Haru Polish 1

[p002/003]

(top)
From Totsuka Masahiro of "Bamboo Blade" fame x Minamoto Yuu of "Asu no Yoichi!" fame
Comes the start of a collaborative tag-team sword girl comedy, at 60 pages!!
(right, chapter heading) Chapter 1 / Okamoto Haru and the Japanese Sword
(left)
The Japanese sword----
That sharp, gleaming aura.
Within that radiance,
Girls grow even more and more beautiful!!

[p005]

Box: ------Haru (spring)

Box: Haru (spring)
(Haru is both her name and the word for spring.)

Haru: I'm Haru!!
Haru: I've become a high school student!!

[p006]

Grandfather: Oh, Haru. you've come at a good time.
Grandmother: Came to show what you look like in your school uniform, did you?

Haru: I wanted to show grandma and grandpa as soon as possible.
Grandmother: You're certainly happy. It suits you very well, Haru.

Grandfather: Already a high schooler, huh. You've gotten so big.
Haru: Even though I stopped growing a year ago.

Grandfather: Look, gran.
Grandfather: Haru took the trouble to come visit. Look.
Grandmother: How about I give you some pocket money.

Haru: That's okay. I don't need any money.
Haru: Instead...... y'know.

Grandfather: What's that, Haru, there's something else you'd like?
Haru: Geez, you should know alreaaady.

[p007]

Haru: I've gotten bigger, right? I'm already an adult, right?
Grandfather: Y...yeah.

Haru: You promised I could have it when I became an adult, right?
Haru: T-h-a-t. ♡

Grandfather: That......

[p008]

Haru: I'll just help myself~ ♡
Grandfather: AH!!

Grandfather: Wait a minute, Haru!!
Haru: Fugi!!

Haru: Katana! Katanaaaaa!!
Haru: You said you'd give it to meeee!!
Grandfather: Calm down!! Haru!!

Haru: Gimmeeeee!! Uoooo!!
Grandfather: Hrm, that you remembered so well is a little...

(right) 12 years earlier
???: KYAAAA!!

[p009]

Mother: What are you doing, Haru!!

Mother: It's dangerous, you know! Carrying around something like that!!
Mother: Let go of it!! C'mon, quickly!!

Mother: Grandpa!! You shouldn't leave such a dangerous thing where children can reach it.
Grandfather: Sorry, my bad.

Grandfather: ......how strange.
Grandfather: I thought I'd tied the cord in such a way that it couldn't be unsheathed...

Haru: Give it back, give me!
(I worded it this way on purpose, since Haru uses a childish version of the verb "to return". Instead of 返して, she says かして)
Mother: Let me see your hands!! Are you injured anywhere?!

[p010]

Haru: Noooooo!
Haru: Haru waaants that!

Mother: Don't say such ridiculous things!
Mother: Hng--
(around Haru) UWAAAAAAAA
Grandfather: Haru, this is something that children shouldn't touch.

Haru: ....so if I become an adult, it'll be okay?
Grandfather: Hm...
Grandfather: That's right. When you're an adult.

Haru: Then, when Haru becomes an adult,
Haru: Give this to Haru!!

Grandfather: Ah...
Grandfather: Ahh, that's fine. When you're an adult, okay?
Grandfather (thoughts): Now then, what shall I do...

[p011]

Grandfather: Alright now, Haru. Listen veeeeery carefully.

Grandfather: A high school student is still not an adult yet, you know.
Haru: But you just said before that I was an adult!!

Haru: Noooo noooo gimme the katana gimmeee I want itttttt uooooooo!!
(below Haru) UWAAAA
Grandfather (thoughts): Just how are you an adult.

Grandfather: Why do you want that katana so much, Haru?

Haru: Because...

Haru: It's really beautiful.

Haru (narration): I want to hold it again, like that time before.

[p012]

Grandfather: Haahaahaa!!
Grandfather: I see, so it was beautiful was it!

Grandfather: Come, look veeeery closely, Haru.
Haru: Ehh

Haru: Huh?

Haru: A bamboo sword...?

Grandfather: You were young, so it's understandable that you thought it was the real thing.
Haru: No way... but
Haru: I'm sure, back then...

Haru: You mean it wasn't
Haru: a katana...?

[p013]

Grandfather: Even though that's the case, if you'd like, you can use it in celebration of having entered high school.

Haru (thoughts): Even though I specifically wore my school uniform and came all the way out here in high spirits...
Haru: Even though I specifically wore my school uniform and came all the way out here in high spirits...
Grandfather: She's in such a state of shock that she's saying exactly what she's thinking.

Grandmother: Be careful on your way home~

[p014]

Grandfather: I'm sorry,
Grandfather: Haru.

Haru: What I saw back then...
Haru: It was definitely the real thing.
Haru: I bet they had money problems and had to sell it.
Haru: We're in a recession, so there's no helping it......

[p015]

Haru: Amidst a bluish-blackish light, it gleamed ominously.
Haru: Looking at that light, it felt as if I was being drawn in.
Haru: Shivering as if the very depths of my soul had been frozen.

Haru: If you see it once, you probably won't be able to forget it.
Haru: Definitely......

[p016]

(sign, small print) Shikinomori High School
(sign, large print) Entrance ceremony

Girl: Ossu, Haru.
Girl: It'd be nice if we're in the same class~

Haru: Morning...
Girl: What happened? It's unusual for you to be in such low spirits.

Haru: Even though I thought I could finally surprise everyone today... I didn't get it...
Haru: I wasn't able to bring it here...

[p017]

Haru: That Japanese sword...
Girl: You... even if you had it, you can't bring it here with you.
(headline, top) dent admits to bringing Japanese sword
(headline, bottom) ance ceremony
(the full headline is "high school student admits to bringing Japanese sword to school entrance ceremony", but it's obviously partly cut off.)
(headline, black) Huge panic

Girl: Haru~ let's go check out our classroom.

Haru: Sorryy
Haru: Go on ahead of me.

[p019]

Haru (thoughts): A katana?!

[p020]

Haru: A katana!!

Wakana: Who's there?!
Wakana: What do you want?!

Haru: A Japanese sword?! How?!
Haru: Why is there a katana at school?!
(sfx around Haru) Scamper scamper
Wakana (thoughts): She's not listening.

Wakana: ...there's no way it's the real thing.
Wakana: This is a fake sword.
Wakana: It was made as an imitation.

Haru: A fake...
Haru: It's true.
Haru: Looking at it up close, you can tell right away.

[p021]

Wakana: That's because it was made-to-order, created by a skillful craftsman.
Wakana: The details of construction and gleam of the blade are different, though.
Haru: Uwaa~ it's a real high-quality item!

Haru: I'm Okamoto Haru.
Haru: A first year.
Haru: You're my senpai, right?

Wakana: Yes... I'm second year Katayama Wakana.
Wakana: More importantly, is this alright?
Wakana: The entrance ceremony has started, hasn't it?

Haru: But even if it's a fake, how come it's at school?
Haru: Why are you waving it around here?
Wakana (thoughts): I see, she doesn't listen to what others say.

Wakana: It can be used for club activities.
Wakana: This is the end, so I felt like swinging the sword here.

[p022]

Haru: You're... quitting the club?
Wakana: Yes... the club itself it being dissolved.

Haru: No way! I'll join, so please keep it going!
Haru: A club for people who love Japanese swords!!
Wakana: ...you're wrong!!

Wakana: Iai.
Wakana: What I was doing was part of the Iaido club.

[p023]

Haru (thoughts): Iai... I think that's
Haru (thoughts): when an expert slices through bales of straw and whatnot - that sort of thing.

Haru (thoughts): So high school has those types of club activities.
Haru (thoughts): They can't bring real swords, so they imitate the action using fake ones...

(Haru sfx): Staaaaare

Wakana: You... erm.
Haru: Haru's fine!
Wakana: Haru-san, you like katanas?

Haru: Yes!
Haru: They've been my absolute favorite for a long time!! Someday, I think I want to have my own Japanese sword!

Wakana: If you had a sword, what would you do with it?

[p024]

Haru: I think I'd make a shrine in my room and use it as ornamentation.
Haru: And every day, morning and night, I'd pray to it.
Haru: And then, occasionally, I'd take it down and gaze into the blade's light.
Haru: And I'd try to accompany that by reading a poem, and
(left of Haru)
Japanese sword
Beautiful today as well.
Ufufufufu

Wakana: ...I don't need to hear any more.

[p025]

Wakana: A katana

Wakana: is something that was born to kill people.
Wakana: It has no other purpose.

Wakana: It isn't just some sort of decoration.
Wakana: That is what I believe.

[p026]

Haru (thoughts): No
Haru (thoughts): It isn't an imitation.
Haru (thoughts): It's really cutting.

[p027]

Haru (thoughts): Even though it's not a real sword,
Haru (thoughts): Even though it's a fake that can't cut anything,
Haru (thoughts): And there doesn't seem to be anything in front of her,

Haru (thoughts): She's cutting something.
Haru (thoughts): I'm sure of it.

[p028/029]

Box: Iai.
Box: A type of martial art utilizing the Japanese sword in a sword-drawing technique.
Box: Unlike other martial arts, there exists no opponent to fight. Instead, you cross swords with an opponent created from your own imagination.
Box: A technique that includes from the time a sword is drawn to the time it is returned to the scabbard as a single iteration of the martial art. Viewed in a global sense, it is very unique.

[p030]

Wakana: Except for me, all of the other members were like you...
Wakana: They joined the Iaido club without an understanding of the katana's true essence, seeing nothing but its outward appearance...

Wakana: Because they wanted to hold a katana,
Wakana: Because they wanted to swing one,
Wakana: Because it was stylish...

Wakana: That's right.
Wakana: Except for the person who taught me Iai...

Wakana: When that person quit this club, I thought I would leave it, too...

[p031]

Wakana: Once the upperclassmen graduated, I was left as the club's sole member.
Wakana: I figured I'd take the opportunity to just shut it down.

Wakana: If you're interested in a club for people who love Japanese swords, then please feel free to create one.
Wakana: If you'll excuse me.

Haru: Um...
Haru: Katayama-san.

Haru: If it's alright with you...
Haru: Since the club is ending... I was wondering if you would let me swing that katana...

[p032]

Haru: Wah
Haru: It's heaaavy.

Wakana: Even though it's a fake, it still has an edge, so think before handling it.
Haru: Ye
Haru: Yes.

Wakana: Grip it a little lower with your left hand.
Haru: Yes!

[p033]

Haru: Whoops
Wakana: Once you fully swing it,
Wakana: Firmly bring it to a stop.

Haru: This... is definitely expensive, isn't it...
Wakana: 15,000 yen.
(About $195)

Haru: Fifte...!!!

Wakana: Take care while swinging it.
(left of Wakana) Fufu...
Haru: Ye...yes!!
Haru (thoughts): I absolutely can't damage it......

Haru (thoughts): It's heavy, so it looks like I can't swing it like a katana...

Haru (thoughts): Something's different.

Haru (thoughts): For a katana's movements to be forcefully stopped is...
Haru (thoughts): Somewhat...... lacking in beauty.

[p034]

Haru (thoughts): More like this...

Haru (thoughts): Ahh, that obi of light is
(An obi is the kimono sash worn around the waist.)
Haru (thoughts): so pretty.

Haru (thoughts): I get it.
Haru (thoughts): Instead of trying so hard, it's better to just let the katana move as it pleases.

Haru (thoughts): As if the katana were a part of me.
Haru (thoughts): No,

Haru (thoughts): If I become part of the katana,
Haru (thoughts): I'll move with it.

[p035]

Wakana (thoughts): ......she might have a talent for this.

Wakana: But doing it like that is no good.
Wakana: Haru-san, I said it before, didn't I?

Wakana: That the katana is something which exists to kill people.

Wakana: Please swing it as if there were an opponent in front of you.

[p036]

Haru (thoughts): An opponent......

Haru (thoughts): Hmmm. Even if it's imaginary, cutting a person is a little difficult...

Haru (thoughts): That's it!
Haru (thoughts): Something that's not human.... something completely different.

Haru (thoughts): Something like a monster out of a video game.
Haru (thoughts): Monster, monster......

Haru (thoughts): What the heck.
Haru (thoughts): Just where and how am I supposed to cut something like that?

Haru (thoughts): Something more... humanlike...
Haru (thoughts): At least something that walks on 2 legs......

[p037]

Haru (thoughts): Yeah, a zombie!

[p038]

Wakana (thoughts): ...how?
Wakana (thoughts): This is her first time swinging a katana, isn't it?

Wakana (thoughts): Her form is all over the place, but
Wakana (thoughts): There is no hesitation in her swordsmanship.
太刀筋はブレがない

Wakana (thoughts): It's natural.

Haru (thoughts): Ah.
Haru (thoughts): I remember.

Haru (thoughts): I'm sure, back then,
Haru (thoughts): It called out to me.

[p039]

Haru (thoughts): Saying it wanted to be swung.

Wakana (thoughts): Ah...

Wakana (thoughts): This girl
Wakana (thoughts): Is the same

Wakana (thoughts): As that person.

[p040]

Grandmother: That Haru would harbor feelings of that extent toward the katana,

Grandmother: As I thought, it's because of father-in-law...
Grandfather: It seems so.

Box: Haru was born
Box: On the night of a spring storm.

Box: The birth went well, but she was incredibly small and weak.
Box: Almost as if she would disappear at any moment......

Father: Tonight is a critical time.
Grandfather: I see...
Father: Dad, mom, it's late, so you should head home.

[p041]

???: What about Yoshiko-san?
Father: There's nothing to worry about. She's getting a good rest right now.

Father: Have faith you two, and think about a name for your grandchild.
ふたりは信じて孫の名前でも考えていてくれ
???: That's right... a girl's name connected with the idea of spring...

Grandfather: Ahh...

sfx bubble: Splash

sfx bubble: Splash
sfx bubble: Splash

sfx bubble: Splash

[p042]

Grandfather: Dad...?

Grandfather (narration): The one who appeared there was my dad.
Grandfather (narration): -----In other words, Haru's great-grandfather.

[p043]

Grandfather: Why are you...
Grandfather: Did you come all the way from Gifu?
Great-Grandfather: The child?

Grandfather: Ahh... she's already been born.
Grandfather: But she's awfully weak...

Great-Grandfather: I
Great-Grandfather: forged this for that child's sake.

Grandfather: Saying "forged", you can't mean...
Grandfather: A katana?!

Grandfather: Didn't you already retire...
Great-Grandfather: This was necessary, so I went ahead and forged it.

Great-Grandfather: The katana is a thing which kills people.
Great-Grandfather: However,
Great-Grandfather: At the same time, it is also something which protects.

[p044]

Great-Grandfather: I forged this for the newborn's sake.
Great-Grandfather: That radiance will protect her and give her the strength to live.

sfx bubble: Cough

sfx bubble: Hack
sfx bubble: Cough

Grandfather: Dad, are you alright?
Grandfather: Overdoing it at your age---

Great-Grandfather: Nevertheless, be careful.
Great-Grandfather: For so small a child, this is too strong a power......
Great-Grandfather: ......moreover, there's the possibility it will consume her.
......それに取り込まれてしまう事もある

[p045]

Great-Grandfather: ...well then.
Great-Grandfather: Give everyone my regards.
Grandfather: Ah- dad.

Grandfather: ......Thank you.

sfx bubble: Splash

[p046]

Nurse: It's really a relief, isn't it? That the baby's gotten healthier.
Yoshiko: Yes, she's drinking a lot of breast milk and
Yoshiko: It's almost like we just imagined her being so weak.

Nurse: What's that there?
Yoshiko: Something my father-in-law brought.

Yoshiko: It's like some sort of protective charm.
Yoshiko: But we mustn't look inside the wrappings.

[p047]

Yoshiko: I'm certain she was saved thanks to this.

Box: That dad, who lived only for his work and went so far as to turn his back on his family,
Box: would just go and forge a katana for his family's sake was something I'd never imagined.

Grandfather: Haru grew healthier, and the next day dad passed away.
Grandfather: In the end, it's as if he did leave something behind for his family......

Grandfather: When Haru gets a little bit older, I'll give her that katana.
Grandfather: Until then, I'll keep charge of it.
Grandfather: Since this sort of divine protection seems a bit too strong for her.
ちょいと加護が強すぎたようだから

[p048/049]

Wakana (thoughts): This girl can also
Wakana (thoughts): Feel the soul of the katana.

[p050]

Wakana (thoughts): This is bad.

Wakana (thoughts): She's
Wakana (thoughts): Gotten too caught up in the katana.

Wakana (thoughts): At this rate, there will be no turning back.
このままだと帰ってこれなくなる
Wakana: Haru-sa------

[p053]

Haru: Haa
Haru: Haa...

Haru: Huh?
sfx bubble: Haa
sfx bubble: Haa
sfx bubble: Haa...
Haru: Where's the zombie?

Haru: Oya? Katayama-san, what happened?

[p054]

Haru: Katayama-san?

Wakana: Haru-san, would you----
Wakana: Like to give Iai a try?

Haru: Eh?

Wakana: For high-level practioners, carrying an actual sword becomes a necessity.
Wakana: In other words, they are permitted to wield a real sword for the purposes of training.

[p055]

Haru: A real sword?!
Haru: Wow! I want to!

Wakana: If we find one more member, the Iaido club will be able to continue.
Wakana: Can you think of anyone?
Haru: Nope! But I'll definitely find one!

Wakana (thoughts): ......I've started wanting to see it.
......見てみたくなった
Haru: Okay, let's do this!
Wakana (thoughts): This girl's polished form.
この子が磨かれてゆくのを

Wakana (thoughts): Being able to feel the katana's soul----
Wakana (thoughts): Though it will probably be incredibly dangerous,
Wakana (thoughts): if that is the katana's true essence...

[p056]

Wakana: ......by the way, what about
Wakana: the entrance ceremony?
Haru: AHHHH I forgot!

Haru: It must've already starteeed.
Wakana: Wait a

Wakana: The katana......

(white sfx): Sound of the door opening

Haru: Sorry I'm late!

[p057]

(above school, right) WAAAAH!
(above school, left) KYAAAAA!

Wakana: ...si~gh.

(newspaper, right side, black - partially cut off at the top) Shikinomori Times
(newspaper, top) Freshman carrying Japanese sword barges in on entrance ceremony
(newspaper top, black) Huge panic
(newspaper, center, large text) Iaido Club
Girl: Good thing it's only the school paper, huh?

(bottom box, small print) Now recruiting!
(bottom box, large print) Iaido Club

[p060]

(right) The Iaido Club's future... is stormy?!

(bottom) Totsuka Masahiro x Minamoto Yuu