Chapter 29

Generation Gap. 2006/12/13 23:29 So, here we go. At Y-ko’s place. A conversation held while we were pulling an all-nighter, doing work. She pointed out a particular kanji to me. Plus, even if I was a member of that generation, wouldn’t that mean your own vocabulary is even smaller? Or wait, this isn’t even about vocabulary, is it? It’s more like… literacy? … Maybe my own vocabulary is in trouble. See how fast she turns around? You’re like the tsundere heroine of NisiOisin’s Bakemonogatari. The one who makes fun of the protagonist’s mountain bike. Not only did that sound terrible, but it sounds hard to pronounce! Is she angry at me?! Plus, wouldn’t that mean her own death is imminent?! And wasn’t it a Rubens painting, not van Gogh?! … Hang on, this joke’s probably a bit too old for you folks, isn’t it? * Rubens painting: In the last episode of A Dog of Flanders, Nero and his dog Patrasche froze to death underneath a painting by Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens. There’s that Bakemonogatari again! This time you’re like the little kid ghost who can’t pronounce anything right! And sadly, you’re more than twice her age! I’m not as tough as the protagonist in that book. I just can’t survive that withering storm of brutal insults. On what basis does she assume that I would know about that? And assuming I was familiar with it, why would you want me to have played it before, Y-ko?! And this thing was animated? There sure are a lot of anime based on eroge… Even Y-ko’s favorite, Fate/stay night, was animated. And to what “way of life” are you referring? Erotic computer games? … And you’re a master at them? I learn something new every day… Sodomy… The real-life version of BL!! What is she talking about? Damn, I don’t recognize whatever it is she’s referencing… Hmmm… What story is likely to have an acceleration device in it…? … It was a weak, doubtful comeback. She came back on my comeback! I should have known I would fail that one! But I don’t know anything about Cyborg 009… Damn! My lack of knowledge was pitifully exposed on that one… Maybe she was right about me being a total novice! This conversation has turned into a history lesson… … And give me a break. Cyborg 009. Manga serialized in 1964. Star of the Giants. Manga serialized in 1966. … Is there any wonder someone my age wouldn’t know about these things? —So how are you so familiar with them, Y-ko…? What I’m feeling now isn’t my lack of knowledge, but the generation gap between us. … But I still know all about A Dog of Flanders (aired in 1975)… I guess it’s just something that varies from person to person.