Hapi Mari: Chapter 37 update

Phew, just finished translating and proofread it and sent it to Minchi.  As always, a short spoiler for my readers who have been so nice and patient about updates.  For the same reasons mentioned on the last spoiler on chapter 36, I cannot post the entire summary (really more like a translation because I translate 99% of the text in the chapter every time) here.  I still believe it should be something that should be exclusive to Minchi's website because she's been so nice to provide me with the scans and save me a trip to the bookstore every month.  Lastly, please don't badger her with requests to post straight away.  She too has a busy life to tend to before updates, and I would appreciate it if you respected that too.  Will update with link to full summary later.  On with the spoiler then!

Chiwa takes a shallow knife wound in the arm for Hokuto and spills blood instead.  The disgruntled mugger runs away, having been unable to touch the real target.  Stunned, Hokuto holds onto Chiwa.  The events take him back to his mother’s accident and he drops to the floor with Chiwa.  They’re transported to the hospital later. 

The next day the police visits for a brief round of questions.  Chiwa has but taken a slight wound, and there doesn’t seem to be any negative prognostic symptoms, although she did have stitches.  After the detectives leave, Chiwa asks Hokuto what he would like to eat for lunch.  Since she was advised to rest at home, she suggests it’s probably better to take out delivery.  Hokuto doesn’t answer and spaces out, always back to his mother’s accident.  He blames himself for not being able to protect Chiwa, just like he wasn’t able to protect his mother.  Chiwa calls out once more.

“Hokuto!  I just want to say this.  Even if I’m injured now, I’ve never for once thought that it would have been better if he stabbed you.  I jumped out in front of you because I wanted to.  If I hadn’t, I would have blamed myself.  Anyways, let’s have lunch.  You have to go to work in the afternoon soon, right?”

Hokuto leans over Chiwa and takes her into his arms.

“I’ll never forgive myself, for letting you get injured by the likes of that guy.  I’ll never…”


To read more, please click here

東方神起 'STILL' Translation

It's been a while since I've listened properly to Tohoshinki's new songs more than once (so that they actually stick and I remember how to sing them, even without listening to the song).  I used to buy all their singles and albums, even if all of the songs were mostly repeats, and even if I already had them in my computer.  I still love them, but their recent album "Tone" wasn't spectacular, so I had let go of my chance to buy it when I was still in Japan.  Winter Rose was also not memorable, but recently I've listened to their new single "STILL".  While it will never beat "Stand By U", my absolute favorite of all time (mostly because all five of them sung it), it was a nice song to listen to.  I'm pretty sure the lyrics have been translated already and probably a lot of times, but I feel like putting up my own version up anyways because they sound so pretty in Japanese.

Go check their new song out if you've never listened to them before~  I guarantee you'll fall in love, especially with their older compositions and acapella versions.  Avex still doesn't have the full version out yet though.

Disclaimer: I only own my English translation of the song~

Translation

We were smiling so sweetly inside this photo
Never knowing that this day would come, we had even chosen the same tea
The terrace hasn't changed, and today
It still brings back fond memories
I'm crying once again because of you

Ask me out again, smile once more
If we can ever meet again in this place
I want to hold your hand and promise, that's right...

I cannot hear your voice nor call out your name
If I can at least meet you in my dreams
I will hold you tightly in my arms
But I cannot see you
Nor can I tell you that I love you
I was in a maddeningly sad, heartrending love

Ah...all I can do is cry
Ah...heartrending...heartrending love

Anyone else would be fine if I only wanted to cheat loneliness
But I always saw your shadows and became even lonelier
Someday I would turn around this corner
And find you before my eyes
That's the miracle I dream of

It can be by chance or necessity
If I can meet you on this road
I'll grab your hand and steal you away, that's right...

I want to lean on your shoulders, I want to gaze at you
If I can at least meet you in my dreams
I will properly kiss you
I will never forget you, I'll always stay the same
I was in a painfully tender, heartrending love

Hey, what are you doing now?
Are you happy?  no no no no no no
You are still staying forever in my heart
Even now...in my heart...in my heart

I want to hold your hand and vow "I love you"...

I cannot hear your voice nor call out your name
If I can at least meet you in my dreams
I will hold you tightly in my arms
But I cannot see you
Nor can I tell you that I love you
I was in a maddeningly sad, heartrending love

Ah...all I can do is cry
Ah...heartrending...heartrending love

I want you to stay in my heart
I need your love that brings tears to my eyes

Hapi Mari novel: Update 5

The villa we were escorted to lies in the deepest parts of the island.  Surrounded by the tropic lush greens, the two story building is constructed similarly to the entrance, with wooden pillars and stone steps.  It looks like a polished abode out of a tourism magazine.  I run up the steps and open the door, where a spacious interior welcomes me.  A table set rests in the middle of the vaulted open living room, decorated with a distinctive table cloth and a vase of sophisticated flowers. 

Hapi Mari Novel: Update 4

The place that Hokuto brings me to is an avenue that cuts through the heart of the island.  Designer shops line both sides of the road, making me feel as if I were in Beverly Hills.  There seems to be a lot of foreign tourists milling about.  While walking with Hokuto, I looked about my surroundings, only to find them devoid of local flavour.  The palm trees that set off against the blue skies seem exotic, but the ambience and names of the shops are those that I often see in Japan.  Though having said that, they are not shops that I frequent.  Seeing how I don't enter the shops, Hokuto gazes down at me curiously.

"What's wrong?"