Don’t worry. We’ll be there on time.
It’s ok. We’ll leave early from this job if we have to.
Yeah. See you then.
Huh?
You idiot! How can I say something like that?
What if this line is wired?!
Anyway, we should keep things like that for when we’re alone together…
She hung up.
Damn… I wish she’d stop acting rash over this little things.
Ah, I forgot to ask her if it’s mixed bathing or not.
Oh well. I guess it’s time to pick up Yaegashi.
BLUE SEED 2
The 6 beautiful woman journey: Explosion of the secret springs.
This is the last open air bath for this trip.
The secret of all secrets.
And don’t be surprised, Kome’s grandfather made it himself.
Really? Wow!
This whole area was my childhood playground.
This hot spring is only on the local maps right?
Yeah, seems like it.
Doesn’t that mean this is just out in the country boonies?
It’s frustrating because I can’t deny that.
Hey look! Wow! There’re monkeys!
They just monkeys, Momiji.
Aren’t you getting a little bit too hyped up about that?
What? They monkeys! Aren’t they cute?
It can’t be helped. Monkeys are Momiji’s best friends.
Can you tell?
To tell you the truth, I can speak monkey-nese.
It’d better be true.
Hmm… then how do you say one?
How ‘bout this?
And this?
Valencia, put your clothes in here.
It’s strange to put them in such an unsecure place.
Seems like the old Japanese people weren’t too cautious.
Oh. It’s one of the 7 mysteries of Japan.
Like you know what those are?
So what are the other 6?
Momiji, stop fooling already and hurry up.
Hello.
Hi, pardon us.
Hey, isn’t it too hot?
Really? It’s not too hot right?
Yes, it’s just right for us.
Women become weaker if you’re not careful.
What? Sugi told me too, but have I changed that much?
You sure it’s not hot?
Not at all.
Miss Takeuchi! Your phone’s ringing!
You want me to get it?
No, that’s ok. I’ll get it. The water’s hot so don’t dive in.
What’s that, trying to be ironic?
How many times do I have to tell you?
Swimsuits isn’t right for the hot springs.
I guess you can call it the point where an American can’t give in.
What’s that supposed to mean?
Yes, hello?
Hello, this is Yaegashi. Are you having fun?
Of course.
Well? Do you think you’ll be finished with that job soon?
Yes, pretty good.
Looks like we’ll be able to meet up with you guys at 19:00 as planned.
If you line is busy for a long time I’m gonna blow you guys up right now…
The monkeys here seem to be used to humans aren’t they?
Nope.
It must be because the monkeys’ big friend is here…
they’re slacks, I mean relaxed.
Who are you talking about?
Trying to act innocent…
Oh, you’re working on a new material?
Yes. It’s perfect, so look forward to it for tonight’s entertainment!
Ok, I’ll be tentatively looking forward to it.
See ya.
Oh, hello?
Good thing you didn’t talk long on the phone.
Huh? Um, excuse me but who are you?
I’ve set up a bomb in the hot spring that you’re friends are in right now.
That’s a bad joke.
When the water levels goes to a certain level, it’ll trigger the bomb.
So if you can’t keep that water level then without hesitation… boom!
Do you think I’m gonna believe such a crazy story?
It’s up to you whether to believe it or not.
But just to warn you, the triggering device is be turned on when she goes in.
Valencia! Stop!
Everyone don’t move!
What’s wrong?
Someone dropped their contacts?
Okay, calm down and listen to me.
Don’t stand up no matter what.
I had a call saying that there’s a bomb in this hot spring.
Bomb?
In a place like this?
It seems that the triggering device is attached to the water level.
I don’t know if it’s true or not, but don’t leave until I confirm the item.
Um, us too?
Yes, I’m sorry but please cooperate.
That means.
What about Momiji’s friends?
K…Ko…ko…koko… Kome, catch them!
Since when did you become a chicken?
Momiji, help me!
Me?
Aren’t they you’re friends?
But…
Say hi to your friends.
Okay…
All right Momiji, grab their feet in the water so they don’t notice it.
It’s impossible to catch a wild monkey empty-handed.
Ready Momiji? Grab its leg when I count to three.
1…2…3!
Hey! Stay still! Don’t panic!
Are you ok Kome?
How come that monkey doesn’t panic?!
I don’t know. Friends… I guess?
They look like they’re playing but, is it going to be all right?
They’re actually trying their best so it should be ok.
Well? Did you find something that might be it?
Yeah, I found it.
A switch that uses a float, and a trigger and an explosive attached to it.
He must be quite confident about himself because he made it so easy to find.
Nevermind that. What are we gonna do now?
Well… for now–
What was that?!
He closed off the road!
Hello…
Now do you believe that the bomb is real?
What are your demands?
Oh, my demands huh?
Maybe something like 50 million?
My, our lives seem pretty invaluable.
Oh sorry sorry. US Dollars, not yen.
Dollars?!
Hey! Can you do the multiplications?!
That’s 5 billion yen! 5 billion yen!
5 billion yen!
About right for my worth.
r…really?
We’re an odd sum?
Kinda makes me irritated…
Get ready 50 million, all in 100 dollar bills, in 3 hours.
I’ll call again in 10 minutes.
Wait! Damn.
Hello, it’s Kunikida.
Oh, you guys havin’ fun?
B…bomb?!
Bomb?!
Explain.
I wonder what’s gonna happen now.
Things just happen. That’s life.
Mr. Kusanagi.
Sorry to make you wait, Momiji.
Where’d you fall from?
I heard everything. Don’t worry, Momiji.
Kusanagi, can you help?
Yeah. What should I do first?
I want you to get into the hot springs.
We’re going to disarm the bomb.
I need Kome more than you for that. Sorry.
I don’t mind switching but I don’t want to be seen.
Don’t be so nit-picky at a time like this.
I know, bring my underwear. I’ll wear it inside.
Oh. Ok.
Miss Takeuchi! Will you please bring mine too?
Why? You’re can’t go out yet, and anyway…
Ok. I’ll get it.
They’re not getting anywhere are they?
They’re gonna break up over time.
That’s none of your business!
Please don’t make rumors with that person right in front of you in the first place!
Kome, don’t make a mistake and slip and fall right back in ok?
Ok. Don’t fuss about it by my ear.
All right, I’m ready anytime.
All right, Kusanagi.
Valencia, watch the float and give directions to them.
Ok.
Calm down, I’m counting on you, Kome.
Of course! Are you ready or–?
Looks like you’re ready.
Of course.
Go in slowly. I’ll adjust the timing.
Ok.
It’s going down.
Go out more slowly.
It’s going down too much, Kome.
Hello?
Do you have the money ready?
We’re getting it ready right now.
We’ll do something about it until time is up.
How shall we give it to you?
What a model answer.
Place communications with the culprit above everything, but there’s no plan to pay at all.
That’s what your answer sounded like. I change my mind then.
Answer my quiz problem then.
Quiz? What about the demands?
A while ago in Ikebukuro station I saw something very interesting.
Well? Do you think you can get the data?
Please give me a little more.
There’s more data from England than I thought.
Check Italy after that.
Hello? This is Kunikida.
I’m sorry to call so suddenly, but please give me the data for the past 10 years’ bomb terrorists.
That’s… a riddle?
What the hell is he thinking?
We’ll leave the answer of that riddle to you guys.
Kome, we’re gonna concentrate on defusing the bomb.
Yeah.
Hey, what’s wrong?
Sis Matsu.
Looks like she’s dizzy.
Bring me a cold wet towel.
How is it Sis Matsu?
I can’t say that it’s too good.
I’d like to let her out of the hot water if I can.
Yeah…
What shall we do?
I’ll think about it. Give me a minute.
What if we just leave it for now and let fate handle it.
If we can’t do anything about this, then that’ll happen either way.
It’d be so much easier if this was a public bath ‘cause we can add water.
Add water?
Huh? Don’t you add water if it’s too hot?
You’re right! Why didn’t I realize that?
We’ll stop the hot water, and bring in cold spring water.
Don’t miss ok?
It should be ok.
Ready Kome?!
Hurry ok? This is scary!
Ready? Set…
Ok, let’s go near the water.
Yes.
Oh! A 30cm whale!
The reason?
I don’t know… just kinda thought so.
Stu~pid.
It won’t be the answer to a riddle if there’s no reason behind it.
If you didn’t have to have a reason it could be anything…
…like a ostrich sitting indian style or a camel doing a handstand.
You don’t have to say it that way!
What are those eyes?
Seems they’re challenging me.
Stop that Kusanagi, clovers squirreling at a time like this.
That’s “lover’s quarreling.”
You’re Japanese, why don’t you study Japanese more?
Your Japanese never gets any better.
You’re the strange one!
You’re American, but your Japanese is too entranced!
You mean, “advanced.”
Excuse me?
Just talking to myself.
That’s all I can tell by looking.
I’ll switch with Kome right now.
Kome! Kome, what are you doing!
I’ll call you right back.
Kome! Why are you taking your time changing?
There’s something I want to confirm.
The randomly moving counter… that’s a timer.
I think it’s turned on via remote control.
We’re in the mountains…
Don’t tell me that you think that the culprit is in these moutains?
There’s a small shed about 10 minutes up here that hasn’t been used for about a half a year.
I’m gonna go clean it up.
A little gun like that won’t even scare a kid.
I can’t understand why you’d want to carry around a big gun like this when you’re off duty.
See ya.
Don’t trip!
Hello?
Aren’t you breaking a little too many rules?
What do you mean?
I’m gonna have to respond to your actions a little bit.
w…wait! wait!
U…um, I…I got the answer to your quiz!
Momiji! The answer!
Huh? Um, a 30 cm whale!
…a 30 cm whale!
Wrong.
A sound barrier breaking seagull.
A sound barrier breaking seagull!
I wish you’d answer a little more seriously.
What did you do?
I just made a hole.
Kusanagi, close the hole!
Hole?
He opened a hole! Hurry up and close it!
Shit.
Looks like I made it on time.
I think heart is gonna blow up first.
This is kinda tough.
I think my legs are gonna be sore tomorrow.
Did you find something?
I’m sorry, I’m still searching.
I don’t care how trivial it is.
Call me when you find something out… the situation’s not too good.
Yes, I’ll call again.
Are we gonna die like this?
Do you know the answer to the riddle?
Nope.
I’m impressed by my own instinctions.
Hello?
My premonitions were right on target.
I’m going in from now.
Be careful. No matter what you do, don’t kill him.
Roger.
That sounded–
like a gun!
Kome!
Did he run?
Oh shit! Aw, you have to be able to dodge that!!!
That’s why I hate 10mms…
Hello?
Sorry… I… sorta did it…
He died?
Looks like he’s got a little bit of breath in him, but I don’t think he’ll make it.
Oh boy… I guess it’s better since the timer didn’t go on.
Yeah. I’ll check out the shed.
There’s might be some kind of clue–!!
What did you do Kome?!
The timer started the countdown!!!
It’s not me! I didn’t do anything! Seriously…
It won’t connect yet?!
Yes, the line is busy the whole time!
What is she talking so long for?!
We finally found the disarming procedures!
Can’t you do anything about it from there Kome?! Do something!
I’m looking around right now! I have no idea though!!!
What are you looking for?
Yeah, that’s why I’m telling you I don’t know!
Hello? Kome?!
What’s wrong?! Kome! Hello! Kome! Hello!
Augh, why does my batteries have to go out at a time like this?!
AUGH! I’m getting irritated! Something… anything… come out!
I wonder if they found something out.
It’s seems like we’re like, totally in trouble.
Did you always talk like that Mr. Kusanagi?
Oh. I learned it from someone I met a little while ago, a young girl—…g…guy named gir…Girlo…
Stupid…
Hello?
I finally got through. Who were you talking so long with?
Who cares about that now.
The timer has started already!
There’s no time!
It’s ok. Please calm down.
All we need is 3 minutes.
2 minutes 30 seconds left.
L…let’s rush a little shall we?
Hurry up Kome! Hang in there Kome!
Next, please cut the blue and white striped wire.
Then we should be able to bypass the extra battery.
w…what do you mean bypass?!
We can’t do that, we don’t have the supplies!
Oh… sorry! The 2nd one… cut the yellow one in the 2nd panel!
Isn’t Ryoko seriously panicking?
Looks like we’d better prepare ourselves.
M…monkeys?!
They look like they’re planning to come in!
What should we do?!
Obviously we just have to get out the same amount of volume they’re gonna be coming in.
Mr. Kusanagi!
I can’t do anything about it. I’ll leave it up to you two.
I cut it. What’s next?
There should be a green one left. If you cut that…
Green? There’s no more of that color!
There has to be! Please find it!
You don’t have to yell at me! I’m looking for it!
It’s not here…it’s not here! There’s no green!
Please calm down…it IS there!
Here they come!
Is this it?! Are you sure this is it?
I found it!
We’re saved.
Hey, Momiji…
No… just a little longer…
Whew… my shoulders are stiff.
You… disabled it?
Of course!
Damn…
Hey! Don’t die! I want to ask you something!…
Tell me… What’s the answer to the riddle?!
M…Mask…
What’s after that?! Hey! Hey!
[Government management party]
Yes I know… it’s time for me to you.
Even if I love you… even if I love you…
it’s only until morning…
Without saying anything… and bluffing…
Are you crying all by yourself?
I’ll be lying if I say I’m not sad.
I can’t tell you to be more honest but…
At least be cold…
At least be gentle…
Adults don’t show what they’re feeling inside.
At least be vigorous…
At least be trying…
Dawn, for the two who can’t love each other…
© Aya Honyaku Japan Translation, 2000