Baccano: The Slash Part 1
Nov. 10th, 2010 12:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rikoren⇔
ミリオネア・ロウの通りに差し掛かり、マリアはもう何度も尋ねている事を口にする。
As they approached the avenue of Millionaire Row, Maria voiced a question for the umpteenth time.
「ねえ、チック。斬ってもいい?」
"Hey, Tick. Can I cut yet?"
おねだりをするような女の声に、チックは子供のような口調で否定の言葉を返す。
Tick's negative reply to the woman's pestering was given in a childlike tone of voice.
「駄目だよう。今日はー、話し合いをするだけなんだからー」
"You're not alloowed. Today is just a discussio--n."
「絶対上手くいく筈無いよアミーゴ！喧嘩になるのはわかってるんだから、先手必勝でもう三人ぐらい斬っちゃおうよ！そうすればきっと大人しくなるよ?」
"That's really unexpectedly unfun, amigo! Then if a fight happens, the fastest person wins, and I know I could cut down around three people just like that! So in that case I don't have to be quiet right?"
「だーめ。そんな乱暴な事はしちゃだめだからね!」
"Nooo. That kind of violent thing isn't allowed!"
少し厳しい調子で言うチックに、マリアはつまらなそうに空を見上げる。
Tick spoke in a tone of voice that could barely be thought of as stern, and Maria looked disinterestedly up at the sky.
青空が欠片も見えない灰色の空を見て、マリアは横を歩く青年に小さく愚痴を漏らす。
There wasn't a single patch of blue to be seen in all the ashen gray, and she let out an unquiet grumble as she walked by the young man's side.
「ちぇッ……チックなら解ってくれると思ったんだけどなー」
"Tch...If that's it I get it so I'll let it go, Tick, but--"
「なにを?」
"But what?"
「チックはいっつも人を鋏でチョキチョキ斬ってるでしょ？とっても楽しそうにさ！だから、私が人を斬りたいって言う気持ちも少しはわかってくれるかなーって思ったんだけど」
"Tick is always using his scissors to snip snip at people and cut them up, right? So when I say I want to cut people I wish you'd understand how I feel a little."
そう言ってふくれっ面をするマリアに向かい、チックは少しだけ困ったように口を開く。
Maria said this with a sullen look on her face, and Tick was a little embarrassed as he opened his mouth.
「……僕だって、誰かれ構わず傷つけてるわけじゃないよ」
"...Even if I also hurt a lot of people, it doesn't mean I don't care about them."
マリアは空を仰いだまま、いつもと違う雰囲気のチックを横目で見やる。
She kept staring at the sky, giving occasional sidelong glances to Tick's changing mood.
「んー……マリアちゃんは、どうして人を斬りたがるの?」
"Mm--...Maria, why do you want to cut people?"
珍し<チックの方から放たれた問いに、マリアは考える事もせずに即答する。
The unusual direction of Tick's question caused Maria to mull over her answer instead of forming an immediate reply.
「楽しいからだよ、アミーゴ! 人だけじゃないよ、動物でも、植物でも、生き物じゃなくても！鉄でもなんでもいい、斬るのが凄く楽しいんだよ!」
"Because it's fun of course, amigo! Not just people, but animals, plants, any living thing works too! With iron or anything's good, cutting stuff up's just really fun!"
罪悪感の欠片も無い言葉を紡ざながら、マリアは笑顔を取り戻してチックの方に向き直る。
With not a shred of guilt to be found in the words she spoke, Maria used her smiling face to turn Tick back to his usual self.
「私が物を斬れば、人を斬れば、それだけ自分が強くなったっていう感覚になれるんだよ！それが、相手が強ければ強いほど、硬ければ硬いほどに気持ちいいんだよアミーゴ! 今まで誰も斬れなかったものを、私が、私とムラサーミアが斬るんだよ！それが凄く楽しいの！だから私は、止まる事なんかできないんだよ？だから、斬らせて……ね?」
"If I cut things, if I cut people, that's how I keep myself from feeling like I'm getting weak and tame! Then, if my opponent is strong to the very limits of being strong and tough to the very limits of being tough, it feels really good amigo! Up 'til now everything that couldn't be cut, me and Murasamia cut up! It's really fun! So it's impossible for me to stop doing this, see? So I can cut...right?"
話を最初に戻そうとするが、チックが沈黙するのを見て、マリアは諦めたように息を吐く。
The speech had originally looked like it was repairing the situation, but Tick seemed to have fallen back into silence, causing Maria to sigh in defeat.
そして、何を考えているのか今ひとつ解らない仲間に対して、今度はマリアの方から疑問をぶつけてみた。
On that note, in what direction were the still-thinking and ignorant companion's thoughts going, with which Maria would try once again to attack the problem?
「あなたは違うの？ アミーゴ。あなたも楽しいからやってるんでしょう？傷つけるのが、人の血を見るのが楽しいからそんな仕事をしてるんだよね?」
"Are you different? Amigo. You have fun when you try it too right? You hurt people and see their blood and have fun like that when you work, don't you?"
「――うん。楽しいよ」
"―-Yeah. It's fun."
半ば確信を持ったマリアの問いかけに、チックは薄く微笑みながら答えを紡ぎだした。
Half-convinced with Maria's questioning, Tick smiled thinly as he gave his reply.
「でも、とても悲しくもあるんだよ」
"But, the fact is that it's awfully sad."
「どういうこと？」
"How's that?"
「ねぇ、マリアちゃんはさ、家族の絆とか人の縁とか、義理とか人情とかさ……そういうのって、信じてる？どんなに傷つけられても、どんなに痛い目にあっても決して切れない絆って、信じてる?」
"Hey, Maria, things like the bonds of family or people's destiny, or honor or kindness...that sort of thing, do you believe in it? After how much you hurt people, how much you get hurt, do you believe in cutting your ties?"
質問に質問を返すような言葉に、マリアは少しだけ考え込むと――
Having her question returned with a similarly phrased question, Maria pondered over it a little and―-
「私はそういうの、よくわかんないし考えた事もないよ。だけど……チックがあるって信じるなら、あるんじゃないかな? そういうのって、人それぞれだと思うよアミーゴ」
"For me, I don't usually get that sort of thing or think about it either. But...if Tick believes in it, do you question it? That sort of thing, if that's the case then that's how everybody thinks, amigo."
ある意味模範的とも逃げとも取れる解答に、チックは腰につけていた鋏を一本手に取り、磨きこまれた刃に已の目を映しながら言葉を紡ぎ始める。
In a sense it was amazing how she'd evaded the subject with her answer. Tick took his scissors and fixed them at his waist, intently polishing the already shining blades as he began to formulate a reply.
「僕が楽しいのはね、人を斬ることじゃない。そういう『形の無いもの』を感じる事ができる瞬間、それが楽しいんだ」
"What I think is fun, isn't cutting people up. The feeling I can get from the moment of this sort of formless thing, that's what I think is fun."
「……?」
"...?"
「僕は――形のあるものしか信じる事ができないんだよ」
"I - can only believe in things that have a shape."
チックは遠い目をして、抑揚の無い声で言葉を紡ぎ続ける。口調自体はいつもとなんら変わりは無い。しかしマリアには、目の前にいる青年の中に入っている魂のようなものが、まるでそっくり別人に入れ替わってしまったように感じられた。
Tick had a faraway look in his eyes, lacking the usual accent to his voice as he continued to speak. The tone hadn't changed at all. But to Maria, it was like a spirit had entered the young man before her eyes, as though an entirely different person had changed places with him, giving her a horrible sense of foreboding.
「壊れるものしか、信じる事ができないんだ。壊れるっていう事は、それが確かに存在していたっていう事だから……それが見たいから、人の絆が壊れる瞬間を見たいから、僕は人の身体を傷つけるんだ。痛みを与え続けるんだ」
"Only breakable things, I can believe in. Or maybe I should say, I really hope these things definitely exist...because I want to see it, see the instant when people break their ties, I injure their bodies. I continue to give them the gift of pain."
マリアは静かにチックの話に耳を傾け続ける。
Maria quietly continued to listen to Tick's words.
今まで、何度も話をしてきた。同僚として、少し子供っぽいところがあるけれども、憎めない仲間として1年以上接してきた。
Up to now, they'd spoken many times. They'd been a little childish despite being associates, but having become companions over a year ago they didn't hate each other.
だが――彼女は知った。この1年半の間に、自分は目の前の青年の事を何も知らなかったという事に。自分が知るのは彼のうわべだけで、彼の本性は、もっともっと深い部分にあるのだという事に。
However―she knew. In this year and a half, there was now nothing about the young man before her eyes that she could say she did not know. Just as she knew his outward appearance, his true character was an ever, ever more profound part of it.
何か特別なきっかけがあったわけではない。
This doesn't mean that she'd come upon some special cue.
聞いただけ、何気なく聞いただけなのだ。なのに、チックは自分の想いを簡単に告白する。
She'd only listened, really just casually listened. Nevertheless, Tick was giving a heartfelt and simple confession.
それだけマリアの事を信頼しているのか、それとも、誰にでも聞かれれば答えてしまうのかは解らない。
To that extent Maria continued to have confidence in the situation, because who would be able to listen and answer at the end without understanding?
何もかもが予想外だったチックの独白に、マリアは自分がどう反応すればいいのかも解らず――ただ、聞いていた。青年の口から紡がれる言葉に、ただただ聞き入り続けていた。
If there was anything strange in Tick's soliloquy, Maria in that situation would understand well what to do―as usual, listen.
「……でも、信じたいんだよ」
"...But, I want to believe."
少しだけ言葉の調子を変えて、チックは僅かに上を向きながら呟いた。
With just that little remark the mood had changed, and Tick looked slightly better as he murmured.
「どんなに痛みを受けても、どんなに身体を傷つけられても、絶対に絶対に壊れないものがあるって。僕はそう信じたいんだ」
"No matter how much pain I suffer, how many bodies I can wound, definitely definitely there are unbreakable things out there. I want to believe that."
「……」
"..."
「僕が父さんに捨てられた時に、僕が父さんや弟に対して感じていた気持ちも、僕が痛みを受ければ壊れてしまうものだったのか……僕はね、それが知りたいだけなのかもしれない。だから僕は、いろんな人をこの鋏で――」
"That time when dad abandoned me, what I felt towards dad and brother, I almost fell apart completely from the pain...you know, I just want to know what might have been. That's why I, with these scissors--"
ショキリ。
Shick.
その音を最後に、チックは独白を終えた。
With that closing sound, Tick finished his soliloquy.
彼の表情はいつもと変わらぬままで、細い目の中に邪気の無い微笑みを浮かべているのみだ。
His face had regained its usual ever-unchanging state, lacking any maliciousness in his slender eyes and cheerful smile.
マリアはしばらく考えていたが――特に深刻な顔もせずに、いつも通りの調子で言葉を紡ぎだす。
Maria thought for a moment―-without a particularly serious face, reciting her words in her usual manner.
「うーん。やっぱり、チックが信じてるならあるんじゃないかな? 壊れないものってのも！だってさ、今の話を聞いてたら――無い事なんて誰にも証明できないじゃん！ だったら、あとは信じるか信じないかだけだよ、アミーゴ!」
"Hmm. As I thought, if that's the case then Tick must believe in it huh? In unbreakable things! But, listening to what you said just now―-there's nothing anybody could prove is there! In that case, it's just believe or don't believe, amigo!"
慰めや気休めではなく、自分の思いだけを淡々と語るマリア。チックは少しだけキョトンとした表情を見せると、いつものように緩んだ笑顔を投げ返した。
It wasn't a soothing consolation, only her own thoughts that Maria indifferently spoke aloud. Tick's face just showed somewhat of a puzzled look, before changing back into his habitual smile.
「そうかあ。そうだよねえ。マリアちゃんは強いなあ」
"Is that so. That's right. Maria's strong huh."
「信じるってのは大事だよ、アミーゴ!！私も昔お爺ちゃんに言われたんだけど、信じてさえいれば、この世に斬れないものなんか何も無いでんだって！」
"It's important to believe that, amigo!! But back in the old days Grandpa used to say, even if you believe in it, there is nothing in this world that can't be cut!"
「それじゃあ、やっぱり壊れない絆なんて存在しないってことになるよー?」
"In that case, things like the existence of unbreakable bonds might still exist riight?"
「じゃあ、競争だね！どっちが強く自分の考えを信じられるか！」
"Well, it's a contest then! Whoever believes the most in their beliefs wins!"
マリアの純粋な笑顔に、チックは力強く頷いた。
To Maria's genuine smiling face, Tick gave an encouraging nod.
そして――先刻の独白に付け足すように、一つの想いを付け加えた。
And―to the soliloquy from before, another thought had been added.
「うん……信じるよ。だから、僕は今までいろんな人を傷つけてきたんだよー。だから、僕もきっといつか傷つけられて壊されるよ？それは覚悟してる。今日だって、僕はこれから会う人たちに傷つけられて、殺されるかもしれない。その前に――僕が今まで人の心を壊してきたみたいに――僕の中で、マリアちゃんやガンドールの人達への義理とか絆とかそういうのが、簡単に壊れちゃうような気がしてさ――」
"Yeah...I believe. Because, up til now I've hurt various peopl--e. Someday, I'll also get hurt and broken too, right? I'm ready for that. After all, I might get hurt or killed by the people we're meeting today. Before that--- just like how I have destroyed people's minds--- I feel that for me, things like my duty and my bonds to Maria and the Gandors, are easily broken."
その言葉の途中で、チックは自分の喉に冷たい感触を感じ、その揚に足を止める。
In speaking these words, Tick felt a cold sensation in his throat, that stopped his foot in the air.
見ると、音も無く抜き放たれたマリアの刀が、チックの細い喉元にあてがわれていた。
What you see then, was the soundless unsheathing of Maria's blade, applied to Tick's slender throat.
「わあ、マリアちゃん、何するの?」
"Waah, Maria, what are you doing?"
特に死の恐怖を感じさせない言葉に、マリアもまた足を止めながら、殺気の無い声で言葉を紡ぐ。
In a way that did not incite an especial fear of death, Maria also froze in mid-action, reciting her next words in a voice that held no hints of bloodthirst.
「駄目だよ、そんな事考えちゃ」
"That's not allowed, thinking things like that."
まっすぐな瞳に見据えられて、チックは照れたように目を逸らす。自分の喉下に命の危機が迫っているのに全く気付いていないかのように。
She stared at him with a straightforward look in her eyes, causing Tick to awkwardly look away. The threat to his life still encroaching on his throat seemed not to have been noticed at all.
「私はチックの護衛だよ？私は、絶対に、誰にも負けないよアミーゴ！ 前、一回『葡萄酒』の奴に負けちゃったけど……もう絶対負けない！今から会う奴らにだって、あの『葡萄酒』にだって、もう絶対に負けないよ！ だから、チックが傷つく事なんてありえないよ？そう信じようよ！それは二人で一緒に信じられる事だよ？だから、矛盾はないよアミーゴ！」
"I'm Tick's guard right? I, no matter who it is, can't lose to anyone amigo! There was this one time I messed up and lost to this 'Vino' guy but...I definitely won't get beaten again! From now on even those guys we're gonna meet, even that 'Vino', I won't lose to anybody again! So, isn't it impossible for Tick to get injured? I really believe that! With the two of us you can believe that right? Therefore, there is no contradiction amigo!"
マリアが信じているのは、自分の力だけだ。
What Maria believes in, is just her own power.
だからこそ、自分が護る対象であるチックにも信じて欲しかったのだ。
For this reason, she also wanted to believe in Tick who was the target she was to protect.
自分の力を、自分は何よりも誰よりも強い事を――。
By her own power, she would be stronger than anyone or anything--.
その思いを感じ取れたのかどうかは解らないが、チックは静かに微笑みながら答えた。
While it was not known whether or not he understood her feelings, Tick smiled quietly at her reply.
「うん、信じるよ。マリアちゃんは、絶対誰にも負けないよ」
"Yeah, I believe that. Maria definitely, can't be defeated by anyone."
自分自身の内に向けられるような微笑で、チックは力強く頷いた。
While it seemed he could direct that smile towards himself as well, Tick gave an encouraging nod.
二人は無邪気に笑い合い、目的地である家をとっくに通り過ぎている事に気付かずにいた。
The two smiled innocently at each other, not noticing they were passing the house that was their destination.
その家に現在、どのような訪問客が訪れているのかも知らずに――
Not knowing that right now in that house, someone might be visiting--
⇔
ミリオネア・ロウの通りに差し掛かり、マリアはもう何度も尋ねている事を口にする。
As they approached the avenue of Millionaire Row, Maria voiced a question for the umpteenth time.
「ねえ、チック。斬ってもいい?」
"Hey, Tick. Can I cut yet?"
おねだりをするような女の声に、チックは子供のような口調で否定の言葉を返す。
Tick's negative reply to the woman's pestering was given in a childlike tone of voice.
「駄目だよう。今日はー、話し合いをするだけなんだからー」
"You're not alloowed. Today is just a discussio--n."
「絶対上手くいく筈無いよアミーゴ！喧嘩になるのはわかってるんだから、先手必勝でもう三人ぐらい斬っちゃおうよ！そうすればきっと大人しくなるよ?」
"That's really unexpectedly unfun, amigo! Then if a fight happens, the fastest person wins, and I know I could cut down around three people just like that! So in that case I don't have to be quiet right?"
「だーめ。そんな乱暴な事はしちゃだめだからね!」
"Nooo. That kind of violent thing isn't allowed!"
少し厳しい調子で言うチックに、マリアはつまらなそうに空を見上げる。
Tick spoke in a tone of voice that could barely be thought of as stern, and Maria looked disinterestedly up at the sky.
青空が欠片も見えない灰色の空を見て、マリアは横を歩く青年に小さく愚痴を漏らす。
There wasn't a single patch of blue to be seen in all the ashen gray, and she let out an unquiet grumble as she walked by the young man's side.
「ちぇッ……チックなら解ってくれると思ったんだけどなー」
"Tch...If that's it I get it so I'll let it go, Tick, but--"
「なにを?」
"But what?"
「チックはいっつも人を鋏でチョキチョキ斬ってるでしょ？とっても楽しそうにさ！だから、私が人を斬りたいって言う気持ちも少しはわかってくれるかなーって思ったんだけど」
"Tick is always using his scissors to snip snip at people and cut them up, right? So when I say I want to cut people I wish you'd understand how I feel a little."
そう言ってふくれっ面をするマリアに向かい、チックは少しだけ困ったように口を開く。
Maria said this with a sullen look on her face, and Tick was a little embarrassed as he opened his mouth.
「……僕だって、誰かれ構わず傷つけてるわけじゃないよ」
"...Even if I also hurt a lot of people, it doesn't mean I don't care about them."
マリアは空を仰いだまま、いつもと違う雰囲気のチックを横目で見やる。
She kept staring at the sky, giving occasional sidelong glances to Tick's changing mood.
「んー……マリアちゃんは、どうして人を斬りたがるの?」
"Mm--...Maria, why do you want to cut people?"
珍し<チックの方から放たれた問いに、マリアは考える事もせずに即答する。
The unusual direction of Tick's question caused Maria to mull over her answer instead of forming an immediate reply.
「楽しいからだよ、アミーゴ! 人だけじゃないよ、動物でも、植物でも、生き物じゃなくても！鉄でもなんでもいい、斬るのが凄く楽しいんだよ!」
"Because it's fun of course, amigo! Not just people, but animals, plants, any living thing works too! With iron or anything's good, cutting stuff up's just really fun!"
罪悪感の欠片も無い言葉を紡ざながら、マリアは笑顔を取り戻してチックの方に向き直る。
With not a shred of guilt to be found in the words she spoke, Maria used her smiling face to turn Tick back to his usual self.
「私が物を斬れば、人を斬れば、それだけ自分が強くなったっていう感覚になれるんだよ！それが、相手が強ければ強いほど、硬ければ硬いほどに気持ちいいんだよアミーゴ! 今まで誰も斬れなかったものを、私が、私とムラサーミアが斬るんだよ！それが凄く楽しいの！だから私は、止まる事なんかできないんだよ？だから、斬らせて……ね?」
"If I cut things, if I cut people, that's how I keep myself from feeling like I'm getting weak and tame! Then, if my opponent is strong to the very limits of being strong and tough to the very limits of being tough, it feels really good amigo! Up 'til now everything that couldn't be cut, me and Murasamia cut up! It's really fun! So it's impossible for me to stop doing this, see? So I can cut...right?"
話を最初に戻そうとするが、チックが沈黙するのを見て、マリアは諦めたように息を吐く。
The speech had originally looked like it was repairing the situation, but Tick seemed to have fallen back into silence, causing Maria to sigh in defeat.
そして、何を考えているのか今ひとつ解らない仲間に対して、今度はマリアの方から疑問をぶつけてみた。
On that note, in what direction were the still-thinking and ignorant companion's thoughts going, with which Maria would try once again to attack the problem?
「あなたは違うの？ アミーゴ。あなたも楽しいからやってるんでしょう？傷つけるのが、人の血を見るのが楽しいからそんな仕事をしてるんだよね?」
"Are you different? Amigo. You have fun when you try it too right? You hurt people and see their blood and have fun like that when you work, don't you?"
「――うん。楽しいよ」
"―-Yeah. It's fun."
半ば確信を持ったマリアの問いかけに、チックは薄く微笑みながら答えを紡ぎだした。
Half-convinced with Maria's questioning, Tick smiled thinly as he gave his reply.
「でも、とても悲しくもあるんだよ」
"But, the fact is that it's awfully sad."
「どういうこと？」
"How's that?"
「ねぇ、マリアちゃんはさ、家族の絆とか人の縁とか、義理とか人情とかさ……そういうのって、信じてる？どんなに傷つけられても、どんなに痛い目にあっても決して切れない絆って、信じてる?」
"Hey, Maria, things like the bonds of family or people's destiny, or honor or kindness...that sort of thing, do you believe in it? After how much you hurt people, how much you get hurt, do you believe in cutting your ties?"
質問に質問を返すような言葉に、マリアは少しだけ考え込むと――
Having her question returned with a similarly phrased question, Maria pondered over it a little and―-
「私はそういうの、よくわかんないし考えた事もないよ。だけど……チックがあるって信じるなら、あるんじゃないかな? そういうのって、人それぞれだと思うよアミーゴ」
"For me, I don't usually get that sort of thing or think about it either. But...if Tick believes in it, do you question it? That sort of thing, if that's the case then that's how everybody thinks, amigo."
ある意味模範的とも逃げとも取れる解答に、チックは腰につけていた鋏を一本手に取り、磨きこまれた刃に已の目を映しながら言葉を紡ぎ始める。
In a sense it was amazing how she'd evaded the subject with her answer. Tick took his scissors and fixed them at his waist, intently polishing the already shining blades as he began to formulate a reply.
「僕が楽しいのはね、人を斬ることじゃない。そういう『形の無いもの』を感じる事ができる瞬間、それが楽しいんだ」
"What I think is fun, isn't cutting people up. The feeling I can get from the moment of this sort of formless thing, that's what I think is fun."
「……?」
"...?"
「僕は――形のあるものしか信じる事ができないんだよ」
"I - can only believe in things that have a shape."
チックは遠い目をして、抑揚の無い声で言葉を紡ぎ続ける。口調自体はいつもとなんら変わりは無い。しかしマリアには、目の前にいる青年の中に入っている魂のようなものが、まるでそっくり別人に入れ替わってしまったように感じられた。
Tick had a faraway look in his eyes, lacking the usual accent to his voice as he continued to speak. The tone hadn't changed at all. But to Maria, it was like a spirit had entered the young man before her eyes, as though an entirely different person had changed places with him, giving her a horrible sense of foreboding.
「壊れるものしか、信じる事ができないんだ。壊れるっていう事は、それが確かに存在していたっていう事だから……それが見たいから、人の絆が壊れる瞬間を見たいから、僕は人の身体を傷つけるんだ。痛みを与え続けるんだ」
"Only breakable things, I can believe in. Or maybe I should say, I really hope these things definitely exist...because I want to see it, see the instant when people break their ties, I injure their bodies. I continue to give them the gift of pain."
マリアは静かにチックの話に耳を傾け続ける。
Maria quietly continued to listen to Tick's words.
今まで、何度も話をしてきた。同僚として、少し子供っぽいところがあるけれども、憎めない仲間として1年以上接してきた。
Up to now, they'd spoken many times. They'd been a little childish despite being associates, but having become companions over a year ago they didn't hate each other.
だが――彼女は知った。この1年半の間に、自分は目の前の青年の事を何も知らなかったという事に。自分が知るのは彼のうわべだけで、彼の本性は、もっともっと深い部分にあるのだという事に。
However―she knew. In this year and a half, there was now nothing about the young man before her eyes that she could say she did not know. Just as she knew his outward appearance, his true character was an ever, ever more profound part of it.
何か特別なきっかけがあったわけではない。
This doesn't mean that she'd come upon some special cue.
聞いただけ、何気なく聞いただけなのだ。なのに、チックは自分の想いを簡単に告白する。
She'd only listened, really just casually listened. Nevertheless, Tick was giving a heartfelt and simple confession.
それだけマリアの事を信頼しているのか、それとも、誰にでも聞かれれば答えてしまうのかは解らない。
To that extent Maria continued to have confidence in the situation, because who would be able to listen and answer at the end without understanding?
何もかもが予想外だったチックの独白に、マリアは自分がどう反応すればいいのかも解らず――ただ、聞いていた。青年の口から紡がれる言葉に、ただただ聞き入り続けていた。
If there was anything strange in Tick's soliloquy, Maria in that situation would understand well what to do―as usual, listen.
「……でも、信じたいんだよ」
"...But, I want to believe."
少しだけ言葉の調子を変えて、チックは僅かに上を向きながら呟いた。
With just that little remark the mood had changed, and Tick looked slightly better as he murmured.
「どんなに痛みを受けても、どんなに身体を傷つけられても、絶対に絶対に壊れないものがあるって。僕はそう信じたいんだ」
"No matter how much pain I suffer, how many bodies I can wound, definitely definitely there are unbreakable things out there. I want to believe that."
「……」
"..."
「僕が父さんに捨てられた時に、僕が父さんや弟に対して感じていた気持ちも、僕が痛みを受ければ壊れてしまうものだったのか……僕はね、それが知りたいだけなのかもしれない。だから僕は、いろんな人をこの鋏で――」
"That time when dad abandoned me, what I felt towards dad and brother, I almost fell apart completely from the pain...you know, I just want to know what might have been. That's why I, with these scissors--"
ショキリ。
Shick.
その音を最後に、チックは独白を終えた。
With that closing sound, Tick finished his soliloquy.
彼の表情はいつもと変わらぬままで、細い目の中に邪気の無い微笑みを浮かべているのみだ。
His face had regained its usual ever-unchanging state, lacking any maliciousness in his slender eyes and cheerful smile.
マリアはしばらく考えていたが――特に深刻な顔もせずに、いつも通りの調子で言葉を紡ぎだす。
Maria thought for a moment―-without a particularly serious face, reciting her words in her usual manner.
「うーん。やっぱり、チックが信じてるならあるんじゃないかな? 壊れないものってのも！だってさ、今の話を聞いてたら――無い事なんて誰にも証明できないじゃん！ だったら、あとは信じるか信じないかだけだよ、アミーゴ!」
"Hmm. As I thought, if that's the case then Tick must believe in it huh? In unbreakable things! But, listening to what you said just now―-there's nothing anybody could prove is there! In that case, it's just believe or don't believe, amigo!"
慰めや気休めではなく、自分の思いだけを淡々と語るマリア。チックは少しだけキョトンとした表情を見せると、いつものように緩んだ笑顔を投げ返した。
It wasn't a soothing consolation, only her own thoughts that Maria indifferently spoke aloud. Tick's face just showed somewhat of a puzzled look, before changing back into his habitual smile.
「そうかあ。そうだよねえ。マリアちゃんは強いなあ」
"Is that so. That's right. Maria's strong huh."
「信じるってのは大事だよ、アミーゴ!！私も昔お爺ちゃんに言われたんだけど、信じてさえいれば、この世に斬れないものなんか何も無いでんだって！」
"It's important to believe that, amigo!! But back in the old days Grandpa used to say, even if you believe in it, there is nothing in this world that can't be cut!"
「それじゃあ、やっぱり壊れない絆なんて存在しないってことになるよー?」
"In that case, things like the existence of unbreakable bonds might still exist riight?"
「じゃあ、競争だね！どっちが強く自分の考えを信じられるか！」
"Well, it's a contest then! Whoever believes the most in their beliefs wins!"
マリアの純粋な笑顔に、チックは力強く頷いた。
To Maria's genuine smiling face, Tick gave an encouraging nod.
そして――先刻の独白に付け足すように、一つの想いを付け加えた。
And―to the soliloquy from before, another thought had been added.
「うん……信じるよ。だから、僕は今までいろんな人を傷つけてきたんだよー。だから、僕もきっといつか傷つけられて壊されるよ？それは覚悟してる。今日だって、僕はこれから会う人たちに傷つけられて、殺されるかもしれない。その前に――僕が今まで人の心を壊してきたみたいに――僕の中で、マリアちゃんやガンドールの人達への義理とか絆とかそういうのが、簡単に壊れちゃうような気がしてさ――」
"Yeah...I believe. Because, up til now I've hurt various peopl--e. Someday, I'll also get hurt and broken too, right? I'm ready for that. After all, I might get hurt or killed by the people we're meeting today. Before that--- just like how I have destroyed people's minds--- I feel that for me, things like my duty and my bonds to Maria and the Gandors, are easily broken."
その言葉の途中で、チックは自分の喉に冷たい感触を感じ、その揚に足を止める。
In speaking these words, Tick felt a cold sensation in his throat, that stopped his foot in the air.
見ると、音も無く抜き放たれたマリアの刀が、チックの細い喉元にあてがわれていた。
What you see then, was the soundless unsheathing of Maria's blade, applied to Tick's slender throat.
「わあ、マリアちゃん、何するの?」
"Waah, Maria, what are you doing?"
特に死の恐怖を感じさせない言葉に、マリアもまた足を止めながら、殺気の無い声で言葉を紡ぐ。
In a way that did not incite an especial fear of death, Maria also froze in mid-action, reciting her next words in a voice that held no hints of bloodthirst.
「駄目だよ、そんな事考えちゃ」
"That's not allowed, thinking things like that."
まっすぐな瞳に見据えられて、チックは照れたように目を逸らす。自分の喉下に命の危機が迫っているのに全く気付いていないかのように。
She stared at him with a straightforward look in her eyes, causing Tick to awkwardly look away. The threat to his life still encroaching on his throat seemed not to have been noticed at all.
「私はチックの護衛だよ？私は、絶対に、誰にも負けないよアミーゴ！ 前、一回『葡萄酒』の奴に負けちゃったけど……もう絶対負けない！今から会う奴らにだって、あの『葡萄酒』にだって、もう絶対に負けないよ！ だから、チックが傷つく事なんてありえないよ？そう信じようよ！それは二人で一緒に信じられる事だよ？だから、矛盾はないよアミーゴ！」
"I'm Tick's guard right? I, no matter who it is, can't lose to anyone amigo! There was this one time I messed up and lost to this 'Vino' guy but...I definitely won't get beaten again! From now on even those guys we're gonna meet, even that 'Vino', I won't lose to anybody again! So, isn't it impossible for Tick to get injured? I really believe that! With the two of us you can believe that right? Therefore, there is no contradiction amigo!"
マリアが信じているのは、自分の力だけだ。
What Maria believes in, is just her own power.
だからこそ、自分が護る対象であるチックにも信じて欲しかったのだ。
For this reason, she also wanted to believe in Tick who was the target she was to protect.
自分の力を、自分は何よりも誰よりも強い事を――。
By her own power, she would be stronger than anyone or anything--.
その思いを感じ取れたのかどうかは解らないが、チックは静かに微笑みながら答えた。
While it was not known whether or not he understood her feelings, Tick smiled quietly at her reply.
「うん、信じるよ。マリアちゃんは、絶対誰にも負けないよ」
"Yeah, I believe that. Maria definitely, can't be defeated by anyone."
自分自身の内に向けられるような微笑で、チックは力強く頷いた。
While it seemed he could direct that smile towards himself as well, Tick gave an encouraging nod.
二人は無邪気に笑い合い、目的地である家をとっくに通り過ぎている事に気付かずにいた。
The two smiled innocently at each other, not noticing they were passing the house that was their destination.
その家に現在、どのような訪問客が訪れているのかも知らずに――
Not knowing that right now in that house, someone might be visiting--
⇔