Celestial Sonata 10 Princess Comics/ Akita Shoten Amagi Sayuri Amagi Sayuri I did it! At last, here's "Matendou" #10! It's been four years since I started this series. Lots of things have happened in this time, both sad things and happy things…really, the days and nights passed in the blink of an eye. Please continue giving me your support! Princess Comics Celestial Sonata (Matendou Sonata) #10 Amagi Sayuri Contents Lethe, the River of Flame (finale). . . . 5 Side story: The August Serpent. . . . . 133 The Halloween Guest . . . . . . . . . . 173 Filla and Micael have defeated their enemy Bael. But Astarot of the Monsters' Forest, who loved Bael, hated Filla and was possessed by evil thoughts. Astarot made Filla fight with an illusionary Micael, and Filla, hit by a strange déjà vu, suffered a deep wound. Lucifer did not believe in Filla's love for Micael, and showed him Lethe, the river of oblivion. Because Lucifer has guarded this river for so long, his heart has lost its emotions. Finally Filla's wounds healed and he was reunited with Micael. But why does he see Micael in the flames of Lethe? Chapter 14: Lethe, the River of Flame (finale) <> Filla : Micael…Micael! <> Beelze : Filla…hey, Filla! Do your wounds hurt? Filla : No, it's nothing. I'm sorry for waking you, Beelze. Beelze : It's all right. Filla : It's strange…I keep having the same dream. <> Filla : Micael…would you ever forget me? Micael : What's with you? Hmm…even if we didn't see each other for a hundred years, I wouldn't forget you. Filla : Really? Micael : After all, I bet there's no one else in the world as stupid, as simpleminded, and as perverted as you are. <> Filla : Your second wish? Reed : That Annie will recover from my death and be happy again more quickly, even if by only a day. Annie : Reed? Reed!? No, don't die! Open your eyes, Reed! --He's gone. <> Micael : That girl from this morning will get better, won't she? Filla : Yeah. Time heals all wounds…but we can't completely grant his wish. All we can do is plant a little seed inside her heart… <> Filla : It's her own power that will make its flowers bloom. Micael : A person's happiness is something they have to make for themselves… Filla : She will fall in love again, and keep treasured memories of her late lover. Micael : Is that what you would say if I died? <> Filla : In time, she'll meet a new love. People may love each other, but what does it mean? What does it mean? Are men and women attracted to each other so that they can bear descendants? But—what is the meaning of love? And what about me? What about us? <> Filla : Not that dream again… Don't go, Micael! Micael : Why would you stop me, Filla? Filla : Why? If you cross this river, you'll forget everything! Micael : Yes…it's over now. Filla : What are you saying? <> Filla : Do you want to forget about me, too? Micael : Yes…I want to forget. When I think of you I become so sad that I want to die. I have to cross Lethe before this sadness takes control of me. Filla : What do you mean by that? You've got no reason to be sad any more! Micael! Micael! <> Beelze : Filla, get a grip! Filla : Beelze… Beelze : Don't lie to me any more, Filla. You're having nightmares every night, aren't you? I'm on duty tomorrow night. I can't go out when I'm worried about you like this! Filla : You see… <> Beelze : What Lucifer said to you, and the vision of Lethe, left a strong imprint on your heart, didn't they? I had a nightmare about it once when I was a kid, too. Filla : You did? Beelze : The flames were dancing around like snakes, and drinking up everything around them. I was terrified. I was too young to know what it meant to lose all your memories and your emotions, but the bright flames burnt deep into my eyes. Filla : You can never forget it after seeing it once…like a moebius strip, without beginning or end, where memories so strong they can't be purified in Hades are reduced to nothing… Beelze : Lethe's power is absolute. But you've got nothing to worry about, Filla. Micael would never cross Lethe, and he would never forget about you. Filla : But I've had the same dream for five nights in a row. It really is strange. <> Beelze : You think maybe someone's controlling your dreams? Filla : No way! Bael's gone, and Astarot-sama's all right now. Beelze : It couldn't be Lucifer, could it? Filla : No! He saved my life. I don't feel anything evil about him…just a cold sadness, as if he'd given up on everything. <> Beelze : Don't worry, Filla! Look, the déjà vu you had happens to everyone. It was probably just because of fatigue. Filla : Beelze… Beelze : You shouldn't worry so much, it's not like you. Filla : Thanks. Beelze : Now, go back to sleep. Filla : There could be some connection between the déjà vu and this dream… <> Micael : Filla…hey, Filla! Don't fall asleep standing up! You weren't up all night, were you? Filla : Kind of… I had a scary dream and I haven't slept for three nights. Micael : Are you all right? <> Micael : Filla! Filla : I've fallen asleep again… <> Filla : Micael! Micael : Who are you? Filla : It's me, Filla! Don't you recognize me? <> Micael : I don't. Annie : Are you sure you haven't got the wrong person? Filla : Did you lose your boyfriend recently? Annie : What? Filla : Me and Micael went to take Reed to heaven… Annie : Oh, that man…I was very sad when he died, but now this person is my boyfriend. Filla : What? Filla : That can't be! How can you forget about your lost love so easily? Annie : He's the one who told me to be happy again… Once people die, they won't come back. Living people need to care about other living people. Humans were made to be able to forget about sad things. Otherwise they can't go on living. <> Micael : I don't know who you are, but we're in a hurry. Let's go, Erinoa. Filla : Erinoa? <> Filla : "Erinoa…a golden angel…someone whom I loved…" <> Filla : "Someone whom I loved"… He's gone! Micael! Micael! <> Filla : Mica— What? Micael : You suddenly fainted. Did something startle you? <> Micael : Ow, what did I do? Filla : Don't go anywhere, Micael. Stay here… Micael : Filla… Filla : Please don't forget me… <> Micael : You said the same thing before…what's going on? Filla : It's nothing. Micael : Liar! It's something you can't even tell me? Filla : Micael! Micael : Look, what you do is your own decision, but I refuse to let it interfere with my work! <> --Fillanzea…cross Lethe… Filla : Who's there? --Cross the river Lethe… <> Filla : Are you the one who's been showing me all those dreams? Show yourself! --Nay, I am merely showing you the weakness of your own heart. The absolute confidence you had in your love for Micael has been burned up in the flames of Lethe. Filla : What!? --A little shadow was born in your heart…before Lethe, even the strongest love and passion are like dust. <> --You fear that your existence will be erased from Micael's heart, do you not? You may have to fight him someday… Filla : Quiet! --It is not only that. There is another person he loves, hidden away in his heart, a person called Erinoa. Are you not jealous? Filla : No! I— <> --What shameful thoughts you have. Even if you are called the Moon Tear of Gold, you cannot be pure as long as you have a heart. Filla : Who…are you… --You should cross Lethe. Filla : No… --Cross it…cross it! <> --Burn up your shameful heart! Filla : My…shameful heart? --Yes. To become a pure Moon Tear, you must annihilate the negative energy of your jealousy, your desires, and your unease. Filla : Annihilate it? --Annihilate it! <> --Cross the river Lethe to become a pure Moon Tear! <> Lucifer : Something's entered my borders…it's heading towards Lethe! Tonight's a full moon, and the various kinds of powers in Hell should be under the Emperor's control… What is this power I feel? Leo : You mustn't approach that boat. Filla : Don't get in my way. Leo : Who are you? Do you wish purification in Lethe? Filla : Of course, that's why I came here. Leo : But I've heard nothing about you from Lucifer-sama. So I cannot let you have the boat. Lucifer : Leo!? Leo!? What's wrong? Leo : Lucifer-sama… <> Lucifer : Fillanzea! What are you doing here? Have you lost your mind, Fillanzea? Filla : I'm going to cross Lethe. Lucifer : Don't be foolish! Filla : I need to purify my shameful heart, <> Filla : To become a pure Moon Tear. Lucifer : No, Fillanzea! <> Leo : Lucifer-sama! Lucifer : Leave me alone, Leo! <> Leo : Lucifer-sama! Are you all right? Lucifer : Yes. Fillanzea's being controlled by someone…that magic had a different wavelength to it. It was the wavelength of… <> Lucifer : No. No, it can't be! Bael? <> Lucifer : So you weren't completely destroyed after all, Bael… <> Lucifer : Cross to the other bank, Leo! Leo : Yes sir! <> Lucifer : Fillanzea! Fillanzea! <> Lucifer : Fillanzea! No… Lucifer : How can this be? All the others who have crossed Lethe have merely lost their memories. Was this Bael's doing? No, even if he could have controlled Fillanzea and made him cross Lethe, this is beyond his powers. <> Lucifer : So is this Lethe's doing? Or Fillanzea's? --Ha ha ha…so the Moon Tear of Gold has been changed into a baby. This is something that was never shown in the prophecies. <> --Though I have suffered a defeat, my victory this time is certain. The Moon Tear of Heaven is gone, now the Moon Tear of Gold will die. All that will remain is to make Micael mine before the prophecied Moon Tear of Light appears. I shall not remain locked quietly forever in this time distortion! <> Lucifer : I'm very sorry. I take full responsibility…I was unable to stop him. Leo : No, Lucifer-sama. It was I who let him steal the boat. Emperor, if you have punishment to give, let me receive it. Satan : It is all right. No one shall be punished. Leo… Leo : Yes. <> Satan : Ever since you were born as Lethe's guardian, you have never had any feelings, correct? You were created as the shadow of Lucifer to guide people across the river which reduces all feelings to nothingness. Leo : That's right. I've never had feelings since I was born. I am not what humans would call "moody." Satan : Leo… <> Satan : Filla is as you are now. He possesses no emotions or sense of self…nor does he even have words. Bael lives again… Lucifer : So you have noticed it? I cannot understand how the Moon Tear could be controlled by Bael's magic and be made to cross Lethe. Satan : It is simple enough. The "Moon Tear" means a pure heart… it is Filla's heart that loves Micael. <> Satan : But although that heart strenghtens him against evil forces, it also makes him feel more strongly the jealousy, desires, and doubts that always accompany love. And the fear of losing what it loves can weaken the heart as well. It can be frightening to have something that you absolutely must not lose. Lucifer : Indeed. It is far better to have nothing to lose from the beginning. Satan : But people cannot live like that, Lucifer. Lucifer : Do you think so? I do not know. <> Satan : Take care of Filla, Lucifer. Lucifer : Emperor… Satan : Worry not. This baby will turn back into him. Lucifer : But… Satan : I believe in the bond between Filla and Micael…even without "fate" there to intercede. Lucifer : Very well. <> Micael : It can't be! There must be some mistake! Wari : Micael… Micael : Is it true? Micael : Did Filla…cross the river Lethe? Wari : It's true. Are you all right, Micael? Micael : Sorry, Wari. Fall : Micael… Micael : Don't worry, Fall. I'm sure things will work out. Micael : Head sorcerer, when will Filla return from Lethe? --I am afraid that he cannot step outside of Lucifer's realm. Micael : Why!? --Since his heart has been reduced to nothingness, if he leaves the region of Lethe his physical body may be lost as well. Wari : But, sir! All those before now who have crossed Lethe and lost their memories can live outside of his realm! --While that has been the case many times, in all those cases their bodies remained as adults. Micael : Then…it's also true that Filla's been changed into a baby. Wari : I've never heard of such a thing happening before now, sir. --I too have searched the literature on the subject and found no precedent of any kind…however, the Emperor has gone to ascertain it. There has been no mistake. Hi, Amagi Sayuri here! I'm so glad that this manga that fulfills my lifelong dream has made it to volume #10! Lots of things have happened that I had no idea about when I started writing this, but I really am glad to have been able to write this much. Everyone, thank you so much for reading each volume and looking forward to the next one! I'd also like to tell my friends that I'm really glad to have such good friends around me, giving me lots of good advice. I'm sorry for the times I've been selfish…I love you guys! Please always be my friends! It's been six years now since we were classmates together, and now I'm an old lady (at 24!) Thanks also to everyone who wrote me letters, they were so fun to read! But to those who write, "Please answer me!" I have to say that I'm sorry, I don't always have enough time… <> Wari : But…why? Fall : Wari? Micael : He'd been acting strange lately…he was hiding something from me…why? Why couldn't he tell me? How can I do anything when I don't even understand? I feel like something's started moving inside me, in a place I don't know… Micael : Filla…I want to see you! Wari : Sir, is there any way to let Micael see Filla? --There is just one. <> Beelze : How could this happen? Why didn't you stop him!? Lucifer : I'm sorry. Beelze : You said yourself that Lethe reduces all your feelings to nothingness! Why did you let him go? Shia : Beelze… Please forgive his lack of gratitude, Lucifer-sama! Can you allow us to see Filla? Lucifer : Very well. Shia : Filla? It's me, Shia. Do you recognize me? Filla… Oh my, this is awful! Beelze : He's always given me so much to worry about, but this time he's gone too far… Beelze : Why did he have to do such a stupid thing!? Fall : Wow, Wari, it opened! And there are stairs inside! Wari : I suppose that only the head sorcerer can open this door… Micael : Head sorcerer, this is… --Come with me, Micael. Wari : Sir… --You come as well. And you should wait here. Fall : But I wanna go too! --Stay here quietly, all right? Fall : Yes… <> Fall : Hey, Wari, what do you think's inside? Think it'll be safe? Wari : Don't worry about that, Fall. Fall : OK. Take care. Wari : I wonder how long this has been here, under the ground…I feel an ancient magical power protecting it. Micael : It's…a stone door… Wari : Where are we, sir? <> --These are the doors of time. Micael : The doors of time? --Micael, if you fill the air in here with thoughts of Fillanzea, these doors will open to show times in his life, one by one. Wari : So all these doors show parts of Filla's past? --Correct. From all of these doors, you should seek out the one that shows Fillanzea in the present… Micael : All right. --Wari? Wari : Yes? <> --You mustn't help him. Wari : But two heads are better than one… --No. He must find it for himself. Let us wait at the entrance. Wari : All right. Good luck, Micael. Micael : Thanks. I'll find it soon. Filla… <> Micael : Filla… Long ago, when my eyes scared people, everyone hated me, except for you. <> Micael : "Micael!" You alone were always… "Micael!" <> Micael : Always… Where are you, Filla? Have you really forgotten me? Wari : Micael… <> Micael : Huh? This one won't open! --That is the door to the future. Micael : Head sorcerer? The door to the future? --You cannot open it up and look inside. Micael : I wonder if I exist at all on the other side of this door… I wonder if we can still be together in the future…but this isn't the time for that. On to the next door. <> Micael : Filla! I've found it! It's this door! Huh? <> --Fillanzea… Micael : I see…this is when Filla was born…he looks so angelic. <> Micael : I'll get it this time. What's this? What am I doing to Filla? Filla : This kind of thing…doesn't suit you… <> Micael : Is it the future? No, that door wouldn't open. Then, the past? No…I knew he was hiding something from me… <> Micael : Something he wanted to erase in the flames of Lethe! Filla, where are you!? Explain what happened to me! Filla! Filla! <> Micael : Filla! A wall? Of course…I can't get into Hell… <> Micael : Filla! That baby's Filla, isn't it? Wari : It seems that he's found it. --Indeed. Beelze : What's Micael doing in the mirror? Shia : Don't just stare at him, Beelze, get Filla! Beelze : Right! <> Beelze : Micael, it's Filla! Micael : Filla…it's me, Micael. Shia : Wari! Beelze : It looks like he can't hear us. Shia : It does seem that way. Micael : Don't you recognize me? <> Micael : Filla…he looks like I did long ago. His eyes reflect nothing…this isn't like you, Filla. It isn't like when you smiled as your mother held you in her arms. You knew nothing of life, but the look on your face said that you couldn't help but enjoy it… <> Micael : This isn't like you at all! Wari : Micael… Micael : Wari…I'm going to stay here. Wari : What? Micael : I will get Filla back. Wari : But how? Micael : I will! He's saved me and saved me a hundred times, and now it's my turn. I'm going to save Filla! <> Micael : I will… <> Shia : Here, Micael. Beelze… Beelze : I think he wants to stay by Filla's side. Shia : But what can he do? <> Beelze : What's wrong with it, if that's what he wants to do? Let's go home, Shia. Shia : Yes…take care of him, please, Lucifer-sama. Beelze : Find a way to get Filla back to normal, Lucifer. Lucifer : The power of Lethe is absolute…even I have no way to go against it. Micael : Lucifer-sama… Lucifer : Micael… Micael : Lucifer-sama? Lucifer : What do you intend to do here? <> Micael : Get Filla back to how he was. Lucifer : Do you think you can? Fillanzea crossed the river Lethe. Micael : Nevertheless, I will stay here, because Filla will come back. "I believe in the bond between Filla and Micael"… Lucifer : Let's go, Leo. We have no choice but to leave this to Micael. Leo : Yes. <> Lucifer : Those sky-blue eyes…had an almost terrifying beauty about them…unmistakeably angelic, but with a kind of evil shadow to them… Micael : Huh? Hey…I can hear the sounds on that side of the mirror! Filla…you can hear my voice, can't you? Oh, it's you… <> Leo : It's strange indeed, but your voice can indeed reach across now. I am Leo; I guard Lethe. This child is the Moon Tear, and you're the Sky Blues, aren't you? So…you need him. Micael : Even if I wasn't the Sky Blues, and even if he wasn't the Moon Tear, he would be special to me. Leo : Special? Does that mean somebody that you don't want to lose? Micael : Yes, I think so. Leo : Why? Micael : I don't really know why, it's just how it is. Leo : I don't understand…I've never had anyone who was special to me. Micael : What about your master, Lucifer-sama? You care about him, right, Leo? Leo : Lucifer-sama? I don't know… But I hope you don't think of me as someone who never answers letters, because I usually answer around 100 in half a year. I know that's not much, but please forgive me! Sometimes I get letters saying, "I told my friends at school to read 'Matendou,' but they said they didn't like that kind of 'homo' manga." I don't really know what to say about that…but I'd just like to write that it's simply a matter of how much one person loves and needs another person. Because I'm writing such an intense love story, sometimes people as me if I've ever experienced a love like this, or if I have a boyfriend like Filla. Well—that really has nothing to do with the story. It's all just my fantasies, my imaginings…I think that a love like this would be just wonderful. Don't you think so? But, right now, I'm single. I spent Christmas all alone…::sob:: How did everyone else spend your Christmas? Please write me letters telling me! I hope that you're all happy. [At this time I'd like to refer you to an essay by a manga translator dealing with gay themes and sexual ambiguity in shoujo manga, which is really good and I think provides an interesting cultural perspective on shounen-ai manga: http://www.ky.xaxon.ne.jp/~matt/sexual_ambiguity.html] <> Micael : I've heard that the guardian of Lethe has no feelings… I'm sure you'll understand someday what it means to really care about a person. Leo : Someday…? Micael : Yes. Someday. Micael : I wish…I wish I could turn into a child, to be like Filla… Fall : Micael…are you all right, Micael? Micael : Oh, Fall…Wari…Fall, are you allowed to come down here? Fall : The head sorcerer let me! <> Wari : This is the third day. No change? Micael : No. Wari : I see…perhaps you should give up after all… Fall : Wari! Wari : Sorry. Micael : Wari, can you change me into a child? Wari : What? Micael : Isn't there something you can do with magic? Wari : Well, I can do it, but why? Micael : I want to be the same as Filla…then, I think, he would respond… Fall : If you were turned into a kid, could you go into Hell? <> Micael : No, only my outer appearance would be affected, so I'd still die if I went into Hell. Fall : Too bad. Wari : Changing your body while leaving your spirit intact would be quite a simple bit of magic… Micael : However… Wari : It would also be quite painful. Micael : I don't mind. Wari : All right then. Micael : Thank you, Wari. <> Micael : Thanks, Wari. Wari : You're welcome. <> Wari : Let's go home now. Fall : Can't we stay with him, Wari? Wari : The head sorcerer, waiting outside, told me to return quickly. That door to the underground can be opened only by him. Besides, I doubt we could be of any use. We would only distract Micael. Fall : Micael… Micael : I'm all right by myself. You've got to listen to what the head sorcerer says, OK? <> Fall : I'll bring you some of my clothes from when I was little later. Micael : Thanks, Fall. Fall : Keep trying, Micael! I'm sure you'll return Filla back to normal. Micael : Yeah. <> Wari : Fall, what's wrong? Fall : It's just that…I feel so sorry for Micael! Even after he solved the problem with the Sky Blues, awful things keep happening to him! Wari : Fall… Fall : I want Filla and Micael to smile together…I want them to be happy. Wari : So do I. <> Fall : Wari… Wari : Yeah? Fall : This cavern is protected by a really ancient power, isn't it? Wari : Could you feel that too? Fall : Could you? Wari : Yes, I feel an ancient magical protection on it. <> Fall : A magical protection? Protecting the doors of time, right? Wari : Maybe so, but I sense that it's something more than that. Falliador, I think this ancient protection resonates with your own exitence… Micael : Open your eyes, Filla. Filla…look at me. Filla… Lucifer : You're pretty singleminded, aren't you, Micael? Lucifer : You've been at this for a week. It's time to give up now. Nothing you can try is going to change anything. Fillanzea's heart has been reduced to nothingness. He cannot even see you now. Micael : No. To give up now would be to rip to shreds all the happiness that Filla has given to me, and burn it. Lucifer : Micael…you really… Micael : Filla…Filla…Filla! Don't you recognize me!? <> Micael : Can't you hear me calling you? You're so cruel! You told me and told me to never forget you, and now you don't even remember me! It's not fair! It's just not fair! That's weird…I didn't mean to cry… <> Micael : I guess maybe I cry more easily because I've been changed into a child. I'm not such a crybaby! That time too…I was just a child. <> Micael : And I'm a child now…I'm so sad, just because you forgot me… <> Micael : I'm so sad…so sad… Leo : Micael… Filla : Daa! Micael : Filla! Micael : Filla… Filla : Goo… Lucifer : Fillanzea? <> Filla : Don't cry. Micael : Huh? Filla : Don't cry. Micael : Filla… Filla : Mica…el… <> Filla : Micael… <> Micael : Filla? Lucifer : Leo!? Are you crying? What's wrong? Are you sad? Happy? I thought you didn't have any feelings… <> Leo : I don't know. I don't know, but it hurts. There's something warm and unknown overflowing in my heart. It hurts. Lucifer : I see. If it hurts, then cry, Leo. You don't need a reason. <> Lucifer : In the space between two worlds, I can hear the resonance of gold and silver. I gave up, Fillanzea…from the very beginning, I should have realized that you don't need a reason to love someone. As long as you have love, that's enough. Filla : I'm sorry for acting so strangely. Stupid as I am, I started thinking all kinds of complicated things. I don't even remember why I crossed the river Lethe. What was that voice I heard? Micael : Anyway, stop talking about me crossing Lethe or forgetting about you! <> Micael : It's very insulting to someone as brilliant as me! Filla : All right! Micael : Hey, Filla, why'd you turn into a baby? Was that your decision? Filla : I had a dream. Micael : About what? Filla : You were in a field of wheat with an angel called Erinoa. Micael : Erinoa? <> Micael : But I thought you didn't know Erinoa, Filla. Filla : Well, I've never met him. But in my dream…you were little, and you smiled happily as you held his hand. He was a very bright angel with platinum hair. And for some reason, it bothered me. Micael : Filla… Filla : I wished I could've met you long before he did, when you were even younger. <> Filla : You see, I believed that I'd loved you even before I was born. But I didn't meet you until after Erinoa did. Micael : But it's good then that I got to meet you when you were just a baby, even though you're older than me. Filla : Also, in my dream, there was that girl, Annie. She said that it's better to have a lover who's alive than to just keep pining for a dead lover. <> Filla : So I started thinking that maybe the only reason you were with me is that I'm not dead. Micael : Don't be an idiot! Even if you were the one I'd met first… even if you had died, and then I'd met Erinoa… <> Micael : Even if that's how it was, I'd still care more about you. Filla : Micael… Micael : Just forget everything I've said in the last ten seconds! Forget all of it! Filla : OK. <> Filla : I'm very good at forgetting things. Thank you, Micael. Micael : Since our lips touched across that wall of air, trembling feelings have flowed through me…I was just a small child, and those feelings filled me until it hurt, until I couldn't even breathe anymore. <> Micael : I felt like I was drowning, and still, I felt as if I could just melt inside you… Maybe that way I will be able to walk through you future with you…Filla… [Awww…] <> I'd like to write about the assistants who help me out. First of all, Masuko-chan. She went to high school with me and we had classes together for three years. She's very cute and bright and tells silly jokes. She draws some backgrounds for me, and also little things like flowers. Then there's Akiko-chan. She started working for me in chapter 13. She's a wonderful person with nice straight hair and a girlish voice. She draws backgrounds, trees, and various other things. [And the rest is really quite messily written and I can't read it very well…] <> Filla : When's your birthday, Beelze? Beelze : August 12th, but that's just the day I was found. I don't know my real birthday. Filla : The day you were found? Beelze : I was abandoned. <> Beelze : They didn't want me, so I was abandoned. Filla : It couldn't have been like that! There must have been some reason! I bet your mom and dad are going to come and look for you! <> <> Filla : That was delicious! I sure was hungry after working all night! Beelze, I thought you didn't have work today. What are you doing in the Realm of Magic so early in the morning? Is it too hot for you in Hell? Beelze : I had a kind of nostalgic dream, and I wanted to go see you. Filla : What kind of dream? Beelze : I'm not telling. Filla : Aw, come on! <> Ringa : Hey, look, I don't have any money, but I'm starving! Could you buy me breakfast? Beelze : What's with this guy? Beelze : It's Ringa! Ringa : How did you know my name? Beelze : Have you forgotten what your own son looks like!? Ringa : Beelze? Wow, you've grown so much in so little time! <> Beelze : What do you mean, so little time? You haven't seen me in ten years! Ringa : You're really a man now! You've even grown up to look like me! Beelze : How can I look like you? We're not even related! Ringa : I raised you for 11 years! And I don't even like kids! You should be grateful, you little brat! Beelze : Don't patronize me! I don't remember asking you to take care of me! <> Ringa : Then what were you doing bawling like that!? Beelze : It's a baby's job to cry! Filla : Now, now…you shouldn't fight after not seeing each other in so long. Ringa : Who are you? Filla : I'm Fillanzea, Beelze's friend and roommate in the Black Castle. Ringa : I'm Ringa, the sorcerer who raised Beelze. <> Ringa : Thanks for taking care of him. Filla : Actually, I cause him nothing but trouble. Well, Beelze, you must have a lot to talk about with your dad, so I'll go home now. Beelze : Filla… Ringa : Um, about breakfast… Beelze : Fine! Beelze : Ringa, wash yourself off in the river after you finish eating. You're filthy. Ringa : I just came back from working. I was thinking about trying to find you, but it sure saves time to run into you like this. The Black Castle, huh? I guess you've become a demon, then? Beelze : Yeah. Ringa : I see. I thought maybe you'd become a sorcerer like me… Beelze : Don't say that! You abandoned me as soon as I got into middle school! You have no idea how much I've suffered by myself! <> Ringa : No, I don't. But I didn't abandon you. I just left home for a while. Beelze : Well, you left without telling me anything! I thought maybe you were dead… Ringa : I'm really sorry, Beelze. It was wrong of me. Ringa : It's as uncrowded as I expected, this early in the morning. It would be a good time to talk to you about something important. Beelze : Important? Ringa : Yeah. Here. It's a present for your 21st birthday. Beelze : Ha ha ha ha! I'd have hardly expected that from you! Ringa : Just shut up and take it. Beelze : Is that snake made of black crystal? How'd you ever get your hands on something that expensive? Ringa : It was an heirloom from your mother. Beelze : But I don't have a mother. Ringa : I'm sorry for hiding the truth from you, Beelze. Your mother was caught in a thunderstorm, and a tree struck by lightning fell on her. She died. <> Ringa : I was in the forest that night, and I heard a baby crying. I went in the direction of the sound. Sparks from the fallen tree were going this way and that, turning the area into a sea of fire. I pulled a young woman with chestnut-colored hair out from under the tree. She handed me her newborn baby and a black crystal snake pendant, smiled reassuringly, and took her last breath. <> Ringa : All that she said to me was "Please take care of Beelze." Beelze : That woman wasn't necessarily my mother. Ringa : Only a mother could have smiled that last smile… Beelze : Why didn't you ever tell me any of this until now, Ringa? Why did you hide the truth from me? <> Beelze : Is it because I could still have hope that my parents were alive if I thought I was abandoned? Ringa : That is part of it. But when I saw that pendant, I knew that you'd been born to a high status. I didn't like that. Since I'd been entrusted with you, I decided to raise you as my own son. Beelze : That's nothing but pure selfishness! Ringa : Yeah, do you have a problem with that? Beelze : You always say that you wanted to raise me as your own son! <> Beelze : But you've been calling me a nuisance since I was little! Ringa : Well, to be honest, you were a nuisance. Beelze : You're not making any sense! Ringa : I hate little brats! You weighed me down and got in my way! Ringa : But a pretty dying girl asked me to take care of you, and so I had to take responsibility. Any real man would've done the same. Beelze : I think you just have a weakness for women. Ringa : Yeah, I guess if a man had asked me I'd just have left you there… Beelze : So you hid the truth from me all this time, and now you got a guilty conscience and decided to tell me? Ringa : No, that's not it. Beelze : What's not it? Ringa : Listen to me. Ringa : Although I hate little brats, I took great pains to raise you. When you were five I started travelling this way and that, but because children can't walk very far, I had to carry you on my back most of the time. Literally, you weighed me down! Beelze : Hey, Ringa… <> Beelze : Why don't I have a mommy? Ringa : You know something about mothers? Beelze : The kids in the village back there told me about them. You're my daddy, right, Ringa? So who's my mommy? Ringa : Beelze, the truth is, I'm not your real father. Beelze : You're not? Ringa : You were a foundling. Beelze : What does that mean? <> Ringa : It means that your mother and father abandoned you when you were born. They went far away and no one knows where they are anymore. And I found you. Beelze : I was abandoned…so my mommy and daddy didn't want me…and, Ringa, you don't want me either, right? <> Ringa : Don't be stupid! If I didn't want you I could've left you in that village back there! I couldn't give you your mother's pendant…because I felt a strange, ominous kind of magic within it. Looking at the black twisting snake and the blood-red setting, I felt that it would someday harm you. <> Ringa : So, I sold it to a travelling peddler. Beelze : What? You sold the one memento I had from my mother!? How could you do that, you cold-blooded…you evil… Ringa : I'm sorry! It was wrong! I didn't know what to do! Beelze : And then? Ringa : You started elementary school and decided to settle down in Hell. I started out as a homeless wanderer, but eventually I became an honest-to-goodness sorcerer! Beelze : It's not fair! You always take me everywhere with you, why won't you take me to see Lethe? Ringa : You wouldn't be interested in it. I don't know whether you've learned about it in school, but… Beelze : But I wanna see it! <> Ringa : No! Beelze : I wanna! Ringa : No! Beelze : I wanna! Ringa : Finally I gave up and I took you to visit Lethe. As I thought, it really shocked you. You had an awful nightmare that night. Beelze…hey, Beelze! Ringa : Now you know why I didn't want to take you. It's too intense for kids. Beelze : The forest…Ringa, the forest was burning. Ringa : Beelze, you couldn't possibly… Beelze : It was bright red, bright red all over. The forest was on fire… Ringa : Be a man, don't cry. It was just a dream. Has what happened when you were only a baby been etched upon your heart? <> Ringa : I'm sorry. I will give that pendant back to you. I swear that I will. Ringa : From the next day on, I travelled all over the Heavens in search of that pendant. It had been bought and sold from one person to another, and no one knew where it was now. The Human world? --Do you mean an ominous black snake pendant? Yes, it seems that one of my family members sold it when he went down there. Ringa : Thanks anyway. I guess ordinary folk don't realize how valuable that black crystal is… Ringa : You'd have to be stupid to sell it into the Human world. Well, I guess I'll just have to go look for it. It does have a certain kind of ominous magical power on it, so it's entirely possible that humans would call it a cursed pendant. Soon after you entered middle school, I went to the Human world in search of the pendant. <> Beelze : And it took you ten years? Ringa : Well, I did take some little detours…it's such an interesting place, I stayed around to have fun sometimes… but anyway, I'm giving it back to you now. However, I still have that feeling that it's going to harm you. I almost wish that it had been lost for eternity. Beelze : Did people think that it was cursed? <> Ringa : Well, there were many stories about it, and it had changed hands a number of times. Beelze : Hmm… Ringa : But your mother gave it to me when she died, and she wouldn't have done that if it would cause you harm. And you know what? It just might help you find your father. Even if your mom's dead, there's a good chance your dad's still alive. Beelze : I don't really care about that. <> Ringa : How can you not care!? I went all over Europe looking for that thing! And I couldn't even use magic, so I had to just go on hearsay and rumors! Beelze : Thank you, but I still don't really care. <> Beelze : I only have one father, and that's you, Ringa. Hey, pops… Ringa : Don't get so informal with me! Do you think I'm some old geezer? Beelze : I won't say it again. I only wanted to say it once. Beelze : Are you still up, Filla? Filla : I was waiting for you to come home. Happy 21st birthday. Beelze : It's not dignified to give someone presents after they're 20! Save that for Micael! Filla : But this birthday is special, because you saw your dad for the first time in 10 years. Filla : Go on and take it. Beelze : All right, thanks. A silver snake… Filla : I saw it in a store and I thought it would suit you. Hey, what's so funny? Beelze : Today, I also got a snake from Ringa. Filla : A snake? Beelze : A black snake that might someday bite me. Thank you, Filla. <> Beelze : Today was a strange day. I'm grateful for these two hearts: a snake of black crystal and a snake of silver. I will treasure them both. <> On August 1st I went to a book signing in Nakamozushima. I was very glad that so many people came. The place was filled with flowers that had nice scents and bright colors. Thanks so much for the presents and flower bouquets! I don't have anything to give you in return, but I am working hard at Princess. There were lots of people who said they waited for each collected volume to come out, and didn't even bother buying the magazine! But, if you have lots of money in your wallet, please buy the magazine as well! Every month I work really hard writing a story, and I like it when you read "Matendou" every month and send me your letters. I know that's selfish of me! [Here's some stuff that's a bit hard to read…] Now, here's something that I wrote four years ago. How embarrassing! <> The Halloween Guest <> --At my house, we have a snake. --Wow, neat! --Do you have any pets, Adi? Adi : I have a vampire. <> --You think there are vampires in this day and age? --If there are, they should be exterminated! --Yeah, you'd have to drive a stake through its heart! Adi : I do have a vampire, even if no one believe me. Or maybe it would be more truthful just to say that one lives with me. Two days ago… Adi : If you want my father, he's not home. Arlaun : I just have this. Adi : Yeah, right. Arlaun : I'm far from home, and need a place to spend the night. Adi : Can vampires even come out in daylight? Arlaun : You don't have any crosses in your house, I see. Mind if I stay here a while? Adi : Don't tease me just 'cause I'm a kid! <> Adi : Wait a second…this is the second floor… The reason there aren't any crosses in our house is that my father stopped believing in God after my mother died. I'm home, Arlaun! Arlaun : Welcome home, Adi! <> Adi : What are you doing peeling potatoes? You're supposed to be a vampire! Arlaun : I thought I could at least do something, after you gave me shelter from the wind and rain! Adi : Well, I'm the one who always makes dinner, so get out of my way! It must be awful having a monster-like name like Arlaun. Arlaun : You're one to talk! Adonis is a name for bishounen! Adi : Is there anything wrong with that? Arlaun : No… Adi : My dad'll be home any minute, so just stay quietly in the attic. Arlaun : He's sure handling things well, for a kid only 12 years old. Adi : Welcome home, dad! Father : I'm home… <> Adi : Dad, in school today… Father : I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow. I have some work that I need to do through the night. If you ask me later, then I'll handle it, so just go to sleep now. Adi : OK… I brought you something to eat, Arlaun… <> Adi : Arl? What were you doing up there, Arl? <> Arlaun : I was scared of the thunder! Adi : And you call yourself a vampire? Arlaun : My clan of vampires, unlike most, can go out into the sun without dying. We live like humans in the daytime, and sleep in our coffins at night. But our clan still loved the night, and the moon, and the darkness. I, on the other hand, have loved playing in the sun since I was a kid. <> Arlaun : I was scared of the dark, and at night I slept with my coffin open. You probably think that's very un- monster-like…but I am a vampire. I am one of those destined to live in darkness, and I cannot live without drinking the blood of humans. Arlaun : I was trying to sound vampiric! Adi : You must be hungry, eat this. Arlaun : No…I could've had normal food until yesterday, but now I've reached my limit. I need blood! Adi : Now you sound vampiric! <> Arlaun : Kyah! Adi : People who have their blood sucked turn into vampires, right? Arlaun : That's not how it is. We reproduce by marrying inside our clan…although sometimes we marry humans, the children are all human. Adi : So your clan might die out someday? Arlaun : No way! There's no way we're going to die out! <> Adi : Arl? Arlaun : I just got a little dizzy… Adi : And there aren't any pretty girls around anywhere! What should I do? Arlaun : I don't drink the blood of pretty girls. Adi : Huh? Arlaun : Touching a girl gives me goosebumps… Adi : But I thought vampires drinking pretty girls' blood was as normal as cats eating mice. <> Arlaun : My own family was very angry at me…so I did drink a woman's blood, once. It was terrible…it made my stomach hurt for three days! My family made fun of me day and night… <> Mother : Oh, how could I have given birth to such a child? Father : I can't believe the oldest son of the Marschlind family… Sister : You are the scum of vampire-kind! Arlaun : Would it be better if I was human? Adi : Is that why you ran away from home? Arlaun : Yeah… Adi : Don't be a coward! You're supposed to be a monster! Now have some confidence and go be a vampire! Arl? Is he dead? <> Adi : Something's wrong with Arl! Arlaun : I prefer the blood of pretty boys… Adi : Well, there aren't any of those around here either. Arlaun : Except for you, "Adonis"… <> Adi : Now I remember…last night, Arl drank my blood and I lost consciousness…Arl? <> Arlaun : Adi! Thank goodness! I thought you might be dead! Adi : Were you the one who changed my clothes? Arlaun : Right after that happened, your father came in and I vanished. He was really surprised to see you lying on the floor. Adi : So…it was my father? <> Adi : Is your stomach full now? Arlaun : Thanks to you, I won't have to drink blood for another month. Sorry for acting weird last night. Adi : It must have been because of All Hallow's Eve. Arlaun : That's right…today's Halloween. I'm really not much of a vampire, to forget even that. <> Father : Can you go to school? Adi : Yeah. I didn't lose much blood, so I'm fine. Today's Halloween, so come home early, dad! <> Adi : Dad's late… Hello, Hathaway residence. Father : I'm sorry…some urgent business came up suddenly, and I won't be able to come home tonight. <> Adi : But, dad! Father : Be sure to lock the doors and then go to sleep. There are evil spirits lurking about tonight. All right, Adi? <> Arlaun : Adi? Adi : I hate dad! Ever since mom died, he's thought about nothing but work! He doesn't even go to mass or talk to the townspeople. He wasn't even at home on my birthday! He loves his job more than he loves me! <> Arlaun : He really is only twelve years old… Adi, would you like to go to a Halloween meeting? Adi : A meeting? Arlaun : It's a kind of party where all the magical tribes that hide their existence from humans get together. This year it's being held at Shuvalen castle, north of this village. Adi : But your family will be there too, Arl. Arlaun : There are so many magical tribes around that they won't all be at the same place. Since the Marschlind family governs the nation of Alpha, I'm sure they'll be enjoying themselves somewhere else. <> Adi : But is it all right for humans to get involved in this? Arlaun : Just leave it to me. Adi : Arl, what about my body? Arlaun : Don't worry, it'll be fine as long as we're back by morning. <> Adi : This is great, Arlaun! I've never done anything like this before! <> Arlaun : Good evening. --Why, it's Arlaun! --Oh yes, the queer one. --What brings you to Beta? --And who's this cute hell-cat you've brought with you? <> --Do you have a name? Adi : Adonis. --Let's dance, Adonis! Father : Adi? Adi! <> Adi : Thanks, Arl, that was really fun! Arlaun : Don't talk to anyone about it. It has to be our secret. Adi : OK! What's wrong? Arlaun : I can feel something…the energy of a cross. Adi : That couldn't be it! Arlaun : But I have to go home now. Adi : Yes. Your family must be worried about you. Arlaun : I'll try hard, just like you told me! Adi : Come and see me again! Arlaun : If there aren't any crosses around! Doctor : It seems to be a kind of false death… Father : Can't you make him wake up? Doctor : Not without knowing the cause. Adi : Is the sun starting to come up? Adi : That was mom's cross! Father : God, please save my son's life. Please don't take Adi from me too, after I've already lost Helen. Adi : He wasn't able to throw it away… Father : Adi! <> Adi : Good morning, dad. Father : Thank God! I'm sorry for always leaving you by yourself! Adi : No, I was just being selfish. Father : Adi… Adi : I'm sorry. <> Adi : Since then, there have been crosses hanging in our house again, and me and dad go to Sunday mass like we did when mom was alive. Now Arl probably won't come back again. Arlaun : Adi! Adi : Arlaun? <> Adi : Arl! How did things go with your family? Arlaun : Well, I had high hopes, but… I'm home! Little sister \ Little brother/Oh. Hi. Arlaun : Mom, I'm home! Mother : Zzzzz… Arlaun : But your son's been gone for a whole week! Cassandra, I'm home! Cassandra : Oh… <> Arlaun : It isn't funny! Adi : Sorry, sorry! Well, why don't you try becoming a human? You already don't mind the sun, and I'm sure you could get used to crosses. Arlaun : Ah! You have one on right now, don't you? <> Arlaun : Kya! Adi : Get a grip! I'm really good friends with Arlaun even now…but of course, I don't tell anyone about him. 1 84