English Translation by Yamazaki Masatomo and Karen Duffy © June 1999 ENJOY YOUR YOUTH... Azuki Ryo Ribon Magazine July 1999 Chapter 9 Title: A Teacher And A Student, That's A Forbidden .... What're You Going To Do, Rika-chan? Page 2 Rika thinks: Since getting back from Australia , everything's been coming at me all at once. Masaru: Rika-chaaan, we can't decipher what you wrote the chalk board again. Page 3 Rika: Oh, sorry. It's Arabic. Now, the translations for this page...let's see, it's the 7th day of the month...so, number 7. She picked the student by the day of the month and matched to the student list number. Masatomo says this is not that uncommon to do. Rika thinks: Uhn! (Because it was Sahara.) Page 4 Rika: Nope, number 12, Masaru-kun. Masaru: How come? Don't do a fake-out like that. Sahara thinks: Pretty obvious. Rika thinks: I can't even look Sahara-kun straight in the face. How should I act around him after something like that? Page 5 Masaru: Did you HEAR me?! Rika thinks: Nope, I've got to keep my mind on the lecture. Inari: And, today after class... Rika: THERE (You, over there). KEEP QUIET DURING LECTURE-TIME! Rika sends off chalk missiles but gets Masaru instead. Everyone: Masaru! Rika: Sorry, I missed. Rika: Gokon? Gokon is arranging a gathering for singles. (Usually the sexes are even on these...like 5 girls, 5 boys). This can be a school age or company employee activity. Page 6 Rika thinks: What's a Gokon? Inari: We're gonna go to karaoke with some guys from Kohmoli High. But one of us (girls) canceled so... Rika: Okay, I'll come. Rika in a small voice: Karaoke. Inari: Good! But please keep it quiet that you're our teacher. Kagetora holds a photo teasingly. Kagetora: Leeeeo-kun, Rika's swimsuit photo from the Australia trip... Waaant one? Page 7 Sahara in a small voice: That old jerk. Sahara swipes the photo out of his uncle's hand irritatedly. Kagetora: But she hasn't fully bloomed. (physically) Sahara: You did call me in as a school rep., didn't you? Kagetora: I knew you'd want it. Oh well, I just wanted to ask you about how Rika's doing lately. No problem, is there? I'm asking your opinion as Class Rep. Sahara: I won't say that there aren't problems, but she gets along well with the students. Page 8 Sahara: Has something happened? Kagetora: Nothing bad. Sahara: But... Kagetora: How about you? Something happen with Rika in Australia? Since the night of the soil fireflies, you've seemed... Sahara: NOTHING! I'LL NEVER, EVER VISIT AUSTRALIA AGAIN! Miketani in a small voice: I feel for you. Teacup says "snow wisteria". Kagetora laughs. Kagetora: You're still a green kid. Sahara left. Kagetora to Miketani: Say, he's gotten cute since Rika came here, don't you think? Miketani: I'd say he's staying out of trouble and isn't hiding his emotions. Page 9 Miketani: I hope you're giving them some of the credit for that. Kagetora: Who knows? Is it tomorrow that those guys are coming? Well, I just hope Rika doesn't cause any more trouble. Rika singing: Rika is only 16 years old. This song was originally sung by Iyo. Rika changed it. The song is also 16 years old. Page 10 Girl: Rika-chan sing songs everyone else knows. Guy: That girl is amusing. Inari in a small voice: Hey, you got to know these guys by nampa (girl hunting). Don't they look kinda rough to you? Nampa is a bit like cruising around looking for girls...without the car. Friend: They're fine. Rika thinks: Oh, high school kids goof off at places like this. If I had been a high school student when that happened (the kiss) how would I have answered? What am I thinking?! Guy: Have you gotten drunk drinking the juice. (He's referring to the fact that she's blushing). Page 11 Guy: You're Rika-chan, right? Good, because I like funny girls. Anyway, why is it that you're the only one wearing casual clothes? (instead of a uniform) Guy: Koji's trying to win her over. Inari: Oh, it's late, it's about time for us to... Guy: It's okay. Stay. Our friend's club is nearby, so why don't we head over there? They accept patrons in uniforms too. Page 12 Sahara thinks: Those guys, what're they doing at a place like this? Inari and another girl: Wait! Seriously, we... Koji: It's okay. It's okay. See? If we go by our friend's car, it'll take no time at all. You had us treat you and now you're going to just take off. It's not that simple. Page 13 Rika: YOU GOT ENOUGH! IF YOU DO SOMETHING TO THE STUDENTS OF FIRST YEAR, CLASS B, RIKA-CHAN WON'T STAY QUIET ABOUT IT! CHALK SMOKE SCREEN! Koji: Wow! Who the HECK is she?! Page 14 Rika: YOU TWO, RUUUN! Koji gags on the chalk dust. Koji: Don't be ridiculous, you BRAT! He grabs Rika tightly by the wrist. Rika thinks: Kyaaah! Suddenly Koji finds a trash can over him. Rika: Wh...?! Guy: What's wrong, Koji?! Koji: I can't get out! Don't let her get away!! Page 15 Rika: Sa-Sahara-kun?! How...?! Sahara: Just hide! Sahara holds her tight to him as they hide behind a wall. Rika's entire face is flushed. Guy: Which way did she go? Rika's heart beats furiously as Sahara continues to embrace her. Page 16 Sahara: Guess they're gone now. Rika: Th-thanks. Ah! What are you doing here this time of night?! You've been playing in the night again, right?! Sahara has a sweat bead. Sahara: You too. Page 17 Rika: Now, now...this time we're both guilty. I'll look the other way. But if it happens again, I'll tell the principal. See ya. Let's go, Kanta, Garuko. Sahara: Wait! I want to hear the rest of the story. The reason you're a teacher, I can't understand it. "The reason I'm a teacher..." Page 18 Rika: I don't know how to handle seeing you as a man, Sahara-kun. Sahara: I see. Just forget about what happened in Australia. Page 19 Sahara: So from tomorrow on, I'll be a good student, don't worry. Sahara leaves Rika. Rika thinks: Huh? How odd I feel. I couldn't return Sahara-kun's feelings... Page 20 Rika thinks: ... and yet, why do I have tears falling? Guy: Nope, she's gone. Are you okay, Koji? Koji: How impudent! I won't let this go!! Inari: I'm so sorry about what happened yesterday, Rika-chan. Rika: That's okay. We're all safe so that's cool. I won't tell the other teachers. Page 21 Inari: What should we do if the guys from yesterday decide to take come after us? Rika: Don't worry. I'm with you. Rika imagines herself in "Sukeban Deka" an old TV show: Imaginary Rika: Ten and 6 years since I was born...what a cause and effect. As a tool of the cops, I won't forgive you. "Sukeban" means girl's gang leader. "Deka" is detective. The main character was a gang leader hired by the police department. And the lines that Rika just used were the ones the character always used. Girl: A little newer one (show)... Inari: ....would be helpful for young readers. Rika grabs Okami by the arm. Rika: And look, if anything happens we've got our gang leader. Okami: Wh-what you going on about all of the sudden? Girls in a small voice: Okami-kun's turned into a nice guy, hasn't he? Sahara: Sensei... Page 22 Sahara: ...I've collected the homework papers. Rika: Oh th-thanks. She remembers the word "Sensei". Rika thinks: Strange. Back when I first heard the name "Sensei", it made me so happy. Woman: I've read the report on Usami Rika done by Miketani, whose been investigating her. Page 23 Woman: As a new teacher she skipped the first teacher's meeting without being excused. In short order, she caused ruckus at a night club and got herself arrested. In order to train for a volleyball tournament, she skipped her lectures every day. They may have won first place, however, during the prize Australian trip, she caused a situation by releasing the kangaroos. She's nothing but trouble. Kagetora: How cold you are. Could you have overlooked some of that? Miketani: It's my job. Woman: If I overlooked all this because she's 16 years old, and tried to pay a compliment, I still wouldn't be able to say that she's a good tea... Page 24 Sahara: Excuse me. Sahara thinks: Why is this the only room that has sliding doors? Sahara: Uncle, it's nothing strange this time, is it? Kagetora: Oh, you're here. Be happy, a rare visitor has come. Woman: I haven't seen you in a long time, Leo. Sahara: Mother. What brings you here? Woman: This time I'm back in Japan for the International Educational Committee. Anyhow... Page 25 Woman: Have you been okay? Hm...you're still a bean sprout (skinny). Have you grown a bit? She kisses him on the cheek which is not a mother/son thing to do in Japan. That is definitely a Western culture thing. Sahara: He-Hey, just how old do you think I am?! Stop, Mother! Mother: Hm...don't be shy. Sahara: What is this? Mother: This time my job... Kagetora: Huh? What a moving reunion. (sarcasm) I'll have to tease him about it later. Miketani: Poor him. The teacup says "pudding". Page 26 Mother: It's an investigation into your teacher's ability. Rika thinks: I shouldn't be this way. I can't let myself get depressed and discouraged. I'll waste my bravo school life. Rika: After class, it's karaoke time! Students: YAY! Girl: Hurrah! Girl: Cool! Masaru: Good, Rika-chan! Rika singing: Rika is only 16 years old. Student: Woo! Woo! Other students walking by her class: Class B sounds like a lot of fun! Page 27 Guy: An arrow letter! Why something like that? Inari: Rika-chan, are you all right?! Rika thinks: It's the principal's type of trick. Sign: Too obvious. Note to Rika: Warning to Usami Rika. The International Educational Committee, which is against hiring a 16 year old, is investigating how appropriate for the position you are. According to the investor's report, it doesn't look good. Page 28 Note: Just one more problem caused by you and, Usami Rika, your teaching license will be revoked. Kagetora: How was that? What do you think of my archery? Cool, don't you think? Miketani: Couldn't you have given her a softer warning? She adds in a small voice: Though I'll have to keep it a secret from the Educational Committee. Okami: Did something happen between you and Rika-chan? Sahara: I was turned down. Okami: Huh? What does that mea....? Koji: Hey. Page 29 Koji: I need to talk to first year Class B student, Usami Rika. Know her? Sahara remembers: Just one more problem caused by you... Sahara thinks: Then she'll end up not being a teacher anymore. Page 30 Sahara remembers: "If the whole world become Sahara-kun's enemy, I'll be the one person who will be on your side." I assume that Sahara led Koji and his cronies to the abandoned building that he's used so often in the past for things he wanted kept unknown. Koji: Hey, what you you mean by taking me to a place like this? Page 31 Sahara takes off his glasses. Sahara: No student by the name of Usami Rika goes to school here. If you don't want to get hurt, don't be roaming around this campus. Sahara stands in the forefront with Okami and other guys behind him. Koji and his pals stand with their mouths gaping open in surprise. karen.duffy@bbs.chemek.cc.or.us ---------------------------------------------------------------------------