Track 21

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.))
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Track 21
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pg 180
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Ryuichi: Yo Shuichi! Let's do our best today, k?
Shuichi: ........ you're so silly Sakuma san! He's looking forward to singing with me. Reconcilliation .. success!
K: You wish Shuichi!!! Even now, how can you be so chummy with him?

pg 181
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K: Look here! It's no use acting like buddies because you're in front of strangers!! Don't you get it? Not knowing this world is foolish! Unless you do something now, the cycle will keep repeating itself forever! When you pass each other in the rest room it's a wave of harassment .. Understand? This is war! It's survival of the fittest! Predator or prey in the food chain! to the winner goes the glory to the loser goes the humiliation, Ryuichi is the winner. Glory and honor are in his hands, intoxicating him with the salsa rhythm of it. Buuuuuuuuut!! You're the underdog.

pg 182
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Staff: Excuse me, Nittle Grasper, please begin rehearsing when ready. Please try a sound or two.
Ryuichi: Okay! Is it okay, Tohma.
Seguchi: It's more direct this way.
Shuichi: [Sakuma san is gonna sing!!]

pg 183
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Ryuichi: *singing*
Shuichi: ....? [Huh? Sakuma ryuichi ... ]
People: Alright, that was great! Many thanks. Great! No, amazing! You've got a wonderful voice! I was so excited!

pg 184
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Shuichi: [Is this the way it is?]
K: Hey Shuichi, it's you guys' turn!
Staff: ... uhm, actually it's not.
K: What?
Shuichi: He went easy on me .. us ..
K: It's not like that! Ryuichi couldn't have ...
Shuichi: Shameful.

pg 185
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Shuichi: Because of our different status, we can't be buddies or friends ... Sakuma san is on a totally different level than me ... [Shameful] But I can't forgive him for this. [Shameful, Shameful, Shameful] I definitely won't be the underdog!!

pg 186
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K: The actual performance is at 5 o'clock right?
Sakano: Yeah .. after a 5 minute break.
K: Oooh, then on they go! Bad Luck is the heavy hitter as the opening act.
Sakano: ... I don't think it's appropriate to refer to Shuichi kun as just an "opening act"!
K: Yeah, yeah .. he won't be the underdog opening act, I know. That look on his face ... he's seriously thinking of trying to beat Ryuichi?
Sakano: It's no laughing matter K san!!

pg 187
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Sakano: Why would you do such a thing! You're provoking Shuichi kun with Sakuma san!!
K: Provoking? Who asked you!
Sakano: ... as his manger you're worried, I can understand that. As such, you should be making him forget the tension he feels ..
K: That too.
Sakano: That too? Then what? You mean Bad Luck isn't the opening, but will be made the main star?

pg 188
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K: No, it's impossible! You were Grasper's manager for four years, who better understands Ryuichi's intentions? I was Ryuichi's manager afterall. I understand what Ryuichi does more than you. I understand what you're saying though.

pg 189
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K: But I'm Bad Luck's manager now. And I adore Shuichi more than Ryuichi now anyway. Everything is for Shuichi in the long run.
Sakano: ... you said it K san! As far as I'm concerned, you're just amusing yourself ...
K: Nope, it's amusing!
Sakano: [This guy ..]
K: I want Shuichi to put all he has into it today, no matter what. I leave it up to you, Sakano san, to take responsibility.

pg 190
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Staff: 1 minute 15 seconds till CM ends.
Shuichi: [It finally came.]
Staff: 30 seconds ... 15 seconds ...
Hostess: Well, tonight's Hit Stage is a must see!! Everyone, give a warm welcome to our special guest Nittle Grasper.
Host: I'm looking forward to it Dotegawa san! We also have another group here tonight! Please welcome Bad Luck! They debuted on Segichi san's label, N-G Records in April! The real Grasper, tonight is so exciting!

pg 191
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Head Tech: Yeah, camera 3 ..
Staff: 45 seconds until CM ...
Head Tech: Ok, start with Bad Luck eveyone .. After this, Grasper's vocalist, should be interesting ...
Shuichi: Good evening!! We're Bad Luck!

pg 192
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*Shuichi rambles*
Staff: We're in CM ..
Hiro: ... should have considered the role of support member before now. Suguru: ... No kidding.
Staff: 15 seconds till CM is over ...
Shuichi: Alright! Show some spirit guys!!
Hiro: Yeah, yeah .. show it .. sure thing.
Shuichi: Look ... I'm concerned about almost beating Ryuichi.

pg 193
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Shuichi: We can't go easy on him.
Staff: 5 seconds ...
K: Ahh ...
Host: Now then tonight's first peice ..
K: Ryuichi isn't going to go easy on them either ...
Host: Bad Luck performing No Style

pg 195
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Sakano: [Not bad. For forgetting the lyrics .. for this tune .. for this tune ..]
K: [Now I have to keep an eye on them.]
Head Tech: Huh? What the ...
Controller: Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! What's going on? He just cut in .. but I think there's no stopping this kid ...
Head Tech: Yeah, I think you're right. It's the usual stupid stunt though ..

pg 196
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Those guys .. can't be helped.

pg 197
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Staff: Thank you very much! CM after the ranking!
Ryuichi: WOW! You were so cool Shuichi!!!
Shuichi: .... huh?
Ryuichi: I don't wanna sing after you! Amazing Shuichi! I'm such a fan of you! You're so cool I'm shaking with excitement ... Please sign this.

pg 198
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Ryuichi: Ah, well ... I'll trade you my signature for yours! Well? Much later, I'll give you a ring too ... just one interview remains.
Noriko: What the hell are you doing Ryu chan!!! You sing next y'know! It's a live broadcast! Got it? You idiot!!
Ryuichi: But Noriko chan .. I'm friends with Shuichi, friends ..
Noriko: Yeah yeah!! You get dumber with every year!!
Ryuichi: Shuichi! I'll give you one of my rings, I'll give you my TV ...
Noriko: Enough already, hurry up and get ready!!
Shuichi: [... friends .. ?] [I could get Seguchi san's autograph too ...] [I don't know why I was so mad at him to begin with ..]

pg 199
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K: Well, now I see!! Your intention was to suffer alone!!
Shuichi: Hm, maybe ... I take being alone seriously, it's okay to laugh at a clown ... You bastard, aren't you the one who pressured me into this mess?! You called me an underdog!!

pg 200
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K: Thanks to me you put your all into making it your last stage didn't you?
Hiro: He's right Shuichi! Besides, I'm sure it's just a bad misunderstanding ...
Shuichi: B-but .. that time ... Sakuma san said "move" ...
K: That's his personality.
Shuichi: You expect me to believe that!? That such a gentle person is always like that!?
K: That's a first, saying he's gentle .. you're pretty clueless.

pg 201
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Shuichi: Excuse me!?!
Host: Up next ... Nittle Grasper's performance ... It's been three years since they've released a new song, in the course of 2 days they've sold 2 million copies, an amazing new record for an amount sold!

pg 202
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Host: Why do they attract such a following? Vocalist Ryuichi Sakuma has been called a super genius. Where does this charisma come from? I think we're about to find out.

pg 203
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Cameraman: Geez ... whatta voice!!

pg 204
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Ryuichi: Heh, I feel better now.
Cameraman: [Oh boy ...]
Staff: [What's with this guy? He's like a totally different person from in rehearsal!!!]

pg 205
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Shuichi: [There's a limit right? ... yeah, but ... it's Nittle Grasper ..]

pg 206
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Shuichi: [How many times have I seen that video? From the guest seating in the concert hall, I waved to them. I listened to them in my walkman everyday.]

pg 207
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Shuichi: [This person ... all my life I've wanted to be him.]

pg 208
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Host: ... Ah! Continuing on, tonight's last peice, from the album ...
K: So do we have good understanding or what? So, talent and personality don't have to be explained.
Shuichi: ... uh huh
K: Good luck
Shuichi: ... huh?

pg 209
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K: A duet, since you're friends now.
Shuichi: [Ri ... right! He doesn't hate me, I know that now ... Scary look.]
K: But .. I thought it would be interesting ... so ...
Suguru/Sakano/Hiro: K san!? what the hell are you trying to do? Give us a sign .. any sign .. This is bad!! There's no time, the song ..

pg 210
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Shuichi: [Yaaah, a perfectly reliable projection .. well, I can't run away now. If you consider me good, give me a mic!! Dance!? No dancing!? It's a good rule ... dance!! That scowl .. he's seriously pissed ... scary ... I knew I should have run .. too late now ..]

pg 213
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Producer: Whoa .. good tone!
Staff: Is this okay? Producer ..
Producer: I can't believe what I'm hearing! Alright, stay on them till the end!

pg 214
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Staff: ... Okay, we're clear!
Ryuichi: Thanks so much!
Staff 1: No, thank YOU!
Staff 2: That was amazing! I'm glad I heard it live!
Staff 3: I was extremely moved by it!
Staff 4: Thank you Sooooooo much!!
Hiro: Shuichi! Today you finally got to do it!
Sakano: Magnificent! I'm moved to tears! Shuichi kun!!

pg 215
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Hiro: Shuichi ...?

--- End Track 21 ---