Kakurenbo de, kura no sumi ni mogurikonda Touichi kun ga Ranpu o motte dete kita.

Sore wa mezurashii katachi no Ranpu de atta.

Hachiju-senchi meetoru gurai no futoi take no tsutsu ga dai ni natte ite, sono ue ni choppiri hi no tomoru bubun ga kuttsuite iru, soshite hoya wa, hosoi GARASU no tsutsu de atta. Hajimete miru mono ni wa Ranpu to wa omoenai hodo datta.

Soko de minna wa, mukashi no teppou to machigaete shimatta.

"Nan daa, teppou kaa." to oni no Souhachi kun wa itta.

Touichi kun no ojiisan mo, shibaraku sore ga nan da ka wakara nakatta. Megane goshi ni jitto mite ite kara, hajimete wakatta no de aru.

Ranpu de aru koto ga wakaru to, Touichi kun no ojiisan wa kou itte kodomotachi o shikari hajimeta.

"Kora kora, omaetachi wa nani o mochidasu ka. Makoto ni kodomo to iu mono wa, damatte asobasete okeba nani o mochidasu yara wake no wakaran, yudan mo suki mo nai, nusutto neko no you na mono da. Kora kora, sore wa koko e motte kite, omaetachi wa soto e itte asonde koi. Soto ni ikeba, denshinbashira de mo nan de mo asobu mono wa ikura de mo aru ni."

Kou shite shikarareru to kodomo wa hajimete, jibun ga yokunai okonai o shita koto ga wakaru no de aru. Soko de, Ranpu o mochidashita Touichi kun wa mochiron no koto, nani mo mochidasa nakatta kinjo no kodomotachi mo, jibuntachi minna de warui koto o shita you na kao o shite, sugosugo to soto no michi e dete itta.

Soto ni wa, haru no hiru no kaze ga, tokiori michi no hokori o fukitatete sugi, noronoro to gyuusha ga tootta ato o, shiroi chou ga isogashi sou ni tootte yuku koto mo atta. Naruhodo denshinbashira ga acchi kocchi ni tatte iru. Shikashi kodomotachi wa denshinbashira nanka de asobi wa shinakatta. Otona ga, kou shite asobe to itta koto o, iwareta mama ni asobu to iu no wa nan to naku bakagete iru you ni kodomo ni wa omoeru no de aru.

Soko de kodomotachi wa, POKETTO no naka no RAMUNE dama o kachikachi iwase nagara, hiroba no hou e tonde itta. Soshite mamonaku jibuntachi no asobi de, sakki no Ranpu no koto wa wasurete shimatta.

Higure ni Touichi kun wa ie e kaette kita. Oku no ima no sumi ni, ano Ranpu ga oite atta. Shikashi, Ranpu no koto o nanika iu to, mata ojiisan ni gamigami iwareru ka mo shirenai no de, damatte ita.

Yuugohan no ato no taikutsu na jikan ga kita. Touichi kun wa tansu ni motarete, hikidashi no kan o katankatan to iwasete itari, mise ni dete hige o hayashita nougakkou no sensei ga "Daikon saibai no riron to jissai." to iu you na, mutsukashii namae no hon o bantou ni chuumon suru tokoro o, jitto mite itari shita.

Sou iu koto ni mo aku to, mata oku no ima ni modotte kite, ojiisan ga inai no o misumashite, Ranpu no sobae nijiriyori, sono hoya o hazushite mitari, go-sen hakudouka hodo no neji o mawashite, Ranpu no shin o dashitari hikkometari shite ita.

Sukoshi isshou kenmei ni natte ijikutte iru to, mata ojiisan ni mitsukatte shimatta. Keredo kondo wa ojiisan wa shikara nakatta. Neeya ni ocha o iitsukete oite, suppon to kiseruzutsu o nuki nagara, kou itta.

"Tou bou, kono Ranpu wa na, ojiisan ni wa totemo natsukashii mono da. Nagai aida wasurete otta ga, kyou Tou bou ga kura no sumi kara mochidashite kita no de, mata mukashi no koto o omoidashita yo. Kou ojiisan mitai ni toshi o toru to, Ranpu de mo nande mo mukashi no mono ni deau no ga totemo ureshii mon da."

Touichi kun wa pokan to shite ojiisan no kao o mite ita. Ojiisan wa gamigami to shikaritsuketa kara, okotte ita no ka to omottara, mukashi no Ranpu ni au koto ga dekite yorokonde ita no de aru.

"Hitotsu mukashi no hanashi o shite yaru kara, kokoe kite suware."

to ojiisan ga itta.

Touichi kun wa hanashi ga suki da kara, iwareru mama ni ojiisan no maee itte suwatta ga, nan da ka osekkyou o sareru toki no you de, igokochi ga yoku nai no de, itsu mo uchi de hanashi o kiku toki ni toru shisei o totte kiku koto ni shita. Tsumari, nesobette ryouashi o ushiro e tatete, tokidoki ashi no ura o uchiawaseru geitou o shita no de aru.

Ojiisan no hanashi to iu no wa tsugi no you de atta.

Ima kara gojuu-nen gurai mae, choudo nichirosensou no jibun no koto de aru. Iwaname nitta no mura ni Minosuke to iu juusan no shounen ga ita.

Minosuke wa, fubo mo kyoudai mo naku, shinseki no mono to te hitori mo nai, mattaku no minashigo de atta. Soko de Minosuke wa, yoso no ie no hashirizukai o shitari, onnanoko no you ni komori o shitari, kome o tsuite agetari, sono hoka, Minosuke no you na shounen ni dekiru koto nara nan de mo shite, mura ni oite moratte ita.

Keredo mo Minosuke wa, kou shite mura no hitobito no osewa de ikite yuku koto wa, hontou o ieba iya de atta. Komori o shitari, kome o tsuitari shite isshou o okuru to suru nara, otoko to umareta kai ga nai to, tsunezune omotte ita.

Danshi wa mi o tateneba naranai. Shikashi doushite mi o tateru ka. Minosuke wa mainichi, gohan o tabete yuku no ga yatto no koto de atta. Hon issatsu kau okane mo nakattashi, mata tatoi okane ga atte hon o katta to shite mo, yomu hima ga nakatta.

Mi o tateru no ni yoi kikkake ga nai mono ka to, Minosuke wa kokoro hisoka ni matte ita.

Suruto aru natsu no hi no hiru sagari, Minosuke wa jinrikisha no sakizuna o tanomareta.

Sono koro Iwanamenitta ni wa, itsu mo ni, san-nin no jinriki-hiki ga ita. Shiotouzyi (kaisuiyoku no koto) ni nagoya kara kuru kyaku wa, taitei kisha de Handa made kite, Handa kara Chita hantou nishikaigan no Oono ya Shinmaiko made jinrikisha de yurarete itta mono de, Iwanamenitta wa choudo sono michisuji ni atatte ita kara de aru.

Jinrikisha wa hito ga hiku no da kara amari hayaku wa hashiranai. Sore ni, Iwanamenitta to oono no aida ni wa touge ga hitotsu arukara, yokei jikan ga kakaru. Omake ni sono koro no jinrikisha no kuruma wa, garagara to naru omoi kanawa datta no de aru. Soko de, isogi no kyaku wa, chingin o bai dashite, futari no zyinriki-hiki ni hiite morau no de atta. Minosuke ni sakitsuna-hiki o tanonda no mo, isogi no hishokyaku de atta.

Minosuke wa jinrikisha no nagae ni tsunagareta tsuna o kata ni katsuide, natsu no irihi no jirijiri teritsukeru michi o, ei ya ei ya to hashitta. Narenai koto to te taisou kurushikatta. Shikashi Minosuke wa kurushisa nado ki ni shinakatta. Koukishin de ippai datta. Naze nara Minosuke wa, monogokoro ga tsuite kara, mura o ippo mo deta koto ga naku, touge no mukou ni donna machi ga ari, donna hitobito ga sunde iru ka shiranakatta kara de aru.

Hi ga kurete aoi yuuyami no naka o hitobito ga honojiroku achikochi suru koro, jinrikisha wa Oono no machi ni haitta.

Minosuke wa sono machi de iroiro na mono o hajimete mita. Noki o narabete tsuzuite iru ookii shouten ga, dai-ichi, Minosuke ni wa mezurashikatta. Minosuke no mura ni wa akinaiya to te wa ikken shika nakatta. Dagashi, waraji, itokuri no dougu, kouyaku, kaigara ni haitta megusuri, sono hoka mura de tsukau taitei no mono o utte iru chiisana mise ga ikken kiri shika nakatta no de aru.

Shikashi Minosuke o ichiban odorokashita no wa, sono ookina shouten ga, hitotsu hitotsu tomoshite iru, hanano you ni akarui GARASU no Ranpu de atta. Minosuke no mura de wa yoru wa akari nashi no ie ga ookatta. Makkura na ie no naka o, hitobito wa mekura no you ni te de saguri nagara, mizugame ya, ishiusu ya daikokubashira o saguriateru no de atta. Sukoshi zeitaku na ie de wa, okamisan ga yomeiri no toki motte kita andon o tsukau no de atta. Andon wa kami o shihou ni harimegurashita naka ni, abura no haitta sara ga atte, sono sara no fuchi ni nozoite iru toushin ni, sakura no tsubomigurai no chiisai honoo ga tomoru to, mawari no kami ni mikan'iro no atataka na hikari ga sashi, fukin wa sukoshi akaruku natta no de aru. Shikashi donna andon ni shiro, Minosuke ga Oono no machi de mita Ranpu no akarusa ni wa totemo oyobanakatta.

Sore ni Ranpu wa, sono koro to shite wa mada mezurashii GARASU de dekite ita. Susuketari, yaburetari shiyasui kami de dekite iru andon yori, koredake de mo Minosuke ni wa ii mono no you ni omowareta.

Kono Ranpu no tame ni, Oono no machi zentai ga ryuuguujou ka nani ka no you ni akaruku kanjirareta. Mou Minosuke wa jibun no murae kaeritaku nai to sae omotta. Ningen wa dare de mo akarui tokoro kara kurai tokoro ni kaeru no o konomanai no de aru.

Minosuke wa dachin no juugo-sen o morau to, jinrikisha to mo wakarete shimatte, osake ni de mo yotta you ni, nami no oto no taema nai kono umibe no machi o, mezurashii shouten o nozoki, utsukushiku akarui Ranpu ni mitorete, samayotte ita.

Gofukuya de wa, bantousan ga, tsubaki no hana o ookiku somedashita tanmono o, Ranpu no hikari no shita ni hirogete kyaku ni misete ita. Kokuya de wa, kozousan ga Ranpu no shita de azuki no warui no o hito-tsubu zutsu hiroidashite ita. Mata aru ie de wa onna no ko ga, Ranpu no hikari no shita ni shiroku hikaru kaigara o chirashite ohajiki o shite ita. Mata aru mise de wa komakai tama ni ito o tooshite juzu o tsukutte ita. Ranpu no aoyaka na hikari no moto de wa, hitobito no kou shita seikatsu mo, monogatari ka gentou no sekai de no you ni utsukushiku natsukashiku mieta.

Minosuke wa ima made nando mo, "Bunmei kaika de yononaka ga hiraketa." to iu koto o kiite ita ga, ima hajimete bunmei kaika to iu koto ga wakatta you na ki ga shita.

Aruite iru uchi ni, Minosuke wa, samazama na Ranpu o takusan tsurushite aru mise no mae ni kita. Kore wa Ranpu o utte iru mise ni chigai nai.

Minosuke wa shibaraku sono mise no maede juugo-sen o nigirishime nagara tameratte ita ga, yagate kesshin shite tsukatsuka to haitte itta.

"Aa iu mono o uttokure ya."

to Minosuke wa Ranpu o yubisashite itta. Mada Ranpu to iu kotoba o shiranakatta no de aru.

Mise no hito wa, Minosuke ga yubisashita ookii tsuri-Ranpu o hazushite kita ga, sore wa juugo-sen de wa kaenakatta.

"Maketokure ya."

to Minosuke wa itta.

"Sou wa fu karan."

to mise no hito wa kotaeta.

"Oroshine de uttokure ya."

Minosuke wa mura no zakkaya e, tsukutta waraji o katte morai ni yoku itta no de, mono ni wa oroshine to kourine ga atte, oroshine wa yasui to iu koto o shitte ita. Tatoeba, mura no zakkaya wa, Minosuke no tsukutta hyoutangata no waraji o oroshine no issengo-rin de kaitotte, jinriki hiki tachi ni kourine no ni-sen go-rin de utte ita no de aru.

Ranpu-ya no shujin wa, mimoshiranu doko ka no kozou ga sonna koto o ittano de, bikkuri shite majimaji to Minosuke no kao o mita. Soshite itta.

"Oroshinede urette, sorya aite ga Ranpu o uru ie nara oroshine de utte agete mo ii ga, hitori hitori no okyaku ni oroshine de uru wake ni wa ikanna."

"Ranpu-ya nara oroshine de utte kureru da noi? ."

"Aa."

"Sonnara, ore, Ranpu-ya da. Oroshine de utte kure."

Mise no hito wa Ranpu o motta mama waraidashita.

"Omee ga Ranpu-ya? Hahhahhahha'."

"Hontou da yo, o' tsuan. Ore, hontou ni kore kara Ranpu-ya ni naru n da. na, dakara tanomu ni, kyou wa hitotsu dake n do oroshine de utte kure ya. Kondo kuru tokya, takusan, ippen ni kau de."

Mise no hito wa hajime waratte ita ga, Minosuke no shinken na yousu ni ugokasarete, iroiro Minosuke no minoue o kiita ue,

"Yoshi, son nara oroshine de koitsu o utte yarou. Honto wa oroshine de mo kono Ranpu wa juugo-sen ja urenai kedo, omee no nesshin na no ni kanshin shita. Makete yarou. Sono kawari shikkari shoubai o yare yo. Uchi no Ranpu o dondon mottette utte kure."

to itte, Ranpu o Minosuke ni watashita.

Minosuke wa Ranpu no atsukaikata o hitotoori oshiete morai, tsuide ni chouchin gawari ni sono Ranpu o tomoshite, mura e mukatta.

Yabu ya matsubayashi no uchitsuzuku kurai tougemichi de mo, Minosuke wa mou kowaku wa nakatta. Hana no you ni akarui Ranpu o sagete ita kara de aru.

Minosuke no mune no naka ni mo, mou hitotsu no Ranpu ga tomotte ita. Bunmei kaika ni okureta jibun no kurai mura ni, kono subarashii bunmei no chikara o urikonde, murabitotachi no seikatsu o akaruku shite yarou to iu kibou no Ranpu ga --.

Minosuke no atarashii shoubai wa, hajime no uchi marude hayaranakatta. Hyakushoutachi wa nan de mo atarashii mono o shin'you shinai kara de aru.

Soko de Minosuke wa iroiro kangaeta ageku, murade ikken kiri no akinaiya e sono Ranpu o motte itte, tada de kashite ageru kara shibaraku kore o tsukatte kudasai to tanonda.

Zakkaya no baasan wa, shibushibu shouchi shite, mise no tenjou ni kugi o utte Ranpu o tsurushi, sono ban kara tomoshita.

Itsuka hodo tatte, Minosuke ga waraji o katte morai ni iku to, zakkaya no baasan wa nikoniko shinagara, korya taihen benri de akaruute, yoru de mo okyakuga you kite kurerushi, tsurisen o machigaeru koto mo nai no de, ki ni ittakara kaimashou, to itta. Sono ue, Ranpu no yoi koto ga hajimete wakatta murabito kara, mou mittsu mo chuumon no atta koto o Minosuke ni kikashite kureta. Minosuke wa tobitatsu you ni yorokonda.

Soko de zakkaya no baasankara Ranpu no dai to waraji no dai o uketoru to, sugu sono ashi de, hashiru you ni shite oono e itta. Soshite Ranpu-ya no shujin ni wake o hanashite, tarinai tokoro wa kashite morai, mittsu no Ranpu o katte kite, chuumon shita hito ni utta.

Kore kara Minosuke no shoubai wa hayatte kita.

Hajime wa chuumon o uketa dake oono e kai ni itte ita ga, sukoshi kane ga tamaru to, chuumon wa nakute mo takusan kaikonde kita.

Soshite ima wa mou, yoso no ie no hashirizukai ya komori o suru koto wa yamete, tada Ranpu o uru shoubai dake ni uchikonda. Monohoshi-dai no you na waku no tsuita kuruma o shitatete, sore ni ranpu ya hoya nado o ippai tsurushi, GARASU no fureau suzushii oto o sasenagara, Minosuke wa jibun no mura ya fukin no muramura e uri ni itta.

Minosuke wa okane mo moukatta ga, sore to wa betsu ni, kono shoubai ga tanoshikatta. Ima made kurakatta ie ni, dandan Minosuke no utta Ranpu ga tomotte yuku no de aru. Kurai ie ni, Minosuke wa bunmei kaika no akarui hi o hitotsu hitotsu tomoshite yuku you na ki ga shita.

Minosuke wa mou seinen ni natte ita. Sore made wa jibun no ie tote wa naku, kuchou-san no tokoro no noki no katamuita naya ni sumasete moratte ita no da ga, kogane ga tamatta no de, jibun no ie mo tsukutta. Suru to se wa shite kureru hito ga atta no de oyomesan mo moratta.

Aru toki, yoso no mura de Ranpu no senden o shite otte, "Ranpu no shita nara tatami no ue ni shinbun o oite yomu koto ga dekiru noi." to kuchou-san ni izen kiite ita koto o iu to, okyakusan no hitori ga "Honto ka n? ." to kikikaeshita no de, uso no kirai na Minosuke wa, jibun de tameshite miru ki ni nari, kuchou-san no tokoro kara furushinbun o moratte kite, Ranpu no shita ni hirogeta.

Yahari kuchou-san no iwareta koto wa hontou de atta. Shinbun no komakai ji ga Ranpu no hikari de hitotsu hitotsu hakkiri mieta. "Washi wa uso o itte shoubai o shita koto ni wa naranai." to Minosuke wa hitorigoto o itta. Shikashi Minosuke wa, ji ga Ranpu no hikari de hakkiri miete mo nan ni mo naranakatta. Ji o yomu koto ga dekinakatta kara de aru.

"Ranpu de mono wa yoku mieru you ni natta ga, ji ga yomenai ja, mada hontou no bunmei kaika ja nee."

Sou itte Minosuke wa, sore kara maiban kuchou-san no tokoro e ji o oshiete morai ni itta.

Nesshin datta no de ichi-nen mo suru to, Minosuke wa jinjouka o sotsugyou shita murabito no dare ni mo makenai kurai yomeru you ni natta.

Soshite Minosuke wa shomotsu o yomu koto o oboeta.

Minosuke wa mou, otokozakari no otona de atta. Ie ni wa kodomo ga futari atta. "Jibun mo kore de douyara hitoridachi ga dekita wake da. Mada mi o tateru to iu tokoro made wa itte inai keredo mo." to, tokidoki omotte mite, sono tsudo kokoro ni manzoku o oboeru no de atta.

Sate aru hi, Minosuke ga Ranpu no shin o shiire ni oono no machi e yatte kuru to, go,roku-nin no ninpu ga michi no hata ni ana o hori, futoi nagai hashira o tatete iru no o mita. Sono hashira no ue no hou ni wa ude no you na ki ga san-bon tsuite ite, sono udegi ni wa shiroi setomono no darumasan no you na mono ga ikutsuka notte ita. Kon na kimyou na mono o michi no waki ni tatete nan ni suru no darou, to omoi nagara sukoshi saki ni yuku to, mata michibata ni onaji you na takai hashira ga tatte ite, sore ni wa suzume ga udegi ni tomatte naite ita.

Kono kimyou na takai hashira wa gojuu-meetoru gurai aida o oite wa, michi no waki ni tatte ita.

Minosuke wa tsuini, hinatade udon o hoshite iru hito ni kiite mita. Suru to, udon'ya wa "Denki to yara iu mon ga kondo hikeru da gena. Soide mou, Ranpu wa iran you ni naru da gena." to kotaeta.

Minosuke ni wa yoku nomikome nakatta. Denki no koto nado marude shiranakatta kara da. Ranpu no kawari ni naru mono rashii no da ga, sou to sureba, denki to iu mono wa akari ni chigai arumai. Akari nara, ie no naka ni tomoseba ii wake de, nani mo anna totetsu mo nai hashira o michi no kuro ni nanbon mo ottateru koto wa nai ja nai ka to, Minosuke wa omotta no de aru.

Sore kara hitotsuki hodo tatte, Minosuke ga mata oono e iku to, kono aida taterareta michi no hata no futoi hashira ni wa, kuroi tsuna no you na mono ga suuhon watasarete atta. Kuroi tsuna wa, hashira no udegi ni notte iru darumasan no atama o hitomaki shite tsugi no hashira e watasare, soko de mata darumasan no atama o hitomaki shite tsugi no hashira ni watasare, kou shite doko made mo tsuzuite ita.

Chuui shite yoku miru to, tokoro dokoro no hashira kara kuroi tsuna ga nihon zutsu darumasan no atama no tokoro de wakarete, ie no nokiba ni tsunagarete iru no de atta.

"He hee, denki to yara iu mon wa akari ga tomoru monka to omottara, kore wa marude tsuna ja nee ka. Suzume ya tsubame no ee yasumiba to iu mon yo."

to Minosuke ga hitori de azawarai nagara, shiriai no amazakeya ni haitte yuku to, itsu mo doma no mannaka no handai no ue ni tsurushite atta ooki na Ranpu ga, yoko no kabe no hen ni torikatazukerarete, ato ni wa sono Ranpu o zutto chiisaku shita you na, sekiyu ire no tsuite inai, hen na kakkou no Ranpu ga, joubu sou na tsuna de tenjou kara burasagerarete atta.

"Nan da yai, hen na mono o tsurushita ja nee ka. Ano Ranpu wa doko ka waruku de mo natta ka yai."

to Minosuke wa kiita. Suru to amazakeya ga,

"Arya, kondo hiketa denki to iu mon da. Kaji no shinpai ga noute, akaruute, macchi wa iranu shi, nakanaka benri na mon da."

to kotaeta.

"He', hentekoren na mono o burasageta mon yo. Kore ja amazakeya no mise mo nandaka ma ga nukete shimatta. Kyaku mo heru darou yo."

Amazakeya wa, aite ga Ranpu uri de aru koto ni ki ga tsuita no de, dentou no benri na koto wa mou iwanakatta.

"Naa, amazakeya no tottsuan. Mina yo, ano tenjou no toko o. Naganen no Ranpu no susu de asoko dake makkuro ni nattoru ni. Ranpu wa mou asoko ni itsuite shimatta n da. Ima ni natte denki tara iu benri na mon ga dekitakara tote, asoko kara hazusarete, anna kabe no sumikko ni hikkakerareru no wa, Ranpu ga kawaisou yo."

Kon na fuu ni Minosuke wa Ranpu no kata o motte, dentou no yoi koto wa mitomenakatta.

Tokoro de mamonaku ban ni natte, dare mo macchi ippon sura nakatta no ni, totsuzen amazakeya no mise ga mahiru no you ni akaruku natta no de, Minosuke wa bikkuri shita. Amari akarui no de, Minosuke wa omowazu ushiro o furimuite mita hodo datta.

"Mino san, kore ga denki da yo."

Minosuke wa ha o kuishibatte, nagai aida dentou o mitsumete ita. Kataki de mo nirande iru you na kaotsuki de atta. Amari mitsumete ite me no tama ga itaku natta hodo datta.

"Mino san, sou iccha nan da ga, totemo Ranpu de tachi uchi wa dekinai yo. Chotto soto e kubi o dashite machi doori o mite goran yo."

Minosuke wa muttsuri to iriguchi no shouji o akete, toori o nagameta. Doko no ie doko no mise ni mo, amazakeya no to onaji you ni akarui dentou ga tomotte ita. Hikari wa ie no naka ni amattsute, michi no ue ni made koboredete ita. Ranpu o minarete ita Minosuke ni wa mabushi sugiru hodo no akari datta. Minosuke wa, kuyashisa ni kata de iki o shinagara, kore mo nagai aida nagamete ita.

Ranpu no, tegowai kataki ga dete kita wai, to omotta. Izen ni wa bunmei kaika to iu koto o yoku itte ita Minosuke datta kere do, dentou ga Ranpu yori ichidan susunda bunmei kaika no riki de aru to iu koto wa wakara nakatta. Rikou na hito de mo, jibun ga shoku o ushinau ka dou ka to iu you na toki ni wa, monogoto no handan ga tadashiku tsukanaku naru koto ga aru mono da.

Sono hi kara Minosuke wa, dentou ga jibun no mura ni mo hikareru you ni naru koto o, kokoro hisoka ni osorete ita. Dentou ga tomoru you ni nareba, murabito tachi wa minna Ranpu o, ano amazakeya no shita you ni kabe no sumi ni tsurusu ka, kura no ni-kai ni de mo shimaikonde shimau darou. Ranpuya no shoubai wa iranaku naru darou.

Da ga, Ranpu de sae mura e wa haitte kuru ni wa kanari mendou datta kara, dentou to natte wa murabito tachi wa kowagatte, nakanaka yosetsukeru koto de wa arumai, to Minosuke wa, ippou de wa anshin mo shite ita.

Shikashi mamonaku, "Kondo no sonkai de, mura ni dentou o hiku ka dou ka o kimeru dage na." to iu uwasa o kiita toki ni wa, Minosuke wa nouten ni ichigeki o kuratta you na ki ga shita. Kyouteki iyoiyo gozan nare, to omotta.

Soko de Minosuke wa damatte wa irare nakatta. Mura no hitobito no aida ni, dentou hantai no iken o makushitateta.

"Denki to iu mono wa, nagai sen de yama no oku kara hippatte kuru mon da de noi, sono sen o ba yonaka ni kitsune ya tanuki ga tsutatte kite, kono kinpen no tahata o arasu koto wa ukeai da ne."

Kou iu bakabakashii koto o Minosuke wa, jibun no nareta shoubai o mamoru tame ni iu no de atta. Sore o iu toki nani ka ushirometai ki ga shita keredo mo.

Sonkai ga sunde, iyoiyo Iwaname Nitta no mura ni mo dentou o hiku koto ni kimatta to kikasareta toki ni mo, Minosuke wa nouten ni ichigeki o kuratta you na ki ga shita. Kou tabitabi ichigeki o kuratte wa tamaranai, atama ga douka natte shimau, to omotta.

Sono toori de atta. Atama ga douka natte shimatta. Sonkai no ato de mikkakan, Minosuke wa hiruma mo futon o hikkabutte nete ita. Sono aida ni atama no choushi ga kurutte shimatta no da.

Minosuke wa dare ka o uramitakute tamaranakatta. Soko de sonkai de gichou no yaku o shita kuchou-san o uramu koto ni shita. Soshite kuchou-san o uramaneba naranu wake o iroiro kangaeta. Heizei wa atama no yoi hitode mo, shoubai o ushinau ka dou ka to iu you na setogiwa de wa, tadashii handan o ushinau mono de aru. Tondemonai urami o idaku you ni naru mono de aru.

nanohana bata no, atatakai tsukiyo de atta. Doko ka no mura de harumatsuri no shitaku ni utsu taiko ga tohotoho to kikoete kita.

Minosuke wa michi o tootte yukanakatta. Mizo no naka o itachi no you ni mi o kagamete hashittari, yabu no naka o suteinu no you ni kakiwaketari shite itta. Tanin ni miraretaku nai toki, hito wa kou suru mono da.

Kuchou-san no ie ni wa nagai aida yakkai ni natte ita no de, yoku sono yousu wa wakatte ita. Hi o tsukeru ni ichiban tsugou no yoi no wa warayane no ushigoya de aru koto wa, mou ie o deru toki kara kangaete ita.

Omoya wa mou hissori neshizumatte ita. Ushigoya mo shizuka datta. Shizuka da to itte, ushi wa nemutte iru ka mezamete iru ka wakatta mon ja nai. Ushi wa okite ite mo nete ite mo shizuka na mono da kara. Motto mo ushi ga me o samashite itatte, hi o tsukeru ni wa ikkou sashitsukae nai wake da keredo mo.

Minosuke wa macchi no kawari ni, macchi ga mada nakatta jibun tsukawarete ita hiuchi no dougu o motte kita. Ie o deru toki, kamado no atari de macchi o sagashita ga, dou shita wake ka nakanaka mitsukara nai no de, te ni atatta no o saiwai, hiuchi no dougu o motte kita no datta.

Minosuke wa hiuchi de hi o kirihajimeta. Hibana wa tonda ga, hokuchi ga shimette iru no ka, chittomo moeagara nai no de atta. Minosuke wa hiuchi to iu mono wa, amari benri na mono de wa nai to omotta. Hi ga denai kuse ni kachikachi to ooki na otobakari shite, kore de wa nete iru hito ga me o samashite shimau no de aru.

"Chie'." to Minosuke wa shitauchi shite itta. "Macchi o motte kurya yokatta. Koge na hiuchi miteena furukusee monaa, iza to iu toki maniawanee da naa."

Sou itte shimatte Minosuke wa, futo jibun no kotoba o kikitogameta.

"Furukusee monaa, iza to iu toki maniawanee, ‥‥‥ furukusee monaa maniawanee ‥‥‥."

Choudo tsuki ga dete sora ga akaruku naru you ni, Minosuke no atama ga kono kotoba o kikkake ni shite akaruku harete kita.

Minosuke wa, ima ni natte, jibun no machigatte ita koto ga hakkiri to wakatta. -- ranpu wa mohaya furui dougu ni natta no de aru. Dentou to iu atarashii issou benri na dougu no yononaka ni natta no de aru. Sore dake yononaka ga hiraketa no de aru. Bunmei kaika ga susunda no de aru. Minosuke mo mata Nippon no okuni no ningen nara, Nippon ga kore dake susunda koto o yorokonde ii hazu nano da. Furui jibun no shoubai ga ushinawareru kara tote, yononaka no susumu no ni jamashiyou to shitari, nan no urami mo nai hito o urande hi o tsukeyou to shita no wa, otoko to shite nan to iu migurushii zama de atta koto ka. Yononaka ga susunde, furui shoubai ga iranaku nareba, otoko rashiku, suppari sono shoubai wa sutete, yononaka no tame ni naru atarashii shoubai ni kawarou ja nai ka. --

Minosuke wa sugu ie e totte kaeshita.

Soshite sore kara dou shita ka.

Nete iru okamisan o okoshite, ima ie ni aru subete no Ranpu ni sekiyu o tsugaseta.

Okamisan wa, kon na yofuke ni nani o suru tsumori ka Minosuke ni kiita ga, Minosuke wa jibun ga kore kara shiyou to shite iru koto o kikasereba, okamisan ga tomeru ni kimatte iru no de, damatte ita.

Ranpu wa daishou samazama no ga mina de gojuu gurai atta. Sore ni mina sekiyu o tsuida. Soshite itsumo akinai ni deru toki to onaji you ni, kuruma ni sorera no Ranpu o tsurushite, soto ni deta. Kondo wa macchi o wasurezu ni motte.

Michi ga nishi no touge ni sashikakaru atari ni, handa ike to iu ookina ike ga aru. Haru no koto de ippai tataeta mizu ga, tsuki no shita de ginban no you ni keburi hikatte ita. Ike no kishi ni wa han no ki ya yanagi ga, mizu no naka o nozoku you na kakkou de tatte ita.

Minosuke wa hitoke no nai koko o erande kita.

Sate Minosuke wa dou suru to iu no darou.

Minosuke wa Ranpu ni hi o tomoshita. Hitotsu tomoshite wa, sore o ike no fuchi no ki no eda ni tsurushita. Chiisai no mo ookii no mo, torimazete, ki ni ippai tsurushita. ippon no ki de tsurushikire nai to, sono tonari no ki ni tsurushita. Kou shite toutou minna no Ranpu o sanbon no ki ni tsurushita.

Kaze no nai yoru de, Ranpu wa hitotsu hitotsu ga shizuka ni majirogazu, moe, atari wa hiru no you ni akaruku natta. Akari o shitatte yotte kita sakana ga, mizu no naka ni kirari kirari to naifu no you ni hikatta.

"Washi no, shoubai no yamekata wa kore da." to Minosuke wa hitori de itta. Shikashi tachisari kanete, nagai aida ryoute o tareta mama Ranpu no suzunari ni natta ki o mitsumete ita.

Ranpu, Ranpu, natsukashii Ranpu. Naga no nengetsu najinde kita Ranpu.

"Washi no, shoubai no yamekata wa kore da."

Sore kara Minosuke wa ike no kochiragawa no oukan ni kita. Mada Ranpu wa, mukougawa no kishi no ue ni mina tomotte ita. Gojuu ikutsu ga mina tomotte ita. Soshite mizu no ue ni mo gojuu ikutsu no, sakasama no Ranpu ga tomotte ita. Tachidomatte Minosuke wa, soko de mo nagaku mitsumete ita.

Ranpu, Ranpu, natsukashii Ranpu.

Yagate Minosuke wa kagande, ashimotokara ishikoro o hitotsu hirotta. Soshite, ichiban ookiku tomotte iru Ranpu ni nerai o sadamete, chikara ippai nageta. Pariun to oto ga shite, ookii hi ga hitotsu kieta.

"Omaetachi no jisei wa sugita. Yononaka wa susunda."

to Minosuke wa itta. Soshite mata hitotsu ishikoro o hirotta. Nibanme ni ookikatta Ranpu ga, pariin to natte kieta.

"Yononaka wa susunda. Denki no jisei ni natta."

Sanbanme no Ranpu o watta toki, Minosuke wa nazeka namida ga ukande kite, mou Ranpu ni nerai o sadameru koto ga dekinakatta.

Kou shite Minosuke wa ima made no shoubai o yameta. Sore kara machi ni dete, atarashii shoubai o hajimeta. Hon'ya ni natta no de aru.

"Minosuke san wa ima de mo mada hon'ya o shite iru. Mottomo imaja daibu toshi totta no de, musuko ga mise wa yatte iru ga ne."

to Touichi kun no ojiisan wa hanashi o musunde, sameta ocha o susutta. Minosuke san to iu no wa Touichi kun no ojiisan no koto nano de, Touichi kun wa majimaji to ojiisan no kao o mita. Itsunomanika Touichi kun wa ojiisan no mae ni suwarinaoshite, ojiisan no hiza ni te o oitari shite ita no de aru.

"Soija, nokori no yonjuunana no Ranpu wa dou shita? ."

to Touichi kun wa kiita.

"Shiran. Tsugi no hi, tabi no hito ga mitsukete mottetta ka mo shirenai."

"Soija, ie ni wa mou hitotsu mo Ranpu nashi ni nacchatta? ."

"Un, hitotsu mo nashi. Kono dai Ranpu dake ga nokotte ita."

to ojiisan wa, hiru ma touichi kun ga mochidashita Ranpu o mite itta.

"Son shichatta ne. Yonjuunana mo dare ka ni mottekare chatte." to Touichi kun ga itta.

"Un son shichatta. Ima kara kangaeru to, nani mo anna koto o sende mo yokatta to washi mo omou. Iwaname Nitta ni dentou ga hikete kara de mo, mada gojuu gurai no Ranpu wa kekkou ureta n da kara na. Iwaname Shinden no minami ni aru Fukadani nan to iu chiisai mura ja, mada ima demo Ranpu o tsukatte iru shi, hoka ni mo, zuibun osoku made Ranpu o tsukatte ita mura wa, atta no sa. Shikashi nanishiro washi mo ano koro wa genki ga yokatta n de na. Omoi tsuitara, fukaku mo kangaezu, pa' patto yatte shimatta n da."

"Baka shichatta ne." to Touichi kun wa mago da kara enryo nashi ni itta.

"Un, baka shichatta. Shikashi ne, tou bou -- ."

to ojiisan wa, kiseru o hiza no ue de gyutto nigirishimete itta.

"Washi no yarikata wa sukoshi baka datta ga, washi no shoubai no yamekata wa, jibun de iu no mo nan da ga, nakanaka rippa datta to omou yo. Washi no iitai no wa kou sa, Nippon ga susunde, jibun no furui shoubai ga oyaku ni tatanaku nattara, suppari soitsu o suteru no da. Itsumade mo kitanaku furui shoubai ni kajiritsuite itari, jibun no shoubai ga hayatte ita mukashi no hou ga yokatta to ittari, yononaka no susunda koto o uran dari, sonna ikuji no nee koto wa kesshite shinai to iu koto da."

Touichi kun wa damatte, nagai aida ojiisan no, chiisai keredo iki no arawareta kao o nagamete ita. Yagate, itta.

"Ojiisan wa erakatta n da nee."

Soshite natsukashimu you ni, katawara no furui Ranpu o mita.

(2007.4.20)