Yami no Matsuei
                   Akuma no Toriru/Demon's Trill Part 1
                            By Matsushita Yoko
                      Translated/Summarized by Theria

Translation Key

"Quotes" mean that someone is talking.
Unformatted text without quotes are narration that often appear in boxes.
Italics are someone's thoughts.
Smaller font are comments outside of speaking bubbles or thought boxes that
are usually handwritten into the manga.
{Bracketed items} are comments by translator.
[Square bracketed items] are descriptions of something from the manga.

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Doctor: "How is it, Minase-kun? Can you see my hand?"

Minase Hijiri: "... ...yes."

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At Amakusa Private Hospital in Kumamoto (a city? province?).

Nurse holding bouquet: "Congratulations on your release from the hospital,
Minase-kun. These are from all of the nurses...

Hijiri smiling: "Thank you very much. I'm very grateful to all of you for
your help while I was here."

Nurses in a huddle: "Minase-kun smiled at me!!" "What are you talking
about. He was smiling at me!" "No, it was me!" "No, me!"

Old ladies watching them, annoyed: "What's going on?" "They're so noisy."

Hijiri walking off: Man, are the nurses here starving for men.

Doctor: "No, you're just their idol. Minase-kun. I envy you."

Hijiri: "Doctor!"

Doctor: "So, you were released today? When are you returning to school?"

Hijiri: "Tomorrow. I told them it was okay for me to go today but the
principal is a worrier and told me that I had to at least rest for one
day."

Doctor: "So that's how it is. But you are winner of Japan's Violin Concours
(competition). You have to be careful with a one in ten thousand violin
genius."

Hijiri a bit uncomfortable: "That's a bit much...The violin is the precious
legacy my deceased parents left for me." I who had nothing else was left
that single thing with which to live. "Thanks to that, I've been able to
attend such a famous music school such as Hakuro. I used to wonder why they
left this kind of thing to me...but now I'm thankful."

Doctor: "But when you return to school, won't you be harassed by the rich
kids?"

Hijiri: "Nothing I can do about it. Since it's a private school, there are
bound to be untalented students running to it. And because they have so
much money, the teachers pretend not to see anything. Commoners like me
have not other choice but to endure it. Um, well, sometimes I get back at
them. Hammurabi strictures are my bible."

{Theria: Hammurabi was a king of Babylon who was best known for his code of
very fair laws. An eye for an eye is one of his most well known laws that
is still remembered today. For the complete translation of his code of
laws, go to The Code of Hammurabi.}

Doctor: "Strong aren't you. That's quite a vicious circle."

Hijiri: "I don't mind that so much because I'm so glad. You corrected my
cornea that was making me blind in one eye. I'm relieved that I can play
the violin again."

Doctor: "For your parents who taught you how to play the violin, you need
to keep going huh."

Hijiri: "...yeah."

Doctor: "Well, this is it for me. I have to return to work."

Hijiri: "Ah, wait Doctor! I would like to thank the person who donated the
cornea."

Doctor: "Thanks? I'm afraid that isn't possible because the donor is
usually a corpse."

Hijiri: "Well, a relative is fine too. I feel kind of bad about it. I don't
like being the only one benefiting."

Doctor: "Relative huh? Well, the cornea donor Otonashi Tatsuya had a
daughter Kazusa..."

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Old Nun: "Is that so? So then you are Otonashi-san's (donor recipient)."

Hijiri: "I heard that a relation of his is here..."

Old Nun: "That child has many guests today. Before you, there were two men
who asked a number of things. Strange things. Kazusa-san somehow
understands her father is dead."

Hijiri: "..."

Old Nun: "Kazusa-san. There's is someone here to see you."

Teddy Bear: "I-yooo bro! Feeling good!?" Translation by Matsushita-sensei:
Hey, older brother. How are you doing?

Hijiri tries to run away screaming "The bear..." "The bear..." but the old
nun is holding him back by the tail of his school jacket.

Old Nun: "Calm down."

The teddy bear and its holder are sweatdropping.

Old Nun: "You shouldn't tease your visitor, Kazusa-san."

Kazusa: "Who are you, onii-chan? Are you papa's friend?"

Hijiri: "Eh...ah...no, I..."

Much later...

Kazusa: "So thanks to papa you can see again. I'm glad."

Hijiri: "Yeah...I wanted to say a word of thanks. But, I'm sorry..." I can
see the light again but...you...

Kazuka: "Why are you apologizing? Kazusa is fine. Just fine." {Theria:
Children tend to speak in third person.}

Hijiri: Kazusa...

Kazusa: "Come again, okay? Hii-chan. Papa also played the violin. He was
really good. Sometime, you'll let Kazusa hear your violin too okay?"

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Hijiri's room that night. He's sitting on a window seat. Following thoughts
are Hijiri's.

After that, I couldn't help feeling bad.

Hijiri's left eye is slitted.

My chest tightened making breathing painful.

It's as if I killed Kazusa's father...

Hijiri's left eye stings and blood runs down his face from it.

That night, the first time since I was born, I realized what a great crime
my existence was.

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At school the next day, Hijiri looks fine surrounded by classmates who are
also labeled as 'commoners'.

Classmates: "Hijiri..........! Hey, long time no see!!"

Male Classmate: "How's your eye?"

Hijiri: "Fine."

Male Classmate: "It's too bad you had to be absent for so long."

Classmate: "The principal is waiting so you'd better hurry up and go."

Hijiri: "Ah. I haven't met him a lot..."

Classmates crying: "You finally came back. When you were hospitalized, do
you know what horrible things we commoners suffered!!!"

Hijiri: "That's a bit much..."

Classmate: "By the way, Hijiri. Has the principal already talked to you
about that?"

Hijiri: "Eh? About what?"

Classmate: "About this semester's musical festival's spotlight! Minase
Hijiri's Violin Solo Concert!!"

Another Classmate: "Talking business right after he's recovered?"

Someone: "Troubling isn't it."

Hijiri: "Saionji!"

Saionji: "You don't want to raise above the commoners, Minase... Isn't this
a joke? Ignoring seriously practicing students and letting a guy as good as
dead blind take the solo."

Hijiri: "...what are you saying, jerk?"

Saionji: "That the only reason you're getting the solo is because the
principal likes you, Minase. I don't care if you're Japan's best or
whatever...Minase, you meddle too much and you're going to get hurt."

Hijiri: "Idiot. The talentless mommy's boy better back off. You can't win
with those words, Saionji. Isn't that right? After all, you have no
potential. You can't beat me either in the violin or in fighting."

Saionji: "I'll remember this, Minase!! I'll show you what happens to people
who cross me!!"

Hijiri gives Saionji the finger and his language deteriorates into bad
grammar and words. {Theria: I have no idea what he's trying to say.}

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Principal shaking Hijiri's hand: "Ohh, Minase-kun! You're feeling better!?

Hijiri: "Yes, thanks to you. You also haven't changed. Also...thank you
very much for giving me such a large role..."

Principal: "Hahaha. It goes without saying that you get the solo. You can
choose what you want to play. I love your talent, such beautiful music. I
look forward to it, Minase-kun!"

Hijiri: "Hai! I'll do my best!!"

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That night, Hijiri wakes up to his name being called. Some of his
classmates have come to his house.

Hijiri: "You guys... What are you doing at this time of night?"

Classmate: "It's serious, Hijiri! The school..."

"The music rooms are on fire!!"

Hijiri is speechless.

Classmate: "Hijiri...The violins were there... Our violins...!!"

Firefighter: "Everyone! This place is dangerous! Please move back!!"

Hijiri: "My...violin..."

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Director's office.

Hijiri: "I said that's why it had to be their fault!! Because that creep
Saionji wanted to get back at me, he set the fire. Please investigate this,
director!!"

Director: "...And? Do you have any proof?"

Hijiri: "The evidence was probably covered by his parents. But I'm sure! It
was Saionji!!"

Director with an evil look: "Perhaps you did it? Minase-kun. Accusing
people without any proof...A member of the traditional Saionji family has
no reason to do that right? I don't care if the principal is has an
interest in you or not, Minase Hijiri. But the real power here is held by
the directors. Don't forget that."

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At the orphanage or church where Kazusa lives.

Kazusa: "What's wrong, Hii-chan? You aren't feeling well?"

Hijiri: "Sorry, Kazusa. The other day, the violin I spoke of was burned in
a fire."

Kazusa: "A fire?"

Hijiri: "It was...a momento of my dead father..." The violin has a rhythm,
no matter the skill of the person who made it. The player and the
instrument must match rhythms or no music can be born. "It didn't have a
signature (of its creator)... an old cheap violin but still... it
understood me better than any other one." It was my blood, my flesh, my
life. "It was a part of myself..."

Kazusa: "... Hii-chan, have this."

Hijiri: !? "Kazusa...this..."

Kazusa: "Papa used it. It is Kazusa's treasure but (I) want Hii-chan to be
happy."

Hijiri: "You really want this...to me...?" ...amazing. Like it can swallow
my soul.

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At school.

Classmate: "Hey, you found a new violin? You must be happy."

Hijiri: "But I haven't tried it yet...Don't tell anyone. It'd be good if
the wave length matches." I'll have to thank Kazusa somehow.

Looking up, Hijiri notices a man in a black trenchcoat looking down at him
from a higher floor.

Hijiri: What's up with that guy? He's been watching me recently. "Hey,
Yamashita. There's a strange man in the science room balcony."

Yamashita: "Huh? What are you saying Hijiri!! That place is off limits
because of remodeling isn't it?"

Hijiri: "Take a good look, he's there right? A strange guy all in black!!"

Yamashita: "You can't see what isn't there!!"

Hijiri: "Come on! That tall and standing out in those kinds of clothes!!"

Yamashita: "No way, you... Are you so starving for guys that you're
fantasizing..."

Hijiri: "Well, time to go and practice."

In the background, Yamashita has this big bandage on his head and saying it
was only a joke.

Hijiri is passing a construction site, thinking how that strange man never
seems to disappear. Even now, he's following Hijiri. But no one else other
than Hijiri can see him. Looking around again, Hijiri sees someone else
this time.

Hijiri: Geh...doppleganger!?

The cable holding a steel beam is fraying.

Hijiri: No wait, perhaps a blood relation "Um, hey..."

The cable snaps and the steel beam falls to the sidewalk very close to
Hijiri.

"There's an accident!" "The steel beam fell!!"

"You're alright? Student."

Hijiri: "Eh...ah...yeah."

"There's no other injured people."
"All bystanders please come over here!!"
"The ambulence has been called."

Construction worker: "That's odd. The cable snapped. But it was a new one
we got this morning..."

Away from the crowd, the man in black and the 'doppleganger' in white watch
Hijiri.

"Looks like it failed."
"Honestly...owes us for that one."
"...well then, should we bring out some enforcement?"

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Up on top of a building.

Tsuzuki: "But still, you and that boy really do look alike. A blood
relation or something?"

Hisoka: "A complete stranger. Even I was surprised when I saw him up
close."

Tsuzuki: "The interception of that violin has been deterred again by
Otonashi Tatsuya."

Hisoka: "A cursed violin is a suitable story..."

Tsuzuki: "If we hadn't protected him then he would be dead now. Hisoka.
Return to EnMaCho again and analyze what you can of that with the
GuShoShin. I'll continue as we had previously arranged."

Hisoka: "...understood. Be careful not to blow your cover. You tend to be
careless."

Tsuzuki annoyed: "Thanks for the advice."

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At school, nurse/doctor's office.

Hijiri: "Doctor? I got a light wound on my way here and I was wondering if
I could get a band-aid...but there's no one here. Oh well. It should be
somewhere here."

"You shouldn't go looking through the medicine cabinets. Minase Hijiri
kun."

Hijiri: "...eh...?" ....this guy...!!

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Students: "What's with class assembly this early?" "I heard there is a new
teacher."

Principal: "Eh...Hara-sensei of the nurse's office suddenly fell ill, so we
have a substitute."

Tsuzuki: "My name is Tsuzuki Asato. Age 26. Single. Height 180 centimeters.
Weight is a secret. Those who want to know my three sizes should drop by
the nurse's office."

{Theria: -__- Tsuzuki... 180 cm is about 5'9" and three sizes refer to the
chest-waist-hip measurements I think.}

Male Student: "What's with this? A male school doctor is rather disgusting.
We're not even a all male school."

Female Student: "That's just a male opinion."

Female Student 2: "Isn't the feeling of shadowy damp places nice. (heart)"

{Theria: That was a literal translation. I'm must be missing some Japanese
idiom.}

Hijiri: I'm not wrong, it's him! That man who has been following me. What
is he doing here!?

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At the second music room.

Hijiri: He can't be following me...

Teacher: "No no, Yamashita!! More slowly at that part!!"

Yamashita: "So..sorry."

Teacher: "Even if you have only recently come to the famous music school
Hakuro's violin class, what are you going to do if you can't even play
this!? Honestly...everyone..."

Saionji: "Oh yeah, teacher. Why don't you let the genius Minase-kun
demonstrate."

Saionji's crony: "Good idea!"

Saionji: "After all, he is doing the solo for the music festival. He'll
probably give us a real concert."

Teacher looking nervous: "Th...that's right. Not good. It's Saionji.
Alright then, you will play next, Minase."

Hijiri not looking so well: "...ah...yes sir..."

Female Classmate: "Minase, you don't look well. Are you alright?"

Hijiri: "Just a little ill..." Last night while I was practicing the
violin, I lost consciousness. What happened? I don't understand...

Teacher: "Have you decided on your piece for the solo?"

Hijiri: "Yes sir." Why don't I remember anything!?

Teacher: "Well then, let's hear it."

Hijiri: "Alright then..."

Once Hijiri puts the bow to the violin, there's a huge force released like
a gale wind.

Teacher: "A...amazing...the bowstring's vibrations are spreading through
the air!! Truly a genius..."

Student: "Wow..."

One of the bowstrings snaps, cutting across Hijiri's face.

Teacher: "The string broke! Th...that's enough, Minase. You don't need to
go on."

But Hijiri is completely out of it.

Saionji: "Wh...what's with that guy...!!"

Student A: "The E string broke but he's still playing!"

Student B: "That eye! He isn't sane!! Stop him!!!"

Teacher: "Stop it, Minase!! The blood..."

Hijiri begins laughing, softly at first but increasingly louder and more
insane.

Student: "A...a demon...Minase-kun is...is possessed by a demon!!!"

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Tsuzuki: "A demon?"

Female Student A: "That's why there's so much upset at school."

Female Student B: "Of course, sensei. That time, he was playing the Demon's
Trill."

Female Student C: "That's why there's the rumor that he's possessed by a
demon..."

Tsuzuki: "Demon's Trill?"

Female Students: "Wait a minute, sensei! You're a doctor for a music school
and you don't know about that!!"

Tsuzuki has an arrow pointing to himself that says 'fake'.

Female Student: "What's called the Demon's Trill is a violin sonata
composed by Taruteeni. He's Italian."

If you read the note found after his death, you'd learn that on a night in
1713, he sold his soul to a demon in order to compose it. It's a piece that
demands extremely high skill, a difficult piece of difficult pieces.

Female Student: "Of course, no one knows the truth about that. It's all in
the past."

Tsuzuki: "Humph..." Demon's Trill...

Somewhere else, Hijiri is being bombarded with questions and rumors.

"I heard it! Minase-kun."
"Is the rumor true?"
"Demons don't exist."
"He was playing the Demon's Trill while covered in blood."
"That guy's left eye glows golden at night."
"Did the operation fail?"
"A genius is only one step away from a monster."
"Poor thing."

Hijiri: They're wrong!! I'm not crazy!! They're the ones that are crazy!!!

Hijiri is at a church.

Last night, when I visited Kazusa, she wouldn't look at me. And when she
did, it was the eyes that were seeing something unnatural before them!!!
Even Kazusa has left me. I should have had the courage to do this
soonner..I felt the guilt of my existence that night...!!

Hijiri uses the knife to kill himself, leaving blood all over the church's
altar.

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...where is this...such pretty cherry blossoms...

Hijiri sits up to find his neck is bandanged.

My neck...was bandaged. That's right. I died.

Hijiri: "Is this...heaven..."

"Sorry but this place isn't heaven."

Tsuzuki and Hisoka are standing at the door of the room.

"But it isn't hell either."

Tsuzuki: "Welcome to EnMaCho. Minase Hijiri kun."

Hijiri: EnMaCho..!? "You, you're from the nurse's office...And you're that
doppleganger from the other time!! What the hell are you!! Where is this!!"

Hisoka: "We aren't human. We're Shinigami."

{And let's skip page 86 because it's just explaining the whole spiel about
who and what are Shinigamis. Again.}

Hijiri: "...then you two...came to bring me to court?"

GuShoShin: "Nope! Your time to die hasn't come yet. Pretty healthly for
someone who killed himself but didn't die. Nice to meet you, we're the
GuShoShin."

Hisoka: "The problem is the violin you have."

Hijiri: "My violin?"

Hisoka: "It's a very old violin right? Long ago, it was made by a crazy
craftsman in one yet. That is to say, it's a cursed violin."

Even though it can created very beautiful music, in return, the demon's
violin will suck out the player's soul.

Tsuzuki: "So in the end, the person commits suicide like you did. It's
killed countless people up in that world. We received word when that violin
entered Japan. The violin that you receieved from Otonashi Kazusa is the
one. Hijiri."

Hijiri: "....!?"

Tsuzuki: "We were ordered to go after Otonashi Tatsuya but were one step
too late as he died in an accident. So we went to talk with his daughter
Kazusa. But she didn't like us so she wouldn't tell us anything. So, we
helped ourselves to this. Otonashi Tatsuya's diary. We borrowed it from the
sister's supervision. If you follow this diary, you'll understand why
Otonashi had the violin."

Hijiri: "Ah, that's it!"

Note from Matsuhita-sensei. When they came to see Kazusa, Hisoka waited
outside so sister never saw his face.

Hijiri: "Those two strange people that the sister mentioned were you two."

Tsuzuki: "Two strange people..."

Hisoka: "How rude. It was you. I'm normal."

Hijiri: "But I only received the violin, that's all I know about it. I'd
like to hurry up and go home now."

Tsuzuki: "...you can't do that."

Hijiri: "WHAT!!"

Tsuzuki: "You have the deepest connection to this case! Even if you don't
know it!! On your body is hidden the key to this investigation. The
GuShoShin and I studied the diary but couldn't figure out where the
violin's receipt was but we did find something interesting."

Hisoka: "GuShoShin, read this part please."

GuShoShin: "Hai. Last night, I had a strange dream. A demon appeared in my
dream, granting a wish in exchange for my dearest possession. It was a
large black-winged demon. I don't know how I spoke in the dream but I told
the black demon I wanted to become a successful violinist. And then we made
a contract..."

Tsuzuki: "What did you think of that talk of dreams? No? Then you'd be
saying it was just by chance that Otonashi had this particular violin in
his hands. It has been around the world."

Hisoka: "The diary ended on this day. And so the final passage was written.
At the time awakened from the dream, the demon put his hand in my left eye.
And then I was assaulted by a bright burning light."

Hijiri: Left eye?

Hisoka: "Then the demon smiled and said 'The contract you can't forget.'
Which is to say! Otonashi Tatsuya's left cornea is where the deal between
the demon and himself was written and sealed."

Hijiri: ".............ah."

Tsuzuki: "Your transplanted left cornea. Hijiri!"

Hijiri: My left eye...has the demon's contract.....!!!

Tsuzuki: "Let us examine your left eye. We need to know what kind of deal
Otonashi Tatsuya made with the demon."

Hijiri: "I... I don't know...I don't know anything!! Really!!"

Tsuzuki: "Don't worry. We'll certainly protect you. Nothing bad will happen
so trust us...I swear by God."

Watari: "Examine the retina pattern and cornea huh."

Tsuzuki: "Sorry about this Watari. Bringing you in on something not in your
district."

Watari: "Don't worry about it. I had free time. Sector Six doesn't have
many cases. But Two always has a lot even though it's rural."

Hisoka: "That's because we're amateurs when it comes to scientific means of
investigation."

Hijiri: "Bright."

GuShouShins looking cute: "Are you okay? Are you okay?"

Watari: "There's a small wound on the cornea. That's probably the
contract."

Hijiri: "..."

"What is that?"

Watari with a smug, sly look: "Looks like an undeciperable piece of work.
An anagram."

Tsuzuki: "Like a demon can do that!"

"Have a heart and decipher it already!"

Tsuzuki: "This is..."

Translation of contract: "The bearer of this contract, Otonashi Tatsuya, in
order to become a violinist gives in exchange Kazusa."

Tsuzuki: "To play the violin he gives Kazusa?"

Hijiri: "Why does the demon want Kazusa?"

Tsuzuki: "Lollicon?"

{Theria: As in the Lollita Complex, older men having a fetish for teenaged
or younger girls.}

Hisoka: "Don't know. But because of the transplant, the contract still
holds."

Watari: "As long as even one cell of Otonashi Tatsuya remains, the contract
can't be fulfilled. Same goes for the demon's profit."

Tsuzuki: "Which means..."

Watari: "That's right. If the kid dies, the contract is fulfilled."

The demon will have to kill Hijiri!?

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