Track 23

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 23
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Notes: One thing of note, at one point Shuichi is chanting "Mikki Mikki" and it's written in katakana in the manga. That means it could be a foreign word, or just an emphasized Japanese word. A friend suggested it might be "Mickey" since the prize is a trip to Disneyland ... I left it alone, so you can decide what you want. And "TPO" means "Time, Place, Occasion".

pg 46
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Yuki: Alright, arrange the carrots, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and cucumber lengthwise, cut on wooden clampers. Remove the stem of the ???? Next, wash the saw-edge of the sea bass, add one liter of water and boil for 15 minutes ...
Shuichi: First, carrot ...

pg 47
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Shuichi: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!
Yuki: You turned the knife around and sliced your finger!! Somehow I knew this would end up happening this week. You can't even handle the basics.
Shuichi: I thought your "pistol wind fish and vegetable sauce" was clever! It was difficult though!
Yuki: "bitsro wind sea-bass stuffed with vegetables in sherry sauce" ... you just about sliced your whole finger off.

pg 48
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Shuichi: 10 .. 10 fingers, so 10 times Yuki would patch them up. *heart*
Yuki: You came to me a freakin' degenerate bastard ... I knew it. No amount of work will get you ready for the cooking show. Your dream of victory is just that, a dream.
Shuichi: No way! I have to win! Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory, VICTORY!!!
Yuki: Oh yeah?

pg 49
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Shuichi: Huh?
Yuki: How're you gonna win?
Shuichi: But if I win, the da- ... deluxe push-in hangers .. is what I'll get!!! Your pants and mine, put away nicely!! Nice and neat!!!
Yuki: Uhm .. yeah ...

pg 50
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Yuki: Whatever. I've only got 2 days left to teach you. So in the time remaining before the rehearsal, you better study up.
Shuichi: Okay ...
Yuki: Well, I've got work to do.
Shuichi: Yuki
Yuki: I'm leaving the day after tomorrow.

pg 51
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Shuichi: Hey Yuki? Where ya goin'? New York?
Yuki: It's a secret.

pg 52
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Shuichi: Thanks for waiting!! Lunch is served!!! No leftovers guys, dig in and enjoy!

pg 53
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Hiro: ... What the hell is that you cooked?
Shuichi: I call it the "Shuichi Special"!!
K: Tuna, tuna, tuna! *heart*
Hiro: ... tu ... na ....?
Shuichi: In aiming for victory I thought originality and dynamics were essential.
Hiro: Uh-huh, with cooking like this, even with my help, this won't be appearing in anyone's living room any time soon.

pg 54
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K: If that's the case, then why not help him?
Hiro: He said he wanted to win by his own abilities, that's why. However ...
Shuichi: You mad at me? Cuz I didn't ask you ... I ...
Hiro: I'm not mad. Stop crying, it's so depressing .. You said only your own skills will win you the victory trophy ... with roaring sound you're inviting HIM right ..?

pg 55
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Hiro: To Disneyland.
Sakano: ... so that's the victory prize ..
Suguru: ... what ...?
K: A pair of tickets to Tokyo Disneyland.
Shuichi: Yaaaaaaah!!
[The winner of the competitive cooking show gets two tickets to Disneyland (the one in Tokyo though)]
Suguru: Risking death for such a low-budget show?
Sakano: What performer would be dumb enough to do it?
Shuichi: What did you say?!!

pg 56
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Shuichi: Isn't it a great plan? Isn't it a great plan? Tokyo Disneyland is a trendy spot for lovers on a typical date ... uhm ...da ... di .. dis .. di ...

pg 57
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Suguru: Seems like some eternally sacred precinct to him huh?
Hiro: Or the desire of man to crave the purity of youth ...
K: It's too bad, but it's impossible. Victory is impossible. The partner is bad this time. One in ten thousand, it won't go like it did the time with Ryuichi. May as well give up.
Sakano: What? Does the other team has a five star chef?
K: Yeah, to judge. More like 500 stars is what this guy has ...

pg 58
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Shuichi: Everything's fine! Yuki's not here, so I'm definitely going to be victorious!!
K: I see. There's just one more problem.
Sakano: Now that you mention it, Yuki-san left for his trip yesterday ...
Shuichi: Heh, so what? He's not here, one or two victories ... he's .. YUKIIIIIII
Sakano: ...........
K: .............

pg 59
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K: The source of your guts is Eiri Yuki too. You're incomplete without him. Oh well. Even without the victory, in any case, if the setting is OK ... Praying is useless, only if you sell a million copies will you be able to go on a date with him.
Hiro: ..... a million huh? Man, this is serious ...

pg 60
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Tatsuha: Hn? Hey baby, who're you?
Hiro: Uh .. I'm not .. Sorry but I'm a guy.
Tatsuha: Ha ha ha, don't worry about it. Well, c'mon. You always bring your luggage with you buddy?
[sign pointing at Shuichi clinging to Hiro: "luggage"]

pg 61
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Tatsuha: Too bad, buddy ... the owner of the house is out of the country for now. I'm his younger brother. I'm looking after the place, while he's out on business.
Hiro: *Hiro's checking out Tatsuha* Uh, yeah .. I know, Shuichi told me.
Tatsuha: Are you checking me out or something?
Hiro: Ah, no .. nothing like that ... You guys aren't twins are you?

pg 62
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Tatsuha: No. It's amazing, I know.
Hiro: Seriously, you're like a carbon copy of Yuki-san ... with the exception of the shade of your coloring, you two feel like the same person.
Tatsuha: What of it? In comparison with me, his hair color, eye color and weird behavior don't look like me.
Hiro: That's not what I meant. I didn't mean to insult your brother!!
Tatsuha: Well, what then?!
Hiro: Uhm, Tatsuha-kun ...

pg 63
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Hiro: You don't know Ryuichi Sakuma's cel number do you?

pg 64
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Example 1:
Ah, hello? Ryuichi? I ..
Ah, Tatsuha-kun, what's up? You coming here?
Yeah, soon .. towards Shibuya right?
Yeah, I'm collecting data in Shibuya.
Oh, seriously? Lucky! Uhm, you almost done?
Yeah, like another 30 mintues or so.
Well, how about ... I wait for you at the station in a few hours, and then we'll go from there?
Sure, sounds good. Let's go.

Example 2:
Eh, I ... did I wake you?
Not really Tatsuha-kun. I was up. The separation was stupid don'y you think?
That's why ... I had to hear your voice. Say "I Love You" ...
Geez Tatsuha-kun! I won't! It's embarassing!
No it's not. Say it! C'mon.
Fine ... you're such a dork ... I L-O-V-E Y-O-U *heart* Yaah! Can't belive I said it! Alright, I'm hanging up.
Eh .. wait!
What?
I couldn't hear you .... say it again for me? *laughs*
Hell no ... *giggles*

Hiro: Furthermore, is direct private number. During the mania, the million nonsense is ultra-hyper top secret.

pg 65
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Tatsuha: You're such a nice guy huh? I think I'm starting to like you.
Hiro: ... Uhm, not so fast .. there are some conditions ....
Tatsuha: Oh ho, conditions huh? Money? Sex?
Hiro: No, nothing like that ... by the way, your brother will likely return the day after tomorrow right?
Tatsuha: He just asked me to take care of his place for 10 days.
Hiro: ... I see. Well, let's talk terms.

pg 66
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Host: The entire country of 2 billion cooking fans, have been waiting for this! Tonight, we've chosen 6 performers to compete for the Cooking Master position, and it should be a very intense showing!!!
Voice: Excuse me, one more time please.
Shuichi: Aww man, I prefer live broadcasts ...
Hiro: .... no kidding.

pg 67
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Producer: Ahh, you must be Bad Luck. I'm counting on you to hang in there today.
Shuichi: You can count on us, though to be honest, cooking isn't our forte ...
Producer: Don't sweat the small stuff. Laugh. Guys like you aren't expected to be any good. *goes off to dote on the other team*
Hiro: How disappointing, musicians obviously aren't treated as well as SOME other people.
Shuichi: I wanna go home!!
Hiro: Now, now, look .. Yuki-san came to show you his support didn't he? Shuichi!
Shuichi: Gimmie a break! Yuki is probably having an elegant brunch under the New York sky ....

pg 68
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Hiro: You jackass!!! Think of the TPO, just look!! Just looooook!!!!
Shuichi: .........................!!!! [Ah, Yuki ..]
Yuki: Passion blue is the way to shine.

pg 69
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Shuichi: [What is he saying? I can't hear him, but he's sending it to me. His hot message for this situation .. I get it. It's the same as back then ... at that time ...
-- Flashback --
Hiro: What're you doing Shuichi!? The intro is over!! You idiot!
Shuichi: Yu ...

pg 70 -
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Yuki: "Daijoubu" -- End Flashback --
Shuichi: "I'm sure it will go smoothly."
Yuki: Doubtful Cat's Eye

pg 71
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Shuichi: *SFX of "powering-up"*

pg 72
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Host: The rules are simple: The time limit is one hour!! Each team will prepare one meal to show their cooking skill!! The dishes will be tasted, and graded by our three judges. The team with the highest score is the winner!! Sooooooo ..... let's begin!!!
Voice 1: Nope! Yatsuda-san, let the competition finally begin.
Judge 2: Everyone is quite full of harmony, peace and happiness and how refreshing the scenery is. (laughs)
Voice 1: Well, it IS a variety show afterall. (laughs)
Shuichi: Stop laughing!!

pg 73
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Judge 2: .. eh .. uhm ... Let's introduce today's judges! First of all, the famous Ishikarigawa University professor of gourmet food, Tetsuya Ukai-san!
Testuya: Isn't that ... 19 year old Shuichi Shindou?
Judge 2: Huh?
Tetsuya: Sharp kids.
Judge 2: Uh ... eh ... Fugui-san! What should we do about this situation!?
Host: Yes! It's Fugui-san! Yeah, over here we have Kagamaroku Kent Mascot Team! Oh my! Watch your fingers!

pg 74
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Girl: Well .. I'm not very good at cooking.
Host: You're so cute though ... anyway, next up .. Bad Luck Team ...
Shuichi: *chanting* Mikki!! Mikki!! Mikki!! Mikki!!

pg 75
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Judge 1: Ah .. uhm .. "mikki"? What's that mean? A good luck charm maybe? (laughs) Yamada-san?
Judge 2 (Yamada): Could be. He's certainly doing his best. What do you think Ukai-san?
Judge 3 (Testuya): Mikki ... it's a Yoshino thing ..
K: What the hell? Shuichi's in awfully high spirits ... Yuki-san left yesterday for New York right?
Suguru: ... more importantly, that judge, the one called Ukai ...
K: What of it? You haven't figured it out yet Suguru?

pg 76
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Shuichi: [Yuki came as my support!! He came for me!! He even returned from New York for me!! "10 days time" huh? You had me fooled ... that wasn't very nice Yuki. *heart*]
Shuichi: You just watch me Yuki!!! Watch me make what you taught me, "Pistol Wind Fish Vegetables"!! [Damn!!! I wanna shout it!!] So ... so ... accept as the prize!!! I LOVE YOU YUKI!!!!

pg 77
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Audience: I wonder what ... no way, that guy from Bad Luck is scary ..
Audience: Oh my god, he's looking this way ...
Audience: Isn't he looking at that guy?
Audience: ... is he looking over some guy?
Audience: Now that you mention it, he does look like that writer ...
Yuki: [Oh shit ...]
Kid: Hey Mister! It's Eiri Yuki!

pg 78
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Kid: Eiri Yuki! Eiri Yuki!
Yuki: [Yah! Shh Shh! Shuttup you brat!!]
Girl 1: Eiri Yuki? ... that guy!?
Girl 2: Wah! That really is Eiri Yuki!!
Producer: What's going on during the show!! What's the interference?
Camera: So .. Whaddya wanna do, Mr Producer?
Crowd: Did you say Eiri Yuki came here!?
Crowd: Where, where!? No way! I want his autograph!!
Crwod: Where are you, Eiri Yuki!?!

pg 79
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Kid: Eiri Yu-
Yuki: What the hell .... not here!
Ladies: Did he run away?
Yuki: ... geez!! You stupid brat!! Dammit are you trying to expose me!?
Kid: But Mister, you are Eiri Yuki. Mama's friend is Eiri Yuki's sister! I saw a photo of Eiri Yuki with some guy!

pg 80
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Noriko: I hate to disappoint yopu, but that's not Eiri Yuki, Saki.
Saki: Mama!
Noriko: How Eiri-kun sings Cat's Eye .. and suddenly you became Mr Wonderful, or so you thought. Isn't that right .... Tatsuha-kun.

pg 81
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Tatsuha: No way you'd blow this ...
Noriko: Hn, well this going about like eiri-kun is actually pretty funny. That hair, you bleach it? Lots of freetime as a monk eh?
Tatsuha: Oh shuttup! What the hell did you come here for anyway?
Noriko: Nothing special. My husband is working here today.

pg 82
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Shuichi: [where'd you go Yuki ...] The bathroom maybe ...
Hiro: Hey Shuichi, something's burning ...
Shuichi: Huh? Yeah ..
Hiro: Yeah he says ...
Judge 1: Now, seems the women and children seated in the audience are causing some commotion, Yamada-san.
Judge 2 (Yamada): As for the mother, she's probably one of those people who chases after idol performers, a twenty-something mother. (laugh)
Judge 1: I think it's strange that it's probably not a twenty-something father eh?
Testuya: It is a twenty-something father.

pg 83
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Tatsuha/Suguru: Whaaaat!!!! That old man is Noriko's husband!!?
Shuichi: Yikes ....
Hiro: Didn't I tell you something was burning?

pg 84
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Hiro: Whadda we do now? Remake it? Ther's not enough time!!
Shuichi: Damn .....
K: Furthermore, that Old man is not as ordinary as he looks.
Host: time left .... 30 minutes!!

--- End Track 23 ---