空回り
karamawari
In Vain

Vocals: Ranko
Lyrics: Comp
Arranged by: Comp & Paprika
Album: Maiden Purgatory Vol.3 [少女煉獄　第三巻] 【Official Site】
Circle: Butaotome (豚乙女)
Event: C88
Original Theme: Battlefield of the Flower Threshold [華狭間のバトルフィールド]

Subtitled video courtesy of Quwanti: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2m1HWGuoXA
Subtitled video courtesy of Eiki Shiki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28xYvsyogLg

The final track from the album! It’s also a rare arrangement collaboration between Comp and Paprika.

I went with ‘In Vain’ as the title to stick with how I translated it in the song. The term itself literally means “spinning one’s wheels” or “fruitless effort.” Basically, everything that Kasen does is in vain because, ultimately, she’s seen as a stranger. Or something like that. I apologise for the… long chorus sections, but I tried to make something that actually works when sung along with the original, and I think I might have succeeded…! Feel free to cut out the repeated sections if you’d like to save space 🙂 The onomatopoeic parts were also a challenge, but I added a few notes in to explain my interpretation.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

穏やかな日々をただ過ごしてたいだけ
愉快な日常をただ守ってたいだけ
ドロドロな記憶をただ忘れてたいだけ
嫌われてたことをなかったことにさせて

odayaka na hibi wo tada sugoshitetai dake
yukai na nichijou wo tada mamottetai dake
dorodoro na kioku wo tada wasuretetai dake
kirawareteta koto wo nakatta koto ni sasete

I just want to pass my days peacefully.
I just want to protect these pleasant days.
I just want to forget my muddled memories.
I want to make it so I was never hated…

他愛ないことに身につまされ
今日も眠れないかな

taai nai koto ni mi ni tsumasare
kyou mo nemurenai ka na

But foolish things resonate within me.
It looks like I won’t sleep today, as well…

どうせ私いつも空回り どうせ私いつも空回り
どうせ私いつも空回りってカラカラカラカララ

douse watashi itsumo karamawari douse watashi itsumo karamawari
douse watashi itsumo karamawari tte karakarakarakarara

At the end of the day, all my efforts are in vain. At the end of the day, all my efforts are in vain.
At the end of the day, all my efforts are in vain – I laugh, I laugh, I laugh, I laugh and laugh! (1)

平穏な場所をただ探しているだけ
普通という声をただ耳にしたいだけ
身を潜めた過去をただ忘れてたいだけ
あの頃の自分をなかったことにさせて

heion na basho wo tada sagashite iru dake
futsuu toiu koe wo tada mimi ni shitai dake
mi wo hisometa kako wo tada wasuretetai dake
ano koro no jibun wo nakatta koto ni sasete

I’m just searching for a place of tranquility.
I just want to catch the sound of ordinary voices.
I just want to forget about my past, in which I hid myself away.
I want to make it so the me of those days never existed…

他愛ないことにビクビクして
今日も眠れないかな

taai nai koto ni bikubiku shite
kyou mo nemurenai ka na

But I’m afraid of foolish things.
It looks like I won’t sleep today, as well…

どうせ私いつも異邦人 どうせ私いつも異邦人
どうせ私いつも異邦人ってライライライライラ

douse watashi itsumo ihoujin douse watashi itsumo ihoujin
douse watashi itsumo ihoujin tte rairairairaira

At the end of the day, I’m always an outsider. At the end of the day, I’m always an outsider
At the end of the day, I’m always an outsider – but I don’t mind, don’t mind, don’t mind, don’t mind! (2)

どうせ私いなくたっていい どうせ私いなくたっていい
どうせ私いなくたっていいってアウアウアウアウア
どうせ私いつも空回り どうせ私いつも空回り
どうせ私いつも空回りってカラカラカラカララ

douse watashi inakutatte ii douse watashi inakutatte ii
douse watashi inakutatte ii tte auauauaua
douse watashi itsumo karamawari douse watashi itsumo karamawari
douse watashi itsumo karamawari tte karakarakarakarara

At the end of the day, it’s fine even if I’m not here. At the end of the day, it’s fine even if I’m not here.
At the end of the day, it’s fine even if I’m not here – aah, ooh aah, ooh aah, ooh aah, ooh aah!
At the end of the day, all my efforts are in vain. At the end of the day, all my efforts are in vain.
At the end of the day, all my efforts are in vain – I laugh, I laugh, I laugh, I laugh and laugh!

_ _ _ _ _

(1) This is probably an extended version of the onomatopoeia カラカラ (karakara), which is used for a clattering sort of sound, as well as for loud laughter.
(2) This is probably an extended version of ライライ (rairai), which is a way of saying you’re not bothered by unimportant things. It also refers to sounds that are faintly heard.

暗宙模索
anchuu mosaku
Groping Around in Deep Space

Vocals: Ranko
Lyrics: Ranko
Arranged by: Comp
Album: Maiden Purgatory Vol.3 [少女煉獄　第三巻] 【Official Site】
Circle: Butaotome (豚乙女)
Event: C88
Original Theme: The Mysterious Shrine Maiden Flying Through Space [宇宙を飛ぶ不思議な巫女]

Subtitled video courtesy of Eiki Shiki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g47GoOSplKo

I was expecting the lyrics to be about Doremy, but they’re actually about Reisen (see the I have gazed through lunatic eyes part). Also, the title sounds the same as 暗中模索 (anchuu mosaku – ‘groping in the dark’), except the character 中 is replaced with 宙 (‘universe/space’). I went with ‘deep space’ because I think it conveys the intended image better than ‘dark space.’

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

現し世は夢の続き　そのまた先の現実
生身では自殺行為　悪夢に蝕まれる前に

utsushi yo wa yume no tsuzuki sono mata saki no genjitsu
namami de wa jisatsu koui akumu ni mushibamareru mae ni

This world is but the continuation of a dream – it is the reality that exists beyond.
In the flesh, I commit a suicidal act before I am eaten away by the nightmares…

それはそれは不思議な
宇宙と言う名の夢
本当に見てるのは
己の中の恐怖？
背後に道はあれど
前にしか進めない
いいえを選んだとて
永遠に繰り返すなら

sore wa sore wa fushigi na
uchuu to iu na no yume
hontou ni miteru no wa
onore no naka no kyoufu?
haigo ni michi wa aredo
mae ni shika susumenai
iie wo eranda tote
towa ni kurikaesu nara

How very, very curious it is –
That dream, which we call the universe.
Is it really the fear inside me
That I’m looking at right now?
Though there are paths behind me,
I can only press onwards.
Even if I answer ‘no,’
I will go in circles forever. If so…

どこにもない答えの更に増してく悪夢
続きも終わりも無く食べつくしてくれ
欠片を集めて狂夢へと進化しても
繋がる先守り抜く　為すべきことがある

doko ni mo nai kotae no sara ni mashiteku akumu
tsuzuki mo owari mo naku tabe tsukushite kure
kakera wo atsumete kyoumu he to shinka shitemo
tsunagaru saki mamorinuku nasubeki koto ga aru

There are no answers anywhere, and the nightmares just keep increasing.
They are without continuation or end – please, eat them all up!
Even if the fragments come together and evolve into a mad dream,
I will hold onto the end of this rope. There is something I must accomplish.

夢が具現化するなら　ここは楽園のはずで
何も変わらない景色に　都合のいい話なんてない

yume ga gugen kasuru nara koko wa rakuen no hazu de
nani mo kawaranai keshiki ni tsugou no ii hanashi nante nai

If my dreams are realized, then this place should be heaven.
In this unchanging landscape, such convenient talk does not exist.

たとえ話をします
この夢が不自然に
用意されたものでも
誰かの持ち物でも
それでもいつか覚める
待つだけは嫌いなの
槐安を駆け抜けろ
月の都に届け

tatoebanashi wo shimasu
kono yume ga fushizen ni
youi sareta mono demo
dareka no mochimono demo
soredemo itsuka sameru
matsu dake wa kirai na no
kaian wo kakenukero
tsuki no miyako ni todoke

I’m speaking of something similar to this:
What if this dream was unnaturally
Prepared by someone,
Or what if it belonged to someone else?
Even if it’s like that, I’ll wake up someday.
I can’t stand just sitting here and waiting!
I will break through this land of dreams, (1)
And reach the Lunar Capital!

夢じゃない何かが頭の中にだけ
存在したとしたなら、つまりこれは夢？
分からない　今はもう
穢れた地上に染まる狂気の瞳を透かして
見えた未来はどこ？

yume ja nai nanika ga atama no naka ni dake
sonzai shita toshita nara, tsumari kore wa yume?
wakaranai ima wa mou
kegareta chijou ni somaru kyouki no me wo sukashite
mieta mirai wa doko?

Say there was something that isn’t a dream
That existed only in my mind… would you say it’s a dream?
I don’t understand. Now, already,
I have gazed through lunatic eyes, stained by an impure world.
Where is the future I could see?

どこにもない答えの更に増してく悪夢
続きも終わりも無く食べつくしてくれ
分からない　今はもう
穢れた地上に染まる狂気の瞳を透かして
見えた未来はどこ？

doko ni mo nai kotae no sara ni mashiteku akumu
tsuzuki mo owari mo naku tabe tsukushite kure
wakaranai ima wa mou
kegareta chijou ni somaru kyouki no me wo sukashite
mieta mirai wa doko?

There are no answers anywhere, and the nightmares just keep increasing.
They are without continuation or end – please, eat them all up!
I don’t understand. Now, already,
I have gazed through lunatic eyes, stained by an impure world.
Where is the future I could see?

_ _ _ _ _

(1) The original phrase 槐安 (‘kaian’) refers to a traditional tale – a lot like Alice in Wonderland – in which a man falls asleep at the base of a tree, and is whisked off to a distant kingdom. The phrase is commonly used to refer to transient things, or dreams, as a metaphor.

花
hana
Flowers

Vocals: Ranko
Lyrics: Comp
Arranged by: Comp
Album: Maiden Purgatory Vol.3 [少女煉獄　第三巻] 【Official Site】
Circle: Butaotome (豚乙女)
Event: C88
Original Theme: The Venerable Ancient Battlefield ~ Suwa Foughten Field [神さびた古戦場 ~ Suwa Foughten Field]

Subtitled video courtesy of Undefined Fantastic Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0ZcR8RVZM8
Subtitled video courtesy of Eiki Shiki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAT1N0PttyQ

I was really annoying, and I went with ‘Flowers’ as the title rather than the singular ‘flower.’ I have a good reason! I swear! Well… it’s basically because that’s how I translated ‘花’ throughout the song. The titles of BUTAOTOME tracks often appear in the song lyrics, which is what informs my translations of them most of the time. It’s also why a part of me believes that it’s impossible to actually translate song titles unless you translate the whole song, but that’s another matter altogether…

By the way, it turns out Comp arranged 打出の小槌の残滓 from the previous album, and Comp and Paprika arranged 煙草と狸と無銭飲食 together.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

嗚呼 何かを作ってはまた
悦びしたり顔
「もう神などいらぬよ」と
「もう神などいないよ」と

aa nanika wo tsukutte wa mata
yorokobi shitarigao
“mou kami nado iranu yo” to
“mou kami nado inai yo” to

Aah, when they create something,
They look upon it in joy, saying:
“We don’t need gods anymore!” and
“God doesn’t exist anymore!”

この世全てあの世までも
見通せると奢りがなる

kono yo subete ano yo made mo
mitooseru to ogori ganaru

When they can see through this world
To the other world, they will bellow with pride.

儚く散りゆけど花
人の心は移り変わる季節
その短い時間の中で
何を見つめてる

hakanaku chiri yukedo hana
hito no kokoro wa utsurikawaru kisetsu
sono mijikai toki no naka de
nani wo mitsumeteru

Though the flowers are fleeting, and though they fall…
The human heart is like the changing seasons.
In that brief span of time…
What do they gaze upon?

目に見えなけりゃ無なのか？
目に見えるものすべてか？

me ni mienakerya mu na no ka?
me ni mieru mono subete ka?

If you cannot see it with your eyes, does it not exist?
But the things you can see… are they everything?

忘れた頃思い出して
手を合わせて縋るがなる

wasureta koro omoidashite
te wo awasete sugaru ga naru

I recall the days I had forgotten.
I bring my hands together, cling to those days, and scream…

奇麗に咲く花は希有
人間は所詮借り物だと
分かってる

kirei ni saku hana wa keu
hito wa shosen karimono da to
wakatteru

Flowers that bloom beautifully are rare.
After all, humans are borrowed things –
That much, I understood.

我を忘れ己を知る
誇り高き花

ware wo wasure onore wo shiru
hokori takaki hana

They lose control of themselves, and know themselves.
They are such proud flowers.

儚く散ってゆく花
人の心は脆くすぐに滲む
だからこそと見えぬものを
信じている花

hakanaku chitte yuku hana
hito no kokoro wa moroku sugu ni nijimu
dakarakoso to mienu mono wo
shinjite iru hana

The flowers are fleeting, and they fall.
The human heart is brittle, and their feelings immediately show.
Because of this, the flowers believe
In that which they cannot see.

儚く散りゆけど花
人の心は移り変わる季節
その短い時間の中で
何を見つけてく

hakanaku chiri yukedo hana
hito no kokoro wa utsurikawaru kisetsu
sono mijikai toki no naka de
nani wo mitsuketeku

Though the flowers are fleeting, and though they fall…
The human heart is like the changing seasons.
In that brief span of time…
What do they gaze upon?

自己宇宙
jiko uchuu
One’s Own Universe

Vocals: Ranko
Lyrics: Comp
Arranged by: Comp
Album: Maiden Purgatory Vol.3 [少女煉獄　第三巻] 【Official Site】
Circle: Butaotome (豚乙女)
Event: C88
Original Themes: –Occult à la Carte [オカルトアラカルト]
–The Arcane is Revealed [明かされる深秘]

Subtitled video courtesy of Quwanti: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFB2hUuDx0w
Subtitled video courtesy of Eik Shiki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuVT8f82sDA

A great vocal arrangement of Occult à la Carte – that came out of nowhere! Lyrics-wise, though, I’m… not quite sure what to make of this one. The original themes are neutral, so it’s hard to tell who the speaker is – is it Sumireko? Is it Marisa? Reimu? To be honest, I feel like the occult balls themselves are the speakers at certain points, like the “I’m in front of you, behind you…” section. But then, that’s about as likely as seeing lyrics written from the perspective of the 5 magic stones >_>

是思うがまま (‘kore omou ga mama’) is a really ambiguous phrase (or at least, it is to me.) Also, I was originally going to go with ‘Personal Space‘ as the title, but I decided that it didn’t fit, so I dumped it…

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

所詮噂話で 然れど噂話で
嘘から出た実で 噂話根こそぎ頂戴

shosen uwasabanashi de saredo uwasabanashi de
uso kara deta makoto de uwasabanashi nekosogi choudai

When all is said and done, gossip is gossip.
It’s the truth that emerges from lies – give me gossip, roots and all!

誰かがこちらをジッと見ている そんな気がしている
ザワザワしている第六感 隙間からの瞳
「此処は昔墓地」なんて言われちゃ
なんとなくで怖い
七つの不思議を全部知ったらダメなのかも
でもね

dareka ga kochira wo jitto mite iru sonna ki ga shite iru
zawazawa shite iru dairokkan sukima kara no hitomi
“koko wa mukashi bochi” nante iwarecha
nantonaku de kowai
nanatsu no fushigi wo zenbu shittara dame na no kamo
demo ne

Someone’s staring this way. At least, that’s what I think…
My sixth sense is tingling. An eye peeps through the cracks.
Someone told me “this place used to be a graveyard,”
And somehow, it’s scary.
If we were aware of all of the Seven Wonders, it’d be no good!
But, you know…

常識じゃ（分からないこと）
それこそが（くすぐられる）
人の性（心奪われ）
見えないもの探して

joushiki ja (wakaranai koto)
sore koso ga (kusugurareru)
hito no saga (kokoro ubaware)
mienai mono sagashite

Things that can’t be understood (through common sense)
Are the sorts of things (that tickle my fancy.)
Human nature (snatches my heart away.)
I search for things that cannot be seen…

恐怖とは計り知れぬ己の玩具だ
可愛がるも仕舞い込むも 是、思うがまま
ちょっとだけって見てみたい ちょっとだけで終わるなら
ちょっとだけで終わらない もうソレしか見えてない

kyoufu to wa hakari shirenu onore no omocha da
kawaigaru mo shimaikomu mo kore, omou ga mama
chotto dake tte mite mitai chotto dake de owaru nara
chotto dake de owaranai mou sore shika mietenai

Fear cannot be measured or known – it’s my plaything.
I love it and hoard it, as I please.
I just want to have a little look! If it’s going to end in just a little bit…
Then I won’t stop at just a little bit! I’m blind to all but ‘that’ now…

眠りの奥に咲いたパノラマ 夢と少し違う
求める心が描き出したもう一つの世界

nemuri no oku ni saita panorama yume to sukoshi chigau
motomeru kokoro ga egakidashita mou hitotsu no sekai

The panorama that bloomed in the depths of my sleep is a bit different to a dream.
It’s another world that my longing heart dreamed up.

止めどなく（溢れ出てくる）
ワクワクが（止まらない）
手を伸ばし（指先触れる）
掴めるかを試して

tomedonaku (afuredete kuru)
wakuwaku ga (tomaranai)
te wo nobashi (yubisaki fureru)
tsukameru ka wo tameshite

Without end, (it overflows…)
My excitement (can’t be stopped.)
I stretch out my arm (and feel it with my fingertips.)
I try to grasp it.

好奇心 それはつまり己の怪物
飼いならすも飼い殺すも 是、思うがまま
ちょっとだけって見てみたい ちょっとだけで終わるなら
ちょっとだけで終わらない もうソレしか見えてない

koukishin sore wa tsumari onore no monsutaa
kainarasu mo kaigorosu mo kore, omou ga mama
chotto dake tte mite mitai chotto dake de owaru nara
chotto dake de owaranai mou sore shika mietenai

Curiosity: in other words, it’s my monster.
I tame it, and keep it ‘round till it dies… as I please.
I just want to have a little look! If it’s going to end in just a little bit…
Then I won’t stop at just a little bit! I’m blind to all but ‘that’ now…

あなたの前と後ろ左も右も
上も下も中も外も是、思うがまま

anata no mae to ushiro hidari mo migi mo
ue mo shita mo naka mo soto mo kore, omou ga mama

I’m in front of you, behind you, and to your left and right,
And above you, below you, inside you, outside you… as I please.

真実でもデタラメでもどうでもいいのさ
己の中それがすべて 是思うがまま
ちょっとだけって見てみたい ちょっとだけで終わるなら
ちょっとだけで終わらない もうソレしか見えてない

hontou demo detarame demo dou demo ii no sa
onore no naka sore ga subete kore omou ga mama
chotto dake tte mite mitai chotto dake de owaru nara
chotto dake de owaranai mou sore shika mietenai

It doesn’t matter whether it’s truth or nonsense –
It’s all that exists inside me… as I please.
I just want to have a little look! If it’s going to end in just a little bit…
Then I won’t stop at just a little bit! I’m blind to all but ‘that’ now…

所詮噂話で 然れど噂話で
嘘から出た実で 噂話根こそぎ頂戴

shosen uwasabanashi de saredo uwasabanashi de
uso kara deta makoto de uwasabanashi nekosogi choudai

When all is said and done, gossip is gossip.
It’s the truth that emerges from lies – give me gossip, roots and all!

縄跳び
nawatobi
Skipping Rope

Vocals: Ranko
Lyrics: Comp
Arranged by: Comp
Album: Maiden Purgatory Vol.3 [少女煉獄　第三巻] 【Official Site】
Circle: Butaotome (豚乙女)
Event: C88
Original Theme: Desire Drive [デザイアドライブ]

Subtitled video courtesy of Eiki Shiki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrJ9s3SUwxY

I’ve been waiting for BUTAOTOME to do a proper cover of Desire Drive since Ten Desires came out. And it’s finally happened. I was probably a bit free with this translation, but I felt like I… ‘knew’ what was going on, so I tried to find words to match that. It’s a very open-ended song, though. Also, the 貴女 (‘you’) is female.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

もう 遠くに 遠くに 夢は描けない
もう さよなら さよなら さよなら
もう よしなに よしなに 後始末をして
もう さよなら さよなら 忘れて

mou tooku ni tooku ni yume wa egakenai
mou sayonara sayonara sayonara
mou yoshinani yoshinani atoshimatsu wo shite
mou sayonara sayonara wasurete

I cannot picture that distant dream in my mind.
Goodbye, farewell, goodbye…
As you see fit, suitably sort out my affairs.
Goodbye, farewell. Forget me…

欺いても欺いても欺けない運命の山
自分以外 所詮他人 生きている間は

azamuite mo azamuite mo azamukenai sadame no yama
jibun igai shosen tanin ikite iru aida wa

The lives of those who aren’t me – unrelated people, after all –
Are a mountain of fate, which cannot be deceived, though they struggle.

命の光を夜空に投げて暗闇を照らし泣いた
失くしてしまえば もう失くさない
冷たい体を抱いた

inochi no hikari wo yozora ni nagete kurayami wo terashi naita
nakushite shimaeba mou nakusanai
tsumetai karada wo daita

I cast the light of life into the night sky. It illuminated the darkness, and I cried.
I lost you once before, but I won’t lose you again.
I embraced your cold corpse.

届かずに兎角に追いかけた影は
もうとっくに とっくに触れてた
生やかに けやかに残るこの姿
戻れない世界にさよなら

todokazu ni tokaku ni oikaketa kage wa
mou tokku ni tokku ni fureteta
namayaka ni keyaka ni nokoru kono sugata
modorenai sekai ni sayonara

I pursued your silhouette without reaching you,
Though I had already touched you, long ago.
Your figure, left behind whilst you were so young, so beautiful,
Bade farewell to the world it could not return to.

何が善で何が邪か天は何を見てるのやら
冷たい手を握りしめた 握り返す貴女

nani ga zen de nani ga aku ka ten wa nani wo miteru no yara
tsumetai te wo nigirishimeta nigiri kaesu anata

What is good? What is evil? What might the heavens be gazing upon?
I grabbed your cold hand. You squeezed back.

空白に思えるほどに永く
いつも二人で笑った
醒めてる視線を縄跳びにして
日が暮れるまで遊んだ
命の光を夜空に投げて暗闇を照らし泣いた
失くしてしまえば もう失くさない
冷たい体を抱いた

kuuhaku ni omoeru hodo ni nagaku
itsumo futari de waratta
sameteru shisen wo nawatobi ni shite
hi ga kureru made asonda
inochi no hikari wo yozora ni nagete kurayami wo terashi naita
nakushite shimaeba mou nakusanai
tsumetai karada wo daita

For a long time, whilst in that blank space,
We always laughed together.
Upon waking, we made a skipping rope with our lines of sight
And played until the sun set.
I cast the light of life into the night sky. It illuminated the darkness, and I cried.
I lost you once before, but I won’t lose you again.
I embraced your cold corpse.

涅槃待ち
nehan machi
Awaiting Nirvana

Vocals: Ranko
Lyrics: Ranko
Arranged by: Comp
Album: Maiden Purgatory Vol.3 [少女煉獄　第三巻] 【Official Site】
Circle: BUTAOTOME (豚乙女)
Event: C88
Original Theme: The Traditional Old Man and the Stylish Girl [時代親父とハイカラ少女]

Subtitled video courtesy of Eiki Shiki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kgNfI0Mctw
Subtitled video courtesy of Quwanti: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTmpE9P0YVY

To be honest, I don’t really hear the original theme in this one. Like, if I listen really hard, I can faintly make it out, but that’s pretty much it. Oh well! The lyrics are still good. This time, they deal with Buddhist themes. I feel like 釈迦 (‘shaka’) is a different deity to ‘Buddha,’ but I might be wrong…

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

怪しい雲が流れてゆく
灰色空模様
雨のち晴れはない
みんな見て見ぬふりしてる
そう思ってたけど
本当に見えてない？

ayashii kumo ga nagarete yuku
haiiro soramoyou
ame nochi hare wa nai
minna mite minu furi shiteru
sou omotteta kedo
hontou ni mietenai?

Ominous clouds flow by.
The sky is ashen.
After the rain, it does not grow clear.
Everyone looks, but pretends they cannot see it.
That’s what I thought.
But can they really not see it?

ここは地獄じゃなくて
だけど楽園じゃない
諸行無常の常よ
涅槃はまだかしら

koko wa jigoku ja nakute
dakedo rakuen ja nai
shogyoumujou no tsune yo
nehan wa mada kashira

This isn’t Hell
But it isn’t Heaven either.
It’s just ordinary – all worldly things are transient!
Nivana? Not yet, I guess…

「一番上」より「唯一」の
花にはなれません
おまじないはヤメテ
サラバ幾千光年の
孤独も憂鬱も
拳で粉砕さ

“ichiban ue” yori “yuiitsu” no
hana ni wa naremasen
omajinai wa yamete
saraba ikusen kounen no
kodoku mo yuuutsu mo
kobushi de funsai sa

I cannot become the ‘sole’ flower,
As opposed to the ‘topmost’ flower,
So I stop with those magic charms.
If that is so, then with my fists
I will shatter the isolation and melancholy
Of thousands of light years.

ここじゃまるで平凡
わたし没個性みたい
三千世界の果てで
空虚とおんなじよ

koko ja marude heibon
watashi botsukosei mitai
sanzensekai no hate de
kuukyo to onnaji yo

It’s quite ordinary here.
It’s as if I have no personality.
I’m the same as the emptiness that lies
At the end of the universe.

そんな馬鹿げた話
釈迦も笑い飛ばして
笑えないことなんて
この世にゃありません

sonna bakageta hanashi
shaka mo waraitobashite
waraenai koto nante
kono yo nya arimasen

Such foolish words
Would be laughed off by even Shakyamuni.
There is nothing in the world
That cannot make them laugh.

ここじゃまるで平凡
わたし没個性みたい
三千世界の果てで
空虚とおんなじよ
ここは地獄じゃなくて
だけど楽園じゃない
諸行無常の常よ
涅槃はまだかしら

koko ja marude heibon
watashi botsukosei mitai
sanzensekai no hate de
kuukyo to onnaji yo
koko wa jigoku ja nakute
dakedo rakuen ja nai
shogyoumujou no tsune yo
nehan wa mada kashira

It’s quite ordinary here.
It’s as if I have no personality.
I’m the same as the emptiness that lies
At the end of the universe.
This isn’t Hell
But it isn’t Heaven either.
It’s just ordinary – all worldly things are transient!
Nivana? Not yet, I guess…

うたかた
utakata
Transient

Vocals: Ranko
Lyrics: Ranko
Arranged by: Comp
Album: Maiden Purgatory Vol.3 [少女煉獄　第三巻] 【Official Site】
Circle: Butaotome (豚乙女)
Event: C88
Original Theme: Reach for the Moon, Immortal Smoke [月まで届け、不死の煙]

Subtitled video courtesy of Eiki Shiki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ypdq-hz21w

So, breaking with my tradition of translating new albums in order, I decided to skip straight to this one. Why? Because it’s probably my most loved track from the album…

Anyway, the lyrics are tragic. I tried my best to emphasise the emotion in this one.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

飛ぶ鳥は群れを成し
浮かべる孤独ついばむ
暖かい穴の中
一人きり膝を抱えた
生まれ生まれて生まれ
死に死に死に死に死んで
生の始めに暗く
死の終わりにもいと冥く

tobutori wa mure wo nashi
ukaberu kodoku tsuibamu
atatakai ana no naka
hitorikiri hiza wo kakaeta
umare umarete umare
shi ni shi ni shi ni shi ni shinde
sei no hajime ni kuraku
shi no owari ni mo ito kuraku

The birds flock together
And peck at that solitude, set adrift.
Inside a warm hole,
I sat, alone, with my arms around my knees.
Be born, be born, be born…
And pass away, pass away, pass away.
When life begins, it is dark.
Death, too, is so dark… (1)

誰の目にも留まることのない
救われない罪人よ

dare no me ni mo tomaru koto no nai
sukuwarenai tsumibito yo

Nobody will lay their eyes upon me.
I am a sinner, beyond redemption.

◯
せめて覚めない夢よ終われ
死出の旅路を共に参ろう
あの日貴方の後姿
焼き付けた瞳潰して欲しい
そして消えない夢の終わり
置いて逝かれた哀れな凡夫
何時か何時も何時までも今
燃え上がるこの身を抱いて眠る

semete samenai yume yo oware
shide no tabiji wo tomo ni mairou
ano hi anata no ushirosugata
yakitsuketa hitomi tsubushite hoshii
soshite kienai yume no owari
oite ikareta aware na bonbu
itsuka itsumo itsumademo ima
moeagaru kono mi wo daite nemuru

O, if at least this endless dream could end,
I could depart on my final journey, as well…
Your retreating figure, from that day,
Is burned into my eyes. I want to crush them.
And at the end of this dream, which will not go out,
Lies a pitiful, unenlightened person, who has been left behind.
Someday, always, forever, and now
You will embrace my burning body, and I will sleep.

花弁を散らかして
死に化粧施しながら
とりかぶとを喰らって
甘美な死に夢を見てる

hanabira wo chirakashite
shi ni keshou hodokoshi nagara
torikabuto wo kuratte
kanbi na shi ni yume wo miteru

I scatter petals,
And whilst applying my funeral makeup,
I consume wolfsbane.
In sweet death, I dream…

死ねない死ねない
死にたくなるよ
生きて生きていつまでも

shinenai shinenai
shinitaku naru yo
ikite ikite itsu made mo

I cannot die, I cannot die,
Yet I now yearn for death.
I must live, I must live forever…

殺されるのも殺すことも
神様が罰した暇つぶし
本当の意味の自由なんて
知りたくなかったのに愛おしい
曼珠沙華咲き乱れる坂
黄泉の国へいざや参ろうか
けれど全ては淡き夢と
燃え墜ちて土に還ることなし

korosareru no mo korosu koto mo
kamisama ga basshita himatsubushi
hontou no imi no jiyuu nante
shiritakunakatta no ni itooshii
manjushage sakimidareru saka
yomi no kuni e iza ya mairou ka
keredo subete wa awaki yume to
moe ochite tsuchi ni kaeru koto nashi

Being killed and killing…
Killing time in such a way will be punished by God.
Though I did not want to learn
Of freedom and its true meaning, it is dear to me.
I am upon a hill, where the spider lilies bloom profusely.
Come, now, shall we go to Hades – to the realm of the dead?
But it was all just a faint dream.
I burned up and fell to the earth, without returning to it.

◯

_ _ _ _ _

(1) The above 4 lines are a reference to Mokou’s dialgue with the Yuyuko x Youmu team in Imperishable Night, which is itself a quote from the 十住心論 (Juujuushin ron – a text written by Kuukai, the founder of Shingon Buddhism). The ‘darkness’ refers to our lack of knowledge regarding what happens when we are born or when we die.

ふたつのシネマ
futatsu no shinema
Two Cinemas

Vocals: Ranko
Lyrics: Comp
Arranged by: Comp
Album: Maiden Purgatory Vol.3 [少女煉獄　第三巻] 【Official Site】
Circle: Butaotome (豚乙女)
Event: C88
Original Theme: Last Occultism ~ Esotericist of the Present World [ラストオカルティズム　～ 現し世の秘術師]

Subtitled version of the PV courtesy of Quwanti: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbPtO0RW3AE
Subtitled [full version] video courtesy of Eiki Shiki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=454BTTTigbY

The full album version. I went through and made some sections of the old version a bit clearer, and I also fixed up some mistakes. I kind of regret translating the original short version so quickly… >_> [I also got rid of the strikethrough effect. I felt that it just didn’t fit the song].

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

瞼の裏に焼き付いてる夢
同期してるパラレル
二つのシネマ観てるみたい 不思議の先の物語

mabuta no ura ni yakitsuiteru yume
douki shiteru parareru
futatsu no shinema miteru mitai fushigi no saki no merodii

The dream that is scorched into my eyelids
Is a synchronising ‘parallel.’
It’s like watching two cinemas. This melody is from beyond that mystery…

ぐるぐるまわる世に
違いがありそうでないのが現実 肩すかし
鏡に映るのは
瞼を開いたときだけ現る一人の娘

guruguru mawaru yo ni
chigai ga arisou de nai no ga genjitsu katasukashi
kagami ni utsuru no wa
mabuta wo hiraita toki dake arawaru hitori no ko

In this world, which spins round and round,
Reality seems different, though it isn’t – it’s unexpected.
That which is reflected in the mirror
Is a lone girl, who only appears when I open my eyes.

世界は私、私以外の二つのモノしかなくて
退屈よりも退屈じゃない そんな笑顔が溢れる

sekai wa watashi, watashi igai no futatsu no mono shika nakute
taikutsu yori mo taikutsu ja nai sonna egao ga afureru

Only two things exist in this world: me, and that which is not me.
It’s more boring than boredom, isn’t it? Those smiles overflow…

でも眠りの後に広がる景色
そこはまさにカラフル
夢の様な夢ではない夢 癖になりそうな眠り

demo nemuri no ato ni hirogaru iro
soko wa masa ni karafuru
yume no you na yume dewa nai yume kuse ni narisou na nemuri

But the colourful landscape that spreads out after I fall asleep
Is certainly colourful.
It’s a dream that’s not like a dream; sleeping has become a habit.

カラカラ空騒ぎ
脳みそ溶かして喜ぶ悪魔が平泳ぎ
下った品性に
愚鈍と痛みと恐れを感じて目を閉じる

karakara karasawagi
noumiso tokashite yorokobu akuma ga hiraoyogi
kudatta hinsei ni
gudon to itami to osore wo kanjite me wo tojiru

Loudly laughing, making a fuss,
The demons swim in my dissolving brain tissue.
In my sunken character,
I feel stupid, in pain, and afraid – I close my eyes…

自分が二人いればいいなと
感じたことがあるでしょ？
二人で一人 一人で二人
出逢えることはないけど

jibun ga futari ireba ii na to
kanjita koto ga aru desho?
futari de hitori hitori de futari
deaeru koto wa nai kedo

You must have once felt that it would be good
If there were two of you, right?
Together, alone; alone, together.
Though they can never meet…

また眠りの先に広がる景色
ここは常にミラクル
彼処でのこと 此処でのこと
どちらにいても私

mata nemuri no saki ni hirogaru iro
koko wa tsune ni mirakuru
achira de no koto koko de no koto
dochira ni ite mo watashi

The colourful landscape that spreads out once more after I fall asleep
Is always a miracle.
Over there, over here,
No matter where I am, I’m me.

瞼の裏に焼き付いてる夢
同期してるパラレル

mabuta no ura ni yakitsuiteru yume
douki shiteru parareru

The dream that is scorched into my eyelids
Is a synchronising ‘parallel.’

眠りの中に広がる景色
幻想曲奏でる
夢のような夢ではない夢 私を変える物語

nemuri no naka ni hirogaru iro
gensoukyoku kanaderu
yume no you na yume dewa nai yume watashi wo kaeru merodii

The colourful landscape that spreads out in my sleep
Plays a fantasia.
It’s a dream that’s not like a dream. This melody changes me…