Hana to Ryuu 11- Entangled Bonds
(page)
Ryuuji: Hnh? You're going to Osaka day after tomorrow?
Ryuuji: On business?
Araki: No, I've got personal stuff as well. It's a bit sudden
Araki: But it'll be a nice vacation
Ryuuji: I see... Well, look after yourself then.
Araki: What do you mean?
Araki: I was looking forward to having a holiday with you. Getting turned down flat like that- I'm sad.
Ryuuji: Uh...
Ryuuji: ...you want me to come too?
(page)
(page)
Hana to Ryuu Ch. 11 Entangled Bonds
(page) Ne, Araki-san- on a good day you can see Mt. Fuji, right?
Araki: Um-hm. You should have a good view today.
Waitress: Can I take your o-shibori now? (Note: o-shibori: small towels wrung out in warm water and occasionally cologne, used for wiping the face and hands before eating)
Ryuuji: Uh- thanks-
Ryuuji: This is neat. I've never been in a Green Car before. (Note: Green car- first-class service car on the Shinkansen, the high-speed 'bullet train.')
Araki: Never gone on vacation?
Ryuuji: Just to the beach in summer
(page)
Ryuuji: Just the three of us... very simple, nothing special... but it was a lot of fun
Araki: Guess I'm not quite good enough...
Ryuuji: I don't mean that!
Ryuuji: This is really fun! I'm so happy you asked me along!
Araki: Thank you for those words of consolation. I'm obliged. Makes it worth me having a salary.
Ryuuji: Doesn't it. (little snort)
Araki: Thank you so much
F/X bows
(page)
Loudspeaker: Shin-Osaka. This is Shin-Osaka. (Note: the Shinkansen stop at Osaka.)
Araki: It's still early to go to the hotel. Let's check the bags here and walk around a bit
Araki: Is there anywhere you'd like to see?
Ryuuji: Well, since we're in Osaka, let's go eat!
Araki: Right you are
Araki: Let's go get something good
Ryuuji: Mh-hm.
(page)
F/X sizzle of okonomiyaki (pancake/ omelette type food with vegetables and seafood that you cook at your own table)
Ryuuji: Is it ready yet? (smells goood)
Araki: Not quite yet. It's not 3 minutes yet
Araki: OK! Now flip them!
Ryuuji: Right!
Ryuuji: There--
F/X flop
F/X sizzle
Ryuuji: I did it! I did it! 'D you see that?!
Araki: Brilliant. Can I have the turner?
Ryuuji: I'll do it for you
Araki: Thanks. I'll do it myself. (Can I have it?)
Ryuuji: You don't trust me! Look, let me do it!
(page)
Ryuuji: There
F/X flop
Ryuuji: See? I'm good! (little laugh)
F/X smack of turner on okonomiyaki
Araki: Look, the seafood's falling out! And don't hit it like that.
Ryuuji: You're very picky about your okonomiyaki, Araki-san. Are you from Osaka yourself?
F/X cool stare
Araki: (Oh, the squid!) Yes. I work in Tokyo now but I'm originally from here. My younger brother still lives here.
Ryuuji: You have a brother?
Araki: Mh? Didn't I tell you?
Ryuuji: This is the first I've heard of him.
Ryuuji: Heinnh-- what's he like?
Araki: Mh. A real gontakure. He was always picking fights.
Ryuuji: What's a gontakure?
(page)
Araki: Mhh- well- to put it simply, a kid who's a real handful. I don't suppose he's changed much.
Ryuuji: Oh, right. When you said you had private business, you meant seeing your brother
Araki: No, that's just by the way.
Araki: I came to see my brother's benefactor- someone called Sagano Takashi.
Ryuuji: Oh. Will I meet him too?
Araki: Oh yes. You won't remember, but Sagano-san knows you well.
Ryuuji: ...Somebody who knew me when I was a child...
Araki: Mm-hm.
Ryuuji: This Sagano- he's a yakuza, I suppose?
Araki: Well- yes.
(page)
Ryuuji: I don't care how nice someone's supposed to be. I hate yakuza
Araki: I know
Ryuuji: And I'm supposed to meet him and talk to him...
Araki: It's enough just to meet him briefly.
Araki: He's been very worried about you. Just let him see you're alright and set his mind at ease.
Araki: Now- this is ready. You want sweet sauce or spicy?
Ryuuji: Both.
(page)
Araki: (on phone) My name is Araki. Is the Don there?
Araki: Sorry to have been out of touch for so long. I got to Osaka today. Yes... Yes, tomorrow or whenever...
Araki: Please don't go to the trouble. We'll just come by. ...Yes. Tomorrow then.
Ryuuji: I just had a bath. You can have it now.
Araki: OK
Ryuuji: Ne, Araki-san. What's the real reason for this trip?
Araki: Reason?
(page)
Ryuuji: You said you wanted to go on a trip, but that was just an excuse to let this Sagano have a look at me, right?
Araki: No. It wasn't an excuse exactly...
Araki: Please don't be angry
Ryuuji: I'm not angry, but...
Ryuuji: I was so happy to be travelling with you, and now I feel like an idiot
Araki: It's not like that. I really looked forward to travelling with you. We don't often get a chance to be together all day.
Araki: If you really don't want to, we'll cancel it. I'll tell him
Ryuuji: It's OK.
Ryuuji: We'll go. Your brother's there
Araki: You're sure?
Ryuuji: I told you, it's OK. I'm just a bit pissed off.
(page)
Ryuuji: What're you grinning about?
Araki: (Was I?) I'm just happy and so naturally I--
Araki: Being pissed off means you're feeling comfortable with me. And I'm glad to know it.
Araki: Now- about that bath. Oh- and take whatever you want to drink from the fridge
Ryuuji: Is that OK? They cost
Araki: It's fine
F/x door to the bath closing
F/X Blushing Ryuuji mops his cheek with his towel
(page) Outside Sagano's house
F/X taxi drives away
Araki: Is something the matter?
Ryuuji: Mh. I just feel a little nervous
Araki: Don't be. No-one's going to eat you
(page)
Araki (to intercom): My name's Araki. I have an appointment
Voice: Certainly
Underling 1: Thank you for coming! Please come this way-
Underling 2: Thank you for coming!
F/X: fuss being made by several other members of the Sagano-gumi
Araki: Thanks
Araki: Sorry for just turning up all of a sudden
Underling 1: Not at all! You must be tired from your long trip
Ryuuji: Araki-san, maybe I'd better just--
Underling 3: Hey, you're in the way there! Let our guests through!
Araki: Nice, isn't it? Such an energetic outfit...
Ryuuji: Uhh, I think I'd prefer--
F/X: running feet
F/X: THUD! as someone small and short runs into Ryuuji from behind
(page)
Kai: Owww--
Kai: Why don't you look where you're going?
Ryuuji: Just a minnit! You were the one ran into me!
Kai: It's your fault for just standing there! Pay attention!
(page)
Ryuu: W-what's a kid doing here--
Kai: This is where I live. What are *you* doing here? Which gang are you from?
Ryuuji: Which gang- Look here, you-
Araki: It's Kai, yes? You've grown a lot.
Kai: Who're you, Uncle?
Araki: (Your behind will get cold. Better stand up)
Araki: We met when you started grade school. Don't you remember?
Kai: When was that? No
Araki: (picking him up) Let me give you a hug. It's been so long
Araki: (Up we go...)
Kai: I'm not a baby!
Araki: I know, I know.
Araki: Isn't Masanori with you?
Kai: Masa? He's bringing our shopping. (Look, there he is)
Masa's voice: Bon- How many times have I told you not to run ahead of me?
(page)
Masa: What'm I supposed to do if something happens to you?
Araki: You're looking well.
Kai: Masa, you're slow!
Masa: A-aniki?! Why're you here? When did you arrive?
Araki: Hm? Yesterday--
Araki: Oyaji-san didn't tell you?
Masa: Not a thing
Kai: You're Masa's older brother? Honest?
Araki: Honest. We're real brothers
(page)
Ryuuji: (thinks) *That*'s his brother?
Ryuuji: (thinks) He does look like he'd be fast with his fists. (They look a lot alike.)
Araki: Ryuuji-san
Ryuuji: Uh- yes?
Araki: This is my brother Masanori. This is Kazama Ryuuji-san. We live together now.
Ryuuji: How do you do?
Masa: Ah- hello. It's been a long trip for you...
Masa: Aniki- Kazama...san-- You don't mean...
Araki: Mh. Of the Kazama-gumi
Masa: I imagine... you've had some unpleasant experiences...
Ryuuji: Oh- no...
(page)
Araki: Masanori, we have a lot to talk about but we can do it later. First I have to say hello to oyaji-san
Masa: Oh... yeah.
Araki: Shall we go, Ryuuji-san?
Underling 1: May I show you the way?
Araki: Sorry to keep you waiting
Kai: Naa, Masa
Kai: Let's go to my room and play video games
Masa: The last survivor of the Kazama-gumi. Poor guy...
Kai: Hey! Masa! I'm *talking* to you!
F/X: Kai kicks Masa
Masa: OW---
(page)
Kai: Fine! I *won't* play with you then!
Masa: B-Bon... my crotch...
Underling 1: Excuse me. I've brought Araki-san and Kazama-san
(Araki and Ryuuji enter and kneel on the tatami before Sagano.)
(page)
F/X: Araki putting his fists on the ground (Note: hands on ground and upper body bent is a very formal way of kneeling before a superior)
Araki: I'm afraid I've neglected you lately
F/X Ryuuji, kneeling in normal polite fashion, notes Araki's very formal posture
F/X Ryuuji quickly makes a bow of his own
Sagano: Oh come come! Don't be so stiff. Raise your head, Araki!
(page)
Sagano: Look- if you act like that, the poor boy thinks he has to do the same
Araki: Yes, but--
Sagano: Oh relax. You'll hurt your legs like that. Sit on those cushions! (Note: in a formal situation, etiquette is not to kneel on the cushions provided until invited- the Japanese equivalent of waiting to be asked to sit down)
Araki: S-sorry...
Sagano: So you're Ryuuji-kun?
Ryuuji: Yes
Sagano: You were such a small little boy... You've turned into a fine man
Sagano: You've had more than your share of troubles. I hope you can be equally as happy
Ryuuji: Y-yes...
Sagano: You came to visit the Kazama family shrine so he could tell his family how well he is?
Araki: Well, as far as that goes...
(page)
Araki: He has no memory of being Kazama Ryuuji
Sagano: No memory- you mean he's forgotten it?
Araki: Yes
Araki: No doubt it's psychological..
Sagano: I... see.. Well, he was a child. The shock must have been too great
Sagano: It was a real tragedy. It's best to forget it. ...But there must have been precious memories there too. To say all that's sealed up as well-- somehow that strikes me as so sad.
(page)
Sagano: Alright, Ryuuji-kun? I just want to say one thing.
Sagano: Even if you get your memory back, don't let the past hold you
Sagano: It's what lies ahead that matters
Sagano: You were the prize of the Kazama-gumi. Everyone hoped for your happiness; everyone was protecting you. Your life is precious. So I know you won't waste it
Sagano: You've got Araki beside you, and me as well
Sagano: If anything ever troubles you, don't suffer in silence. Tell us.
Ryuuji: Ah--
(page)
Ryuuji: Thank you... very much
Sagano: Mh.
Sagano: Oh come come. You've gotten so big, you can't start crying! You always used to howl when you were a kid- no change at all!
Ryuuji: Sorr--
Kai: Hey, Toshi!
Toshi: (carrying boxes) Yes?
Kai: I got a new video game. Let's play it
Toshi: Oh- I'm kinda busy just now. Sorry.
Voice: Toshi! Stop standing there! Bring that here!
Toshi: Coming! Sorry!
F/X: running away
Kai: Oh- Kyousuke
Kyousuke: mutter mutter and then we don't have enough of uhh hmmm
(page)
Kai: Let's play my game--
Kyousuke: Sorry. Later, OK?
Kai looks mad
F/X determined walking down corridor
F/X slides back the door of his father's room
Sagano: Mh?
(page)
Sagano: Hora, Kai! I have guests!
Kai: What's your name?
Ryuuji: Huh?
Kai: Your *name*!
Ryuuji: Ryuuji...
Kai: OK, Ryuuji. Come with me. We're going to play
Sagano: Kai!
Sagano: Go play with Masa! Masa! Where is he anyway?
Araki: He was just at the entrance. Wasn't he with you?
Kai: How would I know? He's a jerk.
F/X: heavy running feet
Masa's voice: Bon!
Masa: Excuse me! Sorry for barging in! Bon, come on, let's go
F/X: louder thudding feet
F/X: grabs Kai
Kai: Noooo!!!
Sagano: Honestly...
Araki: Masanori, don't use force
(page)
Ryuuji: It's OK, Kai-kun. Shall we go play together?
Kai: Really?
Sagano: Ryuuji-kun, you don't have to
Ryuuji: It's alright. I want to
Ryuuji: Video games?
Kai: Yeah! I just bought this one
Masa: Bon! Kazama-san is busy! I'll play with you
Kai: I don't like you. I'm not playing with *you*
F/X makes the usual Japanese 'face'- pulls down one eye and sticks out tongue
F/X Masa chagrin
Masa: Bon!!
Kai: Let's go, Ryuuji
F/X Ryuuji chuckles
(page)
Sagano: That's the way he got attached to Masa over me. Lately he's been ordering Masa around too
Araki: Certainly Kai's more than his match
Masa: S-sorry
Ryuuji: Kai-kun
Ryuuji: Kai, do you really not like Masanori-san?
Kai: Right now, no! He wasn't paying attention to me
Ryuuji: I see
Kai: What about you?
Ryuuji: Hm?
Kai: You like Masa's aniki?
Kai: Is he nice to you?
(page)
Ryuuji: Yes. Very nice
Ryuuji: I like him a lot
Kai: Naturally. He's Masa's aniki
Kai: But he's just an old man. Masa's not like him at all. Masa's a real man.
Ryuuji: ......
Sagano: Araki, I meant what I said to Ryuuji-kun just now. I want to help you--
Sagano: --my friend who exchanged cups with Kazama, and Kazama's son. Who else is there?
(page)
Sagano: However things turned out, I'm still yakuza. It'd be different if he'd been raised as my enemy's son. But all his family are dead, so that doesn't matter, except... apparently there's been some problems?
Araki: You've heard something?
Sagano: Mh. There's been some small fry going around looking into Kazama's circumstances. Probably the doing of some gang that went out of business at the same time as the Kazamas
Sagano: I could stop them before they get established. But even if I cut them off at the root, there are branches I can't see at all. If you and Ryuuji-kun joined the Sagano organization, I could protect you so that no-one could lay a finger on you
Sagano: I know your ability, but you can't keep watch over Ryuuji-kun twenty-four hours a day. Do you really think you can?
(page)
Araki: (in flashback) Oyaji! Nee-san!
Araki: Hang on!
Araki: I'll get you to the hospital
Kazama: Ryuuji-
Kazama: The life you swore to me-
Araki: Oyaji!
Kazama: Give it to Ryuuji
Araki: (in present) It was the Don's last command
Araki: I intend to devote my life to protecting Ryuuji-san.
(page)
Araki: I know I'd be safer if we joined the Sagano outfit. But I can't bring him into the organization of the Kazama's old adversary.
Araki: However, if 'Kazama' ceased to exist, there'd be nothing to bother the Saganos either
Sagano: What's that?
Araki: If anything should happen to me
Araki: I entrust Ryuuji-san to you
(page)
Araki: With the outcome of this current battle
Araki: I'll erase the very name of the Kazama-gumi.
To be continued
(page)
Atogaki:
Hana to Ryuu has become unbelievably heart-warming. (sweatdrop) What did you think? Maybe because there's a kid in this episode? Or just because the Sagano-gumi is too peaceful. Anyone who wants to know what happens to Masanori and Kai afterwards is invited to read Kizuna in BexBoy comics. (LOL)
To continue- my but the Araki brothers can't resist their organizations. (gr) Both of them are devoted to their young masters (sweatdrop) I like the connection in their situations, that's all. (gr) If this was the Middle Ages they'd be like a prince and his knight. (gr) The knight serves the king but he's the one who teaches the prince how to wield a sword and so on. It's almost totally died out in present-day Japan, but I love the relationship of lord and follower and the sense of loyalty and devotion. It's even better if the lower-ranked one dominating his superior. (LOL)
There's no Iba or Hibiki this time around. People may find the story pointless and lacking without them. (gr) They'll appear next ep, so forgive me this time. (gr) And from now on the picture will probably get dirtier and dirtier fast. (sweatdrop) See you next time!