に……。}
[I'm just being deluded...]
Maid A: {"ご案内しますわ."}
["Allow us to escort you."]
Maid B: {"そう指示されておりますので."}
["We have been instructed to do so."]
* The maids’ footsteps echo in the hall
Alice: {エースが去ると、メイド達はなにごともなかったように廊下を歩き始める。}
[As soon as Ace disappeared from the corridor, the maids began walking as if nothinghad happened.]
{"え……？あ、はいはい...}
["Huh...? Uh, yes, right...]
{お願いします..."}
[Please do..."]
=================== SECOND CHOICE ==========================
Alice: {ペーターは, 城に向かった.もう会いたくないので, 庭を散策してみることにする.}
[Peter was heading to the castle. I'd rather not run into him again, so I think I'll
just wander the garden for now.]
{場所を変えてもいいのだが、}
[I'm not against checking out other locations,]
{ここまで歩いて来て何もしないというのも腹立たしい。}
[I'd just be upset if I walked all this way for nothing.]
{"あいつって……。好きになれない……"}
["I could never... come to like a man like him..."]
{好きになる必要もない。}
[I don't need to like him either.]
{だが、二度も会うところをみると彼はこの夢の中での重要人物だ。}
[But, if I keep seeing him around my dream, he must be someone important.]
{夢なのだし、美形なのだから、大目にみてやればいい。}
[He's got the handsome face of someone that could only be imaginary, so he's not]
{拉致されたりキスをされたり、目の前で人を撃ち殺したことくらい……}
[hard on the eyes. It's just the kidnapping, forced kissing, and shooting people to
death...]
{"……好きになるほうが難しいわよね."}
["... It would be problematic if I fell for such an awful person."]
{早々に諦める。あんな人に好意を持てたら持てたで、}
[I quickly abandoned the thought. If I ever came to care about someone like him,]
{自分の正気を疑いそうだ。}
[I'd doubt my own sanity.]
{今でさえ、お城を夢見るような自分にうんざりしている。}
[I'm already fed up with seeing this castle as it is.]
{これ以上、自分の頭の構造を疑いたくもない。}
[I don't want to question what's going on in my head any more than I already am.]
"..."
{目的地もなく歩いていると、それほど距離を感じない。}
[Now that I'm walking without a destination, I don't really feel the distance.]
{焦らなくてもいい。こういう時間は好きだ。}
[I like having time like this. It's nice not having to rush.]
???: {"あれ？見かけない子だな."}
["Huh? I've never seen you before."]
Alice: "?"
{ふらふら庭を散策していると、兵士達と異なる服装をした男性に会った。}
[As I wandered aimlessly through the garden, I encountered another man. He's
dressed differently than the soldiers from earlier.]
{異なるものの、城の関係者らしい服だ。デザインが似ている。}
[He's clearly still related to the castle, though. The design is consistent.]
{（これは……、職務質問されているの？）}
[(Is this going to be... like police questioning?)]
{兵士達とは何度かすれ違ったものの、}
[I'd passed by many soldiers as I walked, and none seemed to pay me any mind,]
{素通りされたので自由に行き来していい場所だと思っていた。}
[so I assumed this place must be open to the public.]
{声をかけられたということは、いつのまにか関係者以外立ち入り禁止の場所}
[But if I'm being called out for something, maybe I've entered a restricted]
{に入り込んでしまったのかもしれない。}
[area without realizing.]
{"こんにちは。あの、私、不審者というわけではなくて..."}
["Good morning. Um, I'm sorry, I hope I don't seem suspicious..."]
{勝手に入り込んできた負い目がある分、言い訳もし辛い。}
[Since I walked in without thinking, I feel obliged to explain myself.]
{男性は、急かすでもなく話を聞いてくれる。}
[I don't know what to say, but the man doesn't press me to continue. He just
listens.]
{ウサギ耳もついていない、まともな人だ。}
[He seems like a normal person. He doesn't have rabbit ears, at least. My first]
{ペーターとはいい意味で違った人だが、この場においてはやりにくい。}
[impression of him is already better than Peter, but this situation is still
intimidating.]
{不法侵入した、うまい言い訳が思いつかない。}
[It's not like I have a good excuse to be trespassing.]
{（この夢, 現実的すぎるわ. 夢なんだから, どこでもフリーパスでいいじゃない）}
[(This dream is too realistic. Shouldn't I be allowed to go wherever I want?)]
{"あ... え～と、私、馬鹿ウサギ……いえ、ペーター＝ホワイトの知り合いなの."}
["Uh... Well, I'm an acquaintance of the stupid rabb--... Er, Peter White."]
???: {"ペーター＝ホワイト!?}
["Peter White!?]
{ペーターさんの友達なのか？君が???}
[A friend of Peter's? You???"]
Alice: {嘘だろうという感じで驚かれる。}
[He seems so surprised, he must think I'm lying.]
{「あの人、普通の友達なんていたんだ……」と、}
[I could hear him mumble to himself 'He's friends with someone this normal?',]
{ぽつりと呟かれた言葉がやけにリアルで怖い。}
[but, he said it so doubtfully that it honestly scared me.]
{奴は、どうやら同僚にも普通じゃないという目で見られているらしい。}
[At least this man seems to recognize the abnormality of his colleagues.]
{私と同じ認識の人がいてよかった。}
[I'm glad there's someone I can relate to around here.]
???: {"……あ！違うんだ!}
["... Oh! Sorry!]
{あの人はもてるけど、女の子の友達なんていなさそうっていうかさ、}
[He's a well-known man, it's just that he doesn't have many female friends.]
{普通の友達自体いなさそうっていうかさ...}
[He doesn't have many friends at all...]
{だって、ペーターさんってすごく意地悪いんだぜ？}
[After all, Peter is a pretty cruel man, isn't he?]
{この間も……。ああ、悪い意味じゃないんだっ."}
[Just the other day, he--... ...Ah, sorry, I hope you don't take this the wrong way."]
Alice: {彼はおたおたと弁解するが、どう聞いても悪い意味にしかとれない。}
[Flustered, he tries to defend himself, but I don't think the things he said can be
taken any other way.]
{"私も、友達というわけでは……。ただの知り合いよ."}
["I'm not his friend, either... Just an acquaintance ."]
???: {"やっぱり."}
["Thought so."]
Alice: {なんだか言葉に実感がこもっている。}
[His tone made it feel like he genuinely cared.]
???: {"で？君は、ペーターさんを訪ねてきたのか?}
["So? Did you come to pay Peter a visit then?]
{彼がいるとしたら、謁見室じゃないかな。宰相クラスのくせに}
[If he's around, he's probably in the Audience Chamber.]
{遅刻や欠席ばかりだから、女王陛下にこっぴどく叱られているはずだ.}
[The Prime Minister has a tendency to be late or absent, so there's a good chance he's getting another reprimand from the Queen.]
{...叱られたからって堪えやしないから、}
[... But, he never really takes any of the scolding to heart,]
{それ自体が時間の無駄だと思うんだけどな."}
[so the entire thing is just a waste of time, I think."]
Alice: {"宰相？あの人が!?"}
["Prime Minister? Him!?"]
{さらりと言われた言葉に耳を疑う。}
[I doubt my ears at the nonchalant way this man spoke about it.]
{私のほうも初対面の相手にする態度ではないが、構わず、大声を上げた。}
[I know that I should be more restrained when I'm meeting someone for the first]
{元より夢の中の登場人物に遠慮する気はあまり起こらない。}
[time, but I raised my voice regardless. He's just another character in my head, so I'm not worried about etiquette.]
{"見えない!!! あんなのが宰相だったら、政治なんて成り立たないでしょう!?"}
["I can't see that at all!!! If that's your Prime Minister, how do you even have a
functioning government!?"]
???: {"俺もそう思うけど."}
["I feel the same way, but..."]
Alice: {"いつもあんな調子なら、誰だってそう思うでしょうよ."}
["If he always acts like that, I don't see why anyone would disagree."]
???: {"でも、あの人、すごく頭がよくてすごく強いんだぜ."}
["But, he's still a really smart guy, and definitely capable."]
Alice: {少し砕けた話し方になる。この人とは、打ち解けられそうだ。}
[His manner of speaking feels a bit more casual now. I don't think I have to be so
on guard.]
{"すごく性格悪そうだけどね."}
["His personality is still awful though."]
???: {"ははっ、よくはないんじゃないかな."}
["Haha~, yeah, he's not very good in that department."]
Alice: {顔を見合わせて、くくっと笑う。}
[We look at one another and laugh.]
{よかった。この世界では性格と口の悪い人しかいないのかと思った。}
[I'm glad. I thought this world was made up entirely of people with bad attitudes. ]
{この人は話しやすい。}
[But this one is so easy to talk to.]
Ace: {"俺は、エース。ハートの城の騎士だ。君は?"}
["I'm Ace, by the way. Knight of the Castle of Hearts. And you are?"]
Alice: {"騎士！いかにもそんな感じね.}
["A knight! You definitely suit the position.]
{私は、アリス＝リデル……余所者らしいわ."}
[My name is Alice Liddel... I guess I'm an Outsider."]
{それでユリウスに大騒ぎされたので、一応自己紹介に付け加える。}
[After the uproar Julius made about it, I felt like I should add that to my
introduction.]
{余所者。なんだか嫌な響きだが、この国の住人ではない。}
[Outsider. I don't like how it sounds, but it is true that I'm not a resident of this
place.]
{エースは、僅かに驚いた様子を見せた。}
[Ace seems a bit shocked to hear it, too.]
Ace: {"余所者？じゃ、君は外の世界の人なのか.}
["An Outsider? Then, you're not from this world?]
{……ユリウスが大騒ぎするだろうな."}
[... Julius is gonna have a fit."]
Alice: {"！ユリウスを知っているの!?"}
["...! You know Julius!?"]
{今度はこちらが驚く番だ。勢い込んで問い返す。}
[Now it's my turn to be surprised. Then he asked the question back to me.]
Ace: {"え？君こそ、ユリウスを知っているのか?"}
[Huh? Do you know Julius?"]
Alice: {"先刻、会ったところよ。ここに来てから、すぐ...}
["I met him a little while ago. Right after I first came here...]
{あなた、知り合いなの?"}
[Are you two acquaintance s?"]
Ace: {"友達だよ。最近会ってないんだけど、元気にしていた?"}
["We're friends! But, I haven't visited in a while. Is he doing alright?"]
Alice: {この青年とユリウスが友達。意外と納得できる。}
[I didn't expect a pleasant young man like this to be friends with Julius. But, it
makes a surprising amount of sense.]
{あれだけ偏屈そうな人だと、}
[With a cranky guy like that,]
{おおらかで心の広い人でなければとても友達になれまい。}
[it would take someone with a big heart to want to stay his friend.]
{そして、ユリウスと友達になれるくらいおおらかで心の広い人に、「}
[So, hearing someone with this level of kindness say]
{普通の友達がいなさそう」と言わせるペーターは相当なものだ。}
[I'm too normal to be a friend of Peter's is welcome.]
{"そんなに長くいたわけじゃないから詳しい様子までは分からないけど、}
["I didn't stay very long, so I can't say much,]
{元気そうだったわ.}
[but, he seemed well.]
{追い出されちゃったけど、比較的親切にしてくれた."}
[He kicked me out, but otherwise, he was relatively considerate."]
Ace: {"女の子を追い出したのか……。まったく……。でも、あいつらしいや.}
["He kicked out a girl...? Good grief... But, seems like him.]
{不健康な生活をしてるんだよなあ……}
[The way he lives is just so unhealthy...]
{時計ばかりいじって、時計塔から出やしない."}
[All he ever does is fiddle with watches, and he never leaves the Clocktower."]
Alice: {"住み込みで仕事をしているのよね？いかにも職人というふうだったわ。}
["He has a live-in job, right? He definitely felt like a craftsman.]
{仕事熱心そう."}
[He was really keen to get back to work."]
Ace: {"熱心どころか、生活のすべてといっても過言じゃない。あいつときたら……"}
["The word keen doesn't do him justice. It wouldn't be exaggerating to say that his job is his life. That guy really is--..."]
Alice: {共通の知人を得たことで、エースと私は一気に打ち解けた。}
[Having a mutual friend to talk about instantly relieved any tension between]
{エースは気さくな人だったし、私は私で癒しに飢えていた。}
[Ace and I. He was so light-hearted, it made me realize just how starved I was for someone to comfort me.]
{夢の世界に来て以来、最悪のキスをされたり目の前で銃殺事件が}
[Ever since I came to this world, all I've had is a terrible kiss and the unthinkable]
{あったりとろくなことがない。……主に、ペーター＝ホワイトのせいだ。}
[experience of watching someone be gunned down before my eyes... All thanks to Peter White.]
{"私、ペーターに拉致されてこの国に連れて来られたの."}
["The only reason I'm even here is because Peter kidnapped me."]
Ace: {"ら、拉致……。我が国の宰相閣下は相変わらずとんでもないな...}
["K-Kidnapped... I hate the fact that our country's own Prime Minister could
do something that outrageous...]
{...何かされなかった?}
[... He didn't do anything to you, did he? I never]
{女の子に不逞を働くような人ではなかったはずだけど..."}
[seen him as the kind of person to do something unlawful to a woman, but..."]
Alice: {"え……？え～と..."}
["Huh...? Well..."]
{されたといえば、された。それはもう、バッチリと。}
[He definitely did things. Ace isn't far off.]
{不逞を働くというと、もっとえげつないニュアンスだが、}
[But the way he says 'unlawful' has a more vulgar nuance than necessary.]
{強引なキス（というのかどうか）だって充分に責められてしかるべき行為だ。}
[Still, that forceful kiss (if you can call it that), should be more than enough to
condemn him on.]
Ace: {"...されたの?"}
["... What did he do?"]
Alice: {エースの目が鋭くなった。}
[Ace's eyes turned sharp.]
Ace: {"女の子に不埒な真似をするなんて最低だ。いくら宰相でも..."}
["Anyone who would harm a young woman is unforgivable. He might be
Prime Minister, but..."]
Alice: {"さ、されてない。たいしたことは..."}
["H-He didn't do anything. It's not a big deal..."]
Ace: {"...本当?"}
["... You're sure?"]
Alice: {エースは騎士の名に恥じぬ高潔な人のようだ。}
[Ace seems like a virtuous person, honourably wearing his title as Knight.]
{しかし、残念なことに、私は守られてきゃあきゃあ言うタイプではない。}
[But, sadly, I'm not the type to whine and hope for someone else's protection.]
{騎士に守られるなんて、白馬の王子様よりはマシかもしれないが}
[Having my honour defended by a knight might be more bearable than Prince]
{同じくらいにメルヘンだ。勘弁してほしい。}
[Charming riding in on a white horse, but it's still just a fairy tale. I hope he
understands.]
{"ええ、本当."}
["Yes, I'm sure."]
Ace: {"……君がそう言うなら、いいけど.}
["... If you say so, then alright.]
{あの人、美形だもんな..."}
[I get it though. He's an attractive guy, so..."]
Alice: {"いやいや、ペーターの顔はいいけど、顔がどうのという問題ではなくてね…"}
["No no, I admit, Peter's got a nice face, but I'm not trying to cover for him
because of that or anything..."]
{顔がいいのは事実だが、その他は崩壊している。}
[He is a good-looking man, but everything falls apart outside of that.]
{なんだか、エースに誤解されている気がした。}
[I feel like Ace is misunderstanding a bit.]
Ace: {"結果的に合意に至ったのならいいんだ。深くは聞かないよ."}
["As long as you both came to a consensual agreement, then it's not my business. I won't pry any further."]
Alice: {"間違いなく、誤解している。しかも、嫌～な方向に."}
["You are without a doubt misinterpreting the situation. In a really bad way, too."]
{……エース、あなた、壮絶な誤解をしているわ。}
[... Ace, you have gotten this confused on a massive scale.]
{乱暴されたとかそういったことはなくって……}
[Peter was rough with me, but not that kind of 'rough'...]
Ace: {"いいって。俺はそんなに野暮じゃないぜ.}
["I said it's fine. I'm not so presumptuous that I'm going to keep pressing it.]
{いろんな関係があるよな。}
[There are all kinds of relationships out there.]
{俺にはよく分からないけど、納得の上ならそういうのもアリだと思う."}
[Just because I don't understand it myself, doesn't mean there's anything wrong
with it, as long as there's consent."]
Alice: {私にもよく分からないし、個人的にそういうのはナシだと思う。}
[I don't understand it either, and personally, I think it's unacceptable.]
{（理解を示せるあたり、騎士といえども男だな……）}
[(Even though I know he's trying to be sympathetic, this knight still has his mind
in the gutter like a man...)]
{"...基本的に, ここの住人はどいつもこいつも人の話を聞いてくれないわよね."}
["... I guess it's just the norm that people around here don't listen, no matter who
they are."]
{弁明するのも面倒だ。}
[It's too much trouble trying to explain myself.]
{ペーターには貸しがあるの。あんなのが宰相だっていうなら、}
[Peter owes me a debt. If he's really the Prime Minister as you say,]
{ちゃんと責任をとって私をもてなしてよ."}
[then I suppose it's your responsibility to escort me to him."]
{なんだか、この夢を見始めてから、}
[This is all so mundane compared to when I first entered this dream.]
{素が出すぎている気がする。投げやりなのとは、少し違う。}
[I feel like I'm starting to give up on my good-natured behaviour completely.]
{すごく楽だ。嘘をつかなくていいし、お行儀のいい子に見せ掛けなくていい。}
[And it's comfortable. I don't have to lie, or act like a good little girl anymore.]
{いずれ覚める夢だから、}
[Since I'm going to wake up eventually, I don't have to worry about]
{その後の影響や誰かからの評価を気にしなくてもいい。気分がいい。}
[things like consequences, or people's opinions of me after the fact. It feels good.]
Ace: {"……いいよ。同僚が働いた無礼は、連帯責任だ。挽回しないとな."}
["... That's fine. If one of my colleagues has treated you inappropriately, then I
take it as my responsibility to restore the situation."]
Alice: {エースは、友達だというユリウス以上に親切で、その上律儀な男だった。}
[Ace is a far more considerate and sincere man than his friend Julius.]
{つまり、とってもいい人だ. この無茶苦茶な世界にも、まともな人はいるらしい.}
[He's so clearly a good person. Even in this absurd world, I'm happy to know
there's at least one decent human.]
{それに、ウサギ耳もついていない。この人が、とても格好よく見えてきた。}
[Moreover, he doesn't have rabbit ears. He's actually a pretty attractive guy.]
{騎士様様だ. しかも, 宰相を同僚というからにはこの人の階級も高いのだろう.}
[Considering that he has a distinguished title like knight, and the way he refers to
Peter as a colleague, he must be someone with incredible social standing.]
{いい人で、身分も高い。そういう人は大好きだ。}
[Good-natured, high-class. I think I could really like this person.]
{是非ともお近付きになって、便宜をはかってもらいたい。}
[By all means, I should make his acquaintance. It will certainly be beneficial to
have him on my side.]
{"ユリウスが言うには、}
["Julius was telling me that, if I find a suitable]
{この国で適当に人と交流すれば適当な時期に適当な感じで戻れるらしいわ."}
[person to spend a bit of time with, I'll be able to leave this country."]
{そういう設定の夢らしい。}
[It certainly seems like a rule made up in a dream. But, I know I'll wake]
{適当に過ごしても目は覚めるだろうが、暇なので従っておく。}
[up regardless, so there's no harm in going along with it since I have the time.]
Ace: {"時間の番人であるユリウスが言うならそうなんだろう。}
["Julius is the Keeper of Time. If he said so, then it must be true.]
{それなら、城に滞在するといいよ."}
[If it'll help, you're welcome to stay at the castle for a while."]
Alice: {"城に？いいの?"}
["The castle? Are you sure that's okay?"]
{関係のない人をお城に住まわせるなんて、普通に考えればありえない話だ。}
[I can't imagine that someone completely unrelated would just be allowed to live
in the castle like that.]
Ace: {"だって、君はペーターさんの知り合いで、俺とも知り合いだ."}
["Of course. After all, you're an acquaintance of Peter. And you're an acquaintance of mine now, too."]
Alice: {にっと笑う顔は、清々しい。}
[His smiling face is refreshing.]
{ペーターのにやにや笑いを見た後だから、特にそう思う。}
[Especially when I compare it to the thought of Peter's deceitful grins.]
{"あなたとは、知り合いじゃなくて友達になりたいわ."}
["In your case, I think I'd like to be friends, rather than acquaintances."]
{互いに微笑み合い、共に庭を歩き出す。}
[We smile at each other as we proceed through the garden side-by-side.]
{雑談をしながらぶらつくと、広い庭でもたいして歩いている気がしない。}
[Wandering along is so much better with our idle chatter. I don't think the walk
will feel as long now, even in this vast garden.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{しかし、いくら楽しい時間は短いといっても、歩き回れば足も痛くなる。}
[But then, even if this time has been enjoyable, my feet were bound to start
hurting before long.]
{（まったく、余計なことだけがリアルな夢だわ）}
[(Seriously, why is it that only the most mundane things are realistic in this
dream?)]
{現実的でないこととしては、歩き回っている間に二回も時間帯が変わった。}
[Even just while we've been walking, the time of day has changed twice.]
{昼から夜に、そしてまた昼へ。}
[From day to night, then back to day.]
{"ねえ、エース。そろそろ、城へ向かわない?}
["Hey, Ace. Can we head to the castle soon?]
{私、ちょっと疲れちゃったわ。足を休めたい."}
[I'm getting a bit tired. I'd like to rest my feet."]
Ace: {"え？何を言ってるんだ。先刻からずっと城に向かっているぜ?"}
["Huh? What do you mean? We've been heading to the castle this entire time."]
Alice: {"え？そっちこそ、何を言っているの..."}
["Huh? No, we definitely haven't. What are you talking about...?"]
{明らかに、私達は同じ場所をぐるぐる回っている。}
[We've obviously just been walking laps of the same place.]
{この庭は英国式の庭園によくあるように迷路に似せた造りになっているが、}
[This style of garden is popular in England. It may be structured like a maze,]
{それほど複雑ではない。人を迷わすほどの造りにはなっていない。}
[but it isn't that complex. It's clearly not designed to really get people lost.]
{城へ向かうのなら、方向が違う。}
[If we were heading to the castle, we'd be going the other way. Ace took the]
{エースは率先して、反対方向へ行こうとしている。}
[initiative to lead, and has been heading the opposite direction this whole time.]
{散策に付き合ってくれているのだと思っていたが……。}
[I thought he just wanted to wander so we could talk...]
Ace: {"君も迷子になっていたんだろう?"}
["I guess you must have lost the way too then, huh?"]
Alice: {"いいえ？私は迷ってなんかいなかったわよ."}
["No? I'm not lost at all."]
{（……君も？）}
[(... Too?)]
{"エースは……、迷子になっていたの?"}
["Ace... are you lost?"]
Ace: {"もちろんだ。俺が迷わない道はない。どんな道でも、あまねく迷える."}
["Of course I am. There's no way I wouldn't have gotten lost. No matter where I
go, I always have a hard time finding my way."]
Alice: {騎士様は、堂々と言い切った。}
[The Knight states proudly.]
"...
{……あなた、ここに住んでいるのよね?"}
[... You live here, don't you?"]
Ace: {"ああ、職場兼住居だ."}
["That's right. It's both my workplace and home."]
Alice: {"……それで迷子?"}
["... And you're lost?"]
Ace: {"俺は、どこだって迷えるぜ。知らない道でも迷うが、知ってる道でも迷う.}
["I can get lost anywhere. I lose my way just as well on familiar routes, as I do on
routes I've never taken.]
{ユリウスとたまにしか会えないのもそのせいなんだ。}
[That's why I only visit Julius every once in a while.]
{時計塔に着くまで２００回くらいは時間帯が変わってしまう.}
[It takes about 200 time-changes to reach the Clocktower from here.]
{そんな俺が、この迷路みたいな庭で迷わなかったらおかしいよ。}
[For me, it'd be strange if I didn't get lost in this labyrinth of a garden.]
{どうやって城に戻ったらいいのか、さっぱり分からない."}
[Frankly, I don't have the slightest idea of how to get to the castle from here."]
Alice: {ものすごく堂々と、言い切る。}
[He says all of this with a concerning amount of confidence.]
{ちなみに私の場合は、時計塔から城の庭園に着くまで時間帯は}
[By comparison, I made it from the Clocktower to the castle garden without]
{一度も変わらなかった。道に迷うこともなかった。}
[having the time change even once. There's no way anyone could get lost.]
{……一本道だったから。}
[... It's a straight road.]
"...
{念のために聞いておくと、最近この城に引っ越してきたとかじゃないのよね?"}
[I'm asking just to be sure, but, you haven't moved into this castle recently, have
you?"]
Ace: {"俺は, ずっとこの城に住んでるぜ？でも, 戻ってこれることがほとんどないから,}
["I've lived in this castle forever. But, I almost never make it back home.]
{生活の大部分は放浪して過ごしてるけどね.}
[I've been wandering for most of my life.]
{今回、城の庭まで戻れたのも３１７時間帯ぶりだ。}
[This time, I made it back to the garden in only 317 periods.]
{運がよければ、あと３０回くらい時間帯が変わる頃には城内に入れるだろ."}
[With some luck, I should be able to reach the castle in 30-or-so more."]
Alice: {足がずきずきしてくる。そして、頭もずきずきしてくる。}
[My feet were already throbbing with pain, but now my head is too.]
{この人は、間違いなくペーター＝ホワイトの同僚だ。}
[I have no doubt that this guy is an associate of Peter's after all.]
{"...足も痛いし、そんなに待っていられないから、私が先導してもいいかしら."}
["... I'd rather not wait that long since my legs are already sore. Is it alright if I
take the lead?"]
Ace: {"そいつは助かる。ありがとう、アリス.}
["That'd be a big help. Thanks, Alice.]
{どんな奴の案内でも、俺よりは確実に早いからな。俺、方向音痴なだ}
[Any guidance at all is sure to get there faster than I would. Not only do I have]
{けでなくて運も悪いから、適当に歩いても全然たどり着けないんだ."}
[no sense of direction, but I've got some pretty bad luck, too. No matter how far I
walk, I never seem to reach my destination."]
Alice: {エースは悪びれもせず、爽やかに礼を口にした。}
[With no embarrassment whatsoever, Ace energetically shows his appreciation.]
{"……構わないわ。人間、得手不得手はあるものね."}
["... No problem. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses."]
{脱力する。これがペーターであれば拳骨の一つでもくれてやったが、}
[I feel exhausted. If this was Peter, I would have already given him another fist,]
{この人だとそういう対応は出来ない。}
[but I could never do that to someone like this.]
{文句の一つや二つは封じ込めてしまう。天然でいい人というのは、得だ。}
[He's a good person at heart, so I'll let the first one or two complaints slide.]
{"こっちだと思うわ。多分、こう行けば..."}
["I think it's this way. If we take this path, we should..."]
{初めてここに来た私がこの城の住人を案内するという、奇妙な構図だ。}
[It feels strange to be guiding someone else, in a place where I've never been]
{エースは素直についてくる。}
[before. But, Ace follows my direction without hesitation.]
Ace: {"初めて来た場所なのに、道が分かるのか?"}
["You know the way, even though it's your first time here?"]
Alice: {"え……？だって、複雑な道じゃないし..."}
["Hm...? Well, it's not a complicated path..."]
Ace: {"君は、道案内人になれるよ."}
["Wow~, you should become a travel guide."]
Alice: {（……お城、見えているんですけど）}
[(... We can see the castle from here...)]
{感心してくれるが、私からすると彼のほうがすごい。}
[Ace is astounded, but I think he's more astonishing than I am.]
{"城はこっちの方向に見えているのに、どうして右とか左に行こうとするの?"}
["The castle is up ahead, so why would you have to turn left or right before getting there?"]
{反対に行こうとしないだけましかもしれないが、見当違いだ。}
[The only way that would be logical is if I was purposely avoiding the castle,
which may actually end up having been the better option, but that's beside the
point.]
{迷路というほど難解な造りの庭でもない。}
[This garden isn't some convoluted maze.]
{見えているのだから、そちらの方向へ進めばいい。}
[I can see our destination, so as long as we're facing that way, we'll be fine.]
Ace: {"だって、そっちのほうが近道じゃないか."}
["Because that way's a shortcut."]
Alice: {"……右や左へ行くのが?"}
["... Which way? Left or right?"]
Ace: {"近道な気がしないか?"}
["Don't they both feel like shortcuts?"]
Alice: {"全然."}
["Not at all."]
Ace: {"だって、まっすぐ行ったら行き止まりになったりしてフェイントがくるものだろう."}
["But, if we keep going straight, we'll reach a dead end eventually. That's just
logic."]
Alice: {"…………。ずいぶん進んだけど、行き止まりになんかならないわよ?"}
["... We've come a pretty long way, and I haven't seen a dead end yet. Have you?"]
Ace: {"変だよなあ...}
["Yeah, it's weird...]
{普通にまっすぐ進んでまっすぐ到着するなんて、面白みがないぜ..."}
[But if you can get wherever you need to go just by walking in a straight line, that
doesn't seem very interesting..."]
Alice: "..."
{(...この人って、爽やかそうに見えるけどかなり捻くれているんじゃないかしら)}
[(... This man seemed refreshing at first, but now I'm leaning heavily to the
contrary.)]
{段々と、そんな気がしてきた。ものの見方がかなり歪んでいる気がする。}
[I've been feeling this more and more, but I think he must have a considerably
warped perspective.]
{"いつもは、兵士さんとかに道案内を頼んでいるの?"}
["Do you usually ask one of the soldiers to show you the way?"]
Ace: {"いいや。自力でなんとかたどり着くよ.}
["Nah. I'll manage on my own eventually.]
{道案内してもらうとすごく楽だけど、旅の楽しみが薄れるから."}
[Asking directions may be easier, but then you lose the pleasure of the trip."]
Alice: {うがち過ぎかもしれないが、嫌味ととれないこともない。}
[This may be a bit sharp, but I can't think of any response that isn't sarcastic.]
{"自力だと……、えらく時間がかかるでしょう."}
["I get the feeling that when you 'manage on your own'... it takes a pretty long
time."]
Ace: {"それも旅の楽しみのうちさ."}
["But it also makes for a much more enjoyable journey."]
Alice: {"じゃあ、今は楽しみが邪魔されていることになるわね."}
["Then, am I interrupting the fun of your trip by doing this?"]
Ace: {"そんなことないよ。君みたいな子に道案内してもらえるのは、悪い気がしない."}
["Not at all. There's nothing to complain about when I have a girl like you leading
the way."]
Alice: {爽やかに言われて、反省する。}
[His playful response makes me stop and think.]
{曲解するとタラシのような発言だが、彼は本当に爽やかだ。}
[Words like that could be misconstrued as him trying to hit on me, but I think the
truth is that he's just too carefree to realize.]
{（……捻くれているのは、私よね）}
[(... Now I'm the one misunderstanding.)]
{（こんな、いかにもいい人そうなのに裏を勘ぐっちゃうなんて……）}
[(I can't believe I'm being so suspicious of someone who's been nothing but kind
to me...)]
{（爽やかオーラ出まくりなのに、馬鹿じゃないの、私。嫌な奴だわ……）}
[(He exudes nothing but positivity. I feel like an idiot. I'm a bad person...)]
{誤魔化すようににこりと笑うと、にこにこと返された。}
[I laughed to disguise my thoughts, and he returned a friendly smile.]
{（……うん、やっぱりいい人）}
[(... Yup. He's too nice.)]
{"もうすぐ着くからね."}
["We should be there soon."]
(...)
{なんだか、おかしな具合だ。私はビジターで、彼はここに住んでいる。}
[That felt a bit ridiculous to say. I'm a visitor, and he lives here.]
{得手不得手は人それぞれとはいえ、立場的におかしい。}
[Sure, everyone has strong and weak points, as I've said, but this is just an
unusual position to be in.]
{おまえが頼りにならなさすぎるんだよ…とは、思っただけで言えなかった…}
[And you aren't reliable at all... Even though I thought as much, obviously I would
never say that...]
{(... こんな爽やかな人に皮肉を考えちゃうなんて、私ってどこまで嫌な奴なの）}
[(... Thinking something so cynical about someone so genuine really puts in
perspective how awful I am.)]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{城に到着し、城内に入った。エースは感心しきりといった様子だ。}
[Once we were inside the castle, Ace looked awestruck.]
Ace: {"すげえ。本当に着いちゃったよ."}
["Incredible~. We actually made it."]
Alice: {"丘の上に見えているんだもの。着くに決まっているわよ."}
["It's at the top of a hill. We couldn't miss it."]
Ace: {"でも、初めて来る場所だろう？すごいぜ."}
["But, this is the first time you've been here, right? So it's incredible~."]
Alice: {"初めてだろうと、丘の上に見えていれば誰だって行けるに決まって……。}
["It is my first time here, but again, it's on a hill. Anyone could see it for miles--...]
{あー……、いいわ、どういたしまして."}
[Hah... Fine. It was my pleasure. Glad to help."]
{時計塔からここに着くまで２００回も時間帯が変わるような人にしてみれば、}
[For someone who takes 200 time periods to go from here to the Clocktower,]
{確かに偉業だろう。称賛は受け取っておく。}
[this certainly must seem like an achievement. I should just accept the praise.]
{私からしてみれば、そんなに時間をかけられるほうが偉業だ。}
[If you ask me though, being able to waste that much time is an achievement in]
{とても真似できない。}
[itself. I don't think I could manage that if I tried.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ace: {"さて、と。久々の我が家だ.}
["Ah~, back home after such a long time.]
{……俺の部屋はどこだったかな."}
[Hhm... I wonder where my room is."]
Alice: {"……知らない."}
["... You don't know?"]
{可哀想なことに、この人は自分の部屋も分からないらしい。}
[I pity this poor man who can't even find his own bedroom.]
Ace: {"え～と、俺はこれから自分の部屋を捜しに旅に出るが……、君はどうする?}
["Umm... I guess from here, I'll be off on a journey to find my room... What are
you going to do?]
{謁見室に行きたいなら、連れて行ってやってもいいぜ？…確実に迷うけど."}
[If you still want to go to the Audience Chamber to find Peter, I don't mind taking
you there~... But I'm guaranteed to get lost."]
Alice: {自分の部屋捜しの旅……。}
[A journey to find his room...]
{（自分捜しの旅なら聞いたことがあるけど……）}
[(I've heard of taking a journey to find yourself, but...)]
{（あれも、よく分からないのよね。旅なんかで自分がみつかりっこないでしょ）}
[(I've never really understood that. You can't possibly find yourself by taking a
trip somewhere.)]
{しかし、それ以上に自分の部屋捜しの旅というのも謎だ。}
[But taking a trip to find your own room is an even greater mystery.]
{そんな旅をしている人間には、生まれて初めて出会った。}
[This is the first time I've met someone who would call such a thing a 'journey'.]
{（どこをどうやって、自分の部屋を捜して迷えるのよ……）}
[(How is it even possible for someone to get lost on the way to their room...?)]
{"謹んで遠慮申し上げるわ……。いいかげんに、足が痛い...}
["I'll have to respectfully decline... My feet are already too sore...]
{そもそも、私、謁見室なんか行きたくないもの。ペーターと会いたくない."}
[Besides, I never wanted to go to the Audience Chamber from the beginning. I'd
rather not run into Peter."]
Ace: {"そうか。じゃ、この辺でお別れだな.}
["I see. Then, I guess this is where we part ways.]
* Clap, clap*
{お～い、誰か!"}
[Hey~, anybody there!"]
Alice: {エースはぱんぱんと手を叩いて、人を呼んだ。}
[Ace clapped his hands, seeming to be calling for someone.]
* Ding ding ding
{エースは何も持っていないのに、ちりりーんと、ベルの音がする。}
[Even though he doesn't have anything in his hands, I hear a chime, like a bell.]
{その音に、メイドが駆けつける。}
[At the sound, some maids come rushing in.]
Maid A: {"お久しぶりです、エース様。お戻りになられましたのね."}
["It's been a while, Master Ace. I see you made it back."]
Maid B: {"どうなさいました?"}
["How can we assist you?"]
Ace: {"この子は、俺とペーターさんの客人なんだ。おもてなししてやってくれ.}
["This girl is a guest of both Peter and myself. Please make her feel welcome.]
{間違っても、銃を向けないようにな。頼むぜ?"}
[By no means should anyone point a gun at her. Can you make sure of that?"]
Maid A: {"分かりました."}
["Understood."]
Maid B: {"お任せください."}
["Please leave it to me."]
Alice: {銃を向けないようになんて、メイドへの注意としてはどうかと思う。}
[I wonder why he's telling the maids not to point guns at me.]
{しかし、的外れでもない。メイド達は、しっかりと銃を携帯していた。}
[Well, I suppose it isn't that far-fetched to think the attendants of a castle
carry concealed weapons.]
Ace: {"俺は行くけど、用があったら使用人達に頼めばやってくれるから.}
["I'm going to go, but if you need anything, just ask one of the servants.]
{運がよければ、又会えるだろう。じゃあな、アリス!"}
[With some luck, maybe we'll meet again. See ya, Alice!"]
* Ace walks away
Alice: {"...城内にいて、運がよくないと会えないってどうなの..."}
["... If he's going to be in the same castle, why does he need good luck for us to
meet again...?"]
{確かに城は馬鹿でかく広いが、エースはここの住人のはずだ。}
[The castle is absurdly huge, but Ace is still supposed to be a resident here.]
{筋金入りの方向音痴で、しかも本人がそれを受け入れてしまっている。}
[I guess when there's not a cell in your body with any sense of direction, you
probably come to accept it.]
{（自分の家……城の中で行き倒れないか心配だわ）}
[(For some reason... I'm worried he'll get so lost that they'll end up finding him
collapsed before he even made it to his room.)]
{はたと、横に佇むメイド達を見て気付く。}
[Suddenly, I realize, seeing the two maids standing abreast of one-another.]
{"あなた達に案内してもらえばよかったんじゃないの？}
["Do you think you could show him the way?]
{使用人なら、エースの部屋も知っているわよね?"}
[If you're the servants, you must know where Ace's room is, right?"]
Maid A: {"もちろん、存じておりますけど..."}
["Of course we know, but..."]
Maid B: {"エース様は道案内をお望みになりませんから..."}
["Master Ace has no desire to be given guidance..."]
Alice: {"? そうなの?}
["Hm? Really?]
{でも、ここまでは私が道案内してきたのよ？拒否されたりしなかったけど."}
[He let me lead him all the way here, though. He never tried to argue it, but..."]
{（道案内がないほうが楽しいとは言われたけど）}
[(He did say it was more enjoyable without a guide...)]
{でも、拒否されたりはしなかった。}
[Still, it didn't seem like he would refuse. He was always so cheerful,]
{とにかく爽やかで、女性を無碍に扱ったりしなさそうな印象だ。}
[and I got the impression that he treated women with great respect.]
Maid A: {"それは、あなた様を気に入れられたからではないでしょうか."}
["Perhaps you are someone of greater significance to him."]
Maid B: {"わたくし達は、お仕えするだけです。ご命令がなければ、動きかねますわ."}
["We are merely servants. Unless he has an order for us, we don't often interact."]
Alice: "..."
{同じような顔で、同じような服装。美人だが不気味なメイド達。}
[The same face, the same clothes. A pair of beautiful, yet uncanny, maids.]
{敵意などは感じなくとも、エースと違って、}
[I don't feel any hostility, but unlike Ace, I also don't feel like these are]
{どうも仲良くなりにくそうな印象を受ける。どうにも、無機質な……。}
[people I'm going to be speak to easily. They seem almost... artificial...]
Maid A: {"あなた様は、道案内をお望みですか?"}
["Perhaps you are in need of guidance yourself, Miss?"]
Maid B: {"お望みなら、ご案内いたします."}
["If that is your wish, please allow us to assist you."]
Alice: {"え～と……、じゃあ、お願い出来ますか?"}
["Ah... Well then, could you please show me around?"]
{畏まってしまう。自然と話し方が他人行儀になった。}
[I respectfully accept their offer. My manner of speaking instinctually falls back
on formality when they address me like this.]
Maid A: {"では、こちらです."}
["Then, this way."]
Maid B: {"ついてきてください."}
["Please follow me."]
=============================================================
* The maids start to lead her down the hall
Alice: {メイドは、すすっと滑るように廊下を歩いていく. 慌てて追いかけた。}
[The maids move down the hall so smoothly it's as if they're gliding. I rush to keep up.]
Maid A: {"こちらが、兵士の詰め所になっておりまして..."}
["The Soldier's Offices are this way..."]
Maid B: {"あちらに、食堂がございます。料理は使用人に言ってくださればご}
["And this way is the Dining Hall. Speak to the head chef there, and they will]
{用意いたしますが、自由に使えるキッチンもございまして..."}
[prepare whatever meal you would like. The kitchen is also freely available for
your personal use..."]
Alice: {メイド達はそれぞれに右を指したり左を指したりする。}
[As if mirroring one another, each of the maids was pointing right and left
respectively.]
Maid A: {"あそこの角から、メイドの住み込み部屋で..."}
["Around this corner are the Maid's Quarters..."]
Maid B: {"あちらは、すべて客室です。お客様など滅多にいらっしゃいませんけど、}
["And everything in this direction are Guest Rooms. We seldom have guests, but]
{常にルームクリーニングは欠かしておりませんので..."}
[the rooms are always thoroughly cleaned without fail..."]
Maid A: {"そこの角が..."}
["Around this corner, we have..."]
Alice: {"ま、待って待って...!}
["W-Wait, wait...!]
{私はエースほど方向音痴じゃないけど、}
[I may not be as poor with directions as Ace, but I'll never remember if you're]
{そんなに一気に教えられても覚えきれないわ！頭がこんがらがっちゃう!"}
[going to tell me everything at once like this! My head's already jumbled up from
trying to take it all in!"]
{とても広い城の上、廊下はどこも似たり寄ったりだ。}
[On top of being an incredibly vast castle, every corridor looks almost exactly the]
{廊下の先にある重厚な扉を開けると、また同じような廊下が続いている。}
[same. We pass through massive doors at the end of one hall, only to enter yet
another area that looks practically identical to the last.]
{その繰り返しな上、メイド達は立て続けに解説していく。覚えきれない。}
[This repetition, paired with the constant commentary by the maids makes it
impossible for me to remember anything.]
Maid A: {"左様ですか..."}
["Is that so..."]
Maid B: {"それでは、最初からもう一度..."}
["In that case, please allow us to start again from the beginning..."]
Maid A: {"今度はゆっくりと..."}
["This time, more slowly..."]
Alice: {方向転換して元の場所へ戻ろうとするのを慌てて留める。}
[They instantly changed their course, turning back in the direction we came from,
but I stopped them as quickly as I could.]
{"いらないいらない！兵士の詰め所やメイドさんの住み込み部屋なんか}
["It's fine! I don't need it! The Soldier's Offices, the Maid's Quarters... you don't]
{教えてもらっても、用事なんてないもの!}
[need to tell me any of that! I don't have any business in those places!]
{そこって、入っちゃいけない場所でしょう？}
[Aren't those areas off-limits anyways? ]
{行ってもいい場所だけ教えてくれない?"}
[Why don't you just tell me about the places I'm allowed to go."]
Maid A: {"入ってはいけない場所？そんな場所はございません.}
["'Off-limits'? There are no places with such restriction.]
{どこへお入りになっても構いませんわ."}
[You are free to enter any room at any time."]
Maid B: {"そうです。好きな場所へ好きなだけいらっしゃってください."}
["That is correct. Feel free to come and go as you please, wherever you
would like."]
Maid A: {"あなた様はお客様ですもの."}
["You are our guest, Miss."]
Maid B: {"どこへ入るのも自由です."}
["You may enter any area as it pleases you."]
Maid A: {"どこへ行くのも自由."}
["You may come and go as it pleases you."]
Maid B: {"何をしてくださっても構いません."}
["You can do whatever you wish with no consequence."]
Alice: {メイドは、口を揃えて自由に、と繰り返す。}
[The maids speak one after the other, over and over, reiterating my 'freedom'.]
{手放しの歓待といえるのかもしれないが、戸惑ってしまった。}
[You could call it open hospitality, but I was perplexed.]
{"そんなこと言って…… 人の部屋に勝手に入って居座っちゃマズイでしょう?"}
["You say that, but... don't you think it would be uncomfortable if I just walked
into one of your rooms unannounced like that?"]
Maid A: {"構いませんわ."}
["That is not a problem."]
Maid B: {"ご自由にどうぞ."}
["If that is what you wish, then by all means."]
Alice: {"……え？いやいや..."}
["... Huh? No, no, no..."]
{この城では, 使用人より客の意思を尊重するらしい. それにしても行き過ぎだ.}
[It seems like the guest holds priority over the servants in this castle. But even so,
this is going to far.]
{"たとえば、それが偉い人の部屋だったらどうするの?"}
["So then, what would happen if I entered the room of someone in a higher
position?"]
Maid A: {"ホワイト卿なら、お喜びになるでしょう."}
["If you are meaning Prime Minister White, I'm sure he would be overjoyed."]
Alice: {メイドの口から、さらりと変態ウサギの名前が飛び出す。}
[The pervert rabbit's name slipped out of the maid's mouth without hesitation.]
{"ペーターが?"}
["Peter?"]
Maid B: {"あなた様より先に城へ戻っていらっしゃいました."}
["He returned to the castle shortly before you arrived, Miss."]
Maid A: {"そして、わたくし達にお命じになられました."}
["And delivered us our orders."]
Maid B: {"丁重におもてなしするようにと。}
["To give you a courteous reception.]
{ホワイト卿のお部屋にご案内するよう指示されておりますわ."}
[Then direct you to Prime Minister White's chambers."]
Alice: {"... げ."}
["... Ghk--."]
{（まったく咎められないと思っていたら。そういうことだったの？）}
[(I thought it was strange to be given free reign like this. Was this all his doing?)]
{"冗談じゃないわ。絶対嫌よ.}
["That's not funny. I would never.]
{あんな奴の部屋に滞在するくらいなら、他をあたる."}
[If my only option is to stay in that man's room, then I'll find somewhere else."]
{なぜペーターがあんなに私に固執するのか分からないが、迷惑なだけだ。}
[I don't know why Peter has such a fixation on me, but it's nothing but trouble.]
Maid A: {"そうですか..."}
["I see..."]
Maid B: {"でも、ご案内するようにと申し付かっておりますので..."}
["But, it was his order for us to show you the way..."]
{（あんなのでも、宰相だものね。逆らえないか……）}
[(Since he's the Prime Minister, I suppose they can't defy him...)]
{（私のせいで、メイドさん達が叱られたら気の毒だし……）}
[(I would feel terrible if the maids were scolded because of me...)]
{先刻の件からしても、彼が部下に優しくないのは目に見えている。}
[But then, thinking back to what happened earlier, it's clear that he's remarkably]
{叱られるどころか、あの手品のような手法で銃を撃ちかねない。}
[cruel to his subordinates. Far from mere scolding, he might just shoot them with
that trick gun of his.]
{だが, ペーターの部屋に滞在する気などなかった.}
[Still, I can't possibly stay in Peter's room, either.]
{別の意味で, 私の身が危険だ.}
[I would be in a completely different kind of danger in that case.]
{"……案内しろって指示されたのよね?}
["... You were only given instruction to show me the way, right?]
{いいわ、案内して。ペーターは、まだ謁見室よね?"}
[Alright, then show me. Peter is still in the Audience Chamber, isn't he?"]
Maid A: {"はい、女王陛下に謁見なさっているはずです."}
["Yes, he should still be holding audience with the Queen at this time."]
Alice: {"なら、大丈夫ね。急いで案内して.}
["In that case, let's go. Take me there quickly.]
{案内してもらったら、後は適当な部屋に滞在させてもらうから."}
[Once you've shown me, then I'll decide on an appropriate room to stay in
myself."]
{案内しろと指示されていても、そこに滞在させろとは言われていないらしい。}
[They were ordered to tell me where Peter's room is, but they never said it was an]
{彼女達は反論しなかった。}
[order that I would have to stay there. Neither of the women refuted my request.]
{忠実な使用人だ。極端なまでに。}
[They are devoted servants. Extremely devoted.]
{"客室はどれでも使って構わないのよね?"}
["I can use whichever guest room I want, right?"]
Maid B: {"ええ。あちらは、すべて客室です。ご自由にお使いください."}
["That is correct. The guest rooms are that way. Please make use of them as you
like."]
Alice: {"……あのフロア全部?"}
["... Are there guest rooms throughout this entire floor?"]
Maid A: {"二階と三階もほとんどが客室ですわ."}
["The second and third floors are also made up mostly of guest rooms."]
Maid B: {"このお城は広いので……"}
["This castle is extremely spacious..."]
Maid A: {"お掃除が大変なんです."}
["It requires a tremendous amount of cleaning."]
Alice: {これだけの広さがあれば、大変だろう。}
[It must be incredibly difficult to maintain a castle this size.]
{何人くらいいるか知らないが、メイドに同情する。}
[I don't know how many people it must take, but I feel sorry for the maids.]
{"今の時期、お客さんはいないの?"}
["Are there any other guests right now?"]
Maid B: {"女王陛下は、誰とも親しくなさいません."}
["Her Majesty is not personally close with anyone."]
Maid A: {"でも、もうすぐ舞踏会が開かれますの。}
["But, we will be holding a ball in the near future.]
{そのときにはお客様で溢れかえることでしょう."}
[At that time, we will be overflowing with guests."]
Alice: {舞踏会。またメルヘンな言葉が出てきた。}
[A ball. Yet another word you only hear in fairy tales.]
{"舞踏会は、いつ頃開かれるのかしら."}
["When is the ball going to be held?"]
{それまでに出て行こう。心に決める。}
[That will be my deadline. I have to get out of this place before then.]
{そんなメルヘン空間で、間違って白馬の王子様とでも遭遇したら大変だ。}
[It would be a disaster if I accidentally bumped into a real Prince Charming while]
{あまりの非現実具合に吐いてしまいかねない。}
[staying in a fairy tale castle. I would probably actually throw up.]
Maid B: {"あと、５００くらい時間が変わったら開かれるのではないでしょうか."}
["I believe the event opens approximately 500 periods from now."]
Maid A: {"違います。あと６００くらいだったはずですわ。もっと先かもしれません."}
["No. I think it is after 600 periods. It can't possibly be any sooner than that."]
Alice: {"……どっちにしても、それがどれくらい先のことなのか分からないわ."}
["... It doesn't make a difference which one it is if I still don't know how long that
is."]
{何週間先とか何ヶ月先とかいう、具体的な時間ではないのだ。}
[There's no concrete time period being given. Are they talking about weeks?]
{５００回時間帯が変わるとしたら、単純計算なら約１６６日強。}
[Months? If I use normal days as a reference, then 500 time periods would be
about 166 days.]
{６００回なら、２００日後。しかし、ここの時間はあてにならない。}
[Or, 600 time periods would be 200 days. Except, time here is unreliable.]
{だから、彼女達も「～くらい」という表現しか出来ないのだろう。}
[So, the women can only use 'approximately' when they talk about it.]
{ころころ時間帯が変わるかと思えば、まったく変わらない時期もあるらしい。}
[Sometimes the time changes constantly, and other times long stretches can go by
where there's no change at all.]
{法則性もない時間変化。体内時計も狂って当然だ。}
[There's no natural pattern for the time changes here. Even my biological clock
has lost track.]
Maid B: {"開催時期は女王陛下がお決めになります."}
["It is Her Majesty's decision when the event will be held."]
Maid A: {"中止になることもございます。女王陛下のお心次第ですわ."}
["It may even be cancelled. It all depends on Her Majesty's will."]
Alice: {"ペーターも、女王様に叱られるとか言っていた……}
["Peter also mentioned that he was going to be reprimanded by the Queen...]
{女王様が支配している国って珍しいわ。王様はいないのね."}
[It's odd for the Queen to control the country though. Do you not have a King?"]
Maid A: {"いいえ、王様もいらっしゃいます."}
["No, we have a King as well."]
Alice: {"それなのに、女王様がこの城を支配しているの?"}
["And yet, the Queen is the one who rules the castle?"]
Maid A: {"いいえ、第一の権力者は王様です."}
["Not at all. The King is the first authority on all matters."]
Alice: {"？でも、ペーターもあなた達も口にするのは女王様のことばかりじゃない."}
[Hm? But, the only one you or Peter seem to bring up is the Queen."]
{今の今まで、王様がいるということ自体、気付かなかった。}
[Until now, I wasn't even aware this place had a King.]
{（上位の人の名前が出てこないっていうのは、}
[(When people aren't even willing to mention the name of someone in such a]
{恐れられているか蔑ろにされているかのどちらかだけど）}
[high standing, it's usually out of either disrespect, or fear.)]
{私は、王族に知り合いなどいない。裕福な家の生まれとはいえ、平民だ。}
[I've never been acquainted with royalty before. I was born into a wealthy family,
but we were still commoners.]
{だから、基準はもっと身近な集団生活の場、学校等の話になる。}
[So, this made more sense when I converted it to a more familiar topic,
like school.]
{学校で一番偉いはずなのに会話に名前の出てこない校長先生、}
[It's like when some students talk about the principal, or the class president,]
{学級で一番なはずなのに話題にならない学級委員長。そんな感じだ。}
[and avoid mentioning their names. It feels like that kind of hushed topic.]
{"第一の権力者は王様でも、実権は女王様にあるのね."}
["The King may be the first authority, but the Queen has the real power,
doesn't she?"]
{そういうことだろうと、内緒話をするように話しかける。}
[I may not know whether it's true, but I still end up addressing them as if
we're gossiping.]
{そこで、ようやくメイド達は笑ってくれた。雰囲気が和らぐ。}
[Then, after a moment, the maids start to giggle. The atmosphere suddenly seems
to have lightened.]
Maid A: {"ふふ、女王陛下はお強い方なんです."}
["Aha~, Her Majesty has a strong personality."]
Maid B: {"ふふ、王様は押され気味なんです."}
["Mhm~, she certainly keeps the King on the ropes."]
Alice: {彼女達は砕けた様子で、くすくす笑う。}
[They look far more approachable now that they're laughing.]
{きっかけさえ掴めば、とても話しやすい。}
[If I had seen this side of them sooner, it would have been far easier to speak to]
{しばらく歩くうちに、雑談を出来るくらいには仲良くなれた。}
[them. I didn't think I would be able to have a friendly chat with them like this.]
Maid A: {"おかしいわ."}
["It's a bit amusing."]
Maid B: {"ええ、本当に。ねえ……、ふふふっ."}
["Yes, it is, isn't it?... Aha~."]
Alice: {"なあに？私だけのけ者にしないでよ."}
["What is it~? Don't leave me out."]
{くすくすと笑うメイド達に混じり、私も笑う。}
[My laugh mixed in with the maids. Ace was a friendly person,]
{エースも気さくだったが、女同士だとまた違った気安さがある。}
[but I have a different sense of ease finally being around other women here.]
Maid A: {"ふふ。だって、わたくし達、いつもはこんなふうじゃないんですもの."}
["Hehe~. It's just that we don't get to feel this way often."]
Maid B: {"ハートのお城の人間は、}
["When others speak of Heart Castle,]
{みんなハートが凍っているみたいだって言われるんですよ."}
[they all say that our people have hearts of ice."]
Maid A: {"とっても、冷酷だから."}
["They say we're always so cruel."]
Maid B: {"そうそう、残酷だから."}
["Yes yes, always so cruel."]
Alice: {歌うように繰り返す。まるで、暗示でもかけられているかのようだ。}
[They repeated it like they were reciting a poem. It's as if they were hinting at
something deeper.]
{"そんなふうには見えないわ。あなた達はいい人よ.}
["I haven't seen any such thing. You're both good people.]
{最初はちょっと取っ付きにくいかと思ったけど、勘違いだった。}
[I admit that I thought you were a bit hard to approach at first, but I just]
{今は、冷たい感じなんて全然しない."}
[misunderstood you. Now, I know you're not cold people at all."]
Maid A: "Ah..."
Maid B: "Oh..."
Alice: {"私みたいに、勘違いしてそのままな人が多いんじゃない？}
["Maybe you're just like me. People probably misjudge you a lot.]
{第一印象って難しいわよね."}
[First impressions are hard, aren't they?"]
{メイド達は、赤くなった。照れているのだか、複雑そうな顔をしている。}
[The maids were blushing now. But, I can't tell if they're just being shy, because
their expression seem complex.]
{"知れば、好かれるわよ。あなた達って、可愛いもの."}
["But I'm sure anyone who gets to know you must like you. You're so cute, too."]
Maid A: "Oh..."
Maid B: "Hha--..."
Maid A: {"あなた様が、ホワイト卿に好かれる理由が分かりますわ."}
["I can understand why Prime Minister White is so fond of you, Miss."]
Maid B: {"わたくし達も、あなた様が好きになってしまいそう."}
["It seems that even we have come to like you, Miss."]
Alice: "?
{私は、ペーターよりあなた達のほうが好きだわ。あの人、嫌いなの."}
[I already like the two of you better than Peter. I hate that man."]
{口だけでなく、彼女達が好きになった。}
[That isn't just flattery either. I really do like these two.]
{そして、彼女達も私を好いてくれているのが分かる。}
[And I can tell that they genuinely like me, too.]
{どうしてだろう。不思議に思う。}
[Though, I wonder why. Something about it feels strange.]
{わずかに違和感を覚え始めた。エースのときにも感じた違和感だ。}
[I just get this uncomfortable feeling. It's the same kind of feeling I got from Ace,
too.]
{(私は、人に好かれるほうだったかしら？そんなことはなかったはずなのに...)}
[(Am I really the kind of person these people like? I've never had anyone come to like me so easily before...)]
Maid A: {"ふふ……、ありがとう."}
["Aha~... Thank you."]
Maid B: {"ホワイト卿にも手に入らないものがあるのね."}
["So there is something even Prime Minister White cannot obtain."]
Alice: {くすくす笑う彼女達に、冷酷とか残酷とかいう言葉は似合わない。}
[As the women giggle, I can't imagine anyone calling them cruel or coldhearted.]
{腰につけた銃には存在感があるが……、それを除けば綺麗なメイド達だ。}
[Each of them does have a gun on her hip, but... if you remove that, they just look like a pair of beautiful maids.]
Maid A: {"ねえ、どこへ行ってもあなた様の自由ですけど、}
["Well, you are still free to roam the castle at your leisure.]
{女王陛下のお部屋には近付かないようにしてくださいね?"}
[All we ask is that you do not approach the Queen's room, please."]
Maid B: {"入りたいのなら入ってもいいのですけど、危険だから……"}
["If you wish to enter, you are of course allowed. However, it is dangerous to do
so..."]
Alice: {ペーターの部屋を案内してくれた後、他の主要な場所へも案内してもらう。}
[After showing me to Peter's room, they lead me around to all of the major]
{道中、こそこそと囁かれた。}
[locations in the castle. The entire time we walked though, they kept whispering
to each other as if they were hiding something.]
{（危険って、どういうことだろう。警備が厳しいとか？？？）}
[(I wonder what they mean by dangerous. Does it just have tight security
or something???)]
{"部屋を間違えちゃわない限り、入るつもりはないわ。}
["I don't have any intention of entering the Queen's room, so unless I get lost, and]
{女王陛下の部屋なんて、入っちゃまずいでしょう.}
[walk in by accident, you shouldn't have to worry about that. I don't think it's
appropriate to enter such a place.]
{でも、ご挨拶くらいすべきなのかしら."}
[However, I do think I should at least introduce myself to her."]
Maid A: {"よしたほうがいいですよ."}
["It may be better if you don't."]
Maid B: {"危険です."}
["It's dangerous."]
Alice: {（危険？？？）}
[(Dangerous???)]
{"どうして危険なの?"}
["Why would it be dangerous?"]
Maid A: {"もちろん、首を刎ねられてしまうからですわ."}
["Because she would certainly have you beheaded."]
Alice: {"……なんですって?"}
["... What did you say?"]
Maid B: {"ご機嫌を損ねたら死刑にされてしまいます."}
["If you fail to keep her in high spirits, she will have you put to death."]
Alice: {部下が部下なら、上司も上司だ。}
[It takes a powerful boss to make such subservient servants.]
{ペーターが遅刻魔だと知ったときには、上司はさぞや苦労しているだろうと}
[When I heard of Peter's habit of being late, I only thought that his boss was the]
{思ったが、女王様というのはずいぶんな暴君らしい。}
[one who would have a hard time. But now I see that the Queen herself might be a tyrant.]
Maid A: {"間違ってお部屋に入ったら、確実に首を斬られます。}
["If you enter her chambers by mistake, she'll certainly cut off your head.]
{入ってもいいのですけど、入ると危険です."}
[It's fine to enter, but if you do, it is at your own risk."]
Alice: {"入っちゃ駄目ってことでしょう、それは."}
["Just tell me it's off-limits to enter, in that case."]
{首を斬られてしまうような場所を、入ってもいいなんて言わないでほしい。}
[I'd rather they didn't tell me 'it's fine' to go into a place where I'll get beheaded.]
{死刑になると分かっていて、誰が入るものか。}
[Who would willingly walk into a room that has a death penalty?]
{このメイド達も結構なものだ……。}
[Such considerate maids...]
{足が疲れたので客室へ引っこもうと思っていたところだったが、}
[I'm already worn out, so I was hoping to head back to one of the guest rooms]
{もう少し歩く必要が出来てしまった。}
[soon, but now I'll have to walk a little more.]
{"女王様の部屋の場所も案内してもらえる?"}
["Can you show me to the Queen's room please?"]
{万が一にも間違って近付いてしまわないよう、位置の確認をさせてもらう。}
[If I'm going to be avoiding this place, I should know where it is.]
{案内してもらった後は、くたくたになっていた。}
[But, after being led around so much today, I was exhausted.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{ハートの城の客室は……、なんというか……ハートの城らしい客室だった。}
[I don't know how else to say this, but... the guest rooms of Heart Castle... look
like guest rooms of a Heart Castle.]
{そこかしこに、ハート形の装飾が溢れている。}
[The entire room is overflowing with heart-shaped motifs.]
{（城中、ハートを使わなきゃならないっていう決まりでもあるのかしら……）}
[(I wonder if it's some kind of rule that everything in the castle has to have a
heart theme...)]
{（赤……）}
[(It's so red...)]
{（目に痛いな……）}
[(My eyes hurt...)]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Day to Night, to Evening, to Night, to Morning, to Evening, to Day...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{時間帯が何度も変わり、}
[I don't know how much time has passed,]
{なんだかんだとハートの城での生活にも順応してしまった。}
[but somehow I think I've grown accustomed to daily life at the castle.]
{私は、たまに部屋を変えながら客室に滞在させてもらっている。}
[Every once in a while, I move into another guest room, just to change things up.]
{広い城内にある部屋は無数に近く、おとぎ話を連想させた。}
[There's a practically infinite number of rooms, just like you'd expect from a fairy
tale castle.]
{（それにしても……順応できちゃうものなのね）}
[(All things considered... it really shows that I can adapt to anything.)]
{最初は無茶苦茶な世界だと思っていて、今でもそう思っているが、}
[In the beginning I thought this world was completely nonsensical,]
{慣れればこの世界はそれほど特異でもない。}
[but now that I've gotten used to it, it doesn't seem that peculiar at all.]
{人は、意外と普通に生活している（意外と、だ）。}
[The people here live surprisingly ordinary lives (very surprisingly).]
{空を飛んだり出来ないし、魔法も使えない。}
[They don't fly, or do magic.]
{少なくとも、妖精さんは出てきそうになかった。}
[At the very least, I haven't seen any mythical creatures yet.]
{（……安心した）}
[(... Which is relieving.)]
{しかし、ここの時間変化は、間違いなく無茶苦茶だ。}
[However, the time shifts here are still certainly absurd. Noon follows night,]
{昼の次は夜、その次に昼がきたり、また夜がきたり夕方になったり。}
[which turns back to noon, and back to night, and then evening.]
{法則性も何もなく、ころころ変わる。}
[There's no rhyme or reason, it just keeps changing.]
{変化する速さもそのときどきなので、時間感覚が徐々に狂っていく。}
[The length of any time of day is so variable, I've lost all sense of time.]
{今分かるのは、城に来てから結構な時間が経過したということくらいだ。}
[But one thing I do know is that it's been quite a while since I came to this castle.]
{ここのメイドにも兵士にも知り合いが増えた。}
[I've gotten to know more of the maids and soldiers as well.]
{誰も彼も同じに見えても、全員が違う人だ。}
[They may look the same, but they all have unique personalities.]
{親しくなれば、顔というものも見えてくる。}
[As I became closer to them, I found I could even see their faces.]
{それまではのっぺらぼうだった顔に、個が出てくる。}
[I used to think they were featureless, but I can see slight differences now.]
{個性が見えれば愛着もわき, 人を好きになれば彼らがいる場所も好きになる.}
[And the more I learned their personalities, the more attached I grew to them.]
{私は、夢の中の場所、ハートの城が気に入り始めていた。}
[By coming to like the people, I think the place has grown on me, too. I've taken a liking to this dream of a Castle of Hearts.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Day to Night, to Evening, to Day...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{城での生活にも慣れてきた。}
[Life at the castle is straightforward now.]
{危険な場所も覚えたし, 何か違うことをしてみようか.}
[I know which places to keep away from, so I should go find something to do.]
{そう考える余裕も出てきた.}
[It's not like I don't have the free time.]
CHOICE
{城を探検してみる.}
[Explore the castle.] (Vivaldi +1)
Alice in the Country of Hearts (Heart no Kuni no Alice), Part 1 - Common Prologue
???: {"ねえ, 知っています?}
["Hey... didn't you know?]
{ゲーム には 常に ルール が あるんだ. 守らなきゃ いけない ルール.}
[A game is never without rules. Rules which must be followed.]
{いつだって, 最初 から 強制的 に 決まって いる こと.}
[This is something that is always set from the very beginning.]
{あなた が ゲーム に 参加しなきゃ いけない こと も, ルール.}
[And your participation in this game is one such rule.]
{強制的 に 決まって いる.}
[Something that has already been decided.]
{ねえ, こんな こと,}
[Though, even if I hadn't told you,]
{今更 説明 なんて しなくて も あなた は もう 知っています よね?}
[you would have known this much already, wouldn't you?]
{え? 知らなかったって?}
[Hm? You mean you didn't know?]
{今 の 説明 で 知った んだから, 問題ない です よ.}
[Well then, that's not a problem, since I've just given you the explanation.]
{ねえ, ほら...}
[Hey, look...]
..."
???: {"さあ, ゲーム が 始まる よ..."}
["So then, the game has begun..."]
________________________________________________________________
Alice: {目 を 開ける と, いつもの 景色 が 広がっていた.}
[When I open my eyes, the usual scenery fills my sight.]
{花 の 咲いた 庭. のどか で 美しい, いつもの 日常.}
[The garden's flowers are in bloom. Everything is as beautiful and peaceful as always.]
{(頭 が 痛い...)}
[(Ow, my head...)]
{急 に 起き 上 が ある と, 頭 が ズキズキ した.}
[After sitting up so suddenly, my head was throbbing.]
Lorina: {"あなたったら... もう... 屋外 で お昼寝 なんて する から よ?"}
["Alice... again...? That's what happens when you take naps outdoors."]
Alice: {横 で 本 を 読んでいた 姉 が くすくす 笑う.}
[My elder sister, who was reading a book beside me, giggles.]
{(ああ, 優雅 だ な...)}
[(Ah, she's so elegant...)]
{起き抜け の 頭 で, ぼんやり 思う.}
[My thoughts are fuzzy from just waking up.]
{寝起き に 見て も, 姉 は 美しい.}
[But even still, I can't help but admire how beautiful my sister is.]
{一般的 に 見て 華 や かか 女性 ではない の だろう が,}
[She's not the kind of woman that most would call glamorous,]
{私 には 輝いて 見える.}
[but to me, it's as if she sparkles.]
{笑い声 まで, 花 の よう.}
[Even the sound of her laugh reminds me of a delicate flower.]
{大げさ かもしれない が, それ くらい の 形容 が 必要 だ.}
[That may seem like an exaggeration, but it's the only suitable comparison.]
{私 と は, まるで 違う.}
[She's completely different from me.]
{(... これで, 同じ 女 っていう 括り なんだ もの ね.)}
[(... I can't possibly compare to a woman like her.)]
Lorina: {"あなた も 年頃 なんだから, おしとやか に しなくて は."}
["You're getting to the age where you really must behave more like a lady."]
Alice: {窘め つつ も, 優しい 姉さん.}
[My sister is even graceful while scolding me.]
{忙しい 両親 の 代わり に 傍 に いて くれる,}
[To make up for my parents being busy,]
{姉 で あり 母 の ような 存在 でも ある人 だ.}
[she's had to take over the role of mother.]
{反抗 する つもり はない の で, 「はあい」 と 軽く答え ておく.}
[With no intention of arguing the matter, I answer her with a small "Yes..."]
{(いつか, 私 も こんな 淑女 に なる の かしら...)}
[(I wonder if I'll become a proper lady, too, someday...)]
{姉さん みたい な...}
[Just like my sister...]
(...)
{(... 無理っぽいなあ.)}
[(... I don't think that's even possible.)]
{庭 で ぐうぐう 寝ている よう では, 道 は 遠い.}
[At the very least, it's a long way off for someone who sleeps in the garden.]
{だらしなく 寝転び ながら, 姉 を 見上げる.}
[Lying carelessly in the grass, I look up at my sister.]
{私 には, この 位置 が お似合いだ.}
[This position suits me perfectly.]
{美しい もの の 中 に いる だけ で 幸せ.}
[Merely being near someone so flawless is a blessing.]
{美しい もの を 見上げて いる.}
[I continue to admire the beautiful thing before me.]
{日曜日 は 好き だ.}
[This is why I enjoy Sundays.]
{早朝 から 教会 の 礼拝に 行かなければならない の が 面倒だ が,}
[It's a bother having to get up early for church, but]
{暖 かな 午後 を 過ごして いる と すぐに 癒されてしまう.}
[being able to spend my afternoons leisurely like this easily makes up for it.]
{教会 へ 行く より,}
[More so than going to church,]
{今 この 時間 の ほうが よほど 神聖な もの に 思えた.}
[this is the time that I consider the most sacred.]
"...
{なんだか, 変な 夢 を みた わ."}
[I feel like I just had such a strange dream."]
{ごろごろ し ながら, 話しかける.}
[Idly, I try to strike up a conversation.]
{話していない と 再び 眠気 に 引き込まれて しまう.}
[If we stay in silence like this, I'll just end up falling asleep again.]
Lorina: {"夢? どんな???"}
["A dream? What kind of dream?"]
Alice: {どんな...}
[What kind...?]
{この 美しい 庭 に 似合う ような 夢 で は なかった.}
[Well, it wasn't a dream that belongs in this wonderful garden.]
{暗くて, 切ない 気持ち に なる 夢.}
[It was dark, and empty.]
{どこまで も 暗くて, 深い. 落ちて いく ような 夢.}
[A deep, heavy, dark. Surrounding me as if I was falling.]
{夢 だ と 分かっていた のに, もう 戻れない と 思った.}
[Even though I knew it was a dream, I felt like I would never come back.]
"..."
{でも, 悪夢 では なかった.}
[Yet, it wasn't a nightmare.]
{そこ が 不思議 だ. 戻れない と 思った とき,}
[That's the strangest part. At the moment I thought I'd never return,]
{浮かんだ 気持ち は 絶望 でも 恐怖 でも なく, 安堵 だった.}
[the feeling that came to mind wasn't fear, but relief.]
{"う～ん... 詳しく は 覚えていない の...}
["Hmm... I don't remember it very well...]
{ゲーム が どう とか, ルール が なんと か..."}
[Something about a game, and rules..."]
Lorina: {"ゲーム? アリス, ゲーム が したかった の?}
["A game? Did you want to play a game, Alice?]
{ごめんなさい ね.}
[I'm so sorry.]
{最近, 本 ばかり 読んでいて 構って あげられなかった わ ね."}
[I've been focusing on nothing but books these days, haven't I?"]
Alice: {"え?}
["Huh?]
{そんな ことない わ よ. そんな 顔しない で, 姉さん."}
[That's not true. Please, don't make that face, Lorina."]
{姉 は, 最近 出来た ボーイフレンド が 作家 な せい も あって,}
[My sister has recently begun dating an author, and while she's always]
{もともと 読書家 なのに 磨きがかかった.}
[been an avid reader, she's still been working hard to improve her skills lately.]
{読書家 なの は 悪い こと じゃない.}
[Though, being a bookworm isn't a bad thing.]
{私 も, 姉 の 読書 の 邪魔 を する つもり はない し,}
[I don't want to be a nuisance, and interrupt my sister's reading,]
{構って もらえ なくて 拗ねる ような 子供 でもない.}
[and it's not as if I'm going to sulk about it like a child.]
{ましてや, 姉さん に 悲しい 顔 を させる つもり は 毛頭ない の だ.}
[But above everything else, I never wanted to upset her over it.]
Lorina: {"いいえ, 夢 は 願望 の 表れ という わ.}
["No. A dream is a manifestation of your true desires.]
{この 前, 読んでいた 心理学 の 本 に 書いて あった もの.}
[At least, that's what it said in a psychology book I read before this.]
{ええと, たしか, フロイト の 夢 理論 だった かしら?}
[Hmm, if I'm not mistaken, I think it was Freud's Interpretation of Dreams.]
{夢 の 意味 は 常 に 願望 充足 に 関わって いる の よ.}
[It said that the meaning of a dream is always driven by the desire to fulfill a
wish.]
{もちろん, すべて が そう とは 言い切れない 点 も ある けど,}
[Of course, I wouldn't go as far as to say that everything in the book makes a]
{夢 は 願望 が 象徴 化された もの で ある こと が 多い の よ."}
[flawless argument, however, the idea that your desires influence the symbols that
appear in your dreams is common."]
Alice: {"へ, へえ... 姉さん って, 本当に 物知り なの ね."}
["Re-Really...? Lorina, you must know about everything."]
{適当に 相槌 を うっておく. 感心 は する が,}
[I respond so that she knows I'm paying attention. But, as much as I admire her,]
{フロイト が どう とか 言われて も ぴんとこない.}
[I just couldn't focus when the conversation turned to Freud.]
{姉 は すごい. 優しい し, 頭 も いい し, 恋愛 も して いる.}
[I really have the most amazing elder sister. Gentle, intelligent, and passionate.]
{すべて, 私 には 当てはまらない.}
[All of the traits that I don't have.]
{同じ 女 で 姉妹 なのに, 別 の 生き 物 の よう だ.}
[Even though we're sisters, it's as if I'm a completely different species.]
{女 として 理想 の 象徴 と 思える ような 人 が 傍 に いる せいか,}
[Next to someone who represents everything that makes an ideal woman,]
{私 には 淑女 として の 意識 が 欠落 して いる.}
[I lack any sense of being a lady.]
{姉 の 教育 が 悪い わけ ではない.}
[It's not a bad thing that my sister is well-educated,]
{張り合う 気 が まったく なく なって しまう の だ.}
[but there's no chance I could ever compete.]
{"ねえ, 今日 は なんの 本 を読んで いる の? その... 心理学 の 本?"}
["Hey, what are you reading today? Is that... a psychology book?"]
Lorina: {"ああ, その 本?}
["Oh, this one?]
{そうねえ... そう とも 言える し, そう でない とも 言える わ.}
[Well... you certainly could say that it is, and you could also say that it isn't.]
{童話 の ような, 小説 の ような 話 なの."}
[It's a short story, almost like a fairy tale."]
Alice {"童話..."}
["A fairy tale..."]
{ぽかん として しまう.}
[I stare at her blankly.]
Lorina: {"あら, 馬鹿 に した もの じゃない わ よ.}
["Oh, it's not just some childish story.]
{童話 や 児童向け の 小説 には,}
[When you look deeper, fairy tales and children's novels]
{裏 に 伝記 や 教訓 が 含まれて いる んです もの."}
[are often someone's life story or contain valuable lessons."]
Alice: {"あ... 馬鹿に した んじゃない わ.}
["Ah... I wasn't thinking it was childish.]
{姉さん が 童話 を 読む なんて 珍しい と 思った だけ."}
[I just thought it was strange for you to be reading a fairy tale."]
{いつも 姉 は 難しい 本 ばかり 読んで いる.}
[Lorina only likes to read the most difficult books.]
{私 なんて, 冒頭 部分 で 眠くなって しまう ような もの ばかり だ.}
[Whenever I try to read them, I fall asleep before I get through the first chapter.]
Lorina: {"童話 は, その 奥 に 教訓 が 含まれて いる と 分かって いる から}
["Since it is a fairy tale, it should already be understood that it contains a lesson,]
{簡単 だけど... この 本 は... 簡単 だけど 難解 だ わ."}
[however... with this book... it's simple, yet complicated."]
Alice: {"どういう こと?"}
["What do you mean?"]
Lorina: {"深読みすれば 奥 が 深い けど,}
["If you read deep enough into it, it can be profound,]
{深読みしちゃ 駄目な 気 も する の.}
[but trying to read deeply into everything is also a bad thing.]
{奥 が ある こと が 明らか なのに,}
[Although it is obvious that there is an underlying message,]
{難しく 考えちゃ 奥 が 見えなく なる って いう か..."}
[if you think too hard about everything, you still won't be able to see it...]
Alice: {"... はあ.}
["... Huh.]
{やっぱり 難しい 話 なの ね.}
[I knew it must be a challenging book.]
{それとも, 姉さん が 難しくしちゃって いる だけ なの かしら."}
[Either that, or maybe you're only making it harder for yourself, Lorina."]
Lorina: {"う～ん... どうなの かしら... 私って, すぐ 考え には まっちゃう の よね..."}
["Hmm... I wonder... Perhaps I've fallen into the trap of thinking too much."]
Alice: {真面目 な 人 だ. 馬鹿 に して いる わけ で なく, 微笑ましい.}
[She's such a serious person. Never fooling around, and always pleasant.]
{ただ 真面目な だけ で なく, そうやって 悩む姿 が 実 に 女性らしい.}
[But even though she's serious, she seems even more feminine this way.]
{可愛い と 思える 生真面目さ だ.}
[Her face is so earnestly worried, it's cute.]
{"どういう 話 なの?"}
["What kind of story is it?"]
Lorina: {"ストーリー...? ええっと ね, 女の子 が 不思議の国 に 迷い込む の よ.}
["The story...? Well, it's about a girl who loses her way, and ends up in a place
called Wonderland.]
{そこで 不思議の国 な 冒険 を する んだけど... }
[It's mostly about her adventures in a mysterious world, however...]
{最初 は ね, ウサギ を..."}
[it all started when a rabbit--..."]
Alice: {手 を 振って, 中断して もらう. 話 が 長くなり そう だ.}
[I wave my hand to stop her. This seems like a long explanation.]
{実のところ, 眠らない ために 話 して いる だけ で 本 に 対して}
[To tell the truth, I only asked about the story to keep myself from falling asleep,]
{の 興味 は 薄い. そこまで 詳細 を 知りたい わけ ではなかった.}
[and I don't really have any interest in the book. I don't need her to go into that
much detail.]
{"ああ, 途中 経過 は はしょっちゃって いい わ.}
["Uh, it's okay if you just skip the middle.]
{女の子 が 主人公 の, 冒険 もの なの ね. それで?}
[The main character is a girl, she goes on an adventure. And?]
{最後 は どう なる の?"}
[What happens at the end?"]
Lorina: {"... 最後!? そんな, 最後 だけ 知りたい だ なんて..."}
["... The end!? You really only want to know the ending...?"]
Alice: {"私, 推理 小説 の 犯人 と トリック を 先 に 考えて もらいたい,}
["I'm a special breed of person that wants to see the criminal revealed in the]
{奇特 な 人種 なの よ. あらすじ だけ 知りたい の."}
[beginning of the detective novel, and find out their motivations as I go. I just
want a summary."]
Lorina: {"あなた って 子 は, もう...}
["You're still such a child, but alright...]
{その 不思議の国 の 女王様 が 主人公 を 裁判 に かける の よ.}
[The Queen of Wonderland puts the girl on trial.]
{主人公 は 逃げ出す の."}
[But the heroine escapes."]
Alice: {"? 裁判 で 逃げ出せる ほど, 手錠 が 緩かった の?}
["...? How did she escape from the trial? Were her handcuffs loose?]
{警備 の 人間 は 何 を していた の?"}
[What were the guards doing?"]
Lorina: {"そういう 話 じゃない の よ...}
["It's not that kind of story...]
{必死 に 逃げて, そこで 目 を 覚ます の."}
[She was frantically trying to run away, when she suddenly opened her eyes."]
Alice: {"... なんだ, 夢オチ なの ね."}
["... What? It's one of those "it was all a dream" endings?"]
Lorina: {"そういう と 元も子もない けど ね..."}
["You could say it all meant nothing in the end, but..."]
{読者 にとって, 夢オチ と 死に オチ は 最 も}
[For the reader, "it was all a dream" endings and "they were dead all along"]
{「元も子もない」オチ と いえる.}
[endings can just as easily be called "it all meant nothing" endings.]
{"使い古された ような 終わり 方 ね...}
["That kind of ending is a bit overused...]
{... で?"}
[... So?"]
Lorina: {"え?"}
["Hm?"]
Alice: {"結末 は?"}
[What happened in the end?]
Lorina: {"それ が 結末 よ. 今 言った の が ラスト."}
["That was it. What I just told you was the end."]
Alice: {"目 が 覚めて, それで おしまい?"}
["She opened her eyes, and that was it?"]
Lorina: {"そう なの."}
["That was it."]
Alice: {"主人公 は それから どう も なら なかった の?}
["Didn't the protagonist do anything after that?]
{それまで 冒険 した の なら,}
[If she'd been on such an adventure up to that point,]
{締め に 心理描写 くらい は あった んでしょう?"}
[wasn't there at least some kind of explanation of her psyche in the end?"]
Lorina: {"特 に 描写 されて いない わ.}
["Nothing in particular.]
{主人公 の 心理描写 で なく,}
[The protagonist's psychology isn't explained in the end,]
{お姉さん の 心理描写 で 締めく くられる の よ.}
[rather, it defines her elder sister's condition.]
{主人公 が 素敵 な 大人 に なって くれる ように って,}
[The sister only hopes that the protagonist will become]
{お姉さん は 願う の.}
[a wonderful adult someday.]
{それ が, この 物語 の 終わり 方..."}
[And that's the way this tale ends..."]
Lorina: {"童話 より は... 少し 大人 向け かしら.}
["More than children... I think this story is aimed at young adults.]
{子供 が 読んで 楽しめる ような 話 じゃない かもしれない わ.}
[If a child were to read this, I do not believe they would enjoy it very much.]
{貸して あげましょう か?"}
[Would you like to borrow it?"]
Alice: {"子供 が 読んで 楽しめる ような 話 じゃない でしょう?}
["Didn't you just say that children wouldn't enjoy reading it?]
{じゃあ, きっと 私 が 読んで も 楽しめない わ."}
[Then, I'm certain I wouldn't be able to enjoy it either."]
{そんな 話, 大人 でも 楽しめない 気 が する. どこ が 面白い のか,}
[I feel like even adults wouldn't be interested in this story.]
{あらすじ を 聞いた 限り では 興味 も ひかれない.}
[After hearing the summary, I'm not invested at all.]
{姉 の ように 深読みして みよう という 気 も 起きなかった.}
[I definitely won't read into things as deeply as my sister.]
{借りた ところ で, 手つかず の まま 借りっぱなし に なってしまう だろう.}
[Even if I borrowed it, it would end up sitting completely untouched.]
{"私 には, そういう 繊細 な 話 は 向いていない の."}
["Subtle stories like that don't really suit me."]
{実のところ, 私 も かなり 本 が 好き な ほう だ.}
[Truthfully, I also like to read quite a bit.]
{こういう ところ は さすがに 姉妹 とういう か, 本 は よく 読む.}
[One similarity that my sister and I share is a skill for reading.]
{だが, 好み というもの が ある.}
[It's only our tastes that differ.]
{"賢そうな 話 は ダメ だ わ. もっと, 分かり やすい もの でない と."}
["I don't like these intellectual books. I'm more interested in things that are easier
to understand."]
Lorina: {"もう, また... あなたったら, いつも そんなふうに...}
["Come now... You always behave like this...]
{あなた は もう 子供 じゃないし, 本当 は すごく 頭 も いい でしょう?}
[You are no longer a child, and you must see how bright of a girl you are, don't]
{学校 の 成績 も いい し,}
[you? Your grades are good, and I heard from]
{なんでも そつなく こなすって 先生 も 誉めて いらっしゃった わ よ."}
[your teacher that you can handle all of the lessons without extra help."]
Alice: {"それは, ただ 課題 を こなして いる だけ で...}
["That's just being able to do normal homework though...]
{また, 面談 に 行って くれた の?}
[Still, did you really go to another interview with my teacher though?]
{あんな の, 義務 じゃない んだから 行かなくて も いい のに."}
[You know it's fine if you don't. It's not your responsibility."]
Lorina: {"そう は いかない わ.}
["You know that isn't true.]
{私 は, あなた の 母親 代わり なんです から ね.}
[I have to stand-in for Mother right now.]
{あなた は そういった 連絡 を すぐに 隠して しまう から,}
[And since you always hide things like this, it makes it so hard to find out]
{探し 当てる のに 苦労 する わ."}
[how you're doing, and I worry."]
Alice: {優しい 目 で 見つめられて, 照れる. くすぐったい.}
[The way her caring eyes fix on me makes me feel sheepish. It's embarrassing.]
{ロリーナ ＝ リデル. 姉 で あり 母 の ような 存在 の 人.}
[Lorina Liddel, both sister and mother.]
{年若い 姉 なのに, 本物 の 母親 と 錯覚 し そう に なる.}
[Even though she's still young, sometimes I mistake her for my real mother.]
{それだけ, 彼女 は 懐 が 深い.}
[Still looking my way, she exhales deeply.]
{私 にも, 可愛い 妹, 可愛い 娘 を 演じて みよう という 気 に}
[It's as if I'm acting both as her cute little sister, and daughter.]
{させて くれる. 彼女 の 期待 に 応え, そうなら なければ, と.}
[I should do my best to meet her expectations for me.]
{"... ありがとう. いつも 手間 を かけさせちゃって ごめん ね."}
["... Thank you. I'm sorry I always end up taking so much of your time."]
Lorina: {"何 言ってる の. 家族 じゃない.}
["What are you saying? We're family, aren't we?]
{それに 面談 なんて 数十分 の こと よ.}
[Besides, the interview was only 10 minutes long.]
{手間 なんて もの じゃない わ."}
[It was hardly taking up my time."]
Alice: {"そう?... 父さん に 聞かせて やりたい わ."}
["Really?... I wish Father could hear about it."]
Lorina: {"お父様 は..."}
["Father is--..."]
Alice: {"はい, はい. ごめんなさい.}
["I know, I know. I'm sorry.]
{そう よね, 父さん は お仕事 が ある もの.}
[Father has to take care of his work.]
{だから, 私 に 割く 時間 なんて なくて 当然."}
[Of course he can't always make time for me."]
Lorina: {"... アリス."}
["... Alice."]
Alice: "...
{... ごめん. 皮肉 を 言っちゃう の は 癖 なの よ."}
[... Sorry. I know my sarcasm is a bad habit."]
{ぺろり と 舌 を 出す. 子供っぽく.}
[I say, sticking my tongue out jokingly. Just like a child.]
{子供 の ように 振舞う の は, 楽だから だ.}
[It's so easy to just behave like a child.]
{年 の 割に 子供っぽい 服 も, 姉 の 趣味. 姉 は, 私 の こと を, もう}
[Even my clothes are immature for my age, but Lorina thinks they're cute.]
{一人の妹 ・ イーディス 同様 に 可愛い 妹 だと 思って くれて いる.}
[She treats me the same way as she does my other, younger, sister, Edith.]
{だから, 勘違い を して 何 でも 好意的 に 見て いる.}
[So, she looks past everything I do as if it's a misunderstanding.]
{今 の やりとり にも 悲しい 顔 を させて しまった が,}
[In our exchange just now, even though I know I made my sister upset,]
{それ にも 多分 な 誤解 が 含まれて いる はず だ.}
[I'm sure that she thought of it as nothing but a slip of the tongue.]
{父親 が 構って くれなくて, 拗ねて いる 妹.}
[Her baby sister is just sulking about how father doesn't spend enough time with]
{少し ばかり の 不幸.}
[us. Nothing but a little outburst.]
{(境遇 的 に, いかにも 家族 もの の 小説 に ありそう だ わ.)}
[(I'm sure there are all kinds of books about families just like this.)]
{それこそ, 心理学 を 必要 と しそうな 繊細な 少女像.}
[With images of delicate little girls in need of psychological examination.]
{姉 が 心理学 の 本 を 読み漁って いる の だって,}
[After all, Lorina's been reading quite a few psychology books these days,]
{私 に まったく 関係ない とは 思えない. 姉 は 私 を 誤解 して いる.}
[and I can't imagine that's completely unrelated to me. But if that is the case, she's
also misunderstanding me.]
{(傷つき やすい, 多感 な 年頃 だ とか...)}
[(Apparently, girls my age are fragile and sensitive...)]
{自分 が そう 思われて いる としたら, ちょっと ぞっとしない.}
[But if she actually thinks of me that way, it's a bit off-putting.]
{実際 の 私 は, そんな に 可愛らしく はない の だ.}
[In reality, I'm not at all as sweet and gentle as that.]
{父 が 学校 の 面談 に 来る か どうかなど, どうしても いい.}
[It really makes no difference to me whether or not Father comes to]
{そんな こと で 拗ねる なんて 馬鹿 らしい.}
[parent-teacher interviews, for example. It would be absurd to mope about
something as small as that.]
{働いて, 教育費 も 生活費 も 払って くれている.}
[He's working to pay for our house, and schooling.]
{それだけで 父親 として は 充分 だ.}
[That's enough to ask of him already.]
{父 は, 大酒飲み でもなければ 暴力 を 振るう わけ でもない.}
[Father isn't a heavy drinker, and he would never be violent. He's not even]
{精神的 にも, 家族 を 傷つけたり は しない.}
[emotionally distant, so there's nothing that's going to tear our family apart.]
{私 も, 気色の悪い 家族 もの の 小説 の ように, 「お父さん は}
[I'm not like those immature children you read about, going on about how I hate]
{私 を 愛して くれて いない んだ わ」 などとごねる ような 年 でもない.}
[my father, or grumbling about useless things.]
{(接触 が 少ない だけで,}
[(It's true we don't have much time together,]
{まったく の 無関心 っていう わけ じゃない もの.)}
[but that doesn't make me feel any colder towards my family or anything.)]
{でも, 父 が 愛して いる の は, 母 だけ.}
[However, Father only really loves Mother.]
{過去形 だ. 母 だけ, だった.}
[That should actually be in the past tense. Mother was the only one.]
{だから, 母 の 子供 で ある 私達 の 面倒 も みて くれる.}
[And that's the real reason he still takes care of her children.]
{実子 で あり ながら, どうも 自分 の 子供 という 感覚 は 薄そう}
[Although he is our biological father, there's never been a very deep feeling that]
{だ が... だけど, それなり に 大切 に 扱って くれて いる.}
[we're his children... Still, he treats us with great care.]
{不満 なの は, 姉 に 手間 を かけさせて いる こと.}
[I'm only upset that I impose on my sister's time.]
{そうさせて しまって いる 自分 に イラつく.}
[It annoys me to know that I inconvenience her.]
{姉 の 言う通り, 私はもう 子供ではない.}
[As my sister said, I'm not a child anymore.]
{しかし, まだ 子供で い続けなくて ならない.}
[However, I have to keep living like one.]
{養育され, 面倒 を みてもらっている. 自分だけで は 立てず,}
[I'm being cared for, and watched over. I can't stand on my own,]
{不在 がちの 父 の せいで 姉 には 面倒のかけ 通しだ.}
[and because of my father's absence, all the burden lands on my sister.]
{(いつ 結婚 したっておかしくない のに...)}
[(I wonder how long it will be until she gets married...)]
{求婚者 も 後 を 絶たない のに, 姉は私が後見人の 必要}
[Even though she has no shortage of suitors, my sister says she isn't going]
{のなくなる 年 になるまでは 結婚する 気がないという.}
[to worry about marriage until she no longer has to act as my legal guardian.]
{嫁き遅れてしまう ・}
[She may miss her chance to marry because of me.]
{必要ない と 拒みながらも, 私はまだ面倒をみられる立場 を 脱せない.}
[But, while I don't want to be a bother, I'm in no position to deny her.]
{どうしようもない. 私は 子供 だから.}
[There's no other way. Since I'm still a child.]
{体 や 心が大人でも, 立場 は 子供 だ. そんな 自分 が 嫌いだ.}
[My body and mind may be that of an adult, but I'm stuck in the position of a
child. And I hate myself for it.]
{父に 対して 皮肉 を 言ったくなる のは, 仕方ない.}
[So I can't help making cynical remarks about my father.]
{私が姉に 迷惑 をかけざるを 得ないのは,}
[After all, at the end of the day,]
{結局のところ 不在 がちな 父のせい だからだ.}
[the reason I have to bother Lorina is because he's not around.]
{内情 が分かっていても, 嫌いだ.}
[I can understand my circumstances, and still hate them.]
{自分の立場と合わせて, 嫌わざるを 得ない.}
[I can't help but loathe my position in it all.]
CG - Storytime with Lorina
{"でも... 私がなんでもそつなくこなす, ねえ..."}
["But... It's not as if I'm doing anything out of the ordinary..."]
{面談で 誉められたという 部分も, 皮肉に聞こえる.}
[I find it ironic to hear that I received praise at the teacher's interview.]
{実際には, 誰かに面倒をみてもらわねばならず, }
[In every aspect of my life,]
{その 現状 を 打破することも出来ないのに.}
[I always have people assessing my condition.]
{"先生がそう言ったの? それって, 誉め言葉なのかしら."}
["Did Teacher really say that? In that case, maybe I should take it as a
compliment."]
{担任の教師を, 意地悪く思い出してみる.}
[I think of how ill-tempered my teacher usually is.]
{学校での私は, 優秀な成績を叩きだしてはいても, 優等生ではない.}
[Even though I have excellent grades in school, I'm not an honour student.]
{先生に 対して, 悪戯もすれば 意地悪もする.}
[It seems that when you pull pranks on the teacher, they get upset.]
Lorina: {"アリス... 学校が嫌いになったの?"}
["Alice... Do you dislike your school?"]
Alice: {(... 私ってば, どうしてこう...)}
[(... I already told you, so why are you asking again...)]
{どうにも 要領が悪い.}
[This is a bad topic.]
{そんな 気はないのに, 悲しい顔をさせてしまう.}
[I make an apologetic face, even though that isn't how I really feel.]
{お荷物 になっておいて, 墓穴を掘るのだけがうまい.}
[Adding another burden for her would only be digging my own grave.]
{"そんなことないわ. 望んで行かせてもらっているんだもの.}
["That's not it at all. I'm happy to be able to go there.]
{学校は楽しいわ. 授業も, 友達付き合いも新鮮なの."}
[School is fun. The lessons are interesting, and I've met so many new people."]
Lorina: {"本当? いじめられたりしていない?"}
["Really? You aren't being bullied, are you?"]
Alice: {"いじめ..."}
["Bullied..."]
{ぶっと, ふき出しそうになる. 姉が 真剣に心配しているのが, 余計におかしい.}
[I was so surprised I almost laughed. And Lorina looks so genuinely concerned
it's only making it worse.]
{"... っ... 友人関係は... 良好よ..."}
["... Hmhm~... My friends are great... really..."]
{姉は真剣.}
[My sister is so serious.]
{真剣なのだ. 笑っちゃいけない.}
[Serious. So I shouldn't smile.]
{姉の心配は, 的外れではない.}
[It's not that Lorina's concerns are absurd.]
{しかし, 姉の中の私はやはり 勘違いされている.}
[There just seems to be a lot of miscommunication between her and I.]
{我が家は, 貴族 の 家系などではないが, それなりに 裕福だ.}
[Our family may not be aristocrats or anything, but we're still well-off.]
{姉は私のためと家にいてくれるし, 母親のように家事もこなしてくれているが,}
[And although my sister stays living at our house for my sake, and does the]
{住み込みの使用人を雇えるくらいに家計は潤っている.}
[housework, we can also afford to have a live-in maid.]
{今だって, 広い屋敷の家事手伝いに, 通いで家政婦が来ているのだ.}
[Even now, the housekeeper is somewhere on the vast grounds of our residence.]
{屋敷の中を忙しく動き回る女性が時折 窓から覗く.}
[Sometimes I see her busily moving past the windows.]
{四人の子供を持った気のいい中年女性だが, やかましくて... }
[She's a nice middle-aged woman with four children, a bit loud, but--...]
{ともかく, 我が家はそこそこに裕福だ.}
[Anyway, that's how wealthy my family is.]
{貴族のような地位はなくとも, このくらいの 資産がある 家ならば,}
[Even without the status of nobles, if a family has this many assets,]
{子供には家庭教師をつけるか寄宿制の学校で教育を受けさせるのが妥当.}
[it's reasonable that their children would go to a boarding school, or have a private
tutor.]
{世習に従えば, 私も姉がそうであったように家庭教師に教わるべきだ.}
[Following that social construct, I should be taught by a personal tutor, like]
{もしくは, 妹 ・ イーディス のように寄宿制の学校に入るか.}
[Lorina was. Or, enroll in a private school, like Edith.]
{実際, 数年前までは 私にも家庭教師がついていた. 前の家庭教師が}
[Actually, until a few years ago, I had a private teacher, too.]
{辞めるとき, 頼み込んで公立の学校に転入させてもらったのだ.}
[After he resigned, I asked to attend a public school.]
{父は渋ったが, 姉が説得してくれた. まったく, 姉には頭が上がらない.}
[Father was reluctant, but Lorina persuaded him. He was no match for her.]
{"楽しい 学校生活をおくっているわ. 本当よ?"}
["My school life is honestly fine. Okay?"]
Lorina: {"... なら, いいわ. あなたが学校に通いたいと言い出したとき}
["... In that case, alright. Ever since you first]
{にはどうならことかと思ったけど..."}
[said you wanted to attend that school, I've just worried about things like that."]
Alice: {"その 節はご迷惑をおかけしまして..."}
["I'm sorry that it troubled you..."]
Lorina: {"冗談に聞こえないの, あなたのは.}
["That didn't sound like a joke to me.]
{昔から, どこか 他人行儀で... もっと, 甘えてもいいのに."}
[Do you still have to stand on formality so much? It is alright to depend on me more,
you know."]
Alice: {"甘えているわよ. 今だって, すごく.}
["I do depend on you. So much, even now.]
{これが私なりの甘え方なの."}
[This is how I'd rather be helped."]
Lorina: {"はあ... 嫌われてはいないと思うけど..."}
["I don't think you're doing this because you dislike me, but..."]
Alice: {"嫌う どころか, 大好き よ. 姉さん."}
["I don't dislike you at all. I love you. You're my sister."]
{姉の安心するであろう言葉を選びながらも, 否定はしきれない.}
[While choosing my words carefully, to set my sisters mind at ease, I can't]
{どこか線引きをしてしまっている.}
[completely deny it. I have been keeping my distance.]
{可愛こぶっても, 本当は甘え方なんてよく分からない.}
[Even though I put on this cute façade, I really don't know how to depend on others.]
{好かれ方なんて, もっと分からない.}
[And I really don't know how to be charming, either.]
{うちくらいの資産家層だと, 貴族のすました夜会等にも招かれる機会がある.}
[Since we're in a wealthy class, we often get invited to aristocratic soirées.]
{そこで得た教訓は, 私には向いていないということ.}
[And thanks to this, I've learned that I'm not suited for it at all.]
{私はイーディスのように無邪気ではなく, 姉のように優雅でもない.}
[I'm not innocent like Edith, or graceful like Lorina.]
{(それでも, 振りなら出来る.)}
[(But, I can still pretend to be.)]
{優雅になんて笑えないが, 装うだけなら簡単だ. いつもやっていること.}
[I may not have a delicate demeanor, but it's still easy to look as if I fit in. I do it
all the time.]
{お偉方の集まりでは,}
[Whenever I'm at a high-class gathering,]
{姉に向かって話すように可愛い子供を演じれば難がない.}
[no one bats an eye as I follow my sister around like a child.]
{逆に, それでは乗り切れないのが学校だ.}
[Conversely, that tactic can't help me when it comes to school. The]
{金持ちの娘が公立の学校に行けば, 反感を買う.}
[daughter of a wealthy family attending a public school only draws animosity.]
{下町の子も混じっている. 異端に神経質なのは, どこでも同じだ.}
[I'm mixed in with the average children from town. And they're as nervous about
an outsider as anyone would be.]
{しかし, 私は黙っていじめられるような可愛らしい女の子じゃない.}
[But, I'm not the shy kind of girl who will just quietly let others tease me.]
{耐えることが美徳なんて, それこそ耐えられない.}
[Being able to put up with things like that is a virtue I certainly lack.]
{(向いていないもの.)}
[(I can't let things like that stand.)]
{学校では, 可愛こぶったりしない.}
[At school, I don't act like a cute little girl. While I'm sure there's]
{毅然と受け流すやり方もあるのだろうが, 私の対応は実に単純だ.}
[a more peaceful way to stave off their harassment, my response is simple.]
{叩かれれば叩き返すし, 水をかけられれば次の日には泥水をかけてやる.}
[I retaliate. If someone dumps water on me, the next day, I'll dump muddy]
{意地悪をされれば倍にして返す.}
[water on them. I simply give back what I receive, two-fold.]
{いじめようとした子を逆に泣かしたことも数知れず.}
[I don't know how many kids I've made cry because they tried to pick on me.]
{お互い告げ口を出来るような立場ではないから, その辺はうまくやった.}
[And since we would then be in a position where we'd both be in trouble if the
teachers got involved, the situation usually ends there.]
{その気性が気風に合っていたようで, 今では受け入られ, 友達も多い.}
[But, that disposition must have worked out, since nowadays I'm fairly popular,
and I really do have many friends.]
{家のことで, どうこう言ってくるような人は周りにいなくかった.}
[Eventually, people stopped talking about my family around me.]
{私も家のことは話さない.}
[And I never brought it up either.]
{学校にいるのは楽で, 初期に助けてくれなかった}
[School became comfortable. And now, all of those teachers who]
{先生を悪戯の対象にする毎日は最高に気分がいい.}
[never helped me when I needed it are the targets of my mischief instead.]
{成績はいいし放置した負い目があるので, 下手なことも言えまい.}
[Since my grades always stay high, and they know it's because they ignored me,
they feel obligated not to say anything.]
{教師にとっても, 扱いにくい富裕層の子女など早々に自主退学して}
[As far as the teachers are concerned, they just want all the "difficult" rich kids]
{ほしかったのだろうが... 泣いて家に帰るほど, 私は弱くなかった.}
[to graduate as soon as possible... and I have no intention of going home,
and crying to my family about it.]
{今では, 溶け込めているという自信があった.}
[Now I have the confidence to fit in.]
{他愛ない悪戯や, 馬鹿げた会話も楽しめる.}
[I can finally joke around, and be mischievous like everyone else.]
{"学校は楽しいわ. とっても.}
["School is fun. Really.]
{行かせてくれている姉さんには, すごく感謝している."}
[I'm so thankful to you, Lorina. You're the reason I was able to go."]
{にんまりと笑うのは心の中だけにしておいて,}
[I keep the smug laughs to myself,]
{姉には可愛い笑顔を向けておく.}
[and turn a sweet smile to my sister.]
{可愛い... はずだ.}
[Nice and cute... like I should be.]
{裏が透けて見えなければ.}
[I can't let her see through that.]
{幸いにして, 心理学を学ぶ姉にも心の透視はできない.}
[Luckily, even after all of her studies in psychology, my sister still can't read]
{にっこりと, 優しい笑顔が返される.}
[my heart. With my cute grin, she returns a gentle smile.]
{(ーー... ああ, やっぱり.)}
[(--... Right, as expected.)]
Lorina: {"ん, 何?"}
["Hm? What is it?"]
Alice: {"ううん, なんでもない."}
["No, it's nothing."]
{(何もかもが違う. 私とは.)}
[(I'm nothing like her.)]
Lorina: {"あなたも大人になってしまうのねえ... 少し寂しいわ."}
["Thinking that you're already an adult... It's a bit lonesome."]
Alice: {"何言っているの. 私はまだ子供よ."}
["What are you talking about? I'm still just a child."]
Lorina: {"隠し事をし始めるようになったら, もう大人だわ."}
["If you've started keeping secrets, you're an adult."]
Alice: {"そんな... 違うわよ.}
["It's... nothing like that.]
{隠し事なんてしていない."}
[I don't have any secrets."]
{否定に, 力がこもる.}
[I deny it firmly.]
{(違うわ. 大人になっていくからじゃない.)}
[(She's wrong. It isn't because I'm becoming an adult.)]
{(私は, 昔からこうだったわ. 子供の頃から, こうだった.)}
[(I've been this way for a long time. For as long as I can remember.)]
{何もかもが, 姉とは違う. まったく異なる.}
[My sister and I have never been the same. Not at all.]
Lorina: {"イーディスのように寄宿舎に住んでいるわけではないけど,}
["You aren't attending a boarding school like Edith,]
{最近はあなたとの間にも距離を感じるわ."}
[and yet I feel like we've grown so distant lately."]
Alice: (...)
{最近になってやっと感じ始めるなんて, 呑気すぎる.}
[It's pretty optimistic to say this has only started recently.]
Lorina: {"こうして, 私と日曜の午後を過ごしてくれるのもいつまでかしら."}
["I wonder how much longer you'll want to keep spending your Sunday afternoons
with me like this."]
Alice: {"... ずっとよ."}
["... Always."]
{私がこの家を出て行く日まで, ずっと.}
[Until the day I leave this house, always.]
{平日の放課後と土曜日は友達と過ごす時間.}
[I spend my after-school time with my friends all week.]
{日曜日は, 姉と過ごすと決めている.}
[But, I've decided that Sundays are just for my sister.]
{他に予定もない.}
[I don't make any other plans.]
Lorina: {"いつか, あなたにも素敵な人が現れて, 私なんて構ってくれなくなるわ."}
["One day, someone wonderful will come into your life, and you won't make time
for me anymore."]
Alice: {寂しさと期待をこめて, 私を見る.}
[She looks at me with hope and loneliness.]
{そんな目で見ないでほしい. 姉と私は, まったく違う.}
[I wish she wouldn't look at me with such eyes. I'm not like her.]
{(そんな日は, 永遠に来ないんじゃないかしら.)}
[(I don't think a day like that will ever come.)]
Lorina: {"ふふ... あなたが恋人をこの家に連れてくる日が今から楽しみだわ."}
["Hmhm~... I'm looking forward to the day you bring a boyfriend home to
meet me."]
Alice: {(... それだけはありえないって, 分かってよ.)}
[(... I wish she understood how unlikely that was.)]
{視線を逸らした私を, 姉は又, 都合よく勘違いしてくれる.}
[When I averted my gaze, my sister seems to have misread me yet again.]
{照れたのだとでも思ったはずだ.}
[She must think it's because I'm embarassed.]
Lorina: {"こうして過ごせるのも, 今の内だけね...}
["We can only stay like this for now...]
{... そうだ. 今から, ゲームをしましょうか."}
[... Right. How about we play a game now then?"]
Alice: {"え?"}
["Huh?"]
Lorina: {"夢にみるくらいだもの.}
["That's what you dreamt of, isn't it?]
{よっぽどやりたいんでしょう? 付き合うわ.}
[Which means that you must want to play something. We should go along with it.]
{何がいい? チェス? オセロ?"}
[What would you like? Chess? Othello?"]
Alice: {"いいのに...}
["That's nice, but...]
{本当に, ゲームがしたいわけじゃないのよ.}
[I don't really want to play a game.]
{姉さんも, 本の続きが気になるでしょう?"}
[I thought you would want to continue your book?"]
{姉は気を遣ってくれているようだが, 意地をはっているわけではなく, 本当に.}
[My sister seems to be trying for my sake, but I honestly have no interest.]
{私は, ゲームがしたいわけじゃない. ゲームなんか, したくない.}
[I don't want to play a game. I don't really like games of any kind.]
{先刻みた夢は... 願望というよりも, もっと... 強制的な夢だった.}
[And besides, that dream earlier felt... less like something I wanted to do, and more
like... something I had to do.]
{そう, ゲームを「したい」のではなく, 「しなくてはいけない」というような夢.}
[Right. The dream didn't ask if I "wanted" to play a game, it was telling me I had
no choice.]
Lorina: {"つれないことを言わないで. ゲームは一人じゃ出来ないのよ?}
["Don't say something cold like that. I can't play alone, after all.]
{せっかくだから, 久しぶりにゲームをしましょう?"}
[Don't you think we should at least play since it's been so long?"]
Alice: {"そりゃ, 一人じゃ出来ないけど... する必要もないし..."}
["I understand that you can't play on your own... but I'm saying that you really don't
have to..."]
Lorina: {"ボードゲームが面倒なら, 気軽にカードゲームはどうかしら?}
["If a board game is too much trouble, what if we just play a card game instead?]
{そうねえ... カードゲームにも色々あるけど, シンプルに...}
[Hmm... There are so many card games, so why don't we pick something simple...]
{トランプなんかは?"}
[How about Trump?"]
Alice: {"... トランプ?"}
["...Trump?"]
{どくんっ, と. 心臓が跳ねた.}
[Bdmp. My heart jumps.]
Lorina: {"どう? トランプなら, 遊び方もバリエーションがあるし..."}
["Well? With Trump, there are variations. If you want, we can--..."]
Alice: {"... そ, そうね. じゃあ, カードゲームを. トランプで... いいわ."}
["... I-I see. Then, let's go with cards. Trump is... fine."]
{体中が, ハートになったようだ. どくどくと, 脈打つ.}
[My entire body feels like a heart now. Steadily beating.]
{そう, 「しなくてはいけない」. 私は, トランプを「しなくてはいけない」.}
[That's right, I have no choice. I have to play.]
{それが...}
[Since...]
{"ルールだから."}
["That's the rule."]
Lorina: {"え? 何か言った. アリス."}
["Hm? Did you say something, Alice?"]
Alice: {"え? ううん??? 私, 何か言った???"}
["Huh? Uhh??? Did I say something???"]
{とろんと瞼が下がり, 再び眠くなってくる. 陽気のせいだ.}
[My eyelids drooped drowsily, and I suddenly felt like I needed to go back to sleep.
It must be because of the weather.]
Lorina: {"ふふっ. 嫌だわ, アリス, まだ寝ぼけているのね.}
["Hmhm~. Oh no, Alice, are you still half asleep?]
{「トランプは, 私が取ってきてあげるわ. 待っている間に, 寝ちゃ駄目よ」."}
[I'm going to go fetch the cards. Try not to drift off before I get back, alright?"]
Alice: {姉さんは, 本にしおりを挟んで, 身軽に立ち上がった.}
[My sister put a bookmark between the pages of her book, and quickly stood up.]
{"うん, 待っている.}
["Okay, I'll wait here.]
{待っているから...}
[But since I'm waiting...]
..."
{釘を剌されたが, 姉さんが家に入って行くと同時にうとうとし始める.}
[Even though she warned me, the moment Lorina entered the house, I started dozing
off.]
{トランプは, ボードゲーム等と一緒に物置にあるはずだから,}
[Since the cards and board games should be in the storage room,]
{探すのにはきっと時間がかかる.}
[she'll probably be gone for a while.]
{昔はよく, 家族で遊んだものだ. 昔...}
[This was something my family used to do together all the time. Back then...]
{母が生きていた頃は, よく...}
[When Mother was still alive, we often...]
"..."
{姉は私のためにトランプを探してくれているのに, うとうとする}
[Even though I know Lorina is hunting for cards for me, I still keep nodding off.]
{なんて酷い妹だと思うが, 止められない. 視界が, またぼんやりしてくる.}
[I feel like an awful little sister, but I can't stop. My vision is fading again.]
{暖かい, 午後の庭. 草の匂いと, 柔らかな日差し.}
[The warmth of the afternoon garden, the scent of the grass, and the soft sunlight...]
{眠るには最高の環境に, 瞼が重くなっていく.}
[With these perfect conditions, my eyelids grow heavy again.]
{いつもの景色. 花の咲いた庭.}
[The usual scenery. The garden's flowers are in bloom.]
{のどかで美しい, いつもの日常.}
[Everything is as beautiful and peaceful as always.]
* Alice blinks once more, and...
{蝶がひらひら舞って, 服を着たウサギが走っている.}
[A butterfly fluttered in front of me, and a clothed rabbit hurried past.]
{いつもの日常だ.}
[Just like always.]
(...)
* Alice blinks a few times, clearing her vision
(...)
(...???)
"...?
{ウサギ...?}
[A rabbit...?]
{ええっっっ!?"}
[HUUH--!?"]
{服を着たウサギが走っている?}
[A clothed rabbit hurried past?]
{それが日常だったら, おかしい. ありえないことだ.}
[This is too ridiculous to be "like always". No, this is impossible.]
{がばりっと, 起き上がる.}
[I sit up with a jolt.]
{"いたっ!"}
["Oww--!"]
{また急に起き上がったせいで頭が痛い. くらくらして, へたり込む.}
[Yet again I gave myself a headache from sitting up too quickly. I feel dizzy.]
{低血圧なのかもしれない. 頭が痛い.}
[Maybe I have low blood pressure. My head hurts.]
(...)
(...)
{(... ウサギなんて, どうでもいいわ.)}
[(... I'm not going to worry about the rabbit.)]
{ウサギなんてたくさんいるんだから, その内の一匹が服を着ていても,}
[There are so many rabbits, sooner or later one was bound to dress himself.]
{それほど不思議なことじゃない.}
[It's not that crazy.]
{(私は疲れているんだ... 寝よう.)}
[(I must be tired... I think I should sleep after all.)]
* Alice closes her eyes
"..."
...
White Rabbit: {"... って, そこ! 追いかけるところですよ!?}
["... Hey! This way! Follow me!]
{なに, 無視しているんです!? ウサギを追いかけなきゃ駄目でしょう!?"}
[What's with that bored face!? Don't you know, you must give chase!?"]
Alice: {... ウサギが喋っている.}
[... Now the rabbit's talking.]
{しかし, まあ, ウサギなんてたくさんいるのだ.}
[But, again, there are just so many rabbits.]
{その内の一匹が服を着ていても, その上喋っていても,}
[Sooner or later one was bound to dress himself, and learn to speak.]
{それほど不思議なことじゃない.}
[It's not that crazy.]
{(いや, まあ, 不思議だけど...)}
[(Er, well, it is crazy, but...)]
{(私は, 相当に疲れているんだわ... 寝よう.)}
[(I'm tired enough that it makes sense... I should get some sleep.)]
White Rabbit: {"こらこら! 若いうちからそんな無気力じゃ将来は暗いですよ!"}
["Hey, hey! Don't sleep here! Consider the result! If you're this dreary now, what hope
do you have as an adult!?"]
Alice: {ウサギなんてたくさんいる. その内の一匹が服を着ていても,}
[There are so many rabbits. One was bound to dress himself, ]
{その上喋っていても,その上私を詰ってきても, それほど不思議なことじゃない.}
[and learn to speak so he can scold me. It's not that crazy.]
{... 寝よう.}
[... I have to sleep.]
{寝るじゃかない. 私は疲れきっている.}
[I can't get up now. I'm already completely exhausted.]
{明らかに, 面倒事の臭いがする... 正直, 関わりたくない.}
[Besides, this scene reeks of trouble... Frankly, I don't want anything to do with it.]
White Rabbit: {"無視しないでくださいって! ほら, 僕を追いかけないと!"}
["Please don't just ignore me with a scoff! Look, at least chase me off!"]
Alice: {"... ぐうぐう."}
["... Hmn mn."]
White Rabbit: "Hm..."
Alice: {"... ぐうぐうぐう."}
["... Hmnnn hnnn"]
White Rabbit: "Mnnmnnnghh..."
Alice: {"... ぐーーーーーーーー"}
["... Hhmm--------"]
White Rabbit: "Mnnhnnhnnnghh...!"
Alice: {姉にお小言を言われたときの定番・狸寝入りを試みる.}
[I keep pretending to sleep, the same way I do when my sister comes to nag me.]
{だんだんと, 本当に眠くなってくる. しばらくしたら, 本当に眠ってしまうだろう.}
[At least I gradually get more and more tired while doing this. If I can keep it up,
I'll finally be able to fall sleep for real.]
{姉には悪いが, 眠くて幻覚・幻聴症状が出てくるようでは限界だ.}
[I know this is a shame for my sister, but when I'm at the point where I have symptoms]
{後で起こしてもらえればいい.}
[of auditory and visual hallucinations, I'm past my limit. She can just wake me up later.]
{暖かな日差しに, どこまでが夢なのか分からなくなる. }
[In this gentle sunlight, I can't tell whether I'm asleep or not anymore.]
{きっと, 喋るウサギも夢だったのだ.}
[But this rabbit has to be part of a dream.]
{現実じゃない...}
[It's certainly not reality...]
{ふわりと, 宙に浮くような感覚.}
[Suddenly, I feel like I'm lifting into the air.]
"...
...?
{ええええ!!???"}
[Waaaaa!!???"]
{私は, 狸寝入りをしていたのも忘れ, 目を開けた.}
[I forgot that I was only pretending to sleep, and opened my eyes.]
{そこには先ほどまでいたウサギはいなくて, ちょっとインテリ風のお兄さんが...}
[The rabbit that was there until just now had disappeared, and in it's place was a]
{チャームポイントは, ウサギ耳...}
[smart-looking man... with a charming set of rabbit ears...]
{"えええええええええ!!???"}
["Whaaaaaaa!!??"]
White Rabbit: {"耳元で叫ばないでくださいよ."}
["Oh dear, could you please not scream so close to my ear."]
Alice: {インテリ風のお兄さんは, ウサギ耳をぴくぴくさせた.}
[The man's rabbit ears twitched at my voice.]
{確かに, 大きな耳のすぐ傍で叫ばれたらうるさいだろう.}
[I'm sure that shouting near large ears like that must be especially loud for him.]
{... 近すぎることが問題だ.}
[... The problem is how close I am.]
{"あ, ごめん... 降ろしてよ."}
["Uh, sorry... Just put me down."]
{私は悪くないのに, 反射的に謝ってしまう.}
[I know I'm not the one at fault here, but the apology was reflexive.]
{ウサギ耳のお兄さんも充分に非日常的だが,}
[The man with rabbit ears is more than strange enough on his own,]
{そのお兄さんに抱き上げられている事態は更に非日常的だった.}
[but the fact that he's holding me up right now is too much.]
{かっこいいお兄さんに抱き上げられたりしたら,}
[It makes me think of romance stories, with a blushing maiden being]
{乙女としては顔が赤らむシチュエーションだ.}
[carried around in the arms of a handsome young man.]
{... ウサギ耳を無視すればの話だが.}
[... Although, those stories forgot the ears.]
White Rabbit: {"着いたら降ろしてあげます. さ, 行きますよ."}
["I'll set you down as soon as we return. And we're already close, so there's
no concern."]
Alice: {お兄さんは私を抱き上げたまま, ぴょこぴょこ穴に向かって進んでいく.}
[Without any care for my words, the man continues towards the hole with a bounce in his step.]
{(... 穴?)}
[(... A hole?)]
{"なっ!? なんで, うちの庭にこんな馬鹿でかい穴が!?"}
["Wha-!? Why would someone leave such a ridiculous hole in our garden!?"]
White Rabbit: {"さて, なんででしょう."}
["Yes, please tell me why."]
Alice: {"なんでって, なんでなんでなんで!?"}
["I asked you why, so why would you ask me why!?"]
White Rabbit: {"さてさて, なんででしょうねえ?"}
["Well, at least this way it seems we're tied."]
Alice: {こんな大きくて深い穴, 見たことがない. 底が見えない.}
[I've never seen any hole like this. It's as if there's no bottom.]
{こんな穴, うちの庭にあるはずがない.}
[There's no way this was in our garden before.]
{いつ誰が掘ったんだ? まったく気付かなかった.}
[When did someone dig this? I had no idea there was any work being done out here.]
White Rabbit: {"何故ここに穴があるかはともかくとして,}
["Ignoring the why, there is still a hole.]
{穴があったら飛び込まなくては."}
[Meaning I must leap in, since that is my role."]
Alice: {"えええ!?}
["Huh!?]
{なに!? 何言っているの, あんた!!!"}
[What!? What are you talking about!!!?"]
White Rabbit: {"えいっ."}
["Hup~!"]
Alice: {お兄さんは躊躇いもせず, びょ～んと, 穴に飛び込む.}
[Without hesitation, the man leaps into the hole with a mighty bounce.]
{... 私を抱えたままで.}
[... Still holding me in his arms.]
"!?!?!
{... っ!!!?}
[... Gh!!!?]
{穴に飛び込んで...}
[We actually jumped in...]
{当然, 落ちる.}
[So of course, now we're falling.]
{落ちる. 落ちる.}
[And falling. And falling.]
{落ちる. 更に, 落ちる.}
[And falling. Deeper and deeper, we're still falling.]
{"っ...}
["Hn...]
{う... ぎ... っ.}
[Uh... gh... nn.]
{ぎゃああああああーーーーーーー!!!}
[Gyaaaaaaaaaa------!!!]
{私は, 確かにちょっとばかり無気力かもしれないけど,}
[I might be a bit too apathetic at times,
{自傷癖も自殺願望もないわよーーー!?}
[but I have no desire to hurt or kill myself---!]
{自殺ウサギに付き合いたくないーーーーー!!!"}
[I didn't want to end up with a suicidal rabbit---!!!"]
White Rabbit: {"耳元で叫ばないでくださいってばーーー!}
["I've told you before, please don't shout near my ears---!]
{僕だって, 自殺願望なんてありませんよっ! 自殺ウサギなんて酷いです!"}
[After all, I had no death wish by jumping in here! Calling me suicidal is far too severe!"]
Alice: {ウサギのお兄さんは反論してきたが, まともに取り合っていられない.}
[The rabbit-man objects, but I don't pay it any attention.]
{びゅんびゅんと, すごい勢いで落ちていく. おなかが, すうっと冷える.}
[The air is whipping past as we fall with incredible force, and my blood is running cold.]
White Rabbit: {"うるさいですよ! 耳がきんきんします!}
["Please stop shouting! That sound is painfully shrill!]
{穴の中は響くんですからねーーー! お静かにお願いします!"}
[This hole makes it echo---! I've had more than my fill!"]
Alice: {"うるさいのはあんたよ! この, コスプレウサギ男! 変質者!}
["You're the one who needs to shut up! You perverted rabbit cosplayer!]
{ちょっとばかり顔がいいからって,}
[The abduction was bad enough, ]
{誘拐した上に無理心中なんて犯罪よーーー!!!"}
[but dragging me into a forced double suicide is insane---!!!"]
White Rabbit: {"こ, コスプレ!? へ... 変質者って... ひど...}
["C-Cosplayer!? P-... Perverted... How terrible...]
{自殺ウサギとか, 変質者とか... 酷いです... っ!}
[Calling me a "suicidal rabbit" and "pervert"... it's awfully cruel...!]
{僕はあなたのことが好きなのにっ."}
[After all, I adore you. Nothing short of a cherished jewel."]
Alice: {(私のことが好き...!?)}
[(He adores me...!?)]
{突然の告白に, 変質者という認識が決定的になる.}
[With that sudden confession, his status as a pervert was confirmed.]
{"事実でしょーーーーー!!!}
["It's all fact though-----!!!]
{変質者じゃなきゃ, 変質ウサギよ!!! どっちにしても, 不審者... 不審ウサギよ!"}
[Even if you're not a pervert, you're still suspicious!!! And no matter what I call you,
you're definitely a degenerate of a man... or, rabbit..."]
White Rabbit: {"不審ウサギ!? なんですか, それは!!!}
["A degenerate rabbit!? What do you mean!!!?]
Alice: {"誠実なウサギさんは, 女の子を穴に引っぱり込んだりしないわよ!!!"}
["A trustworthy rabbit wouldn't drag a girl down a hole!!!"]
White Rabbit: {"... ん? う～ん... それはそうかも..."}
["... Hm? Hmm... You may have a point..."]
Alice: {"そうよ! あんたは, 誠実なウサギさんじゃないわ!"}
["See!? You aren't a trustworthy rabbit at all!"]
{... いや, そもそも誠実なウサギって, どんなだ.}
[... Though, I've never had to judge the trustworthiness of a rabbit before.]
{私には, ウサギの知り合いなんていない. 比較対象がない.}
[I don't happen to have any rabbit acquaintances, so it's not like I have a point of
comparison.]
(...)
{(... 当たり前よね.)}
[(... Which is normal, isn't it?)]
{そう, 当たり前だ. ウサギに知り合いなんて, いてたまるか.}
[Right, of course it's normal. Where would you even go to meet rabbits?]
{せいぜいが, 友達の飼っているペットのウサギくらいだ.}
[At best, I have a friend who keeps one as a pet.]
{喋ったり, 人型になったり, 口喧嘩するようなウサギは知らない.}
[But I don't know of any rabbits that turn human and argue with you.]
{"これは夢よね...}
["This is a dream, isn't it...?]
{これは夢, これは夢, これは夢..."}
[It's all a dream, it's all a dream, it's all a dream..."]
{ひゅるひゅる落ちながら, 自分に言い聞かせる.}
[I tell myself as I continue to drop.]
{これは, 夢だ. 夢のはず.}
[This is a dream. It must be a dream.]
{... 夢であってほしい.}
[... I hope this is a dream.]
White Rabbit: {"ははっ, 夢じゃないですよ."}
["Ahaha~, this is no dream."]
Alice: {ウサギは, 私の希望をあっさりと打ち砕く.}
[And the rabbit shatters my hopes without hesitation.]
{"夢よ! 夢じゃなかったら死んじゃうじゃない!!!"}
["It's a dream! Because if this isn't a dream, we're going to die!!!"]
White Rabbit: {"死ぬ?"}
["Die?"]
Alice: {ぴょこんと, 片耳が動く.}
[One of his ears shifts with confusion.]
{そんな可愛らしい仕草をしても, ちっとも可愛くない.}
[But even such an adorable gesture can't make him cute.]
{私の可愛こぶりっ子よりも気色が悪い.}
[I only see it as a disgusting attempt at playing innocent.]
{"死ぬに決っているでしょう! こんな深い穴に落ちたら!}
["You've already accepted that we're going to die! You were the one who jumped
into this bottomless pit!]
{地面に着いたら, 人生の終わりよ! 一瞬で死んじゃうわ!"}
[When we finally hit the ground, our lives are over! It'll be instant death!"]
{びゅるびゅるびゅる...}
[Down, down, down...]
{これだけ落ちているのだ. 落下時間が長く, 延々と落ち続けている.}
[We just keep falling. It goes on and on, as if it's never going to end.]
{どれだけ深いのか, 想像もつかない. 想像したくない.}
[I couldn't even imagine how deep this hole must be. And I'd rather not try to.]
{終わりがないような穴だが, どれだけ深くてもいつか底に着く.}
[It feels infinitely deep, but I know that there will still be a bottom.]
{これが夢でなかったら, 間違いなく死んでしまう.}
[If this isn't a dream, I have no doubt I'm going to die.]
White Rabbit: {"ふ～ん... そんなものですかね...}
["Hmm~... Is that so...?]
{あ～, でも, そうですね. 人間だったら死んじゃうかもしれませんね.}
[Oh~, I see, that must be it! If I were human, I might die in this pit.]
{僕はウサギから死にやしませんけど..."}
[But as a rabbit, I'm not worried one bit..."]
Alice: {"ウサギだって死ぬわよ!!!"}
["Rabbits die too!!!"]
{これほどの穴に落ちて, ウサギだけ例外的に助かるなんてことはありえない.}
[Falling from this kind of height, there's no way a rabbit is going to be any exception.]
White Rabbit: {"ははは... っ. この程度の穴で死ぬわけがありませんって."}
["Ahaha~... There's no way I can die with a hole just this deep."]
Alice: {"この程度!?"}
["Just this deep!?"]
{この穴が「この程度」だとしたら, どの穴だって「この程度」ですんでしまう.}
[If this hole is "just this deep", then what kind of hole does he consider deep?]
White Rabbit: {"そうですよ. この程度...}
["That's right. It isn't that deep...]
{あ... そろそろ着きますね..."}
[See...? We're almost at the end of our leap..."]
Alice: "!!!
{い, 嫌...!!! 私, まだ死にたくな... っ."}
[N-No...!!! I don't want to die yet...!"]
White Rabbit: {"なんです? まだ着きたくないんですか?"}
["You seem upset. Did you not want to arrive yet?"]
Alice: {"着きたくないっていうか..."}
["I wasn't meaning the "arrival"..."]
{(無事でいたい...)}
[(I just want to be alive when we do...)]
{この穴の深さでは, 到着がイコール死だ.}
[At this depth, arrival and death are one in the same.]
{"落ち続けたいわけじゃないけど, 死にたくないから着きたくもない..."}
["I don't think I want to just keep falling forever, but I don't want to reach the
ground, and die, either..."]
White Rabbit: {"あ! 落ちるのにはまっちゃったんでしょう?"}
["Oh, I see~! So now you're happy to keep falling with me?"]
Alice: {"はまる...?"}
["Happy...?"]
White Rabbit: {"そうですよね～. 落ちていくのって楽しいですよね.}
["That's right~. You're indecision on our arrival is well understood.]
{僕も, いつまでも落ちていたい気分になることがありますよ.}
[Sometimes I'd like to fall forever, too, if I could.]
{すうっとして, すっきりするっていうか..."}
[But a quick trip to clear my head is still good..."]
Alice: {"すうっとしすぎよ!!!!! はまるわけあるか!!"}
["This isn't some "quick trip"!!! And you're the only one who thinks this is pleasant!!"]
{阿呆なことをぬかすウサギを張り倒してやりたい.}
[I want to punch this simpleton of a rabbit for saying such stupid things.]
{ここが地に足をつけられる場だったら, 間違いなくそうしていた.}
[And if my feet were on solid ground, I certainly would.]
{青くなるほど, すうっとしすぎて, すっきりどころか死にそうだ.}
[Far from "clearing my head", right now I'm as pale as death. ]
White Rabbit: {"あなたと一緒だと, 余計に楽しい. 僕もはまりそうです..."}
["I'm even more happy that we can be together. Right now I really feel light as
a feather..."]
Alice: {うっとりと囁かれ, 更にすうっと血の気が引く.}
[The excitement in his voice as he spoke somehow made my blood run even colder.]
{(変質者...)}
[(Pervert...)]
{(変質者と心中...)}
[(I was dragged into a suicide pact with a pervert...)]
{"こんな人生の幕引きは嫌～～～...!!!"}
["I can't believe this is how it ends~~~!!!"]
White Rabbit: {"ははは... いつまでも落ちていたいっていう気持ちは分かりますけど,}
["Ahaha... I know you've been enjoying the drop, but sadly,]
{そうはいきません."}
[it still must come to a stop."]
Alice: {"そんなこと言っていない!!!"}
["I never said anything like that!!!"]
White Rabbit: {"ははっ, 着きますよ～"}
["Haha~, we're here~!"]
{目を閉じる. スプラッタな自分の姿が目の裏に浮かぶ.}
[I close my eyes, but the image of my splattered form still drifts in the back of my mind.]
{(思えば, 短い人生だった...)}
[(I think back on how short my life was...)]
{人は死ぬ間際に色々ろ思い出に浸ったり未練を悔やんだりするというが,}
[They say that right before you die your mind floods with memories and regrets,]
{たいしたことは思い浮かばない.}
[but I'm not thinking of anything important at all.]
{姉・ロリーナは悲しむだろうが,}
[I know that Lorina will be sad,]
{きっと将来は姉に見合う男性と結婚して幸せな家庭を築くだろう.}
[but at least now her chances are better for finding a good man, and starting a family.]
{死んだ妹のことを忘れずに, 新居の写真立てに飾ってくれるはずだ.}
[And I'm sure she'll keep a framed photo of me in her new home, so as not to forget
her dead sister.]
{妹のイーディス は... あの子は泣くだろう. わんわんと, うるさいほどに.}
[My younger sister, Edith... I think she'll cry. Bawling her eyes out.]
{でも, 立ち直りも早い. 目を腫らして, 次のには立ち直れる.}
[But, she'll recover quickly. After the redness in her eyes fade, she'll get over it.]
{父は... 泣くかどうかも怪しいものだ. 母が死んで以来,}
[As for father... I doubt he'll cry. Ever since mother died,]
{父は仕事の鬼と化していて, 家にいる時間もほとんどない.}
[he's become a work-addict, and spends almost no time with us.]
{前に顔を合わせたのがいつだったかも覚えていない.}
[I don't even remember the last time we spoke face-to-face,]
{まともな会話をしたことなど, 遥か昔だ.}
[or had a real conversation. It's been so long.]
{狂ったように仕事に明け暮れる父は, 父親としては失格でも夫としては}
[Father drives himself mad over work. He's incapable of being a proper father-figure,]
{最高なのだろう. 再婚など思いつきもしない人だ.}
[but at least he's a fine husband. Not once has he even mentioned remarrying.]
{(... 羨ましい.)}
[(... I'm jealous.)]
{彼が嫌いで, 哀れで, 嫉ましい.}
[I hate him, pity him, and envy him.]
{失ったら狂うほどに好きな人と結ばれていたのだ.}
[He had someone he loved so much, that losing her drove him nearly mad.]
{父の世界は, 母を失って灰色になった.}
[Father's whole world is grey without Mother in it.]
{私が死んでも, 世界は何も変わらない. 私が死んでも, 誰も狂ったりしない.}
[But, even if I die, nothing in the world will really change. No one's life will
be devastated when I die.]
{未練があるとすれば... たいした未練がないことが未練だ.}
[If I have any regret... it's that all of my regrets are so small.]
{私には, 残していって不安な人がいない. 私なしでは狂ってしまいそうな人が.}
[I'm not leaving behind anyone who's going to worry about me. Anyone who's going
to go mad with grief.]
{(私には, 無理だわ.)}
[(There's no chance.)]
{私には. きっと, ずっと.}
[I'm certain. Like always.]
{私は, 母のようにも姉のようにもなれない.}
[I'm not like my mother, or my sister.]
White Rabbit: {"... はい, 到着っ!"}
["... Alright, we've arrived~!"]
* There's a bouncing sound
Alice: {ぴょ～んと, 大きくバウンドする.}
[Suddenly, he springs forward with a great bound.]
{とてつもなく大きなトランポリンで跳ねた感じ.}
[It felt like we'd bounced off a massive trampoline.]
{相当に深い底まで落ちたはずなのに,}
[It wasn't at all the kind of landing I expected after such an incredible fall.]
{死ぬどころか, 衝撃はほとんどなかった.}
[There was barely any impact at all, let alone the death I was anticipating.]
{(... すごいバネ.)}
[(... What an amazing spring.)]
{呆気にとられる.}
[I'm completely dumbfounded.]
{落下時間はとても長く感じられたが, 恐怖で感覚が狂っていたのかもしれない.}
[The fall time felt so incredibly long, but maybe my mind was just blank from fear.]
{思ったより, 浅い穴だったのだろうか.}
[Was it really just a shallow pit we fell into?]
{そろりと目を開けると, そこは...}
[As I slowly open my eyes, what's there is...]
"...
{... どこ, ここ."}
[... What is this?"]
{目の前に広がるのは, 明らかに私の家の庭ではない.}
[The place that stretched out before my eyes was clearly not my family's garden.]
{地底深くの, 真っ暗な洞窟でもない.}
[Nor was it some pitch-black cave in the depths of the Earth.]
{深い穴の底とは思えない, 明るい景色...}
[It doesn't seem like we're underground. The scenery is so bright...]
{穴の底というより, 展望台のような見晴らしのいい場所だ. 塔の上階のような...}
[Rather than the bottom of a hole, this seems like the upper floor of some kind of
observation tower. I can see outside in all directions...]
White Rabbit: {"ん? ここがどこかって? ここは, 不思議の国ですよ."}
["Hm? You mean you don't understand? This is the country of Wonderland."]
Alice: {ウサギは, 質問自体が不思議なことだというように答える.}
[The rabbit responds to me as if my question was the strangest thing here.]
{広がる景色に見覚えはない. 少しなくとも, うちの近所ではなさそうだ.}
[I don't recognize the landscape that's stretching out before me. At the very least, it's not in my neighborhood.]
{穴に落ちて, 知らない地域の塔の上. 確かに不思議としか表現できない.}
[Falling down a hole, and landing at the top of a tower. I certainly can't describe this as anything short of a "wonder".]
{"不思議の国..."}
["Wonderland..."]
White Rabbit: {"そうそう. 不思議の国.}
["Yes, yes~! That's where you stand.]
{ワンダーランド にようこそ, アリス."}
[So, Alice, welcome, to Wonderland."]
Alice: "..."
(...)
{(顔はいいのに, 可哀想に...)}
[(He's not bad-looking. What a shame about the rest...)]
{このかっこいいお兄さんは, 若干, ～～～～系の人らしい.}
[For such a clean-cut guy, he seems to be one of those loonies.]
{"... はっ!}
["... Uh-!]
{... なんで, 私の名前を..."}
[... Why do you know my name...?"]
{穴を落ちたときとは別の意味でぞっとする.}
[I shuddered as I realized.]
{こんな知り合いはいはい. 家に招いた覚えもない.}
[I don't know anyone like this. I've certainly never had him at my house.]
{姉や父, 妹などの知り合いとも思えなかった.}
[And I don't recall any acquaintances of my father or sister looking like this.]
{(ウサギコスプレで不法侵入・誘拐・無理心中未遂の上... ストーカー?)}
[(On top of being a rabbit cosplayer, who abducted me, and tried to kill us both... is he also a stalker?)]
{やっぱり, 変質者... まごうことなき, 変質者...}
[As expected, he's a pervert... Unmistakably, a pervert...]
{パーフェクトな姉ではなく, 私のほうをストーキングするあたり, 趣味も悪い.}
[And one with poor tastes, if he chose to stalk me over my sister.]
{(顔はいいのに, もったいない...)}
[(Again, what a waste of a handsome face...)]
{ちょっと, ホロリとくる.}
[It almost brings a tear to my eye.]
{"あなたって..."}
["So, you..."]
White Rabbit: {"こらこらこら... なに, 哀れみの目で見ているんです.}
["Hey hey hey... Don't stare like you want to make some kind of plea.]
{... なんだか, ろくでもないことを考えていそうですね."}
[... It seems you're thinking something indecent of me."]
Alice: {"... ええ.}
["... Well...]
{危険そうな人だなあ... って."}
[You do seem like a dangerous person... So..."]
{へたりこんだまま, じりじりと距離をとる.}
[From my position on the floor, I start to slink backwards, making some distance.]
White Rabbit: {"危険じゃありませんよ. 警戒しなくても, 何もしませんって."}
["I promise you I'm not a threat. There's no reason to fear or fret."]
Alice: {"でも..."}
["But..."]
{ストーカーの言うことなんか信用がならない...}
[As if I can trust the words of a stalker...]
White Rabbit: {"アリス, あなたに危害を加えるつもりはありませんよ... 僕は."}
["Alice, I don't know how you want me to explain, but... I'm the last person who would
ever cause you pain."]
Alice: {"... 含みのある言い方をするわね."}
["... The way you speak makes me think you have some kind of ulterior motive."]
White Rabbit: {"ははは. 含みなんて...}
["Ahaha~. Ulterior motive ...]
{... ... ありませんよ?"}
[... ... I don't know what you mean."]
Alice: {... ないとはとても思えないような間があった.}
[... There was a pause, which makes that seem unlikely.]
White Rabbit: {"僕は, 時間に細かい, 真面目で誠実なウサギなんです."}
["After all, I'm a rabbit who's punctual, trustworthy, faithful and clean."]
Alice: {(時間に細かい? 真面目で誠実な...?)}
[(Punctual and trustworthy? Faithful and clean...?)]
"...
{... じゃあ, 家に帰してよ."}
[... Then, take me home."]
White Rabbit: {"無理です."}
["I can't."]
Alice: {"... ふざけているの?"}
["... Are you trying to fool me?"]
{眼下に広がる景色には, まったく見覚えがない.}
[Though, I genuinely don't recognize the landscape below.]
{どうやって移動したのか分からないが,}
[I have no idea how I got here,]
{ここは私の家からは随分と離れた場所のようだ.}
[but it seems like I'm a long way from my family's home.]
White Rabbit: {"好奇心といえども僕を追いかけてきたからには仕方ありませんよ.}
["You chased me of your own curiosity, so just put that out of your mind.]
{さあさあ, この薬を飲んでください."}
[Now, come come, drink this medicine for me, if you would be so kind."]
Alice: {"... は?"}
["... Huh?"]
{唖然とする.}
[I'm dumbfounded.]
{追いかけてきた? 連れ去られたの間違いだろう.}
["You chased me"? No way. I was kidnapped.]
{"あんたが誘拐してきたんでしょう!?}
["Don't you mean you abducted me!?]
{怪しいウサギなんて追いかけて穴に飛び込んだりしないわよ!"}
[I would never jump into a hole to chase some suspicious rabbit!"]
White Rabbit: {"... 嫌だなあ. 落ちたショックで前後の記憶が曖味なんですよ.}
["... Not at all. You simply took a fall, and now you can't remember at all.]
{とにかく! 僕を追いかけて穴に落ちた後は, 薬を飲むんです! さあ, 飲んで!"}
[At any rate! That was surely your fate! So you should take this medicine, for your shaken state!"]
Alice: {"冗談はやめてよ! なんで,}
["Stop playing around!]
{名前も知らない変質者から貰った怪しい薬なんて飲まなきゃならないのよ!}
[Why should I drink suspicious medicine from some unnamed pervert?]
{常識的に考えて... いや, 考えなくても飲むわけがないでしょう!"}
[Just thinking about it sensibly--... no, there's not even a debate."]
White Rabbit: {"ああ, 自己紹介がまだでしたね. 僕は, 白ウサギです.}
["Ah~, of course, how could I forget? You can call me the White Rabbit.]
{さあ, 自己紹介もすませましたし, 飲んで."}
[And, with introductions out of the way, I hope you'll now do as I say."]
Alice: {"... 名前っていうか, 種類でしょ, それ."}
["... I asked for your name, not your species."]
{自己紹介をすませればいいという問題でもないが, つい突っ込んでしまう.}
[I really don't care whether he introduces himself properly or not, but I pressed
the matter without thinking.]
{これも反射的.}
[I guess it must be true what they say. When humans are faced with extraordinary]
{人間, 非日常に遭遇すると妙に冷静になるか慌てふためくかのどちらかだ.}
[circumstances, they react with either panic, or an unnatural level of composure.]
{"あなたの名前は? 名乗れないの?"}
["Well? Can you not give me your name?"]
White Rabbit: {"僕の名前...?"}
["My name...?"]
Alice: {名乗れないような怪しげな素性なのかと睨むと,}
[I watched him closely. If he's someone with a shady past, he probably won't want to]
{ウサギはじろじろと見返してきた.}
[tell me his name. But he only stared back with equal scrutiny.]
{"なに...?"}
["What...?"]
White Rabbit: "Nn...
{... へ～え.}
[... Ahh~.]
Alice: "...?"
White Rabbit: {"僕の名前が知りたいんですか?"}
["So, you want to know my name?"]
Alice: {"知りたいっていうか..."}
["I didn't say I wanted to know your name..."]
{お近付きになりたいわけではない. }
[I have no intention of making his acquaintance.]
{顔はよくても変質者の友人など, 欲しくはない.}
[And the last thing I'd want is to be associated with a degenerate like this.]
{"あなたは私の名前を知っているのに, 私はあなたの名前を知らないのよ?}
["It's simply that you know my name, and I don't know yours."]
{不公平じゃない."}
[Isn't that unfair?"]
White Rabbit: {"... なあんだ. てっきり...}
["... What? Well, that certainly may be...]
{僕のことを好きになったのかと思ったのに..."}
[But, I just thought that you'd come to like me..."]
Alice: {"は..."}
["Huh..."]
{口がぽかんと開けて.}
[My mouth was left agape.]
{"呆れた... なんて自惚れ屋のウサギなの...}
["Wow... That's pretty conceited coming from a pet rabbit...]
{私が, あんたを好きになる? 冗談じゃないわ.}
[You think that I like you? You have to be joking.]
{いくら顔がよくったって, 誘拐犯を好きになるほど馬鹿な女じゃないのよ."}
[You might have a pretty face, but I'm not a stupid enough woman to fall for
my kidnapper."]
{読書家の姉を持つだけあって、}
[Having such an intellectual for a sister]
{心理学の知識もそれなりに植えつけられている。}
[means that I've picked up a lot of knowledge on psychology.]
{誘拐された者が誘拐犯に好意を持つのはよくあることだ。}
[So I know that victims of kidnappings often come to sympathize with their abductors.]
{つり橋の法則と大差ない。}
[Similar to the suspension bridge effect.]
{恐怖を恋と勘違いするのに似ている。}
[They're simply mistaking fear for love.]
{パニックは、人の感覚をおかしくするのだ。}
[After all, panic throws off a person's intuition.]
{頼る者がその人しかいない・その人が自分の命運を握っているとなれば}
[When a single person decides your fate, and they're the only one you can depend on,]
{尚更で, 縋る心情が好意にすりかえられる。}
[sometimes you develop affection for them.]
{"私を、可哀想な被害者と一緒にしないで。}
["Don't confuse me for some pitiful victim.]
{あんたなんかを好きになったりしないわ."}
[I will never come to like you."]
White Rabbit: {"……そうですよね。簡単にはいきませんよね."}
["... Of course, that's true. I shouldn't have expected things to come easily with you."]
Alice: {ウサギの耳が、ぴくぴくっと動いた。}
[The rabbit's ears start to shift.]
White Rabbit: {"そううまくいっちゃ、ゲームがつまらない.}
["But a game that's too short is no fun, wouldn't you say?]
{さあ、ゲームを始めましょう。さあさあ、飲んで."}
[So, why don't you drink, so we can finally play?"]
Alice: {（ゲーム？）}
[(Game?)]
{"飲むわけがないでしょう……."}
["There's no way I'm drinking anything..."]
{ぷいとそっぽを向く。}
[I abruptly turned away from him.]
White Rabbit: {"……む。飲まないと、家に帰してあげませんよ?"}
["... Mmn. What if I told you that ending this trial was as simple as taking one sip
from the vial?"]
Alice: {"どうせ、帰してくれる気なんかないくせに."}
["Even if that were the case, I think I'd rather find my own way home."]
White Rabbit: {"そんなことは..."}
["Such a thing is--..."]
Alice: {"帰す気なら、条件をつけたりしないわ."}
["If you really intended to take me home, there wouldn't be any conditions."]
{この誘拐犯が、私を家に帰してくれるとは思えない。}
[I don't believe this kidnapper will let me leave.]
{だからといって、従う気などさらさらなかった。}
[But that doesn't mean I'm going to obediently do as he says.]
{隙をみて、自力で帰る。それしかない。}
[Just look for an opening, and make a run for it. That's the only option.]
{今は、情けないことに腰が抜けて立てない。しばらくして力が戻ったら……。}
[Right now though, my pathetic body isn't listening to me. All I can do is hope that my
strength comes back quickly...]
White Rabbit: {"……いいから、飲んでくださいよ."}
["... Fine then, please drink."]
Alice: {"人の話を聞きなさいよ。飲まないって言っているでしょうっ!!"
[Have you even been listening? I'm telling you, I'm not taking it!!"]
White Rabbit: {"薬を嫌がるなんて、小さな子供みたいですね."}
["It's nothing but medicine, don't be so riled. You're throwing a tantrum like a frustrated
child."]
Alice: {"小さな子供！？ 幼くないからこそ、分別があるのよ！」}
["Child!? Why? Because I have common sense!?"]
{誘拐犯相手に猫を被る必要などない。子供ぶるつもりもなかった。}
[I don't want to hide my claws from a kidnapper, but it wasn't my intention to sound
like a child with my response.]
White Rabbit: {"もう……。仕方がないなあ……。駄々っ子なんだから..."}
["Well then... I suppose that's that... You can't convince a spoiled brat."]
Alice{"ちょっと！聞いているの!?}
["Are you even listening!?"]
White Rabbit: {"はいはい……。そんなに強気で意固地だから、}
["Sure, Sure... But I have to say,]
{ボーイフレンドにも逃げられてしまうんですよ?"}
[was it this bullheaded attitude that scared your boyfriend away?"]
Alice: "!!!"
{頭にかっと血が上った。}
[The blood rushed to my head.]
{この変質者は、最低だ。名前だけでなく、}
[This pervert is the lowest. Not only does he know my name,]
{触れられたくない内側までも調べ上げているらしい。}
[but he's even investigated my past. Which I don't want to be brought up.]
{知っていて、踏み込んでくる。}
[Knowing that, I come to grips with my situation.]
White Rabbit: {"お姉さんに持っていかれてしまうなんて、可哀想ですよね."}
["How hard that must have been for you, since it was your sister who stole him
away, too."]
Alice: {ウサギの口調は、ちっとも可哀想というふうではなかった。}
[The rabbit held no sympathy in his voice at all.]
{本物のウサギのように赤い目は、皮肉に笑っている。}
[He simply looked down on me with his crimson eyes, smiling cynically.]
{"姉さんに持っていかれたわけじゃないわ！}
["My sister never took anything from me!]
{姉さんは、私のものを取ったりするような人じゃない...!"}
[She's not the kind of person who would take things from anyone...!"]
White Rabbit: {"そうでしょうとも。あなたのボーイフレンドが、}
["Certainly. It wasn't her doing at all.]
{あなたのお姉さんに勝手に熱を上げてしまっただけのことです.}
[It was your boyfriend who decided to leave with such gall.]
{あなたのものを取ったりするような人じゃないお姉さんは、}
[Your sister wasn't trying to put him under a spell.]
{見向きもしなかった。実に誠実で、妹思いのお姉さん.}
[Her deep love for you is where she excels.]
{それで終わり。それだけのことですよね."}
[And that's all there is to it. There's no more to tell."]
Alice: {そう、それで終わり。それだけのことだ。}
[Right, it's over. There's nothing more to it.]
{続きなんかない。それで終わりだ。}
[There's nothing else to say about it. It's just over.]
{"そうよ。姉さんは誠実だった."}
["Right. My sister was always sincere."]
Peter: {"それに}
["And more than that, you sister was no fool.]
{ガールフレンドの姉に熱を上げるような馬鹿な男には興味もなかった."}
[If a man could betray his own lover, he was simply too cruel.]
Alice: {"……そうよ."}
["Right."]
White Rabbit: {"そんなくだらない男、お姉さんは相手にもしなかった。}
["Your sister was a girl of class, who could never love a cur.]
{お姉さんにはもっと上流の男が似合う."}
[If only she could find a better man, who truly deserves her."]
Alice: {"……何が言いたいの."}
["... What are you trying to say?"]
{そう、そうだ。姉には上流の男性が似合う。}
[Upperclass men do suit my sister. Of course they do.]
{ガールフレンドの姉に熱を上げるような馬鹿な男には、興味もなかった。}
[But she wouldn't waste her time on a man who chases his girlfriend's sister.]
{向けられる視線の熱さに、気付いてもいなかっただろう。}
[I wonder if she even noticed the heated gaze he always gave her.]
{だけど、私は、そんな男に熱を上げていたのだ。姉は、知らなかった。}
[While I had still been head-over-heels for that man, my sister never even looked at him.]
{姉は誠実で、その人をまったく相手にしなかった。}
[She was sincere, and completely ignored his company.]
{(姉さんには、相応しくなかった.)}
[(He wasn't good enough for her.)]
{素敵な姉さん。優しくて、誠実で。}
[She's a fantastic sister. Loyal and kind.]
{たおやかなのに、凛々しく、まっすぐな女性。}
[A graceful, forthright and dignified woman.]
{告白を受けたとき、姉は、ちらりともその人を見なかった。}
[When she received the confession, she didn't give him a single glance.]
{まったく、迷うこともなく、袖にした。}
[There wasn't a moment of hesitation.]
{そのことに安心して、振ってくれた姉に感謝して、}
[It was relieving when my sister came to tell me that she'd turned him down, and seeing]
{振られたその人を見てすっきりした。そして、傷ついた。}
[him after the rejection made me feel a bit better, so I thanked her. But, I was still hurt.]
{姉は私とは格が違う。私が好きになった人を、相手にもしない女性だ。}
[She's so different than me. Someone that I had cared so deeply for wasn't even
worth the time of a woman like her.]
White Rabbit: {"その上、初恋の家庭教師は、あなたにお姉さんを重ねていた."}
["On top of it all, your first love was your tutor. But, he thought of you and your
sister the same."]
Alice: {"……っ."}
["... Ah-."]
White Rabbit: {"知っていますよ？あなたは可哀想な人だ.}
["Worry not though, Alice, I'm well aware of the pitiful person you are.]
{可哀想。可哀想な人."}
[Altogether poor, and filled with shame."]
Alice: {頭に、これ以上ないというくらいに血が上る。湯気が出そうだった。}
[My mind couldn't take any more. I felt like steam was going to start coming out of my
ears if I had to listen any longer.]
{しかし、どこかに冷静な自分がいる。}
[However, I have to keep my composure.]
{このストーカーウサギはムカつく男だ。}
[This stalker rabbit is such in infuriating man.]
{人を傷つけるようなことを平気でのたまうような、嫌な男。}
[He brings up such hurtful things without batting an eye.]
{彼の口調が言葉通りに私を哀れんでいたら、私は傷ついた。}
[If his tone were as pitying as his words, I would probably be far more upset.]
{だが、彼は楽しそうで……。}
[But, it sounds more like he's enjoying this...]
{私は今、怒ってはいても傷ついてはいない。}
[Right now, I may be angry, but I'm not hurt.]
White Rabbit: {"可哀想だから……、飲ませてあげます."}
["And since you're so pitiful... this is the best thing to do."]
Alice: {"な……?}
["Wha--...?]
{……っつ……}
[... Hhnn--..."]
White Rabbit: {"可哀想な人だ..."}
["Such a shameful person..."]
Alice: {"……っは……"}
["... Hha--..."]
White Rabbit: {"僕が解放してあげますよ。楽にしてあげる."}
["I can help to free you. Now empty your mind, it's only we two."]
Alice: {口をこじ開けられ、液体が流し込まれる。頭を固定され、無理やりに。}
[He held my head forcefully in place. Then, as my mouth was forced open, a
liquid flowed in.]
{唇を閉じていられない。キスなんてものじゃない。}
[I can't close my lips. This isn't the same as a kiss.]
{"……離……"}
["... Let go--..."]
White Rabbit: {"……全部飲んだら、ね。すぐに離してあげますよ、アリス.}
["... Only after you drink it all. Then, I will let you go, Alice.]
{僕は、あなたに乱暴な真似なんかしたくないんです."}
[I would never want to use violence on you. I sincerely mean you no malice."]
Alice: {"……っ……"}
["... Nn..."]
{これが、乱暴でなくてなんだというのだ。}
[Is he trying to say this isn't "violence"?]
{こんなもの、キスなんかじゃない。暴力だ。}
[This is no kiss. This is sexual assault.]
{だが、唇を合わせ、液体を飲み込まされて……}
[But there's nothing I can do as the liquid passes through my lips...]
{キスじゃない。キスじゃないのに、}
[No, it's not a kiss. And yet,]
{経験したことのないような深いキスを交わしている気分になる。}
[this is a far deeper kiss than I've ever experienced.]
White Rabbit: {"……苦しい?"}
["... Is this unpleasant?"]
Alice: {"……う……}
["... Uu--...]
{苦しいに決まって……"}
[Of course it's unpleasant..."]
{時々、唇が離され、話しかけられる。}
[He keeps separating his lips for a few moments to address me.]
{答えた隙に、また深く口付けられる。}
[But before I can reply, he closes the kiss again.]
{"…………っ."}
["... Nn."]
{かなりの量を飲み込んでしまった。なんだか分からない。}
[My mouth ends up filling with a substantial amount. I can't tell how much.]
{毒かもしれない。毒だとしたら、心中だ。}
[It may be poison. If so, then this really will be a double-suicide.]
{この男の口の中にも薬は広がっている。}
[After all, it's in his mouth as well.]
{どこからどこまで、何がなんなのか分からないくらいに、深い.}
[And, with such a deep kiss, I have no idea how long this will go on.]
{苦しい。飲み込んでしまう。}
[It's painful. So I have no choice but to swallow.]
{"……っ.}
["... Hh.]
{……〜〜〜〜っ."}
[... ~~~~ Nn."]
White Rabbit: {"苦しいでしょうね。でも、あなたの望んだことなんですよ?"}
["This may be hard to endure, but it's what you want, I'm sure."]
Alice: {こんなこと、誰が望むものか。そう言おうとしたが、反論できない。}
[I wanted to say "Who would ever want such a thing to happen?", but I
couldn't refute it.]
{言葉に窮したわけではなく、口を開けば薬を飲み込まされる。}
[Not that I was at a loss for words, but because, if I tried to speak, I'd only take in
more of the "medicine".]
{何も言えない。口を開けない。}
[I can't open my mouth. I can't say anything. ]
White Rabbit: {"どうでもいいって思っているでしょう？自分のこと.}
["Do you think this all means nothing? What I'm trying to achieve?]
{どうなったっていいって、そう思っていたはずです."}
[Or are you really saying, no matter what happens to you, that you know no one
will grieve?"]
Alice: "..."
{今度は、口が開けたところで反論できただろうか。}
[Even if I had a chance to open my mouth, would I even be able to deny that?]
{今の言葉を否定できただろうか。}
[I don't have any words now.]
{自分など、どうなったっていい。そんなふうに思ったことなどない、と。}
[Can I really say that I've never thought that whatever happens to me, it's fine?]
{私には……。}
[I only...]
{"でも、あんたみたいな奴にキスされることなんて、望んでない……っ！！！」}
["I know I would never want to kiss a man like you... hmn!!!"]
{キス。これがキスだなんて、認めたくない。}
[A kiss. I don't even want to admit that that's what's happening.]
{キスだとしたら、一生忘れないような最悪なキスだ。}
[But if this is a kiss, it's only going to be remembered as the most awful kiss of my life.]
{認めたくないが、口に出した時点ですでに認めてしまっている。}
[The moment I thought that, I realized that I had admitted it to myself after all.]
White Rabbit: {"ふふっ、苦しみたいって望んでいたくせに."}
["Mhmhm~, this suffering is exactly what you longed for, I believe."]
Alice: {ウサギはそう言って、軽く笑い、唇を離した。}
[The rabbit says with a light laugh, as he releases his lips.]
{"っつ！ げっ、げほ……!!!"}
["Ngh! *cough* *cough*...!!!]
{（信じられない！この男！）}
[(Unbelievable! This man--!)]
{（最後の一滴まで飲み込まされた！！！）}
[(In the end, there wasn't a drop left in the vial!!!)]
{"の……、飲んじゃった！やだ、知らない人から貰ったものを}
["I--... I drank it all!? My sister used to tell me to never take such things from]
{食べちゃ駄目なんていう姉さんのお小言、笑ってやりすごしていたのに!"}
[strangers. She would be so disappointed if she heard about this!"]
White Rabbit: {"……ああ、好奇心といえど、薬を飲んでしまったからには仕方がない."}
["... Ah, it's a shame, but your curiosity was too much. It couldn't be helped that
you chose to drink as such.]
{これはハートの薬。}
[That vial contained the Medicine of Heart. ]
{アリス、飲んだからにはゲームに参加しなくてはなりません."}
[And now that you've drank it, the game can start."]
Alice: {薬の一部が気管に入り涙目でむせている私を無視して、}
[My eyes watered, and I choked, since some of that liquid had slid down my windpipe.]
{ウサギは芝居がかった調子で喋った。}
[But the rabbit completely ignored me, speaking dramatically as if he were in a play.]
{"ふ……、ふざけたこと言ってんじゃ……！！げっ、げほげほっ!!!}
["St--... Stop making up such absurd things...!! *cough*, *cough* *cough*!!!]
{げ～～～～...}
[Gh--~~~~..."]
White Rabbit: {"そんな、吐き捨てるみたいに言わないでくださいよ。傷つくなあ."}
["You wound me with such hurtful words. The things I've said are not absurd."]
Alice: {ちっとも傷ついていそうに見えない、}
[He doesn't look even slightly hurt.]
{しらっとした顔でウサギは口元を拭っている。}
[His face had no expression at all as he casually wiped his mouth.]
{"……吐きそうよ。最悪っ."}
["... I think I'm gonna be sick. You're awful."]
{事実、私はなんとか吐こうとしていた。}
[Actually, I should try to throw up.]
{口に指を突っ込む。下品かもしれないが、吐き出さなくては。}
[I shove my fingers down my throat. It may be vulgar, but I have to get that liquid out.]
{（ハートの薬？それって、なんの薬？）}
[(The Medicine of Heart? What kind of concoction was that?)]
{ウサギに聞いても、}
[Even if I asked that rabbit,]
{のらりくらりとはぐらかされて話を引き延ばされることは目に見えていた。}
[he'll just keep being evasive, and try and drag out his story as long as possible.]
{一刻も早く吐き戻そうとするが、これがなかなか難しい。}
[I immediately return to trying to vomit, but it's more difficult than I expected.]
White Rabbit: {"吐きたいくらいに嫌？}
["Were you truly so offput that you're now feeling ill?]
{僕は、そんなに悪い気分じゃありませんでしたけど."}
[How unfortunate, since I think it was a thrill."]
Alice: {ウサギが覗き込んでくる。吐き出そうとしているのは分かっているだろうに、}
[The rabbit just watches. He knows exactly what I'm trying to do,]
{女性に対しての気遣いなど皆無だ。}
[but he doesn't seem even the least bit concerned.]
{ぎっと見上げると、ウサギは未だに口元を拭っていた。}
[I glare up at him, but he's more focused with making sure his own lips are cleaned
off than with anything I'm doing.]
White Rabbit: {"僕は、あなたが好きなので."}
["Because I cherish you so, this was my duty to fill."]
Alice: "...
{……それはよかったわね。私は、最悪な気分だわ."}
[... That's great. But I'm still disgusted."]
{初対面の相手が、あんな乱暴なキスをしてきた挙句、}
[This man, whom I'd never met before today, ]
{目の前で口元をごしごしと擦っている。}
[was now scrubbing irritatedly at his lips, as if he couldn't get them clean.]
{薬だかなんだかを飲ませるのが目的だとしても、屈辱だ。}
[This is humiliating. I don't care if he only did it to make me drink that medicine.]
{（こいつ、私のことを好きどころか嫌いなんじゃないの）}
[(Far from liking me, I think he must be doing this out of hate.)]
{おざなりに言われた、「そんなに悪い気分じゃありません」}
[The indifferent way he said "it was a thrill" for him]
{という言葉で余計に苛立つ。}
[really ground on my nerves.]
{自分から仕掛けておいて？正体不明の薬を飲ませておいて？}
[Did he set all this up just for me? And what was in that strange vial?]
{ハートの薬というのは、一体何だ。}
[He called it the Medicine of Heart, but what in the world is that supposed to mean?]
{名前からして、マズイ雰囲気がぷんぷん漂っている。}
[From the name alone, I get an unpleasant feeling.]
{吐き戻せなかった私には、これからどんな症状が出るのか……。}
[And what's going to happen to me, since I wasn't able to throw it back up...?]
...
(...)
{（……ぶち殺す）}
[(... I'm going to murder him.)]
{あれがどんな薬にせよ、ろくなものじゃない。}
[That medicine was nothing normal.]
{当然、これから出る症状にしたってろくなものじゃないだろう。}
[So it's only reasonable to think that the symptoms from it won't be normal, either.]
{見覚えもないような場所で、これからどうなるにしろ、}
[Being in this unfamiliar place, and not knowing what's going to happen to me after this,]
{ぶん殴らなくては気がすまない。いや、ぶん殴ったくらいじゃ治まらない。}
[I won't be satisfied unless I can teach him a lesson. No, I won't be satisfied even after
I've beaten him to a pulp.]
{怒りで、力が戻る。}
[My strength returns alongside my fury.]
{先刻まで腰が抜けて立ち上がれなかったのに、急に足元がしっかりした.}
[Although I was unable to even stand until now, I suddenly lept up on steady legs.]
{穴に落ちてから、落ち続けていくような感覚だったのに。}
[After entering that hole, I felt like I'd never stopped falling.]
{どうして、急に力が戻ったのか。}
[But then, why do I all of a sudden feel like I have so much energy?]
{（……どうでもいい。ともかく、一発殴っておこう）}
[(... Well, the reason doesn't matter. In any case, I need to punch him.)]
{ドカッ！！！}
[Wham--!!!]
White Rabbit: {"あだっ!!!?"}
["Wha--!!!?"]
Alice: {（……決まった）}
[(... Much better.)]
{結構いい音がした。手ごたえもバッチリ。}
[What a wonderful sound. It resonates nicely in this room.]
{拳骨が、いい感じにひりひりとする。}
[Even the stinging in my knuckles feels pleasant.]
White Rabbit: {"痛いですよ！？何するんですか!"}
["Oww! What was that!?"]
Alice: {"何って、分からないの？……殴ったのよ."}
["What don't you understand?... You've been punched."]
{ここで溜め息を一つ。}
[I let out a sigh.]
{"そうよね。}
["Oh, I get it. Being]
{非力な女の細腕じゃ、思い切り殴ったとしても何も感じない程度よね."}
[hit by the slender arm of such a helpless girl, you probably didn't even feel it, huh?]
{分からないのなら、もっと殴らなきゃ……."}
[Well, I'll just have to hit you until you understand..."]
{そもそも、一発ですませてやる気などなかった。}
[I had never intended to hit him just once, anyway.]
White Rabbit: {"えっ？えっ、ええ？}
["Eh-!? H-Huh!?]
{なに？ちょっと?!?}
[What? Wait!!!]
{い、痛かったですよ!?非力どころか、あなた、なんでそんなに喧嘩慣れして...}
[I-It hurts, okay!? Far from helpless. You must have some experience, I'd say...]
{わっ、ちょ……っ."}
[Wa--, Wait--!"]
Alice: {はあっと、拳骨に息を吹きかける。}
[I blow on my fist for luck.]
{ドカッ！！！}
[Wham!!!]
{バキッ！！！}
[Pow!!!]
White Rabbit: {"っつ〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜!!!"}
["Sstop~~~~~~~~!!!"]
Alice: {"分かった？殴ったのよ.}
["Do you get it now? Why I hit you?]
{……まだ分からない？私が怒っていること."}
[... No? It's because I'm angry."]
White Rabbit: {"わっ、分かりました！分かりましたとも!!!"}
["I-I understand! I understand! I deserve this reprimand!!!"]
Alice: {"……その態度じゃ、分かったとは思えないわね."}
["... The way you've behaved, I don't think you've got it quite yet."]
{再び拳を作ると、ウサギは慌てて言い足す。}
[As I ready my fist again, the rabbit adds more in a panic.]
White Rabbit: {"分かりました！分かってます！」}
["It's well understood! It's all very clear!]
{すごく……すごく怒っているんですよね！？ごめんなさいっ！！！」}
[You're very... very upset!? But, my regret is sincere!!!"]
Alice: {"すごくじゃないわ。ものすご〜〜〜く……、よ."}
["I'm not just very upset. I'm fu~~~rious."]
White Rabbit: {"そう！そうですよね!}
["Yes! Of course!]
{ものすごく怒っているんですよね！？間違えました、すみませんっ!!!"}
[You're understandably furious, beyond belief! So I beg your forgiveness, please
spare me this grief!!!"]
Alice: {"ものすごく、ものすご〜〜〜〜〜〜く怒っているわ」}
["I'm not sure. I am so incre~~~~~~dibly angry right now.]
{……乙女の唇は安かないのよ。代価は払ってもらいますからね."}
[... Besides, a girl's lips aren't cheap. I think you still have to pay up."]
White Rabbit: {"え！？ええ！？お金とる気ですか！？」}
["Huh!? Huuh!? You mean you want money!?"]
Alice: {"お金ですむなら安いものでしょう.}
["If you could just give me money, it'd be too easy.]
{……でっかい借りを作ったと思いなさい.}
[... I think you've racked up quite a debt.]
{で、ここはどこなの。さっさと家に帰して."}
[Where is this place anyways? I want to go home."]
{手をグーの形にして、ウサギにちらつかせる。}
[I make my hand into another fist, and show it to the rabbit.]
White Rabbit: {"は、はあ……。えっと、ここはハートの国で……"}
["U-Uh... Umm, this is the Country of Heart..."]
Alice: {痛いめにあったせいかウサギの態度は神妙なものに変わっていたが、}
[Maybe it's because he got hurt, but his attitude had suddenly turned meek.]
{答えは相変わらず要領を得ない。}
[And yet, his response stayed pretty much the same.]
{"そんな国名は聞いたことがない."}
["I've never heard of a country like that."]
{ドカッ！！！}
[Wham!!!]
{バキッ！！！}
[Pow!!!]
{ミシッ！！！}
[Crack!!!]
{ばっさり切り捨てて、景気よく殴る。}
[I send him flying with one more vigourous hit.]
White Rabbit: {"った〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜……}
["OwwOwwOww~~~~~~~~~~~...]
{ひ、ひど……！動物虐待ですよ！？ありえない音がしませんでしたか、今!"}
[Y-You're terrible...! Isn't this animal abuse!? I swear I'm not lying! Can we please
call a truce!?"]
Alice: {"動物虐待は、いけないことよね。動物や子供に暴力を振るう人は許せないわ}
["Animal abuse is wrong. Anyone who would use violence against a child or an animal is unforgivable.]
{でも……、誘拐犯に情けは無用よ}
[But... pitying a kidnapper is a waste of time."]
{ウサギの白々しい態度と同じくらいに白々しく、鼻で笑ってやる。}
[I shamelessly mimic his earlier attitude, as I turn up my nose at him with a smile.]
{このウサギは、ウサギ耳こそ生えているが、か弱い動物や子供ではない。}
[This man may have the ears of a rabbit, but he's not some defenseless animal.]
{どう見ても青年で、力もある。}
[He also seems fairly young, but he still has more power than me.]
{"私のほうが弱者なんだから、私が暴力を振るう分には問題ないわ."}
["Since I'm the one at a disadvantage here, I'm completely justified in my use of
violence."]
White Rabbit: {"こんなに強い人を弱者なんて言いませんよ!"}
["You're not at a disadvantage if you're this keen to fight!"]
Alice: {"追い詰められれば、弱者でも強くなるわよ。私を追い詰めたあんたが悪いの.}
["When cornered, even the weak can become strong. Which means it's your fault for being the one to corner me.]
{姉さんの前だったら、こんなことしないんだから。}
[I would never act like this in front of my sister, though.]
{それなりにいい子で通っているのよ、私."}
[After all, I'm a good girl."]
White Rabbit: {"……っは、いい子？くだらないですね……"}
["... Hah, a good girl? That's nonsense, outright..."]
Alice: {"……くだらないとか、あんたに言われる筋合いはないわ}
["... Nonsense? You don't have any right to say that to me."]
{ウサギは、すぐに憎たらしい態度に戻った。まったく、癪に障る奴だ。}
[The rabbit had quickly returned to his horrid behaviour. This guy is really getting on my nerves.]
{このストーカーウサギがどこまで知っているのかは分からないが、関係ない。}
[I don't know how much this stalker-rabbit knows, but it doesn't matter.]
{他人だ。}
[He's s stranger to me.]
{人間関係や心情など、語る必要はなかった。}
[There's no reason for the usual social graces.]
{私が、このウサギに望んでいることは一つだけだ。}
[There's only one thing I want from this man.]
{"ここはどこなの。私を帰して."}
["Tell me where we are. I'm leaving."]
White Rabbit: {"ここがどこかって？ハートの国……}
[Haven't I already told you? If you'd like, please let me relay...]
{その答えはお気に召さないようだから、言い方を変えましょうか.}
[Right now we stand in the Country of Heart. What more would you like me to say?]
{ここは、あなたが望んだ世界ですよ。アリス}
[This place is a world of desires just for you.]
{ここでは、誰もあなたのことを知らない。}
[There's no sister, no father no friends.]
{あなたのことも、あなたのお姉さんやお母さんのことも."}
[It's a world where no one's ever met an Alice. One of possibility without ends."]
Alice: "..."
{まともに相手にしてはいけない。戯言だ。}
[There's no point even addressing him. This is all drivel.]
{"……私が望んでいるのは、帰ることよ」}
["... My only desire right now is to go home."]
White Rabbit: {"帰りたいんですか?"}
["You really wish to just go back?"]
Alice: {"当たり前でしょう."}
["Of course I do."]
White Rabbit: {"本当に?"}
["And you're certain that's a fact?"]
Alice: {"くどい。帰さないと、通報するからね."}
["This is going nowhere. If you don't take me back, I'm going to report you."]
{帰してくれても、通報する気でいっぱいだ。}
[And when I get out of here, I've got plenty of things to report him on.]
{ストーカー行為・不法侵入・誘拐。女の敵。}
[Behaving like a stalker, trespassing, abduction. He's a threat to all women.]
{"通報されたら、牢屋行きになるわよ."}
["Once you're reported, you're definitely going to jail."]
White Rabbit: {"牢屋ですか……。それは嫌だな."}
["Jail...? That would be quite unfortunate."]
Alice: {"誰だって嫌でしょうよ。今なら減刑できるわ。帰して."}
["Anyone would agree. But, you can lessen your sentence if you take me back now."]
White Rabbit: {"牢屋って、埃っぽくてかび臭い。不潔じゃないですか.}
["Isn't jail a place of filth and dust? Stagnant air that lingers with a smell of must?]
{ウサギは、綺麗好きなんですよね〜。汚い場所は好きじゃない."}
[As a rabbit, I like to keep everything clean~. I find objects of filth to be
wholly obscene."]
Alice: {すっとぼけているのか、のんきな男だ。}
[I can't tell if he's playing dumb, or if he's actually just that carefree.]
{"...あんたが綺麗好きかどうかなんてどうでもいいけど、}
["... I could care less whether or not you like filthy places.]
{不潔な場所へ送り込まれたくなかったら、とっとと私を家へ帰すことね."}
[If you don't send me home, that's where you're going to end up."]
White Rabbit: {"…………。アリス、本当に、元の世界へ戻りたいんですか?"}
["... ... Alice, is this wish to go back really all you desire?"]
Alice: {"くどい男はもてないわよ."}
["Men who ramble aren't attractive."]
{いくら顔がよくてもね、と、続きの言葉は飲み込む。}
[I almost continued with "no matter how good-looking they are", but I ]
{顔はいいが、ストーカーじゃ救いようがない。}
[swallowed the words. He may have a decent face, but there's no saving a stalker.]
White Rabbit: {"本当の本当に?"}
["Above that simple request, you've no priority higher?"]
Alice: {"くどいって何度言わせる気なの."}
["How many times do you plan to ask that?"]
White Rabbit: {"あなたが嘘つきだからですよ."}
["As many times as it takes for you to realize you're a liar."]
Alice: {ぴしりと、ウサギは言い切った。とても自信に満ちている。}
[The rabbit said without hesitation. He makes it sound like a fact.]
{これぞストーカーの戯言だ。}
[But these are just the delusions of a stalker.]
{思い込みもいいところ。自分が正しいと思っている。}
[He's certain of his own assumptions.]
{"嘘なんて..."}
["I'm not lying..."]
White Rabbit: {"嘘ですね。帰りたいと望むような人には、僕を呼べない."}
["Oh, but you are. You don't want to go. I'm only here since you called me, so above
all I should know."]
Alice: {"あんたを呼んだ覚えなんてないわ！}
["I don't remember calling you! ]
{会ったこともない人を呼ぶわけないでしょう."}
[How would I even call someone I've never met!?"]
White Rabbit: {"……会っていますよ？}
["... But we have met.]
{何度も、何度もね。今だって、会っている。}
[In fact, I know you quite well. We're meeting now again,]
{今会っているように、昔から会っていた.}
[but there were many times before you fell.]
{「あなたの心には、いつだって僕が詰まっている}
[I'm a part of your heart you can never expel."]
Alice: {"気持ちの悪いことを言わないで}
["Don't say such disgusting things."]
White Rabbit: {"詰まっているんですよ、ぎっしりとね。今このときだって."}
["Even at this time, I'm filling your heart. There is no denying, we're never truly apart."]
Alice: {とんと、ウサギは私の胸を指で突いた。}
[The rabbit sharply pressed his finger to my chest.]
{とんでもなく無礼なのには、今更驚かない。しかし、この男ときたら……。}
[It's outrageously offensive, but I'm not surprised by this point. But, this man...]
{変質者そのものの行動だが、いやらしさがない。}
[While the things he does are certainly the actions of a pervert, they also don't seem]
{危機感がいまいち出てこないのも、そのせいだろう。}
[lewd. Maybe that's why I don't have feelings of impending crisis or anything.]
{今も、分かっている。このウサギは私の胸を触ったのではない。}
[Even now, I understand. He isn't trying to feel my chest.]
{ハートだ。心臓をなぞった。}
[It's my heart. He's tracing my heart.]
White Rabbit: {"ずっと、僕達は一緒にいた.}
["We've always been together.]
{僕とあなたは長いお友達だ。同じ世界に招きたくなるくらいに."}
[Though, I had to stay a long distance friend. I'd still always hoped to invite to my
world in the end."]
Alice: {ストーカーの、狂気じみた言葉だ。}
[The words of an insane stalker.]
{だが……、なぜだろう。危機感は、それでも生まれてこない。}
[And yet... there's still no real sense of danger to him.]
{帰りたい。帰りたいはずだ。}
[I want to go home. I should want to go home.]
{……帰りたいはず、なのに。}
[... I should want to go home, but...]
{友達の家に遊びにいって、帰りたくないなと思うときのような気持ち。}
[It's almost like... when you're at a friend's house, and you don't want to leave just yet.]
{明日が休みなら、このまま泊めてもらうのに。}
[When you think, "if only I could stay one more night".]
{そういう気持ちになってしまう。}
[Subconsciously, that's the feeling I was getting.]
{"…………。私は、あんたと会ったことがないわ."}
["... I've never met you."]
White Rabbit: {"アリス。あなたが僕を否定しても、僕はあなたの中にいる.}
["You can deny as much as you like, but within you I'll always be.]
{……間違った。今は違いますよね。あなたが僕の中にいる.}
[... Though, perhaps now that role has changed. For you are the one within me.]
{僕の中に..."}
[Yes, within me..."]
Alice: "...
{……気色が悪い."}
[... Disgusting."]
CG - White Rabbit's Just Desserts
{ドカッ！！！}
[Wham!!!]
White Rabbit: {"っつった〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜!!!}
["OwwOwwOww~~~~~~~~~!!!]
{あなたって、乱暴すぎ……」}
[You're far too rough...]
{「僕があなたを撃てないと知っていてそういうことするんでしょう？}
[Are you doing this because you know I can't shoot you? ]
{酷いなあ..."}
[I think I've had enough..."]
Alice: {（うてない？）}
[(Can't shoot me?)]
{（……うつ？）}
[(... Shoot?)]
{どの「うつ」なのだか、意味がとれない。}
[I don't know what he means by "shoot".]
{"……もう、いい.}
["... Then, fine.]
{「帰す気がないのなら、自分で帰るわ。さようなら."}
[If you're not interested in taking me home, I'll find my own way. Goodbye."]
{さっと、ウサギに背を向ける。}
[I turn my back to the rabbit without another word.]
{立ち上がれるようになったからには、もうここに留まっている理由もない。}
[Now that I can stand, there's no reason for me to stay here.]
{役に立たない案内人などいらない。}
[I don't need any useless guide.]
White Rabbit: {"……えっ！？ど、どこへ行くんです!?"}
["... Eh-!? Wh-Where are you going!?"]
Alice: {"帰るのよ.}
["Home.]
{あんたを殴って、私は帰るの。お分かり?"}
[I've punched you, and now I'm leaving. Understood?"]
{拳を見せ付けると、ウサギの耳がぴんと立った。}
[Seeing that I was prepared to hit him again, his rabbit ears stood stiff.]
{びくついたらしいが、追いかけてくる。私は振り向かない。}
[He still followed me closely, even though he seems nervous. I didn't turn around.]
White Rabbit: {"ま、待ってくださいよ！帰れませんよ!?"}
["W-Wait, please! You can't go home!"]
Alice: {"帰るわ。道は分からないけど、そんなのどうとだってなるもの.}
["Yes I can. I might not know the way, but that's not going to stop me.]
{迷ったら、人に聞く。あんたじゃない、他の人に."}
[If I need directions, I'll just ask. Not you, someone else."]
White Rabbit: "Ngh!!!
{他の奴に！？皆、僕と同じですよ!"}
[But everyone else will be just like me, no matter where you roam!"]
Alice: {"…………。皆、変質者なの?"}
["... They're all perverts?"]
White Rabbit: {"違います！でも、皆、僕と同じです."}
["Not for that claim! But they're all still the same!"]
Alice: {（……まさか、}
[(... Surely]
{この地域に住んでいるのは皆が皆ウサギ耳付きの変人ばかりなのかしら）}
[this area can't be completely inhabited by rabbit-eared eccentrics like him.)]
{（…………。……うげ〜〜〜……）}
[(... ... Ugh~~~...)]
{"そ、それでも、あんたよりはマシでしょうよ."}
["N-Nevertheless, they'll be preferable to you."]
{恐ろしい考えを頭から締め出す。}
[I quickly shut out that dreadful thought.]
{このウサギが教えてくれない以上、自力で帰るしかない。}
[If this rabbit won't teach me the way, then I'll get back on my own.]
{ここがどの地域なのかは分からないが、どうせ地続きだ。}
[I don't know which direction to go from here, but it's still a nearby region.]
{歩いていれば、どこかへは着く。}
[If I start walking, I'll eventually get somewhere.]
White Rabbit: {"僕を受け入れてくれないんですね……」}
["So you won't accept me after all...]
{……他を当たりたいなら当たればいい。}
[... Then, please, go wherever you dare.]
{帰ったところで、どうせあなたは僕から離れられない」}
[Ask as many people as you like...]
{どこへ行こうとも、僕はあなたの……"}
[But no matter how far you go, I'll be there..."]
Alice: "...
{……だから、そういう台詞はストーカーそのものだからやめときなさいって."}
[... Your words are the epitome of a stalker. You should really stop."]
{ドカッ！！！}
[Wham!!!]
White Rabbit: {"いったあ……。酷い……、酷いですよ、アリス!"}
["OWW...! How terrible... Your treatment of me, Alice, is simply unbearable!"]
Alice: {"……うるさい。いちいち気色が悪いのよ."}
["... Shut up. Everything you say is disgusting."]
{イライラと歩く。}
[I walk with frustration.]
{手助け無用と言ったはいいが、本当にここはどこだ。}
[But, even though I said I didn't need his help, I really don't know where this place is.]
{周囲の様子を見下ろしても、まるきり見覚えのない景色だ。}
[As I look over the landscape below, I don't recognize the scenery at all.]
{私は、穴に落ちたはず。穴は、うねうねと曲がってなどいなかった。}
[I thought I fell down a hole. And, there weren't any twists in the fall.]
{そんなに遠くへ飛ばされたとは思えない。おかしい。}
[I didn't expect that I'd come so far. It's strange.]
{……落ちたのだから、塔の上にいるということ自体がおかしいのだが。}
[... As if falling down a hole, and landing on top of a tower isn't far more unusual.]
White Rabbit: {"帰ろうにも、もう手遅れですよ。薬を飲んじゃったんですから……"}
["Even if your wish to return is true, now that you've taken the medicine, there's
nothing you can do..."]
Alice: "!
{……あの薬！そうか、あれで幻覚症状が出ているのね!?"}
[... The vial! That's it! Is it causing me to hallucinate all of this!?"]
White Rabbit: {"幻覚……？幻覚じゃありませんよ.}
["Hallucinate...? No, that's clearly not right.]
{飲む前から、ここの景色は変わらないでしょう."}
[You only just took the medicine, and nothing's changed in your sight."]
Alice: {"うるさいうるさい！そう考えないとやってられないのよ!}
["Shut up! Shut up! I can't take any more of this!]
{じゃあ、あの薬は一体何……"}
[But then, what was that medicine really for...?"]
White Rabbit: {"アリス、アリス!"}
["Alice! Alice!"]
Alice: {"うるさいってば!"}
["I told you to be quiet!"]
???: {"うるさいのは貴様だ、女。人の領土で何を騒いでいる."}
["What place does such a noisy woman have to tell someone else to be quiet. And what's all this commotion in my territory?"]
Alice: "!!!"
{（また、変なのが出てきた……！？）}
[(Another stranger...!?)]
White Rabbit: {"時計塔の主のお出ましですか……。……お邪魔しています."}
["So the Clocktower's master has come to intrude... This has certainly soured
the mood."]
???: {"……まったくだ。邪魔だから、速やかに出て行け」}
["... I completely agree. So I think the nuisances should be leaving.]
{私は、女王の関係者と帽子屋連中と遊園地の馬鹿共とは}
[You know I don't like to deal with the Hatter's lot, those fools from the Amusement]
{付き合いたくないんだ.関わり合いになるのも嫌だ."}
[Park, or anyone sent by the Queen. Leave me out of it."]
White Rabbit: {"それって…この国の誰とも関わり合いになりたくないってことでは..."}
["So... every person in this country. Is that what you're trying to say...?"]
???: {"その通りだ。私は誰とも関わりたくない。速やかに立ち去れ."}
["Exactly. I want nothing to do with anyone. Now take your leave."]
White Rabbit: {"はあ……}
["Haah...]
{変わりませんね。時間の番人、ユリウス＝モンレー."}
[I should expect nothing less from you, Keeper of Time. The unchanging,
Julius Monrey."]
Julius: {"変わってたまるか……ん?"}
["What reason do I have to change--... Hm?"]
Alice: "..."
Julius: {"なんだ、この女……おい、人のことをじろじろと見るな."}
["Hmph, this woman... Oi, what are you staring at?"]
Alice: {ユリウスという男に注意されたが、私はじろじろと見るのをやめなかった。}
[The man named Julius called to me, but I couldn't stop myself from staring.]
{失礼だというのは分かっている。}
[I realize that it's impolite.]
{しかし、この人がどういう人なのか見極めなくては。}
[But I'm trying to determine what kind of person he is.]
{私は誘拐されて、ここは見知らぬ土地。}
[I was just abducted, and this is an unfamiliar place.]
{この男がウサギの知り合いなら、この男にも警戒しなくてはならない。}
[If this man is an acquaintance of the rabbit, then I have to be on my guard.]
{(...でも、ウサギ耳はない.)}
[(... He doesn't have rabbit ears, though.)]
{それだけで一気に好感度も上がろうというものだ。}
[That alone is an immediate positive.]
{安心した。この地域の人間すべてにウサギ耳が生えていたら、}
[I was worried. If everyone in this region grew rabbit ears,]
{悪夢だと決め付けて気絶するしかない。}
[I'd probably pass out from the shock of such a nightmare.]
{"観察しているのよ。私にとっては重要なことなの."}
["I'm just observing. This is important for me."]
Julius: {"？不躾な女だな。さすが、ウサギの連れなだけある."}
["Hmm? Such an ill-mannered woman. Fitting, for the company of the rabbit."]
Alice: {私の状況はユリウスには伝わっていないらしく、気味悪そうに目を逸らされた。}
[Julius doesn't seem to be aware of my circumstances. He just looks away
uncomfortably.]
{ユリウスにとっては、私こそが不審者のようだ。}
[As far as he's concerned, I'm the suspicious one here.]
{私がウサギを見るのと同じように私を見る。}
[He looks at me the same way he does the rabbit.]
{少し安心した。}
[I'm a bit relieved.]
{この人は、警戒心を持ち合わせた、まともな神経の持ち主らしい。}
[If he's this wary of us, he must be a normal person.]
White Rabbit: {"どういう意味です."}
["I don't think your meaning is clear."]
Julius: {"言葉通りの意味だ、ウサギ.}
["It's exactly what it sounds like, rabbit.]
{どいつもこいつも、ウサギは皆イカレている。}
[Every last one of you rabbits is deranged.]
{その連れだって、イカレているに決まっている."}
[So it stands to reason that the company you keep must be equally as unhinged."]
White Rabbit: {"彼女は、僕の愛しい人ですよ。侮辱したら許さない."}
["This woman is someone I hold dear. Don't dare insult her while I'm near."]
Alice: {ウサギの言葉にぎょっとした。}
[The rabbit's words caught me off guard.]
{もちろん、私は彼に「愛しい人」などと言われるような関係ではない。}
[Of course, we have no such relationship that I should be called "someone dear".]
Julius: {"おまえの女ではなく、おまえを侮辱しているんだ."}
["I wasn't trying to insult your woman, it was directed at you."]
Alice: {"こいつの女！？私がこいつの、恋人ってこと！？}
["His woman!? Do you think I'm his lover or something!?"]
{よしてよ！誤解だわ！}
[No! You're misunderstanding!]
{このウサギはストーカーで……"}
[This rabbit is a stalker, and--..."]
{私の抗議は、ウサギにもユリウスにも無視された。目を向けもしない。}
[My objections are ignored by both Julius, and the rabbit. They're not even looking at
me.]
Julius: {"ウサギなど、滅べばいい."}
["If only rabbits would just die out."]
White Rabbit: {"ウサギウサギって……。差別だ……}
["Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit... This is discrimination...]
{いくら時計の番人でも、女王の臣下に対して無礼なんじゃありません？」}
[I'm still the right-hand of the Queen, so don't forget my station!"]
Julius: {"この国は女王の領土だが、この時計塔に限っては私の領土だ。}
["That may stand in her territory, but this Clocktower is under my control.]
{私へ命令するなら、領土外でするんだな."}
[If you're trying to order me around, you'll have to address me on your own land."]
White Rabbit: {"あなた、時計塔から出ないでしょう."}
["I'm not sure how to do that when you don't leave this tower, no matter the hour."]
Julius: {"そうとも.私はここから出ない.だから、私には誰も命令できないというわけだ."}
["And that's exactly why I don't leave here. This way, you can't order me around."]
Alice: {ウサギは恨めしげにユリウスを見るが、彼は動じない。堂々としたものだ。}
[The rabbit gives Julius a bitter look, but doesn't seem agitated. In fact, he looks
dignified.]
White Rabbit: {"はあ……}
["Haa...]
{僕って、偉いウサギなんですよ？扱いが酷い..."}
[I'm a rabbit of impressive clout. It's undignified the way you toss me out..."]
Julius: {"敬ってほしければ、尊敬に値する行動をとれ。尊敬は権力}
["If you want me to treat you with respect, you should behave in a way that deserves]
{に付随するものではなく、権力を行使する方法によってこそ付いてくるものだ."}
[respect. Power doesn't bring honour. That's something you earn through your actions."]
White Rabbit: {"……ご忠告、どうも."}
["... Are you offering advice? That's awfully nice."]
Julius: {"まあ、貴様が今更尊敬に値する行動なんぞをとったところで、}
["Well, now that you're acting respectably,]
{何を企んでいるのかと思われるのがオチだろうがな."}
[all I'm wondering is what kind scheme you've got planned."]
White Rabbit: "..."
Julius: {"尊敬どころか、信用に値しない奴だ."}
["You don't deserve my trust, let alone my respect."]
{険のありすぎる人だ。言葉以上に、威圧されるのがキツイ。}
[This man has a sharp tongue. And it's not just his words. His entire presence
is daunting.]
{だが、ウサギに散々なめにあわされた身としては、すっきりする。}
[But, the rabbit doesn't back down. He's stayed perfectly composed
through every word.]
{（それにしても、女王だのなんだのって、一体何……）}
[(Still, I wonder what all that talk about a Queen was...)]
White Rabbit: {"……ユリウス＝モンレー."}
["... Julius Monrey."]
Alice: {ウサギの目がすうっと、細まる。}
[The rabbit's eyes narrowed into a glare.]
{赤みが増したように見えるのは気のせいなのか。}
[It might just be my imagination, but they seemed to be even deeper red now.]
{今までの空気とは違う、ひんやりしたものが流れた。}
[The atmosphere is much colder than it was earlier.]
{"... っ."}
["... Ah."]
White Rabbit: {"おかえしに、僕からも忠告して差し上げますよ.}
["Allow me to offer some advice in return.]
{長生きしたいのなら、これからも時計塔から出ないことですね。}
[If I ever find you outside of this tower, a short life is all you'll earn.]
{後ろに気をつけて歩くことです、これからも一生."}
[Before long, I'll make sure that watching your back is a second-nature concern."]
Julius: {"ご忠告、ありがとう."}
["You're too kind. I'll keep that in mind."]
Alice: {ユリウスは、動じなかった。脅しにしか聞こえない言葉を、}
[Julius didn't seem very interested in the threat. As if he hadn't even heard it,]
{ウサギの言い方を真似て挨拶のように受け入れる。}
[he mimicked the rabbit's speech pattern, and accepted it like a compliment.]
Julius: {"しかし、無駄な忠告だ。私が表に出ると思うのか.}
["But if that's all the advice you have, it really isn't necessary. You really think I
would ever leave this place?]
{領土争いになど興味はない。この時計塔があればいい."}
[I'm not interested in your territorial disputes. It'd be better if this tower was the
only place in the country."]
White Rabbit: {"時計塔を奪われそうになったら?"}
["Tell me, what would you do if your tower was lost?"]
Julius: {"……そういう事態にならない限り、動かないさ."}
["... Until that day comes, I'm not stepping foot outside."]
White Rabbit: {"そういう事態になったら動くんですね."}
["Well, perhaps, be more cautious of who you've just crossed."]
Alice: {ウサギは、微笑んだ。}
[The rabbit smiled.]
{（……邪悪）}
[(... Evil.)]
{そう形容するしかない笑みだ。}
[There's no other word for a smile like that.]
{顔の作り自体が優男なだけに、空寒い。}
[His expression is gentle, but his aura is ice.]
White Rabbit: {"僕が、女王様の耳であることをお忘れにならないことだ."}
["Never forget that I'm the Queen's ear. At my word, troublemakers like you
disappear."]
Julius: {"貴様も、覚えておけ。私は、長生きにも興味がない."}
[Remember something yourself. I'm not worried about having a long life."]
White Rabbit: {"……忘れていませんよ."}
["... How could I forget."]
Julius: {"……ふん."}
["... Hmph."]
White Rabbit: {"あなたは、何にも興味がないんですよね。自分に対しても."}
["You don't care for anything. The loss of your own life wouldn't be a regret."]
Alice: {思わせぶりに囁く。それは捨て台詞だったようで、ウサギは階段へ向かった。}
[The way he whispered made it seem like there was some deeper meaning. But
with that parting threat, the rabbit turned and made his way to the stairs.]
White Rabbit: {"では、僕は帰りますよ."}
["Well then, I'll be on my way."]
Alice: {（……って、……え？？？）}
[(... Wa-... Huh???)]
{（ええ？？？）}
[(What???)]
{（誘拐しておいて、放置する気！？）}
[(He kidnapped me, and now he's abandoning me!?)]
{意味が分からない。それなら一体、何のために連れてこられたというのか。}
[I don't understand. Why did he even bring me here if he was just going to let me go?]
{（いや、何かされても嫌だけど、でも……）}
[(No, if he stayed it would be bad too, but...)]
{先ほどのキスの記憶は、強引に頭の中から削除する。}
[I hastily strike out the memory of the kiss earlier, and try to collect my thoughts.]
White Rabbit: {"ああ、忙しい、忙しい。}
["Always busy, busy, busy. ]
{僕のスケジュールには一秒の余暇さえないんです」}
[If my schedule allowed my room to breathe, I wouldn't get in such a tizzy."]
Julius: {"貴様の時計は、頭同様に狂っているようだな。私にも修理できん."}
["Your clock is as much of a mess as your head. Even I wouldn't be able to fix it."]
White Rabbit: {"あなたに直してもらわないといけないようなら,壊れたままでいいですよ."}
["If you're the only one who can repair it, I'll leave it broken. I'd rather bear it."]
Alice: {ウサギはべえっと舌を出した。}
[The rabbit sticks out his tongue.]
{子供じみた仕草だが、目は笑っていない。}
[Even though it's such a childish gesture, there's no amusement in his eyes.]
{冷たい視線をユリウスにくれて、ウサギは階段を下りていこうとする。}
[His stare was cold as he turned away from Julius to descend the steps.]
Alice: {"ちょ……っ."}
["Wai--... ah."]
{呼び止めてどうしようというわけでもないが、思わず声を上げた。}
[I hadn't meant to call out to him, but I did it without thinking.]
Julius: {"……おい。この女は?"}
["... Hey. What about the girl?"]
Alice: {仏頂面をしたまま、ユリウスは顎で私を示す。}
[With a sour look, Julius gestures to me with his chin.]
{存在を忘れられていたわけではないらしい。}
[I guess he hadn't forgotten I was here after all.]
White Rabbit: {"愛しい人、アリス。僕の大事な人ですよ。}
["My lovely Alice, so precious to me. Over my darling, I wish I could fawn.]
{でも、彼女は僕のこと、いらないんですって.}
[But her piercing words have hit my heart, and I know that she wishes me gone.]
{……どうせ、すぐに呼ばれるでしょうけど、今は離れてあげるんです.}
[... If she calls, I promise to return right away. But for now, I'll try to abate.]
{嫌われたくありませんし、これ以上頭を殴られて馬鹿になりたくない."}
[I don't want to look like any more of a fool than I have, or end up being
the object of her hate."]
Julius: {"安心しろ、これ以上に馬鹿になりようがない.}
["I wouldn't worry about that, if I were you. You can't possibly become any more of an idiot than you are.]
{……ここに置いていくなど、冗談じゃないぞ。連れて行け."}
[... But you'd better be joking about leaving her here. Take her with you."]
{ぽつりと漏らした言葉は、引き続き、無視される。}
[I started to mutter, but they both continued to ignore me.]
White Rabbit: {"そのうち、勝手に出て行ってくれますよ。}
["She can come and go as she pleases. She doesn't need your permission.]
{あなたと時間を過ごすなんて、誰にとっても苦痛です."}
[But if I spend another moment with you, I may not keep my composition."]
Julius: {"私だって、時計以外のものと一緒に過ごしたいとは思わない.}
["And I would much rather be left alone with the clocks.]
{そのうちではなく、今だ。今すぐに連れて行け."}
[I'm not going to wait for when she pleases, I mean now. Take her away at once."]
White Rabbit: {"知りませんよ。僕は彼女に命令できない。}
["I don't know what you mean. I can't just tell her what to do.]
{直接言ったらどうなんです?"}
[Besides, if you're so concerned, the one to ask her should be you."]
Julius: {"……命令が出来ないだと?"}
["... Can't tell her what to do?"]
Alice: {それまでろくに私を見ようともしなかった男・ユリウスが、急に振り向いた。}
[The man who had barely given me a glance since entering the room, suddenly turned to face me.]
{（み……、見ようとしないままでよかったのに）}
[(I--... I'd rather he didn't look at me.)]
{威圧感たっぷりに迫られるくらいなら、}
[If he's going to approach me with such an intimidating stare,]
{無視してくれたままでよかった。怖いだけだ。}
[it would be better if he went back to ignoring me. Right now, he's just scaring me.]
Julius: {"……名前は!?"}
["... Name!"]
Alice: "...?
{なんの……???"}
[What...???"]
{親の仇でも見るように睨み付けられ、なんのことだか分からなかった。}
[I don't understand why he's looking at me like that. The way he's scowling makes me
feel as if I've disgraced his family or something.]
Julius: {"おまえの名前に決まっているだろう!"}
["Give me your name!"]
Alice: {名前。私に聞いているのだから、私の名前に決まっている。}
[Name? All he wanted was to ask my name?]
{しかし、名前を聞いているとは思えないような態度だ。}
[His attitude doesn't match such a simple question.]
Julius: {"自分の名前も分からないのか！？}
["Don't you even know how to say your own name!?]
{蟻のような脳みそしか詰まっていないんじゃないのか!?"}
[Or, do you just have the brains of an ant!?"]
Alice: {"……蟻に脳みそはないわ.}
["... I don't have the brains of an ant.]
{聞き方が悪いんでしょう。名前を聞くような調子じゃなかったわ."}
[I just don't like your tone. If you want my name, try asking more nicely."]
Julius: {"蟻に脳みそがないことくらい知っている。}
["I'm aware that you have more brains than an ant.]
{つまり、おまえには脳みそがないと言いたいんだ.}
[But if you're not going to respond, you may as well not have a brain at all.]
{いいから名乗れ！私の名前は、ユリウス＝モンレー！おまえは!?"}
[Fine then, let's start over! My name is Julius Monrey. And yours?"]
Alice: {尋ねる前に自分が名乗るくらいの分別は持ち合わせているらしい。}
[At least he had the shrewdness to offer his name first.]
{怖い上に失礼な人だが、やはりウサギよりマシだ。}
[He may be scary and harsh, but he's still preferable to the rabbit.]
{……ウサギ耳もない。ここが最重要だ。}
[... And he doesn't have rabbit ears. That's the most important part.]
{"私の名前は、アリス＝リデルよ。リデル家の次女で……"}
["My name is Alice Liddel. Second daughter of the Liddel family..."]
{助けてもらおうと、やや愛想よく自己紹介しようとする。}
[Since I'm hoping to get his help, I made sure my introduction was more cordial.]
{しかし、ユリウスは私の出自や出身地などに興味はないらしい。}
[But, it doesn't seem like Julius cares to hear about my lineage, or birthplace.]
{続きを聞こうともせずに頭をかきむしる。}
[Rather than listening to my explanation, he looks like he's about to tear his hair out.]
Julius: {"余所者！この女、余所者じゃないか！！！"}
["An Outsider! This girl's an Outsider, isn't she!?!?"]
Alice: {ユリウスは、悲鳴のように叫ぶ。}
[Julius suddenly started shouting.]
{もう、そこに冷静さはなかった。}
[All of his earlier composure was gone,]
{恐ろしいものを見たというように、再び私から目を逸らす。}
[and he turned his gaze away, as if he was afraid to look at me.]
Julius: {"この国の人間じゃない！ここにいるべき人間じゃないぞ！？}
["She's not from this country! A human shouldn't be here!]
{私の許可なく密入国させたな!?}
[You smuggled her here without my permission, didn't you!?]
{何を考えているんだ！？元の世界に戻せ！}
[What were you thinking!? Take her back to her own world!]
{すぐに！今すぐにだ!"}
[Go! This instant!"]
White Rabbit: {"無理です."}
["That's not possible."]
Alice: {距離を置いて、ウサギはにまにま笑っている。}
[From a distance, the rabbit grins smugly.]
Julius: {"時間の番人である私の言うことが聞けないのか！？}
["Did you not hear me!? I'm the Keeper of Time!]
{外部との境は、私の支配下だぞ!?"}
[Everything that passes through that boundary is under my control!"]
Peter: {"ふふっ、無理なんですよ。彼女は、もうこの世界の人間だ."}
["Hmhmhm~, as I said, it's not possible now. As a citizen of this place, she's someone
you can't disavow."]
Alice: {逸れた視線が、勢いよく私へ向く。}
[Turning away from Julius, he gives me a zealous glare.]
{（こ、こんな目で見られるなら無視されていたほうがマシ……。}
[(I-If he's going to give me those eyes, I'd rather he'd go back to ignoring me...]
{もう、こっちを見ないで……)}
[I don't like being stared at this way...)]
{私のことを先刻より更に怖い目で見てから、}
[Julius' eyes, on the other hand, had filled with even deeper fear.]
{ユリウスはウサギへ視線を戻した。}
[He fixed an unsettled gaze on the rabbit.]
Julius: {"貴様……。この〜〜〜〜ウサギめ……。薬を飲ませたんだな."}
["You--... Bastard rabbit--...! You mean she drank the medicine!?"]
Alice: {ユリウスは下品な悪態をつき、ウサギへつかみかかろうとする。}
[Speaking crudely, Julius lunged to grab him.]
{下品な言い方はともかく、私もまったく同感だ。}
[I completely agree with it in this case though.]
{このロクデナシウサギには、どんな悪態をついても悪いと思えない。}
[For such a good-for-nothing rabbit, some abusive language doesn't seem so bad.]
White Rabbit: {"彼女の意志ですよ。好奇心に負けて、飲んじゃったんです」}
["Don't give me those eyes, this choice was her own. She drank out of curiousity,
now the seeds are all sown."]
Alice: {ウサギはユリウスの手をひょいひょいと避けて、階段へ消えていく。}
[Nimbly avoiding Julius' grasp, the rabbit disappeared down the stairs.]
{私は私で反論がある。}
[I had to object.]
{薬を自主的に飲んだりしていない。とんでもない言いがかりだ。}
[I didn't take that medicine voluntarily. That was such an outrageous accusation.]
{"誰が好奇心で怪しい薬なんて飲むものですか！}
["Who drinks from a mysterious vial out of curiosity!?]
{アンタが無理やり……っっっ！！！}
[You forced me to--...!!!]
* The screen flashes white
{……あれ???"}
[... Huh???"]
* And flashes again
{（頭がぐるぐるする……）}
[(It feels like my head is spinning...)]
White Rabbit: {"好奇心はゲームの元。あなたが飲んだ分だけハートの国で}
["This game is born of curiousity. The goal is the collection of hearts.]
{ハートを集めなければ、元の世界には戻れません."}
[There will be no way to return to your home, until you can give back in equal parts."]
Alice: {階段から、投げつけるように声が聞こえてくる。}
[His voice came from the dark doorway.]
{"ハートを……集める?"}
["The collection... of hearts?]
{心臓でも集めろっていうの……？グロ……"}
[As in, real hearts...? Disgusting..."]
* A chime sounds...
{ぐるぐる。}
[Round and round.]
* And sounds again...
{ぐるぐる、ぐるぐるする。}
[Round and round, everything keeps spinning.]
* Alice's vision blurs
{（低血圧なだけでなく、貧血……？姉さんの言うことを聞いて、}
[(This is more than just low blood pressure... Maybe anemia...? I should have]
{偏食をせずに栄養は満遍なくとるべきだった……)}
[listened to my sister. She said my unbalanced diet was bad for my health...)]
White Rabbit: {"ハートを集めたら、ゲームはあなたの勝ち。}
["If you gather the hearts, your game will be won.]
{ゲームに勝ったら、あなたは帰れる."}
[And with that victory, you can leave this world behind.]
{元の世界に戻るのか……、それともハートの国に永住するのかは}
[But, it's also an option... to stay here forever,]
{あなたの自由です。帰るばかりがハッピーエンドとは限りません."}
[if you find a happy ending of another kind."]
Alice: {"誰が、心臓集めをするようなグロテスクワールドに、永住なんて！}
["Who would want to stay in a grotesque, heart-collecting, world permanently!?]
{私は、今すぐ帰りたいのよ……！」!"}
[I want to go back now...!]
{今すぐ……！すぐに……!!!"}
[I am going back now...! Right now...!!!"]
{ぐるぐるし始めた頭を押さえ、階段へ向かう。}
[With my heavy head still reeling, I head for the staircase.]
{今すぐに追わなくては、間に合わない。}
[I know that if I don't follow him now, I'll never catch him.]
{あのウサギは、とびきり足が速いのだ。}
[That rabbit is light on his feet.]
* The room starts to darken and fade...
Julius: {"そうだ！今すぐ帰れ！！！今、すぐに帰るんだ！」}
["That's right! Go back!!! You have to go back!"]
{今すぐに!"}
[Now!"]
Alice: {ユリウスの声が、すぐ耳元で聞こえる."}
[I could hear Julius' voice in my ear.]
{（あれ……？}
[(Huh...? Wait...]
{彼は、ウサギを追って階段を下りていったんじゃなかったっけ？）}
[Didn't he just follow the rabbit down the stairs?)]
{どうして、耳元でユリウスの声が聞こえるなんてことがあるのだろう。}
[Why does it sound like he's right beside me?]
{彼は階段を下りていった。ここにはいない。}
[He's not here. I know he's downstairs.]
* The room continues to grow darker...
Julius: {"どうでもいいことを考えるな！帰るんだ！手遅れにならないうちに！}
["Don't think about that! It doesn't matter! You have to go back before it's too late!]
{帰れなくなる前に！元の世界へ……！"}
[Before you can't go back! To your own world...!"]
* And darker...
{帰れ！帰らないと……！}
[Go! If you don't--...!]
{さもないと、おまえは……。……アリス!!!"}
[If you stay like this, you'll--... Alice!!!"]
* And everything goes black.
Alice: {ぐるぐる……。}
[Round and round...]
* A spot of light draws closer and closer, before enveloping her sight
{ぐるぐるぐる……。ぐるぐるぐるぐる……。}
[Round... and round... and round...]
{耳元で聞こえたユリウスの声は遠のき、}
[Julius' voice grew more and more distant,]
{いつのまにか私は穴の中に戻っていた。}
[and before I knew it, I was looking up from inside the hole.]
{ぐるぐるする……。}
[Still spinning...]
{（これは頭が回っているんじゃなくて……、穴自体が回って……る？？？）}
[(But, this isn't my head spinning... It's... the hole itself???)]
{そうじゃない。私は、まだ落ちていた。}
[No. I was still falling.]
{落ち続けていた。暗い穴の中。}
[Dropping down further into the darkness.]
{今は一人だ。一人で、落ち続ける。}
[But this time, I'm alone. I'm falling, all alone.]
White Rabbit: {"ゲームには、常にルールがあります."}
["A game is never without rules."]
Alice: {今度は、耳元でウサギの声がした。}
[This time, I heard the rabbit by my ear.]
{響く。ウサギの声なのに、違う人の声のようだ。}
[Even though I know it's his voice, it echoes in a way that makes him sound like
another person.]
{（あれ？？？なんで？）}
[(Huh??? Why?)]
{（ウサギも、階段を下りていったはず……）}
[(I thought the rabbit ran down the stairs, too...)]
White Rabbit: {"あなたが僕を嫌いでも、守らなきゃいけないルール。}
[Even if you hate me for it, those rules must be followed.]
{知らなければ命取り。}
[Never forget, or by death you'll be swallowed.]
{時間を追ってハートを集めれば帰れるし、集めなければ帰れない。}
[In due time, you will fill the heart. Otherwise, you can never depart.]
{帰りたければハートを見つければいいし、}
[Gather the hearts if you wish to get home,]
{帰りたくないならそのままにしておけばいい。}
[or leave things as they are, and eternally roam.]
{ただ集めるだけなら、変わらない。体が帰れたところで、ハートは帰れない。}
[However, simply to find them isn't enough on it's own. For, without it's own heart, your
body will go back alone.]
{ここは、どうにかしたければどうとでもなる世界……。}
[But this world will provide whatever you desired...]
{ハートを持って帰るか捨てて帰るかが悩みどころ."}
[So as long as you yearn for it, your heart will be acquired."]
Alice: {ぐるぐるぐるぐる……。}
[Round, and round, and round...]
{白ウサギの声も遠のいていき、真っ暗な世界が回る。}
[The White Rabbit's voice fades, and I'm left to spin in a world of darkness.]
{ぐるぐるぐるぐるぐるぐる……。}
[Round, and round, round, and round......]
Peter: {"そうそう、僕はペーター＝ホワイトっていうんですよ."}
["Ah, right right. And, you can call me Peter White."]
Alice: {遠のいた声が間近で聞こえ、そして弾けた。}
[The distant voice was suddenly right in my ear again. And then, there was a pop.]
{ぱんと、弾けて消える。}
[Everything disappeared with a burst.]
{あとは真っ暗。何もない世界。}
[Then, there was nothing. A world of complete emptiness.]
???: {"アリス、君のお姉さんって女らしい人だね."}
["Alice, your sister is so ladylike."]
Alice: {ええ、本当に。お裁縫も、お料理も上手に出来るの。}
[Yeah, she really is. She's good at all kinds of delicate things like sewing and cooking.]
{通いの家政婦さんがいるのに、掃除も、家の管理だって}
[And even though we have a live-in maid, she still takes the initiative to clean the house.]
{率先してやってのける。家庭的で、温かみのある女性なのよ。}
[She's a woman of warmth, with so much love for our family.]
{でも、年寄りじみているわけじゃない。ほんのり花の香りがするでしょう？}
[But, it doesn't make her seem like an old lady. She even smells like flowers
all the time.]
Alice: {もちろん。優しいだけでなく、強い人だわ。}
[Of course. She's not just kind, she's strong and capable, too.]
{母が亡くなったとき、幼い私を抱きしめてくれた。}
[When mother died, I was so young. But I still remember how she comforted me.]
{呆然となっている父に代わって、葬式を取り仕切って参列者に挨拶までした。}
[How, when our father was lost in his despair, she took over the arrangements for the funeral all by herself.]
{本当は自分だって泣きたかったくせに、夜になって一人になるまでずっと}
[And she never cried unless she was alone, because she never wanted to upset]
{我慢していたのよ。幼い私は、そんなこと考えもしなかった。}
[anyone else. Though, that was something I hadn't realized until I was older.]
{姉だってたいした年齢じゃなかったのに、}
[My sister wasn't very old herself at the time,]
{あのときから私のために花のような時間を犠牲にしてきた。}
[but she's sacrificed so many years of her life for me since then.]
???: {"気品があるっていうか……、素敵な人だ."}
["There's no other word for it than elegance... What an incredible woman."]
Alice: {そう、姉さんには知性があるの。賢さが、自然な気品を出している。}
[True. But, she's so intelligent, that her elegance comes naturally.]
{我が家は上流階級じゃないけれど、どんな貴婦人にだって負けないわ。}
[We're not from an upper-class home, but she's beyond even the wealthiest women.]
{女らしくて、優しくて……。素晴らしい人。}
[Feminine, gentle... A simply wonderful person.]
{私の自慢なの。私の自慢。}
[She's my pride and joy. I'm so proud of her.]
{自慢なのよ。素敵な人なの。}
[So proud of the most wonderful person.]
???: {"アリス、君は似ていないと言うけれど、お母さんの面影がある。}
[Alice, I know you say you don't look alike, but I think you resemble your mother.]
{写真を見たけど、似ているよ."}
[I seen a photo of her earlier."]
Alice: {そうかしら。嬉しいな。}
[If that's true, I'm glad.]
{私、母に似ていないって思っていた。母さんにも姉さんにも似ていない。}
[I never thought I looked like my mother. I don't remember her well, and I don't
look like either of my sisters.]
{二人はいつも素敵で、違う人種みたいな気がしていたの。}
[I don't even act like them. I always felt like a different species or something.]
{似ているなんて、嬉しいわ。}
[But, if I resemble Mother, I'm glad.]
???: {"お姉さんにも似ている。姉妹なんだから、当たり前だけどな."}
["You resemble your sister, too. But that's only natural, since you're sisters."]
Alice: {嬉しい。嬉しかったわ。}
[That makes me happy. Really happy.]
{本当にそうならよかったのに。嬉しいと思ったのは、最初だけ。}
[If that were true, it'd be good. But, that only made me happy at first.]
???: {"アリス。すまない、私は……."}
["Alice. I'm so sorry, I..."]
Alice: {謝ってほしくなんかない。そんな必要はないの。}
[I didn't want an apology. It wasn't necessary.]
{姉さんは、母さんに似ていて、本当に素敵な人だから。だから……。}
[My sister was a wonderful person, just like my mother. So...]
???: {"私は……君の姉さんが……ロリーナが好きなんだ。今も、ずっと."}
["I'm... in love with your sister... Lorina. I always have been."]
Alice: {だからね、あなたが私より姉さんを好きでも、ちっとも不思議なことじゃないわ。}
[So, even if you choose her over me, it's nothing unusual.]
{母も、姉も、特別な女性だった。}
[My sister and my mother are special women.]
{誰かにとって、特別な人。私は、ああはなれない。}
[They're both special to someone. I can't ever be like that.]
{これからも、きっとそのまま。私は、誰の『特別』にもなれないまま。}
[I know that's how it will always be. I'm not "special" to anyone.]
{私を特別に思ってくれる人なんていない。これからだって現れない。}
[There's not one person who considers me irreplaceable. After this, it's so clear.]
{だって……、私にも特別と思える人なんていないから。}
[After all... there's no one who I consider irreplaceable either.]
(...)
(...)
{（……ま、私って根暗で嫌な奴だしね）}
[(... I'm too unpleasant and pessimistic.)]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CUTSCENE: INTRODUCTION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alice: "...
...???
{……っ!"}
[... Ah!"]
{唐突に、目が覚める。}
[Suddenly, I open my eyes.]
{目が覚めると同時に、解放されたような気分になる。}
[And at the same moment my eyes opened, I felt like I had been set free.]
{気持ちが軽く、体まで浮き上がりそうだ。}
[A feeling like my body could float right up into the sky.]
"..."
{なんだか変な夢をみた。暗くて、切ない気持ちになる夢。}
[That was such a strange dream. It made me feel so heavy.]
{どこまでも暗くて、深い。落ちていくような夢。}
[It was deep, and dark. I was falling.]
{夢だと分かっていたのに、もう戻れないと思った。}
[But even though I knew it was a dream, it made me feel like I'd never wake up.]
{そして、どこか安心する。どこまでも暗くて深いその夢に、私は安堵したのだ。}
[And yet, it was relieving. It was a deep, dark dream, that reassured me.]
{"あ……れ?"}
["Hu... uh?"]
{こんな夢は、以前にもみたことがなかっただろうか。}
[I feel like I've seen that dream before, but I can't remember.]
{頭がぼうっとして、ここがどこだか分からない。}
[My mind feels hazy, and I don't know where I am.]
{（ここは……、どこだった？）}
[(What... is this place?)]
{記憶にない。}
[I don't recognize it.]
{ここは暗い。私の家は、ここではない。}
[This place is cold. It isn't my house.]
{こんな見覚えのない場所ではなく、もっと暖かな場所で夢をみていた。}
[I remember that I wasn't sleeping in this unfamiliar place. I was somewhere warm.]
{こんな場所じゃない。}
[Somewhere else.]
{日曜日の午後、柔らかい日差しの下の寛げる空間。私は、姉と庭にいた。}
[Sunday afternoon, beneath the cozy sunlight. I was in the garden, with my sister.]
{（姉さん……）}
[(My sister...)]
{どうしてだか、暗い気持ちになる。}
[Why does that make me feel so sad?]
{暗くて深い夢より、更に暗い。安堵を伴わない気持ちになる。}
[Even sadder than that gloomy dream. And without any feeling of relief.]
{優しい場所。あそこは帰りたい場所であるはずなのに。}
[That was a gentle place. I must be sad because I wish I were there now.]
"...?"
{近くに小瓶が転がっている。}
[A small bottle tumbled beside me.]
{（これは……）}
[(This is...)]
{（これは……。なんだったっけ……？）}
[(It's--... I can't remember...)]
(...)
{しばらく考えて、かっと頬が熱くなる。照れというよりも、怒りのためだ。}
[The moment I recall, my cheeks fill with heat. Not from embarassment, but rage.]
{今までの記憶が思い出される. 一気に目が覚めた.}
[The memories of everything up to now rushed back, and I instantly came to
my senses.]
"...
{あのクソウサギ……}
[The rabbit...]
{殺す……。ウサギの丸焼きにしてやるわ、あの〜〜〜〜..."}
[I'll kill him... There's gonna be a rabbit pot roast when I'm done with that bastard..."]
{淑女にあるまじき、不穏な呟きが漏れる。}
[I murmured threats unbefitting of a lady.]
{ペーター＝ホワイトといったか、あの、ウサギ耳をつけた変な男。}
[I think the bunny-eared freak said his name was Peter White, or something.]
{顔はよかった。顔だけは。}
[Still, his face wasn't bad. But, only his face.]
{私も、女の大半がそうであるように美男子には寛大だ。}
[I admit, I'm more tolerant of a handsome man, like most women.]
{ウサギ耳さえついていなければ、}
[Without those ears stuck to his head,]
{もっと違った場面でロマンティックにキスされていれば……。}
[in a different scenario, with a more romantic kiss...]
{もう少し違った感想だったかもしれないけれど。}
[There's a small chance I'd have a different impression of him.]
{まだそんなに長くない人生において、}
[In my fairly short life so far,]
{男性とキスした思い出がたくさんあるわけではない。その中でも、最悪。}
[there are only a few kisses with men. But of them all, that was the worst.]
{ワーストランキングのトップだ。これからも、そう順位は変わるまい。}
[Actually, I'd make it highest ranked on my Top 10 worst experiences ever.
And I'm going to bet it won't be beat anytime soon.]
{（思い出すだに……、最悪）}
[(What an awful thing to have to remember...)]
{ふざけた男にふざけたキスをされたという、嫌な思い出にしかなりそうにない。}
[A screwed up kiss with a screwed up man could be nothing but a terrible memory.]
{そもそも、あれはキスといえるのか。相手の目的は別のところにあった。}
[Could you really even call that a kiss in the first place? After all, that wasn't
his intention.]
{あのウサギにとっては、キスに意味などなかったのだろう}
[I wonder if the kiss had any meaning to that rabbit at all.]
{（あんな強引に薬を飲ませるなんて……）}
[(Forcing me to take some strange medicine in such an overbearing way...)]
{...なんの薬だったのだろう。時間を置いたことで冷静に考えることが出来る。}
[... I wonder what that medicine was. Now that I have time to think, and a clear head.]
{専門的な知識はないのであくまで感覚的にだが、}
[I don't have any professional knowledge on such things,]
{体に異変はないように思える.}
[but there doesn't seem to be anything immediately wrong with my body, at least.]
{気を失っている間に、何か不埒なことをされたわけでもなさそうだった。}
[And it doesn't seem like anyone did anything vile to me while I was unconscious.]
{（意識が薄らぐような薬品だったの？）}
[(Was it really just to knock me out?)]
{変なものを飲まされて気を失ったという事実は変わらないが、}
[It would be strange to cause someone to pass out with no other goal, and the]
{成分や目的が不明だ。}
[fact remains that it's purpose and composition are unknown.]
{（後遺症の残るようなものや、中毒性のあるようなものじゃないでしょうね...)}
[(I wonder if it's poisonous, or has some kind of long-term effect...)]
(...)
{目の前には、薬瓶。}
[The vial was right in front of my eyes.]
???: {"拾わなきゃ."}
["You have to pick it up."]
Alice: "..."
{薬瓶に手を伸ばす。}
[I extended my arm towards it.]
{成分表などはついていない。香水が入っていそうなデザインのガラス瓶だ。}
[It's just a small, glass, bottle that doesn't have any kind of label. It looks more
like something that would be used for perfume than medicine.]
{中身がすべて透けて見える。カラだ。}
[And I can see it's contents clearly. It's empty.]
{この瓶の中身を、全部飲まされた。再び頬が熱くなる。}
[I drank the entire bottle. My cheeks start to burn again.]
{（あんなの、キスじゃない）}
[(It wasn't a kiss.)]
{相手だってそんな気はなかっただろうし、私にだってもちろんない。}
[He didn't think of it that way, so I certainly don't.]
{でも、この瓶の中身をすべて飲み干すほどに……。}
[But, to have kept going so long that I drank this whole vial...]
{"……〜〜〜〜〜っっ。もっと、殴っておけばよかった."}
["... ~~~~~ Ugh. I wish I'd hit him a few more times."]
{相手にそのつもりがなかったにしろ、}
[He didn't intend it as a kiss,]
{とてもバードキスといえるようなものではなかった。}
[and it's not like I can say it was just a small peck.]
{そのつもりなしにやったのだから、余計に許せない。}
[I almost feel like it's even more inexcusable that he did that without meaning it to be a kiss.]
{次に会うときは、}
[The next time I see him,]
{改めて薬の正体を聞くと同時に、もう一度殴りなおしてやろう。}
[I'll be sure to punch him some more while I ask about the medicine.]
{（……会わないほうが得策なのは分かっているけど）}
[(... Though, it'd be better if we never crossed paths again.)]
{でも、会ってしまいそうな気がする。外れたほうがいいような、勘だ。}
[Still, I get the feeling that won't be the last I see of him. I just hope my intuition
is wrong.]
{会わないですむならそれに越したことはない。}
[If I do see him again, it would probably be a waste of time anyway.]
{どうせ、尋ねたってまともな返事はかえってこないだろう。}
[It's not as if he'd ever give me a straight answer.]
???: {"拾って持っていくんだ."}
["Take it with you."]
Alice: {（……さて、これからどうしよう.)}
[(... What do I do now?)]
{とりあえず、転がっている瓶を拾っておく。そうしなくてはならない気がした。}
[I quickly scoop up the vial. I'm compelled to.]
{これは私にとって必要なものだ。}
[I feel like I need it.]
{それがなぜかは分からないが、とにかく必要だ。}
[I don't understand why, but I have to keep it.]
"...?"
{（……なぜ？）}
[(... But why?)]
{分からない。分からないのに、なぜ必要だと思うのか。}
[I don't know. And yet, even though I don't know, I can only think that it's important.]
{分からないことが多すぎる。}
[There are too many things that I don't understand.]
{（ここは、一体どこ？どうして、こんなに真っ暗なの？）}
[(Like, where am I right now? And why is it so dark?)]
{起き上がる。……真っ暗だ。}
[I stand up... Everything is pitch black.]
{それも当然で、外はすっかり夜だった。星空が広がっている。}
[That makes sense, since I'm outside at night. I'm surrounded by nothing but stars.]
{夜なら、暗いのも当たり前……。}
[Of course it's going to be dark this hour...]
"...!?"
{夜っ!?"}
[This hour--!?"]
{夜だ。確認するまでもなく、夜。}
[It's night. I don't need any more proof than the sky.]
{気絶していた間の時間感覚などあてにならないが、そんなに時間が}
[I wasn't expecting that I'd be able to accurately judge how long I was passed out, ]
{経っていたとは思わなかった。せいぜい、数十分のことだと思ったのに。}
[but I never would have assumed it had been this long. At best, I was going to guess 20
or 30 minutes.]
{"大変！どうしよう！姉さん、きっと心配して……"}
["This is terrible! What am I going to do!? My sister must be so worried..."]
Julius: {"……なんだ、まだいたのか."}
["... What? You're still here?]
Alice: {"！あなた、先刻の……"}
["...! It's you, from earlier..."]
{不機嫌そうな男が目の前に立っていた。}
[I remembered the ill-tempered man standing before me.]
{"ユリウス……よね?"}
["Julius... right?"]
Julius: {"……ユリウス＝モンレー。時計塔の番人だ.}
["... Julius Monrey. Keeper of the Clocktower.]
{帰れと言っただろう？どいつもこいつも人の忠告を聞かない..."}
[I thought I told you to go home? Is there not one person who ever listens to what I
say..."]
Alice: {"私だって帰りたいわ！}
["I want to go home!"]
Julius: {"では、話は簡単だ。とっとと帰れ."}
["Then this will be simple. You can leave now."]
Alice: {簡単だというが、帰れといわれて帰れるものなら、}
["Simple" he says, "leave now" he says.]
{とっくにここから出て行っている。}
[If I knew how to do that, I would have been long gone already.]
{眼下に広がる夜景は、どう見ても見覚えがない。}
[I looked down into the night, but I don't recognize anything.]
{私の住んでいる街の明かりではない。}
[The lights below aren't that of my town.]
{"帰り道が分からないのよ！ここはどこなの？}
["I don't know the way home! Where are we?]
{私、あの変な男に誘拐されてきて..."}
[I was taken by a strange man, and..."]
Julius: {"誘拐？無理に連れてこられたのか?"}
["Taken? You mean you were brought here by force?"]
Alice: {"そう！そうなのよ！あの変な……"}
["Yes! Exactly! That strange man from earlier..."]
Julius: {"ペーター＝ホワイト。名乗っただろう?"}
["Peter White. Is that what he called himself?"]
Alice: {"そうだったわね。最後に名乗っていった……"}
["That's right. That's the last thing he said to me..."]
{でも,名前なんてどうだっていいわ.}
[But, his name doesn't matter.]
{とにかく,そいつが私を穴に引きずり込んで...}
[At any rate, that guy dragged me down a hole, and...]
{ああ...もう...どうしよう...どうすればいいの。夜になっちゃっているなんて..."}
[Ah... now... what am I supposed to do? Where can I go? And, it's already night..."]
{夜になったからといって、何をそんなに焦ることがある."}
[Just because it's night, there's no need to get so flustered."]
Alice: {ユリウスは、私が慌てていることが解せないようだ。}
[Julius doesn't seem to comprehend why I'm upset.]
{"そりゃあ、焦るわよ！}
["Of course I'm flustered! ]
{私は、まだ親の脛をかじっている身なのよ。門限だってあるの！}
[I still live with my family! I should have been back by now! I have a curfew!]
{夜……。今夜も父さんが帰って来ていないといいんだけど..."}
[I hope... Father isn't home tonight..."]
{不在がちな父親だ。夜も帰って来ないことが多い。}
[It's not unusual for him to be away, even this late.]
{帰ってくるとしても深夜で、顔を合わすことはほとんどない。}
[And if he does return, it's usually in the middle of the night. I almost never see his face.]
{しかし、間が悪い人だ。}
[But, he's a tricky person.]
{こういう悪いタイミングを狙い澄ましたかのように帰ってくる。}
[If I came home now, I bet he'd show up as if he had been waiting for me.]
{（もし父さんが帰って来ていたら……、最悪だわ）}
[(If Father is home... it'll be the worst-case scenario.)]
{姉だけなら,こう言ってはなんだが,謝り通せば許してくれる.}
[If I beg, I know that my sister will forgive me,]
{父はそうはいかない.}
[but Father wouldn't be so lenient.]
{悪い友達と付き合いがあるのではないかと、家に閉じ込められるか.}
[If he thinks it's because I'm spending time with bad influences, he'll shut me away in]
{学校を辞めさせられ、家庭教師に切り替えられてしまうかもしれない。}
[my room. Or, he may even pull me out of school again, and get me another tutor.]
{普段は父親らしいことなどしないくせに、そういった口出しは厳しいのだ。}
[He doesn't usually act like much of a father, but with things like this, he's always
especially strict.]
{"ああ……、どうしよう……。もう夜……}
["Oh... What to do... It's so late...]
{夜なんて……。そんなに時間が経っていただなんて……"}
[I can't believe it's night... So much time has passed..."]
{心配した姉が、通報でもしていたらどうしよう。父親の耳にも届いてしまう。}
[What if Lorina got worried, and filed a police report? Father would definitely hear
about that.]
{そうなったら、本当に学校を辞めさせられる。}
[If that happened, I really would have to quit school.]
{"嫌だ……。とんでもないわ……"}
["No... This can't be happening..."]
{私の動揺は、かなり激しかった。}
[My anxiety was growing more and more intense.]
{深い穴に落ちて、死を覚悟したとき以上だ。}
[This is worse than when I was preparing to die as I fell down that hole.]
{死にたいとは今だって思わないが、下手をすれば死ぬより悪い。}
[I still don't want to die, but this could end up being a fate worse than death.]
{（家に閉じ込められるだなんて……）}
[(I could end up trapped in that house forever...)]
{学校に行けば、私は母や姉とは比べられない。}
[When I'm in school, I don't have to compete with my sisters or mother.]
{知っている人は知っていても,母や姉の影を気にせずにやっていける場所だ.}
[It's a place where I don't have to live in their shadows for once.]
{家に招待さえしなければ、誰も私の母や姉のことなんか気にしない。}
[Even when I invite people over, they're not worried about Lorina or Mother at all.]
{家が嫌いなわけじゃない。でも、家を出なくては閉塞感で死にそうになる。}
[It's not as if I hate my house. But, if I had to stay there that long, I'd feel hopelessly trapped.]
{外部との接触を奪われることだけは、どうしても避けたい。}
[I can't lose my connection to the outside world for anything.]
Julius: {"なんだ？？？なんなんだ？？？}
["What??? What are you saying???]
{門限だと？なんでそんな無意味なものに拘束されるんだ?"}
[A curfew? What kind of nonsensical restriction is that?"]
Alice: {"無意味って..."}
["Nonsensical...?"]
{大体の家庭において、それほど無意味なものではないだろう。}
[Plenty of families have such a thing in place, so I don't think it's anything unusual.]
{うちが特殊というわけではないはずだ。}
[We aren't doing something out of the ordinary.]
Julius: {"余所者は、門限などに縛られているのか？無意味だろう。}
["Are Outsiders bound to such things as curfews? That makes no sense at all.]
{そんなもの、意味がない.}
[If that's true, it is completely useless.]
{あの白ウサギの時計ほどに意味がないものだ。}
[As useless as the White Rabbit's clock.]
{そこにあるというだけで、それ以上ではない}
[Just because you have something, doesn't mean it has a purpose.]
{奴のする時間の約束と同じくらいに守られないもので、あてにならない."}
[It's the same as making an appointment with him. There's no point.]
Alice: {"あの人、そんなに時間にルーズなの...?"]
["Is he really so lenient with his time...?"]
Julius: {"ルーズなんていうレベルじゃないが……}
["To call him lenient would be an understatement, but...]
{……なんでもいいが、泣くなよ？女の涙は鬱陶しい.}
[... Regardless, can you try not to cry? Women's tears are troublesome.]
{これだから女は嫌なんだ。すぐ騒ぐわ泣くわで..."}
[That's one of the reasons I dislike women. They cry so easily at trivial things..."]
Alice: {"…………。……先刻も思ったんだけど、あんたって嫌な奴よね."}
["... ... I thought this before, but you're a pretty ill-tempered man, aren't you?"]
{涙もひっこむほどの、口の悪さだ。}
[His words were so heartless, my tears withdrew on their own.]
{動揺している女に向かって言うような台詞じゃない。}
[Those words aren't what you should be saying to a woman in distress.]
{"安心してよ。泣き喚いたりしないから."}
["You can relax. I'm not going to cry."]
{元から、泣くつもりなんてない。でも、泣きたい気分なのは確かだ。}
[It's true that I feel like crying, but I have no intention to actually do it.]
{早く帰りたい・帰らなければと思っていたのに、今は家に帰ることが億劫だ。}
[I wanted to be home soon, but now that I've thought about it, returning to my family
right now would only be troublesome.]
{"夜だなんて……"}
["It's so late..."]
Julius: {"夜……？夜が気に食わないのか？}
["Late...? Is night not to your liking?]
{帽子屋とは気が合いそうにないな……"}
[You wouldn't get along very well with the Hatter then..."]
Alice: {私の落ち込み具合が激しかったためか、}
[Maybe it's because he can see that I'm only getting more anxious,]
{ユリウスは少しだけ同情的な態度になった。}
[but Julius seems to be trying to act more sympathetic now.]
{"……帽子屋?"}
["... The Hatter?"]
Juilus: {"知らないのか?"}
["You're not familiar?"]
Alice: {"誘拐されてきたんだって言ったでしょう."}
["I told you I was kidnapped."]
Julius: {"誘拐……、な。いかに女王の配下のウサギでも、}
["Kidnapped... hm. The rabbit may be a follower of the Queen, but even for him,]
{望まない者をこの国に招きいれることは不可能だ.}
[it's not possible to bring someone into the country who doesn't want to.]
{アリス、おまえにも望む気持ちがあったからこそ..."}
[Alice, even if you aren't aware, you came here because you desired it. I'm certain..."]
Alice: {"望む気持ち!?そんなものないわよ!私が、望んでここに来たっていうの!?"}
["I desired it!? There's no way that's true. You're saying I wanted to come here!?"]
{誤解だ。来たいと思って来たわけではない。}
[He's mistaken. I never once wished to come to a place like this.]
{こんな見知らぬ土地に、}
[Following a strange man]
{よく知りもしない男について来てしまいたくなどなかった。}
[into a strange place is something I never asked for.]
{"引っぱられて、穴に落ちて……"}
["I was taken, and we fell down a hole..."]
{説明しようとして、言葉が足りないことに気付く。}
[As I tried to explain, I realized that my words weren't enough.]
{詳しく言おうとすればするほど、嘘くさい。}
[Even if I gave him every detail, it would sound absurd.]
{（家の庭にウサギがいて、そのウサギに穴に引っぱり込まれて、}
[(There was a rabbit in my garden, which carried me into a hole,]
{落ちた先がこの塔だった……って？）}
[and when we came out the bottom, we were on top of a tower...?)]
{…………。錯乱しているとしか思われないだろう。}
[... I think I'd sound deranged.]
{もしくは、誤魔化しているようにしか。}
[Or, maybe he'd just think I'm lying.]
{邪推されても仕方がないほど、真実味がない。}
[It can't be helped if I seem untrustworthy, given the situation.]
{ユリウスはペーターと知り合いらしいが、親しそうには見えなかった。}
[Julius seems to be acquainted with Peter, but it doesn't look like they're friendly.]
{それがなくとも、嘘くさい話なのだ。}
[But even using that, I think this story is to farfetched for him to accept it.]
{"……私、見知らぬ男の人についていくほど軽い女じゃないのよ."}
["... I'm not such a careless girl that I'd follow a strange man like that."]
{声が尻すぼみになっていく。言い訳じみている。}
[My voice is weak, making it sound like no more than an excuse.]
{うまい言葉がみつからない。}
[I'm at a loss for words.]
{事実そのものが嘘のような内容で、どうとも説明しようがなかった。}
[The facts are so impossible to believe, I have no idea how to explain myself.]
Julius: {"そうか."}
["Is that so."]
Alice: {"夜に一人で遊び歩いたりもしないわ。本当よ."}
["But, going off on my own at night is something I'd never do. I swear."]
{責める口調ではない。疑うような言動でもない。}
[His tone isn't condemning. His words aren't laced with suspicion.]
{……それ以前に、興味もなさそうだった。}
[... I don't think he's had any interest in this entire conversation.]
{"それで、って……。だから、嘘はついていないわ."}
["And... So, I'm not lying to you."]
Julius: {"おまえのことを嘘つきなどとは言っていないだろう.}
["I don't remember ever calling you a liar.]
{おまえは、あの馬鹿ウサギに穴に引っぱられて、ここに来た。}
[That idiot rabbit took you down a hole, and now you're here.]
{普段のおまえは男についていったり、夜遊びをするような女じゃない."}
[And, you're not the type of woman who chases men, or goes out at night.]
{主張は分かった。}
[It's not as if I don't understand your claims.]
{その通りだろうと、それが嘘であろうと私にとってはどうでもいい."}
[But, whether it's the truth or a lie makes no difference to me."]
Alice: {"嘘じゃないってば!"}
["I told you, I'm not lying!"]
Julius: {"私にとっては、どうでもいいんだ。}
["And I told you, it doesn't matter.]
{おまえが嘘つきだろうと正直者であろうとどちらでも構わない."}
[I don't care whether you're a liar or not.]
{どちらでもいい。私は、おまえに帰ってほしい."}
[Either way, all I want is for you to leave."]
Alice: {持って回った物言いをする男だ。}
[His manner of speaking changes so quickly.]
{理屈っぽく嫌味たらしいところが、父を思い出させる。}
[It's like everything has to turn into an argument. It reminds me of my father.]
{"私だって帰りたいわ。家に連絡を……}
["I want to leave. If you'll let me call my house...]
{……いえ、自分で帰るわ。帰れる。道を教えて."}
[... No, I'd rather just go back on my own. All you have to do is tell me where to go."]
{家に連絡を入れるとなると、おおごとだ。}
[If I call my family, this will turn into a huge ordeal.]
{いくら見覚えがない場所といっても家までたいした距離ではないはずだ。}
[Even though I don't know how far away I am from my house, it can't be that great of ]
{ここがどこだか、家がどちらの方向かさえ分かれば、一人で帰れる。}
[a distance. As long as I know which direction to go, I'll find my way eventually.]
{……帰れるはずだ。}
[... At least, I should be able to.]
Julius: {"無理だな。おまえは、一人では帰れない."}
["That won't be possible. You can't return on your own."]
Alice: {"え？そんなに複雑な道筋なの?"}
["Huh? Is the way back that complicated?"]
Julius: {"複雑であるともいえるし、そうでないともいえる.}
["You could say it's complicated, and you could say it's not.]
{帰りたいと思えばすぐにでも道は拓けるが、望まなければ永遠に戻れない.}
[If you believe you want to go home, the path will open immediately. But if that's not
what you honestly desire, then you'll remain here forever.]
{ここに来られた時点で、帰りたがってはいないんだ。}
[When you came here, it was because you didn't want to be in your world.]
{ここへ来ることを望んだ者が帰り道を拓くのは容易ではない."}
[And if you wanted to be here, it's quite difficult to find your way back."]
Alice: {"どういうこと。意味が分からない."}
["What do you mean? I don't understand."]
{この人もおかしい。}
[So he's a weirdo, too.]
{私が望んでここに来たわけではないと説明したのに、まるで通じていない。}
[That explains why nothing I say is getting through to him.]
{"私は帰りたいのよ。今すぐに."}
["I want to go home. Right now."]
Julius: {"私だって、帰ってほしい。おまえは招かれざる客なんだ."}
["I also want you to go home. I don't need any uninvited guests."]
Alice: {"じゃあ、道を教えてよ!"}
["Then tell me the way!"]
{押し問答にイライラしてくる。}
[All of this back-and-forth is making me angry.]
{まだマシだというだけで、ペーターとのやりとりの繰り返しのようだ。}
[Still better than Peter, but this endless loop feels the same.]
{意思の疎通がなっていない。}
[Neither of us understand each other's intention.]
Julius: {"一人では帰れないと言っているだろう."}
["I already told you, you can't go back alone."]
Alice: {"私は一人でも平気よ！迷わずに一人で帰れるわ!"}
["I'll be fine going by myself! I won't get lost, so just tell me the way!"]
{送ってもらったりなどしたら、又おかしなトラブルに巻き込まれそうだ。}
[If I have him escort me, I'll probably only end up in more trouble.]
{夜に見知らぬ場所を一人で歩きまわるのは危険だが、}
[It's dangerous to walk around a strange place at night,]
{知らない男に道案内を頼むのも同じくらいに危険だ。}
[but it's no less dangerous to ask a strange man to guide you home.]
{おまけに、私をここまで連れてきたウサギ耳男の知人。}
[Besides, he knows the rabbit-man who brought me here.]
{こんなおかしな人に借りを作るのもいただけない。}
[I wouldn't want to end up indebted to someone like this.]
{道だけでも聞いておいて、なんとか一人で帰ろう。}
[I'm only going to ask directions, and then I'll find my way back one way or another.]
{さすがに、道も聞かずに飛び出すのは危険すぎる。}
[It's just too risky to rush out without any guidance at all.]
{"いいから、道を教えてよ。私の家の住所は……"}
["Don't worry about it, and tell me the way. My address is..."]
Julius: {"住所など聞かされても、どうすることも出来ない。無駄だ.}
["Even if you tell me the address, there's nothing I can do. You can't go.]
{一人では帰れない。それがルールだ."}
[You can't return alone. That's the rule."]
Alice: {"なによ、ルールって!"}
["What do you mean "rule"!?"]
Julius: {"決まりごとのことだ！物分かりの悪い女だな!"}
["A rule is a principle that dictates what is and is not possible! What a dense woman!"]
Alice: {"意味をきいているんじゃないわ！あなたこそ、物分かりが悪い!"}
["I wasn't asking you what the word meant! You're the dense one here!"]
Julius: {"なんだと！人が親切に応対してやっているのに!"}
["What!? You'd say that, even though I've been considerate enough to answer all of your questions?!"]
Alice: {ユリウスはユリウスでイライラしているらしく、語気を荒げる。}
[Clearly getting irritated, Julius' tone grew harsher.]
{互いに、自分の主観で話していて、どこかずれている。}
[We're both trying to explain ourselves to one-another, but something isn't matching up.]
{ずれていることは分かるものの、その食い違いの理由が分からない。}
[And although I know that something's off, I don't know why we're conflicting like this.]
{ともあれ、まともに会話しようという気がある分、ペーターよりはずっといい。}
[In any case, at least he's trying to have a decent conversation with me. Unlike Peter.]
{"一人で帰すのが、そんなに心配？心配してくれるのは有り難いけど...でも...}
["Are you really so worried about me going out alone? I'm grateful for your concern, but...]
{……いいわ、こうしていてもどんどん夜が更けていっちゃうし……}
[... Fine. It's only getting later the more we go on like this...]
{一人じゃ駄目だっていうのなら、あなたが送ってよ。}
[If I can't go alone, will you take me home?]
{信用するから、家まで連れて行ってくれないかしら?"}
[I trust you, so could you please help me get back?"]
Julius: {"〜〜〜〜〜っ!!}
["Huh?~~Ngh!!]
{違う！私が言いたいのはそんなことじゃない！}
[No! That's not what I was trying to say!]
{心配などしていない！事実を言っただけだ！}
[I'm not worried about you! I was just stating facts!]
{……私が、送り役になるだと？論外だ、ふざけるな！}
[Hah... You can't possibly be saying you want me to escort you back? Out of
the question. Don't even joke about such a thing!]
{図々しい……。ありえない……"}
[Shameless... Unbelievable..."]
Alice: {ユリウスはひとしきり怒った後、嫌そうに目を逸らす。}
[After he'd finished his rant, he averted his eyes from me uncomfortably.]
{最後あたりは、ぶつぶつと独り言になっていった。}
[In the end, he just seemed to be grumbling to himself.]
{愚痴りたいのは私のほうだ。}
[I'm the one who should be upset here.]
{"……なによ。なんなのよ、もう……"}
["... What? I don't get it, you just--..."]
{そんなに送るのが嫌なら……}
[If you're that against taking me home...]
{……だから、道を教えてって言っているじゃないっ!}
[... Then why aren't you just telling me the way back!?]
{一人では帰れないとか、送るのは論外だとか……}
[I can't go alone, but it's "out of the question" for you to take me...]
{なんなの……。夜になっちゃうし……意味が分からないことばかり..."}
[What then...? It's so late now... and I just don't understand..."]
Julius: "Nn--!!!
{なっ、泣くな！泣くなよ!?"}
[D-Don't cry! Don't cry!"]
Alice: {"泣いてないわよ!"}
["I'm not crying!"]
{ぎっと、ユリウスを睨み付けてやる。}
[I give Julius a dirty look.]
Julius: {"……っ."}
["... Gh-."]
Alice: {ユリウスは焦ったように、再び目を逸らした。}
[Looking nervous, he turns away again.]
{不機嫌なせいかと思ったが、}
[I thought it was because he had a bad temper,]
{この男、人の目を見て話すのが苦手なのかもしれない。}
[but maybe he's just not very good at talking to people.]
{"泣いてない……けど、泣きそう……."}
["I'm not crying... But, I feel like I could..."]
Julius: {"っ!?}
["Hh!?]
{よせ、泣くな！私は女の涙とか、そういううざったいものが大嫌いなんだ！}
[Stop, calm yourself! I can't stand women when they cry!]
{泣くなよ！？泣いてもいいが、泣くなら、よそで泣け！}
[Don't cry, alright!? Or, if you have to, go do it somewhere else!]
{私の目につかない場所でなら、ぎゃあぎゃあみっともなく泣き喚こうが、}
[If you're somewhere I can't see, then you can bawl, and scream as violently as you]
{目を腫らして化け物のような顔になろうと一向に構わない！ここでは泣くな!"}
[like. Wail until your eyes are red as the devil for all I care! Just don't do it here!"]
Alice: "...
{……つくづく酷い奴ね."}
[... You're a terrible man."]
{慰めるつもりなど皆無のようだが、結果的に涙も引っ込む。}
[He may not be comforting me, but he still helped me hold back my tears.]
{先刻同様に、あまりの口の悪さに呆れて、だ。}
[I'm amazed that he would speak so sharply to someone in my position.]
{"泣きたくもなるわよ...変なウサギにどこか分からない場所へ連れてこられて...}
["Wanting to cry seems justified... A strange rabbit took me to a strange place...]
{あなたも変なことばかり言うし...}
[And everything you say is just confusing me...]
{それに、もう夜…。夜よ、夜…"}
[On top of that, it's already night... It's so late, and..."]
Julius: {"そんなに夜が気に食わないのか."}
["Is the night upsetting you that much?"]
Alice: {"そうよ、どうしよう。こうしている間にもどんどん時間が経っちゃう…}
["Yes. What am I going to do? Time keeps passing, and I'm just stuck here like this...]
{夜なんて……。姉さんが通報したりして、騒ぎになっているかも……}
[It's just so late... My sister must be in a panic, and has probably filed a missing person's report...]
{父さんが帰ってきていたら終わりだわ……"}
[And if Father is home, it's all over for me..."]
Julius: {"夜をそこまで毛嫌いするとはな.}
["You seem to have a deep-seated aversion to night.]
{私は暗いほうが落ち着くが……、女というのは暗い場所を嫌う輩が多い."}
[I find it calming, myself... But, women often seem to dislike dark places."]
Alice: {夜が嫌いなわけではない。}
[I don't really hate the night itself.]
{今、どことも知れない場所で夜を迎えているのが大問題なのだ。}
[I'm only so anxious about it now because I'm in an unfamiliar place.]
{そんなことまで説明しないと通じないのか。}
[But I don't think he'll pick up on that that unless I explain.]
{うんざりする。}
[I'm tired of it.]
{この地域の人は……まだ二人しか会っていないが、話が通じない。}
[I've only met two people in this place so far... and I can't communicate with either.]
Julius: {"夜行性の帽子屋連中とは気が合いそうにない意見だが、}
["It's unfortunate to have something in common with that gang at the Hatter's though.]
{あんな連中とは気が合わないほうが幸せだろうな}
[I would be happier if I never had to associate with them in any way.]
{白ウサギに連れられて来るくらいだ。}
[You came in with the White Rabbit.]
{奴は女王の配下だから、おまえも、女王の好む時間が好きなのか?"}
[Since he's a follower of the Queen, perhaps you share her preference of time?"]
Alice: {"夜以外の時間なら、なんだっていいわ."}
["I just wish it were anything other than night right now."]
{帽子屋の次は女王様。ユリウスも、やはり、相当におかしい。}
[First the Hatter and now the Queen. Julius is as strange as the rabbit.]
{さすがウサギ耳男の知人だ。まともに会話が出来ない。}
[As expected, since they're acquaintances. There's no way to have a
normal conversation.]
{いよいよ道案内もなしに、家を捜すしかなさそうだ。}
[It's looking more and more like I'm going to have to find my way home on my own.]
Julius: {"そこまで言うのなら、夜を退けてやろう。}
["If that's what you need, then I'll put night aside.]
{この場で鬱陶しい泣き顔を晒されては堪らないからな."}
[I wouldn't be able to handle it if I had to see a crying face."]
Alice: "...?"
{ユリウスは手にしていた工具をかざす。}
[Julius begins to raise his hand, and I see some kind of tool in his grip.]
{凶器にもなりかねない物に身構えるが、それは私にではなく外に向けられた。}
[I tense up, thinking it may be a weapon. But rather than aiming it towards me, he turns
to look outside.]
{何をするつもりかと、その動きを目で追う。}
[Unsure of what he plans to do, my eyes follow his movements.]
Julius: {"面倒ばかりだ。だから、女は嫌いなんだ."}
["Nothing but trouble. This is why I hate women."]
Alice: {口の悪さに慣れてきたせいもあるが、}
[Maybe because I've already grown accustomed to it,]
{ユリウスの言葉は耳をすり抜けていった。}
[Julius' harsh words pass right over me.]
CG - Master of Clocks' Influence, Night
{ユリウスの手の中にある工具の形が、変わっていく。}
[Suddenly, the tool in his hand changed form.]
{（え……、えええ！！？）}
[(H-... Huuhh!?!?)]
{馴染みはないが、何かは分かる。工具は……、なんと、拳銃に形を変えた。}
[I may not be very familiar with such things, but I still recognize what it is. The tool...
became a handgun.]
{"え……。なに……?"}
["Er... What...?"]
{驚く間もなく、銃口を空に向け、引き金が引かれる。}
[I didn't even have time to be amazed as he pointed the gun to the sky, and pulled the
trigger.]
{すると……、まるで呼応するかのように、空の色がさあっと赤くなっていった。}
[Then... as if answering his call, in mere moments, the sky was overtaken by a brilliant crimson.]
"!?
{な……っ!?"}
[Wha--!?"]
Julius: {"女王は、赤が好きだ。時間も例外なく.}
["The Queen is very particular. This is the only time she cares for.]
{赤の時間……夕方にしてやったぞ？満足か?"}
[The red time... Is evening alright for you? Are you satisfied now?"]
Alice: {"ま、満足かって……、そんな……}
["S-Satisfied...? This is..."]
Julius: {"？夜でない時間なら、なんだっていいと言っただろう."}
["Hm? I thought you said you'd be fine it it were anything other than night?"]
Alice: {"言ったけど、そんな、まさか……"}
["I did say that, but, I never thought..."]
{呆然となる。間抜けにも、口が開いた。}
[I was dumbfounded. My mouth was hanging open like an idiot.]
{工具が銃に変わったのも衝撃的だが、}
[Turning a tool into a gun was astonishing enough on it's own,]
{空の色が変わるなんて、手品にしても大規模すぎる。}
[but changing the colour of the sky is too grand to just be some kind of magic trick.]
Julius: {"なんだ。夕方も気に食わないのか？}
["What? Evening isn't to your liking either?]
{昼が好きなら、最初からそう言え。手間をかけさせるんじゃない.}
[If you wanted day, then you should just say so from the beginning. Don't waste
my time.]
{連射すると、頭痛がする……"}
[Shooting over and over gives me a headache..."]
Alice: {ユリウスが、もう一発銃を撃つ。}
[Julius fires his weapon once more.]
{そうすると、今度は赤い空が青くなった。}
[And having done that, the red skies became a bright blue.]
{夕方から、昼へ。ここに、最初に来たときと同じ、昼の景色。}
[From evening, to midday. The same scenery as when I first arrived here.]
Julius: {"遊園地の主が好みそうな、いい天気の昼だ。}
[The master of the Amusement Park enjoys clear skies like this.]
{どうだ、今度こそ満足がいったか?}
[Well? Surely this time must be good enough for you.]
{天気までは変えられないぞ。それは私の手に余る."}
[I hope you weren't hoping for anything more. Controlling the weather is out of
my hands."]
Alice: "..."
Julius: {"……おい?"}
["... So?"]
Alice: "..."
Julius: {"なんだ？どうした、アリス?"}
["What is it? Are you alright, Alice?"]
Alice: {頭がぐるぐるする。}
[My head is spinning.]
{先刻のように、ぐるぐるぐる……と。回る。}
[Just like before, round and round... Reeling.]
{足元がおぼつかなく、独特の浮遊感。}
[A strange sensation overtakes me, and I feel as if the ground has disappeared
from under my feet.]
???: {"……だよ."}
[... eam."]
Alice: {（……あ、分かった）}
[(... Yes, I understand.)]
{（なんだ、そっか……。そうなんだ。それなら納得）}
[(What? I see... Is that so. Then, it makes sense.)]
???: {"夢だよ."}
["A dream."]
Alice: {"...夢だ"}
["... It's a dream."]
??? {"これは, 夢."}
["This is a dream."]
Julius: "Hm???"
Alice: {"おかしいおかしいとは思ったのよね。そうか、そうよね}
["Everything just gets more and more ridiculous. But, I see. That's all it is.]
{ちょっと考えればすぐ分かるのに...でも、みている間って、そういうものよね..."}
[If I had just stopped to think, it would've been so obvious... But, that's how it always
is, isn't it? You can notice these things until after the fact."]
Julius: {"おい、アリス？何を言っている?"}
["Alice? Hey, what are you talking about?"]
Alice: {ここにいる私自身が、独白の塊のようなものだ。}
[I feel like the physical embodiment of a monologue right now.]
{独り言のように聞こえるのかもしれないが、気にしない。}
[Maybe it looks like I'm speaking to myself, but I don't care.]
{ユリウスが銃を持っているのも、ころころ変わった空の色も、もう気になら}
[The fact that Julius is holding a gun that changes the time off day on command?]
{ない。それをおかしいことだとは思わないし、仰天したり動揺したりもしない。}
[I don't care. Suddenly, none of this is strange or mind-boggling.]
{やっと分かった私は、平常心を取り戻していた。}
[Now that I've realized, I feel like my mind is clear, for the first time since I arrived.]
???: {"これは, 夢なんだ."}
["Because this is a dream."]
Alice: {"夢だったんだ."}
["It was all a dream."]
{ようやっと、安心する。}
[I feel relieved.]
{夜になったとか、門限とか、確かにそれなら気にしなくてもいい。無意味だ。}
[I don't have to worry about the night, or the curfew. None of that matters.]
{これは夢。時間なんか関係ない。}
[This is a dream. Time is irrelevant.]
{私は、夢をみている。日曜の午後、暖かい自分の家の庭で。}
[It's still Sunday afternoon. I'm just in my warm garden, dreaming.]
{姉さんがカードを取りにいっている間に眠ってしまったのだ。なんて呑気な私。}
[I fell asleep while my sister was getting some playing cards. So careless of me.]
{（ああ、よかった）}
[(Aah, good.)]
{夢なら、何も慌てる必要はない。}
[If this is a dream, then there's no reason to panic.]
{自然に目が覚めるか、誰かが起こしてくれるのを待てばいい。}
[I just have to wait until someone wakes me.]
{悪夢のようだと思ったが、そのまま、夢だったのだ。}
[I thought this all felt like a nightmare, and it was a dream after all.]
Julius: "...
{……そう決めたなら、それでいい。おまえが夢だと思うなら、これは夢だ."}
[... If that's what you've decided, then fine. If you want to think this is a dream, then
it's a dream."]
Alice: {私の夢の中の登場人物は、面白くもなさそうに頷いた。}
[The imaginary man nods his head, but doesn't seem amused.]
Julius: {"ゲームは一人では出来ない。だから帰れない.}
["You can't play the game alone, and you can't leave alone.]
{……終われない夢だな."}
[... If you want the dream to end."]
Alice: {"ゲームは一人では出来ない、ね。姉さんと同じ台詞だわ.}
["I can't play a game alone, huh? My sister said the same thing.]
{一人じゃ帰れないのなら、どうすれば帰れるの？教えてよ."}
[But if I can't leave on my own, then how do I get out? Teach me."]
{これは夢だ。夢と分かれば、安心だ。}
[This is a dream. And if this is a dream, I can relax.]
{不思議なことも、怖くない。}
[Now things feel more mysterious than scary.]
{どんなに不思議でも、そのうち覚める夢なのだから。}
[And I can enjoy the mystery, knowing that I'll eventually wake up.]
{楽しんでしまえばいいと、余裕が出来る。}
[It's alright to have some fun, while I have the chance.]
{いつもより少しばかり複雑な、ストーリー仕立ての夢だ。}
[This is a bit more complicated than usual, since it feels like I'm really influencing]
{夢をみているのなら、楽しんでしまえばいい。}
[the story. But, you should just make the most of it when you're dreaming.]
Julius: {"帰る方法、か。本来なら、おまえが望めばすぐにでも帰れるのだが……}
["The way out? Normally, you could leave whenever you want to...]
{そう簡単にはいかなくなっているようだな。馬鹿ウサギは、悪知恵だけは働く."}
[But, in this case, it won't be as simple. That stupid rabbit did something underhanded,
and complicated things.]
{扉の鍵を、おまえに飲み干させてしまった."}
[The key to the door... he made you drink it."]
Alice: {"飲んだ……？鍵を飲み込んじゃった覚えなんてないけど……"}
["I drank it...? I don't remember swallowing a key..."]
Julius: {"飲んだだろう?"}
["Think of what you drank."]
Alice: {飲んだ……。}
[I drank...]
{（鍵を……？）}
[(The key...?)]
{"……もしかして、この薬のこと？この瓶に入っていたやつ?"}
["... Do you mean the medicine? The one that was in this vial?"]
Julius: {"そうだ。忘れっぽいらしいな。}
["Right. You're surprisingly forgetful. I would think]
{なかなか忘れられるものではない飲まされ方をしたようだが?"}
[that the way you received it, it wouldn't so easily slip to the back of your mind."]
Alice: {"！？見ていたの!?}
["!? You saw that!?]
{止めてくれたらよかったのに！！！"}
[And you didn't try and stop it!?!?!?"]
Julius: {"痴話喧嘩に立ち入るほど野暮じゃない."}
["I'm not so foolish as to interrupt a lovers' quarrel."]
Alice: {"痴話喧嘩なんかじゃないわ！あんな男、}
["That wasn't a "lovers' quarrel"!]
{今日まで会ったこともなかったのよ!?"}
[I only met that man today!]
Julius: {"おまえがペーター＝ホワイトとどういう関係だろうと知らん。}
["I wasn't concerned about the relationship between you and Peter White.]
{空間の歪みを感じたから、上まで上ってきたんだ.}
[I only came up because I felt the distortion when you arrived.]
{普段なら、上で何が起ころうと関係ない。放っておく.}
[Usually, I just ignore what happens above. I'd rather leave things be.]
{私は自分の作業場から出たくないんだ。}
[I don't like to leave my workshop.]
{この塔の中であろうとも、動き回る暇があれば作業をしているほうが..."}
[Even though I'm always in this tower, I'd rather spend my free time working..."]
Alice: {ユリウスはまたもやぶつぶつと呟き、視線を落とした。}
[Julius starts to mumble, and once again drops his gaze.]
{"ここは、あなたの職場なの?"}
["You work here?]
Julius: {"この時計塔は、職場なだけでなく私の住処だ。私は時間の番人だから...}
["This clocktower isn't only my workplace, but where I live. Since I'm the
Clockmaker...]
{……私のことはどうでもいい.}
[... But I'm not important.]
{おまえは鍵を飲み込んでしまったから、簡単には帰れないぞ。}
[You swallowed the key, so it won't be easy for you to return home.]
{どうしてくれるんだ."}
[What are you going to do?"]
Alice: {どうでもいいと言いながら、結構自己紹介もしてくれるし、}
[Although he says he's not important, that was a more than sufficient introduction.]
{思っていたほど悪い人ではなさそうだ。}
[He doesn't seem like as bad a person as I originally thought.]
{夢だということが分かって、気が大きくなる。}
[But, knowing that this is a dream, I get a bit bold.]
{"どうしてくれるって、私が帰れなくてもあなたには関係ないでしょう？}
["What am I going to do? Does it even matter to you whether or not I make it home?]
{やっぱり心配してくれているの???"}
[Aren't you worried about me at all???"]
{時計屋ははっと鼻で笑った。}
[Taken by surprise, the Clockmaker laughs through his nose.]
{ウサギ男といい、さすが私の夢だ、}
[He looks as nice as the rabbit-man, which is to be expected from my own dream,]
{性格の悪い奴ばかり。自分を表しているようで、うんざりする。}
[it's only the personalities that are bad. But, it irritates me to think these are
representations of my own psyche.]
Julius: {"おまえが時間を歪めたから、放置しておけないだけだ.}
["Since you've warped time, I can't just abandon you.]
{おまえが罪を犯したわけではない。だから投獄も出来ない.}
[And, you haven't committed any crime, so I can't have you imprisoned.]
{かといって、すぐに銃を向けて解決するのは私の職に反する。}
[It also goes against my role to solve everything with a gun.]
{私は馬鹿ウサギのように無能ではない.}
[I'm not as incompetent as that idiotic rabbit."]
Alice: {"……？ペーターって、そういうタイプなの?"}
["...? Is Peter really that kind of person?"]
{ペーターは、「すぐに銃を向けて解決する」のだろうか。イメージに合わない。}
[Does he really "solve everything with a gun"? That doesn't really match him image.]
{彼は嫌な奴だし暴力も辞さない印象はあったが……}
[He's a terrible man, but it didn't feel like he would do anything violent...]
{もっと物事を考えそうなタイプに見えた。違和感を覚えるが……。}
[Moreso, he seemed like he thought everything through. It feels inconsistent...]
{……夢だから、不思議や矛盾があってもおかしくはないのか。}
[... But, this is a dream. Inconsistencies and strange events aren't unusual.]
Julius: {"……別のウサギだ。ペーター＝ホワイトのことじゃない.}
["... You must mean another rabbit. That's not Peter White.]
{この国には、ペーター＝ホワイトよりもっと愚鈍なウサギがいるんだ."}
[There are more dim-witted rabbits in this country than just Peter."]
Alice: {私の怪訝そうな表情を見て、ユリウスは疑問に答えてくれる。}
[Julius answered matter-of-factly, after seeing my puzzled expression.]
{（やっぱり、いい人……）}
[(He's a good person...)]
{"ここはウサギだらけなのね。嫌な国……"}
["If there are that many rabbits here, this must be an unpleasant country..."]
Julius: {"おまえもウサギが嫌いなのか?"}
["You hate rabbits too?"]
Alice: {"特に、好きでも嫌いでも。でも、今は嫌いになったわ.}
["I didn't especially like or dislike them before. But, I've recently come to hate them.]
{ろくでもないウサギに会ったからね...夢から覚めても、嫌ってしまいそうよ."}
[After meeting that good-for-nothing... I think I'll still hate rabbits even after I wake
up."]
Julius: {"私も嫌いだ。ウサギはろくなことをしない.}
["I hate them as well. I've never met a decent rabbit.]
{……全部、撃ち殺してしまいたい."}
[... I'd like to shoot every one of them to death."]
Alice: {"穏やかじゃないわね."}
["Isn't that a bit violent?"]
{さすが、私の夢だ。いちいち感心してしまう。}
[Of course this would be my dream. Everything is appalling.]
Julius: {"私は,ここの住人としては穏やかなほうだ. おまえを撃ったりしていないだろう?"}
["I'm far more peaceful than most residents here. I haven't shot you, have I?"]
Alice: {"…………。当たり前のことでしょう.}
["... Of course not.]
{撃つほうが当然みたいな言い方……"}
[The way you say it makes it sound like shooting someone is normal..."]
Julius: {"ここでは、気に食わなければ撃つような連中ばかりだ。}
["Here, most of the lot would shoot anyone that's not to their liking.]
{私は、気に食わなくても罪人でなければ撃たない.}
[Personally, I only feel like shooting if the other person is a criminal.]
Alice: {"……夢でも、撃たれるのは寝起きが悪くなりそうだから嫌だなあ."}
["... I know this is a dream, but I don't want to wake up after getting shot."]
Julius: {"…………。撃たれれば痛いからな."}
["... If you're shot, you'll still be hurt."]
Alice: {"そうよね。夢でも、痛い！って思うことがあるわよね}
["That's true, isn't it? They say that sometimes you feel pain when you get hurt in
dreams.]
{殺される夢は縁起がいいっていうけど、寿命が縮まりそうになるし..."}
[I know it's supposed to be a good omen to die in your dream, but I think
this experience has already shortened my life..."]
Julius: "Ah-...
{命は大事にしろよ."}
[You have to take your life seriously."]
Alice: {ユリウスは、長い髪をかきあげた。}
[Julius combs back his long hair.]
Julius: {"ゲームは一人では出来ない.裏を返せば,一人で進めない限りゲームになる.}
["You can't complete this game on your own. If you try to move on alone, the game will
never end, and you won't return to the other side.}
{ゲームを進めれば、帰れるだろう。生きてさえいれば."}
[If you want to get home, you simply have to progress the game. Which requires you
to be alive."]
Alice: {"適当にふらふらして、誰かと過ごせば適当なときに帰れるってこと?"}
["So you're saying I just have to wander aimlessly, and spend time with someone,
then I can go home?"]
Julius: {"……そういうことだ."}
["... I suppose that's accurate."]
Alice: {よく見る顔だ。『身も蓋もない』というときの顔。}
[I'm familiar with that expression. His face is saying that I'm too outspoken.]
{こういう顔をされるような言動はなるべく慎んでいるが...夢ではいいだろう。}
[I'm usually careful not to behave in any way that would elicit such a look, but... I
think it's fine for a dream.]
{"かったるいわね。早く覚めちゃえばいいのに."}
["I feel exhausted. I'd rather just wake up already."]
Julius: "Hah..."
Alice: {ユリウスは、ますますその表情を露にした。}
[Julius' expression showed more and more.]
{"『身も蓋もない』ことを言うでしょう?"}
["Aren't you going to tell me I'm being too blunt?"]
{私の夢の登場人物だ。誰に対しても、猫なんか被らなくていい。}
[He's just a character in my dream. I can be brutally honest towards him.]
Julius: {"おまえは、本当に……?"}
["Are you really--...?"]
Alice: {"何よ?"}
["What?"]
Julius: {"いや……。来る者によって国は形を変える。}
["No... This country changes to suit those who come here.]
{私達が持っていないものをおまえは持っているはずだ."}
[Surely you have something we don't."]
Alice: {"へえ、かっこいいわね."}
["Oh, that's cool."]
{勇者の出てくる伝説ものの小説みたいだ。大概、私も姉に影響されている。}
[It sounds like one of those legends, where the hero arrives from a faraway land. My
sister and I have read a lot of those.]
{"救世主の証とか、そういうの?"}
["Is this, like, the symbol of the chosen one or something?"]
Julius: {"くだらない...}
["That's absurd...]
{いいものではないぞ。}
[This isn't a good thing.]
{私達が押し込めることが出来ているものを、おまえは克服できていない.}
[You're not here to try and bring salvation for the things we keep locked away.]
{そういうふうには見えないが……"}
[So don't look at it that way..."]
Alice: {"心理学っぽいわね……。あ〜、やっぱり影響されてる……}
["This sounds like psychology... Ahh~, this must be influenced by Lorina...]
{愛と勇気でコンプレックスを克服していくとかいう、}
[Is this going to be one of those harrowing tales of overcoming someone's]
{身の毛もよだつようなストーリーなの?"}
[deeply-rooted complex through love and courage?"]
{克服すれば帰れるとかいうストーリーなら、絶対に参加したくない。}
[If I have some grueling mission to take on, I am absolutely not participating.]
{夢が覚めるまで待つほうがいい。}
[I'll just wait until I wake up, if that's the case.]
{呆れた声を出す私を、ユリウスはもっと呆れた目で見た。}
[As my exasperated voice came out, Julius looked back at me with even
more exasperated eyes.]
Julius: {"コンプレックスというなら……、そうだな.}
["If you want to call it a complex... I suppose that's accurate.]
{だが、安心しろ。克服しなくても戻れる。}
[But, rest assured. You can leave without dealing with any of that.]
{コンプレックスを抱えながら生きている人間など、腐るほどいる.}
[People carry many burdens through their lives. More than you can imagine.]
{時間は、何もしなくても進むものだ。ゲームも変わらない。}
[You can pass your time here without doing anything. The game will still go on.]
{やる気がなくとも駒を進めれば終わりに近付く.}
[Even if you choose not to participate, your piece will continue to move towards
the end.]
Alice: {"適当に過ごせばいいのね……。楽だけど……}
["All I have to do is pass time... That seems easy enough, but....]
{でも、かったるい……。どうせ終わるなら、ささっとすんじゃえばいいのに."}
[It's tiresome... If it's going to end eventually anyways, then it might as well end
sooner rather than later."]
{私が、また『身も蓋もない』ことを言うと、ユリウスは溜め息をついた。}
[I say something blunt again, and Julius sighs.]
Juilus: {"コンプレックスを抱えて苦しむような繊細な女には見えないな."}
["You don't seem to be a delicate woman, struggling with a complex."]
Alice: {"人は見かけにはよらないものよ."}
["You can't judge people by appearances."]
{にやりと笑う。心の中だけでなく、実際に。}
[I shoot him a broad, meaningful smile. Not just in my head, but in reality.]
{夢の中なのだから、結局は心の中と大差ないのかもしれないが、}
[I'm inside a dream, so there's no difference from saying that this entire thing is just]
{なんにせよ気分がいい。}
[what's being said in my head. Either way, it felt good.]
Julius: {"そんなことはないだろう。見かけは……"}
["I don't think there's any such thing. You seem..."]
Alice: "?"
Julius: {"……似合わないことを言いそうになった."}
["Hn... I was about to say something that doesn't suit me."]
Alice: {ユリウスは嫌そうに（それはもう心底嫌そうに）、工具を一振りした。}
[Looking displeased, as if he was irritated to his very core, Julius swings his wrench
with frustration.]
{それが銃に変わると知っていると、迂闊に近寄る気になれない。}
[Knowing that it can turn into a gun, I feel like it would be careless to get near it.]
{夢の中だろうと、痛い思いをするのはごめんだ。}
[I'm still going to try to avoid pain, even in a dream.]
Julius: {"女を癒してやるなど、私のキャラじゃない."}
["Things like comforting women aren't part of my character."]
Alice: {"じゃあ、どういうキャラなの."}
["Then, what is part of your character?"]
{……心配しなくても、癒しキャラには見えない。}
[... He shouldn't be too worried. He doesn't look like the type to comfort women.]
Julius: {"どういうキャラでもない。私は、仕事に忙しい職人だ."}
["It doesn't matter. I'm just a very busy man who has work to do."]
Alice: {すたすたと、ユリウスは階段に向かっていった。}
[Julius briskly turned and headed for the stairs.]
Julius: {"ゲームを始めろ。私は仕事に戻る."}
["Start the game. I have to get back to work."]
Alice: {"待ってよ！誰かと適当に過ごしていれば戻れるなら、}
["Wait! If all I have to do is spend time with someone,]
{あなたと過ごしていてもいいんでしょう!?"}
[can't I just stay here with you!?"]
Alice: {ユリウスは、そのまま去っていってしまった。}
[And with that, he left the room.]
{階下のどこかに職場があるのだろう。この塔は広そうだ。}
[I wonder where his workplace is. This tower seems incredibly spacious.]
{"……けち."}
["... Scrooge."]
{夢でも,楽は出来ないということか.ここにいたまま,時間を過ごせば戻れる...}
[Couldn't this dream be something easier? I could just stay here like this, and wait to]
{というか目が覚めるのなら楽でいいのに。}
[go home... but I'd be happier if I would just open my eyes.]
"..."
{よくよく考えると、時間が経てばその内目が覚めるはずだ。}
[If I think hard enough, maybe I can wake myself up by force.]
{（...でも、夢って,体感時間が一瞬のものもあれば,数年のものもあるのよね.）}
[(... But, even though some dreams end in moments, some feel like they go on
for years.)]
{（数年もぼ〜〜〜っとしているなんて……）}
[(I can't just stand around here that long...)]
{（……暇だ）}
[(... So much free time.)]
"...
{かったるいけど、移動しよう……"}
[I'm tired, but I should move..."]
{……見当をつけた通り、塔は本当に大きかった。そして、高かった。}
[... As I had guessed, the tower is huge. And tall.]
{下りようと決めた時点では、甘くみていた。}
[When I made it down, I could finally judge it properly.]
{上から見て、正確な高さなど分からない。}
[From the top, I never would have guessed it was that high.]
{"こんなに高いと知っていたら、下りようなんて死んでも思わなかったのに..."}
["If I had known how tall that tower was, I would have chosen to wait there until I
died, rather than climb all that way..."]
{それこそ、体感時間が何年だとしても、待って過ごしたほうがマシだった。}
[Even if it ended up feeling like years, I should've just waited there.]
{長い長い長い階段だ。}
[The staircase just went on and on and on.]
{しつこいくらいに長い。それでも、}
[Those stairs felt neverending.]
{一旦下り始めたからには途中でリタイアするのも癪で、最後まで下りきった。}
[But, once I started, it would have been annoying to stop part-way, so I just kept going until I reached the bottom.]
{たかが夢だ。しかし、疲れた……。}
[This might be a dream, but I'm exhausted...]
{（夢のくせに、厄介な……）}
[(This dream is a nuisance so far...)]
{夢にも色々とあるが、この夢は感覚まで鮮明なタイプの夢らしい。}
[Of all the dreams I've ever had, this one is the most vivid.]
{夢だと分かっていても妙にリアルな夢。}
[It just feels so strangely realistic.]
{今回ほどクリアではないものの、今までにもそういう夢をみたことはある。}
[I've never experienced any dream as clear and real as this.]
{起きても疲れが残りそうな夢だ。}
[I feel like I'll still feel the fatigue even when I wake up.]
{階段を上るよりは下りるほうがずっと楽なはずなのに、息が上がっている.}
[Going down the stairs may be easier than going up, but I'm still catching my breath.]
{あれだけ長い階段を今度は上がるなんていう恐ろしい選択は出来そうもない.}
[I'll know better than to ever go up those terrible stairs again.]
{塔へ戻る選択肢は、まず消えた。}
[And, since I'd rather not have to go back up,]
{移動すると決めたからには、どこかへ行かなくては。}
[I decide it's better to take a look around for now.]
{"ど、どこへ行こう……"}
["But, w-... where should I go...?"]
{ぜはぜはと息が荒い。}
[My breath is rough, and I can't stop wheezing.]
{もうどこにも行きたくない、ここでいいやというのが正直な感想だ。}
[I don't want to go anywhere anymore. Right here is honestly fine.]
{ここはどうやら,街中の広場のようだ.今出てきた時計塔が,広場の中心にある.}
[Immediately outside of the Clocktower seems to be the town square, or some kind of central hub.]
{へたりこみたい気分だったが、市街地だけあって人通りが多い。}
[The town is packed with tons of pedestrians, going to and fro.]
{自分の夢の中で遠慮しても仕方ないが、荒い息をついているのが}
[Although there's no reason to hold back within your own dream,]
{恥ずかしく、その中の誰かに接触する気にはなれなかった。}
[I still feel embarrassed to be breathing so heavily around them, and I don't want
to bump someone.]
{（それにしてもこの夢、いろいろと設定が適当すぎる……）}
[(At any rate, this dream sure has a lot going on...)]
{大体、『誰かと適当に過ごしていれば戻れる』といっても、}
[First things first: I should find someone suitable to "pass time" with.]
{誰と過ごせばいいんだか。}
[But who would that be?]
{誰でもいいとしても、どう接触すればいいものやら。}
[Anyone is fine, but how do I even start to look?]
{見知らぬ通りがかりの人に、「夢から覚めるまで、}
[Am I supposed to walk up to someone and say "Hi! Would you spend time with me]
{私と過ごしてくれませんか？」って？どこのナンパ男だ……}
[until I wake up from this dream?". I feel like I'd just get some lady-killer type... ]
{私なら逃げ出す。}
[I'd have to run away if that were the case.]
{（たとえ夢でも、恥ずかしすぎる……）}
[(Even in a dream, that would be too disgraceful...)]
{街中を歩く人は、あまりに普通すぎる。あのイカレウサギや、}
[There are too many people walking around downtown. It would be easier if they were]
{不機嫌な時計職人さんみたいな変な人なら、現実感もなくて話しやすい。}
[all as strange as that jerk rabbit or the sullen clockmaker, since they probably wouldn't have any sense of reality, but they seem normal.]
{そういう突飛な行動も出来たかもしれないが……。}
[While I could easily take a risk, and do something spontaneous...]
{現実的だと、かえって駄目だ。}
[I'd rather be realistic.]
{（……どうせ夢だし、無理することもないか。門限もないし、急ぐわけでもない）}
[(... Still, it is my dream after all, so it wouldn't be unreasonable. I have no curfew, or reason to rush.)]
{せっかく外に出たのだから、夢の国見物といこう。}
[Eventually, I decide to step out into the world of my dream, and take a look around.]
The first game I’m going to be posting about from here on is Alice in the Country of Hearts. I’ve translated my way through a few games before this, but since I was playing through them just for my own interest in the games, I didn’t make fully fleshed-out scripts. This time, however, I’ve decided to make sure every line gets translated (at least for the route I end up taking, not the entire game).
To start by giving some background, the Alice in Hearts series is one I fell in love with many years ago now, and considering that the games never received a proper English release (it did have an official iOS release, but the translation was so bad it was nearly incomprehensible), this was one of the first major motivators to my desire to genuinely learn Japanese. I was still in school at the time though, so learning a new language just wasn’t practical. However, in recent years, I’ve really invested quite a lot of time into my efforts towards learning the language. I’m completely self-taught, so there are many things I’m certain I still don’t grasp, but this is a passion project for me, so I don’t mind that it’s slow-going. I’m just happy to see how far I’ve come, and the progress I’ve been able to make ^-^
For those of you familiar with the Alice series, yes, I’m aware that Marchen Translations (https://marchentranslations.wordpress.com/) have recently completed their 100% translation of Anniversary no Kuni no Alice. If you’ve ever been interested in the series, or simply want to check it out for yourself in it’s complete form right now, I highly recommend playing it with their patch.
This, however, is my personal project. I’m going to work my way through the game on my own for learning purposes, with the added bonus of playing something I’ve wanted to get through for years. I have no intention of scripting this game in it’s entirety, but I will script whichever routes I choose to play through as completely as I can.
Again, I am not professional, so I’m sure my scripts will have flaws. But, if you see something incorrect, it would be a great help if you let me know. That way I can correct myself and learn where I can improve.
As a side note, I have scripted the character of the White Rabbit with a constant rhyming scheme, in reference to his speech patterns in some of the official manga. Because of this, his lines diverge more from the original Japanese, but hopefully still convey his sentiments accurately
Since I’ll be playing through the game in my free time, there won’t be any kind of schedule for posts/ updates, but I’ll aim to have a new chunk of script added every week or two.
TLDR: I’ve been a gamer all my life, and now I’m using the medium I love to teach myself Japanese. Feel free to correct me on mistakes in my script, or just enjoy the story along with me as I go.
For the past while, I’ve been attempting to teach myself Japanese in my free time by means of translating visual novels. And, since I’ve finally reached a point where I’m feeling a bit more confident about it, I think I’m going to start posting my progress.
I’m doing these translations just for my own sake right now, so I’ll be going through games I have a personal interest in completing, and I’ll likely be making progress at an inconsistent pace since they will be worked on in my free time.
As much as I’ve learned in my time doing these translations though, my Japanese is far from fluent or flawless, so feel free to call me out on mistakes you see in any scripts (in fact, I’d greatly appreciate anyone helping me refine myself in this endeavor). I look forward to hearing feedback on where I am at the moment, or even just having more people to talk about some of these games with, and I hope that I’ll continue to improve with the help of all of you here~!
We’ve got a new round of voice acting auditions open here at GB Patch Games! This time we’re making a VA patch for our very first release; A Foretold Affair. That is our only game without voicing of any amount and it’s about time we fix that. Female, male, and non-binary VAs are needed for this project.
Audition Deadline: September 29th
Payment: 10 cents per word
Word Estimate: 350 (Leads) 150 (Supporting)
Swearing: There are no voiced lines with curse words
Paid Through: Paypal
Age Requirement: 18 or older
Communication: Email or Discord
Line Format: WAV or MP3
Number of Open Roles: 4
You can read the full details HERE!
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to audition!
Yes, for the lead up to the release of A Foretold Affair for Windows, Mac, and Linux on the 30th we’re celebrating with a great giveaway. We’re handing out the game and a bundle of goods to go with it. To be specific, a lucky winner will receive all of this;
-A game key for A Foretold Affair with the Alt Outfit DLC
-The digital soundtrack
-The digital artbook
-A physical postcard (optional)
-A sticker (optional)
This giveaway is for our followers here on tumblr. If you’re not following, you can do that and then enter. If you are, all you’ve got to do is like and/or reblog this here post. Liking counts as one entry and reblogging counts as one entry. Repeated reblogs don’t count as extra entries.
The giveaway starts right now and ends on January 29th, 11:59pm (U.S Pacific Time Zone).
The winner will be chosen at random within 24 hours of the contest ending. We will get in touch through the Tumblr messenger or through an ask, so you must have at least one of those open. If there isn’t a way to reach the winner through tumblr or the winner doesn’t respond within 3 days, a new winner will be chosen.
To collect the physical rewards you must be at least 18 years old or have parental/guardian approval.
If all that wasn’t good enough, we’ve also got a giveaway for our Twitter and Facebook users going on simultaneously with the same wonderful prize up for grabs. Go right ahead and enter that one as well, if you like. A Foretold Affair Giveaway
And if you don’t win either of those, no worries. We’ll be having another giveaway when the game is about to release on Steam ;)
Good luck to everybody~
A Foretold Affair is a touching steampunk-fantasy Visual Novel being developed by GB Patch Games. The project features one long journey with variations based on the player’s choices. It is set to release for Windows/Mac/Linux on January 30th, 2017 and will retail for 12.99$. A Steam version will be released later on.
You can follow this blog for updates and screenshots~
We have a release date for the Itch.io build of A Foretold Affair! January 30th, 2017~
The Steam version will likely be released in February, if all the paperwork comes through in time.
A Foretold Affair is a touching steampunk-fantasy Visual Novel being developed by GB Patch Games. The project features one long journey with variations based on the player’s choices. It will retail for 12.99$.
Features:
-150,000 word script for 10-15 hours of content
-3 romance options (one male, one female, one agender)
-Choose pronouns (he, she, or they) and a ‘Normal’ name for the main character
-Customize events by making choices, all options are worth selecting
-Over 20 CGs
-Lite animation effects
-A fun alternate outfit mode DLC
Get ready to get started!
You can follow this blog for updates and more screenshots~
We are excited to announce “Cheritz Appreciation week”
After the recent popularity of Mystic Messenger we thought it would be good to have a fandom week that celebrates not just Mystic Messenger but promotes the other two games as well: Nameless -the one thing you must recall- and Dandelion -Wishes brought to you-! This week is our gift to Cheritz!
Cheritz appreciation week is a fandom week where people can submit any Cheritz game related fan content of any kind, to show their thanks for Cheritz. The last day “Thank you Cheritz” Is specifically for gift content for the company!
Fan content for Nameless and Dandelion is heavily encouraged! <3
Rules:
All submitted work should be your own content. Traces and Theft are not allowed, because this isn’t your own work. Memes and “Transformative Parody content” Will however be allowed. When people trace or steal they are trying to claim ownership to something that is not theirs, no one tries to claim ownership to a meme.
If you’re going to use another person’s art in your edits, ect. Then you must have permission and they must be credited in the post.
Please inform us somewhere on the post what prompt your post is for. If this is not done it will be categorized as misc.
subtitle all your image work like Cheritz Week day #: Title of the work and tag the blog.
The tracked tag is #Cheritzweek
Feel free to read our FAQ: http://cheritzappreciationweek.tumblr.com/faq
and promote the event with us! We hope to see you from October 23 to 29th! have a nice day!
HI DO YOU HAVE A MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT NAMELESS WITH ME I MADE A POWERPOINT-
Don’t get me wrong, I’m so so happy that Mystic Messenger got the attention it did! But as a fan of Cheritz’s LEAST HEARD OF GAME IN THEIR LINE I feel like a lot of people would really like it! It’s made by the same company, and it has a pretty similar vibe to it, with an even deeper storyline and character development! So please, if you have time and money, I really really suggest looking into it! Please. I’m So lonely….
It goes on sale during holiday seasons normally at 15-35% off! If you don’t ha ve that much money now, it should be at least 10 or 15 bucks cheaper come Christmas! I bought mine during a Labor Day sale for half off :D
@izukura I agree 100000000000%. Everyone should play Nameless, and I too was saddened by how it gets so little attention. Please, it’s an emotional rollercoaster sometimes, and it’s sooooo worth it. I think it’s going to stay my all-time favourite visual novel. Give it a chance! (And, @queenxcinder even if you don’t have the money to buy it on Steam, you can find a free download if you look, but you didn’t hear it from me >_>... Though, when you do get some money, go back and buy it anyways because Cheritz deserves it.)
[source] from @zyglavis‘s twitter (let me know if you don’t want me using your pic).
Hello, I need to talk to you about something important.
It seems that, in the past few days, Cheritz has finally started banning those who were using cheats to take advantage of the game and get HG and chatrooms without paying Cheritz (which is called “stealing” by the way). Some of these people have started a petition with currently 600+ signatures to get Cheritz to unban them despite their actions to take profit from the company illegally and unfairly.
I and my network do not support this petition or these actions.
I personally am disgusted at how people feel the right that they can ask a small game company in Korea, who have been nothing but generous with how much compensation and free routes they give us, to continue giving free passes to users who were taking advantage of them.
Cheritz is just a small company, working with a customer base of at least 1 million. They have been nothing but helpful and supportive, listening to people’s issues and having an amazing customer service and constantly giving out compensation for every update. They gave us 3 routes for free when other companies would have made people pay for all 5, not just Deep and after/secret ends. The HG costs, which people constantly complain about, is so little compared to the costs of mobile game companies such as Voltage or Solmare (Voltage doesn’t allow you to even read the routes for free, and Solmare’s free games, if you want to go faster, makes you pay $1.50 PER TICKET to play an episode, and an episode is even shorter than a chatroom). Cheritz doesn’t even run ads; they have no revenue besides HG costs. Which means that when people are using cheats to not buy HG and play the game for free, they are directly robbing the game makers of their wages to live/eat/pay their bills.
Again, we do not support the ones making this petition or giving one star to Cheritz on the app reviews, because they are cheating to take advantage of and demanding that a small game company make the game completely free, therefore they are not welcome in this fandom.
Cheritz need to pay their employees to eat, live, pay their bills, and continue developing the game and more games in the future too.
And then the day will come when Summertime will be turned into Wintertime (aka one hour being set back due to reasons) and millions of people get banned…
Because that is my fear. That I will get banned later on only bc my phone adjusts to the network. Wirhout me even using cheats.
They probably already know this and won’t ban millions of people in the West for this. There’s a difference between someone changing time on purpose and clocks going back an hour over a massive area in the world. They’re not inconsiderate or unaware enough to not know this.
It as been long since we came up with another Cheritz team diary. Since it is Korean Thaksgiving, we brought some live news from our dev team.
[NEWS 1] 2.5 months after release, 1 million users.
We are just about to reach 1 million mobile users.(We expect to reach that goal during the Korean Thanksgiving.)
Before we released Mystic Messenger, we never expected to receive so much love and interest from users all around the world.
Thank you for playing Mystic Messenger.
Although along the way we had to go through a lot of major obstacles and we did not meet the expectations of some of our users, we know that our priority lies in providing a stable game service and making enjoyable game content.
We want you guys to be happy while playing Mystic Messenger!
Each and everyone of you helped us reach 1 million users. (Because we still carry out our lives like normal, it is hard to believe) We are extremely grateful to everyone. Thank you very much!
[NEWS 2] VIP Package Restock
The English version of the VIP package has ran out of stock in less than 8 days!
The third batch is in the process of restocking and the packages will be available in October.
We have informed the previous RFA VIPs about the change regarding the box design between the batches.
*If you have previously bought the package of the first batch and did not receive an email about the box design, you can request a copy of the email by contacting us at [email protected].
Thank you for purchasing the RFA VIP package! We hope you enjoy it!
[NEWS 3] Mystic Messenger Line sticker will be available soon!
The in-game emoticons will be released on Line! We are currently working on it. Please stay tuned.
[NEWS 4] Mystic Messenger New Character Goods
Some of our staff have been busy working on the new goods for Mystic Messenger. It will take a while until we can reveal them. Keep your eyes peeled during autumn and winter!
[NEWS 5] Mystic Messenger Content Update
A while back, many of you have shared our recruitment tweets for us.Thanks to you we finally have a new programmer and the customer support members we needed!
We received a lot of suggestions regarding the updates on Mystic Messenger. We expect to make a content update this autumn or winter.
Here are some of the most requested suggestions we’ve received. Please check them out!
Top 5 suggestion on Mystic Messenger
1. Make a new route for Unknown or V
2. Make more hourglass rewards like a daily reward or from advertisements.
3. It will be fun if users could write a message to the characters.
4. More contents for the after endings of each character.
5. Translate Mystic Messenger to different languages.(Spanish/Japanese/French…)
We want to thank everyone who sent us suggestions♡ ♡ ♡
[NEWS 6] Happy Chuseok!(Korean Thanksgiving)
Thank you for supporting Mystic Messenger.
Our wish during this Thanksgiving is to give more happiness and surprises to you guys in the near future.
We wish you Happy Korean Thanksgiving.
*Customer support can be delayed during the Korean Thanksgiving. Thank you for your understanding.
I didn't know there was more than one bad end for each character's route! :o NOW I NEED TO GO AND TRY AGAIN. I've tried several times but the only bad end I got was the one which ended on the 5th day. How did you get the one in your profile picture? ;_;
Yup, each character has multiple bad endings once you reach their respective paths, and there are also some neutral bad ends within the first few days. The way the bad endings work is easy though. You know how sometimes the game says “The plot branches here, do you want to continue?”? Well, each bad ending corresponds to one plot branch. So, if you want to get a bad ending, you just play the game the same way you would for a good ending, until it’s almost time for the plot to branch where you want it to.
For example, Yoosung has bad ends at the 7th day, 8th day, and 10th day. So, if you want the bad ending for the 10th day, you have to play the game en route to a good ending, up until at least the 8th day has passed. Then, change your attitude, and say whatever you can to influence negative results. For his third bad ending (the collared one here), you’re going to want to obsess over Yoosung after the 8th day, and when things start to get dangerous, always panic about your safety, blame V for everything, and talk about cancelling the party. As long as you’re trying to make a mess of things, it’s impossible to fail! Plus, being a jerk on purpose can be pretty entertaining in this game, too, lol
Can you maybe post the full picture of the bad ending from Yoosung? The one that you have as icon? I tried to find the whole picture but I can't. It would be really nice of you! Have a nice day! (:
Alright, here you go~ ^-^ But, I still recommend going through to unlock it yourself if you can, ‘cause it was by far the best of Yoosung’s bad ends.
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