Aeon Style Minamisuna — Local services in Tokyo

短編小説

『赤い部屋 / The Red Room』

深夜二時。静寂の中に、また――鈍い音が響いた。

2 a.m. A dull thud echoed through the silence.

あかりはキッチンの床に座り込んでいた。腹は大きく、両手は震えていた。

Akari sat on the kitchen floor. Her belly was large, and her hands trembled.

もう七ヶ月目だ。胎動が激しくなってきた最近、彼女は赤ん坊が彼の声を恐れて動き出すのを感じていた。

Seven months pregnant. Lately, the baby would stir whenever it heard his voice—out of fear.

「うるせぇって言ってんだろ！」

“I said shut the hell up!”

さっきまで耳元で怒鳴っていた夫、拓海の姿はもう見えなかった。寝室に戻ったのだろう。

Her husband Takumi, who had just been yelling in her ear, was now gone—likely back in the bedroom.

彼の怒りの余韻だけが、まだ部屋の空気を震わせていた。

The echo of his rage still lingered in the air.

もう限界だった。

She had reached her limit.

あかりは立ち上がり、引き出しを開けた。中にあるのは小さな果物ナイフ。

Akari stood up and opened the drawer. Inside was a small fruit knife.

以前、りんごを剥くために買ったものだった。だが今、その刃先はまるで別の用途に光って見える。

She had once bought it to peel apples. But now, the blade glinted with a different purpose.

目を閉じ、深呼吸をする。腹の中の命が、小さく蹴った。

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The life inside her kicked gently.

「ごめんね……」

“I’m sorry…”

寝室のドアを開けたとき、拓海は酒臭い寝息を立てていた。

When she opened the bedroom door, Takumi was snoring, reeking of alcohol.

顔をしかめていた。怒りを抱いたまま眠ったのだろう。

His face was twisted in anger—even in sleep.

あかりはナイフを持つ手を固く握りしめた。

Akari tightened her grip on the knife.

だがその時、彼女の目に飛び込んできたのは、机の上に無造作に置かれた母子手帳だった。

But then, she saw it—her maternity health record book, lying carelessly on the desk.

――この子を守るんだ。

—I have to protect this child.

刃先が揺れた。彼女は目を伏せ、ナイフを布団の端に置いた。

The blade wavered. She lowered her eyes and placed the knife at the edge of the bed.

そして、代わりにスマートフォンを手に取った。

Instead, she reached for her phone.

「もしもし、警察ですか……助けてください。夫に暴力を受けています。……もう、耐えられません」

“Hello, is this the police? Please help me… My husband is violent. I can’t take it anymore…”

その声は、震えていたが、確かに強かった。

Her voice trembled, but it carried strength.

エピローグ / Epilogue

半年後。あかりは静かな町に引っ越し、赤ん坊とふたりで新しい生活を始めていた。

Six months later. Akari had moved to a quiet town, starting a new life with her baby.

「今日も、ママは強かったよ」

“Mama was strong again today.”

窓から差し込む光の中、赤ちゃんが笑った。

The baby smiled in the sunlight streaming through the window.

未来にはまだ不安も影もある。でも、あの日彼女がナイフを置いたことで、命は繋がった。

The future still held uncertainty and shadows. But that day—when she laid the knife down—life had continued.

そして、何より大切なものを守るための一歩を、踏み出せたのだった。

And above all, she had taken the first step to protect what...

The store has almost everything you need on a daily basis as well as things such as electrical appliances and clothing.

I live their organic veggie range. Andalso the Sunamachi Marche section.

Their price is very reasonable but please remember to bring along your own shopping bags if you don't want to pay for carry bags.

On Tuesday, they sell a lot of stuff at discounted price and it gets very busy at...

I think I am here almost every day. Always getting something. And my fashion is from here too! I have to laugh just thinking about it. We still call this place Jusco! Memories of when it used to be Jusco and before when there was no Jusco. Wait till 8 pm and the takeout food is discounted which is always fun to see what is leftover for my breakfast...