Difference between revisions of "Toradora! (Filipino): Bol. 1, Kab. 1"
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May isang bagay sa mundo na di pa nakikita ng sinuman,
m (GsH26 moved page Toradora!:Tomo1 Kabanata1 to Toradora! (Filipino): Bol. 1, Kab. 1: Consistency.) |
m (Changes.) |
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| − | <center> |
+ | <center>''May isang bagay sa mundo na di pa nakikita ng sinuman,'' |
| − | '' |
+ | ''Malambot ito at matamis.'' |
| − | ''At kung ito |
+ | ''At kung makita ito, siguradong magugustuhan ito ng lahat,'' |
| − | '' |
+ | ''Dahil mahusay ang pagkakatago nito sa daigdig, para mahirap itong mahanap.'' |
| − | '' |
+ | ''Pero, dadating din ang araw na may makakakita nito.'' |
| − | ''At ang |
+ | ''At ang dapat makakuha nito ay ang karapat-dapat lamang.'' |
''Iyon lang.''</center> |
''Iyon lang.''</center> |
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| + | <!-- Restart ng translation. 04/11/2021. (GsH26) --> |
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| − | '''(!<!-- I edited some parts above.. I didn't touch the rest made by 'Supahem'.. I'll just continue his work ^_^ ------- -->)''' |
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| − | |||
| − | ===Kabanata 1=== |
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"Naman!" |
"Naman!" |
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| − | Alas siete trenta na ng umaga. Maganda naman ang araw, at madilim-dilim pa sa loob ng bahay. Dalawa ang silid sa bahay, na may kusinang nakaharap patimog sa loob ng dalawang palapag na paupahan, sampung minuto na lakad mula sa estasyon ng tren. Nasa 80,000 yen ang renta. |
+ | Alas siete trenta na ng umaga. Maganda naman ang araw, at madilim-dilim pa sa loob ng bahay. Dalawa ang silid sa bahay, na may kusinang nakaharap patimog sa loob ng dalawang palapag na paupahan,<ref>Ginamit na salin sa Ingles ang ''townhouse''.</ref> sampung minuto na lakad mula sa estasyon ng tren. Nasa 80,000 yen<ref>Katumbas ng P35,400 sa pera ngayon (2021).</ref> ang renta. |
"Suko na 'ko! Di ko makuha 'to nang tama!" |
"Suko na 'ko! Di ko makuha 'to nang tama!" |
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"Walang kwenta naman nito!" |
"Walang kwenta naman nito!" |
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| − | Maging gwapo sa lumulutang na bangs — Yan ang slogan sa pinakabagong labas na magasin ng men's fashion. Dahil doon, "lumulutang" na ang mga bangs si Takasu Ryuuji. Ayon na rin sa nakalagay sa artikulo, hinila niya yung mga bangs niya, binlow-dry hanggang sa tumayo sila, at saka mahinahong nilagyan ang parehong gilid ng hair gel. Sadya siyang gumising nang kahalating oras na mas maaga para maging katulad ng modelo ang buhok niya at matupad ang kahilingan niya. |
+ | ''Maging gwapo sa lumulutang na bangs'' — Yan ang slogan sa pinakabagong labas na magasin ng men's fashion. Dahil doon, "lumulutang" na ang mga bangs si Takasu Ryuuji. Ayon na rin sa nakalagay sa artikulo, hinila niya yung mga bangs niya, binlow-dry hanggang sa tumayo sila, at saka mahinahong nilagyan ang parehong gilid ng hair gel. Sadya siyang gumising nang kahalating oras na mas maaga para maging katulad ng modelo ang buhok niya at matupad ang kahilingan niya. |
Gayunpaman, "Siguro, napakawalang muwang naman ako para baguhin ang sarili ko sa bangs lang." |
Gayunpaman, "Siguro, napakawalang muwang naman ako para baguhin ang sarili ko sa bangs lang." |
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Galit na itinapon ni Ryuuji ang magasin, na seryosong pinag-ipunan niya ng tapang para bilhin, sa basurahan. Sa kasamaang palad, dahil napakahina niyang umasinta, di niya ito naipasok, imbes ay bumuklat pa ito habang pabagsak, at kinalat ang basurang nasa basurahan sa sahig. Sabi sa nakabuklat na pahina, "May oras ka pa para makapasok sa paaralan. Maamo o brusko? Ang ating paglalakbay sa pagiging modelo." |
Galit na itinapon ni Ryuuji ang magasin, na seryosong pinag-ipunan niya ng tapang para bilhin, sa basurahan. Sa kasamaang palad, dahil napakahina niyang umasinta, di niya ito naipasok, imbes ay bumuklat pa ito habang pabagsak, at kinalat ang basurang nasa basurahan sa sahig. Sabi sa nakabuklat na pahina, "May oras ka pa para makapasok sa paaralan. Maamo o brusko? Ang ating paglalakbay sa pagiging modelo." |
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| − | Kung ako lang ang tatanungin, di ako sigurado kung magmomodelo ako. Kahit na, gusto ko pa ring magbago. |
+ | ''Kung ako lang ang tatanungin, di ako sigurado kung magmomodelo ako. Kahit na, gusto ko pa ring magbago.'' |
Pero bigo ako. |
Pero bigo ako. |
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Kahit na palagi niyang pinupunasan ang hamog, kahit na buong araw niyang nilinis ang mga amag sa kusina at palikuran nung nakaraang linggo... lahat yon, napunta sa wala dahil sa napaka-alinsangan na silid. Kinakagat ang labi sa inis, sinubukan ni Ryuuji kung maaalis niya ang mga amag gamit ang mga tisyu. Siyempre, di yon madali, at napunit niya ang mga ito bandang dulo. |
Kahit na palagi niyang pinupunasan ang hamog, kahit na buong araw niyang nilinis ang mga amag sa kusina at palikuran nung nakaraang linggo... lahat yon, napunta sa wala dahil sa napaka-alinsangan na silid. Kinakagat ang labi sa inis, sinubukan ni Ryuuji kung maaalis niya ang mga amag gamit ang mga tisyu. Siyempre, di yon madali, at napunit niya ang mga ito bandang dulo. |
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| − | "Naman, kakaubos ko lang nito nung isang araw lang e. Mukhang bibili na naman ako ng pantanggal-amag." Sa ngayon, iiwanan ko muna sila, pero babalikan ko kayo para kayo'y puksain! Tumingin pababa si Ryuuji sa amag havang nagpupulot ng mga kalat. Pagkatapos, marahas niyang pinunasan ang sahig gamit ang ilang tuwalyang gawa sa papel, sinigurong walang tinirang hibla ng buhok at dumi, at pinunasan ang hamog sa hugasán bago niya tinaas ang ulo at nagbuntong-hininga. |
+ | "Naman, kakaubos ko lang nito nung isang araw lang e. Mukhang bibili na naman ako ng pantanggal-amag." ''Sa ngayon, iiwanan ko muna sila, pero babalikan ko kayo para kayo'y puksain!'' Tumingin pababa si Ryuuji sa amag havang nagpupulot ng mga kalat. Pagkatapos, marahas niyang pinunasan ang sahig gamit ang ilang tuwalyang gawa sa papel, sinigurong walang tinirang hibla ng buhok at dumi, at pinunasan ang hamog sa hugasán bago niya tinaas ang ulo at nagbuntong-hininga. |
"Aa, oo. Pet food. Hoy, In~ko-chan!" |
"Aa, oo. Pet food. Hoy, In~ko-chan!" |
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Sumagot ang isang napakatinis na boses sa galit na sigaw ng isang estudyanteng nasa haiskul. |
Sumagot ang isang napakatinis na boses sa galit na sigaw ng isang estudyanteng nasa haiskul. |
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| − | Salamat, gising na siya. Pinapasigla ang sarili uli, nakapaang pumasok si Ryuuji sa kusinang nakakahoy na tile, kumuha ng pet food at diyaryo, at pumunta sa isang sulok ng kanilang sala na naka-tatami. Tinanggal niya pagkatapos ang damit sa nagtatakip sa kulungan ng ibon doon, at binati ang kanyang cute na alagang hindi niya nakita buong gabi. |
+ | ''Salamat, gising na siya.'' Pinapasigla ang sarili uli, nakapaang pumasok si Ryuuji sa kusinang nakakahoy na tile, kumuha ng pet food at diyaryo, at pumunta sa isang sulok ng kanilang sala na naka-tatami.<ref>Uri ng banig na gawa sa kahoy. Madalas makikita sa mga tradisyonal na bahay sa Japan. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatami Wikipedia].</ref> Tinanggal niya pagkatapos ang damit sa nagtatakip sa kulungan ng ibon doon, at binati ang kanyang cute na alagang hindi niya nakita buong gabi. |
Ngayon, iba-iba ang paraan ng pag-alaga ng mga tao sa kanilang alaga, pero ganito inaalagaan ng mga Takazu ang kanilang alagang parrot. Dahil nakakatakot ang hitsura nito sa pagtulog, kinakailangang takpan ng damit ito. |
Ngayon, iba-iba ang paraan ng pag-alaga ng mga tao sa kanilang alaga, pero ganito inaalagaan ng mga Takazu ang kanilang alagang parrot. Dahil nakakatakot ang hitsura nito sa pagtulog, kinakailangang takpan ng damit ito. |
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"Ga-gandang umaga," pataas ang pagkurap nito sa paraang di kaaya-aya o misteryoso, bagamat kaya nitong sumagot sa wikang Hapones. Kahit na kakagising lang, mukhang nasa magandang mood ito. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit siya cute. |
"Ga-gandang umaga," pataas ang pagkurap nito sa paraang di kaaya-aya o misteryoso, bagamat kaya nitong sumagot sa wikang Hapones. Kahit na kakagising lang, mukhang nasa magandang mood ito. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit siya cute. |
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| − | "Inko-chan, sabihin mo kain tayo." |
+ | "Inko-chan, sabihin mo ''kain tayo''." |
"Ka... Ka... Kain... Kain tayo! Kain tayo! Kain! Tayo!" |
"Ka... Ka... Kain... Kain tayo! Kain tayo! Kain! Tayo!" |
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| − | "Okey, tama na. Ngayon, tingnan naman natin kung kaya mong sabihin yon! Subukan mo kung kaya mo na'ng sabihin pangalan mo... dali, sabihin mo, Inko-chan." |
+ | "Okey, tama na. Ngayon, tingnan naman natin kung kaya mong sabihin ''yon''! Subukan mo kung kaya mo na'ng sabihin pangalan mo... dali, sabihin mo, Inko-chan." |
"I... I... In... I... Iii... Ii..." Mukhang matindi ang ginagamit na enerhiya ni Inko-chan, habang ginagalaw niya ang kanyang ulo at mabilis na humihigop ng hangin, ay pagkatapos ay winawagaswas niya nang mabilis ang pakpak niya. "Iiiiii...." |
"I... I... In... I... Iii... Ii..." Mukhang matindi ang ginagamit na enerhiya ni Inko-chan, habang ginagalaw niya ang kanyang ulo at mabilis na humihigop ng hangin, ay pagkatapos ay winawagaswas niya nang mabilis ang pakpak niya. "Iiiiii...." |
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| − | Dumuduling ang mga mata niya, at makikita nang kaunti ang kanyang kulay-abong dila na unti-unting lumalabas sa tuka niya. Siguro magagawa niya ito ngayong araw, iniisip ng kanyang amo na todo ang pagdasal. Sa huli... |
+ | Dumuduling ang mga mata niya, at makikita nang kaunti ang kanyang kulay-abong dila na unti-unting lumalabas sa tuka niya. ''Siguro magagawa niya ito ngayong araw'', iniisip ng kanyang amo na todo ang pagdasal. Sa huli... |
"Ble...!" |
"Ble...!" |
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| − | Naman... bakit ang bobo ng mga ibon? Tulad talaga ng inaasahan sa isang katiting lang ang bigat ng utak. Nagbuntong-hininga si Ryuuji, habang binabalot ang pinagdumihang diyaryo. Tinapon niya ito sa isang plastik. Habang papunta sa basurahan para itapon ito kasama ng mga kalat sa kusina, |
+ | ''Naman... bakit ang bobo ng mga ibon? Tulad talaga ng inaasahan sa isang katiting lang ang bigat ng utak.'' Nagbuntong-hininga si Ryuuji, habang binabalot ang pinagdumihang diyaryo. Tinapon niya ito sa isang plastik. Habang papunta sa basurahan para itapon ito kasama ng mga kalat sa kusina, |
"...Sa'n... ka... pupunta..." |
"...Sa'n... ka... pupunta..." |
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| − | Mukhang gising na rin yata ang tangang nasa likod ng fusuma. |
+ | Mukhang gising na rin yata ang tangang nasa likod ng fusuma.<ref>Uri ng dingding na gawa sa papel. Nagsisilbing ''divider'' ng mga silid sa isang tradisyonal na bahay sa Japan. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusuma Wikipedia].</ref> |
"Ryuu-chan, diba uniporme yang suot mo? Bakit?" antok na tanong niya. |
"Ryuu-chan, diba uniporme yang suot mo? Bakit?" antok na tanong niya. |
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Hee hee hee hee, ngumiti siya habang sinira niya ang nabukakang binti at nagsimula magpalakpak ...Patawad, palakpak ng paa. |
Hee hee hee hee, ngumiti siya habang sinira niya ang nabukakang binti at nagsimula magpalakpak ...Patawad, palakpak ng paa. |
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| − | "Opening ceremony ba? Congrats~! Edi ibig sabihin, Grade 11 na si Ryuu-chan mula ngayon?" |
+ | "Opening ceremony ba? Congrats~! Edi ibig sabihin, Grade 11<ref>Sa Japan, ang Grade 11 (ang unang taon ng ''senior high'') ay katumbas ng ikalawang taon nila sa high school. Sinalin ito sa kasalukuyang katumbas na baitang sa Pilipinas. (Bago ang K-12, katumbas ito ng unang taon sa kolehiyo)</ref> na si Ryuu-chan mula ngayon?" |
"Basta. Diba sinabi ko na na gaano ka man ka-busy, dapat tinatanggal mo muna yung makeup mo bago matulog? Angal ka nang angal diyan sa kung gaano kahirap tanggalin niyan, diba sinabi ko mismong bumili ka ng tisyu na pantanggal-makeup," tiningnan pa nang maigi ang paligid niya, "Ah... Hala! Kumalat yung makeup mo sa punda! Di ko yan maaalis sa labáhan! Dapat inaalagaan mo na yang balat mo! Di ka na bata!" |
"Basta. Diba sinabi ko na na gaano ka man ka-busy, dapat tinatanggal mo muna yung makeup mo bago matulog? Angal ka nang angal diyan sa kung gaano kahirap tanggalin niyan, diba sinabi ko mismong bumili ka ng tisyu na pantanggal-makeup," tiningnan pa nang maigi ang paligid niya, "Ah... Hala! Kumalat yung makeup mo sa punda! Di ko yan maaalis sa labáhan! Dapat inaalagaan mo na yang balat mo! Di ka na bata!" |
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"Sensya na." |
"Sensya na." |
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| + | == Talababa == |
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| − | Ang batik-batik niyang panty ay kitang-kita. Sa kanyang pagtayo, ang malusog niyang dibdib ay umalog habang ang ilan sa magulo niyang blond na buhok ay naipit sa pagitan ng kanyang dibdib. Maaaring dahil sa hampas ng kayang buhok o ang mahahabang kuko ng kanyang daliri, nagbigay siya ng matinding impresyon ng pagka-babae. Pero, "Masyado yata akong maraming nainom, kararating ko lang mga isang oras nang nakalipas. Ah~ Nakakaantok," sabay hikab, "Ah, nga pala... may dala akong ''pudding''." |
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| + | <references /> |
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| − | |||
| − | Sa kanyang paghinga sabay kamot sa makapal niyang mga kilay, unti-unti siyang lumapit tungo sa ''convenience store bag'' sa sulok ng kwarto. |
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| − | Ang anyong iyon — ang kanyang mapupulang labi na binibigkas ay "pudding", ang kanyang malulusog na pisngi, at ang bilugan niyang mata — ang mga pambatang karakter na ito ay waring hindi nababagay sa kanya. Kahit na medyo kakaiba, maaari pa rin siyang tawaging isang magandang babae. |
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| − | |||
| − | "Huh... Ryuu-chan, hindi ko makita ang kutsara." |
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| − | |||
| − | "Baka nakalimutan ng 'store assistant' na ilagay sa loob?" |
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| − | |||
| − | "Hindi! Nakita ko na inilagay niya iyun eh. Bakit ganun..." |
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| − | |||
| − | 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". |
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| − | |||
| − | Ibinuhos ni Yasuko ang laman ng convenience store bag at kinalkal iyon sa sulok ng kanyang futon. Medyo nagalit ang maliit niyang mukha, |
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| − | "Ang dilim naman dito... Hindi ko makikita ang kutsara nang ganito! Ryuu-chan, maaari mo bang buksan ang mga kurtina?" |
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| − | |||
| − | "Bukas na." |
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| − | |||
| − | "Eh~...? Ahh, tama... dahil hindi ako ganitong oras lagi gumising, nakalimutan ko na..." |
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| − | Sa loob ng madilim na kwarto, ang mag-ina ay sabay na napabuntong-hininga. |
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| − | |||
| − | Iyon ay ang bintanang nakaharap sa timog. |
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| − | |||
| − | Mag-aanim na taon na nang sila ay lumipat dito. |
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| − | |||
| − | Sa loob ng bahay na ito kung saan silang dalawa ay nakatira, ang laging pinanggagalingan ng natural na liwanag ay mula sa bintanang iyon. |
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| − | 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. |
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| − | Subalit kahit ganoon, maliwanag ang sikat ng araw, lalo na tuwing umaga. |
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| − | Hindi na kailangang buksan ang mga ilaw mula pagsikat ng araw hanggang sa paglubog nito, maliban na lamang kung umuulan. |
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| − | 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. |
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| − | |||
| − | Subalit, lahat ng iyon ay natapos nung nagdaang taon. |
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| − | |||
| − | "'Langya naman 'yang apartment building na 'yan." |
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| − | |||
| − | "Ano bang uri ng mga tao ang nakatira riyan, ha? At paki-bukas nga ang mga ilaw!" |
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| − | |||
| − | Noong isang taon, ilang metro lang mula sa timog na bahagi ng kanilang bahay, isang sampung-palapag na luxury apartment building ang itinayo. |
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| − | At ang resulta, hindi na umaabot ang sikat ng araw. |
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| − | Ito ay nagdulot kay Ryuuji ng pagkainis at pagkairita ng maka-ilang beses na — 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. |
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| − | Ang mga ''wallpaper'' ay nagsisimula nang magtuklapan, na maaring sanhi rin ng hamog. |
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| − | ''Ayos lang naman dahil sa ito ay inuupahan lang na bahay,'' |
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| − | 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. |
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| − | 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. |
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| − | |||
| − | ''Hindi na mahalaga kung ito ay isang inuupahang apartment lamang,'' |
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| − | Gustong sabihin ni Ryuji sa kanyang sarili. Dahil na rin sa pagiging sensitibo niya sa pagpapanatili niya na malinis ang paligid, kaya hindi mapapayagan ni Ryuji na hayaan ang mga ganitong bagay na mangyari. |
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| − | Nakatingala siya sa white-tiled high-class condo, wala nang magagawa ang dalawang simpleng tao na ito kundi ang tumunganga na lang na nakabukas ang kanilang mga bibig. |
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| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | '''(!<!-- --------------- Note: I've taken this part from the english translation page, i'll be using it as reference for translation and format ^_^ |
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| − | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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| − | |||
| − | "Hmm, it doesn't affect me much, since Ya-chan sleeps in the morning anyway!" |
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| − | |||
| − | "There's no use complaining. Besides, the rent's gone down by 5000 yen as a result." |
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| − | |||
| − | Taking out a spoon from the kitchen and handing it to Yasuko, Ryuuji scratched his head and said, "Well, I'll be going." |
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| − | This wasn't the time for family bonding; it was about time to leave. |
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| − | |||
| − | 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. |
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| − | As he made sure he brought everything, he suddenly realized the faint call within his heart. |
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| − | |||
| − | That was right, today was the beginning of a new school term. |
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| − | After the Opening Ceremony came the changing of class. |
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| − | 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. |
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| − | Or was that just expectation? |
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| − | Anyway, it was that sort of faint feeling, though he did not find it appropriate to express it. |
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| − | |||
| − | "I'm going. Remember to lock the door, and change into your pajamas!" |
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| − | |||
| − | "Ok~ay! Ah, hey Ryuu-chan," |
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| − | Yasuko laid on the futon and bit the spoon with her molars. She began to smile like a child. |
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| − | "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." |
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| − | |||
| − | 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. |
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| − | |||
| − | "...yeah." |
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| − | |||
| − | He smiled for a bit and raised his hand. |
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| − | This was to give his thanks to his mother. |
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| − | However, this well-intentioned act led to an unexpectedly bad result. |
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| − | "KYAA!" Yasuko yelled and began rolling to and fro, and finally said that phrase. |
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| − | She had finally said that phrase! |
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| − | |||
| − | "Ryuu-chan is sooo~ cool! You're looking more and more like your dad now!" |
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| − | |||
| − | "!!!" |
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| − | |||
| − | ...she said it. |
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| − | |||
| − | Ryuuji silently closed the front door and looked towards the sky. |
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| − | He spun his eyes as he felt he was being sucked into a whirlpool beneath him. |
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| − | ''NO! I don't want that! I don't want that! Just shut up!'' |
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| − | |||
| − | ''That! That's the one thing I don't want to hear. Especially today.'' |
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| − | |||
| − | ''You look just like your dad'' — it seemed as though Yasuko didn't understand that this phrase caused Ryuuji a lot of torment. |
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| − | It was also the reason he bought that kind of magazine and tried to make his bangs "float gently". |
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| − | |||
| − | Leaving the house, Ryuuji headed towards the school which was within walking distance. |
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| − | His tightened face looked twisted. |
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| − | Despite this, he still walked with great strides as though he was riding the wind. |
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| − | Sighing, he placed his fingers over his bangs in order to cover his eyes. |
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| − | This was a habit of Ryuuji's. |
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| − | Indeed, the source of Ryuuji's agony was none other than his eyes. |
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| − | |||
| − | They were bad! |
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| − | It had nothing to do with his perfect eyesight. |
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| − | It was their appearance; they just looked fierce. |
||
| − | |||
| − | This past year Ryuuji had been growing up at a rapid pace, he now had that manly look. |
||
| − | Though he wasn't the super-handsome type, he was not exactly the aloof geek either |
||
| − | ...Ahem. |
||
| − | Anyway, he didn't look bad, though no one else had said that; at least that was what Ryuuji thought. |
||
| − | |||
| − | Yet his eyes were unusually fierce, they were so bad that it was no joking matter. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | Of course, these were just the basics, that was not the worst part. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | It was these eyes that usually lead to a person running away at full speed upon coming into eye contact. |
||
| − | He knew that all too well. |
||
| − | 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?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | On the other hand, it could be partly blamed on his rough personality. |
||
| − | He spoke in quite an unrefined way, which had something to do with his extreme sensitivity. |
||
| − | This was why he rarely joked around or said anything foolish. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | Above all else, Ryuuji prided himself in being pragmatically protective of himself. |
||
| − | |||
| − | But, as a result... |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Ta–Takasu-kun...! Are you trying to defy a teacher!? S, someone! Bring me a baton!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''No I wasn't! I was just trying to apologize for forgetting to hand in my homework.'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | "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!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''Who is going to get mad over getting bumped on the shoulder?'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | "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!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''Stop making me sound like I'm some sort of bad delinquent!'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | " — Am I going to get all these misunderstandings all over again?" |
||
| − | Thinking back on all these painful memories, Ryuuji couldn't help but sigh. |
||
| − | |||
| − | His grades were not bad, and he had never been late or absent. |
||
| − | He hadn't even gotten into an argument with people, let alone into a fistfight. |
||
| − | To put it simply, Takasu Ryuuji was just a normal young person. |
||
| − | 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 — his only relative being a night hostess also indirectly lead to this conclusion. |
||
| − | |||
| − | After spending a year with his classmates, most of the misunderstandings had been resolved. |
||
| − | A year was not short, especially for a high school student. |
||
| − | The problem was that everything started anew today, not to mention that his effort at changing his image had ended in failure. |
||
| − | |||
| − | There was still something to look forward to in changing classes, since Ryuuji wanted to be in the same class as a certain person. |
||
| − | But when his thoughts moved to the torment that he would have to face afterwards, his naïve expectations instantly shrunk in half. |
||
| − | Not to mention Yasuko's big mouth. |
||
| − | No, that was wrong! All the blame had to go to his father's troublesome genes! |
||
| − | |||
| − | "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. |
||
| − | |||
| − | "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~!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | His father's pose was just as Yasuko had described him to be. |
||
| − | Standing open-footed while looking proud, he carried a small briefcase under his armpit. |
||
| − | He was dressed in a white suit with a flamboyant open neck shirt. |
||
| − | The two golden rings on his fingers glittered and he even wore a diamond earring in one ear. |
||
| − | And then there was his face that read "You talkin' to me?", with his chin pointing downwards towards the camera. |
||
| − | One of his hands was groping the breast of his mother, who looked much younger than she was now. |
||
| − | His mother, carrying a pregnant stomach, smiled cheerfully. |
||
| − | His father even had a gold tooth as he smiled. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''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!? |
||
| − | And who on earth would let such a young high school girl get pregnant? |
||
| − | Most importantly, those eyes... |
||
| − | If one were stared at by those sharp eyes, they would quickly hand over their wallets and hope nothing else bad happened. |
||
| − | Those eyes were used for just that: violent extortion. |
||
| − | And yet those objects were now fixed upon his face. |
||
| − | Ryuuji suddenly shuddered. |
||
| − | Even if he did think of his father that way, it was still impossible not to have everyone misunderstand him! |
||
| − | |||
| − | By the way, it was possible that his father was still be alive. |
||
| − | According to Yasuko, to help an underling escape, he was beaten into a pulp and dropped to the bottom of Yokohama Harbor. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | 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!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''Dad is probably meditating in some icy cold room! As his son, I just feel that —'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Hey, Takasu! Morning! It's a great morning, isn't it?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | Hearing someone call him from behind, Ryuuji quickly turned around and raised his hand, |
||
| − | "Oh, Kitamura. Morning!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''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.'' |
||
| − | Ryuuji silently considered this. |
||
| − | Being misunderstood was unavoidable, and in such an event he would have to explain as nicely as he could. |
||
| − | As long as he spent time on it, people would eventually understand. |
||
| − | Though it was quite troublesome. |
||
| − | That was the only thing he could do, so it was the only thing he had to do! |
||
| − | |||
| − | Looking up at the blue sky, the bright sunlight caused Ryuuji to squint his eyes. |
||
| − | Today was a fine day, there was no wind. |
||
| − | The cherry blossoms silently wilted at this time of year and gently fell on Ryuuji's head. |
||
| − | |||
| − | Ryuuji continued to carry his torment and strode forward in his shiny black shoes. |
||
| − | The weather sure was great for today's Opening Ceremony. |
||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | <span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>* * *</center></span> |
||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | "Whoa! We're in the same class as Takasu, you gotta be kidding me!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | "He sure looks intimidating, how scary!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | "So who's going to go talk to him?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Nope, not me." |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Why don't you go? Hey! Don't push...!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''Say whatever you want, I am no longer affected by anything.'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | Licking his dry lips, his legs began to shake on their own. |
||
| − | To a bystander, he looked like a vicious carnivore on the lookout for weak prey. |
||
| − | |||
| − | "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." |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Oh, don't worry about that, I don't really mind." |
||
| − | |||
| − | Ryuuji replied with a gentle smile to his good friend Kitamura Yuusaku, who was in his class again this year. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | If that were the case, he wouldn't be grinning from ear to ear and ready to lift off like a rocket. |
||
| − | The reason he was happy was not because of his relation with Kitamura. |
||
| − | To a friend like him, Ryuuji would simply smile gently and say, "Looks like we're in the same class again, Kitamura!" |
||
| − | No, the reason he felt like blasting off like a rocket was because of — |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Oh! Kitamura-kun! We're in the same class this year!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | — her. |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Huh? Ah! Kushieda, you're also in Class-C?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | [[Image:Toradora vol01 029.jpg|thumb]] |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Eh!? You mean you only just found out? How cold, at least check the class roster on the first day of school!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | "My bad. What a coincidence. This means we can have more time to sort out our club meetings!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | "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. |
||
| − | |||
| − | "..." |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Ah, um, is it okay if I call you Takasu-kun?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | "...Ah...er..." |
||
| − | |||
| − | At that moment an angel revealed herself. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | The light rays were intensifying to the point where Ryuuji could no longer keep his eyes open. |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Kushieda Minori, right?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''AHH! Dammit! I got the words right! But!'' His voice just sounded too cold. Ryuuji felt like screaming. |
||
| − | ''Why did I only come up with a response like that? Why couldn't I come up with something better!?'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Wow! You remembered my full name, I'm so glad!" |
||
| − | 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!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | Seeing her turn around, Ryuuji slowly and awkwardly raised his arm, but it was too late. |
||
| − | She had already disappeared. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | Kushieda Minori. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | He finally got his wish of being in the same class as Kushieda Minori. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''She said she was glad. She said we'll talk again some time.'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | She said, ''She was glad...'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Takasu?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | " —Whoa!?" |
||
| − | Kitamura suddenly appeared before his face, causing him to fall over his chair. |
||
| − | |||
| − | "What're you grinning at?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | "No, it–it's nothing." |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Oh really?" Kitamura pushed up on the frame of his glasses with his middle finger. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | There was one more thing he was grateful to Kitamura for. |
||
| − | |||
| − | "...Kitamura, you," Ryuuji fumbled his words. |
||
| − | "How should I say this. Er–you always seem pretty relaxed when you talk to girls," Ryuuji went down to a whisper, "like Kushieda-san!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Huh? What do you mean?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | The eyes behind Kitamura's glasses widened. |
||
| − | He wasn't being humble. |
||
| − | Rather, he was surprised. |
||
| − | ''Looks like he doesn't realize it himself.'' |
||
| − | Ryuuji decided to hold back what he was about to say to this rather dense person. |
||
| − | |||
| − | His leisurely conversation with Kushieda a while ago just sounded so "natural". |
||
| − | No, it wasn't just a while ago. |
||
| − | Since last year, Kitamura had always been able to speak with her naturally. |
||
| − | Furthermore, they were both in the softball club! |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | |||
| − | To use soccer as a metaphor, Ryuuji would be a center defender who hardly ever had any chance of participating in offense. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | |||
| − | Her various cheerful expressions. |
||
| − | |||
| − | Her delicate body and exaggerated movements. |
||
| − | |||
| − | Her innocent smiles and clear voice. |
||
| − | |||
| − | Despite his intimidating appearance, she still managed to keep her usual cheerfulness in his presence, even to this day. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''That's Kushieda Minori for you.'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | Being energetic and direct was more important than anything else for him, and that was how a girl should be. |
||
| − | But still — |
||
| − | |||
| − | "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!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | Ryuuji couldn't help but sigh. |
||
| − | ''How enviable!'' |
||
| − | Just looking at the way Kitamura talked was enough to make his eyes bleed. |
||
| − | 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." |
||
| − | |||
| − | Even though he wanted to answer with |
||
| − | "I don't think so...", |
||
| − | looking up at the blindingly radiant noble before him, Ryuuji swallowed what he was about to say. |
||
| − | No matter what he said, this fellow would probably never understand. |
||
| − | Ryuuji suddenly felt a wave of depression. |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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>. |
||
| − | Perhaps there is some resemblance, explaining how he got the nickname. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | It is natural for everyone to make fun of him. |
||
| − | |||
| − | His looks aren't the problem. |
||
| − | No. |
||
| − | To be precise, upon closer inspection one would discover that he is surprisingly handsome. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | So although he claimed to be constantly teased by girls, it wasn't because they hated him. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''Ah, so that's why,'' Ryuuji finally understood. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | 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?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''And yet he claims that he's no good with girls. It's not as though they fear him like me.'' |
||
| − | Just as Ryuuji went into deep thought, he heard someone say "Whoa, scary." |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''See? Here we go again!'' |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Sure looks formidable. I told you this guy isn't a normal person." |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Whoa, look at those eyes. If you piss the owner of those eyes off, you could get killed!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | The spell seemed to have been broken. |
||
| − | Ryuuji started to notice that the non-malicious whispers began to increase. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''It might be better to hide in the bathroom until the new homeroom teacher arrives,'' Ryuuji thought hopefully. |
||
| − | It would clear his mind a bit. |
||
| − | |||
| − | So he stood up, and just as he was about to walk through the door, he felt something bump into his stomach. |
||
| − | "Hmm...?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | Ryuuji thought he had bumped into something, but there was nothing in front of his eyes. |
||
| − | ''That's strange.'' Ryuuji moved his eyes around, yet all he could see was — |
||
| − | |||
| − | Students started calling out, |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Yikes! As expected from Takasu-kun; is he going to make the first move?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Has the deathmatch started already? When I saw the class roster, I knew this was going to be a terrible class." |
||
| − | |||
| − | All Ryuuji could see were the new classmates whispering amongst themselves. |
||
| − | ''Are they talking about me? But still, why?'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | One of the members in the class came up with a title, "Clash of the Titans. Hmm?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | "We're already in the final showdown." |
||
| − | |||
| − | Everyone was talking strangely. |
||
| − | Clash of the Titans? |
||
| − | Final showdown? |
||
| − | What the hell are they talking about? |
||
| − | Ryuuji tilted his head trying to make sense of what was going on. |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Are you not even going to apologize after bumping into someone?" |
||
| − | He heard a very cold voice emanating from somewhere. |
||
| − | The strange and calm tone of voice sounded as though it was suppressing and holding back some emotion that was about to explode. |
||
| − | Yet he could not tell where the voice came from. |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Huh?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | The mood became dark. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | Fortunately, there was no one there either. |
||
| − | |||
| − | "That means — " |
||
| − | |||
| − | So it did come from below. |
||
| − | Down, right below his eyes, in a place much lower than Ryuuji's chest, was a head of hair. |
||
| − | The first thing he thought was that she resembled a doll. |
||
| − | |||
| − | Anyway, she was very small. |
||
| − | Her long straight hair softly fluttered and covered the tiny body of the Palmtop Tiger. |
||
| − | "Palmtop Tiger?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | That mysterious terminology suddenly appeared in Ryuuji's thoughts, causing him to say it out loud without thinking. |
||
| − | Seems like he must have heard someone whispering that nearby. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''Palmtop Tiger!?'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | Then that means... |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Who– " |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''Is that what this little doll is called? Though she is small enough to fit into a palm, how is she like a tiger?'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | " –who you calling a Palmtop Tiger?" |
||
| − | 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... |
||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | "WHOA!!" |
||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | It took three seconds. |
||
| − | Everything went silent, though perhaps it was only Ryuuji's imagination. |
||
| − | For an instant, it felt like a vacuum created by a shock wave just after an explosion. |
||
| − | The background noise slowly returned to everyone's ears. |
||
| − | By the time he realized it, Ryuuji found that he had fallen backwards onto the ground. |
||
| − | It wasn't just him, the few classmates nearby were hit as well and moaned, while others were already getting ready to escape. |
||
| − | |||
| − | Just what happened? |
||
| − | ''I already know. Nothing really happened.'' |
||
| − | It was just that this ''girl'' before his eyes — |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Such a hopeless person." |
||
| − | |||
| − | All she did was stare at Ryuuji with those two large eyes of hers, nothing more. |
||
| − | |||
| − | That was it. |
||
| − | Within a few seconds, Ryuuji had already been struck down by awe. |
||
| − | His mind went blank, his body felt paralyzed just by the sheer pressure she created. |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | |||
| − | Their difference was way too large, they were on completely different levels. |
||
| − | For a person whose eyes were no less intimidating, Ryuuji had been completely defeated. |
||
| − | |||
| − | [[Image:Toradora vol01 039.jpg|thumb]] |
||
| − | |||
| − | This was the first time Ryuuji understood what it meant to have fierce eyes. |
||
| − | It included the necessary essence one carries, as well as a ferociousness to match; or to be more exact, an "intent to kill." |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Hmph." |
||
| − | 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. |
||
| − | |||
| − | "A dragon...? How lame." |
||
| − | She opened her cherry lips and shot out words like bullets that carried a certain child-like quality to them. |
||
| − | Her incredibly small hands roughly swept aside her fluttering hair, while her soft eyelids hid her killing intent. |
||
| − | Those eyes were now as transparent as the glass eyes of a doll and stared coldly at Ryuuji. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''She's cute, but she's scary as well.'' |
||
| − | She had a pale white face, unbelievably long brunette hair, and tiny limbs and shoulders, while her shiny pupils were surrounded by gentle eyelashes. |
||
| − | She was as adorable as a candy containing deadly toxins, as lovable as a flower that could kill just by scent alone. |
||
| − | |||
| − | Yet when she stared at him, Ryuuji could feel the carnivore leaping out from those eyes of hers. |
||
| − | Of course, this was all just an illusion, yet it felt more real than reality. |
||
| − | The carnivore's weight had knocked Ryuuji down on the floor and it roared with a sound that shook deep into his blood. |
||
| − | The sound it produced seemed to be saying, "I can take out a guy like you anytime I want." |
||
| − | The sharp claws and fangs slowly approached him, emanating a sense of bloodthirstiness and the scent of a beast. |
||
| − | Compared to her small figure, the much larger illusion that loomed before him was...a tiger. |
||
| − | |||
| − | "Ah, ahh–ah, ah, ahhh...t–that's right." |
||
| − | Without realizing it, Ryuuji began to nod and clapped his hands. |
||
| − | ''So that's why she's called the Palmtop Tiger! I wonder who gave her that name, but —'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | " — Isn't that a wonderful name?" |
||
| − | |||
| − | ''And such a fitting name as well, I'm impressed.'' |
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| − | The girl glanced at Ryuuji, silently uttered "dragon", and then looked at him with disdain. |
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| − | |||
| − | It was not hard to see why. |
||
| − | Whether from the fall or from being ripped open by the phantom tiger, Ryuuji's gakuran jacket was now open. |
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| − | Under his jacket, he wore a colorful "Soryuu (Rising Dragon)" T-shirt that Yasuko had happily bought for him. |
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| − | 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. |
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| − | |||
| − | Feeling embarrassed for some reason, Ryuuji quickly covered his chest, like a girl that just got assaulted by a ruffian. |
||
| − | At that moment, he saw someone tip-tapping her way closer. |
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| − | |||
| − | "You're late, Taiga! You skipped the Opening Ceremony, didn't you?" |
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| − | |||
| − | "I overslept. Anyway, I'm glad I'm in the same class as Minorin this year." |
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| − | |||
| − | "Yeah! Me too!" |
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| − | |||
| − | It was none other than Kushieda Minori. |
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| − | She directly called the Palmtop Tiger "Taiga", and even smiled and gently caressed her hair, while the Palmtop Tiger also intimately called her "Minorin". |
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| − | Watching all of this, Ryuuji began to hear the whispers around him. |
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| − | |||
| − | "So Round 1 is won by the Palmtop Tiger Aisaka?" |
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| − | |||
| − | "Looks like Takasu is only scary in appearance, he's no delinquent!" |
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| − | |||
| − | "Huh? Really?" |
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| − | |||
| − | "That's why he lost to the Palmtop Tiger. Besides, she's the real thing when it comes to ferociousness!" |
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| − | |||
| − | The misunderstandings were resolved much sooner than Ryuuji had expected, however... |
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| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | <span style="font-size: 300%; border: "><center>* * *</center></span> |
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| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | The Palmtop Tiger had an amazing name called Aisaka Taiga. |
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| − | Her height was 145 cm. |
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| − | Aisaka Taiga and Kushieda Minori were what you would call good friends. |
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| − | From the various whispers Ryuuji had heard, it was rumored her father worked as a fixer in the underworld. |
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| − | There was another story that her father was actually a karate master ruling the underworld in America. |
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| − | And then there was yet another that said she herself was a karate expert, but was expelled from her dojo for attacking her master. |
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| − | |||
| − | 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. |
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| − | Of course their dreams were all ruthlessly shattered as they were intimidated, bitten, torn to shreds... |
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| − | There were quite a few that never did recover after they were mercilessly belittled by her. |
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| − | Wherever Aisaka went, her path was drenched with the blood of countless corpses of male students. |
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| − | |||
| − | There was just a lot of bad press concerning Aisaka Taiga. |
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| − | Regardless of whether the rumors were true or not, there was no doubt that she was the most dangerous being in this school. |
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| − | It was many days after the Opening Ceremony that Ryuuji learned about these things. |
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| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | <noinclude> |
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| − | {| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;" |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | Back to [[Toradora%21:Volume1_Illustrations|Illustrations]] |
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| − | | Return to [[Toradora%21|Main Page]] |
||
| − | | Forward to [[Toradora%21:Volume1_Chapter2|Chapter 2]] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |} |
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| − | </noinclude> |
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| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | ------------------------------------------ -->)''' |
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Revision as of 03:05, 11 April 2021
Malambot ito at matamis.
At kung makita ito, siguradong magugustuhan ito ng lahat,
Dahil mahusay ang pagkakatago nito sa daigdig, para mahirap itong mahanap.
Pero, dadating din ang araw na may makakakita nito.
At ang dapat makakuha nito ay ang karapat-dapat lamang.
Iyon lang.
"Naman!"
Alas siete trenta na ng umaga. Maganda naman ang araw, at madilim-dilim pa sa loob ng bahay. Dalawa ang silid sa bahay, na may kusinang nakaharap patimog sa loob ng dalawang palapag na paupahan,[1] sampung minuto na lakad mula sa estasyon ng tren. Nasa 80,000 yen[2] ang renta.
"Suko na 'ko! Di ko makuha 'to nang tama!"
Pinunasan ng isang nayamot na kamay ang hamog sa salamin. Mahamog ang sira-sirang palikuran dahil sa pagligo sa madaling-araw. Kaya naman pagkapunas sa salamin, bumalik ito sa pagiging maulap. Walang kapupuntahan ang pagtuon ng galit sa isang salamin, gaano man kayamot ka...
"Walang kwenta naman nito!"
Maging gwapo sa lumulutang na bangs — Yan ang slogan sa pinakabagong labas na magasin ng men's fashion. Dahil doon, "lumulutang" na ang mga bangs si Takasu Ryuuji. Ayon na rin sa nakalagay sa artikulo, hinila niya yung mga bangs niya, binlow-dry hanggang sa tumayo sila, at saka mahinahong nilagyan ang parehong gilid ng hair gel. Sadya siyang gumising nang kahalating oras na mas maaga para maging katulad ng modelo ang buhok niya at matupad ang kahilingan niya.
Gayunpaman, "Siguro, napakawalang muwang naman ako para baguhin ang sarili ko sa bangs lang."
Galit na itinapon ni Ryuuji ang magasin, na seryosong pinag-ipunan niya ng tapang para bilhin, sa basurahan. Sa kasamaang palad, dahil napakahina niyang umasinta, di niya ito naipasok, imbes ay bumuklat pa ito habang pabagsak, at kinalat ang basurang nasa basurahan sa sahig. Sabi sa nakabuklat na pahina, "May oras ka pa para makapasok sa paaralan. Maamo o brusko? Ang ating paglalakbay sa pagiging modelo."
Kung ako lang ang tatanungin, di ako sigurado kung magmomodelo ako. Kahit na, gusto ko pa ring magbago.
Pero bigo ako.
Pakiramdam na talunan siya, binasâ ni Ryuuji ang mga kamay niya ng tubig at ginulo ang buhok na pinagtuunan niya ng maraming oras para ayusin. Bumalik siya sa pangkaraniwan niyang magulong tuwid na buhok. Pagkatapos, lumuhod siya para pulutin ang kalat sa sahig.
"Hala?! Ano 'tong... a... amag... maamag!"
Kahit na palagi niyang pinupunasan ang hamog, kahit na buong araw niyang nilinis ang mga amag sa kusina at palikuran nung nakaraang linggo... lahat yon, napunta sa wala dahil sa napaka-alinsangan na silid. Kinakagat ang labi sa inis, sinubukan ni Ryuuji kung maaalis niya ang mga amag gamit ang mga tisyu. Siyempre, di yon madali, at napunit niya ang mga ito bandang dulo.
"Naman, kakaubos ko lang nito nung isang araw lang e. Mukhang bibili na naman ako ng pantanggal-amag." Sa ngayon, iiwanan ko muna sila, pero babalikan ko kayo para kayo'y puksain! Tumingin pababa si Ryuuji sa amag havang nagpupulot ng mga kalat. Pagkatapos, marahas niyang pinunasan ang sahig gamit ang ilang tuwalyang gawa sa papel, sinigurong walang tinirang hibla ng buhok at dumi, at pinunasan ang hamog sa hugasán bago niya tinaas ang ulo at nagbuntong-hininga.
"Aa, oo. Pet food. Hoy, In~ko-chan!"
"Ah..."
Sumagot ang isang napakatinis na boses sa galit na sigaw ng isang estudyanteng nasa haiskul.
Salamat, gising na siya. Pinapasigla ang sarili uli, nakapaang pumasok si Ryuuji sa kusinang nakakahoy na tile, kumuha ng pet food at diyaryo, at pumunta sa isang sulok ng kanilang sala na naka-tatami.[3] Tinanggal niya pagkatapos ang damit sa nagtatakip sa kulungan ng ibon doon, at binati ang kanyang cute na alagang hindi niya nakita buong gabi.
Ngayon, iba-iba ang paraan ng pag-alaga ng mga tao sa kanilang alaga, pero ganito inaalagaan ng mga Takazu ang kanilang alagang parrot. Dahil nakakatakot ang hitsura nito sa pagtulog, kinakailangang takpan ng damit ito.
"Magandang umaga, Inko-chan."
Dilaw na parrot si Inko-chan. Tulad ng parati, kinakausap ni Ryuuji ito habang nilalagyan niya ito ng pagkain.
"Ga-gandang umaga," pataas ang pagkurap nito sa paraang di kaaya-aya o misteryoso, bagamat kaya nitong sumagot sa wikang Hapones. Kahit na kakagising lang, mukhang nasa magandang mood ito. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit siya cute.
"Inko-chan, sabihin mo kain tayo."
"Ka... Ka... Kain... Kain tayo! Kain tayo! Kain! Tayo!"
"Okey, tama na. Ngayon, tingnan naman natin kung kaya mong sabihin yon! Subukan mo kung kaya mo na'ng sabihin pangalan mo... dali, sabihin mo, Inko-chan."
"I... I... In... I... Iii... Ii..." Mukhang matindi ang ginagamit na enerhiya ni Inko-chan, habang ginagalaw niya ang kanyang ulo at mabilis na humihigop ng hangin, ay pagkatapos ay winawagaswas niya nang mabilis ang pakpak niya. "Iiiiii...."
Dumuduling ang mga mata niya, at makikita nang kaunti ang kanyang kulay-abong dila na unti-unting lumalabas sa tuka niya. Siguro magagawa niya ito ngayong araw, iniisip ng kanyang amo na todo ang pagdasal. Sa huli...
"Ble...!"
Naman... bakit ang bobo ng mga ibon? Tulad talaga ng inaasahan sa isang katiting lang ang bigat ng utak. Nagbuntong-hininga si Ryuuji, habang binabalot ang pinagdumihang diyaryo. Tinapon niya ito sa isang plastik. Habang papunta sa basurahan para itapon ito kasama ng mga kalat sa kusina,
"...Sa'n... ka... pupunta..."
Mukhang gising na rin yata ang tangang nasa likod ng fusuma.[4]
"Ryuu-chan, diba uniporme yang suot mo? Bakit?" antok na tanong niya.
Maayos na binalot ni Ryuuji ang lalagyan ng basura at sumagot sa boses, "Papasok na 'ko. Diba sinabi ko kahapon na pasukan na?"
"Ah..."
Paulit-ulit na binulong niya ang sumusunod habang binubuklat niya ang mga binti niya sa futon, nagmumukhang iiyak, Edi... Edi...
"Edi, paano yung... tanghalian ni Ya-chan? Wala pa akong naaamoy na pagkain e... may ginawa ka ba sa'kin?"
"Wala."
"Ano~... Edi... ano'ng gagawin ni Ya-chan... pagkagising niya...? Walang masarap na kakainin e..."
"Pauwi na 'ko pagkagising mo! Pupunta lang ako sa opening ceremony."
"Ano... yun lang ba..."
Hee hee hee hee, ngumiti siya habang sinira niya ang nabukakang binti at nagsimula magpalakpak ...Patawad, palakpak ng paa.
"Opening ceremony ba? Congrats~! Edi ibig sabihin, Grade 11[5] na si Ryuu-chan mula ngayon?"
"Basta. Diba sinabi ko na na gaano ka man ka-busy, dapat tinatanggal mo muna yung makeup mo bago matulog? Angal ka nang angal diyan sa kung gaano kahirap tanggalin niyan, diba sinabi ko mismong bumili ka ng tisyu na pantanggal-makeup," tiningnan pa nang maigi ang paligid niya, "Ah... Hala! Kumalat yung makeup mo sa punda! Di ko yan maaalis sa labáhan! Dapat inaalagaan mo na yang balat mo! Di ka na bata!"
"Sensya na."
Talababa
- ↑ Ginamit na salin sa Ingles ang townhouse.
- ↑ Katumbas ng P35,400 sa pera ngayon (2021).
- ↑ Uri ng banig na gawa sa kahoy. Madalas makikita sa mga tradisyonal na bahay sa Japan. Wikipedia.
- ↑ Uri ng dingding na gawa sa papel. Nagsisilbing divider ng mga silid sa isang tradisyonal na bahay sa Japan. Wikipedia.
- ↑ Sa Japan, ang Grade 11 (ang unang taon ng senior high) ay katumbas ng ikalawang taon nila sa high school. Sinalin ito sa kasalukuyang katumbas na baitang sa Pilipinas. (Bago ang K-12, katumbas ito ng unang taon sa kolehiyo)
