Conventions:
regular text: name of speaker, and spoken lines
italics: thoughts
(in parentheses): spoken words that are hand-written or not in the talk bubbles
bold: descriptions
bold and italics: translation note

** special note: Maa-chan and Akkun are nicknames in Japanese, usually a shortened form of their first name. Ex. Mariko - Marichan.

Volume One
Chapter One

Atsushi's hand holding a letter.

Atsushi: That was the dear letter from my next door neighbor and "big brother"

Letter: (Dear Atsushi, How are you? You're about to be a High School Student soon, aren't you?)

Atsushi: The letter I got from Maa-chan who I admired so much.

Letter: (I am, right now, in the infirmary of Jougaoka High School in downtown Tokyo. I am working hard, but enjoying myself.)

Atsushi: In bed, with letter covering his face. Hee. I received 5 recommendations to go to "N" High school in downtown Tokyo, but…

Atsushi: I passed into Jougaoka High School!

Atsushi: Holding the paper up to his blushing face. Hee hee hee…

Atsushi: If I remember right, that letter was the beginning of my sufferings.

Atsushi:(Good Nite, Maa-chan.)

(page)

(page)

Title: Volume 1. Atsushi's Day of Pain

(page)

Atsushi: Jougaoka High School: A co-ed technical high school, but on the streets, its known as Misfit High.

Note: the literal translation is 'Yankee', which, in Japanese, means someone who doesn't conform to the "social law". 'Yankees' are also known to look like Americans - bleached hair and outrageous clothing. (Yep. That's what Americans look like. -_-)

2 girls in sailor uniforms are talking.

Atsushi: The few girls attending are also misfits.

3 rough looking boys in school uniforms are leering at Atsushi.

Atsushi: And 80 percent of the students are like these guys.

A view of the school entrance through two legs. Students are greeting each other and you see a student drive in on a motorcycle.

Atsushi: It's gonna be alright!!

Atsushi: I am not scared!!

(page)

Atsushi: Standing with fists looking quite determined. I, Atsushi Arisawa!! For the sake of Maa-chan, I will commute to this school for 3 years!!

Atsushi: (Even though the commute is practically impossible, but…)

In a triumphant pose, Atsushi pulls out a piece of paper.

Close up of the paper reveals a picture of young Atsushi and Maa-chan.

Arrow points to picture. (Mom took this picture.)

(page)

Chibi-Atsushi stands in a dreamy state, eyes closed, but on the verge of tears.

Atsushi: Aaaahhh… Bliss!!

Atsushi is knocked from his state of bliss by someone screaming.

Person: Hey You There Standing in the Middle of the Road! Yeah YOU!!

The person is driving straight towards Atsushi.

Person: If you keep standing there like an idiot, you'll get ran over!!

(page)

Atsushi: Hit. (Aaaahh!)

Atsushi is tossed into the air and then lands with a THUMP!!!

Person: See! Didn't I tell you??!

Atsushi gets up pissed off and crying.

Atsushi: What was that for??!! Are you -

Person: Picks up Atsushi. Well, if you're that energetic, then I guess there aren't any broken bones.

Atsushi: uh?!

(page)

Atsushi slumps to the floor with a flop. The photo fell next to the person's feet.

Person: Pats Atsushi on the head. Good, good. Looks down. Is this something you dro-

Atsushi grabs the picture.

A pause as both stare at each other.

Person: Grinning. A photo of your sweetheart, eh?

Atsushi: DON'T LOOK!!

Person: Well! That is just fine by me! "Write it as youth, read it as middle age!"

Note: this is a VERY difficult Japanese proverb in which the kanji to mean youth are pronounced as the word for middle age. The moral - got me?! Maybe something about youth is fleeting!

Atsushi: (Middle age?) Atsushi doesn't get it either…

(page)

Person: Winks. Well, since I am a counselor, if you are ever in need, come to my place, little freshman boy!

Atsushi: (!?) Worried. ………

Atsushi: (Who was that?!)

A girl behind Atsushi is yelling at someone.

Yuriko: Come on, Kouji!! Go and join the Basketball Club! Come on! I was asked by my brother!!

Kouji: I don't know about that kinda stuff.

(page)

Kouji: (Hey. Give me my bag). I'm just too busy with my part-time job. I don't have time for silly things like club!

Yuriko: Hits Kouji with her bag. Lazy bum!

Kouji: Yeah. Yeah. I'm a lazy bum!

Yuriko: Laz-bumps into Kouji who has stopped.

They both look at the back of Atsushi.

Yuriko: What is it?

(page)

Atsushi: Looks at his watch Oh no! I've got to get to the classroom!

Kouji: Still staring. eh?

Yuriko: Looking at Kouji. (Hmmmmm…. )

Yuriko: Grabs Kouji's ear. Don't start picking on the new freshmen!!

Kouji: (OUCH!!)

Yuriko grabs onto Kouji as Atsushi walks away.

Kouji: Ah! Wait! Look, Yuri--!! Let go!! (Aa! Just a little bit!)

Yuriko: NO! During junior high, how many times did you do that same thing!!

(page)

Sign: First Year, 5th Class

Atsushi nervously glances around. Big, older-looking boys are sitting and looking rather serious.

Atsushi: Are these people…Begins to sweat. actually freshmen??

Atsushi: Crying. (I think I want to go home!)

The door opens. We see the teacher's tie and chin only.

(page)

The teacher writes on the blackboard: Shibata Masa - (rest is hidden).

Then he slams his fist onto the board as Atsushi becomes really scared.

We see that he is the same person who ran over Atsushi in the morning.

(page)

All the boys around Atsushi stand up.

Atsushi: (gulp!)

Teacher: THIS YEAR, I'M GONNA MAKE ALL OF YOU TWERPS PASS THIS GRADE!!

Boys: YES SIR!!

(page)

Teacher: I am your homeroom teacher !! Mr. Shibata!!

Mr. Shibata: Welcome to my class, all you Misfits!!

Atsushi is frozen with fear.

Mr. Shibata: This is the last time you stay in the same grade!!

Boys: Yes Sir!!

Mr. Shibata: I wanna hear a shout for graduation! Let me see what you're made of!!

Boys: Yes Sir!!

(page)

Atsushi tries to sneak past everyone, but everyone stops to look down.

Mr. Shibata: hm? Grabs Atsushi by the collar. Where are you going?

Atsushi: (Waaah!) I quit!! I am quitting school!!

Mr. Shibata: Transforms into a scary looking Kabuki player. What did you say?!! Are you trying to make fun of me??! NAME!!

Atsushi: A.. Arisawa. Please! Forgive me!

Mr. Shibata: Throws his arm around Atsushi's neck. OKAY!! Everyone! Make sure "Arisawa-chan" gets to school every morning!!

Atsushi: WAAAHHH!! I'm fine!! I'll come every day!!

Boys: (OKAY! Yay! Yay!)

(page)

Mr. Shibata is giving Atsushi a knuckle-sandwich.

Atsushi: Save me, Maa-chan!!

Later on… Atsushi is slumped at his desk.

Atsushi: This sucks. Its gonna be like this everyday for 3 years!

Someone calls: Arisawa-chan!

Boy: Arisawa-chan! You have a visitor!

Atsushi: As a reflex, Covers head with hands. Ah! I'm sorry!

(page)

Atsushi: Looks up eh?

Kouji stands in the doorway nonchalantly.

Scene changes to outside.

Atsushi: Looking up nervously. This will definitely send me to the Infirmary. Maa-chan, please wait..

Atsushi: (Please, somehow, punch me in a way that doesn't change the structure of my face.)

Kouji: I didn't think that you would actually enter THIS school.

(page)

Atsushi: wha?!

Kouji: Is it that easy to forget me?

Kouji: I was the one with you all through elementary school.

Kouji: Kouji Inagaki.

Atsushi: Inagaki?! ah!

Flashback

Atsushi: The one who was always by my side, and who protected me. Strong Kou-chan

Young Kouji is swinging his fists at some boys with Atsushi behind him, crying.

Young Kouji: Hey! Stop Teasing Atsushi!!

Kouji: Turns to Young Atsushi. It's all right, Atsushi. I'll protect you, but you can't go anywhere alone, okay?

Young Atsushi: Kou-chan, you're hurt.

Atsushi: Puts his hand on Young Kouji's cheek. Does it hurt? (Sorry.)

(page)

Young Kouji grasps Young Atsushi's hands in his.

Young Kouji: Atsushi, Let's get married!!

Young Kouji: If we do, then I shall always protect you!

Young Kouji: It's all right, isn't it?

Atsushi: I just remembered..

Young Atsushi: Stops crying and smiles. Yeah, okay.

Atsushi: I couldn't forget!! It was my FIRST KISS!

Young Atsushi and Young Kouji kiss. (It's a promise!)

Atsushi looks worried with his hand over his mouth.

End of Flashback.

(page)

Kouji: Scratching the back of his head. There was no way I could mistake you for someone else, but.. I thought, 'It couldn't be!'

Atsushi: Still in shock

Kouji: Looks back at Atsushi and puts his hand on Atsushi's shoulder. My feelings from that time have not changed.

Atsushi: huh?

Kouji: We were apart during all of junior high, but..

Kouji: Tries to kiss Atsushi. I will always love you!!

Atsushi: Tries to avoid Kouji's kiss. WAAA!!! Wait! Wait! Inagaki!!

Kouji: What?

Atsushi: There is someplace I have to go. (Let's talk about this some other time, okay?)

Kouji: Where?

Atsushi: Suddenly looking a bit worried The..

(page)

Atsushi: looking away The infirmary..

Kouji gets a nosebleed! Arrow points to Kouji : (He's imagining VARIOUS (read: erotic) things..)

Kouji: Grabs Atsushi by the neck. Let's GO! Right now!!

Atsushi: WAAAHH!! I'm not ready for that!!

They are stopped by a pack of mean looking boys.

Atsushi: ?!

(page)

Kouji: Whadda ya want?

Boy: You're Inagaki from Azuma Junior High, aren't you?

Kouji: That's what they say around here..

Atsushi: (I.. Inagaki!)

Boy1: Please Join The JUDO CLUB!

Boy2: The BASKETBALL CLUB!!

Boy3: The TRACK AND FIELD CLUB!!

Boy4: The KARATE CLUB!!

(page)

Kouji: Hold on Atsushi!!

Atsushi: huh?

Kouji grabs Atsushi and makes a flying leap above the boys and lands one foot into a boy's face and jumps over them.

Boys: WOAH!!!

Atsushi: (hyaa!!)

(page)

Kouji lands with grace while cradling scared Atsushi in his arms.

Boy3: That powerful jump would be great for the Track and Field Club!!

Boy4: No! For the Karate Club!!

Kouji: Run, Atsushi!!

(page)

Kouji is running while dragging Atsushi by one hand and being chased by the boys.

Atsushi: Isn't this a bit too much trouble??

Kouji: That's okay, we can cherish our love in the infirmary (no interruptions)!!

Atsushi: That's not what I meant!!

Boy: You can't run away, Inagaki!!

We have a view of them running from one of the school windows.

Boy: Be a man and sign this New Member Sheet!!

Tooru: Looking out the window. This year we got some really good freshmen.

(page)

Mr. Shibata: Pouring a cup of coffee. Yup. Isn't that Inagaki from Class 3?

Tooru: They really want him, don't they?

Mr. Shibata: I heard in junior high he was the all-around sportsman.

Tooru: hmmm… I wonder why he hasn't come to my place yet..

Mr. Shibata:. Hands Tooru a cup of coffee I'll give him to you, Mr. Hagiwara.

They toast with their coffee cups while laughing.

Tooru: (hahahaha) There's no need for that, Mr. Shibata.

Mr. Shibata: (hahahaha) I'm serious! Mr. Hagiwara.

Mr. Shibata: Suddenly really serious. JERK! Are you saying that Maa-chan isn't enough for you?!

Mr. Shibata: (Shall I pour this coffee on your head?! Hmmm??!!)

Tooru: Idiot! I don't want him in that meaning!!

(page)

Tooru: I meant that my KENDO CLUB wants a man of that talent!!

Mr. Shibata: Drinking his coffee. Oh no! This advisor has also been devoured!!

Mr. Shibata: Licking his lips. Well, If a person feels satisfied with not "joining a club", then that's okay, isn't it?

Note: "joining the club" is also being implied as having sex.

Mr. Shibata: Until he is FORCED to "join"!

Tooru: Why, you! You still have a grudge about me and Masami.

Mr. Shibata: Laughing. Naturally..

Mr. Shibata: It's good that the one who took Maa-chan was you.

Tooru is taken aback.

Mr. Shibata: Looking to the side a bit more seriously now. I wouldn't forgive anyone else, but you…

(page)

Switch scene to Kouji kicking the boys down the stairs, while Atsushi cowers in fear.

Kouji: Hiyaaa!!

In the hall.

Kouji: Ah! There it is!

Sign: Infirmary

Atsushi: oh no! (sound of Atsushi's heart thumping: DOKI!)

A determined Kouji dashes towards the infirmary with a worried Atsushi being dragged along.

Atsushi: Waaahh! Maa-chan will be there! BUT!! BUT!!

Kouji: Let's help the patients, Atsushi!!

Atsushi: huh?

Kouji: Let's go!

Atsushi: huh?

Kouji: Opens the door. ALL RIGHT!!

Atsushi: Closing his eyes. Waah!! Wait! Wait!

Someone sitting, legs crossed with hands on knees.

(page)

That someone is Mr. Shibata.

Mr. Shibata: Welcome to my research lab.

Atsushi is dumbstruck.

Kouji: Calmed down. Oh. The teacher is here.

(page)

Atsushi: It's got to be a lie!

Atsushi: Why are you here?

Mr. Shibata: Pushes his glasses up. You'd like to know, huh? You probably would like to know.

Mr. Shibata: Hehehehe..

Mr. Shibata stands up in a towering stance laughing loudly.

Mr. Shibata: What shall I hide - My butt I shall hide!! (this isn't supposed to make sense) I'm the pinch-hitter for the actual teacher who is on maternity leave caused by the devil!! (So, STRIP! Take off your bras too!)

Mr. Shibata: With the sweet smell of Ethanol,… Also known as Nightingale Shibata, I am in charge here! BWA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

Another shock for Atsushi.

(page)

(crack crack crack)

Atsushi crying over a picture of him happy on the lap of his "Maa-chan". The picture is being shattered.

(The World of Shattered Dreams)

Kouji: Catches a fainting Atsushi. Waaahh! Atsushi!!

Mr. Shibata: Out of the way! From ashes to ashes, let me have a look!

Tooru: Please calm down, you two.

Kouji: Don't touch Atsushi, you fag!

Mr. Shibata: What was that??!! Look! That was inexcusable!!

Mr. Shibata: Pointing to Tooru. The one who is actually gay is this guy.

Tooru: Slamming a chair on Mr. Shibata 's head. Don't try and change the subject!

(page)

Someone is putting on slippers and walking through the school halls. He goes up the stairs at the same time Kouji is being pushed outside the infirmary.

Kouji: Why must I go! Geez!

Kouji: (I have to be there with him!)

Tooru: (Yes. Yes. Please leave now.)

(page)

Tooru: Well, You can go and see him later, but now class is starting.

Kouji: Mr. Hagiwara…

Kouji: You're gay, aren't you?

Kouji: (Atsushi's mine, so stay away.)

Tooru: Now, see here!!

Dream Flashback.

Atsushi's home.

Atsushi's mom: (Atsushi!)

We see a young boy, who looks like Maa-chan, in the doorway.

Atsushi's mom: (Atsushi, one of our next door neighbors, the Shibatas, would like to introduce himself to you.)

Maa-chan: Atsushi, is it?

Maa-chan: Nice to meet you!

Young Atsushi: I thought he was a woman. With a pretty hand he pats my head.

Outside on the porch. Young Atsushi is in a yukata.

Young Atsushi: At the Seven Star Festival, I wrote a wish that I hope comes true.

Maa-chan: What did you write, Akkun?

Young Atsushi: Looks down nervously. It's… It's a secret. The wish is to be forever…

Maa-chan: As for me ..

Atsushi: with Maa-chan

Maa-chan: I wrote that I hope to become a teacher.

(page)

Young Atsushi: Maa-chan, you want to become a teacher?

Maa-chan: Yep.

Young Atsushi:Excited. Then, I'll be your very first student!

Maa-chan smiles while Young Atsushi hugs his arm.

Young Atsushi: To be like this, together, forever.

End of Dream Flashback

(page)

A hand on Atsushi's head.

Atsushi: A warm hand. Maa-chan?

Mr. Shibata in the shadows.

Atsushi: Maa-cha..

Mr. Shibata: Making a face IT'S MAA-CHAN!!!!!

Atsushi: Waking up with a jolt UWAHHHH!!!

Atsushi: Holding his heart huh- wha-?!

Mr. Shibata (jokingly): Man, you're in love with me too! In your sleep, you kept saying "Maa-chan! Maa-chan!"

Mr. Shibata: (hahahahaha!!)

Atsushi (upset): ……

(page)

Mr. Shibata: Slips into bed next to Atsushi Still lonely, huh? Want me to sleep with you?

Atsushi: Please stop it!

Mr. Shibata: Becomes serious ……

Atushi: Gets up, but doesn't look at Mr. Shibata I'm fine now. Thank you.

Atsushi: Even though I had a lot I wanted to say when I met him.

Flashback picture of Young Atsushi and Masami.

Atsushi: For sure, now matter how many years we'd be apart, Maa-chan would understand.

Atsushi: He would answer me with that nice smile.

(page)

Mr. Shibata lights a cigarette.

Atsushi: That's what I believed.

Mr. Shibata: I see.

Mr. Shibata: Blows out some smoke. Don't forget to thank Inagaki. He was worried about you.

Atsushi: I must ask him! Ma.. Maa-chan.

Mr. Shibata is stopped in his tracks, surprised.

(page)

Atsushi: SeriousDid you forget about me?

Mr. Shibata: Shocked …. I.. I've never been involved with a boy, but..

(page)

Atsushi: Even though I came here because I had wanted to meet you, I feel like a fool.

Mr. Shibata: WOAH! Wait a minute!

Atsushi(screaming): If you're going to act as if you forgot about me, then don't send me any letters!!

Mr. Shibata: Takes Atsushi by the shoulders. Listen to me, stupid!

Mr. Shibata: Today was the first time we met! Maybe you were mistaken somehow, but

Mr. Shibata: I don't ever remember writing you a letter!!

Atsushi's jacket and photo fall to the floor.

Atsushi: That's cruel…

Atsushi: Crying. That's so cruel, Maa-chan.

Kouji: Not seen. Atsushi! Let's go home togeth-

(page)

Kouji sees Mr. Shibata holding onto the crying Atsushi.

Atsushi: Inagaki…(sniff)

Kouji becomes REALLY pissed. Next thing we see is some furniture being thrown outside of the school building.

Kouji: What are you doing to Atsushi!! You perverted faggot!!

(page)

Door to the Principal's Office.

Principal: Well, this is your long awaited debut.

Person: Even though I'm not good at it, but I love it.

Principal: No way. This will be really good book - quite thick. Since you're quitting, there are gonna be a lot of disheartened students.

Person: (We see that the back of the person looks like Maa-chan.) I thought maybe Masayoshi might still have some questions, so..

Principal: No, Mr. Shibata is a good teacher. He's already got a lot of fans among the students.

The person looks out the window. Some students see him.

Person: That's good.

Student 1: Hey! Is that? Could that be?

Student 2: OHHH!!!

(page)

Students: Maa-chan!!

The person we see is Maa-chan waving.

Other scene of Mr. Shibata (or Masayoshi, as we just found out from the conversation above) with a scalpel and a stool stabbed into his head staring at a photo on his desk.

Masayoshi: Surely, this must be "Maa-chan".

Close up of the photo of Maa-chan with Young Atsushi.

(page)

(End of Chapter One)