Disclaimer
I don't have a lot of time for translation work although I like to do it because it's good practice. I'd love to translate all of the Sotsugyou manga, but I doubt I'll find time to sit down and go through all nine volumes. So instead I'm focusing in on odd segments here and there.

I chose this as the first chapter I translated because it's referenced in the E.M.U concert's live drama segment (when Sakaguchi-san refers to Arai and Mikimaro's 'secret').

I've also chosen it because I am certain there are a lot of fangirlish shounen-ai fans who'd like to read it *lol*. I don't necessarily include myself as a shounen-ai fangirl (I don't mind it, but I don't look for it)...but since it's here...

This was the first Sotsugyou M chapter I translated and I haven't had time to go back over it for errors so it may be more jerky and inaccurate than any later translations. My main disclaimer here is that I am only studying Japanese. I will not pretend to be a fluent speaker. There are some sections which I have had to translate only roughly as opposed to directly, though for the most part it is a direct translation. There are also some bits written by hand and in scrawly, difficult to read text. I have included them when I'm able to read what they've said, but I haven't been able to make out the kanji/kana in all of them.

But considering there isn't another translation I'm aware of online for anything beyond volume 1 - and all the volume 1 scanlation links I've seen have been dead - I think it's better than nothing. :) (And if anyone has the manga and wants to correct my Japanese, please feel free to email me because I'd like to learn from my mistakes!)

All characters are referred to in the manga order of surname first. I've also left in the honorifics because translations of these annoy me. Please also be aware that I have certain ways of referring to the characters - so they are typed in the script below as follows:

Arai Tougo - Arai
Shimura Mikimaro - Mikimaro
Katou Yuusuke - Yuusuke
Nakamoto Shou - Nakamoto
Takagi Shimon - Takagi


Text in italics is narration/thought text. Text not in italics is speech. Mikimaro does a lot of inner thinking in this chapter, since it's mostly from his perspective - so he has a lot of italic sections.

I cannot scan my manga properly without damaging the spine of the book, so a text type-up is as good as I can do :) I have done occasional scanlations for key scenes but for the most part I'm not willing to wreck these books since they were troublesome enough to come by in the first place (and in any case, my scanner is not very good quality at the best of times). Any scenes that are scanlated are linked from the translated text.

So for that fact, I'll say in advance, "Gomen nasai". It's also sometimes difficult to tell who's speaking - usually Nakamoto is easy to identify from his polite speech, but sometimes off-scene characters are difficult to identify (these are marked with a ?).

This story is copyrighted to Arisugawa Kei and the Sotsugyou M team. I have translated it for fan reasons and it is not for profit or redistribution. If ever this series becomes licensed and translated into English, this translation will immediately be removed from this website and deleted. I do not own any part of Sotsugyou M. Or, sadly, E.M.U.

[Page 7]

Scene: Seiryuu Academy.
  Narration - Mikimaro
This place is somewhat unique within Japan. An exclusive all-boys boarding high school called Seiryuu Academy (Seiryuu-Koukou).

Scene: School Dorm (Hakuhou-Ryou)
I'm Shimura Mikimaro, one of the Academy's students. Ever since I was in the first year, there's always been a person who meant a lot to me.
The teachers and everyone think he's bad but in any case I think he's cool.
That person is Arai Tougo-kun.

[Page 8]

Scene: Outside the room Mikimaro and Yuusuke share.
This spring, my wish to be in the same class as him came true. Both within school and in the dorm, I meet him every day! That makes me really happy...but...

Yuusuke: Oi, Mikimaro! Where are you going!?
Mikimaro: After Arai-kun!
(He pushes open the door, hurrying down the corridor)

Yuusuke: (following him) What's the hurry?
Mikimaro: But...today's Sunday!

Narration: Mikimaro
Yes! Sunday! Arai-kun will quickly head out and I'll miss him!

Yuusuke: But why?!

Narration: Mikimaro
Catching up to him is so much trouble...

(He arrives at the room Nakamoto and Arai share. The door is ajar and Arai is on the phone.)

Arai: Ah...I got it. Okay. The usual place.
Mikimaro: Yay! He's still in his room!

[Page 9]

Arai: The time? As long as it takes me to get from here. Later! (he hangs up the phone)

Mikimaro: Arai-ku-u-un...where are you going?
Arai: Shimura...? Ah, nowhere important.

Mikimaro: I want to go with you!
Arai: Idiot. What are you talking about?! (he ruffles Mikimaro's hair condescendingly)
I'm going to a place where kids aren't allowed to go!

[Page 10]


Narration: Mikimaro
It's always the same situation. Why does it always end like this?

[Page 11]

I gave up too easily.

Scene: Somewhere outside the dorms, probably in the school grounds. Yuusuke is posing while Mikimaro is taking photos. Takagi and Nakamoto are also there.

Yuusuke: Ok! Cheeeese!

Mikimaro: I've taken it, Katou-kun!
Yuusuke: Did you capture my chivalrous male spirit?
Mikimaro: Geez...for sure!
Yuusuke: For real?
Mikimaro: Yes! And I still have film, Katou-kun!
Yuusuke: All right!

Narration: Mikimaro
Recently my friends and I have been through good and bad times together.

Takagi: Next time the pose will be 'honesty'. 'Honesty'.
Mikimaro: Nakamoto-kun, do you want to be in the shot?
Nakamoto: No...I'm...
Katou: In that case, my next pose will be...

[Page 12]

Narration: Mikimaro
As a group of five, we're often together.

(Enter Arai)

Arai: (To Yuusuke): What kind of feeling's in that pose? What the hell are you doing?
Mikimaro: Arai-kun!

----
Scene: Steps of the Hakuhou-Ryou Dorm)

Arai: A pen pal?!
(editor's note: the term actually used is "correspondance" but somehow this seems to make better sense in the context.)
Isn't that kind of old-fashioned?

Yuusuke: It's okay though, right...these days, to write a letter...it comes from the heart then, surely?

Arai: What about Shimizu-sensei?
(editor's note: He actually calls her Sa-chan, but the kanji is for the teacher's name. She's the boys' teacher and Yuusuke has a crush on her.)

Yuusuke: Shimizu-sensei?

[Page 13]

Yuusuke (looking embarrassed): I don't want to hear about that subject please...
Arai: You struck out, huh?

Yuusuke: (Brandishes a photo): Hey, Tougo, look at the picture I received from this girl.
Arai: Huh?
Yuusuke: She sent it to me yesterday. Isn't she cute?
Arai: Hrm..is this one really your type?

Yuusuke: (emphatically): She is! She is! That's why I want to send her my photo! If it's successful then next month I'll really be a hit...
Arai: Although you'd do better to drop it now, you know...

[Page 14]

Yuusuke: (This line is not a line at all but a mass of jumbled Japanese characters - however the gist is "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!")

Arai: Okay, okay, I get it. I won't say another word.

Mikimaro: Now I think of it, Arai-kun, weren't you a member of the Photo Club when we were first years?
Arai: (Surprised): Yes..so what?
Mikimaro: In that case, it would be better if you took Katou-kun's photograph.

Yuusuke (pleased, grabs Arai's hands, much to Arai's dismay): Yes! After all, we're best friends, right?

Arai (pulling his hands away and sending Yuusuke flying): Wait there.

(Exit Arai).

Mikimaro: (To Yuusuke) Hey...geez...that was pretty stupid...
Nakamoto: (Looking distinctly wary): Why did I come here anyway...?

[Page 15]

Mikimaro: When Arai-kun was in the Photo Club, he took part in contests.
Yuusuke: Huh? Really? I never knew that! That guy - he's never said a word about it.
Mikimaro: When I found out about it I thought about entering the Photo Club too.

Yuusuke: (Ruffles Mikimaro's hair). Ok. Then let's do this.
Nakamoto: Shimura-kun, you're in love with Arai-kun, aren't you?
(Editor's note: Yes, he does say love, not like - 'aishite'ru')

Mikimaro: Well...I...I do admire Arai-kun. But...maybe it is a crush...

[Page 16]

Yuusuke: (Hugs Mikimaro and ruffles his hair again) You're real cute, Mikimaro-kun.
Mikimaro: What are you doing...ow!
Takagi: I used to have an interest in photography too. I just realised it. If taking the one side is no good, there's always the other side...
Yuusuke: What are you talking about?

Mikimaro: It's not just Arai-kun but Takagi-kun as well, huh? If you only talked to one another more you'd find you were on the same wavelength, you know.

Takagi (angry): Why would I want to spend time with Arai?!

[Page 17]

Nakamoto (Calmly): Because then you'd both realise it in each other. It's because you never talk to one another rationally...

(Enter Arai)

Arai: Sorry to keep you waiting! I found my camera! It's a long time since I took any photos with it, but I think it's okay.

(A pause)

Arai: Huh? What's up?

Mikimaro: Nakamoto-kun thinks you and Takagi-kun need to realise how similar you both are.

Arai: (Angry): What?!

[Page 18]

 Arai: NA-KA-MO-TO!
I have nothing at all in common with Takagi! You need to study harder if you're going to come to such stupid conclusions!

Takagi: I feel the same way about that jerk!

Arai: The main point is that this so-called barely decent face is something I could do without seeing!

Takagi: What are you trying to say about my face?!

Mikimaro: Hey! Calm down!

Scene: Outside the school, the echo of voices can be heard...

Yuusuke: That's enough! Take my photo, please!
Mikimaro: Me too! Me too!
Arai: If you want your photo taken, get in line!
Takagi: You sure are a clumsy kind of camera-man, you know!
Arai: TAKAGI!
Yuusuke: Are you gonna take it?
Mikimaro/Nakamoto: Calm down!

::The Next Day::

[Page 19]

Scene: Mikimaro is running through the halls to the classroom, clutching an envelope in his hand. The others are all in the classroom when he enters.

Mikimaro: Everyone! I've got yesterday's pictures!

(They all crowd around to see)

Nakamoto: Hey, Katou-kun's pictures came out well, didn't they?
Yuusuke: Yeah! That's because the original is good, too! The original!
? Who's that behind Takagi?
Yuusuke: Ah...that's me..
?: Because your obstinacy sticks out...
Yuusuke :Shut up!
(editor's note: I had trouble reading the  handwritten script for some of these lines so they may be a tad off...gomen)

Yuusuke: (Scooping up a picture): Huh? There's a different one got put in here too. Ahh...it's an old picture from before.

[Page 20]

Mikimaro: Ah! This picture! It's Arai-kun when he was in the first year! (Wow, I want itttt..!)

Nakamoto: There's really not much of a comparison with him now, is there?
Takagi: He has the sense of a naughty young boy about him.
Arai: Hey!

Mikimaro: (Finding another picture) Ah...this one...it's Kawazoe-san!

(A strange expression crosses Arai's face)

Yuusuke: Kawazoe-san?
Mikimaro: Don't you know who he is? He was a "senpai" from two years above us. He was a very cool guy. At that time he was captain of the Photo Club and Vice Captain of the School Council (?).
Nakamoto: I know him. He had a superior school record and he was also known locally for looking like one of the Girl's High School students.

Yuusuke: Just like Takagi is now, huh?
Mikimaro: Yes! Yes! Surely Kawazoe-senpai was also mixed race!
Nakamoto: You're right...now you mention it...you do resemble him, Takagi-kun.
Takagi (looking nonplussed): Me?

Mikimaro (To Arai): Now I think of it, Arai-kun - weren't you and Kawazoe-senpai friends?
(pause. Arai is lost in his own thoughts.)
Arai-kun?

[Page 21]
Arai: Huh? Oh. Yes. We were in the same club...(he smiles)

Mikimaro: Why did you leave the Photo Club, Arai-kun?

Arai: I felt like it, that's all. Just felt like it. There's no real reason why. Hey, I'll take the picture, okay? Ahh, I have to do everything!

Yuusuke: Do...?

Narration: Mikimaro
In that moment...Arai-kun's expression changed...when we were talking about Kawazoe-senpai.

[Page 22]
Or maybe I misunderstood...?

Scene: Across campus, Arai is in Shimizu-sensei's office. Or to be more accurate, he's just leaving it...early.

Shimizu-sensei: Arai-kun! This student-teacher talk isn't done yet! Where are you going!?

Arai: That sounds like a sister-in-law thing to say...and I'm already running late. You'll have to find someone else to hang out with.

Shimizu-sensei: Arai-kun!!!

(Arai runs from the building and collides with someone coming in the other direction)

Arai: Ow!

[Page 23]

You bastard, what are you....?

(He falters as he sees who it is)

Kawazoe: It's been a long time, Tougo.

Arai: (Shocked): Kawazoe-san!

[Page 24]

Arai: Kawazoe-san...how...I thought you went to New York!

Kawazoe: My work brought me back here.

Arai: But what are you doing at my school?

Kawazoe: What am I doing? Isn't that obvious? I came to meet with you.

Arai: I...heard you had plans to become an artist. It seems like that's going well, huh?

Kawazoe: It looks like by next year I'll be earning enough from it to support myself.

Arai: That's...congratulations.

[Page 25]

Kawazoe: It's been 2 years...

Arai: Yeah.

Kawazoe: You've changed a bit, huh?

Arai: Thankyou for noticing.

(Meanwhile, Mikimaro is anxiously hunting for his friend across the campus grounds)

Mikimaro: Arai-ku-u-un!

[Page 26]

Oh, where's he gone! Arai-kun!

Narration: Mikimaro
At a time when I need to tell him Kawazoe-san's in town and I can't find him!

(He reaches the clearing near where Arai and Kawazoe are talking beneath a tree)

Huh? That's Arai-kun's voice...what? He's with Kawazoe-san...?

[Page 27]

Kawazoe: A lot's happened since then for both of us...but...are you still cross with me, now?

Arai: Not really. It was a long time ago.

Kawazoe: You've lost the childishness but you still have a good appearance, you know.

Arai: And you've not changed at all, Kawazoe-san. You're still very cool.

Narration:Mikimaro
Arai-kun...

Kawazoe: Tougo...are you afraid of me?

Arai: Yeah. Very. (He smiles). What could happen to me in a place like this?

Kawazoe: Something like what happened before, maybe?

(He kisses Arai, taking him off guard. Mikimaro is completely devastated)

Mikimaro: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Arai: (Pushing Kawazoe back): I've grown up a bit since then, Kawazoe-san.

Kawazoe: That's a pity.

Arai: You'll have to think of some other way to snare me. I'm always in demand these days.

[Page 29]

Kawazoe: (Amused): A declaration of war, huh?

Arai: Well, you can't pull me in so easily...but I'm not planning to try to run away from you, either.

Kawazoe: (Pulls a map from his pocket and holds it out) This is where I'm currently staying.
Arai: Come to think of it, are you stopping permanently in Japan now?

Kawazoe: (Smiles): If you want me to, maybe I'll always stay in Japan, huh? (He has his arm slung around Arai's shoulders and Arai grins)

Arai: Stop joking with me.

Kawazoe: (Slips the map into Arai's shirt pocket) It'd be nice if you came over tomorrow. If your courage isn't equal to a conversation, however...

[Page 30]

(He trails off. Exit Kawazoe,  leaving Arai alone. Arai's expression is unreadable.)

Narration: Mikimaro
......
I've seen something I maybe shouldn't have seen....

[Page 31]

Scene: That night. In Mikimaro and Yuusuke's dorm room. Yuusuke is fast asleep and snoring. Mikimaro is huddled up in a corner unable to sleep as he goes over what he saw for the zillionth time

Narration: Mikimaro
Arai-kun had to let go of his close friend Kawazoe-san. After that, all of a sudden he quit the Photo Club. The reason behind it was always that guy...that's clear now.

[Page 32]
As I thought, those two had some past connection. Arai-kun is...NO!

I absolutely can't accept this!

If things are that way, it would've been better if I'd never known at all!

[Page 33]

Scene: Next morning. In the boys classroom. Mikimaro is slumped over his desk in a daze. The others are also around.

Yuusuke: Hey, Mikimaro, are you okay? What's up with you?

Mikimaro: Huh...nothing much...

Nakamoto: Katou-kun, it looks like Kawazoe-san came back here yesterday, didn't he?
Yuusuke: Yes, that's right! Mikimaro saw him...he looks a lot like Takagi!
Takagi: You know, he doesn't resemble me that much...
Yuusuke: He definitely does! Seeing the guy was a surprise, huh, Mikimaro?

[Page 34]

Mikimaro: Well...I wonder about that...

Arai: Are you really all right, Mikimaro?

Yuusuke: Come to think of it, Tougo, did you get to see the senpai, after all?
Arai: Nope. I didn't see him at all.

(Mikimaro's head shoots up)
Mikimaro: Huh?

Yuusuke: Mikimaro was supposed to let you know. He went off looking for you.
Mikimaro (Agitated): I didn't...because...I...I couldn't find him!
I didn't see anything!
I don't know anything!

(Arai shoots Mikimaro a startled, concerned look)

Yuusuke: What's gotten into you?
Nakamoto: There are a lot of people acting odd around the start of spring, aren't there...?
Mikimaro: (Still anxious): I have to get to English class!

(Mikimaro beats a hasty exit, much to the confusion of his friends)

Yuusuke: He's finally lost his mind.
Takagi: Yep, this time...next time it'll be you, Katou.

Yuusuke: Now you've said that, you're going to take off  and leave me too, huh, Shi-mon-chan!?
Takagi: Is that wrong?

[Page 36]

Scene: Mikimaro has reached his classroom. He's early and expects to be alone. However Arai is already there...

Mikimaro: Excuse my interruption!

Arai: Shimuraaa...

Mikimaro: ?!
A-A-A-Arai-kun!?

Arai: You know...
Mikimaro: W...wh...what...?

Arai: You...saw something, didn't you?

[Page 37]

Scene - outside the school building, a voice echoes out...

Mikimaro: I'M SORRY!

Scene: Outside the school building. They're cutting class, apparently...

Arai: You saw all of it?
Mikimaro: I...Um...Probably.
It's not that I meant any harm but...I couldn't leave until one of you did.

Arai: (Sitting back against the wall - he seems remarkably relaxed all of a sudden) Hrm. Well. You saw something...I guess that can't be helped. I bet it was a surprise, huh?

Mikimaro: It...it was a shock! I felt completely disheartened!

[Page 38]

Arai: And that's why you've been down all day today?

Mikimaro: ...Yes

Arai: You....do you like me, then?
(editor's note: This time Arai says 'suki' - like or love, as opposed to aishite)

Mikimaro:...Yes.

Arai: So...you want me to kiss you?

[Page 39]

(Mikimaro is stunned at this)

Mikimaro: Huh....YES!

Arai: (Flicking Mikimaro's nose) You're such an idiot.
Mikimaro: Hey! That hurts! What...you were joking with me?
Arai: Of course I was.

Mikimaro: (With a look of sudden inspiration) But...if that's how it is...I'll make a deal with you! A deal!
Arai: A deal?

[Page 40]

Mikimaro: If you kiss me, I won't tell anyone about Kawazoe-san. How's that?
Arai: You brat...

Mikimaro: Huh?
Arai: (Grins) You'd regret it.

(Mikimaro goes to kiss him but Arai tweaks his nose)

Mikimaro: Owww! What was that for? Arai-kun, you jerk!
Arai: (Laughing) That was too cool.
 Because you say things like that, you're still a kid. I'm not making any kind of deal like that, you know.
Mikimaro: ...Why?

Arai: Because you won't tell anyone anything anyway. I've known that from the start.

(Mikimaro looks startled.)

Narration: Mikimaro
From the start...?

Mikimaro: Arai-kun?

[Page 42]

Arai: What?

Narration: Mikimaro
Arai-kun, are you going to his house today?

Mikimaro: Nothing.

Narration: Arai (I *think* it's from his perspective)
Where Kawazoe-san is concerned - I know what it is you want to say.

[Page 43]
Scene: Somewhere within the school. The next day.

Yuusuke: Yay! My pen-pal's sent me a letter asking me to meet her!

(Yuusuke goes rushing out of the room like a mad thing)

Takagi: Why's he so happy about that, the idiot?
Nakamoto: It seems he's going to meet with her at the usual place...but...

Scene: Outside the school. A stranger is waiting to greet them.

Honda Mao: Ah, you must be Katou Yuusuke! Pleased to meet you. I'm (Boku wa) Honda Mao.
(Editor's note - Mao introduces himself with a form of "I" - "Boku" that generally only men/boys use.)

Yuusuke: Boku...? BOKU?!

[Page 44]

Yuusuke: Mao-san...you...aren't a girl?

Mao: It's easy to make that mistake, huh?  (laughs sheepishly) But I never said in my letter that I was a girl.

Arai: (In Yuusuke's ear): So, why are you holding back from telling him how his photo captured your heart...?

Takagi (amused): What a pitiful guy, huh...he goes to an all boy's school, yet he manages to particularly select a male contact...

Yuusuke: (attempting to gather his wits). Well...since...we've long been awaiting this meeting...let's...go find something to eat, huh?
Mao: Oh yes! That's a good idea.

Narration: Mikimaro
Arai-kun is still always the same old Arai-kun. Even after having seen Kawazoe-san.

Yuusuke: I'll get you later, you bastard! (To Arai as he's dragged away)

Narration: Mikimaro
I'm always a bother to him but...
It's a secret only Arai-kun and I share.


[Page 45]

Arai: What are you daydreaming about, Mi-Ki-Ma-Ro?

Narration: Mikimaro
Now, the thing I'm holding onto is...having that secret with him...

Mikimaro: Arai-kun! Wait up!

Narration: Mikimaro
...Makes me very happy!

Owari: The End :)

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