Futaba-kun Changes
Volume 5, Part 1
Look Out for Candid Camera, Futaba-kun!

Translation by Kurt Kohler (kohler@ao.com)
Story copyright 1993 by Hiroshi Aro

Hireiji:
	This is a photo of 3rd year, class A student, Kurayo Hooto!

[Hireiji speaks in a "lower-class" Tokyo dialect, the language of "shitamachi". For example, he uses "deyansu" for "desu" and adds "yasu" to the stems of verbs. This dialect is often used for humorous characters.]

Customer:
	Ah! This is great!

Hireiji:
	Heh heh heh! It did come out well, didn't it?

Hireiji:
	Okay, 2000 yen as promised...

Customer:
	Hold it!
	Do you have proof this is really her?

Hireiji:
	Heh heh heh! So you're being cautious too!
	Ah! Mr. Hirumoto!



Hirumoto:
	Hmmm!

Hirumoto:
	I'm a connoisseur of the lower regions!
	I'll verify the photo for you myself!

Hirumoto:
	Considering build, thickness of body fat, favorite underwear, and so on...
	It's terribly advanced work to tell them apart due to the unusually large number of subtle features!
	You're in luck!

Hirumoto:
	This is a photo of Kurayo Hooto at last year's track meet...

Hirumoto:
	Earlier I noticed a mole on her thigh!
	Ah! That clinches it!

Customer:
	I'd appreciate it if you could take some new ones for me!

Hireiji:
	Any time!

Hireiji:
	Good deal! Good deal!

Hirumoto:
	It's all because of that skill of yours, Mr. Hireiji!

Hireiji:
	Actually the deal succeeded due to your expertise, Mr. Hirumoto!

Hirumoto:
	Heh! Heh! Well...

Hireiji:
	I think I'll take pictures tomorrow too!

Hirumoto:
	What sort of requests do you get from your customers?

Hireiji:
	For the last few months there's been a sudden rise in orders from this school for pictures of a girl named Futaba Shimeru!

Hirumoto:
	Ah! Kahoru Iroka's daughter!

Hirumoto:
	I'll have to get information on her as soon as possible!
	I have information on most of the girls in this school, however...

Hireiji:
	I've been relying on you, since, as you know,
	I don't know who's on the film I've exposed!




Futaba (thinking):
	Good! It doesn't look like the Kojiro sisters are lying in wait for me!
	Whew!

Futaba (thinking):
	But if that's true..
	It must be because of the principal's disguise!

[Flashback]

	Futaba:
		Why are you chasing me?

	Maki:
		Don't pretend you don't know!
		We know that the boy called Futaba Shimeru and the girl called Futaba Shimeru are actually the same person!

	Futaba:
		Gack!

	Principal:
		If you mean me, I am right here!

	Maki:
		There are two Futaba Shimeru's just as you'd expect!

	Miki:
		You looked at my data without my permission, didn't you!

	Principal:
		Both of them were fooled by my splendid disguise!

[End flashback]

Futaba (thinking):
	I'm glad he rescued me, but...

Futaba (thinking):
	I used to have some confidence in my looks, but now...
	Sigh!

[Misaki's flashback]

	Sheena:
		My darling big sister is really a big brother or something!

	Sheena:
		I really, really hate men!
		And on top of that you're some kind of cross-dressing pervert!
		Sheena-chan never wants to see you again!
		Pfffft!

[End flashback]

Misaki (thinking):
	At least after all that I shouldn't have to worry about that girl following me around any more!

Misaki (thinking):
	Why do other people have to think of me as a boy!
	When I... I'm really a girl!



Pant! Pant! Pant!



Misaki and Futaba:
	Oh!

Futaba:
	G...good morning! Nice weather, isn't it?

Misaki:
	Good morning! Yes it is, isn't it?

Sigh!

Hireiji:
	Nghh! Nghh! Nghh!

Hireiji:
	Come on! Come on! Come on!

Hireiji:
	Say "cheese"!!



Hireiji:
	Pant! Pant! Pant!

Hirumoto:
	Hmmm!
	Your ability to "spirit photograph" under skirts within a radius of 10 meters comes through again!

//!!  --Eric//

Hireiji:
	Ecstasy!

Hirumoto:
	However, not knowing under whose skirt is a weak point!

Hireiji:
	Because of your welcome expertise, Mr. Hirumoto, for the first time my special skills can really come to life!

Hirumoto:
	To keep this going, we need to raise capital!



Hirumoto:
	To rebuild our glorious photo weekly!
	??
	[tori-tsubusu?]

Hireiji:
	Ahhh! Our vulgar, sensational, popular, and irresponsible dream project!
	??
	

Hirumoto:
	Develop it right away!

Hireiji:
	Will do!



Negiri:
	Hey Misaki! Futaba-chan!
	Yesterday there was a big commotion that damaged building no. 2!

Negiri:
	Do you know why Futaba Shimeru was being chased around?
	You're in the same pro-wrestling club, aren't you?

Misaki:
	Yeah!

Futaba:
	I don't know!

Negiri:
	Is that so? I wanted to hear about it!
	He doesn't seem to be here yet! Oh well!

Misaki:
	Oh Negiri! You want to know everything!



Negiri:
	What a silly thing to say!
	Information is money!

Negiri:
	Say! There's a fascinatin' rumor goin' round!

Futaba:
	Fascinating rumor?

Negiri:
	Recently a lot of photographs taken under girls' skirts are being sold among the boys!
	And what's more, no one knows for sure who's in any of the photos!
	Strangely enough, not even the guy who took the pictures seems to know!

Negiri:
	I hear all the gals who know about it are takin' defensive measures!

Futaba:
	Defensive measures?

Negiri:
	It means ya gotta cut out the cute stuff!

Misaki:
	Every day? How awful!

Negiri:
	You two oughta be careful too!

Misaki:
	Yeah!

Futaba (thinking):
	What's this under my skirt?

Sign above door:
	Tool Closet

Sign on curtain:
	Dark Room

Hireiji:
	Wow!

Hireiji:
	Hirumoto! Look at this!

Hirumoto:
	Wow!

Hirumoto:
	What's this!?

Futaba:
	I have to be more careful! I was still wearing men's underpants!



Futaba:
	If someone got a picture of this, I'd have trouble fooling people any more!




Hirumoto:
	Those are definitely men's boxer shorts!

//Like some other person we all know. --Eric//

Hireiji:
	Is it a woman wearing men's clothes?
	Or a man wearing women's clothes?

Hirumoto:
	No, those are female thighs!
	However...

Hirumoto:
	Strangely enough, this body isn't one I recognize!

Hireiji:
	So it's "mystery girl wears men's boxer shorts!"

Hirumoto:
	Heh! Heh! Heh!
	Are you suggesting...? Not just Hireiji, but Hireiji, reporter!

Hireiji:
	I sense an air of mystery!
	Not just Hirumoto! Hirumoto, editor!

Both:
	We've got a scoop!
	

Hirumoto:
	However the fact that I have no idea at all who she is, kind of puts a crimp in my plans for collecting data!

Hireiji:
	In that case, I have a great idea!

Sign:
	Bulletin Board



Poster:
	Wanted
	Do you know this person?




Students:
	Oh! The poster's disappeared!
	Did something just pass though here?

Hirumoto:
	Idiot!
	You're not going to find her that way!
	Huff! Puff!

Hireiji:
	Sorry!

Hireiji:
	You're right! We need to offer a prize!

Hirumoto:
	Wrong!

Hirumoto:
	It's vital that I figure out who the unknown girl is!

Hirumoto:
	Ahhh! It's been staring me right in the face!

Hirumoto:
	It's a girl I have no data on, right? So it has to be Futaba Shimeru!

Hirumoto:
	You did an excellent job of choosing a subject, Hireiji!

Hireiji:
	So it seems!





Futaba (thinking):
	What's going on?
	I'm getting such strange looks!

Boy:
	Uh... Pardon me... Miss Shimeru?

Futaba:
	Yes?

Futaba (thinking):
	I don't recognize this guy!

Futaba:
	What is it?

Boy:
	Will... will you... that is...

Boy:
	Will you please go out with me!

Futaba:
	Eh!?

Futaba (thinking):
	He's asking me for a date!
	
	What'll I do!?

Futaba (thinking):
	I don't know what to say!

//Ranma wouldn't have this problem. --Eric//

Futaba (thinking):
	It's kind of nice though!

Futaba (thinking):
	Ever since the day I first changed...
	I've had a feeling deep down that something like this would happen!

Futaba (thinking):
	Oh! This is so complicated!

Futaba (thinking):
	But I can't very well say yes, can I?

Futaba:
	Uh...

Boy:
	I believe we have the same hobby!

Futaba:
	Huh?

Boy:
	It's my hobby too!
	

Futaba:
	Who are you saying has a hobby like that!



Boy:
	Yeow!

Misaki:
	Futaba-chan!

Futaba:
	Misaki-chan!

Misaki:
	It's just dreadful! Look at this!

Paper:
	Friday
	Scoop!

Futaba:
	What the heck!?

Paper:
	(Across the top)
		Exclusive!!
	(Down righthand side)
		Campus sweetheart loves to wear men's underwear!
	[Three characters are covered by Futaba's thumb. The first appears to be �� "ka", the last is �� "na". ??]
	(Diagonal banner)
		Futaba Shimeru
	(Lower left corner)
		Interview with pro-wrestling club president, "Go-go" Motomura
		"The first time we ever met, she was wearing men's clothes!"
	(Banner across Motomura's picture)
		Eyewitness Testimony

Hirumoto:
	Extra! Extra!!



	Campus sweetheart's amazing hobby! Only 100 yen a copy!

Hireiji:
	Okay! Get in line!



Futaba:
	Knock it off!!

Futaba:
	What gives you the right to...

Hirumoto:
	Ahhhh! The subject herself makes her entrance!

Futaba:
	Huh?



Hirumoto:
	Tell us! Why do you wear men's underpants?
	Do you wear anything besides underpants?
	How does it feel when you wear them?
	Is it just a hobby? Or is it something you can't talk about?
	Does your family know?

Futaba (thinking):
	How awkward!
	I've got to do something...



Futaba:
	Waaaaah!

Futaba:
	You're so mean to say I'd wear something like that!
	What proof do you have that that's me in the picture!
	Boo! Hoo! Hoo!
	

//Strange, yet effective. --Eric//



Student:
	Just saying it isn't proof!

Another student:
	Yeah! You're right!

Student:
	Hey! What about the Private Photo Weekly Association!?

[I have no idea what this means. Could he be saying that he's going to report them to the association? ??]

Crowd:
	That's right! That's right!

Hirumoto:
	Heh! Heh! Heh!

4)

Hirumoto:
	Excellent!
	This way we'll prove the authenticity of our photographs!

Hireiji:
	I've got my camera ready!

Hireiji:
	Ha! It's spirit photography!
	



Hirumoto:
	And here you are! A photo of these polkadot panties taken by spirit photography!
	The build, the disposition of the underwear, etc...

Hirumoto:
	Yes, it's definite! These belong to second year, class C student, Mineko Kiya, over there!

Mineko:
	That's not true! How could you know something like that?

Mineko (thinking):
	I really did wear polkadots today!

Hireiji:
	Ho ho ho!
	In this manner, our spirit photographs...
	are infallible!

Strike:
	Ah ha! So it's you two!
	
	[Strike cracking his knuckles]
	Recently you've been trafficking in naughty pictures!

Note:
	"Lucky" Strike,  ??

Strike:
	Run!! Discipline will correct your perverted nature!

//Personality HN: Happo Go-Yen Satsu! --Eric//

Hirumoto and Hireiji:
	Aaaaah!

Note:
	And so the affair came to a rather indefinite conclusion...

Futaba (thinking):
	How could I pretend to cry like that?

Note:
	Without intending to, Futaba was steadily acquiring feminine wiles!

- End of part 1 -


Futaba-kun Changes
Volume 5, Part 2
Futaba-kun's Training Camp Vertigo!

Translation by Kurt Kohler (kohler@ao.com)
Copyright 1993 by Hiroshi Aro




Negiri:
	Mahjongg!

	[Ron == Mah-jongg (going out)]

//This is the same "ron" referred to in "Ja Ja Uma Ni Sasenaide". --Eric//

	[Negiri is claiming Motomura's discard which allows her to go out. This is a lot like calling out "gin" when picking up someone's discard in rummy.]



Negiri:
	Heh! Heh! Heh!
	I'll just take that!

Motomura:
	Oh no! Not again!

Negiri:
	I win again!

Misaki:
	Here Futaba-chan! Have some frozen mandarin orange!

Futaba:
	Thanks, Miskai-chan!

Misaki:
	This is kind of like a picnic, isn't it?

Futaba:
	Uh huh! It doesn't feel much like a pro-wrestling club training outing!

[Flash back]

	Speaker:
		In order to repair the recent damage to the school as quickly as possible...
		there will be no classes all next week!

	Motomura:
		We can use that break for a pro-wrestling society training camp!

	Motomura:
		I have an important question for you!
		You do know how to play mah-jongg, don't you?

	Futaba:
		Eh?

	Futaba:
		No, I don't!

	

	Motomura:
		Ohh! How careless of you!
		??
		
		How could you embarrass yourself at such an important time!
		??
	[Is Motomura referring to Futaba or to himself?]


	Negiri:
		Maybe I can help!

	Motomura:
		What?

	Negiri:
		You're planning to stay at a cheap mountain hot springs, right?
		I'll come along with you!

	Motomura:
		But you're not a club member!

	Negiri:
		It's no skin off my nose, but Futaba-chan and Misaki-chan don't play mah-jongg either, ya know!

	Motomura:
		I see! ??

	Futaba:
	You mean traveling companion! Traveling companion!

	[Is Futaba perhaps correcting Motomura's use of the wrong word "makizoe" for "michizure"? ??]

Sabuyama:
	I'll be going too!
	

Sabuyama:
	A bunch of students can't very well go on their own! I'll be your chaperon!
	Hey Shimeru!
	

[End flashback]

Futaba:
	So why's everyone really coming on this trip?

Sabuyama:
	Shimeru!
	Shimeru!
	Where are you, Shimeru?

Sabuyama:
	Does anyone know where Shimeru is?
	I can't find him anywhere!
	In fact I haven't seen him at all since the meeting this morning!

Sabuyama:
	Oh no! Could he have been left at the station?
	Or maybe he's been kidnapped!
	No!
	That can't be! But he could be hidden somewhere suffering from a sudden illness or something!
	That must be it! We've got to call off the training camp and contact the police!

Futaba:
	Uh! I'll go look for him!



Futaba:
	I was afraid of this! Playing two roles is pretty tough!
	But what else can I do?

Futaba:
	Will I be able to hold out?



Futaba:
	Whew!

Sabuyama:
	Oh! Shimeru! I was worried because I haven't seen you!

Futaba:
	Oh yeah?  Thanks...

Sabuyama:
	Here! Have a seat!
	Would you like some tea or something?
	How about a mandarin orange?
	Let me peel it for you!
	Here! Take a bite!

Futaba:
	No, thank you!

Sabuyama:
	What is it? You seem somewhat withdrawn!

Futaba:
	Err... Uh... My stomach's just a little...

Sabuyama:
	Is it serious!?



	This is awful!

Sabuyama:
	Have you taken anything for it?
	You mustn't get chilled! Can I rub it for you?
	I'll call an ambulance!

Futaba:
	I'm all right!!

Misaki:
	Excuse me...

Misaki:
	Futaba-chan hasn't come back yet!

Sabuyama:
	What? That Futaba Shimeru girl?
	Do you expect all of us to go looking for her?

Sabuyama:
	Forget about her! If we pamper her, she'll make a habit of it!

Futaba:
	Uh... I'll just go look!

Futaba:
	Uh... sorry!

Motomura:
	Hey! Where's Shimeru?
	We're almost to our station, so he'd...

Futaba:
	I'll go get him!



Sign:
	Mabiroshi Inn
	[Is this the correct reading or at least a plausible one? ??]
	This way

Motomura:
	Here we are! This hot spring is run by a friend of my family!
	Ooo! Pretty nice!

Futaba:
	

Misaki:
	You don't have much energy, do you Futaba-chan? Aren't you feeling well?

Futaba:
	I'm okay! A ride would be nice, but I'll make it!
	

Futaba (thinking):
	All the way from the train to here...
	Changing so often in such a short time is really hard on me!
	

Motomura:
	Okay! As soon as you've put your luggage away, we'll get at it!

Futaba (thinking):
	Oh no!
	I'm not going to make it!

[Panel is at top of pages 48 and 49]






[Sounds of playing mah-jongg]

Futaba:
	Motomura! Is this what you meant by "getting at it?"

Motomura:
	Ah! Shimeru! You're here!

Futaba:
	This wasn't the reason for this training camp, was it?

Motomura:
	Shimeru! Training is not just about strengthening the body!
	If you don't train the mind and body equally, you can't claim to be a full-fledged wrestler!

Futaba:
	Is that right?

Motomura:
	By continuing to play with a determination to never give up the game...
	
	we shall learn to persevere until victory is finally achieved!

Futaba (thinking):
	I'd guess he really lost a bundle on the train!



Motomura:
	I must win back my losses!

Futaba (thinking):
	Well, at least this means there'll be no training!

Sabuyama:
	Shimeru! Where are you! Let's take a walk!

Futaba:
	I think I'll go take a bath!

Open air bath

Futaba:
	Whew! I need to calm down!
	Ever since I woke up, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it!

Futaba:
	I'm too young to think about things like that!

Misaki:
	Are you here, Futaba-chan?

Misaki:
	That's funny! She wasn't in the room, so I thought sure she'd be here!

Futaba (thinking):
	Ah! Misaki's come to the women's bath!

Futaba (thinking):
	Oh no!

Futaba (thinking):
	Now I'm really in hot water!
	

Futaba (thinking):
	
	If I change now, we'll be in the bath together!!

Futaba:
	How could I think such a thing?!
	
	Filthy! Filthy! Filthy!

Futaba:
	Ahhh! I can still imagine I see her!

Misaki:
	Eeeeeeee!

Futaba:
	Yeow!



Futaba (thinking):
	It wasn't a vision!



Futaba (thinking):
	What luck!
	
	Thank goodness!
	

Futaba:
	Oh!
	

Futaba:
	Oh oh! I feel so weak and dizzy!
	
	I guess it's not surprising though! I was already exhausted from
changing so many times and on top of that I got excited right after
getting into the hot water!
	

Futaba (thinking):
	Did I give Misaki a shock?

Misaki:
	

Misaki:
	

Misaki (thinking):
	What a surprise!

[Map of hot springs bath]

Label on right:
	Men's dressing room

Label on left:
	Women's dressing room

Misaki (thinking):
	Does this hot spring allow mixed bathing?

Misaki:
	What'll I do? What'll I do? That was Shimeru-kun!
	Did he really see me?
	We're still just getting to know each other!

Misaki:
	Getting to know each other!?

Misaki:
	Eeee!
	
	??
	[-tara dou datte iu no ??]

Misaki (thinking):
	But... but... In this situation...

Misaki (thinking):
	What'll I do if Shimeru-kun comes over here!
	If he does, I... I don't know what I'll do!

Author's comment:
	She doesn't seem to have thought of simply getting out of the bath!

Misaki (thinking):
	But... But... I'm still too young!
	Things have to be taken step by step!

Misaki:
	Silly me! I'm all alone! How did I manage to get myself so excited!
	
	
	What a dummy!

Futaba:
	Misaki-chan!

Misaki:
	Eeee!
	
	

Misaki:
	Eek! Ee... Oh? Futaba-chan!

Futaba:
	What's wrong? As soon as you saw me, you went crazy!

Misaki:
	Eh?

Misaki:
	I just saw a man on the other side...

Futaba:
	But for a while now, I've been the only one here!

Misaki:
	So the Shimeru-kun I saw...?

Futaba:
	Ah!

Futaba:
	That's mean! You actually mistook me for a boy?

Misaki:
	Eh?

Misaki (thinking):
	Was I getting myself all excited...
	over a simple mistake?

Misaki:
	No! Enough! This is so embarrassing!
	

Futaba:
	Yeow!

Futaba (thinking):
	So! It looks like I actually fooled her!

Misaki (thinking):
	How could I mistake Futaba-chan for Shimeru-kun!
	Somewhere in my heart was I hoping for such a thing?
	

Misaki (thinking):
	Are Shimeru-kun and I really so...
	How could I be so bold!
	Even though I haven't changed into a boy again recently
	The hot spring has opened a place in my heart!
	??

Misaki:
	Ah! I think I've been in long enough!
	




Misaki:
	Eeee! Futaba-chan!



Motomura:
	What? You say Shimeru is taking a break because she stayed in the hot springs too long?

Motomura:
	Why isn't the other Shimeru here?

Takeru:
	I haven't seen him at all since we got here!

Negiri:
	Maybe he's off training by himself?

Motomura:
	Ooo! What an example he is to all of us!
	Tomorrow we must get together to recoup our losses!

Sabuyama:
	Oh Shimeru! Don't overexert yourself!

Negiri:
	Only he would keep on losing and still not learn anything!


[Call of an owl]

Motomura:
	I know it's sudden, but...
	tonight we're going on a panty raid!!

[Yobai means sneaking into a woman's room at night, it seems to be roughly equivalent to a panty raid.]

[The handkerchief tied under Motomura's nose is the traditional disguise of the Japanese thief.]

//Think Happosai. --Eric//

Motomura:
	As men, for us not to sneak by night into the room below...
	would be an insult to womenkind!

Takeru:
	Right on!
	The panty raid is a male tradition!

Chima:
	Are you sure it's okay?

Motomura:
	We're in luck! I've received the go-ahead from our chaparone!

Sabuyama (thinking):
	Heh! Heh! Heh! When Shimeru gets back, there'll just be the two of us!

The Cricket Room

Misaki (thinking):
	I need to get some air!
	
	

Futaba (thinking):
	I've got to get back to the boys' room before it's too late!



Misaki (thinking):
	When I think about sleeping under the same roof with him, even though it's in different rooms...
	I just can't get to sleep!
	Eee!

Misaki:
	Oh!
	Shimeru-kun!

Misaki:
	I heard you were training alone today!
	Are you okay? You look kind of pale!

Futaba:
	Yeah! I'm kinda tired! But...
	I'm... o... kay...
	

Misaki:
	Eek!

//I think Futaba just fainted against Misaki. --Eric//

Misaki:
	Shimeru-kun! Wh...what are...

Misaki:
	Oh my!

Zzzzz...

Motomura:
	Oh no! There's no one here!!
	The girls are gone!

Negiri:
	I came when I heard the boys and girls were finally going to bathe together, but there's no one else here!
	What a bummer!

- End of part 2 -


Futaba-kun Changes
Book 5, Part 3
Futaba-kun Lays an Egg!

Translation by Kurt Kohler (kohler@ao.com)
Story Copyright 1993 by Hiroshi Aro




Futaba:
	What's this egg doing here?

Futaba:
	It wasn't here yesterday and...
	I can't believe I was sleepwalking and...
	I'm sure it wasn't here before I went to bed...
	So all that leaves is...

Futaba:
	I laid it!
	

//You should be able to tell it'll just get stupider from here. --Eric//



Futaba:
	What am I saying!?
	Ahahahahahahaha!

Futaba:
	This is ridiculous! People don't lay eggs!
	There must be another explanation!

Futaba:
	Oh no!





Futaba:
	What do I do now?

Futaba:
	If there's any chance...
	No! It's impossible!
	But what if...

Futaba:
	What'll I do!?
	If I really laid it!

Futaba:
	I can't think straight!
	'Cause of this thing that makes me to change into a girl...
	Is there really any chance I might have laid it?

Futaba:
	Still, it doesn't make any sense!
	Maybe I'm worrying about this too much!

Futaba:
	That reminds me
	of something Futana said a while back...

[Flashback]

	Futana:
		Futaba! What're you doing to get ready for that day?

	Futaba:
		What day's that?

	Futana:
		The girl's day!

	Futaba:
		You mean the Girl's Festival?

	Futana:
		It still hasn't come yet!

	Futana:
		I really thought it would have by now...
		but since your basic form is male, maybe it would be kind of erratic!

	Futaba:
		What are you talking about?

	Futana:
		You really ought to learn more about the female body!

	Futana:
		I'm talking about ovulation day!
		Ov-u-la-tion day!

//99% sure this is a lot more significant/obvious in Japanese. --Eric//

[End of flashback]

Futaba:
	I didn't pay much attention then!
	I should have listened more carefully!
	But even if I had...

Ovulation day



Futaba:
	It looks like Futana was right that the day would come soon!
	But this sure isn't what I expected!

Futaba:
	It's true! I lay eggs!

Mother and child



Futaba:
	Even if it doesn't concern them, the rest of the family's got to hear about this!



	Mom! Dad! Sis!

Futaba:
	Everyone's left already!





Futaba:
	Rats!! I'm late!
	
	

Futaba (thinking):
	I couldn't just leave it at home!

Takeru:
	Hey Shimeru! You're late too, eh!
	

Futaba:
	Yeow!
	

Futaba:
	
	

Futaba (thinking):
	That was close! But it's okay!

Takeru:
	Sorry! Did I hit you a little bit too hard?

Futaba:
	What d'ya mean "a little bit too hard!"
	That was too close!

Takeru:
	Close?

Futaba:
	Nevermind!

Motomura:
	??

Chima:
	??




Motomura:
	Ah! Nice defensive move!
	The results of our training camp are starting to show!

Futaba (thinking):
	Whew! It didn't break!

Motomura:
	Shimeru! I told you to wait up!

Futaba:
	You don't get me to stop by attacking me with the lariat and the low kick!
	??

Motomura:
	You must hone your wrestling skills every day, so that you never leave an opening!

Futaba:
	Use a little common sense!

Motomura:
	Well actually, we've got practice later today so...
	??

Futaba:
	I think I'll skip practice today!

Motomura:
	I see! We were planning to celebrate the end of training camp!
	??

Futaba:
	The end of training camp?
	??

Motomura:
	I'm putting on a big mahjongg tournament! This time I'll win back my losses from training camp!!



Futaba (thinking):
	How much did he lose anyway?

Motomura:
	As soon as I can I've got to win back the pro-wrestling club's ring and equipment from Shusendo!
	Wail!
	

Futaba:
	You actually wagered things like that?

Card:
	Invitation to the Training Camp Memorial Mahjongg Tournament
	??

Negiri:
	He loses so much and still keeps on playing!
	You'd think he'd learn!
	??

Misaki:
	Negiri-chan! Negiri-chan!

Negiri:
	What is it?
	

Misaki:
	Everybody's looking at me funny!

Negiri:
	Hey! It's no big deal!
	
	Don't worry 'bout it! It's just 'cause of this!

Misaki:
	Huh?

Negiri:
	How ya like it? Nice photo, eh?

Misaki:
	Y...you took this!?
	Without me knowing about it!?

Negiri:
	The two of you sleeping like that all night in the hall is worse!

Negiri:
	Take a look! Havin' it posted back there is gonna make you real famous!



Misaki:
	How could you do such a thing? You should be ashamed!



Negiri:
	You oughta thank me!
	This'll make your relationship publically official!

Misaki:
	But I don't have anything going with Shimeru-kun yet...

Negiri:
	You two gettin' together has really ticked everybody off!

Negiri:
	Well it looks like
	you're more popular than you thought!

Misaki:
	I am?

Futaba:
	Good morning!

Negiri:
	Shimeru is about to be seriously congratulated!

Misaki:
	Eeeee!

Boys:
	Congratulations!
	Good luck, you bastard!
	Take this!

Futaba:
	Arghh!



Futaba:
	Ouch!
	

Futaba (thinking):
	Good! The egg is safe!

Futaba (thinking):
	What?
	Why do I have this feeling of satisfaction...
	Is it because I survived getting beaten up like that?
	No, that's not it!

Futaba (thinking):
	It's because I was able to protect my egg!
	

Futaba (thinking):
	I protected it!
	I protected my egg!

Misaki (thinking):
	I wonder if Shimeru-kun is okay...

Boys (thinking):
	I'm gonna get that Shimeru bastard!
	??

Sabuyama (thinking):
	Oh Shimeru! I'm still here for you!

Futaba:
	I'm home!

Futaba:
	Ooo!
	Ouch!

Futaba (thinking):
	What a lousy day!
	Being a parent is tough!
	What name...



	should I give it?

Zzzzz...



Motomura:
	Hey Shimeru! Ever since yesterday we've been wondering...
	what are you hiding under your shirt anyway?



Futaba:
	Huh?

Motomura:
	There mustn't be any secrets between us! Show us!
	

Futaba:
	It's nothing!
	Yeah really!

Motomura:
	Don't lie to me! I'm in a lousy mood right now!

Futaba:
	Ah! You lost at mah-jongg again, right?

Motomura:
	Shut up and show it to us!!

Futaba:
	Hey! Help!
	Yeow! There's nothing I tell you! Stop it!



Futaba:
	

Motomura:
	There's nothing there!

Futaba:
	I told you there wasn't!

Motomura:
	But still...

Motomura:
	What a stud!
	??

Futaba:
	Just forget it!



Motomura:
	See ya!

Futaba:
	It survived!
	
	In the confusion it got inside my shorts!
	

Futaba:
	I need somewhere to hide it!
	



Woman:
	Oh!

Woman:
	One of them spilled!
	

Truck:
	Itami Fresh Produce

Futaba:
	The egg!

//While Futaba was getting his shorts back on, a woman came by and thought is was part of her produce, which was to cooked for school lunch. --Eric//

Later that day



Futaba didn't touch the hard-boiled eggs at lunch...

Sign:
	Shimeru






Futaba:
	Sis!?

Futaba:
	What are you doing here!?

Futana:
	I went out drinking and now I'm having dinner!

Futaba:
	Do it in your own bed!

//!! --Eric//

Futana:
	But it'd be so cold!

//Something is really wrong with this family. --Eric//

Futaba:
	You don't just crawl into a bed where somebody's sleeping!

Futana:
	Okay! Okay! I'll give you another one like the other day!

Futaba:
	Another one? Like the other day?

Futana:
	Uh huh!

Futaba:
	Si-is!!

- End of part 3 -


Futaba-kun Changes
Book 5, Part 4
It's Your Period, Futaba-kun!

//There's something different from Ranma 1/2. --Eric//

Translation by Kurt Kohler (kohler@ao.com)
Story Copyright 1993 by Hiroshi Aro




Futaba:
	Something's...
	
	weird!

Futana:
	What's weird, Futaba?

Futaba:
	Sis!

Futana:
	What?

Futaba:
	Get your hands out of my shirt!

Futana:
	Eh?
	??

Futana:
	Don't be so stingy! You've got such great tits!

Futaba:
	Ya got your own, don'cha!
	Hey! Stop blowing in my ear!

Futana:
	You don't have to be a pig about it!

Futaba:
	Well when a person's suffering, they can be kind of touchy!
	

Futana:
	Suffering? Suffering from what?

Futaba:
	I don't know!
	

Futana:
	You don't know? Then you aren't really suffering, are you!

Futaba:
	Hey! Knock it off! Leave me alone!
	

Futana:
	Ah ha! That's it! That's it!
	



Futaba:
	Wh... What's it?

Futaba (thinking):
	I swallowed it!

Futana:
	Oh, nothing!




Futaba:
	What'd she mean "Oh, nothing?"
	She couldn't possibly know what's wrong with me!

Futaba (thinking):
	... or could she?
	No way! I don't even know myself!

Futaba (thinking):
	But anyway... How come I feel so queasy?
	I only know I don't usually feel this way!

Man:
	Excuse me!

Man:
	Please go out with me!



//That was random. --Eric//

Futaba:
	I can't go out with someone I don't know anything about just 'cause he all of a sudden asks me to!
	It's nice of you to ask though!

Man:
	It's okay! I don't know anything about you either!



	When we passed each other a moment ago, I fell in love with you!

Futaba:
	This is kind of sudden!

Man:
	I'm begging you! Please go out with me!
	I actually forced my way into the flower shop before it opened and took this bouquet! You've got to understand how I feel!

Florist:
	Stop thief!



Futaba:
	Excuse me, but I'm going to be late for school!



Man:
	Oh!

Man:
	Wait!

Man:
	Eh?

Futaba:
	Huff puff!

Men:
	Who was that?
	Who's that crazy girl?




Futaba:
	Arghhh!

Men:
	Go out with me!
	Marry me!
	Be my girlfriend!
	Shut up! I saw her first!
	I'm the only one for you!
	Please be mine!
	I can't live without you!
	I... I... I am in love!
	Hey! I'm not giving her up to anybody!
	Be my queen!

Futaba:
	Eeeee!

Futaba:
	Huff! Puff!

Futaba:
	Wh... What the heck is going on this morning?
	I'm really gonna to be late now!

Futaba:
	Boy, am I sweaty! I'd better change into my spare uniform!

Futaba:
	Oh no!

Futaba:
	Why haven't I changed back?

Futaba:
	I've had weird dreams before and woken up as a girl, but...
	even though there've been times this morning when I wasn't tense and excited, I still haven't changed back into a guy!

Futaba:
	Is that it? Is it this queasy feeling I've had all morning?
	Ahahahaha!
	That must be it!

Futaba:
	Wh...why am I still a girl!?

Futaba:
	What could be wrong? This has never happened before!
	Am I sick?

Futaba:
	Okay! That's it!
	I'm tired of this!!
	Making noise has worked before!
	This is too much! I've got no idea what's going on!

Futaba:
	Pant! Pant! Pant!

Futaba:
	No change!
	What'll I do if I can't change back into a boy?

Futaba:
	Well, for now...
	
	I'd better take a shower!

Futaba:
	Good morning!
	

Teacher:
	Shimeru... "Late" ...
	Take your seat!

Book title:
	Men's Gala

Teacher:
	Miss Shimeru!

Futaba:
	Y...yes, Ma'am!

Teacher:
	What's going on here?


[Not verified. ??]

Futaba:
	I... I don't know either, Ma'am!


[Across the page]



Boys:
	Futaba-chaaaan!

Futaba:
	Yaaaaaah!

First Recess

Futaba:
	Eeeee!

Boys:
	Wait up!

Second Recess

Boys:
	Go out with me!

Futaba:
	Help!

Third Recess



Negiri:
	That's amazin'!

Misaki:
	Is Futaba-chan okay?

Misaki:
	There are more chasing her every recess!

Negiri:
	I think even boys from other classes have joined in!

Misaki:
	She's so popular... It's just incredible!
	But if it keeps up like this, she won't hold up much longer!

Negiri (thinking):
	I wish she hadn't said that!

Negiri:
	Something like this happened before
	and she was okay then, wasn't she?

Negiri (thinking):
	Still... I may be able to take advantage of this situation!
	



Noon Recess

Futaba:
	Pant! Pant! Wheeze!

Futaba:
	I'm beat!
	Why'd it have to happen on a day like this?

Futaba:
	What a day!
	Eh?



Futaba:
	Oh no!



Negiri:
	Step right up! Sign up right away!

Negiri:
	Admission's only 1000 yen!
	You can close-contact wrestle with Futaba Shimeru!

Misaki:
	Negiri-chan! Stop this!

Negiri:
	What're you talkin' about? I'd be a fool not to make money off somethin' so profitable!

Negiri:
	Step right up! Wrestle free-style with Futaba-chan!

Futaba:
	I won't do it!!

Futaba:
	You can't just make decisions for somebody without asking!

Negiri:
	Ah! She doesn't like the idea much, does she?

Misaki:
	What did you expect!

Futaba:
	Wh...What the heck... are you doing?

Boys:
	Futaba-chan!



Negiri:
	What's your problem? Since ya got so many admirers, you really oughta do a little somethin' for 'em!

Futaba:
	Hey! Get lost!
	??
	Pffft!

Futaba:
	No way!
	I'm sure as hell not going to wrestle with boys!

Boys:
	Why not?
	It's over! It's over!
	

Negiri:
	Ah! Oh! Your admission fee will be refunded!

Futaba:
	What the hell gives you the right to do something like this!



Negiri:
	I have every right!

Negiri:
	Everythin' in the pro-wrestlin' club is mine now!
	Here's someone who'll make ya understand!
	

Futaba:
	Huh?!

Motomura:
	Yeah! I'm sorry!

Futaba:
	Arghhh!
	Mahjongg losses!

Negiri:
	Well it looks ya didn't know the situation,
	so I'll let you off this time!

(thinking)

	She WILL do it next time though!

Futaba:
	So how much did you lose anyway?

Motomura:
	Enough to run our pro-wrestling club for 300 years!

Futaba:
	
	Three hundred years!

Motomura:
	Calm yourself! I'll win it back eventually!



Futaba:
	Knock it off!!
	

Futaba:
	Anyway, this is...

Futaba:
	Huh?
	

Misaki:
	What's wrong?



Misaki:
	Oh! Futaba-chan!

Sign:
	Girls





Futaba:
	Blood!?

Futaba:
	What could have happened?
	Suddenly there's blood 'n' stuff coming out... Am I sick?
	Is that it? Well something's sure happened to me!
	But... but what?
	Ah! Aaah! I don't understand this! Am I really sick?
	Or else... Or else...

Misaki:
	Futaba-chan! Futaba-chan!
	What's wrong!?
	

Futaba:
	It's blood... What am I gonna do!?

Misaki:
	Huh?

Misaki:
	You mean it's your first time!?

Sign:
	Health Clinic

Doctor:
	Here's a menstrual pad!
	Or, since you probably don't have a change of underwear, I've got some sanitary briefs!

Doctor:
	Basically, you just attach the pad to your panties with the tape on the back so it won't shift out of position!
	You need to cut back on strenuous exercise during your period!

Doctor:
	Your period will be irregular at first, so don't worry!
	If the pain is too severe, I'll give you a painkiller!

Doctor:
	From now on, you mustn't let your lower body get too chilled!
	[What is this referring to?]

Futaba:
	Thank you very much!

Doctor:
	This is rather unexpected, though!
	You have such a well-developed figure!

Doctor (thinking):
	Nowadays this happens almost entirely among grade school students!

Futaba:
	Hmph! It's because I have a figure like this that I'm in this situation!

Misaki:
	Now that you mention it, you haven't really gotten use to wearing a bra, have you Futaba-chan?

Futaba:
	Well I didn't have any need for one until just recently!

//REALLY recently. --Eric//

Futaba:
	So this is the pad I've heard about...

Doctor:
	Did you know that the same polymer absorbant used in that pad has also been studied for a desert tree planting project?

Doctor:
	In order not to waste the small amount of rain that falls even in the desert, there's a plan to store it in sheets spread out a few feet underground!
	Then the plants grow by sucking up water from the sheets through their roots!

Labels:
	Rain
	Water
	Sheets of polymer absorbant

Doctor:
	You'd think if they used recycled pads, it would make a good fertilizer too! Killing two birds with one stone, so to speak!

Note:
	What if they don't decompose spontaneously?

Futaba and Misaki (thinking):
	Used menstrual pads?
	Spread all over the desert?

Futaba (thinking):
	My first period...
	Somehow I just keep getting more and more female!

Futaba (thinking):
	Ah! I wish I could relate to Misaki-chan like a real man...
	Eh?



Boys:
	Go out with me!!

Futaba:
	Eeeee! Not again!

Man in background:
	How about for three hundred?

[The man in the background is holding up three fingers to indicate that he's offering �O���~ (san-man-en) 30,000 yen or approximately $300.]

Futaba:
	I'm...
	Huff!
	Puff!
	I'm home!

Father:
	Congratulations!

Futaba:
	Huh?

Father:
	Futana told me!
	She says you're finally having your first period!

Futaba:
	Dad...

Futana:
	Are you worried 'cause you seem unusually popular?

Futaba:
	Yeah! Why is that?

Futana:
	When we in our family are menstruating, we give off lots of pheremones!

Note:
	"Pheromones" are information transmitting substances (fragrances) which living things secrete in order to attract the opposite sex.

//Not quite true, sexual attraction is just the function of a majority of pheromones. --Eric//

Futaba:
	Is... is that right?

Father:
	So during your period you need to take regular showers!
	Honey! Is there any sekihan left?

[Sekihan (rice with red beans) is traditionally served on happy occasions.]

Father:
	Oh, yes!
	I forgot to mention...

Father:
	Until your period is over, you won't be able to return to your male form!




For the next few days, going back and forth to school was hell for Futaba!

- End of part 4 -


Futaba-kun Changes
Volume 5, Part 5
Futaba-chan, A Star is Born!

Translation by Kurt Kohler (kohler@ao.com)
Story copyright 1992 by Hiroshi Aro


Kahoru:
	My daughter?

Gyoukai:
	Please, Kahoru-chan!

Gyoukai:
	I want to hire that girl no matter what!

Gyoukai:
	It came to me when I saw the newspaper!
	She's the girl for our next campaign!

Photographer:
	Mr. Gyokai! Please stay out of the frame!

Gyokai:
	Oops! Sorry! We'll do lunch! My treat!

Gyoukai:
	So how 'bout it, Kahoru-chan?
	Won't you trust your daughter to me?

Kahoru:
	Well it depends on her! Whether she has the talent!

Gyoukai:
	Okay! Thanks! We'll do lunch!
	I'll just leave it all up to you!

Kahoru:
	Pushy as usual, aren't you Gyoky!
	[Gyoky = English style diminutive of Gyokai]

[Futaba's school]

Kahoru:
	... so that's why I'm here!

Kahoru:
	First you'll have to have an audition!

Futaba:
	But Da... Mom! What makes you think I want to go into show business?

Kahoru:
	You don't want to?

Futaba:
	No way!
	

Negiri:
	Yes way! As Futaba's manager I accept!

Futaba:
	My...my manager?

Negiri:
	You got it!

Negiri:
	The pro-wrestling club now owes me about 700 times their annual budget!

Futaba:
	Seven hundred times!?



Futaba:
	I thought it was 300! Oh no!

Futaba:
	Argh! You lost again!

Crushing defeat

Motomura:
	Yeah! Sorry Shimeru!

Negiri:
	Do it for me, okay?
	I really need you to take care of this for me!

Kahoru:
	Heh heh!
	You've got her pretty well trapped, don't you!

Kahoru:
	Isn't it awful?



Futaba:
	You came all the way to school just to talk to me,
	but so far you haven't said anything at all!

Kahoru:
	Oh my!
	Futaba!

Kahoru:
	How dreadful!
	You yelled at me!
	My God! Is this a nightmare!?

Kahoru:
	Oh poor Kahoru!

Futaba:
	Knock off the act!

Kahoru:
	Oh how cruel! You think it's an act?

Kahoru:
	This is too much!



Futaba:
	Oh no!



Futaba:
	Mom!

Kahoru:
	[Any connection to chiyahoya "making much of a person"? ??]
	Ha ha ha!

Negiri:
	Just what you'd expect from a top actress! Although It's not really enduring art, I'm afraid!

Misaki:
	Futaba-chan! You're going into show business!

Futaba:
	No, I don't think so!

Misaki:
	Oh you must, Futaba-chan!

Misaki:
	This is a chance to see how good you are!
	You simply must do it! I'll support you completely!

Misaki:
	So will you do it? Huh?

Futaba (thinking):
	Oh Misaki-chan!

Futaba:
	Okay!

Takane:
	What did you say!?

Takane:
	Futaba Shimeru plans to go into show business!?

Toady 1:
	That's right!

Takane:
	Hmmm!
	It looks like that stupid girl will do anything to outshine me!
	Snigger!
	??

Takane:
	You bitch!
	I, Takane Hiroin, shall not permit it!



Takane:
	Constantly attracting the attention of my fans...



Takane:
	Chasing away swarms of reporters...

Takane:
	Creating scandals with my many suitors!

Takane:
	Such a life is appropriate for one such as I!

Toady 2:
	It seems like her condition has been getting worse, doesn't it?

Toady 1:
	Things haven't been going her way lately!


[Sound of fireworks]

Tokyo Great Land

Banner:
	Image girl auditions



Sign:
	Participants' waiting room



Negiri:
	Go for it!
	If you can become the "image girl" for the opening day of Tokyo Great Land, you'll be a huge personality!

[image girl => spokesmodel? talent => ??]

	And then for a year you'll be heavily promoted with TV ads and personal appearances!

Futaba:
	Uh... yeah
	

Takane:
	Hahahahaha!
	

Takane:
	You're so tense I can hardly hear you!
	You'll have to try really hard not to give yourself away on stage!

Takane:
	Futaba Shimeru!
	This time I shall not lose!
	

Takane:
	Hahahaha! [Mad laughter]

Futaba:
	Who was that?
	(kachin - taking offense, chon - clap to signal the end)
	

Takane:
	That bitch! How dare she dismiss her arch rival like that!



Toady 2:
	Miss Hiroin! Miss Hiroin!!

Note:
	Volumes one through four of "Futaba-kun Changes" are now on sale.

//More random stuff, although reminiscent of the Lum wedding announcement in Ranma. ---Eric//

Takane:
	Oh damn!
	She didn't recognize me without the mask!

Futaba:
	I just don't have any confidence!

Negiri:
	What're ya worried about?
	You're Kahoru Iroka's daughter. aren't you?



Girls (thinking):
	Kahoru Iroka's daughter!?

Girls (thinking):
	What!? Is she trying to ride on her mother's coat tails?
	??
	That's the girl I've seen in the newspapers!
	With a connection like that, what does she need to audition for?
	Is this for real?
	??
	Kahoru Iroka? That gorgeous woman?
	??
	And after my application was finally accepted!
	I might as well give it up! Even with the help of my agency I can't win!
	She is kind of cute though...
	Age is no advantage over her!
	??
	She pretends to be so innocent!
	She's still a powerful opponent!
	I thought I'd have a chance since this was an open call!

Girls (thinking):
	I'm going to get that girl!

Girls (thinking):
	I thought this might come in handy some day!

Futaba:
	I need to hit the can!

Negiri:
	I'll go with you!

Girls (thinking):
	Now's my chance!




Misaki:
	Excuse me! Is Futaba Shimeru in here?



Takane:
	She just went to the ladies room!

Misaki:
	Oh! Well, could I ask you to do something for me?

Misaki:
	This is some weak tea to help her calm down!

Takane:
	I understand! Just leave it with me!

Misaki:
	If you could just give it to her please!

Takane:
	Snicker!

Futaba:
	Ah! That's better!

Takane:
	While you were gone, your friend brought you some tea!

Futaba:
	Wow! It's Misaki's care package!



Coordinator:
	The first phase of the contest is beginning!



	Participants proceed to the offstage area!
	All others to the guest seating area!

Negiri:
	Good luck!

Takane (thinking):
	Tsk! That lucky bitch!

Futaba:
	Well I'd better change into my pumps!
	

Futaba:
	Thumb tacks?

Futaba:
	Did someone spill a whole box of thumb tacks?
	

Futaba (thinking):
	This could have been dangerous!

Girls (thinking):
	Who's the klutz who dumped them in that way?

Note:
	They were dropped in a few at a time by most of the other contestants!

//Futaba-chan's shoes are probably overflowing with thumb tacks. --Eric//



Coordinator:
	Okay, listen up!
	When you're finished, please change quickly into your swimsuits for the second phase!
	Don't forget your number badges!

Takane (thinking):
	I wonder if Futaba Shimeru has drunk the tea with the laxative in it yet!
	
	

Takane (thinking):
	All right!

Takane:
	If you don't change quickly, you'll be late for the second phase!
	Hahahahaha!

Futaba:
	Uh... Thanks!

Takane:
	Since you had stuff brought it, you'll just have to hold it!
	??

Takane (to herself):
	I'll just borrow this hair spray!



Takane:
	Eeee!

Takane:
	What the...! This is glue!

Futaba:
	Oh yeah!?



Futaba:
	Where're you going!?

Takane:
	Home! I'm going home!



Kiyara:
	Ahahaha! I wonder if she's used that hair spray yet!



Kiyara (thinking):
	It's gone! Eh?

Kiyara:
	This isn't that girl's hair! It's the wrong length!





Woman:
	The second phase is starting! Numbers one through ten hurry up please!

Kiyara:
	Uh... okay!

Announcer:
	And next we have contestant number ten, Miss Kiyara Kataki!
	



Kiyara (thinking):
	Why is the audience so noisy?

Audience:
	Look down! Look down!

Kiyara:
	What the...!!



Kiyara:
	Eeeee!

Audience:
	Oooooo!

Futaba:
	My swimsuit's been slashed!
	Who could have done it?

Futaba:
	What am I going to do! It's my turn right now!



Announcer:
	Wh... what a daring style! Number 21, Miss Futaba Shimeru!

Futaba (thinking):
	Still... my swimsuit slashed, the hair spray switched...
	And who drank my tea anyhow?

Girl:
	Hmph!
	

Girls:
	
	Eek!
	
	
	What...
	
	Oh! What's this?
	Eh! Oh!
	

Girl:
	Gasp!

[Flashback]

	

	Girls:
		Hahaha! How satisfying!
		Hahaha!
		She'll have to quit the swimsuit judging!
		Hey! This tea is part of the stuff she got!

	Girls:
		What nerve! Having stuff sent in like that!
		Let's drink it!
		Me too! Me too!
		And me!
		

[End flashback]

Girls (thinking):
	Oh damn!
	
	Somebody drugged it!

Girls:
	Oh no!
	Uh!
	Oh no! I can't...
	Eek!

Girls:
	Arghhhh!

Announcer:
	Futaba Shimeru has been chosen "image girl" for the magnificent Tokyo Great Land!
	However we understand that the contest has not been reported by the press!

- End of part 5 -


Futaba-kun Change
Volume 5, Part 6
Futaba-kun Super Battle!!

["batoru" seems to be particularly used in video games.]

Translation by Kurt Kohler (kohler@ao.com)
Story copyright 1994 by Hiroshi Aro


Poster:
	An Explosion of Fun!!
	Tokyo Great Land



Misaki:
	Wow! What an incredible poster!

Futaba:
	This is so embarrassing!

(To herself)

	I can't even look at it!

Misaki:
	You need to have more confidence in yourself, Futaba-chan!
	You look so cool!

Futaba:
	Really?

Boys:
	That chick looks great!
	She looks great in the magazine ad too!

Woman:
	I like her too! She's the daughter of that model, isn't she? She's so cute!

Man:
	Let's go to Great Land on our next day off!

Futaba (thinking):
	Wow! I seem to have been well accepted!
	??

Futaba (thinking):
	
	I feel ashamed and embarrassed and... and...

Futaba (thinking):
	happy!

Futaba (thinking):
	Yeah! I'm a girl,
	and for the first time... I'm glad!



Misaki:
	See!

Misaki:
	You should have more confidence, Futaba-chan!
	For sure!

Misaki:
	Even to a girl like me you look awfully cute!



Futaba:
	Th...thanks! But...
	If I was a man, I'd like someone like you better, Misaki-chan!

Misaki:
	Giggle!
	Thanks, Futaba-chan! That really gives me confidence!

Futaba:
	It's not just flattery! I really like you!

Futaba (thinking):
	If I can finally say that while I'm a girl, maybe someday I'll be able to say it when I'm a boy!
	How long am I going to have to hide from Misaki?

Futaba:
	What?

Misaki:
	What is it?

Futaba:
	That girl was in the contest with me the other day!

Futaba:
	Gee! She's made her singing debut!

Misaki:
	Quite a few of the other girls in the contest were newcomers too!

Futaba:
	In the second round, nearly all the contestants withdrew because of accidents!
	Who could have played a prank like that?

Writing in background:
	A tragedy that cannot be shown

Misaki:
	You kind of had an easy win, didn't you, Futaba-chan!

Kyara:
	Grrrr!

Kyara:
	Argh! I can't take it anymore!
	

Manager:
	What's wrong, Kyara-chan!?

Kyara:
	And then that commercial was canceled!

Manager:
	That...?
	Oh! You mean the Great Land commercial!

Kyara:
	It makes me so mad! I should have been the image girl!
	

Manager:
	Yipe! Stop! Stop!!

Manager:
	Even with all your counterplotting, you could hardly win after running off in the middle of the contest!



Kyara:
	Pant! Pant!
	If only there hadn't been that bunch of hair smeared with glue in the waiting room!

Kyara:
	Becoming the Great Land image girl! Having my singing debut!
They were supposed to boost my popularity!
	??

Manager (to himself):
	Of course she was the one who brought the glue in the first place!

Kyara:
	That reminds me! Do you know what agency that girl is with?
	If it's a small one, I can harass her by applying pressure to them!

Manager:
	Hmmm! Ah! For the Futaba girl's agency it lists...

Manager:
	The Komatane Private Middle School Professional Wrestling Society...
	It looks like this is a club activity!

(to himself):

	How could she lose to someone with a small-time sponser like that!

Kyara:
	What! You're telling me I lost to a school club!?
	(strong version of uka-uka (carelessness/absent-mindedness)?)
	
	
	And a pro-wrestling club at that! A pro-wrestling club!!

Manager:
	It's time for your magazine interview, Kyara-chan!

Kyara:
	
	Hi! I'm Kyara Kataki!

Kyara:
	My first record was just released, so nobody knows me!
	This is my first interview, so I'm like really, really nervous, ya know!
	Please don't be too hard on me!

Manager (thinking):
	What a pro!

Kyara:
	So! When will this article come out?

Reporter:
	Err... Well... The issue goes on sale at the end of next month! It's a special edition on the girl in the Great Land TV commercial!

Kyara:
	Great...?
	

Reporter:
	In cooperation with Great Land, a special is planned for the new fall season and starring as the action hero...

Kyara (thinking):
	Unforgivable!!

Workers:
	Ah! Mr. Gyokai! Good morning!
	Good morning!

Gyokai:
	Let's do lunch guys!
	??

Futaba:
	Ah! Mr. Gyokai! Good morning!

Negiri:
	Nice to meet'cha!

Gyokai:
	Oh! Futaba-chan! Today, right? We'll do lunch later!

Gyokai:
	Uh! Who's this with you?

Negiri:
	I'm Futaba's manager!
	
	My card!
	

Gyokai:
	Kind of young for a manager, aren't you?
	
	Behave yourself! This isn't a game!

Negiri (thinking?):
     ??
	??

Negiri:
	Okay! I understand! I'll leave things up to you!

Gyokai:
	Okay! Let's go see!

Gyokai:
	The show we'll be doing with Futaba is called "Warrior Girl!"
	Since Great Land has a large tunnel, we plan to make good use of it!
	??
	[saiwai kanojo ??]

On curved surface at the front of the car:
	Screen

Woman:
	Allow me to explain about this virtual coaster...
	By means of motion-simulation seats and fantastic images, the virtual coaster gives you the feeling of a real adventure...
	A special feature of this attraction is the way these are combined with a "jet coaster" to provide actual G forces...
	The sounds and images, which are synchronized with the motion of
the jet coaster, promise you a real taste of aerial combat and
authentic vehicle motion...

Woman:
	So you will experience everything from being in a fighter in a space battle to the feeling of food being swallowed and digested!

Woman:
	[I have no idea what U "circle" KO means! ??]

(aside)

	The images at the end as you descend toward the bedpan are truly amazing!

Woman:
	And when you get to the succeeding "Sewer System Adventure"...

Gyokai:
	That's enough! That's enough!

Gyokai:
	Hey! Is our star ready?

Futaba:
	Here I am!

Futaba:
	Sorry I kept you waiting!

Gyokai:
	And in the part of the evil queen...
	

Gyokai:
	our special guest star... Miss Kahoru Iroka!

Kahoru:
	Hello there, everyone!
	Ha ha ha ha ha!

Futaba:
	Da...Mom!

Kahoru:
	Heh heh heh! I asked Gyoky to give me a role!

Gyokai:
	And the beast warriors!

Motomura:
	We've got parts too!

Takeru:
	Hi!

Futaba:
	Captain! Guys!

Woman:
	The queen and the beastmen will play a battle scene with you on a stage that's been erected on the platform where the coaster stops in the middle of its run!
	This is only possible with a system like ours that can be reprogrammed at any time!
	We usually run with 7 or 8 cars coupled together!

Misaki:
	Futaba-chan!

Futaba:
	Oh my!

Misaki:
	Does... does this look okay...
	

Misaki:
	Futaba-chan?

Futaba:
	Wow! Fantastic!
	You look so incredibly cute, Misaki-chan!

Misaki:
	Thanks!

(thinking)

	I wonder if Shimeru-kun will ever be able to say something like that to me!

Futaba (thinking):
	When I'm a girl I can say something like that so easily!

Gyokai:
	This gal will play the maiden who's captured by the enemy!

Futaba (to herself):
	Okay but...

Futaba:
	How can a girl like me rescue a maiden?

Gyokai:
	Okay! The army of evil will be waiting on the platform...





Manager:
	Are you sure this is a good idea, Kyara-chan?

Kyara:
	Don't worry! I'll just place enough charges to give them a surprise!

(Aside)

	Wait here!

Manager:
	What's all that!?

Kyara:
	I got this at Daddy's company!

Kyara (thinking):
	Ahahaha! Now you'll taste my revenge, Futaba!




Kyara:
	Oh oh! I'd better hide!

Gyokai:
	Okay! You've got the sequence straight, right?
	You can just ad-lib the battle scene!

Futaba:
	Yes, sir!

Kyara:
	I'm not sure this is a very good hiding place!




//Kyara is hiding in one of the cars. --Eric//

Gyokai:
	Oh,I meant to tell you! When you close the door from the inside, the car will start moving automatically!



Announcement:
	Car number one departing!



Gyokai:
	It took off with no one in it!

Futaba:
	Is it broken?

Gyokai:
	What do we do now?

Futaba:
	Use car number two! Car number two!








Kyara:
	

Narration:
	The enemy's aerial fortress approaches!

Kyara:
	Let me off!! I hate this!!

Narration:
	If we don't counterattack, we'll be in danger!




Narration:
	A direct hit from enemy fire!
	

Kyara:
	





Motomura:
	She's late!

Motomura:
	Where's Misaki Shima? She's suppose to be the hostage!

Kahoru:
	If Futaba shows up now, it'll mess up the whole scene!



Kahoru:
	Ah! The car is coming!

Kahoru:
	We'll just have to ad-lib!
	Places everyone!

Beastmen:
	Yea!




Kyara:
	Finally!
	
	It stopped!

Kahoru:
	Ho ho ho! You did well to make it this far!

Kyara:
	Huh?

Kahoru:
	But the moth has flown too close to the flame!
	This place shall be your tomb!

Note:
	Kahoru is very near-sighted!

Kahoru:
	Finish her off, my beasts!
	??



Kyara:
	

Kyara:
	No!



	Stop!

Kyara:
	Ouch! Ouch!



	Owww!



Motomura:
	That's odd!
	Pant! Pant!
	How could we defeat Shimeru so quickly!



Note:
	They can't see or hear very well because of the masks!

Motomura:
	This costume!
	It's the hostage's costume!
	Damn!

Kahoru:
	What?

Kahoru:
	Is Futaba in the next one!?



Kahoru:
	Ah! It's coming!

Motomura:
	Let's hide her in here for now!



Kahoru:
	Ho ho ho! You did well to make it this far!

Kahoru:
	However... skipping a bit...
	... my beasts!

[Kahoru skips over her earlier dialog. The part here should match the beginning and end of what she says when Kyara appears. "ikaryaku" could be show-business jargon. ??]

Beastmen:
	Eyaaah!
	



Futaba:
	Come on!
	



Futaba:
	Wow! What an effect!







Futaba:
	Is this the real thing!?




Futaba:
	Yeow! Gotta get outta here!



Futaba:
	What the...? What happened?
	Pant! Pant!

Motomura:
	This is awful!!

Motomura:
	We left Misaki behind unconscious!!

Futaba:
	What!?

Futaba:
	Misaki-chaaan!!

Misaki:
	Eh? What is it, Futaba-chan?

Futaba:
	You're all right!!

Misaki:
	Err... yeah!

Motomura:
	How did you manage to escape from the fire?

Misaki:
	Who, me? Someone hit me and I fell by the back entrance, so I was never inside the building!



Motomura:
	What!?

Futaba:
	That doesn't matter! You're all right! You're all right!

Misaki:
	Eek! Futaba-chan! You're hurting me!

Motomura:
	So who did we beat up?

[Guess: tako-naguru => beat someone until they can't take any more ??]

Takeru:
	Yeah! Who the heck was it anyway?

Kyara:
	I won't forget this!



Manager:
	??

[I think this may be a proverb. "Norowaba" is the classical form of "noroeba". The next kanji in the text is actually U-kammuri (rad 40) over hito-ashi (rad 10) which Nelson gives as an alternate form of both �� (ketsu/ana, N3313) and �� (joudan no jou, N625).]

- End of part 6 -

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