Saiyuki Reload: Gojyo & Hakkai

Author: Minekura Kazuya

translated by Jeanne

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We wanted to be held by the darkness. We wanted not to have to see anything. We were afraid of the moon because it would light our scars for all to see

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frontispiece

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Act XX "burial" Gojyo&Hakkai's story
Even now, still waiting for the dawn

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Sanzou: The treasury's been robbed...?
Male Aspect: Indeed
For several days now the temples in and around Chouan have had their treasuries plundered one after the other
The method was pretty much the same in all cases, and the stolen goods were sold later on. We can guess who's responsible fairly easily.
Sanzou: So you want me to arrest the criminals?
Male Aspect: And recover the stolen goods.
Sanzou: ......
Understood.
Male Aspect: You needn't be so obvious about it. We rely on you.

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Male Aspect: Oh yes- we wanted to ask how matters were going.
Sanzou: ? If you mean that little monkey of mine, he's in good health. Enough that I'd occasionally like to pound him
Male Aspect: No, not him. I was asking about that criminal who received our judgment in this hall several months ago- Cho Hakkai.
Stallkeeper: Hakkai-san!
You're just in time! We got these new potatoes in today. How about it?
Hakkai: That's nice. I think I'll take some.
Stallkeeper: Always a pleasure!
How are things, Hakkai-san? Are you used to this city now?

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Hakkai: Ahh... yes. More or less.
Ah- Gojou.
Gojou: Oh--
Hakkai: Going out somewhere?
Gojou: Mh. Sorta. I'll probly be late
Hakkai: I see. I'll be home then
Gojou: Aah.
...see ya.

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Stallkeeper's wife: ...wonder what that was about? Those two don't seem terribly comfortable together.
Stallkeeper: Better not interfere there. --Ahh, good morning, missus!
Bargirl: Ohh Gojou! The things you say--!

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Narration: 'Sa Gojou'- half human half youkai. One of the 'forbidden offspring' with their red hair and red eyes
Bargirl: Ne, Gojou, shouldn't you be going home? It's pretty late
Gojou: (laughs) What? I'm not a kid any more! C'mon- let's find another bar!!
F/X owls hooting (?)

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Narration: 'Cho Hakkai.' Former name: Cho Gonou. Perpetrated a massacre in revenge for his lover's death. Formerly a human, now physically transformed into a youkai
Female Aspect: I see... By a strange coincidence these two men are of the same kind: anomalies that are neither wholly human nor youkai
Sanzou: They're living together at the moment. So far there have been no problems
Male Aspect: Mh. Hear me, Genjou Sanzou.

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Male aspect: It was you yourself who assumed responsibility for the surveillance of Cho Hakkai. You are responsible for his future. Nonetheless...
However close a watch you keep on him the fact remains unchanged that Cho Hakkai is a criminal.
Never forget that.
Sanzou: ...I shall not.
F/X front door opening

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Gojou: (thinks) ...I just can't get used to it
the rooms always clean- food cooked for me--
Gojou: (aloud): chii--
(thinks) I can't get used to it---

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Gojou: (thinks) ---the feeling that someone's there waiting for me
F/X water running on the plates
Hakkai: Ah, good morning
Gojou: - hi.
Hakkai: I'll make some coffee
Gojou: (yawn) Thanks
Sorry. I couldn't eat that dinner last night
Hakkai: Oh, no problem. Boiled stuff keeps
F/X puts clean ashtray on the table

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Hakkai: I'm going to look for work soon
My injuries have no long-range effects and I'm quite used to my false eye. I can't go on depending on you like this- that's no way for a man to behave. (laughs)
Gojou: Aren't I the one depending on you?
Hakkai: Not at all. I have a feeling-
I'm forcing myself on you.
F/X footstep outside
Gojou: Mh- well... fact is-
I'm not used to this

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Gojou: I've always been by myself- doing what I liked, enjoying myself as I please- this feels kind of incongruous--
Hakkai: I understand. We're very different in our living habits
I know we've never asked each other about the past, but-- have you always lived alone?
Gojou: Hm? Oh... No. There was one person before this---

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F/X door kicked down
F/X and crashing to the floor
Gojou: What--!!
WHO THE HELL"RE YOU!!
Banri: ...hn. Same dump as ever

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Banri: Hiya, Gojou.
Hakkai: Nh?
Gojou: ...y'know- that door opens from the outside. How many times-
Have I had to tell you that, Banri!! What's up with you? Where'd your eyebrows go?
Banri: SHADDUP! I don't see my pal for a year and the first thing he says to me is *that*?

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Gojou: Who're you to talk- breaking down my door and barging in like that!?
Banri: (laughs) You got a problem with it, get a doorbell.
Gojou: --hey, Hakkai! This is Banri! Up to last year we hung around together- he's my old
pal.
Banri: Cheese.

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Gojyo & Hakkai 2

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Banri: Yeah, Gojou and me go a long way back
We've done everything there is to do
Gojou: And where'd you disappear off to a year ago?
Banri: Oh, wandered about a bit-- towns here and there. Figured the heat'd finally be off and came back home.
Gojou: Lissen to him- *this* guy, right, sweet-talks a woman out of her money- and she's the girlfriend of some really big muckeymuck hereabouts. So when the big guy finds out he sends his goons after him.
Banri: (laughs) I was *this* close to being half-killed
Hakkai: Ahh... so that's why you've stayed away from here for a while?
Banri: Well, it's kinda chronic with me, y'see
Mm- and who are you?

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Gojou: ...oh, this is Hakkai. Long story, but he's living here now.
Banri: Hmm---mm
I don't see you for a bit and you go finding yourself new friends?
Gojou: Asshole! It's not like that! A bunch of things happened while you were gone
Banri: If you missed me just say so. Mh?
Gojou: Sheesh. I was almost glad you weren't around to say silly stuff like that
Hakkai: Ah--
I have to be somewhere soon--
Gojou: Oh- Sanzou's?
Hakkai: Yes. I'm sorry, Banri-san. Please excuse me.
F/X polite bow

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Banri: 'Please excuse me'? Very refined.
Gojou: ...well, on the surface anyway.
Banri: I thought you said you couldn't take well-brought-up types like that?
Gojou: ....
Mh, well.
Banri: Look, Gojou. I've got a big job on just now.
Gojou: A job...? Nothing legal, I bet.

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Banri: (laughs) What's that kind of talk, after what we've been through?
You've been in cahoots with me on dirty jobs before.
Anyway, outsiders like us aren't cut out for an honest life
Wanna join me in some fun? Like we used to?

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Hakkai: 'Two tangerines are fighting against each other. They use their magic ninja skills to turn themselves into three tangerines apiece.'
'Now- how many tangerines are there all together?'
Gokuu: --nhh- mhhh-- zero of them!
Hakkai: Not again? Why?
Gokuu: Cause I ate them all!
Sanzou: Hakkai-- there's no point using food as an example when you're dealing with Gokuu
Hakkai: But people remember more easily if it's something they're interested in.

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Sanzou: You're not making a penny from giving Gokuu lessons and he's a monkey in any case. It's hardly worth doing.
Hakkai: That's not true. I always feel better for seeing Gokuu
Gokuu: (two become three- huh?)
Hakkai: Besides--
if I'm here you have less to do, surely?
Sanzou: ...not again. Don't feel obliged to put yourself out for me

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Hakkai: I'm a criminal. I'm allowed to be free like this
only because you promised the Three Aspects that you'd keep me under surveillance and so gave me my liberty.
Sanzou: Hmph
That's because I was convinced there'd be no harm in letting you go
Hakkai: Oh, but surely that's not necessarily so?
Sanzou: If you say that yourself, then there's no problem at all. Has something happened?
Hakkai: No, nothing special--
Gokuu: Hakkai-!!

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Gokuu: These tangerines are SOUUUUEERRR!!!
Hakkai: That's why I told you not to eat them...
Hakkai: (thinks) The door's still not fixes
(aloud) I'm back- uh?

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F/X sounds from the other room
Banri: Yo--
welcome back....
Hakkai: Looks like you had a lot to drink

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Banri: Those are limiters--
heey- so you're one of us too?
Hakkai: One of us...?
Banri: A youkai.

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Hakkai: Yes... more or less
You don't normally wear them then?
Banri: What do you think?
Why do us youkai have go along with the humans?
Hakkai: ?
Banri: 'Tougenkyou where humans and youkai live peacefully together'-- don't make me laugh!
Look at the facts. It's always been the humans that count, and they still do

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Banri: The high-and-mighty humans discriminate against youkai. They're afraid of us. That's why they come up with stuff like limiters and force us to wear them
Hakkai: Well, perhaps...
Banri: You'll understand if you're a youkai. And a neither-one-nor-the-other guy like Gojou even more
The world discriminates like that just based on blood, and they treat us like we're violent thugs. 'Course, happens that I am a thug, but still

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Banri: That's why we have to show them how it really is
Hakkai: Nonetheless
I have my doubts about making society responsible for the things you do yourself
Banri: What?
Hakkai: It may be partly true that discrimination exists, but you know not all humans are like that
There's still the problem of youkai who go around showing off how strong they are
Banri: Huuhh? Are you on the humans' side then?

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Hakkai: I understand how they feel. Maybe even now...
I still hate youkai
Banri: Hah. You're a youkai yourself
Hakkai: Yes, exactly. Hating myself for being a youkai
may be the punishment I have to bear
Banri: Hate?
You hate youkai?
Hakkai: No. To be more precise

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Hakkai: they turn my stomach.
F/X Banri grabs Hakkai
Banri: Don't be so fucking stupid--
F/X Hakkai grabs

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F/X and pushes
Banri: Anh! You bastard--!!
Hakkai: Can I ask
that you not make me too angry?
Gojou: ...hey
What're you guys doing?

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Hakkai: Oh, nothing
F/X Banri subsides onto a chair
Banri: Shit--
Gojou: Look, Hakkai--
F/X Gojou surprise
Hakkai: I don't want
to hurt anybody again.
F/X Hakkai closes door

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Gojou & Hakkai 3

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Gojou: (voice over) Why do I go on living?
F/X something colliding
Guy: Hey, kid. What's the idea, barging into us and not saying anything after?
This is no place for a kid, specially not with hair like yours
Gojou: (voice over) It's just a pain

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F/X Gojou lets go of shirt
F/X rough guys collapsed on ground
Guy: Man he's strong---
Never seen him around here before
Gojou: (voiceover) But thinking about dying is a pain too, so--
Banri: Hey, you
How much?
Gojou: ...what???
Banri: Dork. Don't get me wrong. That's not what I mean.

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Banri: How much would it cost to get you to work with me?
Gojou: (voiceover) --just let me think of nothing
Gojou: ...huh? Someone's stealing from the treasury?
Sanzou: They have their eye on a certain gang of thieves
And they've given me orders to deal with them as soon as possible
Unfortunately just now I'm tied up with something else
so basically I want you two to break up the gang and get the stolen objects back

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Gojou: Just a minute here. Why've *we* gotta help you with *your* work?
Sanzou: Putting aside how you behave, you two are still pretty good. Putting aside how you behave, of course.
Hakkai: But...
Sanzou: This isn't an order from the Three Aspects, it's a request from me. If it costs you anything, send in a bill
Gojou: ...you're kidding. No thanks
I've don't have any intention of working with you
I'm not being the errand boy for some high-up bureaucrat
Hakkai: Sanzou-san--

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Hakkai: Thank you for asking, but...
I have to say no as well
I just want to live peacefully from now on. You're the one who gave me the chance to do that
Sanzou: Hmph. Useless, the pair of you
F/X Gojou grabs Sanzou
Hakkai: Gojou!!
Gojou: Excuse me? I didn't quite hear that. Let's hear you say that again, Sanzou-sama!!

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Sanzou: Shall I put it more simply?
You're soiled goods. Don't go around pretending to be clean
Hakkai: !!!
Sanzou: A floor mop can be used as a floor mop. But you're not one thing or the other
Gojou: What do you know about it?
You don't change the way you live your life overnight
...you can't.

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F/X loud knocking
Hakkai: ? Is that Banri-san?
F/X door creaking open
Youkai 1: Yo!
Are you Sa Gojou?
Hakkai: Do I look like I am?
Gojou: Don't sound so snotty, Hakkai. Who're you guys?

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Youkai 1: *You*'re Sa Gojou. Sorry- we need you for a bit
Gojou: Who're you?
Youkai 1: You know this Banri guy, right? He asked us--
to go get the Sa Gojou who lives here
Gojou: OK. I'll go
Hakkai: Gojou
Isn't this a bit odd? Banri-san not coming himself....
Gojou: Go away

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Gojou: It's none of your business
Hakkai: ...true. It isn't
Gojou: Nh--!?
F/X Gojou thrown to the floor

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Gojou: What the hell's going on here?!
---Banri.
Banri: Hiya
Youkai 1: You think you got the time to be saying hi like that!
Don't you realize what's gonna happen to you?!
Gojou: Oi- what's that supposed to mean?
Youkai: This guy went and backstabbed our outfit. He's good at lifting stuff, so we used the sucker to clean out some temples

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Youkai: But then he fenced the stuff on his own and took off. Did he really think we wouldn't find out?
Gojou: So?
What's that got to do with me?
Banri: I've got a bit of business to finish up. I've got into the treasury at the Chou-an temple
But while I'm off doing it- sorry, Gojou, but would you stay here as hostage for me?

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Gojou: LISSEN, you-
Banri: Anh, I figured. You don't think I'll come back
Gojou: Damn right I don't!
Banri: ...but wouldn't it be fun? Sort of like 'Run, Melos!' (J note: famous short story by Dazai Osamu. Based on the story of Damon and Pythias, where one friend is held as hostage for the other's return.)
Youkai: If he gets the goods and comes back, we'll let you go
But if he's not back by two this afternoon
We'll take you apart
Banri: You know I'll come back
So trust me, OK?

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Gojou: C'mon, move your butt and get outta here! And remember, two o'clock!
Banri: (snicker)
So long
Have a nice life, Gojou
F/X crumples cigarette carton
F/X thunder
Gojou(?): he said...'hi'...
F/X Hakkai closing house door

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F/X rain falling on leaves
Hakkai: Uwa--
F/X rain pouring
Hakkai: Wonder if it'll go raining on until I leave
Gojou: (in flashback) You wanted to die?
You're the kind that just can't cope
Hakkai: (in flashback) So it would seem
Gojou: Me neither.

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F/X rain falling
Hakkai: Ohh-- rats-- I gotta do it
Youkai: Oi, it's 2:30
That jerk Banri didn't manage it
Gojou: (snickers)
Youkai: What're you laughing at? Huh?!!

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Gojou: Aaaassholes!
He's run!
Youkai: What?!
Gojou: Banri's the type would do that- always was.
Things aren't going his way, he's outta there
Anyone who'd believe him has shit for brains
NH--!!
F/X youkai grabs Gojou's hair
Youkai: So what about you?
You get used by your friend and left to die- you're the shit for brains around here!

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Gojou: Yeah, I am!!
F/X kicks youkai
Youkai: (gurgle)
Gojou voice over: It's just too much of a pain in the ass
Youkai: You shit...!!
F/X Gojou being pounded
Gojou: (grunts)
Youkai: You're gonna act so dumb, I'll blow your head off!
F/X revolver click

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Gojou (voiceover): I've never had any expectations- not from other people
Not from myself
F/X something flying through the air
Youkai: grunts gurgles
Other youkai: Huh- What---
Who the hell are you!!

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F/X Hakkai's two umbrellas whistle through the air (J note: and anyone seeing a parallel to the sudden appearance of the jidaigeki hero flourishing his two swords is probably supposed to.)
Hakkai: Oh, it's just...
I came to bring him an umbrella
Gojou: --Hakkai?! How'd you know--
Hakkai: (deep sigh) I kept thinking 'stupid, so stupid'
but I never thought it would get this stupid
Gojou: Who're you calling stupid!!

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Hakkai: Myself. For getting involved in something this tiresome
Gojou: I *told* you it wasn't any of your business
Hakkai: It's what you said- people can't change just like that. And me- I just can't cope.
Gojou: Me neither

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Youkai: You guys think you got time to talk? You wanna get killed!
Hakkai: You don't leave me much choice. I suppose it'd be harder not killing
F/X Hakkai removing limiters
Gojou: Unh--
F/X shrieks from the youkai

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F/X last rain falling
Gojou: Heeyy!
Hakkai: Yes, it *has* stopped completely. I needn't have brought you that umbrella
Gojou: --hey, look
I never asked you to come and save me
Hakkai: I know.
Gojou: (sheesh)
Hakkai: But there's this
In the end we did what Sanzou wanted us to do.
Gojou: ...just to add insult to injury.

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Hakkai: But Gojou- you knew he was lying to you, so why did you agree to be hostage for him?
Gojou: Cause I thought
if by chance you happened to come back you might be in danger
Hakkai: ...you know, you really aren't cut out to be a criminal
Gojou: oh shut up

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F/X Hakkai using calculator
Hakkai: Cost of getting Gojou's injuries treated- costs for two broken umbrellas
Repairs to the door of our house- cost of replacing torn clothing... total-
This is all it comes to. An anonymous receipt would have been better, wouldn't it. (J note: Man, the things I do for love. "Ryoushuusho (receipt) Ue-sama (generally, 'upper person.' Used of the shogun and other high-levels.)" When you ask for a receipt in Japan they usually put the company name on it at the top so you can use it for business expenses. You can have it made 'anonymously' to a pseudonymous Ue-sama: Mr.At The Top (of the bill.) Some places won't do this- I *believe* because an anonymous receipt can be used to pad someone else's expense account, but I'm not sure.)
Gojou: (thinks) What's the door got to do with this?
Sanzou: Just a minnit here- Gojou's injuries were his own fault!
Gojou: Whaddya mean, you damn monk!
Sanzou: Hmph. Do I detect a certain change in your attitudes?
Hakkai: What, didn't you know? The two of us

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Hakkai: are soiled goods together.
Gokuu: Naa, Hakkai! That homework you left with me, right?--
Hakkai: Oh, did you get it done?
Gokuu: Six minus two, right? It's still zero!
Hakkai: How come it's still that?
F/X Hakkai catches the tangerine that Gokuu throws
Gojou: Huh? (catching tangerine)
Sanzou: (catching tangerine) ?

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Gokuu: Because we'll *all* eat them up!
Hakkai: Gokuu...
Gojou (laughs): Bittersweet!