二羽トリ(英語版)
こっちが英語版です。思ったより長くならなかった。
Chapter 1: "The Drowning Forecast"
The sky began to cloud over on an early morning, with no warning whatsoever. A cold wind shook the trees, and the light filtering through the leaves slightly wavered. Beneath the remnants of the night, the birds slowly began to wake up, feeling the fresh air around them as they started moving. But at that moment, an unusual silence descended.
Suddenly, a single dove landed in the midst of the flock. Its white feathers shone as if made of snow, radiating a presence that overwhelmed the surrounding birds. Its eyes were deep and cold, staring at the flock as if commanded by the heavens.
"God has decreed," the dove spoke.
The words seemed to come from more than just a single bird. All the birds gasped and listened carefully. The dove continued.
"This world will perish. A flood greater than the mass of civilization will cover everything."
In that instant, the atmosphere shifted. The birds flapped their wings in unison, eyes wide open. Some of them thought it was just a joke, while others listened more attentively. But the dove's gaze did not waver, quietly declaring as if fate had already been sealed.
"If you wish to survive, aim for the sky. Climb as high as Mount Olympus."
When the words ended, the dove slowly spread its wings and, with a quiet flutter, took to the sky. For a while, the birds watched its figure, but soon, its shadow vanished into the gray sky.
What was left was only silence and confusion. No one spoke, and everyone stood frozen.
"What does this mean? How can this be possible?"
"It must be a joke, who would believe such a story?"
Voices rose one after another, and then, quietly, the rooster stepped forward.
"Wait, everyone, calm down," the rooster said calmly. There was no fear or agitation in his voice, unlike the others. Instead, a sense of stability surrounded him.
"Even if what the dove said is true, how are we supposed to aim for the sky?"
The rooster posed the question to those around him, and the birds responded, murmuring once more. But the rooster remained calm and continued.
"If the dove is lying, there's nothing to worry about. But if, by any chance, it's true... what should we do?"
At that moment, the penguin, who had been standing beside the rooster, subtly moved the corners of its mouth.
The penguin had not spoken a word until then, its gaze fixed firmly on the sky. But now, its eyes seemed to have ignited with something, a sharpness that felt like a newfound certainty.
"Do you have a plan?" the rooster asked the penguin.
The penguin silently continued to stare at the sky but did not answer. However, the rooster could feel a deep resolve within its eyes.
"...It’s possible," the penguin finally spoke.
The rooster widened its eyes in surprise. "You’re serious? You really think we can fly?"
The penguin calmly nodded, its expression dead serious. "If we can fly, we can at least survive."
"Fly? You're joking, right?" The rooster hesitated, staring at the penguin. Though the penguin's eyes were serious, the idea seemed hard to believe.
The penguin nodded slowly and surveyed the other birds standing frozen in place.
"To fly, we need calculations. The speed, angle, and energy required to fly can all be calculated precisely, and it will be possible."
The rooster remained silent, listening to the penguin's words. Some parts of the explanation made sense, while others were completely beyond his understanding. But one thing was certain: the penguin was serious.
"The calculations will give us the energy and angle we need to fly." The penguin muttered as it began drawing numbers and symbols on the ground.
"Taking into account our weight, we’ll calculate the launch angle and speed."
"But we can’t fly!" the rooster protested again, but the penguin ignored him and continued to calculate.
"Space shuttles do it. The difference is, they don’t abandon anyone."
"With this, we will be ready to fly." The penguin finished the calculations and looked around.
"Are you all ready?"
At that moment, the other birds slowly began to gather, silently watching the penguin, as if something had been decided.
"But only you can fly, right?" the sparrow said quietly.
"What will you do?" the penguin responded calmly.
"...I’ll gamble on your plan," the rooster nodded with resolve.
Hearing this, the rooster steeled himself, and one by one, the surrounding birds began to show their agreement. It seemed there was no other choice but to follow the penguin’s plan.
Chapter 2: "Flight Plan"
The rain continued to fall relentlessly, and the forest was already on the brink of flooding. The river's water level rose rapidly, reaching the roots of the trees. The birds huddled together anxiously, shivering as their feathers became soaked. However, amid this, the penguin was the only one who moved steadily, in stark contrast to the other birds who silently cowered in fear.
The penguin kept murmuring as it drew equations and calculations on the mud beneath its feet. Its eyes, gazing far off into the distance, held no trace of hesitation. It was completely absorbed in its calculations.
"To fly, we need speed... Initial velocity at 12 meters per second. Considering gravity, the ideal angle is 35 degrees, but adjusting for wind, we need to correct it to 40 degrees."
The penguin was immersed in its calculations, completely ignoring the surrounding noise and doubt. At that moment, the rooster approached and spoke.
"Hey, what are you thinking?" The rooster said, a little incredulously.
The penguin paused, then answered without turning.
"To fly."
The rooster, for a brief moment, couldn't believe his ears. There was no way the penguin could fly. Still, he silently watched the penguin's actions.
"You’re joking, right?" The rooster said, trying to joke, but the penguin’s face was utterly serious. There was no hint of jest.
"No," the penguin replied quietly. "For us to fly, this calculation is necessary."
The words resonated with the rooster, and the penguin began writing more numbers and symbols on the ground. "First, the penguin will slide. You will ride on top."
The penguin’s voice was deep, filled with certainty.
"Slide?" The rooster questioned, confused.
"Yes. The penguin will slide, and you will ride on top and glide. That’s how you will maintain altitude." The penguin continued, pointing to the ground as it explained. "Sliding will give us the initial speed. After that, you will sit on my back and flap your wings to stabilize."
The rooster began to understand, but he still couldn’t fully believe it.
"I see, so that’s how we might be able to fly," the rooster said with unease. "But what if we stall halfway?"
The penguin didn’t answer the question directly and began calculating again. "If you flap your wings, you’ll be able to maintain speed and altitude. The energy to counteract gravity will come from your flapping."
As the rooster listened, the penguin's serious demeanor stirred something in him. He couldn’t fully understand, but he knew that if this plan succeeded, it was their only hope.
"Alright, if your calculations are right, then we have no choice but to go through with it," the rooster said.
The penguin gave a slight nod and continued silently with its calculations.
"However, this is a gamble," the rooster said. The penguin finally looked up and responded.
"It’s not a gamble. It’s simply doing what’s necessary."
Those words stirred a quiet resolve in the rooster’s chest. Standing behind the penguin, he felt that he had no choice but to follow its words.
The other birds were completely uninvolved in the plan that the penguin and the rooster had made. They could only watch silently, regretful of their inability to act.
"What about you all? What will you do?" The penguin threw the question to the others, but they remained silent.
"We’ll do it," the rooster said, his voice filled with determination. At those words, the penguin gave a faint smile.
Chapter 3: "Red Feathers"
The rain continued to pour without stopping, and the forest gradually lost its serenity. The streams swelled, and the flow of the rivers grew fiercer. The rain falling from the sky, combined with the sound of wind shaking the trees, filled the air, which became heavy and humid. Puddles formed on the ground, making it slippery and difficult to walk.
Amidst this, the birds felt increasingly anxious. Nests were washed away, and those who couldn’t fly were left sitting helplessly. The smaller birds feared being attacked by those with larger wings and having their feathers stolen. The pelican desperately tried to protect the smaller birds, but eventually, it succumbed to exhaustion. Among all this, only the penguin and the rooster remained calm, as though they couldn’t see the others fighting.
The rooster continued practicing its flight training, even in the rain. At first, its wingbeats were awkward, and it often crashed to the ground. However, it never gave up, spreading its wings again and again, attempting to fly.
"I can fly. I can fly!" It muttered, moving its body with determination. Despite the others fighting around them, the rooster’s posture never faltered. For the rooster, flying was its only hope. If it could fly, it might be able to escape the flood. That was the only way it had to survive.
After several attempts, the rooster barely lifted off the ground. That small sensation of rising gave it just enough confidence to keep going.
"Just a little more... just a little more," the rooster whispered.
At that moment, the penguin glanced sideways at the rooster and quietly moved away. Its eyes were sharp, carefully observing the surrounding terrain. The penguin's role was to find the right landscape for flying. For the rooster to fly, it needed a "sliding" spot to gain the proper angle and speed. The penguin, based on its calculations, continued walking, searching for the optimal place.
The water reached up to its knees, and the ground was slippery. The penguin proceeded cautiously, step by step. Its eyes scanned the subtle contours of the ground, tracking the mountain slopes and steep hills. What it sought was the perfect spot for sliding down with the rooster to take off into the sky.
"Here," the penguin said, spotting a small hill and stopping. The slope had a perfect angle and was ideal for sliding. From here, they could gain enough speed. Then, with the rooster on top, flapping its wings, they could get the initial speed needed to fly.
"If we use this slope, the first step will succeed," the penguin murmured, marking the ground with small signs. It then started walking again, now searching for an even smoother place to slide and heading toward the middle of the mountain.
Meanwhile, the fighting among the birds showed no signs of stopping. They desperately fought for feathers, and those who exhausted themselves collapsed. The pelican had tried to protect the smaller birds, but one by one, it lost its strength and eventually collapsed itself. The larger birds were targeting the smaller ones, resorting to more violent actions. Seeing this, the rooster felt a moment of hesitation, but quickly refocused.
"I must fly," it whispered to itself.
With that resolve in mind, the rooster resumed flapping its wings, waiting for the penguin's instructions.
On the other hand, the penguin continued climbing the mountain's slope, keeping its eyes on the ground, still searching for the most ideal spot. Its gaze was cold and relentless; it had not lost sight of its goal. For the penguin, flying was not just an attempt—it was the only means of survival.
"Here," the penguin said again, stopping at another ideal spot. It was in the middle of the mountain, where the slope wasn’t too steep nor too gentle. Its angle and length were perfect for sliding down with the rooster.
"Preparation is complete," the penguin murmured to itself and returned to the rooster.
The rooster was brushing off the water that had accumulated at its feet, catching its breath. Its wings trembled, but its eyes were filled with unwavering determination. When it noticed the penguin's return, it took a deep breath and said:
"I’m almost ready."
"Alright, that’s fine," the penguin responded quietly. "Just a little more."
Then, together, they began walking toward the mountain slope. Amid the ongoing struggles of the other birds, only the penguin and the rooster, with their resolve in their hearts, fearlessly advanced.
Chapter 4: "Parrot’s Plot"
Several days passed. The rain continued relentlessly, and the forest was completely submerged. The river swelled, and the water reached the roots of the trees. The humid air weighed heavily on the birds' feathers. They could not avoid the rising water, and their bodies grew colder. The fighting continued, but the intensity began to change. It was no longer just about fighting for food and feathers, but now there were discussions about "who should survive."
While the rooster was practicing its flight, focused and undeterred, the penguin continued examining the terrain. The plan was progressing, but it didn’t end there. The birds were gradually being forced into the decision of "who to help survive" in order to live. The understanding that cooperation was necessary for survival began to spread.
On that day, suddenly, a starling in the center of the flock shouted.
"It’s impossible, there aren't enough feathers! In this situation, we’re all going to die! At this rate, no one will survive!"
As soon as those words were spoken, the surrounding birds began to stir. The sounds of fighting rose again, and it no longer seemed like a simple struggle—it was becoming a debate about who should live.
"What are we supposed to do with this?" a crow shouted. His eyes were sharp, and he was desperately trying to defend his position. "To survive, we have no choice but to take what we need!"
"No." The penguin opened its mouth quietly. Its voice was cold, and everyone listened intently to the words. "To survive, fighting alone won’t be enough. What we need now is compromise."
The rooster looked at the penguin in slight surprise, but the penguin ignored it and continued.
"Instead of fighting for life, we must decide who to help and who to live with." The penguin said calmly. "That is the only choice."
The rooster was deeply moved by those words. But he quickly switched his focus back to continuing the penguin’s plan. Just then, the starling stepped forward and shouted again.
"So, who do we save? Everyone is at their limit! We have to cut some of them off or there’s no way we’ll survive!"
The words echoed among the other birds. The rooster trembled involuntarily at the thought, but the penguin stood silently, watching the exchange.
"We can’t afford to discard anyone." The penguin said, its voice cold and unwavering. "Our only hope is to help as many as we can."
Once again, a silence fell. The starling lowered its head without saying a word, and the other birds pondered the penguin’s words. For the birds who only knew fighting, the idea of helping others seemed like an entirely different world.
But when someone spoke, the discussion started again. The pelican walked over, its voice calm.
"You all know the truth. What’s in front of us now is a matter of life and death. We don’t have time to fight. Even if we could survive by discarding others, in the end, we’d all die."
The conclusion was simple. They had lost partners, and they had lost their fellow birds. No, they had taken them from each other. Killed them. Therefore, the next to be lost should be themselves.
The only ones who should survive are the innocent children.
At those words, the rooster realized something anew. What was being lost in the midst of all the fighting—the value of life. By desperately trying to survive, they would end up losing everything.
"What should we do?" the rooster asked the penguin, its voice tinged with unease.
The penguin closed its eyes quietly and remained silent for a while. Eventually, it opened its eyes again and gazed at the rooster.
"Right now, the only thing we can do is to cooperate to save as many as possible," the penguin’s voice was still calm, but full of certainty. "We must stop fighting, and little by little, find ways to help each other and live together. That’s the only thing we can do now."
Upon hearing these words, the birds fell silent once again. It felt as though there was no choice but to follow the penguin’s words.
After a while, the rooster resumed its flight practice. The penguin continued calculating, choosing the best locations. But as they continued their preparations, something weighed heavily on their hearts. It was the certainty that flying was their only hope—and at the same time, the fear of embracing that hope.
The plan was steadily progressing. However, the fighting had not subsided. It still lingered in the air.
Chapter 5: "The Vine's Voice"
The rain continued to fall, and the sky grew darker. The water rose above the knees, and the forest was completely submerged. The ground was muddy and slippery, and the birds spent their days in increasing anxiety. The penguin and the rooster continued to work diligently on their plan and preparations, but the situation for the other birds was growing more dire with each passing day.
The rooster’s training continued. Time and again, it tried to fly, but at first, it failed and would fall back to the ground. Yet it never gave up, spreading its wings and putting all its energy into trying to soar. To the other birds, its persistence might have seemed strange, but the penguin silently watched over it, continuing to check and recheck its calculations while observing the changing weather.
However, as the training continued, the penguin gradually began to realize something. The rooster’s body was becoming burdened, its movements slowing down. Flapping its wings had become a test of endurance, and it was clear the rooster was approaching physical exhaustion.
At that moment, a shadow appeared before the penguin. It was a large pumpkin, dragging an even larger vine behind it. The pumpkin, usually quiet and gentle, now looked stronger, as though it had made a firm decision.
The pumpkin approached the penguin and the rooster and spoke slowly.
"Rooster, I’ve been watching your training," the pumpkin’s voice had a certain weight to it. "I think, for you to succeed, you need a stronger support to strengthen your wings."
The rooster looked at the pumpkin in surprise, a look of doubt on its face.
"But how?" the rooster asked.
The pumpkin silently reached behind its back and pulled out its vine. The vine was thick and powerful, stretching from the pumpkin’s body like something alive. The pumpkin handed the vine to the rooster and began to speak.
"You’ve been using a lot of strength in your training to strengthen your wings. That’s a good thing. But to fly, you’ll need even more strength. My vine could help support your wings."
The rooster took the vine and stared at it. It didn’t immediately understand the pumpkin’s intentions, but there was something in the pumpkin’s earnest expression that made it realize something deeper.
"Is this to support my wings?" the rooster asked, still unsure, but it nodded in agreement. "But doesn’t this vine support you yourself?"
The pumpkin smiled softly and, gripping the vine once more, said, "Yes, this vine connects me to life. But I have something to entrust to you. I want you to live and fly. That is my wish. I entrust this vine to you. Use it to support your wings."
Those words struck the rooster’s heart. It stayed silent for a moment, gazing at the pumpkin, then firmly gripped the vine.
"I’ll use your vine," the rooster said with determination. "I won’t waste your will."
The pumpkin smiled gently and nodded. "I believe in your ability to fly. And with this vine, I will support your wings. This is my final strength."
The penguin silently watched the exchange, feeling the pumpkin’s resolve. All of its calculations had been made, and the plan was nearly ready. But one thing was still missing: the support of their companions. The penguin was certain that only with their mutual cooperation could this plan succeed.
"I accept your resolve," the penguin said quietly. "Thank you, pumpkin."
With those words, the pumpkin smiled again. And the rooster, now supported by the vine, resumed its training for flight. It could feel new strength rising within its tired body. It could feel the pumpkin’s vine clearly supporting its wings.
"I’ll be your strength until the day you can fly," the pumpkin said, and her vine continued to strengthen the rooster’s wings.
Chapter 6: "The Rain That Covers All"
The rain continued to fall relentlessly, and its intensity grew stronger. The sky was covered in thick clouds, and despite it being daytime, the world remained dim. The river's water level swelled, and the forest was almost entirely submerged. The roots of the trees were submerged in water, and there were barely any dry places left for the birds to rest.
Amid the cold rain, the penguin and the rooster continued their final preparations. The penguin double-checked the calculations and carefully examined the slope for the sliding path. Meanwhile, the rooster wrapped the pumpkin's vine around its wings, repeatedly flapping them to check that the strain had been reduced.
"This should be enough to hold on," the rooster murmured while checking the vine. The vine the pumpkin had given it was supporting the rooster’s wings firmly, making its flapping much more powerful than before.
The pumpkin watched them silently through the rain, content in having fulfilled its role by providing the vine. Yet in its eyes, a small glimmer of hope remained.
"Rooster, it's up to you now," the penguin said quietly. There was a subtle tension in its usually calm voice. "Be careful as you slide. If the speed is insufficient, all of this will be for nothing."
The rooster took a deep breath and nodded. The pumpkin’s vine was firmly wrapped around its wings, easing the burden of its flapping. Still, an undercurrent of anxiety swirled within the rooster’s heart.
"It’ll be fine," the rooster whispered to itself. "I can do this. I *will* fly."
The penguin stepped forward and stood at the top of the slope. The ground was muddy, but the slope's angle was ideal for sliding. The rain had made the surface smoother, reducing friction. However, the rain also increased the danger. If they lost control from sliding too fast, everything could be in vain.
"Are you ready?" the penguin asked the rooster.
The rooster took another deep breath, spreading its wings wide. The pumpkin's vine wrapped securely around them, giving it a strong support. The rooster gave a small nod and spoke just one word to the penguin.
"Let’s go."
---
The penguin stood at the top of the slope and let the rooster ride on its back. The weight of the rooster was certainly felt, but it did not hinder the penguin’s movement. As the rain pounded against its back, the penguin took a deep breath and prepared its posture for the slide.
"Here we go," the penguin said briefly.
The rooster secured itself firmly on the penguin’s back, spreading its wings and readying itself. Its body was tense, but its eyes held a strong determination.
The penguin began to slide down the slope. The rain made its body slick, and its speed rapidly increased. The sensation was faster than the penguin had expected. The rooster clung tightly to the penguin's back and began flapping its wings.
"Faster! Faster!" the rooster cried out. Its voice was almost drowned out by the sound of the rain, but the penguin heard it clearly.
The penguin kept sliding with all its might, and soon their speed reached its peak. At that moment, the rooster opened its wings wide and began flapping with full force. The wind rushed between them, and the sensation of lift began to form.
"I’m flying!" the rooster shouted, increasing its wingbeats.
The penguin’s slide came to an end, and the bottom of the slope neared. Their bodies began to lift off the ground, and they were finally airborne. In that moment, both the penguin and the rooster were certain their plan had succeeded.
---
In the air, the rooster kept flapping desperately. The pumpkin’s vine supported the rooster’s wings, reducing the strain, and thanks to that, it was able to maintain a surprisingly stable flight.
"I can do it! I can do it!" the rooster cried, surprised at the sound of its own voice.
The penguin remained still on its back, maintaining balance and continuing to read the flow of the wind. The rain continued to pour heavily, but nothing could stop them now.
Looking down, the forest gradually became smaller. The sight of the birds still fighting in the rain briefly caught their eye, but neither the penguin nor the rooster paid it any mind. They simply kept their gaze forward.
The summit of the mountain grew closer. A new tension ran through them both. If they reached it, the first phase of their plan would be a success. But if they failed, all of this would have been for nothing.
"Just a little more!" the rooster shouted. The penguin nodded briefly, continuing to adjust its movements to keep them balanced.
Finally, the mountaintop appeared before them. At that moment, they synchronized their breathing and gathered all their strength.
Chapter 7: "To the Sky"
The moment they reached the mountaintop, the penguin and the rooster felt the cold air against their bodies. The howling wind pierced through them, and the rain intensified. The view was obscured by mist, and they couldn’t see far, but within their hearts, they felt a definite sense of accomplishment.
"This is the top," the penguin said quietly. Its voice carried an unusual weight.
"We've finally made it," the rooster replied, catching its breath. Its body was exhausted, but its eyes were filled with resolute determination.
Looking down from the mountaintop, they could barely make out the forest through the mist and rain. Perhaps the fighting was still continuing down there. Or perhaps, by now, it had turned to silence. But neither of them turned back; they just faced forward.
---
The penguin adjusted its posture for the slide. The slope was steep, and the rain had made it slick, ideal for gaining speed. However, one wrong move, and they could lose control. The rooster carefully climbed onto the penguin’s back and spread its wings. The pumpkin’s vine was tightly wound around them, providing a sense of support.
"Are you ready?" the penguin asked shortly.
"Of course," the rooster replied, taking a deep breath. "We’re going to fly, together."
The penguin gave a small nod and began to slide. Its movements were slow at first, but the speed gradually picked up. The rain smoothed the surface of the slope, reducing friction, and the penguin’s body accelerated. The rooster, perched on the penguin’s back, focused all its energy, waiting for the right moment to start flapping its wings.
"Faster! Faster!" the rooster shouted.
The penguin lowered its body further, sliding down the slope with all its strength. The wind rushed between them, and the sensation of rain against their faces sharpened. The speed was faster than the penguin had anticipated.
Finally, the end of the slope approached. The penguin made the most of the slide, reaching the edge with momentum. At that moment, the rooster opened its wings wide and began flapping with full force.
Their bodies lifted into the air. Surrounded by rain, the wind pressing against their bodies, they finally took to the sky.
"We’re flying!" the rooster shouted, its voice filled with both surprise and joy. Its wings grasped the wind, and thanks to the pumpkin’s vine, the burden was lighter, allowing it to maintain a stable flight.
The penguin remained still on the rooster’s back, maintaining balance and sensing the flow of the wind. The feeling of breaking through the rain was something that could never be experienced on the ground. The penguin’s calculations were correct. More importantly, the success was the result of their mutual effort and trust.
---
Looking down, the forest slowly grew smaller. Despite the rain obscuring their vision, they couldn’t help but wonder if the birds were still fighting down below. A pang of sorrow gripped their hearts, but neither the penguin nor the rooster looked back. They simply kept moving forward.
"We don’t know what lies ahead," the penguin said quietly.
"Still, we can only keep flying," the rooster replied, its voice full of strength.
The rain still fell heavily, but before them, there was nothing but the sky. It felt as though hope for the future was hidden somewhere within that vast expanse.
---
After the penguin and rooster took off into the sky, the birds left on the ground began to change subtly. Those who had been fighting stopped for a moment and, in the rain, more and more birds were looking up at the sky.
"...Did they make it?" a sparrow muttered.
The pelican, struggling to support its battered body, gazed upward and said quietly, "If they could fly, there must be something we can do too."
The pumpkin, drenched in the rain, felt pride in having supported the rooster’s flight.
"The lives we’ve connected will save someone else. That’s enough for me."
---
The penguin and the rooster continued to fly through the rain. The wind pushed against their bodies, and the cold rain dampened their wings, but their hearts burned with determination.
"We’ll see what lies beyond this sky," the penguin silently vowed.
They said nothing to each other, simply focusing ahead. In their eyes, hope for the future shone brightly.
One struggled in sleep, the other in dreams.
