Last Game [Chapter 56] -Fin-

Flashback: The teacher introduced young Kujou as the new transfer student and she hopes that everyone get along with her. Yanagi thought that she is so plain and gloomy that as a whole, she looks so shabby. Narration: “—That is the day when we first met and who can predict that we’ll welcome a day like this.”

At a church, Souma goes to the reception desk with his invitation. He says that today is a celebration. [<- congrats greeting] The receptionists thank for attending. At the waiting area, Souma is greeted by Fujimoto and the others.

While following the others to the garden, Souma says that it is really such a long time since everyone gathered like this and what’s up with Yoshida’s glasses. Yoshida says indeed, even if they always have small gatherings among themselves and doesn’t he look elite with his glasses. Fujimoto asks when they gathered all together before.

She says that she really didn’t think that the first would be Kujou whereas she [Fujimoto] is almost 27 years old. This surprises Miyabe. <- a researcher of a private company. Yoshida says that he thought that they will do it earlier [than Y&K]. Miyabe timidly says that it is because he took doctorate studies so it hasn’t been two years since he’s at work, so his income is quite grim. 

Holding Miyabe’s hands, Fujimoto tells him that she’ll wait for him and she’ll also save money for the wedding!! <- works at a business [/economy] newspaper. Miyabe apologizes and says that he’ll do his best. Yoshida comments that Miyabe didn’t have it easy either. Fujimoto tells them not to just talk about others, how about them senpai-s, do they have a girlfriend..

Yoshida and otaku senpai became timid as Fujimoto says ah yes, she didn’t say anything. Yoshida is in a company that cultivates bacteria colonies while otaku senpai is a robot manufacturer. Yoshida angrily exclaims over that kind of observation when perhaps, he’ll also get a girlfriend!!

And even if he is cultivating bacteria, but that is for a residential environment engineering project! Unfazed Fujimoto says so, does he have a girlfriend. Yoshida finally admits not yet!! Miyabe asks is it true that the two senpai-s are co-renting. The two timidly admits that it is true for, one cannot avoid loneliness when living alone.. Fujimoto says that the two of them are no good for they are dashing towards the main avenue of ‘unable to get a girlfriend’. 

Then, she says that Souma is an employee at a corporation and he’s definitely very popular. Souma blushes a bit and says not really. Yoshida exposes him by saying that when Souma just got in the company, he would only say there words, ‘I really cannot go on already..’ ‘I want to go back to my hometown..’. Flashback: Drunk Souma is sobbing. Yoshida looked on. Yanagi is feeling very happy. End flashback.

Souma shouts for Miyabe that he talks too much!! Fujimoto asks if Souma has a girlfriend. Souma says about that..right now, he still doesn’t have.. He becomes gloomy and says, how can he say it— and it is like.. it feels that he wasn’t always able to properly maintain [the relationship]..

It always feel that half-way through the relationship, there would be this ‘it seems that it isn’t quite the same as one imagined it’ feeling and afterwards, he doesn’t know what he should do..which part is wrong..and besides, upon mentioning that he is a farmer’s eldest son, the other party’s face seems to have this ‘you fraud’ look..

...when obviously, his family plans to make his younger brother the successor.. Sharp Fujimoto figures that from the looks of it, it seems like he appears to be a totally handsome guy but actually, he harbors this ‘just graduate from college yet feeling inferior due to having a countryside background that he psychologically thinks that he isn’t popular...’

Tachibana arrives and says so, she told Souma earlier that he made a mistake about the type that suits him for he obviously likes that ‘unfazed tennen boke [natural airhead]’ type. So, at the goukon [group dates], it naturally influences him when he pursue corporate people [as partners]. Souma scowls over that.

Tachibana says that Souma pretends that he is that kind of handsome [/cool] so it is natural for him to fall into this situation. Some women exclaim if it isn’t that female TV anchor[/host], Tachibana. They then ask to take a picture with her. Tachibana happily obliges. Souma says that he’ll rather die than be lectured by her. 

Fujimoto thinks that their relationship is as vile as it was before. Souma asks Tachibana if she didn’t know that others’ say [about her], ‘that girl is absolutely two-faced’ [/outwardly kind but inwardly evil]. Tachibana says that is part of her image so shut up. Souma says that speaking of that, he’ll laugh to death if she is still hoping that someone can accept her most real self.

Tachibana tearfully cries that she also didn’t think that she’ll be chosen and she also has no other way!? <- totally failed from being chosen [during the goukon]. With a slight crazed look, she starts to chuckle and says that since it is like that, she’ll just take the first one as the target because she really hates losing. Then, afterwards, the target is getting married to an athlete..!

Souma tells her not to be always so whiny for he isn’t interested in knowing the extent of a female anchor’s dark side. Tachibana asks what, thanks to her, he got to participate in female anchors’ goukon. Souma shouts as if that kind of goukon is held several times...

...and besides, she is really awful in holding her alcohol that every time, at the very end, she’ll cry at one side and at the other side say, ‘I don’t think that I can get married’-something that it’s annoying to death! Tachibana shouts that he’ll even have the nerve to say to her and can he dare to quit calling her on the phone and talk endlessly nonstop [without getting to the point] every time he broke up with someone!?

Amused Fujimoto suggests why don’t the two try and see, about going steady with each other. The two darkly looks at Fujimoto. Both of them say, “Only this person is absolutely impossible.” Wondering if they are ‘bad friends’, Fujimoto looks at her cellphone and thinks, okay, even if they mutually repel each other but in the end, their nature[/character] is very similar—

Otaku senpai exclaims for Momoko-sama to do her best. With a thumbs up, Yoshida says that even if lately everyone says that her popularity is on the decline, and her age is also injuring her image but they will support her from start to end! 

While Souma lets out a laugh over this, Tachibana shouts that they are really annoying. <- nowadays, she is deeply distressed over these things. They were interrupted by Yanagi who tells them not to make a big fuss by quarreling here and there at someone else’s wedding. “Can’t you guys calm down a bit?”

As Miyabe congratulates Yanagi, Fujimoto says that Yanagi came in time so give him a glass of juice. Souma asks him to give him a cup of coffee. After thanking Miyabe, Yanagi gloomily says, you people.. As Yanagi starts to mope at the side and mutter that it is simply a mistake to call this people to come, Fujimoto starts to say that she is saying that casually and congratulations-

Souma says as the groom, how come he is still wandering around here. He asks if Yanagi was driven away from the preparation room. Yanagi denies it. He was walking around in front of the bride’s preparation room to wait for Kujou to finish up. <- uneasy as he walking back and forth. 

Someone calls out to Yanagi that looking at him makes one feel too distracted so go somewhere else. Yanagi says that is what he was told and it wasn’t being driven away.. Souma whispers to Fujimoto if it is really okay that this person is going to succeed the family business, the Yanagi clan’s corporation..

Fujimoto says that it is alright, it is only with things related to Kujou that he become so disappointing. Yanagi shouts, hey, he can hear them!! <- Yanagi, 27 years old taking advanced studies under the banner of the company.

Yanagi blames it on Fujimoto who said that they cannot let Yanagi see Kujou wearing the wedding gown until the day itself. <- wasn’t able to go together with them in choosing the wedding gown. Flashback: Fujimoto said goodbye to Yanagi and Kujou said that she’ll be going with Fujimoto. Yanagi sweatdropped and asked if he isn’t going? End flashback.

Teary-eyed Yanagi says that if it isn’t like that, it is possible that he’ll calm down a bit or he should say that he obviously wanted to see her selecting the dress very carefully then try wearing it.Fujimoto thinks that Yanagi would do that whenever Kujou ignores him. 

Fujimoto comforts Yanagi and says okay, okay, isn’t this anticipating it until the very last moment and that side should almost be ready already. “Besides, we also want to immediately see Mi-chan♡” Yanagi says, eh--.. Fujimoto thinks that right now, Yanagi really doesn’t want them to see Kujou and he’s so petty [/narrow-minded]..

In front of the room, Yanagi’s father says that it seems that they are already ready inside. Fujimoto congratulates the father who thanks them for coming. After fixing his tie and his heart beat is beating fast, Yanagi tells everyone that he’ll be the first one to see so for the meantime, they are not allowed to go in.

Fujimoto thinks that he is so petty. Yanagi knocks and asks if he can come in. Kujou says yes. With her mother behind her, Kujou is sitting on the chair fully dressed up as a beautiful bride. She calls out to him. Yanagi looks surprised. To Kujou and the others’ surprise, Yanagi goes back out and closes the door behind him.

Fujimoto asks him what’s up. Yanagi says how to do, from the start, always until now, he felt that it is like an endless dream that he totally couldn’t believe that this is for real. <- really not used to being so happy. Thinking that it was a wrong decision to conceal from him the bride’s attire, Fujimoto says, okay, quickly go in for they also want to see the bride.

While she is pushing Yanagi in, he says, ah, hey, la. Kujou slightly smiles upon seeing him. She asks what he is doing. Stunned Yanagi feels that until now, everything is a revolving lantern. Holding his face, he mutters that it turns out that he isn’t dreaming..

Kujou mutters that he cries too often and she is almost had enough of that kind of reaction. Yanagi’s father laughs and says that the bet still has no winners. Yanagi’s mother says that it is because everyone bet that Yanagi will cry. Ryouko asks if he can’t occasionally go beyond the expectation. Yanagi thinks this kind of family..

Fujimoto, together with the others, others comes in and congratulates Kujou. Kujou thanks them for finding time to attend the wedding. Yoshida wholeheartedly congratulates Kujou. Fujimoto says that she is really quite beautiful! Holding a camera, Souma tells Kujou to look at this side. To Yanagi’s surprise, Souma takes Kujou’s picture. Yanagi calls out what did he just took a picture of.

Souma says that he is the one in charge of taking the pictures so after he’ll make it into a photo album at the club[?]. “Do you have any doubt? *pleased with oneself* This is for congratulating you guys.” Yanagi can only curse for that kind of look makes him furious..

He snaps out of it when Fujimoto asks Kujou to tell them about the proposal. Kujou says that Yanagi made her seal her mouth about that so she cannot tell them. Someone asks what Yanagi said. Yanagi won’t tell them. Souma says that in any case, it is similar to the confession. 

“In advance, he’ll do all sorts of preparations in wanting to make it play out as a nice surprise so that will be engraved in one’s heart but in the end, Kujou was the one who first proposed to him. It is probably like that.” The others gloomily thinks, ah--.. Yanagi shouts why they easily acknowledged that!! Yanagi says in the end, how is it possible that kind of idea about marriage would be in this girl’s head.

“Being shy is only at the start but after becoming an accountant, work is her sole focus. *everyone is uneasy for the groom exploded his complaints towards the bride on the wedding day* I had been hinting about it but she totally wasn’t aware of it-- I pretended that it is alright and left the O stone in the room but she unexpectedly thought that it is a pickling stone...

...*someone wonders if he is a girl* And the same goes with this wedding.. Even if I ask her if she has any wish. *scene of Kujou said that she doesn’t have any special request so do things as he sees fit* How can she be so stubborn. The wedding venue, the food, the music accompaniment, the souvenirs, I’m the one who decided it all!!” 

The guys shudder over that. Kujou says that he looks so happy when he is deciding that and he’ll go from one wedding exhibit to another which is very tiring. Yanagi denies that he is happy and who made her not move a bit. “Then, my most anticipated choosing of the wedding gown has been snatched away by Fujimoto..”

Yanagi looks gloomy as he talk like a broken record that he managed everything for this wedding.. Fujimoto thinks that look, in the end, he’s quite enthusiastic about it. Kujou tells Yanagi that this dress is the one that Fujimoto helped her decide so how about it?

Yanagi says that it is good, and looks not bad at all. <- even if he is frustrated that Fujimoto’s taste is truly original.. Kujou asks if that is all. She stares at him that he thinks, this girl. He leans to her and whispers, “..this is the most beautiful that I have seen you.” 

Kujou says that he is also very handsome. <- casual praise. Yanagi laughs and says isn’t that undoubtedly so..!? She finally became aware of it. The others thinks that Kujou already totally got him running in circles.. Then, a girl calls out an apology for the interruption but it is almost time to go to the auditorium.. Fujimoto says okay, and they’ll see each other again later on. Kujou says okay.

Kujou tells her mother that she’ll leave it to her when they walk on the red carpet. Her mother is so nervous that she wants to go to the toilet. Yanagi says that they [others] are still making a ruckus like before. Kujou says that everyone looks very lively so it’s really great. Yanagi agrees with her.

After a pause, he asks her if she can pinch his face for a while. Puzzled Kujou says sure, she can. She pinches his cheek hard. Yanagi shouts that hurts, she can let go!! Angrily holding his cheek, he shouts what she is doing when he has to show his face to others in a while!! 

Kujou says that she obviously didn’t put in a lot of strength in it. Yanagi says that her so-called ‘not put in a lot of strength’ is considered a normal person’s full strength. Yanagi says, ah, but right now, he knows that he isn’t having a dream.. Kujou asks what he is saying. He says that because she thinks..

Pulling her to him, he asks, “Kujou, today, you’ll become my wife, right?” Kujou replies, “Yes. And to say it precisely, isn’t it today rather, the day when she enters his family’s registry.” Yanagi asks that she’ll become Yanagi Mikoto? Kujou says yes, and actually, it doesn’t matter to her if their surname isn’t the same but he insisted that they definitely have the same surname.”

Yanagi angrily shouts how come she is always like this, ruining the mood every time!! “Every time, it is like that!!” Kujou asks what did she say wrong and even if he say that but simply calling the surname is indeed very strange. She notices that his hair is messy. 

Yanagi goes huh that she tells him to try calling her name. He says, okay. “Ah.. Mikoto.” Fixing his hair, she says, “..Naoto?” After a pause and blush, Yanagi says that feels so strange. Kujou agrees with him. She holds out her left hand to him and says, “..but, I believe that we’ll quickly get used to it because from today on, we’ll be calling each other like that, won’t we?”

After looking surprised, Yanagi smiles. He takes her hand and says, “..indeed!” Narration: “I don’t know since when Kujou started to take the initiative to extend her hand towards me.” At the church, Kujou’s mother calls out to her and puts on the veil on her face. She tearfully congratulates Kujou. Kujou smiles and thanks her.

Narration: “On the day when I first met you. *Yanagi waits at the altar with the priest. Everyone else happily looks on as Kujou walks to the altar with her mother* who’ll ever thought that this kind of day.. *Kujou looks up to see Yanagi teary-eyed* you’ll expectedly come to our side.”

Kujou happily smiles. The priest says, “Groom Naoto, do you willingly promise to take the bride Mikoto as your wife? Whether in sickness or in health, never leaving or forsaking her. Support her and cherish her. Offering your life for her always until death.”

Yanagi says, “Yes, I do.” The priest asks for Kujou’s answer. She says, “Yes, I do.” Their friends happily look on while Tachibana is crying. Narration: “In all likelihood, it is certain that like this, there are all sorts of encounters between people. Knowing and becoming aware of each other, then becoming inseparably close and connected.”

The priest says then, it is the exchange of rings between the groom and the bride. Yanagi puts the ring on Kujou’s left ring finger. He says, “..finally.” Kujou asks what he is referring to. Flashback: Yanagi told Kujou, “If I win, you’ll let me put a ring on your ring finger”. End flashback.

Narration: “—it started from that day, no, it is much earlier on than that day, *young Yanagi pointing at Kujou* I’m constantly chasing.. Constantly pursuing.. *various flashbacks* Always chasing after only you alone.” Yanagi holds the veil and puts it over Kujou’s head. Then, they kiss. He smiles and says that he’ll answer her question just now. 

She is surprised when he suddenly hugs her and exclaims, “I’m saying that it’s already game over!” Soon, balloons are floated up the sky as the newly married couple goes out of the church to meet the people. Holding up her cellphone, Fujimoto calls out for Kujou to look at her side so she can take her picture.

Crying Tachibana says that this wedding is really amazing and so moving. Kujou’s mother couldn’t stop the tears that Yanagi’s mother gives her a handkerchief. The senpai-s shout so amazing~ Ryouko’s rival gloats to Ryouko, that she is pregnant and she feels so heavy. Holding a camera, Souma calls out to Kujou to please smile. After looking surprised, Kujou happily smiles and gives him a thumbs up. This made Souma laugh for what is that action.

Souma calls out to Tachibana and says that it can really makes one happy upon seeing the person whom one liked having such a happy smile. Still sobbing, Tachibana says that she also wants to get married.. Souma comments that she really doesn’t listen to what someone is saying. Then, someone shouts for everyone to gather for the souvenir photo.

While they all group together behind the couple, Yanagi calls out to Kujou. Kujou asks what is it. He looks at her and says, “-Let’s have a contest, Kujou.” Kujou asks what he is suddenly saying. 

Yanagi says, “After getting married to me, if you are at your happiest, then I win. How about it?” Puzzled Kujou tells him that even if she doesn’t feel that this kind of thing can be considered a contest.. “Then, if you win, what will happen then?”

Narration: “—Afterwards, let’s continue it on.” Yanagi replies, “—if I win, *holds her hands tightly* you’ll forever stay at my side.” Then, to everyone’s amusement, Kujou falls backwards and Yanagi tries to catch her. Narration: “While holding hands, the two of us will go through this never-ending happy life together.” ♥Happy End♥

Comment: Well, that’s the final chapter. ^^ The first half is dedicated to the others for us to know how they are doing. And, they are pretty much the same as before. Among all of them, it seems that Kujou is the one who has changed. ^^;; Maybe it is the haircut or how she doesn’t seem that overly clueless or overly irritated over Yanagi’s antics that it makes me wonder, is this Kujou? =P

The most amusing part is even if Yanagi and Kujou are super slow in getting together, they beat everyone in getting married. =P Fujimoto and Miyabe have money issues but the others, they just haven’t found their partners. For the senpais, I guess they are seemingly too ‘nerdy’. Even if it is practical to live together, it might not be viewed positively by some women. Actually, they might become too satisfied with the arrangement.

I guess it is an open ending for Souma and Tachibana. They cannot stand each other yet they are probably the only ones who know the other’s real selves. ^^; It’s actually something that even if their relationship is like that, they still keep in touch. So for them, the search is still on.

Yanagi is pretty much the same as before in regards to Kujou. It really makes me think that he is the ‘girl’ in this series. He practically did everything for the wedding when usually, the girls are the ones who are excited about that. =P For Kujou, it seems like a hassle and she isn’t fussy about it.

Still, Yanagi is the type who’ll complain over whatever Kujou wants so it is a wise decision to let him do everything. Anything will do for Kujou and this is a very special day for Yanagi. Apparently, it was also a lot of trouble for Yanagi to propose to Kujou. ^^; I think he should have directly told her than go for hints. ^^;;

Anyway, I think he can rest easy for there won’t be any more of that in married life. It helps that Kujou is slowly becoming aware of such things. So, it is a ‘dream comes true’ for Yanagi. He wins the ‘Last Game’ and to cap things off, he decides to continue the ‘game’ but this time around, Kujou knows about it. But like before, they both ‘win’. ^^

Overall, I think this series is more on comedy with the usual antics repeating over and over until the end. The romance is pretty nice when it appears. It can seem a bit dragging at times especially Kujou’s cluelessness. But as I said, it is more on comedy so that will be quite entertaining if you’re into that kind of thing.

For me, I cannot help think that it is like that Looney Tunes cartoon of the Coyote and the Roadrunner. That seems appropriate with all the chasing. =P The coyote’s antics kept on failing that I start to feel sorry for it. ^^; It is the same with Yanagi. It does seem like they were all mean to him but then, at times, he is asking for it. ^^;

Nevertheless, unlike the cartoon, Yanagi gets his dream come true like any other shoujo series wherein the girl finally gets the guy. In a way, it is a gender reverse and can make things different than the usual. It isn’t always that we get to see a guy crying over a confession, asked to be pinched for it must be a dream and crying on the wedding day. ^^

So, thank you everyone for reading my summaries for this series ^^ Scans by 红莲汉化组

“For better or for worse,” we pledge, through sickness and through strife; and by the help and grace of God We’ll keep these vows for life.   Love is more than a feeling; it’s a commitment. ~ D. De Haan from Our Daily Bread