[Morning dawns...]
Shiratori: Nnnn...
[Shiratori slowly awakens as sunlight streams through the window of his room and sits up in bed. He yawns and stretches.]
Shiratori: Ah...I slept well...huh?
[He frowns.]
Shiratori: ...speaking of which, when did I go to sleep...? If I remember right, yesterday I was playing hide and seek...ah, well!
[He shrugs, and looks out the window.]
Shiratori: Oooh, nice weather!!
[He gets up, and opens the door to his room.]
Shiratori: This should be an invigorating morning! I have a hunch that something good will happen on a day like this!
[He steps outside...and stops dead.]
8. The King's Command - 1
[Asami, Momono, and Sayoko are scattered across the walkway by Shiratori's room. Asami, the closest, is sprawled facedown, wearing a shrine maiden's outfit. Next is Momono, dressed as a cheerleader, sitting against the wall with her head bowed. Sayoko is dressed as a waitress; she kneels back against one of the support pillars with a blank look in her eyes.]
Shiratori: WHA...?! What in the world...?
Momono: Oooooh...
Shiratori: Momono-san...
[She begins to tremble as Shiratori approaches.]
Shiratori: What in the world happened?
Momono: 'm beggin' ya, (1) Chiyuri-chan...'m beggin' ya, let it go at this...anymore an' I...I...I can't get married...
Shiratori: ...? Kansai dialect...? (2)
Kozue: Good morning, everyone!
Momono: !!
Kozue: This morning feels good, doesn't it?
[Shiratori doesn't answer. He's busy looking back at the three strangely-dressed residents...who have all scrambled behind a pillar and are now staring at Kozue in terror. After a moment, Momono sighs in relief.]
Momono: It...it seems like she's returned to normal, huh...
Asami: Ye...yeah...
Shiratori: ...Could Ooya-san have perhaps...again...
Momono: NO COMMENT!!
[Momono gestures as she continues.]
Momono: If I talk about it, I'll remember it, so forget it! I want to consign all my memories of Chiyuri-chan and last night to oblivion...!
Shiratori: Chiyuri-chan...? [thinking] You've got to be kidding...another new personality I don't know about came out...? Just how many ARE there, anyway...?
Momono: Asami-chan, are you all right...?
Asami: Somehow...
Shiratori: ...hm? By the way...why are you all dressed like that?
Momono: DON'T ASK.
Shiratori: [thinking] ...this is also related to "Chiyuri"-chan, huh...
Kozue: Huh? Everyone, you're wearing such cute outfits!
[Momono, Asami, and Sayoko all jump in fright.]
Momono: ...that's Kozue-chan, right...?
Asami: Ye...yeah...
Shiratori: [thinking] What did she do to them...?
Kozue: Ah, yes! Uh...um, Shiratori-san...th...this...
[She hands him a slip of paper.]
Shiratori: ...? Ticket to Become King...? Ah, yesterday's...
Kozue: Yes. Um...that is...it's a bit quick, but...is it all right if I use it?
Shiratori: Ah...yeah, sure... [thinking] I wonder what she'll make me do...
Kozue: I see! Then, um...this Sunday, I want you to go shopping with me...
Shiratori: Eh? Shopping...?
Kozue: ...Do you already have plans for the day after tomorrow...?
Shiratori: N...no...I don't really have any plans, so I don't mind...
Kozue: Really? Great! W...well...until then...
Shiratori: Ah...yeah...
[The others have watched this exchange from behind the pillar.]
Momono: ... [whispering] Ho-ho...Kozue-chan, too, does that well...she skillfully got a date...
Asami: [whispering] D-date...!!
Momono: [whispering] There's no way we can be silent and overlook such an interesting thing...the day after tomorrow will be fun! Let's follow them in secret!
Tamami: Ah...if you interfere in Kozue-chan's happiness, Momo-san, even from you I won't accept it!
Momono: [whispering] Ta...Tama-chan...?!
Tamami: Disturbing their date is out. We'll just shadow them through the whole thing!
[Momono gives Tamami a thumbs-up.]
Momono: [whispering] That's Tama-chan for you! I got it!!
[Tamami returns the gesture.]
Tamami: [whispering] Yes~
And so, without me knowing of these plots...Sunday arrived.
Shiratori: Shopping, huh...
[Shiratori is almost ready to go, just pulling on his coat in his room.]
Shiratori: To use the King's Ticket for something like this...is she buying something big, I wonder?
[He sighs.]
Shiratori: [thinking] ...well, if it's just carrying luggage or something, that's OK with me. Still--thank goodness it was Ooya-san that won at hide and seek...
[Just then, there's a knock at the door.]
Kozue: Shiratori-san, are you ready? (3)
Shiratori: Ah--yeah, I'm ready to go now.
[He opens the door and steps out.]
Kozue: Um...well, shall we leave...?
Shiratori: Ah...yeah... [thinking] Somehow...today, Ooya-san is... [out loud] W-well, let's go!
Kozue: Yes!
Shiratori: [thinking] She's even cuter than usual...
Momono: Hey, hey!!
[Shiratori and Kozue turn to see Momono, Tamami, Asami, and Sayoko come up.]
Momono: Are you heading out now?
Kozue: Ah, yes! We'll return by evening, so until then, take care here, okay?
Momono: Yeah, leave the place to us! You have lots of fun today!
[She leans in close, though she doesn't lower her voice at all.]
Momono: I won't mind if you're a little late--or even if you stay someplace overnight!
[Shiratori turns red.]
Asami: Momono-san!
[Kozue laughs.]
Kozue: We're not going that far away!
[Momono then turns to the other party.]
Momono: Shiratori-kun! Go for it!!
Shiratori: ...go for what?
Momono: [whispering] You've finally got a date with her, so at least hold hands, okay? Or rather, go until you get a kiss!
Shiratori: [whispering] A...a kiss?!
[Shiratori's entire face flushes deep red.]
Shiratori: [whispering] What are you saying?!! We're just going shopping, it's not a...
Momono: [whispering] A man and a woman going out alone is a date, isn't it? Go get Kozue-chan's heart!
[She turns him around and slaps him on the back.]
Momono: GO, FIGHT!
Shiratori: [thinking] A date...I'm...with Ooya-san...
Kozue: ?
Shiratori: [thinking] A date...
[Behind him, Momono gives Tamami a thumbs-up.]
Momono: [whispering] Preparations complete!
[Tamami returns the gesture.]
Tamami: [whispering] Shiratori-san is stunned and in trouble! (4)
Kozue: Well, we're off!
Momono: Take care!
[And then, they depart.]
Momono: ...
Tamami: ...
[And Momono and Tamami begin changing their clothes, preparing their disguises.]
Momono: Now, then...shall we go?
Tamami: Yes~
[Asami catches Sayoko by the hair as she tries to follow.]
Asami: We have work to do!
[Shiratori and Kozue arrive...]
Shiratori: Huh...so today, we're going to a department store, rather than the shopping district.
Kozue: That's right! Today's shopping is kind of special, and a department store has more things...
Shiratori: I see... [thinking] Special shopping, huh...what in the world is she planning to buy...
Kozue: Since we've come all this way, shall we look around from the ground floor?
Shiratori: Ah, yeah--sure...
[As they head off, Momono and Tamami hide behind a corner and watch.]
Momono: [whispering] Now, then...how far will he get? This should be something worth seeing!
Tamami: [whispering] Yes~
[As Shiratori and Kozue walk along, a saleswoman calls out to them from a distance in a loud voice.]
Woman: Hey, you two, over there!
[Shiratori and Kozue look over.]
Woman: Get a memory of your love! How about these paired rings?
[She holds the rings up, one in each hand.]
Woman: You'll be amazed at their full-throttle love-love power!! The bonds between the two of you will deepen, yo!
Shiratori: We...we're not really like that...!
Woman: You're kidding! You're so shy--it's cute!! All right, Onee-san--I'll give you a special deal, yo!! (5)
[By now, Shiratori and Kozue are both beet-red...and, from their hiding spot, Momono and Tamami are loving it.]
Momono: [whispering] She's so INNOCENT! I can't...can't stop laughing...
Tamami: [whispering] Kozue-chan is lovely~
[Finally, the two walk off.]
Woman: Next time, buy something, yo!
Shiratori: Good grief...she just jumped to a conclusion...!
Kozue: Ye...yeah...
[The pair reach an escalator.]
Shiratori: Well, anyway--shall we try the next floor?
Kozue: Ah, yes!...
[She approaches the escalator, and pauses. She steps out--then abruptly jumps back. Again, she tries to step on the escalator--and again, she jumps back.]
Shiratori: ...Ooya-san?
[She blushes.]
Kozue: Ah, sorry. I'm not good with escalators...
And thus...
Kozue: The timing to ride them is difficult, isn't it?
Shiratori: Timing...?
[Behind the corner, Momono is cracking up.]
Momono: That's JUST LIKE Kozue-chan!
Our shopping continued...
FOUR-PANEL: "2F: Hats"
Kozue: There are so many kinds of hats, aren't there?
Shiratori: Yeah.
[Kozue starts trying them on...first, a hat that looks like it goes with a rain coat...then, a straw hat...then, to her delight, a hat shaped like a bird, with the English label "Happy Swan."]
Shiratori: [thinking] She likes that one the best...?
FOUR-PANEL: "3F: Accessories"
[Kozue tries on a decorative hair ribbon as Shiratori watches. She takes it off, then looks at Shiratori...and has him try it on. Judging from her facial expression, she apparently thinks it looks better on him than it did on her.]
FOUR-PANEL: "4F: Glasses"
Kozue: These are sunglasses...
Shiratori: Yeah.
[She tries them on, then...]
Kozue: Ah!
[...flips them up.]
Kozue: They open...!!
Shiratori: They make them like that too, huh...
FOUR-PANEL: "5F: Toys"
[Shiratori and Kozue are standing in front of a potted sunflower...wearing sunglasses.]
Shiratori: Now that really takes me back!
Kozue: What is it?
Shiratori: It's a toy that responds to sound.
Kozue: To sound...
[She claps her hands once, and the flower bobs up and down. Her eyes widen...and she claps again and again and again and again and...]
Shiratori: [thinking] It looks like she really likes it...
[Tamami and Momono have been trailing the pair all this time--and Momono's not happy.]
Momono: Ugh...I knew it. Just watching is boring!
[She takes off the sunglasses she'd donned as part of her disguise, and replaces them with her usual glasses.]
Momono: And those two aren't making any progress--not doing anything is tedious!
[Her stomach growls.]
Momono: And I'm running on empty...
[In frustration, she begins to gnaw on Tamami's arm.]
Tamami: For now, let's watch them a little longer.
[She pushes at Momono's head.]
Tamami: You're so gloomy~
[Shiratori and Kozue, meanwhile, have moved on.]
Kozue: Well, next is the main shopping.
Shiratori: [thinking] Main...meaning it's finally my turn...! All right, I'll do my best to carry her...!
Kozue: Shiratori-san, over here!
Shiratori: Leave it to me!!
[Then he sees where Kozue has led him--to a counter lined with small bowls.]
Shiratori: ...tableware?
Kozue: Rice bowls!
Shiratori: Rice bowls?
Kozue: That's right! Your rice bowl.
Shiratori: Mine?
Kozue: That's right! For you to use in the kitchen.
Shiratori: In the kitchen?
Kozue: Shiratori-san, you don't have a rice bowl yet, right?
Shiratori: Uh...yeah... [thinking] Of course, I haven't eaten in the kitchen yet, either...
Kozue: Please pick any one you like! I'll get it for you as a present.
Shiratori: A present...?
Kozue: Yes, I always get new residents a present.
Shiratori: I...I see... [thinking] But why a rice bowl...?
Kozue: The kitchen is public, and there's always miso soup and rice there. If you like, please use the bowl I buy for you today to eat there.
Shiratori: Rice... [thinking] Ah, that reminds me--the new resident's guide (6) did say something like that...
Kozue: This department store has everything, (7) so I'm sure you'll find one you like.
[She holds up a bowl with "Float Cat" written in English on the side.]
Kozue: After all, food eaten in a rice bowl you like tastes better, doesn't it?
Shiratori: [thinking] Ah...
[He breathes a sigh of relief.]
Shiratori: [thinking] I see...so that's it...That's just like Ooya-san, isn't it?
[Tamami and Momono see this, as well.]
Tamami: So today's goal was this, huh?
Momono: Now that you mention it, we each got one too, didn't we?
Tamami: She didn't have to use the King's Ticket for something like this...Kozue-chan is so sweet!
Momono: A maiden's heart...
[Back to the pair who are supposed to be here.]
Kozue: So, which rice bowl would you like?
Shiratori: Hmm...I know! Since you've gone to this much trouble, Ooya-san, could you pick for me?
Kozue: Eh? You want me...to pick?
Shiratori: Yeah. That way it'll feel more like a present from you, and I'll be glad...
[Kozue blushes.]
Kozue: All...all right! Then, I'll try and pick one, okay?
Shiratori: Yeah.
[Back to the eavesdroppers...]
Momono: Ho-ho? Shiratori-kun has some good lines too, doesn't he?
Tamami: It looks like he has no self-consciousness. (As I thought, he's stunned.)
[Momono leans forward, resting her elbow on Tamami's head.]
Tamami: You're heavy~
[Shiratori watches as Kozue energetically examines a bowl.]
Shiratori: [thinking] Somehow...doing this, it feels like a real date...If you look from close by, we really do look like lovers...
Kozue: Ah! How about this?
[She holds up a bowl with a panda head shaped like a slice of bread. Underneath is written, "Shoku Panda." (8)]
Shiratori: Ye...yeah...it's cute, and that's good... [thinking] What kind of taste is that...?
Kozue: Then I'll go get this rung up, okay?
Shiratori: Okay... [thinking] Well, that's just like Ooya-san, too...
[He looks back at the other bowls.]
Shiratori: [thinking] ...But...only receiving a present is kind of...Is there something here that can say, "Thank you for taking care of me"... [out loud] Oh!
[He heads over to the counter, where Kozue is about to pay for his bowl.]
Shiratori: ...Ooya-san?
Kozue: Yes?
Shiratori: What do you think of this?
[He holds up a bowl with a fish on the side.]
Kozue: Ah! It's cute, isn't it!
[Shiratori turns to the clerk.]
Shiratori: I'll take this, then.
Kozue: Eh...? Um...
Shiratori: This...is a present for you, Ooya-san. You probably already have a rice bowl, but...if it ever breaks, use this.
Kozue: Th-that's...you shouldn't!
Shiratori: Now, now, that's how I feel. (Besides, it's not that expensive.)
Kozue: But...
[The clerk bags the bowl and hands it to Shiratori, who hands it to Kozue in turn.]
Shiratori: Here!
Kozue: Ah...
[Kozue turns red.]
Kozue: Th...
[Then, she takes the bag in her hands and holds it to her chest.]
Kozue: Thank you...I'll treasure it...all my life...
[Shiratori's eyes widen, and he turns red as well.]
Shiratori: A-all your life...such an exaggerated...
[Kozue beams.]
Kozue: No...I'm really happy!! Thank you!
[Momono and Tamami watch the action from behind a nearby corner.]
Momono: Kozue-chan is even cuter again today, isn't she? Shiratori-kun certainly thinks so! (9)
Tamami: ...
Momono: If I were a guy, I certainly wouldn't leave her alone! Right, Tama-chan?
Tamami: ...I've never seen Kozue-chan as happy as this...
Momono: Huh?
Tamami: ...It's a little complicated...
Momono: Ah!
[Momono grins.]
Momono: Perhaps Tama-chan is thinking Shiratori-kun is going to take Kozue-chan from her, or something?
[She laughs. Tamami doesn't. Momono stops laughing.]
Tamami: ...I love Kozue-chan, so...I want to see her happy...but...if she plays just with Shiratori-kun...and won't be with me ...I'll be very sad...
[Momono blinks in surprise, then laughs softly.]
Momono: Dummy...
Tamami: DUMMY?! That's mean~!
Momono: This isn't like you, Tama-chan! You and Kozue-chan are best friends, aren't you? Believe in that friendship!
[They look back at Shiratori and Kozue, who are laughing about something.]
Momono: Is she the kind of girl who would suddenly forget her best friend when she got a boyfriend?
Tamami: ...
Momono: She's different, isn't she?
Tamami: ...
Momono: Tama-chan, as her best friend...you understand that the best of anyone, don't you?
[Tamami is silent for a long moment.]
Tamami: Yes...you're right...you say something upright every once in a while, too, Momo-san~...
Momono: Hey, THAT was unexpected!
Tamami: ...something so smooth, it could even lure me~ (10)
Momono: You...you didn't have to say that part...
[She shakes it off quickly, though.]
Momono: ...well, anyway--let's support those two, shall we?
Tamami: Yes...we'll perfectly support them~
Momono: Exactly!
Tamami: [thinking] Kozue-chan...
Kozue: ...?
Shiratori: What's wrong?
Kozue: Ah, nothing! For a minute, it felt like someone was watching me...
[Momono and Tamami ducked back behind the corner just in time.]
Momono: That...that was dangerous...
Tamami: Indeed~
We pledged to each other...
Shiratori: Now then...what should we do next?
Kozue: Hm...let's see...
...to support Kozue-chan...
[Behind Kozue, a young boy runs up to a stack of designer plates for a character called "Silhouette Eddie." However, in reaching for the plate on top, he manages to topple the entire stack--falling to the ground with a loud CRASH! as the plates shatter.]
...and, at the same time...
Shiratori: Phew...that was a shock, wasn't it...
[Kozue doesn't respond...just looks at him with dull eyes.]
...while shadowing their journey to its end...
[Shiratori looks on with a disbelieving smile, while Momono and Tamami perk up in their hiding place.]
Shiratori: ...Huh?
...we decided to have fun watch over them.
1 後生 ("Goshou"): Lit. "Afterlife." Used here as an exclamatory remark, with a meaning similar to "For the love of God!" BACK
2 Kansai dialect is the predominant alternative accent to standard Japanese. It's used here as an indication of how badly Momono's been traumatized. BACK
3 準備はいかがですか ("Junbi wa ikaga desu ka"): Lit. "How are your preparations?" BACK
4 ニブチンで困る ("Nibu-chin de komaru"): Katakana are always tricky, because you're never sure whether you're looking at a foreign word, an emphasized Japanese word, or--as I'm guessing is the case here--a combination of both. As best I can figure, "chin" here is referring to the English word chin, while "nibu" is 二部, meaning "two parts," with the implication Shiratori's chin has been struck squarely in the middle, dividing it in two--in short, "taking it on the chin." BACK
5 特別にまけちゃう ("Tokubetsu ni makechau"): Lit. "Lose in a special way." BACK
6 入居説明 ("Nyuukyo setsumei"): Lit. "Explanation for moving in." BACK
7 品揃えが豊富です ("Shinazoroe ga houfu desu"): Lit. "All items are abundant." BACK
8 しょくパンダ ("Shoku panda"): Another one of those puns Kojima seems to delight in. "Shoku" means "food," so the expression can mean "Food Panda"--but "Shokupan" means "plain bread," so it can also be read as "Shokupan da," or "It's plain bread"--hence the odd shape of the panda's head. BACK
9 白鳥クンもイチコロ ("Shiratori-kun mo ichikoro"): Lit. "Shiratori-kun, too, is being trounced." :) BACK
10 あんまり格好良く言い切るんであやうく惚れるトコでした ("Anmari kakkou yoku iikirun de ayauku horeru toko deshita"): Lit. "It was a point declared in unusually good form, which thus dangerously attracts me." BACK