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^-^ "Five!" is copyrighted to Yoshihara Nozomi and Shueisha. Signs: (THINKING) [ACTION] ***** = change in time or place Five! Chapter 3 Well, our newly started band have decided to change our name a bit. SPARK 5. I think it's pretty good. I like this name. ***** In class Teacher: Well then, I will hand out the sheet about the programs of the Aiwa festival which is taking place in June. Kouta: A cultural festival in June, that's pretty early. You know what, I've been looking forward to a cultural festival in highschool. Isn't it great? A yakisoba stall booth or slushy. Oh and a haunted house too. [He's in a good mood.] On the sheet Class on how to wear Kimono Flower arrangement display Tea About the beauty of Japan [Kouta froze.] Kouta: What is this!? There's not a single program that should be in the cultural festival. Noriko:I can't help it. Our cultural festival is always like this. The theme of Aiwa festival is to learn the culture of Japan. The purpose is to learn mainly about form of good manners, esthetics and history. Kouta: ...... What's that supposed to be, a cultural festival? Noriko: Maybe. Kouta: Don't joke around!!! What kind of festival is that!? A cultural festival is supposed to be a wonderful day, the day in school where you actually get to drink, eat, sing and play!! Noriko: It can't be helped! Kouta: This is not a cultural festival. [Noriko and Kouta are arguing.] Teacher: Igarashi, do you have a minute? Noriko: [Pushes Kouta aside.] What is it? Teacher: About the preparation of the festival. We don't have enough people. If you don't mind, can you cooperate? Noriko: Oh sure. Tacher: Really! It's hard work but... Noriko: I'll be fine. Please tell me anything, I'll try my best to help. [From distance, Atsurou is looking at Noriko and the teacher talking.] ***** At the outside hall Noriko: (Aiwa festival... Surely every year, it's been an upsurge. It probably will be if we did a live or something. We'll use the spacious gym and have the entire school listen to our songs... That must feel good.) [She trips on a cup ramen.] !! Ouw.. What is this. [Noriko sees Atsurou sitting on the ground eating ramen.] Noriko: Bettsho!? What are you eating, at a place like this? Atsurou: Cup ramen. Noriko: (I wonder where he got the hot water from.) [Noriko sees Atsurou pouring hot water from a pot.] Noriko: (I've thought that he wasn't ordinary but... Maybe he likes ramen.) Atsurou: You. Why do you pretend to be such a good girl? Noriko: (What?) Atsurou: Well, that's none of my business though. [Something falls.] Noriko: Wait Bettsho, you dropped something. A silver necklace. [She picks it up. On the back of the necklace, the word 'MAMI' is carved in.] (Mami?) [Atsurou grabs the necklace from Noriko.] Noriko: ...... ***** At practise [Kouta looks rather sad.] Shikura: Cheer up Kouta. Kirio: What, are you still down about the cultural festival? Kouta: ...... I have decided. At the Aiwa festival in June! We, SPARK 5 will carry out a guerrilla live!!! Shikura: Guerrilla live you say!? Kouta: That's right!! We're gonna take over the school's gym and do a guerrilla live!!! Noriko: I agree on it. Kirio: Noriko!? If you do that, every body will find out. Noriko: I think it'll be ok. If I wear a hat, then no one will recognize my face. And I want to do a live too. Kouta: Igarashi... I think this is the first time we agreed on something. Noriko: I think so too. Shikura: But the gym is going to be used for other programs, are there any time when it's open? Noriko: No problem. The gym will be open at the night time of the festival. We'll go for it then. Kirio: There are soundproof equipment there. If we close all the windows then I guess the teachers wouldn't notice. Kouta: Great! So it's decided. Noriko: We'll make the Aiwa festival a lot of fun!! What do we do about the songs? Kirio: Well, for now we'll practise each other's songs. I want to create new songs too. This is exciting. I wonder how long it's been since I felt like this at this school. It is indded a festival, it will be a loss if we don't have fun. ***** Noriko: Ah... I can't play well. The sound of this phrase is too fast that my fingers can't catch up to it. Dham, the songs SPARK play is hard. (What do I do...) [Someone reaches out to Noriko's music.] Noriko: ! (What!? Bettsho?) Atsurou: Your hands are small, so your fingers won't reach far. That's why you can't play fast. In that case, you only play here. For the other notes, you use hammering. *Hammering is a technique to produce sound. Noriko: I see. Atsurou: If you do that, you only need to play less and it'll be easier. Noriko: Thanks Bettsho! Bettsho doesn't talk much, seems mean and doesn't smile, but that doesn't mean he's a cold person. 'MAMI' on the necklace, I guess it's the name of his girlfriend or something... ***** The day before the festival [A car stops at the school. Someone gets out of the car.] Women 1: Welcome back principal. Women 2: Please rest well after your long business trip. Principal: Well, that was tiring. Is my daughter in the dormitory? I want to see her face. Women 2: Yes! [Kouta is at his window ready to go to practise. He throws down his boots.] [It hits the principal in the face.] Principal: ! Kouta: Uh oh, sorry about that. Are you ok old lady? Women 2: Old!? Hey you over there!! That is not how you talk to your principal!! Kouta: Wha? Kirio: What's up? [Opens her window.] Noriko: Mo... Mother!! Kouta, Atsurou and Shikura: !? Principal: Long time no see Noriko san. Noriko: (This is bad. She just had to come back on the day before the cultural festival.)