Tokyo Crazy Paradise
Hana to Yume
1998 vol. 10, episode no. 39
Translation by Yuki-chan

At the Kuryugumi main house.

Narration by Tsukasa: ---The dispute over the drugs between Sakahogi and Hizaki ended when Hizaki was arrested.

Tsukasa: {Are they done yet? Are they done yet~~~} Tsukasa is in dog-form again, eagerly awaiting for a meeting to end. She's waiting outside the door, her tail wagging like a dog waiting for its master.

Narration by Tsukasa: Hizaki wasn't arrested for suspicion in drug trafficking, but under suspicion of the Washington Garden Hotel mass murder, to which he confessed.

Some time earlier, Kamo-san, Bun-san and Tsukasa were reading the paper and wondering about that. The 3 of them have their heads bent at an angle in deep thought.

Kamo-san: "It doesn't look like they're going to say why they were at the factory---"

Bun-san: "It's as if they don't want the police to know about the drugs so they confessed to being behind the incident at the Garden Hotel." {Although they'll probably just pay their way out again.}

Tsukasa: "They could have escaped if they wanted to but they were so calm then..." {It's as if they were waiting to be arrested.}

Kamo-san, Bun-san and Tsukasa: {...What on earth were they thinking......}

Narration by Tsukasa: ---There are still several questions about Hizaki...... but it seems that in Kuryugumi, there's an even bigger problem then the dispute between Sakahogi and Hizaki. ...Though... it probably doesn't involve me---...

Tsukasa is rolling around on the floor, killing time...

In the meeting.

It's a meeting of the head clan members.

"---We (the clans) stand at the top. Kuryugumi is now being attacked from all angles. If we show even the slightest sign of weakness, then that will make us vulnerable. If this matter is going to become the Achilles tendon of you or Kuryugumi then should you not give it up Sandaime?"

Ryuji, after a moment's thought: "---The Durga candidate will not be changed."

Clan heads: "...... ......"

Clan head 1: "...Well if you say so Sandaime."

Clan head 2: "But is it really all right Sumon's kashira."

Sumon: "?"

Clan head 2 [probably]: "Because of the incident that Sakahogi instigated that got Sandaime involved, tomorrow there is to be the oriai no gi to prevent further friction between Sakahogigumi and Kuryugumi no?" [oriai no gi = I can't find a good translation but let's say "a ceremony to promote good relations"... Maybe something like "peace treaty" would be better...] "I've heard that at that ceremony Asago ojyousan will attend as 'Sandaime's Durga'."

Sumon: "It is a custom that if there is a Durga on the side that is accepting the oriai no gi, she is to attend as well. ...If something like this didn't happen... then our Asago would have already have been through the engagement announcement and would have been working as Sandaime's 'Durga'."

Ryuji: "..."

Clan head 1: "In the oriai no gi, the 'Durga' has an important role, but can she do so without any problems?"

Sumon: "Of course!! With the advance in medicine and in the technology in the production of prostheses, there's no worry." Sumon is sitting on Ryuji's right.

Clan head 1: "...I see, then there's nothing to worry about........."

Clan head 3, who's sitting on Ryuji's left: "...To change the subject Sandaime, I've heard before the meeting~~~..."

Ryuji: "---...I thought I said that I've already decided that........."

Clan heads: "But we are the executives of Kuryugumi and having shared are blood, we are related."

They start booing.

"I cannot agree with the fact that we aren't invited to the oriai no gi!!"

"That's right!"

"You can tell how narrow minded Sakahogi is!"

Ryuji starts at those words: "Be careful of what you say Kyuragi!!"

Clan head 4 (Kyuragi): "! ... ...Forgive me......" He bows his head slightly in apology.

Ryuji sighs: "---..." He looks at each of the clan heads that have spoken out (clan heads 1-4). "---Fine. I'll speak with the other party......"

[Note, assuming this is Kuryugumi, the group of nine dragons, and that there are 8 clans under Ryuji, the Silver, Red, Purple, Green, White, Black, Blue and Gold Dragon Clans, there should be 3 other clan heads excluding Sumon that haven't said anything.]

Outside in the hallway.

Tsukasa was cleaning her blade [with a Q-Tip!?]. She notices Ryuji. "N? A! Ryuji!"

In one of Ryuji's rooms.

Tsukasa, all smiles: "You must be tired from the executive meeting. Sit down." {See? I have a sofa so soft that you'll fall asleep easily ready for you.}

Ryuji, taking out a cigarette: "... ...I'm not tired or anything and I don't feel like sitting. Don't bother."

Tsukasa, with a dog face and a tail, takes out a slingshot from nowhere and gets him in the ribs. Ryuji drops his cigarette and clutches his ribs in pain.

Tsukasa: "See---!? You are tired!!" {You can't even stand up now and that's proof---!!} She's laughing and jumping around. {I can see through your bluff---!}

Ryuji: "Don't say that as if you've won!! It's not that I can't stand up because I'm tired---!!" [A major vein is popping on his head.]

Tsukasa, still in dog form, and shaking her head: "No~~~ It's the same thing Ryuji-kun. Knowing you, you didn't even let it show during the executive meeting that your ribs are broken because of that incident between Sakahogi and Hizaki. ---I know that's because of the 'way of the one who stands above the others (kumiin)' that you keep talking about, but if you keep trying to hide things like that then later you'll damage another part of your body." {---Ryuji doesn't show his weakness in front of his enemies or his allies.} "Eventually you'll strain yourself and you won't be able to move." {By showing his weakness, it reminds his kumiin that he's human. ---Because of that, he's afraid of losing the awe and charisma he's impressed upon his kumiin.}

Tsukasa crouches beside Ryuji who's sitting on the floor: "---Ryuji, right now, there's no 'kumiin' here. When you're alone with me, you can complain that you're tired when you're tired......... ---You haven't said that once in the 14 years that you've lived right?" She pats him on the shoulders. "You have enough a burden being Kuryugumi's Sandaime!! So don't bottle up any excess things in your body that you don't have to!!"

Ryuji: "..."

Tsukasa, suddenly looking quite evil: "Go on, say 'I'm tired'."

Ryuji: "---..." He turns his head away. "No."

Tsukasa: "!"

An argument erupts.

Tsukasa: "Say it!" {Come on, it's easy!}

Ryuji: "No." {Even if I do, it won't do a thing!}

Tsukasa: "Say it!" {It makes it easier when you say something like this to others!" She puts her hands on his cheeks and starts squeezing. "SayitSayitSayit---!!" {If you don't hurry up your face will look even stranger---!!}

Ryuji, looking very strange: "You..."

Kamo-san: "Sandaime......?"

Ryuji starts.

Kamo-san: "I've just... heard from Sakahogi kumicho...... It seems that he wants to talk over tomorrow's oriai no gi one last time...... ...What will you do about it---"

Ryuji: "..."

Tsukasa: "..."

Ryuji: "...I'll speak with him now......" He walks off.

Tsukasa: "......" She turns to Kamo-san. "...What's it.......?"

Kamo-san puts a finger to his lips: "A secret."

Tsukasa doesn't look pleased: "...When not that it really matters or anything~~" {Kuryugumi, sees me as an outsider~~~}

Kamo-san: "......." (-_-`)

Tsukasa, with her hands behind her head: "I'm not saying that to tell me all of Kuryugumi's secrets, but I wish Ryuji would open his heart to me more often~~~"

Kamo-san: "Isn't it open enough..." {Like it could open any more than this...} When Sandaime is with you Tsukasa-san, it seems that he forgets that he's 'Kuryugumi's Sandaime'."

Tsukasa: "I know! I know that when Ryuji's in front of me he turns into Shirogami Ryuji age 14!!" {But that's not it!} "What I'm saying... ...is more... like..."

Kamo-san: "More like?"

Tsukasa: "More like I wish he'd say he's tired when he's tired........."

Kamo-san starts.

Tsukasa: "Kind of like I'd wish he'd ...complain... to me more often......" She scratches her head.

Kamo-san: "---... ...I see... You want to be more than just friends with Sandaime?" He leans in close to say this to her face.

Tsukasa, totally red in the face: "W!! W-What are you saying!? What are you saying!!" {I-I-I-I-I-I-I didn't mean that!!}

Kamo-san, all smiles: "Oh? That's what it would mean if you want Sandaime to complain to you. Did you know? ...He has not even complained to me once though I have served him for 14 years...... To hear Sandaime's complaints will mean that one would have to be a special person to Sandaime..."

Tsukasa: "...I... I'm not saying that!!" She's jumping from one foot to the other, waving her arms for emphasis.

Kamo-san smiles and nods.

Tsukasa: "You know! In that dispute between Sakahogi and Hizaki it showed me what sort of hard life he's leading!! So if I could be the one place where he could be totally unguarded...!"

Kamo-san: "...I see... Unguarded...... Like you want to see Sandaime's sleeping face, something I've never seen in the 14 years that I've served him." {He must be sensitive to other people's presence or something because his eyes are always open.} Picture of Kamo-san freaking out at Ryuji's bedside, while Ryuji is staring up at him.

Tsukasa: {---E... No way... Kamo-san's never seen it......!? Ryuji's sleeping face!!? The other day I watched for a whole 2 hours while Ryuji totally off guard!!}

Kamo-san: "---Is that what you mean?"

Tsukasa: {Oh... Only I've seen it......} She's trying not to smile. "...Um~~~... We~~~ll... I guess something like that~~~~~~"

Kamo-san, looking dead serious: "---You want him to complain to you though he doesn't complain to anyone else. You want him to show his unguarded sleeping face only to you... ...Tsukasa-san, do you know the common phrase for that sort of desire?"

Tsukasa: "E?"

Kamo-san: "A desire for exclusive possession."

QUACK!

A duck quacks.

Tsukasa: "Damn you Kamo-san---!! Why did you steer the talk in that direction!" {I'm saying it's not that!} Tsukasa sees herself followed by a bunch of ducks. [You see, "Kamo" from Kamo-san means duck so Tsukasa hears the echo of Kamo-san's words through the ducks she's imagining.] She's holding her hands over ears while red in the face, yelling her head off. "That's not it!! Shut up---!!" Looks like she's walking down the hallway with the ducks crowding at her feet.

Kamo-san, back in Ryuji's rooms.

Kamo-san: "---..." {---Tsukasa-san not only wants to serve as a bodyguard, protecting Sandaime from danger but wants to protect his mental health as well---... It doesn't seems like she realizes it but, I thought it was strange--- It seems that Tsukasa-san sees Sandaime more than a friend------...} He smiles.

Tsukasa freaks out.

Tsukasa: "UO!!" {Oh damn~~~ The Kuryugumi clans' kumichos!! Thought the executive meeting is over they're still here...!! Man~~~ I hate this! When they see me they still glare. ...Well... Not that I care... since I'm... an honest gaki... I wouldn't want them to like me.} She spies 4 of the clan kumichos speaking among themselves in front of the water fountain. [The 4 that made the outburst at the meeting.] She hides behind the door frame for awhile then walks out. {Ignore, ignore. I'll just ignore them as usual.} She overhears their conversation.

"...If... Sandaime will not change the seisai candidate then I think it would be best to assign a bodyguard to Sumon's ojoysan........."

Tsukasa: {...Sumon...? Asago...!?} She hides behind a water fountain and is in dog form.

"I know that lately, the technology in prostheses are so good that if you can use them properly then you can't tell it's a false limb, but if she can only function in a normal life then she can't function as a gokudo's woman."

Tsukasa starts. {What am I doing!!?}

[I'd number the men speaking, but sometimes I can't tell so I won't bother.]

"We're all jealous that Sandaime chose Asago ojyousan but it's because of her superior gun technique."

"That's right, that's right."

"Sumon's kashira that there's nothing to worry about but is there any guarantee that she will be able use her gun as well as up until now?"

"To be protected by Sandaime would mean a failure as a seisai."

"But... no matter how much of a failure we say she is, if Sandaime is devoted to her then we can't do anything."

Tsukasa feels her heart ache: {---...H... Huh...?}

"I will recommend that Asago-jyo have a bodyguard." [-jyo attached after a woman's name signifies that she is an ojyosan]

"Ha ha... For a bodyguard my daughter is pretty good with a gun, although not as good as Asago-jyo."

"If you're going to say that then my daughter!"

"Then mine as well!!"

"Ha ha ha. What. We're all thinking the same thing aren't we. Using Asago-jyo's bodyguard as an excuse, we're all going for the kage no seisai---..." The man, who Ryuji called Kyuragi earlier is introduced as the kaicho of the Purple Dragon Clan. [kaicho = president]

Tsukasa: {...What...!?}

"My daughter too has been raised to be Sandaime's seisai. If there's a chance for the omote or the kage, then..." The man is introduced as the kaicho for the White Dragon Clan.

"I feel the same way. Even if only at first she is Asago-jyo's bodyguard, if she is by Sandaime's side......" The man is labelled as the kaicho for the Red Dragon Clan. [Major receding hairline...]

"Then it will only be a matter of time--- before rumours of Hogou's seisai legend begin." He's labelled as the kaicho of the Green Dragon Clan.

Tsukasa: {---...Th... These bastards...! They're going to use Asago---...!!}

One of the men: "Well. It will be after tomorrow's 'oriai no gi' when one of our daughters will be chosen as the most worthy of Sandaime..."

Tsukasa: "!!" {Huh? I thought they were going to keep the 'oriai no gi' simple so the clan heads weren't going to be there..."

The kaicho of the White Dragon Clan: "N?" He thought he saw something out of the corner of his eye.

The rest of the clan presidents start walking away, wondering out loud why Ryuji was taking so long to get back to them.

The kaicho of the White Dragon Clan: "... ...I guess it was my imagination......"

Tsukasa had swiftly crawled away. {---Could this be the 'it' they were talking about...? ---But... would he call something like 'this'... Maybe those guys are going to do something at tomorrow's oriai no gi... Does Ryuji realize that......!?} She gets up. {Revival of the legend of Hogou's seisai" } "---..." {...Asago...... ---She said that a seisai that couldn't fight was just an accessory... That it made no difference if she was there or not---... Like Hogou's omote no seisai--- Though she was saying that she didn't want to be an accessory... I wonder it she's okay......} She starts all of the sudden, and begins walking off at a quick pace.{...That's right. Why should I be worrying...! I don't really even like Asago!! She's cruel and sly!} She stops all of the sudden. {...But... A girl had her arm severed and on top of that she's going to have some misfortune...?} She looks really cute.

Tsukasa shakes her head. {No! It doesn't involve me!! I have no reason to worry about Asago!!} She starts walking off again. But she stops again. "..." {...But... we got through a dangerous scene together......} She shakes her head again. "No! It doesn't involve me!!" She starts walking off again, then stops. "...But... maybe......" She keeps repeating this for the rest of the page...

The next day.

Looks like they're at some hotel again.

Sakahogi: "-Welcome Shirogami-san. Thank you for coming out here..."

Ryuji: "...You too...... We may be inconveniencing you today......"

Sakahogi: "...That's all right... If we can be of any help then I can repay you..."

Voice: "I'm telling you!! That I!"

Tsukasa looks really cute and raises an arm to fend off a blow. "A...!"

A leg whips out of nowhere and kicks Tsukasa quite a distance away.

The owner of the leg (Asago): "I'm telling you that those eyes of your are bothering me------!!" Tsukasa gets kicked into a crowd of kumiin.

Tsukasa, on the ground with tears in her eyes: "How cruel---!! When I was worried about you---!!" {You don't have to kick me like that all of the sudden---!!}

Asago, looking like she has a natural right arm: "...Worr~~~y~~~...!? ...What's that...!? Did you think that I went and cried after that...!?" She glares down at Tsukasa with a hand on her hip. "You've got to be kidding!! You have no obligation to worry about me so don't do something so disgusting---!!" She starts trampling Tsukasa.

Sakahogi: "... ...Sumon's ojyousan... She looks rather lively......" {Thank goodness...}

Ryuji glances at Asago. Tsukasa is flat on the ground, crying with tears coursing down her cheeks.

Asago wipes her brow: {Now that's a stress reliever.}

Tsukasa: {...Dammit---...}

Ryuji: {...Still...... When she finally came to see me today......}

Flashback of earlier that day.

Asago: "Ryuji... I'm sorry I wouldn't let you see me though you kept visiting so many times......... I didn't want to see you until I could use the prosthesis properly......" She looks really embarrassed about that.

Ryuji watches as Asago and Tsukasa get into another squabble.

Tsukasa: "Fine, I won't worry about you! Not even this much!!" She has her fingers spread apart a tad.

Asago: "Well thank you very much."

Tsukasa, with tears in her eyes again: "Damn her---"

Ryuji smiles: {...It must be because of Tsukasa---...}

Voice: "Well, well, well. Isn't this Asago ojyousan."

Asago: "!"

Tsukasa: "!"

Kyuragi: "You look better than we had expected."

Tsukasa: {It's them!! The evil quartet!!} She glances at Asago. {...What should I do... Does Asago... know about them......}

Asago: "..."

One of the clan heads: "So is your arm all right?"

Tsukasa:{A! That question---!! I just asked that and she stepped and kicked......!}

Asago: "---... Can you not ask that 'Are you all right' type of question again...? It makes me seems like a 'weak person' and I despise it......" She looks the men in the eyes. {No matter what happens I won't complain--- I will become a strong woman worthy of Ryuji...!} The words Ryuji said back at the factory run through her mind again.

Ryuji: "If you don't want people to look down on you then pretend that you can fight even when you can't! No matter how weakened you are, bluff! Show them a face that tells them that you won't be put down by them!! That's the mental attitude of people in this world (of the gokudo). That is the way of the one who stands above others!!"

Asago: {---At that moment. ---I've decided to be just that----}

In a dressing room.

Sumon: "Asago, you now your duty at the oriai no gi..."

Asago: "I know! I've heard it many times already! After Ryuji accepts the wine from Sakahogi's kumicho and drinks it, then I take the cup from Ryuji, add holy water to it then return it to Sakahogi's kumicho."

Sumon: "That's right! It's just that but it's a very important job as Sandaime's 'Durga'. The clan heads will be watching as well. Don't dare make a mistake."

Asago: "I know that." {Of course I won't...! So what about the clan heads...! Just because they're attending all of the sudden doesn't mean they're going to ruin my concentration...!! There was a reason that I didn't see Ryuji until I learned how to use this properly!!} She touches her right arm self consciously. Asago is wearing a kimono and her hair is arranged nicely. Her father is dressed in a suit and looks rather nervous.

Someone knocks on the door.

Asago: "!" {Ryuji...!?} She opens door. "Ryuji, I was just about to..."

She sees flowers.

"---Hello."

Four girls stand in the doorway, each carrying a bouquet of flowers.

"Nice to meet you Sumon Asago-san."

Asago: {---...What... These people...!}

Sumon, looking startled: "...A...! ...Weren't you...... the White Dragon Clan, the Purple Dragon Clan, the Red Dragon Clan and the Green Dragon Clan kaichos'------..."

[I guess you want a description of the 4 girls. I assume they're all around Asago's age. One has long straight black (dark) hair. She's the tallest. The one who spoke has really short light coloured hair that frames her head. Another has brown (?) wavy hair. The shortest looks the youngest and light wavy hair.]