Million Girl English Translation
Hello everyone! (^^)o
I’ve decided to use this blog to post my translations of Million Girl and Chocolate, both series scans are provided by Xiao Jie. The download for these scans can be found at this link: http://eksentrick.wordpress.com/ So first, I’d like to thank her greatly for providing me with the raw scans. Without her hard work of scanning the raw chapters, I wouldn’t be able to translate anything. Thank you, Xiao Jie! m(_ _)m
Second, if you use my translation of the chapter, please credit me for it. This translation took hours (more hours than I would like to admit) and I would highly appreciate the credit where it is properly due.
Lastly, this post is extremely long (though most of it is the actual translation.) Nevertheless, I’m just giving you guys a heads up. There are also a few curse words here and there (as well as some, very small, brief, and rather discreet, discussion on adult-like topics.) But, overall, this is a very, very clean post.
The translation, translation notes, and my thoughts on the first chapter of the series (and thus the series overall) can be found by clicking the LJ cut below.
Enjoy! ^_^
Color Page (Page 1)
I inherited it from my mother: my most precious treasure. That’s why…I have shinning, amber colored hair.
Page 2
Girls on the left: “Pretty~”
Girl on the right: “Kya~”
(Step, step)
People Passing: “Hey, did you see that hair!”
This place, Teito Gakuin, is a newly established, prestigious school for the top men and women in the financial world.
Friends: “Sachi! Over here!”
Page 3
Sachi: “Guys!”
High School First Year, Kohaku Sachi.
Page 4
(no text)
Page 5
Short-Haired Friend: “Sachi, what gorgeous hair, it’s even shiner than a jewel!”
Long-Haired Friend: “What do you use to get such an awesome hair color?”
Sachi: “Nothing. I got it from my mother.”
Long-Haired Friend: “My! Your mother must be beautiful too! I want to meet her! Can I come over to your house?” (This last sentence I’m guessing on, since part of the sentence got cut off in the scan, but based on the first half, and Sachi’s reply, I’m assuming she asked something like this.)
Sachi: “…I’m sorry, but she’s (far) away right now. You won’t be able to meet her.”
Friends: “Aww, that’s too bad~”
Page 6
(Door shut)
(Sigh)
Sachi: “I’m home, mom. Keeping up the appearance of a respectable young lady everyday is really hard, but today, just like everyday, I gave it my best! Good night.”
Page 7
(Birds flapping and flying outside)
Sachi: “Mm…”
(Glomping clock)
Sachi: “Wa! It’s that time already!”
Page 8
(Bong. Bong- Clock ringing)
(Thud!)
Current Head of Family: “Today, like every other day, make sure you do nothing to dishonor the Kohaku family name.”
Sachi: “I won’t. I’ll take my leave now.”
Page 9
The Kohaku family manages Houseki Enterprise.
Long-Haired Friend: “Sachi~ Look’s like you’re in a good mood.”
Teito Gakuin students are rich.
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘All right! Today, like every other day, I’m going to do my best!’
Shout (Boy in Hat): “Give it back!”
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘Extortion!?’
Page 10
Sachi: “What do you think you’re doing!?”
(Sudden appearance!)
Other Boy: “Huh? What! You! Give that money back to me! It’s mine!”
(Rustling)
Other Boy: Ah!
Eye-Patch Dude: “My, my, wasn’t that a very flashy way to throw around money.”
Page 11
Eye-Patch Dude: “How about it? You up to bathing in a pool of money?”
Page 12
!?
Page 13
Eye-Patch Dude: “Deciding you want the money you lost back, after the game is over, is a violation of the rules.”
(Dash!)
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘Game…?’
Sachi: “You two…Were you gambling at school?”
Eye-Patch Dude: “Gambling? We don’t do something as low-level as that.”
(Swish!)
Eye-Patch Dude: “This is the Money Game.”
Page 14
Eye-Patch Dude: “Sorry for not introducing myself sooner. I’m Second Year, Shirogane Leon. If you took an interest in this, why don’t you give it a try and participate?”
Page 15
Sachi: “No way!”
(Smack!)
Sachi: “I’ll never participate in something like that!”
(Sigh)
Page 16
(Ki-n ko-n, ka-n ko-n - school bell)
(Door sliding open)
Sachi: “Just made it!”
Long-Haired Friend: “This is unusual. You’re never on the verge of being late to class like this. Did something happen?”
Sachi: “I saw someone getting their money extorted (?), went over to help them, and then this strange guy called Leon came over and cut in-“
Friends: “Leon!?”
Page 17
Sachi: “You guys…?”
Friends: “‘Leon-sama,’ did you say? He's the richest person here, isn't he? It’s been said that he’s done a bunch of dangerous things in order to work his way up to all those assets. Sachi….It’s best if you have nothing to do with a guy like Leon.”
I just don’t understand this world that’s covered in money. That why I want nothing to do with people like Leon.
Sachi: “I’ve returned.”
Page 18
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘What’s…this…?’
Yakuza Man: “You’re Kohaku Sachi, right? The Kohaku family’s Houseki Enterprise has gone bankrupt. The vast amount of debt your family was in was too much for your family head to deal with, so he up and ran.”
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘Eh?’
Page 19
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘Bankruptcy?’
Sachi: “What’s this? I’ve never heard anything about this.”
Yakuza Man: “Well then, I guess I’ll just have to inform you about these happy events. Simply put, the head of your family sold the company and then ran away.”
Sachi: “Sold it…? What are you talking about?”
(Ba-dum!)
Yakuza Man: “The person now seen as responsible for the debt exchanged you for cash.”
(Ba-dum, ba-dum)
Sachi: “Debt…?”
(Ba-dum)
Sachi: “How much…was I sold for…?”
(Ba-dum!)
Page 20
Yakuza Man: “One hundred million yen.”
(Shock!)
!!!
Page 21
Yakuza Man: “I thought to myself, ‘How could I not know a young girl with such beautiful hair?’ So, why don’t you come with us?”
(Chill)
(Grip)
(Smack!)
Yakuza Man: “Don’t let her escape!”
Page 22
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘It happened again, Mom…’
Page 23
Sachi: “Mother…”
(Step)
Current Head of House: “-Was it you, a distant relatives’ brat, that caused us to go bankrupt? Ah, how annoying! Just because everyone in the family says I’m the only one available, why do I have to look over you?” (It looks like there is a little bit more, which could change the last sentence a little, though I doubt it, but I can’t make it out. Oh well.)
Page 24
And then the time came when I became a high school student--
Current Head of House: “Sachi! Put this on! From now on you’re going to be attending Teito Gakuin!”
Sachi: “Teito!? I couldn’t possibly…”
Current Head of House: “If you want to support the household name through social status, don’t complain! You’re hair is the only bit of charm you have, so take it! You’re purpose is to rise up the Kohaku family name in this money-hungry world!”
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘I can’t believe we went bankrupt to an uncle like this!’
Page 25
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘Having my fate be controlled by money again is going to drive me crazy…”
(Bump)
Sachi: “Ah! I’m sorr-“
(Fall)
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘This card…was it inside my pocket…?’ (I’m not too sure on this one, since part is cut off, but it’s definitely talking about something being in her pocket, and since the panel beside it shows the card…ah, I assume the sentence is close to what I have.)
Page 26
(She examines the card, I don’t know exactly what it says, since I’m not that good with Kanji yet…^^; But it obviously has his name, address, and etc. on it. She realizes she can go to him to get the money.)
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘One hundred million yen!!?’
Page 27
(Ba-dum, ba-dum)
(Ba-dum, ba-dum!)
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘Behind the school building…this is it…’
Page 28
(Catching breath)
(Beep)
(Elevator coming up)
(Elevator going down)
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘The basement…?’
(Elevator stops)
Page 29
Leon: “Welcome to the Money Game!”
Page 30
Leon: “You came, just like I thought.”
Page 31
Sachi: “I’m not playing that game. I came here to see if you would lend me some money.”
Leon: “We don’t give out money here. If you want a monetary award for one hundred million yen, the participation fee will be ten thousand yen.”
Sachi: “Ten thousand yen…” (There’s more here, but I can’t see it. It got cut off. But I’m assuming it has something to do with her not having the money amount.)
Leon: “You’re a person who attends Teito and you don’t even have ten thousand yen?”
Sachi: “Well, you see, my family filed bankruptcy…” (There’s some more here too, but I can’t make it out. It got cut off as well.) “That’s right! In order to return the one hundred million yen that was borrowed, I’ve decided that I’ll work for it myself! For that reason, it is absolutely necessary that I borrow money to rent an apartment.” (It seems as if she is making up an excuse in order to get the money from him.)
Page 32
Leon: “So what? I told you that we don’t lend out money, you were listening, weren’t you?”
Sachi: “The truth is…Because of the debt, the Yakuza are after me! But I want to work properly and pay you back! So…I’ll definitely pay you back, just lend me a bit of money, please!”
Leon: “How many times do I have to say this?”
Page 33
(Whoosh!)
(Thud!)
Page 34
Leon: “You’ll work in order to return one hundred million yen? That’s impossible. Could it be that you got sold out to the Yakuza?”
Sachi: “But-“
Leon: “Where will they dispose of your freedom, and what will they make you do…? How about you tell me those things?”
Page 35
(Falls to the ground)
Sachi: “I give up. If I participate in the Money Game, I’ll get to redo my life and gain some kind of a chance.”
(Chair moves)
Leon: “Not even being able to procure ten thousand yen is just bad luck on your part.”
(Squeeze)
Leon: “What are you-“
Page 36
Sachi: “Mother, I’m sorry…”
Page 37
(Ba-dum, ba-dum)
(Ba-dum, ba-dum)
(Ba-dum, ba-dum!)
(Raising knife)
Page 38
(Rustle)
Page 39
(No text)
Page 40
(Bam!)
Leon: “Your hair…”
Sachi: “My hair, that’s shines more beautiful than a gem and is the color of amber, is the only piece of property I can sell to you.”
Page 41
Sachi: “With this, I’m going to participate in the Money Game! I’m going to do it in order to regain my life!”
Leon: “Shall I pay ten thousand yen for this enthusiasm?”
Page 42
(Slams down money and spreads it out)
Let the game begin!!
Translation Notes:
• First off, the one hundred million yen…In the actual Japanese they didn’t have yen, dollars, or anything, so I just went with yen, because 1. It takes place in modern day Japan and 2. I don’t like seeing a figure without any label behind it (that’s probably the only thing from Math classes that I actually learned and care about! XD)
• 10,000 yen is roughly 100 dollars, since 100 yen is about 1 USD.
• On page 11 Leon says, “You up to bathing in a pool of money?” This is a loose translation, since the actual Japanese doesn’t mention anything about a pool full of money. It does mention a large amount of money and basking/bathing in; thus, I went with the well known English phrase, “Bathing in a pool of money.” Same concept gets across and it’s less awkward sounding.
• On page 16, when Sachi is explaining about what happened that almost made her late, the “(?)” was in the actual Japanese. It was put there to show that is wasn’t certain herself if she was seeing what she thought she was. Also, the word that I translated as “gambling” can also mean ‘betting,’ but I chose to go with the former because it has a more dangerous edge to it.
• Extortion is basically taking (or stealing) money or goods from someone. It’s not robbery or anything, a good example (which fits the situation in this manga) is when a high school bully takes a nerdy kids money. Cliché, but a very good example indeed.
• Gakuin means “institution or academy”, but I like the sound of it, so I didn’t bother to translate it. Plus, I figured some readers may already know what it means anyway.
• Houseki means “gem or jewel,” I didn’t translate this because…well, to me, this is one of those times when the Japanese sounds cooler than the English translation. So, I simply left it alone.
• Sachi talks in extremely polite Japanese, especially when she is talking to her Head of the Family, which is why I tried to make some of her sentence more formal and stiff (less so, when she is talking to her friends, who are both extremely girly (and slangy) in their speech patterns.)
• Yakuza is the Japanese mafia.
• Last note, “Not even being able to procure ten thousand yen is just bad luck on your part.” This translation…I’m still slightly unsure about, since the actual Japanese was very odd. The “tsuki” that was used here can mean “attached to, under, impression, etc.” so a rough translation would be, “Not even being able to procure ten thousand yen is just the attachment of luck/the impression of luck/left to luck.” None of those sound good, so I went with a very loose translation and said “bad luck.”
My Thoughts:
Okay, first off…the title, I really, really, really just want to put “Dollar” after “Girl”…it’s been bugging me! D:
That’s the only real complaint that I have about this series so far though. There were only two other things that I kinda didn’t like. The first was in the beginning, when Sachi was talking to her friends. These are obviously people that she knows, since they call her by her first name, and she seems rather familiar with him, but they ask her about her hair and her mother like a strangers or something. I know this was done in order for the readers to get back ground information on the character, but still…it could have been done better.
The second thing was when Sachi was talking about her hair at the end, and was calling it “shinier than a gem” and such. I know that she was saying this to show the value of her hair (since, it seems, she’s grown up thinking that her hair is the only thing valuable that she has) and it also makes a kind of pun (since the name of her family business also means “gem” if translated) I still couldn’t help the thought of, ‘Conceited much?’ that went through my head. ^^;
Moving on, the long-haired girl and short-haired girls (who still do not have names, I hope they get some next chapter!) look like twins to me…or is that just me? They seem like interesting friends, they are close but they are distant at the same time. They also seem somewhat ditzy, but girls that know what’s going on around the school. Very helpful friends in that aspect, it’s also quite easy to tell that they are going to be some kind of hindrance when Sachi starts developing feelings for Leon (and vice versa, because, I mean, come on! Those two are going to be the love focus and everyone knows it! XD)
So, Sachi’s mother passed away. We don’t know why yet (I bet she was murdered because of the debt or something, maybe Sachi’s uncle (the bastard who ran away and sold Sachi to the Yakuza) had something to do with it? Or maybe I’m just spinning out wild rumors (actually, that’s exactly what I’m doing! /D) Yes, so, Sachi seems to have a mother complex (there a few times when I had flashbacks to Tohru, especially in one scene when Sachi was thinking of her mother and her eyes took up half her face!) She also seems to be a person with little self-confidence, though she takes pride in her hair. This is obviously the fault of her awful uncle who kept telling her that nothing about her was worth anything except her hair. So, it’s understandable.
In my translation notes I mentioned how Sachi has a very refined and polite way of speaking (another Tohru flashback!), well she does, the only time she doesn’t use this way of speaking is at the end when she is talking to Leon. She is very forceful here and determined. I’m thinking that this is going to be the thing that Leon brings out in her; determination, value in herself, and slightly more forceful personality that won’t stand for things that she doesn’t like.
So far we haven’t seen anything about her being particularly clumsy nor does she seem to eat a lot (but never gain weight.) It’s hinted at that she isn’t all that good at school, since she is surprised that she got into Teito (which, while being an institution for finances, also seems to be an institution for people who are rather smart.) Then again her surprise could have come from the fact that she didn’t believe herself (in social status terms) worthy of going to a school such as Teito. We’ll have to wait and see more of her personality to know that. She also doesn’t seem like the type of person who normally sleeps in late, because she was so shocked by the time when she woke up (not a normal reaction from someone who usually gets up late anyway.) Final thought on her personality, she doesn’t seem to like everyone. She doesn’t like people like Leon, who (in her mind) probably reminds her of her uncle (who she most likely hates.)
Speaking of Leon…my, he certainly knows how to wear and eye-patch! *q* It suits him very, very well (even better than Break!) I wonder why he wears it though? Hmm, that’s certainly some food for thought, though I bet it has to do with the “dangerous things” he did in order to get the money he has now. His background and personal history will be very interesting indeed, I think.
Also, I’m really digging his personality (as of right now), he is a somewhat refreshing character. He cares about money…and that’s it. Really, he’s shown no interest in anything humane yet, not even when Sachi cut off her hair (I think he was more shocked that she did that than anything else.) I mean, it’s common in Shoujo anime/manga to have a ‘bad boy’ type, such as Kyo from Fruits Basket, Zero from Vampire Knight, Ikuto from Shugo Chara<, and etc. etc. These characters are either unintentionally mean, cold, or simply socially misunderstood due to being socially awkward (or some combination of the three…and sometimes all three.) While they have small quirks that separate them and make them all slightly different, overall there is one thing that connects them all: they all are genuinely kind and want to help people (or people that they love and/or have allowed to get close.)
Leon is none of this (so far, I’m sure his personality is going to morph and change eventually.) He cares about his money (or just money in general) and that’s it. He’s worse than Kyouya from OHSHC! At least he’s shown (fairly early on) that he isn’t always about money, and even when he is about the money, he goes about things in a way that benefits everyone…not just himself. For some reason (note the sarcasm), I don’t think Leon will be this way (not for a long time anyway.)
He’s kind of a jackass, but I don’t mind, because he’s upfront about it, unlike some certain characters (Kaname). If a guy is going to be a jerk, I’d much rather they are a manipulative jerk upfront then try and pretend to be a nice guy. By being their true selves one can at least know that they are honest and when they say something that they really mean…they’ll mean it. For example, if Leon gives Sachi a compliment sometime down the road in this series, I (and Sachi) will know that he actually means it; since (from what I can gather from this first chapter) compliments are extremely rare from him. He also seems like a stickler for rules, at least when it comes to the Money Game. ^^;>
The interaction between these two will be fascinating, especially for a Shoujo manga. I can sense quite a bit of conflict (with Sachi’s rather self righteous and morally clean attitude and Leon’s more corrupted and twisted sense of morality and how the world works.) Sparks will be flying! And the transformation of these two will be fun to watch, definitely.
Though, I’m sensing that there will be a lack of humor in this series, which I have absolutely in problem with. I do like humor now and then, but I’m mostly drawn to darker and/or more serious series (with the occasional glance at more light hearted series.) So far we haven’t had one humorous moment in this manga, and it doesn’t seem like a series that sugar coats either. Sachi’s uncle is a disgraceful and horribly hypocritical man, Leon is a money hungry jerk (I wonder what made him that way, since I’m positive he wasn’t always like this, and Sachi will be able to bring out that nearly dead part of him), and Sachi got sold to the Yakuza! And the Yakuza leader is a total creeper (I mean, what he said to her, that implies things (things that I don’t really want to think about) in my mind.)
So, I’m ready for some heavy duty dramatic stuff (yay for plot!) As much as I like romance…I do not like when romance takes over the plot (Vampire Knight)! I like a nice mix between the two. A rare find, but when I can find them it’s all good! XD And, if I can’t find a nice mix, then I usually go for something that is extremely plot driven, but has very subtle hints of romance in it; for example, Mononoke (a series I recommend to anyone reading this!) For the most part it’s all plot, but there are those very small hints throughout of a romance, which makes for wonderful fanfics (though there simply are not enough for this series! =3=)
Getting back to Million Girl though, I’m looking forward to finding out what sort of person Sachi’s mother was, where Sachi’s father is (or what happened to him), and why Leon’s ‘office’ is located behind the school (does he have some connection to the principal/superintendent/whoever runs the school?) Who knows, but I’m very interested in finding out.
Oh! I also want to know who that girl is with the dark brown/purplish hair is! She’s the one on the Splash Page with Leon. I have a rather crazy idea that it might be Sachi in disguise (a wig, since she now has sort hair and some contacts) or something (since she is supposed to be hiding from the Yakuza, who will go after her.) But when I look at the two girls their facial structures are too different (and their attitudes are too different as well.) Still, I can hope…right? In the meantime, I want to know who she is too! =P
Wrapping up this post I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed Million Girl and anticipate the next chapter (where is Sachi going to live? With Leon? That would be fun! ^.~) And I like their school uniforms. The both the girls and the boys uniforms are simplistic, but the girls one looks really cute and Leon looks amazing in the boys, so no complaints from me there! n.n
I hope you enjoyed reading this long ass rant of mine on the series (and the actual translation.) ^^
Take care! (^^)o
~LilyGinnyBlack~
I’ve decided to use this blog to post my translations of Million Girl and Chocolate, both series scans are provided by Xiao Jie. The download for these scans can be found at this link: http://eksentrick.wordpress.com/ So first, I’d like to thank her greatly for providing me with the raw scans. Without her hard work of scanning the raw chapters, I wouldn’t be able to translate anything. Thank you, Xiao Jie! m(_ _)m
Second, if you use my translation of the chapter, please credit me for it. This translation took hours (more hours than I would like to admit) and I would highly appreciate the credit where it is properly due.
Lastly, this post is extremely long (though most of it is the actual translation.) Nevertheless, I’m just giving you guys a heads up. There are also a few curse words here and there (as well as some, very small, brief, and rather discreet, discussion on adult-like topics.) But, overall, this is a very, very clean post.
The translation, translation notes, and my thoughts on the first chapter of the series (and thus the series overall) can be found by clicking the LJ cut below.
Enjoy! ^_^
Color Page (Page 1)
I inherited it from my mother: my most precious treasure. That’s why…I have shinning, amber colored hair.
Page 2
Girls on the left: “Pretty~”
Girl on the right: “Kya~”
(Step, step)
People Passing: “Hey, did you see that hair!”
This place, Teito Gakuin, is a newly established, prestigious school for the top men and women in the financial world.
Friends: “Sachi! Over here!”
Page 3
Sachi: “Guys!”
High School First Year, Kohaku Sachi.
Page 4
(no text)
Page 5
Short-Haired Friend: “Sachi, what gorgeous hair, it’s even shiner than a jewel!”
Long-Haired Friend: “What do you use to get such an awesome hair color?”
Sachi: “Nothing. I got it from my mother.”
Long-Haired Friend: “My! Your mother must be beautiful too! I want to meet her! Can I come over to your house?” (This last sentence I’m guessing on, since part of the sentence got cut off in the scan, but based on the first half, and Sachi’s reply, I’m assuming she asked something like this.)
Sachi: “…I’m sorry, but she’s (far) away right now. You won’t be able to meet her.”
Friends: “Aww, that’s too bad~”
Page 6
(Door shut)
(Sigh)
Sachi: “I’m home, mom. Keeping up the appearance of a respectable young lady everyday is really hard, but today, just like everyday, I gave it my best! Good night.”
Page 7
(Birds flapping and flying outside)
Sachi: “Mm…”
(Glomping clock)
Sachi: “Wa! It’s that time already!”
Page 8
(Bong. Bong- Clock ringing)
(Thud!)
Current Head of Family: “Today, like every other day, make sure you do nothing to dishonor the Kohaku family name.”
Sachi: “I won’t. I’ll take my leave now.”
Page 9
The Kohaku family manages Houseki Enterprise.
Long-Haired Friend: “Sachi~ Look’s like you’re in a good mood.”
Teito Gakuin students are rich.
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘All right! Today, like every other day, I’m going to do my best!’
Shout (Boy in Hat): “Give it back!”
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘Extortion!?’
Page 10
Sachi: “What do you think you’re doing!?”
(Sudden appearance!)
Other Boy: “Huh? What! You! Give that money back to me! It’s mine!”
(Rustling)
Other Boy: Ah!
Eye-Patch Dude: “My, my, wasn’t that a very flashy way to throw around money.”
Page 11
Eye-Patch Dude: “How about it? You up to bathing in a pool of money?”
Page 12
!?
Page 13
Eye-Patch Dude: “Deciding you want the money you lost back, after the game is over, is a violation of the rules.”
(Dash!)
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘Game…?’
Sachi: “You two…Were you gambling at school?”
Eye-Patch Dude: “Gambling? We don’t do something as low-level as that.”
(Swish!)
Eye-Patch Dude: “This is the Money Game.”
Page 14
Eye-Patch Dude: “Sorry for not introducing myself sooner. I’m Second Year, Shirogane Leon. If you took an interest in this, why don’t you give it a try and participate?”
Page 15
Sachi: “No way!”
(Smack!)
Sachi: “I’ll never participate in something like that!”
(Sigh)
Page 16
(Ki-n ko-n, ka-n ko-n - school bell)
(Door sliding open)
Sachi: “Just made it!”
Long-Haired Friend: “This is unusual. You’re never on the verge of being late to class like this. Did something happen?”
Sachi: “I saw someone getting their money extorted (?), went over to help them, and then this strange guy called Leon came over and cut in-“
Friends: “Leon!?”
Page 17
Sachi: “You guys…?”
Friends: “‘Leon-sama,’ did you say? He's the richest person here, isn't he? It’s been said that he’s done a bunch of dangerous things in order to work his way up to all those assets. Sachi….It’s best if you have nothing to do with a guy like Leon.”
I just don’t understand this world that’s covered in money. That why I want nothing to do with people like Leon.
Sachi: “I’ve returned.”
Page 18
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘What’s…this…?’
Yakuza Man: “You’re Kohaku Sachi, right? The Kohaku family’s Houseki Enterprise has gone bankrupt. The vast amount of debt your family was in was too much for your family head to deal with, so he up and ran.”
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘Eh?’
Page 19
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘Bankruptcy?’
Sachi: “What’s this? I’ve never heard anything about this.”
Yakuza Man: “Well then, I guess I’ll just have to inform you about these happy events. Simply put, the head of your family sold the company and then ran away.”
Sachi: “Sold it…? What are you talking about?”
(Ba-dum!)
Yakuza Man: “The person now seen as responsible for the debt exchanged you for cash.”
(Ba-dum, ba-dum)
Sachi: “Debt…?”
(Ba-dum)
Sachi: “How much…was I sold for…?”
(Ba-dum!)
Page 20
Yakuza Man: “One hundred million yen.”
(Shock!)
!!!
Page 21
Yakuza Man: “I thought to myself, ‘How could I not know a young girl with such beautiful hair?’ So, why don’t you come with us?”
(Chill)
(Grip)
(Smack!)
Yakuza Man: “Don’t let her escape!”
Page 22
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘It happened again, Mom…’
Page 23
Sachi: “Mother…”
(Step)
Current Head of House: “-Was it you, a distant relatives’ brat, that caused us to go bankrupt? Ah, how annoying! Just because everyone in the family says I’m the only one available, why do I have to look over you?” (It looks like there is a little bit more, which could change the last sentence a little, though I doubt it, but I can’t make it out. Oh well.)
Page 24
And then the time came when I became a high school student--
Current Head of House: “Sachi! Put this on! From now on you’re going to be attending Teito Gakuin!”
Sachi: “Teito!? I couldn’t possibly…”
Current Head of House: “If you want to support the household name through social status, don’t complain! You’re hair is the only bit of charm you have, so take it! You’re purpose is to rise up the Kohaku family name in this money-hungry world!”
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘I can’t believe we went bankrupt to an uncle like this!’
Page 25
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘Having my fate be controlled by money again is going to drive me crazy…”
(Bump)
Sachi: “Ah! I’m sorr-“
(Fall)
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘This card…was it inside my pocket…?’ (I’m not too sure on this one, since part is cut off, but it’s definitely talking about something being in her pocket, and since the panel beside it shows the card…ah, I assume the sentence is close to what I have.)
Page 26
(She examines the card, I don’t know exactly what it says, since I’m not that good with Kanji yet…^^; But it obviously has his name, address, and etc. on it. She realizes she can go to him to get the money.)
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘One hundred million yen!!?’
Page 27
(Ba-dum, ba-dum)
(Ba-dum, ba-dum!)
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘Behind the school building…this is it…’
Page 28
(Catching breath)
(Beep)
(Elevator coming up)
(Elevator going down)
Sachi’s Thoughts: ‘The basement…?’
(Elevator stops)
Page 29
Leon: “Welcome to the Money Game!”
Page 30
Leon: “You came, just like I thought.”
Page 31
Sachi: “I’m not playing that game. I came here to see if you would lend me some money.”
Leon: “We don’t give out money here. If you want a monetary award for one hundred million yen, the participation fee will be ten thousand yen.”
Sachi: “Ten thousand yen…” (There’s more here, but I can’t see it. It got cut off. But I’m assuming it has something to do with her not having the money amount.)
Leon: “You’re a person who attends Teito and you don’t even have ten thousand yen?”
Sachi: “Well, you see, my family filed bankruptcy…” (There’s some more here too, but I can’t make it out. It got cut off as well.) “That’s right! In order to return the one hundred million yen that was borrowed, I’ve decided that I’ll work for it myself! For that reason, it is absolutely necessary that I borrow money to rent an apartment.” (It seems as if she is making up an excuse in order to get the money from him.)
Page 32
Leon: “So what? I told you that we don’t lend out money, you were listening, weren’t you?”
Sachi: “The truth is…Because of the debt, the Yakuza are after me! But I want to work properly and pay you back! So…I’ll definitely pay you back, just lend me a bit of money, please!”
Leon: “How many times do I have to say this?”
Page 33
(Whoosh!)
(Thud!)
Page 34
Leon: “You’ll work in order to return one hundred million yen? That’s impossible. Could it be that you got sold out to the Yakuza?”
Sachi: “But-“
Leon: “Where will they dispose of your freedom, and what will they make you do…? How about you tell me those things?”
Page 35
(Falls to the ground)
Sachi: “I give up. If I participate in the Money Game, I’ll get to redo my life and gain some kind of a chance.”
(Chair moves)
Leon: “Not even being able to procure ten thousand yen is just bad luck on your part.”
(Squeeze)
Leon: “What are you-“
Page 36
Sachi: “Mother, I’m sorry…”
Page 37
(Ba-dum, ba-dum)
(Ba-dum, ba-dum)
(Ba-dum, ba-dum!)
(Raising knife)
Page 38
(Rustle)
Page 39
(No text)
Page 40
(Bam!)
Leon: “Your hair…”
Sachi: “My hair, that’s shines more beautiful than a gem and is the color of amber, is the only piece of property I can sell to you.”
Page 41
Sachi: “With this, I’m going to participate in the Money Game! I’m going to do it in order to regain my life!”
Leon: “Shall I pay ten thousand yen for this enthusiasm?”
Page 42
(Slams down money and spreads it out)
Let the game begin!!
Translation Notes:
• First off, the one hundred million yen…In the actual Japanese they didn’t have yen, dollars, or anything, so I just went with yen, because 1. It takes place in modern day Japan and 2. I don’t like seeing a figure without any label behind it (that’s probably the only thing from Math classes that I actually learned and care about! XD)
• 10,000 yen is roughly 100 dollars, since 100 yen is about 1 USD.
• On page 11 Leon says, “You up to bathing in a pool of money?” This is a loose translation, since the actual Japanese doesn’t mention anything about a pool full of money. It does mention a large amount of money and basking/bathing in; thus, I went with the well known English phrase, “Bathing in a pool of money.” Same concept gets across and it’s less awkward sounding.
• On page 16, when Sachi is explaining about what happened that almost made her late, the “(?)” was in the actual Japanese. It was put there to show that is wasn’t certain herself if she was seeing what she thought she was. Also, the word that I translated as “gambling” can also mean ‘betting,’ but I chose to go with the former because it has a more dangerous edge to it.
• Extortion is basically taking (or stealing) money or goods from someone. It’s not robbery or anything, a good example (which fits the situation in this manga) is when a high school bully takes a nerdy kids money. Cliché, but a very good example indeed.
• Gakuin means “institution or academy”, but I like the sound of it, so I didn’t bother to translate it. Plus, I figured some readers may already know what it means anyway.
• Houseki means “gem or jewel,” I didn’t translate this because…well, to me, this is one of those times when the Japanese sounds cooler than the English translation. So, I simply left it alone.
• Sachi talks in extremely polite Japanese, especially when she is talking to her Head of the Family, which is why I tried to make some of her sentence more formal and stiff (less so, when she is talking to her friends, who are both extremely girly (and slangy) in their speech patterns.)
• Yakuza is the Japanese mafia.
• Last note, “Not even being able to procure ten thousand yen is just bad luck on your part.” This translation…I’m still slightly unsure about, since the actual Japanese was very odd. The “tsuki” that was used here can mean “attached to, under, impression, etc.” so a rough translation would be, “Not even being able to procure ten thousand yen is just the attachment of luck/the impression of luck/left to luck.” None of those sound good, so I went with a very loose translation and said “bad luck.”
My Thoughts:
Okay, first off…the title, I really, really, really just want to put “Dollar” after “Girl”…it’s been bugging me! D:
That’s the only real complaint that I have about this series so far though. There were only two other things that I kinda didn’t like. The first was in the beginning, when Sachi was talking to her friends. These are obviously people that she knows, since they call her by her first name, and she seems rather familiar with him, but they ask her about her hair and her mother like a strangers or something. I know this was done in order for the readers to get back ground information on the character, but still…it could have been done better.
The second thing was when Sachi was talking about her hair at the end, and was calling it “shinier than a gem” and such. I know that she was saying this to show the value of her hair (since, it seems, she’s grown up thinking that her hair is the only thing valuable that she has) and it also makes a kind of pun (since the name of her family business also means “gem” if translated) I still couldn’t help the thought of, ‘Conceited much?’ that went through my head. ^^;
Moving on, the long-haired girl and short-haired girls (who still do not have names, I hope they get some next chapter!) look like twins to me…or is that just me? They seem like interesting friends, they are close but they are distant at the same time. They also seem somewhat ditzy, but girls that know what’s going on around the school. Very helpful friends in that aspect, it’s also quite easy to tell that they are going to be some kind of hindrance when Sachi starts developing feelings for Leon (and vice versa, because, I mean, come on! Those two are going to be the love focus and everyone knows it! XD)
So, Sachi’s mother passed away. We don’t know why yet (I bet she was murdered because of the debt or something, maybe Sachi’s uncle (the bastard who ran away and sold Sachi to the Yakuza) had something to do with it? Or maybe I’m just spinning out wild rumors (actually, that’s exactly what I’m doing! /D) Yes, so, Sachi seems to have a mother complex (there a few times when I had flashbacks to Tohru, especially in one scene when Sachi was thinking of her mother and her eyes took up half her face!) She also seems to be a person with little self-confidence, though she takes pride in her hair. This is obviously the fault of her awful uncle who kept telling her that nothing about her was worth anything except her hair. So, it’s understandable.
In my translation notes I mentioned how Sachi has a very refined and polite way of speaking (another Tohru flashback!), well she does, the only time she doesn’t use this way of speaking is at the end when she is talking to Leon. She is very forceful here and determined. I’m thinking that this is going to be the thing that Leon brings out in her; determination, value in herself, and slightly more forceful personality that won’t stand for things that she doesn’t like.
So far we haven’t seen anything about her being particularly clumsy nor does she seem to eat a lot (but never gain weight.) It’s hinted at that she isn’t all that good at school, since she is surprised that she got into Teito (which, while being an institution for finances, also seems to be an institution for people who are rather smart.) Then again her surprise could have come from the fact that she didn’t believe herself (in social status terms) worthy of going to a school such as Teito. We’ll have to wait and see more of her personality to know that. She also doesn’t seem like the type of person who normally sleeps in late, because she was so shocked by the time when she woke up (not a normal reaction from someone who usually gets up late anyway.) Final thought on her personality, she doesn’t seem to like everyone. She doesn’t like people like Leon, who (in her mind) probably reminds her of her uncle (who she most likely hates.)
Speaking of Leon…my, he certainly knows how to wear and eye-patch! *q* It suits him very, very well (even better than Break!) I wonder why he wears it though? Hmm, that’s certainly some food for thought, though I bet it has to do with the “dangerous things” he did in order to get the money he has now. His background and personal history will be very interesting indeed, I think.
Also, I’m really digging his personality (as of right now), he is a somewhat refreshing character. He cares about money…and that’s it. Really, he’s shown no interest in anything humane yet, not even when Sachi cut off her hair (I think he was more shocked that she did that than anything else.) I mean, it’s common in Shoujo anime/manga to have a ‘bad boy’ type, such as Kyo from Fruits Basket, Zero from Vampire Knight, Ikuto from Shugo Chara<, and etc. etc. These characters are either unintentionally mean, cold, or simply socially misunderstood due to being socially awkward (or some combination of the three…and sometimes all three.) While they have small quirks that separate them and make them all slightly different, overall there is one thing that connects them all: they all are genuinely kind and want to help people (or people that they love and/or have allowed to get close.)
Leon is none of this (so far, I’m sure his personality is going to morph and change eventually.) He cares about his money (or just money in general) and that’s it. He’s worse than Kyouya from OHSHC! At least he’s shown (fairly early on) that he isn’t always about money, and even when he is about the money, he goes about things in a way that benefits everyone…not just himself. For some reason (note the sarcasm), I don’t think Leon will be this way (not for a long time anyway.)
He’s kind of a jackass, but I don’t mind, because he’s upfront about it, unlike some certain characters (Kaname). If a guy is going to be a jerk, I’d much rather they are a manipulative jerk upfront then try and pretend to be a nice guy. By being their true selves one can at least know that they are honest and when they say something that they really mean…they’ll mean it. For example, if Leon gives Sachi a compliment sometime down the road in this series, I (and Sachi) will know that he actually means it; since (from what I can gather from this first chapter) compliments are extremely rare from him. He also seems like a stickler for rules, at least when it comes to the Money Game. ^^;>
The interaction between these two will be fascinating, especially for a Shoujo manga. I can sense quite a bit of conflict (with Sachi’s rather self righteous and morally clean attitude and Leon’s more corrupted and twisted sense of morality and how the world works.) Sparks will be flying! And the transformation of these two will be fun to watch, definitely.
Though, I’m sensing that there will be a lack of humor in this series, which I have absolutely in problem with. I do like humor now and then, but I’m mostly drawn to darker and/or more serious series (with the occasional glance at more light hearted series.) So far we haven’t had one humorous moment in this manga, and it doesn’t seem like a series that sugar coats either. Sachi’s uncle is a disgraceful and horribly hypocritical man, Leon is a money hungry jerk (I wonder what made him that way, since I’m positive he wasn’t always like this, and Sachi will be able to bring out that nearly dead part of him), and Sachi got sold to the Yakuza! And the Yakuza leader is a total creeper (I mean, what he said to her, that implies things (things that I don’t really want to think about) in my mind.)
So, I’m ready for some heavy duty dramatic stuff (yay for plot!) As much as I like romance…I do not like when romance takes over the plot (Vampire Knight)! I like a nice mix between the two. A rare find, but when I can find them it’s all good! XD And, if I can’t find a nice mix, then I usually go for something that is extremely plot driven, but has very subtle hints of romance in it; for example, Mononoke (a series I recommend to anyone reading this!) For the most part it’s all plot, but there are those very small hints throughout of a romance, which makes for wonderful fanfics (though there simply are not enough for this series! =3=)
Getting back to Million Girl though, I’m looking forward to finding out what sort of person Sachi’s mother was, where Sachi’s father is (or what happened to him), and why Leon’s ‘office’ is located behind the school (does he have some connection to the principal/superintendent/whoever runs the school?) Who knows, but I’m very interested in finding out.
Oh! I also want to know who that girl is with the dark brown/purplish hair is! She’s the one on the Splash Page with Leon. I have a rather crazy idea that it might be Sachi in disguise (a wig, since she now has sort hair and some contacts) or something (since she is supposed to be hiding from the Yakuza, who will go after her.) But when I look at the two girls their facial structures are too different (and their attitudes are too different as well.) Still, I can hope…right? In the meantime, I want to know who she is too! =P
Wrapping up this post I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed Million Girl and anticipate the next chapter (where is Sachi going to live? With Leon? That would be fun! ^.~) And I like their school uniforms. The both the girls and the boys uniforms are simplistic, but the girls one looks really cute and Leon looks amazing in the boys, so no complaints from me there! n.n
I hope you enjoyed reading this long ass rant of mine on the series (and the actual translation.) ^^
Take care! (^^)o
~LilyGinnyBlack~