Gintama 274

Good lord. I don't think that Sorachi's ever been more wordy. Good luck all you scantlators, I give you my condolences.

...Although, this was almost as touching (at least until the end) as Kagura's chapter last week. Sorachi you are the man.

(BTW, Gintama FINALLY got an anniversary number! This is translation 250!! Congrats to me!! lol)

{July 20th.}

(Bottom text- Volume 30 of the manga hits stores on September 4th!!)

GINTAMA.

(Side text- Read jump AFTER your homework is done!!)

{From today on, I will be observing space morning glories that I will be rasing myself. I haven't yet met them, but I'm hoping for the best.}

{July 25th}

{I woke up early in the morning to see if my morning glories had grown any, and they had! I was a little bit happy to see them, so I gave them a lot of water. Mom got angry though and I had to go in.}

{August 11th.}

{A Hurricane hit Edo. Since I was worried about my morning glories, I decided to go out in the rain and protect them. Mom got mad again, and said 'you'll catch a cold' so I had to go inside even though I didn't want to.}

{August 12th}

{The rain didn't stop yet, so I didn't go outside. Mom was right about that cold though.}

{I had to stay inside, partly because I was sick, and partly because I didn't want to hear mom complain anymore.}

{August 13th}

{My morning glories had disappeared.}

{I think I cried for hours, just apologizing countless times to them.}

{But it turns out when I wasn't looking, Mom had brought the morning glories in doors for me.}

{She had braved the hurricane just so my work wouldn't be lost. She had saved my friends.}

{I just said sorry over and over to her and the morning glories.}

{In the end, I couldn't do anything for them it seems. I couldn't even be happy any more.}

002

Kid: August 30th, Mom and I watered the morning glories together.

And it seems that they looked just a bit happier today.....The end.

(Sfx- Pachi pachi pachi clap clap clap)

(On board: Summer vacation report meeting!!)

Teacher: Very nice Hiroshi-kun. Thank you.

It was wonderful how you and your mother got along better because of the morning glories.

I certainly hope that Hiroshi-kun's story touched you all.

Now, who wants to be next?

How about you Daigorou-kun?

(TN- Thanks to StrangerAtaru for looking it up, although I had a hunch. Daigorou's name is based off a character who shares the same name in 'Lone Wolf and Cub.' It's not the only time Sorachi's made this reference, so I assume he's fond of the manga {Or fond of mocking it.})

Daigorou: 'Kay.

Teacher: So what did you do over Summer vacation Daigoro-kun?

(On book- Observation diary.)

Daigorou: Uh...I observed...stuff, and put it in my diary.

Teacher: Really now? I wonder what you observed~ I'm looking forward to it, as is everyone else.

Okay Daigorou-kun....please go right ahead.

Daigorou: I'm 3rd year first class Kitaooji Daigorou.

I had been doing my observation from July 20th till today.

003

{I didn't have anything in particular to do, so I sat in bed.}

{I think I spent the whole night listening to the Radio.}

Teacher: Now now, Daigoro-kun it is ill advised to stay up all night listening to the radio.

(Sfx- Ahahahah weeee!)

{I walked through the park later that day, and at first it looked like there was no one there....}

Hasegawa: I'm beggin ya....

Get me some booze.....

(Sfx- Buru buru buru shiver shiver shiver)

(Side text- The fallen fall man.)

GINTAMA
SORACHI HIDEAKI.
Lesson 274: Stick with your observation diaries until the very end.

{It was there,}

{That I met a Madao.}

(TN- For those new to Gintama, (MA)ru de (DA)me ni (O)ssan.)

Teacher: Uh...Daigorou-kun, what's a Madao?

(TN-*Facepalm* I just explained this....:-P)

{July 21st.}

{ Starting today, I decide to start observing Madao in his habitat.}

Teacher: Uh Daigorou-kun? Seriously, what's a Madao?

004

{Madao is a weird guy with chin stubble that lives in the park.}

{He just spends his days laying around in the park without trying to look for work.}

Teacher: Um Daigoro-kun? It sounds like you're describing a run of the mill jobless bum.

{He made me promise not to talk about the missing alchol.}

Teacher: No wait!! You have to go tell someone right now what happened!!

(Handwritten- Did someone say booze?)

{He lives each day of his life from bottle to bottle. Though I wonder how this at one time gentle and world harding creature begin his decent into becoming a Madao?

Teacher: Don't you DARE entertain notions of becoming anything like this pathetic man!!

{July 22nd}

{Madao hadn't grown.}

Teacher: People get older, but they do not 'grow' like morning glories do Daigorou-kun.

{He had moved enough to get some sake, but not to work.}

{I wonder why he doesn't do anything?}

Hasegawa: Flowers that bloom once, never do again...

{His eyes are full of sadness.}

Teacher: Hold on a moment, what are you observing? Why would a child say such a thing?

{July 23rd Madao still hadn't grown any.}

{Even when I gave him Sake, the only thing that happened was his eyes started dripping.}

{Why is it that even when I help him, nothing seems to happen?}

Daigorou: Don't cry, I'm sorry. So please cheer up.

{I'm sure if I cheer him on like this, he'll definitely be able to accomplish something...someday....}

Teacher: Daigorou-kun? This is getting to be a little too heavy you know? You can stop now.

{July 24th. Madao still hadn't grown.}

Teacher: Daigorou-kun, I get it. You decided to waste time this summer on useless observation reports didn't you?

Because there's no such thing as a Madao is there?

{Madao seemed to be hurt for some reason.}

005

{There was something swinging over Madao today though. It looked like a rope of some kind.}

Teacher: DAIGOROU-KUUUUUUN!!!

{I wonder why it was there? Where did it come from? Could it be that Madao had grown it himself?}

Teacher: Daigorou-kun!!! That's dangerous!! Are you going to be okay?!

{July 25th. Madao hadn't grown. I thought bringing a radio along for him to listen to might help.}

{But when he heard it, he decided to take a nap on a railroad track. I wonder if this is Madao's way of taking root?}

Teacher: W—Wait a minute!! Stop this report at once!! No more Daigorou-kun!!


Teacher: Okay Daigorou-kun. You did some nice work~ But I'm afraid that's all we have time for.

(Handwritten- Whaaaaaat?!)

Kids: Why Teacher?! We want to hear more!! Did Madao ever bloom?!

Teacher: I'm telling you people dont' bloom.....

Kids: Tell us more! Tell us more! Read until the end Daigorou!!

(Handwritten- Madao! Madao! Madao! Madao!)

(Handwritten- What did Madao do to reach children's hearts....)

Teacher: I get it....But we' should skip a little bit since it seems to be getting a little long.

Daigorou-kun, do you think you could skip to August for us?

(Handwritten- It seems so sad to continue with Madao in that same spot.)

Daigorou: Okay, I will.

006

{August 1st.}

{Madao became a part of my family.}

Teacher: THAT LEAP IS TOO BIG!!!

How did Madao become a member of your family?! It's only been a few days!! What happened?!

{Even with a bed at his disposal, Madao still didn't grow any.}

{His stare was fixed down at the floor, and his eyes were vacant and lacking any life. It was as if he couldn't look up to the angels, and instead watched Lucifer, waiting for the day that he would join him}

Teacher: YOUR WRITING'S SUDDENLY LEAPED TOO!!

{I can't take this any more, I'm not gonna smoke Silver. I'm gonna get Marlbro and a lighter.}

Teacher: Your writing's totally changed!!! What happened?! Did this summer take something away from you?! Have you become an adult?! It's like someone pushed the escalate button on your tiny little life!!

{Human beings respond to their environment and change. Being unable to go forward, being unable to change, at long last he had evolved into a corpse.}


Teacher: You've changed too much!! Are you sure you're doing just observation?!?

{The lady of the house got angry and threw a whiskey bottle at me.}

Teacher: Is this supposed to be your way of watering him!? Isn't it just a little too hard boiled to be a kid's observation diary?!

{Madao, I've done everything I can to try and help you, but now it's your turn to rise to the occasion. Why do you just sit there and let life pass you by?}

007

{Why do you seem satisfied to sit out there.....? Madao couldn't answer me however, and simply stared at the bottle of whiskey set in front of him....}

Teacher: He's outside?! And how is he supposed to be happy like that?! What was the point of making him a part of your family?!

{What do we have to do for you to bloom Madao? The heavens are so wide.....there's plenty to wake up and laugh about...}

{Even the Condors come and circle around him.}

Teacher: Condors?! There are none in Edo!!

{August 10th.}

{Even after 10 days of feeding and taking care of him, Madao doesn't grow.}

{Even after I had started throwing Bourbon at Madao, nothing had changed.}

{Madao had become even more listless lately, so I figured it was about time to stop treating him as human, and more like the dog he was.}

Teacher: He seemed more like a dog than human when you met him!!

{Perhaps Madao needed the caress of a woman to help him grow.}

{It's when women believe in their men that they're able to realize their true selves right?}

Teacher: We don't need to hear any more of this...please just finish up.

{Three years ago on August 10th.}

(Sfx- Min min min ree ree ree)

Teacher: WHAT IS THISSSSS?! Why does your diary have a flashback in it?!?


{I remember it as a day where the heat could boil you alive...}

008

{The wife's husband....my father....}

{Had become a Madao too.}

{He was a carpenter at one point, but an accident had left his hands stiff and no good for the carpentry trade. He couldn't find any other work, and sat at home drinking and eating.}

{He was frustrated. As such my dad would often become short with her, and fights would develop quickly and often.}

{I hated seeing my father that way. When it came time to return home, I always regretted it.}

{My mom worked until she was tired, and I had to accompany her. Soon enough, I had become used to it...this was my family, and my life.}

{Even though he had become a Madao, Dad was still a good person deep down...}

{And there were times that I can remember when his gentle arms would embrace me, and his face was one big smile. I hoped one day that this could become the norm again.}

{That is until one day...}

(Sfx- Gararara clattter)

(Handwritten- I'm home.)

{When our hope went up into smoke....}

{The cries of the cicada....}

{Disappeared into the sky....}

(Sfx- Miin Miiin reee reee)

009

{A single tear...}

{Traveled down the side of my face.}

{No...I think it was the rain.}

{Before I knew it, I had told the new Madao the long long story about the old Madao.}


Daigorou: Sorry, forget that I said anything.

(Sfx- Zatsu Swiff)

{I was so Embarrassed that I'd go on and on about myself to him. So I turned and walked away, but then he spoke for the first time.}

Madao: Why did you tell me?

I thought that you and your mom would be sick of dealing with Madao.

The truth is,

That you know it isn't just your mom suffering.

Daigorou: I don't regret anything....

My Dad just fell too far down to be saved....

If someone had cheered him on back then, maybe...

But now it's just mom and I now, because he had to do that....

{I didn't mean for those words to come out like that...}

{It's just, for some reason, somehow Madao and my Dad's face became the same, overlapping each other.}

010

{As my mom suffered...}

{Could I do anything to help her?}

(Sfx- Gararara clatter)

{I had forgotten about those times...}

{Because even now, there is no way to return to them is there?}

(Sfx- Zaaaaa ssssssh)

{That day,}

{I decided to leave Bourbon for Madao to drink.}

{August 11th}


{I was awakened by the sound of heavy rain clattering against my window.}

{It seemed that a hurricane had hit Edo with a one two punch.}

{I ran as fast as my legs would carry me to the Dog house.}

{But I found...}

{That Madao was no longer there.}

{I thought that you guys would be sick of dealing with Madao.}

{You and your mom that is.}

011

Mom: What are you doing?!

Where do you think you're going in a hurricane like this?!

(Sfx- Bata bata Clatter clatter.)

Daigorou: Let me go!!

Mom: He was just a drunkard! I'm sure that with a weak constitution like his, he's probably dead!! He's only a Mada---

Daigorou: I knew that's what it was....

But that guy isn't just a Madao...

No...

He's more than a Madao!!

That guy, he's...

MY BEST FRIEND!!!

I won't give up on him....

I have to save him before it's too late!!!

(Sfx- Datsu Dash)

Mother: Daigorou!!

012

{August 12th}

{I wasn't able to find Madao anywhere.}

{On top of that I got a cold so bad that it felt like my head was going to split open.}

{I wasn't able to find him anywhere....maybe I was the one who didn't get it. Maybe he was just a drunkard.}

{Just like our Madao...}

{Where did he go? I thought for sure if I left some sake out for him he'd come back...}

{But the sake hadn't done anything for him....}

(But in truth...}

{Madao had,}

{Grown past the need for Sake.}

Daigorou: Ma--

Madao....

Mom: This time, make sure you take good care of him so he doesn't run away again.

If you really want to keep that Madao around, make sure you dont' go telling him embarrassing stories about us.

Do you understand? There's something other than Sake that he needs.

(Sfx- Keho koho Cough cough.)

013

Mom: Well I'm off to work.

I leave him in your hands Madao.

{Mom had gone out to find a Madao....she had forgiven the other one at last.}

{No, I think that...}

{Mom and I,}

(Sfx- Geho goho cough cough)

{Have the same feelings towards Madao now.}

(Sfx- Pota pota drip drip)

Daigorou: Do you want some more sake Madao?

Hasegawa: No....

I'm not thirsty....

{August 20th.}

{Madao finally began to change himself.}

{He stopped drinking sake,}

{And started cleaning the house when Mom was at work.}

{And he had started reading self help books to improve his image.}

{Madao had finally begun to become active...}

{At first mom simply refered to him as 'Madao' but as time went by, she started calling him 'Hasegawa-san.'}

{But to me Madao is Madao. So I don't quite understand why she stopped calling him that.}

014

{August 25th.}

{Madao had gone out to run some errands, so it was just Mom and I in the house...}

Mom: Daigorou,

(Sfx- Ton ton tap tap)

Mom: Would you like a father?

{She let it slip out into the air, like it was no big deal. However the face she wouldn't let me see,}

{Was the part I didn't understand the most.}

{I was still trying to understand what she meant when Madao and I went to bed that night, so I asked him in secret.}

(Sfx- Goro rolll)

Madao: Don't ask me.

{Adults are hard to follow sometimes.}

{August 26th.}

{The day had finally come. Madao grew up.}

Hasegawa: Thank you for everything ma'am.

I owe you so much for what you've done for me.

Is there any way for me to show my overflowing gratitude to you....?

Mom: Aren't we in a hurry? You haven't even gone to the interview yet.

(Handwritten: Let me fix your necktie.)

(Sfx- Kuiii)

(Handwritten: Oh thanks.)

Mom: You've always had the ability to do whatever you desired you know?

Good luck to you.

I'll be waiting for the results upon you return.

015

Hasegawa: Okay!!

{Now that I think about it, the way they were talking to each other, and the way they gazed into each other's eyes.....it was like they are my parents...}

{Madao as my dad...}

{I couldn't imagine it, no matter how hard I tried, yet it didn't sound that bad....}

(Sign- Interview room.)

Someone: I'm so nervous....

Hasegawa: I used to be a Madao until I turned my life around and started living straight.

Someone: Is that so? I was the same way!

Hasegawa: So you were a Madao? You don't look the type.

Someone: Yes, I was the shiftless loser that comes along with being a Madao..

But I have a wife and son. I can't continue to think purely of myself with them around.

It's embarrassing, but I've only now begun to understand just how important they are to me.

So I want to do something to show the two of them how much I care, but I dunno if it'll work out.

Ah sorry, I guess I said more than I should have...

I just know I've been a big annoyance to them.

Well it's all for the better anyway. I have to keep up my offensive.

As long as I can get my leg in the door, I'll bust my ass until I get to the top.

Hasegawa: Um, may I ask you a question?

What's your son's name...?

016

{August 27th.}

{Madao,}

{Never came back after that.}

(Sfx- Ton ton tap tap)

Daigorou: He probably failed to get the job,

And got too scared to come home and meet us.

Why does Madao have to be so silly? We'd welcome him back right?

{Mom didn't say anything in response to my question.}

{It was my fault...}

{She had gotten her hopes up all because of me, and how she was hurt again...}

{August 29th}

{Another Madao...}

{Had returned.}

(Sfx- Kakooon tokkk)


{But he seemed like a different person.}

{He started apologizing to Mom and I as soon as he came through the door. He seemed so to be in high spirits, as he had just landed a major job.}

{He talked about a drunkard who had come to the interview, and had turned it upside down.}

{It made Mom happy to talk about it too.}

017

Hasegawa: 'Sup?

You two over there.

I got some booze over here. Wanna party with me?

(Sfx- Hikku hikku hic hic)

Mom: Let's go Daigorou.

Daigorou!!

(Sfx- Zatsu zatsu swiff swif)

Daigorou: Why?

You even promised me not to drink anymore....

(Sfx- Zatsu zatsu Swif swif)

Daigorou: Why....

You had even told me you'd do your very best...

Why...

Why....

018

Hasegawa: If you don't have any more booze with you, get lost Kid.

Daigorou: You liar...

Mom: Daigorou, lets go okay?

There's no need to talk to this man any longer...

Daigorou: Madao, I know the truth!!

(Sfx- Guiii grabb)

Mom: Daigorou!!!

Daigorou: No matter what lies you tell,

No matter how drunk you get,

No matter what kind of nasty things you do,

I know...I know the truth!!

You're not a Madao...!!!

And I'll never forget what you did for us!!

YOU'RE THE MOST GENTLE AND STRONG SAMURAI OF THEM ALL!!

I'll never forget you!

Never ever!

(Sfx- Patan slam)

(Sfx- Buvuuuun Vrrrmmmm)

Old guy: Aren't you going to go after them Hasegawa-san?

It seemed like a nice place.

Hasegawa: Take a sip of this.

019

Old guy: Ngah!! What is this?! W—Water?!

(Sfx- Bubaaaa Bloooorgh)

(TN- Is water that nasty to you?)

Hasegawa: I don't need booze or work...

I've already decided that this is where I belong.

{I already knew it all....}


Hasegawa: Daigorou...

I wish you, your mom, and your dad eternal happiness.

{Madao was....}

{Indeed the worst...}

(Sfx- Min min min ree ree ree)

(Sfx- Gusu hikku gusssu sob sob sniffle)

Teacher: I'm so sorry Daigorou-kun...

This isn't an observation diary, but a novel...

But I'm so glad it worked out for everyone....please show Daigorou a round of applause...

(Sfx- Uuuuu guzu snffffle)

Kids: Yay!! Madao is the best!!

(Paper- Cast, Madao- Hasegawa Taizou, Kitaooji Daigorou as himself, Mom- Kitaooji Satsuki)

(Sfx- Fa fa fa)

Teacher: Huh? There's still more?

Oh there are ending credits! Very nice Daigorou, just like a movie~~

(Paper- As read by Kitaooji Daigorou.)

(Sfx- Faaa faaa)

Teacher: Superb!! Please give one more round of applause to Daigorou-kun!!

(Sfx- Pachi pachi clap clap)

(Sfx- Hyuu hyuu whistle~)

(Sfx- Jan tadaaah)

(Paper- Director//Screenplay- Mom.)

Teacher: YOUR MOM WROTE THIS?!?!

(Side text- Do your own Homework!!)


GINTAMA LESSON 274..............END.