Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Kara no Kyoukai

2008-05-10T13:09:13Z

Question:

The Kara no Kyoukai series is available in the following languages:

*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai_%7ESpanish_Version%7E|Español (Spanish)]]

(Note: Translation progress varies for each version.)

{{Template:STALLED}}

----

''Kara no Kyoukai'' ("空の境界") is a series of stories written by Kinoko Nasu (奈須きのこ) with illustrations by Takeshi Takeuchi (武内崇).

The first five chapters were posted online on Nasu and Takeuchi's dojin website "Takebouki (竹箒)" starting Oct 1998, and the last two chapters being released at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comiket Comiket] 56 in 1999. In 2001, part of the story was included in "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsukihime_PLUS-DISK Tsukihime PLUS-DISK (月姫PLUS-DISC)]," created by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TYPE-MOON TYPE-MOON], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doujin doujin] circle Nasu and Takeuchi joined. The story gained huge popularity, and the doujinshi edition of the stories saw release on December 30, 2001 at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comiket Comiket] 61.

Additional information can be found here
*[[About_Kara_no_Kyoukai|About Kara no Kyoukai ]]

== Updates ==

*Jan 13,2007
:*Series activated
:*Please give a warm welcome to [[user:Alyeris|Alyeris]]
:*Volume 03, chapter / 0 & /1 scripts has been added
:*page layout reformated

*Jan 15,2007
:*Taka's script for chapter 3 put up by Question.

*Jan 18,2007
:*Please give a warm welcome to Translator [[user:lvlln|Lvlln]]

*Jan 22,2007
:*Please give a warm welcome to a new translator [[user:Anonyfag !Fsxil11tVc|Anonyfag !Fsxil11tVc]] (special mention to annyms k40z for editing those scripts)

*Feb 18, 2007
:*Draft versions of Chapter 4 are all up. Please feel free to edit to heart's content.

==Project staff ==

None.

=== Translator ===

None.

== Translation: Inactive ==

This translation has been inactive since 24th Jan 2007.

[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Registration_Page|Registration Page]]

=== Special Thanks ===
To

*[[User:sssssz|sssssz]]
*[[User:TakaJun|TakaJun]]

for translating and giving us premission to host these translation here.

If you wish to know which chapters was translated by them please see the [[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Registration_Page|Registration Page]]

== Kara no Kyoukai Series by Kinoko Nasu ==

=== ''1／Overlooking View - Fujoh Kirie | 1／俯瞰風景 - Fujoh Kirie'': '''Thanatos.''' ===
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter01_00|／Overlooking View | ／俯瞰風景]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter01_01|／1]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter01_02|／2]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter01_03|Overlooking View／ | 俯瞰風景／]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter01_04|→／3]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter01_05|／4]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter01_06|Overlooking View／ | 俯瞰風景／]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter01_07|Epilogue]]

=== ''2／Murder Study (Part 1) - Ryougi Shiki | 2／殺人考察(前) - Ryohgi Siki'': '''...and nothing heart.''' ===
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter02_00|／Murder Study (Part 1) | ／殺人考察(前)]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter02_01|／1]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter02_02|／2]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter02_03|／3]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter02_04|Murder Study (Part 1)／ 1~5 | 殺人考察(前)／]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter02_05|／4]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter02_06|／5]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter02_07|Kara no Kyoukai／Opening | 空の境界／序]]

=== ''3／Remaining Sense of Pain - Asagami Fujino | 3／痛覚残留 - Asagami Fujino'': '''ever cry, never life.''' ===
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter03_a|Remaining Sense of Pain | 痛覚残留]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter03_01|／0]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter03_02|／1]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter03_03| Remaining Sense of Pain／ 1 | 痛覚残留／ 1]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter03_04| Remaining Sense of Pain／ 2 | 痛覚残留／ 2]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter03_05|／2]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter03_06|／3]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter03_07| Sense of Pain／Stay Behind 3 | 痛覚／残留 3]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter03_08| Sense of Pain／Stay Behind 4 | 痛覚／残留 4]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter03_09|／4]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter03_10|／5]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter03_11| Remaining Sense of Pain／ 5 | 痛覚残留／ 5]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter03_12| Remaining Sense of Pain／ 6 | 痛覚残留／ 6]]

=== ''4／Void Shrine - 「　　」 | 4／伽藍の洞 - 「　　」'': '''garan-no-dou.''' ===
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter04 00|／Void Shrine | ／伽藍の洞]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter04_A|／0]]
::*[[Kara_no_kyoukai:Chapter04_01|／1]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter04_02|／2]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter04_03|／3]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Void Shrine|Void Shrine／ 1~3 | 伽藍の洞／ 1~3]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter04_04|／4]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter04_05|／5]](draft)
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter-final|／Void Shrine | ／伽藍の洞]]

=== ''Intermission - Kirie/Fujino | 境界式'' ===
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Ceremony_of_Boundary-1|境界式]]

=== ''5／Paradox Spiral - Enjou Tomoe | 5／矛盾螺旋 - Enjoh Tomoe'': '''Paradox Paradigm.''' ===
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter05_00|／Paradox Spiral | ／矛盾螺旋]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter05_0|／0]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter05_01|／1 (Paradox Spiral, 1) | (矛盾螺旋、1)]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter05_02|／2 (Paradox Spiral, 2) | (矛盾螺旋、2)]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter05_03|／3 (Paradox Spiral, 3) | (矛盾螺旋、3)]]
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter05_04|／4 (Paradox Spiral, 4) | (矛盾螺旋、4)]](draft)
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter05_05|／5 (Spiral Paradox, 1) | (螺旋矛盾、1)]](draft)
::*／6 (Spiral Paradox, 2) | (螺旋矛盾、2)
::*／7 (Spiral Paradox, 3) | (螺旋矛盾、3)
::*／8 (Spiral Paradox, 4) | (螺旋矛盾、4)
::*／9 (Paradox Spiral, 5) | (矛盾螺旋、5)
::*／10
::*／8 (Paradox Spiral, 5) | (矛盾螺旋、5)
::*／11 (Paradox Spiral, 6) | (矛盾螺旋、6)
::*／12
::*(14／)
::*／13 (Paradox Spiral, 6) | (矛盾螺旋、6)
::*／14
::*／15
::*／16
::*17／
::*／18
::*Paradox／Spiral (19) | 矛盾／螺旋 (19)

=== ''6／Oblivion Recorder - Kurogiri Satsuki | 6／忘却録音 - Kurogiri Satuki'': '''Fairy Tale.''' ===
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter06_00|／Oblivion Recorder | ／忘却録音]]
::*Oblivion Recorder／ 1~2 | 忘却録音／ 1~2
::*／1
::*／2
::*Oblivion Recorder／ 3 | 忘却録音／ 3
::*／3
::*Oblivion Recorder／ 4 | 忘却録音／ 4
::*Oblivion Recorder ／5 | 忘却録音 5／
::*5／
::*Oblivion Recorder ／5 | 忘却録音／5
::*／5
::*Oblivion Recorder／ 6 | 忘却録音／ 6
::*／6
::*Oblivion Recorder／ 7 | 忘却録音／ 7
::*／Oblivion Recorder | ／忘却録音
::*／7

=== ''Intermission - Lio | 境界式'' ===
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Kyoukai_Shiki-2|(0)]]

=== ''7／Murder Study (Part 2) - Shirazumi Lio | 7／殺人考察(後) - Sirazumi Lio'': '''...not nothing heart.''' ===
::*[[Kara_no_Kyoukai:Chapter07_00|／Kara no Kyoukai | ／空の境界]]
::*／Opening | ／序
::*Murder Study／1 | 殺人考察／1
::*／1
::*Murder Study／2 | 殺人考察／2
::*／2
::*Murder Study／3 | 殺人考察／3
::*Murder Study／4 | 殺人考察／4
::*／3
::*／4
::*Murder Study／5 | 殺人考察／5
::*／5
::*Murder Study／6 | 殺人考察／6
::*[[／6]]
::*[[／7]]
::*Murder Study／7 | 殺人考察／7
::*／8

=== ''Kara no Kyoukai | 空の境界'' ===
::*Kara no Kyoukai／ | 空の境界／

==References==
*[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/空の境界 Japan wiki 空の境界]
*[http://www.typemoon.org/kara/ TYPE-MOON HP 空の境界]
*[http://www.typemoon.com TYPE-MOON HP]
*[http://mirror.fuzzy2.com/magic-cage/karakyo.html 空の境界 Drama CD Flash movie]
[[Category:Hosted_Projects]]

Talk:Kara no Kyoukai

2007-03-09T15:00:47Z

Question:

Oh man, I'll be happy as hell if you'll translate it !

man this is going to take a while to do it by myself... oh well it will be good practice for my rusty korean.
---alyeris

Im confused, isnt chapter 3(volume 3) already translated? http://mirrormoon.org/books/chapter_3 --Question

Update : Moved takajun's translations of chapter 3 from mirrormoon site to Baka Tsuki. Looks like there was a mistake, first 2 chapters were moved but not the third chapter. ~~Question

== Thanks ==

Thank you [[User:Question|Question]],

While it sort of makes the contribution by alyeris kinda futile,
I hope this doesn't put you off in doing other chapters,

You are always welcome to practise your "rusty" korean here on any of our hosted series.

(^_^)/

[[User:Onizuka-gto|Onizuka-gto]] 16:10, 14 January 2007 (PST)

Its okay lol chapter 3 was giving me a lot of headaches in regards to editing the script anyway. I will start working on chapter 4 instead lol. (But I wasn't aware Taka had given permission for chapter 3 to be moved here...) ---alyeris

::*yes, now that I thought about it,when my Editor mentioned this to me it did not register, that was not until i discovered the beastlair forum, which Velocity_7 mentioned Takajun permission to host these translations.

I did not read it, so i was unawarethey were incomplete, but luckily those Tsukihime universe otaku's sorted me out.

Anyway, thanks for understand Alyeris,I look forward to reading more of your scripts.

[[User:Onizuka-gto|Onizuka-gto]] 00:05, 15 January 2007 (PST)

Hi Lvlln! Please feel free to edit my scripts if you don't feel that the are up to standard.

But jeez I'm not going back home till Feb so I just can't find the time to put up everything that I've translated, everyone just wait a bit okay?

[[user:Alyeris|Alyeris]]

== Shirazumi Lio/Rio ==

I propose that we start using the name Lio instead of Rio; it would make more sense considering that Araya said that he was one letter away from being a lion.

____________

Arggggggggg damn server keeps logging me off while I'm editing so I keep losing my data!!!!!!! -Alyeris

Hey do you guys think that we might actually get this project finished before year's end? - Alyeris

==Project Status==

Is Kara No Kyoukai an official current project? Its not in the list of current projects on the left, neither is it in the list of teaser projects. -- Question

Ask Oni :) As far as I know none of the translators are a part of Baka-tsuki's official translation team so I guess it isn't an official project.

The problem is that its impossible to get to the kara no kyoukai project page unless one is given a direct link or knows what to enter in the search bar. Its not linked from the main page or anywhere else. -- Question

==Scripts==

Just a note that all my scripts are draft versions only pending editing by me or any other helpful person that wishes to help out.

[[user:Alyeris|Alyeris]]

==distinction between sorcery and magic==

Is it sorcery which is capable of 'miracles' or magic. I'm not sure which is which here.

Magic is the realisation of miracles, things that have absolutely 0% chance of happening otherwise. Sorcery can only replicate effects achievable by science. However there is a contradiction...in Fate/stay night it was stated that Caster was very close to achieving magic as she was capable of spatial teleportation which is not possible by science, and that should already be magic. Note that i got this info about caster through second hand sources so it may not be accurate. -- Question

==Void Shrine==

I want to clarify, for those chapters marked "Draft" does that mean that the translation is done and waiting editing, or the translation is still incomplete? [[User:Question|Question]] 07:00, 9 March 2007 (PST)

Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume1 Story2 Chapter1

2007-03-06T06:30:02Z

Question:

Im confused about just where this was hiding and why. It looks like it could use some editing...translation appears to be done but there are some minor errors. I will see if i can fix that by today. [[User:Question|Question]] 13:19, 5 March 2007 (PST)

It was in hiding because that's how the procedures used to go, during the so-called 'collaboration'. But now that's (long) dead, Oni's deemed it fit for BT members to run with. And yes, it's there to be edited, so do your worst, Mr. Editor-man... >w< [[User:Cala-kun|Cala-kun]] 13:57, 7 March 2007 (GMT +12)

Oh you mean this project isnt a collaboration anymore? Its still listed as one though. Oh i just want to confirm this is the full translation of chapter 4, it seems really short. [[User:Question|Question]] 22:30, 5 March 2007 (PST)

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume1 Story2 Chapter1

2007-03-05T21:27:49Z

Question:

== [[zeroNT:Gandvol01editchpter04control|Raw English Translation Available Here]] ==

== Chapter 04 - Part One ==
=== Chapter Four: A Familiar's Day ===

It had been a week since Saito started his life as Louise's familiar at Tristain Magic Academy. If one were to explain an average day for Saito, it would read like the following: 

First, like the majority of animals and humans in Tristain, he awoke in the morning. His bed was, as usual, the floor, though compared to the first day it had mostly improved. Finding that his body hurt in the middle of the night if he slept on the hard floor, Saito had asked the maid Siesta for some of the hay that was fed to the horses, and had packed it into a corner of the room. Saito slept on the pile of  hay, wrapped in the blanket that Louise had so 'graciously' bestowed upon him.

Louise called Saito's makeshift bed 'the chicken's nest', which was appropriate as chickens slept on hay, and as the first thing Saito did every morning was to wake Louise up, like a rooster.

But he had to, because there would be trouble for him if Louise woke up first. 

"A stupid familiar that has to be woken by it's master needs to be punished." Louise never forgot to remind him. 

=== Page 121 ===

If Saito ever slept in, he'd be denied breakfast.

Once woken up, Louise gets changed. She puts on underwear by herself, but makes Saito dress her in uniform. This has already been mentioned before.

With her enchanting looks, Saito was breathless everytime he saw Louise in her underwear. They say you get used to a beautiful lover in three days, but it didn't seem Saito would get used to her anytime soon.

Maybe because he was a familiar, not a lover. Still, being always by her side, he essentially was one. The only difference was in the attitude and treatment.

Getting to see Louise like this everyday wasn't at all bad. However, it was a persistent wound to his pride. When getting Louise into her shoes, for example, he couldn't hide the irritation from his face.

At least that much was tolerated, but if Saito ever said anything to set Louise off, then things got bothersome.

"A rude familiar that displeases its master this early in the morning needs to be punished." was another of Louise's 'modes'.

If ever Saito teased Louise about her breast size, or got pouty and said something like "do up the buttons yourself.", he'd be denied breakfast.

Dressed in her uniform of black cloak, white blouse, and grey pleated skirt, Louise then washes her face and brushes her teeth. Water pipes or the like weren't installed in the bedrooms, so Saito had to go

=== Page 122 ===

''(paragraph continued)''

down to the fountain and bring up water for Louise's use in a bucket. And of course, Louise doesn't wash her face herself. She makes Saito do it.

One morning, as he was wiping her face with a towel, he lightly traced along Louise's face with a piece of charcoal he found.

Seeing his masterwork drawn on Louise's face, Saito barely held in a snigger. Then in pretend obsequience, he politely bowed his head to Louise.

"Mistress. You are the epitome of beauty this day." 

Louise, who had a low blood pressure, could only manage a sleepy reply. 

"...Are you plotting something?"

"Who, myself? I am simply a familiar serving the orders of my mistress. I would not dare to plot!"

Louise thought suspiciously of Saito's sudden and excessive politeness, but as she was about to be late to class, she didn't question him any further than that.

With her vividly rosy cheeks, charming hazel eyes, and lips that seemed carved of fine coral, Louise knew she didn't need to decorate herself nor did she wear any kind of make-up. Which in other words, meant she didn't look at the mirror much. And this day was no different. The result: she had absolutely no idea of the 'make-up' that Saito had applied on her.

Louise headed out to class in this state. Being the time as it was, she encountered nobody in the hallways or stairs.

=== Page 123 ===

Louise opened the classroom door panting. As one, her classmates looked at her and exploded with laughter.

"Hey, looking good Louise!"

"Oh my god! That's '''so''' you!"

Afterwards, when Mister Colbert kindly complimented the stylish glasses and moustache sketched on her face, Louise went berserk. She went out into the hallway where Saito was holding his stomach as he rolled on the floor in hysteric laughter, slapped him a dozen times and cut his meals for the entire day.

According to Louise, a familiar that treats its master's face like a piece of canvas is akin to the demons of old that opposed the Founder Brimir and his many allied gods, and such demons were not worthy of the bread and soup granted by the Lady Queen.

After breakfast, Saito cleans Louise's room. This involved sweeping the floor with a broom, and wiping the table and windows with a cloth.

And then there was the oh-so-enjoyable laundry. He takes the laundry down to the fountain, and scrubs them clean against a washboard. There was no warm water, only icy cold water that bit fiercely at his fingers. Louise's underwear were all expensive looking pieces with lots of lace and frills attached. He would get a meal cut if he happened to damage one, so he has to wash them gently. It was painful work. Tired of it all, one day, he just left in the pile one particular pair with a slightly torn elastic band. Merely few days later,

=== Page 124 ===

''(paragraph continued)''

Louise walked out obliviously wearing that particular pair, when the elastic snapped entirely. Her panties slid down to her ankles, entangling both of Louise's legs like a trapper's snare. 

It just so happened that she was at the top of a staircase, so she tumbled spectacularly down them.

Most fortunately, there wasn't anyone else around to see her roll down the stairs with her lower half shamefully exposed, so at least her reputation was spared. Realising that had been overkill, Saito was careful not to peek inside her skirt as he apologised profusely to Louise, who lay unconscious at the staircase landing. He hadn't meant for the joke to derail like this. Ideally, he had envisioned it happening in a hallway for optimum embarrassment.

Once Louise regained consciousness and realised what had happened, she thrust the torn pair of panties accusingly at Saito, who was sitting subserviently by the bedside.

"There was a torn pair."

"Indeed there was, Mistress."

Louise's voice quavered with fury.

"Explain yourself. And concisely."

"It must have been the fountain water, ojousama. Why, it's so cold it could freeze fingers right off. I believe the elastic couldn't endure that."

Saito replied curtly.

=== Page 125 ===

"So you're saying, it's the elastic's fault?"

"I'm saying it's the water's fault. It was bad water. I'm convinced that there must be some kind of curse on it to make it cold, but also affect elastic somehow."

"In that case, I should not feed such a loyal familiar soup made from that kind of bad water."

"Most gracious of you."

"Three days should do, I think, for the water to return to normal."

Saito had his meals cut for said three days.

However, Saito remained completely fine for those three days. He'd just pretend to be withering, and visit the kitchen behind the Hall of Alviss, where the energetic and lovely Siesta would serve him stuff like stew and meat on the bone. He went there even when his meals weren't cut. The soup that Louise declared as "The Widespread Blessing of Her Lady Queen" was never enough of a blessing to fill him up.

Naturally, he kept his visits to the kitchen a secret from Louise. She was adamant on not giving him more until he had corrected his behaviour, so there would be trouble if she found out about the meat and stew Siesta kindly provided him with. Louise would surely forbid him visiting for the sake of 'educating' her familiar.

=== Page 126 ===

Currently though, she was totally unaware. In any case, Saito preferred Siesta and the kitchen a hundred times more than some Lady Queen and Founder Brimir he'd never met before.

One morning, after hungrily drinking down the soup in front of Louise, he went to the kitchen. Saito, who had beaten the noble Guiche at the Vestri Courts, was hugely popular there.

"'Our Sword' is here!"

The one who yelled that was Marteau the head chef, a well-rounded man well into his forties.  Naturally, he was also a commoner himself, but with his position of head chef at the Academy, he earned as much as a lower class noble, a fact he could be proud of.

Dressed in simple but fine clothes, he commanded the kitchen with a wave and flourish of his hand.

Despite his highly respectable position as head chef of a magic academy for nobles, Marteau wasn't the least bit arrogant, and surprisingly enough, disliked both magic and nobles.

He called Saito, who had used a sword to defeat Guiche, by the nickname 'Our Sword', and treated the boy like a king. Thanks to him, the kitchen was an oasis to Saito.

Saito sat down at his chair, and with a smile, Siesta promptly brought him a bowl of warm stew and soft white bread.

"Thanks."

----

=== Chapter 04 - Part One signing ===

Revision 0.5 - This section has issues that should be considered.
The following Editors Agree:

*[Signature Here]

Revision 1 - This section is in satisfactory condition ready for processing.
The following Editors Approve:

*[Signature Here]

Revision 2 - This section is finished and is ready for Baka-Tsuki pdf release.
The Following Editors Approve:

*[Signature Here]

----

== Chapter 04 - Part Two ==
=== Page 127 ===

"Today's stew is extra special."

Siesta declared, looking particularly happy. Saito curiously lifted a spoonful to his mouth, and his face instantly lit up.

"Wow, this is delicious! It's worlds apart from that gruel I get!"

At this, Marteau approached the table holding a kitchen knife.

"Well of course. That there stew's the same stuff we serve to the noble kids." 

"I can't believe this is the kind of stuff they get to eat everyday..."

Marteau snorted loudly at Saito's comment.

"Hmph! Sure, they can use magic. Making pots and pans and castles from dirt, conjuring up unbelievable gems, even controlling dragons -- so what! But see, creating such exquisite dishes like this is a kind of magic itself. Wouldn't you agree, Saito?"

Saito nodded.

"Totally."

"A fine fellow! You're a good man!"

He put an arm around Saito's shoulders.

"Here, 'Our Sword'! Let me place a kiss upon your forehead! Come on! I insist!"

"I'd rather you not. And don't call me that either."

=== Page 128 ===

''(paragraph continued)''

Saito said.

"Why not?"

"It's just... weird."

The man let go of Saito and spread his arms out in protest.

"But you cut a mage's golem to pieces! Don't you get it?"

"I suppose."

"Say, just where did you learn to use a sword? Tell me where I should go to learn how to swing a sword like that."

Marteau stared earnestly at Saito. He asked the same thing every time Saito came to eat. And Saito's answer was the same every time.

"I don't know. I've never held a sword before. My body just moved by itself."

"You guys! Did you hear that?!"

He yelled, his voice echoing around the kitchen.

The younger cooks and the apprentices shouted back.

"We hear you, boss!"

"This is what they call a true master! They never boast about their skill! Look and learn! A true master never boasts!"

=== Page 129 ===

The cooks chanted happily.

"A true master never boasts!"

Then Marteau turned back around to face Saito.

"You know, 'Our Sword'. I'm starting to like you more and more. So how about it?"

"Um, how about what...?"

He was simply telling the truth, but Marteau always thought he was just being modest. It was somewhat frustrating. It made him want to shut the good-natured man up. Saito's gaze dropped down to the runes on his left hand.

''Since that day, it doesn't glow anymore. Just what was that, I wonder...'' Even when Saito tried to make a point of staring at his own runes, Marteau interpreted that as him being reserved.

The chef turned to Siesta.

"Siesta!"

"Yes?"

Siesta, who had been cheerfully watching the two of them get along, responded brightly.

"Bring our hero here some of Albion's finest."

Her smile widened, and retrieving a bottle of vintage wine from the rack,

=== Page 130 ===

''(paragraph continued)''

she poured some into Saito's glass. Siesta looked on absorbedly as Saito's face grew redder and redder from the wine. The events repeat almost routinely:

Saito visits the kitchen, Marteau becomes more attached to Saito, and Siesta's respect for him deepens further.

Although that particular day... there was a crimson shadow  spying on Saito from a window of the kitchen. One of the young cooks took notice of it.

"Hey, there's something outside the window."

The shadow gave a garbled 'kyuru kyuru' and slinked away.

So far the day has consisted of breakfast, cleaning, and laundry. After that, he accompanies Louise in class. Originally, he was made to sit on the floor, but after Louise realised he became rather transfixed with peering up other girls' skirts, she reluctantly let him sit on a chair. And she made it clear to Saito that should his vision ever stray too far from the blackboard, he would be denied lunch.

In the beginning, the lessons fascinated Saito with their marvels: turning water into wine, combining various reagents to brew special potions, materialising fireballs out of nothing, levitating boxes and nuts and balls

=== Page 131 ===

''(paragraph continued)''

out of the class windows for their familiars to fetch, etc... but after a while, the novelty wore off.

And so he took up napping instead. The professor and Louise would give Saito evil looks every once in a while, but there were no rules that forbid familiars from sleeping during lessons. And just looking around the class, all the nocturnal familiars, and even someone's crow were snoozing away. In fact, if they were to wake Saito up, it would mean that they were acknowledging him as a human. Louise chewed her lips with the overwhelming desire to give the sleeping Saito a piece of her mind, but she couldn't. Because doing so would mean contradicting herself about him being nothing more than a familiar.

That same day, bathed in sunlight, Saito was fast asleep during another lesson.

The wine he drank that morning was taking its effect on him, and Saito dreamed.

It was quite an unbelievable dream.

''"What's wrong, Louise...?"''

At hearing her name being called, Louise shot a glare at Saito.

''"You can't sleep? Oh, alright... can't be helped. Munya~"'' 

Oh, he's just muttering in his sleep, she thought, and faced the front again.

=== Page 132 ===

''"...Munya. H-hey, don't hug me all of a sudden."''

Louise's gaze snapped to Saito once more. The other students were starting to take notice of the situation, and perked their ears to listen.

''"...Jeez, for the slavedriver you are during the day, you're such a sweet little thing in bed."''

A trickle of drool ran down from the corner of Saito's mouth, as he continued to enjoy his dream.

Louise grabbed his shoulders and shook him vigorously.

"Hey! Just what kind of dream are you dreaming?!"

Her classmates burst out laughing. Malicorne the Windward made a passing comment.

"Oi oi, Louise! Is that the kind of thing you do with your familiar at night? I'm surprised!"

The female students whispered something amongst themselves.

"Wait! This is just some stupid sleep-talk! Ah, jeez! Wake up already!"

''"Louise, Louise, you're like a kitten, licking me there like that..."''

At this, the laughter threatened to burst through the ceiling.

Louise kicked Saito off the chair, violently returning him to reality from his soft and gentle dreamscape.

"Wh-what was that for?!"

"Since when have I ever snuck into your haystack?!"

=== Page 133 - Illustration ===

Illustration -- ''Set phasers to 'tsun'...''

=== Page 134 ===

Louise crossed her arms and looked down imposingly on Saito.

Saito shook his head profusely, only further amusing the class.

"Saito, explain to these rather rude people that I never take one step out of my own bed during the night."

"That's right, everyone. I was simply dreaming out loud just now. Louise would never do such a thing."

The students turned away disappointedly.

"Isn't it obvious? Like I would ever do something like that! With this thing, no less! This thing! To even think that I would curl up in bed with this lower life form is far beyond being a joke!"

Louise huffed haughtily, averting her gaze upwards.

"But, my dreams often come true."

Saito piped up.

"Indeed! Dreams do have the power to foretell the future, after all!" Someone in the room supplied in agreement.

"My master here, with her personality, probably won't ever find herself a lover."

A vast majority of the students nodded. Louise shot Saito another evil look, but it was too late. Saito was on a roll.

----

=== Chapter 04 - Part Two signing ===

Revision 0.5 - This section has issues that should be considered.
The following Editors Agree:

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Revision 1 - This section is in satisfactory condition ready for processing.
The following Editors Approve:

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----

== Chapter 04 - Part Three ==
=== Page 135 ===

"My poor master gets quite 'frustrated' as a result, and instead resorts to slipping into this familiar's humble haystack."

Louise put her hands on her hips and strongly reprimanded Saito.

"Close that unclean mouth of yours immediately, you hear?"

That didn't stop Saito from continuing either.

"When she does, I have to fend her off a bit..."

By this point, he was too far gone. Louise's shoulders began to tremble angrily.

"And tell her, 'this isn't where you sleep'."

The class applauded. Saito mimicked an elegant bow, and went to sit back down.

Louise kicked him away, sending him rolling across the floor.

"Don't kick me!"

But Louise was beyond the point of reasoning. Her gaze was fixed firmly forward, and like always, her shoulders shook with barely contained fury,

Once again, there was a crimson shadow watching Saito.

It was Kirche's salamander. With its belly to the floor, it stared at Saito through the gap in the row of chairs.

"Hm?"

===Page 136 ===

Noticing it, Saito waved his hand at it.

"You're Kirche's salamander, aren't you. I know you have a name, what was it... Oh yeah, it's Flame. Flame--"

Saito motioned for it to come closer. But the salamander flicked its tail around and spat out a few embers before running back to its master.

"Why would a lizard be so interested in me?"

Saito tilted his head in puzzlement.

And while Saito was having a staring contest with a salamander during class...

At the Headmaster's Office, Miss Longueville the secretary was busily scribing away at something.

She stopped writing for a moment, and glanced over at the sequoia desk at which Sir Osmond was busy taking a nap.

The corner of Miss Longueville's lips rose in a faint smirk, an expression she had never shown anyone before.

She stood up from her desk.

In a low voice, she murmured the incantation for a 'Silence' spell. Dampening her footsteps as not to wake Osmond, she crept out of the office.

=== Page 137 ===

Her destination was the treasury, located on the floor directly below the Headmaster's Office.

Stepping off the stairs, she confronted enormous iron doors. It was kept shut with a thick bolt mechanism, which in turn was secured with an equally large padlock.

This place was where artifacts dating even before the Academy's establishment were contained. After cautiously surveying her surroundings, Miss Longueville withdrew her wand from a pocket. It was about the length of a pencil, but at the flick of a wrist it extended to the length of an conductor's baton, which she whirled expertly.

Miss Longueville cast another spell.

Once the invocation was complete, she pointed the baton at the padlock.

However... nothing happened.

"Well, it's not like I really expected an 'Unlock' spell to work anyway."

Smiling deviously, she began reciting the words to one of her specialty spells.

It was a Transmutation spell. Chanting loud and clear, she waved her baton at the heavy lock. The magic cascaded over it... but even after a considerable wait, there was no visible change.

"Looks like it's been magically reinforced by a Square-class mage."

She whispered. A 'Reinforcement' spell was one that prevented the oxidation and decomposition of matter. Any substance that had this spell cast on it was protected from any chemical reactions, and allowed it to be preserved

=== Page 138 ===

''(paragraph continued)''

forever in that state. Even transmutation magic would have no effect against something thusly protected. Only if one's magical skill surpassed that of the mage who cast the reinforcement, could the spell be overcome.

As it was, the mage who had enchanted this door was apparently an extremely powerful mage. Considering not even Miss Longueville, an expert in Earth magic and transmutation in particular, was able to affect the door.

Taking off her glasses, she stared at the door once more. At this point, she heard footsteps coming up the staircase.

She shrunk down her baton and slipped it back into her pocket.

The person who appeared was Colbert.

"Greetings, Miss Longueville. What are you doing here?"

"Mister Colbert. I was going to catalogue the contents of the treasury, but..."

"Oh, that's quite some work. It'd probably take you all day to go over each and every item. There's a lot of junk mixed together with them, and it's a rather narrow little space they've been arranged in too."

"Indeed."

"Why don't you just borrow the key from Old Osmond?"

The woman smiled.

=== Page 139 ===

"Well... I didn't want to disturb his sleep. In any case, I'm in no immediate hurry to complete the catalogue..."

"I see. Sleep, you say. That old man, I mean, Old Osmond is quite a deep sleeper. It seems I shall have to visit him another time."

Mister Colbert began to walk off, but paused in his tracks, and even retraced them.

"Err... Miss Longueville?"

"Is something the matter?"

Colbert looked slightly embarrassed as he opened his mouth to speak.

"If it would be alright, how would you like to, say... join me for lunch?"

She took a moment to consider, then smiled brightly as she accepted the offer.

"Sure, it'd be my pleasure."

The two of them headed down the stairs.

"Hey, Mister Colbert."

In slightly informal tones, Miss Longueville struck up conversation again.

"Y-yes? What is it?"

Emboldened by how easily his invitation had been taken up, Colbert responded quite eagerly to her.

"Is anything actually inside the treasury?"

=== Page 140 ===

"There is."

"Then, do you know of the 'Staff of Destruction'?"

"Ah, that is quite a curiously shaped item, indeed."

Her eyes glinted.

"What... kind of shape?"

"It's extremely difficult to describe, except as simply strange, yes. But never mind that, what would you like to eat? Today's menu is flounder baked in herbs... but I'm quite well-acquainted with Marteau the head chef, and I can have him make any of the world's finest delica--"

"Mister."

Miss Longueville interrupted Colbert's babbling.

"Y-yes?"

"I must say, the treasury is quite amazingly built. No matter what kind of mage tried, it would be impossible to open, I assume?"

"That's quite right. It's impossible for just any one mage. After all, it's been designed to be only neutralised by multiple Square-class mages."

"I'm very impressed that you're so knowledgeable about this, Mister Colbert."

She regarded him with a comfortable expression.

=== Page 141 ===

"Eh? Well... Haha, I just happen to come across a lot of the documents pertaining this floor, that's all... I like to consider it a part of my research, haha. Thanks to that, I'm still single at this age... yes."

"I'm sure the woman that you find will be very happy to be with you. After all, you can teach her so much about things that nobody else knows..."

Miss Longueville fixed him with a fascinated look.

"Oh, no! Please don't tease me like that!"

Colbert flustered nervously as he wiped sweat from his balding forehead. Then, regaining composure, he faced her seriously.

"Miss Longueville. Have you heard of the Ball of Frigg that is being held on the day of Yule?" 

"No I haven't."

"Haha, I guess it's because you've only been in Tristain for two months. Well, it's nothing spectacular, just a party of sorts. However, it's said that a couple who dances at this ball will be destined to be together or something like that. It's just a petty legend of course! Yes!"

"So?"

Smiling, she pressed him to continue.

"So... if it would be alright, I was wondering if you would dance with me, yes."

"I would love to. While ball parties are fabulous, I'd like to know more about the treasury right now. I'm

=== Page 142 ===

''(paragraph continued)''

quite fascinated by magical items, you see."

Wanting to further impress Miss Longueville, Colbert racked his brains. ''Treasury, treasury, she says...''

Remembering something she might find interesting, he put on an important air and started to talk.

"Ah yes, there's one thing I can tell you. Although it's not particularly important..."

"By all means, do tell."

"Certainly, the treasury is invincible against magical attacks, but I believe it has one fatal weakness."

"Oh, that's intriguing."

"That weakness is... physical force."

"Physical force?"

"Yes! For example, well, not that this is ever likely, but a giant golem could--"

"A giant golem?"

Colbert stated his opinion quite proudly to Miss Longueville. And once he was done talking, she couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.

"That was most intriguing indeed, Mister Colbert."

----

=== Chapter 04 - Part Three signing ===

Revision 0.5 - This section has issues that should be considered.
The following Editors Agree:

*[Signature Here]

Revision 1 - This section is in satisfactory condition ready for processing.
The following Editors Approve:

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2007-02-05T16:17:07Z

Question: /* distinction between sorcery and magic */

Oh man, I'll be happy as hell if you'll translate it !

man this is going to take a while to do it by myself... oh well it will be good practice for my rusty korean.
---alyeris

Im confused, isnt chapter 3(volume 3) already translated? http://mirrormoon.org/books/chapter_3 --Question

Update : Moved takajun's translations of chapter 3 from mirrormoon site to Baka Tsuki. Looks like there was a mistake, first 2 chapters were moved but not the third chapter. ~~Question

== Thanks ==

Thank you Question,

While it sort of makes the contribution by alyeris kinda futile,
I hope this doesn't put you off in doing other chapters,

You are always welcome to practise your "rusty" korean here on any of our hosted series.

(^_^)/

[[User:Onizuka-gto|Onizuka-gto]] 16:10, 14 January 2007 (PST)

Its okay lol chapter 3 was giving me a lot of headaches in regards to editing the script anyway. I will start working on chapter 4 instead lol. (But I wasn't aware Taka had given permission for chapter 3 to be moved here...) ---alyeris

::*yes, now that I thought about it,when my Editor mentioned this to me it did not register, that was not until i discovered the beastlair forum, which Velocity_7 mentioned Takajun permission to host these translations.

I did not read it, so i was unawarethey were incomplete, but luckily those Tsukihime universe otaku's sorted me out.

Anyway, thanks for understand Alyeris,I look forward to reading more of your scripts.

[[User:Onizuka-gto|Onizuka-gto]] 00:05, 15 January 2007 (PST)

Hi Lvlln! Please feel free to edit my scripts if you don't feel that the are up to standard.

But jeez I'm not going back home till Feb so I just can't find the time to put up everything that I've translated, everyone just wait a bit okay?

[[user:Alyeris|Alyeris]]

== Shirazumi Lio/Rio ==

I propose that we start using the name Lio instead of Rio; it would make more sense considering that Araya said that he was one letter away from being a lion.

____________

Arggggggggg damn server keeps logging me off while I'm editing so I keep losing my data!!!!!!! -Alyeris

Hey do you guys think that we might actually get this project finished before year's end? - Alyeris

==Project Status==

Is Kara No Kyoukai an official current project? Its not in the list of current projects on the left, neither is it in the list of teaser projects. -- Question

Ask Oni :) As far as I know none of the translators are a part of Baka-tsuki's official translation team so I guess it isn't an official project.

==Scripts==

Just a note that all my scripts are draft versions only pending editing by me or any other helpful person that wishes to help out.

[[user:Alyeris|Alyeris]]

==distinction between sorcery and magic==

Is it sorcery which is capable of 'miracles' or magic. I'm not sure which is which here.

Magic is the realisation of miracles, things that have absolutely 0% chance of happening otherwise. Sorcery can only replicate effects achievable by science. However there is a contradiction...in Fate/stay night it was stated that Caster was very close to achieving magic as she was capable of spatial teleportation which is not possible by science, and that should already be magic. Note that i got this info about caster through second hand sources so it may not be accurate. -- Question

2007-01-15T01:41:18Z

Question:

/1

Still a bit dazed, Asagami Fujino raises herself up. There is no one here, Fujino is in a room. The room's light is off... no, there is no such thing to begin with. Only darkness surrounds her.

"Hmm...."

Letting out a breath, Fujino feels her own hair. The tuft on her left side is cut off. It's probably from the guy with a knife who was on her a second ago. Remembering that, she finally looks around the room. This place is a bar made in a basement. It was abandoned half a year ago due to bankruptcy and became a place where bad kids hang out. ...In the corner of the room is a pipe chair. ...In the middle of the room is a pool table. ...Food from convienience stores are scattered around, and there is a pile of trash stacked up. It seems these things are creating the disturbing odor. Fujino feels unpleasant from the sickening smell in the room. This place is a ruin... or is it some back alley of a faraway country? One cannot even imagine that a normal city exists on the other side of the stairway. The only normal thing you could say is the smell of the alcohol lamp they brought in.

"Umm...."

She looks around in a rather well-mannered fashion. Fujino's mind is not fully functional yet. ...She still has not taken in what has been happening until now. She picks up a wrist that happens to be by her feet. There is a watch on the wrist which was torn off. The digital screen shows July 20, 1998. Time is 8PM, not even an hour after that incident.

"Guh...!"

Fujino groans from the sudden pain. A great pain is in her stomach area. She twists her body, not able to withstand the squeezing pain. The hands that touch the floor make a splashing sound. Looking, the whole room is filled with liquid.

"Yes, come to think of it, it is raining today."

Talking to herself, Fujino stands up. She looks at her stomach. There is a trace of blood there... the place where she was stabbed by these people scattered around here.

---

The one who stabbed Fujino was a famous person in town. He stood out more than most of the others that dropped out of high school and was known as a leader-like person for the people who played around. He gathered people that liked the same thing as he did and did what they wanted. As part of the fun, they raped Fujino. Not much reason were there. Probably because Fujino was a student of the Reien Lady Academy and was also beautiful. As they were violent and selfish, they were not done by just once. It seems they knew they could be accused for their actions, but they changed their mind when they found out that Fujino did not tell anyone. They found out they were the ones in power and they brought Fujino into this place many times. Tonight was another one of those times and they were completely relaxed, and also getting bored of the action. The guy probably brought out the knife to bring some excitement into this repeated habit. The leader of the kids had his pride hurt since Fujino lived normally even after they have raped her. He wanted a definite proof that he was the one who ruled over her. As an extreme violence, he readied a knife, but the girl only made a cool face. He got angry at the girl whose expression didn't change even after showing the knife, so he pushed her down and...

---

"I can't walk outside like this."

Fujino downcasts her eyes as she feels her blood-soaked self. The only blood that is from herself is the one on her stomach, but from the top of her hair to the bottom of her shoes is dirtied by someone else's blood. It seems the blood on her cannot be easily washed off. Fujino murmurs to herself.

"How stupid of me... getting this dirty."

And she kicks at one of the limbs scattered around the floor. Am I more angry at getting dirtied by their blood than the fact that they have violated me up to now? Fujino thinks as she is surprized by her own violentness. It's raining outside... there should be less people walking about in about an hour. Even though it's raining, it's summertime so it shouldn't be too cold. I'll soak myself in the rain and then wash off the blood at some park. ...As she reaches that solution, she suddenly calms down. She walks away from the pool of blood and finally counts the corpses scattered around. One, two, three, four... four...... four...... four, no matter how many times it's counted!! She is astonished. ...One is missing...

"One has gotten away, huh...?"

She murmurs faintly. Then I will be caught by the police. If he goes to them, I will be arrested. But... will he go to the police? How will he be able to explain the situation? Will he start from telling them about raping me, Asagami Fujino, and threatening her not to tell anyone? Not possible. Such a thing is impossible, and these people should not have the brains to come up with a convincing story. Fujino relaxes a bit and lights the lamp on the pool table. The light from the lamp lights the whole room. The 16 scattered arms and legs show up clearly. If you look for it, you should also find four bodies and heads. Lightened up by the orange light, the room is painted anew with red paint like it has gone mad. Fujino did not care much about this disastrous scene. ... One has escaped. Her revenge is not completed yet... Fortunately, it has not ended.

"Would I have to take revenge...?"

Fujino fears at the idea of having to kill another person. Her body trembles, telling her such a thing is impossible to do. But she herself would be in danger if she doesn't. But still, she does not want to do any more bad things... That is her true feeling.

... The pool of blood reflecting her face shows her mouth making a smile...

Kara no Kyoukai:Chapter03 02

2007-01-15T01:38:35Z

Question:

/1

Still a bit dazed, Asagami Fujino raises herself up. There is no one here, Fujino is in a room. The room's light is off... no, there is no such thing to begin with. Only darkness surrounds her.

"Hmm...."

Letting out a breath, Fujino feels her own hair. The tuft on her left side is cut off. It's probably from the guy with a knife who was on her a second ago. Remembering that, she finally looks around the room. This place is a bar made in a basement. It was abandoned half a year ago due to bankruptcy and became a place where bad kids hang out. ...In the corner of the room is a pipe chair. ...In the middle of the room is a pool table. ...Food from convienience stores are scattered around, and there is a pile of trash stacked up. It seems these things are creating the disturbing odor. Fujino feels unpleasant from the sickening smell in the room. This place is a ruin... or is it some back alley of a faraway country? One cannot even imagine that a normal city exists on the other side of the stairway. The only normal thing you could say is the smell of the alcohol lamp they brought in.

"Umm...."

She looks around in a rather well-mannered fashion. Fujino's mind is not fully functional yet. ...She still has not taken in what has been happening until now. She picks up a wrist that happens to be by her feet. There is a watch on the wrist which was torn off. The digital screen shows July 20, 1998. Time is 8PM, not even an hour after that incident.

"Guh...!"

Fujino groans from the sudden pain. A great pain is in her stomach area. She twists her body, not able to withstand the squeezing pain. The hands that touch the floor make a splashing sound. Looking, the whole room is filled with liquid.

"Yes, come to think of it, it is raining today."

Talking to herself, Fujino stands up. She looks at her stomach. There is a trace of blood there... the place where she was stabbed by these people scattered around here.

***

The one who stabbed Fujino was a famous person in town. He stood out more than most of the others that dropped out of high school and was known as a leader-like person for the people who played around. He gathered people that liked the same thing as he did and did what they wanted. As part of the fun, they raped Fujino. Not much reason were there. Probably because Fujino was a student of the Reien Lady Academy and was also beautiful. As they were violent and selfish, they were not done by just once. It seems they knew they could be accused for their actions, but they changed their mind when they found out that Fujino did not tell anyone. They found out they were the ones in power and they brought Fujino into this place many times. Tonight was another one of those times and they were completely relaxed, and also getting bored of the action. The guy probably brought out the knife to bring some excitement into this repeated habit. The leader of the kids had his pride hurt since Fujino lived normally even after they have raped her. He wanted a definite proof that he was the one who ruled over her. As an extreme violence, he readied a knife, but the girl only made a cool face. He got angry at the girl whose expression didn't change even after showing the knife, so he pushed her down and...

***

"I can't walk outside like this."

Fujino downcasts her eyes as she feels her blood-soaked self. The only blood that is from herself is the one on her stomach, but from the top of her hair to the bottom of her shoes is dirtied by someone else's blood. It seems the blood on her cannot be easily washed off. Fujino murmurs to herself.

"How stupid of me... getting this dirty."

And she kicks at one of the limbs scattered around the floor. Am I more angry at getting dirtied by their blood than the fact that they have violated me up to now? Fujino thinks as she is surprized by her own violentness. It's raining outside... there should be less people walking about in about an hour. Even though it's raining, it's summertime so it shouldn't be too cold. I'll soak myself in the rain and then wash off the blood at some park. ...As she reaches that solution, she suddenly calms down. She walks away from the pool of blood and finally counts the corpses scattered around. One, two, three, four... four...... four...... four, no matter how many times it's counted!! She is astonished. ...One is missing...

"One has gotten away, huh...?"

She murmurs faintly. Then I will be caught by the police. If he goes to them, I will be arrested. But... will he go to the police? How will he be able to explain the situation? Will he start from telling them about raping me, Asagami Fujino, and threatening her not to tell anyone? Not possible. Such a thing is impossible, and these people should not have the brains to come up with a convincing story. Fujino relaxes a bit and lights the lamp on the pool table. The light from the lamp lights the whole room. The 16 scattered arms and legs show up clearly. If you look for it, you should also find four bodies and heads. Lightened up by the orange light, the room is painted anew with red paint like it has gone mad. Fujino did not care much about this disastrous scene. ... One has escaped. Her revenge is not completed yet... Fortunately, it has not ended.

"Would I have to take revenge...?"

Fujino fears at the idea of having to kill another person. Her body trembles, telling her such a thing is impossible to do. But she herself would be in danger if she doesn't. But still, she does not want to do any more bad things... That is her true feeling.

... The pool of blood reflecting her face shows her mouth making a smile...

2007-01-14T17:56:06Z

Question:

Kara no Kyoukai:Chapter03 08

2007-01-14T17:55:21Z

Question:

4

I tell Tohko-san of the circumstance and have her protect Keita. She lets the boy who hasn't slept since the night of the incident on her sofa and comes back to the office where Shiki and I are waiting. Tohko-san sits on her chair and Shiki is leaning against the wall. I am sitting at the sofa directly in front of Tohko-san. Finally calming down after Keita sleeps, they both tell me I am too good-natured. I take their words of criticism with a sullen face.

"I knew you guys were going to make fun of me like that."

"If you knew, you shouldn't have involved yourself in this mess. You're easily taken advantage of by those kind of guys.."

"It can't be helped. The situation was special."

Tohko-san ponders to my response. She is using offensive words, but she did accept taking in Keita for protection. However, Shiki is against it. She might be really mad as she is glaring at me without saying anything.

"Special case, huh? I do admit this is an abnormal case but what are you going to do now? Are you thinking about looking for her and persuading her?"

"...... I'm thinking so. We can't have him here forever and Asagami Fujino might continue killing people. I think I can only go see her and talk to her."

"You idiot. That's why we say you're too good-natured."

Shiki holds nothing back. She never does, but she is rather offensive today. She really is mad today.

"You won't be able to talk to her, it's too late. She won't stop until she accomplishes her goal. No, I don't even know if she'll stop then. Her means and intention are reversed."

"Shiki, you sound like you know her."

"I know her and I've met her too. She was there with Azaka yesterday."

I'm surprized. I wonder why Azaka would be with Asagami Fujino. They are totally unrelat.... I guess not. I only heard that she is a high schooler but it's a different story if she is from Asagami Lady Academy.

"You're pretty slow, Kokutoh. You haven't investigated on Asagami Fujino yet?"

"Hey now, I only heard her name for the first time two hours ago. My purpose was to protect Minato Keita, so I didn't have time to do such a thing."

... But I have a bad feeling about this. It's not that I'm worried that Azaka might be involved... it feels more like the impatience you feel when you are forced to think about what you've been avoiding.

"... Then is Asagami Fujino still going to school?"

"No, she hasn't been home or back at the dorms since the night of the incident. She's been skipping school too, she has completely disappeared. Azaka said she hasn't seen her since yesterday."

"Tohko-san, when did you research this?"

"Just a while ago. I received a search request from her parents. I heard Azaka was with Asagami Fujino yesterday from Shiki but it seems Azaka didn't notice anything wrong with her friend."

What an irony, if my promise with Azaka was a day later or if I found Keita faster, yesterday's victim might not have been killed.

"So the protection of Minato Keita is not meaningless for us. If we cannot find her, we can use him as bait. It'll get rough from there so you and Keita should stay here."

With that, I finally understand... the reason why Shiki is here.

"Rough......? What are you going to do with Asagami Fujino?"

"Depending on the circumstance, we'll have to resort to fighting. First of all, even the client is wishing for that. He doesn't want her daughter reported as a killer. He told us to get rid of her before it all goes public."

"What? It's not like she's commiting meaningless murders...! I think a discussion is possible."

"Oh, that's impossible. You haven't heard the big truth. You don't know the final blow she took when she killed them. I made Keita confess when I put him to sleep. I heard that his leader attacked Fujino on the last night with a knife. It seems she was stabbed. That's what triggered her revenge."

... Knife... so she was threatened with a knife even after being violated? So why would that be a reason she's done for?

"The problem is right there. She was stabbed in her stomach on the night of the 20th. Shiki saw her two days later. At that time, she had no wound... she was completely healed."

"Stabbed in the stomach......"

Hold on. Don't think anymore. My mind tries to stop me but fails. On the night of 20th, student of the Reien Academy, stabbed in the stomach......

"I heard from Keita but she says on the phone that she cannot forget because the wound keeps on hurting. The wound that healed starts to hurt. Probably, whenever she has a flashback of the times when she was violated, the pain of being stabbed returns. The horrible memory brings back the horrible pain. I believe the pain is an illusion but it must be real for her. This is no different than a fit. Every time Asagami Fujino has a flashback of the pain that doesn't even exist, she kills. Who can be sure that won't happen while you're talking with her?"

But that means we could talk to her if she doesn't feel the pain. But before I could say that, Shiki speaks out.

"That's wrong, Tohko. She really has pain. Her pain is still in her body."

"That can't be. Then Shiki, is it your mistake that her wound is completely healed?"

"Her stabbed wound is healed. There's nothing like a piece of metal in her. Her pain really did appear and disappear. It's already too late when she's in pain but when she's not, she's too boring. I told you that I came back cause she wasn't even worth killing."

"Well, she would be already dead if a metal piece was still in her. But a wound that still hurts after it's healed, huh?"

Tohko-san takes out a cigarette as if saying she doesn't understand. I too can only wonder at Shiki's words. It's normal to be in pain until the wound heals. But why would a pain of a wound that's already healed come back from time to time? That's like having only the sense of pain remaining in your body.

"... Oh."

And it hits me. It's not an answer to her unknown symptoms, but I am able to understand why Keita called her weird.

"What Kokutoh, is it some new way of staying healthy by saying vowels out loud?"

... I don't think anyone do such a thing even if it existed.

"No, about Asagami Fujino being weird."

Tohko-san raises a brow. Oh, I only told her the summary of the story, so I guess I haven't told her about this yet. I tell her about the strange condition of Fujino.

"Isn't something strage? It was in the conversation with Minato Keita, but it seems she was unaffected by anything they did to her. I thought she was a firm girl at first, but I was wrong. She isn't that strong of a girl."

"...... You sound like you know her, Mikiya."

Shiki glares at me. My instincts tell me ignore her. ... I might put myself in the hole if I don't.

"It's possible... I don't know that much about it, but I think she might be what you call pain insensitivity?"

Pain insensitivity is just as it sounds, a disease where one cannot feel any pain. It's a very rare disease, so you never see it but if that happens to be the case, her strange symptoms might be possible.

"I see. Then that can explain some things, but there should be a reason. Even if she did get stabbed, if she is pain insensitive, there won't be any pain to start out with. You also need to check if she was born with it and you also have to know if her nerves are dissociated. Well, even if she is pain insensitive, are there any reasons that might cause it to disfunction? Like hitting her back hard or taking lots of steroids?"

Hitting her back hard... it must be that.

"I don't know how hard but I heard they hit her in the back with a bat."

I say so unemotionally as possible. Tohko-san just laughs.

"I see. It's them, they should have had a full swing. Then her backbone might have been broken. Even a crack is considered broken bone. And she was still violated even after her backbone was broken, not knowing what that feeling is. Geez, that's the first pain she feels, huh? She must have not understood what her irritation is. Wow, I'm surprized you decided to protect Minato Keita."

Tohko-san says so while making a grin. She has this bad habit of cornering someone with her words. I guess she likes to attack people mentally, and it usually ends up being me. I usually fight back, but I cannot answer right now. ... I don't have the confidence to answer. All I could do is look down and reject her response.

"... So Tohko-san, does the backbone and pain insensitivity have something in relation?"

"Yeah, your spine controls your nerves, right? When you have a problem with the sense of pain, you usually have something wrong in your spine. Do you know of Syringomyelia?"

... I would not know of such a technical medical term. Tohko-san lowers her shoulders in disappointment when I shake my head.

"Syringomyelia is the most known case of pain insensitivity. Listen Kokutoh, there are two types of senses. Superficial sensation that lets you feel such things as pain, temperature, and feeling. And there's deep sensation that tells you of your body movements and general area. Normally, these two senses work at the same time. Do you know what it means to have no sense at all?"

"I can understand in words. You won't feel anything when you touch, you don't taste things even when you eat it, right?"

Tohko-san nods with a smile.

"That's a natural response of a person with senses. You think they don't have senses but has a body, so they are like you. But that's wrong. To have no sense means that you cannot gain anything, Kokutoh."

Cannot gain anything...? No way. They should still be able to hold things and talk to others. Then that would only mean that they cannot feel what they are touching. Why would that lead to not being able to gain anything? It's not like they don't have their body. I think it's better than someone missing a part of their body or something.

Then I realize. ...... No body. Even when they touch, they cannot feel that they are touching. They just look at it and confirm that they are "touching". That is the same as reading a book. What's so different about it from reading a book or imaging a story? Even when they walk, they are only moving their body. They do not feel the ground, but only feel their feet moving. No, even that feeling is barely comfirmed by looking at their own feet. To have no sense means not having a body. That would make them no different from ghosts. For them, all reality is what they see through their eyes. That's the same as not being able to touch anything even if they could actually touch...!!

"So that's pain insensitivity, huh."

... That night, I met a girl who was unconfident about all of reality.

"That's right. Let's assume Asagami Fujino's pain insensitivity temporary went away from being hit in the back. Then that would mean she knows what pain feels like. That sense she has never felt before must be her impulse for murder."

Would that girl who found out what pain feels like hate the feeling of pain? No, it's impossible for her to think so. ... Since she is like a ghost, how happy must she have been when she found out the feeling of pain? She would have not understood the feeling of happiness either though.

"... Maybe the pain insensitivity went away temporary for her to feel pain and might have caused her to figure out the emotion of hate. The feeling of pain she finally obtained triggered her revenge..."

... What an irony.

"That's the question. Fujino said she is taking revenge because her wound is hurting, but I have to wonder. To be more accurate, her pain makes her recall the violations done to her which makes her want to take revenge. I think this is how it is but it just doesn't feel right. First of all, according to Shiki, she's back to pain insensitivity, right? Then that would take her reason for revenge away. Her wound should not hurt since it's healed."

"That's wrong, Tohko-san. To have no feeling must mean she has no sexual feelings too. So she cannot feel anything even when they rape her. For her, it only means that her body was raped. But... no, because of that, instead of her body hurting, her heart was taking the pain. I think her wound is not on her body but rather on her heart. That's why the pain comes back with the memory, because her heart is in pain."

Tohko-san does not answer. In her place, Shiki starts to laugh.

"That's impossible. There's no such thing as a heart. How can something that's not there hurt?"

... If she says so, I can't think of any comebacks. Surely, sentimental things such as a heart is not something you can prove it exists. When I am just standing there silently, Tohko-san disagreees with Shiki.

"But people's heart, their minds, are easily broken. I don't think you can conclude that it can't be hurt just because it has no shape. In reality, some people die because they are hurt mentally. No matter how bad of a illusion it is, as long as it is true for the person, the illusion can be called "pain"."

That's a rather ambiguous answer for her. But for me right now, she is someone on my side. Shiki gets mad.

"What Tohko, are you siding with Asagami Fujino too? She not like that."

"Yeah, I feel the same way about that. I don't think Asagami Fujino would be that sentimental. She takes revenge because her heart hurts? I don't think so. Because, if you're pain insensitive, even your heart won't feel pain."

She instantly sides against me.

"Look, personality is medically defined as "a phenomenon of which a person reacts to outside force". A person's emotion... such things as kindness and hate cannot just come from within. It would not function unless something from outside stimulates it. That's why there is pain. To not have pain means this cannot happen. People with pain insensitivity lacks personality. They do not think like you or have tastes similar to us. They do not understand common sense. That's why talking with her is meaningless."

She casually tells me the conclusion of the idea of talking with her. Her casualness seems rather like a last warning and puts me on the edge.

"... Please don't say that when you haven't even met her."

I stand up from the sofa not being able to take it.

"That's all under the assumption that Asagami Fujino is pain insensitive since she was born. This might not be the case."

"You're the one who said she might be pain insensitive."

She says so coldly. ... This person really does not care about others. How can she be so cold to Asagami Fujino when she's a woman? Or is it that she can be this cold because she is a woman?

"Well, I do have things that I'm concerned about too. Asagami Fujino might be just a victim. The question is which was first."

... What does she mean by "which was first"? Tohko-san starts to ponder and does not explain anymore.

"What do you think, Shiki?"

I ask her without turning around. Shiki answers exactly as I expected.

"Same as Tohko. But I can't forgive Asagami Fujino disregarding what Tohko thinks. I feel sick just by thinking that she might commit another murder."

"Hate for those like you, huh? It does seem true that your kind doesn't like to form groups."

Tohko-san hears Shiki's words. I know why Shiki said so. ... When will Shiki realize herself that she really does not like murder? Asagami Fujino and Ryohgi Shiki, I do think the two are alike. Since they are similar, they cannot forgive the crutial difference. If the two does end up fighting... would Shiki realize her true feeling? No, I cannot let the two fight.

"...... I understand. I'll look into her information my way. Can I see any data on her if you have any?"

Tohko-san hands it to me. Shiki looks away telling me to do as I want. Looking at the information, Asagami Fujino was living in Nagano until elementary school. Her last name there is not Asagami as in "shallow top" but Asagami as in "shallow God". Her father right now is not her real father, meaning that she followed her mother when she remarried. I guess this would be the place to start my investigation.

"I have to travel a bit far. I might not come back today or tomorrow. Oh, and Tohko-san. Is there really such a thing as supernatural powers?"

"You don't believe what Minato Keita said? Asagami Fujino surely has some sort of power in that category. that. The term supernatural power is too broad so it's not that accurate. If you want to know about it, I can introduce you to a specialist."

Saying that, Tohko-san writes the address of this supernatural power-specialist on the back of her business card.

"Wait, you don't know much about it?"

"Of course not. Magic is a study. How can we associate ourselves with something inherent without history or theory violating the rule? Those kind of powers only given to the chosen ones is what I hate the most."

She really must hate it as she sounds like she has her glasses on. I take her business card and then speak to Shiki.

"Shiki, I'm going but make sure you don't push yourself."

"You're the one pushing yourself. I guess it really is true that stupidity can't be fixed."

Shiki uses offensive words like that but then nods saying she'll try. I leave the office with relief. It's all right, I've never died but I was almost killed once. I haven't told her that the one which almost killed me is Shiki herself. It's because she forgot about that incident after she recovered from her coma. It's fine if she does not remember. I will probably never tell her about it.

Kara no Kyoukai:Chapter03 07

2007-01-14T17:53:44Z

Question:

3

In the early morning on July 23, I finally get to Minato Keita's place. From the information from his friends, his limit on radius of action, and from his way of thinking, I was finally able to narrow down his hiding place after a whole day. In one of the mansions located far from the residential district... he is trespassing and staying in a room on the sixth floor. I ring the doorbell and call out in a semi-loud voice.

"Keita-kun. I came to help you on request from your Senpai. I'm coming in."

The door is not locked so I enter quietly. There is no light on inside the room and it's dark in here even though it is morning. I walk through the wooden hallway and reach the living room. From the empty living room, you can see the kitchen and the bedroom.

"You're in the back, right? I'm coming in."

There is another room beside the bedroom. I open the door to that room and find its pitch black inside. It is because all the curtains are down. A small scream comes out when I open the door. ... Like I thought, there's nothing in the room. A room without furniture is just like a box, there is no sign of life. In this room is a boy who looks to be about 16, trash from food, and a cell phone.

"You are Minato Keita-kun, right? It's unhealthy for you to stay in here. And it's bad to use a room even when nobody is using it. This can be treated as burglary, you know?"

When I enter the room, Keita backs up to the wall. ... His face is terribly thin and worn-out. It's only been three days since that incident but his cheeks are hollow and his eyes are red. It's obvious he has not slept. I heard that he was doing drugs, but that's wrong. He is going insane without the help of drugs. ... Because of seeing a scene so tragic that he does not want to believe it. He is barely maintaining his sanity by staying in this dark room. It's a really dangerous way to defend himself, but it might be useful at least for a few days. I let out a sigh of relief n my head as I have made it in time.

"...... Who are you?"

There is still a bit of intellegence left in his voice. I stop. He is still confused facing such a tragedy. He might be scared of the killer, so who knows what he would do if I get close. Doubt will make him think I am his enemy. But... it should be different if we can talk. If we talk, his intellegence should return. I decide to stand and talk instead of trying to calm him down near him.

"Who are you?"

I raise both my hands at his question.

"I'm a friend of Gakuto. I am a Senpai too. I'm Kokutoh Mikiya, do you remember me?"

"Kokutoh...... Senpai?"

I must have been an unexpected visitor for him. He stands dumbfolded for a second and then starts to cry.

"Senpai. Why would you come for me?"

"I came to protect you since Gakuto came and asked me. We're worried that you're in some kind of trouble."

I ask him if I could get near him and Keita shakes his head violently.

"I won't get out of here. I'll be killed if I do."

"You'll be killed if you stay in here too."

Keita widens his eyes. He glares at me with enemity. I take a cigarette out and light it. ... I don't smoke but it's an useful gesture to make you seem relaxed and helps calm down the other person.

"I heard about it. You know the killer, right Keita-kun?"

I ask him while blowing out the smoke, but he only stays quiet.

"Then I'll just talk to myself for a while. On the night of the 20th, you guys were at your hangout place, Bar Shinkirou. It was raining that night. I happened to be out drinking too at that time, but I guess that doesn't matter. I heard a lot of stories since Gakuto asked me to look for you. I think I know what you guys were doing on the night of the incident. I think the cops don't know about it yet. Those people prefer not to help the cops."

I shrug saying its troublesome. Keita is showing a different kind of fear now. It's not fear of what is going to happen, but fear of being found out what he's done.

"On the night of the incident, there was one other person beside you guys. The high school girl you guys were threatening. I don't know her name but someone saw her going down to the bar. That girl has not showed up at the police station or anywhere for that matter since that incident. But it's not like her corpse is found like the other four. Do you know what happened to her?"

"I don't know... I don't know such a person."

"Then that would make you the killer. I'll go call the police."

"Wait, I didn't do that...! There's no way I could do such a thing..."

"Yeah, I feel the same way. So the girl was really there?"

After a brief silence, Keita nods.

"But that brings another question. That incident is not something a girl can accomplish by herself. Were you guys drugged?"

The boy shakes his head. Not to the question that the girl is the killer, but to the question of if they were insane or not.

"It's impossible for five guys to be taken by just one girl."

"But that's the truth...! I thought she was weird from the start, but she was mad! Monster... she was a monster!"

I guess he is recalling the incident as he starts to tremble and covers his face with his hands.

"She was just standing there and everyone started to twist off. I heard their bones breaking and I didn't know what the hell was going on. ... I knew it when she killed two of us, I knew Fujino isn't normal, that I'll be killed if I stay there!"

Keita's words are certainly abnormal. He is saying the girl... the one called Fujino tore off everyone's limbs just by standing there and staring at them. I don't know why he thinks so, but I guess Keita felt it on the spot... the difference of the one doing the killing and the ones getting killed. But... she bends stuff just by looking? I couldn't quite believe it but I take the fact in. What can I deny after knowing Shiki, the one with killer eyes, and Tohko-san, the magus? Well, leaving that aside, there's one word that caught my attention.

"All right. I'll believe that this Fujino girl did it."

"......... Huh?"

Keita raises his head in surprize.

"But... that's a lie. No one would believe such a story! Please, tell me you're telling a lie!"

"Then let's just assume it's a trick. Or should I say hypnosis or something? Either way, don't think too hard about it. Don't try to accept what you really don't understand. But... what do you mean she was weird from the start?"

It seems Keita is losing his madness. The tension in him starts to fade away.

"It's just she's... weird. It seems like she's acting out everything, like her reactions are always late. She won't change her expression even when Leader threatens her. She won't change even when she's drugged and she doesn't even show pain when being punched."

"...... I see."

I knew they were violating Fujino but when he comes out and says that, I'm speechless. That girl called Fujino was violated for half a year by them and killed them as revenge. Is there justice in that or does justice and law not get along? Well, I don't want to think about it right now.

"So she looked great but it wasn't fun doing her. It felt like doing a doll. Oh yeah, but that time was different. It's recent but there was this messed up guy in our group. He found her fun because she wouldn't change her expression no matter how much he punched her, so he finally brought out a bat and smacked her across her back. She was like WHACK! and smacked away. She did make a painful face. I felt a bit relieved cause I knew she was feeling pain too. I remember cause she was human-like that night."

"You, shut up for a while."

Keita shuts his mouth. I don't know if I can keep my composure if I hear any more of this.

"I get the situation. I know someone in the police so we can go there. That's about the second safest place I know."

I near him to make him stand up, but Keita jumps back.

"No, I won't go to the cops. Besides... I'll be killed if go out. I'd rather stay here if I'm going to get torn to pieces!"

"Killed if you go out...?"

It's worded a bit strangely. It seems there's still one big misunderstanding between us. ... I can understand him saying that he'll be found if he goes out. But it's strange for him to skip that and say he's going to get killed. That's like he's being... watched. Then I finally realize what the cell phone by his feet means.

"...... You're getting calls from Asagami Fujino."

Keita starts to tremble once again at those words.

"Does she know of this place yet?"

The boy answers that he doesn't know.

"I had Leader's cell phone when I ran away. She called me after everyone was killed. She said she's going to look for me no matter what! So I have to hide!"

"Why do you still have that cell phone?"

I know the answer but I still ask.

"Because she says she's going to kill me if I get rid of it! She says I should hang on to it if I don't wanna die! She says she's gonna let me go as long as I have this!"

...... What a thing... Her curse is so strong.

"But she still calls me every night. ... She's insane. She saw Shono two days ago, Kouhei yesterday... she said she killed them because they didn't know where I was. And she said kindly that it was good for me! She tells me I should go see her if I want my friends not killed, no way I can do that!!"

... What kind of fear would that be? The phone call he receives every night is a message from the one trying to kill him.
... I could not find you today.
One of your friends died in your place.
Come see me if you don't want them killed.
You don't have to come, but this murder will continue...
... and I will eventually find you...

"What should I do? I don't wanna die. I don't want to die like that! They were crying in pain! They were coughing up blood and their necks were twisted like nothing!"

"Let's get rid of that phone. Or there will be more victims."

"Don't you get it!? I'm saying I'll get killed if I do that!"

Two innocent people were killed because of that.
Asagami Fujino had to commit two meaningless murders because of that.

"You'll be killed anyway if you stay like this."

I push my cigarette on the ground and start to walk towards him. I forcefully pull on his arm.

"Senpai, please don't do this. I can't do anything now. Please leave me alone... leave me alone...... no, really, I'm scared. I don't wanna be by myself anymore. Please help me...!"

I nod.

"I'll help you. I won't go to the cops. I'll take you to the safest place I know."

The only place that will be able to take him in would be Tohko-san's place. Believing that is the best option, I leave the mansion with Keita.

Kara no Kyoukai:Chapter03 06

2007-01-14T17:53:20Z

Question:

/3

Parting with Azaka, I return to my place. When night comes, I go out into town. There were 5 people killed so far. 4 in that basement bar two days ago. According to Tohko, another one at a construction site yesterday night. Leaving the 4 killed two days ago, I do not see any relevance to the one killed last night. But I cannot say it is a total stranger. Mikiya once said that ones that hang around at night have many connections. Maybe there is a high probability that the 4 and the one killed last night is connected.

"That girl..."

I suddenly recall the girl that was with Azaka. ...... The feeling of death that is planted around her like capillary. Since I am not used to my eyes yet, I saw it without any preparation. ... That was abnormal. It might be more abnormal than me. But that girl was normal. She smelled of blood, and she had eyes like me that seem like she did not know which boundary she is standing on. She must be my pray for sure, but I still cannot be confident in myself. It is because that girl has no cause. She has no reason to kill for pleasure like I do, no darkness that takes pleasure in murder.

Take pleasure in murder... How would Kokutoh Mikiya think if he hears that? Would he scold me telling me that murder is bad?

"Idiot."

I do not really know if that word is directed at him or me. Kokutoh Mikiya said I have not changed from before. I guess I am no different than I am before I went into that coma. Then, did I used to take a walk at night too? ... Like an abnormal person that searches for someone to fight with to kill?

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

No, that's wrong. Shiki did not have such a taste. She did, but it was not prioritized. Then this is SHIKI's sensibility. Of the man Ryohgi SHIKI, the yan, in side the woman Ryohgi Shiki, the yang. I wonder at my conclusion. I used to have him inside of me, but he is not anymore. Not being there must mean that he is dead. Then......... this will of wanting to kill cannot be anyone else's but mine. As Tohko said, this job is just for me. Because I am certainly happy about being able to kill someone.

...... The time is almost midnight.
I take the train and arrive at a station I rarely come to.
From this always-awake noisy town,
I can see a big port in the distance.

***

After I part with Azaka, I change my destination. I do not know where the last one would run to, but I think there is a way to search for him. The only ones directly involved with me were the four that I killed and the one that escaped, but I was taken to many places by them. If I go there and ask where the last one went, I should be able to find where he escaped to. Since they cannot trust the police or the school, the only ones they can depend on should be their kind. I hold my burning stomach as I walk through the night town. I had some resistance about going into indecent places, but it is trivial to me as I am more tormented by the pain and my memories of being violated.

At my third place, I meet a guy that says he is a friend of Minato Keita. He was working at at a big building made into a big karaoke place, and gives me an unpleasant smile as he agrees to talk with me for a while. He sneaks out of his work and starts to walk telling me we should go to a quiet place to talk. ... From the long experience I had, I can tell this man is taking me to their hangout place. These people can smell out weak people. This person with a good put-on smile must have seen through me as an easy victim to violate. ... He probably knows I was violated by Minato Keita's group too. That is why he takes me without concern. Even though I know that, I still did not refuse to follow him. This man that is a few years older than me heads to a quieter area. I hold my stomach as it starts to hurt even more, and I prepare myself.

...... The time is almost midnight.
I walk with this man as I curse the repeated violations in my head.
From this always-awake noisy town,
I can see a big port in the distance.

***

The man is feeling his own luckiness. He knew from the boasting Keita that Keita's group is playing around with this girl from a all-girl school. It is because it is Keita's habit to do as he wanted to that girl and to brag about it. To this man, it had nothing to do with him. He does not have a big connection with Keita's group, and they were from different areas. That's why he always listened to Keita's story without concern. But for that girl to actually come to him!!

You have to take what is given to you. The man decides to get out of work and take Fujino somewhere. ... It's not that the man is hungry for sex. It's not an unusual event for people like him to rape a girl with four or five guys. There is a reason why this man does not call for his friends. It is because Fujino is the daughter of the Asagami Construction. He should be able to get lots of money if he violated her and threatened them that he would make the matter public. The group Keita is in is rather stupid when it comes to such matters. Maybe because their leader is not that smart. Or is it that they did not need money because they were smart? Well, it does not matter. Either way, the man is happy right now. He did not contact his friends because he thinks that he will get the largest pay if he does not share it.

The girl who came to ask about Minato Keita... Asagami Fujino is following him silently. It will be bad taking her to the usual hangout place. The man heads to the warehouse area of the port. Since it's almost midnight, the warehouse area is empty. As all warehouses are made the same way and arranged the same way, it seems like a giant factory. There aren't many streetlights and nobody should come if he goes in between the warehouses. The only things that will be irritating would be the sound of waves and the lights from Broad Bridge currently under construction on the other side of the water. Bringing Fujino into such darkness, the man finally opens his mouth.

"This should be fine. So, what did you want to ask about?"

The man decides to answer her question first. It is his aesthetic that it's not smart to attack from the start.

"Yes, would you happen to know where Keita-san is?"

Fujino is looking down while holding her stomach. The man cannot see her face with her cleanly-cut hair in front of her.

"I haven't seen him lately. He doesn't even have his own place so he's been going around people's places. You won't be able to contact him cause he doesn't have a cell phone."

"No...... I can contact him."

"Huh?"

This girl's words are strange. She can contact him but doesn't know where he is? Has this girl gone crazy from being raped too much? Well, if that's the case, it should make things easier but it's also true that the man is let down a bit. The man calms down again.

"All right. If you can contact him, then just ask where he is."

"Well..... Keita-san does not want to tell me where he is hiding. That is why I am going around asking his friends. Please answer me... I do not care if you know or do not know."

"Whoa, wait a sec. What do you mean he's hiding? Did he get into some deep shit?"

The man gets irritated by the girls strange words. He's hiding... does that mean that the cops know about them raping Fujino? No, if that's the case, she wouldn't come herself. The man thinks, but cannot come up with an answer, because...
... Because he has not seen the news.

"Well, who cares. But what do you mean you don't care if I know or not? Was that your intention to begin with? Keita's not your intention but you came to find a new man or something?!"

The man laughs from his heart this time - I really am in luck, I should be able to get the money without even threatening. And besides, Asagami Fujino is a beautiful girl that he would not easily obtain. He will be able to obtain prize of money and beauty. What else can you call this but luck?

"Sorry, I should have took you to my place from the start then. Or you like this kinda place better, perhaps?"

The girl in the black uniform nods.

"But before that, please tell me if you know where Keita-san is."

"Hey dumbass, you can quit your excuse for coming here. First of all, I wouldn't know where he would go."

The girl looks up as if satisfied. The eyes looking at the man are abnormal. There is no emotion in her amber eyes that fire up the spiral.

...... It is not normal....

"......?"

The man who does not notice that madness encounters a strange circumstance. His arm is moving on its own! His joint bends. His elbow bends to about 90 degrees, and it keeps bending...
... And it finally breaks.

"W-what......!?"

A stupid scream. The fate of the man ends here. Certainly, he did have luck. Back luck is luck indeed.

In a dark alley not even lit up by the moonlight, a tragedy raises its curtains.

***

".........!!"

The scream only becomes a beast-like groan. The man's arms are already not like arms anymore. It's like a puzzle ring... or a rubber band twisted around to make a model airplane fly. ... Either way, it should not function as human arms anymore.

"H-h-help...!"

The man runs away from the girl who is only standing in front of him. In that instant, his body floats and his right leg is torn off from his knee. Blood splashes as if emptying a full bucket. The blood that sprays along the wall seems like some kind of art. Asagami Fujino keeps watching with her emotionless eyes.

"I-i-it's twi... twist-t-t-t-t-ed...!!!"

His words are incomprehensible. Fujino decides to ignore them.

...... She murmurs, "Bend."

That is the same word she has been saying all this time. Her friend has told her that a repeated word can become a curse. The man is on the ground, only moving his neck. Both his hands are twisted and his right leg is gone. The blood from his leg is soaking the ground. Fujino steps into it thinking that it's like a red carpet. Her shoes sink into the red liquid. A summer night is hot and the humid air stick to the skin and becomes annoying. The air of the blood has a similar feeling.

"........ *Sigh*"

Looking down at the man that is acting like a green caterpiller, Fujino sighs. She hates herself for doing such a thing. But she also thinks this is what she intended to do from the start. She knew from the way he acted that this man did not know what happened in that basement bar. But he will find out in time. Then, he will grow suspicious of Fujino for searching Keita. So this is something that cannot be helped. This man intended to do that from the start. This will be indirect, but this is part of Asagami Fujino's revenge. Only a revenge to those who violated her. It's just that her ability to violate.far surpassed their ability to violate.

"I am sorry.... but I have to do this."

The man's remaining left leg is torn off. And that causes the remaining life in him to cut off as well. Fujino looks down at the convulsing body. Now, she knows how the man feels. Until now, she did not know. She could not understand people's reaction to pain. But now that she knows pain, she can strongly sympathize with this man. That makes her happy. To be alive means to get hurt.

"And finally... I can be normal."

My pain, other's pain. I am the one who made him this way. I am the one that gave him these wounds. It means Asagami Fujino is superior. This is what it means to be alive. The ugly self that cannot feel the pleasure of life unless commiting such actions.

"..... Mother. Am I so ugly that I have to go this far?"

The thing in her stomach becomes unbearable. Her heart starts to beat rapidly. A chill runs up her spine...

"I do not want to kill people..."

"You're wrong."

Fujino turns around to the sudden voice. At the entrance of the alley between the warehouses, a girl in kimono stands. With the port reflecting the quiet moonlight behind her...

... Ryohgi Shiki is there...

"Shiki......... san?"

"Asagami Fujino... I see, you must have connection with the Asagami God."

With a light footstep, Shiki takes a step forward. Shiki narrows her eyes at the smell of blood. Not from detest, but from happiness.

"Since when...."

Fujino stops her question. The answer is obvious.

"All this time. I followed you since you brought that piece of meat out here."

Fujino feels a chill at her cold voice. Shiki has seen it all. She saw it, but she still came out. She saw it, but did not stop it. She knew this was going to happen, but just watched...

...... This person is abnormal......

"Please do not say piece of meat. This is a person. This is a human corpse."

Fujino argues so in spite of what she is thinking about. It is because she feels Shiki is saying too much to call that man a piece of meat. Shiki nods.

"Yeah, a human is still a human even when it's dead. It doesn't become a piece of meat just by dying. But that's not a human death, is it? Humans don't die that way."

Shiki takes another step forward.

"A human who did not end his life like a human is not human anymore. Even if the people you've killed still has their head remaining or have no wounds, you can't treat it with common sense. Those removed from the boundary are deprived of all their meanings. That's why that thing is just a piece of meat."

Suddenly, Fujino feels a repulsion against this person. Shiki is saying that the corpse and I are out of the ordinary, just like Ryohgi Shiki, who is watching this tragedy right now without a change of expression.

"...... No. I am sane. I am not like you!'

Fujino screams out for no reason. Shiki laughs, like it is really funny.

"We are alike, Asagami."

"Don't be ridiculus."

Fujino stares at Shiki. The vision in her eyes starts to distort. ... The "power" she has as a child is used.

But the power suddenly fades away.

".........!?"

But the surprize is for both Shiki and Fujino. Asagami Fujino is surprized at her disappeared power. Ryohgi Shiki is surprized at the suddenly changed Asagami Fujino.

"Again...? What the hell is up with you?"

Shiki gets angry. She scratches her head like everything is ruined.

"I would have killed you if you stayed that way. You were like that too at the cafe. ... Fine. You let me down. I don't care about you now."

Saying that, Shiki turns and walks away. The sound of her footsteps gets farther away.

"Go home. If you do so, we shouldn't see each other again."

Then her figure disappears. Fujino stands still in the pool of blood.

...... I'm back to my previous self. I feel nothing again.

Fujino looks down at the man once more. There is no feeling in her that was there before. Only the sense of guilt comes into her brain. What's left are the words Shiki left. Those words saying that Fujino and Shiki are both alike, both killers.

"No....... I am not like you."

Fujino murmurs as if crying. Truthfully, Fujino hates murder. She starts to tremble at the thought that she would have to continue such an act in order to find Minato Keita. Because killing people would be unforgivable. That is her true feeling.

... The pool of blood reflecting her face shows her mouth making a smile...

Kara no Kyoukai:Chapter03 05

2007-01-14T17:52:48Z

Question:

/2

The phone starts to ring. It stops ringing after five times and switches to the answering machine. After a beep noise, I hear a familiar voice come from the answering machine.

"Good morning Shiki. Can you do me a favor? I'm supposed to meet Azaka at a cafe called Ahnenerbe near the station at noon but I don't think I can make it. You have nothing to do, right? Can you go there and tell her I can't come?"

The caller hangs up. ... I move my tired body and look at the clock by the bed... July 22, 7:23AM. It's only been about four hours since I came home. My body is still wanting sleep, maybe because I've been walking around town until three in the morning after accepting Tohko's job. I pull up my sheets. The summer hotness does not really matter for me. I was able to tolerate hot and cold weather rather well as a kid and it still seems that way. As I lay there for a while, the phone rings again. It switches to the answering machine and this time, I hear a voice I'd rather not hear.

"It's me. Did you see the news? You didn't see it, right? You don't have to see it. I didn't see it either."

... I always thought so, but now I'm confident. The way she thinks is far from the way I think. One should not understand the real meaning behind Tohko's words.

"There were three deaths last night. Another one of those suicides jumping off a bulding and two, a crime from passion. None of these are in the news so I'm guessing they were all treated as accidents. But there's one strange case. If you want to know more, come to my place. Actually, you don't have to. Come to think of it, this will do. All right... to put it simply so even you would understand with that sleepy head of yours, there was just another victim."

The caller hangs up. I get pissed off. It has nothing to do with me even if there's another victim. Even the things around me are uncertain, so such a thing is useless information for me. Death of someone I don't even know about is less impressive than the sunlight hitting me right now.

I get up when the tiredness in me goes away. I make breakfast just like the previous Shiki has learned so in her 16 years of life. I eat it and get ready to go outside. I put on a orange simple kimono today. Since I'll be walking around town, this is what I prefer. ...... Even my choice of cloth is only a habit from the past. I bite my tongue at the feeling I get like I'm looking at someone else from outside. Two years ago, when Ryohgi Shiki was still 17, I wasn't like this. It's not that the two years of coma changed me. ... The empty two years brought me something else. It feels like I am not moving out of my will. I always get this feeling that the strings called "16 years as Ryohgi Shiki" is moving me like a puppet. But it has to be just my feelings. No matter how much I curse at myself for being empty and fictitious, in the end, I am moving out of my own will. It is impossible for anything other than me to interfere with that.

When I finish changing, the time is almost eleven. I repeat the first message on the answering machine. The voice I have heard many times in the past repeats itself. The voice that was lost in the air is recorded like this.

... Kokutoh Mikiya

The last person I saw two years ago...

The classmate that I let my guards down two years ago...

I know my past with him, but only the vision of our last moment is not there. No, the memory of the year since I got to know him is full of holes. Many important parts are missing. Why Shiki got in that accident.... Why she was looking at Mikiya's face at that moment... It would be really handy if the forgotten memories were recorded somewhere. I am concerned about the missing memories and it is causing me not to be able to talk to Mikiya naturally.

... The answring machine stops. It's strange why my worries go away a bit when I hear his voice. It makes me feel like I have a firm foundation, but there's no way something like a voice could be a foundation. That should be an illusion too. It probably is an illusion. The only reality I can feel now is the burning excitement I get when I kill people.

***

Ahnenerbe turns out to be an antique cafe. I check the name written in German and go inside. It's past noon but there aren't many customers inside. I don't know how they built it but it is dark inside. Only the tables near the door is light and the back of the cafe, the counters, is rather dark. The only light is coming through the four square windows on the wall. Only the tables by those windows are light as if cut out of the darkness. Maybe it's because of the strong sunlight but the contrast feels rather majestic. Kokutoh Azaka is sitting at the table in the very back. Two girls in a western-style uniform is waiting for Mikiya side by side.

"Two...?"

That's not what I heard. According to Mikiya, only Azaka should be waiting. I didn't hear about this other girl. I look at them as I walk towards them. They both have long straight black hair. They have similar features and they are beautiful, fit for students at a Lady Academy. Even though the impressions are totally the opposite. Azaka has firm eyes and has the strength to face anything. You can't hide her strength even with her lady-like attitude. Mikiya was liked because of his personal charm, but Azaka would be the one that would be admired because of her strictness. The girl next to Azaka looks rather weak. Her posture looks firm and graceful but she has this feeling that she might break down any second.

"Azaka."

I come close to their table and call out. Azaka looks at me and frowns.

"Ryohgi... Shiki."

The voice is filled with enemity. She doesn't even try to hide it. Her Lady-like feeling is just like her disguise.

"I am waiting for Nii-san. I have nothing to do with you."

Azaka says so, staying calm.

"I have a message from that Nii-san of yours. He said he can't make it. He ditched you."

Azaka gasps. Maybe because the fact that he could not come is a big shock, or maybe because I was the one to come tell her that.

"Shiki, it must be your doing...!"

Azaka trembles her fist. I guess she's shocked that I came.

"Don't be stupid. I'm a victim too. He just selfishly told me to tell you that he can't make it."

Azaka looks at me with flame in her eyes. The girl next to her tries to calm Azaka as she might start throwing things if she wasn't calmed down.

"Kokutoh-san, everyone's surprized."

A thin voice. I step back.

"...... You're right, today was supposed to be for you. Sorry Fujino, it was wrong for me to get angry."

Azaka apologizes to the girl called Fujino. I look at the calm-looking girl. She is looking at me too.

"Does it...... not hurt?"

I say so unconsciously. The girl does not answer but just stares at me. Showing no interest like watching a scenary, and inorganic like a bug. I get two convictions in me. An intuition that she is my enemy and the actual feeling that she cannot be.

"... No, it can't be you."

In the end, I trust my feeling. There is no way this girl called Fujino would be able to enjoy murder. Because there is no reason for her to. No, first of all, it's impossible for her thin arms to tear off things like human limbs. It would be a different story if she has abnormal eyes like me... I lose interest in the girl and talk to Azaka.

"That's all. Do you have any message for him?"

""Nii-san, please quickly break ties with such a woman.""

Azaka really leaves such a message.

""Nii-san, please quickly break ties with such a woman.""

Azaka said so seriously to a woman in kimono, the one called Shiki. I feel rather uneasy due to the tight air surrounding them. It feels like they have a knife aimed at each other's throat and looking for an opening to actually cut each other. I get timid within this tight air. Now, I can only pray that nothing will occur. Fortunately, they do not talk anymore and the woman wearing the kimono leaves gracefully. I stare at her back as she leaves. Shiki talked like a man. I couldn't tell her age because of that, but maybe she's around my age. Her last name was Ryohgi... maybe it's that Ryohgi. Then her expensive looking kimono makes sense. I could see some worked out designs in her kimono. If she is of the Ryohgi, it's no surprize she would have her own kimono maker.

"...... She was a beautiful person."

Azaka nods to my murmur. I think she's amazing for answering honestly even when she hates that person.

"But she is just as scary. ... I don't like that person."

Azaka looks surprized. Her surprize is completely natural. Even I am surprized at my feeling. Because probably for the first time in my life, I feel a repulsion toward someone.

"That's unexpected. I thought you were someone that wouldn't hate anybody, but I guess I'm wrong."

"Hate......?"

... Dislike is the same as hate? I never thought so. I just feel that I cannot get along with that person. I try closing my eyes. Ryohgi Shiki. Her ominous black hair, ominous white skin, and the ominous bottomless empty eyes. She was looking at me, so I looked back at her. That's why we saw what was hiding behind us. She only has blood. She kills from her own will. She tries to hurt others. ... That woman is a killer.

But I am different. I think I am different. Because I have never wanted to do such a thing. In the darkness behind my closed eyes, I repeat so over and over. But her figure would not disappear. ... We have not talked even once, but her figure is engraved into my mind.

"I'm sorry Fujino. I ruined your day off."

I open my eyes to Azaka's words. I smile like I did in my practice.

"It's all right. I did not feel like it anyways."

"You do look pretty pale. It's hard to tell because you're pretty white to begin with."

I did not feel like it for another reason, but I nod at her words anyways. ... I know my body is not doing well by its reaction, but I did not notice that it is bad enough to show on my face.

"I guess it can't be helped. I'll ask Mikiya myself so do you want to go home for today?"

Azaka is worried about my health. I thank her.

"But is that message to your brother all right?"

"It's fine. I don't even know how many times I told him that anyways. He should be used to it. To tell you the truth, this a curse. Words that are repeated over and over can twist reality to lean towards that word. Really, a girlie curse. It's sad and pitiful."

I don't know how serious she is but she explains so. I'm used to her unexpectedness. I decide to listen quietly to Azaka's beautiful voice. ... She is always the number one academically in our school and she even ranks in the top ten nationwide. Azaka is a bit strange and has this gentlemen-like side of her. Azaka is one of my friends from Reien Academy. Both of us entered that school from our high school. Since Reien is an "escalator" school from elementary school, it's rare for people to come starting from high school like us. We met because of that and are close enough that we go out sometimes on weekends. Today, I was supposed to have her brother look for someone through Azaka.

I went to a local middle school and when I was there, a Senpai from a different school talked to me at an event. ... I am depressed recently, but I am saved by thinking about this Senpai. When I told Azaka about it, she said we should look for this person. It happens that her brother is also from this area and he knows a lot of people around here. She said he is really good at looking for people our age. ... It's not that I really wanted to see him, but we end up deciding to look for this person with me not being able to refuse the pushing Azaka. We were waiting for her brother today but it seems he cannot come today. ... I am relieved in a way.

I am not really into this whole thing because... I accidentally ran into him two days ago. At that time, I was able to say what I couldn't say three years ago. Since I have done what I wanted to do, there is no point in looking for this person anymore. Maybe Azaka's brother couldn't come because God knew I didn't need him anymore.

"Let's get going. It's hard to stay here over an hour buying just drinks."

Azaka gets up. Even though she should be sad about not being able to see her brother, she still gets up gracefully. Sometimes, she is really manly. Maybe because of the way she talks. Her formal tone disappears like just now and becomes cool like a man. It's not that she's disguising herself, but that's just a part of her. I really like this friend of mine. ...... That's why I shouldn't see her anymore.

"Azaka. Please go back to the dorm by yourself. I will be staying at my parents house tonight again."

"Really? That's fine but Sister would be glaring at you if you stay out too much. You should restrain yourself."

Waving her hand, Azaka leaves the cafe. Being alone, I take a glance at the sign. "Ahnenerbe": it means inheritance in German.

***

After Azaka leaves, I start walking aimlessly. It is a lie that I am going back to my parents' house. There is no place for me to go back to now. From that night two days ago, I have not even been to school. My father has probably been contacted already for unexcused absenses. They will ask me what I was doing if I do go back home. I am not good at telling lies so I might slip everything out. If that happens... father will contempt me.

I am my mother's child from her former marriage. Father only needed mother's house and land, so I was just something on the side since that time. That is why I worked hard not to be hated.
A faithful woman like my mother, a student my father can be proud of, a normal girl nobody would suspect about.........
...... I always wanted to be that way.

Not for someone else, but for myself. I always dreamed that and the dream has protected me. But it came to an end. Such magic is not around me no matter how much I look. I continue walking, the sun is starting to set. I walk past many people irrevalent to me and many stoplights which blink insensibly. People older than me, people younger than me, everyone looks so happy. My heart contracts in pain. I think of something and pinch my cheek. ...... I do not feel anything. I pinch harder. ............ Nothing. When I give up and let go, I notice that my fingertips are red. I guess I pinched hard enough that my nails dug into my skin. But I still feel nothing. I do not feel that I am alive.

"Fufu..."

I laugh thinking it's funny. Why does my heart feel pain when I myself do not feel any pain? First of all, what is heart? Is it my heart that's hurt or my brain? When the brain receives any words that is directed to attack an individual called Asagami Fujino, it creates a wound as a protection. Since a wound lets a person know it hurts, whatever story I come up with is only a medicine that soothes the pain. That is why even though I cannot feel pain, I still understand pain in my heart. But that is probably just an illusion. Probably a illusion for sure. A real pain cannot be cured just by words. One quickly forgets a pain in their heart because it is so trivial. But a wound on your body gives you pain as long as the wound is there. That is a strong proof of life.

If my heart is my brain, then my brain should get a wound. Then I should be able to feel pain. Like my days up to now. If the memories of the days I was violated by those people became wounds...

..... I remember again their laughter and their scary faces. All those times I was violated and threatened. When that guy with the knife jumped on me, my stomach felt hot and the cloth around my stomach area was cut. When I thought I was going to get stabbed, I became violent. After I was done with them, I realized that the heat in my stomach is pain. My heart shrinks once more. "I won't forgive them." Those words repeat in my head over and over.

"Guh......"

My knee wobbles. It comes again. My stomach is burning. It feels like an invisible hand is grabbing inside of me.

I feel like vomiting. ......... I do not feel that way normally.
I feel dizzy. ......... I abruptly lose consciousness in this situation normally.
My arm is numb. ......... I confirm by looking at it normally.
It really hurts. ......... Yes, I feel alive.

The place I was stabbed is starting to hurt. The pain of the already-healed wound breaks out unexpectedly like this. A long time ago, mother said that wounds will not hurt once they heal. But that is a lie. The wound made by that knife is still hurting me even after the wound has healed.

... But mother, I like this pain. For me who has never felt that I was alive, there is nothing else that makes me feel more alive than this sensation. This remaining sense of pain is not an illusion.

"I have to look for him quickly."

I murmur under my ragged breath. I have to get my revenge. I have to kill the boy that got away. It is irritating, but if I don't do so, people will find out that I am a murderer. I don't want that since I finally obtained the sense of pain. I want to keep on feeling the pleasure of feeling alive. I take my body that hurts every time I move it and start to walk toward their hangout place. I cry at the remaining sense of pain in my stomach. But right now, even that discomfort is lovely.

Kara no Kyoukai:Chapter03 05

2007-01-14T17:51:50Z

Question: