Le Masque 1 by Kakinouchi Narumi Margaret Comics/ Shuueisha 1994 When the clock strikes midnight, the door opens This is when the phantom awakens, wandering, looking for the beautiful dancer. Rina : It's almost 12. Thanks for seeing me off, everybody. Bye! --Are you really going to be okay all by yourself, Rina? --Good luck, Rina! Rina : Thanks! {The truth is, I'm a little bit scared.} <> Rina : {There are a lot of rumors about this art academy, a boarding school that used to be an old castle.} All right...now the only issue is whether or not the door will open. {The most famous of these is about an unused dressing room in the back of the second lesson room...} <> Rina : {Wow...it really opened!} <> Rina : {The Marselinia Academy of Art was established by the last owner of this castle, who loved music and ballet.} <> Rina : {When the clock strikes midnight, the door opens. This is when the phantom awakens, wandering, looking for the beautiful dancer.} Hello, Mr. Ghost! Rina : It's really dark. I can barely see a thing. It looks like a good place for a phantom of the opera, but is he really going to appear? Who's there? Ren : Rina? Rina : {Ren?} Ren : Watch it! <> Ren : You could've started a fire! You should have brought a flashlight. Rina : This is all there was in my room! You really startled me, Ren! Ren : I wanted to see whether you were really going to come, Rina. Rina : Really? When I was talking about the phantom, you didn't seem to have any interest in it. Say, where's Juli? Ren : Why? Was he going to come? Rina : He listened to what I was saying. Besides... Rina : The two of you are always together. Ren : What are you trying to say? Rina : We've been friends since we were kids. Well, it looks like the phantom's not going to show up, so let's go back before one of the nuns catches us. Rina : I hear footsteps...Ren, a nun's coming! Ren : {It stopped. It's coming inside, because the door was still open...} <> Juli : Are you here, Rina? Ren : {Juli!} Rina : Juli! Juli : What are you doing here, Ren? Ren : Man, I thought you were a nun! <> Ren : I didn't think a perfect kid like you would sneak out of his room. Juli : I was worried about Rina being all alone. Rina : What's that supposed to mean? Everybody says that you've gotta be alone to see the phantom. So I tried to come here by myself, but you guys got in the way. Juli : But Rina, old castles have a lot of history behind them. You shouldn't go poking into things out of curiosity. Ren : Here's your lamp, Rina. Rina : I-- Ren : What? Rina : My ribbon...I must have dropped it inside the room. Juli : Really? In here? Rina : I think so. Juli : It won't open. Ren : Get out of the way and let me try. What's wrong with it? It was open just a second ago. Rina : Maybe it locks automatically? Juli : Give up on it, Ren. We have to go back quietly. Ren : Don't make a fool of me, phantom! Rina : It's okay, Ren. The nuns are going to find us. <> Rina : Let's go back. {The phantom of the opera called Christine his angel, and made her a star. Will my phantom ever appear?} <> Rina : {Mr. phantom, if you're out there, make me a star.} Laura : Wake up, Rina! <> Laura : You're going to be late! Did you have a secret date with the phantom? Rina : No, I didn't. Laura : Really? But you came back really late, delinquent. C'mon! Rina : Don't call me that! Bellereine: Hurry and get up, Rina. Thanksgiving's coming up. Rina : That's right--Thanksgiving! {I live in a dorm room with Laura and Bellereine. At this school, which turns out a lot of famous musicians and dancers, there are classes in singing and dancing in the morning and afternoon. That's why most of the students came here.} Laura : I'm gonna skip class after my lessons. Bellereine: You're going to get black-listed, Laura. Rina : By the way, Belle, are you going home this weekend? Bellereine: Yeah. It's close, and my family gets mad if I don't show up. Laura : You don't fit in at such a ritzy school anyway. Rina : You're from around here, Bellereine? Laura, you forgot your ribbon. Laura : I'm not wearing it on purpose. It's boring if everybody looks the same, right? Rina : I think it's a cute ribbon. Bellereine: What about you, Rina? You're not wearing your ribbon today. Rina : Yeah, I lost it in that room. Ren : Morning! Juli : Morning, Rina! Rina : Good morning! Juli, you don't look too well. Ren : Must be a lack of sleep. He woke up and went back to sleep a bunch of times. Juli : Sorry, did I wake you up? Ren : No, I was fine. I can sleep anywhere. Rina : Was it because of that door, Juli? Juli : No, it's nothing, really. Just something my father teased me with when I was a kid. --Oh, so you want to go to that school? It used to be a castle, but the oldest son, who would have become the castle's master, was killed, and he became a ghost who attacks people at night. Even now, the phantom sometimes walks the halls at night. Go finish off the phantom, son! <> Ren : Wow. I like the sound of your dad. Rina : It's so exciting! There really is a phantom! Juli : This is why it's not a good idea to dig up the past... --Everyone, gather around! Rina : {All right! Tonight: the rematch!} Bellereine: My mother heard from my grandmother... <> Bellereine: There's a confession room underground, where people can talk about their sinful thoughts. That's where the Masque is supposed to be. Rina : Masque? Bellereine: He's supposed to be able to control ghosts. Isn't it creepy and neat? Laura : What's so neat about it? You're acting like children. Laura : Anyway, it's not good for your looks to stay up all night, and I'm having lunch with Allen tomorrow. I've got to be in top condition! Bellereine: That Allen who's a year older than her? Rina : Wow, the one who got chosen as the star dancer for last year's recital? Laura : Hee hee...sleep well, kids. (Both) : That's so cool, Laura! --Lights out! Rina : {I've got to slip out quietly. This time, I'll see the phantom for sure! I've got a good feeling about it.} Still only 10 o'clock... {The road was so bumpy that it was as if I was riding in a horse-drawn carriage. We reached a music hall in a small town. I was still just 7 years old.} <> Rina : {A little manager was waiting to greet me at the entrance with a cheerful smile.} Juli : Welcome! We've been waiting for you. Rina : {And inside the lobby, there was a big manager who shook our hands with another cheerful smile.} Manager : You must be tired from coming so far! Please come in, we've been waiting for you. --Pleased to meet you. <> --Wow, this is superb! It's almost like an opera house! --Oh, to think that you could play the piano on such a stage! Rina : {Mom and dad were as excited as little kids. Oh, no! They both started singing!} Juli : Um, Miss Rina? Rina : Yes? <> Rina : {It was the kid from before, Juli.} Juli : Can I touch it? Rina : Huh? Juli : It's so black, and... Rina : Okay. Juli : Thanks. Rina : I got my black hair from my mother. Juli : It's really soft. Rina : {Juli's eyes were blue, and his hair was like the sun.} <> Rina : Juli! I got a postcard from my mom! This time, it's from Japan, where my mom and I were born. {My parents really liked this town. They spent most of their time here, except when they were performing.} Juli : Rina, have you talked to your parents yet? Rina : About Marselinia Academy? Yeah, and they totally supported me! I think I'll do "Giselle" for the free portion of the audition. Ren! Ren : Bonjour! Are your parents still overseas, little Rina? <> Rina : Ren, in Japan they say that "Children who sleep, grow up," sleepyhead! Ren : Huh? Rina : {Ren's parents are a music teacher and a violinist, so when we all got together, Juli's mansion would fill with music, with mom on the piano, Ren's dad on the violin, and my dad singing loudly. The three of us danced, and after a big party, the grown-ups drank wine and talked.} <> Rina : {And then we rested on the lawn. It felt great. Then...did I fall asleep like that? What's that? The sound of a piano? Is that mom? I'm not dancing, am I? Is that the entrance exam?} <> Rina : {I was in the 2nd lesson room. I didn't yet know about the phantom.} Phantom : Rina. It's you dancing, isn't it, Rina? Rina : Whose voice is that? Who is it? <> Phantom : Le Masque. Rina : {Is that my ribbon?} Phantom : Come here, Rina. <> Rina : {How does the phantom know my name? Where are you? The door's open...am I still dreaming?} Phantom : Come here. I'll return your ribbon. <> Rina : {The second lesson room! Where's the phantom? A gentle voice, singing...} Wow...the lesson room's pretty at night. <> Rina : With the light of the moon as the spotlight for a wonderland stage...I feel like a primadonna. Why are you hiding, phantom? You called me, didn't you? Show yourself to me. <> Le Masque <> Le fantome dans le miroir (The phantom inside the mirror) <> Phantom : Welcome to my dance class... Phantom : Mon ange...(My angel...) Rina : {The phantom...the phantom inside the mirror. And it's like I'm there too.} Rina : {But it's just an illusion. As he gets closer to the me inside the mirror, I feel my heart beating faster.} <> Rina : {Is the 'me' inside the mirror resonating with the 'me' here?} <> Phantom : Mon ange... <> Phantom : Dance for me. Rina : It hurts. <> Phantom : Come tomorrow night. I will show you how to dance more beautifully than anyone else. But tell no one. C'est entre toi et moi (This is between you an me.) Phantom : Our secret... <> Rina : {Is that me?} Phantom : Bonne nuit (good night). <> Rina : The door? Behind me...silly me. Of course it's not there. {The phantom's gone.} <> Rina : {Why did the me inside the mirror reach out her hand like that? While the phantom was encouraging her... The me inside the mirror...but it was really me, myself. For some reason, I wasn't scared...but that was really a ghost, wasn't it?} <> Rina : Owww... Bellereine: What's wrong, Rina? Come here, Laura. Rina : My head hurts... Bellereine: Rina? Laura : I think you'd better not go to class. Rina : I'll go to my lessons... Bellereine: Hey, Rina! Laura : Let her rest, she's half asleep. If we go to the nurse's office, a nurse will come check on her. Hurry up, Belle. Let's go. Bellereine: Right! Ren : Yes, Juli! Juli : Hi! What's wrong? You look upset. Ren : I'm not, but Rina's staying home sick today. Juli : Rina is? Ren : She wasn't at singing lessons this morning. She went to that room yesterday, didn't she? Juli : That's not good. A ghost from an old castle isn't such a beautiful and romantic thing. She could get spirited away. Ren : You're from an important family, right, Juri? Do you know a lot about this area? Juli : Oh, stop it. Ren : Look, it's Rina. Juli : She looks really energetic. <> Ren : Weren't you absent this morning? Rina : Yeah, but I slept for a while and now I'm feeling all better! I'm going to the second lesson room right now! Ren : You look really happy about that. Juli : I'm glad you got better so quickly. Rina : Bye! Ren : Bye! Well, she does look fine. Juli : Yeah. Rina : {The lesson room is so different during the day from how it is at night. But the phantom was here. He touched me inside the mirror.} --That's Laura, all right! --She's attracting a lot of attention. --She'll be the star of "Le Masque" on Thanksgiving. <> Rina : {She really is pretty...full of confidence, with beautiful long legs and arms, with flowing blond hair. But this isn't the time to be impressed by her; She's gonna get the starring role!} Rina : {I'd like to have it, but...no way. I'm too ugly.} It was this mirror, wasn't it? {Mr. Phantom, was the promise you made to me yesterday true?} <> Phantom : Ange...come here, Rina. Rina : Is that the phantom's voice? How do you know my name? Where are you? Phantom : Ma petite danseuse...(My little dancer...) Rina : {Le Masque!} Phantom : Now dance, my sweet Rina. <> Phantom : The program is called "Le Masque." This is the title of the dance for Thanksgiving, but the real Masque has a tragic history asleep in this castle. A story of the revenge sought by the lord of the castle, imprisoned by the Masque. Yes, the real Masque is both sad and fearful. <> Phantom : The real Masque who sleeps underground is waiting, with the evils of human hearts. Waiting to be released once again, when the door is opened. A heart, the more pure the better, is the key to the door. Its blood will give life to the Masque. Now dance, Rina. Give your heart and blood... <> Phantom : To the Masque! Rina : Where am I? Underground? Is this a stage? But... Phantom : Rina, the attitude... <> Phantom : Reverence. Rina : Yes, Phantom. Phantom : Close your eyes and look, Rina. You will be reflected in the darkness, as the perfect dancing maiden. <> Rina : {Wow! She's just like an angel. Is that really me? No! Flames! I'm in the fire!} Phantom : Good girl. You can see those flames, can't you? You can see the sadness in your heart and mine. The oldest son was to inherit this castle. But to have it for himself, my uncle killed my parents and my brother, and set fire to the basement. He laughed as he made his own son the ruler. I cannot forgive such a thing. Though I escaped death, I, Rinaticia, was locked underground with my face half burned. In the basement where my brother Andrew slept, there was a door that not even the strongest man could open. Phantom : But my own heart served as its key. I found the confession room, where the people of the castle once prayed to rid themselves of their sins. /Flashback/ I have nothing to pray for. In exchange for my blood, let me have the hatred sealed in that mask, so that I can seek revenge! <> Phantom : Please, brother! --It's lord Andrew! --He's returned from the dead! --It's said that a masked man wanders the castle at night! Phantom : There will be more deaths. <> Phantom : Do you want the starring role, Rina? <> Phantom : I will give it to you. <> Phantom : So come with me. I will make you an angel. When you dance, you are as lovely as an angel--my unspoiled angel. My beautiful dancer. Rina : {Phantom? You...} <> Phantom : I offered up my own blood, vowing for revenge. Rina : Me? Phantom : The mask wants blood. Like a vampire. I've been waiting for the blood of a strong, pure heart. Come. Rina : No! Let me go! You're Rinaticia? Where are you taking me? <> Phantom : I am the phantom. The ghost of her brother, Andrew. Come inside the mirror. Let me give you a lesson. Do you not want to dance more beautifully? You will open the door to that room. Rina : Phantom, you're crying. Your heart hurts. <> Rina : Even if you get revenge, that won't dry your tears. {How sad...putting all of your hatred and wishes that never came true into that mask...} Phantom : Who's there? Who dares reveal my secret? <> Ren : Rina? Rina : Ren! Phantom : Rina! --Is there someone in there? Ren : Rina! <> --What happened to the mirror? Ren : Rina? --What just happened, everyone? Rina : {The tragic phantom vanished as sunlight poured into the room. And the phantom vanished from my memories, as well. The next day, we were lectured all through the night about sneaking out of our rooms.} --I can't believe you did such unladylike things because of silly rumors about a phantom! Rina : {The next morning, the nuns let us go.} Don't tell me that you, too-- Laura : After I found out you were gone, I followed you and got caught. So, why did the mirror break? Rina : I don't know. Juli : Now the dressing room's closed for an hour to clean up. Laura : Boring! Rina : Somehow, I got the ribbon back in my hands... Ren : Yeah... Rina : {On the top of a hill, a school that was once an old castle, built for the love of art...established in mourning for the last lord of the castle, who loved music and dancing.} --Principal, this picture was found in that room. What should be done with it? --It would not be good for the students to make a big fuss about it. Shall we lock it in the basement? <> Rina : {Sealed in the basement, the Masque is quietly waiting for the right time to come. We three may again awaken the nightmare of a sleeping legend.} Rina : {The Phantom of the Opera called the heroine Christine his angel, and helped her become a star of the opera. Will my phantom ever appear?} <> Rina : {If the legendary Masque of this castle exists, then please, make me a star.} Phantom : {Ha ha ha...come to me.} <> Rina : G'morning, Belle...Laura... <> Rina : Oh, that's right. They're on vacation starting today, since Thanksgiving's over. Nobody's here. --Letter for you, Rina Vernard. Rina : Thank you! It's from mom and dad. Where are they now? <> Juli : Morning, Rina. Rina : Oh, Juli. You didn't go home? Juli : No...but I wasn't really sure what I should do. Ren : But he stayed because you were here. Rina : You're here too, Ren? Hi! <> Juli : Ren, I decided to stay at the dorm because everything's really busy with my sister's wedding preparations, and I didn't want to be at home. Rina : Juli? Juli : You've been acting weird lately. Ren : 'Cause I'm sick of you being such a goody-two-shoes. Rina : Ren! Ren : I'm jealous of you, Juli, with your pedigreed family. Juli : What's that supposed to mean? I thought both of your parents were famous musicians! Rina : Juli! <> Ren : No. They were so-called dancers who died without fame or fortune. Rina : Why did you have to say that? Everyone had forgotten about it! Juli : Ren...you are acting weird. What happaned to you. Your parents would be sad if they heard that. Ren : What parents? <> Ren : You're a good kid, Juli. If I were a girl, I'd love you so much I'd have to strangle you to death. Don't you agree, Rina? Juli : Ren! Ren : Stop it, Juli. If you hurt your precious fingers, you won't be able to play the piano. <> Juli : Why should I care about that? Rina : Juli, no! Ren : The match goes to Ren Vigue! <> Ren : Juli Euserise Rattour, hurry up and go to the chapel. You'll be late for morning mass. Rina : Ren! Ren : What, Rina? <> Rina : You apologize to Juli right now! What's wrong with you? You're really making me nervous. Juli : It's all right, Lina. Let's go, we'll be late. --As usual, those who are late will not be admitted. Especially you, Rina Vernard. You should watch your behavior. The principal will be checking on you, after all that fuss over the phantom. <> Juli : I'm sorry, sister. I... Ren : I hit Juli. Rina was late because she was trying to make peace between us. Juli : Ren! --It will be all right this time. As long as you don't go underground... Rina : Underground? --Someone has broken the key to the door. It seems to be some kind of prank. Rina : I didn't do it! <> --Should I really believe that? Rina : Yes! --This school was once an old castle. Therefore, there are dangerous places, and you should not feel free to do whatever you like. Rina : Yes, sister. Ren : Do you still believe in the phantom, Rina? Rina : What's wrong with that? But it really wasn't me. Juli : {Underground...could it be?} Ren : Now we're going to miss breakfast! Rina : Whose fault is that? Juli : {Did something happen to Ren?} <> Juli : {The night of the red moon...you completely changed.} Ren : Look at that, Juli. Juli : What? Ren : The moon is red. On a night like this, monsters and humans can meet. <> Juli : {Something's wrong with Ren...} Ren : So you can't show any weakness, or they'll come inside you. They'll build nests in your body. In your mind. Juli : {Ren?} Ren : I can't even remember my father's face, but I remember that I was abandoned on a night when the moon was red. <> Ren : I told myself over and over that those memories were only nightmares, so that I could live my new life. I wanted to be happy with my kind new parents and my newborn sister. Juli : Ren... Ren : But sometimes I didn't understand myself. I hate red moons... Juli : Ren... Juli : Everybody likes you. I'm tired. I'm sorry. Let me help you clean up, and then we'll go home. Wait there. I'll go give the key back to the teacher. Ren : Juli! Juli : What? <> Ren : Rina likes you. Juli : What? Why would you say that, Ren? Ren : You know it too, Juli. Don't be embarrassed. You'll know if you look at her. Ren : Sorry. I'm going home. Juli : Ren? {But Ren didn't go straight back to his room. Instead, who was it who snuck in softly, after the lights had gone out?} <> Juli : {And then, he looked at the red moon.} The moon...it's red. Rina : Juli, it's almost time to lock up for the night. Juli : Hi, Rina. Rina : That's the phantom's song, isn't it? Juli : Yeah. Rina : The song about his feelings for Christine. Juli : Ren's really good at this song. Rina : I wouldn't expect him to be. Juli : I know. But he saw "Phantom of the Opera" for the first time when he was 6, and he remembered a bit of the song. It left an impression on him. <> Rina : The phantom was really mysterious. Juli : Yeah. Rina : You can't help but be drawn to it. Juli : You're embarrassing me. Rina? Rina : I like you, Juli. <> Rina : Really, I do. --Where are you going, Ridley? --I'm thirsty. --He's gotten a lot better. --Ridley? --Yeah... <> --He's stood out since around Thanksgiving...it seems strange. Juli : Ren...hey, are your legs all right? What's wrong? Ren : No. I'm fine. I'm gonna stop now. Juli : OK. Ren : Juli, I've heard that Ridley has a thing for Rina. Better watch it, or he'll steal her from you. <> Ren : Ridley... Ridley : Quitting already, Ren? Isn't it a bit early? Are you feeling sick? You don't look well. Or is it because of what happened in the night? <> Ridley : Underground...you can get what you want, but it'll have a price. Ren : I don't know what you're talking about. Ridley : You do get results, though... <> Ridley : I said that I wanted a role in the Thanksgiving dance, no matter what it was. I was in the chorus, but I got a role, right? Maybe this time I should ask for a girl. There is someone I want. Ren : Do whatever you want. Ridley : OK, I will. <> --Where's Ridley? --Is he at school? --Isn't he in his room? --His roommates are looking for him now. --He was with Rina in the garden. --Rina? Oh, Rina Vernard? --The one who thought there was a phantom! <> --The phantom...there is that confession room underground. With the door that never opens. Isn't that where the legends about the phantom originated? --Right, right! --That sounds pretty dangerous! Does it really exist? --Ridley said he saw the Masque! --He went underground, even though you're not supposed to. --Where, underground? To get a wish granted? --There's a price for that. It's really bad. <> --'Cause, you know, the Masque is the personification of human hatred. Ridley : {Rina. Rest in my arms, and dream of the phantom. I'll take you to your beloved phantom, Rina. The Masque wants you, and I want you.} Ren : Rina? <> Ridley : {Lovely Rina. Come with me to the underground. The Masque is waiting. You want to see the phantom. Come with me.} Rina : Phan...tom... <> Ren : Masque! You told me you could give me anything. You told me you would grant my wish. Phantom : Ah...you've come? Ren : I... Phantom : What do you want? <> Phantom : Open the door and enter. Ren : I... Phantom : What do you fear so? I am your ally. Come. What do you want? Ren : What I want is... <> Ren : Rina. Rina Vernard. <> Ren : I want Rina Vernard. <> Ren : I want to be her phantom. I want to protect her. I want her to be a beautiful dancer. <> Ren : You're supposed to have the power to grant any wish. Your great power could make her dream come true. So I... <> Ren : I want to be her phantom. I want your mask. <> Ren : It's hot! Phantom : Come. If you want it, come. <> Phantom : What's wrong? Only those who are suitable can wear this mask. If you do not come here, you cannot have it. Come, Ren Vigue! <> Ren : {Rina!} <> Ridley : I've brought you an initiate, Masque. I like her, so I'm sure you'll be satisfied as well. Isn't human energy more delicious the more pure it is? <> Ridley : Rina is as pure as driven snow. She believes in the phantom, adores the legend...may I wish for one more thing, after I give you this present? Masque inside the curtain... Rina, the Masque's room is behind that scorched door. For now... <> Ridley : Wait here. What? It's so hot... <> Ren : {The mystical mask, dyed with my own blood.} <> Ren : {In my own hands...} <> Ren : {I am Rina's phantom. I will protect her, and guide her, so that she will be the most beautiful dancer.} <> Ridley : What's that? Masque? What happened? Masque? What is it? Why do you look like a human? Masque? Ren : What do you have to ask me? Ridley : What? I just wanted to ask one more favor...I've got a great present for you. The girl outside. Rina Vernard. <> Ridley : Wait! Why are you doing this? I brought you a gift! Don't you like her? Ren : {I am Rina's phantom.} <> Ren : {I won't let dirty hands touch her.} Ridley : As long as she's human, that's good enough, right? She's pure, so she's even better. Ren : {Never.} The greater your desires, the higher the price. <> Ridley : My legs... Ren : I told you once before. You have to fulfill your own wishes with your own body. Now...what do you want? <> Ren : I think it may be impossible to make you a dancer... <> --Ridley was on the stairs to the basement, covered in blood! --What? --One of the nuns found him this morning! <> --He was in a total state of shock, babbling about the 'phantom' or the 'Masque'...and his right leg and left arm were all bloody. --That could be really bad. He might not be able to dance any more. --You think it might have affected his nerves? --What was he doing in the basement anyway? --Rina, wasn't he with you after dinner? Rina : Yeah...I met him in the courtyard, but...I guess at some point I came back to my room. --You guess? Rina : When the teacher came around knocking for lights out, I opened up my eyes there. <> --Rina. Rina Vernard. It's time for lights out. Turn off the main light. Rina : What? --Good night. Rina : OK...good night. Owww...my head hurts. {Was that a dream?} I must have dozed off...but my sheets are all spread out on the bed... {Yeah, a dream about the phantom... But was it? Was it really a dream?} Phantom... Ren : Good night, Rina. The black rose is the secret entrance. Come in. Rina : {A gentle voice calling me...gentle hands pulling the blanket over me...} Ren : I will always come back to life for you. <> Ren : Bonne nuit. Juli : Rina? Good morning! You seemed kind of out of it. Didn't you get enough sleep? Rina : Oh...Juli...Hi! --Where's Ren, Juli? Juli : I think he had a bit of a cold... <> Juli : Rina, were you with Ren last night? Rina : No, why? Juli : He came in just before lights out, looking awful...and this morning he doesn't look any better. Rina : {What was I doing, and with whom?} I... --She was with Ridley! Rina : Hey! --Somebody said Ridley was dropping out of school. --Really? His leg's too bad after all? Michelle : May I have a word with you, Rina Vernard? <> Michelle : We need to talk. What are you doing this afternoon? Rina : I...practicing in the first lesson room... Michelle : Then I will be doing the same. I'll see you later, petite princesse (little princess). Juli, I'll have to borrow your Rina for a while. <> Juli : Rina doesn't belong to anyone! Rina : That's right! Michelle : Rina, be there ten minutes early. --Is that Michelle? --The chairman's daughter? --Yeah. And her mother was Marie Pontlieu, the prima donna who died ten years ago. Michelle : Bon jour, Rina. You're on time. Rina : Michelle...what about your vacation? Michelle : I came back to the dorms last night. Rina : Oh... Michelle : That's when I saw Ridley, in front of the cafeteria. <> Michelle : Do you understand what I'm saying? Rina : No? Michelle : He said he was going on a date after supper. I wonder who he was going out with? /Flashback/ A date in this school? Boring! Since Thanksgiving, you've been really smooth. Like a whole different person. Ridley : I've got supporters. Michelle : Supporters? <> Michelle : Was it a wonderful date, Rina? Rina : No...I... Michelle : What attacked Ridley? It didn't seem as if he could have been hurt that badly just by falling down the stairs. Rina : I don't know. Michelle : Rina...Did you know that this castle has one more legend besides the legend of the Masque? The one about... <> Michelle : The black-haired princess. When my great-grandfather bought this neglected castle, he found a painting of the Masque and a painting of a black-haired princess underground. Who gave you your black hair, Rina? Rina : My mom. My mom's Japanese. Michelle : Oh, really? Ren : That's right. <> Ren : And if her childhood best friend says it, you know it's true. Rina : Ren! Are you feeling better? Michelle : How nice for you that you have two noble knights, Rina. Ah, but which of these is your favorite? <> Rina : Stop it! They've both been my friends since I was a kid. Don't ask weird questions like that. Michelle : But isn't there something official between you and Juli? I prefer Ren, myself...Ren, you can go out with me, if you like. Ren : I don't like girls. Rina : Ren? Michelle : What a bold proclamation! <> Michelle : Well, I like you, Ren. Ren : If I go out with you, will I be able to get into the Paris Ballet? Michelle : I couldn't say that, but it's not an impossibility. It was my mother's ballet company, you know. Rina : {This isn't Ren. I don't really know why, but he's scary...} <> Rina : {Something's broken. Something's changing.} Where are you, phantom? Where's the black rose? You're a liar! <> Rina : You said that you would come. "Rina...Did you know that this castle has one more legend besides the legend of the Masque? The one about...the black-haired princess" <> Rina : {A song? The phantom's song!} <> Rina : {The phantom!} Ren : Did you call, princesse? <> Rina : Phantom... {Just like before...I run without hesitation to his outstretched arms...} Phantom! Rina : I've caught you. I've finally caught you. Or have I fallen asleep? {Just like before, I took his hand inviting me to dance.} <> Rina : Is this a dream? It's all right if it is, because you're here. Did you come to teach me to dance? Ren : I came because you called. Welcome to my dance class... <> Ren : Mon ange...(my angel) Rina : {The phantom moved quickly and slowly, showing me where I needed to improve.} Ren : Rina, you're trying to make yourself look good before mastering the fundamentals. You won't bloom if you do that. Rina : {He's right...I'm not blooming. I'm not dancing.} I can't keep up with you. It hurts. {I'm behind again! Why can't I keep up with the rhythm? Because I'm Japanese?} <> Ren : Rina, don't try to analyze it in your head. Your body remembers. Rina : All right. Ren : Rina, lift up your face. Rina : Okay... Ren : Rina, look at me. Rina : {I'm pathetic. I'm not an angel at all.} <> Ren : Rina, do you believe in my magic? Rina : Yes. Ren : Then you have nothing to cry about. You can dance. I'm with you. You are my angel. <> Rina : {This is a dream. A dream that the red moon gave me. The black rose is the secret entrance...} Ren : There are three angel statues in the courtyard. Lean against the one in the center holding the black rose. Then, I will feel your presence, and come for you, at any time. <> --No. I cannot give you permission to go to the basement. After what happened with Ridley, if there were any more problems...we cannot let the police get involved. Even for you, I cannot make an exceptiion. Michelle : Daddy? Yes, I'm at school now. What? Well, there's something I'm looking for that's in the basement...yes... <> Michelle : Yes...Here, talk to the chairman. --Michelle...yes, all right. Yes, but...very well. You may go, but a nun is going with you. Michelle : Thank you so much. I'll give the key back right away. --Rina, drink your milk! Rina : I know, I know. I'm going to gulp it down right now. --Good. Close your nose, and close your eyes! Rina : Right! Michelle : Rina! <> --Aaaaaah! Rina! --Ew, gross! --Yuck! Rina : I'm sorry! But I hate it more than any of you! Everything's all covered in milk! Michelle : I'm sorry, Rina. I shouldn't have suddenly called out to you. Michelle : How stupid of me. Rina : Michelle...umm...what do you want with me? Michelle : Will you go on a date with me tonight? You have a lot of free time before lights out, don't you? Rina : Are you plotting something? Michelle : Who knows? Michelle : Meet me in the...basement room of love. Rina : No way! You can't get in there anyway, you need a key. Michelle : Non, it's all right. --Bye, Rina. Rina : Wait! Don't leave me here! Michelle : I have a key, Rina. When I went to the basement with a nun at lunch, I exchanged the keys. <> Michelle : And then I found them. The paintings of the phantom and the black-haired princess. Rina : The phantom...? Michelle : Yes. It's a splendid picture of the masked phantom. <> Michelle : The Masque is the guardian of this castle. The picture of the princess is very small, but it looks just like you, Rina. If you take of your ribbon... But because the black-haired princess wished for the prosperity of the castle... Juli : Rina! "She was sacrificed to the Masque." Rina : What? <> Juli : The nuns are calling you. Ren : You have a phone call from your parents. Rina : Mom and dad? Yeah! Thanks, you two! Oh, Juli? Juli : What? Rina : Sorry, but would you mind cleaning up my tray? <> Juli : Oh well... Michelle : Good evening, Ren. Ren : Have you been teasing Rina again? Michelle : I wasn't teasing her. She's cute. Ren : Don't go deep underground. <> Ren : You'll be eaten. Michelle : Oh, do you know a lot about that? Well, don't worry. I've done my homework too. Excuse me. Masque : Let her come. I want more... <> Rina : What? Masque : There is no end to human desire. That is as true now as it was long ago. Rina : A picture? Masque : The Masque needs energy. I want to be awakened from my long slumber. Michelle : There's a note written in back of the picture...if it's true... <> Michelle : The legendary Masque must be underground. Michelle : The Masque who will grant my wishes is hidden behind the curtain, behind the scorched door.