Kimi ni Todoke [Chapter 98]

Ryu says that it is because her face is in front of his eyes. She exclaims that she isn’t a mountain. [<- referring to George Mallory who was asked, ‘Why do you want to climb Mt. Everest’. And, he answered, ‘because it’s there.’] Chizuru started exclaiming over a correction that he isn’t cute, totally not cute, not a bit cute and he would unexpectedly make a regretful face. She snaps out of it and thought of not being careful about the mood. Then, Ryu tells her that there are customers there. She thinks that she always have that kind of reaction towards Ryu..really not cute.. Then, Ryu laughs which made her ask what it is. He says that it is nothing, he just felt that she’s so cute. This made Chizuru blush and asks what’s with his taste [in aesthetics]..  Puzzled, he asks, taste? [<- as in food]. She says that it is nothing. She asks if he is going to wear a uniform tomorrow. He says yes. She says that it is great not to spend money. He says yes. She thinks that for Ryu, the future is the competition in front of his eyes. He tells her that the next one is the semi-finals and the whole school will come to cheer for them. She mutters, good luck [/gambatte].

Chizuru recalls that no matter when she wants to cheer for him and that he is the one whom she wants to be in a comic dialog with [?/talk with?] most. She is surprised when Ryu hugs her. She thinks that she couldn’t cheer for him. At the hallway, Shouta is still hugging Sawako. She calls out his name and says that someone might come and if they don’t hurry back, the customers.. She stops when he used his strength to hug her tight. Then, he becomes dizzy and collapses on the floor. He assures her that he is okay. Sawako is worried for he is sweating profusely. She touches his face and it felt cold. She becomes nervous for today, his face looks deathly pale. She was too excited that she thought it is because of the light. She hugs him. Then, he wakes up just when she is about to wipe his sweat. He reaches for her hand, holds it and let go. He sits up and apologizes for he can already stand up. She suggests that it is better for him to rest up. She urges him to go to the clinic and can he walk. He insists that he is fine and he’s going back. She refuses and exclaims that he must lie down.

At the clinic, Shouta is sound asleep. The doctor tells Sawako about Shouta having an overnight [/not sleeping], not properly eating breakfast and yet he would still run with all his might so no wonder he turned out like that. She tells Sawako that it isn’t good not to have enough sleep so look he immediately slept upon lying down. The doctor says that she’ll inform their homeroom teacher and just let Shouta sleep. Sawako sits beside Shouta and thinks that he would always smile and says that he is okay so she thought that it is like that but isn’t he always forcing himself and actually, he is always.. She recalls how he hugged her, held her hand and let it go. She touches his hand. Then, Pin arrives. He exclaims about why Shouta is leisurely sleeping but then, it is good for he can goof off. He tells Sawako that she can go and properly pretend as a youkai [/monster]. She says okay. Before leaving, she bows and says that she’ll leave it up to him. This made Pin think that it seems like she is a wife. Then, Pin notices something about Shouta. He flicks Shouta’s forehead and Shouta mutters that hurts. Giggling, Pin says that he can really sleep so he’s going to write and draw on him.

At the classroom, Sawako exclaims that she’s late and she is going to run with all her might in place of Shouta. Later on, Shouta wakes up and tightly holds someone’s hand..Pin’s hand. Pin looks speechless and aghast. Shouta freaks out why it is Pin and no wonder the hand is rough, ah, what, he’s in the clinic. Pin says that even if he isn’t thinking of it intensely but he really wants to hit his head. Later on, everyone is bidding each other goodbye. The others are glad that Shouta has revived. He assures everyone that he is okay and he is just sleepy[/tired], that’s all. Then, someone says about how amazing Sawako is for she can run unrivalled against anyone. While Sawako tries to say that it is not really that amazing.., her friends mention about a rumor going around that if Sawako chased after them, they’ll get a boyfriend/girlfriend and the legs would become long, slender, etc. Then, they talk about meeting at a certain Manabe [真鍋]’s house to finish up the float. Then, Sawako and Shouta simultaneously ask each other if they are okay. Sawako is puzzled why he is asking her. He explains that it is because she ran the whole day and she strived really hard. She says no, it is totally no problem and she just strived hard too much, though her knees are trembling. He laughs and says that he is okay because he was sound asleep. Sawako still looks worried as he tells her that they’re going.

While walking home, Shouta asks if the girls are also going to meet up later on. She tells him that it will only be for a while. Shouta talks about finishing up the float for they still have to color it. Sawako recalls how he hugged her tight. Just when she is about to tell him something, Shouta exclaims, ‘Today!!’ Then, he apologizes for interrupting her and asks what it is. She says no, please go ahead. He says that it is alright but she insists. Shouta apologizes to her for today for he suddenly did that kind of thing and in the end, collapses so it must have startled her. Waving her hand, Sawako says no, even if she was startled but she totally do not blame him, not even for a bit, honestly, and she is just..her heart is beating nonstop and so fast. Shouta looks embarrassed and says that he is really such a useless person. She tells him that he isn’t. He says he is. She says that he isn’t. Then, he says that even if his mind is thinking of controlling himself but his body made that move so really useless..and it is because of this, that he.. Then, he smiles at her and says that it is nothing. She asks him what it is. He tells her that he’ll tell her one day so wait for him to be sufficiently prepared.

Sawako says then, she’ll anticipate it, until that moment comes. He smiles at her and asks what she is going to say. She says about that..sorry..next time.. Shouta exclaims what’s up with that, then he’ll be very curious, well- he’ll also anticipates it. Then, they bid each other goodbye. Sawako thinks about being unable to say it. At Wind Sports store, Shouta is met by his grumpy father. Wondering what’s with that oppressive mood, Shouta says that he’s back. To Shouta’s shock, his father says that he heard from Pin that he kept on holding Pin’s hand and won’t let go, probably, he thought of Pin as Sawako..he really doesn’t know of honor and shame!! Then, his father said that it seems that he has collapsed. He cannot even care for his own body yet he would still say big words all the time, do not think of society to be so simple. Ruffling his hair, Shouta turns around and says that he’ll pay attention to it next time and he has to go to Manabe’s place for the school festival. His father exclaims what, when he obviously collapsed earlier. Turning to his father, Shouta exclaims that he already slept and today, he’ll definitely get a proper sleep.

After a pause, his father asks if he isn’t ashamed like that. Shouta exclaims that he didn’t do anything to be ashamed of. His father says is that so, then, before he goes out, go to the hospital first. Shouta insists that he is already okay. His father tells him not to answer back and go there, do you hear, otherwise, he won’t let him go out!! As his father goes back in the store, Shouta wonders what’s up with that. Then, he seems himself on the glass. There is a writing on his forehead – ‘I like Kuronuma-chan the most’ and the word ‘love’ inside a heart. Shouta angrily screams over what Pin did. Later on, at Manabe’s place, the others talk about Shouta going to the hospital. Shouta says that of course, there’s no problem. Kent says that he has a good father who really worries about him. Slightly flustered, Shouta says ya. Then, he scolds Kent to help out since he came. Kent laughs over being caught goofing around. Then, the girls arrive. They say that they are finished so they come to help. They also brought some ‘consolations’. Shy Sawako asks if it is okay for her to come. Ayane assures her that it is and look, her boyfriend is here. Kent says that even ex-boyfriend is here. Shouta and Sawako smile as they look at each other.

While sitting on a bench, Sawako says that he is startled for he didn’t think that he’ll be able to see her. She asks if he is okay afterwards and was he able to take a nap. Shouta says that he slept for everyone took turns and it is really no problem. And occasionally, he would rest like this so it felt that it seems that everyone is working at one side and playing at another. She says okay. After a pause, Shouta asks if she saw it today..his forehead. Sawako is puzzled so Shouta is relieved that she didn’t see it and no, if he knew earlier, he wouldn’t have asked. He says that it is nothing, today while sleeping, Pin has recklessly written on his face and it wasn’t easy to erase it. Sawako asks what he wrote and is it some strange stuff. He admits to her that it is ‘I like Kuronuma-chan the most’, and what is written..is actually a fact.. This made Sawako says that she also like him the most. She hopes that they’ll be together forever. This made Shouta smile and says, ya, he knows now that indeed, it is the same meaning. He holds out his hand and says okay, let’s go back to work. She says okay. And, he held her hand. Narration: “After school festival ends,...will properly say it out. Early in the morning, we won’t see each other again.”

Comment: That last line seems a bit ambiguous. ^^; For some Chinese readers, it means something bad. For the optimistic, it is because Shouta will be sleeping so they won’t see each other early in the morning. Or, maybe, it is because they will be busy with the things that they have to do so they can only talk after the festival. It seems that Shouta wants to say something and they kept on confessing to each other how much they love each other...so, it makes me think, is that a flag that something really bad is going to happen? Or, maybe, what he has to say is something more of a life-changing thing, probably about college. It depends on what the mangaka plans. It makes me think that this whole arc is about separation. Ayane is already separated with Kent. If Ryu wins, that might mean long distance separation. So, what about Sawako and Shouta? We’ll know for sure in the next chapter. Anyway, it seems that Ryu also has something he cannot tell Chizuru and actually, what his real childhood dream is. From that, it makes me think that Ryu might really choose her if she tells him to stay..or rather, even if he did leave temporarily, she is still the only one for him. ^^ Scans by 夜莺工作室

If we do not come apart and rest awhile, we may just plain come apart. ~ Havner from Our Daily Bread