The Person that I Like (Watashi no Sukina Hito) Young Rose Comics DX. ISBN4-04-852585-9, retailed at 460 yen. Original Japanese copyright belongs to CLAMP and Kadokawa Shoten, 1995. First printing: July 16, 1995. The Person That I Like ~ Watashi no Sukina Hito ~ %Thoughts [handwritten text] {footnotes by Translator} [All of the main characters will be referred to as GIRL and BOY. Although they maybe older that description, to avoid confusion (on my part) all of them will be referred to it as that.] Scene 1: DIFFERENT p. 5 GIRL %I wore a kimono today. %I put it on by myself, so it may look a bit weird..but I tried my %best. %I wore a kimono with all of my might. %I wanted to be 'different' from my usual self. {A kimono is a traditional Japanese formal attire for woman. It is really hard to wear it just by yourself, unless you are experienced. Usually you need someone to assist you.} p. 6 GIRL ...Maybe I was wrong too... %The fight one week ago, the cause was a small thing, but both of %us were stubborn...we just couldn't say that 'one phrase.' I'm sorry... I can say it so easily if I'm not in front of him. [LITTLE BOY: She's weird. LITTLE GIRL: Yeah, she's really weird person.] GIRL %But, but you are wrong too. If you had smiled after the fight, %I could have been honest, instead of the usual stubborn self. p. 7 GIRL %I don't like fights, but I hate being patient more. If I stayed %patient, then little by little the 'bad feelings' that I couldn't %pour out, piles up in my heart, and the piled up 'bad feelings' %becomes a fuse and eventually it is going to explode within my %heart, and it won't just be fights anymore...and then... 'The %End.' %I feel that it is going to end up that way. %I want to apologize, I want to say I'm sorry. %But I can't be honest... %So I decided to wear a kimono. p. 8 GIRL %I wanted to be 'different', so I woke up early and tried my best %to put on the kimono. I've always felt 'different' when I wore %kimono. I've always been scolded by Mother that I have no %composure, but I always felt calm when I wore a kimono for my %various lessons. So if I wore a kimono, I thought I could be %'different' and become honest. {lessons: this means such as flower arrangement (ikebana/kadou) or tea ceremony type things (sadou). Basically cultural things.} p. 9 GIRL Bu, but what if this kimono didn't look good on me!? I don't know if this kimono suits me because I've never worn it... I've been saving it for a special occasion! Aaah, maybe that red one was better! [BOY: Gee, that weird person is thrashing about...] ...or the light blue one... Wa! I'm sorry! p. 10 [BOY: Oh it was you...] GIRL W, what happened...you're always in jeans... [inset: picture of the boy 'the usual style in jeans.' ] p. 11 GIRL Oh. You wanted to be 'different' too. GIRL & BOY I'm sorry. Essay: Hello to all the readers of 'YOUNG ROSE.' We are 'CLAMP.' To explain to the majority that thought "What's that?", 'CLAMP' is a group that plan and produce various things (laugh) by Satsuki Igarashi, Nanase Ohkawa, Mick Nekoi, and Apapa Mokona. This 'Watashi no Sukina Hito,' will hopefully bring various girl's likes and loves' 'doubt,' 'happiness,' 'regret,' 'satisfaction,' in a short story and essay form. Each episode will contain 7 pages of manga and a page of essay, for a total of 8 pages, but we will greatly appreciate if you could accompany us for a while. Have you ever though that you wanted to be a 'different" person? Have you ever tried various things because you wanted to be someone 'different" from yesterday? I have (laugh). If anyone says "I have," when did you feel that way?. Most of the time when I want to be'different,' is usually when I'm disgusted with myself (laugh), so usually it is when I am depressed. I want to be 'different' when I say things like, "Oh, what a dumb mistake I made, I want to bury myself in a hole!" "Ue-n {crying}, I wish I haven't said that, he definitely hates me now!" This story is based on my personal experience. It didn't involve 'love' (unfortunately, ); it was between my friend and me. We have known each other for a long time (about 15 years or so), and about three years ago, I had a fight with her. It was a petty reason. On that day, what would normally pass by as a joke did not invoke laughter in either of us. It was probably because both of us were very tired from pulling off several all nighters in a row (why we were pulling all- nighters is a secret. ) We could not measure each other's hearts and return appropriate responses that day, something we both do unconsciously most of the time. An uneasy silence. We parted that day, but of course we were not feeling good. After I was distressed and worried for a week, I called her saying "I have to talk to you." I wanted to apologize. But, we might end up in the same mood again. So in order to become a 'different' self, I wore a 'kimono' to meet her. The more you like someone, sometimes it is harder to say "I'm sorry." At those times, please recall this story.. If you become someone 'different' from the time when you had the fight, you might be able to become more honest. By the way. When I wore a 'kimono' that day, she came in her 'choir uniform.' And of course, to this day she is still one of my best friend. Scene 2: CUTE p. 15 GIRL %I think 'cute' is a really arbitrary word. I can kind of tell %what 'beautiful'' is but I can't trust 'cute.' %But... I really can't trust the concept of 'cute.' BOY Why? GIRL I can tell what 'beautiful' is. Like, "oh it's something like this." p. 16 BOY Yeah GIRL But there are too many shades to 'cute.' BOY Really? GIRL 'Cute' is such an arbitrary word, you can use 'cute' to describe anything. "Cute flowers" "Cute bird" "Cute manhole cover." BOY Are manhole covers cute? GIRL Depends on the person, but it doesn't sound as weird as a 'beautiful manhole.' Well a person that says a 'beautiful manhole cover' is rare. But there may be a person that says a 'cute manhole cover?' BOY Is there? GIRL There has to be. p. 17 GIRL I've always looked at this manhole cover and thought that it was noble and cute. BOY A manhole cover? GIRL Because no matter how much it gets stepped on, it stands there without a complaint. BOY If you say it that way, I guess it is. GIRL I've always thought that the word 'cute' had no special meaning. Like, the things you don't know how to praise, you just say that it's 'cute' and you don't have to worry about it. BOY For instance? GIRL When the newlyweds next door have a baby, and you see the face of the baby you say... BOY "That's a cute baby!" GIRL If the chairman of the board of the University Trustees was walking his snow-white dog on campus... BOY "That's a cute dog!" GIRL When you go shopping and you see a penguin {stuffed animal} BOY "That's a cute penguin!" p. 18 GIRL You see? BOY I get it GIRL So...I've always thought that you can't trust the word 'cute.' During the nineteen years of my life I've said 'cute' at various times and at various places. Even when someone says 'cute,' I see it as a ploy to make the situation more peaceful, or to just to continue the conversation. p. 19 GIRL So I've never felt anything special and just let it pass when I was told 'cute' by people. I've never felt happy or romantic when I was told 'cute.' But. I've changed my views recently. BOY Why? GIRL What do you think of me? p. 20 BOY You're cute. What's wrong? GIRL I can't I've never felt anything when I heard it from other people Why does your 'cute' gets me EXCITED? BOY Are you alright? Your face is all red. p. 21 GIRL I'm not alright, but I think I want to feel this excitement for the rest of my life. Weird, isn't it? RANDOM GUYS You're 'cute' as usual today! GIRL I don't feel anything as usual, why is that? BOY You can think about the reason slowly. I think I'll be saying 'cute' everyday. GIRL I'll be careful so that my heart doesn't explode. Essay: The word 'cute' is very arbitrary. I am sure that everyone has said 'cute' many times. 'Cute girl,' 'cute dress,' 'cute ice cream,' (this may be a bit weird ) etc. The word 'cute' is a very useful word that can be used for anything at any situation. I have said 'cute' to things at least four times a day, but when I think about what 'cute' really means, I don't know what it is. I know what the atmosphere of 'cute' is but I am at a loss if I was told to "Explain the word 'cute' in sixty words or less." Long time ago, there was an accident (exaggeration ) that involved the word 'cute.' It was my relative's wedding. That morning I spilled milk on the dress that I was planning to wear, and I was in a bad mood because I was forced to wear the pink skirt that I detested the most. I really liked the bride, and have swore that I would wear my favorite dress to congratulate her, but the 'plan' was forced to change from step 1 . I was sad because I thought that I was the ugliest thing in the world, wearing that skirt (that I was convinced) that looked ugly on me (one can tell that I was very simple minded from that time, ). However the old ladies and men, looking at me with the pink skirt said, "it's a 'cute' dress," or, "you are wearing a 'cute' skirt." That was when I was convinced. That the word 'cute' can be used as a 'social etiquette.' That saying 'cute' can be used as a ploy to avoid difficult situations. They may have actually thought that I was 'cute,' but I was still a child and was hurt because I realized that to 'cute' there is "really cute" and "I'm really not sure, but if I just say that it's 'cute' than it's alright." Even when I became an adult (I'm still a kid inside, ), I am still unclear as to "what is 'cute'." However I think that to 'cute' there is a time when there is a 'special meaning' and when there is 'no special meaning.' I am happy when I get complimented that my accessories and clothes are 'cute,' but if there is 'no special meaning,' I feel that if I am being too joyous about it I am being rude, therefore, for 'cute' I have decided to think about it and then make a reaction. But things have changed recently. Me, who have many doubts about the word 'cute,' for some reason lose all reason when I am told 'cute' by a particular someone. If I am told 'cute' by that person, I get Excited and become overly joyous for no particular reason, and become 'happy' for the rest of the day. Why does this happen? This story came is based on this experience. What? Who is that person? I'll tell you the next time when we are alone. Scene 3 I want to see you p. 25 GIRL %I have a 'boyfriend' %A 'boyfriend' that I rarely get 'to see.' %He is a 'mangaka {cartoonist}' and spends most of the year at his %desk and not with me. %Recently this is a bit % 'painful.' You're not going to answer the phone again. p. 26 GIRL I understand that you don't want to answer the phone from your editor, but what about my phone calls! At least have the answering machine on!! Moron! %Not being able to 'see you' is scary %Because I don't know what is happening to you when I don't 'see %you.' I don't know if you are doing 'work' right now or you are %seeing someone else. Maybe I'll wait for him in front of his work place. %But that won't be good too since someone will already be there. %When I couldn't get in contact with him for three weeks, I went %to his work place-living space apartment) I guess being an editor is hard. p. 27 GIRL %But... %If I can't "see you" I'm tempted to say the taboo. Which is more important, "work" or "me?" %Guys seem to really hate this one phrase. All the magazines %writes how this is the cruelest phrase to most guys. But... [Man: So it's alright with you that I become poor or become a himo {himo men who rely on woman for money. Basically cannot support themselves.} Woman: You're being cruel. I'm not saying that.] GIRL %What happens to the feelings of the girls that have to say that. p. 28 GIRL There is a song "My lover is Santa Clause," but "My lover is Mangaka" doesn't sound right. Everyone says "I'm envious because a boyfriend who works at home has lots of time" IT'S TOTALLY THE OPPOSITE! A 'working at home' means that 'there is no end to work.' It doesn't have holidays like working for a company, and it doesn't have a time card. Last year! And the year before that! We couldn't be together on Valentine's Day, Christmas, and even on my birthday! p. 29 GIRL %I want to 'see you.' I just want to, there's no complicated %reason. %A girl's happiness is to be with the person she likes. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks that...? Shut up! I'm thinking about something really important right now! If it's for a newspaper, I have 'The Television' so G-chord is fine. p. 30 BOY I'm sorry to come over this late. Oh, were you about to go to sleep? I'm sorry, I'll only stay for a while. GIRL What's wrong...? BOY I wanted to 'see you.' The deadline is tomorrow, but I for some reason I wanted to 'see you.' So I distracted the editor and finally got out. I'm sorry, I'll only stay for a while. GIRL Wait p. 31 GIRL Why don't you drink a cup of cafe au lait with me? BOY Yeah GIRL %You wanted to 'see me' as much as I wanted to 'see you.' %I'm sorry to bother you when you are busy. I'm sorry that I %thought about weird things, but girl's are always worrisome, so %if you think you want to 'see me,' please come 'see me.' I %always want to 'see you.' %I'll be the 'happiest' in the world with just that. Essay: This story evolved from talking to one of the few (seriously, ), friends of CLAMP, the mangaka Takeshi Okazaki Sensei. Okazaki Sensei said before to CLAMP that "Doing this kind of job makes it harder to spend time with my girlfriend." Okazaki Sensei's girlfriend, unlike the manga, works part time, so there were some freedom, but still the amount of time they can spend together was limited. And since Okazaki Sensei is famous for becoming missing ever so often , his editors must have a hard time, but it must be the same with his girlfriend. I worked with Okazaki Sensei on a particular magazine, so we worked over the phone many times, but sometimes he would whine to me about how he 'can't see' his girlfriend . Okazaki Sensei is very nice to woman, and CLAMP is always in awe of him (when the five of us go to a bookstore, he would always carry the books for all four of us) but even him, who is nice and generous was asked by his girlfriend, "You don't want to see me?", so girl's are really complicated. I think the feeling of wanting 'to see' is an basic 'evolution' of the 'heart' when you 'like' someone. When you 'like' someone, you naturally want 'to see' that person, and obviously when you are going out, but even when if it is one sided, just seeing the person that you 'like' unexpectedly makes you 'happy.' Aside from this, the 'evolution' of the feeling of 'like' have 'not to be hated,' 'curiosity,' and etc., but those are for another time. Scene 4 Younger p. 35 GIRL %Two months ago I was rejected. I was rejected because of 'age.' %My home is a bakery so we are pretty busy. %Well actually right now I am an OL, so I only help out at the %bakery when they are short on staff. {OL: Office Lady, A profession that basically involves bringing tea, faxing, and other not really important tasks.} [me working GIRL: There's one missing.] %It's a very busy store, but since we also bake cake so around %December, during Christmas time, we are 100 times more busy. p. 36 GIRL %So at the end of the year we have high school and college part %time students to help us out. And since other people are helping %out, the daughter must help out too. It is 2800 yen. Thank you very much! PART TIME GIRL Welcome GIRL %But I didn't help out last year's Christmas. %I was also doing the "Christmas for two" with folk dance and all %with the masses. p. 37 GIRL Yes! It's ten o'clock! Everyone! It's ten o'clock, it's over, it's over! PART TIME BOY Wa-! GIRL Nice job. PART TIMERS Nice job. GIRL %Christmas...there are all these cakes but none of them are mine. %Last year I baked it myself and gave it to him. This year it is %going to be 'Christmas with everyone.' BOY Excuse me... GIRL Yes? %This boy is the youngest of the part time group. What is it? p. 38 BOY Um...A cake... GIRL Cake? BOY May I buy one. . ? GIRL Hm? Sure, sure. Are you bring it home to eat with your family? Or is it with your girlfriend? BOY No...I'll buy it. GIRL It's alright, everyone really helped out... BOY I'll buy it GIRL Su, sure okay. %His new girlfriend is about his age. %A cute girl who said was a junior in high school. No she didn't %commit any crime. p. 39 GIRL %But I can't forgive that idiot. Be careful! Have a merry Christmas! %His "girlfriend" is about their age. "He," who was always %worried that he was three years younger than me. When we last %met he muttered, "Older woman just doesn't work out." %It's not like I didn't worry about it. My friends told me that a %younger boyfriend is a pain. That you can't compete when he gets %a younger girlfriend. If I had any control over it, I %wanted to be the same age too. %But I didn't like him because of his age. The person that I %liked just happened to be younger than me. Aaah! Ah-you scared me. What is it? Did you forget something? p. 40 BOY W...will you go out with me? GIRL W, why? Didn't you turn seventeen this year right!? I'm 24!! Boys should go out with cute girls around their age. . ! BOY Do you worry about the age thing? GIRL Well worry...you are... BOY I wanted to be born the same year, but...I didn't fall in love because of the age. GIRL You're right. It just happened that the person you liked was older than you. p. 41 GIRL ? BOY It's Christmas today...and I wanted to give you the best cake...but the best cake that I know is the one here... GIRL ...Thank you BOY Um if it causes any trouble I'll... GIRL No, it's not only the girl who worries about the age. Let's eat this cake together. I'll make some tea and you can tell me something other than your age. Essay: "Age" is like a "wall" for most things. When I was little, I liked to go on roller coasters, so every time we went to an amusement park I'll annoy my parents by saying, "I'm going to ride on that! I'm not going to go home until I ride on it!" However, I was only four at the time. My height was much shorter than the "If you are shorter than this line, you cannot ride it," sign that was in front of the ride; and my age was below that of the "you must be at least six years old" regulations. I cried and made lots of commotions and threatened the worker, "If you won't let me ride on it I'll dance here forever!" I sang the song "Ookina Kuri no Ki no Shita de {Underneath the big chestnut tree}" with the moves and everything, but my wish was not granted. By the way, from that time on, for some reason I believed that the reason why I couldn't ride on the roller coaster was "The roller coaster does not like me," and said, "Well if you are going to act that way, I'll hate you too. I won't forgive the roller coaster even if it apologizes to me" I bared a grudge against the roller coaster. And I guess because of that, even though the misunderstanding about the roller coaster has resolved, I still cannot ride on a roller coaster (Well now, it is just that I am "afraid" to get on it, ). This story came to life when I had the conversation with Toshihide Tonesaku, the actor who played the main character in the live action video "TOKYO BABYLON" which was originally written by CLAMP. Couple of days after the shooting of the video which was titled 'TOKYO BABYLON 1999,' there was a cast and staff party at Shibuya. The conversation took place at the Karaoke place that we went after the main party. I have forgotten how the conversation started it, but the question on the table was "The limit of the age difference in a relationship." The male staffs were saying, "Definitely younger," "Three years difference is the best," "The same is better," "Doesn't matter," etc. and the female staffs were laughing, "Men..." I asked "How about you Mr. Tonesaku?" and he asked me back laughingly, "What about females?," "Do females also worry about age?" "I guess a bit...If the other is younger, then I feel bad that I'm an old woman." "I think males also think that it is bad when they are younger too." I was astonished at the answers that Mr. Tonesaku gave to me with a smile (really). I have five female friends who have hardships since they are going out with younger men. They have all talked to me about the happiness of being the older, and the doubts that overweighs it. Because of that, for a long time I have thought that "Girls who go out with younger guys have lots of hardships." However I guess it is just not girls. Boys also have doubts and hardships because they are younger. Especially for 'love,' the 'wall that separates the 'age difference' is very high. If there are people who are worried that they are 'younger' or 'older' than their love, instead of thinking about it all alone, please come out and talk about it. If by being older (or younger) you feel that you are a burden upon your love, your love might also be worried that being younger (or older) than you, he or she is giving you doubts. Like the relationship between the roller coaster and me, I hope from the bottom of my heart that the small 'question' does not turn into a 'misunderstanding' and the 'wall' does not become a 'dead end' of the 'hearts' between 'the person you like.' P.S.-by the way I am 100% the guilty one about the 'differences of opinion' between me and the roller coaster . Scene 5: Suddenly p. 45 GIRL %At first I thought nothing about it. Yes, I fall in love %constantly, but he was totally the opposite of the type that I %always liked. At the time, there was another person at work that %I thought was 'good looking,' so I thought nothing of him. But %'like' is always occurs 'suddenly.' [WOMAN: The sample came.] GIRL This! It's the colors, return them to the printing press ASAP! Oh, please order 135 kg of this paper. p. 46 GIRL %I work in a design studio. I work at a company that does the %covers of CDs to magazines, direct mail, and other printing %design material. Aaah! The specified pen is missing! %The colors of the CD and the poster for the advertisement that %I'm in charge of had finished on the same day, so I'm in a bit of %a panic. [GIRL: I can't find it!] Th, thank you very much. %He is my boss, the design chief but p. 47 GIRL %I am a bit uneasy with him. %Because he is so taciturn, and shows no emotion, and you can't %tell what he is thinking at all. He's like someone who left his %social side on the road that is 100 meters away from the %building. %He isn't my type. I prefer a more... WOMAN The sample came in! [MAN: Let me see it.] GIRL Yeahy! It's finally done! Oh! The product of all of the hard work! It's to look at the finished product that we do the all nighters and work hard for! [WOMAN: Yeah, yeah] %Unsociable as usual. Can't he congratulate his worker or smile %or something when the eyes meet. But it's alright, I'm in a great mood because the sample came in. p. 48 GIRL ? Shet... S H...The spelling of the title is WRONG!!!! [COWORKERS: That's, that's really bad!?] p. 49 GIRL It is different... The CD's title...and it had to be the title...I checked it so many times, the words, the colors, and everything. I checked it all myself. WOMAN Um... Where are you going... GIRL I have to go apologize to the company... WOMAN But the sample's been made already... GIRL Yes even the sample's made already. I can only apologize. BOY Wait. We'll redo it one more time. p. 50 GIRL ...what... BOY Is the mistake only on the first cover? GIRL ...what... BOY I am asking if there is only one mistake GIRL Oh...I haven't looked at it yet BOY If it is only that one place, then we just need to reprint that one page. Contact the printing press immediately. GIRL But it's too late... BOY Yes, apologizing is one way of taking the responsibility, but to do the best you can is also the responsibility of the pro. p. 51 BOY I'll go to the company. You call the printing press! %And I felt it that moment, that "I just fell in love with this %person." %It is true that you realize 'like' suddenly. Yes!! Essay: The thought of 'like' always occur "suddenly." I have many things that I 'like.' The 'Egg McMuffin' at McDonalds, 'Plain Dog' at Moss Burger, the SNES game 'Shin Megami Tensei,' the 'Allophone Body Shampoo' of House of Rose, the comic 'Jojo's Bizarre Adventure' (especially the third part), etc. are the things that I 'like' recently. I 'like' all of them very much, but now that I think about it, my 'like' always occur 'suddenly' (like the old manga expressions) the light bulb goes on the top of my head, and I really 'suddenly' 'like' various things. This story evolved from the phone conversation with CLAMP's reliable big brother , the mangaka Kazushi Hagiwara Sensei. As many of you know, Hagiwara Sensei writes the manga 'BASTARD!!' in 'Monthly Jump' magazine, I was on the phone with him before the deadline of the ? th episode. To my question of "How are you doing?" he replied, "I'm not well physically, but I'm done with the name [plot] and currently working on the rough drawings," I remember that all four members of CLAMP were worried about his health and that he was overworking and talked about it after the phone conversation. Mr. Hagiwara is a type of person who puts his work in front of his health. He really loves manga, and he has such pride of his work and responsibility. CLAMP respects him very highly on how he shortens his sleeping schedule in order to make the manga funny and interesting to the reader, we are highly impressed, but we are also quite worried about him. And after several days from that, I called Mr. Hagiwara for another reason... "How is your work?" I asked. "I'm doing the name right now," replied Mr. Hagiwara and I was astonished at the response and immediately replied "What!? But you said that you finished the name, and started on the rough..." He responded casually, "Oh, I'm redoing the name." "Bu, but the dead line...And if you are doing the name right now you won't be able to sleep at all in the end!?" To the confused myself, Mr. Hagiwara responded in his usual bright voice, "But if people are going to read my work, wouldn't you rather want them to read an interesting one?" At that moment I thought that Mr. Hagiwara was really "cool." Of course I was a fan of Mr. Hagiwara long before that, but at that moment, my 'like' for the writer Kazushi Hagiwara increased. 'Like' always occur suddenly. I am sure that all of you have various different reasons for 'like.' To suddenly 'like' someone you didn't think much of before, or to 'like' someone who you had on your mind for a long time. The reason behind it can be anything. It doesn't have to be dramatic or cool, if the light bulb of 'like' goes on your heart, please take good care of it. That can become the first step toward a wonderful 'relationship.' Scene 6: Together p. 55 GIRL %I want to do something for the person I like. %That is the common wish for girls, especially to have something %in common with the person she likes is a wish that many girls %have. BOY What's wrong? p. 56 [BOY smiling] GIRL There isn't an instrument BOY What? The teacher just gave them out to everyone... GIRL But there isn't one [looks in] BOY ...it's not there GIRL yes p. 57 BOY Okay, just wait for a moment. BOY Come on, the teacher is calling. I play the harmonica too. Let's practice together. p. 58 GIRL %Come to think of it that was love at first sight. He was the %first boy to be nice to me in my life, I realized that I liked %him. %He was very good on the harmonica...He played a solo for the %kindergarten ensemble. %For some reason I wanted to become good at the harmonica... %I practiced very, very hard. %I didn't really like the harmonica much before but...the %harmonica became my favorite instrument in the world. %Now that I think about it...I wanted something in common with %that boy. I wanted to have something that I can be happy, %joyous, and be able to talk 'together' with that boy. p. 59 GIRL %I really liked that boy, so I came to like the harmonica too. %People say that girls who change their styles or hobbies to match %the boys have no self identity, but that is wrong. Girls are not %overworking. It is a great thing to 'like' the things that the %person she 'likes' 'like.' WAA! [Sonic] BOY I'm sorry I was getting this, I'm sorry to keep you waiting. p. 60 BOY Here GIRL This...but...you can only get it at an arcade right? I thought that you didn't like the arcade. BOY But you like this stuffed animal. I still don't like the arcade much, but I like this stuffed animal because you told me about it. GIRL ...Thank you %To have fun or to be happy 'together' with the person you like, %you aren't overworking. p. 61 BOY Let's go, the movie is about to start. GIRL Hey. Do you still like the harmonica? BOY Yes GIRL I like it too. Essay: To be happy with someone 'together' is a wonderful thing. Many times something that is great to do 'alone' is much more 'wonderful' to do it with 'two.' Of course there are things that are things that are 'wonderful' with just 'one,' so not all things are great with 'two.' But, to have someone 'happy' with you is 'happiness' (Hm? That's a weird way to put it, ) it's something that cannot be exchangeable. This story is based on one of the member of CLAMP, Apapa Mokona's love experience when she was little (it was when she was in first grade, so it was when she was really little, ). The boy that Mokona-chan like at the time was a first grader who played the harmonica very well, so she practiced really hard on the harmonica every single day. Now that she thinks about it, she doesn't know why she had to be good at the harmonica if the boy was good at it , however she told me that at the time she was desperate. Mokona-chan probably wanted something that was the 'in common' with the harmonica-boy. To play the harmonica 'together' with him. To talk about the harmonica 'together' with him. To like the harmonica 'together' with him. To do something 'together' with him, Mokona-chan tried hard everyday to become an harmonica-girl. In magazines, they criticize girls who become influenced by their boyfriends or girls who try hard to like what their boyfriends like, as someone who has no "self identity" or someone who have "no self," but I think it is a bit different. The girls probably just want something in common with their boyfriends. There will be more things they can do 'together', if she 'likes' what her boyfriend likes. For example, if she likes the soccer team that her boyfriend likes, then they can go the games 'together;' if the team wins, they can celebrate 'together;' if they lose, they can be bitter 'together.' To do things 'together' with the person you like. And it is the thing that the person you 'like' "likes" so it doesn't take much effort to 'like' it yourself. It is really a wonderful thing to share happiness with someone 'together.' If all of you 'like' someone, and there is something that you can do 'together,' then please feel the 'happiness' of that experience. Scene 7: Beautiful p. 65 GIRL %I want to be 'beautiful.' All girls think that. Especially %girls who are in love have that feeling more than anyone else. %That is why I have it too. Why is it raining-!! p. 66 GIRL I had it all decided yesterday! The dress! The purse! The shoes! Even the jewelry! It took me two hours to plan it all out. It was all perfect! I even curled my hair before I went to sleep! My hair is straight,but that dress goes much better with the curled hair, so I spent an hour putting the curlers on! But! Why! Why does it have to rain on this day!? The skirt that I decided on is a long white one so if it gets any mud on it, I can only cry about it p. 67 GIRL And because of the humidity the hair, look, the curls are already gone. %Oh, I didn't think it would end up like this! God you are %cruel!! %Today is the day I wanted to look the most beautiful in the %world! I know that is asking much but I want to be the most %beautiful me in my entire life. Today is the day I meet the %person who I love. [Panicked] Aaaah! It, it, it's already two o'clock! We are supposed to meet at three! It takes half an hour to get their by train from here! That means that I only have half an hour to find something to wear and put on makeup and then get to the station! p. 68 GIRL I, I'll just wear this! And I'll bring this purse! And the shoes will be. . ! %Wait %Those shoes is the only one that goes with this outfit! I can't %wear those if it's raining outside! Then it'll be this. This suit and this purse!! I wore this last time we met. Then it's this! This, this, and this! [I'm not going to lose.] ...it looks really ugly. Wa-n! {crying} I can't take it anymore! I look ugly in anything! It doesn't matter I wear! p. 69 GIRL He'll definitely hate me! He'll get bored of me! The only thing I can do is wear a Godzilla costume and get some laughter! I'm late!!!! Oh I'll just wear this!!! %God...why couldn't you be an ally just for today. If it was %sunny outside I could have been a little bit more 'beautiful' %today than my usual self. He may have thought that I was a %little 'beautiful' today. %...Today I must be the most ugliest thing in the world. p. 70 GIRL I'm sorry that I'm late. BOY You are half an hour late, what happened? I was worried, you are never late...and it was raining p. 71 GIRL ...I'm sorry. BOY Well you look especially 'beautiful' today so I'll forgive you. You look great in that clothes. Let's go you must be hungry. GIRL %I'll take that back. God, thank you very much for making it %rain. Essay: I want to be 'beautiful.' That is probably a common wish among all girls. There may be those who says, "I don't especially want to be 'beautiful.' I already look 'beautiful' the way I am," or "I don't have any interests in the way I look. It doesn't matter if you are 'beautiful' or not," but personally I want to be 'beautiful' myself . 'Beautiful' is a very subjective term. There are many who have different opinions, ideas and tastes about what is 'beautiful.' I came up with this story when I heard one of the member of CLAMP, Satsuki Igarashi-chan's story when she was little (it was when she was in kindergarten, so it was when she was really little, ). At the time Sat-chan (this is what CLAMP calls Igarashi-kun) was a quiet little child and was teased by the boys at her kindergarten. There was one boy that defended her and as usual Sat-chan fell in love with him (so her first love was when she was in kindergarten). After that Sat-chan folded her smock for kindergarten, polished her bag, and even washed her shoes with all her might. So Sat-chan wanted to be 'beautiful' for that boy. I want to be 'beautiful' for the person I like. I always want to be 'beautiful' in front of the person I like. How old you are or how old you've become, most girls always think about that. It has been said that you become 'beautiful' when you are in love, but I've always thought that was because you were nervous. It means if you fall in love=there is someone you like. If there is someone like you want the other person to fall in love with you. So it is natural to want that person you like to look at the most 'beautiful' you. "I want to be beautiful." That is like a spell for girls in love to become better. I know about 12 people who have become 'beautiful' after falling in love, and of that 12, nine of them got married and became a great wives. And I hope everyone won't forget the spell, "I want to be beautiful" and experience a wonderful love. Scene 8: Doubts p. 75 GIRL %The reason you have 'doubts' is because you 'like' someone. If %there was only me in the world, then I will never feel have any %'doubts' since I wouldn't have a care for anything. %'Like' "Love" %But because of that, I have the same amount of "doubts." GIRL as CAT [movement] %I'm so happy, I'm full and the blanket is fluffy and warm. And %this is his house. p. 76 GIRL as CAT %I wish I can just stay here forever. I'll be happy if this will %never end. What! What happened!? What's wrong!? I want to stay forever in this room! I want to stay here! Why are you being mean to me!? NO! It's cold! I don't want to go outside it's cold! p. 77 GIRL as CAT Why!? It's cold outside! The snow is cold! Why won't you let me stay inside the room!? BOY I don't want you anymore! GIRL as CAT Please open! Don't be mean!! Don't dump me! Please open! It's cold outside! I'm sad! I'm lonely! p. 78 GIRL I...I just had an haunting dream... %Dreams I've been having recently. %The plots are all different but the ending is the same. He tells %me that he 'doesn't want' me anymore. %I have doubts. %I 'like' him, but it may not be the same with him. He might %'like' me today, but he may 'hate' me today. p. 79 GIRL %I 'like' him so I have 'doubts'. ...Because of that haunting dream I'm hesitant to open it... %Wh, why!? It doesn't open, it's the duplicate that he gave to %me! Does this mean "Not to come in!?" %D, did I get dumped!? Did that dream come true!?) [CAT: Meow, it's cold] BOY What are you doing? GIRL WAAA! p. 80 BOY Come in, or you're going to end up as a snowman. [GIRL: I'm sorry...] GIRL U, um...the key...it didn't open... BOY I told you last week that I put another lock. [GIRL: Oh, oh yeah...] p. 81 GIRL ...Great...the dream didn't come true BOY Did you say something? GIRL Nothing %I have the same amount of 'doubts' as the same amount of 'like.' %I have the same amount of days that I have 'doubts' as the days %that I 'like' you. But I 'like' you with all of that 'doubts.' Essay: It is easy for girls to have 'doubts.' Of course it does not mean that they always have 'doubts,' but lots of time they have 'doubts. So when is it the easiest time to have 'doubts?' I think it is when they are in 'love.' When I 'like' someone I become really, really 'happy.' It is different from when you have someone you 'like' and when you don't have someone. Of course there are times that you feel sad and painful when you 'like' someone, but most of my 'like' makes me 'happy.' However, if you 'like' sometimes you think how long that 'happiness' is going to last. I came up with this story when I had a long phone call late at night with a friend of mine. She 'likes' an older man, and she told me excitedly how she 'like' that person and how 'happy' she was. She also told me on the phone that she had 'doubts' of how long that 'happiness' was going to last. The more you are 'happy' you get more scared when that 'happiness' ends. Emotions are hard to predict. To predict the 'change of heart' of someone is maybe harder then predicting the outcome of tomorrow's stock exchange. You may 'like' the person today, but 'hate' him tomorrow. And the same goes with him, he might 'like' you today but 'hate' you tomorrow. Girls always have 'doubts.' I think that there is no 100% solution to this 'doubts.' To a heart that has 'love' there are 'doubts.' You might be able to get rid of the cause of the 'doubts,' but tomorrow you might have 'doubts' for some other reason. If there is anyone that is reading this have found her own solution to get rid of the 'doubts' that follows 'like' please tell me. I am one of those who have 'doubts.' Scene 9 Courage p. 85 GIRL %February 14 is Valentine's Day. I have been thinking for a long %time. How did Valentine's Day come about? Why on 'Valentine's %Day' you feel like 'confessing' your love? p. 86 GIRL Hm, a typical 'Valentine' display...It has the aura of buy this and 'confess your love' written all over it. [This, this] Buying it is alright, just buying it. [CUPID: You don't want it?] But what am I supposed to do if I tell him and get dumped. %The person I 'like.' I'm only a high school student, and he is a teacher at the juku. {juku: after school, school. Okay bit confusing but a school type of a place that most Japanese kids go so that they can "excel" in their studies. Not a fun place.} [GIRL: I don't understand it] %I still remember when I came to like him. It was the day after %it rained. p. 87 [GIRL: It's muddy...] GIRL AAAH! My handmade sweater [She's distracted] AAAH! p. 88 GIRL For the shoujo manga loving myself it was the perfect situation to fall in love. p. 89 GIRL %I asked him out for a movie couple of times after that, but I was %always the one initiating it. I never got a phone call from %him. I know that it is only me in the relationship. I'm just a female student at the juku. [getting depressed] %Today is Valentine's Day. It's the day where it is alright for %the girl to confess love to the boy. The chocolate and the %sweater I bought for him. But I'm afraid that I'll get dumped %even though I'll confess my love to him. %But if it wasn't Valentine's Day I may not have even thought %about 'confessing my love.' I don't know who decided but today %is the 'special day' so %I got the feeling that I can 'confess my love.' I like you. p. 90 GIRL Um...I know it is probably a nuisance to you, but I like you...Um, um, um BOY Thank you GIRL WHAAAAAAAT!!! R, REALLY, REALLY!!? BOY What do you mean 'really?' GIRL Um p. 91 GIRL Is, isn't it a nuisance or troublesome? Um, um BOY If it was troublesome, I wouldn't have come on Valentine's Day. GIRL %Because it is a 'special day' you get the 'courage.' I, I get it. %I guess 'Valentine's Day' is a 'special day' for those courage. %It's a day where the girl can have "courage" to confess her love. [From the girl, with courage] %It's a day where the boy can have "courage" to reply to that %confession. It's that kind of a special day. Essay: I wanted to write a story that has something to do with "Valentine's Day." The reason behind the creation of this story was a little thing. CLAMP loves 'holidays.' For Christmas we get a cake, for Halloween we all watch horror videos (actually a bit different? ), we are a group that loves events. The month that this story was in 'Young Rose' was February. The event for February is 'Valentine's Day' and 'Mame Maki.' {Mame Make: also known as "Setsubun" usually falls around 2/3 or 2/4. It is the day before the season changes. It involves throwing beans at Oni or demons to throw them out of the house (I think...). You are supposed to throw the number of beans that equals your age.} I thought about writing about 'Mame Maki' would be cool, but I decided to go with 'Valentine's Day' since that had to do with chocolates that I love (oh, I love beans too, ). CLAMP have only written couple of mangas that had to do with 'Valentine's Day.' One of the reason is that the ones that we are currently writing right now is hard to put in 'holidays,' but the main reason is that there is no character who thinks, 'It's Valentine's Day. I have to go buy chocolates.' (Especially the main character in the story in the magazine "Asuka," is not in the situation where he is worried about receive any, ). So that problem 'Valentine's Day,' I am sure that everyone knows that globally it is not required to give chocolates. The person who leads the girls by saying, "Give chocolates on Valentine's Day" is the President of a junk food company. But. It doesn't matter how it started it doesn't change the fact that for girls, 'Valentine's Day' is an 'important day.' February 14th is the only day where you get the 'courage' to 'confess your love,' on an 'event' called 'Valentine's Day.' There is no scientific proof but, girls who are in love on February 14th armors herself with 100 times more 'courage' then usual to confront the boys. The boy she loves, but weren't able to say for a long time. 'Valentine's Day' may be a 'turbo engine' for girls in love . Scene 10: Natural p. 95 GIRL % 'Marriage' is difficult. %How do all of the couples in the world opens the 'door' from %'love' to 'marriage.' %What kind of an 'event' occurred so that they decided to get %'married.' p. 96 GIRL AAAAAAh! It's a bad habit to forget what you are doing when you are thinking. The curry is alright %How many times have I made a meal for him. %The first time we met was at the company's Ohanami. {Ohanami basically a big picnic where everyone gets drunk while admiring the cherry blossoms.} %He worked at a different branch in the company, so it was the %first time I talked to him. p. 97 GIRL %He told me later that he was just really happy because he loves %Ohanami [A big thing of potato salad] %My first impression of him was a "weird person." %My house owns a restaurant and because of that I loved to cook %ever since I was little. [Scoop out the center of the tomato and put in onion and tuna with mayonnaise] %So for that Ohanami I made some lunch. [MAN: You are eating everything! Give me some too you know.] p. 98 BOY You are a great cook. GIRL %We just started to go out from then, it's been two years since %then. %On my last birthday he said, "let's get married" But we started %to go out really casually so... %I don't know how to jump from 'love' to 'marriage' p. 99 GIRL Ye-s BOY It smells great. GIRL Tonight is curry. [BOY: Yeahy!] GIRL %He's a good man. I love him. But I don't know if this feeling %is the feeling that I want to get 'married.' p. 100 [BOY: I'll have some salad.] BOY Second please [BOY: Why are you smiling? This salad is great.] GIRL You do have an appetite. [GIRL: Eating two of the tomato salad.] If you are going to eat with that kind of an appetit, I want to cook for you, forever. BOY Wh, What? Is there something wrong? [BOY: Did you want the tomatoes?] p. 101 GIRL No. Nothing %It is easy. It's nothing. %To get married. There doesn't have to be anything 'special.' I want to be with you forever, that's all I need, right. %I want to cook for you forever. If we can just keeping that %"natural" feeling, we'll be a great married couple.) Let's get married Essay: The reader of this manga, are you married or single? None of the members of CLAMP are married yet, but we all admire being a bride like every girl around that age (well when does that age end, ). This story evolved when three of the friends of CLAMP got married in a row. All three couples are different in age, and all three of them and their husbands have different jobs and come from different places, but all of them said something that made an 'impression.' "The reason why we decided to get married was because we thought, 'I think we can live together naturally.'" The three couples who said this didn't think much of it, but to me these words were rather interesting. To me, who is single, 'marriage' is an 'unknown territory' . To me who is not married (or never been married), I do not understand the worries of wive, or the hardships of the husbands. To me who is single, 'marriage' is a very 'special' event that I thought involved a big 'decision' and 'determination,' so when the three married couples told me "I think we can live together naturally" I was rather 'amazed.' But I also realized something. 'Marriage' is something that is special. You become 'married' to someone who is a stranger so it is an 'event' (I guess, ) that I can't even conceive. However, although that 'event' is over in an instance, what waits for the two after that is the same 'everyday life.' Morning comes the same as before marriage, you wake up just the same, you eat breakfast just the same, and you have to go to work just the same. That is why, I realized that the three married couple picked someone who they can 'live together naturally.' This story is full of what I 'realized.' But it seems as though I won't experience this 'event' for a long time . Scene 11: Separation p. 105 GIRL %Who said that 'distance' and 'feelings' are directly in %proportion to each other. The more the "distance" the more the %"feelings" are separated. That's a "lie." I'm sad that I can't %say that with confidence. [GIRL: I guess something like this] %It was close in the beginning p. 106 GIRL %My house was three minutes away from his house by bike. %We were close that we used to laugh that the phone bill was %wasted...But %Now it is a complete "long distance relationship." %I'm not doing it because I like it. It's just that he had to %move because of his father's business, and we are only in high %school. %We couldn't do anything about it. %The distance between him and me is so far apart that I can't even %make a long distance phone call because of the bill. p. 107 GIRL %The last time we met was three months ago. He hadn't change a %bit when we met three months ago, but %No one knows how he is going to be like today. Hm...well where he moved is famous for having lots of good looking girls. In three months I'm sure he had numerous chances to find a new love. %Boys can change in three months. He may be better looking. But %I haven't changed a bit. I'm still the same person who said, %"see you," at the train station. p. 108 GIRL %I can't compete if he find some pretty girl over there.) [GIRL: Ok, I'm going.] %I guess 'feelings' get defeated by 'distance.' I guess it %doesn't matter how much you fight, you can't get along when there %is distance. %It's even hard to hold hands and walk together if we are this far %apart. p. 109 GIRL %I'm getting gloomy...Is he going to come to the meeting place. %Five minutes have passed from the time we said. Maybe he's %already forgotten about me...He may have forgotten about our %promise three months ago and going out right now like that with a %pretty girl. Oh I'm getting depressed. p. 110 GIRL Wh, why are you running? BOY Th, the train, was, late because of an accident. I didn't want to keep you waiting so I ran as fast as I could... GIRL That's why you ran all the way...Hey p. 111 GIRL Did you want to see me? BOY Well I wouldn't have come all the way here by saving up money by working and running here all the way. GIRL You're right. %I get it, the reason why it ends is not because of 'distance,' if %there is still the feeling that you want to see each other the % 'love' persists. The feelings don't get separated because of %distance. The feelings get separated so the distance gets %separated too. If you just keep on thinking that you want to see %each other, the feelings stay close. BOY Why are you smiling? GIRL Nothing, I wanted to see you too. Essay: A "long distance relationship" seems to be painful. The 'longest' couple that I know of is between "Osaka" and "Norway," but it seems that it doesn't have to be that world wide to be in a "relationship which is hard to see each other often." This story is based upon, a friend of mine, a magazine editor's 'confession' . Any kind of work is of course hard, but my friend was placed early in her career to be in charge of a weekly magazine which is a pretty hard job. My friend was placed in the Tokyo publisher from the Osaka one, but she had to leave her boyfriend who she was going out with from college behind in Osaka, so she had various doubts. The distance between Osaka and Tokyo is three hours on a Shinkansen {Bullet train}. There may be some who would get angry if this is called 'far,' but it is also not a distance in which you can just make a date for tomorrow. And on top of that she is a busy magazine editor. It doesn't matter if they decide on this day of this month they were going to definitely see each other, because the writer that she is in charge of won't necessarily get the manuscript in on time . There seemed to be numerous times in which she had to cancel the meetings in Osaka in which he had taken the time out of his busy schedule. But, she still continues the Osaka-Tokyo, "long distance relationship." Putting aside the friends who have broken up because of the "long distance relationship," I smiled at her who, even though she fights, still puts her feeling one more step in front, I asked her how she does it, and she replied like this. "Well the 'feelings' don't get separated too even though it is a 'long distance relationship.'" Yes, that is quite correct. Even though it is a "long distance relationship," this day and age there are ways to communicate with each other by phones, mails, e-mails, and etc. If the 'feelings' are not separated the 'love' doesn't end. That's the truth . P.S.- This friend is planning on changing the "long distance relationship" to a "long distance marriage" . Scene 12: Marriage p. 115 GIRL %I am getting married. %But I have lots of doubts. p. 116 GIRL %...I am getting 'married'...today. SISTER 1 Are you finished? [Oh it is "Uma ni mo Ishou."] GIRL [It's "Mago, mago."] {Mago ni mo Ishou: forgot the meaning... sorry. I'll look it up for the next version...but it basically means (I think) looks rather beautiful than normal type thing.} [SISTER 1: I want to wear it again too...] SISTER 2 Aren't you hungry? Here are some sandwiches. SISTER 1 You should eat some, bride is a cruel role that doesn't allow you to eat the food right in front of you. [O ho ho ho ho {laughter}] SISTER 2 Sis, you were eating them rather hungrily, right after the Oironaoshi, where you changed from the kimono to the dress. {Oironaoshi The time in which the bride and groom change what they are wearing. It is usual for the bride and sometimes the groom to change what they are wearing about twice during the reception. My cousin changed about three times} [SISTER 2: Everyone was rather amazed at how much you ate sis.] p. 117 SISTER 1 O ho ho ho I hadn't eaten anything from morning because I was so nervous, so I lost a little sense. [SISTER 2: OH] SISTER 1 What's wrong? SISTER 2 Do you have an upset stomach. GIRL It's nothing, it's just that I couldn't go to sleep last night. SISTER 1 You!? Who have the fattest nerves out of the three of us. SISTER 2 You who doesn't care about anything out of the three of us. GIRL I, I, I, I, I get emotionally unstable too on the 'wedding day.' MAN The relatives of the bride--. SISTER 1&2 Ye-s SISTER 1 We'll be gone for a bit, but you have to eat. p. 118 SISTER 2 If you don't want to be like your sister and become a hog during the reception. GIRL %My sister's who are married, didn't you have any doubts? %I feel like I am going to be a completely different person. %Can you actually vow that you are going to stay together with %someone who you are "marrying," someone who has no relation, %someone who is "different"? %I really love him. I thought I wanted to marry him, but p. 119 GIRL %I might change after I get married. %Maybe I'm jumping into something too soon. %If we get married things might not go as the same as before. He %may have liked the me that was before we got married. %If we fight and decide to breakup, it is different then breaking up when you are just going out. [divorce papers] WAAAAAAA! {Scream} p. 120 GIRL I! I!! BOY Wow, a beautiful bride. GIRL Um! Um! Um! I! I might change after we get married! I may not be the person before the marriage! BOY Isn't that alright? GIRL What? p. 121 BOY Before we a married we did "the things you can only do before marriage" and after we get married we'll just do "the things you can only do after marriage." So right after we get married we'll just find something interesting that only married people can do. GIRL YES! Essay: "Before marriage just do things that you can only do before marriage, after marriage just do things that you can only do after marriage." The words that decorated the last episode are the words I said to my sister. My sister got married when I was in high school. We are separated in age (eight years), but my sister who was at the time a new kindergarten teacher, would come for a "consultation" to me for various things. About the kindergarten, about friends, and about love. My sister who looked like a high school student forever, at the time was debating whether or not to marry the person she was going out with. My sister wanted to become a kindergarten teacher ever since she was little, and preserved that dream, graduated from a two year college, and was able to make that dream come true without looking back on it at all. To me, my sister was "someone who always have a smile, but is strong inside" so even though she said that she was debating, usually the answer was already decided, so I was listening to her thinking that this was the same again, however she was acting different for that time. To my sister who had just become a kindergarten, a married life must have been something that was really "something that is unknown and fearful." Once she decide she goes ahead with it, but for that time she couldn't come up with the answer after three months. And the words in the beginning are the words that I said to her the last time she came to me. I thought that I said something fresh for someone who was single, but my sister was convinced with that one word. Now she is living in Osaka happily with two girls named Mako and Utako, and a wonderful husband. So this episode is the end of "Watashi no Sukina Hito." Thank you very much for staying until the end. I am still unexperienced to lecture on 'like,' but if there is a chance that we meet again, please tell me your definition of 'suki.' We dedicate this book to "the people we like." ~Watashi no Sukina Hito~CLAMP NEWSPAPER PIRATED VERSION p. 126 OHKAWA So "Watashi no Sukina Hito" ended up in one book. NEKOI I was wondering when it would be with the one months of 8 pages. But this series started at the beginning of '93, so it has been about year and a half. OHKAWA Yeah, yeah NEKOI It was the first time that I didn't draw where the main characters were these two head worth of height so I was nervous. And on top of it, it was the first time drawing pictures for Nanase-chan's original work. [My heart was pounding.] OHKAWA It was good that you were able to draw lots of girls. [I had fun with Nekoi too.] p. 127 OHKAWA Because the magazine was for teens and up, for CLAMP the created characters are rather old. NEKOI Umm, but even though they are old, with my drawings they look like middle school kids. [This is an OL. She has a younger boyfriend] Oh but, she might look rather good wearing a uniform and giving tea. [Rather unexpectedly] OHKAWA But the reference material for the clothes are "an an" "non-no" and "OLIVE" {All of the magazines mentioned above are for high teens} The girl who was in the first episode wore grunge. [We wore it too didn't we, grunge.] NEKOI A ha ha {laughter} during that time it was just grunge. [Yeah, wore it, wore it.] OHKAWA But the rest of the girls aren't wearing anything in a particular style.. NEKOI Age wise, they are not girls who gets influenced by fads. [Apologetic] OHKAWA That's only for the setup of the characters. [The age.] [Characters are like kids anyway.] NEKOI U-n while I was drawing the grunge was out, and after that there wasn't any particular style that came into fashion. Clothes that looked cute and clothes that look cute on paper is different. [There really wasn't one that I can tell real quick after drawing it.] [The China style is in this year too, so I'm happy.] p. 128 [China style blouse with transparent shoes and bags] OHKAWA What is this? NEKOI I just wanted to draw girls. I wanted to draw them cute by changing the clothes and accessories. [Oyakusoku manga like that is good too.] {Oyakusoku: things that always happen. Like the good guys always gets the girl, and the villain dies in the end.} OHKAWA Talking about oyakusoku, for the color and B&W advertisement for the next episode, there was a motif to it. Did you realize it? NEKOI Yes, yes. Often you couldn't see because of the cut size. [Girl (main) and an animal] Is always in it. But for the color, there is one that I forgot to put in the animal. [E he he {laugh} I forgot to put it in when I was copying.] OHKAWA You forgot to put in one animal for the manga's title part too. p. 129 NEKOI Well I had fun with this series because I was able to draw lots of girls. OHKAWA The boys were a side characters. NEKOI Boys are hard too because they are boys. The number of ways to tell them apart with various hair styles is limited. The clothes are standard but I have to be careful that the characters can be distinguished from each other. With my drawing, a salary man with a suit looks like a kid. OHKAWA [Especially with this person, he looked really like a kid.] NEKOI I want a sullen salary man. [Sean Connery type salary man...too good looking.] OHKAWA Salary man who is silver? {silver, meaning old and cool} If the magazine was different. [But it is 1,000,000 years early. Harrison Ford type salary man is good too.] Well it doesn't go perfect from the first time. Let's work on it together. NEKOI [U, u...I'll work hard.] OHKAWA So let's work hard together as CLAMP. NEKOI Oh so we can become a silver managakaki [mangaka] !? [MOKONA: Evil smile] [IGARASHI: Fu fu fu fu fu fu {evil laughter}] OHKAWA NO!