あらすじ

奈良にある遥香の墓前で沢村に声をかけてきたのは三十を越えたばかりのその妹、美咲だった。東京へすぐには帰らず、東大寺・二月堂の「お水取り」に誘われるまま向かう時、遥香の生前、美咲と一度だけおかした過ちの夜が頭をよぎる。あの時、握られた手が、スカートの下へ導かれ……お松明の群衆の中で、再び、美咲が自身のコートをたくし上げた。つかまれた手首ごと引き寄せられ、ストッキングをまとった太腿に、手の甲が押し当てられる。苛立ちと戸惑い。沢村はスカートの中で手の甲を返し、内腿に指を挿し込む。閉じた腿のふくらみを割り、付け根に指を潜り込ませ──炎が人々の煩悩を燃やし、業を焼き尽くすといわれるお松明の紅蓮の向こうにふたりが見た過去と未来、罪と罰。爛れるほどに熱い激情の一夜を、炎が走り、火の粉を舞い散らし、やがて虚しくなろうとも、勇壮な二月堂・お松明に重ねて描き出す。著者最高傑作短編！！

At Haruka’s grave in Nara, I was approached by her younger sister, Misaki, who has just turned 30. Instead of returning to Tokyo immediately, I was invited to see the Omizutori ceremony at the Nigatsudo Hall of Todaiji Temple, and as I heads there, a memory of the only a night affair crossed my mind, a mistake made with Misaki while Haruka was still alive. On that night, she guided my hand under her skirt…Misaki once again pulled up her coat in the midst of the Otaimatsu crowd. She grabbed my wrist then pulled me toward inside her coat, the back of my hand was pressed against her thigh on pantyhose. Felt irritated and confused, I turned my hand inside her skirt and inserted my fingers into her inner thigh. Parting the bulge of her closed thighs, slipping my fingers into her groin, the two of them saw the past and future, sin and punishment beyond the crimson glow of the torches. It was said that its flames would burn away people’s worldly desires and karma. A night of fiery hot passion, with flames running and sparks flying up, then eventually emptiness, was expressed layered with the majestic Nigatsudo Hall and Otaimatsu torches. This is the author’s masterpiece short story!

Author’s profile: Ayano Ukami
Born in Nara prefecture, Japan.
In 2011, she won the New Writer’s Prize of the Japan Sensual Literature Award for “Madogoshi no Yokujo.” In 2012, she received the Grand Prize at the 2nd Dan Oniroku Award for “Mamushi no Shita.”Her 2016 work “Ane no Yuetsu” (later retitled “Dekiai”) was adapted into a film. She is also active as a novelist, columnist, and musician.
Her recent publications include “Eien ni Watashi wo Tojikomete” (Kodansha Bunko) and “Mitsuaji no Yubi” (Gentosha Outlaw Bunko).

Translator profile: Lady Chieri
Lady Chieri grew up in Tokyo, Japan. Studied English at Sophia University in Japan, University of Redlands and San Diego State University in California. Also majored in Psychology and Japanese Instructor course. Authorized psychologist and aromatherapy counselor. Writing an erotic romance novels, gained several prizes in essays.