Page 14

{ OCR Text }

1. いまから十八年前。
2. 人々はまだインターネットの存在すら知らず、パソコンはスタンドアロンで使うのが常識と思われていた時代のことである。
3. 東京郊外の国立という街に、十聖学園という私立の高校があった。
4. その日、授業が終わるのを待ちかねたように、長身できたところから、すべてわ始まった。
5. 「中島ってのは、お前か？」
6. 長身の生徒は、クラスの中でも一際目立つ中島朱実という美少年の席につかつかと歩み寄ると、脅すように机をたたいた。
7. 「そうだけど……」
8. 身代の震えを懸命にこらえると、中島は毅然として立ちあがり、相手の視線を受けとめた。
9. 彼は近藤弘之という空手部の主将で、この十聖高校のボス的な存在である。
10. 彼に逆らったばかりに、暴力的な手段で転校を余儀なくされた生徒が何人もいる。

{ Machine Translation }

1. Eighteen years ago now.
2. It was a time when people did not even know the Internet existed yet, and it was considered common practice to use personal computers as stand-alone devices.
3. In a town called Kunitachi in the suburbs of Tokyo, there was a private high school called Juusei Gakuen.
4. On that day, as if they couldn't wait for class to end, with the tallest of the tall, it all began.
5. "Are you the one called Nakajima?"
6. A tall student strode up to the seat of a beautiful boy named Akemi Nakajima, who stood out from the rest of the class, and slammed the desk threateningly.
7. "Yeah, that's right, but ......."
8. Trying hard to stifle a nervous tremor, Nakajima stood up resolutely and met his opponent's gaze.
9. He is Hiroyuki Kondo, the head of the karate club and the boss of this Juusei High School.
10. Several students have been forced to change schools through violent means because they disobeyed him.

{ My Translation; V3.1 - 27DEC22 }

 It all began one day eighteen years ago, during an era where the term "Internet" had yet to enter the public lexicon, however standalone personal computers were already a common sight. Nestled within a Tokyo suburb called "Kunitachi" proudly stands a private high school known as "Juusei Gakuen," or "Ten Saints Academy." On that day, our story begins with a behemoth more beast than man, impatiently waiting for class to end...
 "Are you the bastard called Nakajima?" the imposing figure barked. He strode up and slammed his fist on the desk of a strikingly handsome student, Akemi Nakajima. Willing himself to calm his nerves and play it cool, Nakajima stood up and confidently met his opponent's gaze. "Yes, that's me, although..."
 The formidable student was Hiroyuki Kondo, infamous captain of the Karate club, and the "boss" of Ten Saints High. His infamy and violent tendencies has already led (read: forced) several students to change schools after they dared to disobey him.

{ Next Page > }
{ Top ^ }

Page 15

{ OCR Text }

1. だが中島は、いままで近藤とかかわりを持ったことは一度もなかったし、彼の怒りをかうような覚えもなかった。
2. (いったいぼくが、なにをしたというんだ?)
中島を呑み込み、乾ききった唇を開こうとした。
3. そのとき背後で含み笑いが聞こえた。
4. 振り向くと、高校生とは思えないほど妖しい色香のある女生徒が、猫のように魅力的な、そし悪意をこめた目で中島を見つめている。
5. 同じクラスの高見沢京子である。
6. そのとき、中島はすべてを理解した。
7. 「待ってくれ!」
8. 声をあげた瞬間、みぞおちに拳がめりこんだ。
9. 悲鳴をあげることさえできず、両手を床についてうずくまった中島に、近藤はローキックをあびせた。
10. 下腹と胸に二発ずつ。
11. ダメージを与えながらも、気を失わせることのないように手加減した蹴りだ。
12. 級友たちは、 かかわりになるのを恐れるように、一人二人と教室の外へ出ていく。
13. 「ぼくの話を聞け･････」
14. 懸命に抗弁しようとした口へ靴の先がねじこまれ、涙と唾液がいっしょになって床にしたたり落ちた。
15. 「言い訳なんざ、聞きたくネエんだよ。
16. 京子に手出したらどうなるか、教えてやんなきゃなあ」
17. 近藤は中島の背中を蹴って、床に這いつくばらせた。

{ Machine Translation }

1. Nakajima, however, had never had anything to do with Kondo and had no recollection of incurring his wrath.
2. (What the hell did I do?)
Nakajima swallowed and tried to open his dry lips.
3. At that moment, I heard a chuckle behind me.
4. I turn around to see a female student with a mysterious charm that is hard to believe she is a high school student, staring at Nakajima with eyes that are as alluring as a cat's, and filled with malice.
5. She is Kyoko Takamizawa, in the same class.
6. At that moment, Nakajima understood everything.
7. "Wait a minute!"
8. The moment I raised my voice, a fist dug into my solar plexus.
9. Unable to even scream, Nakajima cowered on the floor with his hands on the floor, and Kondo landed a low kick on him.
10. Two shots each to the lower abdomen and chest.
11. It's a kick that does damage, but is tempered so as not to knock you out.
12. One by one, the classmates filed out of the classroom, as if afraid to be noticed.
13. "Listen to me..."
14. As I tried to defend myself, the tip of a shoe was jammed into my mouth, causing tears and saliva to trickle down to the floor.
15. "I don't want to hear your excuses.
16. I'll have to teach you what happens if you mess with Kyoko."
17. Kondo kicked Nakajima in the back and made him crawl on the floor.

{ My Translation; V1 - 23OCT22 }

 That said, Nakajima couldn't recall ever associating with Kondo nor incurring his wrath. What the hell did I do? He thought, suddenly conscious of his dry lips and swallowing loudly. He heard a chuckle from behind him.
 He turned around, his gaze meeting a pair of catlike eyes, alluring yet filled with malice. Staring back at him was a girl with a mysterious charm unbefitting of a high school student, fellow classmate Kyoko Takamizawa. As soon as their eyes met, Nakajima understood. "Now hold on a minute-"
 A large fist slammed into his solar plexus, silencing his pitiful protest. As Nakajima folded to the floor, Kondo threw a low kick into his side. Two blows to the guts, one to the ribs. Enough to send a message.
 The last few students heading home slinked quietly out the door, lest they get noticed. "Listen to me..." Nakajima coughed hopelessly, tears and saliva dripping down his face onto the floor, before tasting the sole of Kondo's shoe. "That'll teach you what happens when you mess with Kyoko," Kondo spat before directing one last spiteful kick to the back.

{ Next Page > }
{ Top ^ }

Page 16

{ OCR Text }

1. するとそれまで彼がいたぶられるのを面白そうに眺めていた京子が、しゃがみこんで彼の上唇を指ではじいた。
2. 「こいつ女みたいな顔してるくせに、いっちょまえにキスしようとしたんだから」
3. 「嘘だ……」
4. 事実、キスしようとしたのは京子のほうで、中島はそれを撥ねつけただけである。
5. プライドを傷つけられた京子は、自分に首ったけの近藤をたきつけて、復讐をはかったというわけだ。
6. だが、中島のためにそれを証言してくれる友達は一人もいなかった。
7. 黒縁眼鏡をかけた高井健一という級友だけは、どうしていいかわからないといった顔で、心配 そうに中島を見つめているが、近藤をとめるだけの勇気は持ち合わせていないようである。
8. 近藤は左手だけで軽々と中島を引きずり起こすと、みぞおちにまた拳を打ち込んだ。
9. 内臓をえぐるような痛みに、中島は悲鳴をあげようとした。
10. だが横隔膜がしびれて、空気を吸い込むことも、吐き出すこともできず、傷ついた唇からは、かすかなうめき声がもれただけであった。
11. だれかを傷つけることも、また傷つけられることも好まずに、わが道をいくという生き方をし てきた中島にとって、こんな風に人に殴られるのは初めてだった。
12. しかもその理由たるや、彼にふられた女がでっちあげたものなのだ。
13. 痛みと怒りと屈辱感が全身を駆けまわり、心の傷口からたらたらと血が溢れ出す。

{ Machine Translation }

1. Then Kyoko, who had been watching with amusement as he was being tortured, crouched down and played with his upper lip with her finger.
2. "He's got the face of a woman, and yet he's the first one to try to kiss me."
3. "It's a lie..."
4. In fact, it was Kyoko who tried to kiss him, and Nakajima simply repelled her.
5. Kyoko's pride was hurt, and she sought revenge by hitting on Kondo, who was crazy about her.
6. But none of his friends were willing to testify to that for Nakajima.
7. Only one classmate, Kenichi Takai, wearing dark-rimmed glasses, looked at Nakajima anxiously, as if he did not know what to do, but he did not seem to have the courage to stop Kondo.
8. Kondo effortlessly pulled Nakajima up using only his left hand and drove another fist into his solar plexus.
9. Nakajima was about to scream from the visceral gnawing pain.
10. But his diaphragm was so numb that he could neither inhale nor exhale air, and only a faint moan escaped his injured lips.
11. Nakajima, who had always lived his life in his own way, not wanting to hurt anyone or be hurt, had never been hit by someone like this before.
12. And the reason for this was invented by the woman who was dumped by him.
13. Pain, anger, and humiliation ran through his body, and the wounds in his heart began to bleed.

{ My Translation; V2 - 21NOV22 }

 Kyoko, who until then had watched the torture with amusement, crouched low and traced his upper lip with a finger. "Such a feminine face for a man who tried so hard to steal my lips," she purred. "That's... a lie..." Nakajima gasped. It was the opposite of the truth, in fact. Kyoko tried to kiss him, but Nakajima deftly dodged her advances. Her pride hurt, Kyoko sought revenge by turning her affections towards Kondo, whom she knew was crazy about her. Unfortunately, none of his friends in class who witnessed the spectacle seemed willing to testify for Nakajima. Nakajima looked up and spotted fellow classmate Kenichi Takai wearing an uneasy expression. His anxious eyes looked trapped, flitting back and forth behind thick dark-rimmed glasses.
 Kondo effortlessly lifted Nakajima's bruised body with his left hand and drove the right deep into his solar plexus. Nakajima tried to cry out from the pain, but his diaphragm was in such a shock from the beating that breathing seemed impossible, allowing only a feeble moan to escape his lips.
 For Nakajima, a man who usually kept to himself, neither inflicting pain nor recieving it, this was the first time he'd ever been beaten so badly. Rather, this was the first time he'd been beaten at all. All this spawned from the cursed machinations of a woman that he had rejected. The pain, the anger, and the humiliation pumped through his veins, but the unseen wounds in his heart bled the most.

{ Next Page > }
{ Top ^ }

Page 17

{ OCR Text }

1. (ちくしょう。
2. 許さない・・・・・・許さないぞ)
3. 中島の目に、いままで見せたことのない凶暴な光が宿った。
4. 「なんだよ、その目は」
5. 一瞬、彼の眼光にひるんだ近藤は、そんな自分に腹を立てたように中島の頬を殴りつけ、グキッと音をたてて歯が折れた。と、「ねえ、もういいんじゃない?」
6. 京子が、いなすように言った。
7. これ以上中島を痛めつければ、自分たちも責任を問われる恐れがある。
8. 冷静に自分の保身だけ と考えることのできる、うす汚い女の声であった。
9. 「おう、お許しがでたぜ。
10. それにしても弱っちいガキだな。
11. なぐり甲斐がネエぜ」
12. 近藤は唇をゆがめて笑うと、ぼろ布のようになった中島の身体を床に転がした。
(page break)
13. それから一時間ほどして、ようやく身体を動かせるようになった中島は、級友の高井健一に支えられて中央線の国立駅にたどりついた。
14. 「座っていこうよ」
15. 中島をかばいながら上り電車に乗り込んだ高井は、ちょうど二つ並んで空いている席をいかつ いで示した。
16. 「えっ・・・・・・ああ」
17. 中島は崩れ落ちるようにその座席に腰をおろし、それでも毅然と前を見つめながら、この高校に入学したことを密かに後悔していた。

{ Machine Translation }

1. (God damn it.
2. I won't allow it... I won't allow it)
3. Nakajima's eyes lit up with a ferocious light that had never been seen before.
4. "What's with those eyes?"
5. For a moment, Kondo flinched at the look in his eyes, and then, as if annoyed with himself, punched Nakajima in the cheek, causing a gnashing sound and breaking his teeth. And then, "Hey, that's enough, isn't it?"
6. Kyoko said, as if trying to tease him.
7. If we hurt Nakajima any more, we could be held accountable ourselves.
8. It was the voice of a foul woman who could calmly think only of her own self-preservation.
9. "Oh, you've got my approval.
10. But still, he's a weak kid.
11. It's not worth the effort."
12. Kondo's lips curled into a smile and he let Nakajima's battered body roll to the floor.
(page break)
13. An hour or so later, Nakajima was finally able to move his body, and with the support of his classmate Kenichi Takai, he reached Kunitachi Station on the Chuo Line.
14. "Let's sit down."
15. Takai boarded the inbound train while supporting Nakajima, pointing out two empty seats right next to each other.
16. "eh... oh."
17. Nakajima collapsed and sat down on that seat, still resolutely staring ahead, secretly regretting that he had enrolled in this high school.

{ My Translation; V1 - 25OCT22 }

 God damn it, I can't... I can't let this stand. Nakajima's eyes burned bright with rebellion as he stared daggers at his adversary. Kondo paused, "What's with that look?" After a tense moment, as if annoyed with himself, Kondo threw a hook to Nakajima's cheek, audibly breaking teeth. "Perhaps he's had enough?" Kyoko teased, "If he's hurt anymore, we'll held accountable." "I guess you're right. Still, he's so weak, wasn't even worth the effort," Kondo sneered and let Nakajima's battered body drop to the floor like a sack of potatoes.

 An hour later, supported by Takai, Nakajima willed his worn-out body to hobble to Kunitachi station on the Chuo Line. With Nakajima over his shoulder, Takai boarded the inbound train. "Let's sit over there," Takai said, nodding towards two empty seats next to each other. "Agh... oof..." Nakajima collapsed into the seat, staring straight ahead, secretly regretting enrolling in this school.

{ Next Page > }
{ Top ^ }

Page 18

{ OCR Text }

1. 私立十聖高校は、毎年T大学に二十名以上を現役で合格させる名門高校として知られている。
2. けれども同校の内情を知る者は、その極端な生徒の二層化方針に、首をかしげざるをえない。
3. 施設、カリキュラム、教材、すべてにわたって過剰に保護された選抜クラスと、その他大勢の一般クラス。
4. 全校生徒の二割に満たない選抜クラスの生徒たちは、 般生徒のやっかみの的になっている。
5. そのやっかみが引き起こす多少の校内暴力事件も、二層化方針のもとでは、ある程度しかたのないことかもしれない。
6. 中島も高井も、その選抜クラスにいた。
7. ほっそりした中島は、詰襟をセーラー服に着替えたら、美少女として十分通用しそうに思える。
8. 高井の風貌は、何からなにまで中島と好対照だ。
9. 中学時代に柔道で鍛えたという、がっしりした身体に太い指。
10. けれども決して気は強くないし、黒縁の眼鏡をとると童顔があらわになる。
11. 「それにしても、今日の近藤は異常だったよな」
12. 自分が中島のためになにもできなかったことが、心にひっかかっているのだろう。
13. 高井は言い訳するように言った。
14. 「あいつは女の前では、エネルギーが倍増するのさ」
15. 中島は片眉をあげて、投げやりな答えを返した。
16. 「まったく、なんで京子みたいなやつが選抜クラスにいるんだか。
17. だいたいおまえが京子に手を出すわけないもんな」
18. 「逆なんだよ･･････実際は」
19. 「京子の方が、ふられたってわけか」

{ Machine Translation }

1. Jusei Private High School is known as a prestigious high school that admits more than 20 students to U of T every year as active students.
2. Those who know the school's inner workings, however, can't help but shake their heads at its extreme two-tiered student policy.
3. Facilities, Curriculum, Teaching materials, Overly protected and highly selective classes over all and, General class for many others.
4. Students in selective classes, which comprise less than 20% of the school's student body, are the target of general student criticism.
5. Some incidents of school violence caused by this jealousy may be somewhat unavoidable under a two-tier policy.
6. Both Nakajima and Takai were in that select class.
7. The slender Nakajima looked as if he might pass for a beautiful girl if he changed his collar into a sailor suit.
8. Takai's appearance is in sharp contrast to Nakajima's in every way.
9. He has a strong body and thick fingers, which he trained in judo in junior high school.
10. However, she is not a strong-willed person, and when he takes off his black-rimmed glasses, his childish face is revealed.
11. "By the way, Kondo was extraordinary today."
12. It is likely that he is still haunted by the fact that he could not do anything for Nakajima.
13. Takai said as if to excuse himself.
14. "He has double the energy when he's in front of a woman."
15. Nakajima raised one eyebrow and replied with a tossed-off answer.
16. "I don't know why someone like Kyoko is in the selected class at all.
17. In fact, there's no way you'd ever touch Kyoko."
18. "It's the other way around, ・・・・・・ actually."
19. "So Kyoko's the one who got dumped."

{ My Translation; V2 - 30OCT22 }

 Ten Saints Academy * is a prestigious private high school that admits more than twenty active students to the University of Tokyo every year. However, as those in the school's inner circles can attest, one can't help but shake their head at the obvious two-tier division between students. For the hand-picked students in the specialty classes, they are offered protections in the form of their own facilities, curriculum, and teaching materials, while the general student population gathers the scraps. Due to this disparity, specialty class students, which only comprise of twenty percent of the total student population, gather much criticism and ire from the rest of the student body.
 Jealous, perhaps violent, incidents brought on by this two-tier system seem inevitable.
 Nakajima and Takai were classmates in one of these aforementioned specialty classes.
 Nakajima was a slender man who could probably pass as an attractive girl if he hung up his collar in favor of a sailor suit. Contrasting in just about every way, Takai was a sturdy-looking man with a strong body and thick hands from his Judo training in junior high. His appearance, however, was contrary to his gentle nature, and beneath his thick-rimmed glasses was a face bearing an almost childlike innocence.
 "So... Kondo was crazy today," Takai remarked. It was likely he felt ashamed for not stepping in to help Nakajima. "Seems he gets doubly energetic when he's showing off to a woman." Nakajima raised an eyebrow and scoffed as Takai continued, "I don't understand how someone like Kyoko got into a specialty class at all. Rather, I can't believe you'd lay your hands on someone like her."
 Nakajima grimaced, "Believe it or not... It's actually the exact opposite."
 "Ah. So you rejected Kyoko." Takai responded flatly.

* T/N: I will probably change this back to romaji, I don't remember if the school's name is plot-relevant or not. "十聖" = "Juusei" = "Ten Saints", referring to the ten disciples of Buddha.

{ Next Page > }
{ Top ^ }

Page 19

{ OCR Text }

1. 納得したように高井はうなずいた。
2. 中島に好意を寄せる女生徒は多いが、いまだに彼の心を射止めた者はいない。
3. 高井はそれを、中島のえり好みが激しすぎるせいだと解釈していた。
4. 二人が黙り込んでいる間に、電車は武蔵境駅を出る。
5. 高井は、ちらりと中島の横顔を見た。
6. 選抜クラスの中では、中島は特別に成績がいい方ではない。
7. 全科目にまんべんなく好成績を残す高井に比べて、 中島は明らかに理数系の頭をしている。
8. 文系の科目でなんとか見られるのは、世界史くらい。
9. 運動神経も、さしていい方ではない。
10. ただ、ことコンピュータに関する知識については、教師もふくめて、学内に誰一人として彼にかなう者はいない。
11. 学内どころか、日本中捜しても、中島にかなう者はいないんじゃないかと高井は思う。
12. 中島がほんの数日で作りあげてくるコンピュータゲームは、とにかく面白い。
13. どんな人気ゲームも、中島の作ったゲームを楽しんだあとでは、陳腐に思えるほどだ。
14. ＣＡＩルームで、ディスプレイを見つめ、キーボードに指を走らせる中島の表情には、狂気じみたところさえある。
15. (俺が秀才なら、中島は典型的な天才だ)
16. 高井は窓外の景色に視線をもどすと、一人納得したようにうなずいた。
17. 「悪魔か......」
18. そのとき、中島がボソッとつぶやいた。

{ Machine Translation }

1. Takai nodded as if satisfied.
2. Many female students have taken a liking to Nakajima, but no one has yet won his heart.
3. Takai interpreted this as being due to Nakajima's excessive preferences.
4. While they are silent, the train leaves Musashi Sakai Station.
5. Takai glanced at Nakajima's profile.
6. Among the selected classes, Nakajima is not a particularly high achiever.
7. Compared to Takai, who performs well across the board in all subjects, Nakajima clearly has a head for science and mathematics.
8. The only humanities subject that he managed to look at was world history.
9. He is not a very athletic person.
10. However, when it comes to computer knowledge, no one on campus, not even the teachers, can match him.
11. Takai thinks that no one in Japan, let alone on campus, could match Nakajima.
12. The computer games that Nakajima creates in just a few days are just so much fun.
13. Any popular game can seem stale after enjoying a game made by Nakajima.
14. In the CAI (T/N: Computer Aided Instruction) room, Nakajima stares at the display and runs his fingers along the keyboard, his expression almost insane.
15. (If I am a genius, Nakajima is a model genius.)
16. Takai returned his gaze to the view outside the window and nodded in agreement.
17. "The Devil or ......"
18. At that moment, Nakajima cried out.

{ My Translation; V1 - 30OCT22 }

 Satisfied, Takai nodded. There were many female students lining up for Nakajima's affections, but they had yet to win over his heart. Takai figured this was likely due to Nakajima having excessively high standards.
 As they sat in silence, the train paused and left Musashi Sakai Station. Takai side-eyed Nakajima's profile. Compared to the other students of the specialty classes, Nakajima wasn't a particularly high achiever. Rather, compared to Takai who scored well across all subjects, Nakajima had a clear preference for math and the sciences. The only humanities subject he studied was World History, and he's not particularly athletic. However, when it comes to computer knowledge, no one on campus, not even the teachers, can hold a candle to him.
 Takai felt that nobody in Japan could match Nakajima's prowess for technology. The computer games Nakajima could program in just a few days were addictingly good, other games just seemed stale in comparison. When working in the CAI * lab, Nakajima would stare at the screen with an intense expression, fingers a blur across the keyboard.
 If I am considered a genius, then Nakajima is a savant. Takai turned his gaze to the scenery passing by outside. "Or a demon..." he muttered. Suddenly, Nakajima cried out.

* T/N: CAI = Computer Aided/Assisted Instruction. An archaic acronym from a bygone era, referring to learning materials or a whole classroom specialized for personal computers. Usually sponsored by brands like IBM or Fujitsu.

{ Next Page > }
{ Top ^ }

Page 20

{ OCR Text }

1. 「えっ?」
2. 「いや、なんでもないよ」
3. 「いま、おまえ…･････」
4. 何か言おうと高井が口をすぼめたとき、電車は西荻窪駅についた。
5. 「じゃあな」
6. 背中を丸め、思いつめたような表情で中島は駅の階段を降りてゆく。
7. 「まったく、なにを考えているんだか」
8. 首をすくめると、高井は二人分の座席にドカリと腰をおろした。

{ Machine Translation }

1. "What?"
2. "No, it's nothing."
3. "Now you..."
4. When Takai was about to say something, the train arrived at Nishiogikubo station.
5. "See you."
6. With his back hunched, Nakajima descends the stairs of the station with a pensive look on his face.
7. "I don't know what you're thinking."
8. Shrugging his head, Takai sat down with a thud on the seat for two.

{ My Translation; V1 - 30OCT22 }

 "...What?"
 "Ah, no, it's nothing."
 "Now hold on..."
 Takai protested just as the train reached Nishiogikubo station. "See ya," Nakajima said, swiftly exiting the train with a pensive look on his face. After the doors shut behind him, Takai sighed and sank back into his seat. "I never know what's going on in that head of yours," he muttered.

{ Next Page > }
{ Top ^ }

Page 20

{ OCR Text }

1. 商店街の裏手。
2. 最近建ったばかりのマンションには、分譲中の垂れ幕がさがっている。
3. 中島は前かがみに歩きながら、しきりに唇を動かしていた。
4. すれちがう人には、暗記に夢中な高校生くらいに見えたかもしれない。
5. が、すれ違いざまに彼の唇からもれる言葉の断片を耳にした人は、 いぶかしげに振り返る。
6. それが高校生にはおよそ似合わない、気味の悪い呪文のように聞こえたからである。
7. ブロック塀からとびだした桜の花が頬に触れて、つぼみが揺れた。
8. 中島はかまわず、目を地面に落としたまま歩き続ける。
9. 彼の目がようやく正面に向けられたのは、ひときわ目立つ高層マンションの前に立った時だった。
10. 鍵穴に電子キーをさしこむと、硬質ガラスの自動ドアが、重厚な音をたてて左右に開いた。

{ Machine Translation }

1. Behind the shopping street.
2. A banner hanging from a recently built condominium is hanging while it is being sold.
3. Nakajima was walking forward and moving his lips with his lips constantly.
4. To someone passing by, I might have looked like a high school student obsessed with memorization.
5. But when they pass by each other and hear fragments of words leaking from his lips, they look back at him with a sneer.
6. The reason is that it sounded like a creepy incantation, which is not appropriate for a high school student.
7. Cherry blossoms protruding from the block wall touched his cheeks, and the buds swayed.
8. Nakajima doesn't care and continues walking with his eyes down to the ground.
9. His eyes finally turned to the front when he stood in front of a conspicuous high-rise apartment building.
10. Inserting an electronic key into the keyhole, the hard glass automatic door opened to the left and right with a heavy thud.

{ My Translation; V1 - 07NOV22 }

 Near the end of the shopping district, beneath the banners advertising the newly built condominiums lining the street, Nakajima walked briskly while muttering to himself. From the outside, he looked like any overachieveing high school student, reciting study questions from memory. The illusion is shattered, however, when one gets close enough to hear his odd ramblings, causing passerby to look back and sneer. *
 Disturbing sounds of some creepy incantation escaped from his lips, not at all appropriate for a high school student. Cherry blossoms protuding from the wall graced his cheek, but Nakajima continued on, eyes glued to the ground. He finally looked up when he reached a conspicuous-looking high-rise. Inserting the electronic key into the slot, the heavy glass doors opened with a thud. **

* T/N: God this whole paragraph sucks. Revise this.
** T/N: Jesus H. Christ this whole section sucks. Gonna haveta redo this later.

{ Next Page > }
{ Top ^ }

Page 21

{ OCR Text }

1. カナディアン大理石を基調にした豪華な、けれどもどことなく無機質なエントランス。
2. その中に踏み込むと、中島はすっと息を吸い込んで背筋を伸ばした。
3. エレベータに乗り込むと、十三階のボタンを押す。
4. 気圧の変化に体中が痛み、あの不快な出来事を思い出させる。
5. 一三〇二号室のドアには、「NAKAJIMA」とレリーフした銅板がはりつけられている。
6. チャイムを押してみたものの、中から応える気配はない。
7. ため息をついて、 中島は鍵をあけた。
8. ドアをあけ、乱雑に靴を脱ぎ捨てるなり、バスルームへと向かう。
9. 洗面所の鏡に映った顔は、切れた唇が水泡状に腫れあがり、見られたものではない。
10. 左頬にも、こころもち黄色い痣ができている。
11. しばらく鏡に映った自分を見つめていた中島は、唐突に蛇口をいっぱいに開き、溢れ出す水を両手に受けて、顔にたたきつけるようにして洗った。
12. リビングに戻ってソファに倒れ込んだとき、サイドテーブルの上にメモが置いてあるのに気がついた。
13. 『会議で遅くなります。夕食はレンジで温めて･････』
14. 中島は最後まで読まずに、その紙片を手で握りつぶした。
15. 「どうせ同じ文句を書くなら、いっそ印刷でもしておきゃいいのに」
16. 商社に勤める父親がロサンゼルスに赴任して以来、母親はますますデザインの仕事に脂がのってきたようだ。
17. 最近は、帰宅が夜中になることも珍しくない。

{ Machine Translation }

1. The luxurious, yet somewhat inorganic entrance is decorated in Canadian marble.
2. Stepping into it, Nakajima inhaled quickly and straightened his back.
3. He gets into the elevator and presses the button for the thirteenth floor.
4. The change in air pressure caused aches all over his body, reminding him of that unpleasant event.
5. A copper plate with the word "NAKAJIMA" in relief is affixed to the door of Room 1302.
6. He tried pressing the chime, but there was no sign of an answer from inside.
7. Sighing, Nakajima unlocked the door.
8. He opens the door, takes off his shoes in a messy manner, and heads for the bathroom.
9. The face in the bathroom mirror was not a pretty sight to behold, with its cut lips swollen into a blistering mess.
10. There is also a yellow bruise on his left cheek.
11. After staring at his reflection in the mirror for a while, Nakajima abruptly opened the faucet to full and took the overflowing water in both hands, slapping it on his face as he washed.
12. When he returned to the living room and collapsed on the couch, he noticed a note on the side table.
13. 'I will be late due to a meeting. Dinner can be heated in the microwave...'
14. Nakajima crushed the piece of paper in his hand without reading it all the way through.
15. "If they're going to write the same crap, why not just print it out?"
16. Since his father, who works for a trading company, was transferred to Los Angeles, his mother seems to be getting more and more involved with her design work.
17. These days, it is not unusual for them to return home in the middle of the night.

{ My Translation; V1 - 11NOV22 }

 Decorated in a Canadian marble motif, the entranceway projected an air of sterile luxury. Stepping in, Nakajima drew a quick breath and straightened his back. A moment later, he walked into the elevator and pushed the button for the 13th floor. As the elevator rose, the sudden change in air pressure causes his body to ache, once again reminding him of his unpleasant afternoon.
 A copper plate with the name "NAKAJIMA" in relief was affixed to the door of apartment 1302. He nonchalantly pressed the doorbell, but there was so sign of movement inside. Nakajima sighed, then unlocked the door. He cast his shoes off haphazardly and made his way to the bathroom mirror.
 The face staring back at him was an ugly sight to behold; his lips were split and swollen, and his left cheek sported a nasty yellow bruise. After studying his reflection for awhile, Nakajima abrubtly turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on his face.
 Returning to the livingroom, he collapsed onto the couch, spotting a note on the side table nearby. 'I'll be late due to a meeting, you can reheat dinner in the microwave...' Nakajima crumpled the paper without reading the rest. "If they are gonna write the same crap every day, why not just print it out?" he lamented.
 Ever since his father, who works for a trading company, transferred to Los Angeles, his mother seemed to be getting more and more absorbed by her design work. These days, it was normal for one or both of them to return home in the dead of night.

{ Next Page > }
{ Top ^ }

Page 22

{ OCR Text }

1. その母親の顔を思い出したとたん、くすぶっていた怒りがぶり返してきた。
2. と、突然、電話が呼び出し音をあげた。
3. どうせ母親あての電話に決まっている。
4. 鳴り続ける電話を横目に睨んで、中島は自分の部屋のドアを開けた。
5. ピンナップ一枚はっていない、殺風景な部屋である。
6. 窓を除く三面の壁の大部分は、天井までとどくスチール製の本棚で埋められている。
7. アニメ誌やコミックスが相当な面積をしめているのが、いかにも高校生らしいところだが、本棚の隅に奇妙にくすんだ印象を与える部分がある。
8. そこには、『死者の書』『ナコト写本』など、魔術・呪術関係の書物が並べられている。
9. スチールデスクの上にはフル装備のパソコンが置かれ、その横には魔術概論 『ゴールデンドーン新説』があった。
10. 革の背表紙がすりきれているところを見ると、よほど熟読したものに違いない。
11. 中島は椅子を引いて、ディスプレイの前に腰をおろした。
12. 壁際のスイッチに手を触れると、スピーカーからデビッド・カヴァーディールのまとわりつくようなボーカルが流れはじめる。
13. 中島はキーボードに指を走らせた。
14. －ＬＩＳＴ
15. コマンドを入力すると、長大なプログラムが画面を駆ける。
16. 鋭い目でプログラムリストを追いながら、中島は流れるようなリズムでキーボードを叩きはじめた。

{ Machine Translation }

1. As soon as he remembered his mother's face, the smoldering anger returned.
2. Suddenly, the phone rang.
3. It must be a call for his mother anyway.
4. Staring sideways at the ringing phone, Nakajima opened the door to his room.
5. The room is a bleak affair, with not a single pinup on the wall.
6. Most of the three walls, except for the windows, are filled with steel bookcases that reach the ceiling.
7. Anime magazines and comics occupy a considerable area, which is typical of high school students, but there is a corner of the bookshelf that gives a strangely dull impression.
8. There, books related to witchcraft and sorcery, such as "The Book of the Dead" and "The Nakoto Codex" are arranged.
9. On the steel desk was a fully equipped computer, and next to it was an overview of witchcraft, "Golden Dawn: A New Testament".
10. It must have been read very carefully, judging by the worn leather spine.
11. Nakajima pulled up a chair and sat down in front of the display.
12. Touching a switch on the wall, David Coverdale's ethereal vocals begin to flow from the speakers.
13. Nakajima ran his fingers across the keyboard.
14. －ＬＩＳＴ
15. When a command is entered, a lengthy program runs across the screen.
16. Following the program list with sharp eyes, Nakajima began tapping on the keyboard in a flowing rhythm.

{ My Translation; V2 - 21NOV22 }

 Resentment festered in Nakajima's mind as he thought of his mother.
 As Nakajima opened the door to his room, the phone rang with a sharp trill. He paid it little heed, he figured it was a call for his mother anyways.
 His room was a bleak affair, not a pinup or poster to be seen. Each wall, sans the windows, was covered top to bottom with heavy steel bookcases. Anime magazines and manga covered a significant portion of shelf space, as one would find in any typical teenager's bedroom. However, the corner of the last bookshelf was mysteriously drab looking. There, books dedicated to mysticism and witchcraft, titles such as "Book of the Dead * " and "Nakoto Codex ** ", were arranged neatly. On a sturdy steel desk next to a beefy-looking computer was a particular tome, an overview reference of mysticism, called "The Golden Dawn: A New Testament † ". The thick book looked well-read, judging from the worn edges and cracked leather spine.
  Nakajima pulled up a chair and sat in front of the large display. Pressing a nearby switch, David Coverdale's ethereal vocals flowed from the speakers †† . He ran his fingers gracefully across the keyboard:

－ＬＩＳＴ

The command entered, a lengthy program flits across the screen. Sharp eyes following the text intently, Nakajima tapped the keyboard with a flowing rhythm.

T/N:
* There are numerous tomes called the "Book of the Dead", however the most well-known and accepted tome (by modern mystics) is "The Papyrus of Ani". More info can be found here.
** I consider myself pretty well-versed in mystical and magickal references, but I have no idea what the "Nakoto Codex" or "Nakoto Manuscript" is. The original wording is 『ナコト写本』, so if someone has any idea what this is referencing hit me up on Twitter.
† There are a lot of reference books about the history and practices of the Golden Dawn (The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, NOT the neo-nazi group), however given the time this book was written I believe that the book in the story is actually a reference to "The Golden Dawn: An Account of the Teachings, Rites, and Ceremonies of the Order of the Golden Dawn" (1982, ISBN 0-87542-664-6).
†† So fucking weird to see a David Coverdale reference here, and I have no clue which song fits the scene here. Just... listen to his Whitesnake album from 1977. It's a goddamn masterpiece.

{ Next Page > }
{ Top ^ }

Page 23

{ Image }

{ Next Page > }
{ Top ^ }

Page 24

{ OCR Text }

1. 中島が魔術に興味をもったのは、ふとしたきっかけで「ゴールデンドーン新説」を読む機会を得たときからだった。
2. 稚拙な翻訳文にいらだちながらも、一応最後まで読み通した。
3. そこに魔術という後ろめたさを秘めた魅力ある世界が、不思議なリアリズムを伴って、冷徹に表現されていたからだ。
4. 気になる箇所を二度三度と読み返すうちに、彼は突然天啓に触れたかのようにある事実に気づいた。
5. 魔術理論とコンピュータ理論の、驚くべき類似である。
6. コンピュータと魔術。
7. 一見なんの関係もなさそうな二つの世界。
8. だが両者の類似性は、中島の発見を待つまでもなく情報工学、 魔術、両サイドの研究者により、古くから指摘されてきた。
9. 人工知能の研究で有名なMIT(マサチューセッツ工科大学)のチャールズ・フィード教授もその一人である。
10. 中島はさっそく教授の組織するISG(インターナショナル・サタニスト・ガーデン)に加入した。
11. そしてこの数ヶ月、中島は自ら考案した悪魔を呼び出すためのプログラム作りに没頭していた。
12. 完成までもう少し。
13. 柱になる部分は、あらかたプログラミングし終わっている。
14. あとはサブルーチンを一部追加するだけだ。
15. しかし昨日までの中島は、そのプログラムを完成させることには若干のためらいがあった。

{ Machine Translation }

1. Nakajima's interest in witchcraft began when he suddenly had the opportunity to read "Golden Dawn: A New Testament."
2. Although frustrated by the poor translation, he read it through to the end.
3. This is because the fascinating world of magic, with its hidden guilt, is cold-bloodedly expressed with a mysterious realism.
4. As he reread the passage he was interested in two or three times, he suddenly realized a fact, as if he had been touched by a revelation.
5. The parallels between magic theory and computer theory are striking.
6. Computers and Witchcraft.
7. Two seemingly unrelated worlds.
8. However, the similarities between the two have long been pointed out by researchers in information engineering, magic, and both sides without waiting for Nakajima's discovery.
9. One such person is MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Professor Charles Fied, who is well known for his research in artificial intelligence.
10. Nakajima immediately joined the International Satanist Garden (ISG) organized by the professor.
11. And for the past several months, Nakajima has been immersed in creating a program to summon demons of his own devising.
12. Almost to completion.
13. The pillar part of the project was almost finished being programmed.
14. All that remains is to add some subroutines.
15. Until yesterday, however, Nakajima had some hesitation in completing that program.

{ My Translation; V1 - 22NOV22 }

 His initial interest in the arcane began when he suddenly stumbled upon the aforementioned tome on his desk, "The Golden Dawn: A New Testament". Despite the frustratingly inadequate translation, he eventually managed to read it to the end: the fascinating world of magick and mysticism, with all its hidden taboos, printed in the cold and concise manner expected of a technical manual.
 On his second or third time reading the book, he was suddenly struck with a flash of inspiration. A revelation, in fact.
 The parallels between magickal theory and computer theory were striking.

 Computers and Witchcraft. Two seemingly distinct fields.

 However, the connections between the two subjects have long been known by both information technology engineers and magickal practitioners, long prior to Nakajima's epiphany. One such person was a renowned Artificial Intelligence (AI) researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Professor Charles Feed. Feed organized a group, dubbed the International Satanist Garden (ISG), which Nakajima immediately joined upon hearing of it.
 As for the past several months, the sum of Nakajima's research had been dedicated to scripting a program to summon demons of his own devising. A program that was nearly complete. The central pillar, the main codebase, was nearly finished. All that remained was certain subroutines. However, until recently, Nakajima had hesitated to finish the program.

{ Next Page > }
{ Top ^ }

Page 25

{ OCR Text }

{ Machine Translation }

{ My Translation; V1 - 22NOV22 }

 

{ Next Page > }
{ Top ^ }