This is one of the side stories that Waseda did for Nervous Venus. The two chapters in this sideplot are longer than her usual length, so it took a lot of effort to get this one out. I actually have the Japanese and the Chinese version of this volume, so I was able (sort-of) to cross reference. As always, comments, questions, and suggestions welcomed.
Words in parentheses or brackets are comments added by me. Words in italics are thoughts.
pg 3
Even though I can pretend to be a corpse,
I don’t have the courage it takes to join the dead.
Even if I can proudly brag and boast,
In reality I don’t have the makings of a great person.
Even though I say I like to be alone,
Secretly I’m trying to find a companion.
I put on a nonchalant face,
But in truth I’m care the most of all.
pg 7
It’s after school. A teacher walks to his Porsche only to find it defaced. He screams in horror, “Who did this!! To actually turn my car…Aaargh…into this!”
Nearby, a group of kids are snickering at their teacher’s predicament. They carry in their hands the markers used to draw on the car.
Kids: Is the teacher crying?
Screw him! That person acts like set an example, but he fools around with women all the time.
Our masterpiece will increase his sex appeal! Serves him right!
One of them calls out, “Ah! Kan-chan!”
pg 8
“We’re going to do more today! Are you coming?”
Kanda refuses, smiling.
Kanda: Boring!! Boring!! Boring!!
pg 9
Kanda throws a bunch of CDs into a trash can by the park.
Kanda: Such junk!
I can count 10 friends, but not one of them can be called close. Lesser really is better.
He kicks the trash can.
Kanda: Stealing things is just fooling around, it’s so
immature!
In fact the things I really want, there isn’t a place that sells them.
pg 10
Kanda (flustered): Oh yeah! What actually are “the things I really want?”
He hears a girl shout, “ Stupid Nishi!!” She slaps a guy’s face, then runs off in tears. Kanda stares at them in shock
Kanda: Such…such guts!!
pg 11
Kanda: Middle school students really are different from us!!
The guy turns around and finds Kanda looking at him. He walks over, making Kanda nervous.
Kanda: Uh oh! Trouble! He’s coming my way! I’m going to get beat up!!
pg 12
To his utter shock, the guy hugs him tightly instead.
The sky is darkening, and both are still in the park. The guy moans, “But…what else can I do?”
pg 13
Kanda’s an unwilling listener, because the guy is grabbing his shirt, and refusing to let go.
“Forget it! It’s all my fault anyway! Everyone hates me anyway! Forget it!”
Kanda (choking): Let…go…
The guy pulls out a stick of gum.
“Do you want a stick of black mint gun!?”
Kanda: What? No thanks.
The guy suddenly turns ferocious. He grabs Kanda’s shirt again, and growls “What did you say!? Do you mean my stuff isn’t fit to eat!?”
Kanda: (frightened): I want to eat it!! I want to eat it so much! Really!
pg 14
The guy instantly calms down. With a long-suffering, patronizing expression, he gives the gum to Kanda, saying, “If you say so.”
Kanda: What and what… why do I have to meet this weirdo…
A girl calls out, “Hey! Isn’t that Nishi!” Both of them start talking, while Kanda observes them.
“Nishi, let me tell you…”
pg 15
She whispers something into his ear. He in turn whispers something to her. She laughs and pushes him away. She eventually waves good-bye.
Kanda: Huh?
pg 16
The guy turns to Kanda, saying, “You must have something to ask me right?” He throws an arm around Kanda, and pretends to throttle him. “Little kids should be quiet!”
Kanda (gasps): Hurts! It hurts!
Guy: Being a girl is nice; I’m jealous.
pg 17
Guy: They’re different from guys; their personalities are warm and gentle.
Kanda: (rubbing his neck): Girls are hateful! Too much talk!!
Guy: My name is Nishi! What’s your name?
pg 18
Kanda: I’m Kanda.
Nishi: First name?
Kanda: You’re annoying! What business is it to you!? I would like to ask!! What’s your first name!?
Nishit: What!? You little perp!! What right do you have to lecture me!? Bastard!!
pg 19
Kanda starts swinging at him. Nishi holds him off by grabbing his head, because Kanda’s so much shorter.
Kanda: Calling someone else a bastard, you’re the one that’s a bastard!!
Nishi: Because the mention of my first name makes me mad!
Kanda: Precisely!
Nishi: Telling someone the last name is enough…
They both stop fighting. They look at each other with dawning comprehension.
Nishi: I won’t tell anyone, so tell me! I’ll also tell you! One, two
pg 20
Nishi and Kanda (whispers simultaneously): Hitomi - Natsuki
They look at each other in surprise. They embrace, tears coming to their eyes.
Nishi: God! We're brothers.
Kanda: I love you, big brother!
They commiserate about their fate. Sign above their heads: Girly names unite
pg 21
Both snicker to themselves, thinking: But this guy's name is more girly.
Nishi: Bye! See you tomorrow! Elementary school student!
He dances away.
Kanda: Why is he
dancing!?
pg 22
Kanda: But, amazing!
I'm really impressive!
Cool! I'm actually
friendly with a junior high student!
Very mature!
However, when he comes home, he gets a beating for coming back so late.
Nishi arrives at his house. He lives in one of those Western style houses you don’t see so often in Japan
Nishi: I'm back.
Pg 23
He sees Kenji on the stairway above him
Nishi: Ah! Ken...
Kenji walks away.
pg 24
Nishi stands against the door of his room. He clasps his right eye in pain.
Nishi: !? It hurts! How come?
Tears come out of his eye.
Nishi: ...It's happening again...
pg 25
Kenji and a bunch of girls are goofing off on the school's rooftop. (Japanese high schools are built like a big rectangle, with several floors. There's usually a staircase leading to the roof).
Voices: Ha ha ha ha.
So funny!
Nishi is so good at being funny (laughter).
Girl: You're so interesting, so how come they hate you!?
Nishi: If a guy has too much of women’s appeal, he will be discriminated by others of the same sex.
In addition I like cute girls, right?
Girl: Want to ~cough~ with them? Nishi
Nishi: I really do like girls! Forget it!
pg 26
Nishi gets up and waves goodbye to them.
Nishi: Bye! I'm going to P.E. Don’t skip class
Girls: Of course we're going to skip!
Nishi really likes P.E.! (laughter)
Hey! I heard Nishi is the son of the second wife.
Yeah! His family has a lot of money, of course something like this should happen.
pg 27
"I heard he lives with class five's Nishi."
"His mom too."
They exclaim happily over him.
"But Nishi is very cute, I'm mad about him."
"Me too!"
Nishi is changing into his P.E. clothes in the boys’ locker room.
pg 28
In a corner, some of the other guys are whispering.
"Can’t stand him!"
Nishi hears this.
Nishi: Stop talking behind my back!!
pg 29
He glares. The other guys have already left. He clenches his teeth in frustration.
pg 30
He punches his fist against the locker.
Nishi: Want me to be like him!?
School's over for Kanda. He quickly runs down the hallway, leaving his classmates behind.
Kanda: Good-bye everyone!
Boys: Ah! Kan-chan -
pg 31
"Want to go play video..."
"What's up with Kan-chan???"
"He's actually happy about going home!"
pg 32
At the playground...Kanda looks at the scene before him disgustedly. Nishi and a girl are talking on the bench.
Girl: Oh!! This is an elementary school student!?
She rubs his head.
Girl: He's so cute! What grade?
Kanda hits her hand away.
Kanda: 5th grade!
Nishi is giggling off to the side. He starts laughing outright.
Nishi: He's being shy!! This person can actually be shy!! That's so funny! Are you in love with her?
Kanda flares in anger.
Kanda: No!
Nishi gives him an air kiss.
Nishi: She's not my girlfriend. Relax. Try hard okay.
pg 33
Kanda (pissed): I've already told you no!!
Scuffling ensues. In the midst of this, the girl waves goodbye and leaves.
Kanda: What’s up with you! Is it because you wanted to meet this girl, so you used me as an excuse!?
It's for you that I ran here!
Nishi is startled.
pg 34
He smiles softly, then gleefully at Kanda.
Nishi: Hey! Is there someone you secretly like in your class? Say it! Say it!
Kanda: There isn't!!
Nishi (affectionally): You perp!
Kanda: You pervert! Weirdo! Idiot!! You’re not fit to be a middle school student!!
Nishi: I hate people of my sex.
Not only do we fight among ourselves, get jealous of each other, we also gather in cliques.
pg 35
Nishi: The opposite sex is better
Kanda: What is “gather in cliques?”
Nishi comes back to reality. He pinches and stretches Kanda's face.
Nishi: Oh yeah! Your stare is frightening! Your bangs are too long!
Kanda: What!! You -
Nishi: Split it! Make a split in the middle of your bangs!!
That way you’ll be like me!!
Kanda: Do you have a problem!?
pg 36
In the evening, Nishi is sitting in his room. His CD player seems to be broken. He rummages around in his desk.
Nishi: Where did the screwdriver go?
Unless it's really disappeared! Could it be at Kenji's?
pg 37
He knocks on Kenji's room.
Nishi: I'm going to come in! Kenji.
He enters. There's no one there.
Nishi: Taking a shower?
He sees the CDs on the drawer.
Nishi: What's this? He has so many CDs I have…
pg 38
Nishi: 2, 4, 6, 8...
Such an idiot.
He leaves the room. He suddenly stops, and brings a hand up to his right eye.
Nishi: It hurts...
pg 39
At school, someone has written "Mistress’s son" on Nishi's desk. The other male students are acting like nothing has happened.
Nishi: Boring...
"Hey! What's this!"
pg 40
The girls are mad.
Girls: It's unbelievable! Makes me so mad!
Rag! Rag! Get water!
Nishi: I’m already used to it.
So annoying…
I hope I can free myself from these boring things
quickly, become one of the elderly
I hope I can quickly become old, and then...
pg 41
Nishi: be by myself.
He sees Kenji outside in the hallway.
Nishi: Ah!
Kenji sees what's written on Nishi's desk, and he turns away.
Pg 42
He walks off. Nishi smiles emotionlessly.
pg 43
At the park that afternoon...Kanda runs up to Nishi.
Kanda: Hello!
How come I'm late again? The park is farther from our school.
Nishi suddenly giggles, pointing at Kanda's head.
pg 44
He feels his head
Kanda: What's so funny?
He suddenly realizes he kept his hair parted like Nishi’s. He turns red.
Kanda: That's not it!!
Nishi is laughing uncontrollably.
Kanda: I didn’t do this because I listened to you!
It’s because this way my hair doesn’t get into the front of my eyes.
Author’s note: Because he can’t see the hair in front of his face, that’s why he forgot about it.
Nishi: Why are you so excited!! I didn’t even say a word!!
He puts on a condescending tone, “A frank personality is better.”
Kanda snorts.
pg 45
They continue to argue. Later...
Nishi: Want to eat something?
Kanda: Eh? No!
Nishi: Really?
He walks on. Kanda looks up at him.
Pg 46
Nishi is smiling. Kanda also smiles as he runs after him.
Kanda: My hairstyle is the same as Nishi’s!
He kicks Nishi's legs.
Kanda: Your legs are too long, you walk too fast!
Nishi: Ow!
Pg 47
They start arguing again.
Kenji sees them on the streets. He frowns.
Nishi: Please! If you have nothing to do come help me!
pg 48
They’re now at the bookstore. Kanda is standing in the corner with a sulky expression.
Nishi: Help me find Natsume Souseki or Miyazawa Kenji’s smallest, thinnest book.
(For his homework assignment).
Kanda doesn’t move.
Nishi: Forget it! Go read some manga!
Kanda doesn’t move either. Nishi explodes.
Pg 49
Nishi (raging): What do you want!? Sorry! Sorry!! I owe you!! I drag you here you here to do such incredibly boring things; I’m really sorry!!
Kanda: It's not that, it's I can't read kanji.
pg 50
Nishi is speechless.
Kanda: I can only understand hiragana...
Nishi: ...Hey! What grade are you in?
Kanda: 5th grade. But I really hate studying.
Nishi puts on a shocked expression, complete with the outfit of a matron. ^^
Nishi: Come here with me!
pg 51
Nishi drags Kanda through the bookstore.
Kanda: You're annoying I don't like to study! So what! Studying has no use!!
Nishi: Idiot! Whether you hate studying, or you don’t know how to study, I don’t care!!
But if you don’t study, you’ll only harm yourself, so you’d better work hard!!
He throws a bunch of textbooks at Kanda.
Nishi: How's your math?
Kanda becomes embarrassed, and mad.
pg 52
He pitches the books at Nishi's head.
Kanda: I said it's okay!
Nishi: What do you mean it’s okay!? Don’t joke!! From where do you not understand!?
Kanda: Nag!
Nishi: How am I being nagging!! From where do you not understand!? Speak!!
Kanda is startled.
Kanda: I still remember the multiplication tables...
pg 53
His embarrassment turns to anger, and he directs a flying kick at Nishi's head!
Kanda: I don't know where to start either!!
Holding his face, Nishi hands a book to Kanda.
Nishi: So lets start from there. It hurts.
It's a second grade math book. Looking at it, Kanda's face turns red.
Nishi: So you get embarrassed too.
pg 54
Kanda glares at him. Nishi returns the stare.
Nishi: So do it in secret!
Kanda thinks about it. Sign above their heads: Totally serious.
Kanda: Yeah! That's right!
Sign above his head: Naive
Later outside…
Nishi: Be careful going home! Bye Bye!
pg 55
Kanda holds up the bag of books Nishi bought for him.
Kanda: Nishi, what about this!
Nishi: Take it! Take it! My allowance is plentiful, so don’t worry about it.
Nishi: Do it in secret!
He suddenly thinks of something, and stops. He turns and walks back to Nishi with an evil look.
Kanda: Ah?
pg 56
He whispers something in Kanda's ears. Kanda is in total shock.
Nishi runs off, laughing, "Do it in secret!” Kanda has an idolizing expression on his face
Kanda: Nishi, your whole self is surrounded by light. You glitter with brightness!. You make people both hate and love you!!
Nishi: If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can call me anytime!!
pg 57
Nishi: I'm talking about the homework part.
Kanda: Ah! Nishi, thanks for this!!
Nishi gives a backward wave. Kanda smiles after him.
Kanda: It’s great.
pg 58
Kanda: Nishi’s so nice! And interesting too!
pg 59
Kanda: I’m so happy! Because there’s no one like him at
school!
pg 60
Kanda: If we’re
the same age, that would be even better.
Back at his house, Kanda’s lying on his bead, reading. His mother calls out, “Go take a shower! Don’t you want to see the baseball game with Daddy at 7?” Kanda, his face red, goes to take a shower.
Kanda: I want to make something clear! I don’t call my Dad “Daddy!” I call my parents “Mom” and “Dad!”
Author’s note: Did anyone ask…?
pg 61
In the shower Kanda thinks to himself, “Looks like…the only place to try it out is the shower!!”
His mom opens the door., saying, “Oh yeah! Nastu-chan, there’s no soap…”
She drops the soap in shock. She and Kanda look at each other with equal expressions of horror.
pg 62
The ensuing scene - Kanda’s punishment. He’s given a stern lecture by his parents. His fathers face is red as he reprimands, “You’re too early to be doing this! And there’s no need to do this!!”
Kanda: Bastard Nishi! I’ll kill you! Embarrassing me like that!!
At Nishi’s house, Nishi has finished taking a shower.
pg 63
He sees Kenji across the hall.
Nishi: Talk to him! Ah ~ this is embarrassing.
Kenji: Hitomi.
Nishi gets nervous. He looks out the window.
pg 64
Nishi: It’s raining.
Kenji: Don’t play with little kids.
Nishi: It’s none of your business.
Kenji: I think it’s embarrassing.
pg 65
“Because we’re brothers.”
Nishi smiles coldly
Nishi: Oh oh…
pg 66
He leans over Kenji
Nishi: So sorry! My good brother.
Kenji pushes him away.
pg 67
Nishi glares at Kenji’s back, as both walk away. It continues to pour outside.
pg 68
Nishi goes to his room and slams the door
Nishi: So annoying!
He bites his thumb, drawing blood.
Nishi: Annoying to death!
pg 69
Nishi: If he doesn’t like it, then can’t he pretend not to see it at all!?
He looks at his thumb. It is dripping with blood.
Nishi: Don’t you hate me!?
pg 70
You really hate me right!?
When you should interfere you don’t, and when you shouldn’t
interfere you do,
It really pisses me off!!
Nishi further aggravates his injured thumb.
pg 71
I wish I could set aside everything!
He thinks back to how others at school treat him.
Right now!!
pg 72
He clasps a hand to his right eye.
Nishi: It…hurts.
He winces in pain. “It hurts..!” He bends over himself.
Nishi: It’s not good! It hurts! It really hurts!
Nishi (out loud): Ah…it hurts…
pg 73
He slams his fist into the window
It’s not good! What happened!? It’s not good! My eye!
His vision starts to swim.
It’s going to break!! It’s going to be ruined!! It’s going to break!!
Kenji hears the commotion.
pg 74
He rushes into Nishi’s room. Nishi is sprawled on the floor, covered with blood and shards of glass.
Kenji: Hey! What…what are you doing!?
He wrenches Nishi’s hand out of his mouth.
Kenji: Idiot! Let go of your hand! Let go!
Nishi: …Don’t touch me…
Nishi: It hurts!!
Kenji: Don’t bite your thumb!
pg 75
Nishi: Don’t touch me!
Kenji and Nishi’s mom both appear at the door. “ What’s…what’s going on!?”
Nishi: Eye.
Nishi: You…don’t’ touch me!!
Nishi: My eye!!
Kenji: Mom! Call the ambulance!! Quickly!
Nishi: Go away! Go away!
Kenji: Hurry!!
Kenji is still clasping Nishi’s hand.
Nishi: Don’t so easily…touch me.
pg 76
Nishi: Don’t’ touch me!!
Nishi: Up until now…Don’t treat me so gently!!