Red Data Girl - Series 1 & 2

My First Familiar - 8

An American Girl in Japan

Red Data Girl: My First Familiar
By Noriko Ogiwara
A Translation

Please read!
This is more of a general reminder than anything else, but I’d like to take a moment to mention that I’m not a professional translator. I’m an English teacher living in Japan who has studied Japanese for 5 years and likes to read. 90% of the time, I’m pretty confident in my translation of RDG. However, from time to time I hit a spot that I’m really shaky on. I try my best and I know my translation is dependable. But some places might not be as true to the original words as they should be. Like I said, I’m not a professional and this isn’t a professional translation. It’s just for fun. It’s fun for me because I’m getting a chance to read a book I want to and practice my translation at the same time. And I hope it’s fun for you to read something that hasn’t been (and probably will never be) officially translated into English. :)

Translation notes:

I have translated the word “yamabushi” to ascetic monk in this translation. However, some other ways to translate the word are mountain hermits, ascetic hermits, mountain monks, etc. I chose to use ascetic monk because I thought it sounded the best within the context of the story. Read about yamabushi, or ascetic monks here.I really love how the places mentioned in RDG really exist. Check out the three Dewa Mountains here.Here’s a picture detailing an ascetic monk’s traditional outfit. And here’s apicture of some ascetic monks in real life.

Red Data Girl: My First Familiar
Chapter 2: Miyuki
Part 1 (2 of 2)

When Sagara and Miyuki finished visiting Takeomi at the shrine office, they made their way to the house. Sawa met them in the entry way and exclaimed, “My, Miyuki! I’m surprised! You’ve gotten so big and grown up! No one would think you’re the same age as Izumiko. Last time I saw you, you couldn’t even sit still for a minute. You were such a mischievous boy!”

Miyuki stepped forward, his attitude suddenly different. He smiled politely. Izumiko was shocked by the complete 180 in his manner.

“It’s been a long time. Truthfully, I can’t remember when I was here before at all, but I’m sure I was a handful for you. Thank you for taking care of me then.

“Thank you for…? I never thought I’d see the day when words like those came out of your mouth, Miyuki! Well, please come in and have some tea. I just baked a cake as well,”

After Sawa had spoken, Miyuki said pleasantly, “I do remember enjoying your cooking, Ms. Suemori. I definitely ate a lot back then,”

From then on, Miyuki’s manners were perfect. While speaking with the grownups, his words were politer than necessary and considerate without sounding stiff. He was only a middle school student. Where in the world had he learned to speak so perfectly? Sawa was eating it up.

“Miyuki, I only heard in passing, but are you really a student at that famous school, Keibun Academy?” she asked, sitting down at the table now that the tea had served.

And just like that, the conversation began.

“It’s only famous because it’s located so close to Koshien Park and the baseball stadium there,” Miyuki answered modestly. “But you are only permitted to join the baseball club if you are enrolled as a sports course student. I’m not one of those students.”

“Besides baseball, it’s also known for having a middle school attached to its high school as well as being difficult to get into. Do you have to study a lot?”

“I do. In fact, lately it feels like all I’ve been doing is studying,”

“That’s amazing. So Sagara’s son is an honor student,” Between continuously praising Miyuki, Sawa asked, “When your father isn’t in Japan, what do you do? Do you live alone?”