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Himechan's Ribbon, Volume 1, Chapter Five
English Translation by Daniel Moskovich (darkdanz@yahoo.com)
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(Page 158)
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] I wonder what will happen...
I...
It can't be...
It can't be.
I won't be able to return to my original form...
sound fx: gaya gaya doya doya [talking and moving noise]
overheard conversation: E? Really?
sound fx: DOKI [unpleasant shock]
overheard conversation: kya ha ha
Well then... Well then...
(Page 159)
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] This is bad!!
It's already the time that everyone is beginning
to arrive at school.
I can't be seen here looking like this.
Daichi (Himeko): I must run away!!
Gori-sensei: O.. Kobayashi!?
Gori-sensei: You've come so early in the morning today.
Well done, well done. You've finally decided to take your
studies seriously.
sound fx: DON [pushing impact]
Gori-sensei: Hey!! Kobayashi!!
Daichi (Himeko): Sorry.
(Page 161)
Sensei: Nakai-san.
Nakai-san: Here.
Sensei: Nitta-san.
Nitta-san: Here.
Sensei: Nonohara-san.
Sensei: Nonohara-san?
Well...
Sensei: That's strange. Could she be absent?
sound fx: ta ta ta ta ta ta [running]
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This is where the author gives trivia notes about the comic.
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(Page 161)
By the way..
The abandoned house in this manga is based on a real house near where
I live that is not abandoned. The real house is not full of cracks or
overgrown with weeds like I drew it, but I felt it would be better to
draw it this way for atmosphere. Every time I go shopping and I pass by
that house and see the people who live there walking in and out, it makes
me feel strange. (I turned it into an abandoned house, nee...)
When I was a little girl, every morning on my way to school I would walk
past an old, abandoned house. I always noticed it when I walked by, and
although I always wanted to, I never had the courage to go in...
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(Page 162)
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] Anyway, I should return home to think.
sound fx: ta ta ta [footsteps running]
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] Pokota can worry about what should be done...
sound fx: kyoro kyoro [head turning to look around]
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] Okay!!
sound fx: gashi [grab]
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] Being a tomboy really is useful at a time
like this. It's not something I lost.
sound fx: hyoi hyoi [tree rocking]
sound fx: gacha! [running out]
Yumeko: Ruri-chan, I'm going out.
Daichi[Himeko]: giku! [gulp]
Yumeko: ...
A...
(Page163)
Yumeko: Aaa!! A thief!! [screams]
Daichi (Himeko): uwawa wawawa [she's losing her balance in the tree]
sound fx: zuzazazazaza [falling through leaves and branches]
sound fx: DOSA [CRASH]
Daichi (Himeko): ......that hurt ...
[thinking] That Yumeko!
Himeko's mum: Where's the thief!?
Yumeko: This way! This way!
Himeko's mum: Stop! Hey! This is outrageous! Your parents will cry!
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] Waaa! [scared]
(Page 164)
Daichi (Himeko): Haaa... [sigh]
What shall I do now?
sound fx: gururururu [stomach rumbling]
kyu
Daichi (Himeko): It's just about lunch time.
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] All right. I'm so hungry.
sound fx: guuu
kyururururu
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] And I expect today's lunch would have been
curry...
Oh... It's my favorite...
Curry Rice flying away: I'm curry rice. I'm curry rice.
sound fx: guuu
kyurururururu
Daichi (Himeko): Stop, Stop thinking!!
sound fx: bun bun [flopping her head around]
Daichi (Himeko): That's it!! I can at least drink some water!!
Truant Officer: You!!
(Page 165)
Truant Officer: What are you doing around at this time of day?
Why aren't you at school?
===============================================================
DanZ note: In Japan, there are volunteers called "hodouin"
who work to keep children off the streets and from drinking
or using drugs. I'm translating the term as "truant officer,"
but that's totally inaccurate since he's a volunteer and he
has nothing to do with school, but rather with juvenile crime.
===============================================================
Daichi (Himeko): Hie!! [Eek!]
Hodouin!!
Daichi (Himeko): I'm sorry!! I'm going to school right now!!
sound fx: pyuu [rushing off]
Truant Officer: A, oi, kora [hey!]
sound fx: ha ha [panting]
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] Oh, I'm having to run all the time.
students in the background: Aaa... kutta kutta (suggestion: cool meal)
Delicious pastry.
boy: Daichi!!
(Page 166)
boy: You have a visitor.
Daichi: A visitor? Who is it?
boy: If you go, you'll find out.
boy: Don't make the girl cry.
Daichi: ?
Daichi: What? What do you want me for?
Hibino: It's not really that I want you for anything, but...
there is one thing I have to tell you.
Hibino: This morning you were absolutely MAGNIFICENT.
(Page 167)
Daichi: ......
What are you talking about?
Daichi: This morning... Me... What happened
Well.. But I only just got to school on time,
and I even forgot some of my schoolbooks...
Hibino: Oh, you're embarrassed. That was all I wanted to say. Bye.
Daichi: What's this all about? Hey...
[talking to himself] "Bye." "Bye," she said.
[Translator note: Apparently, Hibino said "bye" is a very
lovey-dovey way. Mizusawa gets this idea across with the little
heart she draws in the talk bubble after "bye."]
Schoolboys: hyuuuu hyuuuu [whistling]
Schoolboy A: You've become unfaithful rather quickly, haven't you!?
Schoolboy B: I'll tell. I'll tell.
Hey! Someone call Nonohara!!
Someone: It can't be done. She's absent from school today.
Daichi: Eh
Schoolboy: Boring. We missed the entertainment.
Schoolboy: Her bag is here. I wonder if she is hiding anywhere.
Daichi: Hibino!!
(Page 168)
Hibino: What?
Daichi: Well... I... This morning... What was it that said to you!?
Hibino: You want me to say it that much? Geez... I thought
you were shy, but I rather like this new attitude.
Daichi: Okay, but what was it that I said... !!
Hibino: Might you be the kind of guy who likes the "pair look"?
[pair look: wearing the same kind of clothes as a friend--
it's a girl-thing, so the implication is that he is a sissy.]
You don't look like you are, but are you?
Daichi: Okay, but tell me... because I'm asking you...
Hibino: "I'm a dangerous man. If you end up falling for me, you'll
only get hurt. Find yourself another man."
comment: Eyes become dots.
(Page 169)
Daichi: ......
What is that all about?
[thinking] I don't believe it.
Hibino: See-- I remembered it perfectly. That's because I've been
repeating it over and over to myself in my head about 100 times.
Daichi: Well... um... I...
sound fx: kuru kuru [scratching his head]
Daichi: Could you please remind me, why did I meet you this morning?
Hibino: You want to make me say even that?
sound fx: goso goso
Hibino: Well, I guess I have no choice...
Hibino: Here. You slipped this letter into my shoe locker, it seems.
sound fx: BA [pulls the letter out]
sound fx: gasa gasa gasa [opening the letter]
Daichi: [thinking] This is not my handwriting...!!
Letter: Hikaru Hibino
There's something important I...
Tomorrow morning at 6...
Wait for me in building #2...
Kobayashi Daichi
[full letter on Page 149]
(Page 170)
Daichi: [thinking] As I suspected!!
Daichi: Thank you, Hibino!!
Hibino: E...
No way. You're going already!?
Hibino: Such an impetuous guy.
sound fx: chu [kiss]
Hibino: It's part of his charm though.
Daichi: Tetsu!! I'm going home from school early today.
Tetsu: E... A... Oi, Daichi...
Daichi: [thinking] Somewhere in this town there is another me.
And...
Just maybe...
Daichi (Himeko): bo...
sign: Kazetachi Municipal Library
(Page 171)
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] I'm hungry...
sound fx: kyurururururu kyururururu guuuu guuuu [stomach growling]
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] Ah, how happy I would be if this book were
curry rice......
sound fx: kyururururu guuuu
dancing curry rice: Go Go Curry Rice. Go Go Curry Rice. Hey.
sound fx: kyururururu kyurururu guuuuuu guuuu
Daichi (Himeko): ......
Wa.. water. At least I can drink some water.
sound fx: kata... fura...
sound fx: beep beep beep [dialing in numbers]
book: Kazetachi No. 1 Middle School Student Faculty Address Book
1990 Edition
Daichi: A, hello. Is this the Nonohara residence?
I... My name is Kobayashi and I'm Himeko's classmate.
... Is she home?
(Page 172)
Himeko's mum: Himeko has not come home from school yet.
Daichi: Is that right? ... yes
A, no, it's okay... yes... bye.
sound fx: gacha [hangs up]
sound fx: ta [footstep]
sound fx: pinpon pinpooon [chimes before an announcement on a PA]
Announcement: It is now closing time. Could people still remaining
in the building please leave immediately.
Announcement: It is now closing time. Could people still remaining
in the building...
Librarian: We're closing now. Please leave immediately.
sound fx: hyuuuuu [wind]
Daichi (Himeko): wa... cold...
(Page 173)
Daichi (Himeko): Rurerapa rurerapa, return to my original form!!
sound fx: haaa [sigh]
Daichi (Himeko): I think I must have tried this around 100 times...
sound fx: hyuuuuu [wind]
sound fx: yoro [shaky step]
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] An..Anyway, I have to find a safe place
to spend the night.
sound fx: yoro yoro [shaking walking]
Random girls: Wow, he's drunk. And he isn't even old enough
to be in middle school.
sound fx: fura fura [shaky footsteps]
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] But where in the world can I find such a place...?
Daichi (Himeko): I can't go back home... I can't ask to sleep over
at Manami's house or I-chan's house...
sound fx: butsubutsubutsu [murmuring]
Daughter: Mommy, it's a drunk.
Mom: Don't look.
Daichi (Himeko): I am Kobayashi Daichi now. Where could Daichi go where
he could be out of the public eye?
(Page 174)
Daichi (Himeko): That's it!!
Idea: The abandoned house
Daichi (Himeko): There I'll be sheltered from the wind...
Maybe...
sound fx: goku [gulp]
sound fx: dokin dokin dokin... [heart beating]
Daichi (Himeko): There may be some food hidden there...
Daichi (Himeko): I'll go and see!!
Daichi: ......
I can't find him... shit...
Daichi: [thinking] Maybe I was wrong...
But I have no idea how else to explain what's been going on...
Anyway, for the moment it looks like I should just head
back to base.
(Page 175)
Daichi (Himeko): Great!
Somehow today the place seems almost a castle...
Daichi (Himeko): Come to think of it, Daichi that time...
What in the world was that...
Daichi (Himeko): In fact, he also seems to have some sort of strange power...
It can't be...
Daichi: But I just can't figure it out. Where did she get that power?
Perhaps she was a witch all along.
(Page 176)
Battari!! [a thud]
(Page 177)
Daichi (Himeko): No way...
Daichi (Himeko): It's terrible!!
sound fx: da [bolts]
Daichi: A!!
Daichi: Wait!!
sound fx: gasha!! [sound the fence makes when Himeko gets thown against it]
(Page 178)
Daichi: You...
Daichi: Who the hell are you...?
(Page 179)
Daichi (Himeko): Um...
sound fx: ehen [confident cough]
Daichi (Himeko): I'm Kobayashi Daichi!! Just look and see!!
sound fx: kaku
Daichi: [thinking] That's not me.
Daichi: ...Sto
Daichi: Stop fooling around!! I'm Kobayashi Daichi!!
Daichi (Himeko): What are you talking about!!
It's me who is Kobayashi Daichi!!
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] Oh, yakekuso.
[yakekuso: 1) The feeling of losing control over a situation.
2) The feeling one has taken action too hastily that
may have created a difficult situation one is
currently experiencing.]
sound fx: ha ha ha [panting]
Daichi: [thinking] This is too useless.
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] Now what should I do?
Daichi (Himeko): ... I... the truth is...
Daichi: The truth is... ?
(Page 180)
Daichi (Himeko): A!! There's another Kobayashi Daichi over there!!
Daichi: E!?
sound fx: don [push]
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] I'm sorry Daichi!!
Daichi: Wa-uwaa [falling down]
sound fx: data [thump-- Daichi hitting the ground]
Daichi: Shit! Stop, you bastard!
sound fx: dopyuuuun [running away]
Daichi: He ran away.
It's not like me, but...
I let my guard down.
(Page 181)
sound fx: haa haa [panting]
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] Good. It seems I somehow got away.
Manami: Hime-chaaaan!
I-chan: Himekoooo!
Manami: Ah, Kobayashi-kun!!
Daichi (Himeko): Mana... Mori-san...
Manami: Do you know where Hime-chan is!? She's gone missing!!
Manami: She didn't come to school today. But she wasn't at home either.
What if she had a serious accident or if she was abducted!!
Manami: DO you know anything!?
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] Manami... I'm right here.
thought fx: jiwa [sigh]
Daichi (Himeko): [thinking] Although I'm standing right here...
sound fx: gusu gusu [sobbing]
Manami: You're also worried. You don't have to cry so much.
I'm starting to cry too.
Manami: So let's all cry together.
I-chan: Manami!! Let's continue our search!! Kobayashi-kun, if you
find anything out, let us know, okay.
(Page 182)
sound fx: hyuuuuu [wind blowing]
Manami: I held Kobayashi-kun's arm.
Daichi (Himeko): I'm right here.
sound fx: uwaaaan aaaaan aaan aaaan [crying]
Daichi (Himeko): You are watching, Erika, aren't you.
Help me, please...
Please...
(Page 183)
Daichi (Himeko): ERIKA!!
sound fx: hyuuuuu hyuuuuu [wind]
sound fx: kushu [wakes up]
Himeko: ... I fell asleep.
sound fx: puru puru [shivering]
Himeko: Oh... I need to go to the lavatory.
(Page 184)
Himeko: Toilet, toilet.
sound fx: hata [stops with a jerk]
Himeko: ......
A...
Himeko: I've come back!
Himeko: Oh... I missed myself so much.. I wanted to see myself
again so much.