Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Maria-sama ga Miteru

2008-03-29T23:04:34Z

Kanzar:

== Vol 12 discussion ==

Wouldn't it be convenient to link to what is done from volume 12?

http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru

-Proto

I can add it, but when I get to v12, I'm probably going to replace it with my own, should I add it anyways? :< Or have like a link next to v12, or something? >_>

-Seki

You could add it as a preview I guess, as the people over the Zero no Tsukaima section do. It is not a bad translation though, they are by Harukano from Otakyu, the same guy who did the Juuni Kokki translations until it got licensed.

-Proto

I added it next to v12. It's not whether it's a good or bad translation, so much as I'm just intending to power through everything nonetheless. We'll see if my stance changes later on, when the novelty idea of translating 30+ volumes wears off ;p Bunch of stylistic differences and all that I assume exist, since there were no guidelines agreed upon or anything.

-Seki

I have some scripts from other volumes, but I think getting someone to copy-paste these onto the wiki would be a PITA.

[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 16:04, 29 March 2008 (PDT)

Talk:Suzumiya Haruhi:Volume9 Chapter 1

2007-07-25T09:31:38Z

Kanzar: /* clarification needed */

== Progress of QC ==

Sorry for an irrelevant post. If you have an idea where to post this, let me know.

I plan to follow the progress of translation. Watch [[Akiha_haruhi_v9_ch1|My QC memo]] to check the progress of QC, and to check whether a mistranslation you noticed is confirmed.

== Various ==

:Koizumi chose Black, and put four pieces onto the board.

The term used amongst western go players would be:

:Koizumi chose Black, and put four handicap stones on the board.

::Sure. >.< I'm not quite sure how Go works, so go ahead and change it. ;D

:Sasuga [さすがに (adv) (1) as might be expected; (2) though; after all - Dunno how to fit that into this sentence D:], Tsuruya-san.:

That would be "As expected from Tsuruya-san."

::The problem is the next line, which has something along the lines of 'as she heard the 'sasuga', blahblah', so I dunno how to fit that in.

:The tone of her voice didn’t have too much disappointment in it. In fact, it’s just like her normal, cold, unexcited voice. Her attitude was similar to the time she couldn’t find any Arowana in the neighbor’s pond[ED note- whose neighbor's pond? - TL note - Iono, it just says Neighbour's pond]. That's what her voice is like now.

What was the original, something like 隣の池? It is not necessarily the neighbor's they're talking about, but a pond in the neighborhood/close by.

::The original is 近所の溜め池. So it's sort of nearby pond, but I just put neighbour's. >.< --[[User:BaKaFiSh|BaKaFiSh]] 12:16, 1 July 2007 (PDT)
:::There's a different between the singular possessive noun "neighbor's" and 近所の that means "nearby" or "neighboring". Also, 溜め池 seems to mean reservoir, not exactly a pond.
::::True...So should I put 'nearby pond' or something? D:
:::::I guess 'nearby pond/reservoir' makes most sense here, the later being a more literal translation.

--[[User:Rakshasa|Rakshasa]] 04:51, 1 July 2007 (PDT)

== clarification needed ==

Not a big issue but:

"with hair that's dark like a crow sprayed with a can of dark tainting spray"

Im not sure what we are trying to say here. Is it a can of dark tinted spray, or tanning spray or is it supposed to be a dark spray paint?

-----
That would be that it's dark spray paint. Dark tainting means it will turn something dark...[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 02:31, 25 July 2007 (PDT)

Talk:Suzumiya Haruhi:Volume9 Chapter 1

2007-07-25T09:31:24Z

Kanzar: /* clarification needed */

Talk:Interview with Tanigawa Nagaru

2007-05-21T10:50:06Z

Kanzar:

''--Suzumiya Haruhi ,the craziest girl in school, who made a blowed-away introduction on the first day of high school life.''

to try and make 'blowed-away' sound more fluent, how about:

1. blowaway (no such word, but think Doublespeak)

2. 'who blew everyone away with her self-introduction on the first day of her high school life'

3. something else

(* the original word, [http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/search.php?MT=%A4%D6%A4%C3%A4%C8%A4%D6&search_history=&kind=&kwassist=0&jn.x=56&jn.y=14&jn=%B9%F1%B8%EC&mode=0 'ぶっ飛んだ'], means to fly forcefully (or something)]

also suggests that 'the craziest girl in school' be changed to 'said to be the craziest girl in school'. I wanted to change it, then saw that discussions are encouraged beforehand, thus.

----

Thanks. :)
I replaced ''blowed-away'' with the 2nd alternative.
and i also changed "the craziest ..." as your suggestion.
it's hard to imagine how English speakers feel about my English.:(

an Engrish speaker

----

The first question doesn't really seem to be answered by the answer. Is the question supposed to be 'why did you pursue a literary career?'

For the second question, change the second part to 'Has your lifestyle changed?'

'When and how the typical uncompliant character,' -> "When and how was the typical, uncompliant character"

"She had already existed in my head when I noticed." could become "She already existed in my mind by the time I noticed (her there)."

"Haruhi hates boredom the most of all" -> "Haruhi hates boredom most of all"

"For example, what in his way of thinking is unusual" -> "What is an example of his thinking being unusual"

"According to how we '''percept''' the reality" -> perceive

Should I continue listing or just edit it myself?

[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 00:48, 19 May 2007 (PDT)

== Thank you for pointing out ==

You don't need to list them all as the errors you point out seem to be right.

But I have a question. "the typical uncompliant character", "the typical, uncompliant character"
Is there any difference in meaning between them?

(Translating is similar to math questions in that answers are simple and clear but finding them out by oneself is extremely diddicult...)

an Engrish speaker

----

Alright. Um, it sort of depends. When listing adjectives, I've been taught to separate them with commas, all except the one directly preceding the noun they describe. Although I guess I was misreading that line? I guess "typical uncompliant" was meant as a phrase, not as two separate adjectives.

I'll go and edit slowly. >_> Slowly. *drinks coffee* *wakes up*

[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 16:40, 19 May 2007 (PDT)

----

mmm...I took a look about the usage of comma of on the web, and found out a comma is necessary between coordinate adjectives.

In this case, as i don't mean "character that is typical and uncompliant"(but typical character that is uncompliant), I think the comma is unnecessary. Have I misunderstood?

an Engrish speaker

----

Yeah, I realised that as I read over what I'd typed. =D You're right. ^^

[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 03:50, 21 May 2007 (PDT)

Interview with Tanigawa Nagaru

2007-05-19T23:54:01Z

Kanzar:

This is a translation of an interview with Tanigawa Nagaru (the author of the Suzumiya Haruhi series) on Yahoo! Books in 2006.

You can read the original [http://books.yahoo.co.jp/interview/detail/31131493/01.html here] (written in Japanese)

'''If you find any mistakes (Engrish, mistranslations, misspelling, grammatical errors...), please feel free to correct the mistakes.'''

== Tanigawa Nagaru ==

=== Profile ===

Currently living in Hyogo prefecture, Japan.

Debuted as a writer in 2003 with a grand prize of the 8th Kadokawa Sneakers Grand Prix.

The latest volume of Suzumiya Haruhi series is currently Vol.8 "The Indignation of Suzumiya Haruhi".

His other works -- "Gakkou wo Deyou!" series, "Boku no Sekai wo Mamoru Hito" series, "Dengeki!! Aegis5" series, "Zetuboukei Tojirareta Sekai" are also published from Dengeki Bunko.

His hobbies include riding his motorcycle and playing mah-jong.

== The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi by Tanigawa Nagaru (Published in June, 2003) ==
"Normal humans don't interest me. If anyone here is an alien, a time traveler, slider, or an esper, then come find me! That is all."

--Suzumiya Haruhi, said to be the craziest girl in school, who blew everyone away with her self-introduction on the first day of her high school life.

The story describes the fusses that happen around the SOS-dan (Sekai wo Ooi ni moriagerutameno Suzumiya Haruhi no Dan), a brigade established by her.

The series, started with "The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi", sold over 2.8 million in total, expanding its fan base rapidly after it was made into an anime.

Its popularity keeps growing.
The story contains SF, mysteries, cosplay, etc...

I interviewed Mr. Tanigawa Nagaru, the author, about this school-life story -- the story that blurs the definition of ordinariness and extraordinariness.

(Aug 16. 2006)

== Interview ==

'''Q: First of all, why did you pursue a literary career?'''

'''Tanigawa Nagaru:''' I had wanted to write novels for many years, rather than to be an author. I think it's because some "I wanna write novels by myself" neural networks were gradually established in my brain while I read various kinds of novels in my childhood. I still don't know if I'm a writer or whatever.

'''Q: You actually became a writer and your works have gained popularity so much as becoming a social phenomenon. Has your lifestyle changed?'''

'''Nagaru:''' I don't know much about the phenomenon, but my lifestyle hasn't changed at all. For now, I'd like to repair my day-and-night reversed life.

'''Q: Why did you think to write light novels?'''

'''Nagaru:''' Since I don't have a fine understanding about the word "light novel", I don't know whether what I write is a light novel or not, but I think I write novels for myself of my middle and high school days. I'm not sure if that myself might think they are fun, however.

'''Q: In another interview, you said "Basically I feel like I'm writing a 'plastic' youth novel, in which characters are not honest to their own feelings." That was impressive for me. For you, Mr.Tanigawa, what is an "orthodox" youth novel like?'''

'''Nagaru:''' A boy meets a girl and they say farewell. And the boy and the girl meet again....That's all that I can say to express my concept of the orthodox youth novel. In one sentence, it is like a story of a pair of boy and girl meets each other somewhere once again after they met and parted, I think.

'''Q: I think Suzumiya Haruhi series is basically "a boy meets a girl" story (not "a boy-meets-girl" story). But why are the characters in the series not honest? '''

'''Nagaru:''' I didn't intend to describe them in that way. But while writing unconsciously, perhaps I (unconsciously again) think incompliant characters make more conflictions and disagreements of their opinion and that makes the story easier to develop.

'''Q: When and how was the typical incompliant character, Suzumiya Haruhi, born?'''

'''Nagaru:''' I can't remember at all. She already existed in my mind by the time I noticed her there. In a sleepless night at the beginning of the 21th century, the idea seemed to have come down from heaven into my head at the moment I rolled over in bed.

'''Q: Haruhi hates boredom most of all and seek "extraordinariness" in school life. And the one who is always at her beck and call is the narrator of this story, Kyon. He is an ordinary boy with no outstanding features, whose name is not even revealed. What do you think about him?'''

'''Nagaru:''' Though I could give him a decent name, I thought it feels stupid and funny that he is called in that queer nickname from beginning to end. As to feature, I originally planned he would be an esper, but while writing the Prologue, I had subconsciously turned him into a common person. And you said he is an ordinary boy, but I think, in a sense, he is not an ordinary boy, such as his way of thinking.

'''Q: What is an example of his thinking being unusual?'''

'''Nagaru:''' In a sense he reasons philosophically although he is a first-year student of high school. And while he quibbles and complains, his actions aren't consistent with the mind. Perhaps he may be more incompliant than Haruhi. After all, he is an opposite person.

'''Q: The contrast between the reality from Haruhi's perspective (a boring life) and the reality from Kyon's perspective (a life full of supernatural phenomena) is interesting. "According to how we perceive the reality, we each live in our own world that is entirely different from that of others," you said on an interview. What do you mean about it?'''

'''Nagaru:''' When you think about "what the world is", you can't define the world beyond the realm you know and have experienced. So the concept of "the world" naturally differs from person to person, based on birthplace, environments the person has grown up, information s/he got. I began to think, as I remember, "We all live in the one reality, hence what "the world is" is the way how we perceive the reality.", while looking on some definitional controversies over something.

'''Q: The characters of the members of SOS-dan, founded by Haruhi, are really striking. Asahina Mikuru the cute blunderer, Nagato Yuki the always-reading silent type, Koizumi Itsuki the mysterious transfer student; when you made up such colorful characters, what kind of works influenced you?'''

'''Nagaru:''' There are too many to mention them one by one, if I have to choose one of them, it is a manga drawn by Takemoto Izumi. Characters in his manga are extremely catching. I've been influenced by his works very much since the days I was in elementary school.

'''Q: Asahina Mikuru is frequently forced to cosplay by Haruhi. In every volume, I'm looking forward to what costume she will be dressed in. What is your favorite costume of her?'''

'''Nagaru:''' It's the Bunny suit, I think. It's the most extraordinary kind of clothes to wear at school.

'''Q: The illustrations by Ito Noiji are also good. How did you feel when you first saw the characters visualized by her?'''

'''Nagaru:''' At the first sight, I was satisfied, "That's it." As for other characters, nothing was different from my image. I'm really grateful to her.

'''Q: The uniqueness of your writing style is as catchy as the fascinating characters. "as if she saw sprouts"(TL Note: this metaphor is not translated into the English version of tMoHS.), You coined metaphors such as, "Haruhi looked as if she were some sort of banshee ready to go to a hundred Buddhist monasteries to lay some curses. ", "the expression of a victim of a certain murder mystery who was asked by the murderer whether they preferred (to die by) potassium cyanide or strychnine" (TL Note: this part is not exactly translated in the English version of tMoHS). How do you come up with such elaborate ones?'''

'''Nagaru:''' In each case I try to express the sentences in little roundabout similes appropriate for the situation.

'''Q: In the "Suzumiya Haruhi" series, there are aliens, time travelers, espers, solving a case that occurred in a locked room on a lone island, SFs and mysteries. In all of these genres, what are your favourite works or authors?'''

'''Nagaru:''' It's difficult to answer. I have too many answers, but if I choose, in the genre of SF, it's "Sichidou Otoshi (seven-body-cutter)" by Kambayashi Chohei. In mystery, "The Tragedy of Y" by Ellery Queen. It's senseless to give a lengthy reason, so in short: they both are works that gave me a psychological shock (Kanzar: epiphany?) and influenced me at the moment I read them through.

'''Q: I can't make further reference as it may contain spoilers, but "The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi" has an astonishing gimmick. Many readers might get "an emotional shock and influences". What letters from the readers made you feel happy?'''

'''Nagaru:''' I was happiest when I received the letter that says the reader got interested in reading thanks to my works.

'''Q: You always post "what you want the most now" in your author affiliation of Sneakers Bunko. Could you tell especially for me what you want the most now?'''

'''Nagaru:''' As I don't dream very often in night recently, I want a pillow that gives me an exciting dream with plot.

----

After you read "The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi", you will think "My reality is not the only one reality. There may be another reality totally different from mine." This book is full of SF's supposed "sense of wonder". The more you move through the series, the newer and more impact you receive. Once you are absorbed into its worldview, I guarantee you can't get out of the world. Haruhi is a beautiful girl with outstanding academic results and good at all sports. While she seems to possess everything, she can't fit into the reality. You, readers, must be anxious to know how she would change or not. You mustn't miss the following story development!!

(Ishii Chiko)

Talk:Interview with Tanigawa Nagaru

2007-05-19T23:40:04Z

Kanzar:

User talk:Kanzar

2007-05-19T23:40:00Z

Kanzar: /* Kanzar is dead? */

== Kanzar is dead? ==

....well thats what they keep saying in the forums.
You should drop a comment in there now and again, just to reassure your adopted "family"...

anyway, hope you did well on your exams, best of luck if you already done so.

best regards,

[[User:Onizuka-gto|Onizuka-gto]] 01:13, 19 May 2007 (PDT)

----

I'm not dead! Look at the Discussion page on 'Interview with Tanigawa whatshisname'... T_T

[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 16:39, 19 May 2007 (PDT)

Talk:Interview with Tanigawa Nagaru

2007-05-19T07:48:39Z

Kanzar:

Talk:Interview with Tanigawa Nagaru

2007-05-19T07:48:14Z

Kanzar:

Talk:Maria Sama Ga Miteru:Volume12 Chapter2

2007-04-27T04:22:26Z

Kanzar:

I had an archive Otyaku's hosting of Marimite v12 up till Chapter 2 >> Page 9. Unfortunately, I don't have any more (I have some Marimite for other volumes, but I don't think we have permission to post them?). If you feel like going through and fixing up the mess of a 'update' I made, feel free.[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 21:22, 26 April 2007 (PDT)

User:Kanzar

2007-04-24T22:25:06Z

Kanzar:

[[Image:Oh_NOZ.gif‎]]
Looks like Kanzar's got a user page!

[[Image:What_is_this.jpg‎ ]]

--[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 15:19, 24 April 2007 (PDT)

User:Kanzar

2007-04-24T22:24:35Z

Kanzar:

[[Image:Oh_NOZ.gif‎]]
Looks like Kanzar's got a user page!

[[Image:What_is_this.jpg‎ ]]
--[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 15:19, 24 April 2007 (PDT)

User:Kanzar

2007-04-24T22:23:51Z

Kanzar:

[[Image:Oh_NOZ.gif‎]]

Looks like Kanzar's got a user page!
[[Image:What_is_this.jpg‎ ]]
--[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 15:19, 24 April 2007 (PDT)

User:Kanzar

2007-04-24T22:22:58Z

Kanzar:

[[Image:OH_NOZ.gif]]

Looks like Kanzar's got a user page! [[Image:What_is_this.jpg‎ ]]
--[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 15:19, 24 April 2007 (PDT)

File:Oh NOZ.gif

2007-04-24T22:22:35Z

Kanzar: Oh Noes!

Oh Noes!

User:Kanzar

2007-04-24T22:19:49Z

Kanzar:

[[Image:http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q65/Ishita_Kanzar/omgfe7iv2.gif]]

Looks like Kanzar's got a user page! [[Image:http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q65/Ishita_Kanzar/yl2a2nvhmp4xoxbu27oivqlqd6zwmsybyq4.jpg]]
--[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 15:19, 24 April 2007 (PDT)

User:Kanzar

2007-04-24T22:19:07Z

Kanzar: New page: Image:http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q65/Ishita_Kanzar/omgfe7iv2.gif Looks like Kanzar's got a user page! [[Image:http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q65/Ishita_Kanzar/yl2a2nvhmp4x...

Maria Sama Ga Miteru:Volume12 Chapter1

2007-03-09T11:28:53Z

Kanzar:

'''Chapter 1'''

'''(1)'''

Dropping her glance onto her clipped stack of copies, Rosa Cinensis Ogasawara Sachiko(小笠原祥子)-sama coolly said.

"I am not going."

"Pardon?"

"I said, I am not going. By the way, would you please do something about your inattentive replies?"

''Even if you tell me to do something about it... And I cannot take back now what I have blurted out of my lips''-- Fukuzawa Yumi (福沢祐巳), who had finally got accustomed after three months of bearing the rather heavy title of Rosa Chinensis en Bouton, thought to herself.

The Rose Mansion (Bara no Yakata, 薔薇の館) had nothing like air-conditioners to refresh one's mind, so all the windows were opened. As a result, cicadas' dry cries attacked from all around like TV broadcasts.

The rainy season had finally ended, and it had turned remarkably hot.

The season was already mid summer.

Sachiko-sama's beautiful forehead was also slightly moistened by sweat drops like freshwater pearls.

Leaving that aside.

For the moment, what Yumi had to do was to ask to repeat onee-sama's unbelievable words that reached her ears just now. ''I am not going.'' This line could not be neglected.

"But, onee-sama, your promise..."

Yumi reached out her body and pressed on with her words, and Sachiko-sama lifted her head off the printouts and gave a sigh.

"In no case am I trying to break my promise. However, Yumi, your pose is as if you are going to jump on me."

"...Why shouldn't I?"

Yumi mumbled with her slightly pouted lips. She knew full well that she was really like a racing horse behind the starting line, with her heart anxiously crying aloud being quicker, quicker.

The gate was the final tests. ''Only if they are over'', Yumi convinced herself as she drilled on her studies with all her strength, reached the final day today unscathed, and had her spirits all hyped up. It was just natural to dash with all her power like a boar, towards something right in front of her that she had been waiting for so long. -- Though the analogy somehow turned from a horse into a boar.

"I have been waiting for so long... Amusement park"

Exactly.

Now the topic of discussion between the Red Rose sisters was about the suspended Amusement Park Date. During the rainy season, the issue became the centerpiece of a complicated big fight between the sisters, but the rain had been lifted, and the sisters had reconciled. Therefore Yumi thought it was natural to bring up the issue again. However, Sachiko-sama didn't seem to think likewise.

"I am not saying I will never go, am I? I am only suggesting that going right now seems a little..."

"That is not true. Onee-sama, you have just flatly said 'I am not going.'"

"Stop picking words for me. How defiant you have become lately! I mean 'I am not going right now,' and you have made such an ruckus over my omitting the 'right now.'"

"Ruckus? Then you should choose your words with greater attention, onee-sama. Each one of your words is rubbing against my timid heart."

"Oh my, I am so surprised by a timid heart talking back like this!"

Sachiko-sama hit the stack of printouts onto the table. Shocked by such force, Rosa Gigantea Toudou Shimako (藤堂志摩子) gave a cute little cry.

The Red Rose sisters' conversation was so exciting that everybody else's existence faded off. In reality, however, all six of Yamayurikai （山百合会）'s executive members had gathered in this conference-room-cum-salon, on the second floor of Bara no Yakata (薔薇の館), the headquarters of Lillian Girls' Academy (リリアン女学園) student body.

It was the afternoon of the last day of final tests. From the day after began the post-exam break, and everyone was summoned here to make various confirmations on events happening in the summer vacation.

"Is it really a good idea to leave the two like that?"

In a low voice Shimako asked the Yellow Rose sisters, who took no notice of the Red Rose sister's debate.

"They are having a quarrel between close sisters, so we are not butting in."
Rosa Foetida Hasekura Rei （支倉令） was pushing the core of her automatic pencil, as she put checkmarks onto the printout she was reading.

"Even if we do not interfere--?"

Rosa Gigantea en Bouton Nijou Noriko (二条乃梨子) raised the same question seriously.

"Let them be, let them be. Fights of intimacy, that's all."

Rosa Foetida en Bouton Shimazu Yoshino (島津由乃), having the same experience but more composure than Yumi as a petite soeur (younger sister), said nonchalantly as she supported her chin with her knitted fingers.

"Fights of intimacy?"

The White Rose sisters exchanged glances and cocked their heads. The two might not be able to understand through experience what it means by "quarrels between close sisters" or "fights of intimacy." They were brand new sisters, having transferred the rosary for less than a month

The problem was, Yumi has heard all of their talks.

However, it was in fact fights of intimacy, so Yumi could not protest a thing.

When the strong bonding was confirmed, Yumi could now do even things impossible when their emotions didn't quite reach each other. Rather, Yumi would like to try everything. Before, Yumi could only watch unbelievably at Yoshino and Rei-sama exchanging snaps. Now that Yumi realized that it felt good to speak straight about her feelings, and it did her body no good to swallow back her words, Yumi decided to do exactly that.

Even onee-sama's little retorts was enjoyable to listen to.

"Anyway,"

Sachiko-sama said as she touched her teacup with her finger and pulled her finger back.

"Oh, seconds? Just a moment."

Yumi stood up and hurried to the electric pot. Onee-sama had a couple of preferences about food, and cooled tea didn't suit her taste.

"Great that you know."

"Well..."

''I am your petite soeur after all.'' Sachiko-sama returned a smile on her face, delighted that her feelings got through.

"See?" Yoshino said to Shimako. "Not even dogs or bacteria can withstand the smell of sisters' fights."

"I see. What a lesson!"

''Hey, I heard everything! You other sisters, please stop teasing us.''

"Amusement parks are crowded in the summer vacation, aren't they?"

Sipping the freshly prepared red tea in satisfaction, Sachiko-sama said.

"Yeah..."

Yumi gave a vague reply as she served the others with the warm tea. Every place for entertainment would be the same though.

"The School Festival is coming as well, you know."

"Argh"

Yumi was out of words as the unexpected School Festival excuse was pulled out.

''What is that? What is that? Sachiko-sama is lining up small obstacles on the road towards the amusement park.''

"Above all, I feel most uncomfortable by the heat."

There it went, the attacks of a princess' self-indulgence.

Pulling this excuse meant the end of conversation. Then not only a date at amusement park, any outings between the sisters during the summer vacation would have been ruled out.

"Also, I go to the summerhouse at our summer resort every summer."

"For the whole time this one and a half months?"

"Not for the whole time. This year, the plan is to be from the end of July to the beginning of August."

"Then, what about the latter half of August?"

Yumi just would not let go. Taking into consideration Sachiko-sama's grandma passing away just a while ago, she had refrained from choosing the obon (お盆) period. -- Though Yumi didn't know exactly what religion Sachiko-sama's grandma believed in.

"The latter half of the summer vacation is spent preparing for the School Festival back at school."

"What?"

"Haven't we mentioned it to you? This is Yamayurikai's custom for its executive members -- voluntary school-commuting in the summer vacation."

Rei-sama said as she opened the fridge.

"Therefore, the real vacation is only at the first half."

Hearing the high-pitched sound of ice cubes from the ice-maker hitting cups, Yumi drooped her head.

What a tight schedule! Then, even if one was not uncomfortable of the heat, and the place was not crowded in the summer, one could not even wingle out a drop of time to go to amusement parks.

"Then, the date in amusement park..."

"Let's wait till winter."

"...I guess."

Well, the result had been clear from the very beginning though. However, Yumi had already put up a good fight in front of her onee-sama. When Yumi returned to her seat, Yoshino greeted her with face that said "Great job."

"Well, the amusement park would not fly away even if you take it easy."

"But..."

''I would love to get out together in the summer.'' Yumi mumbled in a low voice. Yoshino tuned down her volume as she whispered.

"Listen. If you suggest somewhere you can only go in the summer, even Sachiko-sama cannot just dismiss it and say to wait till winter. I did exactly this."

Yoshino advised, somehow like a demon's whisper. In fact, Rei-sama turned back her head upon Yoshino's words, so the analogy was not off the mark.

"You did exactly this? Where are you going, Yoshino?"

"He-he-he"

"He-he-he?"

"Climbing Mt. Fuji."

"What? Really?"

It was meant to be a whispered conversation in order to not get interfered, but Yumi gave a loud cry without thinking. Sachiko-sama lifted her glance, gave a stare to the two, and restarted reading her printouts.

But that would surprise just anyone. It was climbing Mt. Fuji! Mt Fuji was without said the highest mountain in Japan. What a brave heart for challenges, especially for a girl who could only watch from afar at any sports around this time last year.

"It has been my dream for soooo long. It is now ten months since the operation, the doctor has granted permission, and a supervisor will be right with me."

Rei-sama the supervisor was not participating in the conversation, but made a long face towards this way. It was imaginable Yoshino probably succeeded in convincing with threats, and high-handedly tore off permission from the doctor in charge.

''I dare say because I am a friend. Yoshino is such a person.''

In contrast, my other friend-- Yumi sneaked across the room during post-meeting free time, and stayed still beside the chair on which the beauty with fluffy curly hair sat on.

"Oh!"

Noticing her friend who lifted her head while sticking herself onto the chair, Shimako had "since when are you here?" written all over her face as her eyes startled wide. Ignoring that, Yumi pulled on Shimako's sleeve with "hey hey" blurting from her lips.

"Hey, do you have any outing plans for the summer vacation?"

"I am thinking of hopping around among churches and Buddha statue exhibitions with Noriko."

Shimako exchanged glances with Noriko, and smiled.

"Wonderful! This combination really suit you two."

Without thinking, Yumi nodded convincingly. These two were the rare pair among Lillian students, in that their relation started with Buddhism.

"What about you?"

"Let me see. The family custom is to visit our grandma at Yamanashi (山梨). This year, however, grandma said she would come visit us, so I have no idea."

''How boring that I am the only one without any plans.'' Rather than boring, Yumi felt envious to the others. Every pair of sisters had some time in their schedules together.

--Just at that moment, Sachiko-sama called Yumi's name unexpectedly.

"Yumi."

"Y-Yes."

''Is she showing a dissatisfied expression?'' Yumi hurriedly stood up and turned back as she replied. "Say it if you have any problems." If Sachiko-sama told her so, Yumi had no words to reply. If something could be done when she said so, she would say it. If doing anything would not move Sachiko-sama, then anything said would be just meaningless.

However Sachiko-sama didn't say as Yumi expected. Instead, a phrase without a subject reached Yumi's ears.

"Coming?"

"Pardon?"

''Coming? It is the present continuous tense of the verb "come."''

''Oh, it's after the tests, so forget about it.''

''The problem now is: "who" is coming to "where" ?''

''What if the omitted subject is the first person pronoun "I," meaning Sachiko-sama herself? In that case the destination would the most appropriately be "here" or "school." You know, it is not common to say "I am coming to Paris." "Here" is most commonly used to specify the current location. Here is not Paris, so it should be "going to Paris."''

''But what is the point of saying "I am coming to school (here)" ?''

''Sachiko-sama's expression is in the tone of a question. Then, the subject should actually be "you" or "Yumi." Then to where is Yumi supposed to be "coming" ? Using the verb "coming" means the destination must be somewhere Sachiko-sama would be at--''

Seeing the question marks flying out of Yumi's head, Sachiko-sama changed her wordings for one more time in amusement.

"W, Wha, Wha, Whaaaat?"

Upon hearing that, Yumi's heart nearly fell out.

Unable to decide where to place her startlement, Yumi lined up her palms facing out without any thought, and gave them a semi-circular swipe at shoulder height like a car's wiper.

Onee-sama's words were far beyond Yumi's wildest imaginations, that's why.

Exactly.

''Why not come visit our summerhouse?'' Sachiko-sama had said.

'''(2)'''

The family shared the same surprise.

"Summerhouse!? At the Ogasawara's?"

Dad, in the position of opening the mizuyoukan pudding can lid, opened his eyes wide. Mom was frozen with a small teapot in her hands. The time was after dinner, while the family was chatting at the sofa.

"What shall we do? Yumi still doesn't have a passport! If it is the last week of July, it is very close. Can we make it?"

"..."

Looking her mother being all thumbs, Yumi thought, ''this person is definitely the one who gave birth to me''. There is no point repeating, but Yumi had said almost the same line immediately after she accepted Sachiko-sama's invitation.

"Yes, it takes two weeks right? RIGHT?"

However, it was a good idea not to tell during dinner. From the surprise received now, it was imaginable that one of the parents would have been choked by a meat ball, and turned out to get rushed to the hospital by an ambulance.

"I said it is inside Japan."

The summerhouse which Sachiko-sama paid a visit every summer was on a plateau summer resort one hour and a half away from Tokyo by bullet train.

"Inside Japan... Yes, it should be within Japan normally. Oh my, my brain grew numb by the double shock, from the gorgeous feel of the word 'summerhouse,' and from the name of the Ogasawara's!"

Mom laughed as she pinched her cheek.

But it was understandable to think first it is overseas. Yumi's onee-sama Ogasawara Sachiko-sama was the daughter of the one and only Ogasawara Group in the world, and the family was so rich that it was not at all strange to hold a castle in every part of the world.
For example, in Sweden or Graecia or Rome. Though all are just imaginations, since Yumi has never been to any one of the places.

"But the Ogasawara family will also come, right? With such close relatives by the side, will you be a bother?"

"Sachiko-sama's father and grandpa both have a company to attend, so they will visit the summerhouse during Obon vacation. Her mother will join them at that time as well."

Sachiko-sama, who had to return to school in the latter half of summer vacation, was the odd one to stay in the summerhouse earlier than anybody else. Thinking that Yumi would feel more at ease this way, Sachiko-sama extended the invitation.

"Please~ Can I go?"

Yumi took her father's hand as she begged. It was long since the last time Yumi teased her father for anything.

"What do you think? I have no reason to object it--"

Dad's lips pouted a little as he looked at Mom.

"I guess so... But it would be impolite not to send formal greetings to the Ogasawara couple."

"To the Ogasawara couple?"

Well, it was a little different from staying at someone's house to finish a group project, so it might as well be natural turn into such a big ruckus. Or rather, Yumi's mother was one of those polite people that telephone the host family to say thanks on such trivial matters, Yumi thought to herself.

"Mom, then you are going to phone Sachiko-sama's mom to talk things over and get convinced?"

"Exactly. ... But how exciting! Just like meeting the in-laws for the first time."

"Oh come on."

Was this kind of reaction from an Old Girl from Lillian Girl's Academy? Even within the family living under the same roof, the males would have no clue about such thinking pattern.

"Well, why not some souvenirs? How about a combination og Ginza high-class delicacies? But no, the other side must have been used to eating such things. Maybe some lower-class presents might make them happier. Oh, by the way, how much shall we send as something like accommodation fee? If we send in cash, the other side might not be pleased, though. But that doesn't mean we can send in gift certificates, does it? In fact, we have no idea how much it takes to stay in that place for one day anyway."

The panicked mom even took the "Convenient Q&A for Everyday-Life Greetings" for help, but there is no way an item called "Tips when your child go to visit the summer-house of her (extremely rich) Onee-sama" would be recorded in such a book.

But a mother have a mother's special concerns. Her eyes turned bloodshot as they stared straight to the book index.

This most probably started in the Traditional New Year this year, when Yumi stayed one night at the Ogasawara's place. That time, Yumi was lured out by Sei (聖)-sama in a surprise attack, and had had no idea that the venue was Sachiko-sama's place. To her mother Yumi fussed up the truth a little, saying only that she was on a night camp.

Didn't a small box of confectionery she had bought with her do just fine? Yumi thought, but it seemed that her mother had her regrets, because she failed to give some formal greetings before the daughter stayed a night at her Onee-sama's place. By the way, her shock doubled when she learnt her son had also stayed a night, though he had no relations with the Ogasawaras.

As Mom waited for her second chance, Yumi heard directly from school that Sachiko-sama's grandma passed away, but of course she had not brought anything with her at that time. On their way home, Yumi asked for Youko (蓉子) -sama's advice, but Youko-sama said, "It is a secret burial, and that side of the family hate formalities, so it is better not to bring any gift of consolation." In the end, therefore, Yumi left things like that.

That is why Mom now insisted that "This is the time." Nevertheless, as Youko-sama had said, Sachiko-sama and her mother Sayako-obasama never minded such formalities.

"Yumi. I wonder why you are eyed on by the daughter of such a great family like the Ogasawaras? That is like marrying into a family of rank! It makes even the parents nervous to think about meeting the in-laws! So please, Yumi, choose a humble household when you get married."

Mom was so entangled in her thoughts that she began to babble things that made no sense.

"All right, leave it like this and go to bed for now."

In the end, Dad couldn't bear to see it anymore, and took Mom up to the bed room a little earlier than the usual bedtime. A "husband stop" instead of a "doctor stop."

"What a fuss!"

Yuki (祐麒) the brother sat with his legs crossed on the sofa. He was so quiet that his existence had been forgotten, but he had always been in the living room, looking cool-mindedly at the family soap opera from afar.

"Exactly."

Yumi nodded, and poured Japanese tea into a tea bowl. Mom had left the teapot for long after she poured in hot water, so the tea's color was expectedly very thick. Greenish brown, or even moss green by now.

"Even though Mom looked like that, she must be very happy."

"I guess."

The two siblings shared a friendly moment sipping tea diluted with hot water. Considering the season, it might be better to drink mugi-cha (麦茶), but the warm green tea didn't taste bad. The taste was very adult, let's put it this way.

"Summerhouse... At that time I should be having a camp at that side as well."

Maybe we will meet over there, Yuki said smilingly while hugging a cushion. Yuki was in high school second-year at Hanadera Academy (花寺学園), neighboring Lillian Girl's Academy.

"A camp? Yuki, what club are you at again?"

"The Student Body."

"So you are also involved in a student body?"

"Yeah."

The two nondescript siblings, who had no relations at all with such things till secondary school, suddenly had a 180 degrees turn when they stepped into high school, as they were swept in the bewildering but dynamic school life.

Oh, but talking about the Student Body.

"Don't tell me you are with Kashiwagi (柏木)-san --"

Oh no, oh no. That guy alone was dangerous.

"That guy has already graduated, though?"

"Oh, I forgot."

Kashiwagi Suguru (柏木優), Sachiko-sama's cousin, was two years elder than Yumi and Yuki. This spring he graduated peacefully at the Hanadera Academy High School, and is now a student at Hanadera University.

"But exactly because he is Kashiwagi-san, won't he sneak into the camp in the name of supervising juniors? Yuki, be careful!"

"Well Yumi, I am now unable to think of an appropriate reaction as a younger brother towards his sister's problematic assertion here."

"Just be careful. Kashiwagi-san has said that he loved the way Yuki struggles."

"Then how should I be careful? If I struggle I just make him happier, but there is no way I surrender without a fight just because of that."

"I don't know how. Anyway, stay normal! Don't be lured into the abnormal side!"

Yumi grabbed on Yuki's shoulders and shook violently, as if encouraging her teammates not to fall asleep while stranded in a winter mountain. But the twin brother was quite cool. His lips curled up a little at the sides as a faint laugh escaped.

"Do you know the meaning of the words you are using?"

"...On the whole, yes."

In the end, all the fuss the sister was making was of no use: Yuki had to protect himself. Being a boy has its own problems.

"So what will the student body do during a camp?"

"Mainly discussing the School Festival, but I guess it is also an encouragement and friendship strengthening group event?"

"Ah, School Festival."

The atmosphere became more and more pressing that the Lillians needed to prepare for theirs. The Roses, who are the high school student body heads, will take the position of leaders and executives in the School Festival, so the boutons will also be busy helping out. Above that, the Yamayurikai executives needed to participate in an event as representatives of Yamayurikai. Last year, it was "Cinderella" the drama.

However, everything time Yumi heard the words School Festival, she would think, how fast has a single year passed away. Thinking back, it was exactly last year's School Festival when she and Sachiko-sama became soeurs.

"So what are you doing this year?"

Yuki asked.

"How about your side?"

"Undecided."

"Same here."

However the Roses seemed to have already formed an idea among them. But the boutons couldn't come to ask about it; it was a little too scary.

Why? Last year, the ex-Roses cheated the unwilling Sachiko-sama into performing at "Cinderella." Using the same logic, this year's boutons like Yumi and Yoshino would clearly be facing the fate of executing some formidable contracts. Probably even more unenviable than last year's.

"...What does a Boy School Festival look like? Maybe I should go to Hanadera this year to take a look."

She felt more like for pastime than for reference. Every year, Hanadera's School Festival was earlier than Lillian's.

Well, it's other people's business anyway. Yumi spoke in such a dreamy tone, but Yuki was quick to correct her.

"Not maybe; it is a must, isn't it?"

"Oh?"

"Isn't it already a custom between student bodies in Lillian and Hanadera to help out each other during School Festivals?"

"Ah!"

"What is with this reaction? Geez."

''Hey, it is okay to keep such a lamenting face to yourself.''

"Then Yuki, you are also coming to our school this year right? But in last year's Lillian School Festival only Kashiwagi-san came alone, so is it that not everyone need to come?"

"We are helping in accordance to your requests."

"Ah I see. So there is actually a possibly Yuki is coming. But I hate my family staring at me. Last year Mom and Dad yelled to come, but I had stopped them no matter what."

See? Yumi asked for Yuki's agreement, but Yuki turned silent for a while. Yumi pressed on about what the silence meant, and Yuki finally divulged with a grim face.

"...I went. Last year."

"You're kidding!?"

"Kashiwagi-senpai was taking part. So I was brought along unwillingly by the other seniors."

"What?"

Unwilling or not, the fact that he saw "Cinderella" didn't change.

"Why are you saying this after a year? Oh my, I couldn't believe it!"

Yumi seized her brother's cushion to hit him with it.

No way could she believe her brother had seen such a clumsy performance of Sister B. No way could she believe she had been kept in the dark till now, being carefree about it all the time. Yumi was completely discouraged by what a naive kid she had been.

"The subject had not been brought up again after that. I also imagined you would respond this way, so I had tried to stay silent. Humm. Even after a year, Yumi is still embarrassed of it."

Even with around a year of difference in age, this formidable brother was analyzing the situation with a cool mind. Argh, how annoying. Or it should be how enviable. In terms of mental growth, maybe he had already surpassed her.

"You put up a good play. Very good."

Yuki said as he patted on Yumi, who turned her back towards him in a tantrum.

"Really?"

Yumi looked back and stared unbelievably at her brother's face, thinking just when did he become so natural at comforting others. Well, Yuki had always been a gentle boy, but his had always been bad at expressing it.

"Sure. Though playing the role of a villain sister, you were too cute to be hated."

"Hey, isn't that a problem on my performance ability...?"

"What's wrong with that? That is not your character originally, right? Among us the reviews were excellent."

It sometimes amazed Yumi how quick-witted his encouragements were. If only I could be at least half like Yuki, speaking the accurate words fluently, Yumi thought to herself. If so, she could be a more robust and supporting petite soeur to her onee-sama.

"Are you coming this year as well?"

"Well, I need to go, I guess. No matter what plans you have on your side."

Then Yuki threw again some discouraging words to Yumi.

"This year, I will be there with you to humiliate ourselves."

'''(3)'''

It was the second day of post-exam break that Sachiko-sama phoned.

Mom received the phone first, but she had already completely recovered from the panic two days ago. Therefore she was able to be her best self and clearly greet, "Thank you for taking care of my daughter at school." Sachiko-sama also, in the tone of a dependable senior, replied, "Yumi has helped a lot, and I am indebted."

Knowing that the call was from Sachiko-sama, Yumi had positioned herself next to the receive and listened to the whole conversation. As to the pending problem of greeting Sachiko-sama's parents, it seemed the couple had gone out, and it was enough to just say, "Please give my greetings to your parents." Though Mom was all excited herself, the reality fell short of her expectation. The call turned out to start from the other side, but that was good in itself, in that it allowed no spare time for worries.

"Are there anyone else you would like to invite to the summerhouse?"
Yumi received the phone, and Sachiko-sama said so without introduction.
" Pardon?"
" If you want, you may invite two or three more people."
" Okay..."

Unable to comprehend the meaning behind, Yumi chimed in ambiguously. It was really out of her grasp: Why would Yumi, the guest invited to Sachiko-sama's summerhouse, be responsible for asking other potential participants?

Maybe it was custom to have a big boisterous gathering every year, and Yumi was just one of the guests? This year Sachiko-sama was not with her family, so Sachiko-sama suggested so in order to gather more people? -- Ideas swirled in Yumi's head.

"Did you invite any others except me, Onee-sama?"
Yumi asked tentatively.
"No, I didn't invite any others."
The situation became more and more mysterious.

"I am fine with what it is now."
Well, me too! Yumi would like to say, but stopped. Sachiko-sama had gone through the trouble of calling in, so the deduction should be she hopes to make the gathering more lively.

"Well..."
It was hard to discover what Sachiko-sama was really thinking. Sachiko-sama is perverse in nature, and would turn more and more cranky unless the correct questions were asked.

"Then, why not we ask Youko-sama to come?"
Mizuno Youko (水野蓉子) -sama was the previous Rosa Cinensis, sister of Sachiko-sama. Sachiko-sama's inclination was uncertain, but if someone must be pulled in no matter what, then nobody is suitable except Youko-sama.

"She always looks busy, though."
Saying that should have nothing wrong, but when Sachiko-sama said "she looks busy," then that line could not be used. What about calling the other two previous Roses except Youko-sama? Not sure why, but something sounded funny.

Next, the faces of Yoshino and Shimako came up. But that would just be a common member gathering, and if Sachiko-sama really wanted so, she should have suggested without beating around the bush, "Why not have a Yamayurikai executive member camp?"

"Then, what about onee-sama's classmates?"
"Yumi, did you hear what I said? I asked you to invite who you want to invite to the summerhouse."
''I know. I know every word of it. That is exactly why I am troubled.'' A desparate moan cried out from Yumi's heart.

This question was harder tham those in any subject's test at the finals. So difficult that Yumi would as well just want to give up and ask for the solution set.
"Anyway, ask around during the post-exam break. I will ask again at the term-end ceremony."
In the end, this question remains a question for homework.
Even amidst all the summer homework, this question is using the most brainpower -- probably.

"I am not going."
"What?"
"I said, I am not going. By the way, Yumi. Do something to that absent-minded reply, or Sachiko-sama will get annoyed."
Some days ago, someone different had exchanged similar conversations with me-- Yumi gave a "humm" as she grabbed the mobile receiver in her room.

"Put that aside, Yoshino, you just said you are not going, right?"
"Yes I did. You schedule of staying at the Sachikos' summerhouse is exactly the same time as our trip to Mt. Fuji."
In the end of Yumi's confusion, she directed the "Why not go to the summerhouse" invitation call to Yoshino. The group would turn out to be the same old student body members, but that probably would not result in a big mistake. Though not really inspired by Yuki's words, if the summerhouse visit turned out as something like a Yamayurikai camp, it might be just as good.

"Shimako and Noriko most probably would be the same."
Well, school activities would eat up most of the latter half of vacation, so it is not a coincidence at all that plans are made for the not-so-busy period.
"Moreover, our club is also having a camp. It is really tough to be both in club activities and Yamayurikai."
"I can understand."
Yumi rolled over on her bed, grabbed the milk bottle close by and shook it. From this spring, Yoshino is joining the Kendo Club to be with Rei-sama.

"Also, you are the only one who got invited, right? We won't butt in."
Yoshino giggled on the other side of the phone.
"Butt in..."
Yumi gave a bitter laugh.
"Sachiko-sama said it would be fine to invite others. No, the tone was more like, why not invite someone?"
"What on earth is that?"

"I don't know myself. Maybe something is amiss if there are only the two of us? Or maybe Sachiko-sama would like to have a more boisterous trip? But then, why didn't Sachiko-sama invite her own classmates? I don't mind at all if Sachiko-sama's friends are there. Actually I would like to befriend with them in the first place. Sachiko-sama's tone felt like I can bring along anybody I would like to."

The tone was as if Sachiko-sama would provide the Ogasawaras' summerhouse if Yumi had nothing no plans to go anywhere during the summer. But it was not that Yumi would die for going to the summerhouse. She just wanted to create some memories with Onee-sama. Therefore Yumi felt something strange about this invitation, which turned out as if "there is a company resort around, so bring your friends along!"

"I don't get it."
"You think so too?"
"Nope. I am not even trying to understand what Sachiko-sama is thinking. What I would to ask is Yumi's feelings."
"Pardon?"
"Why do you not care a bit? Why didn't you say that the two of you are enough?"

Yoshino shot two whys to press for an answer.
"...Nothing really. On second thought, it is not that I need to make it just for the two of us."
"No kidding! Why?"
"Even if you ask me why..."

Yumi thought back. In the New Year at the Ogasawaras' residence, it was pretty fun with Sei-sama. A little before, when Yumi visited Sachiko-sama's grandmother's place, everything worked out because Youko-sama was there. Maybe Sachiko-sama even found it fun to have everyone together doing something exciting, Yumi thought recently.

"Unbelievable."
Yoshino's mumble transmitted clearly through the receiver.
For Yoshino, it was just normal to be with Rei-sama her Onee-sama, and Rei-sama was always her top priority, unreplacable by anything on earth. Therefore it nearly became her habit to say "Unbelievable" when any sister couples different from hers rubbed her the wrong way. For Yumi, the Yellow Rose sisters were the unbelievable pair. It could be called a miracle how close the two could stick together, Yumi often thought to herself.

"But if Yoshino and Shimako were unavaliable..."
What should Yumi do?

If Yumi talked to Tsutako (蔦子) or Mami (真美), they would most probably jump on their feet to follow. But it was supposed to be private, and Yumi just didn't feel comfortable to do what she wanted under the surveillance of Photo Club and Newspaper Group. On the other hand, if the two were invited on the condition of no camera and no news coverage, it would be just to cruel to them.

"Why not invite Touko (瞳子)-chan?"
Mumbling without much thinking, Yumi heard yet another outburst from Yoshino from the other side of the phone.
"Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid! Aren't you stupid or something, Yumi?"
"You don't need to use so many 'stupid' on me."
A total of five by finger count.
"This is just stupid!"
Oh, sixth.

"What are you up to by calling your rival out? At a place like the Ogasawara's summerhouse, you are having your debut and away game. Under such disadvantages, do you really think you are fighting on the same ground with that cheeky hair-roll?"
"Away..."
A clever analogy that surely from Yoshino, a sports watching fan.

"So Touko-chan is the home team?"
"Of course she is. Though not blood-related, she and Sachiko-sama are relatives."
"Oh, yes."
Now Yumi was reminded. She had completely forgotten about it.

"What is wrong with the weaker side sending salt to the stronger side to rub on his wounds?"
"E- Exactly"
''Exactly as you said.''
"Now you got it. Never ever invite her! And don't drop any stupid ideas to Sachiko-sama!"
"You are pretty scary, Yoshino."

"You are too considerate, Yumi, so I am concerned about you. I know what term describes you best: '''Ohitoyoshi (お人好し)''' (People who are overly kind and considerate without thinking, and often ends up giving up their rights or hurting themselves.)"
"Argh--"
How harsh it is to be unable to refute. Upon Yumi's silence, Yoshino continued her arguments with increasing vigor.

"Just tell Sachiko-sama, ''let's go for the two of us only''. Okay? Got it?"
Overwhelmed by such pressure, Yumi could only nod on the spot for the time being--

'''(4)'''

"Well, then. Why not ask Sei-sama?"
The school semester ending ceremony had finished, and after homeroom Yumi waited for Sachiko-sama at the garden. Such was Sachiko-sama's reply after listening to Yumi.

"Sei-sama?"
If it were one of the previous Roses, then it would be just fine to suggest Eriko (江利子)-sama. Why did Sei-sama's name come up instead then? Perhaps the incident one month ago still left a sting at Sachiko-sama's heart? Yumi thought to herself.

That day during the rainy season, heavy clouds lingered over the sister's just like the sky in those days. Envious of Touko-chan, Yumi ended up throwing herself into Sei-sama's arms as if to escape from Sachiko-sama.
Now it was a summer afternoon.
The sky was clear blue. The sunshine was so ferocious that her arms sticking out of her short sleeves were burnt mercilessly.
The heavy rain that soaked Yumi's heart and body that day now seemed like a dream. How unbelievable that only one month had passed!

"With Sei-sama, Yumi would enjoy more, wouldn't you?"
"..."
Unbelievable as it looked, Sei-sama often appeared whenever Yumi was in danger and extended a saving hand, Yumi came to realize. Therefore Yumi grew dependent of her. Sachiko-sama must feel a little bitter about this, Yumi faintly sensed.

Perheps it was envy? -- Yumi cheekily began to analyse.
But Yumi always only had Sachiko-sama in her heart, and never flirted around. Well, there was that kiss on the cheek, but to Sei-sama that was nothing but a greeting. -- At this point, Yumi started to reflect on herself honestly. Such insensitivity was already a problem itself.

"But university students are having seminars and such, aren't they?"
''Don't know for sure, but maybe.''
"Well, probably."

Sachiko-sama walked slowly along the shaded paths in the garden, while gently touching the fresh lush green bush leaves. Stealing a glance around, there was nobody but the two of them. Students longing for the sunny summer vacations had quick feet to go home, that's why.

Perhaps Sachiko-sama didn't care at all, Yumi thought as she followed behind. Even so, Yumi just didn't feel right to invite Sei-sama. Searching frantically in her head for a subtitute of Sei-sama's name, Yumi replayed the first name that popped up for the time being.

"How about Touko-chan?"
In Yumi's brain, Yoshino-san was yelling the seventh "Stupid." However, the words had come out of her mouth, so she couldn't do a thing.

"Touko-chan?"
Sachiko-sama repeated with a little startle. At that time, Yumi realized something, and gave herself the eighth "Stupid" in her heart. What was the point of doing to Sachiko-sama the same thing that Sachiko-sama had once done to her? Now it would look as if Yumi was exceedingly conscious of Touko-chan.

"She is no good."
Before long, Sachiko-sama replied.
"No good...?"
Yumi probed deeper. It was all right; Sachiko-sama didn't look like she would spew fire for the time being.

"In July she is going to Canada on a trip with her parents."
"Canada..."
How grand.
"It is better for us not to invite her then."
A summering in Japan or a vacation overseas. No matter how much Touko-chan admired Sachiko-sama, putting the two choices on a scale, Touko-chan surely would choose to go overseas.

At least the situation Yoshino had scolded to Yumi on could be avoided. Yumi gave a sigh of relief and looked at Sachiko-sama, to find a calm face that showed no emotions.
It looked as if Sachiko-sama was in deep thoughts, and took no notice even when Yumi was staring at her.
It would be easy to ask Sachiko-sama what she was thinking about, but if Yumi raised the question, would she be intruding Sachiko-sama's time? Yumi ended up sinking into deep thoughts as well.

Finally, Sachiko-sama felt Yumi's stare and turned to her. Yumi plucked up the courage and asked.
"Onee-sama, do you feel uneasy to be just with me?"
"How can that ever be? How did you come a conclusion so wide off the mark?"
Sachiko-sama's words might be tough, but she was smiling.

"To me, it is already enough if just Yumi comes."

"Oh"
What a killer line.
--It is already enough if just Yumi comes.
Isn't it the line to drop down on Yumi's student notebook, and take it everywhere without leaving her body for a moment?

"To me also, if just Onee-sama comes...!"
Suppressing her urge to hop up, Yumi confessed. ''Hey, the two of us are feeling the same thing! This is just joy above anything.''

But why would Sachiko-sama think of inviting other people?
Nevertheless, under such a powerful line of "if just Yumi comes," such trivial doubts became blurred right away, and soon vanished like morning smoke.

"So just the two of us is all right?"
Sachik-sama asked the same question again.
"Yes!"
Yumi replied energetically.

With just the two of them, it should be fun regardless of the venue.
At that point of time, such was believed without a doubt.

"Did you hear that?"
"I heard that."
After the Read Rose sisters returned side by side, basking in the warm sisterhood between them, two shadows appeared from within the dense bushes.

(To be continued)

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| Back to [[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter0|Prologue]]
| Forward to [[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter2|Chapter 2]]
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Maria Sama Ga Miteru:Volume12 Chapter2

2007-03-09T11:22:31Z

Kanzar: /* = */

Why is it impossible to go to sleep, only when one must quickly get as much sleep as possible for the next day -- like the day before hiking, or after staying up through the night for an exam?

I must sleep. I must sleep. This forced idea would only force one awake, that's for sure. However, if one tries to hint oneself 'Don't think I must sleep,' what waits ahead is just the unescapable bottomless swamp of sleeplessness. One will just sink deeper and deeper, and find no way to escape.

This effect manifests itself in the opposite way during times that one must not fall asleep, like in a lesson. I must not sleep. I must not sleep. Such commands will somehow be interpretted in the brain as urge to sleep.

So why not try giving the opposite command this time -- "I must not sleep" when early sleep is needed?

Unfortunately, the idea "I must sleep to prepare for tomorrow" was already stuck in a corner of the brain, so as expected, there is not way such a command could help with sleeping.

Because of that, when Yumi set foot in her dreams that night, it was already around two hours after she got into bed. Three hours was left before the alarm clock would be ringing.

"Good moooorning."
Yumi walked down the stairs with a grimace.
The morning came too early. Her eyelids didn't obey her brain to open. It was only five in the morning, that's why.
"Good morning, Yumi-chan. How great it is that it would be sunny today!"
Mom turned to Yumi with a smiling face from the kitchen, as she was making onigiris.

"What about breakfast? Do you feel like eating?"
"Hummmm"
What do you think, Yumi asked her stomach. Normally her stomach firmly feels like eating from the morning, but now her internal organs all seemed to be in a sleepy state.
"If you don't want rice, at least eat some yogurt. An empty stomach makes you easy to turn sick on vehicles."
"Okay."

Yumi opened the fridge and took out cereal, yogurt and strawberry jam. Her eyelids finally felt less heavy opening and closing when she was mixing stuff in her cafe au lait bowl.
On the dinning table lined neatly some wrapped umeboshi onigiris.
"I have prepared a lunchbox, so please help yourselves on the train. The lunchboxes on the trains are not bad, but somehows look dreary. Hiking always goes with mom's onigiris for sure!"

Mom opened the plastic basket lid and and let Yumi look inside. Inside were fried white fish with herbs, panfried rolls with asparagus, cheese and bacon inside, and panfried petit tomatoes.
"That is splendid!"
Yumi muttered as she worked on her mix of yogurt and cereal. Those are mom's set menu for hiking. It seemed that mom anticipatingly woke up early that morning to make them.
"I have set aside two sets, so eat with Sachiko-sama."
"Thanks so much! Looks delicious."

Being appreciated for her work, Mom was so pleased that she started to share her profound knowledge on petit tomatoes' calyx. Just as Mom reached without reserve the topic of when is the best timing to wrap seaweed on onigiris, Dad entered the dining room with sleepy eyes, scratching his head.
"Oh, it's hiking?"
From the plate of leftover side-dishes, Dad picked a tomato and put it into his mouth.
"Yup."
"Oh it is today! That day for Yumi to stay ay the Ogasawara's summerhouse. When and where are you meeting again?"
"5:50 at the gates of M Station. Dad, you said you would drive me to the station, right?"
"Oh, that's right."

Oh, Dad. He clapped his hands once, reached out in the key case for his keys, and thrusted his hand out.
Oh, Dad looks like he is going to jump into the car any minute. Before that, Dad, do something to your pajama, your five oclock shadow, your bedhead and the gum around your eyes! Yumi pushed Dad on his back and first led him to the bathroom.

Just at that time.

"Dad, you are just too good to Yumi. If it was for me, you will definitely just say 'Get your butt off and go!'"
Probably awaken by the noice on the first floor, Yuki got down from the second floor without anyone noticing, and was standing at the corridor outside the bathroom.

"Mornin'"
"Mornin'"
Wearing pajamas crumbled during sleeping, Yuki looked like an exact copy of Dad. Even their sleeping habits were astonishingly similar. What's it about those two?

"Yumi-chan is a girl, that's why."
Dad said as he squeezed toothpaste onto his toothbrush.
"And, she is so cute! I would never let her walk alone in a deserted street, and be abducted by some bad guy!"
"We are so blessed that you are our father!"
Yuki laughed.

True. It is already so great for him to point to his own daughter and claim unbashfully that she is so cute. Giving him a hug in return would be nice, but Yumi suppressed the idea as Dad was brushing his teeth. It would be a little problematic to leave the bathroom smeared with toothpaste foam.

"Haim wot hurried habout Huhi hor hat, horse his a buy."
Suddenly Dad said something alien.
"What?"
Haim what? Yumi would like to ask for clarification, but Yuki translated before that.
"I'm not worried about Yuki for that, because he is a guy, Dad said."
"Oh."

Invoked by such a line, Yumi gave a look at the human translation-machine.
"...Hey!"
Noticing what Yumi was thinking about, Yuki restrained his sister with a grim face that screamed "You don't dare to say anything unnecessary."

Of course not.
Dad. Your son is a guy, but he is so cute that he is being pursued by some bad guy now! -- Such words Yumi could never say, even if someone forced her mouth open.

Eluding from each other's glance, the Fukuzawa siblings did their routine errands in the morning, as if nothing had happened.
An agreement was reached: let the line they heard that morning be flushed down the bathroom drain, together with the water that washed Dad's shaver.

" Wow, that's some effort!"
Yumi was putting on her sandals and leaving the genkan, when she found Yuki outside retriving the newspapers. Yuki looked up and down his sister's looks, and laughed out.
" Thanks for your compliment!"
Yumi pouted her lips a little and stared at her brother. It was a seventeen-year-old maiden's innocence to refuse to respond with a smile and a "You're right!"

"Welcome. It really looks good on you. The best performance so far, in fact."
"The last sentence is not needed!"
Sure it is a compliment to be praised her clothes look good on her, but Yuki's compliment didn't sound at all pleasing. Yumi rolled her fist into a ball, and threw it straight towards the head of her brother, who was to return with newspaper on one hand.

"But hey, you didn't wear a one-piece normally, did you?"
Yuki laughingly raised his arms to guard his head, and barely escaped.
"My uniform is a one-piece."
"No one would put this in the same league as a uniform, would they?"
"Yeah, I guess."
Yumi quietly loosened her fist.

In fact, she knew full well: she would be embarassed wearing this newly bought, white, French-sleeved one-piece.
Maybe she was not used to wearing it. She was confused by this different self from normal.
The feeling was a little like the next day after having her hair cut. She could not even get used to herself in the mirror. How would other people look at her? She was worried. Even when she was complimented "It suits you well," she would get doubtful whether others were talking about their true feelings.

That was why she overreacted beyond her control upon the slightest wording stimulus. It was pitful for Yuki to be there by chance and play on the delicate topic of dressing, but under his sister's light hysteria outburst, Yuki could only swallow down his misfortune and accept whatever was to come.

"About this one-piece,"
Yuki mumbled with his arms crossed. Did he not receive his lesson and continue to babble? Yumi thought, but she was so curious of Yuki's comment that she decided to listen.

"... in it you look like a cabbage butterfly (紋白蝶, kanji directly translated as "white-background striped butterfly")."

It was neither a compliment nor a compliant, just plain impression. But Yumi was drawn into such description very much.
Cabbage butterfly.
A one-piece like a white butterfly.
It was of a simple design, with no lace or patterns, but only a ribbon at the back. The lack of decorations makes the one-piece look very elegant.

Of course, Yumi made this very consicous choice so as not to embarass the Onee-sama together with her. However, Yumi could never push away her doubts: was the person wearing the one-piece the real misfit? Was it a good idea for someone like her to wear the one-piece? However, if it was a one-piece like a white butterfly, Yumi's feeling became much less heavy.

Light, soft and gentle.
A cabbage butterfly commonly seen on a cabbage field represented Yumi much better than a glorious birdwing butterfly (アゲハ, scientific name "Ornithoptera").

However, Yumi just could not give her thanks to the bragging Yuki. It was too shameful to give Yuki the impression that her feelings took a U-turn due to just one comment.

"There is no stripes on this one-piece though."
(Translator: Cabbage butterfly in Japanese literally means "white-background striped butterfly".)
"Is that supposed to be a joke?"
"Sheesh."
Yumi laughed out despite herself. Yuki joined her in laughter. It was a uninteresting feeble joke, but once they started laughing, they could not stop themselves for a while.

"Hey, Yumi-chan. Lunchboxes."
Mom who walked out of the door handed Yumi the temperature-preserving case with an amazed expression. Dad was taking the car out of the garage, and trying to parallel-park right in front of the house.

5:30 am.
It was early morning, so the roads were empty. In 15 minutes, they would arrive at M station with quite some spare time. The meeting place was at the station gate. Okay. Everything was on schedule.

To avoid feeling cold in the air-conditioned train carts, Yumi pulled a light green cardigan around her neck. Oh, a hat. Also, never forget to bring along the white parasol she bought with all her savings just this summer.

"Anything missing?"
"Nope."
Yumi lifted her travelling bag. It was a retangular cane basket Mom used when she was young.
"Handkachief, tissue, purse... you have them with you?"
"Yeah, yeah. Don't worry. See?"
Yumi stick out her back and showed Mom a small shoulder bag that shaped like a pochette.Every small things was inside the bag.

"Are you sure you haven't missed anything when arranging your baggages for the last time? If you find anything missing, call us. We will send it you by home delivery."
"Oookay."
Mom kept sticking behind Yumi and talking about things Yumi should be careful about. No matter how old Yumi would become, Mom would probably take care of every detail like treating a kid.

"Sachiko-sama would be taking care of the train tickets, right? Remember to pay Sachiko-sama back the train fee, as soon as possible!"
"Okay, okay."
Taking everything along, Yumi got into the car's back seat.

"Madam , where would you like to go?"
Dad turned back from the driver's seat and smiled.
"M Station, please."
"My pleasure, madam."

After the door was closed, Yuki walked near the car and knocked on the window.
"What?"
Yumi drew down the window, and Yuki poked her cheek with his pointing finger.
"Relax, relax. It is a just summerhouse, right?"
Do I look so tense? Yumi followed Yuki and poked her cheek, and realized that her face muscles was growing tense from some time ago.
"It is not like you are going to a battlefield. So just sit back and relax this short vacation treat."
"...Thanks."

Yuki left the car, so Dad quietly started the car.
"This brother of yours is pretty reliable, isn't he?"
"Yeah. I even felt defeated."
Well, though she felt defeated from a long time ago.
Looking back, Mom and Yuki was still standing in front of the house. They were facing the car and waving, despite that they had turned very small already.

(Relax. Relax.)
Yumi gave a slight effort to mimic Yuki, and repeated the word in her heart.
Right. No point to get tense all over.
It is just a summerhouse, right?
It is a trip to enjoy some fun time with Onee-sama, right?

Yumi arrived at the ticket gate of M Station five minutes before the meeting time.
No young lady in Sachiko-sama's age could be found there, but after two mintues of waiting, a lady approached from a corner of the North Exit.
The lady had a cream white summer sweater inside her matching cardigan, and slim jeans that flow along her long legs. Walking in brisk steps, the lady found Yumi and waved her hands lightly.

It was so different from her usual image that Yumi did not pay attention in the first place. However.
"Yumi."
The calling voice was the same. The gradually approaching face was the same.
"O-ooooooooh?"
Without a doubt, it was Ogasawara Sachiko.

"Doh-doh-doh..."
Like always, the confused Yumi started to drill holes on the street under construction. Hey, in Yumi's expanding imagination, when the daughter of the Ogasawara family pays a visit to the summerhouse, she would definitely be wearing a one-piece or a flaring skirt. Yumi chose the one-piece in order to suit her Onee-sama. So why the jeans? Onee-sama's appearance now was actually closer to Yumi's usual style.
So the "doh" in Yumi's string of "Doh-doh-doh..." is for "doushite? (Why?)"

"Good morning."
Sachiko-sama put her hand around Yumi's chest as usual, but realized that Yumi was not wearing a tie. There was not even a lapel to Yumi's pristine collar, so instead Sachiko touched Yumi's collar and smiled.

"Good morning."
The greeting was not the usual "Good day." It might be because they were not at school. It might be because the time was actually early morning. However, such a small inconsistancy was not at all irritating.

"What a cute one-piece. It suits you well."
It might just be a common compliment, but being complimented by Onee-sama was itself gratifying. Yumi barely tied down her blown-away heart, and smiled back.

"Onee-sama, those jeans suits you very well too."
The jeans, though causal-looking, are one of those expensive kinds. They looked very similar to those appeared in a vintage fashion show Yumi had watched on television before. Those jeans on television was eye-popping expensive; so expensive that one could buy a huge fridge with the money.

"Yes. From time to time, I wear at home the jeans you have chosen for me on our Valentine date. My grandpa saw them, and bought this pair for me."
Jeans that the president of the Ogasawara Group had requested himself -- then no doubt the jeans were the real thing.
Without any sense of pity, Sachiko-sama cut the jeans to her size and wore them. Yumi could gradually feel distortion to her sense of money.

"So, let's go."
Yumi was still digesting her Onee-sama's words when Sachiko-sama turned back and retraced her steps.
"Oh?"
Yumi cocked her head.

Let's go, Onee-sama said. The ticket gate was here.
However, Sachiko-sama walked further and further to the north. Continuing walking, she would get out of the north exit. In order to ride on the train, however, they had to pass the gate and wait at the platform for the train.

Yumi decided to chase Sachiko-sama for the time being. Then she realized.
Onee-sama's hands were empty.
No way, Yumi thought, but Sachiko-sama had already walked down the stairs. Yumi also caught sight of a black car, waiting slightly away from the north exit roundabout.
Without mistake, that car was the Ogasawara's home car. Though it is a home car, the driver was not anyone in the Ogasawara family, but a driver.

"Why are you so surprised? Haven't I said that we are going by car?"
Sachiko-sama turned back and said to Yumi, whose brain was stuck due to the unmatching reality.
"No, I heard nothing of that."
Yumi had just learnt of it.
However, Sachiko-sama looked very confident, and Yumi started to become unsettled.

"I have said so."
"But"
Yumi didn't heard of it, that was the truth. Yumi could never say "I have heard it," just to save Onee-sama's face.

"I have said so."
"Never heard of it."
Neither side would give way.
Then which side was telling the truth?
No, it was too early to conclude so. Both sides were holding the unwavered belief that her standpoint was right.

Speaking of that, the same thing happened once before. In the treasure hunt event, the two had argued about how deep Yumi had dugged for the hidden card. At that time, Tsutako-san intervened, and the argument was somehow cleared with everyone satisfied, even though the mystery was not solved.
Unfortunately, there was no friend here now to step up and make a judgement.

(Anybody...)
Yumi looked around, and her glance met the driver, who was in standby mode in the black car's driver seat. Yumi hastily gave a slight nod.
There was no way the driver could untie the tangled web of misunderstanding. Yumi had to put her own effort here.

"Onee-sama, do you remember that I had asked your opinion whether I should book train tickets beforehand?"
"Yes, of course."
Onee-sama nodded.
"And I replied, 'Leave it to me, and I will ask the people on my side to settle this matter. (*1)'"
"Yes."
In the end, the two began to rehearse what they had said.

"Then what did you say, Yumi?"
"'Then I would leave it to you.'"
"See, you had acknowledged my suggestion, hadn't you?"
"Pardon?"
Why? Yumi's eyes began to roll.
"Wasn't it that I leave it to you to buy the train tickets? (*2)"
"Pardon?"

Then the two finally realized. No way--
"This matter (その件)" and "The tickets (その券)" ? (Translator's notes: see below.)
"You are kidding."
"That is so silly."
Unbelievable. The two was stuck in such a clumsy misunderstand.

"B-but, that would not equal 'going by car,' would it?"
Even if Sachiko-sama was saying "this matter" instead of "the tickets," she was telling Yumi to rely on her for arranging transportation. They could go by bike, by bus, by local trains, by Bullet train, by plane (not in this case, of course), etc. How could Yumi judge it was by car?

"But I definitely had said that we were going by car."
Sachiko-sama said with a light laugh, apparently enjoying the gradually funny scenario.
"By car, right?"
"Yes, by car."
"Car... c-a-r..."

Like solving a puzzle, the two teamed up to make it clear why such a misunderstanding took place.
"C-a-r... C-a-r..."
Yumi replayed her memory around the "This matter (ticket)" line, and searched for the keyword "car."

"Oh."
"What is it?"
Sachiko-sama asked with sparkling eyes.
"Well, at that time I was thinking about when Onee-sama should leave home..."
Yumi slowly put what she remembered into words.
"Yes. I did not know how much it takes to travel in the morning."
"In the end, after you said that you might arrive a little before our meeting time..."
"Then?"

"You said, 'It is all right for me. If I arrive early, I would kill time before you arrive.'" (*3)
"Yes, I did say so. So what is about it?"
Sachiko-sama gave a blank stare.
"I was saying I would arrive a little earlier, instead of you waiting for me at the gate. It is all right with me, because I can wait in my car with air conditioning... (*4) Hey!"
Sachiko-sama finally got it.

This time, it was "before you arrive (来るまで)" and "in the car (車で)." (Translator's notes: see below.)
"Ha"
"Hahaha"
The funniness exploded like springwater gushing out. The two looked at each other's face, and burst out laughing.

"Madam, is it alright now?"
The driver said as he got off the car. It seemed that he left the two alone without a word, and observed until the conversation was over. When the two was walking up towards the car, they were having a light quarrel, and the driver could not find a right time to get out. Now that laughter escaped from their lips, the driver observed that the problem was settled.

=============================
Translator's Notes on the Puns:

(*1) Sachiko's understanding: 「'''その件'''はうちの者に行かせるから任せて」

>>"Leave it to me, and I will ask the people on my side to settle '''this matter'''."

(*2) Yumi's understanding: 「'''その券'''はうちの者に行かせるから任せて」

>>"Leave it to me, and I will ask the people on my side to settle '''the tickets'''."
The pronounciation for "This matter (その件)" and "The tickets (その券)" are the same.

(*3) Yumi's understanding: 「早く着いたら、'''来るまで'''時間つぶしているからいいわ」

>>"It is all right for me. If I arrive early, I would kill time '''before you arrive'''."

(*4) Sachiko's understanding: 「早く着いたら、'''車で'''時間つぶしているからいいわ」

>>"It is all right for me. If I arrive early, I would kill time '''in the car'''."
The pronounciation for "before you come(来るまで)" and "in the car (車で)" are the same.

Talk:Maria Sama Ga Miteru:Volume12 Chapter2

2007-03-09T11:20:49Z

Kanzar: New page: Kanzar: I had an archive Otyaku's hosting of Marimite v12 up till Chapter 2 >> Page 9. Unfortunately, I don't have any more (I have some Marimite for other volumes, but I don't think we ha...

Kanzar: I had an archive Otyaku's hosting of Marimite v12 up till Chapter 2 >> Page 9. Unfortunately, I don't have any more (I have some Marimite for other volumes, but I don't think we have permission to post them?). If you feel like going through and fixing up the mess of a 'update' I made, feel free.

Maria Sama Ga Miteru:Volume12 Chapter2

2007-03-09T11:19:22Z

Kanzar: New page: Why is it impossible to go to sleep, only when one must quickly get as much sleep as possible for the next day -- like the day before hiking, or after staying up through the night for an e...

Why is it impossible to go to sleep, only when one must quickly get as much sleep as possible for the next day -- like the day before hiking, or after staying up through the night for an exam?

I must sleep. I must sleep. This forced idea would only force one awake, that's for sure. However, if one tries to hint oneself 'Don't think I must sleep,' what waits ahead is just the unescapable bottomless swamp of sleeplessness. One will just sink deeper and deeper, and find no way to escape.

This effect manifests itself in the opposite way during times that one must not fall asleep, like in a lesson. I must not sleep. I must not sleep. Such commands will somehow be interpretted in the brain as urge to sleep.

So why not try giving the opposite command this time -- "I must not sleep" when early sleep is needed?

Unfortunately, the idea "I must sleep to prepare for tomorrow" was already stuck in a corner of the brain, so as expected, there is not way such a command could help with sleeping.

Because of that, when Yumi set foot in her dreams that night, it was already around two hours after she got into bed. Three hours was left before the alarm clock would be ringing.

"Good moooorning."
Yumi walked down the stairs with a grimace.
The morning came too early. Her eyelids didn't obey her brain to open. It was only five in the morning, that's why.
"Good morning, Yumi-chan. How great it is that it would be sunny today!"
Mom turned to Yumi with a smiling face from the kitchen, as she was making onigiris.

"What about breakfast? Do you feel like eating?"
"Hummmm"
What do you think, Yumi asked her stomach. Normally her stomach firmly feels like eating from the morning, but now her internal organs all seemed to be in a sleepy state.
"If you don't want rice, at least eat some yogurt. An empty stomach makes you easy to turn sick on vehicles."
"Okay."

Yumi opened the fridge and took out cereal, yogurt and strawberry jam. Her eyelids finally felt less heavy opening and closing when she was mixing stuff in her cafe au lait bowl.
On the dinning table lined neatly some wrapped umeboshi onigiris.
"I have prepared a lunchbox, so please help yourselves on the train. The lunchboxes on the trains are not bad, but somehows look dreary. Hiking always goes with mom's onigiris for sure!"

Mom opened the plastic basket lid and and let Yumi look inside. Inside were fried white fish with herbs, panfried rolls with asparagus, cheese and bacon inside, and panfried petit tomatoes.
"That is splendid!"
Yumi muttered as she worked on her mix of yogurt and cereal. Those are mom's set menu for hiking. It seemed that mom anticipatingly woke up early that morning to make them.
"I have set aside two sets, so eat with Sachiko-sama."
"Thanks so much! Looks delicious."

Being appreciated for her work, Mom was so pleased that she started to share her profound knowledge on petit tomatoes' calyx. Just as Mom reached without reserve the topic of when is the best timing to wrap seaweed on onigiris, Dad entered the dining room with sleepy eyes, scratching his head.
"Oh, it's hiking?"
From the plate of leftover side-dishes, Dad picked a tomato and put it into his mouth.
"Yup."
"Oh it is today! That day for Yumi to stay ay the Ogasawara's summerhouse. When and where are you meeting again?"
"5:50 at the gates of M Station. Dad, you said you would drive me to the station, right?"
"Oh, that's right."

Oh, Dad. He clapped his hands once, reached out in the key case for his keys, and thrusted his hand out.
Oh, Dad looks like he is going to jump into the car any minute. Before that, Dad, do something to your pajama, your five oclock shadow, your bedhead and the gum around your eyes! Yumi pushed Dad on his back and first led him to the bathroom.

Just at that time.

"Dad, you are just too good to Yumi. If it was for me, you will definitely just say 'Get your butt off and go!'"
Probably awaken by the noice on the first floor, Yuki got down from the second floor without anyone noticing, and was standing at the corridor outside the bathroom.

"Mornin'"
"Mornin'"
Wearing pajamas crumbled during sleeping, Yuki looked like an exact copy of Dad. Even their sleeping habits were astonishingly similar. What's it about those two?

"Yumi-chan is a girl, that's why."
Dad said as he squeezed toothpaste onto his toothbrush.
"And, she is so cute! I would never let her walk alone in a deserted street, and be abducted by some bad guy!"
"We are so blessed that you are our father!"
Yuki laughed.

True. It is already so great for him to point to his own daughter and claim unbashfully that she is so cute. Giving him a hug in return would be nice, but Yumi suppressed the idea as Dad was brushing his teeth. It would be a little problematic to leave the bathroom smeared with toothpaste foam.

"Haim wot hurried habout Huhi hor hat, horse his a buy."
Suddenly Dad said something alien.
"What?"
Haim what? Yumi would like to ask for clarification, but Yuki translated before that.
"I'm not worried about Yuki for that, because he is a guy, Dad said."
"Oh."

Invoked by such a line, Yumi gave a look at the human translation-machine.
"...Hey!"
Noticing what Yumi was thinking about, Yuki restrained his sister with a grim face that screamed "You don't dare to say anything unnecessary."

Of course not.
Dad. Your son is a guy, but he is so cute that he is being pursued by some bad guy now! -- Such words Yumi could never say, even if someone forced her mouth open.

Eluding from each other's glance, the Fukuzawa siblings did their routine errands in the morning, as if nothing had happened.
An agreement was reached: let the line they heard that morning be flushed down the bathroom drain, together with the water that washed Dad's shaver.

" Wow, that's some effort!"
Yumi was putting on her sandals and leaving the genkan, when she found Yuki outside retriving the newspapers. Yuki looked up and down his sister's looks, and laughed out.
" Thanks for your compliment!"
Yumi pouted her lips a little and stared at her brother. It was a seventeen-year-old maiden's innocence to refuse to respond with a smile and a "You're right!"

"Welcome. It really looks good on you. The best performance so far, in fact."
"The last sentence is not needed!"
Sure it is a compliment to be praised her clothes look good on her, but Yuki's compliment didn't sound at all pleasing. Yumi rolled her fist into a ball, and threw it straight towards the head of her brother, who was to return with newspaper on one hand.

"But hey, you didn't wear a one-piece normally, did you?"
Yuki laughingly raised his arms to guard his head, and barely escaped.
"My uniform is a one-piece."
"No one would put this in the same league as a uniform, would they?"
"Yeah, I guess."
Yumi quietly loosened her fist.

In fact, she knew full well: she would be embarassed wearing this newly bought, white, French-sleeved one-piece.
Maybe she was not used to wearing it. She was confused by this different self from normal.
The feeling was a little like the next day after having her hair cut. She could not even get used to herself in the mirror. How would other people look at her? She was worried. Even when she was complimented "It suits you well," she would get doubtful whether others were talking about their true feelings.

That was why she overreacted beyond her control upon the slightest wording stimulus. It was pitful for Yuki to be there by chance and play on the delicate topic of dressing, but under his sister's light hysteria outburst, Yuki could only swallow down his misfortune and accept whatever was to come.

"About this one-piece,"
Yuki mumbled with his arms crossed. Did he not receive his lesson and continue to babble? Yumi thought, but she was so curious of Yuki's comment that she decided to listen.

"... in it you look like a cabbage butterfly (紋白蝶, kanji directly translated as "white-background striped butterfly")."

It was neither a compliment nor a compliant, just plain impression. But Yumi was drawn into such description very much.
Cabbage butterfly.
A one-piece like a white butterfly.
It was of a simple design, with no lace or patterns, but only a ribbon at the back. The lack of decorations makes the one-piece look very elegant.

Of course, Yumi made this very consicous choice so as not to embarass the Onee-sama together with her. However, Yumi could never push away her doubts: was the person wearing the one-piece the real misfit? Was it a good idea for someone like her to wear the one-piece? However, if it was a one-piece like a white butterfly, Yumi's feeling became much less heavy.

Light, soft and gentle.
A cabbage butterfly commonly seen on a cabbage field represented Yumi much better than a glorious birdwing butterfly (アゲハ, scientific name "Ornithoptera").

However, Yumi just could not give her thanks to the bragging Yuki. It was too shameful to give Yuki the impression that her feelings took a U-turn due to just one comment.

"There is no stripes on this one-piece though."
(Translator: Cabbage butterfly in Japanese literally means "white-background striped butterfly".)
"Is that supposed to be a joke?"
"Sheesh."
Yumi laughed out despite herself. Yuki joined her in laughter. It was a uninteresting feeble joke, but once they started laughing, they could not stop themselves for a while.

"Hey, Yumi-chan. Lunchboxes."
Mom who walked out of the door handed Yumi the temperature-preserving case with an amazed expression. Dad was taking the car out of the garage, and trying to parallel-park right in front of the house.

5:30 am.
It was early morning, so the roads were empty. In 15 minutes, they would arrive at M station with quite some spare time. The meeting place was at the station gate. Okay. Everything was on schedule.

To avoid feeling cold in the air-conditioned train carts, Yumi pulled a light green cardigan around her neck. Oh, a hat. Also, never forget to bring along the white parasol she bought with all her savings just this summer.

"Anything missing?"
"Nope."
Yumi lifted her travelling bag. It was a retangular cane basket Mom used when she was young.
"Handkachief, tissue, purse... you have them with you?"
"Yeah, yeah. Don't worry. See?"
Yumi stick out her back and showed Mom a small shoulder bag that shaped like a pochette.Every small things was inside the bag.

"Are you sure you haven't missed anything when arranging your baggages for the last time? If you find anything missing, call us. We will send it you by home delivery."
"Oookay."
Mom kept sticking behind Yumi and talking about things Yumi should be careful about. No matter how old Yumi would become, Mom would probably take care of every detail like treating a kid.

"Sachiko-sama would be taking care of the train tickets, right? Remember to pay Sachiko-sama back the train fee, as soon as possible!"
"Okay, okay."
Taking everything along, Yumi got into the car's back seat.

"Madam , where would you like to go?"
Dad turned back from the driver's seat and smiled.
"M Station, please."
"My pleasure, madam."

After the door was closed, Yuki walked near the car and knocked on the window.
"What?"
Yumi drew down the window, and Yuki poked her cheek with his pointing finger.
"Relax, relax. It is a just summerhouse, right?"
Do I look so tense? Yumi followed Yuki and poked her cheek, and realized that her face muscles was growing tense from some time ago.
"It is not like you are going to a battlefield. So just sit back and relax this short vacation treat."
"...Thanks."

Yuki left the car, so Dad quietly started the car.
"This brother of yours is pretty reliable, isn't he?"
"Yeah. I even felt defeated."
Well, though she felt defeated from a long time ago.
Looking back, Mom and Yuki was still standing in front of the house. They were facing the car and waving, despite that they had turned very small already.

(Relax. Relax.)
Yumi gave a slight effort to mimic Yuki, and repeated the word in her heart.
Right. No point to get tense all over.
It is just a summerhouse, right?
It is a trip to enjoy some fun time with Onee-sama, right?

Yumi arrived at the ticket gate of M Station five minutes before the meeting time.
No young lady in Sachiko-sama's age could be found there, but after two mintues of waiting, a lady approached from a corner of the North Exit.
The lady had a cream white summer sweater inside her matching cardigan, and slim jeans that flow along her long legs. Walking in brisk steps, the lady found Yumi and waved her hands lightly.

It was so different from her usual image that Yumi did not pay attention in the first place. However.
"Yumi."
The calling voice was the same. The gradually approaching face was the same.
"O-ooooooooh?"
Without a doubt, it was Ogasawara Sachiko.

"Doh-doh-doh..."
Like always, the confused Yumi started to drill holes on the street under construction. Hey, in Yumi's expanding imagination, when the daughter of the Ogasawara family pays a visit to the summerhouse, she would definitely be wearing a one-piece or a flaring skirt. Yumi chose the one-piece in order to suit her Onee-sama. So why the jeans? Onee-sama's appearance now was actually closer to Yumi's usual style.
So the "doh" in Yumi's string of "Doh-doh-doh..." is for "doushite? (Why?)"

"Good morning."
Sachiko-sama put her hand around Yumi's chest as usual, but realized that Yumi was not wearing a tie. There was not even a lapel to Yumi's pristine collar, so instead Sachiko touched Yumi's collar and smiled.

"Good morning."
The greeting was not the usual "Good day." It might be because they were not at school. It might be because the time was actually early morning. However, such a small inconsistancy was not at all irritating.

"What a cute one-piece. It suits you well."
It might just be a common compliment, but being complimented by Onee-sama was itself gratifying. Yumi barely tied down her blown-away heart, and smiled back.

"Onee-sama, those jeans suits you very well too."
The jeans, though causal-looking, are one of those expensive kinds. They looked very similar to those appeared in a vintage fashion show Yumi had watched on television before. Those jeans on television was eye-popping expensive; so expensive that one could buy a huge fridge with the money.

"Yes. From time to time, I wear at home the jeans you have chosen for me on our Valentine date. My grandpa saw them, and bought this pair for me."
Jeans that the president of the Ogasawara Group had requested himself -- then no doubt the jeans were the real thing.
Without any sense of pity, Sachiko-sama cut the jeans to her size and wore them. Yumi could gradually feel distortion to her sense of money.

"So, let's go."
Yumi was still digesting her Onee-sama's words when Sachiko-sama turned back and retraced her steps.
"Oh?"
Yumi cocked her head.

Let's go, Onee-sama said. The ticket gate was here.
However, Sachiko-sama walked further and further to the north. Continuing walking, she would get out of the north exit. In order to ride on the train, however, they had to pass the gate and wait at the platform for the train.

Yumi decided to chase Sachiko-sama for the time being. Then she realized.
Onee-sama's hands were empty.
No way, Yumi thought, but Sachiko-sama had already walked down the stairs. Yumi also caught sight of a black car, waiting slightly away from the north exit roundabout.
Without mistake, that car was the Ogasawara's home car. Though it is a home car, the driver was not anyone in the Ogasawara family, but a driver.

"Why are you so surprised? Haven't I said that we are going by car?"
Sachiko-sama turned back and said to Yumi, whose brain was stuck due to the unmatching reality.
"No, I heard nothing of that."
Yumi had just learnt of it.
However, Sachiko-sama looked very confident, and Yumi started to become unsettled.

"I have said so."
"But"
Yumi didn't heard of it, that was the truth. Yumi could never say "I have heard it," just to save Onee-sama's face.

"I have said so."
"Never heard of it."
Neither side would give way.
Then which side was telling the truth?
No, it was too early to conclude so. Both sides were holding the unwavered belief that her standpoint was right.

Speaking of that, the same thing happened once before. In the treasure hunt event, the two had argued about how deep Yumi had dugged for the hidden card. At that time, Tsutako-san intervened, and the argument was somehow cleared with everyone satisfied, even though the mystery was not solved.
Unfortunately, there was no friend here now to step up and make a judgement.

(Anybody...)
Yumi looked around, and her glance met the driver, who was in standby mode in the black car's driver seat. Yumi hastily gave a slight nod.
There was no way the driver could untie the tangled web of misunderstanding. Yumi had to put her own effort here.

"Onee-sama, do you remember that I had asked your opinion whether I should book train tickets beforehand?"
"Yes, of course."
Onee-sama nodded.
"And I replied, 'Leave it to me, and I will ask the people on my side to settle this matter. (*1)'"
"Yes."
In the end, the two began to rehearse what they had said.

"Then what did you say, Yumi?"
"'Then I would leave it to you.'"
"See, you had acknowledged my suggestion, hadn't you?"
"Pardon?"
Why? Yumi's eyes began to roll.
"Wasn't it that I leave it to you to buy the train tickets? (*2)"
"Pardon?"

Then the two finally realized. No way--
"This matter (その件)" and "The tickets (その券)" ? (Translator's notes: see below.)
"You are kidding."
"That is so silly."
Unbelievable. The two was stuck in such a clumsy misunderstand.

"B-but, that would not equal 'going by car,' would it?"
Even if Sachiko-sama was saying "this matter" instead of "the tickets," she was telling Yumi to rely on her for arranging transportation. They could go by bike, by bus, by local trains, by Bullet train, by plane (not in this case, of course), etc. How could Yumi judge it was by car?

"But I definitely had said that we were going by car."
Sachiko-sama said with a light laugh, apparently enjoying the gradually funny scenario.
"By car, right?"
"Yes, by car."
"Car... c-a-r..."

Like solving a puzzle, the two teamed up to make it clear why such a misunderstanding took place.
"C-a-r... C-a-r..."
Yumi replayed her memory around the "This matter (ticket)" line, and searched for the keyword "car."

"Oh."
"What is it?"
Sachiko-sama asked with sparkling eyes.
"Well, at that time I was thinking about when Onee-sama should leave home..."
Yumi slowly put what she remembered into words.
"Yes. I did not know how much it takes to travel in the morning."
"In the end, after you said that you might arrive a little before our meeting time..."
"Then?"

"You said, 'It is all right for me. If I arrive early, I would kill time before you arrive.'" (*3)
"Yes, I did say so. So what is about it?"
Sachiko-sama gave a blank stare.
"I was saying I would arrive a little earlier, instead of you waiting for me at the gate. It is all right with me, because I can wait in my car with air conditioning... (*4) Hey!"
Sachiko-sama finally got it.

This time, it was "before you arrive (来るまで)" and "in the car (車で)." (Translator's notes: see below.)
"Ha"
"Hahaha"
The funniness exploded like springwater gushing out. The two looked at each other's face, and burst out laughing.

"Madam, is it alright now?"
The driver said as he got off the car. It seemed that he left the two alone without a word, and observed until the conversation was over. When the two was walking up towards the car, they were having a light quarrel, and the driver could not find a right time to get out. Now that laughter escaped from their lips, the driver observed that the problem was settled.

=============================
Translator's Notes on the Puns:

(*1) Sachiko's understanding: 「'''その件'''はうちの者に行かせるから任せて」
>>"Leave it to me, and I will ask the people on my side to settle '''this matter'''."
(*2) Yumi's understanding: 「'''その券'''はうちの者に行かせるから任せて」
>>"Leave it to me, and I will ask the people on my side to settle '''the tickets'''."
The pronounciation for "This matter (その件)" and "The tickets (その券)" are the same.

(*3) Yumi's understanding: 「早く着いたら、'''来るまで'''時間つぶしているからいいわ」
>>"It is all right for me. If I arrive early, I would kill time '''before you arrive'''."
(*4) Sachiko's understanding: 「早く着いたら、'''車で'''時間つぶしているからいいわ」
>>"It is all right for me. If I arrive early, I would kill time '''in the car'''."
The pronounciation for "before you come(来るまで)" and "in the car (車で)" are the same.

Kara no Kyoukai:Chapter02 04

2007-03-04T00:46:57Z

Kanzar: /* 4 */

Murder Study (Part 1)／

== 1 ==

"Mikiya, is it true that you're going out with Ryohgi?"

I almost spew out my coffee milk to Gakuto's words. I look around while coughing. Fortunately, the lunchtime classroom is loud and no one seems to have heard Gakuto's nonsense.

"What do you mean by that, Gakuto?"

Gakuto looks rather amazed when I question him.

"What are you saying? It's a known fact for everyone that Kokutoh of class 1-C has a crush on Ryohgi. The only ones who don't know are you two."

I think I frowned to those words.

It's been seven months since I first met Shiki. It's already November, right near winter.

... Certainly it's not weird for anyone to start going out after that much time.

"Gakuto, that's just a misunderstanding. We're just friends, and nothing more."

"Really?"

The hopeful of the judo club frowns his face. In contrast to his name, which means "educated person", this guy, who has been my friend since elementary school, is the athletic type. From our long relationship, he must have figured out I wasn't lying.

"But you call her by her first name. There's no way that Ryohgi would allow just a classmate to call her like that."

"Hey now. Shiki doesn't like that. She glared at me when I called her Ryohgi-san before. People ''say'' you can kill someone by looking at them, but Shiki definitely has that potential. Anyways, she says she hates people calling her by her last name, so she says it's fine if I just call her "you". But since I didn't like that, I compromised with "Shiki-san". She didn't like that either, so it ended up with just Shiki. That is the boring truth."

Telling Gakuto about what happened in April, he agrees that it was indeed a boring development.

"I see. That sure is an unromantic story."

Gakuto says this disappointedly. ...What kind of an answer was he hoping for?

"So that thing last week at the school entrance was nothing either? Damn, it was a waste of time coming here. I should have just eaten lunch in my classroom."

"... Hold on. How do you know about that?"

"I told you, you guys are famous. Everyone at the school already knows you and Ryohgi were getting shelter from the rain together by the entrance last Saturday. Since its Ryohgi, even small things like that catch everyone's attention."

I sigh and look up. All I can hope for now is that Shiki will never hear about this.

"This is a school to get you ready for college right? I'm starting to wonder if everyone's really studying."

"According to the teachers, employment rate is good for students who graduated from here."

... I have to question how this school is run.

"But man, why Ryohgi? It just doesn't fit you."

I remember being said something like that by my Senpais.

They told me a quiet, gentle girl would suit me. I guess Gakuto is on the same line too.

... I get a bit angry.

"Shiki isn't such a scary girl."

I let it slip out my mouth..

Gakuto grins. ...He looks like he knows I didn't mean to say that out loud.

"What do you mean she's just your friend? That's definitely a hard girl. The fact that you don't see it is proof that you're too crazy about that girl."

He must mean hard-headed when he says hard. I know he's right, but I didn't want to just give in and nod.

"I already know that."

"Then what's so good about her? Her looks?"

Gakuto is holding nothing back.

Indeed Shiki is beautiful. But with that aside, Shiki attracts me. Shiki always seems like she's about to get hurt. In reality, she's firm enough not to get hurt, but she seems to be really fragile. That's probably why I can't ignore her. I don't want to see her get hurt.

"It's just something that you don't notice. Even Shiki has her cute points. ...Let's see, if I think of her as an animal, she's cute enough to be a rabbit."

Suddenly, i regret saying that

"Don't be stupid. She's definitely in the cat family, and probably the beast ones too. A rabbit is too far off, way too far. Is Ryohgi the type that would die out of loneliness?"

Gakuto laughs his ass off.

But I think she's like a rabbit in that she doesn't become attached to people and how she looks at others from a distance. ... Huh, if that's just me, then fine.

"All right. I won't talk to you about girls anymore."

Gakuto quits laughing once I tell him that.

"You might be right. A rabbit suits her well."

"Gakuto, a frank agreement is rather offensive."

"I mean it. I remembered that rabbits were dangerous too. In this world, there are rabbits that chop off your head if you're unlucky."

I hesitate being said that in a serious tone.

"That's a pretty amazing rabbit."

Gakuto nods.

"Of course, cause I'm talking about the world of gaming."

== 2 ==

I saw an unbelievable thing on the day the exam ended for the second quarter.

There was a letter in my desk. No, that itself isn't too weird. The problem is the sender and its content. To put it simply, it was from Shiki, asking me out on a date.

It sounded like a threat telling me to take her out somewhere tomorrow. I went home all confused and waited for the next day to come, feeling like a samurai told to kill himself the next day.

◇

"Yo, Kokuto."

That was the first word Shiki said to me when she came. She came to our meeting place, the dog statue in front of the station, with a red leather jacker over her kimono. More than her outfit, I was confused by how she spoke.

"Did ya wait? Sorry man. It took me awhile to shake off Akitaka."

She says this as if it's perfectly natural for her.

She sounds like a guy, not like the Shiki I know. Not being able to answer, I check her figure again. There's nothing different in her looks. She has a small body, but because of her valiant gestures, she looks powerful... no, rather graceful. She has the unbalancedness of a lively puppet, a puppet made well, but just on the outside.

"What? You angry just cause I'm an hour late? You're pretty intolerant, man."

Shiki looks at me with her black eyes. Her beautiful short black hair. A small face and big eyes, they both are beautiful. The black eyes are reflecting the figure of Kokutoh Mikiya, but it seems to be seeing something farther away. ... Come to think of it, I was attracted to these eyes since that snowy day when we met

"Um... you're Shiki, right?"

"Yeah", Shiki laughs. A strange smile that's more like a grin.

"What else do I look like? We're wasting time like this. Come on, take me somewhere. I'll let you decide, Kokuto."

Saying that, Shiki starts to walk taking my arm forcefully.

... She said she'll let me decide, but since I was confused, I didn't even notice that she was leading the way...

We walked a lot.

Shiki didn't do much shopping, but she would go into a store in the department store and look around, and goes to the next one when she gets bored. My request to take a rest at the cafe or a movie theater was denied. ... But she's right. It would have been boring to go to such places with the way Shiki is acting right now.

Shiki talked a lot. If I'm not mistaken, she seemed excited. How should I say this... she's mentally high?

Most of the stores she went to were cloth-oriented, but I was relieved every one of them were stores for women. Shiki must have gotten tired from looking through four department stores in four hours, as she says she wants to eat.

We wander around and end up in a fast food joint. Shiki takes off her jacket once she takes a seat. She catches peoples attention with that kimono outfit but it seems she doesn't care at all. Making up my mind, I ask her about what I've been wondering all this time.

"Shiki, you actually talk like that all the time?"

"In my case. But there's no meaning in how someone talks. Even you can change that."

Shiki eats the hamburger like it doesn't taste good.

"Well, this kind of thing never happened before. Today's the first day that I came outside. I didn't say anything until now cause I had the same opinion as Shiki."

... I don't get it at all.

"Let's see... It's a split personality to put it simply. I'm SHIKI and the normal one is Shiki. SHIKI is from the word, "weaved cloth." But Shiki and I are not different people. The only difference between us is the priorities of things. The ranks of what we like are different."

Saying that, she writes on her napkin using her wet fingers. The white finger writes the word Shiki and SHIKI.

"I wanted to talk with Kokuto, that's all. Since it's not something Shiki wanted to do, I'm doing it in her place. Do ya understand?"

"Well, kind of."

I answer uneasily. But I actually have felt what SHIKI is talking about. I think something similar to that happened to me before. Before I entered high school, I met Shiki, but she said she didn't remember it. At that time I thought she said that because she hated me, but after hearing this, it makes sense.

No, more than that. After spending all day with her i can tell she is the same Shiki. As Shiki, no, as SHIKI says, she only talks differently, but her actions are the same. They are so similar I'm starting to feel there's nothing different about her now.

"But why did you tell me about that?"

"I thought I wouldn't be able to hide it from ya much longer."

Shiki takes another drink. She puts her mouth on the straw and lets go quickly... Shiki doesn't like cold things.

"To be honest, I'm like Shiki's subversive impulse. This was something that she really wanted to do. But up to now, there was no one I wanted to do it with, because Ryohgi Shiki was uninterested in everyone."

SHIKI says so like she's not interested. I could not move, being stared at by those deep black eyes.

"Yeah, but you rest assured, I'm still Shiki. I'm just saying what Shiki thinks. Like I told ya, we just talk differently. ... Well, but we're beginning to get out of line, so don't take me too seriously."

"Out of line? ... You mean you and Shiki get into a fights?"

"Hey, how can you get in a fight with yourself? No matter what I do, it has to be something we both wanted, so we both have no complaints. No matter how much I fight, Shiki has control over this body. I'm seeing you like this because Shiki thought it was all right too. ... Well, she'll probably regret saying things like this. It's not something Shiki would say, right?"

I agree.

SHIKI laughs.

"I like those kind of things about you. But Shiki doesn't. That's what I mean by being out of line."

...? What does that mean? Does Shiki not like the fact that I don't think too much? Or does Shiki not like the fact that she is liking that part of me? I don't know why, but I somehow thought it had to be the latter.

"Well, that's enough explanations for today."

Standing up suddenly, SHIKI puts on the leather jacket.

"Bye~. I like you, so I'll see you again pretty soon."

Putting the money for the hamburger on the table, SHIKI leaves quickly.

◇

I part with SHIKI and return to my neighborhood, the sun is setting already. Because of all the recent murder incidents not many people are out, even though the sun's only setting.

When I get home, my cousin, Daisuke Nii-san is there. I was tired from all that talk with SHIKI, so I go to the kotatsu and put my legs in it. Daisuke Nii-san also has his legs in there so we end up fighting for the small space inside without a word. In the end, I couldn't lay down, so I just had to get up.

"Aren't you busy, Daisuke-san?"

I ask him while taking a mandarin orange off the table. Daisuke Nii-san asnwers "Yeah".

"It's five people in three months, of course we're busy. I'm so busy I can't even go home to sleep. I have to get going again in about an hour."

Daisuke Nii-san is a police officer. It's an unfit job for such a lazy person.

"How's the investigation going?"

"It's all right. There weren't any clues until now but the killer finally left us something. Well, it does seem intentional though."

Saying that, Daisuke Nii-san lifts up his face. His serious face is right in front of mine.

"What I'm telling you is confidential. I'm going to tell you because this is something that's important to you. I told you about the first victim, right?"

Then, Daisuke Nii-san starts to describe the second and the third murder scene. ... I listen closely while hoping not all policemen in this world let out confidential matters this easily.

The second victim had its body cut vertically. From its head down to its groin. The weapon used is unknown. One of the cut remains was stuck to the wall.

The third victim had its arms and legs cut off, with the severed arms sewn onto the legs.

The fourth victim had its body cut into pieces and had some word-like symbol stamped on it.

The fifth victim was made to look like a manji using its arms and legs.

"It's easy to understand that the killer is abnormal."

I say this while trying to hold back my vomit, Daisuke Nii-san agrees.

"I think it's a bit intentional when it's too easy to understand, but what do you think?"

"... Let's see. I don't think it matters every one of them is killed by being cut apart. I can't say anything else, but..."

"But?"

"I just think the killer is getting used to this. The next one might not be outside."

"You're right." Daisuke Nii-san covers his face with his hands.

"There's no motive and there's no rules. It's only happening outside right now but this is a kind of a guy that would even come indoors. If this killer can't find anyone out at night, there's more motive for the killer to go into someone's house. I just wish the higher ranked guys would take that into consideration and be prepared for it."

"Well..." Daisuke Nii-san changes the subject.

"We found this by the fifth victim."

Daisuke Nii-san places our school badge on the table. It's considered unimportant with us not having uniforms and all, but we are required to wear this somewhere on us when going to school.

"I don't know if the killer didn't notice this because the scene of the crime was a grassy field or if the killer intentionally put this there. But either way, there has to be a meaning behind this. I might go over to your place sometime soon."

Making a cop-like face, he says an ominous thing.

== 3 ==

The winter vacation ended in a flash. The only thing that happened was I went to the shrine on new year with Shiki. But I think I led a normal life other than that.

When the third term started, Shiki isolated herself even more. She had that "rejection" air around her that even I noticed.

After making sure everyone else has left and going to the classroom, SHIKI would always be there. She doesn't do anything - just stares out the window. I haven't been invited or called to come here. But I just can't leave this fragile girl alone, so I keep her company meaninglessly.

The sun sets early in the wintertime and the classroom is tinted red. In this classroom filled with just the colors of red and black, SHIKI is leaning against the window.

"Did I tell you that I hate people?"

Today, SHIKI starts to talk mindlessly.

"That's the first time I heard that... do you mean that?"

"Yeah, Shiki hates people. She was like that from when she was small. ... You see, when you're a child, you don't know anything. You think the whole world would love you unconditionally. Since you like them, they must like you... that feels like common sense."

"You're right. You never doubt anything when you're small. You unconditionally love them and you think it's only natural for them to love you back. The only things I was scared of were ghosts. Though, I'm scared of people now."

SHIKI nods in agreement.

"But that's a very important thing. You need to be pure, Kokuto. Since you only worry about yourself when you're small, you won't notice the evil minds of other people. Even if it's just a misunderstanding, the feeling of love you receive makes you able to be kind to others. Since people can only express the emotions they're familiar with."

The sunset illuminates her face red. At this moment, I cannot tell if she is SHIKI or Shiki, but it has no meaning at all which she is. Either way, this is just Shiki's monologue.

"But I'm different. I knew someone else since I was born. Since Shiki has SHIKI inside of her, she knew of others. She found out that there's other people who think differently and that they do not love you unconditionally. Since she found out as a child how ugly other people are, she could not love them. In time, she grew to pay them no attention. The only emotion Shiki has is rejection."

... That's why she hates people. SHIKI says so with her eyes. ... I feel like crying for no reason.

"But wasn't she lonely like that?"

"Why? Shiki has me. It's certainly lonely by yourself but Shiki isn't alone. She was isolated, but she wasn't alone."

SHIKI says so with a resolute face. There's no bluff in it and it seems she really is satisfied with that.

But really...?

Yet really...?

"But Shiki is acting weird recently. She has an abnormality in her called me, but she wants to deny me. Denying is my domain, and Shiki is supposed to be only able to affirm."

SHIKI laughs asking why that might be. It's a brutal looking smile.

"Kokuto, have you ever wanted to kill someone?"

At that instance, the sun paints her face red and makes my heart jump.

"Not so far. The most I've ever wanted was to punch someone."

"I see. But I only have that feeling."

Her voice echoes through the classroom.

"...... Huh?"

"I told you. Humans can only show emotions that they have experienced. I take on the forbidden taboos inside Shiki. What's low on Shiki's priorities is high on mine. I am content with that and I know that's why I exist. I am the personality that takes on Shiki's suppressed intentions. That's why I've always killed my will. I have been killing the dark side called SHIKI. I have killed myself over and over. See? The only thing I've experienced is killing things."

Then, she walks away from the window. Why... why do I think the person silently walking toward me is scary?

"So Kokuto, the definition of murder for Shiki is..."

A voice murmuring by my ear...

"... Is to eliminate, in self defense, anything that tries to open her up."

Smiling, SHIKI leaves the classroom. It was an innocent smile that one would give after playing a trick on you...

◇

On lunch break the next day...

When I asked Shiki if she wanted to have lunch with me, she looked really surprised. At this time, she showed me her surprised expression for the first time since I have met her.

"What a thing..."

Saying that, Shiki accepts my request. We head to the rooftop following Shiki's request. She is following silently behind me. Her silent stare is stabbing into my back. Maybe she's mad at me... no, she definitely is. ... Even I know what she meant by those words yesterday. It's her last warning telling me not to be involved with her, and that she doesn't know what she'll do if I did. But Shiki does not understand. That's something Shiki has always unconsciously told me, and I have already gotten used to it. When we get to the rooftop, no one is there. I guess being January and all, nobody else wanted to eat in this cold weather.

"It's cold, do you want to eat somewhere else?"

"No, I want to eat here. If you want to go somewhere else, please go ahead."

I tilt my head to Shiki's polite tone. We sit by the wall to avoid the wind. Shiki just sits there without opening her bread. In contrast, I have already finished my second sandwich.

"Why did you talk to me?"

Shiki's murmur is so sudden that I could not catch her words.

"Did you say something, Shiki?"

"I said, why are you so carefree?"

She says so with glaring eyes.

"That's terrible. I've been called excessively honest, but I've never been called carefree."

"I guess everyone was holding back."

Convinced selfishly, Shiki opens her egg sandwich. The sound of the wrapper suited the cold rooftop. Shiki sits there silently and nibbles on her sandwich. I have nothing to do as I'm already done. I think a meal needs to be accompanied by a conversation.

"Shiki, you must be a bit mad."

"... A bit?"

She glares at me. I scold myself in my mind for not thinking before I said something.

"I don't understand, but I get irritated when you're around. "Why do you involve yourself with me, why you don't act differently after being told all that yesterday," these are all things I don't understand."

"I don't know the reason either. It's fun being with you, but if you ask me why it's fun, I can't answer. Well, if you talk about yesterday, I guess you can say I'm optimistic."

"Kokutoh-kun, do you understand that I'm abnormal?"

I can only nod to those words. Her split personality is real and it is indeed not normal.

"Yeah, it's indeed not normal."

"Right. So then you should understand that I am not someone you could associate with normally."

"Abnormal or not, it doesn't matter when hanging out."

Shiki stops all movement. She stops time as if she's even forgotten how to breathe.

"But I cannot be like you."

Saying that, Shiki slides her fingers through her hair. Her kimono sways and I notice the bandage wrapped around her thin arm. The bandage wrapped around near her right elbow is quite new.

"Shiki, that wound..."

Before I get a chance to finish, Shiki stands up.

"If you don't understand with SHIKI's words, I'll tell you myself."

Shiki talks while looking off into the distance.

"If we keep this up, I will probably end up killing you."

... How could I have replied to those words?

After that, Shiki goes to the classroom leaving her trash behind. Being left alone, I first clean up the mess.

"... Geez, this is just like what Gakuto said."

I remember the conversation I had with Gakuto. Like Gakuto said, I might be stupid. I could not hate Shiki even after she completely rejected me. Rather, my mind has been cleared. There can only be one reason why it's fun being with Shiki.

"I already went mad a long time ago."

... Yeah, why didn't I notice this earlier?

... That I love Shiki so much that I can even laugh off her telling me she wants to kill me.

== 4 ==

It's the first Sunday in February. I wake up and go to the dining room. Daisuke Nii-san is there, getting ready to leave.

"Oh, you were here?"

"Yo. I just came to sleep cause I missed the last train, but I'm gotta go to work now. I envy you students, your promise for vacation is always kept."

He looks like he hasn't had enough sleep. I bet he's busy with all the new information on that serial killer.

"You were talking about coming to my school, but what happened to that?"

"It seems we'll have to go there again. To tell you the truth, there was a sixth victim three days ago. I guess this victim struggled hard and we found the killer's skin in her nails. Women have long nails so I guess she scratched the killer's arm pretty bad. Maybe it was a desperate move but the scratch has to be deep. The skin we found was about 3 centimeters. (about 1 inch)."

This piece of information is a new one, it's not even on TV or in the newspapers yet. But I am shocked for a different reason. ... I think it's because in the past few days, Shiki has been using the omnious word "killing" quite a number of times. Why else would I imagine for an instant that Shiki would be this killer?

"... Scratch, you mean the killer has a wound?"

"Of course. Do you think the victim would scratch her own arm? We already figured out the skin is from around the elbow area. We have the blood diagnosed so the killer is done for now."

Daisuke Nii-san leaves. With power escaping my legs, I crumble onto the chair. Three days ago was the day I had that conversation with SHIKI in the setting sun. I think when I saw her the next day, the bandage was around her elbow...

Right around mid-day, I figure out it's no good just sitting here and thinking. Instead of this, I should just go to Shiki and ask her. If she tells me her wound is nothing related to it, this uneasiness would go away.

I decide to visit Shiki's house using the school's contact guide. Her house is in the outskirts of town, one station away from here. When I finally find her house, the sun is already setting. The mansion with bamboo trees surrounding it is oriental-styled. I cannot tell the size of this place just by looking. I wouldn't be able to tell exactly how big it is unless I get in a plane and get an overhead view of this place. I walk through the bamboo woods on a path and reach a big gate. I'm a bit relieved that this old looking place has an intercom. After pushing it and saying what I came here for, a man in a black suit appears. I find out that this man around his thirties is Shiki's servant. This person called Akitaka talks with a stranger like me with manners. Unfortunately, Shiki isn't home. He offers me to stay and wait but I refuse. To be honest, I don't have the guts to go into this place alone.

I decide to go home since the sun has already set. I get to the station after an hour's walk and happen to run into Senpai. After being invited by him, we eat at a nearby restaurant and end up talking until ten. Unlike Senpai, I am a student so I have to start heading home soon. After saying goodbye to Senpai, I buy the ticket for the train at the station. It's almost eleven o'clock now. For a second I wonder if Shiki arrived home already.

"What the hell am I doing?"

I say this to myself as I walk through the nighttime residential district. It's late at night without a sign of life. I can't understand why I'm heading toward Shiki's house in this unfamiliar town. Even though I know I won't be able to see her, I at least want to see the lights in her house. I walk in the chilly winter air. I exit the residential district and end up facing a group of trees. I walk through the small road in the middle of it. Since there's no wind, the bamboos are silent. There are no streetlights, so the moon is my only guide. When I half-jokingly think what would happen if I got attacked here, the thought starts to fill me. The image gets stronger in my head in contrast to my mind wanting to get rid of it. When I was a kid, I was scared of ghosts. The shadows in between the bamboo looked like ghosts and I would be frightened. But now, I'm scared of other people. I'm only scared of the fact that someone might be hiding in the bushes. ...Since when did the unknown ghosts turn into other humans?

The more I try to calm down, the more the bad feeling seeps into me. ...Really, this bad feeling does not go away. Oh yeah, I think Shiki was saying the same thing before. I think that was... While I try to recall, I see something ahead of me.

"......"

I stop dead in my tracks. It's not my will, because right now... my mind is totally empty.

A white figure stands few meters ahead. The white kimono that looks bright is covered with red spots. The red spots on the kimono expand. It's because the thing in front of her is spilling red liquid everywhere. The one in the white kimono is Shiki and the ''thing'' is not a fountain, but a dead person.

"........."

I cannot say anything. But I always thought about this somewhere in my mind, this image of Shiki standing in front of a dead body. That's why I'm not surprised or making a commotion. My mind is just completely blank. The body must have recently died... the blood would not flow out that much unless you cut its artery while it was alive. It has a wound is on the neck and an angled cut on its body. Shiki is silently staring at the dead body. The color of the spilled blood is enough to make you faint, but its organs are spilling out from the cut and making the body look like a totally different thing. To me, it seems like something slimy is trying to have a human form, but it's doing such a bad job that it's hard to look at. ... If you are a normal human being, there's no way you can look at it. But Shiki is staring at the dead body. Blood gets on her ghost-like kimono. The spots look like red butterflies. The butterflies are flying toward Shiki's face too. The face covered with blood is deformed. Is it because of fear or pleasure? Is she Shiki... or SHIKI?

"..........."

I try to say something and I collapse onto the ground. I vomit. I vomit out everything in my stomach, stomach acid, and if I could, this memory too... I vomit until I start to cry. But it's no good. It doesn't even make me feel better. The amount of blood is so much and the smell so overwhelming that it seeps into my brain.

Eventually, Shiki notices me. Her head turns to look at me. The expressionless face shows a smile. It's so pure it makes me rather clam. The smile reminds me of a mother. That smile is so unfitting to this whole scene that...

It makes me shiver.

I start to faint as she draws closer. I remember Shiki's words at the last moment.

... "Be careful Kokutoh-kun. A bad presentiment tends to attract bad reality."

... I guess I was stupid indeed. Because I tried not to think about this bad reality until the moment I saw it with my own eyes...

== 5 ==

I end up not going to school the next day. It's because I was found by a policeman while I stood absent-mindedly at the scene of the crime, and was taken into questioning.

I heard I could not say anything for a few hours. It took me about four hours before my mind returned... I guess my brain doesn't have that good of a recovery system. Anyways, after I was questioned and released, it was too late to go to school.

By how the man was killed, it's impossible to not have blood on your clothes. Fortunately, I did not have any blood on me and being the relative of Daisuke Nii-san, I think my questioning went rather smoothly. Daisuke Nii-san offered me a ride home so I took it.

"So you didn't see anyone, Mikiya?"

"You're being too persistent. I said I didn't see anyone."

I glare at Daisuke Nii-san and sit deep in my seat.

"I see. Damn! It would have helped if you've seen the killer... but I guess the killer wouldn't have let you go alive if you saw him. I can't let you die, so I guess it's a good thing for me you didn't see anyone."

"You're not a good policeman, Daisuke-san."

I hate myself for being able to respond to him in such a normal tone. I call myself a liar in my head. ... I can't believe that I can lie with such a straight face. And these are police matters we're talking about here. If I don't tell the truth, things can only get worse. ... But still, I did not say anything about Shiki being at the scene of the crime.

"Well, I'm glad you're not hurt. So, what's your impression on the first dead body you saw?"

This mean person asks me such a question in this situation.

"Terrible. I don't ever want to see it again."

"This one is special. It's not as bad as what is normally seen so relax."

What does he want me to be relaxed about?

"But it's a small world we live in. I didn't know you knew the daughter of the Ryohgi family."

The fact that might make him happy gets me more depressed. ... The murder that happened in front of Ryohgi's house is treated as the same killer's work but the investigation stopped from there. Even the police left the territory of the Ryohgis after their inspection. From what he says, it's because of the pressure from the Ryohgis. It was recorded that this murder happened in between eleven and twelve at night on February third (Sunday), and the only witness is Kokutoh Mikiya. But it's recorded that I was there only after the crime has occurred and that I was in a state of shock seeing the scene of the crime. The Ryohgi family and I have not said anything about Shiki.

"But didn't you investigate the people of the Ryohgi?"

Daisuke-san shakes his head to my question.

"The daughter of that place goes to your high school, so I wanted to ask them about it but they refused. They said they didn't care about what happened outside their house. But from the way I see it, they are innocent, they have nothing to do with the crime."

"Huh?"

I let it out without thinking. I trust Daisuke Nii-san even if it seems like I don't. It's even famous in the workplace that this person hasnt been fired due to his superior skill. So that's why I thought he might suspect Shiki.

"Why do you think so?"

"Hmm, well... do you think such a beautiful girl would kill someone? You don't, right? I don't think so too. This is an obvious answer for a guy."

... Why did he ever decide to be a policeman? No, more than that, I sigh at how much more carefree he is than me.

"I see. You'll be single for the rest of your life."

"Hey now, I can put you in jail."

I'll be released because of lack of proof. ... But I agree with his opinion. Even though I don't have the hunch like he does, it is my opinion that Shiki is not the killer. Even if she admits it herself, I believe she is not the one. So now, there is something I must do.

----

The crime neared it's solution.

Then from that day until that day three years later, the killer would cease to appear. For me at that time, that incident seemed like it did not concern me. But that happened to be the first and the last incident which involved both Shiki and me.

Murder Study (Part 1)・Finish

Kara no Kyoukai:Chapter02 04

2007-03-04T00:44:06Z

Kanzar: /* 3 */

Murder Study (Part 1)／

== 1 ==

"Mikiya, is it true that you're going out with Ryohgi?"

I almost spew out my coffee milk to Gakuto's words. I look around while coughing. Fortunately, the lunchtime classroom is loud and no one seems to have heard Gakuto's nonsense.

"What do you mean by that, Gakuto?"

Gakuto looks rather amazed when I question him.

"What are you saying? It's a known fact for everyone that Kokutoh of class 1-C has a crush on Ryohgi. The only ones who don't know are you two."

I think I frowned to those words.

It's been seven months since I first met Shiki. It's already November, right near winter.

... Certainly it's not weird for anyone to start going out after that much time.

"Gakuto, that's just a misunderstanding. We're just friends, and nothing more."

"Really?"

The hopeful of the judo club frowns his face. In contrast to his name, which means "educated person", this guy, who has been my friend since elementary school, is the athletic type. From our long relationship, he must have figured out I wasn't lying.

"But you call her by her first name. There's no way that Ryohgi would allow just a classmate to call her like that."

"Hey now. Shiki doesn't like that. She glared at me when I called her Ryohgi-san before. People ''say'' you can kill someone by looking at them, but Shiki definitely has that potential. Anyways, she says she hates people calling her by her last name, so she says it's fine if I just call her "you". But since I didn't like that, I compromised with "Shiki-san". She didn't like that either, so it ended up with just Shiki. That is the boring truth."

Telling Gakuto about what happened in April, he agrees that it was indeed a boring development.

"I see. That sure is an unromantic story."

Gakuto says this disappointedly. ...What kind of an answer was he hoping for?

"So that thing last week at the school entrance was nothing either? Damn, it was a waste of time coming here. I should have just eaten lunch in my classroom."

"... Hold on. How do you know about that?"

"I told you, you guys are famous. Everyone at the school already knows you and Ryohgi were getting shelter from the rain together by the entrance last Saturday. Since its Ryohgi, even small things like that catch everyone's attention."

I sigh and look up. All I can hope for now is that Shiki will never hear about this.

"This is a school to get you ready for college right? I'm starting to wonder if everyone's really studying."

"According to the teachers, employment rate is good for students who graduated from here."

... I have to question how this school is run.

"But man, why Ryohgi? It just doesn't fit you."

I remember being said something like that by my Senpais.

They told me a quiet, gentle girl would suit me. I guess Gakuto is on the same line too.

... I get a bit angry.

"Shiki isn't such a scary girl."

I let it slip out my mouth..

Gakuto grins. ...He looks like he knows I didn't mean to say that out loud.

"What do you mean she's just your friend? That's definitely a hard girl. The fact that you don't see it is proof that you're too crazy about that girl."

He must mean hard-headed when he says hard. I know he's right, but I didn't want to just give in and nod.

"I already know that."

"Then what's so good about her? Her looks?"

Gakuto is holding nothing back.

Indeed Shiki is beautiful. But with that aside, Shiki attracts me. Shiki always seems like she's about to get hurt. In reality, she's firm enough not to get hurt, but she seems to be really fragile. That's probably why I can't ignore her. I don't want to see her get hurt.

"It's just something that you don't notice. Even Shiki has her cute points. ...Let's see, if I think of her as an animal, she's cute enough to be a rabbit."

Suddenly, i regret saying that

"Don't be stupid. She's definitely in the cat family, and probably the beast ones too. A rabbit is too far off, way too far. Is Ryohgi the type that would die out of loneliness?"

Gakuto laughs his ass off.

But I think she's like a rabbit in that she doesn't become attached to people and how she looks at others from a distance. ... Huh, if that's just me, then fine.

"All right. I won't talk to you about girls anymore."

Gakuto quits laughing once I tell him that.

"You might be right. A rabbit suits her well."

"Gakuto, a frank agreement is rather offensive."

"I mean it. I remembered that rabbits were dangerous too. In this world, there are rabbits that chop off your head if you're unlucky."

I hesitate being said that in a serious tone.

"That's a pretty amazing rabbit."

Gakuto nods.

"Of course, cause I'm talking about the world of gaming."

== 2 ==

I saw an unbelievable thing on the day the exam ended for the second quarter.

There was a letter in my desk. No, that itself isn't too weird. The problem is the sender and its content. To put it simply, it was from Shiki, asking me out on a date.

It sounded like a threat telling me to take her out somewhere tomorrow. I went home all confused and waited for the next day to come, feeling like a samurai told to kill himself the next day.

◇

"Yo, Kokuto."

That was the first word Shiki said to me when she came. She came to our meeting place, the dog statue in front of the station, with a red leather jacker over her kimono. More than her outfit, I was confused by how she spoke.

"Did ya wait? Sorry man. It took me awhile to shake off Akitaka."

She says this as if it's perfectly natural for her.

She sounds like a guy, not like the Shiki I know. Not being able to answer, I check her figure again. There's nothing different in her looks. She has a small body, but because of her valiant gestures, she looks powerful... no, rather graceful. She has the unbalancedness of a lively puppet, a puppet made well, but just on the outside.

"What? You angry just cause I'm an hour late? You're pretty intolerant, man."

Shiki looks at me with her black eyes. Her beautiful short black hair. A small face and big eyes, they both are beautiful. The black eyes are reflecting the figure of Kokutoh Mikiya, but it seems to be seeing something farther away. ... Come to think of it, I was attracted to these eyes since that snowy day when we met

"Um... you're Shiki, right?"

"Yeah", Shiki laughs. A strange smile that's more like a grin.

"What else do I look like? We're wasting time like this. Come on, take me somewhere. I'll let you decide, Kokuto."

Saying that, Shiki starts to walk taking my arm forcefully.

... She said she'll let me decide, but since I was confused, I didn't even notice that she was leading the way...

We walked a lot.

Shiki didn't do much shopping, but she would go into a store in the department store and look around, and goes to the next one when she gets bored. My request to take a rest at the cafe or a movie theater was denied. ... But she's right. It would have been boring to go to such places with the way Shiki is acting right now.

Shiki talked a lot. If I'm not mistaken, she seemed excited. How should I say this... she's mentally high?

Most of the stores she went to were cloth-oriented, but I was relieved every one of them were stores for women. Shiki must have gotten tired from looking through four department stores in four hours, as she says she wants to eat.

We wander around and end up in a fast food joint. Shiki takes off her jacket once she takes a seat. She catches peoples attention with that kimono outfit but it seems she doesn't care at all. Making up my mind, I ask her about what I've been wondering all this time.

"Shiki, you actually talk like that all the time?"

"In my case. But there's no meaning in how someone talks. Even you can change that."

Shiki eats the hamburger like it doesn't taste good.

"Well, this kind of thing never happened before. Today's the first day that I came outside. I didn't say anything until now cause I had the same opinion as Shiki."

... I don't get it at all.

"Let's see... It's a split personality to put it simply. I'm SHIKI and the normal one is Shiki. SHIKI is from the word, "weaved cloth." But Shiki and I are not different people. The only difference between us is the priorities of things. The ranks of what we like are different."

Saying that, she writes on her napkin using her wet fingers. The white finger writes the word Shiki and SHIKI.

"I wanted to talk with Kokuto, that's all. Since it's not something Shiki wanted to do, I'm doing it in her place. Do ya understand?"

"Well, kind of."

I answer uneasily. But I actually have felt what SHIKI is talking about. I think something similar to that happened to me before. Before I entered high school, I met Shiki, but she said she didn't remember it. At that time I thought she said that because she hated me, but after hearing this, it makes sense.

No, more than that. After spending all day with her i can tell she is the same Shiki. As Shiki, no, as SHIKI says, she only talks differently, but her actions are the same. They are so similar I'm starting to feel there's nothing different about her now.

"But why did you tell me about that?"

"I thought I wouldn't be able to hide it from ya much longer."

Shiki takes another drink. She puts her mouth on the straw and lets go quickly... Shiki doesn't like cold things.

"To be honest, I'm like Shiki's subversive impulse. This was something that she really wanted to do. But up to now, there was no one I wanted to do it with, because Ryohgi Shiki was uninterested in everyone."

SHIKI says so like she's not interested. I could not move, being stared at by those deep black eyes.

"Yeah, but you rest assured, I'm still Shiki. I'm just saying what Shiki thinks. Like I told ya, we just talk differently. ... Well, but we're beginning to get out of line, so don't take me too seriously."

"Out of line? ... You mean you and Shiki get into a fights?"

"Hey, how can you get in a fight with yourself? No matter what I do, it has to be something we both wanted, so we both have no complaints. No matter how much I fight, Shiki has control over this body. I'm seeing you like this because Shiki thought it was all right too. ... Well, she'll probably regret saying things like this. It's not something Shiki would say, right?"

I agree.

SHIKI laughs.

"I like those kind of things about you. But Shiki doesn't. That's what I mean by being out of line."

...? What does that mean? Does Shiki not like the fact that I don't think too much? Or does Shiki not like the fact that she is liking that part of me? I don't know why, but I somehow thought it had to be the latter.

"Well, that's enough explanations for today."

Standing up suddenly, SHIKI puts on the leather jacket.

"Bye~. I like you, so I'll see you again pretty soon."

Putting the money for the hamburger on the table, SHIKI leaves quickly.

◇

I part with SHIKI and return to my neighborhood, the sun is setting already. Because of all the recent murder incidents not many people are out, even though the sun's only setting.

When I get home, my cousin, Daisuke Nii-san is there. I was tired from all that talk with SHIKI, so I go to the kotatsu and put my legs in it. Daisuke Nii-san also has his legs in there so we end up fighting for the small space inside without a word. In the end, I couldn't lay down, so I just had to get up.

"Aren't you busy, Daisuke-san?"

I ask him while taking a mandarin orange off the table. Daisuke Nii-san asnwers "Yeah".

"It's five people in three months, of course we're busy. I'm so busy I can't even go home to sleep. I have to get going again in about an hour."

Daisuke Nii-san is a police officer. It's an unfit job for such a lazy person.

"How's the investigation going?"

"It's all right. There weren't any clues until now but the killer finally left us something. Well, it does seem intentional though."

Saying that, Daisuke Nii-san lifts up his face. His serious face is right in front of mine.

"What I'm telling you is confidential. I'm going to tell you because this is something that's important to you. I told you about the first victim, right?"

Then, Daisuke Nii-san starts to describe the second and the third murder scene. ... I listen closely while hoping not all policemen in this world let out confidential matters this easily.

The second victim had its body cut vertically. From its head down to its groin. The weapon used is unknown. One of the cut remains was stuck to the wall.

The third victim had its arms and legs cut off, with the severed arms sewn onto the legs.

The fourth victim had its body cut into pieces and had some word-like symbol stamped on it.

The fifth victim was made to look like a manji using its arms and legs.

"It's easy to understand that the killer is abnormal."

I say this while trying to hold back my vomit, Daisuke Nii-san agrees.

"I think it's a bit intentional when it's too easy to understand, but what do you think?"

"... Let's see. I don't think it matters every one of them is killed by being cut apart. I can't say anything else, but..."

"But?"

"I just think the killer is getting used to this. The next one might not be outside."

"You're right." Daisuke Nii-san covers his face with his hands.

"There's no motive and there's no rules. It's only happening outside right now but this is a kind of a guy that would even come indoors. If this killer can't find anyone out at night, there's more motive for the killer to go into someone's house. I just wish the higher ranked guys would take that into consideration and be prepared for it."

"Well..." Daisuke Nii-san changes the subject.

"We found this by the fifth victim."

Daisuke Nii-san places our school badge on the table. It's considered unimportant with us not having uniforms and all, but we are required to wear this somewhere on us when going to school.

"I don't know if the killer didn't notice this because the scene of the crime was a grassy field or if the killer intentionally put this there. But either way, there has to be a meaning behind this. I might go over to your place sometime soon."

Making a cop-like face, he says an ominous thing.

== 3 ==

The winter vacation ended in a flash. The only thing that happened was I went to the shrine on new year with Shiki. But I think I led a normal life other than that.

When the third term started, Shiki isolated herself even more. She had that "rejection" air around her that even I noticed.

After making sure everyone else has left and going to the classroom, SHIKI would always be there. She doesn't do anything - just stares out the window. I haven't been invited or called to come here. But I just can't leave this fragile girl alone, so I keep her company meaninglessly.

The sun sets early in the wintertime and the classroom is tinted red. In this classroom filled with just the colors of red and black, SHIKI is leaning against the window.

"Did I tell you that I hate people?"

Today, SHIKI starts to talk mindlessly.

"That's the first time I heard that... do you mean that?"

"Yeah, Shiki hates people. She was like that from when she was small. ... You see, when you're a child, you don't know anything. You think the whole world would love you unconditionally. Since you like them, they must like you... that feels like common sense."

"You're right. You never doubt anything when you're small. You unconditionally love them and you think it's only natural for them to love you back. The only things I was scared of were ghosts. Though, I'm scared of people now."

SHIKI nods in agreement.

"But that's a very important thing. You need to be pure, Kokuto. Since you only worry about yourself when you're small, you won't notice the evil minds of other people. Even if it's just a misunderstanding, the feeling of love you receive makes you able to be kind to others. Since people can only express the emotions they're familiar with."

The sunset illuminates her face red. At this moment, I cannot tell if she is SHIKI or Shiki, but it has no meaning at all which she is. Either way, this is just Shiki's monologue.

"But I'm different. I knew someone else since I was born. Since Shiki has SHIKI inside of her, she knew of others. She found out that there's other people who think differently and that they do not love you unconditionally. Since she found out as a child how ugly other people are, she could not love them. In time, she grew to pay them no attention. The only emotion Shiki has is rejection."

... That's why she hates people. SHIKI says so with her eyes. ... I feel like crying for no reason.

"But wasn't she lonely like that?"

"Why? Shiki has me. It's certainly lonely by yourself but Shiki isn't alone. She was isolated, but she wasn't alone."

SHIKI says so with a resolute face. There's no bluff in it and it seems she really is satisfied with that.

But really...?

Yet really...?

"But Shiki is acting weird recently. She has an abnormality in her called me, but she wants to deny me. Denying is my domain, and Shiki is supposed to be only able to affirm."

SHIKI laughs asking why that might be. It's a brutal looking smile.

"Kokuto, have you ever wanted to kill someone?"

At that instance, the sun paints her face red and makes my heart jump.

"Not so far. The most I've ever wanted was to punch someone."

"I see. But I only have that feeling."

Her voice echoes through the classroom.

"...... Huh?"

"I told you. Humans can only show emotions that they have experienced. I take on the forbidden taboos inside Shiki. What's low on Shiki's priorities is high on mine. I am content with that and I know that's why I exist. I am the personality that takes on Shiki's suppressed intentions. That's why I've always killed my will. I have been killing the dark side called SHIKI. I have killed myself over and over. See? The only thing I've experienced is killing things."

Then, she walks away from the window. Why... why do I think the person silently walking toward me is scary?

"So Kokuto, the definition of murder for Shiki is..."

A voice murmuring by my ear...

"... Is to eliminate, in self defense, anything that tries to open her up."

Smiling, SHIKI leaves the classroom. It was an innocent smile that one would give after playing a trick on you...

◇

On lunch break the next day...

When I asked Shiki if she wanted to have lunch with me, she looked really surprised. At this time, she showed me her surprised expression for the first time since I have met her.

"What a thing..."

Saying that, Shiki accepts my request. We head to the rooftop following Shiki's request. She is following silently behind me. Her silent stare is stabbing into my back. Maybe she's mad at me... no, she definitely is. ... Even I know what she meant by those words yesterday. It's her last warning telling me not to be involved with her, and that she doesn't know what she'll do if I did. But Shiki does not understand. That's something Shiki has always unconsciously told me, and I have already gotten used to it. When we get to the rooftop, no one is there. I guess being January and all, nobody else wanted to eat in this cold weather.

"It's cold, do you want to eat somewhere else?"

"No, I want to eat here. If you want to go somewhere else, please go ahead."

I tilt my head to Shiki's polite tone. We sit by the wall to avoid the wind. Shiki just sits there without opening her bread. In contrast, I have already finished my second sandwich.

"Why did you talk to me?"

Shiki's murmur is so sudden that I could not catch her words.

"Did you say something, Shiki?"

"I said, why are you so carefree?"

She says so with glaring eyes.

"That's terrible. I've been called excessively honest, but I've never been called carefree."

"I guess everyone was holding back."

Convinced selfishly, Shiki opens her egg sandwich. The sound of the wrapper suited the cold rooftop. Shiki sits there silently and nibbles on her sandwich. I have nothing to do as I'm already done. I think a meal needs to be accompanied by a conversation.

"Shiki, you must be a bit mad."

"... A bit?"

She glares at me. I scold myself in my mind for not thinking before I said something.

"I don't understand, but I get irritated when you're around. "Why do you involve yourself with me, why you don't act differently after being told all that yesterday," these are all things I don't understand."

"I don't know the reason either. It's fun being with you, but if you ask me why it's fun, I can't answer. Well, if you talk about yesterday, I guess you can say I'm optimistic."

"Kokutoh-kun, do you understand that I'm abnormal?"

I can only nod to those words. Her split personality is real and it is indeed not normal.

"Yeah, it's indeed not normal."

"Right. So then you should understand that I am not someone you could associate with normally."

"Abnormal or not, it doesn't matter when hanging out."

Shiki stops all movement. She stops time as if she's even forgotten how to breathe.

"But I cannot be like you."

Saying that, Shiki slides her fingers through her hair. Her kimono sways and I notice the bandage wrapped around her thin arm. The bandage wrapped around near her right elbow is quite new.

"Shiki, that wound..."

Before I get a chance to finish, Shiki stands up.

"If you don't understand with SHIKI's words, I'll tell you myself."

Shiki talks while looking off into the distance.

"If we keep this up, I will probably end up killing you."

... How could I have replied to those words?

After that, Shiki goes to the classroom leaving her trash behind. Being left alone, I first clean up the mess.

"... Geez, this is just like what Gakuto said."

I remember the conversation I had with Gakuto. Like Gakuto said, I might be stupid. I could not hate Shiki even after she completely rejected me. Rather, my mind has been cleared. There can only be one reason why it's fun being with Shiki.

"I already went mad a long time ago."

... Yeah, why didn't I notice this earlier?

... That I love Shiki so much that I can even laugh off her telling me she wants to kill me.

== 4 ==

It's the first Sunday in February. I Wake up and go to the dining room. Daisuke Nii-san is there, getting ready to leave.

"Oh, you were here?"

"Yo. I just came to sleep cause I missed the last train, but I'm gotta go to work now. I envy you students, your promise for vacation is always kept."

He looks like he hasn't had enough sleep. I bet he's busy with all the new information on that serial killer.

"You were talking about coming to my school, but what happened to that?"

"It seems we'll have to go there again. To tell you the truth, there was a sixth victim three days ago. I guess this victim struggled hard and we found the killer's skin in her nails. Women have long nails so I guess she scratched the killer's arm pretty bad. Maybe it was a desperate move but the scratch has to be deep. The skin we found was about 3 centimeters. (about 1 inch)."

This piece of information is a new one, it's not even on TV or in the newspapers yet. But I am shocked for a different reason. ... I think it's because in the past few days, Shiki has been using the omnious word "killing" quite a number of times. Why else would I imagine for an instant that Shiki would be this killer?

"... Scratch, you mean the killer has a wound?"

"Of course. Do you think the victim would scratch her own arm? We already figured out the skin is from around the elbow area. We have the blood diagnosed so the killer is done for now."

Daisuke Nii-san leaves. With power escaping my legs, I crumble onto the chair. Three days ago was the day I had that conversation with SHIKI in the setting sun. I think when I saw her the next day, the bandage was around her elbow...

Right around mid-day, I figure out it's no good just sitting here and thinking. Instead of this, I should just go to Shiki and ask her. If she tells me her wound is nothing related to it, this uneasiness would go away.

I decide to visit Shiki's house using the school's contact guide. Her house is in the outskirts of town, one station away from here. When I finally find her house, the sun is already setting. The mansion with bamboo trees surrounding it is oriental-styled. I cannot tell the size of this place just by looking. I wouldn't be able to tell exactly how big it is unless I get in a plane and get an overhead view of this place. I Walk through the bamboo woods on a path and reach a big gate. I'm a bit relieved that this old looking place has an intercom. After pushing it and saying what I came here for, a man in a black suit appears. I find out that this man around his thirties is Shiki's servant. This person called Akitaka talks with a stranger like me with manners. Unfortunately, Shiki isn't home. He offers me to stay and wait but I refuse. To be honest, I don't have the guts to go into this place alone.

I decide to go home since the sun has already set. I get to the station after an hour's walk and happen to run into Senpai. After being invited by him, we eat at a nearby restaurant and end up talking until ten. Unlike Senpai, I am a student so I have to start heading home soon. After saying goodbye to Senpai, I buy the ticket for the train at the station. It's almost eleven o'clock now. For a second I wonder if Shiki arrived home already.

"What the hell am I doing?"

I say this to myself as I walk through the nighttime residential district. It's late at night without a sign of life. I can't understand why I'm heading toward Shiki's house in this unfamiliar town. Even though I know I won't be able to see her, I at least want to see the lights in her house. I walk in the chilly winter air. I exit the residential district and end up facing a group of trees. I walk through the small road in the middle of it. Since there's no wind, the bamboos are silent. There are no streetlights, so the moon is my only guide. When I half-jokingly think what would happen if I got attacked here, the thought starts to fill me. The image gets stronger in my head in contrast to my mind wanting to get rid of it. When I was a kid, I was scared of ghosts. The shadows in between the bamboo looked like ghosts and I would be frightened. But now, I'm scared of other people. I'm only scared of the fact that someone might be hiding in the bushes. ...Since when did the unknown ghosts turn into other humans?

The more I try to calm down, the more the bad feeling seeps into me. ...Really, this bad feeling does not go away. Oh yeah, I think Shiki was saying the same thing before. I think that was... While I try to recall, I see something ahead of me.

"......"

I stop dead in my tracks. It's not my will, because right now... my mind is totally empty.

A white figure stands few meters ahead. The white kimono that looks bright is covered with red spots. The red spots on the kimono expand. It's because the thing in front of her is spilling red liquid everywhere. The one in the white kimono is Shiki and the ''thing'' is not a fountain, but a dead person.

"........."

I cannot say anything. But I always thought about this somewhere in my mind, this image of Shiki standing in front of a dead body. That's why I'm not surprised or making a commotion. My mind is just completely blank. The body must have recently died... the blood would not flow out that much unless you cut its artery while it was alive. It has a wound is on the neck and an angled cut on its body. Shiki is silently staring at the dead body. The color of the spilled blood is enough to make you faint, but its organs are spilling out from the cut and making the body look like a totally different thing. To me, it seems like something slimy is trying to have a human form, but it's doing such a bad job that it's hard to look at. ... If you are a normal human being, there's no way you can look at it. But Shiki is staring at the dead body. Blood gets on her ghost-like kimono. The spots look like red butterflies. The butterflies are flying toward Shiki's face too. The face covered with blood is deformed. Is it because of fear or pleasure? Is she Shiki... or SHIKI?

"..........."

I try to say something and I collapse onto the ground. I vomit. I vomit out everything in my stomach, stomach acid, and if I could, this memory too... I vomit until I start to cry. But it's no good. It doesn't even make me feel better. The amount of blood is so much and the smell so overwhelming that it seeps into my brain.

Eventually, Shiki notices me. Her head turns to look at me. The expressionless face shows a smile. It's so pure it makes me rather clam. The smile reminds me of a mother. That smile is so unfitting to this whole scene that...

It makes me shiver.

I start to faint as she draws closer. I remember Shiki's words at the last moment.

... "Be careful Kokutoh-kun. A bad presentiment tends to attract bad reality."

... I guess I was stupid indeed. Because I tried not to think about this bad reality until the moment I saw it with my own eyes...

== 5 ==

I end up not going to school the next day. It's because I was found by a policeman while I stood absent-mindedly at the scene of the crime, and was taken into questioning.

I heard I could not say anything for a few hours. It took me about four hours before my mind returned... I guess my brain doesn't have that good of a recovery system. Anyways, after I was questioned and released, it was too late to go to school.

By how the man was killed, it's impossible to not have blood on your clothes. Fortunately, I did not have any blood on me and being the relative of Daisuke Nii-san, I think my questioning went rather smoothly. Daisuke Nii-san offered me a ride home so I took it.

"So you didn't see anyone, Mikiya?"

"You're being too persistent. I said I didn't see anyone."

I glare at Daisuke Nii-san and sit deep in my seat.

"I see. Damn! It would have helped if you've seen the killer... but I guess the killer wouldn't have let you go alive if you saw him. I can't let you die, so I guess it's a good thing for me you didn't see anyone."

"You're not a good policeman, Daisuke-san."

I hate myself for being able to respond to him in such a normal tone. I call myself a liar in my head. ... I can't believe that I can lie with such a straight face. And these are police matters we're talking about here. If I don't tell the truth, things can only get worse. ... But still, I did not say anything about Shiki being at the scene of the crime.

"Well, I'm glad you're not hurt. So, what's your impression on the first dead body you saw?"

This mean person asks me such a question in this situation.

"Terrible. I don't ever want to see it again."

"This one is special. It's not as bad as what is normally seen so relax."

What does he want me to be relaxed about?

"But it's a small world we live in. I didn't know you knew the daughter of the Ryohgi family."

The fact that might make him happy gets me more depressed. ... The murder that happened in front of Ryohgi's house is treated as the same killer's work but the investigation stopped from there. Even the police left the territory of the Ryohgis after their inspection. From what he says, it's because of the pressure from the Ryohgis. It was recorded that this murder happened in between eleven and twelve at night on February third (Sunday), and the only witness is Kokutoh Mikiya. But it's recorded that I was there only after the crime has occurred and that I was in a state of shock seeing the scene of the crime. The Ryohgi family and I have not said anything about Shiki.

"But didn't you investigate the people of the Ryohgi?"

Daisuke-san shakes his head to my question.

"The daughter of that place goes to your high school, so I wanted to ask them about it but they refused. They said they didn't care about what happened outside their house. But from the way I see it, they are innocent, they have nothing to do with the crime."

"Huh?"

I let it out without thinking. I trust Daisuke Nii-san even if it seems like I don't. It's even famous in the workplace that this person hasnt been fired due to his superior skill. So that's why I thought he might suspect Shiki.

"Why do you think so?"

"Hmm, well... do you think such a beautiful girl would kill someone? You don't, right? I don't think so too. This is an obvious answer for a guy."

... Why did he ever decide to be a policeman? No, more than that, I sigh at how much more carefree he is than me.

"I see. You'll be single for the rest of your life."

"Hey now, I can put you in jail."

I'll be released because of lack of proof. ... But I agree with his opinion. Even though I don't have the hunch like he does, it is my opinion that Shiki is not the killer. Even if she admits it herself, I believe she is not the one. So now, there is something I must do.

----

The crime neared it's solution.

Then from that day until that day three years later, the killer would cease to appear. For me at that time, that incident seemed like it did not concern me. But that happened to be the first and the last incident which involved both Shiki and me.

Murder Study (Part 1)・Finish

Kara no Kyoukai:Chapter02 04

2007-03-04T00:39:55Z

Kanzar: /* 2 */

Murder Study (Part 1)／

== 1 ==

"Mikiya, is it true that you're going out with Ryohgi?"

I almost spew out my coffee milk to Gakuto's words. I look around while coughing. Fortunately, the lunchtime classroom is loud and no one seems to have heard Gakuto's nonsense.

"What do you mean by that, Gakuto?"

Gakuto looks rather amazed when I question him.

"What are you saying? It's a known fact for everyone that Kokutoh of class 1-C has a crush on Ryohgi. The only ones who don't know are you two."

I think I frowned to those words.

It's been seven months since I first met Shiki. It's already November, right near winter.

... Certainly it's not weird for anyone to start going out after that much time.

"Gakuto, that's just a misunderstanding. We're just friends, and nothing more."

"Really?"

The hopeful of the judo club frowns his face. In contrast to his name, which means "educated person", this guy, who has been my friend since elementary school, is the athletic type. From our long relationship, he must have figured out I wasn't lying.

"But you call her by her first name. There's no way that Ryohgi would allow just a classmate to call her like that."

"Hey now. Shiki doesn't like that. She glared at me when I called her Ryohgi-san before. People ''say'' you can kill someone by looking at them, but Shiki definitely has that potential. Anyways, she says she hates people calling her by her last name, so she says it's fine if I just call her "you". But since I didn't like that, I compromised with "Shiki-san". She didn't like that either, so it ended up with just Shiki. That is the boring truth."

Telling Gakuto about what happened in April, he agrees that it was indeed a boring development.

"I see. That sure is an unromantic story."

Gakuto says this disappointedly. ...What kind of an answer was he hoping for?

"So that thing last week at the school entrance was nothing either? Damn, it was a waste of time coming here. I should have just eaten lunch in my classroom."

"... Hold on. How do you know about that?"

"I told you, you guys are famous. Everyone at the school already knows you and Ryohgi were getting shelter from the rain together by the entrance last Saturday. Since its Ryohgi, even small things like that catch everyone's attention."

I sigh and look up. All I can hope for now is that Shiki will never hear about this.

"This is a school to get you ready for college right? I'm starting to wonder if everyone's really studying."

"According to the teachers, employment rate is good for students who graduated from here."

... I have to question how this school is run.

"But man, why Ryohgi? It just doesn't fit you."

I remember being said something like that by my Senpais.

They told me a quiet, gentle girl would suit me. I guess Gakuto is on the same line too.

... I get a bit angry.

"Shiki isn't such a scary girl."

I let it slip out my mouth..

Gakuto grins. ...He looks like he knows I didn't mean to say that out loud.

"What do you mean she's just your friend? That's definitely a hard girl. The fact that you don't see it is proof that you're too crazy about that girl."

He must mean hard-headed when he says hard. I know he's right, but I didn't want to just give in and nod.

"I already know that."

"Then what's so good about her? Her looks?"

Gakuto is holding nothing back.

Indeed Shiki is beautiful. But with that aside, Shiki attracts me. Shiki always seems like she's about to get hurt. In reality, she's firm enough not to get hurt, but she seems to be really fragile. That's probably why I can't ignore her. I don't want to see her get hurt.

"It's just something that you don't notice. Even Shiki has her cute points. ...Let's see, if I think of her as an animal, she's cute enough to be a rabbit."

Suddenly, i regret saying that

"Don't be stupid. She's definitely in the cat family, and probably the beast ones too. A rabbit is too far off, way too far. Is Ryohgi the type that would die out of loneliness?"

Gakuto laughs his ass off.

But I think she's like a rabbit in that she doesn't become attached to people and how she looks at others from a distance. ... Huh, if that's just me, then fine.

"All right. I won't talk to you about girls anymore."

Gakuto quits laughing once I tell him that.

"You might be right. A rabbit suits her well."

"Gakuto, a frank agreement is rather offensive."

"I mean it. I remembered that rabbits were dangerous too. In this world, there are rabbits that chop off your head if you're unlucky."

I hesitate being said that in a serious tone.

"That's a pretty amazing rabbit."

Gakuto nods.

"Of course, cause I'm talking about the world of gaming."

== 2 ==

I saw an unbelievable thing on the day the exam ended for the second quarter.

There was a letter in my desk. No, that itself isn't too weird. The problem is the sender and its content. To put it simply, it was from Shiki, asking me out on a date.

It sounded like a threat telling me to take her out somewhere tomorrow. I went home all confused and waited for the next day to come, feeling like a samurai told to kill himself the next day.

◇

"Yo, Kokuto."

That was the first word Shiki said to me when she came. She came to our meeting place, the dog statue in front of the station, with a red leather jacker over her kimono. More than her outfit, I was confused by how she spoke.

"Did ya wait? Sorry man. It took me awhile to shake off Akitaka."

She says this as if it's perfectly natural for her.

She sounds like a guy, not like the Shiki I know. Not being able to answer, I check her figure again. There's nothing different in her looks. She has a small body, but because of her valiant gestures, she looks powerful... no, rather graceful. She has the unbalancedness of a lively puppet, a puppet made well, but just on the outside.

"What? You angry just cause I'm an hour late? You're pretty intolerant, man."

Shiki looks at me with her black eyes. Her beautiful short black hair. A small face and big eyes, they both are beautiful. The black eyes are reflecting the figure of Kokutoh Mikiya, but it seems to be seeing something farther away. ... Come to think of it, I was attracted to these eyes since that snowy day when we met

"Um... you're Shiki, right?"

"Yeah", Shiki laughs. A strange smile that's more like a grin.

"What else do I look like? We're wasting time like this. Come on, take me somewhere. I'll let you decide, Kokuto."

Saying that, Shiki starts to walk taking my arm forcefully.

... She said she'll let me decide, but since I was confused, I didn't even notice that she was leading the way...

We walked a lot.

Shiki didn't do much shopping, but she would go into a store in the department store and look around, and goes to the next one when she gets bored. My request to take a rest at the cafe or a movie theater was denied. ... But she's right. It would have been boring to go to such places with the way Shiki is acting right now.

Shiki talked a lot. If I'm not mistaken, she seemed excited. How should I say this... she's mentally high?

Most of the stores she went to were cloth-oriented, but I was relieved every one of them were stores for women. Shiki must have gotten tired from looking through four department stores in four hours, as she says she wants to eat.

We wander around and end up in a fast food joint. Shiki takes off her jacket once she takes a seat. She catches peoples attention with that kimono outfit but it seems she doesn't care at all. Making up my mind, I ask her about what I've been wondering all this time.

"Shiki, you actually talk like that all the time?"

"In my case. But there's no meaning in how someone talks. Even you can change that."

Shiki eats the hamburger like it doesn't taste good.

"Well, this kind of thing never happened before. Today's the first day that I came outside. I didn't say anything until now cause I had the same opinion as Shiki."

... I don't get it at all.

"Let's see... It's a split personality to put it simply. I'm SHIKI and the normal one is Shiki. SHIKI is from the word, "weaved cloth." But Shiki and I are not different people. The only difference between us is the priorities of things. The ranks of what we like are different."

Saying that, she writes on her napkin using her wet fingers. The white finger writes the word Shiki and SHIKI.

"I wanted to talk with Kokuto, that's all. Since it's not something Shiki wanted to do, I'm doing it in her place. Do ya understand?"

"Well, kind of."

I answer uneasily. But I actually have felt what SHIKI is talking about. I think something similar to that happened to me before. Before I entered high school, I met Shiki, but she said she didn't remember it. At that time I thought she said that because she hated me, but after hearing this, it makes sense.

No, more than that. After spending all day with her i can tell she is the same Shiki. As Shiki, no, as SHIKI says, she only talks differently, but her actions are the same. They are so similar I'm starting to feel there's nothing different about her now.

"But why did you tell me about that?"

"I thought I wouldn't be able to hide it from ya much longer."

Shiki takes another drink. She puts her mouth on the straw and lets go quickly... Shiki doesn't like cold things.

"To be honest, I'm like Shiki's subversive impulse. This was something that she really wanted to do. But up to now, there was no one I wanted to do it with, because Ryohgi Shiki was uninterested in everyone."

SHIKI says so like she's not interested. I could not move, being stared at by those deep black eyes.

"Yeah, but you rest assured, I'm still Shiki. I'm just saying what Shiki thinks. Like I told ya, we just talk differently. ... Well, but we're beginning to get out of line, so don't take me too seriously."

"Out of line? ... You mean you and Shiki get into a fights?"

"Hey, how can you get in a fight with yourself? No matter what I do, it has to be something we both wanted, so we both have no complaints. No matter how much I fight, Shiki has control over this body. I'm seeing you like this because Shiki thought it was all right too. ... Well, she'll probably regret saying things like this. It's not something Shiki would say, right?"

I agree.

SHIKI laughs.

"I like those kind of things about you. But Shiki doesn't. That's what I mean by being out of line."

...? What does that mean? Does Shiki not like the fact that I don't think too much? Or does Shiki not like the fact that she is liking that part of me? I don't know why, but I somehow thought it had to be the latter.

"Well, that's enough explanations for today."

Standing up suddenly, SHIKI puts on the leather jacket.

"Bye~. I like you, so I'll see you again pretty soon."

Putting the money for the hamburger on the table, SHIKI leaves quickly.

◇

I part with SHIKI and return to my neighborhood, the sun is setting already. Because of all the recent murder incidents not many people are out, even though the sun's only setting.

When I get home, my cousin, Daisuke Nii-san is there. I was tired from all that talk with SHIKI, so I go to the kotatsu and put my legs in it. Daisuke Nii-san also has his legs in there so we end up fighting for the small space inside without a word. In the end, I couldn't lay down, so I just had to get up.

"Aren't you busy, Daisuke-san?"

I ask him while taking a mandarin orange off the table. Daisuke Nii-san asnwers "Yeah".

"It's five people in three months, of course we're busy. I'm so busy I can't even go home to sleep. I have to get going again in about an hour."

Daisuke Nii-san is a police officer. It's an unfit job for such a lazy person.

"How's the investigation going?"

"It's all right. There weren't any clues until now but the killer finally left us something. Well, it does seem intentional though."

Saying that, Daisuke Nii-san lifts up his face. His serious face is right in front of mine.

"What I'm telling you is confidential. I'm going to tell you because this is something that's important to you. I told you about the first victim, right?"

Then, Daisuke Nii-san starts to describe the second and the third murder scene. ... I listen closely while hoping not all policemen in this world let out confidential matters this easily.

The second victim had its body cut vertically. From its head down to its groin. The weapon used is unknown. One of the cut remains was stuck to the wall.

The third victim had its arms and legs cut off, with the severed arms sewn onto the legs.

The fourth victim had its body cut into pieces and had some word-like symbol stamped on it.

The fifth victim was made to look like a manji using its arms and legs.

"It's easy to understand that the killer is abnormal."

I say this while trying to hold back my vomit, Daisuke Nii-san agrees.

"I think it's a bit intentional when it's too easy to understand, but what do you think?"

"... Let's see. I don't think it matters every one of them is killed by being cut apart. I can't say anything else, but..."

"But?"

"I just think the killer is getting used to this. The next one might not be outside."

"You're right." Daisuke Nii-san covers his face with his hands.

"There's no motive and there's no rules. It's only happening outside right now but this is a kind of a guy that would even come indoors. If this killer can't find anyone out at night, there's more motive for the killer to go into someone's house. I just wish the higher ranked guys would take that into consideration and be prepared for it."

"Well..." Daisuke Nii-san changes the subject.

"We found this by the fifth victim."

Daisuke Nii-san places our school badge on the table. It's considered unimportant with us not having uniforms and all, but we are required to wear this somewhere on us when going to school.

"I don't know if the killer didn't notice this because the scene of the crime was a grassy field or if the killer intentionally put this there. But either way, there has to be a meaning behind this. I might go over to your place sometime soon."

Making a cop-like face, he says an ominous thing.

== 3 ==

The winter vacation ended in a flash. The only thing that happened was I went to the shrine on new year with Shiki. But I think I led a normal life other than that.

When the third term started, Shiki isolated herself even more. She had that "rejection" air around her that even I noticed.

After making sure everyone else has left and going to the classroom, SHIKI would always be there. She doesn't do anything just stares out the window. I haven't been invited or called to come here. But I just can't leave this fragile girl alone, so I keep her company meaninglessly.

The sun sets early in the wintertime and the classroom is tinted red. In this classroom filled with just the color red and black, SHIKI is leaning against the window.

"Did I tell you that I hate people?"

Today, SHIKI starts to talk mindlessly.

"That's the first time I heard that... do you mean that?"

"Yeah, Shiki hates people. She was like that from when she was small. ... You see, when you're a child, you don't know anything. You think the whole world would love you unconditionally. Since you like them, they must like you... that feels like common sense."

"You're right. You never doubt anything when you're small. You unconditionally love them and you think it's only natural for them to love you back. The only things I was scared of were ghosts. Though, I'm scared of people now."

SHIKI nods in agreement.

"But that's a very important thing. You need to be pure, Kokuto. Since you only worry about yourself when you're small, you won't notice the evil minds of other people. Even if it's just a misunderstanding, the feeling of love you receive makes you able to be kind to others. Since people can only express the emotions they're familiar with."

The sunset illuminates her face red. At this moment, I cannot tell if she is SHIKI or Shiki, but it has no meaning at all which she is. Either way, this is just Shiki's monologue.

"But I'm different. I knew someone else since I was born. Since Shiki has SHIKI inside of her, she knew of others. She found out that there's other people who think differently and that they do not love you unconditionally. Since she found out as a child how ugly other people are, she could not love them. In time. she grew to pay them no attention. The only emotion Shiki has is rejection."

... That's why she hates people. SHIKI says so with her eyes. ... I feel like crying for no reason.

"But wasn't she lonely like that?"

"Why? Shiki has me. It's certainly lonely by yourself but Shiki isn't alone. She was isolated, but she wasn't alone."

SHIKI says so with a resolute face. There's no bluff in it and it seems she really is satisfied with that.

But really...?

Yet really...?

"But Shiki is acting weird recently. She has an abnormality in her called me, but she wants to deny me. Denying is my domain, and Shiki is supposed to be only able to affirm."

SHIKI laughs asking why that might be. It's a brutal looking smile.

"Kokuto, have you ever wanted to kill someone?"

At that instance, the sun paints her face red and makes my heart jump.

"Not so far. The most I've ever wanted was to punch someone."

"I see. But I only have that feeling."

Her voice echoes through the classroom.

"...... Huh?"

"I told you. Humans can only show emotions that they have experienced. I take on the forbidden taboos inside Shiki. What's low on Shiki's priorities is high on mine. I am content with that and I know that's why I exist. I am the personality that takes on Shiki's suppressed intentions. That's why I've always killed my will. I have been killing the dark side called SHIKI. I have killed myself over and over. See? The only thing I've experienced is killing things."

Then, she walks away from the window. Why... why do I think the person silently walking toward me is scary?

"So Kokuto, the definition of murder for Shiki is..."

A voice murmuring by my ear...

"... Is to eliminate, in self defense, anything that tries to open her up."

Smiling, SHIKI leaves the classroom. It was an innocent smile that one would give after playing a trick on you...

◇

On lunch break the next day...

When I asked Shiki if she wanted to have lunch with me, she looked really surprised. At this time, she showed me her surprised expression for the first time since I have met her.

"What a thing..."

Saying that, Shiki accepts my request. We head to the rooftop following Shiki's request. She is following silently behind me. Her silent stare is stabbing into my back. Maybe she's mad at me... no, she definitely is. ... Even I know what she meant by those words yesterday. It's her last warning telling me not to be involved with her, and that she doesn't know what she'll do if I did. But Shiki does not understand. That's something Shiki has always unconsciously told me, and I have already gotten used to it. When we get to the rooftop, no one is there. I guess being January and all, nobody else wanted to eat in this cold weather.

"It's cold, do you want to eat somewhere else?"

"No, I want to eat here. If you want to go somewhere else, please go ahead."

I tilt my head to Shiki's polite tone. We sit by the wall to avoid the wind. Shiki just sits there without opening her bread. In contrast, I have already finished my second sandwich.

"Why did you talk to me?"

Shiki's murmur is so sudden that I could not catch her words.

"Did you say something, Shiki?"

"I said, why are you so carefree?"

She says so with glaring eyes.

"That's terrible. I've been called excessively honest, but I've never been called carefree."

"I guess everyone was holding back."

Convinced selfishly, Shiki opens her egg sandwich. The sound of the wrapper suited the cold rooftop. Shiki sits there silently and nibbles on her sandwich. I have nothing to do as I'm already done. I think a meal needs to be accompanied by a conversation.

"Shiki, you must be a bit mad."

"... A bit?"

She glares at me. I scold myself in my mind for not thinking before I said something.

"I don't understand, but I get irritated when you're around. "Why do you involve yourself with me, why you don't act differently after being told all that yesterday," these are all things I don't understand."

"I don't know the reason either. It's fun being with you, but if you ask me why it's fun, I can't answer. Well, if you talk about yesterday, I guess you can say I'm optimistic."

"Kokutoh-kun, do you understand that I'm abnormal?"

I can only nod to those words. Her split personality is real and it is indeed not normal.

"Yeah, it's indeed not normal."

"Right. So then you should understand that I am not someone you could associate with normally."

"Abnormal or not, it doesn't matter when hanging out."

Shiki stops all movement. She stops time as if she's even forgotten how to breathe.

"But I cannot be like you."

Saying that, Shiki slides her fingers through her hair. Her kimono sways and I notice the bandage wrapped around her thin arm. The bandage wrapped around near her right elbow is quite new.

"Shiki, that wound..."

Before I get a chance to finish, Shiki stands up.

"If you don't understand with SHIKI's words, I'll tell you myself."

Shiki talks while looking off into the distance.

"If we keep this up, I will probably end up killing you."

... How could I have replied to those words?

After that, Shiki goes to the classroom leaving her trash behind. Being left alone, I first clean up the mess.

"... Geez, this is just like what Gakuto said."

I remember the conversation I had with Gakuto. Like Gakuto said, I might be stupid. I could not hate Shiki even after she completely rejected me. Rather, my mind has been cleared. There can only be one reason why it's fun being with Shiki.

"I already went mad a long time ago."

... Yeah, why didn't I notice this earlier?

... That I love Shiki so much that I can even laugh off her telling me she wants to kill me.

== 4 ==

It's the first Sunday in February. I Wake up and go to the dining room. Daisuke Nii-san is there, getting ready to leave.

"Oh, you were here?"

"Yo. I just came to sleep cause I missed the last train, but I'm gotta go to work now. I envy you students, your promise for vacation is always kept."

He looks like he hasn't had enough sleep. I bet he's busy with all the new information on that serial killer.

"You were talking about coming to my school, but what happened to that?"

"It seems we'll have to go there again. To tell you the truth, there was a sixth victim three days ago. I guess this victim struggled hard and we found the killer's skin in her nails. Women have long nails so I guess she scratched the killer's arm pretty bad. Maybe it was a desperate move but the scratch has to be deep. The skin we found was about 3 centimeters. (about 1 inch)."

This piece of information is a new one, it's not even on TV or in the newspapers yet. But I am shocked for a different reason. ... I think it's because in the past few days, Shiki has been using the omnious word "killing" quite a number of times. Why else would I imagine for an instant that Shiki would be this killer?

"... Scratch, you mean the killer has a wound?"

"Of course. Do you think the victim would scratch her own arm? We already figured out the skin is from around the elbow area. We have the blood diagnosed so the killer is done for now."

Daisuke Nii-san leaves. With power escaping my legs, I crumble onto the chair. Three days ago was the day I had that conversation with SHIKI in the setting sun. I think when I saw her the next day, the bandage was around her elbow...

Right around mid-day, I figure out it's no good just sitting here and thinking. Instead of this, I should just go to Shiki and ask her. If she tells me her wound is nothing related to it, this uneasiness would go away.

I decide to visit Shiki's house using the school's contact guide. Her house is in the outskirts of town, one station away from here. When I finally find her house, the sun is already setting. The mansion with bamboo trees surrounding it is oriental-styled. I cannot tell the size of this place just by looking. I wouldn't be able to tell exactly how big it is unless I get in a plane and get an overhead view of this place. I Walk through the bamboo woods on a path and reach a big gate. I'm a bit relieved that this old looking place has an intercom. After pushing it and saying what I came here for, a man in a black suit appears. I find out that this man around his thirties is Shiki's servant. This person called Akitaka talks with a stranger like me with manners. Unfortunately, Shiki isn't home. He offers me to stay and wait but I refuse. To be honest, I don't have the guts to go into this place alone.

I decide to go home since the sun has already set. I get to the station after an hour's walk and happen to run into Senpai. After being invited by him, we eat at a nearby restaurant and end up talking until ten. Unlike Senpai, I am a student so I have to start heading home soon. After saying goodbye to Senpai, I buy the ticket for the train at the station. It's almost eleven o'clock now. For a second I wonder if Shiki arrived home already.

"What the hell am I doing?"

I say this to myself as I walk through the nighttime residential district. It's late at night without a sign of life. I can't understand why I'm heading toward Shiki's house in this unfamiliar town. Even though I know I won't be able to see her, I at least want to see the lights in her house. I walk in the chilly winter air. I exit the residential district and end up facing a group of trees. I walk through the small road in the middle of it. Since there's no wind, the bamboos are silent. There are no streetlights, so the moon is my only guide. When I half-jokingly think what would happen if I got attacked here, the thought starts to fill me. The image gets stronger in my head in contrast to my mind wanting to get rid of it. When I was a kid, I was scared of ghosts. The shadows in between the bamboo looked like ghosts and I would be frightened. But now, I'm scared of other people. I'm only scared of the fact that someone might be hiding in the bushes. ...Since when did the unknown ghosts turn into other humans?

The more I try to calm down, the more the bad feeling seeps into me. ...Really, this bad feeling does not go away. Oh yeah, I think Shiki was saying the same thing before. I think that was... While I try to recall, I see something ahead of me.

"......"

I stop dead in my tracks. It's not my will, because right now... my mind is totally empty.

A white figure stands few meters ahead. The white kimono that looks bright is covered with red spots. The red spots on the kimono expand. It's because the thing in front of her is spilling red liquid everywhere. The one in the white kimono is Shiki and the ''thing'' is not a fountain, but a dead person.

"........."

I cannot say anything. But I always thought about this somewhere in my mind, this image of Shiki standing in front of a dead body. That's why I'm not surprised or making a commotion. My mind is just completely blank. The body must have recently died... the blood would not flow out that much unless you cut its artery while it was alive. It has a wound is on the neck and an angled cut on its body. Shiki is silently staring at the dead body. The color of the spilled blood is enough to make you faint, but its organs are spilling out from the cut and making the body look like a totally different thing. To me, it seems like something slimy is trying to have a human form, but it's doing such a bad job that it's hard to look at. ... If you are a normal human being, there's no way you can look at it. But Shiki is staring at the dead body. Blood gets on her ghost-like kimono. The spots look like red butterflies. The butterflies are flying toward Shiki's face too. The face covered with blood is deformed. Is it because of fear or pleasure? Is she Shiki... or SHIKI?

"..........."

I try to say something and I collapse onto the ground. I vomit. I vomit out everything in my stomach, stomach acid, and if I could, this memory too... I vomit until I start to cry. But it's no good. It doesn't even make me feel better. The amount of blood is so much and the smell so overwhelming that it seeps into my brain.

Eventually, Shiki notices me. Her head turns to look at me. The expressionless face shows a smile. It's so pure it makes me rather clam. The smile reminds me of a mother. That smile is so unfitting to this whole scene that...

It makes me shiver.

I start to faint as she draws closer. I remember Shiki's words at the last moment.

... "Be careful Kokutoh-kun. A bad presentiment tends to attract bad reality."

... I guess I was stupid indeed. Because I tried not to think about this bad reality until the moment I saw it with my own eyes...

== 5 ==

I end up not going to school the next day. It's because I was found by a policeman while I stood absent-mindedly at the scene of the crime, and was taken into questioning.

I heard I could not say anything for a few hours. It took me about four hours before my mind returned... I guess my brain doesn't have that good of a recovery system. Anyways, after I was questioned and released, it was too late to go to school.

By how the man was killed, it's impossible to not have blood on your clothes. Fortunately, I did not have any blood on me and being the relative of Daisuke Nii-san, I think my questioning went rather smoothly. Daisuke Nii-san offered me a ride home so I took it.

"So you didn't see anyone, Mikiya?"

"You're being too persistent. I said I didn't see anyone."

I glare at Daisuke Nii-san and sit deep in my seat.

"I see. Damn! It would have helped if you've seen the killer... but I guess the killer wouldn't have let you go alive if you saw him. I can't let you die, so I guess it's a good thing for me you didn't see anyone."

"You're not a good policeman, Daisuke-san."

I hate myself for being able to respond to him in such a normal tone. I call myself a liar in my head. ... I can't believe that I can lie with such a straight face. And these are police matters we're talking about here. If I don't tell the truth, things can only get worse. ... But still, I did not say anything about Shiki being at the scene of the crime.

"Well, I'm glad you're not hurt. So, what's your impression on the first dead body you saw?"

This mean person asks me such a question in this situation.

"Terrible. I don't ever want to see it again."

"This one is special. It's not as bad as what is normally seen so relax."

What does he want me to be relaxed about?

"But it's a small world we live in. I didn't know you knew the daughter of the Ryohgi family."

The fact that might make him happy gets me more depressed. ... The murder that happened in front of Ryohgi's house is treated as the same killer's work but the investigation stopped from there. Even the police left the territory of the Ryohgis after their inspection. From what he says, it's because of the pressure from the Ryohgis. It was recorded that this murder happened in between eleven and twelve at night on February third (Sunday), and the only witness is Kokutoh Mikiya. But it's recorded that I was there only after the crime has occurred and that I was in a state of shock seeing the scene of the crime. The Ryohgi family and I have not said anything about Shiki.

"But didn't you investigate the people of the Ryohgi?"

Daisuke-san shakes his head to my question.

"The daughter of that place goes to your high school, so I wanted to ask them about it but they refused. They said they didn't care about what happened outside their house. But from the way I see it, they are innocent, they have nothing to do with the crime."

"Huh?"

I let it out without thinking. I trust Daisuke Nii-san even if it seems like I don't. It's even famous in the workplace that this person hasnt been fired due to his superior skill. So that's why I thought he might suspect Shiki.

"Why do you think so?"

"Hmm, well... do you think such a beautiful girl would kill someone? You don't, right? I don't think so too. This is an obvious answer for a guy."

... Why did he ever decide to be a policeman? No, more than that, I sigh at how much more carefree he is than me.

"I see. You'll be single for the rest of your life."

"Hey now, I can put you in jail."

I'll be released because of lack of proof. ... But I agree with his opinion. Even though I don't have the hunch like he does, it is my opinion that Shiki is not the killer. Even if she admits it herself, I believe she is not the one. So now, there is something I must do.

----

The crime neared it's solution.

Then from that day until that day three years later, the killer would cease to appear. For me at that time, that incident seemed like it did not concern me. But that happened to be the first and the last incident which involved both Shiki and me.

Murder Study (Part 1)・Finish