教室の隅でいつも静かにしている少年、蓮。声を上げれば笑われ、手を伸ばせば叩かれる毎日に、彼の存在は小さくなるばかりだった。「強くなりたい」と願うも、その方法を見つけられず、蓮の世界は孤独に閉ざされていました。
In the corner of the classroom, there was always a quiet boy named Ren. Every day, he was laughed at if he raised his voice and hit if he reached out his hand, and his existence only became smaller. He wished to become stronger, but unable to find a way, Ren’s world was closed off in solitude.
最初の出会い/First Encounter
雨上がりの午後、蓮は公園で震える子犬を見つけた。泥にまみれ、助けを求める子犬を、蓮は迷わず抱きしめる。「大丈夫、僕が守る」——それは、誰にも言えなかった彼自身の誓いでもあったのです。
In the afternoon after the rain, Ren found a shivering puppy in the park. Covered in mud and seeking help, Ren hugged the puppy without hesitation. “It’s okay, I’ll protect you” – it was a vow he couldn’t tell anyone, even himself.
蓮は子犬のハルと暮らすうちに、無垢なハルの瞳に「弱さは罪ではない」と教えられ、少しずつ変化していく。守るべきハルの存在が蓮の心に火を灯し、毎日散歩や世話を欠かさず行うようになりました。
Living with Haru, a puppy, Ren gradually changes as she is taught by Haru’s innocent eyes that “weakness is not a sin.” Haru’s existence, who she must protect, ignites a fire in Ren’s heart, and she makes sure to take him for walks and take care of him every day.
「強くなりたい」——蓮の胸に宿る切実な願い。それは人を傷つけ、争いに勝つためではなく、ただ自分自身と大切な何かを守るための渇望だったのです。
“I want to become stronger”–a desperate wish dwelling in Ren’s heart. It was not a desire to hurt people or win conflicts, but simply a longing to protect himself and something precious.
新たな出会い/New Encounters
ハルは成長し、蓮との信頼関係も深まっていた。ある日、蓮は成長したハルと散歩中、いつもと違う道で空手道場を見つける。道場は見学自由で、道着姿の子どもたちが真剣な眼差しで型を稽古する姿に、蓮は心を奪われた。稽古に励む子供たちの中に、見覚えのある顔があった。隣のクラスの正人だ。彼は道場外で見学する蓮に気づき、軽く手を振って合図を送りました。
Haru grew, and his bond of trust with Ren deepened. One day, while taking a walk with the grown-up Haru, Ren discovered a karate dojo on a different path than usual. The dojo was open for free tours, and Ren was captivated by the sight of children in karate uniforms practicing their forms with serious expressions. Among the children diligently practicing, there was a familiar face. It was Masato from the next class. He noticed Ren observing from outside the dojo and waved his hand in a light greeting.
蓮の両親は、息子の弱点克服には勉強で良い成績を取ることが重要だと考えて塾を検討したが、息子の空手を習いたいとの希望を受け入れ、許可しました。こうして、蓮と正人の友情が始まりまったのです。
Ren’s parents believed that getting good grades through studying was important for overcoming their son’s weaknesses, and they considered enrolling him in cram school. However, they accepted their son’s wish to learn karate and gave him permission. This is how Ren and Masato’s friendship began.
半年後、蓮は両親の説得を得て空手道場に通い、厳しい稽古を通して自分と向き合うことの意味を理解していきました。痛みや悔しさを乗り越える達成感の中で、武道を通じて言葉にできない「何か」が日々成長していることを実感していた。もちろん涙をこらえるほどつらいこともあった。しかし蓮は、それを乗り越える方法を知ったことが最大の武器だと知りました。
Six months later, Ren, having convinced his parents, started attending a karate dojo, and through rigorous training, came to understand the meaning of confronting himself. In the sense of accomplishment from overcoming pain and frustration, he realized that something indescribable was growing daily through martial arts. Of course, there were times when it was so hard he had to hold back tears. But Ren knew that learning how to overcome those times was his greatest weapon.
次は自分が守る/Next time, I’ll protect myself.
月日が流れ、蓮の道場通いが習慣となるにつれ、正人との信頼も深まっていました。学年で一目置かれる存在だった正人との関係は、蓮の境遇とクラスメイトの態度も変えました。蓮はすでにいじめから解放されていたのです。
As the days passed and Ren’s regular visits to the dojo became routine, his trust in Masato deepened. Ren’s relationship with Masato, who was highly respected in their grade, changed both Ren’s circumstances and his classmates’ attitudes. Ren was now free from bullying.
ある日、蓮はクラスでいじめられている女児を見かけ、そっと彼女の隣に座った。「大丈夫」と目で語りかけ、少女は小さく頷いた。蓮は既に、守るべきものの意味と強さを知っていた。蓮はいつでもその少女を見守っていました。そして少女もそのことを意識し、自分は一人ではないことに自信を得ていくのです。
One day, Ren saw a girl being bullied in class and quietly sat next to her. He conveyed “It’s okay” with his eyes, and the girl nodded slightly. Ren already knew the meaning and strength of what he should protect. Ren watched over the girl at all times. And the girl was aware of this, gaining confidence that she was not alone.
命の恩人へ/To the man who saved my life
ハルは今日も蓮の隣で尻尾を振っている。彼らの絆は静かに、しかし確実に世界を変える。蓮を武道場へ導き、正人に引き合わせたのはハルだった。ハルは命の恩人である蓮に、自信、誇り、守るべきものの尊さ、そして正義の意味を教えたのです。
Haru is wagging his tail next to Ren again today. Their bond quietly, but surely, changes the world. It was Haru who led Ren to the martial arts hall and introduced him to Masato. Haru taught Ren, his savior, confidence, pride, the preciousness of what should be protected, and the meaning of justice.
