Marmalade Boy Volume 2, Chapter 4 pages 125-161 Written and illustrated by Yoshizumi Wataru Translation & editing by : Craig Nishida Additional translation by : Paul Hirose Yutaka Sasagawa Matthew Akira Klippenstein Additional editing by: Michael Chin Jeanne Hedge Daniel Lee Scott Henry Last revision : 01-31-96 Comments? Corrections? Suggestions? Please send them to: mboy-trans@soyokaze.biosci.ohio-state.edu --------------------------------------------------- p 125 1 [Flashback scene. Arimi takes a surprised Ginta by the arm.] narration: "I'm quite taken in by you, Suou-kun." narration: "Let's relax and talk somewhere." 2 [In bed, Miki lies back, wearing her heart-covered pajamas. She stares up at the ceiling.] narration: I wonder what happened after that? narration: Those two... 3 [Looking unhappy, she rolls over onto her side.] Miki: (Ahh, darn it!) Miki: (It's on my mind and I can't sleep...!!) --------------------------------------------------- p 126 1 [Filler art. Yuu stands with hands in his pants pockets, wearing a light jacket over his shirt. He stands in profile, but looks at us, askance. BTW, these spots are where the title pages in Ribbon were located. Too bad they've been deleted, because there's ART on those pages, too! Usually, *color* art. Oh well. Go buy the MB Art Book...] --------------------------------------------------- p 127 1 [A photograph of a grim Tsutomu, flashing a "V" sign, and his despondent tennis partner. Both sport close-shaven heads.] Yuu: [off] He did i-i-it! Rokutanda! Excellent, excellent! caption with arrow: Partner ---> 2 [Ginta has taken a seat at the desk in front of Yuu's and rests one elbow on Yuu's desk. Yuu is smiling at the photo held in his hand. Miki has come up to look at the picture, too. She smiles softly.] Ginta: It arrived yesterday. Together with a letter. It said let's have a return match before long. Yuu: Not me. 3 [Filler art. SD facial portraits of Yuu, Miki and Ginta.] --------------------------------------------------- p 128 1 Miki: [holding the picture] But, it suits him. Doesn't he look better than before? Yuu: Yeah... He also seems to like it himself. He's making a "V" sign... 2 Miki: [off] Yes, yes. It seems to be pretty popular with girls. It's not thought of as bad. Yuu: [off] He's easy to understand... 3 Ginta: [smiling] "It really got him going when someone praised him just a little bit," Suzuki-san was also say-- 4 [Sweating, Ginta realizes his slip-up. Miki and Yuu stare back, blankly.] Ginta: AH! 5 Miki: ......... You met with Arimi-san? Over the phone? 6 Ginta: [blushing] Ah, no. Uh... Ginta: Sunday... At a movie... --------------------------------------------------- p 129 1 [Miki's face immediately registers disinterest, and she turns away. Ginta is horrified and he rises to his feet, extending a halting hand towards her.] Miki: ......... Hmmph. Ginta: Tha--! That's not it, Miki!! Ginta chair FX: Ginta: I tried to refuse, but that girl is pushy... She said, "if you don't have anything else to do, it doesn't matter, right?" 2 [Ginta's pov. Miki whirls to turn on him.] Miki: You're free to go anywhere with anyone you like, Ginta! Miki: You don't have to make excuses to me-e-e!! 3 [Ouch. Ginta's pov again. We see his hand upraised into view, but Miki has turned abruptly away.] Miki FX: Ginta: [off] Mi--! Miki!! 4 [Yuu sits silently and a bit wide-eyed at his desk, behind Ginta, who stands stricken.] --------------------------------------------------- p 130 1 [Miki storms down the hall.] Miki FX: Miki: (What's with that Ginta-a-a!!) 2 [Flashback. Ginta stands (outside her home) and confronts her.] Ginta: [flashback] I've liked you all along!! 3 [Miki stands in profile, and she stares off-panel at nothing in particular.] narration: ...is what he said to me just the other day, yet... narration: ...he was at a movie with Arimi-sa-a-an?! Miki: (That's a date. Then...!) 4 [Ginta's face appears on an empty panel. Miki's thought bubble explodes.] narration: Just because a girl who's a little cute chases after him, he plays around with her... hypothetical Ginta: I'm not really doing anything... Miki: [off] (HE'S THE PITS!!) 5 narration: Arimi-san is being Arimi-san, too. narration: To think she's switching from Yuu to Ginta all of a sudden... --------------------------------------------------- p 131 1 [Miki glares at the ground. Above her is a flashback image of a somber Arimi.] Arimi: [flashback] I can't give him up after all. Even now, I love him... narration: Back then, I... narration: Thought that Arimi-san was someone pursuing something with all her heart. narration: I was a bit moved. 2 [Miki storms off in a huff. Her elbows rake the air with each stride she takes.] Miki: (DAMN I-I-IT!) Miki: (Return my feelings of being moved!!) 3 [Exterior shot of the "Two Coffee Persons" coffee shop.] Miki: [off] And so... --------------------------------------------------- p 132 1 [Interior shot. Miki and Meiko sit at a table. Miki takes a sip from her cup while Meiko pays full attention, chin resting in her hands, elbows resting on the table.] Miki: Grrrr. I'm so mad! It's so irresponsible of those two! Meiko: ......... 2 Meiko: Miki. Could it be you're jealous? 3 Miki: WHA-A-AT?! NO WAY! I merely dislike the irresponsible behavior of those two... Meiko: [wide-eyed] Is that all? 4 [Miki looks unsure of herself.] Miki: ......... B-but... Miki: There's no way I oughta be jealous. 5 [Shot of the twilight skies.] Miki: [off] When Ginta confessed his feelings... I was confused and couldn't answer right away... Miki: [off] But sure enough, Ginta is a friend right now. --------------------------------------------------- p 133 1 [Dreamy Miki profile.] Miki: (The one I like now is...) Miki: (Probably... Yuu...) 2 [Meiko continues to dissect her friend. Miki's eyes have contracted to dots.] Meiko: [off] But you aren't happy about Ginta being friendly with Arimi-san, are you? Miki: ......... 3 [The background becomes stormy. Miki crinkles her forehead.] Meiko: [off] Or rather... Frankly speaking, you don't like it at all, right? Miki: ......... 4 [Meiko is still wide-eyed.] Meiko: Then isn't that what jealousy is after all? 5 [We look over the top of a frazzled and sweating Miki. Meiko registers surprise at something she sees out the window.] Miki: ......... Meiko: Ah! --------------------------------------------------- p 134 1 [Meiko rises to her feet and Miki looks up, in surprise.] Meiko chair FX: Meiko: I'm sorry. I... Just remembered I have a little something to take care of. I'll head on home ahead of you, 'kay? Miki: Ah. Sure. 2 [Miki's pov of Meiko as she turns back to wave goodbye.] 3 [Meiko's pov of Miki as she sits, smiling, at the table and waves back.] 4 [Miki's hand still waves, but her face has lost its smile.] 5 [Tight shot of her cup.] narration: It's as Meiko says... narration: I'm... narration: Jealous of Arimi-san. 6 [Miki blushes.] narration: Even though Ginta is just a friend... narration: Why...?! --------------------------------------------------- p 135 1 [Namura-sensei turns at a voice.] Meiko: [off] Sensei! 2 [His pov of a smiling Meiko.] 3 [Pov pulls back and up. Meiko is seen approaching Namura-sensei, schoolbag in hand.] Meiko: Are you going home already? You're early today, huh. Meiko: I saw you from a coffee shop window, so I came running after you. Namura-sensei: Mei... Akizuki. 4 [Meiko registers surprise at Namura-sensei sweating and swiveling his head around.] Namura-sensei FX: 5 Meiko: It's all right. You don't have to worry about being seen in public. Meiko: That a teacher and a student are going home together by chance isn't all that unnatural, is it? --------------------------------------------------- p 136 1 [They walk side-by-side and turn their heads to smile at each other. Namura- sensei's looks strained.] Meiko: I won't walk arm in arm, so relax . 2 [Meiko smiles softly and drops her gaze.] Meiko: Though I'd really like to... 3 [Namura-sensei portrait.] 4 [View pulls back. He smiles softly down at her. She looks up at him.] Namura-sensei: Until you graduate... Namura-sensei: In a little over 2 years... Let's wait, okay. 5 [His pov of her happy face.] Meiko: ...... Yes. --------------------------------------------------- p 137 1 [Exterior shot of the signs outside the "Mister Donut" coffee shop.] 2 [Arimi holds on to a warm mug.] Arimi: Today's cold, isn't it. It's already December, hmm. 3 [Ginta can't meet her gaze.] Ginta: Yes'm... That's true. to is supposed to be a rather formal way of addressing others within an athletic team; not sure how to render this in English, though. If it's just a matter of one addressing one's , then I figure a "ma'm" is about right.> 4 [View pulls back. Both have steaming mugs and a plate of 2 donuts. They sit in a booth, facing each other, with their folded coats beside them. Ginta looks ill-at-ease, hands in his lap and gazing at the table. Arimi is smiling and pointing over at his folded coat.] Arimi: Club activities are also tough when it gets cold, right? How awful. Ginta: Yes. Thank you... Arimi: Is that pea coat school-issued? How cute. Ginta: Yes'm. Really...? 5 [Sweating, Arimi gives a disgusted look. The background becomes a swirl.] Arimi FX: Arimi: Hey, Suou-kun! ===Sidebar=== FREE TALK (4): I'm always receiving lots of letters and it makes me awfully happy, but since I can't easily write replies I thought that, on this occasion, I'd like to try and answer a few of the questions from all of you. [1] Please show me the trick to becoming skilled at drawing. People who write this are amazingly abundant. (For some reason, everyone uses the word "trick".) But you see, although you say trick... If there's such a simple method to turn you into a skillful artist in a flash then I want to learn it too... If anything, maybe just look carefully at the real thing and draw... Don't rely on memory and imagination. I think you should observe something closely, absorb what you can and draw. Well, if you draw continuously, day after day, before long, I'm sure you'll become good. --------------------------------------------------- p 138 1 [We look at Ginta from just behind the left of Arimi's cutely bobbed head. Arimi is sweating. Ginta has been shocked into rigid attention, eyes wide.] Arimi: Would you stop using that athletic team-like polite tone on me?! We're both in the same grade, so speak to me normally! Ginta: Ah! Excuse me... 2 [Ginta claps a hand over his mouth. Arimi just squints at him.] Ginta: I mean... ...sorry. 3 [Glaring down at her mug, she takes a sip. A few of her hairs have popped loose. Ginta turns to look back at us, sweating.] Arimi: Well, fine... Whatever. Ginta: (It's because she's a girl of some dignity...) 4 narration: But, this isn't the time to be overawed. [Face flushed, Ginta's face becomes serious.] Ginta: (*Today* I have to tell it to her straight!!) Ginta: Excuse me...! 5 [Arimi's eyes widen.] Ginta: [off] I think I understand...! But there's a girl that I like, so... Therefore... 6 [A shot of the framed picture that is on the wall above their table.] Ginta: [off] I can't very well go out with y-- Arimi: [off] Wait a minute. poster: New Item on Sale-- Marrons (Chestnut) Muffin 200 yen --------------------------------------------------- p 139 1 [Arimi portrait.] Arimi: Don't be so conceited. I haven't said a single word about liking you or wanting to go out with you or anything, have I. Arimi: The only one I like is Yuu! 2 [Sweating, Ginta's eyes contract to dots.] Ginta: Huh...? 3 [View from behind Ginta. Arimi has her arms crossed and resting on the table edge.] Ginta: Then, why... Invite me to a movie, and... You were even waiting for me today... Arimi: About that... Have you spoken to Miki-san? ===Sidebar=== FREE TALK (5): [2] Is Yoshizumi-sensei a man or a woman? The information in the manga and the table of contents is that the author's a woman, but the author is called "Wataru-kun"... I'm a woman. "kun" is a title of honor that isn't limited to males. It's because the editor decided to call me "Wataru-kun," and I think it's good that it wasn't "chama" or "tan"*. Then I often receive letters as well that say, "Until recently I thought you were a guy. I'm sorry." but you don't really have anything to apologize for. [3] Even though I've sent in many drawings, none have appeared at all. Those, y'know, don't really appear in the order of how good they are, because it's like a lottery, so it's a matter of luck, so, even if you'd like to be chosen, you don't need to feel down, thinking "it was junk, that's why..." Maybe if everyone avoids gag faces that are easy to draw, and any closeups of Miki that are easily scaled and copied, and draw Yuu or something, then the drawings will be more apt to appear. Do your best. <*Commentary (YS): and are "cute ways" of saying the honorifics and .> --------------------------------------------------- p 140 1 Ginta: [off] Yeah... I wasn't going to say anything, but... It slipped out. Arimi: [off] What did she say to that? 2 [Behind Ginta's unhappy face is a flashback of Miki's angry one.] Ginta: ......... She got mad... 3 [Stricken, he stares across at Arimi, face sweating and flushed. Arimi beams back.] Ginta: That's right. She got angry. That's bad! That's why I don't want to do anything more that she might misunderstand. Arimi: That's great, Suou-kun! 4 [View from behind Ginta, who is sweating and has several hairs pop loose. Arimi wears a cute smile--like the cat that ate the canary.] Ginta: Huh? Arimi: Yup, yup. Arimi: I see-e-ee. Sure enough... I thought it might be like that! Ginta: Eh? 5 [She points to her smiling face.] Arimi: Miki-san's jealous of me. 6 [Ginta stares back, blankly.] --------------------------------------------------- p 141 1 Arimi: That she got mad means she was jealous. That means she's more or less interested in you, too, right. If the guy didn't matter, she wouldn't get mad over what he does with another girl. Ginta: R-really...? Ginta: Come to think of it... Arimi: It's true! 2 [A flowery Arimi portrait.] Arimi: As I see it... Miki-san is attracted to Yuu right now, but she also liked you in the past, so there's no reason to think she isn't interested in you at all. Arimi: So if another girl hangs around you, I think she'll worry and her feelings will lean towards you. 3 Arimi: [smiling brightly] You know... Even something you were thinking you don't need anymore, when it comes to giving it away, it suddenly becomes precious, right? Ginta: [sweating, hairs popped loose] The way you put that... 4 [Tight shot of untouched donuts and coffee.] Arimi: [off] Therefore, pretend you've gotten chummy with me. Ginta: [off] How... ...would I do that? --------------------------------------------------- p 142 1 [Ginta sweats and point up at a dream-bubble of his. In it is an angry Miki, who looks back over her shoulder.] Ginta: I wonder if it'll go that well... hypothetical Miki: It's fine already! I don't care about Ginta. hypothetical Miki: Yuu's there for me! Ginta: ...is how I think it'll turn out... [Arimi drops her gaze, her head appearing to nod.] Arimi: Well, if we overdo it, there is the danger that it will turn out that way. Arimi: If we don't thoroughly make sure, that's where we'll be. 2 Arimi: [looking up] But... It's worth a try, isn't it? 3 [Ginta stares hard at the table in front of him.] Ginta: ......... narration: That's true... narration: Not doing anything and just waiting... narration: Is more favorable by far for Matsuura, who lives with her... 4 [Arimi registers surprise at what she hears...] Ginta: [off] If you hang around with me, Suzuki-san, Matsuura might get jealous, too... 5 Arimi: [off] That won't happen. I'm sure... 6 [Arimi's gaze saddens, and she looks forlorn.] Arimi: Yuu... Arimi: Won't be jealous. --------------------------------------------------- p 143 1 [Ginta's eyes widen.] narration: Huh... Ginta heartbeat FX: 2 [His dreamy view of a somber Arimi, her gaze dropped.] narration: I hadn't noticed till now... comment: [pointing at narration above] Thick-headed ---> narration: But if I look carefully, isn't this girl awfully cute?! Ginta: [off] (Tsutomu, that babe-chasing...) 3 [Still wide-eyed, Ginta turns his blank gaze to the side. Arimi's head tilts back up.] Ginta: (That Matsuura rejected a girl as cute as this, huh. Popular guys really do things differently, huh.) Ginta: What a waste... Arimi: But anyway... If you and my rival Miki-san stick together, that'll help me, too. 4 Arimi: Therefore, let's cooperate. Arimi: 'Kay? 5 [Ginta gazes back at her.] 6 [A gray panel.] Ginta: [off] Uh-huh... --------------------------------------------------- p 144 1 [View looking up at bare branches and partly cloudy skies.] ball FX: [off] 2 [Dressed in sweats and carrying three tennis balls, Miki frowns and shivers.] Miki: Ooo! So co-o-old! Miki FX: 3 [She walks up to a male teammate, who looks at his wristwatch. Two other girls stand nearby, one looking off-panel in surprise.] Miki: What's the time? I wonder if we could end this session early... boy: Another 45 minutes. Miki: Argghh. girl 1: Ah! Ohh...! 4 [It is a smiling Arimi, standing behind the chain-link fence.] 5 [Miki looks back, in surprise...] Miki: Arimi-san! 6 [...and rushes over to the fence.] Miki: What's wrong? At a place like this... Arimi: Hello. Could you call Suou-kun for me?! 7 [Miki flinches back, face in a forced smile.] Miki: Ah. Miki: Okay... --------------------------------------------------- p 145 1 [Smiling, Arimi holds up a colorful sack to Ginta, who now stands at the fence.] Arimi: I brought you something. Eat it later, 'kay? Ginta: Ah, thank you... ...for all your troubles... comment: [arrow pointing at Ginta's bubble] Still can't get rid of the civil words. ---> 2 Arimi: [off] It's a stage prop! A stage prop! To show to Miki-san, right? Ginta: Ahhhh. I see... Ginta: Detailed performance. 3 [Arimi's pov of Miki, who can't help but steal a peek at what's going on at the fence.] 4 [Arimi smiles softly. Ginta stands rigidly, facing Arimi.] Arimi: She's worried about us. She doesn't look happy. Ginta: ...... Ginta: I'm too afraid to look. 5 [Arimi grows reflective.] Arimi: But she really is reacting as we'd expected... Docile... Or simple... --------------------------------------------------- p 146 1 [Ginta glares off-panel, at what would be a point about 2 feet over Arimi's head.] Ginta FX: Ginta: That's what's so good about Miki! 2 Arimi: Oh. Right. 3 [Shot of the upper part of the chain-link fence.] Arimi: [off] Say, why don't we try to be a bit more intimate? Ginta: [off] Intimate...? Arimi: [off] Come closer to the fence. Put your hand about here. 4 [Arimi releases a sunny smile, and clasps Ginta's hand through the chain-link fence. Ginta's eyes widen in shock.] Arimi: An impression like this . Arimi hand FX: 5 [Arimi's pov of Miki and 2 other girls, all of whom are looking back at the scene in shock. A bit angrily, Miki's face flushes.] --------------------------------------------------- p 147 1 [Blushing, Ginta yanks his hand back. Arimi is surprised.] Ginta: ! Ginta hand FX: 2 Arimi: [frowning] Oh no... Don't turn so red! Arimi: So naive... Arimi: Even I feel embarrassed... 3 [The view of the two from the tennis courts. Framed in dreamy bubbles, Ginta clasps a hand to his red face and Arimi stands with gaze dropped.] FX: Arimi/Ginta: ...... 4 [Girl 1 still looks back, off-panel. Girl 2 turns to Miki, who is pointedly ignoring what's going on behind her.] girl 1: Those two are creating some atmosphere... girl 2: [to Miki] Isn't that girl Yuu's ex-girlfriend who came to the school festival? What's going on with you guys? Miki: [sweating] ...... 5 narration: What? That Ginta... narration: ...decided to go out with Arimi-san?! narration: Before listening to my reply, too... --------------------------------------------------- p 148 1 [Miki portrait. She gazes towards the ground, blushing and looking hurt.] narration: Don't I matter anymore?! Oh no... Drat it. My chest hurts. narration: GINTA, YOU IDIOT...!! 2 [Exterior night shot of the Koishikawa-Matsuura residence.] Rumi: [off] Miki. Miki! 3 [Miki holds a bowl of rice and a pair of chopsticks.] Miki: Ah! 4 [Pov pulls back and up to show Miki and Yuu facing Rumi and Chiyako at the dining room table.] Rumi: What's the matter? You're so spaced out. Were you listening clearly to what I just said? Miki: Ah, I'm sorry. What were you saying just now? commentary at bottom: Jin & Youji are still at work. --------------------------------------------------- p 149 1 Rumi: [off] Tomorrow's the closing ceremony, so school ends early, right. Don't stop anywhere the both of you, and come straight home, 'kay? Miki: Okay, but... How come? 2 [Chiyako and Rumi exchange quiet smiles.] 3 Rumi: We're having our marriages registered... It's been a half a year since the divorce... 4 [Miki's eyes grow wide as this seems to have hit her a bit hard.] ===Sidebar=== FREE TALK (6): [4] Doesn't Ginta look like Kazuya from the wedding scene in Vol. 9 of "Handsome Girlfriend"? That's a taboo phrase. I get an awfully empty feeling, like "I shouldn't have drawn something like that...," whenever that's said... When beginning a new serial, because it seems there aren't a lot of people who don't adapt new characters with characters of a previous serial, Meiko is Miou, Yuu resembles Satoshi, Miki from junior high appears like Aya (this seems to be judged more on hair color and length rather than facial features...), and various other things are said, and this doesn't make me very happy... And so, I now request that when my next series comes out, I'll be pleased if you don't mention this. Well, I'll see you later in Volume 3, 'kay? --------------------------------------------------- p 150 1 [Miki's pov of the smiling Chiyako and Rumi.] Rumi: We decided not to have a ceremony for now... Instead, after we've reported, it's been decided we'll all celebrate at a restaurant. Chiyako: Sound okay? 2 Yuu: Sure. Miki: [beaming] Okay. narration: I see... 3 [Dreamy Miki portrait, as she sinks into thought.] narration: Finally... narration: They're entering names... Into the family registries... 4 [Exterior shot of a municipal building. Six figures stand outside in a bunch.] one of the parents: [off] This concludes the formalities. --------------------------------------------------- p 151 1 Miki: Congratulations... Yuu: Congratulations. 2 Chiyako/Jin/Youji/Rumi: Thank you. 3 [Isolated shot of a clock and lamp on a post. It's 4:09.] Jin?: [off] Shall we go, then? Chiyako?: [off] It's still a bit early for our reservation... Miki: [off] Ah, excuse me. 4 Miki: I'm sorry... Miki: I have a little errand to-- 5 Rumi: Wha-a-at? Miki: And so, let me pass on dinner. I'm sorry! 6 [Miki turns tail and runs. This is the others' view of Miki's rapidly retreating back.] --------------------------------------------------- p 152 1 [Yuu and the four adults look back at us.] Rumi: I wonder what's wrong? Rumi: She didn't tell me anything like that yesterday! 2 [Miki walks slowly down along a tree-lined sidewalk. She clutches her handbag in front of her.] 3 [She notices a sign as she walks by it.] sign: ...Park 4 [Miki portrait, as she watches something off-panel. She appears very, very subdued.] 5 [Her pov. A boy sits on the playground swing. (Heh. Although it's clearly a cold day as judged by the heavy coat that Miki is wearing, this boy is in shorts!)] 6 [Three other children play on or near the slide. An adult stands at the bottom. Two of these kids are also in shorts.] --------------------------------------------------- p 153 1 [Miki sits alone, hands resting on her lap, on the middle of three park benches. No one else is about.] 2 [Miki facial portrait. She stares off at nothing in particular, and with no expression on her face.] 3 [A view up at bare tree branches and a sky with high clouds.] 4 [Forlorn, Miki looks up at that sky.] 5 Yuu: [off] How long are you going to be like that? --------------------------------------------------- p 154 1 [Miki turns in surprise towards the voice just to the left and behind her. Yuu is standing behind the wall that runs behind the benches, resting his elbows on that wall and a cheek in one hand. He looks at her, blandly.] 2 [Exploding with surprise, Miki swivels around on the bench to face him.] Miki: YUU?! Wh-why are you here? Why aren't you at the restaurant? Yuu: I've been right behind you all the time since the ward office... But you didn't notice me at all. So thick-headed. 3 [He lifts himself up over the wall and onto the spot beside Miki.] Yuu: Hup! Miki: ......... 4 Yuu: Haven't you recovered yet? About the marriage swapping. --------------------------------------------------- p 155 1 [Miki portrait.] 2 Miki: [off] That's not it... I've already come to terms with that. I'm used to my life now... Miki: [off] Only... 3 [Flashback scene (from vol 1?) of Rumi and Chiyako.] Miki: [off] They say it's just a document... But now, Chiyako-san is formally my mama... Miki: [off] And when I think that Mama isn't Mama anymore... 4 [Miki drops her gaze.] Miki: I felt just a bit sad... Miki FX: 5 [Yuu studies the ground in front of him, too.] Yuu: Hmm... --------------------------------------------------- p 156 1 [Miki's profile view of Yuu.] narration: Looking bored and just muttering to himself... narration: Yuu didn't say a thing. 2 [View pulls back and up to show Miki seated with hands in her lap as before, and with Yuu seated nonchalantly beside her.] narration: He just... Kept silent and stayed there beside me... --------------------------------------------------- p 157 1 [Tight shot of a fast food outlet sign.] 2 [Seated inside and facing each other across a table, both Miki and Yuu hold burger-shaped sandwiches.] Miki: Delicious! Sure enough, I like teriyaki chicken the best . Yuu: Well, this is delicious now, but... 3 [Sweating, Miki forces a merry smile.] Yuu: [off] If things had gone right, then we should have had a deluxe dinner at an Italian restaurant around now. Ahhhh, what a loss! It's your fault!! Yuu FX: [off] 4 [Yuu drops his gaze as he prepares to take a chomp out of his sandwich. He's surrounded by a dreamy, bubbly background.] Yuu: How I wanted to eat caviar spaghetti... narration: It's no use saying spiteful things like that... 5 [Miki smiles gently across at him off-panel. She, too is surrounded by a dreamy, bubbly background.] narration: That he truly is sweet... Is something I know perfectly well. --------------------------------------------------- p 158 1 [Full page art. Yuu stares across the table at this merry Miki.] narration: Thank you... Yuu... Yuu: What are you grinning about? Miki: Eh heh! --------------------------------------------------- p 159 1 [The sun shines brightly over the Koishikawa-Matsuura residence.] Rumi: [off] Miki-i-i! Yuu-u-u! Chiyako: [off] Come down-n-n! 2 [Yuu emerges from his bedroom, hair mussed and face grumpy.] door FX: Yuu: What is it? Jeez... From so early in the morning! 3 [Miki does likewise.] door FX: Miki: We're in winter break... So let me sleep i-i-in. 4 [Their view of their parents standing at the entrance to the house. All are dressed in heavy coats and broad smiles. Luggage sits on the floor beside them. Rumi waves a cheerful farewell.] Rumi: Then, we're going... Chiyako: Please look after the place, 'kay! --------------------------------------------------- p 160 1 Miki: [wide-eyed] Huh...? What's with the luggage? Yuu: Where are you going...? Yuu: Is it work? Rumi: [off] Isn't it obvious? A honeymoon. Chiyako: [off] A 2-week tour of memorable Hawaii! 2 [Miki's eyes goggle and her hair gets a bit frazzled. Yuu's eyes contract to dots.] Miki: WHA-A-AT?! What's that? I didn't hear any talk like that!! Rumi: Huh? Is that right? Chiyako: I thought we had told you... 3 [Jin waves as the smiling quartet begins to head out the door.] Jin: Well, anyway, that's the way it is. See you later. Rumi: We'll be back at the beginning of the New Year. Chiyako: We'll buy you souvenirs, okay? 4 [Miki's pov as her hand hoves in to view, palm outspread.] Miki: Wait a... door FX: --------------------------------------------------- p 161 1 [Miki facial portrait. The stunning impact isn't lost on her.] Miki: ~~~~~~~~ narration: You're kidding... Then, for 2 weeks... 2 [Pov from the door of the two standing side-by-side. Miki is blushing and can't look toward Yuu. Yuu is just staring out the front door, looking a bit shell-shocked.] narration: It'll be just the two of us in this house...?! --------------------------------------------------- -------------------End of Chapter------------------ --------------------------------------------------- Scorecard: Rumi <---> Youji Miki <---> Yuu ^ ^ ^ ^ | | | | v v v Jin <---> Chiyako Ginta (-?-) Arimi ^ | Meiko <---> Natchan Tsutomu ---------------------------------------------------