From: IN%"deloura@noaapmel.gov" 8-AUG-1993 21:13:10.53 To: IN%"rec-arts-manga@darwin.sura.net" CC: Subj: TRANSLATION: Hime-Chan's Ribbon, Volume 1, Part 2 (pgs 45-81) Return-path: Received: from darwin.sura.net by delphi.com (PMDF V4.2-11 #4520) id <01H1IMA7IOR48WW98F@delphi.com>; Sun, 8 Aug 1993 21:12:52 EDT Received: from noc.sura.net by darwin.sura.net with SMTP for vickiewest@delphi.com (5.65b/(SURAnet $Revision: 1.29 $)) id AA23978; Sun, 8 Aug 93 21:07:20 -0400 Received: from darwin.sura.net by noc.sura.net with SMTP for rec-arts-manga-list@darwin.sura.net (5.65b/(SURAnet $Revision: 1.29 $)) id AA26090; Sun, 8 Aug 93 21:07:18 -0400 Received: (via convertnews2mail $Revision: 1.7 $) by darwin.sura.net (from rec.arts.manga) ID ; Sun, 8 Aug 1993 21:07:12 -0400 Date: Sun, 08 Aug 1993 18:06:29 +0000 From: deloura@noaapmel.gov (Robert DeLoura) Subject: TRANSLATION: Hime-Chan's Ribbon, Volume 1, Part 2 (pgs 45-81) Sender: root@darwin.sura.net To: rec-arts-manga@darwin.sura.net Message-id: Organization: NOAA/PMEL, Sand Point Way, Seattle, WA Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Lines: 935 Distribution: world Here's the rather belated translation for the 2nd part of "Hime-Chan's Ribbon" (or "Hime-Chan no RIBON", if you're a stickler for correct titles). If you take the time to read this posting, even if you don't use it to understand the manga, could you please send me an email message? Part of the reason this second section took so long is because I only got 2 or 3 responses to the first part. Maybe this is because nobody reads "Hime-Chan's Ribbon". Maybe not. But if I can just count email messages to see if people are reading the translations, that'll at least give me an idea whether it's worth continuing or not. A big, big, "THANK YOU!" to Hitoshi Doi, who pointed out several spots where I was completely wrong in my translation attempts in this part. As always, without his help, I'd be in big trouble trying to translate things. So, without further ado.... (and if you read past this point, send me email!!) ---- Robert DeLoura deloura@noaapmel.gov ============================================================================== = Hime-chan's Ribbon, Volume 1, Part 2 English translation by Robert DeLoura (deloura@noaapmel.gov) Assistance on the tough lines by Hitoshi Doi :-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - {NOTE: I use curly-braces around any editorial comments I make. } {This manga uses a lot of small text, written outside of speech bubbles. } {I do my best to guess whether they're just saying it quietly, or thinking } {it to themselves, and mark it [quietly] or [thinking], accordingly. } {'(Author):' indicates a comment the author made along the outer edges of } {a frame in the manga. Remember that asterisks around a person's name } {means that it's really Himeko transformed into that person. } (Page 45) *Aiko* is standing in the park with Hasekura-sempai, shocked at what she's just heard. Hasekura: [flashback] I'm in love with you. *Aiko* continues to stand there, stunned. Suddenly, a beeping noise starts. *Aiko*: [thinking] Eh!? *Aiko* realizes it's the pendant, warning her that only three minutes remain before she must return to her normal form. *Aiko*: Aaah!! The pendant!! (Page 47) *Aiko*: [thinking] Thi... this is the warning that I need to hurry up and turn back, isn't it! *Aiko*: Um...!! *Aiko* starts running off, as her pendant makes small 'piko piko' sounds. *Aiko*: I'm sorry, but there's something very important I need to do. Off I go!! Hasekura: But... Hasekura, depressed at *Aiko*'s rejection, watches sadly as she runs off. (Page 48) Meanwhile, *Aiko* is looking around, desperately, as the pendant continues to make quiet 'piko piko' sounds. *Aiko*: [thinking] A mirror!! A mirror!! Where can I find a mirror where nobody will see me!? Suddenly, the pendant gets louder, making 'Pikkon Pikkon' sounds. *Aiko*: Ack! It's getting louder!! *Aiko*: [thinking] I wonder what will happen if I don't turn back in time? Fortunately, she spots a women's bathroom just ahead. *Aiko*: Ah!! *Aiko* rushes into the bathroom, which just happens to be empty. *Aiko*: [thinking] Saved!! Panting, she stands in front of the mirror and tries to compose herself. *Aiko*: Uh... um... It was... the magic words in reverse... wasn't it? *Aiko*: PARARERU... in reverse, is, um... RU... RERA.... RERURAPA!! That decided, she crosses her hands in front of her face and recites the magic words.... *Aiko*: RERURAPA RERURAPA, return to my normal form!! (Page 49) Then she pulls her hands away from her face, to discover that... she's still transformed into Aiko. *Aiko*: No way!! I didn't turn back!! Why!? Panic sets in as the pendant gets even louder, making 'BIKKON BIKKON' noises which indicate that only one minute remains. *Aiko*: Aaaah! It's gotten louder again!! *Aiko*: One more time!! RERURAPA RERURAPA, return to my normal form!! But it still doesn't work. *Aiko* starts to cry, and worries that she may have been tricked by Erika. *Aiko*: [whining] I didn't turn back! Why?! Waaaah! You liar, Erika! (Page 50) Suddenly, a voice calls out from behind her, interrupting her crying session. Voice: PARARERU backwards is *RU*RE*RAPA! *Aiko* turns around, and sees Pokota (out of breath) standing at the entrance to the bathroom. *Aiko*: Pokota.... Pokota snaps her out of it before it's too late. Pokota: Come on!! Hurry up and say the magic words!! Now!! *Aiko*: Oh, right! Ok!! *Aiko* faces the mirror again, and crosses her hands in front of her face. *Aiko*: RURERAPA RURERAPA, return to my normal form!! (Page 51) A little later, Himeko and Pokota are back in Hime-chan's room. Pokota: [irritated] Hmph. Pokota: What's with you? Are you out of your mind?! Himeko: Sorry.... Pokota remembers running down the street to find Hime-chan. Pokota: It's a good thing I got worried and came looking for you! Woman: [sees Pokota running by] Oh, is that a cat? Pokota: If I hadn't been there,, what would have happened?! Pokota unfurls a scroll and shows it to Hime-chan. Pokota: Erika put some rules on here. Read them until you have them memorized! Scroll: * You can only transform while wearing the ribbon. * You can only transform into people from the human world. * You can only transform for an hour at a time. * When you're transformed, the real person {that you're imitating} still exists. * When you're transformed, you cannot remove the pendant. Pokota: Read them aloud! (Page 52) Pokota: Furthermore, if you fail to return to your normal form within an hour, you will stay in that person's form FOREVER, so be careful! Himeko: [shocked] Is that so...!? [thinking] That was a pretty dangerous situation I was in.... Pokota rolls the scroll back up and gives it to Hime-chan. Pokota: Here, put this in your desk, where you can keep an eye on it. Himeko: Ok, but aren't you being a little patronizing? I didn't know you were like this, since I couldn't talk to you before. Pokota: Well, you see.... Pokota leaps up onto the desk in front of Hime-chan and continues to lecture her. Pokota: Hime-chan, you're wild, blundering, and careless. So I'll have to be firm with you. Himeko: [thinking] How rude! Pokota: Anyway, I.... Pokota: ...have been by your side ever since you were born. I know everything about you! Pokota: I remember when you got in a big fight with a boy, and came home with cuts all over... I know about that math test you scored 18% on and hid in your desk so nobody would see it... I know about the errand you were sent on, when you secretly bought ice-cream with the change and ate it... and I remember when you stayed up really late one night reading manga and ended up being late for school the next day. Himeko: AAAAAAAHHH!!!! (Page 53) Himeko has heard enough. Himeko: [thinking] Erika...! Why did you pick this... *THING*!? Pokota remembers one more thing. Pokota: Oh, that's right!! I remember that you were so excited the first day you talked to Hasekura-sempai that you couldn't fall asleep. Himeko: [surprised] Eh...? Pokota: You always acted overly-feminine when you talked about Hasekura-sempai. How disgusting. Himeko lets herself collapse back against the edge of her bed. Pokota: [confused] Hime-chan...? Himeko stares at the ceiling as she explains. Himeko: About sempai... there's someone he likes. My older sister Aiko.... (Page 54) Hime-chan remembers Hasekura-sempai's confession in the park.... Hasekura: [flashback] I'm in love with you. Himeko: ...It's obvious. Hime-chan lets a few tears slip out. Himeko: Boys... they only like feminine girls, right....? Himeko: They're not...interested in girls like me... the kind of girls that jump-kick guys... Himeko: I wish there was a ribbon that could transform my *heart*.... (Page 55) Pokota gets up on the bed and looks at the top of Hime-chan's head. (She's still leaning against the side of the bed.) Pokota: Hime-chan... I.... Pokota: I've seen a lot of things about you. The day you took your first step, The first time you laughed at me.... Pokota: But I've always known that you're really a very feminine girl. Pokota: When Erika chose me, a stuffed animal, it must have been because she felt that I could become your best friend. (Page 56) Pokota: It's been so hard, not being able to talk to you for the last 13 years. I really wanted to. Hime-chan looks at Pokota, and starts to smile. Himeko: .... Yeah.... (Page 57) Himeko: Me too!! Hime-chan and Pokota touch their 'fingers' together. Himeko: [thinking] We could become really good friends.... Himeko: Let's do the cheer once!! Hime-chan stands up and raises an arm in the air. Pokota does likewise. Himeko: There's no reason to be depressed! Hime & Poko: Ike Ike Go Go!! Hime & Poko: JUMP!! They jump in the air and fall to the ground with a loud *thump* a couple of times, irritating Himeko's parents downstairs. Voice: Hey! What time do you think it is, anyway!! Himeko! The next day, at school, Himeko is ready for her turn in gym class. Himeko: Number 45, Nonohara Himeko. Here I go!! (Page 58) Himeko leaps, and pushes herself over a 7-high gymnastics 'horse'. The class applauds. Student: Yay! Himeko and Manami are changing clothes after gym class. Manami: Wow, Hime-Chan! You cleared the 7th height with no problem! I can only do level 4. Himeko flashes the 'peace' sign. Himeko: Peace, peace. {Whatever that has to do with anything...} Himeko: "No matter what, full power, energy charged up, sales prospering, the strong prey upon the weak." {Hitoshi says she's quoting sayings. It's meaningless to me.} Manami: Anyway, what's with your sudden change in attitude? {It sounds more like something Icchan would say, but is drawn next to Manami. So it might actually be Icchan.} Manami: [pointing] Like that big ribbon. Himeko: Oh, this. Don't you think it looks good on me? Himeko: I was thinking I should try to be more feminine. Manami: Really...? Himeko grabs her Chibi Maruko-chan bag and kicks the door open on her way out. {Rather unfeminine behavior.} Himeko: Well, let's go off to our club meetings.... "Safety in the home, a happy husband and wife." {More confusing sayings.} Manami: .... Icchan: [quietly] WHERE is she feminine? Hm? (Page 59) Himeko slides open the door to the Drama Club and walks in. Himeko: 'ello! She sees Hasekura-sempai, and suddenly remembers his earlier confession. Boy: Hi. Huh? What's with that ribbon? Boy: Are you going to work at a gay bar? Himeko: [angrily] Who, me?! Hasekura-sempai defuses the situation. Hasekura: It's nice, isn't it? It looks good on you. Himeko: Sempai's so kind! Himeko basks in his compliment for a moment. Boy: Hey, don't overdo it, Hasekura. Hasekura calls the meeting to order. Hasekura: We're going to do the play "Yuuzuru" at the cultural festival. I thought we'd take care of casting today. Some students whisper to each other while Hasekura goes on. Student1: [quietly] Hm, does Hasekura-sempai seem a little 'down' to you ? Student2: [quietly] Yeah, you're right. I thought so too. Hasekura: First, there are two lead roles. Does anyone have any recommendations for them? (Page 60) Suddenly, Himeko realizes that she's not the only one who might be upset.... Himeko: [thinking] That's right!! I've only been seeing my own problems, but sempai thinks he's confessed his love to my sister!! Himeko: [thinking] He must have been shocked when I ran away from him like that!! Meanwhile, the casting is going on. Student: Yohyou should be Hasekura-kun! {The name 'Yohyou' is a best-guess. Neither of us know the play or the character.} The other students applaud the suggestion. Himeko: [thinking] I have to DO something!! Hasekura: Ok, next.... Back at home in her bedroom, Himeko tries to come up with a plan. Himeko: [thinking] I wonder where sis could know sempai from....? They go to different schools.... Comment: Aiko goes to the famous Seiran Girls School. Himeko goes to Aiko's room, to talk with her. Himeko: Sis, do you have a moment? (Page 61) Aiko is sitting at her desk working on something. Aiko: What's up? Himeko: Um... do you know a person named Hasekura? Aiko thinks for a moment. Aiko: Hasekura? Aiko: Hmm... no, I don't think so.... Aiko: What about this "Hasekura" person? Himeko: Um, er.... [thinking] Oh, she must just know his face. That's a problem . Himeko: [thinking] I don't have any pictures of Hasekura, or anything . Himeko holds up a sketch of Hasekura-sempai's face {looks nothing like him}, and looks embarrassed. Himeko: Um, I'm talking about a person like this. Aiko: I don't know him. Himeko takes a careful look at the drawing. Himeko: ...*I* don't know this person, either. Himeko: [thinking] *Now* what should I do....? The next day, Himeko is at school, sweeping the walkway outside. Himeko: [thinking] I can't bring up the subject again. If I say anything else about him, it'll look suspicious. (Page 62) Himeko: [thinking] Oh, why did something like this have to happen? Himeko hits herself in the head a few times. Himeko: [thinking] How stupid. A few floors above, Daichi and a classmate are doing some clean-up work. Daichi: Since it's so much trouble, let's just toss it out. Daichi: Nobody will find out. He throws a bucket of water out the window.... Student: Daichi! Look down!! ....dousing Himeko quite thoroughly. He looks down, and realizes what he's done. Daichi: Aaaah! Oh, no! The other student wants no part of this and turns around to walk off. Student: I didn't see a thing. Himeko, soaking wet, whirls about angrily and glares at the offending window. Just in time to see Daichi's back, as he quickly retreats. Himeko: [yelling] Kobayashi Daichi!! That was you, wasn't it!! You threw that water!! Daichi: [thinking, nervously] It's that boy from the other day. This is bad.... But why is he dressing up like a girl, with that ribbon? Student: Daichi! Move that desk! (Page 63) Himeko gets an idea. Himeko: Ah! [thinking] That's it!! Suddenly, the door to classroom 1-A slams open. Himeko has arrived. Himeko: [loudly] Kobayashi-kun!! Daichi turns around, and sees Himeko standing there, with an angry look on her face. Daichi: [thinking] He came. Daichi goes to the door to confront Himeko. Daichi: I don't have the money to get it {her uniform} cleaned. I make a point of not carrying spare cash around. Himeko: I'll overlook what has happened today, but in return.... (Page 64) Himeko: I have a favor to ask of you. Daichi: [confused] A favor? Himeko: Yes. Um.... The students see the two of them together, and start teasing. Student: Oooh! Hot stuff! Boy: What're the two of you doing together?! Girl: No! Daichi belongs to everyone! {So you can't have him.} Daichi: [to Himeko] ....Could we go somewhere else? Himeko: Yeah.... Daichi looks around nervously, as he tries to think of a quieter place to go. He heads over to the stairwell, which is partially blocked by a large sign. Daichi: [climbing the stairs] Come on. Sign: There is sometimes a monster beyond here. All you good kids should stay away. Himeko: Eh? But we're not supposed to be on the roof.... Daichi: Then who's going to see us? [quietly] Come on, I said! Himeko: Oh, that's true. They sit down at the top of the stairs and talk. Daichi: So... what's this "favor" you want? (Page 65) Daichi: Depending on what it is, I might listen to you. Himeko: [sarcasm] Oh, that's big of you. Himeko: Gimme your ear for a second. Daichi leans over to listen. Daichi: Hmm? Himeko: [whispering] Well, you see.... Himeko: [whispering] I want you to be a pervert. {'Chikan'. Person who fondles women on trains, etc.} Daichi: Really? You're surprisingly forward about this. Himeko, suddenly realizes she's used the wrong word, and gets quite embarrassed. Himeko: No!! I want you to be a flirt!! A FLIRT!! {'Nanpa'. The type of guy who'd walk up to an attractive (but unfamiliar) woman who seems to be alone, and say somethin g like 'Hey, baby, let's go have some tea together. I know this great place...Aw, c'mon!'} Daichi: Don't get so close to me, you smell like a wet rag. Himeko: Whose fault is that!? (Page 66) Later, Daichi is dressed up in flashy clothes, waiting for Himeko in the park. Himeko runs up to him. Himeko: Sorry!! Daichi: You're 15 minutes late!! Himeko: Sorry, I had to wait until Pokota took his nap.... Daichi: Pokota took his nap? {Fortunately, Daichi doesn't know who Pokota is, yet.} Himeko realizes she's goofed. Himeko: Uh, yeah, anyway, let's get on with what we discussed. They hide behind some bushes, and spy on Aiko. Aiko is sitting on the same stone bench that Himeko was sitting on earlier (when she met Hasekura in the park, transformed into Aiko). Himeko: That person with long hair is my sister. Daichi: Oh? Daichi: She's beautiful! Doesn't look a bit like you. Himeko: I thought you'd say something like that.... Daichi: But why is it so important that I 'come on' to your sister? Himeko certainly can't tell him the truth.... Himeko: Well, you promised not to ask. Daichi: [quietly] But I already agreed to do it.... Himeko slaps Daichi on the back to wish him good luck. Himeko: So, start in 10 minutes, OK? Keep going until someone tries to stop you. I'll be hiding over there. Good luck! (Page 67) Himeko heads for the nearest mirror. Himeko: [thinking] Ok... I'd better hurry up and transform. Himeko: [thinking] I've got to let sis know about sempai's feelings! I'll use this opportunity to set up the same situation. Himeko: [thinking] Pokota... I hope HE doesn't find out.... Himeko imagines what Pokota would say if he knew what she was planning.... Pokota: [imagined] Eh?! Pokota: [imagined] You're going to do THAT!? No way!! Pokota: [imagined] You'll just make things more complicated again! Don't do it! I forbid it!! Himeko: [thinking] But I can't think of any other way. And Daichi already promised to help.... Himeko: [thinking] Actually, I wanted to do this once. {Turning into Hasekura.} That might be my real reason. Sign: Bathroom. {Women's} Himeko goes into the bathroom, in search of a mirror. Fortunately, there's nobody else there. Himeko looks around quickly. Himeko: [thinking] Ok!! There's nobody else here!! (Page 68) Himeko stands nervously in front of the mirror, and starts to recite the magic words. Himeko: Parallel, Parallel... uh... Hasekura-sempai.... Embarrassed at the idea of turning into Hasekura-sempai, she whirls away from the mirror and hides her face in her hands. Himeko: Aaaah!! It's no use!! I can't do it!! (I'm too embarrassed.) Himeko: What'm I doing? I've got to hurry! Before someone else comes in!! Himeko steels herself and tries again, turning back to the mirror. She puts her hands in front of her face, and recites.... Himeko: Parallel, Parallel... Transform into Hasekura-sempai!! And in a flash of special effects... she turns into Hasekura-sempai. She looks in the mirror to make sure it really worked. {Remember that '*Hasekura*' means it's really Himeko, not Hasekura.} *Hasekura*: Oh.... (Page 69) *Hasekura*: What've I done? I'm really sempai! What kind of horrible thing.... {Just embarrassed.} My legs are trembling.... *Hasekura*: ...I can't help myself. *Hasekura*: I've got to do this! *Hasekura* hugs himself. *Hasekura*: Oh, I'm being so *silly*! (What a lech....) Some girls have come into the bathroom while *Hasekura* was otherwise occupied, however. They're quite disturbed to find a boy in there. Girls: Eeeeeek!! *Hasekura* quickly runs out of the bathroom. Girls: THAT person! That's the pervert! *Hasekura*: [thinking] Oops! I was still in the girls' bathroom! Meanwhile, back at the park, Aiko is impatiently waiting for Himeko to show up. {Himeko got Aiko to agree to meet her there at a certain time.} Aiko looks at her watch. Aiko: [thinking] My, Himeko seems to be late. Voice: Hey there, girl. Daichi has arrived on the scene, in his 'nanpa' roll. {To flirt with Aiko.} Daichi: Why don't we have a good time together? (Page 70) Aiko looks a little embarrassed. Aiko: Well, right now I'm waiting for my sister. Daichi: Oh!! Not THAT line again. That's so cold of you, baby. *Hasekura* is watching this from behind some bushes. *Hasekura*: [thinking] Hmmm, it's about time for me to come out. Daichi's pretty good at this. {flirting} *Hasekura*: [imagining] I'm in love with you. [thinking] I wonder how sis will react.... Aiko: [imagined] I'm very sorry. I don't feel that way. *Hasekura*: [thinking] That'd be pretty lucky for me if it happened. *Hasekura*: [thinking] Aaaah, why can't I give up on him more easily! Sempai prefers girls like my sister.... Aiko: [imagined] I'm so happy! I'm interested in you, too!! *Hasekura* imagines Hasekura-sempai and Aiko together, with wedding bells ringing in the background. *Hasekura*: [quietly] Ugh. *Hasekura*: [thinking] Oh, whatever happens, happens. *Hasekura* climbs out of the bushes and approaches Aiko and Daichi. *Hasekura*: [loudly, to Daichi] Hey, you! (Page 71) Daichi and Aiko watch *Hasekura* approach. *Hasekura*: [to Daichi] You're bothering her. Leave her alone! [thinking] Oh, sempai's voice! It's so cool.... Daichi remains unimpressed. Daichi: What's *your* problem? Daichi: After I've gone through all the trouble of trying to be nice to her, *you* aren't going to take her away from me. *Hasekura*: [thinking] Eh?? *Hasekura*: [thinking] What're you doing, Daichi!? Hurry up and leave! [aloud] Ta... take her away from you... I.... *Hasekura* uses the feminine form of 'I' here, and Daichi notices. Daichi: [surprised] *I*?! *Hasekura* makes up a hasty excuse, from the fact that 'I' and 'warm day' soun d a little alike in Japanese if you slur both the words. *Hasekura*: Uh, no... um... it's a very warm day, isn't it... today!! (Page 72) They all stand there in stunned silence for a moment. Daichi: [thinking] What a weirdo. Maybe he's homosexual...? *Hasekura* realizes he's blown it. *Hasekura*: [thinking] Th... this is bad. I'll just have to do it like this. *Hasekura*: [thinking] I'm desperate!! [loudly, to Aiko] I love you!! Daichi stands there looking awkward, while Aiko blushes and covers her mouth in surprise. *Hasekura*: [to Aiko] Um... you, I mean... *I* do.... [thinking] It feels weird saying this to my own sister. (Page 73) Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice calls out. Girl: Oniichan!! {'Brother'} Girl: What're you doing here? It's Hasekura-sempai's younger sister, come at a rather awkward time. *Hasekura*: [quietly] Eh? She grabs *Hasekura*'s arm. Sister: Let's walk back home together! It's my birthday today! *Hasekura*: [thinking] Se... sempai's little sister!? *Hasekura*: Uh, no... can't do that... your brother needs to go to the bookstore for a bit. Sister: Then Emi will come with you! *Hasekura*: [loudly and angrily] NO!!! Go home before me!! (Page 74) Emi starts crying loudly. Emi: That's mean! You're normally much nicer than that. You're really weird today! *Hasekura*: Ah, uh, er, hey.... *Hasekura*: I'm sorry. Let's go home, okay? Emi: Really!? *Hasekura* and Emi leave, heading for 'home'. Emi: Yay! Yay! *Hasekura*: [thinking] *Now* what...? Daichi decides that continued flirting would be a bad idea. Daichi: ...Well, I'm off. Aiko: Oh, okay. Daichi starts walking down the street, on his way home. He happens to live in the same direction that Hasekura and Emi do. Daichi: [thinking] I don't get it. Why was it so important for me to do that? Daichi: [thinking] And what happened to her {Himeko}, anyway? (Page 75) Emi and *Hasekura* are standing in front of the bookstore. Emi: Hey, will you promise to buy me a copy of "Ribbon" as a present? *Hasekura*: ...Another time, okay? Let's hurry home. Daichi sees the two of them. Daichi: [thinking] It's that weird guy from before. What a cheapskate . {'Ribbon' costs around 390 yen, just under $4. It's the magazine that Hime-Chan runs in, of course.} Daichi brushes past someone as he walks. Someone who looks familiar. He turns around to look. Daichi: [thinking] Eh!? It's Hasekura! {The real one.} Daichi sees both of them standing just a few feet apart from each other. Emi: Please buy it for me later. Promise! Daichi: [thinking] The same person... two of them!? (Page 76) Daichi looks back and forth between the two male Hasekuras. Daichi: [thinking] Just *what* is going on here!? Meanwhile, back in the Land of Magic, Erika has seen all of this. Erika: Oh, Himeko, what do you think you're doing? Erika: Hurry up and get away! What if you're discovered! The whole world will be in uproar! Hurry up and *do* something!! Erika can't take any more of it, and gets up to head to the Human World. Erika: I can't just *watch* this!! Voice: Miss Erika!! It's Erika's butler, Ren. Erika: Ren... Ren: Of course, you were not intending to go to the Human World, were you? (Page 77) Ren: During the year that you are undergoing diary training, you cannot go down to the Human World. Surely you haven't forgotten that rule. Erika: Uh, right! Of course I haven't, Ren.... Erika flops back down in her chair, with a sigh. Erika: The Land of Magic is certainly strict about things. Erika: It hasn't even been a week yet, and I'm already having second thought about this. {Lending the ribbon to Himeko.} Back in the Human World, Emi and *Hasekura* have made it home. Sign: Hasekura Emi: I'm home! They go inside, and meet Mrs. Hasekura. Mrs.Hasekura: [to Emi] Welcome home! Oh, Kouichi is with you, too? *Hasekura*: Um, yeah... I'm home. (Page 78) Mrs.Hasekura: There's some snacks for you. Emi: Yay! *Hasekura*: Um, I'm fine. Maybe later. [thinking] Maybe I can sneak out through the window in his room. *Hasekura* goes upstairs to Hasekura-sempai's room. He goes inside, and sighs . *Hasekura*: [quietly] I'm tired.... He looks around the room. *Hasekura*: [thinking] Wow, so this is sempai's room.... (Page 79) *Hasekura* looks around a bit more. *Hasekura*: [thinking] It was my dream to come here... I had no idea it would happen THIS way. *Hasekura*: [thinking] I didn't get to hear my sister's response, earlier... that's probably just as well.... *Hasekura* sits down in a corner of the room. *Hasekura*: [thinking] Why am I not the person sempai is in love with? Suddenly, a quiet 'piko piko' sound starts coming from the pendant. *Hasekura* leaps to his feet. *Hasekura*: [thinking] Ack! This is no time to think about that! *Hasekura* opens the door to Hasekura-sempai's closet, and finds a mirror attached to the inside of the door. He stands in front of it, and crosses his hands over his face. *Hasekura*: Rurerapa, Rurerapa, Return to my normal form! Himeko pulls her hands away from her face, and she's back to normal. (Page 80) Himeko slides the window open. Himeko: [thinking] I'd better get out of here!! Outside the window (and one floor down), three women are chatting. Himeko crouches down, peeking over the windowsill. Woman1: Aya likes Chi-chan's bath. Woman2: Then please come again! Woman3: That reminds me. The other day, my Kou-kun... Himeko: [thinking] Neighbor women... *Now* what...? I can't sneak out past them.... A voice calls out from downstairs. Voice: I'm home! A very FAMILIAR voice. Himeko: [nervously] Th... that voice is.... More voices are heard downstairs. Mrs.Hasekura: Oh, Kouichi? Did you leave again? Hasekura: Hm? "Again"...? Mrs.Hasekura: But you just got home a moment ago.... Hasekura: What? But I've been out until just now. (Page 81) Mrs.Hasekura: That can't be. You came home with Emi. Hasekura: What are you talking about? How strange. I'm going to go drop my bag off in my room. This is bad. Very bad. Himeko listens helplessly as Hasekura's feet come up the stairwell to his room.... Himeko: [terrified] Oh no!! There's nothing I can do!! THE END... OF PART TWO