Namaikizakari [Chapter 57]

Abe comments that those two are always like that. While Shou wipes his sweat with a towel, Himiko shouts that there is only one minute left of break time. Narration: With a score of 102 vs 97, the new Ryuhoku club smoothly broke out of the first fight. In the next competition, they must remain calm as they face the adversity in order to successively win...

...Continuing last year, this year’s Ryuhoku also attained the right to participate in the Kanto tournament-- *there is a sign in the school about the men’s basketball club getting into the Kanto tournament* ...happy is only for a moment, and besides, quibbling [/having a contest with] has begun again.”

On the bed, Yuki is using a pillow to stop Shou’s advances on her. She asks if this is a joke, and better quit while he’s ahead. Shou says that she was the one who first seduced him. She is puzzled so he explains that didn’t she say, ‘is there something that you want me to do for you’.

Yuki angrily shouts that isn’t what she meant. Shou looks surprised that Yuki asks what’s up with that expression, are you stupid... Yuki recalls that she did ask that to Shou and in the end, as expected, he didn’t give her a proper answer.

Flashback to a while ago, Yuki was asking if there is something he needs her help in, before the tournament, like doing something for him. He answered that if it is okay right now. She said that if it is okay, whatever it is. End flashback.

Yuki thinks that it felt that he seemed to once again change the topic. Shou asks what it meant if it isn’t that kind of meaning. Yuki says some ordinary thing that can help cheer him up more. Shou says a double bed. She tells him something else besides that.

He says legless chair. She asks why all of those things he mentioned are for him to hang out here. He asks if she doesn’t want him to hang out here. He snuggles on her and says it turns out that she doesn’t want to stay together with him. Yuki is freaking out that he is using a cat-like voice [<- pleading cat?].

She nervous tells him that this isn’t the time to hang out in someone else’s house. She asks if he is getting a bit carried away since they are third in the preliminary ranking. He asks how he can get himself carried away over that kind of thing. “THAT GUY is first place in the preliminaries.”

At Misuzu’s gym, Shizuka gets a basket in when they have a ten minute break. A member calls out to Shizuka, as the captain who smoothly led Misuzu to advance in the competition but has no female votes even if he’s handsome, to give him the Kanto tournament’s divisions list. Shizuka scolds him that he’s noisy to death.

While looking at paper, Shizuka thinks that they aren’t grouped together with Ryuhoku in the small divisions but then, they also didn’t encounter them during the preliminaries. “But, it is only that guy whom I absolutely cannot lose to. ...no, *recalls Yuki smiling at him* I cannot lose to anyone.”

At Osaki’s canteen, while ordering some food, Yuki thinks that Shou basically isn’t willing to take the initiative to tell her what he wants her to do for him. She believes that he absolutely does not want to let her see his weak side. Yuki imagines that he would just say that there’s nothing she can do for they already have a manager.

She has to definitely think of it clearly by herself. [<- or, that is, he’ll just think of it himself]. Just then, she apologizes to someone who is also getting a drink in the same machine. The woman also apologized. After they look at each other, Yuki nervously realizes that it is Usami-san [neighbor who saw that scene of Shou on top of her] and wonders why she is here.

Sitting on the table with Yuki, Usami-san covers her face and says no, she really wants to get along with her neighbor but she quickly did that super rude thing, and she thought that even if Yuki moved out, she also doesn’t want to see her again.

She screams that she was even talking to herself about that ‘I won’t ever again go on a group date with band members again’, extremely shameful words. Yuki says wasn’t it hairdressers. Usami-san screams that she is already very ashamed yet she’ll even have to correct her with that truth.

Yuki says that she’s quite startled that Usami-san is an Osaki student. Usami-san tells her that she knew earlier on that she’s from this university. Yuki was shocked so Usami-san explains that she went home early on the day of the opening ceremony because she has something to do. Then, she saw Yuki gathering those Osaki flyers scattered on the floor.

Yuki thinks so that’s the reason why she looks so awkward when she was striking a conversation with her. Just as Yuki is about to eat her ramen, Usami-san asks if her boyfriend is a host [/male prostitute]. This made Yuki splash the bowl into her face.

After coughing, Yuki asks why... Usami-san explains that it is because she saw him wearing a uniform at that time. Yuki tells him that isn’t a uniform, but rather, a high school uniform. Usami-san screams that she is going steady with a high schooler when Yuki obviously have such a serious face. Yuki says yes, and this has nothing to do with her appearance.

Darkly looking at her, Usami-san asks isn’t he very lewd and is she okay. Yuki thinks that she’s just a bewildering person when she is obviously a beauty. Just then, Suwa passes by and says that Yuki also has daytime class today, he’ll be going ahead.

After Yuki greets him back, Usami-san darkly asks if she knows Suwa. This made Yuki asks her if she also knows him. Yuki is startled when Usami-san grabs her hand and says that she sincerely asks her to introduce them. Yuki asks if she likes him. Usami-san exclaims of course, it would be better to say that the first year university students practically have a good impression of him. Yuki asks is that so.

Usami-san exclaims that Yuki’s out. [<- not included because she has a bf?] Yuki thinks but wait, what about that incident during the hanami [when he got slapped] perhaps, it is a girl’s jealousy. Usami-san is already saying that it is Saturday tomorrow, so how about it.

At the convenient store’s staff room, Yuki asks Suwa if he has a girlfriend. He says no. She tries to tell him something but Suwa asks if she had a change of heart and has fallen in love with him. Yuki says no, about that...she saw him with that girl at the hanami. Suwa says no, no, that girl has a boyfriend...

Yuki replies, then, why... While holding the door knob and cornering her, Suwa says that in short, he likes girls who have boyfriends. Yuki looks stunned. Suwa suddenly laughs over that kind of frank disgusted expression. Yuki snaps out of it.

Suwa says that it’s a joke and she’s a good girl. He goes out to tell the manager that his break is over. The manager asks him to help him with some things. Yuki thinks that his tempo for a joke is too fast that she totally didn’t catch up to it.

Well, in short, this is good news for Usami-san. On Saturday, Shou was waiting at the side when he sees Yuki coming out of the convenient store with Suwa. The two were talking about the place and time to meet Usami-san. Shou is looking very dark and serious.

At a restaurant, while emitting a feminine aura, Usami-san introduces herself and apologizes for forcing him to come over. She says that a 2 on 2 is better but then, Yuki-chan already has a boyfriend. Yuki is surprised over how fast Usami-san is when she is already calling her by her name [rather than the surname which means they’re close].

Suwa asks if Usami-san has a boyfriend. With hearts, Usami-san exclaims that she dosen’t. Suwa laughs and says that her voice is so loud. He says that she’s so beautiful that she’s definitely very popular. Usami-san says no, no, not really.

While drinking and observing them, Yuki thinks that their interaction is quite amazing even if they met for the first time. Her cellphone beeps. It is a message from Shou which said, ‘behind you’. Yuki is puzzled then she becomes dark as she glances at the back to see Shou looking really gloomy.

Yuki is terrified. She wonders why he is here, and is it just morning practice today. She had obviously told him that there’s no need to wait for her at work. She wonders what he is glaring at, is it Suwa again and he is misunderstanding something again. Shou stands up and walks away. Thinking that he’s going to the toilet, Yuki excuses herself and says that she’ll make a phone call.

After Yuki left, Suwa asks what’s Usami-san’s relationship with Yuki. Usami-san says that actually they know each other by chance as neighbors but then, it is the first time they properly talked with each other yesterday. Usami-san asks him if Yuki is working with him.

Suwa says yes, but the real first time when they’ve met is really awkward. She asks what he meant by that. Suwa says that he made a move on a girl who has a boyfriend and in the end, it was noticed by the boyfriend. “I told her, I want to see your boyfriend and for us, all three, to chat together...

...In the end, she said, ‘I’m afraid that I don’t want to’ then she gave me a slap! It is that kind of scene.” Usami-san’s smile freezes and thinks that he’s such a scum. Meanwhile, Yuki is walking at the hallway. She wonders where Shou went. Shou grabs her then pulls her to him.

Shou says that he caught her. She pushes him away and asks what he is doing. He says that is his line and how come she went out with that guy and how come their relationship is quite intimate. Yuki exclaims that she is only introducing him to someone else, and by the way, why is he looking at Suwa as if he is a thorn on his side.

Shou says that it is because... He looks away that Yuki asks...‘because’ what. Looking away, Shou mutters that guy is a bit similar to Kido. This surprises Yuki and she angrily thinks that he’s more stubborn that she imagined, and how many past incidents was he worrying about... She tells him that they aren’t a bit the same.

Shou says that it is a bit the same. She asks if he is always very bothered about this kind of thing. He says not only that. He hugs her tight. She asks, what... Shou says that he hates that guy. Yuki says that she knows that already but first let her go before someone...

Shou tells her to first try and kiss him. This made her blush and whisper if he’s an idiot, this is a store. Shou says that didn’t she ask him if there is anything that she can do for him. She says that she’s talking about decent things.

He says that it is super decent and if she kisses him, he’ll really give everything for the Kanto tournament. Yuki smacks him and angrily shouts if he is making a scene. She thinks that she was obviously seriously thinking about what she can do that can really help him. “Could it be that there’s nothing that I can do---”

Walking away, Yuki says, ...but they also had properly practiced and besides, they have Himiko around. “Even if I’m not around, you guys can win.” Shou calls out to Yuki. He looks at Yuki’s back and recalls a girl in junior high uniform saying, “---hey, Shou. Even if I’m not around, you’ll also be totally alright.”

Shou suddenly grabs Yuki’s hand which startles her. Thinking that it hurts, Yuki asks what it is. He lets her hand go and says that it is nothing. Shou says that he’ll be absent starting tomorrow up to, before the start of the tournament. He turns to leave and says that he’ll go home first today.

She wants to call him yet is puzzled over his reaction. Shou passes by Usami-san and she glances at him. Yuki thinks that it seems that once again, she missed something. On the way home, Usami-san thanks Yuki for today. Yuki says that it is nothing. She asks how Suwa was, did they get along.

Usami-san says that he is a good guy but he is a bit of a scum. Yuki exclaims in disbelief and says, no way. Usami-san says no, even if she isn’t clear about it but it always feel... Both of them simultaneously say, ‘an unpredictable person’. The two look at each other.

Yuki thinks that they have reached into a strange point and she mentally apologizes to Suwa for thinking that way. Usami-san says that even if he’s a bit unpredictable but she super loves his face and she wants to be friends with him. Yuki thinks that Usami-san is very blunt like her younger sisters.

Usami-san mentions about Yuki’s boyfriend being there just now. She asks if they have a falling out. Looking a bit troubled, Yuki says no, it’s okay. She wonders why she said those words, ‘even if I’m not around, you guys can win’. She thinks that it seems that there is something that Shou wanted to say just now, and she merely wants to lend him a helping hand.

Usami-san looks at glum Yuki then says, about that... “Do you want to become friends? *Yuki looks surprised* By fate, we are neighbors and we also are in the same year [students] in the same school. Ah, seriously saying this kind of words might possibly be a bit awkward but it is probably better like this, we can share each other’s worries.”

Yuki blushes a bit and says okay. There is a scene of Shizuka riding the train, Suwa walking in the streets and Shou looking at a poster which says that there are 10 more days before the Kanto tournament. Narration: “A strong fierce spring wind is zipping by and caressing our faces.”

Comment: So, Usami-san will indeed become Yuki’s friend and will most likely advise her on some things, but hopefully good advice regarding love life. I’m saying that because it seems that Usami-san doesn’t have any luck in that department but then, ya, perhaps, she is better at it if it is about someone else.

The mangaka did mention that Usami-san is actually modeled after a friend. She’s a beauty but her actions aren’t quite like one would think a beauty would have like, tripping on batteries, or mistakenly going into the men’s room even if she isn’t drunk.

About the couple, Yuki is still not into the lovey-dovey. She is preoccupied in wanting to help Shou in something else aside from lovey-dovey. And, I guess for Shou, lovey-dovey is enough for him. Hm...since he doesn’t seem to be fed up with her usual reactions to his advances, does that mean he’s a M or he likes that kind of hard-to-get type?

Based on that flashback, most likely his ex-girlfriend, also wanted to do something for him-kind of thing but since Shou isn’t likely to show his weak side, made the girl think that he’ll be okay without her. It was the same with Yuki. So, is Shou’s predicament is falling for those type of girls when there are so many other girls who would gladly give him the lovey-dovey stuff that he wants?

Or perhaps, he seems too perfect/capable that it makes the girl feel unneeded/unwanted. That is bad if the girl has a bit of self-confidence issues. So, I guess this means that we’ll know soon what went wrong with his previous relationship and he’ll try to prevent it from happening again. Ah, if it isn’t connected with Yuki, perhaps, that line might meant the girl had passed away ^^;;

As for Shizuka, it seems that he is using Yuki as his source of inspiration to be number one. Ah, is he just Shou’s motivation to win the basketball games so he’s still in the story? Suwa, I’m not too sure what to think. It is still possible that he’s gay if this is comedy but then, if this is a more ‘serious’ thing, he might be a girlfriend stealer.

Strangely enough, he’s very blunt in telling that to Usami-san. Is he deliberately making her be turned off from him? Most of the time, someone won’t tell that to a stranger, or rather, someone whom he’ll most likely encounter again. Yet, if we go by some back story, it might be because something similar had happened to him before? Someone stole his girlfriend?

Well, currently, he is the source of Shou’s jealous. Maybe it is Shou’s gut feel that is telling him that Suwa is bad news. Or, it is just his jealousy is making him think that he’s similar with Kido. That little bit might just be ‘a senpai who into basketball’? ^^; . And if we go by pairings, Suwa might be paired up with Usami-san in the end.

The last line seems to be hinting on trouble ahead but I think Shou will get his kiss soon. The question would be, will it happen before, during or after the game =P It will be a big thing for Shou if it is a public kiss. Well, I’m getting ahead of myself. The two will have to resolve things a bit regarding this ‘how to help you in a way that doesn’t involve lovey-dovey’ issue. Scans by 红莲汉化组

Don't judge someone based on their appearance. Looks can be deceiving. ~ Author Unknown