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This time it’s Volume 2: Extreme Memories! Thanks again to Tenshi123 of mangahelper forums. Here you go!
[[MORE]]Everything from here on is Tenshi-san’s words/translations:
BEFORE YOU READ: XXX are like separators between different scenes. I used a single * before, but now I’m using XXX to make it clearer. Stuff in *’s are thoughts. Italicized things are sound effects. Stuff in [ ] is things that weren’t actually in there but I put in there so it’d make more sense. And –chuu means jr. high school, so Namichuu and Kokuyouchuu are Namimori Jr. High and Kokuyou Jr. High. And Hisuichuu is Hisui Jr. High. (Cover Page: If you read this with a dying will, it’s 1000 times more fun!!) Green trails of Namimori Neither big nor small, Nami is good~ As it goes in the school song’s lyrics, here in Namimori, Nami Jr. High is not an especially extraordinary place; it’s an ordinary junior high school. It’s surrounded by the same kind of ordinary world, ordinary mafia, all this ordinary everyday stuff in a cut-off story. …Probably. 1. Beginning~Inizio (all the titles are repeated in Italian) Half a month after Namichuu was shaken by the “Kokuyouchuu Raid”—Gah! The giant taller than 2 meters fell to the ground, his eyes rolled up so that you could only see the whites. On the campus, crowding muscular men were making a commotion. Their faces were clearly colored with fear. Against over a hundred people, there was only one person—the men crowded around the slender boy who by far had the smallest frame of them all. “O…Oriaaaaaaaa!” One man couldn’t bear the tension and leapt at the boy. A wooden sword in his hands, straight from a dais, the man swung down at the boy’s head. If he broke the bone, it was a certain-kill hit. However— “!?” The boy didn’t avoid it. He didn’t even raise his arm. “St…Stupid…” [the man said.] The boy raised his slender leg above his head. Using the shoe’s sole, the boy caught the wooden sword. Because this unbelievable spectacle unnerved him, the man, in fear for his life, decided to put his strength against the leg that had his wooden sword. Against the man’s swelled-up power, the boy, with his physique, would be by far totally inferior in strength. The boy budged no more than a twitch. Despite the terrible instability of the posture of having one leg raised. “…Hn.” The boy snorted in what seemed to be boredom. In the next moment—Gah! At the same time he twisted his body, the boy unleashed his tonfa. The metal stick accurately crushed the opponent’s chin, knocking him out in an instant, the same way the giant had been some time ago. The men surrounding the boy felt even more nervous, and a shudder of fear spread through them all. It wouldn’t be long until his limits swelled up and burst. OooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Raising their voices in desperation, the men swarmed the boy all at once. Seeing this, the boy said, “Wao.” (TN: “This is a Hibari…sound. He makes it when he’s not impressed by people doing impressive things.”~taken from http://www.onemanga.com/Katekyo_Hitm…n/159/credits/) He smiled just a little. “Come,” he declared to the nearing muscular men with both tonfa in his hands. “Those who crowd, I’ll bite to death.” Most Dangerous Discipline Committee Chairman: Hibari Kyouya Gender: Male Age: ? Weapon: collapsible tonfa Important Memory: meeting the baby XXX “It couldn’t help starting.” “Ah, that is so.” The grand battle of 1 vs. 100 that had unfolded on the campus. There were two boys watching it from an unseen place a ways off. XXX Natural Hitman: Yamamoto Takeshi Gender: Male Age: 14 years old Weapon: Yamamoto’s Bat (TN: This is before he got Shigure Kintoki, remember.) Important Memory: when Tsuna saved him Smoking Bomb: Gokudera Hayato Gender: Male Age: 14 years old Weapon: Dynamite Important Memory: when Tsuna saved him “You get the feeling he doesn’t need anyone to help him, huh.” With little expression on his face, Yamamoto scratched his head. They had just seen the battle on the campus where Hibari by himself had overwhelmed 100 men. Like a punch from a descending storm, attacking with his kick as a dangerous weapon, Hibari’s body hadn’t even been grazed. Hibari had taken down every opponent with only one blow. It was hopeless no matter how many people there were. That was the “annihilation” that was as one-sided as stepping on ants. That was the Discipline Committee Chairman, the strongest delinquent. As far as anyone knew, there was no limit to Hibari Kyouya’s power. “What are you talking about, Yamamoto? Jeez, it’s only that Hibari’s opponents were pathetic.” Even though he was trying to be a wise guy by saying that, Gokudera couldn’t hide his pale face. “What? No, I heard that Hibari’s opponents were bodyguards a long time ago and came for revenge. They thought that since Hibari had been weakened by the Kokuyou battle, now was their chance.” “Why’d they think that?” “They thought they could assist each other if they found themselves in a pinch.” “Keh. Doing that kind of thing is necessary.” “Yeah. As I thought, Hibari’s strong.” “It’s not like that! That bastard was as terrible to us [as he was to the bodyguards]. Furthermore, he’s meddled many times with the Tenth!” The Tenth…an ordinary Namichuu student and the enormous Vongola Family’s next boss. If Gokudera could take the position of and serve as the right arm of that Tsuna, Sawada Tsunayoshi, he’d never disobey, and it didn’t suit him that Hibari often got to fight off the opponent. “Yeah, but he’s a schoolmate of ours—” “He’s not a friend! That kind of guy!” Because Yamamoto was already talking like an idiot about getting along with Hibari, Gokudera turned away. “By the way, Gokudera.” “What?” “How come you’re here?” “Ah…” At Yamamoto’s question, Gokudera put on a “bah” expression. “It’s inconvenient; I neglected it.” “?” “I’m not a softie like you. I’m using that Hibari bastard for the sake for my ‘tactics’.” “Tactics?” At that moment— “Where are you? Octopus-heeeeaaaaad!” From far away, there came an unmistakable voice, the shout full of fighting spirit. “What’s that? Over there…” Yamamoto pointed at the rooftop of the school building. There, raising his voice like a mountain climber calling into a valley, was a boy. Hair cut (TN: Lol, this “cut” can also mean mown.) short like a lawn, he had eyebrows that were lifted by what seemed to be his strong will. And then, there was always a bandage on his nose that was unmistakable. Extreme Boxer: Sasagawa Ryouhei Gender: Male Age: 15 years old Weapon: disciplined fists Important Memory: Hibari and the guy’s— “Today for sure you’ll loosen up, octopus-head! You will certainly say ‘Yes’!” Ryouhei shouted from the rooftop, and Yamamoto blankly looked up at him. “That…” “Ah, that is so.” Gokudera’s face showed that he was fed-up. “Jeez, he’s recently become more insistent. Always saying ‘Join the boxing club!’” Ryouhei was the head of the boxing club, and he was famous for asking whoever he saw with the right qualities to join the club. That kind of guy couldn’t ignore that the fact that Gokudera had played an active role in the event of the Kokuyou raid. “Know about the nearby match?” “It’s not too bad, I’ll enter and try it. You haven’t entered any club activities.” “Are you an idiot? What kind of club activities does the mafia…” “If I remember right, Tsuna was also invited. If that’s the case, we’ll do it with Tsuna.” “With the Tenth…don’t joke! Entering lawn-head’s crap would be lowering to that bastard’s level. The Tenth would avoid that kind of stuff!” “Hmm.” “It’s trivial stuff!” Having ended Yamamoto’s coercive talk, Gokudera smiled. “I also said it sometime ago. I have tactics. A way to stop that boxing idiot from hounding me.” Having said that, Gokudera suddenly stood up from hiding in a bush. “I’ll watch lawn-head from here…” Hearing Gokudera’s voice, Ryouhei reacted instantaneously. However, before Ryouhei discovered him, Gokudera immediately hid in the bush again. “Are you here, octopus-head? I’m coming now, don’t move!” True to his word, Ryouhei went back to the middle of the school building. “Eh? Gokudera, will you join the boxing club?” “(TN: Nawakeakka again. =3=). I’m having that guy call around here so he can run into Hibari.” After that, Gokudera’s explained his aforementioned “tactics” in short like this: 1. Make Ryouhei see Hibari fighting. 2. Since Ryouhei asked any strong guy he saw to join the boxing club, he would scout Hibari. 3. For the time being, Ryouhei would forget about Gokudera. “…And that’s it.” “Well, I wonder if those tactics are a good idea.” “Y—” As Yamamoto’s words registered, Gokudera cut off what he’d been about to say. “Wh-What do you mean? That boxing idiot will leave me alone!” “Yeah…but that’s impossible.” “Huh?” How could Yamamoto say that? At that time, Gokudera heard: “Octopus-head!” “Tsu?!” Suddenly hearing the shout from a short distance, Gokudera unintentionally jumped up from the bush. “L-Lawn-head?” Ryouhei had coming running at full speed and stood there, shining in sweat. “How did you find where I was hiding…” “Hmph. A boxer has kinetic vision (TN: Having kinetic vision means you can follow movement with your eyes well.), octopus-head.” Having said that, Ryouhei slowly approached Gokudera. Gokudera stepped back and hastily pointed out across the campus. “O-Oi, look at that, over there!” “Huh?” Ryouhei obediently looked at where Gokudera pointed. There, Hibari’s battle with the men was ending. Already half of the brave men were on the floor. In front of Hibari, who was showered in blood from his victims and wearing a violent smile, the leftover men were almost getting ready to run away. Seeing that spectacle, Ryouhei said, “Ohh, Hibari? Aren’t the fired-up men dueling to the limit?” “Seems so! So that guy is…” “Well, I’ll do that later.” “Huh?” “Join my boxing club, octopus-heeeeeeeaaaaaaad!” “How’d it become like this?” Gokudera once again ran away from the nearing Ryouhei, completely abandoning the tactics he’d thought of. “I told you so.” Seeing the going-far-away Gokudera and Ryouhei off, Yamamoto fingered his cheek. (TN: You know, in that rueful way manga/anime people do. XD) Fast-forwarding, the battle on the campus had already ended. In the middle of the men that had fought with all their might, Hibari was the only one standing. Seeing Hibari’s true strength before his eyes again, a slight tremor ran through Yamamoto’s body. Why hadn’t Ryouhei invited such a strong guy to join his boxing club? Yamamoto asked his baseball club senpai that at the first chance he got. That was before Yamamoto and the others had entered this school. 2. The Past~Passato (TN: THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE NEWSPAPER CLIPPING.) Namichuu News: May Edition The day of the boxing club intermingling match (TN: meaning a match in which other people and groups are supposed to come and participate with the boxing club) is nearing! Will anticipated newcomers come and fight?! The infamous boxing club was made up largely of delinquents. There’s been talk of the abolished club, which was a legend from long ago. Now Sasagawa Ryouhei-kun is diligently trying his best to restart the club. Next month is the intermingling match with Hisuichuu (TN: -chuu = jr high). Because of the [boxing club’s previous] infamy, no other schools wanted to be the opponent before, but now 2 years later the club has transformed and they are having this match. It isn’t incorrect that the purpose of the intermingling match is to make the boxing club’s rebirth widely known, and Sasagawa-kun also up until now has been in high spirits about the club activity— (TN: THIS IS THE END OF THE NEWSPAPER CLIPPING.) XXX “Hibari Kyouyaaaaaaaaaa!” After school, meaningless shouts echoed in the corridor. “……” A boy wearing a high-collared school uniform came to a dead stop. He exhaled heavily. “Again?” Guys with large builds and in the same uniform lined up on both sides of him. With bloodthirst, he looked over his shoulder at the two boys, the boy in the center controlledly lifted his arm. And then, with an expression that seemed faintly tired, he conceded to the guy who challenged him…Sasagawa Ryouhei. “You’re insistent.” You couldn’t think he was a junior high student since he was a head taller, and he looked down at Ryouhei with an air of intimidation. However, Ryouhei didn’t flinch at all; on the contrary, with happy looking eyes… “Isn’t that good, that extreme man-like expression? It’s what I expected, appropriate to join my one-member boxing club.” “Um…your fired-up awful talking is…” “If you have something you want to say, you can ask at any time, Hibari! Let’s be boxing club friends!” “……” Again, he exhaled. Seeing this, Ryouhei put on a “hah” expression. “You…by any chance…” “You finally understand?” “Is it that you have a problem? If that’s the case, talk to me! If you become a member of the boxing club, I’ll do whatever I can…” “That’s enough!” When he unintentionally raised his voice, he immediately covered his mouth with his hand as if he’d cussed. Disturbing the quiet in the school was something you must not do. That is the absolute law of the Discipline Committee that guards Namichuu. To calm himself down, he took an easy deep breath and glared quietly at Ryouhei. “We can be noticed too easily here. Won’t you come with me a little?” “Fufu…that is so.” Ryouhei happily hit his fist into his palm with a pan! “An honest head-on man-to-man understanding is the best!” XXX On Namichuu’s rooftop that day, a gentle wind blew. In the middle of the wind, the breathing rhythm of sleep was faintly slipped into. The suu, suu that was heard at regular intervals, along with the carefreely floating clouds in the sky, created a peaceful world. When— “……” Suddenly. The sleeping breathing stopped. Immediately after that, the door of the rooftop opened. “Fufu…he’s pretty good.” A first-aid kit in his hand, Ryouhei came, unsteady on his feet. His whole body was covered in wounds, but a smile was on his face. “As I expected, he’s the rumored Hibari. If his real strength when fighting is above my level, he’ll certainly be excellent in the boxing club…” Ryouhei was saying to himself too loudly. Then he said, “Oh,” just noticing the person who had already been on the rooftop before him, and his expression tightened. With both hands behind his head, legs crossed, face up, a slender as a wire black-haired boy was lying there. Until some time ago, Ryouhei had been behind the school building exchanging punches with the wrong “Hibari,” the man-like manly one that was different from this one with the elegant appearance. (TN: LOL, when I was translating the part before about “Hibari” being a head taller and not looking like a junior high student, I was so confused because I know Hibari’s one of the shorter ones, but I quickly realized that it wasn’t Hibari at all. XDDD) His stature was about the same as Ryouhei’s, always giving the impression of slimness. A descended-from-noble-blood upper-class resident…no, he had the air of a fey being that transcended that kind of world. —But, with Ryouhei, who was recognized by himself and others as the “boxing idiot,” things like that kind of delicate atmosphere that he should understand, he doesn’t. What ordinary students were now talking about… “Sorry, did I interrupt your nap?” “……” The boy got up. In silence, he stared at Ryouhei with icy eyes. “Please allow a little interruption. I have to treat my wounds. The school infirmary said I have to care for them.” “……” “By the way, why are you here in this kind of place alone?” “……” The boy kept his silence. Then Ryouhei, with a face of realization, said, “Could it be you don’t have any friends? Is that why you’re up here in this kind of place alone?” “……” “If you have a problem, talk to me! Ryouhei Sasagawa of the boxing club! I’ll always be waiting!” “……” “No, only waiting is no good! Me not doing anything is [no good]! Now, I’m going to shout it out from here that we’re becoming friends! Uwohhhhhhhh!” Giving a fighting-spirited war cry, Ryouhei went through the door he had just entered from and returned inside the school building again. “……” The boy stood absolutely still in silence. Unnoticed by Ryouhei, he had been gripping something. In both his hands, there was a pair of tonfa. If Ryouhei had continued talking then, the boy probably would have with the dangerous weapons in his hands— “…Fuu.” (TN: exhale sfx) That somewhere-unsatisfied breath leaked out; he had wanted to play with the specialized weapons in his hands. “Kusakabe, where are you?” XXX [In] Namichuu’s reception room “Gahah!” With that pained shout, the over 180-centimeter tall (around 6 feet) guy fell to the floor. He was that tough young man, the student Ryouhei had called “Hibari.” You could tell he had been in a violent fight from the scars all over him. It had been because he had been Ryouhei’s opponent in the one-on-one match behind the school. That kind of guy [who would punish someone like that] was the black-haired boy, who had mercilessly beat him up with his tonfa. “Ch…Chairman…” Barely managing to say that, “Hibari” stood up. You could see by his face that one hit from that boy was by far worse than all the hits he’d taken from Ryouhei’s fists. Staring at “Hibari” with icy eyes, that boy said, “Explain [yourself].” “Yes.” His legs faintly shaking because of the damage he’d taken, the small-framed boy by far better than him, he straightened his back with a pi sound. “Most recently, Sasagawa Ryouhei had been even more insistent…” After that, he briefly explained what had happened with him and Ryouhei. “I’m sorry, that boy…he mistook took me for you, Chairman.” “……” The black-haired boy, who was the real Hibari Kyouya, turned his back on the large-build guy and sat down on the reception room’s wonderful sofa. “…I see.” In that murmur, comprehension mixed with faint displeasure. The large-build guy, who was the Discipline Committee’s Vice-Chairman, Kusakabe Tetsuya, timidly said to that kind of (TN: I think meaning “in that kind of mood”) Hibari Kyouya, “What shall we do? With Sasagawa Ryouhei.” “I don’t know.” Easily saying this, Hibari glanced at Kusakabe. “Tsu…!” A shiver ran through Kusakabe’s brawny body. Hibari’s colder-than-ice glance shot through him. “I’m not interested in weaklings.” “……” Kusakabe was unable to say anything. For one moment, his mouth went dry with fear. “I’m not interested in weaklings”…those words weren’t just about Ryouhei, they were about him… “I understand.” Somehow finding his voice, Kusakabe bowed his head very deeply. Hibari Kyouya—it didn’t show much on his face, but almost no one fully knew how long he’d been Namichuu’s Discipline Committee Chairman. However, by this time, everyone had already been fearing his name. XXX “That’s how it was, Kyouko!” “Wow, amazing!” Sasagawa Kyouko seemed to be enjoying listening to Ryouhei talk with exaggerated gestures. Since it was wearing twilight, the shopping district was crowded with shoppers hurrying their way home. Coming home from school casually, by a chance meeting, the junior high big brother and elementary school little sister were walking home together. “The moment I fired my right straight like this, Hibari also unleashed a left punch, and they overlapped each other like this; in other words it was a cross counter…” Seeing her big brother with both arms like an octopus, Kyouko muffled her laughter. “Uh…what’s [so] funny, Kyouko?” “No, it’s not funny. Ah, but, it was a little funny.” Kyouko said that with a sweet smile. “I’m happy. Big brother seems to be having fun at the junior high. I couldn’t help giving a little ‘ho’.” “Hey, Kyouko!” Ryouhei ruffled Kyouko’s hair. Kyouko narrowed her eyes happily. “Don’t worry about your big brother!” “Yeah…” Kyouko nodded. Those round eyes seemed to hide faint sadness. When the two had both still been in elementary school, a group of junior high delinquents had seriously injured Ryouhei. The scar from that time still remained on Ryouhei’s forehead. Remembering that, Kyouko even now— “Big brother!” Suddenly raising her voice, Kyouko looked up at Ryouhei. “What’s wrong, Kyouko?” “Fighting is…bad.” “U.” Ryouhei’s words were spontaneously blocked [in his throat] when he noticed Kyouko’s serious face, and hastily he said, “Ah, isn’t that obvious? I don’t do things like fighting! I decided to do boxing to the extreme! So…” The duel with “Hibari” behind the school. Was that not a fight?, Ryouhei asked himself. The boxing club practice he’d talked to Kyouko about, if he really, really thought about it, it had been for the sake of getting someone to join the club, so you couldn’t really say it wasn’t about the club. Probably. “But, I’m glad.” “Huh?” When the subject suddenly changed, Ryouhei came back to reality. Kyouko again had a smiling face on and said, (TN: can’t read one of the kanji in that sentence; all I know is that it describes her smiling face) “You probably became friends. With that Hibari-san person you mentioned.” “Friends…?” Surprised, Ryouhei stopped walking. “Probably.” “……” Considering it a little, Ryouhei said, “That is so.” He nodded with conviction. He had had a one-to-one exchange of fists with him. By this, wasn’t it unsaid that they had become friends? “It’s as you said, Kyouko. Hibari and I to the ‘extreme’ can be called ‘friends’ because we bonded with our fists!” (TN: Again, there was a kanji too blurry for me to read in there. Sorry! ^_^; ) In the middle of the shopping district, Ryouhei gave a manly roar facing the sky, raising his arm. That kind of— With his passion, he still hadn’t realized that “Hibari” was a completely different person. XXX (TN: THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER NEWSPAPER CLIPPING.) Namichuu News: June Edition The Discipline Committee strengthens the enforcement of school regulations. In Namichuu, revolts against the rules are diminishing? Here, the Discipline Committee’s supervision in the school is conspicuous. Even wearing their uniforms in the summer, they are feared by ordinary students. However, rebels against the excessively enforcing Discipline Committee, before long on a big scale, it’s rumored that activity has been seen from those rebels that the Discipline sees as hostile— (*This edition will be corrected later by the Discipline Committee, who have censored it for examination.) (TN: THIS IS THE END OF THIS NEWSPAPER CLIPPING.) XXX “Ohh, it’s you?” [On] Namichuu’s rooftop. After the sixth “men’s duel” in one month with “Hibari” had ended, as usual, Ryouhei was secretly treating his wounds. This was the place where he had exchanged words only once before with the black-haired boy. “It’s been a while…In health…” Ryouhei started saying that, but then he opened his eyes with a hah. “S-Sorry! I’m not well.” “……” The boy, Hibari Kyouya, who was lying down, had been woken by Ryouhei and now looked at him in silence. Noticing that icy look, Ryouhei grumbled to himself, “You’re up here on the rooftop alone again; I don’t know if it’s a habit or not.” “……” “Since then, I’ve been worried about not meeting you. Come to the boxing club.” “……” The boy (Hibari) let out a sigh. “I feel sad that way. Yosh, to cheer up, let’s have an extremely fired-up men’s talk. About the story of the hot fierce fighting between Hibari and me.” The boy (Hibari) had been about to take out his tonfa, but stopped. “This is how I feel. When we exchange fists, our fellowship was deepened.” “Really.” The boy (Hibari) had a faint smile. Seeing this, Ryouhei was pleased and said, “If it continues as is, soon Hibari will definitely become my friend. This match, I was just barely good enough. So…” Seeing that Ryouhei was going to keep talking and not wanting to hear it, the boy (Hibari) stood up. “Oi, where are you going? The battle between Hibari and me, I haven’t yet…” Not answering, the boy (Hibari) left the rooftop. “Muu…in the middle of my talking…” Disgruntled, Ryouhei looked sour. However, soon he smiled and said, “I see! My talking quickly cheered him up! Good, good!” In a happy mood, Ryouhei started a boxing jab. But… “…Tsu.” Ryouhei’s face became faintly strained. If he really thought about it, he had come to the rooftop to heal his injuries. Taking out a medicine box, while applying the disinfectant in an experienced way, Ryouhei thought again. Because of the duel behind the school building he’d received injuries from “Hibari,” but it could be said that he hadn’t really gotten any serious injuries. To give him a reason to want to enter the boxing club, Ryouhei would have to seriously beat up “Hibari” till he couldn’t stand, but he hadn’t be able to, and if he overrode that, they wouldn’t have a relation. Despite that, it wasn’t mere “violence,” thus ascertaining each other’s mutual strength in a “men’s duel” was… “As I thought, that guy is a ‘man’. More and more, [I want him to join] my boxing club…” At that moment… Suddenly, a large quantity of footsteps approached. The door was violently flung open, and all at once, grim-faced guys surged onto the rooftop. “What’s this, you guys?” the surprised Ryouhei said instantly to the guys. And then— XXX The next day. In the reception room, the sleeping Hibari, leaning on his tonfa, awakened at the sound of the knock. “Excuse me.” Kusakabe entered the room, part of his face very swollen. Yesterday, when Hibari had left Ryouhei, he had gone straight to Kusakabe. And now there were also distinctly signs of the “punishment” inflicted upon him. “Did you put things in order? With that guy.” “……” “I don’t like weaklings…I shouldn’t have to say that again.” “……” “How long have you been playing with him? This is what he said: he and Hibari will become boxing club friends.” “C-Concerning that…” Kusakabe hastily said, but he couldn’t be unsightly in front of Hibari, so desperately, he calmed down. “Concerning that, Sasagawa Ryouhei is someone who does not listen to what people say…I told him many times ‘I’m not the chairman’ but…” “Fuun.” (TN: exhaling sfx) “Moreover, Sasagawa is unmistakably a superior member of the boxing club. The reason I haven’t crushed him is not only for the boxing club but also for Namichuu’s sake…” “Are you disobeying me?” Just a single word (TN: at least in Japanese, it is). With just that, Kusakabe found himself unable to move even a single finger. “Is it that you can’t hear what I say?” “……” After a silence, Kusakabe heavily said as if he were vomiting, “It’s not necessary.” “Not necessary?” “Yes…Sasagawa Ryouhei has serious injuries and is in Namimori’s middle hospital.” XXX A room in Namimori’s middle hospital. Ryouhei was lying down on a bed, Kyouko sitting in a chair by his side, keeping a long silence. Her sweet face had a stern expression. Ryouhei escaped that kind of look from Kyouko by facing the window. Before long: “Big…brother.” Kyouko’s stern expression crumbled. Like a dam breaking, a sad look spread, and a large teardrop grew in the corner of her eye. “Why can’t you help getting into these kind of things?” “T-That is…” Ryouhei hastily said. “I’ve said it many times, I was taking a nap, and my whole body was violently sleeping in an awkward position…” “The match…is very soon.” At that single word (TN: Okay, the phrase technically means “single word” but I’m starting to think it can mean single sentence, too.), Ryouhei stopped breathing. “Big brother, you’ve been trying your best…” Ryouhei already was unable to say anything. “…Tsu.” Kyouko held back from making a face that would say she couldn’t bear it, and she quickly left the hospital room. “I’m sorry…Kyouko.” He squeezed out in a painful voice. He had made his little sister cry…that was mortifyingly shameful, and Ryouhei couldn’t bear it. Yesterday— (TN: OKAY, IN THIS WHOLE PARAGRAPH, HIBARI=KUSAKABE BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT RYOUHEI IS THINKING, AND HE THINKS KUSAKABE IS HIBARI.) The guys that had appeared on the rooftop had said “they had come for the sake of being strict with Hibari.” Why they were against Hibari, Ryouhei didn’t know. However, over 50 people had beat up Ryouhei, who was alone, to get to Hibari and that kind of foul play couldn’t be overlooked. Above all, Hibari was Ryouhei’s— “Friend…” Ryouhei stared fixedly at his own fists, and he stifled the wanting-to-cry feeling inside him. (TN: What’s interesting here is that the word for “stifled” can also be Hibari’s “bite to death,” except Amano-sensei didn’t use the kanji for “bite,” so I used stifled; plus, it makes more sense.) The match that would be Ryouhei’s first since entering the boxing club was tomorrow. XXX “Is this everyone?” “Yes, sir, Vice-Chairman!” Hearing Aikawa’s, who was a subordinate, response, Kusakabe looked all around him, turning in a circle. They were at the abandoned factory on the outskirts of Namimori. Rebels against the Discipline Committee had gathered here in this place that wouldn’t attract public attention. All because of Kusakabe leading the Discipline Committee, the rebels were fallen on the concrete floor, moaning. However, if one surveyed it, the number that had fallen was a little less than the total number of rebels. If you had asked yesterday, [you’d hear] the main force was mostly fallen. “[And] Sasagawa Ryouhei…?” Murmuring that name, Kusakabe’s expression grew a little dark. “Today…is the match.” Regarding the boxing club, the intermingling match had become important a long time ago. Ryouhei’s passion for that was extraordinary, Kusakabe knew. If Ryouhei could fight on the same level as him, then Namichuu’s boxing club’s reputation would probably be boosted through the match to Ryouhei’s heart’s content. However— “……” If he could’ve ascertained that this was indeed the rebels’ hideout faster—If he could’ve crushed the opposition’s strength with the full power of the Discipline Committee faster— Since it was too late for that, Kusakabe shook those thoughts from his head. And, Hibari was waiting in Namichuu for the report of the end of the cleaning up [of the rebels], and Kusakabe could leave one of the subordinates on the main street for that. “Wha—” Kusakabe saw something he couldn’t believe there. It was a guy who shouldn’t have been here. A few days before, one guy who had gotten serious injuries from having 50 delinquents as his opponents— “Sasagawa Ryouhei!” XXX He had wanted to become strong. At the beginning, he had thought he didn’t want to lose because he didn’t want to make his sister cry. But before he knew it, it had become because Ryouhei, from the bottom of his heart, loved boxing. He had wanted to grow up to be a burly man for boxing. Teaching the joy of hard work, he would make friends that couldn’t be replaced through boxing. Ryouhei didn’t want to betray that kind of boxing. Therefore— “Sasagawa Ryouhei!” At the sound of someone calling his name, Ryouhei turned around in surprise. In that moment, the cane he was using to support his body slipped on the road. As he was falling, at the last moment, a thick arm caught him. “Hibari…” Ryouhei, facing Kusakabe, who he still thought was Hibari, smiled at him. “What are you doing…in this kind of place?” “That’s what I was going to ask!” The Discipline Committee’s Vice-Chairman, Kusakabe, who bore in mind to always be calm , had just now raised his voice. Ryouhei’s body was worn-out. Bandages were wrapped all over his body, there was a strong smell of disinfectant, and the power that always overflowed around him couldn’t be sensed at all. His body had been hit many times, and his arms looked too frail; the feeling that welled up Kusakabe’s chest was incomparably bad. “You should go back to the hospital. But you really can’t walk with that body…” “Oi, it’s not that way, Hibari.” “What?” “Isn’t the match with Hisuichuu over there?” This time, definitely, Kusakabe was robbed of words. The probability of that which shouldn’t be probable distinctly came to his mind. Not absolutely convinced himself, Kusakabe asked Ryouhei, “What do you plan on doing?” “I’m decided. I’m the captain, and if I don’t come to the match…” “You’re saying stupid things!” Kusakabe raised his voice again. “You can’t fight with that body! That much you [should know]…” “What are these ridiculous things you’re saying?” Ryouhei quietly watched Kusakabe. Whatever kind of difficulty you run into won’t disappear—there was an everlasting flame burning like the sun there. “I will fight. That’s it.” Ryouhei started to walk by myself again. However, the calmed-down Kusakabe hastily held him back. “Why? In the boxing club, there are members besides you!” “It’s embarrassing to admit, but they’re all inexperienced. The opponents from Hisui are veterans and would probably win.” “But, it’s only a practice match…” “‘Only’?!” In sudden rage, Ryouhei grabbed at Kusakabe; instantly, his face became pained, and his knees buckled. “Everything depends on this.” With clinging eyes, Ryouhei looked up at Kusakabe. “If it’s not a practice match and you show up like this, with an unsightly appearance, Namichuu’s boxing club’s reputation will fall to the ground again. If it becomes like that, it could be a long time again until you can have another match.” Again, Kusakabe knew that Ryouhei’s feelings about the boxing club were strong. And then, that was probably why he was insistent on Hibari (TN: “Hibari”) joining the club. “If you…could be there for me.” “……” Kusakabe painedly averted his eyes. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand what Ryouhei was feeling. But, he was the Discipline Committee’s Vice-Chairman. He couldn’t betray Hibari. But— “…Tsu!” At the end of the long silence, Kusakabe’s feelings were decided, and he carried Ryouhei’s body under his arm. “Stop! I [have to go to] the contest…” “I understand.” Kusakabe said with a solid voice. “Let’s go…to where the match is.” XXX Kusakabe didn’t understand why he was doing this kind of thing. Being the Discipline Committee’s #2, he indefinitely supported Hibari. His duty was just that, and he should be decided on it. Despite this, now he was— “We’re here.” Kusakabe stood in front of Hisuichu’s gymnasium. Since he had carried Ryouhei here since he had wounds all over his body, as expected, Kusakabe was breathing hard. “Sorry, Hibari. Even though you’re not a club member, you brought me here.” “……” Kusakabe hesitated. He wanted to be part of the boxing club. And he wanted to be in the contest. Hibari probably wouldn’t let him be in something else while in the Discipline Committee. Even so, Kusakabe couldn’t abandon Ryouhei, who was worn-out and exhausted for the boxing club’s sake. *I’m sorry…Chairman.* After bowing in his heart to Hibari, Kusakabe finally faced Ryouhei— “Big brother!” Suddenly, a little girl’s voice reached them. Rushing over with a surprised face was Ryouhei’s little sister, Kyouko. “Why are you here?” “Th-That is…” “What about the hospital? Come on, big brother!” “Please listen, Kyouko. I’m here because of today’s match…” “If it’s because of the match, Hibari-san is going to be in it for you.” (TN: I KNEW IT! >3) At the same time, Ryouhei and Kusakabe stiffened. “If it’s Hibari-san, I thought he could help. Since he’s big brother’s o-friend.” (TN: Remember the honorable o- prefix?) “……” “I went to the junior high by myself, and it was really scary, but…but, by chance, I immediately met up with Hibari-san…” “W-Wait, Kyouko.” Ryouhei finally squeezed out his voice. “What are you saying? Isn’t Hibari right here?” “Huh?” Kyouko looked blankly at Kusakabe [whom Ryouhei is probably pointing at]. Then, Kusakabe said, “Oi, Hibari!” Calling Hibari to stop, Kusakabe left Ryouhei there and rushed full speed to the gymnasium. XXX “Chairman!” He couldn’t believe what he saw. It couldn’t even compare to the surprise he had felt when he saw that Ryouhei had slipped out of the hospital. —He was there. There was no mistaking it. A boy wearing a black school uniform was in the [boxing] ring. He was too different, like a fey being that came from a parallel universe. Kusakabe and other people seemed to be captured by that same feeling, and nobody could open their mouths as they fixed their eyes on Hibari in the ring. “What’s wrong?” Hibari asked no one in particular. “Weren’t you not coming? To this match.” It wasn’t clear who had answered so foolishly. At that moment— “Aren’t you the friendless black-hair[ed guy]?” Kusakabe came out of his temporary feeling of paralysis. Turning around, he saw there, frantically approaching the ring, was Ryouhei. Hibari looked at Ryouhei. At Hibari’s clear glance, bewilderment came into Ryouhei’s eyes. “Why are you here…?” Hibari didn’t say anything for a little while. As if he was enjoying the reaction, he wore a calm smile as he gazed at Ryouhei. “Because you said.” “Wh-What [did I say]?” “If I become a boxing club member, I could do whatever I wanted…Kusakabe over there said that.” “Kusakabe…?” Ryouhei’s confusion was spurred on. Not minding [about Ryouhei’s Hibari/Kusakabe confusion], Hibari continued, “It’s all right. I’m entering the boxing club.” “Is that the truth?” Ryouhei’s face, for one instant, overflowed with happiness. He was entering the boxing club. Only that single word (TN: Or rather, sentence, again.), and all his doubts and bewilderment and things like that were blown away. “However…at the end of this match, I’m quitting the boxing club.” Ryouhei’s smiling face hardened. “And then, you’ll never again ask Hibari Kyouya to enter the boxing club.” Hibari calmly gazed at Ryouhei. “That’s what you said. That I can do whatever I want.” “……” Ryouhei couldn’t say anything back. The one who couldn’t bear it and spoke was Kusakabe. “Chairman! That’s too much…”Suh— To control Kusakabe, Ryouhei raised his hand. And then, again, he stared straight at Hibari in the ring. “I understand.” Only one word (TN: again, at least in Japanese). As that spread a quiet shock through the surroundings, Hibari turned his back on Ryouhei. The conversation was over; there was only one thing to do. “Come…shall we begin?” The moment he positioned his fists, his slender body let out his full knifelike bloodthirst. And then—Hisuichuu’s boxing club, a club with a stained reputation since then, had the greatest fear engraved into them. 3. At the End~Fine~ “…It was like that.” “I see.” Having barely lost the chasing Ryouhei, Gokudera had just now heard from Yamamoto about Ryouhei’s past and nodded his head in understanding. “As I thought, lawn-head is an idiot. He was easily duped by Hibari.” “That is the wrong kind of feeling.” “Huh? Hold on. You can’t be using your hands, right?” (TN: I think Ryouhei has gotten a hold of Gokudera at this point, and Gokudera realizes it’s not Yamamoto’s hand.) When Gokudera suddenly realized that, at the moment he murmured that— “Are you in this kind of place, octopus-head?” “Uwah!” Suddenly caught by the scruff of his neck, Gokudera was picked out of the bush he had been hiding in. “Y-You, lawn-head! Today, you’ve exceeded [being just] insistent!” “Hmph. You can’t doing anything without being unsteady on your feet, so you can’t enter my boxing club.” “Who [would want to enter] your boxing club…” As he was saying that, Gokudera swallowed his words. And then, mouth stiff, he made something like an obedient face and said, “…A-All right, I’ll enter.” The instant Gokudera said that, Ryouhei’s smiling face overflowed. “At least you understand my feelings! As I thought, the boxing club is always attractive for guys, that extreme romance (TN: NOT love; romance as in like a romantic adventure, you know what I mean?)…” “……” As Ryouhei started talking passionately like that, Gokudera desperately held back his nausea. Persevere. (TN: LOL, that’s what Lambo always says. XD) This was tactics. Like Hibari had done, if Gokudera could get Ryouhei’s “listen to what you say” promise— “Oi, lawn-head. Instead of entering the boxing club…” “Let’s go, octopus-head.” Jerk. (TN: the sfx, like last time, of pulling) Not looking like he was listening to what Gokudera was saying, Ryouhei pulled his hand. “Let’s start practicing immediately. First of all, we’ll start with a light warm-up.” “O-Oi…I was talking…” “After a light 100 laps around the campus, we’ll do a light one-hour stretch, and continue with light push-ups, sit-ups, squats, building back-muscle repetitions scattered in the intervals…” “That’s not light at all! Listen to what I have to say! Ooooooooooooooi!” Shouting, Gokudera was dragged along. His tactics, having failed once again, were ended. XXX [On] Namichuu’s rooftop. Hibari, having beaten the 100 would-be avengers, having nothing to do, was carefreely enjoying himself by taking a nap. Suu, suu…the sleeper’s breathing flowed with the calm wind. Namichuu was also peaceful today.