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Ichikurou wa, shujin no kiri konde kuru tachi o uke sonjite, hidari no hoo kara ago e kakete, dewa aru ga, hitotachi uketa. Jibun no tsumi o tatoe mukou kara idomareta to wa ie, shujin no chousetsu to hidou na koi o shita to iu, jibun no chimeiteki na tsumi o, ishiki shite iru Ichikurou wa, shujin no furi ageta tachi o, hisshi na keibatsu to shite, tatoe sono kissaki o sakuru ni tsutomuru made mo, sore ni hankou suru kokoromochi wa, sukoshi mo motte wa inakatta. Kare wa, tada kou shita jibun no mayoi kara, inochi o suteru koto ga, ika nimo oshimareta no de, dekirudake wa nogarete mitai to omotte ita. Sorede, shujin kara fugi o iitaterarete kiritsukerareta toki, ariawaseta shokudai o, sassoku no emono to shite shujin no surudoi tachisaki o sakete ita. Ga, gojuu ni chikai to wa ie, mada kinkotsu no takumashii shujin ga tatami kakete kirikomu tachi o, kougeki ni derarenai kanashisa niwa, itsu to naku uke sonjite, saisho no hitotachi o, hidari no hoo ni uketa no de aru. Ga, ittan chi o miru to, Ichikurou no kokoro wa, tachimachi ni kawatte ita. Kare no funbetsu no atta kokoro wa, tougyuu sha no yari o uketa oushi no you ni susande shimatta. Douse shinu no da to omou to, soko ni seken mo nakereba shujuu mo nakatta. Ima made wa, shujin da to omotte ita aite no otoko ga, tada jibun no seimei o, odosou to shite iru ikko no doubutsu sore mo kyouaku na doubutsu to shika, mienakatta. Kare wa funzen to shite, kougeki ni tenjita. Kare wa "ouo" to omekinagara, motte ita shokudai o, aite no menjou o megakete nage utta. Ichikurou ga, bougyo no tame no bougyo o shite iru no o mite, ki o yurushite kakatte ita shujin no saburoubee wa, fui ni nagetsukerareta shokudai o ukekanete, sono rou uke no ikkaku ga shitataka ni kare no migime o utta. Ichikurou wa, aite no tajirogu suki ni, wakizashi o nuku yori hayaku tobi kakatta.

"Onore, temukai suru ka! " to, Saburoubee wa gekido shita. Ichikurou wa mugon de tsukeitta. Shujin no sanjaku ni chikai tachi to, Ichikurou no mijikai wakizashi to ga, nisando hageshiku uchiouta.

Shujuu ga hisshi ni natte, juusuuai tachi o awasu aida ni, shujin no tachisaki ga, nisando hikui tenjou o kasutte, shibashiba tachi o ayatsuru jiyuu o ushinaou to shita. Ichikurou wa soko e tsukeitta. Shujin wa, sono furi ni ki ga tsuku to, jiyuu na kogai e deyou to shite, nisanpo atozusari shite en no soto e deta. Sono suki ni Ichikurou ga, nao mo tsukeirou to suru no o, shujin wa "Ei" to, iradatte kiri oroshita. Ga, iradatta amari sono tachi wa, engawa to, zashiki to no aida ni tare sagatte iru kamoi ni, fukaku nimo nisansun kirikomareta.

"Shimatta" to, Saburoubee ga tachi o hikou to suru suki ni, Ichikurou wa fumikonde, shujin no wakibara o omousama yoko ni naida no de atta.

Aite ga taorete shimatta shunji ni, Ichikurou wa ware ni kaetta. Ima made koufun shite mourou to shite ita ishiki ga, youyaku ochitsuku to, kare wa, jibun ga shugoroshi no taizai o okashita koto ni ki ga tsuite, koukai to kyoufu to no tame ni, soko ni hetabatte shimatta.

Yoru wa shokou o sugite ita. Omoya to, chuugen beya to wa, tooku hedatatte iru no de, shujuu no osoroshii kakutou wa, omoya ni sunde iru jochuu igai, mada dare nimo shirarenakatta rashii. Sono jochuu tachi wa, kono hageshii kakutou ni ki o ushinai, hitoma no uchi ni atsumatte, tada mi o furuwasete iru dake de atta.

Ichikurou wa, fukai kaikon ni torawarete ita. Ikko no douji de ari, burai no waka bushi dewa atta keredomo, mada akuji tona no tsuku koto wa, nanimo shiteinakatta. Mashite no daiichi naru shugoroshi no taizai o okasou to wa, kare no omoi mo tsukanu koto datta. kare wa, chi no tsuita wakizashi o torinaoshita. Shujin no mekake to ingin o tsuujite, sonotame ni seibai o ukeyou to shita toki, kaette sono shujin o korosu to iu koto wa, dou kangaetemo, kare ni ii tokoro wa nakatta. Kare wa, mada bikubiku to ugoite iru shujin no shitai o shirime ni kakenagara, shizuka ni jisatsu no kakugo o katamete ita. Suruto sono toki, tsugi no ma kara, ima made no ookii appaku kara nogare deta you na koe ga shita.

"Honto ni maa, dou naru koto ka to omotte shinpai shita wa. Omae ga mapputatsu ni yarareta ato wa, watashi no ban ja arumaika to, sakki kara, byoubu no ushiro de iki o korashite miteita no sa. Ga, hontou ni ii anbai datta ne. Kounaccha, ittoki mo yuuyo wa shite irarenai kara, arigane o saratte nigeru to shiyou. Mada chuugen tachi wa ki ga tsuite inai you da kara, nigeru nara ima no uchi sa. Uba ya jochuu nado wa, daidokoro no hou de gatagata furuete iru rashii kara, watashi ga itte, jitabata sawaganai you ni itte koyou yo. Saa! Omae wa arigane o sagashite kudasai yo" to iu sono koe wa, tashika ni furue o obiteita. Ga, soushita furue o, josei to shite no tsuyoi iji de yokusei shite, tsutomete heiki o yosootte iru rashikatta.

Ichikurou wa jibun tokuyuu no douki o, sukkari nakushite ita Ichikurou wa, onna no koe o kiku to, yomigaetta you ni kakki zuita. Kare wa, jibun no ishi de hataraku to iu yori mo, onna no ishi ni yotte hataraku kairai no you ni tachiagaru to, zashiki ni oite aru kiri no chadansu ni te o kaketa. Soshite, sono masshiroi mokume ni, chi ni yogoreta tegata o tsukenagara, hikidashi o achira kochira to sagashi hajimeta. Ga, onna shujin no mekake no oyumi ga kaette kuru made ni, Ichikurou wa, nishugin no goryou tsutsumi o tada hitotsu mitsuketa bakari de atta. Oyumi wa, daidokoro kara hikikaeshite kite, sono kane o miru to,

"Sonna hashitagane ga, dou naru mono ka ne" to, iinagara, kondo wa jibun de, yake ni hikidashi o hikkaki mawashita. Shimai niwa yoroibitsu no naka made sagashita ga, koban wa ichimai mo dete ki wa shinakatta.

"Naute no shimatsuya da kara, kame ni demo irete, tsuchi no naka e demo umete aru no kamo shirenai" sou imaimashisou ni iikiru to, kaneme no ari sou na irui ya, inrou o, tebayaku furoshiki ni shita.

Kou shite, kono kanpu kanpu ga, Asakusa Taharamachi no hatamoto, Nakagawa Saburoubee no ie o deta no wa, An'ei sannen no aki no hajime de atta. Ato niwa, tounen sansai ni naru Saburoubee no isshi Jitsunosuke ga, chichi no higou no shi mo shirazu, uba no futokoro ni suyasuya nemutte iru bakari de atta.

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Ichikurou to Oyumi wa, edo o chikuden shite kara, toukaidou wa waza to sakete, hitome o shinobi nagara, tousandou o kamigata e to kokorozashita. Ichikurou wa, shugoroshi no tsumi kara, taezu ryoushin no kashaku o ukete ita. Ga, kenpeki chaya no jochuu agari no, bakurenmono no Oyumi wa, Ichikurou ga sukoshi demo shizunda yousu o miseru to,

"douse kyoujou mochi ni natta kara niwa, ikura kuyokuyo shite mo shiyou ga nai ja nai ka. Dokyou o suete yo no naka o omoshiroku kurasu no ga joufunbetsu sa" to, Ichikurou no kokoro ni, akekure aku no hakusha o kuwaeta. Ga, shinshuu kara kiso no yabuhara no yado made kita toki niwa, futari no royou no kane wa, hyaku mo nokotte inakatta. Futari wa, kyuu suru ni tsurete, akuji o hatarakaneba naranakatta. Saisho wa kou shita danjo no kumiawase to shite wa, mottomo nashi yasui tsutsumotase o kagyou to shita. Soushite shinshuu kara bishuu e kakete no yadoyado de, ourai no chounin hyakushou no royou no kane o ubatte ita. Hajime no hodo wa, onna kara no hageshii kyousa de, tsui akuji o okashi hajimete ita Ichikurou mo, tsui niwa akuji no omoshirosa o ajiwai hajimeta. Rounin sugata o shita Ichikurou ni tai shite, higai sha no chounin ya hyakushou wa, kane o torarenagara, sukoburu juujun de atta.

Akuji ga dandan shinpo shite itta Ichikurou wa, tsutsumotase kara motto tanjun na, tesuu no iranu yusuri o yari, saigo niwa, kiritori goutou o seitou na kagyou to sae kokoroeru you ni natta.

Kare wa, itsu to nashi ni shinano kara kiso e kakaru torii touge ni dochaku shita. Soshite hiru wa chamise o hiraki, yoru wa goutou o hataraita.

Kare wa mou sou shita seikatsu ni, nan no chuucho o mo, fuan o mo kanjinai you ni natte ita. Kane no arisouna tabibito o neratte, sorosu to takumi ni sono shitai o kataduketa. Ichinen ni san, yondo, soushita tsumi o okasu to, kare wa yuuni ichinen no seikatsu o sasaeru koto ga dekita.

Sore wa, karera ga edo o dete kara, sannenme ni naru haru no koro de atta. Sankin koutai no hokkoku daimyou no gyouretsu ga, futatsu bakari tsuduite tootta tame, kiso gaidou no yadoyado wa, chikagoro ni naku nigiwatta. Kotoni kono koro wa, shinshuu o hajime, echigo ya echuu kara no ise sanguu no kyaku ga gaidou ni tsuduita. Sono naka niwa, kyou kara oosaka e to, yusan no tabi o nobasu no ga ookatta. Ichikurou wa, karera no ni, sannin o taoshite, sono toshi no seikatsuhi o etai to omotte ita. Kiso gaidou nimo, sugi ya hinoki ni majiwatte saita yamazakura ga chirihajimeru yuugure no koto de atta. Ichikurou no mise ni danjo futari no tabibito ga tachiyotta. Sore wa akiraka ni fuufu de atta. Otoko wa sanjuu o koshiteita. Onna wa nijuusan, shi de atta darou. Tomo o tsurenai kiraku na tabi ni deta shinshuu no gounou no wakafuufu rashikatta.

Ichikurouha, futari no minario miru to, kare wa kono futari o kotoshi no giseisha ni shiyou ka to, omotte ita.

"mou yabuhara no yado made, ikura mo arumai na"

Kou iinagara, otoko no hou wa, Ichikurou no mise no mae de, warajino himo o musubi naosou to shita. Ichikurou ga, henji o shiyou to suru mae ni, Oyumi ga, daidokoro kara detekinagara,

"sayou de gozaimasu, mou kono tooge o orimasureba hanmichi mo gozaimasen. Maa, yukkuri yasunde kara ni nasaimase" to, itta. Ichikurou wa, Oyumi no kono kotoba o kiku to, Oyumi ga sude ni osoroshii keikaku o, jibun ni susumeyou to shite iru no o oboeta. Yabuhara no yado made ni wa mada niri ni amaru michi o, mou nanihodo mo nai you ni iikurumete, tabibito ni ki o yurusase, karera no koutei ga yoru ni hairu no ni joujite, kandou o hashitte, yado no iriguchi de osou no ga, Ichikurou no joutouno shudan de atta. Sono oto wa, Oyumi no kotoba o kiku to,

"sore naraba, cha na to ippai shomou shiyou ka" to iinagara, mou karera no daiichi no wana ni ochiitte shimatta. Onna wa akai himo no tsuita tabi no sugegasa o tori hazushinagara, otto no soba ni yorisoute, koshi o kaketa.

Karera wa, koko de kohantoki mo, touge o noborikitta tsukare o yasumeru to, choumoku o oite, murasaki ni kurekakatteiru ogiso no tani ni mukatte, torii touge o oriteitta.

Futari no sugata ga mienaku naru to, Oyumi wa, sore to bakari aizu o shita. Ichikurou wa, emono o ou ryoushi no you ni, wakizashi o koshi ni suru to, issan ni hitari no ato o outa. Hongaidou o migi ni orete, kisogawa no nagare ni soute, kewashii kandou o isoida.

Ichikurou ga, yabuhara no yado temae no namiki michi ni kita toki wa, haru no nagai hi ga mattaku kurete, tooka bakari no tsuki ga kiso no yama no kanata ni noborou to shite, hono shiroi tsukishiro nomi ga, kiso no yamayama o kasukani ukabaseteita.

Ichikurou wa, gaidou ni soute haeteiru, hitomura no maruhayanagi no shita ni mi o kakushinagara, fuufu no chikaduku no o, omomuro ni matteita. Kare mo kokoro no soko dewa, koufuku na tabi o shite iru futari no danjo no seimei o, futou ni ubau to iu koto ga, donnani tsumifukai ka to iu koto o, kangaezu niwa inakatta. Ga, ittan nashi kakatta shigoto o chuushi shite kaeru koto wa, Oyumi no temae, kare no kokoro ni makasenu koto de atta.

Kare wa, kono fuufu no chi o nagashitaku wa nakatta. Narubeku aite ga, jibun no kyouhaku ni nigon mo naku fukujuu shite kurereba ii to, omotteita. Moshi karera ga royou no kane to soushoku to o dasu nara, kesshite sesshou wa shimai to omotteita.

Kare no kesshin ga youyaku katamatta koro ni, gaidou no kanata kara, isogi ashi ni chikaduitekuru danjo no sugata ga mieta.

Futari wa, touge kara no michi ga, kakugo no hoka ni tookatta tame, tsukare kitta to mie, otagai ni takeainagara, mugon no mama ni isoide kita.

Futari ga, maruhayanagi no shigemi ni chikaduku to, Ichikurou wa, fui ni gaidou no mannaka ni tsuttatta. Soshite, ima made ni ikudo mo kuchi ni shinareteiru kyouhaku no kotoba o abisekaketa. Suruto, otoko wa hisshi ni natta rashiku, douchuuzashi o nuku to, tsuma o ushiro ni kabainagara migamae shita. Ichikurou wa, chotto debana o orareta. Ga, kare wa koe o hagemashite, "iyasa, tabi no hito, temukai shite atara inochi o otosumai zo. Inochi made wa torou to iwanu no ja. Arigane to irui to o otonashiku dashite ike! " to, sanda. Sono kao o, aite no otoko wa, jiitto miteita ga,

"yaa! sakihodo no touge no chaya no shujin dewa nai ka" to, sono otoko wa, hisshi ni natte tobikakatte kita. Ichikurou wa, mou kore made to omotta. Jibun no kao o mioboerareta ijou, jibun tachi no anzen no tame, mou kono danjo o ikasu koto wa dekinai to omotta.

Aite ga hisshi ni kirikomu no o, takumimi ni hiki hazushinagara, hitotachi o aite no kubisuji ni abiseta. Miru to tsurere no onna wa, ki o ushinatta you ni michi no soba ni uzukumarinagara, buruburu to furueteita.

Ichikurou wa, onna o korosu ni shinobinakatta. Ga, kare wa jibun no kikyuu niwa kaerarenu to omotta. Otoko no hou o koroshite sakki datteiru aida ni to omotte, chigatana o furi kazashinagara, kare wa onna ni chikaduita. Onna wa, ryoute o awashite, Ichikurou ni inochi o kouta. Ichikurou wa, sono hitomi ni mitsumerareru to, dou shite mo katana o orosenakatta. Ga, kare wa korosaneba naranu to omotta. Kono toki Ichikurou no yokushin wa, kono onna o kitte onna no soushoku o dainashi ni shite wa tsumaranai to omotta. Sou omou to, kare wa koshi ni sageteita tenugui o hazushite onna no kubi o kukutta.

Ichikurou wa, futari o koroshite shimau to, kyuu ni hito o koroshita kyoufu o kanjite, ikkoku mo itatamaranai you ni omotta. Kare wa, futari no doumaki to irui to o ubau to, atafuta to shite sono ba kara issan ni nogareta. Kare wa, ima made juunin ni amaru hitogoroshi o shita mono no, sore wa hanshiiro no roujin to ka, shounin to ka, sou shita kaikyuu no mono bakari de, wakawakashii fuufu dure o futari made jibun no te ni kaketa koto wa nakatta.

Kare wa, fukai ryoushin no kashaku ni torawarenagara, kaettekita. Soshite ie ni hairu to, sugusama, danjo no soushoku to kane to o, kegarawashii mono no you ni, Oyumi no hou e nageyatta. Onna wa, yuuzen to shite mazu kane no hou o shirabetemita. Kane wa omotta yori sukunaku, nijuuryou o wazuka ni koshiteiru bakari de atta.

Oyumi wa korosareta onna no kimono o te ni toru to, "maa, kihachijou no kimono ni monchirimen no juban da ne. Daga, omaesan, kono onna no atama no mono wa, dou oshidai" to, kanoonna wa kitsumon suru you ni, Ichikurou o kaerimita.

"atama no mono!" to, Ichikurou wa nakaba henji o shita.

"sou da yo. Atama no mono da yo. Kihachijou ni monchirimen no kitsuke ja, atama no mono datte, magaimono no kushi ya kougai ja arumai ja nai ka. Watashi wa, sakki ano onna ga sugegasa o totta toki ni, chirato nirande oita no sa. Taimai no soroi ni soui nakatta yo" to, Oyumi wa noshikakaru you ni itta. Koroshita onna no atama no mono no koto nado wa, yume nimo omotteinakatta Ichikurou wa, nan tomo kotaeru sube ga nakatta.

"omaesan! Masaka, toru no o wasureta no ja arumai ne. Taimai da to sureba, shichiryou ya hachiryou wa tashika da yo. Kakedashi no dorobou ja arumai shi, nan no tame ni sesshou o suru no da yo. Aredake no soushoku o kita onna o, koroshite okinagara, atama no mono ni ki ga tsukanai to wa, omae wa, itsu kara dorobou kagyou ni onari na no da e. Nan to iu doji o yaru dorobou darou. Nan to ka, ittegoran!" to, Oyumi wa, itakedaka ni natte, Ichikurou ni kutte kakatte kita.

Futari no wakai danjo o koroshite shimatta kui ni, kokoro no soko made okasare kakete ita Ichikurou wa, onna no kotoba kara fukaku kizutsukerareta. Kare wa atama no mono o toru koto o, wasureta to iu touzoku to shite no shissaku o, arui wa munou o, kuyuru kokoro wa sukoshi mo nakatta. Jibun wa, futari o koroshita koto o, warui koto to omoeba koso, korosu koto ni ki mo tendou shite, onna ga sono atama ni juuryou nimo chikai soushoku o tsukete iru koto o mattaku wasureteita. Ichikurou wa, ima demo wasurete ita koto o koukai suru kokoro wa okoranakatta. Goutou ni mi o otoshite, riyoku no tame ni hito o koroshite iru mono no, akki no you ni aite no hone made wa shaburanakatta koto o kangaeru to, Ichikurou wa warui kimochi wa shinakatta. Sore nimo kakawarazu, Oyumi wa jibun no dousei ga muzan nimo korosarete, sono mi ni tsuketa shitagi made ga, satsurikusha ni taisuru mitsugimono to shite, jibun no me no mae ni sarasarete iru no o minagara, nao sono akitaranai yokushin wa, sasuga akunin no Ichikurou no me o koboreta atama no mono ni made oyondeiru, sou kangaeru to, Ichikurou wa Oyumi ni taishite, itatamaranai you na asamashisa o kanjita.

Oyumi wa, Ichikurou no kokoro ni, koushita gekihen ga okotteiru no o mattaku shiranai de,

"saa! Omaesan! Hito/hashiri itte okure. Sekkaku, kocchi no te ni haitteiru mono o enryo suru niwa, ataranai ja nai ka" to, jibun no iibun ni juubun na jouri ga aru koto o shinzuru you ni, kachihokotta hyoujou o shita.

Ga, Ichikurou wa mokumoku to shite oujinakatta.

"oya! Omaesan no shigoto no ara o hirotta no de, oki ni sawatta to mieru ne. Hontou ni, omaesan wa iku ki wa nai no kai. Juuryou ni chikai mouke mono o, misumisu fui ni shite shimau tsumori kai" to, Oyumi wa ikudo mo Ichikurou ni sematta.

Itsumo wa, Oyumi no iu koto o, ii to shite kiku Ichikurou dewa atta ga, ima kare no kokoro wa hageshii douran no naka ni atte, Oyumi no kotoba nado wa mimi ni hairanai hodo, kangaekonde ita no de aru.

"ikura itte mo, ikanai no da ne. Sore ja, watashi ga hitoppashiri itte koyou yo. Basho wa doko na no. Yappari itsumo no tokoro na no kai" to, Oyumi ga itta.

Oyumi ni taishite, osaegatai keno o kanji hajimete ita Ichikurou wa, Oyumi ga ikkoku demo jibun no soba ni inakunaru koto o, mushiro yorokonda.

"shireta koto yo. Itsumo no toori, yabuhara no yado no temae no matsunamiki sa" to, Ichikurou wa hakidasu you ni itta."ja, hitoppashiri itte kuru kara. Saiwai tsuki no yoru de soto wa akarui shi. Hontou ni, hemana shigoto o suruttara, aryashinai"to, iinagara, Oyumi wa suso o hashotte, zouri o tsukkakeru to kakedashita.

Ichikurou wa, Oyumi no ushirosugata o mite iru to, asamashisa de, kokoro ga ippai ni natte kita. Shinin no kami no mono o hagugu tame ni, chimanako ni natte kakedashite iku onna no sugata o miru to, Ichikurou wa sono onna ni, katsute aijou o motte ita dake ni, kokoro no soko kara asamashiku omowazu niwa irarenakatta. Sono ue, jibun ga akuji o shite iru toki, tatoi muzan nimo hito o koroshite iru toki demo, kane o nusunde iru toki demo, jibun ga shite iru to iu koto ga, tsune ni fushigi na iiwake ni natte, sono asamashisa o kanzuru koto ga sukunakatta ga, ittan hito ga akuji o nashite iru no o, shizuka ni boukan suru to naru to, sono osoroshisa, asamashisa ga, akumade akiraka ni, Ichikurou no me ni utsurazu niwa inakatta. Jibun ga, inochi o toshite made eta onna ga, wazuka goryou ka juuryou no taimai no tame ni, josei no yasashisa no subete o sutete, shigai ni tsuku ookami no you ni, korosareta onna no shigai o shitoute kakete iku no o miru to, Ichikurou wa, mou kono zaiaku no sumika ni, kono onna to issho ni ikkoku mo itatamarenaku natta. Sou kangae dasu to, jibun no ima made ni okashita akuji ga ichiichi yomigaette jibun no kokoro o kuisaita. Shimekoroshita onna no hitomi ya, chimidoro ni natta mayushounin no umekigoe ya, hitotachi abisekaketa shiraga no roujin no himei nado ga, ichidan ni natte Ichikurou no ryoushin o osoute kita. Kare wa, ikkoku mo hayaku jibun no kako kara nogaretakatta. Kare wa, jibun jishin kara sae mo, nogaretakatta. Mashite jibun no subete no zaiaku no houga de atta onna kara, kyokuryoku nogaretakatta. Kare wa, ketsuzen to shite tachiatta. Kare wa, ni, sanmai no irui o furoshiki ni tsutsunda. Sakki no otoko kara totta doumaki o, touza no royou to shite futokoro ni ireta mama de, shitaku mo totonoezu ni, kogai ni tobidashita. Ga, jukken bakari haridashita toki, futo jibun no motteiru kane mo, irui mo, kotogotoku nusunda mono de aru no ni ki ga tsuku to, hanekaesareta you ni tachimodotte, jibun no ie no agari gamachi e, irui to kane to o, chikaraippai nagetsuketa.

Kare wa, Oyumi ni awanai you ni, michi de nai michi o kisogawa ni soute issan ni hashitta. Doko e iku to iu ate mo nakatta. Tada jibun no zaiaku no konkyochi kara, issun demo, ichibu demo tooi tokoro e nogaretakatta.

3

20 ri ni amaru michi wo, Ichikurou wa, sanya no betsu naku tada hitoiki ni hasete, akuru hi no hirusagari, Minonokuni no Oogaki zai no Jouganji ni kakekonda. Kare wa, saisho kara kono tera o kokorozashite kita no dewa nai. Kare no tonsou no chuuto, guuzen kono tera no mae ni deta toki, kare no wakuran shita zange no kokoro wa, futo shuukyou teki na koumyou ni sugatte mitai to iu ki ni natta no de aru.

Jouganji wa, Mino ichien Shingonshuu no souroku de atta. Ichikurou wa, Genou Myouhen Daitokunou no sode ni sugatte, zange no makoto o itashita. Shounin wa sasuga ni, kono gokujuu akunin o mo sutenakatta. Ichikurou ga yuushi no shita ni jishu shiyou ka to iu no o tomete,

"masane gasane no akugou o kasaneta nanji ja kara, yuushi no te ni yotte mi o kyouboku ni sarasare, genzai no mukui o mizukara ukuru no mo ichihou ja ga, sore dewa mirai eigou, shounetsu jigoku no kugen o ukete oraneba naranu zo yo. Sore yori mo, butsudou ni kie shi, shujou saido no tame ni, shinmei o sutete hitobito o sukuu to tomoni, nanji jishin o sukuu no ga kanjin ja" to, kyouka shita.

Ichikurouwa, shounin no kotoba o kiite, mata sara ni zange no hi ni kokoro o tadarasete, touza ni shukke no kokorozashi o sadameta. Kare wa, shounin no te ni yotte tokudo shite, Ryoukai to houmyou o yobare, hitasura butsudou shugyou ni kantan o kudaita ga, doushin yuumou no tame ni, wazuka hantoshi ni taranu shugyou ni, gyougou wa hyousou yori mo kiyoku, asa niwa sanmitsu no gyouhou o korashi, yuu niwa himitsu nenbutsu no anza o hanarezu, nigyou hinpin to shite katsuzen chido no kokoro moyashi, appare no chishiki to narisumashita. Kare wa jibun no doushin ga sadamatte, mou ugokanai no o jikaku suru to, shi no bou no yurushi o ete, shojin kyuusai no taigan o okoshi, shokoku unsui no tabi ni deta no de atta.

Minonokuni o ato ni shite, mazu kyouraku no chi o kokorozashita. Kare wa, ikunin mono hito o koroshinagara, tatoi sougyou no sugata nari tomo, jibun ga iki nagaraete iru no ga kokorogurushikatta. Shojin no tame, mi o konagona ni kudaite, jibun no no manbun no ichi o mo tsugunaitai to omotte ita. Koto ni jibun ga, Kiso sanchuu ni atte, gyoujin o nayamaseta koto o omou to, douchuu no hitobito ni taishite, tsugunai kirenu futan o motte iru you ni omowareta.

Gyoujuu zaga nimo, hito no tame o omowanu koto wa nakatta. Douro ni nanjuu no hito o miru to, kare wa, te o hiki, koshi o oshite, sono douchuu o tasuketa. Yamai ni kurushimu rouyou o oute, suuri ni amaru michi o tooshi to shinakatta koto mo atta. Hongaidou o hanareta sondou no hashi demo, hakai sarete iru toki wa, kare wa mizukara yama ni haitte, ki o kiri, ishi o hakonde shuuzen shita. Michi no kuzureta no o mireba, dosha o hakobi kitte tsukurouta. Kaku shite, kinai kara, chuugoku o tooshite, hitasura zenkon o tsumu koto ni fushin shita ga, mi ni kasanareru tsumi wa, sora yori mo takaku, tsumu zenkon wa tochi yori mo hikuki o omou to, kare wa imasara ni, hansei no akugou no fukaki o kanashinda. Ichikurou wa, sasai na zenkon ni yotte, jibun no gokuaku ga tsugunaikirenu koto o shitte, kokoro o kurou shita. Gekiryo no mezame ni wa kakaru tanomoshikaranu houshuu o shinagara, nao sei o musabotte iru koto ga, hanahada fugainai you ni omowarete, mizukara koroshitai to omotta koto sae atta. Ga, sono tabi goto ni, futaiten no yuu o hirugaeshi, shojin kyuusai no taigyou o nasu beki kien no itaran koto o kinen shita.

Kyouhou 9 nen no aki de atta. Kare wa, ヶakamagaseki kara kokura ni watari, Buzen no kuni, Usa hachimanguu o haishi, Yamakunigawa o sakanobotte Kishakutsusen Rakanji ni mouden mono to, yokkaichi kara minami ni akatsuchi no boubou taru nohara o sugi, michi o Yamakunigawa no keikoku ni soute, tadotta.

Chikushi no aki wa, ekiro no tomari goto ni fukete, zouki no mori niwa haji akaku tadare, no niwa ine kiiroku minori, nouka no noki niwa, kono atari no meibutsu no kaki ga shinku no tama o tsuraneteita.

Sore wa 8 gatsu ni haitte ma mo nai aru hi de atta. Kare wa aki no asa no hikari no kagayaku, yamakunigawa no seiretsu na nagare o migi ni minagara, mikuchi kara hotokezaka no yamamichi o koete, hiru chikaki koro hida no eki ni tsuita. Sabishii eki de chuushoku no toki ni aritsuita ato, futatabi Yamakunidani ni soute minami o sashita. Hidaeki kara hazureru to, michi wa mata Yamakunigawa ni soute, kazangan no kawagishi o tsutaute hashitteita.

Ayumi gatai ishidakamichi wo, Ichikurou wa, tsue o tayori ni tadotte ita toki, futo michi no soba ni, kono atari no noufu de arou, 4, 5 nin no hitobito ga nonoshiri sawaideiru no o mita.

Ichikurou ga chikazuku to, sono naka no hitori wa, hayaku mo Ichikurou no sugata o mitsukete,

"kore wa, yoi tokoro e korareta. Higou no shi o togeta, awarena mouja ja. Toori kakarareta en ni, 1 ippen no ekou o shite kudasare" to, itta.

Higou no shi da to kiita toki, hyouzoku no tame ni ayamerareta tabibito no shigai dewa arumai ka to omoute, Ichikurou wa kako no akugou o omoiokoshite, setsuna ni waku kaikon no kokoro ni, ryouashi no sukumu no o oboeta.

"mireba suishinin no you ja ga, tokoro dokoro hiniku no yabureteiru no wa, ikaga shita shisai ja" to, Ichikurou wa, osoru osoru kiita.

"goshukke wa, tabi no hito to miete gozonji arumai ga, kono kawa o hanchou mo noboreba, kusariwatashi to iu nansho ga aru. Yamakunidani daiichi no kirisho de, nanboku ourai no jinba ga, kotogotoku nangi suru tokoro ja ga, kono otoko wa kono kawakami Kakisaka gou ni sundeiru mago ja ga, kesa kusariwatashi no chuuto de, uma ga kuruuta tame, gojou ni chikai tokoro o massakasama ni ochite, mirareru toori no muzan na saigo ja" to, sono naka no hitori ga itta.

"kusariwatashi to mouseba, kanegane nansho to wa kiite ita ga, kayou na aware o miru koto wa, tabitabi gozaru no ka" to, Ichikurou wa, shigai o mimamorinagara, uchi shimette kiita.

"ichinen ni san, yonin, ookereba juunin mo, omowanu ukime o miru koto ga aru. Musou no nansho yue ni, fuuu ni kakehashi ga kuchite mo, shuuzen mo omou ni makasenu no ja" to, kotaenagara, hyakushou tachi wa shigai no shimatsu ni kakatte ita.

Ichikurou wa, kono fukou na sounansha ni ippen no kyou o yomu to, ashi o hayamete sono kusariwatashi e to isoida.

Soko made wa, mou icchou mo nakatta. Miru to, kawa no hidari ni sobieru arakezuri sareta you na yama ga, Yamakunigawa ni nozomu tokoro de, juujou ni chikai zeppeki ni kiritatarete, soko ni haiiro no gizagiza shita hida no ooi hada o roshutsu shite iru no de atta. Yamakunigawa no mizu wa, sono zeppeki ni sui yoserareta you ni, koko ni shitai yotte, zeppeki no suso o arainagara, nouryoku no iro o tataete, uzumaite iru.

Satobito ra ga, kusariwatashi to itta no wa kore darou to, kare wa omotta. Michi wa, sono zeppeki ni tatare, sono zeppeki no chuufuku wo, matsu, sugi nado no maruta o kusari de tsuraneta sandou ga, abunage ni tsutatte iru. Kayowai fujoshi de naku tomo, fushite gojou ni amaru suimen o mi, aoide atama o assuru juujou ni chikai zeppeki o miru toki wa, tamashii kie, kokoro ononoku mo kotowari de atta.

Ichikurou wa, ganpeki ni sugarinagara, ononoku ashi o fumi shimete, youyaku watari owatte sono zeppeki o furimuita setsuna, kare no kokoro niwa tossa ni daiseigan ga, botsuzen to shite kizashita.

Tsumubeki shokuzai no amari ni chiisakatta kare wa, jibun ga shoujin mouyuu no ki o tamesubeki nangyou ni au koto o inotte ita. Ima mokuzen ni gyounin ga nangi shi, ichinen ni juu ni chikai hito no inochi o ubau nansho o mita toki, kare wa, jibun no shinmei o sutete kono nansho o nozokou to iu omoitsuki ga ouzen to shite okotta no mo muri dewa nakatta.200yo ken ni amaru zeppeki o horitsuranuite michi o tsuuji you to iu, futeki na seigan ga, kare no kokoro ni ukandekita no de aru.

Ichikurou wa, jibun ga motome aruita mono ga, youyaku koko de mitsukatta to omotta.1 nen ni juunin o sukueba, 10 nen niwa hyakunin, hyakunen, sennen to tatsu uchi niwa, senman no hito no inochi o sukuu koto ga dekiru to omotta no de aru.

Kou kesshin suru to, kare wa, irizu ni jikkou ni chakushu shita. Sono hi kara, Rakanji no shukubou ni tomarinagara, Yamakunigawa ni souta muramura o kange shite, zuidou kaisaku no taigyou no kishin o motometa.

Ga, nanbito mo kono fuuraibou no kotoba ni, mimi o katamukeru mono wa nakatta.

"3 chou o mo koeru daibanjaku o horinukou to iu fuukyoujin ja, hahahaha" to, warau mono wa, mada yokatta."ookatari ja. Hari no mizo kara ten o nozoku you na koto o ii mae ni shite, kane o atsumeyou to iu, ookatari ja" to, naka ni ha Ichikurou no kanzei ni, hakugai o kuwauru mono sae atta.

Ichikurou wa, tooka no aida, mopparana kanjin ni tsutometa ga, nanbito mo ga mimi o katamukenu no o shiru to, funzen to shite, dokuryoku, kono taigyou ni ataru koto o kesshin shita. Kare wa, sekku no motsu tsuchi to nomi to o te ni irete, kono daizeppeki no 1 tan ni tatta. Sore wa, ikko no KARIKACHUA de atta. Kezuri otoshiyasui kazangan de aru to wa ie, kawa o asshite sobie tatsu enen taru daizeppeki wo, Ichikurou wa, onore hitori no chikara de horinukou to suru no de atta.

"toutou ki ga kurutta! " to, gyounin wa, Ichikurou no suga o yubisashinagara waratta.

Ga, Ichikurou wa kusshinakatta. Yamakunigawa no seiryuu ni mokuyoku shite, Kanzeon bosatsu o inorinagara, konshin no chikara o komete dai 1 no tsuchi o oroshita.

Sore ni oujite, tada 2, 3 hira no hahen ga, tobi chitta bakari de atta. Ga, futatabi chikara o komete dai 2 no tsuchi o shita. Sarani 2, 3 hira no shoukai ga, kyodai naru mugendai no taikai kara, bunri shita bakari de atta. Dai 3, dai 4 , dai 5 to, Ichikurou wa kenmei ni tsuchi o oroshita. Kuufuku o kanzureba, kingou o takuhatsu shi, hara mitsureba zeppeki ni mukatte tsuchi o oroshita. Ketai no kokoro o shouzureba, tada shingon o tonaete, yuumou no kokoro o furui okoshita. Ichinichi, futsuka, mikka, Ichikurou no doryoku wa kandan naku tsuzuita. Tabibito wa, sono soba o tooru tabi ni, choushou no koe o okutta. Ga, Ichikurou no kokoro wa, sono tame ni shuyu mo tayumu koto wa nakatta. Shishou no koe o kikeba, kare wa sara ni tsuchi o motsu te ni chikara o kometa.

Yagate, Ichikurou wa, ametsuyu o shinogu tame ni, zeppeki ni chikaku kikoya o tateta. Asa wa, Yamakunigawa no nagare ga hoshi no hikari o utsusu koro kara okidete, yuu wa senari no oto ga seijaku no tenchi ni sumikaeru koro made mo, yamenakatta. Ga, gyouro no hitobito wa, nao soshou no kotoba o yamenakatta.

"mi no hodo o shiranu tawake ja" to, Ichikurou no doryoku o ganchuu ni okanakatta.

Ga, Ichikurou wa isshin furan ni tsuchi o furutta. Tsuchi o futte isae sureba, kare no kokoro niwa nan no zatsunen mo okoranakatta. Hito o koroshita kaikon mo, soko niwa nakatta. Gokuraku ni umareyou to iu, gongu mo nakatta. Tada soko ni, harebare shita shoujin no kokoro ga aru bakari de atta. Kare wa shukke shite irai, yogoto no nezameme ni, mi o kurushimeta jibun no akugou no kioku ga, ni ni usuraide iku no o kanjita. Kare wa masumasu yuumou no kokoro o furui okoshite, hitasura sennen ni tsuchi o furutta.

Atarashii toshi ga kita. Haru ga kite, natsu ga kite, hayakumo 1 nen ga tatta. Ichikurou no doryoku wa, munashiku wa nakatta. Daizeppeki no 1 tan ni, fukasa 1 jou ni chikai doukutsu ga ugatarete ita. Sore wa, hon no chiisai doukutsu dewa atta ga, Ichikurou no tsuyoi ishi wa, saisho no soukon o akiraka ni tomete ita.

Ga, kingou no hitobito wa mata Ichikurou o waratta.

"are mirarei! kyoujin bouzu ga, are dake hoririotta.1 nen no aida, mogaite, tatta are dake ja" to, waratta. Ga, Ichikurou wa jibun no hori ugatta ana o miru to, namida no deru hodo ureshikatta. Sore wa ikani asaku to mo, jibun ga shoujin no chikara no nyojitsu ni arawarete iru mono ni, soui nakatta. Ichikurou wa toshi o kasanete, mata sarani furui tatta. Yoru wa nyohou no yami ni, hiru mo nao usugurai doukutsu no uchi ni tanza shite, tada migi no ude nomi wo, kyouki no gotoku ni futteita. Ichikurou ni totte, migi no ude o furu koto nomi ga, kare no shuukyou teki seikatsu no subete ni natte shimatta.

Doukutsu no soto niwa, hi ga kagayaki tsuki ga teri, ame ga furi arashi ga aresusanda. Ga, doukutsu no naka niwa, kandan naki tsuchi no oto nomi ga atta.

2 nen no owari nimo, satobito wa nao soshou o yamenakatta. Ga, sore wa mou, koe ni made wa dete konakatta. Tada, Ichikurou no sugata o mita ato, kao o miawasete, tagai ni waraiau dake de atta. Ga, sara ni 1 nen tatta. Ichikurou no tsuchi no oto wa Yamakunigawa no mizugoe to onajiku, fudan ni hibiite ita. Mura no hito tachi wa, mou nan to mo iwanakatta. Karera ga soshou no hyoujou wa, itsu no aida ni ka kyoui no sore ni kawatte ita. Ichikurou wa kushikezurazareba, touhatsu wa itsu no aida ni ka nobibite souken o ooii, yuami se zareba, akazukite ningen to mo mienakatta. Ga, kare wa jibun ga hori ugatta doukutsu no uchi ni, kemono no gotoku ugomekinagara, kyouki no gotoku sono tsuchi o furui tsuzukete ita no de aru.

Satobito no kyoui wa, itsu no ma ni ka doujou ni kawatte ita. Ichikurou ga shibashi no hima o nusunde, takuhatsu no angya ni dekakeyou to suru to, doukutsu no deguchi ni, omoigakenaku 1 wan no toki o miidasu koto ga ooku natta. Ichikurou wa sono tame ni, takuhatsu ni tsuiyasubeki jikan wo, sarani zeppeki ni mukau koto ga dekita.

4 nenme no owari ga kita. Ichikurou no hori ugatta doukutsu wa, mohaya 5 jou no fukasa ni tasshite ita. Ga, sono 3 chou o koyuru zeppeki ni kurabureba, soko ni nao, bouyou no tan ga atta. Satobito wa Ichikurou no nesshin ni odoroita mono no, imada, kaku bakari miesuita torou ni gouriki suru mono wa, hitori mo nakatta. Ichikurou wa, tada hitori sono doryoku o tsuzukeneba naranakatta. Ga, mou hori ugatsu shigoto ni oite, zanmai ni hatta Ichikurou wa, tada tsuchi o furuu hoka wa nani no zonnen mo nakatta. Tada mogura no you ni, inochi no aru kagiri, hori ugatte iku hoka niwa, nan no tanen mo nakatta. Kare wa tada hitori kitsukitsu to shite hori susunda. Doukutsu no soto niwa haru satte aki kitari, shiji no fuubutsu ga utsurikawatta ga, doukutsu no naka niwa fuji no tsuchi no oto nomi ga hibiita.

"kawaisou na bousama ja. Mono ni kurutta to mie, ano daibanjaku o ugatte iku wa. Juu no hitotsu1 mo ugachi enaide, onore ga inochi o owarou mono wo" to, gyouro no hitobito wa, Ichikurou no munashii doryoku wo, kanashimi hajimeta. Ga, 1 nen tachi 2 nen chi, choudo 9 nenme no owari ni, ana no iriguchi yori oku made 22 ken o hakaru made ni, hori ugatta.

Hidanogou no satobito wa, hajimete Ichikurou no jigyou no kanousei ni ki ga tsuita. Hitori no yaseta kojiki sou ga, 9 nen no chikara de kore made hori ugachi eru mono nara ba, hito o mashi saigetsu o kasaneta nara ba, kono daizeppeki o ugachi nuku koto mo, kanarazu shimo fushigi na koto de wa nai to iu kangae ga, satobitora no mune no baka ni meizerarete kita.9 nenmae, Ichikurou no kanjin o kozotte shirizoketa Yamakunigawa ni sou 7 gou no satobito wa, kondo wa jihatsuteki ni kaisaku no kishin ni tsuita. Ninnzuu no sekku ga Ichikurou no jigyou o tasukeru tame ni yatowareta. Mou, Ichikurou wa kodoku dewa nakatta. Ganpeki ni kudasu tasuu no tsuchi no oto wa, isamashiku nigiyaka ni, doukutsu no naka kara, morehajimeta.

Ga, yokunen ni natte, satobito tachi ga, kouji no susumikata o hakatta toki, sore ga mada zeppeki no 4 bun no 1 nimo tasshite inai no o hakken suru to, satobito tachi wa futatabi rakutan giwaku no koe o morashita.

"hito o mashite mo, totemo jouju wa senu koto ja. Atara, Ryoukai dono ni taburakasarete iranu monoiri o shita" to, karera wa hakadoranu kouji ni, itsu no ma ni ka akikitteotta. Ichikurou wa, mata hitori tori nokosareneba naranakatta. Kare wa, jibun no soba ni tsuchi o furu mono ga, hitori heri futari heri, tsui niwa hitori mo inaku natta no ni ki ga tsuita. Ga, kare wa kesshite saru mono o owanakatta. Mokumoku to shite, jibun hitori sono tsuchi o furuitsuzuketa no mi de aru.

Satobito no chuui wa, mattaku Ichikurou no shinpen kara hanarete shimatta. Koto ni doukutsu ga, fukaku ugatarereba ugatareru hodo, sono okufukaku furuu Ichikurou no sugata wa, gyoujin no me kara toozakatte itta. Hitobito wa, yami no uchi ni tozasareta doukutsu no naka o sukashi minagara,

"ryoukai san wa, mada yatte iru no kana a" to, utagatta. Ga, soushita chuui mo, shimai niwa dandan usurete shimatte, Ichikurou no sonzai wa, satobito no nentou kara shibashiba shoushitsu sen to shita. Ga, Ichikurou no sonzai ga, satobito ni taishite botsukoushou de aru ga gotoku, satobito no sonzai mo mata Ichikurou ni botsukoushou de atta. Kare ni wa tada, ganzen no daiganpeki nomi ga sonzai suru bakari de atta.

Shikashi, Ichikurou wa, doukutsu no naka ni tanza shite kara mohaya 10 nen nimo amaru aida, antan taru tsumetai ishi no ue ni suwari tsuzukete ita tame ni, kao wa iro aozame futa no me ga kubonde, niku wa ochi hone araware, kono yo ni ikeru hito to mo mienakatta. Ga, Ichikurou no kokoro niwa futaiten no yuumoushin ga shikiri ni moe sakatte, tada ichinen ni ugachi susumu hoka wa, nani mono mo nakatta.1 bu demo 1 sun demo, ganpeki no kezuritorareru goto ni, kare wa kanki no koe o ageta.

Ichikurou wa, tada hitori tori nokosareta mama ni, mata 3 nen o heta. Suruto, satobitotachi no chuui wa, futatabi Ichikurou no ue ni kaerikaketeita. Karera ga, hon no koukishin kara, doukutsu no fukasa o hakatte miru to, zenchou 65 ken, kawa ni mensuru ganpeki niwa, saikou no mado ga hitotsu ugatare, mohaya, kono daiganpeki no 3 bun no 1 wa, shu to shite Ichikurou no yaseude ni yotte, tsuranukarete iru koto ga wakatta.

Karera wa, futatabi kyoui no me o mihiraita. Karera wa, kako no muchi o hajita. Ichikurou ni taisuru sousuu no kokoro wa, futatabi karera no kokoro ni fukkatsu shita. Yagate, kishin sareta juunin ni chikai sekku no tsuchi no oto ga, futatabi Ichikurou no sore niwa shita.

Mata 1 nen tatta.1 nen no tsukihi ga tatsu uchi ni, satobitotachi wa, itsukashira mesaki no tooi shuppi wo, kui hajimete ita.

Kishin no ninpu wa, itsuno ma ni ka, hitori heri futari hette, oshimai niwa, Ichikurou no tsuchi no oto nomi ga, doukutsu no yami wo, uchifuruwashite ita. Ga, soba ni hito ga ite mo, inakute mo, Ichikurou no tsuchi no chikara wa kawaranakatta. Kare wa, tada kikai no gotoku, konshin no chikara o irete tsuchi o age, konshin no chikara o motte kore o furioroshita. Kare wa, jibun no isshin o sae wasureteita. Shu o koroshita koto mo, hyouzoku o hataraita koto mo, hito o koroshita koto mo, subete wa kare no kioku no hoka ni usurete shimatte ita.

1 nen tachi, 2 nen tatta. Ichinen no ugoku tokoro, kare no yaseta ude wa, tetsu no gotoku kusshinakatta. Choudo, 18 nenme no owari de atta. Kare wa, itsu no ma ni ka, ganpeki no 2 bun no 1 o ugatte ita.

Satobito wa, kono osoroshiki kiseki o miru to, mohaya Ichikurou no shigoto wo, sukoshi mo utagawanakatta. Karera wa, zen 2 kai no ketai o kokoro kara haji, 7 gou no hitobito gouriki no makoto o tsukushi, kozotte Ichikurou o tasukehajimeta. Sono toshi, nakatsu han no koori bugyou ga junshi shite, Ichikurou ni taishite, kitoku no kotoba o kudashita. Kingou kinzai kara, 30 nin ni chikai sekku ga atsumerareta. Kouji wa, kareha o yaku hi no you ni susunda.

Hitobito wa, suizan no sugata itaitashii Ichikurou ni,

"mohaya, sonata wa sekku domo no tabane o nasarimase. Mizukara tsuchi o furuu ni wa oyobimasenu" to, susumeta ga, Ichikurou wa gan to shite oujinakatta. Kare wa, taorureba tsuchi o nigitta mama to, omotte iru rashikatta. Kare wa, 30 no sekku ga soba ni hataraku no mo shiranu you ni, shinshoku o wasure, kenmei no chikara o tsukusu koto, sukoshi mo mae to kawaranakatta.

Ga, hitobito ga Ichikurou ni kyuusoku o susumeta no mo, muri dewa nakatta. 20 nen nimo chikai aida, hi no hikari mo sasanu ganpeki no okufukaku, suwari tsuzuketa tame de arou. Kare no ryouashi wa nagai tanza ni itami, itsu no ma ni ka kusshin no jizai o kaite ita. Kare wa, wazuka no hokou nimo tsue ni sugaraneba naranakatta.

Sono ue, nagai aida, yami ni zashite, nikkou o minakatta tame demo arou. Mata fudan ni, kare no shinpen ni tobi chiru kudaketa ishi no kakera ga, sono me o kizutsuketa tame demo arou. Kare no ryoume wa, mourou to shite hikari o ushinai, mono no airo mo wakimaekaneru you ni natte ita.

Sasuga ni, futaiten no Ichikurou mo, mi ni semaru rousui o itamu kokoro wa atta. Shinmei ni taisuru shuuchaku wa nakatta keredo, chuudou ni shite taoreru koto wo, nani yori mo munen to omotta kara de atta.

"mou 2 nen no shinbou ja" to, kare wa kokoro no uchi ni sakende, mi no rousui o wasureyou to, kenmei ni tsuchi o furuu no de atta.

Okashigataki daishizen no igen o shimeshite, Ichikurou no mae ni tachifusagatteita ganpeki wa, itsu no ma ni ka suizan no kojiki sou hitori no ude ni tsuranukarete, sono chuufuku o ugatsu doukutsu wa, inochi aru mono no gotoku, ichiro sono kakushin o tsuranukan to shite iru no de atta.

4

Ichikurou no kenkou wa, kado no hirou ni yotte, itamashiku kizutsukerarete ita ga, kare ni totte, sore yori mo motto osoroshii kataki ga, kare no seimei o neratte iru no de atta.

Ichikurou no tame ni higou no oushi o togeta Nakagawa Saburoubee wa, kashin no tame ni satsugai sareta tame, kaji fu-torishimari to atte, ie wa toritsubusare, sono toki sansai de atta isshi Jitsunosuke wa, enja no tame ni yashinai sodaterareru koto ni natta.

Jitsunosuke wa, 13 ni natta toki, hajimete jibun no chichi ga higou no shi o togeta koto o kiita. Kotoni, aite ga taitou no shijin de naku shite, jibun no ie ni yashinawareta nuboku de aru koto o shiru to, shounen no kokoro wa, munen no ikidoori ni moeta. Kare wa sokuza ni fukushuu no ichigi wo, kimofukaku meijita. Kare wa, hasete Yagyuu no doujou ni haitta.19 no toshi ni, menkyo kaiden o yurusareru to, kare wa tadachini houfuku no tabi ni nobotta no de aru. Moshi, shubi yoku honkai o tasshite kaereba, ikka saikou no kimoiri mo shiyou to iu, shinrui ichidou no gekirei no kotoba ni okurarenagara.

Jitsunosuke wa, narenu tabiji ni, ooku no kannan o kurushiminagara, shokoku o henreki shite, hitasura kataki Ichikurou no shozon o motometa. Ichikurou o tada ichido sae mita koto mo nai Jitsunosuke ni totte wa, sore wa kumo o tsukamu ga gotoki obotsukanaki sousaku de atta. Gokinai, toukai, tousan, sanin, sanyou, hokuriku, nankai to, kare wa sasurai no tabiji ni toshi o okuri toshi o mukae, 27 no toshi made kuukyo na henreki no tabi o tsuduketa. Kataki ni taisuru urami mo ikidoori mo, tabiji no kannan ni shouma sen to suru koto tabitabi de atta. Ga, higou ni taoreta chichi no munen o omoii, Nakarawa-ke saikou no juunin o kangaeru to, funzen to kokorozashi o furuiokosu no de atta.

Edo o tatte kara choudo 9 nenme no haru wo, kare wa Fukuoka no jouka ni mukaeta. Hondo o munashiku tazune aruita at ni, hensui no kyuushuu o mo saguttemiru ki ni natta no de aru.

Fukuoka no jouka kara Nakatsu no jouka ni utsutta kare wa, nigatsu ni haitta ichinichi, Usa hachimanguu ni sai shite, honkai no ichinichi mo hayaku tasseraren koto o kinen shita. Jitsunosuke wa, sanpai o oete kara keidai no chamise ni ikouta. Sono toki ni, futo kare wa soba no hyakushou tei no otoko ga, iawaseta sankei kyaku ni,

"sono go-shukke wa, moto wa Edo kara kita o-hito ja ge na. Wakai toki ni hito o koroshita no o zange shite, shojin saido no taigan o okoshita sou ja ga, ima iuta Hita no kokan wa, kono go-shukke hitori no chikara de dekita mono ja" to kataru no o mimi ni shita.

Kono hanashi o kiita Jitsunosuke wa, 9 nen kono kata imada kanjinakatta you na kyoumi o oboeta. Kare wa yaya sekikominagara, "sotsujinagara, shoushou mono o tazuneru ga, sono shukke to mousu wa, toshi no koro wa doregurai ja" to, kiita. Sono otoko wa, jibun no danwa ga bushi no chuui o hiita koto wo, kouei de aru to omottarashiku,

"sayou de gozaimasu na. Watashi wa sono go-shukke o oganda koto wa gozaimasenu ga, hito no uwasa dewa, mou 60 ni chikai to moushimasu"

"take wa takai ka, hikui ka" to, Jitsunosuke wa tatamikakete kiita.

"sore mo shika to wa, wakarimasenu. Nanisama, doukutsu no okufukaku irareru yue, shika to wa wakarimasenu"

"sono mono no zokumyou wa, nan to moushita ka zonzenu ka"

"sore mo, ton to wakarimasen ga, oumarere wa echigo no kashiwazaki de, wakai toki ni Edo e derareta sou de gozarimasu" to, hyakushou wa kotaeta.

Koko made kiita Jitsunosuke wa, odoriagatte yorokonda. Kare ga, edo o tatsu toki ni, shinrui no hitori wa, kataki wa Echigo Kashiwazaki no umare yue, kokyou e tachimawaru ka mo hakarigatai, Echigo wa hitoshio kokoro o irete tansaku se yo to iu, chuui o ukete ita no de atta.

Jitsunosuke wa, kore zo masashiku Usa hachimanguu no shintaku nari to isamitatta. Kare wa sono rousou no na to, Yamakunidani ni mukau michi o kiku to, mohaya yatsudoki o sugiteita nimo kakawarazu, hisshi no chikara o soukyaku ni komete, kataki no arika e to isoida. Sono hi no chikaku, hitamura ni tsuita Jitsunosuke wa, tadachini doukutsu e tachimukaou to omotta ga, asette wa naranu to omoikaeshite, sono yoru wa Hitaeki no yado ni shouryo no ichiya o akasu to, yokujitsu wa hayaku okiidete, keisou shite Hita no kokan e to mutta.

Kokan no iriguchi ni tsuita toki, kare wa soko ni, ishi no kakera o hakobidashiteiru sekku ni tazuneta.

"kono doukutsu no naka ni, ryoukai to iwaruru go-shukke ga owasu sou ja ga, sore ni soui nai ka"

"owasanai de nan to shou. Ryoukai sama wa, kono hokora no nushi mo douyou na kata ja. Hahahaha" to, sekku wa kokoronage ni waratta.

Jitsunosuke wa, honkai o tassuru koto, haya ganzen ni ari to, yorokobi isanda. Ga, kare wa awatete wa naranu to omotta.

"shite, deiriguchi wa koko KAikkasho ka" to, kiita. Kataki ni nigerarete wa naranu to omotta kara de aru.

"sore wa shireta koto ja. Mukoue kuchi o akeru tame ni, Ryoukai sama wa totan no kurushimi o nasatte iru no ja" to, sekku ga kotaeta.

Jitsunosuke wa, tanen no kataki ga, rouchuu no nezumi no gotoku, ganzen ni okarete aru no o yoronda. Tatoi, sono shita ni tsukawaruru sekku ga ikunin iyou to mo, kirikorosu ni nan no zousa mo arubeki to, isamitatta.

"sochi ni sukoshi tanomi ga aru. Ryoukai dono ni gyoi etai tame, harubaru to tazunete maitta mono ja to, tsutaetekure" to, itta. Sekku ga, doukutsu no naka e haitta ato de, Jitsunosuke wa ittou no mekugi o shimeshita. Kare wa, kokoro no uchi de, shourai hajimete meguriau kataki no youbou o souzou shita. Doumon no kaisaku o touryou shiteiru to ieba, 50 wa sugiteiru to wa ie, kinkotsu takumashiki otoko de arou. Koto ni jakunen no koro niwa, hyouhou ni utokarazarishi to iu no de aru kara, yume yudan wa naranu to omotteita.

Ga, shibaraku shite Jitsunosuke no zenmen e to, doumon kara detekita hitori no kojiki sou ga atta. Sore wa, detekuru to iu yori mo, gama no gotoku haidetekita to iu hou ga, tekitou de atta. Sore wa, ningen to iu yori mo, mushiro, ningen no zangai to iu beki de atta. Niku kotogotoku ochite hone araware, ashi no kansetsu ika wa tokoro dokoro tadarete, nagaku seishi suru ni taenakatta. Yaburereta kesa ni yotte, sougyou to wa shireru mono no, touhatsu wa nagaku nobite shiwadarake no hitai o ootteita. Rousou wa, haiiro o nashita me o shibatatakinagara, Jitsunosuke o miagete,

"rougan otoroe hatemashite, izure no kata to mo wakimae kane masuru" to, itta.

Jitsunosuke no, kyokudo ni made, haritsumetekita kokoro wa, kono rousou o hitome mita setsuna tajitaji to natte shimatteita. Kare wa, kokor no soko kara zouo o kanjieru you na akusou o hosshiteita. Shikaru ni kare no mae ni wa, ningen to mo shigai to mo tsukanu, hanshi no rousou ga uzukumatteiru no de aru. Jitsunosuke wa, shitsubou shihajimeta jibun no kokoro o hagemashite,

"sono moto ga, ryoukai to iwaruru ka" to, ikigonnde kiita.

"ika nimo, sayou de gozarimasu. Shite sono moto wa" to, rousou wa ibukashige ni Jitsunosuke o miageta.

" Ryoukai to yara, ikani sougyou ni mi o yatsusu tomo, yomo wasure wa itasumai. Nanji, Ichikurou to yobareshi jakunen no migiri, shujin Nakagawa Saburoubee o utte tachinoita oboe ga arou. Soregashi wa, Saburoubee no isshi Jitsunosuke to mousu mono ja. Mohaya, nogarenu tokoro to kakugo seyo"

To, Jitsunosuke no kotoba wa, akumade ochitsuite ita ga, soko ni ippo mo, yurusumajiki genseisa ga atta.

Ga, Ichikurou wa Jitsunosuke no kotoba o kiite, sukoshimo odorokanakatta.

"ikasama, Nakagawa sama no go-shisoku, Jitsunosuke sama ka. Iya o-chichiue o utte tachinoita mono, kono Ryoukai ni soui gozarimasenu" to, kare wa jibun o kataki to nerau mono ni atta to iu yori mo, kyuushu no wasurego ni atta shitashisa o motte kotaeta ga, Jitsunosuke wa, Ichikurou no kowane ni azamukarete wa naranu to omotta.

"shu o utte tachinoita hidou no nanji o utsu tame ni, 10 nen ni chikai nengetsu o kannan no uchi ni sugoshita wa. Koko de au kara wa, mohaya nogarenu tokoro to jinjou ni shoubu seyo" to, itta.

Ichikurou wa, sukoshi mo warubire nakatta. Mohaya kinen no uchi ni jouju subeki taigan o mihatezu shite shinu koto ga, yaya kanashimareta ga, sore mo onore ga akugou no mukui de aru to omou to, kare wa shisubeki kokoro o sadameta.

" Jitsunosuke sama, iza o-kiri nasarei. Okikioyobi mo nasaretarou ga, kore wa Ryoukai me ga, tsumihoroboshi ni horiugatou to zonjita doumon de gozaru ga, 19 nen no saigetsu o tsuiyashite, kubu made wa shunkou itashita. Ryoukai, mi o hatsu to mo, mohaya toshi o kasanezu shite narimousou. Onmi no te ni kakari, kono doumon no iriguchi ni chi o nagashite hitobashira to nari mousaba, haya omoinokosu koto mo gozarimasenu" to, iinagara, kare wa mienu me o shibatataita no de aru.

Jitsunosuke wa, kono hanshi no rousou ni sesshite iru to, oya no kataki ni taishite idaiteita nikushimi ga, itsunoma ni ka, kieusete iru no o oboeta. Kataki wa, chichi o koroshita tsumi no zange ni, shinshin o kona ni kudaite, hanshou o kushimi nuite iru. Shikamo, jibun ga ichido nanori kakeru to, ii to shite inochi o suteyou to shite iru no de aru. Kakaru hanshi no rousou no inochi o toru koto ga, nan no fukushuu de aru ka to, Jitsunosuke wa kangaeta no de aru. Ga, shikashi kono kataki o utazaru kagiri wa, tanen no hourou o kiriagete, edo e kaeru beki yosuga wa nakatta. Mashite kamei no saikou nado wa, omoi mo oyobanu koto de atta no de aru. Jitsunosuke wa, zouo yori mo, mushiro dasan no kokoro kara kono rousou no inochi o chidimeyou ka to omotta. Ga, hageshii moyuru ga gotoki zouo o kanzezu shite, dasan kara ningen o korosu koto wa, Jitsunosuke ni totte shinobigatai koto de atta. Kare wa, kiekakarou to suru zouo no kokoro o hagemashinagara, uchigai naki kataki o utou to shita no de aru.

Sono toki de atta. Doukutsu no naka kara haridete kita 5, 6nin no sekku wa, Ichikurou no kikyuu o miru to, teishin shite kare o kabainagara " Ryoukai sama o nan to suru no ja" to, Jitsunosuke o togameta. Karera no omote niwa, shigi ni yotte wa yurusumajiki iro ga ariari to mieta.

"shisai atte, sono rousou o kataki to nerai, hashinakumo kyou meguri oute, honkai o tassuru mono ja. Samatage itasu to, yojin nari tomo yousha wa itasanu zo" to, Jitsunosuke wa ritsuzen to itta.

Ga, sono uchi ni, sekku no kazu wa fue, gyouro no hitobito ga ikunin to naku tachidotte, karera wa Jitsunosuke o torimakinagara, Ichikurou no shintai ni yubi no ippon mo furesasemai to, meimei ni ikimaki hajimeta.

"kataki o utsu utanu nado wa, sore wa mada yo ni aru uchi no koto ja. Miraruru toori, Ryoukai dono wa, seni chihatsu no mi de aru ue ni, kono yamakunidani nanagou no mono ni totte wa, jichi bosatsu no sairai to mo aogareru kata ja" to, sono uchi no aru mono wa, Jitsunosuke no katakiuchi wo, kanawanu hibou de aru ka no you ni iihatta.

Ga, kou shuui no mono kara samatagerareru to, Jitsunosuke no kataki ni taisuru ikari wa itsunoma ni ka yomigaette ita. Kare wa bushi no iji to shite, te o komaneite tachisaru beki dewa nakatta.

"tatoi shamon no mi nari tomo, shugoroshi no daizai wa nogarenu zo. Oya no kataki o utsumono o samatage itasu mono wa, hitori mo yousha wa nai" to, Jitsunosuke wa ittou no saya o haratta. Jitsunosuke o kakou gunshuu mo, mina kotogotoku migamaeta. Suruto, sono toki, Ichikurou wa shiwagareta koe o hariageta.

"mina no shuu, o-hikaenasarei. Ryoukai, utarubeki oboe juubun gozaru. Kono doumon o ugatsu koto mo, tada sono tsumihoroboshi no tame ja. Ima kakaru koushi no ote ni kakari, hanshi no mi o owaru koto, Ryoukai ga ichigo no negai ja. Mina no shuu samatage muyou ja"

Kou iinagara Ichikurou wa, mi o teishite, Jitsunosuke no soba ni izari yorou to shita. Kanegane, Ichikurou no kyougou naru ishi o shirinuite iru shuui no hitobito wa, kare no kesshin o hirugaesu beki yoshi mo nai no o shitta. Ichikurou no inochi, koko ni owaru ka to omowareta. Sono toki, sekku no touryou ga, Jitsunosuke no mae ni susumidenagara,

"o-buke sama mo, okikioyobi demo gozarou ga, kono kokan wa Ryoukai sama, isshou no daiseigan ni te, 20 nen ni chikaki go-shinku ni shinshin o kudakareta no ja. Ikani, go-jishin no akugou to wa ie, taigan jouju o mokuzen ni okinagara, o-hatenasaruru koto, ikabakari munen dearou. Warera no kozotte no onegai wa, nagaku to wa mousanu, kono kokan no tsuuji mousu aida, Ryoukai sama no oinochi wo, warera ni azukete wa kudasaranu ka. Kokan sae tsuujita setsu wa, sokuza ni Ryoukai sama o zonbun ni nasarimase" to, kare wa makoto o hyoushite aigan shita. Gunshuu wa kuchiguchi ni,

"kotowari ja, kotowari ja" to, sansei shita.

Jitsunosuke mo, sou iwarete miru to, sono aigan o kikanu wake niwa ikanakatta. Ima koko de kataki o utou to shite, gunshuu no bougai o ukete fukaku o toru yori mo, kotsuu no shunkou o matta nara ba, ima de sae mizukara susunde utareyou to iu Ichikurou ga, giri ni kanjite kubi o sazukeru no wa, hitsujou de aru to omotta. Mata soushita dasan kara hanarete mo, kataki to wa iinagara kono rousou no daiseigan o togesashite yaru no mo, kesshite fukai na koto dewa nakatta. Jitsunosuke wa, Ichikurou to gunshuu to o toubun ni minagara,

" Ryoukai no sougyou ni medete sono negai yurushite torasou. Tsugaeta kotoba wa wasuremai zo" to, itta.

"nen mo nai koto de gozaru. Ichibu no ana demo, issun no ana demo, kono kokan ga mukougawa e tsuujita setsu wa, sono ba o sarazu Ryoukai sama o utasase mousou. Sore made wa yuruyuru to, kono atari ni go-taizai nasaremase" to, sekku no touryou wa, odayaka na kuchou de itta.

Ichikurou wa, kono funjou ga buji ni kaiketsu ga tsuku to, sore ni yotte tohi shita jikan ga ika nimo oshimareru you ni, nijirinagara doukutsu no naka e haitte itta.

Jitsunosuke wa, taisetsu no baai ni omowanu jama ga haitte, mokuteki ga tasshienakatta koto o ikidootta. Kare wa ikantomo shigatai uppun o osaenagara, sekku no hitori ni annai serarete, koya no uchi e haitta. Jibun hitori ni natte kangaeru to, kataki o mokuzen ni okinagara, uchienakatta jibun no fugainasa wo, munen to omowazu niwa irarenakatta. Kare no kokoro wa itsunoma ni ka iradatashii ikidoori de ippai ni natte ita. Kare wa, mou kokan no shunsei o matsu to itta you na, kataki ni taisuru yuruyakana kokoro o mattaku ushinatte shimatta. Kare wa koyoi nimo doukutsu no naka e shinobiitte, Ichikurou o utte tachinokou to iu kesshin no hozo o katameta. Ga, Jitsunosuke ga Ichikurou no hariban o shite iru you ni, sekku tachi wa Jitsunosuke o mihatte ita.

Saisho no 2, 3nichi wo, kokoro nimo naku mui ni sugoshita ga, choudo itsukame no ban de atta. Maiyo no koto nanode, sekku tachi mo keikai no me o yurumeta to mie, ushi ni chikai koro ni nanbito mo igitanai nemuri ni haitte ita. Jitsunosuke wa, koyoi koso to oitatta. Kare wa, gaba to okiagaru to, makuramoto no ittou o hikiyosete, shizuka ni koya no soto ni deta. Sore wa soushun no yo no tsuki ga saeta ban de atta. Yamakunigawa no mizu wa gekkou no shita ni aoku uzumakinagara nagareteita. Ga, shuui no fuubutsu niwa mo mo kurezu, Jitsunosuke wa, ashi o shinobasete hisoka ni doumon ni chikaduita. Kezuritotta sekkai ga, tokoro dokoro ni chirabatte, ho o hakobu tabi goto ni ashi o itameta.

Doukutsu no naka wa, iriguchi kara kuru gekkou to, tokoro dokoro ni kuri akerareta mado kara sashiiru gekkou to de, tokoro dokoro honojiroku hikatte iru bakari de atta. Kare wa migikata no ganpeki o taguri tesaguri oku e oku e to susunda.

Iriguchi kara, nichou bakari susunda koro, futo kare wa doukutsu no soko kara, KUWAKKUWA' to ma o oite hibiitekuru oto o mimi ni shita. Kare wa saisho sore ga nande aru ka wakakaranakatta. Ga, ippo susumu ni shitagatte, sono oto wa kakudai shite itte, oshimai niwa doukutsu no naka no yoru no jakujou no uchi ni, kodamasuru made ni natta. Sore wa, akirakani ganpeki ni mukatte tettsui o orosu oto ni soui nakatta. Jitsunosuke wa, sono hisou na, sugomi o obita oto ni yotte, jibun no mune ga hageshiku utareru no o kanjita. Oku ni chikaduku ni shitagatte, tama o kudaku you na surudoi oto wa, doukutsu no shuui ni kodamashite, Jitsunosuke no choukaku wo, mouzen to osottekuru no de atta. Kare wa, kono oto o tayori ni hainagara chikaduite itta. Kono tsuchi no oto no nushi koso, kataki Ryoukai ni soui arumai to omotta. Hisoka ni ittou no koiguchi o shimeshinagara, iki o hisomete yorisouta. Sono toki, futo kare wa tsuchi no oto no aimaaima ni sasayaku ga gotoku, umeku ga gotoku, Ryoukai ga kyoumon o jusuru koe o kiita no de aru.

Sono shiwagareta hisou na koe ga, mizu o abiseru you ni Jitsunosuke ni tesshitekita. Shinya , hito sari, kusaki ne, utteiru naka ni, tada anchuu ni tanza shite tettsui o futteiru Ryoukai no sugata ga, sumi no gotoki yami ni atte nao, Jitsunosuke no shingan ni, ariari to shite utsuttekita. Sore wa, mohaya ningen no kokoro dewa nakatta. Kido airaku no jou no ue ni atte, tada tettsui o futteiru yuumou shoujin no bosatsu shin de atta. Jitsunosuke wa, nigirishimeta tachi no e ga, itsunoma ni ka yurundeiru no o oboeta. Kare wa futo, ware ni kaetta. Sude ni busshin o ete, shujou no tame ni, saishin no ku o namemeteiru koutoku no hijiri ni taishi, shinya no yami ni joujite, hihagi no gotoku, kemono no gotoku, shini no ken o nukisobamete iru jibun o kaerimiru to, kare wa tsuyoi senritsu ga shintai o tsutoute nagareru no o kanjita.

Doukutsu o yurugaseru sono chikaraduyoi tsuchi no oto to, hisou na nengutsu no koe to wa, Jitsunosuke no kokoro o sanzan ni uchikudaiteshimatta. Kare wa, isagiyoku shunsei no hi o machi, sono yakusoku no hatasaruru no o matsu yori hoka wa nai to omotta.

Jitsunosuke wa, fukai kangeki o idakinagara, dougai no gekkou o mezashi, doukutsu no soto ni haideta no de aru.

Sono koto ga atte kara ma mo naku, kokan no kouji ni shitagau sekku no uchi ni, buke sugata no Jitsunosuke no sugata ga mirareta. Kare wa mou, rousou o yamiuchi ni shite tachinokou to iu you na kewashii kokoro wa, sukoshi mo motte inakatta. Ryoukai ga nigemo kakuremo senu koto o shiru to, kare wa koui o motte, Ryoukai ga sono isshou no taigan o jouju suru hi wo, matte yarou to omotteita.

Ga, sore ni shite mo, bouzen to matte iru yori mo, jibun mo kono taigyou ni pi no chikara o tsukusu koto ni yotte, ikubaku ka demo fukushuu no kijitsu ga tanshuku serareru hazu de aru koto o satoru to, Jitsunosuke wa mizukara sekku ni goshite, tsuchi o furuihajimeta no de aru.

Kataki to kataki to ga, ainarande tsuchi o oroshita. Jitsunosuke wa, honkai o tassuru hi no ichinichi demo hayakare to, kenmei ni tsuchi o furutta. Ryoukai wa Jitsunosuke ga shutsugen shite kara wa, ichinichi mo hayaku taigan o jouju shite koushi no negai o kanaete yaritai to omotta no dearou. Kare wa, mata sarani shoujin no yuu o futte, kyoujin no you ni ganpeki o uchikudaite ita.

Sono uchi ni, tsuki ga sari tsuki ga kita. Jitsunosuke no kokoro wa, Ryoukai no daiyuu moushin ni ugokasarete, kare mizukara kokan no taigyou ni shuuteki no urami o wasureyou to shigachi de atta.

Sekku domo ga, hiru no tsukare o yasumeteiru mayonaka nimo, kataki to kataki to wa ainarande, mokumoku to shite tsuchi o futteita.

Sore wa, Ryoukai ga Hita no kokan ni daiichi no tsuchi o oroshite kara 21 nenme, Jitsunosuke ga ryoukai ni meguriatte kara ichinen KArokkagetsu o heta, enkyou 2 nen 9 gatsu 10 ka no yoru de atta. Kono yoru mo, sekku domo wa kotogotoku koya ni shirizoite, Ryoukai to Jitsunosuke nomi, shuujitsu no hirou ni megezu kenmei ni tsuchi o futteita. Sono yoru kokonotsu ni chikaki koro, Ryoukai ga chikara o komete furioroshita tsuchi ga, kuchiki o utsu ga gotoku nan no tegotae mo naku chikaraamatte, tsuchi o motta migi no tenohira ga iwa ni atatta no de, kare wa "a'" to, omowazu koe o ageta. Sono toki de atta. Ryoukai no mourou taru rougan nimo, magirenaku sono tsuchi ni yaburaretaru chiisaki ana kara, tsuki no hikari ni terasaretaru yamakunigawa no sugata ga, ariari to utsutta no de aru. Ryoukai wa "ou" to, zenshin o furuwaseru you na meijou shigataki sakebigoe o ageta ka to omou to, sore ni tsuduite, kyoushita ka to omowareru you na kanki no nakiwarai ga, doukutsu o monosugoku ugomekashita no de aru.

"Jitsunosuke dono. Goran nasarei. 21 nen no daiseigan, hashinakumo koyoi jouju itashita"

Kou iinagara, Ryoukai wa jitsunosuke no te o totte, chiisai ana kara yamakunigawa no nagare o miseta. Sono ana no mashita ni kurozunda tsuchi no mieru no wa, kishi ni sou gaidou ni magiremo nakatta. Kataki to kataki to wa, soko ni te o torioute, daikanki no namida ni musenda no de aru. Ga, shibaraku suru to Ryoukai wa mi o susatte,

"iza, Jitsunosuke dono, yakusoku no hi ja. Okirinasarei. Kakaru houetsu no mannaka ni oujou itasu nareba, gokuraku joudo ni ikaruru koto, hitsujou utagainashi ja. Iza okirinasarei. Ashita tomo nareba, sekku domo ga, samatage itasou, iza okiri nasarei" to, kare no shiwagareta koe ga doukutsu no yoru no kuuki ni hibiita. Ga, Jitsunosuke wa, Ryoukai no mae ni te o komaneite suwatta mama, namida ni musendeiru bakari de atta. Kokoro no soko kara wakiizuru kanki ni naku shinabita rousou o miteiru to, kare o kataki to shite korosu koto nado wa, omoioyobanu koto de atta. Kataki o utsu nado to iu kokoro yori mo, kono kayowai ningen no nokaina ni yotte nashitogerare taigyou ni tasuru kyoui to kangeki no kokoro to de, mune ga ippai de atta. Kare wa izariyori nagara, futatabi rousou no te o totta. Futari wa soko ni subete o wasurete, kangeki no namida ni musebiouta no de atta.

(2006.4.22)