Mangahelpers Translationshttps://mangahelpers.com/translators/rss2009-09-11T03:35:27+00:00/favicon.icoMangaHelpers Adminsadmin@mangahelpers.comhttps://mangahelpers.com/t/meriken/releases/16005[English] [Translation] Livingstone 5 by Meriken2009-09-11T03:35:27+00:00Merikenadmin@mangahelpers.comAll of my translations are RESERVED
[left text]For better or for worse, the man was still alive. And this fact is about to change her destiny forever...
<2> =SNO—RE
=SN- =SNO—RE =SNORE
=Loud snoring...!
=No way... He wasn't breathing before...! =Is he asleep?
=No... It's a common symptom of a subarachnoid hemorrhage.//He's in a very dangerous situation. =We need an ambulance...
<3> WHAP =Stop!//Don't get me into any trouble! =I'd rather die than be arrested!
=Y-You're already in a great deal of trouble... Wait, gimme back my phone. =Then what are you going to do about this?
=SNORE
=...What should I do? =SNORE =SNO—RE
=—Anyways,//This is an "accident," right? CLICK =Shouldn't we check the soul's plan? It's gonna turn into a stain
<4> =Oh, good point. SHUFF
ZZ—T [bubble]CLICK
=Uhh—Ichiro Sakuma, age 34... [camera]Ichiro Sakuma//Age 34//Fulfillment Rate
=...//No way... =Fulfillment rate... 99%...!? Almost no time of life remaining...!?
=Huh? =Then this person was destined to die here from the start?
ZZT...
<5> =...I see. =The sleeping pills, the ashtray—//All of it was "correct" for this person...
=Ms. Kanzaki was dragged into this man's destiny by committing a murder.//But, =In our industry, we would say—
=She sacrificed herself to this man's soul.
<6> [x2]UCK =GAH... =GLUB.
GUSH
=...He's not breathing anymore.
=And the soul,
<7> =Is leaving.
=...Is he...//Dead?
=...Wow. =Death comes pretty quick, huh...//No emotion or anything.
...You're the one who did it. IRK... =I guess the situation hasn't improved at all...
<8> Wait a sec...
=—Do you still wish to die, Ms. Kanzaki? =...Yep.
=What if you were completely cleared of embezzlement and murder?
=Huh?//What!? You can do something that awesome!? =Whoa, hold on!//How come you didn't tell me that before—!?
=Then I would consider staying alive...
<9> =Even if you turn into somebody else?
=Somebody else?
=—Amano, can you do a "Soul Quelling?"
=Huh?//The one where you put the soul back? =I've never tried it before.
=There's a first time to everything. =But I guess we're gonna have to apply it right off the bat.
<10> =Take the soul out of here, =And put it back in there.
=Huh?//What are you talking about, Sakurai...? =Listen, I'm going to explain this very quickly. You see...
=We don't wish to harm your soul.//Meaning, we want you to fulfill your plan. =But in reality, you're guilty of embezzlement and murder...//You don't want to keep living.
=However, =If we move your soul over to this man's body,
<11> =You'll be able to continue living as Mr. Sakuma, free of any crimes.
=...No way!!
<12> =Huh?
=Me!?//This guy!? =You think I have the nerves to deal with this guy's B.O.!?//Why do I have to do go through like that!!?
=I don't want to do it either.//Soul Quelling, applying... =It's too much trouble and I can't do it.
=Out!!//What the hell is up with you two!!? RATTLE =You guys only know how to be selfish!!?
<14> =Embezzlement when you're in trouble!? Murder when you don't want to deal with something!?//Suicide when you're cornered!? WHIP
=If it wasn't for my job, I'd break your soul into pieces and feed it to the carp in the Tamagawa River!! =Wha
=This is your job, Amano!//Giving up without even trying—You're like a little kid! WHIP =Don't underestimate society just because you don't have a soul!//You're so willing to back off because you've never finished something you can't do!
=You guys seriously need to think about working harder!! =You guys suck!!//You're the worst of the worst!!
<15> =I'm the one who can't deal with you two...!
WHACK
=Got it?
=...//Just went with it.
=...What the hell... =Why do I have to get ripped on by somebody like you...!
<16> =Fine. Let's do this.
[x2]RATTLE
=—Alright,
<17> =Let's get on with it while the body's still fresh. =Are you ready,//Amano?
=...I guess. =Ready when you are.
=Alright, Ms. Kanzaki.//As requested,//You will now be dead to the rest of society.
*glance*
My soul...? In this guy...? =...Uck...
=No... Wait.//I still haven't... BLEH
=Sorry, but I've already gotten your soul's permission.
<18> ZZ.. =N-
[x2]ZZ..
=...No...! =I don't want to die!
=You're going to live. =We're forcing you to.
<19> BOOF
=It's huge!
=Don't let it harden into a Livingstone, Amano! =Keep the light shining!
<20> [x2]BZZT [bubble]HUFF
[bubble]HUFF//HUFF BZZT =...Shit.
=I can't do this. {HUFF} =I think I'm losing consciousness...
There's no way I can hold on to a soul this big... =Forget it, I ca...
=You better not run away!
=...UCK
<21> WHAP
=Alright!//Now place it inside of Mr. Sakuma's body! =Slowly!//Like you're handling an egg!
[x2]=HUFF
=Sew the soul on to the poles! Accurately! =HUFF
ZZT..
<22> SWUP..
=Ohh, it went in! [bubble]BEE—P
=...Hmph.
=Alright,//Now it all depends on whether we can revive Mr. Sakuma's body or not...
<23> BLEH—
=...Do I have to do, =Mouth to mouth resuscitation...?
=You better not run away. =UCK...
Excuse me [x2]WIPE
=Oh well,//Just pretend it's Ms. Kanzaki... SWOO
FWHOOSH
<24> =Whoaa—!! What the hell are you doing...!?
PHEW WIPE =Alright.//This soul really is strong.
...Huh? My body's not moving!
Body...?
=Now we just have to call the hospital.//Good job, Amano. [x5]WIPE =Yeah. I'm tired
<25> =...Is that, =Me...?
=—Several days later
<26> [labels from top]Ichiro Sakuma//Masayuki Yamamoto CLICK
CLACK
SHUCK
<27> =So it wasn't a dream after all.
=...Unfortunately.
=...Yeah,//Otherwise I wouldn't suddenly turn into a crazy body like this, would I. PLOP =All those yoga classes and beauty treatments ended up being a waste.
=Living as the person I killed—It's worse than being in a prison.
=...Sorry we did it without your consent. =...Do you still want to die?
<28> =What if I said I wanted to?
=We're gonna kill you, of course.
=Hah-hah...//You're pretty direct, huh? I like that. =Hey, hand me that mirror over there.//I was too scared to look.
=Man, I wanna die—//...Heh-heh. =Heh...//Ah-hah-hah-hah!
<29> =Ah-hah-hah...! =...//Please contact us if you seriously wish to die.
=We'll stop by and kill you anytime.
=Hah-hah,//That's good to know. =But I'd rather not sit through one of yours lectures again.
=This is a list of Ichiro Sakuma's personal history and acquaintances.
=Mr. Sakuma's soul completed its life, as planned. =From now on, this is your life.
<30> =Please be mindful of how you handle money. =Hah-hah
=May I take one picture before I go?
=Huh? Wait, I don't have any makeup on.
=PFFT =Don't worry,//I'm just taking a picture of your soul.
=Alright, take care.
=Oh, one last thing.//Make sure you stop sounding like a girl. =People will think you're weird.
=—Her real destiny might've been to spend the rest of her life in prison.//But ultimately, being in a man's body is the equivalent of being in prison. =Once she accepts that as her destiny, she'll be set free.
<32> =The choice to die twice, or to live a new life... =I've got to write up my case report for now.
=Hmm =That is an interesting case. [bubble]PIP
<33> =What about her "plan?" [bubble]PIP
=A 72% fulfillment rate.//She can definitely get back on track again. [bubble]BANG//PIP [bubble]BANG =Really!
=Her remaining lifespan hasn't changed that much either.//Oh well. [bubble]PIP//BA—NG =Anyways, what's all that beeping and booping going on? [bubble]PIP
Hey =Amano! [bubble]PIP [bubble]BA//BA—NG
=...This is your fault, Mr. Tokieda. =Or maybe I said some stuff I shouldn't have...
<34> =Done. ZZ—T =Gimme the next game, Sakurai.
=Again—!? They don't hand those out for free, you know—! How many is that!? =Uhh Mr. Tokieda, can I write the receipt out to Livingstone?
=No way. ZZ—T
=Where's the next one, Sakurai—? =URR...//No waaay...
[right text]Human life is just a video game for the soul.
Chapter 5 / End To be continued in a future issuehttps://mangahelpers.com/t/meriken/releases/15757[English] [Translation] Livingstone 4 by Meriken2009-09-02T08:42:06+00:00Merikenadmin@mangahelpers.comAll of my translations are RESERVED
<1> [right text]The soul is parting from the flesh. She has abandoned her life—
=The soul...! This person really was trying to die...!! =H-Hold on a sec!
<2> THUD [ghost logo]90% of this world is inevitable. Chapter 4: Flowchart Author: 前川知大 Artist: 片岡人生 [bottom box black part]The story: [bottom box text]90% of a person's destiny is determined by the soul. Souls that fulfill their destiny in this world are passed on to the next, where they continue their development. However, some souls die unexpectedly, and fall to pieces—unable to fulfill their destinies. Sakurai and Amano have the job of managing the souls, and preventing this from occurring. Whenever a soul is in danger of being destroyed, they will appear.
<3> =Hey!//What was that for, Sakurai!? =How come you're sabotaging me!?
I was so sure it was just a fleeting decision... Is a soul this important really going to destroy itself...!?
[x2]HUFF RATTLE =...?//What just happened...?
=...You almost died because your soul was going to leave your body. =What!?//Really!?
<4> =Why!?//Why did your soul give permission!? You have 41 more years of life ahead of you! =You don't need to die!//Don't just throw away your life like this!
=Now you're trying to persuade me...?//You two are the ones who offered to kill me.
=Keep living!
=Huh?//You should die.
AHHH— =Which one!?
<5> =What's the big idea all of a sudden? =Wrong tactic, alright!//Take a look at this data.
=If her soul continues to develop according to plan,//She's gonna change history. Look. =Whoa, what the heck? Is that for real?
=Maybe I should get an autograph or something...
=But hey,//Her soul gave us permission. =According to the rules, we're allowed to process her, right? =...Yeah, but...//I didn't think she would actually give up...
=...Is her situation really that bad...? =...Guess I'll look into why she's trying to commit suicide... [x2]CLACK
<6> [x2]CLACK
=Megumi Kanzaki, age 28.//Accountant for a nonprofit organization called the Roei Foundation. =Current address...//Oh, I see. So the building across the street is company housing.
=Wha... How'd you get my name...!?//Are you the police!?
=No...
=Just suicide watchers who happened to pass by.
<7> =Well...//You guys are sketchy, =But it seems like you really do have supernatural powers of some sort.../How much do you know about me?
=Thank you for believing us.//Makes the job easier.
=This is a website called the "Central Library," which can only be accessed by us. It's an archive of personal histories.//What your choices were,//And what you chose. =Life is an accumulation of choices, after all.
<8> =Choices?
=Yes.//Of life. [x2]CLACK
=Like today... At 8:22am.//Quite early for a Sunday. [AM 7:55]Wake up [choice 1]Eat fast food for breakfast//Find something from the fridge [choice 2]Turn on the TV [choice 3]Go to sleep again [choice 4]Can't get back to sleep: Wake up [choice 5]Make coffee
=You were debating whether to go to the nearby fast food store for breakfast, or use the leftovers from the refrigerator. [screen]Eat fast food for breakfast//Find something from the fridge
=Wow... It's kind of like a video game.
=Exactly.//There's been a lot of debate in the past about the relationship between video games and real life, and the effect it can have on the brain...
<9> =But they're actually very similar, as long as you don't consider what's at stake.//Life also comes in stages, and there's important items that you need to find. =Choices are made. Levels are completed...
=Ohh...//I get it.
Amano doesn't have a soul, so he has no motivation to complete life. Maybe that's why he gave up on the video game...
=Huh?//You received a phone call from Mr. Ichiro Sakuma at 10:04am... [AM 10:04]Phone call from Ichiro Sakuma [box to right]Answer [below that]Don't answer
=You must've had a hard time making up your mind.//There's a lot of choices listed here.
<10> [x2]BB—T [phone]Incoming call//Sakuma
[box title]Kanzaki's Choice [box content]Meet first, think after
=That's a bit haphazard...
<11> =—So far, =I'm the only one who knows about this.
=Whoa, fake crying. That's horrible. =Leave me alone!
=Oh... This may not be the best place to talk about this. Why don't we go to your house, Ms. Kanzaki. SOB =It's close by, isn't it?
=Umm... I should clean up a bit.//I'll be right back. [bubble]CREAK
<13> GRACK..
=Please.
=Take your time.
=...?//What does that mean? =There hasn't been anything decisive so far.
<14> =Guess we should just keep going. [bubble]CLICK
=Phew.
=I'm surprised you live in such a cute room.
=...Thank you. =Damn, this guy is obnoxious. =...What should I do?
=...Would you like some tea?//I have some beer, too. =Oh, then I'll have a beer.
<15> =—But this was quite a surprise. WHAP =Over a period of 4 years.//From the union fees and the rental costs for related facilities...
=A grand total of 82 million yen embezzled. =Really, very impressive.
[PM 1:56]Ichiro Sakuma produces evidence that you have embezzled 82 million yen
=...Very impressive.
<16> =Thank you. =It's not a compliment!
=...But still,//That's nothing to die over, is it? =You could pay it back little by little, and...
=Hah.//I wouldn't have done it in the first place if I had that kind of patience.
=Right... I... Don't think I can get along with this person... She's got such an important soul though...
=...Besides,//That wasn't all.
<17> =—Does it say what happened after that?
=...Wonder if it's gonna work. ZZT...
<18> GLUB [title]Kanzaki's Choice [content]Spike the beer with sleeping pills
=Phew.//Quite refreshing, this early in the day. CLACK
=It's not like we have to bring in the company or the police right now. =I mean...
=You know... You're kinda my type, Ms. Kanzaki. GREAK =It was kind of a shock...
<19> =Do you still have the money?//...We could run away together.
=Just an idea.
=Oh man...//Well, guess I don't have a choice.
WOBBLE =Huh?
=Am I drunk?//...Shit. =Oops.
=Dumbass... [x2]PLICK =Oh, sorry. =Wonder if he's willing to take the blame with me if I do him.
<20> [x2]DRIP =HUFF//HAH
=Heh-heh... [x2]HUFF
=Huff...//Hah WHUP =Heh
<21> =I-I'm//Really
=Not gonna tell anyone//Or anything [x2]CLICK =So
<22> ZZT
=Sorry, no way.
=Gimme a break... Run away? With you?//Can't do it. Look...
=Hey.
<22> [title]Kanzaki's Choices [top left]Call an ambulance [bottom left]Finish him off [top right]Take a shower [bottom right]Have a smoke
CLICK [box]Have a smoke
=Wha...!?
<23> =Wha!? =What were you thinking!?
=See? =Too much trouble, right?
=So that was... 2 hours ago, huh. =...Maybe he's still—
=No way.//He wasn't breathing when I left.
=Yeah, there's nothing you can do when you're stuck.//That's life.
<24> =Yep. You gotta know when to quit.
PIP =Hey.
=You're a minor. Dang =...How do they give up so easily...!?
=Ms. Kanzaki, your "plan..."//Your powerful, significant soul... Doesn't want to die. =There's probably something that you still need to accomplish in this lifetime.
<25> =You're overestimating me.//This isn't my first time embezzling, and I've got tons of loans and stuff I have to pay back. =And now I've killed someone.//What else do you expect me to do?
=It's just too much trouble.
...What is wrong with this person!? She's bothered so many people, and she still has the audacity to talk like this...!?
<26> =Look, Sakurai.//I get that this person's soul is rare and everything, =But we're supposed to prioritize the next world over this one, right?
=Well yeah...
=Then why not? It's too much trouble. =Let's hurry up and kill her.
You too, Amano. You're always such a... =...But a forced retirement slows the development of the soul...//I want to save her.
<27> —There's gotta be something I can do. [x2]CLACK [right side from top]Really go//News channel//Game show//Drama channel [left side from top]Stay in the room//Watch TV
[upper box]Ichiro Sakuma's//Ashtray on the table//Stops breathing//Confirmed [lower box title]Kanzaki's Choice [lower box]Building
=...Hey.
=This database only lists pure "facts," right? =It doesn't say anywhere that he's "dead."
<28> =Ms. Kanzaki! Where's the key to your room!? GATHUCK =? Huh? I have it, but...
=Come with me!//Let's hurry, Amano! =Yeah yeah.
=Huh?//What? =What do you mean?
[x3]CLONK =You hit Ichiro Sakuma on the back of the head with an ashtray...
<29> =—But there was no mention of his "death."
[x2]JERK
=He's still alive...!
[right text]A new choice, in the nick of time!
Chapter 4 / End To be continued in the next issuehttps://mangahelpers.com/t/meriken/releases/15356[English] [Translation] Livingstone 3 by Meriken2009-08-22T01:41:58+00:00Merikenadmin@mangahelpers.comAll of my translations are RESERVED
=A lot of earth got washed downstream from that rainstorm last week.
=Thought we might be able to find some interesting stones.
=CONK
[left text]Souls that leave the body turn into stone, becoming a "Livingstone."
<2> =It's like we're on the bank of the River Styx. The Livingstone, Bears the memory of the soul, For all eternity. Author: 前川知大 Artist: 片岡人生 Chapter 3: The Game Begins
[left of ghost logo]90% of this world is inevitable. [below logo]The 3rd installment of the new series that asks, "What is the soul?"
<3> =Hah-hah,//The River Styx really does exist. =Hup...//They say all the stones down there are Livingstones.
=Well, that was a long time ago. WOBBLE =Whoa...
=Now there's too many people. GLOT =There's a serious shortage of Livingstones now.
=Phew...//Is this also a Livingstone, Mr. Tokieda? =It's huge.
=Wanna look "inside?"
<4> =...I'll pass. =Hah-hah-hah,//Pussy.
=How's your partner? ZRICK =Ohh—Amano?
=He's a fast worker... =But he's not like Mr. Suzuki, who I first started working with.//It's like he doesn't have tears and blood.
=...That's why Suzuki is finished. =You don't need tears and blood.
<5> =The stones those guys have inside them are special. They're different from humans. =It's like a magnet.//That's how they attract the Livingstones.
=Maybe it's because of that magnet...//It's annoying how he just goes off on his own sometimes.
=I'm getting stomach pains from having to worry about him so much... SIGH.. =You'll get used to it.
=But, I thought you might be having some trouble, so... SHUFF..
<6> =I shall give you this.
=Take good care of it. They're quite rare these days.//Amano shouldn't get distracted as long as he has this. SHUFF =Wow... Thank you sir.
=...A Game Boy...!? =Rare, isn't it?
<7> [x3]PIP
=...And now this? =Right...
=Gosh...//Why did Dad pull out a Game Boy this day and age...
=Your meatloaf is getting cold, Amano. ZZ—T [x2]PIP =I'm eating it.
=Easier...!? Uck... [bubble]PIP//PIP [bubble]BA—NG =Guess he's not that interested in food...
=Well... At least he's being a lot quieter now, right? =Yeah,//Now I'll have an easier time dealing with him, and...
WHACK!
<9> =Wha...! Amano!? AHH— ZZT =Don't need it anymore.//I'm not getting anywhere.
=Huh? What are you talking about?//See, you get this item like this, [x2]PIP Wow, this brings back memories =You go here, jump 3 times, then do this.//It's so easy, why can't you...
=Huh? Is he angry?//...Nah, couldn't be. GATHUCK =Look,
=I can't do it, alright. =And it's got nothing to do with work, either.
<10> =Amano, where are you going!?
URK =Ahh—Gosh, he's doing it again...! GATHUCK
=Guess I'm gonna be relying on stomach medication for a while now... =Sorry, Kae. I'll see you later.
Good luck.. =Maybe this is what raising children is like...
<11> =WHIRR...
CONK
=Wait up, Amano!//I told you, you can't...! PANT HUFF
<12> The stones those guys have inside them are special. —It's like a magnet.
=That's how—
<13> —They attract the Livingstones.
<14> =*swoo...* WHOOSH...
=*sigh...*
WHOOSH
<15> WHAP =ACK!
=Whoa, what the...!? [x2]SPIT =That was close—!
BLAM
=Hey! What are you...!? [x2]HUFF
=...D- =Don't come any closer!
<16> =This has gotta be...
A suicide... Right...?
Try not to excite her, for now... =...This shoe,//Is it yours?
=...Yes,//You came to return it to me? =But I don't need it anymore.
=Because I'm about to turn into a ghost.
<17> =Hey, this thing isn't moving. =Well you gotta put some money in.//—I mean, this isn't the time for that! HEY!
=...Look, what do you people want?
The question is, whether this person is really serious... Or not. =Stay calm... Be friendly...
=Hey, lady.//Are you in the middle of diving practice? =It's all concrete down there.
<18> =I...//I can't believe this...! How could you say something like that...! [x2]TREMBLE =It's a joke! =He's just joking around! He wants you to relax! *jingle* VRR—
=You've completely ruined it...!//Talking to people like you in the final moments of my life, =Completely ruins everything I've done up until now!
=So you're trying to commit suicide even though you've lived such a wonderful life till now? =That's weird.
=You think it's fun to tease someone who's trying to die!?
=I don't really know what fun means.//So I think it's more like, =Not caring...?//I guess?
=...You gotta be kidding me...//What do you guys want from me...!?
<20> =We're here, =To save you.
WHOOSH...
<21> =—That's right. That's our job, after all. =I'm taking a look at your soul's plan. PIP
=Hey...! =What do you think you're doing!?//I'm gonna fucking kill you! RATTLE
=Yeah, good. Come over here. They say a half-hearted attempt at persuasion can actually strengthen a person's resolve. =If she can yell at us, it's proof that she still has the desire to live...!
=Hey! Are you guys planning on stopping me or not!? [x2]CLACK
=Are you gonna die or not? *jingle* =I am! I told you already!//Don't ask me that while you're riding a freaking panda—!
<22> =She's definitely got a lot of energy... [x2]WAH—
=Her fulfillment rate is 88%—//Soul has 362,000 hours left. =Nothing abnormal. [camera]Fulfillment Rate 88%
=It's "unplanned,"//Amano. =Oh, then it's...//Work after all, huh.
=...Yeah. =—Our job is,
<23> =To manage souls.
All human souls have a predetermined "plan."
The "plan" refers to the growth a soul makes as it fulfills its destiny in its present life, and is passed on to the next human being.
However, that "plan" can collapse due to all sorts of reasons.
<24> Our job is to prevent the number of souls from decreasing. =...Huh?
=Hey... Wait,//Forget about dying early... She's got a really high-ranking soul. =Age?
=4000 years.
=Her life must have very high potential, =Yet she's committing suicide... What a waste.
=Gosh, what are you guys mumbling about...!?//Just leave me alone, alright!? RATTLE
<25> =You're free to die, but we can't have you commit suicide.//That would get things messy. =—So we'll be taking the proper measures to kill you.
=...Huh? =Meaning, =If you refuse to put on this shoe,//And are truly serious about ending your life...
=I'll see to it that your "soul" is properly disposed of, and he'll do the same for your "flesh." =How's that?
<26> =Soul...?
=Ohh—//I get it.//So in other words, you're going to kill me, =And Glasses over there is going to get rid of my body, right?
=There won't be any traces left.//You'll vanish from society.
=Hah...//Ah-hah-hah-hah! =Vanish, huh. That's good too. =What are you guys anyways? You run a business helping runaways or something?
=So there's something you need to run away from?
=You'll help me run away?
<27> =...Would that want to make you continue living?
=You can't, you said you were gonna die. =Oh,//Hah-hah, that's true.
...It's alright. She's starting to calm down. This person is still searching for a reason to live. One change of mind, and the soul will never try this again...
=If you've got the will to die, I can kill you. Right here, right now. =There won't be any pain whatsoever.
=Wow...//Guess that's more than I could ever ask for...
<28> =It's a simple procedure.//All I need is your soul's permission. =Permission...?
=Right.//The same way you took off your shoe,
=This is a ceremony taking you from this world to the next. =You'll forfeit the remainder of your life...
=To take a literal "step up" into the next world... =—Alright with you?
<29> =—Yes.
=Thank you.
=—Don't worry. She's all talk... =The soul can't be extracted unless the person wants to die from the very bottom of their heart...
WHOOSH
<30> [right text]Her resolve is strong. Why does she choose death above all else!?
=Wha...! =Impossible...! Chapter 3 / End To be continued in the next issuehttps://mangahelpers.com/t/meriken/releases/15191[English] [Translation] Livingstone 2 by Meriken2009-08-16T17:12:10+00:00Merikenadmin@mangahelpers.comLivingstone, Chapter 2 (Weekly Morning, No. 36 & 37, 2009)
<1> Souls—The source of life, Our minds, And the controllers of our destiny.
[left of logo ghost]This is a slightly shifted reality. [below logo]The second installment of the new series that asks, "What is the soul?"
Chapter 2: A Waste of Justice
<2> WHOOSH
<3> [x2]=HUFF [margin below frame]This is a fictitious work. Any semblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
=...It wasn't your fault...
=...But,
<4> =It wasn't my fault, either...
=*whimper..*
<5> =Our line of work is pretty special.
=I can't say it pays well,//But we've got just as much worth and responsibility as the Pope.
=We handle "souls." TRRRR
="Souls" have a lifespan of 5000 years, and are passed on from person to person during that time. We have the important duty of ensuring their safety.
<6> [bubble]CLICK...
=But gosh... Where the heck did Amano go? =Is that your new partner?
=What's he like? =Hmm—
=Hasn't Mr. Tokieda told you, Kae? =People like Amano who get sent over for the job are different from us.
=They don't have "souls."
<7> =They have no memories from when they were human, =And I've heard they get something else put inside of them that isn't a soul. =Like they exist just to carry out their work.
=I guess it means they can't understand people's feelings. CRUSH
=They get involved with other people like it's nothing. WHAP
=Even though there's the risk of upsetting your own "plan" if you interfere with other people's lives. [x2]*mumble*
<8> =*pfft*
=Sounds like you don't have very many friends, Mr. Sakurai. =What!?//Even I have lots of—
Only new years greetings I got this year, Were advertisements, huh—
=...F-Friends... *mumble* =I mean, that whole thing about upsetting your "plan" sounds like an excuse.//You just don't want to get hurt by getting involved with other people.
=How do you expect to grow without getting hurt?
Whoa... =That's... Really deep...
=Hmph. =I bet my soul is way more experienced than yours, Mr. Sakurai.
<9> =I'm not a little baby who refuses to eat pickles. =Uck.
But they're so sour though... =...I wonder how old my soul is. Welcome— =Probably around adolescence or something.//When kids lock themselves in their rooms.
=...Dang.
[x2]CLICK
<10> [x4]ZZ
PSHHH—
[x3]=GREE
<11> WHAP
=Piece o' cake. ROLL.. =...Hey.
=...Do you have any idea what you're doing?
<12> =—Yeah, the soul broke because there was an "unplanned" accident, and it became a "stain."//So I cleaned it up. =Are those flowers what you call an offering?
=It's pointless. =That person isn't here anymore. They're dead.
<13> RABBLE
=The growth of the soul, huh... [x2]RABBLE =But getting involved with other people doesn't do any...
=...I knew it doesn't do any good...!!
=U-Umm...! =Can you please let him off the hook!
<14> =Who the hell are you...? You've got nothing to do with this. =Oh... Well... Umm... =That's... My younger brother.
=Wow, you really got beaten up.//Does it hurt? Uhh— =Nope, not really.
<15> =I just have an odd feeling in my right arm. =Yeah, that's called being hurt!
=I'm sorry.
=I got a bit... Carried away. BOW =Oh no, I'm sorry for what my brother did.
[keep typo]=I don't have an older brothe— WHUP
=...I also have a troublesome younger brother, =Well, we hardly ever said hi to each other once we became adults...
=Isn't that normal?//Getting too involved doesn't do any good either. =Right,//I felt the same way.
<16> =But if you don't get involved, =You end up regretting it anyways.
=Once they die... There's nothing you can do. =No matter how many flowers you give,//It's too late... Right?
=...I see...//I'm really, terribly sorry... =...No,//You were exactly right.
<17> =He's not there anymore. =He's dead.
=...Sorry about hitting you.
=Souls that fail to fulfill their "plan" due to an unexpected accident, break apart into pieces... =Places that are stained by the pieces of the Livingstone carry negative energy, leading to other unplanned accidents.//Cleaning those "stains" is also part of our job.
<18> ="...But Amano, we always have to work together.//It's a rule, okay?" =So annoying.
=Look!//It's more annoying when you do a job by yourself and end up getting beaten up! Please take this seriously! =I gave you my old cellphone, remember!? Answer my calls!
=Piece of crap. TOSS DOO—M
=Anyways, forget about that. =This is weird.
=That guy from before...
<19> =A blotchbeast...?
=I purged the "stains" on the guardrail,//And I collected the Livingstone. I didn't make any mistakes. RATTLE =But there was a blotchbeast clinging to that guy's body.
=You know what that means?
=Wow, you're stupid.//It means that guy walked by another "stain" somewhere around here. =Gosh, take your job seriously,//Big brother!
<20> TRRRR BBT BBT
=Yo. [black bubble]PIP =What's up, Sakurai.
=Who are you calling? =Mr. Arima.//He's the detective that helps us out with our work, remember?
=Just wanted to know if anything's been going on around 2nd Street of XX Town in Shinjuku. =Have there been any incidents recently? Like an accidental death?
=Hmm... [x2]CLAT CLAT
<21> =...//You better keep this under wraps. *whisper* =The police aren't supposed to trust occult people like you.//If it's a case, then don't stick your head in. Leave it to the state.
=Yeah, I know. =And?
=The investigation's been called off on the grounds that he probably just took off, =But 2 weeks ago, there was a search request put in for an 18-year old runaway kid.
=He was last seen working at the construction site on the corner of the intersection before he went missing.
=BEE.. BEE—P BEE—P//BEE—P =...He blocked the number... =Shit...!
ZUP...
=...Why'd we wait until nighttime?//It's hard to see. ZUP =It's better if nobody's around. =There's a risk of upsetting your own "plan" if you get involved in other people's business.//Always be calm, and...
<24> =WOOF GONK =WHOAA!//AHH! UCK
SHH— =No, that was definitely you.
=What's wrong with this dog...? OWW GRR— =It's so gaunt, and...
GRRRR...
=Oh.
<25> =There's the "stain."
=There...? Is the dog... Protecting it? =Dunno. [x2]CLICK
FLASH
<26> =Who are you?
ZUP..
=Oh... Hello there. =A steel pipe...? This can't be normal...
=You... What are you doing here? [x2]WOOF =You're not from the health center, are you?//...Trying to give a stray dog something to eat...?
=Uhh... Yes, that's about right. [x2]WOOF =...//Can't have you doing that...
ZUP...
<27> WHACK =RARR...!
=This is bad...!
=I'm sorry, we just got lost and wandered in here.//We'll be going now, so—
BSHHH— =—A-Amano!
=What the fuck are you doing!!? [x2]=WOOF =Uck... Uh... A-Art! It's graffiti art, right? Amano?
<28> =Well, yeah.
Why so Proud?
=Sorry we'll pay for the damages...//I mean, we'll erase it. [x4]WOOF =You gotta be kidding me!
=You guys are fucking criminals! GRIP =I'm gonna call the police on you!
=Huh?
=Aren't you the one who doesn't want the police coming over?
<29> =Oh... Shoot, I said it. =How...//How much do you know...!?
=WO...
WHAP =Nothing.
<30> =We're just here to clean up the stains of a person's death.
=AHHHH! =Amano, you idiot—!
=It wasn't...! GRIT =My fault...!
=But...!
<31> =There's no going back now—! GONK
=Amano!
<32> =Huh? =What.
=Wha...? Wh-Why...!?
=Huh? Ohh. =It doesn't hurt.//Maybe 'cause I don't have a soul?
ZUP... =Wha...
<33> =What the hell are you guys...!?
=It's hard to explain, but...//We're not from the police, or anything like that.
=Please give me 1 minute. SQUEAK =Amano, hand me the Livingstone... I have to see.
RATTLE
GRIT
<34> BLIT
=See the memory of this soul...
<35> =These aren't the memories... =The memory of his death is—
=Hey, part-timer.
<36> =Leave it for tomorrow— =It's getting dark. It's dangerous.
=Alright. I'm just going to bring this thing down. =Thanks man.
=No problem.
SLIP
<37> THUD RATTLE RATTLE
=...A young man,
<38> PHEW... =He lost his footing...
=Right around there. =You were working down below.
=...How did you know...?//Were you watching...?
=Well... Yes, sort of. =Actually, I saw it just now, but... =...That was just an accident.
=It wasn't your fault.
<39> CLANG
=...AH =AH...AH...
=...I didn't have a choice...
GARUCK =Good work—
=...I'm sorry, Mr. Yamada. =There was... An accident.
<40> =Oh, really? [x2]SHUFF =How bad?
=...The kid we hired for the day... He's gone.
=...We actually don't offer insurance to day laborers. =Huh? =...That's not good.
=...Who else is left? =...I'm the only one.
<41> =Let's keep this a secret between the two of us.
[bubble]*whimper*
=But...
=The insurance is my responsibility.//But you were the one on the scene, Mr. Takabe. [x2]CLACK =You have a family too, don't you?//Are you gonna be able to pay for the damages?
<42> =Don't worry, it happens every now and then.
=I buried the body...//In the mountains.
=...You're gonna call the police?
SCRATCH =Heck no. That would be annoying.//Our job here is done.
=You just went along with the company's cover-up, right?//I don't think you'll get a hefty sentence if you turn yourself in. =Well,//Not that anyone would ever find out if you left it like this.
=You're not... Going to do anything...?
<43> =...No... Nothing...
=...We can't make decisions about right and wrong.
=Human values are constantly shifting, and what we deem righteous may end up destroying a person's life. =Our only standard is to "Not harm the soul."
<44> =...But I...
=...No,//It's... Over. =I've... Got to turn myself in.//I can't keep thinking, "It wasn't my fault."
=Accident or not,//...I got myself involved. =A person died.//And I chose to do "nothing," so I...
<45> =But if you don't get involved, =You end up regretting it anyways.
=What about me...?
WOOF
[x2]WOOF
<46> WOOF
=Hey,//Can you lend me your phone? =I wanna call my boss,//But he blocked my number.
[keep typo]=...Yes, no proble—
[x2]CLICK
=...Go ahead.
<47> BBBT
=Hello, Yamada.//...Oh, Mr. Takabe. =Huh!?//Turning yourself in?
RATTLE *sigh...* =...Alright alright, look.
=You were the one on the scene, right Mr. Takabe?//And you were also the one who got rid of the body, correct?
=B-But, you told me to hide it! =I did, but there's no evidence to prove that.
<48> =...A person died...! =It's just a part-timer. There's plenty of replacements.
=So what if he's dead. [screen]Connected//03:54 =You're gonna ruin my life just so you can turn yourself in and have a clear conscience?
=Please try to refrain from bringing down the company with your worthless sense of justice. =Alright, that's all.
PLICK
=...Shit.
[x3]TZZ—
<49> =...He hung up.//Here you go.
=...What're you gonna do, mister?
=...Evidence or no evidence, this is my problem. =...I'm gonna turn myself in.
=...Umm, =Please, take this.
=I recorded that conversation just now. =Sorry about not telling you...
<50> =You can do that!? With that piece of crap!? Wow— =...Amano. I'm gonna punch you...
=Dude...
=...I ended up getting involved. =So I can't just back and watch.
=Getting involved with other people, huh... =Wonder if I did the right thing...
=WOOF
<52> =Several days later—
[sign]Criminal Investigation Department
GLOT
=Here, the cellphone we were keeping as evidence. =The suspect turned himself in, so we don't need it anymore.
<53> =...What's wrong?
=90% of your life is predetermined. =That, is the "plan."
<54> =If the "plan" is disrupted, the soul is harmed. =The important part is connecting the soul to the next world.//It's not about right and wrong in the world we're living in.
=I already know all that.
=...I see, =That's kind of... Sad.
=Yeah.//I didn't think he was a bad person...
=But...
=Like he said,//I think I would've regretted it if I hadn't gotten involved. =...I'm not really sure what the soul is...
<55> =But it's probably what gives a person their heart, and their feelings.//And I... Want to make the most of that.
=...Huh?//You ate them?
=Ohh.
=This sourness is nothing compared to the bitterness of life! =Look...
=I said you're still a kid 'cause you're talking life based on pickles!
[right text]Difficulties of the job. Taken with a side of sourness.
Chapter 2 / End Watch out for another color release in the next issue!https://mangahelpers.com/t/meriken/releases/14776[English] [Translation] Livingstone 1 by Meriken2009-08-04T01:02:04+00:00Merikenadmin@mangahelpers.comLivingstone, Chapter 1 (Weekly Morning, No. 35, 2009)
<4> [x3]=HUFF [margin]A man attempts to part with his own flesh.
<5> The physical death is never the end. As long as the "soul" is still alive, Life is repeated. [x3]=HUFF [black box]"What is the soul?" The answer begins in this new 56-page bombshell!! Chapter 1: The Cleaning and The Collection Author: MAEKAWA Tomohiro Author & Stage director (Director; Ikiume Drama Company) Artist: KATAOKA Hasei Eureka Seven, Deadman Wonderland
<6> [margin]Two people have appeared before a man ready to take his own life...
=Hello, nice to meet you.
=Mr. Kenji Shindo. Age 36, Blood Type A. =Employed by Ohta Engineering 3 years ago, after divorcing his wife.
=Currently attempting to commit suicide with a knife... =Am I right?
=We're here to—
[margin bottom]This is a fictitious work. Any semblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
=It shapes your life, just like your DNA. [bubble]To home!
=It's called the "plan" of the soul.
<9> =Oh dear. [x2]*whisper* =Those people are everywhere, aren't they.
[sign]Stone Shop//Stones of all kinds
=...Look, Dad. =I'm not asking for anything cute and fancy,//But this store is just...
<10> =Oh.
=Hey, you're late, Sakurai.
<11> =...I'm constantly amazed by this store of yours. =Really?
BLOT BLOT [bottle]Potato Liquor
=Makes me quite a bit of money, actually. [bottle left]Citrus Sauce BLOT BLOT
=Here, this stuff is pretty good. =Tastes even better than when you chug down your first bottle of soy sauce. HA HA HA
=...No thank you, Mr. Tokieda. =I appreciate your offer, but... Shouldn't we be getting to work?
<12> =What's up, Sakurai? It's kinda you-know-what if you take this too seriously.
=In this industry, you gotta...//...Oh well. WHOOSH
=Here's the "point of negativity" you'll be cleaning today.
<13> =It's a one-room apartment in this housing complex.
=6 years, I think.//This is the 36-year old man living there.
=6 years...!? That doesn't sound good.//That's more than enough time to upset the "plan" of the soul.
=...Apparently, he's been taking unexcused absences from his job for the past 4 days.
<14> =Hey,//What is that? [rock]DEME
=This?//Our goldfish died.
=Your soul becomes a rock when you die.
=The guy over there told us.//So...
<15> =This is Deme's soul.
=Look, you guys... =Amano!
=C'mon! It's time for work! =Hurry...!
=We've got to save this man!
<16> =—I don't think suicide is the right choice.
=Don't you want to hang on to life a little bit longer? =Nah, this guy can't do it.//His face is like, "I can't!" =You can just go ahead and kill yourself if you're ready.
<17> =No...
=...I mean, who the hell are you people!?//How did you get in here!? =Th-This is serious...!//I-I'll call the police on you!
=Oh.
=I'm sorry, I hadn't introduced myself.//My name is Sakurai. BOW
=Uhh... SHUFF
<18> =Please, have a look. [card]Livingstone Collection Services//Cleaning Services//Shozo Sakurai//Address 27-0741//5-6 Minamisakae, Shinjuku, Tokyo//Tel. 070-3575
=Which one is it!? =Amano!//Just shut up so you don't confuse anyone! SHUFF
<20> BZZ—
CLICK
=Oh, hey!//Don't take it without asking! It's rude! =You're too freaking slow, Sakurai.
=Hurry up and check on this guy's "soul."
="Soul...?" =But man, this place is dirty.//And it smells.//How much is the rent? =Huh?//35,000.
=35...? =That's far too cheap for this sort of place.
<21> =Guess we'll do the cleaning first.//Can you take care of it, Amano? =Yeah yeah.
=Hey!
<22> =Whoa,//That's a ton of "stains."
[x2]=MURK SHUFF
<23> POP =GWEE!? =GWE [x2]BLIT
=Man, they're all over the place. =GYUK =GYUK GYUK [bubble]GWE TOSS [black bubble]SHUFF
[x2]KASHUCK
PSS—T
SWIIISH [x2]=GYUK =GWEE!?
=GYUK
<24> =PSS—T
PWOOT... =—You see, this place is a "point of negativity."
=You must've heard of it before, for instance...
<25> =—A tunnel where people frequently die. =A road where accidents never cease to occur.
=Those are places where people's souls have been shattered due to "unplanned" accidents. =They also drag down other peoples' souls.
[camera]Fulfillment Rate 52% =You've also fallen victim to this "point of negativity."
<26> =There must've been an accident... Possibly even a murder before you moved in here.
=The soul is like the DNA of your life.//Every individual's life is 90% predetermined. =But in your case, the "fulfillment rate" has decreased all the way to 52%.
=Living in a place like this for 6 years has greatly skewed your "plan." =Your suicide is an "unplanned" fate.
=...Huh?//Is this some kinda religion? =Souls? Plans?//Who the hell is gonna believe that...?
<27> =...//Right. =It's always difficult to explain. Wish they would make a pamphlet or something.
=...But,//"Souls" do exist.
=...Take this story, for example.
=During the early 20th century, in 1907—//American physician Dr. Duncan MacDougall conducted a controversial experiment, =Placing a dying tuberculosis patient on top of a scale.
<28> =3 hours and 40 minutes later,//The very instant that patient took his last breath,
=The weight on the scale decreased by *three-fourths of an ounce. [margin]*Approximately 21 grams.
=According to his later experiments,//The figure averaged out at approximately 30 grams.
<29> =—That, is said to be the weight of the human soul.
=—The weight of the Livingstone.
<30> =Livingstone...?
GARUCK.. =It's this thing. =I got rid of all the stains.//Take a look inside.
PLIT =...Why is it so broken?
RATTLE.. =I hate doing this...
GRIT
<31> BLIT
SHOOF
<32> SHOOOF
=SO... RRY... =MO...M//SO =RR
<33> WHAM =S O R R Y
WHACK =S O R R Y
[scrambled letters]=S O R R Y S O R R Y [scrambled letters]=S O R R Y S O R R Y
S O R R Y
<34> GONK
[x2]UCK
<35> CLACK =—Oww
=WHEW//... =HUFF//HUFF... =WHEW...
=...Well?
=...A child. =Abuse... No, more like murder.//That must be the reason for the stains.
<36> =Must've been 5~6 years old.//Poor thing... =The Livingstone got shattered into so many pieces... =...Hey.
=Gimme a break.//You call that a soul...?
=It's just a little rock.
<37> =It-//It's not! =This is a soul!
=...That child was trying to live. =And this...//Is proof of his life...
=...//It's up to you whether you wanna believe it or not.
<38> =So?//You wanna die? =Or you wanna live?
=...Your suicide is an "unexpected" fate. =So why don't we stop this.//Maybe we can,//Umm...
=...Hah. SPLISH =I'll die.
=Of course I'm gonna die.
<39> =Got into all that debt,//Lost my woman, =Ran away from that fucking boss and that fucking job.
=Nothing ever went the way I wanted it to.
<40> =*glance*//*glance* ZWIIIISH
=Man,//I'm hungry...
<41> [sign]Takayoshi's
RR— =Have I eaten anything today...?
=BEEP =That'll be 672 yen.
=Would you like me to heat this up for you? [keep typo]=Oh, ye...
=...//Sorry, I... =I change my mind.
<42> [apron]Takayoshi's
=Uhh... Sir?
=We're gonna have to throw this away anyways, so... *whisper* =Please, take it.
[x2]SPLASH
[bag]Takayoshi's
<43> ZWIIISH
=...//...Damn it.
<44> =...//Getting that lunch outta pity.
=Lunch?
=What was up with that.//What is up with me, anyways.
=...But still,
=Serves 'em right...
<45> =Even I get to choose how I die...!
=...Oh well,//Looks like he's ready to die. =Right? Sakurai.
="...Unexpected" deaths damage the human soul. =If your soul shatters in this room,//The same thing will happen to the next person.
=Our job is to prevent that from happening.
<46> =We "save" the Livingstone, preserving its proper shape. =And "kill" the body that's left behind in this world. =Okay?
=Well... I sorta get it and I sorta don't... =...If that's alright with you,
=Give me your soul's permission. =...Permission?
<47> =Well, it's basically a signal that you're willing to die.
=...Umm, =Good luck... In the next world...
=Huh,//Alright. =Guess this wouldn't be too bad.
[black bubble]SST... =...//Thanks.
<48> SLURP...
<50> SPLISH
WHAP
=Deformed.
=...Well, my work is done.//You get rid of the body.
<51> =The soul is like the DNA of your life.//90% of your life is decided predetermined That's "predestination."
=Once a soul has fulfilled its "plan," it matures, leading to success in the next world. =Souls that stray from their "plan" will shatter, and the shards will remain in this world.
=The shards create a force field of negativity, and skews the "plan" of whomever draws near.
<52> =In order to prevent the number of souls from decreasing in this vicious cycle, souls need to be protected and managed so they can mature properly. =So when amending the "plan" proves to be impossible, we're forced to abandon the flesh in this world.
=...It's cold. BRR... =But relinquishing this world in favor of the next... Is that really the right thing to do?
=...Huh? =Who are you?
=...The flesh must be at its limit, too.
=—Actually, we're not completely sure what souls are either. SPLISH =Excuse me.
<53> =But souls are probably... What makes us human. PLIT...
=Huh? BLOT =...It doesn't hurt, right?
=...Don't worry.//You've already been saved.
=Okay.
<54> =Thank you.
SPLASH...
<56> =Thanks for making the collection. =You're looking terrible. As always.
<57> =...//I'm still young, you know. SIGH =What's that supposed to mean?
WHUP
GONK =Ouch!
=Can I go home now?
=Hey, Amano!//What did you just hit me with!? I'm gonna get angry!
=Nothing.
<58> =Just a little rock.
=—The man's rotting body was discovered 2 weeks later. =The police ruled it a suicide.
Stones, humans... They're just containers if there is no soul.
Chapter 1 / END Watch out for another 55-page color release in the next issue!