Translation of
Classmates
Part 1
Notes:
1. Each paragraph represents one cell in the manga, except for those without any dialogue.
2. The suffix "chan" is for girls and "kun" for boys when addressing close or small ones. They remain in the translation because I can't think of any decent equivalents.
3. I tried to be true to the original text and included the orginal sound effects, which are vital in any manga. Let me know what you think of them!
4. The remark "Annoying!" appears several times. In the context of Japanese culture, this just means "You're teasing me!" and is usually said by a female when she is amused.
5. I've tried my best to interpret the characters' feelings. It's tedious to say "she seemed...", "he seemed...all the time!
Chapter 1 - Back to Before Graduation
As I approached her, I said "Oh, thanks!" She then crossed her arms and replied, "I won't be so generous that I'm lending my notes to a big, lazy bones on no condition."
"What condition?" I asked, "A thousand yen a page?" With a serious face, she answered, "Turn around three times, then bark like a dog. Hurry up!"
I did so and tried to grab her notes. But her arm ducked me with a "Ba!"
She then continued with the same expression, "The second condition. Say that I'm very cute! Say it now!"
I paused, thinking, and finally said cheerfully, "Very - cute! You're the cutest, my Bi-chan!" Hugging her, I continued, "You're the most beautiful rose on campus!"
"Big liar!!" She shrugged me off.
"But I like saying it! I'll say more!!" I teased.
It was already July... I always thought we two would probably continue to be that way...
A lamp hanging from the ceiling in view. Fourth year already... Chinami and I were naked in my bed. The bed seemed foldable, and was laid with the rest of the furniture in my one-room appartment. "Kamoi-kun, are you looking for a job now?", she asked.
Still lying down and eyes closed, I sighed, "I'll eventually manage anyway, everybody is also looking for their own opportunites..."
"My parents are very long-winded..." Chinami was now opening a can of drink. "Why?" I asked, sitting up on the bed and scratching my head.
"And they keep asking me to return to them..." she added, looking worried. "Girls in Shimane Prefecture get married at 23 on average," she continued while handing me another can. "Really?"
"I really don't want to go back," she said with her back facing me. Drinking from the can, I agreed, "You're right! It's better for you to not go back after all."
"But how about a job? Kamoi-kun, do you have any contacts?" Now she's looking at me. "Why would I! Even if so, I would have found the job already!" I replied, grinning at her.
"Right! I've good news!" She suddenly seemed to remember something.
We're now in a street, right next to some tall office buildings. "... Working for a company?" "I've heard it is a very famous market research company..." she said. "I've been working for a company only recently... The person in charge requested me to come with friends."
Pointing at the glass door to the building, Chinami encouraged me with a smile, "If successful, we might even be working at the same company, right? From now on, you should think of a way to make a good impression..."
A friendly-looking man in a full suit was greeting us. "You have come...!!"
"This is my classmate, Suka-san." My girlfriend started introducing me.
Turning to me with enthusiasm, she added, "This is President Umieda-san."
"Then... okay, you first calculate these error values. Come here!", the president told us, handing out some documents. "Nami-chan, you take charge of tabulating this questionnaire."
Nami-chan...? Addressing her that intimately...? I was watching studying them. They were sitting together at the table discussing the job. "Sorry, this character..." Chinami queried, showing Umieda-san the papers. "Huh? This character is too small, can't see it clearly," he replied while adjusting his glasses.
Looking concerned, he continued, "I wonder if I'm getting older, and my eyesight gone worse." "Annoying! Isn't President Umieda only 35?"
"If you have hyperopia or presbyopia, just taking off the glasses will do." I added impatiently to their conversation.
"I only remove my glasses in the bedroom or the bathroom," the president stated, now looking at me as if in victory.
"Nami-chan, do you want to see how I look without my glasses?" He added, serious-looking. "AN-NOY-ING!" Sennabi smiled, covering up her face with her hands. I was upset, but all I could do was to keep quiet.
After we had left the office building, I accused her, "Why would you let him call you Chinami-chan!!". "I had no other way! There is someone who is also called Nato in the office," was her reply.
She then mused, "If the superior is someone who is like Umieda-san, going to work must be really happy..." "This might sound harsh, but why would having tiny eyes be cute? That just means he is a genuine adult!" I made it sound like I was joking, but Chinami looked at me curiously.
I'm annoyed by that guy!!
From then on, Chinami got increasing enthusiastic at work...
I've heard that President Umieda has put a bandage on his eye. Sounds fun! Chinami had told me when we got together. For the occasional times we saw each other, the topic was invariably about that Umieda-san.
"Would you lend me your notes?" I approached two of my friends on campus. "Hmm? Kamoi, what about your exclusive provider?" one of them wondered. "I haven't thought about that until you said it. Why are you always alone recently?" The other quipped.
"Actually..."
"The situation is like that..." I finally admitted to them my problem.
Seated in one of the classrooms, the first one advised me, "This kind of thing is very common! Feeling that men their age are too childish, always thinking of dating them because they are so cool!" "If you keep on irresponsibly being jealous, the girl will really leave you!" The other added.
Noticing that I was starting to get worried, the first one joked, "Right now, maybe those two are even..." The other hugged him from behind while giving out a moan to tease me.
"Why would that be possible in an office?" I argued. "Hard to tell! Don't be so naive. Under the conference table, or inside an elevator with a sign hung outside saying 'Out of Service'..."
"No way!!" I forced out a smile.
"Kamoi!!" "Huh? Where did he run?"
I, who has crawled under a small desk, was lying on my back under it. Because of the little space, I had to cross my arms and legs to fit in. In panic, I was asking myself, "... If she wants to do it, is she capable...?"
In the Chinami office, someone called "... Nato-san."
She turned around. It was a co-worker passing by who advised her, "You had better be careful with President Umieda. He is notorious for breaking the hearts of girls."
Later on, she confronted the president casually. "Is this true?" "... Oops. Actually, she was right," the man adjusts his glasses.
"As for my ways to break their hearts..." he continued sternly.
"Stand Up! You Can Do It, Le-hi-ho!" He had pulled himself into an exaggerated stance. "I just need to tell them the story of The Girl in the Alps." Chinami stared in astonishment.
"All they need is to hear this story. Then they invariably cry," he went on. "There is also The Little Princess and The Story of Poliana." Chinami laughed at his jokes.
Meanwhile, still in that classroom on campus, Chinami probably hasn't had...
"You must really be careful not to get jealous without reason. Understand?" Both of my friends were lecturing me. "If you childishly do that, she was hate you even more."
Speaking about that... I recalled what she said about me. Kamoi-kun, you are basically still a kid. Your own career, why don't you seriously plan about it? Really unreliable... You sure you can step into society and stand out...?
"You should show her a mature and generous attitude" "You must let her see that you're grown up!" These were what I heard from them when I was thinking in disbelief.
"An adult.... really?"
August has reached us. I was in a business suit and smiling to myself.
"Oh... Sorry! I forgot to call you up last night, sorry!!" Chinami apologised when she saw me. "It's okay, it's okay," I found myself saying, with the perfect smile still hanging on my face.
"Wow...! A complete suit! Finally you need to introduce yourself at all the companies," she said as she held my new jacket in her hands and examining it. She seemed glad for me. "You're right! How about your job?"
"Mmm... Still pretty good! Right! I'm starting to get trained to operate the computers in the company's computer room too..." She looked very enthusiastic about it.
"Then work hard! Nami-chan!" I chose to say. "Bye bye!" She noticed my crisp attitude.
"Right! Where are we going for a vacation this summer? How about we go to Disneyland?" She waved at me and said naively as I was walking away. "I've heard that there are several parades in August!!"
I turned back to say, "Disneyland? Only little mischiefs go there!" Waved a good-bye, and returned to my direction, still smiling. ... How was that? She'll think better of me now? I won't forever be a kid that refuses to grow up. I didn't see it behind my back, but she frozen into staring at me, extremely concerned.
In an office of one of the companies, I crawled under a desk again. "Kamoi-san, what are you doing?" Someone said. "Hiding in such a strange place."
If she wants to do it, is she capable?
"Because there were only eight awards, it is impossible that the school will refer me on its own." I was chatting with a few of my friends in a classroom at school. "...The public media tends to take the exam results very seriously..."
"Although I have no way to land in DaiTokyo Insurance..." I was saying, when Chinami arrived and noticed me.
"Kamoi-kun!" I heard her cheerful voice, but intentionally continued, "...I think I have a chance to work for Sanseiko Trading Company."
"What? Senseiko Company? I've heard that Umieda-san was originally an employee of External Relationships in that company!"
"At first he was very active in there, but... because he was beginning get bored with socialising, he came to the current company..." That Umieda guy again!
Somewhere among the buildings for Chikutsushin Manufacturing, YKD Ltd., Shiwa Computers and a tax company, I was being interviewed. "What are the reasons for your wish to work in the Sales Department?" On of the two representitves asked, a sheet of paper in hand.
"Correct!! Because I believe my personality needs to be refined! I am hoping to experience the strict training from this department. Glad to learn from all of you," I replied. Very serious.
"In this case..." The two men were talking between themselves. I really hope to become a man who can stand out very soon.
Eventually there will be a day I become mature anyway. Why no sooner then. I pondered while walking among other people in business suits. Everyone will grow up to be an adult someday. Thus, I hope I can be as soon as possible.
Wait for me, Chinami-san! I'll catch up with you immediately... I was calling up someone.
"...Hi. May I ask if this is Umieda-san? I'd like to see you. Is that okay..."
I've heard that Umieda-san was originally an employee of External Relationships... I remembered her saying. I, too, have become an adult. "Hi!" The president seems amiable.
"I've heard that Umieda-san has worked for Sanseiko Company in the past," I began, nervous. "Is it true that you are already hired?" was his reply.
"It was Nabi-kun who told me this." Again, the look of victory on his face. I didn't know what to say.
What did she have to tell this man my business? I silently complained to myself. "The Personal Relationships Department there..." he was continuing.
"It is bad to keep a stern face while listening to others talk. Don't you know that?" The way he looked at me immediately stopped my wandering thoughts.
"My training is still shallow..." I admitted red-faced. "Hard to blame you though. You're still a kid." He counteracted. He seemed more amused than annoyed knowing that he's winning again.
"Compared to you, Chinami is much more mature," he was reminding me again. "But from my perspective, she, too, is a child that hasn't grown up." That took me by surprise.
"When I look at her like that, that's what makes her cute," he continued to hurt me. I don't know what to say. He seemed so self-reassured.
"You...like her...?" I asked, starting to get worried again.
"I do like her! But I'm not going to sleep with her."
Is that so... Why would Chinami like you! Impossible!!
"When people reach my age, they instead hope to find a dating partner that can chat with them all night long. You probably won't be able to understand that. Sounds like an excuse for a sneaky middle-aged man to protect his family." He has both fists on the table now.
"The truth is... I can be called single now. I've divorced two years ago."
Just like that, I lost completely. "Disneyland? Why do you keep thinking all day long about going to that place?" It was me talking over the phone to Sennabi at work, and I was putting on my tie. "Why can I afford the time to play?"
"I need to go referring myself to companys! You should have known that!" I yelled into the phone.
And I hung up on her. Alarmed, she replaced the receiver.
Umieda noticed, and not missing a chance, put a hand on her shoulder and said, "How is it? Looks like you're down. You have a problem? Are you willing to tell me about it..." She looked at him...
Scenes depicting me in a business suit and doing different things. A shot about Chinami deep in thought. Just like that, in the wink of an eye it's October...
The people in my faculty haven't seen each other for a while, and so were using the reunion to report about their latest news. "Kanpai!" People were saying at a restaurant.
"Accepted internally by five companies!!" one said. "But I've seven!!" another replied. "Although the yearly extra is only one month and a half's pay..." "Zawa Zawa" "Gaya Gaya" The noise of a lot of people could be heard while they were chatting over their meal.
"I've got five days of paid holiday a year," someone said. Chinami spotted me.
"...Asai! Let's have a dance!" She said to a man who was drinking, pulling his arm. Now I noticed them, who were dancing, the man holding Chinami's waist.
"Nato! You come with me!!" I interrupted her and pulled her by her hand. She took a look at me, and noticed that I was furious.
"Why? I was just dancing with Asai-san. Why are you so angry!!" We went outdoors into the street, and all was dark except for the lights from building windows and street lamps.
"Clearly, it was you who first tossed me aside and abandoned me," Chinami said, her back facing me and sulking. "I couldn't help it! Because I was busy promoting myself all along!" I argued, matter-of-factly.
"All you can do is to show your jealousy, always wanting to control me, right?" she said calmly.
It took me a moment to realise, and then I broke out and yelled at her, "Don't you pretend to be mature all the time. I'll get angry! Every time this happens, you look very unlovely."
"Can you not yell so hard at me?" "Who was the the one to yell first? Please!" Getting too upset, she did not reply to that. I did not say anything either, seeped in my own fury.
"I understood. I can't grow up anyway!" I finally said. "Okay, okay, I know I was wrong..." Holding her shoulder, I smiled to her while continuing, "Come! Let's kiss and get back together?" She looked thoughtful. "No! You're drunk! Let go!"
"What? How come you're so cold!" My good mood was short-lived, and my face all flushed.
"... It's not because of Umieda-san...Kamoi-kun... You've changed so much. Recently, your behaviour has been really odd," she said, finally turning to me.
"You say it! It is because of Umieda, isn't it?" I was losing control. Snatching off a pair of glasses from a display, I put it on, pulled a face to have downward-slanting eyes that resembled Umieda's, and stated, "Hey, I'm Umieda."
"What are you doing?"
"If there's nothing between you and him, step on his face. Go ahead!" I challenaged her, lying down on the ground on my back and keeping my face with my hands.
"Let me see you step on my face!" She paused, looking at me. "You can't bring yourself to step on him, right?" I continued pressuring her.
"You can't step on him..." "Paa.." Before I knew it, she took the glasses from me and said, "To me, the face of the most important person..." She had knelt down and her face was above mine. Leaning towards me, she kissed my lips and continued, "is Kamoi-kun's..."
"To me, the most important thing to me is just the feelings with Kamoi-kun. Why do you doubt me? Why?" she said, eyes looking down, walking away from me.
"Let's get married! I already got hired!" I blurted out as my last resort.
"... Now, there's probably no way for us to get married, right?" she said.
Why...? Sweat breaking off my face.
"Because... the two of us are still kids." She looked at me distantly. "By pretending that we have already grown up, we'll just end up hurting each other."
Thus now... doesn't work... Shots of she and I having fun together. She joking, "Kamoi-kun is an idiot!" The two of us at Disneyland and looking very happy. Just like that, Sennabi and I broke up. Such an outcome, it was absolutely outside my expectations...
Because I could not put it down all along, I asked to see Umieda-san once again before graduation.
"I think Chinami Nato-san told me in the past, she likes to see you looking very happy when you're playing in Disneyland," Umieda said, recalling Chinami telling him at the office about her problems. "But for his career, he suddenly changed. He has changed a lot..."
"To speak the truth, I don't mind that much what kind of job he has found." "Because that's only for spending the few years of idle time before he and I get married. I was really too naive..."
I was shocked at what she has told him. While I remained speechless, he continued while sipping his drink. We were at a cafe. "In the end, she decided to work at my company..."
"How about you?" "Although I couldn't work for Sanseiko, I still got hired by a small company," I replied, eyes looking down.
"Oh really? Work hard, and be good at it!!" Umieda was politely friendly.
A banner in front of the college building says "The 35th Graduation Ceremony". I was in a suit and tie, walking past people gossiping with each other. At last, my eyes met Chinamis' .
"How come I feel that we haven't seen each other for a long time?" I said with a smile of relief. "Speaking of which..." she said, smiling to herself. "...Kamoi-kun, congratulations on your graduation! And your finding a job too!"
I was caught by surprise by what she said. After a pause, I told her, seriously, "I still love you."
Jokingly, she pointed at me and said, "Lying! You really hasn't changed."
Then, the view of them gets hazy, and she closed her eyes and added, "But..."
But? "Huh?" I prompted her, full of expectations.
Back to reality, someone grabbed Sennabi's arm, saying, "Chinami...! We've got to go now...!" The two of us were jolted by the sudden ending to our conversation, and my eyes followed her as she walked away...
Do I still have a chance to see her again? If I could... I believe, the person I'm jealous of is not Sennabi, but is Umieda-san instead, who is mature and capable. Perhaps it was my getting too concerned with him that caused me, to lose my most important thing. That is -- the heart of my most loved Sennabi. A front view of the deserted college building. We envy the mature grown-ups. Hasn't this proved that we are still two kids who hasn't grown up yet? Who is not capable of independence yet?
A shot of the smiling faces of the two of us.
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