[A Roche & Bernard duet. True to its name, it has a good beat and energy, and the two seiyuu play well off one another. The lyrics get a little silly near the end.] Takanaru Kodou wa Aregurisshimo A Pounding Beat in Allegrissimo Bernard: zattou o nukete aruku ishidatami e to mittsu hibiku ashioto keikai na biito de Breaking away from the crowd to the cobblestone path three sets of footsteps echo to a lively beat Roche: piikan no aozora miage hohoemu hitomi motto kagayakasetai kyou kakugo shi na yo Looking up at the brilliant blue sky with smiling eyes Get ready; we want to make it shine even brighter for you today! Both: tobikiri ni suteki na basho e esukooto suru kara sono ryouude wa tokubetsu ni bokutachi ni azukete On your way to someplace extra-special escorted by us; so take one arm each and trust yourself expressly to our care! Both: kimi ga soba ni iru dake de sekaijuu ga hanayaide Just having you at our side lights up the whole world Bernard: kizamidasu It pounds out Roche: hajikesou na rizumu* a rhythm that busts out all over Both: saikouchou no shiawase mune de takanaru metoronoomu aregurisshimo sasu kimi ga daisuki da yo The joy of this high note beats in our hearts like a metronome An allegrissimo cue - ah, how we love you! Roche: poppukoon nagete taberu ore no mane shite Throwing back some popcorn, imitating me Bernard: umaku itta to kimi wa mannen tokuigao I say "good job," and your whole face lights up Both: muzousa ni tabaneta kami to With your hair loosely tied back Roche: manisshu na sutairu in a mannish style Bernard: rafu na kanji mo a rough look, and yet - Both: shinsen de ichidan to kyuuto sa it looks fresh - and cuter than ever before! Both: kimi ga soba ni iru dake de sekaijuu ga kirameite Just having you at our side makes the whole world shine Roche: ten ni de mo noboresou na kibun Like heaven itself can't escape this feeling Both: saijoukyuu no itoshisa mune kakemeguru amai yokan fortisshimo kosu hitorijime shitai yo It's supreme affection - a sweet feeling that consumes my heart It builds to a fortissimo - I just want you all to myself! Bernard: itsu datte konna chikaku de Always close like this Roche: kuttaku no nai egao with your carefree smile - Both: zutto mite itai that's the sight I forever want to see! Both: kimi ga soba ni iru dake de sekaijuu ga hanayaide Just having you at my side lights up the whole world Bernard: kizamidasu It pounds out Roche: hajikesou na rizumu* a rhythm that busts out all over Both: saikouchou no shiawase mune de takanaru metoronoomu aregurisshimo sasu kimi ga daisuki da yo The joy of this high note beats in my heart like a metronome An allegrissimo cue - ah, how I love you! Both: zutto daisuki sa I'll always love you! * - A minor note, but each instance of "rizumu" ("rhythm") is underwritten in the liner notes with kanji reading "kodou" ("beat"). This is often done to give additional context regarding a lyric, with the underwritten word being closer to the singer's true thoughts. ***************************************************************************** [Giving Rene and Mathias a winter-themed duet is a capital, and obvious, idea, but the song's structure meanders severely, and the composition is ill- suited to either singer; it's too heavy and laborious for Rene's light and airy voice, and too simple and flat for Mathias's capable and dynamic voice. A pity.] Konayuki no Crescendo Crescendo of Powdery Snow Rene: yuki ga furishikiru mado no soto tooku kimi wa doko ni iru no darou koko e oide yo The snow piles high outside the window far away; Where are you, I wonder; come to me! Mathias: todoku hazu mo nai toiki nara isso kiri ni kemuru sora no kanata masshiro ni chirabare A sigh all the more poignant because it will never reach you beyond a sky cloaked with fog, scattered amongst pure white Both: shinju no you na kaze no kirameki misete agetai maiodoru hoshi no kakera* aenai toki o kazoeru hodo ni kono mune ni setsunasa no konayuki ga tsumoru Wind that glistens like a pearl, a dancing dust of stars; these I wish to show you As I count the times spent without you, a powdery snow of loneliness falls within my heart Mathias: awaku machi no hi ga tomorihajimeru to ieji isogu hito no nami ni sagasu omokage Faintly, the streetlights begin to glow, and I search the faces revealed among the crowds on their way home Rene: dare mo furimukazu hashirisaru keredo kimi ga boku o mitsuke sotto waratte kuretara Without a glance back, everyone hurries off, and yet you spot me, softly smile - and then... Both: moshimo futari de irareru no nara mitorete itai furisosogu yuki no kakera* kirei na mama de hakanai hodo ni kajikanda te no hira de tokete yuku negai If we two can be together I want you to be dazzled by the sight of ever-falling flakes of snow Before this beauty, I am struck by a hopeless wish to thaw beneath your frozen hands Both: aenai toki o kazoeru hodo ni kono mune ni setsunasa no konayuki ga tsumoru konayuki ga shimiru As I count the times spent without you, a powdery snow of loneliness falls within my heart - a powdery snow freezes in my heart * - Each instance of "kakera" ("flake", "fragment") is underwritten in the liner notes with kanji reading "kesshou" ("crystal"). ***************************************************************************** [I don't think Roche's seiyuu has a singing voice strong enough to own this song, but as "Sunny Shiny Holiday" is a fan favorite, I seem to be in the minority on this count. It is a nimble song that fits the character well with a nice offhandedness to the lyrics.] Sunny Shiny Holiday araamu no gofunmae ni okidashita kyou wa hisashiburi no furiidee* kaaten to mado akete mabushii taiyou to atarashii kaze ni shinkokyuu Woke up 5 minutes before the alarm; it's my first day off in a while I throw back the curtain, open the window, and take in a deep breath of the brilliant sun and fresh wind shawaa o satto abite pan de asagohan koohii o ikki ni nonde ato wa nani o shiyou? A quick shower; some bread for breakfast coffee down in one gulp; and now what? sou da machi made kuridasou aitsu sasotte kuridasou bikkuri suru kana? totsuzen no deeto denwagoshi no akarume no koe henji nara moyawazu ni OK kokoro odoridasu you na Sunny day That's it! I'll go out on the town; go out and invite her Will she be surprised, I wonder? by this impromptu date a cheery voice over the phone; as for her answer, it's an instant "OK" It's a sunny day to make the heart sing subayaku aparutoman o tobidashite machiawase no basho e isogou minareta hazu no keshiki najimi no kaobure mo nan da ka kagayaite mieru In a flash, I fly out of my apartment hurry to our rendezvous The same old scenery; the usual crowd - yet, to me, it now seems somehow all aglow aitsu ni purezento donna no ni shiyou? narete ru hazu na no ni nande kongaragaru n darou? What should I get her for a present? I should be right at home here; what's got me all in knots? otto ii mono mitsuketa yo niaisou na no mitsuketa yo tsukete kureru kana? hana no kamikazari yorokonda kao ga mitai kara ato mou sukoshi de aeru kara hayaru kimochi takamaru Shiny day Hey, here's something nice - something just right! a floral decoration for her hair - will she wear it for me, do you think? I so wanna see her happy - and I haven't got long to wait... it's a hot and high-spirited shiny day! chotto** hayaku tsuita moujiki kuru kana? donna fuku o kite kita tte kitto kawaii hazu sa I've arrived a little early; will she be here soon? Whatever she's wearing, I'm sure it'll be cute! dare ka hora chikazuite kuru ushiro kara chikazuite kuru karui ashidori wa aitsu da na kitto furimuitara itsu mo no egao kyou wa tokoton tanoshimou! sono te tsunagi futari de Sunny day Who's that? Hey, she's coming! From behind me - she's almost here! That's her - the girl with a spring in her step - I just know it! She turns around, and she's got her usual smile; today's gonna be just fantastic! Hand in hand, it's our sunny day * - "Furiidee" is underwritten in the liner notes with kanji reading "kyuujitsu"; there is no change in meaning. ** - The liner notes have this word as "sukoshi", but "chotto" is what is sung. Again, there is no change in meaning. ***************************************************************************** [Taiten Kusunoki has a good anecdote on the Free Talk about his inspiration for his performance here, seeing the Mississippi during a trip to America - it was, Kusunoki describes, such a muddy and dirty river, yet the sight of its immensity lit up with sunlight against the sky moved Kusunoki to tears. Kusunoki's performance reflects his inspiration, but he still can't save the insipid and unnuanced composition.] Renrui no Epiroogu# Epilogue to Tears of Pity kodoku no hate ni tozashite ita negai* no tobira tsui ni hirakareru At the end of loneliness the door of my prayers that had been long closed at long last is opened hokorobihajimeta hana no you ni Like a bud just beginning to blossom umareta kita yorokobi* ni ima afuredasu namida furitsumoru yuki* o tokasu inori ni kawaru My eyes begin to well with tears of newborn joy melting the snowbanks in answer to my prayers hakarishirenai itami* ni sae shizumu koto naku sunda sono hitomi Unsinkable even in this unfathomable despair - those cloudless eyes rin to sakihokoru hana no you ni Like a flower which despite the chill opens to full bloom komiageru itooshisa ni fui ni koboreru egao kono mi ni sazukete kureta toutoki hito yo Overwhelmed with love, suddenly I burst into a smile My precious jewel with whom I am blessed horonigai kioku no naka ikudo nagashita namida arawareru you na yasashii megumi* ni kawaru The tears so often shed in my bittersweet memories become the divine grace so loving that washes it all away azayaka ni shukufuku no you ni maichiru hikari** ga kanaderu kitto ikiru imi wa koko** ni aru to Like a brilliant blessing the dancing light plays a song that tells me the meaning of life surely lies within one's heart kodomotachi no hashagu koe soba de mimamoru egao ai subeki subete no mono mamoridakishimete The children's laughing voices; the smiles of their guardians near embracing all that there is to love tsumibukaki te no hira sae moshi yurusareru no nara kanashimi* ni owari o tsuge kono inochi sasageyou mirai* e to If even these unclean hands can be forgiven, perhaps I can bid farewell to misery and dedicate this life to tomorrow # - 1. "Renrui," using the kanji given, is a made-up compound word that means "tears of pity/compassion"; the word is better known as a homophone using different kanji, meaning "complicity." The "epiroogu" in the title is also underwritten with kanji reading "shuushifu" ("[permanent] end"), so the song's "hidden" title could be considered "The End of Complicity." 2. Shootyourselfintheheadwithalargecaliberbullet.gif, Koei. 3. In case you've wandered in from somewhere that's not Angemedia, yes, I am a fan of Mathias. * - Several words in the lyrics are underwritten with kanji: "negai" ("wish," "prayer") - "kibou" ("hope") "yorokobi" (joy") - "kietsu" ("ecstasy") "yuki" ("snow") - "aisetsu" ("sorrow") "itami" ("pain") - "zetsubou" ("despair") "megumi" ("blessing") - "onkei" ("grace," "blessing") "kanashimi" ("sadness," "misery") - "hiren" (made-up compound of the base kanji from "kanashimi" and "ren," kanji representing "pity") "mirai" ("the future") - "ashita" ("tomorrow") ** - A couple of the underwritings have more involved meanings. "Hikari" ("light") is underwritten with kanji that read "gin'you," "silver leaves," clarifying that the light of which Mathias sings comes from the light of the Silver Tree in Celestia. "Koko" ("here") is underwritten with the kanji for "kokoro" ("heart"). ***************************************************************************** [Not everything it could be, but still a warm ode to the comforts of friendship and a welcoming home, with good performances by the singers. Probably the best song on the CD.] Home Sweetest Home Nyx: hitori soshite mata hitori to otozureru kono ie ni maru de hana o soeta you na toki ga nagaredasu One and one more and yet another again, the guests visit this house a happy affair made all the more so by each, and so time just flies by Hyuga: magokoro o mochiyotte kakomu madobe no teeburu* With the warmest hospitality, we gather round the table by the window Both: kawasu nanige nai In the casual smiles we exchange Hyuga: emi ga yasuragi ni naru we find solace and warmth Both: Home sweetest home taisetsu na nakama soshite anata to tomo ni kakegaenai shunkan no subete o dakishimetai Home sweetest home itsu no hi mo koko ni kaeru basho ga aru kara meguriaeta nukumori no hidamari** wakachiaeru So we'll be together Home sweetest home These irreplaceable moments together with our precious friends and you - I want to take them all to heart Home sweetest home Here, you will always have a place to which you can return so we can share the warmth of this spot in the sun we've found So we'll be together Hyuga: niwa no mizube wakaba no iro soyogu kaze ni yurarete komorebi sasu yume no hotori madoromu* no mo ii In the garden, on the waterside, softly brushed by a wind of spring green beside a dream of sunlight filtered through trees, we could just drift off to sleep Nyx: sonachine* no senritsu o ikue ni mo kasaneawase A braid of sonatina melodies once and again intertwined Both: amai shinfonia* A sweet symphony Nyx: utsushiku hibikiau with a beautiful resonance Both: Home sweetest home kanau mono naraba zutto anata to tomo ni kakegaenai shunkan no kiseki o yakitsuketai Home sweetest home itsu no hi mo koko de miokuri mukaeru kara asu no tame ni sotto hane o yasume nemureba ii I want you to stay forever Home sweetest home If I could have but one wish, it would be to have the miracle of these irreplaceable moments with you forever etched in my memory Home sweetest home Here, for you, there is always a warm welcome and farewell so, for tomorrow, gently rest your wings and sleep I want you to stay forever Nyx: sorezore no mirai* The day will come when we must all part Hyuga: ayumu toki ga kuru to shite mo# to walk down our own paths, and yet... Both: Home sweetest home itsu made mo koko ni kaeru basho ga aru kara meguriaeta nukumori no hidamari wakachiaeru So we'll be together Home sweetest home Here, you will forever have a place to which you can return so we can share the warmth of this spot in the sun we've found So we'll be together * - Several words in the lyrics are underwritten with kanji: "teeburu" ("table") - "shokutaku" ("dining table") "madoromu" ("to doze off") - same word, only written in kanji instead of kana "sonachine" ("sonatina") - "dokusen" ("musical solo") "shinfonia" ("symphony") - "koukyoukyoku" ("symphony") "mirai" ("future") - "zento" ("[a person's] future") ** - "Hidamari," meaning "a spot in the sun," is, of course, the name of Nyx's manor. # - Due to differences between English and Japanese syntax, Nyx and Hyuga here effectively end up singing each other's lines at this spot in the translation.