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pkmnprideflags · 11 months ago

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Pokémon Character Etymology Comparison

Most of the time, the translators of the Pokémon games will a choose a name with a similar meaning to the Japanese one; for example, Takeshi comes from ishi, "stone," so he got the English name Brock. But sometimes they give characters random names that have nothing to do with their originals.

Because I'm a nerd, I compiled a collection of examples of this across the main series games, with the meanings for both the Japanese and English names listed. This is gonna be a long post; buckle up, folks.

Kanto

Guriin / Blue

Japanese Meaning: green

English meaning: blue. We’ve all heard of this one, but I couldn’t not include it.

Ayumi / Elaine

Japanese meaning: step or progress

English meaning: a lane. Possibly also chosen because it starts with E, as in Eevee? Sigh.

Shin / Trace

Japanese meaning: advance. Fits with the protags, Ayumi and Kakeru (to dash).

English meaning: uh…the protagonist is tracing his movements? He’s just a trace of what Blue was in the original games? It rhymes with Chase??? Who knows.

Dr. Yukinari Ohkido / Professor Samuel Oak

Japanese meaning: “ohkido” is a transliteration of orchid. Yukinari is similar to the given name of Unshou Ishizuka, the voice actor for Prof. Oak in the Japanese version of the anime; it’s unknown if that is related.

English meaning: So many questions. Why was he downgraded to a professor instead of a doctor? Why Oak instead of orchid, just ‘cause Oak sounds like more of an old man name? Samuel is similar to Salem Oak, a historic tree in New Jersey. Which is still a super random connection.

Nanami / Daisy

Japanese meaning: reference to a type of holly tree. Ironically is part of the Ilex genus, even though that forest is in a different region.

English meaning: the flower, duh. In Western cultures usually represents friendship and innocence.

Masaki Sonezaki / Bill

Japanese meaning: First of all, yes, Bill kind of has a last name in Japanese. It has never appeared in the games, but was included in the Pocket Monsters Zukan, a supplementary material to Red & Green that is considered somewhat canon. Masaki comes from a type of shrub native to Asian countries, and Sonezaki is named after a region in Osaka, the city that that Bill’s hometown Goldenrod is based on.

English meaning: believed to be a reference to Bill Gates. Because computer man

Matisu / Lt. Surge

Japanese meaning: Seemingly a reference to Clematis, a genus of flower. I can’t find anything symbolically important about this flower that would apply to him.

English meaning: y’know, an electric surge. Could also come from “Sarge.” And they may have given him the specific rank of lieutenant because when abbreviated it kinda looks like lightning?

Kyou & Anzu / Koga & Janine

Japanese meaning: Doing these two together because their names correlate in Japanese. Both words are different ways of saying apricot.

English meaning: Koga-ryuu is a school of ninjutsu, and Janine is ninja with the syllables reversed.

Natsume / Sabrina

Japanese meaning: named after the Chinese jujube tree; big religious symbol in Islam, where it is rumored to be the Tree of Knowledge, and Buddhism through association with Vishnu.

English meaning: Psychic, brain, and possibly a reference to Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

Kanna / Lorelei

Japanese meaning: contains the word for “cold”; full name comes from the Canna lily, which ironically must be moved to a warm location during winter.

English meaning: supposedly after a famous maritime disaster site in Germany, which means “murmuring rock.” We went from flowers to death and destruction so fast

Wataru / Lance

Japanese meaning: cotton; and also a reference to a Japanese dragon-water-god.

English meaning: ok bulbapedia’s stretch here is that lances were used in medieval legends to fight dragons. But that’s stupid. They just chose a cool name

Johto

Dr. Utsugi / Professor Elm

Japanese meaning: from a Japanese shrub in the hydrangea family.

English meaning: the elm tree, continuing the trend of the Japanese doctors being named after shrubs & getting localized into tree professors.

Akane / Whitney

Japanese meaning: the madder plants, which are associated with the color red because of the dye they produce.

English meaning: white (or possibly whiny). Dunno how she became associated with an entirely different color.

Shijima / Chuck

Japanese meaning: several options here. There’s a cultivar of the haworthia genus, the word silence, or a term meaning four islands.

English meaning: to throw. Possibly a Chuck Norris reference as well.

Mikan / Jasmine

Japanese meaning: citrus fruit, specifically oranges.

English meaning: name of a plant; likely chosen as a pun on “mine” or “mineral.”

Yanagi / Pryce

Japanese meaning: willow. Often seem as a solemn tree; notably only grows in colder or temperate locations.

English meaning: it’s an ice pun haha

Ibuki / Clair

Japanese meaning: Chinese juniper plant, popular in Japan for its use in bonsai art. Also “breath,” a pun on Dragon Breath.

English meaning: Lair. As in a place that dragons live. Wooooo

Itsuki / Will

Japanese meaning: Zelkova tree, popular once again in bonsai and also for furniture and drum making.

English meaning: willpower.

Hoenn

Mitsuru / Wally

Japanese meaning: to be frail; also influence from “vine” and “crane,” possibly referencing the practice of giving origami cranes to those who are ill.

English meaning: supposedly from “wallflower.” I think it’s weird to focus on the social effects of his condition when the Japanese name is so focused on the physical aspects of it but whatevs.

Old Man Hagi / Mr. Briney

Japanese meaning: the Japanese clover plant.

English meaning: brine, salt water.

Mari & Dai / Gabby & Ty

Japanese meaning: mari is “ball;” Bulbapedia posits this might refer to the end of a microphone, but I’m not convinced. And dai is a topic of an interview.

English meaning: from the verb “to gab,” and…possibly a reference to TV?

Mayumi / Lanette

Japanese meaning: from a type of spindle plant. It’s in the same genus as the plants Bill and Celio are named after.

English meaning: from LAN (local area network) and net, as in internet.

Azusa / Brigette

Japanese meaning: another spindle plant.

English meaning: bridge, a device to connect several networks, like how Pokémon Box connects to RSE. And then the same suffix as Lanette.

Director Kusunoki / Captain Stern

Japanese meaning: camphor tree

English meaning: the stern of a boat. No idea why his title was changed.

Higana & Shigana / Zinnia & Aster

Japanese meaning: Higana refers to the red spider lily, a plant commonly associated with death and the afterlife. Shigana, literally translated as “this shore,” refers to the mortal world, with higana (“other shore”) referring to the afterlife.

English meaning: Both flowers. Zinnia is usually associated with remembering an absent or distant, but not necessarily dead, friend. Kind of a watered-down version of the Japanese name. Aster is named after a Latin word for star, and is usually associated with faith and wisdom.

Tsutsuji / Roxanne

Japanese meaning: the rhododendron species of flowers.

English meaning: you guessed it, rocks.

Tessen / Wattson

Japanese meaning: passion flower clematis, the same genus referenced in Lt. Surge’s name.

English meaning: you guessed it, watts

Asuna / Flannery

Japanese meaning: from asunaro, a type of cypress tree. Ironically would not be a good tree for Lavaridge Town, as it is not drought-resistant.

English meaning: flames or something? I’m not convinced this is a real name

Senri / Norman

Japanese meaning: senryou, an herb often used for Japanese New Year decorations; also 1000 li (Chinese unit of measurement), a distance equivalent to over 300 miles. Yeesh

English meaning: you guessed it, normal

Nagi / Winona

Japanese meaning: the Asian bayberry plant; also a word for calm/lull.

English meaning: wind, wing, or winnow, a verb that means to remove chaff from grain via a strong gust of wind. Her Japanese name is calm, her English name is a forceful gale.

Kagari / Courtney

Japanese meaning: from kagaribi, bonfire.

English meaning: from “country,” likely to go along with Team Magma’s land theme.

Ushio / Matt

Japanese meaning: tide

English meaning: likely from the “mast” of a ship.

Izumi / Shelly

Japanese meaning: spring, as in a water location

English meaning: you guessed it, shell

Purimu / Glacia

Japanese meaning: primrose, a flower with some species that have adapted to cold climates; or possibly the adjective prim, meaning formal to a standoffish - or cold - extent.

English meaning: omg glaciers

Daigo Tsuwabuki / Steven Stone

Japanese meaning: last name comes from a plant that contains a kanji meaning “stone.” Daigo comes from the Indian coral tree, the blooming of which is associated with impending typhoons and drought. Makes me think of how Steven starts investigating Groudon & Kyogre way before anyone else, as if he can sense what’s coming.

English meaning: steel and stone. Why are the english names so not complex in gen 3

Datsura / Noland

Japanese meaning: from datura, a group of poisonous flowering plants.

English meaning: presumably from the word “knowledge” cuz he’s a buff nerd

Rira / Anabel

Japanese meaning: from lilac, which might just be the color of her hair.

English meaning: bulbapedia claims it comes from “ability” but I don’t buy it

Ukon / Spenser

Japanese meaning: from turmeric, the spice and plant.

English meaning: supposedly from “spirit”

Jindai / Brandon

Japanese meaning: both a reference to a plant and to ancient times (lit. “age of the gods”)

English meaning: supposedly from “brave”

Hiisu / Tucker

Japanese meaning: from heath, the plant type. Unrelated to Hisui.

English meaning: supposedly from “tactics”

Kogomi / Greta

Japanese meaning: ostrich fern

English meaning: “guts” or “great”

Sinnoh

Jun / Barry

Japanese meaning: probably from Junichi Masuda, longtime composer and contributor to the Pokémon games.

English meaning: No one really knows! It was his first default name in Diamond and Platinum. It’s what the anime dubbers chose for him when he first appeared, and it’s been his name ever since.

Ayako / Johanna

Japanese meaning: no one knows for either of these names! Ayako has a lot of meanings, many of which have to do with kimono designs for whatever reason.

English meaning: ultimately comes from Hebrew, meaning “God is gracious.”

Mizuki / Bebe

Japanese meaning: from the dogwood genus of trees & shrubs. Notably not related to the group of plants the previous storage developers were named after. Fun fact, Selene also has this name in Japanese.

English meaning: BBCode, a programming language used to format forum messages.

Hyouta & Tougan / Roark & Byron

Japanese meaning: doing these two together since their Japanese names correspond. They’re both named after different types of gourds.

English meaning: Roark is rock & ore; Byron is iron.

Makishimamu Kamen / Crasher Wake

Japanese meaning: literally, “Maximum Mask.” Thought to come from the orchid genus Maxillaria.

English meaning: Crashing waves & wake.

Merissa / Fantina

Japanese meaning: an herb genus; also a Western name, indicating that she’s a foreigner.

English meaning: phantom, and also fantasia, a type of tango.

Akagi / Cyrus

Japanese meaning: bishop wood tree, known for its red bark.

English meaning: a Persian name associated with the sun. Likely chosen to fit with the Commanders’ planet names.

Puruuto / Charon

Japanese meaning: Pluto, fitting with the other Commanders’ planet names.

English meaning: Jupiter’s biggest moon. Not a planet. Good job, guys

Ryou / Aaron

Japanese meaning: Japanese clethra tree

English meaning: likely from arachnid and arthropod

Kikuno / Bertha

Japanese meaning: both the English & Japanese names share the theme of being similar to Kikuko/Agatha. Like Kikuko, this name references chrysanthemum.

English meaning: has the same sound as “Earth.”

Goyou / Lucian

Japanese meaning: five-needle pine; also enlightenment.

English meaning: light, possibly also illusion or hallucination

Shirona / Cynthia

Japanese meaning: white-fruited nandina, a flower associated with growing love and good homes.

English meaning: epithet for Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon; possibly chosen to contrast with Cyrus.

Kokuran / Darach

Japanese meaning: the pantropic widelip orchid.

English meaning: Gaelic word for oak. Probably a reference to Prof Oak tbh

Neziki / Thorton

Japanese meaning: staggerbush, a kind of plant.

English meaning: from “thorn.” Staggerbushes do not have thorns.

Unova

Banjirou / Benga

Japanese meaning: the guava fruit.

English meaning: the Malabar kino tree.

Tetsu / Curtis

Japanese meaning: iron

English meaning: comes from a French word that means polite or courteous

Ruri / Yancy

Japanese meaning: from lapis lazuli

English meaning: similar to “fancy” I guess.

Nobori & Kudari / Ingo & Emmet

Japanese meaning: up-train & down-train, respectively. Refers to global train track directions.

English meaning: Ingo is believed to be a pun on “ingoing” train, so you’d think Emmet would be some pun on outgoing, right? Nope. He’s a variation on “emit.” Why? Who knows

Dento, Poddo, & Kohn / Cilan, Chili, & Cress

Japanese meaning: the brothers are all named after corn: dent corn, pod corn, and…just corn.

English meaning: in English the brothers are named after herbs and plants: cilantro, chili peppers, and watercress.

Hachiku / Brycen

Japanese meaning: black bamboo.

English meaning: it’s an ice pun

Shaga / Drayden

Japanese meaning: from the fringed iris, therefore tying him further to Iris.

English meaning: shortening of “dragon’s den.”

Vaabena / Anthea

Japanese meaning: from a flower genus that symbolizes “tender love.”

English meaning: epithet of Hera, the goddess of women and family. Also has some added musical symbolism - her name is similar to anthem, and Concordia is similar to concord, another word for harmony.

Giima / Grimsley

Japanese meaning: comes from a shrub; but also may reference words for the devil, deception, and the transliteration of “boogeyman.”

English meaning: grim or grimace + sly

Katorea / Caitlin

Japanese meaning: from Cattleya, a genus of orchids.

English meaning: roughly similar to Japanese name, with possible influence from “castle.”

Kakitsubata / Drayton

Japanese meaning: the Japanese iris, connecting to Drayden & Iris’s Japanese names. Also contains an anagram of tatsu, a word for dragon.

English meaning: similar to Drayden. And kind of similar to dragon if you squint

Kalos

Karumu / Calem

Japanese meaning: from calme, calm in French.

English meaning: looks similar enough to the word calm, but it technically comes from a Scottish name meaning “dove.”

Sana / Shauna

Japanese meaning: either Latin for “healthy” or Arabic for “brilliance.”

English meaning: probably just chosen because it’s similar; technically comes from the name John, meaning “God is gracious.”

Dr. Platane / Professor Augustine Sycamore

Japanese meaning: French for plane tree.

English meaning: sycamores are not plane trees; however, to be fair, Augustine Henry is a cultivar of plane trees. Officially headcanoning Henry as his middle name now

Koruni / Korrina

Japanese meaning: from cornichon, french for gherkin.

English meaning: vaguely similar to Japanese; also, the words KO and arena.

Gojika / Olympia

Japanese meaning: the midday flower; also time.

English meaning: an unrelated genus of flower; also Olympian (godlike, superior).

Akebi / Aliana

Japanese meaning: from the chocolate vine.

English meaning: from the genus Aliana, and possibly a liana, a type of woody branch that grows from the ground.

Bara / Bryony

Japanese meaning: their word for rose.

English meaning: the bryony plant.

Korea / Celosia

Japanese meaning: Correa genus.

English meaning: Celosia, a genus in the amaranth family.

Alola

Nariya Ohkido / Samson Oak

Japanese meaning: nariya-ran is a name for the bamboo orchid, making his full name an orchid genus. Nariya is also similar to Yukinari.

English meaning: keeps the similarity to Samuel, but otherwise has no special meaning.

Kaki / Kiawe

Japanese meaning: kaki means fire; also, the Asian persimmon,

English meaning: kiawe, a species of tree often used for charcoal and long-lasting firewood.

Raichi / Olivia

Japanese meaning: transliteration of lychee, a tropical tree.

English meaning: from a flowering plant called maile, and possibly also the rock olivine.

Galar

Rurina / Nessa

Japanese meaning: from the Cupid’s Dart flower.

English meaning: lots of options here. There’s nesses, a type of shoreline; the infamous Loch Ness; the Greek name Nerissa, meaning “from the sea;” or a Cornish word meaning second.

Hisui

Omatsu, Otake, & Oume / Charm, Clover, & Coin

Japanese meaning: respectively, pine, bamboo, and plum; these three combine to form the symbols called the Friends of Winter in Chinese art, which symbolize perseverance and resilience.

English meaning: all three are named after objects that are believed to be lucky.

Tsuiri / Tuli

Japanese meaning: the beginning of the rainy season.

English meaning: supposedly from “Tulip.”

Sharon / Anthe

Japanese meaning: possibly from Rose of Sharon, a Biblical term referring to an unknown flower; likely also from the word for “gauze.”

English: the Greek word for flower; possibly also chrysanthemum.

Yura / Vessa

Japanese meaning: from “Yuraa!!”, Spiritomb’s cry before it battles the player.

English meaning: from vessel.

Paldea & Kitakami

Kaede / Katy

Japanese meaning: from the word for maple.

English meaning: possibly referencing katydid (bush crickets).

36 notes · View notes

italiantnea · 2 years ago

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#3-5_otogiri_tobi/ someday, the end of the world

prev: 3-4 // next: e-book bonus

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“Otogiri…”

The teacher with black-rimmed glasses in front of the school gate called out. Tobi stopped.

“Good morning, Yagarashima-sensei.”

“...O-oh hey. What, Otogiri?”

“I have to use this backpack—”

Tobi gestured to Baku on his back.

“It has to be this one. I’m sorry about making sensei unhappy all the time.”

“I’m not particularly unhappy about it…”

“Is that so. Well, thanks for the hard work every morning.”

“Y-yeah. I mean, it’s my job so…”

Tobi bowed his head slightly to the staff before entering the school gates.

“Hmm…”Baku hummed.

“Is this what they call a change of heart?”

“...I just felt like it.”

Around the shoe box, Shiratama was waiting. Tobi changed his shoes and walked to the classroom with Shiratama. Shiratama seemed like she wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words. It was the same for Tobi. He caught sight of Asamiya’s figure in the classroom, and felt relieved. Shiratama probably felt the same.

In the morning homeroom period, their homeroom teacher Harimoto talked about Kon. Kon was absent today as well, and it would take a little while longer before she recovered. That was all. He didn't talk about Takatomo.

Murahama and Shimomaeda, who’d been close to Kon, joined a group of other girls and boys. Masamune, a.k.a. Masaki Shuuji, was messing around energetically, making the students in that group laugh. Asamiya had an unpleasant look on his face.

He demolished his lunch in seconds, leaving just the Koppe-pan. Tobi shouldered Baku and left the classroom with the bread in hand.

Entry into the courtyard was still off limits. As he tried to go outside through the front entrance, it started raining. It couldn't be helped. Tobi squatted in front of the shoe box and ate his bread.

“The world turns, huh?” Baku grumbled.

Tobi finished his Koppe-pan in a flash.

“What was that?”

“Just a feeling, you know. Don't you get it? At least get this much.”

What Baku was trying to say was probably this:

Such things had happened to Takatomo and Kon, yet other people were already quickly getting back to their ordinary lives. If Tobi were to disappear today, it would have no effect on the revolution of the Earth. It would keep on turning without fail. The world turned. One by one, everyone continued living their lives as usual.

Beyond the transparent glass door of the entrance, thin drops of rain fell. He couldn't hear the sound of the rain.

As meal time ended and lunch break began, someone approached the shoe box. That someone squatted beside Tobi.

The two of them gazed at the rain.

“Did you look it up?”

Tobi asked the girl beside him without looking at her.

“On your phone… like on the internet?”

“About the zingai?”

The girl asked in return. When Tobi nodded, she replied, “A little.”

“Did you find out anything?”

“Ghosts or spirits, yokai, fairies— apparently their true form is actually zingai. And also, the strange phenomena spoken of in urban legends—those have to do with zingai as well.”

“So a bit of everything.”

Tobi laughed dryly. The girl laughed too. Tobi looked beside him. Shiratama looked at Tobi as well.

“So me and Chinu are on the same level as monsters?”

Baku let out a “Tch” as if he were clicking his tongue. Shiratama stroked him, as if to say, “Now, now.”

“There are some people who want to connect everything and anything to zingai. At the end of the day, only the people that can see zingai can see them, after all.”

“Like Tobi and O-Ryuu? At least that part seems correct.”

“Those who can't see are the majority, so there’s a lot of people who aren't taking it seriously too. Like the occult—”

“Baku is part of the occult?”

As Tobi muttered, Baku went wild. Even though he had no legs, it was like he was trying to kick him. That, or he was trying to hit him. Once again, Shiratama stroked Baku, pacifying him.

“I haven't tried SNS before. Maybe I’ll try signing up next time.”

“Well, I don't have a smartphone.”

“It’s convenient to have one.”

“Is that the sort of thing it is?”

“Well, you can stay in contact no matter where you go.”

Even in the facility, it was not rare for residents to have smartphones. Those who messaged or called friends all night long would get a warning issued from the staff.

“If anything happens—”

Shiratama looked outside.

“We can talk. Anytime…”

“Mm…”

Tobi nodded halfheartedly.

“Keh!”

Baku seemed like he wanted to say something. If he had something to say he could just say it.

“Ah, that’s right.”

Shiratama pulled her phone out of her skirt pocket. She tapped the screen and launched an app. Tobi looked at the screen.

“You can look at maps like these, too. You can zoom in and out. And you can change the direction in any way you like.”

“Ahh, that’s amazing.”

“You’d never get lost again.”

“Um, Shiratama, are you trying to sell it to me…?”

“I wouldn't dream of it!”

The strangely old fashioned words suddenly came out of Shiratama, and Tobi felt like bursting out laughing. Shiratama looked stupefied.

“So the map,” Tobi murmured.

“And you can contact people.”

Shiratama fiddled with her phone and repeated her words from earlier.

“...Do you find me persistent?”

Tobi shook his head.

“Not at all.”

The rain was growing stronger. It looked like it was about to thunder.

“There was something on my mind—”

Shiratama spoke, then hesitated. When Tobi prompted, “What?”, Shiratama turned off her phone screen and took a breath.

“It’s about the voice.”

There was one part that came to mind. Tobi felt a little caught on it as well.

“You mean, the one that said “Aren't you weird?”, that voice?”

Takatomo and Kon had heard something akin to auditory hallucinations. As their mental health crumbled, it was possible for such things to arise. But it hadn't just been Takatomo. It wasn't just Kon either. Both of them had heard a similar voice. Shiratama looked down and bit her bottom lip lightly.

“I just don't think it was a trick of the ears or a hallucination…”

Baku let out a “Haah…” as if sighing.

Takatomo hadn't regained consciousness. And what about Kon? Her future was unclear. But it was settled, for now. Wasn't that it?

The world continued turning.

If it hadn't been a hallucination, then whose voice had it been?

In the afternoon classroom, you could hear the sound of rain even without straining your ears. From time to time, lightning flashed in the distant sky. A second later, thunder rumbled, and Masamune would say something, making people laugh. Then, the teacher would warn them to be quiet.

Tobi checked in on the nearby Asamiya frequently. Asamiya had textbooks and notes open on his desk. But mostly, he just looked downwards. It was like he carried an invisible boulder on his back, and was trying his best to bear its weight. That was what it looked like.

Whenever Masamune spoke, Asamiya would lift his face slightly. He would turn and glance at Masamune. After that, Asamiya would shake his head, or heave a deep breath. Tobi couldn't hear what, but sometimes he would mutter something under his breath.

Right after fifth period ended, there was a particularly loud clap of thunder, and Masamune fell from his chair with an “Uhyaa!” year 2 class 3 roared with laughter, and even the departing teacher laughed.

“It’s not me!”

It was sudden. Asamiya stood up and glared at Masamune.

The laughter stopped all at once. Masamune sat on his ass, his mouth dropping open.

“You’re the one who’s weird!”

Who was the ‘you’ Asamiya was talking to? Of course, it was Masamune, wasn't it?

With the say no evil monkey that resembled a tarsier with tree bark-like skin on his head, Masamune was indeed weird. But that was because Tobi could see that zingai. Disregarding the zingai, Masamune was just a simple class clown.

“I’m not weird!”

Asamiya’s shout sounded like a howl.

“I’m not weird! I’m not weird! I’m not weird! Stop it…! I’m not weird, I’m not weird at all! It’s not me, you’re the ones that are weird! It’s not me! I’m not weird! I’m not weird! I’m not! I’m not weird, I’m not weird, I’m not weird! I am not weird…!”

“....Uh, objectively speaking, I think you really are being weird right now though?”

Masamune smiled tightly, and taking that as a joke, some of their classmates laughed reservedly. Asamiya started hitting both sides of his head with his hands.

“Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up! Who are you! I’m not weird! You’re the ones that’re weird, you’re weird, not me!”

“A-asamiya-kun…!”

Shiratama ran up to Asamiya.

“Tobi—”

At almost the exact same moment, Baku called out to him. Tobi noticed it. When had it happened? He wasn't sure, but he noticed in that moment. It was the say no evil monkey.

Right now, that unsettling zingai sat plopped on Masamune’s head. But it was no longer the say no evil monkey.

Its pose with the covered mouth resembled the ‘say no evil’ from Nikko Tosho-gu’s three wise monkeys, so that’s what Tobi had called it. But that was no longer the case. It wasn't covering its mouth. To be exact, normally there would have been a mouth there. But it was missing that part. There was nothing there. It had eyes like a tarsier’s. Ears and a nose too. But no mouth. Was it missing one from the very beginning? Or had it disappeared? Whichever it was, that zingai had kept its nonexistent mouth covered. Why had it stopped making that pose?

Asamiya pushed Shiratama aside.

“—...”

Shiratama crashed into a nearby desk and staggered. Asamiya’s upper body lurched forward with great momentum, then immediately bent backwards. He repeated the movement.

“UUUUUuuuAAAAAAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaaAAaaa…!”

The students were distressed. Some ran away, frightened. It was a panic. Of course, Tobi was shocked as well. Asamiya. What had happened to him? He was screaming that he hadn't gone weird. As if he were being told “You are weird”, and was arguing against it.

Who had told Asamiya such a thing?

At the very least, Tobi could not hear it. Could Asamiya hear it? Only Asamiya.

Tobi saw him. It was Masamune. Masaki Shuuji covered his mouth with both hands.

In place of his zingai, Masamune assumed the pose of the ‘say no evil’ monkey.

“....That bastard!” Baku spat.

Masamune’s eyes were narrowed, his shoulders shaking. What was so delightful about this? He was laughing. Masamune seemed ready to burst out laughing, desperately trying to keep it together.

Tobi grabbed Baku from where he hung on his desk. If Tobi left him behind, Baku would surely never forgive him. Tobi darted in between the desks, chairs, and other classmates. Masamune noticed him and widened his eyes. Tobi leapt at Masamune. He heard the voice.

(Isn't it weird?) (It’s your fault) (You’re to blame) (It’s you) (You are)

“—Nngah…”

Tobi clutched his head and crouched down. It wasn't just Tobi. Shiratama screamed, “Gyah…!” A voice. It was the voice. Voice? Was this a voice?

(It’s you) (Isn't it weird?) (You are) (You’re the one to blame)

Countless voices, like a jumbled up mixture of solids and liquids—like metal that was heated until it melted into sludge—gushed directly into his head.

(Isn't it weird?) (You are) (You’re weird) (You are) (You are)

“...Tobi! Tobi?!”

Baku shouted for him.

On Masamune’s head, the mouthless tarsier with the bark-like skin—that zingai—even though it had no mouth, the spot where its mouth should have been squirmed and wriggled.

(Weird) (Isn't it weird?) (It’s weird) (You’ve gone weird)

Was it weird? Weird. Wasn't it weird? He felt like he was going weird.

Was it that guy?

That’s right. Masamune’s zingai. That was it. The voice was that zingai.

“Tobi, use me to…!”

Me to? What? Use Baku to- I see. Tobi hurled Baku, aiming at Masamune.

“—Uahh…?!”

Masamune dodged it by a hair's breadth. He avoided it. Masamune cast a contemptuous look at Baku, who’d crashed into the lockers at the back of the classroom, and ran. Was he planning on getting out of the classroom? Tobi picked up Baku and chased after him. As he opened the door Masamune had slammed with all his might and stepped into the hallway, Shiratama’s call stopped him.

“Tobi-kun, wait! I’m coming too…!”

“Shiratama, go report this to Haizaki!”

Tobi said without turning around, and ran down the hallway. What would come of reporting it to Haizaki? He didn't know. He’d just said it in the spur of the moment. It was better if Shiratama didn't come along. It was dangerous.

Baku yelled, enraged.

“Where did he run off to, that bastard!”

“As if I would know!”

Masamune was not that tall, but he was pretty quick on his feet. Even as he closed some of the distance between them on the stairs, it didn't seem like it would be that easy to catch up to him. Masamune was heading towards the shoe rack. Wasn't he going to change his shoes? He charged towards the glass door of the front entrance. He did so with a force like he was planning on ramming his body through it. Masamune pushed open the glass door and ran outside. Tobi, too, chased after him in his indoor shoes.

The rain was strong. Tobi was soaked in an instant. As Masamune ran, he ranted and raved about something. The sound got lost in the rain, so he couldn't hear it well, but it sounded something like, “You’re wrong”, “It wasn't me”, “It wasn't my fault”. That seemed to be what he was saying.

“—For real, this guy is awful! He’s the worst…!”

Baku hurled abuse. It poured as if someone had flipped a bucket over.

Masamune crossed the crosswalk at a red light, and cars honked their horns at him. Masamune started and stopped for a moment, then immediately continued across the road. Tobi had no choice but to slow his pace a bit. Several cars were coming and going on the road. Picking out the gaps between cars coming from both left and right, Tobi got to the other side of the crosswalk as well. He’d gotten away from him again.

He should just leave him be. It was pouring after all. And he was out of breath. To be honest, this was tough. Did he really have to go to these lengths to chase after Masamune?

Zingai. It was because zingai were involved. Tobi had Baku. He could see zingai.

Baku had eaten Kon’s zingai. Because of that, Kon had fallen into heart desolation, or whatever it was called. That was the mess Baku had made, so Tobi was responsible as well. But at the bottom of it all, weren't they just getting what they deserved?

Kon had a complicated, problematic relationship with her mother. Even if that were the cause, if Kon’s zingai hadn't done bad things, this wouldn't have become such a big deal. Takatomo wouldn't have jumped off the roof either.

And then, there was that voice. That was the work of zingai as well. Masaki Shuuji. Masamune’s zingai had gone after Kon and Takatomo and tormented them with that voice. If it hadn't done that, the series of tragedies probably wouldn't have occurred.

If he let them be, Masamune’s zingai would do it again. In fact, it already was. It had made Asamiya hear that voice.

It’s better to just eat it.

Eat that zingai.

Masamune headed towards Asakawa. Was he going to cross the bridge? No. the river bank. Masamune ran down the bank of Asakawa river. What was colloquially known as Asakawa den. On the flood plain of Asakawa river was a tent village. Around where the tent village came to an end, Masamune went down to the river bank. The weeds were overgrown here; just ahead, various trees, taller than a person, grew densely.

Without stopping, Masamune turned his head.

Right now, Masamune didn't have Masaki Shuuji’s face. Two oversized eyes. Round ears that looked like they had sharp hearing. His nose was protruded, and he had no mouth. It was a tarsier. Was Masamune wearing a mask of a tarsier with tree bark-like skin? There was no way that was it. And crucially, the zingai sat atop his head was gone.

“Did he fuse with the zingai…?!”

It was probably as Baku said. Only Masamune’s head had become identical to the zingai’s. From the neck down, he was still Masamune.

“Masaki…!”

Even though it was useless, Tobi tried shouting Masamune’s name. Masamune was trying to push his way into the thicket. He was probably going to keep going like that. Something unexpected happened. Masamune turned back around.

(What’s with you?) (What is it with you?) (What are you?) (What?) (What are you?)

“—Aah…”

Without thinking, Tobi covered his ears. That action meant nothing. Masamune did not have a mouth. The spot where his mouth should have been squirmed and wriggled. It was like there were hundreds, thousands of maggots gushing forth. But it was decidedly not a mouth. This voice was not a sound.

(What are you?) (Who are you?) (You’re) (Who are you?) (What?)

His brain. Tobi’s brain was shaking. The voice vibrated minutely, shaking his brain.

(You don't even know) (You don't even know anything) (I’m not at fault) (It wasn't my fault)

(Isn't it weird?) (It’s weird) (You are) (Yours) (It’s you)

(Not me) (You) (Weird) (It’s weird) (You’re the one who’s weird)

“—...Tobi! Tobi! Oi, Tobi?! Tobiii…!”

Baku kept yelling Tobi’s name. He cowered in the thick, wet grass.

Masamune turned and vanished into the undergrowth. Tobi’s brain was still shaking. Was that even possible? At any rate, it felt very unpleasant. But he had to eat him.

Tobi stood up. He pushed his way through the drenched leaves and branches of the jungle-like thicket, searching for Masamune. He seemed to be facing the riverbank. That, he understood, somehow. Where was he? He couldn't see him, but he was there. Just ahead.

Brushing past the whip-like branches, there was a river beach up ahead. Though he called it a beach, it wasn't made of sand or pebbles. It was mud. Looking downstream, he saw a railroad bridge. Right beside that was a pedestrian bridge. Asakawa river was murky, and flowing as quickly as usual.

Masamune was submerged up to his knees in the Asakawa river. His back was facing towards Tobi.

Tobi stepped into the muddy ground. It was terribly slushy. He was going to eat him.

Eat?

Eat. him. Why?

“...I’m hungry,” Baku moaned.

“I’m just…so hungry, I can't bear it. It’s the same for you, isn't it, Tobi…?”

His cells, all the cells in his body were completely hollow. They were empty. He had to fill them somehow. If he didn't, he couldn't keep on living. If he didn't eat, he would die. It was for the sake of survival. To keep on living, he would eat. That thing, that zingai, he had to eat it.

Baku was starving. The one who was starving was Baku, but Tobi could feel that hunger so starkly he could almost hold it in his hands. Tobi was not starving. He had absolutely no desire to eat that thing. Could he really say that with certainty? No one could go on living without eating, could they?

What was so bad about eating to survive?

So he had eaten Kon Chiami’s zingai. Was he going to eat again?

If he ate that zingai, what would happen?

If he ate that zingai, which hat fused itself to a human’s head?

What would become of Masaki Shuuji?

“What are you doing over there, Masaki?”

Tobi stopped at the edge of the water.

He couldn't let him eat.

He could not allow Baku to eat that zingai.

“You should come back. It’s raining, so it’s dangerous.”

(—abandoned)

The voice. It reverberated not in his eardrums, but in his brain. That voice,

(You abandoned him. That day… your brother…)

(He wasn't like you, was he? Slender, and smart, and athletic. Good at games, and drawing, and everything else. Nii-chan was a kind person, huh? And you?)

(You..always doing things that got you scolded by your parents, and nii-chan always covering your back. A hopeless, lousy little brother. Well, you were still his brother after all.)

(Always sticking to him and crying, nii-chan, nii-chan, nii-chan; he must have found you annoying, huh? Sometimes nii-chan would be cold to you, and you’d whine and cry and make a fuss, and your parents would get mad and say, that’s enough—)

What?

What was this—whose story was this?

(You went camping a lot with your family. That day was the last time you went camping, huh? A river. There was a river. A river, near the campsite. It was nii-chan who suggested it, huh? Shuu, let’s go swimming. Shuu! Shuu, for Shuuji. You’re the second son, so Shuuji¹, huh? But you were scared, so nii-chan went off swimming on his own. You sat on the riverbank, stacking rocks—)

¹ the ‘ji’ (二) character in ‘Shuuji’ means ‘two’

Nii-chan? Brother?

(Having swam away from the shore, nii-chan suddenly yelled, ‘Shuu, help me!’—)

Whose brother? Masaki Shuuji’s?

(And you… you didn't go to help him, did you?)

(I mean, it’s scary! You couldn't swim that well anyway! There was no way you could’ve saved him!)

(That’s right! That’s right, that’s why you… you looked on silently, did you?)

(Nii-chan…he was drowning… bobbing in and out of the water… it was a river after all; it had a current, and it swept him along… as the river water went down his throat, he screamed again and again, “Shuu, help me!” and—)

(—you just watched, didn't you? You just listened, while your brother’s voice begged you to save him.)

(If I don't help him now, nii-chan will die!)

(You thought that, didn't you? Even though you understood that… you didn't do anything, did you?)

(Nii-chan was thoroughly swept away, you couldn't see him anymore—)

(And what did you do after that? That’s right! Right after that, you went to your parents)

(Crying, telling your parents, “he disappeared”, “Nii-chan, he disappeared…”)

(Am I wrong? Huh? That can't be it, right? That wasn't it, was it? That couldn't have been it, could it?)

(Nii-chan screamed again and again, “Shuu, help me!”... He begged for your help—)

(Despite that, you ignored him, didn't you? And on top of that, you lied)

(Nii-chan… you abandoned him)

(That’s right. You, you abandoned your brother) (You watched him die before your eyes) (You let him die)

“...‘You’—”

Tobi wiped his face with his hand. The rain was still coming down strong. Somewhere off, thunder rumbled.

(It was me)

The voice spoke.

(I) (Me) (I did) (I) (I did) (It was me) (I) (I) (I) (I—)

(I abandoned my brother, and watched him die. To be able to do such a thing, I—)

(Aren't I weird?)

(No) (...Wrong) (It wasn't m-) (No) (It wasn't me) (I’m not at fault) (I’m)

(It wasn't my fault!) (Who is it?) (Saying it’s my fault, that I was at fault, who’s blaming me?)

(Someone is blaming me) (I can hear it) (That voice, blaming me) (—it’s just my imagination)

(But my parents think so) (I know) (Why wasn't it you?)

(If only you died instead of your brother) (—that must be what they’re thinking)

(I’m not smart like nii-chan. And I’m bad at drawing, and can't seem to grow taller…)

(I don't do as I'm told) (I'm a liar) (I abandoned my brother) (I let him die) (I killed him)

(Even though nii-chan said, “Shuu, help me”) (—I didn't do anything in the end)

(If I just get our parents right away) (They wouldn't have made it in time anyway!) (Isn't this guy terrible?)

(Nii-chan was drowning) (It looked painful…) (I pretended not to see) (This guy is just unbelievable)

“That’s enough…!”

He didn't want to hear any more. He didn't want to know this.

“It wasn't on purpose, was it! Masaki, it wasn't your f—”

(Not me) (It wasn't my fault) (I’m not to blame) (I’m not crazy) (I’m)

(I remember it well) (At nii-chan’s memorial service, I cried, and cried, and cried—)

(Everyone laughed, saying my face looked terrible!) (Even my parents laughed!)

(Nii-chan said that a lot too!) (“Shuu is so funny”) (I made him laugh all the time)

(Am I funny?) (Hey, nii-chan?) (Am I funny?) (You’re funny) (I’m funny)

(Laugh) (Please laugh) (I’m funny, aren't I?) (Laugh) (Because I’m funny)

(Aren't I funny?) (Let me make you laugh) (I’ll make you laugh) (So, laugh!)

Masamune. Masamune was changing. No, he’d already changed. Masamune’s head was already that of a mouthless tarsier with tree bark-like skin. In other words, it had been zingai-fied. But until just now, it had just been his neck and above. Now it wasn't just his head.

(This is me) (Someone wrote that on SNS) (“Look for your true self!”) (“Search for yourself!”) (“Try to find your own self!”) (I’ve found myself!)

(The me who is funny) (The one that makes everyone laugh) (The me who abandoned my brother) (Isn't it weird?) (I’m) (I did) (I) (I’m) (I) (I) (I) (I) (I) (I—)

The tree bark-like skin spread, down Masamune’s shoulders, even his chest. The entirety of that skin pulsed and squirmed.

(Takatomo) (I thought you understood me) (She—) (That girl)

(I talked to her about it) (About my brother) (She comforted me) (She liked me, didn't she?) (Even so—!) (“I’m not going to go out with you, Masamune”) (She turned me down with a laugh!)

(Takatomo) (Even so, I was worried about her, wasn't I?) (Because she became strange) (But—)

(She) (“Hah? What?”) (What is with her!) (—Isn't it weird?)

(It’s weird) (It’s her fault isn't it?) (If she’d gone out with me)

(She’s the one to blame) (Takatomo) (Eat shit) (Man, that feels good) (She got what she deserved!)

Masamune was undergoing transfiguration quickly. If this continued, the transformation would cover Masamune’s whole body. Masamune would become a zingai.

(But I couldn't have imagined she’d jump, could I?) (That Kon) (That’s right) (It’s her fault, isn't it?)

(Asamiya) (What’re you so pissed about) (Laugh) (Laugh!) (I’ll make you laugh)

(Even though I’d gone to all the trouble of reading the room and making everyone laugh) (Laugh) (—Laugh already!)

It was no longer just a voice that shook his brain. That voice reverberated in Tobi’s brain all the same, but at the same time, another voice rang out.

(I’m) “I’m” (I’m trying to make you laugh!) “Laugh!” (You happy-go-lucky idiots!)

At this point, Masamune’s body had zingai-fied, from his head to his feet and hands. That strangely plump belly was pimply and bubbly, quivering and squirming, finally ripping apart. From there, it spread.

“Laugh!” (Laugh!) “Idiots” (Laugh!) “Laugh!” (“Laugh for the rest of your lives!”)

Was that a mouth? It was lined with tiny teeth. It was unmistakably a mouth.

“(“Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!”)”

The mouth, the mouth that opened on Masamune’s stomach like a gaping wound, laughed. It laughed hard.

“...Stop it!”

Tobi wanted to sit down. Baku was saying something. Keep it together, Tobi. or something like that. Keep it together? How was he supposed to do that? He didn't know. Masamune—the zingai—advanced towards him, splashing through the river water. Tobi couldn't understand anything anymore.

“Tobiiiiii…!”

Baku flopped around on Tobi’s back like a big fish that had just been reeled in. forced by Baku to jump to the side, Tobi ended up rolling in the mud. He was covered in mud, but thanks to that, they managed to dodge the charging zingai by a hair’s breadth.

“Eat, Tobi! We’re eating him!”

Baku forced him to his feet violently, forcefully.

“(“Uahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!”)”

Masamune—the zingai— opened that large, horrifying mouth on his stomach, and with a laugh that shook Tobi’s brain, the air, even the rain, prepared to charge again. Tobi’s head trembled.

“But if you eat that…!”

“If we don’t eat it, we’re gonna get eaten…!”

Was Baku insistent on eating that zingai no matter what? That meant eating Masaki Shuuji, who’d gone into this state due to losing his brother, along with it. Tobi gripped Baku’s strap tightly with both hands.

“No, you can’t…!”

Tobi tried to run. It was hard to find a good foothold on the muddy ground, but that didn't matter. Even if he couldn't run like he wanted to, he just had to run. More important than escaping, he had to get away from here, away from Masamune. Baku wanted to eat. Tobi could understand that feeling as well. He felt it so deeply it hurt. But if he let Baku eat, Tobi would definitely regret it. Masamune chased after him.

(Don’t) “Don’t” (Don't) “Ignore me!” (Otogiri!) “Otogiri Tobiiiiiii…!”

His foot caught in the mud. Tobi plunged　into the muddy ground head first. He couldn't see because of the mud, but Masamune seemed to have leapt at him. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Baku tried to sink his teeth into Masamune. Masamune jumped away briefly. Just as he thought that was what he was doing, he grabbed onto Tobi’s right ankle.

“Fuoh—”

Tobi was thrown. He flew in the air, through the rain. It was the river. He was falling into the river.

Right after landing in the water, something became entangled with Tobi. Was it Masamune? They were in the water, in the middle of the river. What was going on? Tobi flailed furiously. Baku, too, was fighting back. Somehow, they shook off Masamune, but even though he was heading towards the river bank, he wasn't moving forward at all. The water level was around Tobi’s chest. He could touch the ground with his feet, but decided to swim. It was no use. They were getting swept downstream. Ultimately, Masamune’s hand closed around his ankle once more.

“Ugua—...”

At one point Tobi was pulled to the bottom of the river. He gulped down lots of water; frankly he had no idea how he didn't end up drowning.

When he came to, he was in a spot where the water was less than knee deep. Had he gotten here on his own? Or had he been swept here? It was under the railroad bridge. Right at this moment, a train was passing through. He could see the pedestrian bridge. Someone was on the pedestrian bridge. They leaned against the railing, looking this way. It wasn't just one person. There were two.

“—Tobii!”

Baku called to him, and Tobi turned around.

It was no longer a voice. A roar that drowned out even the noise of the train passing overhead pierced his ears, and instantly Tobi’s brain felt like it was boiling. More than half of Masamune’s body had become his mouth. That was how widely the mouth on his abdomen opened. Masamune leapt on him. He was trying to eat Tobi and Baku. Did he want to eat that badly? He wanted to eat. He wanted to eat so badly, he just couldn't help it.

Because if you didn't eat, life couldn't continue existing.

You sustained this life, through eating.

Eat. If you didn't eat, you would just be eaten.

Unfortunately, Tobi was choking from swallowing so much water. His head felt fuzzy; he was in no condition to be eating. In this state, he would get eaten before he could eat.

“Sorry I’m late…!”

From beside him, something, someone, rushed over. If they hadn't knocked Masamune away, they would surely have been eaten.

Haizaki. It was the janitor Haizaki. Haizaki, clad in work clothes, landed in front of Tobi.

One of the people on the bridge just now had been Haizaki. So that meant he’d gotten here all the way from there in a mere few seconds. Was that possible? It didn't seem humanly possible.

And something was strange with his right foot.

Haizaki’s right foot was dark. His left foot was in work clothes and, well, normal. But his right foot was covered tightly in some kind of leather or pelt.

“Tobi-kun…!”

He heard Shiratama’s voice. Haizaki hadn't been the only one on the pedestrian bridge. The other person had been Shiratama. The bank. Shiratama ran down the riverbank between the pedestrian bridge and the railroad bridge. She looked like she was going to tumble over. He couldn't stand looking at her. No, this was no time to be watching over Shiratama doing something dangerous. The voice, no—that sound that could no longer be called a voice—a soul-grinding shriek, descended on them.

“—Ughh…”

Tobi almost lost consciousness. Was Haizaki just fine? It didn't seem like it. He hunched forward and somehow endured it.

Masamune was no longer Masamune. The mouthless tarsier with the bubbling skin, no, the zingai with a huge mouth on its abdomen, screamed. It screamed, again, and again. As it screamed, the zingai hurled blame. At people close to him. At the surrounding people. And above all, at himself. It could no longer form words. It was pure, naked animosity. It was hatred, and fear, and resentment. And under it all, a whirlpool of guilt. Haizaki yelled as if he were being squeezed.

“Where is that zingai’s master…?!”

“He’s inside it!” Baku answered.

“Wha—” Haizaki broke off.

“Did the zingai take over its master and go on a rampage? Or did it devour the master…?”

The zingai that had been Masamune continued to emanate a sorrowful fear, cloaked in hostility. Stop it. Please, stop it. I'm begging you, please. Shiratama was crouched halfway down the riverbank. Don't try to get up. Don't come. Shiratama, just stay there. You shouldn't come over here. Tobi grabbed Haizaki’s shoulder.

“What should we do?!”

“W-well—”

Haizaki shook his head slightly. His eyes were narrowed into slits, like thin pieces of thread, and his jaw was shaking. That expression told him everything. It was too late. There was no saving Masamune. Abruptly, Haizaki opened his eyes wide and brushed away Tobi’s hand.

“You get back. I’ll do this.”

I. Not ‘watashi’. Haizaki had used ‘ore’ for himself. At that moment, Tobi understood. Haizaki was going to take care of the zingai, along with Masaki Shuuji. Could he do it? Using what method? There was no way for Tobi to know. If Haizaki said he was going to do it, he had no choice but to leave it to him. Was he okay with that? Really?

Baku started going wild on Tobi’s back. It was a strange way of going wild.

Immediately, Tobi grabbed Baku’s strap and tried to hold him down. But it was no use at all. He let go of the strap. He had no choice but to do so. What would've happened if he hadn't let go? He wondered what would've happened. He couldn't even begin to make a guess.

Baku broke away from Tobi’s back and pushed Haizaki aside. He didn't even wonder if that was Baku. No matter what form he took, Tobi understood. Baku was Baku. That wasn't to say he wasn't surprised. If he said that, that would be a huge lie.

Baku turned his back to Tobi and Haizaki, and stood on two legs. He had two arms as well. His hands were quite large. They had four fingers. He wore a long mantle-like thing, made of material similar to that of Baku—of the backpack. Were those real clothes? Or did they just look like clothes? His head was like a cylinder. As he turned, he could see that on that cylindrical head was nothing but a mouth.

“I’ll be the one to do it…!”

“Go, Baku”

Those words came out of Tobi’s mouth, and he nodded. Baku didn't nod back.

The zingai that used to be Masamune charged. Rather than intercepting the attack, Baku struck first. With incredible force, he jumped up and grabbed the zingai’s head all of a sudden. At that moment, Tobi noticed. Baku’s cylindrical head had nothing but a mouth, but on the backs of his huge hands, he had eyeballs.

“I’ll peel it off…!”

Baku put both feet on the shoulders of the zingai that used to be Masamune. Could it be he was trying to forcefully pull it off like it was a costume? It was like pulling a dynamometer. Was it even something that could be pulled off?

“NnununununununununununuuuuuuuaaaaaAAAAAAaa…!”

The zingai didn't just stay quiet. It twisted its body violently, waving both hands around, trying to shake free from Baku. There was a huge splash. Along with Baku, the zingai collapsed into the river.

(Not at fault!) (I am!) (You are!) (It’s not my fault!) (It’s yours!)

That voice shook Tobi’s brain. Haizaki glanced at Tobi, then looked back at the zingai straight away.

“Otogiri-kun, that’s…?!”

Tobi didn't respond. Baku was Baku. That was all he could say.

“Baku…!”

Shiratama had finally reached the shore. She was soaked, and maybe because she’d fallen, she was muddy all over. Chinu clung to her right shoulder.

“Do your best, Baku…!”

Shiratama understood that that was Baku. This was incredibly reassuring to him. Tobi spoke to Baku in his heart. For you too right, Baku?

Ever since his brother had disappeared, Tobi had been with Baku. They’d had nothing but each other.

There were people who’d reached out a hand to Tobi. But Baku’s voice hadn't reached their ears. Even though Baku was Tobi’s precious partner. Baku was not a mere backpack. Even if he tried to explain that, it would've been no use. There was no way they would understand.

Shiratama was different. She understood that Tobi and Baku were inseparably bonded together. Because, just like how Tobi had Baku, Shiratama had Chinu.

Baku and the zingai grappled in the middle of the muddy stream. Unlike Shiratama, Tobi did not shout his support for Baku. There was no need for that. Because Tobi was fighting as well. This was no figure of speech. Both Tobi and Baku were battling with their lives on the line. In the event that Baku was defeated, what would happen? Whether it was heart desolation or whatever, Tobi and Baku would perish right here.

Haizaki yelled.

“Aaah!”

Baku gripped the zingai’s head tightly with those eyeballed hands, not letting go. His right foot was on the zingai’s left shoulder, his left foot pressing against its chest. Right under that was the zingai’s mouth. The zingai’s abdominal mouth was snapping at Baku. Tear that zingai off Masamune before you get eaten. Just a bit. Just a tiny bit more. The zingai was considerably stretched. Thanks to that, it didn't look like a tarsier anymore. Its round eyes had become tall ovals. This was the limit. It couldn't stretch any more.

“URUuAAAAaAAAAAAaAAAaAAaAAAAAAAaaaa…!”

Baku raised a battle cry.

All at once, he tore it off.

After all that effort, tearing it off only took one moment.

The zingai had been reduced to a state resembling a lifeless, overstretched costume.

“Hahha! How’s that, Tobii…! Uhii—”

Holding the stretched zingai in his hands, Baku energetically dove into the Asakawa river. Was Masamune alright in the middle of the zingai? Something other than Baku and the zingai was flowing out. Was it a human? It was Masamune, wasn't it?

“We have to help him…!”

Trying to get to the river, Shiratama was stopped by Haizaki with a “Leave it to me!” Haizaki leapt into the air. With no run up; what incredible jump power. Was it because of that right foot? Haizaki reached Masamune’s side in a single jump and caught him in his arms.

Perhaps relieved, Shiratama let out a “Hya…”, and sank to the floor right there.

Holding the costume-like zingai, Baku splashed his way through the river.

“Wasn't that great, Tobi?!”

Tobi had Baku. Shiratama Ryuuko had Chinu. And Masaki Shuuji had that zingai.

“Yeah.”

As Tobi responded, Baku raised the costume-like zingai like he was going to throw it. His cylindrical head seemed to split open sideways; his mouth opened, wider and wider.

Baku did not eat the costume-like zingai whole, he chewed many times. But he almost ate it whole. Baku had eaten Masamune’s zingai.

Tobi saw it through, from start to finish. He didn't look away, or even blink. As Baku ate the zingai, Tobi felt his stomach swell as well. They’d eaten it. They’d gone and eaten it.

“Baku.”

When Tobi signaled with his left hand Baku went back to being a backpack. Tobi gripped the strap and hung it on his left shoulder, carrying Baku on his back.

Haizaki carried Masamune in his arms bridal style and climbed up from the river. Both his right leg and left leg were clad in work clothes. Twined around Haizaki’s neck was a weasel-like creature. Was that him? Haizaki’s zingai. It had probably been merged with Haizaki’s right foot until just now. Haizaki too, was the same as Tobi and Shiratama.

“Ryuuko.”

Tobi no longer felt any hesitation calling Shiratama like this.

Shiratama turned her face towards Tobi.

She looked like she was crying.

Or was it because of this unending rain?

“You’ll catch a cold.”

As Tobi said that, she nodded slightly. Then, her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and the sides of her lips pulled upwards somewhat.

“No, Tobi-kun… Tobi’s the one who will.”

—A long time ago he’d once asked his brother.

“Hey, Onii-chan. Why does the rain stop?”

Tobi clung to the window and looked out at the scenery outside. It had been raining since the morning, but the window was slightly open. His brother stood by the window, smoking.

“Because there’s nothing that never ends.”

That was how his brother responded.

“Will everything end?”

“Anything with a form will eventually perish. There’s nothing on this earth that doesn't have a form. Everything and anything will end someday.”

“Me, and Onii-chan too?”

His brother looked down and stroked his head.

Tobi remembered the scent of his brother’s cigarette smoke.

By the next morning, that rain which had come down so intensely had stopped completely. When he went to school carrying Baku as usual, Shiratama was waiting for him at the shoe box. Asamiya was in the classroom. He didn't seem to be feeling well, but when Tobi and Shiratama greeted him, he returned the greeting brusquely. According to the homeroom teacher Harimoto, Masamune, a.k.a. Masaki Shuuji, wasn't feeling well and would be absent for a while. He probably wouldn't be able to come to school for a while, would he? He might never be able to come again.

Takatomo Miyuki. Kon Chiami. Masaki Shuuji. Year 2 class 3 had gained three empty seats in a short period of time. Despite that, their classmates remained composed. The teachers, too, continued class like usual. In the middle of class, Baku hummed an off-key tune, and Shiratama looked down, her shoulders shaking. Tobi lightly pushed Baku, who was hanging on his desk.

During lunch break, he paid the janitor’s room a visit along with Ryuuko. Haizaki looked haggard; his work clothed appearance was somewhat disheveled.

“Hey, you two. I’m glad you look well. About Masaki-kun, you can just leave that to me, okay?”

“You sure don’t look okay, though.”

As Tobi spoke his thoughts straightforwardly, Haizaki let out a dry laugh and shook his head.

“For some reason or another, I ended up pulling an all-nighter, you see. Before I could stay up two, three days with no sleep, but the age gets to you, you know? Basically, I’m just sleep deprived, I’m really fine.”

“Sleep is important,” Shiratama said simply. Haizaki scrunched up his tired face exaggeratedly.

“Even though I’m the one who should be in the position to worry about you two. This is all the wrong way around.”

Then, Haizaki called, “Olver.”

From under the big work table, a small weasel-like animal emerged, climbing up his body swiftly.

“I don't think this is your first time seeing him, but this is my zingai, Olver.”

Olver stood on Haizaki’s left shoulder and twitched his nose. Baku stretched up from Tobi’s back and said, “Heehh….”, as if appraising him. Ryuuko bowed her head politely.

“Hello, Olver.”

Haizaki dipped his chin slightly, and Olver scampered under the work table once more.

“As for me—I’d like, as much as possible, for you to spend your school life not worrying about anything unnecessary. For the sake of that, I will do anything within my power. I won't ask you to trust me. But that’s what I intend to do. If you feel like it, please rely on me.”

After school, as he shouldered Baku and tried to leave the classroom, Ryuuko’s call stopped him.

“Shall we walk home together?”

It was a strange, creepy-crawly tickly feeling. He had no reason to refuse, so Tobi nodded.

The two of them walked down the bank of Asakawa river. As they approached the bridge that spanned Asakawa river, Tobi began to want to climb onto the railing.

“Aren't you climbing up?” Ryuuko said, touching the railing.

Tobi climbed up the railing lightly.

“Good grief, I say…” Baku grumbled.

Ryuuko laughed and brought Chinu out from the pochette, letting her ride on her right shoulder.

Further downstream, he could see the railroad bridge. For a moment, he thought back on what had happened yesterday.

They continued onward leisurely, Tobi on top of the railing, and Ryuuko on the footpath.

“Anything and everything—”

Why he said such a thing, Tobi himself didn't know.

“will end someday, huh?”

Ryuuko stopped and looked up at Tobi. Tobi stopped as well.

“I think about it too, from time to time.”

Ryuuko pressed her hands to the middle of her chest.

“For instance, about the moment this life ends. Somehow it becomes quite painful, and I can't stand it. If only it would never end, for ever and ever.”

Tobi turned his body to face the road and sat down on the railing. Ryuuko put both hands on the railing.

He’d thought about it suddenly before.

Hadn't his brother known? He’d foreseen his separation from Tobi. There was nothing without a form, and anything with a form perished. The brothers’ time living together would be lost as well. His brother had readied himself for that, hadn't he?

If he ever gained anything precious, it would disappear, just like his brother.

He only had Baku.

As long as Tobi didn't let go, he could be with Baku. That was how it should've been.

He’d been wrong.

Someday, Baku too, could get eaten. Like how Baku had eaten Kon and Masamune’s zingai, someone else’s zingai could eat Baku.

That was fine. Well, it wasn't really that fine. That time would come whenever it did. If Baku got eaten, Tobi wouldn't be unharmed anyway.

Something important must have broken inside Takatomo. She’d been driven to the edge and flung herself from that roof. And then, Takatomo’s parents would lose their daughter. He wished that wouldn't happen. Tobi could do nothing except pray that Takatomo would get better.

Kon Chiami and Masaki Shuuji both had their zingai eaten by Baku. It seemed like neither of them had been aware of their zingai. Even so, their zingai had always been nestled close to them. They had been an irreplaceable part of the two. A part of them had hurt and injured other people.

So it couldn't be helped.

He had no choice but to do what he’d done.

“Tobi.”

“Mm.”

“If Tobi…”

“If I?”

“If, just a little bit, you regret what you’ve done”

Regret.

Tobi repeated those words within his chest.

I regret.

I regret it.

“Please share that regret with me.”

Her eyes were fixed on someplace far off.

A strong wind blew.

Her black hair fluttered in the wind, exposing her bare face.

“If you get sad or lonely thinking about the end of things, I want you to tell me.”

“That kind of thing—”

Tobi hung his head.

“Tell you, and then what?”

“I don't know.”

She bit her lip tightly. Tobi stole a sideways look at that expression.

“I just want you to tell me.”

He didn't regret it at all.

That wasn't it. He felt just a little bit guilty about not regretting it.

He wasn't sad. He wasn't lonely either.

Just what was he supposed to talk to her about, he wondered.

Did he have something he wanted to talk about, or didn't he?

Right now, he didn't even know that yet.

“I've thought about it before but—”

Tobi looked up at the sky.

“Ryuuko, you’re a strange person, huh?”

“You’re saying that?” Baku sneered nastily. He heard the sound of her laugh. Tobi sighed at the pale-colored sky. Then, he laughed softly.

To be continued.

-----

prev: 3-4 // next: e-book bonus

misc: end of book one yayyyy (well actually there's a bonus but shhh) thank you for reading, it's been a fun ride. sorry i couldnt be arsed to translate the author's note, you can find it somewhere im sure

#inochi no tabekata #inochi no tabekata light novel

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