I was at Komagane Training Center (KTC) for about 70 days as a preparation for my dispatch to Burkina Faso. The biggest aim of my stay there was French language study. There was an internet based learning materials (e-learning) we were assined to complete before the training. There were some videos in e-larning made by some teachers who work at KTC. The lady in the video who was saying some simple French sentences gave me a strong impression. I don't know what it was, but I really did felt something from her and thought I would like her to be my teacher. That was Simone Rasoarilalao, who now became an important and unforgettable person in my life.
ブルキナファソに行く準備で７０日間、駒ヶ根訓練所に居た。一番大きな目的はフランス語の学習で、行く前にもらったネット教材で勉強して来るように言われた。初めてシモンヌをみたときの感覚をよく覚えてる。シモンヌはそのネット教材ビデオでフランス語で何か言っていて、それをみたときに、ああ絶対この人だ、って思ったんだ。彼女は上のクラスを教えてると聞いて、そのクラスに入りたいなと思ってちょっとだけ勉強してから訓練所に行く事にしたんだ。私のそういう直感は大体正解で、やはり彼女は私の人生でとても大きな、忘れられない人になった。
A photo from the last day of the class with Natsuki, Yuta, Joji, Simone, Moko, Chiho, and me.／クラス最終日、なつき、ゆうた、じょーじ、シモンヌ、もこ、ちほ、と私
I have learned many languages from many great and not-quite-great teachers. Especially when I learned Spanish in Colombia, I was surprised by the great teaching skills of my teachers. But Simone was different from any of them. Maybe she knew the definite methods of teaching foreign languages, maybe it was her unique personality that made me want to speak the language she teaches, maybe she simply had plenty of love for us, or maybe its just all above. I've never felt this thankful to anyone who I have met in my life. She was very strict, very honest, and taught us French with lots of love.
今までに、いろんな素晴らしい先生や、先生とも呼べない様な人からもいろんな言語を習った。特にスペイン語やりにコロンビアに行った時なんて、先生たちのスキルの高さに驚いた。でもシモンヌはどの人とも違った。もしかしたら、言語のものすごい教授法を知っていたのかもしれないし、彼女の人としての魅力が私にフランス語への興味を駆り立てたのかもしれないし、彼女の愛のでかさに圧倒されただけかもしれないし、その全てかもしれないし。ただ、こんなに誰かに感謝の気持ちを持った事は私は今までなかった。シモンヌはいつも厳しくて、正直で、沢山の愛とともに私たちにフランス語を教えてくれた。
The class of Simone - EXPRESS／シモンヌクラスの特急電車
I was not very enthusiastic about learning French. Without knowing anything, I had always thought French is a borning language. I've decided to learn it only because it seemed usuful. Just the fact that I met Simone had changed my perspective of the French language. I can be enthusiastic about learning it only by thinking of her.
フランス語なんて実はずっと興味がなかった。つまらない言語だと意味もなく思っていた。でもシモンヌの存在一つで、私はこの言語を話したいと思えるようになっていた。
Simone in "the classroom of Simone"／”シモンヌ教室”にいるシモンヌ
At the farewell party at KTC on the last day of our stay, I played percussion with my best friend, Saori. Simone was standing on my left front watching us play, with a warm smile on her face, a smile like a mother who kindly watches her children. Because she didn't come out at the end by the time of my leave when everybody was crying and hugging each other at the outside parking of KTC, Simone watching our percussion became the last moment I saw her in my stay. Her look then sticks in my mind.
最後のさよなら会で、私は親友（っていっていいかな）のさおりと太鼓をたたいたんだけど、その時シモンヌはすっごいあったかい笑顔で私たちをみていた。まるで子供を見守るお母さんみたいだった。私がバスで訓練所を出るときにシモンヌが出てこなかったせいで、その彼女の笑顔がこの訓練で私がみた彼女の最後の姿になった。そのときの表情が忘れられない。
Simone label created by Moko.／もこが作ったシモンヌスティッカー
Well, I started writing about her here but I don't know the words to express my feelings for her. Now, I already miss our class of Simone, with my lovely classmates Joji, Natsuki, Yuta, Moko, and Chiho. And I know from experience that the same moments would never come back. Even if we all will gather again after some years, that atmosphere we had shared and lived in during the 70 days would never come back. That's not a bad thing. I guess that's how life goes, and maybe that's why it's fun. But I miss it so much. Yes, I already miss it too much. Thank you Simone, I promise you that I will not die before you.
シモンヌの事書きたいって思って書き始めたけど、正直どうしたら彼女に対する想いを言葉にできるのかわからない。今、もうすでに私たちのシモンヌクラスを思うとさみしくなる。じょーじとなつきとゆうたともことちほと私とシモンヌのあのクラス。もう二度と同じ感覚がよみがえる事はないって知ってるから。なんていうか、また数年後にみんなで再会しても、そこには新しい感覚があって、てゆうかだから面白いんだとは思うんだけど、それが人生かなとも思うんだけど、でもやっぱり、すっごく良かったから、さみしくはなってしまう。とても。シモンヌに約束したいな。あなたより先には死なないって。ありがとう。
Simone drinking beer and getting ready to eat sushi ／ビールを飲みながら寿司を待ちわびるシモンヌ
