Night's Tightrope (Shôjo / 少女) (少女)

My final words.

Children should be made in test tubes,

with the eggs and sperm

of handpicked individuals.

Otherwise,

all children should receive the same clothes.

The same food.

The same rooms.

The same education.

The same guardians.

To be raised equally.

If their efforts and talents are insufficient,

persecution is inevitable.

Look, look!

It's Mr. Ogura.

It is! It looks just like him!

I studied and played sports, unnoticed.

I did my best to fit in, and listened to them abuse others.

I read fashion mags from cover to cover.

My efforts made me what I am.

Even my eventual persecution

has not discouraged me.

Suicide is a declaration of defeat.

Suicide is a declaration of defeat.

I will never commit such an act.

I am at peace.

One day, I will be free.

One day, I will be free.

Or so I believed.

NIGHT'S TIGHTROPE

"Pitiful...

...Night."

"l...stare..."

"All I see...

"...are intensifying...

...illusions."

The writer describes his friend becoming a tiger.

Look, look!

So funny.

Totally sick, huh?

Our eyes met. Oh my god.

She's the worst.

"Pitiful Night.

"Wretched Night.

"l stare into the darkness,

but all I see are intensifying illusions."

But if you think about it,

the friend's tiger transformation is surreal.

Right, Yuki Sakurai?

You should read Atsushi Nakajima, Miss future novelist.

He taught Japanese too, right Mr. Ogura?

That reminds me.

Do you all know author Yosuke Saino? The Booksellers Award winner.

We published a fanzine called "Kyomu" together back in university.

Here he goes again!

Saino's a close friend of mine.

These days he writes mysteries.

He's bragging.

- He used to write art. - Wrap it up!

But his vocabulary was limited, so I taught him various phrases.

You all have close friends.

Yeah. We're close friends, right?

We're all friends in this class.

"Run away, Night.

"ln this world,

"neither love,

"nor freedom, nor equality exists.

"Run away. Run away.

"Run away.

"A voice of unknown origin

hunts Night."

"Now, it is time..."

"for Night to begin..."

"...walking the tightrope."

Good day!

Yuki? Let's go.

It's okay. I'll go later.

Hey, wait for me!

You're great, Yuki.

Why?

I mean...

I mean, P.E.'s a drag. We have to get changed.

I can't help it.

I'm stuck like this.

This scar won't ever heal.

Go on ahead.

You'll be late.

I don't mind. Let's go, Atsuko.

Good day.

Shortcake.

What starts with E? Ah, echo.

O? Ogura the crappy teacher.

R? R? Ricotta.

Ricotta? A? A?

Atsuko.

I'm home.

Good day.

"l must run away.

"l must run away.

"The lord of the darkness. The lord...

"...of the darkness...

...is fast approaching..."

Reap what you sow!

Mother, stop it!

Hell is waiting! For you!

I'm home!

Hey Atsuko, kendo today?

Yeah.

You're number one in Japan.

Hey! Number one!

Can't wait for the Olympics.

Kendo's not in it.

"ldiots have genius kids," huh?

Who's an idiot?

We had a genius!

This beer's on me.

How is she this year?

Fantastic. She's bound to win.

"It's time, everybody!"

"To play 'Die, A-ko!'"

"Yay!"

"I'll go first! Die, A-ko!"

"A--ko! Diiiie!"

"A--ko! Hurry up and diiiiiiiie!"

"A-ko damage 35%"

"A-ko! Die right now!"

"Nobody needs you! Die, A-ko!"

"Die, A-ko!"

"She's still alive"

"Die"

Atsuko's so over.

Hell yeah.

Hey hey hey, she's freaking out.

What's wrong?

She won't die.

She's number one in Japan! She can't die!

Let's take a memento.

Shame we can't see her panties!

That's so funny!

Yuki!

Yuki!

Help me, Yuki!

I hate this!

I hate this! I want to die!

I want to die!

What are you saying?

You wouldn't understand!

Atsuko.

Right now, you're alone in the dark, walking a tightrope.

That might be how you feel,

but it's not the truth.

Not at all.

Let's go.

Atsuko.

"...has come to an end."

"Fin"

"Sacred Cherry Blossom Festival"

"Night's Tightrope"

Why wear uniforms?

It's our school's tradition!

You sound like a teacher!

Let's go.

Let's go! We'll be late!

It's not folded neatly.

Now, Year 2 Group B will perform

our school's traditional maypole dance.

Our tightrope walk has begun...

Morning!

Good day.

"Best New Author Award: 'Night's Tightrope'"

"by Kazuki Ogura"

Way to go, sir!

It's no big deal, really.

I doubt you know, but it's from a literary mag called Blue Sky.

The award's a historic one.

You'll live off royalties now?

Not yet, not yet.

But I want to tell you one thing.

If you don't give up, dreams come true.

Don't be cynical. Perseverance pays off.

I've given you all a sample, so read it if you like.

"A 1 7-year-old girl"?

It's gotta be one of us!

Huh? Who? That's kinda scary!

"Night's Tightrope"...

"Her talent was taken away by a single leap."

Five-time Japan number one, Atsuko Kusano!

Pleased to meet you!

We have only one goal.

Winning the national team champs!

Got that?

Begin uchikomi!

"Talent is not a gift from God. It is a temporary loan.

"Her talent was taken away

by a single leap."

Begin!

"National Championship Qualifier"

"One misplaced step, and the world would end.

"When this occurred, in an instant,

darkness shrouded the world."