Disclaimer (skip)
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 don't have the time to properly focus on it, sadly. So this is my compromise.
Since I translated the other Arai/Kawazoe segment, I thought it fair to do this one and let people decide which rendition they prefer. I like this one, personally - but it's each to their own...

I also think this one is a better translation than the other, because my Japanese has improved somewhat since I did the last one, but anyway;)

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.

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).

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 115]
(Scene: Inside Arai's dream)

Kawazoe: I really like you, Tougo...
Arai: Hehe...yeah, I like you too, Kawazoe-san
Kawazoe: But that's not what I mean...
Arai: Huh?

[Page 116]

Kawazoe: Where you're concerned, I...
Arai: (reaching out his hand) Kawazoe-san!
Kawazoe: I...

(Arai wakes to find Nakamoto bending over him)
Nakamoto: Arai-kun? Are you all right?
Arai: ...Yeah...

[Page 117]

Arai: Why...that dream...

(flashback scene: Arai and Kawazoe)
Arai: I've heard...is it true that you're going to Africa? Why all of a sudden?!
Kawazoe: Because right now there are things that I can only do over there. For that reason, I'm going. Even if that means I have to leave you behind.
Arai: N..no way...

[Page 118]
(Back to the present. Arai is in the bathroom)

Arai: It's been a year and a half since that...At that time there were so many things I wanted to say - so many feelings I wanted to express. But I couldn't say anything. What on earth was I wanting to say, anyway?

Scene:The classroom.
Yuusuke: The weather's good and I'm feeling good, too!
Takagi: Katou, I know I'm repeating the same thing but...do you have to be so louuud?
Yuusuke: Don't say such harsh things, Takagi!

[Page 119]
Nakamoto: Katou-kun's really wound up this morning, isn't he?
Mikimaro: That's because yesterday he had a date with Mayumi-san.
Takagi: DATE?!
Nakamoto: Mayumi-san...ah, that was the girl that Katou-kun saved from drowning when we were away on the school trip, wasn't she?
Yuusuke: That's right! That was the trigger that led us into going out with one another! You want to hear the story, right, Nakamoto?
Nakamoto: Er...not really...
Yuusuke: There's no need to be tactful! Ah, there's no help for it. I guess this isn't the kind of story you go in for, is it...
Nakamoto: Erm...
Takagi: You know, we've got better things to do up to lunchtime than just listen to you babble on...
Mikimaro: Agreed!

[Page 120]

Mikimaro: I have to share a room with him too, remember? I've had this same story all night long - I haven't had any sleep since yesterday!

(Arai enters)

Mikimaro (suddenly full of energy). It's Arai-kun! Good morning! You;re early this morning, aren't you? Is something up?
Arai: Not really.
Mikimaro: But it's not like you not to turn up late for class.
Arai: You know, Mikimaro, even I, sometimes...

(Yuusuke grabs Arai's shoulder)

[Page 121]

Arai: Hey, Yuusuke...?
Yuusuke: (laughing)
Arai: (pulling back): You're giving me a bad feeling...
Mikimaro: He's been like this since last night...
Arai: What happened?
Yuusuke (attacking Mikimaro): Well, that's...you know...Tougo! Will you double-date with me? Listen, your girlfriend's called Yuria-san, right?
Arai: I...guess...
Yuusuke: In that case, next time let's the both of us get together and do a double-date!

[Page 122]
Mikimaro: (throwing Katou off him in his anger): You mean, Arai-kun is seeing someone? (to Arai) Didn't you tell me that you weren't seeing anyone at the moment?
Arai: Mm...So...?
Mikimaro: You lied to me?
Arai: Huh?
Mikimaro: Wah! You've been secretly fooling around with someone behind my back!
Arai: Don't say such crazy things!
Mikimaro: But my Arai-kun is seeing some woman...!
Arai: Ah, shut up, will you? It's nothing to do with you!
Nakamoto: (Laughing to self)
Takagi: Hrm?

[Page 123]
Takagi: What's so funny?
Nakamoto: Nothing...just...Takagi-kun, usually you'd cut into the conversation and say something sarcastic to Arai-kun.Your blood pressure must be especially low this morning if you can't...
Takagi: ...Nakamoto.....
Yuusuke: Getting back on topic, Tougo, about this double date...
Arai: Why do you want to double-date? Isn't it better to just go out with it being the two of you?
Yuusuke: (embarrassed) Well...yeah...it is...but...I'd still like you to come along...erm...
Arai: I see...well, it'll cost you.

[Page 124]
Yuusuke: (clapping his hands together as if to plead): Somehow, I'll manage it..
Arai: Guess it can't be helped then.
Yuusuke: Yes! I did it!
Mikimaro: Hey, can I come too?
Yuusuke: Obviously there's no need for you to come.
Mikimaro: Sure there is!
Yuusuke: Nope.

(Class starts at this point, with the teacher yelling at them to be quiet. Arai's sitting at his desk, looking troubled).

[Page 125]

Scene: Narita Airport. Kawazoe has just landed back in Japan.

Kawazoe: Tougo. I've arrived back home...to take a new step forward. However, before I can do that, I need to ask you one thing...and when I hear your answer...

[Page 126]

Kawazoe: Tougo...I might not get a second chance to meet with you again.

Scene: Classroom
Arai: What? The Photography Club is being closed down?
Mikimaro: Mm. The teacher who acts as advisor for the Cultural Clubs said so. It's activity has slowed right down - there's not even been a single new member sign up for it this year.
Arai: No way...
Nakamoto: Come to think of it, Arai-kun, you were in the Photography Club in the first year, weren't you?
Arai...Yeah
Mikimaro: But it was a different thing then. Kawazoe-buchou had even won competitions, too.

(Editor's note - the suffix here, "buchou" means "Club Captain" or "Club Leader". But I didn't want to make him sound like a boy scout, so I left it as it was...I guess you might translate it as Club President...but that sounds a bit grand for a simple Photography Club!)

[Page 127]

Takagi: Kawazoe-buchou?
Mikimaro: Yeah. He was a senpai two years above us. At that time he was Captain of the Photography Club and the Vice President of the School Council, too. Even though he was a student at this school, he looked more like he should be at a girl's school. He was extremely popular, too.
Takagi: So he was something like me, then?
Mikimaro: Flattering yourself as always...
Takagi: Hey, it's true!
Nakamoto: Well...maybe so, you know...Kawazoe-san was also mixed race.
Mikimaro: That's right, actually. You're half English, Takagi-kun. Kawazoe-san...I think he was half American.

[Page 128]
Takagi: You really know a lot about this guy...
Mikimaro: Yeah...I'm good at inputting into my brain the kind of data that covers stuff within school. (He taps his head). It's all in here, you know.
Although...it's a strange story, actually. Just before his graduation, Kawazoe-san mysteriously left the school in the middle of term. Even though he had a high class average, and a place at the University of Tokyo all arranged...
Nakamoto: You really do know a lot about this. Is there really any point in knowing quite so many things about it?
Mikimaro: It's okay. It's a particular interest of mine. (he brightens up)
Ah! That's right! If anyone knows why Kawazoe-san left mid-term it'll be Arai-kun! The two of them were really close friends back then.

[Page 129]

(Arai is lost in his own thoughts)
Mikimaro: (Concerned): Arai-kun? Is something wrong?
Arai: Ah...not really.
Yuusuke: Hey, hey! What's bugging you? You look really serious. And that aside, Tougo, I want to talk to you about the date thing...
(Arai gets to his feet and leaves the classroom)
Yuusuke: Hey! Listen to everything someone has to say before disappearing!

(Arai has gone to the room where the Photography Club used to meet. He looks haunted. It holds a lot of memories for him).

[Page 130]

Arai: That's right. In this place my High School life really began. Back then, nothing could get through to me. I was fighting everyone and everything that came my way.

(Flashback)
Arai: Which one of you is it that has a problem with me?

[Page 131]

Arai: I asked you who it was who had a problem with me! I'll take anyone on who fancies it, no matter how many!

(There is a pause, and the sound of footsteps. Then,)

Kawazoe: I have something to say to you.
(Arai casts him a quizzical look)
Kawazoe: I'm Kawazoe Haruka. I'm the captain of the Photography Club.
Arai: Arai Tougo.

[Page 132]

Kawazoe: Let's take it outside.
Arai: Heh. Sure. If that's what you want.

(Back to the present)

Kawazoe: Tougo.
(Arai looks startled, for a moment not knowing if he's imagined it or if it's real)
Arai: K...Kawazoe-san?

[Page 133]
Arai: Why...why are you here? Am I dreaming?
Kawazoe: (Smiles): I'm home.

(The two go out into the city. Kawazoe lights a cigarette and they walk. Heaven only knows what's happening about Arai's classes...but that's beside the point)

Arai: You know, your straight-talking back then was pretty effective.
Kawazoe: (Laughs): Well, even though you were a newly enrolled student, you were shooting your mouth off rather a lot. Somehow you got me worked up enough to react to you and take the fight into my own hands...why do you think that was?
Arai: I...lost that fight. It was the first time I ever did.

[Page 134]
(Flashback, Arai and Kawazoe are fighting. I mean full on fighting...blood included)
Kawazoe: You've lost.
Arai: Urgh..
Kawazoe: As I promised, I'm going to make you listen to me.

(Back to the present)

Arai: That's when I joined the Photography Club.
Kawazoe: (Amused): A rebel like you who desperately tried to do everything you could to be trouble...you were forced to join the club against your will.
But the Photography Club is folding, huh...it's a pity.
Arai: After you weren't here any more, the club lost a lot of members and interest. And me, too...

[Page 135]
Kawazoe: I thought that you might be my successor in running the club, you know.
Arai: You have to be kidding?! Something like that would've been impossible.
Kawazoe: I wonder about that. After your orientation day, you seemed to settle down peacefully with the other members of the club and they even came to acknowledge your skills, too, didn't they?
Have you given it up, then? Your camera?
Arai: Mm...these days...I hardly ever use it. The only reason I got involved in the club was because of you in the first place.
Kawazoe: It has a sad feeling...I guess it can't be helped.
Arai: Aside from that, Kawazoe-san, your dream of becoming a photographer hasn't changed, has it?
Kawazoe: Mmm.

[Page 136]
Kawazoe: The day after tomorrow...Sunday...will you come to Akigawa Canyon?

(Editor's note: The canyon's name is 秋川渓谷 - Akigawa-Keikoku, or Autumn River Canyon. I'm leaving the first part in Japanese, however, because it seems more fitting that way).

Arai: Huh?

(Mikimaro arrives on the scene. Unseen by Arai or Kawazoe, he's looking for his classmate).
Mikimaro: Ah! There he is! Arai-kun!

Mikimaro stops dead at the sight of Kawazoe.

Mikimaro: Kawazoe-san? Why is he here? And what's this strange atmosphere? This...this tense, strained atmosphere?

Arai: That's the place we went for the orientation day, right? I remember it, because of the horrible things that happened that day.

[Page 137]

Kawazoe: I'd like to go there with you one more time. There are still some things I'd like to find out the truth about. I need to, in order to let myself move forward.
Arai: Find the truth about...? Surely we don't need to go to Akigawa Canyon for you to do that?
Kawazoe: But to me that place was the start of everything.

Mikimaro: (Seeing Kawazoe's ear) A piercing? As I suspected, this is...the earring in his right ear matches the one in Arai-kun's left...
AAAH! My Arai-kun!

[Page 138]

(Arai's phone rings)
Arai: (Answering it): Yes? Oh, Yuria...
I'm sorry, now's really not a good time...You're going to be there soon? But....All right, I get it. I'm on my way. But it'll only be for a short while, okay?
(he hangs up)
Kawazoe: Your woman, was it?
Arai: Mmm...sort of...
Kawazoe: She wants to keep hold of you, huh?
(Arai looks rebellious)
[Page 139]

Kawazoe: Maybe that was a foolish question.
Well, it doesn't matter. That aside, I think I'll come with you too, and meet with this "Yuria" girl.

(They leave, with Mikimaro trailing them at a distance. Yuria is waiting for them at the appointed place.)

Yuria: To-o-u-go! Sorry for calling you at such short notice, I...huh?
Arai: This is my senpai from two years above - Kawazoe-san.
Yuria: How do you do! (she clings all over Arai) I'm Yuria. I've been Tougo's girlfriend for a few months now!
Arai: Hey, hold it, saying things like that...
Kawazoe: (Smiling): Good afternoon.
Yuria: (Looks annoyed)

[Page 140]

Yuria: More to the point, Tougo, you can come out with me today, right?
Arai: Today's no good. I'm busy today.
Yuria: You're being really cold to me right now, Tougo. Normally you wouldn't say things like that...you're usually a lot nicer.
(She tries to kiss him but he pulls her away)
Arai: That's enough already! You're acting really weird today!

(Kawazoe finds all of this very amusing. Meanwhile in the bushes, Mikimaro is still agonising)

Mikimaro: Could it be...these three...are a love triangle?

[Page 141]

Mikimaro: What on earth kind of relationship do Arai-kun and Kawazoe-san have, anyway?
Are they really just good friends?
Arai has one in his left ear...Kawazoe-san has one in his right ear...a piercing...
Surely they're only...

(He hallucinates Arai and Kawazoe in a fond pose, holding hands and meeting each other's gazes lovingly)

Mikimaro: Ahhh! This is really bugging me! I'm not going to sleep at all tonight!

Scene: The Next Day, Mikimaro and Yuusuke's room. Mikimaro is looking determined.

Mikimaro: I've made my decision. I'm going to get my ear pierced!
Yuusuke: What are you babbling on about so early in the morning, Mikimaro?

[Page 142]

Mikimaro: I'm going to get earrings to match with Arai-kun.
(Pause. Yuusuke looks flummoxed. Then...)
Yuusuke (laughing hysterically):
Mikimaro: (Indignant): What's so funny?
Yuusuke: If you got your ears pierced, you'd look like a woman - people would mistake you for a fashion obsessed teenage girl.
Mikimaro: No I wouldn't! I'm a man, after all!, right? I have to do my best! I'm not going to lose to Kawazoe-san!
Yuusuke: (Looking clueless): Kawazoe-san? But...what do you have to do your best with exactly?
Mikimaro: Shut up! It's nothing to do with you, Katou-kun!

[Page 143]

Mikimaro storms out of the bedroom, leaving Yuusuke pretty bewildered.
Yuusuke: Hey...Mi...ki...ma...ro? I wonder what's got into him...

Takagi's room. Takagi is inside sorting music when Mikimaro bursts in on him unannounced.

Mikimaro: Takagi-kun!
Takagi: (Startled) Wha...?
Mikimaro: Hey, today, are you free?
Takagi: I don't have anything especially planned, but...
Mikimaro: In that case, I want you to come out with me.
Takagi: Where to?
Mikimaro: Nowhere in particular, but I have something that I want to buy.

[Page 144]

Takagi (Patting Mikimaro on the head): Shimura...first at least tell me what you're talking about.
Mikimaro: Well, you see...I'm going to get earrings to match with Arai-kun! I'd like you to come with me and look, Takagi-kun!
Takagi: (nonplussed): Hehh....what did you just say?!

Scene: Evening. Arai and Nakamoto's room. Nakamoto is studying. Arai is...well...not. Mikimaro has gone to show Arai his prize.

Mikimaro: Hey, Arai-kun, look!

[Page 145]

Mikimaro: They're pierced earrings! I went and bought them today! One is for Arai-kun to wear and the other one is for me.
Arai: (Amused): You're having a laugh, aren't you?
Mikimaro: (Indignant): I'm serious! I want us to have matching earrings, Arai-kun.
Arai: (Losing the humour as he realises Mikimaro is in earnest): You can't just decide things like that all of your own accord. To begin with, your ears aren't even pierced!
Mikimaro: (producing a safety pin): But they can be, with this! I thought you might pierce them for me, Arai-kun.
Arai: (looking suddenly startled): This is like...?

[Page 146]

Flashback: Kawazoe and Arai. Kawazoe is holding a safety pin, with the intention of piercing Arai's ear)

Kawazoe: This is my birthday present to you. Will you let me...pierce your ear with this?
Arai: Like...you have?
Kawazoe: (sterilizing the pin in the flame of his lighter). Yeah.
Arai: I'd like to...but...won't it hurt?
Kawazoe: Only for a brief second....

[Page 147]

Kawazoe:  (he holds the pin out towards Arai): Are you scared?
Arai: (indignant) As if! Of course I'm not scared! You just startled me with this, that's all!
Kawazoe: Then let's do it.

(Back to the present and Arai/Nakamoto's dorm room. Arai is spacing out)

Mikimaro: Arai-kun!
Arai: Huh?
Mikimaro: What are you spacing out over? Hurry up and pierce it!
Arai: (Giving him an evil look): It hurts, you know.
Mikimaro: Uh...
Arai: (Leaning over Mikimaro intimidatingly): It re-e-e-eally hurts. The night I had it done it hurt so much that I didn't get any sleep at all.
Mikimaro: I...I...I'm prepared for that!

[Page 148]

Arai: Hrm. Well, if that's the case, Nakamoto should do it.

(Nakamoto, who has paid no apparent attention to Mikimaro so far, suddenly drops his pen - proving that he's been listening to the conversation all along)

Arai: I'm not at all good at things like this. Nakamoto's much more skillful with these things - it would be mu-uch better if he did it.
Right...Mikimaro?
Mikimaro: (blushing) Ah...
Nakamoto: (Getting up from his desk and looking peeved): That's no good, Arai-kun.

[Page 149]

Nakamoto: Noone except a doctor or a specialist should even think about doing that kind of thing to anyone. It's against the law.
Arai: Ah, you always say such inflexible things.
Nakamoto: It's the truth. Besides, something like deliberately creating a wound on another person isn't something that I'd be able to do anyway.
Arai: You're exaggerating, aren't you? Mikimaro wants it done, after all. Don't you want to help him out?
Nakamoto: In that case, it shouldn't be me doing it...it should be you, Arai-kun.
Arai: Why...?
Nakamoto: Because you're the one Shimura-kun asked to do it.

[Page 150]
Nakamoto: It's easier to resolve yourself to deal with the pain of it if it's done by the person you like, after all.
Mikimaro: Hehe...the truth is...I told the people at the shop I didn't want them to pierce my ear. I...you know...the first time...I decided I wanted it to be Arai-kun that did it.
Nakamoto: Shimura-kun, this conversation is heading in a certain direction, you know...
(There is a knock on the door. It's Yuusuke)
Yuusuke: Is Tougo here?
Arai: Yuusuke?
Yuusuke: The thing is...all of a sudden...Mayumi-chan asked to meet up. Please...I want to have a plan on how to handle the whole "bedding" thing!

[Page 151]
Arai: Huh?
Yuusuke: Tomorrow lunchtime, can you come with me?
Arai: (Looks blank, then): Sorry. Tomorrow's no good. I've already promised someone...
Yuusuke: Huuuh? Don't say that! Please, I'm begging you with all my heart! (he clasps his hands together as if praying)
Arai: Sorry...
Mikimaro: As I thought, you're going to go? To Akigawa Canyon?
Yuusuke: (looking blank): Huh?
Arai looks stricken. He says nothing.
Nakamoto: What's Akigawa Canyon?
Mikimaro (now uncomfortable): Ah...sorry...it's nothing.

[Page 152]
Arai: Mikimaro...you...heard that?
Mikimaro: I didn't hear anything! I didn't hear anything you and Kawazoe-san said!
(a long pause greets this surprising claim, then...)
Mikimaro: Ah! I'm sorry! (he's getting more worked up by the minute).
Yuusuke: (totally lost): Sometimes I really don't get this guy.

[Page 153]

Scene: Next morning, Nakamoto and Arai's room. It's 6.45 am and Arai is taking his photography stuff and sneaking out. As he goes, he wakes Nakamoto - although his roommate does not stir and alert him to this fact. That he's up before Nakamoto is, after all, odd enough in itself.

[Page 154]

Arai arrives at Akigawa Canyon.

Arai: Akigawa Canyon, huh...
This is the place I first realised I was attracted to Kawazoe-san. There are things he said he wants to confirm here...what on earth is that guy thinking?

[Page 155]

Enter Kawazoe.
Kawazoe: It hasn't changed. Everything is the same as it was the last time.
Arai: Yeah.
Kawazoe: I remember it was like this on that day, too...
Arai: When we came here for the orientation day.

[Page 156]
(Flashback: The Orientation Day)
Arai: I had joined the Photography Club just two months before.

Club member #1: Hey, look, will you? Are you stupid or something?
Club member #2: He really is.
Arai: (Angry): What the hell are you talking about?
Club member #2 : Heh...even though you're in the Photography Club, you're like a complete amateur! I'm saying that you're going to spoon your shot!
Arai: What do you mean, I'm like an amateur?!
Club member #1: The lens, of course. The lens.
Arai: Lens? What's so funny about my lens? Hurry up and spit it out!
Club member #1: So you really wouldn't have noticed if we hadn't pointed it out to you? (laughs)

[Page 157]

Arai grabs the guy by the collar. He means him some serious harm...
Club member #1: Ah!
Arai: I'm not amused...are you trying to get on my bad side? Because then we'll always be opponents, no matter what..
Kawazoe: What the hell's going on here?
(there is silence, then)
Club member #1: It's that jerk Arai!
Kawazoe: (To Arai): What did you do?
Arai: (indignant): I didn't do anything!

[Page 158]
Arai: These guys saw my lens and started laughing so I was about to kick sense into them!
Kawazoe: Lens? (he looks).
This is a telescopic lens, isn't it?
Arai: Right. A telescopic lens to take pictures of the scenery, right?
Club member #2: Ha ha ha! That's why we called you an amateur!
Arai: (angry): What did you say?!
(Kawazoe holds up his hand to prevent fighting)
Kawazoe: (still to Arai): You need a wide-angle lens to take the scenery. It's not usual to use a telescopic lens.

[Page 159]
Arai: ?!
Club member #1: (smug) You make such basic mistakes because you skive off club activities, you know.
Kawazoe: (Cross): Enough!
(The club members look startled)
Kawazoe: Without a doubt Arai is also at fault. However, aren't you guys supposed to be his 'senpai's in some way or another? If you've got time to laugh at his mistakes, surely you've also got time to help him to correct them?
(The club members look chastened. Arai looks surprised)

[Page 160]
Kawazoe: (patting Arai's shoulder). Arai, I've a spare you can use this time. And if there's anything you don't understand, you should come to me and ask. Today's "Orientation", after all. We came to this place so we could all gain a mutual understanding of things. Don't fight with people over such trivial things, all right?
Arai: (Sullen): Fine.

(Sometime later, off-screen, there's a scream as if someone's falling...)

[Page 161]

(Arai is nowhere to be seen).
Kawazoe: (Alarmed); Arai's gone to the Kamaka abyss? Why did you let him go there?! Don't you realise that even being here in Akigawa Canyon is extremely dangerous?
Vice Captain : Kawazoe, don't take it so seriously. It's only playing into his hands when you do. And even if he did get into danger, you do realise that the way he is right now, trying to do anything to help would be useless.
Kawazoe ignores this and takes off into the wilderness
Club member #1: Kawazoe-san?
Vice Captain : Kawazoe! Leave Arai alone! If you don't pay him any attention, he'll come back of his own accord!
Kawazoe: He won't come back! He'd have realised that he'd gone as far as he could go, that he'd reached the limit, that he had to head back, and so on. He'd have come back...and yet he isn't coming.

[Page 162]
Kawazoe: He's that kind of person. Therefore I'm going to go after him!
Random club member: Why is the usually composed Kawazoe so het up when it comes to Arai?
Another club member: Well, he's captain - it's his responsibility, isn't it? Vice-captain, what do you think?
Vice Captain:....I don't understand it. This is the first time I've seen Kawazoe like that.

(back to the present)
[Page 163]
Kawazoe puts his hand on Arai's shoulder.
Kawazoe: Let's go. To the Kamaka abyss.
We'll soon reach the ravine which you fell into.
What's up? Are you afraid of it?
Arai: I don't want to.

(Return to flashback mode, as Arai falls into the ravine and sits there at the bottom looking stupid)
Arai:That's right. With a doubt back then, I fell into the ravine and was at a loss as to what to do...
But...

[Page 164]
Kawazoe is leaning over the cliff, yelling...
Kawazoe: ARAI!
Arai stares up at him pitifully from his predicament
Arai: Kawazoe-san came...
Kawazoe scales down the cliff face towards Arai
Arai: Kawazoe-san?
It's pretty dangerous manoevring, and Arai is worried, especially as Kawazoe winds up in the river.
Arai: Kawazoe-san!

[Page 165]
Kawazoe is swimming against the tide to reach the ledge where Arai is stranded.
Arai: Then, swimming against the adverse flow of the river, he pulled himself up onto the shore with extreme ease.
Kawazoe: (to a rather pitiful looking Arai): Are you okay?
Arai: Yes...I took a good photograph...but...at the moment that I fell, I broke the camera...
Kawazoe: Who cares about the camera? It was you I was worrying about!
Arai: I'm fine...ow...(he winces)

[Page 166]
Kawazoe rips some fabric from his shirt with which he binds Arai's twisted ankle.
Kawazoe (talking from the present over the flashback): You had such a bewildered look on your face, back then.
Arai: A bewildered look?
I wasn't able to say anything, but...I thought a whole lot of things.
(In the flashback, a now shirtless Kawazoe stands back to examine his handiwork, and Arai sort of gawks at him.)

[Page 167]

Arai: (back in the flashback now): You're pretty sturdy, Kawazoe-san. Even though you look really slight with your shirt on.
Kawazoe: That's because I train myself for every eventuality.
Arai: Every...eventuality...?
Kawazoe: So whenever the fight begins, I'm ready for it. That's what I mean.
Arai: Ah...don't say strange things.
You're saying that in modern day Japan a war could kick off? That's crazy.
Kawazoe: Do you think the only kind of battle is crossing swords on the battlefield...or an all out gunfight where you take your opponent down?
That's not the case, is it? There are lots of ways in this world by which you can push yourself to succeed. It's those things that I'm talking about.

[Page 168]
Arai: (looking flummoxed): Push...yourself...to succeed?
Kawazoe: (Grinning): Yeah...Tougo.
Arai: (I think he's struck speechless, by his expression)

[Page 169]
(back to the present)
Arai: From the time when I lost that fight, you've continued to surprise me, Kawazoe-san.
Somehow, to be abandoned by that same kind of man was pretty annoying. Sometimes I look back at that and it bothers me.
Kawazoe: So that's the way you've thought of it...
Arai: I haven't yet paid you back for saving me, after all. And then you, who I thought could handle anything, was suddenly not there any more.
Kawazoe: Before I graduated, I suddenly took off to Africa, didn't I...in order to meet my father.

[Page 170]
Arai: Your...father?
Kawazoe: My real father is a blue eyed American.
Arai: (looking startled): Really? But...you're the former heir to the Azumiryuu house...aren't you?
Kawazoe: I'm the first born son...but... I'm not the real heir.
I was born without being wanted, with an unknown father, and I was a burden on the Kawazoe family. For that reason, I frantically tried to do my best...knowing people were pointing fingers at me behind my back.

[Page 171]
Arai: I didn't know.
Kawazoe: Mm. Because noone else did know this story.
Arai: And I always thought that you were a privileged person, Kawazoe-san.
Kawazoe: Because that's the kind of person I worked to make myself seem.
But...I got tired of it. I want to be a photographer, after all. I didn't need anything else. So I thought, anyhow.
I took a small travel bag and left the Kawazoe house for good.
Arai: Did you meet your father?
Kawazoe:Yeah. I'd heard a story that my father was in Africa taking photos of the wildlife there. My father's also a photographer, and that was a big part of why I wanted to meet him. I thought once I did, it would all be settled.

[Page 172]
Kawazoe (stubbing out his cigarette with some force): But there was something still lingering inside of my heart.
That thing...was you.
(Arai looks startled. He's doing this a lot of late. Its sort of cute...)
Kawazoe: Whenever I'm with you, I relax. I felt like I could really be myself - even back then. And I realised it was since that orientation day.
Arai: So the meaning of coming here being that this was the place which began it...?
Kawazoe: Yeah.

[Page 173]
(Arai looks ticked off. Although he's also blushing rather...)
Arai: But saying those kind of things is selfish! Back then you were only thinking of your side, surely!
Kawazoe: Without a doubt, at that time...if you had tried to stop me...
(Arai looks stricken)
Arai: That...
Kawazoe (laughs ruefully): Ah, what am I saying now? Let's change the subject.
(He looks suddenly serious)
Kawazoe: Now... I have someone who wants me to put on a one-man exhibition of my work. More to the point, it's to be in New York's museum of modern art.

[Page 174]
Arai: That's really cool!
Kawazoe: If I did this exhibition, it would be the first important step in becoming a proper professional photographer. It would be my dreams coming true.
But...
If I work behind this man's protection, there are conditions I have to take and compensation I have to pay.
Arai: Conditions...and...compensations?
Kawazoe: The conditions are that I leave Japan completely.
Arai: And the compensation...?

[Page 175]
Kawazoe: ...All of me.
Arai is yep, you guessed it. He's looking...lets call it shell-shocked this time
Arai: Whatever way you achieve your dreams is your freedom to choose, Kawazoe-san. However...
(he pounds his fist into the ground angrily)
However, this whole thing isn't like you!
You were the one who told me that you have to fight to achieve the things you want, after all!
Kawazoe: Tougo...

[Page 176]
Arai: (Yelling): It's completely not like you!
Kawazoe: TOUGO! Wait, Tougo, don't run that way...
(Too late! Arai loses his footing and slips...)
Arai: Wuaa..

[Page 177]
Kawazoe darts in, grabs Arai and pulls him to safety. However, it is at the cost of his own balance, and he slips over, grasping the edge of the cliff ledge with his fingers and hanging on for dear life. The camera bag falls to the depths below...

Arai: KAWAZOE-SAN!!!

[Page 178]
Arai leans over the edge, holding his hand out to Kawazoe.
Arai: Grab hold of my hand! Come on, hurry!
Kawazoe: It's no good. Your footing isn't stable. If I grab hold of you, I'll pull you over too.
Arai: That's not going to happen! In any case, grab my hand!
Why...?
Kawazoe: If you fall from here, you'll definitely be killed!
Arai: These feelings...where have I felt them before...

(and we're going back into flashback...)
Arai: I've heard...is it true that you're going to Africa?

[Page 179]
Arai: Why all of a sudden?!
Kawazoe: Because right now there are only things that I can't do here. For that reason, I'm going. Even if that means I have to leave you behind.
Arai: N..no way...

(And back to the present. Phew!)

Arai: These feelings...that's right. Just like then...I...I wanted to say something..
But what that is...I don't understand.
Kawazoe: Tougo...no matter what happens, you need to live.
Arai: He's talking like he's about to die! No way! Is that really okay? For Kawazoe-san to...like this...
Why did he do that to stop me...?
WHY?!

[Page 180]
Arai: (Shouting): Are you going to leave me?!
(And now it's Kawazoe's turn to look struck)
Arai: That's right. Since a year and a half ago I've...

[Page 181]
Arai: ...wanted to say those words to you!
Arai grabs Kawazoe's hand and hauls him, somehow, to safety. The two of them then flop on their backs on the grass. Somewhere Kawazoe's found time to light a cigarette, as they stare up at the sky.
Arai: The camera fell.
Kawazoe: I can always buy another.
Arai: It's not something money can buy - isn't that what you used to say?
Kawazoe: Yeah...but it doesn't matter.

[Page 182]
Kawazoe: As I thought, I'm glad we came. In your words, your true feelings came through. Even after everything, we still have a connection.
Arai has a very wide, rather goofy grin on his face...hrm ^_^.
Kawazoe: Tougo...will you come here again with a camera...with me?
Arai: Maybe...that would be okay.

[Page 183]
The next day and back at school, where the guys know nothing of what's been going on. Arai is back among his classmates. Yuusuke is...er...crying ^_^.
Yuusuke: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Nakamoto: What's wrong, Katou-kun?
Mikimaro: Yesterday he and Mayumi-san had a fight when they went on their date.
Takagi: A fight? So maybe that means they won't meet up again?
Yuusuke (looking a tad psycho): TOOUGO! It's YOUR FAULT! You didn't tell me how to get Mayumi...
Arai: Don't blame me!
Yuusuke: (Still crying): Ahhh...Mayumi-chaaan! I'm sooorrryyy...please forgive meeee!
Arai: Come to think of it, Mikimaro...

[Page 184]
(He grabs Mikimaro by the hair, and peers at him intimidatingly)
Arai: The other day, you were hiding, and heard all of our conversation, didn't you?
Mikimaro: N...No...I...just a bit of it, that's all. The bit about the camera...and about Akigawa Canyon, and the meeting with Yuria-san...
Arai: (annoyed): That IS ALL OF IT!
People who eavesdrop on other people's conversations are the worst, you know.
Mikimaro: (looking chastened): I'm sorry.
Arai grabs Mikimaro by the cheeks and squeezes them.

[Page 185]
Arai: Bad children need to be punished...
Mikimaro: P..punished?
Arai: Do you still have the earrings from before?
Mikimaro: I do...but...
Arai: (leaning close to Mikimaro) Then I'm going to pierce your ear.
Mikimaro: Really? (looking excited).
Arai: However...

[Page 186]
Arai looms over Mikimaro with the safety pin, looking very scary.
Arai: I'm going to really make it hurt.
Mikimaro...is...scared.
Arai: Right, lets begin...
Mikimaro: (fleeing): Ah! HELP MEEE
Arai laughs. In his head, Kawazoe's voice echoes...
Kawazoe: Tougo...

[Page 187]

Kawazoe: Will you come here again with a camera...with me?

Owari: The End :)