美しい人
utsukushii hito
A Beautiful Woman

Vocals: Ranko
Lyrics: Ranko
Arranged by: Paprika
Album: Youkai Back Alley (あやかし横丁) 【Official Site】
Circle: BUTAOTOME (豚乙女)
Event: C93
Original Theme: Green-Eyed Jealousy [緑眼のジェラシー]
【Visit Tiramisu Cowboy for everything BUTAOTOME!】

Requested by: Vespere

In this song, every instance of ‘you’ (anata) uses the feminine form 貴女. That’s why the title is translated here as ‘A Beautiful Woman,’ even though the more generic ‘人’ [hito, person] is used.

Putting that aside, I had this sitting around half-translated for a bit. Is it just me, or has that become a bit of a theme? Could we call it a running gag…? Probably not.

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此処はどこ？光の無い地底
迷い込み一人きり佇んで
茫然と竦む私の眼に
飛び込んできた美しい人

koko wa doko? hikari no nai chitei
mayoikomi hitorikiri tatazunde
bouzen to sukumu watashi no me ni
tobikonde kita utsukushii hito

Where am I? In the lightless depths of the earth.
I wandered alone and then stood still.
Before my eyes, paralysed with shock,
A beautiful woman leaped into view.

こちらに気付いた貴女は笑い
優しく微笑み手を差し伸べてくれたの

kochira ni kidzuita anata wa warai
yasashiku hohoemi te wo sashinobete kureta no

You laughed, having noticed me,
And you stretched your hand towards me with a kind smile.

「貴女と私は良く似てる
まるでお揃いね　私たち」

“anata to watashi wa yoku niteru
marude osoroi ne watashitachi”

“You and I are so alike.
We’re like twins.”

二人きり　ずっと話す　そうね
内面も思考も同じでも

futarikiri zutto hanasu sou ne
naimen mo shikou mo onaji demo

We talked together for a long time, all alone. Yes…
Even though our minds and our ways of thinking were the same.

みにくいと石を投げられた過去
こんなに美しければ違ってたのかな

minikui to ishi wo nagerareta kako
konna ni utsukushikereba chigatteta no ka na

In the past, I was called ugly and stones were thrown at me.
If I was this beautiful, would things have been different?

「昔のことなどもう忘れて
名前も姿ももう忘れて」

“mukashi no koto nado mou wasurete
namae mo sugata mo mou wasurete”

“Forget all about the past…
Forget about your name and your appearance…”

二人の境が曖昧に
憂いも妬みも暖かい
わたしが増えまた一人きり
嘘色の雪が降り出した

futari no sakai ga aimai ni
urei mo netami mo atatakai
watashi ga fue mata hitorikiri
usoiro no yuki ga furidashita

The boundary between us grows blurry.
Unhappiness and jealousy are so warm.
I multiply and then I am alone again.
Snow, the same colour as lies, began to fall.

ひとかけら
hitokakera
A Fragment

Vocals: Ranko
Lyrics: Ranko
Arranged by: Paprika
Album: Youkai Back Alley (あやかし横丁) 【Official Site】
Circle: BUTAOTOME (豚乙女)
Event: C93
Original Theme: The Lost Emotion [亡失のエモーション]
【Visit Tiramisu Cowboy for everything BUTAOTOME!】

What a great way to end the album. I really enjoy Paprika’s more ambient vocal arrangements, and they form such a good contrast to Comp’s style.

---

連綿と続く毎日
隙間に感じる綻び

renmen to tsudzuku mainichi
sukima ni kanjiru hokorobi

These days continue on forever.
I feel open seams in the intervals between them.

舞い踊って人に見られ
満たされるはずのこころに

maiodotte hito ni mirare
mitasareru hazu no kokoro ni

I dance and am seen by people.
Inside my heart, which should have been fulfilled—

生まれ宿る感情 仮面を迷う
どれが相応しいのかわからないまま 明日も

umare yadoru kanjou kamen wo mayou
dore ga fusawashii no ka wakaranai mama asu mo

Emotions are born and then dwell in my masks. I hesitate over them.
I don’t know which one is suitable… Tomorrow will be the same.

押し付けられた希望 絶望と変わらない
亡くした希望の意味は 拾った人が決める

oshitsukerareta kibou zetsubou to kawaranai
nakushita kibou no imi wa hirotta hito ga kimeru

When forced upon someone, hope is no different to despair.
The meaning of lost hope is determined by the one who picks it up.

今でもまだ不安になることがある
ただの道具に戻る 日が来るかもと
こんな気持ち初めて 仮面を纏う
これが人間味なら 感情は悪じゃない
ひとかけらを拾って すこし笑えた、明日も

ima demo mada fuan ni naru koto ga aru
tada no dougu ni modoru hi ga kuru kamo to
konna kimochi hajimete kamen wo matou
kore ga ningen-mi nara kanjou wa aku ja nai
hitokakera wo hirotte sukoshi waraeta, asu mo

Even now, I still grow uneasy
since I might return to being just a tool someday.
When I feel that way, I put on a mask.
If this is human kindness, then emotions aren’t evil.
I picked up a fragment and I could smile a bit. Tomorrow will be the same.

他人の顔
tanin no kao
A Stranger’s Face

Vocals: Ranko
Lyrics: Ranko
Arranged by: Comp
Album: Youkai Back Alley (あやかし横丁) 【Official Site】
Circle: BUTAOTOME (豚乙女)
Event: C93
Original Theme: Plain Asia [プレインエイジア]
【Visit Tiramisu Cowboy for everything BUTAOTOME!】

---

鏡に映る他人の顔 なぜ 惨めになるのか
似合わぬ紅を引いても あの人に見せられず

kagami ni utsuru tanin no kao naze mijime ni naru no ka
niawanu beni wo hiitemo ano hito ni miserarezu

A stranger’s face is in the mirror. Why do they look so miserable?
Though I put on lipstick that doesn’t suit me, I can’t show them.

求めて求められて、その、
すれ違う熱、二人の距離が
ゆっくり広がる

motomete motomerarete, sono,
surechigau netsu, futari no kyori ga
yukkuri hirogaru

Wanting, being wanted, well…
Through disagreeing passions, the distance between the pair
slowly gets wider.

寂しくならないよ 切なくならないよ
しづかな二人だけの幸福な日々
おそれるの
ぼんやり干からびる のんびり息をする
それだけで満たされるような気がした
白昼夢

sabishiku naranai yo setsunaku naranai yo
shidzuka na futari dake no koufuku na hibi
osoreru no
bon’yari hikarabiru nonbiri iki wo suru
sore dake de mitasareru you na ki ga shita
hakuchuumu

I won’t be lonely. I won’t be miserable.
These are happy days for us, a silent pair.
I’m afraid.
Aimlessly, I completely dried up. I breathed carefreely
and felt like that alone fulfilled me
in a daydream.

かよわく震えるこころ 気付かぬやさしさと鈍さ
知らない こんな私は 口唇を噛み締める

kayowaku furueru kokoro kidzukanu yasashisa to nibusa
shiranai konna watashi wa kuchibiru wo kamishimeru

My heart trembles weakly. I can’t recognise kindness or dullness.
I just don’t know. I bite my lips.

望まぬ自分の欲 声
聞かないふりで無かったことに
過ごしていくだけ

nozomanu jibun no yoku koe
kikanai furi de nakatta koto ni
sugoshite iku dake

I don’t want this lust.
I pretend I can’t hear its voice and just pass the time
as if it never existed.

「健やかなるときも病めるときもいつも」
そんな約束なんて出来なくていい？
本当に？
本音と建前の過酷なたたかいに
終わりが来るのかわからないけど、いま、
迷ってる

“sukoyaka naru toki mo yameru toki mo itsumo”
sonna yakusoku nante dekinakute ii?
hontou ni?
honne to tatemae no kakoku na tatakai ni
owari ga kuru no ka wakaranai kedo, ima,
mayotteru

“In sickness and in health…”
I don’t have to make such a promise, do I?
Really?
I don’t know if there will ever be an end
to the harsh battle between what I do and what I think, but right now
I’m at a loss.

繋いだ手のぬくもりさえ友と私を分ける

tsunaida te no nukumori sae tomo to watashi wo wakeru

Even the warmth of our linked hands parts me from my friend.

ぼんやり干からびる のんびり息をする
それだけで満たされるような気がした
白昼夢
ほんとは寂しくて ほんとは切なくて
閉じられぬ世界ひとつになれなくて
いとしくて かなしくて さびしくて

bon’yari hikarabiru nonbiri iki wo suru
sore dake de mitasareru you na ki ga shita
hakuchuumu
honto wa sabishikute honto wa setsunakute
tojirarenu sekai hitotsu ni narenakute
itoshikute kanashikute sabishikute

Aimlessly, I completely dried up. I breathed carefreely
and felt like that alone fulfilled me
in a daydream.
I’m actually lonely. I’m actually miserable.
We can’t become one in a world that can’t be sealed.
You’re dear to me. I’m sad. I’m lonely…

誰にも言えないブルース
dare nimo ienai buruusu
Unspoken Blues

Vocals: Ranko
Lyrics: Comp
Arranged by: Comp
Album: Youkai Back Alley (あやかし横丁) 【Official Site】
Circle: BUTAOTOME (豚乙女)
Event: C93
Original Theme: Tomboyish Girl in Love [おてんば恋娘]
【Visit Tiramisu Cowboy for everything BUTAOTOME!】

A literal translation of the title would be ‘Blues That I Can’t Tell Anyone About,’ but I chose ‘Unspoken Blues’ because it conveys a similar sentiment in far fewer words. In this case, ‘blues’ probably refers to depression or sadness.

Also, ‘you’ (anata) uses the feminine version 貴女.

---

夕陽昇って紅く染まった家路を伸びた影が
寂しく揺れたらあの日を思い出す
恋は盲目 淡い黄昏 景色はぼやけてても
貴女と交わした言葉は昨日の様に

yuuhi nobotte akaku somatta ieji wo nobita kage ga
sabishiku yuretara ano hi wo omoidasu
koi wa moumoku awai tasogare keshiki wa boyaketetemo
anata to kawashita kotoba wa kinou no you ni

The setting sun advances, and the way home is dyed scarlet.
When I look at the outstretched shadows slowly swaying, I remember that day.
Love is blind. Though the landscape becomes dim in the faint dusk,
The words I exchanged with you are as fresh as if we said them yesterday.

涙零れぬように凍らせた思い出を
大きな夕陽が溶かしてしまいそうだよ

namida koborenu you ni kooraseta omoide wo
ookina yuuhi ga tokashite shimaisou dayo

It’s like the grand setting sun is thawing
the memories I froze so I wouldn’t cry.

渇いた空気が頬をなぞった帰り道に
心に流れる誰にも言えないブルース

kawaita kuuki ga hoho wo nazotta kaerimichi ni
kokoro ni nagareru dare nimo ienai buruusu

The dry wind brushes against my cheeks on the road home.
There, unspoken blues flow through my heart.

時に怒って 時に喚いて 笑って泣いたりして
おバカで気楽な日々を捲ってても
不意に横切るあの日と同じ香りを感じたなら
戻ってしまうのタイムスリップの様に

toki ni okotte toki ni wameite waratte naitari shite
o-baka de kiraku na hibi wo mekuttetemo
fui ni yokogiru ano hi to onaji kaori wo kanjita nara
modotte shimau no taimu surippu no you ni

I got mad sometimes, I shouted sometimes, and I laughed and cried.
I look back over many carefree, foolish days
but when I suddenly come across a scent like one I smelt that day,
I go back. It’s like time travel.

思い焦がれぬように凍らせた思い出が
溶け出さぬように冷たい雪を降らせて

omoikogarenu you ni kooraseta omoide ga
tokedasanu you ni tsumetai yuki wo furasete

I send down cold snow so my memories won’t thaw.
I froze those memories so I wouldn’t pine for you.

降り積もる雪 静かな夜に奇麗な月が浮かんで
青く光った冬を見つめて

furitsumoru yuki shizuka na yoru ni kirei na tsuki ga ukande
aoku hikatta fuyu wo mitsumete

Snow lies thick upon the ground. A beautiful moon floats in the silent night.
I watch winter, which shines blue…

消えてしまわぬように凍らせた思い出は
忘れたふりして思い出として残して

kiete shimawanu you ni kooraseta omoide wa
wasureta furi shite omoide toshite nokoshite

I pretend to forget the memories that I froze
so they wouldn’t disappear. They remain.

渇いた空気が頬をなぞった帰り道に
心に流れる誰にも言えないブルース

kawaita kuuki ga hoho wo nazotta kaerimichi ni
kokoro ni nagareru dare nimo ienai buruusu

The dry wind brushes against my cheeks on the road home.
There, unspoken blues flow through my heart.

隠然
inzen
Hidden

Vocals: Ranko
Lyrics: Comp
Arranged by: Comp
Album: Youkai Back Alley (あやかし横丁) 【Official Site】
Circle: BUTAOTOME (豚乙女)
Event: C93
Original Theme: The Concealed Four Seasons [秘匿されたフォーシーズンズ]
【Visit Tiramisu Cowboy for everything BUTAOTOME!】

For me, BUTAOTOME ended 2017 with a bang. I like this album because each track fits as part of a greater whole. Even the rearrangements seem to add something new that we didn’t hear in the original. This song is quite playful, looking at what we can see and what’s hidden away beneath the surface…

---

見つめたその先 見えないその先
何があるか分からない
伸ばした指先何かに触れても
その何かが分からない

mitsumeta sono saki mienai sono saki
nani ga aru ka wakaranai
nobashita yubisaki nanika ni furetemo
sono nanika ga wakaranai

Beyond where I look, beyond where I can’t see,
I don’t know if anything exists.
Even if my outstretched fingers touch something
I won’t know what it is.

知らないこと知りたくっても時にそれは罠に変わる
でも知りたくなるのが性 罰を受けたとしても

shiranai koto shiritaku ttemo toki ni sore wa wana ni kawaru
demo shiritaku naru no ga saga batsu wo uketa toshitemo

I want to know about what I don’t know, but sometimes that stuff becomes a trap.
Still, it’s in my nature to want to know, even if I’m punished for it.

春に咲く花は散り墜ちて やがて土に還るのさ
命を繋ぎ 季節を繋ぎ 隠したいもの隠すの

haru ni saku hana wa chiri ochite yagate tsuchi ni kaeru no sa
inochi wo tsunagi kisetsu wo tsunagi kakushitai mono kakusu no

Flowers blooming in spring scatter and will eventually return to the soil.
Tying lives, tying seasons together, I’ll conceal what I want to conceal.

鏡を見つめて知ったつもりでも
鏡の裏は見えない
貴女の背中に答えがあっても
向き合ってちゃ分からない

kagami wo mitsumete shitta tsumori demo
kagami no ura wa mienai
anata no senaka ni kotae ga attemo
mukiatte cha wakaranai

Even if I look in the mirror and believe I know,
I can’t see behind the mirror.
Even if answers are there on your back,
I can’t tell while we’re facing each other.

暗闇でも道しるべの夜に浮かぶ七つの星
明るい時見えないけど いつも其処にあるから

kurayami demo michishirube no yoru ni ukabu nanatsu no hoshi
akarui toki mienai kedo itsumo soko ni aru kara

It may be dark, but the Big Dipper floats in the night sky as a signpost.
You can’t see it when it’s light out, but it’s always there!

夏に浮かぶ雲大きくて暑さを少し癒すの
灼熱の中 救いの影が隠したいもの隠すの

natsu ni ukabu kumo ookikute atsusa wo sukoshi iyasu no
shakunetsu no naka sukui no kage ga kakushitai mono kakusu no

Big clouds float in the summer, lessening the heat a bit.
In the scorching heat, shadows of salvation conceal what I want to conceal.

秋に枯れた葉は木枯らしに吹かれ冬を連れて来て
冷たい空が雪を降らせて隠したいもの隠すの

aki ni kareta ha wa kokarashi ni fukare fuyu wo tsurete kite
tsumetai sora ga yuki wo furasete kakushitai mono kakusu no

Leaves withered in autumn are blown by a chilly wind, bringing winter.
The cold sky sends down snow, concealing what I want to conceal.