Translation: Ishin-Digital
bokura nara daijoubu
Because we’re still doing okay,
mada tsuyoku nareru kara
we can become even stronger!
Futakoi
Twin Girls
takaihiroi sora megake
Aiming for the tall and wide sky,
kinou made no boku wo hanatsu
I let go of what I was up until yesterday.
miesuita uso mo, taikutsu na
Those lies that were easily seen through and my tedious day-by-day life;
hibi mo, zenbu hodoite
I left them both behind.
atarashii asa ni me wo hosome
I narrowed my eyes at the new morning
kyou mo bokutachi wa ikiteku
Today we shall also venture out to live our lives again.
sukoshi nami utsu sabishisadatte
Even the slight loneliness that sometimes comes about,
taisetsu ni omoeteru
I consider important.
itsuka kanjita shinjitsu mo
Even the truth I felt some day…
massugu koko kara asu ni mukatteru
…is urging us to go on into the future.
bokutachi ga mezashita sekai
The world that we had all aimed for…
donna kakomo kakaeta mama kitto tadoritsuku
We will arrive at it, no matter what our pasts are.
fumidashita kewashii michi mo
We continued forward, even if it is a steep path…
bokura nara daijoubu,
…because we’re still doing okay,
mada tsuyoku nareru kara
and we can become even stronger!
Futa
Koi
The White Sketchbook
The final summer vacation of middle school ended.
A new semester has begun.
We started using reference books during the vacation.
Everyone is more attentive during class.
Everyone is thinking about the entrance exam.
Hey, Nozomu-kun!
We made these.
We want you to wear them.
I will, thank you.
We’re so glad!
I’m happy, but is it okay?
Since that day,
Kira-chan and Yura-chan’s attitudes have changed.
30. Futami Nozomu
Incredible, Nozomu!
Er, yeah…
5. Ichijou Sumireko
4. Ichijou Kaoruko
3. Sakurazuki Yura
2. Sakurazuki Kira
You’re thinking about entering the same high school as the Sakurazuki sisters?
It’s not that!
It’s no lie!
But in reality…
The only school offering aeronautics…
I can’t lose to this guy!
Hey!
It’s raining…
Nozomu-kun!
So, you don’t have an umbrella?
No, I don’t.
Use this, then!
But…
We’re fine.
See you tomorrow, Nozomu-kun!
Nozomu-kun, I forgot my umbrella. May I share yours?
Keisuke!
Traitor.
There’s definitely something going on between you and the Sakurazuki sisters.
Are you sure?
Of course!
Maybe you’re going out with the Sakurazuki sisters?
Are you going out with them?
What!
No! There’s no way…
Just kidding! We just wanted to say that, for once.
See you later!
Ah, the Ichijou sisters are also so very cute!
If Nozomu has his sights set on the Sakurazuki sisters,
it’ll be okay if I go after the Ichijou sisters!
We’re okay.
Well, see you tomorrow, Nozomu-kun!
Maybe you’re going out with the Sakurazuki sisters?
Are you going out with them?
So, who should I…
Huh?
Who is that? It’s the first time I’ve seen her…
Eh?
I’m sorry.
Eh?
That drawing… It’s mine.
Ah… umm… here you go.
Thank you for picking them up for me.
It’s not a problem. They’re sketches of the Soujin Temple, right?
It’s a bit embarrassing. I don’t draw well.
That’s not true! You do draw very well. Honest!
Really?
Really. I was quite surprised.
Even though I don’t understand drawing very well,
in my opinion, your drawings were great.
They were really great!
Thank you. This is the first time someone has complimented me this way.
Therefore, I’m really happy.
Are you okay?
It turned cold suddenly.
Yeah.
I have to go home now.
Okay.
Goodbye.
Umm… is it okay to come again?
Of course.
Bye.
It’s already October…
So what are we gonna do, Nozomu?
Hey, Nozomu!
What?
Don’t give me a “What?”
I’m asking what we should do for the cultural festival.
Oh yeah.
I think that a “scary café” would be very interesting.
What do you think?
It’s a good idea.
This cultural festival is a good chance!
Lots of girls from the neighboring girls’ schools will be coming.
I’m all fired up!
Not again…
I always research my stuff thoroughly.
Even though I’m really thinking about the Sakurazuki sisters…
Ah, so you’re here!
Have you finished your meal?
We would like you to eat the dessert that we’ve brought.
Wow, apple pie!
Previously, it didn’t come out right, remember?
So we practiced many times.
We finally got it to turn out right… after 52 tries.
It was actually 53 times, Kira-chan.
Oh, is that so?
The taste is all right this time. We’ve tried it.
So please taste it, Nozomu-kun.
Ah, you’re welcome to try as well, Kosaka-kun.
Is that okay? You didn’t intend for you three to eat it?
No, it’s okay. We ate before we came here.
Right?
Please eat!
Okay, I’ll dig in!
It’s good!
We’re so happy!
You too, Nozomu-kun!
O-Okay…
Speaking of which,
what do you think the theme for our cultural festival booth should be?
It’s our first time,
so we don’t quite understand.
Ah, is that so?
But, it looks like it’s going to be really interesting!
We’re looking forward to it. Right, Kira-chan?
I see.
Okay, I’m even more fired up now!
We’ll go on ahead.
Um… wait.
Ah… thank you for the apple pie.
That’s okay.
You made the apple pie for me… and lent me your umbrella the other time…
Is that okay? At this rate…
It’s okay. Don’t worry.
It’s a pleasure. Right, Kira-chan?
Yeah. It’s a pleasure, Yura-chan.
So don’t worry about it.
See you later!
This is so good!
I think you’ve eaten too much.
Huh?
Am I good enough for them?
He had no idea what that was, so he accepted the task alone!
Hahaha!
He’s a really funny guy!
Yeah, yeah…
And then everyone was cracking up…
Hey, there!
Ah… when you came yesterday, I…
That’s all right. I was wondering whether you would come.
Really?
Yeah.
This one’s from some time ago, right?
Yeah.
I don’t draw very well.
No, no. You drew this really…
Umm… that’s…
Oh yeah… I know of a great place.
I’ll take you there.
Eh?
Are you doing okay? It’s just a little further.
Okay.
Come.
The same scenery becomes boring after a while.
This place is pretty good, right?
Yes. I never knew there was such a place.
If I had known sooner…
Eh?
It’s nothing.
“Soujyu”?
Yes. It’s the “soujyu” in “sarasoujyu”.
[Note: “Sarasoujyu” (沙羅双樹) is a sal tree (Shorea robusta)]
I’m Shirogane Soujyu.
I’m Futami Nozomu.
You’re in the Souai middle school, third year.
I can tell by your uniform and your badge.
I see.
Umm… may I call you “Soujyu-chan”?
Of course.
How about you, Soujyu-chan?
I’m in middle school, first year.
First year?
But I don’t go to school often.
I’ve never really been in good health since I was young.
I took a lot of days off.
Oh no… was it bad to drag you over here?
No, it isn’t.
I’m glad you brought me here. Really.
I’m really happy that I can come here.
Yeah.
I don’t have many friends, so I often draw alone and so on…
Is that so?
This was the first time.
Eh?
This was the first time that someone praised my drawing.
Hence, I’m really happy.
That was just an offhand remark, and yet it made her this happy.
It’s done!
It’s really good!
Thank you.
It’s Onii-chan!
It’s the drawing-oneechan!
Did you come here to draw again?
Let us see!
You two know her?
Yeah, we ran into her before!
She draws over there, and she draws very well!
Right?
About a week ago, I was around the grave of the twins.
Billy!
Billy is good friends with her!
That little rascal does that every time he sees a cute girl…
It’s incredible!
Really!
Hey Onee-chan, can you draw us?
Eh?
Draw us with Billy and Onii-chan!
Okay…
Don’t force her. She prefers landscape drawing.
I’ll try to draw it.
Eh?
Yippee! Please do so!
Is it okay?
Yes, I would like to leave behind memories…
Eh?
Final memories…
Well, how is this?
Draw us as pretty as possible!
Okay!
Onii-san, I’ll draw you separately.
Okay.
“Final memories…”
The theme for the cultural festival
will be a scary café!
So then, everyone decides by themselves what to dress as… is that fine?
Okay!
Then, shall we say… any sort of monster or ghost?
Anything we want? Sounds interesting!
WE AGREE!
Why do I have to go buy things?
What’s wrong with that? Just accompany me.
But today…
There they are!
Hey, have you decided on your booth’s theme for the cultural festival?
Ours is a “scary café” – it was my idea.
Eh?
How about your class?
Our class will do a “magic café”.
Magic? What’s that?
You’ll see at the cultural festival.
We’re going out to buy some stuff.
What a coincidence! We’re going too.
Really?
Let’s go, okay? Okay?
Okay!
So, what will you be dressing up as, Nozomu-chan?
I have no idea.
That’s a lot of differently colored paper.
Isn’t this one good?
This one is pretty!
How is this?
Why, you…
Onee-chan…
How is it?
I was almost certain… Nah, I’m paranoid.
Onii-chan!
You’re late!
Sorry for coming back late.
Welcome back.
Compared to yesterday, it’s mostly done.
Yes.
We want to see!
We want to see! We want to see!
No, you’ll have to wait till the drawing is done.
Stingy!
If you keep those strange expressions, I’ll draw you like that.
And that’s it for today.
Please, come with us!
We don’t understand…
where the store is, or what to buy.
All right, I’ll…
Thank you!
So, let’s hurry!
Let’s go!
Wow!
Amazing!
Eh, there are so many here…
Nozomu-kun, how is this?
It’s good?
As a matter of fact, this is Papa’s trial #99.
“Try to do a cosplay.”
Eh?
Oh, we’re just kidding.
Just kidding!
That’s really interesting.
Sure.
Hey, Nozomu-kun, please look!
So, what did you decide to get?
We’ll show you soon.
You’ll definitely be surprised!
Right?
Okay, we’re going.
See you later! Thanks for today.
See you tomorrow!
Okay.
Ui-san! Koi-san!
Okay, I’m done drawing!
Wow!
I worked on it a little last night.
It looks real!
Billy looks so cute!
I’m glad.
I wanted to show this to Nozomu-oniichan. He’s late.
You were going to draw him today…
Yeah, let me go look around.
We’re going to show this to Mom!
Okay.
Soujyu! Are you okay?
Sara-chan? Why are you here?
I thought I told you not to push yourself!
You’ve already caught a bit of a cold! Are you okay?
We need to hurry home. Can you stand?
Yes.
But, I still have to draw Onii-san…
Right now, getting home and resting is more important!
Onii-san is definitely very kind… just like I thought.
Yeah.
Really!
If only you met Onii-san, you would definitely…
Don’t say too much. Rest well.
Soujyu-chan didn’t come yesterday or the day before. I wonder why she stopped coming.
Hey!
Good morning. You seem peppy today.
I think Lady Luck finally remembered I was here.
Eh?
Yesterday, I met this really cute girl!
Huh?
Here, let me tell you all the details.
A first-year student from Hakuhyou Academy?
Yeah.
You can’t go wrong by looking at the uniform and the badge.
She was waiting at the school gate?
Yeah. She was waiting for me!
I think she really likes me!
But… she asked a lot of questions about you.
About me?
Like who are you going out with. She knows about the Ichijou sisters as well…
Then I think she was talking about the Chigusa sisters when she asked about
your relationship with the “veterinary clinic sisters”…
It felt awkward when she asked me these all of a sudden, but that’s so cute.
Although she seems a bit harsh, isn’t that even better?
Maybe it’s Soujyu-chan?
But she’s not harsh at all.
I really thought that was Soujyu-chan… maybe she has a twin?
But how could that be?
Hey, what are you smirking about?
Eh?
Soujyu-chan?
No? You’re…?
If you make Soujyu cry, I will never forgive you.
Break off all relations with the other girls, and go out with Soujyu!
Eh?
dokomademo tsuzuku sora
Oh, the sky that continues no matter where you go…
daisuki na kono machi de
In this town that I love…
takusan no omoide to, hora,
With all our memories, now look!
onaji dake hohoende
We are smiling the same way
itsudemo kimi no tonari ni iyoutoshiteru no wa
To always be trying to be besides you…
mukashi kara no kuse datte omotteru kedo
…is, I believe, a bad habit I’ve had for a long time
“mata ashita” tte te wo furu toki ni wa
When we wave our hands saying “see you tomorrow,”
sukoshi dake samishii kigasuru yo
I realize that I’m feeling a little lonely at that moment
tooku naru kimi no senaka mitsumete
Staring at your back that is getting further away,
nandaka, fushigi na kimochi
For some reason, a mysterious feeling…
kono mune ni hirogatte yuku
…is spreading through this heart of mine
This is Kira!
This is Yura!
It’s finally the cultural festival!
We’re cosplaying as mermaids!
Soujyu-chan and Sara-chan have also come!
We’re happy, but…
Pastel Sunset
Look forward to it!
Next time: Pastel Sunset