TOKYO BABYLON VOLUME SIX BY CLAMP TRANSLATED BY HECATE Babylon, ancient city of Mesopotamia: In the 18th century B.C., King Hanourabi made Babylon the political capital of the middle east. Aware of their superiority, the Babylonians did not delay in constructing an immense tower to the glory of their people. Rising to Heaven, the Tower of Babel would forever incarnate their unbounded vanity. But the kingdom of Babylon appeared to have forgotten that the power of God was still greater than their own. In the guise of a punishment, God took from men their universal language. The proof is that no matter what the follies of humanity, the world will forever see itself as condemned, despite this lesson, to repeat eternally the same mistakes… Babylon, evil city, will be entombed beneath the anger of God. * VOL.9/NEWS * "The others" don't exist… SUBARU Sei…shiro… * HOKUTO Subaru… SUBARU …how is Seishiro? HOKUTO Subaru, you still haven't eaten…you'll get sick if you don't eat! I'll go make you some soup… * SUBARU Seishiro…how is Seishiro? HOKUTO They told me…that he's lost the sight in his right eye… * HOKUTO Subaru!! Stop it! Subaru!! Calm down! Being angry won't change anything…it won't fix his eye. SUBARU Seishiro… * HOKUTO Your tears and your screams…won't give him back his sight./do you recognize me? SUBARU Hokuto. SUBARU Yes, it's me…I'm your big sister. Courage, Subaru. Unfortunately your regret won't let you turn back time. If my tears could return his sight to him…I'd cry with all my heart…until there was nothing left of me. * HOKUTO We can't change past events. But if things had been different…if this had only been a nightmare…no, it's useless…all of these thoughts are useless, and they can only hurt you. Subaru…think…think about what you can do now for Seishiro, who sacrificed his eye to save you. It's up to you to find what can soothe him. What will you do…Subaru? SUBARU I'll apologize…I'll go ask him to forgive me… HOKUTO Ok…tomorrow we'll go to the hospital together….after you've apologized, I think you'll feel better. SUBARU Sei…shi…ro…. * HOKUTO Subaru… SIGNS Shinjuku Hospital Seishiro Sakurazuke * HOKUTO Subaru, don't you want to ask Seishiro to forgive you? Even if he won't? SUBARU I don't think he'll forgive me. But…I don't really know what else I can do… HOKUTO So go ask him to. Even if he refuses to, appoligize to Seishiro until you no longer feel guilty. And what happens in the future…we'll find out later. SUBARU Thank you. Hokuto… SEISHIRO Come in. * SUBARU I can't do anything else… SEISHIRO Subaru. Good morning. Not going to school today? Are you going back to work? Sit down. Take that chair. * SEISHIRO Subaru, what is it? You don't look well. It's your job, isn't it? I bet you've tried to do the impossible again! If you keep that up, Hokuto will worry! Oh…you've got a fever…well that's ok, you can see a doctor at the hospital…Subaru will you me tell you what's wrong? Are you worried about work? Maybe…you're sick? SUBARU I'm sorry… * SEISHIRO What? SUBARU Please forgive me…I'm sorry…I'm sorry!! SEISHIRO Subaru… SUBARU Forgive me… SEISHIRO I don't understand…Subaru, what are you apologizing for? SUBARU Seishiro…your eye… SEISHIRO Ok…that's what you're talking! But why do you want to apologize? SUBARU It's my fault…you saved my life… SEISHIRO Don't be silly. It was my decision to protect you/ SUBARU No!! * SUBARU I was paralyzed by that woman…I couldn't move! SEISHIRO No, Subaru, I think you didn't want to move…tell me the truth. SUBARU What? SEISHIRO Subaru, I know that you would have let yourself be run through. You were ready to die so that that woman could find peace in her soul at last. You were ready to give Yuya your kidney too, weren't you? Subaru, I wasn't really trying to protect you. It was simply a reflex to jump between you. Tell me, Subaru, if one day while walking with a friend, you slipped on a banana peel, do you think you'd blame him for your fall? Even if he hadn't dropped it? SUBARU …no… SEISHIRO And if you were hurt by a meteorite…would you want to blame the people standing near you when it fell? SUBARU No. * SEISHIRO Would you do anything I asked? In that case…I'd like you to go get me an "Angel Cream" at Mr. Donuts please! I'm not allowed to leave the hospital…and I really have a craving for some sweets! So then…I'd like an "Angel Cream", a "D-Pop"…and bring me an "Old Fashioned" too, please! HOKUTO Subaru! Well? Did you ask him to forgive you? * SUBARU Excuse me, but I have an errand to run! HOKUTO Where are you going? SUBARU I'm going to Mr. Donuts! HOKUTO What!? SUBARU Seishiro… SEISHIRO Come in. Hokuto, you came to visit me too!? That works out well…Subaru went to get some doughnuts, we'll eat them together! * HOKUTO …Seishiro… SEISHIRO Look…I have tea too. The nurse left me a few bags last time…there we are! Hokuto, do you feel alright? Do you not like this brand of tea? HOKUTO ….of course I do! I'll make you the best tea that you've ever had in your whole life to wash down the doughnuts that Subaru's bringing! Thank you… SEISHIRO What are you talking about? HOKUTO I'm thanking you for forgiving Subaru. SEISHIRO But Subaru didn't do anything… HOKUTO I don't understand…in fact, I get the feeling that you have a split personality. SEISHIRO A split personality? HOKUTO You're always kind and smiling…but…when I'm not looking at you, I feel like you're different and that you're not smiling anymore. * HOKUTO Oh yes, I'm talking about you…Seishiro Sakurazuka! SEISHIRO I don't understand. What are you trying to say? HOKUTO It's because of your eyes. Even though they're always hidden behind glasses…your eyes…are not like ordinary people's. And then…there's that other thing that you try to hide…the smell of blood that emanates from your body…since the accident, I feel like you've eaten Subaru! SEISHIRO H ha ha ha, you're just telling me about Little Red Ridinghood and the Wolf! Anyway, Subaru was ready to be devoured! HOKUTO He was ready to do whatever you asked him to! I'd never seen Subaru…in such a state. Subaru is a kind, honest, and reasonable being…this is the first time he's been so troubled. SEISHIRO Subaru is much too kind, he always feels responsible for others' misfortunes. If another man had been hurt in my place, he surely would have reacted the same way. * HOKUTO No…it's because it was you. * HOKUTO Subaru considers you to be an exceptional person. To him, you're not like the others. He doesn't even know why he thinks you're different, but…he will very soon. SEISHIRO Hokuto… HOKUTO Promise me something. Please, never take Subaru far from me. SEISHIRO What, you think I'm going to take Subaru somewhere? HOKUTO I don't know. I think you- NURSE It's time to take your tempeture, sir. HOKUTO Well! I think that you must not mind being in bed after all. I'll go get you some magazines. * HOKUTO If you want, I'll get you some dirty ones! SEISHIRO Ha ha ha ha ha! NURSE What a charming girl. SEISHIRO Yes, and soon you'll see her adorable little brother. NURSE Take your temperature, I'll be back in a few minutes. SEISHIRO Ok. My, Hokuto is certainly a very perceptive young lady…I think that….I will soon have run through my allotted time. * DOCTOR If I am correct, you don't want to press charges against that woman? Is that so? SEISHIRO Yes, exactly. DOCTOR But your doctor told me that your right eye was… SEISHIRO Once she got ahold of the knife, she didn't know what she was doing. A;; her hard work seemed to be for nothing, and her son's health wasn't improving…she was at her wits' end…her worries for the future could only grow. I think that the doctor in charge of her son could tell you better. He knows what that woman's been through. If I pressed charges and she was convicted…who would take care of her son, Yuya? DOCTOR So then…you don't mind not pressing charges? SEISHIRO Not at all. Besides…it isn't important now. * DOCTOR Huh? SEISHIRO Don't worry about me…but please try to make sure that none of this reaches Yuya. It makes no sense to tell him what happened, he's already suffered enough with his illness. If he knew that his mother had hurt someone… SUBARU Seishiro… HOKUTO Subaru! Hang on, Idon't think they're done talking…oh! Mr. Donuts' doughnuts! How cool! You got all these?! Come on! SUBARU Um…where are we going? HOKUTO We're going to visit Yuya! SUBARU Yuya? HOKUTO Yes, Seishiro told me that he has a test this afternoon. The nurse told him no sweets. So he asked me…to take them to Yuya! SUBARU Yuya's in the hospital? HOKUTO Yes, since his mom is at the station for questiong…and the doctor said he'd better be off here… * HOKUTO Seishiro thought that Yuya'd be sad all by himself. That's why he asked me to visit him sometimes…and he added that he'd really be happy if you went with me. So let's go! I'm dying to meet this dear little Yuya! SUBARU ok! YUYA Come in. Ah! It's you Subaru! Waa! She really does have the same face as you! HOKUTO Nice to meetcha, Yuya! My name's Hokuto, and I'm Subaru's big sister! YUYA Hi Hokuto! You guys really are twins…you look so much alike. HOKUTO I tell ya, it's really great to have a twin bother! I can get into all sorts of trouble pretending to be him… SUBARU Hokuto… YUYA That's awesome! * YUYA I had a sister too. But she isn't here anymore… HOKUTO I think Subaru's brought you a present…isn't that right? SUBARU Um…yeah. Here Yuya. YUYA Cool! Angel Creams! I love them! Thank you! Hey, were you the one who lent me the Super Nintendo and the Barre-code Banler? HOKUTO Yup, that was me. YUYA Thank you very much. I was real sorry not to have seen you last time you came to visit me at the hospital. HOKUTO That's true! I was really disappointed that I couldn't see you….I hope you're well enough to play with me soon. YUYA Oh yes! HOKUTO Do you feel better today? YUYA Yeah, I'm ok…dialysis isn't till tomorrow. HOKUTO Excellent! Then let me tell you a secret that will let you wine "Barre Code Battler" every time!! But first let's have some doughnuts…what would you like to drink? YUYA Apple juice, please! HOKUTO You want one too? SUBARU Ok! HOKUTO Ok, I'm off! YUYA You're so lucky to have such a funny, pretty sister. SUBARU Funny? From now on we'll stay by you, like a brother and sister…if you want us to. YUYA You mean it?! * YUYA My brother Subaru…my sister Hokuto…and soon I'll go see my mommy…so I can tell her that I have a brother and a sister now. I'm often sad…at night. The light in my room is out…but I'm not tired…since I sleep a lot during the day. SUBARU Yuya, do you know how to use a phone? YUYA Yup. Mommy taught me how! SUBARU In that case, I'll give you my number. You call me if you feel lonely at night. And if I'm not there, just leave a message on my machine, and I'll come see you at the hospital. YUYA Thanks! I've called my house a lot, but Mommy's never there…she must have a lot of work. What is it, Subaru? * SUBARU Yuya, you're such a nice boy. You're so wise…Hokuto, I'm sorry. HOKUTO What're you talking about? SUBARU When I think of all the trouble you've gone through for me… HOKUTO Well, you never listen to my advice. SUBARU Hokuto… HOKUTO You've always been so stubborn, even when you were little! SUBARU I'm sorry… HOKUTO Don't worry about it, I just like… * HOKUTO …to see you lose your cool. I'd be happy to know that you're capable of feeling things….I finally found…the humanity in you. It's good… SUBARU Hokuto… HOKUTO But Subaru…there's one thing-(phone rings) SUBARU Hello, Sumeragi residence. Hello? YUYA Subaru…is that you? SUBARU Yuya!? Yuya, did something happen?! Yuya!! YUYA Did my mommy…hurt someone? Is she bad? HOKUTO Hurry up, let's get to the hospital! * SUBARU Yuya, you're at the hospital, right!? Don't move, I'm on my way! Do you hear me!? What's going on? DOCTOR This way!! SUBARU What's going on? Who are all these people… DOCTOR I don't know who tipped them off, but all these TV reporters just showed up all of a sudden… TV "A mother in the aim of getting an organ for her son injured a man at the hospital…" Transplants are the hot topic in today's world, and the reporters are using this disaster to open up the debate again! SUBARU How's Yuya!? DOCTOR The nurse switched his room, but he's run off… HOKUTO Seishiro…how is Mr. Sakurazuka? DOCTOR I told him not to leave his room until things have calmed down… * HOKUTO Subaru! I'll take care of Seishiro! You go look for Yuya!! SUBARU Yuya!? Where is he? I have no idea. The room that Yuya knows best is…the dialysis room. Yuya? Yuya? YUYA Did my mommy…did she…do something bad? * YUYA Did she do something bad? My mommy….mommy…mommy… SUBARU Yuya? Yuya! YUYA!!! HOKUTO The doctor told me he was here. SUBARU But his name isn't on the door! HOKUTO They did that on purpose…to throw off the reporters. Yuya? * SUBARU Yuya… YUYA I don't read kanji real well…I didn't understand it all…I really tried though…this is all because of me. Because I'm sick…my mommy…hurt someone… * TV Many people…are awaiting an organ donar…all these people are suffering. That woman is not the only one…we are all very sorry for her, since it's such a difficult situation to live with…but all of the other people who have sick family members are suffering too….I'm afraid that these sorts of actions can only increase the difficulties already surrounding organ transplants…. HOKUTO All the people? What the hell is he talking about? They feel the same pain? I don't think that anyone can ever feel the same pain as another! We all suffer differently. It's never the same! The grief that Yuya's mother feels is unique. She's the only one who can feel it! When a mother loves her child and has to see him suffer, isn't it normal for her to get upset!? * HOKUTO Yes, Yuya's mother did a bad thing. But it was Seishiro who was hurt! It wasn't them!! SUBARU Yuya…Yuya…do you like me? YUYA …yes… SUBARU Who do you like better…me, or the man on TV? YUYA I like you, Subaru… * SUBARU So then listen to me. I'm going to explain something to you…what the reporter is talking about is real. However it is not 'true'. YUYA I don't understand… SUBARU It's true that your mom hurt someone…and maybe it was bad, but…I want you to know what really happened. I want you to understand what made your mother hurt that person. YUYA Is it cause…I'm sick? SUBARU No, not just because of that. It's because…she loves nothing in the world so much as you. She wants you to be happy. And she was ready to be unhappy so that you could be so… YUYA For me…to be happy? * SUBARU We tend to think that what we see on TV is always true. And they are…from one point of view. The problem is that they rarely pay attention to the victims' feelings, or the perspectives;, or those of their families. In most cases, all we know are the facts. But…we don't know the 'truth'. Lots of TV shows have interviews with the criminals and their victims. But we're just spectators, and we can't ask questions. But you, Yuya, you can ask your mom why she did it. YUYA I can ask her? * SUBARU The TV and the newspapers say that your mom is bad, right/ YUYA Yes… SUBARU When you hear on TV that your mom is a criminal…do you feel like the whole world thinks so too? YUYA Yeah… SUBARU TV and newspapers aren't the representative of 'everyone's opinion'. Yuya, you can't let yourself be influenced by what you see. * SUBARU So? Do you understand what I'm telling you? YUYA q …the news? SUBARU Do you know that word? YUYA Yes, I learned at school. SUBARU You can watch the news, but it's up to you to interpret it…that's what Hokuto was saying before. 'The Others' don't exsist. There are only individuals, each different from the other. And you have to see the world in your own way, since you are one of those individuals. * SUBARU Tell me…do you think that your mom is bad? YUYA …no… SUBARU Ok then, so you have no reason to believe anyone else…you ask your mom what made her hurt that person. And then tell your mom that you love her. Tell her that you're sad not to see her anymore…and that your greatest wish…is to be with her again. * YUYA Ok! And I'll tell her that my favorite crème caramel…is the one she makes. I feel good after I eat it, even after dialysis! The ones that other people make….or store-bought ones never do that. When I eat one of mommy's creme caramels, I feel like I'm being healed! SUBARU Yuya… * HOKUTO Well then, these crème caramels that I made are going straight to the trash! It's too bad…I made them with love just for you…oh well! YUYA No, no! I'll eat them! 'Cause I know you love me lots, and you're a good cook. And you're real pretty! HOKUTO Ha ha ha ha, I see you already know how to charm the ladies! You need to eat a lot…that way you'll be in good shape when you see your mother! And you'll need a lot of energy to face all those old reporters. YUYA I'll be brave! HOKUTO Be strong, they're very tenacious. Subaru, you need to eat one too. I know you haven't been eating well lately! SUBARU Ok… HOKUTO I can't forget to bring one to Seishiro. SUBARU Seishiro… * SUBARU Is he ok? Are the reporters after him? HOKUTO He wasn't in his room. SUBARU What? HOKUTO He wasn't there. I looked everywhere, but I didn't see him…but something intrigues me…how about you? SUBARU What are you talking about? HOKUTO I can understand how the reporters could have gotten ahold of the story, since they're so nosey and always into everything…but…why hasn't anyone mentioned Seishiro's name? SUBARU Yes…that's right… * SEISHIRO I think it's time for us to keep our promise. * SEISHIRO Don't you, Subaru? VOL. 10/PAIR * PAIR 1: A group of two objects that typically go together; 2: a grouping of two things, of two beings" SUBARU …Where am I? That boy! That's me….when I was little! * SUBARU I was born in Kyoto, and I lived there until I was eight, with Hokuto….then I decided to go to live with my grandmother, in Tokyo…It isn't always easy to be the 13th head of the Sumeragi family. I'm wearing an exorcism ceremonial robe…I was 9…It was 7 years ago…I remember that cherry tree…the day I did my first 'job'. * BOY This cherry tree's flowers are magnificent. Do you like them? SUBARU Yes! SUBARU That boy…who was he? BOY I'll tell you a story. Someone is buried beneath this tree. SUBARU Someone? BOY Look, all the other cherry trees have flowers as white as snow. So if this tree has such lovely flowers every year…it's due to the person buried at its feet. * BOY Do you know why this tree's flowers are lightly touched with pink? It's because they feed on the blood of the person that lies beneath them. SUBARU But…the person under the cherry tree. Do they suffer? BOY Let's make a promise. SUBARU I made a promise to that boy…a promise…yes…a promise… * BOY The next time that we meet… SUBARU Wait…I couldn't hear you because of the wind… SEISHIRO It is time to keep our promise. SUBARU The cherry…blossoms… * SUBARU Sei- * SUBARU Seishiro!! It was just a dream…no…it was…it was so real…It was my memory…but…as I woke…whose name was I calling? * HOKUTO Good morning! SUBARU Good morning, Hokuto. HOKUTO Already going to work?! SUBARU No, I'm going to visit Seishiro at the hospital… HOKUTO You might've told me, we could've gone together…I have to go out today. SUBARU Where are you going? HOKUTO Do you remember the girl I met in Shinjuku? We're getting together…today. SUBARU The girl you saw last month? The foreigner who spoke such good Japanese? HOKUTO Yep, that's her…we're going to Yoyogi Park to play badminton! Hiromi, are you ready?! Hee hee hee! I'm gonna be Madame Cho! (From "Aim for the Ace") SUBARU Oh, yeah, like in that tennis anime…she's not working? HOKUTO Not today. She told me she's working tomorrow…she works at night…It isn't always easy for her. It's hard to work in anything that involves human relations, like, for example, a master of yin and yang, or a vetrinarian…or a teacher or a brother. SUBARU I wonder how Seishiro's going to manage with his veterinary clinic…when he gets out of the hospital… * HOKUTO …I think that Seishiro will be giving up his practice. SUBARU Why? HOKUTO Subaru…what do you think of Seishiro? Or rather…what do you think of Seishiro Sakurazuka? SUBARU I don't understand… HOKUTO Think…I know it's not in your nature to show your feelings, but…what do you think of that man, in your heart? I'd like to know what Subaru Sumeragi thinks of Seishiro Sakurazuka. SUBARU Hokuto… HOKUTO I'm not like you…I didn't inherit the Sumeragi family gifts to use the power of yin and yang. They've taught me the techniques of spiritual mastery since I was little, but my spirit wasn't made for that, and I'm not capable of using them. I can remember maybe two or three things now…but I have a power that you don't possess. * HOKUTO It's the strength to understand the hearts of people. You understand people…but you don't know who you are. You're very sensitive to the suffering of others…but you don't know your own. Subaru, I understand you because I'm different from you. Who, in your opinion, must be the most changed by what has happened? SUBARU It's…Seishiro… HOKUTO Yes…and yet, he acts the way he always has. I think that soon he won't be able to play the game much longer. * SUBARU What?! HOKUTO These gloves…you've worn them since you were nine. I think that we'll soon learn the secret they're hiding…even if you don't know it…and when that moment comes… * SUBARU Hokuto…but… HOKUTO Subaru…I love you so much…that's why…I don't want you to go away from me. * SUBARU Hokuto… HOKUTO What do you think of that man, in your heart? I'd like to know what Subaru Sumeragi thinks of Seishiro Sakurazuka. Who, in your opinion, must be the most changed by what has happened? SUBARU Well, Seishiro, of course…he's always full of smiles…and he's a vet, which I've always wanted to be…what do I think of Seishiro? That day…when Seishiro was cut by the knife…I don't know what I thought…once his blood started to flow…I didn't think anymore… * SUBARU I kept banging on the operating room door. I didn't know why I was crying. How could I have lost my cool to the point of not being able to hear Hokuto's voice? I was so afraid for him…but not just that…I… SCHOOLBOY What a big dog! Is he a real seeing-eye dog? I've never seen one before. Hey, can we borrow him for a bit?! MAN Stop it, he's a working dog for the blind! SCHOOLBOY Well yeah, that's why we want to borrow him! This's the first time we've ever seen one! * SCHOOLBOY He must be smart. I'd like to have one! C'mon, lend him to us! We'll give him right back! OTHERS Yeah! C'mon! MAN No, we can't be apart! SCHOOLBOY Dude, he's not moving at all. SUBARU Some seeing eye dogs are trained not to go off. Let go of his leash, please. SCHOOLBOY Who're you?!!! SUBARU You're hurting him…please let go. SCHOOLBOY We don't wanna hurt him! We just wanna borrow him for a few minutes! SUBARU A few minutes without his dog would be an eternity… * SUBARU The dog's eyes replace those of his master. If someone asked you to borrow your eyes for a few minutes…would you let them? SCHOOLBOY ` What're you talking about?! SUBARU Leave them alone… SCHOOLBOY Who do you think you are! SUBARU It might not be a big deal to you, but for this man it's very serious. He's not here to play, so stop bothering him!! SCHOOLBOY Aaaaah!! * SCHOOLBOY Let's get out of here! SCHOOLBOY2 Why'd you let him do that? He didn't look real strong. SCHOOLBOY I know, but he paralyzed me by touching my wrist. He must do martial arts. SCHOOLBOY2 He was a karate black belt?! SCHOOLBOY Yeah, but…that wasn't karate. He must have been trained for combat. SCHOOLBOY Wow, he really didn't loot it… SCHOOLBOY3 No? He had a weird girly face. SCHOOLBOY4 Yeah, he did. SCHOOLBOY That's what scared me… SUBARU Are you ok? And you too? * MAN Seeing-eye dogs…are trained never to express their feelings to strangers they meet outside the house. I think he must have adopted you! SUBARU Oh…I'm sorry…I scolded those boys, but now I'm acting just like them… MAN Thank you so much for helping me. SUBARU But…I didn't really do anything. MAN Those boys went a little too far…it surely must be because people aren't used to seeing seeing-eye dogs. No matter where I am, there's always someone who wants to touch him. * MAN People don't always have bad intentions…and I know that children think he's cute…but when someone pulls on his harness, since I don't expect it, it scares me quite a bit. People don't understand that if something happened to my dog, I'd be totally disoriented. SUBARU I'm sorry… MAN What for? SUBARU When I think of all the trouble you've had with your dog….and I can only say silly, insignificant things…I'm sorry… MAN Don't worry about it. What you said to those boys just now is exactly what I've never had the courage to say. This dog is my eyes. He's a very important ally, and he helps me with all his heart. Excuse me for asking this, but…is there anyone in your family with vision problems? SUBARU Um… * MAN You seem very interested in this problem, so I get the impression that someone close to you may need a dog like mine… HOKUTO Seishiro's right eye…is blind…the doctors told me that in the end his left eye will tire and that one day he'll be completely blind… SUBARU Seishiro…. MAN Did I ask a rude question? SUBARU No, but…no, but…because of me….a man was hurt…and he lost part of his sight…his right eye… MAN I'm sorry, I won't keep you any longer…. SUBARU Tell me sir…are you busy this afternoon? MAN No…not really… SUBARU In that case…I'd really like to ask you some questions about your dog! If you have time…I'd like… MAN Why, certainly. SUBARU Thank you very much! Here we are. This is the teahoue Hokuto told me about. MAN Hokuto? SUBARU Yes. She's my twin sister…. MAN I see. * SUBARU She told me it was very good. MAN No, wait- TOYALOOKALIKE I'm very sorry, sir, but we don't allow animals in here… SUBARU What? MAN Let's go outside. SUBARU I'm sorry…I didn't know. MAN Don't worry about it. SUBARU So let's go- MAN Most places won't allow animals. SUBARU It can't be… MAN It's really nice out today. There's a park nearby….let's go there. SUBARU I'm sorry… MAN Why? SUBARU I'm the one who invited you…and… MAN Don't worry about it, I'm used to this. SUBARU Sorry… * MAN So, you wanted to know about my dog? SUBARU Yes…as I was telling you earlier…a man was hurt by my fault…the doctor says that his sight will never come back, even with an operation…. MAN Was his vision good before his accident? SUBARU I don't know…he always wears glasses… MAN Unfortunately, since his right eye is now blind, his left will tire soon.. SUBARU Yes…the doctor told me…that he'll end up blind. MAN I understand why you want to know about seeing-eye dogs. SUBARU This man's also a vet….he knows a lot about dogs. MAN So he'd better be able to care for his animal, especially if he begins while he can still see. SUBARU Yes, that's right. MAN But…there's a long, long waiting list to get a seeing eye dog, even if he requests one now. At first all seeing eye dogs were exclusively trained by the non- profit orginazation "Seeing Eye Dog" in New Jersey in the US….they were labs, like mine, Irish setters, German shepards, and boxers. These are all very docile breeds, trained from an early age to be faithful companions to the vision impaired. Seeing eye dog training spread overseas…now they're even trained in Japan. But there still aren't enough. * MAN It takes a lot of time and money to raise a seeing-eye dog. There aren't many trainers, and the number of trained dogs covers only a small percentage of blind people. Many people in Japan don't understand the importance of these animals. That's why my dog isn't allowed in most hotels, restaurants, and the majority of public places. SUBARU Even though he's a seeing eye dog? That's so unfair to non-seeing people… MAN It just shows that Japan is not a country that is very indulgent of the handicapped… * MAN You're worried about this wounded man… SUBARU Yes… MAN Even if I am blind, I can feel in your voice the sentiments that you feel. SUBARU He lost his eye…because of me…that's why… MAN Has he reprimanded you? SUBARU No! He was smiling and he told me that it wasn't my fault. But even though he hasn't upbraided me… MAN You want to do something for him. SUBARU I can't stop thinking about it…and I don't know what to do. So when I saw your dog, I thought that maybe he'd like a dog like that too…. MAN Here are the directions of the Japanese Seeing Eye Dog Association. It will be hard, but you can always try. SUBARU Ah…thank you so much! MAN Do you remember what I told you earlier? My dog replaces the sight that I have lost; he is my most faithful companion. SUBARU Yes… MAN When I got this dog, his trainer said… * MAN "I know this dog was born to be by your side. You never need to be apart again…you'll always be happy together." When I lost my sight in an accident, it was a terrible trial…but it must have been hard for my dog to learn to be a seeing-eye dog too. When I hear your story, I get the sense that you loved this man very much…..I'm sure that you have suffered for him. A little while ago, you told me that you didn't know what do for him… SUBARU It's true… MAN Until he has a dog like mine, you might be able to help him by 'being' his eyes. You could go with him and tell him everything that you see. * MAN Of course what you two have lived is a tragedy…but from now on you can be a good team. * MAN Just like my dog and I are. SUBARU Thank you so much… MAN I should be thanking you. You know, not many people talk to me, since I'm blind…you really like that guy, don't you? SUBARU …what? MAN I feel that you're a very kind soul…when I heard your story, I understood that you loved him very much… * SUBARU It's true…every since…Seishiro was hurt….I began to cry like I've never cried before…I was panicked…I didn't know what do do anymore…but there was something elese…I…I… * SUBARU I was afraid that Seishiro would reject me…that he wouldn't want to see me anymore… * SUBARU Yes…that's it…I was afraid that he'd hate me. I've met all kinds of people, in both happy times…and sad ones. And yet…I've never once asked anyone to do anything for me, or even to think of me. We can't control others' spirits, and if the others didn't like me, I always assumed that it was my fault. I could never help everyone…and they can't all like me. But… * SUBARU That day, while I was knocking on the operating room door…I cried. Because I was afraid…I was afraid that Seishiro wouldn't like me anymore. I was afraid that I'd never see him again. I…I didn't know how much I like and appreciated him until then…. * * SEISHIRO It's time for us to keep our promise. * SEISHIRO …eh, Subaru? END To be continued….