2. Are You Serious?
Kozue(?): Who're you?
Shiratori: ...huh?
Kozue(?): What's "huh?" supposed to mean?! I'm asking who the hell you are!
Shiratori: Eh...? [thinking] Wh...what the...? Why did Ooya-san all of a sudden...? She seems terribly angry, but...ah?! Don't tell me when she collapsed before, I touched her somewhere...?! [out loud] So-sorry!
Kozue(?): !
Shiratori: I didn't mean to do anything like THA?!!
POW!
[Kozue(?) hits Shiratori with a right hook that sends him flying!]
Kozue(?): Apologizing without even giving your own name--A SNEAK-THIEF, ARE YOU?
[The air around her sizzles as she stalks forward.]
Kozue(?): For a burglar to enter Narutaki-sou...you've got guts! Prepare yourself!!
Shiratori: [sickly] I'm...I'm sorry...
Kozue(?): If you can get by with a "sorry," there'd be no need for the Latter Days! (1) Don't think you can just go home in perfectly good health!
Shiratori: I...I didn't mean to touch you anywhere strange...
Kozue(?): Wha...?!
[That takes her aback...]
Kozue(?): ..."Anywhere strange"...
[...for a few seconds.]
Kozue(?): You perverted bastard!! (2) I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!! (3)
Shiratori: Wh...why...?!
Momono: Hey, what's going on?
[A very sleepy-looking Momono and Girl 2 from earlier stand in the doorway.]
Momono: What's with the uproar?
Girl 2: Yeah, what's going on? (4)
Kozue(?): THE PERVERT AND MY BODY THIS SNEAK-THIEF!! (5)
Momono & Girl 2: Huh? (What're you doing?)
[A short time later...focus in on Shiratori's still-overwhelmed face...]
Momono: Wow! Still, it's been a while, hasn't it? Three months?
Shiratori: ...
Kozue(?): Oh? Has it been that long already? Have you guys been doing well? [laughs]
Girl 2: Oh yes!
[Everyone is now sitting in a circle in Shiratori's room.]
Kozue(?): And you--if you're a new guy, hurry up and say you are!
[She laughs uproariously.]
Kozue(?): I thought you were a sneak-thief and beat the crap out of you!!
Shiratori: ...
[Kozue(?) leans over, scowling.]
Kozue(?): You really didn't do lewd things to my body?
Shiratori: Right...
Kozue(?): Then it's all good!
[She slaps him on the back and begins laughing again.]
Kozue(?): Well, we both did too much, so let's just let it slide! (6) Eh, Shiratori!!
Shiratori: [thinking] What...? What's going on?? I don't understand what happened before...???
Kozue(?): Aaagh! This hair is depressing! Tamami, gimme a rubber! (7)
Tamami (aka "Girl 2"): (8) Right away!
Shiratori: [thinking] Earlier, I thought that was just the way Ooya-san got angry, but she's still talking and acting like that... (9) Maybe she's still angry...?
[Kozue(?) pulls her hair up into a ponytail.]
Kozue(?): Right! Now, then, today is Shiratori's welcome party!
Shiratori: [thinking] ...but she doesn't look that way...
[Shiratori claps his hands to his head and silently freaks out.]
Shiratori: [thinking] WHAT'S GOING ON?!!
Kozue(?): What's with that face, Shiratori?
[Kozue(?) looms ominously over Shiratori.]
Kozue(?): Is our welcome party a nuisance? HMM?
Momono: [whispering] It's out! The sure-kill Yankee! (10)
Tamami: [whispering] Yep!
Shiratori: D-don't be absurd!
[Kozue(?) beams.]
Kozue(?): Then, it's decided! For now, you go buy some plum wine (11) and beer and snacks!
Shiratori: WHAT?! For my own welcome party...?!
Kozue(?) [again looming ominously] DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT?
Shiratori: W-well, I'm off! [flees]
Momono: ...
[Momono stares after Shiratori, not saying a word.]
Kozue(?): Oh yeah, how are Sayoko and ol' man Haibara?
Tamami: It's late at night, so they're sleeping, I'd guess.
[Cut to outdoors...a dark, starry night.]
Shiratori: Oooooh...
[He shivers at a gust of wind.]
Shiratori: Why...why did this... [thinking] What in the world happened to Ooya-san? Why did she suddenly turn into such a scary person...?
Voice: Shiratori-kun!
[Shiratori turns to see Momono jogging towards him.]
Shiratori: Ah...Momono-san...?
Momono: You still don't know this area very well, right? I'll show you where there's a convenience store nearby, so let's go together.
Shiratori: Mo...Momono-san!
[He rushes tearfully towards her.]
Momono: [thinking] What an interesting person...
[Cut to outside of storefront.]
Voice: Thank you, and come again!
[The two begin to walk back.]
Shiratori: ...Momono-san...
Momono: Hm? What is it?
Shiratori: Um...it's about Ooya-san...Why did she suddenly...
[Momono sighs.]
Momono: That's why I told you to be careful!
Shiratori: ...eh?
Momono: You gave Kozue-chan an emotional shock, right? I don't know what, exactly, but...
And thus...
Shiratori: Um...certainly, I might have given her a shock, but what relation does that have to...
Momono: A BIG relation.
[She looks back over her shoulder at Shiratori.]
Momono: Because of that, Kozue-chan switched over.
...I came to know that unbelievable reality.Shiratori: ...?
[Momono looks away again.]
Momono: You see, Kozue-chan...when she takes an emotional shock, or her emotions become unstable...it changes. Her personality, that is.
Shiratori: ...her personality changes...? What does that mean?
Momono: Well, to put it bluntly...she has multiple personalities.
Shiratori: Mu...multiple personalities?! That's ridiculous! Would you please answer me seriously?!
Momono: Oh, I'm dead serious! ...Well, certainly, it's hard to believe when you're suddenly told, "Multiple personalities"--I was the same way at first. That's why when we met that time, I didn't tell you...
[She looks back over her shoulder at him again.]
Momono: ...but when the real thing happens right in front of you, you have to believe it, right? If you can explain such a sudden change any other way, I'd love to hear it!
Shiratori: ...
Momono: ...Anyway! If you can get used to it, it's pretty interesting! [laughs]
Shiratori: [thinking] Multiple personalities...? Isn't that just something you see in novels or dramas?
Momono: Hey! If we don't hurry, Saki-chan will be really pissed!
Shiratori: [thinking] That such a thing exists in reality...it's hard to believe...
[Closeup of Kozue(?)'s irritated face.]
Saki (aka "Kozue(?)"): YOU'RE LATE.
[She begins to pull on Shiratori's cheeks as she continues to yell at him.
Saki: WHAT DID YOU DO, CRAWL?! (12) DASH, DAMMIT! DASH! (And don't get salt-flavored curls!!)
Shiratori: [thinking] It's hard to believe, but...certainly, compared to Ooya-san from before, her personality is too different... [out loud] Ah...! I've got it!
[He points at her accusingly.]
Shiratori: You're Ooya-san's younger twin sister, right? Or older sister!
Saki: Huh?
[Again irritated, she drives her fist down into Shiratori's skull.]
Shiratori: OW!
Saki: Don't go trying to fool people by saying stuff I don't understand!
Shiratori: [thinking] Wait...but Ooya-san became like this right in front of my eyes! Aah...so much for the twin explanation...
Momono: [whispering] Just as I thought, this guy is interesting...
Tamami: [whispering] Definitely!
Saki: Since I've been here, you've done nothing but hesitate and sob! I HATE girly men like you! If you're a man, act like one!
Shiratori: B-but Ooya-san, compared to earlier your personality is...
Saki: OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Don't make that pitiful face at me! Even under normal circumstances, your face looks like a woman's!
Shiratori: ! [thinking] People don't worry about...!!
Saki: On top of that, "Shiratori" isn't a very masculine family name! (13)
Shiratori: [thinking] Eeh...
Saki: If your birth sign's Virgo, it's a grand slam! (14)
Shiratori: ...
[Box: "Born September 9: VIRGO"]
[Shiratori turns away and crouches down, with a truly gloomy expression on his face...]
Shiratori: Well, I'd like it too if I had a more masculine face...and family name...and was a Leo...
[...and Saki freaks out.]
Saki: THAT'S WHY I'M TELLING YOU NOT TO BE SO HESITANT! WERE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!
Momono: [whispering] I think it's because he was listening that he's being so timid...
Tamami: [whispering] Agreed...
Saki: Oh, FORGET IT! For now, IT'S A PARTY! Today, we're going to get thoroughly drunk! Prepare yourselves, guys!
Momono: My, my--as always, you're in high spirits!
Tamami: Definitely!
[The three sit down a short distance from Shiratori, who still has his back to them.]
Momono: Here's your usual, Saki-chan!
Saki: Oh, thanks, Momo!
Shiratori: ...
Saki: Here's to Shiratori's moving in--kanpai! (15)
[She looks over, and sees Shiratori still sitting with his back turned.]
Saki: What're you doing, Shiratori? You too--get over here and have a toast!
Shiratori: ...Sorry, but I don't feel like doing that right now...
Saki: WHAT?
[Before he knows what's happening, she's dashed over to him and slung an arm around his neck, forcing him to look at her.]
Shiratori: !!?
Saki: Are you saying you won't drink my sake?!
Momono: [whispering] And she immediately picks a fight!
Tamami: [whispering] Yep!
Shiratori: [thinking] Ah...whoa...
Saki: What the hell is that?!
Shiratori: [thinking] To...to be close to Ooya-san's face like this...ah...
Saki: ...do you?!
Shiratori: [thinking] Her personality is enraged, but...when I look at her up close like this, as I thought--
[Shiratori's musings are cut short as Saki again drives her fist down into his skull.]
Saki: WOULD YOU LISTEN WHEN SOMEONE'S TALKING TO YOU?!
Shiratori: [groans]
[Momono breaks out in laughter.]
Momono: Now, now, Saki-chan! Shiratori-kun is nervous because he's surrounded by strangers! It's been awhile since we met, so let's have fun and drink!
Saki: WHAT?! YOU'RE THIS OLD, AND YOU'RE SHY?! I'LL BEAT IT OUT OF YOU!!! (16)
[Sounds of violence, with Shiratori pleading for her to stop.]
Momono: Ah...For now, I think I should disperse Saki-chan, eh...?
Tamami: Eh?! Already? (That's boring!)
[Over in the corner, Shiratori is cowering as Saki waves her fist in the air.]
Momono: Can't be helped. At this rate, Shiratori-kun will move out for sure! (Just like the other new residents up until now.)
Tamami: ...Certainly, that's boring too...
Momono: So, then... [louder] Ah, sorry, sorry! I forgot, Saki-chan's a flyweight! (17)
[Saki freezes.]
Saki: ...What was that? WHO's a flyweight?!
Momono: Oh, don't play dumb! Really, you can't handle sake at all!
Saki: WHAT?! If you're going to say that, then let's drink! Flyweight?! Don't make fun of me!
Momono: Ah--not that one, this one!
[Momono deftly grabs the glass that was in Saki's hands and replaces it with another--much to Saki's dismay.]
Saki: Erk!
Momono: [giggles] Oh my, what is it? Is this sake something inconvenient?
Saki: N...no...it's not that...
Shiratori: ...? [thinking] What's...?
Momono: Well then, drink!
Saki: U...uu...
[Now, Saki looks really uneasy.]
Momono: [singing] Drink! Drink! Drink!
Saki: Eh! What the hell!
[And, closing her eyes, she throws one back.]
Saki: If I drink this much...!!!
[Shiratori watches in the distance as Momono and Saki kneel facing one another. Saki swallows...]
Shiratori: ...
[...and her face flushes deep red, as steam pours out of her with enough force to blow back Momono's hair.]
Shiratori: ...?! [thinking] Wh...what was that? What in the world did Momono-san...? [out loud] Uh...um...
[Slowly, zombie-like, she begins to lurch towards him.]
Saki: You choo ran rerirori ran rarou?
Shiratori: Eh? Eh?
Saki: Rorarera rorarerure...ro--ruru...
[Suddenly she throws her arms up in the air and roars at Shiratori like a monster, sending Shiratori into a panic!]
Saki: RURAAAA!!!
Shiratori: !? [thinking] WHAT THE HECK?!
[And then, her eyes go swirly, and she falls forward, toppling over with Shiratori underneath.]
Shiratori: [thinking] Uah...
Saki: ...rore...
[Saki has landed squarely on top of Shiratori, with her cleavage resting comfortably on his face.]
Shiratori: [thinking] UAHH!
Momono: Now then! Sorry to do this when you're in such a fun place, but...
[She grabs Saki by the back of the collar, and hauls her off Shiratori.]
Momono: ...continue that later, when it's just the two of you!
Shiratori: Mo...Momono-san...
[A little later...Saki is on her back, out cold and snoring away.]
Shiratori: ...Is Ooya-san all right?
Momono: Ah, she's fine, she's fine. This is just a drunken sleep. Even though she can only drink plum wine, she puts on airs like she's a great drinker. It's cute! One cup of liquor, and she's like this!
Shiratori: Huh...
Momono: Well now...Saki-chan's gone to sleep, so let's end the wedding here for today, eh? (19)
Shiratori: Huh?!
[Momono slings Saki up onto her shoulder.]
Momono: Well, for now, yoroshiku! Oh, and there's no need worry about Kozue-chan. I'll take responsibility and bring her back to her room. Besides--tomorrow morning, when she wakes up, she'll be back to the old Kozue-chan.
Shiratori: Really?
Momono: Yep! That's how it is, so don't think too seriously about things!
[She turns to go, with Saki/Kozue slung over one shoulder, while she drags a complacent Tamami along by the braid with her other hand.]
Shiratori: Uh...um...
Momono: Oh, your welcome party--we'll do that again another day. Next time, we'll invite everyone!
Shiratori: That's not what I...
Momono: 'Night!
[The door swings shut behind them.]
Shiratori: Ah...
Thus...
Shiratori: ...
...on the busy, confusing, harried (20) first day of my life in the capital...
[Outside...]
Tamami: Shiratori-san was dumbfounded!
[Momono's no longer dragging her by the hair; Tamami is dancing around, singing gleefully.]
Tamami: That's our Momo-san! Glib of tongue, deft of hand... coiling around him like smoke...so skillful!
[Momono slaps her upside the head.]
Momono: Hey! Don't badmouth my reputation!
[She sighs.]
Momono: But still...to see a personality change on his first day...From here on out...
[She looks at Tamami, and they both break out laughing.]
Momono: This should be very interesting! Don't you think?
Tamami: Oh, yes!
...I was...
[Back inside Shiratori's room, he's flat on his back, staring at the ceiling.]
Shiratori: ... [thinking] What a long day...
...in a state of chaos.
Shiratori: [thinking] Multiple personalities...you've got to be kidding...but, certainly, if you think about it...the angelic, kind Ooya-san who for some reason is favorable to me...and, on the other hand, my enemy, the devilish Ooya-san who picks on me...come to think of it, Momono-san called her "Saki-chan"...
[He flops over onto his stomach.]
Shiratori: [thinking] I don't know if it's multiple personalities, but...if she turns into such a dreadful personality often, my body won't be able to take it...but more importantly--if such a person is around, will I be able to carefully work on my pictures?
[He sniffs back a tear.]
Shiratori: [thinking] The reason I moved to the capital in the first place was to shorten my commute time, and devote those extra minutes to my work...but no matter how much time I gain, if I can't concentrate, it's meaningless!
[He pictures Momono and Tamami in his mind, standing in front of a chaotic background.]
Shiratori: [thinking] On top of that, weird people (?) live here...even Ooya-san...
[He sighs.]
Shiratori: [thinking] Maybe I should look for a different apartment...but I've already paid the security deposit and finder's fee--I don't have any more money!
I was perplexed...
Shiratori: [thinking] I'd rather not ask home for help...oh, what should I do?!
And, while I was being perplexed...
[Shot of the sun in the sky.]
Night turned to day...
[Shiratori has bags under his eyes, and clearly hasn't slept a wink.]
Shiratori: ...if I get a part-time job, I might be able to do something about the money...but...
[Light streams in through the window, and Shiratori does a double-take.]
Shiratori: ...huh? It's already morning?
[He steps outside, sighing heavily.]
Shiratori: [thinking] I should decide what to do about this place as soon as possible...for the time being, though, I'll wash my face and try to change my mood...now, where's the washroom...?
[He spots Kozue standing in the courtyard with a watering can, and quickly hides behind a support pillar.]
Shiratori: [thinking] O...OOYA-SAN...?! What in the world is she doing here...? No, more importantly, which Ooya-san is she?! She seems calm, but...wait, Momono-san said, "When she wakes up, she'll be back to normal"...which would mean that right now, Ooya-san is--
Kozue: Good morning, Shiratori-san!
Shiratori: UAHH!
Kozue: Um...is something wrong?
Shiratori: N...not at all! Good morning, Ooya-san. [thinking] That surprised me...but...
Kozue: We've got good weather again today!
Shiratori: [thinking] Certainly, she seems to have returned to the Ooya-san from earlier...besides which, that worry-free smile...it looks like she doesn't have any memories from last night, after all... [out loud] What are you doing out here?
Kozue: Ah, I was giving this garden (21) some water.
Shiratori: Garden...? Ah, you're growing flowers?
Kozue: Oh, no, this isn't a flower garden--it's a "Fun Garden!"
Shiratori: A...fun garden...?
Kozue: That's right! We take the seeds from different fruits we've eaten, and rather than throw them away, we bury them here! Watermelon seeds, dried plum seeds, all kinds...and I figure they'll grow, eventually.
Shiratori: Um...they probably won't...
Kozue: But look! Something's already sprouted!
Shiratori: Wh...you're right! It really...!! (Seriously...?)
Kozue: It'll be fun to see what's growing, don't you think?
Shiratori: [thinking] I see...so that's why it's a "Fun Garden"...
Kozue: Shiratori-san, what kind of fruit do you like?
Shiratori: Eh...?
Kozue: If...a fruit you like ripens, let's eat it together, OK?
Shiratori: ...
Kozue: Ah...but...
Shiratori: ?
Kozue: If it's peaches, it'll be three years...if it's persimmons, eight years...for nashi, (22) it takes eighteen years...
Shiratori: Eh?
Kozue: I'd hoped it would only take about a year, but...
Shiratori: [thinking] Ah, I see...so that's it...
Before I knew it...
Shiratori: Ooya-san.
My confusion disappeared.
Shiratori: I like all kinds of fruit, so...I, too, will be looking forward to the day these ripen.
Kozue: Ye...YES! I'll do my best to bring these up--I'll treasure them, so that they become delicious fruits!
Shiratori: Right! [thinking] Yes...even if you talk about multiple personalities, it seems to be a temporary thing...the real Ooya-san is this wonderful girl.
[Just then, Momono comes out of her apartment, and sees Shiratori sitting on the edge of the walkway.]
Momono: Oh?
Shiratori: [thinking] The problem isn't so serious. Everyone has times when they're in a bad mood...
[The young girl from earlier comes up the walkway, dragging the young woman from earlier (who looks asleep on her feet) by the hand and waving to Momono.]
Girl: Ah, Momono-san! Good mo--
Momono: Sh!
Shiratori: [thinking] When that personality is out, if I think, "She's just irritated," it's not such a big deal! [out loud] Ooya-san!
Kozue: Yes?
Shiratori: Um...there's something I really should have said when I came here yesterday...I completely forgot...
Kozue: ?
Shiratori: This might feel a little late, but...from here on out, I'll be relying on you, (23) Ooya-san! From here on, yoroshiku!
Kozue: Ah...ye-yes! The same here--yoroshi...
[Just then, Momono steps up and sets off a party noisemaker right by Shiratori's ear, scaring the living daylights out of him!]
Momono, Young Girl and Woman: WELCOME TO NARUTAKISOU!!!
[Shiratori slowly looks over his shoulder and glares at Momono, who's cackling madly.]
Momono: Did I surprise you? (It's a new resident welcome cracker!) Yoroshiku, Shiratori-kun!
[Then, Tamami pops out of the bushes, scaring Shiratori out of another three years of life.]
Shiratori: ...!? How long have you been there...?!
Kozue: Tamami-chan...
Tamami: This place is popular this morning!
[Someone taps Shiratori on the shoulder.]
Man's voice: Yo.
[Shiratori turns around, and sees the man from earlier.]
Shiratori: !!?
Man: ...
Dog puppet on the man's hand: Yoroshiku!
I decided...
Momono: Oh, it looks like we're all gathered!
Young girl: Yep!
Woman: Zzzzz....
Shiratori: ...
Tamami: I want to eat fruit, too!
Kozue: Tamami-chan...
I don't understand what happened earlier...
[Shiratori sighs as he picks confetti out of his hair.]
It would be a lie to say that I'm not uneasy...
Kozue: Shiratori-san...um...Momono-san and the others don't mean any harm...they just like to make a little noise...that is...
But even so...
Shiratori: They seem like pleasant people. Life from now on should be fun!
[Kozue beams.]
I decided to live here.
Kozue: ...Shiratori-san. I, too, have one thing to say:
Shiratori: ...
Kozue: Welcome to Narutakiso--
[She cuts off as a sudden gust of wind blows her skirt up to her waist. Everyone stands frozen for a moment, gaping in horror (well, everyone other than the man with the dog puppet--Tamami has quickly covered his eyes with one hand).]
Shiratori: ...Uh...um...O...Ooya...sa--?!
[With the same frozen, now-empty smile on her face, Kozue tips sideways, and falls to the ground.]
Shiratori: ... [thinking] Th...this pattern...
[He whips around, to where everyone else is sneaking away.]
Momono: Well, we'll leave the rest to you! See you later--
Shiratori: W--WAIT!
[He reaches out and grabs Momono by the collar, preventing her from escaping with the rest.]
Shiratori: [whispering] Why are you leaving me alone here?!
Momono: [whispering] W-well, I have reasons...
[Just then, Kozue--or is it?--groans and sits up. Shiratori and Momono both freeze and look over at her.]
Kozue(?): My...head...hurts...hm...? AH!
[Two antennae-like strands of hair spring up on top of her head, and Kozue's face lights up.]
Kozue(?): IT'S MOMO-CHAN! WAAAAAAI!
[Before Momono can move, someone who's definitely not Kozue--or Saki, for that matter--barrels into her, throwing her arms around her and knocking them both to the ground.]
Not Saki: MOMO-CHAN, MOMO-CHAN, MOMO-CHAN, MOMO-CHAN, MOMO-CHAN!!!
Momono: Eh? Wait, could you possibly be...?
Shiratori: [thinking] Wh...wha...WHAT IN THE WORLD...?!
Momono: Nanako-chan?
Nanako: Yep! I'm Nanako!
Shiratori: ...!? Na...Nanako-chan...??
Momono: Oh, let me introduce you! This child is Kanazawa Nanako-chan--age 6!
Nanako: ...
Momono: She's Ooya-san's third personality.
Shiratori: Ah, I--WHAT?! Ooya-san doesn't just have two personalities...?!
Momono: Two would be "dual personalities." I very clearly said "multiple personalities," didn't I?
Are...
Nanako: Who's this person?
Are you serious...?
1 マッポ ("Mappo"): The Latter Days. Buddhism divides the world into three time periods--the Former, Middle, and Latter Days of the Law. The "Latter Days" are seen as a period of suffering and chaos, when people would neither practice nor benefit from Buddha's teachings. (In Japan, AD 1052 is commonly believed to have been the first year of the "Latter Days" era.) For meaning, this idiom appears similar to the idea that if apologies sufficed, there'd be no need for police. BACK
2 変態野郎 ("Hentai yarou"): lit. "Pervert rascal." BACK
3 ブチ殺す ("Buchikorosu"): To kill by hitting. BACK
4 The distinctive voices of Mahoraba strike again. This character has a tendency to end her sentences with desu, a copula meaning "is." (Normally, the "u" sound in desu is dropped, resulting in occasional mistransliterations as "des" or "dess"; however, not only does she not drop the "u" sound, she draws it out with a tilda ["desuuu"].) In this case, though, she just tacks on a desu~ after Momono has spoken, seconding Momono's question without going to the trouble of repeating it. BACK
5 She's just a little worked up. :) Her case particles are all over the place--the subject marker is by 変態とアタシの体 ("Hentai to atashi no karada"--lit. "pervert and my body"), while the direct object marker is by コソ泥 ("Kosodoro"--"sneak thief")--and as a result, she's making no sense whatsoever. BACK
6 過ぎたことはお互い水に流そう ("Sugita koto wa o-tagai mizu ni nagasou"): lit. "As for the matter of having done too much, let's drain each other in (into?) cold water." I'm assuming there's an idiom of some sort at work here. BACK
7 ゴム ("Gomu"): "Rubber," used here in the sense of a rubber hair band. (In some contexts, though, "gomu"--like "rubber" in English--can be used as a slang word for "condom.") BACK
8 It'll be a while before she's formally introduced, but I'm tired of calling her "Girl 2." :P BACK
9 言動にすごい違和感 ("Gendou ni sugoi iwakan"): lit. "great incompatibility in speech and conduct" BACK
10 必殺ヤンキーメンチ ("Hissatsu yankii menchi"): lit. "Certain kill Yankee mince." "Yankee" is slang for "thug;" I'm not sure how "menchi" ("mince") fits in with that, though. BACK
11 梅酒 ("Umeshu"): Sake with plums. No matter which personality is in control at the moment, Kozue is nearly as addicted to plums as I am to Pepsi. :) BACK
12 ダラダラ歩いて ("Daradara aruite"): lit. "Walk sluggishly/endlessly." BACK
13 白鳥 ("Shiratori"): lit. "White bird." In other words, a swan--a very feminine-looking bird. BACK
14 星座が[乙女座] ("Seiza ga otomeza"): This pun cracks me up every time I see it. On the surface, his birth sign ("seiza") is Virgo ("otomeza"). At the same time, though, there's another word pronounced "seiza;" that one refers to one's sitting posture--and the characters for Virgo literally mean "seated maiden." So, not only is she accusing him of having a feminine birth sign--Saki is telling Shiratori that he even SITS like a girl. :) BACK
15 乾杯 ("Kanpai"): Traditional Japanese toast. Equivalent to "Cheers!" BACK
16 その根性叩き直してやる ("Sono konjou tataki-naoshiteyaru"): lit. "I'll beat that spirit into shape." BACK
17 下戸 ("Geko"): Non-drinker, temperate person. In short, she can't hold her liquor. :) BACK
18 Drunk as a skunk. :) I'm putting in slurred words where I think I can make out what she's saying, but the rest is straight transliterated Japanese. BACK
19 お開き("Ohiraki"): lit. "Breakup of a wedding." BACK
20 慌ただしく過ぎていった ("Awatadashiku sugiteitaa"): lit. "Was too busy/harried/confused/flurried." BACK
21 畑 ("Hatake"): lit. "Field." BACK
22 梨 ("Nashi"): Japanese pears. BACK 23 お世話になります ("O-sewa ni narimasu"): lit. "I'm indebted to you." Customary tenant-to-host phrase. BACK 24 See footnote 4 (above) for the lowdown on Tamami's "accent." BACK