Saiyuki: nitro Test Tube Storys (p41-end)
Here's the end of the nitro Test Tube Storys! In "Monologue", Hakkai tells Jeep a bit about Kanan and his relationship with her. In "The Christmas Disaster", the Sanzo Ikkou meets up with Kubota, Tokitoh, and the Busgamer guys for a Christmas party at Minekura Sensei's apartment.
Page 1-17
Page 18-33
Page 34-40
Monologue: The world where you are not
Minekura Kazuya / Saiyuki / Cho Hakkai
Ah, yes. The first time I met her was a little after I entered the university in Chang’an...... That would make it nearly six years ago. Although, I suppose it’s odd to call it the ‘first time’. At the very least, she would have been beside me the moment we were born.
This may sound laughable, but when I met her, I felt as though I’d known her since before I was born. That’s a very “Well, obviously,” sort of statement, isn’t it (laughs)... However, it wasn’t for a while after we met that we learned we were twins. Perhaps because we’d always been raised apart, we didn’t resemble each other enough that you could tell just by looking. ... You could see it once you’d been told, but not before. As for our personalities, I’d say we were each other’s opposites.
......What kind of person was she?
Let me see, she was quite calm and feminine on the surface, but underneath she was rather masculine... No, that’s not it; she was simply true to herself. She would say what she wanted to without hesitation, and she would never back down if she thought she was right. She was actually very sloppy... Ah, I was the one who did the cooking, so I became quite good at that (smiles).
She could smash cockroaches and the like with no qualms. Even though she’d scream, she’d slap the roach repeatedly with whatever book was nearby (laughs). I was the one who had to clean it up though; it was like, “Hey!” (smiles).
... I guess you could say she was everyone’s big sister. Ah, I’m not joking. She had that personality that wouldn’t let her not help if she saw someone in trouble. Even though she’d say things to me like “You shouldn’t help them, Gonou, it won’t benefit them in the end!” she wouldn’t be able to stand simply watching, and she’d end up looking after the person. At the time I was more unconcerned with others, so I thought “You’re the one who keeps helping.”
Well, that’s the sort of woman she was.
She even accepted me, I think.
......It wasn’t a pure love. It wasn’t pure at all. Well, I suppose all passionate love is generally of the sort, but in our case we had no hope from the start. There were a lot of problems. Even between the two of us. It wasn’t all good times, living together... And sometimes we said things straight out of a pop song. “I wish I’d never met you” ... (smiles).
But, I loved her.
I really loved her.
...It didn’t matter that she was my sister. I don’t think I was able to say it so plainly before. I might have realized only recently. When we were actually together, I didn’t trust my love of her. Falling in love, and being unable to suppress my feelings... I became unfamiliar with myself. Wanting to make her mine and mine alone was a feeling I had thought I was utterly incapable of. Perhaps I couldn’t even forgive myself for being so passionately in love.
I learned later that she was my twin sister.......When I found out, I was relieved. I thought it explained my feelings. Strange, isn’t it? Usually you’d be shocked, disbelieving, but I was satisfied with the knowledge (laughs). I thought, “I see, she’s the other half of me, and that’s why I love her.”
In the end I, who even now am incapable of loving anyone other than myself... I convinced myself that there was no problem in holding dear this one person. This method of persuasion later allowed contradictions to blossom within my mind. That’s no surprise; we were scientifically two separate beings, after all.
I think I depended on her too much... She became to me an ‘absolute existence’. I suppose I was naive. Yes, I was. I believed that she would always be by my side, and no matter what, she alone would never betray me.
.......She......
Kanan, she said this to me, once:
“Really, it’s not like I’m your ‘big sister’.”
I laughed it off at the time, telling her not to say such strange things. She laughed too...... But really, at the time -
No, I truly don’t know what she had in mind when she said that to me. She and I were separate beings, after all..... This too, I can only ponder on now...
I didn’t know the love of my birth parents, of family. I don’t know what that has to do with my loving her, if anything at all. Because if two complete strangers had actually gotten married, that would tie them together as ‘family’. Ever since that time I’ve wondered what the importance of blood ties was.
For example, aren’t I now living together with - journeying, I suppose - with these men who are essentially strangers? I wonder. ... Well, I suppose I couldn’t quite call all of you ‘family’ (smiles). But really, I wonder.
We’re completely different... We’re all such different beings, aren’t we? Even I sometimes wonder about the the truth of ‘family’, and I can’t say I don’t get truly frustrated. But even so...
...Oh, don’t laugh at me (smiles). I think I’m actually a little drunk, for once.
......Ahh, is it that late already? Ahaha, I’m sorry I made you listen to such a boring story, even though I have to ask you to carry us tomorrow, too.
........West......
I suppose the end of our journey lies in that place we’re traveling toward. But it would be nice, I think, if there were something that didn’t end.
...Hm? Oh, no, it’s nothing. Well then, I should get to sleep too, so I can drive safely.
Good night.
See you in the morning.
==========
The Christmas Disaster
Click
[Sanzo]: ...So, what is this place?
[Hakkai]: It seems to be where Minekura-san is hosting her Christmas party.
[Gojyo]: I got that, but what I wanna know is why it’s in a normal apartment room.
[Goku]: Gojyo, hurry up and go in! The entrance’s too small an’ only one person can fit!
[Sanzo]: ...What’re these hanging things supposed to be?
[Hakkai]: Ah, they’re paper chains, how nostalgic. I used to make these with the children when I worked at the elementary school.
[Gojyo]: What is this, a kid’s birthday party?!
[Goku]: There’s lots of stuff that might be food.
[Sanzo]: That’s impressive cooking to make Goku hesitate to call it ‘food’.
[Hakkai]: Now, now, it adds a homemade touch.
[Gojyo]: I’d call it cheap.
[Sanzo]: ...... Someone already here?
[Kubota]: Ah, hello.
[Tokitoh]: Yo, we started eating already.
[Hakkai]: Pleased to meet you... I’m sorry, I’m out of business cards.
[Kubota]: Nah, I watch TV, you don’t need to introduce yourselves.
[Goku]: So that stuff was food.
[Tokitoh]: The store-bought stuff’s safe to eat, like this Tokachi Camembert (1).
[Kubota]: It doesn’t look like there’s arranged seating, so sit wherever you like.
[Sanzo]: ...Tatami mats... Kotatsu table... Zabuton cushions... Hot pot...
[Gojyo]: Quit complaining, Buddhist monk. I’m the one who wants to cry.
[Hakkai]: Yes, yes, Sanzo, go ahead and sit at the head of the table.
[Goku]: ... Oh, wow, yeah, if you eat it like this it’s seriously good.
[Tokitoh]: Told you. You gotta eat the ham and camembert cheese with French bread.
[Gojyo]: Hey, is it really okay to just start like this?
[Kubota]: Is beer okay? There’s wine and ponzu sauce too, if you want.
[Hakkai]: Ah, thank you very much. Gojyo, please grab four glasses.
[Sanzo]: ......paper cups......
[Gojyo]: They’re glasses! Believe that they’re glasses, Sanzo!! Or else you’ll go crazy!!
BAM!!
[Saitoh]: Merry Christmas!!!
[All]: ............
[Nakajyo]: ... You definitely grabbed everyone’s attention, Saiton.
[Mishiba]: Saitoh, hurry up and go inside. The doorway’s too small.
[Hakkai]: Sorry, we didn’t have much of a reaction.
[Gojyo]: Apologizing there is just cruel, Hakkai.
[Saitoh]: It’s okay... Please don’t worry about it... (cries)
[Sanzo]: Three more flashy guys appeared. What is this, a costume party?
[Nakajyo]: I don’t want to hear that from you, of all people.
[Kubota]: This table is definitely too small. We’ve got more people here than in Sazae-san’s family(2).
[Tokitoh]: Kubo-chan, scootch over some more.
[Goku]: Gojyo, your legs’re in the way!!
[Saitoh]: Ow!! That’s my foot!! (wailing)
[Goku]: Agh, seriously? Sorry!!
[Hakkai]: Kubota-san, could you grab three more paper cu- I mean glasses?
[Nakajyo]: ...... It’s hot.
[Gojyo]: Nine full-bodied dudes, handing out on Christmas. What’re we doing...?
[Tokitoh]: This’s been bothering me for a while now. What kinda hot pot is this?
[Sanzo]: ...... Boiled tofu......
[Gojyo]: ... Let’s drink!! I’m gonna go crazy if I don’t have some booze!!
[Saitoh]: Woah, Toki-san, please don’t eat and sleep at the same time! Aaaah, you’re spilling!
[Goku]: It’s smoky! The room’s all white!!
[Hakkai]: There are four smokers here.
[Tokitoh]: Should we let in some air?
Clatter clatter clatter. Wind gusts in.
[Gojyo]: Argh, that’s cold!!
[Nakajyo]: Hey! The snow’s blowing inside!
[Kubota]: It’s fantastic, isn’t it.
[Goku]: Uwah, Sanzo?! Sanzo’s buried in snow!!
[Saitoh]: Toki-san?! You’ll die if you sleep, Toki-san!!
[Sanzo]: ... Quit playing around and shut the window, you idiots!!!
Slam.
[Gojyo]: Thought I was gonna freeze to death...
[Mishiba]: .......... ‘M cold.
[Tokitoh]: This guy’s reaction is way late.
Ding-dong.
[Gojyo]: Oi oi, who is it now?
[Hakkai]: Ah, I’ll get it.
[Sanzo]: Use the inter phone. It’s cold with the door open.
Click.
[Hakkai]: Yes, who is it?
[Kougaiji]: Sorry to bother you this late at night. It’s Kougaiji.
[Hakkai]: Ah, we’re already subscribed to the newspaper.
[Kougaiji]: Hey, wai-!
Beep.
[Tokitoh]: Huh? Who was it?
[Hakkai]: No one we know.
[Sanzo]: Oh, all right.
All right, now the real party begins!! ... However, I’ve reached the end of my allotted space, so this program will have to end after this short peek (laughs). Please imagine your own continuation!! (<-So mean)
Epilogue
[Yamasaki]: ... Ah man, why do we have to work even on Christmas Eve?
[Jinnai]: Dead people show up regardless of whether it’s Christmas or New Years.
[Yamasaki]: So, where’re we collecting the next remains from?
[Jinnai]: The apartment right over there. Looks like nine men were having a Christmas party.
[Yamasaki]: ...... Guess you can even die during a Christmas party, huh......
【END】
-----------
Notes:
(1)Tokachi Camembert: camembert cheese made in Tokachi, one of the old names for Hokkaido
(2)Sazae-san’s family: Sazae-san is a comic/anime. The titular character has about 10 people in her house, I think.
=======
“The small explosion of my heart.”
nitro test-tube storys
Author: Minekura Kazuya
Producer: Studio Backgammon
Printer: Kinzawa Printing
On sale: 31 October 2009 - 1 November 2009
Saiyuki Festa ’09 -Great Saiyuki Original Art Collection- Commemorative pamphlet 03
Sponsor: “Iroiro”
※ It is illegal to reproduce or resell any of the text or images published herein.
Here at the bottom of the exam building, we all mix together and separate, spewing hopes like bubbles, and aim for that narrow exit.
Page 1-17
Page 18-33
Page 34-40
Monologue: The world where you are not
Minekura Kazuya / Saiyuki / Cho Hakkai
Ah, yes. The first time I met her was a little after I entered the university in Chang’an...... That would make it nearly six years ago. Although, I suppose it’s odd to call it the ‘first time’. At the very least, she would have been beside me the moment we were born.
This may sound laughable, but when I met her, I felt as though I’d known her since before I was born. That’s a very “Well, obviously,” sort of statement, isn’t it (laughs)... However, it wasn’t for a while after we met that we learned we were twins. Perhaps because we’d always been raised apart, we didn’t resemble each other enough that you could tell just by looking. ... You could see it once you’d been told, but not before. As for our personalities, I’d say we were each other’s opposites.
......What kind of person was she?
Let me see, she was quite calm and feminine on the surface, but underneath she was rather masculine... No, that’s not it; she was simply true to herself. She would say what she wanted to without hesitation, and she would never back down if she thought she was right. She was actually very sloppy... Ah, I was the one who did the cooking, so I became quite good at that (smiles).
She could smash cockroaches and the like with no qualms. Even though she’d scream, she’d slap the roach repeatedly with whatever book was nearby (laughs). I was the one who had to clean it up though; it was like, “Hey!” (smiles).
... I guess you could say she was everyone’s big sister. Ah, I’m not joking. She had that personality that wouldn’t let her not help if she saw someone in trouble. Even though she’d say things to me like “You shouldn’t help them, Gonou, it won’t benefit them in the end!” she wouldn’t be able to stand simply watching, and she’d end up looking after the person. At the time I was more unconcerned with others, so I thought “You’re the one who keeps helping.”
Well, that’s the sort of woman she was.
She even accepted me, I think.
......It wasn’t a pure love. It wasn’t pure at all. Well, I suppose all passionate love is generally of the sort, but in our case we had no hope from the start. There were a lot of problems. Even between the two of us. It wasn’t all good times, living together... And sometimes we said things straight out of a pop song. “I wish I’d never met you” ... (smiles).
But, I loved her.
I really loved her.
...It didn’t matter that she was my sister. I don’t think I was able to say it so plainly before. I might have realized only recently. When we were actually together, I didn’t trust my love of her. Falling in love, and being unable to suppress my feelings... I became unfamiliar with myself. Wanting to make her mine and mine alone was a feeling I had thought I was utterly incapable of. Perhaps I couldn’t even forgive myself for being so passionately in love.
I learned later that she was my twin sister.......When I found out, I was relieved. I thought it explained my feelings. Strange, isn’t it? Usually you’d be shocked, disbelieving, but I was satisfied with the knowledge (laughs). I thought, “I see, she’s the other half of me, and that’s why I love her.”
In the end I, who even now am incapable of loving anyone other than myself... I convinced myself that there was no problem in holding dear this one person. This method of persuasion later allowed contradictions to blossom within my mind. That’s no surprise; we were scientifically two separate beings, after all.
I think I depended on her too much... She became to me an ‘absolute existence’. I suppose I was naive. Yes, I was. I believed that she would always be by my side, and no matter what, she alone would never betray me.
.......She......
Kanan, she said this to me, once:
“Really, it’s not like I’m your ‘big sister’.”
I laughed it off at the time, telling her not to say such strange things. She laughed too...... But really, at the time -
No, I truly don’t know what she had in mind when she said that to me. She and I were separate beings, after all..... This too, I can only ponder on now...
I didn’t know the love of my birth parents, of family. I don’t know what that has to do with my loving her, if anything at all. Because if two complete strangers had actually gotten married, that would tie them together as ‘family’. Ever since that time I’ve wondered what the importance of blood ties was.
For example, aren’t I now living together with - journeying, I suppose - with these men who are essentially strangers? I wonder. ... Well, I suppose I couldn’t quite call all of you ‘family’ (smiles). But really, I wonder.
We’re completely different... We’re all such different beings, aren’t we? Even I sometimes wonder about the the truth of ‘family’, and I can’t say I don’t get truly frustrated. But even so...
...Oh, don’t laugh at me (smiles). I think I’m actually a little drunk, for once.
......Ahh, is it that late already? Ahaha, I’m sorry I made you listen to such a boring story, even though I have to ask you to carry us tomorrow, too.
........West......
I suppose the end of our journey lies in that place we’re traveling toward. But it would be nice, I think, if there were something that didn’t end.
...Hm? Oh, no, it’s nothing. Well then, I should get to sleep too, so I can drive safely.
Good night.
See you in the morning.
==========
The Christmas Disaster
Click
[Sanzo]: ...So, what is this place?
[Hakkai]: It seems to be where Minekura-san is hosting her Christmas party.
[Gojyo]: I got that, but what I wanna know is why it’s in a normal apartment room.
[Goku]: Gojyo, hurry up and go in! The entrance’s too small an’ only one person can fit!
[Sanzo]: ...What’re these hanging things supposed to be?
[Hakkai]: Ah, they’re paper chains, how nostalgic. I used to make these with the children when I worked at the elementary school.
[Gojyo]: What is this, a kid’s birthday party?!
[Goku]: There’s lots of stuff that might be food.
[Sanzo]: That’s impressive cooking to make Goku hesitate to call it ‘food’.
[Hakkai]: Now, now, it adds a homemade touch.
[Gojyo]: I’d call it cheap.
[Sanzo]: ...... Someone already here?
[Kubota]: Ah, hello.
[Tokitoh]: Yo, we started eating already.
[Hakkai]: Pleased to meet you... I’m sorry, I’m out of business cards.
[Kubota]: Nah, I watch TV, you don’t need to introduce yourselves.
[Goku]: So that stuff was food.
[Tokitoh]: The store-bought stuff’s safe to eat, like this Tokachi Camembert (1).
[Kubota]: It doesn’t look like there’s arranged seating, so sit wherever you like.
[Sanzo]: ...Tatami mats... Kotatsu table... Zabuton cushions... Hot pot...
[Gojyo]: Quit complaining, Buddhist monk. I’m the one who wants to cry.
[Hakkai]: Yes, yes, Sanzo, go ahead and sit at the head of the table.
[Goku]: ... Oh, wow, yeah, if you eat it like this it’s seriously good.
[Tokitoh]: Told you. You gotta eat the ham and camembert cheese with French bread.
[Gojyo]: Hey, is it really okay to just start like this?
[Kubota]: Is beer okay? There’s wine and ponzu sauce too, if you want.
[Hakkai]: Ah, thank you very much. Gojyo, please grab four glasses.
[Sanzo]: ......paper cups......
[Gojyo]: They’re glasses! Believe that they’re glasses, Sanzo!! Or else you’ll go crazy!!
BAM!!
[Saitoh]: Merry Christmas!!!
[All]: ............
[Nakajyo]: ... You definitely grabbed everyone’s attention, Saiton.
[Mishiba]: Saitoh, hurry up and go inside. The doorway’s too small.
[Hakkai]: Sorry, we didn’t have much of a reaction.
[Gojyo]: Apologizing there is just cruel, Hakkai.
[Saitoh]: It’s okay... Please don’t worry about it... (cries)
[Sanzo]: Three more flashy guys appeared. What is this, a costume party?
[Nakajyo]: I don’t want to hear that from you, of all people.
[Kubota]: This table is definitely too small. We’ve got more people here than in Sazae-san’s family(2).
[Tokitoh]: Kubo-chan, scootch over some more.
[Goku]: Gojyo, your legs’re in the way!!
[Saitoh]: Ow!! That’s my foot!! (wailing)
[Goku]: Agh, seriously? Sorry!!
[Hakkai]: Kubota-san, could you grab three more paper cu- I mean glasses?
[Nakajyo]: ...... It’s hot.
[Gojyo]: Nine full-bodied dudes, handing out on Christmas. What’re we doing...?
[Tokitoh]: This’s been bothering me for a while now. What kinda hot pot is this?
[Sanzo]: ...... Boiled tofu......
[Gojyo]: ... Let’s drink!! I’m gonna go crazy if I don’t have some booze!!
[Saitoh]: Woah, Toki-san, please don’t eat and sleep at the same time! Aaaah, you’re spilling!
[Goku]: It’s smoky! The room’s all white!!
[Hakkai]: There are four smokers here.
[Tokitoh]: Should we let in some air?
Clatter clatter clatter. Wind gusts in.
[Gojyo]: Argh, that’s cold!!
[Nakajyo]: Hey! The snow’s blowing inside!
[Kubota]: It’s fantastic, isn’t it.
[Goku]: Uwah, Sanzo?! Sanzo’s buried in snow!!
[Saitoh]: Toki-san?! You’ll die if you sleep, Toki-san!!
[Sanzo]: ... Quit playing around and shut the window, you idiots!!!
Slam.
[Gojyo]: Thought I was gonna freeze to death...
[Mishiba]: .......... ‘M cold.
[Tokitoh]: This guy’s reaction is way late.
Ding-dong.
[Gojyo]: Oi oi, who is it now?
[Hakkai]: Ah, I’ll get it.
[Sanzo]: Use the inter phone. It’s cold with the door open.
Click.
[Hakkai]: Yes, who is it?
[Kougaiji]: Sorry to bother you this late at night. It’s Kougaiji.
[Hakkai]: Ah, we’re already subscribed to the newspaper.
[Kougaiji]: Hey, wai-!
Beep.
[Tokitoh]: Huh? Who was it?
[Hakkai]: No one we know.
[Sanzo]: Oh, all right.
All right, now the real party begins!! ... However, I’ve reached the end of my allotted space, so this program will have to end after this short peek (laughs). Please imagine your own continuation!! (<-So mean)
Epilogue
[Yamasaki]: ... Ah man, why do we have to work even on Christmas Eve?
[Jinnai]: Dead people show up regardless of whether it’s Christmas or New Years.
[Yamasaki]: So, where’re we collecting the next remains from?
[Jinnai]: The apartment right over there. Looks like nine men were having a Christmas party.
[Yamasaki]: ...... Guess you can even die during a Christmas party, huh......
【END】
-----------
Notes:
(1)Tokachi Camembert: camembert cheese made in Tokachi, one of the old names for Hokkaido
(2)Sazae-san’s family: Sazae-san is a comic/anime. The titular character has about 10 people in her house, I think.
=======
“The small explosion of my heart.”
nitro test-tube storys
Author: Minekura Kazuya
Producer: Studio Backgammon
Printer: Kinzawa Printing
On sale: 31 October 2009 - 1 November 2009
Saiyuki Festa ’09 -Great Saiyuki Original Art Collection- Commemorative pamphlet 03
Sponsor: “Iroiro”
※ It is illegal to reproduce or resell any of the text or images published herein.
Here at the bottom of the exam building, we all mix together and separate, spewing hopes like bubbles, and aim for that narrow exit.