mirroring
Hi, I am Kintaro Nishino. I usually write novels in Japanese.
This time, I translated a novel, "Kagami-Utsushi," which was originally written in Japanese.
I wrote it as "Mirolling.
I hope that this novel will spark interest in Japanese novels in the U.S., the U.K., and other English-speaking countries.
As I insist, this novel was originally written in Japanese. However, I decided to try my hand at a global version, so I am publishing an English version as well. If it is well received, I would like to make it in other languages as well.
I think every human being has a "first love.
My first love was a girl named Yui Ueda. It was a girl named.
I thought about her all the time in class. All the time. All the time.
But then, when I graduated from elementary school, she suddenly stopped appearing in front of me.
I walked outside every day, but she was nowhere to be found.
This sudden breakup was supposed to be the signal that my first love was over.
---------- -- -------------------------
My name is Tokikazu Shinonome. This pass/fail will determine my first year of high school.
(2112... 2112....2112... .2112.... .2112...!)
There it is! I got accepted!"
Ah... Thank God... I'm glad all my hard work didn't go to waste...
I send a message to my mom.
"My first choice, I got in."
I'm so happy I'm about to cry... I'm so happy, I'm about to cry...
"excuse me!"
A girl's voice came from the right.
"Oh...! Ah..! Excuse me."
I did as I was told and moved out of the way.
But... It sounded familiar...
---------- -- -------------------------
I tried to find the girl on the day of the entrance ceremony.
I looked around for a while, and then I found her. At that moment, I was speechless.
What?
Yes. It was unmistakable.
It was my first love, Yui Ueda.
(Wait... I'm so happy! I'm so happy!)
While I'm happy, Yui-san steps up to me.
Hey. Is it you? Tokikazu-kun?
Oh, you remember me? You remembered?
Of course. We're classmates.
"Oh, oh."
And then he suddenly touches my head, which is just barely reachable.
"But still... Tokikazu-kun. You've grown taller.
"Ha. Isn't that right?
I said to Yui, as if trying to stir her up.
Tokikazu, you have grown taller. How many feet and inches?
I think it was 5 feet 9.29 inches.
I said to Yui. I'm not interested in that.
But that doesn't matter, if you don't hurry up, you'll be late for the entrance ceremony.
"Oh, wait! Wait!
---------- -- -------------------------
'Anyway, I'm like... . looks like a year B class. What about you, Yui?"
I'm in B class too! Nice to meet you! Tokikazukun!
"Oh, nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.
Yui looked at me with a twinkle in her eye.
My first love is from a neighboring prefecture that's a long way from where I live. This is nothing short of a miracle.
But still, it's only an hour and a half from my house... Oh well.
I stopped thinking about it.
---------- -- -------------------------
The school chimes ring through the town.
School chimes ring through town. Today is the entrance ceremony, so the students leave school early.
"Let's see, the next flight is at.... 11:18.
Tokikazu-kun!"
Yui-san grabbed my shoulder and laughed at me as if she was making fun of me.
What's wrong, Yui? What's wrong, Yui?
What? What? I was just wondering what you were looking at. Eh? Why? Could it be... Were you looking at something obscene?"
Yui-san chuckles and makes fun of me.
No, I was just looking at the time of the next train. I was just looking at the time of the next train.
What? Train commuter? The same! We're together!
I waved my arms in the air happily.
"Hey, Yui! Yui! It hurts! Ow, ow, ow!
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. For the time being. Let's go home together, okay?"
I nodded silently.
---------- -- -------------------------
The Nishitetsu Fukuoka bound train will be arriving on platform 2 shortly.
It was the first time I was aware that I was a high school student when I came here.
I was tired of hearing it.
With that, we headed for Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station.
It was a short ride from Yakuin to Saifuku (Nishitetsu Fukuoka). So, we could stand and still have enough time to spare.
The train we were on was running between tall buildings.
I looked to the side. There was a man listening to something on his wireless earphone with a serious face, as if he was telling me not to talk to him.
His profile reminded me of my childhood.
But I haven't changed when I look at that profile, in fact, I look more beautiful now.
This explains why I was in love with her. (I'm still in love with her.)
'Soon we will be at Nishitetsu Fukuoka. Exit...'
Yui, get ready to get off. Get ready to get off.
"Oh, my God. I'm already getting ready!
---------- -- -------------------------
So, as usual, what line are you going to take from here?
I walk to Hakata station from here and take the Kagoshima line to Tosu.
I'll walk from here to Hakata Station and take the Kagoshima Main Line to Tosu. I see. I guess this is goodbye.
"Yeah, see you! See you!
I wave.
Take care!
Yui says goodbye, too.
Phew. I'm looking forward to the rest of my high school life.
Well, there won't be any youth or anything. Maybe I'll just have my first love to keep me going.
Ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha!
If the translation is not correct, I would appreciate your advice on how to correct it.