Nisekoi 1

[] = text in boxes or in the panel but not in a bubble
** = translator's comments
// = new bubble or new section of a bubble
*sfx*

pg01
-: Let's get married...!

[10 years later // this lock is still unopened-]

pg02
-: Zakusha in Love (Love for Eternity)

-: You have the "lock". // I have the "key". // Keep it on at all times. // Hold on to it safely.


-: ... One day, if we meet again as grown-ups, // I'll use this "key" to take out what's inside // and then-

-: -Yeah!

pg03

[My name is Ichijou Raku]

[I started high school this spring. // I’m a normal high school student you'd find anywhere.]

Raku: Alright.
*licks*

[Yes. // Except one minor thing-]
Raku: He-y. // Guys, food's ready~]

pg04
-: Ah!! // Good morning!! // Bocchan!!!
**Bocchan is a respectful term used to refer to someone’s son

[...my family is a little bit // Yakuza]

["Shuueigumi" is a // top Yakuza group that's pretty well known in these parts]
**The name is a play on Shuueisha, the company that publishes WSJ

[I'm the family boss’s only son...]
-: So good-!!! // As expected of Bocchan-!!
-: Ah, we can't thank you enough for always doing this.

pg06
Raku: It's fine. // If I left it to you guys, we'd be eating crap...

Raku: I'll just think of it as practice for when I move out one day...

-: What-!? // Bocchan, are you going somewhere!?
-: No, we don't want that!! // Please don't go, Nidaime!!
Raku: Don't call me Nidaime!!
**Nidaime means second-generation boss in this context

[Perhaps it's because of this family background. // Growing up, I was taught to live "as befits a man".]
**On the scroll:
Ichijou Family Rules
100 Rules for being a Man
1. Never turn your back on an enemy
2. Brush your teeth properly
3. Take it easy on all-nighters

[The problem was, I wasn't brawny and I was terrible at fighting. // These guys may want to make me a Yakuza, but frankly, I'm just not cut out // for that]

Raku: ...Like I keep saying // I'm not going to be a Yakuza!
[What-! // But-!!]

pg07
Raku: My dream is to graduate from a top university, become a stoic civil servant // and live properly with my head held high!!

-: Wow-!! // I don't really get it but that's so cool Bocchan!!
-: As expected of our Nidaime!!

Raku's dad: My my. // You're always so restless.
Raku: Pops.

Raku's dad: Right, Raku. // I have something important to tell you soon, so keep that in mind.
Raku: ...? Something important?

Raku: ...oh crap // I'm gonna be late.
-: What!? We can't have that!!

-: Get the limo ready right now!! // No, idiots, the 15 meter one!!
Raku: STOP-!!

[- And so // against my wishes, this is my typical day at home]

pg08
[For me, everyday is one trouble after another]
-: ...Alright then, Bocchan!! // Please have a wonderful day today!! // Have a great day!!!

[Ah... // I can feel the painful stares of curiosity- // In high school, my family was supposed to be a secret // so I could finally enjoy a quiet, peaceful school life-]

[Don't get me started on how difficult it was to make friends up until now, because of these guys...]
-: Hey! What are you looking at. You got a problem with Bocchan, huh?
Raku: Stop that!!

-: Oh right, Bocchan, // lately there's been an unfamiliar gang stirring up trouble on our territory... // Please be careful, Bocchan.
Raku: Huh? A gang?

pg09
-: The truth is we had a gun fight just yesterday...
-: My right ear was blown off // but I'll be fine
Raku: Pfft!!

[I hate it. // This blood-soaked world-]

[Ah- // I can't wait to get out this house // and live peacefully-]

[Now that I think about it, in order to get into a top ranking university, all I do is study. Never mind girlfriends, // I've never even been liked by a girl...]

Raku: ... No

[I have. // Even if it was only once... // For me, until this day,]

pg10
[everyday was one trouble after another]

-: Pant... Pant... // Oh no- I'm late-

[But on this day // my destiny changed.]

-: Ha!

[Yes, from today on]

pg11

[it would be one gigantic trouble after another]

Raku: Huh?

-: Oops.

pg12
Raku: Gyaaaa-!!!
-: Kyaa

-: ...oww

-: Ah...! Sorry! // I was in a hurry!

-: I'm sorry!!

Raku: W... // what the hell was that...

pg13
-: Hey, Raku... // wait, whoa!?
Onodera: Ichijou-kun!? // Those injuries, what happened!?

-: Are you okay!? // Did you know your nose is bleeding?
Raku: Ah! Onodera! // F...fine, fine, I'm perfectly okay!

-: ...Huh? // You got attacked by a random girl?

-: Don't be ridiculous. Our school wall is over 2 meters high. // Jumping over that and kneeing you, what kind of girl can do that?
Raku: I'm telling the truth!!

-: Never mind that, have you heard!? // Today's transfer student is a girl! // And the rumor is, she's a beauty...!!
Raku: This guy ... he totally doesn't believe me.

Onodera: Wait one second. // I'll get you a band aid...
Raku: Huh!? // Oh, that's okay...

Onodera: No it's not! // What if germs get in? // Here!

[Whoa~! Onodera is so close...! // Getting hurt might have its perks...]

-: ... // I'm happy for you Raku.
Raku: Sh... // shut up...!!

Raku: Sigh... // I thought today was going to be the worst, // but I did get to talk to Onodera, so maybe it's not so bad after all...

-: …Alright, I'm going to introduce a new student today. // Come in Kirisaki-san.
Chitoge: Okay.

pg15
Chitoge: Nice to meet you! // My name is Kirisaki Chitoge and I just transferred from the United States.

Chitoge: My mother is Japanese and my father is American so I'm half-Japanese, // but as you can see I can speak Japanese perfectly, // so don’t be shy to talk to me.

pg16
-: Whoa-!! Cute-!! // She's so beautiful!!! // Her legs are so slim!! What's with that style~!!

-: She's says she's mixed. // I've never seen a girl this cute!!

-: Okay, for now, why don't you sit in the empty seat in the back...

Chitoge: Hmm?

Chitoge & Raku: AH----!!!!

pg17
Chitoge: You're that...
Raku: That violent girl!!

[Vi...? //

o... //

len... //

t...?]

Chitoge: Wha...! What do you mean, "violent girl"!?
Raku: You did a jumping kneekick on me just now in the school field!!

Chitoge: I already apologized!!
Raku: You call that an apology~!? It wasn't one at all!!
Chitoge: I did apologize! Don't play the victim just because of a little bump!

Raku: How was that little!! I almost fainted!!
Chitoge: Oh really. Maybe your blood pressure is low! // I already apologized so why can't you just let it go!? What a sissy!!

Raku: Is that the attitude of a person apologizing!? You...

Raku: ape woman!!

pg18
Chitoge: Who are you calling "ape woman"!!!

[-At this moment]

[my door to even worse trouble-ridden days]

[opened with a bang]

[The transfer student and my // 1st day-]

pg19
Chitoge: ... Now you've done it. // I embarrassed myself!!

Raku: Why am I being yelled at?

Raku: It should be the other way around!! I was the one who got punched!!
Chitoge: I've had to suffer because of you too!!

Chitoge: A new life in Japan...! // I was supposed to take the first step in my beautiful high school debut...!!

Chitoge: And now that plan is ruined because of you!!
Raku: I • don't • care!!! You started it!!

pg20
-: ... That's the kneekick girl? // So he was being serious~

-: But!! // A kneekick from a girl as cute as her, I'd gladly...

-: Oh?

-: What's this. // You guys know each other?

-: Well then, that's perfect.
Raku & Chitoge: Huh?

pg21
Chitoge: What-!?
Raku: Why is she next to me...!!
-: Because- // Kirisaki just came to Japan and she's bound to have a lot of worries.

Raku: I object!! // I strongly object!!
[This treatment is obviously unfair!!]
-: Your motion has been denied.

-: I'll leave it to you then, Ichijou.
Raku & Chitoge: What~~~

Chitoge: ... don't come near here. // I'd catch your sissy-ness!
Raku: Wha...

Raku: Right back at you!! // I'd hate to catch your ape-ne.... // I didn't say anything.

pg22
[Damn it, what's with this girl...!! // I've never met such a violent and annoying girl in my life...!!]

[How is this even a girl.... // Such a difference compared to Onodera or that "girl from the promise".

[...I wonder how that girl's doing... // I don't remember her face or her name but I remember that promise so clearly.]

[I never saw her after that... // but as long as I have the pendant, I still have a chance-]

[Ah... if Onodera and I could have something like my first love too... // Just kidding...]

Raku: ... Hn?

Raku: Hn? // Hnn?

Raku: Ah-!!?

pg23
Raku: It's gone!! // My pendant is gone!!

Raku: When did this happen. // Where...
[What a loud guy...]

[It must be during that kneekick...!!]

Chitoge: Huh!? // I don’t see why I have to help you find such a thing.

Raku: I lost it because of your kneekick so you're partly responsible!! // I can’t think of any other time when this could have happened!!
Chitoge: ...You can look for it yourself...
Raku: I'm saying this because I couldn't find it on my own!!

Onodera: What wrong? Ichijou-kun...
Raku: Onodera-!

pg24
Raku: Um ... I lost something that's kind of important...
Onodera: Oh really? Do you want help?
Raku: N...no! I lost it because of this girl // so it's her duty to help me look for it.
[Hello. I'm Onodera. // Nice to me you.]
Chitoge: What!?

Chitoge: And? // So what kind of pendant was it?
Raku: Oh. // It's a chain about this big // with a lock shaped like this at the end...

Onodera: Huh?

Onodera: Is that...
Chitoge: Hn? // Did you see it somewhere?
Onodera: Oh, sorry, I made a mistake ... // probably...

Chitoge: ... Alright. // I'll look for it and in return, // can you promise you won't talk to me inside the school from now on?
Raku: ...huh?

Chitoge: I hate guys who go on and on about things that have passed. // I don't want people to think I'm friends with an intolerant guy like that.

25
[Grr~!! She pisses me off so much!! // We just met and she bad-mouths me like that!!]

[Hmph!! "Don't talk to me."!?]
Raku: Oh, fine, I'd be happy to.
Chitoge: ... and I'm only helping after school, okay?

[I don't want to be involved with a girl like you any longer eith...]
-: Oh, I forgot to tell you, Ichijou.
Raku: Huh?

-: I want you to tell Kirisaki more about the school so // like you, I gave Kirisaki...

-: animal keeping duty. Take care!
[Wh...]

pg26
Raku: ... why did this happen!?
Chitoge: ...Hey. // Didn't you promise not to talk to me?

Raku: How can we get work done we don't talk? // Besides, this isn't "inside the school".
Chitoge: ...what a nitpicky man.

[Damn it...! // Why am I stuck with someone like this...]
Chitoge: ... Now that I'm here,

Chitoge: what's with the number of animals...
Raku: I couldn't help it. They were injured.

Chitoge: You took all these in yourself!?

Chitoge: ...sigh // We won't get anywhere by talking like this.

Chitoge: Let's finish this quickly and look for your pendant or whatever.
Raku: What are you doing-!!

pg27
Raku: If you give it that much water, the roots will rot!!
Chitoge: Wha... this amount is fine ... I think
Raku: Even when the water's overflowing from the planter!?

Raku: I can't leave this to you! // I'll get the animal feed ready so you help me carry that.
Chitoge: What! Can you not boss me around!?

Raku: Umm // the right amount of feed for a (fully grown male) chicken is-
Chitoge: So nitpicky!!!

Raku: If I decide to do something, I have to do it properly.
Chitoge: If you do it like that, the day will be over!!

Chitoge: If you're a man, you have to do things without minding the small details!!
Raku: The goldfish!!!

Raku: You're being too manly!!
Chitoge: What, you have a problem with this!?
Raku: These guys are fragile unlike you!!

[Who's not fragile!!?]

pg28
Raku: If we do it your way, the plants here will shrivel up in 2 days!!

Chitoge: If we do it your way, the animals here will die from stress in 2 hours...!

[Damn it-!! She disagrees with everything...!! // We're completely incompatible!! I have to work with someone like her for a week...!?]

[Hey! We'll look for your pendant in the time remaining!! // I know that!!]
[The violent girl and my // 2nd day-]

Chitoge: Mmm...
[Japanese is so confusing...]

Raku: Here.

pg29
Chitoge: ... What's this?
Raku: My notes for Modern Japanese. // You couldn't keep up at all right?

Raku: I might not like you, // but I'm not the type to ignore a person in need.

Chitoge: I thought I told you to not talk to me?

Chitoge: I don't need your help, got it?

[What • a • bitch~!! // Crapping on my kindness like that~ !!]
[The bitchy girl and my // 3rd day-]

-: Hey, hey, Raku. // When did you become so close with Kirisaki-san?
Raku: What?

-: Well you're together a lot. // You're doing something together after school to and, // you talk all the time, like good friends.
-: Like good friends...!? // How is that...

pg30
-: You know how Kirisaki-san is pretty, right? // A lot of guys are interested in her.

-: Like, why did she come to this school? // Or why at such a weird time?
Raku: Pretty~? That?

Raku: She's just a classmate that sits next to me. // We're only together because of a situation, // and I'm definitely not friends with someone like her!

-: Oh really?

Raku: She's getting even more ape-like.

pg31
[Do you want me to stop helping you!? // I'm sorry!]
[The acrobatic girl and my // 4th day]

Raku: Ouch... tsk, that gorilla woman. // What kind of environment do you have to be raised in to end up that violent?]

Raku: Although, I'm not one to talk when it comes to environment.

-: Aniki!! // That damned gang is at the 3rd city district again!!
-: What!? It's the third time this week!!
** Aniki: Yakuza slang used to refer to someone who is older or of senior rank within a family

Onodera: ...Here, Ichijou-kun.
Raku: O...oh, thanks!

Onodera: ...Looks like you have more injuries now.
Raku: Really, that girl... she punches people so easily...
[Even the Yakuza are slower to fight...]

pg32
Onodera: But // though you say that, you're still nice to her. That's Ichijou-kun's good quality.
Raku: ...huh?

Onodera: You helped Kirisaki-san take notes, right? // I saw that.

[Whoa~!! She saw that! // I'm so happy!]
Raku: O...okay.
Onodera: Oh right, // Ichijou-kun, where did you buy that pendant?

Raku: I didn’t... someone gave it to me a long time ago.
Onodera: A long time ago?
Raku: Around 10 years ago...?
Onodera: Te...! Y...you keep things for a long time...

Raku: It's for a promise // so I've been careful.
Onodera: ...promise.....
[The gorilla woman and my]

pg33
[6th day-]
Chitoge: ... It's not turning up at all.
Raku: ...Oh, be quiet. // Didn't you say you hated people who go on and on about things?

Raku: ...By the way, // why did you transfer at such a weird time?
Chitoge: Huh? // Why are you asking, all of a sudden....

Chitoge: ... Nothing special. // Because of my parents.
Raku: Hmm. // What do your parents do?

Chitoge: W...why does that matter!? // Why should I tell you, of all people, my life story!?
Raku: Ugh... she really isn't cute at all...

Raku: ...A “beauty”, huh...

[Well if she keeps quiet, she might be... // And-]

pg34
[even though she complains a lot, she still helps me look for the pendant everyday-]
Chitoge: ...sigh not here either. // I'll go look over there.
Raku: Uh...uh-huh

[...hn?]

[Wait... // this smell...]

[I feel like I've smelled it before... // it's nostalgic somehow...]

[Like a smell I've known since a long time ago-]
Raku: ... Where could I have smelled it?

pg35
-: Hn?
-: Fuck off!! // Son of a bitch!!

-: Get 'em-!! // Don't fuck with the Yakuza, damn it-!!

Raku: Is it ... // getting worse...?
[Is that the gang!?]
[Kirisaki and my]

[7th day-]

-: Hey, hey, Kirisaki-san

Chitoge: Huh?

pg36
Raku: You're late, Kirisaki. // Start helping already...

Chitoge: Ah-!! I can't stand it anymore!! // I'm not doing this any longer!!
Raku: Huh!?

Raku: W... // what the heck.
Chitoge: ...Some girls in our class just said,

-: Hey, hey, / Kirisaki-san, are you dating Ichijou-kun?
-: What~ but you’re always chatting happily and I heard you're together after school too~!
Chitoge: ... to me
Raku: Wha...

pg37
Chitoge: When do we look like we're chatting happily!? // The only reason we're together after school is because I'm kind enough to help this idiot look for a missing pendant!!
Raku: What!!?

Onodera: ...student council ended early today. // Maybe I'll go help Ichijou-kun look for his pendant.

Raku: You've got to be kidding!! It's your fault too!!

Chitoge: Isn't it because you didn't hold on to it properly!? // And don’t get me started on you!!

Chitoge: Hasn't it been a week!? // It's time to give up already!! // Either someone's already taken it // or they've thrown it away thinking it was trash!

pg38
Raku: ...you don't know that. // Besides, that's ... // to me....!

Chitoge: Hmph! // A guy shouldn't care so much about a measly pendant. // Are you the type who can't sleep if you lose your favorite teddy bear?
Raku: Huh!?

Chitoge: You're probably going to say you got it from a girl you liked in the past or something! // Ah, disgusting. // What a sissy, clinging onto your past like that!!

Chitoge: Besides, that girl // is bound to have forgotten she even gave that to you.

Chitoge: How lame!! // What an idiot!!

-: "Hold on to it safely".

pg39
Raku: SHUT THE HELL UP!!! // Then you don't have to help, just go away!!!

*plop*
*plop*
*plop*

pg40
Chitoge: Fine...

[-Now I've done it...]

[yelling at a girl for real. Honestly-]

[how unmanly-...]

pg41
[Even though she's like that // she still helped me this entire time..]

[Well // it's too late to say that now...]

[Chitoge and my]

[11th day]

-: -Besides, that girl // is bound to have forgotten she even gave that to you.

-: What an idiot!!

Raku: ... damn it!!

pg42
Onodera: Ichijou-kun!!

Onodera: ...Kirisaki-san // wants to see you...

Raku: ... what's with her // calling me out here...

Raku: Hm?

Raku: ...wait? // Isn't that...

Raku: Kirisaki...

pg43
Raku: Gyaaaaa!!!

Raku: OWWW!! What the hell did she do...!!
Onodera: Ah! Are you okay!? Ichijou-kun...

Ichijou: Hn?

Ichijou: Wha.... // This is...!!

Onodera: ...!! // Is that... Ichijou-kun's...?
Ichijou: Yeah... // But why does she...

pg44
Onodera: Kirisaki-san has been // looking for it ever since that time.

Onodera: She did it when you weren't looking // ... she told me not to tell you but...

Raku: Hn?

** On top of the letter:
[Translate it if you can!!]
** In the square panel:
[*Translation "I fulfilled my duty. So don't talk to me anymore, scum bastard!! Chitoge]

Raku: ... I can't read it but I can still tell she’s dissing me.
[Once again, she's not cute at all...]

Raku: ....tsk
[She really is super annoying // but I guess she has her good points too...]

Raku: ...and // what she said makes sense too...

pg45
Raku: It's probably better if I // forgot about this ridiculous promise...

Onodera: Tha... // that's not true...!

Onodera: Ichijou-kun ... // you made a promise with someone right? / If that person remembers the promise like you do... // I'm sure they'll be sad.

Onodera: Even if it's a promise between children from 10 years ago... // it might be precious to that person.

[Wha...]

pg47
[Onodera...? // It can't be...]

Onodera: Ah...! Sorry!! // For saying such a strange thing...!
Raku: Wha... // N...no...

Raku: ...Thanks. // That cheered me up.

Raku: You're right. // Even if I never end up seeing that person again, // it doesn't change the fact that this promise is important to me. // I'll hold on to it with care.

Raku: Thanks a lot, Onodera! // I'll see you around!
Onodera: Ah! // Right ... see you!

Onodera: ...sigh....

pg47
Onodera: I // missed my chance to ask again...

Onodera: I'm so stupid...

Raku: ... That scared me~ // For a second, I thought Onodera was the "girl from the promise"...

[It can't be... // ... if Onodera was "that girl" then....]
Raku: But they have a similar vibe... and what she said...

[Oh crap-!! If it’s true, it’d be the best....!! // An amazing fate...!]
Raku: Alright! When I see her next week, I'll confirm it nonchalantly!]

pg48
[...But well // I couldn't have had that talk with Onodera // if it wasn't for the gorilla woman...]

[I guess I could thank her a little. // Although we probably won't interact from now on... // Or so I thought]

[We would actually end up interacting again surprisingly soon-]
Raku's dad: Oh you're back, Raku. // Come to my room.

Raku: ...what is it Pops, telling me to come all of a sudden...
Raku's dad: Didn't I say I had something important to tell you? // Things got settled faster than I was expecting...

Raku's dad: I'm sure you've heard about our rivalry with a gang, but // it's about to escalate into a full-blown war.

Raku: What!! // That doesn't sound alright, a war...
Raku's dad: Well, if it happens, neither side will come out unscathed.

Raku's dad: So!! // There's only one way to avoid this war. // And it's something only you can do.

pg49
Raku: O... // only I can...?

Raku's dad: To tell you the truth, I've known the other boss for a long time. // And he has a daughter around your age... // So, Raku

Raku's dad: Can you and that girl // become lovers?

Raku: What-!!?

Raku: L...lovers!!? // Wha...Why would you...
Raku's dad: No big deal, it’s just for pretend. // If the Nidaimes of the two fractions are lovers then even the young members can’t do anything to interfere, right?

Raku: B...but, even so, you've gotta be kidding, I can't do it!! // I'm...!
[Onodera might be the girl from the...!]
Raku's father: What, you have a girlfriend?
Raku: Ugh... // that's.... mumble, mumble...

pg50
Raku's father: Sorry but lives are at stake here. // Even if you cry and beg, you'll still have to do it.
Raku: Ugh...

Raku's father: Alright, come in.
Raku: Huh!? They're already here!?
[I should have // predicted it then.]

Raku: Ugh... but it can't be helped... // It's just for "pretend" so it'll probably only be for a few days // and if the war can be avoided...
[I should have noticed the numerous hints // and avoided the worst situation possible-]

-: ... // But I haven't decided I'll do it yet...
Raku: Hn?

-: Even though I hear he's pretty handsome?
-: What!? // No, no, but...

[Wait? // This voice...]

Raku's dad: Alright. // This is the girl that's going to be your lover-

pg51
Chitoge: I haven't made up my mind...

pg52
[-At that second]

pg53
[everything came together.]

[Why she transferred with weird timing.]

[Why she didn't want to talk about her family.]

[And why // her smell made me feel nostalgic]

Raku: ...Right. // That smell is...

[The smell of gunpowder-]

Raku's dad: ...This is the girl, Kirisaki Chitoge ojou-chan. // Starting tomorrow, you two will...
**ojou-chan is a polite and affectionate way of referring to someone's daughter.

pg54
Raku's dad: Be lovers for // 3 years.

Raku: Wha...
[And so-]

[today, the completely incompatible us // became lovers]

[This fake love would // eventually lead me to the promise from 10 years ago, but]

[I had no way of knowing that just yet.]