Marmalade Boy Volume 3, Chapter 4 pages 121-154 Written and illustrated by Yoshizumi Wataru Translation & editing by : Craig Nishida Additional translation by : Paul Hirose Yutaka Sasagawa Additional editing by: Daniel Lee Jeanne Hedge Last revision : 03-29-96 Comments? Corrections? Suggestions? Please send them to: mboy-trans@soyokaze.biosci.ohio-state.edu --------------------------------------------------- p 121 1 [A younger version of Meiko, with straight, shoulder-length hair, stands before a backdrop of a bouquet of flowers.] narration: It was at the time of HAJImete MEIKO ni Atta no wa our junior high entrance first met-Meiko (nom) (T) ceremony that I first met Meiko. CHUUGAKU no NYUUGAKU-SHIKI no TOKI jr-high 's entrance-ceremony 's time datta was narration: With good looks, and an TOTONOtta KAO dachi OTONAbita expression that seemed like of-good-looks looked-like-a-grown-up a grown-up's. HYOUJOU one's-look narration: Among the many new takusan no SHINNYUUSEI no NAKA de students, Meiko stood out. many-new-students in-the-midst-of MEIKO wa hitokiwa ME o hiku (T) conspicuously catch-the-eye SONZAI datta existence was 2 [The equally-younger version of Miki stands and watches Meiko off-panel.] Miki: (Wow-w-w. A beautiful (u_wa---- kirei na KOo... gir-r-rl... beautiful girl I wish I could become konna KO to o-TOMOdachi ni friends with such a girl...) with-girl-like-this into-friends naretara i-- na--) if-can-turn nice (rhet) --------------------------------------------------- p 122 [Filler art. Meiko half-portrait. She stands, smiling, in her school uniform.] --------------------------------------------------- p 123 1 [Present-day Miki sits on her bed, hugging her pillow to her chest, and looks reflective.] narration: Because I admired Meiko at atashi wa hitome de MEIKO ni first sight... I (T) at-first-sight to-Meiko AKOGArete-shimatta kara admired-(finality) that's-why narration: ______ When we ended up in the same ONAji kurasu ni natte... class... into-same-class turn-(and) And on top of that, when we shikamo DAI no SHIN'YUU tte became close enough that moreover a-great close-friend (quote) I could call her a great and dear friend... YOberu kurai ni able-to-call to-the-extent-that NAKAYOku narete on-good-terms able-to-become-(and) narration: ...I was really, really suggoku suggoku ureshikatta n da...... happy... awfully awfully was-happy (explan) 2 [Younger versions of Meiko and Miki chat together.] narration: Meiko didn't talk much about MEIKO wa anmari JIBUN no koto wa herself... (T) -very about-self (T) HANAsanakatta kedo didn't-talk but But she always listened atashi no HANASHI wa itsu-mo kindly to me and gave me my-talk/stories (T) always advice. SHINMI ni natte KIite-kurete kindly listen-(to-me)-(and) ________ adobaisu shite-kureta gave-(me)-advice narration: And so, no matter what it da kara atashi wa donna koto demo was, I talked it over with therefore I (T) no-matter-what-it-is Meiko, and could always turn to her. MEIKO ni SOUDAN shite itsu-mo MEIKO ni to-Meiko consult-(and) always to-Meiko TAYOri-kitte-ta was-able-to-depend-on/turn-to 3 [Filler art. Facial portrait of Yuu.] --------------------------------------------------- p 124 1 [Portrait of a smiling Meiko.] narration: Meiko, who was always itsu datte YASAshiku WARAtte smiling gently and accepting always gently smile/laugh-(and) me for what I was... atashi no koto uketomete-kurete-ta MEIKO about-me was-accepting-(me) narration: But... da kedo-------- 2 [Still clutching her pillow, the tears start to well in Miki's eyes once more.] Miki FX: gusu_ Miki: I wonder if I really was honto wa MEIWAKU datta no ka naa just a nuisance. really nuisance was (nom) I-wonder Was I a pest...? utto--shikatta...? 3 [Miki buries her face in her pillow.] Miki: (MEIKO...) (MEIKO......) --------------------------------------------------- p 125 1 [Dishes of food on a table.] dish/chopstick FX: ____ kata Miki: [off] Thank you for the meal... gochisou-sama... 2 [View pulls back to show the six seated at the dinner table.] Rumi: Aren't you eating any more? mou TAbenai no? any-more not-eat (?) You hardly finished. hotondo NOKOshite-ru ja nai scarcely are-leaving-behind are-not Miki: My appetite's gone... SHOKUYOKU nakute... an-appetite not-here-(and) Chiyako: Are you feeling ill? KARADA no GUAI WARUi no? body 's health bad (?) Miki: No, but... chigau kedo... 3 Youji: You're depressed, huh. ...GENKI ga nai naa depressed (rhet) Did something happen? NANI-ka atta no kai? something happened (?) 4 [Miki's view across the table at Chiyako and Jin.] Chiyako: If you're worrying about NAYAmi ga aru n nara HANAshite-mite? something, why not try and having-worries/ if-it-is try-and-talk talk about it? being-in-distress We might be able to help... CHIKARA ni nareru ka mo... able-to-help/assist it-may-be Jin: That's right. sou da yo Whatever it is, talk it over NANdemo WAREWARE ni SOUDAN shinasai with us. anything to-us talk-over-(command) We worry when you're feeling MIKI ga sonna fuu ni down like this, Miki. (S) in-this-kind-of-way GENKI ga nai to SHIMPAI da yo if-depressed worry are 5 [Clearly moved, Miki stares.] Miki: Everyone... minna...... Miki heart FX: ji~~n --------------------------------------------------- p 126 1 [Rumi's expression brightens.] Rumi: Wha-a-at?! he------_ She did it! Meiko-chan! yaru ja nai MEIKO-chan! 2 [View pulls back. The four adults gather around as an unimpressed Jin studies a photo. Youji and Chiyako look at it over his shoulder. Rumi smiles happily.] Rumi: "Natchan" is Namura-sensei, natchan te TANNIN no the homeroom teacher, (quote) teacher-in-charge (nom) right? NAMURA-SENSEI desho? poss-be ______ He's kinda cute... chotto kawaii wa yo ne a-bit cute (rhet) That boy. ano KO Chiyako: Uh-huh. A good-looking un KOU- SEINEN yo ne young man, hm. yeah good-(looking) young-man (rhet) Jin: Re-e-eally? soo ka----? He looks wimpy. NANJAKU sou ja ne-- ka weak/effeminate seems Meiko-chan is too good for koitsu ni MEIKO-chan wa mottaine-- yo this guy. to-this-guy (T) is-too-good-for Rumi: ha ha_ ___ That's because you're a JIN wa MEIKO-chan fan da kara-- Meiko-chan fan, Jin. (T) fan are that's-why caption with arrow: [pointing at item in Jin's hand] Group photograph taken NYUUGAKUSHIKI no toki no SHUUGOU at the school entrance entrance-ceremony 's time 's group ceremony. ---> SHASHIN ---> photograph 3 [Rumi drops her eyes and reminisces.] Rumi: _ How sweet... ii naa... That's something I've AKOGAre datta no yo ne---- dreamed about... long-for was (nom) (rhet) The forbidden love between KYOUSHI to SEITO no KINDAN no AI! a teacher and student! teacher and student 's forbidden-love But there wasn't a single demo uchi no GAKKOU kakko ii SENSEI cool-looking teacher at my but my-school cool-looking teacher school. _hitori_ nante 1-RI mo inakute sa-- the-likes-of 1-person too not-exist Rumi FX: haa 4 [Chiyako rests a forefinger against her chin and likewise reminisces.] Chiyako: _ If it were me, I'd wish atashi dattara GYAKU ga ii naa for the opposite... if-it's-me the-opposite (S) nice (rhet) Chiyako: To become a teacher at an DANSHIKOU no SENSEI ni natte all-boys school, and, with boys-school 's teacher turn-into-(and) a student... SEITO to... tte no with-student (quote) 5 [The two women laugh ecstatically in the background as the two men reflect on their pasts off to one side.] Rumi: Ahh, that's gre-e-eat! a---- sore ii--_ Rumi/Chiyako FX: kyaa Chiyako: Isn't it?! desho--_ Rumi/Chiyako FX: kyaa Youji: Ohh, that reminds me... iya---- OMOiDAsu naa ___ When I was in 2nd-year high, ore KOU-2 no TOKI DAIGAKU DE-tate staying after school with a I 2nd-yr-high 's time fresh-from-college music teacher who was fresh out of college... no ONGAKU no SENSEI to HOUKAGO sa-- (nom) with-music-teacher after-school Youji FX: dere-- Jin: Eh?! What, what?! e_ nani nani?! What happened?! dou shita no?! --------------------------------------------------- p 127 1 [Miki's forehead has turned dark and she appears fed-up and in disbelief.] 2 [View pulls back. Yuu stands beside her, with arms crossed.] Rumi/Chiyako/Youji/Jin FX: [off] waiwai kyaa Yuu: You never learn, do you... GAKUSHUU NOURYOKU no ne-- YATSU da na learning capacity fellow are Can't you read them by now? iikagen YOmene-- no? moderate can't-read/not-understand (?) _______ Their thought pattern. aitsura no SHIKOU pata--n those-guys 's thought-pattern Miki: (...... SHIT-T-T.) (...... kuso~~~~) Miki: Shouldn't have spoken... HANAsu n ja nakatta... talking was-not 3 [Ginta rests his chin in one hand.] Ginta: I wonder why it's wrong. nande ikenai no ka na why wrong I-wonder When it's a teacher and a KYOUSHI to SEITO da to... student... teacher and student when-it-is 4 [View pulls back. Ginta is seated at his desk, surrounded by the pig-tailed girl, the blonde short-haired girl, Yuu, and Miki.] blonde short-haired girl: There seem to be stories JOSHIKOU ja yoku aru that this often happens at-girls-school-(T) often-happens at girls schools... HANASHI rashii kedo ne seems-to-be-story but (rhet) blonde short-haired girl: But, after all, isn't it demo yappa ZAIGAKU-CHUU wa something you keep secret but after-all while-in-school (T) while in school? kakushite-ru n ja nai no? are-keeping-secret (neg/explan) (?) Ginta: Being seen by a parent FUKEI ni MIrareta no ga would be bad, huh. by-one's-guardian were-seen (nom) (S) mazukatta yo naa was-unwise (rhet) ____ Though it wouldn't be a SOTSUGYOU made barenakya problem if you weren't until-graduation if-not-uncovered discovered until graduation. MONDAI ni wa naranakatta darou into-problem (contrast) poss-didn't-turn kedo but --------------------------------------------------- p 128 1 Ginta: Miki, you went to Meiko's MIKI kinou MEIKO n chi place yesterday, didn't you. yesterday 's-place Itta n daro went (rhet) How was she? donna YOUSU datta? what-kind-of state/condition was 2 Miki heartbeat FX: doki Miki: Y-yeah... u un... door FX: [off] _____ gara_ 3 [Namura-sensei walks in.] Namura-sensei: Class is starting!! JUGYOU HAJImeru zo classwork/lesson start !! Everyone, take your seats! minna SEKI ni tsuite! everyone take-a-seat/sit-down 4 [The teacher's view of the class. Surprised faces everywhere.] class chairs/desks FX: ____ gata class: Natchan!! ----natchan!! 5 [Standing at his desk, he addresses the class with his hands in his pockets.] Namura-sensei: To tell you the truth, just ...JITSU wa IMA now... actually now I tendered my resignation KOUCHOU ni JISHOKU-NEGAI o to the principal. to-principal one's-resignation (O) TEISHUTSU shite-kita came-and-present/tender 6 [Miki and her classmates look stunned.] --------------------------------------------------- p 129 1 student: [off] Then, you're moving to jaa HOKA no GAKKOU ni another school?! then to-another-school UTSUtchau n desu ka?! move/change-(finality) (explan) (?) Namura-sensei: [off] No, it's not like that. iya sou ja nai n da no like-that is-not (explan) 2 Namura-sensei: I've given up being a ...KYOUSHI wa yameru teacher... teacher (T) stop/quit I'm heading home to HIROSHIMA ni KAEtte KAGYOU Hiroshima, and I'm going to-Hiroshima go-home-(and) one's-(family's) to succeed my father in business his real estate agency. no FUDOUSAN -YA o 's real-estate store (O) TSUgou to OMOu going-to-succeed/intending-to-succeed 3 class FX: zawa... 4 [Ginta rises emotionally to his feet.] Ginta chair/desk FX: _____ gata_ Ginta: It doesn't suit you... ...NIAwane-- yo sonna no Something like that. not-match that-kind-of (nom) Don't quit, Natchan!! yamen na yo natchan!! 5 class FX: wa_... student 1: That's right. sou da yo Just because something konna koto kurai de---- like this... like-this thing extent on-account-of student 2: Please don't quit!! yamenai de kudasai!! --------------------------------------------------- p 130 1 [Namura-sensei closes his eyes.] Namura-sensei: Thank you... ...arigatou But I've already decided. demo mou KImeta koto na n da but already decided (nom) is (explan) Namura-sensei: From before, it's been my CHOUNAN no boku ga parents' wish that I--the eldest-son (nom) I (S) eldest son--succeed to the family business... KAGYOU o TSUgu koto wa succeed-to-family-business (nom) (T) IZEN kara no RYOUSHIN no KIBOU de from-before 's parents 's hope is-(and) I opposed that and became boku wa sore ni SAKAratte a teacher, but... I (T) to-that oppose-(and) KYOUSHI ni natta n da keredo became-a-teacher (explan) but With this as a start, I've KONDO no koto ga kikkake de finally decided. present-thing (S) a-start/cue be-(and) youyaku KESSHIN ga tsuita yo finally decided 2 [He opens his eyes and addresses them with a clear resolve.] Namura-sensei: I think I've put you all KIMI-tachi ni wa through a lot of trouble, to-you-(plural) (contrast) and I'm really sorry. MEIWAKU o kakete HONTOU ni put-(you)-to-trouble-(and) really sumanai to OMOtte-ru sorry am-thinking-that It is my regret that I KIMI-tachi o SOTSUGYOU made can't keep an eye on you you-(plural) (O) until-graduation until you graduate, but... MIMAMOrenai no wa can't-keep-eye-on (nom) (T) KOKORONOKOri da ga regret is but Namura-sensei: Everyone... minna Good luck, and do your GENKI de gambatte-kure! best! good-luck do-your-best-(for-me) 3 [The entire class stands stunned.] --------------------------------------------------- p 131 1 [Exterior view of the Akizuki mansion.] 2 [Inside, Meiko stands at her bedroom window, fingering one of the curtains.] 3 door FX: ___ ___ kon kon housekeeper: [off] Ojousama.* o-JOU-SAMA <*Commentary: A title of "young lady" or "miss" with the high honorific <-sama> attached.> 4 Meiko: What is it? nani? housekeeper: Um... I was told by Madam ...ano OKUSAMA kara wa not to connect you... excuse-me from-Madam (contrast) tsunaganai you Iwarete-ita so-as-not-to-connect was-told n desu kedo (explan) but But I'm sure you'd like to demo kitto o-JOU-SAMA wa talk, ojousama... but surely (T) o-HANASHI nasaritai darou poss-wants-to-talk-(honorific-form) to OMOtte... think-that-(and) 5 [Filler. A portrait of Namura.] caption: [top, in English] Shin'ichi Namura Horoscope: Pisces Bloodtype: A caption: [bottom] __________ Natchan's full name is natchan no furune--mu wa "Namura Shin'ichi"... (nom) full-name (T) "NAMURA SHIN'ICHI" to Iu... called (I decided just now.) (tatta IMA KImeta) just-now decided --------------------------------------------------- p 132 1 [A cordless phone is handed to Meiko.] housekeeper: It's a phone call. o-DENWA na n desu telephone is (explan) From Namura-sensei. NAMURA-SENSEI kara 2 [Meiko portrait.] 3 [Namura stands in a phone booth, receiver held to his head.] Namura: Meiko? MEIKO? Meiko: [phone] Sensei!! SENSEI!! Namura: I'm glad we could talk. yokatta HANASHI ga dekite was-good able-to-talk 4 [Meiko's face falls.] Meiko: I'm sorry, sensei! gomennasai SENSEI It's my fault and... atashi no sei de my-fault is-(and) Namura: [phone] It's not your fault. KIMI no sei ja nai your-fault is-not *I* couldn't protect you, ore no HOU koso KIMI o so... my-direction indeed you (O) MAMOtte-yarenakute... can't-protect-(you) I'm sorry. gomen yo 5 [View pulls back to show that Meiko has set herself down on the edge of her enormous bed.] Namura: [phone] But your suspension will be demo KIMI no KINSHIN cleared away soon. but your home-confinement SHOBUN wa sugu ni TOkeru punishment (T) in-no-time be-cleared kara that's-why Meiko: What about you, sensei?! SENSEI wa?! What was your SENSEI no SHOBUN wa... punishment...? 's punishment (T) Namura: [phone] I've... ------ore wa --------------------------------------------------- p 133 1 Namura: [phone] ...quit being a teacher. KYOUSHI o yameta teacher (O) stopped/quit I'm going home to Hiroshima HIROSHIMA ni KAEtte and work in the family to-Hiroshima go-home-(and) business. KAGYOU o TSUgu yo succeed-to-family-business [Stunned, Meiko's eyes widen.] Namura: [phone] I leave tonight. KON'YA-TAtsu 2 Meiko: You can't...!! sonna...!! No! iya yo Hiroshima--that's too far TOO-sugiru HIROSHIMA nante------ awa-a-ay! too-far-away the-likes-of Namura: [phone] Meiko. MEIKO Listen to me. KIite-kure 3 [In the phone booth, Namura closes his eyes.] Namura: I was truly... In love KIMI o HONTOU ni ...AI shite-ta with you. you (O) really was-loving But... da kedo Namura: I can't make you happy. ore de wa KIMI o SHIAWAse ni with-me (contrast) you (O) in-happiness shite-yarenai can't-make-(you) I don't have that ...sono CHIKARA ga nai power... that-ability/power (S) isn't-there 4 [Meiko's face in profile. She registers realization at what he's really saying.] --------------------------------------------------- p 134 1 Namura: [phone] You're still a high school KIMI wa mada KOUKOUSEI da student, and a young lady you (T) still high-school-student are from a very good home. shi totemo ii IE no and-besides immensely nice home 's o-JOU-san da young-lady are There'll be many more ore nanka yori zutto suitors turning up now who than-the-likes-of-me by-far are far more worthy than me. fusawashii AITE ga kore kara worthy-partner (S) from-now-on ikura demo ARAWAreru any-number turn-up Meiko: SENSEI!! SENSEI!! 2 Namura: I pray for your happiness. KIMI no SHIAWAse o your happiness/good-fortune (O) INOtte-ru yo am-praying/wishing Namura: Farewell... ...sayonara 3 [Tight shot of Namura's hand returning the receiver to its handrest.] Meiko: [phone] Sensei!! SENSEI!! Wait, sen-- MAtte SEN------ phone receiver FX: ______ gacha_! 4 [Namura profile. He drops his gaze...] 5 [...and rests his palm against his forehead.] 6 [Staring speechless, Meiko continues to hold the phone.] phone FX: _____ _____ _____ tsu-- tsu-- tsu-- --------------------------------------------------- p 135 1 [Exterior view of the Koishikawa-Matsuura residence.] 2 [Miki lies on her bed, head resting back against both arms and her pillow. She stares at the ceiling.] 3 narration: If Natchan ends up going to natchan ga HIROSHIMA Itchattara Hiroshima, what will become (S) if-go-(finality) of those two? _futari_ 2-RI wa dou naru n daro 2-people (T) what poss-becoming narration: A long-distance love seems ENKYORI REN'AI tte sugoku awfully difficult... long-distance love (T) awfully TAIHEN sou da shi... difficult it-looks-as-if and-besides 4 [Miki rolls over onto her front.] doorbell FX: [off] ___ _______ pin po--..n Miki: (Oh, someone's here... (a dare-ka KIta... someone came Well, that's okay. ma i--ya Yuu will get it.) YUU ga DEru daro) (S) poss-emerge narration: On top of that, I'm sure sore ni kitto MEIKO o-uchi no HITO ni Meiko is being opposed by moreover surely by-her-folks her folks... HANTAI sarete-ru darou shi poss-is-being-opposed and-besides She said her parents are SEKENTEI KI ni suru OYA da the type who worry about appearance worry-about parents is appearances. tte Itte-ta mon ne was-saying-that person (rhet) I hope they aren't KINSHIN SHOBUN no koto terribly angry about her home-confinement punishment about suspension... hidoku OKOrarete-nakya terribly/severely if-not-be-angry ii kedo... okay but ===Sidebar=== FREE TALK (5): 21-28 June '93. I went on '93-6-21 ~ 28 a trip to Switzerland and _____ ____ Paris with my parents. RYOUSHIN to issho ni suisu - pari together-with-parents Switzerland Paris RYOKOU ni Ikimashita. on-trip went The pleasurable part of RYOKOU de no TANOshimi to ieba the trip was, sure enough, on-trip 's pleasure speaking-of shopping. _________ yappari shoppingu. sure-enough shopping _______ Even so, I wasn't really to itte-mo BETSU ni burando hunting for brand-name even-so particularly brand-name stuff, but rather, I like finding all sorts of cute SHINA o KAiasaru things at stationers, goods (O) hunt-(high-and-low)-for general stores, bookstores, art supply stores, post wake de wa nakute, BUMBOUGU-YA - offices, supermarkets...etc, isn't-reason-(and) stationer etc. ZAKKA-YA - HON-YA - GAZAI-YA general-store bookstore painting- materials-store ________ YUUBINKYOKU - su--pa--... nado nado de post-office supermarket etc etc at ______ ironna kawaii MONO o several/various cute things (O) MItsukeru no ga SUki na n desu. finding (S) like (explan) [A picture of a pair of books, titled "Pingu".] _______ ____ <---[Pingu's mini picture <---[pingu-- no mini EHON] books] Pingu 's mini-picture-book _____ In a Swiss stationers. suisu no BUMBOUGU-YA de. Swiss stationer in [A tiny penquin, with "Pingu" across his front.] _______ ___________ <---[Pingu chocolates] <---[pingu-- chokore--to] (The real thing looks cuter.) (JITSUBUTSU wa motto KAWAIi) the-real-thing (T) more cute _____ _______ I found them at a Swiss suisu no kiosuku de MItsuke, kiosk, and they're very at-Swiss-kiosk find-(and) lovely, so I went and _______ bought 10 and handed them amari ni raburii na no de out to my friends. excessively lovely since 10-KO mo KAtte-kite -(counter) too go-and-buy-(and) TOMOdachi ni KUBAtta. to-friends distributed/allocated [Two spiral-bound books.] _____________ <---[sketchbooks] <---[suketchibukku] / / / / L L _____ In a Swiss art supply suisu no GAZAI-YA de. store. Swiss painting-materials-store in I wonder what I'll draw? NANI KAkou ka na--. what shall-draw/write I-wonder This is also red ---> kore mo AKA ---> this too red The color is absolutely IRO ga tottemo kirei. beautiful. color (S) immensely beautiful The upper one has sky-blue KAMI no wa SHIROJI ni letters on a white upper (T) on-a-white-ground background, the lower one ___________ has red letters on a light sukaiburu-- no MOJI, SHITA no wa peppermint background. sky-blue 's letters lower (T) ___________ usui pepa--minto JI ni light/pale on-peppermint-ground AKAi MOJI. red letters --------------------------------------------------- p 136 1 narration: I wonder... moshi ka shite If they're going to break WAKArechau no ka naa... up... parting-from-(finality) I-wonder door FX: [off] ___ ___ ton ton Yuu: [off] Miki! MIKI! 2 [Out in the hallway, Yuu stands at her closed door. Meiko stands nearby.] Yuu: Are you sleeping? NEte n no ka? It's a visitor! KYAKU da zo Akizuki! AKIZUKI! 3 [Miki sits up quickly.] Miki FX: gaba 4 Miki: ...ha_ narration: [flashback] (If it's that kind of (sonna YUUJOU nara iranai) friendship, then I don't that-kind-of-friendship if-it-is not-need want it.) 5 [Miki remains seated on her bed, frozen by her thoughts.] door FX: [off] ___ ___ don don Yuu: [off] Miki?! MIKI?! --------------------------------------------------- p 137 1 Yuu: Hey, Mi-- oi MI... Meiko: [soft smile] It's okay, Matsuura-kun. ii no yo MATSUURA-kun 2 [Meiko addresses the closed door.] Meiko: Miki. MIKI You don't have to come out. DEte-kite-kurenakute ii kara not-go-and-come-out- okay that's-why (for-me) Meiko: Just stay there and listen soko de HANASHI o KIite to what I have to say, there be-(and) talk (O) listen-(please) please. 3 [Miki looks surprised, but still remains on her bed.] 4 [Yuu turns to leave...] Yuu: Well, I'll head over th-- ja ore mukou ni... I over-there Meiko: It's okay. ii no Please stay. ite choudai 5 [Meiko facial portrait. She gathers her thoughts.] ===Sidebar=== FREE TALK (6): _____ At a Swiss post office, I suisu no YUUBINKYOKU de wa bought postage stamps of at-Swiss-post-office (contrast) beautifully illustrated _______ animals, and boxes for kirei na irasuto no DOUBUTSU no mailing. beautiful-illustration 's animal 's KITTE to KOZUTSUMI-YOU postage-stamp and used-for-postal-package no HAKO o KAimashita. 's box (O) bought There are a lot of post YUUBINKYOKU tte oshare na FUUTOU offices that sell stylish- post-office (T) dandyish-envelope looking envelopes and such, and so it was fun. to ka Utte-ru koto ga and-such are-selling (nom) (S) OOkute TANOshii n da yo. plenty-of-(and) joyful (explan) _______ Envelopes used for American amerika no SOKUTATSU-YOU FUUTOU express mail had marks like America 's express-mail envelope chocolate kisses all lined _________ up, and were extremely cute. nante kisuchoko mitai na the-likes-of chocolate-kiss seem ______ ______ ma--ku ga NARAnde-te CHOU-kawaii. mark (S) are-lining-up-(and) super-cute ______ Even at the stationery BUMBOUGU-TEN demo kirei na dezain no stores, Japan has a far at-stationers-too beautiful-design 's richer selection of ___________ _______________ beautifully-designed letter reta--setto ya sute--shonari-- wa NIHON sets and stationery, but letter-set and stationery (T) Japan for business envelopes and notebooks, foreign ones no HOU ga zutto JUUJITSU shite-ru n da are awfully stylish and better by-far is-rich (explan) cute. kedo, JIMU-YOU no FUUTOU ya but used-for-business 's envelope and ______ no--to ga GAIKOKU no wa notebook (S) foreign-country (nom) (T) sugoku oshare de KAWAIi n desu. awfully dandy is-(and) cute (explan) ____ _____ A stuffed bunny I bought in pari de KAtta usagi no nuigurumi Paris. in-Paris bought stuffed-bunny [A picture of a cute stuffed bunny. An arrow points from the text below to the hind part of the stuffed bunny.] You can put your hand here koko kara TE ga Irerarete and move the face and front from-here hand (S) is-put-in/ paws. can-put-in-(and) KAO ya MAE ASHI o UGOkaseru. face and forepaws (O) can-move/make-move _____ ________ _______________ Elbe Chapellier Mini Tote erube, shaperie no minito--tobaggu Bag Elbe? Chapellier? 's mini-tote-bag [A picture of a small handbag.] I bought a lot of them as TOMOdachi e no omiyage-YOU ni souvenir gifts for friends. to-friends (nom) to-use-for-souvenir-gift ippai KAtta. full-of bought ______ _____ The illustration on Jacadi's #jacadi# no bebi--YOU koron baby cologne is cute. 's baby's-use cologne _______ ______ irasuto ga kawaii. illustration (S) cute [A picture of two bottles with labels.] --------------------------------------------------- p 138 1 Meiko: The other day... kono aida wa I said something cruel... hidoi koto Itte gomen... I'm sorry... cruel-thing say-(and) sorry Meiko: I was on edge... atashi KI ga TAtte-te I be-agitated/on-edge-(and) And I just took it out on tsui MIKI ni yatsuatari shita no you, Miki. just on-Miki took-one's-spite-out I'm sorry... gomen ne... 2 [Miki remains wide-eyed.] 3 [Meiko closes her eyes.] Meiko: I met Namura-sensei in NAMURA-SENSEI to wa the high school library with-Namura-sensei (contrast) building. KOUKOU no TOSHOKAN de DEAtta no in-high-school's-library-building met Meiko: It was May of our 3rd CHUUGAKU 3-NEN no 5-GATSU year in junior high... jr-high-school 3rd-year 's May A Wednesday, after school... SUIYOUBI no HOUKAGO datta... Wednesday 's after-school was 4 [Exterior view of the library building.] --------------------------------------------------- p 139 1 [9th-grade Meiko, hair longer than before, but still straight, looks bright- eyed at the books surrounding her.] Meiko: (Just as I'd thought, it's (OMOtta toori SUTEKI na tokoro...) a wonderful place...) thought just-as wonderful-place Meiko: (I'm glad I ventured in!) (OMOikitte haitte-mite YOkatta!) dare-to... try-and-go-in-(and) was-good 2 Meiko: Ah! This out-of-print a kore ZEPPAN ni natte-ru series! this into-out-of-print is-turning _________ shiri--zu! series Meiko: Wow! Ama-a-azing! Old wa sugo----i konna FURUi no mo... ones like these, too... amazing this-kind-of-old (nom) too 3 Namura-sensei: [off] Huh? You're... are? kimi... [Meiko sweats.] Meiko FX: giku 4 [Namura-sensei looks at Meiko off-panel.] Namura-sensei: ...a junior-high student, CHUUTOU -BU no SEITO daro? right? middle-grade section 's student poss-be What are you doing here? NANI shite-ru no koko de what are-doing in-this-place 5 [A bit fearful, Meiko turns to look back.] --------------------------------------------------- p 140 1 [View looking up at the ceiling.] Meiko: [off] I-I'm sorry! go gomennasai I heard that there were a MEZURAshii HON ga takusan aru lot of unusual books here, rare/unusual books (S) lots-of there-are so I wanted to come in once and see... tte KIita n de 1-DO heard-that 'cause once haitte-mitakute...... want-to-come-in-and-see-(and) Namura-sensei: [off] Uh-huh... u--n... Well, this is a high school ICHIOU koko wa KOUTOU-BU no facility, so it's a bad anyway here (T) high-grade-section 's idea for other people to be here without permission. SHISETSU da kara facility is that's-why BUGAI-SHA wa KYOKA nashi restricted-person (T) without-permission da to mazui n da kedo if-are unwise (explan) but 2 Namura-sensei: Oh well, that's okay. ma ii ka In any case, few people use douse RIYOU-SHA wa SUKUnai shi... it... anyhow user/visitor (T) few and-besides ______ So I'll keep it a secret. naisho ni shitoite-ageru yo keep-secret-(for-future-sake)-(for-you) Meiko: [happily] Thank you! arigatou gozaimasu! 3 Meiko: [pleasantly] Excuse me... ano Meiko: Are you a college student? SOTSUGYOUSEI no kata desu ka? a-graduate 's direction are (?) [Commentary: Touryou is an "escalator" school, so junior high, high and college are all on the same campus. Literally, Meiko's asking if he's a high-school graduate of Touryou.] 4 [Namura-sensei looks back at her, blankly.] 5 [Sweating, he shows her the book he's carrying, and drops his gaze.] Namura-sensei: ... Actually, I'm a ...ICHIOU KYOUSHI teacher... I-may-not-look-like-it-but teacher na n da kedo... am (explan) but book: [bilingual title] English I #English# I English Department--Namura EIGO -KA NAMURA English department/course Meiko: HUH?! e_ has two tick-marks> Oh no! I'm sorry!! ya da gomennasai_!! 6 [He smiles a sheepish grin.] Namura-sensei: ha ha Namura-sensei: I've only been out in the 4-GATSU kara SHAKAIJIN ni natta real world since April... since-April turned-into-member-of-society bakari da kara only am that's-why So my student looks aren't mada GAKUSEI-pposa ga gone yet, huh. still student-like (S) NUkenai n da yo na-- not-be-gone (explan) (rhet) --------------------------------------------------- p 141 1 [Meiko's facial portrait. In the background is a smiling Namura-sensei.] narration: I thought... totemo quite/utterly/absolutely narration: ...his smiling face was YASAshii EGAO da to OMOtta utterly sweet. gentle/nice smiling-face is thought-that 2 [The two stand in the library. It is a different day because Namura-sensei is wearing a different shirt. Meiko shows him a book.] narration: I heard that sensei usually SENSEI ga SUIYOU no GOGO wa prepared his lessons (S) Wednesday-afternoon (T) Wednesday afternoons in the library, and I went to taitei TOSHOKAN de JUGYOU no visit every week. in-general in-library lesson 's SHITASHIRAbe o suru to KIite prepare hear-that-(and) atashi wa MAISHUU no you ni I (T) as-weekly ASObi ni Itta went-to-visit/play narration: I used the excuse that "I "HON o YOmitai" to iu KOUJITSU o want to read books," but want-to-read-books say-that an-excuse (O) my real aim was sensei. TSUKAtta kedo honto no MEAte wa used but real-aim (T) SENSEI no hou datta 's direction was 3 Namura-sensei: _______ ___________ Carson McCullers? ka--son makkara--zu? Huhhh. You like refined hee-- SHIBUi SAKKA ga SUki na writers, don't you. refined/mellow author (S) like n da naa (explan) (rhet) Namura-sensei: I just know the name. ore NAMAE shika shiranai I name only-know Namura-sensei: What is it about her that dou iu toko ga you find interesting? what-kind-of features (S) omoshiroi no? interest/amuse 4 [Meiko sweats a smile at him.] Meiko: Huh? e Let's see... Umm... etto... sono... 5 [Meiko drops her eyes in sadness.] Meiko: I'm sorry... ...gomennasai Actually, I haven't read honto wa YOnda koto nai no her. actually haven't-read Meiko FX: shun Meiko: _________ The one I like is Salinger. SUki na no wa sarinja-- na n desu one-that-I-like (T) Salinger is (explan) So commonplace, right? HEIBON desho? --------------------------------------------------- p 142 1 Namura-sensei: [smiling] Ha ha... ha ha... Namura-sensei: Ohh, I see. nan da sokka Namura-sensei: You don't have to think HEIBON nante OMOu koto nai yo he's commonplace. ordinary the-likes-of not-think _mono_ Since it's a good work, he's ii SAKUHIN da kara popular. good work/(thing) is that's-why _________ popyura-- na n ja nai ka popular is (nom) 2 [Meiko smiles softly.] narration: Each time I saw him, I Au-tabi dondon got to like him more and each-time-meet rapidly/steadily more... SUki ni natte turn-into-like-(and) narration: And each week I waited MAISHUU SUIYOUBI ga MAchidooshikatta eagerly for Wednesday. weekly Wednesday (S) waited-eagerly-for 3 narration: But, one day... da kedo aru HI... but a-certain-day book FX: ba_ [A hand snatches away a book.] Namura-sensei: Hey! kora! 4 [Namura-sensei holds his schedule book in his hand and stares at Meiko off- panel.] Namura-sensei: Don't look at someone's HITO no TECHOU MUDAN de notebook without their person 's notebook without-permission permission! MIru mon ja nai yo! look thing is-not Namura-sensei: Just because it was lying Okippanashi ni natte-ta around. into-leaving-things-around was-turning kara tte that's-why (quote) 5 [Blushing and sweating, Meiko looks a little frightened.] Meiko: I-- go Meiko: I'm sorry... gomennasai... 6 Namura-sensei: [sweating] Ah! a _____ I'm sorry! I didn't mean gomen tsui donatte... to yell... sorry unintentionally yell-(and) Namura-sensei: ___________ It's something private, so puraibe--to na mon da kara sa I was a little embarrassed private thing is that's-why . chotto hazukashikatta kara a-bit was-embarrassing that's-why [Meiko blushes deeply and drops her gaze, looking embarrassed and nervous.] 7 narration: That following week... sono TSUGI no SHUU that-next week narration: ...sensei didn't come at SENSEI wa itsu-mo no JIKAN ni the usual time. (T) at-usual-time KOnakatta did-not-come --------------------------------------------------- p 143 1 [Alone in the library, Meiko stands with her back to one of the windows. She stares at the floor, looking lost.] narration: I was hated, because I did kirawarechatta n da something like that. was-disliked-(finality) (explan) anna koto shita kara thing-like-that did that's-why narration: I can never get him to see mou 2-DO to Atte-moraenai n da me again. can-never-get-(him)-to-see (explan) 2 [Tight closeup as tears well in her eyes.] narration: Never again... mou 2-DO to... 3 [A bit surprised, Namura-sensei looks at Meiko off-panel.] Namura-sensei: Meiko? MEIKO? Were you still here? mada ita no ka still was-here (?) 4 [Meiko spins about in surprise.] 5 [Namura-sensei stares at her wide-eyed. She's holding a fist to her mouth, and staring up at him in blank wonderment.] Namura-sensei: There was an emergency RINJI no SHOKUIN KAIGI ga faculty meeting, so I'm special faculty-meeting (S) late... atta kara OSOku... there-was that's-why late Namura-sensei: What is it? nan da? What's the matter?! dou shita?! ===Sidebar=== FREE TALK (7): On July 20-22, 1993, I '93.7.20~22, went to Hokkaido with Yazawa Ai. YAZAWA ai to HOKKAIDOU ni Ikimashita. with-Yazawa-Ai to-Hokkaido went _________ It was our goal to see the MOKUTEKI wa FURANO no rabenda-- o lavender plants of Furano. purpose (T) 's lavender (O) MIru koto desu. to-see (nom) is 7/20 (Tue.) 7/20 (Tue.) Both of us work till the 2-RI tomo CHOKUZEN made last minute, so we collapse both-(people) up-to-just-before in Haneda. ________ SHIGOTO shite, herohero ni natte work-(and) become-weak/collapse-(and) HANEDA e. to-Haneda We eat lunch in the train CHITOSE ---> SAPPORO no SHANAI de, car from Chitose ---> 's inside-the-car Sapporo. o-HIRU gohan o TAberu. lunch (O) eat (The "salmon and salmon roe (ribon HENSHUU-BU #U# -JOU rice" box lunch at the ribbon editorial-staff Miss-U station that was praised to the skies by Ribbon OU- ZESSAN no EKIBEN editorial staffer, Miss U.) great great-praise 's station-lunch was extremely delicious. "sake ikura meshi") salmon salmon-roe meal/rice tottemo oishikatta. was-very-tasty The two of us are excited, tada no EKIBEN ni haitte-ru "To think that even the in-ordinary-station-lunch is-containing salmon roe inside an _____ ordinary station box lunch ikura made oishii nante is delicious--indeed, even-salmon-roe tasty the-likes-of Hokkaido is different." sasuga HOKKAIDOU wa CHIGAu, truly/indeed (T) differ to 2-RI de MOriAgaru. (quote) by-2-people be-excited Arriving in Sapporo, we go SAPPORO ni tsuki, OODOO(RI) KOUEN de to the hotel after we ate arrive-at-Sapporo main-street in-park corn-on-the-cob in the ______ central park. toukibi o TAbeta ato hoteru e. corn-on-cob (O) after-had-eaten to-hotel We got tired and end up TSUKArete NEItte-shimau. falling asleep. get-tired-(and) fall-asleep-(finality) ___ In the evening, we call up YORU wa TAKADA emi-chan o Takada Emi-chan and the night (T) (O) three of us go to a sushi bar. YObiDAshi 3-NIN de o-SUSHI-YA e. call-up by-3-people to-sushi-shop ___ __________ The appears, and uni ga sha--betto no YOUKI comes in what seems to be a sea-urchin-roe (S) sherbet 's container sherbet glass, and we're impressed. mitai na no ni HAItte seem (nom) in is-contained-in-(and) DEte-kite KANDOU suru. come-and-appear-(and) be-impressed caption with arrow pointing at sherbet glass: _____ <--- Like this. konna kanji like-this feeling/impression is sea urchin roe.> --------------------------------------------------- p 144 1 [Tears still fill her eyes, and tumble down her cheeks.] Meiko: I love you, sensei. SENSEI ga SUki desu (S) like 2 [Namura portrait. He's speechless.] 3 [Meiko drops her gaze and brushes aside her tears with one hand...] Meiko: I love you... SUki desu... 4 [...but her eyes widen as she realizes that Namura is reaching towards her...] 5 [He hugs her tightly. She's too surprised to move.] Namura-sensei hug FX: gyu... --------------------------------------------------- p 145 1 [Still holding her, and with her head resting against his shoulder, Namura speaks...] Namura-sensei: ...... ...... Meiko, how old are you MEIKO ikutsu da kke? again? 2 Meiko: [blushing & wide-eyed] F-fifteen... ju #15#...... 3 Namura-sensei: [sweating] 8 years difference, huh... 8-tsu chigai ka... Namura-sensei: What can I do... maitta naa _______ I wonder if I have a Lolita ore rorikon ka na complex? I Lolita-complex I-wonder 4 [View from behind Meiko as her head starts trembling slightly. Namura has closed his eyes and looks sadly serious.]] Meiko FX: ___ pu_ kusu kusu kusu Namura-sensei: This is no laughing matter. WARAigoto ja nai yo laughing-matter is-not 5 [Smiling, Meiko closes her eyes and nestles against Namura.] Meiko: I'll be a grown-up soon... ...sugu ni OTONA ni soon/in-no-time into-adult naru kara turn that's-why Meiko: So please wait for me... MAtte-te... --------------------------------------------------- p 146 1 [Back to the present. Meiko still addresses the closed door.] Meiko: I kept silent about it IMA made DAMAtte-te gomen ne until now, and I'm sorry. until-now am-keeping-silent-(and) sorry Meiko: It's not that I don't trust MIKI no koto SHIN'YOU shite-nai to ka you, or don't think you're about-Miki am-not-trusting and-such important, Miki. DAIJI ni OMOtte-nai wake in-importance am-not-thinking reason ja nai no is-not 2 [Inside, Miki stares at the door.] Meiko: [off] But, to completely reveal demo atashi wa donna ni SUki na what's in my heart to a but I (T) how-much like friend that I like, no matter how much... TOMOdachi ni demo KOKORO no NAKA ZEMBU even-to-friend in-the-heart entirely sarakedasu koto wa reveal (nom) (T) ...is something I can't do. ...dekinai no cannot-do Meiko: [off] Though even I'm not too kou iu SEIKAKU JIBUN demo fond myself of a trait like like-this character even-self this, either. anmari SUki ja nai kedo -so-much like am-not but 3 [Yuu leans quietly back against the wall, watching Meiko off-panel.] Meiko: [off] Perhaps... tabun ________ I was scared that if you KOKORO no SOKO no dorodoro shita knew about this confused heart 's bottom (nom) made-sloppy/muddy and ugly part at the core of my heart, Miki, that MINIKUi BUBUN o MIKI ni SHIrarete maybe you wouldn't like ugly part (O) by-Miki is-known-(and) me... KIRAwareru no ga KOWAkatta no being-disliked (S) was-fearful (nom) ka mo ne... it-may-be (rhet) 4 [View from the door as Meiko smiles back.] Meiko: But you aren't like me, demo MIKI wa atashi to CHIGAtte Miki, and you talked to me but (T) with-me differ-(and) about anything, without a care. KUTTAKU naku NANdemo HANAshite-kureta carefree anything talked-(to-me) Meiko: That made me awfully happy. sono koto wa tottemo ureshikatta no yo that-thing (T) awfully was-happy --------------------------------------------------- p 147 1 [Meiko smiles softly, a tear welling at the corner of one eye.] Meiko: I really like you a lot, MIKI no koto wa honto ni DAISUki na no Miki. about-Miki (T) really like-a-lot Meiko: Please believe me. SHINjite ne 2 [Gazing sadly off-panel, Miki is crying her eyes out.] --------------------------------------------------- p 148 1 [Yuu sees Meiko off at the entranceway.] Yuu: I'll walk you to the EKI made OKUtte-ku yo station. up-to-station go-and-escort Meiko: It's all right. DAIJOUBU _________ I have the taxi waiting. takushi-- MAtasete-ru no taxi am-making-wait 2 Meiko: [gentle smile] Matsuura-kun... MATSUURA-kun Meiko: Take care of Miki, 'kay. MIKI no koto yoroshiku ne about-Miki leave-in-your-care (rhet) 3 [Reacting to the odd request, Yuu raises his eyebrows.] Yuu: Wha...! e_... 4 [And runs to the front gate, to see Meiko leave in the taxi.] Yuu: Hey! oi AKIZUKI...?! AKIZUKI...?! taxi FX: ____ buo_... taxi signs: _________ ...Taxi ...takushi-- Radio Number 282 MU 282 SEN 5 [Yuu turns back to stare at the house.] --------------------------------------------------- p 149 1 [He bursts into the room.] door FX: ban Yuu: MIKI! MIKI! 2 [Still crying into a towel, Miki sits on her bed. She looks up in surprise.] 3 [Miserable, and with her face red and teary, she looks over at Yuu.] Miki FX: gushu Miki: Wha-a-at? nani yoo Coming in someone's room KATTE ni HITO no HEYA... without asking... without-permission person 's bedroom Yuu: Don't be such a crybaby! mesomeso shite n ja nee yo being-maudlin (nom) is-not We're going after Akizuki!! AKIZUKI no ato Okkakeru zo after-Akizuki run-after !! She's at Tokyo Station! TOUKYOU EKI da! Miki: Huh...? e...? 4 Yuu: Maybe she... aitsu tabun that-person perhaps Plans to elope with Natchan. natchan to kakeochi suru tsumori da with-Natchan elope intent is 5 [Miki exchanges stares with Yuu.] 6 [She turns aside, looking at the floor in misery.] Miki: I-- a I... Can't go. atashi... Ikenai --------------------------------------------------- p 150 1 Yuu: [off] WHY NOT?! nande! Miki: [off] Because Meiko said she datte MEIKO wa atashi no koto doesn't need me... because (T) about-me iranai tte... not-need (quote) Yuu: [off] Wasn't she saying just now sou ja nai tte that it's not like that?!! like-that is-not (quote) sakki Itte-ta ro-- ga!! a-little-while-ago poss-was-saying and/but 2 [In pain, Miki clenches her eyes shut and cries out.] Miki: Th-- That's not i-i-it. chi... chigau yoo That was... are wa ...because Meiko's nice. MEIKO wa YASAshi-- kara (T) nice/sweet/gentle that's-why She only said that to me atashi ga KIZUtsuichatta no because she saw that my I (S) got-hurt-(finality) (nom) feelings were hurt... MIte a-- yu-- fuu ni see-(and) in-that-kind-of-way Itte-kureta dake de said-(to-me) only is-(and) Miki: Meiko doesn't need me atashi nanka MEIKO ni wa at all... I somewhat by-Meiko (contrast) ZENZEN HITSUYOU nai... -at-all need not-have 3 Yuu: DUMMY! baka! You've been close friends CHUU-1 kara zutto ever since 1st year junior since-1st-year-jr-high all-the-time high, haven't you? SHIN'YUU yatte n daro close-friends doing (rhet) Yuu: How could you two have been HITSUYOU demo nai no ni so close if she didn't need not-have-any-need even-tho you? sonna ni kuttsuite-rare kka yo so-much are-tight/intimate-with (?) Have more confidence in motto JISHIN mote yo! yourself! more self-confidence have-(imper.) 4 [Stricken, Miki looks up at him.] Yuu: [off] Is it all right if you can't kore kkiri Aenaku ever see her again?! just-this/never-again can't-meet natte-mo ii no ka?! even-if-become okay (?) --------------------------------------------------- p 151 1 [In anguish and with face flushed, Miki clenches her eyes closed again.] Miki: N-- No-o-o. ya ya daa------... Miki tears FX: ________ boroboro Yuu: [sweating] Ah, c'mon... a-- mo-- I said don't be a crybaby. mesomeso sun na tte don't-be-maudlin (quote) Miki: Y-Yuu, you'll also... yu YUU mo... Yuu: ...come along! tsuite-tte-yaru kara! go-along-with-(you) that's-why 2 Yuu: [with a gentle gaze] Let's hurry! ISOgou ze 'Kay?! na_ 3 Miki: ...... Uh-huh...! ------un...! 4 [Namura stands at the train station, staring in surprise off-panel.] --------------------------------------------------- p 152 1 [Meiko stands before Namura and his overnight bag, carrying one of her own.] Meiko: I came... KIchatta... Meiko: I left secretly, so I kossori DEte-kita kara couldn't take much secretly came-out that's-why luggage... NIMOTSU anmari luggage -so-much MOtte-korarenakatta kedo couldn't-come-and-take/carry but 2 Meiko: But I'm glad I was able to ...Aete yokatta meet you. can-meet-(and) was-good I didn't know what time NANJI no SHINKANSEN ka your bullet train was what-time 's bullet-train (?) leaving. wakannakatta kara didn't-know that's-why 3 [Closeup of Meiko's face. Her eyes are wide open and filled with tears.] Meiko: I was thinking, "what'll Aenakattara dou shiyou ka I do if I can't meet...?" if-wasn't-able-to-meet what shall-do (?) to OMO_...... = think-that 4 [Namura portrait. He stares back.] --------------------------------------------------- p 153 1 [Crying out, her tears overflow...] Meiko: I can't just say goodbye. --------sayonara nante dekinai the-likes-of can't-do 2 [...and she hurls herself into his arms.] Meiko: Take me with you, too... atashi mo TSUrete-itte I too take-with-(and) PLEASE!! o-NEGAi!! 3 [Profile shot of Namura, who seems to have a somewhat determined look.] --------------------------------------------------- p 154 1 [He closes his eyes and clasps her tight.] Namura: MEIKO! ------MEIKO! 2 [Miki and Yuu race down the station platform...] --------------------------------------------------- -------------------End of Chapter------------------ --------------------------------------------------- Scorecard: Miki <---> Yuu ^ ^ | | v | Ginta (-?-) Arimi Meiko <---> Natchan ^ | | Tsutomu Rumi <---> Youji ^ ^ | | v v Jin <---> Chiyako ---------------------------------------------------