KIZUNA by Kazuma Kodaka Book 1 Part 2: Bonds unofficial translation by Katherine ------------------------------------------------------------------- Conventions: regular text: name of speaker, and spoken lines italics: thoughts (in parentheses): spoken words that are hand-written or not in the talk bubbles bold: descriptions bold and italics: translation note A kendo match... Narration: With his sword, he breathes in all the energy. Narration: The "White-Faced Demon." Ranmaru strikes a decisive blow. Narration: The white demon in white raiment... Ranmaru removes his headgear. Narration: The crowds suck in their breath as the devil's countenance is revealed. (page) Narration: The one most feared in the world of high school kendo... Kai looks on in rapt awe. Announcer: The winner of the individual competition: from Kouei High School, Ranmaru Samejima! Kendo sword raised, Ranmaru stands before a statue of a many-armed god. (page) Narration: Leaving his sword behind, he suddenly disappeared from the world of kendo. Narration: The beautiful Ashura of legend! Note: In Buddhist myth, Ashura was a rebellious, pagan warrior god who had the beautiful face of a boy. (page) Scene of a college campus. Student: Enjouji! Hey! Student: Hey! He's coming today, isn't he?? Enjouji: You guys are giving me a headache. How about if you quit following him around already? Student: Ahh, you're lucky 'cause you get to live with him, but we only get to see him around campus! Other student: Yeah! Yeah! (page) Enjouji: Idiots. Student: Looking desperate. Ah, wait! He'll be at the lecture this afternoon, right?! Enjouji!! Enjouji: Will you leave me alone?! He doesn't have an afternoon lecture today!! The three weeping students: (Damn it, why's he friends with a jerk like that?! Ranmaru-kuuun...) At the cafeteria. Enjouji: I'm getting sick of this! Enjouji: Because of those guys tagging along, now I don't have as much time to eat my lunch. Ranmaru: Out of the frame. If you didn't fall back to sleep you'd have plenty of time. (page) Ranmaru: You turned off the alarm again, right? Enjouji: Well, traffic was bad. Let's drop the subject, okay? (Give me your dashimaki.) Ranmaru: Liar. Enjouji: Is that freshman boy here again? They're still struggling over the dashimaki. Ranmaru: Don't turn around, but look behind you. Enjouji: How am I supposed to do that? Ranmaru: The reflection in the window. Ranmaru: The one on the right with the long bangs. Kai is talking with another boy. Enjouji: Hmmm. Grumpily. He's good looking. (page) Ranmaru: Getting his food away from Enjouji. His name's Kai Sagano. He apparently went to the provincial level in high school kendo. Enjouji: Losing the dashimaki. (Ah!) You checked up on him?! Ranmaru: Kichida and them did. Enjouji: (Tsk. I can't beat him with my left hand.) They must have a lot of free time. Ranmaru: I've got to go. I'll see you l- He half collapses, to Enjouji's alarm. Kai turns around, also alarmed. Enjouji: Ran-cha... Enjouji: I'll take you in the car... Ranmaru: I'm fine! (page) Ranmaru: I can walk... by myself... Boy with Kai: Here's an empty spot! Boy: Sagano, what's wrong? Kai: Nothing. Let's eat, we'll be late for class. Kai watches as Enjouji and Ranmaru leave together. (page) At their apartment. Enjouji: Okay, I'm off to work. Ranmaru: Alright, take ca- Enjouji kisses him. Ranmaru: If you're going, go, idiot! Enjouji: With scuff marks on his face. (You don't have to hit me!) In the car. Enjouji: It was ironically not until after my mother's death, in the spring of my senior year of high school, that I learned that my father was the don of Shouryuukai, which controlled all of Kansai. My mother was his mistress. Author's note: (It's a BMW318i! With the steering wheel on the right, since this is Japan, of course. ^_^ ) Enjouji: His legal wife was too late in getting pregnant; I am the oldest son. Now that father's gotten old, the organization is unable to make any moves. Enjouji: That information is certain to spread through all of Japan. The target... (page) Ranmaru: Flashback of him shielding Enjouji from an oncoming car. Enjouji...! Ranmaru is hit by the car. Enjouji: Looking on in horror. Ran... (page) Enjouji: ...should have been me. Enjouji: Running to him. Ranmaru! Ranmaru! Enjouji: Ranmaru... could never again pick up a kendo sword. Enjouji: It was never discovered which group was responsible. Ranmaru: In a hospital bed. Enjouji... Ranmaru: Promise me that you won't try to get revenge... Enjouji: But-! Ranmaru: Do you want to follow in your father's footsteps, and hurt people? (page) Ranmaru: Taking Enjouji's hand. I don't want to lose this hand. Ranmaru: ...Please... Enjouji: Hugging him. Ranmaru: Idiot, don't cry. Enjouji: Crying. I will be his legs. Enjouji: For the rest of my life, I'll protect him. I'll die for him. (page) At the club where Enjouji works. Enjouji: I'll die for him... Co-worker: Hey, Kei! Enjouji: Hm? Oh, what? Co-worker: Pay attention! I've been telling you you have a customer. Enjouji: A customer? A woman? Author's note: (When Enjouji works as a host, he has fake long hair. But actually, I've never seen a host like that. There are blond ones though.) Co-worker: A guy. If he's looking for work, let the manager know. (Chief, can I have an order of ravioli?) Enjouji: You think he's looking for a job? Co-worker: Quite annoyed. He's got a pretty face. (I don't want a kid like that as a rival. He'll steal away all my customers.) Enjouji: Kengo, you're making your face ugly. Enjouji: Oh, I guess it was that way to start with. Co-worker: What was that!? Kai is waiting for Enjouji. (page) Enjouji: ...Where did you hear about this place? Kai: ...That accident wasn't just some hit and run, was it? Kai: You're the only one who would have been a target. He turns to leave. Enjouji: H- Hey! (page) Enjouji: Just who the hell are you? Kai: You know my name, don't you? Kai: I've never forgotten your name. Enjouji-san. Kai closes the elevator door, leaving a shocked Enjouji behind. (page) Back at the apartment. Enjouji: Who is he...!? Enjouji is washing dishes. Ranmaru comes in. Ranmaru: Enjouji? What's wrong? You don't even have the lights on. Enjouji: ..... Enjouji: Putting a hand to Ranmaru's face. Hey. Ranmaru: Hm? Enjouji: Hugging him. ...That freshman... What did you say his name was? (page) Ranmaru: It was Sagano, I think, but... Enjouji: Mm... Enjouji: Double-taking. Sagano?! Ranmaru: What, you forgot it already? Enjouji: Surely not..... Enjouji: Looking in the closet. Where's that wooden box? I had it when we moved, remember!? Ranmaru: Um, you put away all your own stuff. Enjouji: Here it is! A photo falls out. Ranmaru: Something fell out of it. Enjouji: ! (page) Ranmaru: Holding a photo of a man, woman, and infant in traditional Japanese clothing. Are these your parents? They turn the photo over. It says, "Sagano Takashi, Keiko, Kei." Ranmaru: Sagano... But... Enjouji: ! Sweatdropping as he opens the box. He holds up a picture of two young children. The back of it reads, "Kei, 4 years, Kai, 2 years." (page) Ranmaru: Enjouji... Enjouji: This can't be... I don't have any brothers or sisters. ...Why...? Ranmaru: But, your family name is Enjouji... Enjouji: It's my mom's name. She was my father's mistress, so I can't use his name... Enjouji: ...! Enjouji: Could he be... Enjouji: ...the wife's... son...? (page) Kai is riding his motorcycle in a reckless fashion and flashing back to his mother's funeral. Father: (Kai... There's something I want to talk to you about.) Father: (It's about your new mother.) Kai: (New mother...!?) Father: (You have an older brother, too. A real brother, connected by blood.) Mother: With her arms full of flowers. (Kai! Look, look! Aren't they pretty? There are so many blooming in the garden!) Kai: Mom was always weak and sickly... Little Kai sits on her lap as they play with origami cranes. Kai: ...and she was always smiling like a little girl... (page) Kai: (I don't want a new mother! I don't need any mother!! I don't need any brother!!) Kai: A mistress's son, two years older than me... I couldn't believe my father. Kai: He stole what I wanted! Envisioning Ranmaru. He stole everything from me! (page) The student who was with Kai before comes out of a classroom. Ranmaru: Excuse me... Ranmaru: You're a friend of Sagano-kun, aren't you? Student: Flustered. Ah- Um... Y-yes. No way, it's Samejima-san! Lucky! Ranmaru: Would you mind giving him a message for me? (page) Kai approaches the waiting Ranmaru. Ranmaru: Sorry to inconvenience you by calling you out here. Kai: It hurts... Kai: It's no trouble. Kai: I just look at his face and I can't breathe. Kai: I keep thinking I should just close my eyes. Kai: I should cover my ears. If I hear his voice, I'll fall apart. Ranmaru: I'd like for you to not blame Enjouji. (page) Kai: ...Wh...! Kai: I... I can't agree to that! It's his fault you can't do kendo anymore! Ranmaru: It's true that after the accident I had to give up kendo. Ranmaru: I lost a lot of things. ...But... Ranmaru: I was much more afraid of losing him. Ranmaru: I could hear him. Ranmaru: He was crying, and he kept calling my name... over and over... (page) Ranmaru: I wouldn't be here now... Kai: ...No... I don't want to hear this... Ranmaru: ...if it weren't for Enjouji. Kai: Not from his mouth... Not in his voice... Kai: Grabbing Ranmaru. I don't want to hear that person's name...!! Kai: Kissing him. Ranmaru: ...! (page) Ranmaru: N...! Kai: I've always wanted him. Ranmaru: Sa...ga... Kai: I thought if I kept on with kendo, I'd get to meet him one day... Ranmaru: Wh...! Kai: Throwing Ranmaru down on the ground. I thought I could show him how I felt... Kai: No one... understands... Kai: ...this longing that's grown into so much more... I thought, some day... (page) Kai: I always thought that you would understand... Just you... Kai: Ripping Ranmaru's shirt open. But you...!! Ranmaru hits Kai. Kai takes hold of his hair and kisses him again. Ranmaru: ...Ah.... Trying to pry him off. (page) Ranmaru: Shoving him away. Stop it! Ranmaru: Do you want to do this... Ranmaru: Do you want to sink that low?! Ranmaru: Do you think I want to fall to your level, you who threw away kendo without even trying?! Sagano! (page) Ranmaru: Right now, you couldn't even beat Enjouji. Kai stares angrily down at him, then grabs his stuff and runs away. Ranmaru lies on the grass and puts his hands over his eyes. (page) Ranmaru: I'm sorry, Enjouji... Ranmaru: The way I am now... there's not a single thing I can do for Sagano... Kai slams the door to his apartment and throws his helmet on the floor. (page) Kai: How far... how far will you go to fuck up my life before you'll be satisfied?! Kai: Enjouji---! Smashing a picture of himself, his mother, and Enjouji. At Enjouji and Ranmaru's apartment. Enjouji: Waking up and turning the bedside light on. Welcome home. (Yawn.) Enjouji: You're late, aren't you? Ranmaru sweatdrops. (page) Ranmaru: Sorry, did I wake you? You have class tomorrow morning, right? Turns out the light. Enjouji: ..... Ranmaru: Go back to... sleep... Enjouji pulls him down on the bed and kisses him. Ranmaru: Enjou...! (page) Ranmaru: ...! Ranmaru: Ha... Enjouji: Hey... Sliding his arms around Ranmaru, under his shirt. Enjouji: Ran-chan. Enjouji: Did... something happen? Ranmaru: Sweatdropping. No, nothing. Enjouji: Kissing his chest. (page) Enjouji: Biting his nipple. Ranmaru: Ah! Flopping over backwards. Enjouji: Liar. Enjouji: Licking his ear. Ranmaru: ! Ranmaru: Hearing Kai's word's again as Enjouji fondles his crotch: No one... understands... I always thought that you would understand... Just you... (page) Ranmaru: As Enjouji removes Ranmaru's pants. I can't give you anything... Ranmaru: Everything I have is for Enjouji... They gaze into each others' faces. Ranmaru: I'm sorry... Sagano... Later... The phone rings. Answering machine: We're not home right now. If you'd like to leave a message, please wait for the beep... Kai: Meet me at one a.m. in front of the number three warehouse at the Yokohama pier. Let's settle this for good, Enjouji. Enjouji: Listening to the message, with his shirt half on. Kai... I'm not surprised that you hate me. He looks in the bedroom door. (page) Enjouji: I stole your love, and your dream. ...But Kai... Enjouji: I too have one thing I will never give up. Ranmaru: As Enjouji puts a hand on his forehead. N... Enjouji: I'm going to work... Ranmaru: Okay... Take care. They kiss. (page) Enjouji: Getting into the car and putting his glasses on. I have something that's more important to me than my life. Enjouji: I won't give him up! Enjouji: Arriving at the pier. Anything but Ranmaru! (page) Enjouji: Looking around. Kai! I'm here, just like you wanted! Show your face! Kai steps into view. (page) Kai: Untying the scabbard of a sword. Don't say my name! Kai: I don't want you... Tossing aside the scabbard. Kai: ...to say my name! Slashing at Enjouji with the sword. Enjouji: As the sword nicks his cheek and shatters his glasses. He reminds me of Ranmaru! (page) Kai: If you and your mother hadn't been around... Enjouji: He has the same high-level style as Ranmaru! Kai: ...my mother would have died easier! Kai: If you weren't around, he would have been able to keep on doing kendo!! Kai: You shouldn't be here. Kai: The name Enjouji shouldn't exist in this world!! Enjouji: Licking blood off his cheek. Then why aren't you swinging at me? (page) Enjouji: ...Are you done...? Kai looks surprised. Enjouji: I'm asking if that's all you have to say. Kai: I... I'm gonna kill you... Bringing the sword back. Enjouji: Fine! If you want him... Enjouji: Ripping open his shirt. ...why don't you just go ahead and try to fucking kill me then?!! (page) Kai: ---! Kai swings but misses as Enjouji moves back and raises his arms above his head. (page) Kai: As Enjouji grabs him by the hair. Ah...! Kai: As Enjouji yanks his head back. Ow!! Shit! Enjouji: With that level of skill, you thought you could be Ranmaru's rival? Enjouji: Don't make me laugh, stupid!! (page) Enjouji: You went to the provincial competition, didn't you? Enjouji: But Ranmaru wasn't there, so you quit! Kai: Grabbing Enjouji's lapels. You have no idea what it's like being the son of a yakuza boss! Note: This could also be read as a threat: "You have no idea what the son of a yakuza boss can do!" It's probably meant to seem like this is the meaning, until the next line of dialog. Kai: Everyone's afraid; no one says anything against me! Kai: The guys in the kendo club! The school! I don't have anything that I've gotten by myself! Not a damn thing!! (page) Enjouji: Are you saying you got to the provincial competition because of your father's influence? Enjouji: Are you saying the competition was fixed?!! Pulling Kai up by the front of his jacket. Kai: Wh- Enjouji: When Ranmaru kept winning all those matches in the individual competition, are you saying they let him win?!! Kai: Yanking himself away. No! Samejima-san was the real thing! Kai: He was the one... the only one that I looked up to... Kai: Looking like he's about to cry. The one sword master...! (page) Enjouji: Ranmaru... had one dream that he could never fulfill. ...You know what it was? Enjouji: To be kendo's number one in all Japan. Kai: Looking awed. Japan's... Enjouji: Picking up the sword and holding the point up to Kai's cheek. Why don't you try taking the title...? Kai: ...absolute top... (page) Kai: After thinking it over. You really are an idiot. Kai: Pushing the sword away. You want to have an enemy who's number one in all Japan? Enjouji: The more obstacles, the more excitement. Kai: Yeah, right. (page) Kai: Getting on his motorcycle. Well, until I come back as number one... Kai: ...try not to get dumped by him! Enjouji: Sweatdropping. You- (page) Enjouji: You brat! Hurry up and get lost!! Enjouji: Back in his car. ...I can't believe the mouth on that kid! Enjouji: Getting out a cigarette. ..... Enjouji: Number one in all Japan... Enjouji: He might be a liiiitle... Enjouji: ...hard to handle... (page) Narration: Several months later... Ranmaru: Slamming open the bedroom door. Enjouji! Ranmaru: Accosting the sleeping Enjouji. Look at this! Look! Enjouji: Not looking. Mm... Okay, okay. Last night wasn't enough...? Ranmaru: Bopping him over the head. Wake up! I'm talking about the newspaper!! Enjouji: Clutching his head. .......! Ranmaru: Look! Enjouji: Looking groggily. ....... Enjouji: Suddenly sitting up and reading the article with great concentration. (page) Newspaper headlines: COMET OF THE KENDO WORLD!! Victory after victory!! Will he become number one in all Japan? Kai Sagano, 19 yrs. Enjouji: "Will he become number one...?" Ranmaru: Excited. He will! Enjouji: Sweatdropping. Ra... Ran-chan...?! Ranmaru: He can do it! He'll come home number one in all Japan!! Ranmaru: After all, he is your brother! Enjouji: Yep, the men in our family have always been bad at giving up... Nodding to himself. Enjouji: Envisioning Kai sticking out his tongue. If it's gonna come to this, I should have killed him with the sword while I had the chance... Enjouji: ...while he was still weak... (page) Ranmaru: The younger brother of the only guy ever to beat me at kendo! Enjouji: Kissing him. Just at kendo, right? Ranmaru: Blushing. ..... Ranmaru: You're obsessed with sex. Enjouji: Why thank you. Ranmaru: As Enjouji leans down to kiss him again. Ah! Ranmaru: Tonight they're going to show a pre-recorded broadcast of the competition! Ranmaru: Hurrying out of the room. Videotape! (page) Ranmaru: Enjouji! Where's a tape!? Enjouji: Hugging the empty blankets. ...... Ranmaru: We have to record your brother in all his glory! Enjouji: Yep. I should have killed him. Ranmaru: Hey!! Enjouji! Narration: Several days later, Kai Sagano took the number one title in kendo. Narration: And it probably won't be long... Kai drives up on his motorcycle and pulls his helmet off. Narration: ...before he makes another appearance in the lives of these two. He looks up at their apartment in anticipation...