Originally posted @ tatsukida.pitas.com on December 20, 2012
Cover page: “From deep within the heart, the
tightly locked [door to the] truth gradually opens..” Narration: “My
earliest memory dates back to the winter when I was three years old.”
Outside the apartment, a boy is happily laughing outside with his
mother. Inside the house, young Iriya hears the laughs. Narration: “At
that time, what I only remember is the feeling of an empty stomach,
feeling cold, and the sound of the television.” On the television, it is
a show of the rabbit mascot. Wearing an ill-fitting shirt, Iriya stands
up and calls out to his long haired mother who is watching the
television. “Mama, I’m hungry..” Narration: “[And], a mother who throws
an annoyed[/impatient] look towards me.” His mother tells him that there
is something at the cabinet and surely he can do that little thing by
himself. Iriya takes a stool and pushes it by the cabinet. He stands up
on the stool and tries to reach up the cabinet. He finally sees a small
[easy to open] tin can. He takes the can and calls out to his mother.
His mother takes the can and opens it. Then, she gives it back to happy
Iriya who gobbles up the food. Putting on her coat, his mother tells him
that she’ll be out for a bit so he be good and stay at home. Iriya
mutters that he’ll be good and stay.. Narration: “A young mother. Even
if she doesn’t use violence towards me, but she would usually not come
home for consecutive days and just occasionally return home to give me
some food to eat. What she is doing is like I do not exist.” The scene
changes to Iriya watching the television about a zoo wherein one can
touch the animals, and right now, the most popular one is Mr. Rabbit.
The announcer exclaims, “Ah, he’s very cute~~” After watching him,
Iriya’s mother asks if he likes the rabbit. Iriya turns around and says
yes for the rabbit is very cute. His mother says ya. She smiles and
says, “Did you know? If it is too lonely, the rabbit will die. So, if it
turns into human, we don’t know what will happen to it. *looks at
Iriya* ..Such a strange kid. What are you smiling for?” Narration: “It
doesn’t matter what the details[/content of what she said] is, it has
already been such a long time that I haven’t seem my mother smile like
this and talked with me. It’s alright. Mama still likes me very much.”
Soon, it is around July-August according to the calendar. The house is
really dirty and Iriya is lying down on the floor. He is breathing hard
and thinks that it is too hot. “Mama still hasn’t come back. *crawls to
the door* I’m so hungry. I already couldn’t just depend on water. But..
Mama said that I can’t go out on my own. If I don’t listen to mama, I’ll
be hated. I want to become an obedient[/good] child. *crawls to the
cabinets* Is there something.. that can be eaten.. *finds a plastic bag
with a carrot* Carrot.. *nibbles on the carrot* I’m like a rabbit. Mama,
could it be because she hates me that she won’t come back. *drops the
carrot and falls on the floor* She said that a rabbit can die from being
too lonely. *cries* But whether it is because of loneliness or hunger, I
will die in the end.”
Later on, the landlord with policeman Ken calls out to Miss Iriya.
While Ken opens the door, the landlord tells him that Miss Iriya has
delayed paying the rent for half a year already and he finds this a bit
strange. Ken says that they are coming in.. Then, the two are surprised
to see a boy lying down on the floor. “There’s a child..!” “Are you
okay? Hey!?” “Ah, it seems he has a high fever. Call the ambulance!!”
Soon, Ken puts Iriya into the ambulance and Iriya is confined in the
hospital. Narration: “Like that, when I still totally don’t understand
what the adults are saying, I was brought outside.” An older policeman
in plain clothes asks Ken if the parents are still not found. Ken says
yes, the [rent] contract is under someone else’s name and they couldn’t
contact the guardian[/guarantor]’s address. The older policeman says
that upon being discharged from the hospital, they’ll just temporarily
put the child in the orphanage[/welfare center]. Another officer says
that because of other things, he went there once and it seems that
lately, those places are already full. Ken offers to let the boy stay at
his house. They ask him if it is alright. Ken says that his mother used
to work at the orphanage and it should be okay for him to stay at his
place until they found a guardian. There is also his nephew there who is
about the boy’s age. Holding a soccer ball, Yusa holds out his hand and
shouts, “Call me Issei!! Let’s properly get along!!” While Ken smiles
at them, Iriya greets Yusa back and introduces himself. Yusa slyly
smiles and thinks that it is like having a younger brother. Narration:
“The things that follow in the outside world were a shock to me. It
turns out that in other people’s houses, you can eat everyday this
kind[/much] food. *While Yusa wolfs down his food, Iriya look surprised
over his food which consisted of rice, soup, fish[?], and pickled
vegetables* I can take a bath everyday. *While taking a bath, Yusa
washes and plays with Iriya’s hair* And wear clean clothes. *cabinet
with clothes*” Later on, a couple arrives at the house. The woman
shouts, “Shun-kun!!” She hugs Iriya and apologizes for coming late.
Iriya wonders who these people are but this woman smells fragrant. The
woman says that she is his aunt. She’s the older sister of his mother.
While Ken pats Yusa’s head, Yusa tearfully asks if Iriya is leaving. The
aunt hugs Iriya again and says, “But, from today on, auntie and uncle
are your parents, Shun-kun. So, there’s no need for you to be worried
again. Iriya thinks that these people are his..?
They bring him to a huge house and say that it is now his new house.
His aunt tells him to go in and here, he can totally do what he wants
[/don’t have any misgivings]. Iriya thinks that it is a spacious
beautiful house, the food is piping hot, and the quilt is quite soft.
Narration: “-It all made me dumbstruck. Then, until now, what is that
thing that I’ve considered as love? I cannot make them hate me. I must
make them like me. I won’t make them bring me back to that house.” While
Iriya’s aunt prepares some coffee to a stern looking glasses woman, the
woman asks the aunt if she properly thought of it, suddenly wanting to
adopt a child with an unknown background. “If it becomes troublesome, I
won’t care even if you run crying to me.” Iriya comes out and greets his
grandmother. [/aunt <- the other translation has Iriya saying ‘aunt’
so maybe the woman is a friend] He bows and introduces himself. He also
politely says that he’ll be under her care [/yoroshiku] from today on.
The grandmother is surprised by that. Narration: “Fortunately, my
ability to ‘grasp the situation’[/observe people] is quite good compared
to ordinary people. Being too nice makes people worried. *Iriya
overhears his mother telling her husband that Iriya doesn’t let her
spoil him[/demands anything]* If it’s too perfect, it will make people
hate me. *kids are saying that it is a test problem that no one can
understand but Iriya got a perfect score* Appropriately, make others see
one’s insuffiency[/also make some mistakes that would make others not
too disappointed] *teacher scolding Iriya and friends for playing soccer
at the hallway which caused the window to break* I’m striving hard in
order to become someone who is worthy of being liked by many people. The
most important thing is—[/rather than] *at the sports festival, some
girls are gossiping that it is that boy whom they heard was pitiful
before.. Iriya looks at them and smiles. They blush and say that he’s
handsome* drawing the sympathy of people who would secretly gossip
behind my back. It’s good that I make them comrades [/stand at my side]
for this is more effective. The only thing that I’m thankful of that
person is that, she gave me this kind of face.” At the library, a girl
asks Iriya if they can go steady. Iriya thinks that going steady means
being a lover. Narration: “The first time I’ve been confessed to, my
heart feels somewhat incredible for the one I made happy is a cheerful
and nice girl. *To the girl’s delight, Iriya says okay.* I’ll definitely
properly cherish. I definitely can also be like everyone[/ordinary
people] in attaining happiness, but..” The girl tells surprised Iriya
that his kindness makes her feel that it is a sham. “I’m sorry, let’s
break up.” Narration: “At first, I totally didn’t quite understand it.”
Iriya thinks that maybe it is a problem of being headstrong[/fate] and
it is also the first time he went steady with someone. Narration: “But,
the number of going steady continues to increase--” A girl told him that
it doesn’t seem different from being friends. Another girl shouted that
she had enough for she already told him that he’s not allowed to be so
nice with other girls.
At the playground, dyed blond Yusa asks if he broke up again and
didn’t he say to her that they are going on a date today. “Let- me say-
you treat girls too nicely. The other party would definitely
misunderstand. Using that face and smiling at them- Although it is very
pitiful to be dumped, but why don’t you be a bit cold[/indifferent] in
order not to give them an opportunity[/idea] to confess.” Iriya retorts
back, “How is that possible.. I have no way of treating other people
coldly.” Yusa asks why when it is obviously very easy. Iriya says,
“Because--” Then, he looks surprised. Narration: “Because treating other
people nicely isn’t at all, for them to like me, rather, I’m afraid
that they’ll hate me. Ah, ah..so that’s it. *recalls that girl saying
that his kindness is a sham* I finally understand. I think I don’t know
what is ‘because of like[/love], that I want to properly cherish [her
feelings]’. I couldn’t erase [/it never disappeared] that fear.” Yusa is
surprised when Iriya says he knows..he won’t go steady again with
anyone. Yusa somewhat pouts and thinks that isn’t exactly what he meant.
Narration: “From the start, I don’t have any right[/qualification] to
like others. *fixing his necktie to go to high school* Three years in
this place had peacefully passed by. At least, I have to get in the
college that my parents expect me to go. Do my very best and bring out
one’s good side[/strive hard in pretending to be sincere]--” Makoto
tearfully declares that only wanting to become cute, girls would become
strong!! Iriya thinks that she seems to be a clumsy[/stupid] girl. After
looking surprised, he smiles. Narration: “Perhaps, it is true.. this is
a side that is similar to me. Wanting other people’s approval. Doing
one’s best to strive hard in wanting to be loved by everyone and be
worried about this. –wrong? Wait a minute, this girl even if I ought to
say clumsy[/stupid] or she’s only a bit clumsy.. *Makoto always falling
down and making mistakes* that it can be an obstruction for her to keep
on living [/dangerous to her life] but.. *Scene 1: Uki scolds Makoto and
she apologizes. Scene 2: Makoto thanking Nanami for teaching her how to
make a cake. Scene 3: Makoto happily laughing with her friends.* ..even
if she has no way of being perfect[/doing things right], it is also
alright. Isn’t it good to maintain one’s true self, and believe a bit in
the people around you. At least, this girl-- *Makoto telling him that
she likes him. He looks at her and stretches out his hand* If I stretch
out my hand once again, is it allowed[/will I be forgiven]? Even if, as a
result, it will hurt me and[/or] the other person.”
Side Story 4: Morinaga Uki Narration: “She’s obviously quite
cute when she didn’t say a word. I have already heard people say things
like that so many times. Morinaga Uki. 10 years old. Saying the truth is
good.” A mother is telling her neighbors that from the start, she had
two sons and finally, she gave birth to a girl. She is so happy about it
because she obviously anticipated to make her wear cute clothes, and
cook together with her, but from start to end, it isn’t as she wished..
Long haired Uki calls out to her mother and says that she’s leaving. In
grade 5-2 classroom, one ponytailed girl tells the students that they’ve
decide to hold an all-female Snow White play during the academic year’s
general assembly. She asks if everyone had already drawn their lots as
to what role they’ll play. She asks those who pulled out Snow White and
Prince’s roles to raise their hands. Uki says that she got Snow White.
The others scream that it suits her. And, who got the Prince..? To their
shock, Makoto timidly says that she got that one. The other girls
exclaim in disbelief that Makoto starts to apologize for the mood became
bad. They start complaining if Makoto can act well, but it isn’t fair
to exchange roles, and who’s idea is it for them to draw lots. Just when
a girl is already saying that it will be Makoto’s fault if the play
fails, Uki goes in front of Makoto and shouts for them not to say that.
“We obviously haven’t started practicing yet, so how can you even know,
okay! *Makoto tearfully calls her name* Stu-pid, would you please stop
crying!” Makoto nervously says yes. The other girls leave and complain
that it is cunning that Uki is protecting Makoto and why is she
protecting that ordinary girl, is it because she is Rika’s younger
sister. The bell rings. The homeroom teacher asks if they had finished
the consultation and gambatte. Uki just glances at Makoto. In her house,
Uki’s mother is quite happy that Uki is going to play Snow White. She
asks if she can go and watch her. Reading her script, Uki says no for
that day isn’t a visiting day. While her brother is telling their mother
to cook already, their mother asks who is playing the prince. Uki says
that since it is an all-female play, so it is a girl named Kisaragi who
is playing it. Her mother asks isn’t that girl’s older sister a very
beautiful famous person. Uki lamely says ya, ya. Her mother asks what
kind of girl is she, is she cute? This made Uki wonder what kind of girl
is Makoto..
One pony-tailed girl shouts at Makoto that her voice is too soft.
Makoto apologizes. The one ponytailed girl wanted to re-do that scene
just now and scolds Makoto that if she doesn’t perform well, everyone
will be troubled. Uki looks at Makoto and thinks, “Kisaragi Makoto, I
always feel that she is timid no matter she does. And, she also doesn’t
attract any attention.” Later on, at their house, Uki’s mother sees Uki
wearing her shoes. She asks Uki if she is already going. Uki says that
it is because she still has to practice for the general assembly. Her
mother tells her to wait a minute, let her properly fix her hair first.
Uki tells her to forget about today, since she will be late. Her mother
shouts no, that is her only happiness. Uki wonders what that is. She
shouts that she’s going and quickly runs away. Her mother can only
helplessly call her to stop and don’t run away. Uki arrives early in
school because she ran. Just when she is thinking that no one is there
yet, she sees Makoto inside the room practicing her lines. Uki calls out
to her and tells her that she’ll help her practice by acting the dwarf.
Makoto thanks her. Naration: “I don’t hate her, this kind of person, at
all.” One ponytailed girl and friend see this and they look displeased.
Soon, the practice went well. Uki praises Makoto for doing well. Makoto
says is that so. Uki says that is the result of their practice and
everyone should also.. With folded arms, one ponytailed girl asks if it
is really like that for in the end, Makoto is too short and she’s
shaking in fear while acting. She totally doesn’t look like a prince.
Uki protests that now, she is saying about being too short.. One
ponytailed girl’s friend adds that if Makoto doesn’t look like a prince,
she doesn’t look like one. One ponytailed girl says that if this keeps
up, the play would fail. “How about this! Kisaragi-chan, how about you
cut your hair?” This surprises Makoto that she says that this is a bit..
Holding a pair of scissors, one ponytailed girl shouts that if her hair
is short, she’ll definitely look like a prince. “Come, let me cut it!”
Makoto exclaims that won’t a wig do? One ponytailed girl says that they
are already performing tomorrow and since they are in a rush, there’s no
way they can prepare that. She adds that they are only going to perform
once for the audience’ enjoyment so this is a very important
responsibility. Makoto nervously says no. Uki tells them to quickly stop
that but the one ponytailed girl’s friend tells her not to protect
Makoto. While one ponytailed girl continues to force Makoto to cut her
hair, Uki gets angry that she grabs the scissors from the one ponytailed
girl and cuts off her own hair. Everyone is shock. Dropping her cut
hair towards one ponytailed girl and friend, Uki says, “I’ll play the
prince. Like this, you guys have no more objections, right?” One
ponytailed girl screams and shouts hair. Makoto collapses and faints.
Narration: “Kisaragi fainted on the spot. In the end, she is absent
during the general assembly day. *Makoto had a fever so she slept
through the day* By the way, the stage play is a success, and no wonder
it’s me[/I’m good].” As a prince, Uki poses and says that ‘he’ heard
that there is a sleeping princess here. The female audience is screaming
over how cool Uki is. Narration: “Although, mama cried. *Uki’s mother
laments over the only thing that is female about Uki and her only
happiness is gone.* But, for me, it is totally okay. And later on..” At
the shoe lockers, Makoto calls out to Uki. Uki asks if she is feeling
well now. Holding a small package, Makoto tells her that this is a hair
clip. It is a hair clip that she chose that can worn with short
hairstyle. Taking the package, smiling Uki flicks Makoto’s forehead and
thanks her. Makoto thinks that she is like a prince. After half a year,
Uki would say, “Ah, that hair clip? Even if I put it in my bag but I
don’t know where it went. So-rry.” Makoto can only tearfully says
Uki-chan but then, no matter what, she still like [her?].. And, that’s
it.
PS. I’m using two Chinese scanlations so in
parts where it is different, I’ve added how the other translated it in
the [/..]. Scans by all★wink汉化组
