Living In Akiba 1

This is a very "busy" comic, so lots and lots of text. I don't think there will be a problem, but follow my spaces closely for panel breaks.

01
right side: This story is mainly fiction, but it's also about 90% true.

box: It all started one day with a meeting...
-Listen, Kadokuni....

-You've lived in Akihabara, right?
-Huh!? ...Where are you going with this?!
box: Newcomer Manga artist/Kadokuni Daisuke
-Well, the train passes by where I live, but...
-I have a bad feeling about this

-I have a project called "Akiba Zaijuu" (= "Living in Akiba") (t/n - akiba is actually a japanese abbreviated name for akihabara)
-Interested?
box: Editor-in-charge/Hosono
big box: "Akiba Zaijuu" is an informational manga that involves living in akihabara and reporting on all its interesting spots from persoonal experience (Editor-in-charge Hosono's idea)

-Do people really want to read about Akiba...?
-Haa.....

-But I haven't actually lived in Akiba
-No problem, just go there.

-...uuuuh....

-...just go--
-YOU MEAN I HAVE TO MOVE THERE?!
-I know you've talked about it before. So ya up to it or not?

-Well...it's not that I'm not interested...but...
bottom: dammit!! he's just using me!
-I mean, even if I wanted to go, is there even a place actually called "Akihabara"**? So where exactly am I supposed to move?
**There actually is a place called [Akihabara].
[t/n - the footnote is in the comic; not mine. A bit of clarification on this joke, taken from wikipedia:
While there is an official locality named Akihabara nearby, part of Taitō-ku, the area known to most peple as Akihabara (including the railway station of the same name) is actually Soto-Kanda, a part of Chiyoda-ku.
...so now you know. And knowing is half the battle...]

-Quit picking apart the details!!
-You can ask the realtor that!!
-Demon...he's a demon!!
-gulp!

02
-Okay, then I'll just drop by a realtor and report back
small: ...and ask about Akiba's past and stuff!
-Nah, that's just too boring

-No...! I won't lose!!
-U-uh, then I'll go ask a maid too...just to be safe...? (じゃ、無難にメイドとか）

-"AKIBA = MAIDS" IS OUTDATED!
-Ha...aaa...
-What's popular in Akiba now is...ehem..

-THIS!!
-HUH!?

-EARPICKING!
-LET'S GO TO AN EARPICKING SALON!
-Just where the hell did he read about that in?
bubble: Earpicking...?? In the first issue?! Who wants to read that!?!
squiggly: and why am I in charge of it...!?

Akihabara Informational Manga
AKIBA ZAIJUU (= living in akiba)
circle: The 1st location (this is their "chapter")
[捻れた男・・・癒しとの戦いの巻き] = The wound-up man and his struggle against stress relief (t/n - i think...)
author: kadokuni daisuke

left: Before coming to Akihabara, make sure to get a map of it!! Upon arriving to the JR Akihabara station, make sure to exit from the side facing Radio Kaikan!

03
-And so, today we bring you...
-Welcome!
-...to "Yamato's Earpicking salon", a shop that specializes in cleaning your ears

sign: Lap-style Ear cleaning (big, middle text)

-And here is the very owner of this Akihabaran store,
-Mr. Yamamoto
box: Store owner Yamamoto
-Thank you for visiting us today!

-So, all you do is clean people's ears?
-What's so fun about coming to Akiba just to get your ears cleaned?!

-Our store aims to bring you a peaceful and refreshing experience through good ear hygiene
-We believe everyone will enjoy tasting the nostalgic memories of sleeping in another's lap
box: Today we opted for the 30 minute, 2500 yen course

-Hohou...
-Such confidence in the healing power of a simple ear cleaning...interesting...I will accept this challenge!!
-Hmmmm

box: But there was something very important I was forgetting to ask about...
-Well then, please wait over here
-Okay...

right: メイドさんやラップ風の呼び込みのメガネ屋さんをやり過ごしてラジオ会館を左に見つつ中央通り方向へ進もう！
Go past the Maids and the greeters wearing wrap-style dresses, and while keeping an eye on the left at the radio assembly hall, head straight for Chuuou-doori!
(t/n - still not 100% sure, but better.)

04
box: Within the very simple store was a private, three tatami-mat room
-I assume this is where they plan to offer their "soothing services"
-This is the battlefield...!!
-It's bigger than I expected

-My, my, aren't they confident in how "relaxing" this is (t/n - the sign means soothe/heal/relax)
-Mm...
-That attitude of yours is gonna get in the way, blockhead

-I highly doubt
-That any stupid earpicking could possibly soothe this twisted, 28-year-old heart of mine
small in right corner: huh?
sfx next to talker: fufufu

-You dare underestimate my crookedness!!
squiggly: 負のオーラならぬ腐のオーラ = Unstoppable rotten aura
-There's nothing proud about being a twisted person, dumbass!

-I'll never
-Relax in a place like this!!
lower right: So tense...he must be nervous
lower left: What a pain...

-Having your ears cleaned by a complete stranger is traumatizing!!
-Don't worry

-M-Mr. Yamamoto...
-Our employees have been thoroughly trained, so you can rest at ease
-I shouldn't have let him in!
-What a retard

-Ahem...Let me introduce our very own ear-cleaning beauty...

-Ear-cleaning beauty!?

right: One word of caution. It's okay to accept a leaflet from a Maid, but never accept a leaflet for an art exhibit! (t/n - don't ask...)

05
box: The ear-cleaning beauty/Chiyo

-I'm Chiyo. It's a pleasure to meet you.

-Now then, please enjoy your stay

-Have a taste of the power of beauty!!

-The storeowner's pretty good...

-Please allow me a moment to get prepared
long text: So he sent his beautiful assassin...I'll admit she's cute...but don't think for a second that i'd let my guard down just because she's cute in a yukata!! (t/n - yukata is a summer kimono)

-All set!
-Oh...here it comes!!

-Go ahead.
-go ahead what?

-She's the pillow
-WHA!?

bubble: Please
thick bubble: THE PILLOW!?
box: The most important thing = the Pillow

06
-Damn him! He tricked me!!
-Actually, he already mentioned this
-You mean I missed it!?!

-W-what a formidable challenge!!

-After all, to have my ears cleaned in someone else's lap...

-This is the first time with someone besides mom!!

-Calm down...
-Calm down...I can do this

-I won't lose my composure to something like this!!
-P-p-pardon me

-I have to have the lights bright for this so I'm going to cover your eyes
-How am I supposed lay!? Does it matter that my hands are between my legs!?

-I'll begin by wiping your ear
-I'm so nervous I can't relax my neck...I can't believe this is happening...oooh...　（ホントに直できざ枕・・・）

-I-I can't go on!
-I have to fight with honor! I have to relax!
top left: Now I'll start massaging your ear

-sfx bubble - gugugugui
-Oooh...ooooh...ugh...

-Come on, calm down...close your eyes and concentrate...

text right: It felt like we were completely alone, I could almost feel her skin
bubble top middle: And now I will begin the cleaning
text left: But I was riding on a cloud made of a thin layer of cloth...
bottom right: If anything hurts, please say so
bottom left: N-n-no problem...

-I began to remember having my ears cleaned as a child. My body and heart began to deeply relax...
bubble: You have such nice ears
bubble: Y-you think s-so??
-It was so comfortable that it felt like I could fall asleep any moment under the store's gentle lighting...

left: After passing the Eurians (= e-uri-an, slang for picture saleswomen　(usually outrageous prices)?) you'll see Gamers.　(t/n - a store name) Inside on the first floor, you can get a map of Akiba for free at the information desk!

07
-Aaaah
-And then there's an orbital massage

-You're extremely tense
-I don't feel tense...
box: Shoulder massage (もみ押し) = (a rubbing massage(?))

box: Shoulder chops (hits with both hands)
-vavavava

-All done!

-Ahh...I feel great!
box: The 30 minute course is complete
-Thank you!

-It feels as if my body and heart are floating...
-You seem very refreshed, Kadokuni

-Ah...

-I forgot he's here too!!
-Oh, I was just taking pictures
-Pretending that I was in your place

-Why's he so upset? Didn't he say I was in charge? Whatever...
-I must say, you're really good at this
-Why thank you

-Is there some kind of trick to doing it?
-You can demonstrate on me! That way he has material to write!

-O-okay...
-Then right over here, mr. editor
-Yaay!

-Um, it's like this...
-Is this guy crazy or something?

-You put it in like so...
-And try to follow the shape of the ear

right: Once you've got the map, then you can go check out interesting shops! The peak hours are until 7pm, so make sure to enjoy it before then!!

08
-Just what kind of crazy delusions lie deep
-within those lifeless eyes? Only he knows...

-Quit adding your own narration!!

-You should have the hang of it already!!
-Now go try it on a customer!!

-Sorry, but we'd
-rather you not

bubble: Here I go...
box: So that meant...

-We had to use each other
-Like this...?
-This SUCKS!!
bottom bubble: His lap is hard and scary...I can't stand it any longer!!
box: Practice completed

txt: So how'd you like that!
txt: My beautiful ear-cleaning specialist...
txt: I...admit my defeat
bubble: Thank you for coming, we look forward to seeing you again
bubble: It was a great pleasure
box: I was utterly defeated

-Even a twisted, pent-up adult like me was refreshed in just 30 minutes
bubble: Who knew that lap ear-cleaning could be refreshing?
-Yamamoto's earpicking salon is a formidable foe
*I suggest not bringing your supervisor

box: The next day
-So...where next?
-WHAT DO YOU MEAN, NEXT!?!?

-Didn't I tell you? This comic is serialized

-"Akiba Zaijuu" is...
bubble: S-serialized...??
-Yup, it's serialized.

teardrop: (can put anything you want in this box)
-See ya
-Next time

lower left:
Bringing you the finest, most touching and gentle relief
Yamamoto's Earpicking Salon - Located in Akihabara
Just five minutes from the JR station's "electric gate" (t/n - name of the exit)
For more information, call ---

then the lower right side is...:
Lap-style earcleaning
Earlobe massage
Zone Therapy (Refle is short for reflexology, reflexologist. It's actually a professional foot masseur, also known in english as zone therapy)
30 mins - 2500 yen
(url at bottom)

I'll skip the map, too complicated and small.

oh, and the left line:
So then, we can expect another report about life in Akiba next time...?!

...and that's a wrap. thanks for waiting.