Chapter 1 Part2 (1/2)
This is the second half of the first chapter of the novel titled ”Cube City” (立方体都市), which was originally written in japanese by Ikkai Inubousaki (犬吠埼一介) I’ve gotten the author’s per
You can see the original japanese text for Chapter 1You can see my translation of the first half of this chapter as well as a brief synopsis
Thanksa translation check and proofread of both parts of this chapter
If you liked this chapter, please leave a comment here (or vote for it on my survey ) to help me decide what to translate more of
Chapter 1: “Cube City” (Part 2)
Sometimes I took a taxi and went outside Idea City The i picture shouldn't be underesti er can't ride in the taxi Pitiful little cat The car stopped at a hill, a rare sight normally nonexistent in a world of paper
It's funny how a little elevation s of words upon paper look completely different Enraptured by the view, I carefully rechecked the words laid down so far, their power alical In theory, the Erasers shouldn't be able to co an idiot (like the other day), you never know
In this world, only once words are joined do they take on real anizes the author's thoughts, viewing the world outside his head through a rotating eye of light Recent trends are important Very important, you see Trends and tactics The author has chosen the power of ideals as his tactic against the outside world He thinks in teric, reason
But that ht? That cat thinks he is hot stuff because of the impressive sentences he for more than the pawprints of a cat Pitter, patter, pitter-patter, meow P-poppycock! Stop it already Leave my well-ordered world alone!
Where aht around the center of the world This place is my little secret, so don't tell anyone If you do, the cat's pawprints will be all over here in no time This is where the world of stacked up paper is folded outside of the author’s head Usually the letters are never aware of its existence However, I found it I get the feeling that here I can get my hands on the letters to spell ”a different viewpoint”
I joined the letters, laid therees You know, I aood at this But there is no food here Nowhere to live, nothing to wear I won't survive long Alright, I guess I should just make some food, a place to live, clothes, and then a fence to enclose it all These all appeared in Cube City, instantly
In the blink of an eye, the Fortress of Ideals became a massive castle Sure, it's only a castle made of letters, but when viewed here fro I’m sure you’re fascinated Even the world outside the author's head should be like this All answers are provided, in perfect precision Not a single inconsistency That cat ran off somewhere
The ground shook, along with ain? It's a little late It can't be them In any case, I went to Fickliana's room without a moment's hesitation I was relieved to see she was still there How strange She see happen to her? Heck, I'io, hoould I know? (See translation note 1)
She was gently caressing a cloth she had woven herself Her downcast eyes avoided reat? Well, reat too Just see for yourself The author's head is filled up with the castle I've created It's completely packed full of it!
Fickliana suddenly began to cry My fortress wavered, the air tingling from the shock Somewhere, the cat called out I felt like I was on top of the world, but this was no ti I took her hand and tried to look her directly in the eyes, soure out
I reether The story is really going to work out this tiestured, or should I say filled upto work!” But she only shook her head slightly, even though we both knew negative thoughts like that would only excite the Erasers
A secret place at the center of the world of paper, known only toto rise up I haven't told anyone, even Fickliana, about the , I think she understands what the eye of the lighthouse watches Her words are soft When I touch them, their tenderness mesmerizes me Cat, keep your dirty paws off her!
The ideals have finally begun to envelop the world of paper They've piled up, higher and higher I no longer need to stand in the center of the world I ran around freely a-that's right-my power of certainty that's been built up systeh to make the sun rise?
By the way, I'm curious what happened to that cat I haven't seen hi that, he appeared He flashed by, as always Stop ht line, OK? Stop leaving pawprints all over And what’s with that tail? It's all bent That's why you're nothing but a worthless cat Jeez
I've tricked the author and ed to take control of this world This shouldn't be h I've left athe coast with a view of the ocean Because I can know about the world outside his head that the eye of the lighthouse watches I've started seeing that cat again more frequently these days How truly unpleasant Cube City doesn't need cats
Without warning, ain Taken aback, I rush around and check that the world is still in one piece Upon the thin paper stands a structure fors of letters The stack of paper has already become considerably thick, and nearly as tall as it is wide The papers have grown to a cube What do you think? Pretty a, huh?
Consider this Even though much time has passed outside his head, the Erasers still haven't shown themselves The author is utterly relieved And I think I'm safe now Fro weird I can't trust the cat either But that's nothing new They've hidden that soft cloth from me
I inspected Cube City as I pleased, paying no attention to Fickliana or the cat Have I forgotten to write anything? Did I leave anything out? I'h, you see I've never left the author's head, but if I keep on doing what I can, I' will coize to her then