Niji-iro Tougarashi (Rainbow-colored Peppers) Translation by Wei-Hwa Huang (whuang@ugcs.caltech.edu) Book 1, Version 0.4 5/8/97-5/9/97 Originally published in Shonen Sunday, Heisei year 2 (1990), week 4/5 to week 13 p5 This is a story of the future. ------------ PART 1 -- SIBLINGS OF THE KARAKURI TENEMENTS ------------ Synopsis: This chapter is a prelude to "introduction" we'll see in part 1. The author establishes the setting, doing his utmost to remind us that this isn't an alternate timeline or a past history. We start with our main protagonist, Shichimi, bidding farewell as he readies for his journey into Edo (on our Earth, Edo was the old name of Tokyo before it became the capital of Japan). His mother has just died, only leaving him a walnut and a request for him to go to his half-siblings. Shichimi bids farewell to a sternly old man, who is a firefighter. We can tell this from the symbol on his cloak. This symbol is also on Shichimi's cloak. Upon reaching the town of Edo, Shichimi meets a mysterious man, who ridicules the peace of the world as an illusion. The man ------------ p8 Earth? No. Please, look at it more closely. No hole in the ozone layer. No pollution in the atmosphere. Rainforests intact... Clear rivers rife with fish; oceans free from oil slicks. And, beautiful, unadulterated coral reefs. p9 An Earth of the past? I've told you since the first page -- this is a story of the future. In any case, no matter what you may think, no matter how similar the setting of this world might be to a certain period in a certain country's past... It's all just a coincidence. p10 HEARSAY TEMPORAL DEDUCTIONS PROHIBITED by order of the Magistrate [Note: The current setting is a Japanese graveyard] It bears repeating, so I'll say it again... This IS A STORY OF THE FUTURE. Chief, I'll be off then. p11 Mm. Take care. Shichimi...this isn't much money, but take it. Oh! Ma'am, I couldn't... Don't worry about it. Take it! [Firefighting symbol] Shichimi, no matter what happens, let us know. Genbe, the chief of the fire department in the town, is one of my good friends. If you need anything, find him. Yes. Thank you, chief. Oh, and chief? Don't drink too much! Idiot. I'll have my hands full just worrying about you, let alone drinking. p12 Human lifespan is so unpredictable. O-Kinu was fifteen years younger than me, and yet... <(obscured) family grave> What's the phrase? "The fair die young." And then, there are those who didn't die young, but should have... You're not referring to anyone in particular, I hope! p14 Take this to the Karakuri Tenements in Yagi town, in Ryuujin, and look for a man called Hiro... there are your half-brothers and sisters. Don't worry, they'll be good-natured. After all, they're children of your beloved father. Be nice to them. Promise me, Shichimi... But even up to her death, Mother never told me my father's name. Mother... p15 Ah! What a nice day! The cherry trees are blooming... No sign of the four horsemen... the world is at peace. Definitely. Peace is the happiest! Disgusting. Those who embrace peace are the weak and worthless! p16 That walnut...? Huh? Nothing. Just looked familiar, that's all. What's so special about this walnut? None of my business. Forget it. PICKPOCKET! p17 Somebody stop him! Heh. Give me back my wallet! p18 Halt! How much was in your wallet? Uh, 30 ryou! Five ryou for returning it? If you get it back, of course, of course! But now he's getting away because I wasted time talking to... Bonk! My gawd... Five ryou, please. p19 Heh, what a maroon! Now that I'm safely away... Yaaaaah....! p20 Karakuri Tenements Hey! Sanshou! Get back here! If you have a tummy ache you should take your medicine! Heh p21 Sanshou! What are you doing? Isn't it obvious? Trying to catch my kid brother! You can't handle a little kid like that? Why don't you try? Ha. Piece of cake. Hey there! p22 Got 'im! Over there! Now take your medicine... Waa p23 What happened? Chinpi again? Oh! There appears to be a body here! Namu... Hey! I'm not dead yet! Chinpi! Stop that clatter for once, okay? We just fixed this door two days ago! What were you building this time? Automatic fly-swatter. Mm, looks pretty exciting. p24 Excuse me, is someone here named Hiro? I'm Hiro, the landlord. Can I help you? Oh, so you're Shichimi! Still some empty rooms left... If you want anything, just ask. I'll take care of it. Oh! But the rent...? What? Don't worry about money. You have a right to live here. Huh? p25 In any case, sleep here tonight. We'll discuss it tomorrow. Oh, yes. I've heard that I have some siblings here. Is that true? Of course! Any among those people? Yes! All of them. What? All different mothers, but all the same father. All of them, and now you. All? All five of them? p26 Well, six, actually. One of them likes to go on trips and doesn't stay here often. I'll introduce you to him the next time he returns. What the hell is this? Huh? You mean, we'll all the "product" of some man sowing his wild oats? Well, it does seem a bit suspect, but you were all born of true love. The fact that your ages are all a few years apart is proof of that. What kind of a joke is this? Where is that man? You? No, no! Then WHO? p27 I'm not allowed to say. It's for your own good. Besides, it's only the first chapter. Show some consideration for the mangaka! Here, I'll introduce you to everyone. Can I ask a question? Sure. Is that, that, WOMANIZER still alive? p28 Oh? Quite alive, I assure you. Good. When I see him, I'll deck him. Hahaha! p29 Swordsman Furon? You know that brother of mine I mentioned? He's here to ask me for money again. No matter how much I give him, he loses it all by gambling. Always asking me for handouts -- I'm getting really fed up with him. So, if I could ask a favor...? Just scare him a bit. He's really quite a coward. If you did something, I'm sure he wouldn't dare come again. Heh! Heheh! p30 What? Is this how you talk to your big brother? You call yourself my brother? Dad kicked you out and disowned you a long time ago! You have no relationship with this hostel! Why, with a street hooligan like you coming in and out at odd hours, my guests are being scared away anyway! Hey! What kind of an attitude is that? Why, I outta... p31 Hey? Aren't you going to do something? I'm off. M-master Furon! Asshole! I'll kill you! p32 Brother against brother... what kind of "peace" is this? p34 This is a story of the future. True, this place is even called Edo... but it's just a coincidence. p35 ------------- PART 2 -- LITTLE SISTER ------------- p36 Our story begins... Hoo... p37 This boy. His vision is still hazy, the byproduct of a good night's sleep. He's lost his mother, been on a long trip, and has recently been introduced to his half-brothers (and half-sister). Seven youngsters, all living in a place called the Karakuri Tenements. Let's have a close-up shot of Shichimi (4th son), age 15 -- p38 Screak! Oho! Yow! p39 Natane (eldest daughter), age 13 -- Morning. You're up early. Washed your face, I see. Klunk p40 Pretty convenient, eh? Chinpi's invention. Chinpi (5th son), age 10. p41 Ack! p42 Sanshou (6th son), age 3. Waa... Sanshou!! I've told you again and again... guard your fish... or the cat will get it! Waa... Oh! Sorry about this, but could you go wake up Chinpi? It's his turn to make breakfast. Waa... Sure. Waa...waa... Okay, okay! I'll share mine with you, okay? Stop crying! p43 NO SOLICITORS Nng... Hey! Let him sleep. I'll cook instead. p44 Nng... I think he saw a big meteor last night. He was looking up data in his books all night. Keshi (3rd son), age 18. Only 18? Huh? Oh! Nothing. A meteor, you said? Yep. Supposedly, it was shaped strangely. p45 Good neighbors are better than faraway relatives... Good, good!! Goma (eldest son), age 22, professionally known as Hiraite Goma, a comedic performer. Today..., yet another day of bright, comfortable weather! The cherry blossoms flower as fast as a bullet train. And so pretty... HEARSAY TEMPORAL DEDUCTIONS PROHIBITED by order of the Magistrate p48 WALNUT-CRACKER VILLAGE p49 Well, all seven of them, eh? All of them... "The fair die young." p50 Well, you chose... You DARE?!! Ha! Ha! Ha! Pretty scary, eh, Hiro? It's called a party horn (???). It's a new gaijin invention. What do you think? Want to try one? Sir, it looks like you'll never tire of your penchant for new gadgets. Heh! p51 Sir... ...since all seven of them are together, should I send Hanzo to look into their history? Hm. Well, just an overview... ...no need to pry into details. Yes, sir! Nice weather. Reminds me of the days I used to dress like a commoner and travel outside. Which is how we got to this current situation. What? Nothing! p52 Being a shogun in this era is so boring. Boring! Boring! But peace is most important, no? Excuse me, sir! What? Gaijin? Washed up on the beach? Interesting! Take me there! His curiosity...never changes. p53 FWAP! Shichimi! Finished cleaning up? This little place? I can do it. I don't need help. p54 Sorry...we weren't offering any! This is? Big brother Asajirou's room. p55 All of these... did he paint them? Yup! As he travels, he draws scenic landscapes from all over Japan. Not bad, eh? Look! This is the fan-mail he gets when he's not here. All the girls think he's pretty neat! "To Asa-sama" Must be one of those "pretty boy" types. Wrong! He's actually an accomplished swordsman! p56 Well? Gotcha good that time, eh? Ow... Squeek! Yaaa! A mouse! Squeek! p57 Sanshou! I thought I told you to get rid of that rat! Squeek! You know how much I hate mice! Get rid of it! Squeek! Sanshou! Uh... What do you think you're doing?! p58 What is this, a historical teenage romantic comedy? Asajirou (2nd son), age 20. Travelling. p59 -------------- PART 3 -- THE ISLAND OF THE FALLEN METEOR -------------- p62 Stop! Don't you know who I am? p63 Of course. You're an old and experienced con artist. You're the leader of a gang which takes completely ineffective, fake medicine and sells it to defenseless old people. W...who s...sent you? No one. You see, I have a strange disposition. If I don't like someone, I kill them. B...but I'm Master Amano! So? You were born into a rich family. Obviously, it had no effect on your actions... p64 ...draw your sword! As if you knew how to use it. Sword? My, what time period are you in? I suggest that you apologize! Right now! Oh? Or die! p65 Aagh! p66 Karakuri Tenements p67 Where's your new brother? Went out with Chinpi early this morning. Oh. Even though you all had different mothers, you're still related; I guess I didn't expect all of you to become friends so quickly. What do you mean, "all of us"? How come these clothes are full of holes? Some idiot wanted to teach Sanshou how to use a hatchet. p68 Pant pant pant pant Hurry up! p69 You read too much. That's why you're out of shape. Well,...man doesn't really need...his feet...to get anywhere he wants. Or his oxen. Or horses. "Inventor." There's a synonym for "lazybones." Day after day, trying to find out how they can make their life easier...how to avoid hard work. But these inventions help everyone! Temporarily. As soon as everyone gets used to it,... they'll find something else to be inconvenient about. p70 And then that leads to more thought and invention. That's progress. Progress? More like a slothful devolution. Wait! Right around here! p71 According to my calculations... ...near that island. Where the meteor fell, eh? Looks pretty normal. Maybe it fell in the ocean? Maybe. If so,...how could anyone find it? Besides, haven't been any rumors of meteors... Mm. p72 What, "mm"? Why are we here then? Looks like we won't find anything. You're not just an ordinary slacker... Speaking of rumors, I hear two gaijin washed on shore recently. Probably their ship sank. So what? You're saying the meteor transmogrified into gaijin? Hey, sorry, okay? I didn't mean for you to come all this way for nothing, okay? p73 Can you get back all right? I could carry you on my back... Not necessary! How about if I carry that for you? No, thanks! Aw, don't do this! Mind your own business! Heh. Is he really my brother...? p74 Are you Furon? You're under suspicion for killing Master Amano. Arrest him for questioning! Warrant officer. What a cushy job. An old fox dies and you get to commandeer an army. Don't you have anything better to do? p75 You dare speak like that... I won't go easily. Any man who attacks me will be like those staves. p76 Eh? Why are you all standing here? Get him! Get some more men! p77 I don't feel like playing hide-and-seek with those officers. Might as well hide away on the island... p79 ---------------------- PART 4 -- ALL BUT ONE? ---------------------- p82 Tobacco! Tobacco! Hey-ya! p83 WHAT?? One of the seven isn't the shogun's? At the present moment, nothing definitive. But of the records of the daimyo's travels are correct, one of them can't be the shogun's. Hey! Hanzo, are you sure about this? Quite. Not only that, but there's not much evidence for the other six... Besides, all of their mothers are dead; everything I can find is just circumstantial! Well, there. p84 A SPY! "Danger" Squeak! In any case, let me report to the shogun, and see what he thinks. Oh, yes. This is my itemized invoice for the detection work. And a receipt. Mm. p85 Then, I'll take my leave. Oh, Hanzo? One more thing. Yes? Fix the ceiling before you leave. What? p86 Among us... one of us isn't related? Can't be... Oh... Well. We don't know who it is... Sanshou just happened to hear it from landlord Hiro. But he's not sure. Hiro Happened. Not sure. p87 Well! No wonder I've always thought one of us looked a bit different... Yes, isn't it strange how only one of us is particularly overweight? How can you call your big brother overweight?! If you weren't my brother, "overweight" would be a compliment! Watch out, or I'll make you die laughing! As if your jokes were more amusing than by Bhuddist scriptures! Shut up! I won't believe it! One isn't Hiro sez I said, SHUT UP! p88 Waa... I won't believe it. I've always been all alone, even more so since mother died. If I hadn't met you all, I might not even be alive right now. When I found out I had half-brothers, ... I was so happy, and now... Chinpi... no one said it was you! Even so, the principle's the same. One of us would be lonely. I believe...that all of you are my brothers and sister! But... p89 All right. Everyone. This never happened. Besides, it's too late now, anyway, right? Brother. Got that, Natane? Got it. Chinpi, the automatic massager seems to be on the blink. Could you help me take a look at it? Huh? p90 One of the seven... Didn't we agree not to talk about it? It should be me. I just arrived here, and haven't really gotten to know all of you that well; it would probably affect you all the least. Yeah! You're absolutely right! It should be you! Yeah? p91 Although... I wish it was Asajirou-oniisan. Why? Because, if we weren't related, I could marry him! I can't believe you'd actually think that. Sigh... What was the kid doing on the landlord's roof, anyway? Sanshou said he was chasing Blackie. p92 Blackie? Sanshou, who's Bla... YAAAHH...! p93 Shichimi, I'm going out for noodles. Want to come? Asajirou... Eh? Oh. I don't think he'll be back any time soon. He must be flower-viewing in the north by now. p94 Enough. No need for further investigation. They're all mine. p95 I've given a walnut to each of the girls I loved, told them the location... Got that, Hiro? Yesh! Yesh! I tink sho too. A bit too disrespectful, aren't you? Ah! You bastard! This was my last bottle of European wine! Yesh, extremely sorry, sir! I'm going to commit seppuku [harakiri] now. Goodbye, sir. Heh! You'd think I wouldn't know your little jokes by now? Tee hee! p96 What's going on there? Oh, that? You remember those foreigners who washed ashore? They were quite interesting. Said they wanted to build something I'd never seen before. Also, if I supplied them with materials, they'd let me see something even better. So, I let them! Still the old shogun! Loving new and strange things. Hic! p97 --------------- PART 5 -- THE CUTE OKAYO --------------- p99 Manjuu (Steamed bun) A girl? Oh! She must have gotten the wrong room. She must not have known that Asajirou was out, and brought a gift in the middle of the night. Either that, or it's actually some poisoned food left for you. I mean, who knows who you might have angered on your way here. So, which one, I wonder? p100 Jeez! Why do you assume it's not just someone interested in me? Oh? You think someone might actually like you? Ooh! Ooh! Threatening little breaded treats! Boy, I'm also so afraid of some disgusting hot tea, too! p101 Looks like it wasn't poisoned. Must be the wrong room, then! Hey. Come to the market with me. Chinpi! Look over Sanshou while I'm gone. Okay! p102 O-Kayo! Oh! Natane, out shopping? Yup! p103 Oh, let me introduce you. This is my new... Bastard! Can't you watch where you're going? Sorry...I'm holding so much stuff, I couldn't see clearly. My clothes! They're stained with soy sauce! Aren't you going to do something about it? Sorry, I don't have any money on me. What?? p104 What's going on? Ah! Natane! Why don't you lend the man some laundry money? What? Let him launder money? This sort of cheap cloth? A few drops of water would be a luxury! It's not even that dirty! Bitch! You dare talk to me that way! Hey, no violence! Can't we talk this over? p105 I'm their brother. The name's Keshi. They've lost their mother, so I'm looking over them. Please forgive them, okay? For me? What do you say? Urk! Well,... we'll just see about that! p106 You're so useless! Look at how you were abused by those ruffians! But it was my fault... They would have found another excuse even if it wasn't! Shichimi, why don't you go home with what you're carrying? Natane and I will finish the shopping. Yeah! Go home! Can't even hold that much without staggering. You're so clumsy. p107 Hmph! Bye, O-Kayo. Oh! Uh, bye... Heh, heh... O-Kayo's growing prettier by the day. I'd say she'll be one of Edo's biggest beauties in a couple of years. Oh, that's right! Our little Natane is also... Oh shut up, you liar. p108 Well, that was true. I really don't have any money on me. It was because... Allowance? Yup! End of every month. Don't splurge and it should last you for the whole month. p109 From that...womanizing father? Yes! I won't use his money! I'd owe him a favor, then. Make it pretty hard to deck him when I see him. Grumble... Shouldn't have been so stubborn. Idiot. Might as well find a job... p110 Help Wanted Gaijin Hall Looking for Construction Workers (Experience Preferred) Contact Foreman Hachimaki for Details p111 Hic! Just one drink, he said! And he then got out a giant bowl... Heh! Stand up already! Just like Shichimi. Don't you mean, "Shichimi-oniisan"? Oh? Is that right? He sure doesn't act like an older brother! Then... He's not very dependable. Besides, we're only 17 months apart. p112 Ah-choo! Sniff Sigh... Should've taken that allowance. Oh! p113 They're in danger! Oh! Don't you remember me? Yes, you were talking with Natane in town... No, not that! Before that, at Eisen Temple, with Hiro... Huh? Oh! Oh! I remember! Oh, so you were that... You remember now? Ah! So that's what happened! You finally remember! Well? Huh? Who's in danger? p115 ------------------- PART 6 -- "IT'S NOT POSSIBLE" ------------------- p116 They're in danger! Who? Hic p117 Those ruffians you ran into... they hired some gangsters and are planning to ambush your brother and Natane! My brother? Against those hoodlums... Nothing to worry about. Fighting or gambling, my brother can do anything, even with his eyes closed! Women or drink...my brother can run into walls, even with his eyes open... Yeh. p118 Huh? Hey! What's so special about him? This sort of opponent, whad'you need us for? Funny... Forget that! Let's get our revenge. p119 What are you doing, bitch? Ow-wee! Oh, a girly? Pretty girly, to boot. Just my type. Get away, get away! Our turn. Heheheh.... p120 Chinpi! Did you finish making that thing for me? Yup. All according to specifications. Why is it so heavy? Picky, picky. Just be happy I made it! Alright, alright! Oh, right! You want to come along? Your name? O-Kayo. p121 Didn't expect that from such a cute girl. Don't hurt her. Just get her clothes off. Heh... As if we needed you to tell us that. p122 Oh. Key! p124 Sorry! That's all you'll allowed to see, faithful readers. Hey! The readers want to see as much as we do! Heh! p125 You're trying to fight with that little hatchet, kid? Heh...a bit short, isn't it? p126 Yahh! What is that? Chinpi made it for me. Convenient, isn't it? Hm. Ha! Well, good thing you came. I don't think I could have budged Keshi at all. Snore... p128 Hm...ah! Ah! All mended! Thanks! Oooh No wonder I chose you to teach me sewing! Shichimi Shichimi p129 I wasn't expecting him to be able to do that; he's sure doesn't look it. You didn't know? What? He helped me before, too. When we ran into street gangs at Eisen Temple. Oh? Could it be... Eh? p131 Beautiful! p132 That sort of thing's just to awe spectators. It has no practical use. But you can put it to use, Furon. You do have the potential to be the greatest... p133 -------------------- PART 7 -- EDO'S GAIJIN HALL -------------------- p134 Shichimi! When I told you father about you rejecting your allowance... that "womanizer," as you put it, was very impressed! Oh? He said that you were very mature for your age, and these days, not many kids are as integritous as you. When you grow up, you'll surely be a man of reckon! To tell the truth... I was pretty impressed myself! Heh heh. p135 Oh, I'm sorry. Did you come see be for something? Huh? Oh...nothing. "Mitsuru Adachi Productions looking for assistant. Conditions: Youth with pleasing-to-look-at countenance Job Description: Background inking, scripting, etc. Benefits: Midnight snacks, room provided. Smokers allowed. Humane treatment. 5-digit salary." p136 Great! I'll apply tomorrow! Part Time Jobs La...la... p137 Sanshou! What the heck are you doing?! Help Wanted Gaijin Hall Looking for Construction Workers (Experience Preferred) Contact Foreman Hachimaki for Details p138 Sanshou! Sanshou! Chinpi... have you seen Sanshou? Nope. p139 What is that? Oh! It's a model of that meteor that fell from the sky. Looks strange. Oh. You think so? Sanshou! p140 Oh? Natane? Where's Shichimi? I dunno. I made some sushi; I don't know if he'll like it... He likes anything edible. Don't worry. Great! p141 Then...could you give this to him? Whazzat? Food? I guess it definitely isn't poisoned this time. Oho! p143 Write your name...here. Okay. We have a daycare center here, so you won't have to worry about a thing. Huh? You're quite a stalwart young man... taking care of your little brother while working. I'm moved... Yay Oniisan "Desk" p144 Sanshou! Really! Go to the daycare center to play! I have to work! Tee hee p145 Oh? Gajin Building Construction Plan The structure's going to be THIS expensive? Looks like it. p146 Playing all day... wasting tax money of the citizenry! Hmph! Oh, sir, have you seen the details of the building? They said they wanted to surprise me. Oh? I see. Great. Great! Wish I could see its finished state now! p147 Hanzo! Yes, sir! Keep an eye on those gaijin...don't let them do anything suspicious. Hey! Hiro! p148 Since when did you get the audacity...! Huh? I didn't say anything! Hiro! p149 Hey! New guy! Takes this to Mr. Shiroi at Aoyama Gate. p150 Huh? Uh-oh. I'm lost. p151 --------------------- PART 8 -- "PRINCESS" KOTOKI --------------------- p152 ! "Gun Barrel" p153 That's gaijin talk for "put your hands up"! What's that? What's what? It's a gun. p154 What's supposed to come out of the hole? A giant marble? You don't know? Why would I know? Well, I sure don't know! I just borrowed it from the Captain to play with. The Captain? Who's...who's that? Jeez! You talk too much. Let me shoot you once first. What? Wait a sec... p156 What was that? p157 It's called a flare. In our country, when we want to celebrate, we use them at night. p158 What? It's not a weapon? , you shouldn't take other people's things without asking! I might tell your father! Well, if I knew it was just a firecracker I wouldn't have taken it! I've already given you a gun to play with. This? It's just a toy! It's no weapon. Yow! Ha ha ha... Weapons should only be used for defense... but in such a peaceful country, it's quite a burden! p159 What does mean? It's gaijin for "Princess." "Princess"? I am Koto-hime, daughter of Akimitsu, the eighth shogun! On your knees, commoner! Oh? Princess! p160 Princess...! Hey! Kid, over here! Let me get on your back! Hya! Oh? Princess! Run! Uh... Princess! Come back! You have lessons to attend! If I get caught I'll blast your brains out. Oh! Right-o! p161 Princess! p162 Did they find her? Not yet. Should I alert the guards? Idiot! How would I explain it to the shogun if she got hurt by them? Besides, there's still the issue of this other kid running about... p163 Oh! Hm, I guess he's still around. Just wipe it off! Sorry...this is for Master Shiroi. p164 What the hell took you so long?! Sorry. "Sorry"? If saying sorry was enough, what would we need enforcers for? Where did you go, wasting my time? Huh? I forced him to play with me. Any objections? p165 Oh! Princess! I didn't know... I humbly beg your forgiv... Apologize to him! I'm so sorry. If saying sorry was enough, what would we need enforcers for? Hey! I got revenge for... Hello? Hello?! p166 Jeez. Play with her, and I can kiss my job goodbye. Hey! Kid! Did you see a three-year old... What? p167 ?? Whew. That was close! p168 Let's call it a day! Good job, kid. You'll be quite a worker soon. Yawn. Heh... Looks like he behaved today. p169 --------------------- PART 9 -- IMPERTINENCE --------------------- p170 Fired? Uh...yes. Did he do something wrong? Uh, no. He was skilled, diligent, and very likable. So, why...was he fired? p171 I don't know, your highness! I was ordered to do so from above! Above? By whom? Now! Princess! Forgive me! If I told anyone, I'd have to kill myself! All right then. I'll let you off the hook. Let me see the roster! Oh! Princess! p172 Part Time Jobs (Jumbo Edition) Darn! p173 Whew! That's a load off my back! p174 Um! So close... Chinpi, if you're making more, can I have one? Sure. Why? To give to the sho...uh, nothing. I just know a guy who likes this sort of junk. What? It's not "junk"! I'm sorry! You're the Karakuri Tenements', um, famous inventor! p175 Huh! Huh! p176 Princess! We've reached Ryuushin sector. Where next? Princess? Oh, no! We've been tricked again! Find her! p178 This place is so dirty! That...boy. Shichimi. His room. Over there, the third room on the right. Take me there! Can't you see I'm busy? It's just over there! Can't you go there yourself? p179 What kind of an attitude is that? I don't know why you're looking for him... but he just went out! Out? Where? I...don't...know! Why, you impertinent... Shut up! Can't you see I'm busy scrubbing? Go away! Scrubbing? What does that mean? p180 Making dirty clothes clean and beautiful. That's ridiculous! These sort of torn rags will never be beautiful! What are you doing!? Really! You...hit me! p181 Waah...! If you don't stop horsing around, I'm going to get angry! p182 You! You! Waah...! What the hell! And wearing those funny clothes. p183 Hahah! Neat! Great! Isn't it? Pretty good, eh? p184 This is...who made this? You? Ha! Ha! Gave you quite a scare, eh? We have good inventors in this country, too! Sir, let me show you again... p185 Damn! No work to be had anywhere... Only thing left is that stupid manga assistant job. p186 What is it, Sanshou? Oh! Shichimi! It's horrible! A bunch of guards came... and took Natane away!! ------------------- End of Book