Track 2

Gravitation by Maki Murakami
Translations by Yuki Machikawa
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I make no solid guarantees as to the accuracy of my translations. I did the best I could do, and I think you will be able to get the jist of the story. If anyone has comments regarding my translations, email me [y.u.k.i._.m.a.c.h.i.k.a.w.a.@yahoo.co.jp]. (( remove the periods between the letters prior to the (@) symbol when emailing. I do this to avoid automated bots getting my email. Thanks.))

KEY:
[thoughts] - in brackets
*actions* - or gestures
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Track 2
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pg 54
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Shuichi: How much longer until the bus comes? Uhm ... eh .. I uh ..
Eiri: Enough .. get in the car, unless you fancy death. Here's a towel for your hair ..

pg 55
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Shuichi: [Wow, nice place ..] Thanks, I owe you one ..

pg 56
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Shuichi: Hey you .. no hard feelings, right?
Eiri: You wish .. There's a scratch on my Mercedes from that ..
Shuichi: That's not what I meant .. look here .. about the time we met in the park a few nights ago ..

pg 57
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Eiri: No clue.
Shuichi: ... You don't remember .. you're kidding ..
Eiri: Is that all your questions? It's my turn .. was that only an attempt at suicide, or is there something else? Which is it little boy?
Shuichi: My name is Shuichi Shindou .. not little boy! If I tell you which one, it won't make any difference.
Eiri: Yeah, well .. I don't see one so delicate, going as far as suicide.

pg 58
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Shuichi: That's mean! Is there a reason for saying things like that and being so self-centered towards me?
Eiri: Because of your poor job committing murder earlier .. Do you want to know what honorable, fine, up-standing business I'm in? Well, do you?
Shuichi: ... not really ..

pg 59
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Shuichi: Because I didn't think I'd run into you again.
Eiri: I see .. my criticism went to your head. Song-making youngster.

pg 60
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Shuichi: Huh?! But you just said you didn't know what I was talking about ..
Eiri: I lied. Idiot. So I forgot the circumstances, not such poor poetical talent ..

pg 61
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Shuichi: Huh? But you keep saying "poor and unskillful" ..
Eiri: Unskillful is poor. There is a meaning to each.
Shuichi: Hey! You owe me a month's worth of lunches then! So whaddya think of that? That'll teach you to hurt someone's feelings like that!
Eiri: I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings .. I was being honest.

pg 62
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Eiri: It was never on my mind that you'd be good at something like writing. The price of self-consiousness .. being self-concious .. I said that you had zero talent for improvement, nevertheless I belive in you. Huh? Sheesh .. there's no helping a punk like you. Alright, go on .. go home, you make me sick.

pg 63
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Eiri: While I'm at it, I have one more thing to say to you .. if you're going to play make-believe about suicide, try stopping a Saab Cabriole instead.
Shuichi: [Mean ..]
Eiri: That's twice I've turned my back and run you down.
Shuichi: [So cruel ..]

pg 64
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Maiko: And then? And then? You're finally a man, the real you! You resisted in vain, facing certain death from xxx and in the end xxx to xxx with xxx .. isn't that right?
Hiro: Heh heh heh, give up and be submissive, I'll be gentle with you.
Maiko: No .. stop .. I'm scared.
Shuichi: You idiots!! That's not funny! He had such a super dull personality!! He's good looking which makes him all the more disgusting!

pg 65
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Maiko: You sure? Did you get the guy's name?
Shuichi: He didn't tell me.
Maiko: Why? You idiot, the chance you'd been waiting for comes along, and you don't even get his name?! Man, you're hopeless. What am I going to do with you?
Shuichi: .. but I told him my name .. I couldn't force him to tell me his ..
Hiro: You ... I knew it .. you like guys ..
Maiko: What will Mom say when she finds out .. my pervert brother .. Nooo!
{sign: Guidance Questioning}

pg 66
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Shuichi: You guys! So what if I like guys ... does that make me bad .. Waaaaaaaah!
Maiko: .. it makes him quite mixed up ..
Hiro: Poor thing.
Shuichi: Although I'm under the worst tension of my life, the live performance is almost here.
Shuichi: Well, that's it .. looks like .. a slump. They're expecting me to have something .. what am I going to do after one song ..? This tune of all things .. That bastard isn't even coming to help me?

pg 68
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Shuichi: ... no, that's not it ... this part stops .. this song .. No! No, no, no ... I can see the finishing touches on this absolutely magnificent tune! Watch me! That bastard! Without fail .. Whatever it takes!
Shuichi's Mom: Shuichi! Nakano is here.
Hiro: Yo! With the exception of thinking you'd be in bed .. after 4 days of this .. the song is ready right?
Shuichi: Uhm, yeah ... of course. Ha ha ha ha

pg 69
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Hiro: .. in other words, this is all you've got? I can understand your concern about it, it's got the potential to be a good piece .. if you stop with the signs.
Shuichi: The only other option .. is to ad-lib the actual performance. You okay with that?
Hiro: Moron, leave me out of it! Do you think the Indies band "ASK" did that with their opening performance?! It's your fault. I'm staying until you get a huge grip on things, or you dry up and die.
Shuichi: No way .. it'll be okay once I get out there. I'm a genius Hiro!

pg 70
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Shuichi: But the Pelshana has a 300 person capacity, what else can I do? Besides, the gossip about "ASK" moving major labels is a mistake, right!?
Hiro: Maybe .. famous people like them are coming, so it's our funeral.
Shuichi: *mumbling incoherently*
Hiro: Don't give me that nervous stuttering! *beating up Shuichi*
Shuichi: Stop it ... idiot.

pg 71
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Maiko: Shut up! Do you know what time it is? Be quiet!! It's after midnight, how long is this gonna go on!? The live performance is near, right? Shouldn't you be practicing a little?
Shuichi: Sorry .. were you studying this late? Miss Honor Student ..
Maiko: Your butt is hanging out.
Shuichi: .....
Maiko: I was happy with Yuki-sama, this time don't bother me! I'm just now at the last good scene, what's your problem?

pg 72
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Hiro: What were you in the middle of reading?
Shuichi: Yuki-sama? Geez .. how can you talk so passionately about the main character .. naming him and all ..
Maiko: Idiot. That's the author .. his pen-name. Someone more superior and beautiful .. Eiri Yuki.
Shuichi: I see .. a novelist. How wussy.
Hiro: Oh wow .. but this guy certainly looks like a lady-killer. Look ...

pg 73
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Shuichi: Wha ..
Mom: Shuichi, it's getting late. You can see Nakano-kun tomorrow, y'know. Well, Maiko .. such a well-mannered girl. Oh, Shuichi .. You read Eiri Yuki's books? Maiko and I just adore him. The last scene brings me to tears every time. Really it does.
Shuichi: [That guy is a novelist!?]

pg 74
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Eiri: Sorry to have kept you waiting.
Lady: You must be tired, Yuki-sensei. Lately I have been as well. Stuck with a sad ending again?
Eiri: Nope, a happy ending.

pg 75
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Lady: How unusual for you to to do a happy ending. The readers will be surprised, I'm sure.
Eiri: Uhm, yeah well ... it was no big deal .. just a change of pace is all. Good enough. Take this and hurry up and go.
Lady: Change of pace, huh?
Eiri: Is there a problem with that?
Lady: Not at all. Well then, it's certain to be a delightful manuscript.

pg 76
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Shuichi: Huh? Yuki is a businessman?
Lady: You're very tired, please take care of yourself.
Shuichi: [Take care ..?]
Eiri: What's with the sad face, brat? A companion saying "take care". The deadline is something like, over 10 days away, by that gaudy old woman. She's in charge of editing.

pg 77
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Eiri: Welcome, Shuichi Shindou.
Shuichi: Are you really a novelist?
Eiri: Is that a compliment? Don't I look like a novelist? Did you give up and drop out of school?
Shuichi: Uhm, yeah ...
Eiri: Oh really? It's a privilage for you to meet with me, y'know?

pg 78
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Shuichi: Who do you think you are? I don't see anything special.
Eiri: You don't have to shout last night, I needed some sleep.
Shuichi: Here! I only came over to give you this and to get your opinion of it. The day after tomorrow at 6pm .. a ticket to Live House ..
Eiri: Sorry, but I have other plans. Besides ...

pg 79
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Eiri: ... live is so uncertain, and I have no desire to go to something with crappy poetry. Oh yeah, what about your singin to this piece? I should point out that the professionals publish part by part. It's no use if it's not approved. So if that's the case, then song number 18 is in need of some work, right?
Shuichi: You're really easy to understand, it's foolishly simple.
Eiri: You're a very interesting guy, I'm impressed .. What if I do go to it?

pg 80
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Eiri: It's funny, that woman would rather gossip than talking to keep you company.
Shuichi: .. so .. you're coming ..
Eiri: Did you know the person my date is with, is also my lover?
Shuichi: [What am I hoping for? Theis guy's encouragement? Support?] I don't care about your comings and goings with anyone .. forget it .. [Can I get over this?]
Eiri: In the right mood, surely it will be easy for you to turn your back on it .. the success.

pg 81
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Shuichi: If that's true .. then come!
Eiri: To what? Which one?
Shuichi: [That's a yes. Why can't I turn it down? Like I should ..] Come! You absolutely have to come!

pg 82
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President: Yes, that's right. To make a major label house next year, that's the plan. We feel you are fully qualified, and we have great expectations. Now, this is a major investment in prospects, and could drive the company under if it fails. I'd like to borrow your power, Seguchi-san, to succeed. I want to make you a producer, how does that sound?

pg 83
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Seguchi: First of all, I have to see them with my own eyes, or it means nothing.
President: Of course, once to the investors themselves, a polite inquiry.
Seguchi: No thank you Sir. "ASK", if I remember correctly, will be at the Pelshana right? I'll be straightforward about this .. I'll be going.

pg 84
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President: Huh? But it's nothing special, you can do it later. One way or another, your a fast worker. Besides, it's a stage, where good, bad, or amazing artists appear.
Seguchi: .. even the more skillful than unskillful, it's my job to say if they have an excess of it, and evalutae them based on that. It's inexcusable, President.

pg 85
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Hiro: We're okay! Anyhow, it somehow becomes mostly tape. Shuichi! You dumbass .. once the vocals are in, what's left? You can't do it alone, even when I come around .. this time by calling "at last".
Shuichi: No, to make sure the invited guest with the sample peice is here first ..
Hiro: No way! You're NOT seriously thinking of ad-libbing are you? It won't work! You can't sing chords on stage!?
Shuichi: Yeah I can .. he'll be coming for that.

pg 86
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Sakano: Is this your first time here? Yeah, this is the amateur band opening act, Seguchi-san. It's very local an seems to be popular among the business.
Seguchi: He's extrememly young, a senior high school student?
Announcer: Tonight's opening act ... welcome .. Bad Luck!!

pg 87
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Crowd: Knock out a good one .. Shindou!! Touhokukou's disgrace ... You're so cool, Nakano-kun!
Hiro: What's the matter Shuichi? The intro's over!! You idiot!
Shuichi: [I'm really ...]

pg 88
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Shuichi: [... going to need alot of help. Grant me that, because I won't lose my dream.] ... Yu ... [Because I'm really .. wonderfully weak ..]
Eiri: [Surely it would be okay to have a relationship with you. Good luck.]

pg 89
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Shuichi: [... he came to say that to me. Just you wait .. I'll show you how wrong you are about me, Sensei!]

pg 90
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Hiro: Shuichi .. this tune ..
Shuichi: Hey you, let's disgrace them big time! That's an order from your leader, Hiroshi Nakano!
Hiro: Uhm ... got it.
Shuichi: {lyrics} "There is no such thing as fate. It's gravity .."

pg 91
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Eiri: .. poetical talent. I knew he had the ability.

pg 92
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Sakano: The boy on vocals, he puts his heart into it, however good his voice may be. The energy is there too.
Announcer: Bad Luck everyone .. give them a hand!
Sakano: Still more to come, I can't learn to chat, there isn't a degree ..
Seguchi: Honestly! What are you, half asleep!

pg 93
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Seguchi: [Huh?]
Sakano: "ASK" is going on! Let's see if the producer in question does OK. Seguchi-san!
Seguchi: Uhm, yeah .. it's me. Sorry, Sakano-san. Could you hold this a second for me? [Just now .. was that who I think it was?]

pg 94
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Maiko: Yah! You did it! If that was "ASK", then you guys are way better! Thank you so much! Brother!
Shuichi: Uh .. sure.
Maiko: So where is he? Where?
Shuichi: He?
Maiko: Geez .. Eiri Yuki, of course .. Eiri Yuki! Where where where?
Shuichi: Uhm .. well .. he left.

pg 95
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Maiko: I waited so long! I wanted his autograph, and to shake his hand, and to get his photo .. (the list goes on) What happened to make him leave? Man, you stupid fool!
Shuichi: It's not my fault! I had things I wanted to say to him too ...
Maiko: You're blushing.
Shuichi: Shuttup.
Maiko: Where's Hiro?
Shuichi: Yeah well ... there's no back door so ... I was going to thank him too. Just my luck though, now I'm gonna have to lug all this machinery out to the car ..

pg 96
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Maiko: Oh? Well, I guess I'll be nice and offer to help as a "thank you".
Shuichi: Really, I wouldn't want to trouble you with doing it. Now then .. this was our debut, if you do it, maybe you can be our roadie.
Maiko: You wish that's why I said I'd do it.
Shuichi: How fussy.
Guy: Hey! You part of the opening act? Somebody over there wants to talk to you.
Maiko: Yah! It's must be Eiri Yuki.
Shuichi: Probably more like Hiro.

pg 97
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Seguchi: You're from Bad Luck right? Good evening, how do you do?
Shuichi: ... uhm ... who are you?
Seguchi: Oh yeah, excuse me ..

pg 98
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Seguchi: I'm Tohma Seguchi. Pleased to make your accquaintance. Would you like some instruction, Mr Vocalist?
Shuichi: Se .. [Tohma Seguchi!?]
Maiko: Seguchi .. are you serious? THAT Seguchi? From N-G records?
Seguchi: Yes, that's right. Nice to meet you .. uhm ..

pg 99
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Shuichi: Shindou .. Shuichi Shindou. [I hope I got that out ..]
Seguchi: Please don't be so tense, Shindou-san. I just want to visit with you and talk a bit.
Shuichi: [This is ..!!]

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End Track 2