Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations
Volume Eighteen--Do you Still Have the Scar?
Part 151--Kyoto Epilogue 5--In the Blue Sky
(Everyone from the Aoiya is out to see Kenshin and the others off.)
Kaoru: Thank you for everything you've done for us.
Okina: Not at all. Take care.
Misao (her eyes brimming with tears): Come back to Kyoto sometime. I know we'll have lots of fun then.
Kaoru: Of course. And you'll have to come see us in Tokyo.
Yahiko: Or don't. You're annoying.
(Misao clasps Kaoru's hand as Kaoru bonks Yahiko with the other.)
Misao: I'll come! I'll definitely come!
Kenshin: Mr. Okina, I haven't seen Aoshi. Has he gone to the temple again today?
Okina: Not quite. Lately he hasn't even been going to the temple, he just meditates all day. It seems as though he doesn't want anyone near him.
Kenshin: I see.
(They walk to Aoshi's room. Aoshi is sitting cross-legged in the middle of the floor, facing away from the door.)
Kenshin: Aoshi, we're taking our leave now. If we ever get a chance, let's have a drink some time.
Aoshi: I don't drink.
Kenshin: I see . . .
Aoshi (without turning around): But if it were for tea, it would be my pleasure.
(As they walk out)
Yahiko: But he never smiled once. Gloomy jerk.
Kaoru (bonking him again): Don't talk like that!
Kenshin: That's true. But it won't be me who succeeds in that. That's for Miss Misao to do.
Misao: Right! You just leave that to me!
Kenshin (as Kaoru and Yahiko duke it out behind them): Miss Misao, you've been of great help. Thank you.
Okon: You all take care!
Misao: And I'm coming to see you soon!
Kaoru: You too! Misao, we'll be expecting you!
(They walk off.)
Omasu: They're nice people.
Okina: Yes . . such warmth. A kind group.
(Two figures are watching from an alleyway; one is smoking.)
Chou: You sure about this, boss? You said you don't need to talk to them, but I bet they're kinda worried about you.
Saitou: I only joined forces with Battousai temporarily to destroy the Shishio faction. Now that duty has been fulfilled.
Chou: Zat so.
Saitou: But we are both destined to battle. When the time comes, we'll meet again, in the midst of violence. We won't be united against a common enemy. Then, without hesitation, I will finish what I began in the Bakumatsu.
Chou: Guess it's too bad for Battousai you survived.
(Saitou smiles slightly and flicks away his cigarette before stepping off into the dark alley.)
Saitou: Come. My next duty is already begun.
(Kenshin and the others stop for a moment to look down upon Kyoto.)
Kenshin: This is our last sight of it.
Yahiko (pointing at a column of smoke): Look! A fire!
Sanosuke: Stupid. That's just smoke from a charcoal burner or something.
Kenshin: That way's . . .
(It's smoke from Hiko's kiln; Hiko sits beside it, sake cup in hand.)
Kaoru (to Kenshin): A lot's happened, but if you look back . . .
(Kenshin gazes out into the distance, thinking of the events of the past three months.)
Later . . .
Yokohama port.
Shinbashi station.
The neighborhood of Asakusa.
(Tae, Tsubame, and the doctor are waiting for them in front of the dojo.)
Tae: You're back!
Yahiko: Hey!
Tae: You must be tired. There's dinner from the Akabeko inside.
Sanosuke: Good Tokyo cooking! Kansai's all right, but for good sukiyaki it's gotta be Tokyo.
(Everyone heads inside, but Kaoru notices Kenshin hesitating.)
Kaoru: What's wrong?
Kenshin: It's nothing . . . I didn't want to involve you in the dangers of the Battousai within me, but after three months of being a vagabond, I find myself here. It's a little strange for some reason, to be returning with you as if it were natural.
Kaoru: Kenshin. (holding out her hand) Welcome back.
(Kenshin looks startled for a moment, then smiles.)
Kenshin: I'm home.
translations by maigo-chan
last updated 7/21/99