Tokyo Babylon :: Clamp
 VOLUME 6
:: translated by hecate :: editted by hachi mitsu ::
:: volume 05 :: NEWS :: PAIR :: volume 07 ::
Annex

volume 9

Tokyo Babylon
VOL.9/NEWS

"The others" don't exist…

SUBARU : Sei…shiro… (Subaru sits alone in the dark crying)
HOKUTO (knocks on the door and walks into Subaru's room) : Subaru…
SUBARU : …how is Seishiro?
HOKUTO (looks really worried and stressed out) : Subaru, you still haven't eaten…you'll get sick if you don't eat! I'll go make you some soup… (gets up to go away but Subaru grabs her hand)
SUBARU (really distressed) : Seishiro…how is Seishiro?
HOKUTO : They told me…that he's lost the sight in his right eye… Subaru!! Stop it! Subaru!! Calm down! Being angry won't change anything…it won't fix his eye.
SUBARU : Seishiro…
HOKUTO : Your tears and your screams…won't give him back his sight. Do you recognize me?
SUBARU : Hokuto.
HOKUTO : Yes, it's me…I'm your big sister. Courage, Subaru. Unfortunately your regret won't let you turn back time. If my tears could return his sight to him…I'd cry with all my heart…until there was nothing left of me. We can't change past events. But if things had been different…if this had only been a nightmare…no, it's useless…all of these thoughts are useless, and they can only hurt you. Subaru…think…think about what you can do now for Seishiro, who sacrificed his eye to save you. It's up to you to find what can soothe him. What will you do…Subaru?
SUBARU (somewhat calmer) : I'll apologize…I'll go ask him to forgive me…
HOKUTO : Ok…tomorrow we'll go to the hospital together….after you've apologized, I think you'll feel better.
SUBARU : Sei…shi…ro….
HOKUTO : Subaru…

(Shinjuku Hospital)

HOKUTO (Hokuto and Subaru walks into the hospital where Seishirou was, carrying flowers) : Subaru, you want to ask Seishiro to forgive you? Even if he won't?
SUBARU : I don't think he'll forgive me. But…I don't really know what else I can do…
HOKUTO : So go ask him to. Even if he refuses to, appoligize to Seishiro until you no longer feel guilty. And what happens in the future…we'll find out later.
SUBARU (smiles) : Thank you. Hokuto… (knocks on the door)
SEISHIRO : Come in. (sat in a bright room on the hospital bed with bandages around his right eye and an IV connected to his arm)
SUBARU : I can't do anything else…
SEISHIRO (cheerful and happy) : Subaru. Good morning. Not going to school today? Are you going back to work? Sit down. Take that chair. Subaru, what is it? You don't look well. It's your job, isn't it? I bet you've tried to do the impossible again! If you keep that up, Hokuto will worry! (suddenly noticed that Subaru was just standing there with his head lowered. He checks Subaru's forehead temperature against his own.) Oh…you've got a fever… well that's ok, you can see a doctor at the hospital… (Subaru is crying, again) Subaru will you me tell you what's wrong? Are you worried about work? Maybe…you're sick?
SUBARU (grabs Seishirou's hand, still crying) : I'm sorry…
SEISHIRO (still confused and worried) : What?
SUBARU (still crying) : Please forgive me…I'm sorry…I'm sorry!!
SEISHIRO : Subaru…
SUBARU : Forgive me…
SEISHIRO : I don't understand…Subaru, what are you apologizing for?
SUBARU : Seishiro…your eye…
SEISHIRO : Ok…that's what you're talking! But why do you want to apologize?
SUBARU : It's my fault…you saved my life…
SEISHIRO : Don't be silly. It was my decision to protect you.
SUBARU : No!! I was paralyzed by that woman…I couldn't move!
SEISHIRO : No, Subaru, I think you didn't want to move…tell me the truth.
SUBARU : What?
SEISHIRO : Subaru, I know that you would have let yourself be run through. You were ready to die so that that woman could find peace in her soul at last. You were ready to give Yuya your kidney too, weren't you? Subaru, I wasn't really trying to protect you. It was simply a reflex to jump between you. Tell me, Subaru, if one day while walking with a friend, you slipped on a banana peel, do you think you'd blame him or your fall? Even if he hadn't dropped it?
SUBARU : …no…
SEISHIRO : And if you were hurt by a meteorite…would you want to blame the people standing near you when it fell?
SUBARU : No.
SEISHIRO : (has a sly look on his face) Would you do anything I asked? (holds Subaru's chin in his hand, looking very serious) In that case…I'd like you to go get me an "Angel Cream" at Mr. Donuts please! (Subaru falls over from the sheer weight of his sweatdrops) I'm not allowed to leave the hospital…and I really have a craving for some sweets! So then…I'd like an "Angel Cream", a "D-Pop"…and bring me an "Old Fashioned" too, please!
HOKUTO (Subaru walked out into the hall where Hokuto was waiting) : Subaru! Well? Did you ask him to forgive you?
SUBARU (smiles, very happy and relieved) : Excuse me, but I have an errand to run!
HOKUTO : Where are you going?
SUBARU : I'm going to Mr. Donuts!
HOKUTO (confused) : What!?
SUBARU (smiles as he walks away in search of the holy donuts) : Seishiro…
SEISHIRO (Hokuto knocks on Seishirou's door) : Come in. (Sees Hokuto and greets her happily) Hokuto, you came to visit me too!? That works out well…Subaru went to get some doughnuts, we'll eat them together!
HOKUTO (Surprised by how creepyly cheerful he is) : …Seishiro…
SEISHIRO (holds up three packs of instant tea bags, eek, instand tea >.<) : Look…I have tea too. The nurse left me a few bags last time…there we are! Hokuto, do you feel alright? Do you not like this brand of tea?
HOKUTO : ...of course I do! I'll make you the best tea that you've ever had in your whole life to wash down the doughnuts that Subaru's bringing! (makes tea and pour into cups) Thank you…
SEISHIRO : What are you talking about?
HOKUTO : I'm thanking you for forgiving Subaru.
SEISHIRO : But Subaru didn't do anything…
HOKUTO : I don't understand… in fact, I get the feeling that you have a split personality. (suddenly gets serious, Seishirou has a dark look on his face)
SEISHIRO : A split personality?
HOKUTO : You're always kind and smiling…but…when I'm not looking at you, I feel like you're different and that you're not smiling anymore. Oh yes, I'm talking about you…Seishiro Sakurazuka!
SEISHIRO : I don't understand. What are you trying to say?
HOKUTO : It's because of your eyes. Even though they're always hidden behind glasses…your eyes…are not like ordinary people's. And then…there's that other thing that you try to hide…the smell of blood that emanates from your body…since the accident, I feel like you've eaten Subaru!
SEISHIRO : Ha ha ha ha, you're just telling me about Little Red Ridinghood and the Wolf! Anyway, Subaru was ready to be devoured!
HOKUTO : He was ready to do whatever you asked him to! I'd never seen Subaru…in such a state. Subaru is a kind, honest, and reasonable being…this is the first time he's been so troubled.
SEISHIRO : Subaru is much too kind, he always feels responsible for others' misfortunes. If another man had been hurt in my place, he surely would have reacted the same way.
HOKUTO : No…it's because it was you. Subaru considers you to be an exceptional person. To him, you're not like the others. He doesn't even know why he thinks you're different, but…he will very soon.
SEISHIRO : Hokuto…
HOKUTO : Promise me something. Please, never take Subaru far from me.
SEISHIRO : What, you think I'm going to take Subaru somewhere?
HOKUTO : I don't know. I think you-
NURSE : It's time to take your tempeture, sir.
HOKUTO : Well! I think that you must not mind being in bed after all. I'll go get you some magazines. If you want, I'll get you some dirty ones!
SEISHIRO : Ha ha ha ha ha!
NURSE : What a charming girl.
SEISHIRO : Yes, and soon you'll see her adorable little brother.
NURSE : Take your temperature, I'll be back in a few minutes.
SEISHIRO (a sinister image of Seishirou with his chin resting on his hand, thinking) : Ok. My, Hokuto is certainly a very perceptive young lady…I think that….I will soon have run through my allotted time.

(Subaru came back to the hospital with Seishirou's donuts, he is about to knock on the door but hears voices within)
DOCTOR (with a police officer and two other officials) : If I am correct, you don't want to press charges against that woman? Is that so?
SEISHIRO (cheerfully polite) : Yes, exactly.
DOCTOR : But your doctor told me that your right eye was…
SEISHIRO : Once she got ahold of the knife, she didn't know what she was doing. A;; her hard work seemed to be for nothing, and her son's health wasn't improving…she was at her wits' end…her worries for the future could only grow. I think that the doctor in charge of her son could tell you better. He knows what that woman's been through. If I pressed charges and she was convicted…who would take care of her son, Yuya?
DOCTOR : So then…you don't mind not pressing charges?
SEISHIRO : Not at all. Besides…it isn't important now.
DOCTOR : Huh?
SEISHIRO : Don't worry about me…but please try to make sure that none of this reaches Yuya. It makes no sense to tell him what happened, he's already suffered enough with his illness. If he knew that his mother had hurt someone…

SUBARU (is standing outside the door, hearing everything and very touched by Seishirou's kindess) : Seishiro…
HOKUTO (shows up behind Subaru and pushes him away) : Subaru! Hang on, I don't think they're done talking… (puts her ear to the door) Oh! (sees donuts) Mr. Donuts' doughnuts! How cool! You got all these?! Come on!
SUBARU : Um…where are we going?
HOKUTO : We're going to visit Yuya!
SUBARU : Yuya?
HOKUTO : Yes, Seishiro told me that he has a test this afternoon. The nurse told him no sweets. So he asked me…to take them to Yuya!
SUBARU : Yuya's in the hospital?
HOKUTO : Yes, since his mom is at the station for questiong…and the doctor said he'd better be off here… Seishiro thought that Yuya'd be sad all by himself. That's why he asked me to visit him sometimes…and he added that he'd really be happy if you went with me. So let's go! I'm dying to meet this dear little Yuya!
SUBARU : ok!
YUYA (in his room, reading a picture book) : Come in. (Sees the two and is very happy) Ah! It's you Subaru! Waa! She really does have the same face as you!
HOKUTO : Nice to meetcha, Yuya! My name's Hokuto, and I'm Subaru's big sister!
YUYA : Hi Hokuto! You guys really are twins…you look so much alike.
HOKUTO : I tell ya, it's really great to have a twin bother! I can get into all sorts of trouble pretending to be him…
SUBARU : Hokuto…
YUYA : That's awesome! I had a sister too. But she isn't here anymore…
HOKUTO : I think Subaru's brought you a present…isn't that right?
SUBARU : Um…yeah. Here Yuya.
YUYA : Cool! Angel Creams! I love them! Thank you! Hey, were you the one who lent me the Super Nintendo and the Barre-code Banler?
HOKUTO : Yup, that was me.
YUYA : Thank you very much. I was real sorry not to have seen you last time you came to visit me at the hospital.
HOKUTO : That's true! I was really disappointed that I couldn't see you….I hope you're well enough to play with me soon.
YUYA : Oh yes!
HOKUTO : Do you feel better today?
YUYA : Yeah, I'm ok…dialysis isn't till tomorrow.
HOKUTO : Excellent! Then let me tell you a secret that will let you wine "Barre Code Battler" every time!! But first let's have some doughnuts…what would you like to drink?
YUYA : Apple juice, please!
HOKUTO : You want one too?
SUBARU : Ok!
HOKUTO : Ok, I'm off! (leaves)
YUYA : You're so lucky to have such a funny, pretty sister.
SUBARU (hugs Yuya) : Funny? From now on we'll stay by you, like a brother and sister…if you want us to.
YUYA : You mean it?! My brother Subaru… my sister Hokuto… and soon I'll go see my mommy…so I can tell her that I have a brother and a sister now. I'm often sad…at night. The light in my room is out…but I'm not tired…since I sleep a lot during the day.
SUBARU : Yuya, do you know how to use a phone?
YUYA : Yup. Mommy taught me how!
SUBARU : In that case, I'll give you my number. You call me if you feel lonely at night. And if I'm not there, just leave a message on my machine, and I'll come see you at the hospital.
YUYA : Thanks! I've called my house a lot, but Mommy's never there…she must have a lot of work. What is it, Subaru?
SUBARU : Yuya, you're such a nice boy.

(Dinner at the Sumeragi apartment)
SUBARU : You're so wise…Hokuto, I'm sorry.
HOKUTO (in her cat costume) : What're you talking about?
SUBARU : When I think of all the trouble you've gone through for me…
HOKUTO : Well, you never listen to my advice.
SUBARU : Hokuto…
HOKUTO : You've always been so stubborn, even when you were little!
SUBARU : I'm sorry…
HOKUTO : Don't worry about it, I just like… to see you lose your cool. I'd be happy to know that you're capable of feeling things….I finally found…the humanity in you. It's good…
SUBARU : Hokuto…
HOKUTO : But Subaru…there's one thing- (phone rings)
SUBARU : Hello, Sumeragi residence. Hello?
YUYA (crying) : Subaru…is that you?
SUBARU (really distressed and worried) : Yuya!? Yuya, did something happen?! Yuya!!
YUYA (sitting on the floor in the dark crying, Subaru's habits must be rubbing off on him.): Did my mommy…hurt someone? Is she bad?
HOKUTO : Hurry up, let's get to the hospital!
SUBARU : Yuya, you're at the hospital, right!? Don't move, I'm on my way! Do you hear me!? What's going on?

DOCTOR (They reach the hospital and meets the doctor, there are people running everywhere) : This way!!
SUBARU : What's going on? Who are all these people…
DOCTOR : I don't know who tipped them off, but all these TV reporters just showed up all of a sudden…
TV : "A mother in the aim of getting an organ for her son injured a man at the hospital…" Transplants are the hot topic in today's world, and the reporters are using this disaster to open up the debate again!
SUBARU : How's Yuya!?
DOCTOR : The nurse switched his room, but he's run off…
HOKUTO : Seishiro…how is Mr. Sakurazuka?
DOCTOR : I told him not to leave his room until things have calmed down…
HOKUTO : Subaru! I'll take care of Seishiro! You go look for Yuya!!
SUBARU : Yuya!? Where is he? I have no idea. The room that Yuya knows best is…the dialysis room. (runs around trying to find Yuya) Yuya? Yuya?
YUYA : Did my mommy…did she…do something bad? Did she do something bad? My mommy….mommy…mommy…
SUBARU : Yuya? Yuya! YUYA!!!
HOKUTO : The doctor told me he was here.
SUBARU : But his name isn't on the door!
HOKUTO : They did that on purpose…to throw off the reporters. Yuya? (Yuya is crying and having trouble breathing again)
SUBARU : Yuya…
YUYA : I don't read kanji real well (newspapers are scattered everywhere)…I didn't understand it all…I really tried though…this is all because of me. Because I'm sick…my mommy…hurt someone…
TV : Many people…are awaiting an organ donar…all these people are suffering. That woman is not the only one…we are all very sorry for her, since it's such a difficult situation to live with…but all of the other people who have sick family members are suffering too….I'm afraid that these sorts of actions can only increase the difficulties already surrounding organ transplants….
HOKUTO : All the people? What the hell is he talking about? They feel the same pain? I don't think that anyone can ever feel the same pain as another! We all suffer differently. It's never the same! The grief that Yuya's mother feels is unique. She's the only one who can feel it! When a mother loves her child and has to see him suffer, isn't it normal for her to get upset!?Yes, Yuya's mother did a bad thing. But it was Seishiro who was hurt! It wasn't them!!
SUBARU : Yuya…Yuya…do you like me?
YUYA : …yes…
SUBARU : Who do you like better…me, or the man on TV?
YUYA : I like you, Subaru…

SUBARU : So then listen to me. I'm going to explain something to you…what the reporter is talking about is real. However it is not 'true'.
YUYA : I don't understand…
SUBARU : It's true that your mom hurt someone…and maybe it was bad, but…I want you to know what really happened. I want you to understand what made your mother hurt that person.
YUYA : Is it cause…I'm sick?
SUBARU : No, not just because of that. It's because…she loves nothing in the world so much as you. She wants you to be happy. And she was ready to be unhappy so that you could be so…
YUYA : For me…to be happy?
SUBARU : We tend to think that what we see on TV is always true. And they are…from one point of view. The problem is that they rarely pay attention to the victims' feelings, or the perspectives;, or those of their families. In most cases, all we know are the facts. But…we don't know the 'truth'. Lots of TV shows have interviews with the criminals and their victims. But we're just spectators, and we can't ask questions. But you, Yuya, you can ask your mom why she did it.
YUYA : I can ask her?
SUBARU : The TV and the newspapers say that your mom is bad, right
YUYA : Yes…
SUBARU : When you hear on TV that your mom is a criminal…do you feel like the whole world thinks so too?
YUYA : Yeah…
SUBARU : TV and newspapers aren't the representative of 'everyone's opinion'. Yuya, you can't let yourself be influenced by what you see. So? Do you understand what I'm telling you?
YUYA : …the news?
SUBARU : Do you know that word?
YUYA : Yes, I learned at school.
SUBARU : You can watch the news, but it's up to you to interpret it…that's what Hokuto was saying before. 'The Others' don't exsist. There are only individuals, each different from the other. And you have to see the world in your own way, since you are one of those individuals.Tell me…do you think that your mom is bad?
YUYA : …no…
SUBARU : Ok then, so you have no reason to believe anyone else…you ask your mom what made her hurt that person. And then tell your mom that you love her. Tell her that you're sad not to see her anymore…and that your greatest wish…is to be with her again.
YUYA : Ok! And I'll tell her that my favorite crème caramel…is the one she makes. I feel good after I eat it, even after dialysis! The ones that other people make….or store-bought ones never do that. When I eat one of mommy's creme caramels, I feel like I'm being healed!
SUBARU : Yuya…
HOKUTO : Well then, these crème caramels that I made are going straight to the trash! It's too bad…I made them with love just for you…oh well!
YUYA : No, no! I'll eat them! 'Cause I know you love me lots, and you're a good cook. And you're real pretty!
HOKUTO : Ha ha ha ha, I see you already know how to charm the ladies! You need to eat a lot…that way you'll be in good shape when you see your mother! And you'll need a lot of energy to face all those old reporters.
YUYA : I'll be brave!
HOKUTO : Be strong, they're very tenacious. Subaru, you need to eat one too. I know you haven't been eating well lately!
SUBARU : Ok…
HOKUTO : I can't forget to bring one to Seishiro.
SUBARU : Seishiro… Is he ok? Are the reporters after him?
HOKUTO : He wasn't in his room.
SUBARU : What?
HOKUTO : He wasn't there. I looked everywhere, but I didn't see him…but something intrigues me…how about you?
SUBARU : What are you talking about?
HOKUTO : I can understand how the reporters could have gotten ahold of the story, since they're so nosey and always into everything…but…why hasn't anyone mentioned Seishiro's name?
SUBARU : Yes…that's right…

(On the rooftop, the air congeals to form a hawk/eagle, Seishirou's Shikigami, spiritual bird, cherry blossoms rain down everywhere)
SEISHIRO (leans against the fence that borders the edge of the room with Shikigami-san on his shoulder and cigerette in hand.) : I think it's time for us to keep our promise. Don't you, Subaru?

end of NEWS

top
volume 10

Tokyo Babylon
VOL.10/PAIR

(picture of a guide dog leading a man with a grocery bag)
PAIR: (1) A group of two objects that typically go together; (2) a grouping of two things, of two beings

SUBARU (in a dream, Subaru stands alone in the dark with only cherry blossoms floating in the void of emptyness) : …Where am I? That boy! That's me….when I was little! I was born in Kyoto, and I lived there until I was eight, with Hokuto….then I decided to go to live with my grandmother, in Tokyo…It isn't always easy to be the 13th head of the Sumeragi family. I'm wearing an exorcism ceremonial robe…I was 9…It was 7 years ago…I remember that cherry tree…the day I did my first 'job'.
BOY (A highschool student in uniform speaks to the younger version of Subaru. They stand beneath an ancient Sakura tree in full bloom) : This cherry tree's flowers are magnificent. Do you like them?
SUBARU : Yes! That boy…who was he?
BOY : I'll tell you a story. Someone is buried beneath this tree.
SUBARU : Someone?
BOY : Look, all the other cherry trees have flowers as white as snow. So if this tree has such lovely flowers every year…it's due to the person buried at its feet. Do you know why this tree's flowers are lightly touched with pink? It's because they feed on the blood of the person that lies beneath them.
SUBARU : But…the person under the cherry tree. Do they suffer?
BOY : Let's make a promise.
SUBARU : I made a promise to that boy…a promise…yes…a promise… (the wind starts to blow, picking up lots of petals into the air)
BOY : The next time that we meet… (The wind and petals obscures the scene, neither the little boy nor Subaru can hear the rest of the sentence)
SUBARU : Wait…I couldn't hear you because of the wind…
SEISHIRO (The boy is now Seishirou and grown up Subaru is the one he held as he approaches from behind): It is time to keep our promise. (The scenes flashes by and Subaru sees Seishirou holding a body much like his own, with the chest torn apart through the Shikifuku, ceremonial robe.)
SUBARU : The cherry…blossoms… (Subaru reaches up with his hand) Sei- Seishiro!! (to see sunlight stream through) It was just a dream…no…it was…it was so real…It was my memory…but…as I woke…whose name was I calling?
HOKUTO (Subaru walks out of his apartment into the main room to see Hokuto) : Good morning!
SUBARU : Good morning, Hokuto.
HOKUTO : Already going to work?!
SUBARU : No, I'm going to visit Seishiro at the hospital…
HOKUTO : You might've told me, we could've gone together…I have to go out today.
SUBARU : Where are you going?
HOKUTO : Do you remember the girl I met in Shinjuku? We're getting together…today.
SUBARU : The girl you saw last month? The foreigner who spoke such good Japanese?
HOKUTO : Yep, that's her…we're going to Yoyogi Park to play badminton! Hiromi, are you ready?! Hee hee hee! I'm gonna be Madame Cho! (From "Aim for the Ace")
SUBARU : Oh, yeah, like in that tennis anime…she's not working?
HOKUTO : Not today. She told me she's working tomorrow…she works at night…It isn't always easy for her. It's hard to work in anything that involves human relations, like, for example, a master of yin and yang, or a vetrinarian…or a teacher or a brother.
SUBARU : I wonder how Seishiro's going to manage with his veterinary clinic…when he gets out of the hospital…
HOKUTO : …I think that Seishiro will be giving up his practice.
SUBARU : Why?
HOKUTO : Subaru…what do you think of Seishiro? Or rather…what do you think of Seishiro Sakurazuka?
SUBARU : I don't understand…
HOKUTO : Think…I know it's not in your nature to show your feelings, but…what do you think of that man, in your heart? I'd like to know what Subaru Sumeragi thinks of Seishiro Sakurazuka.
SUBARU : Hokuto…
HOKUTO : I'm not like you…I didn't inherit the Sumeragi family gifts to use the power of yin and yang. They've taught me the techniques of spiritual mastery since I was little, but my spirit wasn't made for that, and I'm not capable of using them. I can remember maybe two or three things now…but I have a power that you don't possess. It's the strength to understand the hearts of people. You understand people…but you don't know who you are. You're very sensitive to the suffering of others…but you don't know your own. Subaru, I understand you because I'm different from you. Who, in your opinion, must be the most changed by what has happened?
SUBARU : It's…Seishiro…
HOKUTO : Yes…and yet, he acts the way he always has. I think that soon he won't be able to play the game much longer.
SUBARU : What?!
HOKUTO : These gloves… (holds Subaru's hand) you've worn them since you were nine. I think that we'll soon learn the secret they're hiding…even if you don't know it…and when that moment comes…
SUBARU : Hokuto…but…
HOKUTO : Subaru…I love you so much…that's why…I don't want you to go away from me.
SUBARU : Hokuto…
HOKUTO : What do you think of that man, in your heart? I'd like to know what Subaru Sumeragi thinks of Seishiro Sakurazuka. Who, in your opinion, must be the most changed by what has happened?
SUBARU : Well, Seishiro, of course…he's always full of smiles…and he's a vet, which I've always wanted to be…what do I think of Seishiro? That day…when Seishiro was cut by the knife…I don't know what I thought…once his blood started to flow…I didn't think anymore… I kept banging on the operating room door. I didn't know why I was crying. How could I have lost my cool to the point of not being able to hear Hokuto's voice? I was so afraid for him…but not just that…I…

(On the streets, a blind man with a guide dog is approached by a group of highschool boys)
SCHOOLBOY : What a big dog! Is he a real seeing-eye dog? I've never seen one before. (tries to pet the dog, but it doesn't want to be petted by the guy) Hey, can we borrow him for a bit?!
MAN (disorientated) : Stop it, he's a working dog for the blind!
SCHOOLBOY : Well yeah, that's why we want to borrow him! This's the first time we've ever seen one! He must be smart. I'd like to have one! C'mon, lend him to us! We'll give him right back!
OTHERS : Yeah! C'mon!
MAN : No, we can't be apart!
SCHOOLBOY : Dude, he's not moving at all.
SUBARU : Some seeing eye dogs are trained not to go off. Let go of his leash, please.
SCHOOLBOY : Who're you?!!!
SUBARU : You're hurting him…please let go.
SCHOOLBOY : We don't wanna hurt him! We just wanna borrow him for a few minutes!
SUBARU : A few minutes without his dog would be an eternity… The dog's eyes replace those of his master. If someone asked you to borrow your eyes for a few minutes…would you let them?
SCHOOLBOY : What're you talking about?!
SUBARU : Leave them alone…
SCHOOLBOY : Who do you think you are!
SUBARU : It might not be a big deal to you, but for this man it's very serious. He's not here to play, so stop bothering him!!
SCHOOLBOY : Aaaaah!! Let's get out of here! (runs away x.x cowards)
SCHOOLBOY2 : Why'd you let him do that? He didn't look real strong.
SCHOOLBOY : I know, but he paralyzed me by touching my wrist. (he holds out his arms which had dark bruises around each wrist) He must do martial arts.
SCHOOLBOY2 : He was a karate black belt?!
SCHOOLBOY : Yeah, but…that wasn't karate. He must have been trained for combat.
SCHOOLBOY : Wow, he really didn't look it…
SCHOOLBOY3 : No? He had a weird girly face.
SCHOOLBOY4 : Yeah, he did.
SCHOOLBOY : That's what scared me…
SUBARU (back with the man) : Are you ok? And you too?
MAN : (The dog licks Subaru's hand. Subaru pets it happily) Seeing-eye dogs…are trained never to express their feelings to strangers they meet outside the house. I think he must have adopted you!
SUBARU (backs away from hugging the dog with a blush) : Oh…I'm sorry…I scolded those boys, but now I'm acting just like them…
MAN : Thank you so much for helping me.
SUBARU : But…I didn't really do anything.
MAN : Those boys went a little too far…it surely must be because people aren't used to seeing seeing-eye dogs. No matter where I am, there's always someone who wants to touch him. People don't always have bad intentions…and I know that children think he's cute…but when someone pulls on his harness, since I don't expect it, it scares me quite a bit. People don't understand that if something happened to my dog, I'd be totally disoriented.
SUBARU : I'm sorry…
MAN : What for?
SUBARU : When I think of all the trouble you've had with your dog….and I can only say silly, insignificant things…I'm sorry…
MAN : Don't worry about it. What you said to those boys just now is exactly what I've never had the courage to say. This dog is my eyes. He's a very important ally, and he helps me with all his heart. Excuse me for asking this, but…is there anyone in your family with vision problems?
SUBARU : Um…
MAN : You seem very interested in this problem, so I get the impression that someone close to you may need a dog like mine…
HOKUTO : Seishiro's right eye…is blind…the doctors told me that in the end his left eye will tire and that one day he'll be completely blind…
SUBARU : Seishiro….
MAN : Did I ask a rude question?
SUBARU : No, but…no, but…because of me….a man was hurt…and he lost part of his sight…his right eye…
MAN : I'm sorry, I won't keep you any longer….
SUBARU : Tell me sir…are you busy this afternoon?
MAN : No…not really…
SUBARU : In that case…I'd really like to ask you some questions about your dog! If you have time…I'd like…
MAN : Why, certainly.
SUBARU : Thank you very much! Here we are. This is the teahoue Hokuto told me about.
MAN : Hokuto?
SUBARU : Yes. She's my twin sister….
MAN : I see.
SUBARU : She told me it was very good.
MAN : No, wait-
TOUYA-LOOK-ALIKE aka STORE OWNER (bows in apology): I'm very sorry, sir, but we don't allow animals in here…
SUBARU : What?
MAN : Let's go outside.
SUBARU (they sit on a bench in a park) : I'm sorry…I didn't know.
MAN : Don't worry about it.
SUBARU : So let's go-
MAN : Most places won't allow animals.
SUBARU : It can't be…
MAN : It's really nice out today. There's a park nearby….let's go there.
SUBARU : I'm sorry…
MAN : Why?
SUBARU : I'm the one who invited you…and…
MAN : Don't worry about it, I'm used to this.
SUBARU : Sorry…
MAN : So, you wanted to know about my dog?
SUBARU : Yes…as I was telling you earlier…a man was hurt by my fault…the doctor says that his sight will never come back, even with an operation….
MAN : Was his vision good before his accident?
SUBARU : I don't know…he always wears glasses…
MAN : Unfortunately, since his right eye is now blind, his left will tire soon..
SUBARU : Yes…the doctor told me…that he'll end up blind.
MAN : I understand why you want to know about seeing-eye dogs.
SUBARU : This man's also a vet….he knows a lot about dogs.
MAN : So he'd better be able to care for his animal, especially if he begins while he can still see.
SUBARU : Yes, that's right.
MAN : But…there's a long, long waiting list to get a seeing eye dog, even if he requests one now. At first all seeing eye dogs were exclusively trained by the non-profit orginazation "Seeing Eye Dog" in New Jersey in the US….they were labs, like mine, Irish setters, German shepards, and boxers. These are all very docile breeds, trained from an early age to be faithful companions to the vision impaired. Seeing eye dog training spread overseas…now they're even trained in Japan. But there still aren't enough. It takes a lot of time and money to raise a seeing-eye dog. There aren't many trainers, and the number of trained dogs covers only a small percentage of blind people. Many people in Japan don't understand the importance of these animals. That's why my dog isn't allowed in most hotels, restaurants, and the majority of public places.
SUBARU : Even though he's a seeing eye dog? That's so unfair to non-seeing people…
MAN : It just shows that Japan is not a country that is very indulgent of the handicapped… You're worried about this wounded man…
SUBARU : Yes…
MAN : Even if I am blind, I can feel in your voice the sentiments that you feel.
SUBARU : He lost his eye…because of me…that's why…
MAN : Has he reprimanded you?
SUBARU : No! He was smiling and he told me that it wasn't my fault. But even though he hasn't upbraided me…
MAN : You want to do something for him.
SUBARU : I can't stop thinking about it…and I don't know what to do. So when I saw your dog, I thought that maybe he'd like a dog like that too….
MAN : Here are the directions of the Japanese Seeing Eye Dog Association. It will be hard, but you can always try.
SUBARU : Ah…thank you so much!
MAN : Do you remember what I told you earlier? My dog replaces the sight that I have lost; he is my most faithful companion.
SUBARU : Yes…
MAN : When I got this dog, his trainer said… "I know this dog was born to be by your side. You never need to be apart again…you'll always be happy together." When I lost my sight in an accident, it was a terrible trial…but it must have been hard for my dog to learn to be a seeing-eye dog too. When I hear your story, I get the sense that you loved this man very much…..I'm sure that you have suffered for him. A little while ago, you told me that you didn't know what do for him…
SUBARU : It's true…
MAN : Until he has a dog like mine, you might be able to help him by 'being' his eyes. You could go with him and tell him everything that you see. Of course what you two have lived is a tragedy…but from now on you can be a good team. Just like my dog and I are.
SUBARU : Thank you so much…
MAN : I should be thanking you. You know, not many people talk to me, since I'm blind…you really like that guy, don't you?
SUBARU : …what?
MAN : I feel that you're a very kind soul…when I heard your story, I understood that you loved him very much…
SUBARU : It's true…every since…Seishiro was hurt….I began to cry like I've never cried before…I was panicked…I didn't know what do do anymore…but there was something elese… I… I… I was afraid that Seishiro would reject me…that he wouldn't want to see me anymore… Yes…that's it…I was afraid that he'd hate me. I've met all kinds of people, in both happy times…and sad ones. And yet…I've never once asked anyone to do anything for me, or even to think of me. We can't control others' spirits, and if the others didn't like me, I always assumed that it was my fault. I could never help everyone…and they can't all like me. But… That day, while I was knocking on the operating room door…I cried. Because I was afraid…I was afraid that Seishiro wouldn't like me anymore. I was afraid that I'd never see him again. I…I didn't know how much I like and appreciated him until then….

(Subaru arrives at the hospital and enters Seishirou's room, but the room is shroud in darkness and cherry blossoms. He has entered a maboroshi, illusion. As he walks forward he sees Seishirou leaning against the Sakura Tree minus his hospital robe and plus his black suit, tie and overcoat.)
SEISHIRO (smiles evily at the bewildered Subaru) : It's time for us to keep our promise… eh, Subaru?

end of PAIR
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