Lucky Star>20. Ways to Spend Summer

Kagami:
Those boxes all look the same and you've been at it for a while.
Isn't there a better way to figure out what's inside?


Konata:
It's common sense to do it this way.
Or else it's been lots and lots of money and I never get what I want.


Kagami:
What you call common sense doesn't apply to everyone.
And if we're talking about normal people, it definitely doesn't apply.



Konata:
It's not just for figures.
You can also use that method to find the cards you want too.


Kagami:
Okay, but how can you tell which card is which?
Don't they all weigh the same?


Konata:
Actually there are all kinds of legends and rumors about finding this stuff.
Like how there's a special mark on a box somewhere,
or that the boxes form a pattern inside the case.
If it's the type of packaging with candy in it,
I can pretty much always get the card I want.
If they just open the case, finding the pattern is easy.


Kagami:
Okay, that's pretty awesome, but there's no way I'm telling her of that!

Kagami:
If anyone can figure it out, don't the rare things get snapped up right away?

Konata:
Yeah, it totally sucks.
And if you live someplace where there's an expert or two,
the rare cards and secret figures are usually gone before you know it.
When I go to a store and I see a bunch of cases with all these gaps
on them, I wanna curl up in a little ball and cry.
And the worst thing is that you stand there
and think there's still a chance, there's a few left.


Kagami:
Sounds like you could use some therapy.
Anyway I heard some of the collectors can just buy everything by the case.
Is that true?


Konata:
Ah, that's a true collector.
If you buy stuff by the case, you can complete the set quicker,
and you can figure out the patterns in distribution.


Kagami:
Really?

Konata:
Yup, it's called the grown-up shopping method,
'cause you need a job to support it.
That's why I work part-time...


Kagami:
Grown-up shopping method, huh?
If you ask me, only possessive and selfish people act that way.
You might call it grown-up and everything,
but it's incredibly childish behavior.


Konata:
Maybe "big kid shopping method" is a better name?

Kagami:
You know, putting a little bit of that kind of effort into something else
would be more productive.
Maybe you should try it.



Kagami:
Anyway, have you noticed all the attention Akihabara has been getting
from the media lately?


Konata:
I know, but most of it's painful to watch.
I mean the specials are okay.
But most of the stuff they're putting together isn't very realistic.


Kagami:
Maybe they boost up the proportion 'cause the culture of otaku is so extreme.

Konata:
If it's so extreme, then how come TV shows and songs
that the otaku liked first are suddenly popular with everyone?
I mean, come on, even the news and tabloid shows use music
from anime and games.

Kagami:
Well, maybe they use it 'cause they know
normal people won't recognize where the music came from.


Konata:
Speaking of otaku, you can find forums online
where the otaku guys talk about wanting to date otaku girls.
They want someone who's into the same shows and stuff.
But you've never seen any post from the otaku girls
talking about wanting to date the otaku guys.
Why is that?
Is it because a girl's obsession with 2D is bigger than a guy's?


Kagami:
Maybe girl otaku worry about the future more than boys.
That's probably why they can go out and find proper jobs and...
Why are you asking me this?

Konata:
Ugh.
I hate how when it gets hot, the flies show up.
They make all this noise and run away before I can slap 'em.
Rotten fly!


Sojiro:
Remember Musashi Miyamoto, the story goes
he could catch flies with his chopsticks.


Konata:
Oh, you're kidding!
That's disgusting.
Why would anyone try to grab a dirty old fly with their eating utensils.


Sojiro:
That's not the point, but I get where you're coming from.

Yutaka:
Oh, wow!
I can never ever smack a mosquito!


Konata:
Why? They suck.

Yutaka:
Don't you think it's gross how when you smush
and you get blood all over?


Konata:
Yeah, you are right.

Sojiro:
But it's just my blood.

Konata:
If you don't smash mosquitoes, then what do you do
if one of them lands on your arm?


Yutaka:
I go "shoo, shoo!" and flap my arm,
or I go "hoo" and blow 'em off.


Sojiro:
Huh, if a mosquito bites your arm and you flex it hard enough,
it won't be able to pull its straw out.


Konata:
No way!

Sojiro:
Check it out!

Yutaka, Konata:
Wow!

Sojiro:
You are already dead.

Konata:
And you are already bitten, Dad.

Sojiro:
And if you flex your arm harder, the mosquito explodes.

Yutaka:
No, stop it, don't do it!

Sojiro:
Oh, itchy, itchy, itchy...

Konata:
Maybe it would have been better to whack it after all.
Konata:
So, Miyuki-san, are you gonna go overseas again
for summer vacation?


Miyuki:
Oh, no, we're not going this year.
I'm visiting relatives in the country instead.
And then, I usually attend the summer festival with my neighbor.
You know she is the one who goes to school here.
She's just like a little sister.


Konata:
Yeah?

Yutaka:
Yeah, you're gonna go to a summer festival?
I bet you look great in a yukata.


Minami:
Not really...
I know she's giving me a compliment but...
still I'm not happy about it.
It's like she's saying that I have a flat...



Konata:
Come on in...

Konata:
Hey, you guys, good morning...

Kagami:
So, lazy pants finally wakes up!

Konata:
Lazy?
I don't know if that's it,
but something else's been bugging me.


Kagami:
What?

Konata:
Like trying to remember whether the alarm went off this morning.
Or if someone came in and turned it off.


Tsukasa:
Oh, I totally know what you mean!
Like how it was turned off, and you didn't even know.


Konata:
Well, the good thing is that by noon time it's so high
so you can't stay asleep any longer.


Kagami:
It is way past noon.


Game:
It's morning, Kona-chan! Rise and shine!
Would you like to have lunch with me, Izumi-kun?
I thought we could walk home together today, Konata-kun...

Kagami:
Hey, Konata.

Konata:
Hm?

Kagami:
What's the deal with that game you're playing,
how come the main character's so popular?


Konata:
I don't know.
Maybe it wouldn't be much of a game if he wasn't that popular.


Game:
Oh, come on, you have to do all your homework first!
...that it's not like I'm worried about you or anything.
If that's what you want, Konata, I'll do it...

Kagami:
Hey, Konata.

Konata:
Hm?

Kagami:
How come the heroines in games like that never have boyfriends?
They are always cute, have great personalities,
and pretty much pick any guys they want.


Konata:
I don't know.
Maybe it wouldn't be much of a game if they did.

Yui:
Hey! Konata, I'm here to hang out again!
After I see what's up with Yutaka, that is...


Konata:
Hey there, neisan.
How's it going?


Yui:
Konata, didn't you hear your dad calling?

Konata:
Oh, yeah.

Yui:
Yutaka's studying so hook me up with some manga, girl.
Ah! Hey, shouldn't you be studying?
I mean like you've been messing around this whole time.


Konata:
I have not!
It's just that... you've been coming in when I'm taking a break, is all.


Yui:
Okay.
So I guess that means you've been taking a heck of lot of breaks today, huh?



Konata:
Like, I feel like I gotta act responsible and stuff now,
but every time I sit down at my desk, I end up taking another break.


Kagami:
I swear, it's like that 'cause you've never been serious
about doing your homework.
Anyway, I guess I know where you are coming from.


Konata:
Wait, you're saying this kind of stuff happens to you too?

Kagami:
Well, if I take a break and crack open a book I've been wanting to read,
when I go back to studying I sorta wanna take another break.

Konata:
I know you just can't put something like that down in the middle.
It's the same with manga, you think you're gonna stop after one volume,
but then before you know it, you end up plowing through
all the other volumes of the series...


Kagami:
Mm-hm...
Like when you miss a couple of episodes of something
and rent the DVDs and then watch 'em all in one go.


Konata:
Just to find out the rest of the episodes are totally lame.


Yutaka:
Oneichan, may I please change the channel?

Konata:
Go for it.
I just had it on the random channel.
Is there something else you wanted to watch?


Yutaka:
Uh-huh. It's a special show about desserts from all over Japan.

Konata:
Cool!
I know how much you like desserts and sweets and stuff.
Bet you Kagami's watching it.


Konata:
Wow, that looks good!
Yeah, but with a show like this, whenever you see a dessert that looks good,
the bakery that makes it is always really far away.
Like they'll say the shop's in Nagoya but we live in Saitama.


Yutaka:
I know, but I just can't help watching it though.
Oh, well.

Miyuki:
Huh...

Tsukasa:
Hi, Yuki-chan, good morning.
Hey, are you okay?


Miyuki:
Unfortunately, I had to go to the dentist yesterday.

Tsukasa:
Oh my gosh, you're still going?

Miyuki:
Half way through the procedure, I got to run away.

Dentist:
You'll be sure to tell me if this hurts, won't you?

Miyuki:
That hurts! That hurts!

Dentist:
It'll be over soon, I promise.

Miyuki:
Okay...

Miyuki:
And that's how my appointment went.

Tsukasa:
Just hearing you talk about it makes my teeth hurt.
I mean they just can't drill them away!


Konata:
This sucks.
Not only do we have to go to classes during summer break,
but they give us homework too!
It's supposed to be summer vacation!


Kagami:
Well, it's not like you actually do any of your homework yourself.
For one thing, it's not like elementary school or junior high,
there aren't any research projects or book reports.
You see? It's easier.
You just have to solve problems.


Tsukasa:
Oh, remember we had all those posters and art projects to do?

Konata:
And with stuff like that, you could always get your parents
to help you out when you needed it.
They get all gung-ho about it and take it over
and finish the thing for ya.

Tsukasa:
I remember one time I got an award for something like that.
A poster I think.


Kagami:
Oh yeah, I think I remember that one.

Tsukasa:
And then I told Dad I won 'cause of him
and how I thought he was amazing now,
and that made him happy.


Kagami:
If I was him, I would have been pissed.
Haruhi:
The next time you're at the store, pick up a case!

Tsukasa:
Every time I see that commercial,
it sorta reminds me when I was a kid.
I would read these fairy tales about candy houses
and gingerbread stuff.
And the one thing I wanted was to go there
and eat all the candy I could.


Kagami:
I know exactly what you mean.
But it's always like that when you suddenly get
a lot of something you want, you get sick of it fast.



Konata:
No way.

Kagami:
Oh, yes way.
I'm telling you, it's stinky all year.


Konata:
Hey, I just thought of something.
Summer vacation homework's a total drag
'cause you end up putting it off until the end
and then you gotta cram to get it all done.


Kagami:
New topic, huh?
Yeah, it sucks.
But that's how it is.


Konata:
Right. So I thought that if I worked on it a little bit everyday,
I wouldn't have to scramble to get it all done.


Kagami:
And you're just now realizing that?
Look, you're a senior, so whatever you do,
jut try to keep your focus, okay?


Konata:
No sweat, I'm coming over tomorrow to copy stuff.
I'll bring in a present.


Kagami:
A little bit everyday, huh?
So you're gonna come over here every day all summer long?


Konata:
Well, how about every other week?

Kagami:
Oh, shut up!


Konata:
So hot... I wanna die...

Kagami:
Hey you, don't die yet?
I got the AC blasting hot and heavy.


Konata:
Hah, wake me up when it's over.

Kagami:
Make yourself at home, why don't you?

Konata:
Man, summer's the same every year, isn't it?
I mean I never wanna do anything.
And before you know it, summer vacations just passed me by.


Kagami:
Listen, you need to get up off your butt and set some goals,
you know.
Like being more proactive about doing your homework.


Konata:
Yeah, well, every year before vacation starts,
I get to thinking about how I'm gonna do things different.


Kagami:
You're kidding.

Konata:
In manga, that "I haven't done my homework yet" story line
happens during summer, isn't that right?


Kagami:
I guess.

Konata:
Well, when you see that, doesn't that make you
not wanna do your homework?
I mean if everyone else isn't doing their homework,
why should you?


Kagami:
Because you have to!
If that's what you think, don't come over to copy.



Kagami:
Is anyone else thirsty?
I'll bring you some cold barley tea.


Tsukasa:
Oh, Sis... Sorry...
Will you do me a favor and bring my math book from my room?
I'll love you forever.


Kagami:
Okay.
Ah! It's hot!


Konata:
No one wants to leave an air-conditioned room,
so you wait for someone else to leave
and then ask 'em to get your stuff.
The only problem is it takes a while
before someone actually decides to leave.


Tsukasa:
And in winter, you don't wanna get out from under the kotatsu,
so you ask whoever stands up to get you things.

Kagami:
Hey!

hot and heavy : 猛烈に、激しく
Misao:
Wow, can't you believe how hot it is?

Kagami:
Hi, what's up?

Ayano:
Hi guys.

Misao:
Since I'm not gonna be much help with the homework today,
I figured I pick up some ice cream for everyone.
There're three different flavors so take whichever you want.


Ayano:
All right!

Kagami:
In the Marimokkori's eye...

Ayano:
Hahaha.

Misao:
How come it's always at times like this
that you start wanting the flavors that everyone else got?


Misao:
I'm reading this manga about getting into Tokyo University.

Ayano:
Oh, I know that one.

Misao:
It's like when you're reading it, you're thinking,
"Yeah, I could probably get into Tokyo U",
if you work hard like they do.


Kagami:
You are too simple for your own good.
Even if that method gets you into Tokyo U, you need things like:
a. friends who'll drop all their other classes to join you,
b. teachers who are gonna teach classes like that,
and c. someone to be in charge.
Not to mention all the other elements you're gonna need to make it work.


Misao:
Ugh...
Well, you're right...
I guess it ain't easy after all...


Kagami:
There're too many people in the world who think
self-improvement is as easy as it is in manga and TV shows.


Misao:
Yeah, every time I plan on making an effort to study hard,
I always end up getting sleepy instead.
Do either of you guys have any good tips
on how I could stay awake?


Kagami:
I heard that it's better if you take short naps
instead of staying up all night studying.


Misao:
Yeah, you know I heard that from somewheres too,
so I've pretty much been doing that.
But my naps are going to overtime, get it?


Kagami:
You have no will power.
Yutaka:
Hey, everyone!

Tsukasa:
Hi, Yutaka-chan!
How's it going?


Kagami:
Hi, Yutaka!

Yutaka:
Um, can I ask you something?

Konata:
Go ahead.
Ask away, Yu-chan.
Don't be shy, ask us anything you want!


Yutaka:
There's this friend of mine from junior high
who just got a boyfriend for the first time.
His birthday is coming up, so she asked me
what I thought she should get him.
But I don't know what guys want, do you?


Girls:
Ugh!

Yutaka:
Uh-oh, it's an awkward pause.

Konata
Well, you could always try going online.
I'm sure they got a bunch of web sites that can give you advice.
Yeah, why don't you try that?
Or you could head up a couple of threads for advice.
I'll even lend you my computer!


Yutaka:
Oh, okay.

Kagami:
I know about that Train Man guy but do lots of people go online
and ask about this stuff?


Konata:
Yeah, you see it pretty much everywhere these days.

Kagami:
Wow, I guess it's "anything goes" then.

Konata:
You know it.
In fact I bet they even have the answers for math tests
floating around online.
Can you believe how lucky elementary and junior high school kids are?

Kagami:
As technology and community evolve, I can't help feeling
that the mind and will of the users are wasting away.
For example...


Konata:
Hmm?
Um, this is so weird.
I am just copying homework.
But now that I've got someone watching me,
Suddenly I'm feeling pride?


Konata:
Hey Kagami, when's that festival of yours happening?

Kagami:
Festival?
What are you talking about? It's over.
It was the same thing as last year.


Konata:
No way!
Why didn't you say anything?


Tsukasa:
With college entrance exams coming up,
we didn't say anything, 'cause we knew you'd wanna go.
Don't be mad. We didn't go either.


Kagami:
It doesn't always have to be over here.
You could always go to the festival
in your own neighborhood instead, couldn't you?


Konata:
Oh, yeah, when was that supposed to be happening again?

Kagami:
That figures.
Some people go to other festivals, but they won't be caught dead
in the ones happening in their own backyard.
What is it?
Are you afraid you'll bump into someone you know or something, huh?


Konata:
Man, I don't care if we've got college entrance exams,
I need a break!


Miyuki:
Well, if you like to go, they're having a fireworks show
near my house tomorrow evening.


Konata:
Right on!
We're finally gonna have some fun this summer!


Kagami:
Hm, okay, it'll probably do us all some good.

ask away: 何でも聞いて
anything goes: 何でもあり
waste away: 弱る、消耗する
wouldn't (won't) be caught dead in: ~にいるところを絶対に見られたくない


Hiyori:
Come to think of it, Minami-chan, aren't there supposed to be
some fireworks near your house tomorrow night?


Minami:
Mm-hm.

Patricia:
Wow, a real Japanese fireworks show?
Hey, Minami, let's all go see the fireworks!


Hiyori:
Well, what do you say, Minami-chan?

Minami:
Okay.

Patricia:
Cool! Then it's all set, Minami!

Yutaka:
Can't wait, Iwasaki-san.

Minami:
Yeah...

Yutaka:
Wait! Iwasaki-san?
It's supposed to be a pretty famous fireworks show, right,
Mi... Iwasaki-san?
Oh... It's hard to change how you say someone's name
after you've gotten used to it.


Hiyori:
Wait, I just realized that it's kinda far and it can get really crowded.
Are you gonna be okay if you go, Yu-chan?
I mean didn't you just get over a cold?


Patricia:
And I heard it's supposed be really hot tomorrow.
You wanna wait for the next one?


Yutaka:
Oh, no, you guys don't have to worry about me.
I'll be fine!
This happens all the time.


Minami:
I'm class rep for the school nurse and I'll be there.
I'll make sure you're okay, Yutaka...


Yutaka:
Oh... That's right!
Yeah, that's right!
Oh, thank you, Minami-chan!



Konata:
So, anyway, it looks like we're all gonna go see the fireworks.
And after that it's right back to the homework and the studying,
which takes up all my playtime and it really sucks.
Why is everyone so serious?


Sojiro:
I sorta see where they're coming from.
But you know what?
Just do what you want.
Back in the day, I used to drag Kanata all over the place.
And we had a lot of good times together.
I'd get scolded.
But you are only young once, so I didn't care.


Konata:
I think I'm gonna go out and find a boyfriend and have some good times too.

Sonata:
I absolutely forbid it!
Boyfriends are off limits!


Konata:
You don't know what you're saying, Dad, calm down, okay?
So, do you wanna come see the fireworks with us, Yu-chan?


Yutaka:
Actually, I'm already going.
We're all going to be meeting up at Minami-chan's.


Konata:
Cool! It's gonna be fun.
Konata, Yutaka:
Well, see you later!

Sojiro:
Okay, guys, have fun.
Konata:
The train just pulled in!

Kagami:
Late as usual!

Konata:
Yeah, sorry.

Tsukasa:
xxx you brought Yutaka-chan.

Yutaka:
Oh, um...

Hiyori:
Hey! Hey guys, we are here!

Patricia:
Hey, what's up?

Konata:
Hey, how's it going?

Kagami:
Oh, hey there, Patricia-san.

Patricia:
Did you guys all come to see the fireworks too?

Tsukasa:
You look good in a yukata.

Tsukasa:
I'm trapped, oh, no!

Konata, Yutaka:
You're kidding.

Konata:
Uh, how trippy, Miyuki-san, I didn't know Minami-chan was your neighbor.

Miyuki:
It is a coincidence!

Yutaka:
Yeah, I'm really surprised!

Minami:
Mm-hm.

Yukari:
Okay, everyone,
Bon appetit!

Everyone:
Thank you, Mrs. Takara.

Yukari:
Uh-oh...
Am I short?
I think I counted it right?


Miyuki:
But Mom, were you counting yourself along with all the rest of us?

Yukari:
A-one, and two, and three, and four, and five, and six, and seven, and eight...

Miyuki:
Nine.

Yukari:
Oh, silly me.
You're right!


Konata:
Awesome...

Everybody:
Thanks for having us over!

Yutaka:
So this is Minami-chan's house!

Hiyori:
Wow, big scary dog!

Yutaka:
No, it's okay.
It's a good doggy.
It's not gonna hurt you.


Hiyori:
Oh, yeah...
Aren't you a big cutie pie?
A big, fat, hairy, squishy cutie...
Oh! What'd I do? Why's it growling...?


Yutaka:
I guess she's the type who makes doggies growl.
Konata:
Check it out!
When I was a little kid, I always wondered if you looked at fireworks sideways,
if they looked round that way too.


Tsukasa:
Oh, really?
But I always thought they looked flat.


Kagami:
Here we go...

Patricia:
You see, fireworks are on TV all the time, but coming out to watch them live
is really cool 'cause everyone's having so much fun!

Hiyori:
Yeah, you're right.

Konata:
Something's bugging me though.
Every time they light up a big one, they announce the name of some store.
They are all "This one was brought to you by so-and-so."
I mean you know, doesn't that kinda kill the mood?


Miyuki:
Yes, I suppose so.

Konata:
Wow, you okay?
You look kinda pale, Yu-chan.


Minami:
Oh...

Yutaka:
Hm, I'll be okay.
I'm just gonna sit for a while, I'll be fine, really.


Kagami:
Yeah, but...

Minami:
Don't worry.
I'll stay here with her.


Yutaka:
Minami-chan!


Miyuki:
That was wonderful.

Kagami:
I know this totally felt like a summer vacation!

Konata:
Yeah, but...
How come it can't be like in manga
where everyone leaves with beautiful memories.
These mosquitoes chewed me up.
So itchy!


Kagami:
If you scratch, it's just gonna itch more.

Konata:
And when you get home and take off your yukata,
it itches where the sash was.


Tsukasa:
Yeah, I know!


Minami:
Pretty...

Yutaka:
It really was pretty, wasn't it?
Thanks for staying.
Sorry about that.


Konata:
Look, there they are.
Hey, guys!
Are you okay?
Did the squitoes nail you too?


Yutaka:
Huh? Oh, no we were okay.
We didn't get bitten.


Tsukasa:
Well, I guess there's people who get bit by mosquitoes
and there's people who don't.
You're so lucky.


Konata:
Maybe the squitoes didn't wanna ruin the mood over here.
Akira:
Hiya, luckies!
And I'm your navigator, Akira Kogami, at your service.

Daisuke:
And I'm her assistant, Daisuke Ono, at your service.

Akira:
Did you know that today is Lucky channel's 20th episode?
So I guess you are not a crow today?

Daisuke:
And it looks like you are not a dog today.

Akira:
Picco!
Okay, let's go to Fuji.
See if he's alive.

Daisuke:
Ooh, I wonder where our intrepid adventurer, Shiroishi-kun,
is right about now?

Akira:
Wow, Mt. Fuji is so pretty.
Well, I guess that'sa lot.
Okay, good by-nee.

Daisuke:
By-nee.
Shiraishi-kun? Shiraishi-kun!

Akira:
Picco, picco, picco...
Ayano:
On the next episode of Lucky Star.

Misao:
Misao here.
Ayano:
Ayano here.
Misao:
Ayano, Hiiragi is so cold-hearted.
She's always over at the midget's class.

Ayano:
Now, now.

Misao:
Aren't we cool enough?
Why does Hiigagi forsake us?
Ayano:
Next time, "Pandra's Box".
Misao:
Now, Ayano's ignoring me.