All Episodes

August 10, 2025 14 mins
Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Friendship & Focus: A Lesson from Hokkaido's Library
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-08-10-22-34-01-ja

Story Transcript:

Ja: 夏の日差しが窓から差し込み、北海道大学の図書館は静かで涼しい避難場所だった。
En: The summer sunlight streamed through the window, and the library at Hokkaido University was a quiet and cool refuge.

Ja: 外では、お盆の準備が進んでいたが、ここでは時間が止まっているようだった。
En: Outside, preparations for Obon were underway, but it felt as if time had stopped here.

Ja: ハルトとユキは、来たる試験に向けて集中的に勉強していた。
En: Haruto and Yuki were focusing intensely on preparing for the upcoming exams.

Ja: ハルトは優秀な学生だった。
En: Haruto was an excellent student.

Ja: 彼の目標は、奨学金を得るために試験で高い点数を取ることだった。
En: His goal was to score highly on the exams to obtain a scholarship.

Ja: しかし、彼の心の奥には失敗への恐れがあった。
En: However, deep down, he had a fear of failure.

Ja: 一方、ユキは楽しげで、明るい友達だったが、ハルトについていくのがやっとだった。
En: On the other hand, Yuki was a cheerful, bright friend, but she was barely keeping up with Haruto.

Ja: 彼女も密かに、自分の力を証明したいと思っていた。
En: She, too, secretly wanted to prove her capabilities.

Ja: 「この問題集、難しいね」とユキは小声で言った。
En: "This workbook is difficult," Yuki whispered.

Ja: 「うん、でもがんばれば大丈夫だよ」とハルトは励ました。
En: "Yeah, but if we keep at it, we'll be fine," Haruto encouraged her.

Ja: しかし、お盆の祭りの音楽が耳に入ると、集中力が途切れそうになった。
En: However, as the music from the Obon festival reached their ears, it almost broke their concentration.

Ja: ユキは今夜、少しの時間だけ祭りに行こうかと考えていた。
En: Yuki was contemplating whether to go to the festival for a little while that evening.

Ja: 「ハルト、少し休んで、祭りに行こうよ」とユキが提案した。
En: "Haruto, let's take a break and go to the festival," Yuki suggested.

Ja: 「いや、僕はここで勉強を続けるよ。
En: "No, I'm going to keep studying here.

Ja: 時間がない」とハルトは答えた。
En: We don't have much time," Haruto replied.

Ja: しかし、次の日、二人の間には緊張感が漂った。
En: However, the next day, tension lingered between them.

Ja: 図書館での勉強中、ユキはついに不満を爆発させた。
En: While studying in the library, Yuki finally burst out with frustration.

Ja: 「私は、ハルトにはついていけないかも」と涙をこらえながら言った。
En: "I might not be able to keep up with you, Haruto," she said, holding back tears.

Ja: 「ごめん、ユキ。
En: "I'm sorry, Yuki.

Ja: 本当に君をプレッシャーに感じさせたくなかったんだ」とハルトは申し訳なさそうに言った。
En: I really didn't want to make you feel pressured," Haruto said apologetically.

Ja: すると、二人は静かにお互いの気持ちを話し合い始めた。
En: Then, they quietly began to talk about their feelings with each other.

Ja: 「私は、ただ仲間として支えたいだけなの」とユキが続けた。
En: "I just want to support you as a friend," Yuki continued.

Ja: 「僕も、ユキと一緒に楽しむことを忘れていたね」とハルトは優しく言った。
En: "I forgot about enjoying things together with you, too," Haruto said gently.

Ja: それから、二人はお盆の間、勉強と祭りの両方を楽しむ計画を立てた。
En: After that, they made plans to enjoy both studying and the Obon festival.

Ja: 短い休憩を挟むことで、かえって集中力が高まることを理解したのだ。
En: They realized that taking short breaks actually improved their concentration.

Ja: お盆の明るい提灯の光が図書館の窓からほのかに見えた。
En: The faint light of the bright Obon lanterns could be seen from the library window.

Ja: 二人は、友情とバランスの大切さを心に刻み、また勉強に戻ったのだった。
En: They etched the importance of friendship and balance in their hearts and returned to their studies.


Vocabulary Words:
  • streamed: 差し込む
  • refuge: 避難場所
  • underway: 進んでいる
  • focus: 集中する
  • upcoming: 来たる
  • scholarship: 奨学金
  • contemplating: 考えていた
  • tension: 緊張感
  • lingered: 漂った
  • burst out: 不満を爆発させた
  • frustration: 不満
  • apologetically: 申し訳なさそうに
  • quietly: 静かに
  • support: 支える
  • eternally: 永遠に
  • etched: 刻む
  • balance: バランス
  • importance: 大切さ
  • lanterns: 提灯
  • cheerful: 楽しげ
  • barely: やっと
  • capabilities: 力
  • whispered: 小声で言った
  • festival: 祭り
  • concentration: 集中力
  • plan: 計画
  • realized: 理解した
  • faint: ほのか
  • bright: 明るい
  • ongoing: 進行中の
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):
In this episode, we'll explore how Ruto and you can
navigate the pressures of exams and the allure of the
Obon Festival, discovering the true essence of friendship and balance
along the way.

Speaker 4 (00:35):
Right after this commercial break.

Speaker 5 (00:41):
At fluent Fiction, we're not just telling stories, We're bringing
the world together by learning to understand each other. By
subscribing to Fluent Fiction Plus. At plus dot fluentfiction dot org,
you do more than just remove ads. You support a
platform bridging global language differences, one story at a time.
Your subscription not only guarantees you an uninterrupted narrative, it

(01:04):
also sustains our mission to bring stories in diverse languages
to everyone. It's simple visit plus dot Fluentfiction dot org
and become a plus subscriber today. When you do, you
become a champion for global language learning and enjoy an
ad free experience. So please join us at plus dot
fluentfiction dot org. Let's transform the way we experience the

(01:27):
power of stories your journey awaits at plus dot fluentfiction
dot org. Together, we can keep the world's stories flowing.

Speaker 1 (01:44):
Nats Nora, saskom, Hoadata, sonak data, Yukivaaru, shoot you taking

(02:05):
you bank your Stata, Harutova, Yushu, Nagase data, Karen, Mokkyova,
Shogakutameni skand Takaitenko data Skashi, Karen Corona, Regatta, da hart

(02:31):
Ya data, jibu, sho, title Mo, tata, kno mondai, shu
m to, yukiva, kota the Mogambada, job Dayo, totova, haemasta skashi, ubon, Maso,

(02:54):
kami mini, Hiroto shoot Chu, yokugatata yu kiva, kon ya, Scosho,
jiganda ke, Masrini, Cokato, Kangai, tata, Haruto, scoshiya Sunde, matsurini
ko yo to yukik and shta Yeah Bokua coco de banko,

(03:18):
Chi kanga na too, Harutova, Kotata, shikashi hi dania quin Chu, Kangata, Dayota,
toshukan the benkyo chu Yukiva, Trini human staatsha harta three
can I come up to nagaraita go man yuki, kimio preshani, Catanda, tota, moshiva,

(03:49):
kesasnia Utova, shizukaga hanashia, Hameta, watsa ta anakamat sosietyda ken
you yakita so rekarava benkyo too mats yohoa misikai q

(04:22):
k o haamko kachka da mada tariva yu joto bars
no kisami matata.

Speaker 3 (04:43):
Let's take another listen. Listen closely to any part you
may have missed.

Speaker 1 (04:48):
Nats no his aga, Madoka, sashkomi ho kaioa sika hina
basho data.

Speaker 3 (05:00):
The summer sunlight streamed through the window, and the library
at Hokkaido Daigaku was a quiet and cool refuge.

Speaker 1 (05:07):
Soo deva Obono Jumbigasu, sunde taga koko deva jikanga to
mati ru yo datta.

Speaker 3 (05:17):
Outside, preparations for Obon were underway, but it felt as
if time had stopped here.

Speaker 1 (05:23):
Yukiva, shu chu, ten Kyo, Steta.

Speaker 3 (05:31):
Harto Anyuki were focusing intensely on preparing for the upcoming exams.

Speaker 1 (05:35):
Harutoa Yushu nagaksee Data.

Speaker 3 (05:40):
Harto was an excellent student.

Speaker 1 (05:42):
Karen No Mokkyowa Shogakta Mini skend Ta Kasua.

Speaker 3 (05:52):
His goal was to score highly on the exams to
obtain a scholarship.

Speaker 1 (05:56):
Shkashi karen No koka ba y Nogata.

Speaker 3 (06:04):
However, deep down he had a fear of failure.

Speaker 1 (06:08):
Yukiaga Data, on the other hand, Yuki was a cheerful,
bright friend, but she was barely keeping up with her
to Shosta Mota.

Speaker 3 (06:31):
She too, secretly wanted to prove her capabilities.

Speaker 1 (06:34):
Kuno Monda shoot to Yukivaka.

Speaker 3 (06:42):
This work book is difficult, Yuki whispered.

Speaker 6 (06:45):
De mo gam job dayo masta.

Speaker 3 (06:52):
Yeah, but if we keep at it, we'll be fine.
Arato encouraged hershis Ungauga Mimihaio Shuchu Kugata. However, as the
music from the Bone Festival reached their ears, it almost
broke their concentration.

Speaker 1 (07:13):
Yuki Va Kunya skoshin Dake Masiko Kato kanga Ta.

Speaker 3 (07:21):
Yuki was contemplating whether to go to the festival for
a little while that evening.

Speaker 1 (07:25):
Hato Skushi Yasunde Matsurini Ko yo to Yuki katea.

Speaker 3 (07:33):
Shta Trito, Let's take a break and go to the festival.
Yuki suggested, Yeah, Kua koko de bank no, I'm going
to keep studying here ziganga Naito, we don't have much time,

(07:53):
Harito replied.

Speaker 1 (07:55):
Skushi no hi no ai dania chu Kangata.

Speaker 3 (08:03):
However, the next day, tension lingered between them toshuk.

Speaker 1 (08:07):
No BEng kyo chu Yukiva tsi humaakta.

Speaker 3 (08:15):
While studying in the library, Yuki finally burst out with frustration.

Speaker 1 (08:19):
Waashiwai, can I come?

Speaker 3 (08:28):
I might not be able to keep up with you? Areto,
she said, holding back tears. Gome Yuki, I'm sorry, Yuki
hunt kimio purshani kanda to mos Sasunia. I really didn't

(08:48):
want to make you feel pressured, Harto said apologetically.

Speaker 1 (08:52):
Shizukaimochio Hanashia.

Speaker 3 (09:00):
Then they quietly began to talk about their feelings with
each other.

Speaker 1 (09:04):
Watasuamo sasata Yukia.

Speaker 3 (09:13):
I just want to support you as a friend, Yuki continued.

Speaker 1 (09:17):
Kum uchito ya saskuita.

Speaker 3 (09:26):
I forgot about enjoying things together with you too, Arito
said gently.

Speaker 1 (09:31):
Sure Kara Benkyoto matsuri no yohu.

Speaker 3 (09:41):
After that, they made plans to enjoy both studying and
the bone festival.

Speaker 1 (09:46):
Mijikai ko hasam ka t shuchuka da.

Speaker 3 (09:56):
They realized that taking short breaks actually improved their concentrat.

Speaker 1 (10:05):
Mada.

Speaker 3 (10:09):
The faint light of the bright Obonne lanterns could be
seen from the library window.

Speaker 1 (10:13):
Tariva yujyoto barras no sitsak kisam mataba.

Speaker 3 (10:24):
They etched the importance of friendship and balance in their
hearts and returned to their studies.

Speaker 4 (10:35):
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 (10:51):
Sashkomu, saskumu, sashi komu, streamed, hinam basho, hinam basho, hinam
bash refuge, sasundu, susundu, sisund underway, shoot, choose, shoot, choose, shoot.

Speaker 6 (11:11):
Choose.

Speaker 3 (11:13):
Focus, dau u u upcoming.

Speaker 1 (11:19):
Shogak king, shogak king, shoga co king, scholarship, kangaidata, kangaidata,
kang guidata, contemplating, kim cho kN kim cho kan kim
cho come, tension, tadayota, tadayota ta da yota.

Speaker 6 (11:43):
Lingered, human humahua, human burst out human human human.

Speaker 1 (11:56):
Frustration, Moni most she walks mo Wakai apologetically, Zu Khan jeesuk,
Jesus Kanye quietly, Society, Society, Society support A and A

(12:18):
and a and me eternally Kisam kisam, kisa etched but
balance ties its sack Ti sisa Tai Si sa importance
Cho Jim Joe Jim Jo Jim lanterns to know, she

(12:44):
get know she gets, she get cheerful, Yato yato yata
barely your culd, your cut, your cut capabilities good Kogoda whispered, Matsuri, Matsuri,

(13:05):
Matsuri Festival, Shoot, chur yokut, shoot Chu yokut shoot Chu
do yo coot concentration, Kiku kut, kika kut, kikkut plan,
dika ista, dikai sta dikashta realized houn ka hun ka

(13:28):
Hullo ka faint a karu akaru a karu right, Sinko
Chuno sinko, chuno, shinko chun no ongoing.

Speaker 2 (13:48):
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
keeping our doors open and our content flowing. Please consider
becoming a premium subscriber. To day you'll get more stories,

(14:09):
no ads, custom episode requests and more. Visit w w
W dot Fluent fiction dot org Premium Japanese. Thanks for listening,
and now a final word from our sponsors.
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.

The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.