Mirai No Utena [ Tower of the Future ] by Hiwatari Saki Translation Key -- within a line indicates a different part of the same word bubble (when they are fragmented into parts) one carriage return indicates a separate word bubble in the same panel. two indicates a new panel. a "-" surrounded by blank lines indicates a new page. "" indicates speech. {} indicates thought. () (sometimes within "") indicates cursory speech or noises that are handwritten instead of printed. [] indicate translator's notes. // // indicates other written material. Volume 3 - Hana to Yume Comics Mirai no Utena Volume 3 Hiwatari Saki - Table of Contents Mirai No Utena 3 ... 5 Utena Club .. 180 Cover Page Illustration Collection ... 184 (This work is fiction. There is no connection to real people, organizations, or events.) - Mirai no Utena Level 2: My Darling HONEY - Mirai no Utena Introduction to Appearing Characters Matsuyuki Takeru: A boy with many worries and a rich imagination. Suzunari Ichigo: An energetic, cheerful girl. The girl Takeru cares for. Hokuouin Zen: A mysterious kindergartener. Matsuyuki Kento: Takeru's father. Matsuyuki Kimie: Takeru's mother. Passed on in a car accident. Hyoujuu Maxwell (Matsuyuki Hyoujuu): Takeru's half-sister by a different mother. - Noda Kouki: Takeru's classmate. Has a pretty rascally personality. Tsukikawa Daigo: Takeru's longtime friend. A good-natured, simple guy. Nishizawa Seika: Sits next to Takeru in school; Ichigo's good friend. Toosaka Yoruko: A cool, beautiful classmate of Takeru's. Toosaka Miya: Yoruko's twin sister. Matsuyuki Takeru, living a peaceful life in his third year of junior high, went to Honami High School as part of his preparation for entrance exams. At the field trip assembly, Takeru fell in love with Suzunari Ichigo, a student from another school, at first sight. Takeru was all excited at his first experience with real "love," but then he suddenly lost his mother in a car accident and on top of that, found out that he had a half-sister named Hyoujuu by a different mother. And when his father suddenly decided to bring Hyoujuu to live with them, although Takeru was conflicted, he accepted Hyoujuu warmly into the family. When spring came, Takeru failed the entrance exam for Honami and ended up going to Tennendou High School, though his one regret was that Ichigo-chan was most likely at Honami... but the truth was, Ichigo-chan had also come to Tennendou and was in the next class! Walking on air from getting to meet her again, Takeru got Ichigo's home address from Kouki, and went to see what he could see. And what should he find but Ichigo and Zen arguing! While Takeru is trying to calm Ichigo down, Zen is satisfied (!?) and disappears. And then, Takeru, who's flying high, ends up "confessing" to Ichigo....!? - "...For real?" "Huh?" "Just now... did you mean that?" "Uh... no... -- that is..." - "Then you were joking?" {gulp} "Uh..." Oh, no... "I guess..." "I meant it..." She broke me down.... - "Hmmm..." "For how long?" "...Since the field trip to Honami.... -- the first time I saw you..." "Eh..." "...Since that long ago?!" "..." "Yeah." "I thought you were going to Honami -- so I ... originally made that my first choice -- and I tried really heard to get in..." "...but I failed... with flying colors." - "And I was trying to figure out how I could meet you again -- but then... you were..." "there at Tennendou." "Yoru was the one who said she wanted to go to Honami." "'Yoru'?" "She's in your class. Toosaka Yoruko. -- She's still out with the plague so she hasn't shown up yet." [lit. rubella/German measles, but I don't think Ichigo means it literally] - "There's a girl named Miya in my class -- she's Yoruko's twin sister." "She copies Yoru in everything she does -- so she told us to come along on the field trip to Honami." "And then on that very day, Yoru herself ends up at home with a cold, you know?" "Seika and I had already decided from the first on Tennendou -- it's tons closer." "Besides, I couldn't stand those school uniforms: they weren't cute!" Yeah... and the Tennendou one looks so good on her.... "If I'd had to start high school there, I think my head would go boom!" - "I think it was right of you to give up on that place, Matsuyuki-kun. Just because the standard's high there doesn't mean it's a better place." Ichigo-chan... "...Haha!" "Tee-hee" "There's an old friend of mine in your class too. His name is Tsukikawa Daigo." "Oh? I wonder which one he is." - "Okay, Matsuyuki-kun." "Huh?" "I'll let you fall for me..." "...as hard as you want!" I thought my heart... ..was going to burst!!! - "Takeru-kun." "Hm?" "You're staring into space." "Ehh....?" "Father... What could be wrong with Takeru-kun?" "Hm? -- Well..." "I wonder if something..." (tee-hee-hee) "...good happened to him at school..." - "My hero!" "It must have been..." "fate that the two of us met like we did...!!" //Commands: Talk with Ichigo [pafupafu] with Ichigo Hold Ichigo's hand Find out more about Ichigo Eat with Ichigo Stay at an inn with Ichigo// //Ah.... oh, MAN!// - //I don't care if the ending never comes! I want to travel forever and ever with Ichigo-chan! Let's travel all the way to the end of the world!! I love her so much!!// - "I heaaaarrrd, Matsuyuki-kun!! -- From Ichigo!!" "Eek! I'm totally, totally, rooting for you, Matsuyuki-kun!!" "Eh!?" Ichigo-chan a..already talked about it...! "I mean, Matsuyuki-kun is [jone-zu-kei] -- and your good looks are absolutely Ichigo's type, so you'll be fine!" (Eh? Y-you think so?) "But you know, Matsuyuki-kun..." (yeah, I mean it!) "Ichigo's popular too. Very." "...Yeah..." "..I thought she might be." - "Morning, Seika." "(tap)" "Ah, Yoru!! -- I'm so glad you're feeling better!" (I thought you were gonna die!) "Yes, thank God." "Ah, this guy here is Matsuyuki-kun -- he's a quarter British!" Whoa... she's an incredible beauty. {thump} "Nice to meet you." "Matsuyuki-kun might go out with Ichigo!" ([hero]) "....gah, Nishizawa!!" - "...." "My condolences." (frown) "Wh..what does that mean!?" "I'm definitely rooting for Matsuyuki-kun!" (Yoru, you do too -- okay? -- okay?) (No way.) (Where am I sitting?) "I don't care one way or the other." (Note: that's Noda.) "Say thank-you to me, Matsuyuki..!" (clap clap clap clap) //Well, gosh, congratulations!!// (screeech) "Don't listen in with your ulterior motives--!!" Just like yesterday, Ichigo-chan came to see Nishizawa. "Seika....!" - And when she saw me there... she smiled...!!! Eeek! This feeling of achievement...!! "Yoru-chaaaaaaaaaaan -- Miya doesn't have any frieeends!" [Miya being cute by referring to herself in the third person] "You've got Ichigo-chan, don'tyou?" "But Ichigo-chan isn't taking care of Miya one biiiiiiit! -- She introduced me to the class in a weird way!!" (sob sob sob) "This girl is a masochist! -- Treat her well, okay?" "Wow.. for real!" "She's smiling!" //That's not iiiiit!// - "Going home... want to go home together? "All right. -- I meant to ask you yesterday about that kindergarten kid, after all." "Yeah! Isn't he just like a phantom, coming and going in strange places? -- And times, too. He always shows up at strange times!" "It's like, 'is it really normal to be here at this time!?'" "I met him once in Narita -- and past eight P.M., too!" - "Hrm... -- So you don't know who he really is either, huh, Matsuyuki-kun." "He just gets more and more suspicious!" "Ah.... by the way. I've met Zen-kun's sister once." (speaking of which, she was a beauty too...) "She apologized to me, saying he had an overactive imagination and tended to exaggerate, so she was sorry for saying strange things..." "Hmmm....m." "But why would a compulsive liar feel the need to pick on me about little things? It doesn't have anything to do with exaggerating or imagining things to tell me I should wear a different coat." "...Yeah." "And on top of that, whenever I try and talk about his family, he runs away." - "Like if I say 'where do you live,' he'll say something evasive and then take off!" To be standing here this long, without saying goodbye, just standing and talking to her... it's like we're already going out. "Next time we should try asking him about it together." "You're right! -- We should. That's how we'll do it. We'll ask him together." "Ichigo!" "Ah... -- onii!" [This is a very weird form of address. It's 'big brother,' but without the honorific - indicating an unusually intimate relationship. Normally, if siblings felt too close to use honorifics, they'd just refer to each other by name. The fact that she says 'brother' but without the honorific indicates a very strange mutation of the brother-sister relationship and sets off warning bells almost immediately.] - "What are you doing?" "If you're home, then hurry up and come inside!" "Sure. -- Um, this is my friend, Ma..." "Good ev.." (turn) (slam) "Ah..." "I'm sorry -- he seems so sullen..." "No... not at all." - (Well, isn't he rude! Ptooie!) Damn! I greeted him nice and politely, at that! He gives me a bad feeling. But that night, a follow-up call from Ichigo-chan came...!! This might just mean... that there's life to this! [lit. 'having a pulse' - is he talking about the relationship?] "Huh - how'd you know!? My phone number, that is." "I had Seika tell me." "Ta-ke-ru-...kun!" "Was the girl on the phone just now.... your girlfriend..." "by any chance!?" "Eh? ... Uh, kind of... I guess -- she's a friend..." //comp// - "Takeru-kun, your face is red." (tee-hee) "It's kinda hot in here...." "Good luck!!" "I.." "am cheering you on!" "......" "Thanks." //Computers// Nishizawa's with me... Hyoujuu's with me... Noda's with me (maybe) Everyone's rooting for me... And even Ichigo-chan doesn't seem like she's all that against it... Oh, I've got a bright future!! - All right! From here on, it's Go-Go!! "Eh... what...!?" "The swimming club's manager!?" "...Does that mean you've already joined? -- Ichigo!" "Yeah..." "Basically." - "Bu... but why!? -- Are you going to tell Matsuyuki-kun?" "Why should I? I only told Matsuyuki he could fall for me. -- He's got nothing to object to, not really." "Why'd you join the club again!?" "It isn't... because Kyokunan-senpai -- is in the club, is it?" "Well... -- it just seems like it'll be fun!" - "b...but even so -- I thought things were over with Kyokunan-senpai, Ichigo -- and I thought you were thinking of going out with Matsuyuki-kun now, weren't you?" "What'll you say to Matsuyuki-kun?" "Well, then -- Seika, why don't you tell him I've joined." "And if he asks me why, how should I answer him!?" "You can just say you don't know. That's all right." "Ichigo..." - "You aren't still going after Kyokunan-senpai?" "Or were you... really.. serious about him?" "Oh, stop that, Seika!" "It's not like that..." - "..." "Oh, Seika." "Morning. What's the matter? Aren't you going to the classroom?" "Ah.. Yoru! C'mere, c'mere." "So you'll never guess... that Ichigo..." "Ichigo-chan AGAIN? -- What's she done now?" "She told me she's joined the swimming club for her beloved Kyokunan-senpai!" "Oh, my." "'Oh, my?' Come on, worry with me here! -- What'll I tell Matsuyuki-kun?" "You're the one who decided to support him on a whim." - "But his looks are just Ichigo's type, and he just got here, which is good [jp. nyuugaku shite kiri ga yokatta] -- and it's possible he might be able to take a beating well..." "I wonder if there's anyone out there who can win against 'Big Brother.'" (how interesting!) "See? Saying something like that, you are rooting for him!" "(well.) It's all right, Seika -- at the very least, Kyokunan-senpai won't let Ichigo get close." - "I wonder...." "Kyokunan-senpai kept trying hard until he was that black and blue; he's that kind of guy -- that was because he really seriously like Ichigo." "Ichigo's cute. -- If you ask me, she's super-cute." "You could even say... disgustingly so." "If he were to get too much of a hint about Matsuyuki-kun, wouldn't he make him wash his hands of her?" "At this point, if anyone gets close to Ichigo, it undoubtedly pisses him off." [I think they're talking about kazuki here] "You think too much, Seika!" (A ha ha ha ha ha!) "You can only say that because you didn't see Kyokunan-senpai back then." - "It was ghastly. -- He was hit and hit and hit some more, but he just kept getting up again..." "I was there until after Kazuki-san dragged Ichigo to the car and they went home." (I've left Ichigo-chan out of it) //The above is my imagination// "I saw it all." "Afterwards, he cried." (My god, what a sinner that girl is.) [for causing heartache, I guess] "I couldn't say a thing to him..." (My heart was pounding from all the excitement!) - "That's why I'm saying, you've got nothing to worry about from Senpai. I can't tell about Ichigo-chan, but..." "But WHY!"? "Because apparently he's got a new girlfriend. I heard yesterday -- from Miya." //hunh?// "REALLY!?" "A good friend of hers is in Miya's class. -- She's the one who said so, so it has to be true, right?" "Her name's Itou Miyabi -- she's the same age as we are, but goes to a different school." "It's just... there's one more thing that's kind of..." - "Kind of... what?" "Kind of... problematic, I guess, is the feeling." "This girl, Itou Miyabi..." "in junior high school, she was Matsuyuki-kun's girlfriend." //WHAT WAS THAT!???????// - "Hey! Nishizawa, good morning." "AH - good morning!" "...what... what's wrong?" "Uh, n-nothing, nothing really..." {he looks so innocent but I guess he did pretty well for himself -- I guess if you're a 'quarter', that alone makes you popular.} {you can't underestimate that.} Lunch break-- "Hey, Tsukikawa-kun." "Hnm? -- What is it, Motojima?" - "Miya and a friend of hers... -- they say there's something they want to ask about Suzunari-san and Matsuyuki-kun." "They want to ask you and me." (Miya.. that's...) "...Oh, Toosaka, right? .. Her friend?" "AH... -- Nishizawa-san... who sits next to Takeru..." "They say to go up to the roof and don't let Suzunari-san find out." "Yeah." "It's true, Matsuyuki-kun was going out with Miyabi." "Right, Tsukikawa-kun?" "Uh... yeah." - "I heard Matsuyuki-kun also was in the swimming club in junior high, and that's where they got to know each other." "Eh!? Swimming!?" "Yeah... in his second year he made it to the individuals' national tournament. -- He's pretty damned amazing." "EH!!" "And then just before we moved up to third year... -- without talking to Miyabi at all about it, he quit the club, and that was all..." "In the end I guess it was sort of like a fade-out..." "Miyabi cried over him." - "She told me she and Kadowaki Kyokunan-senpai met at a heated pool. -- He was the one to approach her." (ehhh?) "If what Miya said was true, and Matsuyuki-kun and Suzunari-san are really starting to go out -- quite frankly, I don't feel that great about it." "After all, Miyabi..." "never heard it straight out from Matsuyuki-kun. -- She's still smoldering over it." [not sure if she means miyabi is or the relationship was sputtering out like a fire... it's a rather metaphorical phrase.] "And from what I can tell, Suzunari-san is the same way -- Kadowaki-senpai never really made it clear whether or not it's over, right?" "If that's the case, I feel really sorry for Miyabi!" - ([gyo]) "Is that... really true, Nishizawa-san..." (startled) "(um) No, well, kind of..." "So there was never" (Miya doesn't get ittt...!) "a complete rejection... is that what they mean -- Seika?" "Matsuyuki-kuuun" - "Ah!" "Suzunari-san!" "Are you done with lunch?" "Yeah." "Oh, good! -- Actually, today I brought someone I want to introduce to you." "Huh?" "Introduce?" "Kyokunan-senpai!" - "Hey." "Nice to meet you." "Kadowaki Kyokunan-senpai is a second-year student and the new head of the swimming club! -- For me, he's been my senpai since junior high." "He says he's got something he wants to ask you today!" "A... Ask me? Suzunari-san..." "You know, Matsuyuki-kun -- I've become the manager of the swimming club. Won't you join too?" - 'Eh!?" "You're amazing, Matsuyuki-kun - you went all the way to the nationals! -- Kyokunan-senpai scouted you out." "When I heard from Kyokunan-senpai, I was so surprised! -- Join, won't you? Okay?" "...." "...Hey -- Ichigo." 'Ichigo'...? [surprised he doesn't use an honorific] "You go over there for a bit. I want to talk to this guy, just the _two_ of us." - "C'mere for a sec -- OK?" (Eh!? Why why why?!) "Uh.. um..." "You.." "..are going out with Ichigo now, right?" "If you join our club," "I'll give you all sorts of inside information on Ichigo." - "We used to go out, Ichigo and I." "Up until a half a year ago." "So it's 100% trustworthy inside information, you see?" - "I don't need anything like that." "It's my own love, so I'll take care of it myself!" [lit. 'grow/raise/nurture'] "I -- like to think of myself as a gamer." "Well, not that this is the same as a game, but..." - "If you get hints and cheats from outside -- and they have a hand in your victories..." "even when you make it through the game -- it's pointless." "What? What? -- What's going on?" (smile) "Sorry, Suzunari-san. -- I won't be joining the club." "There are other things... I want to do." - "Hunh....!??" "And Suzunari-san, if you like swimming, you should join the women's club yourself -- Not just as a manager." "If you really are interested in swimming, I have nothing else to say, but -- if that's not the case..." "I think you should look for something you really want to do." "In my experience," "when you lie to yourself..." "...it ends up hurting those around you too." - //Diinnnnng// "Matsu..." "Ah, it's the bell." //Donnnnnng// "See ya! -- Suzunari-san, Kadowaki-senpai." //Diinnnnnnnng// - Alllllll RIGHT!!!!! That was SOLID! Just now, that was TOTALLY, PERFECTLY SOLID!! I wonder how I looked just now... in Ichigo-chan's eyes!? But still... they were going out until a half a year ago.... Even if you say that's all in the past, Ichigo-chan's attitude worries me.. I wonder if she's still... what they call "carrying a torch?" - And he was pretty... good-looking at that... "Takeru!" "Yo -- Daigo." "You going home by yourself today?" "Yeah -- Suzunari-san says she's got afterschool clubs." "...The swimming club... right?" "Yeah. That's right." "Um, listen -- Takeru..." - "Forget about Suzunari Ichigo, okay?" "What's with that? Stirring up trouble?" "Forget about her!" "Okay?" "And one more thing..." "Go see Itou Miyabi." - "Wh... what the heck are you going on about?! -- Things with Miyabi..." "Faded out? But you're -- the only one who thinks so." "That Itou still likes you, but..." "Now she's going out..." "with Suzunari Ichigo's ex." - Go see Itou Miyabi. That Itou still ikes you, but... Now she's going out... with Suzunari Ichigo's ex. - "Takeru-kun, are you going out?" "Yeah -- for a bit." "I'm going to meet a friend of mine from junior high." (Oh, really?... But I baked scones!) (Well... I'll be waiting...) "...Takeru-kuuuun" "Over here!" - "Sorry to call you out here all of a sudden." "No biggie." "Chiko had called me -- so I have a good guess why." "Chiko? -- Ah, Motojima?" "Yeah." - "So... what did you want to talk to me about?" "Daigo said...." "That I was the only one who thought our relationship died a natural death...." "..and that even so, you're going out with someone new now..." "So... -- what?" - "I didn't -- and you didn't either -- say anything about it..." "And I'd hoped that we both realized it was a natural death..." "...but maybe I was just rationalizing it selfishly..." "That's not true. -- If it was, how could I go out with someone new?" - "Yeah... then that's..." "...okay, then!" "But... I'm sorry." "In the end -- I'm the one who was vague about it." "So I'm really... sorry." - "Takeru-kun, you've gotten taller." "It seems like you've gotten more refined." "I bet you're popular." "No -- not at all." "You lie!" "Takeru-kun... last fall..." "your mother passed away unexpectedly, didn't she?" "Uh... yeah, she did." - "At the funeral -- you looked like you were suffering so much." "...At that time... I found I understood something." "Takeru-kun..." "you were suffering so much, but..." "you didn't come to me for support even once." "And things after that were hard too, I'm sure." "Running around trying to bring your sister here -- and then entrance exams right after that..." "Sorry about Honami." - "Oh, no -- I'm so embarrassed..." "Tee-hee." "But in exchange for all that..." (twitch) "You've found someone you really like, haven't you? At Tennendou." "I heard from Chiko. -- She says it's Kadowaki-san's previous girlfriend." "She says this girl is incredibly, incredibly cute, right? -- Kadowaki-san doesn't want to talk about her much, though." - "If I recall correctly, Kadowaki-san..." "...said what happened with his ex-girlfriend..." "...is that -- he was broken down by her older brother." "They came to blows, he said." "Well, myself -- I'd like to see you try your hardest, Takeru-kun." "...in that position!" "But still... sometime when I wasn't looking, Takeru-kun, you managed to grow up soooooo much!" "(Eh)" "so I'm sure you'll be fine!!" - "...Give me a break! -- How many times did you pick on me with those pointless, left-handed compliments [jp. konkyo no nai odate ni odoraserata] when we were in clubs together!?" "Why me!?" "You never change, do you!" "But I was always serious -- in whatever I said!!" I've been watching you, all this time... "Later...!" so hard that I can say all this. I've always been watching over you as you grew, Takeru-kun. And I'm the only person who knows it. That's what I think... - (wave) "AH! -- Onii-san, good afternoon!" "Fancy meeting you here!" "Eh -- Zen-kun!" "Where are you heading home from, 'mister'? -- Ah -- AH!" (heh, eh heh, e-heh-heh-heh-heh) "Could it be.... you were on a DATE!?" "I know!! It's that onee-san from before, the one with the short bobbed hair, right? Why you!! You-you-you-you-you-shameful-boy-you!" ("....") "But you two do seem like you're made for each other! Isn't this what they call a whirlwind courtship?! -- I suppose the next step is MARRIAGE!! -- hooray!" {How did he develop it that far!?} - "Matsuyuki." "...Kadowaki-senpai." - "You called Miyabi, didn't you." "You were just with her... a little while ago, right?" "...Why are you asking that?" "It's a shame .. about the other day." "I was going to give you the straightforward reason that triggered my breakup with Ichigo." - "It's information about a wall that you're guaranteed to come up against -- if you're going to go out with Ichigo." "You're talking about her brother?" "If that's it, I heard a little bit about it from Miyabi." "Well, then let's try this. -- Let's try a new exchange." "I'll tell you all the details. -- AND I'll give up on getting you to join the club." "Eh..." "There's another piece of information I want to know." "Can I exchange it for that?" - "What is it? That information you want to know..." "You went out with Miyabi, right? In junior high." "And what's more..." "I heard you never made a clean break with her." "But -- where you're concerned..." "...it's over, isn't it?" - He's... really desperate. He's seriously, really in love with Miyabi. ...I don't want to see Ichigo's crying face, but...... "Let's stop this already, senpai." - "I can see now how serious you are about her." "I feel the same way... about Ichigo-chan." "In that case, it's too much -- of too much, don't you think?" "Going through all this." "Already." "I've just got to.." "do my best, or it'll turn out badly, you know..." - "Miya... I mean, Itou-san... is really an amazing girl! -- to make you fall that hard, Senpai." "I guess I just couldn't see through to that part of her." "And maybe Ichigo-chan still likes you, Senpai." "but..." "I won't give up!" "Even if I'm still at a low level..." - "And that ended your talk? -- Onii-san?" "Yeah... I think he understood what I meant... most likely." "Is Ichigo-onee-san really in love with that onii-san? -- That's not true, is it?" "I don't know, I think it might just be the case." "Onii-san.... -- Onii-san, you love Ichigo-onee-san, don't you?" "Eh?" -- "Hey, you -- why do you try to make it sound especially like things are already established?" "This 'don't you?' way of asking something is awfully conclusive ... or rather, the same as forcing a decision on something, you know? -- Or are you saying that's how you want things to be?" "You love her, DON'T YOU!?" "Please... say you love her... if you don't...." "I.. -- I'll already..." "be turning... six..." - "Nothing... is going the way I want ... -- what will I do..." (drop drop drop) "UWANNNHHHHH!" "....." "Zen-kun... why don't you tell me the situation? -- I'll help you out as much as I can, so..." (uwannhhhhh) "Okay?" "I can't talk here..." (wah, wah) "Why?" "Um..." "N.. N... Noiz might hear us..." [yes the spelling is right, trust me] - "AH! -- It's all right! I forgot!" "I brought a Barrier Seed with me. -- I'll put it out now!" (plop) (sniffle sniffle) "Now it's all right to talk." "...Huh?" "Onii-san, you've just GOT to marry Ichigo-onee-san as soon as you can, PLEASE!!" (DROBDROBDROB) "I'm BEGGING YOU!" - C... calm down. Calm down. This is a kid talking. "Wh..." "Why do you say that?" "Because if you don't -- **LAVI** will never be born!!" "La... -- what was that?" "LAVI! -- LAVENDER!!!!" "My..." "precious WIFE!!!!!!!!!!" - "Lavi won't be born -- if she's not the child of onii-san and Ichigo-onee-san!!" "And for me... me..." (UWAUGHHHHHH) "A life without Lavi..........." "...is HELL!!!!" "....." - To summarize Zen-kun's story, it goes pretty much like this. A long time ago... this story goes back to Zen-kun's past life... //The below is how Takeru honestly imagines it// Zen-kun... //HP: 3780// //apparently this is Zen// ..and a girl named "Lavender"... //HP: 2300 MP: 680// //'Lavender' is a western-style name// ...apparently fell deeply, deeply in love once upon a time... [takeru is using a form of narration that sounds like a fairy tale, this is the best approximation I can do in English] - They lived beautifully (pfft) together and blessings overflowed from all around them to bind them together. And later, the two were blessed with five children and lived their lives loving each other, and loving the world and nature. (apparently this is beautiful) //Persistently imagining// And when the end of life came, it came first to Lavender... - His beautiful wife, on the brink of her final breath, made her last prediction. "Darling, I..." "do not wish to be born if I am not born to my dearest parents, the ones who raised me, even in my next life." "Truthfully, it is most likely that I will not be born if it is not to those two." - "If my parents do not find each other, no matter who else they may marry, even if by luck I am born, at that time, I do not know if I will come to love you... for I will have lost that memory..." //HP: 0 MP: 0// (After all, it's just got to look something like this) "For the place I return to - my Zero - has always been with those parents....." - "....And? -- Do you believe that, Matsuyuki-kun?" "No... -- I'm not saying I do... -- but Zen-kun said all of that. -- I.. I'm not making it up!" "When exaggeration goes that far, it could be pretty serious. -- I feel like we've got no choice but to tell him so, don't you?" "Well... but you know... he's just five years old..." "Ah, that's true... -- when he grows up he'll forget all about it." "Now that I think of it, I had weird beliefs and expectations! Yeah, I did!!" - "I thought my parents weren't my real parents -- and I was really some zillionaire's daughter and I was stolen away..." "And that someday my real parents would come and get me.. for some reason I completely convinced myself of this!" "I also thought I honestly could marry Onii." [her big brother] "So apparently I would say all the time, 'I'm going to be Onii's bride!'" "And Onii went along with it pretty well, apparently. -- He'd say 'Okay, I'll make you my bride.'" "And then he'd really KISS me! (eek eek eek)" - "D... Did you just..." "say 'really... kiss' you...?" "Yup! -- The one who gave me my first kiss was Onii!" "....that's what she said, Nishizawa, happily... -- I think I'm in culture shock... ugh..." (wow, Ichigo's pretty straightforward...) "Yea.....h...." {...No choice... -- I'll have to tell him...} (for the sake of full disclosure too... [jp. mikiriboushinotamenimo]) {about Kazuki-san.} "I... Ichigo-chan's true secret....?" - "It couldn't be... that she's REALLY some zillionaire's...!?" "OF COURSE NOT!!!" "The reason that Ichigo's loves never amount to anything." "It's all because of her brother." "Where Ichigo's concerned -- everything begins with her brother and everything goes back to her brother." "Her brother's name is written "the summer's celebration sparkles" and is pronounced 'Kazuki -- it's a powerful name." - "Her brother is nine years older than her and has treasured Ichigo since she was a baby. -- Thinking about Ichigo's likes, his personality probably appeals to her more than her mother's does." "Apparently it was her brother who taught her to stand and to walk." (Takeru's subconscious has already blurred this memory) "And it seems it was the same with speaking, reading and writing." "Every day they'd kiss, 'smooch-smooch' as though it was normal. -- It was like a Western home... no, more than that... he raised Ichigo loving her so much." //Y..Y...you can't mean they do that even now?// //Everyday? 'Smooch-smooch'!?// - "Yeah -- it wouldn't be saying too much to even say it was really Ichigo's brother who raised her!" "...I mean, to think it was her big brother who helped her when she got her first period..." (eww...) (how scary...) //Nishizawa, did you have to say that much!?// "What did her mother do?" "Until Ichigo's second year in junior high, both her parents worked..." (imagining things he can't even say out loud) "Her mother really... felt relieved that she could leave half of everything to Kazuki-san, I think..." "I've known Ichigo since grade school. -- The amount she trusts in Kazuki-san is amazing." "Maybe it goes without saying, but -- being carried or held by a big brother is probably so comforting that you can fall asleep anywhere [lit. fall asleep outside]" - "When Kazuki-san began to earn money with his camera -- then he was able to give Ichigo things." "He lavished gifts on her, every luxury she could think of." "Ichigo was the target of some teasing in junior high, but.. -- I think Kazuki-san rode a white horse to her rescue then too..." (Now that I think about it, the cause was probably her voice) "'The only one who can protect Ichigo -- is me and only me!'" "He was convinced of that, and when you're feeling something that powerfully, it can really become an incident." [jp. kangeki ni omoikomu ni wa juubun na dekigoto dattan ja nai kana] - "For that reason, if a boy ever made Ichigo cry -- Kazuki-san's fists would fly." "And he's got a good arm, so he's pretty scary." "No matter what the reason, if Ichigo would cry... -- that was it, he'd say 'Break up with her.'" "I see..." "...well... that certainly explains what happened with Kadowaki-senpai as well..." "Huh? -- What, you already know about that?" - "Yeah. Just a little." "I heard from Miyabi. -- Daigo said that you guys were worrying about that. (thanks!)" "Ah... -- I see...!" "Ichigo-chan... seems like she still likes Senpai now..." "And it looks like Senpai really was seriously in love with Ichigo-chan back then." "Hm....." "Maybe she is.. carrying a torch.. But I've been thinking recently that it may be a little different than that." - "I wonder... if Ichigo isn't waiting." "She loves her brother, but..." "if there's someone out there.. who has the power to steal her away from her brother..." "I wonder if she isn't maybe expecting him to come along." "Whoever it may be. She wants there to be someone like that -- like a selfish princess, I guess..." - "Kyokunan-senpai made it pretty far along, so -- I think she still has an attachment to him." "I don't think it's quite the same... as really loving him." "Matsuyuki-kun, do your best!" "If my analysis is correct -- once you clear that hurdle..." "Ichigo will be totally crazy about you!!!" - -Nishizawa's words have slapped me soundly on the back. //Reaffirm your feelings.// (don't you dare try this at home!) //Do you love Ichigo-chan? > Yes No // Yes!!!!! - //Diiiiiiing-doonnnng-diiiing--dooooong// //buzz buzz buzz// "(see ya!)" "(bye-bye!)" "Ta....ke-chan!" "Yup!" "Matsuyuki -- a second-year is calling you." "Hu?" "Kadowaki-senpai!" "What.. is it?" "--" "I dumped Ichigo... completely. -- I also told her.. about Miyabi." - "She might be crying... right now." "There's no one else in the room -- it's empty." "Sorry, Daigo -- you go home ahead of me." "Eh?" "Why!?" - (click) "I..." "Ichigo-chan..." "Are you okay? -- Let's... go home together." "Okay?" "NO!!! -- Why are you here!?" (thump) "How'd you get here!?" "Right now I feel a LOT like crying! -- So leave me alone!" "If I go home... I can't..." "cry like this!" "...Okay." - "Um.. then.. do you want to cry on my shoulder?" "Juuuust-kidding." (ah, was that bad? Ah, hehehe... actually, I meant it...) "...." "Since when did you start calling me 'Ichigo-chan' anyway!?" "Um, NOW. -- Hehehe..." "Don't MESS with me! I'm really, really sad right now!!!" "REALLY -- REALLY" "REALLY -- SADDDDD!!!" - "oo..." "uw..." "uWAAAAAUGH" "WAAAAAAAA!" "It's okay." "I'll protect you, Ichigo-chan." "I won't lose to your brother. -- I'll steal you away." - "(hic)" "Um..." "...You're hurting and all.. so it might seem like I was trying to take advantage of you..." "So right now I won't ask you 'Go out with me...' -- but ... I will steal you away, for sure..." (he's trying to be really decisive here) "--------" - "DAMNN IT ALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!" "UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" //HP: 1/300 // "...." Oh well... //Continue with this love? > Yes The opposite of No // ...whatever. - "Shia." "Ah, Kira, Tafuto. -- I'm home... sorry I'm late." "I bought some cake from Maxim du Paris. You want to eat it?" (ah! hooray!) "Um, there's something..." "'There's something'?" "There's something... that could be big trouble." "Right, Tafuto?" - "Tafuto, what's wrong? -- Did you predict something?" "Tell her, Tafuto." "Zen-kun..." "might talk... about Lavi." "No... " "...he might have... already talked..." - "The winds told me... just a bit ago. -- Apparently, Zen used a Barrier Seed..." "~~Ohhh, give me a BREAK, that damned KID!" "Hey, hey, what should we do? -- We should wake up Father, right?" (I want to drink tea with Father! Let's wake him up, okay? This time we should have [darowaiyo]!" "Let's not resort to that. It's okay. Let me handle this." - (pull) "n-kay.." (clatter) "Huh?" "If you're looking for the Orange Card, it's over here, young master Zen." "But it's already five o'clock. Are you really going out to the train station?" "Sh...Shia-nee-sama......" (heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh) - "I wonder who you were talking to about what to be using a Barrier Seed. -- Your big sister wants to know!" (see? see?) "You wouldn't be talking about something -- that would be VERY bad if Noiz heard you, now would you!?" (GULPP) "It couuuuldn't be that you were talking to Matsuyuki Takeru... about LAVI..." "RIGHhhhhht!?" - "Zen... you..." "TOLD HIM." (slap slap slap slap slap slap) "It's spanking time!!!" "(EEEEEEP!)" "But... Onee-sama.. I..." "No buts, and no shit!" "How many times do we have to tell you before you understand!? You're not supposed to show someone his life!!" "You can't go around leaking unnecessary information for the sake of your own ego!" - "And more, just because you want to see your lover -- telling her parents 'get married to this person' and 'have a kid' -- is absolutely wrong!! -- ABSOLUTELY!!!" "Get a handle on your own position, here!" "You're the Heir of Zero!!! -- Don't underestimate Noiz!!!!" - "It was passing Zero on to you that made Dad unable to stay awake for very long, so don't you get all selfish! -- Learn from Kiyu's example, Kiyu's!!" "Your orange card is forfeit!" "UWAAAAAH" (Crying won't do you any good!) "Seems you don't get it, so -- I'm not letting you out of the house!!" "Understand!?" (WAHHHHH) - (click) "...Give me a break." "Kiyu -- so you heard." "Good work." "Oh man... I've got no confidence... -- Dad falls asleep right away, we can't count on Mom at all, Kira and Tafuto still aren't stable..." "And even saying that, it'd be a pity to leave everything to you, Kiyu." - (tee-hee) "I'm sorry about that." "It's okay. You've got tons more of my sympathy than Zen does." "Zen's only 5..." "But Kiyu, you..." "have already waited 17 years." "Zen-san's still small... so it's not surprising." - "And besides being small, his power is already strong... escaping our notice is..." "probably simple for him by now." "Be that as it may, inside the mansion even I can keep tabs on him. -- As for going outside -- if I told him about that, he might really decide to stop, but..." (And I should get Mom to take him to kindergarten.) "...it might be too severe..." "About 'that'...?" "About Noiz possibly having a hand in -- the accident that killed Matsuyuki Takeru's mother." "It might have been Zen's fault." - "What are you talking about? That's not certain." "That'd be cruel to tell him. -- Zen-san would be in shock." "But..." "It happened after Zen made contact with Matsuyuki Takeru." "What Tafuto saw in the past was that.." "that day was his parents' wedding anniversary, and the three of them had plans to go out somewhere to eat." - "We learned something from Kira's wind reading too. -- What the child who jumped in front of the car was chasing." "It was a cat. -- Can we honestly say for sure that Noiz wasn't possessing it?" "Matsuyuki Takeru had good luck. For some reason, he didn't go in the car with them. -- But my reading is that the one Noiz was targeting..." "I think it was Matsuyuki Takeru." - Its eyes... glittered in the darkness of the forest. There was something about it that was different from all the other enemies he'd enountered so far. He realized his legs were cramped by the heavy atmosphere that enveloped the area. 'Probably my sword will not affect him...' he instinctively thought. At that moment, It wasn't that a voice spoke directly into his mind. - It was the will itself, conveying to him... ------------Die. - A dark spell of petrification! By the time he realized it, it was already too late. Starting at his feet, and in an instant, his whole body stiffened like a corpse's! "Takerun!" (looks like he gave him a name) "Takerun, what's wrong!?" "Takerun!!" "You're not dead, are you? -- Come on!" "If I kill this thing you'll turn back to normal, right?" -- "Damn it all!!" "How dare you!!" "YAAHHHH!" (cli.. ck...) - Arrgh.... it's no use. I can't concentrate after all. The real-life Ichigo-chan is the one who's controlling my heart and mind... "..." 'Onii-san,' eh... From what I remember, that time, Ichigo-chan had called him 'Onii...' - What kind of person could he be? Then, he'd given me the impression he was really hard to get along with... But right now, I get the feeling Ichigo-chan... would much rather risk her life for her brother's sake than for mine. - If I were to challenge him directly... I'd follow Kadowaki-senpai's pattern and... No... I might give in to an even worse pattern than that. In any case, how does Ichigo-chan herself feel about me...? (slump...) That's the biggest bottleneck of all. It could be more immediate a problem than her brother... - That's right. First... 'To make her fall for me.' //Ten// [kanji on school building] 'To make her fall for me.' 'To make her fall for me' what do I do...!? "There's this guy Sunaga in Class Three..." "Huh -- I don't know him." - "There's a story going around that he got scouted by the Jones Agency." "Hmm--" "Hmmph! So that's what all the girls are going crazy about?" (Why!?) "That's it. -- It makes me laugh. They never even gave him a second glance before this." "That's women. They like a man with prestige." "Prestige?" "Can you call that prestige..." "So the worth of someone is if you can describe him in one word.. or something?" (Like 'ability'?) "Like having stature? -- Or looks?" "Talent, special skills..." - "'Jones' is strong, though. -- 'Jones' you can call prestige." "It's kind of like his stock value just went up." (like value-added?) "The point is, he who stands out wins... you know?" He who stands out wins.... "Matsuyuki-kun, look -- Ichigo's brother took this shot, here." //Favorite// - "Ah, that's right, you said he was a cameraman, right?" "He does most of his work for this magazine?" "That's right. -- In the Men's Fashion section -- well, it's really more a boys' magazine than men's." "...Can I borrow this?" "Sure." (Ooh, there's a page...) (introducing the new PC game. This picture... isn't one of Kazuki-san's, though...) ...Hrm... So he has a job in the world of high fashion. That's something Ichigo-chan is probably proud of... - Ability, huh... (flip) //'95! Model Search 5 Fashion Grand Prix You too can try!// //look good// //Judges: Honda I[cut off] Suzunari Kazuki[cam][cut off] [cut off]Naotaka (stylist)// - "What.... Did you just say!?" "EH!? -- Um.. that is..." "This...." //'95 Model Search 5th Competition!! Fashion Grand Prix// "I was thinking of trying out... -- for this..." - ........ (WAHAHHAHAHAH) (AHAHAHAHA) //thud// "Ah hah hah hah.... -- that's right..." (I shouldn't have said anything!) "It's impossible, isn't it? I should just give up the idea." - "There, there.... -- so? How did you come to think about doing that?" "(Don't be mean to meeee!) "Um, it's just that, well..." "It's probably pointless to just out and challenge Kazuki-san. -- And in this way getting to him would be pretty much easy... I thought..." "I met him once, but he probably doesn't remember my face..." "And it looks like Kazuki-san is one of the judges in this contest... -- and I figured I could do some countersurveillance while at the same time, in a way, letting him know I exist..." - "And if -- IF -- I were to p... p... pass... by some chance..." "how should I put this... -- maybe Ichigo-chan's appraisal of me might... go up..." "And that'd be... two birds with one stone... I thought... -- it was just a whim...." (auugh!) (Oh, I'm sure there's no way a girl can understand a man's heart!!) (clap) "No, you are -- INTERESTING." - "Huh?" //heh-heh heh heh heh heh heh// "Your plan is very, VERY good." "Go for it, as much as you please." (R...) (really?") "I'll give you as much help as I can." "I'll bring one of those simple cameras tomorrow." (having fun.) "I'll get Yoru to help us out, too." - "Of COURSE, Yoru and I will give you our OBJECTIVE opinions." (having a lot of fun.) "So there's no need to be embarrassed... just RELAX." "And we'll keep it a secret from Ichigo. We KNOW." "......" - "ICHIGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" (dash) "What, Seika? What's up?" "Ichigo!!" "Matsuyuki-kun's fun!! -- He's really cool! -- Cool! -- He's serious about you!! -- And you could say he has confidence too!! -- He's really fun. I recommend him!!" - "You're weird. -- If you like him that much, why don't you go out with him?" "You'll be surprised -- Ichigo." "It's possible..." "you'll see him in a whole new light. [lit. the scales will fall from your eyes....i need to look this idiom up.]" - I'm home." (click) "Where's Ichigo?" "Give me a break, you get home and your first words are 'Where's Ichigo'?" "Eh? Why? -- Is that bad?" "You've got a girlfriend, don't you? Introduce her to me!!" "Huh? ...If you mean the girls I play around with, I've got plenty of those!" - "(speaking of which, Mom...) Is there dinner?" (hrm!) "There is not. Since I didn't know when you were coming home." "Damn -- is my mother ever hopeless..." (what's so hopeless!?) (I guess that means I'll make some.) (bubble bubble) "You...!!! Would you stop making weird advances on Ichigo already?" "Cut it out!" "In what kind of world are there homes where it's completely normal for a brother and sister to kiss!?" - "(Tsk, tsk, tsk!) Mom. In Europe and America, that sort of thing is everywhere. Everywhere!" "What's with Tsk-tsk-tsk!?" "Ichigo! I made fried rice." "If I bring you some will you eat it?" "Huh!? Hooray! I'll eat, I'll eat!" "I LOVE Onii's fried rice!" "Welcome home, Onii!!" - "I'll get fat, but it's so yummy!" "Isn't it? Isn't it?" "A girl is much cuter if she's got a little meat on her bones. -- Your big brother sees so many gangly, skinny girl every day, it's tiring." "By the way, Onii.." "Hm?" "Can we -- stop the kissing thing already?" - (clatter) "Why, Ichigo?" "Do..." "...do you not like your big brother anymore...?" "No! That's not it!" "Then... why -- did Mom say something to you?" (calm down...) (just calm down...) "I mean, Even k... kissing... we only do it once in a while..." - "But, after all..." "I'm in highschool already. I think it's normal to cut out that stuff elsewhere." "But elsewhere is elsewhere -- and home is home, right?" "It's not like you to worry about that sort of thing, Ichigo." //Ha ha ha ha ha// - "Bye -- g'nite!" (c-lick) {and in the end I didn't get one today either... a kiss...} {It must be that...} {Some new bastard has come around again...!!?} - {"It's okay -- I'll protect you, Ichigo-chan."} {"I won't lose"} {"to your brother."} {I'll steal you away."} - It's ringing in my ears still... The lines he said after that were certainly concerned... "Y..." "...You're hurting and all.. so it might seem like I was trying to take advantage of you, but..." ...but they were kind of cheap. Still... {"It's okay."} {"I'll protect you, Ichigo-chan."} The first words... had a more... 'real' feeling to them. - They're singing a refrain in my head... and it makes me relax, like I'm going to fall asleep. He's different from Onii, and from Kyokunan-senpai... This peace of mind... is life-sized...? - "Okay -- smile, smile!" (snap) "......Hrrrmm..." "He's kind of... -- not natural." "It's because he's so self-conscious. -- Not surprising, really." - (nye-heh-heh...) "OK, 'Cheese'!" (snap) "He's just not getting it..." "Well, we're making such a big thing about it." "Ni... Nishizawa -- Maybe I really should givethis up." "EHH -- Why!? Let's keep goinggg!" (shift) "Oh, really.....? -- Well, let's leave it at that, then, Seika." - "Hey, Yoru!" "If the man himself says so -- let's not resort to forcing it out of him... right?" "Sorry!!" (ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!) "I just went a little too far thinking about it -- after all." "Oh...! Yoru, why'd you have to go and say all that?" //rushing off// - "And that was going to be the most fun EVER!! (Wasn't it?)" (heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh) "We can't use such stiff, self-conscious pictures... -- That's why..." "We should take some more natural shots of him -- just the two of us. (get it?)" (whirr) - "Ahh!" (heh heh heh heh heh) (It's for Ichigo-chan and all) "I SEE!" "That's right!! -- More 'natural'!!" "Exactly!" (zoooooom) "So like when he's laughing with his friends and stuff!" - "We could take pictures of Noda-kun and the others to send in too!" (snap) "And Tsukikawa-kun!?" "THIS IS FUN!!!" //Eek eek eek eek eek eek// - "M-Or-ning -- Seika!" "Today... you want to come to my place after school? We should look at them together, after all." "Yeah! You bettah believe it!" (stare.) "Hm?" //eek eek eek eek eek// "?" - "Ah!" "Today felt like such a long day!" "So, come on in." "OK..." "Yoru, your house is so big! It's nice... -- This wing is just for Yoru, Miya, and your stepbrother, right?" - "Where's Miya?" "These days she's been going over to a classmate's house, so it's okay -- I'm sure she'll be late." "Hey! These are perfect! We took great pictures!!" "Well, of course! We took them with an expensive camera." - "But we really did well, if I do say so myself." "Yeah -- this one is kinda -- nice, you think?" "....." "Seika..." "What? -- What's up?" "This..." "It came out rather... mysteriously..." "Which?" - "Oh, this one came out GREAT!!!" //eek eek eek// "What's with these two in that suspicious-looking pose!?!" "It must have been a beat in their conversation when this moment happened -- and oh boy did we capture that well!" "Yeah, that must have been what happened!" {If I were to leak this to the girls at school, I wonder if it'd sell..} {What's this feeling, I wonder.. -- my heart's pounding!} (how odd...) (thump thump) - "Do you... wanna stay over tonight? It's Saturday and all -- We have to write their letters of recommendation, too." (tee-hee) "Suuure." (tee-hee) //The Two Have a Change of Purpose// ("Seika, your eyes are going wild! It's so cute!") "What should we write?" "'The truth is, these two are AWWwwfully close in real life too -- they get this close at school all the time!" "EEEEK! Let's write it, let's write it!" - (sigh) Ability, huh... An ability that would attract Ichigo-chan. There has to be another plan that'd work better. (knock-knock) "Ah" - "It's OK, Hyoujuu, come on in." "What is it?" //silence.// {Huh?} (knock-knock) HM..!? - The window.. It's coming from the window....!!? (knock knock) And what's more... it's not the sound of a stone being thrown against it... Someone's kno... knocking... aren't they? But... the window here faces east... and there's no veranda here, and any footholds are unstable - so are the roof tiles. What would someone climb all the way up here for? Who would do it? - (knock knock) But... one thing's for sure - there IS someone there. (knock...) "Da..." - "Daigo... is that you?" "...onii-san..." (gasp) - (slide) (clatter) "Zen-kun!?" "What are you doing here in the middle of the night...! It's midnight, you know! -- And why from this window -- and how did you get up here!?" - "Let me... -- stay here tonight, onii-san." "I've... run away from home." "Run.... Run AWAY!!!?" "A kindergarten kid...!?" "How worried do you think your parents are right now?!" "Everyone at home has gone to bed. I'm sure they're sleeping right now." - (sniffle sniffle) "Oh, well, it can't be helped. -- In any case, you can sleep in my bed tonight with me." "But tomorrow you're going right home." "Y..yuss.." (trying to say 'yes') "It's narrow, I know. Deal with it." "Yuss.." - "Your house is very pretty, onii-san." "You think? It's been years since it was built." "That's not what I mean. -- I wonder if your mother is protecting this house." "I get that feeling from it..." - "Noiz isn't here..." "...I'm sure he can't come in..." "You really say some mysterious things..." "So..." "your reason for running away is...?" - "Shia-nee-sama told me... I mustn't come to see you anymore, onii-san." "Never to see you again..." "she told me, very strictly." "Not to see me... why?" "?" "It's because I told you -- the other day, about Lavi. -- That's why." "I really shouldn't have. You're not supposed to say... who someone married in their past life and all..." - "The way Shia-nee-sama says it... -- is that I'm trying to push you into it... and that's why..." "...your mother met with such misfortune..." "HUNH?" "But -- she says that Noiz was actually after you..." "And in that case, I..." "need to atone for the loss of your mother..." - "and protect you, Onii-san, no matter what I have to do." //HUNH?// "As you know, I'm just a young novice -- and my strength is still unrefined..." "If Father opens his eyes, I will talk to him -- if I can get him to do something, that might be the best..." - "But Father has to sleep most of the time to stabilize his power -- and he can't stay awake very long." "These days he hasn't woken up at all..." "But -- it's all right. I'll manage somehow, you'll see." "Unrefined or not, I think I have latent power to surpass Father's...." "I just don't know what the line is -- between what I can do and what I can't." "But as long as the world of this dimension allows it..." - "Even coming here today -- I got here by connecting the spatial planes and moving between them." "Because I thought... that the train wouldn't be running anymore." "And it was easy to fly to the second-story window..." "Somehow..." "I've gotten to a point where I can do more than I thought I could." - "So -- Lavi...." "It'll be okay..." "Breathe easy..." "it'll be all... right..." (zzzz) -- To be continued in Volume 4! --