Maison Ikkoku - (c) Rumiko Takahashi Translated from the Hunter Comics Chinese manga by Andrew Chen, 09/93 Revised 11/93 Volume 12, part 2 -- "Dog Holiday" (Chinese manga vol. 14, part 4) Mitaka, Kyoko, Ichinoce, and others at the tennis courts. Lady Brrr, it's cold. Mitaka Today's practice ends here. Voice Mitaka! Mitaka's uncle is outside the fence. The tennis players all listen andgossip. Kyoko and Ichinoce stand together. Mitaka Uncle, what's the matter? Uncle Tomorrow you're going to go and see Asuna. Lady (aside) Asuna... Lady2 (aside) She's the one he's arranged to marry... Mitaka How is Asuna? Uncle I don't know. Looks like she's ill. Uncle If you go see her, she'll recover faster. Mitaka I don't want to go. Mitaka I already have someone I like. Uncle Where is she? Uncle I want to see her. Uncle Which one? Mitaka What are you plotting to do? Ichinoce She's right here! Kyoko Hanae! Uncle Huh? Uncle (whisper to Mitaka) That one... do you really like her? Mitaka Which one?! What do you mean 'that one'!? Uncle Oh! The one at her side. Mitaka Who are you talking about? Ichinoce The one next to her? I admit you know how to talk... Kyoko What?! Ichinoce .... (*1) Kyoko No. Uncle Yes... she's quite pretty. Mitaka Uncle, who in the world are you talking about? Uncle So this is the reason... Uncle But, Asuna is just as beautiful. Uncle I don't care how, but I want you to go visit her. (*2) Uncle It's been decided you'll go on January 15th! Mitaka You're trying to force me again... Uncle (leaving) I'll be going with you. Mitaka Really impossible. Mitaka (turns to Kyoko) Kyoko, I'm very sorry. Kyoko It doesn't matter. Ichinoce You still haven't broken up with the lady he's arranged? Mitaka I want to stop our relationship, but... Mitaka Kyoko, don't worry. (he grasps her hand.) Kyoko Uh? Mitaka This time I go to see her, I'll definitely make things clear to her. Kyoko Then... Kyoko and Ichinoce walking back. Voice That's good! Ichinoce Don't you want them to stop their relationship? Kyoko I... Ichinoce Oh! I know. Ichinoce You like Godai, and recently you've been getting along well together. Kyoko Don't speak nonsense. Kyoko I just feel that... Kyoko That girl's situation is better than mine. Kyoko I'm thinking about Mitaka's sake. Ichinoce Is that so? Ichinoce Are there any other reasons? Kyoko You don't need to ask again! Narr The day he went to visit... (*2) Mitaka (in his room, answering phone) Hello. Uncle? Phone Mitaka! Phone I'm busy right now. Go to see Asuna first. Mitaka This- (click) Mitaka [Uncle's really something! Whatever he wants is how things are.] Mitaka (petting McKenroe, owner and pet's teeth sparkling) I'll be back in a little while, McKenroe. Mitaka [I have finally overcome my fear of dogs.] Mitaka [In reality, there's nothing to fear about women.] Mitaka [This time I definitely make things clear...] Mitaka [I'll never have anything to do with her again.] Narr Kujou residence-- Voice What? Mitaka is coming? Why didn't he tell Asuna first? Voice2 Uh... Mother This arrangement, I still don't feel satisfied with it. Father You women are really critical! Mother It's not that. It's because every time Mitaka comes... Mother (image of old Mitaka with dogs) ... his face is very pale. Mother Seems like his health isn't very good. Father I haven't heard that he has any illness! Mother Also, it seems like he doesn't really like Asuna. Father Things aren't like that. Father Recently, why has Asuna been so spiritless? Father It's because Mitaka hasn't talked to her. Mother Mmmm... Father Is it possible she's lovesick? Mother Hmmm... Asuna is in her room, laying in bed. Asuna Mitaka... At Ikkoku-kan, Kyoko is sweeping outside. Voice Anyone here? Kyoko Here. Kyoko Huh? Mitaka's uncle approaches. Uncle Sorry to bother you. Kyoko Are you Mitaka's uncle? Uncle Yes, I am. I'm sorry for suddenly coming to visit. Ichinoce (inside) Hmmm... Uncle I am here because of the business with Mitaka. Godai (inside, to Ichinoce) Mitaka's uncle is here? Kyoko and Mitaka's uncle sit in the manager's room. Kyoko Whatever the matter is, please say it. Uncle Then I'll tell you everything (*3). Uncle I would like to ask you... Uncle (bows) ... to leave Mitaka. Kyoko What... Godai (outside the door) Wow! Uncle If you agree, I will give you a sum of money. Kyoko This... Kyoko You want me to leave him? Godai and Ichinoce barge in. Godai Wait a moment... I'm sorry! Kyoko Godai...? Ichinoce How much money would you give her? K & G Hanae! Kyoko There's nothing going on between Mitaka and me. Ichinoce Didn't he ask you for marriage? Kyoko That... I... Kyoko Why are you asking this? Ichinoce You mean you didn't accept it? Uncle If it's as you say... Uncle Mitaka himself is happy with the way things are. Uncle Wow! This is great! (he shakes Kyoko's hand, sparkling tooth-TM) Godai Hey! Godai Please let go of her hand! Uncle Oh! I'm sorry! This is our family's custom. Uncle Now I'm relieved. Uncle The matter has been completely decided! Mitaka's uncle drives away, the others stand outside Ikkoku-kan. Ichinoce How can you let him get away this easily? Kyoko Drive carefully... Godai [Really?] Godai [It really doesn't matter?] Godai [This kind of business...] Godai [If I were Kanrinin-san, I'd definitely knock him for some money.] Ichinoce You can't depend on men like Mitaka. Ichinoce Kanrinin-san has no respect for him, isn't that right, Godai? Godai .... Narr Again, at the Kujou residence-- Mitaka gets out of his car. Mitaka (adjusting his necktie) Gulp... Mitaka Is anyone home!? The dogs charge. Mitaka Hmph! Mitaka Come here! Asuna (in her room) [Why are the dogs this noisy?] Asuna [Mitaka!] She looks out the window and sees Mitaka being trampled by the dogs. Mitaka (under the dogs) Ha ha ha... Asuna gets out of bed and gets dressed FAST. Mitaka goes inside. Mother I'm very sorry, they made your clothes dirty. Father The (big dog) is very heavy! Are you hurt? Mitaka No. Asuna peeks around a corner. Mother Asuna, why are you out of bed? Asuna (bows to Mitaka) Welcome to our house. Mitaka Thank you. Mitaka I haven't seen you for a while. Mitaka [I should continue...] Mitaka [How should I say it so it sounds right?] Mitaka Have you been ill for a while? Father Yes! The last several days she's constantly lacked spirit. Asuna Now I'm already well. Mitaka Then... (gulp)... Mitaka This bouquet of flowers is for you. Asuna Wow! Asuna (happy tears... sniff...) Mitaka You... why are you crying? Asuna I'm sorry, I'm too moved. Mother (aside) Looks like she really was lovesick. Father (aside) Right! She's already recovered her spirits. Mitaka (cheerfully) I never expected you'd be this happy. Asuna (sniff... sob...) Father It's really good that Mitaka came today. Asuna (sniff... sob... sniff...) Mitaka This is great. Mitaka [At this time, can I say it?] Mother What's with those dogs? (dogs barking outside window) Asuna Looks like they're... Asuna ... letting us know they're happy (*4). Mother Because Asuna was ill she couldn't play with the dogs. Mother They were all in low spirits. Mitaka I see. Mitaka Then I'll go play with them. Is that okay? Mother What? You- (Mitaka goes out to yard) Mother Mitaka-- Mitaka [If she keeps talking, things will get worse and worse.] Asuna (inside, watching) .... Mother Mitaka is much healthier than before. Father You were worrying too much! He's always been very healthy. Mother If it's so, then my heart is at ease. Mitaka's uncle enters. Uncle I'm sorry! Uncle I came in by myself. Father Mister Mitaka! (*5) Uncle Don't call him. I went to see that widow. Uncle The other side doesn't have any feelings toward him. Mother In that case... Father There shouldn't be any problems. End picture: Mitaka with teeth sparkling-TM, playing with two dogs. Notes: (1) Takahashi uses dots (shown as '....') instead of words in some places. In addition, the Chinese translator seems to have added some dots of his/her own. (2) The Chinese expression he uses is "tan2 bing2" = "accompany the sick", which means to go and take care of an ill person. (3) The Chinese expression is "open door, see mountain", meaning 'to see everything before you' (4) Literally, she says they're "waving" or "greeting". (5) I usually use 'Mitaka' and 'Shun' interchangeably, since his first name in the Chinese manga is equivalent to 'Mitaka'. This line is an exception. (fin)