Editor's comments and actions are denoted by [brackets]. Sound effects are written {like this}. (Parenthesis) indicate side notes in the dialogue bubble or the mangaka's note. And finally, italics are thoughts.

Shoukanka main offices.

Tsuzuki: ...Huh? Tatsumi... Now...you said...

Tatsumi: Sorry, Tsuzuki-san... I can't go with you on the next job...

Tsuzuki: Ah... Okay...That's fine, since it's an easy job. Okay, but next time——...

Tatsumi: I can't go.

Tsuzuki: And the one after...

Tatsumi: And once again...

Tatsumi stares back at Tsuzuki, emotionless.

Tsuzuki: And the one after that...

Silence.

Tsuzuki: Ah... ah. I get it.

Tatsumi: Tsuzuki-sa...

{sound f/x bun: swish swish of Tsuzuki waving his hand}

Tsuzuki: [waving brightly] That's okay. I get it.

{sound f/x odo: hesitantly}

Tsuzuki: [smiling slightly] I'm fine. See, I'm used to it... stuff like this.

Tatsumi: Liar... So why?

Tsuzuki: Sorry, Tatsumi. I've been a bother... Thank you...

Tsuzuki turns away from Tatsumi.

Tatsumi: Is that a sad face...? Tsuzuki-sa...

Tatsumi starts to reach out for Tsuzuki's hand, but stops a hairbreadth away. Tsuzuki walks away.

{sound f/x su: the slow movement of Tsuzuki's hand slipping away}

Tatsumi: What in the world... Why am I remembering that at such a time... It was heartbreaking to see that crying face. I cast him aside——— That's right... I... threw him away...

The Count's mansion. Tatsumi stands in the room with the candles of human lives. Sakura blossoms fall from the trees outside.

{sound f/x rii: candles burning}

Tatsumi: I can hear it——— Someone's crying. It sounds familiar. A voice I heard very long ago...

The hem of a kimono swishes along the floor.

{sound f/x bou: the whoosh of the kimono}

Tatsumi: ...... Mother...?

A longhaired woman sits on the floor, her back to Tatsumi.

Tatsumi: No, that's wrong. You're

The woman changes into Tsuzuki.

Tatsumi: You're...

Tsuzuki sits on the floor before Tatsumi, coated in blood, crying red tears. Sakura petals continue to fall.

{sound f/x pota: dripping blood}

Tatsumi: [clutching his head] Please stop, Tsuzuki-san.

{sound f/x gura: Tatsumi staggering}

Tatsumi: Crying face... I—————... don't want to see you like that again.

Tsuzuki: Tatsumi...

Tatsumi: Someone's———— (Okaasan's...) I'm so sorry I can see your crying face.

Tsuzuki: You forgot that my hands are stained with blood. It's red, huh?

Tatsumi: As you're hurt like that, as I remember these painful feelings,

Tsuzuki: Look, and even my tears——...

Tatsumi: Why do you continue to stay in this world? I beg of you, please stop. Stop already——!!!

Hisoka: Tatsumi-san?

Tatsumi's eyes snap open. He's back in the candle room.

{sound f/x ba: Tatsumi snapping back to reality}

Tatsumi: !!

{sound f/x bou: the fading swishing noise}

Hisoka: What happened? You faded out... (Unusual.)

Tatsumi: Ah... no... it was nothing... I just... was remembering something that happened a long time ago. This Rosque Mansion isn't an ordinary place. Occasionally you are shown strange phantoms. More importantly———— Was the Count here?

Hisoka: No luck. I didn't find him.

Tatsumi: Which means... that the only thing left is the north study... I get a bad feeling about this... Let's hurry, Kurosaki-kun.

Hisoka: (Ah.) Yes, sir.

Tatsumi: This mansion showed me visions—— But it would have been better if they were just residing phantoms...

Back in the book world. Tsuzuki is at Ruka's house, and is now dressed very very nicely in the local riding/hunting clothing.

Tsuzuki: (Wh... What do you think?)

Ruka: Wow~! That looks really good on you, Mr. Angel!! (How cool~...)

Ruka's Father: [smiling proudly] You're exactly my size when I was that young. Long ago, I worked as the previous Lord's hunting assistant. That's something from that time.

Tsuzuki: Is it really okay that I take this? (These nice clothes...)

Ruka's Father: I don't mind. It's a bit tight for me now.

Tsuzuki: I'm sorry... I feel like I'm sponging off of you and now these clothes...

Ruka's Father: [chuckling] Wha—t. You're going to help with the field work, so it's okay.

Tsuzuki: [sweatdropping] Right...

(A bit in shock.)

Tsuzuki: (You say this size is the same as when you were young... Then does that mean you had the same body type as me (when I was alive)...!?)

{sound f/x zuuu: disappointment}

Ruka: [brightly] But it's really surprising! Mr. Angel sure knows a lot about fields!

Tsuzuki: Originally, gardening and working with the soil and such were my hobbies. In the garden at my house I cultivated various flowers.

Ruka: (Wow) How cool!!

In the background, Ruka's father suddenly clutches his chest.

Ruka's Father: (Ugh...)

Ruka: Mr. Angel's garden, huh... Surely it bloomed beautifully, huh.

Tsuzuki: In this season, the tulips would be in full bloom...

Ruka: How pretty, I want to see that!

{sound f/x gata: collapse}

Ruka and Tsuzuki turn in shock to where Ruka's father has collapsed on the ground.

Ruka: ———!? Father!!?

The Lord's mansion. The Butler is dressed very casually, working in his study. He doesn't have his glasses on, and his hair is almost all down with only a small portion tied up with a ribbon.

Butler: What's that? You want to borrow money again!!?

The Lord's Mansion

Butler: You've often come saying something like that. Really, how much do you think your debt is now? (You...)

Ruka: [gasping] I'll definitely pay the debt back one day!

{sound f/x gyu: Ruka grabbing her skirts}

Ruka: Father collapsed... I need to get medicine... I beg of you! Ask the Lord for the money——...

Butler: It can't be done. Until you repay the full sum of the debt——— I can't listen to your request.

Ruka: N... No way...!!!

Butler fiddles with something on his desk as Ruka pleads in the middle of the room.

Butler: Even if you're thinking of begging the Lord, it's useless.

{sound f/x kari: the scratching of Butler absently signing papers}

Butler: It seems as if he will be absent for a while. The Master favors you, but don't get impudent... I hold all of this household's money.

Ruka: (......) Get impudent...

{sound f/x gyu: Ruka making a fist}

Ruka: ————how mean...!

{sound f/x ba: Ruka's sudden change of attitude}

Ruka: That's just fine!! I won't ask you for anything~!!!

Butler: (Ah) Wait a second.

Butler draws Ruka close and winds his long ribbon into her hair.

{sound f/x shuru: snaking motion of the ribbon}

Ruka: Huh...?

Butler: The future Lord's wife shouldn't look so horrible——— You should at least do your hair up nicely every morning.

The housemaids Yuma and Saya enter the room.

"Saya": Excuse us.

"Yuma": Um... Junior is calling...

Butler: I'll go immediately.

Ruka: (Um...) Excuse me...

Butler: If your business is finished, leave promptly. I'm busy.

Butler quickly walks out of the room. Ruka stares after him.

{sound f/x ka: Butler's footsteps}

Outside of the mansion, Tsuzuki waits for Ruka to return.

Tsuzuki: Ah~ What happened? Ruka.

Ruka: No good... He said he can't loan me any more money...

Tsuzuki: I see...

The two walk quietly back to the town together.

Ruka: Long ago... He wasn't like this...

Tsuzuki: Huh?

Ruka: He and I... we were childhood friends...

(The difference between good times is childhood friends.)

Ruka: He was like a very kind older brother type of guy... Long ago we often used to play together...

Tsuzuki: So what...~

A man passing by calls Ruka over.

Man: Hold on!! Please wait, miss!!

This world's Terazuma comes running over to Ruka.

{sound f/x giku: Tsuzuki's surprise}

Tsuzuki: (Ah~ Terazuma!?)

"Terazuma": Would you please show me that ribbon in your hair?

(Special guest spot: Merchant Hajime-chan)

Ruka stares at "Terazuma" blankly.

Ruka: Huh? This...?

"Terazuma": Just like I thought... This thing's first grade silk. Miss, would you please sell this to me? I'll pay whatever price you name.

Tsuzuki: Isn't this great, Ruka! He said you can give it any price you want!!

Ruka: Huh...? Right...

"Terazuma": So miss, how much? Please tell me.

Ruka watches "Terazuma" in slight shock.

Ruka: .........

(In this era, silk is awfully valuable.)

Ruka thinks of Butler as she takes the ribbon out of her hair.

Ruka: A silk ribbon... because he said he couldn't hand over money. He, in this way...

On the roadside, a happy sale is made. Further in town, Ruka and Tsuzuki buy medicine for Ruka's father.

Tsuzuki: With the money from the ribbon you could buy the medicine, but... it won't last for more than a few days...

Ruka: It's an expensive medicine, so I just don't have that kind of money.

Ruka sinks against the building wall.

Ruka: Mr. Angel... What should I do? At this rate Father and I... [long sigh]

Tsuzuki: Ruka... What should I do? I want to help...

{sound f/x goso: Tsuzuki rummaging in his pocket}

Tsuzuki: But what can I do to get so much money——...

{sound f/x gasa: rustle}

Tsuzuki: ———!! That's it, Ruka! I've got my good hand!!

Ruka: Huh? (Good hand...)

Townspeople gather giggling and talking around Tsuzuki.

Tsuzuki: Now now now!

{sound f/x zawa: noise of a crowd}

Tsuzuki: Come by! Come see! The Mystery of the Orient! The divine country of gold, Zipangu's Magic Show!!!

(Big lie.)

[Zipangu is an actual word from Japanese history. It means "Land of Gold," and it's the name that Marco Polo gave Japan when he discovered it. (Hence Japan, not Nippon.)]

Tsuzuki holds up a folded paper bird in one hand.

Tsuzuki: Now pay attention! Here I've folded a paper dove.

(Of course, he folded it from a curse charm.)

Tsuzuki: And watch as I breath air into this...!!

{sound f/x fuu: blowing breath}

Tsuzuki breathes air into the paper dove.

{sound f/x basa: rustling}

It starts to flap its wings.

{sound f/x ba: sudden impact}

Suddenly, tons of doves with paper in their mouths begin flying into the sky. Ruka looks on in shock.

Ruka: Amazing... The paper birds are flying in the sky... Dancing water and rings of flame... Flood of light———

Crowd: Oooo, ahhhh...

Tsuzuki: (Tsk tsk tsk) Not yet, not yet, not yet~!

Ruka: I knew it, Mr. Angel is the real thing——!!

Tsuzuki: Don't go anywhere cause this next part will really surprise you, Ladies and Gentlemen!!

Crowd: (What, what?) (Still more wonders?)

Tsuzuki: This time it's the show's super eye catcher!!

{sound f/x zawa: crowd noise}

Tsuzuki: It's the entrance of the guardian god of the glittering silver wind~!!! Come forth! BYAKKO——!!

{sound f/x ba: sudden impact}

Byakko pops out of nowhere. Yes, Tsuzuki often overdoes it.

{sound f/x don: Byakko bursting forth}

{sound f/x zaa: blowing wind as Byakko is summoned}

Crowd: (OHHH~!) Amazing——~~ [cheer] What kind of device is that? [cheeeer] (He's like a magician...)

Tsuzuki: Well then, everyone, stand witness! For the last, the white tiger that calls for good luck will jump through a ring of fire!! If he's to do well, he needs you to cheer!!

Just outside the Lord's mansion. Junior pauses as he hears great cheers from the townspeople below.

Junior: ?

{sound f/x ko: click of Junior's heel}

Junior: What's all that uproar? Over there?

Butler: Yes... (I won't go to look. Idiocy is contagious.) It looks like some kind of traveling show.

Junior: (...... I see...)

"Yuma": Ala, Sir Butler. Today you only have one ribbon. You always tie two of them.

"Saya": (Ala, true.)

Tatsumi: ...I lost it yesterday.

{sound f/x nii: grin}

Alchemist: [chuckle] You lost a high-priced item that you got from the Lord? You didn't maybe give it to someone, did you——? (I can see through anything.)

{sound f/x boka: sudden impact}

Butler drags the now well-pummeled Alchemist away.

{sound f/x zuru: heaving dragging sound}

"Saya": Sir Butler won't forgive anyone who offends him...

{sound f/x hiso: "Saya"and "Yuma" whispering}

(Scary~~~)

"Saya": (In spite of it all, he's a good man.)

"Yuma": He gives back his revenge two times over... (But it looks as if he goes easy on women.)

(Well of course. A man who doesn't is a waste. A waste.)

Later on, Butler walks through the town center. Ruka laughs while Byakko licks her face. Butler watches her for a moment before walking away. Near the town, Ruka gawks over the insane pile of money that Tsuzuki made for her.

{sound f/x don: dramatic effect of the pile o' gold}

Ruka: Amazing, Mr. Angel!! With one show, you made this many gold coins...!! I can pay back the debt and still have change...

Ruka's eyes shine little yen signs.

Ruka: (Wow, it's radiant!)

Tsuzuki: With this you can buy the medicine, huh Ruka?

{sound f/x kirakira: the money glittering}

Ruka: Thank you, Mr. Angel.

Ruka gives Tsuzuki a little kiss on the cheek.

Ruka: I knew it, you're a messenger from God. I'm going to go buy the medicine. Mr. Angel, you can go back ahead of me. [waving bye]

Tsuzuki smiles and touches his cheek.

Tsuzuki: Ruka... (I gave myself a kiss.)

Slightly later on, Tsuzuki and Byakko sit in the forest together.

Tsuzuki: Thanks for today, Byakko. You really saved me. Sorry... Making you do those sorts of things... (You're a god and all.)

Byakko: Don't worry about it. We chose to become your summons. It's natural for us to obey your will.

Tsuzuki smiles and pets Byakko gently.

Tsuzuki: Byakko...

{sound f/x fuwa: gentle petting motion}

Byakko: Well, but I guess old man Genbu's would've done it—— Master Seiryuu and big sister Suzaku are tough, huh. (They maybe wouldn't have come earlier.)

{sound f/x goro: Byakko purring as he licks his paw}

Tsuzuki: (Uh) You be quiet about the two of them... (Please)

Byakko: You have to come and visit the Gensoukai. Kijin and Tenkou wanted to meet you. [Gensoukai is the world where all of the Shikigami live.]

Tsuzuki: (Okay.)

Tsuzuki goes wide-eyed as a big flies past his face.

{sound f/x buuun: bzzzzzzz}

Tsuzuki: Ah~! Wh~... What's that, this thing~!!

Byakko: What happened?

{sound f/x bun: bzzz}

Tsuzuki: Why won't this bug leave me alone...

Tsuzuki opens a can of whoop ass on the bug and punches it as it comes around.

Tsuzuki: TEH~!!!

{sound f/x go: Tsuzuki's super punch}

Bug: GYA~!!

Byakko: ...gya~!?

The bug curses Tsuzuki's name, angrily.

Bug: Hold on~!! That hurt, you—!! I think you're very rude for taking on this world's Caretaker, no matter why~!! (Hmph hmph)

{sound f/x fun: Hmph}

Tsuzuki and Byakko stare at the bug in shock.

([pointing to the funny SD Byakko face] ...This Byakko-san... (laugh))

Tsuzuki: NO————~~!!!

{sound f/x hii: Tsuzuki shrieking}

Tsuzuki: Th~Th~... The beetle's talkiiing—————~~!!!

Byakko: (Hmmm...) This bug has some sort of intelligence... (Oh my.)

Caretaker: BUG, WHO'S A BUG——!!!

The, er, not a bug begins flitting around Tsuzuki and Byakko wildly.

{sound f/x pun: snort snort}

Caretaker: Still, I guess that a human really did get in... Right in the middle a great story changed, and I thought it was strange... (Ah, man~)

The middle of the great speech changed, and I thought it was strange. (Ah, man...)

{sound f/x bun: bzzz}

Caretaker: Now the perfect scenario I thought up is just average, average!!

Tsuzuki: Huh? You say...scenario?

Caretaker: I told you, right? I'm the Caretaker. It's my duty to make stories to the Count's liking. But the world progresses according to the scenario. My job is just surveillance. The truth is, by now the girl was supposed to become the Lord's wife due to the cost of the old man's medicine. They'd have a grand and splendid wedding ceremony, followed by rushing into the romantic wedding night———!! That was the plot.

Tsuzuki looks rather upset and vaguely ill. I would be, too.

Tsuzuki: ——... (Barf...) (Um...) Well, I just have one thing I want to ask you... Is it okay if you tell me how to get back to the other world? I accidentally picked up the book and dropped here against my will.

{sound f/x bun: bzzz}

Tsuzuki: I want to return to the other world as soon as I can.

Caretaker: ...what're you saying... Without knowing something like that you came to this world? Once you enter this world, you can't leave the book.

Tsuzuki looks shocked.

Tsuzuki: What's that!?

Caretaker: You don't exist any more in the real world. You can't live cause you're just typeface written into a book. Until you die——— you'll live in this book world with us.

Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10

Manga belongs to Matsushita Youko, Hana to Yume, and Hakusensha, taken from the Yami no Matsuei, Volume 5 manga, ISBN4-592-17405-4. Not like the story makes sense if you haven't read the manga anyway. Romanized and translated into English very badly by Mina-P, with desperately needed help, as always, by Mako-chan. Any comments or corrections can be mailed to Mina-P at Minako@senshigakuen.com.

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