While Jelly drives the van, Lory is surprised to learn from Ren that Kyouko has also decided to participate in that ‘rustic’[/troublesome] audition. Ren is puzzled by his comment so Lory tells him not to mind that for he’s just talking on his own.
Lory asks if it is the ‘female ninja’. Ren says it seems so. Lory recalls that there is indeed such a role [in that drama] and it is the drama that he forced Kanae to accept.
Ren says that Kyouko is very depressed upon knowing that that she’ll be the rival of Kanae’s role but in the end, she is still defeated and enticed by ‘getting to act together with Kanae’ so he thinks that Kyouko won’t say that she won’t go to the audition.
Lory muses that before he is always worried about the mother-child relationship and even if right now it is very small but he can see a bit of light. “That girl can really draw a lesson from a setback. She simply acts [/keeps on moving] to definitely grab some thing.” They arrive at Narita airport.
Jelly tells Ren that she’ll catch up to him immediately so go on standby until they can meet up together. She says that they are at the final dash and she’ll give her whole all out effort to support him so gambatte [/good luck]!!
Ren smiles and says okay, he’ll leave it up to her. Lory waves at him. Ren smiles and gets off the van. In the airport, it is announced for the passengers for the flight 126 for Guam at 22:45 to go for safety check-- Ren notices that he has a message on his phone.
It is from Kyouko. He reads the message telling him that he’ll be going tonight for the last shooting so she wholeheartedly wishes that everything including the actors’ work and filming will finish smoothly and for Tragic Marker and Ren to become successful. Ren smiles over this then sees ＼(^o^)／＼(^o^)／＼(^o^)／<- she’ll be the first yell out ‘Long Live’!
For some reason, Ren feels that using that seems to show that one’s life is about to end based on the meaning of emoticon. <- it seems to be ‘the end’ X 3. Ren doesn’t seem to clearly understand it even if he is anticipating for a long time to receive an emoticon from her. Then, he smiles.
Back at the van, Jelly comments that compared to the last time when Ren went to Guam, he is more relaxed now. She asks if she was not mistaken by that. Lory smiles and says yes. He thinks that indeed, the body became lighter and had become free.
“Whether it is Ren or Kyouko, from here on, they have already decided on their own course [/direction to go]. Then, go, lambs, charge into the sky as you please!!” There is a scene of a female ninja uses short blades to block the swords of two samurais. She immediately twirls around like a whirlwind and arrives at some distance from the samurai-s that she had slashed.
With her heart beating, Kyouko is reading the books. She thinks that is so cool and honestly speaking, it is only the fighting scene that she basically couldn’t imagine just by reading the novel so with the help of drawings, it is easier to understand!!
She is reading the manga form of the novel which had good reviews. She wonders if she can really do that. Then, she recalls Ren saying that no problem, she can do it. She re-reads Ren’s message sent on April 12 at 22:05.
Ren thanks her for her gambatte message and he is already leaving. He also wishes her gambatte on her audition for Momiji. “No problem. You can do it. ლ(゜д゜ლ)” Kyouko wonders what’s up with that emoticon at the end.
She has been curious about it since yesterday. Actually compared to that, she is extremely shocked that he’ll use an emotion. She imagines that emoticon like Shou getting angry with raised hands shouting are you belittling me, jerk!! Give me better [quality?] goods-!! Something like that.
Then, she wonders could it mean, “COME ON!! Good news come on!! Better news!! Except for good news, I won’t accept it. I’m hungry!!!” Kyouko thinks that it is saying that aside from going on the offensive, there is no other skill [/way?]...
...It looks very cute but it has a big blasting power..!? It is then shown that Kyouko seems to be in a [manga] library. Kyouko salutes at the phone and thinks that she’ll do her best [/gambatte]!!! Then, she notices the time is already 14:38.
At the gazebo of a huge Japanese complex, Kanae looks at her watch when Kyouko comes running to ask if she is late. Kanae says no, she is just in time. Kanae asks her if she went out of the house wearing that kind of outfit.
Wearing a track suit, Kyouko says that during class, they always have to change clothes so it is good to just wear it. Kanae decides to drop the topic for it is already good that she isn’t wearing a dress even if it is a leisurely outfit and during jogging, it isn’t as flashing as wearing the LME uniform.
While walking with Kanae, Kyouko thanks her for helping her get permission to join the class. Kanae tells her that it was Hiou who got permission so he is the one whom should be thanked. Kyouko asks if he is coming. Kanae says no, for today is not like the usual for there is only two hours and it seems that he has something to do.
Kyouko muses that if Hiou doesn’t have anything to do, he’ll always come and he’s really working hard. Kanae warns her to pay attention a bit regarding etiquette and she must definitely do the basics since Kotetsu is very strict with that.
Kanae says but then, if it is Kyouko, there should be no need to worry about it. Kotetsu starts screaming at two younger men about the proper way to greet upon meeting someone older using the ‘gyou’ [行] etiquette. He angrily points out how their hand, waist and head should be like.
The two apologizes and thanks him for his instruction. Kyouko asks is gyou etiquette the basics of commonly known etiquette that Japanese people would know. Now, wearing a track suit, Kanae says that it seems that it is a samurai greeting.
‘Gyou’ etiquette is when meeting a superior within the castle and there are different ways of gyou etiquette which changes depending on the other party’s position. Kyouko is intrigued that the samurai world has this kind of thing.
Kanae says that in THIS PLACE, the elders, etc are the superiors and that is the premise of this artificial experiential class. In passing, there are times when a person playing the shogun would suddenly appear and at that time, it can be quite confusing [/people are flustered] and also quite cruel [/disastrous].
Referring to the three guys who are being taught by Kotetsu how to properly bow, Kyouko asks if these people are also actors going to play in a period drama. Kanae says yes.
Kanae says that usually, he is called ‘killing/fighting classroom’ teacher [<- referring to assassination classroom?] and occasionally, he’ll come here as an assistant teacher for period drama’s etiquette practice and film’s killing [/fighting] teacher. [<- acting as the mentor in the movie?]
This place is frequently used as period drama shooting and before, she had seen Ren here. He seems to be shooting a CM [commercial] which she just learned. Kyouko is surprised. Kanae says that it seems that he is shooting at the kyudo [Japanese archery] dojo so he’s probably practicing kyudo.
Kyouko scowls and mutters, kyu..do..what’s up with that, she really wants to see it. She imagines Ren getting ready to shoot an arrow. The girls were surprised when someone angrily shouted, “hey--” He scolds some people for stepping on the tatami’s edge.
[<- common etiquette since this is the weakest part of the tatami; sometimes the family’s crest is sewed there so that’s a no-no. Source: wiki] He tells the two to sit in seiza [formal way of sitting] at the corner for an hour while the other can continue on moving inside the room.
Then, Kotetsu looks at their direction. To Kyouko’s surprise, Kotetsu happily smiles and greets Kanae. He apologizes for making her wait. Kyouko is shocked by the difference of attitude. Kanae tells Kotetsu that they have just arrived.
Smiling Kotetsu says is that so, yes, yes, then who is this girl. He scowls and gloomily stares at Kyouko. While Kyouko is aghast by the change of attitude towards her, Kotetsu says isn’t she Kanae’s friend who had a plot of taking advantage of Hiou to suddenly get in the class for him to teach her about killing [/fighting]. Kyouko mutters yes.
Kyouko bows low and apologizes for mentioning such an unreasonable request. He tells her that compared to an apology, she should be thanking [him] for he isn’t happily accepting this request but because Hiou asked him, he convinced himself to accept it even if he is unwilling.
Turning around, he says that they shouldn’t talk here and quickly go inside. Kyouko and Kanae are speechless. Inside, Kanae bows and says, ‘I’ll be intruding’ then enters the room. Kyouko thinks that shouldn’t it be ‘gyou’ etiquette.
Kyouko looks down at the tatami mat and recalls Yayoi teaching her when she was young not to step on the tatami’s edge. Kanae notices Kotetsu looking behind her so she looks at the door. Kyouko prostrates down and says that she’ll be rude for intruding. [<- it is something more formal than what Kanae said] She sits up straight and stands up to walk inside.
As Kanae looks at Kyouko, Kotetsu tells them to sit down. The girls did as told. Kotetsu says that the name of the etiquette that Kyouko just did is ‘shin’ [真] etiquette. Kyouko says yes. He says that for the samurais, ‘shin’ etiquette is the highest respect given to the host [/master/king] so she studied chado [tea ceremony].
This surprises Kyouko for he knew it just through her behavior. Kotetsu slightly smiles and says that originally, chado is viewed as samurai’s elegance and where culture has risen. Not only ‘sou’[草] ‘gyou’ ‘shin’ etiquette, but it isn’t at all baffling that right now, samurai spirit behavior [/manner] is connected to the world of chado.
[FYI: Sou is the lowest form of etiquette/informal like slight bow. Gyou is medium/semi-formal like 45 degree bow. Shin is the highest and most formal form like 90 degree bow. It is also about styles in other forms like in calligraphy, ikebana, design of the house, etc.]
Kotetsu says that it [way of chado] is deeply ingrained in Kyouko’s actions but her impeccable behavior isn’t a bit of help on the ninja role that she is going to play. It is simply ‘having a good thing but couldn’t use it’ and that kind of degree can be done by a commoner woman. This is a shock to Kyouko.
She thinks that speaking of that, indeed in the books, there is no scene of Momiji acting as the rich family’s spy to pretend as a maid or geisha and get spy intelligence using her sex appeal. [<- this is one Chinese translation, the other says, ‘no spying but there is pretending as maid, etc’ so I’m not sure on this part.]
It is like Homura [炎?], a female ninja from a long running drama. She obviously really anticipates using her past experience to come in handy but this time, it won’t be the same like at that time with Ruriko. [<- her rival at the drama with the tea ceremony contest]
Kotetsu asks her name. Kyouko tells her showbiz name and real name. Kotetsu coldly says that he’ll call her Kyouko [showbiz name]. Kyouko says okay.. She thinks that he obviously calls Kanae in a more fond way with Ka-chan.
He starts to reprimand Kyouko that her voice is too soft as if she is some small time actress with 18 lines and use more force from her abdomen. Kyouko says okay..please whip her a lot and coach her!!! He shouts that she’s noisy to death and there’s no need to shout in such a loud voice for he can still hear since he’s be a 500 year old long life old geezer and don’t reduce the volume of her voice, you blockhead!!!
Kyouko is totally aghast. While walking out with Kanae, Kyouko thinks that it seems that no matter what she say, she’ll suffer as he’ll just gracefully give a counter punch. Gracefully = overthrow what was just said. Counter punch = fierce attack.
It started from the first greeting. She thinks that if she were to thank him first, she believes that he’ll say that compared to thanking, she should first apologize for she is a girl who suddenly appeared that he has to waste his time and effort on her.
Kyouko thinks that from the looks of it, no matter how she thinks of it optimistically, she is hated by him. She thinks that it cannot be helped, since the reservation is too sudden, a day before the visit and she asked for someone’s favor. For a magnate of the showbiz world, that is quite rude.
Kanae tells her that she thought that with Hiou’s intervention, Kyouko can happily receive his coaching but in a while, he strongly counters her. Kyouko lamely says yes. She thinks that even if he isn’t willing but it seems that she’ll be properly coach and like that, it is quite..
Kanae looks at Kyouko and says that it’s great that Kyouko was admired by Kotetsu. This shocks Kyouko that she says that she was given a harsh treatment yet she is to feel that she is admired. He obviously gracefully gave her a counterattack. And after that, there is 2-3 times more.
Kanae explains that just now, Kotetsu asked her name. Kotetsu basically don’t remember the names of short time students and besides, he’ll always just say, ‘hey you, you girl, miss’-that type of name calling. So, asking the other person’s name can show that she is brought in as his subordinate [/people].
So, perhaps, it is because her ‘samurai style that penetrates deeply into the marrow’ is very remarkable. This made Kyouko happy. Kanae smiles and says that they should hurry to the dojo for if they are a minute late, Kotetsu will be very terrifying. Kyouko happily says yes!!
Comment: For a while there I thought Ren is going to tell Lory about getting him in that movie. ^^; It turns out that he is just telling Lory that Kyouko is doing fine and is getting ready for her new role. Lory is definitely pleased how these two had seemingly overcome their past issues and now, can more freely move ahead towards their goals than before.
It seems that emoticons can cause a bit of misunderstanding. ^^; I’m not quite sure why Ren would think of that regarding Kyouko’s emoticons but googling a bit, his emoticon to her either means confusion or a shrug. Thankfully, whatever it suppose to mean, in the end, she interpreted it as something positive.
Momiji in the manga is really good. I start to wonder how good Kyouko is in action. I can only recall her being good in pedaling the bicycle. If ever she needs help on that, I’m sure Ren can help her with that ^^ If it’s Kuon, maybe give her some ‘magic’ like fairy dust =P With that, Kyouko can believe that she can do anything.
Of course, in real life, it won’t be like that. ^^; So, maybe if he does teach her action, he might slip out on why he is good at it. How about that Corn’ flip? <- hoping for progress regarding knowing who he really is.
Kotetsu apparently is very strict with Japanese culture. Hehe, for a while there, I feel like I’m typing up some Japanese culture lesson instead of a shoujo manga. ^^;; Kotetsu’s bias is very obvious. He probably sensed Hiou’s ‘feelings’ for Kanae so he acts that way to her.
Of course, it is a different with Kyouko who seemingly used her connections with Hiou to get what she wanted. But of course, knowing chado gives her some points with Kotetsu. So, now, it will be up to Kyouko’s usual perseverance in winning Kotetsu’s favor and prove to him that she is worthy of being trained by him. In short, he’ll be very impressed later on.
So, at the end of this chapter, I wonder if we’ll have a time skip or we are going through that training on how Kyouko can convincingly become a female ninja. If it is the latter, we won’t see any romance/Ren in a while.
Actualy, if Ren isn’t in this drama or he has no significant contribution to the drama, I’m guessing that we’ll have to wait for another year for any progress in their relationship. Still, it is inconclusive if Ren has already finished his kyudo lessons there. ^^ For now, anything can still happen.Scans by 红莲汉化组
Quote of the day:
Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. ~ Thomas Jefferson