Namaikizakari [Chapter 40]

Shizuka shouted, what, as long as he properly practice, he’ll definitely can.. Shou called out to Shizuka and told him that they go home. While walking, Shou asked why Shizuka play basketball. Shizuka asked, ‘why’? Shou said that it is because he’s rot..he doesn’t play really well.

Shizuka angrily shouted that just now, he wanted to say, ‘rotten to the core’ and even if he changed the way he said it, the meaning still hasn’t changed. “Is there even a need to say the reason. It is because I want to get in the Interhigh. From today on, I’ll definitely become a guy who’ll continuously grow!!”

Picking up a twig, Shou muttered, “..Interhigh? Ah- you said that before.” Shizuka said that even if Shou took the initiative to ask him please do not be impatient! “Speaking of that, Shou, how come you play basketball!” Shou said, “Me? I...I’m not too sure.” End flashback.

Back in the court, Shou shoots the ball in the basket. The audience screams that is quite amazing for Ryuhoku continues to score and the difference is now 8 points. Misuzu has 66 points vs Ryuhoku’s 58 points.

Excited Abe says that it feels like after they entered the latter half time, they finally were able to beat out the Ryuhoku’s style. Abe looks at Yuki and exclaims, “It is definitely the effect of Manager Machida’s hitting their butts!!” Yuki darkly says that it isn’t butts, it is backs.

She thinks that it is now the third quarter after the halftime with a difference of 8 points. “The tempo is certainly seized by Ryuhoku-- With this kind of momentum and we are not hindered, then we can definitely overtake them--” Amamiya and Shouji are all fired up for they don’t want to let it stop here.

Shou also doesn’t want to lose here after recalling Shizuka saying that for that person, it is only Shou whom he doesn’t want to lose to. And it is now the fourth quarter with only three minutes left with three point difference. Misuzu is leading with 89 points. During the time out, Kira comments that it will be bad if Ryuhoku catches up.

Other player curses for after they got in the half-time, their footwork unexpectedly became quicker. Recalling Yuki hitting Shou’s back, Shizuka mutters that it is that person’s fault. The others are puzzled. Shizuka thinks, “Machida-san, the thing that I can do for you is only to continuously defeat Shou.”

Back in the game, Shizuka is about to shoot the ball but it was tapped away by Shou. Everyone is excited as the ball got passed to Yashiro. Yashiro manages to shoot in the ball. The score is now 89 vs 88 with Misuzu still leading. Abe and others scream that only one point left.

Yuki watches in anticipation. Mizusu player manages to hit away the ball from Tonomura. The ball is about to go out of bounds but Shou dives to catch it. Thinking that there is still time, everyone is surprised when Yuki shouts, “Naruse, keep it up-!!” Pumped up, Shou shoots the ball while kneeling down. It is in.

The audience go wild for Ryuhoku manages to reverse the situation as they now lead with 90 vs 89. Yuki is praying hard for she still wants to.. There are people are cheering for Misuzu. There are people cheering for Ryuhoku to go on offensive.

There is still 10 seconds left. And everyone is stunned when Shizuka is posing to shoot the ball. “Could it be..! From that far away place-- It is a 3-point shoot..!” The ball flies. Everyone watches with abated breath. And, it is in. Just when Ryuhoku is holding the ball... Pfft- Game over. The game result is 92-90 with Misuzu winning. Ryuhoku’s side is stunned.

Shizuka’s teammates praise Shizuka. Yuki thinks, “We lost--..?” While the others are downcast, they notice that Shouji is bent down with his face covered. He is most likely crying. Abe and Himiko are teary-eyed. Shou pulls Shouji up and says that they have to line up. Shouji just mutters something. Then, they line up and thank each other for the game.

So, Ryuhoku High was defeated at second round of the competition. At the dressing room, Abe is crying that he doesn’t want this retirement-whatever..they can no longer play basketball with them-senpai-s

Nishiyama correct him by saying, no because on the day after tomorrow, they still have one last practice. Amamiya curses over the defeat. Shouji exclaims that he didn’t think that at the very last of the last, Misuzu made him cry~~!! “That long-faced actor stinky brat--!!!” [<- Misuzu]

Noticing that Yuki is going out, Himiko calls out to her and asks where she is going. Yuki says that it seems that she left her pen at the gym so she’ll go find it. Himiko offers to go with her but Shou calls out to her and asks where is the new bandage.

Startled Himiko says okay..ah, it should be at this side..huh..please wait a moment..Shou just looks sad-serious. While walking at the hallway, gloomy Yuki mutters that they’ve lost.. “During the baffling situation, we lost.. I didn’t think that we’ll be hindered unexpectedly in the last five seconds...

...From today on, we have to strengthen more the outer defense.. *holds pen tightly* ..no, what is ‘from today on’. My mission is already thoroughly over. –today, everything is over.. *becomes teary-eyed* Ah..what am I to do. In short, I have to go someplace first to calm down.” Just then, someone calls out to her. She turns around and is surprised to see Shizuka.

She immediately faces the wall and thinks that she was seen. She thinks that this is really bad for her current expression is very awful and obviously, she can usually quickly suppress her tears, why..! Shizuka asks if she is crying. Yuki says no...no..this is..

After a pause, Shizuka says that it is because he got separated from Shou ever since they’re young. “So I always wholeheartedly do not want to lose to him. In order to prevail over that guy, I continuously practice but unwittingly, I’ve changed...

...*scene of Yuki saying that she hopes that he can always become that guy’s rival* Before, I simply always did it for myself. In order to give you a helping hand, I did it in such a way as if my life depended on it but.. (I was mistaken) ..right now, I finally understand...

...*corners Yuki by the wall* Perhaps, I always wanted to see that expression of yours. *Yuki looks surprised* ..In the end, I.. *grabs Yuki’s wrist* will continuously defeat your Ryuhoku and Shou.” Yuki recalls everyone playing. She immediately gives Shizuka a headbutt on the stomach. Holding his stomach, Shizuka couldn’t say a word in pain.

Fired up, Yuki tells him to go ahead and try doing that for those guys won’t easily lose to others. “They can still become stronger.. (yes) They will continuously increase their strength. They will directly become an advancing power. (I really clear know) Because that is future Ryuhoku.” There is a scene of shadowed Shizuka. [<- cannot see his expression]

Later on, Himiko and Miyoshi ask where Yuki went off to. Miyoshi goes into shock for her expression is very terrifying. “You’re thinking, ‘this person is late for such an important game, so quickly go die already’, right!?” Emitting murderous intent, Yuki darkly says that even if she wasn’t thinking that but please, pay more attention afterwards.

Hatori complains that the senpai-s won’t be around starting in the next competition. Noda says that he really doesn’t feel confident about it. Amamiya laughs and tells him not to worry for in the final practice, they will undergo them in a thorough training- “Right, Manager Machida.” Still emitting murderous intent, Yuki darkly says yes, she will make them undergo a vicious special training.

Yuki thinks that from today on, they will still continue to advance because this is, not at all, the end. Then, Yuki notices Shou staring at her. Startled Yuki asks what is it. Shou says that he feels that she’s short. Everyone shouts, “It’s you who’s too tall!” Next chapter is Yuki’s final club activity day. It will come out on March 19 in Japan.

Comment: In this chapter, life is fair for Shizuka. =P After all the belittling and being ridiculed by others, Shizuka manages to be at the top of his game. It really helps since he has a goal/s ever since he was young and had been practicing a lot that he can already catch up with someone like Shou who has the talent. So, in this chapter, even if Shou got the girl, Shizuka won the game.

In the end, it still boils down to the two having that same main motivation, and that is Yuki. Shizuka wants to continuously defeat him for Yuki and Shou would want to win for her. I think that Shizuka said that partly to somehow cheer her up in his own way without making it seem that he still like her or something.

I don’t know if it is permanent but it seems that because of that experience of being in a love triangle, naïve wannabe stalker Shizuka became Black Shizuka with a bit sadistic tendencies. ^^;And with characters like that, it is either one will hate or find him cool =P 

For me, I actually find it interesting if Black Shizuka was Shou’s love rival especially if this is a full blown love triangle series. Of course, the mood and tone of the series would be totally different =P I’m not sure if Shou will be happy if he finds out that it is because of Shizuka that Yuki is all fired up. 

Nevertheless, this will really push their rival for basketball that they will want to improve their games until the end. Of course, I think it will be more intense if it is an individual sports like tennis, swimming, etc rather than a team sports because basketball is a team effort. If the other players aren’t that par, it will be obviously who’ll win the future games. 

As for the outcome of the game and how it played, I kind of expected it so there were no major surprises there. Anyway, hopefully, we’ll get some amazing lovey-dovey on the last day of practice ^^ How about some public display of affection or at least, an announcement that they’re going steady after the practice? ^^ I’m sure Yuki will make them go through a hellish training =P Scans by 红莲汉化组

Whether you succeed or fail is not as important as whether you do your best. ‘Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:12)’