kurozu
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DOHYO ~Summer~
🕑 Added 2024-07-31 17:08:01 +0000 UTCOn a midsummer afternoon, the relentless chirping of cicadas pierced the air, drowning out the usual tranquility of the forest. The humidity clung to the skin, making the atmosphere feel heavy and oppressive. Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow over the secluded dohyo, as if the place held a sacred, almost otherworldly presence.
Two women faced each other on that dohyo: Kaede and Ema.
Kaede's family participated in a host family program, and Ema had been living with them for about 2 years. Kaede, with her short-cropped black hair and powerful yet calm demeanor, had loved sumo from a young age, training alongside boys at the local sumo club. She continued her sumo journey into college. Ema, watching Kaede’s dedication, grew curious and soon found herself drawn into the sport as well. At first, she was unsure, but gradually she became captivated by the world of sumo—the pounding of the heart, the rhythm of breathing, the pressure of the match. The exhilaration of clashing with an opponent, feeling their strength radiate toward her, drew Ema deeper into the sumo.
“I want to get stronger,” Ema would say repeatedly, her voice filled with determination. In response, Kaede would offer her stern but encouraging advice. At the beginning, Ema couldn’t win a single match, but over time, her strength grew, and she became a worthy rival to Kaede. Both women were tall and muscular, evenly matched, and their bond as competitors deepened as they pushed each other to new heights.
On this day, as usual, the two were locked in combat on the dohyo hidden deep in the forest. The air was thick with humidity, and sweat dripped from their bodies as they collided again and again. They had already fought several intense rounds, their skin now streaked with dirt and soaked with sweat.
Ema pushed Kaede to the edge of the dohyo, but Kaede, absorbing the force with her entire body, countered by attempting to throw Ema. Their muscles bulged as they engaged in an all-out struggle, locked in a battle of pure strength. They gripped each other’s belts tightly, their bodies pressed close, neither willing to yield an inch. It was as if their wills were clashing just as fiercely as their bodies.
Sweat dripped, and the sound of each other’s heartbeat echoed in their ears. Finally, both women toppled out of the dohyo simultaneously. Lying on the ground, catching their breath, they exchanged a look that spoke volumes without the need for words. Their faces, smeared with dirt and sweat, reflected a shared sense of satisfaction amidst the exhaustion.
Yet, that satisfaction hinted that their fight was far from over. A voice inside them both called out, “Not yet,” resonating with the same unspoken challenge.
“One more round!” Ema said, smiling. Kaede returned the smile, nodding firmly. “Bring it on!” she replied. They both stood up once again, returning to the center of the dohyo. Crouching low in the squatting stance, an electric tension hung in the air as a new battle was about to begin. The blazing summer sun cast their shadows dark and deep on the dohyo.
真夏の昼下がり、蝉の鳴き声が耳をつんざくように響き渡り、森の静けさを消し去っていた。空気は蒸し暑く、湿度が肌にまとわりつくようだった。木漏れ日が森の奥深くに隠れた土俵に差し込み、その場所がどこか神聖な雰囲気を持っているかのように、光と影が複雑に交錯していた。
その土俵の上で二人の女性が対峙していた。KaedeとEmaだ。
Kaedeの家族は海外からの留学生を受け入れるホストファミリープログラムに参加しており、Emaは約1年前からKaedeの家で暮らしていた。
彼女は褐色の肌に黒髪のショートカットが映える、力強くも落ち着いた雰囲気を持つKaedeは幼い頃から相撲が好きで、地元の相撲クラブで男子に混じって練習を続けてきた。大学でも相撲を続けていた。Emaは、Kaedeが相撲に取り組む姿を見て興味を持ち、自然と彼女の影響を受けていった。最初は戸惑いもあったが、次第にその競技に魅了されていった。鼓動や息遣い、プレッシャー。相手の体から自分に向かって発せられるそれらを全身で感じ受け止めながら力と力をぶつけ合う高揚感。Emaは相撲という競技が持つ魅力に引き込まれていった。
「私、もっと強くなりたい」と何度も口にするEmaに、Kaedeはその都度、厳しくも優しいアドバイスを送っていた。初めの頃は全く勝てなかったEmaだが、次第に力をつけ、Kaedeと互角の力を持つようになった。元々大柄で筋肉質な2人は同格であり、今では切磋琢磨し合う良きライバルとなっていた。
この日、二人はいつものように森の中の土俵で相撲を取っていた。湿度が高く、汗が流れ落ちる中で、二人のぶつかり合いが繰り返される。すでに何番も激戦を繰り返しており、互いの肌には土が付き、汗で汚れが滲んでいた。
EmaはKaedeを土俵際に追い詰めると、Kaedeは全身でその力を受け止め、逆にEmaを投げ飛ばそうとする。二人の筋肉が隆起し、全身全霊をかけた攻防が続いた。がっぷり四つに組み合った二人の力相撲は、まさに均衡していた。互いの回しをがっちりと握り締め、全身の力を振り絞って相手を押し合う様子は、まるで両者の意志がぶつかり合っているかのようだった。
汗が滴り、相手の心臓の鼓動が耳元で聞こえる。ついに、二人は同時に土俵の外へと倒れ込んだ。倒れたまま荒い息を整える二人の間には、言葉にしなくとも通じ合うものがあった。土と汗にまみれた顔を見合わせ、EmaもKaedeも、疲労の中にある一種の満足感を感じていた。
その満足感は、彼女たちの戦いがまだ終わっていないことを示唆していた。「まだまだ」と心のどこかで叫ぶ声が、二人の中で共鳴していた。
「もう一番！」Emaは微笑みながら言った。その声に応じるように、Kaedeもまた笑みを浮かべ、「上等！」と力強く頷いた。二人は再び立ち上がり、土俵中央に戻ると、蹲踞の姿勢で低く構えた。息を飲むような緊張感が漂う中、新たな勝負が始まろうとしていた。ギラギラとした夏の日差しが二人の影を土俵に濃く刻んだ。
Comments
kurozu
Thank you for kindly words! I also love their relationship
kurozu
Thank you so much!
spartwow
Saw this late. I love your characterization. The fact that Kaede trained Ema into being her equal and rival is cool. It leaves a lot of room for imagination how Ema grew to be Kaede's equal. The setting also lends room for imagination on how often they go to their private ring to fight. They don't want an audience, they just want to have fun and challenge each other. What happened in the first seven falls? What's the current score? It doesn't really matter, they want to keep challenging each other. Sorry, I just really like your characters, their willpower, and want of a rival.
Boltclash
This looks great! Keep it up Amazu!
kurozu
Thanks too for your kindly words!!
kurozu
Terrific Thanks always!!
ergoth.bruno
The artwork and the stories are just amazing as always, love a rivalry such as the one that Ema and Kaede have, thank you so much for the works 💜💜💜💜
Officerfriendly
Terrific story and terrific pieces
