About this work
Pink hydrangeas after rain accompany a poem about friendship becoming love and the feeling of beginning anew. This English version is an editorial translation for access; the Japanese text remains available alongside it for comparison.
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日本語原文 Japanese original
雨上がり。
淡く薄桃色の紫陽花
初恋という名の。
決して初めての恋ではないけど
初恋の様にさりげなく
いつも隣りにいた貴方
その笑顔が眩しかった。
心から貴方のことが好き
こんな気持ちいつの日からかな？
貴方の優しさは時に苦くて時に甘いハチミツ
そっと見守って寄り添う優しさ
もう友達ではいられないと気が付いたから
恋する私から初恋という名の紫陽花を見せたい、貴方に。
(2023.6.10)
English translation 英訳
AI-assisted English translation. The Japanese original remains authoritative.
A Hydrangea Called First Love
Naoko Takatori
Rain has stopped.
A faint, pale pink hydrangea
Named "First Love."
It's not my first love, yet
It feels like first love—
Always quietly by my side, you
Your smile was dazzling.
I truly like you
When did this feeling start?
Your kindness is sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet like honey
A gentle kindness that watches over and stays close
Because I realized I can't be just a friend anymore
I want to show you a hydrangea named "First Love,"
From a love-struck me, to you.
Original wording, author credits, notes and source materials are preserved there.