Great news is 紺月明(kongetsume), the translator of the Himegami chapter 0 is back after her thesis and started translating Himegami no Miko (full text!) again. Cool!!! Too bad I can't leave a comment there, but thank you 紺月明! Check out here: http://kongetsume.vox.com/
As I have stated in the beginning, if someone picks up the translation, I would gladly hand over the task and put more effort in translating it into Chinese. After all, I am quite behind (7 sections, 3.2-3.8)... Plus, if there is a full translation to read, I won't spoil the fun.
Since I've already written till 2.1, here it is. But no more after this one. Let's all wait and enjoy 紺月明's full text when it comes out.
(2.0)
There were the sun, the summer, and the sea. The girl was embraced by endless blue. The sea used to be one of the battlefield she did her daily training in-- for example simulation battles with Kutouda--even during blizzard. Nothing but a memory of breathless, head-aching, and swallowing the bitter sea water. Even so, during the fleeting free time that the girl had, she liked to visit here. She wondered why. Was it because something was here, or because there was nothing here? Suddenly, she realized why. The sea was the cozy bed the moon returns to. New moon, crescent moon, half moon or full moon, no matter what shapes she may take, the sea would always accept her, as if holding her in the arms. It reminded her of a certain shadow in her life--her mother she had never seen. As soon as Mikamiko was born, her nameless mother had been separated from her without a trace. Mikamiko was the precious sacrifice that Oumikami chooses who did not need a mother. So was she taught. The sea was the mother of every life...was that why? Before the girl could figure things out, she would have to return to battle again.
Time flees, and even the days when the girl longed for her mother have become the past. She has come to see the sea again. What are unchanged are the sky, the sea wave and the beach, but the difference is that there is one more girl with her--Hinomiya Himeko.
(2.1)
Chikane and Himeko are taking a walk on the beach. Though bad at swimming, Himeko wished to at least try wearing a swim suit once. Chikane is in a sea-blue mini bikini--despite her awkwardness in wearing such showing, battle-unfriendly swim suit, this one was picked by Himeko after extensive selection in the store. In contrast, Himeko is only wearing a white one-piece with a thin shirt on top. "Actually, I wanted a matching one with Chikane chan's, but it didn't suit me at all." saying that, Himeko smiles. Now that Chikane realizes her own feelings, she feels attracted to Himeko by several magnitudes. Her innocent smiles, the way she ties her hair, her scent on her hair, her fingertips touching the wave, the shape of her breasts underneath the shirt-- and her white legs bathing under the sun. Her cute toes and feet are leaving footprints on the sands that Chikane couldn't keep her eyes off, until the sea waves take them away. The world is so brilliant, and every second is so sweet. Yes, Chikane loves...
"No." A blaming voice comes from inside Chikane's heart; that is the "Thorn" born from 15 years of training in blood and flames, poisonous, unmeltable and ineradicable--another her. "Wake up to who you really are. You live to satisfy Oumikami. You were born to fight as a God's tool, for Kouzuki's glory, for the island's history and future." Yes, Chikane thinks. Everything is but a strategy to win...oh no, since I already won, this is just a past-time until the destined day. I would feel like this is because...the sky is too blue. The waves sound so nice. I am just too relaxed and too happy. I will not be careless. Even if Himeko shows a tiny bit of hostility, I'll have it all over by the next moment. What is that certain something I've been feeling? I will not admit it, I will not dig it. It's better that way. Chikane superimposes herself with Thorn and armors herself in an ice castle. However, nailing her own arms, she is finding the walls of the castle quickly melting. Just then, "Chikane chan?" Himeko calls her back into reality. "...What is it?" I can not let Himeko find this out, Chikane shivers inside. "...It seems like I am the only person talking..." Himeko seems a little unsure. Chikane would usually reassure her like an older sister; but right now she just feels too unsettled to do so lightly.
In a brief silence, Himeko is startled by a small wave and tries to cling to Chikane. While Chikane receives Himeko by nature, but when Himeko let herself fall into Chikane's arms, she-- though wanting so much to hug her back-- releases her hand and let Himeko fall onto the sands. The two girls face each other just like when they first met. "It is...hot", Chikane says. Though it is nothing comparing to what goes through her mind, those words pierce through Himeko's heart. "Chika...""Don't come," Chikane turns away and leaves Himeko alone on the beach.
Sina Weibo
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
姬神的巫女~千之华万花筒 第三章 (零）
转载请通知我，并注明译者和出处。
官网： http://www.himegami.com/
文章：植竹須美男
企划：柳沢テツヤ
插图：介錯
翻译：忘川
(零)
在风雨交加的夜之舞台，
少女与少女相对而立。
少女红茶色的长发淋得湿透，
衣服也凌乱不堪。
穿着的凉鞋只剩下一只，袜子上全是污黑的泥水。
紫水晶色的大眼睛里，盈满了泪水。
凄惨的样子，非常非常地令人心痛。
远处雷声隆隆。
那是暴风雨逼近的前兆。
一旦闪电降下，就会如排山倒海般的恣意肆虐。
仿佛在呼应着黑发的少女的心情似的。
言辞。
刀锋。
让黑发少女燃起了连自己都不明白其正体的、猛烈沸腾的炙热情绪。
但是，那远远及不上眼前少女的样子给她带来的高热。
发生了什么事？
难道说……。
是那个男人？
那个污黑影子般的男人？
将神圣的『御神女』弄成了这副模样？
黒发少女的脸唰地变得苍白。
倘若事实果真如此。
手缓缓地向系着的长刀伸去。
不能原谅。
当满溢的情绪正要汹涌而出的时侯。
红茶色头发的少女颤抖着张开了嘴唇。
「没有了」
「!?」
没有了？
什么没有了!?
不会是？
不会是!?
黒发少女的脸色变了。
汩汩沸腾的心中，被冻结的豪枪*―――远远超过『刺』的那个―――贯穿。（*澳大利亚长枪。）
下一个瞬间―――。
「宝贝、没有了」
泪水从红茶色头发的少女的眼中决堤而出。
「好不容易……好不容易才」
哇哇地大哭起来。
不顾矜持与体面，像个孩子一般地。
黒发少女惊讶地睁大了双眼。
会辩解、哭诉的情况在心的某处已经有所预料、准备。
即便如此，完全没有想到会是这样尽情地、无防备地号啕的模样。
就好像被攻入了弱点一样。
但是，少女仍然是『御神女』的其中之一。
这种空隙只会是一瞬间。
她的心转瞬就会被冷彻非常的『御神女』所代替……才对。
但是、下一刻，红茶色头发的少女扑进了黑发少女的怀中。
「对不起。对不起。对不起」
黑发的少女僵住了。
红茶色头发的少女的鬓角与洁白的后颈。
和透过淋湿的衬衫传来的肌肤的热度。
将黑发的少女攫住不放。
风吹来的雨点敲打在一动也动不了的黑发少女的脸颊上。
远雷仍不停轰鸣，瓢泼大雨更倾注而下。
============
某忘：
这次只一个半月不到就更新了，不过1节过后看来不会是1星期1更。。。
下1节的节奏很慢，故事很甜，但是介于E3、AX、DiabloII Exp、FFXIII和绝圣之间，我的进展估计会很慢^_^;;
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Summary of Himegami no Miko (1.9-1.10)
I don't own Himegami and... I accidentally wrote too much this time ^_^a
(1.9)
On the way to a newly opened dessert shop, Chikane and Himeko were sitting next to each other in a local train. The boxcar was empty during off-peak hours. Looking at the fleeting scenery outside the window, Chikane was thinking about how she had changed. Then Himeko fell asleep and rested her head on Chikane's shoulder, with a pure happy and content face resembling that of a napping kitten in the spring, or an innocent child in her mother's arms.
How could she sleep like this on someone who would eventually betray her? Chikane thought. If Chikane would exert her skills on Himeko's soft, white throat, or her small rising breasts, she could disable this girl in an instant. Why not? She only need to save the last breath of the other Mikamiko for the destined day; she would not have to bear the scorn from Omitomeyaku; she would not have anymore of bitterness and dilemma. She does not have to play this game. This is all for lower her guard eventually. She would not be fooled...However. Her sweet breath in her sleep. Her soft hair. Her enticing smell. And her warmth passed through the uniform. Chikane's heart was throbbing harder and harder, burning hotter and hotter, turning red, turning white. No, I have to calm down, NOW, Chikane thought. Or else, she would wake up, and find out... what would she find out?
Chikane raised her hand and found her own fingers trembling. They never did even when she was in a forest of swords, or in midst of ice-cold waterfalls. While she was still unsure of what she was feeling, the train had a bump and Himeko's body swayed into Chikane's arms. Chikane took her in without thinking. It was then, that certain something in her heart burst open-- since it was seeded in the first date in the Print Seal Club, irrigated and grown till now-- its brilliance shed into every corner of Chikane's heart like an aurora, turning that infertile land into a place with running streams, green trees and various flower blossoms. "Himeko..." Chikane finally understood that this feeling of hers was non other than love, like what she had seen in movies-- not admiration, not care, nor mere friendship. She recognized her own desire of hugging, fondling, confessing to, and kissing the girl in her arms-- and then...
"What am I thinking?" "That ought to be impossible...both she and I are girls..." Sweet dreams broke into the cruel reality: all is but a short game until the moment of Houten Tamashii; and this company is but a sacrifice to die at her own hands, who's not even allowed to date. Chikane also realized why Omitomeyaku insulted her now-- for he saw through the fact that she had not only become a woman, but also a woman that falls in love with another. The sweet yet bitter, sacred yet doomed, glorious yet fleeting love-- it started without a trace, bypassed her guards, filled her with exclamations and indulgence, bound her tightly and pulled her down all the way to the very bottom of the delightful hell. And this was just the beginning of endless pain yet to come. Should she embrace, or push away Himeko, this cute and demonic girl? Chikane could not do the latter. The train was running forward with the puzzled knight and the sleeping princess in the warm afternoon sunlight, till the end of the world......
(1.10)
It was a room of darkness beyond the reach of the sun, the moon or even the stars. Only a glowing gem lit up the people in it. An about seven year old, formally dressed, Japanese-doll like girl was enshrined in the middle of piles of strings (Shinto tradition), accompanied by a Shinto priestess in a snake mask. In front of them stood the nine Kutouda folks, Souma in the middle. The girl asked the priestess to pass her message:"Be aware. The soul of Oumikami is agitated. To guarantee the prosperity and eliminate the disasters of the island， Mitamashizume no Gi is critical. Fellow Kutoudas. People who are born on the island, belong to the island, till the last droplet of blood, the last strand of hair. The affections of Mikamikos. The responsibilities of Omitomeyaku. The accomplishment of Houten Tamashii. If any of these would go wrong, it will be the end of the island. Remember well." "Aye." Kutoudas knelt down.
There were 108 days left till the day of the 16th birthday of the two.
(End of Chapter One)
(1.9)
On the way to a newly opened dessert shop, Chikane and Himeko were sitting next to each other in a local train. The boxcar was empty during off-peak hours. Looking at the fleeting scenery outside the window, Chikane was thinking about how she had changed. Then Himeko fell asleep and rested her head on Chikane's shoulder, with a pure happy and content face resembling that of a napping kitten in the spring, or an innocent child in her mother's arms.
How could she sleep like this on someone who would eventually betray her? Chikane thought. If Chikane would exert her skills on Himeko's soft, white throat, or her small rising breasts, she could disable this girl in an instant. Why not? She only need to save the last breath of the other Mikamiko for the destined day; she would not have to bear the scorn from Omitomeyaku; she would not have anymore of bitterness and dilemma. She does not have to play this game. This is all for lower her guard eventually. She would not be fooled...However. Her sweet breath in her sleep. Her soft hair. Her enticing smell. And her warmth passed through the uniform. Chikane's heart was throbbing harder and harder, burning hotter and hotter, turning red, turning white. No, I have to calm down, NOW, Chikane thought. Or else, she would wake up, and find out... what would she find out?
Chikane raised her hand and found her own fingers trembling. They never did even when she was in a forest of swords, or in midst of ice-cold waterfalls. While she was still unsure of what she was feeling, the train had a bump and Himeko's body swayed into Chikane's arms. Chikane took her in without thinking. It was then, that certain something in her heart burst open-- since it was seeded in the first date in the Print Seal Club, irrigated and grown till now-- its brilliance shed into every corner of Chikane's heart like an aurora, turning that infertile land into a place with running streams, green trees and various flower blossoms. "Himeko..." Chikane finally understood that this feeling of hers was non other than love, like what she had seen in movies-- not admiration, not care, nor mere friendship. She recognized her own desire of hugging, fondling, confessing to, and kissing the girl in her arms-- and then...
"What am I thinking?" "That ought to be impossible...both she and I are girls..." Sweet dreams broke into the cruel reality: all is but a short game until the moment of Houten Tamashii; and this company is but a sacrifice to die at her own hands, who's not even allowed to date. Chikane also realized why Omitomeyaku insulted her now-- for he saw through the fact that she had not only become a woman, but also a woman that falls in love with another. The sweet yet bitter, sacred yet doomed, glorious yet fleeting love-- it started without a trace, bypassed her guards, filled her with exclamations and indulgence, bound her tightly and pulled her down all the way to the very bottom of the delightful hell. And this was just the beginning of endless pain yet to come. Should she embrace, or push away Himeko, this cute and demonic girl? Chikane could not do the latter. The train was running forward with the puzzled knight and the sleeping princess in the warm afternoon sunlight, till the end of the world......
It was a room of darkness beyond the reach of the sun, the moon or even the stars. Only a glowing gem lit up the people in it. An about seven year old, formally dressed, Japanese-doll like girl was enshrined in the middle of piles of strings (Shinto tradition), accompanied by a Shinto priestess in a snake mask. In front of them stood the nine Kutouda folks, Souma in the middle. The girl asked the priestess to pass her message:"Be aware. The soul of Oumikami is agitated. To guarantee the prosperity and eliminate the disasters of the island， Mitamashizume no Gi is critical. Fellow Kutoudas. People who are born on the island, belong to the island, till the last droplet of blood, the last strand of hair. The affections of Mikamikos. The responsibilities of Omitomeyaku. The accomplishment of Houten Tamashii. If any of these would go wrong, it will be the end of the island. Remember well." "Aye." Kutoudas knelt down.
There were 108 days left till the day of the 16th birthday of the two.
(End of Chapter One)
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
最近的杂七杂八
（一）
yamibo挂了快一周了吧，问过依文，据说是换硬盘的时侯出了问题，要重装--具体有多严重就不知道了。
对我的影响：正好有个理由可以拖欠绝圣8的翻译。。。
再多说一点关于绝圣8的事。 英文组Zefiberyl从这一期开始坑掉， 这已经不是新闻了，然后AE找到了这家来接手第8期--照理说应该已经出来了才对。。。也许就在这几天？第9期仍然是没有着落。 看看新旧两个组收到的comments就觉得不可思议，怎么做scanlation的人会收到这么多hate posts?有对新组接这个活赶到失望的，有大骂旧组半途而废的。。。 不能不说English yuri fandom的气氛和中文饭实在相差甚远^_^a
因为这期对我来说也相当的雷，不输第3期--所以整个5月我也把它丢到一边。不过计划今晚开始动手翻译。。。
（二）
7月的Anime Expo决定要去了，主要是为了堀江和浅川，现在在为拿着什么找堀江签名而烦恼中。 浅川那边就阿兹吧。多签一个的话就Rider/Luka。
AKB48 那天是星期4，未必去得了，May'n的星期5应该没问题。
（三）
D3没出来的日子真是难熬啊。 3月份1.13的patch出来之后我又捡起D2来玩。（想想这个游戏都出了10年了。。。）
TPPK总算是基本去掉了。Respec是个很好的主意，可以让人尽情尝试低等级和不同build的乐趣。但是Hammerdin还是一家当道，bots 层出不穷，ladder前面100名全是bots...
昨天订了FFXIII的中文版。日文原音，中英双字幕。想想这款也是等了4年（？）的游戏。。。预计这周末会到吧：）
（四）
上个月的google reader阅读数，中文900英文600，平均一天50篇。
我也成了“Google Reader未读数清零焦虑症”患者了。。。
（谜之音：你到底有在工作吗？）
yamibo挂了快一周了吧，问过依文，据说是换硬盘的时侯出了问题，要重装--具体有多严重就不知道了。
对我的影响：正好有个理由可以拖欠绝圣8的翻译。。。
再多说一点关于绝圣8的事。 英文组Zefiberyl从这一期开始坑掉， 这已经不是新闻了，然后AE找到了这家来接手第8期--照理说应该已经出来了才对。。。也许就在这几天？第9期仍然是没有着落。 看看新旧两个组收到的comments就觉得不可思议，怎么做scanlation的人会收到这么多hate posts?有对新组接这个活赶到失望的，有大骂旧组半途而废的。。。 不能不说English yuri fandom的气氛和中文饭实在相差甚远^_^a
因为这期对我来说也相当的雷，不输第3期--所以整个5月我也把它丢到一边。不过计划今晚开始动手翻译。。。
（二）
7月的Anime Expo决定要去了，主要是为了堀江和浅川，现在在为拿着什么找堀江签名而烦恼中。 浅川那边就阿兹吧。多签一个的话就Rider/Luka。
AKB48 那天是星期4，未必去得了，May'n的星期5应该没问题。
（三）
D3没出来的日子真是难熬啊。 3月份1.13的patch出来之后我又捡起D2来玩。（想想这个游戏都出了10年了。。。）
TPPK总算是基本去掉了。Respec是个很好的主意，可以让人尽情尝试低等级和不同build的乐趣。但是Hammerdin还是一家当道，bots 层出不穷，ladder前面100名全是bots...
昨天订了FFXIII的中文版。日文原音，中英双字幕。想想这款也是等了4年（？）的游戏。。。预计这周末会到吧：）
（四）
上个月的google reader阅读数，中文900英文600，平均一天50篇。
我也成了“Google Reader未读数清零焦虑症”患者了。。。
（谜之音：你到底有在工作吗？）
Friday, May 28, 2010
姬神的巫女~千之华万花筒 第二章 (六、七）
那淋湿了我的心的，是雨，还是你的泪？
转载请通知我，并注明译者和出处。
官网： http://www.himegami.com/
文章：植竹須美男
企划：柳沢テツヤ
插图：介錯
翻译：忘川
（六）
千华音持刀在手，在夜晚的都市中飞奔着。
如离弦之利箭。
如燎原之野火。
如肆虐之旋风。
如翱游之天龙。
向着日之宮媛子的住所奔去。
千华音的心中呐喊着。
不可原谅。
什么事？ 不可原谅？
是双磨的嘲笑吗？
是媛子被扰乱的事情吗？
是爱情被践踏的事情吗？
是『御神女』的『命运』吗？
还是、不停被愚弄的自己本身呢？
不知道。
也不可能知道。
哪个原因都有，又哪个原因都不是。
尽管如此———。
雨点落在千华音的面颊上。
豪雨开始降下了。
就连都市特有的狂暴的雷阵雨，也无法扑灭燃烧在千华音身与心的火焰。
只为这熊熊燃烧的激情所驱使，千华音疾驰着。
（七）
不知不觉间，千华音已经站在了媛子的寓所的门前。
雨声激烈地击打着简陋的屋顶。
在这个廉价的钢门的背后。
媛子就在那里。
与热得发烫的身体相比，此心的某处却冷彻到令人吃惊的程度。
虽然有像『刺』的地方，但这决不是『刺』。
不会逼问。也不来责备。
在那里，既没有『正义』也没有『正论』。
有的只是、几乎可怕的寂静。
仿佛没有生命存在的不毛之星———月球一样。
那个部分问道。
千华音打算做什么？
询问？
追根究底？
破坏？
斩断？
即便来到了这里，也还是看不到『目标』。
但是，有一样东西是不会变的。
不能原谅、此时此地这样的自己。
没有办法，绝对不能原谅。
这份感情无声无息，但是却激流汹涌。
千华音的手向着门把手伸去。
就在这时———。
感觉到身后的气息，千华音回过头来。
那里，在荧光灯的照耀下……。
站着日之宮媛子。
到『御灵镇』之日。
二人的十六岁的生日为止，还有34天。
（下回待续）
某忘：
六、七节的过渡比我记忆中还要短，而且没有实际的发展，很不幸地（？）停在了关键部分。 虽然说我过了一个多月才跟上植竹的进度，但是照上次更新无期的情况来看，这次可能还要再等上一个月才有下一节。
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Anime Expo to host Yui Horie (堀江 由衣）and Eri Kitamuta(喜多村 英梨)
To promote Toradora!.
Why not Rie Kugimiya also? Ok I know I shouldn't be THAT greedy. I wonder if Horie san is going to sing a song or two...
Now I have to go to AX this year for sure. To think Yui Horie is my only regret in the trip to Japan last year XDDD
Why not Rie Kugimiya also? Ok I know I shouldn't be THAT greedy. I wonder if Horie san is going to sing a song or two...
Now I have to go to AX this year for sure. To think Yui Horie is my only regret in the trip to Japan last year XDDD
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Summary of Himegami no Miko (1.6-1.8)
Again, I don't own Himegami no Miko and this summary is just to promote this ongoing story for more fan support.
Discussion and questions will be encouraging and greatly appreciated.
(1.6)
Chikane was escorting Himeko back to her 2-floor wooden apartment. Like her previous visits, Himeko said her room was too messy to be shown to Chikane. Only having minimal clothing and a curtain in her own apartment, Chikane felt mysterious about Himeko's excuse. They parted with a "good night" in front of the apartment, and Himeko expressed her gratitude of having yet another joyful day with Chikane.
On her way back towards her own apartment, Chikane was thinking about how she had come to like this noise, emission gas and neon light filled city- because there is Himeko's smile here. While walking through a dim alley under a cross of highway bridges, as a train was running across, Chikane was ambushed by some missile weapon from the back. Intuitively knocking them down with her flock of hair, Chikane found out those were very small, thin needles, demonstrating the skills of the user. Turning around, she saw a dark shadow in a Shinto priest gown, wearing a wooden snake mask. ”As expected from the Mikamiko from Kouzuki family, your skills match--no, even exceed those of Kutouda's." The man took off his mask. Chikane recognized his handsome face and unpleasant sharp eyes-- the Arbiter, Omitomeyaku, named Oumiwa Souma.
(1.7)
Souma questioned Chikane's decision of going out with Himeko, warning her that she was going in too deep in this game of playing house. Chikane defended by saying she had settled this fight with Himeko, and she chose so to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Insistence on both sides led to a staring contest, which Chikane won --Souma smiled, saying that he did not care who would win, as long as the ceremony goes as planned. If he was to wish one of them to win, it would be Chikane, for she seems to be able to give rise to better descendants for the island. As Chikane was reminded of the other mission of the winning Mikamiko--to marry Omitomeyaku and give birth to his child, she was disturbed and shaken for a moment. Taking that instant, Souma reached out quickly and groped her breast. Fury and shame overwhelmed Chikane, for it felt worse than a bite from a snake. As she was looking for a sword to cut that hand, even though with her own breast, Souma ended his puberty prank with a comment, "Now you look just like a woman." Souma then vanished, leaving Chikane in turmoil.
(1.8)
The next day, Chikane was wandering in the city. She tried to go to school, but ended up asking for a sick leave and left. Constantly thinking about Souma's words, her missions and Himeko, her heart longed for the other Mikamiko. They had set up to meet as usual, 6pm in the front of the station. While wondering how she can face Himeko in her current state, Chikane stopped by a window display of a white dress. Her thoughts strayed off to making Himeko try that dress on and what would she say in that situation. Suddenly realizing what she was doing, Chikane reflected on how much she had been thinking about Himeko lately-- in the bench at malls, ice-cream tasting, in front of karaoke places, or even when seeing a girl on a bus with the same hair color. Before she realized it, she ended up where they were supposed to meet--in front of a train station. It was then an idea came to Chikane: why not just leave here? This city is filled with time spent with Himeko. If she goes back to the island, looking at the sky, enjoying the breeze, and bathing in the sun, this feeling, or Himeko's face, would become an illusion of Tokyo. If so, she must be able to return to who she used to be. Before this determination would waver, Chikane decided to leave right then. Still, she couldn't help but glancing over where Himeko would wait for her usually, and to her surprise, a girl was standing there, none other than Himeko herself.
Himeko answered Chikane's question: why she had been waiting here more than 6 hours ahead of their scheduled meeting time. There was a test in the morning and therefore no school in the afternoon, and the planned part-time job had a last-minute cancellation. She had the free time and didn't want to disturb Chikane from her lessons, so she came to wait here. "Even if I can see you just a second earlier," Himeko span around happily. She was lucky to have believed in today's horoscope-- purple was her lucky color and she would have an unexpected encounter--said Himeko, showing her purple ribbon, keychain and much more. Chikane was moved by Himeko's strong wish of seeing her and had it on her expression. Taken as Chikane may have other plans, Himeko said, "Oh please finish your things first. Don't worry about me. Six hours is nothing. In case there is a change of plan, call my cell..." Chikane gently sealed Himeko's lips with her finger. "I have no other plan.""Really?" Himeko's smile blossomed.
Discussion and questions will be encouraging and greatly appreciated.
(1.6)
Chikane was escorting Himeko back to her 2-floor wooden apartment. Like her previous visits, Himeko said her room was too messy to be shown to Chikane. Only having minimal clothing and a curtain in her own apartment, Chikane felt mysterious about Himeko's excuse. They parted with a "good night" in front of the apartment, and Himeko expressed her gratitude of having yet another joyful day with Chikane.
On her way back towards her own apartment, Chikane was thinking about how she had come to like this noise, emission gas and neon light filled city- because there is Himeko's smile here. While walking through a dim alley under a cross of highway bridges, as a train was running across, Chikane was ambushed by some missile weapon from the back. Intuitively knocking them down with her flock of hair, Chikane found out those were very small, thin needles, demonstrating the skills of the user. Turning around, she saw a dark shadow in a Shinto priest gown, wearing a wooden snake mask. ”As expected from the Mikamiko from Kouzuki family, your skills match--no, even exceed those of Kutouda's." The man took off his mask. Chikane recognized his handsome face and unpleasant sharp eyes-- the Arbiter, Omitomeyaku, named Oumiwa Souma.
(1.7)
Souma questioned Chikane's decision of going out with Himeko, warning her that she was going in too deep in this game of playing house. Chikane defended by saying she had settled this fight with Himeko, and she chose so to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Insistence on both sides led to a staring contest, which Chikane won --Souma smiled, saying that he did not care who would win, as long as the ceremony goes as planned. If he was to wish one of them to win, it would be Chikane, for she seems to be able to give rise to better descendants for the island. As Chikane was reminded of the other mission of the winning Mikamiko--to marry Omitomeyaku and give birth to his child, she was disturbed and shaken for a moment. Taking that instant, Souma reached out quickly and groped her breast. Fury and shame overwhelmed Chikane, for it felt worse than a bite from a snake. As she was looking for a sword to cut that hand, even though with her own breast, Souma ended his puberty prank with a comment, "Now you look just like a woman." Souma then vanished, leaving Chikane in turmoil.
(1.8)
The next day, Chikane was wandering in the city. She tried to go to school, but ended up asking for a sick leave and left. Constantly thinking about Souma's words, her missions and Himeko, her heart longed for the other Mikamiko. They had set up to meet as usual, 6pm in the front of the station. While wondering how she can face Himeko in her current state, Chikane stopped by a window display of a white dress. Her thoughts strayed off to making Himeko try that dress on and what would she say in that situation. Suddenly realizing what she was doing, Chikane reflected on how much she had been thinking about Himeko lately-- in the bench at malls, ice-cream tasting, in front of karaoke places, or even when seeing a girl on a bus with the same hair color. Before she realized it, she ended up where they were supposed to meet--in front of a train station. It was then an idea came to Chikane: why not just leave here? This city is filled with time spent with Himeko. If she goes back to the island, looking at the sky, enjoying the breeze, and bathing in the sun, this feeling, or Himeko's face, would become an illusion of Tokyo. If so, she must be able to return to who she used to be. Before this determination would waver, Chikane decided to leave right then. Still, she couldn't help but glancing over where Himeko would wait for her usually, and to her surprise, a girl was standing there, none other than Himeko herself.
Himeko answered Chikane's question: why she had been waiting here more than 6 hours ahead of their scheduled meeting time. There was a test in the morning and therefore no school in the afternoon, and the planned part-time job had a last-minute cancellation. She had the free time and didn't want to disturb Chikane from her lessons, so she came to wait here. "Even if I can see you just a second earlier," Himeko span around happily. She was lucky to have believed in today's horoscope-- purple was her lucky color and she would have an unexpected encounter--said Himeko, showing her purple ribbon, keychain and much more. Chikane was moved by Himeko's strong wish of seeing her and had it on her expression. Taken as Chikane may have other plans, Himeko said, "Oh please finish your things first. Don't worry about me. Six hours is nothing. In case there is a change of plan, call my cell..." Chikane gently sealed Himeko's lips with her finger. "I have no other plan.""Really?" Himeko's smile blossomed.
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