106. 門出／A New Journey
文字数 5,518文字
アオイがベランダに立って、奥多摩の山々を眺めている。
猛暑の日々にやっと終止符が打たれ、空気にはかすかに秋の気配が感じられた。
An apartment in the outskirts of Tokyo.
Aoi stared at the Okutama mountains. The hottest summer period had passed and the air smelled scent of Autumn.
Now, Mitsuki is already in higher mountain area far away from Tokyo. There, fall is short. Winter soon comes and started snowing. Mitsuki will be buried under the snow for more than six months.
【notice】Mitsuki is another bionic-weapon, who also escaped from DOD and came to be protected by SHELTER. Mitsuki is not capable of death-or-alive fight, SHELTER decided to hide and protect her. Instead, Aoi, who has strong fighting power, was recruited by SHELTER for their bodyguard.
Aoi talked to Keiko, who was ironing the laundry.
Keiko, have you ever shoveled the snow off the housetop?
No.
Keiko answered keep ironing.
Me, either. I was born and grew up in Tokyo.
Keiko stopped ironing.
My friend who grew up in a snowy land told me shoveling the snow off the housetop is hard work. Plus, you might slip on the snowy roof and fall on the ground.
But, if you don't remove the snow, your house will collapse under the heavy snowfall.
Everyday life in a snowy land is life or death challenge.
Mitsuki must live a hard days in the snowy mountains.
アイロンをかけている慧子の前にすわる。
Aoi came into the room where Keiko was back ironing the laundry. She sat in front of Keiko.
But, our lives as SHELTER's bodyguards may also be a life or death challenge.
Not everyday. When there's no job, we spend days reading books watch DVD rental movies. It' like a paradise.
How could you be such an idiot? You moved to America at the age of 17, competed against Americans to get in a top-class university and gained two doctorates. You've been working so hard to become a top-class engineer in brain-machine-interface.
私は、勉強し過ぎた。働き過ぎた。立ち止まって落ち着いて考えることをしなかった。だから、「禁断の兵器」を生み出してしまった。
I have been overly studying and working. I never stopped to think what I was doing was right or not. That's why I developed a forbidden weapon.
A forbidden weapon. It's me.
Oh, no. I didn't want to hurt you, Aoi.
You are regretting you converted me to a bionic-weapon.
Feel guilty to mankind for what you have done. But me, I do not feel bitter about you at all.
What?
I used to thing you had burdened me with this electricity-discharging power. But, now, I don't think that way at all. This discharging power is "mine." I live, taking this power for granted. I don't care where this capability has come from.
Aoi……
There is only one thing I wholeheartedly wish about my discharging power.
What is your wish?
When my life is threatened, I automatically discharge electricity. I am not aware I am doing so. Then I cannot consciously adjust the power of the electricity. I wish my discharging never be an excessive self-defense.
Aoi and Keiko kept silent for a while.
If you ever misused your power, I would share your sin. I know this is annoying to you, but I think I am your second mother. As your mother, I wish I share any sin you might commit.
しばらく沈黙が続く。
アオイが顔をしかめる。
Aoi and Keiko stared at each other. They kept silent.
Then, Aoi made wry face.
Keiko, what you've said is too much for me. Don't be too serious.
Keiko looked shocked, but soon showed a smile on her lips.
You felt suffocated?
Yeah, I was about to be choked.
So, I was about to choke your breath. I'm sorry.
Keiko smiled.
Would you like some coffee?
That's a good idea. I was thinking of having a coffee break after I'm done with this ironing.
I'll make coffee.
とたんに熱いものがこみあげてくる。目からあふれそうになるものを慧子に見られまいと、背中を向けて、台所に急ぐ。
Aoi stood up. Suddenly, tears started pouring from her eyes. She turned her back to Keiko and rushed to the kitchen, so that Keiko did not see Aoi weeping.
Oh, the pager calls me.
ポケベルのメッセージを呼んでいる慧子。
アオイのコーヒーを飲みたかったけど、お預けね。「Ｍ」に飲ませてもらいましょ。
Aoi, "M" wants to see us now. We will have your coffee another time and ask "M" for coffee today.
腕が鳴るよ、慧子。
OK. It's time for duty. I feel excited.
Aoi turned back to see Keiko, with no tears in her eyes.
ご愛読、ありがとうございました。
アオイと慧子の、その後の活躍をこちらでお楽しみください。
⇒『守護神 山科アオイ／Aoi, The Guardian Goddess』
https://novel.daysneo.com/works/3b1f40ed5ee0410dc3d8f7d2f0bcc032.html
