It's already been five days since I came to live at Narutakisou. The environment here bewildered me at first, but now I'm completely accustomed to...
[Image of Saki tugging on Shiratori's cheek while Momono laughs in the background.]
...accustomed to...
[Image of Nanako staring bug-eyed at Shiratori.]
..........
[Image of the other residents surrounding Shiratori, who looks very uncomfortable.]
...It looks like I need a bit more time to become accustomed, but...for the time being, today I'll do my best to pursue my dream!
6. Check-Tama
[Shiratori walks unsteadily down the courtyard walkway of Narutakisou. From the look on his face, Shirogane-sensei punished him again today.]
Shiratori: ...
[He enters his room and immediately pulls out the futon. He unrolls it, takes off his coat, and settles into bed. The perspective pulls back a little...and we see Tamami kneeling before him.]
Tamami: Good afternoon!
Shiratori: Good afternoon.
Tamami: Yes~
[A pause...then, Shiratori abruptly sits up, Shirogane-sensei's ghost wafting away as he comes back to his senses.]
Shiratori: GYAH! Again, you let yourself into someone else's room!
Tamami: That's a slow response, isn't it?
Shiratori: ...you have some business with me?
Tamami: Ah...the truth is, right now I'm in a lot of trouble.
Shiratori: [thinking] I don't see how she's in trouble at all... [out loud] How so?
Tamami: Ah, but Shiratori-san looks sleepy, so...somehow, I'll get through it alone.
Shiratori: Ah, I see. Sorry, then.
[He lays back down and rolls onto his side, away from Tamami.]
Shiratori: 'Night.
Tamami: ...
[Shiratori opens one eye as Tamami dangles one of her long braids in front of his face. At the end of the braid...]
Shiratori: ...?
[His eyes shoot wide open as he sees a photo of himself, with Kozue/Nanako asleep on his lap. The caption on the photo reads, "Night Visit."]
Shiratori: WAH!
[He lunges for the photo--but it pulls away at the last second.]
Tamami: Ah, I'm in trouble, I'm in such trouble...
[She looks over her shoulder at him, still smiling.]
Tamami: Won't somebody help me?
Shiratori: ...
[Outside...]
Shiratori: You forgot something?
Tamami: That's right. I want to go back to the school and get it...but walking back from school alone at night is dangerous, and I'm scared. If Shiratori-san comes with me, I'll be much relieved. (1)
Shiratori: [thinking] So, there were things Tamami-chan is scared of, too...
Momono: Ah!
[Momono and Johnny are sitting on the edge of the walkway, drinking. (There appears to be an unused glass for Haibara, as well.)]
Momono: Are you two going out?
Tamami: That's right!
Shiratori: [thinking] Drinking again...
Momono: See you later! Be careful, all right?
[She gives the pair a thumbs-up, which Tamami returns.]
Shiratori: ...? [thinking] That's an odd salutation...
[Just then, a little ways down, the door to Room 5 flies open, and Sayoko--accompanied by a hail of stuffed animals--dives out.]
Asami: [from inside apartment] Mom!
Sayoko: ...
[She tries to crawl away, but Asami is having none of it; she grabs her mother by one foot, and begins to drag her back inside.]
Asami: A little more and we're done, so hang in there!
[Sayoko flails helplessly.]
Momono: They're always having trouble over there, aren't they?
Shiratori: ...
[That catches Sayoko's attention.]
Sayoko: Ah...
[She looks over, on the verge of crying.]
[Box: "Eyes of Supplication"]
Shiratori: [thinking] Unh...
[As she's dragged further in, Sayoko produces a noose out of nowhere, and uses it to tug frantically at her throat.]
Shiratori: [thinking] Even if you look at me like that...
Today...
Tamami: Shiratori-san, let's go!
Shiratori: Ah, yeah...
[Sayoko slumps in defeat.]
...it looks like I'll be going out with Tamami-chan for a little while.
[As they walk along...]
Shiratori: ...If I remember right, Tamami-chan, your and Ooya-san's school is near mine, right?
Tamami: That's right. It's a high school affiliated with Seika Junior College. (2) "Seitankou" (3) for short. Oh, by the way--it's a girls' school.
Shiratori: Huh... [thinking] A girls' high school, huh...Somehow, that has a very sweet ring to it...
[Tamami looks at him for a moment, never losing her smile.]
Tamami: Shiratori-san, you pervert!
Shiratori: What?!
Tamami: [singing loudly] Pervert, pervert, per-pervert~
Shiratori: Wh--
[People on the street are stopping to stare.]
Shiratori: Wait, Tamami-chan!
[He hurries after her, but then she stops suddenly.]
Tamami: Ah!
[Shiratori looks at her, puzzled. His eyes widen as she suddenly steps in close, up on her toes, and touches the top of his head.]
Shiratori: Wh--what?!
[She steps back and holds her other hand against her sleeve.]
Tamami: Hmm...hmm...
Shiratori: ...? [thinking] What...what in the...
Tamami: Excuse me a second.
[She steps in again and wraps her arms around him, pinning his arms to his side.]
Shiratori: ?!
Tamami: Ho...
[Shiratori grows even more flustered as she moves her hands down his back.]
Shiratori: Wha...wait...
[Finally, he jumps back.]
Shiratori: WHAT WAS THAT?!
Tamami: Ah, I see!
[With a broad grin, she turns and walks away.]
Tamami: You're 155 cm and 55 kg! (4)
Shiratori: Eh?! [thinking] She got it exactly!! She could tell just from that...
Tamami: By the way--Shiratori-san, is there anyone you're going out with right now?
Shiratori: Eh?! Wh...why so suddenly again...?
Tamami: Is there?
[Shiratori turns red as Tamami stares intently into his eyes. He glances off to the side, uncomfortable.]
Shiratori: ...there isn't...but...
Tamami: I see!
[Tamami beams, and rests one hand on her chest.]
Tamami: Thank goodness!
[And then she's off again.]
Tamami: I see, I see~
Shiratori: ... [thinking] What the heck? Why "Thank goodness" that I'm not going out with anyone? It's almost like...almost...like...
[He stares ahead at Tamami, then chuckles to himself.]
Shiratori: [thinking] No way...
Tamami: We're almost there!
[And then, they arrive.]
Tamami: Please stay close behind me.
Shiratori: Right. [thinking] Ah...my first time in a girls' school... (5)
[He looks around at the students still milling about.]
Shiratori: [thinking] A garden of women...somehow, I'm a little excited...
Tamami: [without turning around] Is a girls' school so unusual?
Shiratori: Eh?! We...well...I went to a boys' school, so...
Tamami: A boys' school, huh? Huh...
[She turns looks at him for a moment with that same unchanging grin.]
Tamami: Shiratori-san, could you possibly have hemorrhoids?
Shiratori: ...Why did you--? No, somehow or other.
[A pair of students in gym clothes running past catch Shiratori's eye as they walk along.]
Shiratori: By the way, aren't you in any clubs?
Tamami: Ah~ Yes, for the time being. I'm a ghost member, (6) though.
Shiratori: Huh. What club?
Tamami: Oka-Ken.
Shiratori: ...eh? Oka-Ken...?
Tamami: The Occult Research Club. (7)
Shiratori: [thinking] Occult...
[He pictures Tamami, dressed as a witch, stirring a cauldron while a demon bat hovers behind her.]
Tamami: ...
Shiratori: [snickers] [thinking] It...it fits her TOO WELL...!!
Tamami: DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?
[Yep, cue the aura.]
Shiratori: N-no, not really...!
[He slumps as she looks away.]
Shiratori: [thinking] Scary...
Voice: Ah, Tama!
[Two girls from the archery club come up to them.]
Girl: You haven't gone home yet?
Shiratori: [thinking] Oh, Kyuudou (8) girls!
Tamami: Ah...I have some minor business to take care of.
Girl: Huh...and who's that?
Tamami: Ah, this is...
Shiratori: Good...good afternoon!
Tamami: ...
[She gets a mischievous look in her eyes.]
Tamami: ...a pervert who was caught red-handed breaking into the locker rooms!
Shiratori: WHAT?!
[The two archers begin to take aim, death in their eyes, as Shiratori yells at Tamami.]
Shiratori: Wh...what are you saying, Tamami-chan!! Hurry up and correct yourself!! (If you don't, I'll die!!)
[A few minutes later, walking through the halls...]
Shiratori: ...for crying out loud...
[Shiratori, understandably, is looking more than a little stressed.]
Shiratori: A little more, and I would have been shot...
Tamami: It's because you keep peering around like a lecher... (9)
Shiratori: ...?? Like a lecher...?
[Tamami slides open a door.]
Tamami: Come now, this is my classroom.
[They enter.]
Tamami: Kozue-chan is in the same class. This is her desk.
Shiratori: Huh... [thinking] Ah, something's scribbled here. Is this...a dog?
[He smiles.]
Shiratori: [thinking] That seems like something Ooya-san would draw...
-Thud-
[Shiratori jumps as something large is suddenly dropped on the desk. He looks up to see a rectangular pot, with a small tree standing inside. He stares at it for a moment, then turns to Tamami.]
Shiratori: This is...?
Tamami: This is what I forgot.
Shiratori: What you forgot...isn't this a bonsai (10)...?
Tamami: Isn't it a splendid black pine? Don't you think its shape is magnificent?
Shiratori: Um...
Tamami: When I was walking in the back garden, by chance I found the principal's bonsai collection.
(Flashback Tamami: Lovely!)
(Flashback principal: You think so as well, huh?!)
Tamami: I watched them in stupefied fascination, so the principal gave me one pot.
Shiratori: ...I see...
Tamami: But, the problem is that it's a little heavy to carry home.
Shiratori: It certainly looks heavy...
[Tamami looks at him, smiling, for a moment.]
Tamami: The problem is that it's a little heavy.
Shiratori: [thinking] No...no way...?!
[Tamami holds up the photo of Kozue/Nanako sleeping on Shiratori's lap.]
Tamami: It's a little heavy...
Shiratori: [thinking] WAS THIS HER GOAL FROM THE START?!!
[Back outside...night has fallen, and the street lights have come to life...]
Tamami: Ah, I'm saved! Thank goodness you were here, Shiratori-san.
[Shiratori trails behind her, holding the bonsai.]
Shiratori: [thinking] Heavy...
Tamami: At any rate...Shiratori-san, you're the type to get completely rolled up by troubles, aren't you?
Shiratori: [thinking] Don't YOU say that!!
Tamami: Have you always led such a rolled-up life? (11)
Shiratori: ...Yeah...Certainly, when I think about it, it feels like I'm always being swung around, doesn't it...
Tamami: Huh...that's tough...Don't you get to hate it, occasionally?
Shiratori: Well, occasionally...yeah. But it isn't just bad things like that...
Tamami: ?
Shiratori: When I'm in the middle of things, I think, "This is painful" a lot, but...they can become memories, too. Good memories, bad memories--one by one, they make me who I am today. They become precious...
Tamami: ...
Shiratori: ...So, I don't think this personality of mine is so bad.
[He starts suddenly.]
Shiratori: Er, that is...well, I guess that's just self-justification...isn't it.
Tamami: Oh, no! It's very positive, and that's good, isn't it?
Shiratori: Re...really?
Tamami: Well, your personality isn't something that can be changed so simply. Also--about memories being precious? I agree.
Shiratori: ...You think so too?
Tamami: Oh, yes! [giggles] After all, memories are the only things you can take to the other world, aren't they?
Shiratori: [thinking] What an unpleasant expression...
[While still looking back at Shiratori, Tamami bumps into someone.]
Tamami: Ah...?
[A tall man with long hair, goatee, and pissed-off expression.]
Man: HEY! What are you doing? You little freak! (12)
Tamami: Ah...little freak...
[Tamami's expression never changes as she waves at him dismissively.]
Tamami: Beat it, hoodlum! (13)
Shiratori: Tamami-chan!
Man: AAH?!
[Now, he's PISSED...]
[...and Tamami quickly ducks behind Shiratori.]
Tamami: Help me, Shiratori-san!
Shiratori: Eeh?!
Tamami: [whispering] Now, now--you've been rolled up, so you'll make a new memory!
[She laughs softly.]
Shiratori: [thinking] M...maybe I said too much...!!
[The man advances menacingly on Shiratori.]
Man: You! MOVE!!
Shiratori: Um, uh, er, well, violence against a woman is... [whispering to Tamami] Quick--run!
Tamami: [whispering] Yes~?
Man: What are you babbling about?!!
[The man delivers a punishing left hook, sending Shiratori sprawling...]
Shiratori: Uwa!
[...and the bonsai flying up in the air.]
Tamami: Ah!
[Tamami looks up at the bonsai as the man advances on the fallen Shiratori...and then, she moves, leaving afterimages in her wake. She leaps past the man, absent-mindedly delivering a punishing chop to the back of his neck as she goes by--never taking her eyes off the tree.]
Shiratori: Ow, ouch...WHA?!
[His eyes widen and he jumps as the man slumps forward into his chest, out cold.]
Shiratori: What...?
Tamami: Oh, brother...
[Shiratori looks up and sees Tamami standing over him...easily holding the bonsai tray up around her shoulder with just her left hand.]
Tamami: Shiratori-san, you have to hold it properly!
Shiratori: ...
Tamami: That was dangerous--the bonsai could have been spoiled.
[Shiratori looks down at the man still slumped unconscious in his lap.]
Shiratori: This person was...?
[Tamami has already turned away, and put one hand to her cheek.]
Tamami: Shiratori-san's physical face is somewhat uneasy, isn't it?
Shiratori: This person...
Tamami: [exact same pose] Well, but I'll be magnanimous this time.
[Back at Narutakisou...]
Shiratori: Ah...I'm exhausted...
[Shiratori is taking a bath.]
Shiratori: After all that, today was all about Tamami-chan abusing me...really, nothing good comes of having anything to do with that girl...
[Just then, he hears a pounding noise by one wall.]
Shiratori: Oh?
[The pounding comes again, louder.]
Shiratori: ...?
[Box: "Cross-Section View"]
[On the other side of the wall is another bathtub...currently occupied by Tamami.]
Tamami: The sound's going through, isn't it?
Shiratori: WHAAAA?!
[Tamami cups her ear to the wall, listening to Shiratori freak out on the other side, then sits back and chuckles to herself.]
Tamami: ...oh, brother.
[Outside, Shiratori sits on the edge of the walkway, looking very much the worse for wear.]
Shiratori: I can't believe she was in the next bath...
[He slumps dejectedly.]
Shiratori: Oh, no...after this, she's going to do something to get me back again, isn't she...cut me some slack, already...
Tamami: Shiratori-san, you think out loud too much, don't you?
[Tamami, dressed in her pajamas, suddenly appears at Shiratori's side, scaring ten years' growth out of him.]
Shiratori: Um, j-just now wasn't really any, er, that is...!
[Tamami ignores his babbling and bows slightly to him.]
Tamami: Good work today. (15) For the time being, you pass.
Shiratori: ...? Pass...?
Tamami: You see, Shiratori-san, to me...
[She turns away to look up at the night sky.]
Tamami: To me, Kozue-chan is an irreplaceable, very important friend.
Shiratori: ...?
Tamami: If something will make her happy, no matter what it is, I want to do it for her. If Kozue-chan is troubled, I want to be her strength. And if...if there were someone who made Kozue-chan sad...
[Tamami has fixed her gaze on the moon hanging overhead.]
Tamami: I would never forgive that person.
[She turns to look at Shiratori, and smiles.]
Tamami: ...or something like that. That's what I think in secret, anyway.
From that face in profile, Tamami-chan's feelings toward Ooya-san...
Shiratori: ...
Tamami: [laughing] Ah, I'm such a good friend...
...became acutely clear(16)...
Shiratori: ...
Tamami: Since you've come here, Shiratori-san, Kozue-chan has been very energetic. If Kozue-chan is happy, that makes me happy, as well.
[She reaches into her pajama top...]
Tamami: Well, that being the case, if it's agreeable to you, from here on out, as well...
[...and whips out three photos. The first is "Night Visit," the photo Tamami blackmailed Shiratori with at the start of this chapter--the other two, though, are from his visit to the school today. One, captioned "Likes Hakamas," shows Shiratori staring at one of the girls from the archery club; the other, captioned "Stalker," shows Shiratori staring down at Kozue's desk.]
Tamami: ...get along well, okay?
[Shiratori stares dumbly at them for a moment, not realizing what they are--then...]
Shiratori: [thinking] MORE PHOTOS?! (17) [out loud] WHEN DID YOU--?!
[Shiratori lunges for the photos, and Tamami jerks them back as someone comes up behind them.]
Kozue: Ah! Good evening, you two!
Tamami: Yes~
Kozue: Were you having a conversation about something?
Shiratori: ...
[He watches Kozue and Tamami converse for a moment, before Kozue notices his gaze.]
Kozue: ? Is something wrong?
Shiratori: Ah, no...I was just thinking that you two really get along well.
Tamami: That's right!
[She embraces Kozue from the side.]
Tamami: It's an unequalled friendship!
Kozue: ?
[Kozue smiles blankly.]
Shiratori: .... (Unequalled...)
Johnny: Ah, close friends--what a beautiful thing!
[All three look over at the unexpected interruption.]
Momono: It looks like Shiratori-kun passed somehow, doesn't it?
[The two eldest residents of Narutakisou come up the walkway. They look very happy...]
Johnny: Ho-ho, that is auspicious, isn't it?
Momono: Being recognized by Tama-chan is a big deal. Congratulations, Shiratori-kun!
Shiratori: ...
[...and they're both carrying multiple bottles of sake.]
Kozue: Pass?
Tamami: Yes~
Shiratori: Why are you carrying those...
Johnny: These are for the celebration! Right, Momo-san?
Momono: Right!
[The two turn and head back up the walkway.]
Momono: Well, we'll go on ahead...
Johnny: ...to Shiratori-kun's room!
I knew it...
Momono: Hurry up!
[Shiratori falls to his knees and sobs once while Tamami laughs.]
Kozue: Shiratori-san?
Being rolled up is best in moderation.
1 心強い ("Kokoro tsuyoi"): Lit. "Heart strong." BACK
2 Presumably, this means it's an elevator school--i.e. students who graduate from the high school can enroll in the college without taking an entrance exam. It should be noted that the student body at junior colleges is predominantly female, and the perception is that students are preparing for marriage, or for a brief career before marriage. The curriculum at these institutions reflects that. BACK
3 青短高 ("Seitankou"): Short for the full name of the institution, 青華短大付属高校 ("Seika Tandai Fuzoku Koukou"--lit. "Seika Junior College Affiliated High School"). BACK
4 Approximately 5'1", 121 lb. BACK
5 女子校初潜入 ("Joshikou hassennyuu"): Lit. First time infiltrating a girls' school. :) BACK
6 Someone whose name is on the membership roster, but doesn't actually participate in the club's activities (i.e. padding the roster, presumably for financial purposes). BACK
7 オカルト研究部 ("Okaruto Kenkyuubu"): Occult Research Club. BACK
8 弓道 ("Kyuudou"): Japanese archery. BACK
9 誰彼問わず色目を使ってる ("Darekare towazu irome wo tsukatteru"): Lit. "Using amorous glances regardless of many people." BACK
10 盆栽 ("Bonsai"): A miniature tree or other plant, grown in a pot and pruned to create an aesthetically pleasing shape. BACK
11 昔からそんな巻き込まれ型の人生を歩んでるんですか？ ("Mukashi kara sonna makikomaregata no jinsei wo ayunderun desu ka?") Lit. "Are you walking a life in such a rolled-up mold since long ago?" BACK
12 チビ助 ("Chibi-suke"): "Chibi"="runt, dwarf, shrimp." "Suke"="assistance," which makes no sense at all. One of my kanji dictionaries offers "assistant vaudevillian" as an alternate definition, which makes marginally more sense. BACK
13 ドチンピラ ("Do-chinpira"): "Chinpira" means "hoodlum." I'm not sure what the "do-" prefix is for (an insulting honorific, perhaps?). BACK
14 クソチビ ("Kuso-chibi"): Lit. "Shit runt." BACK
15 お疲れ様でした ("O-tsukare-sama deshita"): Lit. a VERY polite "You look tired." Traditional salutation to a laborer at the end of the workday. BACK
16 ひしひしと伝わってきて ("Hishi-hishi to tsutawattekite"): Lit. "Come to be acutely transmitted." BACK
17 写真増えてる ("Shashin fueteru"): Lit. "The photos are multiplying." BACK