* Yuu Yuu Hakusho Manga Translation * * Volume 1: So long, world! * * Chapter seven (7): Promise! * Yuusuke: It's been long since I came to school! Botan: Ah! Look, it's Keiko-chan! Yuusuke: Eh? Botan: But I'm warning you, you can't speak with her until you return to your body! Yuusuke: I know! Botan: But what if you can't resist the temptation? Better not look at her. Yuusuke: But you were the one who wanted me to look! ... hmmm... she looks fine to me! Keiko: I have no part in this chapter! (at school) Teacher: Did you fight with some third graders from that other school again? The teachers over there have contacted our principal. One of you guys look seriously injured. What if something happens and it's too late to salvage the situation? Your actions lately is intolerable! Kuwabara! Say something! Kuwabara: They started it first! And now that they're trying to turn the tables on us, don't you think it's a little strange? Teacher: Without remorse, you fellows... then I have nothing to say. (flips through a book) Hey, Okubo! Okubo (the fat guy): Huh? Teacher: You're working with the permission of the school aren't you? Okubo: Yes! Teacher: The permission is cancelled today. I'll tell your working boss. Okubo: ! This... Please don't do that! You're really forcing me into a corner like that! Teacher: And why is that? Kuwabara: There's no connection between fighting and working! Teacher: Idiot! Of course there is! What if he should make trouble on his workplace? He'll pull the school and me, his form teacher into trouble as well! No special permission granted for dangerous delinquents like these! Okubo: This... Please spare me this time round! I won't fight again! There's only my mom in the family... my siblings are still too young... if I don't work, we'll really have nowhere to go! I beg you! Teacher: Oh well... Kuwabara: Teacher, I'm begging you too! Okubo was on the receiving end of the fight, and I was the one who beat up most of the crew! Teacher: ... Is that so? Well, since you've admitted it... if you promise me two things, I'll spare you guys. Kuwabara: Two promises? Teacher: Right on! The first is that you promise me that there will be absolutely no fighting in this week. Of course, your inter-responsibilities make it so that if anyone of you fight, Okubo's permission to work is cancelled. Bald boy: One week? What if those guys from the other school return for revenge? Other boy: Two hours will do! Kuwabara: One week, would that do? Bald boy: Can you do it, Kuwabara-san? Other boy: *Those words were for you!* Teacher: That's right. If you can do it, everything'll be fine. Yuusuke: Wow, it's just a while since I'm gone and things have been pretty interesting. Teacher: (Kuwabara and the rest had exited the staff room) Idiots! He'll surely break his promise, but he still got himself hooked up! He's another one of the Urameshi types, stupid and always getting into fights. Yuusuke: Hey! Teacher: As the leader, if he breaks his promise, the relationship between that gang'll break up. And if I'm able to silence them when they're at it, my reputation will soar sky-high! My idea wasn't that bad at all! (at another part of the school) Other boy: Darn it! That was so infuriating! Now that I think about it, Urameshi was really a great shield for us! Bald boy: Ever since Urameshi died, the teachers have focused all their attention on us! Okubo: But... I'm begging you this time... please bear with it for one week! My mom is ill and cannot go to work... I'm not blowing my own trumpet, but all my family expenses and burdens are on my shoulders at the moment! Yuusuke: Oh? I never thought they had so much sufferings. Botan: Your family is a single-parent one as well isn't it? What does your mother work as? Yuusuke: I don't know! But I've seen her demanding money from a few pimps before. Kuwabara: Don't worry, Okubo. I'll be content with sleeping at home to keep this one week promise! So it's decided! We'll be in trouble if those guys come back for revenge. Go home quick! Okubo: Kuwabara-san... Bald boy: Kuwabara-san's serious this time... Okubo: Well, then let's go home too. Teacher: (following Kuwabara) *I must catch him red-handed!* Botan: He really thinks for his friends! Yuusuke: Only words! That fellow's deaf to such reprimands, he'll fight again soon! Kuwabara: ! Boys: Hey, Kuwabara! We're here for revenge! Subscribe to your fate! Kuwabara: All right! Yuusuke: SEE! Kuwabara: But I won't be attacking. Go back after you're done beating. Boys: Wh... what? Yuusuke: Eh? Botan: Cool! Teacher: What... *this was totally unexpected!* [the next day] Okubo: Kuwabara-san! Your face... Kuwabara: They found me! But I didn't attack at all! Okubo: Kuwabara-san... Teacher: Well, sure looks like you held back from fighting! Kuwabara: Of course! We had an agreement! Teacher: I still have one more condition unspoken of! That is, in the Science test six days later, you must all score 50 marks and above! If you stay at home and study, it should be very easy! Listen up! If one of you get less than 50 marks, no more working! Bald boy: Idiot! If I worked a little harder, nothing's impossible for that! I had 45 marks the last time round! Other boy: Winner for sure! I scored 52 marks. Bald boy: What about you, Okubo? Okubo: I scored 39, but if I worked harder... Other boy: Kuwabara-san? Kuwabara: 7 marks! Hm? What's with that face? Yuusuke: Aaaa... haha! HAHA! By golly! Kuwabara's a real idiot! He's more stupid than me! Botan: Oh? So what's your score? Yuusuke: 12 marks! Physics have lots of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), my expertise in examinations! Great for proving my hunches to be correct. Botan: Then I shall not inquire about the other subjects. Kuwabara: Don't worry! If I really worked hard I'll make it! I'll go back and eat my books during the next six days. If I'm willing, I'll definitely be able to do it! Other boy: Looks like Kuwabara-san's going to fight it out for this one no matter what. Bald boy: But he'll die of weariness, especially if he should burn the midnight oil after being bashed up like that. That idiot Akashi obviously targetted Kuwabara from the start! Akashi: Humph! Do you really think you guys can score more than 50 marks? Box on left: Yukimura Keiko Born on 31st January 14 years old by 1991 (date of YYH copyright) Blood type is A Likes to cook and clean up [a few days later] Okubo: Kuwabara-san, that's enough! Kuwabara after burning midnight oils and receiving countless beatings: Ah? Okubo: My job isn't important! Let's go beat up those idiots from the other school! Kuwabara: This is nothing, merely scratches! What are these compared to Urameshi's kicks and punches! That's right! You guys should all try your best too! Boys: ... Kuwabara: The plasma cells that directly flow to... Yuusuke: ... Idiot: Hey! It's Kuwabara! The guy who doesn't fight back. Crony: Let's go have some fun! Idiot and crony: !! Yuusuke: If you dare touch a single strand of Kuwabara's hair, I'll beat up your ancestors! Crony: ? Idiot: I... have no idea why but... it sure feels dangerous going close to that guy! Let's give it up for today! (at Kuwabara's home) Kuwabara: (sleeping away) Yuusuke: What's the reason behind the colour of blood? Kuwabara: (mumbling) Red blood cells... [And finally, on the test day...] (Kuwabara scribbles on his test paper) Yuusuke: ... Kuwabara: Um... I remember I studied this... [Therefore...] Kuwabara: Okubo! I've scored over 50 marks! Okubo: Is that true, Kuwabara-san? Kuwabara: I've calculated it properly, 53 marks! Okubo: I'm so happy! Other boy: What do you think? Bald boy: Plus minus 20 marks. Kuwabara: When we finished checking the last answer, my tears were rolling down! (at the staff room) Akashi: ... *What? That fellow got more than 50 marks! Curse it! If only one answer was wrong... This is entirely different from my expectations! The marks are all on the answer sheet... Okay!* (rubs out the last answer) Takenaka: (passing boy) ... Akashi: Heh! Takenaka: ... ? (and later) Kuwabara: !? Kuwabara Kazuma 48 marks Akashi: I'm so sorry, Kuwabara... but a promise is a promise! Kuwabara: Impossible! I had my own answers on the question paper, and I've calculated them several times! It should have been 53 marks! (notices something) Kuwabara: !? Funny, the last question... I answered it... *My answer was erased!* ... !! Akashi! You idiot! Akashi: ! Kuwabara: (grabs his collar) Yuusuke: ! Kuwabara: (about to fly a punch to Akashi) Yuusuke: Stop! Kuwabara! Kuwabara: ! (some invisible force compels him to stop) Yuusuke: Weren't you always working hard for Okubo? If you beat him now, all your efforts'll go down the drain! Kuwabara: ... Takenaka: Kuwabara! Stop! Akashi: Heheh... what's wrong? Try beating me! (Kuwabara lets go of his hand and goes off) Akashi: Haha! IF you really beat me, then things would have ended immediately! But let's see what you can do with that 48 points of yours! Takenaka: Are you all right, Teacher Akashi? Akashi: Ah... you saw Kuwabara's barbaric behaviour didn't you? Takenaka: Ah, but what you did to Kuwabara's answer sheet yesterday was more barbaric to me! Akashi: Uuu... that's... Takenaka: You *did* discounted his marks didn't marks? I would like very much to beat you up for Kuwabara, but that would mean his efforts were all for nothing. You change back Kuwabara's marks to the correct one this very moment! Kuwabara: *I had wanted to give him a good beating! What shall I tell Okubo about the test now?* Okubo: Kuwabara-san! Kuwabara: Ah! Okubo: I've obtained the permission to continue working! Teacher Takenaka said everybody got 50 marks and above! Kuwabara-san! You really did it for me! Kuwabara: ... Eh? Okubo: I'm so happy! Yuusuke: I had this sudden urge to stop him... I never thought he could hear it! Botan: No, it was not possible for him to have heard. Yuusuke: Eh? But... Botan: He may not have heard your voice, but if you had the same mind, the heart's desire will be linked. Your thoughts must have been exactly what he was thinking. Yuusuke: With Kuwabara? Don't sprout such disgusting nonsense! Botan: Why are you so shy? Kuwabara: *If... I had beaten him up then...* (turns around) Yuusuke: M? ... Oei, could it be that Kuwabara can see us? Botan: No! Perhaps he knows by instincts that we are here, but he cannot see, and cannot hear us. Kuwabara: (staring into empty air, where Yuusuke and Botan are) ... ... Thanks. Okubo: Who were you talking with? Kuwabara: Hm? Oh, nothing! Okubo: ? (Yuusuke scratches his cheek lightly as Kuwabara went to his gang, gathered somewhere ahead) END TRANSLATION 17/1/99 (c) 1991 Togashi Yoshihiro Translation: fwah@geocities.com