Episode #19 – Ima wa Naki Oukoku no Uta (Song of the Fallen Kingdom)

Translation notes: C-ko says "tire" in English during her skit, so she doesn’t know what one is.

Wakaba is wearing an elaborate dress while being embraced by a tall, shadowed figure.

Wakaba: I've waited to meet you for a very long time. I was born to meet you. Isn't that right, my prince?

Wakaba and Utena are sitting under a tree at Ohtori Academy. Wakaba is humming to herself happily.

Utena: You look happy. Did something good happen to you?
Wakaba: Yes, something good did happen! (holding out a lunch box) Ta-da! Making my dearest, dearest Utena-sama a pretty lunch like this makes me so happy!
Utena: You sure are an ordinary girl, Wakaba. I'm sure you'll make a good bride.
Wakaba: You bet! You bet! This octopus-shaped weiner is a superb piece of work!

A boy approaches Utena.

Tatsuya: Uh... Um, nice to meet you. My name is Kazami Tatsuya, of class D, grade 8.
Utena: Oh.
Tatsuya: (giving Utena a letter) Tenjou-san, please read this.

Wakaba grabs the letter and looks at it curiously.

Wakaba: Kazami Tatsuya of class D, grade 8...
Utena: Wakaba! (to Tatsuya) Sorry, don't feel bad.
Tatsuya: No.
Wakaba: Kazami Tatsuya?
Utena: (to Tatsuya) But to me, stuff like this…
Wakaba: Ah, Kazami Tatsuya!
Tatsuya: Yes?
Wakaba: I remember! You're Prince Onion, aren't you?
Utena: Prince Onion?
Wakaba: It's me! I was with you in elementary school. Shinohara Wakaba!
Tatsuya: Um, Wakaba?
Wakaba: It's been a long time! I never knew you were in this academy, too. I thought this name seemed really familiar to me. I thought, "Could it be deja vu?". But no wonder it seemed so familiar...

Title card: Song of the Fallen Kingdom

Wakaba and Utena are walking away from Ohtori Academy in the evening.

Utena: So, what is Prince Onion?
Wakaba: ...Why do you look so sulky?
Utena: I missed my chance to return that letter!
Wakaba: I'll give it back for you.
Utena: I can't let you do that. Proper etiquette, you know. I'll return it.
Wakaba: It's all right. That guy is no one you should worry about, Utena. But be careful. He only talks nice.
Utena: That's an awful thing to say.
Wakaba: He's still what he was. He's always chasing tail, flirting with the girls.
Utena: Oh, come on.
Wakaba: That guy lowers the value of men all over the world.
Utena: Now isn't that taking it a bit far?
Wakaba: He's a cruel man.
Utena: ...Wakaba?
Wakaba: He's a cruel bastard. Because he transferred out without telling me.
Utena: Wakaba...
Wakaba: He was once my prince, that guy.

Wakaba remembers something from when she was in elementary school.

Kids: Nya nya, onion head!
Wakaba: Shut up, pumpkin and white radish!

She grabs a young Tatsuya's hand.

Wakaba: I have Prince Onion!
Tatsuya: Huh?
Wakaba: I have Prince Onion!
Tatsuya: Huh?
Wakaba: I have Prince Onion!
Tatsuya: Huh?
Wakaba: I have Prince Onion!
Tatsuya: Huh?

Wakaba: Well, it's an old story, you know.
Utena: Prince, huh?
Wakaba: What is it?
Utena: Really, you feel it's fate or something, don't you?
Wakaba: That's not it.

Wakaba is sitting at her desk in a classroom between classes, writing in a notebook.

Girl: Wakaba!

Wakaba looks over to the door to see Tatsuya standing in the doorway with two girls. He waves to Wakaba briefly, then starts talking with the two girls. Wakaba shuts her notebook loudly.

Wakaba: (holding Tatsuya's letter) She told me to return this. To begin with, Utena and Tatsuya are not a good match.
Tatsuya: It's because you said something weird.
Wakaba: What are you talking about?
Tatsuya: Because you told Tenjou-san about weird stuff like Prince Pumpkin or something.
Wakaba: It's Prince Onion.
Tatsuya: It doesn't matter which it is.
Wakaba: It does matter! It does matter. It's important to me. It might be something you don't care about, Tatsuya...but to me, it's a precious memory, so…
Tatsuya: ...Anyway, can you introduce me to her again?
Wakaba: (pause) All right. If you insist, I'll introduce you, but that's all.

Nanami, Juri, and Miki are at the Student Council area.

Nanami: Miki, could I ask you to play the piano again at tomorrow's party?
Miki: Sure.
Juri: Speaking of which, aren't you always playing the piano with just one person in mind, Miki?

Miki abruptly closes the book he was looking at with a picture of Anthy inside.

Miki: (embarrassed) Juri-san, please don't tease me…
Nanami: Hmph! Honestly. Stop playing while thinking of her already.

Miki clicks his stopwatch.

Miki: It must be nice to be you, Nanami-san. You can satisfy your desire with a grade schooler.
Nanami: Shut up! That's just play, P-L-A-Y! My feelings of true love are only for one man. (looking at a picture of herself and Touga) Therefore, the form of love is eternal.

Miki clicks his stopwatch. Nanami stares at her picture of Touga.

Nanami: Big brother...
Miki: You mean all but your brother are worthless, don't you?

Juri laughs.

Juri: So, there's only one feeling of true love, huh? If you could easily switch who you love, you two would be able to feel more relief.

Nanami and Miki look at Juri, exasperated.

Juri: I guess that goes for me, too.

Utena: I'm still wondering if he is the prince Wakaba said she can't get her mind off of.
Akio: What are we talking about?

Utena, Akio, and Anthy are sitting in Akio's office.

Utena: Well, my friend happened to reunite with her childhood friend. They're not being honest about it, and I'm wondering if the prince she's waiting for isn't really him.
Akio: That's a lovely story.
Utena: Oh, I'm sorry, I'm always the one to talk here.
Akio: I don't mind. But Tenjou-san, the inside of someone's heart is something veiled in silk. It seems like you could see through, but in fact, you can't. The prince people hold inside their heart is surely something others wouldn't understand. But I envy young people who are in love. I hope you, too, will find your own prince soon, Anthy.
Anthy: Yes, brother.

Wakaba: Get it, Utena? You just need to have some tea and make do somehow.

Utena, Wakaba and Anthy are sitting at a table in the cafeteria. Utena drinks some tea.

Utena: Somehow?
Wakaba: Yes.
Utena: Have some tea and make do?
Wakaba: Yes.
Utena: I get it. I'll do it for a certain someone's sake, too.
Wakaba: What's that supposed to mean?
Tatsuya: (stepping in) Hello! Sorry I'm late.
Wakaba: You're late! How long were you going to make us wait?
Tatsuya: Sorry, sorry. (looking at Anthy) Who's this?
Utena: Oh, I'll introduce you. This is Himemiya Anthy, my roommate.
Tatsuya: Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Kazami Tatsuya.
Anthy: Hello, I'm Himemiya. (pointing to Chu Chu) And this is Chu Chu.
Tatsuya: Hello, I'm Kazami Tatsuya. Nice to meet you, Chu Chu.

Chu Chu and Tatsuya stare at each other. Chu Chu starts to blush.

Wakaba: What's the use of making eyes at a monkey?
Tatsuya: What's that supposed to mean?
Wakaba: That part of you hasn't changed one bit.
Tatsuya: Stop talking like that in front of everybody.
Wakaba: But it's true, isn't it? You're always cozying up to girls.
Tatsuya: That wasn't what I... What about you, Wakaba? Why are you accusing me like that? It's strange.
Wakaba: I... (thinks of Prince Onion) Never mind, it's nothing.
Tatsuya: What is it?
Wakaba: (blushing) It's nothing.
Tatsuya: If you want to say something, then say it!
Wakaba: I'm telling you, it's nothing! ...Come on, you have something to say to Utena, don't you?
Tatsuya: Yes. (sits down) Um, Tenjou-san, are you seeing someone at the moment?
Utena: I'm not dating anyone right now, (looks at Rose Signet) but I'm still thinking about the prince who gave me this ring long ago.
Tatsuya: Prince, huh? That's kind of nice and dreamy.
Utena: Speaking of which, it seems the princess near you now has a prince she can't stop thinking of. Right, Wakaba?

Wakaba looks up, surprised.

Wakaba: What are you talking about, Utena?
Utena: Prince Onion is nice and dreamy, right?
Wabaka: No! (standing up) My prince is... (blushes) My prince is... (looks at Tatsuya) My prince is...

Tatsuya and Wakaba stare at each other for a long moment. Utena drinks more tea.

Utena: Why don't you be a little more honest, Wakaba?
Wakaba: That's not it! Utena, you're just picking on me!

Wakaba runs off in a huff. Tatsuya stands up.

Tatsuya: Wakaba!...

Utena is surprised for a moment, then smiles and drinks more tea.

Tatsuya: Um, Tenjou-san?
Utena: What?
Tatsuya: What did you mean when you said "Wakaba's prince" just now?
Utena: She's pretending to be strong, but she is a girl, after all. It might be that she can't forget the prince she met so long ago.

Tatsuya remembers about Prince Onion, and what Wakaba had said to him earlier.

Wakaba: I have Prince Onion on my side!

Wakaba: To me, it's a precious memory, so...

Tatsuya: Tenjou-san.
Utena: What?
Tatsuya: Actually, when I transferred to this academy, I knew Wakaba was here. She hasn't changed at all since the days I knew her. You were always right next to her all the time she looked happy, Tenjou-san. If I could be with you...
Utena: Then you could be with Wakaba too? So that's why you sent me a love letter, isn't it?
Tatsuya: I'm sorry. That girl's so shy. I thought she was only calling me Prince Onion to make fun of me, but I was wrong, wasn't I?
Utena: Well, I don't know any further than that. The prince people hold inside their heart is surely something others wouldn't understand. But I think it's worth it to confess.
Tatsuya: Thank you very much!

He stands up and runs off.

Utena: But did I do the right thing?

Utena and Anthy are walking down the halls of Ohtori Academy.

Anthy: About what?
Utena: About Tatsuya-kun and Wakaba.
Anthy: It's all right. With romance, what will happen will happen.
Utena: That's true, but...
Utena stops and opens her locker. She sees a note taped to the inside.

Utena: Huh? Oh, great...

The note is from Wakaba and reads "Utena, you meanie!" It also has a picture of Wakaba sticking her tongue out at Utena.

C-ko starts a skit behind a stained-glass window Utena is standing in front of.

C-ko: Extra! Extra! Extra!
C-ko: (as tire salesman) Step right up! Step right up! Fresh tires for sale! Today, the tire shop's sale!
C-ko: I'll take one! But, what is a tire shop?
C-ko: (as tire salesman) How good of you to ask! Fish shops...
C-ko: (holds up a fishbone) ...sell fish.
C-ko: (as tire salesman) Bread shops...
C-ko: (holds up basket of bread) ...sell bread.
C-ko: (as tire salesman) And we're a tire shop, so we sell tires.
C-ko: Wow!
C-ko: (as tire salesman) Telling good tires from bad ones takes quite a bit of experience. You can't easily tell if it tastes good or bad just by looking.
C-ko: Well, please give me one of those tires. Thank you!
C-ko: (as tire salesman) Have your husband eat something invigorating!
C-ko: Oh, come on... Tire shop owner... Now how will I cook this tire for dinner, I wonder?
Utena: (closing locker) Is that edible?

Wakaba is standing by a tree outside Ohtori Academy, looking at the sunset.

Tatsuya: Wakaba... Do you have a minute?
Wakaba: Now what? You sound serious.

Tatsuya nods.

Wakaba: What's wrong?
Tatsuya: There's someone you like now, isn't there?
Wakaba: (blushing) What?
Tatsuya: You're in love with your prince now, aren't you?

Wakaba is silent, still blushing.

Tatsuya: Look, you should be honest at important times.
Wakaba: I'm always honest.
Tatsuya: Prince, huh?
Wakaba: What?
Tatsuya: (blushing) Well, I was just thinking you might want to know your prince's feelings too.
Wakaba: My prince's feelings?
Tatsuya: But just as you finally realized your own feelings, maybe you have already realized you prince's feelings, too.
Wakaba: Can a childhood friend find even that out?
Tatsuya: Of course.
Wakaba: You're right. You're right. I finally realized I was in love with that prince. And maybe, with the grace of the gods, that prince will turn around and look at me. Maybe... Maybe I can finally be happy, too.
Tatsuya: Well then, you do know that. You can become happy.
Wakaba: Tatsuya...
Tatsuya: Wakaba...
Wakaba: But will you keep this a secret from everyone?
Tatsuya: Yes, if it's going to embarrass you, let's keep it a secret from everyone.
Wakaba: I still can't believe it, but I finally found happiness, didn't I?
Tatsuya: Yes.
Wakaba: You, too, find somebody quickly and be happy.
Tatsuya: Yes, I'll find somebody quickly too... HUH?!
Wakaba: Well, that's it. I've got to go now. I shouldn't make him wait too long.
Tatsuya: Make who?
Wakaba: My prince, of course! See you!

Wakaba runs off, leaving Tatsuya standing there alone.

Tatsuya: By "my prince", she means...

Tatsuya walks to Nemuro Memorial Hall, looking dejected. He rings the bell at the desk impatiently.

Tatsuya: Uh, excuse me? Is anyone here? Excuse me? Isn't anyone here? Uh, I haven't got an appointment, but would it be okay?

A door at the end of the hall closes, with a sign on the doorknob: "Occupied". Tatsuya sits in the elevator. A large picture with a butterfly inside hangs on the wall.

Tatsuya: Sorry for just barging in here. I'm Kazami Tatsuya, grade 8, class D.
Mikage: (over intercom) Then, please begin.

The elevator shakes and starts to move down.

Tatsuya: Well, I heard the rumor. That you can have a consultation in here when you're in trouble. There was a girl I had been watching for a long time. She was a princess to me alone. But she left me to see another man. I'm sure she is being deceived. Oh, and she was such an innocent girl... I'm sure he'll do all sorts of bad things to her, like this, or that, or even that... But it's okay. No matter how much of her purity she'll lose, she'll come back to me. Because of my love for her. Yes, because in the end, love always wins.

The elevator reverses, and starts to ascend.

Tatsuya: I would be able to make you happy. I would be able to give anything for your sake. I would... I would... Why can't it be me?!

The elevator stops. Mikage is standing behind Tatsuya.

Mikage: You're really a good person, aren't you?

Tatsuya looks up at Mikage.

Mikage: So, there's no path for you to take here. Go home. This isn't a place for someone like you.

Wakaba is running down the street hurriedly. She reaches her room and shuts the door behind her. She looks at a person standing inside her room.

Wakaba: I'm home.

Saionji turns away from the window and looks at Wakaba.

Saionji: Welcome home.

To be continued...