Matendou Sonata 1 (Sonata of the Road of Heaven and Hell) by Amagi Sayuri Published 1986 by Princess Comics Chapter 1 The Sky Blue, and the Moon Tear It is said that the heavens lie beyond the sky. They are divided into three worlds: the ‘hell’ of the demons; the ‘heaven’ of the angels; and, at the place where those two worlds intersect, the country where they meet: the realm of magic. Many wondrous being live in this world, and the angels and the demons live together. That seems strange--but at the same time, it seems completely natural. Well then--this is the realm of magic. Here is a lone angel with silver-blue hair; and here is the park where he is waiting. Micael : He’s late! The only guy who would do something like this is... Filla : Good morning, Micael! Micael : Filla! I told you to come quick! Filla : Sorry, sorry...we’ve got a long vacation ahead of us, wanna go somewhere and have some fun? Micael : People will see us. Let’s go to that grove over there-- Filla, the thing that I wanted to talk to you about... Filla : Oh, I see! You finally *feel that way*?! Micael, I love you! Micael : Wait just one second! It’s *this*. I wanted to show it to you. Filla : Wow...it’s all silver-white and pretty...this wouldn’t be the Moon Tear from the temple of the gods of heaven, would it? What are you doing with it? Micael : The great head angel entrusted me with it. Filla : That’s amazing, with you being just a third-class advanced cherubim. Micael : Look closely. Do you see anything? Filla : Oh, yeah! There are two blue jewels inside the jewel. But there just can’t be stones as dark as this in heaven! Micael : The Moon Tear was taken into the temple of the gods a very long time ago, however...it seems that recently these two blue stones have been put into it. They suddently appeared yesterday. Filla : You’d think that blue stones like these would be from hell... Micael : Yes, that’s what the great head angel said too. But the chronicle of the Moon Tear was burnt up in a battle, so we can’t find an answer there. I was wondering if you would take this to Satan and see if you can find anything out... Filla : I see. Satan and the great head angel only meet twice a year, here at the meeting place... Micael : But you’re Satan’s lover, so you can go to his castle any time you want, right? Filla : Well, yeah... {Translator’s note: either this is a really weird story or I’m a really bad translator...} But these jewels, they look just like your eyes... Micael : Why is it that my eyes are a colour one can’t find in heaven? They’re just my eyes, so I can’t help it...But they’re always saying, ‘your colour is so much better suited to hell that you should have been a demon’... Filla : Maybe they’re right. Micael : But then, for us to be a pair, you would have to be an angel! Filla : I guess so. Micael : Anyway, ask him about the stones. Filla : Micael! Is it okay if I don’t do it today? It’s our vacation, so I was thinking the two of us could... Micael : Just take it to Satan’s place! Satan : A very long time ago, there existed in this realm of hell a very powerful magical stone. It was called the Sky Blue, and it was deep blue in colour. Then the hand of god broke it into two pieces. One made its way to the world of humans, while the other was sealed away in heaven. Each calls out to the other, and when the two pieces are put together by someone with a dark soul, he will unleash woe upon the world. This is what I have found from reading the old documents in my castle. [sign : Satan’s castle] Filla : You mean that there was a jewel from hell in heaven!? Satan : Heaven is a place where countless old monsters are sealed up. It shouldn’t be surprising that the Sky Blue, too, would be sealed there. Six hundred years after the Sky Blue was sealed, the Moon Tear was ‘born’ from a holy spring in the temple of the gods. Although I could find no detailed information on it, the white magic it possesses apparently equals the Sky Blue in power. And, in contrast to the Sky Blue, it calls out for pure souls. It is written that it dispelled all the ancient evil... Filla : Is there anything it can’t do? Change traffic lights, maybe? Satan : Anyway, I have learned the identity of the last evil-hearted one to have the piece of the Sky Blue in the human world. It is this man. Filla : But if the other piece of the Sky Blue’s safely sealed away in heaven, then there’s no reason to worry, right? Satan : Not exactly. If the evil in this man’s heart grows stronger, then he may be able to break the seal. Filla : And if the two pieces are united, what happens? Satan : The Moon Tear would probably seal them up before they could be united. I know the general location of the man’s residence. Can you search it out for me, Filla? Filla : But...if I got both pieces of the jewel, then...wouldn’t I become possessed by its evil just like that man? Satan : No need to worry. The Moon Tear lends its power to those like you who have honest souls. As for you...I know not whether the Sky Blue shines more beautifully than Micael’s eyes, but I doubt that it can enchant you half as much as they do. Filla : You’re right...there is nothing in this world that shines a brighter, more beautiful blue than Micael’s eyes. Micael : So...why do you want me involved in this? Filla : Micael, you’re so cold! We’re supposed to be partners! Micael : That’s only in guiding dead human’s souls. It doesn’t apply when we’re not at work. Anyway, for some reason I sprouted wings at my parents’ house in the realm of magic... Filla : Hmm...sprouted wings... Micael : What are you thinking? Filla : Uh...nothing. Anyway, they went to look for the man. Old lady : Yes, I know that man. Filla : Do you know where he lives? Old lady : He lives alone in the old mansion by that mountain’s foothills. But he’s said to be very strange. I’ve heard that he collects things that give off a blue light. Filla : Thank you, Ma’am. Hey, you think that’s it, Mi-- [sound effect: BANG!] Micael : You can never seem to remember when we’re in the humans’ world! Filla : Sorry. (But you didn’t have to hit me like that!) Micael : Let’s review, shall we? Filla : Okay. Micael : When we’re in human form, we must not say our angel and demon names. Filla : And the reason for that would be...? Micael : Because if we do, we’ll turn into our angel or demon forms for twenty-four hours. Filla : Very nice explanation. Man : Who’s there? Micael : Umm...err...We’re travellers, but my friend caught a stomach virus. May we stay here until he recovers? Man : Well, okay, but you’ll have to make do with the stable in the back. Micael : Thank you very much! Man : I’ll serve you some supper soon... Micael : Filla, you can stop the act already. Hey, what the-- Filla : But I’m still sick... Micael : This place is hardly better than being outside, but at least it has a roof. Filla : No horses, though. Micael : Since this guy’s possessed, don’t you think he’d have killed and eaten them? Filla : (starts chanting) Micael : This isn’t Japan, you know... Well, I’m going for supper. You sleep here. Filla : I don’t think so! I’m going to eat too! Micael : But you’re still sick, right? I’ll look for the Sky Blue too. Filla : Take care. Man : I’ve been waiting. Well, come in. Where’s the other man? Micael : He’s resting now, thanks to your help. What a weird mansion...I wonder where that piece of the Sky Blue could be. So, I heard you collect shiny blue things. Man : So what if I do? Micael : This man’s been looking at me strangely... Do you know anything about the jewel called the ‘Sky Blue’? Man : Ah...no, I don’t. What is it? Micael : He does know the jewel’s name. He really has been taken over by its power! Filla : Aah, I’m hungry! Micael : One meal was all I could get. Did you expect more? Filla : Is it any of your business how much I want to eat? Micael : I think so. Filla : Lemme eat something! Micael : I’m going to sleep. Filla : In that case, I’ll eat you! (You look delicious!) Micael : Oh, just eat some hay! Filla : You know, I love working in the humans’ world...spending the night with you... [silence] Already asleep? Good night... Micael : Idiot... Man : I finally have it! I have been waiting and waiting for your partner to fall from the sky, and now it will soon be mine! Then, I will become immensely powerful! I will unleash woe upon all the foolish humans! When I was nine, my parents died. I was forced to give up my house and become a servant to the family who now lived there. Their son bullied me cruelly. I came to hate him-- to wish he was dead. And then one day he said that I was being impertinent, and grabbed my neck. I lost consciousness; when I awoke, I grabbed the mantle clock and brought it down on his head. He died, and I was sent to a reform school, but I fought with all the boys there. When I left, I was an orphan with no responsibilities. I had nowhere to work, nowhere to sleep, so I just wandered from town to town. Finally, in this town I found an old, abandoned mansion. I began living there, hermit-like. Four years passed, and one day I found a blue jewel in a cave behind my house...It said its name was the ‘Sky Blue.’ Then it told me, with a voice that would freeze even blood, to find its partner. If there really is another Sky Blue sealed up in heaven...I can cause misery to all the humans who despised me! When the two pieces are put together by someone with an evil soul...it will unleash woe upon the world... Filla : Do you know where it’s hidden? Micael : No, we’ve still got to look. Man : You over there, how are you feeling? Filla : Um, I’m feeling fine since I took some medicine. Man : Well then, you can wash the dishes later. Filla : Who, me? Man : After all, I did let you spend the night. Micael : I’ll help too. Man : You help me with my business. Come over here. Filla : That man worries me...he was watching Micael all through dinner. Man : Carry those down here. Micael : A basement? It’s the Sky Blue! Man : Correct. Filla : Here, little Sky Blue...Here, Sky Blue, Sky Blue...Come out, come out, where-ever you are...Won’t you tell me, Moon Tear? Okay then, next room! Huh? What’s that coming from the basement? Micael : What’s going on? Man : This is the Sky Blue I found. And the other part is sealed up in you, isn’t it? Instead of two pieces...it is *three* pieces that bring great woe. Micael : Three? He means my eyes! Man : Now, come to me! Filla : Micael!? Man : I’ve been waiting for the Sky Blue... Micael : Filla...Filla! Filla : Micael! What’s wrong!? Man : Don’t get in my way, you bastard! Filla : Micael! You hurt MY Micael, you son of a bitch! Man : The Sky Blues are in his eyes...I will take them. Filla : You idiot! The Sky Blue is sealed way up in heaven! Micael : Filla! Man : Give me...give me my jewel! Filla : Ack! This guy’s got pretty strong magic. Micael : Filla! Call the jewel in heaven! Filla : Oh other piece of the Sky Blue...The time when thou art to be rejoined has come...come, now, into my soul! I did it! Man : Gimme...it’s mine...give it to me... Filla : I’ll save you instead. [chanting] Moon Tear, give me power! Micael : Is he okay? Or dead? Filla : The strength of the magic made him lose consciousness for a while. He won’t remember any of this when he wakes up. Micael : Okay... What are you doing? Filla : You’re bleeding badly... This will smart a bit, but just hold still. Micael : Huh? Wha...wha...don’t start being weird like that! Filla : There’s dirt in the wound! I’m just trying to sterilize it! Once more... Micael : Why is my heart beating so quickly? Hey, are you done already!? Back in the realm of magic Filla : May the Sky Blue never again approach an evil heart! The pieces have been separated again, and are now in the northern and southern parts of heaven. Micael : But, you know, not all angels have pure hearts... Filla : Don’t worry! The white magic of the Moon Tear has sealed them up for half of eternity and then some! Micael : What happened to the Moon Tear, anyway? Filla : After it took the man’s magic from him and sealed up the Sky Blue...it just disappeared. Maybe it used up all its power. Micael : I guess it fulfilled its purpose. But you know...you didn’t remember that whole spell right. Filla : What do you mean!? Of course I did, you--you fallen angel! Micael : Well... But why did that man think that the Sky Blue was in my eyes? Filla : Huh? Micael : Well, the two pieces call out for each other...So I think my eyes couldn’t have been that different...maybe they even have that same power. Filla : No way! Micael : But it must be that way! The Sky Blue is different from anything else in heaven...and maybe I, too, will in the end bring great woe upon heaven... Filla : Don’t say such gloomy things! If that were to ever happen, I would be your Moon Tear. [sound effect: Fwap!] You didn’t need to fwap me like that! Micael : I don’t want to look at you right now. Filla : Micael! Are you mad at me? Micael : No... I don’t even know what to say... Filla : I know! You’re just shy! Micael : Yeow! You hit me right in my wounded shoulder, you bastard! Filla : Now, is that any way for an angel to talk? Micael : Shut up! Anyway, that’s just how love is! Chapter 2 Harmony of Gold and Silver [Realm of Magic] Filla : Another job welcoming a soul? Micael : We have to welcome the soul of a frenchman expected to die at 10:32 today. Filla : Where in France is that? Micael : Denmark. Filla : Since when is Denmark in France? Micael : He’s a frenchman living in Denmark, you octopus-head! Filla : I see... Micael : We still have some time left. Want to walk around the town? Filla : Sure. But no matter how many times it happens, I just hate seeing humans die. Micael : Awfully sympathetic for a demon, aren’t you? This angel and this devil are partners. Their job is to welcome the souls of humans who are about to die. Filla : Well, y’know, we live for two or three hundred years. But they only get a hundred, at most. First the demon grants two of the human’s wishes. Then the angel leads the soul up to heaven with a ring of light. This ‘angel ring’ could be a bracelet, a circlet, a necklace, an earring, or some such thing. Filla : Look, there’s Sea-ryuude, that elementary school. Micael : Oh, that brings back so many memories... Filla : Right...since your parents are ‘lovers,’ your home was in the realm of magic, wasn’t it? Micael : Yes...and this was the school I attended. Filla : What were you like as a kid? Have you always been so sour? Micael : No! Sea-ryuude was a school that people from heaven, hell, or the realm of magic could attend. Most of them were learning how to be angels, though. I remember that we used to fight all the time about names... [Sea-ryuude elementary school, in the realm of magic] Micael : Why is it so weird that my father’s a demon and my mother’s an angel? Guerre : It’s weird ‘cause I say it’s weird! teacher : What’s causing all this commotion? Micael : Sensei, he said it was weird that my father’s a demon and my mother’s an angel. teacher : Guerre, ‘lovers’ aren’t a bit weird. They’re just not that common. Guerre : But he’s got the same name as the great head angel! Naming a kid with a demon for a father, ‘Micael’...It’s not right. Micael : What are you doing, you jerk!? teacher : Please stop... Micael : Hey, Cross, you think it really is weird that lovers would name their kid Micael? Cross : Nope. I mean, my own parents named me Cross...they fought a lot over that name. And even now, it’s always, “Be an angel!” “Be a demon!”...It’s really annoying. Micael : It’s the same way with my parents. Cross : My dad wanted to name me for the number-4 person in charge of hell, Beel. Micael : My dad wanted to name me Satan. Cross : But in the end you were Micael because... Both : The mother always wins! Micael : Either way, people would have said it was weird. Thanks, Cross. Cross : Well, I’d better go home. Micael : Okay! Cross : You know, there are kids who want to become demons even though both of their parents are angels! Micael : Really!? Now *that* is weird! Filla : You really think I’m that weird? Micael : No, you’re just stupid. Anyway, I’ve changed a lot since I was a kid. It wasn’t until Ea-ryuude middle school that we decided what to be... Filla : Yeah, we decided... I remember it well... Micael : What? Filla : This flashback, of course! Michael : Just like a TV drama... [Ea-ryuude middle school, realm of magic] The children who graduated from Sea-ryuude went on to this school. Cross : Have you decided what to be yet? Micael : We still have another week until we start school... Cross : I’m going to be an angel. You’ll be one too, right Micael? Micael : I still haven’t decided, but...I’ll do well because I don’t want you to outdo me! I don’t want to be an angel... voices : C’mon, Cross! We’re playing dodge-ball! Cross : You come too, Micael. Micael : No, I’d rather not. Cross : Why not? Micael : I think I’ll go back to class. Bye... Cross : He sure has changed... [after this I don’t know what’s going on. Apparently Micael is taken to play the role of a ‘princess’ in an impromptu play...or live-action RPG, as the case may be...and Filla is one of the boys who ‘rescues’ the princess...] 61 : Ah, a beautiful woman! : Don’t move! If you do, the Princess will be no more! : Hey, what’s going on? 62 : Princess, I’ll save you! : Watch out! Three people can’t stand on that narrow-- [splash] : Sorry! teacher : It’s still too cold for swimming! You come this way--you two over there-- and get changed quick! Don’t peek, you two! Two boys : Now that she said that... teacher : Hey, you two! girl : It was a boy! Filla : I thought I would drown in those blue eyes... Micael : It was your mistake. I never said I would be a ‘princess.’ Filla : We were just playing... in unison: Sorry! Micael : Oh, it’s all right. Sensei, I’ll come to pick up my clothes later. teacher : Okay, I’ll dry them for you. boy 1 : Why’re you acting so stuck-up!? boy 2 : Weird brat... teacher : How long are you going to stand there like that? Filla : He had such sad-looking eyes... teacher : Soon you all will begin four years of hard studying. All of you have learned about the three heavens from Sea-ryuude, right? students : Yes, ma’am. teacher : Here, everyone will learn to draw out their latent magical powers, and also learn about what happens on the ground in the world of humans. student : Hey, why do we have to study about humans? teacher : Four years from now, you all will have to make a choice. Just like men decide whether to become innkeepers or tailors, you will decide whether to work for the temple of hell, the temple of heaven, or the temple of magic. Whether to be an angel, a demon, or a sorceror...the choice is up to you. You each have to choose your own road. Both of my parents were angels, but since I love kids so much, I decided to become a teacher. Rod : Yeah, right! You probably just failed the entrance exams! teacher : Rod, the entrance exams for teaching are just as difficult! Lynx : sensei... teacher : What is it, Lynx? Lynx : Both of my parents are demons, but...can I become an angel? Micael : Why does she want to be an angel? If both her parents are demons...it’s only natural for her to be one too...with pretty black hair and pale blue eyes...no, that kid’s way more of an angel than I am. teacher : Well, the entrance exams only test your own power, not your parents’. Lynx : I’ll do my best! teacher : Don’t you feel well, Micael? Your parents are...lovers... correct? Micael : Yes. teacher : What have you chosen? Micael : I still don’t know. teacher : From looking at your eyes...I’d say you looked like you would be a demon. student : With a name like Micael, he should probably be an angel! : But his eye color is absolutely demonic! : Yes, it doesn’t fit well in heaven. : Hey, he didn’t get to choose it, you know! teacher : Micael, I think the best thing would be for you to have a nice long talk with your parents and think about it. Micael : Hey...where’d you come from? Filla : That voice... Micael : Stop, that tickles! Filla : He’s laughing! Huh? Aaah! So we meet again! Micael : That’s all good and well, but would you get off of me? Filla : Sorry, sorry. I’m Filla, from class 2B. Micael : Micael, 1A. Filla : Micael? As in the great head angel? It’s a nice name...and it suits you, too. What are you doing out here by yourself? Micael : Fourth period is study hall...my classmates are playing outside. Filla : Why aren’t you with them? Micael : I prefer to be by myself. I don’t need any friends. Filla : You don’t!? Micael : No, I don’t. Wanna make something of it? Filla : Err...uh...nice weather today, isn’t it? Hey, your knees are hurt bad. You’ve gotta go see a doctor. Micael : I’m fine. Filla : But if it doesn’t get disinfected... Micael : I said I’m fine already! Filla : He doesn’t seem to act his age... You’re the only one who’s seen him smile, aren’t you? [middle school entrance scores] Filla : I failed Physics, and Math, and Biology, and World History, and French and Chinese! Ouch! student : It would be quicker to count the courses you passed! student : Wow, Micael’s on top again. Filla : Hey, Belze, does Micael always get good grades like this? Belze : Yeah, it seems like it. On this entrance exam he got 25 points higher than the kid in second place, Cross. student : Micael, teach me how to do this problem! Micael : All you do is switch the formula around...and then solve algebraically. student : Of course! We studied this last spring! student : I’m next! student : Micael’s sure gotten popular since those exams. student : Even Lynx likes him now! student : It’s almost suspicious. Micael : Don’t bug me about this! No one even understands how I feel...you just don’t understand! student : You think Micael’s going to become a demon? student : Yeah, probably. He’s real smart and mature, and even pretty, but he looks so cold with the blue and silver colors. He’s always looking expressionless so it’s hard to tell what he’s thinking about. And they say that ‘a mask of ice hides a wintry spirit.’ student : What are you talking about? He’s no more evil than we are. student : Is something wrong? Micael : Stop talking and help me clean up, would you? This doll’s in the way... Filla : Why’s he taking charge like this? student : He would make one scary angel... student : It’s the eyes! It’s his blue eyes that let him control people... Belze : Filla, there’s a student council meeting at 5:00. Please go instead of me. Filla : Not again!? Why do you always ask me to substitute? It’s you who was chosen in the class-B election! Belze : I have some urgent business, I’ve absolutely got to go home. Moreover, even though it was me who was elected, you were pretty close. Filla : Fine, I’ll do it. [student council] Garett : Well then, let’s take the roll of each class’s representative. Lucas Sagan from 3-B? Lucas : Here. Garett : Nasha Musky from 2-A? Nasha : Here. Garett : Azera Ijia from 2-B? Azera : Here. Garett : Kai Payda from 4-A? Kai : Here. Garett : Izuki Rana from 4-B? Izuki : Here. Garett : Kiersey Lunan from 3-A? Kiersey : Here. Garett : Karen Fauna from 3-B? Karen : Here. Garett : Allen Noah from 2-A? Allen : Here. Garett : Belze Kona from 2-B? Filla : Filla from 2-B! I’ve come as Belze’s substitute. Garett : Thank you for coming, Fillanzia Lanshua. Filla : Don’t call me by my full name, it’s too girly. Garett : Micael Lennon from 1-A? Filla : Huh? Micael : Here. Filla : He’s a class representative? Well, he’s so smart, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. But he’s so-- Garett : Graduation is in another month. At the end of every year we put on a drama. This year, it will be from a very old tale, a tragic love story called “Matisse and Yurie.” Everyone, please read the script and think of what characters you’d be suited for. student : Ah, what a sad story! Filla : It’s too depressing! Garett : The vice president and I will be busy with the script and preliminary preparations, so please choose just one part to audition for. Micael : The upperclassmen will have to take the adult roles. Underclassmen would be better for the roles of Matisse and Yurie. Garett : First of all, those who would like to play the angel Matisse are... three kids: I think Filla would be best!!! Filla : Why’d you want me to play an angel!? I may be replacing Belze, but I’m not even in student council! Kai : But you’re the one who fits the role best! three kids: You have the right golden hair! And just like Matisse, your parents were both angels! Filla : So what? I’m going to be a demon when I grow up! students : Then you can try being an angel just once! Yeah, I bet it suits you really well! The hair : glittering threads of gold. The eyes : as green as sunlight reflecting off of leaves. The smile: as warm as a summer day. Filla : Why do they want me for this part so much? Garett : So, who votes for Filla? Filla : Oh man, even Micael... Garett : Moving on, for the heroine, the demon Yurie... student : I think Micael would be good! Me too! Yeah, with the blue and silver, he’s just perfect for it! No one else would be as good! And he looks girlish enough to pull it off! Cross : Wow, Micael, you’ll be the heroine. Micael : Better suited to being a demon...so cold, with the blue and silver...closer to an evil being... If that’s what they think of me, then I’ll do it. Garett : Well, Micael? Will you do it? Micael : Yes. Garett : Then this meeting is adjourned. Filla : Micael... Micael : What is it? Filla : You know...I think you’d be better suited to being an angel... Micael : Are you serious? Filla : Of course I am! I’ve heard what other people say, and no matter what they think, I think you should be an angel! Micael : I hate angels. There’s a darkness inside of me that you know nothing about! Filla : Those eyes again...Why’s he looking at me like that? It almost seems as if I could fall forever into the blue darkness... Micael : You’re in no place to say that, foolishly wanting to become a demon with that golden hair of yours...If your parents are angels, then you should be an angel, right? Like Matisse. Filla : I love Satan. I want to work by his side and live in his world. Micael : Is that the only reason you’re willing to abandon your homeland? Filla : So what if it is? Why do you always have to be so sour and narrow-minded? You smiled once...with the unicorn. Micael : That has nothing to do with you! Filla : Sure it does! We’re the hero and heroine! Fine, I’ll make you a deal. I bet that I can get you to smile before the end of graduation. Micael : And if you can’t? Filla : Then I’ll give up on becoming a demon. student : Give up? Micael : Ah, really? Why is he being so nice to me? Filla : And if I win, Micael--you have to become an angel. Micael : It’s you who’s much better suited to being one! student : Looks like those two are already praticing their parts! Belze : I see you came, Mister Lanshua. Filla : Belze! I thought you had urgent business! You--you tricked me! Belze : I sure did, because I wanted you to play Matisse. Filla : Why you little-- Belze : Don’t get so mad! It’s thanks to me that you’ll be playing Micael’s lover! Filla : What are you implying? Belze : Come on, I know you like him. And you did make that bet with him... Filla : I just wanted to see him smile, that’s all. Belze : That’s because you’re in love with him. Filla : But Micael’s a guy! Belze : So what? ‘Love knows not the meaning of male and female.’ If he’s reacting like this, then it must be true! Filla : Stupid Belze...I wish he’d stop saying such weird things. But it’s true that Micael has such fascinating blue eyes... maybe I really am falling in love with him. I don’t really understand it, but there’s something about the darkness in his heart... Micael : “I’ll give up on being a demon”...”Micael, I’m sure you’ll become a wonderful angel”...”Become an angel”... An angel... student : Lucas, have you collected them? student : Well, well... Lucas : The different baskets are for the ones from heaven and the ones from hell. Wing-eating dragons dropped all these feathers! It was tough getting them! Garett : What are these? Lucas : Demon feathers. Garett : These feathers are red. They must be from harpies. Lucas : Well...they’re black at the top... Filla : Micael... Micael : You’ve forgotten your lines again, haven’t you, Filla? Filla : Heh heh heh...sorry. student : Of course, Micael memorized his lines quickly...you’d better do so too, Filla. student : They look so pretty when they’re together, with those colors of gold and silver. Lucas : You think those two will be a pair when they grow up? Belze : Yeah--with Filla as a demon and Micael as an angel. Lucas : Don’t you think it will be the other way around, since Micael doesn’t want to be an angel? Belze : I don’t know about that. Micael : I...love you...Matisse... Garett : Micael, you have to smile at the last part. Micael : This is just a rehearsal...I’ll do it when we’re actually performing it. Filla : I feel as if I’m sinking into the darkness of his blue eyes again...What makes you act this way? Hidden behind the coldheartedness you wear as a veil, I believe that your true colors shine as clear and vast as the sky. [graduation day] student : Are we on? student : Ten more minutes. student : I’m really sorry it took so long to make the wings... Filla : This is embarassing. student : That one’s good, how’s yours? Micael : OK. Blue hair, blue eyes...black wings, golden horns. No! I can’t become a demon! Why do I feel this way? Filla : It’s perfect. Lucas : Just like Yurie. Micael : Well? Do you still think I’d be better as an angel? Filla : You’re pretty even as a demon, but I think you’d be far more wonderful as an angel. Micael : Hold on, Micael, you sound as if you’re in love! Filla : Oh...I do? Micael : Filla...you’re dazzling in my eyes...As the light becomes stronger, bit by bit, the darkness deepens. And as you shine more and more, the shadow inside of me grows, covering up all the colors. Garett : Hey! Hero and Heroine! I put a kiss scene in here. Filla : Why, on the day we have to perform it? Garett : It’s okay, you can just pretend. Filla : But what about Micael? Micael : I don’t care, as long as it’s just pretend. And now, for the finale of the graduation ceremony, we have a play presented by the student council: ‘Matisse and Yurie.’ As Matisse, we have Fillanzea Lanshua from class 2-B. someone : Wow, Filla playing an angel! And as Yurie, Micael Lennon from class 1-A... someone : Is Micael the one who came in first place in the scores? Your eyes and your ears, please. [prologue] Long, long ago, there lived two lovers named Matisse and Yurie. Matisse was an angel with shining golden hair and eyes like green leaves. Yurie had hair and eyes as dark blue as the night and golden horns. She was a beautiful and noble demon. The two were a pair, and would often go down to the world of humans together to guide souls. Even at that happy time, Yurie was unable to smile. A witch, jealous of Yurie’s beauty, had used her magic to steal her smile. Yet Matisse still loved Yurie. Yurie, however, regretted that she could never return his smiles. She was gradually consumed by rage and sadness. One day Matisse wrote a letter to Yurie’s father in hell to ask him for her hand in marriage. [act 1: a forest in the realm of magic] Yurie : After he read your letter, my father ripped it up and handed it back to me... Matisse : I knew he’d be opposed to it. Yurie : If we get married, Rean will never speak to me again. Matisse : Yurie, let’s escape together to the humans’ world! Even if Rean’s your father and your boss, he has no power there! Yurie : I can’t do that. Matisse : Why not? Yurie : For so long, nobles could only marry nobles...and mixing the blood of demons and angels would not be forgiven! Matisse : You think it’s too much for a third-rate angel like myself to marry a noble like you? Yurie : No, I don’t think so. But- Matisse : But? Yurie : But Prince Xena proposed to me. Matisse : Proposed!? Yurie : Even an unsmiling woman like me can be desired by a man. Matisse : And you-- Yurie : Yes. I accepted. Matisse : Why!? Yurie : ...Matisse. I can’t take this anymore! I can’t bear seeing you smile at me, and never being able to return your smiles. It’s so painful, so painful I think my chest will burn up. Matisse : Yurie...Micael... Yurie : Forget about me. Find a wonderful angel who will return your smiles. Matisse : Yurie, there must be some way to break the spell. Can’t I take this burden off with my love somehow? [act 2: palace of heaven] Matisse : Oh great angel, is there no way to help Yurie? angel : Because she is a being of hell, I cannot dispel the magic. If my white magic were to collide with the black magic in her, there would be a very bad reaction, and Yurie would surely die. Try and ask a sorcerer. They have powers that can dispel both black and white magic. [act 3: an old sorcerer’s house] sorcerer : When did this happen? Matisse : About half a year ago. sorcerer : Then we must hurry! If the black magic isn’t dispelled soon, the witch’s curse may take her life! Matisse : You mean she could die? No, that’s not-- sorcerer : Don’t panic. I’ll give you this golden sword. With all of your heart and soul, plunge it into her chest. Matisse : Idiot! If I do that, she’ll-- sorcerer : It’s filled with my magic powers. It won’t hurt Yurie. Matisse : But how could I ever hurt Yurie like that? sorcerer : The witch knows that you would never hurt Yurie, and that’s why she made it the only way to save her. But if you do it, then the curse will be removed. Matisse : What a cruel curse it is... sorcerer : Are you going to do it, or will you just stand by and watch her die? Matisse : You’re right. I have to save Yurie. sorcerer : If your love for Yurie is true, then without fail, you will be able to save her. Matisse : Thank you! sorcerer : Heh heh heh... [act 4: forest in the realm of magic] Yurie : Even after leaving you, I wander back to this forest. This forest that reminds me of you...Matisse... Matisse : Yurie! Yurie : Matisse! Matisse : Yurie! I’m going to remove the curse! Yurie : With that sword? Matisse told Yurie about his conversation with the sorcerer. Yurie : I believe you, Matisse. And even if the sword does kill me, I’d rather be killed by you than by the witch’s curse. Matisse : It’s all right, Yurie. I’ll save you. Curse, go away! What? YURIE! Yurie, hang on! Why did this happen? Please forgive me... I couldn’t save you... Yurie : No, you did. With the power of your love, you took away the curse. Finally...I can...smile at you...I love...you... Matisse... Matisse : Yurie?...Micael? Yurie! Micael! I killed you, Yurie! Micael... witch : Oh, Yurie...how does it feel to die at the hands of the man you loved? The sorcerer had really been the witch in disguise. [epilogue] Time passed. Not long after this, in the forest in the realm of magic, there lived two butterflies who fluttered without ever leaving each other’s sides. One day the gold and silver butterflies danced in front of the eyes of the great angel. He saw a vision of Matisse and Yurie smiling happily. You can hear it if you listen closely--a soft melody--from long ago and far away, the harmony of gold and silver. [much clapping] student : What a success! student : Congradulations! student : Wow, Filla, you really were crying! student : I bet you kissed him for real too! Filla : Well, I, um... Let me through, all right? student : I guess he’s going to get changed. students : No way, change right here! student : They probably want to be alone. [prop room] Micael : What a crybaby...getting so emotional over a play... But his tears were so warm... Filla : I’m sorry. You were thinking that I was really going to kill you... Micael : It’s all right. The play was a success. I guess you won the bet, Filla. Filla : But that was just for the performance, right? Micael : I didn’t have any reason to smile. No, I even thought that I musn’t smile. I don’t understand why myself... Filla : You must have been under a witch’s curse. Micael : A witch’s curse...maybe it was all a nightmare woven by some evil being. Filla, two years ago...I killed an angel. Filla : An angel? Micael : A platinum blond one who couldn’t use his wings...he was going to kill me, so...I pushed him off a cliff. Filla : Micael! Micael : And I kept on hating him even after he died... Filla : Micael! Micael : That’s the reason! That’s the reason I can’t become-- Filla : It’s all right, Micael! Don’t let yourself be swallowed up by the darkness! I’ll protect you. Micael : My whole body feels warm...Filla, are you taking the cold from me? Filla : Let me try this costume on you, Micael. Micael : Huh? Filla : Just as I thought, it suits you. Micael : And it doesn’t suit you at all. Filla : You smiled! You smiled! I win, I win, I win! Micael : Well...yeah. Filla : The halo too now. Micael : I don’t think-- Filla : Just let me fix this...there. Micael : How many days has it been since I’ve been able to truly smile happily like this? [a little bit I don’t understand-flashback ends] Filla, it’s time. Filla : Indeed, Micael is truly an angel. Whatever happened to that halo, anyway? Micael : I threw it away. I’ve got a real one now. Filla : After all that happened, Micael started to smile a bit... and his smiles always fill my body with warmth. You don’t understand, do you? Micael : Huh? What? Filla : How much I like your smiles. Micael : Stop it! Filla : You’ve plunged a golden sword into my heart. Someday Reincarnation There are but ten sorcerers in the realm of magic. This is the story of one of these, a young boy. [realm of magic] Filla : I wonder what reason Micael could have had for calling me to such an uninhabited place. Maybe I did something bad...Maybe he’s mad because I hugged him, and tore his robe. But that’s not like him...he would’ve just come out and said something. Micael : Filla! How I missed you, Filla! Filla : Micael...uh...you’re acting a little strange today. Wait a second, this is my chance! So did I, Micael! Filla : Fall! Sorry, you’re...you’re back!? And why did you disguise yourself as Micael? Micael : At least you stopped there. Filla : Micael! Wari! Fall : Everybody’s being so mean to me! Wari : Don’t get so upset, it was just a kiss. Micael : You have to be careful, because Filla moves fast... Filla : I do not! [Wari’s house] Micael : So, your parents went sightseeing in the human world? Fall : Yeah. They told me that even the sorcerers that rule over the realm of magic need to study a lot in the world below. Filla : Now that you mention it, isn’t your father the sorcerers’ president? Fall : Yeah. He and the others always have a lot of work in the humans’ world. He took me along this time, but... Filla : Even on earth... Micael : He’s a troublemaker. Fall : But I really wanted to, because it was the first time I’d ever seen the world below. Filla : They made you go back because you were interfering in your dad’s job? Wari : Even I think that he’s awfully troublesome. Fall : But I’m already 16! I don’t know what my mom would think, but I can make a living on my own! Wari : Or so you think. Moonless nights can be very scary. And after all, you’ve come to stay with me. Fall : Well, um... Filla : I know the truth! Wari molested you, didn’t he!? Micael : You pervert! Why do you always have to bring that kind of stuff up? Are you that corrupted? Filla : Oh, Micael, you’re wonderful when you’re mad. Fall : Um...I don’t mean to interrupt your frolicking, but...could you listen to my request? Micael : What request? Fall : The thing is, Filla...I want you to be a mother! Filla : What the hell are you talking about!? Fall : Sorry for surprising you like that...I should start from the beginning. While in the humans’ world, I befriended a girl named Claire. Claire was born with a weak body, and she has to spend a lot of time in bed. So she can’t go outside and play with the other girls her age. She spent her time alone, reading books, drawing pictures, and waiting for her father to come home. I showed Claire some of my magic. She became friends with the unicorns, the dragons, and the fairies. Claire : Oh, Fall, I’m so happy! I may not be able to run around under the glorious sun, but I’ve made so many wonderful friends! That’s my mommy. When I was around six, she and daddy had a big fight, and she left the house. Fall : She abandoned you? She never came back? Claire : No, she didn’t. Mommy started to hate me because I was sick all the time. Fall : That can’t be true! I’m sure she’ll come back. Believe in me, Claire. Micael : I see...you want Filla to play that girl’s mother. Filla : Why do I have to do it? You’re a skilled sorcerer, I’m sure you can do it yourself...your ‘big brother’ is real busy. Fall : I’m still just a kid. Even if I could imitate her appearance, her speech and movements would be way beyond me. Wari : That’s because you haven’t spend enough time on your education. Filla : But I don’t have the slightest idea how to be a mother! Fall : Well, first of all, since you’re not a sorceror, Wari would have to give you a medicine to change your appearance. Filla : I know that. Fall : It’s called Metamorphosea. Filla : And just what makes you think that Wari will give you the Metamorphosea? Fall : Even without the medicine, it will be all right if you just disguise yourself as a human...’cause you look a whole lot like Claire’s mother! Filla : Oh dear, Fall...you really do want to turn me into a woman, don’t you? Fall : I didn’t want to say that so soon... Filla : It’s just the same whether you say it sooner or later! [Ludence, in England] Filla : That stupid Amagi! [this may be a reference to the author, Amagi Sayuri...Filla may be annoyed at the predicaments she creates for him...or maybe it’s something else.] Claire, I’m home! Claire : Mommy, you’re home! Fall was right! Filla : “Fall”? Claire : He’s my friend, a little boy with black hair. But he had to move far away. Filla : I’m glad you made a friend, Claire. I was so, so worried about you for the last three years... Claire : Really? Filla : Of course. Are there any mothers in the whole world who don’t think about their children? I’m so sorry for making you feel lonely for so long. Claire : Don’t ever go anywhere again, because I’m going to get better! Filla : Yes, you’ll have to get quite a bit stronger, since I’ll always be by your side. I really do look like her... Wari : Don’t overdo it with the magic, Fall. Micael : If the girl finds out the truth, she may be very deeply hurt. Fall : I know that. But I hate for Claire to be so lonely. While Filla’s there, I’ll search for her real mother. Filla : Ah, Fall...you know what it’s like to be without your parents. Micael : How’s the search going? Fall : It’s no good. There are so many people in this city alone. Micael : For finding one person in such a crowd of humans, ordinary methods don’t work. Claire : Mommy always said she wanted to work in the city. This place is quiet, but beautiful. She wanted to try using her own strength in a bigger city. Fall : I’ll try the east tomorrow. Father : Hi, Fall! Fall : That’s Claire’s dad. I wonder how Filla will treat him. Filla : Welcome home, dear. Father : Sharoa! Have you come home? Filla : Shh. Be quiet; Claire is sleeping. Let’s talk in the parlor. Father : I thought you were sick of both me and this rural village. Why did you return? Filla : You were always so busy with your job...you never paid any attention to Claire or me. I thought, and the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to run away. So I left for the city I longed for, but I was lonely. Every night I went to sleep alone... Father : Then you should have come home sooner! Don’t you love Claire? Filla : I wanted to come home a million times! But I always thought about the big fight we had. I thought that Claire must hate me...but when I did come home, she smiled at me. She was so happy--so was I. Father : And so was I. Back then, I finally realized that I’d been wrapped up in such a tiring job. I’m sorry I was so heartless. I regretted everything I’d done after you left. Why are you so stiff? Filla : Because of...all the hard labor I did in the city. Father : You poor thing...please, for my sake as well as Claire’s, don’t ever leave again. Filla : Stop it, dear. Father : We are married, after all, Sharoa. Can’t I kiss you when I see you for the first time in three years? Filla : Eek...a guy’s going to kiss me...if it was Satan, it would be okay, but... Father : You’re almost like a man! Filla : That’s not true at all, dear! Father : Sharoa, where’s the diamond ring I gave you for our wedding anniversary? Filla : Let’s see now, I must have left it in my trunk...and my luggage hasn’t arrived here yet, so... Father : The ring I gave you wasn’t made of diamond but of ruby. Why are you impersonating Sharoa, you bastard!? And you’re--a man! Filla : Pervert. Father : Isn’t it you that’s the pervert, playing a role like this? Filla : Just listen to what I have to say, would you!? Okay then. I was asked by a friend of Claire’s to play the role of her mother. Did you love this woman, Sharoa? Then why didn’t you ever look for her during these three years? Father : She left by her own choice...and I was so busy with my work... Filla : I said, just now, what I thought Sharoa might be feeling. And you weren’t lying, were you? You really do regret it. You want her back with you. Fall : Filla really understands women’s hearts, doesn’t he? And...he is Satan’s lover, right? Filla : But you were scared, weren’t you? Scared that you would find her cheating on you with another man. Father : Maybe you’re right. Filla : Of course I’m right! If you love her, you’ve gotta bring her back! You can’t just spend all your time thinking--you’re a man! Move! Move! Micael : Awfully pushy for someone in a dress... Filla : You’re not the only one who feels as you do. I, too, have someone I love with all my heart who may not feel the same way. But if you love someone, you should show it! It’s only logical! Just say, ‘I love you,’ and hug her, and it’ll be all right. Father : Yeah... Fall : What’s wrong, Micael? Your face is red. Micael : Nothing, nothing! It’s getting late, Fall, let’s go home. Claire : Bye-bye, Papa! Filla : Take care, dear! Father : Goodbye... Sheesh, I thought he was done with that impersonating! [Kuryunice] Fall : Ah...wait! Filla :...Because he was a servant of god. Claire : And then what happened? Filla : Micael!? Micael : Well, this is an interesting situation. Filla : Micael, you idiot! Micael : Claire, I’m sorry for decieving you. This is not your mother. Filla : No, Claire, don’t believe this weird guy! Micael : It’s all right, Filla...Fall found Claire’s mother in Kuryunice. Filla : Really? Micael : It seems that she’s taking the one o’clock train and she’ll be here around three. Claire : Really? Is mommy really coming home? Sharoa : Thank you. It’s because of you that I had the courage to come back. Fall : I did it because I didn’t want Claire to be lonely. Sharoa : Please come back to play with her in Ludence. She’ll be waiting. Fall : Sure. Please tell her I said ‘hi’! Filla : Then, you knew? Claire : Yeah. Mommy really hates cats. But I saw you playing with a stray cat the day you came back, and I thought it was weird. But thank you anyway! You’re Fall’s friend, aren’t you? He brought you here to comfort me. Are you an angel too? Or a fairy? [Poof!] Claire : Eek, eek, a demon! Micael : It’s all right. Humans have no reason to be afraid of demons. Has Filla done anything bad to you? Claire : But why are an angel and a demon together? And why doesn’t Micael have a halo? Micael : My halo’s right here. It only comes on top of my head when I’m at work. Claire : ‘Work’? Micael : I take the souls of dying humans up to the great palace of god in heaven. I use the halo’s light to guide them. But it’s a job I have to cooperate with a demon to do! But why, oh why, does it have to be him I cooperate with? Demons are symbols of the weakness and ugliness inside humans’ hearts. When humans are confronted with death, the demons act as a mirror to reflect all of the sins in the person’s life. So if the person has accumulated a lot of bad karma during his life, the demon will seem extremely cruel and frightening to him. But that’s not all they are. They also grant a dying person two wishes. They are used to sort out any business on earth to leave the person free to go up to heaven. Then the great head angel uses a scale of right and wrong to separate the souls into the pure and peaceful ones and the withered, hateful ones. The former go to the southern region of heaven. The latter are sent to the northern region of hades. In hades, the souls are repaired and then returned to heaven. In time they become just like the pure and peaceful souls. And then the souls are reborn into the humans’ world, to live a new life. And that’s all there is. Claire : Wow! They die, but then they get reborn and live again! Filla : Well, maybe not as humans. They might get reborn as plants or insects, but certainly they get a chance for a new life. Claire : That’s wonderful! I’m not scared of dying any more! Micael : You’re still little, Claire! Filla : Yeah, you’re acting like an old lady! Micael : You still have to study lots of things and become a wonderful lady! Claire : Ok! Filla : We’ll be going now. Micael : Don’t forget to tell your mom ‘welcome back!’ and give her a hug. Claire : I sure will. Thank you! Say hi to Fall for me! Filla : Hey, you! Sharoa will be back soon. You’d better take Claire to the train station to meet her. man : What was that just now? man : A demon? man : You saw it too? Father : Sharoa! Claire : Oh no...I didn’t bring an umbrella! I’ve got to go meet mommy soon. Father : Claire! Claire : Daddy! Father : You mom’s coming home. Claire : We’ve gotta go meet her. Father : Of course. Claire : I’ve gotta say, ‘Welcome home!’ Daddy... Mommy! Sharoa : Claire! Claire! Father : Welcome home, Sharoa. Sharoa : Dear... Micael : Looks like everything worked out, Fall. Fall : Yeah, I’m really glad. Filla : Well, I’ll see you later. [realm of magic] Cross : Hey, Micael! I’ve been looking for you! Micael : Cross, is that you? Cross : I’ve got a job for you. I’m off work today, so you’ll have to handle it. You’re a higher level cherubim than I am, so I’m sure you’re up to it. ‘Bye. Filla : What is it? What’s wrong? Ludence Village Claire Ver Brant 9 years old female Time of death 8:56 pm October 4 198X Fall : No! It can’t be! Micael : We have to go, Filla. Filla : I suppose we do. Doctor : Her body was already very weak, and her running in the rain only aggravated her condition. Sharoa : Please save her, doctor! Doctor : I’ve done all I can. It’s only a matter of time now. Sharoa : Oh, Claire... Claire : Is that you, Filla? Micael, you’re wearing your halo...It’s so beautiful... Micael : Yes. We’re at work now. Claire : You’ve come to take me? Micael : Yes, Claire. Even though you’re still small, god decided that it was time. Claire : So that I can be born again... Filla : You can have two wishes. Claire : My first one is that mommy and daddy will be really good friends and not fight anymore. Filla : All right, and the second? Claire : It’s that nobody will be sad when I die. Not mommy, not daddy, not either of you, and not Fall. Please, don’t be sad. Fall : I’m not sad. I’m not. That was what Claire wanted... Wari : But then, why are you crying? Fall : Because...because Filla must be really rotten at magic... [many days later] Filla : Fall has done many thing since growing up...but only now does he seem happy. Micael : From looking at him jump, you couldn’t guess what he used to be like. Wari : Perhaps he took some comfort in knowing that humans die so that they can be reborn and have a new chance at life. Filla : After living many, many lives on the humans’ world, the souls are reincarnated into the heavens, aren’t they? Micael : Then, this is the final place where all the souls come to rest? Wari : I suppose this is the end. Micael : But still, we live many times longer than humans do. By the time we die, we’ll have no more life left to live. Filla : I’m sure that girl was reborn as another human girl. Maybe by the time she reaches the heavens for the final time, we’ll still be around. Claire : Next time, I’m sure I’ll be a really energetic girl. Micael : Yeah... Wari : Look at you two! I bet you were lovers in one of your previous lives. Micael : Don’t go deciding that on your own, Wari! Filla : But it could be true...it must be true! Micael! Finally we were reunited here without any obstacles to our love! Let’s always be together! Micael : You’re overlooking one very important obstacle! I am a man! Fall : Those two are always fighting. Wari : Yeah. It must mean they’re in love. “Just say, ‘I love you,’ and hug him, and it’ll be all right.”