This website provides a fan translation of the Playstation 2 game Akai Ito.

漂白夢

A Dream Bleached Away

In the sky, there is the moon-----

And reaching out toward it, the tree of gods------

Before and after the light that shone as if to smother the sky, a fleeting glance would catch nothing out of place.

Only, the Ohashirasama who stood at its base, is there no longer.

*Hara hara*------ The flower petal butterflies descend in a dance.

One lands atop the face of my palm.

Leaving behind a warm sensation, it disappears as would a snowflake, and melts away inside of me.

And leaving that one petal as the last, all the spiritual phenomena I can see fold their existence away.

Since the Hashira Seal played out over the narrow span of a moment, anything resembling a leaking of spirit or disturbance is naught to be seen------

---nor any semblance of worry or distress.

The flower petals falling now are only mere petals, with nothing else to be seen.

The Ohashirasama divine tree continues to endlessly stretch for the moon.

Kei: Tsudzura-chan, good work.

Tsudzura: Tahaha, I've been wrung out...

I embrace Tsudzura-chan's body just as it seems ready to topple limply over.

Tsudzura: If I hadn't received power from you, Kei-oneesan, maybe not by far, but it would have been futile.

With such a tiny weight that even my weak arms can support... with shoulders so thin, I can wrap my arms around them....

...seeing Tsudzura-chan this way makes me so want to reward her------

Kei: In that case, you wanna drink again?

---that I say those stupid words, that I should never, ever, have spoken.

Tsudzura: No......

Tsudzura-chan wrests her body from me, and walks toward the Ohashirasama, shaking her head as she speaks.

Tsudzura: You know, Kei-oneesan...

Bringing herself close to that inhuman being, she speaks...

Tsudzura: Finally, I have begun to feel a sense of understanding, that I am completely different from a human being, now.

Kei: Ah......

...all the while, with a relieved-looking smile------

But, I've not a doubt in my mind that Tsudzura-chan's skilled at smiling when she's sad------

Concerning myself fully with all that's in front of me, I was an idiot to forget something so important.

Kei: Wait, Tsudzura-chan, if I said something you didn't like------

If she can't escape from the world where oni dwell, because of that power she wields------

And if, as head of the Wakasugi, she can only continue to rule the dark as Onikiri no Kashira------

---then I would always remain at her side, ever with the Nie no Chi flowing through my veins.

Kei: I just wa------

As I venture a foot forward, trying to edge a step closer to her, I am halted by her hand thrust out.

Tsudzura: No, no, this is no fault of any misspoken word of yours, Kei-oneesan. But------

Hidden by the claws of the outstretched palm in the path between us, Tsudzura-chan's face is out of my sight.

Tsudzura: I cannot allow myself to be with you, after all.

She slowly shifts the angle of her fingers, to peek one eye from the gaps between them.

Tsudzura: Even if I want to, I cannot.

Her eye is the same as her claws, the sign of a being beyond human, besmirched with a bestial aura.

Tsudzura: That is why, Kei-oneesan------

Tsudzura: ---that you must also have me seal... these past few days of your memory.

And then, that eye is inducted into the power formed of her words, coming to shine by its own light.

Red------

The red of a sunset------

All light that shines beyond it fades into obscurity. As if it had expired, only the dark of night remains in its place.

Night------

The time of sleep------

As the flow of time changes, my heart as well, slows into an unprotected, relaxed state. Almost as if I'm bundled in a futon, set adrift upon a niche of dreams.

And then, Tsudzura-chan's voice------ the voice of Tsudzura-chan, releasing the power of the kotodama god------

(TN: If this is your first time coming through this scene, then one of these two paths is sealed, and the game will automatically pick the one on the right for you, so click on the right path. The choices will only appear in the game when you see the ending, save your system data, and come to this scene again. Remember, saving the system data is different from the save you select at the top of the menu. You must read to the end of whatever ending you see, and make sure to say "yes," or "はい" for the dialogue box that follows.)

意識がーーもうーー
My consciousness------ won't------

忘れたくない!
I don't want to forget!