Vol. 9 Sailor V vs. Debrine Originally appeared in Run-Run, March 1994. Translated by Alex Glover. Version B-1.01, 9.96. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 85 Box: One February, a few days before Valentine's Day. Minako: It's almost Valentine's Day! Now cute and extraordinary chocolates are lined up all over, and it's fun wherever you go! Box: I'm Aino Minako. I looove sweet candy! I'm a young thirteen, and in 7th grade. [Just a little cultural note: In Japan, only girls give candy and the like on Valentine's Day. Boys give candy to girls later in March, on White Day.] Friend 2: Mina, who are you giving a valentine to? Page 86 Minako: Me? Well... Balloons: Mina's journey with boys. My first love, Higashi-senpai. But he died... (I sorta killed him.) Gamer Taku. He was nuts... But I respect his gaming skills. Amano... I don't think so. (That loser.) Maybe that stable guy at the game center. Or Saitou-senpai! But he seems pretty violent. Friend 2: How many pieces do you plan to give? Obligatory-gift chocolate is out of fashion. Friend 1: So who's your sweetheart? Minako: Sweetheart!? I-! I-! I don't have a sweetheart!! Page 87 Minako walks through the Shiba shopping district. Minako: There's nobody I like... I'm probably going to have such a lonely youth. Artemis: Isn't that just a coincidence? You could find someone to like right away. Box: This is the preaching, sassy tomcat, Artemis. Minako: Artemis! You- You've been REALLY rude to your master lately! (Even though you're a cat.) You're so cold to the fact that I don't have anyone to give chocolates to. I'll only be giving them to you and dad. Artemis: That's fine with me. (I love chocolate.) Page 88 Minako: What's this? Lots of people. Are they selling chocolates over the counter? Girl 1: Two rainbow chocolates! Girl 2: I'll take five! Saleswoman: Here you go! Everyone, get in line! Artemis: Mina... Minako: Wow! Those chocolates are SO pretty! Rainbow chocolate, eh? Hundred yen a piece? That's cheap! Me too! I want three! She buys some pieces of the chocolate. Minako: This looks good! Ehehe! She takes off the wrapper and tosses it on the ground. Page 89 Wakagi: Hey, you! Don't throw your trash on public streets! Your teachers at school may let you get away with that, but the police won't! Minako: [thinking] Oh! He's cute! Even with that angry face, he looks like a nice guy! She walks away with Artemis. Wakagi: Hmph. Every year, every year. Before Valentine's Day, I feel like giving up this patrol. The whole city gets crazy with merriment. The crimes get more and more numerous... Artemis: Mina! How many times do I have to tell you. Page 90 Artemis: Okay? You have an important mission. Love is forbidden! A soldier of justice has no use for it! Minako: Come on, Artemis! It's not like I want to marry the guy! (Jeez, marriage...) I mean, I don't have a sweetheart. Relax! (I wonder if that guy's from around here. I'd like to talk to him some more.) Minako pops one of the rainbow chocolates into her mouth. Page 91 Minako: Yummy! Feels like I'm melting away! Like a rainbow of flavors! I've never tasted a chocolate like this! (Actually, maybe instead of giving these to someone, I'll just keep them for myself!) Artemis: Oh, yeah, no need for concern... At the Dark Agency Office. Crossed out on a list: Narkissos Pandora Petite Pandora Fluorite Luga Hibiskos Vivian Danburite: Thanks to Sailor V, every one of our operations has failed. We're having a hard time gathering energy. My neck's really out on the line here... Page 92 Danburite: The end of the Dark Agency could be near... Saleswoman: Now, now, Daaanburite-sama! Calm yourself by eating some of these sweets! Just leave things to me, Debrine. I'll get you lots of energy! I'll take care of the Dark Agency's fundraising, too. At the Metropolitan Police Board. Page 93 Chief: Oh, these are good! It's been ages since I've had rainbow chocolates. That's it, for Valentine's Day, I'm giving these. But, I'm the superintendent-general of the Metropolitan Police Board, Sakurada Natsuna, and really, I want to give chocolates to V-chan! She's my favorite! Doesn't anyone know where she lives!? [Note: natsu = summer, haru = spring.] Chief: Because of all this stress from not being able to meet V-chan, I've lost weight. Really... Wakagi! Page 94 Chief: It's your fault, you good-for-nothing! You can't catch Sailor V! Wakagi: It's not my fault! She points to a chart on the wall. Chief: Look at this, Wakagi! This is your record as a special police officer. Your capture rate almost zero! Now compare that with Sailor V's capture rate. Look! It's just going up! Wakagi: If you like V that much, why don't you get her to work for the special police yourself. You can meet her all you want at the crime scenes. Page 95 Chief: Wakagi! That's your job!! Got that? Your duty is to solve suspicious, strange incidents, build my reputation, and get Sailor V! Wakagi: (Since when is getting Sailor V my job...) Chief: Next time you get outdone by V, if you let her slip through your fingers, I'll send you to Siberia!! Wakagi: Si- Si- Siberia!? Page 96 At school. Friend 2: Man, my chest is tight... Friend 1: No way, mine too. Minako: Me too. And my skirt's gotten so tight. Friend 1: Look, look, my Sailor V socks... They're all stretched out. Eww... Friend 2: [thinking] Has she... gained weight? Friend 1: Hey, want some rainbow chocolate? Minako: Yes, please! Those are good! (I'll just take one...) At Minako's house. Minako: I'm home! Oh, I'm tired. Think I'll take a shower. Artemis: Mina... Minako: Yeees? Page 97 Artemis: You've got some flesh sticking out from your skirt. Minako: Huh? Artemis: Mina, have you... put on a little weight? Minako screams and jumps on the scale. Minako: I've gained 4 kilograms! Oh no! Oh no! Is it all that chocolate!? Artemis: I can't think of anything else. [Japan is metric, of course.] Page 98 Artemis: I don't want to look at some porky Sailor V. Minako: You shut up, Artemis! It's fine! Just 4 kilograms, I'll work it off with my everyday training! Right away! But... My mouth is empty... Artemis: Don't worry, I'll take care of these. He eats the remaining rainbow chocolates. Minako: Artemiiiis! Page 99 At school. Girl 1: Man, you've gotten fat! Girl 2: Me? What about you! Girl 3: Oh... I've gained 5 kilograms... What am I going to do...!? At the Metropolitan Police Board. Chief: I've gained weight again! Since I've been sampling all these chocolates, I've put on six kilograms! Is that the reason I'm gaining all this weight!? Man: You know, Chief, lately you've been looking a little pudgy... Back at school. Girl 1: What can I do!? With this fat body, I can't give valentine chocolates! (He won't like me!) Debrine begins throwing out flyers. Debrine: (Take one! Here you go, take one!) Flyer reads: Este de Brine Get your ideal proportions! If you act now, the full course is FREE! Girl 1: Huh? Este de Brine? The full course is free!? Page 100 Girl 1: I want to lose weight by Valentine's Day! I have to go!! At Shiba Park. Wakagi is reading the newspaper. Wakagi: This is suspicious! Smells like trouble! This chocolate company and Este must be working together. When suspicious stuff starts going down, Sailor V always-! Hurry and show up! Damn V! This time I'll get you! Minako sits with Hikaru on the bench next to him. Minako: What am I going to do... I gained weight again! Hikaru: If all you eat is chocolate, you're bound to gain weight. Page 101 Minako: But they're so good... These rainbow chocolates. Haven't you ever yielded to temptation, Hikaru-chan? Hikaru: Self-control is the foundation of dieting, Mina. Arrow: (Always oolong tea!) Minako: Got it! No matter what, I'm going to lose weight! (Like Artemis said, I don't want to die a porky Sailor V!) She breaks a twig off a tree and holds her fist up. Minako: I'll do it! Wakagi: Hey, come on now! What are you doing breaking public property! You're getting a fine! A fine! Minako: Oh no! (I'm sorrry!) [thinking] Oh!! It's him! He looks at her. Wakagi: Huh? Page 102 Wakagi: [thinking] The same red ribbon... Hikaru drags Minako away. Minako: (Hey, wait! Let's talk some more!) Hikaru: (Mina!) Wakagi: Oh boy... Thinking everyone looks like Sailor V, I'm going crazy. What? Hikaru: A new building? Minako: Este? Wakagi: Full course for free? Suspicious. Minako: Free!? No way! I want to go! Artemis: Meow. Minako: Artemis! Artemis: Mina! What're you doing! You don't have time for detours, being a soldier of justice! Hurry and get home for training! Shape up! (Don't you want to lose weight!?) Page 103 In the Este de Brine building. Debrine: And so, everyone, heavy girls look better! Boys like glamour girls. This is the age of plump girls being popular! Still, for those of you who want to lose a little weight, you can do so for an extra fee. The girls are placed in machines not unlike those in 'Slim City.' Debrine then shows them their reflections in slimming mirrors. Girl: Wow! I've lost so much weight! Debrine: Thank you! Girl: I feel sort of dizzy. But if I lost weight, I must be okay. Debrine: [thinking] Heh heh heh. Everyone, you can't lose weight. Girls who want to lose weight will get the impression that they have when they look in these mirrors. Page 104 Debrine: [thinking] Keep on eating the rainbow chocolate I made and keep on gaining weight. Then come to Este de Brine. And when you've gained plenty of weight, I'll take plenty of your energy. (And your money, too!) February 14. Valentine's Day. Girl: Here you go! Rainbow chocolates! They're really good, eat them up! Boy: O- Okay... Girls: Wakagi-saaan! Eat these! Wakagi: What!? Rainbow chocolates!? Girl: All the girls are SO fat! Boy: Rainbow chocolates, eh? Mmm! Page 105 A few days after Valentine's. Girl: All the boys... Woman: The men at work... Together: Don't they look like they've gained weight? In the command center. Artemis: Everyone around here looks really chubby. Newspaper: Fat is in fashion! Buy only rainbow chocolates! Artemis: Odd... This smells like an enemy! Minako: Artemis! Look! Look! I lost weight! I'm almost back to normal! Page 106 Minako: And since I've lost weight, I can have a few rainbow chocolates... Artemis! Artemis is scanning one of the chocolates with the computer. Artemis: Boss! Boss: I'm getting abnormal reactions from these chocolates! Making people gain weight unnecessarily, it must be the work of the enemies! Mina! Take action! Minako: What!? The enemies made me gain weight!? I won't allow that, Boss! She runs to the chocolate store, but it's not there anymore. Minako: What!? A swindler! That chocolate store is gone! Artemis: If that's true, it's another suspicious thing! (Maybe because Valentine's is over...) Page 107 A girl walks out of the Este de Brine building. Girl: Oh, great, I've lost so much weight! Minako: Hey! She hasn't lost any weight at all! Artemis: She looks strange! Wakagi holds back a crowd as he approaches the building. Wakagi: I'm the police! If you're not concerned with this, keep out! I'm investigating! Artemis: Police? Uh-oh. Minako: Hey! It's him! Let's go! Crescent Moon Power Transform! I'm transforming with energy! Page 108 Minako: Change me into a beautiful secretary! She brushes by Wakagi. Minako: I am the president's personal secretary. Pardon me. Wakagi: Excuse me. I'm Wakagi, of the Metro Police special forces. Would you show me to the president's office? Minako: Sure, I'd love to! So you're with the police? Wakagi-sama. Handsome name. Crowd: Now! We want into Este de Brine too! Page 109 Wakagi: Look out! Wakagi covers Minako as the crowd charges past. Minako: [thinking] Mina... It's the first time you've been protected by a man... His new suit, his starched shirt, his regimental tie. His arms are strained, protecting me. He's elite. I can tell, from the way he smells. Wakagi-sama... Wakagi: You okay? Minako: Yeah! Page 110 Wakagi: I'd like to go to the president's office, so... Minako: Oh, right! The president's office. [thinking] Umm... Err... Where would that be... I'm in trouble. (Oh, and I want to investigate some more...) The look through the building. Debrine: Heh heh. I'll take lots of energy from your plump flesh, and I will gain from it. With my operations, I'll take all your energy and your money. Heh heh. Page 111 Wakagi: Now who is that!? She looks suspicious! Is that Este!? Minako: [thinking] Debrine!? An enemy!? Debrine: Who's there!? Minako: [thinking] Oh no! Artemis: Meow! Meow! Minako: [thinking] Mina! Gotta transform! Wakagi-sama, forgive me! She cracks a vase over his head, and he drops unconscious on the floor. Page 112 Minako: Debrine! You make people eat and gain weight, you're like an enemy from Hansel and Gretel! As the president's personal secretary, I can't permit your management policy! Debrine: Who are you!? Such a stylish person is still left!? Minako: Moon Power Transform!! Page 113 Minako: Code name: Sailor V! I have unrivaled style! The soldier of justice, the sailor-suited beautiful soldier, I am Sailor Venus! Debrine: I won't allow your style! From now on, girls' rice skin will be rice fat! Page 114 Debrine: Rainbow Chocolate Attack! A storm of chocolate flies at Minako. Minako: Oh no! I'm going to melt away to this sweet temptation! No, no! V-chan's Rub Out Sailor V Chop! Debrine: Yeouuuch! Minako: Debrine! To lose weight, you have to exercise! And thanks to your workout with me, I'll lose weight for sure! Page 115 Minako: I don't have time to waste looking at you anymore! Maiden enemy! I'll wipe out you and your chocolates! Crescent Slender Beam! Debrine screams as she's destroyed. The building crumbles below Minako. Page 116 Minako: The Este de Brine building's health has been wiped away, too. Like meat. Wakagi: Uhh... Sailor V! You! You did this, didn't you! Oh! Don't let those chocolates get near me! Those chocolates! I'm resolute. I hate sweets! Page 117 He faints. Minako: Wakagi-sama!? Huh. Chocolate is bad for Wakagi-sama. But even though Valentine's is over, not participating in it kind of disqualifies me as a girl. Artemis is trapped below the rubble. Artemis: Uhh... Uhh... Somebody help me... Minako: It might be a little late, but... Page 118 Minako: My sweetheart this year is the man who protected me. She bends over and kisses Wakagi. As she does so, a button pops off her skirt. Minako: ...... Page 119 Minako: Uh-oh! All those overweight people have to be returned to normal. Venus Power! Love Crescent Shower! Pour down! People: Huh...? What!? I was supposed to go to Este and lose weight! Oh no! I haven't lost weight! Minako: What!? Why!? Their bodies have hardly gone back to normal! Page 120 Minako: Uh-oh! Were those rainbow chocolates as fatty as real chocolates? Oh no! Now what!? Person 1: Somebody... Put me back to normal... Person 2: Gotta do it somehow. This fat body is horrible! Papers and candy begin to fall from the sky. Person 1: What the-? Person 2: What are these? Flyers? Person 3: Candy! Page 121 Person 1: Look! These flyers are dieting cures! Person 2: Mine is a weight-loss diet through bean curd! Person 3: Weight-loss tea! This has a store with it! Person 4: These are diet candies! Person 5: No way! I want some! Minako: What's going on!? They're falling from the sky!? From where!? From who!? Page 122 Minako: Who!? She looks up and sees a masked man standing atop a building, tossing candy into the air. Page 123 Artemis: That's-!? Box: Inside that storm, the downpour of candies... Page 124 Box: Sailor V's first 'To be continued!' Minako: He's cute! Who is it, who is it!? I can't see his face well, but his style is flashy! He looks tall! His face must be nice, too! Oh, I wish I could give chocolates to him! Are these candies... My White Day present? (Little early, though.) Chief: Well, Wakagi. Now your capture rate is zero! A promise is a promise. At the Metropolitan Police Board, Siberian branch. Wakagi shivers. Wakagi: Why do they have a branch in this place!? Why!? Damnit! It's all Sailor V's fault!! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Original manga copyright © 1994 Takeuchi Naoko. English translation copyright © 1996 Alex Glover. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Manga of Takeuchi Naoko | Sailor V | Volume 2