TOKYO BABYLON by CLAMP Translated by Hecate Typed by Mene CRIME Noun. (Latin Crimen, Accusation) Deliberate homicide. Unforgivable action. Infraction of the law punishable by an inflictive pain or obrobrious action. For Budhism, Christianity, and other major religions: an act contrary to set principles. * WORKMAN Ok, slowly now! A little more to the right! * * HOKUTO Subaru! Hey, Subaru! SUBARU Don't yell so loudly, people will notice... HOKUTO Yes, but if I hadn't called you, you'd still be looking for us! SUBARU Sorry I kept you waiting! SEISHIRO Don't worry about it, I was talking with Hokuto, and I didn't even notice the time! HOKUTO We were talking about graves... SUBARU Graves? * HOKUTO These days it's more interesting to have a grave than a house! Besides, the price of a grave isn't ready to lower yet! The price of plots of land is really high in Tokyo. Not many people can afford a grave in the city! Unfortunately, people work their whole lives to buy a grave that will vanish if they don't have heirs... SUBARU Even if they've invested their entire fortune? HOKUTO Yep, that's the law! * SEISHIRO We spend our whole lives paying for a house, and when we finally get it, it's time to buy ourselves a tomb...No matter what, we're never happy... HOKUTO What is it, Subaru? You don't look so good! Did something happen? SUBARU No, not really...but...on my way here...I saw a Shinto temple being demolished... HOKUTO A Shinto temple? * SUBARU We all know that you shouldn't displace a tombstone, at the risk of waking the sleeper beneath! That's why I really believe that people should never destroy Shinto temples! HOKUTO Why? SUBARU Since forever, those temples have served as seals, and since forever, men have brought to them many dangerous things...to prevent them from someday leaving those temples, they carefully covered them over with ishuzue (grave stones)...but the demolition of a temple... SEISHIRO ...Could unfortunately provoke some undesirable leaks... * SUBARU I feel so powerless...Whenever I see a temple being destroyed, I feel horribly uneasy... HOKUTO Oh no you don't! Don't start that again! Why do you always have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders?! Aren't your own problems enough?! Life is very short, and we have a lot of things to do. You're right to help others, but you can't do it to the detriment of yourself...Subaru, you can't save the Shinto temples and toris (temple gates) that are destined to disappear, so please, forget what you've seen and save your energy for another good cause! SUBARU Hokuto... * SEISHIRO For the time being, I'd suggest you eat your egg McMuffin and your chicken McNuggets! HOKUTO Go on, eat! You wouldn't want to go against poor Seishiro who loves you so, right? SEISHIRO Subaru, what are you doing this afternoon? Do you have work? SUBARU I have to visit Yasukuni Shinto temple... HOKUTO Yasukini temple? Why? SUBARU It's for school, I have a drawing to do! HOKUTO But no one asked me to do one! SUBARU That's normal, I'm the only one who's missed almost all the art classes, so the teacher gave me a make-up assignment! * SEISHIRO Do you miss class because of work?! SUBARU Yeah, but whatever the reason, I have to make it up! The teacher told me that if I keep up with art class, he'll give me enough extra credit to go into the next class. It's really nice of him, since it'd be easier for him to just make me take it over! HOKUTO Today is Sunday, and it's a beautiful one too! SEISHIRO It's a lovely day for drawing! HOKUTO If you'd told me earlier, I would've made you a lunch box! SUBARU Don't worry! This'll do me. HOKUTO What'll you do for dinner? SUBARU Since you're eating out, I thought I would too! SEISHIRO Are you going out tonight, Hokuto? HOKUTO Yes, I have a "date'! SEISHIRO That's wonderful! * HOKUTO I feel so sorry for you, my poor little Subaru, When I think that you must dine alone! SUBARU Don't worry about it, I'm perfectly capable of fending for myself when you're not home! HOKUTO He never eats when he's on his own, I know it! SEISHIRO Why don't you come over to my place? I'm a bit hesitant to cook for you since I'm not as good as your sister, but I'd be happy to have you... SUBARU No! I don't want to bother you... HOKUTO Seishiro, how kind of you! Thanks to you, I can go out worry-free! SUBARU HOKUTO! SEISHIRO I'll make him a tasty meal to show how I love him... HOKUTO Go Seishiro! At this rate you'll be able to move in together soon! SUBARU HOKUTO...quiet down...everyone's staring! * SEISHIRO It's still early, I think you'll be down tonight...I'll expect you around eight and hope you like my cooking. I'll be making it with love... SUBARU Hokuto's always in cahoots with him...but I think they're just playing around...I still can't believe that he could be the Sakurazukamori... * SUBARU No, it's impossible, he's such a nice guy...But still...When I was doing an exorcism at Tokyo Tower, it seemed like he could use magic... * SUBARU I'd really like to know who Seishiro is... * SUBARU What...what was that? It felt like the magnetic force given off by a spirit...it felt like it came from the heart of the Shinto temple...But... * SUBARU Where did it come from? * SUBARU No...it's impossible...Did you...did you bury something here? WOMAN Leave me alone! I forbid you to disturb me! * SUBARU Wait!! WOMAN Let go! SUBARU What are you hiding?! WOMAN No one can stop me! No one! SUBARU Oh no! You made an inugami... HECATE An evil spell using the body of a dog or other animal. WOMAN I can do what I want!! * WOMAN No one can accuse me of comiting a crime! SUBARU Stop yelling! Listen to me...I don't know what pushed you to do such a thing...but be very careful, because the spell you cast will soon return to you... WOMAN It doesn't matter... * WOMAN I've been living in hell for too long...no suffering can be greater than that which I have known....now I don't care what happens to me... * WOMAN Do you read the newspaper? SUBARU Yes...of course! WOMAN Do you remember the case about the kidnapping and murder of a little girl in Tokyo, two years ago? That girl was...my daughter. She was only six years old...she was about to start elementary school...we bought her book bag and her uniform...my husband worked for an optician...with our daughter, we were a united family. Until the day it happened...I met my husband at work. We had an apartment...we were a normal family like any other...It was raining that day, and my daughter was late from school...no one could find her... * WOMAN The police searched for her...as did our neighbors...but no one could even find a trace of her. Then, her body was found, one month later, on the banks of one of the rivers nearby...the month while we were looking for her were a nightmare...at night, I would imagine her dead, strangled, stabbed....every morning I woke with a start...and the doubt which let me hope was the worst of the tortures...the murderer was a stranger. No one had ever seen him, and no one knew where he came from. He had seen our daughter going home from school, and he tried to take her...but since she screamed, he was afraid that someone would find them, so to make her quiet, he plunged her head into the river...He told the police that she suddenly became...very calm... SUBARU Was he caught? WOMAN Yes...of course...But he wasn't accused of murder... * SUBARU But...why? WOMAN A psychiatrist declared him insane, and that he couldn't have known what he was doing...when the verdict came, I made my decision: Since Justice didn't want to execute him, I would do it myself. I wished for his death so much that the idea of killing him in the heart of the Palace of Justice crossed my mind...but I knew that the justice who would not find him guilty would quickly condemn me for premeditated murder. So I decided to take my vengeance later, after I had a plan that would allow me to eliminate that man while looking completely innocent in the eyes of the law. The medium that looked best to me was magic. I knew that if I cursed him, he'd die soon, and no one could accuse me of the crime...the folly that allowed him to escape justice would be remedied, and without any contact between us! No one could ever prove that I'd killed him...the murder of my daughter was not committed soley by that man. Justice was responsible too...as it applies laws without regard for feelings... * WOMAN Those who read the rumors...those who sought information...those who defended the criminal...those who discovered his mental illness...and those who protested his innocence...none of them...none of them...ever knew...will never know...my suffering... * WOMAN After her death, I began to frequent libraries, to read ancient spells...I sought a way to kill him...by cursing him! During my studies I took an English literature course, very different from my research. So I learned everything...and so I discovered the spell to this curse! The explanation of the Inugami was in a library book...we had a dog that my daughter loved...I decaptitated it during the night a week ago...According to the spell, it works well to decapitate a dog you love, and to bury it's head in a place not often trod upon...unfortunately, there aren't many of those places left. That's why I came here, to the Shinto temple, Yasukunijinja...the dead dog is an Inugami now. Soon he will do as I wish, in the guise of a Tsukai-ma (domestic devil). Before I never could have killed an animal. But now I am capable of anything...Today I feel free to talk to you, even if you want to tell everything to the police, no one would ever believe you...in the worst case, they'd think I was crazy... * SUBARU Please, you must know that the curse you cast will soon return to you! And then you might- WOMAN Don't worry about me...I am ready to die. I loved my daughter more than anything in the world. She was my life! It took me 31 years to create my happiness...that was destroyed in a moment...by a stranger... SUBARU I have to stop her...I have to stop this woman! * SUBARU What was your daughter's name? WOMAN ...Mai! SUBARU Do you think Mai would want you to do this? In any case, I don't think she'd want to see you kill her dog...I think she'd want you to be happy- WOMAN What would you know? She's not here to say it! All I want is to hear her voice!! And I never will... SUBARU I'm not so sure as you... WOMAN What are you saying? SUBARU If you want, I can ask Mai to speak to you one last time... WOMAN I can't believe it... SUBARU You've read a lot of magic books, right? So you certainly must know about the mitamayose (séance) some exorcists perform? * WOMAN You mean magic that can...call the spirits of the dead? SUBARU Yes, and if you want, I can put you into contact with her...as strange as it may seem, I'm a medium. It's my profession! WOMAN You want me to believe that you're a medium!?! No, it's impossible!! SUBARU Please, believe me! I need your help to call Mai...listen to what she has to say about the curse you cast...react before it's too late...listen to what she has to say! * SUBARU When I call her name, open your eyes...(chants) MAI I can't breathe...I hurt...Mama, help me! Avenge me...punishhim for what he did to me... * MAI I hurt...I hurt so much... SUBARU No...it's impossible... WOMAN Tell me what's happening! Can I open my eyes? SUBARU Mai... WOMAN Mai...Mai...Mai! Tell me! What is she saying? I...I can't hear her! Please! Tell me! * WOMAN What's she saying? I have to know! SUBARU She says that...she doesn't want you to use magic...and she...she wants...she wants you to be happy! WOMAN Mai! Mai! MAI Mama, I hurt! He hurt me! * SEISHIRO It's raining...Subaru will be soaked! Coming...I should have come and gotten you...what with the weather, I was starting to worry... SUBARU I'm sorry, but I can't stay for dinner...I have to go home...to think... SEISHIRO Subaru, what happened? SUBARU Seishiro! SEISHIRO If I let you go in this state, you might catch a cold and Hokuto would kill me! * SUBARU I lied to her! I lied to that woman... I couldn't tell her the truth...I couldn't tell her what her daughter said...If I'd told her the truth, she would have suffered so much...It's so sad...I...I think that...maybe I was wrong...I hid the truth from her because of my convictions....to satisfy my ideas of my life view...I reacted too personally. SEISHIRO Subaru, your reaction was normal. People always think their own views. Truthfully, only that woman could judge you- SUBARU But- SEISHIRO Subaru, you had only good intentions. We can't condemn someone who acted badly by mistake, can we? SUBARU No... SEISHIRO So...you have to forgive yourself! * SEISHIRO If it makes you feel any better, I think you were right to lie to her. Now you aren't the only one who was wrong...there are two of us... SUBARU Seishiro... SEISHIRO I think you need to rest...In any case, don't worry, I'll be right here, and if someone dares to accuse you of lying, I'll be here to defend you. SUBARU Seishiro.... SEISHIRO Yes? SUBARU Thank you... SEISHIRO Good night! * SEISHIRO I don't think I'll be able to keep my promise...Subaru... VOL. 4/ SAVE. A KUNIKO Help me. TEACHER Shut up! Listen to me! Next month the green class will go to Shizuoka. Since we'll be there over night, I'd like you to form small groups so that I'll know who's staying in a room with who... GIRL Wow!! * TEACHER All set? GIRL Yu, wait for me! GIRL2 Emi, come with us! TEACHER Hashimoto, what is it? Is there a group that Miss Hashimoto can join? GIRL No, not mine! GIRL2 Mine either! * SIGN Teacher's Room TEACHER Miss Hashimoto, you are a very calm girl, that's good, but you need to make an effort to be more sociable! If you continue like this, you'll never make friends! I've heard that you never sit with the other girls at lunch or during recess...now that you're a sophomore, you should know that your future life will be based on friendships and acquaintances, in your life and at work...so, I'm counting on you to try a little. If you don't make friends now, you'll be alone your whole life! I know the girls in your class aren't particularly friendly, but they aren't bad, just immature...you have to make the first move. This is a problem that starts with you, and only you can fix it... * HEADBAND GIRL Hey! I hope for your sake that you didn't tell the teacher about us... ODANGO GIRL You know what'll happen if you talk...we'll never forgive you!! HEADBAND GIRL So, Hashimoto, are you still mute?! You make a funny face! Stop looking at us like that! Don't hesitate if you've got something to say! SHORT HAIR GIRL Oh, you touched her! You'll get sick now! BARRETT GIRL Yuck! How gross! Hashimoto, lick my shoes! * ODANGO GIRL Oh no, I got mud on my skirt! SHORT HAIR I didn't notice how late it's gotten; it's already time for my cram course! BARRETT I've got to go program my VCR HEADBAND Let's go! SHORT HAIR Really?! KUNIKO Help me... * HOKUTO This is the first time I've ever seen Subaru sleep so late! SUBARU Ok...I had a lot of work last night...I worked really late...and I got to bed really early this morning! HOKUTO What time? SUBARU Around eight. HOKUTO So you only got two hours of sleep?! SUBARU No, a little more than that...thanks! HOKUTO Enjoy! A little more? SUBARU To be precise, I think I got two hours and twenty minutes of sleep... HOKUTO Two hours or two hours and twenty minutes, it's the same thing...so stop teasing me!! You work too much...if you keep this up, you'll get sick! SUBARU Yes, but... * HOKUTO I know you take your school work very seriously, but today is the anniversary of the founding of our school, and you know that almost no one will be there...so why do you want to go to your make-up classes? SUBARU I have to go since I missed so much school since the beginning of the year... HOKUTO In Japan it's only required to go through middle school, and you've had the courage to get through the first year of high school...Do you really think college is necessary? SUBARU Yes. HOKUTO I understand, you want your dream... SUBARU Yes, exactly... HOKUTO The Sumeragi family have been the spiritual protectors of Japan since the dawn of time...and you, Subaru, you're the 13th head, so consequently you're one of the rare grand masters of Yin and Yang in the whole world...you're as rare as an endangered African animal! And to think that your childhood dream was to be a zoo keeper... SUBARU I still don't think it's funny! HOKUTO What are you doing later? SUBARU My job... * SUBARU If another master of Yin and Yang among us could possibly replace me as head of the family, I'd gladly give up my place. I'll never give up on my dream... HOKUTO So. You'll do whatever it takes to become a zookeeper? SUBARU Yes! HOKUTO I always knew you were honest and hard-working...but I'd forgotten how stubborn you were! I'll always be by your side to cheer you on! So go for it! SUBARU Thanks! HOKUTO I know they'll be a marvelous couple! Subaru and Seishiro "Vetinary Associates"...they were made to meet!! SUBARU Hokuto... HOKUTO Not forgetting that Seishiro is a member of the family of assassins, the Sakurazukamoris...and no one knows who he really is! The story is absolutely perfect for a shojo manga! SUBARU Grandmother told me that people named Sakurazuka aren't necessarily members of the Sakurazukamori family... * SUBARU Besides...I think Seishiro's too nice a guy to be part of that family. HOKUTO You're right...he seems very nice. But the mystery remains for me, since you can't really tell anything....from appearances! SUBARU Hokuto? Hello...yes...yes... ok, I understand...good bye, and thanks for calling! HOKUTO Ha ha ha ha...et voila! Subaru, you're magnificent! Your outfit is perfectly coordinated! You can go to class no problem! SUBARU Sorry, Hokuto, but...could you call my teacher, please? * HOKUTO What?! You want me to tell him you won't be there?! But why?! SUBARU I have work... HOKUTO Don't forget that I'll always be by your side...I'm proud of you, you're right to pursue your dream... * SUBARU Wha...? Ok, here I am, in the right place,...but where's the woman? Oh! Excuse me! OBASAN You haven't changed, Subaru! SUBARU Oh! Is that you, Grandmother?! * SUBARU I you'd told me you were going to be in Tokyo I would have visited you! OBASAN When I arrived in Tokyo, I went to the Imperial court. The head of the Bureau of Investigation told me that he had a mission for you. I asked him if I could talk to you myself, and he gave me all the details. I also had...certain personal things to tell you... * SUBARU What about? OBASAN First let's talk about your work...surely you know that today there are many religious groups that exist in our country, or rather, new sects. SUBARU Yes, basically... OBASAN That's why the national Minister of Education asks you to conduct and inquiry on one of these new groups. SUBARU An inquiry from the Minster of Education? OBASAN It appears that the creation of new religious groups has accelerated considerably. Most of the members of these groups have already been inspected by the Bureau of Investigation of the Minesterial Cabinet...but the difference between those groups and the one you will inspect is that this group is almost entirely made up of middle and high school students! SUBARU Middle and high schoolers?! OBASAN If the men from the government go into a school, they will be thwarted immediately. That is why they thought of you...the name of the group is "The Center for MS Research". You'll find the details in the document. SUBARU Thank you! OBASAN Tell me, Subaru... * OBASAN Have you had any problems recently? SUBARU Nope, Hokuto and I are doing great! Are you sure nothing's wrong? OBASAN I saw your future during the Kakai (fire divination a la Sailor Mars) that is held on the 9th day of each month. SUBARU You saw my future?! So tell me, what's going to happen to me? OBASAN The cherry tree... * OBASAN Subaru, you will become the prey of the cherry tree! * SUBARU Of the cherry tree? OBASAN I hope you always wear your gloves... SUBARU Yes, Grandmother... OBASAN That night....it's all my fault...I never should have left you alone...If only...I hadn't left you alone... SUBARU Grandmother... OBASAN Don't let the cherry tree take you away....be careful....don't let it capture your spirit! * TEACHER Miss Hashimoto! If you don't show a little more enthusiasm, I'll have to give you a zero in gym! Make an effort to catch the ball! HEADBAND Come on, Hashimoto, catch! * HEADBAND Here, tale this Hashimoto! But sir, I threw it so gently! TEACHER Oh no! With a student injured in my class, I'm going to have problems at the next teacher's meeting! * KUNIKO Help me...I need help! I can't do it anymore... KUMIKO What is it? Why are you all alone here? Here! If you need to talk, I'm here to listen to you...you have problems at school, don't you? KUNIKO How did you know? KUMIKO I knew it! * KUMIKO I can perceive the suffering of the unhappy people... KUNIKO Really? KUMIKO Yes! I know how to recognize unhappy people who suffer in silence...it's a gift from God! You don't need to be afraid...I'm here to help you! KUNIKO Really? KUMIKO Yes, I can help you to leave the shadow...do not be afraid, tell us your problem...let your heart speak. KUNIKO Where are we? Who are those women? KUMIKO Our job is to help those who suffer. We're your friends. We're going to help you! * *(eek!!) GIRLS Good morning! Hi! HEADBAND Look, it's the ghost of Hashimoto! She's back! BARRETT Quick, write a letter to the paper-"the seven mysteries of the school"! SIGN Here Rests Kuniko Hashimoto WOMAN Kuniko, what is it? KUNIKO I prayed...I prayed with all my heart! I followed Professor Kumiko's instructions to the letter! BUT NOTHING HAS CHANGED! WOMAN Maybe your prayers weren't sincere enough... * WOMAN Don't lose faith in yourself...the results may not be immediate, but if you keep on praying, you'll be rewarded. Today I'd like to introduce you to a new classmate. He's going to join our group! Come in, Subaru! Here, this is Subaru Sumeragi, who's joining us because he wants to learn more about our organization. Subaru, this is Kuniko, who's been with us for a little while. Be nice to her... SUBARU Hello! Nice to meet you! WOMAN Come along! Class is about to start! SUBARU Today is Friday...they should all be in school;...so why are there so many here? PAPERS MS Research Center. Group founded in 1989, composed of 10,000 members to date. Average age: 16. Main office: Shinjuku. There is no God worshiped. They seek to purify their spirits, to gain an internal peace. This is a common basis for a new religion. The leaders are called "Professor" and organize seminars like private classes. * SUBARU There is no guru, but the leader of the group is Kumiko Nagi....It really is like a school... KUMIKO Hello everyone! My name is Kumiko Nagi! SUBARU That's her?! Now that I'm here, I wonder how I'm going to do this... HOKUTO Hel-lo, I'm here! It's me, Hokuto! SEISHIRO Good evening... HOKUTO I came to make you dinner! SEISHIRO Hokuto, you really are adorable! But where's Subaru? HOKUTO He's working...he told me he won't be home for dinner for three or four days... SEISHIRO It was good of you to come see me...but aren't you afraid that Subaru won't eat if you aren't around? * HOKUTO Don't worry, I left a casserole in the oven. He can eat whenever he gets home! SEISHIRO Hokuto, you are an exemplary sister! HOKUTO I hate eating alone! Thanks for agreeing to eat with me! SEISHIRO It is I who must thank you...where's Subaru working? HOKUTO Cooking is best!!! He told me he was going to investigate a religious organization...at the MS Research Center in Shinjuku.... VOL.4/SAVE B KUMIKO God is in all of us...if you can live in so cruel a world, it's because God is in you! Each of us is unique. Have confidence in yourself and forgive your mistakes. The world needs you, and soon each of you will find your place in it. Forgive yourselves and others. Let the strength within you express itself! * CLASS Professor Kumiko! Professor Kumiko! KUMIKO Whatever happens, don't let yourself be beaten! You are gods! Nothing is impossible, you just have to want it! SUBARU There's nothing special about her, not in her gaze or in her voice...so...how could she excite them much? CLASS Professor, I'll pray everyday! Me too! Professor Kumiko!! SUBARU But that's the girl...the one I just met! CLASS From today on I'll be strong and brave! No one ever told me that we're all gods! * BOY It's so cool, I believe in myself! WOMAN Kuniko! Subaru! Come with me, I need to talk to you! SUBARU Yes? SIGN Director's Office KUMIKO Tell me, Subaru... SUBARU Yes... KUMIKO Ha ha ha! Don't be so nervous! SUBARU Sorry... KUMIKO What do you think of our center? SUBARU What do I think? Um...how can I say this...I was surprised to see so many middle and high schoolers... KUMIKO True...but let me explain why. I think that religion is a moral support, an indespensible one, since it gives the power to believe...the hardest part of life is adolescence, primarily. That's why I think that it is young people who need moral support the most. They have so many choices to make that will affect their future lives....choices that will vanish when they grow up. So I opened this special research center to help teenagers! Subaru, you seem to have some worries, seeing as you're having trouble talking... * KUMIKO Take your time. Whenever you're ready, don't hesitate to come and talk to me....it would be my pleasure to help you! You too, Kuniko! Our meeting wasn't mere chance. Destiny put me in your way. KUNIKO But...professor Kumiko, I prayed with all my heart, just like you asked me to...I did everything to make me accept myself for who I am, and to love love....but nothing has changed! No one came to me! KUMIKO You must keep on praying. Everything will come in its own time! I know that your classmates are cruel to you...but you must forgive them to make yourself stronger. You must forgive and love them! KUNIKO No! You don't understand! SUBARU The woman is so gentle...she's more like a music teacher than a guru! * BARETT Why haven't you been to school lately? ODANGO We like playing with you...we missed you! HEADBAND So you don't want to tell us, Hashimoto?! SHORT HAIR Look out! Someone's coming. BARRET Hurry! Save yourselves! HEADBAND Hey, wait up! We'll finish this later, Hashimoto! SHORT HAIR Ha ha ha! Shirai, your menacing lines remind me of old Samourai movies! SUBARU Hey! Oh, you're- * SUBARU What happened? Are you hurt?! KUNIKO Leave me alone! SUBARU But you're bleeding! KUNIKO Go away! SUBARU Here, take my handkerchief. Don't worry, it's clean! My sister washed and ironed it...uh, did I say something wrong? KUNIKO Why did you got to the Center? SUBARU What? * SUBARU I read an article about it and...she can't know the truth... KUNIKO I met Professor Kumiko in the park...I was crying because the girls in my class were persecuting me...the even beat me up...but the teachers think this is all some petty squabble....The reality is that I'm a victim of senseless violence. Every day of my life... SUBARU Tell your teachers- KUNIKO I already did. But they didn't listen. They keep telling me that it's all my fault because I'm not more friendly...I'm a calm person, but that's no reason to mistreat me! What did I do to deserve this?! You know what Professor Kumiko told me? She just said that I have to accept myself. She also said that all humans are made to listen to themselves...and that I should pray and be patient.... * KUNIKO So I prayed with all my heart. Then I took classes at the MS Research Center...but nothing changed. Each day follows the next, and still I am tormented... SUBARU I'm sorry...um....I don't know what to say. I'm trying to imagine how you must suffer....but I don't think I'll ever really know what you feel...I'm very sorry... KUNIKO Thank you. * HOKUTO I'm a little housewife tra la la! Wednesdays and Fridays tra la la...I take out my trash with the neighbors from upstrairs tra la la! Leaving already, Subaru? SUBARU Yeah, I don't have time for dinner with you.... SEISHIRO Going to work? SUBARU Yup! HOKUTO Are you still working at the MS Research Center? SUBARU Yup! HOKUTO Is your investigation going well? SUBARU Yeah, fairly well...it's hard to draw conclusions right now... HOKUTO Here, this is your reward! I'm proud to see you working so hard! Subaru, you are tasting my new cookie recipe! SUBARU Thanks, Hokuto, they're delicious! HOKUTO You don't have to tell me, I already know! Here! SUBARU Thanks! HOKUTO Take these for a snack. SEISHIRO Be careful! SUBARU See you later! HOKUTO Ciao! Poor Seishiro! Subaru is very busy and you miss him...it's ok! Come, be brave my dear! * SEISHIRO Tell me, doesn't this bother you? HOKUTO What do you mean? SEISHIRO Well...I meant the fact that Subaru is falling for someone like me... HOKUTO Not if it makes him happy! But...if you ever make him suffer....I will kill you! SEISHIRO Hokuto...don't you smell something burning? HOKUTO Damnit! My cookies! My cookies! * KUNIKO Hey... SUBARU How's your injury? KUNIKO Better, thanks! SUBARU These are some cookies that my sister made...you can have them if you want! KUNIKO Oh...thank you so much! It's so pretty! Oh! KUMIKO Begin! KUNIKO I....I have to.... KUMIKO Rise! Be seated! * BARRETT I didn't know you were so talented, Hashimoto! SHORT HAIR She really does draw very well, but... HEADBAND Her picture lacks a bit of blue...there! Don't you think that's better?! Hang on, I'll erase it... KUNIKO No! HEADBAND ...with this! KUNIKO NO, STOP IT!! * HEADBAND Don't worry, Hashimoto, I just want to make your picture prettier! Why are you looking at me like that?! Kyaaa!! Hashimoto, let me go!! * KUNIKO NOOOOOOOOO!!! TEACHER What happened?! GIRL Teacher! TEACHER Miss Hashimoto, are you hurt?! * TEACHER Quick, take her to the infirmary! I want to see the teacher in charge of this class right now! Call an ambulance! KUMIKO Come in! SUBARU Good evening! KUMIKO Forgive me for the lateness of this meeting...have a seat... SUBARU What is it? KUMIKO I have something important to tell you! SUBARU I hope she doesn't know about my investigation... KUMIKO It's about Miss Hashimoto... SUBARU Miss Hashimoto? KUMIKO You might know that some of the girls here go to her school...well...they just told me that she was stabbed this afternoon.... * SUBARU She was stabbed?! KUMIKO Yes...by one of her classmates! She'll have the wound for her entire life... SUBARU But... KUMIKO ....her whole life... SUBARU But...why was she stabbed? KUMIKO The student who was always picking on her had a palate knife in her hand...they fought and the knife accidentally stabbed Miss Hashimoto's face.... SUBARU Her face... KUMIKO If only she had been more patient, none of this would have happened! She didn't pray enough...and her prayers weren't sincere enough, that's why she ran aground...I told her to forgive them! But she was incapable of listening to the voice of reason...she was too weak...her classmates were only teasing her...Subaru...I know that you have an unusual power, don't you? This power embraces you...and makes you suffer! * KUMIKO Let me help you before it's too late! I have the power to save you! SUBARU No...you don't have the power! KUMIKO What? SUBARU You think you understand what that girl has endured? You don't have the faintest idea of what her classmates subjected her to! Do you think you could forgive someone who beat and insulted you everyday of your life?! You can't understand what you've never been through! KUMIKO Subaru?! * SUBARU She'll carry that wound on her face until she dies! And you dare to accuse her of not praying enough!? I don't doubt that you have spiritual power, but you have no love for others....you seem to help them, but in reality, you are a monster! * SEISHIRO You are perfectly right! SUBARU Sei...Seishiro! But... KUMIKO Who are you? SEISHIRO You don't need to know my name... * SEISHIRO ...since I am going to kill you now. KUMIKO What? SEISHIRO After my investigation, it seems that you really do have a spiritual power. KUMIKO Why do you want to kill me? SEISHIRO If I let you, this sect could have about three hundred million adepts in six years....that's why I think that you need to disappear now. KUMIKO I understand...you're jealous of my success, because you too have created a new religious group! SEISHIRO Me? No, you're wrong, there's no conflict of interest! KUMIKO So why do you want to kill me? SEISHIRO Because...it's useless, you know. Your powers won't help you... * SEISHIRO You know that you have no chance against me... KUMIKO No...stay away! No! No! Help me! * KUMIKO Sakura... * SEISHIRO Good night...Professor Kumiko Nagi! * SEISHIRO Do you remember our first meeting? It was seven years ago...Subaru...I don't think I'll be able to keep my promise...I see that your grandmother has attempted to make you forget our past. For her sake.... * SEISHIRO ...I will leave you alive today...Subaru! * VOICE Dr. Oyama...emergency! NURSE Look at that boy...he's adorable! KUNIKO Who is it?! SUBARU Subaru! KUNIKO No! Don't come in! SUBARU I'll leave your flowers out here....I'm sorry to have bothered you... KUNIKO Wait! Your handkerchief! I never gave it back! SUBARU What? KUNIKO The handkerchief you lent me that day in the park...can I keep it a bit longer? You know, I feel strong now! But like Professor Kumiko taught me... * KUNIKO Today I'm not afraid of life...and I want to live it...with all my heart! I needed help...I think that Professor Kumiko could really change my life...but I was wrong! I think that to love others, you first have to love yourself, and accept yourself for who you are...but...There's limits to love, and there are some situations in life that you shouldn't accept. Sometimes you have to fight to be loved. It's no good to be depressed....it's better to be respected than pitied, because respect is the first form of love... * KUNIKO Every time I see this wound on my face...I try to smile...but I still feel weak...and I have trouble seeing you....when I'm stronger...I'll come and return your handkerchief...but until then, can I keep it? SUBARU Of course! I'll be waiting for you! * HOKUTO I'm sure that the price of train tickets will keep rising! Hey, Subaru! All set? SUBARU Yes...Sorry to have kept you waiting! HOKUTO So tell me, who were you visiting? A girl? SUBARU Yes, but I didn't see her...she promised me that we'd see each other soon though. HOKUTO What?! You're going to see her again! Seishiro, do something! Don't tell me you'll accept this treason?! SEISHIRO No, no... SUBARU I'm sorry, I always keep you waiting... SEISHIRO Subaru, I think I'd take anything from you! HOKUTO Oh, look! The director of the MS Research Center died... SEISHIRO No?! HOKUTO Poor Subaru! Your investigation was for nothing; looks like they're going to close down the center for good. SUBARU That reminds me of something strange that happened to me last night...I was at the MS Center...then I woke up this morning in my bed with no memory of coming home! HOKUTO But that's impossible! SUBARU But still...I'm sure I went there last night...so how... * SEISHIRO Let's hurry, or we'll be late for lunch at Hazuki's. HOKUTO I'm gonna pull your ears! Something wrong, Seishiro? SEISHIRO No, not at all! HOKUTO I get the feeling you're trying to hide something from us...what do you think, Subaru? SUBARU Uh...yes? HOKUTO (screams) Seishiro, you're crazy! We could have an accident! Stop laughing and look at the road! The End for now... Do you dislike or detest Tokyo?