A Dreamer on Drugs 2

As Hakuto finishes up their performance, Chika and others look tense. The audience starts applauding. Mio happily looks upwards. Taishin and Uta are happy for him. Satowa thinks that the last part seems like there is some awakening.

Chika is quite glad upon realizing that it turns out that koto has this way of expressing. Sitting with the audience, Kazusa complains that she cannot dare believe it for what kind of playing is that!? She never heard of that classical piece and she can see the universe.

Fumi tells her that it isn’t a classical piece, it is an original piece. Yae says that even if the approach is very different from theirs, but it can compete against them for the first.

Kazusa thinks that’s right, it will definitely split up the judges’ ballot. Wakaba glances at somewhat tense Hozumi. Wakaba says there’s no need to worry because the reason why people would think that of Hakuto is basically, it depends on the soloist’s performance and the piece being very good itself.

“But, Himesaka isn’t the same for they are using all the same strengths to finish playing the piece. Regarding that, the judges will definitely give us a good evaluation.” Some of the judges look a bit troubled. Holding his head, Tsukaji thinks that later on, they judges will quarrel and what’s up with this.

“Is this the Nationals!? The level is so high!! Himesaka and Hakuto, yet unexpectedly, only one group can enter the Nationals! Is this some kind of joke! Just ignore it and let the two groups enter the Nationals!! This year, just ignore the contract and let the two ascend [to the Nationals]!!” Komaki tells him to calm down since she’ll feel embarrassed.

Tetsuki comments that he feels that Hakuto is also really amazing, and it is a totally different way of amazing compared to Himesaka. Isaki agrees and like this, the judges will definitely have a headache.

Tetsuki asks how music is judge from good or bad. Is it looking at the piece’s difficulty or how complete it is? Isaki says of course, both points are being look at.

But, if they couldn’t distinguish who is better basing on those two points, then the judges will look at other points. They’ll consider its orderliness, aesthetics and paying attention to the way the piece has been expressed.

While Mio and others are taking away their koto, Taishin meets up with Suzuka who is with Akira. Taishin and Suzuka nod at each other before Suzuka leaves. Meanwhile, four of Tokize’s members are getting the jitters. Sane became really nervous.

He thinks that this is bad when obviously, he calmed down after the cheering up huddle. “But after listening to Hakuto’s performance, I became nervous again.” Hiro tells herself to calm down and wonders why Hakuto has to perform right before them. Kouta wishes that his tempo isn’t too fast or slow, and he can properly match it with the others.

Michi is worried about his fingers moving in the correct way and it is alright even if he cannot play it with the plectrum[?/not sure on the second part of the sentence]. Upon seeing the four nervous, Satowa wanted to do something but Chika stops her by holding her hair. Takezou tells the others that it is okay, there’s no need for everyone to worry or feel uneasy because they only have to play just like the usual.

Everyone is surprised by what he said. Takezou thinks that as the club president, he always doesn’t do anything that is in accordance to his status as club president but, only this little bit, he can assert. Takezou smiles and says that it is because their amount of practice is absolutely the biggest [compared to the others]. Everyone looks moved.

Chika rubs Takezou’s head and shouts that since the club president said that, then it is definitely, right since their amount of practice is the biggest!!! Suzuka says that even if their practice is the most, it isn’t definite that they’ll ascend to what is called the Nationals. Chika angrily shouts for him to shut up.

Akira tells everyone not to worry and it is right because they already bore her severe coaching. “There’s no need to think of anything today. Just perform as much as you like.” The others are moved by that. The girl calls out for Tokize to prepare to go on the stage.

Before they leave, Suzuka tells them not to forget. “What’s important isn’t ascending to the Nationals but rather, ‘why you have to ascend to the Nationals’. Don’t forget that.”

Everyone starts to remember why they have to go to the Nationals. If they lose this preliminary, Takezou and Hiro can no longer go to the Nationals. For them, this is the last opportunity. They don’t want everything to end.

It’s quite great if they can always persevere on. They won’t be here next year. It will be too late if it is next year. With thoughts about why they absolutely have to go to the Nationals, Tokize heads out onstage.

Meanwhile, Fujimoto scolds Kinoshita for dilly-dallying when they can immediately leave after putting things in order. Kinoshita says but, won’t they listen to the other school’s performance.

Fujimoto asks if that is necessary and if she wants to listen then go there alone. Kinoshita asks them to please go with her for she hopes that this koto club can take part at the last part of the tournament. The two look at Kinoshita quietly.

Back at the auditorium, Takezou’s mother calls out to her husband that Takezou and his group is going onstage. She worriedly wonders if he’ll be okay, and for him to screw up in this kind of formal situation— Takezou’s father tells her to calm down.

Mashiro nervously cheers Takezou and others on. Isaki tells Tetsuki that she suddenly became nervous. Tetsuki tells her that they are definitely alright, and after all, they practiced like crazy for such a long time.

At a different room, Arakagi is furious that Mio is nowhere to be found. Holding Mio’s koto, Taishin says that Mio went to listen to Tokize’s performance. Akaragi is furious that Mio won’t tidy up his own instrument. Upon seeing Taishin looking distracted, she asks if he wants to go and see.

She tells him to go since he also wants to listen to Tokize’s performance, right? “Wasn’t it said that it is very possible that they’ll become our formidable opponent? You just go and listen on our behalf. Go and listen to see if it is so.”

Sparkling eyes Komai says that it is so amazing for the next school unexpectedly have 5 boys. She exclaims that it’s so cute and she supports this school. Tsukaji says is that so. He feels pity for them since they’ll perform after Hakuto.

He sighs and thinks that honestly speaking, he already doesn’t want to listen to another terrible performance. “Anyway, number one is either Himesaka or Hakuto.” Kazua is tense for it is Tokize’s turn. Taishin finds Mio sitting among the audience. A staff member says that it’s great that Shizu manages to come in time. Shizu says, yes.

Kinoshita and others manage to find some seats. Kinoshita looks at the stage and sees Chika. She thinks that it’s great that it is his group’s turn, and she gets to listen to it. Fujimoto recognizes the glasses guy whom he bumped into during the opening ceremonies.

Kinoshita recalls him commenting that school is the same with theirs, a feeling of being ‘patchwork’ [/hodge podge]. Fujimoto says that it is good if they didn’t stop playing like them. Kinoshita just looks on tensely. Tokize are already in position.

While their school name and piece is announced, Satowa looks at the audience. She didn’t see her mother. She closes her eyes and opens them again. Just then, the door at the back opens. It is Chiharu who glances at surprised Satowa before she looks away.

As Chiharu and Doujima takes their seats, Satowa felt like crying. “-This sentence, ‘Your koto is like a lethal weapon’ has repeatedly chewed into my heart countless times.” Upon sitting, Chiharu notices that her hand is shaking.

Clenching her fist, she thinks that isn’t promising for she is unexpectedly scared of listening to her own daughter’s performance. Satowa thinks, “For a long time now, I don’t understand so I didn’t go and face it but right now, *scenes of everyone together including Akira*..”

Everyone except for bored Tsukaji is surprise, or nervous with anticipation when Satowa smiles as she prepares to play. Then, everyone is stunned as Satowa plays as if they are submerged in water. This made Tsukaji scowl and tensely sit up.

Narration: “—yes, it is this. It is completely different from that time but you only have to listen to THAT, then you’ll already understand everything-- You only have to listen to one sound.” On the verge of tears, Chiharu covers her mouth. She recalls that time.

Flashback: Young Satowa informed her mother that she wrote a koto piece. Chiharu patted her head and said that it is an amazing piece. Satowa asked if she had cheered up after hearing it. Teary-eyed Chiharu said that she’ll also properly do her best in order for her and Satowa to always live with a smile. End flashback.

Chiharu covered her face while crying. Looking flustered, Tsukagi couldn’t believe it. “Is this music? By merely listening to one sound, one can realize how very far the level of difference is. It’s crystal clear, distinct [/bright] and gorgeous. The music penetrates deeply into the heart [/refreshes the mind] that it always penetrates into the body..to the heart’s every corner. How the hell is this kid--..”

He suddenly recalls an image of Satowa playing solo before at the Nationals, and he realizes something. He quickly opens the booklet and reads Houdzuki Satowa as the soloist. He recognizes her. She was the one who was said to have lost eligibility to perform and got expelled from Houdzuki Group. “It is that genius girl!!??”

Kazusa also looks flustered as she wonders why Satowa, in this kind of place.. Aghast Wakaba wonders is this the ‘Satowa-chan’ whom Kazusa is always clamoring about. “Quit joking around. This is a different dimension [/out of this world]. It is impossible to win against this kind of opponent.. –but,”

Sou, the judge, thinks that is just limited to the solo performance. “This child possesses an exceptional ability. If this is a solo competition, she will without a doubt be number one. ..but, this is a group ensemble.” Tsugaki thinks, “What will the others do in order to match with that kind of music. ..or rather, I also won’t want any bit of any unnecessary sound to be inserted into it.”

Chika smiles and thinks that in the end, Satowa is amazing. Sane thinks that before, they always depended on Satowa to lead the way. –but.. Takezou thinks that it will soon reach the place where the 17-string koto will perform. As Sane and Chika get ready to play, Chika thinks, “We must depend on our own strength and go to that person’s side.”

Comment: In a way, I think Chika and Hakuto can be ‘friendly rivals’ since they seem to unintentionally encourage each other with their performance regarding how a piece can be performed. Hakuto is good enough to make Himesaka realize that winning isn’t in the bag yet.

It will all depend on the judges who got confused over whom they’ll send to the Nationals. As Tsukaji mentioned, both are National level-type of performance. They would just have to carefully scrutinize other points of comparison on who’s the best between the two.

With four members having the jitters, Takezou did his best to cheer them on by reminding them how much they practice. Suzuka is such a pessimist =P Well, Akira put in a good word of encouragement. In the end, Suzuka was the one who reminded them why they are all here now.

Apparently, Konishita and her group are still in the story. Is she/they also going to be influenced by Tokize’s music and have a life-changing point/perspective in their lives? Perhaps, everyone who is gathered there will, more or less, have that sort of experience.

Well, we already have one ‘influenced person’ at the last part. Chiharu finally realized what Satowa wanted to convey to her before. It took a long time of suffering and patience on Satowa’s part but finally, her effort is going to be rewarded. It must be such an amazing music that even Doujima looked astounded by it.

I guess I should be satisfied that a part of the performance is shown in comparison to Himesaka and Hakuto whose starting performance ended up as the cliffhanger. Everything is being set-up at the start. There are supposedly only two major contenders for the Nationals.

Tokize is currently the underdog based on Tsukaji’s reactions. At first, he pities them for performing next to Hakuto. After realizing who their soloist is, he isn’t too enthusiastic about the others performing which he assumed will ruin the music. So, I cannot wait to see his and the others’ reaction later on. ^^ Scans by 二次元秘店汉化

Word of the day:

Anything wonderful can happen in that little margin of time when you don’t give up and keep on believing. ‘Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9’ ~ 101 mottos for success by J. Richards and M.S. Fontaine.

Young Takumi catches his breath after running. He wants to immediately help Haruto who is fighting with grade 6 students. He thinks that is too reckless. He’s quite scared but.. He sees a ruckus at the baseball club. Narration: “When talking about Kuro, whether it is good or bad, he is, in short, a very conspicuous existence.”

Some older kids ask Haruto what he is glaring at. They heard that he often picks a quarrel but then, he’s just an arrogant guy. They threaten unfazed Haruto to be scared of them. Just then, Takumi arrives with full baseball gear and a bat. Really scared, Takumi tells them that they’re not allowed to..

While the older kids are asking what’s with this one, Takumi got nervous for there are many of them. He mutters that he’ll help Haruto, but he ends up hitting his own head with the bat and collapsing.

The other kids laugh over Takumi losing consciousness, and he’s weak to the max. He’s like a girl so let’s go take a picture.. Haruto immediately kicks the face of the kid with a cellphone and steps on him. He darkly tells the others to immediately give him all they got. The others got scared and apologize.

Soon, Takumi wakes up at the infirmary where Haruto is looking after him. Takumi asked if he is alright but Haruto tells him not to be too meddlesome when he obviously isn’t good in fighting. This made Takumi become flustered.

Takumi explains that he always get helped by Haruto every time so he also thought that.. He apologizes to Haruto. Embarrassed Takumi thinks that actually, Haruto is fine by himself and in the end, he just caused him trouble. Haruto puts a wet towel on Takumi’s head and says that there is nothing to apologize about.

Haruto smiles and says that it is really amazing, the moment when Takumi rushed out, and he thought that he is a Power Ranger [/Super Sentai in Japanese]. Sparkling Takumi asks if he’s the red. Haruto says the yellow. Takumi complains that is the weakest. He threatens not to lend Haruto the DVD. Haruto tells him to lend it to him.

Narration: “Someday, I’ll also become a person whom Kuro can depend on. I thought that it is good if it can become that kind of equal relationship--” At present time, Takumi wakes up when Michel is licking his face. Sitting up from the sofa, he tells Michel that didn’t he tell it not to casually come over.

Michel whimpers at the side. He sees a tray of food prepared by the butler. Takumi thinks that he has fallen asleep and it has been a long time since he dreamt of the past. There is a beep on his phone. It is a message from Yu saying that she’ll wait for him at tomorrow’s cultural festival.

There is a picture of Yu’s friends posing behind some girl. Takumi thinks that Yu isn’t in the picture though Meiko and others are cute. Then, he starts practice playing the piano again. Flashback: In junior high, at section 1-A, the girls are talking about Haruto playing a piano performance for this year’s mass as the first year representative.

They just heard the homeroom teacher telling Haruto about it when she went to the faculty room. They assumed that he couldn’t play. Upon seeing Takumi, the girls asked why it isn’t Takumi instead. It obviously really suits him to be good at playing the piano. Takumi told them to calm down.

They continue with the rumors they heard about Haruto’s father forcing him to do it. Haruto always stirs up trouble and apparently, his father is a big shot who can pressure things. They find Haruto scary for they heard before that he beat up a high schooler and sent him to the hospital.

They advised Takumi that it is better for him not to be in very good terms with Haruto since it is too dangerous. Takumi smiled and told them that Haruto is a good person. Everyone thought that he’s so cute and so nice like a prince.

Takumi thought that if Haruto were to be the representative, it would be too conspicuous and would he be alright. At the gym, Takumi managed to shoot in the basketball. The others screamed and cheered for him. Takumi is relieved that it was in.

Then, another boy held Takumi’s wrists and exclaimed that is so amazing, he likes him for he’s so cute. It was a confession that Takumi rejected. The others are talking about a guy confessing to Takumi for he’s good not only in intelligence but also in sports. Then, Haruto charged in to shoot the ball. The others say that he’s so fast.

Later on, the others look quite scared as Haruto passed by them. Only Takumi is awed by Haruto who got 5 baskets shots in consecutively all by himself, it is a one man sport, so amazing. He tightly clenched his shorts for he thought that he can more or less catch up to Haruto while practicing secretly. Just then, one of their opponents hit Hakuto on the forehead. [<- most likely elbowed him]

The opponent apologized for hitting him with his arm and don’t be a show-off. The others are nervous because that new transfer student didn’t know about Haruto. The guy asked why the others are running away. He knew soon enough when Haruto threw the basketball right smack on his face.

Haruto darkly apologized that the ball hit him. With a bleeding nose, the guy said that there’s no need to do it up to that degree. Takumi apologized to the guy and asked if he is okay. Takumi offered him a towel with a smile. He quickly told Haruto that they go to the infirmary [to treat Haruto’s bleeding forehead].

Haruto said that the other party picked a quarrel with him first. Takumi warned him that if he caused an uproar, his father will come to school again. Takumi led Haruto away because Haruto has no concept of what is serious [situation] or not. The guy is blushing over the fragrant towel.

Narration: “I basically believed that I’m the only one who wishes to stay at Kuro’s side. Thus, everyone also avoided me at some degree.” While Takumi is commenting about Haruto’s hair becoming long, Haruto said to let it be. Takumi thought that Haruto easily makes enemies with someone and no matter it is his attitude or language, it has a ‘black’ [/kuro] feeling.. and he is like that from the very start when he met him.

Takumi mentioned that he heard that he is going to play the piano. Haruto said that the homeroom teacher decided on it on his own and he probably wanted to indulge his father. Takumi mentioned that Haruto’s family donated a lot of money to the school and besides the two of them studied piano during elementary before.

He wondered if it is okay because, Haruto caused trouble again today. Recalling some girls saying that it suits him to play the piano, Takumi called out to Haruto and asked if he can be the one who’ll play the piano for he is better in it.

Haruto said that isn’t he no good with public performances [<-stage fright]. Embarrassed Takumi said that he is already alright. Narration: “If he let me play, I think that it will definitely go very smoothly. The most important thing is, Kuro will also feel that I have helped him.”

Soon, Takumi practiced playing but he kept on making a mistake. He realized that it is more difficult than he imagined since the piece was assigned by the school. Takumi came in the kitchen. Holding a plate of curry and rice, Haruto complained that he’s late, the curry has gone cold. Takumi asked if it is sweet curry. Haruto said that curries are hot spicy. Takumi asked if he didn’t put in carrots.

Holding a knife, Haruto told him to quit being picky, and just quickly eat. Takumi thought that his tone in ordering is really the same with his father [Haruto’s]. Haruto asked if Takumi’s father went overseas to work again. Takumi said that he is already used to it and when his butler, Murakami [guesswork from 村上] isn’t around, Haruto would come over.

Takumi praises Haruto for being amazing because no matter if it is cooking or cleaning, it’s all perfect. He can only make an onigiri. Watching Haruto telling Michel to ‘wait’, Takumi thinks that Michel also likes to be with Haruto more than him but then, it was Haruto who picked it up and took care of it.

Takumi found the curry too spicy. Haruto asked if piano practice is going smoothly. Takumi said of course, it’s very easy. Standing up, Haruto said that if it is that piece then it isn’t that difficult. Takumi nervously agreed.

Narration: “It’s alright. I can do it. Even if it is me, I can also do it.” The other students anticipate his performance. The principal is actually glad because if it is Takumi, it will make him feel at ease. On the phone, Takumi’s father told him that he cannot go back to the country again this year because of work. Takumi said that it is okay.

His father said that they believe that if it is him, he can definitely accomplish it. Takumi thanked him. While practicing, Takumi still makes mistakes. He thought that he obviously shouldn’t fail on that day. Then, he started feeling some pain in his stomach.

At school, Takumi overheard a couple of guys saying that they really wanted to see Takumi fail in his performance. He is obviously so thin and weak yet he is unexpectedly popular which really angers them. Since he is always with Haruto, they cannot lay a hand on him so just quickly fail already.

Narration: “It’s alright. I can do it just like Kuro.” On the day of the performance, Takumi starts to get more nervous since there are more people than he imagined. He obviously wanted to replace Kuro onstage. Someone is saying at another person that people except for the performers cannot go there.

Takumi is starting to feel nauseous when Haruto asked if he is alright since he doesn’t look too well. Takumi asked why he is there. Haruto said that Takumi easily gets nervous just like when he tried to stop the fight before. Just then, it was announced that Takumi is going to perform. Standing up, Takumi said that was during elementary and he is already okay.

Steading himself on Haruto, Takumi said that if he doesn’t properly go, everyone would be disillusioned with him. Haruto told him that they won’t. Takumi wondered what to do for his mind is already going blank. Haruto told him to properly rest.

Sitting on the floor, Takumi can only watch as Haruto went on stage. While everyone is puzzled whereas the principal is freaking out over why it is Haruto and not Takumi, Haruto played the piece to shut them all up. Takumi thought that he always put a lot of time and effort on this yet Haruto is really amazing to play it perfectly.

Recalling Haruto saying that piece isn’t that difficult, Takumi realized that Haruto had played it before. Narration: “No matter how I studied or exercise, working hard as if my life depended on it, I couldn’t catch up to him. Kuro is my aspiration but for Kuro, what am I to him?” Takumi looked flustered.

Soon, Takumi is assigned to section 2-A while Haruto is in section 2-D. Narration: “From that time on, there was a bit of distance that arose between me and Kuro.” Fangirls are calling out to Takumi to date with them. Takumi said that everyone is so cute that he couldn’t choose. He called out to Haruto that even if Murakami isn’t around for the meantime, he is fine regarding his dinner since he already made arrangements with everyone. Haruto said okay.

After saying goodbye to him, Takumi overheard some girls saying that Haruto is very handsome even if he is a bit frightening, in last year’s mass.. Narration: “At this time, it is only the height wherein I had finally caught up with Kuro.” There is a scene of Takumi making out with a girl. He asked if she likes him. She said yes.

He asked more than Kuro. The girl said of course, because he is so kind. Then, he made out with another girl saying that she likes him the most, and Takumi saying he, too. Along with that, there are scenes of Haruto getting into fights with others. Narration: “Treating girls nicely, and they’ll need me. Even if it is me who is like this--”

Late on, there is a newspaper article at the bulletin. People are talking about Haruto finally getting taken away by the police. They heard that it was an assault either by him or someone else. They find it scary and asked Takumi about it.

Takumi went to the hospital to ask all bandaged up Haruto if he is alright. About to drink some water, Haruto just said, yo. Breathing hard from running, Takumi held the newspaper article and asked again if he is alright. Haruto said ya. Takumi said that he went to school and didn’t know who posted this up.

From the news article, it seems that a group of youngsters intruded into Haruto’s house. Takumi thought that there are people who went into the house and it is during the time when they aren’t together. Takumi wondered how many proplr Haruto had offended, and his hair became long since he hasn’t been helping him cut his hair.

Takumi worriedly said that these aren’t light injuries so is he really okay. Everyone at school are deciding on their own that it is all Haruto’s fault so he is going to explain to everyone.. Haruto darkly told him that it doesn’t matter at all. This made Takumi quiet. He nervously wondered if Haruto is angry at him.

He didn’t say anything and just kept away from Haruto. Normally, Haruto would be angry. While removing his bandage on the arm, Haruto said that it has been a long time since they saw each other and it is only Takumi who would want to visit this kind of person.

Dropping the article in surprise, Takumi said that they haven’t seen each other for almost half a year. Haruto said is that so. Takumi bent down and sigh in relief.

While Haruto asked what’s with him, Takumi thought that he really cannot do anything with Haruto [/cannot let him be] or he should say, Haruto is still like the same as usual..even if their relationship isn’t equal, in the end, he is--..”

Later on, Takumi told Haruto’s father [I think, or someone older] that he wanted to go to Harumi High together with Haruto. Even if it is far, but there is a dorm. And, won’t simply leaving this street better.. The father said that Haruto causing trouble is reaping what he sowed yet he wanted to go with him.

Takumi said that with him at his side, he ought to be able to prevent Haruto from getting into a lot of troubles. Then, there is the time when Yu cut off Haruto’s hair. Takumi is amused that there is a girl who dared rebel against Kuro but forget it, anyway, it is that Kuro. Narration: “From the us since then, we basically thought that there won’t be any changes again--”

Comment: There are a lot of complicated issues going in Takumi based on this chapter. Apparently, Takumi ‘trained’ in order to become how he is now compared to Haruto who is naturally talented. Otherwise, he is just a rich weak kid who just so happen to be handsome. Being weak and popular with girls make him a target for bullies.

Of course, having Haruto as a friend helps a lot. In a way, it is good yet not really good since it doesn’t exactly help Takumi’s self-esteem, and his need to feel needed. Regarding the latter one, I wonder if that somehow stemmed from having no parent who is physically there for him.

When he felt that he isn’t going to get that from Haruto, he turned to girls to reassure him of his worth or at least make him feel good even if he felt worthless and everything inferior compared to Haruto. Still, there are indeed things that Takumi is helping Haruto out like cutting his hair or minimizing the instances of the enemies getting back at Haruto by pacifying them. I’m not sure if Takumi knows this or he feels that is still not enough to be Haruto’s equal.

As for Haruto, he basically doesn’t like being bullied and the payback will be greater. That is of course usually not good in the premise of school. The ones who caused the greater injury tend to be punished more than the one who initiated it. He also seems to have this ‘go with the flow/anything goes’ attitude. Takumi is distancing himself, is/seems okay with him. And, he never bothered asking why the first time around, and he didn’t plan on asking the second time around it happened again.

Anyway, because of what happened to Haruto, things are somehow patched up again. That is until Yu start to get more involved with them. It seems to start to make those issues relevant again for Takumi. And, falling in love with the same girl can indeed cause more rifts between them.

Still, for Takumi to practice playing the piano, possibly for the festival. That is definitely related to that mass performance before. I’m not too sure if it is something positive like moving on, ‘we are now equals’, going to help him, etc. In a way, I think both guys know the other more than they know themselves. ^^; Together, they kind of complement each other. So, let’s see how things turn out later on for the two. Scans by Draw Club同萌绘汉化

Quote of the day:

Stop comparing yourself with others. If they are good at something, you too are good at something else. Self-confidence is not measured by your own capabilities versus that of others, but by your own needs. ~ Stephen Richards, Develop Jedi Self-Confidence: Unleash the Force within You

Holding Yuulin’s face, Reishou says, “Ah, Yuulin, you really won’t call out to me? *wolf mode* Using your voice to call out my name.” Yuulin looks surprised and speechless. Narration: “At Hakuyou’s harem, I, Tei Yuulin was not aware that my husband, the Wolf King, had gone on the offensive towards me. Last night is the start of everything.”

Flashback: Pushing up his glasses, Jun exclaimed, “Is it really alright, Your Majesty? I can really take a rest tomorrow!?” Reishou glumly replied that he said that it is alright, and it is fine since it is merely just one or two days when he isn’t around.

Jun furiously shouted for him to say that kind of words after he has a way of not giving him any single trouble for a whole day!! “I have no way of taking two days off so it’s just one day! With just one single day, can you not let anything bad happen!?”

Reishou glumly told him that he worries too much. Yuulin sheepishly smiled and thought that Reishou don’t have credibility. Narration: “Li Jun, the Wolf King’s attendant is a workaholic. He is in the palace the whole year. His Majesty only has to call him and he’ll appear. I never saw him taking a vacation even once...

...This time, it also appears that His Majesty suddenly thought of asking him whether or not he’ll relax at his house for a while. Yuulin looked at Jun in aghast <- during vacations, he’ll also go to the [royal] court, he works early in the morning until very late at night, doesn’t go home often and would sleep at the palace, or one can say, on those rare rest days, in the end, he’s still at the palace at night.

Jun exclaimed, by all means for the two to please do not cause any sudden problems, okay!? Reishou said that on contrary, for Jun to warn them so many times, it really makes one really want to do something! Yuulin sweatdropped and told Reishou not to be like that.

She hoped that Jun can properly relax tomorrow. Reishou said, yes. Narration: “—so, it’s like that. As a couple, we should also spend a tranquil vacation. –if I didn’t carelessly have loose lips..” At the harem, Reishou is lying down on Yuulin’s lap. She told him that Ranyou said that after Ryukou met with Reishou, he is always very lively!

Yuulin is happy for she gave her all-out effort to boost the brothers’ camaraderie!! Yuulin says, “When he was at Youshu, it still feels that he’s very quiet. *thinks of high spirited Ryukou* After coming here, His Highness Eifuu had become very energetic.”

Reishou looked at her and sat up. He asked, “‘His Highess Eifuu’?” Thinking it is bad, Yuulin apologized for suddenly calling out Ryukou’s taboo name. [<-cultural taboo against speaking or writing the given names of exalted persons in China and neighboring nations in the ancient Chinese cultural sphere. Souce: wiki]

She explained that when she infiltrated in Youshu, she’ll coincidentally.. She stopped talking because for a split second, it felt as if the air was frozen solid. She became aghast as Reishou smiled and said, “Name, huh. Speaking of that, I also have that. *smiles* Ah, Yuulin.” Narration: “From here, returning to the start of that part.”

At Jun’s house, Jun sighs and mutters that he is unexpectedly asked to rest. He wonders what Reishou had thought that he would do this..but then, how to take a break. Jun is silent. <- a workaholic who doesn’t know how to deal with a sudden vacation.

Holding his head, Jun says, okay, he’ll take a bath first to relieve of his body’s tiredness then he’ll once again read books a bit. “Previously, His Majesty has some interest in shipbuilding skills so let me first find some information about it for future reference--.. *goes into shock*...

...wrong, that is work! Ha.. today is a vacation day so I shouldn’t think about things regarding His Majesty. ..yes, I’ll go out and buy something. While going out to eat, I’ll go check out the condition of the renovated road in the royal capital as to how it is progressing...

...After verifying it, I’ll go and make a report about it to His Majesty.. *goes into shock again* Gah. ...wrong, that is also work!! *gloomily sits down on the chair* It is unexpectedly very hard to totally not think of work..” <- Super∙workaholic.

He recalls that he had served Reishou for more than ten years already.. “I totally do not have any free time to go and relax..” Flashbacks: Scene 1 – Reishou is holding a knife while on top of some boulders. Jun shouted, Reishou, Your Highness, please stop, that’s too dangerous! Scene 2 – Holding a sword, Reishou is covered in dirt and bruises.

Jun shouted, Reishou, Your Highness, how did you get so many injuries! Scene 3 – Jun shouted, Reishou, Your Highness! Where did you run off to again.. End flashbacks. Looking exhausted, Jun muses that it would be better to say that in the past, he [Reishou] can cause one’s lifespan to shorten [due to worries] even more than now.

Flashback: It is snowing. Holding a sword with some blood stains on him, Reishou asked, “Does ‘brother the king’ really want to kill me that much? Obviously, I do not intent to snatch away anything from him. *sheepishly smiled*...

...You’re also getting the worst of it. Obviously there is also no advantage to speak of, for you to look after me. If you don’t want this, then immediately abandon me, Li Jun.” Jun was shocked and worried over what Reishou told him. End flashback.

Jun recalls more times with Reishou as he starts to wear armor, while he is with some other men. [<- probably joined the army] Then, he went along with some men in charging against an enemy. Jun recalls Reishou telling him, “Li Jun, it is good if only [/as long as] I can stay together with everyone here.” And, there is a scene of Reishou having a wild expression as he slaughters the enemy. [<- became wolf.]

Back at the harem, Yuulin nervously asks Reishou what’s up that he’ll suddenly be like that.. Reishou didn’t reply. He just kisses her. Blushing Yuulin asks what is this..? Preparing to kiss her again, Reishou asks if she won’t call his name.

Confused Yuulin says no, about that, is he talking about Ryukou. Reishou says that it doesn’t matter because regarding what happened at Youshou, he’ll just ask Dai about it later on. Chibi Dai goes eep! Reishou smiles at Yuulin and tells her that they don’t talk about that first. “How about trying to call out my name?”

Still confused, Yuulin says, “~~Your Majesty, what’s going on? What is this all of a sudden? I don’t understand.” Reishou says see, she called him, ‘Your Majesty’ again. And, he promptly kisses her. Smiling Reishou says, “If you don’t call my name, I’ll always kiss you, okay? Yes, actually, like that is also quite good. Yes. Yes.”

Smiling Reishou is going towards flustered Yuulin who is backing away. She tries to protest over what’s with this situation. He holds her face and kisses her again. Back at his house, Jun is sitting on his desk. He gloomily thinks that in the end, he is still doing work at his house..

“..yes, even if it is said that it is already slowly getting itself established again, but my country still have a lot of problems so it is very normal to do it like this.” <- a hopeless workaholic who ended up doing things recklessly [/still working in the end]

Scowling Jun thinks that it is because he cannot have any negligence...about this, and that, also...” The window suddenly opens. Dai comes in and calls out, “Hello- Li Jun-sa-ma.” Jun immediately puts his coat on and shouts, “Kou Dai! What’s going on with His Majesty again!”

Sweatdropping over how fast Jun was, Dai says about that. “Perhaps, it is also okay even if you don’t have to forcefully cancel your vacation but Teacher [Gen] and I weren’t successful in our persuasion so we don’t know what we should do.” Jun goes (ﾟロﾟ);

At the harem, Jun quietly stares at Reishou. While looking away, Reishou grumbles that he didn’t say to call him over. Emitting dark energy, Jun asks what is going on. Reishou just says, “..Yuulin has locked herself up in the room and won’t come out. It is, more or less, my fault.”

Thinking that Reishou doesn’t want to tell him the reason, Jun nods and says that he’ll go and see the princess consort’s situation. Shivering Yuulin who has covered her head with a blanket shouts in surprise, “Li Jun-san!? What’s up!? Aren’t you on vacation!?”

Jun asks why she had wrapped herself like that. Yuulin replies, “This is a protective cover. ...gah!? It..it shoudn’t be because of me!? Li Jun-san’s precious vacation...” Jun slightly smiles and assures her not to mind that because in this life, there is no such thing as a vacation.

Trembling Yuulin cries ala waterfalls over that and shouts, “What, that’s too tragic-!! *holds out hands* It’s alright. Quick..quickly go back. Go rest.” Jun angrily shouts, “Okay, if you feel that you want to apologize for this then quickly tell me the sequence of events clearly!”

Yuulin whimpers. Later on, Jun says, “-I see, it is about unable to say out His Majesty’s name. ..yes.” Yuulin nods. Aghast Jun says, “..you shouldn’t have forgotten about it, right.. Because normally, it isn’t used..”

Embarrassed Yuulin exclaims that no, it isn’t that, she firmly remembers it. “But for me, His Majesty is always ‘His Majesty’. *teary-eyed* He unexpectedly want me to call out his name. I don’t know what to do. *sits down and trembling*...

...Even if I asked him to give me time to mentally prepare myself, but His Majesty would always keep on pressing on. He won’t listen to what I say and he’s so mean. ..super ultra mean. *Jun thinks that she just repeated that twice* It is making me more and more furious. *<- was biting her teeth in anger.*...

...And, I shouted, ‘Since you say it that way then don’t bother me before I can say it out! Get out, idiot-!!!’...” Jun continues, “..in the end, you locked yourself up for half the day. His Majesty is extremely depressed. The harem’s mood had become freezing cold that the court ladies are scared out of their wits.. Ha, and after that, my holiday is also gone.”

Yuulin wails that she’s really very sorry. Shaking his head, Jun says that she had already apologized. He thinks that Reishou is the root cause of all of this. He says, “Listen well, Lady princess consort. It is normal to feel panicky about calling His Majesty’s taboo name...

...King is king. Generally speaking, it is correct that one should decline this kind of good intention. But, the two of you are a married couple. Privately, it can act as the two’s little small secret so it’s really nothing. *scowls* It is better to say that you immediately bite the bullet and go straight up ahead! That person will indeed be very willful [/stubborn about this] until the end!!”

Clenching her fist, Yuulin shouts, “Ye..yes, mother-in-law-sama!!” Jun angrily shouts, “Who are you calling mother-in-law!!” Then, Jun watches Yuulin starting to practice calling out Reishou’s name. Yuulin wonders out loud if she can say it out normally.

Jun muses that he’s a bit envious of her because he can no longer have an opportunity of calling out that name. Then, there is a scene of Jun lecturing young Reishou. Narration: “Because of Li Jun-san’s help, we, married couple, had made up.”

Reishou apologizes to Yuulin for he got careless, and he teased her too much. “It is because you’re so cute.” Yuulin says, me, too..she’s too stubborn..really makes on infuriated.. Narration: “Li Jun-san’s vacation is already over. (cries).”

Reishou tells Jun that he’ll make up for his vacation on the day after tomorrow... Jun sighs and says there’s no need, don’t mind it, His beloved country’s Majesty. “To be able to help you out is my honor.” There is a scene of younger Jun saying, “Your Highness Reishou.” to Reishou on that snowy day.

Reishou says that this would certainly be read for many years..[? not sure if he is referring to Jun’s loyalty or his ‘no vacation’ probably the latter] Yuulin looks aghast. Jun exclaims but of course and tells Reishou to reflect upon himself [/examine his conscience] for a while.

Comment: I like this chapter. It is light romance and comedy. Apparently, Jun isn’t just a nagger, strict, etc..he is also a workaholic. So how does a workaholic spends his vacation? By working. ^^; He already got used to being busy about the country’s affairs and ‘babysitting’ Reishou. He couldn’t stop doing it anymore. =P

No wonder before when they went to the city incognito, Jun is having stomach ulcers whenever he feels Reishou is up to no good. ^^; He really cannot easily let him off his sight especially since he’ll end up be the one cleaning up the mess. =P Even if he doesn’t like to hear it, Jun is really like a mother-in-law. ^^;;

As for Reishou, he is quite a handful as a kid. I guess it is good that he didn’t listen to Jun’s reprimands about learning to fighting or else, he’ll be dead already. That past scene makes me think of Kenshin in RK. He used to be innocent and fight out of necessity but then, in the end, the innocence is ‘lost’. In Reishou’s case, his wolf personality emerged as perhaps, out of will to survive and became part of his personality.

I guess what Jun answered to him about there is no advantage to serving is the one in the end of the chapter, he would still help him and it is his honor to do so. He ought to be rewarded for his dedication and everything towards Reishou.

As for Yuulin, what is the real problem? Cannot say out his name or the continuous kisses? =P That ‘game’ is actually a win-win for Reishou =P Unfortunately, until the end, Yuulin wasn’t able to call out his name. Perhaps, that is reserved later on. Scans by 水神汉化组

By the way, there is no OnH chapter this month in Lala so there’s no summary next month.

Word of the day:

Your body needs relaxation, happiness, joy and love in order to function well. ‘A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22’ ~ 101 mottos for success by J. Richards and M.S. Fontaine.

Cover page: “The last day of wearing school uniform together. What words..want to tell to each other?” Narration: “Taking one’s bow tie and giving it to the person you like will cause the two of your feelings to become interlinked. This way, the two can be together forever. This is really the routine tradition during graduation ceremony. That’s right, it is a tradition. It’s simply a tradition, that’s all there is to it.”

A girl shakes her hand sideways and says, no, no, high school romance-whatever is for a short duration only, just like fireworks. “‘Forever together’-whatever is impossible.” Yuki darkly squeezes the rag dry and starts to wipe the window.

Sachi exclaims that it is quite unexpected for she thought that Misato [guesswork from 美理] absolutely do not believe that kind of thing. Meiko says it isn’t so, it is because this girl got a full shock because of reports regarding Keigo’s marriage. [<- idol?] Misato sobs out loud over how lonely she is. Someone shouts for them to properly clean for this is their school for three years.

Yuki thinks, fireworks. They did quarrel or rather, it is better to say that she got angry all by herself. Flashback: Yuki shouted that she’s leaving and slammed the door. Outside, Yuki thought that’s wrong, where she is going when this is her house. She wondered what to do for if she goes back in the room, he’ll absolutely think that she’s really stupid...

Just then, Shintaro came out of his room and said that it has always been so noisy since a while ago and what is she making a ruckus about all by herself. Yuki tried to explain when Shou came out of her room. Shou said that he recalled that he still has something to do so he’s going ahead. Shintaro asked if he is leaving already. Shou apologized for intruding. End flashback.

While spraying and wiping the floor, Yuki wonders if he is slightly angry..it seems so..no, but then, she didn’t say anything wrong. From that time, it has already been two whole days of no contact. This time, might want to give in... Recalling Shou saying if she totally doesn’t care even if there is someone who’ll say he likes her, Yuki wonders how come there is no way of making him understand.

At the outdoor sink, Hatori mentions to Shou about tomorrow being graduation day and it is when they’re seeing off the graduates. During that time, they want him to give Tonomura and Yuki flowers. Himiko is the one preparing for flowers. When Shou goes into the clubroom, he startles Himiko who is reading some books.

After exchanging ‘otsukaresama’ [/good job], Himiko apologizes for the messy place. Shou says that he heard that they will give flowers to the third years so isn’t it better for her to be the one to give the flowers to Yuki since they are both managers. Himiko asks why, when that is more natural and it is better for him to go and give the flowers because he is a special person.

Thinking that she stepped on a land mine, Himiko backtracks and says, no, she thinks that they should have words that they want to tell each other. Himiko thinks that it is over for it seems that she touched a deeper layer, what to do... Shou says no, it’s fine, and she doesn’t have to say each word so cautiously.

Himiko exclaims but it is graduation ceremony!? She says that didn’t he say before at the camp, she should properly say things clearly..not wanting to open one’s heart wide to the other person, then the other person have no way of understanding oneself [/you]. Shou says, ...camp. Himiko realizes that he has already forgotten about it.

Then, he notices a book filled with basketball clippings. He asked if Yuki made this. Himiko says yes. While flipping through the book, Shou imagines Yuki crying while sitting in front of some books on the floor. While taking a bath, Yuki thinks that it is finally tomorrow. She has already prepared the things for the class, entering college and moving out of the house..but what’s left is the situation of the cold war with her boyfriend who’ll also take part in the graduation ceremony..

She blows bubbles in the water after recalling Misato mentioning about high school romance is short like fireworks. She recalls again about what Shou said about someone liking her. Yuki thinks that from the direction of the conversation, could it be that he wanted to say, ‘for example, Shizuka’..that’s quite impossible.

Holding a rubber duckie, She thinks, after all, during the resignation battle [/her last basketball game?], didn’t he seriously provoke her... Her cellphone is buzzing. She quickly answers it. Shou says that she answered it quickly. She denies it by saying that she’s reading messages and is he going home right now.

Shou says that he ate out with Abe and others after the club activity. He apologizes regarding that time. Yuki nervously says that it is nothing. Shou says that actually, he doesn’t doubt her at all...it simply felt that she’ll show her softer side [/show weakness] to Shizuka for she appears to lower her guard in front of him so he [Shou] felt that probably, that guy is more reliable. So, he felt a bit anxious.

Yuki tries to explain that is because.. Shou says that even if she said at that time that they ‘have no reservations with each other’ but in the end, you still don’t say anything to him. This surprises Yuki that she wonders, why. Shou says that the train is coming so see you tomorrow. Then, he hangs up the phone.

Yuki wonders if he is saying that he totally doesn’t want to understand [so don’t say anything]. They’re always not in tune [/sync]. The more she treasures him, the more she feels that she likes him. All the more she sees their estrangement, the more she constantly feels uneasy. If this keeps on, perhaps, we will gradually grow further apart.

Soon, it is graduation day. The teacher calls out to the students to line up according to school number, and go with the second year high school students behind them to the gym. The other students are making a fuss about forgetting their camera, mascara, etc. Gloomy Yuki thinks that she didn’t expect that she’ll be welcoming the graduation ceremony in this kind of situation.

Someone is saying that the flower on his chest is so heavy that his neck will snap off. [<- the bubble is in Yuki’s but I don’t think she’ll be complaining like that ^^;] Sachi calls out to Yuki and asks if her flower is askew. Yuki offers to fix it when she sees Shou who glances at her. She immediately looks away.

Sachi comments that it seems that Shou is always staring at this side. Yuki nervously wonders if she is an idiot, what she is doing that she’ll avert the glance. While her friend is trying to call her attention about the flower, Yuki is in deep thought over what to do for if this keeps up, she has no way of properly graduating.

While someone is making a speech about hoping the students can leap higher and continue to do their best, and his favorite singer.., Yuki thinks that she’ll contact Shou once the ceremony is over. Yuki reminiscences that most of the time, she is with Shou is in this gym. Shou said, “Is it okay that only her chest is stiff, sorry he rest for too long, what’s the color of her panties today.”

Yuki wonders what’s going on for she obviously thought of are some lousy stuff yet she is unexpectedly somewhat moved.. She thinks that from today on, this gym would still continue to accompany Shou. That’s right, the first time he seriously said, ‘like’, she is also in this place... After a pause, she thinks, ‘first time’ then what afterwards.

“Did I properly convey my feelings to Naruse? Tell him that I hope that he’ll trust me. Tell him that I like him very much. Not just keeping it in my heart but rather, properly saying it out for him to know. There are still very important words that I haven’t told him.” Outside, some girls tearfully cries while giving Tonomura a bouquet. They congratulate him and say that he is the oasis of the beautification committee. Tonomura thanks them.

Amamiya tells Nishiyama that they take a picture, but what’s with his eyes. Nishiyama says that it is already swollen. While Yuki’s friends say that they definitely go out during summer vacation, Abe and others call out to Yuki and congratulate her. Yuki bows and says that she is always under their care. Abe and Hatori cry as they tell her not to say that anymore or they’ll cry.

Someone comments that the basketball team is really crying. Holding out a bouquet, Shou says that it’s for her from the basketball club. Yuki blushes a bit, and thanks everyone. Yuki becomes nervous over her mistake when she unconsciously grabs Shou’s hand. Everyone is surprised when Shou pulls away the bouquet and holds Yuki’s hand. Surprised Yuki asks,..what..

Suddenly, Shou pulls her with him as he starts to run. Abe and others scream in shock and ask if it is an elopement. Some people are looking at the two as Yuki shout for Shou to let her go. Shou tells her to quickly run. She asks where they are going. He says to somewhere convenient. Then, they are at a hallway. Yuki manages to free herself.

While catching her breath, Yuki says about having something to say and making her ‘don’t say anything’, yet he has something to say...what is that. “I also have many things that I want to say. Thank you for rising up to take the great responsibility of a captain. Thank you for always watching me attentively. (Thank you) Thank..thank you for falling in love with me.. (for always staying at my side)...

...I really, really think that way, so no matter what others tell me, no matter what happens, I.. *teary-eyed* I like you the most in this whole universe, Naruse! You remember that, okay!” Shou looks surprised and hits his head on the pillar. Sweatdropping Yuki asks what happened, is he alright. Shou says how is it alright,..[he’s] gonna cry. Yuki blushes a bit.

Shou says, by the way, he is really frightened by his own childishness. Yuki wonders if he only realized it now. Shou says that just now, those words caused his confusion and anxiety to all dissipate so later on, can she exert all her effort in saying those words that she said just now. Yuki shouts, why you..didn’t he tell her to ‘don’t say anything’!!

Shou says that it isn’t that meaning. “..I won’t do that stupid thing again during the college exam. When you’re hurt, encountered trouble, want to rely on me, if you don’t want to say it then don’t say it. If you want to hide it then hide it. If you want to act strong [by forcing herself] then act strong. *removes petal from her hair*...

...Even if it is like that, I’ll also take the initiative to go over and hug you. Take the initiative to help you carry things. From today on, I won’t ignore your every move. From today on, I won’t miss your every little bit. *leans his forehead on hers as she becomes teary-eyed* I will properly protect [you] at your side.” Crying Yuki covers her nose and says,..okay..

Narration: “Routine is filled with tradition. It is probably through a charm [/amulet] that will embody every minute and every second of some irreplaceable time *Yuki watches Shou sleeping in the club room* and the all-around radiance of busyness. *Himiko freaking out over the guys jumping over each other while Yuki continues to prepare the futons* Thereby, making us hold it tightly in our hands.”

While walking holding hands with Shou, Yuki sees a basketball. Shou says that Abe is giving him 15 LIME [pun for Line messages], so he should more or less go back since he’s noisy to death. Yuki says about that.. She grabs a basketball and says if this ball gets in the basket, he can take the bow tie..her bow tie.

After looking surprised, Shou says that the two of them are obviously going steady so why should she painstakingly want this kind of bet. Embarrassed Yuki says no, she also wants to properly keep her own bow tie [as remembrance, I presume], and she even kept her sailor uniform during junior high. She wonders how come he has this serious face that is saying, ‘give me your bow tie.’

Yuki says forget it, she’ll just throw it in so help her in looking after the flowers and paper cylinder [<- diploma certificate]. Yuki gets ready to aim when she is surprised that Shou carries her up. Shou says that if she still couldn’t get it in at this distance then she is really a sports idiot. [<- bad at sports] Yuki says that he’s noisy to death. She aims and the ball bounces off.

She tries again and it bounces off again but Shou catches it. He smiles at flustered Yuki and shoots the ball inside the basket. Shou says, “Yuki-senpai, congratulations on your graduation.” Then, they kiss. While the others are taking pictures and saying their goodbyes, Yuki says, “Thank you.” Narration: “About that, Naruse, each minute and each second that passed in this place will become my stronger charm.” The last scene is Yuki’s bow tie.

Comment: And everything is okay again after that lovers’ quarrel. They just need some reassurance of each other’s love to calm down any anxieties. Contrary to what I thought, apparently Shou has more problems with her demeanor when she’s with Shizuka compared to what happened that day.

I think Shou would either be laughing or confused if she tells him that Shizuka gives her a feeling like of her deceased grandmother. ^^; Maybe, he is her reincarnation. Lol. Kidding aside, apparently she totally doesn’t have any inkling that Shizuka likes her.

That one instance when he was ‘mean’ to her totally obliterated any possible hints that he likes her. ^^;; Is that good or is that bad? Good since she will be totally oblivious over Shizuka’s intentions and will treat him accordingly. Not so good if Shou thinks otherwise. Bad since she’ll be conscious of a possible ‘someone’ if things didn’t work out.

Well, Yuki has graduated and there are no ‘last arc’ or ‘last chapter’ announcements so I guess the series will continue with Yuki already in college. That means, that issue with Shizuka will possibly continue as to why Yuki feels that certain thing about him. It is possible for the ex-girlfriend to appear. Then, perhaps, Shou’s sister will be in Yuki’s college or something. Of course, there are more basketball tournaments between the two. Maybe, new characters?

There will be many more challenges in the future but if they keep their communication open, reassure each other of their love and make adjustments, etc, I’m sure the couple’s relationship will go smoothly. ^^ And thankfully, the mangaka didn’t drag the quarrel but I guess it helps that this is a romance-comedy series. Scans by 红莲汉化组.

Word of the day:

Gratitude generates joy, and joy generates strength. ‘The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10’ ~ 101 mottos for success by J. Richards and M.S. Fontaine.

This is a story of Kujou and Yanagi as lovers, two months after the airport confession. Yanagi is aghast when Kujou apologizes that she cannot eat out with him. There is a vacancy at the preparatory school’s special course that she wants to attend.

Yanagi says that she told him before that the mock exam is coming soon so they can rarely eat out. Kujou says yes, she basically ought to think about him since she had an appointment with him first but then, they can see each other anytime whereas that course is only one time. Sorry, don’t cry.

Yanagi shouts who would cry and what does she think of him. He confidently says who doesn’t have a schedule when he has a lot of friends unlike her and actually, someone invited him out for a drink on that day. Kujou says okay then she can be at ease, see ya.

Aghast Yanagi thinks that it was pointless to act strong. Souma pats Yanagi’s shoulder and says, ‘serves you right’. Then, he snickers at Yanagi before repeating that it serves him right. That irked Yanagi.

Narration: That is right. Despite it being good when they started going steady but normal Kujou would everyday rush directly for a make-up class. All the more her grades during December mock exam aren’t good. Thinking that she wanted to redeem how it was before, she would always lock herself up and basically won’t go out on a date. End Narration.

Chibi Kujou says that it is because she was a mess because of him that she neglected all sorts of things. Besides, they also had too much fun like trips and Christmas. Yanagi thinks, aside from that, because he got carried away with being overly intimate with her, it would cause Kujou to become very furious that afterwards, due to fear, all the more he’ll act blindly without thinking..

There is a scene of furious Kujou telling him that she obviously told him not to be like that outside yet he is unexpectedly taking the opportunity of acting lovey-dovey when there is no one in school. Why would he insist on doing something that makes one feel unpleasant? End flashback. Gloomy Yanagi pinches puzzled Souma’s cheek.

Some other day, Yanagi exclaims about wanting to have more lovey-dovey. He is drinking with his friends from junior high. Ogiwara [guesswork from 荻原] asks if things aren’t going smoothly between him and Kujou. Yanagi exclaims how is that possible?

Someone asks if he got a girlfriend. Ogiwara says that it is a schoolmate during elementary. One of the guys says that is amazing and did she confess. Since that is the most magnificent memory of his life, Yanagi perks up and proudly narrates about Kujou running to the airport upon knowing that he’ll be studying in the United States.

He didn’t realize that she’ll do that and he cannot do anything about her [but to say yes] and honestly speaking he’s okay and he isn’t exaggerating for when she said she likes him, how can he be deaf.. He starts screaming upon seeing that Kujou is calling him. He answers the phone and says, it isn’t so, he is just polishing [/exaggerating] things a bit. Kujou asks what he is talking about. Yanagi says that it is nothing and if the course is over.

A friend asks Ogiwara if Yanagi’s girlfriend is very vicious. Ogiwara says no, she isn’t. Kujou says yes and it wasn’t in vain that she cancelled the date. Yanagi tells her not to take a detour on her way home. Kujou is forced by Yanagi to regularly contact him from the school to her way home. Kujou says so troublesome.

Yanagi says that he said that he’ll fetch her especially since it is spring so there are more perverts around, better take care. His friends think that it is like father-daughter, words of an overly protective father to his daughter. Yanagi shouts that she already caught one, how come he didn’t hear about this, why didn’t she call him, no but he is saying..! His friends wonder what Kujou did, and is she some Amazon warrior.

Yanagi says yes, after all, she practice Akido unlike him who will just be a hindrance, okay, yes, yes, you take care. After hanging up, he sparklingly tells his friends that he cannot do anything about her and who told her to be so shy that he has to take care of her.

His friends tell him to quit pretending and just cry as much as he wants. Yanagi starts crying and moping at the side. His friends say that isn’t two months of going steady the happiest so what are they doing. Yanagi says that they went to the ranch, eat out, eat with her and her mother at her house, eat at his house..

His friends think that they already saw each other’s parents and isn’t the sequence wrong, also how come it is always eating. A friend asks if he hasn’t asked her into his apartment. Embarrassed Yanagi calls him stu..no, don’t say anything about bringing her to the house. His friend asks him what’s up with acting like some shy junior high girl.

Yanagi makes up some reason that it is forbidden but the others say that they are already going steady. In the end, Yanagi admits that he is scared of being rejected and they haven’t seen Kujou’s absolute zero response. <- still traumatized until today. His friends think he is a loser.

Yanagi explains that since meeting her during elementary, there are times he have this ‘fatherly feeling’ towards her and he doesn’t know when it happened and besides, Kujou would at times seem like a new born chick regarding dealing with others. In fighting whatever malicious intent, there is not a bit of guilt. And they basically don’t meet outside of college.

His friends start to become disappointed with him. They start to tease him about what he said during junior high about [Kujou?] cooking delicious food for him that people don’t even know about, when the son of the Yanagi family is actually played around in circles by Kujou, that it is so hilarious. Yanagi is very embarrassed by that.

At school, Yanagi blames Kujou for putting him in a difficult situation. Kujou asks what he is saying. Yanagi says that lately, he had completely forgotten about it. He actually should be situated in a position where people would praise him like ‘you’re so cool’ and ‘wow’ but she made his position...does she understand that! To Yanagi’s shock, Kujou says that first of all, she doesn’t think he’s cool.

Kujou says that next Saturday, there is a change with her tutoring time so they can eat out together. As an apology, it will be her treat and she’ll inform him where later on. Yanagi exclaims that by doing that, she plans to fool him to become good and listen to her, right. Puzzled Kujou says that she wasn’t thinking of that. Yanagi tells her not to treat him for a fool and he won’t be played around in circles by her anymore.

After he left, Fujimoto tells puzzled Kujou that at one side, watching Yanagi is very enjoyable but she absolutely won’t go steady with him for he’s annoying to death. Yanagi thinks that daddy isn’t going, he is always being called to come and leave by Kujou as she pleases, but that is already in the past, it is Kujou’s turn this time so come and taste that feeling!

Kujou messages him that they meet at 7pm at the door, and they can take their time since her mother has the night shift. And, pouting Yanagi is at the door earlier than 7pm which surprises Kujou. Yanagi insists that this is inevitable that Kujou says ya, ya.

Yanagi realizes that the restaurant is, where he brought her before. Kujou says that it is because it is delicious there. After the food is served, Kujou says that it has been a long time since she ate out with him. Yanagi grumbles that it is because they don’t know when the busy bee is free and when to accommodate the busy bee.

Kujou says so the food is more appetizing than usual and the wine is also rich. Flustered Yanagi says don’t think that he’ll be captured by her by saying those words..you..eat a bit more.. After eating, Yanagi says that this is very delicious, and he asks her to try it. When he is asking for her plate, Kujou eats from his chopsticks. She says that it is very delicious.

Flustered Yanagi asks what’s with that expression <- he’s enduring his happy expression. He mentally curses over how happy he is for Kujou as his girlfriend ate his food. He thought that he won’t be happier after the airport confession but he doesn’t know when he’ll throw this at the back of his mind. He muses that humans are really creatures of insatiable greed. While he is zoning out from happiness, Kujou kept on ordering different wines.

Just when Yanagi thinks that it is rare for him to pay back at her, he finds Kujou drunk asleep. <- even if she can drink but after a certain amount, she’s the type who’ll fall asleep. Wondering when she drank so many, Yanagi tries to wake her up but she vicious hit his hand away. He couldn’t wake her up so he plans to carry her home but wait, her mother is on night shift so this is the rare legendary bring her to his home to pass the night.

He thinks that even if she stayed over before but they weren’t going steady yet and of course, nothing happened but right now, they are going steady... In the end, he thinks that it is no big deal so he brought Kujou to his house and laid her down on his bed. He is tired from carrying an unconscious person.

He decides to drink some water before sleeping when Kujou grabs his wrist. She sits up and asks where he is going. He says that she’s awake. She repeats where he is going. He says that he is just going to get some water. Kujou says no, don’t go, stay here. Yanagi asks if she is still drunk.

Kujou denies it but it made Yanagi think that she is most likely really drunk. He pats her head and tells her to go to sleep, who told her to drink so much. Lying down, Kujou says that it has been a long time since she went out with him so she got a bit excited.

Yanagi thinks that this kind of acting spoiled isn’t beating around the bush and it is that kind of drunkenness. Thinking that he must quickly make her go to sleep, Yanagi says okay, he’ll stay here until she sleeps, is that okay. Kujou smiles and looks satisfied. Yanagi laments over Kujou not knowing his feelings.

Yanagi starts reciting a sultra, ‘matter is void’, he’s going to space out..the other party is a drunk. He lost his concentration when Kujou asks him to stroke her head for that is what her mother does when she is going to sleep. Trembling Yanagi wonders if this is some sort of rejuvenation [/going back to childhood?], an above average taunt towards him, this drunkenness is too vile. Kujou tells him to hurry up.

Scratching his head, Yanagi says he knows already, he’ll just listen to everything she says. Yanagi strokes her head while saying that she’s a good kid. Kujou giggles. She holds his hand and says that it feels comfortable. This made him blush. He asks her to let go of his hand.

Thinking that he is already losing grip of his rationality, he says that he more or less wants to sleep already. Kujou tells him that they sleep together then. Yanagi asks if what she said is true. Kujou asks, huh? Yanagi thinks that she is drunk so she isn’t thinking. It is merely a drunkard’s ridiculous talk. He clearly knows that yet even if he clearly knows..

He goes on top of Kujou and holds her hand. He says, that for her to talk without thinking of that kind of words, causing him to be played around in circles. Hasn’t she considered his feelings? Does she think that he’ll listen to whatever she says? Drinking herself drunk then saying those words at someone else’s room, does she know what she is doing? As long as he has a heart, no matter how rough things are, he can do them.

To his surprise, Kujou asks like what, the rough things, what specific kind of rough way. Yanagi is caught off guard for he didn’t expect her to ask him back. He turns around and thinks no. <- sound of heart-broken. Intertwining her fingers into his, Kujou says that it is okay, if it is him, it doesn’t matter. She smiles and says that no matter how unforgiving his mouth is, but he won’t do any rough actions towards her.

Just when blushing Yanagi is saying what is this--.., she has fallen asleep. He shouts, he knew it-!!! He also couldn’t free his hand from her grip. He shouts for her to just wait and see (who is boss/right)-!! The next day, Kujou wakes up to find Yanagi sleeping beside her while they are holding hands.

Kujou is puzzled. Yanagi wakes up and is surprised to see her beside him. He screams and ends up falling down on the bed. While he is going eh!? ah!?, groggy Kujou says that is her line. Yanagi suddenly remembers that last night, she kept on holding on to his hand.

At the start, he tried his best to sit down and sleep beside her but he couldn’t bear the night’s coldness. He kept on apologizing and asked sleeping Kujou to let him sleep at the corner so move a bit.. Prostrating down in apology, Yanagi says that this little man swears that there is absolutely no groping behavior whatsoever.

Kujou says that even if she doesn’t know clearly what the situation is but isn’t this his room, and shouldn’t they be at the restaurant. Yanagi says if he might be bold to ask but about her recollection about last night... Kujou says that there is totally none. Yanagi thinks that he knew it but then, he doesn’t know whether that’s good or that’s bad...

Kujou says but then, she felt that she had a nice dream. Yanagi looks flustered. He starts to sob and ask her to please stop playing around with him..it’s his bad.. Kujou asks, what? Narration: “Yanagi-kun’s days of being played around with and being under complete control of Kujou still continues.”

Comment: And, that’s the last side story. I cannot really say it is romantic since I cannot erase the feeling that Kujou was channeling her father through Yanagi with the ‘don’t leave, pat my head, sleep beside me, etc’. ^^; Still, that is the closest thing for Kujou to be any romantic with Yanagi in a span of two months after the confession. ^^;; Normal Kujou won’t do those things.

In a way, it is keeping with the theme of the whole series. It does seem like a ‘taming of Yanagi’ with his ego being battered all around..like most of the time. It is really hard to have a huge ego/pride yet be so in love that one has to be submissive to that person to keep the relationship intact.

Still, there are times when Kujou shows her softer feminine side that Yanagi cannot help but fall in love with her all over again. Well, Yanagi survived a very long unrequited love, and obviously, he had survived this to reach the end of the last game and that is to be happily married with her. Scans by 红莲汉化组

Quote of the day:

It doesn't matter how life plays with you, all that matters is how you play with your life. ~ Aditya Prasad Acharya

[Free talk: A futile attempt to write a short summary + commentary ^^; ]

The chapter starts with Kyouko reading about a girl going out on a candlelight dinner with Ren. With a picture attached of Ren escorting her, the girl mentions about finding Ren having that mature guy’s charm since he is used to looking after women. But in reality, it is actually a party for Purple Down 2 with all the cast and crew.

Kyouko realizes that this girl worked with Ren in that autumn drama two years ago. She looks at a picture of a cute looking girl holding a puppy. Her name is Morizumi Kimiko. Yashiro saw her looking at Kimiko’s blog that he asked if Kyouko is an ardent reader of that blog. Kyouko explains that she is looking for information on the internet regarding Kimiko to help her understand that person’s character. In the end, she found this blog.

Since she read that she was in a movie with Ren before, Kyouko asks Yashiro what he knows about Kimiko. Kyouko wants to know if she is really a person who’ll use vile methods to steal a role to the point of endangering someone’s life. From her blog, she doesn’t seem to be that kind of person. Yashiro tells her that Kimiko is from a showbiz family. The producer of Purple Down is her father.

At that time, he heard that as producer, the father solely decided to cast Kimiko into that role. But then, whenever a Morizumi relative is part of the directing, auditions-type of jobs, she will appear in that drama. Those kinds of situation aren’t few so there is a high possibility that it is true.

Kyouko thinks out loud if Kimiko can really cope with getting jobs through her connections especially in the acting world. If her acting skill is far off from the other actors, it will be very hard for her to blend in with the cast and crew. Yashiro refuted her by saying that everyone ought to have considered her acting as not bad at all.

This made Kyouko think that something is wrong because obviously Kimiko has advantageous circumstances and own talent for her to stand out yet how come her exposure isn’t that quite high. Is she active in some other areas other than the television industry? Since Kyouko is now more aware about the acting world compared before, she ought to have heard of Kimiko’s name on the television yet when Erika’s bodyguards mention her name, it didn’t ring a bell. She even had to search about this Kimiko person.

Recalling that one of the bodyguards told her that she is related to the producer, Kyouko quickly searched on the internet who is the producer of the drama, Lotus in the Mud. It is a certain Morizumi Jouji. Scowling Kyouko asks if this is the producer of Purple Down. Yashiro corrects her that it is the producer’s older brother.

Yashiro asks if Kimiko is also auditioning for ‘Momiji’. Kyouko stutters that she should...most probably. Holding her head, Kyouko groans for the audition has already been decided. Yashiro tries to calm her down but Kyouko protests that in the industry, the one who have the say and has the right to decide is the ‘producer’ especially in movies.

Even if the director wanted to cast Kimiko, if the producer opposes it, then it isn’t considered. For example, the winner would need more of the producer’s approval rather than the director’s. Kyouko backtracks on that because Erika already got the role but it was decided that they hold another audition.

Even if IT IS Erika’s father’s request, at least, that ‘producer’ has a sense of fairness on wanting to choose someone other than ‘Morizmi family member’ and he even showed flexibility in accepting a supporting role’s substitute. Kyouko thinks that if she has an opportunity to show it to someone, how she will interpret the role of Momiji. That is her hope. Kyurara audition is also like this since they already wanted Erika from the start.

Kyouko happily recalls their gorgeous skit which reversed the situation. Even if she done it while working with Kanae as one but she has grown since then. Even if she has no partner, but Kanae will definitely stand at her side. All pumped up, Kyouko believes that it is okay, she can do it.

Yashiro interrupts her by saying that since she had recovered, he wants to give her something. It is the reason why he is there. Kyouko is confused upon seeing a gift from Yashiro. He explains that a month had almost passed, and this is a return gift for Vday. Kyouko screams in shock. The gift is a horse carriage aromatherapy candle holder. She is very happy over how cute it is.

Relieved that it is within his expected reaction from her, Yashiro apologizes for the delay. He prepared it before White Day but he always didn’t have an opportunity to give it to her and it isn’t something he can conveniently carry around. The real 99% reason for it is because he doesn’t feel that he can give the ‘return gift’ to Kyouko alone without Ren’s but in the end, his intention was futile.

He learned two days ago from Ren [about going to Guam or something?] so even if it is late, he can give it to her. Yashiro explains that he was away from Tokyo for around 5 days or else, he would have given it to her on the 14th. But then, even if it was late for a month, she ought to have that kind of reaction, too. Kyouko apologizes and says that she thought the ‘return gift’ is only limited on White Day and she basically didn’t think that she’ll get a ‘return gift’.

Yashiro explains that in this industry, there is a high possibility of being unable to return the gift on White day especially Ren so there is a rule of ‘return gift’ within the month which are sent out. Ren didn’t personally mention it but that is how is how he sees it before. Since the actor and manager are one body by fate, he also unconsciously copied this action of Ren’s.

Yashiro thinks that everyone is happy getting a ‘return gift’ and it helps in having good relations. Even if everyone is aware of that situation of balancing that importance and work, no one would mention it out loud. Yashiro says that even if a month has passed and the ‘return gift’ wasn’t forgotten to be given to her then that is because Kyouko is very ‘special’.

Pause. Kyouko blushes and thanks him. She says that it is the first time a guy said that she is special. She reacted only now because it took some time for her neurons’ synapse to transmit. While Yashiro wonders if he properly conveyed it to her, Kyouko starts saying that actually, they have a connection that others cannot dare imagine after all.

She completed the missions of being Ren’s manager and Ren’s younger sister. She managed to experience it thanks to being in Love Me section. Their unique connection is a Love Me member’s special privilege. Yashiro thinks that she had forcefully twisted the meaning of ‘special’ but forget it, there’s no way for her to understand his meaning since she is Love Me member number one. Just then, Sawara calls out Kyouko to meet with someone. Yashiro quietly looks at the picture of Kimiko on the computer.

Later on, Yashiro thanks Sawara for telling him where Kyouko is. Sawara asks if he is managed well the Tokyo stuff. Yashiro says yes, thanks to him, since it will be some time before Ren comes back from THAT SIDE. He [Yashiro] was also able to finish the work before so he can breathe a sigh of relief. Sawara asks if he hasn’t told Ren yet.

Yashiro says yes because he wants to give him a pleasant surprise. Sawara says that it is worth seeing. They talk about Kyouko’s new job commercial offering. There are more offers coming in and it is probably thanks to Box’R even if the second episode’s rating isn’t that high. Still, Kyouko’s charisma in the TV drama is there.

Sawara thinks that Mio and Natsuki are totally different but then, the same goes with Kyouko herself. He says that even if Kyouko wants to concentrate on acting but then, she cannot decline other offers besides acting. She had been more or less distress about it for a long time so he wants to get someone who can give her suggestions. Yashiro looks thoughtful.

At the Love Me room, Kyouko opens her locker to put in her new gift. She is going for fighting practice so it will have to wait when she has time and the mood to bring it home. Recalling what Yashiro said about not being able to give back ‘return gifts’, she remembers that Lory called them out on White Day. She becomes disappointed that she has to shake her head to not think of it.

She actually didn’t think of ‘return gift’, and she didn’t except it so why is she troubled by ‘why’ she didn’t receive a return gift. It is also thick-faced of her to think about that. She already got a candle holder from Yashiro, tea cup set from Ogata and mirror set from the Bridge Rock guys when she only gave them two truffles.

It is like she is some malicious loan shark who got more than what she gave. She is glad that Ren forgot about it. She cannot imagine Ren giving something that will conform with her gift that probably cost 400-600 yen and how come guys’ return gift is so costly that it is already multiple times more than the cost of just two truffles.

Then, Kyouko remembers that she didn’t give Ren truffles, she gave him a special queen rose red wine jelly. She assumes that because it isn’t chocolate, so it isn’t a target of Ren’s ‘return gift’. She thinks that it is possible that she doesn’t know about this ‘Vday rule of Japan’ so if it isn’t a chocolate, there’s no return gift. She decides to give cookies-type next time in case she receives costly return gifts.

After getting her things from the locker, Kyouko rushes out to the street. She had a suffocating feeling for a while but it is okay now. She checks her cellphone for the bus schedule and looks aghast. While catching her breath at the bus stop, she thinks that if she couldn’t catch the next one, she’ll totally be late. She checks how much time she had left. 4 minutes.

She decides to make a run for it as if her life depended on it. She is stopped by a car that honked at her. The driver is waving for her to come over. She checks it out and it is Yashiro who offers her a ride on his car. Kyouko is surprised that he already has a license when she recalls that before, he told her that his only shortcoming is not having a license for him to become a perfect measure to Ren.

Yashiro says to become the perfect manager, he went to a training camp for two weeks. He tells her that this super manager can be hired right now for a limited time. So if she wants to hire him, then get into the backseat right now.

Comment: On the first page, is that Kyouko looking jealous or shocked over this ‘date’? I had a similar reaction as I wonder who this girl is before realizing that Kyouko might be researching about the competitor. From the looks of it, Kimiko is indeed a nice girl. With that kind of post and picture, who would think that she is capable of doing THAT to Erika.

Still, I’m curious, is that her latest post? It was about two years ago. If she no longer updates the blog means she was busy with something else or something’s up. Things do not jive just like what Kyouko is thinking. If the producer is ‘boss’, why would they even bother with auditions and didn’t just cast Kimiko for the role. But that role doesn’t seem destined for her since Kanae mentioned of a certain someone, most likely Kimiko, wanted her role, too.

Since she isn’t as popular as she should be given her family background and probably average/above average talent, could it be that she isn’t really interested in acting? I’m imagining that she was forced to act or at least, this time to audition as some ultimatum that she has to get the role by hook or by crook for whatever reason. Anyway, Kyouko’s task is to impress everyone enough during the audition with her interpretation of Momiji for her to get the role.

Also, when it was mentioned Momiji having a family who are into showbiz, I immediately thought of Ren again. So, is Ren’s past going to be connected to that? Is it possible that Momiji also wanted to get out of her family’s shadow so she tried to audition instead of the role being given to her on a silver platter? Or, is she like that bully who tormented Ren before, assuming that he just has to get a certain role? Maybe both?

On a side note, it seems that Kyouko isn’t used to typing on a keyboard that she is using the two-finger technique. =P It is also amusing that everyone already knows what to give Kyouko. She is someone whom one can easily give a gift to and you’ll know she’ll be very happy with it. ^^ Yashiro is trying to hint about Kyouko being special to Ren but it failed. Don’t give up, gambatte!

That is actually one reason why I’m excited about Yashiro being her temporary manager. He can act as a cupid for the two. Or perhaps, he might find out Kyouko’s feelings for Ren. I’m thinking of Kamo’s role, the bodyguard in TCP, who also played cupid. ^^ Hopefully, that will help in the stalemate situation of the two.

Iirc, Ren doesn’t plan on giving a return gift to Kyouko. Yashiro seems to be hinting that he will. Well, if he does, I wonder what it will be. Will he give it again in a not so obvious manner like before? What will top that gem he gave before? And since White day has passed, it makes me wonder if it is a guarantee that there won’t be any other return gift from the other guys like Shou or Reino.

Anyway, Kyouko got her temporary manager. Maybe he can also help her with the Momiji issue aside from whether or not to take certain other jobs. As I mentioned, maybe love life, too ^^ How long is Ren going to be in Guam? I assume that 2 weeks had passed since it took Yashiro around that time to get his license, or he passed some work to Sawara for him to get that license? So here’s hoping for some development while Yashiro is her manager. ^^ Scans by 红莲汉化组

Quote of the day:

A positive attitude will always lead to positive outcomes. ~ Author Unknown

Flashback: At the subway, Tsubasa isn’t feeling well. Aki saw her and asked if she isn’t well. Aki decided to carry her. Tsubasa thought that this uniform is the same as her school’s. End flashback.

There is an announcement for the third years to line up for the tug-of-war competition. Sleeping Tsubasa wakes up when she heard a window being opened. Aki apologizes for waking her up. She immediately sits up and asks why she is here and the sports festival...

She suddenly becomes dizzy that Aki asks if she is okay. He suggests that she rests for a while. He asks if she recalled that she was feeling unwell that she dropped down at the hallway.

Tsubasa recalled feeling nauseous that she couldn’t walk an inch, and then she suddenly became dizzy. But, she doesn’t recall being at the infirmary so that means... She asks if he brought her there. He says yes.

She apologizes for causing him trouble. He says that it isn’t any trouble. He tells her that this had happened before and it caused him to remember the first time he met her. Then, after a few days, she would suddenly appear at the gym, saying that she wants to become the manager.

At that time, he felt that it is really baffling for he was always thinking where he saw her before. Soon, she became the official manager of the basketball club as if it was like that from the start. In a very short time, everyone got used to her.

He didn’t know when she became an inevitable existence. It is because lately, she isn’t participating in the club activities because of the sport’s festival preparations. It caused everyone to say, how come some thing seems wrong.

There is a scene of Yoshinari saying that the tea is all gone and everyone told him if he forgot that Tsubasa isn’t around. End flashback. What Aki said made Tsubasa really happy for it turns out that is how she is seen by the others.

Aki is startled when Tsubasa shouts that she wants to go back to the club as early as possible. She admits that she always felt lonely when she wasn’t able to participate in the club. She thought that even if right now she felt uneasy going back [because of Aki and Hina] but it is already okay for she only...

Tsubasa happily says that she wants to practice together with everyone as early as possible. Aki has this ‘longing’ expression. Tsubasa is surprised when Aki confides that it isn’t just the basketball club. He doesn’t know when she started to occupy the most important place in his heart.

“While I practically have not yet become aware of it, in a natural way... I like you, Sonokawa.” Tsubasa’s eyes widen. Soon, Aki is surprised to see Tsubasa crying. She asks wasn’t he currently going steady with Hina who told her that she confessed to him so... Surprised Aki repeats that the person he likes is her that he never considered anyone but Tsubasa.

Crying Tusbasa asks if that is for real and this isn’t a dream. He assures her that it isn’t a dream. He looks at her then hugs her. Thinking that it is like a dream, she hugs him back. Right now, it felt that she can fly. And, the sports festival continues.

Soon, the couple is interrupted by an announcement that it is time for the clubs’ relay race so participating students are to come and congregate. Aki tells Tsubasa that the competition is going to start. They break off the hug, look at each other and blush. Aki says that it is almost time for him to go back. Tsubasa says that she wants to watch the relay.

Aki asks what silly things are she saying, when she has to lie in bed. Tsubasa says that she’s already fine. Aki asks how can she possibly be fine? She becomes depressed that he asks if she really wants to see the relay. Tsubasa says that isn’t only just to watch the relay, she still wants him to stay there for a while longer.

She becomes embarrassed but Aki smiles and says that him, too. But then, if he doesn’t go, he’ll be late so he’ll go ahead. Tsubasa looks sad about this. Thinking that her heart is overflowing with happiness, Tsubasa cries. This made Aki ask why she is crying again. As he wipes her tears and held her hand, Tsubasa says that she likes him the most.

Comment: And finally, Aki confessed and thankfully, he was the one who confessed here rather than Tsubasa confessing again. So, Yuuma ship has sunk. ;_; Oh well, this is better than for it to happen later on after a forced going steady with Yuuma while her heart is with Aki’s. The inevitable has finally happened. I wonder if Hina will get some punishment for her lie, or she’ll get away with it. Scans by all★wink汉化组

Quote of the day:

The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return. ~ Eden Ahbez

At a small restaurant, Atae is sitting at the table with Sugeyo. Izana is eavesdropping on them from behind. After sipping a cup of coffee, Atae asks if he had provoked her to anger. Flustered Sugeyo looks away and denies it by saying, it isn’t so..

Atae says that it is because she doesn’t want to look straight at him. Blushing Sugeyo says that it is because she is a bit nervous. Atae laughs for wasn’t she quite natural and unrestrained on the stage. This made both Sugeyo and Izana nervous. Atae says forget it..it is very normal for her to be wary of him since she must have already heard about the reason he is visiting various theater troupes.

“It is precisely as they said. It is for me...to scout you out and be part of my own cast and crew. That is to say, I want to break up your relationship with this current theatrical troupe. *Sugeyo looks tense as Izana continues to quietly listen* Not only you, from the start, everyone are cautious towards me that they refused my invitation [to talk with you]...

...You already have deep affection with the current theatrical troupe, and the relationship is very good, yes? The troupe members definitely also really cherishes you. The troupe leader seems to be a very good person.” Sugeyo says yes, she knew Daijirou for such a long time, she has many friends like Tomoko and everyone are very good people.

Atae says, but, speaking bluntly, even if it is a small type of theater, Sareki’s [theatrical group] stage is also extremely stale that it is already out-dated. “If you continue to stay there, you will to be buried in that kind of place, and your talent will definitely be buried. I’m not being pretentious, but rather, it will happen.” Sugeyo looks surprised while Izana looks troubled.

Atae says that she must felt that what he is saying about the theater troupe is very cruel but he is only sincerely asserting the truth, that’s all. “As an artist who sincerely loves the theater, I really longed to add you [to my group]. This is also for you, to sparkle in front of even more people.” This surprises both women.

After a pause, Sugeyo says that she really appreciates his intention and what he said is perhaps right, but sorry, she cannot accept his invitation. Izana and Atae aren’t happy because of what she said. Standing up, Atae says that he understands and that’s it first for today. “During the next performance, I’ll try to talk to you once again...”

Sugeyo says that there is..no next time. This puzzles Atae. Sugeyo tells him that she came to the theater today to resign from her work as an actress. This shocks Izana and Atae. Atae grabs Sugeyo’s arm and shouts that he absolutely won’t let her do that kind of thing. “Do you plan on personally destroy your own talent!? *Sugeyo is surprised*...

...The ones who really need you aren’t just your current comrades!! There is also your future for theater arts, and the audience’s yearning to witness it!! Those are your...” Atae notices the other customers looking at them. He lets Sugeyo go and apologizes. “...in short, I felt that even if I searched the whole world, I won’t be able to find an actress just like you. So please, properly think about it.”

Sugeyo looks thoughtful. Izana looks nervous and depressed. Sugeyo says that she understands, she...will accept his invitation. This surprises both Izana and Atae. Sugeyo says that if he says that he felt that ‘Fuchi Sugeyo’ is such an important existence...” Atae asks if that is for real, ah...it’s such a huge favor!

Holding her hands, he says actually he always thought there is no one aside from her who is qualified to play the role of the stage play that he’s planning! “Thank you very much!!” Izana is puzzled by what Sugeyo did. While Sugeyo is walking at an alley, Izana calls out to her, and asks why she gave her consent. Surprised Sugeyo asks if she overheard it. Since Sugeyo didn’t answer her, Izana asks if it is because she is giving her consideration.

Flustered Sugeyo says that it isn’t so. She felt that what Atae said is right, and Izana’s talent should brighten up a bigger stage. “So, I also want to see it! *happily smiles at Izana* I think everyone at Sareki can definitely understand. Not only me, Atae-san, and also the future audience. They would definitely want to see your figure standing on top of the stage.”

Izana looks surprised. She then says that actually, everyone isn’t only watching her, it is also Sugeyo’s beauty. Sugeyo says that they created ‘Fuchi Sugeyo’ together, right. Izana says that it is so. Sugeyo happily says that the two of them cannot do without either one. While Sugeyo walks away humming, Izana looks at her warily.

Narration: “—So like that, the female actress, ‘Fuchi Sugeyo’ performs under Kaidou as director. She played ‘Nina’ in the ⌜Seagull⌟that catapulted her into popularity as a much anticipated skilled actress.” As ‘Nina’, Izana emotes, “I’m---a seagull. No, that’s not right...

...You still remember the seagull that you have shot down? A man incidentally came and saw a seagull [/girl], and killed it because he got nothing better to do.” Pleased Atae watches from backstage. Narration: “Starting from ⌜Seagull⌟, Kaidou would promote ‘Fuchi Sugeyo’ in each stage drama that he directs...

...From classical plays to modern plays, the best arrangement, best art design and the best performers are assembled together to perform in unbroken succession. In each of this plays, the purpose is to make ‘Fuchi Sugeyo’s reputation to go a level higher...

...A fictional woman, who goes beyond true reality, had charmed numerous audiences. Later on, because of Izana-san’s recommendation, I do some backstage work at Kaidou’s side. *Kingo watches ‘Sugeyo’ and others during the curtain call* At the same time, I secretly write scripts. Not only Izana-san’s acting, Kaidou is a substantial skilled director...

...He has this kind of ‘making everyone sees something that they had never seen before’ ambition. Even if he is somewhat pompous [/flashy], but this is also accepted by the other people [/made him popular]. Thus, [things are done] according to this person’s preference. He nurtured ‘Fuchi Sugeyo’s body and spirit...

...Both elegant and drop dead gorgeous, she had become some sort of ‘work of art’ [who has everything in one body] that is set up on high--- It is unknown when this former ugly woman who had nothing started to get used to being called by others as a ‘legend’. Not only that, the things that she attained are not merely the audience’s praises.”

The scene changes to ‘Sugeyo’ making love with Atae. Afterwards, ‘Sugeyo’ apologizes and says that she should go home. Putting his shirt on, Atae says that it seems that she always go back at this time so what is her reason for it. “Or, could it be that you have some other man aside from me?” ‘Sugeyo’ says that it isn’t so. He asks, then why.

‘Sugeyo’ tells him that she cannot say it. After a pause, Atae says forget it. He pulls her to him which surprises ‘Sugeyo’. He asks her to marry him, and then she and her little secret will be his. ‘Sugeyo’ says okay. Narration: “Once was an ugly person who wasn’t allowed to exist in this world has now attained happiness as a woman. It is a sudden jump to become a winner in life.”

Comment: Apparently, Sugeyo went along with this on her own free will. In a way, it is a contrast with her daughter. For Sugeyo, it is for a good intention whereas for Nogiku, it is a bad one.

In this case, there is really a thin line between nice and stupidity for Sugeyo. It seems like she is willingly walking into the lion’s den. ^^; Even if she did that, she doesn’t seem able to win Izana’s heart who eyed her warily even if she agrees to continue this charade.

Atae is a very blunt and practical man. Instead of sweet talk, he went straight to the brutal reality to convince ‘Sugeyo’ to perform in his play. It is interesting though that she is very ‘selfless’ that she immediately changed her mind when the focus was more on making a lot more people happy compared to her own happiness or a few people.

So, with fame and everything, Izana is living the best time of her life. As the ending narration had mentioned, it is a huge jump from an unwanted ugly person. She now also attained love. I would assume that Atae hated her ugly appearance. After all, he sent Kasane away but kept Nogiku.

I’m thinking that he was the reason why Sugeyo is locked and chained up. He might want his ‘Sugeyo’ to be always beautiful. Still, perhaps, something might have happened which led to that like what happened to Nogiku. Perhaps, love made Izana ‘stupid’ to do everything what Atae wants.

It makes me wonder if Kingo is telling this story to Kasane so that she won’t make the same mistake regarding love or perhaps, how to treat her ‘partner’/Nogiku. Okay, the latter is wishful thinking. Anyway, I think Atae learning the secret is a turning point on how things spiral down into a tragedy especially for Sugeyo. Scans by RAD汉化组

Word of the day:

Seasons are integral to the cycle of life and nature. Learn from this balance in nature, and have balance in your life. There is a time and season for everything. ‘To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1’ ~ 101 mottos for success by J. Richards and M.S. Fontaine.

Taka and Tarou notices the lovey-dovey look on Kai and Miki’s faces. Ah, they are indeed in seventh heaven. Tarou asks if something happened during the fireworks festival. Kai says what he is talking about-- He recalls Riko letting him hold her hand and she would just follow him. He happily laughs and wonders if he has hope.

The two guys think that it is related to Riko. Tarou asks Miki if he kissed with Kiyo. Flustered Miki asks if he saw it. Kai grabs Miki and shouts that he has such an innocent face yet his progress is so fast. Miki exclaims that wasn’t he the one who told him to brush his teeth so that they can kiss anytime so what is he angry about.

Kai denies that he is angry. He couldn’t believe that Miki was able to do it first but he won’t forever forget it.. That vicious Riko unexpectedly allowed him to hold his hand. It is such a precious memory!!! Just then, some girls call out to Kai and ask what THAT is about.

Kai has no clue so they showed him a bulletin spread from the newspaper club about a new super couple is born. It is a picture of Kai holding hands with Riko. There are also pictures of Tarou with some girls and, Miki with Kiyo. The girls ask Kai what it is about but he just say that it is nonsense.

Yet, he is actually happy that the whole school knew about it. He confidently thinks that sooner or later, Riko will fall for him. At the top of the roof, during lunch, Riko faces the girls earlier and asks why they called her up here. Back at the classroom, Tarou informs Kai about seeing the girls calling out Riko to the roof and the mood is very strange.

Taka says that perhaps, it isn’t good that Kai didn’t properly answer those girls. This surprises Kai. Back at the roof, the girl shows Riko the picture of her and Kai, and accuses Riko of getting involved with Kai. They don’t want her to claim Kai, and Riko unexpectedly want to go steady with Kai. They advised her to immediately kill off that kind of feeling.

Riko tells the girl to say what she wants but anyway, she’s making a big deal over nothing. They should tell that to Kai himself since it is useless telling it to her. This irks the girl that she suddenly grabs Riko. Then, they hear a camera clicking. It is Ayumi who told them to stop.

She says that what she wrote had caused this which makes her feel really apologetic about it. So, she’ll also come and help Riko. Burning up for a fight, Riko tells the girls to bring it on. Within the school, these two girls are the strongest. This scares off the other girls that they immediately scrammed and shout that it is extremely silly and they won’t mess with them again.

They didn’t notice Kai is standing behind the door. Kai is aghast for he planned to save Riko in a cool way to give a big impression but he didn’t think that just because of their aggressiveness, the enemies got chased away. Ayumi apologizes for getting Riko involved in a strange issue.

Riko says that it is okay for Ayumi is just doing her job, and it is another thing for those girls to come and pick a fight. Ayumi happily hugs Riko and says that she’s such a thoughtful masculine girl and that’s what she likes about her. Sweatdropping Riko thanks her.

Ayumi says that a while ago, she said that it is making a big deal over nothing, so are they really not going steady. Riko says no. Ayumi asks why they are holding hands then. Riko says explains that Kai thought that she might get lost so he took her hand.

Ayumi asks if that is really how it is, and a guy would use that reason just to hold a girl’s hand so she thinks that Kai absolutely has some other reason for it. Kai thinks that is exactly correct. Ayumi exclaims that she guessed it that lately, the reason why Kai isn’t engrossed with feminine charms is because he has found Riko, his true love.

Kai mentally tells Ayumi to wait, she’s going to fast when he wants to be the one who’ll say that. Riko laughs out loud in disbelief. She exclaims that it cannot be, perhaps, if the Earth starts rotating in reverse because that is absolutely impossible! This surprises Kai.

Riko explains that Kai is just taking care of her just like how he does with his sister’s children and since her body type is small, he definitely was just taking her of her as if she’s a child. Ayumi sighs and says is that so. Disappointed Ayumi says that she understands that Riko basically doesn’t have that way of thinking.

While depressed Kai goes downstairs, Ayumi says that she’ll at least give Riko her the picture as a souvenir. Riko says no, but why. Ayumi tells her not to say that for she thinks that it is a very good picture. She laments over her skills being far off since she thought it was big news that she quickly got delusional.

Upon looking at the picture, Riko looks surprised. Ayumi asks what is it but Riko says that it is nothing. While holding her phone behind her back, Riko wonders why she has that kind of expression in the picture. Depressed Kai thinks that he’s an idiot for thinking that sooner or later, Riko would fall for him.

Upon seeing him, Taka asks Kai if Riko is okay. Kai lamely says that she’s definitely okay for she is a violent girl so there’s basically no need for him to show up. Sensing that Kai is glum, Taka asks what’s up. Kai says that it is nothing and walks away. Taka notices Ayumi and says that she didn’t do a good thing.

Ayumi asks if it is about that report, well, she absolutely thought that they’ve become a couple but that’s her mistake. She is relieved that she didn’t spread this other picture. She shows Taka a picture of him and an older woman. Ayumi says that it is such a big news and she was really excited over this because he is obviously a super handsome guy yet there is no single scandal about him.

So, she finally caught him by the tail. Looking sad, Taka says that person is... Ayumi exclaims that she knows, it is his older sister who is studying college somewhere and she returned home this time for a visit. Ayumi says that even if she isn’t a mature reporter but she’ll investigate something up to this degree.

She winks and exclaims that she won’t give up, she’ll definitely be able to scoop out Taka’s secret. She gives him a copy of the picture as a remembrance that he give it to their mother or put in the living room. Taka looks at his cellphone and holds it tightly to his chest. Narration: “There are times when, more than words, a picture can go around and tell the fact [/truth].”

Kai looks at the newspaper report at the bulletin. He thought that what was written on her face is what’s inside her heart but that is only his delusion. It is because of his own expectation that he felt that way. And besides, it is already a fact... He looks at Riko happily smiling and talking with Suwa. After seeing him, Riko goes to Kai and says that article is really ridiculous.

Kai asks what she is talking about with that guy, is it about student committee. Riko says no, he is asking her to join them for dinner since Akemi is coming to cook. Her mother is busy today so she isn’t coming home. Realizing that she’s talking about that Akemi, Kai asks what she is smiling about when obviously, she likes that glasses guy.

“Seeing the person one likes happily together with another person, that kind of situation would make people hate it so how come you are foolishly smiling and just quietly accept it?” Riko timidly says that she didn’t think of wanting to be with him, so if they are happy, she’s also happy. While other girls are watching, Kai says that she’s lying for if it is like that, then it isn’t considered love.

“True like [love] is hoping to be able to walk together no matter what. It is also time for you to wake up already, stupid girl!!” With that, he walks away and leave surprised Riko. Later on, during dinner, Riko looks glum that Akemi mentions that she is always lost in thought. Riko says that it is nothing and the food is very delicious.

Suwa’s parents comment about Riko hasn’t come for such a long time and eating with many people is quite lively. They comment about it becoming livelier soon. They are about to tell Riko something but Suwa tells them to let him say it. Riko is surprised when Suwa and Akemi smile at her and say, “Riko-chan, about...” Riko looks stunned.

At Kai’s house, Sango knocks on his door and tells him to quickly come out and eat. The kids shout that it is hamburger. Kai says that he doesn’t want to eat, he doesn’t feel well so don’t mind him. Thinking that he ate something bad outside, Sango tell her children that they go eat. The kids want Kai’s share. Sango decides to let Kai be and tells him to come eat if he’s feeling well at night.

Moping in his bed with a blanket over his head, Kai gloomily thinks that he really wants to disappear. He had totally vented on Riko. He doesn’t have the right to tell that kind of words to her. It is because even if someone didn’t tell her that, she definitely knew it very clearly. Sitting in front of the convenient store, Riko is lost in thought while holding a cup of coffee. A guy approaches her and calls out her name.

Back to Kai, he whimpers that he already doesn’t have the face to look at Riko. So, Kai was always thinking over that issue, all the more his stomach felt ill that in the end, he had a fever which caused him to be absent for 3 days.

And, it is school dismissal. Tarou and Miki are asking Kai about the fall out between him and Riko since some people saw them quarrel at the hallway. Kai laments that romance hasn’t even started so how can it already ended. He glances at Riko and thinks that he must apologize to her.

At the shoe lockers area, Kai calls out to Riko and apologizes for what happened before. Riko tells him that there’s no need to apologize for he didn’t do anything wrong. Kai says that it isn’t that, he doesn’t have the right to tell her that. He thinks that no matter how much he likes her, he doesn’t have the right to rebuke her for always thinking of that person.

Riko says that it is alright, for what he said is right, she should have realized this fact earlier on. She knew that her feelings would only become their obstacle so she should strive hard on giving up this feeling as early as possible. She is really an idiot, and Kai’s chiding caused her to realize it.

“Thank you. *smiles* I’m already alright.” Then, a guy, waiting by the school gate calls out to Riko and asks if it is already over. The guy asks if he is Kai, and it has been a long time. He says that they are from the same junior high, so Taka and others also study here. Kai calls out the guy’s name as Hatano [guesswork from 羽多野].

He thinks that this guy is his classmate during junior high so how come he came to fetch Riko... Hatano tells Riko that they’re going. Riko waves goodbye to Kai and leaves with Hatano. Kai recalls what Riko said earlier, and thinks that ‘being alright’ refers to...is it that kind of meaning..? Ha!?

Comment: Poor Kai. From such a high of expectation that something is going to happen, it all turns upside down in a matter of days. It’s nice that he is quite repentant over what happened. Riko is quite cool for she doesn’t need any defending from any other guy against fangirls ^^ Contrary to what Ayumi thought, her pictures nailed the ‘secrets’. Scans by Draw Club同萌绘汉化

Quote of the day:

More people should apologize, and more people should accept apologies when sincerely made. ~ Greg LeMond

In a church, a wedding ceremony is being held. A priest asks, “In this holy matrimony, are you willing to take this woman as your wife? Are you willing to love and be loyal to her through poverty or sickness, always until death?” Atae replies, “I do.”

Kingo watches as the newly married couple comes out of the church to greet their well-wishes. Then, he quietly leaves. Wearing a mask, Sugeyo holds a kitten as she stands behind a tree. ‘Sugeyo’ looks very happy. Narration: “So like that, Kaidou and ‘Fuchi Sugeyo’ [Izana] became a married couple. But, this is indeed the biggest mistake as well as the start of the downfall---

...*There is a scene of a stormy night and ‘Sugeyo’ holds a huge belly* After the wedding, after several months, Izana-san had found out that she is with child-- And, that is Kasane (you). *Isana looks down at her belly*” End Narration.

Kasane asks, why... “Before, I always found it strange. If mother is originally an ugly person, she should be able to guess that it is inevitable that the child (me) she’ll give birth to is also very ugly. *clenches skirt* [I’ve always thought] ‘Why did mother give birth to me?’-that kind of thing”

After a pause, Kingo explains that person doesn’t have the heart to kill a child that she is already carrying. “She won’t do it and she cannot do it. *there is a scene of young Izana surrounded by graves of aborted babies* It is because she has that kind of past.”

Kasane says, even if it is like that...no...it’s nothing, continue on. Puzzled Kingo says that actually, there is one other thing. “Izana-san at that time is really in love with [/crazy about] Kaidou that she sincerely wants to have a child with him and have her own perfect family...

...Honestly!... *looks irked* Accompanying that person all the time and be never apart, bringing up a child together, that kind of thing is basically impossible! Even if the real Fuchi Sugeyo is controlled at one’s hand, it is also impossible.” Kasane asks how they were able to maintain that for so many years.

Kingo says that it is the same with Nina’s attempted suicide before. “‘Fuchi Sugeyo’ is a well-praised [/most recognized] actress who has hit the big time in this world so all the more there is no turning back [no way out]. *Kasane recalled when Nina was about to jump*...

... But, even if this kind of marriage also had a lot of troubles [/even if married life is also impossible]...but, the main cause that led to the disaster [/everything] is the ugly child (you).” Kasane looks surprised.

Narration: “This is also inevitable because looking at it from Kaidou’s side, his and this beauty’s child, is not only different from either one of them but rather, what was born is so ugly that one couldn’t bear to directly look at it [/or give it a second look].” Atae tensely looks at ‘Sugeyo’ who is holding her baby.

Narration: “A husband, who starts to doubt, had secretly investigate the wife.” At a detective’s office, Atae asks the detective if there is any news for he thinks that child is by his wife and some other man...

The detective says that from the result of his investigation, she has no relationship with any other man..but, it seems that she would always meet up with a strange woman at the same time everyday. Atae is puzzled until the detective gave him a picture of the woman whom ‘Sugeyo’ is meeting with.

He immediately recognizes that ugly face. Narration: “Thus, all the more Kaidou wanted to try to contact this woman who looks similar with his daughter which can make one tremble with fear. Afterwards--” Atae follows ‘Sugeyo’ at some dark alley where she meets up with another woman. He nervously watches them kiss each other.

Narration: “The ‘cannot tell you’ secret that his beautiful pampered wife said before. *The women’s faces switched* He personally witnessed the terrifying truth--” Shocked Atae calls out to Sugeyo then says, “No...who the hell are you..?”

Sugeyo is surprised but Izana doesn’t seem to have any expression. Narration: “The honeymoon is over. The love that the married couple had mutually vowed had faded and became dust in an instant.” Covered with a scarf, Izana held her baby tightly. Atae screams, “Get out!!! Also that ugly terrifying child!! You ugly freak [/monster]!!” End Narration.

Kasane looks silently furious. Looking at her, Kingo says that Izana-san carried Kasane who was just born...and like that, she vanished without a trace into the streets. “At that time, I also don’t know where she went to... Perhaps, since she doesn’t have anyone familiar to rely on, she just wandered around by herself [like a homeless].”

Kasane asks if Sugeyo herself also didn’t look for her. With a somewhat irked expression, Kingo says ya, that woman...cannot be depended on again. “Didn’t know when that woman is already staying at Kaidou’s side.” Flashback: Sugeyo looked spaced out while Atae is on top of her.

Then, he apologized to her. Later on, while having a drink, Atae said that originally, he only wanted to ask her regarding her relationship with [/things regarding] Izana but...she didn’t refuse him at all so does that mean to say that from today on...

“You are willing in becoming my ‘Sugeyo’ (wife)?” Sugeyo still looked spaced out. She bit her lip and started to cry. Wide-eyed Sugeyo looked at him and said, yes, because...she was always the one whom he likes... [/because she actually always likes him ever since before]. This moved Atae that he hugged her tightly.

Narration: “Unable to accept the fact that ‘the woman he deeply loved is just an imaginary person’, Atae started to gradually become twisted and fall apart. –-afterwards” Atae angrily hit Sugeyo that she slammed into the wall.

He shouted, “How come you cannot even do this kind of small thing [in acting]!? You useless trash! *Sugeyo looked tense as deranged Atae held his own face.* In the end, you are no good. Totally not the same with ‘Sugeyo’...

...*Sugeyo started to cry* Obviously, she possessed not only an excellent acting talent, but also noble character and understanding [/wisdom]...!!! Only the face is the same which on contrary, [the unnecessary things about Sugeyo] makes one feel disgusted...!”

With bruise marks on her face, crying Sugeyo asked how can that be, and listen to what she’ll say, in her belly is his... Deranged Atae creepily looked at Sugeyo and exclaimed, “That’s right...!!! I’ll only get her back.. It will be okay as long as I get her back! Anyway, the ‘material’ (face) is already here...!!”

Comment: Well, getting married to Atae is indeed a huge mistake and led to too many miserable lives. I assumed that it was only just Sugeyo and Nogiku but from the looks of it, Izana and Kasane also suffered. I actually thought that Izana agreed to what happened with Sugeyo, and she probably happily sent Kasane away just to please Atae.

Apparently, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Just as I thought, Atae is totally disgusted with Izana’s appearance but I didn’t expect him to actually drive her away. I don’t think Izana is dumb enough to still be in love with this man after that. She isn’t Sugeyo.

Given how cruel and deranged Atae had become, I think he’ll stoop enough to threaten Izana by holding Kasane hostage in some way. Perhaps, until the end, she had enough and ‘disappeared’? Playing Lady Macbeth is a trigger but perhaps, there is something more to it.

Poor Sugeyo, she kept on making one mistake after another. Aside from the lesson on reality regarding appearances, she also represents the harsh reality of being naïve/stupid. I would really think that Atae wanted to talk with her but ended up raping her.

She probably decided to play along in order to preserve her dignity or perhaps, wanted to ‘get back’ what Izana took from her. Still, in the end, that would just make Izana think that Sugeyo is just ‘playing nice’ and cannot really be trusted later on.

Anyway, at least Kasane knows that her mother loves her and their father is really a scum. Well, that’s a tame way of putting it. ^^; Still, perhaps it would be better if Atae knew the secret before the marriage. I think that keeping secrets can also complicate marriages if the other party cannot accept what was hidden from him/her or s/he doesn’t know about it. Scans by RAD汉化组

Word of the day:

Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. ‘The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7)’ ~ Mottos for Success by M.S. Fontaine

At room 203 with the [surname] Machida on the doorplate of a two floored apartment, Yuki’s mother asks if she really doesn’t help after sorting out the luggage. Yuki says yes, anyway, only a little bit is needed to be done. Her mother says if she needs any help, just contact them again.

The twins are sobbing. They tell Yuki not to be lonely even if they’ll only visit her twice a week. Yuki darkly asks, twice a week? They tell her to mention it beforehand if Shou is coming over. Yuki didn’t reply. Narration: “It has already been five days since high school graduation. *looks around the room* If I ride a train, this place is 15 minutes away from the college...

...It isn’t very far from my parents’ house. It is a 1DK [studio type] with a monthly rental of 70,000 yen. I finally peacefully settled down in this room. A new life has started. *touches the mug that Shou gave her* ...it’s so quiet. But that is inevitable since I’m the only one here. Besides, the neighbors can move in after a few days.”

Yuki calls her father on the phone. “Ah, hello, dad? I’ve finished moving in today. Ya, it is spring break. ..ah... ..no, he hasn’t come over yet since he still has club activity. Ya. Okay, goodbye.” Narration: “In short, like this, I had finished doing everything that needs to be done during spring break...” After hanging up the phone, her cellphone rings again.

It is from Himiko. Yuki thinks that this is rare. She answers the phone. Himiko timidly says, Ah, Machida-sen... Then, Abe and everyone else shouts, “Manager Machida--!!!” Yuki asks if this is Abe. While everyone is trying to grab Himiko’s phone, they ask her if she still has anything to do during spring break. “Tomorrow! Want to go to hanami [flower/sakura watching] with everyone-☆”

Soon, at a park filled with blooming cherry blossoms and various food stalls around, Himiko calls out to Yuki. She apologizes for suddenly calling Yuki out. She explains that today is rest day for the club and the weather is good so everyone said that they want to take advantage of the spring break to meet up with the senpai-s.

Looking around, Yuki wonders if it is because it is vacation so there are many people here. She thinks that since she has finished moving in and she might be very busy after entering college so for today, during hanami, she’ll empty her mind and leisurely pass the day. At the place where the others had gathered, Abe seriously asks Shou if he and Yuki are serious with each other or just playing around. About to eat a takoyaki, Shou says, who knows.

Pointing at Shou, Abe shouts for him not to act stupid after they acted out that shocking to death elopement during graduation. Nishiyama says that he didn’t see that. Shou ignores Abe by asking Noda to give him some tea. Abe shouts that he looks like he is putting on an act, and does he would want him to splash some cold water on him!

Abe asks if Shou thinks that everyone is exhilarated over his love life, well, that is a very big mistake because currently, half of the high schoolers do not have any interest in 3D [real life people]. At most, it is 30% of Ryuhoku people who are interested over him. And he [Abe] is among the 10% who really wants to use all methods to get into the bottom of it! Tonomura laughs and says that in the end, Abe likes Shou the most.

Just then, someone notices that Yuki has arrived with Himiko, that he shouts, “Speaking of the devil, manager Machida is here!” Aghast Yuki thinks that the rumor has already spread. She thinks that yes, she and Shou disappeared in a super unnatural way during graduation and afterwards, she didn’t explain it to everyone and just went to her class’ graduation party.

Without any defense, she directly walked into this hanami. She stiffens upon noticing Shou staring at her. Shou says that it has been a long time. Yuki nervously greets him back. She wonders how he can keep a calm expression in this kind of situation... Then, she notices the others are either gleefully or tensely observing her.

Feeling uneasy, she says that she’ll go to that side and buy some drinks before coming back. She wonders how she should handle this. While walking, Yuki thinks that it isn’t necessary to conceal it from them anymore because she had already retired and graduated, but... Then, she is startled when someone shouts, “You wavering [/indecisive] jerk!!!”

She looks at the side to see a woman slapping a man hard before angrily leaving. Yuki thinks that startled her. “No, good. I cannot always stare and look...” While holding his slapped face, the man notices Yuki glancing at him. Then, he smiles at her. Yuki thinks that it is a drunk and spring break is really scary. Someone holds her shoulder from behind.

Yuki instantly says that no, she didn’t see it, that slap on face-thing. Shou says that she’s actually looking [<- since she just mentioned it] and what she is saying. Realizing that it is Shou, Yuki apologizes and says that she is mistaken. She asks if he is going to the toilet. Holding a mat, he says no, because the number of people increased, they want him to occupy another space. And, even if they say that, it is probably because they just want him to be alone with her.

After looking surprised, Yuki says about that, how much does everyone know... Just then, her ear enlarges upon hearing a couple of girls talking. ‘Quickly look there’, ‘that guy is so tall’ ‘but it’s no good for doesn’t he already have a girlfriend’, ‘nah, she shouldn’t be a girlfriend, but rather, she ought to be a relative’s sister’. While Shou asks what’s up with her [englarging] ear, Yuki asks what’s up with that irritating conversation about her being a relative’s sister.

She is irked that it caused her to be restless or perhaps, she is simply lacking in self-confidence, that’s all. Probably, in everyone’s eyes, they are not at all compatible. She is merely afraid to explicitly tell everyone that she is Shou’s girlfriend and that’s all, there is to it. Just then, Shou points to a tree and says that there is space there.

Snapping out of it, Yuki says that’s right. Shou spreads out the mat and notices that Shizuka has just spread out the mat beside him. The two glare at each other. While pushing each other, they call each other names and tell each other to get lost. Yuki shouts what they are doing. Realizing that she is here, Shizuka immediately stands up. Yuki greets him and asks if he also came for hanami.

Shizuka says yes, but starting at 3pm, they’ll start practice so he’ll immediately go back. Yuki says is that go, gambatte..ah. She notices Shou making a serious glum expression. She nervously thinks that she just said some words and he’ll have that kind of expression when she thought that he had already stopped dwelling over that.

Just then, Shizuka’s club member calls out to him to go over here where there is a wide space. He asks Shizuka to bring the mat over. Shiuzka calls out ya. Shizuka tells the two that the coach told them to occasionally relax but next, next month is already the start of the prelims for the Kanto Tournament. “We will advance to the Nationals so we cannot just idle our time away and go strolling around.”

He left after the others call out to Shizuka to hurry up. Yuki asks if the prelims will be on May. Shou says yes, and on June, it will be the Interhigh tournament’s prelims. Yuki recalls how Shou cried that this year is the last year and no matter what, he wanted her to smile during the Interhigh tournament.

At that time, she had told him to bring her next year, to bring her to the Interhigh Tournament next year. Yuki thinks that this year, definitely--- Shou says by the way, she should tell stupid Shizuka that they are dating. She asks what’s up with that kind of nonsense lie. He says that it is because it isn’t clear that guy knows if they are going steady or not. Yuki says no, she had already properly told him...

Recalling that she had personally told Shizuka about it, she thinks that, yet she would always hide it from everyone so is that okay. Perhaps, it is only now when she has the opportunity to tell the truth to everyone. She calls out to Shou and asks if it is okay to tell everyone that they are going steady. Shou looks surprised.

Later on, Amamiya and Kanda are totally shocked and aghast. They say no way. Pointing at blushing Shouji, they shout that he got a girlfriend. Shouji says, yes. Amamiya shouts, did he just say he got a girlfriend. Shouji says, yup. Abe and others tearfully cry and call him a traitor. While grabbing and hitting Shouji, they ask where is the Shouji who was standing at the glittering peak of singlehood!

Shouji sheepishly says that during graduation, the girl asked him about wanting his necktie and afterwards, the two of them started dating. Amamiya shouts how can that be! Is it that person! That strange girl who asked for his number on the club retirement day!! Shouji shouts that they are not allowed to call her strange!! Someone shouts, no, she is a gorilla!!

The couple is speechless over this. Stiffened Yuki thinks that she obviously psychologically prepared herself but it seems that these guys and forgotten about their excitement over her and Shou. Then, Nishiyama shouts that it is Yuki and Shou. Amamiya asks how come they were overtaken by Shouji. Then, Yuki says, “About... About that thing.. How can I say it, about that...

...Actually, that... *Shou just looks quiet while everyone nervously looks in anticipation* We...ah... ah...ah.” Shou says that’s enough, on the way here, his foot seems to have twisted. Yuki stares at Shou while everyone look stunned. They shout, ah, what he is doing, you idiot when the prelims are already on next, next month--, you’re obviously the captain so what the heck...

Yuki immediately gets a cold drink from the ice chest and says that she’ll borrow this iced canned drink. She asks for a plastic bag which Himiko promptly gives her. She will use it to put in some ice cubes. Yuki says that there is a small clinic a few steps from here so, they’ll apply first aid while going over there. “Let’s go Naruse.” Shou says okay. The others scream that it appeared ‘first aid medic’ Machida.

Even if she is already retired, her flexibility is still astonishing that it makes them revere her!!! Noda exclaims that is so cool. Yuki wonders what’s up with this idiot. By the bench, Yuki gives Shou the iced drink and tells him to first cool the injury. She will go find some ice which he can use as a cold compress. He calls out to her. She asks if he is okay. He asks, what. She says, what...

Then, she looks suspicious and asks if he was lying. He says that this is the only method which he can use to immediately stop her. She angrily asks, ha? He says that just now, he was always thinking that it seems he still has no way of telling others that he is going out with her. Yuki looks surprised. He says that even if it wasn’t said, it is more or less pretty much exposed already.

“There are others who might have already noticed it but kept quiet about it. I’m not referring to that. Everyone felt that Yuki-senpai is a very amazing person. Right now, I probably couldn’t match up to you, senpai. ...so, I plan to properly tell everyone once we got in the Interhigh tournament.”

Yuki blushes over this and says that she understands. She thinks that actually, it should be her who couldn’t match up to him. “Naruse would always run in front of me, always gazing ahead, striving hard as he advances towards a higher goal---”

Yuki sits beside him and says, even if he says that, in the past, didn’t he always want to spread about whether there is or not [they are having a relationship]. Shou admits that is true. She is surprised when he suddenly lays his head on her lap. This embarrasses Yuki that she nervously and angrily says, hey..

Shou says that it is because he totally didn’t think of it before. “A ‘capable ex-manager’ and a ‘captain with no achievements’ is totally incompatible. *holds Yuki’s hair* I also want to show off to others that I’m Yuki-senpai’s boyfriend.” This made Yuki blush really red. She wonders what’s up with this, this urge of wanting to caress him but no, she must endure it or she’ll be mistaken as a ‘relative’s sister’.

Shou says that the sakura looks very pretty while looking up from here. He asks if she wants to take a picture. Puzzled Yuki asks, of the sakura? He says, yes, together with them. He sits up and says, speaking of that, it seems that they only take group pictures with the club members. Yuki thinks that’s right. She is surprised when he suddenly puts his arm around her.

Embarrassed and tense Yuki asks isn’t it okay to just take an ordinary picture? Shou says that if she has an ordinary expression then it will just become ordinary. Yuki wonders what an ordinary picture is...and like this towards the camera...no good. Shou says okay, he’s taking the picture, 1, 2- There is a strong breeze which causes Yuki to close her eyes.

They look at the picture to see their faces covered by the sakura petals that were blown by the wind. Yuki thinks that just like always, she doesn’t have self-confidence and have uneasiness over the unpredictable future. Yuki asks if there are times when this kind of thing happens. Shou says but, this is also quite suitable. Besides, their faces cannot be seen so how about making this as a screensaver.

Yuki lets out a giggle. She smiles, and then says ‘stupid’. Shou looks surprised then he suddenly leans to kiss her. Embarrassed Yuki angrily asks what he is doing, there are people around. He says that it is on a whim...rather, it is on a whim. Then, he kisses her at the side. She is angry and puzzled when he says that just now, it’s her fault. Narration: “But...we’ll definitely go forward step by step.”

As they join everyone again, Amamiya asks Yuki if she received Ohsaki’s brochure. Yuki says that she did. Noda exclaims if they are in the same college. Hatori teases Shou that he’s jealous which made Shou kick him on the butt. Narration: “Tentatively, we already took a picture again.” The two are speechless because there is a drunk salary man dancing with plates behind them.

Comment: From the looks of things, this series isn’t going to end just yet. Yuki hasn’t met Shou’s family yet. Shou going to Yuki’s apartment is reserved for later on. There will be more basketball games.

Before I thought it would be nice to publicly announce that they are a couple during the games, it seems that it will happen later on. So, I’m glad that Shou decided to postpone the announcement here and well, it was Shouji who had that announcement. I wonder if his girlfriend is really like a gorilla. ^^;

Well, it seems that both actually don’t have self-confidence because they felt unworthy of each other. Actually, they are comparing their weakness to the other’s strength. So, in a way, it is good how they cause the other to improve themselves for each other and, in the long run, for themselves.

For a while there, I wonder if there will be trouble with Shizuka but it seems that he’ll stick to being a basketball rival just like in Slam Dunk. Now, about that handsome new character, is he just a stranger who won’t appear again or he’ll show his face again later on?

For the mangaka to draw him that well, I think he’ll be part of the series. So, if he is, who could he be? Will he be someone in her college, her neighbor, or both? When Shizuka appeared, I almost thought that he would be Shizuka’s older brother.

Anyway, things will be interesting if he becomes a love rival because unlike Shizuka who is a herbivore, this one seems to be a carnivore. Actually, he seems more like a cheating jerk since that woman angrily slapped him. Hm...if Shou’s ex appears, that might be a balance and a new ‘love polygon’ problem. Something like, a level up from the high school ‘love polygon’ of Shizuka and Arisa.

The way this chapter ends about the mention of unpredictable future but still striving hard to move forward seems to hint about trials later on. But then, if there are no more conflicts, the series would have already ended =P Of course, they are a ‘fixed couple’ so no matter what, they’ll end up together.

And about Amamiya, aside from Shizuka, I have a bit of gut-feel that the mangaka also likes his character so it wasn’t exactly a surprise that she is retaining him. Actually, he might be the ‘spy’ for Shou to know what’s going on with Yuki. =P

As usual, the chapter is capped with nice lines and a bit of lovey-dovey at the end ^^ Ah, thinking about it, could it be that she was thought to be a ‘relative’s sister’ because of her outfit aside from not being lovey-dovey in public? By the way, the next chapter will be out in Japan on November 5th. Scans by 红莲汉化组

Quote of the day:

We need not worry about the future, we need not be prophetic about the future, we need not say a single thing about the future. We should be joyous and happy in this moment, and the next moment will be coming out of this moment.

It will be suffused with the celebration of this moment, and naturally it will lead you into a higher celebration. The future is going to come out of this present. ~ Rajneesh

While Satowa continues to play her solo part, Tsukaji thinks that it is impossible that any other sound can match up to this performance. “At this time, I don’t want any bit of unnecessary sound inserted into it. Simply, just let this be a solo piece---”

Chika and Sane starts to play. Everyone looks stunned. Tsukaji is so stunned that he even instinctively stood up. Komaki, Chiharu, Doujima, Kazusa, Mio, Taishin, and Sou [the judge] look on with surprise. Suzuka and Akira watch on with a smile.

As the three continues to play, they recall Akira telling them that their level is lower than she imagined which caused her to become really disappointed, and they are not to belittle any single note.

Chika would then say that he wanted to play well as quickly as possible. Takezou’s mother couldn’t believe it. She thinks that his schoolmates played really well and wonders if there won’t be any problem with him. Takezou thinks that Satowa’s koto, and Chika & Sane’s 17 string are played really well.

Both Kouta and Hiro think that there’s no problem. Michi thinks that their amount of practice is definitely a lot. Chika thinks here it comes. They recall Suzuka saying before that the 17 string part and the solo part is like a tree’s root and trunk.

“The first and second sound division would give enrichment to the tree’s branches, leaves and flowers---” Takezou and the others start to play. Everyone continues to look astonished. Fujimoto looks flustered upon recalling that he said that school is like theirs, and it is good if they didn’t stop playing just like them.

He thinks, “--what a joke...which part are they similar with us...?” Kinoshita looks flustered and tense. Tense Wakaba trembles and thinks, “Wait... what is this. What’s going on? How can they play this kind of sound? How amazing it is, is unexpectedly not limited to the solo part?” Sou is also trembling.

He thinks that the timbre is totally not the same with the other school’s. “Each note reveals its meticulousness [/accuracy] on its own. And, this is something that the other schools cannot possibly compete against with.” Akira smiles and closes her eyes. Seems to be on the verge of tears, Keishi looks surprised then he smiles. Doujima is trembling in disbelief.

Still trembling and also seems to be on the verge of tears, Tsukaji wonders what’s up with this people. “How were they able to play this way? How many times were they practicing?” Satowa strums the string then there’s [seems to be] a [slight] pause. Chiharu recalled that she was told that the only one who can succeed the Houdzuki group is her.

Narration: “The one closest to me had suddenly departed, and left me with something that I must protect. At that time, I believed that there is always a way so I thought that by myself, I can do it well by striving hard. It is because [our] daughter is still here...

...But, actually, I’m very weak, weaker than I could ever imagine. I’m so puny to the extent that I would drive away [my] sole light from my side.” Satowa thinks, “I once thought of giving up like this since I wasn’t able to become mother’s strength. Since I can only struggle with this nonstop pain. There is also no meaning to keep on playing on.”

Imagination: Satowa is alone in the dark when she turns around to see the others smiling around her. She looks surprised. She smiles as she turns away. End imagination. Satowa and the others start to play again.

The water is now swirling around. Tokize members are playing with a smile. Tsukaji is surprised again. “The theme’s two beat[?] had suddenly changed! Yet, it is still at this [same] tempo... The change is so smooth that if I wasn’t watching, I basically won’t be able to notice it!”

Sou thinks that not only that, even if their attention is easily attracted to the melody but in each one, there must be a bit of display of excellent technique. Shizu thinks, “...but, she won’t let the audience pay attention to that. She won’t let anyone notice that she is playing a very difficult piece. A so-called music is indeed like that.”

Akira thinks that next, it is time for each division to display their prowess...! The audience looks surprised as ribbons are now swirling around among the smiling Tokize performers. Narration: “—-ah, so blessed. Really happy. Want to be together with everyone, and always, always, always keep on playing on.”

Chika recalls the past. Flashback: He asked his grandfather why he has to specially recruit people for the koto club, and isn’t it fine to just play it alone. His grandfather called him a stinky brat who basically doesn’t understand.

He happily explained, “Playing together, and playing by oneself is totally not the same. It is totally not the same when you’re passing the time together with your comrades, and also playing a koto musical piece together.” End flashback.

Chika thinks, “You weren’t deceiving me, stinky old man. *smiles* I understand it now.” Trembling Tsukaji can no longer suppress his tears. He covers his face and curses that it is played so amazingly. Suzuka thinks, “—okay, then, it is time to finish it up---”

Tokize looks serious as they played. Sou thinks that it is now an ‘all- [performing] ensemble’!!! While almost everyone has tears on their eyes, the combined music had dispersed the water around in one full blast.

The sky is now clear with a few clouds. As Chiharu’s tears fall down, Satowa smiles while she performs. Blurb: “This is--- our everything after going through refinement [/tempering]-!”

Comment: With that kind of impact from the audience aside from performing it well, I think that they pretty much got their ticket to the Nationals. We know that one judge would be on their side. But what about the others? Of course, I don’t think that they’ll decide otherwise.

Regardless whether they win or lose, I’m sure those who heard it won’t forget it for the rest of their lives. And, if possible, they might become better people. I like how it was hinted that being with others/together is better than being alone. Also, how things came together to this point after all their awful past.

Even Akira’s dedication to valuing each note in their practice had helped them. I’m sure her brother realized that was Akira’s contribution to the group, as well as realizing that Akira now values her own talent. Overall, everyone contributed and made this happen just like how it is with the other groups.

Hm...I guess the next chapter would be more reactions from others. Perhaps, there is the announcement for the winners and some reunions after the ‘falling apart of relations before’. Basically, time to wrap up the prelims Nationals arc. Scans by 二次元秘店汉化

Quote of the day:

‘I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.’ ~ Mother Teresa

⑦It was a rainy night when Izana arrives. With a taxi behind her, she closes her umbrella. Atae calls out, “You’re real name--is actually ‘Izana’, right? Finally, you came back... But am I mistaken for it seemed that you have become a bit thinner?

...*puts arm around Izana* ...ah, it’s also understandable for the two of you, mother-daughter, also have nothing at all. It has been very hard getting by, outside of this house. It’s my fault.” Izana drops her umbrella when he suddenly hugged her tight.

He whispers to her ear, “Okay, ‘Sugeyo’, quickly return back to the ORIGINALLY BEAUTIFUL Sugeyo by switching that ugly face with that woman!!” Izana’s eyes widen then she looks wary of Atae. Soon, Izana is walking down the basement and opens the door. She finds Sugeyo suddenly sitting up from the bed. She immediately notices Sugeyo’s huge belly. Izana scowls as Sugeyo calls out to her. End flashback.

Kingo tells Kasane that at that time, Izana had realized that Fuchi Sugeyo had betrayed her because she is always secretly in love with Atae. “Also, I felt that woman personally brought about the situation for Kaidou to know of the real destination and witness the switching.”

Flashback: After the switching of faces, Atae had called out to ‘Sugeyo’. At that time, while Sugeyo was covering her face in shock, she is actually smiling. End flashback. Kingo says that it is because Izana is the type of person who won’t show her weakness [/she won’t do that kind of idiotic thing].

“In short, due to Fuchi Sugeyo’s betrayal and Kaidou’s attitude towards her, she had once again seen the bitter ‘truth’ in front of her eyes. “The value of her ugly self and child’s existence [/they want to exit].” Flashback: Crying Sugeyo called out to Izana and kept on apologizing to her. Izana held Sugeyo’s face to her and kissed her.

While Sugeyo kept on sobbing, Izana slightly wiped away her lips which smeared the lipstick. Narration: “In the end, she has to someone else’s beautiful looks. –so like that, actress ‘Fuchi Sugeyo’ had once again returned and got herself immersed in light (spotlight). She had once again returned to fabricated existence that belongs only to her.”

On the stage, ‘Sugeyo’ happily walks down stairs. With Daijirou [ex-director] among them, the audience applauded. He returned home and told Tomoko that Sugeyo’s performance is really so amazing on stage.

While hanging his coat, he says that it is great that they let Sugeyo go. “That kind of talent shouldn’t be buried in this kind of place. Let’s wait for our child to grow up, and we’ll all go watch it together.” Holding their child, Tomoko said yes.

She then told Zunda [the cat] not to get angry at its owner for letting them take care of it since she is very busy. Zunda meows. Tomoko told it that Sugeyo has found a place where she can really show her radiance.

The scene changes to the real Sugeyo, who is chained to the floor at Atae’s basement. She tearfully called out, “Ah, let me out. I won’t run away... It is okay even if it’s for a while... *tried to reach out to the door* Let me see my Nogiku..!!”

In another room, ‘Sugeyo’ is breastfeeding Nogiku. Atae said that’s really great. “A beautiful wife and child. That is the scene that I seek after.” ‘Sugeyo’ glared at him then put Nogiku back into the cradle. Atae told her to re-consider it again and send that ugly child away [for adoption?].

“Then, it will be me, Nogiku and also you...” ‘Sugeyo’ said that she’s going back for Kasane is waiting for her. Atae stood up and held her. He told her that there will be a day when she’ll realize that what he said is right. ‘Sugeyo’ continued to look serious then seems to glare at him.

Narration: “It can be said that during that time, Izana-san’s love for Kaidou has already totally shattered. But, Izana-san hadn’t severed ties with him.” End flashback. Kasane asks why. Kingo said that even if that man had gone mad.

“No, I should say that all the more it increased his artistic talent as a director. The Atae who has this stubborn attachment on working together with ‘Fuchi Sugeyo’ on stage is a remarkable man whom anyone else can only hope of catching up to. ...even if I really don’t want to praise him [/don’t want to admit it]. *bits lips which Kasane noticed* But, it is because she didn’t sever ties with him, Izana-san had fallen into ‘Lady Macbeth’s fate---” Kasane looks surprised.

Narration: “It is when ‘Macbeth’ that Kaidou is directing has just started its rehearsal.” Flashback: Flutered ‘Sugeyo’ held her hands together and said, ‘Why are we afraid of people knowing about it? There is no one who has the power to denounce us...”

Then, she noticed that her feet are soaking in blood. Namino stood up from the blood and tried to reach for ‘Sugeyo’. Terrified ‘Sugeyo’ muttered, “Na... Namino...” She snapped out of it when Atae held her and asked if she is alright. Everyone looked surprised. End flashback.

Kingo tells Kasane that when Izana was in Akeiwa, she had killed ‘Namino’ and took away that peron’s face. Looking out of the car, Kasane says that it’s the same with her... Kingo says, yes. It is like when she was acting as Lady Macbeth, and she saw her crime---Nina’s phantom.

“She ought to have also seen it. Saw the people she had killed. *image of ‘Sugeyo’ as Lady Macbeth wherein the dead are grabbing her* Even if the person killed and how many were they isn’t the same but you ought to understand that the huge weight of one’s own sin through what Lady Macbeth has seen.”

Kasane agreed that she almost fell apart just like Lady Macbeth. “If there is no encouragement from Nogiku” Kingo replies, “‘Encouragement’ huh... *Nogiku saying that even if the past and sin won’t disappear--- Atae hugged ‘Sugeyo’ and said that she should keep on walking on because he will accompany her as she walk through that hell’*...

...That is what Kaidou had told Izana-san who had walked into this predicament. Even if there is no more love as a married couple, those words of Kaidou as a fellow worker had saved Izana-san. It caused her to always continuing on acting in ‘Macbeth’ until the last successful performance.”

Kasane says but, that had become her mother’s last play. Kingo says yes. Kasane asks how come it is still like that when she has already overcome ‘Lady Macbeth’? “Even you said, ‘she no longer wish to stand onstage’ but...I don’t know at all what was the specific reason.”

Looking out the car window, Kingo says that at that time, he isn’t also very sure. “Basically, she showed an intention of performing some other work yet suddenly, she doesn’t have the mood for it... It seems that there is something that’s bothering her. But, from what Izana-san said, I knew that there is actually that kind of RESOLUTION.”

Flashback: Izana is standing in a field surrounded by some trees. Kingo asked her why she suddenly called her to this place and she is in that [original face]. Izana looked at him and said, “It is possible that this is the last time you’ll ever see this kind of face.” Puzzled Kingo asks what she meant.

While some birds are flying up high, Izana held her face and said, “‘Breaking away from the 12 hour limit’, ‘Possessing the other person’s face permanently’...” Kingo nervously asked, that method... Izana said, “Yes, there is. I plan to kill off Izana to BECOME THE REAL ‘FUCHI SUGEYO’.”

⑧ Kasane is surprised that she repeated, “‘Possessing the other person’s face permanently’..? *Kingo says yes.* Is that true? Then why didn’t she from the start...” Kingo replies that of course, he also asked the same question to Izana. Flashback: Izana said that it is because it’s very dangerous.

“Based on the situation, it is possible that might lose my own life so I...always hesitated.” Kingo nervous asked what kind of method it is? After a pause, Izana said about that..she’ll tell him after she had succeeded. “The reason why I called you here today is in case, I failed ---or rather, I lost my life...”

Kingo asked her what nonsense she is saying. He is surprised to see her crying. She said, “Kingo, can you listen to my request---” Narration: “Thus, Izana-san had entrusted Kasane (you) to me.” End flashback. With folded arms, Kasane asks if that is ‘being led to the white light from the bottom most layer of the abyss.’ Kingo says that’s right.

Kasane comments that it is simply...‘having one’s back to the wall’ [/compared to succeeding, the awareness of it falling is bigger]. Kingo agrees with her. Kasane nervous asks if he is saying that the switch faces had failed so her mother died. Kingo looks at her then says no.

Kasane asks what’s up with that. “I obviously asked several times about mother’s death yet you never once told me about it. Is it really an accident...” Kingo bites his lip and suddenly hits the side of the car. This startles Kasane. He glares at her and asks, “You really don’t remember anything!? *Kasane is surprised and puzzled* When Izana-san died, you were also there.”

Kasane is shocked that she asks, “What did you say... *holds her head* I, I only heard that mama had gotten into an accident... No one willing told me about the situation in detail and it is also not publicized...” Kingo says geez...but that it’s also not surprising for that kind of unfortunate incident...one probably does not want to remember it.” Kasane’s eyes widen in surprise.

Narration: “That day, it is a day just like today when there is a heavy downpour. Because I’m worried about Izana’s premonition [/suggestion] regarding her death, I put aside [/gave up] my work and watched over that person’s movements.”

Flashback: It is raining. Wearing a raincoat, Kingo stood near the trees just outside of Atae’s mansion. He quickly hid in the bushes when the gate opened. He saw Atae riding on a taxi that is waiting for him by the road. He had this somewhat smug smile. Kingo wondered where he is going since it is very rare of him to...

Narration: “At that time, Kaidou basically stayed at his house and very rarely go out. From the time when ‘Fuchi Sugeyo’ won’t step onstage, that man’s enthusiasm as a director also gradually declined. But, the reason he went out that day seems to be because, ‘Fuchi Sugeyo’ had told Kaidou these words...

...*there is scene of ‘Sugeyo’ saying that she wanted to act in a play one more time with him.* Because of that, that man was in high spirits that he went out to prepare for the new play.” Kingo heard a sound and saw short haired ‘Sugeyo’ looking up in the rain and somewhat smiled.

Narration: “At that time, I still didn’t know anything but I always felt that at that time she had definitely already accomplished the PERMANENT SWITCH.” End flashback. Kasane asks if it was unexpectedly a success. Kingo says ya, though he didn’t personally saw the process so he didn’t know what kind of method was used.

“...Izana-san actually planned to deceive that man to leave the mansion and afterwards, take that opportunity to run away with you. But...” Flashback: “At a building, Atae asked the receptionist what’s up with this. The receptionist said, no..about that..there is no way for them to help him regarding that.

Furious Atae slammed his hands on the desk and shouted for the receptionist to tell him [someone] that ‘Kaidou had come’ and he had a very good relationship with him before at the theater... The receptionist said that they already said that...

“But, [the person Atae wanted to talk to said] as long as ‘Fuchi Sugeyo’ isn’t around [/can step onstage again], it isn’t necessary to meet up with Kaidou-san.” Atae shouted that he already said that, that ‘Fuchi Sugeyo’ said that she’ll have a comeback [/will act]!! The receptionist said, then please bring her here.

“...but, everyone still remembered that you also said that before. *Atae looked aghast and in disbelief. Some people are whispering while there are two security guards seem ready to escort him out.* But until now, you never once were able to bring her over here. I think everyone has not forgotten about that.”

Narration: “Kaidou’s actions and speech had become stranger than before, that everyone in the theater world knew about it. Right now, no one wanted to work together with him.” While walking in the street, Atae lamented that if ‘Sugeyo’ isn’t around...

Narration: “On the other side, Izana-san is doing things like she does as usual. ‘After going to a different branch [/residence] of Kaidou’s house where she finished switching faces with Fuchi Sugeyo, she would return to the house where her daughter is waiting for her--- *Kingo quietly followed Izana from behind*...

At that time, she thought that Kaidou is risking his own self-respect, he’ll be going all over the place until he’s exhausted to prepare for the new play. But, actually, there is already no dignity [/nothing in his heart anymore] for there is only emptiness. In order to look for [/depending on] ‘Fuchi Sugeyo, he first went to Izana-san’s house.”

Atae arrived at a two floored mansion. He banged on the door and called out to ‘Sugeyo’. Atae wondered why no one is opening the door. “Isn’t anyone home?” He slightly smiled and leaned on the door. He called out, “Kasane! Are you home? It’s papa! Where is mama?”

The door slightly opened. Wearing a raincoat, Kasane asked, “Papa..?” Atae looked furious upon seeing some luggage and an umbrella behind Kasane. Kasane asked what is it? Atae asked if Kasane is going on a trip with her mother. Kasane said no, mama said to wait for her to come back then they’ll say goodbye to the house. “Is papa going with us?”

Atae glared down at her. End flashback. Kasane is trembling and looking aghast that Kingo asks, what’s up. Kasane nervously mutters, “I... I remembered... afterwards, papa dragged me off... ‘bridge’... that’s right, the bridge near the house... I saw mama---”

Flashback: Izana is stunned to see Atae that she dropped her umbrella. Atae said, “You finally came... ‘Sugeyo’.” Izana’s eyes widen. At the side of the bridge, Kingo is surprised to see Atae. Holding trembling Kasane whom he made to stand by the bridge’s railing, Atae said, “Want to throw me away, huh. Where do you think the two of you can run off to?...

...*Kasane tearfully called out to her mother* It seems that you still do not understand. Without your beautiful face and me around, the ugly you [with Kasane] have no value at all to keep on living on!! Give up that kind of silly plan...

...Be good and return to my side. Or else, this child will ACCIDENTALLY FALL INTO THE WATER AND DROWN TO DEATH IN THE RIVER.” Kingo quickly came out and shouted to Atae what he is thinking... Atae called out to Kingo. Then, the two men looked surprised over Izana’s furious expression. Narration: “There, I saw it. It isn’t human, but rather, the look of a demon’s.”

Comment: I think that this is any woman’s worse nightmare. To fall in love with someone who ended up being some sort of psycho. Of course, things can indeed become tragic when it is already to too late to get out of that kind of relationship.

Let’s start with Sugeyo. Apparently, she was indeed in love with Atae. And yes, she is really committing one mistake after another, and the last one sealed her fate. Unlike her or any other nice shoujo lead, Izana isn’t forgiving and would never trust again after being betrayed once. So, she lost everything because of her ‘affair’ with Atae.

It’s really unfortunate that no one knew what had happened. It’s one thing that her previous colleagues didn’t find out anything odd. It does seem that she doesn’t have any family either who looked for her/tried to contact her. So, I thought the Kasane’s guardian/‘aunt’ isn’t really related to both women.

As for Izana, she did fell out of love with Atae but I guess, she thought that it was beneficial for her and Kasane’s survival as well as her love for theater acting that caused her to stay with Atae. As Kingo said, Atae’s talent increased as he slowly become crazy.

Even so, I think it was really mortifying to nurse the ‘mistress’s baby. She is probably annoyed to death because I think Atae kept on telling her to give up Kasane and stay with them as a ‘beautiful family’. It makes me wonder if after playing Lady Macbeth and then things probably took a drastic turn/start to spiral down, it had dulled Izana’s potential to commit murder.

I mean, why couldn’t she just kill him or something instead of doing it the risky way of escaping from him and even risking her life with the ‘permanent switch’? Also, when did she learn about this ‘permanent switch’? If she met that guy, Nagi again after getting out of Akeiwa, I think he might have told her. After all, it was his research that led her to discover the ‘red powder’.

I’m curious what had happened that led things to this that Izana wants out. Perhaps, Atae had become more perverted and demented in some way. She isn’t thrilled to walk down to hell with him. Things aren’t good if a crazed guy always stay in the house with his two ‘wives’ and daughter. So, now, we know that there is a permanent face switch and not only that, Kasane was there when her mother died.

Things are really no good when Atae is around. So, in a way, Kasane is an indirect cause of her mother’s death. If it is true, there’s no wonder Kasane couldn’t remember it. She instinctively blocked the memory. Well, Izana’s plan was okay but she probably hasn’t been going out lately that she didn’t know that Atae is already a ‘has-been’ and without her, he is nothing.

For his pride, that must be a blow that he is twisting things to make it appear that without him, Izana and Kasane are nothing. Of course, he probably didn’t know about the permanent switch since Izana is probably going through the usual thing in order for Atae not to realize something is amiss.

It is also unfortunate that Kasane got deceived by Atae to open the door which lead to the realization that Izana is leaving with Kasane. It shouldn’t be surprising that Atae can kill his own daughter for his and ‘Sugeyo’s sake. After all, he did all those despicable things to Nogiku, his own daughter. Well, it’s probably easier since Kasane is an unwanted child due to her appearance.

Well, what happens next is probably an ‘accident’ which caused Izana’s death. And, aside from leaving Atae with an ugly useless [real] Sugeyo, she took away the secret for the ‘permanent switch’ with her. Since the house is already burned down, I think the only hint where Kasane can find out about it is through Nogiku as to what she can remember/seen at the house. There were some ‘red powder’ stuff/data in the house. Was that Izana’s?

I also wonder if cutting one’s hair has anything to do with the ‘permanent switch’ since Izana have shorter hair later on. If this series is a tragedy, Kasane might lose her life if she ever tries that method. Still, I wonder if Nogiku would agree to it if given the choice to decide.

In a way, it might be a win-win situation for them since Nogiku detested her own beauty. There was Yuuto and she can be finally be ‘free’. Also, I wonder if Atae became partly cripple because of what happened at the bridge. Nevertheless, because of what happened, I get a feeling that is why Kingo doesn’t exactly like Kasane and hated Atae. Scans by RAD汉化组

Word of the day:

People can fail you-even your best friends or those you love the most can fail you. But God will never fail you if you put your trust in Him. ‘God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid (Isaiah 12:2)’ ~ Mottos for Success by M.S. Fontaine

Episode 64 –The Serpent’s Kiss. Narration: “Once upon a time, there is this young woman who was unexpectedly given a difficult problem by the king because of her parents’ lie. But, at that time, there is a fairy, who suddenly appeared, offered to help her out of this difficulty...

...That is in exchange of the child she’ll give birth to when she becomes queen. *the fairy is spinning into gold all the straw in the room* However, this fairy turned out to be a devil/imp. In the end, the devil decided that in exchange of the queen’s new born baby, he’ll forgive her [for breaking the agreement] if she can guess his real name within three days...

...The young woman who had become queen had found the words that she hoped for. Thus, the curse has been removed. [<- story of Rumpelstiltskin.] When I’m together with her, I felt that I’m stupider than the devil in that fairy tale. *Momoe tells surprised Arthur that she’ll put away something first then she’ll go down afterwards so ‘see you later’*...

...I want to curse myself. Perhaps, it should be with a 3 day deadline.” While Lance is holding on to him, drunk Makoto loudly calls out to Arthur and said that Momoe is obviously going steady with him so how come it feels that they aren’t SWEET or he should say, it is seems LIKE SHE IS RUNNING AWAY FROM HIM.

Arthur looks miffed as he kept on pushing the elevator’s button. Nervous Lance tells Makoto that once he’s drunk, Makoto will advance toward the ‘no good carefree state’. “Everyone are deliberately not ranting [/mocking] about that kind of thing so don’t drink anymore and go back to your room and sleep.”

Makoto laughs and exclaims, “No. I’M ALRIGHT!! I’M TOTALLY OK.” Arthur glances back at them and retorts back that Japanese really likes to say ‘I’m alight’ even if they are told not to drink anymore and go to sleep. “I really don’t understand that. So, it isn’t a hindrance [/okay] since he isn’t sleepy or he plan to drink a bit more so it isn’t a hindrance. *emitting dark aura*...

...But I’m very frank in talking and asking, so which part is ‘alright’? Do Japanese really like to be kept on being interrogating until the end of one’s escape route? *turns around to leave* In the end, [she?] already came so I’m also going to change my clothes.”

After Arthur left, Makoto asks if Arthur is angry because he didn’t know whether or not, he [Makoto] should drink or not? Lance says that Makoto is really unlucky and it would be better not to get involved in it. Arthur thinks that he had properly invited Momoe but whether it is a deep kiss or sleeping together overnight, she would just say ‘it’s alright’ to answer him. “Wrong, what I want to hear aren’t those words.”

After breathing in and out, Arthur calls out to Momoe that the door isn’t locked so he’s coming in. Going in the room, Arthur says that she obviously said that she isn’t running away but while talking halfway, she went off by herself. Surprised Momoe says that she isn’t running away.

Arthur frowns and scratches his head. He wonders what’s up with those things. He notices all sorts of bra and underwear scattered on the floor where Momoe is standing. He asks why she is currently standing at the corner of the wall. Momoe replies that she is only preparing a bit. Holding his head, Arthur thinks that actually, it is like this.

“It’s alright if she plans to run away. Basically, it’s alright if she actually doesn’t want to accept my invitation. If it is like that, wouldn’t it be okay for her to just simply directly say it? Isn’t it good to just say it out?” Arthur asks what she is up to. Flustered Momoe says that it is for the aftermath of the kiss that will make one unable to stand.

Arthur looks surprised. He scowls and wonders why, is that what one has to say in this current direction [of conversation]. He complains that she is messing up his pace when she is obviously just a novice. He thinks that if she doesn’t want to go, then directly say it. “If you want to kiss, then directly say it.”

Touching her face, Arthur says that for her to simply say that kind of words what is she to do if he were to ‘attack’ her and she encountered an unpleasant thing. Momoe says, “IT’S ALRIGHT. I just said that a while ago.” Arthur scowls and thinks that it is ‘it’s alright’ again!? He flicks her nose then kisses her.

He holds her to him and says that there’s no need for ‘it’s alright’-whatever. He kisses her again and says that he doesn’t want to hear ‘it’s alright’. Momoe looks surprised and puzzled. As he keeps on kissing her and even licking her lips, Arthur thinks, “No matter what, won’t say those words. Even if it’s me, I also won’t seriously treat [you?] until you *Momoe puts her underwear in her pocket*...

...come over, until you say that you want me. No, I WANT YOU TO SAY rather, I hope you yourself will say it out, I love you (say you love me). *looking at flustered Momoe* The you who is like this, is so cute that it makes me weird all over. Even if it’s me, I’m also a show off [/acting strong].” While the two are holding hands and walking at the hallway, Tobey calls out to the two. Arthur welcomes him back.

Tobey asks if they saw Makoto. “Is he drunk? There’s something I wanted to tell him. Because of an urgent matter, third floor’s Mick is going to move out next month. Like this, there will be an empty room. Isn’t it better to officially let Momoe and Junko come and stay over!?” Arthur and Momoe looks stunned.

Comment: Well, this is obviously a recap of what happened in the previous chapter but based on Arthur’s point of view. I think this is a way of communication issue between a Japanese and Westerner/foreigner. Thinking about it, I think Momoe is indeed saying what she meant but Arthur kept on thinking of that Japanese trait so he tends to distort what Momoe is saying.

Well, it doesn’t help that Momoe is thinking of something else/acting differently that would make him think that she is just forcing herself to say ‘it’s alright’. In this case, Momoe isn’t the type who’ll say that she is actually wondering if she brought a pair of suitable underwear.

Anyway, it seems the next challenge would be for Momoe to say ‘I love you’-type of words to him while Arthur keep on acting sly to cover up the fact that he has fallen head over heels in love with her. That is probably because he’s still nursing his heart from the traumatic first love.

As for the end, I’m not sure why that is shocking for the two. Perhaps, no more excuses for Momoe not to stay. Well, for Arthur, that must be having no excuse for Momoe to stay in his room. Since this is a dorm and not a love hotel, it would be a bit inappropriate for them to share a room. Scans by 月球坑组

Quote of the day:

Words are the source of misunderstandings.― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

It’s December 31, New Year’s Eve. Chizuru happily calls Ayane on the phone. She asks if she has plans for New Year, and will she go!! To Chizuru’s shock, Ayane says that she probably won’t go since it is night and there are a lot of people. She doesn’t want to get sick.

Chizuru tearfully asks if she won’t go to pray for her college exams. Ayane still says that she won’t go. She perks up when Chizuru shouts that Pin will definitely come as always. This made Ayane hesitate. Chizuru urges her to come for she wants to see him, right. Ayane screams, ah~~!! That Chizuru asks what’s with her.

Blushing really red, Ayane thinks that [when she shouted that she isn’t a brat] is obviously not something that she planned on saying, and doesn’t that totally exposes that she is a brat, geez. While Chizuru kept on asking what’s going on, Ayane thinks that the Pin ought to have not found out about it. He looks quite slow[-witted] so it should be fine.

Since she isn’t replying, Chizuru says okay, that is saying that she wants to see Pin. Blushing Ayane exclaims that yes, she wants to see him. Chizuru teases her, ah~~is that so~~ Surprised Ayane says no, that isn’t what..

Chizuru says that since it is like that, then how about going in the morning. There aren’t many people in the morning since there will be only just be some grandpas and grandmas. She informs Ayane that Sawako she and Shouta will be going together there tonight so it should be alright if they all go in the morning.

She’ll call Pin to come anyway, he’s absolutely very idle, and she’ll also tell Sawako about it. While Ayane is nervously saying ah, ah, Chizuru says see you and hangs up. Ayane blushes really red and thinks that she really wants to go.

Later on, Chizuru calls up Sawako to inform her about it. She suggests that Sawako to go home and rest first before coming back to meet up with them since she already prayed and she must be probably tired. Sawako says that she wants to go and there’s no problem in the morning. Chizuru says then it’s decided.

Then, Chizuru greets her a happy birthday. Surprised Sawako happily thanks her and says that she unexpectedly remembered it. This made Chizuru asks if she was the first one who greeted her. Sawako says that Ayane sent her a text about 12 midnight last night. Chizuru comments that Ayane is flawless and she lose to her.

Sawako is thanks them for remembering when they’re very busy this yearend. Chizuru asks about Shouta. Sawako says that they’ll meet today. Ayane exclaims that the boyfriend had unexpectedly fallen behind her and Ayane. Sawako says no, and she is already very happy that she’s able to see him when he is obviously very busy.

Chizuru says no, Shouta is the type of guy who’ll find some time in every method that he can think of. There is a scene of yesterday’s Shouta studying really hard for it is Sawako’s birthday and he wants to say it face-to-face. Sawako goes downstairs and thanks her father for letting her go to the hatsumode tonight with Shouta.

The father tearfully tells her to by all means, pay attention to her safety. Sawako smiles and says yes. The mother mentally tells Sawako that last year’s soba has a huge result until now. There’s a scene of Shouta resting for a while after shoveling the snow. Sawako happily thinks that she’s 18 years old this year.

At Ryu’s place, Chizuru exclaims how big Tooru’s daughter is now. It’s amazing. Tooru’s wife introduces her to Ayu [guesswork from 亞由]. Chizuru thinks that she’s so cute. She thinks that Ayu looks a bit like auntie... [<- I think that’s Ryu & Tooru’s mother]

Tooru’s wife asks if Chizuru wants to carry Ayu. Chizuru asks if she can and she’s quite scared. Tooru’s wife says that she understands and it can be scary. Chizuru asks Haru [Tooru’s wife; guesswork from 遙] if she was scared before.

Haru admits that she is but a baby is unexpectedly strong so it’s alright. She also assures Chizuru to look, Ayu is already big. Chizuru exclaims that she might cry. Haru assures her again that no matter who carries her, there are times when Ayu will cry. Chizuru puts Ayu on her lap and lightly pokes Ayu’s cheek.

Ayu grabs Chizuru’s cheek. Chizuru is moved by this. Soon, Chizuru is playing peekaboo with Ayu. She exclaims that Ayu smiled. Haru says that Ayu looks so happy. Chizuru starts to tell a story about a long time ago in some place, there is this grandpa and this grandma... Tooru laughs and asks what is this, Chizuru forgot that he is there.

While Ryu is sheepishly smiling, Tooru says that it feels that the girls had quickly got together and they are like sisters. Tooru looks at Ryu and repeats that they are like sisters. Puzzled Ryu asks if he is talking about Chiharu and Ayu. Tooru says no, he’s talking about Haru and Chiharu.

Puzzled Ryu says is that so. He wonders what part is the same. Tooru says that Ryu is still the same that he really makes people become speechless. The phone is ringing. Tooru answers it. Pin exclaims where he is right now. Tooru says that it has been a long time.

He comments that Pin is still the same as usual and he’s at his family’s house. Pin shouts that he came back yet he didn’t contact him. Tooru says that it has been a long time since he is with his family so forgive him about that. Pin demands to see his wife. Tooru says that he isn’t keen on letting him see her for it’s such a waste.

He informs Pin that he’s at the house watching TV and eating soba. Chizuru shouts that’s Pin which startles Ayu. Haru asks if it’s Tooru’s senpai. Chizuru says yes, also her homeroom teacher. She says that he’s an indecent guy so she better be careful of him.

Tooru is asking Pin if he’s going to the hatsumode. No, ever since he [Tooru] retired, all of them had become self-reliant [<- not quite sure who he is referring to] and it’s okay just let his hair down. He asks if Pin is going tonight when the weather isn’t quite good but it seems that it will change in the morning so for his health, how about going in the morning.

Chiharu apologizes to Tooru and grabs the phone to talk with Pin. Chiharu tells Pin to come for the hatsumode in the morning since he’s very idle so they’ll meet at 9. Pin exclaims if this is Chizuru and is she part of the family?

Chizuru says that she heard a rumor that starting at 9am, some sexy women the type that he likes will gather around and they are quite a mature group!! Also, it seems that there is an extremely cute girl!! Chizuru thanks Tooru and returns the phone. Tooru asks Pin how is this year even if he knows that he doesn’t have a girlfriend.

“Is there something up lately? Something good-type of thing or perhaps, there is a change--” Pin mutters, Change? He holds his head, scowls and angrily shouts, “None!!” Tooru pulls away the phone since Pin is shouting. Soon, Chizuru is bidding them goodbye. They tell them to take care on her way. Chizuru reminds Ryu that they’re meeting at 9 so he better wake up.

Ryu tells her to wake him up. Chizuru says he’s acting spoiled. Poking Ayu’s face, she says that it’s so cold outside so no need to see her outside. She tells Haru that they’ll see each other again. Tooru laughs and says that it’s so cold. Chizuru says that the weather is so cold so he better get..in...

Tooru looks at her and asks, hm? Blushing really red, Chizuru says about that..there is something she should..haha..about that..right? Tooru just kept on saying yes. Chizuru screams to forget it, there’s no need to specially say it out. Tooru says no, before he catches a cold, she would tell it to him clearly. This surprises her.

She then manages to say that she and his younger brother..so she’s saying, they are going steady, and it’s like that!! Flustered Chizuru says that her body is so stiff and she’s so embarrassed that she finally said it out. While rubbing her head, Tooru says that she’s so slow and what’s up when she should have said it earlier.

He tells her that he was always waiting. Chizuru apologizes. He asks does she know since when he was waiting and if Ryu were to make her cry, she can tell him about it anytime. He happily tells smiling Chizuru that it’s great! Chizuru says ya!

All dressed up, Ryu says that he won’t make her cry. Chizuru asks where he is going. Ryu says that he’s going to buy something to drink. While holding Ryu’s arm, Chizuru exclaims that they go together. She bids Tooru goodbye and thank you.

Tooru looks inside to see his wife teaching their daughter to pay respects to his mother’s altar. Tooru smiles over this and muses that the one who probably waited the most for such a long time is their mother. Meanwhile, Chizuru asks Ryu if he won’t make her cry. Ryu says yes. She says that he’s really an idiot. He asks, really? Chizuru says that even if he made her cry, it’s also okay.

At Sawako’s place, Sawako’s father is sound asleep on the sofa. Putting a blanket over him, Sawako’s mother says that he is already drunk. Sawako asks if she’ll become like that if she’s drunk. Her mother says that they won’t know whom she’ll be like so after two years, during New Year’s Eve, they’ll drink together a glass.

This made Sawako excited. [<- In Japan, 20 years old is the allowable age to drink] Her mother asks if she is going out in a while when it is already starting to snow outside so she better be careful since her father cannot drop her off.

Sawako says okay, it’s fine. She tells her that she’ll be careful not to be mistaken as a yuki onna [snow lady spirit]. Her mother asks what she is saying. The scene changes to Shouta who opens the window. It is pretty much a blizzard with all the snow and strong wind.

He thinks that it isn’t time for the hatsumode. Even if he really wants to see Sawako but if it is like this. He fetch her no, at least give her the gift. Looking at the time, it is 10:24pm. He thinks that she shouldn’t have left yet so he’ll call her for a while.

A message of ‘the phone you’re calling is either turned off or out of coverage area so this call is temporarily not connected ’. His mother hears something at the door. She calls out where Shouta is going when the weather outside is quite terrible. She tells him that he can obviously go tomorrow. Shouta exclaims ya, he’ll just go out in a while.

His mother asks why he is shouting for it will be troublesome if his father wakes up because of his noise. After being told by his mother to be careful, Shouta walks to the meeting place and sees a figure, who is gathering snow on the head. He pats away the snow off when Sawako suddenly looks up and happily calls out his name. She asks if it is already time for their meeting.

She got too excited that she came early. Shouta mutters, cellphone. This made Sawako look in her bag and is shock to see that her cellphone no longer has any power. Just when she is saying that the batteries isn’t durable during cold weather... Shouta holds her face and looks at her.

Then, he shouts that they cannot go to the hatsumode!! Dejected Sawako tearfully asks if it’s cancelled. Shouta exclaims that they absolutely cannot stay outdoors. His house is very near so they go to his house!! While Sawako is surprised by that, he grabs her hand and leads her to his house.

Just when Shouta’s mother is saying that Shouta came back really early, she is surprised to see Sawako. Sawako greets her a good evening. Shouta says that the weather outside is quite terrible so he brought her here for shelter.

Shouta’s mother says that they are covered in snow. She tells them to shake off the snow and quickly get in. She gives them some towels. Sawako apologizes for it’s quite late. Shouta tells Sawako to wait at his house until the snow stops then he’ll walk her home later on.

Shouta’s mother says that it won’t stop for this is a blizzard will keep it up until morning so it’s too dangerous to go out. She tells Sawako to just go home tomorrow! After that sinks in their head, the two suddenly look surprised, then exclaims in surprise.

Shouta’s mother says that they might get into an accident and it’s too dangerous. She tells them not to look distracted and quickly get in to warm themselves. She also tells Sawako to contact her family and she’ll help her explain. Sawako says okay, thanks.

Shouta’s mother lends her the phone. While Shouta helps his mother to get the futon/quilt out, Sawako thinks that even if she knew there was a blizzard, she really anticipated today that she carelessly got too excited and ran out. She had unexpectedly caused this kind of trouble.

She glances at Shouta who smiles and says that’s great! Sawako calls her mother who asks if she’s alright since the blizzard became strong when she left. Sawako says that she didn’t get to go to the hatsumode and right now, she is at Shouta’s place. She explains that it seems that it will snow until morning so Shouta’s mother told her to go home tomorrow.

Shouta’s mother asks for the phone. She greets Sawako’s mother and says that it’s okay, it’s so late that she get to greet them, yes there’s only one more hour left for this year. Shouta calls out to Sawako that they already got the room ready where she’ll sleep as well as the futon.

He apologizes that she’ll be wearing his mother’s pajamas. Sawako apologizes for all the trouble. Shouta’s mother says that she explained it so relax. Sawako thanks her. Shouta asks if she’s cold and does she want to sit under a kotatsu [a table with a heater under it] which is currently in his room.

Sawako says that they don’t have a kotatsu so she really anticipates it. While Shouta asks if that’s for real, Shouta’s mother looks at him suspiciously. Before Shouta goes in his room, his mother calls out to him. She says, about that..you..she thinks that he ought to know. Puzzled Shouta asks what.

Looking away with folded arms, she tells him not to do anything strange. This surprises Shouta. Trembling Shouta asks what strange thing. His mother says that he’s talking too loud and he’ll wake up his father. She is just reminding him after all, that family had entrusted their precious daughter to them.

Shouta angrily says that he won’t do that. His mother says so isn’t she saying that she thinks that he ought to know!! She’ll properly explain this to his father in the morning, okay. Sweating Shouta angrily shouts that he knows already.

Peeking out, Sawako asks if something is up and they aren’t arguing because of her, right? Shouta exclaims that nothing’s up!! This made Sawako nervous and apologizes for interrupting them. This made Shouta quickly apologizes and says that it isn’t that.

The mother says that she’ll go and get something hot for them to drink so they go sit at the kotatsu. Soon, they put their hands and feet under the kotatsu and comment about how warm it is. Suddenly they become quiet and wonders how’s going on for they feel so happy. Their eyes met and they start giggling.

He asks her what time she left. She says around 9:45. He exclaims that’s so early and she should contact him earlier. The cold wind is blowing for such a long time! He says that he left around 10:30 so she was waiting for 30 minutes in that blizzard.

Sawako assures him that the blizzard isn’t that strong when she left and she just couldn’t sit still. She admits that she really anticipates it so she’s sorry. And, right now, she totally enjoy... Shouta touches her hand and says that it’s so cold. She looks at him.

Then, the two are startled when Shouta’s mother says that the tea is here. Shouta’s mother says, she said..you..? Embarrassed and angry Shouta exclaims that he knows already and she’s so annoying. So, on December 31, this year’s last day, Sawako spend it together with Shouta.

Comment: So, Ayane will probably meet with Pin on New Year. Because of what Chizuru hinted to Pin, I think he should more or less know what’s going on with Ayane. The Chizuru-others stuff is nice. They are indeed becoming more like a family. Actually, that seems to be a glimpse of what they will be like later on. ^^

I think Shouta has fallen deeper in love with Sawako. It is very rare to see someone who eagerly wants to see him that she threw away her own safety and waited for him in that blizzard. Good thing that he had some good instinct to check on her or else, she would have gotten sick or frozen to death.

Obviously, nothing ‘strange’ is going to happen since the mother is keeping watch and had warned Shouta. I don’t think he’ll do anything either. =P Still, it is amusing to see his reaction when it was brought up. ^^ Since he still has to greet her a happy birthday + gift, the next chapter ought to have a lovey-dovey scene between them. Scans by 夜莺工作室

Quote of the day:

Our waiting is not nothing. It is something -- a very big something -- because people tend to be shaped by whatever it is they are waiting for. ~ BARBARA BROWN TAYLOR, Gospel Medicine

Episode 65 – Bodies, Rest & Motion. (Love’s Rule) In the office, people are talking to Junko in English as they greet and welcome her back for it has been a while. Someone tells her that Agnes is looking for her. While having a cup of coffee, Agnes tells Junko in English that she emailed her the new textbook draft so tell her what she thinks of it after checking it.

Junko is gushes in happiness for she is in a place where it is filled with American style English and IT REALLY MAKES HER FEEL CALM!! “It’s like a [battery] charger’s power spot!! In the end, I still suit in this kind [of place].”

Looking at his watch, Makoto asks her until when can she immediately assimilate into the job. This made Junko scowl and apologize to him. In his office, she tells him that it is because of some private matter. “It is the first time I will formally reside at the temple (because of bride training)...

...*there are scenes of Takane’s mother telling her about the temple and the clothes while Junko is tired from sitting in seiza position* So, for the whole week, it is filled with Japanese [stuff] and in the end, a company that is filled with English is good.”

Junko tells him about that private matter, there is still something she has to say. That is, regarding her temporary stay at the worker’s dorm, she plan to officially check out. So, even if it is just for a short while, she is indebted to his kind consideration.

Junko thinks that actually, a lot of things had happened again because Takane concealed from her about his training. During the time when she left the apartment, it is to find refuge. Junko bows to Makoto and says that during her short stay, it enabled her to concentrate at work. She also learned a lot while living together with all sorts of people.

She thanks him and says that she had really given him a lot of trouble. Makoto asks, and afterwards? He tells her that it isn’t necessary for her to formally inform him so if she wants to resign then do it immediately. Junko exclaims in surprise, Ha? Makoto says didn’t she just say that she’s moving out and that is already in what is known as a bride training.

“Geez, it wasn’t easy nurture her like this. How things are right now really infuriates me. The wedding is officially decided, right? Now is the time to decide the day [of marriage?] right.” Junko says that it isn’t at that step yet for the other party went to training so he won’t come back after three months.

She scowls for currently, there is still some opposition. She scolds him to please don’t mention about resignation before she even says it. She tells him that finally, her dream of finding the work, that she wants to do, had come true.

“Besides, even if I get married, it is also not definite that I’ll be resigning. If my work at the temple would lead to something that causes problems at work then please do not hesitate to mention it. Ah, there should be none.” Makoto slightly smiles and says that he understands.

Junko says but of course, she’ll immediately go back, sorry for troubling him. She informs him that she will get her luggage from the dorm after classes are over. Makoto says about that, he’ll drive the car to help transport her luggage and Momoe’s. This surprises Junko that she asks what about Momoe’s luggage.

Makoto explains that it just so happen that there is a vacant room upstairs so it is possible that Momoe might plan to move in. “In short, I plan to help in transporting the luggage tomorrow.” At ELA’s locker room, Masako exclaims over what’s going on. In such a very short week, JUNKO IS FINALY GOING TO MOVE IN THE TEMPLE AND START THE BRIDE TRAINING WHILE MOMOE HAD STARTED LIVING TOGETHER WITH ARTHUR!!

Giving the two a thumbs down, Masako says boo, they are too cunning for they were moving steadily ahead like this. Boo, they obviously even said before that compared to marriage, their interest for work is more important. Momoe exclaims that it ISN’T LIVING TOGETHER!!

She still hasn’t decided on it and besides, Masako is the first one who is already part of ‘life’s winner’s group so there’s no need for her to say it that way. Masako says that this, and that, aren’t the same issue because for Momoe and Arthur to live together is such a big issue. It’s ELA’s quality!![?/characteristic]

Junko shushes Masako for she is still on probation [regarding being Takane’s wife] so it isn’t the same. Then, she apologizes to Momoe for she obviously moved in together with her to accompany her but because she is leaving, she’s [Momoe] now forced to move in by the director... Momoe tells her not to mind that and actually she isn’t forced.

Flashback to last night: Toby told Momoe and Arthur that like that, isn’t it good that they can formally move in. Momoe nervously said that this is a bit too sudden. She couldn’t believe that she’ll be formally living together here all by herself?!! She tells them that her parents are very troublesome about this issue and this time, they are also very reluctant for me to move in...

To Momoe’s surprise, Arthur says that’s right, whether this is convenient to Momoe or not, it is also not necessary to force her to move in and it is better to see if she wishes to move in or not. This totally confused Momoe for didn’t he just told her earlier this day that she stay and live together with him.

Then, a moment ago, during that passionate kiss, it feels a bit strange. She wondered if it is a strategy that had become more difficult, did it go up a level again? Momoe told them about that, she’ll go home tomorrow and ask about it..! End flashback. Momoe nervously says that in short, there are so many things [to consider] and at least, at this side, it is truly more relaxing to go to work from her own house.

She thinks that she is totally confused regarding what are those magical words that Arthur really wanted her to say. Momoe says that she told them that she’s going home to get a change of clothes when the director said that he’ll help out by driving a car... Junko says that’s great if it’s like that for she thought that the director forced her.

Junko tells them that man is really mean. She wasn’t finished telling him about staying at the temple yet he already treated her as someone who is going to resign by starting to say some rude sarcastic remarks. Junko rants about feeling that Makoto is in a bad mood that his attitude is more obnoxious than before which really startled her.

After she explained things clearly, he went back to normal. Looking at it from that, he obviously wants to consider Momoe since it is better to stay at the company as well as stay at the dorm. Based on that reason, what should be done if that was forced on Momoe? He obviously said not to let private matters mix in with work.

Junko sighs and says that she thinks that he is really bad and really loves to meddle that she couldn’t understand him. Momoe and Masako look surprised at her. Scowling Masako tells Junko to let her say something, whether he loves to meddle or puts her in a bad mood, that is her limit.

After looking surprised, Junko confidently says yes, yes, Masako always think of things from the side of romance and what that person specially hates is love between the company’s workers. Momoe says that she heard that Takane came to the dorm last night. This surprises Junko. Momoe says that it seems that the director and Takane had a confrontational dispute.

Junko nervously says ah, how to say this, she obviously didn’t tell him but he knew she’s staying at the dorm. She suspects that Amane told him but she didn’t think that he’ll unexpectedly come over. Momoe tells them that Makoto seemed like a different person when he was drunk last night. He’s so drunk that he kept on smiling and hugging everyone.

This made Junko blush. She thinks that afterwards, he deliberately didn’t pursue that so right now, he is still muddleheaded [/acting casual]. Masako exclaims hugging, that Makoto. Blushing Momoe says that he passionately hugged Arthur and the others. Even if what she’s saying isn’t up to that kind of degree but it is quite an eye candy.

Momoe tells Junko that when everyone came back last night, it seems that Makoto has been drinking by himself until night time. Even if she is quite slow-witted regarding that kind of thing, but more or less...she feels that IT IS POSSIBLE. Junko says, no, no, no, don’t be like that for that guy isn’t feeling good and his way of talking is also very harsh even if she also feels that he isn’t a bad person.

Masako angrily says that she has GOTTEN USED TO BEING MOISTENED BY LOVE!! [<- that’s the literal Chinese but I guess it is about her senses are being dulled by love] Masako tells her that it is very rare to meet up with Takane who is that kind of special big-shot type of person.

“It is a level that one couldn’t even imagine. At the mention of romance, if a man who will be a sous chef [/second chef] throughout his life then one can say that it can be like a fifth-grader level [of antics?] In front of the girl he likes, he would unconsciously want to bully her a bit. The way of bullying is more beating around the bush, the more he is a grown up adult. The part of being troublesome and hard to understand has actually not changed much, right?”

Junko looks flustered and Momoe looks aghast-tense. Masako says that if she’s so curious then isn’t it better to ask the person himself directly afterwards. Before the formal bride training, it can be also considered as an added option.

Later on, a car is parked outside the dorm. While packing with Momoe, Junko thinks that even if that is how Makoto really thinks of her, there also won’t be any change that will happen. She thinks that she had already survived this kind of estranged issue with Satoshi before. And if she was mistaken then it will be quite embarrassing that she wants to go home, so it isn’t necessary to ask.

Momoe is startled when Arthur calls out to her. Holding out his hand, Arthur tells her to let them carry the entire luggage. After all, there are a lot of guys here so please leave it to them. Toby is flexing his muscle behind Arthur. Momoe scowls and recalls Masako saying that in front of the girl men likes, they’ll tease them.

She thinks whether or not to rely on this person, for the usual way to continue, she still cannot tell... Momoe turns away and says, there’s no need, she can carry it on her own, and she’s fine. Junko becomes tense when Makoto tells her to take an hour of overtime and let him help her carry those. She stands up and exclaims there’s no need!

Comment: The way Junko gushes over how she love English and her work makes me wonder if she’ll be really happy about giving it all up for love. ^^; That is especially because she seems to be somewhat unhappy over the bride training which she might possibly do for the rest of her life.

For now, she is hoping that she can still keep her job and she isn’t resigning just in case things didn’t work out. After all, maybe she’ll somehow find the work of a monk’s wife bearable and she’ll be able to win the hearts of those who oppose the marriage. Even if say Makoto isn’t in love with her, I think what he said is valid for it is easy to assume that she’ll already resign or will resign when it’s convenient thus breaking the ‘contract’ of no marriage for so-so years while at work.

Masako seems quite childish with that boo-boo thing. It makes me think that she thinks that she is in some sort of race to get married first among the three. ^^; And, even if she means well and said the truth about guys liking to tease the girls they like, I think that has an adverse effect on Momoe.

Somehow I thought, Momoe-Arthur already have trouble communicating and Masako just have to give some ideas to Momoe that will make her act ‘different’ than anticipated. Well, more than usual =P It doesn’t help that Arthur is also saying things differently from what he said earlier which confuses Momoe.

I think Arthur was just being considerate to Momoe in a way that she isn’t forced to move in. Momoe thought he really meant that it is all up to her without consideration of his request. ^^; So for now, Momoe has managed to delay her ‘living together’ with Arthur. Scans by 月球坑组

Quote of the day:

Life presents many choices, the choices we make determine our future. ~ Catherine Pulsifer

While still holding trembling and crying Kasane by the bridge’s railing, Atae tells Izana not to have that kind of expression. “I just...want the intelligent you to understand this, that’s all. AS TO WHAT IS THE CORRECT THING TO DO.” Tears fall as Sugeyo angrily bites her teeth in anger.

Then, the strong wind blows off frightened Kasane’s hat. The men look tense and quiet. Izana had calmed down and says that she knows already. Putting her arms around her, Izana says, “..I won’t go anymore. I’ll return to your side.” Kingo calls out to Izana. *there is a scene of Kingo looking at present Kasane who is trembling while holding her head. She seems to have remembered what happened.*

Atae looks pleased as Izana goes to his side. Atae says, “Your intention of wanting to run away has been swept away together with the flood. As long as you are there... *Kasane exclaims, no...!* ...there’s basically no need for other things.” With that, he lightly pushes Kasane off the railing.

Izana looks surprised as Kasane starts to fall down. To the two men’s shock, Izana immediately rushes forward and jumps off to catch Kasane. Kingo calls out to Izana as she and Kasane fall down to the river below. *A tear falls from present Kasane’s eye* As Kingo looks down the bridge, Atae calls out, “Sugeyo...? *bewildered* How can this be...”

*Kingo looks at tense Kasane saying that at that time, she and her mother...* Izana hugs Kasane tightly as they fell into the water. Holding Kasane tightly, Izana swims up to the surface and manages to grab a branch. She smiles at terrified Kasane. Then, she nervously looks behind her.

They are being pushed away by the strong current. Izana tells Kasane to grab this branch firmly. Kasane tearfully says that she’s scared. Izana assures her that it will be alright. Izana notices the branch she’s holding is breaking apart. Izana looks surprised then she seems to have come to a realization. She holds Kasane and says something. End flashback.

Kasane looks surprised and says, ..eh? Kingo asks what it is. Kasane says that it seems...at that time...her mother is saying something to her... Kingo asks, what. Kasane says, “But...I couldn’t remember it... She ought to have said something very important to me...!

*Kingo looks tense* No good... I couldn’t remember what happened afterwards... Why...!” Kingo looks straight ahead and remembers that time. Flashback: Seeing Izana and Kasane clinging on a branch below, Kingo calls out to Izana. He quickly rushes towards the other side of the bridge.

While Atae still looked stunned over what happened, Kingo had already slid down to the river bank. He slipped and hit his butt on the ground. After recovering from that, he looks towards the river. He is going to call for Izana again when he saw her holding out her hand to him.

He was surprised as the waters quickly dragged her away. And, she’s gone. On his knees, Kingo can only dejectedly watch the fast water current. End flashback. While Kasane looks surprised, Kingo says that it was for a split second [and she’s gone]. “—afterwards, her remains were found downstream...

...Her body is already full of bruises [/covered with mud] but it is unknown why her face is still so beautiful even if 12 hours had already passed since the ‘switch’. In other words, she finally had totally attain beauty. But that person died in order to save you... no, she died because of you.

*a tear falls down from his eye as he grabs Kasane’s collar* I’m even asked by her to drag you into the spotlight [/lead you into the light]!!! So for my and your own good, no matter what, you must let ‘Saki’ continue on living on the stage [/at the light]...!!! Even if it is for her [Izana]...!” Kasane tensely looks at him then she looks down. The rain had stopped. They have arrived at their destination.

After getting off the car, Kasane calls out to Kingo and says, “If I know the complete method for mama’s ‘total switch’, I’ll accept [/try it] no matter what and how much pain I’ll have to endure. I’ll become more heartless than mama. But, let me say it again, actually, it is also just for me myself...in order to grasp ‘acting’, that sole light. In order to always and continue on gazing upon it..!

...*hand reaches out to the light* This can probably be her answer to mother’s wish, right.” [/she cannot let down her mother’s expectation] Then, she leaves. Kingo mutters, ...probably, huh [/..fine]. “Since the day when that person died, I’m always living in this forever never ending final chapter. [Behind] the dark curtains [/no light] that forever won’t be pulled open...

...Perhaps, there will be a day when the dark curtains...can really be pulled open once again [/perhaps one day the light will come]. If only Kasane would always really just concentrate [/gaze] on that bit of light---”

At a dressing room, a man calls out to a young woman who is reading a script book. He informs her that the practice room is going to close soon. The woman apologizes.

While walking at the hallway, the man says that she’s really diligent [/enthusiastic]. The woman says that the audition is coming soon... The man says is that so. “Good luck in getting chosen. Your name is...” The woman smiles and says “Igarashi Iku.”

Comment: From threat to kill/holding Kasane hostage, it had become attempted murder for Atae. He really underestimated Izana’s love for Kasane. Maybe, he is too deranged to realize that no matter what Izana will choose Kasane over him. ^^; Now, with Izana gone, I wonder if he started to vent all his negative emotions on Sugeyo and Nogiku. Strangely enough, he didn’t do anything to Kasane after what had happened.

Despite everything that had happened, I can say that it is really amazing how Izana showed her motherly love for Kasane. I’m not sure what she did though that enabled Kasane to survive. Did she let go of the branch or something? Now, what could she have told Izana when she realized that she isn’t going to live after this?

I’m not sure if at this time she would tell her the method on how to attain that ‘permanent switch’. Perhaps, it is what she wished for Kasane? Like what Sugeyo advise Nogiku when she’s dying. I think we’ll know what it is when something similar happens to Kasane to jog her memory. Of course, whether it will be tragic or not like she wasn’t doing what her mother wanted, time will tell.

I feel for Kingo. To be totally helpless and watch the woman he loves swept away like that in front of him. It is interesting that he changed ‘saving Kasane’ to ‘died because of Kasane’. I wonder if it is intentional to spur some guilt on Kasane or that is what he really felt. Is he blaming Kasane for it?

That might be part of the reason why he can treat her quite harshly aside from being desperate to fulfill Izana’s last request. Perhaps, that is why it took him so long to go to Kasane. From what he is saying, it seemed like, why would he help her when she caused Izana’s death. It doesn’t help that Kasane isn’t quite like Izana.

I do think that despite what Kasane said, Kingo isn’t convinced that Kasane can do it. Still, it’s good that Kasane is doing it for herself rather than for someone else. So, this ends this arc without an ending for him. He is still in the dark as he isn’t sure that Kasane can really stay focused.

Since they are talking about that ‘light’, here comes the character who I think personifies ‘light’ in this series. It’s none other than Iku. Unlike the others, iirc, Iku befriended Kasane and accepted her as she is. How will things turn out when they meet each other again? Will she somehow foil or help in making their ‘wishes’ come true? Or, will she end up as another tragic character in this series? I hope not. Scans by RAD汉化组

Quote of the day:

No language can express the power, and beauty, and heroism, and majesty of a mother’s love. It shrinks not where man cowers, and grows stronger where man faints, and over wastes of worldly fortunes sends the radiance of its quenchless fidelity like a star. ~ Edwin Hubbell Chapin

Hiyo! I’ll be going on a trip to Japan (Osaka-Kyoto) with my mother this Friday. It is an early flight so I don’t think I can finish summarizing anything until tomorrow. I'm still busy with the things that has to be done before leaving. I'll be back next Friday on the 4th of November.

So, advanced Happy Halloween/All Saints Day if you celebrate it. ^-^

It has been eight days since Yashiro has been Kyouko’s manager. The result of having a manager is very imminent when Kyouko managed to impress both Kanae and Kotetsu with her martial arts to flip away two guys. Kotetsu smiles in approval.

He tells Kyouko that even if she is lacking in some areas but her level is already at this stage so she only has to portray the ‘Momiji’ in her heart. He also tells Kanae to do the same for her ‘Chidori’. Kanae assures him that she will get that role and will inform him about it afterward.

The two girls thank him for all the guidance they received from him. While walking out, Yashiro asks Kanae if she is going to Minato afterwards. Kanae is puzzled why he knew when she didn’t tell him about it. Yashiro explains that it is when Kyouko met with her and invited her to eat ‘gold star onigiri’ at some ‘Day Table’ place.

But, Kanae declined by saying that she has to go to Poole Bell. Based on that, he assumed that he is referring to that beauty club that is famous in the showbiz industry. Kanae admits that is the place but how did he know that she’ll be going to Minato.

Yashiro says that as an upcoming actress who is always on a diet, and is very fashion conscious, how can she be satisfied by other stores except the ‘main branch’. Based on the girls’ reactions, he was spot on. Kyouko is amazed by Yashiro’s conjecture merely based on the mention of Poole Bell. Yashiro offers to drive Kanae to the place as he drives Kyouko to TBM.

Before Kanae can answer him, someone is calling Yashiro on the phone so he excused himself. Kanae takes the opportunity to ask Kyouko if she is going to TBM for a Kimagure shooting so did she already tell Yashiro about it. She didn’t know the details but she got the assumption that there was an ill-timed meeting between Ren and Bo.

Kyouko gloomily agreed and if Ren was from some dark organization, she would have been in danger of being erased from this world. Kyouko admits that she was moved into trembling when Yashiro agreed to be her manager for the time being but she trembled badly with anxiety regarding the Kimagure recording.

In the end, she still haven’t told Yashiro and just told him that it is her work as a Love Me member wherein she cannot expose her identity. After that, Yashiro no longer probe or ask anything about it anymore.

Kyouko thinks that this consideration among other reasons is probably the reason why Yashiro was chosen by Lory to become Ren’s manager. Kanae mentions about the blisters on Kyouko’s hands are no longer obvious. Kyouko thanks her for the blister patches that she recommended to her.

Just when Kyouko is praising her for it, Kanae interrupts by saying that Hiou gave it to her as ‘return gift for Vday’ since he said that female actresses cannot have blisters. While Kyouko looks surprised, Kanae tells her to praise Hiou instead of her for that panacea.

After some moments of trying to get lost-in-thought Kyouko’s attention, trembling Kyouko tearfully mentions about as if she was spied on by an unprecedented [/unmatched] destructive witch who’ll use her knees to break apart pieces of wood. Then a girl is disastrously and completely falling apart...that is the ‘tomorrow her’s fate [/her fate tomorrow?]

Kanae reprimands her for not listening and imagining something else. Kyouko asks her what to do for isn’t this, a premonition. Kanae tells her that her brain isn’t that lofty thing [who can do that?] and it is simply just a delusion.

Even if she doesn’t know what’s scaring Kyouko yet she’ll suddenly be immersed in that kind of fiendish delusion. Just when Yashiro comes back, Kanae assures Kyouko that girl who’ll also be joining the audition is no match for her.

Kyouko thinks about that, she suddenly thought of something last night. Even if she is at ease with the hopes that the producer will be fair, but what if both the producer and director knew about Erika’s true identity even if according to her bodyguard, she tried to conceal it.

If her identity is exposed and her family is the biggest sponsor of the drama, then from the start, Erika already got the role. So, is it really what one can call as ‘fair’?

Since Kyouko is looking serious, Kanae decides to take on Yashiro’s offer and they’ll stop by at ‘Day Table’ on their way. This perks up Kyouko who screams that she likes Kanae. Before Kyouko can hug her, Kanae gracefully turns to evade Kyouko who probably fell down on the floor.

Later on, they got their ‘gold star onigiri’ which had the sweetest high grade plum as filling. Soon, Kyouko is happy with her take out of ‘gold star’ onigiri and other flavors for tomorrow’s breakfast. At TBM parking, Yashiro tells Kyouko to contact him once she is finished with her work. While walking inside the building, Kyouko meets with Itsumi.

After their greetings, Itsumi informs Kyouko that she just finished her work and is currently waiting for her manager. Upon seeing a beautiful heart charm on Itsumi’s cellphone, Kyouko starts to compliment her about it and asks if she is into that kind of thing. Embarrassed Itsumi asks if it is strange for she is using it as an ornament.

Kyouko says not at all. Itsumi says that it is originally a decoration in the packaging so... Kyouko is totally confused that she asks what she is referring to. This surprises Itsumi that she mentions about it being a return gift for Vday from Ren.

Kyouko immediately goes into a blank expression. Itsumi continues to say that Airi [another actress in Dark Moon] got a totally different ornament so she thought that Kyouko got what she likes and... Itsumi asks what’s with her totally blank expression. Kyouko says about White day, that is something that totally has no connection to her or rather, it is because she didn’t gave chocolates to Ren.

Itsumi says that she recalls that Kyouko made chocolates that day since she gave some to her and the director so she definitely gave some to Ren. Kyouko says that Ren already got so many chocolates so she gave him a gelatin dessert.

Kyouko starts to say that she isn’t included in the list of people of Ren’s ‘return gift’ list so she isn’t part of Itsumi’s group who got that ornament. Itsumi asks why not for even if it isn’t chocolates, it is still filled with someone’s feelings and it is hard to imagine that Ren would ignore this.

She starts to wonder if there must be some mistake that Kyouko didn’t get one yet. Kyouko darkly asks if she knows about some 1-100 Japan Vday rules like regarding not considering the inconvenience of receiving something other than chocolates and one must return the gift.

Over the years, giving chocolates on Vday has already deeply ingrained in the people’s consciousness. It’s quite unreasonable that one must also return the gift even if it isn’t chocolates. It is simply a tendency to ‘doubling the return[/value]’ of the return gift.

So, thinking of the ‘other party’, for the men, Vday is such a burden that it is quite troublesome, right? Itsumi says that’s true. Kyouko asks if she understands. Itsumi says that she didn’t think of it before but saying it like that, women are indeed quite leading so she feels that there should be some rules about choosing the return gift.

Kyouko perks up and exclaims that there should be, right. Itsumi says that she thinks so. While Kyouko happily held hands with Itsumi to dance over this, her manager had already arrived. While working as Bou by doing some hula hoop, Kyouko is busy convincing herself that there are indeed rules regarding choosing the return gift and it is impossible that men haven’t thought about it.

She kept telling herself that she doesn’t mind not receiving a return gift especially since right now she still has something important to think about. Later on, she meets with Yashiro who drives her to her next destination.

Yashiro notices Kyouko looking too serious while holding her weapons that Yashiro assures her about Kimiko, even if he said that she isn’t that bad but that is also saying that she doesn’t have that huge shocking impression.

He can say that since he had seen Kimiko’s acting in the drama before and she couldn’t win against Kyouko. After a while, Yashiro recalls Kanae saying the same thing so he asked if they are talking about the same person.

Kyouko giggles and says that it is so. She thanks him for that strong reliable guarantee for actually, she ALSO think so. Except for HER [Kimiko], no matter what kind of people auditioned for it, compared to anyone else, she’s the only one who can truly infer ‘Momiji’ realistically without limit...

...for she’ll be ‘Momiji’ and she’ll definitely clinch this. Kyouko thinks, but if that evil destructive witch [still?] hasn’t fully use that powerful magic, how will things develop, that is unknown--

Comment: Hm...I wonder if Kyouko doing that martial art feat is thanks to having a manager or it is thanks to having Yashiro as her manager. The first part does seem to establish that Yashiro is really good at his job and he does distance himself from things that the other party doesn’t want to know about. In short, he let some private things be private.

Ah, since Ren and Kyouko are ‘good people’, that is quite good but I do wonder if in real life, is that really okay? Oh well, if some scandal does happen, it will be the showbiz personality who’ll be responsible and reap the consequence = lose his/her job.

Kyouko obviously have no more problems with the actions scenes. I think that Kanae and Yashiro are misunderstanding Kyouko’s serious mood as anxiety for the audition. Actually, she goes into that mood when ‘return gift’ and ‘White Day’ is mentioned. Somehow, I kept wondering who’ll figure it out =P

I would assume that destructive witch she is thinking about is jealousy but I couldn’t imagine it being destructive to the audition. Actually, I think it will help her in her Momiji role. It is like, she’s always the one with Ren and she seems special but someone else gets his attention/get thank you gifts.

That would be like Momiji always at Shizuma’s side but Chidori gets him. Perhaps, she doesn’t want to be viciously jealous or rather kept on thinking why oh why didn’t she get a thank you gift even if she tries her best to find some excuse for it. It seems she is having a hard time convincing herself about it.

Unless that witch is Komiki due to her connections and what else she might do to get the role. So, will that premonition happen in some way? Well, it’s either in the acting job or in her personal life.

Now, this is again wishful thinking on my part but I have a feeling that something big is up. The ‘return gift/White Day’ is still being mentioned after a few chapters. Then, there is about Bo that Yashiro might find out. I also wonder what could be something that will be ‘special’ as a return gift which isn’t a material thing?

I mean, the other return gifts are already the nice stuff that Kyouko likes so if it’s from Ren, it has to be something else. Something more special. So, somehow, my wishful thinking is that Kyouko might learn who Corn is at the end of this arc. Anyway, first things first, that is Kyouko get the role of Momiji ^^ Scans by 红莲汉化组

Word of the day:

Trust God to move your mountain, but keep on climbing. ~ Our Daily Bread

It is Harumi School's cultural festival, Kaji, together with their bird mascot, invites brave challengers to go and try out a 'solve the riddle'-type of gaming facility, the 'Exploration of the Army's Hidden Secret!!' with Governor-general Kurosaki as the final boss! Some people find it interesting and they heard that the Black Prince is wearing a military uniform.

Inside, Haruto is sitting on top of a ladder-chair. Someone is peeking inside when the others shout that they found a suspicious person. Haruto orders the others to capture him. The others shout, as you ordered!! The D-section girls are all happy with tears of joy regarding Haruto's uniform and they thank Yu for it. Meiko tells the challengers that class 1-D is the starting point.

They have to undo the riddles scattered all over the school before they can go and challenge the gaming facility. Tarako tells a guy that the keyword is correct so the first challenger can come inside. Kaji tells Yu who is in the bird mascot costume that she can end her publicity work for today. It is amazing that there are many participants with Haruto as their goal so Yu can change her clothes.

Yu nods and says that she unexpectedly still likes this [costume?] very much... Seeing the first challenger looking scared, Yu wonders if it is impossible for one to resolve that [climb up the rope ladder] within 30 seconds since it's quite hard and intense and their standard of reference is based on Haruto. Kaji blows the whistle and says, start.

Yu wonders if it is Takumi, he ought to be able to do it so would he come today. She overhears some girls saying that she heard that C-section's exhibit is a music festival at the terrace, and the White Prince is going to play the piano, that really suits him. Yu is really relieved that Takumi had already come. Just then, Haruto flips the whip on the challenger who freaked out over that. He tells the guy that time's up.

The guy tries to protest to have a bit more time but Haruto glares at him and says, not a chance. Yu sweatdrops and thinks that outfit suits having a whip, it is simply compatible. Sparkling Kaji proudly says that aside from their governor-general Kurosaki, there is no one else can compare to him. The failed challenger curses over the time-limit being quite unfair. He bumps into Yu who in turn bumps into Takumi who says that he'll also try it out.

Takumi tells Yu if she's alright and be careful. Takumi gives the keyword to Kaji. Everyone is surprised that Takumi is going to challenge Haruto [as the final boss in the game]. Takumi and Haruto glare at each other. Takumi rushes on to climb up the rope ladder. The others say that he's so quick and his body is simply super graceful.

Takumi manages to finish climbing up and everyone says that he is successful. Meiko comments that for Takumi to play this kind of game is quite unexpected. Yu says that she doesn’t know if those two had reconciled or not. Meiko is puzzled by that. Yu thinks that even if it felt that Takumi is always avoiding Haruto but this is like before...

Her thoughts are interrupted when Haruto jumps down and starts to climb up the ladder, too. The others are surprised. Kaji squeals about it being very amazing that he can see Haruto's competitive skill. The other challenger is shock for that one is also too fast. Haruto manages to climb up to the top. Someone shouts that he is faster by 3 seconds. Haruto tells breathing hard Takumi that he's slow to death.

Takumi replies that the cultural festival is just starting. Then, Haruto jumps down to where Takumi is and smiles to say, that's interesting [/fun]. While Kaji is busy trembling over the two cool guys, Yu thinks that the mood seems to be very intense. This made Yu think that she cannot understand a guy's way of thinking...

Soon, Yu has change to her serving outfit just like what the other girls are wearing. Yu comments that it fells that she's the only one who is different from the others since they have lace design on their aprons. Meiko says that it is because she's Haruto's subordinate. Tarako says that it is to show their master-slave relationship. Yu sweatdrops over that and says that this is a rare break so let's go walk around.

Tarako says that she's hungry. Meiko says no, for Yu has to go back to Haruto since she was ordered like this: Haruto said, break, he'll give her 5 minutes and she has to come back. Yu asked, why.. He told her not to talk back. End flashback. Yu says that it's an unreasonable order. Pinching Yu’s cheeks, Meiko tells her what’s bad about it after all, they can be together. Yu doesn’t know when she is well off.

She reminds Yu that right now it is a rare cultural festival, so properly enjoy it. While on the phone, Tarako tells them that her younger sister has arrived and she’ll go fetch her. She got her sister to bring some objects that are suitable for Haruto’s governor-general. Meiko says that Tarako’s family is into a grocery store so she’ll also go with her. She bids Yu goodbye.

After they left, Yu overhears some girls talking about wanting to stroll around with the person they like and about confessing. This made Yu think that it is indeed a rare cultural festival so she wonders if she’ll go try and invite Haruto. Yu blushes then thinks what she is thinking, as if it is very normal to ask him. She imitates Haruto by saying, who would go with you.

She shakes her head and believes that he’ll refuse her like that and anyway, they would quarrel and he’ll hate her just like normal times. She decides to go back first. Just then, Takumi arrives and says that it’s great that she’s here. Just then some girls ask why Takumi is in a hurry, he tells Yu that just now, it seems that there is an opportunity for them to be together, and there is something that he wanted to tell her.

Yu comments that his suit suits him. Takumi says that it is for their class’ exhibit. Then, the fangirls are screaming where Takumi is and they want to see him in his evening wear before his official appearance so that they can take his picture. Just then someone welcomes them to their booth the Trembling Mansion, and what can there be inside the cell.

Yu is surprised when Takumi leads her inside the horror house. Inside, Takumi asks if she is alright and apologizes for bringing her inside all of a sudden. She says that it is alright and doesn’t one think of a horror house when one talks about cultural festival. Something suddenly screams which frighten Yu. She wonders if they can get out with no problem.

Yu says that compared to that, it is great that he can participate in the festival. He apologizes for making her worry. Yu nervously laughs and says that it is also with the dorm, because he isn’t around until now, it is quite enveloped by a frightening politics[? mood]. Takumi asks what she is talking about. Yu says that it is the same with Haruto, because Takumi isn’t around, he looks very lonely.

After looking surprised, Takumi says how can that be, and compared to that, today.. Just then, they were frightened by a scary female ghost. The ghost stops midway and screams in embarrassment that Takumi got to see her like that. Yu asks if Takumi isn’t good with this place. Takumi apologizes for that’s quite embarrassing that he isn’t a bit...

Yu says that it is fine, she is also not good with this. She wonders if she can use her cellphone as a flashlight there. Yu says that actually, it ought to be a bit fun but then, sorry since he might not like it when she says it like that. Just when she is saying that she’ll go in front, Yu is startled by a ghost. Takumi grabs her hand and says that he’ll be the one who’ll go in front and sorry if he makes some strange sounds.

He tells her that just like this time, he previously always received help from Haruto and no matter what he does, he couldn’t be compared to him. He couldn’t even consider their existence being equal that he always abandoned his ego. While being frightened by another ghost, Yu asks how can that be and she cannot dare believe it.

After being frightened, Takumi tells her that they catch their breath for a while. Yu agrees. Takumi admits to her that he also couldn’t bear horror movies. Yu says that’s the same with her. Takumi tells her that she had said before that she cannot keep on running away from Meiko, and he also wanted to change so... Just then, someone says that this is the exit.

Outside, they hear some girls saying that they heard Takumi went inside so they’ll wait for him at the exit. Just when Yu is telling him where the exit is, Takumi hugs her. He apologizes and tells her to wait for a moment. In his class’ musical festival, he is going to perform at 15:30 so she must definitely come and listen. “I want you to listen to it, Yu-chan.”

Surprised Yu says okay. He lets her go and says that it will be quite a ruckus so he’ll go out first. While the fangirls are screaming outside, Yu wonders what was that just now since she never seen that kind of expression on Takumi before. Back at the gym, Haruto chokes a guy and says that this guy wants to trick his way into passing so Kaji better keep a close guard.

Eating some takoyaki, Kaji apologizes and says that he was careless. The other guy comments that Haruto is really watching. The others say that it feels that Haruto’s mood is really bad. Compared to being daring, it is more like killer aura and would they be killed by him... Someone comments that ever since Takumi broke through, no one else managed to succeed.

Just then, Tarako arrives and says that she got some consolation gifts for Haruto and a new whip. Someone shouts that’s really carefree and at this time, isn’t it a bit dangerous for her to give Haruto those kind of weapons. As Tarako gives her tribute to Haruto, Kaji offers him some takoyaki. Meiko asks them where Yu is. Kaji says that she doesn’t seem to be here and wasn’t she with them.

Haruto perks up when Meiko says that is strange for she obviously hastily went back. Just then, some of the guys are shouting that there are some students from other schools fighting in their school. Just when Haruto is asking Meiko if she isn’t with Yu, Yu arrives to apologize for being late. Haruto darkly says if she has seen how many minutes had passed.

Aghast Yu asks why he is carrying that whip and obviously 5 minutes isn’t enough so let her rest the same with the others... She is puzzled when he asks if she didn’t get involved with some strange person. After she said yes, he throws his coat on her and tells her to quickly fix the button/s that fell off again. She is about to leave but Haruto orders her to sew it right there.

So, Yu asks Tarako to lend her the sewing box. Soon, while Yu is sewing the buttons, Haruto is sitting beside her. Yu wonders if he is keeping a close watch over her. Meiko thinks that even if she is a bit envious of Yu but they were at it for over an hour already. She cheers Yu on. Some other guys wonder what kind of play that is..a servant?

Just then, Haruto overhears some of the guys saying that there are a lot of people who cannot pass over this part since they are getting stuck there. After pricking her finger with the needle, Yu thinks that she is finally done. Haruto stands up and tells the others to inspect the loosen rope there. Trying to sneak away while her legs is wobbly from all that sitting, Yu thinks that Takumi will perform in 30 minutes so she’ll take advantage of it right now to...

Takumi suddenly grabs her from behind and asks her where she is going. He tells her not to leave this place. She asks why when this is a rare cultural festival and even if it is her, she also wants to go around to a lot of places. She is determined to go to where Takumi is. Just then, Kaji says that they are going to be in charge of inspecting the facility so Haruto can go and rest. The others salute him and tell him to go and rest.

Removing his cap, Haruto tells them to be a bit more serious. They shout, yes, as he ordered. While Yu’s stomach is growling, Yu thinks that’s great, she can also go rest and she’s very hungry. To her surprise, Haruto handcuffs her and himself together. <- toy handcuffs from Tarako’s tribute. Freaking out Yu tells him to quickly get it off.

Tarako says that it is quickly being used and the handcuffs really matches [with Haruto?]. Yu asks her what she is so calm. While she is being pulled away by Haruto, Yu laments over what’s wrong with her and why she would have this favorable impression with this black devil. While they are walking at the hallway, the girls recognize Haruto but wonder who is with him.

Just then, Haruto hears a man-maid calling out over their popular food, curry udon. Yu whispers for Haruto to let her go but Haruto tells her that they’re going in. The man-maid welcomes the two inside. A pretty glasses girl serves them with the udon. Haruto tells her to quickly eat up. Yu wonders how to eat in this kind of situation. He tells her that her stomach’s sound is super loud.

Looking away, Yu thinks that they are always quite close to each other yet she couldn’t avoid him. She wonders if someone won’t notice it [handcuffs] and if she were to stay far from him, it will definitely be seen. Just then, the glasses girl comes back with some drinks. Haruto says that he didn’t order that. The girl says that it’s his treat because he helped him out during the sports festival.

It is then Yu recognizes the girl as Kanei. He asks if she only found out about it now and their class’ exhibit is a reverse gender curry store. Yu tells Haruto that this is a thank you gift so take it. Haruto says that he didn’t help Kanei. While she kept on looking away, Yu says that even if he didn’t do it but he did a lot to make others want to thank him.

Haruto finally takes the drink and orders her to turn towards him. Since she couldn’t face him, Yu says that she doesn’t want to. Yu continues to talk with Kanei saying that it really suits him to dress up as a girl, he’s very pretty and his make-up is perfect.

Kanei says that he’s the cutest and indeed, there’s no malice and he does finds make-up interesting. [<- not sure if he said this part or Yu since the last bubble, Kanei asks what she is saying] Kanei is startled when he notices that Haruto is darkly glaring at him. He excuses himself and tells puzzled Yu that next time, they’ll talk about some romance stuff.

While Haruto kept on staring at Yu who still won’t look at him, she says that it’s great that it seems Kanei is having fun at the cultural festival. As she wonders who to use the chopsticks this way [<- break it into two, I guess], Haruto asks if she isn’t happy [/having fun] “What to do to make you happy?” Surprised Yu asks,..huh?

Comment: The cultural festival has started. The two guys are obviously in some sort of competition with each other. I cannot help but feel sorry for Yu being caught up in some sort of rivalry between these two. So, who gets her is the winner? Perhaps, for Takumi since Haruto is still superior to him in all sorts of areas.

It seems that no one except for Yu seem to notice that something is wrong between the two unlike Kaji who is just raving over the two cool guys. I still don’t like the slave/dog-master thing here. So, I’m not too happy about Yu’s friends supporting that kind of relationship even in the name of love.

Takumi manages to spend some time alone with Yu. They do seem to have some similarities like being scared of scary stuff and wanting to change themselves. I wonder if he is aiming for a confession or just showing off at his recital. ^^; Nevertheless, Haruto does feel a bit uneasy when Yu was missing and there are some ruckus in the school.

It does seem that he cannot exactly express himself well that his action lead to some misunderstanding on Yu’s part...or most people since it is really like bullying. He is obviously jealous that Yu is ignoring him and talking with Kanei. And, his question at the end is very puzzling. It really makes me think that he isn’t really conscious about what he is doing or rather, there is no malice to it.

Rather, it is just how he knows how to act towards Yu and others. Since he is good at everything else but isn’t good with interacting with people, Takumi suddenly reminded me as a similar version of the male lead of Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun. Instead of going for cute, Takumi is going for cool? Anyway, will something big happen after this arc? Let’s wait and see. Scans by Draw Club同萌绘汉化

Quote of the day:

The words you choose to say something are just as important as the decision to speak. ~ Anonymous

Kono Oto Tomare [Chapter 50]

Kurosaki kun no Iinari ni Nante Naranai [Chapter 30]

Ookami-heika no Hanayome [Chapter 85]

Namaikizakari [Chapter 51]

Last Game [Side Story: 2 months after the confession]

Skip Beat [Chapter 240]

Tsubasa to Hotaru [Chapter 39]

Kasane [Chapter 79 - In the Midst of a Rainy Night ⑤]

Hatsu Haru [Chapter 11]

Kasane [Chapter 80 - In the Midst of a Rainy Night ⑥]

Namaikizakari [Chapter 52]

Kono Oto Tomare [Chapter 51]

Kasane [Chapter 81-82 - In the Midst of a Rainy Night ⑦⑧]

From Five to Nine [Chapter 64]

Kimi ni Todoke [Chapter 113]

From Five to Nine [Chapter 65]

Kasane [Chapter 83 - In the Midst of a Rainy Night ⑨]

Free Talk: Taking a Break

Skip Beat [Chapter 241]

Kurosaki kun no Iinari ni Nante Naranai [Chapter 31]