English Translation by Yamazaki Masatomo and Karen Duffy © March 1999 ENJOY YOUR YOUTH... Azuki Ryo Ribon Magazine November 1998 Chapter #1 Title: Don't You Want To Have A Shining School Life With Rika-chan? Page 1 Rika thinks: Usami Rika, 16 years old. From now on, I'm a member of Shishimaru Academy. It's the beginning of the school life that I've dreamed of for so long. All right, let's GO, Kantarou, Garuko! Kantarou and Garuko are male and female rabbit-sized kangaroos. Page 2 Someone: Principal, our newcomer is late, isn't she? I wonder if she might have gotten lost, having been abroad for such a long time. Principal: Oh, my understanding is that she was in Australia. I hope she's the upbeat type. Rika: Hey! Didn't I tell you to BE NICE at the school?! The female appears to be the more aggressive of the two. She bit the male's ear, making tears come to the poor male's eyes, and then she begins to chase him looking very mean and nasty. Page 3 Rika: Garuko, stop harassing the weak! Kanta (nickname) don't go off that way! Kanta runs to get out of biting distance of Garuko. Rika thinks: Ah, I have to go to the principal's room to introduce myself. Oh wait! Sahara: Aaaaah! Kanta, in his attempt to flee, has knocked over an attractive male high school student. Page 4 Rika: Ah, excuse us! Are you okay?! Sahara: Just n-now, those were KANGAROOS....! Rika: No-no...rabbits, just rabbits. Rika thinks: What does it matter WHAT they are? Sahara: I see? You've got to be right. After all, this isn't a zoo. Excuse me. I was just taken a bit off-guard. Rika thinks: I see. Page 5 Rika: AH! First year, class B, number 7, Sahara..Leo. Sign: Don't point at people. Sahara: My name... How would YOU know the student number? Rika: I saw it in the student list. From now on I'll be in first year, class B. Nice to meet you. Sahara: Oh, you're a transfer student? You haven't gotten a uniform yet. Rika: Um no... Sahara: I was never informed about you. The oversight had to have been because our homeroom teacher was hospitalized recently. Rika: Well... Sahara: An-Anyway, I'll show you to our classroom. Page 6 Girl: Who IS that girl? Guy: Huh? A transfer student? Rika thinks: Wow, this is my classroom. Sahara: Our class reps are me and her. Rika: The first year Class B, number 40, Watanuki Kumiko-san. Nice to meet you. Sahara-kun, thanks for bringing me here. I'll be fine from here on out, so you can take your seat now. Sahara: Say what? Page 7 Rika: HEY! First year, number 4, Okami Shirou . You're late? What a hopeless guy. I'll overlook it today. For now, just take your seat. Hurry it up. Okami's name in the hiragana would normally be directly spelled "Ookami". However later in the story the Author's desired romaji spelling is shown as "Okami" so this translation follows suit. His name is implying that he's a loner, Masatomo says. Classmate: Who's the girl? Classmate: To OKAMI? (The student is surprised that she would behave that way with Okami because he's a rather scary fellow in their eyes.) Rika thumps Okami's head: Thoik! Okami: Waaa! WHO are YOU? Classmate: Why's the transfer student organizing the class? Rika: Nice to meet you. I'm Usami Rika. From here on out, I'm a member of the Shishimaru Academy. I graduated from a state university in Australia. Sahara thinks: University? She slams something on the blackboard. It's a big poster. Page 8 Poster: Love.....Cooperation.....Victory (Between every word is a little heart). Rika: I'll be teaching English! My educational mottos are: Love....Cooperation.....Victory! Love gives life to cooperation! Cooperations leads to victory! Together I want to make our First Year Class B, one super-special class!! Page 9 Rika: Like you, I'm only 16 years old, but still I'm the new teacher, Usami Rika. A pleasure to meet you. Students: EH?!!!!!!! Note: As you look at one of the comments on the page it says "4649". That's her way of saying "Nice to meet you". This is because "Yoroshiku" breaks down like this "Yon i 4. Shortened it would be "yo". Six is "roku". Sometimes 4 is done as "shi". "Ku" is for 9. This slang was used in the 80's. It's another slang that's out of vogue now (they can consider 4649 for "nice to meet you" as quote "dead words"). Page 10 Student: Have you heard? The teacher of First Year Class B is only 16 years old and teaches English. Girl: How's that possible? Girl: She skipped 7 years in school abroad. Guy: Cool. Guy: Even so, the words she uses are dead words. (Antiquated by about 15 years). Rika thinks: I don't mind their reactions, my "bravo" school life has began. (This is another case where an English word is used in a different way than we actually use it. She's using "bravo" in English as a adjective rather than an exclamation.) Sign: Teacher's Room. Rika: Ah, the teacher's room. So THIS is the Teacher's Room of my dreams with a desk reserved for me. Teacher: Ah, you're the famous new teacher. Page 11 Sign: Curious eyes. (The other teachers stare at her; and then they all come over.) Teacher: It'll be difficult to keep students in line that are the same age as you. Teacher: I wonder what the Principal thinks of you. Teacher: It's true that you skipped 7 years in Australia? Teacher: Why would such a brilliant person become a teacher of all things? Rika: Why not? Surrounded by young students' innocent smiles. Sometimes being a friend, sometimes being a mother to them. I want to share the sadness and pleasure of youth with them. Being a teacher is a great job! She imagines an idealistic relationship with her students and you can see it in her mind. The authoress even changes the art to an older style art with is reministant of old time dramas from about 30 some years ago. In her mind the sign says: Let's go Youth's Academy!! Rika's Imagination: Students: Sensei, Wait! Rika: You're lagging behind. Teacher: Even though she's a youth, she's in the wrong era. Page 12 Sahara: Excuse me, Usami-sensei, the principal wants you. Rika: First Year, Class B, number 7. In small letters: She's too redundant. Rika: Would you REPEAT that? Sahara: "The principal..." Rika: Not THAT part. Sahara: "Usami-sensei?" Page 13 Rika in her mind: "SENSEI". Rika thinks: Yes! From here on out, I'm a teacher! What a "bravo" sounding thing! From the hallway: That's the.... Boy and a Girl: Yoo hoo, Sensei! Sahara: You're already famous. I apologize for the rudeness earlier. I didn't realize you were a teacher. Rika: It's okay. It's okay. Perfectly understandable. But anyhow, I'm delighted that everyone is so nice to me. I feel like I'll get along with all of them just fine. Sahara laughs. Page 14 Sahara: Not everyone believes that you're a teacher. Sign: Principal's Office (This sign is written with words that are still used but it's an old-fashioned way.) Rika: Hm? Sahara: Oh nothing. This is the Principal's Room. Principal: Ah, I see the newcomer is here. Miketani-sensei brings in tea for the principal and the teacup says "mine". Rika thinks: Wow, what a young principal. Principal: How'd the brats take to you? Rika: Sir, everyone is nice and I believe there should be no problem getting along with them. Page 15 Principal laughs. Principal: You don't say. Is that right? Take good care of them please. Sahara: May I be excused, Uncle? Rika: Huh? Uncle...? Rika thinks: Whew! Related to the principal AND the class president. Sign: Full name "Sahara Kagetora". (This is the Principal's name. It's a classic name from about 400 years ago). Principal Kagetora: Yes, though we don't look much alike, he's my older brother's son. His parents are abroad, that's why I look after him. Sahara: 5th period is your first lecture for our class, isn't it? Good luck, Usami-sensei. Page 16 Rika: He's the classic good student, isn't he? Principal Kagetora: Well, first year, Class B has the all-time top student, Watanuki. And the second best is my nephew, Leo. They're brilliant. But be aware, there are a few problem kids in the class. Rika: Huh? Both our class reps are good students. By the way, is one of the problem kids Okami-kun? She giggles: Scary looking guy. Principal Kagetora: Oh, so you already know the students' names, Rika? Rika: Yes Sir. I took a look at the student roster and memorized every student in the school. Page 17 Principal Kagetora laughs: That's GREAT! We knew there was there was a reason you had graduated from a university at age 16. If you have any trouble, ask for assistance from Miketani-sensei. Miketani-sensei is shown looking a little like a cat. Mike is the word used for a calico cat. Principal Kagetora: She's my friend, who drinks tea with me. Miketani-sensei: Nice to meet you. Principal Kagetora: Be careful, lately the brats have been harder to get along with. Rika: Kanta, Garuko, lunchtime! Page 18 Rika: From now on, you'll have to stay in this enclosure. Get along with the rabbit-kuns. And listen, listen...coming up, I'll have my FIRST lecture. I'm nervous but I'm gonna do my best. Wa-Wa-Watanuki-sa...! Watanuki: Hi. Rika: You're on feeding duty on top of everything else? Watanuki: Not exactly. It's just that no one else wants to do it. Page 19 Rika: Oh Watanuk-san, you like animals too. Oh, the kangaroos are mi.... Watanuki: It's about time for the bell to ring, so excuse me. Rika thinks: Ah, I've got to prepare for my lecture right away. Rika: Huh? Oh, Sahara-kun...and Okami-kun? What're they doing? I didn't expect... I wonder if they're close friends. Page 20 Rika thinks: What?! What's going on?! Sign: Suddenly, the art goes into older manga style. (Think Rose of Versailles and that type of anime art). Rika thinks: That kind of behavior is not appropriate for the learning yard of precious youth. Wonder WHY they're passing big money stealthily. It doesn't look like blackmail. Katsuage (blackmail) was a word used about 20 yrs ago. So the author put in a sign saying "dead words" again. Page 21 Rika thinks: I see. He's usually pretends to be a troublemaker. But, I'm sure, he must have a sick mother and lots of little brothers and sisters. And perhaps their life is dreadfully poor and what's worse his mother is hospitalized. Rika's imagination shows... Okami's mother: I'm sorry, Okami. Okami: It's all right. Sign: He's moonlighting. (And in her imagination he's making artificial flowers with a child strapped to his back). The other little children are crying: Ni-chan, I'm hungry. Rika thinks: And Sahara-kun got tired of seeing his best friend (Sahara) in trouble. More of Rika's imagination... Sahara: Don't say a word. Just accept it. Rika thinks: What a beautiful friendship that binds them together. As your teacher, I'll watch over you. Ah! Gotta get moving. Sign: Well, it's about time. Page 22 Rika: Now begins the lecture on English reading. Rika thinks: I'm going to do great job with my first lecture. Rika: If there's anything you don't understand, just ask. Now, open your textbooks to page 32. Rika: Whew! When I step on the platform, it really makes me feel like a teacher. Student: Rika-chan-sensei, I've got a question. Rika: Yes, what is it? Rika thinks: This is what I've been waiting for. Page 23 Student: Do you have a boyfriend? Student (girl): Are Australian guys cool? Student (girl): Have you ever held a koala bear? Student (boy): Do you know any of the idols from abroad? Rika think: He-Hey! Rika thinks: This isn't how it should be. They're misbehaving. They don't think of me as a teacher. Student: We THOUGHT SO! Your boyfriend's a gaijin. (Gaijin used to mean foreigner, but in recent years it's come to mean mostly caucasians). Student: Hey! Hey, Rika-chan! Others: Kyah! Kyah! Yeah! Yeah! Student: Let's go to karaoke sometime. Rika: Those kinds of questions can come later! Right now, we have a lecture. Everyone sit down! Student (boy): Aw, what does it matter? Student (boy): It's boring! Baaah! Rika: O-Okami-kun! Get your textbook out. Page 24 Okami: I can't stand taking a lecture for kiddies. Rika thinks: Oh, so that's what you think. Student (Girl): He's gone way too far. Student (Guy): This doesn't look good. Rika thinks: If that's the way you feel... Page 25 (She's using the chalk on the blackboard to make one of the hideous chalkboard sounds that make you grind your teeth. It's very much like using your fingernails to do the same thing.) Rika: Get it? Though we're the same age, I'm a teacher. I've come here to give a lecture. You're making a distinction by age. That's childish. Page 26 Rika: Okami-kun, do you have something important to say? Sign: Portable chalkboard. Okami: I GIVE UP! Sign: He's particularily weak to that noise. Rika: Now, let's get studying seriously. Miketani-sensei: You're gooood. You got that troublemaker quieted right down. (She laughs.) Page 27 Rika: Does Okami have a lot of personal problems? Rika thinks: I would never have expected her (Miketani-sensei) to have a sense of humor. Miketani-sensei: He does! He does! After he entered this school, he caused so many violent incidents that he wasn't able to advance to the next grade. He's been held back a year. He's better than he used to be though. And... Rika thinks: Held back a year? So that's why... Rika remembers: "I can't stand taking a lecture for kiddies". Miketani-sensei: It's rumored that before tests lately, the answers have been copied and passed around for money. And they also say that he's the ringleader selling them. Rika: That's SO... Miketani: It's just a rumor and no one has actually seen the test answers stolen. Page 28 Miketani: Well, mid-terms are coming up so be keep your eyes open. Rika thinks: It's just a rumor, right? Okami-kun looks scary but he doesn't look like the type to do things like that for money. He has a sick mother. Sign: She's still thinking that way. Rika thinks: Uh-oh, after the lecture, we have a teachers' meeting. She opens the Teachers' Office door. Rika: Sorry I'm late. Watanuki comes out with the test answers. Watanuki: Huh?! Watanuki drops the test answers. Rika: Oh, now I remember. The teacher's meeting is in the Meeting Room. Oh Watanuki-san. Is there something you need? Page 29 Rika: Those are the next mid-term answers. It's not possible! Okami: Did you succeed? Page 30 Rika: Have you seen Watanuki-san? Girl: I don't know. Rika remembers Miketani-sensei saying: "Before the tests, the answers are copied..." Rika thinks: I don't want to believe that she's involved in that. And why would the best student in the class do something like that? Okami: Do YOU understand me?! The only person, who can get into the Teachers' Office without raising suspicion, is an ace student like you! Watanuki: I'm so.... Okami: With us failing, he never show us any mercy. Page 31 Rika is throwing chalk like ammunition. Rika: CHALK MISSLES! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING TO THAT GIRL?! HARRASSING THE WEAK?! WHAT ABOUT YOUR SICK MOTHER?!!! Okami: You Bitch! Who the hell do you think you are?! Whaddya mean "sick mother"?! Rika: Do you want a fight?! Sahara: Sensei! Page 32 Sahara: What brought this on? Rika: Sahara-kun. Sahara: Oh, Watanuki-san and Okami-kun . That's an unusual combination. Rika: Wait, Watanuki-sa...! Sahara: Sensei... Page 33 Sahara: I'm looking for a book. Could you open up the Reference Room? Rika: Sorry, now... Rika thinks: Oh, is that it? He knows something? Or... I don't want to believe that the money exchange was for getting the answers. I just don't WANT to believe it. Sahara: Something bothering you? Page 34 Rika: I see. The Reference Room, is that right? Rika thinks: I just can't keep quiet and overlook this because I'm a teacher. Sign: Reference Room #1. Sahara: Thank you very much. Students can't get into the Reference Room without permission. Rika pulls Sahara-kun from behind by his school jacket. Rika: Sahara-kun!! Books suddenly go flying. Sahara: Waaaa! Page 35 Sahara: What's the matter? Rika: If I seem to lack faith, please forgive me but, I need to ask you something. The money you gave to Okami-kun today, what was it for? I saw you at lunchtime. I've heard that awful rumor and have been worried about Watanuki-san and Okami-kun's behavior. Page 36 Rika thinks: I remember the way Okami-kun was talking. She remembers: "With us failing, he won't show us any mercy." Rika thinks: If the rumor is true, that means someone else is the ringleader. Rika: Please tell me whatever you know, Sahara-kun. Sahara: You like sticking your nose into things, don't you, Rika-chan? Rika: Hm? Page 37 Sahara kisses Rika. Page 38 Sahara: Consider this is "hush money". You'll keep your mouth shut about Okami and me being friends. The two of us get along just fine. A teacher has no business getting involved in students' affairs. So... Page 39 Sahara: I'll keep what we just did secret. Don't worry, Sensei. Page 40 Rika thinks: Wh-What was that?! What just happened?! Sahara: Watch yourself, Okami. We need to get her to do more for us. Page 41 Rika thinks: Who IS this Sahara-kun?? The relationship of those (three) kids is...? And, and...I...just now...even though I'm the teacher, I was kissed by a student! (Big no-no) Skipping grades....plus a little tattling on Masatomo... Masatomo and I have discussed the subject of skipping classes before... Some years ago, Masatomo (sort of a professional American graduate student by now) was at college (here in Salem) with some of his Japanese buddies, who were going gah gah over an American girl with long brunette hair on campus. This girl was there to help foreign students learn English as a second language. Masatomo would tease his pals and say "You want me to go ask her to wave at you?" Bet it scared them to death that he might do it too! He'd never guess that down the road, that another college student (Jeremy) would come up to him in the judo class they shared and say "Would you like to work translating anime? My mother is looking for a backup translator." (Mika was going on vacation for a few weeks.) Masatomo was delighted since he was a big anime fan when he was back in Japan. Never could he have guessed that, after working with me for a while, that he would find out that the brunette girl that the Japanese boys' eyes were on was Bruce's and my oldest. Since Tabitha never talked about her unusual situation, he was surprised to find out from me that she had skipped over high school from Jr. High to go straight to college. He told me that students aren't allowed to skip classes at all in Japan. I made sure he realized it wasn't all that easy here either...not anymore. It took a huge battle against the system to get the inflexible to bend. The end result? She graduated from what is now Western Oregon University; Phi Kappa Phi with honors and was very happy with her choice. Though Tabitha was 2 years older than Rika when she graduated, I can really identify with the story in some respects. And, back to Masatomo and his Japanese pals, I later found out that he was planning to walk up to Tabitha and quietly tell her that if she would wave at his buddies, he'd pay her! BAKA! Tabitha was stunned when I told her about the Japanese boys. She had no idea what was going on at all. (^_^)!! Mother KD just sits back in hopeless amusement. ********************** karen.duffy@bbs.chemek.cc.or.us ---------------------------------------------------------------------------