Twenty Syndrome by Kabayama TL by boke ### TL notes indicated by hash tags like this: ### ### Page numbers indicated by // for example, page one is //1 ### Panel numbers indicated by / for example, panel one is /1 ### Unless otherwise noted, panel and text balloon flow is from upper right to lower left //247 /1 It’s a day early, but happy 20th, Jun! Thank you, Chi! /2 So tomorrow’s with your folks? /3 Yeah, yeah. They said “20 is a big deal, so let us celebrate you”… seems like some high end place in Shibuya! ### 20 is coming of age in Japan. /4 Since is it a big deal, I do wish you could be there, Chi. //248 /1 It’s fine. Not a problem. This is the time your folks get to celebrate you. So go on with them. When you get to be my age, birthdays are just a pain in the ass. /2 I celebrate you every year, don’t I?! You suck! /3 The things you can celebrate and the things you get are not the same. /4 Hah? //249 /1 Heh heh… It’s a little weird becoming 20. I was only 16 when I met you… And now, we’re able to live together. /2 When should we do it? What about the place? Rent something? Jun, about that… /3 I want to break up… //250 /1 Wha…? What the hell are you… /2 …it’s the right time, I think. /3 J-just wait a sec! Just what the hell is going on here? sfx: Klatter Thanks for the meal ### handwritten I know it seems sudden for you, but I’ve always been thinking about this. /4 The bag behind me is your stuff. I packed it up for you. //251 /1 I don’t get this… /2 Break up!? I don’t wanna! /3 I mean, you haven’t said anything about that… /4 It’s not a card you play ‘till you’re ready. //252 /1 You promised me we’d live together when I turned 20, right…? /2 Where you lying to me…!? /4 I’m sorry but… I can’t be what you want. //253 /1 Twenty Syndrome Becoming 20. Becoming an Adult. You say that Like you believe it’s a magic spell That will grant you everything First Appearance in This Magazine! A brilliant Age Gap Love Story!! //254 /1 4 Years Earlier. Take out order - for a medium cafe latte… /2 Ah, that’s me… /3 It’s hot, so please be careful. /4 Thank you… /5 Close to work, there’s this barista. The only conversations we ever had came straight out of an employee handbook. But before I knew it, I was looking for her. //255 /1 If I think about it… Onee-san, you’re working hard again today. ### Onee-san is being used to address a slightly older unrelated female here. ### emphasize “again” in bold or italics sfx: Beam /3 Um… It was that one word that did it. /4 If it’s ok with you, maybe next time we could… //256 /1 Sorry to keep you waiting! /2 …Nnn? sfx: Shine Shine /3 Uh, sorry to ask… But how old are you? Don’t tell me… I’m 16! /4 How about you, Onee-san? /5 I’m 26… A 10 year difference… //257 /1 Siiiigh /2 Ok… Jun-chan, when’s your curfew? /3 Ah, it’s not set in stone. Since I’m working and all ### handwritten Ok /4 I’ll get you on your way soon, But first, how about having some yummy cake with me? sfx: Smile /5 Yay! That rocks! sfx: Gleam! /5 So… So cute… And dazzling… //258 /1 I’m happy we could talk together so much! /2 Actually, I always thought you were so pretty, Chinatsu-san… /3 Thanks… /4 I mean it. sfx: Squeeze //259 /2 Ohhwooow… That. Was. Amazing… /3 Well, thanks. We ended up doing it… /4 Hey Jun-chan, I know I shouldn’t be the one saying this, but… /5 You shouldn’t just trot after strangers, ok…? It’s dangerous. Okaaaay. //260 /1 Welcome! /2 Chinatsu-san. Working hard again today too. /3 Chi-san Good work! /4 Chi-san, hey! On the house, k? //261 /3 Chinatsu, Let’s go grab one. /4 Ah… I’m ok… What! You’re not smoking! That’s weird! Yeah, yeah. /5 What! You fell in love for real!? You!? Chinatsu? No way… /6 sfx: Grin /7 Ohmygod! Spill all the details! It’s my little secret. //262 /1 It’s this really ok to celebrate you getting into college? sfx: piercing gun /2 Yup! After all, you did if for me last year too, Chi. I know I did, but isn’t there anything else you want? /3 Well… I wanna live together… /5 When you become 20, Jun, ok? Wha? Really? YAY! Ok, I’m going to do it. Don’t move. //263 /1 Ka-click /2 Thanks! Whaddya think? Three in a row! /3 Isn’t it a bit much? Too flashy? Like I’m trying too hard to show off on the first day of college? You were like that before, so it’s fine, right? /4 You suck! Sorry, sorry! You look great. //264 /1 Jun, you’ve grown your hair out, huh? /2 Ah, this? I grew it out! I wanted to look like you, Chi! /3 How is it? Do I look pretty? /4 Her /5 Who just keeps changing and growing all the time //265 /1 And me, who hasn’t changed at all. /2 You’re pretty. So, so pretty, Jun. /4 And me? //266 /1 Hey! Chi, come on! Say something…! /2 I got a boyfriend… /3 I’m going to marry him. Wha…? /4 I’m at this age, y’know? And I’m not getting any younger. So that’s why we’re done, Jun. sfx: shff /5 Wh…what the hell? You’ve gotta be shitting me… //267 /1 I mean Chi, you only go for girls…! /2 sfx: Grab /3 Bam /4 I was just playing with you. //268 /1 Huh…? We’ve been together too long for me to buy that… Don’t look down on your elders. /2 You really think I’d be serious about a minor like you? /3 I’m not a minor! /4 I’m going to be 20 tomorrow! And then we can finally… /5 “20”? Don’t give me that “20” shit. //269 /1 You think that’s going to change the world or something? Like it’s some magic!? /2 That’s not how it works! /3 If it were just that easy, adults wouldn’t have a hard time of it… //270 /1 Chi…? /2 We’re 10 years apart! Wake up and see reality already! /3 If I’m near you, I’m going to be the only one who gets uglier as the years go by. /4 I’m not strong enough, not young enough, to think that shit’s ok! //271 /1 Do you know just how cruel 10 years is for a woman? Can you really say you do…!? /2 …see? You can’t say jack shit. //272 /1 If you get it, then… /2 Shut the fuck up!!! /3 Just ‘cause you’re a little older! You think you’re the only one suffering, bitch!? //273 /1 Look at me! sfx: Grab /2 These are the earrings from my Junior and Senior year! This one from when I got into college! You’re the one who did all of these! /3 After putting holes in my body like that, no fucking way are you running away! ### In general, Japan has a the opinion that you shouldn’t mess with the body your parents gave you - so pierced ears, while more or less common in Japan, still runs afoul of that premise. Don’t you realize ### emphasize “you” with either bold or italics. I sacrificed my whole adolescence for you!? //274 /1 But… Sorry to make you worry, Chi… /2 But I’ll show you I can follow in your footsteps! /3 Don’t you dare look away from me. //276 /1 Anyway, you suck at keeping secrets, Chi. /2 Back then, the passcode to your phone was still my birthday, right? It didn’t take long to think, “Ah, she’s full of it.” /3 Oh, shut it. Don’t go digging up old topics. Oho? /4 You don’t have to be embarrassed, hm? Not embarrassed. Disgusted. //277 /1 Oh, come on now. Gimme a break! You win, ok? Get to work. You haven’t touched your boxes for a while now. /2 Hey, is your phone passcode still the same? /3 Bullseye. Kya /4 Oh, Chi, you really are hopelessly in love me… //278 /1 You should talk, Jun! Aha /2 sfx: Ding Dong Oh crap, the utility worker is here. Hello! Just a moment, be right there!