Tokyo Crazy Paradise
Hana to Yume
1998 vol. 17, episode no. 45
Translation by Yuki-chan

Tsukasa: {---One week ago. After the Rokuo's first event, the 'Destination Orienteering Contest', today, on this day, we set out on the school trip which we gained through blood, tears and sweat(?).} "Uooooo!" {This was the first destination of the school trip, Osaka. I-----n Naniwa Fararuta World---!!} "This is so cool!" {This feels great---!} [Please don't ask me what Naniwa Fararuta means... I have no idea... But it seems like a amusement park.]

Text: Attraction - 'Dragon's Canyon' You too can ride a dragon!!

Tsukasa: {---...Aa... It's not a dream... ...I right now... I'm actually on a school trip...!! It's not a dream!!} "...Fu fu..." [Think of fu fu as ha ha] She's laughing and crying. {I never thought this day would come after I told my parents back in Grade 3 that I wanted to go on the school trip and they were absolutely against it---...}

Shimada: "..."

Kudo: "..."

Asago: {...What's with her?} "She's moved to tears over a school trip?" {How baka.}

Ryuji: "---..."

Tsukasa: {---...Aa... All of this is because of the vice principal and Shige-chan who changed the school policy so that participation in the school trip was mandatory, and Toshi who helped me to convince Taku-nii who was against it like our parents...!!}

Flashback.

Toshi, matter of factly: "We can't help it Taku-nii, since it's mandatory. And I'm destined for the same place." {Don't wo~rry. It'll be fi~ne.}

Tsukasa, with tears in her eyes and her hands to her face: "Toshi..."

Taku with his arms crossed and not looking too impressed: "---..."

Tsukasa: {Even... Even if the destination is within this country! Okay, yeah, so during the orienteering I was after a trip across seas...!! But I'm happily satisfied...!!} Tsukasa turns into a butterfly (wings and antennae included) and is flying in happiness. Actually, she doesn't have an extra pair of legs and it looks like someone skipping along with wings on her back...

Text: Tsukasa is happy ©

Tsukasa: {-And... There's another reason why I'm 100% satisfied with this school trip------ ---That is...}

Tsukasa, all smiles: "Ryuji-kun, Ryuji-kun, we're trying to decide where to go next but how about you?" {...because Ryuji and I might not have been able to go around together like this on a school trip---...}

Ryuji glances over at Tsukasa and lets out: "...Horror World..."

Tsukasa starts. {---...But... Well......} "Oka--y!! To 'Macroman World' in the world of bright dreams and wishes(?)---!!"

Kudo and Shimada cheer. Asaba, Asago and Ryuji don't look impressed.

Tsukasa: {-Though... it seems that he still has something on his mind---... ---That was because of last week at the orienteering to decide where the school trip was. Ryuji found out that I loved him. ---...And... if that situation persisted, then my brothers' lives were in danger. If the relationship between Ryuji and I didn't return back to a 'friendly' relation, Asago threatened to have me leave Ryuji's side--- ---I wanted to avoid that as much as possible so I cried and persuaded him that 'I just wanted to be friends'---} She glances behind her at Ryuji. "......" {...But...}

Ryuji is seriously pouting. {Horror world...} Looks like he's accusing her with his eyes.

Tsukasa: {...I don't have any confidence that he'll accept that---... -...But... Since it looks to me that in Asago's eyes that we're back to our former relations so... if possible, I wish to maintain this situation forever---...}

After that attraction.

Tsukasa [I think]: "That was coo~l. Where should we go next?"

Shimada: "Um... the closest thing to here is something called 'Time Travel World'......"

Tsukasa: "Oka-y! Then let's go there next--!"

Shimada and Kudo cheer. [Seems they see Tsukasa as a good friend now] They start following her.

Ryuji, behind them: "..."

Asago: "How disgusting... Following each other like elementary school kids!"

Asaba is looking around suspiciously: "..."

Tsukasa: "...Asaba-kun... Are you looking for someone?"

Asaba starts: "N, No! I'm not looking for someone!!" The statement is accompanied with a popped vein.

Tsukasa: "...H~m... ...Either way Asaba-kun... There's no free time to go your own way this time." She smiles.

Asaba: "!!" He starts. "Don't worry! As soon as we leave Osaka I'll go my own way!!"

Tsukasa: "...No...! You don't have to... Since it is a school trip you should come with us and deepen our friendship." {Okay, okay?}

Asaba stares at her for a moment with wide eyes: "...Humph...! What do you mean friendship!? Who the hell is going to deepen that which is so fragile!!? I know well! People like you......! You just talk and then easily betray people!!"

Tsukasa is taken aback. She then points at Asaba. "I won't betray you! I don't know what kind of cold-hearted people you were hanging around with but when I become friends with someone then even if someone tries to break it, the friendship won't break!!" There's a flying fish, something that will fit in the palm of your hand floating by. Apparently they're swimming security cameras that happen to be shaped as fish. "If you're ever in a pinch, then I'll use this body and protect you......!!"

Someone grabs a hold of one of the swimming cameras.

Tsukasa, smiling and holding out her hand to Asaba: "...So...! From today on, you and I are good friends...!!" {Dear friend (in poorly pronounced English), your hand!}

Asaba: "Don't decide that yourself!!"

The swimming camera suddenly comes whipping out of nowhere hitting Tsukasa on the back of the head.

Tsukasa, with tears in her eyes: "OUCH!!"

It's Ryuji. Asago is beside him but is looking the other way. Asaba freaks at her outburst.

Tsukasa turns around to look at Ryuji: "......"

Ryuji is pouting, and turns away: "......"

Asago: "Ryuji, let's go over there~~~"

Tsukasa: {...Man! What's with Ryuji...!! I almost had Asaba open up a bit more and then Ryuji goes and disrupts it. And who does he think will pair up with Asaba-kun here at Fararuta World at the attractions!! Even when we rode the dragons, I paired up with Asaba-kun!! And since we've been here at Osaka, you're plastered on Asago!! During our short time here at Fararuta World, Ryuji should have no right to interfere with me trying to become friends with Asaba-kun!!}

Asaba is staring at something.

Tsukasa: {Huh?}

Asaba: "......"

Tsukasa, coming up behind Asaba: "Hey Asaba-kun." {If you keep looking around like that you'll get lost--- Did you see a girl you like?}

Asaba: "......" He points. "...That panda and the rabbit... They've been following us!!" There are 2 people dressed in costumes (one of a panda, one of a rabbit) that are dancing in circles.

Tsukasa: "... ...Isn't it your imagination...?" {There's so many of them here.}

Asaba: "No!! They were at the 'Dragon's Canyon' too!! For sure!! I know it!!" {I've checked with these own eyes.}

Tsukasa, staring at Asaba: "......"

Asaba: "... ...W... What?"

Tsukasa: "...Asaba-kun... It seems like since... No, since we've come to Osaka, it seems you can't sit still...?" {You seem to be very sensitive about the surroundings.} "Why?"

Asaba, blanching: "......! ...No reason!!" He turns and stalks off.

Tsukasa, looking thoughtful: "---..."

The rabbit and the panda: "...... ......" The panda pats the shoulder of the rabbit. The rabbit nods.

A man steps behind them. He has a scar below his left eye.

Man: "---..."

In front of the Time Travel World attraction.

Announcement: "---Welcome to Time Travel World. The place is Japan, the time is set as the Edo era."

Student: "Edo era. Next month it would have been the Renaissance."

Announcement: "Customers who wish to take part in this attraction are to trade in their entrance ticket for a chance to draw for different costumes. Half of the costume ticket will be sent with your present clothes to the exit so be sure to give it to an attendant------"

Female attendant: "Welcome! I will assist with the costumes."

Tsukasa: "A! I'll wear that with my protector on. Yeah, thanks. Thank goodness it's not a long kimono that drags all over the place. Looks like this type suits me."

Attendant: "Sorry to keep you waiting. When you open this door you will see a city in the Edo era."

Tsukasa: "Coo~~l." The door opens. "Time sli--p into the Edo era!"

She walks out into the setting. Tsukasa's costume? [Sigh...]

Tsukasa, rubbing her hands together. {Wasn't it you could actually go into stores here and get food~~~}

Text: At the entrance, money could be exchanged with money from the Edo era to be used here.

Tsukasa laughs to herself. {If I use my tiny allowance then I can't buy souvenirs for everyone so keep that aside~~~~} She's labelled as stingy. {And I'll have Ryuji treat me here!!} Seems like she's forgotten that it'll be tacked onto her debt. She starts. {...Then I better have Ryuji change some money!!} She turns. "Is Ryuji already out yet!?" She looks around. "It looks just like the historical play I watched on TV when I was a gaki!!"

A nearby door open. Ryuji steps out, still pouting, with a sword slung over his shoulder. What? Ryuji's description!? [Sigh...]

Okay, Ryuji's costume looks a lot like Tsukasa's. He too is wearing a dark wig (though much shorter that Tsukasa's) and it's up in a pony tail. The hakama he's wearing is darker than Tsukasa's and he's also wearing a dark top. [Sorry, but I don't know what these are called.]

Tsukasa: {...No way...}

He catches her eye. "...What... You're a 'tsujikiri' as well."

Text: Tsujikiri = a villain that kills innocent people with a sword, and sometimes strips the victim of all possessions. (Also called a phantom killer).

Tsukasa starts laughing her head off, pounding the ground, and holding her stomach. "A villain---!!" {It suits you too much---!}

Ryuji: "......" He doesn't look impressed. "Humph. And you come here as a swordswoman? You sure can't get out of this cross dressing thing can you?" There are thorns on the speech balloon.

Tsukasa, getting up: "...What's that!?" {I meant it suits you as kakkoii!!}

Text: Is that right...?

Tsukasa: "What's with you? You went and threw that fish at me! What's pissing you off!!?"

He looks at her and reaches out with his right hand. He touches her face.

Tsukasa: {---E...} Her heart skips a beat. {---Ryu...}

Asago's voice: "Hey! What's this!! How rude---!!"

Tsukasa slips out of the way.

Ryuji, pouting again: "---..."

Asago's voice: "Why do I have to be tied up like this in this dirty and manuke form!!? What is this anyway!?"

Ryuji sighs.

Tsukasa, who's back is to Ryuji sees Asago. Her eyes are wide and her mouth is hanging open.

Asago: "A! Is that you there Ryuji?"

Ryuji: "......" He turns. He then sees Asago and freezes with his eyes wide open.

Asago, tied up: "Ryuji---!! Do something about this---!!"

Now Asago is pouting. She took the wig and the ropes off.

Asago: "How humiliating~~~ Why am I a criminal!!?" {How unfair!}

Tsukasa, trying not to burst out laughing: "You can't help it. You drew the ticket for it." {Blame your luck at drawing tickets.}

Asago, turning to Tsukasa: "You!! Stop remembering and laughing like that!!" {I'll hit you!!}

Tsukasa: "And you're not the only one who has bad luck at drawing tickets. Right Asaba-kun!!" She turns back, laughing.

Asaba, in a hime-sama costume: "DON'T LAUGH!!" [hime-sama = princess] Apparently, he had removed the wig. Shimada is behind Asaba as a guard [I think that's that okappiki means] while Kudo is at Asaba's side as a government official accompanying the princess.

All of the sudden 4 ninjas surround them.

Asago: "E?"

Tsukasa: "...W...! What's this!?"

The ninjas draw swords.

Ninja 1: "...Hey... You the hime-san back there... If you care for the welfare of your party then come here......"

Asaba starts.

Ninja ? [They all look the same]: "If you don't do as I say then we'll slice these people before we take you away!!"

Asaba: "!!"

Tsukasa: "..."

The crowd around them is watching in interest.

Tsukasa: {...A! ...I see...! This is probably part of a show!! Cool---!! I've always wanted to do try acting out a fighting scene!! Oka---y!!}

Tsukasa laughs. "You fools...... You claim that you can kidnap the princess in front of me, the one known as the famed guardian of the princess......" She's using very formal, and I guess ancient speech.

Asago, starting: "...Ryuji! The baka's saying something!"

Ryuji: "..."

Tsukasa, drawing out her sword: "...Fine..."

Asaba: "...!"

Tsukasa: "If you can take the princess from me... then try to do so...!!" [Ve~ry cool.]

One of the ninjas takes his sword and neatly cuts Tsukasa's into two. The echo of the cut 'blade' carries on for a whole frame.

Asaba, looking freaked: "......"

Tsukasa looking at the cut end of her sword: "......"

Asago: "......"

Ryuji: "......."

Asago: "... ...They're real..."

The ninja gets a heel dropped on top of his head. Tsukasa then kicks him out of the way.

"...Ba...kayaro---! Who the hell would use real swords against the public---!!" She starts beating up the ninjas.

Asago and Ryuji sit down in the middle of the road in seiza position and start drinking tea, which came out of nowhere. [seiza is sitting on your heels... It totally puts your legs to sleep if you don't do it regularly...] Asaba is freaking.

Tsukasa: "Bring the person responsible for this---! Bring him here---!!" She's yelling her head off with fangs, pointing at the fallen ninjas.

Text: Anger!!

Asago, holding the tea cup: "...That baka... I really don't think they're part of the staff here..." {She really is foolish......}

Ryuji, holding the tea cup: "..."

Voice: "Those are the lower ranked gang of Tawarabegumi."

Tsukasa: "!"

Asago and Ryuji: "!!"

A man comes out: "...See... didn't I tell you if you want to protect yourself without troubling other people to learn about disguises?" The man has short dark hair and a moustache. He's dressed in the clothing of a commoner. He seems to be carrying electronic equipment or something since there's wires coming out of a shoulder bag. He also seems to be wearing a monocle. He's also using female language.

Tsukasa: "...Who's the guy with the female language?"

Asago, blanching: "...Wait a minute... ...That voice... Could it be...!"

The man removes his wig and peels off his 'face'. Tsukasa freaks. It turns out it was a well made mask.

Tsukasa: "AA---!? Isn't that the 'girl who will be in critical condition dragging Asago around'..." [You know, she kind of looks like Tsukasa when she was wearing the awful waitress outfit.]

Asago: "Asaba Sumire------!!"

Tsukasa: "...E...? A... ...Asaba...?"

Asaba: "......."

After the initial shock wore off.

Sumire: "---Sorry that our baka has caused trouble." She turns to Asaba. "What's with you to be protected by a katagi no hito?" [Okay, I'm tired of translating katagi no hito as an 'honest person' since it doesn't sound right so get used to another term. katagi would roughly mean 'honest' and hito means person. no is a preposition or something like that.] Sumire is bowing her head down and is trying to get her brother to bow down as well.

Text: Asaba Tsubaki (age 15) and Asaba Sumire (age 15) are twin siblings. [Thank goodness she has a name now... Critical condition girl was too long]

Tsubaki, [formerly Asaba if I've confused you]: "......"

Now what!? Why are Tsubaki and Sumire in the same grade as Tsukasa et al when they're different ages? School starts in April in Japan. So anyone born between April to the next year's March are in the same grade. I guess that means that either (A) the Asaba siblings' birthday has already passed or (B), Tsukasa et al haven't turned 15 yet.

Tsukasa: "..." {Some kumi's lower ranked gang...} "...katagi no hito... ...You... Does that mean......" {Could it be...}

Sumire seems to recognize Tsukasa: "...Aa! You're the one who announced that you would be good friends with Tsubaki!"

Tsubaki: "!?"

Tsukasa: "He!?" {Well yeah, that would be me......}

Sumire: "My~ When you wear a wig you seem different~~~" {You look beautiful all of the sudden ©} "Are you really a boy?"

Tsubaki: "...Hey, wait a second. If you know that then doesn't that mean you've been following us all this time---!?"

Sumire: "Yes, all this time! I even have you freaking out over the innocent looking panda and rabbit recorded by this high vision 3-D video camera ©" She laughs.

Tsubaki: "...Then you! You were just watching when I was going to be attacked by those men!?" {You cold hearted person!!}

Sumire: "I only have the same amount of self defense training as you!! What was I supposed to about that group!? Don't you have Azuma-san behind you!? I thought he was going to come out and save you!!"

Silence.

Tsubaki: "...Where's Azuma...?" [Azuma is a last name.]

Asago: "...Ryuji... ...That name... 'Asaba'..."

Ryuji: "......"

Asago: "Wasn't there a gokudo syndicate with someone with that name that put up a banner in the Kansai area?"

Tsubaki and Sumire: "...A."

Asago [I think]: "...Wasn't it..."

Ryuji: "...Kadokanegumi. Run by the head executive Asaba Itsuro kumicho---"

Tsukasa: {...Go---... A gokudo's son------!!? Asaba---!!?}

Sumire, looking cute, patting her brother's back: "Aaaannn They found out~~~" {What should we do~~}

Tsubaki: "You gave them the hint!"

Ryuji: "...And Tawarabegumi is also a well known in the Kansai. The syndicate's power equalled Kadokanegumi as far as I remembered......... If you're attacked by members of the Tawarabegumi then it must be a dominance fight..."

Tsukasa: "---..."

Sumire: {...Fu fu...} She laughs. "...So Kuryugumi's Sandaime isn't just for show......" {I've heard that he knows news about other syndicates like that but what an annoying junior high student.}

Tsubaki: "---..."

Tsukasa: {...A---...} "..." {...I see---...} Tsubaki sees her and glances away. {---That's why---... Because his father is a gokudo Asaba-kun---...} She recalls all of Tsubaki's earlier outbursts.

A little while later.

In the change rooms.

Tsubaki exits, back into his school uniform.

Attendant: "That you very much-"

Tsubaki: "...... ---..." He sighs.

Voice: "---Asaba Tsubaki-san?"

Tsubaki turns around: "...E...?"

A furry clawed hand darts out with a cloth, covering Tsubaki's mouth. [Personally, it looks like a bear's paw.]

Tsubaki: "!!"

A little distance away.

Tsukasa is trying to explain the situation to Ryuji.

Tsukasa: "---See? Asaba-kun probably lost friends and was treated coldly just because his father is a yakuza's kumicho. So he probably hates the katagi, who are the yakuza's enemy."

Ryuji: "---..." They are both walking down the hall with their school uniforms back on. "He's not the only one with a yakuza for a father......"

Tsukasa: "......" {...That's right---... ...That's why... I.......}

Asago and Sumire are waiting for them at the meeting area just outside of the attraction.

Sumire: "Hey? ...Where's Tsubaki?"

Tsukasa: "...E? ...H... Huh...? He wasn't in the room he was using so... I thought he was already here......"

Sumire: "What------!? ...Wait a minute...! Could it be that he was attacked by someone from Tawarabegumi again......"

Something catches Tsukasa's eye: "An? ...He...?" She notices the panda and the rabbit running off into a throng of trees. They're carrying an unconscious Tsubaki.

Sumire, who followed her gaze: "AAAAAA! Tsubaki---!!" {The panda and rabbit combo---!}

Tsukasa takes off at a run: "Wait---! The panda and the rabbit there---!" She collides with something. "Gya!"

Tsukasa had collided with a man. It's the man with the scar under his left eye.

Man: "...A."

Tsukasa: "...!"

Sumire: "A...!"

Man: "....Forgive me...! Are you all right......"

Tsukasa, holding her face: "~~~! ...Mister... I'm busy right now......! ...Outta my way...!!" She glares up at him.

The man starts when he sees her face.

Tsukasa takes off.

Man: "..." He watches Tsukasa go.

Sumire: "Azuma-san!!"

Man: "! Ojyosan."

Sumire: "What were you doing up until now when you're Tsubaki's guard!!?"

Azuma: "...... There was the suspicious looking panda and rabbit that were following you before you entered this Time Travel World... They were just......"

Sumire, who starts taking off at a run: "That suspicious looking panda and rabbit just took Tsubaki away---!!"

Azuma: "...E!? ...No way...!" {But that...!} He turns and sees Ryuji. He looks very surprised.

Ryuji: "...?"

Azuma takes off too, muttering under his breath.

Asago: "...What was that...?"

Ryuji: "---..."