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 1 (huh) (huh) (huh) Please forgive me, Father. I've come here already. But... But, Father... I am already five years old...!! //Mirai no Utena// - //Mirai no Utena// //Level 1: The Birth of a Heroine// - //This place is -- another world, full of mysteries...// //In this world, gods, humans, and evil beings live on this one earth -- Between the walls of the dimension in which each race exists -- an order and balance of each world is mysteriously kept.// //But.. that is really another story.// [literally 'katte no hanashi' - a selfish story] - //An 'evil' that broke out of a certain dimension has, in less than a moment, violently devoured, eroded and decayed that dimensional wall.// //Fearing their own ruin, the evil beings merged with them -- So they could become rivals to the gods.// //And at the end of the long battle that ensued -- it resulted in the gods losing their sway over the land.// //The despairing people living on this earth, still clinging to peace -- their emotion called to a departing god for hope.// //That one god answered -- and gouged out one of his own eyes to drop it to earth.// - //'Hope' -- that strength buried so deep in the earth that monsters and their kind cannot possibly reach it -- created change then, and over a long period of study [jp. kenma] -- the seeds of movement began.// [this was really hard to put into english words ^_^;] - (click) (click) (click) //Title: "The Activation of Zero"// "...Okay!" (hummm) //The Activation of Zero The Activation of Zero// [repeated in the background] "(Hmmm.....mmmm.)" "If I do say so myself, that sounds pretty interesting." "(Takeru!!!! What are you doing, what about breakfast?! You're going to be late!!)" "(Ah, yeah! I'm coming now!)" (blip) - "'Do people always use a word processor even for studying?' -- I tried asking Dai-chan that -- and he said 'I don't.'" "(Itadakimaasu)" "Different people do what works for them. What's the problem?" "Takeru... are you REALLY studying!?" "I am. Even just now, that's what I was honestly doing." "Mom*, my tea...!?" [dad will call mom 'mom' in front of children in japanese] "(Yes, yes...)" "How's this?" --I wonder what kind of guy the main character should [sutsu]... "Gochisou-samaaaa. I'm off!" [shoppanakara] I know he should be a hero... - ([kashan]) (glance-glance) "What are you doing, kid?" "(HUH!)" "Sorry, but could you get out of the way? I'm taking Charlie, my bike, out." [He only says 'charlie' but the kanji is 'bicycle'] "(Eh? Ah! Ah, ah, uh, oh...)" - "(Whoa-)" "Are you all right?" "(squeak - eek- eep- hee - hee)" "(N...N.. No... - No... Oh -- I'm sorry -- I'll be right -- out of your way now!)" "Sorry, kid. Thanks." "(Oh, no, please! Go right ahead!!)" - "You're... not lost by any chance, are you? -- Should I take you with me, as far as the kindergarten?" "(Eh!?") (shine) "(I... LIKE you, onii-san!)" "(Huh?)" "But I'm not lost! -- I'm simply on my way to the place where the bus picks me up for kindergarten, so please don't worry -- but thank you so very much! I'll never forget your kindness all my life!" - "(Have a very good day today!!)" "See... ya." What a weird kid. So kindergartens have uniforms like that these days? "(GOOD LUCK ON YOUR HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMS!)" - ([kacha kacha]) I wonder how he knew that... "? -- ??" Did he just make a lucky guess? But do kindergarten kids know that sort of thing? "Whazzaaaaap! -- Take-chan, lend me your English book just this once." //difference 15 cm.// "Daigo.... -- You know, it takes some guts to be taking the exam for Honami High with that attitude." "But I've gotta go to the same high school as you, Take-chan!" "Go down a rank. It's going to be a close call for ME." - "Don't say it so bluntly!! Go down a rank with me, Take-chan." "(I'm getting an image of a certain someone pretty strongly and it's disgusting!)" [not sure if he's talking about zen here] "Stop calling me that, already." "But you know? -- What you wanted to be was a game scenario writer or manga writer, right?" "What time are you going to have to do that if you get into a high-level school?" "Hmm.. -- I don't know why, but my mom's been crazy about recommending Honami." "It's because you're good at drawing. -- Draw me another X-rated girl." "(You draw it yourself.)" (buzz) (buzz) "Two Fridays from now is the school open house -- Are you going to Honami, Daigo?" ([koku koku]) "You serious?" "(Oh)" "Itou Miyabi" "(EH)" (twitch) - //and without incident they just let her pass// "...." "(nudge)" "...Why don't you talk to her? -- Ya should." "...but what about?" "You guys don't ever meet up anymore?" "Nope." "Hm. Died a natural death, I see." "You gotta problem with it?" "(NOoo), no problem." - A natural death.. huh We started going out at the beginning of our second year. It was fun in and of itself -- and being confessed to made me really happy... But it just got this way for no reason. I suppose that's a natural death after all. Like Daigo said. A natural death sounds really bad, but it's not a bad thing. After all, if it's just the result of us both being honest and true to our natures... ...then if I think that's fine as it is... Hmm... maybe that is kind of -- rude to her after all.. Maybe I'm just trying to gloss it over? To be truthful... to be really, honestly truthful... I just never.. fell for her. Maybe it's because we were in different classes. And for whatever reason, we both became really busy when we entered our third year. Even meeting became a bother. - Going out with her because I was happy to be confessed to But.. I don't think that... was really 'love' after all... (SLAM) "All right, Matsuyuki-kun. Continue the translation." "Eh? -- Uh..." "I... haven't gotten my textbook back yet -- so I don't have it." (giggle giggle) "Oh, is that so." (giggle giggle) "Then borrow mine. Here, translate." "-------I don't understand it." "Stay standing like that for a while." (giggle giggle) "Yes, ma'am..." "(Oh, what does it matter?)" (giggle giggle) Damn...! Daigo...!!! Even though I had the translation written [bicchiri] in my textbook! - The main character -- is not -- the hero. ...That's right... -- there's someone else who's the hero. The main character is... The hero's ally. A young warrior. ([gyoro][ch(j)ichiqq]) - ([nuqq]) - The main character faces it... And the hero... But something happens and the hero is broken. - I have... a strong weapon called imagination. - In the future -- I'm hoping it'll make me a living [lit. help me eat] "(Matsuyuki-kun!! Where are you looking!?)" (click-click-clikclik-click-click) The hero, in feeble breaths... (click) (click) (clic...) confessed to the main character. "Let me tell you the true meaning of this quest." "The ultimate goal of our journey was to find the entity known as 'Zero' and to activate it..." "This 'Zero' is the very last hope dropped to earth from the gods... "It will destroy this world and create the cornerstone of a new future. "It is the origin of this world." - "'Zero' will discover the structures of evil and seal them deep within the earth. "That place is still not defined. [jp sadaka]" I give this to you... -- this 'Impression of Zero' And you must pass any number of ordeals -- and search for items related to this 'Zero'. And when you have brought them all together, a path will show itself to you. And the world will be annhilated for a moment, the evil along with the [roto] But after that, a peaceful land will certainly return once more. The activation of Zero... will certainly mean your own death as well. Even so.. I must... entrust this mission to you. Ah... -- can you ever forgive me... ..for dying... - The young man was still not enough of a hero to accept a hero's death. The Impression of Zero, to [tadaeru] the birth of a new hero ... began to guide the young man along a path that only he could see. At the end of that path... The new hero found the Utena. [Utena means tower, but it's not an often-used word for it. I will be using Utena instead of tower in most of the translation.] With trembling hands... He scrambled up the steps. As he stood atop the Utena, wishing for a faraway, wide-reaching world... - The Impression of Zero let forth light and pierced through to a faraway point, showing the young hero the path he was to follow. The color of despair was deep in his misty eyes, and yet At that moment the hope known as obligation buoyed him up. And it was that day that the young man's truly difficult journey into the frontier [jp. sakai ni after 'ano hi wo'] began. - "Wake up, Takeru!!" "How long are you going to sleep? Today's the day you visit high schools, isn't it!?" "Get yourself together and go out and see Honami High School!" ".....Mom." "Mom, how come you're so -- anxious to get me into Honami?" (yawwwwn) "Huh? -- Well, that's because you can completely absorb yourself in studying English there!" "You live in such a blessed environment, with a father who's half-English and all... [lit. just Half, but it becomes clear later he's half-British] -- and yet you're still [karakkishi] hopeless in English, right?" - "Up until you were five you had such good [sen, full phrase ii sen itteta], but it seems like it's already drained right out of you altogether!" "But Mom, you also..." "From now on, you should be bilingual! (BILINGUAL!!)" //what's with her..// "Bilingual, huh..." "Hey, Takeru. -- Today's highschool visits, isn't it?" "Oh my, darling. -- That tie's no good. It doesn't match." "Oh? -- Is that so?" My parents... - Well, maybe it's because my dad's half-British, but... they have no problem letting this sort of scene develop, even in front of their son. "(Oh dear, you have some fluff on you)" Mom's Mom, after all. If she wants me to get into Honami that badly, why doesn't go there herself? "I'm leaving!" "(Ah! Onii-san!)" ([kasha...]) - //SMILE SMILE SMILE SMILE SMILE SMILE SMILE// "..... - Ummm..." "You're that [itsuzoya]... kid." "(Yes!)" "(Good morning, onii-san!)" "Today the [ohigawa] is good and the weather is the best -- don't you think, onii-san?" //It's very impressive!// "I think it's wonderful!" (blushh blushh) - He has a pretty [omase] way of talking... "So do you always wait for the bus alone? That's pretty grown-up of you." "(AH! -- Onii-san, there's dust in your hair!)" "(I'll get it out for you!)" "(let's see)" "(let's see)" ".................." "Today's a very special day, so..." "If you don't have yourself together, it'll be a problem for me." HUNH? "(AH!)" "D.....did I... just ..." "say something strange, by any chance!?" - "Yup. You did." "(E--eh!??!?) I- I'm sorry! Please forget about it, forget all about it!" "...Say, where do you live? --- What's your name?" "Yes! -- My name is Hokuouin Zen! -- I live..." "I live... well... nearby...." "Hrrm. But I don't see that sort of uniform often..." //I'M IN A PINNNNNCH!// "Oh? Really?!" "(UM..!) -- But more importantly, onii-san! (H-- HERE!)" - [I will have to translate the label for the breath-freshener when I have a kanji dictionary on me...] "...... You know, you remind me of Kobayashi Rin, kid." //even if it's not gum...// "Eh-" "I admire him very much!" "So do I have [koushuu], then?" //hahhhhhh// "Oh no, not at all!" "It truthfully isn't unpleasant at all!" "But first impressions have such a great influence on everyone's lives..." ([pei!]) "Take it with you, please! -- Onii-san!" - "(WELL then! Onii-san, best of luck to you!)" "(Ah!)" "(Hey!)" I can't understand that kid... He runs off so much at the mouth with these weird things.. "? - ??" - //Private School Honami, High School Campus// "...." (All right, we're going in! Please stay in [ [] with the inside of kyaku and then jibun's ji]!) Hmm... somehow the outside of Honami looks like an apartment complex... "Takeru...! The grounds are pretty small here, don't you think?" "...Yeah.. that's true..." "And the girls' school uniforms aren't very cute, either... (they're so plain...)" //which is EXTREMELY important!// "What are you thinking, Tsukigawa!" "(Aww... you're right...)" - "Looks like there are students from other schools here visiting, too." {Somehow -- this isn't my style. That's what I'm thinking.} "Take off your shoes before you go into the [koudou]!" "Yes~~~" (slaam) ([damudamudamu]) - "Eh!? Is that for REAL!?" "But Miya, you said you weren't going to highschool!" WOW~~~~~~~~~ A super-cute voice!!!!!!!!!!!!! "That's not true, you meaniiie! Miya's DEFINITELY going to the same school Yoru-chan is!" [note, she refers to herself in the third person, but that's Miya talking] And that's her friend's voice, I guess. (that voice is cute too, but...) "But you think you can pass an exam like this one?" Yeah! It's THIS girl's voice... "!" "Yoru told me that your skull is 7 centimeters thick. -- And it's 90% full of water at that, not much room for brains." "It wasn't me who said it, it was Yoru!" - "(snicker) 7 centimeters.... a 7-centimeter-thick skull...!!" (AHAHHAHAHAHAH) "That's not true!!" "You're so mean, Ichigo-chan!" "I told you, I'm not the one who said it." "Oh, brother... never mind!" (hmmmph) "You really get offended much too easily, Miya! -- ...Seriously!" - "'Oh, big brother! Miya's feelings were hurt today! So can I have some Chanel?'" "EEK!" "Stop it, Ichigo..." "Ichigo-chan... but Ichigo-chan, you're the same way!" "Oh, really? And how's that!?" "Ichigo-chan, you have your big brother buy you Dior and Laura Ashley!!" "Miya knows all about it?!" "...............how come you know about that." (admitting it) "I didn't say a word, Ichigo!" - "Oh, gosh, I know that much. You wouldn't tell, Seika." "It had to be Yoru!" I never knew... a girl could be... this overpowering The things she says... And the way her communication with her friends works.. It's unbelievable (and nowhere near subtle!) But... - I have never... ever, in my life seen a girl this cute!: - (ooh) ......CUTE...!! //like her lips.... and her [unaji] too.... and her chest [jp. munemoto] too!...// (ooh) //and her legs too....// "Takeru!" (ooh-ooh) - //and the [] of her skirt too...// ([kuuu]) --Hey! My eyes!! What's wrong with you! Daigo's calling me, you know! [addressing his eyes] "Hey, Takeru, I said we're going!" Come ON! "Yeah..hhh..." My eyes... My eyes... How long are you going to keep looking god knows where? //TURN// Ah... but... the eyes in the back of my head are looking. (if I had them, [], I'm sure.) "(Let's go!)" "(oo-ooh...)" - "Ah?" //thump-a thump-a thump-a THUMPity THUMPity THUMP THUMP THUMP// ...what the?.... I'm... weird. - "When you came home, I was so surprised at how red your face was... -- Did you catch a cold?" "Do you have an appetite? Your fever is pretty high." "Yeah, I have one." "Mom." "Hm?" "I -- am definitely going to Honami." "Oh? What brought this on?" "It was a nice place?" - "Yeah..." "Most likely." That girl will surely.. get into Honami. "I'm glad to hear it! The one thing you need most is the will to do it." "But hey, Takeru! Even better, why don't you go to one of those language schools?" [lit. exchange-program-in-front-of-the-station - the catchphrase for NOVA language schools ^_^] - "Why?" "I was thinking it'd sink in better." "But why English?" "Because your mother wants you to!" [lit. for your mother's vanity] //so there!// //ba-dum!// "(I'll bring you some porridge)." Ah.... - The hero... that's right. he might need a partner... a companion like that girl. No! He definitely needs her! No matter what!! He definitely, absolutely, positively, without a doubt, needs her!! - It's the birth of a heroine! - --Ahh I just want to throw everything away already. Why did I take on the inheritance of the hero anyway? "Ugh.h.h.." ...Water... I want water.... (hah) (hah) (hah) (this is Takeru's consciousness) I can't... take it anymore... "Here, have some water." - WATER!!!? //bolt// //glug glug glug glug gulp// "If you've got enough energy in you to drink water on your own, you'll be fine." - "Who are you?" "It's just like the old woman in my village predicted! You're the hero, aren't you!?" "I am destined to accompany you on your journey from now on! -- My name is Ichigo!" "I have healing magic! -- LUO~NA!" Ah... the pain went away. - "Come on -- You should be able to get up now!" Ah.. what a wonderful meeting... What a wonderful destiny... Who knew the journey of life to be such a wonderful thing! "Takeru!" "Takeru!" "mm..." "Wake up for a bit, Takeru -- I want to take your temperature. Come on." Oh... it was a dream... - "What do you want to do? Today... you..." "What do you mean, wha.... AH!" "Oh, that's right, it's your anniversary. In that case, you two should go ahead and enjoy the Spanish food, never mind me." "Maybe we should forget about it this time." (beep beep beep beep) "It's all right. You two go have fun." "It looks like your fever's gone down, though." "Yeah. I'm perfectly fine now." "Go ahead, Mom. -- I'll get pizza or something to eat." "You think?" - (munch...) I wonder if Mom and Dad are eating about now too... ............ --Hmm.... Still..... What can I do about it.... (Take-chan's being a little perverted) - //It's Glico's Pooky!// [a takeoff on Pocky] Hahh... //Newly on sale!// Even I have to say I'm surprised... Even when I am watching an idol or something on a TV commercial... I end up comparing it to her. It's surprising... She doesn't even lose to an idol on a TV commercial. ([mun!!]) Lose to her? Far from it!! She wins....! Eeeeeek!!! She's SO CUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTE.... - am I .................. in love? Ah? Oh, yeah! It's love! I'm in love! "Ahh! So that's what it was! I see! Ha ha ha ha ha..." "....ha..." - "I should go study. -- Seriously." (ringringringringring) "Hello, Matsuyuki residence." "TAKERU!" "Ah, Dad. What's up? Are you guys about to eat?" "Something awful happened to your mother! -- There was a car accident, and she's been seriously hurt. I'm at the hospital now, the one in front of the station. -- Hurry up and get here too!!" "Takeru! -- Are you listening to me!?" - "Takeru...!!" "Dad!!" "How's Mom!?" "You said a car accident -- why!?" "She turned the steering wheel too hard trying to avoid a child who'd jumped out into the street. She flew right through the guardrail and ran right into a concrete wall...!" - "I was waiting for your mother in front of the station -- it was getting late and she was probably hurrying." "There was an accident, and [yajiuma no tsumori de] I tried to peek at it -- and it was your mother's car -- The child was safe. She was crying and being held by her mother." //[naka (ei?)] surgery room// "And, now what about Mom? -- They saved her, right!?" "I don't know. Right now they're in the middle of surgery." "And I can't tell anything -- from what the doctors have said... and..." "I even told her to take a taxi to the station at least... -- your mom's not such a good driver and all..." (swish) - "D... Doctor..." "My wife...?" "We've done all we can. -- Still, [nen no tameni]" "You may wish to contact -- your family and friends at this point." -- (tick) (tick) (tick) (tick) (tick) Ah, I'm.... shaking. It won't stop.... Damnit! I've got a bad feeling... [engi demo nai] - (click) (bolt) "Are you the son, Takeru-kun?" "Y... yes." "Your mother's opened her eyes... -- She says she has something to talk to you about, so come in, please." - "Huh? But, Doctor... Dad's still gone to make telephone calls..." "Calm down. -- It's you she wants to speak to, not your father." "We're with her now..." "...and doing all we can, so...." "Come on." It can't be... - It can't be...! "...Takeru." "..Mom..!!!" These circumstances... can't be... "I'm sorry...." "Takeru..." - "Why? There's nothing to apologize for! -- Mom, you did well!" "They even say the kid is okay...!" "So there's nothing to worry about." "That's not it." "...Huh?" - "Listen very carefully -- to what I'm going to say to you now, okay?" "Your mom doesn't... have much time left." [again, she speaks in the third person but it's her talking.] "What are you saying!? -- Mom, you'll be FINE!" "Takeru..." "There's something that your mom and your dad have -- been keeping secret from you for a long, long time......" - "The truth is... -- you..." "have an older sister." "A real..." "blood-related older sister." "---Wha..." "Stop joking at a time like this!!" "...I'm sorry to surprise you..." - "Her name is Hyoujuu..." "written like 'icy frost'... -- she's four years older than you are" "It was before your father and I were married -- and he was studying overseas in London..." "There was a woman he knew over there -- she was her mother." "But that woman has been gone [implied: dead] for a long time now." "And now -- Hyoujuu-chan" "is living alone in London." - "Your father has told me he wants to bring Hyoujuu-chan here, so much [dogeza (earth-under-seat) made shite]" "He asked me so many times, but..." "I just couldn't..." "...tell him 'sure'." "And not being able to tell him 'sure,' all the way up until now..." "...has always been a weight on my heart. It's been hard on me..." - "I want to apologize to Hyoujuu-chan... -- I really feel so very sorry for her..." "...because, after all, Hyoujuu-chan has never done a single thing wrong. But still, I..." "...Ever since, I've been... -- looking for a chance to tell you ..but I kept hesitating." (sniff) (stop it) "I was thinking I'd tell you after your entrance exams were over -- but then this had to happen.." "Please, Takeru..." "I'll listen to you after you get better -- so cut it out, Mom...!" "Takeru...! -- Will you let your mom make a request?" "I don't want to hear it now!" - "I want Hyoujuu-chan..." "to live with you here, in this house..." [whispered] "Doctor -- Her blood pressure's dropping fast!" "And also..." [whispered] "Ready it..." [whispered] "Yes, sir" "...please don't have scorn for your mother, or your father..." "...forgive us..." "I'm praying -- I'll watch over you for certain..." "So that you will surely..." "...be happy..." "Mom....!?" "...you..... will......" - "Heart massage!!" "MOM!!" "MOM!" "Yes, sir!" "MOM...!!!!!!!!" "Clear!" "Pressing!" [or whatever they say when they have a heart massage] - Not long after that... Mom took her last breath. [jp iki wo hikitotta] //Matsuyuki house// Neither my father, nor my other relatives or my aunts got to say a single word to her. As for me... I haven't said a word since. I haven't spoken to anyone. - My relatives have been coming over [zokuzoku] My house [awatadashiku] has become a house of mourning. [jp. wagaya wa awatadashiku tsuya ni haitta] Dad's been more composed than I expected him to be. Recommending various arrangements to my aunts and uncles. Inside my head, Mom's confession and last words were [guchagucha] - Everyone's been asking me what she said, but I still haven't told anyone a thing. I'm completely disoriented... and I can't even cry. When I look across the garden in the light rain, I get the feeling that young hero is [tatazundeiru]. - Soaked by the drizzle... like a ghost. ...The moment he lost the true hero, how much sadness and grief must the young man have gone through?! At that moment, I felt as though I was just typing it on my word processor... ---No. It wasn't like that. That's right. It wasn't anything like that... definitely not. - When I thought that, at that very moment... the tears came flooding out of me. - The Impression of Zero I'd been given was Mom's confession... ...and her last words. I want to know where to go from here. Where should I go? I want someone to tell me which path I should take from here on out. But that's not-- something anyone can tell me, not here in reality. - And that Utena... is nowhere to be found. Ah... It's already 3 AM. I've got to [koudai] with Dad to sit with the memorial candle. "......Takeru." - "You can go to bed. -- I'm doing all right." "Do that, Take-chan. Auntie just woke up herself. [referring to self in 3rd person again] I'll [koudai suru]." "Ah -- you must be hungry. I have some onigiri [rice balls]. Eat up, eat up." "Kento-san -- should I make some tea for you?" "Tatsuko-obasan, you're strong..." "(my!)" "Oh, Take-chan. You're finally talking to us!" - "But why?" "I was thinking that -- for you, Tatsuko-obasan, my mom was your little sister -- and yet you're holding it together as well as Dad is." "Well, if you put it like this, Take-chan, you got to spend only 15 years with your mother, right?" "But I got to spend a long, long time with her. So it's only natural that I support you." "And as for Kento-san -- on the contrary, I think we have to do something about him." "So, Take-chan..." "...by the way..." - "What was that last conversation with your mother about?" "Could you tell us?" "Please." - "She said that I..." "have a sister four years older than I am." "That her name is Hyoujuu." "And she said that she wants this Hyoujuu-- to come live with us -- HERE!" //SLAM!// - "Why!? "Why didn't you tell me?" "DAD!!" - "Mom--" "--wasn't happy at all, was she!?" "And every day..." "she kept pretending she was happy--" "How was I supposed to know if you didn't tell me!?" - "If you'd just told me -- I..." "might have socked you one, but still...!!" "........Take-chan." "Uwaaaaaaaaa..." "You poor thing. You poor thing!" "What's going on, Mom?" "Is Take-chan awake?" "Ah, Futaba. It's fine. -- It's nothing, really." "uwaaaaaaaaaaaaa....."' - "Uwaaaaaaaaaaa...." The day after that outburst was the funeral... And of course I was sobbing through the whole thing. In the end, they put Mom's ashes [suppori] in a small box, and we brouth it home. The people at the funeral home really went all out. and when all the relatives were gathered and we were drinking tea... - Tatsuko-obasan said it. "...So you're not possibly thinking... of taking in Hyoujuu-san, are you, Kento-san?" //silence...// "(gack)" "(ah)" "After hearing Take-chan tell you about Kimie's last words last night.. -- you're not feeling all [shimeshime], are you?" - "Mom, Take-chan's right here..." "It's all right. Take-chan wants to know too." "Don't you, Take-chan?" "Tatsuko-san, let's have this conversation again some other time. I'm sure nii-san [referring to kento] and Takeru-kun are both tired and all..." "For today..." "Please be quiet, Eru-san! -- My little sister Kimie would doubtless be opposed to this sort of thing!" "Even if her last words were yes-we-should, I'd feel too sorry for Kimie if you were to take that girl in now!" - "Mother...!" "Well, Kento..!?" "I..." "...plan to do as my wife said in her final words...." - "...and take Hyoujuu in..." - //BAMbambambambambambambam// "KYAA! Mom..!! -- Mom!!" "Wakaba, cut it out!" "(Mo...)" "Don't you dare cry on me! -- Don't you cry!" "(Mom, calm down!)" "Don't you dare!" "What do you know --! Just because you're half-English and have a kind of nice face, Kimie was stupid! -- To give so much herself to such a man. Oh dear, how I pity her!" "You're going too far, Mom!" - It's the first time I've ever seen my dad's tears. But... Unforgiveable is unforgiveable!! - "I won't stand for it! -- I won't let you! She won't lay one foot in this house!!!" //EHHHHHHHH!?// "Take-chan!!" - //Good for you!!// "Well said, Take-chan!!" "Good for you!!" "(Mom...)" It's a development that I myself didn't expect. - My fight as a hero, with my father as my first enemy, began in this way. - And now, the hero's - my - journey [kanji says hero, furigana says 'i'] is truly, right now, beginning! - ([dossan]) (whew) "Oh, man..." "I might as well just come back and get the rest of it." {I'll leave Charlie here too.} (clatter) ([pishii]) - "Ah..." "Onii-san!" "...You again..." "You want something with me?" "Uh? No, that is -- well, you see, this time..." - ([jiwa...]) "That is.. I..." "....what can I possibly say to cheer you up...." "...You're doing that thing again - how do you know all that?" //suspicious!// "Eh!? But..." "I was on my way past your place recently -- and in your house, onii-san... you were holding a funeral...." "Oh, I see." "...Yeah, that's true." "My mom..." "...died in an accident." - "EH!? -- Your -- your mother---!?" (sobsobsob) "W... why are YOU crying about it?" "I... I'm sorry... I know it's hardest on you, onii-san..." "...But I..." "You're a pretty good kid." "You're so little and yet you understand death..." ([jiwa]) "Ah..." (sniffle sniffle) - ([goshigoshi]) {Oh now. It's getting to me now.} "But onii-san, are you going out? With that load -- you're not heading to school, are you? It's already 5 o'clock." "Yeah. I'm running away." "EH!?" ([zunzunzun]) "But... but... where are you going..? -- Onii-san!" - "You couldn't possibly... [guremakutte zoku ni hairu] or something like that...!" "What are you saying!?" "But... Oni..." //Tsukikawa// (ding-donnnnnnng) //road// -- //Takeru's place, the Matsuyuki house// //private way// -- //Daigo's place, the Tsukikawa house// //Zen// //Takeru// //A Rough Map// "..." "You certainly run away close to home, onii-san." "Daigoooo! You in there!?" - "Look, I'm going into this house without permission. -- So you better run along home. It's getting dark." "O.. okay." //clatter// "...Oh! I wondered who that was. So it was Take-chan, eh? -- So what's up? Gotten some energy back?" "Rikitake!! I'm gonna be a freeloader here starting today. Thanks for taking me in!"' (Rikitake (Daigo's father)) - "Oh-ho -- so that's what your plan is -- Well, I don't mind. If you're okay to stay in Daigo's room, go right ahead and do as you please." "All right!" "DAIGO! I'm coming in!!" ([dosudosudosu]) "Hmmmm." "Hm.... -- So that's what happened." "Your half-sister, I see..." - (:sweat: Drink beer once you're an adult!) "So your first reaction was to run away, eh?" "--But way to go, ojisan!" [referring to Takeru's father] "What the hell!?" "No, nothing - I'm just saying, that's what you'd expect of a ladykiller like that." "Rikitake said so!" (Daigo calls his dad by his first name) "That when your dad was young, he was such a pretty-boy -- and on his college campus, they raised a huge fuss about him being the Japanese Richard Gere." ([6 kanji here... jidaisha?mu? ... that i will need to look up]) "They gave him the nickname 'Gigolo' -- the gap between that and his personality is pretty severe, though. Your dad's not the sort who can play around." "That's right. He's not the type to play around." - "And that's why!" "That's why my mom couldn't forgive him, either!" (huh...) "I.. I see..." "Yeah, you're right... I'm sorry." What the hell's with "Gigolo?" What the hell's with "Japanese Richard Gere!?" Mom talked about that sort of thing happily, but hearing it now, it's not funny or anything! - According to Mom's stories, Dad was famous around the university for being handsome, but... he was the sort who'd let out a scream for help from the middle of a swarm of women... a serious type. He was shy [jp okute - late bloomer], and he asked Rikitake to help him... to get deliberately set up in a matchmaking meeting with Mom. When he met her, he fell in love so hard that he suddenly proposed right there. - Whenever she talked about it, Dad would turn beet red, say "Cut it out already," and get mad. Mom would laugh happily, as if such a scene was natural. "...n..." - "HEY!" "Ken-chan!!" "Huh, really? --Takeru's at your place, Riki-chan?" "What do you know." "When I got home he wasn't here, so I was looking in a few places -- I was thinking I'd make some calls here and there." (Oh-ho? By a few places, you mean inside this closet? Hmmmm. That's just like you, Ken-chan.) "He says he'll be staying at my place a while." //slump...// "There, there." "Let's have a drink, Ken-chan." - (glug glug glug) "It's because he cares so much, Ken-chan. [jp. ken-chan wo suki na dake ni] That's why he's resisting the way he is." "Kids build up their parents to be ideal. When you turn out to be different, then they can't stand it and get unreasonable." (Here.) "Riki-chan." - "You're saying that I have horribly betrayed Takeru's ideals!?" "Yeah, basically." (darrrrrk) "Wahahahahaha!!" "Why are you laughing..." "Aren't you hungry, Ken-chan? Let me go and ask Tsuruko for a little something." (his wife) "...Sure... thanks, Riki-chan." "Sorry about this." "No biggie." - "HEYYYY, Tsuruko!!?" "Get us [jp. kosaete kure] some food!" {"Darling...!"} {"Dinner's ready."} {"Where's Takeru?"} {"Go call him."} - "She says she'll bring some in a minute." ([hyoi]) "On her deathbed, wasn't it..." "Hey, Ken-chan..." "Even Kimie-san didn't tell you everything..." - "Give it some time." "Let him take some time to undersatnd it." "But I want -- as soon as I can, to bring Hyoujuu..." "...here..." "Ken-chan. -- Let me ask you this just for confirmation." "Do you want to bring her here so badly because she's Stella-san's daughter?" - "No..!" "Hyoujuu..." "I care about that girl. I love her from the bottom of my heart." "I'm sorry for Stella." "But I can't lie to myself." "The only one I love..." "is Kimie!" - "I loved her." "I love her." "Even now." "Now, and forever..." "I love Kimie..." //dizzy// "........." "I understand, I understand. -- I understand, so ... could you stop it?" (thump thump) "My ears are going to rot." "WHY!? -- Riki-chan, you're always like that! -- What's wrong with saying that you love the one you love!? -- That's why Tsuruko is always..." - "...Tsuruko-san." (gack) "All right! This is a good chance, Riki-chan... If you love Tsuruko-san, you should tell her straight out that you love her! Say it, you!" "What's with 'Say it, you?'" "SAY IT, YOU!" (loom) "Look. Tsuruko-san is always doing things for you, and she forgives -- all your selfish wishes and does everything you say!!" "Please stop it..." "A woman like Tsuruko-san, and you haven't once told her you loved her -- Riki-chan, you're too cruel!" "That's my prerogative!!" - "Good morning." "Oh -- good morning, Ikuma." "Eh? Don't we have an extra place set for breakfast?" "Oh, that's Take-chan's place. He's been staying here sine last night." "Hmmm-m?" "WHoOa! [bekkurakoita - itanda], Dad!" "..." "This is rArE..! This early in the morning. Did you finish making that doll?" "..." //Whether he said it or not has not been established.// - "Tsuruko-san, good morning." (yawwn) "Good morning, Take-chan. -- Did you sleep well?" "Yes." "Thank you very much for the food and all -- I'm sorry to be a burden." "Oh, it's fine." "I'm thinking I'll get a part-time job eventually -- Then I can bring in some money for food." "It's all right - what are you talking about? Take-chan, you're studying for entrance exams, aren't you? -- What about your studies? It's hard to get into Honami." - "You're going to Honami, Take-chan?" "Yeah. -- (itadakimaasu) -- Mom wanted me to go there and all." "While working part-time? That's more naive than Bousou honey is sweet." [the word for naive - amai - is the same as the word for sweet] (sipsip) "What was that, Rikitake~~!?" (drip) "...Oops, don't fall..." (Munachika) "Good morning - huh? My.. my seat!" (Tsuruko) "Oh, Munachika. You're just waking up now? Wait a moment, all right?" (Takeru) "What was that!? Damn you, Rikitake!" (Rikitake) "Pshaw - your daddy [nama de besottenda.]" (Ikuma) "Da~ Dad!! What do you think that miso soup is!? It's soup! What are you trying to do with it!?" (Daigo) "All right, I've got my bag...!" - (ding-- dong) (falalalala) (let's - go! go... go...) "Hey -- Take-chan!" "I told you to stop -- calling me that!" "I'm fine with studying in the library room -- but I wonder why..." "Why what?" "I was just thinking you're way more enthusiastic about this than before..." "I told you why. It's because my mom told me to go to Honami." "That's what I thought too, until last night -- that is." "Heh, heh.." "....What!?" - "'Ichigo-chuwan...'" "Hey, Takeru, you! 'Ichigo?' Who's 'Ichigo'!!!" "A ... a video game character!" //Shhhhhh....// "Never mind that, Daigo, you've got to do something with that mountain of dumbbells in your room. -- It's in the way." "Oh -- you're changing the subject! -- Who could she be, who could she be!?" - Lately I've been so busy with studying here that my specialty of imagination, and "The Activation of Zero," have fallen by the wayside. In their place, floating in and out of my mind, comes the blurry outline of my one and only oasis. Just the figure of "Ichigo"-chan... In truth, in these long, hard days that make up my everyday... "I wonder what Tsuruko-san's making for dinner tonight." "I'm pretty sure she said croquettes..." "Daigo, you're heavy. Starting tomorrow you're pedaling!" ...it's only the times I think about her that are really pleasant. "Takeru -- there's someone in front of your house." "...Ah." "Eru-obasan!" [Aunt Eru] - "I'm sorry, Takeru-kun. -- I got here kind of early." Eru-obasan is Dad's litle sister. "The refrigerator's piled up with dust." ([kopokopokopo - sound of tea pouring]) "Your father's eating out these days, I'm sure." "Here you go." "Thank you." "So you've been a houseguest over at Rikitake-ojisan's?" [she refers to him as ojisan because takeru is in the room and that's how he'd refer to him - if he wasn't a punk kid. ^_^] (tee-hee-hee) "...Then it must have been a while since you've been here in your own home." "....." "You've got to give your mother incense every day." [i assume this is a custom for the dead] "I'm doing it every day, all right. When that guy isn't around." - "Oh my -- 'That guy,' you say. Tee-hee-hee-hee-hee..." "And... what brings you by today, huh?" "Well..." "...It's been botherin me." "Takeru-kun, I get the feeling -- you've really misunderstood things." "...I really feel as though I -- ought to tell you everything that I know." "That's what I was thinking at the funeral." - "About the girl Hyoujuu?" "Yes!" ([puiqq]) "I don't want to hear it!" "...Why?" "In me -- in my memories, Dad and Mom were a really great couple!" "I don't want to hear about Dad's affair... -- no...." "...I don't want to hear about any child he had with someone he loved -- more than he loved Mom!" - "Hm... I guess you really did understand, didn'tyou?" "When you're going to make a conclusion about something -- you need to get all the information related to it and analyze it then." "For instance -- well..." "A problem for you." "Why do you suppose Hyoujuu-chan is four years older than you are?" "See?" "You don't know, do you?" - "But when you know the answer - I think your impression will change quite a bit!" "The reason is--" "Hyoujuu-chan was born, you see -- before your mother and your father met!" "Of course, that point should go without saying." (Oh my, there is a reaction) "So -- well, now?" "I'm sure you are finding yourself wanting to know more." "B...but..." - "In the end, I don't know -- whether Dad cared for that woman more than Mom or not!" "Of course it's your mom, Takeru-kun." "How do you know!?" "Because it wasn't until you were five years old -- that my big brother..." "...even knew that Hyoujuu-chan existed!" "In other words, Hyoujuu-chan's mother -- decided to have the child on her own, without asking nii-san [kento] for advice, without saying a word to let him know about it!" "So of course, nii-san -- didn't know a thing about it!" - "Nii-san met her when he was studying overseas in London - her name was... Stella Maxwell... -- she was British." "I guess they had a relationship -- but it ended at the same time Nii-san came back home." "Of course... -- it was Nii-san who decided that." "Apparently Stella..." "thought differently." - "After that, Nii-san came back home -- and met his destiny, Kimie-san." "He fell head over heels for her -- got Rikitake-san to help him out..." "and, 'goal!'" "They had you, Takeru-san -- and when you were five years old..." "Our grandmother's funeral was being held at her house in London. It was when he went to attend that..." "...that he first found out Hyoujuu-chan had been born." "Nii-san's a real straightforward person, so apparently -- he told Kimie about it the minute he got home." "Turning pale and saying 'What do I DOOOOOO!?'" - "Well, after that, because they're such a passionate couple, they had a big fight -- there was even some talk of divorce.' "But of course, Nii-san didn't want to get a divorce -- he wanted to live here in Japan with Kimie and you. -- He chose that without hesitating." "More than anything else --" "I wonder if you can't see that as the proof -- that he loved Kimie more than anything." - "But the number one reason -- that Nii-san wants to take Hyoujuu-chan in so much..." "...is that Stella-san passed away four years ago." "And to make it worse, at the end of spring last year, Hyoujuu-chan's grandmother, whom she'd been living with, also passed away." "Hyoujuu-chan's in London..." "...living completely alone. No wonder he doesn't want to just let her be." "Heyyyyyyy-- Take-chan!" "Your father's come again today to pick you up - he's downstairs. Should I...? -- Hey." "Should I have him go home?" "....Yeah." - "Go home, would you?" "No! -- What, am I in your way here?" "That's not what I mean..." "But... they were your mom's last words, right? -- That you should let her live with you and all..." "Don't you think you're trying for Honami as a substitute for that?" "Shaddup." - "But... Hyoujuu-san hasn't done annnnnything wrong!" "Not that I don't understand your feelings, but..." "Yeah. -- My position here as a son is... -- super-complicated and all." "I just can't say 'sure'." "Well, why don't you keep being independent like this -- and go live on your own?" "Like a trade for Hyoujuu-san." "What the hell?" "Well, you dad plans to bring Hyoujuu-san to live with you no matter what, right? -- In that case, if your room were available, it'd actually be convenient! -- And if Hyoujuu-san were good at cooking or something, that'd be even better!" - "......That's right..." "Are you saying what I think you're saying!? -- That he'd choose Hyoujuu over me!??" "That he wants to live with HYOUJUU more than with ME!?" "Don't flip out. -- It's just hypothetical." "But..." That's right.... - That could be right.... That's right!!!! --Which means....!?!? First of all, him coming to pick me up every day... following the straight and narrow [lit. parallel lines] could be... because neither of us is giving in... Dad's trying to tell me-- that whether I leave the house or not, he won't bend an inch willingly!? - In other words? I can even believe mom really is the one he loves the most... That's right. But... at this moment mom's runner-up is... //Imagination's view of Hyoujuu// //Ohh! I am Hyoujuu, and I do not speaking Japanese velly well!// N.... Not me... but... HYOUJUU ..instead!!? (I can't speak english either!) - I've heard that fathers always treasure their daughters, but.... Is THAT what's going on!!? //Auuuuuuuuuuuggggggggh!// "H... hey, Takeru!!" England London... - "Juju?" - "Juju -- what are you doing?" "Ah... Bob -- I'm sorry... what is it?" "You surprised me." "What's wrong? I can see you've been crying." "Ah... it's nothing." "I was just reading a letter from my father, and... I just..." "Strange, isn't it? It just got to me..." - "Your father-- you mean this letter's from that Kento? -- Juju, you shouldn't!" "Ah" "How long are you going to keep believing and waiting for that pipe dream that's never going to come true?" "...Let's see. What does he say?" "'I promise I'll come to get you. This year for sure. I'm doing my best to make it possible for us to live together, so don't worry...' -- Hah! What does he mean, don't worry?!" "No! -- Father said so on the phone, too." "This year, I'll definitely...!" "That Kento's wife died two weeks ago. In a car accident." "The notice just came to Mama a few minutes ago." [note: i don't know if this mama is someone related to Hyoujuu or not. She never comes up again.] "Just try -- try to go to your beloved, carefree Japan." "You'll be treated more and more like an outsider every day." "Japanese people, Juju, are a much more closed-minded and traditional race than you think they are." - "Just thinking about you as a member of a Japanese family -- making miso soup and what not..." "Just the impression of it gives me an ulser." "This letter of yours --" "--is something you should throw away already, Juju!" - "Morning -- Dad!" "Ta...Takeru!? You've come home!!!" {Do you usually put your jacket on before you leave the house!? But I won't tell you that.} "Yeah -- a little while ago. -- But I thought I shouldn't wake you up, so I stayed quiet -- it's sudden, but you don't mind, right?" "If only I could have made fried eggs or something, but this is what I have. -- But you know, you can expect more tonight!" "I'm going to make curry!" "Up until now I've been eating Tsuruko-san's delicious meals, so I'm okay, but -- Dad, you've been eating out this whole time, right?" "I figured you must be tired of it already." "I think I'll manage curry okay. -- I remember Mom's [shihan no ru-] "It'll be perfect!" "...Takeru..." - "...could this mean you... - will let Hyoujuu..." "I plan to increase my repertoire even further in the future!" "So, Dad..." //tsk tsk tsk// "You don't even have to worry about the house cleaning." "It's okay - the TWO of us will do it." "I think I can manage curry all right. I remember which ingredients [ru-] Mom used." "Therefore... on my way home from school I'll go to the supermarket and shop, so..." "Gimme money." (He's already thinking about buying something for himself) - //I have awakened// Mother in heaven can't possibly be happy about this stubborn battle of wills that Dad and I have been fighting. "So stop the fighting -- and Dad and I will continue to live on happily together!" "Even though you've just changed your strategy..." "You make curry by throwing together meat and vegetables, right, Daigo?" "Who knows? I sure don't." - I'm going for my mom's taste!!! "Ah! -- Onii-san, good evening!" "Ack!" "Where on earth are you from, kid? You come and go like a phantom, you know." "Ehehehe.... -- don't worry about that, please." "Ah... -- Onii-san, you mightn't be going out by any chance!!?" "Huh? -- Shopping. For dinner." "Ah -- shopping, you say? -- I'll accompany you. I'm sure it will go faster with two." {I'm pretty sure Mom used to stop here... -- as best as I can remember.} - "Onii-san, would you by any chance be making dinner?" "Yeah -- that's right." "WOW! That's amazing! Very mature of you! I have a new respect for you!" "Heh -- it's not that bit of a deal." "By the way, what would be on the menu?" (Hmmph) "Curry." "That's amazing! It's incredible!" "I can't make that." - "What goes into curry? Onii-san." "Hmm... Meat, for one.." "The meat corner appears to be over here!" "..........." "What sort of meat, onii-san?" "Not sure... --Chicken? ... No, beef." "I guess i'll put it all in." (hoist hoist hoist hoist hoist) (I've never tried to make home-cooked curry before.....) "Yes, do that. I'm sure it will be delicious." "Ah... ahh! They have frozen meat for hamburgers! -- If you put that in, I'm sure it will be even more delicious!" "No, I'll pass on that." - "I love curry with hamburger meat in it... but I suppose that's got nothing to do with you." "Next are the vegetables..." "That'll be 7986 yen." {I have 10,000 yen so -- I should be okay.} (this is a bad example of buying too much of too many things.) "You really bought a lot, onii-san." "By the way, would you mind taking a little side trip?" "Carrying all this? -- What are you talking about?" "Ah... (then!) Why don't you leave your things right here?" "They'll get taken." - "Besides, I'm going to make curry now. I think it'll take time. -- It's my first time, after all." "See ya, Zen-kun." "Ah... Wait, please!! Onii-san!!" "It's that street! That street right over there!" "It's almost time -- she's coming, onii-san!!" "WAIT!" "Onii-san, your.... ah..." "AH!" - (buzzbuzzbuzzbuzz) "Ah....." - (buzzbuzz) (buzzbuzz) (disappointed) "Ah..." "Another...." "failure...." "It just won't -- go the way I want it to." "What should I ..." "HEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY you!" (gulp!) - ([munzuq]) (hoist) "Youuuuuuu -- bad boy!!!" (aaaaaackk!) "I had that feeling you'd wandered off. -- So you came all the way out here after all, didn't you!?" "Give it back, my orange card!" [I think this is a subway or train card Zen used to get out to Takeru's area] "Don't wanna, Shia-nee-sama!" [big-sister Shia] "Cut this out!! You promised you wouldn't come here!!" (beeeeeeeeep) [i think that indicates the temperature of his face] - "You father's waiting for you. -- I'm sure he's going to hang you out to dry!" (beeeeeeeeeep) "Shia-onee-sama, you just don't understand my feelings!" "I was also doing it for Kiyu-onee-sama's sake... -- I was working here for her!" "Liar!!" "OWW!!" "owwie... -- I cut myself again." "I'm going to run out of bandages!" - (simmer) "I stir-fried the meat..." (sizzle sizzle) "I put in the vegetables -- I put in teh water." "All right -- all that's left is to put in this is curry [ru-]" [I have a feeling the 'ru' is curry powder but i'm not certain] //The Golden Dinner Curry// (bubble bubble) "All right, it's done!" "Taste-test, taste-test." (sip-sip) - "Takeruuu!!! -- I'm home!" "Oh, that smells good!!" - "You really made curry!" "Hm?" "...What's the matter?" - "It tastes wrong." "And I forgot to boil the rice." "...Even though I used Mom's [ru-] brand!" "It's completely wrong!" "Let's see..." (sipsip...) "Hmm...!" "What are you saying?! You did pretty well, Takeru...!" "It's delicious, don't you think?" - "I just found it looking through what we had in the house." "There were three different curry [ru-] in there." "If you look really hard in the refrigerator -- those three packages have all been used." "Not just one." "Mom always used a blend." - "I had wanted to make it -- tasting like Mom's did..." "Dad... aren't you scared?" "After this we'll eat many things as we go on." "Do you have the confidence that you can go on, never forgetting -- the taste of Mom's cooking?" "When just using one kind of curry..." "Is this..." "...different...." - "I can help you with that, every day." "I remember exactly how she used to make it." "I want to eat Mom's curry...." "I want to eat it...." - (thump) "You feel the same way too, Dad! -- Even so, why are you trying to act like you're okay already!?" "It's like you want to hurry up and forget about her as soon as you can..." "Why!" "Even though it was just a while ago that Mom was standing here making dinner!" - "They were Mom's last words. -- I want to make them come true too." "But I..." "I feel bad for this girl Hyoujuu..." "But I..." "I don't want..." "to forget Mom's taste just yet!" - "I understand." - "I see." "I'm sorry, Takeru.." "Your dad was wrong." "Hyoujuu..." "won't come to this house." - "So -- let's eat this curry of yours, Takeru." "You went to all the trouble of making it..." "Ah... that's right -- I have to boil the rice! Ha ha ha ha ha..." -- End of Volume 1 -- comments, questions, etc to eponine@ccs.neu.edu