Kaze to Ki no Uta Song of the Wind and Trees Kagerou (Heat Haze) 1 by Takemiya Keiko Translation by Emily Horner (emily.horner@sympatico.ca); please ask permission before using these translations anywhere else. This chapter starts on page 120 of volume 6 of the Hakusensha bunko edition with the forest green spine (ISBN 4-592-88156-7). Page numbering corresponds to this volume. If you have a different edition, this chapter starts right after the flashback to Serge's childhood ends, and ends at the piano recital (about 200 pages in all). The latin at the beginning of the chapter is from Seneca's "Epistulae Morales," for the curious (XCV, 57); I haven't been able to find an English translation, so I'm basing my translation off the Japanese. (See also: http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/seneca.ep14-15.html) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...recta actio non erit. nisi recta fuit vol ...ab hac enim est If one's will is correct, then one's actions will be correct as well. This is because actions originate from the will. <> ...amor ...mala amplectimur ...id quot optavimus Material things deceive us; we must distinguish them. Instead of good, we embrace evil. <123> We wish the opposite of that which we should seek. Our wishes fight with our wishes, our thoughts with our thoughts. Gilbert : Leo... <> Leo : Sounds like class is over. I didn't think you would get so turned on by somebody like me. Did something happen? That made it really good for me. <125> Leo : You're still such a kid. (coughing) Leo : I hear that you've been trying to seduce the superintendent's entourage. You've been following around that abstinent Rosemarine. Hey, are you listening, Gilbert? <> Leo : What if someone were to tell him that you've been using the guest room right under his nose, next door from the superintendent's room? Gilbert : Beautiful Leo...I love your cruelty. Leo : Liar. Gilbert : I love it! <> Leo : Here. You're enjoying yourself too much. I don't like to owe people favors. Well, speak of the devil! Here comes Rosemarine's best friend now. Jules de Ferrier, supervisor of dormitory A. Gilbert : Let me see! Leo : I don't know what you've got in mind, but if you want to make Rosemarine mad, try seducing him. It could be interesting. <128> Jules : Stop such childish pranks, Rosemarine! <129> Gilbert : I'm surprised to hear you talk that way. It's not like you. Jules : Oh, it's you. Come down here. {I have to be careful.} <130> Gilbert : Sorry I kept you waiting. Jules : Button your clothes properly. Gilbert : The principal always says that when he sees me. Jules : That's because your clothes are always disheveled. <131> Jules : Or maybe it means something that you always go out in front of people looking like that? Gilbert : Do you expect me to explain that to you now? --What's going on? --Gilbert's trying to seduce Jules? --Even Jules, now? --He hasn't managed it yet. Gilbert : Let's go. Jules : Where? Gilbert : Where you were going. Jules : Are you sure? Rosemarine called me to the president's office. Gilbert : Are you trying to get away from me by saying that? Jules : Are you seriously trying to seduce me? I'm afraid your tricks won't work on me. <132> Jules : It's obvious that you're trying to make Rosemarine angry; a simple enough thing, since he has such a short temper. They say that every secret is revealed in bed, but you can't use that on Rosemarine, so you try to get his adviser instead. Gilbert : So what if I am? Are you as frigid as he is? I guess it's true that pet dogs resemble their masters! You're too loyal to your patron. Jules : Stop your ridiculous joking and tell me what it is that you want to find out from Rosemarine! <> Jules : It's not fair of you to try to get something for nothing. Gilbert : I could say the same about you, Jules de Ferrier. Jules : You're good at tricking people. Let me tell you something. Do not anger Rosemarine. I don't like him either, but I need his help, for my mother's sake, too. 'Bye. <> <135> <136> Serge : Pascale! <137> --I thought we were supposed to be friends, and you didn't say anything! If your sister hadn't written to Serge, we wouldn't have known you were coming! Pascale : Well, this is quite a reception! Serge : {Pascale...} Pascale : So, what did Pat write? Serge : She told me to watch out for you. Pascale : Liar! I bet she wrote "I love you." Okay, let's go! Serge : {Pascale, don't try too hard. Patricia was worried about you.} <138> "Serge, my brother's coming back to school. He was absent for three months because of grief. How can I say this? That very day, after you went back to school, Michel went to be with God. Pascale stayed locked in his room for days, barely eating. Serge, my brother seems strong, but he's a very gentle person. He needs your help now. Please be kind to him." Pascale : Serge... <139> Serge : I keep thinking about sad things that happened in the past, and I just don't know what to say to console you. Pascale : Stop that. I've got to forget about it, or there's no reason for me to be back here. Maybe it's good that Michel died early, before he knew anything. Humans are incorrigible, you know. They just try to keep on living--it's kind of pathetic, really. <140> Carl : I should have a letter from my parents. Wait here a second. Serge : Oh... Serge : {Again? I just sent him a reply.} --Hey! I've been seeing you here a lot lately. Do you have somebody sending you letters? <141> --Like Patricia? Serge : It's not like that! --It's not like you to be so defensive. Come on, who's it from? --Looks like nice handwriting. Carl : Stop that right now! If you want to play sports, do it in the courtyard. --Darn. Nearly had it, too. Serge : Sorry. Carl : Lately, whenever there's a fuss, it's always about you. Serge : Huh? <142> Carl : There were those underclassmen who were trying to get you to teach them latin, and before that, upperclassmen were taking pictures of you. Look at this one I temporarily confiscated. Serge : When did this happen? Carl : The photography club doesn't have any models, so they have to take pictures secretly. The girls from the country are afraid of cameras. Serge : Okay, but why do they have to take pictures of me? <143> Carl : You stand out. Don't you realize that? It earns money for the photography club, too. Pictures of popular people sell for good prices. Like Liliath Frolian, or people with curly hair or violet eyes. Hey! Serge : If they want their pictures back, they can come complain to me. Carl : Serge! {He does have a temper. Sebastian...} <> Serge : {Do I really stand out that much? I wish I didn't. I think I'd better not let Gilbert see this letter. I'll read it here, in case he's inside. It smells like Scion Nore...Why did he send a letter to me, when Gilbert's mailbox is gathering dust?} <> Serge : {Isn't he waiting for a letter himself?} It's closed up again...is Gilbert... <> Serge : {Dad, did something like this happen in your youth? Urges so intense they make your heart hurt? You never wrote about it in your diary...} <147> --That room? --That's it! If you think I'm lying, look through the keyhole. I saw him go in there with Leceste. --Leceste's one of Rosemarine's lackeys, right? Wow, he's ruthless. --Rosemarine thinks that he must have some ulterior motive, so he's been trying to catch him at it. --Oooooh. --Not "ooooh"! Go tell him! <148> --Gilbert? What is it? Gilbert : Someone's there. --What? Gilbert : Under the stairs. That's all for today. Why don't you take a nap? <149> Serge : Gilbert! Gilbert : {Serge Battour! What did you come here for? My enemy--} <> Serge : Gilbert! What are you doing? That letter's not for you! Gilbert : {Scion Nore...smells like olives...Auguste!} Serge : Come on, give it back! <151> Gilbert : This letter's mine. Serge : Huh? Gilbert : It should have come to me! Serge : I haven't even read it yet! Give it back! Gilbert! Carl : Serge, what's going on? What happened? <> Carl : Are you all right? Serge : I'm fine. I was just out of breath because I got shoved against the wall so suddenly. Carl : He treats everybody except himself like wooden puppets! Serge : Carl, I'm fine. See? Carl : Is this your letter, Serge? It smells strong. Like the cologne Gilbert uses. Serge : It's from his uncle. Carl : Auguste Beau? "You wouldn't believe who I met in Marseilles. Your cousin, Angeline Carlyle-Madison, and her mother." Serge : {Angeline!} <> Carl : Serge, you look pale. Maybe you should rest. Serge : I will, Carl. {Angeline...I'd forgotten about my sins. About the girl I hurt.} "Your cousin is doing very well. She's been in convalescence in Marseilles, and her wounds are mostly healed." Serge : {He knows her.} "They're thinking of coming to Arles to talk to you when it gets warmer." Serge : {Did my aunt tell him everything about me? I didn't want him to find out about this.} <154> --Is he there? --No. He runs away like a rat. --We've spent half an hour chasing him! <> --He acts like an animal, but what do you expect, when he gets beaten with a whip? --I'm just about out of breath. --Get him! He found the shed where I was having a secret date with him. --There he is! --Ow ow ow! He's used to these places where there's not even a path. --What was that? --I think it was Gilbert! <> --You saw him, didn't you? --He went through the hole in the wall and jumped through the window. --Into Proulx's room. Proulx : Who's there? --Gilbert Cocteau's in there, right? The superintendent's calling him, open up! <> Proulx : What is it? --Don't you think you're going too far? Proulx : I have Rosemarine's backing, you know. --Give Gilbert to me. You're corrupting public morals, and if you get caught, you're going to get punished really severely. Proulx : You understand, right? Rosemarine lets me have Gilbert so that public morals don't get corrupted. --But... Proulx : It's none of your business what happens between me and Gilbert anyway! Get lost! Gilbert : That was painful...it felt like my lungs were about to collapse. Proulx : How do you feel? Gilbert : When you hit me with that whip, I feel like I should repent... Proulx : Don't complain. It's your fault for running away from me and letting other people have your body! --Gilbert's screaming. --He's only getting what he deserves. That was a good idea, pairing an incorrigible nymphomaniac with a violent bully. Rosemarine: You good-for-nothings! --I'm very sorry. Rosemarine: Get out! Jules : 'If you want to shoot the general, first shoot the horse,' is that it? Rosemarine: What? Jules : He even tried to seduce me--in vain, of course. Rosemarine: Jules, what are you saying? Jules : That you're his target, Rosemarine. <> Jules : He called you an ascetic who had never known physical relations--in short, he said that you had never slept with anyone. Jules : I'm sorry. I'll never said it again, please forgive me. Now, get up. You bear none of the blame for *that*. <> --Who's that who's getting out a horse at the crack of dawn? --It's Serge! He's been like this every day. It's hard to get any sleep. --What's he doing? The big fox hunt is still a long time away. --He must have a lot of pent-up feeling. He is at that age, after all. --It's no wonder. I'm surprised he doesn't go crazy, being in the same room as that nymphomaniac. --Gilbert? --It's been half a year since he transferred here. It's surprising that he's lasted this long. --Probably won't last too much longer, though. <> "People, love yourselves. In particular, love the evil within you, for it is evil that comes from honest emotion." <> "Scream, for that is your humanity! Stretch out your hands in the sunlight, and embrace your sins. Cain's symbol is the symbol of those who know sin. Fear not; we are all Cain's descendants." Serge : {Last night, I held him, without thinking. He came in from outside, and he found the letter.} Serge : Who's there? What is it? <> Serge : Hey, what are you doing? {Gilbert!} That's-- Gilbert : It's a lie! It has to be! Serge : Gilbert, it's nothing. It's just a letter. Gilbert : Auguste! Why did you-- Gilbert : Why... Serge : {Gilbert!} Gilbert : You should be ashamed of yourslef, for taking advantage of my weakness! If anything like this happens again, I'll just laugh at you! Serge : {I would have been ashamed before, but not now. It's just passionate feelings welling up within me. I love Gilbert. Why did I try so hard to be stubborn and resist my feelings?} Rousch : All right, that's enough. Rene : Serge! Professor, that's too much. He'll ruin his fingers if you make him play like that. Rousch : That was excellent. Serge : Thank...you... Rene : Professor Rousch? Rousch : His spirit would be in chaos if I didn't make him play. The piano is like an outlet for his feelings. Even if he tries to play Beethoven, that isn't Beethoven. Rene : Huh? Rousch : He's an intense child. Even while his technique is still undeveloped, he knows how to put his screams into music. Listen closely, and you can hear how his heart beats every day in his music. Serge : I'm fine. I feel better when I can play all I want. <> Rene : You remind me of Aslan--of your father. It's like you were born to become a pianist. Serge : Not at all, Professor Rene. {Will I be a child prodigy, like Schubert and Mendelsohn and Brahms? I don't know. I just want to make the most of my youth.} <> Gilbert : Leo...let go... Leo : Because you're only supposed to stay until 5:00? Who cares? You're beautiful. It suits you best when you look like this... If you don't like it, pull my hand away...if you can... <> Gilbert : You! Don't move! Ha ha ha ha! <> Leo : Isn't that brown kid your roommate, taking a walk in the rain? Gilbert : The rain feels good, doesn't it, Serge? It's cold and sends shivers down your spine, like caresses. Are you going to run away now? Gilbert : Go, then. What's wrong? Do you still want something? You're a goody-two-shoes just like Carl! Leo : Don't be so stuck up. You could at least give him a kiss; don't you feel sorry for him? Gilbert : All right. Come here. Wasch : Who is it? Serge! You should be in class! Serge : I'd like to fence with you, please! Serge : {This is the second time! I hadn't mean to spy. But he nearly kissed me back there!} Wasch : You're not driving hard enough! Serge : {I just stayed there watching them, until I was found out.} Wasch : Concentrate! Do you think you can defeat a veteran of the Franco-Prussian war like that? Wasch : Well, I am getting older! That was impressive, Count Serge. And you haven't even been trained! Serge : It's just because you have a bad leg. Wasch : Our fencing club doesn't teach prettified swordplay for matches. When you're holding a sword, you shouldn't be thinking about the other person's handicaps. It's kill or be killed--got that? Why don't you have some tea, since you're skipping class anyway? Serge : Yes, please. <> Serge : Professor... Wasch : Yes? Serge : Have you ever been in love? I'm really sorry! I didn't mean to surprise you like that. Wasch : Ow...it's not that, it's just my leg. Serge : Did I ask something I shouldn't have? Wasch : You've got to be earnest about love! Seize the day! Carl : Quiet, everyone! The sheets have been cleaned. Take them and make your beds at once. The general inspection's tomorrow, so make sure your pillowcases are clean as well. The heads of each room should take responsibility and report to the person in charge of underclassmen. That's all! --Serge, look! He wrote this on the pillow! --So what? The upperclassmen do it too! Carl : I put you in charge of the underclassmen. So, what are you going to do? Serge : You really put me in charge of a lot of work! Well, pillow cases are private possessions, so I guess that it's all right...but it's important to keep them clean! I'll be around to pick up the dirty sheets later, so make sure you collect them. Sebastien : Got it! Serge : Are you the head of your room, Sebastien? Sebastien : Yes! I'm sure that you'll be doing a lot for me in the future. Carl : Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Serge : I hope so. You could be in charge of the underclassmen too, you know. Carl : I was doing it before, but there are things I just can't handle because I don't live in the dorms. Serge : You should live in the dorms too. Why did you have to live at a boarding-house in town? Carl : I'm not suited to communal living. But you treat the dorm just like your own house...even though I know it can't be easy to deal with your roommate. I know I've said this before, but don't let yourself get caught up in his plots. Serge : See you! Carl : Serge! <> Serge : {Like my own house? But that's not because I'm a good person, Carl. No matter where I go, I always end up causing trouble. I just want to be somewhere where I can face it head-on.} Gilbert : Aren't you going to hold me? I've been waiting for you. Serge : Gilbert... --Serge Battour, there's someone here to see you. Serge : Coming! {Who could it be?} --Please come to the great hall. This is his card. Serge : {Auguste Beau! He wants to see me, not Gilbert?} Serge : {Why? Is this about Angeline?} --Quickly! Serge : Yes... --This way, please. I won't be going with you, as I have other business. Serge : See you. Gilbert : {Auguste...} Gilbert : {Auguste, you're always watching me, looking down at me from a place I can't reach. Like you watched me when you sent me away to this dungeon. Fine, you can play with my emotions. I won't run away now.} <> Serge : Good evening. Auguste : It's been a long time. Should I not have called you so suddenly? Serge : It's not that, but why do you want to talk to me? {Gilbert is...} Auguste : I only came to greet you because they're both tired from their long journey. Serge : Who? Auguste : Your cousin Angeline and your aunt are with me. Serge : Oh. I see. Where are they? Auguste : They're staying at a hotel in town. I'm thinking of bringing them here tomorrow. Serge : You can't! Auguste : Why? There's nothing for you to worry about. Serge : What does Angeline think of me? I did a terrible thing to her! Serge : She couldn't possibly want to see me. Auguste : I told you not to worry about it now. Meet with her. She never really wanted you to leave. She only said that because of-- Serge : I'm leaving. I can't see her! Auguste : Because of womanly pride. She's a lovely lady. She seems older than her 11 years. And though she won't say it, she loves you. Serge, she's in love with you. Serge : {That's why I can't see her.} Rosemarine: To fulfill the most exalted promise through that glory and power...in God's true character, avoiding the corruption of earthly desire...Add virtue to faith, scholarship to virtue, temperance to scholarship, patience to temperance, piety to patience, and compassion to piety. --Amen! Rosemarine: This ends the school mass for the anniversary of the school's opening. Return to your study rooms and wait for classes to begin. Auguste : That was a very nice mass. It was a good idea to have you do the reading. That elegant Latin suits your dignity perfectly. Rosemarine: Thank you. {A good mass? He hardly even goes to mass. It's just cynicism for the dead language, Latin.} Rosemarine: {I wouldn't let you two in a cathedral!} Jules : Rosemarine, let's go. What's wrong? Gilbert : It seems like my alarm clock came in handy. You were fast asleep. To thank me, can you come with me today? Serge : Um... Gilbert : Don't flatter yourself. I didn't mean it that way. --Would even Gilbert sleep with him? --Look, he turned red! He's embarrassed! Serge : {You were staring at him all through mass, without blinking. How did that card fall on the floor last night? I was sure I put it in my pocket.} Gilbert : I've been busy lately, so can I sit beside you in class? --Why were you busy? --You're just using Serge because you didn't study! --Get away from him! Serge : It's okay! I don't care. Let's go to class together. Gilbert : Merci. Serge : {I don't know what you want...} --Read the next passage, Serge Battour. Serge : {So I'm just going to stop worrying about you.} As we live, we look inside ourselves. We feel the solemn truth so deeply that tears overflow within. The impulses that linger inside our lives...} [From "The Origin of Love and Consciousness" by Kurata.] Serge : Stop it! Carl : Serge! --Are you starting a fight in class? Serge : He interfered with my reading. Gilbert will take responsibility for it and read the next part. <> --That was cool! --What's going to happen next? --Serge is kind of different from Carl. He actually has a spine. --Gilbert's the school's number one beauty and its number one demon. And he's practically as good as a woman! Gilbert : Hm. You can actually be pretty strong. Serge : Start reading. Everybody's waiting for you. If you can't read it, stand up and tell the teacher so! Gilbert : Come now into my body, drops of passionate love, into my hand. Secret passion, demons of the flesh... --What are you reading? Gilbert : Each other's chests... --Stop it! Gilbert : What's wrong with it? It's a song that prostitutes like. I'm sure you know it, professor. Serge : Gilbert! --Get out of here right now! I won't hesitate to fight with you! <> --You better leave now if you don't want to get crushed! Serge : Don't you think you're overreacting, professor? --Stop it, Serge. You can't stand up to Professor Meursault. Serge : Gilbert isn't going to run away. He'll suffocate! Serge : Uh-oh. Pascale : That was great, Carl. I can't believe he's making you stand out in the hallway too. He totally lost it! --He's still furious. Serge : That was stupid. Why did you provoke him like that? Gilbert : Ow! My eyes hurt. Serge : You have to let me see, Gilbert. Gilbert : You can't make me! Serge : You aren't stronger than me, so just be quiet. It's your own fault for always skipping gym class. <> Serge : Fine, all right. {I was surprised...his eyes were so big. But why is he still here?} --Sorry for disturbing you during class, but there's a request for a meeting with Serge Battour, in the principal's room. --You idiots standing out there! You could at least deal with the people who are here to see you! Serge : {It's this...he was waiting for this!} Serge : {Gilbert! Fine, if he wants to go so much, he can go.} Auguste : Your cousin seems to like the sunlight very much. Serge : Yes, she always has. {The scent of Scion Nore... The sunlight from then won't disappear from my head...it's like a summer heat haze.} Auguste : And so you became friends? Aunt : Serge, are you listening? Serge : Err...yes. Aunt : That boy always has his head in the clouds! Auguste : Of course he's nervous. He's going to see his first love. Serge : {First love? No, Angeline is...like a little sister.} <> Angeline : Serge! Oh, Serge! Serge : Angeline, your wounds... Angeline : Serge, I'm sorry! Auguste told me how worried you were about me...so I knew I had to come set things right with you! Serge : {The scars still stand out on her face...} Angeline : I'm fine! I'm not even scared of going out in the sunlight any more. Serge : {Angeline, my angel...} Angeline : What's wrong, Serge? You're shaking as if you're sick! I missed you so much! I never wanted you to go away... Serge : Angeline, I will be at your service for the rest of your life. {That was a lovers' kiss...} Auguste : {Serge, as I thought, you're too gentle. You can't pretend not to see the sadness in front of your eyes. You haven't studied humans long enough to be able to control Gilbert.} I know you like the sun, but it isn't good for the skin of a lady like you. Please, come inside. Angeline : Aw! Aunt : Angeline's still just a little child, Auguste. <> Angeline : You've gotten so mature, and you've grown tall, too. Serge : So have you, Angeline. I was surprised at how beautiful you've become. Angeline : I'm no good. That's what I thought after you went away, and I was so sad! But after I went to Marseilles to recover, I met him. He scolded me and encouraged me, and I started to think... you can't make yourself uhappy. Right? Serge : {Angeline...} Angeline : Really, what's wrong with you, Serge? You've barely said a word. Aunt : This is all thanks to you. Auguste : Not at all. But I really do like them. Serge has an upright, honest personality, and a lot of musical talent, and Angeline is a true lady. She's one in a million. [Literally: even if you look by banging gongs and drums, you can't find someone like that.] Aunt : By the way, I heard that you were going to get engaged soon. To whom? Auguste : Why do you ask? Aunt : I suppose it's silly of me to already be worried about my daughter's marriage prospects. She'll be fifteen in only four years, and I would like to find someone by then. Auguste : What about Serge? Aunt : I cannot say that he's the ideal husband. Auguste : I see. Well, this is difficult. I have thought of settling down, but I decided to remain single for now. Auguste : Who's there? --Gilbert, stop! Aunt : Wait, who are you? Have you been eavesdropping? --I didn't mean to! We were just...having a secret rendezvous... Aunt : That's disgusting! --Um, can we go? --Let's go! Gilbert : You can go by yourself. Rosemarine: I see. It almost makes me want to laugh! Auguste : I suppose. Rosemarine: It's enough of a joke that you're showing interest in a girl. Auguste : It must seem that way. I like Angeline, though. Rosemarine: Because she's the best way to control Serge, and Serge is always by Gilbert? Do you care about that devil child that much? Auguste : Care about him? <> Auguste : I don't know if those are the words I would use. At first, I only wanted to raise him so that he would be pure. Rosemarine: Pure? (laughs) Excuse me. Auguste : There's nothing funny about it. It's just that no one else understands the meaning of purity. If other people look harder at themselves because of him, that's enough. For that, I'll do anything! <> Auguste : It was your mistake not to separate Serge from Gilbert. I know that you probably don't even want to think about Gilbert, but fear never produces good results. Rosemarine: I'm not afraid! Auguste : Is that so? When did you become so compulsive? Rosemarine? Rosemarine: Jules de Ferrier! Auguste : Jules de Ferrier. Is that your real name? I'll remember it. Mother : Serge, Serge...come here, Serge. Serge : Daddy's not here! Mother : Come here, Serge. Mother : I love you. It's warm, isn't it? I love you. Love is gentle and soft and it smells good. Let's hold hands and go pick flowers for your daddy. Kiss me gently. That calms your heart and makes you happy. It's like magic, Serge--the magic of love. "I love you, Serge..." <> Serge : Pascale! How long have you been here? That's not fair! Pascale : I couldn't help it. I couldn't see you from over there. Hey, you don't just cry when there are other people around, you cry even when there aren't! Serge : Leave me alone, Pascale. I don't even know why I was crying. I feel like I was dreaming. Pascale : That's a convenient explanation. Serge : I don't want you to think I'm sentimental. It's embarrassing! Pascale : I'm envious, actually. I feel like it's important to open your heart up and be sensitive to things... <> Pascale : But you know, it's really hard. Humans always depend too much on logic and end up forgetting their true natures. How can you be true to someone else, if you can't even be true to yourself? Spring comes and flowers bloom, but people still can't be true to themselves. Serge : {Pascale...would you understand what I feel for Gilbert?} What happens if you're honest about whom you love? If you act without being afraid, what will happen? It's true that my parents did just that, and made a lot of people sad... Pascale : Serge, you know, when Michel died, I just wanted to cry out at the top of my lungs. I wanted to cry and blame my mom and dad. But I didn't. Part of me felt that it was too late now. What I felt I lacked, more than anything, was love for my parents. Serge : {Pascale, somehow you always seem to come up with the perfect answer!} I love you, Pascale! <> --Right! Right! --Go! Pascale : You could've at least warned me! Serge : You said it was important to open your heart up and be sensitive to things! --Pass! --Oh, shoot! --Watch out! --Hey, you can't throw a hockey ball at us! Serge : Sorry! --Did you see that? --I'm scared of the ball! --He actually managed to catch the ball! --Not bad! You should recruit him. --Too late. He's already in the equestrian club. --Rain! --It's raining cats and dogs! --We're all here, right? --Look at my hair! --Don't cry! You can wipe it with my shirt. --Let's get started. First, a toast! Leo : Bravo to the good-looking dripping boy! --Keep your hands off him, he's mine today. Liliath : Why'd we have to have the party today? We should've rescheduled. Leo : Afraid not! The only rule of this bishounen love club is to bring our partners and have a meeting once every month, no matter what happens. Liliath : I'm sick of hearing that! Leo : And I invited someone special today. Liliath : Who? Leo : Of course, he brought a partner too. Max Proulx and his partner, Gilbert Cocteau! <> Gilbert : Whose partner did you say I was? Nonsense! Who would come after me if they knew about this? --Take it easy, Proulx. You look like you're going to cry! --Don't get so mad. It's because bishounen are stuck-up and selfish that they're beautiful. Liliath : Hey, say something! Don't you have anything to say to this assembly, "miss" Gilbert Cocteau? <> Gilbert : No, I don't. If I said a word to this foolish, filthy assembly, my mouth would rot. How's that, "miss" Liliath Florian? Leo : Hey, leave him alone! Gilbert : What do you have going here, Leonhart? Some kind of pet shop? The other kids are just dressed-up dolls, right? They won't sleep with you. You could call them pets. Leo : You're on edge about something...like a cat in heat. This is just playing, and you can play too. Have something to drink. Have fun. --No, idiot! You have to take that piece, or you'll lose! --Yeah, so then I... --I was going out with him, but... Max : Are you still pouting? I'm sorry about before. Come on, cheer up. Let's get something to drink. Gilbert : No! Max : What's wrong with you? --Hey, someone's here. --Yeah right! --Really. They've been knocking for a while. --Is it okay if people find out about this? Leo : You get the door, Gil. You'll be able to deal with it. Serge : Um, excuse me, is Leonhart Manesse here? Gilbert : What are you doing in a place like this? Are you sure it's not a mistake? Serge : I was just asked to give him a message. Gilbert : By whom? Serge : One of the underclassmen, but I think he was asked by someone else. He told me to take this letter. Leo : A letter? What is it? Gilbert : It's for you, Leo. Leo : Everybody, listen to this! From: The student body of dormitory B To: The bishounen love club "We present you with an unusual fresh fruit. His name is Serge Battour. Enjoy." <> --Hey, it's Serge! --Isn't it thoughtful of dormitory B to send us such a nice present! <> --Lithe body... --Round eyes... --A nice voice! Leo : All right, stop it. I get to taste him first. Serge : Stop! Leo : He really is fresh. He puts up a good fight. He's much more scrupulous than you are, right, Gilbert? Gilbert : Probably. Gilbert : You're stupid. You fall into traps so easily. Serge : Gilbert! --This time, I won't let you get away! --He's pretty quick. He won't escape if both of us try to catch him. <> Serge : {Where's the door?} --Bastard! --Don't let him get away! --Lock the door! Don't let him out! Serge : Watch out! <> --Got him! Leo : You'll break his neck! --Take off his clothes! Serge : Stop it! Leo : Out of the way! Liliath : Strip him naked and torture him to death! Leo : Stop, Liliath! Liliath : He made a fool out of me in the greenhouse. I called him and even tried to kiss him, but he wouldn't kiss anyone but Gilbert. Leo : You may as well resign yourself. You can't run away from this many people, and the door's locked. <> Serge : What am I supposed to resign myself to? Leo : It's nothing too difficult. Just play with us for one night. Gilbert : No, it's not so hard. All you have to do is let all these guys kiss you and touch your body. --We're not saying you have to sleep with us. --We're not telling you to do that kind of debauchery like Gilbert. Serge : You're telling me that there's a boundary line where I should just say "this much is okay"? Serge : If you all consent to it, then I won't criticize you for what you do with each other. But I don't need it or want it. If you want to force me to accept it, I'd rather die. It's awful. Let me through, I'm leaving. Gilbert : Wait! I won't let you leave, you self-righteous hypocrite! Unfortunately, the key is over here. Gilbert : If you say you'd rather die, then prove it. Let's see how long you can stand up to the humiliation. Rosemarine: The rain's really coming down. Jules : What is it? Rosemarine: Nothing. I just thought I heard something metal fall. It might just be my imagination. Jules : Everyone's in their own rooms on the weekends, so they sometimes get loud and start fights. <> Rosemarine: Either way, you can't hear anything in this rain. Jules : Is something wrong? You've been cooped up in your room all day, not that I mind. Rosemarine: When that man is here, I don't feel well at all. Jules : It happened three years ago, Rosemarine. Forget about it. Rosemarine: I will forget it when you die, and when he does. <> Proulx : Run away, or you'll be hit. <> --Got him! --All right! <> Serge : Ow! --Hey, watch out! Proulx : He just touched him. Liliath : This time, take off his clothes! Serge : Don't get close to me! I won't stand for this any more. I don't care who you are, if you touch me, I'll punch you! Leo : Looks like you won't be satisfied until you get torn to pieces. Eh, viscount? Gilbert : {The spirit of the prey excites the hunter. Foolish Serge, you'll only be hurt more.} --Hey, he's strong! --Get his poker! <> Gilbert : {It started out as just a prank, but it doesn't look as if it'll end that way. See for yourself what's left inside of you after your self-respect gets crushed!} <> Gilbert : {You tried hard. You didn't do anything humiliating like call for help. But your purity and innocence will only go so far.} <> Leo : Serge... Leo : I'm sorry, Serge...but you would've been out of my reach if not for this. I like you just the same as everyone else. Time to go home. Go find the key, brats! It fell under the window. --There it is! --All right, dismissed! --Not fair! <> Gilbert : {"You're beautiful. You should be proud of that beauty, Serge."} <> Serge : {Who's there? An angel?} Serge : Gilbert, it's you? Ow, my shoulder! Gilbert! <> Serge : Gilbert, why? Wait! Stop it! Gilbert : Give it back! Serge : Gilbert! {Someone's coming!} Jules : Who's there? What are you doing in the corridor? It's you! Jules : Aren't you from dormitory B? What are you doing out so late at night? Come to my room. It's all right. Don't cry. <> Rosemarine: What is it, Jules? Jules : Steady, now...there, to your left. <> Rosemarine: {The smell of blood!} Jules : Rosemarine, could you fetch me a lamp? It's a bit dark. Rosemarine: Serge Battour! Jules : {He seems to be barely conscious. I wonder if he can tell us what happened.} Jules : It seems that he was attacked by a group of people. He has whip marks on his back and burns on his forehead, and a light concussion as well. Rosemarine: He was attacked? Where? Tell me who did this to you! I can't believe that I could have been here all along and not known anything! Jules : Rosemarine, calm down! He's in no condition to think clearly. Rosemarine: We have to punish them now! Anyone who could do this kind of thing will be quick to run away. Jules : Rosemarine! <> Jules : Calm down, you're making too much of this. It's best to just let these things pass. It is an all-boys' school, after all. Might makes right, in such a situation. Rosemarine: Are you trying to say that they had no ill will? Ganging up on a younger student, and forcing him? Jules : Why are you assuming that it was upperclassmen who did this? True, he has been popular among them lately. Serge : Someone, help! He's hurt! Rosemarine: What? Is there someone else? Jules : Sit down. Be quiet, you have a concussion! You're the one who's hurt. Get a hold of yourself. Serge : {The superintendent?} It's nothing. <> Serge : Really, it's nothing. I just got in a fight. {I only hit him with a whip once. I'll pray that it's nothing serious--it's better than letting the superintendent find out the truth, and getting punished.} Jules : Don't talk too much. You should get some rest here. You can use my bed. Serge : {Blood flowed...a line of red blood, smashed like brittle glass. Somewhere in me, I thought that his blood was blue. Gilbert...} <> Jules : Are you going back to your room? I'll ask him what I should as him tomorrow. Rosemarine: But... Jules : He probably won't say anything, for fear that he'll be accused of being a tattletale. Rosemarine: No...I think I'll spend the night here. <> "This is you, Rosemarine...paralyzed by drugs, unable to move. It's you!" "You're nothing but a doll now. You'll regret trying to manipulate me! Vow eternal loyalty to me!" Rosemarine: {Jules!} Those eyes! They're the same! Serge : Wake up! You're dreaming. It's just a dream. Serge : I'm sorry for waking you. You looked like you were having a nightmare. Rosemarine: Did I say something? Serge : I couldn't hear it. Rosemarine: {He's lying. Trying to pretend he doesn't know.} Serge : I wonder if it's okay to use this towel. You're covered in sweat. Rosemarine: Stop! Serge : I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking... Rosemarine: I just don't like it when other people touch me. Did you open my collar? Serge : Yes. It looked hard to sleep in. It's because you sleep like that that you have bad dreams--at least, that's what my mother told me. Was that rude? <> Rosemarine: Do you remember what happened to you? I'm surprised you can act so calm after all that. Weren't you humiliated? Serge : Well, of course I'm angry about it. I am a man, after all. It's all I can do to stay calm. It was a shock to me that I couldn't even protect myself, and I went half crazy... It was my fault too. I was careless. I said things that I shouldn't have said, and jumped in as soon as they tried to start a fight with me. <> Rosemarine: Please... <> Rosemarine: Thank you. I think I can get to sleep tonight. Jules : {Be careful, Gilbert. You have no idea how dangerous Serge may be to you.} <> --Did you hear about how Serge became a victime of the bishounen love club? --What? --They took his clothes off? --I would've liked to see that! --Just when things got dangerous, he ran away to the room where Jules and Rosemarine were. --So he told Rosemarine? --No, he didn't say a word. Wasch : What? If it's about last night, Jules de Ferrier already told me. So never mind making up an excuse. Serge : Please don't get mad at me! I was careless. I swear I won't ever let it happen again! Wasch : How can you talk like that after what happened yesterday? <> Wasch : Do you have any idea what could have happened if things had got any worse? Serge : What could have happened? Wasch : Your chastity could have been in danger! Serge : Monsieur Wasch, what's chastity? Wasch : Ask one of your older classmates. Anyway, the important thing is not to be careless and to find a wholesome way to spend your days. Wasch : Wait. You probably know this, but everyone already knows what happened last night. Prepare yourself, but don't pay attention to the rumors--only to what you know with your own eyes and your ears and your heart. Serge : Yes, sir. Excuse me. {This isn't going to be easy.} --They took his clothes off? --He's got weird taste! --I guess Gilbert's nymphomania is contagious. --Love hotel, room 17! --Serge Battour, I want to fight with you! You made Jacques be infatuated with you! Carl : Is Gilbert here? --He's never been here when self-study started. --I bet *someone* knows about him. --Especially considering last night. Serge : {Monsieur Wasch told me to listen only to what I knew with my eyes and ears and heart...} Carl : Do you know where he is, Serge? Serge : No. Carl : As his roommate, could you make sure he gets this? <> --Do a nude show in front of Gilbert! --Make him kiss you! Carl : Be quiet! --Everyone who stripped Serge naked was a coward, ganging up on him because they couldn't do anything alone. Serge : {He was looking at me with such cold eyes.} We were fighting last night, and he didn't come back to our room. Carl : Serge, you're strong. Stay that way. Don't pay any attention to the rumors. <> Serge : There's something I want to look up in the library. May I leave? Carl : All right. {Serge...} Pascale : Hurry up and pass the papers out. Carl : {You're going forward, all by yourself.} <> Serge : {Why is this making my chest feel tight?} <> Rosemarine: Serge Battour! Didn't you hear me calling you? Serge : No. Rosemarine: I'd like to talk to you. Do you have a moment? Serge : Sure. Thanks for everything last night. Rosemarine: Come outside with me. --He's going to make him say who was responsible! --With a whip? --Of course! If he doesn't tell him right away, he'll get hurt. --Only the superintendent has the right to punish people. If anyone else does anything, he won't just stand by. Serge is going to come back crying. Rosemarine: Is your head all right? Serge : Yes. I took the bandages off because they were embarrassing. I'm fine now. Rosemarine: All right. Hurry up! --He touched Serge! --What? <> Serge : What was it that you wanted to talk to me about? Rosemarine: Do you know Auguste Beau? Serge : I think he's just trying to get close to me because I'm Gilbert's roommate. Why? Rosemarine: {This morning, he asked to meet you.} Just answer the question! {He's not even using your aunt as an excuse any more.} <> Rosemarine: What do you think of him? Serge : I think he's a great artist, and I respect him for that. Why are you laughing? Rosemarine: I'm sorry. I only wanted to warn you--don't get too close to that man, Auguste Beau. <> Serge : Did you call me, principal? It's Serge Battour. Can I come in? --Come in! Auguste : Ah, Serge, I've been waiting for you. How are you? <> Serge : Monsieur Auguste? Auguste : You can just call me Auguste. We're good friends now. Serge : {Someone's watching. Who? Gilbert!} <> Auguste : I haven't seen you in a month. You could be a little more friendly. Serge : I didn't mean... {What's he thinking? I don't know. What's hidden under that expressionless face?} Principal : Serge, I'm sorry for calling you out of class, but what I have to talk to you about is a very important piece of luck that's going to have an effect on your very future. Are you listening? Serge Battour! Serge : Yes, sir. Principal : Auguste Beau brought a friend of his who teaches at a conservatory all the way here from Paris. Serge : A conservatory? Principal : That's right! In other words, he wants to show your talents to him directly. Monsieur Rousch is very happy about this, and he thought we could have a little music recital in the salon. Your aunt will be there. Serge : {A recital? It's too sudden!} Principal : So you must perform your very best and live up to our hopes for you! <> Principal : It may also help your aunt restore her reputation. Auguste : Now, now, principal. He'll get nervous if you talk to him like that. Besides, he won't let this chance pass him by. I can guarantee it. This isn't an examination, Serge. I want you to play just as your heart desires. Serge : When's the recital? <> Auguste : Tomorrow at 3 o'clock. Serge : {That soon?} Auguste : Relax. Play as you would at any other lesson. Oh, you come too, Gilbert. You have to have some contact with the arts once in a while. Gilbert : Yes, Auguste. Auguste : Get back to class, then. I'll see you both tomorrow. <> Serge : {It's too sudden for such an important thing!} <> Serge : Get away from me, Gilbert! They'll be able to hear! Stop it, I'm leaving! Gilbert : {Look at me, coward! Thief! If you want to make noise, fine--if you want people to see you like this!} Serge : Stop... {Gilbert...my arm...} <> Serge : {A tear...} <> --Who the hell is playing the piano at this time in the morning? --It's coming from Dormitory C. --One of the underclassmen can play that well? --The piano...is that the cheap one in the public washroom? --That one's really out of tune. <> Pascale : That was great! Bravo! But I think it was too much for a reveille. Look at those kids' annoyed faces. Serge : You're up early, Pascale. That's unusual. Pascale : The truth is, the piano woke me up too. My room's right on the edge of Dormitory B. Great performance, though! Serge : Okay, I'm sorry! I just really got into the music, and ended up being too loud. Pascale : Still, you're good at concealing how out-of-tune this piano is. Serge : Huh? Pascale : You were transposing it by half an octave, right? Serge : {He knew that?} <> Sebastien : I thought so! It was you, Serge! Serge : Hi, Sebastien. Sebastien : Hey, I told you to come see me when you came to Dormitory C! Serge : Sorry! I thought you'd still be asleep. --Sebastien's really stuck on him! --What's wrong with him? --Give it a rest! Sebastien : Since you're here anyway, let's go have breakfast together! "Calm your mind; calm your mind. Particularly when your thoughts are hurried and you cannot rely on your own strength, gently calm your mind." <> Sebastien : Serge! Serge : Sebastien! What is it? Sebastien : There's a girl over there who wants to see you. Who is she, who is she? Huh? Serge : {A girl. Angeline.} --A girl? Serge's cousin? --And she's pretty! --Wow, I'm jealous! --Let's have him introduce us to her. Angeline : Serge, the truth is, I got here yesterday. I was in the next room when you and Auguste were talking. I left mother at the hotel and came here with Auguste. Serge : Oh. It's too bad I couldn't see you. Angeline : Liar! Serge : What? Angeline : Kiss me, Serge! Angeline : I know the truth. I know you like that boy. You didn't run away like you did with me. Yesterday, I found out. Serge : Angeline! Angeline : Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. Serge : It's not that. It's just that Gilbert's-- Angeline : He's Auguste's nephew. A beautiful person... <> Angeline : Auguste might propose to me. So that was a good-bye kiss. Thank you for everything, Serge. Good luck at the concert this afternoon. Serge : Ange...Angeline! <> --They're having a concert in the salon? That's sudden. --It's for some guest. --Can we go listen? --If Professor Rousch says it's all right. --Never mind. It's not worth the trouble. --Salon music's for old geezers anyway. --Look, it's Rosemarine and Serge! They're headed to the salon. --Serge's playing the piano? --He's carrying music scores. <> --What was the first song? --Schubert's Impromptu. --So what's on now? --Just listen! Serge : {I end up favoring my arm...and the left-hand part gets disturbed.} Rousch : What rudeness! Rene : Now, calm down. Serge : {It hurts. Can I keep on playing like this, with this arm? The feeling's going out of my arm...} <> Serge : {I failed. I'm sorry, Professor Rousch, and Louis Rene. I'm sorry, father...and my piano.} Rousch : Wait! Auguste : Wait, Serge. Come with me.