A Song of Singing by Kurauchi Keito ### The actually title translate closer to “ A Ode/Song to the Art of Singing” but I find that a bit clunky. TL by boke ### TL notes indicated by hash tags like this: ### ### Page numbers indicated by —XX for example, page one is: —01 ### Panel numbers indicated by -X for example, panel one is: -1 ### sfx- means the following is a sound effect. ### hw- means the following is handwritten text. ### Unless otherwise noted, panel and text balloon flow is from upper right to lower left. ### This TL indexes on file number in case the page numbers don’t match. ### Sometimes my comments are snark or color, so feel free to ignore those. —00 -1 A Song of Singing —03 -1 A Song of Singing —05 -1 A Song of Singing Contents Chapter 1 After School: A Flower of Love Chapter 2 That’s Certainly a Lovely Thing Chapter 3 I Want to be Special Chapter 4 You Can’t Go Back to How it Was Chapter 5 What’s Not Known Chapter 6 The Best One Sided Love (Part 1) Final Chapter The Best One Sided Love (Part 2) Extra The Right Way to use Magic Afterward —06 -1 Main Characters Todoroki Maki The protagonist of this story. She’s in the Drama Club. She’s a witch, and each fall, aims for the leading role in the collaborative musical production with regional schools. Matsuzawa Kana Maki’s classmate. She doesn’t belong to a club. Until accidentally running into Maki during Maki’s vocal practice, she didn’t have much interaction with her. Kamiya Maika Maki’s senpai, who is one year older. In the Drama Club. She’s had major roles in the musical in each of the prior three years. Fukami Ruri Maika’s friend. She goes to a different school where she’s the president of the Drama club there. —07 -1 Haaapy Biiiirthdaaaay Maki-chaaaan -2 My eleventh birthday. Chapter 1 After School: A Flower of Love -3 I was informed that I was a witch. sfx- Pop -4 Both mom and myself, as well as your uncle are too. But, it’s not like everyone can use magic. -5 So you shouldn’t tell other people. I’m special. —08 -1 There’s all sorts of magic… And among other things, difficult magic requires singing. sfx- Hey! -2 Maki-chan, you’re learning to sing, right? If you work at it, you can be like me. hm- Hey, now… -3 Got it! Mama! Papa! -4 My mom has a wonderful voice and was talented at producing jewels and flowers. When my uncle was an opera singer he could use a variety of magic, it seems. I always believed I’d grow up to be like that. —09 -1 Five years later -4 What do you think? Drama Collaboration Fall Performance Audition Info Meeting -5 First years! —10 -1 Is it the first time you’ve been to Akio Academy? It’s tough to just go on in to someone else’s school, huh? -2 The three of us came to see the performance last year, but Akio’s just so big… We should have found a senpai to show us the way. Whoa! -3 hw- This is where we were last year! Whoaaaa! Yeah, this is totally different from our auditorium -4 If I pass the audition, I’ll be able to stand on this stage, right? That’s right. —11 -3 So many people… I’m getting nervous. Everyone looks like they’re so talented… What’s the matter? -4 I thought the senpai who played the lead might be here… Um… -5 Stare -6 If you’re talking about Kamiya-senpai, she should be here today. —12 -1 How do you know? -2 Senpai’s pretty famous, so… See? The one handing out flyers… -3 Someone’s singing! Let’s go! Let’s go! sfx- Thumpa Thumpa -4 That was simple magic. -5 It’s just a little trick. When I look someone in the eye… -6 I can see what they are thinking. —13 -1 I started singing for the sake of magic. But it was my hobby by the time I got into high school. So they’re doing Elizabeth for the next performance… ###bold and italicize “Elizabeth” -2 What about you? What role are you shooting for? Any idea? During club, I decided I’d see if I could get a role in the musical. -3 The performance this fall is a collaboration with regional schools. And it’s held in the largest auditorium in the area. sfx- Clamor Clamor -4 Both the cast and the audience are huge. The quality of the performers is also high. Wonder who’s gonna be Thoth? ### italicize “Thoth” hw- Who knows? The Elizabeth role’s going to Maika-senpai, I bet. —14 -1 The lead last year was Kamiya Maika-senpai. She goes to my school and is one year older. Her appearance, her singing, and her performance blows everyone else away. She was given the lead role last year, and the year before. -2 But I think I have a chance. -3 hw- Good job Good Job Did you hear me just then? How was it? Because my mom and my uncle both have talent. -4 hw- It was really amazing! This year, I have to get the role of Elizabeth at last. —15 -2 She’s finally here! -3 No matter what role you want… Kamiya-san’s gonna get the lead, I bet. -4 Does everyone have a schedule? We’re going to explain about the audition, so please take your seats! This year, we’re doing “Elizabeth”! -4 If I look into peoples minds, it’s nothing but thoughts of senpai. Senpai always looks as she’s overflowing with confidence. And that’s why I can’t stand her. —16 -1 That’s not bad. -2 I guess it might be time to teach you new magic. I think it will help you land a role in club. If you pay attention to your intonation, you’ll get better. But… you focus too much on the score. -3 Really? -4 I want to you have a variety of experiences. For example… -5 Don’t you have some boy you like? hw- Wha? sfx- Crumple —17 -1 Nope. sfx- Hmph I see… Sorry, ok? —3 This year, it’s the same, right? It’s not just your school, but other schools as well? There’s a lot of people. -4 I’m being serious, ok? It doesn’t have to come to fruition, but fall in love. I think it’ll be a positive thing for you, Maki. -5 Just telling me that’s not helpful. I just can’t go out and do it, right? —18 -1 I love singing. I love performing. -2 I want to sing in front of everyone. -3 But… -4 Shoot, I forgot it… —19 -1 All my songs do is trace the outline of the score. -2 There’s not much time until the audition. hw- Didn’t you go home already? I forgot something. -3 “Love”… Even if I read someone’s mind, I just don’t get it… sfx- Sliiide —20 -3 I forgot something. Sorry to interrupt you. -4 But, uh… I didn’t know you could sing. You have a beautiful voice. -5 For club? —21 -1 Kinda… I have an audition. -2 This fall there’s a regional music festival and they do a musical. -3 Regional? You mean Akio? That’s a big one! -4 Yeah, that’s it. That’s weird… I want to sing on the big stage. So this fall I’ll be doing this, not club. -5 She said I had a beautiful voice. Just that… I… Want to play the lead! -6 Made me so happy inside. —22 -1 The next day Uh, so… -2 I’m back! What are you here again? -3 I’m killing time until my job. It’s our classroom, so I’m free to use it too, right? Well… That’s… -4 Can you do your homework at least!? Sure, sure. -6 I don’t know anything about music, but… She’s way better than anyone around here. —23 -1 So your audition… just how hard it is? -2 Just wondering what kind people will you be competing against. -3 It’s tough. Really tough… -4 There’s this one senpai who’s really talented. Everyone just assumes she’s going to get the role. And there’s really good people in the other schools too. -5 That seems rough. Yeah, but… I don’t want to give up before it even starts. —24 -1 I think I might be being a little presumptuous, To tell the truth. -2 Oh, really? sfx- Klud I don’t know anything about the other people, but… -3 I think you shooting for the lead is pretty cool. -4 If someone like you were to get the lead… -5 I think that would be pretty cool. —25 -2 Nnn… -3 I think you’re pretty good. ###bold and italicize “I” I wonder ‘bout that… -4 My mom and uncle were performers, so I always end up comparing myself to them. -5 Oh? Really? I didn’t know that! Who are they? Todoroki… Todoroki…? hw- Ah sfx- Plop —26 -1 I doubt you’d know them. They quit quite a while ago. hw- And they used stage names… -2 I see. Do you want to do the same thing, Maki? -3 I dunno… I guess it’d be hard to decide, huh? Yeah… -4 Sometimes… I watch my mom’s old performances. -6 She has such a pretty voice… I can’t believe she was the same age as I am now. —27 -1 And… My mom would use some magic… -2 Like this… -3 Fwaa -4 Whoa! What did you just do? It’s… It’s just a trick… -5 Is this real? I wonder if there’s any such thing as a love you’d be ok with if it didn’t come to pass. —28-1 I wonder what she thinks of me. -2 It’s beautiful… I don’t have the courage to read her mind. -3 I wish this moment could last forever. —31 -1 Pass it on -3 Todoroki-san -4 Let me show you something after school -6 Wah Chapter 2 That’s Certainly a Lovely Thing —32 -2 Pass it on -4 I heard about it when I was working… If you take this street, it’s a short cut to Akio. Hmm -5 And! There’s this funky little shop too! -6 You’re all excited! -7 And so, let’s give it a shot! Sure. —33 -1 Wooow -2 Ah, sorry! Mm-nn. -3 I love this stuff, so I had to take a look. -4 At school, we’re always hanging out with other people. We’re just after school friends. —34 -1 It feels kinda weird. -2 I wish my workplace has stuff like that. -3 What kind of job do you have? It’s a coffee shop on the street in front of the station. Lot’s of schools in the area, so all our customers are students. Mm? -4 You should come if you want. sfx- Squeek ###at bottom sfx- Shhf I’ll give you extra goodies. -5 sfx- Swing Sway -6 Stare —35 -1 A fish? It’s awesome, right? I love it. -2 I’d be too afraid to break it to put it on my bag. It looks like it’s really nice. -4 hw- You walk to school, after all I guess so, but… I have to have it like this. -5 I can’t just hide it away. It’d just be a waste, otherwise. —36 -3 So Kana-chan like pretty things… -4 I’m home! -5 I didn’t know you could sing. You have a beautiful voice. -6 Heh heh —37 -1 Did something nice happen today? Yeah. -3 Maki hw- look this way There’s something on your face… -4 Huh? What? -5 Ah, no, my mistake. hw- Really? —38 -1 I see. It is a girl’s school, after all. ###bold and italicize “is” -2 She read my mind…! -3 sfx- Slam! My, my. It’s fine if it’s a girl, ok? sfx- Thumpa Thumpa -4 What’s up? hw- You two get in a fight? sfx- Thumpa Thumpa Kinda sorta. -5 Honestly, I do want to teach her harder magic… -6 This again? But I think we need to watch how things turn out. Do we really? -7 If she has the talent, the maybe it’s better to be upfront with her? If she were to use her magic by accident… —39 -1 It’s not something we should do when we have an anxious kid like her. Especially at this stage. -2 My mom’s go no clue This time, it wasn’t anxiety at all. -3 Mom, don’t look at me like that… I can’t concentrate. And there’s not much time until… -4 Hey now… Are you getting all nervous now? ###bold and italicize “now” -5 Gimme a break. It’s not like I can ask her… -6 “Just what do you think of me?” —40 -1 Even if Kana-chan does like me if it’s just because it’s a girl’s school… -2 Ah, right! -3 Was that right? …yeah. -4 Why didn’t I think of this before? -5 I should just use my magic. sfx- Haaah —41 -1 At my level, can I do this? I should be able to… I mean, back then I was able to produce such a beautiful flower after all, right? -2 When casting difficult magic, I think what’s important is… -3 Not just the skill -4 But also the feelings you imbue into it. —42 -2 Clench… -4 Pwah… Don’t tell anyone about us, ok? -5 Th-thump —43 -1 Yeah, if word got out, it’d be bad… -2 Even doing this in the classroom is dicey, don’t you think? -3 You’re right, but… Right now it’s fine. Did I really cast the spell? -4 If I did… Then getting the lead role should be possible. sfx- Caress —44 -3 It’s Todoroki-san! -4 And that’s the audition piece. —45 -1 I wonder if the others have noticed too. That sometimes Todoroki-san gives these expressions you don’t normally see. -2 Although she’s not yet as good as me she definitely going to keep growing. -3 On the day of the audition, if she does well, I want to give the lead to her. —46 -1 If a girl as cute as her were to perform It would definitely bring down the house. -2 And that would make for an amazing performance for everyone. -3 I really want to make her dreams come true. —49 -1 Stagehands, Lighting, Costumers… Everyone’s here… sfx- Murmur Murmur hw- Even though attendance is optional… Chapter 3 I Want to be Special -2 I get nervous every time. Even though we’ve done it four times now. -4 For the audition order, I’ll have you go last. -5 Okay I expect an awesome performance. -6 sfx- Gulp It’s getting to be time, right? Yeah —50 -1 hw- Okay! We’re starting the audition! -2 Clatter -4 Calm down, calm down… -5 I’ll be ok. Since then, I’ve started to have confidence in my singing. -6 I’m next… —051 -1 Magic to make them love me? -3 I’ve learned some serious magic now. sfx- Flash -4 Here goes… —52 -1 At the fall performance I’ll be wearing the fanciest costume. -2 More than anyone else, I’ll be the center of attention! —53 -1 Huff Haaah Haaa -2 She’s so much better than last year… But… -3 Even so, Maika’s still better… —54 -1 Hey Ruri… Hm? -2 Wha? -3 Are you crazy? It’s your last change to perform! -4 That’s fine. I think this is for the best. sfx- Smile -5 201X Fall Collaborative Performance Elizabeth - Cast List —55 -2 You got so much better all the sudden! We were so surprised. -3 Maika-senpai just praised me! Hey, Todoroki-san… -4 During the run up to the show, let me help you out. -5 I’ll help you polish your performance into something amazing. —56 -1 Wow! Congratulations! -2 Thank you. Maki, you’ve worked so hard! -3 hw- On break That’s great. I’ve been waiting to hear the results all this time I’ve been at work. -4 It’s not Senpai this time. It’s me! I can’t believe it! -5 Even though I told you you’d be a shoe-in for it! Fufu Did you really? Pretty sure I did. —57 -1 I’ll make this show a success! Come see me! -2 You bet. You promise? You better not be working that day. -3 I know. After it’s over, we’ll go out to celebrate. -4 Yeah. Yeah. -5 It’s the drama club! —58 -1 Yeah! That was really good! -2 But this part might have been a bit slow… And Sofie, make your movements bigger, ok? -3 OK! That’s a wrap for today! -6 I wonder what’s wrong? -7 Let’s get to the changing room before it gets crowded. hw- Heya Her expression just now… She was looking at Maika-senpai. -8 But it’s not something to read someone’s mind over. —59 -1 Good job today. Senpai… -2 Coming along? Yeah, I think so. -3 Thanks to Kamiya-senpai’s advice, I think I’ve gotten a lot better. -5 I’m sorry. Yeah, something’s going on here… -6 sfx- Aaaah No, I can’t let it show on my face. Yeah, no matter what Maika does, she’s amazing. -7 Not just her part, but she get’s how everyone is supposed to perform. —60 -1 You must have noticed, right? My reaction just now… -2 Maika’s being getting leading parts since she was in the second year of middle school. You remember, right? That was when you were a first year, Todoroki-san. Ruri, look! Look! C-congratulations… But once she demonstrated the difference in our levels, I just… -3 I wanted to be on stage at first, you know. hw- No way hw- Wow, rad! hw- Right? I wanted to run away. -4 So this year… She started talking about how she wanted some other girl to perform. I mean, Maika’s perfect for the role, so it was hard to hear. —61 -1 The vibe going around our grade was like, “so, our grade can’t even contribute anything?”… -2 On the one hand, Maika’s giving your sudden growth a lot of cred. But I think maybe that’s why… there’s quite a few people worked up about it too. -3 But it’s no time for me to be bitching and moaning. -4 Ah… Lemme just drop it. -5 Sorry, that must’ve make you feel bad. No… —62 -1 Ruri, sorry to keep you waiting. Huh? Todoroki-san, it’s unusual to see you and Ruri together. You wanna all go home together? -2 hw- Maika-senpai, you forgot something! hw- Did she go home? hw- Just wait a sec, ok? -3 It’s me. I’m just a little down. I really love Maika, y’know? sfx- Clamor Clamor -4 So let’s keep this a secret. -5 Whew -6 I understand Senpai. hw- Sorry! —63 -1 Hey, Todoroki-san. I want to hear it. -2 The audition piece! No way. We’re in a hallway! -3 hw- Whaaa? It’s fine to make some noise here. It’s just the cooking and clothing clubs around here. You’re making me worried. If you can’t sing in front of others, how will you do up on the stage? -4 C’mon! Senpaaaai! -5 Whssh -6 Whaaa —67 -1 Once each year leading there is a collaborative musical production with regional schools. Today is opening day. Tea First ###sign on right Club ###sign on left Chapter 4 You Can’t Go Back to How it Was. -3 Dressing Room 1 Todoroki Maki -4 When’s the last time I went to another school’s festival? If not for this, I would never go. hw- I want to change the announcements a bit before we open the doors. hw- Ah, sounds good. Yeah. -5 That girl. The one surrounded by others. That’s my girlfriend. -6 It’s a trippy scene. hw- Ah —68 -1 You totally look so good! hw- Is that the script? hw- So many notations! -2 Glance -3 Can I send this to someone? Sure! -4 We’re talking a bit more in class, but… Whoa! -5 sfx- Shine Shine But we’re still a secret from everyone. —69 -2 Macchan! -3 Matsuko! Matsuzawa! -4 Hey! sfx- Pat -5 S-sorry! Let’s give them our gifts already. Sorry to keep you waiting! Y-yeah… -6 sfx- Bluuush No one noticed I was staring, right? —70 -1 So pretty…. -3 I’m surprised you wanted to come. Really? -4 She’s my classmate, and the lead. I was curious. Right?! I thought you might be working. -5 sfx- Clench… Matsuzawa-san, thanks for coming. -6 Really… It makes me really happy. —71 -1 It’s about time to wrap up lunch break. Already? We’re going to go, ok? -2 Break a leg! sfx- Whisper -3 Thanks -4 Is everyone back? Waiting on one person who’s still in the bathroom. Let me know when everyone’s here. Todoroki-san, shall we head backstage? Huh? …yeah, ok. -5 This isn’t according to schedule… -6 hw- Mmm Todoroki-san… You’re being too nervous. -7 It’s putting everyone on edge. —72 -1 You’ll be fine. Your time to shine is here. You gotta enjoy it. -2 Geez… When did it start? Your growth recently has been mind blowing. sfx- Relax, relax -3 You’ve come to look like your mother. hw- Wha? You knew she was a performer? Your voice is just like hers. hw- I saw a recording. -4 When I think back on it, mom was right on the money. I changed the moment I fell in love with Kana-chan. You don’t have to do it for real, but fall in love. -5 Y’know, we… We’re just kids who love the stage, and are drawn to this event, right? Yeah. But getting to stand on this stage? I think it’s something amazingly lucky. —73 -1 Everyone is thinking “oh, I want this production to be amazing”. Feel free to act the part of “Todoroki-san, who feels no stage fright”. Well, That would be awesome. It would be enough for everyone to forget their anxiety for a moment. -2 Ah, Thoth! There you are! -3 Can I have Maki read half of the opening announcements? hw- I’ve already asked the club president. Todoroki-san? Sure, that’s fine. -4 Maika-senpai gave me the leading role, and has been taking care of me. hw- What are the teachers doing in the audience? -5 Is it so she can hang around the stage longer? It that enough of a reason for her to do it? -6 Is it because she’s so talented that the leading role is such a small thing for her? Senpai… Have fun, ok? —74 -1 Th-thump Th-thump -2 Haaah -3 Gulp —75 -1 Waaaah —77 -2 Being up on stage? It went by in a flash. sfx- Yeaaaaaah ###vertical -4 What did Kana-chan think? I wanna ask her right away! sfx- Clap Clap ###repeated through remaining panels -5 And my mom… She must think I’m doing better, right? —78 -1 hw- Cheers! sfx- It’s just juice Good job on these past three days! -2 Okay, will each of the main cast and team leads say a few words? I still hear the applause in my head. hw- Who should start? -3 The sensation of being the object of the audience’s attention! -4 Mom… Uncle… Maika-senpai… hw- Good job everyone! -5 Everyone saw the show. —79 -1 What’s with him? It’s Thoth! -2 Next year’s going to be “The Little Mermaid” Oh, really?! -3 Um -4 Murmur -5 Todoroki-san, you know, I… I think what my mom was hoping for was more along the lines of this. ### bold and italicize “this” -6 But, I just can’t handle stuff like this. Wha…? Um, well… —80 -1 I’m sorry, I not good with this stuff… sfx- Whaaaaa sfx- Pulling away -2 Maika-senpai! Ruri-senpai! hw- C’mon over hw- That guy… -3 Aww, you poor thing. I’ll give that guy a piece of my mind later. -4 Your performance was great! It’s all thanks to you, Senpai. You’re being modest. -5 Um… Next year they’re doing The Little Mermaid, right? -6 I want to go for the lead again next year. I don’t want someone else to take it. Why won’t you teach me? Yeah, I bet. -7 I think if you help me, I could get even better. Is it because my singing isn’t good enough to become magic? -8 Can I have you be my vocal coach? —81 -1 Of course! I’b be happy to do it! Well… once you get the part. -2 If I help you now it’d be like a rigged game. Maika That’s a bit… Whaa? -3 So that’s what happened. I’m absolutely going to nail the lead next time too. Mm. -4 I’m looking forward to it. Eheheh —82 -1 Ah. -2 Future Aspiration Survey Student Name: Matsuzawa Ka ###her name is cut off Ah, here’s where it went to… -3 I haven’t submitted mine yet. Really? -5 I have no idea what I want to do. But this is just to set up what track you get into in year two, right? Humanities or Science, right? I’ll just pick whatever you pick, Kana-chan. Oh, come on… -5 You’re serious about the stage, so… I thought you’d want to be an actress or something? Like you mom, right? -6 Yeah, but… It’s not that simple… hw- Ready to go? —83 -1 Sigh… -3 Clench -4 Come with me. -5 Wha? What’s up? -6 You don’t normally do things like this, Kana-chan. sfx- Th-thump sfx- Wobble -7 What can I say? It’s just…? —84 -1 Clench Nnn -2 Lick -4 Kana-chan… We’re outside, you know. -5 Hey… -6 If we were on stage Maybe we wouldn’t have to hide… —85 -1 I’m not sure about that. Maki, you are always wanting to hide something. Your eyes give you away. -2 Have you lost weight recently? Has something happened? Worried about the survey? Mm-nn… I can’t tell you. I can’t tell you about my magic. -3 No matter how hard I work. No matter the success I have on the stage. Mom just keeps blowing me off and won’t teach me magic. hw- You messed up my hair… —86 -1 If my mom thought I was good enough, I’d be able to believe in myself. She won’t teach me anything but simple magic. Is it because she thinks I can’t do it? -2 I took the lead role from Maika-senpai. And how I captured the attention of the audience? Is that the work of an amateur? -4 I want to think I’m special. I don’t want to think I’m worthless. If I can’t sing, if I can’t do magic, just what will I become? —87 -1 Maybe I should make this performance my last… -2 I’m worried… It must have been a fluke that Kana-chan feel under my spell. -3 No matter what, this is the one magic that mustn’t be broken. -4 These sweet words… This warmth… Until the lies go away, I’ve got to keep up this deception. —89 -1 sfx- Clamor Clamor hw- Do you see your name? hw- Let’s go I’m not looking down on anyone. But I totally feel like I’ll get the role. 201X Fall Collaborative Performance The Little Mermaid - Cast List -3 But even so, the off chance that I won’t is making me anxious. -4 So, really… -5 Todoroki-saaan! Chapter 5 What’s Not Known Maika-senpai… —90 -1 Congratulations! I’m so relieved… -2 And once again… please help me out. sfx- Clamor Clamor The Little Mermaid - Cast List ###cut off Mermaid Princess Todoroki Maki ###cut off Prince Souga Hiroki ###cut off -3 sfx- Whew sfx- Haaah Good job. -4 Not like she had to worry about it. —91 -1 Hey, Todoroki-san… Do you want to go grab tea sometime soon? Tea…? -2 I’ve been thinking over the performance, and want to get your take on it. -3 This is uncomfortable… -4 It’s like what happened with the guy playing Thoth. Dude! You totally worked your ass off for that! -5 No, that can’t be right… No wait, I’m going out with… ###bold and italicize “I’m” -6 I mean… I’ve got Kana-chan, so.. -7 Ma… —92 -1 Matsuzawa… Kana-san…? -2 Senpai… What did you do just now… sfx- Whhsh -3 Did you just… read my mind? Just like when my mom did it… —93 -1 When my mind is agitated… Wait! Todoroki-san! Just what do you mean by that? All sorts of things kind of leak out. -2 Because it’s best for everyone…? -3 sfx- Grit For her to give me the role of Elizabeth last year… and how she’s helped me out all this time… -4 To have it be because Maika-senpai is in love with me is just… —94 -1 I’m… a little busy for tea. Sorry… Mm-nn. I-I bet you must be. -2 But forget that a sec! -3 I did it! -4 I didn’t know I could do this. I’ve never done something like this, even by accident. sfx- Shake —95 -1 It seems Maika-senpai doesn’t know anything about magic. Someone has to teach her the right way. -2 My mom? Ugh, no. Maybe my uncle… -3 About magic… Please get someone to teach you. -4 Even if it’s just enough to make sure you don’t use it by mistake. That’s the address of my uncle’s place. I’m pretty sure he’s got plenty of time… -5 So you won’t teach me, huh, Todoroki-san? I know magic’s not unique just to me, but… -6 Yeah… I do know that… —96 -1 Todoroki-san, look! I’m now able to do this! -2 See…? It took her no time to be able to do that. -3 I wonder if this is how Ruri-senpai felt. So pretty… But I can’t imagine explaining things to her. -4 If I could make someone happy with magic… That would just be utterly amazing. -5 Just how petty am I being right now? Ok, break time is over. —97 -1 Yaaaagh -2 Whish -3 History Classics Todoroki 1B -4 Slump -5 Huff Huff -6 Knock Knock -7 What’s going on? -8 Mom… —98 -1 Are you ok? You’re sitting in the dark… I’m fine. -2 I know you. You don’t have to lie to me. -4 sfx- Clench Yeah… -6 Is this uncle’s coffee? Yes. He told me about it. —99 -1 The girl who’s been coming over to his place recently… She’s your senpai, right? -2 That’s right. I introduced them. -3 This happen once in a blue moon. That even if you don’t have relatives who are witches, you can use magic. -5 It must be hard on you… You don’t have to tell me that. -6 You know, I have thought about teaching you. More magic. -7 But there are all sorts of circumstances to consider. -8 When someone talks about difficult magic, you think about getting taught something deep and hard, right? But in reality, there’s no need to learn anything new. What do you mean? Haven’t you ever thought about if singing with emotion could become magic? It’s just that. If you are serious enough, you can do anything. —100 -1 All the spell books? They are basically just examples. So it’s to make people think they can’t do more than what they are taught? Exactly. The songs and performances are their to make sure you produce magic correctly. If you can, we want you to get along without magic. When you need to use it, you need to think long and hard about it. -2 I’ve been checking from time to time to see if you can make decisions calmly. About how do you think about things when situations come up. Your father, on the other hand, thought the risk of you not knowing was greater. -3 So when you read my mind the other day, that’s why? -4 hw- That’s right. I was worried you were getting close to reading all this in my mind. Are you getting along with the girl I saw in you mind back then? Y-yeah… -5 I’m glad to hear it. All she said was “It is a girl’s school.” ###bold and italicize “is” So she wasn’t just harshing on me…? —101 -1 Yeah, at that moment… When you read my mind, you thought I was awful, huh? That was all on purpose. I acted cold so you wouldn’t see any more. -2 I’m sorry… To avoid making some mistake you can’t take back, you really do have to think long and hard. -3 A mistake you can’t take back… sfx- Th-thump -4 Kana-chan… -5 I’m not sure if I should have told you all this, but… But I do have to tell you what I think about your expressive power. You should have more confidence in yourself. —102 -1 Just what is this…? It feels like my heart just became empty… -2 So don’t go comparing yourself to your senpai, okay? -3 hw- Want some? If it was senpai, I know she wouldn’t be agonizing over this. -4 Yeah… I just can’t bring myself to like Maika-senpai. -5 hw- Sigh I’m so tired… —103 -1 Oho? You’ve worked hard… -2 You had the costume fitting… sfx- Slide That’s not it. -3 It’s just some stuff that’s come up. A senpai invited me out to tea, and then… -4 Tea? Must be a girl. Did you go? sfx- Tug I declined. You should have gone. hw- Wha? -5 Are you forgetting about us? Huh? You mean she was hot for you? -6 Ever since Elizabeth last year, I get a lot of that. ### italicize “Elizabeth” hw- Mmmmmm -7 You’re miss popular. Gimme a break. But you don’t deny it. —104 -1 But she seems in better spirits now. sfx- Whew I love that about you. -3 How can getting told that someone loves you feel so painful? And to think that I’m so weak, all I can do is run away. —105 -1 I hate this. -2 Make me forget everything… -3 When will your parents be back? sfx- Caress About eight thirty. sfx- Smile -4 Haaah -5 Grab —106 -1 sfx- Click Click There’s no such thing as a love you’d be ok with being unfulfilled. -3 I can’t undo this magic. -4 This happiness… -5 There’s no way I’m letting go of it. -6 If I don’t have her… sfx- Creak I know something bad will happen to me. —107 -1 He… Hey… Gimma a sec. sfx- Flump -2 sfx- Whump Don’t… hide your face. -3 Haaah -5 Wah! I love you sfx- Th-thump -6 I want to forget that I cast a spell on her so badly… sfx- Th-thump sfx- Thump Thump No… -7 sfx- Th-thump Since I’m struggling over this so much I should just disappear… Me too. —108 -1 I’ve got to get stronger. Since I’ve now decided to rupture the status quo. sfx- Zzz -2 I have to show you… I don’t have the right to really be happy. -3 Or to want someone to come and save me. The prettiest version of me. sfx- Tap —109 -1 No matter what, on this very stage I’m going to give the perfect performance of The Little Mermaid. -2 It absolutely will be The highlight of my life. sfx- Clang -4 And my dreams will certainly come true. —110 -2 What did you think? Just like that! That’s the one! Todoroki ###shirt Handa ###shirt -3 We’ll use the gauze curtain on his scene. It’s looking great! Ah Thank you very much! Is the length of your sleeves ok? No problem. -4 I’ve put sticky notes on the places to pay attention to. hw- She praised me! -5 It’s just a little bit until showtime! Keep it up! Raise your gaze up like looking at the 2nd floor Thank you very much! -6 Tighten up the pause in the sister’s scene —111 -1 Maika-senpai… -2 I think… I’m going to quit the stage after this fall’s program. -3 It’s my fault, isn’t it… No.. I decided before that. —112 -1 I… Want the memories of my final performance to be… Seeing the most beautiful spectacle yet. I know it’s selfish, but will you help me? -3 Everyone wants that, you know. hw- Ok, let’s continue. -4 The one who understands this role the best right now isn’t anyone else. It’s me. —113 -1 For example, even if Maika-senpai is better than me ### bold and italicize “is” -2 The Little Princess is me. -4 She’s really gotten good. -5 Hey, Todoroki-san… I know what you are trying to do here. —114 -2 Because you cast a spell on the one you love. You are really suffering now. -3 You don’t like me, but you’re even willing to use me. How you want to use song to be able to cast magic? I know all about it. -4 I’ve got to help her. It’s not for anyone else. I want her to be happy. Even if it’s my own selfish desire. —115 -2 It’s about time for my break. It’s that collaboration thing, right? My friend is going to be it in! -3 So those girls are going to see The Little Mermaid too. Let’s bring flowers or something. -4 Matsuzawa-san, before you go on break, can you come here a sec? -5 There’s someone from your school? They said they need to talk to you. hw- Matsuzawa-san, do you want anything to eat? -6 Who could it be? It’s not Maki… sfx- Clank —116 -3 I’m sorry to bother you while you are on break. -4 Wha? You might have heard of me from Todoroki-san… —117 -1 I’m Kamiya Maika… From the drama club. -2 How does she know of me…? sfx- Wobble -3 hw- Are you ok? hw- I’m… I’m fine. —119 -1 Chapter 6 The Best One Sided Love (Part 1) -2 hw- Uhhh… So because Maki cast a spell on me… I fell in love with her? Is that what you’re saying? -4 So my swinging by to see her after accidentally stumbling onto her practicing… Uh… Listen, about all that… hw- Mmm… Well… I think you were in love with Todoroki-san before she cast the spell. —120 -1 We’ve never told anyone that we’re going out together! -2 I’m sorry about this… -3 hw- So, uh… Does that really mean that Maki cast a spell on me? Mmm… She did something, that’s without question. ###bold and italicize “something” -4 To be honest, I’m not convinced… sfx- Poof Yeah, your reaction is perfectly normal. -5 Well… But I’m relieved to hear that you really do love her. I have something to ask… —121 -1 So please just calm down and listen. sfx- Zzzaaa -2 Todoroki-san, after the last performance… Is going to cast a spell on herself and disappear. -3 I want both of us to help her. I could just use my magic to stop her, but… That would be meaningless. -4 We need to show Todoroki-san That it’s not because of magic that you love her. —122 -1 I just got a hunch… -2 So, about Maki… You love her, right? -3 Spin Spin -4 …That’s right. -4 She’s so cute… and works so hard… I know she doesn’t like me. -5 But even so, I love her. I have always loved her. —123 -1 So? How about it? Will you help me? …Of course. -2 After last year’s performance, Sometimes Maki would act strange. -3 She wouldn’t talk to me about it at all… -4 If what you are saying is true, I guess she must have been hurting all this time. -5 So what do I do now? I want to do anything I can to help. —124 -1 Thank you for attending today’s performance of The Little Mermaid -3 We sincerely appreciate it. -4 Today’s the last performance. Let’s keep it up! Let’s get the biggest ovation yet! -5 Heheh -6 We have some requests of the audience… -7 Later! —125 -1 Please refrain from eating in the auditorium. -3 Todoroki Ma ###cut off I have to show my face at the afterparty, but I’ll see you after that. I want to see yo… ###cut off At the earliest, it’ll be around 6:30 Got it How about meeting at seven? I’ll be in the lobby by the closest exit. -4 In addition, please silence your phone and other electronic devices. Send -5 The performance will begin shortly. Please enjoy until the very end. -6 sfx- Bip I’ll take your jacket. —126 -2 This is the end… —127 -1 Of my existence -3 Of the performance that’s being burned into my mind -4 And of this magic… —128 -1 Through the achingly beautiful songs of the Little Mermaid -2 I’ll play up her tragic story -3 More than just reading it on the page could do! —129 -1 In the beginning, I simply just loved to sing. -2 I idolized my mom and uncle, and worked hard at it. -3 Just when did that all change for me? —130 -2 Every time Kana-chan tells me she loves me, my heart hurts. -3 I never would have guessed that Maika-senpai would be able to use magic too. —131 -1 Maybe I’m convincing myself that if I throw away my love, my dreams, that it can go back to how it was. -2 But I can’t stand to look at myself - I’m hollow inside. All I want to do is continue to dream. —132 -1 This is the moment when I am most beautiful —133 -1 sfx- Yaaaay Don’t you think she was better than Kamiya-senpai? -2 Senpai! Great job! Nn… She must be feeling the pressure of getting next year’s role. -3 Maki-chan! You can cry later, ok? Hnn… -4 hw- I’ll fix your makeup It’s not over Until all the last bows are done. hw- Please! —134 -1 sfx- Hurraaaay sfx- Clap Clap You can’t put on a show alone. -2 But even so, I just carried the show. sfx- Clap Clap -3 In the gaze of the audience, I gain conviction. -4 And in just a short while, sfx- Clench when I disappear from this earth… —135 -2 Reminder 19:00 Maki Is this going to be ok…? -3 Okay, Senpai, let’s go do this! sfx- Right after my shift sfx- Clatter No! Wait! Just listen! I’m sure it’ll be ok! -4 In order for her not to oppose my magic, I need you two to get some distance. If we do something now, it’ll affect her performance. So I don’t want us to do anything until after the last show. -5 sfx- Creak What did she mean by that? -6 Waiting long? What you need to do is simple. Not at all. —136 -1 If you tell her that your love is not due to magic That should be enough to save her. -2 No one’s around! -3 Stare -4 What? -5 Grap -6 Sigh -8 Why did you bring me so far away? —137 -1 Normally when we’re on dates, we’re close to our school and homes, so… and we often are carrying a lot of stuff… -2 Hey, I don’t want you to look away… -3 I-I… I heard it from Kamiya-senpai. -5 That you’re suffering because you cast a spell on me. —138 -1 So you knew. Yeah… Hey, dispel this magic, ok? I want to tell you that it’s not because of magic that I love you. -2 I couldn’t talk to you about this if people were around, right? …yeah. -3 But, I don’t want to dispel the magic. -4 Because of the spell, you are always so kind to me. -5 There’s no way to know… whether what you say is true or not. I’m right, see? —139 -2 You know I like pretty things, hm? Yeah. -3 Your voice. The way you sing. The way you’re a little… no, a lot prideful. Those are all beautiful things to me. -4 Even if what if feel is illusion right now, I know I’d fall in love with you again. It’s okay. -5 Gawd, this is embarrassing… -6 Thank you. —140 -1 But, it’s too late already. I cast this spell while on stage. -2 Because Maika-senpai allowed me to be the Little Mermaid… -3 Aaaaah It allowed me to be able to do this. -4 Let’s break up. I’m going to disappear from this place. —141 -1 To be honest, if you hadn’t have brought me here I would have brought you here to show you this. -2 Forgive me. Right now I’m feeling very serene. I mean, look… It’s like I really am like a leading lady! —142 -1 I can dispel the magic on you, Kana-chan. But to cancel the spell I cast on myself? -2 With what I’m feeling right now, I don’t think I’ll be able to do that. -3 Kamiya-senpai… Are you really going to destroy this scene…? —143 -1 If this is what Maki really desires… -2 Then we shouldn’t stop it… -3 Blub -4 sfx- Shhf I’ve broken your spell. Goodbye, Kana-chan. -5 hw- Huh? No! -6 I don’t want Maki to disappear! Senpai…! Hurry! —145 -1 Final Chapter The Best One Sided Love (Part 2) —146 -3 As the school week started, The Little Mermaid was a hot topic. It sounds like people really liked it. -2 But… Now it’s been a couple days since word got around That one of our students who participated in the production -3 Has gone missing and their whereabouts was unknown. —147 -1 Hey, it she ok? She doesn’t look so good. Just drop it, ok? I probably about the drama club thing… -2 Let her be. hw- I see… Yeah… -3 Thanks, but… I’m ok. -4 Clank -5 But no matter how much I look, I can’t find her. —148 -1 Cough -2 That’s right. That night… -3 I look like crap. The spell I cast on myself was dispelled. —149 -3 She’s already gone home. -5 Todoroki-san! Ruri-senpai… —150 -1 Have you heard from Maika? Do you have any info? The news reached our school, so… sfx- Jolt -2 I can’t imagine she ran away… What am I going to do if it was an accident? I’m sorry… I don’t know anything… -3 Y-yeah… Of course… hw- I’m sorry -4 If you hear anything, please let me know, ok? She might come back sometime. -5 Sure… —151 -1 Instead, Maika-senpai was the one who… -2 Whssh -3 Ended up like The Little Mermaid… Maki! -4 I’ve been looking for you! These rumors… It can’t be… right? —152 -1 Maika-senpai… I think used her magic to… -3 She’s always been a hard worker, but especially now. She’s suddenly gotten so much better. But I’m not the one who changed her. Matsuzawa-san, you’re the one who helped her get where she is by being by her side. -4 No matter what, there are times when it’s hard to be all alone. So lean on Matsuzawa-san, even if it’s just a little, ok? -5 You have to be happy… -6 Or I won’t be able to become happy. —153 -1 To tell the truth, I’m hurting. Even though we got along so well, I wasn’t able to make you mine, Todoroki-san. -2 I wrestled with it, but I do think this was for the best. I don’t want you to blame yourself. —154 -1 Y’know, I… I’ve been thinking. -2 About that spell you cast on me after school back then. -3 And that night, when the spell started to wane, I didn’t want you to disappear. That’s weird, right? If it was just because of the love spell, I don’t think I would have tried to stop you. -4 This is just speculation, but… I think you used magic because you thought I’d reject you. -5 Y’know… I’m alway thinking that you’re my one and only. And I want you back on the stage if that’s what you want. Maybe I should have told you that. —155 -1 I guess we both always had unrequited love for each other. You and me. —156 -1 But I want to be with you, even now. I want you to fall in love with me. sfx- Clasp -2 Senpai undid your spell just for that reason. sfx- Sniff Just what should I do now? sfx- Uuuh —157 -1 To revive my aim to get back on the stage? If that’s what Maika-senpai wants, then… -2 Yeah -4 Clack Clack —158 -1 Ma-chan, where did you go? -2 I went to buy a program. Wha? -3 Wasn’t there someone with you? She went to the restroom. Ah, there’s Maki-chan. ###bold and italicize “there’s” -4 She seems like she’s from another world… -5 Fufu —159 -1 Todoroki-san… It’s almost time. -4 Okay A Song of Singing The End —161 -1 Extra The Right Way to use Magic Todoroki-senpai, congratulations on your graduation! Thank you. -2 You’re going to study vocal music in college, right? hw- Wow… Yeah -3 hw- Senpaiiii Let me know when you have a performance, ok? Also, here’s what you asked for. -4 Quite a lot… It’s copies of Kamiya-senpai’s staging notes. She was serious about jotting them down. She really helped a lot of people. —162 -1 Whoa, these are all by Kamiya-senpai? There’s so many. Yeah, five and a half year’s worth. -2 It’s been a while since she’s come up. sfx- Shhf There’s been something on my mind, but… I let myself not think about it while studying for entrance exams. -3 I see… -4 Yeah. —163 -1 So Kamiya-senpai had her eye on you this early, huh? Seems like it. Or so I thought I’d like her to join the club. My kohai we could perform on the same stage -5 You’re Todoroki-san, right? -6 Clench —164 -1 Can I, uh… sfx- Sniff Talk about something in the past? -2 Haaah -3 I really loved senpai back when I entered high school. But it burned my ass that I wasn’t getting roles. -4 And before I knew it, I was jealous. I couldn’t see it when people were trying to be nice to me. -5 Remember back during freshman year when we did Elizabeth? Back when I was whooping it up that took the role from Maika-senpai? Actually, she stepped down so I could have the role. —165 -1 I still can’t forgive her, even now. But I’ve always regretted it. -2 She gave me the role. And even tutored me. I got recognition from that play. And thanks to that role, even I was able to grow. I know that’s true. I have to think about it that way… -5 You know, Kamiya-senpai… she wasn’t right all the time. And what’s more… -6 I don’t want you taking all the blame again, Maki. That worries me. —166 -1 I’m ok. Because I have you, Kana-chan. -2 Senpai… What was she thinking when she disappeared? She saved me, but there was no need for her to vanish. -4 Would senpai want me to stay quiet about this? -5 To tell the truth, I saw senpai after that. Just once. She said it wasn’t your fault. -6 So that’s… Wait up! So you’re saying she’s still around somewhere? I dunno. Maybe it was a dream? —167 -1 Ah! I just realized… -2 Could it be that… -3 You’re trying use magic to meet her when you sing? You’re right. -5 You don’t have to fixate on her like that, ok? Because I don’t think she did the right thing. -6 You were part of the plot to save me, right? If I just hadn’t started this mess in the first place… -7 Heheh Sorry, sorry! Please don’t worry about it, ok? —168 -2 Now, and in the future, You are my number one, Kana-chan. -3 But my love is different from yours. I want to both love my ugly parts, as well as loving someone else. -4 So that’s why, someday… I’ll find a way to make it all right with my song. -5 That’s my hope and dream. —170 -1 Afterward Chasing after your hopes and dreams, giving your all to help someone else, this story is about girls desperately working towards something important. Magic, as it’s used in the story is a little too all purpose. If true like that, it would be possible for everyone to have a happy ending. But just like Maki herself, the problem of if one can really accept themselves exists, and that makes happy endings difficult. I want to end things just by saying “Tough!”, (but I’m afraid that loopholes may exist.) With magic, there may be other problems as well. But I plan to draw more stories about the stage! Thank for reading until the very end, I really appreciate it! Kurauchi Keito —171 -1 Extra Works used for reference and inspiration (Let’s net volley) The Little Mermaid (The Mermaid Princess). Hans Christian Anderson. Translated by Ohaha Sueyoshi. The complete Hans Christian Anderson 1, Iwanami Bunko, Iwanami 1984. The titles are similar, but it’s not but it’s not the Disney version, so for those of you who know the story, you should be able to guess some things about the 2nd performance. But overall, it follows the story of The Little Mermaid. Black Swan 2011… ### just copy this line verbatim Black Swan is one of my top favorite films of all time. There are quiet a few stories about people being driven crazy by performing, aren’t there? Additionally, let me introduce the plays shown in the story. Wicked Maika (High school 1st year) - Elphaba Elizabeth Maki High school 1st year) - Elizabeth The Little Mermaid Maki High school 2nd year) - The Little Princess The Phantom of the Opera Maki - Christina Initially I planned for Maika to have the lead role for the 1st half until magic entered the story. I would be happy if readers picked up a little about the cast and stories (This might be a bit much though…) If you are not familiar with any of these works, they are all wonderful and I encourage you to check them out.