My Ideal, My Love by Hino Yohei TL by boke ### TL notes indicated by hash tags like this: ### ### Page numbers indicated by —XX for example, page one is: —01 ### Panel numbers indicated by -X for example, panel one is: -1 ### sfx- means the following is a sound effect. ### hw- means the following is handwritten. ### Unless otherwise noted, panel and text balloon flow is from upper right to lower left. ### Sometimes my comments are snark or color, so feel free to ignore those. —01 My Ideal, My Love —02 The concept was “Love with your ideal person”. The theme was “Love is invincible”. I would love it if you enjoy this work. —03 My Ideal, My Love —04 My Ideal, My Love ###vertical 003 Doorbell and Idol 037 Picnic 079 If a Lotus Should Bloom -1- 115 If a Lotus Should Bloom -2- 155 If a Lotus Should Bloom -3- 194 Extras —05 -1 Doorbell and Idol Delivery Morimoto ###name tag —06 -1 Let me know your favorite color And wrap me up in it -2 Because I’ll give myself to you -3 My name is Morimoto Momoka. -4 Ouch! —05 -1 Went and did it now… sfx- Drip -2 Crap, I’m gonna get blood on the boxes. Did I have a band-aid…? hw- At least a tissue… -3 Better give in and just buy some hand cream on the way home. sfx- Sigh… I’m working as a deliver driver. -5 When I’m out delivering, I’m always listening to the idol group I like. Dream Drops - Meet and Greet ###sign Um! —08 -1 This is the first time I’ve come to a meet and greet! sfx- Th-thump Th-thump Th-thump It’s really you, Mi-chan! -2 Wow, I’m so happy! Nice to meet you! Yup, I’m the real thing! -3 Wow sfx- Clasp Her hand is so small… and so soft… -4 Ah, um… My hand… Saotome Misuzu ###sigh I’m sorry it’s so callused! hw- And rough! —09 -1 No… It’s the awesome hand of someone who works hard! -3 Ok, next person. -4 Work… I can work hard… I can give it my all! —10 -1 “Micchu” -2 Saotome Misuzu, a member of the idol group “Dream Drops”. It’s been more than five years since she left the group. -3 Ah, this customer is also a “Saotome”. -4 State # 503 Saotome Suzu Sama Lily Express ###vertical -5 sfx- Ding Dong Lily Express Delivery! —11 -1 My beloved fav! -2 Yeees? -3 sfx- Ka-click Delivery Driver Morimoto —12 -4 No doubt about it! -5 Um…? Ah! Ah! Um! Delivery! You’re Saotome Ryou-san, correct?! —13 -1 Yes. Although it’s pronounced “Suzu”. -2 It’s Micchu! -3 Ah! You came to a meet and greet! -4 Haah? -14 -1 NoWayNoWayNoWay She remembered me?! hw- R-recognition?! -2 Huh? Did I get it wrong? NoYouDidn’tNoWay! sfx- Shake Shake -3 I knew it! Wow, it’s been a while since I signed anything. hw- Oh, listen to me go on -4 But, listen! It’s so dangerous to be so defenseless! Just pretend you’re someone who looks like you! -5 So you weren’t happy about it? hw- This kind of thing? -6 I, uh… Was suuuuuper happy! That’s great! sfx- Rip —15 -1 Ok… This will be our secret, just the two of us. -2 Thanks for the delivery. —16 -1 The long boring days brings back your voice -2 Behind my eyelids we’re watching the view, hand in hand I’m not lonely, we’re taking up all sorts of dreams -3 I met her! The real her! -4 No, can’t be, right? That’s just so unfair. So bad for my heart. I’m having a hard time breathing. Whaaaa? Why? Why? Why is this happening? Crap… this is no good… —17 -1 I wonder what kind of life Micchu is living now. -2 I wonder if she has a boyfriend. -3 There was no one there today, but she… might be living with someone. -4 I hope no weird delivery guys are giving her problems… -5 After this performance… What I will do and what I will become are secrets… That way, all of you will have something to dream about, right? —18 -1 Right after she stepped away… I just thought it would be great if she was living a good life. -2 Come to think of it, her profile listed online shopping as her hobby. Before she retired, I remember thinking “what if I made a delivery to her”? I never thought it would come to pass, though. Saotome Misuzu Unit Name: Micchu DOB: Sept 18th Birthplace: Saitama Prefecture Hobbies: Online Shopping Special Skill: Juggling -3 And, maybe… this might just happen… again… -4 My shifts! sfx- Whoosh I’m going to put in for all the shifts I can! —19 -1 Her hobby as stated in her profile was dead on. And every once in a while, I get to make a delivery to her. -2 L-Lily Express! Thank you! Ah, today it’s no glasses! -2 Lily Express! Okay! That one’s heavy, right? hw- Today’s… Nope! Not at all! Whoa! Cute earrings! -3 Good morning! L-Lily Delivery! Good morning! Woooow! She’s curled her hair! Haven’t see that since her stage days! —20 -1 When I think that I might see her again… What’s with this skin? My belly! This hair! I better get in gear! -2 Skin care -3 Diet -4 Proper makeup -5 Morimotooo… You really ok with all these shifts? I mean, it help me, but… -6 I’m good! Recently there’s something I want! Hmm -7 It’s to see her smile! hw- Workin’ hard today It’s totally mixing business and pleasure, though! -8 It’s kinda like back when you were all fired up about that idol group. Did you find a new celeb to follow? —21 -1 Yeah, that’s kinda might be true. -2 I followed them around their Japan tour. hw- It’s a castle! Collecting CDs. Going to meet and greets. hw- Diligently taking the tickets out Buying the stuff offering their prizes. Hording the colab goodies. It took money, so I worked my ass off. -3 Because I can meet my beloved Micchu… I don’t want to embarrass myself. -4 That was a lot of work back then, but it sure was fun… —22 -1 Morimoto-san! Aren’t you getting cuter every time I see you? -2 Eh?! sfx- Zwip Ah -3 Gotcha! Ooooh sfx- Whap -4 You… remembered my name… -5 Well, it’s written right here after all. Lily Delivery Delivery Driver Morimoto —23 -1 Smile -2 Sa… Sa… hw- Ah, sign please Saotome-san, no it’s you’re that’s super cute today! hw- Well, you’re always cute tho… Are you going out somewhere? -3 That’s a secret. -4 Y… Yeah, sounds like a date. -5 Since you were coming, Morimoto-san, I dressed up. -6 Thanks for delivering again today. —24 -1 Um… I’ve been wondering about this for a while… Hm? -2 What are… You doing for work right now? -4 That’s a secret. -5 Secrets. —25 -1 It is… sfx- Mmm something that she can’t talk about? -2 But even now it does feel a bit like her giving me some fan service. -3 I can feel the distance. But yeah, I want to put her up on a pedestal at the same time I want to get closer. -4 sfx- Slip Ah -5 Whud -6 Aaaaagh! hw- The golf clubs…! Are you ok?! —26 -1 A… broken bone? sfx- Throb Throb Throb -2 Tomorrow, you’ll have surgery, and it will take about 3 months for it to heal. Even when the pain recedes, you’ll need to avoid strenuous labor. You work delivery, right? -3 Yes… Ok then, I’ll shift over to scheduling drivers or helping them to navigate for a while. Good. Please do that. -4 Surgery, huh? That makes me nervous… Well I guess I’ll watch some Dream Drops to raise my mood. -5 I’ve been so busy with work, I haven’t even re-watched it. It’s the same one I was watching before I started packing in as many shifts as I could. -6 You know, recently you have had this wonderful fragrance, Micchu! What is it? I noticed the same thing! It’s a secret! Whaa? No way! When we get to the green room, tell me! Tell me now! —27 -1 It’s a secret. Back then, I liked that little tic of hers. Nowadays, there’s all sorts of stuff I want to know. Who can blame me? -2 I wish I could hear Micchu’s voice. hw- Wow, whoever made her costume is a genius. -3 Well… I do know her phone number, but that’s not what it’s for… It’s on the delivery slip, after all… -4 Ding dong —28 -1 Thanks for your help today! -2 Ah! Lily Express. -3 Are you Saotome Ryuu-san? -4 Y… Yeah. -4 Thank you very much! —29 -1 After surgery, it’s two weeks of hospitalization. And after that, I can’t deliver for a while. -2 Notice of Attempted Delivery Date: 0 Month X Day Tracking Number: Delivery Driver: Morimoto Delivery Contact Number Your Driver’s Contact (8:00 - 19:00) There may be times where the driver will not pick up (such as when driving) …tact (24 hours) ###cut off Voice guidance for your patronage. -3 I’m sure she’ll forget about me soon enough. —30 -1 Ding Dong -2 Li… -3 Lily Express! -4 Whumpa Whumpa Whump -5 Ka-cha —31 -2 Morimoto-san! -3 Ah… Um… Delivery… This one is C.O.D. Okay… -4 It’s, uh… Been a while, huh?! Actually, I got a little hurt. Wha? Are you ok? I’m just fine now! —32 -2 Ah, that will be 1,260 yen please. -3 I… I was looking forward to seeing you… Morimoto-san. It was fun to feel like being an idol again after all this time. -4 And when you suddenly stopped coming… It made me think - that this is what my fans felt when I retired. When I think of that, I don’t even fell like I have the right to be disappointed. -5 That’s… —33 -1 Just you thinking that way… Is a blessing you are bestowing on a fan! sfx- Grab -2 Morimoto-san Are you still my “fan”? -4 I… I don’t know… But… You may not remember, but Micchu, at a meet and greet, you said I had the “hand of someone who works hard!” That made me so unbelievable happy that I could work at my job really hard. —34 -1 And then by crazy coincidence, I get to make deliveries to you. I really look forward to seeing you. I can work hard no matter what happens Thanks to you being there. —35 -1 And… Uh… -2 I really love the Micchu that keeps secrets, but! But now I want to know all sorts of things about you, Saotome-san! —36 -1 This… is a secret, but… -2 I… really like a woman who works hard. -3 And if you like, maybe next time… —37 -1 Morimoto-san… actually I thought you’d been moved to a different region. -2 When I thought about how you didn’t say anything, it was a bit of a shock. I wasn’t try to keep it a secret or anything! hw- It’s just corporate policy I know. -3 Actually… I work as a assistant writer for radio. Back when I was an idol, I thought radio would be good. I started by being a production assistant… The end —38 -1 My Ideal, My Love —39 -1 Picnic —40 -1 Recently one thing I’ve been enjoying is hitting my favorite clothing store after payday. Remi-san, does it fit? -3 And in addition… Yes! What do you think? —41 -1 It’s so cute on you! Sayaka -2 sfx- Throoob It’s getting called “cute” by the wonderful employee here. —42 -1 Wow! You really think so?! sfx- Kya -2 Is there anything else that’s caught your eye? Even if it’s to try something on… -3 Um… Okay then… How about the dress you are wearing right now, Sayaka-san? This? Ah, in addition, there is orange and saxe blue. Would you like to see them? Yes, that sounds great! -4 Ok, I’ll get them from the back room. —43 -2 This is… Yeah, with my height, it’s kinda… sfx- Flop Yeah, it’d be hard to walk in. It’s a little long. -3 It too bad. This one is so cute, too. But this happens all the time. —44 -2 The length… Shall I shorten it for you? -3 Eh? -4 We actually don’t offer that service, but… But you are such a great customer. Don’t tell the manager, ok? -5 I-is that ok? Wouldn’t it be hard to alter this design? I’m sure I can do something about it. -6 About here is where I think it’d look the most cute on you, Remi-san… —45 -1 Ah… That’s if you intend to buy it, of course… I’ll take it! I’ll take it! I want to wear the same one as you, Sayaka-san! -2 No matter what you buy from this store… In general you will always match me. -4 Mush -5 Getting secret extra service above and beyond. That means… sfx- MushaMushaMushaMusha —46 -1 That means I’m a special customer, right?! ### special needs since you are creeping on an employee… I’m not just a random customer any more…! -2 I found a wonderful shop -3 With a wonderful salesclerk -4 Became a regular -4 And we’ve gotten to the point where we chat a bit… -5 So you’re a baker! It must be hard getting up early all the time. Yeah, it is! Since you must be short on time do you eat toast in the morning? Sometimes I have the time to eat rice! —47 -1 Sayaka-san, is there any bread that you are fond of? -2 I like various little rolls. Like curry bread or yakisoba-pan. Ones with things like Gobou salad or gratin on top. -3 I never would have guessed sfx- Throb -4 Ah, right! -6 Sorry it took longer than I thought, but here is your dress. —48 -1 The dress! Thank you so much! -2 And here. Some bread. To say thanks! If you want it, that is. -3 Eh? This many? Really? Oh please don’t give me that. As long as is not a bother, please accept them. -4 Then I’ll take you at your word. -5 Throb -6 Um! Since you said you like a variety of buns, I made one of each flavor - Japanese, western and Chinese. There’s a meatball bun, one with gratin, and twice cooked pork. Did you make these, Remi-san? hw- Twice cooked pork… —49 -1 Well, I am a baker, so… I tried them out, so I think the flavor’s ok. To go out of you way and make them to suit my own tastes… Thank you so much! -2 With making bread… I started off with making the things I liked. So thinking about making bread to match other people’s tastes was fun! -4 Wow, that’s wonderful! Once I get home and take some pics, I’ll try them out. Oh, they’re not something to throw up on instagram or anything. hw- And please try to eat them within two days. -5 The next time you come to the store, please wear the dress. I’d love to see how it looks on you. Of course! —50 -1 sfx- Muncha Muncha -2 It’s delicious… Yeah, she’s clearly a pro. In the meatballs, I can taste lotus root and shiitake mushrooms… For Sayaka -3 If I have one with each meal it saves on groceries. -4 I finished them before I knew it. -5 Shaaa -6 Gulp —51 -1 Since you said you like a variety of buns… -3 I started off with making the things I liked. So thinking about making bread to match other people’s tastes was fun! -4 Lace… What kinds do I have… And I’d like to use that fabric I just bought. —52 -1 How is it? -2 You look wonderful! Really cute! Reaaally? Thank you so much! -3 By the way… Um… I, uh… to say thanks for the bread, I was thinking about making a garment for you. -4 Whaaa? hw- Clothing? -5 Your bread was so yummy. Especially the meatball one. Th-that’s wonderful, however… Making me something just over that?! Thanking me for my thanks is just over the top… —53 -1 You know Whenever I see a beautiful fabric, I buy some. But recently I haven’t been able to sew anything. -2 How about you come and look at the fabric I have and then if there’s something that catches your eye, Remi-san, I’ll like to make something for you with that. -3 Her home? -4 I can go to Sayaka-san’s home?! —54 -1 Whoooa -2 Wow, everything’s so cute! So stylish! It’s like it could be highlighted in a magazine! Whenever I find a little something with a nice feel, I end up buying it. -3 My desire to come over to Sayaka’s house won over feeling bad about having her make me something. But, yeah… I want to get closer! I want to get more friendly with her! -4 These are the fabrics that I have… —55 -1 Sfx- Stuffed -2 Whooaa Wooow! -3 For something larger like a dress, I think the fabrics from here to here would work. For a skirt, just about anything would be ok. If something catches your eye, just let me know. -4 Woooow… hw- It’s like a store… For the design, I pulled out a couple things. —56 -1 The design? sfx- Flip ###large sfx sfx- Th-thump Th-thump -2 sfx- Flip Wow! That’s amazing! -3 Flip -5 So cute! sfx- Flip -6 Remi-san, you like silhouettes like this, right? Yeah And I think this kind of style would work on you also. If you think it would be too young for you, we can change the color and the fabric to hit the right balance. -7 She, uh… She really knows her stuff! sfx- Nervous -8 Sayaka-san, could it be that you were a designer before working at the store? —57 -1 Goodness, no. But I did major in fashion. -2 Recently I’ve only been making small accessories, and haven’t sewn any clothes at all. But after getting to know you, I’ve wanted to make some. -3 So what do you like? -4 Ba-zing -5 Ah! Um… Um… sfx- Flippity Flip I thought this might be nice! Okay Then let’s start with measurements. -3 If I knew you were going to be measuring me, I would have dieted yesterday… hw- Bust, 82cm Even if you did… It wouldn’t have changed things much. -4 Be cool, Remi… sfx- Nngh -5 Yoink —59 -1 Um… Please don’t draw in your stomach like that… Ok… -3 Waist, 65cm -4 I’ll do your hips next, ok? -5 Pull -6 Nothing strange is happening! Nothing strange is happening! sfx- Bluuuush —60 -1 sfx- Exhausted! Emotionally drained -2 Um… The cost for the material and your labor… I’ll totally pay for it, ok? So just let me know how much it is… -3 Eh? Ah… Mmm… It would help if you paid, but… -4 But you might not like the finished product. No! No! Ah, I mean… Um… -5 I know you’re making something for me, but… That design… I just think it would look so good on you, Sayaka-san. —61 -1 Me? -2 So, uh… I’d love it if you’d make us matching dresses! I’d love to have matching outfits with you! -3 I know I’m totally being selfish here… hw- I can’t believe I’m saying this! But on the off chance you have enough material… No! If there’s not enough, I’ll buy more! —62 -1 That seems fun. Let’s do that. -3 To start with, I made the patterns. Sayaka -4 Whoaaaa -5 We were able to legally (?) exchange contact info. Maybe I’m only allowed to send businessy kinds of texts? -6 Good Morning The patterns are amazing! I can’t even imagine how things are going to look based on this -8 Good Morning! Making patterns that line up with my final image is hard —63 -1 I would guess so Amazing! ###stamp BTW Where is the bakery where you work? The bread you gave me was so good, I’d like to buy some It’s called Pan Denrebe But I can make them for you any time you want! This is the cat that’s often behind the bakery. Such a cutie I made a test article out of thin fabric. Can I have you come over for a test fit? You bet! -2 This needs to be brought in a bit. We may have to check the toile a couple times. -3 I brought some panini over! One has cheese, basil and chicken. The other has potato salad and ham. Which one would you like? Mmn, the potato salad, please. -4 Chaka Chaka Chaka Chaka -6 Flash -7 It’s finished! —64 -1 Aaooow! It’s finally done! -2 And we can now wear the same thing! Thank you so much! sfx- Spin Spin Not just matching, having both be finished at the same time makes me so happy! If I was just making one for you, Remi-san, I could have finish more quickly, but… —65 -1 C’mon, don’t worry about that! Um! Can I take a picture together with you? -2 Please send it to me later, ok? -4 Your room is so cool, Sayaka-san! It’s just like getting a photo taken at a studio! If I look closely, I can see where our dresses are different! sfx- Kya Kya It felt a little playful. —66 -1 Um, If it’s ok with you, how about we go out like this? Maybe go to dinner? -3 Mmm… Today’s a bit… -4 Ah Huh? She can’t? Do you have something to do? -5 I don’t have anything like that, but… It makes me tired to go out when I haven’t planned to. -6 Ah… Ah! Yeah, I get you! It’s like that sometimes! But is it? Remi-san, I’m sorry to have made you come all this way. I’ll see you to the station. Ah… Thank you! —67 -1 Really, thank you so much for the dress! How about we go out for tea or something when it suits you? -3 I’m not sure when my next day off will be, so I’ll contact you once I know. —68 -1 I found a really nice cafe! Would you like to go try it out together? I’m sorry, I have plans on my next day off. -2 I have next Tuesday off, how about you, Sayaka-san? Due to something going down with another staff member, I don’t know when I’ll get my next day off for the next while. Thanks for inviting me. I’m sorry to turn you down. -3 Every since she used her days off to make something for me… I guess she’s catching up on the things she couldn’t do then? Maybe she’s catching up with friends she couldn’t see? -4 What can I do? It’s not like I can complain or anything… -5 Tuesday. It’ll be my first day off after payday. —69 -1 Peer -2 Welcome in! Wow, your dress is so cute! Right? -3 Can I take a look around? Please do. -4 Sayaka-san’s not here… sfx- Glance Since it’s not her day off, maybe she’s on her lunch? —70 -1 Snip. -2 When I get paid… Rent and utilities, 60,000 yen. sfx- Snip Snip My credit card payment will be about 80,000… -3 Sfx- Gruuumble -4 sfx- Bwoop Hello -5 Is today a day off for you, maybe? I brought some goodies for you If it’s ok, I thought maybe I could swing them by your place. —71 -1 That’s fine. -3 I’m sorry I don’t have any drinks or anything to serve you… No, I dropped by all the sudden, after all… I’ll just swing by the convenience store and get some! If you tell me what you like, i’ll get it for you. —72 -1 Tap water. -2 Eh? -3 That’s what I always drink. Tap water. -4 Ah! Recently the water quality’s been good, right? And they say drinking a lot of water is good for your complexion… -5 I’m poor. I have a shopping problem I can’t get a grip on. —73 -1 The moment I get my pay, I spend it up. Things I don’t even need. If something cute grabs my attention, I end up buying it. -2 I’ve been turning down your invitations because I don’t have any money. It gradually estranges me from my friends, too. I know it makes it hard for people to socialize with me. But I just end up thinking “well, what can I do”? -3 I’m so sorry for always turning down all your invitations… —74 -1 Please believe me… I really want to go out with you, Remi-san… But I’m no good… -3 Well then… Let’s do something that doesn’t cost money! —75 -2 If you don’t have money right now… You could get another job, or sell some things in your house on one of those apps… something like that, right? -3 Force yourself to do the hard things… Yeah… I guess so. —76 -1 Sayaka-san, your designs are all so cute. You could start selling handmade clothing maybe… Well, I don’t know anything about it… While I sure it’s hard, it’s something you could make money with. -3 It is hard. Among all the people I went to school with only one or two of them were able to make a go of it. -5 When we lay down… -6 Our eyes are at the same level. —77 -1 Next time… I’ll make clothing for our picnic. -2 Remi-san I’m going to try to become a better person little by little. So please… -3 Will you still stay with me while I do that? —78 -1 If… If you’ll have me! -2 It was an afternoon where the things I can look forward to… Suddenly soared. The end. —79 -1 My Ideal, My Love. —80 -1 My Ideal, My Love. —81 -1 If a Lotus Should Bloom —82 -1 Flash -2 A little while after Tsuruko went to the house of a distant relative… a single letter arrived. —83 -1 I am in love. And I have been for a long time. It’s not a bright and shining love. -2 It’s a love that will never be. In the beginning, I was content just to gaze from afar… Watching the sun filter through the trees onto their shirt at the shoreline. That’s all I needed. But my heart was enveloped by thorns… Hating people. Cursing the world. Disgusted with myself more and more with each day. —84 -1 I must be someone born to bear the brunt of unhappiness. I must have been in a state where I was unable to recall that I had even been happy. So an unhappy love felt inevitable. -2 Even when I viewed the snow of your hometown I cannot say whether I had a pure heart or not. —85 -2 It was not long after receiving that letter that I got word of Tsuruko’s death. I cried. I was anguished. And somewhere in my heart I was astonished. -3 She sent a love letter to her beloved before her death! She thought that because they were both women, that her love could never be. So that’s why she was in such a distant place! —86 -1 That story of unrelenting unhappiness was just one act. Just a fleeting scene, but… -2 But it was indelibly etched into the back of my mind. All The Flowers Theater Group 19th Production People Made of Glass -3 All this started two weeks prior. Japanese Pub Ebisu -4 Hey, Mayu-chan… Are you free on Sunday the week after? —87 -1 A friend of my friend is in an amateur theater group. And they have tickets they need to sell. -2 A play… -3 I haven’t been to one since high school. Me too! That’s why I don’t want to go alone! Will you go with me? The friend who told me about it is busy, so… -4 Mmm… Can I think on it for a bit? —88 -1 Five or six times a week I work at a pub. When I go home, I shower and hit the sack. That’s all. -2 For lunch I eat leftovers from the family dinner of the night before. -3 On my days off, I just laze around and do nothing. I just binge watch the stuff I record off the TV. -4 All my good friends mostly went to college and seem to be enjoying their life there. -5 What do you think about the play next Sunday? I need to let my friend know pretty soon. They said the tickets are 4000 yen. —89 -1 I guess I’ll go. -2 I just wanted to see a bit of the world I’ve never seen. —90 -1 Clap ###repeat -2 That brief scene with the girl and the letter… What was it about that…? hw- That was awesome! hw- Yeah! There was this fleeting feeling… that I needed to protect her… -3 It wasn’t in the play, but I wonder how it was between the two of them when they were together. -4 If I was the girl she fell in love with, there wouldn’t be any problem… sfx- Bwooo -5 I wonder if the actress is really like that…? I better look up her name… —91 -2 Ah… It’s her… -3 Tap Tap -4 Help me! I’m hurting so much! Come find me! —92 -1 I want to fall in love… with the one who loves me. -2 sfx- Hah -3 sfx- Th-thump ###repeat All The Flowers Theater Troupe… That was the name, right? Yeah, that’s it. —93 -1 The studio on the 2nd floor… So, it must be this room, right? -3 Ah! Are you Nigaki-san? The one who wants to observe? Yes! -4 I’m the manager, Hanabishi. Hello! —94 -1 Everyone! We have someone who’s come to observe! Woohoo! -2 sfx- Clamor Clamor Nice to meet you! Hello! -2 How about you give a brief self intro? …Hello everyone. I’m Nigaki Mayuko. I don’t have any experience with drama. I hope to work behind the scenes… -3 sfx- Hmmmmm So why our theater group? —95 -1 Um… Recently I saw “People Made From Glass”… And I thought it was amazing. hw- Uh… Especially, uh…! I was especially moved by the scene where a friend gets a letter - kinda like a note from a dead person. The woman who fell down was really pretty… Ephemeral… -2 She came to see our show! Ruri, she’s talking you up! We all made a ton of paper snow flakes for that, huh? sfx- Nudge -3 Thanks… -4 Eh, You were the actress for that? Kya! That’s right. —96 -1 Oookado Ruri. It was just a bit part, so thanks for remembering it. -2 Huh? She’s different from… -3 Main cast or role player, everyone’s a flower here! You’re blooming now, Ookado! That kind of feeling is exactly why I name the group “All The Flowers”! hw- Well, flower is in my name too 花菱 (Hanabishi)’s name includes the kanji for flower “花”. hw- You’ve told us over and over -4 Since we just finish our production, today’s practice won’t be very practice-like. We’ll do vocal drills, stretch, and since you’re here, join in! sfx- Smooth Ah… but I hope to be behind the scenes… It’s all good! You brought sweats, right? You can go change over there. —97 -2 I’m Hinoki. My name’s Narumi. I’m Ooga. Call me Ooguma. She won’t be able to remember them all at once! I’m Hodaka, by the way. -3 I’m next to Ruri-san… sfx- Slide Slide -4 sfx- Clap! Ok, let’s start with vocal warmups! Good posture, everyone! Put your power into your belly! -5 Power? In my belly? Like, here? -6 Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Tighten up the area below your belly button. —98 -1 You should feel like your belly and back are touching. Hyaaa Okay hw- Straighten your spine Tilt your body forward just a bit. sfx- Press Press -2 Everyone ready? Let’s start. Repeat after me, everyone. -3 Aaaaaah sxf- Aaaaaah —99 -1 High voice! Aaaaaah sfx- Aaaaaah Low voice! Aaaaaah sfx- Aaaaaah Short! Aah! Aah! Aah! Aah! Aah! sfx- Aah Aah Aah Aah Aah -2 A E I U E A O KA KE KI KU KE KA KO SA SE SHI SU SO SA SO TA TE CHI TE TO TA TO ### This is the equivalent to going through the alphabet sfx- A E I U E A O KA KE KI KU KE KA KO SA SE SHI SU -3 Amemba Akai na Aiueo… Ah, I heard this before. -4 ### See note at end of chapter for information on this poem. Amembo Akaina Aiueo… So this is what it’s like… Kitahara Hakushuu (Gojyuuon) —100 -1 Stretching sfx- Ngh… Ngh… -2 Sorry I’m so heavy… sfx- Stretch -3 OhMyGod… sfx- Press Press -4 Ok, take a break! Yusss! -5 Um… Ruri-san, how old are you? —101 -1 I’m twenty five. Eh?! I thought you were in your teens! I could have sworn you were younger! -2 Snerk! No way Ruri’s in her teens, eh? I guess her role left too strong of an impression… -3 Nigaki-san, how old are you? I’m twenty one. -4 sfx- Grump You’re the younger one. ###bold or italicize “you’re” -5 Crap, I guess I shouldn’t have asked her age. Maybe she has a complex about having a baby face. So young! The youngest kid always looks young! —102 -1 Clap Clap -2 So, just like you heard yesterday… For our next performance I’ve decided our program will be “Charles” with a script from Hodaka. -3 I’ve prepared copies, so come get yours. Today, we’ll just do a casual read through. I’d like you to start getting a feel for what role you’re interested in. -4 Here. It’s just copies stapled together… -5 If you have yours, just sit over there. sfx- Grump —103 -1 To start with, we’ll just assign roles going clockwise. I want to hear from people without roles later too. Charles Ai-chan Kari-na Me-san Noah Miki-san Lola Hodaga Jack me Morgan Hikaru Thomas Kamachi -2 Ida Ookado Kiiru Ko-chan Martin Naru Eliza Mochiko Ticco Izurin Narration and stage direction - Shinono, please read that. Ok? sfx- Yeees ### erase out the horizontal text under panel. I’ve accounted for it in the script. -3 Ok, let’s start! sfx- Beep -4 The city at night. From a distance a great commotion is heard. A man and woman, holding hands, appears. —104 -1 I’m relying on you to provide what I’ve requested on next Tuesday. Yes, I know. The clock sounds. -2 Goodnight, my beloved… Goodnight to you… The two part. Charles remains. -3 Well then! It seems like my assignment will go swimmingly this time! It is a lark to play the gentleman, but I do feel poorly for the ladies who fall for me and are not privy to the fact that am a woman. -4 ### the next three are the grey bubbles Charles leaves. The scene shifts to Marty’s house. Marty-san, are you sure it’s ok? We just occasionally stayed in the same ship’s cabin. Are you sure it’s ok I stay with you here? You’re the one who found my watch, right? Ah This story is about a beautiful woman dressed as a man. —105 -1 Ok, come here, Ticco. It’s nice to meet you, Eliza-san. I will be troubling you for the immediate future. Ticco extends his hand. Nice to meet you, Ticco. -2 Charles and Ida run into each other in town. -3 Excuse me! Whoa! I wasn’t looking! -4 No, please excuse me. To run into such a beautiful woman must surely mean this is a wonderful day! -5 You are so skilled at flattery. I simply speak my heart’s own truth! If it is no problem, would you like to accompany me to tea? -6 I do beg your pardon. I am in a hurry. Ah! But I will pass by here on the ‘morrow… —106 -1 I understand. I will be waiting. Carrying a bouquet of flowers. The two seem reluctant to part. Ida heads off to meet with someone else. -2 I have made contact with that man ###bold or italicize “that” As per to the rumors, he is quite smug. -3 Charles has been seducing the daughters of members of the diet. He is quite suspicious. You are the most skilled of all our group. I have high expectations of you. -4 I will endeavor to surpass them. —107 Wow! She just read Ida in character! Tomorrow, on tenth street, we plan to meet. Will we need a guard? I hear he is a man with sharp instincts. Just using her voice, Ruri-san seems like a completely different person! -2 Amazing! Perhaps you will soon hear the footstep of your mistress’s husband. So this is what being an actor is like! -3 After that, the script was read several times with people changing up the roles. After that, Hanabishi-san, asked them to consider which roles they wanted to do, and we ended there. Ok, who wants to go out to eat? -4 Nigaki-san, if you’re free, wanna go? We’re just going to a family restaurant, though. I have work after this, I’m sorry. Me too. I see. -5 Nigaki-san! —108 -1 How was it? Visiting today? Ah… -2 Um…! It might be obvious, but everyone’s acting ability is soo good! When they read through the script it was like they were a different person! I totally ended up thinking how amazing the actors were! -3 Hahaha Everyone’ll be happy to hear it. We practice on Saturdays and the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Feel free to come observe any number of times, or if you’d like to join… -4 I’ll join! I’ll join the troupe! —109 -1 Ooh! Getting your teeth into it, huh? Always a welcome for those who wanna do it! hw- You were the loudest during the vocal exercises! -2 Ok, then… Just a sec… Here is the application. sfx- Rummage hw- I thought this might happen Just fill it out by next time. -3 In addition, the fees, schedule, group rules are also included in there. Please read them over. Got it. -5 Nigaki-san, are you going to the station? Ah, yeah. Ok. Would you like to go together? Yes. Score! —110 -1 So you decided to join, Nigaki-san. Yep. Ah, you can just call me Mayuko. -2 Mayuko-chan, is your workplace near here? It’s two stations down. I’ve got plenty of time, so I thought I’d swing by home first. I see. -3 Um! But you were amazing back there! You did Lola and Eliza as well, but… When you did Ida at first, and the way your portrayed the two sides of her was just…! -4 Ah… Thank you. Well, it was the first time I’d seen the script, so I wanted to try out opposites. —111 -1 Actors really can get into character no matter who they are portraying, huh? So that’s why I thought you were younger than me. But you seem like really a strong person. The gap is pretty… -2 I seem strong? -3 Like you have a solid core. Kinda leaning into “cool”. When I saw People Made From Glass I ended up thinking, “Ah! I want to protect her!” I could only see you as a young woman. But after meeting you today, you totally are a regular adult. -4 Ah… I’m so nervous i’m just prattling on… And the story was great to begin with —112 -1 …I just was in a bad mood today. I guess I made the mood heavy. Sorry ‘bout that. -2 Eh? -3 Today, the script for our next production was handed out. I also submitted a treatment for the story. But someone else’s got chosen. -4 You can write scripts? Amazing! No. Not amazing. I didn’t get chosen. -5 Ah… -6 With a play, a spirit of cooperation is essential. It not great that it ended up showing on my face. —113 -1 Well, we’re just human. So I guess that’s the way it goes sometimes… “That’s the way it goes”? I hate that expression. -2 But… if you think “that’s the way it goes”, and you don’t check yourself… You end up looking for worthless excuses. Like “maybe Hanabishi-san just didn’t like the content of my script”. Or “If only I had more time to make it better”. —114 -1 Ah… -2 That girl! She’s here! —115 -1 But, hey… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dump this on you when we’ve just met. -2 We’ve met before! -3 Huh? -4 We met when you were on the stage! —116 -1 My ideal, My love. ### Insert the following at the end of the chapter Translator’s note: あめんぼの歌　Amembo No Uta Amenbo no Uta is a Japanese poem written by Hakushuu Kitahara (1885-1942). It consists of random words to balance out the Japanese 50 kana sounds. It’s the equivalent of the English sentence “The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog” which uses all 26 letters. This is used today for all performers in Japan as a warm up exercise. It will be revisited with some story significance in part three. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmCDXhPEBFw Amembo No Uta amembo　akaina　aiueo
ukimoni　koebimo　oyoideru kakinoki　kurinoki　kakikukeko
kitsutsuki　kotsukotsu　karekeyaki sasageni　suokake　sashisuseso
sonouo　asasede　sashimashita tachimasho　rappade　tachitsuteto
totetote　tattato　tobitatta namekuji　noronoro　naninuneno
nandoni　numette　naninebaru hatopoppo　horohoro　hahifuheho
hinatano　oheyanya　fueofuku maimai　nejimaki　mamimumemo
umenomi　ochitemo　mimoshimai yakiguri　yudeguri　yaiyueyo
yamadani　hinotsuku　yoinoie raichoha　samukaro　rarirurero
rengega　saitara　rurinotori waiwai　wasshoi　waiueo
uekiya　idogae　omatsurida Meaning: amembo (water strider/pond skater) akai(red)na AIUEO
ukimo(floating algae)ni　koebi(small shrimp) mo　oyoideru(swimming) kakinoki (persimmon tree) kurinoki (chestnut tree)Ka Ki Ku Ke Ko
kitsutsuki(woodpecker) kotsukotsu(pecks at the wood) karekeyaki(withered zelkova trees) sasage(black-eyed pea)ni　su(the vinegar)o kake (putting) Sa Si Su Se So
sono(the) uo(fish)　asase(shallows)de　sashimashita(sting) tachimasho(stand up)　rappa (trumpet)de　 Ta Ti Tu Te To
totetote(onomatopoeic word)tatta(onomatopoeic word) to　tobitatta(fly away) namekuji(slug)　noronoro(mimetic word)　 Na Ni Nu Ne No
nando(storeroom)ni　numette(be slippery)　nani(what) nebaru(be sticky) hatopoppo(pigeon: baby talk)　horohoro(onomatopoeic word)　Ha Hi Hu He Ho
hinata (sunny place)no　oheya(room) nya　fue o fuku(whistle) maimai(snail)　nejimaki(windup)　 Ma Mi Mu Me Mo
umenomi(fruit of plum)　ochite(drop) mo　mimoshimai(don’t see) yakiguri(roasted chestnuts)　yudeguri (boiled chestnuts)　 Ya (i) Yu (e) Yo
yamada(rice field in mountain) ni　hinotsuku(light up)　yoi(in the evening)no ie(house) raicho(snow grouse)ha　samukaro (seems cold)　 Ra Ri Ru Re Ro
rengega(la Chinese milk vetch)　saita(bloom)ra　rurinotori(sky blue birds) waiwai(mimetic word)　wasshoi(shout/call)　 Wa Wi (u) We Wo
uekiya (gardener)　idogae(cleaning a well)　omatsurida(festival) —117 -1 If a Lotus Should Bloom —118 -1 We met when you were on the stage! -2 Yeah, that’s right. I meet each and every member of the audience, right? -3 I have impure motives. I chased you here. I’m sorry for pushing you like this. —119 -1 Japanese Pub Ebisu -2 Here is your beer and oolong tea. Ohh! Onee-san, you’re a cutie! Hey! Got a boyfriend? -3 Ah, Sorry, but I do! Is he better looking than me? You said it, ahaha -4 Eh, well… When you break up, lemme know! Here’s my contact! -5 Shove -6 You got to touch her hand! Gyahaha But she was stacked, right? —120 -1 Gaawd, table 3 was so loud! hw- They finally went home… -2 But they really gave you a hard time, huh? Are you ok? Yeah. Separate the garbage! ###sign -3 You should really just get a boyfriend. You say that like it’s easy. -4 Ah, right! One of my friends saw a pic of you, and thinks you’re hot. How about it, Mayu-chan? Or should I let you know when a drinking party happens? hw- Mmm I’m not in a huge rush to find a boyfriend. -5 You say that now! But when you get all lonely in the middle of the night, you can’t find one when you need it! sfx- Whish Sounds like you’ve had it rough, Osayo (LOL) ###bold or italicize “you’ve” -6 I’ve got my reasons. —121 -1 This happens every now and again. It’s a pain. -2 Sigh… -4 Flip -5 Theater Troupe “All The Flowers” next production is “Charles”. The main character is a spy, handsome and well versed in literature and military arts. In reality, she’s a beautiful woman dressing as a man. And depending on the mission, she’ll fool both women and men alike. —122 -1 Since the character is so perfect, Even if they encounter small hardships, life must still be fun for them. -2 The reason I dress as a man? That is… -3 If I wasn’t a man… My house would not have come into it’s inheritance. So that’s the pretext why I was raised as a man. That’s all. —123 -1 I’ve never resented my parents. Thanks to them, I can enjoy both living as a man and as a woman as much as I want. -4 Mayuko-chan, what do you want to do now that you’re here? -5 You said you wanted to work backstage. But there’s a variety of things to do. Costuming? Sound engineering? Scenery? Lighting? Publicity? —124 -1 I haven’t really thought about it. Just a vague feeling… of want to do something around the stage. -2 I see. We don’t have all that many members, so… there’s only three people who just do backstage work. We ask people outside the group to help, or the actors help out wherever they can and do double duty. Oh, I get it now. -3 Well to begin with, I think I’ll have Nigaki-san put together the cast list. sfx- Heya! Cast list? -4 A chart showing when characters enter and exit the stage. hw- There’s a variety of ways to do it Peach Boy ###title of chart ### the following are column headings Scene Momotaro Dog Monkey Pheasant Grandfather Grandmother Demon Townsperson Props ###column one Scene 1 Scene 1 Scene 3 ###column two At breakfast Going to the river Birth of Momotaro Growing up. Start of travels. On the road 1 On the road 2 On the road 3 Demon Island Battle Homecoming ###last column Peach Knife Dango Treasure -5 And while you’re at it, please notate what props are needed. To start with, we’ll have you help with props. Rika-chan is the prop-master, so talk with her later. —125 -1 Since we’re writing our own script, there may be little changes here and there. hw- If we used someone else’s script, we’d have to get their permission to change things. hw- Hodaka I wrote it! -2 And over time, we’ll have you try lighting and costumes and music and scenery and slowly get you to be an all-rounder. sfx- Wah ha ha C’mon, there’s no one superhuman enough to do all that. -3 Well, we never have enough people. Even if you can help out with one thing, it’d be a big help. -4 Yeah! Right? -5 I’ll give it my best! -6 Ok, We’ve hit twelve noon, so let’s start with vocal warmups. “What do you want to do?” I hadn’t given it any thought. The only thing I could think of was handing out flyers, but there’s all sorts of things to do. —126 -1 Today, roles for the upcoming play will be decided. It get decided by who wants to play the role and Hanabishi-san’s vision of the role. It seems like several people from other troupes will be given guest roles. -2 When the roles get decided, it feels like it’s really happening, huh? It’s so exciting. Yeah. -3 Good luck with being “Lola” Yeah. -4 Oh, right. Today I borrowed DVDs of past performances from Hanabishi-san. Do you have a recommendation? -5 Mmm… What did you borrow/ sfx- Flip Um… Blue Bottle Barrett Cinema Black Lizard Spinning Rocking Horse And the one you just did - People Made From Glass. —127 -1 I guess the one I’d recommend the most is Blue Bottle. That’s the one most filled with things that Hanabishi-san pushed for. Barrett Cinema is close to comedy, so it’s easy to watch, I think. I’m not happy with my performances, so it’s a little embarrassing for me to watch. -2 I’m looking forward to seeing you in all sorts of roles, Ruri-san. -4 …but acting is not my main thing. -5 Huh? So… Then what is…? Script writing? hw- You just wrote one, right? —128 -1 Nuh-uh. I want to direct. -2 And directing means…? Like in movies, the director is in charge of everything. For us, that’s Hanabishi-san. Hanabishi-san started as an actor. He still does roles from time to time. -3 hw- Hanabishi-san, when he was young. -4 So is that… Your future dream? -5 Future…? Well… I guess so. —129 -1 I love the stage. And after seeing a variety of things… Yeah, it makes me want to put on a show With the stories that I love. And a production that I love. Assembling actors that I love. -3 Ruri-san, when you direct your play I will do anything I can to help you! -5 Yeah. —130 -1 sfx- Shoofa Shoofa Easy Sewing Intro to sewing Learn it fast! DTM desktop music intro Direction If it’s books, we’ve got you covered Kinoshima ###bag -3 Wait… Is Thomas still here at this point? ###columns Charles Kari-na Noah Lola Jack Morgan Thomas 
 -4 Anything… -5 Mom, I messed up this skirt… Want me to fix it? -6 Even if it’s just one thing -7 Pi… Piano roll… Plug in…? Well, let’s start with Twinkle Twinkle -8 I want to help, even if it’s just a little. -9 Someone who’s always angry will be alone. Anger distracts me from my loneliness! So then I’m just a distraction too, then! —131 -1 Even though I can’t do anything now, if I work at it… ###vertical -2 We can mime the use of some props, but… Hanabishi-san prefers us to prepare real objects. So we divide the list into things we have and things we need. Then we plan to buy or make it… -3 Jack Don’t obscure people behind you. Ah, right. -5 Red line means BGM. Blue line is where we need SE. Ooh… SE means sound effect. -6 Charles, the one who has been seducing the minister’s daughters recently, he’s quite suspicious. There might be something that I can… ###vertical -7 So today let’s do a dry run as best as we can. —132 -1 Mayu-chan, can you be the prompter? hw- You have a copy of the script, right? Prompter? If an actor forgets their lines, you feed it to them. -2 Got it! Something I can do! -3 Today let’s focus on where Hiro-san comes in. So from scene five. If there is a sound effect you can do, please do it. sfx- Ooookay! -4 So… In a play, each scene is numbered. Each scene is denoted with “場”. Since the troupe didn’t have a member suitable for some roles, they called in Hiro-san and Tsukui-san from a different troupe. -5 Actors who are not in the scene wait on the sides. Actresses who will wear dresses wear their own skirts to practice the role. —133 -1 Slide… -3 Worn… -4 Everyone ready? Ok, start! -6 Recently, Eliza has been acting odd. -7 Ah, you skipped a couple lines. Wah! Seriously? How many? —134 -1 Come to think of it, how is Kiiru-sensei? He had to return home on an urgent errand. Damn it all! I missed him! What was the errand? Who knows…? He did indeed seem a little distressed… I see… I wish I could have consulted with him. The line after that is: “Recently, Eliza has been acting odd.” -2 Ahhhhh! Yeah, yeah, yeah. You skipped a whole chunk. -3 Just now… You weren’t reading that… -4 Yeah? -5 Did you memorize that? —135 -1 Um… Mostly. When I have free time at home, I read it… -4 Today… Izurin’s out, so why don’t you try her lines? Rather that just having someone just read her lines, having someone stand in makes everything easier. -5 Eh? That’s… Nngh… -6 How about giving it a shot? —136 -1 I’ll… try. -2 Ruri-san’s watching me. I don’t know him at all. -3 You are a terrible liar. He is your half brother, is he not? I… I am an only child. And my brother is a most serious man. -4 It’s because he’s serious! Since he is serious, indeed, he could not turn his back on his son… You are the same, are you not? You are kindly, after all. —137 -1 Then… Ruri-san is watching! Then how am I to help that person who might be my half brother? You have some idea, that’s why you came here, right? -2 She really did learn it… I’ve barely learned half of my own lines… -3 And what’s more… It seems she’s copied Izumin’s performance… Even down to her blocking… -4 We’ll seen this any number of times now, but.. sfx- Silence —138 -2 Mayuko-cha… Mayuko… You should act. -3 She dropped the -san?! Heh? Wha?! You’re tall. You have a good voice too. -4 Watching you, everyone was thinking the same. -5 An actress… you say… -6 How about giving it a shot? Wasn’t it fun? -7 It was… fun. —139 -1 It felt like I was becoming someone else. Kinda… Healing in a way. -2 Healing? Well I guess that’s one way to feel about it. Did I say something weird? Well, it’s it’s too late for this production, but maybe next one. -3 When I’m able put something together Do you want to try? sfx- Ka-tunk ga-dunk Ka-tunk ga-dunk -3 Screeeech -4 I wanna do it! sfx- Pssshhh —140 -1 Ok! So we start with voice training and physical conditioning. Really? -2 Do the vocal warm ups from the troupe and the stretching. Also, start running. Do tongue twisters and practice moving your body every day at home. To start with, learn Uirou Uri*. Whoa… Uirou Uri is one of the 18 best Kabuki plays premiered by Ichikawa Danjiro II ### under panel -3 There’s all sort of things to do! -4 And I’m not used to any of them! Ocha Tachyo Chatacho chattochachyo cha cha… Ah Ah Ah Ah ### This is a tongue twister -5 So hard… -7 But… —141 -1 If I just do little by little… -3 In one year… or two years… -5 Thanks for standing in today again! You really have remembered all of it! I’m going to lock up, ok? Sure. -6 So there’s lot of days when not everyone can come, huh? hw- Today I had a lot of lines. In order to be free on performance days, some people have to cram work in now… —142 -1 It happens right before the performance, and there’s not much I can say about it. Everyone has a job, and people have family obligations too. Well, I’m single, so I’m fine… -2 Ah, are you really? I would have thought you’d be popular. I am though? It’s just I haven’t met someone accomplished enough for me to marry. -3 Well, I’m gay, so… Finding someone good is… -4 So don’t go falling for me, ok Mayuko-chan? Eh? Ah… No worries… -5 I… also… Don’t have any interest in men. sfx- Ba-dump Ba-dump Ba-dump —143 -1 I get ya. -2 By the way, everyone in the troupe knows I’m gay, ok? -4 So. I bet you have something to discuss with me, because you stayed behind. Ah, yeah. -5 When I started I said I wanted to work behind the scenes. But recently Ruri-san said I should try acting… And… I’ve started to want to give it a try. Would that be ok? -6 Ah, I knew it. Otherwise you wouldn’t have memorized all the parts. -7 When you stand in for someone, you’re not just saying their lines. You’re copying the way they talk and the way they move.. That is a great way to start, I think. They say: to learn you need to copy. Whenever you start something new, copying is a good shortcut. —144 -1 Well, The person getting imitated can get irritated, but hey! Geez, the talent of youth is scary! -2 Talent?! You must be kidding me. -3 What are you talking about? -4 You’ve got it, you know. Talent. -5 Talent… -6 Talent?! —145 -1 The days fly by compared to when I was doing nothing. 1 Setup venue 3 Full dress rehearsal 4 Opening day 8 Concluding program -2 Just what do you intend here?! Aaah?! Don’t cast all the blame on Eliza! -3 Everyone’s expected to sell 20 tickets. Got it. Will I be able to sell them? Nigaki ###in circle 20 Tickets Member’s price 4000 yen -4 Do you think curling my hair like this is ok? It’s great! It’s great! -5 How many more risers do we need? In this scene, the song really makes an impact. Ah… I’ll get to it. -6 When it gets close to showtime, everyone gets on edge. It’s nice to see you all normal and smiling, Mayuko. hw- That scene has my cue to come in, but when the timing varies it’s an issue. hw- Mm… So should we time it? And after she said that… —146 -1 It was opening day before I knew it. Theater Firm -2 Where’s the the extra sheet? Grab Kushi-chan and finish this, ok? -3 Is the prop check finished? If so, then can you go usher, Mayuko? Sure. -4 Even Hanabishi-san and Ai-san, who are normally all smiles, are on edge. sfx- Tromp Tromp -5 2:30 -6 The theater is now open! sfx- Creeak —147 -2 Please have you tickets in hand -3 I’m glad I have customer service experience from my job… But hey, it’s the first time I’ve had five straight days off. -4 Theater Troupe All The Flowers 20th Presentation “Charles” Doors Open 2:30 Program Begins 3:00 -5 For ushers, once the program starts, stay in the theater, but you can watch from the back. -6 Um, is it ok if I go into the theater now? Yes, I’ll take care of the rest. -7 Whssh -8 Th-thump Th-thump —148 -1 Clack Clack Clack -2 Thank you for attending Theater Troupe All The Flowers 20th presentation “Charles”. Before the show starts, we have a request. Our presentation is set in France during the middle ages. Items not present in that time - evidence of the future - will surely startle the townspeople. sfx- Flash -3 Please ensure your cell phones and alarms are silenced. And any unauthorized photos, video and audio recordings are strictly prohibited. In the event of an unforeseen emergency, please remain calm and follow the usher’s instructions. Please feel free to laugh at the comedy and cry at the tragedy! But during important dialog, please remain silent. -4 The performance will begin shortly. Please enjoy it until the end. sfx- Dong Dong Dong —149 -1 sfx- Fwa -2 I’m relying on you to provide what I’ve requested on next Tuesday. Yes, I know. -3 Goodnight, my beloved… sfx- Kiss -4 Goodnight to you… -5 Well then! It seems like my assignment will go swimmingly this time! It is a lark to play the gentleman, but I do feel poorly for the ladies who are not privy to the fact that am a woman. —150 -3 This is amazing! So amazing! -5 Yeah… I want more. —151 -1 I want to be more involved! -2 Clap Clap Clap -3 Clap Clap -4 Have all actors returned their costumes and props to Rika-chan? Yes! -5 Final checks are done! —152 -1 Already, then we’re done for today. Today everyone should get in bed early! Okay We go all out tomorrow! Gotcha! -2 Who’s going in Jimi’s car? Meee Who’s coming with me? I can finally get a smoke! -3 Hikaru, don’t flub your lines tomorrow! Go jump off a bridge… -4 So tired… And it’s only opening day. The opening day is the hardest. -5 My husband forgot his keys, so I’m heading home, sorry. Good job today! I’m soo sleepy, so I’m going too. I ordered a parfait, so I’ll stay for a bit longer. -6 See you! -7 How was today? You watched the show, right? —153 -1 It was soo good! Even though I knew the story and what was going to happen, it still seemed fresh… -2 Everyone’s talent, all combined on the stage with the costumes and lighting and music… Made me think “that’s what you can see on the stage!” ###bold or italicize “that’s” I really thing Hanabishi-san is amazing for being able to juggle everything. -3 Yeah. I’ll let Hanabishi-san know -4 But hey, didn’t everyone get better once on stage? Haha Well, the audience is there, and the whole vibe of the performance has an effect. I think I just made a passing grade… -5 I wonder what you’d be like. Standing on the stage during showtime. —154 -1 Eh? -2 You’ll get up on the stage, right? You want to see how far your talent goes, it seems. -3 Talent… -4 Um, look… I just have free time… I’m just doing what I’m told, I don’t think that… -5 “Doing what people tell you”… There’s not a lot of people who can do what you did even if they are told. But you didn’t slack off. I know, because I was watching. Not a lot of people can absorb things like you can, Mayuko. Not many can do things just after seeing it a couple times. -6 Some things are easy for some people. If you put the work in to polish it up… That’s what you call talent, I think. -7 If you think “I don’t got it”, then you’ll never do anything, right? —155 -1 If I… happen to be better at acting than other people… It’s because… I’m used to telling lies. -2 I am… Um… I’m a… sfx- Ba-dump Ba-dump I’m a lesbian… -3 sfx- Ba-dump So I don’t really like myself. -4 When I act… sfx- Ba-dump Ba-dump It’s like I become someone else… It’s fun… -5 Not all lesbians are good at acting. Did you even listen to what I just said? —156 -1 But if that’s your motive. I’ll produce a show that lets you become the person you want to be, Mayuko. -2 So. What kind of person do you want to be? -3 I… I want to be… -4 A normal person. —157 -1 If a Lotus Should Bloom Ok! To Theater Troupe All The Flowers’ 20th production, “Charles”! To our seven performances! Good job, everyone! -2 Good jooob! -3 sfx- Clamor Clamor It’s… over… —159 -4 Ruri-san and Hiro-san… Were they that close…? -6 Mayuko. Hya! I just was talking with Hiro-san. —160 -1 The Atamayama troupe is having a show soon, and I asked him if he’d let me do a short piece to open with. -2 Wha? -3 So we’ll take a short break from All The Flowers, So how about it? You and me? On the stage? -4 I’ll produce a show that lets you become the person you want to be, Mayuko. -5 What we talked about earlier? Already?! That easily?! We’re just in the discussion phase right now. You can just get someone to let you open their performance that easily?! —161 -1 It’s a small group, so that means they’re more flexible. The director is more experimental. And he likes supporting up and comers. hw- She does workshops and stuff -2 B-but I should get more experience first… This will give you experience, right? Don’t you want to do it? -3 It’s no so much wanting to do it or not, but… -4 When I look at Ruri-san’s face with that “I wanna do it so bad…” expression, I can’t say no. -5 I’ll… do it. —162 -1 And a little more than two weeks after… -2 yamadani　hinotsuku　yoinoie raichoha　samukaro　rarirurero
rengega　saitara　rurinotori waiwai ### this is Amembo no uta again -3 After practice, Ruri-san invited me out. -4 It’s a date! hw- But it’s not -5 So about the opening play I mentioned earlier… I got the ok! This is the script. The performance will be in two months. -6 So you wrote this, Ruri-san? —163 -1 Yeah. A one act for you and me. I’m going to have you act the parts of three girls. All the other parts I’ll handle. -2 One person? Three roles? I’m not sure if I can do it… -3 Whether you can or not is up to whether you want to or not. -4 I… So cute! I can’t win against her —164 -1 The one act play Ruri-san wrote is “Three Free Girls”. Three young girls happen to look alike, and know each other through the postman. They decide to try exchanging places for a bit. -2 The blind girl, Akane. The poor girl living with her grandfather, Midori. The rich young lady, Remon ### In Japanese, the names are associate with colors (Red, Green, Yellow). Each of them is a little dissatisfied with their lives. —165 -1 I want to be a “normal” person. -2 So, uh, there’s no normal girl here. -3 But this… I know this was written for me. ###starting from the part not obscured by the ballon Postman: Wow, the next house is a mansion! Remon: Wow, I’ve never see this postman before Postman: Again! She looks identical! Even the moles are the same! Remon: Hey, wouldn’t you like to come have tea with me? I’m bored. Postman: I’m sorry, but I’m currently working. But would you give me your contact info Remon: I’m not allow to give that out to people Ok, then… -4 Well, let’s start with the lines. I’ll memorize the my lines. Good morning, Mr. Postman. Oh? Your footsteps sound different today. Good morning. I’m new and starting this route as of today. Ah, I only have to memorize my own lines, but that’s a pain, so I’ll memorize all of it. —166 -1 We will all become shooting stars! -2 Beep -3 That run through was about 20 minutes. -4 I want to watch the pacing, so next time, don’t leave as much space between the lines. Ok. Pauses are important, but it gets a bit much if you overdo it. -5 Ok… -6 What’s wrong? —167 -1 Um, I don’t know how to do different characters at all… I realized that if I don’t have something to copy, I can’t do anything… -2 But before, when you did have an example, you did great! hw- Don’t expect that much today, ok? -3 Mayuko, during “Charles”, you did a variety of roles, right? You can dip into your repertoire and adjust things by saying “For this scene, I’ll use that example.” Oh, I see… -4 For different characters, referencing Rakugo might be good. ### Traditional Japanese comedic storytelling. Watching one person shows would be the best I think, but there aren’t many recordings left. One person shows don’t really happen much… Oh… -5 sfx- Ka-cha Oho! You’re hard at it! —168 -1 Hanabishi-san! Hello! Hello. They rent the studio before All The Flower’s practice. ###Under panel -2 Are you going to watch our practice? I’m going to head back, because I have a meeting with the Mike. So getting to that stage huh? As long is Mike is good with it. Marui Mike-san, the sound guy. -3 I want to practice a bit more, so I’m going home too. When I get home, I’ll search up Rakugo videos. Okay. -4 Ah, right. Hanabishi-san, do you still have the video of Izurin doing her one-woman show? Ah, if I search, I bet I could dig it up. If you could, can I borrow it? Mm, sure. Good luck to you both. -5 Ah… She’s… She’s doing this for my sake! —169 -1 To tell you the truth, I didn’t want to rely on you so much… I don’t mind! I love raising me up some youngin’s! sfx- Ahaha hw- I’m going to have to lean on All The Flowers for costumes and props. Well, it’s not Iike I can have kids! -2 It that something to be laughing about? So Ruri-san and I are kids? -3 Ah! Mayuko, before you go… For flyers and stuff, what stage name do you want? You can use your real name too. Right. If you are going to act, you’re going to need one for my group too. Think about it, ok? hw- Right now, we use your real name to give you credit as staff. -4 Stage… name. -5 If a lotus should bloom Blue sky birds ### Another passage from Amembo no Uta. ### Blue sky birds in Japanese is “ruri no tori”, which is a allusion to Ruri-san. —170 -1 I’ll be… Renge ###Renge means lotus, which is mentioned in the same passage as “ruri no tori” -2 What? So you already thought of one? Um, ah… well… I just thought of it… -3 What about a last name? hw- Go with Nigaki? Um… What would go good with Renge? -4 Nizato. ### Nizato means new village Playing actress is giving me a complex… -5 Nizato Renge! Ok, I’ll use that as I prep things. —171 -1 Nizato Renge. It’s a strange feeling, as if a new me has been born. -2 Japanese pub Ebisu -3 How do you even come up with characters? Just make them do different voices and movement? There’s just mom and me at home, so the person I relate the most to is Midori… -4 sfx- Rattle sfs- ding ding Coming! —172 -1 One please. -2 Ah What do I do? What do I do in this situation? -2 Ah, um… Are you ok? Um… The shoe boxes are right here… -3 Mayu-chan, I’ll guide the customer. Can you bring the food? Kaji-kun! Sorry! -4 This way, please. -5 You can order through this tablet. Do you know how to use it? -6 Oh, it’s more “usual” than I thought. —173 -1 Kaji-kun, are you used to that? Working with blind people? Ah, yeah. My grandfather is blind, so I’m pretty used to it. -2 Um… Later, can you tell me a little about your grandfather? Sure. But why? -3 I… I want to create characters! -4 Let’s enjoy sports Blind Soccer (Soccer for the visually impaired) Futsal (5 person per side soccer) was Everyone except the goalie wears an eye mask use the ball -5 Kaji-kun’s grandfather wasn’t blind from birth… But Akane was, so it’s going to be a little different for her. I can continue to use the commonalities for reference, but for the overall feel, something like Jenny from “Bullet Cinema”… —174 -1 Were there any rich girls when you were growing up? You bet! Back in high school, the daughter of a realtor was super wealthy. She already was engaged! In this era! I couldn’t stomach it… -2 When I pressed my husband about his missing wedding ring He fuckin’ pawned it! No way! Wha? Divorce his ass! -3 My current boss is a woman, and dude, she totally sexually harasses me like crazy! Asking what color my underwear is and copping a feel of my butt… Man, you got it sweet! I hate it. Seriously! C’mon now… -4 Where are the people dealing with problems and dissatisfaction? The answer is, they’re everywhere. Maybe that’s what Ruri-san is thinking when it comes to “normal people”. —175 -1 Um… In trying to understand the characters, I tried charting out their growth. -2 Wha? -3 I’m sure there are places I got it wrong, so please point them out! ////// -4 I uh, generally gave them backgrounds, but I didn’t go this far, ok? hw- It’s a bit awkward to admit… Yeah, but can you let me know if it’s in the ballpark? Like I let my imagination run wild that Midori was lone wolf straying from the path in middle school and stuff! -5 Mayuko… I think you’re on the right path reading into the script like you are. That’s way more interesting than just being limited to what I thought. I’m not correcting a thing. —176 -1 It that how it goes? Well, depends on the troupe. -2 In any case, let’s do a standing read through. Put in the motions, and we’ll correct anything awkward. Okay. -3 The staging is going to be divided, from stage left, red, green and yellow spaces. Those will represent the various houses ### red, green and yellow correspond to the three girl’s names: Akane (red), Midori (green), and Remon (yellow). Akane’s House Midori’s House Remon’s House hw- Cloth hw- Riser Today, we’ll mark out the spaces with string. -4 Okay! sfx- Snap -5 Mayuko, you’re just like a sponge… You’re going to leave me in the dust. —177 -1 Ruri-san’s production -3 Is just on act. -5 With just one performance. -6 Ruri -8 But for Ruri-san’s sake I want to do everything in my power. -9 It feels like the distance between us is steadily getting smaller. So… if… But the show goes well, then I’ll… -10 The day of the performance was on us before we knew it. —178 -1 Akane’s anxieties… sfx- Click -2 Midori’s anxieties… sfx- Click -3 Remon’s anxieties… sfx- Click -4 First up is Akane’s anxieties. sfx- Click -6 Today’s opening performance Three, Free Girls! —179 -3 Good morning, Mr. Postman. Oh? Your footsteps sound different today. -4 Good morning. I’m new and starting this route as of today. -5 Oh, I see. My name is Akane. Ok! Nice to meet you! sfx- Whish —180 -1 What’s the matter? -2 I’m so sorry! I stuck out my hand for a handshake, but that’s gotta make you feel bad! -3 Ah, I’m sorry, I can’t see, so… sfx- Whoosh -4 sfx- Crack -5 Hah?! -6 I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! sfx- Bow Bow hw- Fufu hw- Snicker Snicker Please don’t worry about it. Ok, until tomorrow! -7 stf- Trot Trot Mmm… So the next house is… —181 -1 Mr. Postman. Good day. -2 She looks exactly like the last… -3 Wha?! In any event, please hand over the mail. If Grampa happens to see any bills, he will raise a fuss. Y-yes! -4 Here you are. See you tomorrow! -5 Wow… the next house is a mansion! —182 -1 Wow! I haven’t see your face before, are you perhaps new? -2 Again! She looks identical! Even the moles are the same! -3 Hey, wouldn’t you like to come have tea with me? I’m so thoroughly bored. I’m sorry, but I’m working right now. -4 But would you give me your contact info? Papa has told me I’m not allowed to give that out to people -5 I apologize for not knowing my limits. Ok, see you tomorrow, then! —183 -1 And then, once the three have made their acquaintances through the postman… At Remon’s suggestion, they act as each other for a time. -2 What if a shooting star fell, or a bomb went off and wiped everything out? Haven’t you two ever thought about that? -3 I have. …yes. And that is exactly what I am suggesting! —184 -1 Thank you for always taking care of me. Yeah, yeah, You’re always a pain in my butt. Can I have one of these rings? Ah… um… Sure… Go ahead. Akane thought it would be nice to sleep all day, and switches with Remon. But because she’s timid, she get taken advantage of by the servants. -2 My eyes? I can see now. That’s wonderful! Now I can find someone to marry you! Your daughter regains her eyesight and that’s the first thing you say to her? ###bold or italicize “that’s” Midori thought it would be nice if she didn’t have to work, so she switches with Akane. But now she is faced with an arranged marriage to a man she doesn’t even know. -3 You’re young, so why aren’t you busy with chores? There’s still cleaning and dish washing to do! Hey! Why do I have to do all of that just because I’m young? I’m already exhausted from my job! Why can’t you respect your elders? You’re worthless! Remon, wanting to experience life as a commoner, trades with Akane. But she gets worked to death by Akane’s grandfather. -4 The experiment upends the balance in each of their households. All three of them are even more fed up with their lives than before. The servants did that? My father said that as soon as he thought I could see? My grandfather should be grateful I don’t just abandon him. That’s it! You should abandon him! The three of us will all live together! —185 -1 We’ll all become shooting stars! With that line, the curtain should have fallen. -2 But what happens after that? How do those three young girls make it? It’s not like it goes that smoothly in real life, right? When I was practicing, I didn’t think of that at all… —186 -1 Ah… Ooo… My mind is blank… -2 Can I get in on this? —187 -1 I’m sure that it will be fun to live together with the three of you cuties. What do you think? -3 Ooh, Mr. Postman, you sure are a greedy one! -4 It would be grand to have a man around. Can I ask you to help me move? I’d be delighted. -5 The four of us will be shooting stars! —188 -1 sfx- Clap ###repeat -2 sfx- Clap -4 Right at the very end… I went and did that. After you wrote the scrip and everything. I screwed it up. -5 You didn’t screw it up. You did great! You wouldn’t think it was your first time on stage! The hurdle was actually pretty high on this. -6 You’re just telling me “you did great for your first time”. —189 -1 I really wanted to… I wanted to really do well. I practiced so hard… But I just couldn’t do it. I was trying so hard for your sake, Ruri-san. And if it went well, I was going to confess… -2 Confess? -4 Gaah -5 I was… going to… confess to you. Um… And… That’s why I joined the troupe… —190 -1 I sorry. I’m sorry for making you feel disgusted. -3 Um… I kinda figured that might be the case… I got that feeling… -4 sfx- Blush Am I that easy to read?! -5 Well… I did hear you say you liked girls… And that pushes you to work hard… Well, that immersion is one of your good points I think, Mayuko. -6 You don’t have to try to make me fell better! I’m too ashamed to stay in the group. I’ll leave the stage too. —191 -1 “I want to be a normal person.” That’s what you said, right? I think each and every normal person has some sort of issue they are wrestling with. So the fact that you are struggling and have a complex means you’re normal. -2 Ah… So you did intend for the script to mean that… -3 It’s all over, so maybe I’m changing things after the fact, but… In the play we just did, each of them, wrestling with their problems… I intended for them to grapple with their problems while taking someone’s hand and moving forward. -4 So… Even though you tripped up at the end, There were all sorts of fault with my script and performance too. The things we hate that we couldn’t do now, we’ll be able to do them next time. So Mayuko, will you accompany me for a little longer? —192 -1 For Ruri-san’s sake. To be able to stand on the stage. I had to think of all sorts of things. It was fun to work hard at all sorts of things. ###next is bottom of panel, right to left It was the first time I felt this way. I want to get better. I want to pay her back. I want to be able to be someone who can take Ruri-san’s hand. -2 And, y’know… It makes me happy that you love me. —193 -1 Ah… there she is. The girl from back then. —194 -1 Ok, So just for a little while longer… please let me love you, Ruri-san. The end. —195 My Ideal, My Love. —196 Doorbell and Idol Extra. ###above panel -1 Since the smell of durian wouldn’t fade, Director Yamada had assistant writer Saotome hose him down with Febreeze. Hee hee hee. sfx- Vrooom When a radio show goes on for a while, you get to hear behind the scene stories. ### delete text under panel. I’ve accounted for it in the TL -2 Come to think of it, assistant writer Saotome will be graduating from this program to work on a new production. I’m loving that news! Sounds like she’s moving up to head writer! Hmm… ###delete text under panel -3 Huh? That “assistant writer Saotome” I’m always hearing about? -4 Wha? You listen to my program? sfx- Kya! Wha? Assistant writer Saotome is really Micchu?! -5 If I knew you were doing it, Micchu, I would have sent more fan mail…! No, that’s not right! Not Micchu - Saotome-san! -6 It’s fine. You can call me Micchu. No! No! No! -7 So what shall I call you? Momoko-san? I’d like to call you that. —197 -1 Picnic Extra -1 I’m making clothes for Remi-san again. And I’m reminded that When I make clothes… -2 My room get crazy dirty! sfx- Messy -3 I’ve asked Remi-san to come for a test fitting the day after tomorrow. I have to clean up! sfx- Hesitant. Tentative. Unskilled. Ahh… Ahh… I suck at cleaning up. I really am a shitty person… I’m not getting finished… -5 Hello! Huh? Sayaka-san, are you a little pale? I’ve been cleaning, so I’m a little sleep deprived. sfx- Wobble -6 Wha? Then you should sleep for a while! We can talk afterwards! I’m sorry, just as you’ve arrived… -7 It’s ok! When I look at your sleeping face, time flies! -8 sfx- Stare Maybe my complexions gotten better. sfx- Blush Blush Blush —198 -1 If a Lotus Should Bloom Extra -1 On the way home from their one act show. Mayuko, if you land a lead role at All The Flowers… I’ll go out with you, ok? -2 A lead role? -3 It’s kinda arrogant, but… If I do this, Mayuko will give it her best… -4 I don’t want Mayuko to give up acting. No way! Nn… -5 If you go out with me, what will we do? —199 -1 Eh? -2 Um, I… I’ve never gone out with anyone before, so… hw- I just blurted out my confession -3 I… I see. Somehow you’re making me embarrassed as well. -4 What will we do? Well, it depends on the people involved. They just do the things they want to do. Y-yeah, I can see that. -5 But, uh… Ruri-san… Before you acted the part of a girl who likes girls, right? So what were you feeling then? Eh? I don’t think I have. Are you mistaking me for someone else? —200 -1 Huh? The girl from “People Made From Glass”… I thought the main character couldn’t express her love, moved far away, and then committed suicide, right? -2 Ah… -3 Right. That play. I guess you could interpret it that way… hw- Mmm Was I wrong?! If you thought that way, then that’s the right answer, Mayuko. Whaaaa?! So what kind of scene were you performing? -4 Something normal like a married guy with a kid having an affair or something. hw- That’s what I had in mind Uwhaaaah! But that’s not the gospel truth, ok? Yeah, it is! -5 My… imagination was running wild. I suck… sfx- Droop —201 -1 If it was a girl who likes girls… I would totally want to make her happy. That’s what I think. -2 Then how about you just do that? Ruri-san?! -3 Um… I… I… -4 I’ll totally get that lead role! —202 -1 My Ideal, My love. —203 -1 Hello, I’m Hino Yuuhi. hw- That was a long one It’s the first time I’ve drawn a full length yuri story. -2 Well, even though it’s my first… It had a pretty light feel to begin with, but the yuri factor gradually ramped up. Well, with this and that, it didn’t really get hot and heavy. I wonder if that’s ok. -3 Is this really and truely yuri? -4 Well, if I think it’s yuri, it’s yuri! Yay! My manga is out! ° When it comes to what I like about adult yuri, I think what I like is characters wondering about their own sexuality, or going out to some extent and having fun with a life like that. I get the feeling this book had none of that, but I like straight yuri too! ° I alway wanted to draw a mange about a stage play, but I was scared to do it since it seemed like it was going to run long when I suddenly got asked to do a yuri story. I had them let me draw “Doorbell and Idol” and “Picnic” first, and then had it compiled into an omnibus edition. Personally, I like a couple that differs physically, and that’s what I ended up drawing. I like tall women! ° Special Thanks Nagaoka Akiko-san. Tohachiro-san. Echi-san. Hitomi-san. Maino Namiko-san. Yuta-san. ANNA-san. My little sis. Everyone from the Kansai Suegami Theater Troupe. My editor. My designer. My thanks to you all! Hino Yuuhi.