https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Xxfate13Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]2026-05-13T22:49:43ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.43.1https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=User:Xxfate13&diff=39456User:Xxfate132008-12-19T12:53:14Z<p>Xxfate13: </p>
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<div>Hello!<br />
<br />
xxfate13<br />
- studied basic Japanese<br />
- 4/5 rating for English<br />
- native language is Filipino<br />
- likes manga/anime<br />
- came here because of Toradora L-N<br />
<br />
^_^ yep.. that's all<br />
<br />
Yay! got rid of that red (dark red? brownish red?) link.. ^_^</div>Xxfate13https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Talk:Toradora!_(Filipino):_Bol._1,_Kab._1&diff=39454Talk:Toradora! (Filipino): Bol. 1, Kab. 12008-12-19T12:49:08Z<p>Xxfate13: </p>
<hr />
<div>Keep up with the translation!<br />
<br />
~Novaren~<br />
<br />
Hello.. I'm new here.. interested to translate, I'll do it when I have the time so I guess this will go slowly.. ^_^<br />
-xxfate13</div>Xxfate13https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Toradora!_(Filipino):_Bol._1,_Kab._1&diff=39452Toradora! (Filipino): Bol. 1, Kab. 12008-12-19T12:43:58Z<p>Xxfate13: </p>
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<div><center>''''May isang bagay sa mundong ito na hindi pa nakikita ng kahit sinu man''<br />
<br />
''Ito ay malambot at matamis.''<br />
<br />
''At kung ito ay matagpuan, tiyak na gugustuhin ito ng lahat,''<br />
<br />
''Sapagkat ito ay mahusay na itinago ng daigdig, upang ito ay mahirap hanapin.''<br />
<br />
''Ngunit, darating ang araw na may makakatagpo nito,''<br />
<br />
''At ang tanging makakakuha nito ay ang mga karapat dapat lamang.''<br />
<br />
''Iyun lang.''</center><br />
<br />
<br />
'''(!<!-- I edited some parts above.. I didn't touch the rest made by 'Supahem'.. I'll just continue his work ^_^ ------- -->)'''<br />
<br />
===Kabanata 1===<br />
<br />
"Naman!"<br />
<br />
Alas siyete noon.<br />
<br />
Malumanay na araw ngunit madilim sa loob.<br />
<br />
Ang paupahang-bahay na ito ay may dalawang kuwarto at kusing na nakaharap sa bahaging timog ng dalawang palapag na gusali. Mula dito ay sampung minuto ang layo nito sa istasyon ng tren.<br />
<br />
Ang upa dito ay 32,000 piso.<br />
<br />
"Ayoko na! Di ko kaya 'to!"<br />
<br />
Tinanggal ng (mukhang)inis na kamay ang hamog sa salamin. Pero dahil may pagkaluma na ang banyo, matapos punasan ay bumalik ulit ang hamog.<br />
<br />
Pero wala ring saysay na pagbuntungan ng galit ang isang salamin, kahit gaano pa ka-init ang ulo mo...<br />
<br />
"Wala naman palang kwenta 'tong mga ito!"<br />
<br />
''Magmukhang maamo gamit ang naka-angat na ''bangs'' '' - Yun ang nakasulat sa pinakabagong ''fashion magazine'' na para sa mga kalalakihan.<br />
<br />
Ang mga bangs ni Takasu Ryuji ngayon ay naka-angat na rin. Hinatak niya ito ng todo tulad ng nakasaad sa artikulo ng babasahin, pinatuyo upang umangat, at inayos ito ng patagilid gamit ang pomada. Sinunod nya ang lahat ng nakasaad sa artikulo. Gumising pa nga siya ng maaga(30 minuto mula sa kinagisnang oras) upang maitulad nya ang kanyang buhok sa mga modelo at nang matupad ang pangarap niya.<br />
<br />
Pero...<br />
<br />
".. Baka naman nagilusyon lang ako na kaya kong baguhin ang sarili ko sa pamamagitan lamang ng buhok.."<br />
<br />
Nagmumukmok, tinapon ni Ryuji ang magasin na kinailangan niya ng lakas ng loob para bilhin. Pero di siya asintado at ito ay bumuklat matapos ikalat ang laman ng basurahan.<br />
<br />
Nakasulat sa pahina na iyon, "May oras ka pa bago magsimula ang klase. Maamo o Marupok? Dito nagsisimula ang ating paglalakbay patungo sa pagmomodelo".... ''Kung ako man iyon, di ako sigurado kung gusto kong mag modelo''<br />
<br />
''Pero gusto kong magbago''<br />
<br />
Di nga lang maganda ang kinalabasan.<br />
<br />
Matapos iyon ay binasa ni Ryuji and kanyang mga kami at ginulo ang buhok na matagal nyang inayos, at binalik ito sa dating porma nito (unat). Pagkatapos ay pinulot nito ang mga kalat sa papag.<br />
<br />
"Ah!? Ano 'to...a..amag.. AMAG!"<br />
<br />
Kahit na pinunasan na niya ang hamog, kahit na isang linggo pa nyang nilinisan ang mga amag sa banyo, lahat ng iyon ay nasayang sa isang mainit na kwarto. Kagat ang kanyang labi, Sinubukang tanggalin ni Ryuji and mga amag gamit ang ''tissue''. Malamang na hindi ito madali, kaya pinunit na lamang nya ang mga ito.<br />
<br />
"hay, kakaubos ko lang nito. Kailangan ko nanamang bumili ng pantanggal amag"<br />
<br />
''Mamaya na siguro. Pero babalik ako para ubusin kayo!'' Tinitigan ni Ryuji and amag habang pinupulot ang mga kalat. PAgkatapos ay pinunasan nya ng maigi ang papag gamit ang mga tuwalya, kasama ang pagtanggal sa mga nakakalat na buhok at pagpunas ng hamog sa banyo bago nya inangat ang kanyang ulo at nagbuntong-hininga..<br />
<br />
"Ah, oo nga pala... Oi, In~ko!"<br />
<br />
"Ah.."<br />
<br />
Isang matinis na boses ang sumagot sa sigaw ng binata. Mabuti naman at gising na siya.<br />
<br />
Habang inaaoys ang sarili, pinuntahan ni Ryuji ang kusina, kumuha ng pagkain para sa kanyang alaga at mga gamit na diyaryo. Matapos nito ay pumunta sa gilid ng sala. Pagtanggal nito ng takip sa bahay-ibon, binati ni Ryuji and kanyang alaga na hindi pa nya nakikita buong gabi. Hindi ko alam kung panu pinapalaki ng ibang tao ang kanilang alaga, pero ganito ang pamamaraan ng mga Takasu sa kanilang alagang loro.<br />
<br />
"Magandang umaga, Inko-chan."<br />
<br />
Isang dilaw na loro, iyon si Inko-chan. Tulad ng dati, binigyan ni Ryuuji ng pagkain ang alagang loro habang kinakausap ito.<br />
<br />
"Ma, magandang... umaga," kumindat pataas ang kanyang mga mata sa kakaiba at misteryosong paraan, pero nagawa pa rin niyang sumagot sa salitang Hapones. Kahit kakagising pa lang niya, siya ay nasa isang magandang modo. Iyon ang rason kung bakit siya nakakagiliw.<br />
<br />
"Inko-chan, pakisabi nga ang kakain na."<br />
<br />
"Ka, kain, n...kakain na! Kakain na! Kakain! Na!"<br />
<br />
"Okey, tama na. Ngayon, tingnan natin kung kaya mo nang sabihin 'yon! Kayanin mo na kayang sabihin ang pangalan mo... halika na, Inko-chan."<br />
<br />
"I, I, In, I, In, Iiii...I..." Umuubos ng maraming lakas si Inko-chan, habang umiiling at humihinga ng malalim, pagkatapos ay pumagaspas ang mga pakpak ng mabilis. "......iiiii......"<br />
<br />
<br />
'''(!<!-- Here's where I start. - xxfate13 ^_^ ------- -->)'''<br />
<br />
<br />
Habang naduduling ang mga mata, bahagyang makikita ang kulay abong dila mula sa tuka nito.<br />
''Baka magagawa niya ito ngayon," naisip ng kanyang amo habang itinikom ng madiin ang kanyang kamao.<br />
Sa huli...<br />
<br />
"Blegh!"<br />
<br />
''Ahhh... bakit ba bobo ang mga ibon? Gaya ng inaasahan kung meron kang utak na tumitimbang lang ng 1 gramo,'' buntung-hininga ni Ryuuji habang tinutupi ang mga maduming dyaryo. Itinapon niya ang mga dyaryo sa isang supot.<br />
Nang isasama na niya ito sa ibang basura sa kusina,<br />
<br />
"...saan...ka...pupunta..."<br />
<br />
Ang taong nakahiga sa likod ng <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusuma fusuma]</span> ay mukhang nagising na din.<br />
<br />
"Ryuu-chan, uniporme mo ba 'yang suot mo? bakit?" bahagyang tanong.<br />
<br />
Maiging inayos ni Ryuuji ang supot ng basura at sinagot ang boses, "Pupunta na ako sa school. 'Di ba sinabi ko na sa'yo kahapon na ngayon ang simula ng klase?"<br />
<br />
"...Ah."<br />
<br />
Bumukaka siya sa ibabaw ng <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/futon futon]</span>, paulit-ulit niyang sinambit ang mga kataga na parang maiiyak, ''E di, e di..''<br />
<br />
"E di, paano na ang kay Ya-chan '''(!<!-- <br />
<br />
err.. i just used the japanese honorifics like -san -chan -kun because it would be much easier for me.. haha.. joke<br />
actually, I was wondering to use it or not. In tagalog (here in the philippines), it is weird to use your name (addressing yourself) in a sentence which you have made. I think the same goes with other languages. In japanese, there are implications or meaning behind when this is being used. So, I'll just use it as-is. <br />
<br />
-->)'''na... tanghalian? Wala pa akong naaamoy na pagkain...di mo ba ko ginawa ng konti?"<br />
<br />
"Hindi."<br />
<br />
"Ehhh~... e di... anu na ang gagawin ni Ya-chan...'pag nagising na siya...? Walang masarap na pagkain..."<br />
<br />
"Makakabalik ako ng bahay bago ka gumising! Pupunta lang ako sa ''Term Opening Ceremony''." '''(!<!-- <br />
<br />
Tagalog/Filipino is a very flexible language. English words are being used naturally, neing incorporated in daily conversations.. I'll put into italics (depending on redundancy) english words that doesn't have a tagalog translation, or is preferable to be in english. This is how I often see quoted english words in tagalog sentences.<br />
-->)'''<br />
<br />
"Wah..yun pala..."<br />
<br />
''Hee hee hee hee,'' ngumiti siya habang inayos ang posisyon at nagsimulang ipalakpak ang mga kamay ...paumanhin, ipinalkpak ang mga paa.<br />
<br />
"''Opening Ceremony'', huh? '''Grats~!'' Ibig sabihin, si Ryu-chan ay nasa ikalawang antas na pamula ngayon?"<br />
<br />
"Isantabi muna natin iyan. 'Di ba sinabi ko na sa 'yo dati, gaano man kadami ang ginagawa mo, lagi mo dapat tatanggalin ang ''makeup'' mo bago matulog? Simula ng magreklamo ka kung gaano iyan nakakairita, kaya nga kita ibinili ng tissue na ginawa lamang para pantanggal ng makeup," Pinagmasdang ni Ryuuji ang paligid ng mas mabuti,<br />
"...Ah...Ah! Nalagyan mo ng makeup ang unan! Hindi ko yan matatanggal! Dapat alagaan mong mabuti ang balat mo; Hindi ka na bata!"<br />
<br />
"Pasensya."<br />
<br />
Ang batik-batik niyang panty ay kitang-kita.<br />
Sa kanyang pagtayo, ang malusog niyang dibdib ay umalog habang ang ilan sa magulo niyang blond na buhok ay naiwan sa gitna ng kanyang ''cleavage''.<br />
Maaaring wagayway ng kayang buhok o ang mahahabang kuko ng kanyang daliri, nagbigay siya ng matinding impresyon ng pagiging babae.<br />
Pero,<br />
"Masyado yata akong maraming nainom, kararating ko lang mga isang oras na. Ah~ Nakakaantok," sabay hikab, "Ah, nga pala...may dala akong ''pudding''."<br />
<br />
Sa kanyang paghinga sabay kamot sa makapal niyang mga kilay, unti-unti siyang lumapit tungo sa ''convenience store bag'' sa sulok ng kwarto.<br />
Ang anyong iyon &mdash; ang kanyang mapupulang labi na binibigkas ay "pudding", ang kanyang malulusog na pisngi, at ang bilugan niyang mata &mdash; ang mga pambatang karakter na ito ay waring hindi nababagay sa kanya. Kahit na medyo kakaiba, maaari pa rin siyang tawaging isang magandang babae.<br />
<br />
"Huh...Ryuu-chan, hindi ko makita ang kutsara."<br />
<br />
"Baka nalimutan ng ''store assistant' na ilagay sa loob?"<br />
<br />
"Hindi! Nakita ko na inilagay niya iyun eh. Bakit ganun..."<br />
<br />
Ito ang nanay ni Takasu Ryuuji na si Takasu Yasuko: stage name "Mirano". Tatlumpu't tatlong gulang (lagi niyang sinasabi na magiging panghabang-panahon 23), nagtatrabaho siya bilang isang hostess sa kaisa-isang bar sa nayon sa "Bishamontengoku".<br />
<br />
Ibinuhos ni Yasuko ang laman ng convenience store bag at kinalkal iyon sa sulok ng kanyang futon. Medyo nagalit ang maliit niyang mukha,<br />
"Ang dilim naman dito...Hindi ko makikita ang kutsara nang ganito! Ryuu-chan, maaari mo bang buksan ang mga kurtina?"<br />
<br />
"Bukas na."<br />
<br />
"Eh~...? Ahh, tama...dahil hindi ako ganitong oras lagi gumising, nakalimutan ko na..."<br />
Sa loob ng madilim na kwarto, ang mag-ina ay sabay na napabuntong-hininga.<br />
<br />
Iyon ay ang bintanang nakaharap sa timog.<br />
<br />
Mag-aanim na taon na nang sila ay lumipat dito.<br />
<br />
Sa loob ng bahay na ito kung saan silang dalawa ay tumira, ang laging pinanggagalingan ng natural na liwanag ay mula sa bintanang iyon.<br />
Habang ang pintuan ay nasa hilaga at dahil napapaligiran sila ng kanilang mga kapit-bahay sa dakong silangan at kanluran, ang dakong timog lamang ng kanilang bahay ang may bintana.<br />
Subalit kahit ganoon, maliwanag ang sikat ng araw, lalo na tuwing umaga.<br />
Hindi na kailangang buksan ang mga ilaw mula pagsikat ng araw hanggang sa paglubog nito, maliban na lamang kung umuulan.<br />
Ang magandang sikat ng araw noon ay laging tumatanglaw kay Ryuuji habang nakasuot ng kanyang uniporme at naghahanda ng umagahan para sa kanilang dalawa. Ganun din ang sikat ng araw kay Yasuko na natutulog ng mahimbing. <br />
<br />
Subalit, lahat ng iyon ay natapos nung nagdaang taon.<br />
<br />
"'langya naman yang apartment building na yan."<br />
<br />
"Anu bang uri ng mga tao ang nakatira dyan, ha? At paki-bukas nga ng mga ilaw!"<br />
<br />
Nung isang taon, ilang metro lang mula sa timog na bahagi ng kanilang bahay, isang sampung-palapag na luxury apartment building ang itinayo.<br />
At ang resulta, hindi na umaabot ang sikat ng araw.<br />
Ito ay nagdulot kay Ryuuji ng pagkainis at pagkairita ng maka-ilang beses na &mdash; hindi na matuyo ang mga labahin; ang ''tatami'' ay lumapad na dahil sa hamog, nabibilog na ang mga dulo at tinubuan ng amag; at minsan pa ay nagyeyelo.<br />
Ang mga ''wallpaper'' ay nagsisimula nang magtuklapan, na maaring sanhi din ng hamog.<br />
''Ayos lang naman dahil sa ito ay inuupahan lang na bahay,''<br />
Iyun ang nais ni Ryuuji na sabihin sa kanyang sarili. Pero bilang isa na sobrang sensitibo sa pagpapanatiling ng maayos at malinis na paligid, hindi magawa ni Ryuuji na isawalang bahala ang mga bagay.<br />
Habang nakatingala at nakatingin sa puting-tiled at high-class na condo, walang magawa ang dalawang kaawawang tao na ito kundi tumayo ng magkatabi nang nakabukas ang mga bibig.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''(!<!-- --------------- Note: I've taken this part from the english translation page, i'll be using it as reference for translation and format ^_^<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
''It doesn't matter since this is just a rented apartment,''<br />
Ryuuji wanted to tell himself. Yet being extremely sensitive about keeping a place tidy and clean, Ryuuji just could not get himself to tolerate and compromise on such a thing.<br />
Looking up towards the white-tiled high-class condo, there was nothing those two poor people could do but stand shoulder to shoulder with their mouths open.<br />
<br />
"Hmm, it doesn't affect me much, since Ya-chan sleeps in the morning anyway!"<br />
<br />
"There's no use complaining. Besides, the rent's gone down by 5000 yen as a result."<br />
<br />
Taking out a spoon from the kitchen and handing it to Yasuko, Ryuuji scratched his head and said, "Well, I'll be going."<br />
This wasn't the time for family bonding; it was about time to leave.<br />
<br />
Wearing his <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gakuran#Gakuran gakuran]</span> jacket, Ryuuji bent his ever growing body and pulled up his socks.<br />
As he made sure he brought everything, he suddenly realized the faint call within his heart.<br />
<br />
That was right, today was the beginning of a new school term.<br />
After the Opening Ceremony came the changing of class.<br />
Even though he had failed in attempting to change his image, it wasn't enough to make him depressed, as some hope still remained in Ryuuji's heart. <br />
Or was that just expectation?<br />
Anyway, it was that sort of faint feeling, though he did not find it appropriate to express it.<br />
<br />
"I'm going. Remember to lock the door, and change into your pajamas!"<br />
<br />
"Ok~ay! Ah, hey Ryuu-chan,"<br />
Yasuko laid on the futon and bit the spoon with her molars. She began to smile like a child.<br />
"Ryuu-chan looks more energetic than usual today! Fight hard! You're a second year now! This is an area which Ya-chan has never been to before, you know."<br />
<br />
In order to give birth to Ryuuji, Yasuko dropped out of high school when she was still a first year, so she was not familiar with what life as a second year was like. Ryuuji felt a sense of sadness for a moment.<br />
<br />
"...yeah."<br />
<br />
He smiled for a bit and raised his hand.<br />
This was to give his thanks to his mother.<br />
However, this well-intentioned act led to an unexpectedly bad result.<br />
"KYAA!" Yasuko yelled and began rolling to and fro, and finally said that phrase.<br />
She had finally said that phrase!<br />
<br />
"Ryuu-chan is sooo~ cool! You're looking more and more like your dad now!"<br />
<br />
"!!!"<br />
<br />
...she said it.<br />
<br />
Ryuuji silently closed the front door and looked towards the sky.<br />
He spun his eyes as he felt he was being sucked into a whirlpool beneath him.<br />
''NO! I don't want that! I don't want that! Just shut up!''<br />
<br />
''That! That's the one thing I don't want to hear. Especially today.''<br />
<br />
''You look just like your dad'' &mdash; it seemed as though Yasuko didn't understand that this phrase caused Ryuuji a lot of torment.<br />
It was also the reason he bought that kind of magazine and tried to make his bangs "float gently".<br />
<br />
Leaving the house, Ryuuji headed towards the school which was within walking distance.<br />
His tightened face looked twisted.<br />
Despite this, he still walked with great strides as though he was riding the wind.<br />
Sighing, he placed his fingers over his bangs in order to cover his eyes.<br />
This was a habit of Ryuuji's.<br />
Indeed, the source of Ryuuji's agony was none other than his eyes.<br />
<br />
They were bad!<br />
It had nothing to do with his perfect eyesight.<br />
It was their appearance; they just looked fierce.<br />
<br />
This past year Ryuuji had been growing up at a rapid pace, he now had that manly look.<br />
Though he wasn't the super-handsome type, he was not exactly the aloof geek either<br />
...Ahem. <br />
Anyway, he didn't look bad, though no one else had said that; at least that was what Ryuuji thought.<br />
<br />
Yet his eyes were unusually fierce, they were so bad that it was no joking matter.<br />
His eyes were the sort that tilt upwards with the white parts occupying most of his eyes while his pupils took up a small section of them.<br />
Of course, these were just the basics, that was not the worst part.<br />
Since his eyes were big, the white in his eyes would constantly reflect a very strong, stinging glare, while his tiny pupils would move sharply as though they were about to slice the opponent before him, regardless of Ryuuji's intentions.<br />
It was these eyes that usually lead to a person running away at full speed upon coming into eye contact.<br />
He knew that all too well.<br />
In fact, when he saw a group photo with himself, even he would be at a loss after wondering, "Geez, why does he look so pissed ...Ah, is that me?"<br />
<br />
On the other hand, it could be partly blamed on his rough personality.<br />
He spoke in quite an unrefined way, which had something to do with his extreme sensitivity.<br />
This was why he rarely joked around or said anything foolish.<br />
Maybe it was because of that, or maybe it was because he lived with someone like Yasuko, which caused him to lose all virtuosity and trustworthiness.<br />
Above all else, Ryuuji prided himself in being pragmatically protective of himself.<br />
<br />
But, as a result...<br />
<br />
"Ta&ndash;Takasu-kun...! Are you trying to defy a teacher!? S, someone! Bring me a baton!"<br />
<br />
''No I wasn't! I was just trying to apologize for forgetting to hand in my homework.''<br />
<br />
"I, I, I, I, I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to bump into you! It was that guy who pushed me over to you!"<br />
<br />
''Who is going to get mad over getting bumped on the shoulder?''<br />
<br />
"I heard Takasu-kun gatecrashed a graduation ceremony of some other school while he was in junior high, he even took over their broadcast room!"<br />
<br />
''Stop making me sound like I'm some sort of bad delinquent!''<br />
<br />
" &mdash; Am I going to get all these misunderstandings all over again?"<br />
Thinking back on all these painful memories, Ryuuji couldn't help but sigh.<br />
<br />
His grades were not bad, and he had never been late or absent.<br />
He hadn't even gotten into an argument with people, let alone into a fistfight.<br />
To put it simply, Takasu Ryuuji was just a normal young person.<br />
Despite that, due to his fierce eyes, and it was only because of this, everyone had come to the conclusion that he was some kind of vicious delinquent &mdash; his only relative being a night hostess also indirectly lead to this conclusion.<br />
<br />
After spending a year with his classmates, most of the misunderstandings had been resolved.<br />
A year was not short, especially for a high school student.<br />
The problem was that everything started anew today, not to mention that his effort at changing his image had ended in failure.<br />
<br />
There was still something to look forward to in changing classes, since Ryuuji wanted to be in the same class as a certain person.<br />
But when his thoughts moved to the torment that he would have to face afterwards, his na&iuml;ve expectations instantly shrunk in half.<br />
Not to mention Yasuko's big mouth.<br />
No, that was wrong! All the blame had to go to his father's troublesome genes!<br />
<br />
"Your dad, huh? He's in heaven now. He was quite cool, used to calmly sweep his hair backwards, his sharp shoes were always shiny, and he always hung such a lo~ng gold chain around his neck while wearing a casual suit with his Rolex. Inside, he always stuffed a thick magazine.<br />
<br />
"What for? When Ya-chan asked him that, he said 'So that I don't have to worry about getting stabbed.' Ahhh~ I was so moved~!"<br />
<br />
All Ryuuji could think of was how Yasuko swooned when talking about him, and then there was the sole photo of his father that was left behind.<br />
His father's pose was just as Yasuko had described him to be.<br />
Standing open-footed while looking proud, he carried a small briefcase under his armpit.<br />
He was dressed in a white suit with a flamboyant open neck shirt.<br />
The two golden rings on his fingers glittered and he even wore a diamond earring in one ear.<br />
And then there was his face that read "You talkin' to me?", with his chin pointing downwards towards the camera.<br />
One of his hands was groping the breast of his mother, who looked much younger than she was now.<br />
His mother, carrying a pregnant stomach, smiled cheerfully.<br />
His father even had a gold tooth as he smiled.<br />
<br />
''He was actually quite gentle, and serious, and would never hurt a normal person,'' or at least that was what Yasuko would say, but why on earth would a gentle and serious person become a gangster!?<br />
And who on earth would let such a young high school girl get pregnant?<br />
Most importantly, those eyes...<br />
If one were stared at by those sharp eyes, they would quickly hand over their wallets and hope nothing else bad happened.<br />
Those eyes were used for just that: violent extortion.<br />
And yet those objects were now fixed upon his face.<br />
Ryuuji suddenly shuddered.<br />
Even if he did think of his father that way, it was still impossible not to have everyone misunderstand him!<br />
<br />
By the way, it was possible that his father was still be alive.<br />
According to Yasuko, to help an underling escape, he was beaten into a pulp and dropped to the bottom of Yokohama Harbor.<br />
However, there was no grave, no altar, no artefact, no epitaph, not even a body; there was no record of such an event ever happening.<br />
Sometimes a drunk Yasuko would jokingly say for no reason "I wonder what Ryuu-chan would look like if your dad were to suddenly return? Hohohoho, I'm just kidding!"<br />
<br />
''Dad is probably meditating in some icy cold room! As his son, I just feel that &mdash;''<br />
<br />
"Hey, Takasu! Morning! It's a great morning, isn't it?"<br />
<br />
Hearing someone call him from behind, Ryuuji quickly turned around and raised his hand,<br />
"Oh, Kitamura. Morning!"<br />
<br />
''Can't help it, if I stop and wait for my friend to catch up, people will think that I'm gonna strangle him to death, even though that's not the case.''<br />
Ryuuji silently considered this.<br />
Being misunderstood was unavoidable, and in such an event he would have to explain as nicely as he could.<br />
As long as he spent time on it, people would eventually understand.<br />
Though it was quite troublesome.<br />
That was the only thing he could do, so it was the only thing he had to do!<br />
<br />
Looking up at the blue sky, the bright sunlight caused Ryuuji to squint his eyes.<br />
Today was a fine day, there was no wind.<br />
The cherry blossoms silently wilted at this time of year and gently fell on Ryuuji's head.<br />
<br />
Ryuuji continued to carry his torment and strode forward in his shiny black shoes.<br />
The weather sure was great for today's Opening Ceremony.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>* * *</center></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"Whoa! We're in the same class as Takasu, you gotta be kidding me!"<br />
<br />
"He sure looks intimidating, how scary!"<br />
<br />
"So who's going to go talk to him?"<br />
<br />
"Nope, not me."<br />
<br />
"Why don't you go? Hey! Don't push...!"<br />
<br />
''Say whatever you want, I am no longer affected by anything.''<br />
<br />
Ryuuji entered the classroom in the most unfazed way possible, ignoring the glances of his classmates, and sat on his desk with his back towards them while staring into the distance with his sharp eyes.<br />
Licking his dry lips, his legs began to shake on their own.<br />
To a bystander, he looked like a vicious carnivore on the lookout for weak prey.<br />
<br />
"Same as usual, huh? Looks like there will be guys that misunderstand you here as well. Oh well, it will all get sorted out after a while anyway! Besides, I'm with you, not to mention there's quite a number of our classmates from Class-A here."<br />
<br />
"Oh, don't worry about that, I don't really mind."<br />
<br />
Ryuuji replied with a gentle smile to his good friend Kitamura Yuusaku, who was in his class again this year.<br />
Honestly, Ryuuji was currently in a very good mood, but not in a way where he would cruelly lick his lips just before pouncing on his prey.<br />
If that were the case, he wouldn't be grinning from ear to ear and ready to lift off like a rocket.<br />
The reason he was happy was not because of his relation with Kitamura.<br />
To a friend like him, Ryuuji would simply smile gently and say, "Looks like we're in the same class again, Kitamura!"<br />
No, the reason he felt like blasting off like a rocket was because of &mdash;<br />
<br />
"Oh! Kitamura-kun! We're in the same class this year!"<br />
<br />
&mdash; her.<br />
<br />
"Huh? Ah! Kushieda, you're also in Class-C?"<br />
<br />
[[Image:Toradora vol01 029.jpg|thumb]]<br />
<br />
"Eh!? You mean you only just found out? How cold, at least check the class roster on the first day of school!"<br />
<br />
"My bad. What a coincidence. This means we can have more time to sort out our club meetings!"<br />
<br />
"Ahaha, that's right! Oh, Takasu-kun ...right? Do you still remember me? I appear in front of Kitamura-kun from time to time," she paused.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
"Ah, um, is it okay if I call you Takasu-kun?"<br />
<br />
"...Ah...er..."<br />
<br />
At that moment an angel revealed herself.<br />
Before Ryuuji's eyes was a smile that shone as brightly as the sun, as warm as the sunlight that used to dwell on the south window of his house, illuminating everything within his sight.<br />
The light rays were intensifying to the point where Ryuuji could no longer keep his eyes open.<br />
<br />
"Kushieda Minori, right?"<br />
<br />
''AHH! Dammit! I got the words right! But!'' His voice just sounded too cold. Ryuuji felt like screaming.<br />
''Why did I only come up with a response like that? Why couldn't I come up with something better!?''<br />
<br />
"Wow! You remembered my full name, I'm so glad!"<br />
She paused a bit, "Oh dear! Someone's calling me from over there! I have to go, Kitamura-kun. See you in the first club meeting of the term as second years! So don't forget! Takasu-kun, let's talk again some time!"<br />
<br />
Seeing her turn around, Ryuuji slowly and awkwardly raised his arm, but it was too late.<br />
She had already disappeared.<br />
<br />
''She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.''<br />
<br />
Kushieda Minori.<br />
<br />
''She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.''<br />
<br />
He finally got his wish of being in the same class as Kushieda Minori.<br />
<br />
''She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.''<br />
<br />
She said, ''She was glad...''<br />
<br />
"Takasu?"<br />
<br />
" &mdash;Whoa!?"<br />
Kitamura suddenly appeared before his face, causing him to fall over his chair.<br />
<br />
"What're you grinning at?"<br />
<br />
"No, it&ndash;it's nothing."<br />
<br />
"Oh really?" Kitamura pushed up on the frame of his glasses with his middle finger.<br />
Ryuuji felt very grateful from the bottom of his heart, for Kitamura might have been the only person in this world who could tell whether he was smiling or not.<br />
There was one more thing he was grateful to Kitamura for.<br />
<br />
"...Kitamura, you," Ryuuji fumbled his words.<br />
"How should I say this. Er&ndash;you always seem pretty relaxed when you talk to girls," Ryuuji went down to a whisper, "like Kushieda-san!"<br />
<br />
"Huh? What do you mean?"<br />
<br />
The eyes behind Kitamura's glasses widened.<br />
He wasn't being humble.<br />
Rather, he was surprised.<br />
''Looks like he doesn't realize it himself.''<br />
Ryuuji decided to hold back what he was about to say to this rather dense person.<br />
<br />
His leisurely conversation with Kushieda a while ago just sounded so "natural".<br />
No, it wasn't just a while ago.<br />
Since last year, Kitamura had always been able to speak with her naturally.<br />
Furthermore, they were both in the softball club!<br />
Ryuuji was always there, constantly trying to give her a gentle smile or receive a greeting from her; it was an effort that could move one to tears.<br />
<br />
To use soccer as a metaphor, Ryuuji would be a center defender who hardly ever had any chance of participating in offense.<br />
It was also thanks to constantly being besides Kitamura and observing his cheerful conversations with Kushieda that Ryuuji started to realize that she was really cute and that he liked her and wanted to become friends with her.<br />
<br />
Her various cheerful expressions.<br />
<br />
Her delicate body and exaggerated movements.<br />
<br />
Her innocent smiles and clear voice.<br />
<br />
Despite his intimidating appearance, she still managed to keep her usual cheerfulness in his presence, even to this day.<br />
<br />
''That's Kushieda Minori for you.''<br />
<br />
For Ryuuji, in order for a girl to become his girlfriend, she would need to be appealing to the eyes and as sparkling as the rays of the sun.<br />
Being energetic and direct was more important than anything else for him, and that was how a girl should be.<br />
But still &mdash;<br />
<br />
"What're you talking about? How's it possible for me to talk naturally to girls? You should know very well what they like to call me!"<br />
<br />
Ryuuji couldn't help but sigh.<br />
''How enviable!''<br />
Just looking at the way Kitamura talked was enough to make his eyes bleed.<br />
Yet Kitamura continued, "I'm no good with girls. I think I probably won't ever find a girlfriend for the rest of my life."<br />
<br />
Even though he wanted to answer with<br />
"I don't think so...",<br />
looking up at the blindingly radiant noble before him, Ryuuji swallowed what he was about to say.<br />
No matter what he said, this fellow would probably never understand.<br />
Ryuuji suddenly felt a wave of depression.<br />
<br />
It was true that the girls called Kitamura "Maruo", after the typical "Mr. Nice Guy" from <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maruko-chan Chibi Maruko-chan]</span>.<br />
Perhaps there is some resemblance, explaining how he got the nickname.<br />
On top of this, he has many more traits: glasses with very high prescription, a straightforward personality, excellent grades, he doesn't follow the trend of being flirtatious, and holds quite traditional values.<br />
In the right situation, he would say "That's correct"; he is the sort of guy capable of creating a cheerful atmosphere in the classroom.<br />
Speaking of which, he is the former class representative, the current vice president of the Student Council, and the front-runner to be the new president of the softball team.<br />
It is natural for everyone to make fun of him.<br />
<br />
His looks aren't the problem.<br />
No.<br />
To be precise, upon closer inspection one would discover that he is surprisingly handsome.<br />
Combined with his consistent personality inside and outside, as well as the ability to make fun of himself, there is absolutely nothing unlikeable about him.<br />
So although he claimed to be constantly teased by girls, it wasn't because they hated him.<br />
<br />
''Ah, so that's why,'' Ryuuji finally understood.<br />
Come to think of it, Kitamura was quite popular with the girls, not just with Kushieda; he was able to talk to all of them naturally.<br />
Whenever the girls saw him, they would go, "Ah~ I'm in the same class as Maruo again!" to which Kitamura would nonchalantly reply, "Oh? Is there a problem with that?"<br />
<br />
''And yet he claims that he's no good with girls. It's not as though they fear him like me.''<br />
Just as Ryuuji went into deep thought, he heard someone say "Whoa, scary."<br />
<br />
''See? Here we go again!''<br />
Ryuuji laid on top of his desk and ignored those voices that he would occasionally hear. Just a while ago he was floating over the moon from being in the same class as Kushieda Minori, so he did not mind others and what they thought of him.<br />
<br />
"Sure looks formidable. I told you this guy isn't a normal person."<br />
<br />
"Whoa, look at those eyes. If you piss the owner of those eyes off, you could get killed!"<br />
<br />
The spell seemed to have been broken.<br />
Ryuuji started to notice that the non-malicious whispers began to increase.<br />
<br />
''It might be better to hide in the bathroom until the new homeroom teacher arrives,'' Ryuuji thought hopefully.<br />
It would clear his mind a bit.<br />
<br />
So he stood up, and just as he was about to walk through the door, he felt something bump into his stomach.<br />
"Hmm...?"<br />
<br />
Ryuuji thought he had bumped into something, but there was nothing in front of his eyes.<br />
''That's strange.'' Ryuuji moved his eyes around, yet all he could see was &mdash;<br />
<br />
Students started calling out,<br />
<br />
"Yikes! As expected from Takasu-kun; is he going to make the first move?"<br />
<br />
"Has the deathmatch started already? When I saw the class roster, I knew this was going to be a terrible class."<br />
<br />
All Ryuuji could see were the new classmates whispering amongst themselves.<br />
''Are they talking about me? But still, why?''<br />
<br />
One of the members in the class came up with a title, "Clash of the Titans. Hmm?"<br />
<br />
"We're already in the final showdown."<br />
<br />
Everyone was talking strangely.<br />
Clash of the Titans?<br />
Final showdown?<br />
What the hell are they talking about?<br />
Ryuuji tilted his head trying to make sense of what was going on.<br />
<br />
"Are you not even going to apologize after bumping into someone?"<br />
He heard a very cold voice emanating from somewhere.<br />
The strange and calm tone of voice sounded as though it was suppressing and holding back some emotion that was about to explode.<br />
Yet he could not tell where the voice came from.<br />
<br />
"Huh?"<br />
<br />
The mood became dark.<br />
Ryuuji glanced to the right, there was no one; he glanced to the left, there was no one there as well; apprehensively, he looked upwards.<br />
Fortunately, there was no one there either.<br />
<br />
"That means &mdash; "<br />
<br />
So it did come from below.<br />
Down, right below his eyes, in a place much lower than Ryuuji's chest, was a head of hair.<br />
The first thing he thought was that she resembled a doll.<br />
<br />
Anyway, she was very small.<br />
Her long straight hair softly fluttered and covered the tiny body of the Palmtop Tiger.<br />
"Palmtop Tiger?"<br />
<br />
That mysterious terminology suddenly appeared in Ryuuji's thoughts, causing him to say it out loud without thinking.<br />
Seems like he must have heard someone whispering that nearby.<br />
<br />
''Palmtop Tiger!?''<br />
<br />
Then that means...<br />
<br />
"Who&ndash; "<br />
<br />
''Is that what this little doll is called? Though she is small enough to fit into a palm, how is she like a tiger?''<br />
<br />
" &ndash;who you calling a Palmtop Tiger?"<br />
This was not an occasion where one could think for a long time, as whatever it was began to lift her chin, and with her eyes...<br />
<br />
<br />
"WHOA!!"<br />
<br />
<br />
It took three seconds.<br />
Everything went silent, though perhaps it was only Ryuuji's imagination.<br />
For an instant, it felt like a vacuum created by a shock wave just after an explosion.<br />
The background noise slowly returned to everyone's ears.<br />
By the time he realized it, Ryuuji found that he had fallen backwards onto the ground.<br />
It wasn't just him, the few classmates nearby were hit as well and moaned, while others were already getting ready to escape.<br />
<br />
Just what happened?<br />
''I already know. Nothing really happened.''<br />
It was just that this ''girl'' before his eyes &mdash;<br />
<br />
"Such a hopeless person."<br />
<br />
All she did was stare at Ryuuji with those two large eyes of hers, nothing more.<br />
<br />
That was it.<br />
Within a few seconds, Ryuuji had already been struck down by awe.<br />
His mind went blank, his body felt paralyzed just by the sheer pressure she created.<br />
Ryuuji was repelled by her glare, or to be more precise, he was repelled by the aura that emanated from her eyes, causing him to fall on the ground.<br />
<br />
Their difference was way too large, they were on completely different levels.<br />
For a person whose eyes were no less intimidating, Ryuuji had been completely defeated.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Toradora vol01 039.jpg|thumb]]<br />
<br />
This was the first time Ryuuji understood what it meant to have fierce eyes.<br />
It included the necessary essence one carries, as well as a ferociousness to match; or to be more exact, an "intent to kill."<br />
<br />
"Hmph."<br />
For a few seconds that felt like an eternity, Ryuuji felt a subtle contempt in her eyes that would not be swayed even if she were stabbed in the heart.<br />
<br />
"A dragon...? How lame."<br />
She opened her cherry lips and shot out words like bullets that carried a certain child-like quality to them.<br />
Her incredibly small hands roughly swept aside her fluttering hair, while her soft eyelids hid her killing intent.<br />
Those eyes were now as transparent as the glass eyes of a doll and stared coldly at Ryuuji.<br />
<br />
''She's cute, but she's scary as well.''<br />
She had a pale white face, unbelievably long brunette hair, and tiny limbs and shoulders, while her shiny pupils were surrounded by gentle eyelashes.<br />
She was as adorable as a candy containing deadly toxins, as lovable as a flower that could kill just by scent alone.<br />
<br />
Yet when she stared at him, Ryuuji could feel the carnivore leaping out from those eyes of hers.<br />
Of course, this was all just an illusion, yet it felt more real than reality.<br />
The carnivore's weight had knocked Ryuuji down on the floor and it roared with a sound that shook deep into his blood.<br />
The sound it produced seemed to be saying, "I can take out a guy like you anytime I want."<br />
The sharp claws and fangs slowly approached him, emanating a sense of bloodthirstiness and the scent of a beast.<br />
Compared to her small figure, the much larger illusion that loomed before him was...a tiger.<br />
<br />
"Ah, ahh&ndash;ah, ah, ahhh...t&ndash;that's right."<br />
Without realizing it, Ryuuji began to nod and clapped his hands.<br />
''So that's why she's called the Palmtop Tiger! I wonder who gave her that name, but &mdash;''<br />
<br />
" &mdash; Isn't that a wonderful name?"<br />
<br />
''And such a fitting name as well, I'm impressed.''<br />
The girl glanced at Ryuuji, silently uttered "dragon", and then looked at him with disdain.<br />
<br />
It was not hard to see why.<br />
Whether from the fall or from being ripped open by the phantom tiger, Ryuuji's gakuran jacket was now open.<br />
Under his jacket, he wore a colorful "Soryuu (Rising Dragon)" T-shirt that Yasuko had happily bought for him.<br />
It wasn't like Ryuuji had wanted to wear a T-shirt that would cause such misunderstandings, it was just that all his other clothes were taken to the laundry for that day and he wasn't expecting anyone to be able see what he was wearing inside with his jacket on.<br />
<br />
Feeling embarrassed for some reason, Ryuuji quickly covered his chest, like a girl that just got assaulted by a ruffian.<br />
At that moment, he saw someone tip-tapping her way closer.<br />
<br />
"You're late, Taiga! You skipped the Opening Ceremony, didn't you?"<br />
<br />
"I overslept. Anyway, I'm glad I'm in the same class as Minorin this year."<br />
<br />
"Yeah! Me too!"<br />
<br />
It was none other than Kushieda Minori.<br />
She directly called the Palmtop Tiger "Taiga", and even smiled and gently caressed her hair, while the Palmtop Tiger also intimately called her "Minorin".<br />
Watching all of this, Ryuuji began to hear the whispers around him.<br />
<br />
"So Round 1 is won by the Palmtop Tiger Aisaka?"<br />
<br />
"Looks like Takasu is only scary in appearance, he's no delinquent!"<br />
<br />
"Huh? Really?"<br />
<br />
"That's why he lost to the Palmtop Tiger. Besides, she's the real thing when it comes to ferociousness!"<br />
<br />
The misunderstandings were resolved much sooner than Ryuuji had expected, however...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%; border: "><center>* * *</center></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Palmtop Tiger had an amazing name called Aisaka Taiga.<br />
Her height was 145 cm.<br />
Aisaka Taiga and Kushieda Minori were what you would call good friends.<br />
From the various whispers Ryuuji had heard, it was rumored her father worked as a fixer in the underworld.<br />
There was another story that her father was actually a karate master ruling the underworld in America.<br />
And then there was yet another that said she herself was a karate expert, but was expelled from her dojo for attacking her master.<br />
<br />
Back when she first entered this school, a lot of people were fooled by her beauty, and many guys lined up to confess to her.<br />
Of course their dreams were all ruthlessly shattered as they were intimidated, bitten, torn to shreds...<br />
There were quite a few that never did recover after they were mercilessly belittled by her.<br />
Wherever Aisaka went, her path was drenched with the blood of countless corpses of male students.<br />
<br />
There was just a lot of bad press concerning Aisaka Taiga.<br />
Regardless of whether the rumors were true or not, there was no doubt that she was the most dangerous being in this school.<br />
It was many days after the Opening Ceremony that Ryuuji learned about these things.<br />
<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"<br />
|-<br />
| Back to [[Toradora%21:Volume1_Illustrations|Illustrations]]<br />
| Return to [[Toradora%21|Main Page]]<br />
| Forward to [[Toradora%21:Volume1_Chapter2|Chapter 2]]<br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
</noinclude><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
------------------------------------------ -->)'''</div>Xxfate13https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=User:Xxfate13&diff=39447User:Xxfate132008-12-19T11:20:49Z<p>Xxfate13: </p>
<hr />
<div>there's nothing much here.. just to get rid of that red (dark red? brownish red?) link.. ^_^<br />
<br />
xxfate13<br />
- studied basic Japanese<br />
- 4/5 rating for English<br />
- native language is Filipino<br />
- likes manga/anime<br />
<br />
^_^ yep.. that's all</div>Xxfate13https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=User:Xxfate13&diff=39446User:Xxfate132008-12-19T11:19:57Z<p>Xxfate13: </p>
<hr />
<div>there's nothing much here.. just to get rid of that red (dark red? brownish red?) link.. ^_^<br />
<br />
xxfate13<br />
-studied basic Japanese<br />
-4/5 rating for English<br />
-native language is Filipino<br />
-likes manga/anime<br />
<br />
^_^ yep.. that's all</div>Xxfate13https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Toradora!_(Filipino):_Bol._1,_Kab._1&diff=39445Toradora! (Filipino): Bol. 1, Kab. 12008-12-19T11:14:22Z<p>Xxfate13: </p>
<hr />
<div><center>''''May isang bagay sa mundong ito na hindi pa nakikita ng kahit sinu man''<br />
<br />
''Ito ay malambot at matamis.''<br />
<br />
''At kung ito ay matagpuan, tiyak na gugustuhin ito ng lahat,''<br />
<br />
''Sapagkat ito ay mahusay na itinago ng daigdig, upang ito ay mahirap hanapin.''<br />
<br />
''Ngunit, darating ang araw na may makakatagpo nito,''<br />
<br />
''At ang tanging makakakuha nito ay ang mga karapat dapat lamang.''<br />
<br />
''Iyun lang.''</center><br />
<br />
<br />
'''(!<!-- I edited some parts above.. I didn't touch the rest made by 'Supahem'.. I'll just continue his work ^_^ ------- -->)'''<br />
<br />
===Kabanata 1===<br />
<br />
"Naman!"<br />
<br />
Alas siyete noon.<br />
<br />
Malumanay na araw ngunit madilim sa loob.<br />
<br />
Ang paupahang-bahay na ito ay may dalawang kuwarto at kusing na nakaharap sa bahaging timog ng dalawang palapag na gusali. Mula dito ay sampung minuto ang layo nito sa istasyon ng tren.<br />
<br />
Ang upa dito ay 32,000 piso.<br />
<br />
"Ayoko na! Di ko kaya 'to!"<br />
<br />
Tinanggal ng (mukhang)inis na kamay ang hamog sa salamin. Pero dahil may pagkaluma na ang banyo, matapos punasan ay bumalik ulit ang hamog.<br />
<br />
Pero wala ring saysay na pagbuntungan ng galit ang isang salamin, kahit gaano pa ka-init ang ulo mo...<br />
<br />
"Wala naman palang kwenta 'tong mga ito!"<br />
<br />
''Magmukhang maamo gamit ang naka-angat na ''bangs'' '' - Yun ang nakasulat sa pinakabagong ''fashion magazine'' na para sa mga kalalakihan.<br />
<br />
Ang mga bangs ni Takasu Ryuji ngayon ay naka-angat na rin. Hinatak niya ito ng todo tulad ng nakasaad sa artikulo ng babasahin, pinatuyo upang umangat, at inayos ito ng patagilid gamit ang pomada. Sinunod nya ang lahat ng nakasaad sa artikulo. Gumising pa nga siya ng maaga(30 minuto mula sa kinagisnang oras) upang maitulad nya ang kanyang buhok sa mga modelo at nang matupad ang pangarap niya.<br />
<br />
Pero...<br />
<br />
".. Baka naman nagilusyon lang ako na kaya kong baguhin ang sarili ko sa pamamagitan lamang ng buhok.."<br />
<br />
Nagmumukmok, tinapon ni Ryuji ang magasin na kinailangan niya ng lakas ng loob para bilhin. Pero di siya asintado at ito ay bumuklat matapos ikalat ang laman ng basurahan.<br />
<br />
Nakasulat sa pahina na iyon, "May oras ka pa bago magsimula ang klase. Maamo o Marupok? Dito nagsisimula ang ating paglalakbay patungo sa pagmomodelo".... ''Kung ako man iyon, di ako sigurado kung gusto kong mag modelo''<br />
<br />
''Pero gusto kong magbago''<br />
<br />
Di nga lang maganda ang kinalabasan.<br />
<br />
Matapos iyon ay binasa ni Ryuji and kanyang mga kami at ginulo ang buhok na matagal nyang inayos, at binalik ito sa dating porma nito (unat). Pagkatapos ay pinulot nito ang mga kalat sa papag.<br />
<br />
"Ah!? Ano 'to...a..amag.. AMAG!"<br />
<br />
Kahit na pinunasan na niya ang hamog, kahit na isang linggo pa nyang nilinisan ang mga amag sa banyo, lahat ng iyon ay nasayang sa isang mainit na kwarto. Kagat ang kanyang labi, Sinubukang tanggalin ni Ryuji and mga amag gamit ang ''tissue''. Malamang na hindi ito madali, kaya pinunit na lamang nya ang mga ito.<br />
<br />
"hay, kakaubos ko lang nito. Kailangan ko nanamang bumili ng pantanggal amag"<br />
<br />
''Mamaya na siguro. Pero babalik ako para ubusin kayo!'' Tinitigan ni Ryuji and amag habang pinupulot ang mga kalat. PAgkatapos ay pinunasan nya ng maigi ang papag gamit ang mga tuwalya, kasama ang pagtanggal sa mga nakakalat na buhok at pagpunas ng hamog sa banyo bago nya inangat ang kanyang ulo at nagbuntong-hininga..<br />
<br />
"Ah, oo nga pala... Oi, In~ko!"<br />
<br />
"Ah.."<br />
<br />
Isang matinis na boses ang sumagot sa sigaw ng binata. Mabuti naman at gising na siya.<br />
<br />
Habang inaaoys ang sarili, pinuntahan ni Ryuji ang kusina, kumuha ng pagkain para sa kanyang alaga at mga gamit na diyaryo. Matapos nito ay pumunta sa gilid ng sala. Pagtanggal nito ng takip sa bahay-ibon, binati ni Ryuji and kanyang alaga na hindi pa nya nakikita buong gabi. Hindi ko alam kung panu pinapalaki ng ibang tao ang kanilang alaga, pero ganito ang pamamaraan ng mga Takasu sa kanilang alagang loro.<br />
<br />
"Magandang umaga, Inko-chan."<br />
<br />
Isang dilaw na loro, iyon si Inko-chan. Tulad ng dati, binigyan ni Ryuuji ng pagkain ang alagang loro habang kinakausap ito.<br />
<br />
"Ma, magandang... umaga," kumindat pataas ang kanyang mga mata sa kakaiba at misteryosong paraan, pero nagawa pa rin niyang sumagot sa salitang Hapones. Kahit kakagising pa lang niya, siya ay nasa isang magandang modo. Iyon ang rason kung bakit siya nakakagiliw.<br />
<br />
"Inko-chan, pakisabi nga ang kakain na."<br />
<br />
"Ka, kain, n...kakain na! Kakain na! Kakain! Na!"<br />
<br />
"Okey, tama na. Ngayon, tingnan natin kung kaya mo nang sabihin 'yon! Kayanin mo na kayang sabihin ang pangalan mo... halika na, Inko-chan."<br />
<br />
"I, I, In, I, In, Iiii...I..." Umuubos ng maraming lakas si Inko-chan, habang umiiling at humihinga ng malalim, pagkatapos ay pumagaspas ang mga pakpak ng mabilis. "......iiiii......"<br />
<br />
<br />
'''(!<!-- Here's where I start. - xxfate13 ^_^ ------- -->)'''<br />
<br />
<br />
Habang naduduling ang mga mata, bahagyang makikita ang kulay abong dila mula sa tuka nito.<br />
''Baka magagawa niya ito ngayon," naisip ng kanyang amo habang itinikom ng madiin ang kanyang kamao.<br />
Sa huli...<br />
<br />
"Blegh!"<br />
<br />
''Ahhh... bakit ba bobo ang mga ibon? Gaya ng inaasahan kung meron kang utak na tumitimbang lang ng 1 gramo,'' buntung-hininga ni Ryuuji habang tinutupi ang mga maduming dyaryo. Itinapon niya ang mga dyaryo sa isang supot.<br />
Nang isasama na niya ito sa ibang basura sa kusina,<br />
<br />
"...saan...ka...pupunta..."<br />
<br />
Ang taong nakahiga sa likod ng <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusuma fusuma]</span> ay mukhang nagising na din.<br />
<br />
"Ryuu-chan, uniporme mo ba 'yang suot mo? bakit?" bahagyang tanong.<br />
<br />
Maiging inayos ni Ryuuji ang supot ng basura at sinagot ang boses, "Pupunta na ako sa school. 'Di ba sinabi ko na sa'yo kahapon na ngayon ang simula ng klase?"<br />
<br />
"...Ah."<br />
<br />
Bumukaka siya sa ibabaw ng <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/futon futon]</span>, paulit-ulit niyang sinambit ang mga kataga na parang maiiyak, ''E di, e di..''<br />
<br />
"E di, paano na ang kay Ya-chan '''(!<!-- <br />
<br />
err.. i just used the japanese honorifics like -san -chan -kun because it would be much easier for me.. haha.. joke<br />
actually, I was wondering to use it or not. In tagalog (here in the philippines), it is weird to use your name (addressing yourself) in a sentence which you have made. I think the same goes with other languages. In japanese, there are implications or meaning behind when this is being used. So, I'll just use it as-is. <br />
<br />
-->)'''na... tanghalian? Wala pa akong naaamoy na pagkain...di mo ba ko ginawa ng konti?"<br />
<br />
"Hindi."<br />
<br />
"Ehhh~... e di... anu na ang gagawin ni Ya-chan...'pag nagising na siya...? Walang masarap na pagkain..."<br />
<br />
"Makakabalik ako ng bahay bago ka gumising! Pupunta lang ako sa ''Term Opening Ceremony''." '''(!<!-- <br />
<br />
Tagalog/Filipino is a very flexible language. English words are being used naturally, neing incorporated in daily conversations.. I'll put into italics english words that doesn't have a tagalog translation, or is preferable to be in english. This is how we quote english words in tagalog sentences.<br />
-->)'''<br />
<br />
"Wah..yun pala..."<br />
<br />
''Hee hee hee hee,'' ngumiti siya habang inayos ang posisyon at nagsimulang ipalakpak ang mga kamay ...paumanhin, ipinalkpak ang mga paa.<br />
<br />
"''Opening Ceremony'', huh? '''Grats~!'' Ibig sabihin, si Ryu-chan ay nasa ikalawang antas pamula ngayon?"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''(!<!-- --------------- Note: I've taken this part from the english translation page, i'll be using it as reference for translation and format ^_^<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"I'll be home by the time you wake up! I'm just going to the Term Opening Ceremony."<br />
<br />
"Wha...is that it..."<br />
<br />
''Hee hee hee hee,'' she smiled as she closed her open legs together and began to clap her hands ...Sorry, clap her feet.<br />
<br />
"Opening Ceremony, huh? 'Grats~! That means, Ryuu-chan is gonna be a second year from today on?"<br />
<br />
"Let's set that aside. Didn't I already tell you before that, no matter how busy you are, you must always remove your makeup before you sleep? Since you moaned about how bothersome it was before, didn't I specifically buy some special makeup removing tissues," Ryuuji inspected her surroundings a bit better, "...Ah...AH! You've gotten makeup powder all over the pillow! I can't wash that off! You should take better care of your skin; you aren't young anymore!"<br />
<br />
"Sorry."<br />
<br />
Her leopard-spotted panties were completely exposed.<br />
As she got up, her large breasts shook while some of her messy blond hair got stuck in her cleavage.<br />
Whether it was the waving of her hair or the long nails from her fingers, she gave off a very feminine feel.<br />
But still,<br />
"Must've drank too much, I just came back an hour ago. Ah~ So sleepy," she yawned, "Oh yeah...I brought some pudding home."<br />
<br />
As she exhaled and rubbed her thick eyelashes, she slowly wandered towards the convenience store bag at the corner of the room.<br />
That appearance &mdash; her cherry lips muttering "pudding", her plump cheeks, and her round eyes &mdash; such child-like features just did not seem to fit her.<br />
Though she was a bit weird, perhaps she could still be called a pretty lady.<br />
<br />
"Huh...Ryuu-chan, I can't find the spoon."<br />
<br />
"Maybe the store assistant forgot to put it in?"<br />
<br />
"Can't be! I saw him put it inside. That's strange..."<br />
<br />
This was Takasu Ryuuji's mother Takasu Yasuko: stage name "Mirano". Thirty-three years old (she always claimed to be forever 23), she worked as a hostess in the town's only bar "Bishamontengoku".<br />
<br />
Yasuko poured the contents of the convenience store bag out and rummaged through them at the corner of her futon. Her little face frowned,<br />
"It's so dark in here...I can't find the spoon like this! Ryuu-chan, can you open the curtains?"<br />
<br />
"They are open."<br />
<br />
"Eh~...? Ahh, that's right...since I don't always wake up at this time, I must've forgotten..."<br />
Inside a dark room, the rather odd mother-son couple sighed together.<br />
<br />
It was the window facing south.<br />
<br />
It had been six years since they moved in here.<br />
Inside this little house where the two of them lived, their entire source of natural light came from the south side window.<br />
As the entrance was on the north and because they were surrounded on the east and west sides by their neighbors' houses, only the south side had windows.<br />
Despite this, sunlight had been abundant, especially during the mornings.<br />
There was no need to turn on the lights from sunrise to sunset, unless when it was raining.<br />
The bright sunlight used to always shine plentifully on Ryuuji while in his uniform preparing breakfast for the two of them and on Yasuko who would be sleeping soundly.<br />
<br />
However, all that came to an end last year.<br />
<br />
"Damn that apartment building."<br />
<br />
"Just what kind of people live there anyway? And turn on the lights already!"<br />
<br />
Last year, just a few meters from the south side of this house, a ten-story luxury apartment building was built.<br />
As a result, the sun no longer shone through.<br />
This had driven Ryuuji to the brink of madness and frustration countless times already &mdash; the laundry could no longer dry; the tatami now expanded due to the humidity, curled at the corners and grew moldy; and sometimes it would even get frosty.<br />
The wallpaper was starting to peel, which must have had something to do with the humidity as well.<br />
''It doesn't matter since this is just a rented apartment,''<br />
Ryuuji wanted to tell himself. Yet being extremely sensitive about keeping a place tidy and clean, Ryuuji just could not get himself to tolerate and compromise on such a thing.<br />
Looking up towards the white-tiled high-class condo, there was nothing those two poor people could do but stand shoulder to shoulder with their mouths open.<br />
<br />
"Hmm, it doesn't affect me much, since Ya-chan sleeps in the morning anyway!"<br />
<br />
"There's no use complaining. Besides, the rent's gone down by 5000 yen as a result."<br />
<br />
Taking out a spoon from the kitchen and handing it to Yasuko, Ryuuji scratched his head and said, "Well, I'll be going."<br />
This wasn't the time for family bonding; it was about time to leave.<br />
<br />
Wearing his <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gakuran#Gakuran gakuran]</span> jacket, Ryuuji bent his ever growing body and pulled up his socks.<br />
As he made sure he brought everything, he suddenly realized the faint call within his heart.<br />
<br />
That was right, today was the beginning of a new school term.<br />
After the Opening Ceremony came the changing of class.<br />
Even though he had failed in attempting to change his image, it wasn't enough to make him depressed, as some hope still remained in Ryuuji's heart. <br />
Or was that just expectation?<br />
Anyway, it was that sort of faint feeling, though he did not find it appropriate to express it.<br />
<br />
"I'm going. Remember to lock the door, and change into your pajamas!"<br />
<br />
"Ok~ay! Ah, hey Ryuu-chan,"<br />
Yasuko laid on the futon and bit the spoon with her molars. She began to smile like a child.<br />
"Ryuu-chan looks more energetic than usual today! Fight hard! You're a second year now! This is an area which Ya-chan has never been to before, you know."<br />
<br />
In order to give birth to Ryuuji, Yasuko dropped out of high school when she was still a first year, so she was not familiar with what life as a second year was like. Ryuuji felt a sense of sadness for a moment.<br />
<br />
"...yeah."<br />
<br />
He smiled for a bit and raised his hand.<br />
This was to give his thanks to his mother.<br />
However, this well-intentioned act led to an unexpectedly bad result.<br />
"KYAA!" Yasuko yelled and began rolling to and fro, and finally said that phrase.<br />
She had finally said that phrase!<br />
<br />
"Ryuu-chan is sooo~ cool! You're looking more and more like your dad now!"<br />
<br />
"!!!"<br />
<br />
...she said it.<br />
<br />
Ryuuji silently closed the front door and looked towards the sky.<br />
He spun his eyes as he felt he was being sucked into a whirlpool beneath him.<br />
''NO! I don't want that! I don't want that! Just shut up!''<br />
<br />
''That! That's the one thing I don't want to hear. Especially today.''<br />
<br />
''You look just like your dad'' &mdash; it seemed as though Yasuko didn't understand that this phrase caused Ryuuji a lot of torment.<br />
It was also the reason he bought that kind of magazine and tried to make his bangs "float gently".<br />
<br />
Leaving the house, Ryuuji headed towards the school which was within walking distance.<br />
His tightened face looked twisted.<br />
Despite this, he still walked with great strides as though he was riding the wind.<br />
Sighing, he placed his fingers over his bangs in order to cover his eyes.<br />
This was a habit of Ryuuji's.<br />
Indeed, the source of Ryuuji's agony was none other than his eyes.<br />
<br />
They were bad!<br />
It had nothing to do with his perfect eyesight.<br />
It was their appearance; they just looked fierce.<br />
<br />
This past year Ryuuji had been growing up at a rapid pace, he now had that manly look.<br />
Though he wasn't the super-handsome type, he was not exactly the aloof geek either<br />
...Ahem. <br />
Anyway, he didn't look bad, though no one else had said that; at least that was what Ryuuji thought.<br />
<br />
Yet his eyes were unusually fierce, they were so bad that it was no joking matter.<br />
His eyes were the sort that tilt upwards with the white parts occupying most of his eyes while his pupils took up a small section of them.<br />
Of course, these were just the basics, that was not the worst part.<br />
Since his eyes were big, the white in his eyes would constantly reflect a very strong, stinging glare, while his tiny pupils would move sharply as though they were about to slice the opponent before him, regardless of Ryuuji's intentions.<br />
It was these eyes that usually lead to a person running away at full speed upon coming into eye contact.<br />
He knew that all too well.<br />
In fact, when he saw a group photo with himself, even he would be at a loss after wondering, "Geez, why does he look so pissed ...Ah, is that me?"<br />
<br />
On the other hand, it could be partly blamed on his rough personality.<br />
He spoke in quite an unrefined way, which had something to do with his extreme sensitivity.<br />
This was why he rarely joked around or said anything foolish.<br />
Maybe it was because of that, or maybe it was because he lived with someone like Yasuko, which caused him to lose all virtuosity and trustworthiness.<br />
Above all else, Ryuuji prided himself in being pragmatically protective of himself.<br />
<br />
But, as a result...<br />
<br />
"Ta&ndash;Takasu-kun...! Are you trying to defy a teacher!? S, someone! Bring me a baton!"<br />
<br />
''No I wasn't! I was just trying to apologize for forgetting to hand in my homework.''<br />
<br />
"I, I, I, I, I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to bump into you! It was that guy who pushed me over to you!"<br />
<br />
''Who is going to get mad over getting bumped on the shoulder?''<br />
<br />
"I heard Takasu-kun gatecrashed a graduation ceremony of some other school while he was in junior high, he even took over their broadcast room!"<br />
<br />
''Stop making me sound like I'm some sort of bad delinquent!''<br />
<br />
" &mdash; Am I going to get all these misunderstandings all over again?"<br />
Thinking back on all these painful memories, Ryuuji couldn't help but sigh.<br />
<br />
His grades were not bad, and he had never been late or absent.<br />
He hadn't even gotten into an argument with people, let alone into a fistfight.<br />
To put it simply, Takasu Ryuuji was just a normal young person.<br />
Despite that, due to his fierce eyes, and it was only because of this, everyone had come to the conclusion that he was some kind of vicious delinquent &mdash; his only relative being a night hostess also indirectly lead to this conclusion.<br />
<br />
After spending a year with his classmates, most of the misunderstandings had been resolved.<br />
A year was not short, especially for a high school student.<br />
The problem was that everything started anew today, not to mention that his effort at changing his image had ended in failure.<br />
<br />
There was still something to look forward to in changing classes, since Ryuuji wanted to be in the same class as a certain person.<br />
But when his thoughts moved to the torment that he would have to face afterwards, his na&iuml;ve expectations instantly shrunk in half.<br />
Not to mention Yasuko's big mouth.<br />
No, that was wrong! All the blame had to go to his father's troublesome genes!<br />
<br />
"Your dad, huh? He's in heaven now. He was quite cool, used to calmly sweep his hair backwards, his sharp shoes were always shiny, and he always hung such a lo~ng gold chain around his neck while wearing a casual suit with his Rolex. Inside, he always stuffed a thick magazine.<br />
<br />
"What for? When Ya-chan asked him that, he said 'So that I don't have to worry about getting stabbed.' Ahhh~ I was so moved~!"<br />
<br />
All Ryuuji could think of was how Yasuko swooned when talking about him, and then there was the sole photo of his father that was left behind.<br />
His father's pose was just as Yasuko had described him to be.<br />
Standing open-footed while looking proud, he carried a small briefcase under his armpit.<br />
He was dressed in a white suit with a flamboyant open neck shirt.<br />
The two golden rings on his fingers glittered and he even wore a diamond earring in one ear.<br />
And then there was his face that read "You talkin' to me?", with his chin pointing downwards towards the camera.<br />
One of his hands was groping the breast of his mother, who looked much younger than she was now.<br />
His mother, carrying a pregnant stomach, smiled cheerfully.<br />
His father even had a gold tooth as he smiled.<br />
<br />
''He was actually quite gentle, and serious, and would never hurt a normal person,'' or at least that was what Yasuko would say, but why on earth would a gentle and serious person become a gangster!?<br />
And who on earth would let such a young high school girl get pregnant?<br />
Most importantly, those eyes...<br />
If one were stared at by those sharp eyes, they would quickly hand over their wallets and hope nothing else bad happened.<br />
Those eyes were used for just that: violent extortion.<br />
And yet those objects were now fixed upon his face.<br />
Ryuuji suddenly shuddered.<br />
Even if he did think of his father that way, it was still impossible not to have everyone misunderstand him!<br />
<br />
By the way, it was possible that his father was still be alive.<br />
According to Yasuko, to help an underling escape, he was beaten into a pulp and dropped to the bottom of Yokohama Harbor.<br />
However, there was no grave, no altar, no artefact, no epitaph, not even a body; there was no record of such an event ever happening.<br />
Sometimes a drunk Yasuko would jokingly say for no reason "I wonder what Ryuu-chan would look like if your dad were to suddenly return? Hohohoho, I'm just kidding!"<br />
<br />
''Dad is probably meditating in some icy cold room! As his son, I just feel that &mdash;''<br />
<br />
"Hey, Takasu! Morning! It's a great morning, isn't it?"<br />
<br />
Hearing someone call him from behind, Ryuuji quickly turned around and raised his hand,<br />
"Oh, Kitamura. Morning!"<br />
<br />
''Can't help it, if I stop and wait for my friend to catch up, people will think that I'm gonna strangle him to death, even though that's not the case.''<br />
Ryuuji silently considered this.<br />
Being misunderstood was unavoidable, and in such an event he would have to explain as nicely as he could.<br />
As long as he spent time on it, people would eventually understand.<br />
Though it was quite troublesome.<br />
That was the only thing he could do, so it was the only thing he had to do!<br />
<br />
Looking up at the blue sky, the bright sunlight caused Ryuuji to squint his eyes.<br />
Today was a fine day, there was no wind.<br />
The cherry blossoms silently wilted at this time of year and gently fell on Ryuuji's head.<br />
<br />
Ryuuji continued to carry his torment and strode forward in his shiny black shoes.<br />
The weather sure was great for today's Opening Ceremony.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>* * *</center></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"Whoa! We're in the same class as Takasu, you gotta be kidding me!"<br />
<br />
"He sure looks intimidating, how scary!"<br />
<br />
"So who's going to go talk to him?"<br />
<br />
"Nope, not me."<br />
<br />
"Why don't you go? Hey! Don't push...!"<br />
<br />
''Say whatever you want, I am no longer affected by anything.''<br />
<br />
Ryuuji entered the classroom in the most unfazed way possible, ignoring the glances of his classmates, and sat on his desk with his back towards them while staring into the distance with his sharp eyes.<br />
Licking his dry lips, his legs began to shake on their own.<br />
To a bystander, he looked like a vicious carnivore on the lookout for weak prey.<br />
<br />
"Same as usual, huh? Looks like there will be guys that misunderstand you here as well. Oh well, it will all get sorted out after a while anyway! Besides, I'm with you, not to mention there's quite a number of our classmates from Class-A here."<br />
<br />
"Oh, don't worry about that, I don't really mind."<br />
<br />
Ryuuji replied with a gentle smile to his good friend Kitamura Yuusaku, who was in his class again this year.<br />
Honestly, Ryuuji was currently in a very good mood, but not in a way where he would cruelly lick his lips just before pouncing on his prey.<br />
If that were the case, he wouldn't be grinning from ear to ear and ready to lift off like a rocket.<br />
The reason he was happy was not because of his relation with Kitamura.<br />
To a friend like him, Ryuuji would simply smile gently and say, "Looks like we're in the same class again, Kitamura!"<br />
No, the reason he felt like blasting off like a rocket was because of &mdash;<br />
<br />
"Oh! Kitamura-kun! We're in the same class this year!"<br />
<br />
&mdash; her.<br />
<br />
"Huh? Ah! Kushieda, you're also in Class-C?"<br />
<br />
[[Image:Toradora vol01 029.jpg|thumb]]<br />
<br />
"Eh!? You mean you only just found out? How cold, at least check the class roster on the first day of school!"<br />
<br />
"My bad. What a coincidence. This means we can have more time to sort out our club meetings!"<br />
<br />
"Ahaha, that's right! Oh, Takasu-kun ...right? Do you still remember me? I appear in front of Kitamura-kun from time to time," she paused.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
"Ah, um, is it okay if I call you Takasu-kun?"<br />
<br />
"...Ah...er..."<br />
<br />
At that moment an angel revealed herself.<br />
Before Ryuuji's eyes was a smile that shone as brightly as the sun, as warm as the sunlight that used to dwell on the south window of his house, illuminating everything within his sight.<br />
The light rays were intensifying to the point where Ryuuji could no longer keep his eyes open.<br />
<br />
"Kushieda Minori, right?"<br />
<br />
''AHH! Dammit! I got the words right! But!'' His voice just sounded too cold. Ryuuji felt like screaming.<br />
''Why did I only come up with a response like that? Why couldn't I come up with something better!?''<br />
<br />
"Wow! You remembered my full name, I'm so glad!"<br />
She paused a bit, "Oh dear! Someone's calling me from over there! I have to go, Kitamura-kun. See you in the first club meeting of the term as second years! So don't forget! Takasu-kun, let's talk again some time!"<br />
<br />
Seeing her turn around, Ryuuji slowly and awkwardly raised his arm, but it was too late.<br />
She had already disappeared.<br />
<br />
''She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.''<br />
<br />
Kushieda Minori.<br />
<br />
''She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.''<br />
<br />
He finally got his wish of being in the same class as Kushieda Minori.<br />
<br />
''She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.''<br />
<br />
She said, ''She was glad...''<br />
<br />
"Takasu?"<br />
<br />
" &mdash;Whoa!?"<br />
Kitamura suddenly appeared before his face, causing him to fall over his chair.<br />
<br />
"What're you grinning at?"<br />
<br />
"No, it&ndash;it's nothing."<br />
<br />
"Oh really?" Kitamura pushed up on the frame of his glasses with his middle finger.<br />
Ryuuji felt very grateful from the bottom of his heart, for Kitamura might have been the only person in this world who could tell whether he was smiling or not.<br />
There was one more thing he was grateful to Kitamura for.<br />
<br />
"...Kitamura, you," Ryuuji fumbled his words.<br />
"How should I say this. Er&ndash;you always seem pretty relaxed when you talk to girls," Ryuuji went down to a whisper, "like Kushieda-san!"<br />
<br />
"Huh? What do you mean?"<br />
<br />
The eyes behind Kitamura's glasses widened.<br />
He wasn't being humble.<br />
Rather, he was surprised.<br />
''Looks like he doesn't realize it himself.''<br />
Ryuuji decided to hold back what he was about to say to this rather dense person.<br />
<br />
His leisurely conversation with Kushieda a while ago just sounded so "natural".<br />
No, it wasn't just a while ago.<br />
Since last year, Kitamura had always been able to speak with her naturally.<br />
Furthermore, they were both in the softball club!<br />
Ryuuji was always there, constantly trying to give her a gentle smile or receive a greeting from her; it was an effort that could move one to tears.<br />
<br />
To use soccer as a metaphor, Ryuuji would be a center defender who hardly ever had any chance of participating in offense.<br />
It was also thanks to constantly being besides Kitamura and observing his cheerful conversations with Kushieda that Ryuuji started to realize that she was really cute and that he liked her and wanted to become friends with her.<br />
<br />
Her various cheerful expressions.<br />
<br />
Her delicate body and exaggerated movements.<br />
<br />
Her innocent smiles and clear voice.<br />
<br />
Despite his intimidating appearance, she still managed to keep her usual cheerfulness in his presence, even to this day.<br />
<br />
''That's Kushieda Minori for you.''<br />
<br />
For Ryuuji, in order for a girl to become his girlfriend, she would need to be appealing to the eyes and as sparkling as the rays of the sun.<br />
Being energetic and direct was more important than anything else for him, and that was how a girl should be.<br />
But still &mdash;<br />
<br />
"What're you talking about? How's it possible for me to talk naturally to girls? You should know very well what they like to call me!"<br />
<br />
Ryuuji couldn't help but sigh.<br />
''How enviable!''<br />
Just looking at the way Kitamura talked was enough to make his eyes bleed.<br />
Yet Kitamura continued, "I'm no good with girls. I think I probably won't ever find a girlfriend for the rest of my life."<br />
<br />
Even though he wanted to answer with<br />
"I don't think so...",<br />
looking up at the blindingly radiant noble before him, Ryuuji swallowed what he was about to say.<br />
No matter what he said, this fellow would probably never understand.<br />
Ryuuji suddenly felt a wave of depression.<br />
<br />
It was true that the girls called Kitamura "Maruo", after the typical "Mr. Nice Guy" from <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maruko-chan Chibi Maruko-chan]</span>.<br />
Perhaps there is some resemblance, explaining how he got the nickname.<br />
On top of this, he has many more traits: glasses with very high prescription, a straightforward personality, excellent grades, he doesn't follow the trend of being flirtatious, and holds quite traditional values.<br />
In the right situation, he would say "That's correct"; he is the sort of guy capable of creating a cheerful atmosphere in the classroom.<br />
Speaking of which, he is the former class representative, the current vice president of the Student Council, and the front-runner to be the new president of the softball team.<br />
It is natural for everyone to make fun of him.<br />
<br />
His looks aren't the problem.<br />
No.<br />
To be precise, upon closer inspection one would discover that he is surprisingly handsome.<br />
Combined with his consistent personality inside and outside, as well as the ability to make fun of himself, there is absolutely nothing unlikeable about him.<br />
So although he claimed to be constantly teased by girls, it wasn't because they hated him.<br />
<br />
''Ah, so that's why,'' Ryuuji finally understood.<br />
Come to think of it, Kitamura was quite popular with the girls, not just with Kushieda; he was able to talk to all of them naturally.<br />
Whenever the girls saw him, they would go, "Ah~ I'm in the same class as Maruo again!" to which Kitamura would nonchalantly reply, "Oh? Is there a problem with that?"<br />
<br />
''And yet he claims that he's no good with girls. It's not as though they fear him like me.''<br />
Just as Ryuuji went into deep thought, he heard someone say "Whoa, scary."<br />
<br />
''See? Here we go again!''<br />
Ryuuji laid on top of his desk and ignored those voices that he would occasionally hear. Just a while ago he was floating over the moon from being in the same class as Kushieda Minori, so he did not mind others and what they thought of him.<br />
<br />
"Sure looks formidable. I told you this guy isn't a normal person."<br />
<br />
"Whoa, look at those eyes. If you piss the owner of those eyes off, you could get killed!"<br />
<br />
The spell seemed to have been broken.<br />
Ryuuji started to notice that the non-malicious whispers began to increase.<br />
<br />
''It might be better to hide in the bathroom until the new homeroom teacher arrives,'' Ryuuji thought hopefully.<br />
It would clear his mind a bit.<br />
<br />
So he stood up, and just as he was about to walk through the door, he felt something bump into his stomach.<br />
"Hmm...?"<br />
<br />
Ryuuji thought he had bumped into something, but there was nothing in front of his eyes.<br />
''That's strange.'' Ryuuji moved his eyes around, yet all he could see was &mdash;<br />
<br />
Students started calling out,<br />
<br />
"Yikes! As expected from Takasu-kun; is he going to make the first move?"<br />
<br />
"Has the deathmatch started already? When I saw the class roster, I knew this was going to be a terrible class."<br />
<br />
All Ryuuji could see were the new classmates whispering amongst themselves.<br />
''Are they talking about me? But still, why?''<br />
<br />
One of the members in the class came up with a title, "Clash of the Titans. Hmm?"<br />
<br />
"We're already in the final showdown."<br />
<br />
Everyone was talking strangely.<br />
Clash of the Titans?<br />
Final showdown?<br />
What the hell are they talking about?<br />
Ryuuji tilted his head trying to make sense of what was going on.<br />
<br />
"Are you not even going to apologize after bumping into someone?"<br />
He heard a very cold voice emanating from somewhere.<br />
The strange and calm tone of voice sounded as though it was suppressing and holding back some emotion that was about to explode.<br />
Yet he could not tell where the voice came from.<br />
<br />
"Huh?"<br />
<br />
The mood became dark.<br />
Ryuuji glanced to the right, there was no one; he glanced to the left, there was no one there as well; apprehensively, he looked upwards.<br />
Fortunately, there was no one there either.<br />
<br />
"That means &mdash; "<br />
<br />
So it did come from below.<br />
Down, right below his eyes, in a place much lower than Ryuuji's chest, was a head of hair.<br />
The first thing he thought was that she resembled a doll.<br />
<br />
Anyway, she was very small.<br />
Her long straight hair softly fluttered and covered the tiny body of the Palmtop Tiger.<br />
"Palmtop Tiger?"<br />
<br />
That mysterious terminology suddenly appeared in Ryuuji's thoughts, causing him to say it out loud without thinking.<br />
Seems like he must have heard someone whispering that nearby.<br />
<br />
''Palmtop Tiger!?''<br />
<br />
Then that means...<br />
<br />
"Who&ndash; "<br />
<br />
''Is that what this little doll is called? Though she is small enough to fit into a palm, how is she like a tiger?''<br />
<br />
" &ndash;who you calling a Palmtop Tiger?"<br />
This was not an occasion where one could think for a long time, as whatever it was began to lift her chin, and with her eyes...<br />
<br />
<br />
"WHOA!!"<br />
<br />
<br />
It took three seconds.<br />
Everything went silent, though perhaps it was only Ryuuji's imagination.<br />
For an instant, it felt like a vacuum created by a shock wave just after an explosion.<br />
The background noise slowly returned to everyone's ears.<br />
By the time he realized it, Ryuuji found that he had fallen backwards onto the ground.<br />
It wasn't just him, the few classmates nearby were hit as well and moaned, while others were already getting ready to escape.<br />
<br />
Just what happened?<br />
''I already know. Nothing really happened.''<br />
It was just that this ''girl'' before his eyes &mdash;<br />
<br />
"Such a hopeless person."<br />
<br />
All she did was stare at Ryuuji with those two large eyes of hers, nothing more.<br />
<br />
That was it.<br />
Within a few seconds, Ryuuji had already been struck down by awe.<br />
His mind went blank, his body felt paralyzed just by the sheer pressure she created.<br />
Ryuuji was repelled by her glare, or to be more precise, he was repelled by the aura that emanated from her eyes, causing him to fall on the ground.<br />
<br />
Their difference was way too large, they were on completely different levels.<br />
For a person whose eyes were no less intimidating, Ryuuji had been completely defeated.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Toradora vol01 039.jpg|thumb]]<br />
<br />
This was the first time Ryuuji understood what it meant to have fierce eyes.<br />
It included the necessary essence one carries, as well as a ferociousness to match; or to be more exact, an "intent to kill."<br />
<br />
"Hmph."<br />
For a few seconds that felt like an eternity, Ryuuji felt a subtle contempt in her eyes that would not be swayed even if she were stabbed in the heart.<br />
<br />
"A dragon...? How lame."<br />
She opened her cherry lips and shot out words like bullets that carried a certain child-like quality to them.<br />
Her incredibly small hands roughly swept aside her fluttering hair, while her soft eyelids hid her killing intent.<br />
Those eyes were now as transparent as the glass eyes of a doll and stared coldly at Ryuuji.<br />
<br />
''She's cute, but she's scary as well.''<br />
She had a pale white face, unbelievably long brunette hair, and tiny limbs and shoulders, while her shiny pupils were surrounded by gentle eyelashes.<br />
She was as adorable as a candy containing deadly toxins, as lovable as a flower that could kill just by scent alone.<br />
<br />
Yet when she stared at him, Ryuuji could feel the carnivore leaping out from those eyes of hers.<br />
Of course, this was all just an illusion, yet it felt more real than reality.<br />
The carnivore's weight had knocked Ryuuji down on the floor and it roared with a sound that shook deep into his blood.<br />
The sound it produced seemed to be saying, "I can take out a guy like you anytime I want."<br />
The sharp claws and fangs slowly approached him, emanating a sense of bloodthirstiness and the scent of a beast.<br />
Compared to her small figure, the much larger illusion that loomed before him was...a tiger.<br />
<br />
"Ah, ahh&ndash;ah, ah, ahhh...t&ndash;that's right."<br />
Without realizing it, Ryuuji began to nod and clapped his hands.<br />
''So that's why she's called the Palmtop Tiger! I wonder who gave her that name, but &mdash;''<br />
<br />
" &mdash; Isn't that a wonderful name?"<br />
<br />
''And such a fitting name as well, I'm impressed.''<br />
The girl glanced at Ryuuji, silently uttered "dragon", and then looked at him with disdain.<br />
<br />
It was not hard to see why.<br />
Whether from the fall or from being ripped open by the phantom tiger, Ryuuji's gakuran jacket was now open.<br />
Under his jacket, he wore a colorful "Soryuu (Rising Dragon)" T-shirt that Yasuko had happily bought for him.<br />
It wasn't like Ryuuji had wanted to wear a T-shirt that would cause such misunderstandings, it was just that all his other clothes were taken to the laundry for that day and he wasn't expecting anyone to be able see what he was wearing inside with his jacket on.<br />
<br />
Feeling embarrassed for some reason, Ryuuji quickly covered his chest, like a girl that just got assaulted by a ruffian.<br />
At that moment, he saw someone tip-tapping her way closer.<br />
<br />
"You're late, Taiga! You skipped the Opening Ceremony, didn't you?"<br />
<br />
"I overslept. Anyway, I'm glad I'm in the same class as Minorin this year."<br />
<br />
"Yeah! Me too!"<br />
<br />
It was none other than Kushieda Minori.<br />
She directly called the Palmtop Tiger "Taiga", and even smiled and gently caressed her hair, while the Palmtop Tiger also intimately called her "Minorin".<br />
Watching all of this, Ryuuji began to hear the whispers around him.<br />
<br />
"So Round 1 is won by the Palmtop Tiger Aisaka?"<br />
<br />
"Looks like Takasu is only scary in appearance, he's no delinquent!"<br />
<br />
"Huh? Really?"<br />
<br />
"That's why he lost to the Palmtop Tiger. Besides, she's the real thing when it comes to ferociousness!"<br />
<br />
The misunderstandings were resolved much sooner than Ryuuji had expected, however...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%; border: "><center>* * *</center></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Palmtop Tiger had an amazing name called Aisaka Taiga.<br />
Her height was 145 cm.<br />
Aisaka Taiga and Kushieda Minori were what you would call good friends.<br />
From the various whispers Ryuuji had heard, it was rumored her father worked as a fixer in the underworld.<br />
There was another story that her father was actually a karate master ruling the underworld in America.<br />
And then there was yet another that said she herself was a karate expert, but was expelled from her dojo for attacking her master.<br />
<br />
Back when she first entered this school, a lot of people were fooled by her beauty, and many guys lined up to confess to her.<br />
Of course their dreams were all ruthlessly shattered as they were intimidated, bitten, torn to shreds...<br />
There were quite a few that never did recover after they were mercilessly belittled by her.<br />
Wherever Aisaka went, her path was drenched with the blood of countless corpses of male students.<br />
<br />
There was just a lot of bad press concerning Aisaka Taiga.<br />
Regardless of whether the rumors were true or not, there was no doubt that she was the most dangerous being in this school.<br />
It was many days after the Opening Ceremony that Ryuuji learned about these things.<br />
<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"<br />
|-<br />
| Back to [[Toradora%21:Volume1_Illustrations|Illustrations]]<br />
| Return to [[Toradora%21|Main Page]]<br />
| Forward to [[Toradora%21:Volume1_Chapter2|Chapter 2]]<br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
</noinclude><br />
<br />
<br />
------------------------------------------ -->)'''</div>Xxfate13https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Toradora!_(Filipino):_Bol._1,_Kab._1&diff=39444Toradora! (Filipino): Bol. 1, Kab. 12008-12-19T11:03:08Z<p>Xxfate13: </p>
<hr />
<div><center>''''May isang bagay sa mundong ito na hindi pa nakikita ng kahit sinu man''<br />
<br />
''Ito ay malambot at matamis.''<br />
<br />
''At kung ito ay matagpuan, tiyak na gugustuhin ito ng lahat,''<br />
<br />
''Sapagkat ito ay mahusay na itinago ng daigdig, upang ito ay mahirap hanapin.''<br />
<br />
''Ngunit, darating ang araw na may makakatagpo nito,''<br />
<br />
''At ang tanging makakakuha nito ay ang mga karapat dapat lamang.''<br />
<br />
''Iyun lang.''</center><br />
<br />
<br />
'''(!<!-- I edited some parts above.. i didn't touch the rest made by 'Supahem'.. I'll just continue his work ^_^ ------- -->)'''<br />
<br />
===Kabanata 1===<br />
<br />
"Naman!"<br />
<br />
Alas siyete noon.<br />
<br />
Malumanay na araw ngunit madilim sa loob.<br />
<br />
Ang paupahang-bahay na ito ay may dalawang kuwarto at kusing na nakaharap sa bahaging timog ng dalawang palapag na gusali. Mula dito ay sampung minuto ang layo nito sa istasyon ng tren.<br />
<br />
Ang upa dito ay 32,000 piso.<br />
<br />
"Ayoko na! Di ko kaya 'to!"<br />
<br />
Tinanggal ng (mukhang)inis na kamay ang hamog sa salamin. Pero dahil may pagkaluma na ang banyo, matapos punasan ay bumalik ulit ang hamog.<br />
<br />
Pero wala ring saysay na pagbuntungan ng galit ang isang salamin, kahit gaano pa ka-init ang ulo mo...<br />
<br />
"Wala naman palang kwenta 'tong mga ito!"<br />
<br />
''Magmukhang maamo gamit ang naka-angat na ''bangs'' '' - Yun ang nakasulat sa pinakabagong ''fashion magazine'' na para sa mga kalalakihan.<br />
<br />
Ang mga bangs ni Takasu Ryuji ngayon ay naka-angat na rin. Hinatak niya ito ng todo tulad ng nakasaad sa artikulo ng babasahin, pinatuyo upang umangat, at inayos ito ng patagilid gamit ang pomada. Sinunod nya ang lahat ng nakasaad sa artikulo. Gumising pa nga siya ng maaga(30 minuto mula sa kinagisnang oras) upang maitulad nya ang kanyang buhok sa mga modelo at nang matupad ang pangarap niya.<br />
<br />
Pero...<br />
<br />
".. Baka naman nagilusyon lang ako na kaya kong baguhin ang sarili ko sa pamamagitan lamang ng buhok.."<br />
<br />
Nagmumukmok, tinapon ni Ryuji ang magasin na kinailangan niya ng lakas ng loob para bilhin. Pero di siya asintado at ito ay bumuklat matapos ikalat ang laman ng basurahan.<br />
<br />
Nakasulat sa pahina na iyon, "May oras ka pa bago magsimula ang klase. Maamo o Marupok? Dito nagsisimula ang ating paglalakbay patungo sa pagmomodelo".... ''Kung ako man iyon, di ako sigurado kung gusto kong mag modelo''<br />
<br />
''Pero gusto kong magbago''<br />
<br />
Di nga lang maganda ang kinalabasan.<br />
<br />
Matapos iyon ay binasa ni Ryuji and kanyang mga kami at ginulo ang buhok na matagal nyang inayos, at binalik ito sa dating porma nito (unat). Pagkatapos ay pinulot nito ang mga kalat sa papag.<br />
<br />
"Ah!? Ano 'to...a..amag.. AMAG!"<br />
<br />
Kahit na pinunasan na niya ang hamog, kahit na isang linggo pa nyang nilinisan ang mga amag sa banyo, lahat ng iyon ay nasayang sa isang mainit na kwarto. Kagat ang kanyang labi, Sinubukang tanggalin ni Ryuji and mga amag gamit ang ''tissue''. Malamang na hindi ito madali, kaya pinunit na lamang nya ang mga ito.<br />
<br />
"hay, kakaubos ko lang nito. Kailangan ko nanamang bumili ng pantanggal amag"<br />
<br />
''Mamaya na siguro. Pero babalik ako para ubusin kayo!'' Tinitigan ni Ryuji and amag habang pinupulot ang mga kalat. PAgkatapos ay pinunasan nya ng maigi ang papag gamit ang mga tuwalya, kasama ang pagtanggal sa mga nakakalat na buhok at pagpunas ng hamog sa banyo bago nya inangat ang kanyang ulo at nagbuntong-hininga..<br />
<br />
"Ah, oo nga pala... Oi, In~ko!"<br />
<br />
"Ah.."<br />
<br />
Isang matinis na boses ang sumagot sa sigaw ng binata. Mabuti naman at gising na siya.<br />
<br />
Habang inaaoys ang sarili, pinuntahan ni Ryuji ang kusina, kumuha ng pagkain para sa kanyang alaga at mga gamit na diyaryo. Matapos nito ay pumunta sa gilid ng sala. Pagtanggal nito ng takip sa bahay-ibon, binati ni Ryuji and kanyang alaga na hindi pa nya nakikita buong gabi. Hindi ko alam kung panu pinapalaki ng ibang tao ang kanilang alaga, pero ganito ang pamamaraan ng mga Takasu sa kanilang alagang loro.<br />
<br />
"Magandang umaga, Inko-chan."<br />
<br />
Isang dilaw na loro, iyon si Inko-chan. Tulad ng dati, binigyan ni Ryuuji ng pagkain ang alagang loro habang kinakausap ito.<br />
<br />
"Ma, magandang... umaga," kumindat pataas ang kanyang mga mata sa kakaiba at misteryosong paraan, pero nagawa pa rin niyang sumagot sa salitang Hapones. Kahit kakagising pa lang niya, siya ay nasa isang magandang modo. Iyon ang rason kung bakit siya nakakagiliw.<br />
<br />
"Inko-chan, pakisabi nga ang kakain na."<br />
<br />
"Ka, kain, n...kakain na! Kakain na! Kakain! Na!"<br />
<br />
"Okey, tama na. Ngayon, tingnan natin kung kaya mo nang sabihin 'yon! Kayanin mo na kayang sabihin ang pangalan mo... halika na, Inko-chan."<br />
<br />
"I, I, In, I, In, Iiii...I..." Umuubos ng maraming lakas si Inko-chan, habang umiiling at humihinga ng malalim, pagkatapos ay pumagaspas ang mga pakpak ng mabilis. "......iiiii......"<br />
<br />
<br />
'''(!<!-- Here's where I start. - xxfate13 ^_^ ------- -->)'''<br />
<br />
<br />
Habang naduduling ang mga mata, bahagyang makikita ang kulay abong dila mula sa tuka nito.<br />
''Baka magagawa niya ito ngayon," naisip ng kanyang amo habang itinikom ng madiin ang kanyang kamao.<br />
Sa huli...<br />
<br />
"Blegh!"<br />
<br />
''Ahhh... bakit ba bobo ang mga ibon? Gaya ng inaasahan kung meron kang utak na tumitimbang lang ng 1 gramo,'' buntung-hininga ni Ryuuji habang tinutupi ang mga maduming dyaryo. Itinapon niya ang mga dyaryo sa isang supot.<br />
Nang isasama na niya ito sa ibang basura sa kusina,<br />
<br />
"...saan...ka...pupunta..."<br />
<br />
Ang taong nakahiga sa likod ng <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusuma fusuma]</span> ay mukhang nagising na din.<br />
<br />
"Ryuu, uniporme mo ba 'yang suot mo? bakit?" bahagyang tanong.<br />
<br />
Maiging inayos ni Ryuuji ang supot ng basura at sinagot ang boses, "Pupunta na ako sa school. 'Di ba sinabi ko na sa'yo kahapon na ngayon ang simula ng klase?"<br />
<br />
"...Ah."<br />
<br />
Bumukaka siya sa ibabaw ng <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/futon futon]</span>, paulit-ulit niyang sinambit ang mga kataga na parang maiiyak, ''E di, e di..''<br />
<br />
"E di, paano na ang kay Ya-chan '''(!<!-- <br />
<br />
err.. i just used the japanese honorifics like -san -chan -kun because it would be much easier for me.. haha.. joke<br />
actually, I was wondering to use it or not. In tagalog (here in the philippines), it is weird to use your name (addressing yourself) in a sentence which you have made. I think the same goes with other languages. In japanese, there are implications or meaning behind when this is being used. So, I'll just use it as-is. <br />
<br />
-->)'''na... tanghalian? Wala pa akong naaamoy na pagkain...di mo ba ko ginawa ng konti?"<br />
<br />
"Hindi."<br />
<br />
"Ehhh~... e di... anu na ang gagawin ni Ya-chan...'pag nagising na siya...? Walang masarap na pagkain..."<br />
<br />
"Makakabalik ako ng bahay bago ka gumising! Pupunta lang ako sa ''Term Opening Ceremony''." '''(!<!-- <br />
<br />
Tagalog/Filipino is a very flexible language. English words are being used naturally, neing incorporated in daily conversations.. I'll put into italics english words that doesn't have a tagalog translation, or is preferable to be in english. This is how we quote english words in tagalog sentences.<br />
-->)'''<br />
<br />
<br />
'''(!<!-- --------------- Note: I've taken this part from the english translation page, i'll be using it as reference for translation and format ^_^<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"I'll be home by the time you wake up! I'm just going to the Term Opening Ceremony."<br />
<br />
"Wha...is that it..."<br />
<br />
''Hee hee hee hee,'' she smiled as she closed her open legs together and began to clap her hands ...Sorry, clap her feet.<br />
<br />
"Opening Ceremony, huh? 'Grats~! That means, Ryuu-chan is gonna be a second year from today on?"<br />
<br />
"Let's set that aside. Didn't I already tell you before that, no matter how busy you are, you must always remove your makeup before you sleep? Since you moaned about how bothersome it was before, didn't I specifically buy some special makeup removing tissues," Ryuuji inspected her surroundings a bit better, "...Ah...AH! You've gotten makeup powder all over the pillow! I can't wash that off! You should take better care of your skin; you aren't young anymore!"<br />
<br />
"Sorry."<br />
<br />
Her leopard-spotted panties were completely exposed.<br />
As she got up, her large breasts shook while some of her messy blond hair got stuck in her cleavage.<br />
Whether it was the waving of her hair or the long nails from her fingers, she gave off a very feminine feel.<br />
But still,<br />
"Must've drank too much, I just came back an hour ago. Ah~ So sleepy," she yawned, "Oh yeah...I brought some pudding home."<br />
<br />
As she exhaled and rubbed her thick eyelashes, she slowly wandered towards the convenience store bag at the corner of the room.<br />
That appearance &mdash; her cherry lips muttering "pudding", her plump cheeks, and her round eyes &mdash; such child-like features just did not seem to fit her.<br />
Though she was a bit weird, perhaps she could still be called a pretty lady.<br />
<br />
"Huh...Ryuu-chan, I can't find the spoon."<br />
<br />
"Maybe the store assistant forgot to put it in?"<br />
<br />
"Can't be! I saw him put it inside. That's strange..."<br />
<br />
This was Takasu Ryuuji's mother Takasu Yasuko: stage name "Mirano". Thirty-three years old (she always claimed to be forever 23), she worked as a hostess in the town's only bar "Bishamontengoku".<br />
<br />
Yasuko poured the contents of the convenience store bag out and rummaged through them at the corner of her futon. Her little face frowned,<br />
"It's so dark in here...I can't find the spoon like this! Ryuu-chan, can you open the curtains?"<br />
<br />
"They are open."<br />
<br />
"Eh~...? Ahh, that's right...since I don't always wake up at this time, I must've forgotten..."<br />
Inside a dark room, the rather odd mother-son couple sighed together.<br />
<br />
It was the window facing south.<br />
<br />
It had been six years since they moved in here.<br />
Inside this little house where the two of them lived, their entire source of natural light came from the south side window.<br />
As the entrance was on the north and because they were surrounded on the east and west sides by their neighbors' houses, only the south side had windows.<br />
Despite this, sunlight had been abundant, especially during the mornings.<br />
There was no need to turn on the lights from sunrise to sunset, unless when it was raining.<br />
The bright sunlight used to always shine plentifully on Ryuuji while in his uniform preparing breakfast for the two of them and on Yasuko who would be sleeping soundly.<br />
<br />
However, all that came to an end last year.<br />
<br />
"Damn that apartment building."<br />
<br />
"Just what kind of people live there anyway? And turn on the lights already!"<br />
<br />
Last year, just a few meters from the south side of this house, a ten-story luxury apartment building was built.<br />
As a result, the sun no longer shone through.<br />
This had driven Ryuuji to the brink of madness and frustration countless times already &mdash; the laundry could no longer dry; the tatami now expanded due to the humidity, curled at the corners and grew moldy; and sometimes it would even get frosty.<br />
The wallpaper was starting to peel, which must have had something to do with the humidity as well.<br />
''It doesn't matter since this is just a rented apartment,''<br />
Ryuuji wanted to tell himself. Yet being extremely sensitive about keeping a place tidy and clean, Ryuuji just could not get himself to tolerate and compromise on such a thing.<br />
Looking up towards the white-tiled high-class condo, there was nothing those two poor people could do but stand shoulder to shoulder with their mouths open.<br />
<br />
"Hmm, it doesn't affect me much, since Ya-chan sleeps in the morning anyway!"<br />
<br />
"There's no use complaining. Besides, the rent's gone down by 5000 yen as a result."<br />
<br />
Taking out a spoon from the kitchen and handing it to Yasuko, Ryuuji scratched his head and said, "Well, I'll be going."<br />
This wasn't the time for family bonding; it was about time to leave.<br />
<br />
Wearing his <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gakuran#Gakuran gakuran]</span> jacket, Ryuuji bent his ever growing body and pulled up his socks.<br />
As he made sure he brought everything, he suddenly realized the faint call within his heart.<br />
<br />
That was right, today was the beginning of a new school term.<br />
After the Opening Ceremony came the changing of class.<br />
Even though he had failed in attempting to change his image, it wasn't enough to make him depressed, as some hope still remained in Ryuuji's heart. <br />
Or was that just expectation?<br />
Anyway, it was that sort of faint feeling, though he did not find it appropriate to express it.<br />
<br />
"I'm going. Remember to lock the door, and change into your pajamas!"<br />
<br />
"Ok~ay! Ah, hey Ryuu-chan,"<br />
Yasuko laid on the futon and bit the spoon with her molars. She began to smile like a child.<br />
"Ryuu-chan looks more energetic than usual today! Fight hard! You're a second year now! This is an area which Ya-chan has never been to before, you know."<br />
<br />
In order to give birth to Ryuuji, Yasuko dropped out of high school when she was still a first year, so she was not familiar with what life as a second year was like. Ryuuji felt a sense of sadness for a moment.<br />
<br />
"...yeah."<br />
<br />
He smiled for a bit and raised his hand.<br />
This was to give his thanks to his mother.<br />
However, this well-intentioned act led to an unexpectedly bad result.<br />
"KYAA!" Yasuko yelled and began rolling to and fro, and finally said that phrase.<br />
She had finally said that phrase!<br />
<br />
"Ryuu-chan is sooo~ cool! You're looking more and more like your dad now!"<br />
<br />
"!!!"<br />
<br />
...she said it.<br />
<br />
Ryuuji silently closed the front door and looked towards the sky.<br />
He spun his eyes as he felt he was being sucked into a whirlpool beneath him.<br />
''NO! I don't want that! I don't want that! Just shut up!''<br />
<br />
''That! That's the one thing I don't want to hear. Especially today.''<br />
<br />
''You look just like your dad'' &mdash; it seemed as though Yasuko didn't understand that this phrase caused Ryuuji a lot of torment.<br />
It was also the reason he bought that kind of magazine and tried to make his bangs "float gently".<br />
<br />
Leaving the house, Ryuuji headed towards the school which was within walking distance.<br />
His tightened face looked twisted.<br />
Despite this, he still walked with great strides as though he was riding the wind.<br />
Sighing, he placed his fingers over his bangs in order to cover his eyes.<br />
This was a habit of Ryuuji's.<br />
Indeed, the source of Ryuuji's agony was none other than his eyes.<br />
<br />
They were bad!<br />
It had nothing to do with his perfect eyesight.<br />
It was their appearance; they just looked fierce.<br />
<br />
This past year Ryuuji had been growing up at a rapid pace, he now had that manly look.<br />
Though he wasn't the super-handsome type, he was not exactly the aloof geek either<br />
...Ahem. <br />
Anyway, he didn't look bad, though no one else had said that; at least that was what Ryuuji thought.<br />
<br />
Yet his eyes were unusually fierce, they were so bad that it was no joking matter.<br />
His eyes were the sort that tilt upwards with the white parts occupying most of his eyes while his pupils took up a small section of them.<br />
Of course, these were just the basics, that was not the worst part.<br />
Since his eyes were big, the white in his eyes would constantly reflect a very strong, stinging glare, while his tiny pupils would move sharply as though they were about to slice the opponent before him, regardless of Ryuuji's intentions.<br />
It was these eyes that usually lead to a person running away at full speed upon coming into eye contact.<br />
He knew that all too well.<br />
In fact, when he saw a group photo with himself, even he would be at a loss after wondering, "Geez, why does he look so pissed ...Ah, is that me?"<br />
<br />
On the other hand, it could be partly blamed on his rough personality.<br />
He spoke in quite an unrefined way, which had something to do with his extreme sensitivity.<br />
This was why he rarely joked around or said anything foolish.<br />
Maybe it was because of that, or maybe it was because he lived with someone like Yasuko, which caused him to lose all virtuosity and trustworthiness.<br />
Above all else, Ryuuji prided himself in being pragmatically protective of himself.<br />
<br />
But, as a result...<br />
<br />
"Ta&ndash;Takasu-kun...! Are you trying to defy a teacher!? S, someone! Bring me a baton!"<br />
<br />
''No I wasn't! I was just trying to apologize for forgetting to hand in my homework.''<br />
<br />
"I, I, I, I, I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to bump into you! It was that guy who pushed me over to you!"<br />
<br />
''Who is going to get mad over getting bumped on the shoulder?''<br />
<br />
"I heard Takasu-kun gatecrashed a graduation ceremony of some other school while he was in junior high, he even took over their broadcast room!"<br />
<br />
''Stop making me sound like I'm some sort of bad delinquent!''<br />
<br />
" &mdash; Am I going to get all these misunderstandings all over again?"<br />
Thinking back on all these painful memories, Ryuuji couldn't help but sigh.<br />
<br />
His grades were not bad, and he had never been late or absent.<br />
He hadn't even gotten into an argument with people, let alone into a fistfight.<br />
To put it simply, Takasu Ryuuji was just a normal young person.<br />
Despite that, due to his fierce eyes, and it was only because of this, everyone had come to the conclusion that he was some kind of vicious delinquent &mdash; his only relative being a night hostess also indirectly lead to this conclusion.<br />
<br />
After spending a year with his classmates, most of the misunderstandings had been resolved.<br />
A year was not short, especially for a high school student.<br />
The problem was that everything started anew today, not to mention that his effort at changing his image had ended in failure.<br />
<br />
There was still something to look forward to in changing classes, since Ryuuji wanted to be in the same class as a certain person.<br />
But when his thoughts moved to the torment that he would have to face afterwards, his na&iuml;ve expectations instantly shrunk in half.<br />
Not to mention Yasuko's big mouth.<br />
No, that was wrong! All the blame had to go to his father's troublesome genes!<br />
<br />
"Your dad, huh? He's in heaven now. He was quite cool, used to calmly sweep his hair backwards, his sharp shoes were always shiny, and he always hung such a lo~ng gold chain around his neck while wearing a casual suit with his Rolex. Inside, he always stuffed a thick magazine.<br />
<br />
"What for? When Ya-chan asked him that, he said 'So that I don't have to worry about getting stabbed.' Ahhh~ I was so moved~!"<br />
<br />
All Ryuuji could think of was how Yasuko swooned when talking about him, and then there was the sole photo of his father that was left behind.<br />
His father's pose was just as Yasuko had described him to be.<br />
Standing open-footed while looking proud, he carried a small briefcase under his armpit.<br />
He was dressed in a white suit with a flamboyant open neck shirt.<br />
The two golden rings on his fingers glittered and he even wore a diamond earring in one ear.<br />
And then there was his face that read "You talkin' to me?", with his chin pointing downwards towards the camera.<br />
One of his hands was groping the breast of his mother, who looked much younger than she was now.<br />
His mother, carrying a pregnant stomach, smiled cheerfully.<br />
His father even had a gold tooth as he smiled.<br />
<br />
''He was actually quite gentle, and serious, and would never hurt a normal person,'' or at least that was what Yasuko would say, but why on earth would a gentle and serious person become a gangster!?<br />
And who on earth would let such a young high school girl get pregnant?<br />
Most importantly, those eyes...<br />
If one were stared at by those sharp eyes, they would quickly hand over their wallets and hope nothing else bad happened.<br />
Those eyes were used for just that: violent extortion.<br />
And yet those objects were now fixed upon his face.<br />
Ryuuji suddenly shuddered.<br />
Even if he did think of his father that way, it was still impossible not to have everyone misunderstand him!<br />
<br />
By the way, it was possible that his father was still be alive.<br />
According to Yasuko, to help an underling escape, he was beaten into a pulp and dropped to the bottom of Yokohama Harbor.<br />
However, there was no grave, no altar, no artefact, no epitaph, not even a body; there was no record of such an event ever happening.<br />
Sometimes a drunk Yasuko would jokingly say for no reason "I wonder what Ryuu-chan would look like if your dad were to suddenly return? Hohohoho, I'm just kidding!"<br />
<br />
''Dad is probably meditating in some icy cold room! As his son, I just feel that &mdash;''<br />
<br />
"Hey, Takasu! Morning! It's a great morning, isn't it?"<br />
<br />
Hearing someone call him from behind, Ryuuji quickly turned around and raised his hand,<br />
"Oh, Kitamura. Morning!"<br />
<br />
''Can't help it, if I stop and wait for my friend to catch up, people will think that I'm gonna strangle him to death, even though that's not the case.''<br />
Ryuuji silently considered this.<br />
Being misunderstood was unavoidable, and in such an event he would have to explain as nicely as he could.<br />
As long as he spent time on it, people would eventually understand.<br />
Though it was quite troublesome.<br />
That was the only thing he could do, so it was the only thing he had to do!<br />
<br />
Looking up at the blue sky, the bright sunlight caused Ryuuji to squint his eyes.<br />
Today was a fine day, there was no wind.<br />
The cherry blossoms silently wilted at this time of year and gently fell on Ryuuji's head.<br />
<br />
Ryuuji continued to carry his torment and strode forward in his shiny black shoes.<br />
The weather sure was great for today's Opening Ceremony.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>* * *</center></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"Whoa! We're in the same class as Takasu, you gotta be kidding me!"<br />
<br />
"He sure looks intimidating, how scary!"<br />
<br />
"So who's going to go talk to him?"<br />
<br />
"Nope, not me."<br />
<br />
"Why don't you go? Hey! Don't push...!"<br />
<br />
''Say whatever you want, I am no longer affected by anything.''<br />
<br />
Ryuuji entered the classroom in the most unfazed way possible, ignoring the glances of his classmates, and sat on his desk with his back towards them while staring into the distance with his sharp eyes.<br />
Licking his dry lips, his legs began to shake on their own.<br />
To a bystander, he looked like a vicious carnivore on the lookout for weak prey.<br />
<br />
"Same as usual, huh? Looks like there will be guys that misunderstand you here as well. Oh well, it will all get sorted out after a while anyway! Besides, I'm with you, not to mention there's quite a number of our classmates from Class-A here."<br />
<br />
"Oh, don't worry about that, I don't really mind."<br />
<br />
Ryuuji replied with a gentle smile to his good friend Kitamura Yuusaku, who was in his class again this year.<br />
Honestly, Ryuuji was currently in a very good mood, but not in a way where he would cruelly lick his lips just before pouncing on his prey.<br />
If that were the case, he wouldn't be grinning from ear to ear and ready to lift off like a rocket.<br />
The reason he was happy was not because of his relation with Kitamura.<br />
To a friend like him, Ryuuji would simply smile gently and say, "Looks like we're in the same class again, Kitamura!"<br />
No, the reason he felt like blasting off like a rocket was because of &mdash;<br />
<br />
"Oh! Kitamura-kun! We're in the same class this year!"<br />
<br />
&mdash; her.<br />
<br />
"Huh? Ah! Kushieda, you're also in Class-C?"<br />
<br />
[[Image:Toradora vol01 029.jpg|thumb]]<br />
<br />
"Eh!? You mean you only just found out? How cold, at least check the class roster on the first day of school!"<br />
<br />
"My bad. What a coincidence. This means we can have more time to sort out our club meetings!"<br />
<br />
"Ahaha, that's right! Oh, Takasu-kun ...right? Do you still remember me? I appear in front of Kitamura-kun from time to time," she paused.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
"Ah, um, is it okay if I call you Takasu-kun?"<br />
<br />
"...Ah...er..."<br />
<br />
At that moment an angel revealed herself.<br />
Before Ryuuji's eyes was a smile that shone as brightly as the sun, as warm as the sunlight that used to dwell on the south window of his house, illuminating everything within his sight.<br />
The light rays were intensifying to the point where Ryuuji could no longer keep his eyes open.<br />
<br />
"Kushieda Minori, right?"<br />
<br />
''AHH! Dammit! I got the words right! But!'' His voice just sounded too cold. Ryuuji felt like screaming.<br />
''Why did I only come up with a response like that? Why couldn't I come up with something better!?''<br />
<br />
"Wow! You remembered my full name, I'm so glad!"<br />
She paused a bit, "Oh dear! Someone's calling me from over there! I have to go, Kitamura-kun. See you in the first club meeting of the term as second years! So don't forget! Takasu-kun, let's talk again some time!"<br />
<br />
Seeing her turn around, Ryuuji slowly and awkwardly raised his arm, but it was too late.<br />
She had already disappeared.<br />
<br />
''She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.''<br />
<br />
Kushieda Minori.<br />
<br />
''She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.''<br />
<br />
He finally got his wish of being in the same class as Kushieda Minori.<br />
<br />
''She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.''<br />
<br />
She said, ''She was glad...''<br />
<br />
"Takasu?"<br />
<br />
" &mdash;Whoa!?"<br />
Kitamura suddenly appeared before his face, causing him to fall over his chair.<br />
<br />
"What're you grinning at?"<br />
<br />
"No, it&ndash;it's nothing."<br />
<br />
"Oh really?" Kitamura pushed up on the frame of his glasses with his middle finger.<br />
Ryuuji felt very grateful from the bottom of his heart, for Kitamura might have been the only person in this world who could tell whether he was smiling or not.<br />
There was one more thing he was grateful to Kitamura for.<br />
<br />
"...Kitamura, you," Ryuuji fumbled his words.<br />
"How should I say this. Er&ndash;you always seem pretty relaxed when you talk to girls," Ryuuji went down to a whisper, "like Kushieda-san!"<br />
<br />
"Huh? What do you mean?"<br />
<br />
The eyes behind Kitamura's glasses widened.<br />
He wasn't being humble.<br />
Rather, he was surprised.<br />
''Looks like he doesn't realize it himself.''<br />
Ryuuji decided to hold back what he was about to say to this rather dense person.<br />
<br />
His leisurely conversation with Kushieda a while ago just sounded so "natural".<br />
No, it wasn't just a while ago.<br />
Since last year, Kitamura had always been able to speak with her naturally.<br />
Furthermore, they were both in the softball club!<br />
Ryuuji was always there, constantly trying to give her a gentle smile or receive a greeting from her; it was an effort that could move one to tears.<br />
<br />
To use soccer as a metaphor, Ryuuji would be a center defender who hardly ever had any chance of participating in offense.<br />
It was also thanks to constantly being besides Kitamura and observing his cheerful conversations with Kushieda that Ryuuji started to realize that she was really cute and that he liked her and wanted to become friends with her.<br />
<br />
Her various cheerful expressions.<br />
<br />
Her delicate body and exaggerated movements.<br />
<br />
Her innocent smiles and clear voice.<br />
<br />
Despite his intimidating appearance, she still managed to keep her usual cheerfulness in his presence, even to this day.<br />
<br />
''That's Kushieda Minori for you.''<br />
<br />
For Ryuuji, in order for a girl to become his girlfriend, she would need to be appealing to the eyes and as sparkling as the rays of the sun.<br />
Being energetic and direct was more important than anything else for him, and that was how a girl should be.<br />
But still &mdash;<br />
<br />
"What're you talking about? How's it possible for me to talk naturally to girls? You should know very well what they like to call me!"<br />
<br />
Ryuuji couldn't help but sigh.<br />
''How enviable!''<br />
Just looking at the way Kitamura talked was enough to make his eyes bleed.<br />
Yet Kitamura continued, "I'm no good with girls. I think I probably won't ever find a girlfriend for the rest of my life."<br />
<br />
Even though he wanted to answer with<br />
"I don't think so...",<br />
looking up at the blindingly radiant noble before him, Ryuuji swallowed what he was about to say.<br />
No matter what he said, this fellow would probably never understand.<br />
Ryuuji suddenly felt a wave of depression.<br />
<br />
It was true that the girls called Kitamura "Maruo", after the typical "Mr. Nice Guy" from <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maruko-chan Chibi Maruko-chan]</span>.<br />
Perhaps there is some resemblance, explaining how he got the nickname.<br />
On top of this, he has many more traits: glasses with very high prescription, a straightforward personality, excellent grades, he doesn't follow the trend of being flirtatious, and holds quite traditional values.<br />
In the right situation, he would say "That's correct"; he is the sort of guy capable of creating a cheerful atmosphere in the classroom.<br />
Speaking of which, he is the former class representative, the current vice president of the Student Council, and the front-runner to be the new president of the softball team.<br />
It is natural for everyone to make fun of him.<br />
<br />
His looks aren't the problem.<br />
No.<br />
To be precise, upon closer inspection one would discover that he is surprisingly handsome.<br />
Combined with his consistent personality inside and outside, as well as the ability to make fun of himself, there is absolutely nothing unlikeable about him.<br />
So although he claimed to be constantly teased by girls, it wasn't because they hated him.<br />
<br />
''Ah, so that's why,'' Ryuuji finally understood.<br />
Come to think of it, Kitamura was quite popular with the girls, not just with Kushieda; he was able to talk to all of them naturally.<br />
Whenever the girls saw him, they would go, "Ah~ I'm in the same class as Maruo again!" to which Kitamura would nonchalantly reply, "Oh? Is there a problem with that?"<br />
<br />
''And yet he claims that he's no good with girls. It's not as though they fear him like me.''<br />
Just as Ryuuji went into deep thought, he heard someone say "Whoa, scary."<br />
<br />
''See? Here we go again!''<br />
Ryuuji laid on top of his desk and ignored those voices that he would occasionally hear. Just a while ago he was floating over the moon from being in the same class as Kushieda Minori, so he did not mind others and what they thought of him.<br />
<br />
"Sure looks formidable. I told you this guy isn't a normal person."<br />
<br />
"Whoa, look at those eyes. If you piss the owner of those eyes off, you could get killed!"<br />
<br />
The spell seemed to have been broken.<br />
Ryuuji started to notice that the non-malicious whispers began to increase.<br />
<br />
''It might be better to hide in the bathroom until the new homeroom teacher arrives,'' Ryuuji thought hopefully.<br />
It would clear his mind a bit.<br />
<br />
So he stood up, and just as he was about to walk through the door, he felt something bump into his stomach.<br />
"Hmm...?"<br />
<br />
Ryuuji thought he had bumped into something, but there was nothing in front of his eyes.<br />
''That's strange.'' Ryuuji moved his eyes around, yet all he could see was &mdash;<br />
<br />
Students started calling out,<br />
<br />
"Yikes! As expected from Takasu-kun; is he going to make the first move?"<br />
<br />
"Has the deathmatch started already? When I saw the class roster, I knew this was going to be a terrible class."<br />
<br />
All Ryuuji could see were the new classmates whispering amongst themselves.<br />
''Are they talking about me? But still, why?''<br />
<br />
One of the members in the class came up with a title, "Clash of the Titans. Hmm?"<br />
<br />
"We're already in the final showdown."<br />
<br />
Everyone was talking strangely.<br />
Clash of the Titans?<br />
Final showdown?<br />
What the hell are they talking about?<br />
Ryuuji tilted his head trying to make sense of what was going on.<br />
<br />
"Are you not even going to apologize after bumping into someone?"<br />
He heard a very cold voice emanating from somewhere.<br />
The strange and calm tone of voice sounded as though it was suppressing and holding back some emotion that was about to explode.<br />
Yet he could not tell where the voice came from.<br />
<br />
"Huh?"<br />
<br />
The mood became dark.<br />
Ryuuji glanced to the right, there was no one; he glanced to the left, there was no one there as well; apprehensively, he looked upwards.<br />
Fortunately, there was no one there either.<br />
<br />
"That means &mdash; "<br />
<br />
So it did come from below.<br />
Down, right below his eyes, in a place much lower than Ryuuji's chest, was a head of hair.<br />
The first thing he thought was that she resembled a doll.<br />
<br />
Anyway, she was very small.<br />
Her long straight hair softly fluttered and covered the tiny body of the Palmtop Tiger.<br />
"Palmtop Tiger?"<br />
<br />
That mysterious terminology suddenly appeared in Ryuuji's thoughts, causing him to say it out loud without thinking.<br />
Seems like he must have heard someone whispering that nearby.<br />
<br />
''Palmtop Tiger!?''<br />
<br />
Then that means...<br />
<br />
"Who&ndash; "<br />
<br />
''Is that what this little doll is called? Though she is small enough to fit into a palm, how is she like a tiger?''<br />
<br />
" &ndash;who you calling a Palmtop Tiger?"<br />
This was not an occasion where one could think for a long time, as whatever it was began to lift her chin, and with her eyes...<br />
<br />
<br />
"WHOA!!"<br />
<br />
<br />
It took three seconds.<br />
Everything went silent, though perhaps it was only Ryuuji's imagination.<br />
For an instant, it felt like a vacuum created by a shock wave just after an explosion.<br />
The background noise slowly returned to everyone's ears.<br />
By the time he realized it, Ryuuji found that he had fallen backwards onto the ground.<br />
It wasn't just him, the few classmates nearby were hit as well and moaned, while others were already getting ready to escape.<br />
<br />
Just what happened?<br />
''I already know. Nothing really happened.''<br />
It was just that this ''girl'' before his eyes &mdash;<br />
<br />
"Such a hopeless person."<br />
<br />
All she did was stare at Ryuuji with those two large eyes of hers, nothing more.<br />
<br />
That was it.<br />
Within a few seconds, Ryuuji had already been struck down by awe.<br />
His mind went blank, his body felt paralyzed just by the sheer pressure she created.<br />
Ryuuji was repelled by her glare, or to be more precise, he was repelled by the aura that emanated from her eyes, causing him to fall on the ground.<br />
<br />
Their difference was way too large, they were on completely different levels.<br />
For a person whose eyes were no less intimidating, Ryuuji had been completely defeated.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Toradora vol01 039.jpg|thumb]]<br />
<br />
This was the first time Ryuuji understood what it meant to have fierce eyes.<br />
It included the necessary essence one carries, as well as a ferociousness to match; or to be more exact, an "intent to kill."<br />
<br />
"Hmph."<br />
For a few seconds that felt like an eternity, Ryuuji felt a subtle contempt in her eyes that would not be swayed even if she were stabbed in the heart.<br />
<br />
"A dragon...? How lame."<br />
She opened her cherry lips and shot out words like bullets that carried a certain child-like quality to them.<br />
Her incredibly small hands roughly swept aside her fluttering hair, while her soft eyelids hid her killing intent.<br />
Those eyes were now as transparent as the glass eyes of a doll and stared coldly at Ryuuji.<br />
<br />
''She's cute, but she's scary as well.''<br />
She had a pale white face, unbelievably long brunette hair, and tiny limbs and shoulders, while her shiny pupils were surrounded by gentle eyelashes.<br />
She was as adorable as a candy containing deadly toxins, as lovable as a flower that could kill just by scent alone.<br />
<br />
Yet when she stared at him, Ryuuji could feel the carnivore leaping out from those eyes of hers.<br />
Of course, this was all just an illusion, yet it felt more real than reality.<br />
The carnivore's weight had knocked Ryuuji down on the floor and it roared with a sound that shook deep into his blood.<br />
The sound it produced seemed to be saying, "I can take out a guy like you anytime I want."<br />
The sharp claws and fangs slowly approached him, emanating a sense of bloodthirstiness and the scent of a beast.<br />
Compared to her small figure, the much larger illusion that loomed before him was...a tiger.<br />
<br />
"Ah, ahh&ndash;ah, ah, ahhh...t&ndash;that's right."<br />
Without realizing it, Ryuuji began to nod and clapped his hands.<br />
''So that's why she's called the Palmtop Tiger! I wonder who gave her that name, but &mdash;''<br />
<br />
" &mdash; Isn't that a wonderful name?"<br />
<br />
''And such a fitting name as well, I'm impressed.''<br />
The girl glanced at Ryuuji, silently uttered "dragon", and then looked at him with disdain.<br />
<br />
It was not hard to see why.<br />
Whether from the fall or from being ripped open by the phantom tiger, Ryuuji's gakuran jacket was now open.<br />
Under his jacket, he wore a colorful "Soryuu (Rising Dragon)" T-shirt that Yasuko had happily bought for him.<br />
It wasn't like Ryuuji had wanted to wear a T-shirt that would cause such misunderstandings, it was just that all his other clothes were taken to the laundry for that day and he wasn't expecting anyone to be able see what he was wearing inside with his jacket on.<br />
<br />
Feeling embarrassed for some reason, Ryuuji quickly covered his chest, like a girl that just got assaulted by a ruffian.<br />
At that moment, he saw someone tip-tapping her way closer.<br />
<br />
"You're late, Taiga! You skipped the Opening Ceremony, didn't you?"<br />
<br />
"I overslept. Anyway, I'm glad I'm in the same class as Minorin this year."<br />
<br />
"Yeah! Me too!"<br />
<br />
It was none other than Kushieda Minori.<br />
She directly called the Palmtop Tiger "Taiga", and even smiled and gently caressed her hair, while the Palmtop Tiger also intimately called her "Minorin".<br />
Watching all of this, Ryuuji began to hear the whispers around him.<br />
<br />
"So Round 1 is won by the Palmtop Tiger Aisaka?"<br />
<br />
"Looks like Takasu is only scary in appearance, he's no delinquent!"<br />
<br />
"Huh? Really?"<br />
<br />
"That's why he lost to the Palmtop Tiger. Besides, she's the real thing when it comes to ferociousness!"<br />
<br />
The misunderstandings were resolved much sooner than Ryuuji had expected, however...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 300%; border: "><center>* * *</center></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Palmtop Tiger had an amazing name called Aisaka Taiga.<br />
Her height was 145 cm.<br />
Aisaka Taiga and Kushieda Minori were what you would call good friends.<br />
From the various whispers Ryuuji had heard, it was rumored her father worked as a fixer in the underworld.<br />
There was another story that her father was actually a karate master ruling the underworld in America.<br />
And then there was yet another that said she herself was a karate expert, but was expelled from her dojo for attacking her master.<br />
<br />
Back when she first entered this school, a lot of people were fooled by her beauty, and many guys lined up to confess to her.<br />
Of course their dreams were all ruthlessly shattered as they were intimidated, bitten, torn to shreds...<br />
There were quite a few that never did recover after they were mercilessly belittled by her.<br />
Wherever Aisaka went, her path was drenched with the blood of countless corpses of male students.<br />
<br />
There was just a lot of bad press concerning Aisaka Taiga.<br />
Regardless of whether the rumors were true or not, there was no doubt that she was the most dangerous being in this school.<br />
It was many days after the Opening Ceremony that Ryuuji learned about these things.<br />
<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"<br />
|-<br />
| Back to [[Toradora%21:Volume1_Illustrations|Illustrations]]<br />
| Return to [[Toradora%21|Main Page]]<br />
| Forward to [[Toradora%21:Volume1_Chapter2|Chapter 2]]<br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
</noinclude><br />
<br />
<br />
------------------------------------------ -->)'''</div>Xxfate13https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Toradora!_(Filipino)&diff=39438Toradora! (Filipino)2008-12-19T08:18:51Z<p>Xxfate13: </p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Toradora! novel cover.jpg|200px|thumb|Talop ng Tomo 1.]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Alternative Languages]]<br />
Nababasa rin ang seryeng toradora sa mga sumusunod na wika:<br />
*[[Toradora%21|English (Ingles)]]<br />
<br />
<br />
==Buod ng Kwento==<br />
<br />
Sinimulan ni Takasu Ryuji ang pangalawang taon niya sa mataas na paraalan kasama ang hangaring<br />
mapabuti ang kanyang imahe. Subalit, siya ay may katangiang lubos na nagpapahirap sa kanya, at<br />
ito ang nakakatakot na mga matang namana niya mula sa kanyang amang hoodlum na karaniwang hinuhusgahan ng kanyang mga kamag-aral. Lahat ng iyon ay nagbago, sapagkat sa unang araw ng bagong termino ng pag aaral, aksidente nyang nabangga ang pinaka mapanganib na nilalang sa paaralan - Aisaka aiga, mas kilala sa palayaw na ''Palmtop Tiger''. Kahit na maliit ang kanyang pangangatawan, negatibo and personalidad nito, at ang nilalakaran nito ay karaniwang nababahiran ng ''dugo'', dahilan upang bigyan siya ng ganitong palayaw.<br />
<br />
Matapos ang kanilang di magandang tagpo ni Taiga, ginawa ni Ryuji ang lahat upang ito ay iwasan. Subalit, natuklasan niya na may tinatagong paghanga si Taiga sa matalik nitong kaibigan na si Kitamura Yuji at natuklasan din ni Taiga na may gusto si Ryuji sa kaibigan niyang si Kushieda Minori. Sa ganitong pangyayari ay napagpasyahan ni Taiga na hayaang tulungan siya ni Ryuji upang mapalapit siya kay Kitamura at tutulangan naman nito ang binata na gumawa ng magandang imahe para mapalapit ito kay Minori.<br />
<br />
Dahil sa natural na hilig ni Ryuji sa paglinis ng mga bagay at malapit ito sa tirahan ni Taiga na isang purok lamang ang layo mula dito, Kadalasang makikita si Taiga sa tirahan ni Ryuji. Di nagtagal, natuklasan ni Ryuji ang mga bagay na tungkol kay Taiga na hindi karaniwang malalaman ng ibang tao. Dahil dito, naging malapit sila sa isa't isa na humantong sa mga haka-haka na sila ay magkasintahan.<br />
<br />
Dito nagsisimula ang pagsasagupa ng Tigre at Dragon - Toradora!<br />
<br />
== Pagsalin ==<br />
<br />
===[[Toradora:Registration Page ~Saling Tagalog~|Talaan]]===<br />
<br />
'''Pinapayuhan ang mga tagasalin na [[Toradora:Registration Page ~Saling Tagalog~|itala]] kung ang ang mga kabanatang isinasalin nila.''' (Tingnan ang [[format_guideline#Translators|mga Panuntunan sa mga Tagasalin]] para sa mga patakaran sa paggamit.)<br />
<br />
=== Mga Pamantayan ng Pormat ===<br />
<br />
'''Kinakailangang umayon ang bawat kabanatang isinasalin sa mga napag-kasunduan nang mga panuntunan'''<br />
<br />
*[[Format_guideline|Pangkalahatang Panuntunan sa Istilo (Kung saan aayon, nakasulat sa ingles)]]<br />
*[[Toradora:Saling Tagalog Guideline|Mga Panuntunan sa Pagsalin mula Ingles sa Tagalog]]<br />
<br />
==Talaan ng Pagsalin==<br />
*Mayo 12, 2008 - Sinimulan ang proyekto<br />
<br />
== Ang seryeng ''Toradora'' ni [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuyuko_Takemiya Takemiya Yuyuko] ==<br />
<br />
===[[Toradora!:Tomo 1|Tomo 1]]===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume1_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Tomo1_Kabanata1|Kabanata 1]] (7%)<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Tomo1_Kabanata2|Kabanata 2]]<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Tomo1_Kabanata3|Kabanata 3]]<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Tomo1_Sulat ng May-Akda|Sulat ng May-Akda]]<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Tomo1_Sulat ng Taga-Salin|Sulat ng Taga-Salin]]<br />
<br />
===Tomo 2===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume2_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*Kabanata 1<br />
::*Kabanata 2<br />
::*Kabanata 3<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*''Spin-off''<br />
::*Sulat ng May-Akda<br />
<br />
===Tomo 3===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume3_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*Kabanata 1<br />
::*Kabanata 2<br />
::*Kabanata 3<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*Sulat ng May-Akda<br />
<br />
===Tomo 4===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume4_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*Kabanata 1<br />
::*Kabanata 2<br />
::*Kabanata 3<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*Sulat ng May-Akda<br />
<br />
===Tomo 5===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume5_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*Kabanata 1<br />
::*Kabanata 2<br />
::*Kabanata 3<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*Sulat ng May-Akda<br />
<br />
===Tomo 6===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume6_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*Kabanata 1<br />
::*Kabanata 2<br />
::*Kabanata 3<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*Sulat ng May-Akda<br />
<br />
===Tomo 7===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume7_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*Kabanata 1<br />
::*Kabanata 2<br />
::*Kabanata 3<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*Sulat ng May-Akda<br />
<br />
=== Tagasalin ===<br />
::*[[User:supahem|supahem]]<br />
::*[[User:xxfate13|xxfate13]]</div>Xxfate13https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Toradora!_(Filipino)&diff=39437Toradora! (Filipino)2008-12-19T08:15:50Z<p>Xxfate13: </p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Toradora! novel cover.jpg|200px|thumb|Talop ng Tomo 1.]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Alternative Languages]]<br />
Nababasa rin ang seryeng toradora sa mga sumusunod na wika:<br />
*[[Toradora%21|English (Ingles)]]<br />
<br />
<br />
==Buod ng Kwento==<br />
<br />
Sinimulan ni Takasu Ryuji ang pangalawang taon niya sa mataas na paraalan kasama ang hangaring<br />
mapabuti ang kanyang imahe. Subalit, siya ay may katangiang lubos na nagpapahirap sa kanya, at<br />
ito ang nakakatakot na mga matang namana niya mula sa kanyang amang hoodlum na karaniwang hinuhusgahan ng kanyang mga kamag-aral. Lahat ng iyon ay nagbago, sapagkat sa unang araw ng bagong termino ng pag aaral, aksidente nyang nabangga ang pinaka mapanganib na nilalang sa paaralan - Aisaka aiga, mas kilala sa palayaw na ''Palmtop Tiger''. Kahit na maliit ang kanyang pangangatawan, negatibo and personalidad nito, at ang nilalakaran nito ay karaniwang nababahiran ng ''dugo'', dahilan upang bigyan siya ng ganitong palayaw.<br />
<br />
Matapos ang kanilang di magandang tagpo ni Taiga, ginawa ni Ryuji ang lahat upang ito ay iwasan. Subalit, natuklasan niya na may tinatagong paghanga si Taiga sa matalik nitong kaibigan na si Kitamura Yuji at natuklasan din ni Taiga na may gusto si Ryuji sa kaibigan niyang si Kushieda Minori. Sa ganitong pangyayari ay napagpasyahan ni Taiga na hayaang tulungan siya ni Ryuji upang mapalapit siya kay Kitamura at tutulangan naman nito ang binata na gumawa ng magandang imahe para mapalapit ito kay Minori.<br />
<br />
Dahil sa natural na hilig ni Ryuji sa paglinis ng mga bagay at malapit ito sa tirahan ni Taiga na isang purok lamang ang layo mula dito, Kadalasang makikita si Taiga sa tirahan ni Ryuji. Di nagtagal, natuklasan ni Ryuji ang mga bagay na tungkol kay Taiga na hindi karaniwang malalaman ng ibang tao. Dahil dito, naging malapit sila sa isa't isa na humantong sa mga haka-haka na sila ay magkasintahan.<br />
<br />
Dito nagsisimula ang pagsasagupa ng Tigre at Dragon - Toradora!<br />
<br />
== Pagsalin ==<br />
<br />
===[[Toradora:Registration Page ~Saling Tagalog~|Talaan]]===<br />
<br />
'''Pinapayuhan ang mga tagasalin na [[Toradora:Registration Page ~Saling Tagalog~|itala]] kung ang ang mga kabanatang isinasalin nila.''' (Tingnan ang [[format_guideline#Translators|mga Panuntunan sa mga Tagasalin]] para sa mga patakaran sa paggamit.)<br />
<br />
=== Mga Pamantayan ng Pormat ===<br />
<br />
'''Kinakailangang umayon ang bawat kabanatang isinasalin sa mga napag-kasunduan nang mga panuntunan'''<br />
<br />
*[[Format_guideline|Pangkalahatang Panuntunan sa Istilo (Kung saan aayon, nakasulat sa ingles)]]<br />
*[[Toradora:Saling Tagalog Guideline|Mga Panuntunan sa Pagsalin mula Ingles sa Tagalog]]<br />
<br />
==Talaan ng Pagsalin==<br />
*Mayo 12, 2008 - Sinimulan ang proyekto<br />
<br />
== Ang seryeng ''Toradora'' ni [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuyuko_Takemiya Takemiya Yuyuko] ==<br />
<br />
===[[Toradora!:Tomo 1|Tomo 1]]===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume1_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Tomo1_Kabanata1|Kabanata 1]] (7%)<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Tomo1_Kabanata2|Kabanata 2]]<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Tomo1_Kabanata3|Kabanata 3]]<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Tomo1_Sulat ng May-Akda|Sulat ng May-Akda]]<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Tomo1_Sulat ng Taga-Salin|Sulat ng Taga-Salin]]<br />
<br />
===Tomo 2===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume2_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*Kabanata 1<br />
::*Kabanata 2<br />
::*Kabanata 3<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*''Spin-off''<br />
::*Sulat ng May-Akda<br />
<br />
===Tomo 3===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume3_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*Kabanata 1<br />
::*Kabanata 2<br />
::*Kabanata 3<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*Sulat ng May-Akda<br />
<br />
===Tomo 4===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume4_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*Kabanata 1<br />
::*Kabanata 2<br />
::*Kabanata 3<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*Sulat ng May-Akda<br />
<br />
===Tomo 5===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume5_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*Kabanata 1<br />
::*Kabanata 2<br />
::*Kabanata 3<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*Sulat ng May-Akda<br />
<br />
===Tomo 6===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume6_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*Kabanata 1<br />
::*Kabanata 2<br />
::*Kabanata 3<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*Sulat ng May-Akda<br />
<br />
===Tomo 7===<br />
::*[[Toradora!:Volume7_Illustrations|Ilustrasyon na may Kulay]]<br />
::*Kabanata 1<br />
::*Kabanata 2<br />
::*Kabanata 3<br />
::*Kabanata 4<br />
::*Kabanata 5<br />
::*Kabanata 6<br />
::*Sulat ng May-Akda<br />
<br />
=== Tagasalin ===<br />
::*[[User:supahem|supahem]]</div>Xxfate13https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=User:Xxfate13&diff=39435User:Xxfate132008-12-19T07:53:52Z<p>Xxfate13: Yep. there's nothing much here ^_^</p>
<hr />
<div>there's nothing much here.. just to get rid of that red (dark red? brownish red?) link.. ^_^</div>Xxfate13https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Toradora!_(Filipino):_Registration&diff=39434Toradora! (Filipino): Registration2008-12-19T07:49:21Z<p>Xxfate13: Registration for Translation</p>
<hr />
<div>== Tala ==<br />
<br />
*Tomo 1<br />
**Kabanata 1 - [[User:supahem|supahem]] / [[User:xxfate13|xxfate13]]<br />
**Kabanata 2 - [[User:supahem|supahem]] / [[User:xxfate13|xxfate13]]<br />
**Kabanata 3 - [[User:supahem|supahem]] / [[User:xxfate13|xxfate13]]<br />
**Kabanata 4 - [[User:supahem|supahem]]<br />
**Kabanata 5 - [[User:supahem|supahem]]<br />
**Kabanata 6 - [[User:supahem|supahem]]<br />
<br />
*Tomo 2<br />
**Kabanata 1 - <br />
**Kabanata 2 - <br />
**Kabanata 3 - <br />
**Kabanata 4 - <br />
**Kabanata 5 - <br />
**Kabanata 6 -</div>Xxfate13