Character Story 3: The Cherry Blossoms Have Wilted, But One Day They'll Bloom Again
Translation notes
[1] She says 百面相 (hyakumen-sou), which means "cutting out paper faces." I'm honestly not sure what she's trying to say, but it could be 百万力 (hyakumen riki), which means "very strong," or it could be 面白そう (omoshiro-sou), which means "interesting"; the latter would also be a visual pun on the kanji.
[2] She says 灰を入れます (hai wo iremasu), "put in dust/ash", instead of 入ります (hairimasu), "go in"
Scene: A street in Landsol.
Rino
Hey, big brother, big brother! Face-y meeting you here! [1]
Rino
Please, comfort me! Even though I studied really hard, I didn't get in! Because, because I made a bunch of beginner mistakes like forgetting how to spell my own name...!
Rino
When I counted up the points myself, I thought that I would barely be able to make it in!
Rino
It's so frustrating! I was so shocked that I forgot all the things I studied! Ooh, I'm so hopeless!
Rino
Ever since you started meeting me around town, big brother, you've been spending so much time studying with me! You were rooting for me, and I let you down! I'm sooo sorry!
Rino
Oooo... I'm such a no-good girl. It's always like this. I'll spend a lot of time sewing together some clothes, but I'll forget about the most important seams, so as soon as you pull on it, the whole thing just falls apart.
Yuuki
1. "Hey, cheer up."
2. "I got accepted."
Option 1.
Rino
Ooooh... Even though my specialty is being all high-energy no matter what, at least for today, please let me be a little depressed! I can't cheer up, so please, could you comfort me?
Rino
Honestly, I hate messing up so much! If there was a hole here, I'd jump in ash-first! [2]
Option 2.
Rino
Eh!? Why did you just go in and take the test!? I didn't even realize -- were you also at the testing site? Um, congratulations on getting in...?
Rino
Oh... You didn't get accepted to the fashion school, but your part-time job application was accepted?
Rino
Honestly, please don't say confusing things like that. I'm still kind of naive when it comes to all these words about schools and jobs. You need to be more considerate about it!
Rino
But, congratulations! Once you start getting paid from your job, you can buy whatever you want! Like candy! In fact, only sweets can ease the suffering in my heart!
End of branches.
Rino
Hee hee. Now that I've thrown a fit, I feel a lot better.
Rino
I have to be forward-thinking. This exam is offered regularly, so even if this time didn't turn out well, as long as I don't give up, I should be able to get in one day.
Rino
And anyway, if I spend a lot of time studying for next time, maybe I'll be able to score high enough to get the scholarship. When I think of it that way, maybe it was actually lucky that I didn't get in this time!
Rino
Ugh, but saying these things to myself after the fact also feels demoralizing. Sigh... Sorry for pestering you, big brother. I'm gonna go home. I still have to tell my parents about the test results.
Rino
Eep!? H-Hey, don't pull on my hair rings!
Rino
I always wear my hair like this, so there's always a lot of strain on the roots! If you pull too hard on the rings, they'll fall right out!
Rino
Huh? Because they look like straps, you really want to hold onto them? What do you mean by straps?
Rino
Big brother, sometimes you say some really difficult-to-understand things. Though I also remember a lot of phrases wrong, so I really shouldn't be the one to say that.
Rino
Hmm... You're saying, you've already got your first paycheck, so you want to treat me to something?
Rino
The reason you landed this job was because you were preparing for the application together with me? So you want to thank me?
Rino
N-Nah... I didn't do anything. If you were accepted, then that was because of your own abilities. You're really great!
Rino
Hee hee. I understand now -- you can do anything. Even if it's something I can't do, you can do it.
Rino
I admire you -- my superman!
Rino
Then, this time, I'll let you spoil me. Let's go into a sweets shop -- I wanna eat a ton! Whether it's my gloomy feelings or anything else, I'll drown them all with sugar!
Rino
But, actually, I'm not supposed to spend too much time with you. But I don't care if I get scolded afterwards! It's been too long since I'm been spoiled by big brother.
Rino
Big brother, you don't remember, but... It used to be that, whenever I was feeling depressed, whenever I couldn't work up any energy... You would always come find me.
Rino
And then you would always comfort me, encourage me, and pamper me. So I could never be depressed for long. And I grew up to be such a lively, bright, high-energy girl!
Rino
Hee hee. Of course, you probably don't get it now. But anyway, thanks, big brother.