xxxHOLiC 167

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xxxHOLiC
Chapter 167
[insert text right: He is no brother. / He is you yourself.]
[insert text left: In another world, a boy relates the shocking truth!! Don't miss Tsubasa in the 8th October issue of Weekly Shonen Magazine!! As these two worlds begin to move, the story plunges into startling depths!!]

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[side text: In their struggle, wandering destinies begin to intermingle!! What future lies beyond Yuuko's cold gaze?!]

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Yuuko: It seems... / ...that there is no trouble here. // No... // I must be sure to protect this place at least.

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Yuuko: Until that day which must come.

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[sFX: touch]
Yuuko: The staff which Watanuki found before... // ...was a mere replica... // But this one here... // ...is the one and only "Star Staff". // The price paid by Sakura-chan, true inheritor... // ...of the magic woven by Clow.

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[sFX: touch]
Yuuko: That which was one... / ...became two. // For the sake of those beloved children. // Watanuki... / ...was born when Syaoran made his wish to turn back the hands of time. // A second Syaoran.

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Yuuko: Just like the egg that Sakura-hime brought back... // ...that which was meant to be one, became two. // Two separate, individual entities.

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Yuuko: Those eggs... // One hatched according to the wish of the one who cared for it. // The other never hatched into anything. // However, it was nevertheless given a highly important role. // Likewise, Syaoran and Watanuki...
[sFX: chinkle]
Yuuko: ...differed in name... / ...and even in appearance. // This was as their parents wished it. // In order to avoid... / ...erasing either one of the two...
[sFX: click]

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Yuuko: Syaoran changed his face, / and even his family name. // Through that name, this child was kept hidden. // The reading of his name, "Watanuki"... / ...comes from the custom of removing padding from one's kimono on the first of April. // An ancient sorcery... / To prevent children from suffering from spectres or diseases, they would be dressed in the now-unpadded kimono, and the removed padding would become their substitute.

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[sFX: slip]
Yuuko: Watanuki Kimihiro. // Even so, to protect that child from harm... // He was given a fabricated name, with his own birthday contained in it. // For names and birthdays are important things.

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Yuuko: Of this photograph... / ...and of the true name his parents gave him, recorded within here, // that child knows nothing. // It is for that reason that Fei Wong has been unable to uncover his location, // and that he has been able to live his life without being used for Fei Wong's purposes...

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Yuuko: Still, / that child's existence is unstable and uncertain. // Since it was something never originally meant to be. // That child himself knows that much.
[sFX: snap]
Yuuko: Though his memories are gone, his heart and body understand. // And also... / ...that due to the separation of one path into two... // ...in this world where he exists, his parents died in protection of him. // Thus he feels all the more that he "should not be here".
[side text: Yuuko tells all!! Finally, we know the truth!! Where will Watanuki's future lead...?!]
[bottom text: Once a thing is known, it can never again be unknown!! Next chapter is on sale 27th October!!]