年ぶりの再会
Catching Up After Years Apart
二人はカフェの片隅で向き合って座っていた。
Two people were sitting facing each other in a corner of a cafe.
窓の外に広がる冬の街並みが、再会の感動をさらに引き立てるようだった。
The winter cityscape outside the window seemed to add to the excitement of their reunion.
「何年ぶりだろう？」
How many years has it been since we last saw each other?"
彩香がふと顔を上げると、透の視線とぶつかった。
Ayaka suddenly looked up and met Toru's gaze.
「十年くらい経つんじゃないか？」
It's been about ten years, hasn't it?"
透がコーヒーカップを手にしながら微笑む。
Toru smiled as he held a cup of coffee in his hand.
その笑顔は、昔と変わらない懐かしさを漂わせていた。
His smile was as nostalgic as ever.
「そうだね。
Yes, it's been about ten years," he said.
あの頃は、お互いまだ学生で、将来なんて漠然としてたよね。」
Back then, we were both still students and had a vague idea of what the future held.
彩香の言葉に、透は軽く頷いた。
Toru nodded lightly at Ayaka's words.
「あの頃は時間が無限にあるように感じたな。
At that time, time seemed to be infinite," she said.
でも、気づけばお互いすっかり大人になった。」
But then I realized that we had both grown up so much.
彩香は一瞬ため息をつき、手元のスプーンをいじり始めた。
Ayaka sighed for a moment and began to fiddle with the spoon in her hand.
「透は何してたの？
"What have you been up to, Toru?"
連絡も途絶えちゃってたけど。」
"We've been out of touch."
「まあ、いろいろあったよ。」
Ayaka sighed for a moment and began to fiddle with the spoon in her hand.
透の目が一瞬遠くを見た。
Toru's eyes looked far away for a moment.
「仕事で海外にいたこともあるし、帰ってきてからは実家の手伝いもしてた。
I was overseas for work, and after I came back I helped out at my parents' house.
忙しさにかまけて、気づいたらこんなに時間が過ぎてた。」
I was so busy that I realized how much time had passed."
「海外？」
Overseas?"
彩香の目が驚きで見開かれた。
Ayaka's eyes widened in surprise.
「どこ行ってたの？」
Where did you go?
「ヨーロッパ。
Europe.
ドイツに三年、そのあとフランスに二年くらいかな。」
Three years in Germany, then maybe two years in France.
「すごいね！
That's amazing!
向こうでの生活はどうだった？」
How was life over there?
透は少しだけ考え込むようにしてから答えた。
Toru pondered for a moment before answering.
「刺激的だったし、学ぶことも多かったけど、正直、孤独も感じたよ。
It was exciting and I learned a lot, but to be honest, I also felt lonely.
自分がどれだけ日本を恋しく思ってたか、行って初めて分かった。」
I didn't realize how much I missed Japan until I went there."
彩香は頷きながら、自分のカップに視線を落とした。
Ayaka nodded and looked down at her cup.
「分かる気がする。
I think I understand.
私も、東京に出てしばらくはそんな感じだった。
I was like that for a while after I moved to Tokyo.
地元の友達が恋しくてね。」
I missed my friends back home.
「彩香も大変だったんだな。」
Ayaka must have had a hard time.
「うん。
I can't imagine how hard it was for you, too.
でも、仕事が楽しくなってきたら、それどころじゃなくなった。
But when I started to enjoy my work, I didn't care about that anymore.
気づけば、友達と集まることも少なくなっちゃってたけど。」
Before I knew it, I didn't get together with my friends as much.
会話は自然と過去の思い出へと移り、二人は学生時代のエピソードを笑いながら語り合った。
The conversation naturally turned to memories of the past, and the two men laughed and talked about episodes from their school days.
時間の流れに翻弄されながらも、二人の間には変わらない何かがあるようだった。
Although they were tossed about by the passage of time, there seemed to be something unchanged between the two of them.
透がふと時計を見る。
Toru looked at his watch.
「そろそろ行かないといけないな。
I should get going," he said.
また近いうちに会おう。」
See you again soon."
「うん、絶対に。」
Ayaka nodded vigorously.
彩香が力強く頷いた。
Ayaka nodded strongly.
別れ際、透が振り返りざまに言った。
As they parted, Toru turned around and said, "Next time, I won't make you wait ten years.
「次は十年も待たせないから。」
I won't make you wait ten years next time.
彩香も笑顔で答えた。
Ayaka answered with a smile.
「約束だよ。」
I promise.
Comprehension Check
Question 1 of 4
透が海外生活を振り返って得た気づきとして最も適切なものは何ですか？