Marmalade Boy Volume 4, Chapter 1 pages 1-36 Written and illustrated by Yoshizumi Wataru Translation & editing by : Craig Nishida Additional translation by : Paul Hirose Yutaka Sasagawa Last revision : 05-12-96 Comments? Corrections? Suggestions? Please send them to: mboy-trans@soyokaze.biosci.ohio-state.edu --------------------------------------------------- p 1 --------------------------------------------------- p 2 heading: Introducing the Cast of Characters caption: Matsuura Yuu Shares same house with Miki. Looks cool, but is mean?! caption: Miwa Satoshi Student body president. Is taking an interest in Yuu?! caption: Koishikawa Miki Brightly spirited and simple (?) personality. caption: Suou Ginta Miki's classmate. Confessed his love to Miki... caption: Akizuki Meiko Close friend of Miki. Her mysterious aspect is alluring. text: The Story up thru (3). [paragraph 1] Miki and Yuu come to live in the same house due to their parents announcing that they're swapping marriage partners. Miki gradually becomes attracted to Yuu, who sometimes displays sweetness despite being mean. [paragraph 2] But Ginta--who rejected her one day long ago, but is, at present, her best male friend--suddenly confesses his love for her, and Miki doesn't know what to do. Not knowing her own feelings over which one--Yuu or Ginta--she really likes, her heart wavers back and forth day after day. [paragraph 3] With Miki in that state, Yuu's old girlfriend, Arimi, who even now can't forget him, pierces Miki's heart by saying, "You don't deserve Yuu." [paragraph 4] Meanwhile, there's a huge uproar because the love between Meiko--Miki's close friend, who Miki should be leaning on at a time like this --and Namura-sensei is revealed to those in school. [paragraph 5] A somewhat dangerous student body president also makes his appearance, and...?! --------------------------------------------------- p 3--TITLE PAGE 1 Title: MARMALADE BOY [4] --------------------------------------------------- p 4 1 --------------------------------------------------- p 5 1 sign: Year 2, Class B 2 pigtailed girl: The marathon is almost here, huh... short-haired girl: Ohh no-o-o. Maybe it'll rain. pigtailed girl: That would only postpone it. So there's no difference. 3 pigtailed girl: Come to think of it... I heard a strange rumor... It's about Yuu... 4 Miki: Huh?! Miki heartbeat FX: Meiko: A strange rumor? What is it? pigtailed girl: Yeah. I don't think it's possible, but... 5 pigtailed girl: ...I hear that Yuu and Miwa-san, the student body president... pigtailed girl FX: pigtailed girl: ...are getting it on. 2 3 narration: The two of them are apparently often talking in the back courtyard during recess and after school. But they say there's a serious air about them because they're being rather strangely intimate! 4 Miki/Meiko FX: 5 Miki: Jeez. Why are we pretending to be spies like this...? There's no way a rumor like that would be true! Miki FX: Meiko: Oh! There, there. Over there! --------------------------------------------------- p 7 1 2 3 Miki: ......... Meiko: ......... --------------------------------------------------- p 8 1 Miki: ~~~~~~~~ Why are you turning red, Meiko?! Meiko: You're red all the way to your ears, too, Miki. 2 Meiko: Oh, it *would* become this sort of rumor! Two beautiful guys... They match the type too well, and so it's scary. in girls stories and manga.> caption with arrow pointing at Meiko: The type of person who rather likes those kinds of things (since she's a literary-minded girl...) ---> 3 caption with arrow pointing at Miki: The type of person who just naturally can't deal with stuff like that ---> Miki: Quit joking. They're both guys!! 4 Miki: Th...that's just them being on good terms. It's a friendship, right?!! Meiko: ......... 5 Miki: WHY AREN'T YOU AGREEING WITH ME-E-E?! Meiko: Huh...?! I mean... 6 Miki: Anyway, Yuu, of all people, has no reason to do that sort of thing! Certainly, there's the feeling that they're unnaturally overly-intimate... Miki: But Yuu even had Arimi-san as his girlfriend, and... --------------------------------------------------- p 9 1 Miki: Ah! narration: But... 2 narration: Arimi-san was saying... Arimi: "In your whole life, a normal love will be impossible for you!!" Yuu: "You might be right..." narration: That line... 3 Miki: (That can't possibly mean something like tha-a-at?!) hypothetical Yuu: I'm physically capable of only loving guys. 4 Miki: GE-E-EH! Miki: I-it's a li-i-ie! Stop-p-p!! Meiko: M-Miki?! Meiko: (Now she's turning pale...) ===Sidebar=== FREE TALK (1): It's been a while. Yoshizumi here. This is a comic that's come a half a year after volume 3. I'm writing this article on Feb 27, '94. And so, in the middle of April, when this book goes on sale, the telecast of the "Marmalade Boy" anime will already have begun. "It might be turned into an anime. About 80% certain," is what I had heard in a conversation with the editor-in-chief at the end of August. Beginning around autumn, little by little, production began, and I was told at the end of December that "It's been decided, so you can tell people." And so the telecast begins March 13. When I was passing the time, being kept busy by my daily work, it arrived in a flash... Really, time flies. When I heard that the telecast time is 8:30 on Sunday mornings I thought for a moment (who would be up at that hour?), but children are awake then, that's true. Even those of you who aren't children anymore, by all means get up early (maybe record it on videotape) and please watch, 'kay? I'll try hard, too... --------------------------------------------------- p 10 1 FX: Miki/Meiko: Hm? 2 video camera FX: 3 Miki: Wh-what are you doing?!! caption with arrow pointing at boy: <---Broadcast Club Lunchtime News broadcaster: Oh, Koishikawa-san. I'm gathering info. Gathering info. 4 Miki: Gathering info?! Lunchtime News broadcaster: Yup. You know the "This Week's Couple"--the popular corner of the Lunchtime News, right? Right now, those two are the hottest couple in school. 5 Miki FX: 6 Miki: It...It's simply a rumor, right?! Meiko: Is there any proof? Lunchtime News broadcaster: There is! 7 Lunchtime News broadcaster: The one called Miwa-san is very popular with girls, and he has a lot of girlfriends, too, but he hasn't chosen a favorite. Up until now, it's been said that he's super-picky on looks, or he has terribly high ideals, but... --------------------------------------------------- p 11 1 Meiko: In reality, he was gay! So then, that explains it all, right? caption over Meiko's head: The strangely, seemingly-happy Meiko... Meiko: Right? Lunchtime News broadcaster: Perhaps he can't find the ideal woman, so he ran to a guy, or... Meiko: Ah, I see. 2 Miki: THERE'S NO "I SEE"!! 3 Miki: I don't know what Miwa-san is, but Yuu is definitely not like that!! Miki: If it's gathering info you want, go look for another couple. Don't spread the weird rumor any further than this!! 4 Lunchtime News broadcaster: Ehh? No way-y-y. Lunchtime News broadcaster: The freedom of the press... 5 Miki FX: Miki: You have a complaint?! Lunchtime News broadcaster: Nope. 6 Miki: (Yeah. Yuu is definitely normal. A rumor like that is certainly a lie!!) --------------------------------------------------- p 12 1 2 actor: Come to my room! It's okay, right? actress: No. Wait a minute. 3 actress: I can't bring up the courage just yet... Just meeting and talking like this is enough. actor: Hiroko-san! I don't want to let you go back tonight! Miki stand-up FX: narration: This is no good... 4 narration: It's awkward watching a drama like this with your parents, and I can't bear it... Miki FX: 5 Miki: (So I'm the only one who's thinking this. This troop with no common sense!!) Chiyako/Youji/Rumi/Jin FX: actor: Hiroko-san! Hiroko: No. You mustn't. Wah! Ahh! --------------------------------------------------- p 13 1 2 narration: The call light is still on... narration: Yuu's still on the phone. 3 narration: Isn't this the one that he got from Miwa-san over 30 minutes ago? Miki: (I think it's nice that they became close friends... But I wonder if they know about the weird rumor that's going around.) 4 narration: But still... narration: Why would they suddenly turn into such good friends? narration: Even though, until recently, he was calling him "that guy" without even knowing his name. 5 narration: Sure enough... narration: It's kinda strange, hm... 6 7 --------------------------------------------------- p 14 1 Ginta: Need a hand? Miki: Ginta! Thank you. 2 Ginta: It's pretty windy today, huh. Miki: Yeah. It makes it hard, hm. The ball drifts. 3 Miki: But, I win a lot of matches on windy days! Instead, it seems I can concentrate on my service. And lately... 4 5 Miki: ...? What is it? You're smiling. 6 Ginta: Yeah... 7 Ginta: When you were thrown into confusion over Meiko and Natchan you were depressed a-a-all the time. But I couldn't do anything... --------------------------------------------------- p 15 1 Ginta: Of course, for Meiko... But for you, too, Miki. Ginta: I'm really glad you're feeling fine! 2 narration: Ginta... 3 Ginta: Huh? Where's your racket, Miki? Miki: Ah! I left it in the clubroom. ===Sidebar=== FREE TALK (2): At the time this was turned into an anime, the editor-in-chief told me to "think of it as having given away a daughter in marriage," and so I thought that it'd be best not to say anything and leave everything to the (anime) staff, but the producer, Seki-san, kindly remarked to me that he "wants to create something as close to the original author's intent as possible," and listened kindly to several of my opinions beforehand. For example, concerning the voice actors (for several main characters), he kindly let me listen to the audition tape, and listened politely to me, like "for candidates, I'm considering this person, or this person, but what do you think?" He also let me listen to a tape of proposed music for the theme song, insert songs, and closing song... And in regards to the script, too, he let me read the final manuscript before it's done. I'm really happy about the various considerations shown me. Oh, that's right. He also listened to my hopes for the hair colors of the main characters. --------------------------------------------------- p 16 1 Ginta: I'll carry the balls for you, so hurry and get it. Miki: Sorry... Ginta: It's okay. 2 3 narration: Thank you, Ginta. narration: You're always looking out for me, with kindness. narration: I really like you a lot... narration: But... Because of the incident with Meiko and Natchan... narration: ...there's one thing I've learned. --------------------------------------------------- p 17 1 narration: I have to hurry and tell Ginta like I should... 2 3 4 Miki FX: 5 Miki: (What the heck am I hiding for...?) Miwa: Yuu... 6 Miwa: I promised to show you the book, right? Miwa: Why don't you come over to my place next Sunday or so? --------------------------------------------------- p 18 1 2 Yuu: Wait for me a bit longer... Yuu: I still... Can't bring up the courage. 3 narration: Huh? 4 Yuu: Right now, just doing this, and getting to where I can speak with you, Satoshi-san, is enough for me. narration: HUH? Yuu: I need... A little more time. narration: HUH? 5 Miwa: I understand. Miwa: There's no rush. It's okay with me any time, so when you decide, tell me. narration: HUH-H-H? --------------------------------------------------- p 19 1 Miwa: Well, shall we go home? Yuu: Yeah. 2 Miki FX: 3 narration: Wha... Wha-- narration: What was that conversation just now? narration: Like last night's drama... 4 Miki: (Can't be.) Miki: (Can those two really be...?!) Miki: Th-- This is no joke...! --------------------------------------------------- p 20 1 2 boy 1: It's finally come. The marathon. crowd FX: girl 1: Ohh no-o-o. boy 2: Why don't we just bail out in the middle? crowd FX: 3 Miki: Miwa-san! 4 Miki FX: Miki: I'm Koishikawa Miki, from 2-B. I have a request... 5 Miwa: Ahh... You're the one who shares the same house with Yuu! I've heard several things from him about you. A request, you say? Miki: Have a contest with me, please! 6 Miwa: Huh? --------------------------------------------------- p 21 1 Miki: Please compete with me in the marathon today to see which of us finishes ahead of the other! Miwa: Ehh...? But... The distances for men and women are diff... Miki: I'll run the men's course! 2 Miki: If I win... Please promise me you won't touch Yuu!! 3 4 Miki: Miwa: ......... Hmm... ===Sidebar=== FREE TALK (3): In regards to the anime character designs, I was thinking (it's okay if they don't look similar; I just want them done cute...), but Umakoshi-san, the art production supervisor, took great care to make sure that the drawing comes close to the original work, so I'm very happy. He's using the same clothing, just as I drew it. (Though, perhaps, since they'll be colored, they'll turn out a bit flashier than the image of the original work) and the background art design is terrific, too. They're devoting a lot of detail to the school's design. There's a cafeteria and a fountain, and it's so cool. Chida-san, the art designer, is doing his best for us. Seeing the character plans that are being sent out bit by bit has been a real pleasure. --------------------------------------------------- p 22 1 Miwa: Then... Miwa: If I win, it's all right to touch him? 2 3 Miki: Huh!?! No... That's... Miwa: Okay, you're on! Let's have a contest. I won't make any allowances just because you're a girl. Then, see you later, hey? 4 Miki: Mi--! Miwa-san! Wait a sec! ...... 5 narration: Oh no... It's turned out worse. narration: If I lose, all I meant for him to do was not promise a thing! --------------------------------------------------- p 23 1 narration: If this is the case, then... narration: Even if I die, I can't lose!! starter: All ri-i-ight... starter's pistol FX: 2 crowd FX: 3 4 Yuu: Hi! Isn't Miki with you? 5 Meiko: She's gone somewhere. I wonder if she might be further out in front. Because of her club activities, Miki's used to running... 6 Yuu: Hmm... --------------------------------------------------- p 24 1 Miwa/Miki footstrides FX: 2 3 Miwa: You're pretty good to be able to follow me at this pace. 4 Miki: Please don't scoff at an active member of an athletic team. Miki: Considering you're in a non-athletic club, you're doing pretty well, hm. 5 Miwa: Until I began being active in the student assembly, I was on the basketball team... So I have confidence in my physical abilities. Miki: But you haven't had much exercise lately, right? If you run too hard, you'll be suffering from muscle aches tomorrow. 6 Miwa FX: --------------------------------------------------- p 25 1 Miwa: Well then... Let's get serious! Miwa FX: 2 Miki strides FX: 3 Miwa strides FX: 4 Miki strides FX: 5 Miwa/Miki FX: Miwa: (S-so stubborn...) 6 narration: P--! Pai-i-in... I feel like dying already... Miki FX: narration: B--! But I definitely can't lose...! --------------------------------------------------- p 26 1 Miwa: Your face looks pale, Koishikawa!! Don't overwork yourself. Give up alrea... Miki FX: Miki: I'm perfectly fine! Aren't YOU the one who's exhausted, Miwa-san?! 2 Miki: Then, I'll go on ahead! Miki running FX: Miwa: AH! 3 Miwa: Wait! You jer-r-rk!! Miwa/Miki strides FX: 4 boy 3: What's with those guys...? boy 4: Aren't they mistaking this for the 100-meter dash? --------------------------------------------------- p 27 1 Miwa/Miki FX: 2 Miwa: Koishikawa... Slow the pace down a bit! Miwa: At this rate, we won't last till the fin-- Miki: W-- Miki: Well... Miwa/Miki FX: 3 Miwa: (Maybe, we're in the lead? ) narration: Jeez... I'd planned to stick to my pace and finish decently, but why am I looking like this...? Miwa FX: 4 Miwa: (It's her fault. Hers!! I'll tease her a bit.) Miwa: Hey. 5 Miwa: I'll say it right now... No matter how much you try to pull Yuu and me apart, it's useless. --------------------------------------------------- p 28 1 Miwa: Because we have such a dee-e-eep relationship that you can't come between us. Miki blush FX: Miki: Wha--! 2 Miki: What are you saying? Quit joking! Why does Yuu have to have a deep relationship with some guy? Miki: I'll never allow anything like tha-- 3 Miki FX: 4 Miwa: Ahh-ah... Miwa: You're not paying attention to what's in front of you. --------------------------------------------------- p 29 1 Miwa: The light pole isn't hurt! Ahh, that's good. Miwa: It would be awful if you'd damaged public property... 2 3 Miwa: This is no time to be joking... Hey, Koishikawa! Miki head FX: Miwa: Pull yourself together! Hey! 4 Miki: Hm... 5 Meiko: Miki! I'm so glad! You came to. 6 Meiko: Well, I'll go get the teacher! Yuu: Yeah. Miki: ......... Is this the health room? I... --------------------------------------------------- p 30 1 Yuu: You crashed into a light pole and fainted. Satoshi-san carried you on his back to the midpoint, where a teacher was stationed to watch! Thank him properly later on! Yuu: And the teacher, too, who gave us a ride. 2 Miki: ......... Miki: Geh. 3 Yuu: I heard you were running the guy's course, competing against Satoshi-san? Why did you do something like that? Miki: Huh?! I mean... That's, umm... 4 Miki: AH! 5 narration: The health room... narration: Alone with Yuu... Miki: (Th--! This situation is...!! ) 6 7 Miki: (Ohhhh god! I just remembered!) Miki FX: --------------------------------------------------- p 31 1 narration: Stupid, stupid. Mustn't blush. Miki blush FX: narration: Yuu will notice! 2 3 Yuu: Come to think of it... Now I remember... Miki heartbeat FX: 4 Miki: Wha--! Wha-wha-wha... What is it? Miki heartbeat FX: 5 Yuu: You're pretending not to know again... Yuu: ...I'm sure. --------------------------------------------------- p 32 1 Yuu: Maybe I'll do it again. Miki: !! 2 Miki: W--! Yuu! Miki: Quit jo... 3 Yuu: It's too late to feel embarrassed now. Miki: OHHHH GOD... Don't get on the bed! 4 Miki: (Th--! This guy!) Miki: (What is he thinki-i-ing?) --------------------------------------------------- p 33 1 Miwa: What are you doing? 2 Yuu: Satoshi-san! Ohh, I was just joking around a bit. Miwa: What would you have done if the teacher had come? 3 Miki: (Joking around?! A bit?!) Miki: You jer-r-rk. 4 Miwa: Yup. Your cheeks look rosy, too... So you're okay now, hm? Miwa: I'm glad. 5 Miki: (Maybe he's a nice person.) Miki: Umm... I'm very sorry. I've caused you a lot of trouble... 6 Miwa: It re-e-eally was trouble. You're heavy and I thought my arms would snap. Miki FX: Miki: (I withdraw my previous remark.) 7 Miwa: By the way... You remember our promise, right? Miki: Huh?! --------------------------------------------------- p 34 1 Miwa: I ran the whole race. You dropped out partway. Miwa: In other words... I win the contest. 2 Miki: I forgot... 3 Miwa: Come, Yuu. Let's go home! I've openly received your family's permission, too... Yuu: Eh? 4 Miki: Wa...Wait. That's... Wait...! Yuu: But, Miki's... Miwa: ...just fine. 'Cause she's tough. Yuu: That's true, but... 5 Miwa: Well, take care of yourself. 6 door FX: 7 --------------------------------------------------- p 35 1 Miwa: That girl. She really does have a simple personality. 2 Miwa: Just like you said... It's fun to tease her. Yuu: Hmm. 3 4 Miwa: For some reason, you aren't pleased, hm. Are you saying that teasing her is just your privilege? 5 Yuu: ......... Not really. --------------------------------------------------- p 36 1 Yuu: I said not really, didn't I?! Stop grinning! 2 sign: Health Room 3 4 narration: I'LL RESCUE YUU FROM THAT GUY'S EVIL INFLUENCE... narration: ABSOLUTELY!! 5 Miki FX: Miki: NO WA-A-AY I'M LOSING!! 6 caption with arrow pointing at woman: Nurse ---> nurse: Strange, her blood pressure is high... report: Clinical record Meiko: Let's let her lie quietly for a little while more. --------------------------------------------------- -------------------End of Chapter------------------ --------------------------------------------------- Scorecard: Miki <---> Yuu <--- Satoshi (Miwa) ^ ^ | | v | Ginta <-?-> Arimi Meiko <-/-> Natchan ^ | | Tsutomu Rumi <---> Youji (Rokutanda) ^ ^ | | v v Jin <---> Chiyako ---------------------------------------------------