Le Masque 2 by Narumi Kakinouchi Margaret Comics/ Shuueisha Translation by Emily Horner Le Masque 2 -Red Moon Red Night- <> Masque Noir: I am the black mask. Le Masque Noir. Michelle : The phantom...really exists? Will you grant me a wish? What do you want? What will I have to give you? Masque Noir: What I want... Michelle : Yes. The black-haired princess, right? Masque Noir: I want... <> Masque Noir: I want a body. Michelle : A body? Masque Noir: A real body, free from the shadow of the mask. Michelle : Does that mean you want someone as a sacrifice? Masque Noir: Bring me a beautiful human body, one that's suitable for me. And of course, the black-haired Rina...I need her power. If you do this, I will be able to touch you... touch your lovely golden hair...may I ask your name? Michelle : Michelle. It's a boyish name, isn't it? [Well, not in English, but there is the French boys' name Michel, pronounced the same way as Michelle.] <> Michelle : It was my father's name. /Flashback/ Michelle : Mom, can I take a rest? My feet hurt. --Not yet. A true performer can't afford to be so lazy. You have to be a star. Michelle : But... --Your father will hate you if you don't. Michelle : Why? /End flashback/ Michelle : My father gave me my name. He wanted a boy, to follow in his footsteps. <> Michelle : He didn't want a daughter, but he wanted a star. That was my late mother's wish, too. Masque Noir: Is it your wish to become a star? Michelle : Don't underestimate me. I can easily have that. My father's this school's chairman, and there's always my mother's ballet company. My wish wouldn't be something like that. <> Michelle : Do you think you can give me what I wish for? Masque Noir: I like you, Michelle. Say it--what is it? Michelle : I want to be a boy. A male version of myself. Masque Noir: Bwa ha ha ha ha... <> Masque Noir: You are a strange woman. Another version of yourself, a man...all right, it's a promise. The man inside of you will rule this castle with me. Michelle : Rina? What are you doing outside my door? It's time for lights out. Rina : Right. Good night. <> Rina : I wonder if Michelle really went underground? Is there some connection between myself and this painting? The names are similar...do you know, phantom? Can I come see you? Ah, there it is. <> Rina : Phantom, there's something I want you to tell me...do you know? You've been watching over the castle all this time...can you feel me? <> Ren : Rina... The mask fell from the wall. Why? Did someone come here? <> Rina : Phantom... Ren : Rina... Rina : Phantom! <> Ren : Rina, come to the black garden. Rina : The black garden? Ren : The garden underground. Juli : {Ren...what are you doing, and where? Your bed's still empty. Day by day, you're changing. What should I do, to make you the Ren I used to know again? What can I do for you?} <> Michelle : Masque Noir, I will give you the things you want...as a set. Ren : Watch your step, Rina. Rina : Wow... Ren : This is the secret lesson room, just for us. Rina : It feels a bit scary. I'm so excited! But it somehow feels like old times... Phantom, was there once a black-haired princess at this castle? Was her name Rina? Ren : Who told you that? Rina : Does this have anything to do with me? <> Rina : You came to see me...will you listen to my wish? Ren : I love you, Rina. I will give you what you want. Rina : Rina...do you mean me, or Rinaticia? Ren : I mean you, Rina. Rina : Phantom...so warm... --Good morning! --Good morning! Rina : Juli! Juli : Hi, Rina. Have you seen Ren? <> Juli : What's he doing every night? Rina : Is something the matter with Ren? Juli : Yeah. Michelle : Juli! Juli : Hi, Michelle. Michelle : Bonjour! There's something I want to talk to you about. Is that OK? I'll see you later, Rina. Hurry up! Rina : {This is...complicated.} Ren : Jealous, Rina? <> Rina : Hey, Ren, don't scare me like that! Ren : I only scared you because I'm right! Rina : No way! Juli was looking for you, and you don't look so great today. You shouldn't make him worry like that! Ren : You too, Rina. Rina : Huh? Ren : Staying up at night isn't good for your skin! Rina : Ren? <> Juli : What? Michelle : It's about Rina. The Masque is targeting her. Juli : It's not like you to talk about that kind of thing. Michelle : He exists. You don't have to believe in him, but it's just like the legend. I think Ren knows something about it too. Juli : Ren? Michelle : Rina and Rinaticia--do you think it's a coincidence? Juli : Does Ren know about it? {The phantom loves Rina. The Masque wants the black-haired Rina. There's no way to stop human desires. They swell, and the darkness swells, until finally...} <> Juli : {The shadow is in control.} Ren... Michelle : Oh? Someone I didn't expect is here. Ren : Michelle? Michelle : Bonsoir. Where are you going this evening? Ren : Nowhere. I'm just out for a walk. Can't sleep. Michelle : Your heart's too full of thoughts of Rina? Ren : You really are an annoying woman. Michelle : Do you want Rina? <> Ren : No. Michelle : Too bad...but that's all right. Ren : What is? Michelle : Never mind. Ha ha...better be careful, or the nuns will find you. Ren : What do I want, Masque? I've become Rina's phantom, and yet... <> Ren : Even though I have time with Rina, even though everything's going as I hoped...why does it hurt so much? Is it the guilt I feel towards Juli? No, I don't want to steal Rina from him. I wanted to become Rina's phantom for Rina. <> Masque Noir: It will soon be time to give up your role. Ren : What? <> Ren : Who are you? Masque Noir: I'll be rid of all those who stand in my way. <> Ren : Who are you? Masque Noir: What now? <> Masque Noir: Bonjour, my friend Ren Vigue. I... <> Ren : Masque? The black... Masque Noir: That's right. Le Masque Noir. Masque Noir: You escaped? Well...this should be interesting. Ren : The mask...why is there another one? Masque, give me strength! <> Masque Noir: Where are you, Ren Vigue? Ren : Here! Come and get me, Masque Noir! <> Masque Noir: We both want the black-haired princess so that we can become stronger. Yes...we want Rina. But which one of us will have her? The one who has her will become the true Masque. <> Ren : I'll never let you have her! Masque Noir: The taste of human blood makes me shiver with excitement! Ah, it only grazed you? <> Masque Noir: You say that you won't let me have her, and yet you keep running away! <> Ren : Rina won't be yours. Masque Noir: Whose will she be, then? Yours? Ren : That's for Rina herself to decide. Rina isn't the black-haired princess! Rina...Rina belongs with Juli. <> Masque Noir: Oh, really? In that case, she'll be mine. Ren : What? Masque Noir: Bwa ha ha...Michelle is quite clever. Masque Noir: Dawn...unfortunately, our fight will have to stop for tonight. Ren : Wait! What are you talking about, Masque Noir? Damn...my arm hurts... Juli : Ren? Juli : Good morning. What time is it? Ren : Almost noon. Juli : What? Ren : Were you catching up on lost sleep because you've been out at night? Juli : What? What are you doing with my hand? Ren : {There's no wound?} No, it's nothing. {This is where I scratched him last night.} Juli : Oh no! What am I gonna say to the teachers? Ren : You can say you had a fever. Juli : Huh? Ren : Rina's in the cafeteria downstairs. Hurry up, she'll be worried. Rina : Juli! Juli : Bonjour, Rina! Rina : Are you feeling better? Juli : Oh, Ren lied for me? The truth is, I just slept in. Rina : That's good...I can't go in the boys' dorms. Juli : But my head's hurting because of it. Rina : Are you worried about something, Juri? Juli : Why? Rina : Michelle came to my room last night, after lights out, and she said that she'd talked with you... Juli : Michelle... Michelle : How are you feeling? Juli : Not too bad. Rina : Michelle! Michelle : Jealous, Rina? Don't worry, Juli loves you. Right? Juli : When did I come back to my room? Rina : Juli! Rina : You did see her, didn't you? Ren : Don't let Michelle's childish teasing get to you, Rina. Michelle : Well, I hate to hear that from someone who's mean himself! Ren : Juli, you're done with your afternoon lessons, right? You come too, Rina. The teachers say I've gotten a lot better. Rina : Ren? <> Rina : Man, it's like I'm being punished for something. Ren : What do you mean? Rina : It's nothing. Just something I brought on myself. {For letting out the truth about how the phantom really does exist.} Ren : Rina...you're too old to be thinking about phantoms. The castle's basement is too dangerous. <> Rina : Ren? Ren : My arm hurts. The red moon is growing. <> Masque Noir: Bonsoir, Juli Eusuerise Rattour. <> Masque Noir: I am the Masque Noir. <> Masque Noir: You love Rina. You want her. Don't you? If you do, then take this mask in your hands... Michelle : Splendid, Juli...or should I say, Masque Noir? <> Michelle : Will you take my hand, phantom? --Oh dear...someone's in the basement again. Michelle : Shall we dance? <> Michelle : Is that a nun? Oh no, I must have left the door open! --Is this some kind of prank? Answer me, if you're in there! <> Juli : You've broken the taboo, sister. --Who is that? Juli : You should leave the castle at once. If you do not, the Masque will...too bad, my hand must have slipped. But next time... Juli : I will cut you into little pieces. --Dear God! Juli : There's no God in this castle. There's only myself. --One of the nuns is quitting. --Isn't that sudden? --I heard she was attacked by the Masque or something... --She was nearly killed underground! --Really? <> --That thing with Ridley turned out to be true, right? --Oh, no! --The Masque really exists, and he's attacking people? --That's scary! Rina : It's not true. It isn't. Ren : Rina! Juli : What's wrong? Rina : I'm sorry, it's nothing. Juli : Do you want to take a break? Rina : No, I can dance. Juli : Then I'll support you. Rina : Thanks, Juli. Michelle : You should give up on a girl two phantoms are going after. <> Ren : I don't believe in phantoms. Michelle : They exist. Oh? Lina's gotten a lot better. Ren : Her limbs seem to be more graceful, somehow. Michelle : You're right. She never stood out before... Ren : {Rina's phantom is leading her...} Juli : What's on your mind, Rina? You're not doing the 'image training.' Rina : I'm sorry...after you went to the trouble of playing the piano for me... Juli : Is it about the phantom? Rina : I'm sorry, Juli. There's something wrong with me. Juli : Why are you apologizing? Rina : It's just... Juli : You like the phantom? I believe that your phantom does exist. Rina : Do you really? You think he exists? Juli : If that's what you say, I believe you. <> Rina : You're so nice... Juli : Well, I guess...to you... Rina : Is something wrong? Juli : Why? Rina : You look pale, like Ren. Juli : It's nothing. It's just, at night... Rina : At night? Juli : I don't know. Insomnia, maybe? I suppose I'm in no position to criticize Ren... Juli : I feel dizzy at night... Rina : Juli, could it be that you're... Juli : What? Rina : {Who was under that mask, when the red moon was in the sky?} The phantom? <> Juli : What? Rina : Sorry. Never mind. I just hoped it could be true... Juli : Rina... <> Juli : I wish it were true too. Rina : {Juli...warm, just like the phantom...} <> --Rina. Rinaticia. Rina. Rina : {Who's there?} <> Rina : {Who is it? A black-haired girl. Myself?} --Rina-sama, I've brought your meal. Andrew-sama is here too today. Andrew : Rina! Rina : Who? Andrew : Were you lonely by yourself? <> Andrew : Rina, I'm sorry that I can't come much. Mom won't let me, so I have to be careful not to get caught. Rina : {What is this?} --Isn't this nice? Eat your meal with your brother, Rina-sama. --Now, sit down on the chair. --Can you see me? Rina : {Is this a dream?} Andrew : What's wrong, Rinaticia? Eat your meal. --She can't talk. <> Rina : {This is...the mask! Phantom?} <> Rina : What was that dream I just had? Phantom, tell me... What's the connection between me and this castle? Phantom, that kid was called Rina too! Ren : Who's there? Rina? Ren : Juli isn't here...he must have left. Could it be that-- Rina : Was everything a dream? The phantom, and the black garden, and the girl before? I'm scared... Juli : Rina... <> Juli : The night wind isn't good for you, Rina. It will give you chills. You have to be more careful, since you're a dancer. <> Rina : {Black...the Masque Noir? The phantom? No, my phantom's mask is white.} <> Rina : {Hard black hands. Cold. This is wrong. I don't know why, but...} <> Rina : {It's different. The black mask...} Juli : I've finally caught you... Rina : {Le Masque Noir...} Ren : Michelle? Michelle : Bonsoir, Ren. Aren't you breaking the school rules? You shouldn't be out of your room so late at night. Ren : What are you doing here? Get out of the way. <> Michelle : No. I can't let you go to Rina. Ren : Do you know something, Michelle? Michelle : What do you like about that girl? She's so young and stupid. The phantom? It makes me laugh. Ren : Michelle? Did something happen to Rina? Michelle : I wouldn't know anything about that. Ren : Michelle, where's Rina? Did you do something to her? Michelle : I'm really starting to get annoyed. Michelle : She gets everything she wants without even trying. She even got into this school without any great talent. Why? Why does she always get to be happy? Everyone loves her. What makes her any better than me? Michelle : Is she such good luck that even the mask wants her? Ren : Michelle! Do you know about the Masque Noir? Michelle : I hope he eats her! Ren : Michelle! Michelle : I don't know anything! <> Michelle : There is one thing I know. The black-haired princess will be the bride of the Masque Noir. By the way, Andrew, the last lord of this castle, let the black-haired princess escape from the castle. So, the castle was destroyed. This is fate, Ren! He called her. Michelle : Wait, Ren! Ren! I hate that girl! <> Michelle : It hurts...my leg... --Who is it? --Is someone there? --Michelle? Michelle : {My leg...I need this leg...} --This is awful! --Call the principal! It's urgent! <> --Oh...I have to make a sacrifice to the Masque, for this castle... --Lock her up in that room until she turns seventeen, and then...give her blood to the Masque... Andrew : Why are you crying, mom? Where are you taking the baby? --Andrew, Rina is... --Dead. Andrew : She's alive, mom. She's alive. --Happy seventeenth birthday, Rinaticia. I can't do it...I can't. <> --Rina-sama? What are you doing? Dancing for me? To comfort me? <> --How did you ever learn to dance like that? Thank you, Rina-sama. Andrew : I taught her. --Andrew-sama! Your mother mustn't find you. Andrew : I want to help Rina escape. I don't care if this castle is destroyed. I wouldn't wish for the castle's prosperity at that price. <> Andrew : Run away, Rina. Rina : {Gentle tears...} Masque Noir: What is is, Rina? Why are you crying? Rina : {Memories from the past...Rina's memories.} Rina : {Inside me, the blood of the princess who ran away.} Masque Noir: Finally, you're in my hands again. It has been a long time. Rina : {Who are you under that mask? I can't talk!} Masque Noir: That's all right. The black-haired princess doesn't need words. Now, come here. Rina : {Why?} <> Rina : {The story of the phantom is a tragedy. I knew that, but I couldn't help myself from being drawn to it. Is this fate? Phantom, under your mask...} Ju...li? {Juli?} <> Rina : {Juli...someone...} Juli : {Who's there? Someone's calling me...crying...} <> Juli : {Rina?} <> Ren : Masque? What's going on? What are you and the Masque Noir going to do to Rina? I wanted to become the phantom so I could help her! I want to protect Rina. I'd give my life for her! Masque : The Masque Noir is... Masque : My alter ego. The black-haired princess can stop him. Ren : {What? Rina?} Masque : What is it? Juli? <> Juli : What's going on? My head... <> Juli : {Rina? Why are you crying?} <> Masque : Don't interfere, Juli. Lend your body to me. Then you will have Rina, whom you desire. Juli : {Who is it? Where's this voice coming from?} Masque : Don't think of anything, Juli. Don't watch. <> Juli : {But...Rina is crying. Who made her cry?} Masque : Ri...na? <> Juli : {What are you doing? Rina?} <> Juli : {What are you doing to Rina?} Masque : You are lovely, my Rinaticia... Juli : {Stop!} <> Ren : No...I will...protect Rina... <> Masque Noir: All right, let's put an end to this. Come on! Ren : As you wish! Masque Noir: What can you do against me, unarmed and wounded? It's useless, Rina. His arm has been wounded by my sword before-- Ren : Rina... Masque Noir: As the unmasked Ren Vigue. <> Masque Noir: Stop it! I told you, it's useless! What? Why are you looking at me like that? You're mine! <> Masque Noir: The black-haired princess is supposed to give her blood to the Masque Noir! <> Masque Noir: Bonne nuit, Rina. <> Ren : RINA!!!! Juli : {Someone's voice...} <> Juli : {Whose voice? Ren?} Ren : Rina! Rina! Rina...I'll never forgive the Masque Noir. No matter who he may be. <> Ren : Even if you're in Juli's body, I can't forgive you! <> Masque Noir: Humans are foolish. You can never win, though you can try if you like. My sword is already dyed with Rina's blood, and it will likewise... Masque Noir: Bury you. Are you running away again? <> Ren : I'm here, Masque Noir! Masque Noir: What? <> Masque Noir: Are you sure? This is Juli's body. Juli : {Why? I'm bleeding...} Ren : Juli...it's really you, Juli? But why did you...why... Masque Noir: You're too soft, Ren Vigue! Ren : I want to defeat the Masque Noir, no matter what it takes. Will you forgive me, Juli? <> Juli : {Ren? Is that Ren? Where am I? Why is it so dark? What's happening? Are you Ren?} <> Masque Noir: Juli? Damn you! Juli : {What am I doing?} Masque Noir: Don't interfere! <> Ren : Rina? Rina's blood... <> Juli : {Rina? Someone's inside my body. Who? Give it back. Let me out!} Masque Noir: It's too late to struggle, Juli. At the moment my sword pierced Rina's chest, you became one with me. Finally I will be free from the white mask. And now, my sword... <> Masque Noir: What? Why are you going to him? Ren : The sword of blood...of Rina's blood. <> Ren : Aaaaaaaaah! <> Ren : Juli, is this your true self? Have you become the Masque? Masque Noir: Yes, Ren. I am Juli. <> Masque Noir: So the pain from these wounds is mine. When I am destroyed, Juli will die. Now, hurt me. Ren : We came to this school telling each other our dreams for the future. I destroyed those dreams. <> Ren : I loved Rina. I was only trying to deceive myself when I said that I wanted to be her phantom, to protect her. I was jealous of you and Rina. But Juli, why did you do it? Masque Noir: Juli was jealous of the phantom. That sword is mine! Give it to me! Have you removed your mask because you're trying to lose? <> Masque Noir: Too bad...and after Rina closed up your wound, too. Ren : Juli... Juli : {Ren!} Ren : Juli? <> Juli : {I can't take off the mask any more. It hurts.} Masque Noir: It's useless. Ren can't do it. Juli : {Before the Masque Noir completely supresses my consciousness...with Rina's sword in your hands...} <> Ren : Juli! <> Masque Noir: Why isn't my body listening to me? Juli : This body belongs to me. Juli. <> Rina : The black mask that held people's hatred, regrets, sadness, and suffering...give it to me... <> Juli : Rina... Rina : Release him. <> Rina : Get rid of the Masque Noir. <> Juli : Rina... Rina : Merci, Juli. <> Juli : Ren, take Rina outside. Rina : No! Juli : Please! Hurry, the basement is going to cave in. Rina : No... Ren : All right. <> Ren : I'll be back soon, Juli. Juli : All right. {Rina, I love you.} <> --What happened? --The entire underground section crumbled! --The south building...the lesson room! --What's going on? --Chairman, the basement caved in. What should we do? --The basement? <> Ren : Sleep well, Rina. I won't leave Juli alone. Rina : {Phantom? My phantom, disappearing into the red moon...} <> Ren : We're going to be all right, Juli. The princess really did give her blood for the castle's safety. Thank you for saving Rina. <> Ren : I'll keep my promise. <> --It's really a good thing there aren't any dorms in the south building! Rina : How is your leg, Michelle? Michelle : It's all right. <> Michelle : I'll never be a star now, but that's all right. Where do you think those two went? Rina : You remember them, Michelle? Michelle : I know they were there...but somehow I just can't remember their names. Rina : Yes, they were. {I'll never forget them.} <> Laura : Huh? It's strange to see Michelle here. Bellereine : Rina! What did you do with your hair? < The school on top of the hill, rebuilt from an old castle, for those who love the arts. It was built for the last lord of the castle, who loved music and dance.> <> --And that's Rina Vernard. --Wow! She's still a dancer, isn't she? --I want to be just like her! --This part of the school is new compared to the other buildings, isn't it? --A long time ago, it caved in, along with the basement, and had to be rebuilt. --The basement? --There was a secret room in the basement. --You'd better stay away from the basement. <> --The Masque will get you. --You look like Rina. Be careful, the Masque likes girls with black hair. <> <> Fin <> --Wow, Rina-chan, you're going all the way to another country. But I'm a little sad, too... <> --'Cause I won't get to see you dance any more. Kyouko-chan was really impressed with you when we went to the recital together. Your mom and dad looked really great. I was jealous, because I don't have any parents. <> Rina : It's a really nice music hall, but it's way up in the country. Juli has blue eyes and hair like the sun. --He's from overseas, isn't he? Rina : Yeah. He said that black hair was unusual there. --Really? <> Rina : {He said that black hair was unusual...} <> Rina : I cut my black hair... Who was it who said that? That black hair was strange? <> "Can I touch it?" Rina : {Who was that boy? I remember the times and places from when I was young, but...} <> Rina : {Who are those people who appear in my dreams?} <> Rina : {Why do I feel so lonely? What are the feelings that make me cry? It is because of these tears that my memories waver in and out?} <> Rina : {Pictures of the past are fading...} --Rina... Rina : Mom! --How do you like being back in Japan? <> --I wonder how much of it you remember, since you only were here until second grade. Rina : I do remember it. I remember the cherry blossoms, and playing by the ocean. I get happy just seeing the tatami mats! --Rina...why did you cut your hair? Rina : I'm sorry. --It's nothing to apologize for. It's just that I was surprised. You liked your hair so much...and it's better for a dancer's hair to be a bit long. <> --If something happened in Europe... Rina : I wasn't teased or anything. I'm proud that I'm half Japanese. You were really well-known as a soprano singer, even among white people. So don't worry, it's not that. I lost something really important to me. <> Rina : So I wanted to change myself. Rina : Gotcha! <> Rina : Now you're the ogre, Juli! Juli : All right, Rina! Ren : You got caught on purpose, Juli! That's always what happens when Rina's the ogre! Rina : Why do you always have to be so mean, Ren? Ren : Girls are slow and wimpy! Rina : Guys can't be strong unless they act more like gentlemen! Juli, he's a gentleman. Ren : Stupid little brat! Juli : Hey, let's go to the music hall, just the two of us! <> Juli : My dad's not here, so nobody's using it. I'll play the piano, and you can practice your steps. You want to dance on stage, right? Rina : Yeah! Ren : Fine, do what you like! <> Rina : {They were there.} <> Rina : {Juli's piano playing took me to another world, and Ren helped me dance like a star.} <> "I love you." Rina : {They were both my phantoms.} <> Rina : {Don't go...you'll disappear again when I wake up from this dream...don't go, please don't go.} --Rina? <> --What's wrong? Rina : I don't know. {The Phantom of the Opera made Christine a star. He took the girl's hand, and took her away to another world. Someday, she would dance on stage, as a star...} <> Phantom : Come, take my hand. I'll guide you. You can dance. You are my angel. Rina : Mom, I want to go back to Marselinia. <> Rina : I want to be a star. <>