Word Lesson
(From Loveless Limited Edition Booklet 4)
p. 12
Word Lesson
Kouga Yun
Sign: Public Park Planned Site. Outsiders Do Not Enter
Soubi: For example, this sign... what do think about it?
Ritsuka: Huh?! What do I think about what? I don't know what you mean!!
Ritsuka: What are we doing exactly? Let go of my hand!!
(grab)
Soubi: What? We're talking a walk. I won't let go of your hand!!
p. 13
Soubi: Well...
Soubi: Ritsuka, the words on that sign...
Soubi: How do they make you feel?
Ritsuka: (This guy is awful.)
Ritsuka: How...?
Ritsuka: Uh...
Ritsuka: They're going to build a park here.
Soubi: And so?
Soubi: So you like that sign?
(stare)
Ritsuka: I don't like it.
Soubi: Why? Which words don't you like?
Ritsuka: I don't like the word "outsiders." I find it annoying.
p. 14
Soubi: Ritsuka. Tell me more.
(smile)
Soubi: More details.
Ritsuka: I like "Public Park..." and "Planned" and "Site." Building a park is nice...
Ritsuka: I don't like "Outsiders" and "Do Not Enter." They sound harsh to me. I get the feeling I'm being rejected.
Soubi: So, if you could rewrite it, what would you do?
p. 15
Ritsuka: S... some...
Ritsuka: Something like, "Except for authorized people, use caution when entering."
Ritsuka: (That's wrong.)
Soubi: (Ahaha!) I don't know what that means.
Ritsuka: I don't either!!
Ritsuka: (Ugh. What do you want me to do?)
Soubi: Well, this "do not enter" is a threat and it could offend someone.
(pop)
(squeak)
Sign: Welcome.
Soubi: How's this?
Ritsuka: You idiot. Now it says the opposite!! (pfft)
Ritsuka: (With a magic marker...)
p. 16
Ritsuka: (Ahaha.) Outsiders are welcome to enter the area!! That's not what they meant when they put up the sign.
Soubi: But if you put it like that...
Soubi: Outsiders won't feel so bad.
(ba-thump, ba-thump)
Ritsuka: That's true.
Soubi: Aren't words interesting?
Man: Hey, you there! Don't play jokes!
Soubi: Oh.
p. 17
Ritsuka: Wasn't he scolding us?
Soubi: Oh, sorry.
Ritsuka: But "welcome..." "well" and "come..." I kinda like those words.
Ritsuka: Hm...
(trot, trot)
Soubi: Yep. I'm "welcome," too.
Hand: Ritsuka is welcome to enter.
Ritsuka: That's enough! I...
Ritsuka: Absolutely no trespassers allowed, Soubi!
Soubi: Man, you're harsh! Don't you know the antonym for "welcome?"
Ritsuka: Yes, I do. It's "go away!!"
Ritsuka: Go away, Soubi!! I'll gladly send you packing!!
Ritsuka: That's not the case.
END