Tegami Bachi 8

Here's the first chapter of volume 3 :) Thanks so much to haya5h1 for the raw. Corrections, help and advice are really appreciated!

Blank line = new manga panel
Line break = new speech bubble within the same panel
*Asterisked, purple lines are ones I'm not sure about.
Blue lines are edits/corrections.

Page numbering according to Raw Filenames.

---------

-000-1-
Text: In all things
Text: That which takes precedence is Heart
Text: All things are master of their Heart
Text: And their Heart makes them who they are (Amberground Scriptures, 1st verse)

-000-2-
Text under big 3: "Meeting Sylvette Suede"

-000-prologue-
This is the country of Amberground (AG), where night never turns to dawn. Existing solely for the purpose of illuminating the capital city Akatsuki, a man-made sun faces the out-lying regions of the country and loses its brightness the further away one travels. Because of this, it only faintly illuminates the lands surrounding Akatsuki, shining like twilight in the region of Yuusari, and like the moon in the region of Yodaka.

The postal service employee (called Letter Bees) Gauche and the young boy Lag meet in Yodaka as delivery man and "Letter". For a brief time until they reach their destination, the two of them overcome difficulties together and become friends. After their journey is over, the two of them begin walking their separate paths. Gauche, in order to earn large sums of Rin (Amberground currency) to pay for medical treatment for his sister's paralysed legs, sets out towards Akatsuki to find new work, while Lag aims to become a Letter Bee like Gauche.

5 years later, Lag, in order to undergo the interview exam to become a Letter Bee, is finally starting his journey to Yuusari. Along the way, Lag meets the young girl Niche, the legendary creature called "Maka", who has been left behind at the train station due to insufficient postage on her delivery form. Because of her rareness, Niche had been treated as a way to draw customers in to a sideshow exhibit. However, after forging a bond with Lag, she escapes from the sideshow exbihit, and as Lag's Dingo (a Letter Bee's partner), she sets out together with him on his journey.

In Kyrie, the last town before Bifrost, the bridge which links Yodaka and Yuusari, a girl called Neri steals their Crossing Permit Pass. Neri is burdened by the sadness of losing her younger brother, but after meeting Lag and Niche, she is able to overcome that sadness. After this, Lag and Niche carry on towards Yuusari, having gotten back the Crossing Permit Pass. However, Zaji, the observer for the Letter Bee examination which Lag had worked so hard for, then reveals to Lag a shocking truth.

-000-toc-
Text next to 3: "Meeting Sylvette Suede"
Chapter 8: Meeting Sylvette Suede
Chapter 9: The Crybaby Boy's Promise
Chapter 10: Under the Light
Special Chapter: Letter Bee and Dingo

-001-
[no text]

-002-
Chapter 8: Meeting Sylvette Suede

-003-
Lag: Gauche... isn't a Bee anymore...?
Lag: What do you mean?!

Zaji: It means that for one reason or another...
Zaji: He's had his name deleted from the Bee roster
Zaji: What do you care? Do you know him or something? This happened a few years ago from what I heard

Lag: Why...
Zaji: No idea
Lag: Zaji!!

Zaji: Apparently at the Bee Hive he was the ace among all the candidates for Head Bee
Zaji: They say it's a job in the capital where even a tiny mistake won't be forgiven... most people can't manage it, so he probably got discouraged or something
Zaji: Though... if that's the case, then he's just an idiot

-004-
Zaji: He suffered so much to get his hands on the life of the capital's elite
Zaji: But then to go and run away from all his hard work...

SFX: grab
Zaji: !!

Lag: Stop...
Lag: You're lying...
Lag: That can't be true...

Lag: He'd never do that!!!
Lag: Gauche wouldn't just give up being a Bee...

Zaji: Let go of me
Zaji: Lag Seeing...
Zaji: .....

-005-
Zaji: Let go!!!
SFX: smash

SFX: crash

Lag: It's not true!!!

Lag: Gauche would never abandon his job as a Bee...
Lag: Gauche would never run away!!

Lag: Gauche is in Akatsuki
Lag: Working to become the Head Bee!!!

-006-
Connor: We're here, Lag...

Connor: Sylvette lives on the first floor of that building... it's the second door on the left

Connor: We'll wait here

Connor: Lag... I'm sorry I never said anything

Connor: Say hi to Sylvette for me, would you?

Zaji: He didn't even answer you! What's his problem?
Connor: He can't help it...

Connor: Gauche is like Lag's ideal Letter Bee
Connor: He's the one Lag's always aimed for

-007-
Connor: He said that Gauche was working hard in the capital
Connor: For Sylvette's sake...
Connor: And that he himself was doing his best so that he wouldn't lose...
Connor: And so he could catch up to Gauche as soon as possible...

Connor: I could never tell him
Connor: He believes in Gauche with all his Heart
SFX: sniff
Connor: And I could... never tell him...

SFX: smack
Connor: Ouch!

Connor: Zaji?!
Zaji: I had too much food! Finish that up for me!

Zaji: Let's go, Vashuka!!
Connor: Where are you going?
Zaji: To the Bee Hive of course, Connor Culh!

Connor: Why? We were all gonna go back together afterwards...
Zaji: We're going back first, so apologise to him for me
Connor: Huh?

-008-
Zaji: Tell him that...
Zaji: "I..."
Zaji: "I was a little out of line"
Zaji: "So... sorry"

Connor: ..........
Connor text: Tell him yourself...
SFX: munch munch
Connor: Mmm... so good

Lag: ........
Lag: Hello...

Bubble: Ding
Bubble: Dong
Lag: Hello?

Lag: Maybe she's out...?
SFX bubble: click
Lag: Oh!... It was open...

Lag: It... It's dark, isn't it...
Steak: Nu

-009-
Lag: Um, hello...
Lag: Is there anyone home?

SFX: hop

Lag: !
SFX: bounce

SFX: clack

Niche: !!

Lag: Wings...?!
Lag: ?!
Lag: He flew?!

-010-
Lag: !!!
Lag: Hey... wait!
Lag: Niche...

SFX: thud thud thud

SFX: bounce
SFX: bounce

SFX: whoomph
Sylvette: Got you
Niche: !!

-011-
SFX: thud thud
SFX: wriggle wriggle
Sylvette: Ah!
Sylvette: Stop that
Sylvette: Stop wriggling up...

SFX: push
Niche: .......
Sylvette: Is she stuck...?

SFX: click

-012-
Sylvette: You guys just don't give up!!!
Sylvette: If you don't give it up, I'll blow you to pieces!!!

Lag: !!!
Text: Blow to pieces...

-013-
Sylvette: I'll get you last month's money after I sell the dolls and clothes I'm making now!
Sylvette: So just shut and wait until the end of the month!!
Sylvette: You dimwits!!

Lag: N-No...
Lag: No, um...!!
Lag: We're...

SFX: twitch

Lag: Wahhh, Niche!!
Lag: Don't!!

Lag: .......
Lag: Y...

Lag: You're...

-014-
Lag: Sylvette...?

Lag: .......
Lag: !!

Lag: That's Gauche's Heart Bullet Gun!!

Lag: Is he here?!
Lag: Does...
Lag: Does that mean...
Lag: That means Gauche...
Lag: Came back to this house, right?!

-015-
Lag: So he did!! He really did...?!
Lag: He wasn't supposed to come back to you no matter what...
Lag: But he did, didn't he...?!
Lag: No matter what would happen, Gauche still...

Sylvette: ......
Sylvette: ...!

Sylvette: Lag...
Sylvette: Seeing...?
Lag: Huh...?

Sylvette: Right?!
Sylvette: You...
Sylvette: You're Lag Seeing, right?

Lag: .......
Lag: Yes...?

-016-
Lag: Connor said to say hi...
SFX: rush...

Sylvette: Is that so...

Sylvette: Here you go
Sylvette: it's boiled milk tea

Lag: Thank you!

Lag: Ah... sorry
Lag: Niche doesn't drink milk
Sylvette: Oh my...

-017-
Sylvette: So that's why you're so small!
Sylvette: Well, don't complain to me if you don't get bigger!
SFX: twitch
SFX: glance

SFX: stare

Niche: .........

SFX: gulp gulp gulp
Lag: Ni... Niche?!
SFX: Paaaaaah

Lag: Are you okay?!
Lag: I thought you had trouble with hot food because you have your Maka tongue!
Niche text:
Sylvette text: Eh?!
Sylvette: Maka tongue?!

Lag: ......um...
Lag: So...

-18-
Lag: Sylvette...
Sylvette: I remember my brother telling me about you!
Sylvette: He said there was a boy, an Albisian just like us...

Sylvette: Who was a huge crybaby, that he delivered as a Letter...

Sylvette: You haven't changed at all, Lag...
Sylvette: You're exactly like the child I imagined
Sylvette: I'm surprised...

Lag: I'm surprised too! Sylvette, I thought you'd be more gentl—
Sylvette: More what?
SFX: glint
Lag: Ah... nothing...

Lag: Actually... I...
Lag: I've seen you before, Sylvette

Sylvette: ...huh?

-019-
Lag: During our journey... I felt Gauche's Heart Bullet...
Lag: I saw Gauche's memories...
Lag: His Heart...

Lag: You... looked so lonely
Lag: You were crying...

Sylvette: Stop

-20-
Lag: Syl...vette...?
Sylvette: I guess I used to be a crybaby too
Sylvette: But... I don't really remember

Sylvette: It looks like my brother thought he'd come to see you in Yuusari some day
Sylvette: He said you had the right disposition for a Bee...
Lag: !!
Lag: Gauche said that...!!

Lag: Then Sylvette!! Gauche...
Lag: Where's Gauche?!

Lag: You've got his gun... so that means he came back here, right?
Lag: I want to see him as soon as possible!!
Lag: Sylvette!!

-021-
Sylvette: He's not here
Lag: ...huh...?

Sylvette: The notice...
Sylvette: ...is on top of the fireplace

Lag: A Letter...?
Lag: From Gauche?!

Lag: !!
Lag: This is...

Sylvette: "Notice of Dismissal"

-022-
Sylvette: "Gauche Suede..."
Sylvette: "...has continuously failed to appear work at the Akatsuki Capital Bee Hive..."

Sylvette: "He failed to attend his disciplinary hearing..."
Sylvette: "Thereafter..."

Sylvette: "He abandoned his registered address, and his whereabouts are presently unknown..."

Sylvette: "It is possible that he has lost soundness of mind, and currently lacks mental capacity (Internal Assessment Division)..."
Lag: That can't be true...!!

-023-
Sylvette: "As a result, we are notifying you that both his second Akatsuki and Amberground Crossing Permit..."
Sylvette: "...and the Spirit Amber and its accompanying weapon have been forfeited..."
Sylvette: "...that his official address has again been registered under Yuusari..."

Sylvette: "...And that he has been dismissed from his position..."
Sylvette: "...As a Bee, the national government courier."

-024-025-
Sylvette: As soon as my brother crossed over into Akatsuki...

Sylvette: He lost his Heart...

Sylvette: And disappeared...

-026-
Lag: But...
Lag: Sylvette...
Lag: What about the gun..?!
Lag: That's Gauche's gun...

Sylvette: Before he crossed over to Akatsuki, he got himself a new weapon
Sylvette: There's no Amber equipped in this one... I just use it as a bluff to protect myself...

Lag: No way...
Lag: Then... where is Gauche now...?
Sylvette: ......

Sylvette: It's been 4 years since my brother, who was more devoted than anyone else to his duties, gave up his job as a Bee...
Sylvette: He didn't leave any letters or information
Sylvette: And so...

Sylvette: I've thrown away my Hope

Sylvette: My brother is dead!
Sylvette: I'll always hold his memory dear, but...
Sylvette: That's the conclusion I came to!

-027-
Lag: How...
Lag: How can you say that...
Lag: Sylvette!

Lag: It was for your sake that Gauche...

自業自得です
**Sylvette: You reap what you sow

Sylvette: I never needed anything, as long as I had my brother
Sylvette: But despite that...
Sylvette: He was always overdoing it because he was so intent on getting work in the capital...
Sylvette: He would even go so far as to volunteer for dangerous deliveries...

Lag: ........
Sylvette: I've got work to do
Sylvette: So if you don't mind, would you please leave...

Sylvette: It must be painful for you to hear this too. I'm sorry
Sylvette: I'm glad that I was able to meet you, Lag Seeing
Sylvette: However...

-028-
Sylvette: Please don't come here again

Lag: Goodbye...
Lag: Sylvette...

-029-
Connor: .......
Connor: He hasn't said a word since he came back...

Text: My brother...

Text: Lost his Heart...
Text: And disappeared...

Niche: Lag
Niche: Where does it hurt?

Niche: Should Niche lick the place where it hurts?
Lag: Thanks... but I'm not hurt

-030-
Niche: Alright then

Lag: Say, Niche...
Niche: Shall I lick?
Lag: Uh, no, that's not it...

Lag: If...
Lag: Just, say if...
Lag: If I lost my Heart...
Lag: And I forgot about you...

Lag: What would you do...?
Niche: ....

-031-
Niche: I'd lick you!
Niche: And bite you!
Niche: And push you over!
Niche: And jump on you!
Niche: And scratch you!
Niche: And push you over!
Lag: You'd push me over twice?!
SFX: snicker

Niche: Niche is Lag's Dingo!
Niche: Leave it to Niche!
Lag: But...
Niche: It'd be fine

Niche: Even if Lag forgot

Niche: Because Niche
Niche: Won't forget about Lag

Niche: So we'll
Niche: Always be together

-032-
Lag: ........
Lag: ........

Lag: Thank you...
Lag: Thank you...
Lag: Niche...

Lag: Connor!! Stop!!
Connor: Eh?!
Connor: Owawawa...

Lag: I'm going to see Sylvette one more time!!
Connor: Oh... o-okay

Connor: Whoops!
Niche: !!
SFX: thud

-033-
Connor: W-We'll wait here

Connor: Good luck...
Connor: Lag...

Niche: You're all bouncy...
Connor: Eh?

Niche: Do you drink milk tea too?
Connor: Huh?

Niche: To be "pretty"...
Niche: I wonder if you need big boobs...

Connor: ...Hey...
Connor: Niche...
Connor: ......

Connor: Help me

-034-035-
Text: It's because she'll never forget...
Text: Because it makes her sad...
Text: That Sylvette has thrown away her Hope
Lag: I'm sure that Gauche is alive, somewhere out there!!

Lag: And that's why I'm going to look for Gauche myself. If I can just become Hope...

Lag: Hope for Sylvette...
Lag: Then that's good enough!!!

-036 [rotated to correct view]-
Top text, next to "Characters": Approximate heights

Bottom text, left to right:
Roda
Gauche
Young Lag
Niche & Steak
Lag
Connor
Zaji
Sylvette
Director
Aria