#tsurune: irodori no issha

[thefinalcinderella]

Tsurune: Irodori no Issha Episode 13 - Summer Memories

Yeah I totally planned to release this during the summer...all according to plan

Also I’m still trying to figure out how to upload the audio dramas...should I upload it to google drive or mega? In a zip file? Give me suggestions below

Nanao, Seiya, Ryouhei, Kaito: Let’s work hard together!

Kaito: There’s so few people!

Seiya: Well, it is a self-study day after all

Nanao: The girls are all taking the day off as well

Seiya: Takigawa-san isn’t here because of shrine duties. And Tommy-sensei will come in the afternoon.

Ryouhei: Oh...how’s Minato?

Seiya: His fever went down, but we can’t say that he’s back to normal

Nanao: Is today the third day? We’ve been working hard this whole summer.

Kaito: Isn’t he impatient to draw a bow soon?

Seiya: He tried to come, but we forcibly sent him back to his room. He said he’s going to properly sleep, but...

Kaito: Then, should we begin practicing?

Seiya: No, we have a big job to do today before Tommy-sensei can come.

Kaito: W-What kind of big job

Seiya: Cleaning the boys’ changing room!

Nanao, Ryouhei, Kaito: Geh!

Nanao: Wow~ we really made a big mess, haven’t we

Ryouhei: We had tournaments, joint practices, training camps, Nationals, so we couldn’t really clean~

Seiya: Everyone cleans the kyudojo together, but the boys and girls are in charge of their own changing rooms.

Seiya: This is a perfect opportunity, so let’s clean this place up and welcome the new semester with a good feeling

Ryouhei: Wow, look at this. It’s all worn out~

Seiya: That’s Minato’s rubber bow.

Kaito: He used it that much?

Nanao: He’s really tenacious

Minato: He even endured Takigawa-san’s high-handedness. I think he accomplished it really well

Kaito: Masa-san was no match for a “bow fanatic”

Seiya: Mmm? Some kind of note? Yugake, custom made, outer border, leather cord...

Ryouhei: Oh, that! That’s mine...

Nanao: Were you going to replace your yugake?

Kaito: Didn’t you just buy one? 

Ryouhei: No, I...I just wanted to get stronger quickly so I won’t slow everyone down. I thought I’d improve if I changed my yugake.

Seiya: But, you didn’t buy it?

Ryouhei: Yeah. I know the only thing I can do is to work hard

Nanao: There are no shortcuts in learning. And in the same way, there’s no kindou in kyudo~*

Seiya: Now I found a DVD behind the shelves. Whose is this?

Ryouhei: ?

Ryouhei: “Beginner’s Guide to Yoga”?

Kaito: Whose DVD is this? Who is the one who secretly doing yoga?

Nanao: Now that I think about it, I saw Kacchan secretly putting a DVD in his bag once

Kaito: Ugh...

Kaito: Well, you see... I was looking up things about dantian breathing and found out that it’s similar to how you breathe in yoga, so I thought I’d watch it for some reference. What’s wrong with that?

Ryouhei: That’s so cool!

Seiya: So, was it helpful?

Kaito: They say that natural and correct breathing can create a regular, balanced mental state. Masa-san said the same thing before

Seiya: So, is this shamen uchiokoshi book yours too?

Kaito: No, that’s not mine

Nanao: I guess it’s mine?

Ryouhei: No way, Nanao, you also became obsessed with shamen?

Nanao: No, rather than admiring it, it’s more that I want to deepen my knowledge of kyudo.

Nanao: I want to know why there are other schools. Once I knew that, I might know more about shoumen uchiokoshi than I do now

Kaito: Hmm

Seiya: Book learning and actual practice. Both are important

Nanao: Yeah. I didn’t plan on focusing so much on kyudo in my high school life, though

Ryouhei: It kinda feels like all of us

Kaito: Are total “bow maniacs.”

Nanao: Yep

Minato: Sorry, I’m late...

Everyone: Minato!

Minato: I’m fine now. My fever dropped a while ago. So I’m okay!

Seiya: Kaito, Ryouhei. Hold Minato down

Kaito and Ryouhei: Got it

Minato: Fweh!?

Nanao: Okay, Minato. Turn right around and go back to your bed

Seiya: I'll lock the door and go, so you guys go ahead

Nanao: Roger that, president!

Minato: But I just came here!?

Kaito: You’re recovering! Don’t push yourself

Nanao: No one’s a bigger “bow maniac” than Minato

Minato: I haven’t drawn a bow for three days...

Ryouhei: You’re gonna be fine. The target won’t run away

Seiya: You can come right away after your fever is down

Kaito: You’re so obsessive...

[ya-jirushi]

Tsurune Audio Drama: A Shot of Color 10 A Waste of Effort

Senman are so cute I love them very much, they're so funny with Ryohei too so this whole thing was a treat tbh, no notes just vibes!

Senichi: Hey, Manji. Manji: What is it, Sen-nii? Senichi: Let me have a go on those new arrows you got today sometime. Manji: Huuuh? You have your own, don’t you? Senichi: Yeah, but mine are a little worn already. I wanna try out some new ones too. Manji: But when you got a new bow, you didn’t let me use it? Senichi: That’s not true, I let you borrow it after. Manji: Yeah. Way after, that is. Senichi: Really? Manji: Yes! So I don’t mind you using my arrows, later. Senichi: Tch… Manji: Don’t click your tongue at me– …Huh? Senichi: Hm? Isn’t that… Manji: Kazemai’s… Senichi: Yamanouchi Ryohei! Ryohei: “Thanks for the food.”...there. Senichi: Oi! Manji: Stop right there! Ryohei: Who– what? Ah! Senichi: You’re not gonna say you forgot about us, are you? Ryohei: Nah, ‘course I remember. I was just surprised. Manji: Haven’t heard from you since the takopa. Ryohei: Right, yeah. How’ve you guys been? Senichi: What’s with the relaxed pleasantry? Ryohei: Oh, sorry, let me try that again— “You guys good?!” Manji: You missed the point… Ryohei: Eh… What, what is it? Manji: Never mind it. Senichi: Ryohei, what’re you doing out here? Manji: Yeah, this isn’t in Kazemai’s area. Ryohei: Oh, I was headed back from Shuu-kun’s place. Senichi & Manji: Hah?! Ryohei: ‘Cuz his little sister Sae-chan– Senichi & Manji: What?! Ryohei: …had a violin recital, Senichi & Manji: Wha–?! Ryohei: …and she told me to come watch. Then I went by their place after… Senichi & Manji: Ngghhh~~~! Ryohei: …What’s wrong? Senichi: We told you to invite us the next time you go to Shuu’s house during the takopa, didn’t we?? Manji: And you even told us you would! Ryohei: Ohh… Sorry, I forgot. Senichi & Manji: You’re the worst! Manji: When we haven’t gone to Shuu’s house even once! Ryohei: Eh, really? Senichi: Are you flexing or what? Manji: I’m sooo mad! Ryohei: Then let’s all go together next time! Senichi & Manji: Eh? Ryohei: I think both Shuu-kun and Sae-chan would be happy about it! Oh, there’s the reply. Ryohei: I sent him a text a bit ago to say thank you for the cake I had at their house. Senichi: Reply… (gasp) Wait! Manji: Ryohei…you’re able to talk to him? Directly?? Ryohei: Uh, yeah? Like anybody would. Senichi & Manji: Ngghhh~~~! Senichi: Not even we know how to do that!! Manji: He’s talking with Shuu! Ryohei: …Huh, you guys don’t? Manji: He’s flexing again! Ryohei: Do you guys have accounts? Manji: Of course we do! Ryohei: Then, how about I make us a group chat? Senichi & Manji: Huh? Ryohei: Ah, but I should probably add you guys first. Tell me your IDs? Senichi & Manji: ...... Ryohei: Let me ask if he’s fine with the GC first. Senichi: S-sure… Manji: Is that Shuu? What’d he say? Ryohei: He said he was fine with it! Senichi: (gasp) Shuu’s using stickers! Manji: Seriously?! (gasp) He is! But what’s with these lame stickers…! Ryohei: Ahaha, they suit him, don’t they? Senichi & Manji: Eh… Ryohei: I’ll send out the invites~ Manji: Shuu’s profile picture… Is still the default gray icon… Ryohei: Hm… What should we call it? Senichi: Let’s ask Shuu what he thinks. Since it’s his GC and all. Ryohei: Alrighty~ Senichi: Something like ‘Fujiwara Group’ or something. Manji: Maybe ‘Hawkeye’ or ‘Archer’s Salon’ or something. Ryohei: He answered! Senichi & Manji: Here it is!! Senichi: What is it? Manji: I wonder what he said? Ryohei: “Takoyaki Club” he says. Senichi & Manji: That’s so lame!

[thefinalcinderella]

Tsurune: Irodori no Issha Episode 12 - Takigawa Masaki’s Way of Life

Ren: Oh--.The lights are still on in the shrine office. Are things that busy at the shrine?

Ren: I’m back--

Masaki: Uwa!? You surprised me. Where did you come in from? Come in through the front door

Ren: I thought my adorable little brother was working hard and I couldn’t stay still, so I ended up taking the shortest distance before I knew it

Masaki: “Before I knew it?” Yeah right

Ren: What are you doing?

Masaki: I’m putting charms and amulets into bags to give to people when they come here to offer prayers

Ren: Oh? You do that too?

Masaki: We’re a small shrine, after all

Ren: Want me to lend you a hand?

Masaki: It’s fine. You’ll definitely mess something up

Ren: Wow, you have such a low opinion of your big brother

Masaki: I’m surprised you think it’s high

Ren: What a wonderful little brother I have. You’re so cold--

Masaki: What do you want from me this time?

Ren: It’s not that I need something from you, I just wanted to see my little brother’s face

Masaki: Yeah yeah. You can use the back room

Ren: You sound like you’re driving me away

Ren: I can stay here and watch you, can’t I

Masaki: I don’t think it’d be very interesting, though

Ren: No, no, it’s pretty fun

Masaki: Oh, okay

Ren: Is that an owl?

Masaki: That’s Fuu’s call

Ren: Oh, that’s the owl whose injury you fixed up, right?

Masaki: Yeah. Apparently, Yata Forest is its territory

Ren: Hmm...

Masaki: What?

Ren: Masaki, all you do is take care of other living things

Masaki: Huh?

Ren: Owls, high schoolers, and the work of a chief priest--you're always taking care of other people

Masaki: Is that criticism? I can’t hear any sarcasm or snideness

Ren: No, I just have a question

Masaki: A question?

Ren: You were originally aiming for Nationals and the dan promotion exams, right? And you just threw them all away

Masaki: I’m not aware that I threw them all away

Ren: What are you going to do from now on

Masaki: Mmm...

Ren: You’re only 24. Isn’t it too early for you to live like an elderly person?

Masaki: Me, elderly? I’m much more busy than I was during university

Ren: Is that true?

Masaki: It’s true

Masaki: There’s a lot of sundry tasks to do in a shrine, but on the other hand, you need control on a spiritual aspect for prayers. It’s divine work, but it’s also service work.

Masaki: And you have to give it your all when you’re coaching a kyudo club.

Masaki: I want to help them grow properly

Ren: Is that how it is?

Ren: You never wanted to grow too?

Masaki: By helping them grow, I’m also growing

Ren: Oh?

Masaki: Those guys are helping me grow. That’s what I think

Ren: Hmm

Ren: If that’s what you say, Masaki, then I guess it’s fine

Masaki: What, you sound unsatisfied

Ren: No, no, I’m not. Maybe it’s because of my tendency to worry or because I’m impatient, but I think about how you can go even higher, it makes me frustrated watching you

Masaki: I have no intention of stagnating or going back. I feel like if Grandpa was here, he’d say, All right.

Ren: That strict guy?

Masaki: Yeah. Now I understand the things he said to me, and now I’m telling Minato and the others those things

Ren: Is that so... If you like what you’re doing, then that’s fine

Masaki: What about you?

Ren: What?

Masaki: Are you doing what you like?

Ren: Well, I guess so. Because I can do anything. This is also a difficult aspect. 

Masaki: You keep saying that. I shouldn’t have asked

[thefinalcinderella]

Tsurune: Irodori no Issha Episode 11 - Noririn’s Silver Screen Debut

Sase: O-----n!!!

Motomura: Pardon me, Daigo. Could you not suddenly yell “O--n”? This is the Kirisaki High School student dorms, and I’m sharing the same room as you

Sase: You wouldn’t understand, Hiroki. Wanting to stan someone but having a hard time with it, those are my insane feelings for Noririn

Motomura: Oh? Are you finally retiring from being a Schwartz?

Sase: It’s Chevalier. From today, I will be a Chevalier of Darkness

Motomura: Mmm... Have you considered temporarily giving up Noririn until the mock exams are done?

Sase: Since the big announcement, I can’t even bring myself to care about the mock exams anymore

Motomura: Really? Well, you can’t do anything if it’s already been announced. Let us return to studying like proper exam takers.

Sase: O---------n!!!

Motomura: I understand. I shall listen to what you have to say. 

Motomura: What exactly was announced?

Sase: Noririn is going to be in a movie. And, it’s her first leading role.

Motomura: Haa.

Motomura: Isn’t that news that should make Chevaliers happy?

Sase: About that...

Sase: Haa~

Motomura: Eh?

Motomura: ...

Motomura: “Noririn movie” search.

Motomura: ...T-This is...

Sase: See? Now you understand my cries of pain.

Motomura: It’s unmistakably an idol horror movie

Sase: Yeah...hey, Hiroki, you’re pretty knowledgeable about horror movies...

Motomura: No, no, I just collect packages in alphabetical order for each director I like

Sase: That’s what people call “knowledgeable”

Motomura: Eh?

Motomura: Also, please hold on for a minute.

Motomura: Ah, wow. This...ufufufu

Sase: Huh, why are you chuckling all of a sudden?

Sase: You’re acting like me when I see Noririn.

Motomura: Daigo, isn’t it great?

Motomura: Director Akaishi, famous for the Shivering Village Girl series and a maestro of the idol horror genre, seems to be taking up the megaphone for the first time in five years!

Sase: You say that with a smile, but I have no idea what you’re talking about...

Motomura: You don’t like horror movies?

Sase: That’s not it.

Sase: I shouldn’t say this in front of you, since you love horror movies, but aren’t these kinds of movies made on a small budget and aimed at people who are into weird stuff?

Motomura: You’re absolutely mistaken!

Motomura: It’s the best form of entertainment where directors make the most out of limited resources and narrowing down the target!

Sase: You sure have a way with words...

Motomura: Look, the synopsis for the movie is out too.

Motomura: An abandoned village where idols visited as a location of an urban legend. A fierce battle unfolds with a group of zombies. 

Sase: As if I can let that happen!

Motomura: The green girl is in it too

Sase: Her name’s “Maeshon”!

Motomura: Here, take a look. Noririn’s comment is out. It says, “The cast and crew worked together and gave it their all.”

Sase: I already read it. Many, many times...

Motomura: Well, of course they have to give it their all. They have to fight against zombies after all. 

Sase: Mmm... In my opinion, there are debut works that are a better fit for Noririn out there. 

Motomura: Huh...for example?

Sase: I can think of one. 

Sase: Something I’ve always been dreaming about is a work where young girls chase their dreams while nurturing their friendship and growing up, a work where you can’t help but be in tears by the time the credits roll. 

Sase: That kind of youth movie.

Motomura: Huh

Sase: You aren’t even a little bit interested, are you

Motomura: An idol horror film where young girls are being chased by zombies while falling into despair in the midst of terror and screams, a film where you will no doubt feel a sense of accomplishment by the time the credits roll is much more fitting, in my opinion

Sase: It’s no good. I can’t get through to you no matter what I say.

Sase: Until now, I’ve been on the proselytizing side, but now I know how the ones being preached to feel...

Motomura: Okay, so the release date is...next week, after the mock exams are done

Motomura: Okay.

Motomura: Let’s go to the movie theater on opening day!

Sase: What about studying for exams!

Motomura: Breaks are also necessary

Sase: Wait, wait, Hiroki. I do plan on watching it sooner or later, but going to the theater on opening day is too high of a hurdle. I need to prepare my heart...

Motomura: I bought the advance tickets online just now

Sase: You’re the embodiment of taking initiative!

Motomura: Now that we have a goal, we can throw ourselves into studying even more! Now, let’s work hard!

Sase: Hiroki’s never cared about Princess Cheer, but now he’s more interested in them than ever before.

Sase: ...But, I don’t feel happy about that for some reason!

[thefinalcinderella]

Tsurune: Irodori no Issha Episode 10 - Not Worth the Effort

Senichi: Hey, Manji

Manji: What is it, Sen-nii

Senichi: Let me use the new arrows you bought today too

Manji: Huh~? Don’t you have your own?

Senichi: Mine got a bit old. I wanna try out new ones

Manji: Sen-nii, when you bought a new bow, you didn’t let me borrow it

Senichi: That’s not true. I told you I’ll let you borrow it later

Manji: It was a lot later

Senichi: Really?

Manji: Yeah. So you can use my arrows, but later.

Senichi: Tch~

Manji: Don’t “tch” me...Huh?

Senichi: Mmm...hey! 

Manji: That’s Kazemai’s 

Senichi: Yamanouchi Ryouhei!

Ryouhei: "It was delicious” ...There

Senichi: Oi!

Manji: Stop right there!

Ryouhei: Who is it? Huh? Oh!

Senichi: We’re not gonna let you say you forgot who we are

Ryouhei: I remember you two. I was just surprised

Manji: We haven’t seen each other since the takoyaki party

Ryouhei: Oh, right. How are you guys?

Senichi: What’s with this lack of enthusiasm? What do you mean “How are you guys?”

Ryouhei: Ah, sorry, I’ll say it differently. “How are you guys!?”

Manji: Does not compute

Ryouhei: Huh? Why, why? 

Manji: That’s enough

Senichi: Ryouhei, what are you doing here? 

Manji: This isn’t Kazemai’s territory

Ryouhei: Oh, I was just coming back from Shuu-kun’s house

Senichi and Manji: Huh!?

Ryouhei: Shuu’s little sister, Sae-chan...

Senichi and Manji: What?

Ryouhei: Had a violin recital

Senichi and Manji: Wha!

Ryouhei: She told me to come and watch her, so I stopped by on my way home

Senichi and Manji: Nnnngh~~~!

Ryouhei: What’s wrong?

Senichi: At the takoyaki party, you said you’ll invite us the next time you go to Shuu’s house!

Manji: You said you would!

Ryouhei: Um...sorry. I forgot

Senichi and Manji: You’re terrible!

Manji: We never went to Shuu’s house even once!

Ryouhei: Oh, really?

Senichi: Are you asserting your dominance or something?

Manji: I’m so pissed off right now!

Ryouhei: Then, let’s go together next time

Senichi and Manji: Eh

Ryouhei: I think Shuu-kun and Sae-chan would be happy too

Ryouhei: Oh, I got a reply.

Ryouhei: I texted Shuu-kun about the cake being delicious earlier

Senichi: Reply...!

Senichi: Wait! 

Manji: Ryouhei, you’re communicating with him directly? With Shuu!

Ryouhei: Huh? Yeah, I do, just fine

Senichi and Manji: Nnngh~~~!

Senichi: Even we don’t know his number!

Manji: Ryouhei’s talking with Shuu!

Ryouhei: Huh, you didn’t know?

Manji: Asserting your dominance again!

Ryouhei: Don’t you have an account?

Manji: We do!

Ryouhei: Then why don’t we make a group chat?

Senichi and Manji: Eh

Ryouhei: Ah, but before that, let’s add each other first. Tell me your IDs

Senichi and Manji: ...

Ryouhei: I’ll try asking Shuu-kun if we can make a group chat

Senichi: Oh...

Manji: That’s from Shuu? What did he say?

Ryouhei: He says he’s fine with it

Senichi: Shuu’s using stamps!

Manji: Seriously?

Manji: Seriously! And what’s with this lame stamp!

Ryouhei: Ahaha, that’s just like Shuu-kun

Senichi and Manji: Eh...

Ryouhei: I’m going to invite you guys now

Manji: Shuu’s profile pic is still the gray silhouette...

Ryouhei: Mmm, what should I make the group name?

Senichi: Let’s ask Shuu. It’s his group after all

Ryouhei: Okay

Senichi: I wonder if it’ll be something like the Fujiwara Association

Manji: Or Hawkeye or Archers’ Salon

Ryouhei: Oh, he responded!

Senichi and Manji: It’s here it’s here!

Senichi and Manji: What did he say

Ryouhei: He said, “Takoyaki Club”

Senichi and Manji: So lame!!

[thefinalcinderella]

Tsurune: Irodori no Issha Episode 8: Mutou-sensei's Pestering

Featuring the sensei’s this time

Tsurune translation masterpost here

Tomi-sensei: Now then--cheers!

Mutou & Masaki: Cheers!

Mutou: You two accepted my invitation today, Morioka-sensei, Takigawa-sensei, thank you very much.

Tomi-sensei: Hohoho. There’s no need to be so formal. Mutou-sensei, this is a casual and friendly gathering.

Mutou: Yes! Thank you very much!

Masaki: Well, here you go

Mutou: Oh, Takigawa-sensei, I shall gratefully accept this!

Masaki: You don’t need to keep calling me “sensei”

Mutou: Ah, I can’t...

Tomi-sensei: Please, call me Tomi.

Mutou: T-Tomi?

Tomi-sensei: Morioka Tomio. Consequently, Tomi.

Mutou: I, I see...

Masaki: Is Kirisaki taking a break from practice today?

Mutou: Yes. Aimlessly practicing every day will not have any results.

Masaki: I guess it’d be rude if I say that’s surprising. Sorry about that. I assumed that you were the type to be obsessed with kyudo as a competitive sport.

Tomi-sensei: It’s Mutou-sensei who made the ever-victorious Kirisaki into what they are today

Mutou: P-Preposterous! Having something like that be said by you, Morioka-sensei...

Tomi-sensei: It’s Tomi.

Mutou: If you say that, T-Tomi-sensei, I don’t know if it’s discourteous or something else, but I am incredibly ashamed

Tomi-sensei: Hohoho. Here, another round

Mutou: Yes!

Mutou: Haa~...

Mutou: No, what pushed me to start doing kyudo was Yasaka Akihiro eight-dan

Masaki: Grandpa?

Mutou: Yes! To be more precise, I, who was aimlessly continuing to do kyudo until that point, saw Yasaka eight-dan’s kyudo and thought, this is the work of a man’s lifetime

Masaki: It was that impressive?

Mutou: Yasaka-sensei’s shooting was that overwhelmingly impressive

Mutou: Sensei's shots were never filled with a vigor like he wanted to exorcise his surroundings. 

Mutou: Rather, he feebly stood up and shot lightly. And he hit the center of the target. 

Mutou: Hah! Even in the eyes of a novice like me, he was a master. No, I was able to peer into the realm of masters.

Tomi-sensei: Oh, Mutou-sensei, is the subject you’re in charge of teaching Classical Japanese or Classical Chinese? 

Mutou: Eh? Oh, no, it’s Math.

Tomi-sensei: Ah...I see... no, no, please ignore me and continue.

Mutou: ...And so, I wanted to talk with Takigawa-sensei, Yasaka-sensei’s grandson, about Yasaka-sensei 

Masaki: ...What!!?

Mutou: What kind of training did Sensei usually do? Is there any special practice method, no...if I could just learn how he lived his daily life...!

Masaki: No...even if you ask about his daily life... Sorry, Mutou-sensei, I didn’t speak to my grandpa much since around the time I went to university

Mutou: Why?

Masaki: Whoa there...

Masaki: Um, if I have to put it in a few words...um...it’s something like...a falling out. It’s common. Our ways of thinking were different, so...

Mutou: What are you saying, Takigawa-sensei!

Masaki: !?

Mutou: Takigawa-sensei, your shooting is clear and beautiful, like it’s effortless. I can see that it’s something directly transmitted from Yasaka-sensei

Tomi-sensei: You admire him very much, I see

Masaki: No, Grandpa’s shooting was beautiful...

Mutou: It seems that the person himself cannot see it.

Mutou: No, perhaps you’re being modest? That’s what it is, isn’t it?

Masaki: Mutou-sensei, personal space, please. Your face is too close

Mutou: I am jealous of you, Takigawa-sensei. You were able to live with Yasaka-sensei and obtain his innermost secrets while living with him.

Mutou: An inept outsider like me can only improve by shooting countless numbers of arrows intently and take a good look at myself.

Masaki: But, isn’t that the most respectable way to improve?

Mutou: Takigawa-sensei! You haven’t noticed that you’re blessed

Masaki: I don’t know about that...

Mutou: Aah!

Mutou: If I could, I would become Yasaka-sensei’s disciple. I wanted to be his number one disciple!

Mutou: No! 

Mutou: I would even be his grandson!

Mutou: I wanted to try calling him “Grandfather”!

Masaki: Mutou-sensei, there are other customers here as well

Masaki: Could it be that you’re drunk?

Mutou: I’m not drunk! I’m miserable!

Masaki: Tomi-sensei...

Tomi-sensei: Ho ho. This conversation has become quite passionate. Mm! How wonderful!

Masaki: How?

[thefinalcinderella]

Tsurune: Irodori no Issha Episode 9 - Probing and Being Probed

Nikaidou: I’m finished for the day

Nikaidou: I’ll be taking my leave now.

Nikaidou: --Aah

Fuwa: You’re here

Nikaidou: Are you a stalker

Nikaidou: How do you even know when I get off from my job

Fuwa: I asked 

Nikaidou: Hah?

Fuwa: See, I’m pretty sociable, aren’t I? Unlike you

Nikaidou: You’re saying that yourself?

Fuwa: My evaluation of myself is calm and precise. Unlike you

Nikaidou: Don’t talk like my evaluation of myself is wrong

Fuwa: Huh? But it is wrong

Nikaidou: Where?

Fuwa: You wanna know?

Nikaidou: ...Forget it

Fuwa: Hey

Nikaidou: What

Fuwa: Why did you invite me?

Nikaidou: Hah?

Fuwa: To the kyudo club

Nikaidou: No reason.

Fuwa: No reason. I don’t think that’s true. You just suddenly came to my desk and said, “Join the kyudo club”

Nikaidou: I didn’t say join. I said, “You should join”

Fuwa: You remembered, huh. So it wasn’t for no reason, right?

Nikaidou: You’re annoying

Fuwa: You should be more grateful to me, since I listened to your request.

Nikaidou: It’s not like I forced you. Didn’t you immediately join the club too?

Fuwa: But it was true that I was hesitating over whether or not I wanted to continue doing kyudo in high school

Nikaidou: Ah?

Fuwa: It’s true, it’s true

Nikaidou: So why did you join the club?

Fuwa: Hmm. Well, I’m fine with being in another club as well, but the person named Nikaidou Eisuke seemed interesting, so that’s why.

Nikaidou: Hah?

Nikaidou: Where do you get off calling people interesting and stuff like that

Fuwa: Because, your middle school was that Kirisaki, you know? You were even a regular.  

Fuwa: And yet, you came to Tsujimine, where the kyudo club isn’t even weak, it’s practically non-existent

Nikaidou: What, did you look me up?

Fuwa: Of course!

Nikaidou: ...

Fuwa: I can even tell you your results in middle school, if you like? At your final tournament--

Nikaidou: That’s enough! You’re not only annoying, but also creepy

Fuwa: I’m the kind of guy who never slacks off on research and analysis. Well, I did find the reason why you invited me

Nikaidou: Hah?

Fuwa: You need at minimum five people to participate in tournaments. But Tsujimine only had three members. You absolutely needed two more people. So, you set your eyes on me, who had kyudo experience

Nikaidou: ...

Fuwa: Eh? Wait a minute? 

Fuwa: I realized it just now, but how did you know I have experience? Did you look me up?

Nikaidou: Of course not

Fuwa: So, how? How did you know?

Nikaidou: ...Because you knew what a shajo was

Fuwa: When did that come up?

Nikaidou: The beginning of spring.

Nikaidou: You were talking about, “What’s with those standing tatami mats at the end of the schoolyard?” with those guys in class

Fuwa: That happened? Because of that?

Nikaidou: The other guys didn’t know what they were, but only you said, “It’s a shajo”

Fuwa: Oh...I see....

Fuwa: Well, for you, I guess anyone would have done. Having kyudo experience was just a plus

Nikaidou: ...

Fuwa: And, the shamen uchiokoshi? Well, as long as those conditions were met, anyone would have been fine, I guess

Nikaidou: ...Not really...

Fuwa: ?

Nikaidou: (small voice) ...It’s not just those things

Fuwa: Huh?

Nikaidou: ...When I went to talk to you, you immediately said you’d do it

Fuwa: ...Hmm? Did I?

Nikaidou: If you had told me that you’d think about it, I wouldn’t have minded

Fuwa: Ho, really?

Nikaidou: Even if you were just buying time, it would have only been annoying

Fuwa: I see. I’m glad I answered immediately, then. So, that’s all?

Nikaidou: What do you mean, “that’s all’?

Fuwa: Any other reason. That you called out to me

Nikaidou: Not really...

Fuwa: Didn’t you say “it’s not just those things” earlier!

Nikaidou: You heard that?

Fuwa: Oops, that slipped out.

Nikaidou: Yeah right

Fuwa: You were scared when you saw me for the first time, weren’t you?

Nikaidou: What are you talking about

Fuwa: You thought you could use me, right?

Nikaidou: You’re annoying

Fuwa: And,

Fuwa: Your dream was “Tsujimine victory!” from defeating Kirisaki, right?

Nikaidou: Well...you’re not wrong about that

Fuwa: Leave it to me!

Nikaidou: Leave what to you? Fuwa, your zanshin has been sloppy lately. Your concentration is all over the place, and you’re just going through the motions

Fuwa: Seriously? That’s bad

Nikaidou: I’ll check you at school tomorrow

Fuwa: Yes sir!

[thefinalcinderella]

Tsurune: Irodori no Issha Episode 7: The Bow Friends of Bygone Days

Tsurune translation masterpost here

Seiya: This happened back in middle school, when we were celebrating me becoming a part of the regular lineup at Minato’s house.

Everyone: Cheers!

Minato: Seiya, congrats on becoming a regular!

Shuu: Congratulations, Takehaya-kun.

Seiya: ...Thank you, Minato, Shuu-kun

Minato: You worked really hard, Seiya

Seiya: I wanted to be a regular in my final middle school tournament

Minato: Now, we can all be in official competitions together. Since the civic tournament.

Minato: It felt really good shooting with you guys back then...

Minato: Ugh...aah...

Minato: ...Let’s dig in now

Seiya: ...Yeah

Minato: How is it?

Seiya: Hmm? It’s really good

Minato: Of course it is. Shuu?

Shuu: I’m glad...

Minato: Shuu made this takoyaki. I taught him how. 

Shuu: I’m not as good as Minato, though

Seiya: ...I see...

Seiya: Thank you. But I can’t find any connection between Fujiwara-kun and takoyaki

Shuu: When we were learning kyudo from Saionji-sensei, Minato made takoyaki and brought it to the lesson. That was the first time I ate one.

Minato: I remember him looking at them so strangely

Shuu: I learned of the existence of takoyaki grills for home when I went to Minato’s house earlier

Seiya: Hey, Minato. These takoyaki are made by Fujiwara-kun, who only saw a takoyaki grill for the first time today?

Minato: Shuu said he wants to try making them.

Minato: By the way, his first batch was a total failure.

Shuu: I wanted to make them myself. It looked easy, but it’s hard when you’re actually making them.

Minato: You’re exaggerating, I’m just used to making them.

Seiya: But I feel like I understand how Fujiwara-kun feels.

Seiya: When I watch kyudo and when I try it for myself, they’re two completely different experiences.

Seiya: As I became better at it, I started to be able to see what I couldn’t do, which I hadn’t noticed before

Shuu: For kyudo, that might always be the case even in the future as well

Minato: Always...?

Minato: At the civic tournament, there were lots of archers who were in their eighties. Did those people keep doing kyudo for such a long time?

Shuu: Kyudo is something you improve at all your life, so just as their years of competition experience were long, there were also periods of gaps where they aren’t doing kyudo

Seiya: Apparently there were also people who got together with the friends they did kyudo with in school and started drawing a bow again

Minato: I’m sure that they wanted to shoot together again

Shuu: It’s strange

Minato: I guess that’s the power of bow friends

Seiya and Shuu: Bow friends?

Minato: Friends who are connected to each other through the bow are bow friends.

Minato: I feel like people who are connected through the bow once will be connected through the bow again, even if they separate

Shuu: Indeed. Because we’re bow friends, I met Minato again. And I met Takehaya-kun too. And now we’re takoyaki together like this. Is it like that?

Minato: The three of us are bow friends

Seiya: So, since we’re bow friends, can I also call Fujiwara-kun “Shuu”?

Shuu: Yeah. Then, will you let me call you “Seiya” too?

Seiya: Sure.

Minato: Heh heh...

Seiya: ...What?

Minato: I’m just happy that you two are getting friendlier with each other

Shuu: It’s not like we didn’t get along

Seiya: Yeah

Minato: I know. But I’m happy

Minato: Then, once again, let’s give a toast for being bow friends

Seiya and Shuu: Cheers

[ya-jirushi]

Tsurune Audio Drama: A Shot of Color 8 Being Pestered by Mutou-sensei

Unstoppable force (me wanting to post stuff in order to be organised) vs immovable object (me procrastinating + my schoolwork) /hj well at least the audio dramas for these last until april 19 lol No special notes here just enjoy Mutou-sensei being uh, intense, to say the least. Hang in there, Masa-san. It's nice to see him act like a young adult sometimes though lmao

Tommy-sensei: Then… Cheers! Mutou-sensei & Masaki: Cheers! Mutou-sensei: I’d like to sincerely thank the both of you for accepting my invitation today. Tommy-sensei: Now, now, there’s no need to be so tense. We’re having a relaxed gathering today, Mutou-sensei. Mutou-sensei: Yes! Thank you very much! Masaki: Here, have a glass. Mutou-sensei: Much obliged, Takigawa-sensei, I’ll be sure to savor it. Masaki: I don’t mind being referred to casually. Mutou-sensei: Ah, but that’s rather… Tommy-sensei: I’d much prefer if you called me Tommy. Mutou-sensei: To-Tommy…? Tommy-sensei: My full name is Morioka Tomio, so you get “Tommy”. Mutou-sensei: I, I understand… Masaki: Is Kirisaki off from club today? Mutou-sensei: Yes, there’s no use to having daily practice when there’s nothing to work towards. Masaki: This might seem rude for me to say all of a sudden, so I apologize, but you always striked me as the type to approach kyudo competitively. Tommy-sensei: He was the one that trained Kirisaki to be such a powerhouse after all. Mutou-sensei: N-Not at all! For you to speak of me in such a way, Morioka-sensei– Tommy-sensei: It’s Tommy. Mutou-sensei: …It’s gracious of you to say that about me, Tommy-sensei, I can only humble myself. Tommy-sensei: Oh, none of that now. Here, have another drink. Mutou-sensei: Thank you! Mutou-sensei: Although the reason I started kyudo in the first place was because of Yasaka Akihiro 8-dan. Masaki: Grandpa? Mutou-sensei: To be more accurate, for someone like me who just did the sport but had no direction at the time, seeing Yasaka 8-dan’s shots made me realize that this was something you worked on throughout your whole life. Masaki: It affected you that much? Mutou-sensei: It did! His shots were that impressive. Rather than being full of spirit with the intent to purify whatever they were aimed at, it was more so you wouldn’t expect when it was shot and it would reach the target just as swiftly. And then, it would hit. Mutou-sensei: Even to untrained eyes like mine, I could tell that I was in the presence of an expert–no, a master of his craft. Tommy-sensei: Ah, Mutou-sensei what subject do you teach? Was it classical or chinese literature? Mutou-sensei: Huh? Oh, no, I teach math. Tommy-sensei: I-I see... Ah, well, don’t mind me, go ahead. Mutou-sensei: ...With all that being said, I wanted to ask you for stories of your grandfather, Takigawa-sensei. Masaki: Eh? Mutou-sensei: Like what kind of training did he do usually? Did he have any special practice routines or… Actually, even just stories from his day to day life would be much appreciated…! Masaki: Well… Even if you ask me those things… I’m sorry, Mutou-sensei, but I didn’t really talk with him much since starting university. Mutou-sensei: But why?! Masaki: Woah there… To put it simply, um… It’s a usual case of drifting apart, or something like that. The both of us didn’t really see eye to eye on most things so— Mutou-sensei: Just what are you saying, Takigawa-sensei?! Masaki: Woah! Mutou-sensei: I’ve seen the way you shoot, it’s precise, beautiful, and looks as if it’s effortless. I’d dare say it was a direct display of Yasaka-sensei’s skills..! Tommy-sensei: You really do admire him, don’t you? Masaki: Hearing someone call grandpa’s shots ‘beautiful’ is kind of– Mutou-sensei: It seems you can’t see it for yourself! Or are you being humble? You are, aren’t you? Masaki: Mutou-sensei, you’re getting a bit too close– your face, it’s too close. Mutou-sensei: I’m envious of you, being able to live with Yasaka-sensei and learn his secrets… While an inept outsider like myself could only improve by earnestly taking countless shots and re-examining myself. Masaki: But isn’t that the best way to improve? Mutou-sensei: Takigawa-sensei! You simply do not realize how blessed you are! Masaki: Even if you tell me that I– Mutou-sensei: Ah… If only I were able to, I would've wanted to become one of Yasaka-sensei’s students, I would’ve wanted to be the best one! No! I’d even become his grandson! I would’ve liked to call him, “Grandfather!”... Masaki: …Mutou-sensei, there are other diners here, so if you could keep it down please… Are you drunk, maybe? Mutou-sensei: I am not! I feel miserable!! Masaki: Tommy-sensei… Tommy-sensei: Fufu, what a passionate conversation this turned out to be. How nice! Masaki: What part of it is ‘nice’ exactly…!

[ya-jirushi]

Tsurune Audio Drama: A Shot of Color 9 Poking and Prodding

No what was that other thing Nikaido, share it with the class! Have these two bantering while Nikaido walks home. Notes: - 春先 (harusaki) means 'start of spring' but that's also when most school years start in Japan so it made more sense to use that term instead - the 'tingles' is that feeling you get of knowing someone is right for something

Nikaido: Great work today! Please excuse me for leaving first. …Ah. Fuwa: Here you are. Nikaidou: You stalking me or something? How do you know when I get off work? Fuwa: I asked and someone told me. Nikaido: Hah? Fuwa: See how good I am with people? Unlike you. Nikaido: And you’re saying it about yourself? Fuwa: I like to think it’s a perfectly fine assessment, unlike you. Nikaido: Can you not make that sound like the way I see myself is wrong? Fuwa: Eh, but it is though. Nikaido: What part exactly? Fuwa: You wanna know? Nikaido: ...I’m good, thanks. Fuwa: Hey– Nikaido: What? Fuwa: Why’d you invite me? Nikaido: What?? Fuwa: To the kyudo club. Nikaido: No reason. Fuwa: No way there isn’t. Not with you suddenly showing up to my desk and asking me to join the club like you did. Nikaido: I did not tell you to join. I just said you could. Fuwa: So you do remember. Then it isn’t nothing after all. Nikaido: You’re annoying. Fuwa: You could be more grateful, y’know. Since I heard you out and everything. Nikaido: It’s not like I forced you to, didn’t you join right away anyway? Fuwa: I did, but the truth is that I was at a loss about whether I’d keep up with kyudo in high school. Nikaido: Huh? Fuwa: I was! Nikaido: Then why did you join? Fuwa: Hmm… Well, I would’ve been fine doing some other club, but a certain someone called “Nikaido Eisuke” seemed too interesting to pass on. Nikaido: Huh? What’re you on about talking about people like that? Fuwa: I mean, you went to the Kirisaki for middle school, didn’t you? A regular in the line up, even. Who wouldn’t wanna know why someone like that went to a weak as a flea school like Tsujimine? Nikaido: Did your research, huh? Fuwa: Why, of course! Nikaido: … Fuwa: You want me to talk about your record too? Your last match you– Nikaido: Quit it, dude! Annoying and a creep… Fuwa: I’m just the type that needs to do research and analysis. I do have a guess as to why you invited me, though. Nikaido: And that is? Fuwa: To join competitions, you’d need at least five people, but Tsujimine only had three members. You need two more no matter what. And that’s when I got under your radar, since I was a veteran. Nikaido: … Fuwa: Huh? Wait a sec, this just hit me, but… How’d you know I had experience? Did you look me up or what? Nikaido: As if. Fuwa: Then what? How’d you know? Nikaido: …‘Cuz you knew what a range was. Fuwa: When’d that happen? Nikaido: Start of the year.* When people in class were wondering what ‘that tatami covered thing’ was at the edge of the courtyard. Fuwa: From there? Then what? Nikaido: The rest of ‘em had no idea and you were the only one that said what it was. Fuwa: Ahh, I get it… Then again in your case anyone would’ve worked, right? The experience was just a bonus. Nikaido: … Fuwa: Then after, all they’d need is to do shamen? As long as the conditions line up anyone would do. Nikaido: …It’s not like… …That’s the only reason… Fuwa: Eh? What was that? Nikaido: …When I went to talk to you, you said you’d do it right away, didn’t you? Fuwa: …Huh?? Did I? Nikaido: I was going to tell you to think about it, but I figured it wouldn’t really change anything. Fuwa: ‘That so? Nikaido: It’s just annoying bothering with all that extra stuff, y’know. Fuwa: I see, I see. Glad I answered right away then. So, what else? Nikaido: What do you mean ‘what else’? Fuwa: Your other reasons for approaching me. Nikaido: There aren’t any. Fuwa: You literally just said there were a bit ago! Nikaido You heard that?? Fuwa: Ah, got caught. Nikaido: Don’t you “got caught” me. Fuwa: You must’ve felt the tingles* when you laid eyes on me, right? Nikaido: What’re you on about… Fuwa: After that you must’ve thought, “Oh I can use this guy.”, didn’t you? Nikaido: Quit it. Fuwa: And then, you thought of your dream of having Tsujimine triumph over the defeated Kirisaki! Or something, right? Nikaido: Well… I’ll admit that much. Fuwa: Leave it to me. Nikaido: Leave what to you? Your form’s gotten sloppy during zanshin lately, you’ve been losing focus and just going with the flow haven’t you, Fuwa? Fuwa: I am? No way. Nikaido: We’ll go over it tomorrow. Fuwa: Aye-aye!

[thefinalcinderella]

ok here's the long awaited folder with the tsurune: irodori no issha audio dramas!

the videos aren't subbed but i have translated them all here

[thefinalcinderella]

Tsurune Book 3 Chapter 2 - Rainbow-Colored (Part 1)

I don’t know if you guys can tell...but my motivation for working on this novel is kinda low. But thankfully the author has ways of pushing me by putting in some of the most insane shit that makes me question if I know how to read

Also for the Tsurune: Irodori no Issha audio dramas: it’s not that I’m too lazy to do them, it’s that I keep forgetting about them. I’ll get them all out eventually

Glossary here

Full list of translations here

Translation Notes

1. An oonusa is a wooden wand traditionally used in Shinto purification rituals, salt water is also used sometimes

2. Oshikura manju is a children’s game where children gather in a circle with their backs pressed close together and tried to push each other out

3. The words used here is チラ見えの帯 and I have no idea what this is referring to

4. Guu Choki Paa is some kind of Japanese rock-papers-scissors song

5. The Iroha poem is an ancient poem that contains each character of the Japanese syllabary exactly once

Previous | Next

In the morning, Minato was standing on the balcony of his room.

Raindrops beaded the railing. The transparent drops were bathed in the morning sun and glistened in orange, green, and blue. As he gazed at the sparkling water droplets glittering together like jewels, he heard his father’s voice calling him from downstairs. He hurriedly wiped the laundry pole.

Suddenly, a figure entered his field of vision. It seemed to be looking at him. He moved closer to the railing, but the figure was already gone. Thinking that it must have been his imagination, he held the empty laundry basket in his hands.

Recently, Minato had made some changes to his morning routine. He had added ritual chanting to the gods and sutra chanting after doing his run. He learned this from Saionji-sensei, and had stopped since he got target panic in his third year of middle school. Many foreign kyudo enthusiasts were inspired by Zen in the Art of Archery to start kyudo. Mindfulness was underpinned by Buddhist concepts.

The sutra Minato was reading was the Heart Sutra. It gave concrete examples of the Buddhist idea of emptiness and explained how to attain the wisdom of the Buddha. The author was unknown, but it was translated into Chinese by Xuanzang, made famous by Journey to the West. It was a very short sutra of 262 characters and was composed in the form of Kannon talking to Sariputra.

Minato, who was in fifth grade when he heard the Japanese translation, wondered what “All is empty.” When he told Saionji-sensei that he didn’t like the idea of enlightenment if it meant the absence of feelings of happiness and sadness because it wasn’t human-like, Saionji-sensei told him, “You aren’t capable of contemplation. Please study more.”

The Golden Week training camp of three days and two nights began today.

The venue was the same as last year, Yata Shrine.

The rain that lasted the night before cleared up, and red-purple mountain azaleas and white fringed irises were blooming in profusion. Because of the renovation work, the Yata no Mori kyudojo was now extremely bright with LED lightning instead of fluorescent lights.

But Minato’s spirits were heavy. Lately, Masa-san wasn’t looking him in the eye.

He would immediately look away whenever their eyes met, and he seemed somewhat distant. Minato hadn’t seen his grin in days. Was he avoiding him? Or rather, he felt like he was being ignored. Did I do something to make him hate me? He wondered if he yelled something like “Masa-san’s a dirty old geezer!” in his sleep without realizing it. Once he started worrying about it, he couldn’t stop himself from spiralling deeper and deeper. His head was spinning with delusions summoning more delusions.

Tommy-sensei was standing in front of the referee’s table.

“First of all, the selected members will do a demonstration of the competition format.”

The selected members, Kaito, Ryouhei, Seiya, Kanbayashi, and Minato, lined up at the entrance.

At last year’s training camp, they had a lot of trouble stepping together as five, but now they had grown to the point where they were able to match each other’s steps in an instant with someone they were grouped with for the first time. Kaito, walking in the lead, learnt to feel the presence of the people behind him and didn’t miss anyone. After he nocked his arrow and fixed his eyes on the target, he raised his bow towards the sky.

After everyone finished four shots, the results were announced. It was four, three, four, two, for a total of seventeen hits.

Kanbayashi sank down onto the floor after returning his bow to the rack.

“I didn’t think this when I was watching you all, but everyone’s kai is really long. Being between President Takehaya and Narumiya-senpai is really nerve-wracking.”

Seiya knelt down next to him.

“Don’t be so nervous. Just be your normal self.”

Overhearing their conversation, Kaito glared at them.

“Kai isn’t ‘long,’ but ‘deep.’ And it’s no good shrivelling or getting too worked up, no matter who’s in front of you or behind you. Well, I can’t blame you for getting distracted if Seiya’s in front of you, though.”

Seiya stood up and got his face right up to Kaito’s nose.

“I wonder what do you mean by that, Onogi-senpai.”

“I meant it exactly as it is.”

Kanbayashi blinked his eyes rapidly and Keyaki looked fed up as they watched Kaito and Seiya’s exchange. When Nanao was about to step in between them to divert the conversation, Tommy-sensei asked them to gather again.

“Now, the theme of this camp will be ‘Steady Mind and Body.’ The way you breathe is very important.”

The first-years, excluding the competitors, gathered near the makiwara, while the rest stood in front of the targets.

Masa-san undertook demonstrating the practical skills.

“Let’s start by practicing the ‘dantian breathing technique’ again. I want you to listen with the understanding that there are various theories about dantians and I may correct this at a later date.”

“Yes, sir,” everyone answered.

“First, about dantians. It means ‘a place where energy is cultivated.’ There’s a theory that there are three dantians: upper, middle, and lower, but generally speaking, dantian refers to the lower abdomen dantian, which is three sun below the navel. That is, about ten centimeters below. It’s in the middle of the belly, not in front. Next, let me explain the ‘martial arts-style dantian breathing technique.’ The reason why I added the words martial arts is because when we say abdominal breathing or dantian breathing, people are generally taught to expand their abdomens when inhaling and contract it when exhaling.”

Ryouhei raised his hand.

“My sister had childhood asthma, and she told me she learned how to do it at the hospital. They do the same thing in yoga, too.”

“However, in kyudo, exhaling doesn’t cause the stomach to depress. In recent years, there’s a theory that has been adopted by athletes and has proven successful. That is the Stanford-style ‘IAP breathing method,’ also known as the ‘intra-abdominal pressure breathing.’ It is a breathing method that increases the pressure in the abdomen and tightens the area around the abdomen when inhaling and exhaling. Top athletes and musicians can naturally do IAP breathing.”

“Musicians do IAP breathing too?”

“I’m sure some of you have been told to project your voices from your stomachs during choir or vocal training. An easy way to understand this is that clenching your butt holes can help you produce higher-pitched sounds.”

“Ahh, ahh,” Ryouhei tried it, and he certainly did sound different. It had a resonance to it, not just a flat sound.

“For a singer, their body is an instrument. It’s the same for archers. The tsurune is the sound of the bow and string when an arrow is shot. Bow, string, and person become a musical instrument and resonate. Even among ‘tsuruoto,’ ‘tsurune’ refers to a particularly clear and beautifully lingering sound. To be alive means to breathe. There are times when everyone unconsciously does dantian breathing, but that’s when they’re laughing like ‘ha-ha-ha.’”

Seiya sighed.

“It feels like we’re listening to a monk’s sermon rather than an explanation of shooting techniques.”

“I am a priest. Yata Shrine is a shrine that has its roots in Shugendo, so there’s a fusion of Shinto and Buddhism here. Many teachings have been handed down, such as the Buddhism of Gautama Buddha, the esoteric Buddhism of En no Ozunu, and the secret teachings of Kuukai.”

“In other words, Masa-san, you’re a hybrid of a priest, monk, and old man.”

“Hahaha, you sure have a way with words, Seiya.”

The two’s smiles froze the boys there. The six girls gathered, and Hanazawa and Shiragiku put their hands on their own abdomens and Seo’s to compare the firmness.

After that, they began practicing on their own. Before they knew it, the first-year Himuro became the oomae. Minato wondered just when did he get there. He was like a stagehand, someone who was on stage but treated as though they didn’t exist.

Masa-san looked at everyone’s shooting in order starting from the front, but he skipped over Minato and went straight to the person behind him.

His eyes blinked weakly. Kanbayashi was also doing the same thing in front of the makiwara.

Minato covered his eyes to hide how much he was blinking.

Early next morning.

Same as last year, Minato was woken up by Masa-san’s older brother Ren pulling his hair. When he turned around, he found that he was sprawled out on someone else’s futon with one elbow propped up. Ryouhei, awakened by Minato’s voice, tried to pull Ren’s arm away. Beside him, Nanao was still half-asleep.

After finishing the morning preparations, the club members gathered in the front shrine. They were attending the morning offering and worship.

Masa-san chanted the ritual prayer loudly. After reciting the words in a rite called the shubatsu, the purification was performed with the oonusa and hot salt water. (1) Minato couldn’t look at Masa-san in fear that he would avert his gaze again. He turned his eyes to the window and caught a dark shadow moving quickly.

The club members then proceeded to clean up. The second-year boys were in charge of the precincts. When Minato and Kaito finished sweeping around the pond and took a breather, they found a white tabby cat sitting under the shrubbery.

Minato slowly crouched next to the cat so as to not make eye contact. If you looked into the eyes of an animal you were meeting for the first time, it would think you were threatening them and run away. You hold out the back of you hand to have it sniff it, and if it gives you permission, you stroked its chin. His grandfather taught him this way to interact with cats when he was little.

The cat purred.

It was the sound of “I love it.”

As Minato was stroking its back, it got onto its back as though tell him to stroke its belly. Minato learned that it was a mother cat.

Kaito’s feet had become a puddle of cats in an instant. A brown tabby cat with one ear cut into a V-shape clung to him with its tail up.

“Oh, is this a Sakura cat?”

Sakura cats were stray cats that had been spayed and neutered by animal protection groups. They were also called local cats. They got their name because the V-shaped scar looked like a sakura petal.

The white tabby cat kicked him and left, perhaps because he stroked him too persistently.

Kaito’s cat puddle also disbanded. In their place, Ryouhei, Nanao, and Seiya gathered.

“Minato, you really love fluffy things,” Ryouhei said.

“I’ve always wondered this. Why aren’t humans covered with fur and feathers? We used to have them, didn’t we? Did we like clinging together?”

Hearing that, Seiya and Ryouhei sandwiched Minato between them and they ended up looking like a game of oshikura manju. (2)

“Stop it, you guys! I didn’t mean to clinging to me.”

“Really? Then what did you mean?”

Ryouhei separated from him with a puzzled look on his face. It seemed that his habit from childhood still hadn’t gone away. Not wanting to go through that again, Minato took a step away from his two childhood friends.

Kaito propped his chin on the end of the broom handle.

“Seiya, as the club president, you shouldn’t be fooling around.”

“Huh? Kaito, do you want to be squeezed too?”

“No way! I’m gonna punch you!”

Seiya covered his mouth with his hand and turned around, his shoulders shaking.

Minato expressed what was on his mind to Kaito.

“Actually, recently, I feel like someone’s been watching me. Ever since the training camp started.”

“Huh? Aren’t you just being too self-conscious?”

“It might be one of Nanao’s groupies. We have to be careful.”

Seiya smiled. The mole under his eye stood out. “I don’t think it’s either of them. It’s probably just your imagination. Come on, let’s go back and change into our hakama.”

“Yeah…I guess you’re right.”

Seiya, Ryouhei, and Nanao headed for the kyudojo.

Kaito, who was one step behind, couldn’t quite make sense of it. Seiya was so overprotective of Minato that Hanazawa, Shiragiku, and Seo teased him by saying, “Seiya Home Security, watching over you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.” But for some reason, he wasn’t concerned about this case.

Minato was walking away from the four of them. Nanao walked in place to slow down his pace and naturally ended up next to Minato.

“Minato, I really am okay. Is there something you’re worrying about too? Tell me about it if you want to.”

“…Lately, our eyes aren’t meeting.”

“Oh, oh? Is this about romance?”

“Not at all.”

“Hmm, the eyes can say as much as the mouth, and you can pretty much tell what people are looking at. For example, who’s the person you care about looking at? Who’s the person you always care about looking at, Minato?”

“Mm, I guess it’s the gods?”

“Mm, that might be outside my area of expertise.”

A bird chirped.

The two looked up and they could see the blue sky and the fleecy clouds between the budding trees. At first, they couldn’t make out where the bird song was coming from, but when they strained their eyes, they were able to spot a varied tit on the treetops.

Minato’s eyes, which reflected the fresh green, shook.

“It’s so pretty.”

“That’s right …I realized that I wasn’t so frustrated when I didn’t make it into the regular lineup. I was fine with being a substitute.”

“You really are fine with that?”

“What’s important to me isn’t winning or receiving praise from anyone, but being able to feel Kacchan’s presence.”

“——I want you to stay by my side.”

“Whoa, Minato, you can read my mind?”

“Of course not. Maybe we just happened to think the same thing?”

“Yeah. If you had that ability, you’d be at the top of the class after reading Seiya’s mind. Oh, look, there’s Masa-san.”

In the direction Nanao pointed, there was Masa-san, who had changed into his practice clothes, and Ren, who had a camera in his hand. The two of them were smiling, and Masa-san had a childish expression on his face that wasn’t normally seen.

When Nanao waved at them with a “Merha,” they also replied with “Merha,” but Minato looked away.

The twins ripped the target papers together.

I’m so frustrated. I’m so frustrated.

They peeled off the hole-filled target papers from the target frames.

To lose to that newbie and have our places next to Shuu stolen. Ah, I can’t believe it.

They were cleaning up after practice at Kirisaki High School’s kyudo club.

In order to set a good example for the new members, the second-years were taking the initiative. After washing the target frames with water, they left the rest to the first-years and went to the azuchi. When they slammed their trowels against it, part of the azuchi crumbled, and they hurriedly scooped up the crumbled earth.

Senichi and Manji felt the same way. It was absolutely unacceptable to be disrespected by a cocky junior who had no idea what he was talking about, just when they were starting to communicate with their seniors, Kabashima and Yushima. They themselves had also done quite a lot of trouble, but they of course put that aside. They quickly swept inconvenient things under the carpet.

Shuu was silently facing the makiwara. Kuon asked him a question with a composed expression.

“Fujiwara-senpai, you promised to watch my shooting when we’re together, didn’t you?”

When someone around them remarked, “I hate to admit it, but the two of them are a perfect match in terms of looks, ability, and pedigree. Even the clothes they wear are first-rate,” the twins glared at the person who made that comment.

A few days later, Senichi and Manji sprang into action. At every possible location, they guarded Shuu by staying ahead of Kuon.

What should we do to win against him?

He’s a strong man. Men speak with their fists.

They started going to a kickboxing gym. Jumping rope, shadow boxing, hitting mitts. One-two hook and one-two uppercut, middle kick from cut, then straight right. Kyudo emphasized shooting form, but in kickboxing, even if your form was good, it was meaningless if it didn’t work on your opponent. Put your weight in it and bring your fist down!

After sweating, they took care of their hair and skin to master the art of beauty. Ayurvedic beauty treatments from India. Dripping oil on the forehead had a great detoxifying effect. Their tired skin and hair became glossy and lustrous, resulting in well-moisturized young men.

They decided to completely remake their appearances. Aiming to be fashionable men, they were stylish even down to the places that weren’t visible. They bought silk underwear and layered obis (3) at a long-established kimono shop, and wore intellectual-looking glasses. While they were at it, they put a wig and silk hat on Yushima. They had used those props for the Rokumeikan Café during the school festival.

Yushima Kaoru, dressed in his kyudo uniform and silver wig, stared at them with narrowed eyes. At this time, the kyudojo was only for second-years, but there was a stir coming from the female members.

Manji spoke. “Kaoru-senpai, the crew cut is cool and on, but have you considered growing out your hair?”

“…Hey, twins, do you see something wrong with the direction of questions here?”

Kabashima also chimed in. “I don’t care if you look nicer or got stronger, but what about kyudo practice? I hope you haven’t been slacking off.”

“Huh? We practice properly. Look at our feet. The gaps between our toes are open, and we were praised for having nice feet. Maybe we can be both archers and martial fighters.”

Senichi and Manji took off their tabi socks and showed off their bare feet. The two faced each other and began playing Guu Choki Paa (4) and feet rock-paper-scissors. Kabashima buried his head in his hands even more at their comical movements.

“You know, a fighting man has to put his life on the line. What do you think Fujiwara recommended hot and cold baths and home cooking for?”

“So we can become househusbands and mountain hermits.”

“No, you got it wrong. They are ways to recover and nourish the body, to develop the strength and steadfastness necessary for an athlete.”

“Nope, nope, no way. We’re living far away from that kind of thing.”

“Hey, Fujiwara. Say something to these disgraces of Kirisaki High School. It’s setting a bad example for the juniors if their senpais are messing around too much.”

Called to by Kabashima, Shuu put down his bow. He sat on his heels and took off his yugake. His straight back, graceful nape of his neck, and swaying bangs made all those who saw him fall into raptures.

“Isn’t it good to try different things? You never know if something’s good or bad until you try it, and you might get something out of it.”

“Fujiwara, are you aware that you actually spoil those twins too much?”

“My father told me that a well-bred person respects others. Life dwells even in the plants and roadside stones. The rock cannot be cut by those who cannot see its life. He said that this isn’t a metaphor, but him telling the truth as it is. Sen and Man put their hands after the meal. The two of them are fine just the way they are.”

“Shuu!”

Senichi and Manji rushed over and tugged on Shuu’s sleeves from both sides. As expected, he didn’t seem to like that and quickly brushed them off before returning to practice.

Kuon, who was watching the situation from afar, raised his eyebrows.

He had a dream the other day.

In it, he and Shuu were having a conversation on a wide lawn with a Western-style building behind them.

“I’m thinking of welcoming a dog into my family,” Shuu said.

“Have you decided on the breed?”

“It’s hard to decide between Japanese and Western. A black Shiba inu, a Labrador Retriever, or do I go with the classics and choose a standard poodle? It’s pleasant to imagine a furry creature snuggled up to one’s side.”

“It is wonderful.”

“That’s right. There’s a cute creature that’s always bright and energetic, and when it sees my face, it flies towards me, and even shrinks its huge body when it fails.”

And then, Shuu turned to a tall man.  “Your hand,” he said.

“Awoo,” he said and put out his hand.

“Your chin.”

“Awoo—wait, what are you doing, Shuu-kun!”

That was when he woke up. Kuon was covered in cold sweat.

What kind of dream was that?

Who is this guy who’s so familiar with my Fujiwara-senpai?

The crime of disrespect is also serious. Unforgivable, even if it’s just a dream, something like this would never happen. Fujiwara Shuu is a solitary genius. Everyone kneels before him in awe and reverence. Being the sublime Young Lord is his truth. Associating with lowly people will only degrade your status. Playing around with them is outrageous.

Dogs must be strictly disciplined.

The training camp at the Yata no Mori Kyudojo was on its last day.

A practice match was held. A total of twenty-five mixed male and female archers, excluding five first-year students who didn’t participate in the training camp, shot four arrows in zasha in teams of five. The order was decided with “yaburi.” Himura took an arrow from each participant, held it in a bundle behind his back, and then placed them in a random order on the floor, one at a time. The order was determined by checking the arrow and the owner calling out their own name.

The entrance ceremony began. The first-years were a bit slow, with their shoulders tensed and their steps not in sync with each other, but their spirit was well-conveyed.

It was fun shooting in a different lineup than usual. Seiya was behind Seo, and Hanazawa and Shiragiku were behind Kaito, neither of them giving an inch. What made kyudo great was that it allowed men and women of all ages to compete without handicaps.

The first-years were checking that they have memorized the shooting form and Eight Stages of Shooting, so hitting was of secondary importance. Still, they were so happy that they felt like they could soar when they hit one. Everyone shouted “Yes” as if it were their own. When all the shots were finished, there were three who hit with all four arrows. It became a tie-breaking match, and in order to shorten the time, it was an izume match instead of an enkin match.

Masa-san and Minato left the kyudojo to pick up the kimonos for the nosha.

The disciple followed the master who was walking in a hurry, but there was no casual chat as usual. The two of them were in the positions of working adult and student, and keenly aware of their different speeds and strides.

Unable to stand it, Minato called out to him.

“Masa-san.”

“What is it? If there’s something you need, it can wait until after camp is over.”

“Since this year’s beginners are using the bow earlier than usual, I know that you and Tommy-sensei must keep an eye on them in order to prevent accidents. But why are you only ignoring me?”

“Wait, Minato, let’s talk about this later.”

“It’s true that no matter how many times I’m told, I forget to tense the little finger on my left hand, and I can’t even do dantian breathing, but am I such a terrible disciple that I’m given up on?”

When Minato grabbed Masa-san’s arm, he heard a quiet voice.

“I’m sorry, but please don’t look at me with those eyes.”

Minato let go of his grasping hand.

In his blurry vision, he saw Masa-san covering his face with his left hand.

“It’s not what you think. When Seiya took a survey of the club members, he found that ‘Coach Takigawa shows favouritism towards the second-year boys. Especially Narumiya-senpai.’ So, to avoid misunderstandings, I tried not to talk to you too much in front of the first-years.”

“…Huh?”

“And Minato, you were the one who didn’t react when I waved to you.”

“I thought you didn’t want to make eye contact with me.”

“It’s more like there are times when it’s troublesome.”

“What do you mean, troublesome? Tell me clearly.”

“I sometimes find myself wanting to pat your forehead uncontrollably, but I can’t let anyone else see me like that, now can I?”

“Wh-wh-what are you talking about?”

Just when Minato was at a loss for words, two figures suddenly appeared and stood in front of him.

“Making our grandson cry, you’re a failure as a coach!”

Minato couldn’t believe his eyes. He had seen these faces before.

“…Grandpa!? Grandma!?”

“We thought that this club must be an exploitative club, since they have club activities during the holidays, but it seems that we were right. Isn’t it important to spend time with your family and friends outside of club activities?”

“Grandpa! There were people who were against training during the holidays, but we were the ones who asked for it. That’s why only volunteers are participating.”

His grandfather, who was about to grab Masa-san, loosened his clenched fist. After understanding the situation, the grandparents turned to Minato.

“When we learned about your kyudo activities, we really wanted to see you face to face. Since we were against the marriage of your parents, we were too embarrassed to go see you, so we hid and watched you,” his grandfather said.

“We’re sorry for coming to see you so late. We haven’t seen you since the funeral. Your mother had been sickly ever since she was little, so we were worried about letting her live so far away. Because we were so stubborn, we never got to see our precious daughter and grandchild. We weren’t able to properly express our feelings. We can never get rid of our regrets, so this is how…” his grandmother said.

“…I’m the only one who survived… I wondered if Mom was in more pain than I was, or if she was scared, but I couldn’t breathe…”

When Minato pressed his hand against his left side, his grandmother gripped that hand and his other hand.

“What are you saying! There’s a song your mother used to sing to herself when she was a child. It goes like, When I cross that mountain, I will feel very peaceful and content. Your mother always loves your smile.”

Masa-san placed his hand on Minato’s back.

“Ui no okuyama kyou koete, asaki yume miji yohi mo sezu—that’s the ‘Iroha poem.’ (5) It talks about how when you cross the mountains, Miroku-sama will come and greet you.”

“Yes, that is also an interpretation. You seem to be a diligent person who studies hard. I’m relieved that there’s someone like you by Minato’s side. Please continue to take good care of him for a long time.”

“No, I should be thanking you.”

While still holding Minato’s hands, his grandmother exchanged a few words, then let go of them in reassurance.

“We’ll come visit again!” Minato saw his waving grandparents off.

Kaito and Seiya, who were looking for Minato and Masa-san because they were late in coming back, hid behind a tree.

“Seiya, you knew that Narumiya’s grandparents were secretly checking on him, didn’t you?”

“Oh, I knew. They visited us. That’s why I left it alone.”

“Good grief, you should have told me. If I had known, I wouldn’t have gotten worried.”

“Sorry, Kaito.”

Kaito stiffened at Seiya’s honest response.

Afterwards, the nosha was held. Nanao, who won the match, was the archer, and Minato served as the first kaizoe, and Kaito as the second. They wore peach, bamboo-green, and crimson kimonos respectively.

Previous | Next

[thefinalcinderella]

Tsurune: Irodori no Issha Episode 1: Kuma’s Feelings

So kyoto animation is posting limited time audio dramas after every episode, and luckily for me, there’s subs in Japanese! I’ll be tagging all the dramas under tsurune: irodori no Issha

Seiya is being a funky little guy in this one

Tsurune translation masterpost here

Translation Notes:

1. Seiya is parodying the speech patterns of the cat protagonist in Natsume Soseki’s I am a Cat. The cat there speaks in a very self-important and grandiose way, like a nobleman

2. A pun. The phrase here is 医者の不養生 which literally means “a doctor’s neglect of health” and is an idiom that means “not practicing what you preach”

Minato: Kuma! Good morning! 

Minato: You’re so fluffy...let me sniff your head a little bit. And then your paws, and your ears.

Minato: Let’s go out together today.

Seiya: “I am Kuma. Today, Narumiya Minato-kun, the neighbor from across the street, is in high spirits.”

Minato: Eh, what are you doing, Seiya?

Seiya: “Minato-kun comes to my house everyday for the goal of petting me. I am pleased that he visits me everyday, but to be honest, I cannot help but think that there are other things he should prioritize.”

Minato: Kuma would never say something like that

Seiya: Who can say

Minato: Kuma loves me. No matter how much I pet him, he’s fine with it, right, Kuma?

Seiya: “When he states that so strongly, I have no choice but to say yes in a dog-like way.”

Minato: Seiya’s Kuma is pretty sarcastic

Seiya: He has a fairly philosophical side to him

Seiya: Anyways, let’s go. We have an appointment

Minato: “I’m Kuma! My young master is a bit of a pain. But I forgive him since he gives me jerky.”

Seiya: Huh? There’s bribery involved?

Minato: “My young master is desperate for my affection.”

Seiya: Then, what about Minato?

Minato: “Minato is my friend. I love playing with him. By the way, my favorite games are fetch and tug-of-war.”

Seiya: All you need is for someone to play with you?

Minato: “My job is to play, sleep, and eat.”

Seiya: That’s nice. I’m jealous of you, Kuma.

Minato: “Oh? Master has a gloomy face. Let me try to sniff him.”

Seiya: You can tell from my smell?

Minato: “My sense of smell is ten thousand to a hundred million times better than humans. I can even know what you’re thinking about, whether you’re happy or sad, not to mention your footsteps!”

Seiya: Ten thousand and a hundred million are two completely different numbers.

Minato: “My master is nitpicky. That’s why he tends to worry about all kinds of things.”

Seiya: I don’t want to hear that from you, Kuma...or rather, Minato.

Minato: “I don’t care about the small things! There’s a nice phone pole here. Hmm, hmm. I see.”

Seiya: So, what about it? 

Minato: “A dog has marked this spot.”

Seiya: Well, that’s obvious. Anyone can see that. 

Minato: “I won’t tell my master the details.”

Seiya: I know Kuma wouldn’t say mean things like that. 

Minato: Ugh...that’s true.

Seiya: You broke character.

Minato: I know. 

Minato: Okay, let’s go, Kuma.

Minato: What’s wrong, Kuma? Don’t sit down. 

Seiya: “I am Kuma. I sense something suspicious.”

Minato: There’s nothing suspicious at all.

Seiya: “I sense something suspicious in the fact that he said that there’s nothing suspicious.

Minato: Stop goofing around, Seiya. Do something

Seiya: “I have decided to not budge at all from my spot.”

Minato: And we were almost there...

Minato: Seiya, hold Kuma for a bit. 

Seiya: You help too, Minato

Minato: One, two!

Seiya: Heavy!

Minato: When we weighed him before, he was 45kg. 

Seiya: Heave-ho! 

Minato: “Oh wow, I’m being carried. Is it okay to ignore a person...no, a dog’s will?”

Seiya: Minato, do you want to take Kuma to the animal hospital or not?

Minato: I’m going, I’m going. Okay, Kuma, bear with it. A dog from a family of doctors wouldn’t get sick. 

Seiya: That would be failing to practice what they preach.(2) Oh, he gave up and started walking.

Minato: “I didn’t give up. I decided to go to the hospital for the sake of my master.”

[thefinalcinderella]

Tsurune: Irodori no Issha Episode 6: Shiragiku-san Goes to Karaoke

Tsurune translation masterpost here

Translation notes

1. Shiragiku is doing some exercises to memorize verb conjugations in classical Japanese

Shiragiku: This is...this is...

Shiragiku: This is a karaoke room, isn’t it!

Hanazawa: You’re way too impressed by it

Seo: Oh? Is this your first time being in one?

Hanazawa: No way!

Shiragiku: Of course it’s my first time! The first time in my life!

Hanazawa: Noa-chan, before, you also said that it was your first time eating okonomiyaki

Shiragiku: Okonomiyaki! That was wonderful as well.

Shiragiku: The spicy sour-sweetness of the sauce. The dancing katsuobushi (small slices of dried bonito). And, the fluffy, melting...

Hanazawa: Okay, that’s enough of your okonomiyaki hymn. Anyways, let’s get our textbooks out, okay? 

Shiragiku: Um, um...I heard that at karaoke places, food and drink are transported to you automatically, but is that really true?

Seo: The automatic part is a bit ambiguous, but if you order on that phone over there, a staff member will bring it to you.

Shiragiku: ! How revolutionary! 

Hanazawa: I’ve always wondered about this, Noa-chan, but just how detached from the real world is your family? Could it be that you’ve never fought over fried chicken or anything like that?

Shiragiku: Why would we fight over it? It’s all distributed onto everyone’s plate equally and lined up on the dining table

Seo: They don’t pile up all the fried chicken on one big plate at your house, Noa?

Shiragiku: Did I say something strange?

Hanazawa: Nope. Actually, it’s what I expected

Seo: Well, what we’re here to do today is to study for exams. Let’s start now

Hanazawa: I wish they’d open up the school library to everyone. During this time, you have to book it

Seo: If they do that, there’d be too many students wanting to do study sessions like us

Shiragiku: As a result, I was able to experience the new world known as a karaoke room, so perhaps you could say that fate is unpredictable

Hanazawa: You’re so positive! I should learn from you

Seo: Okay, okay, let’s study now

Hanazawa: Yes, ma’am

Hanazawa: Seo, you’re really good at English

Seo: It’s more like I really like it. I want to get a job that has to do with English in the future

Hanazawa: You’re already thinking about your future?

Seo: It’s just dreams. Like wanting to study abroad or how to do simultaneous interpreting, stuff like that

Hanazawa: That’s so cool, Seo. I feel like you’d be good at it. Being able to do kyudo and good at English, you’re awesome! 

Seo: I don’t know about that, but I feel more confident when you say that, Yuuna.

Hanazawa: Huh~~? Wait, wait. For me, when I get lectured about the differences between transitive and intransitive verbs, or present perfect tense and progressive present perfect tense, I just think, “What is this? Who cares?”

Seo: Increasing grammar and vocabulary is the key to improving

Hanazawa: I know that

Shiragiku: Ari ori haberi ima sokari (1)

Hanazawa: Eh, what? What’s that?

Shiragiku: Nani nunu runu renu (1)

Hanazawa: Hey, Noa-chan, stop that! 

Shiragiku: Koki kukuru kure koyo (1)

Hanazawa: The English that I finally memorized is getting pushed out of my brain!

Seo: Noa. If you do too many irregular verb conjugations, you’ll be charged an extra fee

Shiragiku: Eh!? It’s a joke...right?

Seo: ...Is that what you think? 

Hanazawa: Actually, it’s not done often outside of study sessions and karaoke. It's an optional fee

Shiragiku: Is that so...my apologies. I was jealous of you two talking about your futures, so I couldn’t help but...

Hanazawa: We were kidding.

Shiragiku: Eh?

Hanazawa: There’s no optional fee or anything

Seo: Noa, you should learn more about the world

Hanazawa: I wanna hear about your dreams for the future, Noa-chan. What is it?

Shiragiku: For me...it’ll probably be something decided by my parents.

Hanazawa: Eh? In this time and age?

Shiragiku: Yes. I have my own personal ideas, but I am also a member of the Shiragiku family, so I believe it’s only natural to do what my parents want. 

Hanazawa: I see

Seo: But, it’s not like they’ll go against what you want, right?

Hanazawa: Do they properly respect you?

Shiragiku: Yes, they do.

Seo: Then, you should broaden your knowledge of the world

Seo: And find what’s best for you in it

Hanazawa: Seo, that’s a cool thing to say!

Seo: No, I’m also admonishing myself

Shiragiku: I understand. I’ll also study even harder 

Hanazawa: Yep, yep

Shiragiku: First, since we’re here

Shiragiku: I want to learn how to do karaoke!

[thefinalcinderella]

Tsurune: Irodori no Issha Episode 2: At the Hardware Store

Tsurune translation masterpost here

Seiya: Weed barrier fabric and gravel, huh. And what is this drawing? Looks like a wire puzzle.

Kaito: Ow!

Seiya: Ah, sor...

Kaito: ...

Kaito: Oh, it’s you, Seiya.

Seiya: “It’s you, Seiya”...?

Kaito: Watch where you’re going. Be careful. Also, your glasses are crooked

Seiya: Because you bumped into me...

Seiya: Anyways, what are you doing here, Kaito?

Kaito: I’m buying materials for fixing a lattice and an instant mortar caulking gun.

Seiya: ...Huh? What?

Kaito: Simply put, garden maintenance stuff

Seiya: ...

Seiya: You could have said that from the start

Kaito: You were the one who asked me why I’m here

Seiya: That’s true, but...

Seiya: Kaito, you can do DIY stuff too?

Kaito: What do you mean, “too”?

Seiya: You can cook too, right? You were pretty active during the training camp and when we eat okonomiyaki together.

Kaito: I’m just fixing things a little. It can’t be called DIY

Kaito: And for cooking, I just wanna eat something tasty if anything

Seiya: ...

Kaito: “President,” you look like you can stand eating stuff even if they don’t taste good, or you just don’t eat the.

Seiya: ...I never said I can’t cook.

Kaito: Well, you have a point. 

Seiya: ...To begin with, Nanao also leaves it all to you because of what you’re like

Kaito: Well...yeah...I can’t deny that

Seiya: So you admit it

Kaito: Well, don’t you spoil Minato too?

Seiya: “Spoil”?

Kaito: It’d be charitable to say that he has a strong ability to concentrate

Kaito: But looking at it from another angle, his focus is too narrow.

Kaito: He only ever thinks about kyudo.

Kaito: And what exacerbates that is you who’s always meddling.

Seiya: What are you...

Kaito: I understand that you’re worried about Minato. But that’s completely different from me cooking for Nanao.

Seiya: ...

Kaito: I think you can leave him alone for a little more

Kaito: Well, this is between the two of you. It’s not like I know everything about you guys. Sorry if I misunderstood anything.

Kaito: But, I don’t think I’m off the mark. 

Seiya: ...Thanks for the advice

Kaito: Pretty sure that’s sarcasm, but I’ll take it as it is

Kaito: ...Crap, I gotta hurry. This place is gonna be crowded with families soon

Seiya: Eh! Aah...Kaito, wait.

Kaito: Hmm?

Seiya: You know a lot about this hardware store, don’t you?

Kaito: “Know a lot”? What are you getting at?

Seiya: Where’s the gravel?

Kaito: Huh? 

Seiya: And the weed barrier fabric. 

Kaito: They’re in that section over there. They’re both gardening supplies. I’ll take you there.

Seiya: And, this thing. I have no idea what kind of symbol this is.

Kaito: Ah? Which one? Oh, that’s probably a doorstop

Seiya: A doorstop?

Kaito: You see them a lot in places like your grandma’s bathroom

Kaito: It’s a simple lock like a hook 

Seiya: ...You’re really knowledgeable about this

Kaito: It’s common knowledge. Say, is your house Japanese-style?

Seiya: No, it’s a regular house...

Kaito: Then why do you need a doorstop?

Seiya: ...

Kaito: ...Sorry for asking. Anyways, let’s go to the metal fixtures section

Seiya: Thanks for the help. I couldn’t have found it by myself

Kaito: This place is way too big

Kaito: Look, there’s a whole row of them here. Choose which one you like

Seiya: They’re cheap. And it’s only 168 yen for so much

Seiya: Is this really okay...

Kaito: Are you asking me to give my approval to buy it

Kaito: Heh... just go for it, “President”

Seiya: Huh, what?

Kaito: It might look cheap, but it’s surprisingly sturdy. There’s no need to worry

Seiya: What are you talking about?

Kaito: The doorstop

Seiya: The doorstop, huh. I kind of feel like I’m being subtly stirred up

Kaito: Must be your imagination

Seiya: I’ll just leave it at that

[thefinalcinderella]

Tsurune: Irodori no Issha Episode 5: A Woman’s Heart is Difficult to Understand?

I was too busy last week to translate this so here

Tsurune translation masterpost here

Nanao: Let’s see, we bought steak, we bought garlic. Oh, the butter?

Kaito: I bought it. For rice, frying it in butter rather than cooking oil makes it taste better by far.

Nanao: Is it? You’re so fired up since it’s been a long time since you were in charge of dinner

Kaito: It’s also been a while since I went to the shopping mall. 

Kaito: Hmm? Hey.

Nanao: Oh, it’s really Ryouhei.

Kaito: He’s looking at some sparkly and stylish items?

Nanao: ......Hmm? No way!

Kaito: Hey, Ryouhei

Nanao: Ah, Kacchan!

Ryouhei: Huh? It’s Kaito and Nanao! Are you two shopping together?

Kaito: Yeah. We’re buying stuff for a dinner party. Are you buying scented candles?

Ryouhei: No, it’s not for me. I’m picking a present

Kaito: For who?

Nanao: It doesn’t matter who it’s for! Right, Ryouhei?

Ryouhei: My sister’s birthday’s coming up

Kaito: Sister

Nanao: Oh, so it was for your sister~

Kaito: What were you saying before!?

Ryouhei: I give her one every year, so I’m all out of ideas. I’m having trouble

Nanao: I get that~

Kaito: You give your sister a birthday present every year...!?

Ryouhei: Oh, that’s right. You guys also have sisters. Can you tell me what birthday presents you give them? I want suggestions!

Nanao: Okay.

Nanao: My sister is in her second year of middle school. It seems that she wants stuff that looks good on social media. So I give her accessories and stuff like that. Cheap ones, though.

Kaito: For a middle schooler, she’s way too mature for her age...

Ryouhei: Accessories, huh.

Ryouhei: I don’t think my sister wears those too often.

Nanao: So our sisters are divided into the “wears accessories” and “don’t wear accessories” factions, huh~

Ryouhei: What about you, Kaito? You have two older sisters, don’t you?

Nanao: The oldest, Yuu-neechan, is 19, and the second oldest, Minami-neechan, is 17

Ryouhei: My sister is also close to their age. Tell me what you gave them before !

Nanao: Tell him, Kacchan

Kaito: ......I forgot.

Ryouhei: What? Even though it’s two times a year?

Kaito: Um, well, is remembering your sister’s birthday even a thing in the first place?

Kaito: Do you just live your life everyday, and then you suddenly think, “Oh, it’s almost my sister’s birthday. What should I give her?”

Ryouhei: Yeah.

Nanao: Yep.

Kaito: No!

Ryouhei: Eh~???

Nanao: Hey, Ryouhei. I’ll add onto Kacchan’s lacking answer. 

Ryouhei: Mmm?

Nanao: Ryouhei, you love your sister, don’t you?

Ryouhei: Yeah, of course

Nanao: Then, your sister's love for you is double yours. 

Nanao: No, she loves you three times as much. 

Ryouhei: Is it like that?

Nanao: Yep

Nanao: So, in the Onogi family, there’s the big sister, big sister, and Kacchan.

Nanao: Kacchan’s the youngest and the only boy

Ryouhei: Right

Nanao: That’s why if Kacchan decides to give his sisters birthday presents...

Kaito: The woman at our place will just make a huge fuss over it, including my mom

Ryouhei: Doesn’t that mean they’re happy?

Kaito: Being happy isn’t a calm reaction. It’s like tossing a lump of meat into a pride of lions

Nanao: I think it was the year before last~ When Kacchan gave Yuu-neechan hand cream, she told all our relatives, “Kaa-kun gave this to me,” and passed it around for them to put it on

Kaito: Don’t make me remember that...

Nanao: For Minami-neechan’s birthday, you gave her dumbbells, she got angry at you and said, “Are you saying that I’m fat?” We had a hard time calming her down~~

Kaito: She keeps saying she got fat everyday, so I gave her dumbbells, so why did she have to get mad at me?

Nanao: Your sister’s still a girl, you know? Diet-related goods as a gift to girls are very risky, you know?

Kaito: Hah? Stop talking like you know everything. That part of you is problematic. 

Nanao: Kacchan, you can’t straightforwardly accept the love from everyone, so I think you’re the one with problems here~

Kaito: Ah? You wanna go? 

Ryouhei: Hey, don’t fight! How about this, then?

Ryouhei: I’ll buy an accessory, hand cream, and dumbbells, and I’ll have my sister choose her favorite from them! 

Kaito and Nanao: You love her way too much!?