Just so everyone can suffer as I do

[branchandroot]

Site of Mandarin scanlations of Monochrome Factor, running up to issue 39 as of this posting.

Need. Translations. Now.

Oh god. I need to have Shisui's characterization! I need more of Lulu so I can write proper femslash for her and Aya! Because Aya rocks so hard!

*goes to gnaw on her own liver*

Comments

Approximate Translation of Chinese Issue 37

[elsevita.livejournal.com]

P1 At the heart of the team is the memory of how Akira and Kengo first met [?]
Kengo thinks: When he was transferred, second year had just started. The teacher was asking him to introduce himself to the class, but he said nothing and just glared at the class, which made an impression on me.

P2 Yes, that was when we met for the first time.

P3 Even after a couple of days, he still didn’t seem like he wanted to make friends. He didn’t seem to want to get close to anyone, nor did he seem to want people to get close to him. That was the vibe he gave off. Even during recess, he’d just be reading a book. Why doesn’t he play with anyone?

P4 Akira: What?
Kengo jumps and is nervous: Oh, he’s seen me!? But I’m so far away. I’m sure he’s talking to someone else.
Akira: I’m talking to you, that fellow over there.
Kengo: It’s me. How did he see!?

P5 Kengo: How did you know I was there?
Akira: You’ve been looking at me shiftily from my first day. How could I not know you’re there.
Kengo: I’m Asamura Kengo. Pleased to meet you.
Akira: …
Kengo: Um, that…
Akira flips page: What?

P6 Kengo: Oh, no, nothing…
Akira: Then go away. I’m concentrating on my book.
Kengo: Ok. I… I mean, you’re not going to play with everyone else?
Akira: That’s because it’s not the Volunteering [?] lesson.
Kengo: What are you reading?
Akira: A book.
Kengo: What sort of book?
Akira: A novel.
Kengo: Is it interesting?
Akira: Maybe sort of.

P7 Kengo thinks: I shouldn’t back away!
Kengo: I want to have a look too.
Kengo thinks: Oh, now he’s finally looking at me.
Akira hands book to Kengo: When you’re finished, write a 200-word report. Also, don’t talk to me before you’re done.

P8 Akira: But there’s no time limit.
Kengo clutches book: Oh, great! Thank you!
Kengo: I wonder what sort of book it is…?
It’s all in Engish.

P9 Akira: What now?
Kengo, nervously: I’ve done my best.
Akira: I can see you’re an idiot.
Kengo: Huh?
Akira: You didn’t even write anything about the content. What do you mean you’ve done your best?

P10 Akira: And what is this “When I look at the English, I feel like a worm [?]?”. Are you joking?
Kengo: No… I’m serious…
Akira: You have failed, so you don’t get the privilege to speak with me.
Kengo: Huh? Is that the reason you asked me to write a report? Say, why don’t you play with everyone?
Akira: It’s a pain. Aren’t you more the type to play with other people? Don’t always come and bug me. Go die!
Kengo: Why do you have to say such things? And if someone wanted to play with me, I’d only be too happy. But it looks like everybody detests me.

P11 Akira: I can understand why. It’s because you’re detestable.
Kengo: That’s not why!! Don’t say such hurtful things so casually.
Akira: Then why?
Kengo: I’m not sure… It seems that when people are with me, bad things happen, and weird things can be seen… So people haven’t been wanting to play with me lately.
Akira: So what? It must be just coincidence.
Kengo: That’s what I said… But…
Akira: But what?
Kengo: No, nothing.
Akira: What?

P12 Bullies: This is our area. Oh, Kengo is here. It’s accursed. Transfer student, get out of the way.
Kengo: Oh!? Why use such tones? It’s not accursed!

P13 Akira: This isn’t anyone’s territory. It belongs to the city.
Bullies: Ha! You don’t know!? If you don’t leave, I’ll fine you 100 million thousand yen.
Akira: There’s no such thing as million thousand. And who are you?
Kengo: This is the boss of the class!
Bullies: Oh, this is the warrior from monkey mountain [?], Akira. We have to show the transfer student who’s boss.

P15 Akira: So, who’s the boss?
Bully: You!!
Kengo: I must get the teacher!

P16 Bullies: You’re trying to run away? You should get the same lesson as him.

P17 Kengo falls to the ground.

P18 Akira: What a troublesome school.
Kengo cries.
Akira: This is the first time you’ve been hit?
Kengo: So… so scary…

P19 Kengo: I’m scared… boo hoo…
Akira: I’m going home. Bye.
Kengo cries.

P20 The next day…
Akira yawns: I didn’t sleep enough. That fellow won’t come back again, I hope. He’s been taught a good lesson. But if he hasn’t learnt his lesson, he’d make a good M… [?] Hopefully I can have a peaceful school life now.
Kengo: Oh, Akira!!

P21 Kengo: Good morning!! So we go the same way to school!!
Akira: I can now say you’re an M! [?]
Kengo: Huh, what? What’s M?
Akira: If you don’t know, forget it.
Kengo: What? Tell me.
Akira: If you don’t know, ask your parents.
Kengo: Ok, I’ll ask.

P22 Kengo: Speaking of parents, they were really mad at me yesterday. If I were to tell them I was in a fight, they’d get even more angry, so I said I fell.
Akira: Why are you talking to me again? Stop talking to me.
Kengo: But Akira, you’re so strong! You’re really good!
Akira: Give me some response. [?]
Kengo: What?
Akira is pissed: Don’t worry.
Kengo: Say, should we walk together to school everyday from now on?
Akira: No!
Kengo: Huh? Why?

P23 Kengo: Tell me. We’re going the same way. Should I come meet you at your place in the morning?
Akira: Don’t come, or I will need to get rid of you!
Kengo: Why? It’d be great! We should walk to school together! I take it as a yes.
Akira runs away.
Kengo: Huh? Why are you running? Wait for me, Akira!

P26 It seems their relationship hasn’t changed since then. Now we are heading towards the final battle.
Kengo: Wait, Akira!
Akira: Stop following me!! Or I’ll kill you!!
Kengo: Don’t talk like that. We’re going the same way.

Re: Approximate Translation of Chinese Issue 37

[branchandroot]

*laughing helplessly* Oh man. I wonder what the M stands for. Minion? Mushi?

I'm absolutely fascinated that Kengo has always been a locus of shadow-happenings. And apparently Akira really is blindingly smart; that actually explains a lot about his characterization.

And I really wonder what Sawaki is doing! It looks like he's known about them for a long time, maybe. The plot thickens!

Thank you so much for these!

Re: Approximate Translation of Chinese Issue 37

[elsevita.livejournal.com]

I guessed M stood for "moron". XD

I also think Akira has a lot more empathy than he wants people to realize.

No need to thank me. ^^ I'm enjoying the manga too, and I see my attempt at translation as a chance to improve my Chinese. I've been meaning to read more Chinese, but most of the books and essays I've come across are either too difficult for me or aimed at children. Manga is perfect because there are pictures to give clues as to what's happening without it being kiddy.