Marmalade Boy Volume 3, Chapter 4 pages 121-154 Written and illustrated by Yoshizumi Wataru Translation & editing by : Craig Nishida Additional translation by : Paul Hirose Yutaka Sasagawa Additional editing by: Daniel Lee Jeanne Hedge Last revision : 03-29-96 Comments? Corrections? Suggestions? Please send them to: mboy-trans@soyokaze.biosci.ohio-state.edu --------------------------------------------------- p 121 1 [A younger version of Meiko, with straight, shoulder-length hair, stands before a backdrop of a bouquet of flowers.] narration: It was at the time of our junior high entrance ceremony that I first met Meiko. narration: With good looks, and an expression that seemed like a grown-up's. narration: Among the many new students, Meiko stood out. 2 [The equally-younger version of Miki stands and watches Meiko off-panel.] Miki: (Wow-w-w. A beautiful gir-r-rl... I wish I could become friends with such a girl...) --------------------------------------------------- p 122 [Filler art. Meiko half-portrait. She stands, smiling, in her school uniform.] --------------------------------------------------- p 123 1 [Present-day Miki sits on her bed, hugging her pillow to her chest, and looks reflective.] narration: Because I admired Meiko at first sight... narration: When we ended up in the same class... And on top of that, when we became close enough that I could call her a great and dear friend... narration: ...I was really, really happy... 2 [Younger versions of Meiko and Miki chat together.] narration: Meiko didn't talk much about herself... But she always listened kindly to me and gave me advice. narration: And so, no matter what it was, I talked it over with Meiko, and could always turn to her. 3 [Filler art. Facial portrait of Yuu.] --------------------------------------------------- p 124 1 [Portrait of a smiling Meiko.] narration: Meiko, who was always smiling gently and accepting me for what I was... narration: But... 2 [Still clutching her pillow, the tears start to well in Miki's eyes once more.] Miki FX: Miki: I wonder if I really was just a nuisance. Was I a pest...? 3 [Miki buries her face in her pillow.] Miki: (MEIKO...) --------------------------------------------------- p 125 1 [Dishes of food on a table.] dish/chopstick FX: Miki: [off] Thank you for the meal... 2 [View pulls back to show the six seated at the dinner table.] Rumi: Aren't you eating any more? You hardly finished. Miki: My appetite's gone... Chiyako: Are you feeling ill? Miki: No, but... 3 Youji: You're depressed, huh. Did something happen? 4 [Miki's view across the table at Chiyako and Jin.] Chiyako: If you're worrying about something, why not try and talk about it? We might be able to help... Jin: That's right. Whatever it is, talk it over with us. We worry when you're feeling down like this, Miki. 5 [Clearly moved, Miki stares.] Miki: Everyone... Miki heart FX: --------------------------------------------------- p 126 1 [Rumi's expression brightens.] Rumi: Wha-a-at?! She did it! Meiko-chan! 2 [View pulls back. The four adults gather around as an unimpressed Jin studies a photo. Youji and Chiyako look at it over his shoulder. Rumi smiles happily.] Rumi: "Natchan" is Namura-sensei, the homeroom teacher, right? He's kinda cute... That boy. Chiyako: Uh-huh. A good-looking young man, hm. Jin: Re-e-eally? He looks wimpy. Meiko-chan is too good for this guy. Rumi: That's because you're a Meiko-chan fan, Jin. caption with arrow: [pointing at item in Jin's hand] Group photograph taken at the school entrance ceremony. ---> 3 [Rumi drops her eyes and reminisces.] Rumi: How sweet... That's something I've dreamed about... The forbidden love between a teacher and student! But there wasn't a single cool-looking teacher at my school. Rumi FX: 4 [Chiyako rests a forefinger against her chin and likewise reminisces.] Chiyako: If it were me, I'd wish for the opposite... Chiyako: To become a teacher at an all-boys school, and, with a student... 5 [The two women laugh ecstatically in the background as the two men reflect on their pasts off to one side.] Rumi: Ahh, that's gre-e-eat! Rumi/Chiyako FX: Chiyako: Isn't it?! Rumi/Chiyako FX: Youji: Ohh, that reminds me... When I was in 2nd-year high, staying after school with a music teacher who was fresh out of college... Youji FX: Jin: Eh?! What, what?! What happened?! --------------------------------------------------- p 127 1 [Miki's forehead has turned dark and she appears fed-up and in disbelief.] 2 [View pulls back. Yuu stands beside her, with arms crossed.] Rumi/Chiyako/Youji/Jin FX: [off] Yuu: You never learn, do you... Can't you read them by now? Their thought pattern. Miki: (...... SHIT-T-T.) Miki: Shouldn't have spoken... 3 [Ginta rests his chin in one hand.] Ginta: I wonder why it's wrong. When it's a teacher and a student... 4 [View pulls back. Ginta is seated at his desk, surrounded by the pig-tailed girl, the blonde short-haired girl, Yuu, and Miki.] blonde short-haired girl: There seem to be stories that this often happens at girls schools... blonde short-haired girl: But, after all, isn't it something you keep secret while in school? Ginta: Being seen by a parent would be bad, huh. Though it wouldn't be a problem if you weren't discovered until graduation. --------------------------------------------------- p 128 1 Ginta: Miki, you went to Meiko's place yesterday, didn't you. How was she? 2 Miki heartbeat FX: Miki: Y-yeah... door FX: [off] 3 [Namura-sensei walks in.] Namura-sensei: Class is starting!! Everyone, take your seats! 4 [The teacher's view of the class. Surprised faces everywhere.] class chairs/desks FX: class: Natchan!! 5 [Standing at his desk, he addresses the class with his hands in his pockets.] Namura-sensei: To tell you the truth, just now... I tendered my resignation to the principal. 6 [Miki and her classmates look stunned.] --------------------------------------------------- p 129 1 student: [off] Then, you're moving to another school?! Namura-sensei: [off] No, it's not like that. 2 Namura-sensei: I've given up being a teacher... I'm heading home to Hiroshima, and I'm going to succeed my father in his real estate agency. 3 class FX: 4 [Ginta rises emotionally to his feet.] Ginta chair/desk FX: Ginta: It doesn't suit you... Something like that. Don't quit, Natchan!! 5 class FX: student 1: That's right. Just because something like this... student 2: Please don't quit!! --------------------------------------------------- p 130 1 [Namura-sensei closes his eyes.] Namura-sensei: Thank you... But I've already decided. Namura-sensei: From before, it's been my parents' wish that I--the eldest son--succeed to the family business... I opposed that and became a teacher, but... With this as a start, I've finally decided. 2 [He opens his eyes and addresses them with a clear resolve.] Namura-sensei: I think I've put you all through a lot of trouble, and I'm really sorry. It is my regret that I can't keep an eye on you until you graduate, but... Namura-sensei: Everyone... Good luck, and do your best! 3 [The entire class stands stunned.] --------------------------------------------------- p 131 1 [Exterior view of the Akizuki mansion.] 2 [Inside, Meiko stands at her bedroom window, fingering one of the curtains.] 3 door FX: housekeeper: [off] Ojousama.* <*Commentary: A title of "young lady" or "miss" with the high honorific <-sama> attached.> 4 Meiko: What is it? housekeeper: Um... I was told by Madam not to connect you... But I'm sure you'd like to talk, ojousama... 5 [Filler. A portrait of Namura.] caption: [top, in English] Shin'ichi Namura Horoscope: Pisces Bloodtype: A caption: [bottom] Natchan's full name is "Namura Shin'ichi"... (I decided just now.) --------------------------------------------------- p 132 1 [A cordless phone is handed to Meiko.] housekeeper: It's a phone call. From Namura-sensei. 2 [Meiko portrait.] 3 [Namura stands in a phone booth, receiver held to his head.] Namura: Meiko? Meiko: [phone] Sensei!! Namura: I'm glad we could talk. 4 [Meiko's face falls.] Meiko: I'm sorry, sensei! It's my fault and... Namura: [phone] It's not your fault. *I* couldn't protect you, so... I'm sorry. 5 [View pulls back to show that Meiko has set herself down on the edge of her enormous bed.] Namura: [phone] But your suspension will be cleared away soon. Meiko: What about you, sensei?! What was your punishment...? Namura: [phone] I've... --------------------------------------------------- p 133 1 Namura: [phone] ...quit being a teacher. I'm going home to Hiroshima and work in the family business. [Stunned, Meiko's eyes widen.] Namura: [phone] I leave tonight. 2 Meiko: You can't...!! No! Hiroshima--that's too far awa-a-ay! Namura: [phone] Meiko. Listen to me. 3 [In the phone booth, Namura closes his eyes.] Namura: I was truly... In love with you. But... Namura: I can't make you happy. I don't have that power... 4 [Meiko's face in profile. She registers realization at what he's really saying.] --------------------------------------------------- p 134 1 Namura: [phone] You're still a high school student, and a young lady from a very good home. There'll be many more suitors turning up now who are far more worthy than me. Meiko: SENSEI!! 2 Namura: I pray for your happiness. Namura: Farewell... 3 [Tight shot of Namura's hand returning the receiver to its handrest.] Meiko: [phone] Sensei!! Wait, sen-- phone receiver FX: 4 [Namura profile. He drops his gaze...] 5 [...and rests his palm against his forehead.] 6 [Staring speechless, Meiko continues to hold the phone.] phone FX: --------------------------------------------------- p 135 1 [Exterior view of the Koishikawa-Matsuura residence.] 2 [Miki lies on her bed, head resting back against both arms and her pillow. She stares at the ceiling.] 3 narration: If Natchan ends up going to Hiroshima, what will become of those two? narration: A long-distance love seems awfully difficult... 4 [Miki rolls over onto her front.] doorbell FX: [off] Miki: (Oh, someone's here... Well, that's okay. Yuu will get it.) narration: On top of that, I'm sure Meiko is being opposed by her folks... She said her parents are the type who worry about appearances. I hope they aren't terribly angry about her suspension... ===Sidebar=== FREE TALK (5): 21-28 June '93. I went on a trip to Switzerland and Paris with my parents. The pleasurable part of the trip was, sure enough, shopping. Even so, I wasn't really hunting for brand-name stuff, but rather, I like finding all sorts of cute things at stationers, general stores, bookstores, art supply stores, post offices, supermarkets...etc, etc. [A picture of a pair of books, titled "Pingu".] <---[Pingu's mini picture In a Swiss stationers. [A tiny penquin, with "Pingu" across his front.] <---[Pingu chocolates] (The real thing looks cuter.) I found them at a Swiss kiosk, and they're very lovely, so I went and bought 10 and handed them out to my friends. [Two spiral-bound books.] <---[sketchbooks] In a Swiss art supply store. I wonder what I'll draw? This is also red ---> The color is absolutely beautiful. The upper one has sky-blue letters on a white background, the lower one has red letters on a light peppermint background. --------------------------------------------------- p 136 1 narration: I wonder... If they're going to break up... door FX: [off] Yuu: [off] Miki! 2 [Out in the hallway, Yuu stands at her closed door. Meiko stands nearby.] Yuu: Are you sleeping? It's a visitor! Akizuki! 3 [Miki sits up quickly.] Miki FX: 4 Miki: narration: [flashback] (If it's that kind of friendship, then I don't want it.) 5 [Miki remains seated on her bed, frozen by her thoughts.] door FX: [off] Yuu: [off] Miki?! --------------------------------------------------- p 137 1 Yuu: Hey, Mi-- Meiko: [soft smile] It's okay, Matsuura-kun. 2 [Meiko addresses the closed door.] Meiko: Miki. You don't have to come out. Meiko: Just stay there and listen to what I have to say, please. 3 [Miki looks surprised, but still remains on her bed.] 4 [Yuu turns to leave...] Yuu: Well, I'll head over th-- Meiko: It's okay. Please stay. 5 [Meiko facial portrait. She gathers her thoughts.] ===Sidebar=== FREE TALK (6): At a Swiss post office, I bought postage stamps of beautifully illustrated animals, and boxes for mailing. There are a lot of post offices that sell stylish-looking envelopes and such, and so it was fun. Envelopes used for American express mail had marks like chocolate kisses all lined up, and were extremely cute. Even at the stationery stores, Japan has a far richer selection of beautifully-designed letter sets and stationery, but for business envelopes and notebooks, foreign ones are awfully stylish and cute. A stuffed bunny I bought in Paris. [A picture of a cute stuffed bunny. An arrow points from the text below to the hind part of the stuffed bunny.] You can put your hand here and move the face and front paws. Elbe Chapellier Mini Tote Bag [A picture of a small handbag.] I bought a lot of them as souvenir gifts for friends. The illustration on Jacadi's baby cologne is cute. [A picture of two bottles with labels.] --------------------------------------------------- p 138 1 Meiko: The other day... I said something cruel... I'm sorry... Meiko: I was on edge... And I just took it out on you, Miki. I'm sorry... 2 [Miki remains wide-eyed.] 3 [Meiko closes her eyes.] Meiko: I met Namura-sensei in the high school library building. Meiko: It was May of our 3rd year in junior high... A Wednesday, after school... 4 [Exterior view of the library building.] --------------------------------------------------- p 139 1 [9th-grade Meiko, hair longer than before, but still straight, looks bright- eyed at the books surrounding her.] Meiko: (Just as I'd thought, it's a wonderful place...) Meiko: (I'm glad I ventured in!) 2 Meiko: Ah! This out-of-print series! Meiko: Wow! Ama-a-azing! Old ones like these, too... 3 Namura-sensei: [off] Huh? You're... [Meiko sweats.] Meiko FX: 4 [Namura-sensei looks at Meiko off-panel.] Namura-sensei: ...a junior-high student, right? What are you doing here? 5 [A bit fearful, Meiko turns to look back.] --------------------------------------------------- p 140 1 [View looking up at the ceiling.] Meiko: [off] I-I'm sorry! I heard that there were a lot of unusual books here, so I wanted to come in once and see... Namura-sensei: [off] Uh-huh... Well, this is a high school facility, so it's a bad idea for other people to be here without permission. 2 Namura-sensei: Oh well, that's okay. In any case, few people use it... So I'll keep it a secret. Meiko: [happily] Thank you! 3 Meiko: [pleasantly] Excuse me... Meiko: Are you a college student? [Commentary: Touryou is an "escalator" school, so junior high, high and college are all on the same campus. Literally, Meiko's asking if he's a high-school graduate of Touryou.] 4 [Namura-sensei looks back at her, blankly.] 5 [Sweating, he shows her the book he's carrying, and drops his gaze.] Namura-sensei: ... Actually, I'm a teacher... book: [bilingual title] English I English Department--Namura Meiko: HUH?! Oh no! I'm sorry!! 6 [He smiles a sheepish grin.] Namura-sensei: Namura-sensei: I've only been out in the real world since April... So my student looks aren't gone yet, huh. --------------------------------------------------- p 141 1 [Meiko's facial portrait. In the background is a smiling Namura-sensei.] narration: I thought... narration: ...his smiling face was utterly sweet. 2 [The two stand in the library. It is a different day because Namura-sensei is wearing a different shirt. Meiko shows him a book.] narration: I heard that sensei usually prepared his lessons Wednesday afternoons in the library, and I went to visit every week. narration: I used the excuse that "I want to read books," but my real aim was sensei. 3 Namura-sensei: Carson McCullers? Huhhh. You like refined writers, don't you. Namura-sensei: I just know the name. Namura-sensei: What is it about her that you find interesting? 4 [Meiko sweats a smile at him.] Meiko: Huh? Let's see... Umm... 5 [Meiko drops her eyes in sadness.] Meiko: I'm sorry... Actually, I haven't read her. Meiko FX: Meiko: The one I like is Salinger. So commonplace, right? --------------------------------------------------- p 142 1 Namura-sensei: [smiling] Ha ha... Namura-sensei: Ohh, I see. Namura-sensei: You don't have to think he's commonplace. Since it's a good work, he's popular. 2 [Meiko smiles softly.] narration: Each time I saw him, I got to like him more and more... narration: And each week I waited eagerly for Wednesday. 3 narration: But, one day... book FX: [A hand snatches away a book.] Namura-sensei: Hey! 4 [Namura-sensei holds his schedule book in his hand and stares at Meiko off- panel.] Namura-sensei: Don't look at someone's notebook without their permission! Namura-sensei: Just because it was lying around. 5 [Blushing and sweating, Meiko looks a little frightened.] Meiko: I-- Meiko: I'm sorry... 6 Namura-sensei: [sweating] Ah! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to yell... Namura-sensei: It's something private, so I was a little embarrassed . [Meiko blushes deeply and drops her gaze, looking embarrassed and nervous.] 7 narration: That following week... narration: ...sensei didn't come at the usual time. --------------------------------------------------- p 143 1 [Alone in the library, Meiko stands with her back to one of the windows. She stares at the floor, looking lost.] narration: I was hated, because I did something like that. narration: I can never get him to see me again. 2 [Tight closeup as tears well in her eyes.] narration: Never again... 3 [A bit surprised, Namura-sensei looks at Meiko off-panel.] Namura-sensei: Meiko? Were you still here? 4 [Meiko spins about in surprise.] 5 [Namura-sensei stares at her wide-eyed. She's holding a fist to her mouth, and staring up at him in blank wonderment.] Namura-sensei: There was an emergency faculty meeting, so I'm late... Namura-sensei: What is it? What's the matter?! ===Sidebar=== FREE TALK (7): On July 20-22, 1993, I went to Hokkaido with Yazawa Ai. It was our goal to see the lavender plants of Furano. 7/20 (Tue.) Both of us work till the last minute, so we collapse in Haneda. We eat lunch in the train car from Chitose ---> Sapporo. (The "salmon and salmon roe rice" box lunch at the station that was praised to the skies by Ribbon editorial staffer, Miss U.) was extremely delicious. The two of us are excited, "To think that even the salmon roe inside an ordinary station box lunch is delicious--indeed, Hokkaido is different." Arriving in Sapporo, we go to the hotel after we ate corn-on-the-cob in the central park. We got tired and end up falling asleep. In the evening, we call up Takada Emi-chan and the three of us go to a sushi bar. The appears, and comes in what seems to be a sherbet glass, and we're impressed. caption with arrow pointing at sherbet glass: <--- Like this. is sea urchin roe.> --------------------------------------------------- p 144 1 [Tears still fill her eyes, and tumble down her cheeks.] Meiko: I love you, sensei. 2 [Namura portrait. He's speechless.] 3 [Meiko drops her gaze and brushes aside her tears with one hand...] Meiko: I love you... 4 [...but her eyes widen as she realizes that Namura is reaching towards her...] 5 [He hugs her tightly. She's too surprised to move.] Namura-sensei hug FX: --------------------------------------------------- p 145 1 [Still holding her, and with her head resting against his shoulder, Namura speaks...] Namura-sensei: ...... Meiko, how old are you again? 2 Meiko: [blushing & wide-eyed] F-fifteen... 3 Namura-sensei: [sweating] 8 years difference, huh... Namura-sensei: What can I do... I wonder if I have a Lolita complex? 4 [View from behind Meiko as her head starts trembling slightly. Namura has closed his eyes and looks sadly serious.]] Meiko FX: Namura-sensei: This is no laughing matter. 5 [Smiling, Meiko closes her eyes and nestles against Namura.] Meiko: I'll be a grown-up soon... Meiko: So please wait for me... --------------------------------------------------- p 146 1 [Back to the present. Meiko still addresses the closed door.] Meiko: I kept silent about it until now, and I'm sorry. Meiko: It's not that I don't trust you, or don't think you're important, Miki. 2 [Inside, Miki stares at the door.] Meiko: [off] But, to completely reveal what's in my heart to a friend that I like, no matter how much... ...is something I can't do. Meiko: [off] Though even I'm not too fond myself of a trait like this, either. 3 [Yuu leans quietly back against the wall, watching Meiko off-panel.] Meiko: [off] Perhaps... I was scared that if you knew about this confused and ugly part at the core of my heart, Miki, that maybe you wouldn't like me... 4 [View from the door as Meiko smiles back.] Meiko: But you aren't like me, Miki, and you talked to me about anything, without a care. Meiko: That made me awfully happy. --------------------------------------------------- p 147 1 [Meiko smiles softly, a tear welling at the corner of one eye.] Meiko: I really like you a lot, Miki. Meiko: Please believe me. 2 [Gazing sadly off-panel, Miki is crying her eyes out.] --------------------------------------------------- p 148 1 [Yuu sees Meiko off at the entranceway.] Yuu: I'll walk you to the station. Meiko: It's all right. I have the taxi waiting. 2 Meiko: [gentle smile] Matsuura-kun... Meiko: Take care of Miki, 'kay. 3 [Reacting to the odd request, Yuu raises his eyebrows.] Yuu: Wha...! 4 [And runs to the front gate, to see Meiko leave in the taxi.] Yuu: Hey! AKIZUKI...?! taxi FX: taxi signs: ...Taxi Radio Number 282 5 [Yuu turns back to stare at the house.] --------------------------------------------------- p 149 1 [He bursts into the room.] door FX: Yuu: MIKI! 2 [Still crying into a towel, Miki sits on her bed. She looks up in surprise.] 3 [Miserable, and with her face red and teary, she looks over at Yuu.] Miki FX: Miki: Wha-a-at? Coming in someone's room without asking... Yuu: Don't be such a crybaby! We're going after Akizuki!! She's at Tokyo Station! Miki: Huh...? 4 Yuu: Maybe she... Plans to elope with Natchan. 5 [Miki exchanges stares with Yuu.] 6 [She turns aside, looking at the floor in misery.] Miki: I-- I... Can't go. --------------------------------------------------- p 150 1 Yuu: [off] WHY NOT?! Miki: [off] Because Meiko said she doesn't need me... Yuu: [off] Wasn't she saying just now that it's not like that?!! 2 [In pain, Miki clenches her eyes shut and cries out.] Miki: Th-- That's not i-i-it. That was... ...because Meiko's nice. She only said that to me because she saw that my feelings were hurt... Miki: Meiko doesn't need me at all... 3 Yuu: DUMMY! You've been close friends ever since 1st year junior high, haven't you? Yuu: How could you two have been so close if she didn't need you? Have more confidence in yourself! 4 [Stricken, Miki looks up at him.] Yuu: [off] Is it all right if you can't ever see her again?! --------------------------------------------------- p 151 1 [In anguish and with face flushed, Miki clenches her eyes closed again.] Miki: N-- No-o-o. Miki tears FX: Yuu: [sweating] Ah, c'mon... I said don't be a crybaby. Miki: Y-Yuu, you'll also... Yuu: ...come along! 2 Yuu: [with a gentle gaze] Let's hurry! 'Kay?! 3 Miki: ...... Uh-huh...! 4 [Namura stands at the train station, staring in surprise off-panel.] --------------------------------------------------- p 152 1 [Meiko stands before Namura and his overnight bag, carrying one of her own.] Meiko: I came... Meiko: I left secretly, so I couldn't take much luggage... 2 Meiko: But I'm glad I was able to meet you. I didn't know what time your bullet train was leaving. 3 [Closeup of Meiko's face. Her eyes are wide open and filled with tears.] Meiko: I was thinking, "what'll I do if I can't meet...?" 4 [Namura portrait. He stares back.] --------------------------------------------------- p 153 1 [Crying out, her tears overflow...] Meiko: I can't just say goodbye. 2 [...and she hurls herself into his arms.] Meiko: Take me with you, too... PLEASE!! 3 [Profile shot of Namura, who seems to have a somewhat determined look.] --------------------------------------------------- p 154 1 [He closes his eyes and clasps her tight.] Namura: MEIKO! 2 [Miki and Yuu race down the station platform...] --------------------------------------------------- -------------------End of Chapter------------------ --------------------------------------------------- Scorecard: Miki <---> Yuu ^ ^ | | v | Ginta (-?-) Arimi Meiko <---> Natchan ^ | | Tsutomu Rumi <---> Youji ^ ^ | | v v Jin <---> Chiyako ---------------------------------------------------