Chapter 4 – Xiao Ye Laoshi

Chapter 4 - Xiao Ye Laoshi

I followed Xiao Yeye’s instructions and stood on the line of First Year Class B students beside the red paper. Under my strong demands, my parents walked out of school with attachment. I found the reluctant goodbyes between…



I followed Xiao Yeye’s instructions and stood on the line of First Year Class B students beside the red paper. Under my strong demands, my parents walked out of school with attachment. I found the reluctant goodbyes between students and parents rather amusing.

“Grandpa, go back, I’m fine here by myself,” a sweet voice resounded beside my year, instantly touching my heard.

I turned around to look, and became excited beyond words, I saw the person that was constantly on my mind in my previous life, Zhao Yanyan. She was exactly the same as she was on this day in my previous life, wearing a white dress. In front of me, she became a refreshing air in the hot summer.

There was a kindly old man beside Zhao Yanyan, but why was he so familiar to me? Before thought too much into it, that old man said to Zhao Yanyan, “Yanyan, it’s your first day at high school, I’m worried.”

Zhao Yanyan shook her grandfather’s sleeve and said in a spoiled manner, “Grandpa, other students don’t have their parents with them, I’ll become a laughing stock if you’re here.”

Ah, Zhao Yanyan’s graceful voice caused my heart to sway. I’m already a thirty something years old man, but I was entranced by a girl of ten odd years.

Zhao Yanyan’s grandfather’s thoughts seemed to be the same as mine, and he was unable to resist her elegant ton. Shaking his head, he spoke a few words, then spoke to a young man behind him, “Secretary Zhang, I have another meeting later when I go back, pick Yanyan up tonight.”

Secretary Zhang nodded, and left with Zhao Yanyan’s grandfather.

When almost everyone lined up, Ye Xiaoxiao walked over, and got us to line up in height order, with boys and girls in separate queues. This was all the same as my experiences in my past life, since I was rather tall, I was arranged to stand at the end of the male queue. In front of me was a boy named Guo Qing, he became my best friend during high school.

Guo Qing was the same as me in my previous life, introverted while possessing a dream of someday becoming the center of attention. It was due to this that we easily became great friends. Watching the back of this boy that stuck with me to discuss with me after class if a certain girl was pretty or not, or the new tape released by a certain celebrity, I spoke with thought emotionally: I wonder if I can become great friends with him in this life.

After the queues were sorted, Ye Xiaoxiao took us in front of a class room on the second floor, I didn’t have too much memory of this point, because in my past life the new school building had already been build after I started the second year, and after the class selection, the Science classes also moved over there.

After that we sat onto the seats in the classroom in male and female pairs under Ye Xiaoxiao’s arrangement. Everyone around me were already calculating their seat, of course the thing they were most focused on was which girl would become their desk mate. As I expected, from the position where their sights stopped, their ideal desk mate was Zhao Yanyan. Although they didn’t say anything, but it was obvious, all of them were calculating whether or not their future desk mate would be that girl weating the white dress.

I deliberately clapped Guo Qing’s back, and pointed towards Zhao Yanyan’s direction with my finger, “Will she’ll become my desk mate?”

After I said this, several boys immediately looked towards me with disdain. In their heart, they all treated me as a toad that wanted to eat swan meat. I laughed coldly in my heart, what’s the point of the glares, didn’t I just say out loud what you wanted to say?

When it came to us, I could tell, all of them looked anxiously towards the girls, only I was calmly standing there. Possessing memories of my past life, I clearly knew that Zhao Yanyan will become my desk mate.

When I walked into the classroom with Zhao Yanyan, a lot of boys looked at me with jealousy, giving me goosebumps. That’s weird, why didn’t I have this feeling in my past life? I didn’t understand whether I matured a bit later in my past life or if boys in my class matured rather earlier.

Both Zhao Yanyan and I were quite tall, so we were arranged to sit at a desk near the window on the third row from the back, this was the same as my past life.

After we sat down, Zhao Yanyan reached her hand our friendlily, “Hi, I’m called Zhao Yanyan!”

I remember it was rather hesitant at this moment in my previous life, and because I didn’t reach out my hand for a long while, it made it very awkward for both of us. I won’t have that kind of shy action anymore, what a joke, being the company CEO, what kind of person have I not shook hands with? What kind of situation have I not faced? Furthermore, how can I miss this rare opportunity to touch her.

I liberally shook her little hands, “Liu Lei, please take care of me from now on!” When I let go of her hands, I didn’t forget to lightly rub her hands at a suitable place. Zhao Yanyan’s face immediately turned red, but I pretended not to notice anything and turned back. I was laughing inside, I didn’t think that this girl will also be shy at times.

After everyone sat down, Ye Xiaoxiao started rambling on. It was just about how high school was different from middle school; what we were learning were broader and harder; don’t think that we’re half way there just because we entered a key high school, high school is the easiest place to fail; everyone should work hard etc.

Although her voice sounded nice, but what she said didn’t interest me at all, it wasn’t just a little bit weird having a man who was mentally thirty something listen these encouraging words for children.

I focused on the Ye Xiaoxiao that I despised in my previous life, and without me knowing, my sights were focused on her delicate face, I noticed that I really matured a bit too late in my previous life, I actually despised such a beautiful teacher? It was different from Zhao Yanyan’s immaturity, Ye Xiaoxiao already had a hint of a mature woman, no wonder so many male classmates liked to bombard Ye Xiaoxiao with questions after class in my previous life.

Looking down a bit, my sights rested on that incredible full breasts. I couldn’t help but have a slightly nasty thought, did she had sponge pads inside?

This thought caused me to sweat a little! It was completely different to my serious attitude before, did it finally explode after holding it back for so long in my previous life? Like a certain great person said, if it doesn’t explode in silence, then die in silence? Then what about me? Died in silence then get reborn and explode?

Perhaps to a person that have experienced life and death, there would be changes on both personality and thoughts! I was too focused on my career in my previous life and didn’t enjoy life, this life I will place my life as the priority, and my career as secondary.

I noticed that my dear Ye Xiaoxiao laoshi was really a first class beauty, she was about 1.7 meters tall with long legs, her skinny jeans also showed off her voluptuous body. It could be compared to Zhao Yanyan after she grows up in terms of both looks and her body, listening to her class could be said as an enjoyment, why didn’t I realize this before.

After that it was self-introductions, and it was also done in terms of the seating arrangement. I noticed that a lot of people were quite careful, and only simply said their name and the school they graduated from after sitting down. Only the ones called Xie Wei and Liu Kesheng summarized the position they held in middle school and the prizes they won, I saw that a hint of approval from Ye Xiaoxiao’s eyes.

This Liu Kesheng was also our class representative in my previous life, and had a grudge with me. Now that I look at it, it really didn’t matter, that person was also a pursuer of Zhao Yanyan, and Zhao Yanyan was our class’s group secretary.

Liu Kesheng often used proper business as an excuse to ask to change seats with me during study periods, I believed him at the start, but then I noticed his alternate motive, and being Zhao Yanyan’s secret admirer, of course I wouldn’t give chances to my rival in life, and our grudge gradually built up from there. This caused him to often say bad stuff about me in front of Ye Xiaoxiao, causing the disagreement between Ye Xiaoxiao and I to worsen.

That Xie Wei, will also take on a leadership position in our class. If I remembered correctly, he is the study commissary, but after the second year he was switched off, due to his grades worsening.

Zhao Yanyan’s self-introduction was also very impressive, her expression was plentiful, causing them to stare intently with their mouths watering. In comparison my own was very plain, although I was decent at speaking and was quite calm, but it didn’t catch Ye Xiaoxiao’s attention too much.



 

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Chapter 3 – Reporting In

Chapter 3 - Reporting In

“Leilei, get up quickly! Don’t be late on the first day of high school!” a female voice I am very familiar with sounded out beside me. “Mom, my whole body is breaking apart, just let me sleep a…



“Leilei, get up quickly! Don’t be late on the first day of high school!” a female voice I am very familiar with sounded out beside me.

“Mom, my whole body is breaking apart, just let me sleep a while longer!” I pulled the blanket over my head and replied habitually.

That’s not right! I quickly got up from the bed, did I buy an apartment for myself in Yanjing City, where the company is? Why is my mom here?

I opened my eyes, and surveyed my surroundings. The broken single bed, the ancient red desk, the messy shelf, all of it was so familiar yet foreign.

My mom, who was in front of me, was so young. This all shows, my old bro Yama didn’t lie to me, I was reborn.

Of course, there was another possibility, and that I had a dream, a very long dream. In the dream I managed to reach thirty, and became the director of Company M in the Huaxia region. I attended my dream girl’s wedding, then died in her wedding, after that I met old bro Yama.

Thinking to this point, I subconsciously touched what was in front of my chest. The “cell phone” that old bro Yama gave me was still there, it seems like I had really been reborn.

I happy leaped up from the bed, and hugged my dear mom.

Mom patted my head and smiled, “You are a high school student from today, that means you’re an old child now. You’re still acting spoiled in front of mom?”

I shook my head, the mother that I would hug whenever I see her even after becoming thirty in my past life, she also said: In mom’s eyes, you are always a child.

I got dressed quickly, and said to my mom, who was helping me organize my school back, “Ma, is today my first day attending high school?”

“Of course!” My mom looked at m in confusion.

“Ah!” Unable to hold back the excitement in my heart, I couldn’t help but scream. I have really been reborn, I actually returned back to 1994, the me that was about to enter high school.

The reason I was so happy was because I knew that I will never miss Zhao Yanyan in this lifetime. I opened the window, and took a deep breath of fresh air, then shouted out the window, “Beauties, I’m coming!”

I turned around, and noticed that my mom was still standing in the room, and was staring at me with her mouth wide open.

“Hehe!” I laughed, I was able to understand my mom’s expression. If you saw your child scream out for beauties after just entering high school, you probably will feel the same.

My mom touched my forehead, “Leilei, you don’t have a fever right?”

I shook my head with a smile as I walked out of my room and into the bathroom, and saw myself with a full head of messy hair in the mirror. Was I really do dull at this time in my past life? F̲u̲c̲k̲, what is this image, no wonder no girls liked me, this was worlds apart from the handsome me during university. I decided, the first thing I’ll do after rebirth would be to improve my own image.

After a simple washing up, I went to the kitchen, mom was making breakfast, dad was reading the newspaper at the dinner table. There were no wrinkles on father’s face right now, his hair was also completely black, he was thirty something, the prime age for his career.

In my memory, the nationalized factory where father worked at didn’t close, father’s future was bright as the youngest engineer at the factory. However, things wouldn’t go as expected, without any experience in my previous life, nobody would expect the kind directory at father’s factory will take out all of the funds of the factory and the salary of the workers and run away. He was captured later on, but the funds had already been transferred to another country, so all that was left was a factory shell that was in debt for over a hundred million, it was forcefully expropriated by the bank within a month.

After father was laid off, he constantly sighed, and his hair also became a lot whiter, he barely managed to support our family through driving a tricycle. This situation continued until I graduated from university and begun to work at Microsoft, the financial problems a home were finally dealt with then.

But my father’s body already wore down, and passed away within a few years.

Since I have been reborn, I naturally have to prevent this from happening, at least with my current ability, I had no problems with supporting my family.

“Dad, I missed you!” after getting reborn, I saw my father who I thought I would never see again in my past life, I couldn’t suppress my own emotions and dived into his arms.

Father put down the newspaper in his hands, and caressed my back in wonder, “What is it with this child today?”

I didn’t want them to become suspicious, so I explained, “Dad, I had a bad dream last night. In my dream, Director Zhang of your factory scammed all of the factory’s money.” Regardless of anything, I still warned him ahead of time.

“Don’t b̲u̲l̲l̲s̲h̲i̲t̲, Old Zhang is not that kind of person!” Father angry put me down.

I knew that this dream I made up would not have any warning effect, it looks like I had to take it as it goes. I might even have my own career when that happens.

After breakfast, my parents went with me with report in. I had wanted to go by myself, but my parents refused. That was understandable, since I’ve never been to anywhere further than one kilometer away from home by myself. My primary school was on the street right behind my home, less than five hundred meters away. Middle school was also near my primary school. On the other hand, the Fourth High I was going to report to was more than ten stations away from my home, because this was the first day reporting in, no parents would be at ease, furthermore even parents of children going to university were like that as well.

The entrance of Fourth High was very busy, filled with parents and students like us that had come to report to school. Fourth High was one of the key high schools in Songjiang City, father also paid quite a lot of money for me to attend to this school. I was a typical bad student in middle school, and the middle school I was in was also notoriously bad, if it wasn’t because I was introverted and cowardly, I probably would have been depraved. Only students that have attended there would understand how terrible that school was; robbers, murderers, rapists, gamblers, a lot of the juvenile offenders in Songjiang City came from there. It would be unbelievable for that school managed to train out a talented person, I had naturally gotten a bad result in the citywide Senior Entrance Exam, and had to pay a very high price to study at Fourth High.

I couldn’t help but gasp as I say the row of good cars by the road, there were so many rich people in this era! Using my experience of my past life, I knew that there were too few cars that cost more than a million here. My sight stopped on an Audi 100, what attracted my attention wasn’t the model, but the car license plate. At this moment in my previous life, I didn’t know the meaning behind this car license number.

With Song 0 (松0) at the start were all cars belonging to governmental organizations, the number of this car license was also very small, so it clearly meant that it was the car of an important leader. It looks like our school was full of hidden talents.

Everything was all the same as my experience in my previous life. I was placed into First Year Class B. This was a key class, the result of my father’s gifts.

I quickly found the teacher responsible for receiving me, a cute girl that just graduated from a normal university, she’s also Ye Xiaoxiao, my class tutor from now on. Of course, this was from the perspective of myself as a thirty year old in my previous life. In my past life, my parents were all very confused, the class tutor of an important class that they spent a lot of money for me to get into was actually a girl that just graduated.

I only found out afterwards that our Ye laoshi has a very important background. It is rumored that her father is a very important person in the Department of Education, aside from her who teaches us English; all of the teachers of the other classes were all exceptional teachers. The reason for this arrangement was to turn Ye Xiaoxiao into a famous teacher after the College Entrance Exam three years later. In reality, Ye Xiaoxiao did become a famous teacher after we graduated, our class totaled at ninety-two pupils, aside form a few transient student, all of us got into university.

In my previous life, I didn’t have a great impression of our beauty of a class tutor. I believe this was the same from her end, is was my fault that I dragged the class behind in the first two years.

“What’s your name?” Ye Xiaoxiao asked me.

“Ye laoshi, I’m Liu Lei,” I answered sensibly, without any sense of nervousness that other students showed when they meet their teacher.

Ye Xiaoxiao looked up at me in shock, “How did you know my surname is Ye?”

I didn’t reply, only pointed at the nametag on Ye Xiaoxiao’s breast with a smile. I didn’t realize in my previous life, but the breast of our class tutor isn’t just a little big.

Ye Xiaoxiao also noticed the way I stared at her chest, but she didn’t mind. She just thought I was looking at her nametag, nobody would believe that a kid just entering high school would stare intently at his teacher’s breast.

Ye Xiaoxiao took out a form for me to complete, I took a lot, it is just a simple information form with our height, ethnic group, and which primary and middle school we graduated from. Ye Xiaoxiao looked at me in shock as I rapidly filled out the form. You have to know, other students were all afraid of writing the wrong stuff, so they all asked a many questions as they filled out the form.

Ye Xiaoxiao received my completed information sheet, her couldn’t help but twitch her eyebrows when her sight stopped at my results in primary and middle school. This was also within my expectations, the middle school I attended was publically admitted as a trash school, and my results on the Senior Entrance Exam had two failed subjects. The tiny bit of good impression that this beautiful teacher was probably going to disappear.

But that’s good; I didn’t want to be chosen as for any class leadership positions. With my experience in my previous life, class leaderships roles were thankless roles.



 

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Chapter 2 – Accidental Rebirth

Chapter 2 - Accidental Rebirth

It was impossible for me to have heard Zhao Yanyan’s words, because I was already dead, in other words Ge pi le. When I awoke again, I found myself inside a large palace. It looked like those royal…



It was impossible for me to have heard Zhao Yanyan’s words, because I was already dead, in other words Ge pi le.

When I awoke again, I found myself inside a large palace. It looked like those royal palaces that you could often see in TV shows based on the Qing dynasty, but it also had a pretty eerie atmosphere.

Right in front of me, was a humorous looking old person that said there thinking that he was very dignified, beside them were two unique looking people that seemed to be some sort of judge. Above the three of them was a large plaque, on it was three large characters —— Yama Palace.

Ugh, you can’t be serious. My first reaction was that if this was a TV show shooting? Seeing the scene, it should be a horror one, but based on what those three people were wearing it seemed like a comedy. I couldn’t help but sigh, there are too many third rated directors now!

As my thoughts wandered, the funny old man in the middle slapped the table in anger and stared, “Who is the one down there, why are you not kneeling in front of Yama?”

I momentarily blanked, they probably treated me as a part-time actor. I shouted, “Hey, old man, you found the wrong people right? I don’t want to act!”

Hearing me say these words, those three also momentarily blanked, Judge A on the side muttered to himself, “His grandmother, this person can’t also have mental issues right?”

Judge B took out the Life and Death Note, but couldn’t find anything all of a sudden, so he said in surprise, “Something’s wrong, there shouldn’t be anyone dying right now, who is the person down there?”

The funny old man slapped the table again and said, “The person down there, you’re already dead! Give me your name quickly, so I – Yama – can organize your reincarnation!”

I died?? How did I die? I suddenly remembered, that’s right, I’m dead. After I overdosed in alcohol on Zhao Yanyan’s wedding, then died after the rescue failed I found myself here.

It seems like I am actually dead. F̲u̲c̲k̲, I’ve been an utter failure this life, in the first half of my life I was just struggling, then I died without tasting love. This made me remember a classic quote from a very old movie: There was once sincere feelings in front of me, I didn’t treasure it, and only couldn’t regret after losing it, that is the most painful thing in a human’s life. If god would give me another chance, then I would tell the girl three words “I love you”, if I had to add a limit to this love, I hope it is: ten thousand years.

That old bro Yama said that I could reincarnate? That means I still have a chance to taste love, in my next life I will not let any of the women I love go! I thought so angrily.

That’s why I said to Yama, “Old bro Yama, I’m called Liu Lei, help me organize my reincarnation quickly!”

Yama angrily replied, “Screw off! Who in your grandmother’s name is your old bro, I am even older than your ancestors!”

After many years of experience in the business industry I understood how to flatter people, I knew that if I wanted Yama to organize my reincarnation in a good family, then I have to kiss this old man’s a̲s̲s̲. I laughed, “I just meant that old bro looks so young, so energetic looking, if you didn’t tell me, I definitely couldn’t tell how old you are! Look, when I walked in, I thought it was a TV show shooting, that’s why I begun to think, where did the director find an actor as handsome as you, you’re so much more handsome compared to Chow Yun-fat and Andy Lau!” Saying this, I thought, Yama probably haven’t seen Chow Yun-fat and Andy Lau, so I immediately added, “So much more handsome than that brat Pan An!”

Hearing my words, Yama’s expression filled with delight, and turned his face filled with creases towards Judge A and asked, “Do I really look so young?”

That Judge A was probably used to flattering him, and replied without much thought, “Congratulations Yama, congratulations Yama, you are top tier among ghosts, more handsome than anyone!”

Yama laughed happily after hearing so, and said kindly to me, “What’s your name again? Oh right, it’s Liu Lei, You are like my best friend! This king will accept you as my little brother! Don’t worry little bro, I’ll definitely organize a good family for you!”

I quickly thanked him, my heart was filled with joy, my ploy worked!

Yama said to Judge B, “Find out life and death times of my little bro!”

After searching for a while, Judge B’s face was filled with incredible emotions, he said surprisingly, “Yama, look, your stepbrother has a life of hundred and eighty years, he couldn’t have died now!”

Hearing that, Yama took over the Life and Death Note seriously, after a long time, he slapped the table while clenching his teeth and yelled to outside the palace, “S̲h̲i̲t̲, which blind xiaogui brought my little bro here?”

After a while, a xiaogui walked over in fear and immediately fell onto the floor after seeing Yama, “Please don’t be angry, Yama, this lowly one, this lowly one had coincidentally passed by the hospital, and seeing this brat, no your little brother was about to die, so I conveniently took him here!”

Ah? Hearing that I was mistakenly brought here, I was completely speechless. I’m way too unlucky, I though this kind of mistaken arrest only happened in the world of the living, I didn’t think the world of the dead was this dark as well.

Yama shouted angrily, “F̲u̲c̲k̲ this, are your eyes growing from your a̲s̲s̲? You caused an incident when there isn’t any! This Life and Death Note clearly says, my little bro would have an incident, but it didn’t say he’ll die! Someone come and boil him into the oil wok, and never allow him to reincarnate!”

Several odd looking people… Actually, ghosts instantly arrived, and took the xiaogui away.

I was uninterested about what would happen to that xiaogui, I just wanted to reincarnate quickly, I said to Yama, “Old bro, can’t you organize little bro to reincarnate first?”

Yama replied with a sour look, “Little bro, it’s not that old bro not organizing it for you. Rather, it’s because you were brought here by that blind idiot before your life was used up, so —— ai, there’s nothing I can do!”

My heart was instantly frozen, but I still asked persistently, “I can’t be the only on who died because of an accident right? What about them?”

Yama replied, “Those people? They are just random ghosts that spend the days wandering around in the underworld, waiting for their lives to be used up so they can reincarnate.”

I was unwilling to give up, “Since I was mistakenly captured, is there a method to return my soul to my body?”

Yama looked at me in pity, “Little bro, old bro ask you, did you sign up to be an organ donor when you were alive?”

I nodded and asked confusedly, “Why did you bring it up?”

Yama shook his head in pity, “I do want to return you, but now your organs have already been put onto someone else, your body is probably already dissected by med school students…”

It looks like I wasn’t just a little unlucky! Could I be fated to spend a hundred odd years in the underworld?

At this moment Judge B seemed to remember something, and whispered a long while beside Yama’s year. Hearing that, Yama slapped his thigh and shouted, “ That’s right! My grandma, how did I forgot about this? Little bro, do you want to be reborn?”

“Rebirth?” I muttered, this wasn’t a foreign term to me, it was something often seen in web novels.

Yama though I didn’t understand, and begun to explain, “By rebirth, it means to return your soul to your body in the past——“

I waved my hand, “I understand what rebirth means, does that mean that anyone who died before their time can choose to be reborn?”

Yama shook his head, “That’s not true, we have a limited number of spots for rebirth in the underworld, it also have to accepted in heaven. I intended to sell this spot for a high price, but since you are my little bro, I’ll give you this chance! Especially since I don’t lack money.”

It seems like this spot was extremely valuable! I was right to admit Yama as my old bro! I heard that people that were reborn would often have some special powers, would I have some too? So I asked shamelessly, “Old bro, would I have any special powers after getting reborn?”

“About this,” Yama thought about it, “I don’t have any power to decide, if you really want some special powers, I can help you apply for it, but it might take quite long.”

Hearing such a chance, I immediately asked, “How long?”

Yama thought about it and said, “There’s no way to tell, maybe a day, maybe a year, the application for special powers of the previous set of people that were reborn were just returned yesterday, so this time will be quicker, probably just a few hundred years!”

Seriously, several hundred years? I quickly asked, “Did that person receive any special powers afterwards?”

Yama replied, “Receive my a̲s̲s̲, that person’s great grandson already died, and died unhappily. His even shouted out his last words ‘When will my great grandfather have special powers’!”

Hearing that, I nearly fainted, I guess I’ll pass on it. So I waved my head, “Old bro, never mind that, if I can get special powers then so be it, if I can’t then whatever!”

Yama faintly smiled, “But old bro can give you a phone, if you have any requests for old bro, call me anytime!”

Phone? I asked, “I can still call you after returning to the world of the living?”

Yama nodded confidently, “Of course, it was just created by Edison and Bell. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Edison is the chief scientist of our Yama Technology limited.”

Judge B handed an exquisite jade pendant to me, so I asked curiously, “You can call with this?”

Yama replied with pride, “Of course, it’s a telepathic link, you can communicate with me, a god, when you miss me. The one I gave you is the newest model, it is efficient night powered, the same as solar power in your world of the living. It will charge automatically in the dark.

I’ll just believe this phone that old bro Yama is bragging to me about, and carefully hung it around my neck.

“Okay, it’s almost time, Judge A, send my little bro back,” said Yama.

I rolled my eyes, this guy is actually called Judge A.



 

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Chapter 1 – Wedding

Chapter 1 - Wedding

“Director Liu, you’ve also come to attend Xiao Zhao’s wedding? Come, let us have a drink!” Seeing the busy scene in front, I became a bit absentminded. I stiffly raised my wine glass and downed everything. I was…



“Director Liu, you’ve also come to attend Xiao Zhao’s wedding? Come, let us have a drink!”

Seeing the busy scene in front, I became a bit absentminded. I stiffly raised my wine glass and downed everything. I was no longer sure of how many glasses I’ve drank. I was even unsure if what I just drank was beer, wine or even just water, I couldn’t tell from its taste, not to mention who had urged me to drink.

I glanced around as I sat down, reminiscence about every little moment I spent with Zhao Yanyan, she was once my goddess. Now I could only silently watch as she became another’s bride.

Zhao Yanyan and I were classmates from high school, and also sat next to each other. Zhao Yanyan was already the focus of the school, not only her grades were excellent, she was also very talented, and most importantly she was beautiful, and was crowned a school beauty by the students in private.

Although I sat next to her, but we didn’t talk much in reality, only a few words here and there, and they were all pointless chatter. I was rather introverted in high school. Of course, since my grades were bad, I wasn’t the kind of student that was adored by the teachers, I didn’t have much attention on myself and could be counted as someone whose existence didn’t matter.

I don’t know when it began, I fell deeply in love with Zhao Yanyan, perhaps it was just a crush. I enjoyed watching her silently, every movement, every expression. However, I never told her, because she had plenty of pursuers by her side, and all of them seemed to outclass me by far.

We went our separate ways in the second year of high school when the class split. She chose to study liberal arts, while I continued on with the sciences, sciences weren’t my specialty at the team, but I always feared a new environment, thus I stayed in the original class to muddle through.

After separating with Zhao Yanyan, I thought I could forget about this woman that appeared in my mind day and night, but I was wrong. My thoughts about Zhao Yanyan didn’t decrease, but increased by day, she completely became the target of my life.

I knew that Zhao Yanyan will get into the top universities in the country with her grades, if I wanted to continue seeing her, then I had to work harder. Under this empty drive, I spent my heart and soul on the txtboks in my final year, and grasped all of the knowledge I had left in the first and second year.

Finally, my results showed in the National College Entrance Examination, and I managed to enter the Huaxia University that was well known through the entire country. Under the joyous atmosphere of my parents at home, I knew, this was all thanks to Zhao Yanyan. If it wasn’t for my yearning of her, and finding out she would apply for Huaxia University, I wouldn’t have worked so hard.

When the students reported in, I was actually surprised to see that familiar figure. I haven’t seen her for a year, and Zhao Yanyan became even more beautiful. Although I didn’t look down on myself as much as before, but compared to Zhao Yanyan, I knew that I was not worthy of her. Which student at Huaxia University wasn’t an outstanding person during high school? Comparing my self to them, I had nothing to be proud of.

What surprised me was that Zhao Yanyan, who was a school beauty of Huaxia University, had never once had a boyfriend during the four years, there wasn’t a single rumour.

It was evident during high school that Zhao Yanyan must have come from an excellent family. She had a personal driver to take her to and away from school. This was completely different from me whose parents were just workers.

During the four years of university, I kept trying to close the distance between her and I, I studied economics; studied politics; studied a lot of foreign languages; entered all sorts of clubs to improve myself, I became the ace of the basketball, football, swimming, Sanda, shooting teams, and represented Huaxia University to enter the national student competitions. It could be said that I was a completely different person during university compared to the cowardly Liu Lei in middle school, and had already become a bright star at Huaxia University. There were also a lot of girls who pursued me, but I couldn’t forget about Zhao Yanyan.

Perhaps it was due to my personality, I still didn’t confess to Zhao Yanyan, I was scared of failure, scared of being rejected, scared of losing this feeling that I had for all these years. From my perspective, although I didn’t confess to Zhao Yanyan, but it meant that I still had a chance. I didn’t want to easily waste this chance, so I still continued to improve myself, surpass myself.

After graduation, I was fortunate to get into the same company as Zhao Yanyan. Furthermore, I was still single, and so was Zhao Yanyan.

At the end of the year that I turned thirty-one, I finally climbed to the peak of my career, I became the CEO of the Huaxia region of the company. I knew that my long awaited chance had come, I was prepared to confess to Zhao Yanyan on Christmas, and tell her all of my feelings.

The proverb says that eight or nine out of ten situations don’t go your way in a lifetime.

On the day of Christmas, I ordered a bouquet of flowers at the florist early in the morning, and had also booked a room at Maxim’s Western Restaurant. I prepared to take Zhao Yanyan out for dinner, then find a suitable time to confess.

I walked into the office excitedly when the secretary Xiao Zhang handed me a pile of greeting cards. I smiled, it was great being CEO, even if you don’t send any greeting cards, other people will send them to you.

At the top of all of the greeting cards was an invitation, this was something that could be seen everyday. As the company’s CEO of the Huaxia region, I had to socialize every single day. I lazily picked it up and opened it, right after that, I felt the world spin around all of a sudden, as if I fell into a freezer. At that moment, my head was completely blank, this invitation was like a bolt of lightning on a sunny day that directly struck my chest.

Zhao Yanyan was getting married?! I suddenly felt like crying, but was unable to. What made me even unsure to laugh or cry was that the name of the groom was my assistant Xu Qingwei. He was getting married to Zhao Yanyan? Why didn’t I hear anything about it prior to this, I shook my head with a wry smile. Within this year, I had focused on my career, and rarely asked about other things. What was even more hilarious was that this Xu Qingwei was someone I had promoted from a manager of Public Relations when I became CEO, and the original assistant manager of Public Relations Zhao Yanyan was now the Public Relations Manager.

After a while, I finally calmed myself down. Since it never begun, then let it end.

I raised my wine glass, and wobbled in front of Zhao Yanyan and Xu Qingwei, then mumbled, “Xiao Xu, Xiao Zhao. I —— I wish you a harmonious unison for a hundred years, and have a child quickly!”

Xu Qingwei and Zhao Yanyan also raised their wine glasses, Zhao Yanyan smiled beautifully, then said, “Thank you Director Liu!”

I drank all of the wine in the glass and was about to return to the table, when I felt a sudden pain in the chest, and fell onto the floor.

Seeing me fall down, Xu Qingwei immediately shouted, “Call an ambulance quickly, Director Liu fainted, and his head is bleeding after hitting the corner of the table!”

Zhao Yanyan also quickly squatted and pinched my philtrum.

The ambulance quickly took me to the hospital , and very soon I was pushed onto the surgery table. I didn’t know why my mind was so clear at that point, but my body couldn’t move a single bit.

A doctor wearing a white coat looked at the machine beside the surgery table, and quickly told another person, “This is an alcoholic overdose causing the heart failure, use the defibrillator!”

Another person like a nurse immediately pressed the defibrillator against my chest.

“Raise the voltage!” the doctor in the white coat shouted.

The nurse pressed the defibrillator against my body once more.

The doctor in the white coat shook his head, and told the doctor, “It’s futile, give him a cardiac stimulant and ask him if he has any last words.”

Outside the surgery room, all of the employees of the company were waiting anxiously, the nurse ran out and asked them, “Which one of you is called Zhao Yanyan?”

Zhao Yanyan, who in a wedding dress, blanked out for a moment, then immediately ran over.

The nurse said to her, “The patient is not going to make it, he wants to say something to you.”

I opened my eyes with a lot of difficulty, Zhao Yanyan was already waiting beside me.

“Zhao Yanyan, I——I a single sentence, I always—— always wanted to say to you, Yanyan, I——I love—— you!” saying that last word, I left this world without any regret.

All of a sudden, Zhao Yanyan’s face filled up with tears, she lightly caressed the face of the person on the surgery table, no, it should be the face of the corpse, and murmured, “Liu Lei, if you told me these words slightly earlier, I would have married you at all cost——“



 

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Nagatsuki Tappei’s Tweets on Re:Zero After the Anime Ended

Nagatsuki Tappei's Tweets on Re:Zero After the Anime Ended

Translator Note: Stuff in the brackets are my comments/additions. ふー、危ない危ない、間に合ったぜ。 Phew, that was close, I just made it in time.   さてじゃあ、今週もお願いしま……え? ないの? Now then, let’s take care of this week’s... eh?  There’s none?   さすがに半年間続けていた習慣が唐突に終わると、人というものは冷静な判断力を失うものである。 To end a…

Translator Note: Stuff in the brackets are my comments/additions.


ふー、危ない危ない、間に合ったぜ。

Phew, that was close, I just made it in time.

 

さてじゃあ、今週もお願いしま……え? ないの?

Now then, let’s take care of this week’s… eh?  There’s none?

 

さすがに半年間続けていた習慣が唐突に終わると、人というものは冷静な判断力を失うものである。

To end a habit so suddenly which has continued for half a year, it would make a person lose his/her calm judgement.

 

26話をやる場合、マヨネーズあたりが相応しいのではないかと思い、リゼロ26話を求めて僕たちはアラスカへ飛んだ。

If we were to do Ep 26, I think animating the mayonnaise would be appropriate.  We flew to Alaska in search for Ep 26.

 

実際のところ、先週まででアニメが終わっているわけですが、皆さん、半年間2クールお付き合いありがとうございました。

先週の終了直後はなかなか、感極まるものがあってコメントもできませんでしたが、一週間たって整理もついたのでボチボチお話したいなと。

As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until last week that the anime ended.  For accompanying me for the past half a year, thank you everyone.

Immediately after it ended last week, I was quite filled with emotions and couldn’t comment.  But after one week of organizing myself, I want to talk a little bit.

 

最初にこう言ってはなんですが、リゼロのアニメは数ある原作物のアニメ化作品として、有数なほどに恵まれたものだったと思っております。

それは毎週、色んな方からたくさんのメッセージなどいただけたことからも、同じように思っていただけたのかなと。

Let me say this first, but I thought the Re:Zero anime was immensely blessed with a few anime original scenes.

Every week, I wondered if we were able to portray many of the messages the same way.

 

ただ、基本的にはアニメが面白いのは全部、アニメに関わってくださったスタッフの皆さんのおかげなので、原作者の力は微々たるものだったと思います。作者は絵も書けないし、声もつけられないし、音楽も作れないし、歌も歌えないしね。

However, the main reason the anime was interesting was all thanks to the staffs involved in it.  I felt that the contributions of the original author were insignificant.  After all, the author can’t write [the script], voice act, compose music, or sing.

 

唯一、作者ができるのはお話部分だけなのですが、その部分もアニメ化にあたっては「アニメ」でやる上での専門家の方がうまく落とし込んで、あのバカ長いお話を25話(初回1時間なので都合26話)にまとめてくださいました。

いや、作者が口挟んでたら大変だよこれ。

The only thing the author can be part of, is the story.  Even that part, when it has to be animated, is better left in the hands of experts.  That stupidly long ep 25 (originally 1 hour which would require a 26th episode) was nicely summarized.

Well, it was difficult to put a word in here as the author.

 

なので、究極的には人に恵まれたアニメ化だったなと。

分割なしの2クールはもちろん、可能な限り尺を確保するためにOP&EDにCMまで削りに削る。当然、アーティストの方々にはご迷惑をおかけしましたし、ねん出した時間の部分だって絵が生えてくるわけじゃないので

Therefore, the anime was ultimately blessed with [the right] people.

Not to mention the 2 cour without a split [referring to no break between seasons], and making it as long as possible by cutting the OP [opening], ED [ending], and CM [commercial messages].  Naturally, it was at the inconvenience of the artists since they don’t get more time to draw.

 

増えた秒数の分だけ、絵を描いてくださる方々の負担は増える。さっきは26話なんて言いましたが、たぶん、最終的にはそれじゃ利かないだけの時間を使っていただいたはず。本当に、感謝感謝なのです。

Adding only a few seconds will increase the burden of those who draw.  I did say ep 26 a while ago, but I would probably end up wasting their time.  Truly, I’m grateful [for them].

 

アニメにかかる準備はそりゃもう莫大なもんで、少なくともリゼロは2年の時間をかけて今回のアニメが放映されました。

スタッフの皆さんと顔合わせしたのがまさにそれだけ前。その後、脚本会議に毎週出させてもらって、あーだこーだとお話をして。

The preparations for the Re: Zero anime was, well, a lot.  It took at least 2 years for this anime to air.

Back when the staff members met each other, yes, it was way back then.  After that [after they met], everyone would be brought to the screenplay conference each week for “blah blah blah” talk.

 

脚本会議とアフレコが重なっていた期間は、週に2回アニメのために東京さ出てくだよ。楽しかったから疲れなかったけれども、むしろ脚本会議が終わり、アフレコが終わり、と順番にアニメの仕事がなくなっていくことの方が寂しかった。

During the time the screenplay conference and dubbing didn’t overlap, I went to Tokyo twice a week for the anime.  I wasn’t tired though, because it was fun.  Rather, since the screenplay meetings are over, the dubbing is over, and the things for animation to be in order are done, it’s a bit lonely.

 

スタジオで毎週のように、渡邊監督と「ハードルを低く、ハードルを低く」「いや、自分であげたハードルでしょ」と話していたのが思い出される。

渡邊監督はホントに謙虚な方で、あれだけ毎週やってくれてるんだから少しは「長月さんやりましたよ!」ってなってもいいのに。

I remember every week at the studio, director Watanabe would say “lower the hurdle, lower the hurdle”, and “no, it’s a hurdle I gave myself,” and the likes.

Director Watanabe is really humble.  After doing that much every week, I think it would be fine to be a bit like “Nagatsuki-san, I did it!”

 

常に「足りない、まだ足りない……」とストイックな精神力の持ち主でした。同じ物作りの人間として尊敬する。

でもって、渡邊監督だけでなく、周りにいた人がみんなそんな人ばっかりでね。すごいの。全力なの。

He would always go “it’s not enough, still not enough…”  He had a stoic mental capacity.  As a person of the same trade, I respect him.

That said, it wasn’t just director Watanabe, everyone around here were such people.  It was amazing.  Everyone did their best.

 

白鯨の回の19話でも、ケータイの着信音の話もちょろっとしましたが、あれが序の口になるようなエピソードがいっぱいあってね。もちろん、話せないことが多いので思わせぶりなこと言うだけなんだけど、こんなに楽しくていいのかよ……とずーっと思ってましたよ。

When the White Whale returned in ep 19 as well, even though the cellphone ringtone was for a short while.  That was just the beginning of many episodes [incidents] to come.  Of course, since I can’t often talk [contribute], I just suggest things.  I always thought… is it okay for me to have this much fun?

 

それでおめぇ、出てきたアニメがあれでしょ?

もう、どっこに文句つければいいのって話だよ。そりゃ毎週実況もするよ。だって、俺が一番楽しみなんだもん。俺が一番自慢したいんだもん。

「ここでこういう話してたんだぜー」って自慢話は、俺しかできないんだもん。

Even so, the anime is that, you know?

It’s the kind of talk where even if there are complaints, it’s fine.  Since we review it every week, and I’m the one that looks forward to it the most.  I’m the one who’s most proud of it.

“See, this is what I’m talking about” kind of bragging is something only I can do.

 

ホントはね、もっと話したいことは山ほどあるんだけどね、渡邊監督なんかは「作り手はあまり表に立つべきじゃない」的な格好いいことおっしゃるんでね。ただ照れ屋なだけな気もするんだけど、そこらへんはオブラートに包みつつ、ただすごい人なんだよと言わせてほしい。

To tell you the truth, I’ve got a mountain full of stuff that I want to talk more about, like how director Watanabe is cool for his “creators on the board should not have to worry” [attitude].  But I also feel a bit embarrassed for beating around the bush.  I just want to say he’s just an amazing person.

 

そんなすごい人と、すごい人たちにアニメ化してもらったので、原作者としてはすごい感謝しかないアニメ化だったと、言いたい。

語彙が乏しくなって申し訳ないのだけど、こういうことに小難しい語彙とかはいらないと思うので、こんな感じだ。

すげかったんだよ。

Such amazing people.  To be able to get an anime made by those amazing people, as the author I am nothing but thankful for them making the anime.

I’m terribly sorry for my poor vocabulary usage, but for this kind of talk, I don’t think it’s necessary – is how I feel.

It’s an amazing thing.

 

というわけでね、これだけすごいアニメ化してもらったとなると、原作の方もプレッシャーというか、頑張らなきゃいけないわけで。

今、必死に四章直したり、アニメの円盤用の特典を書いたり、色々とひーこらやらせてもらっております。章丸ごとのプロット立て直すのしんどい。

That means, since such an amazing anime was made, the original work will be pressured, or rather, I have to work hard or else.

Right now, I am desperately fixing arc four, the special book for the anime disc, and quite a few other things I was asked to do.  It’s tough to rebuild the entire plot of the arc.

 

だってあーた、三章始まったのが14年の6月って、俺、書籍で章プロット立て直すのそれ以来ですよ。ずーっと三章やってたから。

「え? 導入ってどうやるんだっけ?」みたいな気持ちですげぇ戸惑いましたよ。そんな10巻は来月発売ですが!(宣伝)

After all, arc three began in June 2014.  I’ve rebuilding the plot of the LN ever since.  I mean, I was doing arc three all this time.

“Eh?  How do I introduce it?” was the kind of extremely puzzled feeling I had.  But anyway, vol. 10 of this will be released next month! (Advertisement)

 

まぁ、実際のとこね、アニメが終わっても原作は続く。で、アニメ中も一応、作者自体はずーっとリゼロ書いてたわけで、これからも終わりまではずーっと書いていくので、先がまだまだ面白くなるから、これからも楽しんでほしいなと思っています。

Well, in reality, even after the anime ends the original work must continue.  And, even during the anime, since the author [I] had written Re:Zero all this time, I plan to continue writing until it finishes, because the beginning was interesting, so I want continue making it fun in the future.

 

で、たぶん、これたくさんの人が聞きたいと思ってるはずのウェブ版のお話ですね。結局、アニメ中1回も更新できなくてね。はい。ごめんなさい。

すげぇたくさんの方から「もう更新しないんですか?」的なメッセージをいただいています。

Well, this is what I think probably a lot of people want to hear about the web novel version.  After all, I have not been able to update it once during the anime.  Yes.  Sorry.

I received a lot of messages that said “will you no longer update?”

 

正直ね、アニメ期間中に更新1回もできないぐらい余裕がなかったのか。と言われたら、そりゃより合わせたら更新する時間はありましたよ。一分一秒の自由もない生活ってわけではなかったのでね。

でも、その窮屈な感じでウェブ版書くのは難しくてね。

To be honest, during the anime period, I could not afford to update even once.  I say that, but there was time for me to put one together and update.  So I don’t mean to say I don’t have a single moment of free time.

But it’s difficult to write the web novel with such a tight [rushed] feeling.

 

というのも、書籍化した頃、最初の3巻は連続刊行だったので半年ぐらいずーっと本の内容を書きながら、同時にウェブの4章も進めていた頃がありました。頭が序盤と4章のキャラを行き来するので大変だったっていうのもあるんだけど、あのときも更新の間隔が空きました。

That’s because, when the light novel was made, the first three volumes were consecutive publications with the contents written in around half a year.  At the same time, I was also proceeding with arc 4.  It was difficult for my brain to switch between the start and arc 4, but during that time I did have free time to update.

 

で、更新間隔が空くと、情けないことに「前の更新の内容を忘れる」んですよね。すると、同じようなこと書いちゃったりする。何をさせようとしていたのか忘れる。そういう問題が起きて、お話のメリハリがなくなる。4章はなかなか面白いとは思ってますが、無駄が多い。

And when I have time to update, I would sadly go “I forgot the contents of my previous update.”  As a result, I would write the same kind of thing.  I would forget what I was trying to say.  When that issue arises, the quality/crispness of the story is gone.  I thought arc 4 was quite interesting, but had a lot of waste [pointless content?].

 

そうなった最大の要因はそこにあると思っています。

ので、まとまった更新期間が取れないと判断したアニメ期間中は全く更新に手を付けませんでした。おそらく、アニメ終わったら怒涛の連続更新が書きためから放たれるはず!と思ってた人もいるでしょう。

I think that was the biggest reason that [regarding arc 4 issues] happened.

So, many updates were not made because I decided not to update at all during the anime period.  There’s probably some people that thought “once the anime finishes, he would continuously update because of the surge [of people].”

 

ごめん! 一文字も書いてねえ!

Sorry!  I haven’t written a single word!

 

6章は最後の更新部分から一文字も書いてないんだ。すまない。

元々、俺は書きためしないタイプで、1話分書き上がったら更新しちゃうし、そもそも一日で1話分書けなかったら気に入らなくて「どーん」しちゃうことも多いので、そんなリスクは冒せない。

Since the last update for arc 6, I haven’t written a single word for it.  Sorry.

In the first place, I’m not the type to write and withhold it.  Once I write up to one chapter, I publish it.  Plus, often times I can’t finish a chapter in a day, and I don’t like it, but I go “done.”  I don’t want to brave such risks.

 

じゃあサボってたのかというとそんなこともなくて、たぶん、この一年ぐらいは一日も休まずに4時間ぐらいは必ず、リゼロのために何かしてたと思う。今日もしてたし、今は休憩中みたいなもんだけど。

It’s not like I go “well, let’s play truant,” probably.  This year, at least four hours a day without rest, I’ve been working on things for the sake of Re:Zero.  Today as well, but I’m in the middle of a break right now.

 

 

で、疲れてるかっていうと、まぁ疲れてるは疲れてるんだけど、休みたいとかは特に思わない。基本的に俺は書くのは呼吸ぐらいのつもりなので、執筆の息抜きに執筆みたいな感じなのだ。

そんな俺でも書く物に優先順位はつけなくちゃいけない。

当たり前だけどお仕事優先だ。

Speaking of being tired, well… it is tiring, but I don’t particularly think about resting.  Since writing is basically breathing for me, the feeling I get when writing is like relaxation writing.

Even so, putting my writing as the priority is something I don’t do.

It’s obvious, but work comes first.

 

こればっかりはすまんな。基本的に優先度は、関わる人の数が多い方を優先する。ウェブの内容がつまらなくて死ぬのは俺だけだけど、本が出るのに間に合わないと迷惑かかる人がものすごいたくさん出る。

こればっかりは仕方ない、すまん。すごいアニメ化したから許してくれ。

Sorry for only talking about this.  Basically, my priority is given to something when it has a lot of people involved.  When the web contents are boring, they die [affect negatively] with only me involved, but when it comes to the light novel, when I don’t know if I can meet the deadline, I cause a lot of trouble for many people.

It can’t be helped that this is all I talk about, sorry.  Please forgive me, it’s because it was animated amazingly.

 

で、本題のウェブ版はいつ再開するのー?ってところなんだけど、俺にもよくわからん。

書くことだけは常にしてるので、単純に差し迫って優先しなきゃいけない書きものがなくなったら、頼まれなくても「書くもんないからウェブ書こー」ってなるよ。

Now, the main question is somewhere along the lines of “when will I resume the web novel?” but even I don’t really know.

Since writing is the only thing I always do, it’s simply: once I finish writing things that I must do, even if I’m not told “you didn’t write anything, write something for the web,” I’ll do it.

 

「じゃあ、書籍続いてる限り無理じゃねー?」って思う人もいるかもしれないけど、でも、別に本出たあとも4章と5章は終わらせてるじゃん?

だからそのうち、また勝手に5章とかのペースで書き始めるよ。で、少なくとも差し迫った仕事は一個ずつ潰していけばなくなるから

“Then, is it impossible as long as you’re continuing the light novels?” is what some people might also be thinking, but it’s not like I stopped at arc 4 or 5 after the books came out.

That’s why, once again, I’ll start writing arbitrarily at the pace of arc 5.  As long as I take down each necessary work one by one, it’ll work out.

 

ウェブ更新が再開したら、「あ、猫仕事なくなったんだな」って思ってください。そしたら、また前と同じように1時に更新して、みんなに寝るか寝ない彼の嫌がらせを始めるからさ。

When the web novel resumes updating, please assume “oh, Neko [Tappei’s pen name] ran out of stuff to do.”  And, like before, it’ll be updated at 1 o’clock [AM], as his [Tappei referring to himself] “should you sleep, or should you not” harassment begins.

 

まあ、そんなこんなで1時間近く自分語りをしてしまいましたが、言いたいことは前半が真面目な感謝の長月達平で、後半が不真面目でサボり屋の鼠色猫だと思って聞き流してください。

Well, with this and that said, my own talk is nearing 1 hour.  What I wanted to say in the first half was Nagatsuki Tappei’s [referring to himself] sincerest thanks, and the latter half is the insincere, truanting Nezumiiro Neko [Tappei’s full pen name]; please don’t pay attention to that.

 

とにかく、半年間アニメお付き合いありがとう! ウェブからいる人たちはリゼロに四年以上ありがとう! 書籍からでもすでに二年半以上だ、ありがとう! 四年前から言ってるけど、あと四年ぐらいで終わらすわ!!!

Anyway, thank you for the acquaintances throughout this half a year!  Thank you to the people from the web who have been with Re:Zero for over four years!  It’s already been over two years and a half for the light novel, thanks!  I said this four years ago, but it’ll be about another four years before it ends!!!

 

じゃあ俺、11巻と円盤特典2冊とアライブ短編と店舗特典やるんで。

おやすみなさーい。

Now then, I have volume 11, the two volume special, the alive short, and store special to do.

Good Night.

 

ps.キスマイの宮田くんがエミリアたんのTシャツ持ってたって聞いたんだけど、それがアニメ化効果の中で特にすげぇなと思いました。

P.S. I heard Miyata-kun from “Kis-My” [A Japanese boy band, thanks to those who figured it out for me] was [seen] holding an Emilia-tan T-shirt.  I thought it was amazing that the anime had this effect.

 

Source: https://twitter.com/nezumiironyanko

As usual, I would appreciate any fixes to the translation mistakes that I”ve made!

Extra Side Translation Content

Here you will find extra content translated by me that isn’t Light Novel content but is related to Re:Zero.  Enjoy!


GNN’s Coverage of Nagatsuki Tappei’s Visit to Taiwan

GNN's Coverage of Nagatsuki Tappei’s Visit to Taiwan

[J-Art Professor 16] “Re: Zero -Starting Life in Another World-” Nagatsuki Tappei has Come to Taiwan – He Looks for Inspiration from Butchering Meat   Re: Zero -Starting Life in Another World-’s author, Nagatsuki Tappei, was invited by…

[J-Art Professor 16] “Re: Zero -Starting Life in Another World-” Nagatsuki Tappei has Come to Taiwan – He Looks for Inspiration from Butchering Meat

 

Re: Zero -Starting Life in Another World-’s author, Nagatsuki Tappei, was invited by Chingwin Publishing Group (青文出版社) to come to Taiwan today to hold an autograph session at the 2016, 17th Comic Fair.  Coinciding with Re: Zero -Starting Life in Another World-’s anime adaption climax, as well as the author being unable to forget the Taiwanese reader’s enthusiasm, the publisher promised to invite him again to Taiwan.

[Taiwanese Version Cover of Vol 6]

“Re: Zero -Starting Life in Another World-” tells the story of Natsuki Subaru, who had just left a convenience store and was heading home when he was suddenly summoned to another world.  Could this be the popular otherworld summoning?!  He could accept not meeting his summoner, but worse greeted him as he was thrown into a life threatening situation after bumping into robbers.  At this moment, a mysterious silver-haired beauty and cat spirit saved him from the hopeless situation.  To return the favor, Subaru volunteered to help the girl find her item.  They managed to find some clues, but Subaru and the girl were attacked and killed by an unknown person… or so it should have happened.  When he regained his consciousness, Subaru found himself in the place where he was first summoned to.  “Return by Death” – the only ability this powerless teenager was given, reverses time to the start after he dies.  Challenging the countless desperations, he tries to save the girl from the fate of death!

[Nagatsuki Tappei with Re:Zero Merch]

“Re: Zero -Starting Life in Another World-” was originally published by the author online as a web novel on “Become a Novelist” (小説家になろう).  After its popularity as a fictional light novel, the anime adaption was launched in 2016.  During the author’s first visit to Taiwan to participate in events, he was worried about his popularity and was nervous.  But after receiving his Taiwanese fans’ warm welcoming, he was moved greatly.  That’s why he was extremely happy to be able to return to Taiwan again for these events.  Before today’s media interviews, Chingwin received an enthusiastic reader’s hand drawn portrait.  Nagatsuki Tappei was so happy that he had brought the portrait with him to the interview.

[Nagatsuki Tappei with the Lucky Fan]

While he was receiving the gift, Nagatsuki was asked by the reader a couple simple questions.  One of them was: why did the author have to abuse Natsuki Subaru so much in the work?  Nagatsuki replied with a smile, “That’s because it’s more fun this way!”  He then went on to explain that he believed a protagonist that has grown stronger by facing adversity is the best kind of character.  Therefore, in order for his protagonist to continue growing, he would insert such abuses in the story.  Because he likes Subaru, he also wishes Subaru could work hard.  But at the same time, he also thinks he has been a bit too nice to Subaru, and may make the future a bit tougher for Subaru.

The talk moved onto his volume 8, and when the author modified his head portrait to a mango ice cream, he stated Taiwanese foods are very delicious.  Whether it be the dumplings he ate yesterday, or the beef noodles he tasted during his last visit, they were all tasty.  However, stinky tofu had to strong of a smell, so he was unable to try it.

[Nagatsuki Tappei with a portrait picture]

When it came to talking about the light novel, Nagatsuki explained that “Re: Zero -Starting Life in Another World-” began as a web serialization, so as long as he was given some inspiration, he could expand on it.  However, when publishing a light novel, due to space limitations, he had to express his thoughts, characters, and mood to readers within a word limit.  The author believes this was a relatively difficult task for the adaptation.

In regards to this part, he would sometimes debate with his editor because the author wants his personal preferences reflected on the text, while the editor wants to modify the author’s work into a presentable product.  As a result, the editor’s opinions are also very important.

Still, Nagatsuki Tappei is not a full-time writer.  On weekdays, he would work at a butcher shop in charge of chopping meat, and occasionally as a cashier.  Therefore, while he is “handling” those meat products, he would think about the development of the plot.  While he shared his experience at work, Nagatsuki grinned and said: “sometimes, while I’m chopping meat, I would shout ‘Natsuki Subaru!’”  Aside from writing, he also enjoys watching movies and playing board games.

[Nagatsuki holding Taiwanese Vol 1 & Merch]

Why did he decided to embark on the road of an author?  He explained that he began his light novel creation journey ever since he was in Japan.  Even after he entered society, he continued working on it.  When he began working, “Re: Zero -Starting Life in Another World-” was not yet a light novel; even after it became a light novel, he was maintaining his work at the butcher shop while writing.  He continued on with: “But if I was given the chance, I would love for it to become a full-time job.  Though I don’t hate my job at the butcher shop, as moments of inspirations emerge while I’m chopping meat.  If the chance arises, I hope to become a professional writer.”

When talking about when the protagonist dies, and where the protagonist revives, the author remarked: “Basically when Subaru is filled with regret and despair, I would think up of a scenario that is most fitting for him to die.  After all, it’s not that easy for one to face death.  As for where the protagonist revives, because it’ll reveal some spoilers, I can only say… if Subaru can change something at that fitting moment, then he will revive at that point.”

[Nagatsuki pose]

When it came to the anime adaption’s performance, the author stated that the animation production has been given to relevant professionals, and because the focus of the story is relatively the same as the source material, he won’t interfere with the animation company’s approach.

A reporter had asked the author how had conceptualized episode 18’s dialogues, and whether he himself had experienced a similar conversation.  Nagatsuki replied by saying he would not have had such negative thoughts.  Rather, he described his thought process as: “I went along the lines of ‘if Subaru had had these things happen before.’  By following this train of thought, these ideas will naturally form in my mind.”

In regards to episode 18’s pre-launch advertisement set up in the Japanese subway stations, the editor explained that this episode was very important for the work, therefore they wanted more people to watch this episode and specially set up the subway ads.

[Nagatsuki Tappei Signing]

[Nagatsuki Tappei’s Subaru Pose]

In addition, Subaru’s “special” ringtone in episode 19 is based on the protagonist’s character and personality.  In the original work, the ground dragon he rode was called “Patrash,” therefore the author used “A Dog of Flanders” music as the ringtone for when the White Whale arrived.

[Nagatsuki Tappei receiving flowers]

When it came to his favorite seiyuu (voice actor), the author, while smiling, claimed it would have to be Felix’s seiyuu, Hori Yui, based on personal preferences.  But if he really had to say, the seiyuu responsible for Natsuki Subaru, Kobayashi Yusuke, has been superb.  Because of Kobayashi’s relationship, the protagonist’s personality has been faithfully reproduced in anime.

[Nagatsuki Tappei’s meet your fan event, pic with Rem cosplay] 

Who is Nagatsuki Tappei’s favorite character from the source material?  The author stated he would not deliberately rank the characters he created, but if he were to say who would be first, it would definitely be the main heroine “EMT!”  But if he were to choose a person selected by the King’s Election, it would be Crusch.  Although the author is in the EMT cult, because Crusch’s personality is the strongest, he thinks letting her become king would not be a bad choice.

At the end of Nagatsuki Tappei’s event, he declared that he was extremely happy that the people from Taiwan were able to enjoy his work.  Because he is happy about being able to create this work, if he is able to share this joy, as well as the interesting places and their charms in this work, he would be even happier.

[Nagatsuki Tappei picture with all his fans]

[2016 Comic Exhibition Event 17th]

 

Source: http://gnn.gamer.com.tw/9/135899.html

Chu Shen’s Notes (MVK Glossary)

Chu Shen's Notes (MVK Glossary)

Chu Shen has luckily written down all of the notes from his class along with any interesting facts he has picked up. As he discovers more he will write down more notes. Cultivation Stages Chu Shen knows are…

Chu Shen has luckily written down all of the notes from his class along with any interesting facts he has picked up. As he discovers more he will write down more notes.

Cultivation Stages Chu Shen knows are separated into 4 realms. The Mortal Realm, Martial Realm, Natural Realm, and Universe Realm.

Note

Inside the realms there are different stages, each stage also has 10 levels. There are 8 Major Meridians and inside the meridians is a total of 10 blockages resulting in 10 levels. When the 10th has been cleared the meridian or stage has been mastered. This ranking system was adopted to the other stages as well.

Note

Included are the different signs of being in that stage. Emperor stage is unique in that an addition meridian is needed to break through from level 5 to level 6. Almost any meridian can be cleared in any order. However, the first meridian is always the outer meridians. The outer meridians are unlike the other Major Meridians. It is a series of small meridians that must be unblocked. These small meridians also have 10 blockages.

(Mortal Realm: Body Strengthening and traces of Qi)

Man: Characterized by Qi being present in body

Tiger: Characterized by amount of Qi being present in body and dantian

Dragon: Characterized by amount of Qi being present in body and dantian

(Martial Realm: Qi manifestation and unlocking meridians)

Student: Working on 1st major meridian, the outer meridians

Practitioner: Unblocked 1st major meridian, working on 2nd.

Scholar: Unblocked 2nd major meridian, working on 3rd

Warrior: Qi in dantian turned to liquid, unblocked 3rd meridian, working on 4th

Army: Unblocked 4th meridian, working on 5th.

King: Unblocked 5th meridian, working on 6th.

Emperor Level 1-5: 6th meridian done, working on 7th.

Emperor Level 6-10: 7th meridian done, working on 8th

(Natural Realm: Meridians unlocked and access to natural laws)

Earth: Has unlocked Elemental affinity, ???

Nature: ???

World: ???

(Universe Realm: Unknown)

Cosmic: ???

Celestial: ???

Heaven: ???

Ratings for Pills and Weapons Chu Shen knows

Note

Pills and weapons are separated into Tiers and inside those Tiers are grades. Grades are 1-10 just like cultivators. Included is cultivation stages that these would be suitable for.

(Mortal Tier: Weapons with 0-1 Star inscriptions, Pills with appropriate energy)

Low-Tier any grade: Man Stage

Middle Tier any grade: Tiger Stage

High-Tier any grade: Dragon Stage

(All Further Tiers are unknown at this time)

Mages and Warriors

In Alteria Qi is called Mana. Mages and warriors are born with an element already, like someone with an innate constitution. Mages are born with a certain amount of Major Meridians already unblocked and call these Mana Rivers.

Warriors are born with Minor Meridians unblocked and call this the Mana Network. Mages and Warriors cannot unblock anymore meridians besides the one they are born with.

Warriors expand their meridians size in order to advance Ranks.

Mages cannot send Qi outside their bodies fast because of the mana river sending in a constant flow of Qi. So they cast spells by mixing their mana with the mana around them. This also makes the spells more powerful than their level should allow but takes time to cast since they need to mix the mana and control it properly.

Battle Mages are those born with both types of meridians unblocked.

Mages and Warriors Rank Comparison

A Mage God was a mage born with all 7 mana rivers while a Warrior God was one that fully expanded their mana network. However, they could only become a rank 8 at best. Only battle mages could become rank 9 and were classified as Paragon Gods.

Man/Tiger/Dragon = Rank 1

Student = Rank 2

Practitioner = Rank 3

Scholar = Rank 4

Warrior = Rank 5

Army = Rank 6

King = Rank 7

Emperor (1st part)  = Rank 8

Emperor (2nd part) = Rank 9

Mage Casting Classification

1>Beginning Success: Can cast spell using full chant with spellbook.

2>Small Success: Can chant from memory. (Spell Rank = Mage Rank)

3> Medium Success: Can use abbreviated chant. (Spell Rank = Mage Rank minus 1 Rank)

4> Large Success: Can cast using only spell name. (Spell Rank = Mage Rank -2 ranks)

5> Perfection: Can insta-cast using only mental image. (Spell Rank = Mage Rank -3 ranks)

 

Rank 6-7 spells only have first 4 stages. God rank (Rank 8-9) spells only have the first 3 stages.

 

To successfully cast a spell using an abbreviated chant one needs to be one rank above the spell. Using the spell name needed two ranks above the spell and insta-cast needed to be three ranks above the spells rank.

 

An example would be this. A Rank 5 mage can cast a Beginning/Small success Rank 5 spell. However, they can only cast a Medium Success Rank 4 spell, Large Success Rank 3 spell, and a Perfection Rank 2 spell.
The reason behind this spell system was because a higher rank mage could assimilate more Qi with the atmosphere in a shorter amount of time. With that a high rank mage could cast weaker spells almost instantly.

If mage is insta-casting and becomes distracted, the spell may backfire causing damage to the soul.

Soul

The soul is what allows martial artists to control Qi, geniuses have faster soul growth than others. The soul grows fastest in the first 20 percent of a martial artist’s life. As a martial artist becomes more accomplished in their cultivation their lifespan increases, letting them extend their souls growth rate.

If a person has more Qi inside their body than their soul can handle, it can become loose and destroy their internal organs or even their cultivation. This is a side effect from raising cultivation through artificial means.

Mental demons or shock may affect a cultivator’s soul. As a result, most cultivators try to be true to themselves.

The only way to cultivate the soul is by learning, fighting, or surviving life-or-death trials. Because of digesting the soul of the plant when eating some medicines, it can result in growth of the soul. However, stabilization of the current cultivation is needed to make the soul their own. Also works with powerful pills and beast spirits. Dangerous because if the soul fragments are too powerful it can even kill the cultivator.

Martial Arts

Qi is channeled through the meridians. If the body absorbs too much energy the meridians can burst. It also leaks through the meridians into our body which can lead to backlash if the energy that leaks into the body is too powerful.

Qi is imprinted by the soul when absorbed, allowing one to use it without meditating. The soul controls Qi and focusing on fine control or controlling large amounts of Qi causes the martial artist to become too distracted.

Reflexes are done without thinking and is formed by repeating an action until it is ingrained into the body. Martial arts are based off this by making a certain circulation of Qi become a reflex. An example is the body shield of a martial artist, brought on by the body’s survival instinct.

Training a martial art to the point of being a reflex for your soul, you can activate martial arts requiring large amounts of Qi without being distracted because you do not have to focus. But you must first learn how to channel Qi in those particular meridians, which can be a great roadblock to cultivators.

Martial arts use certain amounts of meridians to channel their energy. The more meridians used, the more energy can be channeled and spread out without backlash. Of course, these meridians, even for the basic martial art, is over a hundred since the outer meridians are in the millions.

Qi evaporates when it leaves your body. But by making a structure, you can allow it to hold its form longer. It can also have effects like making blades that slice, shields, increasing your speed, or your bodies strength. But if the structure becomes destabilized the backlash can kill you.

The reason martial arts are often based off of nature or animals is because by studying the circulation of Qi in animals or plants and how it affects such objects, one can copy the Qi flow and recreate the objects.

Items

Voids Hand: A mysterious glove that was passed down from patriarch to patriarch. Inside is the library that can be shared with anyone. Anybody that tries to tell someone about the technique they learn from the library will instantly forget. This is also where the soul of Master Ti Wu lives in.

 

Spider of a Thousand Tricks Necklace: A necklace that creates a cocoon of silk around the cultivator. If penetrated the cultivator will be randomly teleported to a location within a thousand miles. Works 3 times a week before needing to be recharged.

Spatial Ring: A ring that contains a small pocket dimension

Living Steel Hammer: An as of yet unnamed hammer that was bestowed to Chu Shen by Master Lang. It contains 2 inscriptions that allow the hammer to change its weight and allow easier channeling of Qi.

Mirror of The Void: A robot Chu Shen has created for the tournaments in Arc 2.

Terms

Realms: Different Dimensions that may have different universal laws or the same laws.

Heavenly Treasure Pavilion: A mysterious pavilion that leads to a pocket dimension/realm. The Chu Sect was using this to test their disciples. Inside are Pagoda’s that contain many weapons. The Pagoda’s are separated into realms.

Blacksmith: Forges weapons

Inscription Master: Lays inscriptions on weapons, giving them special effects.

Artificer: Combination of blacksmithing and Inscription master.

Array Master: Lays down arrays that can have special effects on the surrounding world.

Beast Core: A beast’s version of a dantian. The outside of the beasts dantian is formed of solid material, usually crystal. It contains the beasts Qi inside it. As a result, if a beast is killed before it wastes its Qi in defense, it will have more energy than one that doesn’t.

Artificers are ranked according to the highest star array they can assimilate into a weapon they have forged.

Inscription masters are ranked by the highest star array they can assimilate into a weapon.

Blacksmiths are separated into the highest Tier weapon they can forge.

Hyperspace: Means of faster than light travel inside the Sci-Fi realm

Places

Chu branch sect Misty Pass: Chu Shen’s hometown. A small out of the way town on the border of the forest.

Majestic Sword Academy: A prestigious school that trains students run by the Chu Sect. Unlike other schools this one is available to all those who are talented and not just nobles. Outstanding students may be invited to join the Chu Sect by the teachers.

Sparta: A planet that is run by scientists. Scared of being hunted down by the Pure Ones, a radical religious group, they founded a militaristic nation. They are the most advanced group in the entire Human Galaxy.

Realms visited so far

Chu Shen’s home realm

Heavenly Treasure Pavilion pocket realm

Sci-Fi Realm

Martial Realm

???

Thanks to 123isme for suggesting to Chu Shen to release his notes to the public.

Soft Spoken Brutality Chapter 15

Soft Spoken Brutality Chapter 15

Soft Spoken Brutality: Somehow, someway, I’ll try to make you stay. When Kaneki awoke, he did so in a way he was used to. Painfully. The youth expected his daze to end in another episode of suffering, one…



Soft Spoken Brutality: Somehow, someway, I’ll try to make you stay.

When Kaneki awoke, he did so in a way he was used to. Painfully. The youth expected his daze to end in another episode of suffering, one he supposed he deserved if he thought about it carefully.

“I see you’re awake.” a calm voice broke through his trail of thoughts. It held the quality of spring after a cold bitter season of death.

He supposed the next question would come from the man who sat across the table, calmly looking at Kaneki with an expression void of any emotion. The pause allowed Kaneki to study the man in detail, white hair, a silver briefcase, glasses that spoke of clean cut professionalism. Everything about this man screamed formality to the youth, he wondered what he was doing in his apartment.

The calm that seemed to permeate the entire room due to the man led Kaneki astray, he didn’t even realise that his legs were not able to move and that he had something liquid permeating the shirt he was currently wearing. The burning in his eye also led to a slow realisation of the current situation. 

Didn’t the manager speak of investigators carrying briefcases? 

He supposed the proverbial cat was out of the bag then. 

Well, it didn’t take the world too long after all.

Rize knew that something was amiss, Kaneki was gone for days after she had last seen him, it was always like this with that frustrating and condescending… She stopped that line of thought before she got irritated again, it wouldn’t be good to start devising painful ways to make him pay for her inconvenience when she was somewhat in charge of his welfare.

This entire situation started with her usual relaxing morning, drinking a cup of coffee at Anteiku, her temporary base of operations following the situation with the manager. Her routine of coming to the cafe and relaxing before continuing on with her lifetime of enjoyment and relaxation at the expense of others didn’t change. She needed to vent her frustration with Kaneki, in a non destructive manner, otherwise she would be quite out of it. 

A slew of admirers that never stopped coming even after her hunting days, the managers watchful eye prevented her making a snack of any of them. Now that she paused to examine her routine without the excess of the hunt and binge eating, she realised that her thirst for blood had died down. 

It wasn’t gone, somethings would still make her blood boil like nothing else, however he desire to devour all that she could seemed to have calmed due to the regulation she faced. 

“Nothing to pacify you like the fear of death huh.” She huffed, in a manner that resembled annoyance. Yet, she wasn’t really annoyed. Even those peace lovers that she was supposed to hate for disrupting here natural routine. They were quite accommodating, despite it all. 

“Rize-san, the wall may be quite interesting, however I’d like to inquire as to where Kaneki-kun is.” a voice broke the stupor she was currently in. 

“Manager-san” she replied lazily, not really intending to humour his attempt at linking the new ghoul to her. 

“He is an adult and can do as he pleases. What he does in his own time is none of my concern.” she replied airily whilst demonstratively staring at her fingernails. She always wondered when the well of the managers patience would run dry. She supposed it could be a side project, after all, it is a harmless experiment. 

“Of course he can, I would never imply otherwise,” he smiled, continuing “however, Kaneki-kun, whilst not being your responsibility, is the one who trusts you above all else.” 

She had never considered it that way before. She had admirers, she had authority figures, however, she was severely lacking in those who understood her plight and stayed with her beyond the superficial reasons as listed above. Perhaps the manager was right to a degree, not that she would ever admit any of this to someone. Fending for herself did have a certain enjoyable pace to it. 

“Also, as the one who introduced the young man to the life of a ghoul, a life that you of all people should know has its own set of extreme difficulties” he paused solemnly. “Perhaps your sense of camaraderie can be kindled due to both of you having struggles of the sort that one can’t deal with on their own.” 

“Manager, I understand already, I’ll check up on him.” she said haughtily, perhaps too much so, judging by the gentle and knowing smile on the managers wrinkled face. 

“I knew we would see eye to eye on this matter.” he stated with finality, inclining his head a small angle downwards and walking away with the same confidence that he usually carries on his home court.

“I suppose I could get this annoying matter out of the way quickly,” she huffed, standing up and briskly leaving the quiet afternoon cafe. 

Arriving at the apartment did not take anytime at all, a normal pace led to her arriving only fifteen minutes after he departure from Anteiku, however the calm walk there had no prepared her for smelling someone she hoped she would never have to see.

The door was damaged, yet it was locked, the starving ghoul that was trapped inside would never have taken the care to close and lock the door nearly ripping it off the hinges. 

Perhaps it was not too late to turn back and hope she escaped with her life, that man’s goodwill had limits after all…

“Rize-san, how nice of you to join us. Please come in, we have much to discuss.”

Now that it was too late to run, well hopefully she could at least die with some dignity she pondered. Walking toward the door and turning the handle.

“Kishou Arima. It has been a while.”



 

  1. N/a

Soft Spoken Brutality Chapter 14

Soft Spoken Brutality Chapter 14

Kaneki only recovered from the blood loss inflicted through his own stupidity much later. 2 days later to be specific. Yet even while he slept, the door was knocked on meticulously for fifteen to twenty minutes. This punctual…



Kaneki only recovered from the blood loss inflicted through his own stupidity much later. 2 days later to be specific. Yet even while he slept, the door was knocked on meticulously for fifteen to twenty minutes. This punctual stranger refused to give up on his goal and on the third day, the day on which Kaneki awakened. The knock came once more.

It would not be wise to open it of course, he realised. With the corpse being hidden and the blood the decorated his bedroom.

Kaneki had no idea of the pattern that the stranger had maintained in his visits. Hence, the suspense he had lasted for much longer than necessary. In that time, he inspected the wound that should have adorned his head. The only remains of that psychotic episode were the bloodstained walls and shelf. The majority of which were adorned with the crimson substance, the decorative vase that he had bought in his youth went from white and blue to a more grisly brown. 

Oxygenated blood had a unique colour after all, initially it is vibrant and eventually it is disgusting. Just how death creates shock and then dies down to a constant reminder to all those who are involved in anyway. 

The hunger he felt however was much more real, it gave the world new colours. The tingling sensation in his chest from fear. The hungering beast that lived within him, it desired a feast. Perhaps since no one had found out about the first time he had acted like a famished animal, no one would find out this time. 

His reasoning, which was only partaken in his head, grew stronger by the second, yet it wasn’t Kaneki who was making the decision, instead this decision was seen from a perspective that was so foreign and uninvolved that it seemed almost unrealistic. 

Just like how he saw the splinters in the door, the dust and nails adorning the floorboards and the filament in the ceiling lights. The detail, with how the nails were bent, the filament was curved, the splinters being like islands upon the smooth wood. All of this he noticed, yet the feeling of hunger and fear grew fainter in comparison. This was lost upon him. 

The beating of his heart grew fainter and fainter. The searing sensation in his eye almost completely disappeared. The thrumming of an underwater world was the replacement to the quiet apartment atmosphere, this was vastly different to the darkness of his sleep or even his calmer moments when awake. 

Suddenly the thrumming was interrupted by a sharp pain in his lower back. The hunger returned, as his consciousness was hit by the full force of the desire to feed. The moment of calm he experienced seemed to have completely disappeared. The overall level of sensory input decreased, however the specificity of what he could see, hear and smell only grew.

The investigator genius was about to leave for the third time when he heard activity. The laboured breathing, the soft knock on the floor and the sudden absolute silence. 

His hand was on the on his quinque as soon as the door flew open, the impact of which left it shaking on its hinges twice this week.

Before he could be dismembered by the incoming onslaught of crimson appendages, he ducked the incoming assault. It was easy to see the agitation and desperation of this famished ghoul. The assault was meant to kill, not maim. Yet, that made it much more predictable and easy to stop. A dash forward and a slice to the stomach, the pain should have some stopping power, whilst killing the ghoul instantly was always an option. That would defeat the purpose of a fact finding mission.

Furthermore, it would be irritating to kill something instantly when the time dedicated to learning something about it was this long. Instead the disabling blow would have to do for now. At the very least, that was the plan. The following cut to the arm by Arima was meant to completely tear the appendage off, if not keep it barely attached. What happened completely threw the calm investigator off, as the first cut was not even a quarter as deep as he intended, whilst the second was a merely a scratch on the forearm. 

The surprise he felt hopefully was kept to a minimum, after all, a ghoul with such killer instincts could not have stayed under the radar for this long. Especially his radar. This could be the lucky break that Arima had been hoping for in his search across the wards. However, for this to count as anything, the ghoul had to be disabled and alive. The investigator swiftly overturned the quinque whilst dodging the second onslaught of the now horizontally aimed kagune, instead he did what the ghoul did not expect, the hand of the ghoul lay on the floor meters from the borrowed quinque that Arima was using. 

The ghoul started clutching his arm, in this moment the next strike pierced the calfs of the panicked youth. Making him lean back and fall from the pain and a lack of balance. The ferocity of the initial assault was gone by the natural reflex of fear when faced with a more powerful and imposing foe. 

The grab of the collar and the sharp pull led Kaneki to be dragged back into the apartment, Arima then immediately closed the door. 

He inspected the damage, the ghoul would live. That however, was only the easy part.



 

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Soft Spoken Brutality Chapter 13

Soft Spoken Brutality Chapter 13

Kaneki being her responsibility was something she expected, given that she was the only one who knew of his unique situation thus far. The manager only knew the bare details, and she would guess that the old ghoul was too…



Kaneki being her responsibility was something she expected, given that she was the only one who knew of his unique situation thus far. The manager only knew the bare details, and she would guess that the old ghoul was too smart to share this information with anyone. 

Kaneki Ken beating his head against the wall into a bloody pulp was never what she expected to come from this situation. Stabbing him again was always an option. Yet, Rize always saw herself as being one above the violence, with the violent demeanour only serving to punctuate her point. However, with Kaneki being violent and unreasonable, her words don’t seem to mean much to the young man. 

“Kaneki. You may hate ghouls, but you are a ghoul, instead of hurting yourself and denying your own existence. Try to simply live.” She attempted to implore. However, she always did forget that not everyone lived and let live like her.

His banging didn’t stop. Perhaps it only worsened, morality and the realisation that he had committed murder seemed to weigh upon him endlessly. It was an unspoken agreement that both of them honoured. The murder was not to be mentioned. The corpse was still in the bathroom. The blood was still on his shirt. The entrails were simply drier and smelled much more pungent. 

Time was supposed to wipe away the sin, instead it only seemed to reinforce the existence of the sin. 

“Rize-san, if I can’t die, I can’t refuse to participate in death either? Do you not see the cruelty?” this was almost a plea. To die so he would not have to be part of death.

A slap echoed across the room.

“Get over yourself.” An angered look on his bloodied face was all she could register. Yet the indignant tone seemed to shock the youth into submission.

“You feel sorry for yourself and want to die. Why didn’t you, Jason gave you a way out.” she paused. Hoping her message would sink in. 

“How could I simply resign when I had something to live for?” he shot back, almost instantly, this time with much more fervour in his tone. 

The accusation rung in the air. 

“Ghouls aren’t worthy of life then.” she stated, almost rhetorically. 

Then understanding dawned on the young man, however retracting his words at this point would be far too late.

“I’m sorry.” he said solemnly.

The deafening silence simply permeated the air for the time being, almost reminding the whole universe of the tension that exists in moments of emptiness. Then with a thundering whisper, it broke. 

“No, no you are not.” her anger was almost permeable, yet this was not the anger that flashed across the heavens, letting all know of its presence, it was a simmering feeling disappointment. 

What followed surprised the half ghoul even more than the anger itself. “Then die for all I care.” he heard much more clearly than he would have liked. 

She left. The door shaking on its hinges due to the strength that it was slammed with.

The gall he had, with which he mocked her. It was infuriating. Every scrap, the hunger, the danger, the despair. She finally had a life she wanted, abundance, splendour, companionship? Instead he claims that she is not worth anything that she had fought for inch by inch to obtain. 

It is exactly the poverty of the ghouls and supposed superiority of the humans that infuriated her. Being born into an assortment of safety and wonder, never having to worry about going hungry. 

Yet a voice in her head, a quiet voice, compared to her anger in the very least. It keeps reminding her that he has no way of empathising or even understanding her pain. Just like she has no way to understand and empathise with his. 

What she was missing whilst she walked was the orange haired stalker who was determined to find out more about his friend. 

“Rize-san!” he shouted, “Wait! I need to ask you about Kaneki” however, she paid him no heed. Like any nuisance, hopefully he would leave with time. Instead he simply got louder and much more persistent.

“Rize-san! I won’t tell anyone. I promise” this time she paused, looking at him with the coolest expression  he had ever seen. 

“and what do you know?” her stare showing no tolerance for this conversation before it even saw the light of day. 

“But it wouldn’t be alright to speak of this here.” He pointed to the other people conspiratorially. However, his following statement surprised her by the extent of the information he wielded,. 

“I saw what happened at the elevator”

All her doubts were erased, now the choice of whether or not someone or something else needed to be erased summarily dawned on her. 

Yet, that thought died as quickly as it was born, the old man whom she knew the boy sought made sure of it. Even from a distance, his authority only served to make her life much more confusing and difficult, perhaps it was a necessity. After all, one cannot simply live in joy and bliss all of the time. 

Arima was going over the reports of ghouls for the ward, since he temporarily stationed himself here. His responsibility being a major priority. His secondary purpose known only to himself was also a major motivation for scouring even the lesser known wards for a worthy candidate. 

Thus, when the report of a missing person in one of the local apartments came in for this ward. He was surprised, wasn’t that the same building in which a victim of a local ghoul attack had lived?

“Takizawa. I’m going out to investigate” he stated calmly

“Yes! Of course! I’ll notify Houji-san.” the young subordinate stuttered out to the legend.

This order of business would need to be resolved soon, and Arima had a creeping suspicion that things were not as they seemed. 



 

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Soft Spoken Brutality Chapter 12

Soft Spoken Brutality Chapter 12

He awoke painlessly. The numbness was spread throughout his body. His lips were dry. This dryness was on the borderline of irritation. An exploratory lick of his lips discovered a substance much to sweet to be attached to the…



He awoke painlessly. The numbness was spread throughout his body. His lips were dry. This dryness was on the borderline of irritation. An exploratory lick of his lips discovered a substance much to sweet to be attached to the flesh. 

He bit down hard. 

The blood continued to flow. 

Why would he bite down on his own lips? A massive chunk was missing. However, the blood flow itself seemed to slow to a trickle. A pair of eyes were on him quite quickly. He didn’t understand. He wasn’t hungry. 

“What happened?” The lack of honourifics was a growing habit. The situation only worsened the need for answers and panic within the young man.

“Please. Please. Tell me.” 

He was at a loss, the apartment smelled disgusting. When did he start noticing that? The smell was both localised, yet paradoxically permeating the entirety of the room. 

Raising his arms slowly into his field of vision, trying to grasp the origin of the smell. Blood. His hands were stained. Dark oxygenated blood, lighter and more pale red blood. Even some blood that wasn’t blood at all. It all stained his hands and his shirt. Fading and entering the fabric in different permutations of a bloody existence.

The next thing was a sprint to the mirror. A mad dash worthy of anyone in such panic. The entrails the adorned his black pants and button shirt were worthy of any murderer. 

“I didn’t do this.” He muttered to himself. 

“He had to deny it, because he was scared” he heard mockingly. “You ate. You killed. You cried? One of those doesn’t belong.” the voice continued. 

The burning in his chest was anger, remorse and sadness. The sheer disregard he heard for his plight frustrated him. He was trapped in the apartment.

“You could have left you know.” the voice somehow knew his thoughts. 

“I may have been mistaken, when I made you believe your stay was forced.” the voice continued. 

Now that he had calmed he remembered who his benefactor was.

“Rize-san”

— 

The situation that Rize returned to was not pretty. Neither was it an easy fix. A corpse that was devoid of any blood or substance. A flailing Kaneki-ken, his kagune seemingly twisting aggressively at any movement that happened close to him. 

The stark realisation had hit her one week too late. She was torturing him. What else was starving a ghoul called. The corpse was not the priority, in this part of the 20th, bodies were often found left over after the more feisty ghouls such as herself. Not everyone loved peace, ‘but everyone loved living’, she though to herself sarcastically, thinking of the manager’s subtle warnings and threats.

“Kaneki” a pause “Stop!” The sternness of her voice and her recognisability seemed to made him tilt his head up, seeing his face filled with anguish, it angered her. This was however not the time for that. 

In his moment of hesitation, she instantly quartered his limbs, walking up to him. The lack of struggle despite the pain he was supposed to be in surprised her. Perhaps there was hope for this weakling yet. However, she was slightly confused, the corpse of that human, the extent of the damage wrought seemed to be done by someone that was anything but weak. 

With a purpose, she knocked him out. For his own safety of course. Little did she realise that she was being observed by Hide. He saw everything.

He left without making a sound.

—— 

The dove. A creature of peace and tranquility. It takes a fantastically twisted sense of irony to title the organisation that is single handedly charged with murdering without remorse after a creature with the symbolic history of a dove.

The CCG office was buzzing with activity. The Special Class investigator Arima Kishou was personally conducting an inspection of the ward. With him an unnamed member of the 0 squad. This was a usual occurrence, done by an unusual person. He refused to make any sound or state any opinion. This visit was not about Kishou Arima, it was about the 20th ward and he planned to keep it as such.

Briefing him on the affairs of the ward was Kousuke Houji, a rigid man with a demeanour made of silk. The Associate Special Class investigator along with First Class Mado were the highest ranking officials in the 20th ward CCG office. Arima was impressed by the diligence and organisation by the leadership and their subordinates. Not that he would personally ever acknowledge or even mention this. The incompetence of many in the CCG was seen by Arima, perhaps from a bird’s eye view. Not that this was undeserved given his reputation and prowess as a lethal bureaucrat and killing machine. 

“The Gourmet and Binge Eater investigations have narrowed down the hunting zones of the ghouls to the approximate areas that converge upon the streets here and here” the continued meeting filled with briefing was protocol. Houji was a master of protocol.

However, on an unspoken level, Arima always arrived for a ward inspection as an unofficial way for assisting in the affairs and investigation at that particular ward. This was something that was left from his youth, where his prowess was required to defeat violent ghouls in the 4th ward and so on forth. 

“Besides the Gourmet and Binge Eater investigations, the ghoul activity in the 20th is minimum, with the ward ranking last in missing persons cases and violent deaths attributed to ghouls.” the soft knocking of a pen onto the table in the office came from the young Seidou Takizawa. 

No mind was given to the youthful investigator. Instead, the focus was predominantly on Arima, what he was thinking and his opinion were quite important to many of the investigators at the 20th. Especially to those like Takizawa that were still gaining experience and learning from veterans. 

The viel was pierced as soon as the eyes turned.

“What do you know about the Aogiri Tree?”

—— 

“Hideyoshi Nagachika, what you saw today, it is imperative that no one finds out.” the manager said to the boy seated silently in front of him in the talking room above the Anteiku store. 

“This is important for the survival of the only non-violent community of ghouls in this part of Tokyo, we believe that even if it must be our fate to devour your kind, we can do so without the brutality that we are so known for.” The conviction with which this was spoken seemed to move the young man, or at least that was what anyone would have thought.

The large impressionable eyes, the serious demeanour, Hide knew what was at stake. He knew what he wanted.

“Yoshimura-san, in exchange for this information being kept secret, would you tell me what happened to my friend?” 

——



 

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Soft Spoken Brutality Chapter 11

Soft Spoken Brutality Chapter 11

A clicking sound signified the locking of the room. A gasping sigh was heard from the reluctant yet at the same time frenzied Kaneki.  The crimson red adorning his hospital gown wasn’t his nor his companion’s. However, the…



A clicking sound signified the locking of the room. A gasping sigh was heard from the reluctant yet at the same time frenzied Kaneki. 

The crimson red adorning his hospital gown wasn’t his nor his companion’s. However, the black eye that was shinning brightly, seemingly mocking the concept of anything seen as ordinarily beautiful. That belonged to him.

The shock and awe, the frenzy and panic. The deep thrumming within Kaneki’s ears. The density of the atmosphere alone seemed to drown the still confused young man. 

‘Veel? This is veel right? Rize-san!’ his voice grew to a much more frantic tone ‘please?’

Her smile told him otherwise. However, the human refusal to believe and the power of denial seemed to win out against the truth in his mind.

‘Then pork? It has to be?’ the second came much slower, more uncertain, almost testing his own psyche if it was ready for the truth. 

‘Of course, that is why I locked the door and shut the blinds’ with this biting sarcastic remark, she shut down any and all of his protests.

Walking up to him, she wiped her finger in the blood on the plate, his desperate gasping growing more and more frantic by the second. 

‘Kaneki-kun. It appears we are one and the same now.’ Her tone was implacable, yet her expression was amused. Despite his upset expression, when the blood dripped down into his waiting mouth, he swallowed. 

——————— Time-skip (2 weeks)

Hide didn’t know where his friend was. He wanted to say he did. He wanted to think he did. He was worried, two weeks without a single message or contact. 

The young man constantly roamed the 20th ward and patrolled Anteiku. Religiously. There was not a day when the bright orange haired youth wasn’t acting whimsical whilst ‘hitting on’ the waitress at Anteiku. The facade however was common knowledge, yet it was like an open secret. Everyone at the coffee shop felt slightly responsible for the young man and his disappearance, it was under their watch that the ghoul sympathising human met his end at the hands of another of their kind.

Yet spotting Rize-san was a somewhat lucky occurrence for Hide, each time he would go bug her and ask her about his friend and where he was situated. Each time he would be denied. She didn’t know she claimed. She didn’t care she stated. She forgot who he has she said. 

Yet his persistence never faltered. Wasn’t that what friends were for? 

On the other hand the staff at Anteiku were worried for the young man, for Rize was not know for her legendary temper and impulsiveness for nothing. 

Yoshimura in particular had always given Rize a visual warning to patiently wait out the young man. He knew where Kaneki was. He knew what happened. Rize and her unspoken debt to the ward was slowly being paid off, in part through her tolerance of the perceptive human friend. 

In her head however this human annoyance was truly gnawing away at her ability to control herself. She hadn’t even known that it was possible for the kakugan to manifest when not hunting, apparently intense  anger or frustration can do the trick. 

However, hindsight seems to always be 20/20.

Only one saw. No one caught on in time, Hide managed to hide his surprise well enough to leave. Rize only realised what happened once she saw the shocked look on the manager’s face. This time however, no words were exchanged.

———

The staring battle between Kaneki and the plate of ‘meat’ on the counter in front of him was progressing slowly. Torturously so. 

“I’m supposed to eat this aren’t I” this exclamation was one of the many that filled his head.

“I accept that I am no longer human, but I refuse to be a ghoul!” 

“Eat, eat. Eat!” His hands on his temples. His body curled up on the chair in front of the sustenance he needs. 2 weeks without food, a permanently active kakugan and a merciless benefactor. Kaneki Ken has not spoken to anyone but himself for the last week.

Begging for the first week wasn’t working, neither was crying himself to exhaustion and continuously attempting to eat the human food that he was brought. The futility of his action and his mental fatigue simply shut him down, he refused to acknowledge anyone but himself. 

Not that he was allowed to see anyone beyond the one taking care of him. The staring match continued. Until a knocking was heard. 

Humans rarely went into derelict or old apartment buildings, it was looking for trouble. All ghouls knew this, what they didn’t know was that some humans ignored this unspoken arrangement, this unlucky building safety inspector being one of them.  

“Open the door, I am here to inspect the support beams for this apartment, the whole building is structurally compromised. If this door is not opened, I will be forced to seek a permit to breach into this apartment building. 

The inspector rattled on, refusing to acknowledge or listen to the insane rumble of voices inside the place he was so desperate to enter. 

“Forced to?” the three syllable phrase pierced the sound of his knocking.

“Yes. Forced to enter, this is for your safety as well as for the safety of the other inhabitants of this building.” 

“Forced to?” was repeated again. 

Suddenly the door opened, but before the inspector could say anything, he died.

A sick squelch could be heard from the door to the apartment, all the way to the ceiling and ground floor. A hungry ghoul seems to temporarily relinquish sanity, a hungry ghoul who has never experienced hunger before could not even think. 

The red tentacles and the bleeding corpse were all that was left of this human. Who, like many in Tokyo, died of random ghoul attacks. 

Yet even as the man was being devoured, another liquid mixed together with his blood. 

Tears…



 

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Soft Spoken Brutality Chapter 10

Soft Spoken Brutality Chapter 10

Kaneki Ken was tired. Tired was all he was. A hyperbolic assessment of his current physical state.  That was everyone expected to hear.  That was what they all thought. Yet, that was not the case. At least not…



Kaneki Ken was tired. Tired was all he was. A hyperbolic assessment of his current physical state. 

That was everyone expected to hear. 

That was what they all thought.

Yet, that was not the case.

At least not this time.

— —

Waking up in the hospital was a surprise, for me it was surprising because of the part where I woke up. Waking up was never part of the plan. For only the hero was supposed to wake up, especially after fighting desperately till the end. Me? I was the lamb, I live to ensure others don’t die. That was always the belief I held for myself. The bitter end. That was supposed to be it. 

Undoubtedly an unpleasant end, filled to the brim with intimidating white men and blood thirsty companions. Yet it was an end that I faced with courage… 

The courage of a life time that I had gathered for that one moment of true significance! I was denied. Once more. 

— 

Ken himself was distraught, yet in his confusion and rage, he failed to notice a key that was missing from the scene. 

Pain. 

His pain was gone. 

This realisation was astoundingly simple, and it was abruptly interrupted. 

‘Kaneki kun’ 

The manager?

Hide?

No. 

Rize.

— 

 It was frustrating. 

That was what Rize thought to herself upon entering the room and seeing Kaneki in such a state. That was undoubtedly an annoying sentimentality, one that a powerful ghoul such as Rize often thought was beneath her, for there was always a certain image to maintain. Yet she allowed herself this opportunity to get annoyed, because the colossal stupidity that Kaneki possessed was simply beyond her.

A human, after a ghoul attack not too long ago, goes back to a dark alley during the night. That lack of self preservation was paradoxical and odd, and frustrating, considering her personal investment in the safety of this particular human. Along with an annoying manager’s…

“Hi.” a sickly sweet tone permeated the hospital room, almost cancelling the smell of the antiseptic. 

silence. 

“Giving me the cold shoulder isn’t the smartest thing, considering how easily I get annoyed.” the tone not so sweet this time.

silence again.

He was really trying her nerves. The underlying annoyance was also laced with some concern. Worry would be putting too much emphasis. Yes, concern. 

Exasperated, she sat down next to the young man, continuously looking at him with a stare that would have pierced his heart. 

“Rize-san, what are you doing here?” he said, in the most calm and collected voice that he could muster given his current condition. During this point in time, Rize, well she did not know whether or not annoyance was tangible when it was reaching critical levels, controlled herself from indulging in anymore violence.

“I know I messed up, I hope the manager knows that I am truly sorry for the massive problems that I have caused.” This self criticality was exasperating and perhaps even baffling. The desire to scream at him was increasing with each passing second. 

“Do you know how much trouble I went through to visit you in this hospital? How about the explanation I had to give to each doctor and nurse. If I truly wanted to. I would have screamed at you upon entering the room!” this outburst was quiet in volume, loud in expression.

His facial features were shocked. To anyone else it seemed like he was deathly afraid. Yet to her she could see the surprise on his features after her outburst. 

“The manager would come to see you himself, but unfortunately the amount of doves in the ward increased massively since this little accident…” 

The concern everyone showed for his wellbeing was unusual for the hospitalised and injury laden Kaneki, no one except for Hide cared about what happened to him. This was something that he was religiously convinced of time and time again. 

“I would thank him in person, but I doubt my presence would be good for Anteiku considering the attack,” smart. Thinking ahead and the logic behind the process impressed the femme fatale. Yet, there was something odd about his logic, not the logic itself, but the presence of it in such controlled state. 

Humans are fragile creatures, this can usually be said for their physical prowess and state, yet despite the supposed mental fortitude of the human race, a general assumption that Rize made throughout her life time was that: ghouls and humans are equally mentally handicapped. 

Trauma, anger, sadness, happiness, excitement and fear. These emotions, at least in her own humble opinion, were part of both races. No matter how much anyone tried to deny it of course. 

Yet something was off, there was another ghoul in the vicinity. Not that it was unusual of course, the permeation of ghouls within society being quite complete and unnoticed by most. This of course did not mean that she would drop her guard, quite the opposite, other ghouls needed to be observed. Especially, with her upbringing. One can never know who is a friend or foe.

Yet the more she stayed, the stronger the presence of this ghoul grew, it was as if he was coming closer. That was the justification she gave for the increasing smell, yet the growing pit in her stomach would dictate that something was wrong. Incredibly so.

‘Rize-san’ he uttered in a small voice. Bereft of the earlier confidence. Fear took its place.

‘Why can I smell the nurse? Why does she smell so good?’ he continued, terrified.

The food she had brought her human companion as a get well gift suddenly took on an entirely new purpose. 

‘Kaneki-kun, I have a theory.’ of course she did, and despite her outward calm, this situation excited and terrified her.

‘I want you to eat this. Slowly, chewing and tasting every bite.’ the swift motion in which she gave the young man some random irrelevant pastry was not the key detail.

He retched. He absolutely retched. No doubt about that in her mind existed. Yet, this wasn’t enough. Not to prove something this insurmountably insane. 

The unthinkable was the only thing that would be enough.

She would need a human. From where? How? What about suspicion? She is supposed to be on the run.

“Rize-san, you may be a ghoul, but buying bread isn’t that difficult” he chuckled, attempting to lighten the atmosphere. It failed. He did however notice that her expression was forced, making him feel uncertain about what to expect from this beautiful creature.

‘Kaneki.’ her use of his full name made him realise the gravity of this situation. ‘Don’t panic no matter what happens in the next fifteen or twenty minutes’ she stated icily.

‘Promise me’ this reiteration was what sunk the final nail into the proverbial coffin of Kaneki’s last day of normality.

‘I promise.’



 

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