Futaba-kun Changes

Volume 7, Part 1

Translation by Kurt Kohler (kohler@ao.com)
Story copyright 1995 by Hiroshi Aro

Prolog

Kurin:
	Futaba Shimeru...

Kurin:
	So this is my betrothed...
	This is great!

Kurin:
	I'm on my way!
	

Futaba-kun's Betrothed Arrives!

Achooo!

Futaba:
	Hmmm...
	Looks like I've caught a cold...
	Sniff!

Futaba:
	And all because I stood out in the rain with my shaved head,
	trying to apologize to Misaki!

Futaba:
	But it was worth it!
	Misaki-chan forgave me!
	Whew!

Misaki:
	Well I haven't forgiven you entirely!

Futaba:
	Yipe!
	

Misaki:
	So far I've only said I understood your reasons!

Futaba:
	I'm sorry! I see what you're saying!

Misaki (thinking):
	Right! I'm not going to forgive him easily!
	He needs to think about how I felt!

Misaki:
	Hey!
	How come you're walking this way?
	This isn't the way home from school, is it?

Misaki:
	Oh, I've got it!
	Futaba-chan has a job later on, right?
	But this isn't the right direction for that either!

Futaba:
	Yeah, but there is something I need to do!

Futaba:
	I'm going to meet someone arriving from my family's home town!

Misaki:
	Home town?
	Say! Does your whole family have your same "trait"?

Futaba:
	Uh huh!

Futaba:
	I've never been there myself, but I understand the village is on a small, isolated island where people hardly ever go!

Futaba:
	This morning I was told that the person arriving today was someone important so I should go meet them!
	




Misaki:
	Say! Do you know what the person you're meeting looks like?

Futaba:
	There's a photograph, but it's completely out-of-focus!

Futaba:
	But I'm told my picture was sent...
	Oops! I almost forgot!



Misaki:
	A wig!

Futaba:
	After a mad scramble last night, Dad managed to get it from the prop man at the TV station!

Futaba:
	Of course I've got one for when I'm a girl too! See!

Misaki:
	Right! It would be terrible for Futaba-chan to have a shaved head too, wouldn't it!




Futaba:
	Eeyow!
	??

Futaba:
	Who's going around touching guys' butts?

Futaba:
	Huh?

Kurin:
	I'm down here!

Futaba:
	Eh?

Kurin:
	Are you Futaba Shimeru?
	I'm Kurin Shimeru!

Futaba:
	You!? You're Kurin Shimeru!?

Kurin:
	Indeed!

Futaba:
	What a clever little girl!
	You came here all by yourself!



Kurin:
	Don't be rude!

Kurin:
	That's no way to talk to someone from the main family!
	You're just a pipsqueak from a branch line!

Misaki:
	Hold it!
	You can't go around attacking people like that!

Kurin:
	Eh?

Kurin:
	Keep your nose out of this!
	I was just establishing discipline!

Kurin:
	Futaba and I have been betrothed since the day we were born!

Futaba:
	Huh!?

Misaki:
	That... that can't be true!

Kurin:
	Oh but it is!
	When no boys were born in the main family, Futaba was chosen to be my groom!
	Hahaha!

Kurin:
	I've finally matured, so I've come to see my future marriage partner!




Kurin:
	Hmmm! Your looks are passable I suppose!

Futaba:
	Uh... Well...

Kurin:
	By the way, Futaba... Who is this unpleasant girl?

Misaki:
	Un...unpleasant!?

Misaki (thinking):
	Stay calm! Stay calm!
	She's just a little kid!
	

Futaba:
	Err... She's a classmate of mine...

Kurin:
	Ah! A classmate, eh!

Kurin:
	I thought maybe she was some kind of parasite you'd picked up!



Misaki (thinking):
	Parasite!?
	Patience! Patience!

Kurin:
	So starting tomorrow she'll be my classmate too!



Kurin:
	Why do you both look so shocked!

Futaba:
	You... you're the same age as we are!?

Kurin:
	Yes! In our home town, children of the same age are rare!

Kurin:
	So that's why you were chosen to be my betrothed!

Futaba:
	I see...
	

Misaki (thinking):
	What's with this kid! She makes me sick!
	I had a bad feeling about her even before I knew about this arranged marriage business!
	??

Kurin:
	Starting tomorrow we'll be classmates! Hi! I'm Kurin Shimeru!
	I hope you will treat me and my Futaba kindly!
	

Misaki:
	I'm the one who should say that!
	

Misaki:
	I'm Misaki Shima, Futaba-kun's girlfriend!
	It's so nice to meet you, little girl!



Kurin:
	So... Misaki is it? You're saying you know all about Futaba?

Misaki:
	Of course! Everything! Even his genetic traits!



Kurin:
	How amusing!
	I'm going to eliminate this parasite who's attached herself to my fiance!




Misaki:
	Your parents may have chosen you to be Futaba-kun's betrothed, but I'll show you the power of true love!



Misaki:
	Shimeru-kun!

Kurin:
	Futaba!



Futaba:
	Yikes! I'm sorry!

Futaba:
	Huff! Puff!
	K...Kurin-chan!

Futaba:
	Where did you say we were going?
	
	(thinking)
		This is heavy!

Kurin:
	Since I managed to make it all the way to the mainland, it shouldn't be too difficult to continue on to the house!
	I'll show the way!

Kurin:
	By the way, stop calling me "Kurin-chan"! It sounds so formal!
	I believe I said earlier that it is permissible for you to simply call me "Kurin"!

Misaki (thinking):
	What an attitude!
	What's this "it is permissible for you to simply call me 'Kurin'" business?

Kurin:
	Anyway, in another few years, you and I will be husband and wife!
	

Futaba:
	Yipe!

Kurin:
	Hmmm! Good hips!

Kurin:
	Good child-bearing hips!
	Hee hee hee!

Misaki:
	Futaba-kun! Are you okay?

Kurin:
	Ah! It's that time already!

[ Whispering ]

Misaki:
	What's "Futaba's" schedule for today?

Futaba:
	I'm supposed to sign my photo collection at the bookstore!
	If I don't get there soon, I'll be in trouble!

[ Whispering ]

Futaba:
	Please Misaki-chan!
	There's no one else for me to ask!

Misaki:
	I understand! This Kurin looks like trouble!

Kurin:
	Oh my!

Kurin:
	Futaba! Where are you going!?

Misaki:
	He has urgent business, so he went on ahead!

Misaki:
	Later I'll show you the way!

Kurin:
	How kind of you!
	Do you really understand where you and I stand?

Misaki:
	That's why Futaba-kun trusts me so much!

Kurin:
	Well, that's okay then! Until it's time, you can at least show me the way!

Misaki:
	Until it's time?

Kurin:
	Do you know anything about this?

Misaki:
	It's the Futaba photo collection!

Kurin:
	There's a book signing today!

(Television):
	The first time she appeared in a TV commercial, the public was electrified!

Kurin:
	Ooooh!

(Television):
	Was it a premonition? There was definitely something there that the public responded to!

Kurin:
	From now on, I'm a big Futaba fan!
	Are you a fan too, Misaki?
	(to herself)
		I'm going to buy that photo book three copies at a time!

Misaki:
	Err... Well...

Misaki (thinking):
	The little brat doesn't know that Futaba-kun and the Futaba on TV are the same person!

Misaki (thinking):
	I'd love to see the look on her face
	if she knew that the Futaba she admires is her own fiance!

Misaki:
	If she knew...

Misaki (thinking):
	This is awful!
	I've got to try harder and harder to make Futaba-kun mine!



Kurin:
	Is something wrong?

Misaki:
	0h! No! It's nothing!



Kurin:
	Excuse me! I need to go to the ladies room!

Misaki (thinking):
	Somehow I have to keep her from discovering Futaba-kun's true nature!
	But how?




Misaki (thinking):
	Eh? Who is this guy!? What a hunk!
	
	
	

Misaki:
	Huh!?

Misaki (thinking):
	What? Why did he sit here?
	Could he possibly have some kind of business with me?
	

Boy:
	Why are you blushing?

Misaki:
	I beg your pardon?

Boy:
	I said, why are you blushing, Misaki?



Misaki:
	K... K...Kurin!?

Kurin:
	Why are you so surprised? You know about the Shimeru-family trait, don't you?

Misaki (thinking):
	How can it be! They couldn't be more different!

Waitress:
	H...here's your Giant Ice Cream Special!




Kurin:
	I believe this parfait is the specialty of the house!

Misaki:
	You ordered this?

Misaki:
	How can you possibly finish it?







Kurin:
	That was delicious!
	Ahhh!
	Truly delicious!



Misaki:
	In two bites! In only two bites!

Kurin:
	Oh Miss! Could I have seconds please?

Kurin:
	What? Do you have a problem with my appetite?

Kurin:
	We're both still growing you know!

Kurin:
	And when I change into a man, my appetite seems to be especially large!

Misaki:
	That makes sense! Your two forms are so different!

Misaki (thinking):
	Futaba-kun also said that just transforming makes him feel terribly drained!

Misaki (thinking):
	But even so...

Kurin:
	Ahhh! I finished them all!



Kurin:
	Okay, let's go!

Misaki (thinking):
	Where did he put it all?

Cashier:
	It... it comes to 25,400 yen!

Kurin:
	I'll leave the rest to you!

Misaki:
	We should each pay for what we ate!

Kurin:
	How come you're so cheap?

Misaki:
	What do you mean by that!

Kurin:
	Oh well! It doesn't matter!
	
	Oh Miss!



Cashier:
	Yes, sir?



Cashier:
	Oh my!

Kurin:
	Put this on my tab, please!

Cashier:
	Yes, Sir!

Kurin:
	Thank you so much!

Misaki (thinking):
	This guy is totally outrageous!

Kurin:
	Ah! This looks like the place!

Restaurant owner:
	Here's your jumbo stir-fry!



Kurin:
	Another please!



Restaurant owner:
	I'm ruined! I'm ruined!

Kurin:
	If you could please just put it on my tab, my dear!

Cashier:
	Certainly, Sir!

Kurin:
	Ah! Here it is!

Restaurant owner:
	Aiya!

Kurin:
	Oh miss!

Cashier:
	It's on me!
	

Kurin:
	Ah! This looks like a good place!

Kurin:
	Ah! That was great!

Restaurant owner:
	An entire roasted cow!

Cashier:
	It's my treat!

Misaki (thinking):
	Unbelievable!



Kurin:
	Perhaps I shouldn't eat quite so much!

Misaki (thinking):
	A talent for the ladies and a monsterous appetite besides!

Sign:
	Bookstore

Banners:
	Like the blow of a right low-kick! (Please don't kick back!)

[ This perhaps should be changed to some wrestling move more familiar to an American audience. ?? ]

	Special Appearance! Book Signing! Futaba Merchandise!

Sign:
	On sale now! The Futaba Photo Collection!

	Book signing begins at 5:30 PM Today!



Kurin:
	Wow! What a crowd!

Misaki (thinking):
	What am I going to do? I'm worried about letting him meet Futaba-chan!
	I've got a bad feeling about this!

Misaki (thinking):
	When Futaba-kun turns into Futaba-chan, she really is a girl!
	It's possible she may be affected by that strange charm of Kurin's!

Misaki:
	I'll just stay out here, okay?

Kurin:
	Oh! Okay!

Sign:
	No admittance except participants

Sign:
	Miss Futaba's Dressing Room



Negiri:
	Hey Misaki! Did you come to help out?

Misaki:
	Could you get a hold of Futaba-chan for me? There's something important I have to tell her!

Negiri:
	Don't be stupid! The signing's already started!

Boy:
	Good luck!

Futaba:
	Thank you!

Negiri:
	Hey! Where ya goin'?
	

Negiri:
	What the heck was that all about?

Futaba:
	Thank you for coming!

Futaba:
	Eh?



Kurin (thinking):
	What's this!?

Futaba (thinking):
	What's this feeling?

Kurin (thinking):
	Am I falling for Futaba?

Futaba (thinking):
	Who is this guy?

Kurin (thinking):
	Are we somehow...

Futaba (thinking):
	two of a kind?




Misaki:
	Kurin!!





Store staff:
	Sir! Please don't eat here!
	You're holding up the line!

Futaba:
	That's Kurin!?
	That was close!

- End of part 1 -


Futaba-kun Changes

Volume 7, Part 2
Futaba-kun! Your Betrothed's Been Stolen!?

Translation by Kurt Kohler (kohler@ao.com)
Story copyright 1995 by Hiroshi Aro


Prolog




Sign:
	Kojiro




Eeee!

Miki:
	Oh dear! My experiment!

Maki:
	Arghhh! My data!

Maki:
	Miki! Is it a power failure!? What'll we do? What'll we do!?

Miki:
	Calm down, Maki! Our backup power will be on in a moment!



Maki:
	Ah!

Miki:
	There it is!

Maki:
	Did lightning hit a power pole?

Miki:
	Could a breaker have tripped because of one of your experiments?

Maki:
	Oh my! Could it be our older sister Yuki who's sleeping in the basement?

Miki:
	I suppose it could...
	(to herself)
		Everything looks okay here!

Miki:
	Damn!!

Maki:
	The cryogenic sleep capsule!






Miki:
	We're too late!!

Futaba-kun! Your Betrothed's Been Stolen!?



Futaba:
	That reminds me...
	Do you have one?

Futana:
	You mean an arranged marriage?
	Yes, I do!

Futaba (thinking):
	She ought to quit reading the racing form at breakfast with her legs crossed like that!

Futaba:
	What's he like? What do you think of him?

Futana:
	As I recall he did come to see me once, some years back!
	

Futaba:
	So what happened?

Futana:
	He was a pretty serious guy!



Futana:
	As I recall, after just one date...
	He suggested it was premature for us to get together, then went off on a study tour!
	Ahahahaha!

Futaba (thinking):
	Poor guy! Futana must have been really nasty to him!

Kurin:
	Why are you taking it easy, Futaba?

Futaba:
	Oh! It's you, Kurin!

Kurin:
	Take this!
	

Futaba:
	Oof!

Kurin:
	Stop fooling around and escort your betrothed to school!

Kurin:
	Why are you staring at me?
	
	Ha ha ha! So you're admiring how I look in my school uniform, eh?

Futaba:
	No...
	I'm just surprised that you could find one so small!



Kurin:
	You moron!

Futana (thinking):
	Even if he is my little brother, I have to admit he's not very tactful!

Futaba:
	See ya later!

Students:
	What!?

Students:
	Betrothed!!??

Kurin:
	Uh huh! I'm glad to meet all of you!



Negiri:
	Did you hear that, Misaki?

Negiri:
	How does that girl affect you and Shimeru?



Misaki:
	Just a minute, Kurin!!
	

Sabuyama:
	Shimeru!
	

Sabuyama:
	It can't be true! Tell me it's not true!
	How can you have a betrothed when you've got me!

Kurin:
	Futaba! You don't just go after women, you go after men too!?



Sabuyama:
	Oh Shimeru!

Sabuyama:
	Run away with me!
	

Futaba:
	Huh?

Sabuyama:
	Off somewhere alone together, our manly friendship will grow hotter!

Yuki:
	Shape up!
	

Yuki:
	Classes started a long time ago!


[Gas escaping from fan]

Sabuyama:
	Who... who are you!?

Yuki:
	I'm the physics teacher, Yuki Kojiro!

Futaba:
	Did you say Kojiro?

Yuki:
	Right! Maki Kojiro, the chemistry teacher, and Miki Kojiro, the school doctor, are my younger sisters!

Futaba:
	Huh?

Futaba:
	Y...younger sisters?

//Imagine Ms. Hinako in child form, claiming to be older than, say, Dr. Tofu. --Eric//

Yuki:
	That's right! I'm the oldest of triplets!

Yuki:
	It appears you don't believe me!



Yuki:
	Take your seats quickly now and I'll explain!
	??

Yuki:
	I'm even more intelligent than my younger sisters, so at the age of 10 I earned a PhD and became a teacher at this school!
	However since I was asleep for the last 10 years, my body didn't grow!

Misaki:
	Asleep? Were you ill, Miss Kojiro?

Yuki:
	I was in suspended animation!

Yuki:
	Just for fun, I built a suspended animation capsule then tried to make one of my sisters the experimental subject!
	When they realized what I was trying to do, they forced me into the capsule instead!

Yuki:
	If lightning hadn't caused a power failure, the timer would probably have continued to run for another ten years!
	Ha ha ha ha!

Students (thinking):
	Is this kid for real?

Yuki:
	So for that reason you shall be receiving instruction from me, the brilliant Yuki Kojiro!
	I expect you are all thankful for this good fortune!

Yuki:
	Well now that I've introduced myself...
	I'll take attendance... Eh?

Yuki:
	What's this? There's a boy and a girl on this list both with the name "Futaba Shimeru"!



Motomura:
	It's a case of two people with the same name!
	The boy and the girl both belong to the pro-wrestling society, however I don't believe the girl is present today!

Yuki:
	What? That's shameful! And after I said I would teach you personally!

Negiri:
	The girl Futaba is a performer and so is working today!
	Her stage name is FUTABA!

[Here and elsewhere a distinction is made In the Japanese between ‚Ó‚½‚Î (Futaba in hiragana), the student, and ‚e‚t‚s‚`‚a‚` (Futaba in the latin alphabet), the media idol. It's not clear to me how to make this distinction clear in English. I also don't understand how Negiri could make the distinction in speech as she appears to be doing here. ??]

//Last comment by author is about how Negiri manages to be saying "FUTABA" even though it's the same as regular kanji. It's like when someone talks with capital letters. --Eric//

Kurin:
	What!?

Kurin:
	FUTABA is in this class!?
	

Kurin:
	Misakiiii!! You knew I was a fan, but you didn't say anything!!?

Misaki:
	Hey! You would've found out eventually!

Kurin:
	Damn you! It's...





Yuki:
	I told you to keep quiet!

Yuki:
	Anyone who disobeys me will feel the slap of my rocket-powered fan, "The Demolisher"!
	Keep that well in mind!



Kurin (thinking):
	But still... Futaba is my classmate!
	Futaba is my classmate!
	Futaba is...

Kurin (thinking):
	my classmate!




Futaba:
	Gasp!

Futaba:
	Oh shit!



Futaba:
	I'll take her to the health clinic!



Futaba:
	Pant!
	Pant!
	Whew!
	Made it!

Kurin:
	??

Futaba:
	This isn't our home island, you know! You need to watch out about changing!

Kurin:
	I know that! Don't be such a worrywart!

Futaba:
	You should change back right away!

Kurin:
	Don't be ridiculous! My Futaba might show up at any moment!

Kurin:
	Heh heh! Now I see!

Futaba:
	See what?

Kurin:
	You're jealous of her, aren't you?

Futaba:
	Huh!?

Kurin:
	What a great guy!

Kurin:
	Don't worry! You're still my darling betrothed!




Yuki:
	Who are you? We're in the middle of class!

Kurin:
	I'm a transfer student!

Students (thinking):
	A transfer student?
	??
	
	Isn't it just Kurin?

[How would any of the students know who he is? I'm probably misunderstanding this. ??]

	
	What a hunk!

Misaki:
	Hmph!



Kurin:
	I'm hungry!

Girls:
	Here, take my lunch!
	Take mine too!
	And mine!
	Mine first!

Author's note:
	Let me explain!
	When they transform, the members of the Shimeru family begin to actively secrete pheromones which attact the opposite sex. Kurin, who makes the most extreme change of anyone in the family, secretes the most pheromones when he is hungry!




Eeeee!



Eeee! Squeal!

Yuki:
	I think I'm in love!

Futaba:
	That was incredible!

Futaba (thinking):
	For some reason I've become reluctant to meet him face to face!
	That Kurin!

Yuki:
	He's mine!



Futaba:
	He... he disappeared!



Futaba:
	Wh...what have you done?

Yuki:
	I sent him to my laboratory!

Author's note:
	From a two-dimensional black hole, i.e. a singularity in the form of a plane, matter is transferred, without regard to time or distance, to a white hole in the laboratory.

Right end:
	Black hole

Middle:
	Fourth-dimensional tunnel

Left end:
	White hole

Yuki:
	So what do you think of that!
	This triumph of super-science is my own second-generation worm hole!

Futaba:
	I don't understand what you said, but it is amazing!

Students:
	Oooo!

Yuki:
	For the scientific mind of the brilliant Yuki Kojiro, nothing is impossible!

Futaba:
	Gasp!

Futaba:
	Hold it! This is kidnapping!!

Yuki:
	??
	You, a mere student, intend to interfere with my scientific work?

Yuki:
	Go stand in the hall!




[Effect of flying through the air ??]

Student:
	Yeow!!




Futaba:
	Yipe!
	

Yuki:
	So what do you think of my discipline machines, the Buckets of Correction?

[ŽN‚µ (sarashi) means "exposure for public inspection", ‚à‚Ì (mono) is "thing". "Sarashi-mono-kun" is the name of the machine, literally, "Mr. device for exposing for public inspection."]

Futaba:
	Ouch!



Yuki:
	Stand there until the fuel is exhausted!
	



Misaki:
	Futaba-kun!
	

Futaba:
	Ungh!



Futaba:
	It's useless! I can't move an inch!



Miki:
	Give it up! No one can lift that!

Futaba:
	Huh? Oh! Dr. Kojiro!

Miki:
	Those things are held to the floor by a force of nearly a ton!

Maki:
	We came to see what was going on and discovered our sister was up to her usual tricks!

Futaba:
	Usual tricks?

Miki:
	Our sister Yuki has a tendency to get carried away!



Miki:
	And she's never satisfied unless she's in control of every situation!




Miki:
	She'll thoroughly analyze any problem point by point until she finds an explanation she's satisfied with!



Futaba:
	Why do you let such a dangerous person run around loose!?

Miki:
	We're no match for her!

Maki:
	We don't know what to do when she's around, so ever since last night we've been avoiding her!

Misaki (thinking):
	Kurin's an unpleasant girl and it won't be easy for me...
	But if the secret of the two Futabas comes out...

Misaki (thinking):
	I can't let that happen!

Kurin:
	Arghh!

Futaba:
	So where is her laboratory?

Misaki (thinking):
	Oh Futaba-kun! It's true, isn't it?
	You're going to rescue Kurin!



Futaba:
	Amazing! A passage leading down underneath the school!

Misaki:
	Futaba-kun! Wait!

Futaba:
	Oh Misaki-chan!

Futaba:
	I'm sorry! This doesn't mean I like Kurin more than you!

Misaki:
	I understand!

Misaki:
	I don't like the fact that you're more worried about Kurin then you are about me!

Misaki:
	However...
	

Misaki:
	It would be even worse for you to abandon Kurin now!

Futaba:
	Oh, Misaki-chan!

Misaki:
	Be careful!



Misaki:
	That was the right thing to say!

Misaki:
	Am I... a hypocrite?
	That nasty girl!



Yuki:
	Eh? An intruder?



Yuki:
	Isn't he that student from before?

Yuki:
	How did he escape from The Punisher?
	Coming down here in pursuit shows great courage!
	Computer! Activate defense program Yojimbo!

[Although the kanji is youjinbou (bodyguard) the furigana is sensei. What does that mean? ??]



Yuki:
	So am I going to meet my love?
	??

Futaba (thinking):
	I'm sorry, Misaki-chan!
	But this doesn't mean I'm in love with Kurin!

Kurin (flashback):
	You're still my darling betrothed, Futaba!

Futaba (thinking):
	Nothing seems to be able to shake Kurin's faith that we're going to be married!




Futaba:
	What's this weird machine!?



Futaba (thinking):
	There's one behind me too!





[Floor rolling up like a mat. ??]

Futaba:
	Yeow!




Mecha:
	Intruder elimination mecha, Foldover Left and Foldover Right, reporting!
	??










Futaba:
	Cough! Cough!

Futaba (thinking):
	Whew! Saved by Miss Kojiro's muscle suit!

Author's Note:
	Because its form changed abruptly, the computer lost track of the target and the succeeding attack was never initiated.



Futaba:
	I'll save you, Kurin!

Miki (flashback):
	Our sister is unhappy when she can't completely analyze a situation to her satisfaction!

Futaba (thinking):
	Be safe!

Futaba:
	Kurin!!



Yuki:
	Where did you sneak in from!? And where did my handsome boy go!?

Kurin:
	Stop talking nonsense!! What is this place!? Why was I brought here!!? Argh! While this was going on, Futaba was...

Futaba (thinking):
	It looks like I didn't have anything to worry about!

- End of part 2 -


Futaba-kun Changes

Volume 7, Part 3
Futaba-kun's First Date!?

Translation by Kurt Kohler (kohler@ao.com)
Story copyright 1995 by Hiroshi Aro

[The number one question in this story (and some of the proceeding ones as well, is how to make the distinction between Futaba (written in hiragana) and FUTABA (writen in romaji). This is particularly a problem when the speaker is distinguishing between the girl student Futaba-chan and the idol FUTABA.]


Prolog

Misaki:
	I hate this!
	I really hate it!

Misaki:
	I understand Futaba-kun's problem! Really I do...
	But... but...

Misaki:
	We haven't gone out on one single date!

Futaba-kun's First Date!?

Misaki:
	It's that Kurin girl who's the problem!
	??
	Ever since she showed up, it's been nothing but trouble!

Misaki:
	I thought if I didn't forgive Futaba-kun for deceiving me...
	I could keep him on edge!

Students:
	Morning!
	Hey! Did you see that show on TV last night?

Misaki:
	Then I thought I could take advantage when he was at his wit's end!



	But it didn't work!

Misaki:
	Right! A date!
	If he'd my boyfriend then we should at least go out on a date!
	
	Right! That settles it!

Kurin:
	What's settled, Misaki?



Kurin:
	Ah! I see! You finally intend to give up on Futaba?

Misaki:
	Who said any such thing!

Kurin:
	No matter how persistent you are, you'll never be more then his mistress!

Misaki:
	I'm his girlfriend! His girlfriend!

[Although both words mean "lover", "aijin" has an overtone of illegitimacy which "koibito" doesn't have.]

Kurin:
	I see! So you know Futaba's after-transformation form then?

//How does this follow from what either of them said? --Eric//

Misaki:
	What? Of course I do!

Kurin:
	What's it like? Is he cute?

Misaki:
	What is it? What's wrong?

Kurin:
	I just realized that Futaba hasn't tried very hard to let me see his female form!
	
	Even if he's cute, it's embarrassing and Futaba is so shy!

Kurin:
	Once we're married, it'll be an everyday occurance!
	

Kurin:
	You'll bear good children!
	

Misaki:
	That kid really makes me mad!

Futaba:
	I'm sorry, Misaki-chan!

Students:
	Please! Let me join the pro-wrestling club!

Negiri:
	Knock it off! I said no and I meant no!

Negiri:
	You're all after Futaba, aren't you!?
	The pro-wrestling club doesn't need this many members!

Negiri:
	Hmph! What a bunch of wimps!
	??

[There seems to be an implied continuation to this sentence.]



Misaki:
	Negiri-chan! Why do you keep turning away applicants?

Futaba:
	Yeah! If we had more members, we could become an official club!

Negiri:
	Don't be silly!

Negiri:
	Don't you see? The pro-wrestling club is promoting Futaba!
	The club itself is only for club activities!
	??

Negiri:
	For something that doesn't amount to a hill of beans!
	??
	I don't want to bother with you any more!
	??
	

Futaba:
	Bother with us?
	??

Misaki:
	It's not enough that she works everyone so hard!
	??

Negiri:
	Oh! Right! If you happen to see Futaba-chan, be sure to tell her I've got a job for her!

Misaki (thinking):
	Now's my chance! It's just the two of us!

Misaki:
	Say Futaba-kun...

Boys:
	Hey! Shimeru!

Misaki:
	Eeee!



Boys:
	We're relying on you!

Futaba:
	Yeow!

Misaki:
	What's going on!?



Girls:
	Ah! There you are, Misaki!!

Misaki:
	Huh?



[Misaki brushing off her uniform]



Girls:
	We're relying on you!

Misaki:
	Eeeeee!




Misaki:
	All this paper!?

Girls:
	You and Futaba-chan are in the pro-wrestling club together, right?
	Please get her to sign them for us!

Misaki:
	Why don't you ask her yourself?

Girl:
	We haven't seen her going to and from school lately, so we haven't been able to catch her!

Misaki (thinking):
	That's right! Lately Futaba's been going to and from school with Kurin all the time!

Misaki:
	I understand! I'll do it!

Girl:
	Really!?

Girls:
	Great! My boy friend told me to get one anyway I could!
	Me too!
	My boyfriend and my big brother both asked me the same thing!
	I promised I'd get one for him if he went out on a date with me!

Misaki (thinking):
	What a bunch!



Futaba:
	Whew! I was afraid I was going to be late for first period!



Misaki:
	Oh Futaba-kun! What happened to you?

Futaba:
	Huh?



Misaki:
	Oh! I see!



Misaki:
	Quite a stack, isn't it?

Misaki:
	Are you okay?

Futaba:
	I'll have to get it done somehow during noon recess!





Misaki:
	He he he! That feels nice!



Futaba:
	Misaki-chan! Stop fooling around and get my wig!

Misaki:
	But why go to the trouble of changing into Futaba-chan before you start signing?

Futaba:
	This mountain of paper
	??
	was gathered together because people thought I wanted fans!
	??

Misaki:
	Oh my!
	I didn't think of that!

Futaba:
	So you see I have to change!
	??



Misaki (thinking):
	When Futaba-kun changes, he's even sexier than a real girl!
	It's great!

Misaki:
	What am I saying!
	??
	
	That's not right!

Futaba:
	Eh?
	What was that?

Misaki:
	Oh it's nothing!

Misaki:
	Come on! Hurry up and finish your signing!


[Students playing volleyball]






Futaba:
	Why are you rubbing my head like that?

Misaki:
	Oh! I'm sorry!

Misaki:
	I was just wondering if my Futaba-kun and the Futaba-chan here now are really the same person!

Futaba:
	What a dumb thing to say!




Futaba:
	What now!?

Misaki:
	But it feels so good!




Misaki:
	Eek! It's the warning bell! Only five minutes 'til fifth period!

Futaba:
	Yeow! I didn't finish even a tenth of them!

Misaki:
	Hurry Futaba-kun!



Futaba:
	Eeyow! My arm's about to fall off!

Misaki:
	No wonder, after doing so many in a row!

Misaki:
	Say! Now that the two of us are alone...



Futaba:
	Did you say something, Misaki-chan?



Futaba:
	Sorry we're late, Ma'am!

Kurin:
	Oh!

Yuri:
	Hmmm!

Yuri:
	What a pity you arrived late to my class!
	

Yuri:
	The next time you're tardy, I'll launch a rocket-propelled shell!

Futaba:
	You already did!



Misaki:
	Oh no!

Kurin:
	It... it's Futaba!
	
	It's really Futaba!

Kurin:
	Oh, my...

Misaki:
	Excuse us a moment!



Kurin:
	Whew! I almost changed in front of everyone!
	For the moment I'm in your debt, Misaki!

Misaki:
	I'm not your keeper!
	I wouldn't readily do it for Futaba-kun, so I'm certainly not going to do it for you!
	

Kurin:
	Wait up! I've got to see Futaba!

Misaki:
	I need a break!

Misaki:
	Hold it! If he goes back there now...




Yuri:
	Stop! This is for science!
	??
	

Kurin:
	Eeyow!



Misaki:
	Just as I expected!

Misaki:
	Kurin has escaped on his own...
	But I wonder what happened to Futaba-kun?
	

Misaki:
	What's going on? Where did this mountain of paper come from?

Negiri:
	It's task I gave her!

Negiri:
	It's a radio and magazine premium! ??

Motomura:
	And then we had something to ask too!

Misaki:
	This is awful, isn't it?

Futaba:
	??

Misaki (whispering):
	Say! What are you going to do about Kurin?

Futaba (whispering):
	I've wondered the same thing!

Futaba (whispering):
	I can't leave as long as I'm "FUTABA" so...
	I'd like you to do something for me!

Misaki:
	Uh... Okay

Misaki:
	No matter what...
	
	I said I wasn't going to be a nursemaid for Kurin and Futaba-kun!
	
	

Misaki:
	??
	??

Yori:
	Where the heck did you go?





Kurin:
	Gasp!

Kurin:
	Where am I?
	

Misaki:
	In a hidden changing room!

[To make up for some of the Japanese puns that don't translate into
English, here's one in the English!]

Kurin:
	Oh yeah! Miss Kojiro was chasing me!
	Hey! How did I get knocked out?

Misaki:
	Oh I don't know... Could you have run into something?

Kurin:
	You brought me here?

Misaki:
	I only did it because Futaba-kun asked me to!

Kurin:
	I see...

Kurin:
	Huh?

Kurin:
	Why didn't Futaba come himself?
	How could he entrust his own betrothed to you of all people?
	

Kurin:
	Hold it!

Kurin:
	I don't remember seeing my Futaba while the FUTABA girl was around!
	

Kurin:
	You also didn't mention that my Futaba and the Futaba girl are both in our class!
	Or the fact that they have exactly the same name...
	

Kurin:
	I've got it!
	

Kurin:
	He's sulking because I'm so absorbed with the Futaba girl!
	How sad!
	Ha ha ha ha ha!

Kurin:
	What's the matter, Misaki? You look tired!

Misaki:
	Tired? What makes you think that!
	??

Misaki:
	I've had it!
	

Misaki:
	??
	Why do I have to take care of everything myself!

Negiri:
	Misaki! Have you seen Futaba-chan?

Misaki:
	What's wrong, Negiri-chan?

Negiri:
	A bit ago she suddenly went running off!
	(To herself)
		She wasn't even half done!

Negiri:
	If you happen to see her, hold on to her!

Negiri:
	It's just one thing after another!



Misaki:
	I don't know any more!
	??
	Futaba-kun, you...

Futaba:
	Misaki-chan!

Misaki:
	Eh?

Futaba:
	Over here!

Misaki:
	Oh!

Misaki:
	It's you!

Futaba:
	Help me! I suddenly changed back into a boy!
	

Misaki:
	Eek!

Futaba:
	Whew!

Futaba:
	You're the best way for me to get myself excited!

Misaki (thinking):
	It's not fair! How can I be mad at him after he says something like that!
	

Futaba:
	Oh yeah...
	Futaba is off this coming Sunday!

Misaki:
	Eh?

Futaba:
	So we can meet behind the school at 10 in the morning!

Misaki:
	Oh yes!

Sunday

Misaki:
	What?

Motomura:
	What's the matter? I'm pretty sure I said we'd have practice on the days when FUTABA doesn't have to work!

Misaki:
	Futaba-kun...

Misaki:
	Futaba-kun, you idiot!

- End of part 3 -


Futaba-kun Changes

Volume 7, Part 4
Futaba's Kiss Auditions!

Translation by Kurt Kohler (kohler@ao.com)
Story copyright 1995 by Hiroshi Aro


Prolog

Shuei Television

[Shueisha is the publisher of Futaba-kun Changes. So this would be their imaginary television network. Perhaps "Shueisha Television" or "Jump TV" would be better.]


Negiri:
	So you want Futaba to do a love scene?
	One with kissing?

TV Executive:
	We at the network aim to attract an audience for this special any way we can!
	??

Negiri:
	Yes, but I'm surprised you'd choose her! She's still so young and innocent!
	??

TV Executive:
	She's perfect for it! It's a real-life drama of romance among young teens!
	??
	With her current rising popularity, Futaba is the only one to play the heroine!

Negiri:
	Shouldn't I really get her okay first? If things aren't handled properly, it would be her first kiss!

TV Executive:
	I'll leave that to your skill as a manager!
	Oh and by the way, the guaranteed minimum is...

Negiri:
	All right!! We'll do it!

Negiri:
	Shuuei TV's logo is a dollar sign after all!
	Ha ha ha ha ha!
	You've won me over! Futaba's lips are yours!
	

Negiri:
	Hey! I've got an idea!
	Yeah! This'll work!

Futaba's Kissing Audition!

Kurin:
	Why not?

Futaba:
	Why not? It's obvious!
	How can you suggest we sleep together?

Kurin:
	It's all right! We're betrothed!

Futaba:
	But we're still just junior high students!

Kurin:
	A young man and woman under one roof... It would be unnatural if nothing happened!

Futaba:
	Absolutely not!

Kurin:
	Oh my! Hey Futaba!

//Futaba either ran off or went unconcious. --Eric//

Kurin:
	Tsk! And after all the trouble I went to to seduce him!
	What a way to behave with a member of the main family!

Futana:
	How could he refuse a come-on from a girl!
	Even if he is my little brother, I still have to say it's shameful!
	

Kurin:
	Yipe!
	What is it, Futana?

Futana:
	It's all right! I'm a pro at crawling into Futaba's bed!
	Leave it to me!

Kurin:
	A pro at crawling into his bed? How?

Kurin:
	Maybe you can help me?

Futana:
	Sure! Any time!

Futaba:
	Hmmm...
	

Futaba:
	Eeyow!

[Apparently enough time has passed since the last story that Futaba's hair has grown back.]

Kurin:
	Huh?
	Is it morning already?

Kurin:
	I slept with you without...

Futaba:
	Gasp!

Kurin:
	F... F... F... Futaba!?
	

Futaba:
	She knows!
	

Futaba:
	I'll be back!
	



Misaki:
	What!?

Misaki (whispering):
	Kurin found out!?

Futaba (whispering):
	Uh huh!

Misaki:
	She's really going to keep going after Futaba-kun now, isn't she!

Futaba:
	What am I going to do?

Misaki (whispering):
	No wonder she looks so happy!

Kurin:
	Heh heh heh!
	

Negiri:
	Hey Futaba-chan! I see you made it to school this morning!
	What a relief!

Futaba:
	What is it, Negiri-chan?

Futaba:
	A kiss!?
	

Negiri:
	Right! It's in a drama you'll be appearing in soon!
	Here's the script!

Futaba:
	You're not listening to me!
	I don't want to do it!
	??

Negiri:
	Keep your mouth shut!
	??

Negiri:
	Right? Futaba will have a lot more fans!
	Are you going to give them a wimpy performance?

Negiri:
	You're a professional!
	You can't earn money with an attitude like that!

Futaba:
	So far I haven't seen a bit of my guarantee!
	

Negiri:
	That was then! This is now!

Futaba (thinking):
	Oh Misaki-chan!
	What am I going to do?

Misaki (thinking):
	Futaba-kun kissing on TV!?
	Kissing a stranger!?

Misaki:
	Kissing someone
	besides me!?
	

Negiri:
	And that's not all!
	??
	For sure!
	??

Negiri:
	An open call to audition for the lover's part!
	Everyone has a chance!



Poster:
	Announcement

	Whose lips are these?
	??
	Open tryouts for the part of Futaba's lover

[I had to guess the kanji in the part of the poster that's covered by Negiri's hand.]

Shuei Television

Boys:
	What!?

Boys:
	Let me have the entrance requirements!
	Me too!
	Futaba-chan's lips are mine!
	Why not me?

Negiri:
	Hey! Quit shovin'! Quit shovin'!!

Negiri:
	What're you doin'? You can take part too, ya know!

Motomura:
	We can?



Motomura:
	Oh!

Takeru:
	Are you okay, Chima?



Motomura:
	Get him to the health clinic!

Misaki:
	Hey Negiri-chan!

Negiri:
	What is it, Misaki?

Misaki:
	Is it all right for a girl to enter?



Negiri:
	Misaki! You have that sort of inclination!?
	

Misaki:
	Gasp!
	Oh my!

Negiri:
	If it's true, then we can't be friends any more!



Misaki:
	I... I was just putting you on!

Boys:
	Oh Futaba!
	Let me succeed!
	Thank the gods!

Negiri:
	Are there any more boys who want application forms?



Negiri:
	Why it's the Kurin boy! You want one too?
	(to herself)
		Why do the Shimeru's have the same name so often?

Kurin:
	It's inevitable!

Kurin:
	Who else can it be?
	Futaba's kiss is mine!

Kurin:
	Ah! My pheromones are on full tilt!

Girls:
	Eeee!
	Eat this!

Voice:
	Negiri-chan!

Strange-looking man:
	Give me one of those applications too!

Negiri:
	What's with the silly getup, Misaki?
	(to herself)
		Wow! Where'd she come up with that costume?

//Negiri's impressed because she thinks Misaki's male form is a costume. Very lifelike, huh? --Eric//

Misaki:
	I'm a man! Gimme an application!

[Misaki refers to herself with the male "ore" instead of "atashi" like she normally does, as well as using the masculine imperative "kure".]

Futaba:
	Gasp!

Futaba:
	Calm down, Misaki-chan! Calm down!

Misaki:
	Wail! Wail!

Negiri (thinking):
	How strange! Lately things seemed to be working out with the Futaba boy!

Misaki:
	Sniff! Sniff!

Misaki:
	This is awful! Why can't I be a man?

Futaba:
	Oh Misaki-chan...

Futaba:
	It won't be so bad...
	It's not definite that Kurin will be the one chosen!

Misaki:
	But you'll still be kissing someone!
	I can't stand it!

Futaba:
	Somehow I'll get them to delete that scene...

Misaki:
	It won't work!

Futaba:
	Eh?

Misaki:
	If you do that, Futaba will never be a big star!
	I want to help with your career!
	??

Futaba:
	But the kiss bothers you, doesn't it?

Misaki:
	Wah! Yes it does!!
	But still...
	I'll manage somehow, Futaba-kun!

Futaba (thinking):
	So tomorrow is the audition!
	

Futaba (thinking):
	Oh Misaki-chan...

Futaba:
	I'm going out for a while!

Misaki:
	Futaba-kun!

Misaki:
	What's wrong? Why did you suddenly ask me to meet you in a place like this?

Futaba:
	I'm sorry! But... Well, er...
	That is... I'd like for us to practice together...

Misaki:
	Practice?

Futaba:
	Uh... That is... Well...
	You see...

Futaba:
	Please...

Futaba:
	Kiss me!

Misaki:
	At last...

Misaki:
	You finally said it!

Misaki:
	??
	??

[Sorry! Haven't got a clue what Misaki is saying. ??]

Futaba:
	Oh Misaki-chan!



Negiri:
	Listen up! Form a line! Once you've got your sequence number, you can go in!

Sign:
	Miss Futaba

Misaki:
	The auditions are about to start, Futaba-kun!

Futaba:
	Are they all gathered together?

Misaki:
	There must be at least 300 people! But Negiri-chan said that after examining the applications, she eliminated 98 percent of the original field!

Misaki:
	I'll come back and get you when it's time for the final selection!

Futaba:
	Okay!



Ikuya:
	Uh... Excuse me!

Ikuya:
	Is this the way to the auditions for the part playing opposite Futaba?
	Am I too late to enter?

Misaki:
	You're okay! It's just about to start!
	Here! You're number 307!

Negiri:
	Attention! The first round of judging is about to begin!
	So everybody!

Negiri:
	Do you want to smooch with Futaba!?

Yaaaay!

Sign:
	Tryouts for the part of Futaba's lover

Negiri:
	Okay! I understand your feelings!

Negiri:
	For this kiss, you must show us your acting spirit!
	One and two, three and four, and so forth...

Negiri:
	Please kiss the person next to you!




Misaki:
	Oh wow!



Negiri:
	Okay! Time's up!



Negiri:
	Anyone who hasn't kissed in the next five seconds will be eliminated!
	Those who've been disqualified, please leave the hall!



Negiri:
	I have to admit, that was a great idea I had!
	Now we're down to just a few people!
	Ha ha ha ha ha!

Ikuya:
	Thanks! You allowed me to keep going!



Ikuya:
	Oh I'm sorry! Was it your first time?

Misaki:
	No, but...

Misaki:
	I was...
	kind of surprised!
	

Ikuya:
	Fortunately I didn't have to kiss a man today!
	And because of you I can try hard to be chosen!

Misaki:
	G...good luck!

Kurin:
	Hmph!

Kurin:
	Once I kissed that guy, I couldn't stop myself from changing!

Negiri:
	Congratulations to the winner!  Number 307... Mr. Ikuya Maku!

Ikuya:
	All right!

Negiri:
	And now... making her entrance wearing the heroine's uniform is... Futaba!



Negiri:
	A great many members of the media have honored us with their presence today!

Reporters:
	

Negiri:
	So we are pleased to present to you now... the kiss!

Futaba:
	What? Now!?
	
	
	
	

Reporters:
	Ooooo!

Magazine:
	A brazen kiss!
	Women snatching kisses from men! A new trend?

Misaki:
	So I was his practice partner?

- End of part 4 -


Futaba-kun Changes

Volume 7, Part 5
Futaba-kun Gains a Rival!?

Translation by Kurt Kohler (kohler@ao.com)
Story copyright 1995 by Hiroshi Aro


Prolog

Mature

[Is this a rating or just a description?]

Shuei TV presents "Whose Lips Are These?"

Starring Futaba (age 14) and Ikuya Maku (age 16) as the innocent lovers

"Whose Lips Are These?" to become series!

Are Futaba (age 14) and Ikuya Maku (age 16) a hot item?

Ikuya:
	What's that? Futaba-chan?
	We had a good working relationship during the taping!
	But we're just good friends!

Futaba:
	I think Ikuya-kun's a nice guy, but...
	right now I don't have any romantic feelings toward him!
	Excuse me? What was that?

Reporter:
	In this show, was it your first kiss?

Futaba:
	No comment!
	I'll have to leave that to your imagination!



Negiri:
	Great! Well done, Futaba-chan!

Negiri:
	Nice interview!

Futaba:
	??

[What's the meaning of "mori-agaru" here? "Stand out" perhaps?]

Misaki:
	It got kind of wild there, didn't it?
	??

Negiri:
	??
	People want a star to give them something to talk about, even if it's private!

Negiri:
	So when was your first kiss anyway?

Futaba:
	Err...

Sign:
	Pro-wrestling Society
	Temporary Office

Futaba:
	Well...

Misaki:
	You see...

Futaba-kun Gains a Rival!?

Sports drink          Hitotsubashi Foods          Jump!

Young and Sweaty

[Not the best sounding advertising slogan in English, is it?]

Negiri:
	Hey outstanding! Outstanding!
	Your second ad is a big hit too!

[It appears that ’e dan (bullet/shot) is the counter for advertisements. ??]

Negiri:
	I'm really happy about how big a hit your show is!
	Don't change a thing!

Futaba:
	Yeah, but...

Futaba:
	I've already worked a lot...
	So shouldn't I be able to gradually repay the club's debt?

Negiri:
	No way!

Negiri:
	You'll never pay off seven hundred years worth of pro-wrestling club expenses on what you're making now!

Futaba:
	So you've got me under your control!

Sign: Pro-wrestling society - Temporary Office



Negiri:
	That may be!

Negiri:
	But last night another 1000 years was tacked on!

Futaba:
	Motomura!

Motomura:
	Oh! It's you, Shimeru!

Motomura:
	I'm so sorry!
	

Motomura:
	You took it all lightly, even though it's partially your responsibility!

In the background:
	Alas!
	Lamentation of a defeated general

Motomura:
	Nevertheless we did our best! So we don't regret our defeat!

Futaba:
	But I'm the one paying off the debt!
	

Motomura:
	Don't worry! Next time for sure!
	

Futaba (quietly):
	Stop waving your fist in my face!

Futaba:
	Think about what you're doing!!

Motomura:
	Don't get so mad! We got a good deal!

Futaba:
	Good deal?

Motomura:
	This time we got a better interest rate!

Document title:
	Promissory Note

Futaba:
	You're charging interest!?

Negiri:
	This loan has no set repayment date!
	As long as it's repaid before you die!
	

Futaba:
	Before I...



Misaki:
	Eeee! Futaba-chan!



Sign:
	Health Clinic

Futaba:
	Moan!

Misaki:
	Futaba-kun! Are you awake?

Futaba:
	What?

Misaki:
	Are you okay?

Futaba:
	What am I doing here?

Misaki:
	You fainted back at the office!

Futaba:
	Oh! I've changed back into a guy!

Misaki:
	Yeah! It was awful!

Misaki:
	As soon as you fainted, you changed back into a boy! I didn't know what else to do...
	so I covered your face with my skirt to keep anyone from seeing you!

Misaki:
	I had a terrible time carrying you to the clinic without anybody seeing
your face!

Futaba (whispering):
	I don't deserve what you did for me after I passed out!

Misaki:
	Eh? Did you say something?

Futaba:
	No! It's nothing!
	

Misaki:
	Say! Do you remember?

Futaba:
	What's that?

Misaki:
	This clinic was where I first met Futaba-chan, wasn't it!

Futaba:
	Now that you mention it...

Futaba (thinking):
	So many things...
	have happened!

Futaba:
	I'm sorry! I've caused you nothing but trouble!

Misaki:
	Eh?

Misaki:
	What do you mean by...



Negiri:
	Misaki! Futaba-chan! Is everything okay?
	It's almost time to leave for the taping!

Futaba:
	Is it that time already?

Misaki:
	Stop it! You work too hard!

Misaki:
	You're going to wear yourself out!
	

Futaba:
	Thanks Misaki-chan! But if I don't go it'll cause problems and besides...
	I have to keep going for the sake of Futaba's fans!

Misaki:
	But...
	

Misaki:
	You're right! After all I was the one who encouraged you to go into show business!
	Good luck!

Futaba:
	Thanks, Misaki-chan!

Misaki:
	So instead
	I'll go with you!

Futaba:
	Huh!?

Misaki:
	I'll help Futaba-chan by becoming her assistant!

Futaba:
	Misaki-chan...
	Would you first...



Futaba:
	help me to change?

Shuei Television

Ikuya:
	Hi Futaba-chan!

Futaba:
	Good to see you!
	Sorry I'm late!

Ikuya:
	No problem! The last session ran long so they're still setting up!

Ikuya:
	And there'll be questions from the reporters too!
	They'll be after us about our relationship!

Ikuya:
	Oh!

Misaki:
	Ah!

Misaki:
	How do you do?

Ikuya:
	You must be on Futaba-chan's staff!

Ikuya:
	I sure am lucky!

Misaki:
	In what way?

Ikuya:
	Oh, it's nothing! See you later!

Futaba:
	Do you know Ikuya?

Misaki:
	Err... Yeah! A little!

Director:
	Okay! Cut!

Narrator:
	For a boy, it may be just a simple kiss...

Narrator:
	But does a girl understand just what feelings are shared in a single kiss?

Narrator:
	You'll see the terror of a girl's lips!

Director:
	Okay! That's a take!
	Everyone's tired! That's a wrap for today!

Director:
	Futaba-chan! Nice acting! Keep it up tomorrow, okay?

Futaba:
	Thank you, sir!

Dressing room

Misaki:
	You know, Kurin's been so well-behaved lately!
	It's strange! She seems almost indifferent!

Futaba:
	I thought when she found out I was the actress Futaba, she'd stick closer!

Misaki:
	She is a real Futaba fan, isn't she!
	

Misaki:
	Don't you see? That's the reason!

Misaki:
	Before her eyes, her so-called betrothed, the mere son of a cadet branch of the family...
	has become one with the inaccessible, semi-divine star!

Misaki:
	So she's still not sure how to act around you!

Futaba:
	I see! Of course!

Futaba:
	But...
	Why do you understand that way of thinking so well?

Misaki:
	I've had the same experience!

Misaki:
	Don't you see? You're so mean!

Futaba:
	Mean!?

Misaki:
	Yes! You've got to stop making people cry!



Ikuya:
	It's Maku! All right if I come in?

Futaba:
	Sure!

Misaki:
	Well I'll go get rid of this trash!

Misaki:
	Please excuse me!

Ikuya:
	Sure!

Ikuya:
	She's a nice girl, isn't she!

Futaba:
	You mean Misaki-chan?

Ikuya:
	Misaki!
	So her name is Misaki!

Ikuya:
	Misaki-chan! Misaki-chan!

Futaba:
	So was there something you wanted to see me about?

Ikuya:
	Err... Well... There wasn't before, but there is now!

Ikuya:
	Does... does Misaki-chan have a boyfriend?

Futaba:
	Huh!?

Futaba:
	You're interested in Misaki-chan?
	??

Ikuya:
	Yeah!

Futaba:
	Why this sudden attraction?
	??

[What's the implied verb after "o" here and above? Attracted to?]

Ikuya:
	Maybe it's just intuition... Or maybe it's because...

Ikuya:
	She's the first girl I ever kissed!

Futaba:
	When did that happen?

Ikuya:
	During the auditions!

Ikuya:
	I got to kiss her because I was out of work at the time of the kiss judging!

Ikuya:
	If it wasn't for her, my first kiss would have been with a man!
	
	She's my lucky angel!

Ikuya:
	Is the guy Misaki-chan's been going out with around?
	

Futaba:
	Err... Well...

Futaba:
	He sorta is and he sorta isn't!

Ikuya:
	Well whether he is or not, I'm going on the attack!
	
	I'm in command of my own fate!
	??

Futaba:
	You're awfully confident, aren't you!

Ikuya:
	You bet!
	??

Ikuya:
	Auditioning for this show was the first time I tried out for an acting job!
	I ran into her because I was late!
	Then I got a leading role! The show was a hit and became a series!
	I even got to kiss the famous Futaba during her sudden rise to stardom!

Ikuya:
	You know that ad for Jump you just did? There was talk about me appearing in it with you!

Futaba:
	I see...

Futaba (thinking):
	This is awful! Why'd a guy have to come along who's in love with Misaki-chan!



Futaba (thinking):
	Actually I guess it's kind of amazing that no one's gone after Misaki-chan before!

Futaba (thinking):
	Even a guy like me can see he's handsome!

Misaki (remembered):
	It was awful!

Futaba (thinking):
	Could it be?
	Do I cause trouble for Misaki-chan just by being around her!?
	Wah!

Note:
	The memory is too much!

Futaba (thinking):
	The more I think about it, the more I realize all the awful things I've done to Misaki-chan!
	

Misaki (remembered):
	You're so mean!

Futaba (thinking):
	I'm not going to cry!

Futaba (thinking):
	I'm not going to cry! I'm not! I'm not! I'm not!

Futaba (thinking):
	I will not cry!



	Arghhh!

Futaba (thinking):
	If I really like Misaki-chan so much, maybe it would be better if we split up!

Ikuya:
	Yipe! Futaba-chan!

Futaba:
	Eh?

Ikuya:
	Should you be changing in front of me like this?

Futaba:
	Oh no!

Futaba (thinking):
	Damn! I forgot we aren't just two guys!
	
	
	

Futaba:
	Eeyow!
	

Ikuya:
	Yikes!

Ikuya:
	Yeow!



Futaba:
	Eek!

Misaki:
	What happened? I thought I heard a crash!



Misaki:
	What's...
	Futaba... kun!

Misaki:
	I thought I could trust you!
	

//Think about the time Akane made cookies, and Gosunkugi/Sasuke got a picture of Ranma and Kodachi. --Eric//

Futaba:
	Misaki-chan!!

Ikuya:
	Do you think Misaki-chan...
	might have gotten the wrong impression?



Ikuya:
	Oh no!

Futaba:
	Rats!

Photographer:
	What a scoop!

Headlines:
	Exposed!
	Lovers' tryst at the television station!?
	The couple from the hot TV show
	Futaba (Age 14)  and Ikuya Maki (Age 16)
	Youthful passion!

Futaba:
	Please listen to me, Misaki-chan!

Misaki:
	I have nothing to say to you!

Misaki:
	When you have a girl's body you have a girl's emotions too, don't you!
	I was an idiot to fall in love with you!

Misaki:
	I hope you and Maku-san will be very happy together!

Futaba:
	No!

Futaba:
	Misaki-chan...

Futaba:
	Maybe this is for the best...
	Sigh!

Misaki (thinking):
	Was I too hard on him?
	No! It'll do him good!

Misaki (thinking):
	Lately what with Futaba-chan's increased activity,
	sometimes it's startling even to a woman like me how feminine Futaba-chan can be!

Misaki:
	I guess I'll just have to become more masculine!



Ikuya:
	Ah! There you are!

Ikuya:
	I found you, Misaki-chan!

Misaki:
	What are you doing here, Maku...san?

[Misaki is unsure whether to call Ikuya "kun", indicating some intimacy, or the more formal "san".]

Ikuya:
	I came to talk to you!

Misaki:
	Oh my!
	

Ikuya:
	Don't worry about what the press says!
	I want you to understand that there's nothing going on between Futaba-chan and me!

Misaki:
	Why are you telling me?

Ikuya:
	Because I love you!



Misaki (thinking):
	This guy knows what a girl likes to hear, doesn't he!
	I wish Futaba-kun would say something like that!

Misaki (thinking):
	He's really coming on to me, isn't he!
	Things may go wrong between Futaba-kun and me, but it's always exciting!

Misaki (thinking):
	If this guy was my boyfriend...

Misaki (thinking):
	I'm sure he would take good care of me!

Misaki (thinking):
	And without making me try to figure out whether he like me or not!

Misaki (thinking):
	Or causing me problems with his strange genetic trait!

Misaki (thinking):
	Or having his betrothed show up and cause trouble!

Misaki (thinking):
	At least he seems more self-reliant than Futaba-kun!

[Is "self-reliance" a reasonable translation of "tayori-gai"? ??]

	Because he's older, I have to follow his lead! I wonder which way we'll go?
	

Misaki (thinking):
	I wonder how Futaba-kun would react if I took up with Maku-san?

	Futaba (in Misaki's imagination):
		Misaki-chaan!!

Misaki (thinking):
	He'd probably start bawling, wouldn't he!

Misaki (thinking):
	Yeah, but after all this...
	How can I not switch now!

Misaki (thinking):
	Don't I have the right to a normal love life?
	

Misaki (thinking):
	Where we go on dates?
	Where we just talk about stuff?
	Where we go out to eat together?
	And... And...

Misaki (thinking):
	Oh Futaba-kun...

Misaki (thinking):
	I'm sorry!

Ikuya:
	So what's your answer? Will you go out with me?
	

Misaki:
	No! I'm sorry!

Caw! Caw!

Ikuya:
	You've got me confused!
	I didn't think you were going to turn me down!

Ikuya:
	Is the guy you're going with now really so fantastic?

Misaki:
	Yeah!
	I'm sure most girls would choose you, Maku-san!

Ikuya:
	So you don't even want to try going out with me?
	
	How can you choose someone else?

Ikuya:
	Won't you tell me?
	Is there something wrong with me?

Misaki:
	How can I say this?
	Well...

Misaki:
	Good luck to you!

Ikuya:
	You mean...

Ikuya:
	Heh heh heh!
	That sounds pretty final!

Ikuya:
	I was pretty confident in my good luck!

[What does "kyou-un" mean? ??]

	Oh well! Maybe someday I'll get another chance!

Misaki:
	I'm sorry!
	(thinking)
		Maybe he's too good for me!
		??
	
	

Misaki:
	Just now Maku-san told me he loved me!
	

Futaba:
	And?

Misaki:
	I turned him down!

Futaba:
	Why!? He's a great guy!
	With me you'll have nothing but trouble!

Futaba:
	And besides...



	Mmph!

Misaki:
	There's a saying Mama taught me!
	"It's good for a woman to share a secret with the man she loves!"

Misaki:
	It will be your own fault
	if you reject a man like that!

//Could be a typo, Futaba makes more sense -- except for the author's note at the end of this chapter. I dunno. --Eric//

Misaki:
	Uh huh!

Note:
	This girl is... weird!

- End of part 5 -

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