Wa! 9

[Scanlation with this translation reserved for otakami]

WA! (Kojima Akira)
Chapter 9
[notes at end]

p.000c
[Front cover (left)]
WA!nderground
B2F
Starmine: Wangura!

WA!nderground 2nd underground floor——
(Welcome to Wonderground…)
It was a labyrinth, deep and immense beyond our wildest imaginations!

SAKU: Captain Ume! I think we are going to get lost!!
UME: Do not falter Sakurai-kun!
UME: We shall walk with our hands to the wall like this!
SFX: stick

UME: It will take some time, but we’ll definitely reach the goal with this!
UME: This is a maze-conquering strategy passed down from ancient times!!
SAKU: I see~, that’s our Captain Ume for you!!

UME: Now, let us proceed, Sakurai-kun!
SAKU: Yessir de arimasu*, Captain Ume!!
[t/n: She’s speaking like that the whole time here]

[Back cover (right)]

[none]

[none]

SAKU: …What the!?

SAKU: Ca…captain! We’ve returned to the beginning!
UME: Whaaat!? How can this be!!!?
In this world there are numerous false old wives’ tales such as “an apple a day keeps the dentist away” or “pee on jellyfish stings.”*
[t/n: Originally it said techniques/solutions such as “play dead with a (wild) bear” and “plain-colored mushroom are edible,” common notions in Japan, and probably well known to be false by now.]
UME: Be wary


p.001
Kojima Akira (presents)
(WA)! (2)


p.002
(WA)!
Chapter (9)
Chapter (10)
Chapter (11)
Chapter (12)
Chapter (13)
Chapter (14)
Chapter (15)


p.003
Isshin Tobira (1) [①]
[top left] Chapter 9

Takamanohara Academy Student Council Vice President Isshin Tobira
ISSHIN: …
He has fallen in love at first sight with Mizuki Asagiri at a computer store.

ISSHIN: …
SFX: silence
KOUTA: ‘Sup…
SFX: open
KOUTA: Whoa, dark

ISSHIN: …
SFX: silence
KOUTA: …Hey, Tobira
KOUTA: What the heck are you doing?

ISSHIN: Fantasizing, why?
KOUTA: Not meditating?*
[t/n: Pun here: mousou vs. meisou]


p.004
Isshin Tobira (2) [②]

ISSHIN: It’s already been a month since we last met –
SFX: Teehee [1]
ISSHIN: It’s painful to not be able to meet someone you want to.
ISSHIN: So I’m fantasizing.
KOUTA: OK, sure.

[none]

ISSHIN: ……Pff

ISSHIN: It’s not a crime if you only fantasize about it, right?
SFX: chuckle
KOUTA: So you’re fantasizing about something that would get you arrested?


p.005
Mizuki Asagiri (1) [①]

Takamanohara Academy 1st year, class B Mizuki Asagiri
KIKU: …Hey, Mizukichi
She is in love(?) with her classmate, Riko Shiina.

KIKU: I’ve been wondering, what do you like so much about Riko?
MIZU: ‘Cause she’s gentle, and admirable, and cute,
MIZU: And her cooking’s exceptional, you know?

MIZU: It’s only natural I want her as my wife!
KIKU: No… You’re a girl…

MIZU: That has nothing to do with this!!
KIKU: No it’s very relevant…


p.006
Mizuki Asagiri (2) [②]

KIKU: You know… Are you really thinking about your future?
MIZU: I certainly am.

MIZU: Because I have a big dream.
KIKU: Wow
KIKU: What kind of dream?

MIZU: I don’t want to work!
KIKU: Is that… really a dream?

MIZU: I want to be taken care of by someone!!
KIKU: The epitome of a worthless person…!!


p.007
Riko Shiina (1) [①]

Takamanohara Academy 1st year, class B Riko Shiina
KIKU: Hey, Riko,
She is emotionally involved with her childhood friend Kouta Kakitsubata.

KIKU: I feel kinda weird asking this, but…
KIKU: What do you like about that onii-san of yours?
RIKO: Huh? W…Why do you ask?

KIKU: I just… was sort of interested in it…
KIKU: Or like I couldn’t understand it…
RIKO: …
RIKO: Um… You see…
RIKO: I can’t explain it too well…

RIKO: Because he was the first boy I saw besides my father when I started to gain awareness… perhaps.
KIKU: But that’s like chicks getting imprinted!?
* Imprinting
They think the first thing they see that moves is its parent!


p.008
Riko Shiina (2) [②]

RIKO: …Oh, but it’s not like that’s the only reason…
RIKO: Onii-chan has a lot of cool points!
KIKU: Re…really, now…

RIKO: For example… Um…
RIKO: He’s good with his fingers and he’s good at sewing, and…
RIKO: He likes animals and when he sees a cat or a dog he can’t help but pet it, and…
KIKU: ……

RIKO: And there’s, um…
RIKO: He grows cute flowers in planters, and…
RIKO: He sleeps with costume PJ’s,* and…
[t/n: kigurumi, full-body costume suit things]
RIKO: He has a pet hamster, and… [ordered right to left]
KIKU: ……

RIKO: See, he’s so cool!
KIKU: Wait, what!? Was there any hint of coolness in what she just said!?


p.009
Kouta Kakitsubata (1) [①]
Takamanohara Academy Student Council Public Morals Head Kouta Kakitsubata
KOUTA: …
He has a thing for the Student Council President Mikado Iwachidori

KOUTA: …Aah… The president is so lovely no matter when I see her…
ISSHIN: …I do not get what you like about her at all.

KOUTA: What about her, you say…
MIKA: You…you can’t do that!!

KOUTA: Isn’t she kind of the girl you just can’t leave alone?
ISSHIN: …I think she’s the kind that you’d never want to associate with…
SFX [top]: heehee
SFX: wipe wipe
MIKA: …Oh, geez!


p.010
Kouta Kakitsubata (2) [②]

KOUTA: The president’s the kind of girl you feel “I’ve got to protect her,” you know…
KOUTA: Like she’s in danger or something…
ISSHIN: I’d concur that there is something dangerous about her…

KOUTA: But that’s okay! That’s what’s good!!
SFX: yup yup
KOUTA: Yamato Nadesico* is supposed to be a frail being that should be protected.
[t/n: an “ideal Japanese woman”]
ISSHIN: That’s astoundingly chauvinistic.

ISSHIN: Besides, the women nowadays are too tough.
SFX: sigh…
ISSHIN: Since when did Japan become a country of Amazons?
KOUTA: You can’t complain if you were punched out by a feminist who heard that.

KOUTA: The women who spout about carnivorousness** or whatever can go eat bear meat!!
[t/n: Google carnivorous women and read a couple articles]
KOUTA mutter: That smelly bear meat that even Gin hated!!***
[t/n: reference to Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin, oldschool manga/anime about a dog named Gin and evil bears. I am so good.]
ISSHIN: I know this is weird coming from me, but you’ve got a distorted personality too.


p.011
Mikado Iwachidori (1) [①]

Takamanohara Academy Student Council President Mikado Iwachidori
MIKA: …?
She seems to be interested in Daigo Tatsunami one grade below her.

MIKA: Th…that’s…
SFX [MIKA]: oh!
SFX [low]: shuffle (as in walking)

MIKA: Walking with headphones on again…!
MIKA: Seriously… How many times must I tell him for him to understand!?
MIKA: I’ll need to warn him!!
ISSHIN: …What are you smirking for?

MIKA: I am not smirking!
ISSHIN: Yes you are.
MIKA: Am not!!
ISSHIN: You are.


p.012
Mikado Iwachidori (2) [②]

MIKA: …I wonder…
MIKA: What sort of women do guys find attractive…?

[none]

ISSHIN: …You don’t have any qualms about asking me that?
MIKA: …!
SFX [top]: oh!
SFX: stand
MIKA: Th…that’s true. I can’t possibly expect a decent answer from you…
MIKA: Please forget about it

ISSHIN: It’s clearly maids.
MIKA: So you answer anyway…
MIKA: And you still aren’t any help at all…


p.013
Daigo Tatsunami (1) [①]

Takamanohara Academy 1st year, class B Daigo Tatsunami
He has feelings for Isana Kikukawa in the same grade.

DAIGO: …Kikukawa…
DAIGO: …

DAIGO: …Hey, Kikukawa…
MIZU: Oh
KIKU: Hm? What’s…

KIKU: Up
DAIGO: !?


p.014
Daigo Tatsunami (2) [②]

KIKU: My eyes…
SFX: Waaaah
KIKU: My eeeyes!!
MIZU: Are you all right, colonel,
MIZU: Colonel~ [2]
DAIGO: ……

MIZU: A precise blow to both eyes in one stroke… what a terrifying person Tatsunami-san is.
KIKU: Ta…Tatsunami-kun!?
KIKU: Why’d you do that!?
DAIGO: Uh… no…

MIZU: Whoa… A peace sign for victory is it, Tatsunami-san.
SFX: oh!
KIKU: P…peace sign!?
DAIGO: !?

KIKU: You’re horrible, Tatsunami-kun!!
Mutter: Waaah
DAIGO: ……
…Why did it turn out like this…


p.015
Isana Kikukawa (1) [①]

Takamanohara Academy 1st year, class B Isana Kikukawa
KIKU: Man, that was awful…
MIZU: What an ordeal.
She seems to like the Student Council Vice President Isshin Tobira.

KIKU: …Oh, Tobira-san…
Sign: Nurse’s office

KIKU: ……
KIKU: He really is wonderful, Tobira-san…
MIZU: …Hmm, I must say.

MIZU: Normally you can’t tell that he’s an eroge otaku who’s into BDSM.
SFX: urgh
KIKU: …Don’t say that now…
Mutter: Even if it’s the truth…


p.016
Isana Kikukawa (2) [②]

MIZU: Why do you like the vice president-san in the first place?
KIKU: …Huh?
KIKU: Wh…what’s with you all of a sudden…

MIZU: No, I had asked simply because I cannot comprehend it.
KIKU: ……
SFX: blush
KIKU: Well~… How should I put it…

KIKU: I guess ‘cause he’s hot?
SFX: heehee
KIKU: Or something?

MIZU: Slut.
KIKU: …Did you have to go that far?


p.017
Isana Kikukawa (3) [③]

KIKU: …Alright, let’s just leave that as a joke…
KIKU: I actually have an explanation.
KIKU: A reason for liking Tobira-san.
MIZU: Really, now.

KIKU: It’s a bit of a long story, is that OK?

MIZU: Heck no.

KIKU: Wai…!? C’mon, listen…!!
MIZU: No, it’s long.
KIKU: Heeeey!!


p.018
Isana Kikukawa (4) [④]

KIKU: First I have to tell you a little about myself to explain Tobira-san’s charm.
MIZU: Really, now.
Juice box: Was bought for her

KIKU: Umm… How should I say this…
KIKU: Although I’ve always had quite a few guy friends…
KIKU: For some reason I’ve never gotten intimate with anyone, you see…

KIKU: I sort of feel like people don’t really see me as a girl…
KIKU: Or like I usually don’t get treated like one…
MIZU: …Oh,

MIZU: I get it, I get it!
MIZU: Exactly!!
SFX [KIKU]: sob
KIKU: …I’m a little hurt if you agree with it that much…


p.019
Isana Kikukawa (5) [⑤]

…Yes, that was soon after we entered this school.
KIKU: Whoa!?
Someone bumped into me, and I was about to fall——

ISSHIN: …Phew…
SFX: grab
KIKU: …?
ISSHIN: Thank goodness… Safe and sound.

ISSHIN: If something were to happen to you, I’d…
ISSHIN: Really… Please be careful, okay?
…That was when, for the first time in my life, I felt like a princess…

KIKU: From that day on, Tobira-san was my prince…
KIKU: The prince I long for!!
MIZU: …There’s definitely something up with that…


p.020
A certain occurrence (1) [①]

ISSHIN: Hello.
ODA: Ah, you’ve done well in coming here.
ODA: Please, take a look at this!

[none]

ISSHIN: …Seriously… Are you…
SFX: sigh…

ISSHIN: A genius!?
ODA: I had thought that you would understand!


p.021
A certain occurrence (2) [②]

ODA: 1/6 sea of stars girl Yuu Starmine [3]
ODA: This is the product planned for distribution at this year’s event.
ISSHIN: It is magnificently well made.
ISSHIN: I don’t think a product this elaborate would even be made commercially.
[I just noticed she looks a bit like club president from Manabiya]

ISSHIN: With this there’s no mistake you’ll sell out again this year.
ODA: If you would like, I shall offer this prototype to you.
ISSHIN: Is that really OK?
ODA: Most certainly.

[none]

ISSHIN: …It’s truly magnificent!
ODA: Please treat it with care!
TAKERU: …


p.022
A certain occurrence (3) [③]

ISSHIN: Friends are something one must have.
SFX: chuckle

ISSHIN: Now, I wonder where I should put it.
KIKU: Ah!

ISSHIN: …!?

[none]


p.023
A certain occurrence (4) [④]

[none]

[none]

ISSHIN: …phew…
SFX: sigh
ISSHIN: Thank goodness… Safe and sound.

ISSHIN: If something were to happen to Yuu,* I’d…
[t/n: Actually, I messed with the figure’s name. Its real name is Anita, which is close to “anata,” which means “you” in Japanese, hence Okiku’s misinterpretation. Nevermind the fact that Yuu sounds Japanese anyways…]
SFX: fuming
ISSHIN: Really, please be careful, okay!!
The truth.


p.024
Break 20

[none]

[none]

SAKU: …Oh!
SFX: oh!

SAKU: Oh no! It’s already started, Ume-chan!!
SAKU: Hey, Ume-chan!
UME: I have a local wireless connection right now, so can you leave it for later?
SAKU: Ume-chan!?


p.025
Break 20.5

UME: We had so few parts so I let my guard down!
UME: Hello to all the readers! I’m Ume-chan!!
SAKU: I…I’m Sakurai~

[none]

UME: …I’ll leave the rest to you then.
SFX: plunk
SAKU: Huuh?

UME: Ah, there’s someone now
SAKU: W…
SAKU: We’ll be seeing you this time, too…! [4]


~~notes~~
[1] Ufufu, as you can imagine as used here, is meant to be as close to graceful laughter as you could get. Why do so many of the words we use that have to do with laughing have to be so strong or negative? Why can’t I find a word for refined (and feminine) laugh?

[2] In anime-land, taisa, or colonel, is generally a respected, highly coveted rank and is held by several famous characters. This scene is a reference to Laputa, Castle in the Sky, when Colonel Muska (the villain) gets blinded, iirc

[3] 1/6 scale. "Seikai shoujo," "sea of stars girl," is a made up 4 kanji epithet-like phrase such as the ever-popular "magical girl."

[4] Yoroshiku. Had some trouble with this one…