Maison Ikkoku - (c) Rumiko Takahashi Translated from the Hunter Comics Chinese manga by Andrew Chen, 09/93 Revised 11/93 Volume 12, part 3 (Chinese manga vol. 14, part 5) Kyoko, Godai, and Sakamoto are having tea at Ikkoku-kan. Kyoko I haven't seen you for a long time, Sakamoto! Kyoko How's work? Saka Business is down. The economy isn't good. Godai Kanrinin-san, would you please bring tea for this fool? Saka Who are you calling a fool? Godai You. Kyoko Right now is the economy really down? Saka Yes. I'm still thinking about resigning. Saka But, compared to Godai... Saka I can't say I'm better or worse than him, so I don't feel wronged. Godai What are you boasting about? Kyoko Uh... Kyoko Then, it looks like... Kyoko Being a nurse is better than becoming a salesperson. Godai Do you really think so? Kyoko Yes! I think it's better being a nurse. Godai Then this year I'll definitely pass the nurse's exam. (*1) Kyoko Go for it! (leaves) (*2) Godai I'm very happy! At least there's someone supporting me. Saka She's afraid to hurt your feelings. Kyoko (going downstairs) [I really hope they can be serious about work.] Kyoko [Although I said Godai is more sound...] Yotsuya pops out from around a corner and scares Kyoko. Yotsuya Be careful, you dropped your tray. Kyoko [Seems like...] Kyoko returns to her room and stands in thought. Kyoko [Compared with others, the things he does seem to miss the point.] Kyoko [If he can grasp the essentials and work harder than others, maybe...] Narr [What would happen?] The Kujou residence. Mitaka is playing with the dogs in the yard, Asuna and her mother watch happily. Mother Recently, Mitaka has come to see you often. Mitaka [What should I do?] Mitaka [Every time I want to make things clear to her... but lately it always turns into playing with these dogs.] Mother Please have some tea. Mitaka I'm really embarassed. Mitaka Sorry to bother you. Mitaka (leaving) [Today I couldn't say it again.] Mitaka [The longer this drags on, the harder it will become.] At the tennis courts. Lady I heard that recently Mitaka... Lady often goes to visit the Kujou house.. Lady2 It's really happening! Voice He and Kyoko broke up! Lady2 So, who is using who? Mitaka [These people...] Mitaka [They're speaking nonsense again.] Ichinoce Did you hear what they said? Kyoko I don't want to hear it. Mitaka Kyoko. Mitaka Please don't pay attention to those rumors. Kyoko I won't, so please don't worry. Ichinoce [Hmmm...] Mitaka Let's leave now. Mitaka So that they won't have anything more to talk about. Nighttime at Ikkoku-kan. Godai, Yotsuya, Ichinoce, and Akemi are in #5. Voice What! Akemi Kanrinin-san doesn't care at all? Godai .... (*3) Ichinoce She was smiling and happy. Ichinoce At first it was probably infatuation, but now it won't go away. Akemi Then, she doesn't like Mitaka any more! Everyone looks at Godai. Godai Why are you looking at me? Ichinoce You have to decide now. Akemi Do you agree to be together with her for a lifetime? Yotsuya Do you agree? Don't you really like her? Ichinoce Think about it carefully. Godai [ack...] It's morning, and Kyoko is sweeping outside Ikkoku-kan. Kyoko Are you leaving? Godai Yup! Kyoko Tonight you have to go to class. Work hard! (*2) Godai I will. Recently I've had a lot of confidence in my work. Kyoko Then you'll be fine. Godai But if I get credentials and become a nurse, my wages won't be very much. Godai So... Kyoko That doesn't matter! Kyoko As long as you yourself are happy, it's fine. Godai (happily surprised) Yes! Godai [Kanrinin-san...] Kyoko Do you like your current work? Godai Uh... Godai Yes, I like it. Kyoko Then all you have to do is work hard. I think you can do very well. Godai (walking away) [Oh boy!] Kyoko Walk carefully! Godai [Why?] Godai [The business about her and Mitaka, can Kyoko not have a reaction to it?] Godai [Is this a good sign?] Godai with the kids outside, blowing bubbles. Girl Big brother, hurry up! Godai Okay, I'll blow again. Girl Ooooh! Godai Here, you blow some. Godai Don't breathe in. Inside the building. Boss Godai's doing pretty well! Teacher Oh! Principal! (*3) Boss He still hasn't passed the nurse's exam, right? Teacher Looks like he wants to take the test this year. Boss Seeing that he likes children this much, in the future he will certainly be a good father. Boss The way he is, all he has to do is obtain credentials, then he can get work anywhere... Later... Teacher Godai, the principal praised you today! Godai Really? Teacher So, you should hurry up and get credentials. Teacher2 All you need are formal records, then your wages will be better. Godai [Formal records...] Godai in a night-class. Voice [Therefore...] Voice [When we face a task...] Voice [All we need to do is go and work earnestly.] Godai [For sure I'll be accepted by many people.] Godai dreams... Godai Kyoko, I got my records! Kyoko Congratulations! Kyoko (joyful tears) I knew your efforts would bring good results. Godai I'm sorry I made you wait this long. Godai Now, I can finally take care of you. Kyoko I am ready to suffer together with you. Teacher Hey! Someone tell him to be quiet! Godai (asleep with head on desk) Kyoko... That night, outside the train station. Godai Kanrinin-san! Kyoko You're back! Kyoko What do you want to tell me? Godai Huh? How did you know? Kyoko It's written all over your face! Kyoko All it takes is to do your work well, then you can get your credentials. Godai I think can get credentials. Kyoko This year you will finally pass the exam! Kyoko I've been thinking all the time, Kyoko Although... Kyoko ... right now you have more pressure and burdens than other people, all you have to do is try hard... Kyoko ... After the darkness, there will be dawn. Godai [....] Kyoko So, go for it! Godai I will. The next day, Godai playing with the kids at the nursery... Godai [For Kyoko's happiness...] Godai [Even if I don't make much money...] Godai [Kyoko can struggle together with me.] Kid Big brother, blow bubbles! Narr [Definitely...] (an image of Kyoko appears in the sky) Narr [Yes.] Teacher (from inside) Godai! The principal is looking for you. Godai Okay. In the office. Godai Oh? Principal I really don't want to do this, but presently the economy isn't good. Principal All I can do is reduce our staff. Principal So, I can't take student-teachers any more. Principal Also, I believe... Principal If you get nurse certification, you will never have to worry about not having a job. Godai (sweating) Uh... Principal .... Principal Are you okay? Principal The experience you gained here... Principal can serve as your stepping stone into society. Godai outside the office, still shocked. Godai [Now I've been fired.] Godai [Then I...] Godai [This is terrible.] Godai looks outside and watches the kids blowing bubbles. Godai [Good bye, kids!] Narr Kyoko... Godai watches bubbles float to the sky, and sees an image of Kyoko. Suddenly, all of the bubbles pop, and the image is gone. Godai [It vanished like a bubble.] Godai [Now, what should I do?] Notes: (1) Godai's profession is actually something between "kindergarden teacher", "caretaker", and "nurse". (2) The Chinese expression is "jia you2" = "add gas". It translates to "step on it", "go for it!", or "good luck." (3) His title is "Yuan2 zhang3" = "person in charge of the nursery", not exactly "principal". (fin)