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Himechan's Ribbon, Volume 1, Chapter Four
English Translation by Daniel Moskovich (darkdanz@yahoo.com)
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(page 122)
Himeko: That's right!! Pokota!!
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This is where the author gives trivia notes about the comic.
----------------
(Page 123)
By the way...
When Hime-chan was broken hearted because of her unrequited
love with Hasekura-sempai, she heard a song sang by a member
of the school choir called "Morning Bus" by Tawara Machi.
I was surprised by receiving so much readers' feedback about
that song, most of which said, "We also sing that song in our
school choir, and we wonder how Mizusawa-sensei knows that
song." Before I wrote this comic, I visited a middle school,
and I heard the school choir there practicing that song (it
was practicing for a singing competition). When I was writing
the manga then I decided to use this song. When this comic
first came out in magazine form, I got some of the lyrics
wrong. I'm sorry...
But I corrected it here.
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(Page 123)
Himeko: Po...
POKOTA!!
Pokota Come to!!
Pokota!!
What do you have to say?
Pokota!!
Pokotaaa...!!
(Page 124)
Himeko: a...
Himeko: ......
a...
Himeko: [thinking] damn!
Daichi: ......
A stuffed animal is what that is.
Himeko: ...... he
ehehehe
That's how it is!!
Himeko: Bye!!
sound fx: Yank!
Daichi: Wait a second!!
Himeko: What?! I'm not keeping any secrets from you!!
Daichi: The ribbon. Take it.
(Page 125)
sound fx: jiii... [staring]
Himeko: Tha... thankyou very much.
Bye then...
Daichi: [thinking] A stuffed animal is what that was,
any way you look at it...
Himeko: OUCH
(Page 126)
Himeko: tsu... [ouch]
The fifth time...
Himeko: I now see that I should have paid more attention
in Home Economics class.
Himeko: I still managed, but...
I wonder if this is alright.
sound fx: thump thump [her heart]
Himeko: Well, let's just test it.
Himeko: Parallel parallel become Aiko.
sound fx: pa
Himeko: Haaa [a groan]. Have I failed? As I expected.
(Page 127)
Himeko: Even in the list of things to be careful of that Erika gave me,
it was not written how to deal with a situation like this.
Himeko: I wonder what I should do.
What on earth [should I do?]
Haaaa [sigh]
Aiko: Thank you very much for escorting me home.
Hasekura: I'll see you on the bus tomorrow.
Pokota: [Himeko is remembering when Pokota was encouraging her.]
Don't cry. Here... shall we do an "Ike ike go go"?
Pokota: [Himeko still remembering.] Ike ike go go go.
Himeko: ...... Pokota ...
(Page 128)
sound fx: gyuu [hugging]
Himeko: What should I do!? Tell me ERIKA!!
sound fx: baaa....
Himeko: Good morning...
sound fx: shiiin [staring]
sound fx: gulp gulp gulp gulp gulp
Himeko: Gochisousama.
sound fx: bang
(Page 129)
Himeko: Itte kimasu.
sound fx: booo...
Yumeko: Just like mommy before her deadline.
Aiko: She's still Himeko though. She ate her whole meal
without leaving anything.
sound fx: booo...
Manami: Himechan!!
sound fx: booo...
Himeko: ...... good morning, Mamami.
Manami: Terrible!! It's terrible!!
Manami: Huh? You're not wearing your ribbon today.
Manami: NO!! It's time I don't care either way.
Anyway, come quick come quick!!
There's something terrible!!
chalkboard: SCOOP
Are Nonohara and Kobayashi dating?!
The lovers ran away together.
They were staring into each other's eyes.
Is Kobayashi gay!?
sound fx: jyaan!!
(Page 130)
comment: Eyes become dots.
Himeko: ... what is this ...!?
Staring into each other's eyes, eh.
Classmates: [to Himeko, mocking]
He
He
Way to go!
Hibino: Nonohara-san!!
Hibino: I want to speak with you.
I wonder if you would come with me for a second.
Himeko: [thinking] ? Who could this be?
Hibino: First of all, I must introduce myself, ne.
(Page 131)
sound fx: ba
pin: Daichi-kun Fan Club
Member No. 1
Himeko: Daichi-kun Fan Club ...
Member Number 1 ...?
Hibino: That's right!!
Hibino: To tell you the truth...
The founder of the Kobayashi Daichi-kun Fan Club,
and its president, and the person said to the most
beautiful girl in the school...
That's me, Hibino Hikaru.
(Page 132)
Itoo: Me too!!
Member No. 2, Vice-president Itoo!!
Etoo: Me too!!
Member No. 3, Secretary Etoo!!
Himeko: Secretary.....?
Hibino: I think that so far you have mostly understood
what we have said, but in our fan club, the most important
rule is "Pushing in before others is forbidden."
Hibino: Look at these!!
sound fx: bara
Hibino: Daichi-kun t-shirts, Daichi-kun notebooks,
Daichi-kun pencils, Daichi-kun erasers,
Daichi-kun megaphones, and Daichi-kun hachimaki.
Hibino: This is how much, this is how much we who love Daichi
so much and are so patient. And here you are, just popping
out of newhere and beginning to court him. This we cannot
stand for.
Hibino: Firstly, you don't suit Daichi-kun.
Hibino: You, who are unladylike and not beautiful.
Any way you look at it, you are more like a boy.
sound fx: kachin [annoyed sound]
Hibino: This is the point, I am beautiful and kind and my father
is the director of a large hospital.
Etoo & Itoo: President... "pushing in before other is forbidden," right...?
Hibino: About Daichi-kun, in the future he will go to medical school
and he will come to work at my father's hospital.
Poor Daichi, to be tricked by such a boyish girl.
Himeko: WAIT A SECOND!!
(Page 133)
Hibino: What is it? Everything I've said has been true.
sound fx: biku [surprise]
sound fx: BANG!
Himeko: ooo...
sound fx: jin jin jin
Himeko: Shut up and listen.
Hibino: It hurts.
Himeko: You've just been saying what you want to say.
Now it's my turn.
Himeko: Let me tell you something.
Kobayashi-kun and I have nothing going on between us.
Absolutely nothing!!
Himeko: Contrary to what you say, I have no interest in Kobayashi-kun
because he is nothing but a nuisance.
sound fx: ma [protest]
Hibino: Did you say a nuisance!?
Hibino: Th... That's rude. You should take a look in the mirror!!
Himeko: a... mo... [protesting]
What should I say?
Himeko: That's it!! We should ask Kobyashi-kun right away!!
Himeko: When we do that and everything is set straight and
you realize that this has all been a misunderstanding,
I want you to immediately apologize for everything.
Hibino: ... Um, I understand.
(Page 134)
Tetsu: E? Daichi is absent.
Himeko: Absent...?
Hibino: Absent you say... did Daichi-kun catch a cold?
Tetsu: Well... sometimes Daichi likes to be absent.
Hibino: He isn't really ill, is he? Should I go to visit him
to see how he is?
Himeko: [thinking] moo...
What is Daichi playing at, at a time like this?
Himeko: aaaaa
Look at what troubles I'm having...
Himeko: [thinking] What would Pokota say at a time like this...
He would have listened kindly to my various problems...
Himeko: A letter... for me...
(Page 135)
Himeko: I wonder who it's from.
The name of the sender is not written...
sound fx: thump [sound of a pile of things slumping down]
Himeko: POKOTA TADAIMA
Himeko: ... nothing, as I expected...
sound fx: pi
Himeko: E...?
sound fx: moku moku [gas bubbling out]
Himeko: Waaa... !! [surprise]
sound fx: moku moku moku moku moku moku moku
(Page 136)
Himeko: What is this?
What is with this letter?
Erika: ..... ... Ko
Himeko: E... ?
Erika: Himeko
Erika: Can you hear me? Himeko...
Himeko: ...... E
Erika: It's been some time, hasn't it, Himeko.
(Page 137)
Himeko: ERIKA!?
Erika: According to the laws of the magic land, while I'm working
with any diary [for Hime-chan's period during which she has
the ribbon], I'm not allowed to go down to the human world.
However, since I had to tell you something, I got special
permission to send you this letter.
Himeko: I really wanted to meet you now.. ERIKAAAA
Himeko: ... re to to to [going right through her]
Erika: Because this is a letter, I can do nothing but speak
to you one way however... listen carefully.
Erika: You ripped the ribon yesterday, but what should be done
in such a case is not written in the King's list
of things for attention [instructions, I think].
Erika: This is the first time anything like this has happened.
The people of the magic land were very surprised.
Peolpe of the magic land as Himeko imagines them: Unbelievable. Tomboy.
Himeko: kaaa... [sighing]
(Page 138)
Erika: Anyway you look quite depressed, but
Erika: It's all right.
In one week, the magical ribbon will naturally return
to its former state. [repair itself]
Himeko: REALLY!?
Himeko: Really really!?
So I'll be able to chat with Pokota again|!?
Himeko: Oh is that so?
Weren't we going to be unable to converse again?
Erika: However, it depends on how bad the tear is.
It might take a little bit longer.
Himeko: That's great.
Erika: Next time you use it, please take more care. Check carefully
to see whether or not it is properly repaired.
Himeko: Pokota, that's great.
Erika: Is that ok? Really, please take care.
Himeko: Uhuh, I understand. Thanks, Erika!!
Erika: Well then, I'm going to disappear now, but
really just take care about this.
(Page 139)
sound fx: poof!
Himeko: She disappeared... great...
sound fx: gyuu... [hugging]
Himeko: JUMP!
GREAT!!
sound fx: dosun [jumping sound]
Himeko: I'll be able to speak to Pokota again!!
sound fx: batan batan dosun dosun [jumping sounds]
Himeko: Just one more week!!
(Page 140)
sound fx: paaa...
Himeko: run run run run run [humming]
Himeko: Gochisousama.
sound fx: clack
Himeko: Itte kimasu.
Himeko's mom: I can't understand that kid... despite being her parent...
Aiko: But, as usual, she has eaten all her food
without leaving anything.
Himeko: ran rararan ran ran [humming to herself]
Daichi: Hi!
sound fx: whack!
Himeko: ... to [sound at being whacked]
Daichi: How are things? Is Pokota well?
Himeko: Aa... !! [alarm]
Daichi!!
(Page 141)
Himeko: [thinking] Well then... I still have this problem.
I'll ignore him.
sound fx: suta suta suta suta suta [rushing]
Daichi: Hey!
Daichi: What are you running away for?
It's polite to return someone's greeting when they say hello.
Hey, come here, young boy!!
Daichi: Young boy...
sound fx: kuwa [head snapping around]
Himeko: Who are you calling a young boy!!
Daichi: But I don't know your name.
Himeko: It's Himeko. Nonohara Himeko!!
Daichi: Himeko...
(Page 142)
Daichi: bwa ha ha ha
Daichi: I... I don't believe it...
Davka that... Himeko...
[Of all names!! Of all the names she could have,
it had to be Himeko!]
[laughing] hi hi hi hi
===============================================================
Angel aside: Daniel translates the manga, and I post it.
When I was transcribing his notes, I was totally lost when
I came across "Davka that," so I emailed Daniel:
I don't understand your notes. On page 142, Daichi says
"yori... yori ni yotte... himeko..." and you write
"Davka that"? I can't read your handwriting. I'm sorry.
What are you trying to say.
Daniel replied:
About "yori ni yotte", that's an interesting one. The word
I wrote was "Davka..." which is in Hebrew. There is no real
English translation, but a perfect Hebrew equivalent.
Therefore, it's tough to translate. Perhaps the best English
approximation would be "of all names!! Of all the names she
could have it had to be Himeko!" the point being that Himeko
is a long way from being a tomboy name.
Cool, huh? Languages are fun.
===============================================================
Himeko: davka that ...
damn you...
Himeko: ha
It's no good, me being seen again so close to him.
Daichi: a...
Daichi: ya... I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I won't laugh anymore.
It's a very good name.
[sarcastic] Himeko-chan.
Himeko: Okay then, will you please not walk so close to me.
Daichi: Huh?
Himeko: You were absent yesterday so you don't know,
but a terrible thing took place.
Daichi: A terrible thing...
Himeko: I have no reason to speak to you anymore, so goodbye.
sound fx: GIKU [surprise and shock, like "gulp"]
(Page 143)
Hibino: Good morning, Kobayashi-kun, Nonohara-san.
sound fx: chira [giving her a glare]
Himeko: [thinking] This is bad.
Hibino: Kobayashi-kun!!
Hibino: The rumor that you are going out with Nonohara-san,
is it true?
(Page 144)
Himeko: [thinking] Quickly.. answer quickly.
Daichi: A...
Daichi: Well... what should I say...
Hibino: DA... DA...
comment: She's trying to say Daichi.
Hibino: Wha... what should I say!?
Did he say "what should I say"!?
Daichi: Well then, I have to hurry to class.
Himeko: Wai... wait, Kobayashi-ku...
sound fx: gashi [grabbing]
(Page 145)
Hibino: ... Nonohara-san
sound fx: bi [pinpointing/zooming in sound]
Hibino: As of today, you are our enemy!!
Remember that well!!
(Page 146)
Himeko: Kobayashi-kun!!
Himeko: ha ha ha ha [panting]
Himeko: Deny it.
Himeko: Deny it!! This is looking just like we
really are going out together.
Daichi: It's fine. Don't worry.
Daichi: If she wants to say something, let her say whatever she wants.
Himeko: Damn...
Daichi: If I deny it now, won't it just make people more suspicious?
Himeko: u...
Daichi: Maa, maa [calm down]. An unfounded rumor quickly disappears.
It should take 49 days.
Himeko: [thinking] Are you Chibi Maruko-chan?
Himeko: It's 75 days.
Daichi: Oi! [Hey!] Tetsu
Himeko: A.. Wai... Kobayashi-kun...
(Page 147)
Daichi: There is something we have to talk about.
Himeko: That guy...
Classmates: [repeating the rumors to each other]
Kobayashi admitted he was dating Nonohara.
No way.
E? What? Kobayashi and Nonohara have their parents'
permission already!?
Yes, that's right. Maybe they have a really close relationship..
They always hold hands when they walk together.
Maybe they've already kissed..
No way... Really?
Yup, those two have already kissed.
I can't believe it.
sound fx: hiso hiso hiso [whispering]
Classmates: [rumors still spreading]
They kiss every time they meet...
Kyaa... perverts..
Daichi: [thinking] Rumors are interesting.
Himeko: ... this thing
Himeko: This has gotten way out of hand.
Classmates: E... is it that person?
No way! I can't believe it...
Himeko: I'm the one who can't believe it...
(Page 148)
Manami: Well, have you guys really kissed yet...
Himeko: I would have no reason to do that. We're not even dating.
Manami: E.. [whining]. Hime-chan is scary.
Himeko: Aaaan. If this keeps going on, I'll end up looking
like a girl with no morals. Hibino Hikaru is also keeping
an eye on me for no reason. Aaaah... That idiot Daichi...
What can I do...
Himeko: Ah, OK. I'll change into Daichi,
and I'll deny everything!!
Himeko: In two days it will have been one week. But by now...
Himeko: There's nothing else I can do!!
(Page 149)
sound fx: pasa [sound of something slipping out]
Hibino: Huh. I wonder if it's a love letter?
letter: Hibino Hikaru-san,
There's something important I have to discuss with you.
Tomorrow morning, at 6am, please wait for me at Building #2.
Kobayashi Daichi
alarm clock: pi pi pi pi pi pi pi pi pi pi pi
alarm clock: pi pi pi pi pi pi pi pi pi pi pi
Himeko: nnnnn... shut up...
Himeko: HA!
Himeko: That's right!!
sound fx: Gaba! [jumping out of bed]
(Page 150)
Himeko: I won't make it. I've overslept, I've overslept!!
I have to move fast. People will start coming soon.
sound fx: ata futa [walking barfoot]
Himeko: Itte kimasu
... oops.
That's right, that's right!!
Himeko: Okay now!!
Himeko: This time really...
sound fx: pyuuuu [rushing past]
Himeko: Itte kimasu!!
sound fx: bang (patan) [door banging]
Himeko: Parallel parallel become Kobayashi Daichi!!
Himeko: gulp
(Page 151)
sound fx: PA [poof!]
Daichi (Himeko): I did it. It's fixed. Great!
sound fx: doki doki doki doki [her heart beating]
Daichi (Himeko): I'm sorry!!
haa [panting]
I'm late...
Hibino: kyaa [delighted]
Hibino: Huh. It's okay right now.
Well, what was it? The important thing you had
to discuss with that you mentioned...
(Page 152)
Daichi (Himeko): a... um...
* cough *
The fact is... well...
Daichi (Himeko): The rumour about Nonohara and I...
is completely and utterly untrue.
Daichi (Himeko): It would have been a pain to deny it, but now
that the rumour is spreading the way it is, I feel
it's becoming a problem. Therefore...
Hibino: Well, just as I thought!!
Hibino: About me... I always knew it wasn't true. You are not
that kind of person. I understood that very well.
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] How can she say something like this.
Daichi (Himeko): But
Hibino: Daichi-kun, why did you have to tell me this? And call me
to meet you in the morning specially for this?
Daichi (Himeko): A...
(Page 153)
Hibino: Oh, that was awful of me. I'm sorry.
It was an unsensitive question, wasn't it?
Daichi (Himeko): No, that's wrong!! That's not the reason.
Hibino: As I suspected, you are dating Nonohara-san.
Daichi (Himeko): No. That's not the reason either. Definitely not.
Hibino: Daichi-kun!!
Daichi (Himeko): Waa!! [shock]
sound fx: GABA [squeezing sound]
Hibino: You've understood... my feelings.
Tell me... what do you think of me?
(Page 154)
Daichi (Himeko): We... well..
comment: Her head is blank. [She couldn't think straight.]
Daichi (Himeko): Well, you'd have to ask _him_ that...
Hibino: That's why I asked, you silly thing.
Daichi (Himeko): A.. ahahahaha.. yes, I really am a silly thing.
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] C.. calm down, calm down, Himeko.
sound fx: gui [grabbing her sleeve]
Daichi (Himeko): Hibino!!
Daichi (Himeko): I am... a dangerous man.
(Page 155)
Daichi (Himeko): If you love me, you will only get hurt.
Find yourself another man.
sound fx: su [sweating]
sound fx: fui [swings around]
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] I did it!!
sound fx: hina hina hina [shaking]
sound fx: patan [drops to the ground]
Hibino: ... C... Cool...
sound fx: ta ta ta ta [footsteps]
Daichi (Himeko): Now then!! I must change back quickly.
(Page 156)
Daichi (Himeko): Rurerapa rurerapa, change back to my original form!!
sound fx: po [relief]
Daichi (Himeko): I can now relax.
Daichi (Himeko): .......... E?
Daichi (Himeko): I didn't change back!?
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] Ha... maybe I got the magic words wrong.
Parallel [parareru] ru.. re.. ra.. pa.
Rurerapa is definitely right.
Daichi (Himeko): Rurerapa rurerapa, change back to my original form!!
Daichi (Himeko): I didn't change back... It can't be.
Damn it! Why...
(Page 157)
Daichi (Himeko): Ha [realizes something]
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] ......Could.. Could it be
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] The ribbon is... not fully repaired yet.....!?