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August 19, 2025 15 mins
Fluent Fiction - Japanese: A Summer Day in Osaka: Choosing Friendship Over Exams
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-08-19-22-34-02-ja

Story Transcript:

Ja: 大阪公立高校では、夏の日差しが校庭を照らしています。
En: At the Osaka public high school, the summer sun illuminates the schoolyard.

Ja: 教室の中は、今にも始まる試験への緊張で静まり返っています。
En: Inside the classroom, there is a hushed silence filled with tension for the exam that is about to begin.

Ja: 外からは、ほんの数日前までの盆祭りの名残が感じられます。
En: From outside, traces of the Bon festival from just a few days ago can still be felt.

Ja: 提灯が揺れ、祭りの残り香が風に漂います。
En: Chochin lanterns sway, and the lingering scent of the festival wafts on the breeze.

Ja: 教室の後ろの席から、ひろしは窓の外を見る。
En: From a seat at the back of the classroom, Hiroshi looks out the window.

Ja: 彼はいつも真面目で、両親の期待に応えようと頑張っています。
En: He is always serious and works hard to live up to his parents' expectations.

Ja: 今日の試験も、彼にとってまた一つの試練です。
En: Today's exam is yet another challenge for him.

Ja: 「頑張らなきゃ」と彼は心の中でつぶやきます。
En: "I have to do my best," he murmurs to himself.

Ja: 試験が始まります。
En: The exam begins.

Ja: ひろしは緊張を感じながらも、問題用紙に目を通します。
En: Though he feels nervous, Hiroshi glances through the question paper.

Ja: しかし、隣の席のゆみが急に苦しそうに咳き込む音が聞こえます。
En: However, he suddenly hears a sound of Yumi, who sits next to him, coughing distressingly.

Ja: 彼女はひろしの親友で、いつも優しく他人を助けようとする性格です。
En: She is Hiroshi's best friend and is always kind and tries to help others.

Ja: でも、今は明らかに息ができない様子です。
En: But now, it is clear that she is struggling to breathe.

Ja: 「ゆみ、大丈夫?
En: "Yumi, are you okay?"

Ja: 」ひろしは心配になって声をかけます。
En: Hiroshi asks worriedly.

Ja: しかし、ゆみは答えることができません。
En: But Yumi cannot answer.

Ja: ひろしは瞬時に決断します。
En: Hiroshi makes an instant decision.

Ja: 「試験は後で。
En: "The exam can wait.

Ja: でも、ゆみを助けなければ。
En: I have to help Yumi."

Ja: 」彼は急いで教師に知らせ、ゆみを助けようとします。
En: He quickly informs the teacher and tries to assist Yumi.

Ja: 彼は以前に学んだ応急処置を思い出し、ゆみを楽にしようと試みます。
En: Hiroshi recalls the first aid he learned previously and attempts to make Yumi more comfortable.

Ja: その間に、医療班が到着します。
En: In the meantime, the medical team arrives.

Ja: しかし、ひろしの心は複雑です。
En: Hiroshi's mind is conflicted.

Ja: 試験のことが頭に浮かびますが、それでも彼はゆみを第一に考えます。
En: Thoughts of the exam come to mind, but still, he prioritizes Yumi.

Ja: ゆみが無事に回復し、お礼を言うとき、彼女は自分の夢についても話してくれます。
En: Once Yumi safely recovers and thanks him, she also shares her dream.

Ja: 「いつか看護師になりたいの。
En: "I want to become a nurse someday.

Ja: 今日は本当にありがとう、ひろし。
En: Thank you so much today, Hiroshi."

Ja: 」その後、ひろしの両親も彼の決断を理解し、彼を誇りに思っていることを伝えます。
En: Later, Hiroshi's parents express their understanding and pride in his decision.

Ja: ひろしの選択は、彼の心に新たな価値観を生み出しました。
En: Hiroshi's choice gave birth to new values in his heart.

Ja: 友情と助け合いの大切さを学び、学業以上に人間関係の重要さに気づいたのです。
En: He learned the importance of friendship and helping each other, realizing that human relationships are more important than academics.

Ja: そして、けんたもそんなひろしを見て、ただの冗談好きな彼の中に何か変化を感じていました。
En: And Kenta, seeing this change in Hiroshi, sensed a shift in the usually humorous friend.

Ja: 「ひろし、お前はすごいやつだな。
En: "Hiroshi, you're an amazing guy."

Ja: 」ひろしは微笑み、友人たちの支えと理解に感謝し、これからも精いっぱい頑張ろうと心に決めました。
En: Hiroshi smiled, grateful for his friends' support and understanding, and resolved to keep doing his best from now on.

Ja: 優しさと共感が、試験以上に重要なことを証明する夏の一日でした。
En: It was a summer day that proved kindness and empathy are more important than exams.


Vocabulary Words:
  • illuminates: 照らす
  • hushed: 静まり返る
  • tension: 緊張
  • exam: 試験
  • traces: 名残
  • sway: 揺れる
  • lingering: 残り
  • wafts: 漂う
  • murmurs: つぶやく
  • coughing: 咳き込む
  • distressingly: 苦しそうに
  • instant: 瞬時
  • inform: 知らせる
  • prioritizes: 第一に考える
  • recovers: 回復する
  • express: 伝える
  • values: 価値観
  • friendship: 友情
  • empathy: 共感
  • breath: 息ができる
  • nervous: 緊張
  • seat: 席
  • medical: 医療
  • struggling: 苦しむ
  • assistance: 助け合い
  • worries: 心配
  • conflicted: 複雑な
  • resolves: 心に決める
  • support: 支え
  • shift: 変化
Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Fluid fluent dorg.

Speaker 2 (00:09):
Welcome to Fluent Fiction Japanese, the podcast where we bring
you bilingual stories to supercharge your listening comprehension. In each episode,
we'll present a short story in both English and Japanese
with the aim of helping you to improve your listening comprehension.

Speaker 3 (00:25):
Explore a pivotal moment when a student's choice redefines his
values and friendships on a sunlit summer day in Osaka.

Speaker 2 (00:32):
Right after this commercial break.

Speaker 4 (00:37):
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Speaker 1 (01:41):
Osaka kork dera, nats nomos, kamaramas so mus jo jinga

(02:02):
y masarino no kourkamasha hiroshva mad mir cava. It's more
made irayo to gamba temask no srendez gambara tova comas

(02:31):
marimas hiroshiva qingcho Monday maaskashi tono si no yumigasa hiroyd.
It's mo yasak the more imaa joses you mean ajobu hiroshiva,

(03:02):
shimpak kakemas shkashi, yumiva kotai hiroshiva shu shimas skewa to them,
you mea kereba careba is you MEAs keshimas careba isn't

(03:27):
nimananda umi ra kuni o ko ko mimas so no
kani ido hanga to chak shimas skashi hiro no kokorova,
because that's this taman yukabi masamor careba you mei oda

(03:47):
kanga mas you mega kai kushi oreo yutokija jibun no
you maan mo hanashe kremas It's ca kango shini narita
no kyova honn Rigato hiroshi so no goo hiroshi mo

(04:08):
karen rika shi carre mote kodamas hirotaka kareno kokorni midah
masta u jo to taske I know tis somana biku
is your ingen kanke no ju yr si kirita no

(04:29):
this so ste ken tamo sonna hirohio mie jo dan
skin karena nanika henka kan masta hiroshi omaiwas go yet
dana hiroshivaemi uging no society rika and shashi core kaa

(04:50):
moose by Gambaroto kok masta yasa to kyo kanga ju
yo na koto shows.

Speaker 3 (04:59):
Nat Let's take another listen. Listen closely to any parts
you may have missed.

Speaker 1 (05:06):
Osaka Koko Devra naskote terra stemas.

Speaker 3 (05:15):
At the Osaka Public High School, the summer sun illuminates
the schoolyard.

Speaker 1 (05:20):
KOs nakawa im de shizamarka demas.

Speaker 3 (05:29):
Inside the classroom, there is a hushed silence, filled with
tension for the exam that is about to begin.

Speaker 1 (05:35):
So hun no sumai ma de no Masurno no goga
can remas.

Speaker 3 (05:44):
From outside. Traces of the bone festival from just a
few days ago can still be felt.

Speaker 1 (05:49):
Cho chinga yire matsurn no no cocaamas.

Speaker 3 (05:57):
Cho chin lanterns sway, and the lingering of the festival
wafts on the breeze.

Speaker 1 (06:02):
KOs No shi no hiro Sha mir.

Speaker 3 (06:09):
From a seat at the back of the classroom, Hiroshi
looks out the window.

Speaker 1 (06:13):
K Yo shin no kotayoto Gamba demas.

Speaker 3 (06:22):
He is always serious and works hard to live up
to his parents expectations.

Speaker 1 (06:27):
K No snez.

Speaker 3 (06:33):
Today's exam is yet another challenge for him, gambarakas, I
have to do my best, he murmurs to himself.

Speaker 1 (06:46):
Shkingrimas the exam begins, hiro Shiva kincho mondayoo Simas.

Speaker 3 (06:59):
Though he feels nervous, Hiroshi glances through the question paper.

Speaker 1 (07:03):
Skushi tonar no seki no yu Migaku ni kurus.

Speaker 3 (07:12):
However, he suddenly hears a sound of Yumi, who sits
next to him, coughing distressingly.

Speaker 1 (07:18):
Kano Jova hiroshin no shin Yo de yes Sashkutani taskekudes.

Speaker 3 (07:28):
She is hiroshi best friend and is always kind and
tries to help others.

Speaker 1 (07:32):
De mo imava Akira k ikiga deka yo SuDS.

Speaker 3 (07:39):
But now it is clear that she is struggling to breathe.

Speaker 1 (07:42):
You me daijo Buymi, are you okay hiro shuwa shimpa ninakakemas.

Speaker 3 (07:52):
Hiroshi asks worriedly, Skushi yumi wa kotai, Butmi cannot answer.

Speaker 1 (08:02):
Hiro Shiva shunjini kitsu dan shimas.

Speaker 3 (08:07):
Hiroshi makes an instant decision, skimva too de the exam
can wait.

Speaker 1 (08:13):
De mo yumi o taskena kreba, I have to help
you Me karreva isui de ko sh shirase yumi o
Taskeyoto shimas.

Speaker 3 (08:27):
He quickly informs the teacher and tries to assist you.

Speaker 1 (08:30):
Me karrevaz yim nanda ou ku shu chiu Moi dashi
yumio ra Kuni shiyoto ko korro.

Speaker 3 (08:38):
Mimas Hiroshi recalls the first aid he learned previously and
attempts to make you me more comfortable.

Speaker 1 (08:46):
Sono ka yi idyohga too chak shimas.

Speaker 3 (08:51):
In the meantime, the medical team arrives.

Speaker 1 (08:54):
Shkashi hiro Shino ko Koruba Kuzat's this.

Speaker 3 (08:59):
Hiroshi mind is conflicted.

Speaker 1 (09:01):
Sam Kai Masuna yumi o da kanga maas.

Speaker 3 (09:11):
Thoughts of the exam come to mind, but still he
prioritizes you.

Speaker 1 (09:15):
Me Umiga kakushi oe o Yutoki Kova jibu no y
hannas remas.

Speaker 3 (09:27):
Once you me safely recovers and thanks him. She also
shares her dream.

Speaker 1 (09:31):
It'ska kanga, I want to become a nurse someday Kyova Hontato, Hiroshi,
thank you so much today, Hiroshi so noo goo hiroshin
no yoshi Shi kamas.

Speaker 3 (09:57):
Later, Hiroshi parents express their understanding and pride in his decision.

Speaker 1 (10:01):
Hirosh Sakua ka Midas Masta.

Speaker 3 (10:10):
Hiroshi choice gave birth to new values in his heart.

Speaker 1 (10:13):
Yujo to taske no tai sit somnabi goku guizinging kanke
no ju yo Sani.

Speaker 3 (10:25):
He learned the importance of friendship and helping each other,
realizing that human relationships are more important than academics.

Speaker 1 (10:33):
So ste Keina Mo Sonna Hiroshi Mite tada no jo
danskina ka nani ka Henko Kanji Masta.

Speaker 3 (10:45):
And Kingta seeing this change in Hiroshi, sends to shift
in the usually humorous friend.

Speaker 1 (10:50):
Hiroshi oh maiva suo yatsudana.

Speaker 3 (10:55):
Hiroshi, You're an amazing.

Speaker 1 (10:56):
Guy, Hiroshia hoe mii yousa to rikashimose by gambara.

Speaker 3 (11:10):
Hi Rushi smiled, grateful for his friend's support and understanding,
and resolved to keep doing his best from now on.

Speaker 1 (11:17):
Yesasato kyo kanga sho.

Speaker 3 (11:28):
It was a summer day that proved kindness and empathy
are more important than exams.

Speaker 2 (11:38):
Today's vocabulary words are coming up right after this commercial break.
Here are today's vocabulary words, first in Japanese, then in English.

Speaker 1 (11:54):
Tiras, tiras, terras, illuminates, shizu mari, sizu mari, kaiu, shizu mari, kayru, hushed,
quin cho, qing cho king cho, tension, skim, skin, skim exam, nagodi, nagoi,

(12:17):
nagodi traces you, They do you, They do you, they
do It's why No kodi no kodi, no kodi lingering, tadayo, tadayoa, dayo, waftsubu,
yakutbu ya, kutbu ya, cout murmurs saiki, kumu, saki, kumu,

(12:43):
seki kumu, coughing, kurus soni, kurus soni kurushi Soni distressingly
Shunji Shunji shunji instant, Shira said, Shira in form D
each can D each can daching. You can't.

Speaker 3 (13:09):
Prioritizes kai.

Speaker 5 (13:12):
Kai kaif recovers stay r starr starr express, catch, kang catch,
kang catchi, kang values Ugo, Ugo, uge o, friendship, kokang kyo,

(13:34):
kang kyo, kan empathy, ik ik iky got, breath, kin cho,
kin cho, kin cho, nervous, siki, siki, siki, see ideo
ideo ideo, medical.

Speaker 1 (13:57):
Kudush, kudus, hmut, kudus, struggling, Tasca, tasca, Tasca assistance, seem bye,
seem bye, seem bye, worries because that's not because that's
not cause, that's not conflicted. Cokki resolves, sasai it, sasaiat,

(14:28):
sasaie it support Hank cut Han cup Han cup Shift.

Speaker 2 (14:41):
We hope you've enjoyed this episode of Fluent Fiction Japanese.
Our team works tirelessly to bring you high quality, engaging
content that will help you to reach your goals, but
we can't do it alone. Your support is crucial in
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(15:03):
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