MERMAID MELODY PICHI PICHI PITCH Text translation, chapter 04. Original story by Yokote Michiko Manga artwork by Hanamori Pink Translation by Kotetsu, not to be redistributed without permission! Archived at http://www.boukenshin.net/pitch/ Translator's Notes: This is my first time translating a manga, and I'm not yet a very advanced student of Japanese, hence, there are bound to be mistakes. I tried my best to faithfully translate as much as I could, but there were parts where characters spoke using slang words that weren't in any of my dictionaries. Still, I think I got the gist of what I didn't understand. I didn't bother to translate sound effects, nor the words appearing on every sign, nor all of the [small text] words in the story. For purists, I know, this is a tragedy. But I chose to go for expediency, which means that I've translated only dialogue and *most* of the [small text] passages, at least the ones particularly cute and/or important to the story. I am also not entirely faithful to the punctuation in the original. Mainly, there are places where I have added punctuation, since the original Japanese dialogue consisted of long, convoluted constructions, which would not make sense in English without the addition of punctuation. Terms of address (like "Onee-chan," which means "Older Sister") and meaningless exclamations (like "Kyaa!") have also been left untranslated. ---------------------- Translation Key! This is spoken speech. [small text] comes before a translation of those tiny, scribbly words sometimes found floating inside or outside a word bubble. ** denotes a panel in which nothing is said. (1) is footnote #1. (2) is footnote #2, etc. Footnotes come immediately after the passages that they refer to. Pages are separated by a dotted line. ---------------------- MERMAID MELODY PICHI PICHI PITCH Episode 4 ---------------------- Narration: "Pearl Waters" is decorated for Christmas, too. Luchia: Look, look, Hanon! ---------------------- Luchia: I'm Santa-san! I wonder if I'll sit in the bandai(1) like this. (1) [Bandai = the place in a public bath where the person who takes your money sits. This is probably Luchia's job at Pearl Waters.] Hanon: That's great, Luchia. But what about a promise to go out on a date with Kaito-kun? Luchia: T-T-There isn't one! And what about Hanon, huh? Hanon: Tarou-chan is busy because of a music concert, so I'm-- Hanon: Bored. Television: Now, the news. ---------------------- Television: The popular and much-beloved pink dolphin found in the Momoha River, Momo-chan, will be taken into protective care at the AquaPlace Aquarium until he can regain his strength back. Dolphin: Kyuu-i. [Translator's Note: I included most of Momo-chan's "dialogue" in this text, even though none of his speech is really in proper word bubbles, it's all done as sound effects.] Luchia: So cute--! Hanon: But, somehow his voice seems sad... Luchia: But if he goes to an aquarium where his friends are, he will definitely become happier! Nikora: Even so, but why would such a smart dolphin...? Could it be that he was caught in some sort of trap? Luchia: You spend your life worrying, don't you. Well, then it's our precious Christmas, so everyone, let's go to the aquarium together! Luchia: ...Hippo will come too? Hippo: Of course!! Luchia: ---------------------- ** ** ** Kaito: That's...? ---------------------- Narration: We're here! AquaPlace Aquarium! Luchia: Wow, there's a lot of people here! Hanon: Of course, since Momo-chan is so popular, isn't he-- Hippo: Luchia: [small text] Hanon: Aw, they're all so lucky. I wanted to come here with Tarou-chan, and not like this. Luchia: But you've got me! [small text, pointing to her] "Like this." ** Nikora: Come on, come on, let's go! ---------------------- Luchia: Somehow, I feel myself remembering everyone from the ocean. Sign on wall: Fish of the North Pacific Ocean. Hippo: Luchia-san, let's go further this way. [small text] We've fallen behind everyone else. Momo-chan's voice: Kyuu-i. Luchia: <...Huh?> Voice: This dolphin doesn't know that he's caught in a trap... ...And still his crying voice will call forth the Princesses. Hu hu... As foolish as humans. Momo-chan: Kyuu-i. Kyuu-i. ---------------------- Sign: Fish of the South Atlantic Ocean. Rina: Are you remembering the South Atlantic Ocean kingdom? Hanon: Rina...! Rina: Such a terrible thing came to happen to my neighboring country... And there was nothing I could do about it. I felt terrible. Hanon: Oh, you're right. Rina's kingdom is the North Atlantic Ocean, so we we're neighbors, aren't we. But that kingdom has also already... Rina: Yes... We've both ended up in a place like this, and now we're both remembering our homes. Hanon: Rina, did you come here because you're also worried about the dolphin? Rina: Yes. I feel that somehow, in this case, *they* are involved. ---------------------- Sign: Fish of the North Atlantic Ocean. Luchia: Kya ha ha ha! In Rina's country there was a fish like this-- [small text] What a weird-looking fish. Oh, yeah, we should have invited Rina. Luchia: Right? Hippo! Luchia: ? Hippo? ? Luchia: No way-- Luchia: Kyaaaa--- Kaito: Uwa! ---------------------- Kaito: Luchia? Luchia: STUPID STUPID PERVERT! Kaito: But you're the one who fell on top of me! [small text, inside his mouth] But so lucky--! Luchia: Oh, you're here alone... aren't you? Kaito: I came here because I have some important business, but... Luchia: Kaito: Just perfect. Since you're also alone, why don't we go look around together? Luchia: Okay! ---------------------- Luchia: Kaito: Really, you're so slow. Look here! ** Luchia: Luchia: ** ---------------------- Hippo: Really, now. Where did everybody go? [small text] I'm burned by their lack of concern. Hippo: ! Aquarium Employee: Hey, hey, where do you think you're off to? Hippo: Wh-What are you--?! Employee: Be more obedient from now on. Hippo: ! It's not what you think, I'm...! Penguins: Kyaaa---! A handsome new arrival! [small text] Everyone, come here, come here! Hippo: Eh? Hippo: ! ** [sound effect: "AGYAAAAAaaaa" (a scream)] ---------------------- Luchia: You met Momo-chan's mother? Kaito: Aah... Probably. People: [small texts] It's Momo-chan! So cute! Momo-chan: Kyuu-i. Kaito: It seems that she was lost along with him. When I was surfing, the mother drew up close to me. Luchia: Kaito, you can understand what dolphins are saying? Wow! It's like you're not even human. Kaito: Idiot. You shouldn't say things like that so casually. Kaito: Really... Of course I know who I am. I... ** ---------------------- Luchia: Momo-chan: Momo-chan: Luchia: Luchia: Luchia: Announcer: It's what you've been waiting for! ---------------------- Announcer: It's Dolphin Show time! Luchia: It sure is lively over there, isn't it? Announcer: Now, everybody jump! ** Izuuru: ---------------------- Gakuto: Hu... You all have been useless. DLovers: Gakuto-sama, please give me one more chance now! No, give me...! Gakuto: It's already time to step down. There are still a few replacements left...! Izuuru: Izuuru: Boys: Uwaaaaaaaa! The water is...! ---------------------- Momo-chan: PIIIIIiiii--! [done as sound effect] Luchia, Hanon, Rina: Oh! Luchia: Look after this dolphin! Kaito: Hey, where are you--?! Kaito: Uwa! Momo-chan: Kyuui! Kyuui! Kyuui! ---------------------- Kaito: You pulled me back here...? Momo-chan: Kyuui! Kyuui! Kyuui! Kyuui! Kaito: You...? ** ** Izuuru: Hurry up and come out, carp princesses! ** ---------------------- Mermaids: MERRY CHRISTMAS! ---------------------- People: Mermaids?! A special Christmas program?! Izuuru: Hu... You came, didn't you. I'll catch you all together!! Kaito: That mermaid is--! ---------------------- ** Luchia: On this holy night, for tearing apart a mother and her child, I cannot forgive you! Tonight, with a pichi pichi voice, it's CHRISTMAS LIVE! ---------------------- ** ** ** People: Snow---! Izuuru: You... You're powering up like this... Ku! Luchia: And... ---------------------- Luchia: A special present for our very popular Momo-chan!! It's Momo-chan's Mama--! ---------------------- ** ** Luchia: Will the encore be Mama's lullaby... I wonder? ---------------------- Announcer: We are closing for today. Kaito: What in the world *is* that girl--? Kaito: ** Kaito: ** ---------------------- ** ---------------------- Kaito: What are you doing here--? ---------------------- ** ** ** ---------------------- ** ---------------------- ** Luchia: ---------------------- Hippo: You're all so cruel! If I hadn't been saved by Nikora-san, what would have become of me?! Hanon: Ara, it's a good thing you're so soft and squishy. Rina: That's right. Hippo: That's cruel, you two! Luchia-san, please say something! Luchia: Eh? Rina: By the way, Kaito was at the aquarium too, wasn't he. Hanon: No waaaay. Now, did something happen, huh? Luchia: N-Nothing really-- Someone: Ah, speak of the devil, then Kaito-kun shows up. ** Kaito: Aha, you were over here the whole time. ---------------------- Luchia: That hurt--! Luchia: Gakuto: Hun!! Izuuru has failed. Gakuto: As I expected, I will have to call upon *her*...