Nami's Note: This translation is for any body that wants to read manga. Don't redistribute this translation for your site, commercial use, or anything I consider inappropriate. If you like this story, you could be supporting the author by buying this manga^-^ "Andante" is copyrighted to Obana Miho and Shueisha. Signs: (THINKING) [ACTION] ***** = change in time or place Andante Chapter 1 If I must relate. It's a voice of an angel. Takahara Mei is the leader of a band at her school. She's conducting right now, gets angry with the sound she's getting, and tells them to practice more on their own. Teru: Mei, let's go more soft. Mei: Then you be the leader! I mean, our music teacher made me the leader just like that and even left me in charge of the ensemble! He's so irresponsible! Teru: He relys on you, you're good too, and you're that Takahara Natsu's....... Oh sorry, you don't like being called like this, do you? Mei: No problem, I'm used to it. Takahara Natsu is spotlighted as a genius composer here in Japan. He's my brother who I really admire and love! Some Gr. 7 girls are talking about Natsu Girl 1: Did you know his sister's in this school? Girl 2: I've seen her. She's in band and she's so normal. Girl 3: I know. [Mei hears all this] I'm not like my brother. I can't help it, we're not related. My mom and his dad got married when I was in Gr.1. At that time, my brother was already playing Chopin and others on piano. With reasons I'm living in a mansion with my brother. He's still in Gr.12 but he's already on his own. Mei is back at home and Natsu seems busy like always. Natsu: So Mei, how's the club going? Mei: Not good at all! No one's up for it. There's no point having practices and it's really getting on my nerves. I got mad again today. Natsu: I see. [The phone rings] Natsu: If it's Aida san(director), tell her I went on a tripto Mars or something!! Mei: Are you sure? Natsu: Definitely!! My brother is a genius but usually, he doesn't show off and he's like anyone else. That'S another good part of him. Mei: Hello, Takahara residence...... oh, mom....... Mrs. Takahara: It's been long. So, how are you? Mei: I'm fine. Mrs. Takahara: There's something to talk about. Wait, I'll get dad on the phone. Mei: What!? No, you don't have to. Hey, wait.... So, what's up all the sudden..... No, we can't!.... Natsu: Is it dad? Mei: He says to come over right now, because he has something important to talk about.... Natsu: Yah, it's me. What, is it something you can't talk on the phone? No, we can't today. Mei, are you free the day after tomorrow? Mei: Yah, I am. Natsu: We'll go there the day after tomorrow at 7 pm. Yeah, bye. I wonder what's up. Mei: It's them we're talking about. I bet you anything that it's nothing good. Maybe they want money from you. They're always indebted to someone. They are so hopeless I tell you! Natsu: Or finally a divorse. Mei: Then they should have divorced a long time ago. They're always arguing with stupid stuff. It's ridiculous! They knew you were busy and they did this. It's really getting on my nerves. [Natsu laughs] Mei: And why are you laughing!? Natsu: Sorry... I just thought you get angry every so often. "It's really getting on my nerves!" You say that kind of lines at least 3 times a day. Mei: Yah, I guess.... But there's many things that upsets me!! (Everyday, there's more things that gets me angry than that doesn't.....) Natsu: It's not good getting angry all the time. You'll get tired, and it's not good for your beauty. Here, I'll teach you how to settle down your temper. Think of any holy people right here! Mei: Like what? Natsu: Like God, Jesus, Maria, Buddha, etc. Mei: Ok, I think I've got them mixed up though. Natsu: That's OK. Then, like this. Mei: Like this? [With their hands closed, they are spinning them in circles] Mei: Does this really work? You do this all the time? Natsu: Actually, I just thought of it. Mei: I thought so!! I kind of didn't believe it!! This might actually make you more angry you know! Natsu: You think so? Not good? Mei: Whatever! But I'll try it next time. Natsu: (I guess it's a good part of her that she comes back to her usual self so fast even when she gets angry.) Well, then I'll continue with my work! Mei: So you are gonna do it. Good luck. Natsu: Don't think so hard about the thing the day after tomorrow. Mei: Right. I hate my parents. It was all better when dad's recycle shop was doing good..... But since it went bad, they were fighting every day. Those irresponsible parents, I just can't stand them. There are times when I get angry with myself too though. Me, who don't have any strength. Cause I don't have anything. ***** At school Teru: What do you mean you don't have anything? That's not true. Mei: Well, like talent.... Teru: You're a good saxophone player! Mei: This is nothing, I'm just good in the club...... It's not good enough for me to get payed and stuff...... Teru: We're still in Gr.8 though.... You have such high expectations. I guess nothing can be done about it. Since you're seeing someone so fascinating up close. Mei: I guess so. That kind of hurts. Oh, listenthey're selling `Saodake`! Nami's note: Saodake is a long stick made of bamboo. It's used to hag clothes on, and to have them dried by the sun. Mei: Hey, isn't this voice live? Teru: It's usually on tape though. Mei!? Oh, you're right, a girl's singing it! She has a good voice..... "Good Voice" No it's not like that........this is...... Tears are coming out of Mei's eyes. Mei tries to catch up with the truck full of saodake but she couldn't. She's shocked that she cried with a thing like saodake. ***** Natsu has just finished work. Staff members are talking about how good Natsu can hear. Natsu is on his way home. Natsu: (It's six in the morning.... I got to go to school today....) (Wait a minute, someone's singing. It's her. She's got a good voice.) As she walks away singing, Natsu listens. He too, like Mei, cries. ***** At home Mei: Oh! Good morning and welcome back! Natsu starts telling Mei how good the song that girl was singing. Mei: Yeah, I do think it's a good song, but are you alright? Natsu: I don't think I am. I'll sleep for a while. Mei: I think you better. Today is that day where we have to go meet our parents, but I wonder if my brother's alright.... ***** At their dad's recycle shop Mei: (This place is becoming worse every time I see it.) Natsu: So, what's there to talk about? Mr. Takahara: Well, it's really hard to bring it up but..... Natsu: Hurry up. Is it money again? Mei: Or divorce! [Their parents start arguing about the divorce thing and Mr. Takahara's payments.] Mei: (They haven't changed a bit. I can't bear to hear them talk.) Natsu: Not money nor divorce, then what is it? Mr. Takahara: Well, this person, who did so much for me when I went to Australia before, have just died yesterday. I've decided to take that person's child...... Mei & Natsu: Huh!? Mei: So, you two's gonna take care of a child, at this house? Mr. Takahara: That's for sure. I've decided! Mei & Natsu: Huh!? Mrs. Takahara: He said he've decided! But I'm not gonna be in this. Mei: Mom.... Natsu: That's some serious matter... What about the census? And are you two in any place to take a child? Mr. Takahara: That's the thing. We're this and that, you know? So can you two have this child at your mansion for a while? Right now, she's 15 or 16. Her name is Melvi...something. Natsu: Stop.... Stop, stop!! Mr. Takahara: Don't worry. She can speak Japanese! She's already in Japan. She's with the guide right now. Natsu: What's wrong with you! That's too arrogant of you!! You're the one who has taken her, and you want us to look after her!? We're not just talking about dogs and cats you know!! Mei: (I'm disgusted......) Mr. Takahara: You wouldn't have any problem with the money, would you? Because we would. Natsu: That's not the problem! Mr. Takahara: C'mon, just for a little while! Natsu: That's just too much! You're too irresponsible! Mr. Tkahara: I know that very well!! I'm really sorry about this! But please, for God's sake! [Mei's spinning her hands, she's doing the calming-her-temper-down move Natsu taught her] Natsu: When's the last time you've said that. I refuse. I think you should think over what you're doing, from the start. Let's go home Mei. Mr. Takahara: Natsu!! I'm even putting down my head to you!! Natsu: And why would I want you to do that!! Mrs. Takahara: I agree. Well, I'm going to work. Mei: (I can't stand this!!) ***** At home Mei: Ahhh---- What could they possibly be thinking! I knew it wasn't gonna be anything good!! I can't take them.... [Mei starts crying] Natsu: Mei....... After a while, Mei hears Natsu playing a song on his guitar. He would always play me a song whenever I cried. Mei: Wow, it's a new version..... I'm really glad that he's here with me. [The bell rings and Mei answers the door.] Mei: (Woh!!?) Mel: Hello! Mei: (She'so beautiful!!) Natsu: May I have your name? Mel: Yes! You two are Natsu san & Mei san, right? Nice to meet you two! I'm Melvina Molan! Please call me Mel. *flash back* Mr. Takahara: Her name is Mel...something. *end* Mei: Ah.... Natsu: I see.... [He runs inside] Mei: Wait a minute! Um... We haven't accepted you... Natsu: Dammit! He's not picking up the phone! Mel: Um... I was brought here and told that I could be taken care of.... I don't know where else to go..... The guide person's gone and.... um, what should I do.... Mei:(No!! Please don't look at us like an animal!!) Natsu: Please wait for a minute there. ***** inside Natsu: How about letting her in for the time being? It seems that she has no other place to go, maybe just for tonight? Mei: Then we might end up taking her. Natsu: You think we can turn her away? Mei: Well, no. Natsu: How did she get in though. [Outside, Mel starts singing] Mei & Natsu: (This voice......!!) Mei: (The voice of saodake!?) Natsu: (he girl from the morning!!) The voice that makes people cry with wonder....! Natsu: Would you like to come in for the time being? It's pretty late.... Mei: Brother! Mel: Is it ok? Mei: (Iguess he's gonna let her in..... I guess it can't be helped, if it's just for tonight......) Mel: Music notes? Yes, I can read them! Natsu: Really? Mel: If it's not complicated! Mei: You see those songs? My brother made all of them! He's a genius composer! Mel: Wow! [Mel starts singing Natsu's music.] Natsu: You want to put words to it? Mel: Anything ok? Mei seems kind of jealous and interupts playing her sax. Mel sings along with the song Mei's playing. ------------------------------------------------------------ Few words from Nami: So, what do you think of Andante so far? You like it? Obana Miho sensei's comics are so hard to translate or should I say that it takes such a long time to translate, coz there's a lot words, I mean a lot. Anyways it was a hard work. Hope you enjoyed reading it^^