Turning Point By Tachibana Kaimu Translated by Eikichi, 12/13/1999 Lines in [] are not spoken Lines in {} are handwritten text Lines in %% are flashbacks Lines in <> are commented added by the translator for clarity P. 5 Masatoshi: What is this place? .... Where am I? Oh... I forgot my glasses. And today there's a test starting in the 1 o'clock class... Oh no... P. 8 Text: Final. Curriculum s-II, minus 18 points: first year B group, in seat #3 Kawai Masatoshi. Masatoshi: Ah... this is the worst. [Starting with that dream, today's been terrible.] Yoshito: Kawai-kun... Kawai-kun... P. 9 Masatoshi: [Who's that...?] Yoshito: Where are you going? This afternoon's the combined P.E. with A group. Shouldn't you go to that? Masatoshi: I have to skip it. [He's kind of weird, talking to me and all...] I got 18 points off on the test. I can't just bum around playing sports. If I don't get back up there, I won't be able to face my father. Yoshito: Well then, I'll skip it too. Masatoshi: Skip it.... Who are you? Yoshito: I'm Honda Yoshito. I'm in first year, A group. P. 10 Yoshito: Like you, I want to be an engineer. Nice to meet you. Masatoshi: [I'm not very good at interacting with people.] I see... [It's hard for me to understand how to interact with people. Conversing with strangers is a waste of time. I've never been worn out from the bother of taking care of another person.] Yoshito: Your father is a scientiest at Area Study Labs, isn't he? P. 11 Masatoshi: [So, because of that I don't try to make enemies, but...] Yes. [Actually....] Yoshito: I'm jealous of you, having such a cool father. Masatoshi: [I don't hate having to talk about my father. I'm happy to.] Person: Saeki-san, look at that. Looks like that guy Kawai's cutting again. Saeki: It's because his father's a big-shot, so I guess he acts all big too, huh? Why don't we try making him see the light? P. 12 Yoshito: What are you going to do now? If you're going to the library, may I go along with you? Masatoshi: No, I'm going home. [He's a little too friendly.] Yoshito: I see... Masatoshi: [Most of the people who come near someone like me....] Yoshito: Well, see you tommorrow. Masatoshi: See you. [They're just going after my famous father. I can't hang around someone like that.] P. 13 Ayano: That's him. Dr. Kawai's only son. Hiroki: We shouldn't make our entrance from the treetops. For starters, you're a girl... Ayano: What are you talking about? How strong an impact our entrance makes determines our status. It's because of your image that you were excluded from an important posting, Hiroki-niisan. Hiroki: Ayano... You're enjoying this because you know I have a hard time with heights. {The women the author draws are all like that. I hate it.} Ayano: C'mon, Nii-san. Don't just stand around. P. 14 Ayano: We'll lose sight of the target. Masatoshi: [The year is 2xxx, in old Tokyo City, a little ways out from the center of the city. I'm a student at the elite among the schools, "East". Amid countless chools that have no dress code, it's the only one to embrace wearing the uniform that was so valued in the twentieth century, but the boys' school is separate from the girls' school, "South"] P. 15 Masatoshi: [So, in other words, the school uniform is a mark of the elite. Also, Area Studies Lab is in the middle of town, which pulls together a team that attracts world renown. My father was chosen to be a staff member on their development team.] P. 16 Masatoshi: [In order to follow after my father, I have to study day and night. I have to get those 18 points back, no matter what.] Huh? Dad? P. 17 Masatoshi: Dad, are you home? Dad? P. 18 Kubo: Let him go. Masatoshi: Who are you? Asshole, you're breaking into my house! Kubo: I haven't seen you in a while, Masatoshi-kun. P. 19 Masatoshi: Kubo-san...? Wha... Just what is going on? Who are they.... Kubo: They're research staff. Masatoshi: [He's a staff member on Dad's team.] Kubo: {You've grown since I last saw you.} I'm sorry for the rough handling. There's something I want to ask you. Come, have a seat, Masatoshi-kun. Masatoshi: Wait a minute. No matter which way you look at it, this is all weird. P. 20 Masatoshi: With this many people here, it's like there's a robbery going on. Where's Dad? Is there something going on with him? Kubo: Your father, Dr. Kawai, ran away from the development lab. Masatoshi: What...? P. 21 Kubo: He stole our vital research. Masatoshi: Wh... when? [No...] Kubo: This morning. It's called Project M-II, and it's still not supposed to be attracting notice. Having it taken away is a major issue for us. Quit faking it, Masatoshi. Where is the doctor? You're hiding him, aren't you? P. 22 Masatoshi: I don't know anything about it... [Am I still having a nightmare?] Kubo: I don't think so. You're the only thing Kawai has to come back for. Masatoshi: N...no.... Kubo: Tell me. Masatoshi-kun, where is Kawai? Masatoshi: [What should I do? If this is a dream, please let me wake up... Dad...!] Kubo: Or else give me what Kawai gave you about Project M-II. Ayano: Hold it! P. 23 Kubo: Who's there? Ayano: We're taking that Project M-II and stuff! We're not giving you any self introductions. We'll be taking him, too. P. 24 Saeki: So, this is Kawai Masatoshi's house. Kubo: I see. You're errand-runners for the Asaoka Group, our Area Studies' rival research investment firm. Ayano: Oh well, you found out we were hired by Asaoka. We got information that Dr. Kawai stole a research project. We were ordered to take it for ourselves. P. 25 Ayano: You're coming with us. And then you're going to tell us everything. Masatoshi: You... you're a girl. You should act more feminine. Ayano: Wha... wha.... What are you talking about? Don't you understand the situation you're in? P. 26 Ayano: {What's not feminine about me?} Kubo: Hey, let go of Masatoshi-kun! Hiroki: Hey gramps, I'm the one you're going to fight. Masatoshi: [What's with these people...?] Goon: Hey, little girl! P. 27 Ayano: Oh! Masatoshi: [Now's my chance!] Hiroki: Great back throw! Ayano: Ah-- he got away! P. 28 Masatoshi: [Dad took the research and ran? He couldn't have... He kept it a secret from me...? He left me alone?! Dad wouldn't do that! I have to find Dad...! I have to see him and ask him why...?!] P. 29 Saeki: Hey Kawai. I'm moved that you're coming to see me. Masatoshi: Saeki... Kubo: Masatoshi-kun! Hey, hold it four-eyes! Masatoshi: I'm sorry, Saeki! Kubo: Out of the way, demon! Saeki: What?! P. 30 Ayano: Hold it! Person: Saeki-san. Saeki-san! Are you all right? Saeki: A... woman.... Masatoshi: [I... can't.... breathe...] Akira: This way! This way, get on! P. 31 Akira: Hurry! Ayano: Ah! {Fuck! Who is he, and where did he come from? Aiding a criminal is a crime!} P. 33 Masatoshi: [Sheesh, what a day. I'm being chased by some bizzare group of people... And they said Dad's a criminal? They've got to be kidding. So is this guy after Dad as well...? He may have helped me, but I can't let my guard down.] P. 34 Masatoshi: [I can't trust anyone but Dad!] Dad: % From now on, it'll just be you and me, Masatoshi.% Masatoshi: % Where's Mom! % Dad: % Mom is gone. % Masatoshi: % She left me? % Dad: % You... You have me, right? % Masatoshi: [Yeah, Dad is all I have.] Akira: Even those guys from the research facility have to follow protocol to get into the school area, so we've got a break. P. 35 Masatoshi: I'm grateful to you for helping me out, but who are you? Akira: Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Iwase Akira. I'm a student at "East", like you. Masatoshi: So, Iwase-kun, what are you after? I'm sure you're mixed up in this whole incident. Akira: No! P. 36 Akira: Dr. Kawai's really helped me. Masatoshi: Helped you? Akira: Besides... you were the new student representative when we started at this school, weren't you? Masatoshi: Huh? Yeah... Akira: I was really impressed. You were stately up there in front of all the students. It was so cool! The representative's the one who was top of the entrance exams, and that means the top at "East"! P. 37 Akira: You were so awesome that time. I adored you! Masatoshi: [What a day...] Really... Thanks. Akira: No prob. Masatoshi: [I don't know how to deal with a situation like this.] Akira: {You really, really, really were cool. And now you're even more cool!} P. 38 Masatoshi: [Careful.... Nothing says he can't be one of them...] Akira: This may seem kind of sudden, and might come as a surprise to you, but... I... I've liked you for a long time now. P. 39 Akira: So I've wanted to be friends for a while. Masatoshi: [What should I do to have friends...? I don't know if I can love anyone besides Dad.... I can't even love myself...] P. 40 Masatoshi: Saying you want to be friends won't get you anywhere. Akira: Kawai-kun... Yoshito: Kawai-kun. Is that you? What happened? I thought you were going home? Masatoshi: Ah... you're... uh... Yoshito: I'm Honda. And you are? Akira: I'm Iwase from first year, D group. P. 41 Yoshito: I'm in first year, A group. Nice to meet you. Huh? Your right hand... Akira: Yes? Yoshito: Uh... never mind. So, what is going on? Masatoshi: Something... kind of came up... Yoshito: Well, it's cold out here, so why don't we go inside the school? P. 42 Yoshito: I see. So, that's what happened... Masatoshi: [Why am I...] Akira: That's terrible... We have to help you out. Masatoshi: [... talking glibly with people I just met today?] Akira: Still, I'm glad you told us so frankly about yourself. Yoshito: Ah, even Kawai looks like that sometimes. Masatoshi: [Maybe I told the wrong people...] P. 43 Akira: It's like that when you're lonely. You'll feel better if you toss out the stuff that you can't hold onto alone. Yoshito: Yes, that's true. There are people you can unburden yourself to. Masatoshi: [What is this strangly flattering, embarrasing mood?] Akira: That's right! Us! P. 44 Masatoshi: [Right now, I... feel like I want to run away, but this coziness isn't so bad, I guess... I feel like I don't even hate myself for being nice.] Thanks Iwase, Honda. P. 45 Masatoshi: [It feels good.] Akira: {He smiled!} Masatoshi: [I'm really glad I'm not alone right now. I guess this is what "friends" mean...] Yoshito: So, do you know about your father's research? Masatoshi: No. He rarely comes home, and doesn't talk about this research. [I don't even know anything about my father...] Akira: Kawai-kun... Ayano: Sorry to interrupt when you're having fun. P. 46 Ayano: Kawai Masatoshi-kun, won't you step out with me? Masatoshi: It's you again, despite your last experience. Ayano: Unfortunately for you, we're students of this school area. Masatoshi: So why would students here be doing... Ayano: Piss off, what does it matter? We've got family reasons. So, tell us about Project M-II, and where the doctor is. P. 47 Masatoshi: I won't tell you something I don't know. Ayano: So you're playing innocent? Well, we'll just have to force you to talk. Yoshito: Iwase, stick to his left. Hiroki: Wait, Ayano. There's a faster way to finish this. Ayano: Faster... Nii-san. P. 48 Akira: Kawai! Masatoshi: [Why is this happening? I want to know. I must be dreaming.] P. 49 Masatoshi: Iwase.... [This narrow, unstable path where no one is... I can't go down it alone.] Your right hand...?! [What should I do? What road should I take...?] Dad: % Don't be sad. I'll create your happiness with my research, Masatoshi. % Masatoshi: [Dad...!] P. 50 Masatoshi: ... Iwase... Dad: % Because of my research, you won't be alone. % Masatoshi: You.... P. 51 Dad: % Yes. I'll make you friends. % Masatoshi: That's right. I remember... [Friends...] Dad's... research... Project M-II... P. 52 Masatoshi: [A human robot.... A Replicant?! It can't be...!?] Ayano: What? What? What is it? Just what is going on? Onii-san, tell me. Hiroki: It's simple. We know that at the same time the doctor dissappeared, that showed up near Kawai. And also-- P. 53 Hiroki: We know _that_ is not human. Come on. Because of your loyalty, Kawai can go home safely. Akira: Kawai-kun can? ...Really? Hiroki: Come one, let's get out of here before the old man from the research lab comes. Masatoshi: .... Hold it! P. 54 Masatoshi: I won't let you take him. [He's Dad's precious research.] I'll go instead. Ayano: What a surprise. I'd heard you hated hanging out with people because you don't care about anyone. You're protecting him? P. 55 Masatoshi: {Well, I'm not really...} Yoshito: Of course he is. Because we are friends. Right, Kawai? Masatoshi: Y... yeah. Hiroki: Are you going to sit here forever? Let me see your arm, I'll fix it up. P. 56 Akira: Don't touch it! {Watch it.} Ayano: You'd better be careful. My brother's got a mechanics fetish. You don't know what he'll do. Hiroki: Ayano! Akira: Kawai-kun... I'm sorry to cause you troubles. Dr. Kawai took care of me, so I thought I'd try to help you out, but... P. 57 Masatoshi: Don't worry about it. [Project M-II. He completely looks like a human... And even that arm... There are a lot of people with artificial arms.] Dad: % I'll make you a friend you can play with, feel happy and feel sad with, so don't be unhappy. I'll make you one. % Masatoshi: [I didn't think I was sad... ] Honda. [But...] P. 58 Masatoshi: You're not part of this, and I'm sorry to have drug you into it. Yoshito: Honestly... I never thought to hear you say those words. I have reasons for sticking my neck into this. Will you take me along too? P. 59 Masatoshi: You're outside this, so don't stick your nose into it! Yoshito: Most likely it does appear that I'm butting in. Ayano: What are we going to do, big brother? Hiroki: Don't need to give it a lot of thought. He'll just get in the way. Yoshito: Well then, I'll show you something interesting. So for my fee... P. 60 Hiroki: You... Masatoshi: Your hand... P. 61 Masatoshi: [Hey look, the one with an artificial hand is acting all arrogant. He has one I guess.] Yoshito: As you can see, I have power. Next, shall I show you the beam that comes from my eyes? P. 62 Yoshito: Aha haha hahahaha. there's no way I could do that, could I? Iwase. P. 63 Yoshito: Dr. Kawai has really helped me out for a long time too. Our dear Kawai is making a face like he just ate a worm. Masatoshi: Me, who got 18 points off.... can't seem to grasp this at all. Ayano: I don't want to admit it, but I don't either. Not at all. Why are there two of you? P. 64 Kubo: I'll explain. Masatoshi: Kubo-san. P. 65 Kubo: So, this is where you're at. You shouldn't run off like that. I've been looking for you for a while, Yoshito. P. 66 Kubo: Yoshito. Yoshito: Well, well, if it isn't Uncle Kubo. Group: What? Masatoshi: Your uncle? P. 67 Kubo: You still aren't a student at "East". It appears that the chairman let it slide by without waiting for procedures to complete. Yoshito: That is how I obtained a student notebook with a verification code inscribed in it. I am grateful to my father. That is why I could enter the school area without arousing anyone's suspicions. Masatoshi: Wa...ait. Hold on, Kubo-san. I don't understand a thing that's happening. Kubo: Oh, I'm sorry. I'll explain everything. Honda Yoshito is the only son of company president of Honda Concern, which is the investment firm for our Area Studies. Group: What? Hiroki: If you mean President Honda, isn't he over 70 years old? Surely he's from a family with the Honda blood. Kubo: He is an adopted son. And it's no secret that I'm also from the Honda family. Yoshito and I are distant relatives. P. 68 Masatoshi: So... so... you're not M-II? Yoshito: M-II? What's that? Masatoshi: So then Iwase is? Akira: I don't know either. Masatoshi: Is it just coincidence that you both have artificial hands? Yoshito: This arm was injured when I was young. My right arm was crushed from the shoulder down. It was a life or death situation. Kawai-kun's father took care of me then. I'm more grateful than words can say. P. 69 Hiroki: This remodeled gun isn't going to help. Ayano: You've been making weird things again, haven't you? Hiroki: What are you talking about? This has the power to dissolve artificial skin. It responds to a capsule'd compound, so it won't harm a human body. It might dissolve simple metals found there, though. Ayano: An artifical hand should be differnt. Hiroki: I guess. Well, either way, you're coming with me, Kawai. P. 70 Akira: Kawai-kun?! Hiroki: I'm sorry, Kawai, but you're the bait to catch the doctor. Kubo: Aren't you at all ashamed of what you're doing? Ayano: What? What's everyone looking at us like that? This is just our job, there's nothing we can do about it. Akira: I'll go. Since I... I'm Project M-II... Let Kawai go. Hiroki: You might be the real one. P. 71 Hiroki: You do know what will happen if you hit something other than my right arm with that gun again? Saeki: I don't know nothin', but I'm the one who's got business with Kawai. Ayano: What are you doing, all of a sudden? Saeki: A pure, pretty female student from "South" shouldn't be acting so vulgarly. P. 72 Saeki: You're a beautiful young lady. Kubo: Sieze those two. Guard: Yessir. Hiroki: Ayano, come on! Masatoshi: Iwase?! P. 73 Hiroki: I'm at least taking him. Masatoshi: Iwase! I... it... Ayano: {Are you okay with heights now, big brother?} Hiroki: {Whaaaa!} Yoshito: I thought they would have taken me, after I showed them this trick and all... Masatoshi: Huh? Yoshito: Oh, nothing. P. 74 Yoshito: We'll be going now, Kubo-san. Kubo: You mustn't. What would I tell President Honda if something happened? Leave this up to us. And also Masatoshi-kun. Yoshito: Let's go help our friend, Kawai. Masatoshi: Honda... Yoshito: And then Dr. Kawai! Masatoshi: Huh? Saeki: Kawai! I'll help too! You're going after her, right? Right? Right?! Masatoshi: Saeki... P. 75 Man: You didn't bring him? Ayano: No. Man: You did well. Don't you think? So, this is M-II? Hiroki: But there are not clues about Dr. Kawai. Man: Kawai has already been caught. P. 76 Akira: Dr. Kawai?! Kawai: Iwase-kun... Why are you here.... Akira: Doctor! Man: Ho, ho, ho. Now all the players are assembled. Akira: What are you doing? Let go! Man: There's no use in struggling. Those chains well and truly will not break, no matter how strong you are, M-II-kun.... It's a good code name. P. 77 Man: In the history of great inventions, this is next to the Manhattan Project. We know you people at Area Studies were coming together on robotics research. And I was thinking that maybe it would be necessary to have a Replica robot. I wondered what President Honda was up to. Kawai: So are you saying you understood? Man: Yes, I understood, I understood! P. 78 Man: This is definately a money-maker! From long ago, military planning has applied robots. If we can mass produce them, the military will happily jump at replacing humans with highly efficient Replicants. Ayano: What are you saying... Man: I'll become even richer! Ayano: How can you think of something like that?! I didn't take this job for the sake of war! Man: What, are you two still here? I don't need you any longer. Leave now. Hiroki: Yes, sir. Ayano: Wait, Hiroki-san! P. 79 Ayano: Onii-chan, are you just going to leave things like this? Wars are going to happen just for his own selfish interests! Hiroki: Our job is over. this is not our problem to barge in on. We've been paid, so isn't it all okay? Ayano: You're just like him! Can't you think of anything other than looking at that Repli-whatever and touching it, and the loan for the rocket remodeling? Caption: Bull's eye. P. 80 Ayano: [I'll do any kind of dirty deed, but I don't want to be an accomplice to murder!] Man: So, let's have a chat, doctor, about the M-II's abilities. Kawai: I'm sorry, I was having a dizzy spell when you were pontificating. Man: So, are you going to play stupid? Well, if the doctor doesn't want to talk, then I shall have to experiement freely. Bring the doctor into the inner room. So... P. 81 Man: Take off his clothes. Akira: You may strip me, but I'm not going to do anything with you! Ayano: Why are you here? Masatoshi: We came to rescue Iwase and my father, of course. Saeki: A-aya-no-san! Ayano: How did you get in... Masatoshi: Honda managed it. P. 82 Ayano: You... changed. At least you're not the same as you were yesterday. Masatoshi: Even I think so. How can I be doing this for a stranger? No... maybe it's for myself. Ayano: Eek! Masatoshi: It's just a little trick. {Honda set it up. It doesn't really have a big impact.} Ayano: You've changed too much! P. 83 Hiroki: [What the...? What just happened? Is Ayano okay?] Wah! P. 84 Hiroki: [This isn't funny! I don't work well with heights! I can't...!] Yoshito: I didn't think there would possibly be anyone hanging here. Hiroki: Honda... P. 85 Underling: That's strange. Other than the right arm, nothing is different from a human. Man: You're not saying that is the only thing that is a high performance machine? Underling: Perhaps only the right arm needs to be artificial? Akira: That's right. I'm not a Replicant. Man: What? What is it? P. 86 Hiroki: You're... with only one hand you're... It... it can't be... Man: Who's there? P. 87 Masatoshi: Give me back my father and my friend! Man: Who're you? Akira: [Kawai-kun! He's so cool!] Man: Are you turning traitor? Ayano: I'm not a traitor or anything, since your job is over. I'm acting on my own! Man: If you come any closer, I'll blow his head off! Masatoshi: Iwase! P. 88 Hiroki: Get out of the way. Masatoshi: Huh? [That gun...?!] Man: Whaaa! Masatoshi: Stop! Don't point that at Iwase! P. 89 Masatoshi: [Huh...? His left hand is normal?] Why.... Hiroki: I thought so. He isn't a Replicant. Masatoshi: Huh? Man: Don't think you'll get away with this. I still have Dr. Kawai as a hostage! Yoshito: If you mean Dr. Kawai, we've already freed him. Masatoshi: Father! P. 90 Kawai: Hey, Masatoshi. You've got a lot stronger since I last saw you. Masatoshi: Dad! [That night I had a dream. The various paths all turned into one large road. My body, which couldn't move, step by step proceeded down the path.] P. 91 Masatoshi: [Is this what is means to not be alone? Dad, I've made friends other than you who I can trust.] Akira: But how did you know that your father had been captured by Asaoku? Masatoshi: If he wasn't with you, then there wasn't anywhere else he would be. He's not the sort of person to take a break from research. Ayano: So, what really was Project M-II? P. 92 Ayano: You two aren't really Replicants, are you? Yoshito: % Looks like you've found me out. Yes, I am M-II. % Hiroki: % So, you are a Replicant after all! % Yoshito: % I was made at the request of President Honda -- who has no heir. In short, that is what Project M-II is. You must not tell anyone. It's top secret. % Hiroki: % Do you think I'm going to quietly keep this to myself? % P. 93 Yoshito: % I'm not saying to do it for nothing. I'll let you play with my body. For maintainence. Maintainence. % Hiroki: % But why did you, Project M-II go out among your enemies? % Yoshito: % I'm the prototype. Dr. Kawai should have erased the early programming, but the words still remain: "I want you to be friends with Masatoshi." % P. 94 Kawai: % Your arm is all right now. % Akira: % Thank you, Dr. Kawai. % Kawai: % You're always by yourself, and I noticed that you don't have any friends coming to see you. % Akira: % I was just admitted to the hospital..... % Kawai: % I have a son who is the same age as you. I'm always busy with my research, so he hasn't be able to make any friends. If you were with him, I'm sure you would be good friends. % Akira: % I'll be his friend! % [I want to be his best friend!] {I'm sorry doctor, but I want to be more than his friend. That was love at first sight.} P. 95 Masatoshi: Oh no! It's time for the subject S test! Yoshito: If there's something you don't understand, I'll explain it to you. Akira: Good luck! Masatoshi: This time I'll get those 18 points back for sure. Kawai: Kubo, I know I said to take the M-II outside for the test, but... Kubo: I'm very sorry. Right after that you vanished, so I was certain that... Kawai: Yes, yes. The kids were and only asked about M-II. Kubo: I was worrying that the secret name for M-II might not be the Manhattan Project. You named it M-II, doctor. Does it have some meaning? P. 96 Kawai: It does. "Masatoshi's Two Friends". Oh, Kubo-san. What's wrong? Masatoshi: [This strange fuzzy feeling, and this comfortable feeling that I don't want to run from are not at all bad, Dad!]