Notices:
A. FAQ about the Blog
1. If you're going to post any of the content here on other sites, please credit by at least putting a link back to this site.
2. Do not hotlink the images!!
3. I won't upload the pictures if the photobucket album 'exploded' because of exceeding bandwidth. Just wait for a month or until it is reset by photobucket.
4. Scans are in the title links below, just click the title of the series. If it isn't there, then it isn't uploaded in public sites yet. Those that are not in public sites are usually found in BW Forum = membership required.
5. This is an old blog so no tags nor feeds. Just use the search engine provided below and hopefully, you'll find the past summary you are looking for. Google helps, too ^^
6. Teasers are from Jap raws, not meant to be accurate because I can't read Japanese.
B. Tagboard: Rules for Ban
1. Do not use 'Kat' as your username on the tagboard else I'll think you did it with malicious intent.
2. Do not flood the tagboard with the same post.
3. Do not spam especially advertisements.
* Do not type one/short sentences per line because it is like spamming. Just fill up the line in the tagboard before pressing enter.

About this blog:
I usually write about the manga that I'm currently reading. At times, I write about the anime I watched. Since it is hard to share and talk my thoughts about a certain manga series when people don't know about it, I tend to summarize them from Chinese scanlations so beware, this blog is filled with spoilers and they are not 100% perfect. Feel free to point out my mistakes. Occasionally, I would blog about myself and other misc. things.

Layout Credits:
Diamond Beat pic is from Betsucomi's Official page. The quote's author is unknown. Edited in Photoshop CS2. The background is from GRSites. Fujoshi Kanojo's Yuiko is from Tuku.cc Pleinair by Takehito Harada is from JumpC. Gin and Pleinair edited and animated in Photoshop. Moyashimon germ and Rabi gif are taken from ikunlun forum. Onion is from BW forum. VBR's Ageha is scanned by Amyangel19910323. SB! gif from lynncomic in baidu and Yoru Cafe chibis are from Petit official page. Akuma to Love Song pic in latest entries is from Margaret official page

V.B. Rose

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Past Dreams:
2009

01/20/03 - 02/20/03

Blog by pitas

Image hosting by Photobucket, Hotlink Files, Imageshack, and Xtupload.

Manga pics from
Sky-fire, 17kk, hrcomic, 89890& BW Forum.

Most of the Quotes are from
Quote Garden, ThinkExist & Our Daily Bread

Free Talk: About the Summary Pictures
Saturday, September 5, 2009

Ah..I’ve been trying out some new image servers aside from photobucket which kept on ‘exploding’. ^^; It seems that in other servers, they would lock out the pictures per day if I exceeded the bandwidth for the day instead of per month. I belatedly notice that Mei-chan no Shitsuji’s pictures aren’t there anymore. ^^; So, I’ll check it out tomorrow if the pictures are still there before I change the links again/use a different server. ^^ Sorry for the ‘missing’ images throughout the blog ^^; I can’t be picky since they are just free image servers and my visitors have increased that the bandwidth of the servers can't handle it. It's somewhat like a good news and bad news thing. =P Aside from that, there are some people who are hotlinking the images =( Hehe, and it’s somewhat like becoming ‘first come first see’ the pictures before they’ve gone ‘missing’. ^^;; Oh well..please bear with it..thank you. ^^

Akuma to Love Song [Chapter 51]
Saturday, September 5, 2009

While walking at the streets, Shintaro continues to pull Maria who keeps on telling him to let her go. Since he won’t listen, Maria forcibly pulls her hand from his grip. Shintaro turns around and tries to hold her hand again but she keep on moving her hand away from his reach. He seems to try to touch her face or something that soon, Maria is moving her head left, right and away from him. She is startled when Shintaro moves really close to her face and asks if she is angry. Backing away, Maria answers that she isn’t angry but they are not that quite familiar with each other wherein he can just hold her hand. Shintaro tells her that physical contact is an important method of ‘interacting’ and he just wants to understand her more. Maria tells her that there are other ways to do that, while not touching. Shintaro asks like what. Maria says like talking and she isn’t used to physical contact. Shintaro says, okay which puzzles Maria. Shintaro suddenly shouts, ‘ah’ towards something at her back. Maria turns around and asks what it is. She turns towards Shintaro again and says that there is nothing to it but she is surprised that Shintaro is now touching her cheek with his finger. [Hehe, pretty clever of him =P and it’s quite cute, too.] This made Maria angry that she is about to leave but Shintaro stops her. He apologizes and asks her to not refuse to ‘interact’ with him. Shintaro grabs her shoulder and turns her around to face him. He shouts that he knows already, it’s okay to just look. He tells her to just look at him and they’ll talk that way first for her to get used to him. Maria sighs. Shintaro smiles and says that her arm where he is holding her has relaxed so that means that she has lowered her guard against him. He tells her that by touching, although they aren’t talking, they can also ‘exchange’ feelings. Blushing a bit, Maria says that she still doesn’t understand. Shintaro says that she does understand. “Don’t you always wanted to touch Meguro-sempai?”

Blushing, Maria exclaims when she did. Shintaro tells her that he always seen it during the marathon [back-to-back leaning on each other while sitting] and at the start of school [hi-five]. Maria can’t deny it. Shintaro says that it is just a coincidence and there is nothing to be embarrassed about it because it is natural for someone who loves another person, to want to touch, hug, and H. Maria exclaims, ha? Shintaro tells her that it seems that she is anxious or perhaps, she has some kind of fear. “You’re obviously quite frank but you’re also a bit timid and those two are the extremes [of each other] so I’m always concerned about you.” Maria looks a bit thoughtful then says that it is because she can’t quite grasp the distance between herself and other people. She doesn’t know up to what degree is it okay regarding how near she should be to that person so when she isn’t conscious of it, she might have gotten ‘too near’. “I’m very afraid that I’m very slow-witted.” This surprises Shintaro. Blushing a bit, Maria thinks that she would relax a bit if Shin would just forgive her after what she did at that time <- suddenly hugging him. Maria sweatdrops when Shintaro smiles at her and says, “Kawai-sempai, you’re so kawaii*” [*cute/lovely in Japanese] Shintaro says that she is someone who easily feels lonely. He tells her that her kind of love is the deep type so she definitely has some ‘stalker tendencies’. Maria is flustered that she protests. Shintaro asks if she has an objection to what he said when he is just praising her. “I’m the same, too. Even if others say that I’m slow-witted and I usually don’t know how to keep distance from others, but still, I don’t think that it is something to be ashamed about and it isn’t something bad.” This surprises Maria that at night, she kept on thinking about it even if she doesn’t really understand it all. She is surprised because it is like the ‘her’ in the mirror has came out.

At school, Maria is surprised when Shintaro greets her while she is still in the shoe lockers. People are staring at them as he walks her to her classroom. When some guys try to take her picture on their cellphones, Shintaro takes the cellphones and tells them that it is forbidden to take pictures. During lunch, Shintaro tells Maria that they go eat lunch together. Maria tries to protest. While looking at them, Yuusuke tells Shin that Shintaro usually goes there during lunch breaks. He asks Shin if Shintaro doesn’t realize the ‘year/grade’ gap. [As in he is a freshman and they are sophomores so they usually don’t socialize] Shin slams his juice on the table and says that Shintaro isn’t conscious of that. Yuusuke tells him that he has asked around the freshmen and it seems that Shintaro isn’t very popular among the freshmen. Yuusuke says that it isn’t like they are bullying Shintaro but rather, it seems that they make it a point to avoid Shintaro. Shin just sarcastically says that no wonder he’s Yuusuke for he already has a good relationship with their kouhai-s. Yuusuke wonders if he just mentioned Shin’s ‘weak point’. Shin then looks a bit flustered. While walking at the hallway with Maria and Tomoyo, Shintaro tells him that he’ll accompany her to the canteen if she is going there. Maria tells him that he’s unlucky because she already agreed to eat lunch with Tomoyo. Tomoyo sweatdrops and asks if they did agreed to that. Shintaro asks why it is like that for he told her that he’ll be her bodyguard. Maria turns around and tells him that he’s annoying. Maria sweatdrops when Shintaro says that’s good, for her to be strict like that. They were interrupted when three delinquent looking third year students ask for Shintaro. Shintaro asks what the matter is. They say that for a freshman like him, he attracts too much attention so they would want to talk with him. Shintaro goes with them. After they left, Maria follows after them. Tomoyo protests but Maria tells her that she is just going to see the situation and tells Tomoyo to go on ahead. Tomoyo tells her that it’s dangerous but Maria says that it’s alright. Tomoyo runs off somewhere while Maria goes to the roof where Shintaro and others are. Tomoyo quickly calls out to Yuusuke and Shin and tells them that Maria followed Shintaro who is called out by some third year students to the roof. Maria thinks that Shintaro should be able to cope with it by himself but then, if it is her, during those times, she will be happy if someone came for her. “What would Kurosu Shintaro think?” Shintaro is surprised to see her while the third years are physically bullying him.

To Maria’s surprise, Shintaro asks, “Why did you come!” Totally snubbing the third year students, Shintaro tells her that he already decided to get himself beaten up then kneel down then ask for mercy but Maria came so he can no longer do it too submissively. Maria says that she doesn’t think that it’s submissive. Just then, Yuusuke and others also arrive. Bumping the third year student off him, Shintaro approaches Maria tells her that she really doesn’t understand things one bit. “Guys would want to look cool in front of girls so, for a guy to kneel down and ask for mercy is such a miserable thing. Don’t you think what you did is unnecessary? Or, were you thinking of saving me? Didn’t you think that you will only be a burden?” Maria backs away from him and apologizes for doing such unnecessary things. Shintaro exclaims, so it’s true. Maria shouts that if she knew that he’ll be this angry then she shouldn’t have come. Shintaro answers back that is what he just said. Yuusuke and Shin just look at them. One of the third year students gets angry since they were snubbing them. He prepares to punch [Maria, I think] so Shintaro quickly protects her by making the punch hit his face instead. Shintaro mutters if they are satisfied. Maria asks if it hurts. Cold-looking Shintaro says that it is because she came. The third year student shouts that it isn’t finished yet for he pushed the girl aside. Maria thinks that Shintaro’s grip on her shoulder hurts and it conveyed to her the feeling of anger – that intense feeling of wanting to protect her. Shintaro punches the third year student that gave him a bleeding nose. The other third year student asks if he wants a fight for there are still more of them. Yuusuke happily asks that on their side, there is also some who also would want to fight. He tells Maria to go where Tomoyo is and go back down for they will take care of those three guys. “That way, we can give it all out as much as we want.” Tomoyo tensely waves for Maria to quickly go to her. Yuusuke tells the third year students that Shin can also fight and this way, it will be more fair fight. He then laughs and apologizes to them for being a bit arrogant. The third year students decide to back off and decide to forgive them this time. After they left, Shintaro says that he is saved. Maria looks at him then touches his bruised face. “I’m really sorry. Thank you.” Shintaro blushes and Shin’s eyes widen. =P Shintaro tells her that it’s great that she isn’t injured. Maria notices that his face suddenly feels warm [from blushing] and realizes that it’s true that through touch, one can understand some things. Maria then says so that’s how it is, he is angry because he is worried about her. Shintaro tells Maria and Tomoyo that he is good in fighting but it is just troublesome. Yuusuke holds his neck while looking at them. Shin is looking at them, too, but his expression isn’t shown. Maria thinks that maybe she doesn’t need to be cautious and just touch the other person and it will gradually get to that hugging stuff.

So, aside from this arc being Shintaro’s introduction, I guess it will start on Maria learning how to ‘touch’ in order to ‘communicate’ and well, later on, she might overcome her phobia for ‘hugging’. Even if Shin’s ‘calm’ is slightly shaken up, he still doesn’t do anything when Shintaro is obviously ‘moving in’. I guess he is lucky that Maria isn’t the fickle type else, and just like what Shintaro noticed, she loves very deeply. Even if they are somewhat alike, I think Shintaro tend to be unrelenting. I mean, if it is Maria, if she was told that she’s annoying, she might back off. Well, actually, it’s only towards Shin because she can be like that, too. I’m thinking that what Shintaro is doing with Maria is pretty much what Maria did with Anna before..in a way. =P So far, their interactions has been quite cute and it makes Shintaro a formidable love rival. I think Shintaro will be hanging around with them more since he can’t get along with anyone else. Last chapter, it’s the freshmen and now, the third years..they’re the only ones left now. ^^; I guess just like Maria, he doesn’t cower to bullying. Also, I think Yuusuke is just bluffing about joining in the fight because even if Shin can fight, aren’t a pianist’s hands important? Hehe, I do think that Shintaro is much more of a stalker than Maria but then, he is beginning to reap the things he wanted to happen. Maria is lowering her guard and well, she even touched him voluntarily. Will he get to have ‘more rewards’ by just keep on sticking around with Maria like a leech and using a bodyguard as an alibi or will he get his hand burned for pushing his luck? =P Scans by 星空ツ泪 and yukitokaji in BW.

Word of the day
Are you in the middle of a challenge? Remember, God can provide help from unexpected sources. ~ Dennis Fisher of Our Daily Bread

Mei-chan no Shitsuji [Chapters 66-69]
Friday, September 4, 2009

[I guess some of you already know but for those who don’t, The One won’t be released as scheduled on September 5. According to mellylemon, it might be out next month because right now, the author has a health problem. Well, let’s start the summary ^^]

Mei hopes that Rihito can hit the ball and he did. Kento shouts for Mei to run. Shinnosuke shouts to guard the bases but American guy is sleeping so Rihito easily walks to that base. Someone shouts to Irufan [Arabian guy] to touch Mei in order to defend the base. Irufan thinks of it maliciously since he is acting like a pervert. ^^; Mei flirts with him the quickly slides to the second base. Everyone is cheering. Rihito comments that it is now Kento’s turn to show what he is capable because this is the duel that he chose. Kento thinks that there is no need for Rihito to tell him about it because he already knows. Kanata tells Kento that he can’t win against him because he is now serious. Kento strikes out the first try. Izumi comments that Kanata isn’t the same before. Kento is pressured that if he lost, Mei will go with Kanata. Then, Kento strikes out again. Kento begins to lose confidence and wonders if he can’t win because this guy is Mei’s soulmate. He snaps out of it when Mei calls out to him and gives him an encouraging pose. He realizes that Mei didn’t falter at all. He remembers that before, they still continue to fight even if the situation is really bad. In the end, Kento manages to hit the ball..home run? Mei and Kento are at the airport to bid Kanata goodbye. Kento tells him to continue on playing baseball but Kento says he can’t because he is already a third year student. Kanata asks Mei again that it isn’t too late to leave the school and he is worried about her. Mei seems to see her former self beside Kanata as Kanata and her former self say, “Go back. Back to your life before.” Her former self tells her that she is suddenly made into an ojou-sama and she can’t do it because there are too many dangers and things that she hate. Mei agrees with her but then, there are things that she can only do while she is that position so she won’t just abandon it half-way [after the duel before with Shiori for the position]. Kanata protests that it is dangerous there. Mei tells him not to worry because she has really ‘strong’ butlers. Mei asks, “Right?” Kento says, “Ah..yes.” Kanata doesn’t seem to believe that as he glances at Kento and asks, “Really..?”

Kento exclaims not to look down at a butler has undergone a lot of training. Kanata starts laughing. Kento angrily asks why he is laughing. Kanata says that it is because he heard before that Kento really hates butlers. This surprises Kento that he asks where he heard that from. Kanata says that he is envious of them who have found what they wanted to do that they are willing to discard other things like school/normal life for it. He tells them to take care. Mei shouts that he’ll definitely find his ‘purpose’, too. Kanata, together with former Mei, rides in the helicopter and thanks her. After the helicopter left, Kento asks if this is okay. Mei asks what he meant by that. Kento says that this might be the last chance for her to go back to her former life. Mei just smiles and asks Kento, what about him, does he want to go back to a normal high school life. Kento says that he finds this kind of life more interesting. Mei says, “Me, too.” Kento turns around to see Rihito standing nearby. Kento asks when he is there. Rihito tells him to cherish his school day memories because it is something that he didn’t have. Mei wonders out loud about hoping their hometown to have a professional baseball team so that Kanata can join. Her butlers look at her and Rihito is smiling. At her hometown, Kanata is walking at a field with a girl who asks him what happened after he took a break from school. Kanata can’t answer because Sister Rose threatened him not to tell anyone or else. Then, they met a man who is going to recruit him to play professional baseball. Kanata tries to protest but he realizes that this is Mei’s doing so in the end, he seems to accept it because the girl with him reminds him of her friend who is always grabbing opportunities. He also remembers Mei telling him that she wanted to be the number 1 oujousama that Rihito wants her to be. Kanata mutters the word, opportunity. In the last scene, Chinese butler is playing tarot cards and says about leaving the past and thinking of the future. While holding a death card, he says “Hongo Mei is really interesting. Just like what that white butler said.”

In Mei’s room, Kento crosses the picture of Kanata. He says that with four fiances left, if they dispose one per three days, then things will finish within two weeks. He notices that Mei looks depressed. Kento asks why she is like that and she shouldn’t worry. Rihito calls out to Kento then tells Mei that they will check up on her grandfather’s condition if they have an opportunity. Mei cheers up. Kento is a bit depressed since Rihito understand Mei that much. Kento’s cellphone suddenly rings. He apologizes to Mei and says that he’ll go out to answer the phone. Mei is a bit surprised by this and the other ojousama-s tell her that is really suspicious. They say that judging from Kento’s reaction, it is definitely that <- his girlfriend. Mei tells them that it is impossible for who would want that kind of guy. They start telling her of Kento’s good qualities. This seems to have troubled Mei a bit but she is angry that Kento wants to be her fiance when he already has a girlfriend. She tries to convince herself that there’s nothing bad about it. Rihito is looking at her in a way that the other butlers find interesting. Outside, Kento answers the phone and it turns out to be his grandfather whom he didn’t get to talk with for four years already. His grandfather says that it seems that Kento is lively. Kento apologizes for not contacting him because things aren’t finished there yet. His grandfather comments about the baseball game which he heard from Kanata. Grandfather is staying at their hometown. He asks how Mei is. Kento says that she is still lively. His grandfather says that with Rihito there, he can relax. Kento exclaims that he is also currently class A. His grandfather reminds him that it isn’t all about ranking but rather, who is the butler that is irreplaceable for the ojou-sama. While Kento says he knows that, he sadly thinks that even if he knows that. His grandfather asks him why he chose to be a butler rather than be a fiance. Kento says that he thinks that currently, he can be of more help to Mei if he is a butler. His grandfather just says, is that so. Kento tells him that first thing to do is for him and Rihito to drive those fiances away. To his surprise, his grandfather tells him that he doesn’t think that things will be that simple. Kento exclaims what he meant by that. After hanging up, Kento wonders what it meant by things aren’t the same as before. Kento suddenly turns around to see nerd guy nearby with his butler. Kento is surprised and puzzled when the nerd guy asks, “Do..you know the white butler?”

Daimon arrives and calls out to Kento that Sister Rose is looking for him and it seems like there is an emergency. Kento just shouts for nerd guy that they talk about that later on. He rushes off to Sister Rose’s office and sees Rihito standing in front of the door, too. Rihito asks Kento if he is called, too. Kento asks if something happened to Mei’s grandfather. Rihito didn’t reply. They knock and enter the office. Sister Rose is eating a snack and to their surprise, she didn’t call them. Elsewhere, Mei wakes up and is surprised to see Irufan looking at her. Mei asks why she has fallen asleep. Irufan happily says, “Ah, but of course—because I made you drink some sleeping pill at my tea party.” Mei exclaims in shock then realizes that she is wearing some cat costume. Irufan laughs and says that finally, the day has come for her to wear it. Mei sweatdrops and thinks that she already knew that guy is really awful but she didn’t expect it to be this awful to this extent. Mei says that she is going. Irufan says that she can but she should be careful. Mei freaks out for it turns out that she is in an airplane. Irufan asks his butlers how the progress is. They say that it is going smoothly. Irufan says that he wanted those Chinese people to be surprised. Back at the school, Daimon says that he just did what Irufan’s butlers told him. It seems that he wasn’t suspicious of them. Rihito asks them if Mei is with the other ojou-samas. After asking around, they learn from Tami and Kanzaki that Mei went to have tea with Irufan. Kento asks if she was ‘attracted’ by the cakes. Girlie prince and butler came to give them a note that they have found nearby. It’s a letter of challenge from Irufan for the Shibata brothers. It says that Mei is currently with him. “If you want to have her back, you have to search for her in this whole world. If within 72 hours, you found her, I’ll consider it as your victory. If you can’t find her, then I’ll make her as my first/crown princess.” Back at the plane, Mei is now wearing a maid uniform. Mei angrily shouts that this is kidnapping. Irufan just laughs and doesn’t take her seriously. Mei is furious about this kind of duel but Irufan just says that he finds a baseball game wherein one hits a small ball to be too annoying. Mei tells him that she won’t marry him for doing this kind of thing. He then pulls her to the bed/sofa. He tells her that he isn’t asking her to marry him because even if they aren’t married, he can still leave the impression of loving her dearly throughout her life. Mei is tense as Irufan starts to put his hand under her skirt. To Irufan’s surprise, she shouts, no. Irufan asks if she is a virgin since he thought that she does it with Rihito every night. Mei shouts that Rihito isn’t that kind of person. Irufan says who knows. Mei angrily shouts what he meant by that. He drops the subject and just says that the other party is just restraining himself.

They arrive at Irufan’s harem which is located in the middle of the desert. Mei is amazed at how beautiful the place is but she denies liking it when Irufan asks her about it. In the palace, Mei thinks that it is more gorgeous inside. Mei asks why there no one inside. Irufan tells him that when he reaches the age of 18 and formally becomes an adult, that place will be his and until then, it will be filled by beautiful women from around the world. Irufan tells her to relax because she is his first princess so he is going to prepare a more beautiful palace for her. Mei shouts that she doesn’t need it. Irufan asks why she isn’t satisfied for if it is her, he will give her everything that she wants and if there is anything that she wishes, he will help her fulfill it. Mei shouts for him to bring her back to Japan so that she can be with Rihito. He carries her and whispers that he’ll have her body obey him. Mei is surprised that his finger is touching her breast. Irufan orders his butlers to fix up the peacock room and prepare some scented oil. Mei shouts for him to let her go. Irufan says that no wonder she is an ojousama of the Hongo family because she won’t surrender because of force and money. “But what about being [sexually] aroused?” Irufan plans to arouse her in order to break her firm resolution to keep herself a virgin for Rihito. He throws her to the bed and ties her hands up. Irufan says that he feels sorry for Rihito who is with Mei all day and night yet wasn’t able to touch her or maybe that is Rihito’s interest. Irufan starts pouring the scented oil on her that Mei shouts for him to stop and calls him a pervert. Irufan touches her face and says that he isn’t the same for if he loves a woman, he’ll definitely ‘get her’. Mei tries to say stop while Irufan kisses her on the lips. Mei seems to have snapped that she kicks him away and shouts, “No!!” She unties her hands and wipes her mouth where he kissed her. She thinks that the first thing she should do is to contact Rihito. Irufan’s butlers enter the room because they have heard some noise. After checking it out, Zin [white haired butler] says that they should find Mei. Zaki [black haired butler] says that they should finish off Irufan first. Hiding near the curtain and a vase, Mei is surprised to hear that and to see Zin preparing to stab unconscious [from Mei’s kick] Irufan with a knife.

Back at St. Lucia Academy, Kento is furious about what that stupid Irufan did and it isn’t a duel, it is kidnapping. Kento tells Rihito to report this to the Hongo family but to his surprise, that they might be late if they do that. “I will bring Miss Mei back with my own hands. That’s right..when that time comes, it would mean that, that majesty’s time of death has also arrived.” Kento is a bit surprised at how dark Rihito has become [dark as in dark mood] and it is the first time he saw him like that. Rihito tells Kento to check out the GPRS on Mei’s clothes. Looking at a gadge, Kento realizes that it is still in school so he decides to check it out since there might be a clue even if she might not be there anymore as Nezu said. Rihito calls up someone from probably surveillance division of the Hongo family and learns that Irufan used an A390 plane from airos company. The man tells him that those who uses that kind of plane is limited. [There is a part which I don’t quite understand but something about spy intelligence and according to Chinese butler, Irufan’s butler, Zaki, is an expert in it.] Rihito darkly asks the man to prepare ‘Me-1’ for take-off and prepare enough firepower which can easily make a country disappear. He then laughs and says that he is kidding. The others think that he was really serious. [Hehe, Dark Rihito is fun =P] Izumi and others want to help them but Rihito turns down their offer by saying that this is their fight. They try to protest so Rihito tells them contact the Hongo family and the government if they have no news from him and his brother after 24 hours but until that time, they are to keep all of this a secret. Rihito prepares to go out. Chinese butler asks where he is going. Rihito says but of course to go to Mei’s side. Chinese butler says that is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Rihito says that the one who can find that needle in the haystack is a butler. Chinese butler wishes him luck. Rihito is a bit suspicious of Chinese butler. Kento calls Rihito and tells him that at Irufan’s room, there is a Mei-looking mannequin which is wearing Mei’s uniform at the door. Rihito asks if the GPRS is discovered. Kento shouts that even so, there is no need to strip Mei of her clothes. Kento is about to say something but Rihito has to answer a call.

The man from the surveillance division will be sending data about Irufan and the images their satellite has captured. Daimon apologizes to Kento and says if only he used his brain, this wouldn’t happen. Kento says that it isn’t his fault but that Irufan. His phone rings again. Rihito asks Kento what he is saying earlier. Kento asks about the possibility of Irufan going back to his home country. Rihito asks why he thought of that. Kento exclaims that if he is Irufan, the place where he would bring the girl would definitely be his harem. Rihito is speechless then laughs that he forgot that Kento and Irufan’s [pervert] nature are the same. This made Kento furious. He asks if Rihito knows where Mei is. On Rihito’s phone, there is a message wherein Mei is probably in Arabia. Rihito tells Kento to go to the dorm to prepare some summer clothes. Rihito hopes that Mei is safe and sound until he rescues her. Back at the harem, before Irufan is stabbed, he manages to hit the sword away. He asks what they are doing. The butlers tell him that they are just following the orders of Kalafu. Irufan realizes that it is all his brother’s doing. There is a ruckus and smoke as a vase is thrown at the direction of the butlers. Mei calls out to Irufan to quickly go to her. Zin tries to run after them but Zaki tells him that there is no rush because there is no place for them to run since that is in the middle of the desert and the one who knows the in and out of that palace isn’t Irufan but them, the butlers. In some place in the harem, Mei asks why the butlers want to kill him. Irufan says that it seems that they have betrayed him and sided with his older brother. Mei is surprised that he isn’t the oldest son. Irufan tells her that is the royal family’s implementation of ‘the last son succeeds the throne’ rule. That means the youngest son will inherit the family estate. As long as a younger brother is born [among the brothers], the heir will continue to change and the basis of this way of thinking is to prevent the heir from having too much power = cannot threaten the father’s position. Irufan tells Mei that his father is already 80 years old so he can’t bore any more children and it’s most definite that he’ll be the heir but then if he’s dead, his brothers will have a chance. He laments that the butlers who were tasked to protect him has betrayed him.

He seems to have given up hope that they’ll survive. Mei protests for they should get those butlers first before they get trashed by those butlers. Irufan says that it is useless because even if those two are just A class, Zin has ‘strength’ and Zaki has ‘intelligence’ so together, they are equivalent to a S class butler. The two butlers are currently looking for the two and have pinpointed the place in the harem where they would most probably be. Mei tells Irufan that they should call for help. She exclaims if he has a phone. Irufan says that there is no signal there. Mei wonders what to do when Irufan suddenly holds her hand. She is about to protest when Irufan says that there is no escape and they can’t fight back. He sadly tells her that if the butlers want to kill them, they won’t be able to resist so if they are going to die there, he hopes to [do it] with Mei before the end. He hugs her. Mei slaps him hard and shouts that he should easily say ‘death’/about dying. Irufan shouts that if he dies, people will only be happy and no one will grieve/sad. Mei says if there is no one then she will grieve for him. Irufan is surprised to see teary-eyed Mei. Now smiling, Irufan stands up and tells her to call him by his name just like his mother did. [She tends to call him ‘oil prince’.] Irufan’s butlers are puzzled as to why they aren’t there and they don’t think Irufan and Mei would risk going to the desert. Irufan packed some rations and tells her which direction to go in order to reach a city in a day’s travel. Mei asks where the camel is because deserts always have them. Irufan says there is one but it hasn’t been saddled before. Mei says that she is going to negotiate. Mei goes to the camel and does a cute Japanese girl way of asking it to let them ride. The camel blushes and negotiation is a success. [I don’t know if it is an in-joke or something but I think it is presumed that camels are ‘easily woo-ed by girls’. This has happened in One Piece, too.] Riding on a camel, Mei tells Irufan to ride on but Irufan says that he prepared stuff only for one person. Mei exclaims that they should prepare more, then. Irufan says that the butlers are only after him so if he stays there, then maybe they will let her go. Mei exclaims what foolish things he is talking about. Irufan holds her face and says, “If you die, then there is no one who’ll cry for me, right?” Irufan hits the camel for it to ride off with Mei who is shouting for him. Irufan just watches her go off but to his surprise, Mei is heading back. Mei kicks him and shouts, “Stop trying to act cool, you’re also coming!” =P While riding on the camel, Irufan shouts that they are going to the opposite way from the city. Mei says that if they head to the city, they will quickly be caught. Irufan protests that they will be heading to the desert and they only have water for one person. With a confident look, Mei says that it is alright. She hopes that Rihito would definitely find them.

Riding on a SUV through the highway in a desert, Kento asks his brother who is driving why didn’t they go directly to Arabia to find Irufan in ‘ME-1’ since it is faster than Irufan’s plane. Calling Kento stupid, Rihito tells him that if they did that then they will be discovered and the other party might change location so they are going to Arabia through the neighboring country. [Okay, it seems that the time of Rihito and Kento is a bit delayed because it seems that they are still chasing after Mei while they are in the plane in this part so Rihito mentioned that the direction might still change.] When Rihito says that he knows the final destination of Irufan, Kento exclaims if he knows where Irufan’s harem is located. Rihito darkly tells him that they are going to ask around. Kento sweatdrops and asks ask who. Rihito stops the car in front of a palace. Kento exclaims about it but Rihito calmly hopes that they aren’t too rude. Guards appear and tell them that it is forbidden to enter there. Kento knows this but he goes along with Rihito who charges inside while beating some people up. While running inside, Rihito gives Kento a push button switch. Kento wonders what it is for. Then, some guards aim guns at them and tell them to stop. Before they can fire, the man in charge named Salamu appears who welcomes them as butlers of the Hongo family and apologizes for their rudeness. [I don’t know if the translators changed the name of Kalafu to Salamu or both guys are entirely different persons but I think they are the same person.] Rihito apologizes for the rudeness but they are there for something important. Salamu says that his father is old and as the oldest son, he is currently holding two positions. Rihito decides to get to the point and asks him where is Irufan’s other villa. After a pause, Salamu apologizes and says that things regarding the royal family are a private matter and it is a top secret especially since Irufan is the next in line to the throne. He says that even if they are brothers, he isn’t quite sure where that place is. He offers them to rest a while from their long and tiring travel there. With a smile, Rihito whispers to Kento to ‘press’. Kento did as told by pressing the switch and wonders what it is for. Rihito is just darkly laughing. Something explodes in the desert. A man rushes in and tells Salamu about the explosion. Salamu asks if Rihito is the one who did that. Rihito just keeps on smiling and innocently denies it. He asks again where Irufan’s other villa is. Salamu shouts that he doesn’t know. Rihito whispers, ‘press’. Kento sweatdrops but still did as told. A man shouts that 13 oil fields have exploded. While Salamu and his men are frantic, Rihito keeps smiling and says, “I’m going to ask again, where is His majesty Irufan’s other villa?” Salamu is stuttering. Rihito darkly says, “Say it.” Soon, the siblings are riding the SUV again. Rihito says that it would have been best if Salamu just told them earlier about it. Kento nervously asks if Rihito just blew up some oil fields. Rihito plays innocent by asking what he is talking about when the one who pressed the button is Kento. Kento becomes nervous and speechless. Rihito then says that the villa is quite secluded since it is located in the middle of the desert. Kento is worried about Mei who is probably crying for him while Irufan is doing some of those stuff to her. “Wait for me! I’m going to save you right now! Mei..!”

It is night, Mei sneezes out loud. Author’s note says that Ojou-samas don’t sneeze out loud like that. Mei says that it is so cold when it is very hot during the day. Under a blanket to warm himself, Irufan calls out to her to come and sleep together with him. Mei asks why ‘together’. He says that it is because there is only one blanket. Mei says that he can use it for himself. Irufan says that the temperature of the desert night can drop to 0 degrees. Mei sweatdrops because she isn’t wearing enough clothes. Irufan happily tells her that he can help warm her up but Mei doesn’t trust him. Irufan notices this so he offers the blanket to her but since Mei doesn’t want that either, they ended up sharing it. Mei tells him not to dare do something else she’ll make him unable to talk for the rest of his life. Irufan wonders if that is a threat. He asks her what she is planning since they went towards the desert and not the city. Mei says that it shouldn’t be all sand for she hopes that there will be some sort of oasis somewhere. Irufan asks if she isn’t afraid of death because in this world, no one knows that they are in the desert and for them, they are just ‘playing hide and seek’. “So..why are you so calm..we don’t even have enough ration for the water is just enough for one person.” Mei says, “It’s alright. Rihito-san will definitely come and rescue me.” Irufan says that she will only suffer if she keeps on believing on a butler who doesn’t have any relation to her. Mei smiles and says that she doesn’t have any relation with Irufan either. [I guess he is talking about blood relation] Mei is firm for she still believes Rihito even if the situation is like that. Irufan tries to protest but Mei tells him that she believes that Rihito will come and she is just concerned about how to survive there for a longer time with a one person ration with a useless prince. Irufan exclaims that she is being rude for he is still royalty. Mei then remembers that they are halfway around the globe. She looks up the stars and points up. She exclaims that is the Big Dipper. Irufan says that they are in the north and he remembers that there is a mountain at the north. Mei happily says that now he has been promoted to be a useful prince. This made Irufan angry but he’ll forgive her for that. Mei decides that they shouldn’t sleep but travel during the night so that they’ll know which direction they would go and that way, they won’t be too cold. She rushes to wake up the camel. Irufan remembers Sister Rose telling her about St. Lucia from Italy whose name means ‘brilliance’ and training the girls there to be like Lucia. “No matter what her situation is, when it is, where it is, although dirtied [clothes] and scarred, she still won’t lose her brilliance. She will be forever shining in brilliance. Because, don’t you think that only that kind of person can be considered as a true ojou-sama?” Irufan blushes while looking at Mei and calls her name.

While riding on the camel, Mei asks what it is. Irufan says that it is nothing. He begins to worry that he is totally falling for Mei. Mei then asks his opinion if a guy already has a girlfriend, can he still calmly get married with someone else. After a pause, Irufan says okay, he’ll thoroughly break up with other girls when he returns. Mei exclaims what he is saying. Surprised, Irufan asks whom she is talking about. Slightly blushing, Mei says does it matter who it is. She is thinking of Kento who wanted to answer the phone outside. Irufan asks if it is Kento. This made Mei blush really red that she exclaims that she really doesn’t care if Kento has a girlfriend and she is just asking his opinion about that kind of situation. Mei thinks that her feelings are all a mess because of that, so when she was invited for tea, she is so anxious regarding Kento that she didn’t notice that something is in the tea. Mei thinks that it is all because of Kento that this had happened. The author’s note says, of course, it’s an alibi. She plans to ‘punish/scold’ him when she returns. Irufan wonders, “Could it be that this girl..the truth is..the one she likes isn’t the older brother..but the younger brother..?” Irufan thinks that no matter which is it, it doesn’t matter. Irufan tells Mei that he has found his reason to continue to live. Mei asks what it is. Irufan hugs her and says that only 50 hours left and he doesn’t think that her butlers will find them in time so she will be his. Mei shouts that at this situation, he is still talking about that. Irufan tells her that for everyone, one’s reason to live is different. Mei sweatdrops yet she agrees with him. At Irufan’s harem, his butlers still can’t find Irufan and Mei. Zin realizes that some equipment is missing so Irufan has probably still gone out the desert. Zaki tells him to quit saying foolish things for there’s no way for Irufan who grew up in the palace be escaping into the desert. He asks if maybe there is something wrong with the method how Zin searched the place. Zin angrily asks what he is implying for Zaki is only good in ordering around. This made Zaki shout back, what he just said. Zin is surprised when he heard someone laugh and asks if there is an internal dispute. Zin turns around while Zaki is still saying that it is because Zin is stupid so he should just listen to what he says. Zaki then asks why Zin isn’t replying and if he hears him. Zin looks surprised then nervously says that he heard him and right now, he is going to tell him about a method on how to punish this hiding devil. Pulling away the curtains, Dark Rihito is smiling at Zaki.

Hehe, I realized that I like Dark Rihito. Maybe it is because he is being S[adist] at others rather than usually bullying his younger brother. Kento is such a pushover. When told to ‘push’, he did as told. In court, who will have a graver crime, the mastermind or the one who did the deed? I guess it can’t be helped it since Rihito is really furious about Mei being kidnapped from under his care and he’s venting his frustration on others. =P Mei is totally cool, too, in these chapters. I think she made a wise decision to stay in that kind of life because with all the power and money, she can make a difference which she did by giving Kanata an opportunity to fulfill his dream. Just like Kento, I guess they think that even if it is dangerous-type of life but still, it is ‘different’ and more ‘interesting’ than living a normal high school life. It’s nice that Mei knows some self-defense moves. She can really kick =P I like the way she handled/talked with Irufan and also how she keep on believing that Rihito will save them. She’s really such an optimist and can use her brains. She is really on her way to becoming a true ojou-sama. I do wonder if the author is teasing us when it is being implied that Mei could actually like Kento and not Rihito because she is really bothered about the possibility of Kento having a girlfriend. As for Irufan, it’s hard to feel sorry for this guy so it is amazing that Mei seems to let him off the hook after everything that has happened. Maybe after this incident, he won’t be acting too spoiled anymore and learn to be more responsible so that others would admire so he would gain loyal butlers who would not betray him. Well, it seems that the fiances are indeed more trouble than what they seem to be and it is really different from that baseball game before. Since Irufan seems to be the ‘tame’ type, it makes me wonder what the others have in plan for Mei and her butlers especially that Chinese butler. Also, I’m curious about this white butler talk. The only white butler in this series is Shinobu. At first, I thought that they are recruiting Kento to be one or something like that. I tend to think that white butlers are those who loyally serve their ladies whom they have unrequited love. =P Maybe they are out to avenge him or something. Anyway, I think we will know more about that after this arc. Scans by 星空ツ泪, yukitokaji and yzakjuel840 in BW

Quote of the day:
Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are to some extent a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece by thought, choice, courage and determination. ~ John Luther

Sengoku Danshi Hana no Ran [Chapters 1-2]
Wednesday, September 2, 2009

[Consider this as a plug for this new series because I’m still undecided whether to summarize this on a regular basis and if this will be regularly scanlated in Chinese. The title in Chinese means, ‘Warring States Man, Hana’s Confusion’. I checked out the warring states in Japan and it is around Sengoku period. Upon seeing the nice cover of a blond guy with cute girl in Chinese sites, I decided to check it out. I thought it is good so I researched the English title. And, after a long research, I learned more about it in Which Scanlations site; they will be scanlating this in English. This series is by Sumomo Momo which is published in Princess Magazine. I’m mentioning that because I find it really odd for this to be serialized in the same magazine as Shinobi Life when the theme seems to be a bit the same. This series is a time travel type of story but just switch the ninja with a samurai =P Some say that it is the reverse of the girl travelling to the past since it is the guy travelling to the present. First, here is the preview for the first two chapters that are out. Tell me what you think of it. ^^]

The first scene is of a burning house and lots of feudal soldiers charging. A long haired samurai tells his wounded master to go to the side first and he’ll protect him even at the cost of his life. The next scene changes to our lead, Hana kissing with her boyfriend, Ryou who wants to be a famous idol and he is currently under the agency of Hana’s aunt’s [wife of father’s younger brother]. Ryou shows her of a magazine which has him in the cover. It has been two years since they met and it is only now, they are going steady. Ryou stares at her and says that without her glasses, she looks cute. He asks her to wear a skirt instead of pants but she tells him that she doesn’t want to attract other people. He caresses her face and says that is also good since he’ll be the only one who knows that she is cute. He starts touching her under her shirt which startles her. He tells her not to be afraid since he will be very gentle. While being tense, she tries to somewhat protest but she can’t stop him. Suddenly, they were interrupted by a loud, “It’s finished!” shout. Ryou is surprised for he thought that they were alone. There is a loud crash so Hana quickly goes to the room to ask if her grandpa is alright. Her grandpa exclaims that after 70 years, it is finally finished. Hana is relieved that he is okay. Hana’s dog then ‘attacks’ Ryou that Hana has to tell Hideyoshi [dog] to stop. She apologizes to Ryou. Ryou gets a call from his manager, Shibata, so he’s going ahead and will just contact her again. Shibata tells him that it is decided tomorrow. Already out of the house, Shibata says okay. He closes his flip phone and thinks that his dream will finally come true. Looking back, he says, “I’m sorry, Hana.” Hana’s grandpa tells Hana that guy came there again. Hana tells him that when Ryou is free, he’ll drop by their house. Her grandpa asks her if she likes weak men for if she is going to choose men, she should choose stronger type of guy. Hana tells her grandpa that Ryou’s good point isn’t being ‘strong’. Her grandfather starts crying about Koushi who passed away 7 years ago and it isn’t easy for a guy to raise a girl especially since she is attracted to some guy of unknown origin. Hana tells him that just like her mother said, she isn’t unhappy because grandpa and aunt are there even if she doesn’t know anything about her father. Grandpa weeps tears of joy. Hana asks him what that thing is, the one he is always working on. Her grandpa tells her that they are going on a trip right now. While Hana tries to tell him that she is suppose to help out her aunt at the company, her grandpa doesn’t listen and just tells her that they are going to make his research public.

Her grandpa is a self-proclaimed century’s inventor who after retiring from being a college professor, has become more headstrong [do as he pleases]. Her grandpa’s research is top secret so he usually assembles weird people together that their neighbors start to think that their place is a weirdo’s place. They rode a bullet train and arrived in Kyoto. Grandpa points out a Buddhist temple and starts telling Hana about the history behind it for it seems that he is a history buff. Hana wants to call Ryou to ask what is he doing but grandpa tells her to listen to him. Hana didn’t call Ryou as she is forced to listen to her grandpa who continues his history lecture regarding the other various building nearby. Then, the gadget that is hanging on grandpa’s neck starts to act up. He then exclaims that they will set it up there. Grandpa starts setting up a machine and typing in his computer. After he pressed enter, a wind starts blowing when it suddenly stops. Grandpa is depressed and it seems that he has failed again. In an inn, the woman manager serves them tea and comments that Mr. You [Grandpa’s surname but when I used the kanji->romanji, it is Takezou, hehe, I’ll just use the English they used =P] doesn’t seem the same since he is busy tinkering with his machine. It seems that grandpa is a frequent guest there so the woman is okay with what he is doing. Hana opens the television when she notices that she has a message on her phone. She is surprised to see the multiple messages from her aunt. On the television, she learned of the news about Ryou moving to a different agency, sPRO in order to get grab the opportunity to be the lead in a television drama. They say that he will definitely be more famous with the ‘switch’. Hana is surprised by this because she didn’t hear anything about this from Ryou. She calls up Ryou and leaves a message for him to quickly call her back. Then, her aunt calls her up about what Ryou did. Her aunt is surprised to be given some money as compensation in order for Ryou to be free from his contract. Not only Ryou but also, someone named Miki also quit the agency. Hana is worried about the magazine and music shows that Ryou is suppose to do. Her aunt tells her that Shibata is an expert in adjusting that and it seems that sPRO has taken the trust from their agency so after that, she is at a loss as to what she is going to do. Hana can only just tell her aunt to become strong. Grandpa looks back and wonders what they are talking about.

Outside, Hana looks at her phone and Ryou hasn’t called her up yet. She thinks that he seemed the same before when they kissed and chat yesterday. Hana is depressed so she hugged Hideyoshi for some comfort. She thinks that Ryou always tells her about work and it seems that he wanted to tell her something yesterday. She hopes that there is a reason as to why Ryou hasn’t contacted her yet. “Ryou..I want to see you.” Hideyoshi suddenly sniffs and barks at the direction of the inn. There is fire and smoke coming from the inn. Grandpa is busy with his calculations so he didn’t notice the smoke coming out from the door behind him. While people are taking things out, Hana looks for her grandpa. The woman manager says that if her grandpa isn’t in his room, perhaps he is already outside. Hana remembers her grandpa telling her during dinner that he will work on his machine. Hana thinks that her grandpa must be concentrating on it that he didn’t notice the fire. She leaves her dog to the manager and rushes towards the building. She sees a small pond. She quickly jumps in and splashes the water on herself. She is driven by the fact that if her grandpa is gone, she will be all alone. While running inside, she felt the ground shake then she finds herself in some tunnel-like place and the fire is still surrounding the place. She looks at the end of the tunnel and wonders if that is the way out. She calls out to her grandpa when she sees a figure. She goes to him but it turns out to be someone else. She is surprised to see a long black-haired man wearing kimono and has a katana. The man grabs her collar and points his katana at her. He asks whose underling she is and she better not get close to his master. Hana is totally confused as to what he is talking about. The man says that if only he knew earlier, he’ll take Moriran’s help to escape. The man is surprised when Hana doesn’t know who this Moriran person is. He pushes her away and asks why she is there. Hana shouts back that she is looking for her grandpa. The fire is about to reach her when to her surprise, the man pulls her to safety. Looking at him, she thinks that his eyelashes are so long then she tells herself that this isn’t the time to think about that. He pulls her along and complains that she’s too slow. Then they find a couple of young men attending to a wounded person. The man helps them while Hana goes to her grandpa who is on the floor. One of the young guys helps her by carrying grandpa while the others carry their master. They run out of the tunnel. Hana looks back again and sees the burning building. Her grandpa wakes up and laments about his machine. Hana tells him he can just make another one and it’s great that he is okay. She overhears the men calling out to their wounded master. She approaches them and suggests that they call an ambulance. The man gets ready to draw his katana. He shouts for her not to get close or else. This startles Hana as she wonders what’s up with this man.

Hana is tense and doesn’t know what to do. Her grandpa tells the man not to cause a commotion for there is no one there who is chasing after them to attack them. Hana asks her grandpa if he knows them and about this Moriran. Grandpa seems to have realized something. He tells the man to depend on them if they want to help that wounded man for if they delay more time, surely, they will know that it will be too late. Grandpa also tells the man that right now, it’s better for him not to kill him. The man seriously looks at him and loosens his grip on the katana. The man only warns them that he won’t forgive them if they are plotting something. Hana thinks that this man is quite scary. The two younger guys are a bit puzzled when an ambulance pulls over. [It’s the first time they saw a car] Grandpa apologizes to the doctor for calling him so late at night. They gently put the wounded man into a stretcher and carried him in the ambulance. Dark-haired young guy pokes the ambulance. Hana asks what he is doing. She tells him to get in. After a bit of hesitation, he goes in as he wonders out loud if this is the same as a cow driven cart. Hana is a bit weird out by that comment so she joins her grandpa who is talking to his doctor-friend about what could have happened but the doctor is a bit hesitant to believe him. Hana asks her grandpa who are those people. Grandpa’s hands are shaking as he told her that his experiment is a success. He tells her that his machine is actually a time machine and those men came from the past. Hana is surprised by it and she can’t believe it. At a clinic, the doctor tells the three men from the past that the bullet is still inside the body so he asks them to stay outside the room while he removes it. They try to protest but grandpa stops them by saying that they are too noisy that they will hinder the doctor who is treating the man. “Don’t you want to save that man?” The three freeze [in a comical way =P] Suddenly, light-haired young man’s stomach start to growl. Hana had bought some fastfood <- French fries and hamburger. She offers two French fries to the younger men while the black-haired man is still worried about his master. They seem hesitant so she puts them in their hands and tells them that she specially bought it for them so they should eat it while it’s hot. The two younger men just look at each other. While eating a piece of French fries, Hana wonders if they haven’t eaten a potato before. The dark-haired young man smells the French fries and cries how he could eat when their master is in pain. Then, his stomach growls. Hana sweatdrops and tells them that if they are hungry, they can’t fight. The dark-haired young man remembers that he wasn’t able to drink water since he woke up. The two look at the French fries, puzzled as to what kind of food it is..if it’s from the barbaric South. [* the term used is native to Chinese but in the modern world, it is like saying that it is from the province or some faraway place hence ‘barbaric’] Hana decides to tell them that it is taro. They finally try it and they love it. Dark-haired young man exclaims that he hasn’t eaten it something like that before that it even made his eyes open. [His eyes is usually closed like Bleach’s Gin =P]

He calls out to the black haired guy about it and says that it isn’t the same as the taro they see around. The light haired guy starts to shove the French fries into his mouth. Hana wonders if they haven’t eaten potatoes before. Holding some hamburgers, she asks if they haven’t eaten meat or fish before. Soon, they try to eat some hamburgers. Dark haired guy’s comment is that it is something precious from the barbarians, it’s huge and it tastes weird. The light-haired guy starts to choke on the hamburger so Hana gives him some cola. He takes one sip then he ‘freezes’ from the fizz. The dark-haired guy exclaims to Chikara what happened. He also drinks the cola and he also ‘freezes’. Hana thinks that they can’t handle the carbonate in the cola. Dark-haired guy shouts that it is too sweet that it hurts and asks black-haired guy to test it. Since black haired guy is too depressed, dark-haired young man shoves it to his mouth. “Aniki! in order to protect master, our stomachs shouldn’t be empty.” [Aniki = brother; I don’t know if blood related or just being respectful since he is older] Black-haired guy is shaking from the fizz. He asks what it is. Soon, they are shoving French fries into his mouth and also the hamburger. Hana sighs and wonders what she should do right now. She looks at her cellphone and there is no message or calls from Ryou. Hana remembers the time when Ryou treated her to a fastfood meal after he got his first break. Flashback: Hana noticed that Ryou is looking at her. He told her that it is all thanks to Hana that he now has today since she is the one who ‘explored’ him. [I’m not sure if that meant she discovered him or she is the one who worked hard to promote him] Hana asked why he said that and if he meant that it will be more difficult later on. Ryou said that he knows and later on, Hana and the agency will work harder. Hana happily said that she can’t wait and Ryou will definitely be a big star. Ryou blushed. He held her hand and confessed that he likes her. He asked her to go steady with him. Ryou came to Tokyo alone, a stranger in that metropolis. It is thanks to Hana that his life isn’t the same anymore and being with her, he has become more mature. End flashback. Then, someone named Tonbo called Hana up. Tonbo exclaims about Ryou moving to sPRO and why s/he hasn’t heard about it. Hana says that she can’t contact Ryou. Tonbo tells her that s/he talked with Itago and is Hana stupid, for being duped to that point. Hana still doesn’t believe that Ryou has betrayed her. When a message comes in, she just exclaims that she is going to call Tonbo again. She didn’t notice that Chikara is watching her throughout her phone conversation. Hana reads her message from Ryou who apologizes for not contacting her. He hopes that Hana will understand why he changed his agency for he wants to be more famous and this is the best option for him. He hopes that they both do their best. Hana wonders if it is just like that [it’s over between them] and he didn’t explain things clearly. She also wonders why a message and not a call.

The door suddenly slides open and the doctor comes out. The doctor says that there is no need to worry since the man’s life isn’t in danger, it is just some blood loss. After hearing this, black-haired guy faints that the dark-haired guy catches him. While holding a box, grandpa is telling the doctor to help investigate something. They were interrupted by the shouting so the doctor decides to check up on the black haired guy who is probably wounded, too. Hana looks worried. Soon, it is morning. Hana still can’t contact Ryou. She wonders why he didn’t consult her about it and what she should do now. “What will happen to us? I want you to clearly tell me from your own mouth.” Sasaki, an older woman [and I think she is the doctor’s wife] interrupts her thoughts when she comes in and asks if the clothes will be okay for the youngsters. Hana apologizes for the trouble. Sasaki whispers to Hana about the youngsters having a hard time adapting to the place that Chikara has flushed the urinal a few times out of curiosity because water is flowing inside. There is a scene of the doctor in pajamas telling him that it is okay to just press it once. Suddenly, there is a scream. Hana rushes in the bathroom and asks what happened. It turns out that Chikara has opened the water in full blast so the shower hose is wildly splashing water all over the place. Dark-haired guy shouts that it is a monster. He is holding a katana. Hana, who also got wet, closes the faucet and shouts what are they doing, it isn’t a monster. She exclaims that they shouldn’t use the shower. When she turns around, dark-haired guy slices the shower hose. Hana reprimands them for doing that when she realizes that the two guys are naked. Hana screams out loud and shouts for them to put on a towel. Outside the house, Hana complains to her dog. She gloomily says that she saw everything and the shower head is all cut up. She realizes that it is a real katana then she freaks out upon remembering that last night, the black-haired guy almost killed her. She begins to wonder if they are really from ancient times like what her grandpa said and if it is so, she can no longer idly think about the thing regarding Ryou. Hana hugs her dog and exclaims, “Hideyoshi!” The two younger men rush out and exclaim if it is Lord Hideyoshi. [Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan during the Sengoku period] They realize that Hana meant her dog when she points it to them. Dark-haired guy tells Hana that he thought that they know Hideyoshi. Hana says that it is named by her grandpa. Hideyoshi jumps to Chikara when he tries to pat it. Hana tries to stop Hideyoshi but it seems that Chikara bonded/gets along with Hideyoshi. Hana looks around and asks where their ‘aniki’ is. Dark-haired guy tells her that after recovering consciousness, he doesn’t leave the master’s side. Hana thinks that black-haired guy even forgot that he is wounded.

Later on, she opens a sliding door to a room and tries to tell black-haired guy that it’s time to eat. Sitting beside his master, he didn’t move so Hana decides not to bother him. Hana finds her grandpa and asks him up to when those people are going to stay there. Grandpa says that he doesn’t know. He then tells her that Nijiko called him up and told him that things are all messy at the other side so there is no need for them to go back in a hurry. He says that it is more like that there is nothing that Hana can do right now. Before he heads out, he tells Hana to tell him in detail later on what happened yesterday and it seems that those two [young men] recognize her that they are listening to what she says. Hana still wants to talk with Ryou face to face since she doesn’t want him to cancel their contract one-sidedly. She learns that Ryou will be in some place in Kyoto so she heads out to see him. Chikara notices that she is leaving so he follows her out along with Hideyoshi. In the building where Ryou will go to, Hana tells the security guard that she is from Tenkai [heaven-sea] acting agency but the security guard didn’t believe her because a lot of other fans are saying that. While wondering what she should do, Hana is surprised to hear some screaming. She turns around to see if Ryou is already there. There is a scene of just some girls ‘fan-girling’ over Chikara as they say that he is cute, if he has something to do there, is he a new actor and why he isn’t moving. While Ryou is walking to some place and security guards are preventing fans from getting near him, Hana manages to get in front and shout to Ryou. Hana is relieved when Ryou turns around to see her. To her dismay, he snubs her by looking away. Then, some other girls bump her that she loses her balance and falls. Chikara catches her so that she’ll just ‘sit’ rather than fall flat on the ground. He then looks around for her glasses that have fallen. Hana is still stunned by Ryou’s reaction when he obviously saw her. Holding her glasses to her, Chikara asks if she is hurt. This made Hana start crying. “It’s true. It’s true that perhaps Ryou won’t be coming back.” In the last scene, Chikara holds her wrist as he leads crying Hana and Hideyoshi home.

I will laugh if Chikara turns out to be the leading guy =P The guy is so cute and such a gentleman. I guess he is the type of guy who is observant and considerate of people since he was observing Hana during her phone conversation and he probably realize that something is troubling her. As for Ryou, I think he does love Hana based on that flashback but then, his work or rather being popular is top priority for him so he is willing to sacrifice her in order to fulfill his dream, hurting her in the process. I can understand what Hana is feeling. It’s like being left in the air, the last to know what is happening and well, she probably felt that she is just being used. If he wants to make up later on, he can actually make an alibi that he snubbed her because there are many fans there so that they won’t bully her or something like that. I’m still wondering if he can still redeem himself or black-haired guy will be the lead because the cover pages are misleading. For now, I don’t think she can be lovey-dovey with that other guy because he is fixated with his master and she’ll be nursing a heartbreak. But if one will ask her grandpa, I’m sure he’ll pick the samurai because that is his type of guy for Hana. =P Since Ryou left their agency in chaos, I’m thinking that perhaps the ‘newcomers from the past’ will take over what Ryou and some others left. Will they become actors/models later on with Hana being their manager/caretaker? Or will Hana be a model/actress herself in some sort of revenge? Well, that will be too much like Skip Beat! or other similar type of manga so I prefer the former one. I wonder if they will permanently stay there and consider it as a permanent retirement from all the fighting in the past. =P Also, it seems like she may have lost a boyfriend but she gained three brothers =P And probably a father figure if the master wakes up. ^^ I just hope that later on, the author will not say that the people from the past are her ancestors ^^;; Well, she's lucky to have them around during this low point of her life. So far, this series is somewhat interesting that I wonder where the plot will go and the pacing seems a bit slow so this might be a long series. Also, I wonder if we will have more of those ‘bewilderment of modern stuff’ scenes later on. For now, they are in Kyoto so it does seem like familiar setting but what if they are in Tokyo. =P I hope to see more of those fun scenes ^^ Scans by 動漫花園S組.

Quote of the day:
If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair. ~ C.S. Lewis

Free Talk: About the Blog Pic
Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The new blog pic is taken from Betsucomi’s official page. The title of that manga is Diamond Beat by Yuka Shibano. It is a new series and it seems that Midnight Scans are going to scanlate it so just wait for it if you are interested in that series. I have not read/seen that series before so I can’t say if it is good or not. ^^;

Weekly Jump: Bleach, Naruto, One Piece, Beelzebub, Reborn, and PSYREN
Tuesday, September 1, 2009

While Barragan is screaming his head off in Bleach [c. 371] about it being unforgiveable to be killed by ‘insects’, he remembers the first time he met Aizen and his gang. Flashback: Barragan is bored to death then in Huenco Mundo that he is even contemplating to divide his men for them to fight against each other. Then, Aizen and underlings arrived. Aizen showed his zanpaku’s release and asked Barragan if he wants to go higher than where he is now since he will grant him more power and show him a new world. Barragan is furious at his insolence that he ordered his followers to finish Aizen and others off but his followers ended up being the ones finished. Barragan accepted Aizen’s proposal with the hopes of being the one who’ll finish him off someday. End flashback. Barragan throws his ax at Aizen but it disintegrated even more it touches him. Hacchi explains to Soifon that it is just his theory that Barragan has some sort of protection so he doesn’t decay so it might work if his power is within his body. The last scene is Starrk commenting about no word being mention about Barragan’s demise from him, Harribel or Aizen. Hm..I’m slightly surprised that this showed a bit of Aizen when he went to Huenco Mundo because I thought it will be the start of another fight. Since he released his zanpaku, I guess he hypnotized Barragan and since he is under Aizen’s control, he can’t easily carry out his plans. Ya, Aizen really does seem to be the type to not do anything and his bodyguards do all the killing. Well, strategists tend to be like that. As for Barragan, being proud and not satisfied, I guess he’ll be killed sooner or later. I wonder if his pride is hurt since he isn’t number 1 among the espada-s. I guess this is why Aizen tend to depend more on Starrk to do some errands than order Barragan like kidnapping Inoue before.

In Naruto [c. 461], Sasuke rushes off to fight Raikage even as Juugo shouts for him to wait. He and Juugo fight against Raikage and his men. When Sasuke is in a pinch, Suigetsu is forced to come out and fight, too. Karin is forced to hide her chakra because there is someone else who is tracing her. Back at the meeting room, they still have doubts about Danzou who tells them that he wanted to unify the shinobu world but he finds dialogue to be a very slow process. Tsuchikage and Gaara don’t agree with how he deals things. Then, they start to discuss what they are going to do with Sasuke who is there, fight him or not. Meanwhile, Juugo has gone into monster-form to fight Raikage and others. Currently, I’m not rooting for either two groups. Interestingly though, both are driven by ‘revenge’ in a way. I wonder if this battle will end with no casualties because a casualty is bad news for Sasuke. After all, he intruded in the kages’ meeting and killed some samurai who are guarding the place. That shows that that he went there with an ‘evil’ intention. Hm..Sasuke is becoming rash like Naruto lately..charge first and think of the consequences later on. As for Danzou, his want to unite the world by force does seem like what the typical villain would want to do ‘rule the world’. I think it depends on why he wants to unite the world – is it for a selfish reason or not? Is it just me or Tsuchikage is interested in Gaara? ^^;;

Things are still messy in One Piece [c. 555]. Oars is driven by Ace kindness before of making a hat for him that he charges into the platform where Ace is being held even if he attacked by some Shichibukai. Oars seems to faint when he is a few meters away from Ace. I think it will be sadder if there is more background about Oars and Ace rather than it being cramped into one chapter. It made me wonder if there is a use for him to do that as in there will be a purpose about this later on or Oars is just being used for us to know the powers of some of the Shichibukai and make Ace go on a guilt trip. Hancock is fighting both marines and Whitebeard’s men..I’ll say, it is a sexy way of fighting. ^^; Well, maybe Oars’ sacrifice will fire up Whitebeard and others. I’m still waiting for Luffy’s appearance in all of this ^^

While in Beelzebub [c. 26], Toujou challenges Oga to a fight. Furuichi is surprised to see BL behind Toujou’s back. Contrary to what Furuichi expected Oga to react, Oga does seem to be saying like before about being lucky and going home because things turned out good for him but Oga seems more like being scared. And, contrary to what Shouji/Aizawa who doesn’t expect much from Oga, Toujou is excited about Oga. After Furuichi calmed down Oga who is denying that he is freaking out, Furuichi decides to confirm something so he asks Toujou when and how he got the baby/BL on his back. Toujou proposes that if Oga wins against him, he’ll tell them. Oga shouts about fighting with a baby on his back so Toujou gives BL to Shouji. Furuichi thinks that BL can’t be easily detached from his ‘host’ so maybe he isn’t the real BL. The two fight. In the first round, Oga is send flying away into the river. To Shouji’s shock, Oga stands up and faces Toujou again. In the second round, after the two punches each other, Toujou is the one send flying. Toujou comments that things have become interesting for him and also for Oga. Their respective friends are shock by all this. I’m still a bit confused as to why Oga seems scared at first. Is it because Toujou is stronger with BL so he asks him to take him away? Or, if he wins, BL will be clinging on him again? Anyway, from the intro about those two who likes to fight, I guess they are challenged to know who’s stronger between the two of them. I guess Oga wasn’t serious with Shouji before.

Then in Katekyo Hitman Reborn! [c. 255], Byakuran stops his men and tries to talk with Uni to come back in exchange for the Vongola rings. The others are puzzled by this change of attitude. Uni is determined not to return and tells him that he has no right to the 7^3 because it can’t be used as spoils for a battle while she is the bearer of one of the 7^3. Everyone is surprised when she tells them that the choice game is invalid so they don’t have to give Byakuran the rings. Byakuran tells her not to make him angry and threatens to harm the Black spell if she betrays them. Uni just hopes that her men will understand. Tsuna is freaking out about this but Reborn ask him about his decision. He is still a bit indecisive but seeing the resolution of Uni in her eyes, he decides to protect her. Everyone is elated then Haru is getting angry/jealous again when Tsuna is blushing over Uni who thanked him. ^^; Byakuran permits Kikyou and others to get Uni back by force but with the condition of not harming her. Dino tells them to retreat while he and others stall the enemy. Uni suggest that they use the transfer system to go back to Namimori. They head to their base. Later on, Squalo and others are headed to where Tsuna and others are after Hibari manages to stall the enemies. Dino wants to stay and stall Byakuran and others while Tsuna and other make their escape. Tsuna doesn’t want to leave him behind. Byakuran says that he doesn’t care for no one can stop him. Chrome is surprised that some mist[?] appear on her trident and Tsuna is having ‘that’ sensation. To the others’ surprise, Mukuro appears in order to stop Byakuran. So, this arc isn’t really a ‘choice game’ arc but rather, for me, it is ‘pay back’ arc. Hehe, I find it too convenient that everything is null and void just because Uni said so. ^^; So, this arc is for us to know more about Byakuran and some stuff + payback against Genkishi and Irie. I’m amused that indeed Mukuro is going to do some payback to Byakuran for what he did to him before =P It’s a very good excuse as to why he is helping Vongola. I wonder if we get to see the fight at all or Tsuna and others will see the fight. I wonder if he has a real body because unlike before, Chrome didn’t seem to have ‘willed’ for him to appear. He also appeared separately from her..not using her body. Oh, maybe it is her owl. I guess since Mukuro now knows Byakuran’s source of power, he can go all out against Byakuran which iirc, he didn’t do that before so he lost. Lastly, it seems that even if Uni is ‘weak’ physically, she is strong with her resolve and well, that is why she is who she is – boss of the Arcobaleno, holder of the sky pacifier. ^^ It seems that Tsuna is just ‘forced’ to make that decision. I wonder if his ‘wives’ will be jealous of Uni later on especially if they are going to stay in the same place. Hehe, I wonder what Hayato’s reaction will be if Gamma gets to stay with them, too. =P

Finally, in PSYREN [c. 84], Yoshina can’t contact with Oboro whom the creator seems to say has been reborn but refuses to explain things to Yoshina and just tells him that Oboro is alive and safe. He manages to get in contact with Hiryuu who is safe with Tatsuo. It turns out that they were helped by a tavoo named Kusakabe who used to be one of WISE’s researchers. He plans to head an invasion in WISE in three days in order for him and Tatsuo to return to their bodies and probably try to get rid of the thing that covers the sky. Because of all of this, Hiryuu refuses to join back with Yoshina because he is going to stay and help Tatsuo get back to the present. Their communication is cut off since the creator thought it is too dangerous to continue. Yoshina isn’t happy with how things are turning out. I guess with things like that, there are more resistances against WISE appearing. I don’t think Yoshina can just want to return back with Amamiya to the present with things currently like that. Will he decide to fix things in the present or fix things in that future? Well, with what happened to the others out of the way, I guess the plot can start moving again unless there will be more explanations to tell.

Quote of the day:
Goal: an aim or objective, the end toward which effort is directed. Resolution: The quality of not allowing difficulties or opposition to affect one's purpose. ~ Author Unknown

Papillon -Hana to Chou- [Chapter 27]
Saturday, August 29, 2009

Title: Happy [Lucky] Chair. “There’s only one happy chair. From the time we were born, we always try to take that seat.” While taking a bath, Ageha is blushing and thinks that it is the first time for Hayato to kiss her multiple times. She blushes even more when she remembers him saying that it is because he likes her. She submerges into the water and starts kicking the water. She thinks that it is the first time someone said that he likes her. “Before, I didn’t know that it is such a blissful thing to be liked by someone I like.” Ageha happily goes to the cafe next day and everyone notices that she is such a good mood. Shinobu asks her if something good has happened. Surprised, Ageha says that it is nothing. While Ageha goes to change,Shinobu notices a thread hanging out of her collar. He tries to pull it but to his surprise, it turns out to be Ageha’s necklace which has a pouch bag pendant. Shinobu quickly apologizes about it. Ageha just says that it is alright. After she left, Shinobu remembers asking Ageha where she bought the butterfly pendant necklace that she is always wearing. He looks thoughtful. At the lockers, Ageha looks at the pouch and opens it. Inside it is her butterfly necklace. While cleaning the toilet bowl, she thinks that ever since Hana wore it, she puts it in a pouch and hesitates to wear it since that memory of Hana kissing Hayato is ingrained deep in her memory. Ageha starts to vent her frustration on the toilet bowl as she vigorously cleans it. “Argh, I can’t forgive! That Hana…you’ll even dare to pretend as me to sensei…after being given the dressing down, her attitude unexpectedly changed, and she even said that she won’t give up on sensei . I want that Hana..that Hana..it would be best if she just disappear!” Elsewhere, Hana is riding on a bicycle while listening to music [with earphones]. She passes by a street and is surprised to see a car heading straight at her. Then, her hat is on the ground. Back at the cafe, Ageha gets a call from home. To her surprise, her grandma tells that Hana got into a car accident. Since Ageha’s mother went out, grandma is getting ready to go to the hospital. Ageha asks if Hana is alright. Her grandma tells her that she isn’t sure yet so she suggests that Ageha to also go to the hospital. Shinbou overhears their conversation.

Ageha is shock by the news so she quickly calls Hayato to cry that because of her, Hana got into a car accident. Hayato seems to be at school since Marui is there. Hayato is surprised and asks her what she did. Ageha says that she didn’t do anything and she isn’t sure what happened to Hana. Hayato asks where she is. Ageha tells him that she is at work and currently, she is going off work early to check on Hana. Hayato offers to go with her there so he asks her to wait at the cafe for him. Hayato runs to where Ageha is. They ride a taxi and Hayato asks how Hana is. Ageha says that she doesn’t know. Hayato exclaims why she is saying that it is her fault. To Hayato’s surprise, Ageha says that she wished that Hana would disappear then her grandma called about the accident so she thinks that she has cursed Hana. Hayato sweatdrops and says that Ageha doesn’t even have the capability to curse someone. Teary-eyed, Ageha mentally apologizes to Hana and she isn’t serious about wanting her to disappear. She thinks that it is okay for Hana to hit and scold her as much as she want as long as Hana is safe and sound. At the hospital, Ageha goes to her grandma who is waiting at the hospital’s entrance. Grandma says, “About that..” At the hallway where there are seats [I think where doctor clinics are], Ageha and Hayato see Hana sitting with a bandaged right knee. Ageha exclaims, “Only 7 stitches?!” Hana is angry that she asks Ageha what she meant by ‘only’. Hana tells them that she didn’t see that the car which didn’t stop in the intersection so she is hit and if the impact is harder, she could have lost her life. She complains that she might get a scar because of it. Ageha is relieved that it is still the same Hana. Ageha sighs in relief that it’s good that she is okay. Hana looks at her and asks if Ageha went there from work. Ageha says yes. Looking away, slightly blushing, Hana exclaims that she’s alright so Ageha can go. She happily holds Hayato’s wrists and says that he can stay. This made Ageha angry since she can’t answer back so she starts to wish Hana should disappear again. A nurse comes out from the room and starts telling Hana about the bill she has to pay and her next check-up. While she is telling Hana to buy some medicine, she notices Hayato looking surprised at her. The nurse drops the paper that she is holding. Slightly flustered Hayato says, “Rena..” Rena is also slightly flustered but she is frowning. She picks up the paper and gives it to Hana then goes back in the room. Noticing his reaction, Ageha asks Hayato who that girl is. Looking sad, Hayato says that she is a friend from before. Hana looks at him and asks if it isn’t an ex-girlfriend. This surprises Ageha but Hayato says that she isn’t. Ageha observes Hayato’s expression.

Later on, Hayato and Ageha bid grandma and Hana goodbye since they are going ahead. Well, Ageha is going back to work. Ageha is a bit worried about Hayato since he looks listless while walking ahead. She wonders what he is thinking for after seeing that Rena girl since he’s acting a bit strange. She calls out to him but he didn’t hear her. She grabs his face and makes him look at her. Ageha happily asks if he is free and how about they eat together since it is already lunch time. Hayato looks surprised at her then he finally smiles. He holds her hand and says yes. Upon seeing her bare neck, Hayato asks where her necklace is. Ageha shows him a small pouch bag where she puts it. He asks if she isn’t going to wear it. Ageha pouts and says that it is because Hana wore it that it seems that something has clung on it and she is too shocked upon learning that Hana used a kissing ticket so if she sees the necklace, she feels depressed. Hayato asks if she isn’t going to wear it anymore. Ageha didn’t reply. Hayato asks if he can borrow it. Puzzled, she gives it to him. To her shock, Hayato throws it into a trash can. She shouts, “What are you doing?!” She cries and tries to look for it in the trash can but Hayato tells her not to look for it anymore since it should be really dirty already. “I’ll just buy a new one for you.” Ageha shouts that it isn’t dirty and it is the first gift that he gave to her so it will lose its meaning if he just bought another one for her. Hayato starts smiling and showed her that the necklace is still on his hand. He says that he just threw some trash. “If you aren’t bothered if it’s dirty when thrown in the trash can, shouldn’t it also be the same, if Hana wore it? What sort of feeling that you project about this necklace depends on what you think of it.” Hayato gives her necklace back. Ageha realizes that she is passing a crossroad again. It is either she keep on being bothered by the necklace and get angry at Hayato [sad road] or she can make him put the necklace on her [happy road]. “In a crossroad, which road I will go, the right to choose is my hand. I will..” She gives the necklace to Hayato and asks him to help her put it on. Ageha has decided to throw her jealousy with Hana and their misunderstanding into the trash can. “I want to choose the road to happiness.” Rena is watching them.

At the cafe, Ageha tells everyone that she is back and sorry for the trouble she gave them. Holding a soapy sponge and plate, Shinobu asks her if Hana is alright. Ageha tells her that she is okay and just got 7 stitches. Ageha is a bit surprised by Shinobu’s extreme relief that Hana is okay. Later on, Ageha asks if guys are really so concerned about their ex-girlfriends. This surprises Shinobu. Ageha says that she never thought that he is that worried about Hana. Shinobu says that he didn’t break up with Hana because he hates her and he does want her to find her own happiness but his worry about her does seem a bit excessive. Ageha says, is that so. Shinobu notices that Ageha is wearing her butterfly necklace again. He looks somewhat surprised. Ageha wonders if Hayato also has someone whom he can’t easily forget. Glum-looking, Hayato is walking up the stairs of a building then stops midway. He sits down and looks at his cellphone. At the hospital, Hana is complaining about the long wait in paying their bill. Grandma says that it can’t be helped because hospitals are like that. Hana sees Rena passing by so she quickly tells her grandma that she is just going to the toilet. Hana calls out to Rena who asks her what it is. Hana says that it is so troublesome so she is going to ask. “What is your relationship with Kyuu-chan?” “Kyuu-chan?” “Kyuu Hayato. The one you’ve just met.” After a pause, Rena asks back what her relationship with Hayato is. Hana tells her that her older twin sister who came just now is Hayato’s girlfriend. Rena looks surprised. “How can that be..how old is she now?! She’s still a high school student, right?” Hana says, “Freshman.” Rena is surprised by that. Looking a bit flustered, Rena laments that she couldn’t believe it when that kind of thing obviously happened. “What the heck is he thinking?!” Hana asks what that kind of thing is. After a pause, Rena tells Hana, “You should tell your sister that it’s better for her to keep a distance from that man.” Hana asks why. Rena faces Hana and tells her, “That guy is..a murderer.” This surprises Hana.

So, Ageha has decided to not bother with Hana anymore because after all, she knows who is in Hayato’s heart =P She is really such a nice girl that she felt guilty and believed that it is because she is wishing something bad to happen to Hana, that accident happened. Well, even if she would probably want to wring Hana’s neck for being so flirty with Hayato, she is still her twin…younger twin so well, as an older sister, I guess she is also trying to understand her more. Haha, I had forgot that Ageha is the older one ^^;; Ageha has changed compared to before and now, she is conscious that she makes her own destiny. ^^ So, we now have a new character who is going to cause trouble and we’ll finally know Hayato’s past. My gut feel about something is wrong with him is right because I did find it odd that he has no girlfriend and seems reluctant to have one. His sister do seems too elated about learning that he has a girlfriend that she didn’t seem bothered about age gap or that kind of stuff. ^^; Anyway, I’ll summarize this one chapter per month even if the volume is already out so that it won’t seem like it has been a long time since the last chapter. Hopefully when I get to chapter 30, the new volume will be out by then. ^^ Scans by fema for iieye and yukitokaji for BW.

Word of the day:
No matter what affliction or crisis we may face, we too can decide how we will respond. With the enablement of the Holy Spirit, we can refuse to paint our lives in the dull gray of grumbling and complaining. Instead, our chosen color can be the azure blue of contentment because God's help is always available. — Vernon C. Grounds from Our Daily Bread

Faster Than A Kiss [Chapter 26]
Friday, August 28, 2009

To everyone’s surprise, Tomo declares, “Have a judo match with me!” Kazuma says that even if it is a match, are they are going to bet something. Tomo smiles and says, “Of course, Fumino and Teppei, if you win, I’ll let those two go back to your side.” At first, Fumino is surprised then she angrily points at Tomo and shouts that he doesn’t plan on losing. Tomo laughs and show a thumbs-up sign. A note says that he is a four-time Judo champion and athlete in college. While Ryuu is telling the other passer-bys who are looking at them that what is being talked about is nothing, Tomo says, “Ha ha ha- But of course ♪ I only want to know..to what extent is sensei ‘serious’ with Fumino and Teppei.” He lightly hits Kazuma’s chest and says, “If it is according to the rules of the competition, it’s disadvantageous to you so let’s just have a free match. You only need to get my back to touch the ground for you to win.” Tomoe is surprised while Fumino tries to protest. Kazuma smiles and says, “If I win, we will just maintain the same situation, right? That’s very charitable..” Looking determined, Kazuma says, “I will win.” Tomo says, “You’re quite confident! If you lose, I would want you to not to get close to Fumino and Teppei again!” Fumino is shock. Kazuma replies, “There’s no problem, but..because I also wanted to be treated seriously [by you], so, if I win, please get married with Miss Tomoe.” Tomo is surprised, Tomoe is blushing and Fumino is still in shock mode. Tomo nervously tells Kazuma, “...alright. Because I’ll definitely win!” So, it is decided that the free match will be held one week after today with a time limit of three hours. While they were talking, Fumino is shaking and thinks, “Wait a minute..I want to say..” Fumino throw her bag at Kazuma and Tomoe’s luggage at Tomo. She shouts, “Why don’t you two stop while you’re ahead, hot-blooded idiots!” The two guys are in pain as Tomo tells Fumino not to do that. Kazuma is surprised to see Fumino flustered and in near tears. Kazuma is shock and depressed after Fumino shouted, “Sen- Sensei, you big idiot! I really hate you!” Fumino has grabbed Teppei and run off. Tomoe is still looking dreamy about the possibility of marriage. Tomo reminds Kazuma that during the match, he won’t go easy on him. Kazuma says, “Sure!”

Narration: “Idiot, idiot, Sensei is such a big idiot! He doesn’t even know how strong Tomo-kun is!” Tomoe knocks on the door and apologizes to Fumino for taking a bath first. To her surprise, she sees Fumino moping/crying while hugging a pillow and Teppei trying to comfort his sister. Tomoe asks if Fumino is ‘family’ with Kazuma. Fumino is wearing her wedding ring. While she blows her nose on the tissue that Tomoe is holding, Fumino tells Tomoe that it is a secret that before Tomo arrived, she and Kazuma are already married and living together. Blushing Tomoe says that’s great <- Kazuma is Fumino’s husband. Fumino starts crying again that she also wants to go back to Kazuma but why does he have to recklessly agree to a match. Fumino is whining that Tomo is a world class athlete and even if Kazuma is also good in fighting but he definitely doesn’t have any chance of winning. This made Teppei flustered and angry. He shouts, “Buncha! Buncha is Ma-kun’s wife! You should believe that Ma-kun is the strongest!” This surprises Fumino. Teppei is hitting Fumino’s legs and exclaiming, “Ma-kun will win! I believe!” Tomoe tells Fumino, “I..I will also help! In order for me to get married to coach!” Teppei shouts, “Ma-kun- Gambatte!” [= Do your best] Fumino just says, ya. Standing outside the door, Tomo is listening to them. He looks up and sighs that it is the first time for him to play as the bad guy. He decides to let it be because like this is more cool. At Kazuma’s apartment, with the lights closed, he is looking glum and serious while sitting on the table. Narration: “‘Believe’. That’s right, our feelings are definitely the same. Want to go back. I want to go back so-” At 5am, Fumino dresses up. She remembers Tomoe telling her that she has already made an arrangement with Kazuma to practice as soon as possible. She goes to the gym and wonders if they are really practicing so early in the morning and she brought some onigiri [rice balls] for them. She peeks inside to see Tomoe pinning down Kazuma. Tomoe tells Kazuma that Tomo’s body built is smaller than Kazuma’s so Kazuma’s weight has more power so if he can get near Tomo then he can use this to get an opportunity [to attack]. Kazuma just says ‘yes’ to all that Tomoe teaches him while he is being thrown down again and again. It made Fumino a bit surprised-aghast because while looking at them, it seems like Tomoe is stronger than Kazuma. She then blushes a bit upon seeing how serious Kazuma is. Later on, Tomo tells Kazuma that he gets to have a 10 minute break. Kazuma is lying on the floor exhausted. He comments that Tomoe is strong and it seems that it isn’t the same as fighting/brawling because there are techniques in judo. Puzzled Tomoe asks what [he meant]. Kazuma says that it is nothing. Still lying on the floor, he looks up to see a bag near the door. Curious, he crawls to the bag and opens the bag since it smells of nori [seaweed]. He sees some onigiri inside and a note saying that if he doesn’t mind, give some of it to Tomoe. [I think] when he opened the onigiri from the plastic, it starts to disintegrate [not hold its shape] so Kazuma quickly eats it and probably knows whom it is from. This surprises Tomoe that she asks what happened. Kazuma says that it is nothing. Smiling at her, he says that they should continue practicing. Blushing while running off, Fumino thinks that she wants Kazuma to do his best for the match but she is still angry that he accepted the match, “I want to convey this feeling to him- So I decided not see him if I can.”

In class, Kazuma happily tells the students that he is now going to check their attendance. The students are freaking out as to why his injuries increased. Kazuma says that it is okay because it will be healed soon since I ate some ‘really delicious onigiri’. Fumino realizes that they will still see each other because they are still teacher-student. Kazuma looks at blushing Fumino who snubs him by looking away. Kazuma just slightly smiles. So throughout the week, Fumino keeps on making food for Kazuma but still snubs him at school even if he calls her. Kazuma is still training with Tomoe and getting a bag of food. Tomo notices that Fumino is always yawning. Finally, it is one day before the match. Just when Fumino is going to sneak out of the house, Tomo tells her that even if she is obviously furious, but she still continues to do that throughout the week. Angry Fumino just goes out and didn’t mind him as Tomo tries to shout for her to wait. Then, Tomo felt his coat being pulled. It is half-asleep Teppei. Tomo tells Teppei to go back to sleep. Teppei is crying, “..kun. Where is Ma-kun? Ma-kun..huhu..read me a storybook..” This surprises Tomo that he hugs Teppei and says, “Really. What else did ‘Ma-kun’ do?” Teppei tells him that Kazuma will reward him if he helps out and he’ll make a huge rice omelet. “Camping...Christmas..later on, Bucha will smile more compared than before..” While Fumino is running to the gym, she thinks, “Although it’s like this, sensei..can I believe? That we will definitely, be able to return to your side.” Standing in front of the door, Fumino thinks that this is the last time [she’ll bring the food] yet she hasn’t met [talk with] him because she always just leaves the bag then she departs. “..After saying, ‘I hate you’, I haven’t said anything to him..” She is surprised when the door opens and someone grabs her wrist. Kazuma pulls her in and pins her down on the floor. “I caught you!” Fumino is embarrassed. She exclaims, “You..what are you doing, let me go..You’re all sweaty” Kazuma says that he doesn’t want to and she should help as he practice the technique of pinning down the enemy on the floor. Fumino asks where Tomoe is. Kazuma says that she is in the toilet. Kazuma laments that the match will be held tomorrow already yet his little strength won’t come out. This surprises Fumino. While covering Fumino’s mouth with his hand, Kazuma says, “But, if you tell me, ‘[I] really like you’ then I can do my very best..” She blushes and takes his hand off her mouth. To his surprise, Fumino covers his mouth and pushes him away. “I won’t say it..” Kazuma asks why. Fumino shouts that she won’t allow him to flirt [get pampered] like that. “If you win tomorrow, I’ll say it!” Kazuma smiles and put his head on Fumino. “Okay..”

In some gym, it is finally the day for the match. They are in the second judo room. Ryuu is there even Shoma and Meg to watch the match. Tomoe will be the referee. While holding a timer, she shouts that the three hour free match will now start. Teppei is busy cheering for Kazuma. Meg tells very nervous Fumino to get a hold of herself. Shoma exclaims, “Come sensei! Are you aware of death?” Kazuma just smiles and says, “On contrary, Tomo-kun, remember to invite me to your and Tomoe’s wedding ceremony ♥” Tomoe just nervously says, uh while Tomoe is happy to hear that. Then, Tomoe exclaims, “Let’s start!” Just as Kazuma and Tomo start sparring, Shoma happily tells Ryuu that he can’t wait and if ‘Hell’s Kazuma’ will revive. Ryuu tells him that this isn’t brawling. Just when Shoma is proudly saying that his brother is strong, Kazuma is being thrown and beaten up by Tomo as Tomo is exclaiming that Kazuma is too slow in every movement. Everyone except for Tomoe is aghast and shock by what’s happening. Ryuu nervously exclaims what the heck is this, for it seems like Kazuma is totally being treated like a kid and it’s the first time he seeing this. Someone exclaims if Kazuma is going to lose. Tomoe tells them no, for now, they can’t go to that conclusion yet. “After a week of practice, I gradually realize sensei’s endurance cannot be underestimated. Although he is thrown down again and again, his strength didn’t weaken. So, even as time goes by, the situation would not necessarily change.” [to worse for Kazuma] Fumino thinks that she should believe in Kazuma. Soon, Fumino and others are cheering for Kazuma. Tomo just grins and says that Kazuma is getting some support. “Speaking of that, sensei do you know? Going back to the way [you guys] originally lived means Fumino will encounter danger again--” With a determined look, Kazuma says, “I know. Although it is like that, I still want to get back my own ‘family’, this is my sincere feeling which I cannot cover up. It’s better to endure for them if they’ll stay by my side. I will give my utmost best to protect them!” Tomo realizes that Kazuma’s movement is becoming smoother. Tomo exclaims that Kazuma is too naive. He then throws down Kazuma as Fumino and Teppei continue to cheer for him. Tomo thinks, “--ah, bro, if you are still alive..until when are you going to persevere?” [He’s comparing his brother to Kazuma.]

The time that has passed is 2 hours, 50 minutes and 30 seconds. There is still 10 minutes left. Tomo is breathing hard and tired. Tomo says that Kazuma can’t stand anymore but to his surprise, Kazuma did stand. Kazuma has this certain ‘look’ on his face which slightly surprises Tomo. He grabs Tomo’s robe. [I think it is] Tomo who exclaims if he is alright since Kazuma is about to faint. Kazuma is puzzled when he didn’t fall. Crying Fumino holds him up from behind and exclaims, “..I will not allow! I will not allow you to fall over!” Teppei is holding on his leg. This seems to give Kazuma an extra boost as he suddenly lunges forward to Tomo and falls over him -> Tomo’s back is on the floor. Everyone is excited as Tomoe looks at the time, 2:59. Fumino is about to call out to Kazuma to congratulate him when Tomo tells her to quickly bring Kazuma first to the clinic. Kazuma has passed out. There are lots of shouting as they become frantic. [I don’t quite understand Tomo’s narration but I guess it is basically realizing Kazuma’s determination to get his ‘family’ back.] Later on, at Kazuma’s house, unconscious Kazuma is lying on the futon with a towel on his face. Teppei is sleeping beside him. Tomo tells Fumino that Kazuma is just lucky since the floor is slippery because of the sweat that he fell down. Fumino angrily grabs Tomo’s collar and starts shaking Tomo vigorously. She shouts if he is planning to say that it isn’t counted. Tomo exclaims that he isn’t finished talking about the condition. “I admit it, I’ve lost!” Fumino lets him go. Tomo says that he isn’t going to totally let this go yet for if Kazuma ever subject them to even a tiny bit of danger, he will immediately take them back. “You stay here and properly take care of sensei. I’ll go back and get your things.” As he goes out, Tomoe clings on his arm and asks him where they will hold the wedding ceremony and they should thoroughly discuss it tonight. Tomo just nervously exclaims. =P Fumino is blushing and thinks, “...I’m back, right? I have return to sensei’s side, right?” She opens the refrigerator and thinks that she should freeze some ice cubes. “Ah..I haven’t been to sensei’s kitchen for a long time.” She is surprised to see that the freezer is empty except for an ice tray. She exclaims, “What, the refrigerator is also empty!? But sensei usually cook meals..” Fumino is surprised when Kazuma hugs her from behind and closes the door of the refrigerator. Kazuma tells her that he hasn’t always been cooking. “Because if I make do it, it will be for three persons. Living alone in this house, it’s dark and cold, making one unable to endure it. So, I stubbornly want to [get you back]--” Fumino is blushing. She turns around and says, “Sensei...I really like you! That..ah, because we promised!” Kazuma looks surprised and keeps on looking at her that she tells him not to do that [since it embarrasses her]. Kazuma touches her face then falls on top of teary-eyed Fumino. She then frowns because Kazuma is already at his limit and has passed out again. Fumino thinks, “Darn..I thought that he will [do it] at this place..” She then blushes upon seeing Kazuma’s sleeping face up close. She sits up and kisses him on the head. “Good work..” Narration: “I really like you sensei...more than the like yesterday, more than the like today..and by tomorrow, I’ll definitely like you even more--” The last scene is Tomo trying to tell Tomoe to calm down and she should be going back to France soon. Tomoe tells him that she has decided to study college in Japan. This shocks Tomo.

Yay, the lovey-dovey here has made up for what happened in the last chapter even if the thing about Tomo-Tomoe is right ^^; Hehe, with Tomo busy with Tomoe, Kazuma can now relax. =P Congrats, Kazuma! You’re hard work and perseverance has reaped its rewards ^^ This pretty much confirms how important they are to Kazuma since he’ll risk something that would seem impossible just to get them back. Hehe, I somewhat fear what the author is in store for Kazuma in the future chapters because his injuries are getting worse and in this chapter, he collapsed. ^^; Well, it’s nice that Teppei really believes in Kazuma ^^ It made Fumino to just believe and do what she can to ‘support’ him. Her concern is indeed valid because Tomo is really beating him up and even Tomoe is ^^; I did entertain the thought that it will be Kazuma’s delinquent fighting vs Tomo’s judo because I’m curious who will win if it is like that. This is okay, I guess, since it isn’t good to beat up the uncle of one’s wife to a pulp. He might think that Kazuma is a violent person and might research on his background. Is it just me or the girls in this series tends to ‘chase’ after their men? Anyway, in the next chapter, it’s beach time =P Scans by xiuxiu/咻咻.

Quote of the day:
Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another. ~ Walter Elliott

Ouran High Host Club [Chapter 74] Teaser
Wednesday, August 26, 2009

The cover page is really cute ^^ Tamaki is Rapunzel with hand outstretched and Prince Haruhi is going to save him from the tower along with the others ^^ This chapter has way too many dialogue so I can’t really understand what is happening. Anyway, here goes: Kyouya rushes to the second residence to find Shima overseeing the servants in moving Tamaki’s things. Shima informs Kyouta about the move and something that surprises Kyouta. All of the servants look sad. At the main residence, Tamaki greets his grandmother who never bothered to look at him as she arranges the flowers. They talk a while before she turns around. I think she doesn’t want Tamaki’s servants to go with him in the main house and Tamaki tries to insist. She then tells Tamaki about his ‘schedule’ and rules. I can only read about forbidden to go out, probably without permission. She turns around again to fix the flowers. Just as Tamaki is about to protest again, his father put his arm around Tamaki’s shoulder and happily says that Tamaki came. Tamaki probably tries to tell his father about his complaints but his father seems to say that the grandmother is the boss around there. Well, he pats surprised Tamaki’s back and grandmother just glances at them. Then in Hitachiin residence, Kaoru is freaking out over the news from Kyouya. I think he said that they can only meet Tamaki in school or Tamaki is being closely monitored. Then, Kaoru informs Hikaru, Honey and Mori about it when they arrived. Back at the main residence, Tamaki is shown his room at the second floor and was told when he’ll be called for dinner. I think Tamaki asks if his grandmother will eat with him but since the guy said, ‘1 person’ so probably not. After the servant left, he looks at the room and seems to think it is empty/lonely since he mentioned ‘flower’. He looks out the window and sees two angry Doberman guarding. Is that you, Usui? =P When the dogs see him looking out the window, they started to bark at him. Oh ya, Tamaki wasn’t able to bring Antoinette with him. Tamaki begins to wonder if he can climb down the curtains and befriend the dogs. He tries to call on the phone which turns out to be just an intercom for him to use in case he needs something from the servants. Tamaki thinks about April and flowers blooming then he smiles. Second version Tamaki is strong <- basically, he isn’t going to let this get him down/depressed. The Dobermans got scared when Tamaki starts laughing out loud by himself..hehe, he’s ‘burning’. At her home, Haruhi wonders what it is like, Tamaki’s first night with his grandmother. She starts thinking of the new school year then her father who is still hiding in the closet, throws out a flyer about a circus. Probably regarding what she mentioned before in the last chapter.

Finally, Haruhi is now in second year. She is in 2-A section, Kyouya and Tamaki’s former section. She must be thinking of new classmates but it turned out that they are mostly her old classmates who greeted her. Renge arrives and informs her about the news – the third music room is closed with a sign ‘no entry’. Haruhi hurries to find Kyouya at the hallway who is talking with the twins. Kyouya said something and it seems that he has the key to the room so Haruhi is relieved. Then, there is a mention about Tamaki which seems to worry Haruhi. The twins point to a room and Haruhi sees Tamaki talking with some girls probably about his life in the main residence. Tamaki seems to be saying about life being like in the feudal era, he seems to be fascinated by the pottery/ceramic items in the house and it seems that he is reading a book to know what certain plants are. Well, he probably kept himself busy rather than being depressed/lonely. The girls are awed by that. When the twins comment something, Tamaki turns around and exclaims Haruhi’s name. This made her blush. Tamaki goes to them and is all weepy..maybe because he misses them. He mentioned about her grandmother and his father is always busy. When Haruhi and the twins are going to pity him, he says something that ‘hits’ them that they decide to leave Tamaki alone. I think Tamaki wants to eat lunch with them. The twins just made faces at him and Haruhi slightly blush. During lunch, the trio wasn’t able to talk/eat with Tamaki and Kyouya who were surrounded by girls. In the end, the trio just ate at a different table and they were greeted by Satoshi and Yasuchika who are now freshmen. While Tamaki is talking with the girls, Haruhi looks sad. When she isn’t looking, Tamaki looks at her and looks sad. After class, Kyouya informs them that Tamaki is ‘taken away’. Tamaki leaves a note probably apologizing for today and hope to have fun/see them tomorrow. So, the twins take Haruhi, together with Kyouya and Mei, for karaoke. While Haruhi, Hikaru and Meiko are singing, Kyouya and Kaoru compare notes about their investigation. Kaoru mentioned something about Tamaki’s mother which seem to shock and surprise Kyouya as if it is a new revelation. One week later, Tamaki returns to his room, exhausted from all sorts of activities and all the girls are keeping him away from Haruhi and others. He laments that his resting time is so short and it seems that he misses Haruhi. He holds his teddy and is a bit teary eyed when he catches him and tries to cheer himself up again. He starts to sing by himself when a servant calls him for a tea ceremony with his grandmother. At the tea room, Tamaki is praising the pottery/cup. They talk about something. I can read ‘structure’ so I’m guessing that she wants him to speak more formally..maybe not since his expression from happy is becoming more serious. Then, at Haruhi’s house, Haruhi is looking at some flyers/notes regarding host club that Tamaki made. It seems the same about Tamaki can’t meet with them since he is super busy that he kept on saying tomorrow, tomorrow, etc. Haruhi is a bit flustered when she remembers Tamaki happily chatting with the other girls. She then freaks out about this and something about ‘first love’. It seems that she plans to talk to him tomorrow. The last scene, grandma says something about Tamaki to say something. There is a drop of perspiration on Tamaki’s face so I guess he is tense. With two hands in front [kind of like a formal bow], Tamaki says something. I only know the last sentence in kanji. “I will quit from the host club..” His eyes look blank.

So, my guess is his grandmother probably blackmailed him into something. Given Tamaki’s nature, he would most likely ‘sacrifice’ himself in order to protect his ‘family’. I hope his friends will help him soon before Tamaki ‘loses himself’. The grandmother’s strategy seems to be ‘isolating’ and ‘exhausting’ Tamaki and since that didn’t seem to work or she wants some sort of guarantee, she pulled this stunt. She’s pretty cunning that I wonder if this is the reason why they are filthy rich like that. It is somewhat frustrating since Tamaki’s father seems to allow it. Maybe he believes that Tamaki can handle it and melt that woman’s heart. It is quite risky. Thankfully, Tamaki is now stronger and doesn’t easily get too depressed. I do wonder if he’s ‘cheerfulness’ made the others think that he is really okay. Well, hopefully, Tamaki and friends will persevere in the end. Also, will the others continue the host club even if Tamaki isn’t a member anymore? If they are going to help him, I wonder how. Lastly, the next chapter will be out on Oct. 24. Scans by ngx for BW.

Quote of the day:
I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. ~ Jimmy Dean

Kaichou wa Maid-sama! [Chapter 41] Teaser
Tuesday, August 25, 2009

First of all, it’s confirmed. Kaichou wa Maid-sama! will be made into an anime ^^ As for the chapter, it is really bad for the heart. I have this really bad sinking feeling about it as if this will be their last date. Too bad Misaki seems to be totally clueless about it and probably because she thinks that he is weirdo pervert that is why he is doing that. Okay, if Usui keeps on taking pictures of Misaki throughout the date, something is off. It is bad news to me as if he is going to leave or something. It is totally non-stop taking pictures of all sorts of Misaki’s expressions. The chapter starts with Misaki in a hurry because it seems that she is late. It is already 9:38am. I’m not sure if Shana helped her dress up or something because she looks great afterwards. At the park, it’s already 1013am and Usui seems sleepy because he is yawning. He is then surprised to see Misaki who is breathing hard from running. I think she used hair extension because her hair looks longer and it is all curly. I think her cute outfit is from the gifts of the others for her. In short, she looks girly. Usui is blushing and look, she is even wearing the necklace he gave her ^^ First, they ate hotdogs and talk about something that made Usui have that blank look. They seem to go shopping/walk around. She tested out some toy glasses and to her shock, Usui takes her picture. Misaki is embarrassed but Usui seems to explain something why he is doing this. He then says something about her being cute. She blushes and he takes her picture =P

Later on, there are lots of pictures of Misaki with all sorts of expressions. Usui is looking somewhat sad. They have a talk when they see Maki with some guys at a huge grand building. Usui says something to Misaki that she shouts that he is a pervert alien that she left. I think Usui deliberately did that so that she won’t know what Maki is up to. Later on, Usui bought all sorts of kids toys like Frisbee, jumping rope, badminton [table tennis-like racket], etc. At first Misaki doesn’t want to play until Usui gives her his ‘begging doggie’ look =P Soon, they are playing together. Then, he takes another picture of Misaki blowing bubbles. Soon, Misaki wants to get the camera but Usui won’t give it to her. Then, he timed the camera to take their picture together. ^^ Soon, they are at his apartment with lots of food on the table and it includes a bowl of food with heart shapes ^^ Then, Usui takes out a cake with a single candle on it. After blowing the candle, she blushes when he greets her a happy birthday. He takes out his[?] cellphone for another picture of them together. And, the last part is Tora talking with someone on the phone then with Maki. I can only read ‘kaichou’ and I guess they are going to put some plan in action. That last part confirms that something not good is going to happen soon. Scan by filion for BW.

PS. I sleepy so I'll reply to the tags tomorrow ^^;

Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta [Chapter 28]
Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Continuing from before, Yukito asks Kotori if she wants to break up. After a pause, Kotori says, “..ya..” [It’s actually just a groan sound which means yes.] Yukito says, “...then that’s it...” Kotori goes into shock for saying ‘ya’. That night, the two Kaiji-s are looking at their respective cellphones. Both were thinking, “S/he didn’t call back..” Both are flustered. Kotori wonders if they are going to break up just like that. She thinks that it is the first time she has seen Yukito with that kind of expression [serious and probably somewhat scary] before she answered [about the break up]. “What now, if this continues, we will really.. but why do I have to apologize.. It’s obvious that Yukito doesn’t understand me, I felt that it’s quite hard to say something, and judging from the situation, we will definitely fight about the same thing again..but, things ended up this way..” Yukito thinks that Kotori should have been totally surprised by that but then, he is also shock when she said that she doesn’t feel ‘excited’ when he kissed her. “..what, I’m the only one who thought that there is progress [regarding our relationship]..” The two looks at their cellphones. Later on, Kotori holds her phone down while Yukito tosses his on the bed. Yukito feels tired. The next day, Kotori goes to school with a heavy heart. She is startled when Abe calls out to her. Kotori greets him back when she notices that he is staring at her. She asks him about that but Abe says it is nothing. Kotori wonders if Yukito has told Abe about what happened yesterday and what she should do because she doesn’t want to hear about it from him. To her surprise, Abe, who seems having a hard time to tell her something, just asks her if she has seen Yukito today. Kotori asks why he asked. Abe quickly says that it is nothing and she should forget about it. This puzzles Kotori. After the school bell rang, the homeroom teacher is checking attendance. There is no reply when Yukito’s name is called so the teacher asks if he is absent. Kotori is somewhat relieved until Abe tells the teacher that Yukito said that he’ll go to the clinic first before going to the classroom. The teacher asks if Yukito isn’t feeling well. Abe says that maybe Yukito didn’t have enough sleep. Kotori is a bit flustered when the teacher wonders out loud if Yukito plans to skip class but then, it is strange because lately he hasn’t been doing it. To her surprise, the teacher says, “Then, Kaiji Kotori, one of the two Kaiji-s, go get Yukito.” Kotori exclaims, “Huh?” Pointing to the door, the teacher tells her to go quick because class is starting.

Walking at the hallway, Kotori can’t believe that things ended up that way. She thinks that she doesn’t want to see him or to be looked at that way again by Yukito. She wonders how she is going to greet him. She is then surprised to see Yukito but his hair is back to its original color. She tries to tell him something while she is still in shock and wondering what it meant -> why he colored his hair back to its original color. Yukito seems to be also surprised then his eyes looked cold which scares Kotori. She closes her eyes when Yukito uses his finger to lift up the necklace with the bird pendant from her neck. Yukito smiles and says, “What are you wearing?” The two look at each other before Yukito lets go of her necklace and walks away. Kotori is totally flustered while holding her hands near her collar/necklace. She realizes that Yukito is serious [about the break up] because he changed his hair back to brown. At a fastfood restaurant, Kotori is surprised when Natsume asks her if she is alright. Kotori seems to be out of it. She quickly assures Natsume that she is okay. Natsume says that it is really a surprise to know that they broke up and everyone else is shocked about Yukito’s hair color. Kotori just agrees that it is indeed a shock. Kotori thinks that Yukito’s attitude has also changed back to when they’ve just met. She remembers Yukito telling her not to mind others and only look at him. “Changing his hair color back to brown means he doesn’t think that way anymore..” Natsume laments that Kotori doesn’t look like she is okay. Kotori insists that she is because originally, when they went steady, there are no real feelings nor do they really go out in dates. “I’m also not good in expressing myself that Yukito surely thought that I’m really boring..I think that compared to me, other girls are more suitable for him. ..Honestly, he looked happier then. [with Risa]” Sad-looking Natsume touches Kotori’s face and tells her, “Do not say it like that. You do not need to force yourself like this..” Kotori agrees with her and thanks her. Natsume darkly says, “But, it seems it is because of that..you just said, ‘he looked happier then’..so, the reason why the two of you broke up has something to do with another girl..ah..that blind idiot..” Kotori is puzzled by Natsume’s reaction. Someone approaches them then asks, “Ah, what is it, you haven’t changed one bit for your face still looks really gloomy.” Ryosuke greets Kotori, “Hi.” Kotori is surprised while Natsume just looks at Ryosuke. Kotori exclaims, “Ma..saki?! it’s you again...why?” Ryosuke asks why she is saying ‘you again’ for that is what he wanted to say to her. He tells her that he works there. Kotori exclaims is that so. Ryosuke says that’s right. “Oh ya, why are you so gloomy again today? Could it be that you were really dumped by Yukito?” Kotori didn’t reply but she just looks gloomy and dark along with Natsume. Ryosuke exclaims, “Eh..? What is it? What happened? What’s with that mood..Ah..Could it be true?! Forget it, although I’m not sure what happened.” Showing them some coupons, he says, “Use this to revive your vigor.”

Kotori holds three food discount coupons given by Ryosuke. Kotori darkly says, “This is..” Ryosuke also gives some to Natsume, around 15 coupons. Natsume tells him that she doesn’t need that many. Ryosuke smiles and says, “It’s because I want you to come here many times. About that, have we met each other before?” Natsume darkly tells him, “...No-pe. Do not talk with me, Gorilla.” Ryosuke just keeps quiet and seems to mutter, that is alright. Kotori is gloomy that she only has three coupons. “This..is like what happened before.” She remembers a coupon girl giving Risa coupons because she thinks that Risa and Yukito is lovers and Risa shouted to Yukito about it. Kotori closes her eyes after remembering it. Later that night, in her bedroom, Kotori sadly looks at her bird pendant necklace and wonders what she will do with it. She remembers Yukito asking what she is wearing. “I’ve unconsciously worn it since I’ve already made it into a habit...but, for Yukito, it isn’t the same anymore..” She opens her box filled with Chupa Chups lollipops and puts her necklace in it. She then puts the box underneath her bed. “Even if, keeping this no longer has any meaning..but, I still don’t want to throw it away because, if I throw it away, then my connection with Yukito will disappear. Although, doing this will only hurt me..” She tries to cheer herself up by exclaiming that she is going to play her Memories of Falling in Love game since lately, she hasn’t been playing it. “In order not to think about Yukito, I’m going to let Hikaru comfort me.” She then gloomily thinks that even if she thinks about it, there won’t be any result and also, things won’t be the same anymore. “..So, it is like this..I’m not suitable to have a real love life..I’m more compatible with virtual characters..that’s right, it’s like that..it’s too early..going into a relationship is too early [for me]..one cannot just casually have a boyfriend..I haven’t used the techniques in Memories of Falling in Love Ah..I should have joined the gaming club...--! No, that will just make my prospects decrease..[= no future] ..I shouldn’t. [be like this?]” Then, her stuffed toy dog bumps into her. Kotori looks at it and asks, “You..you come to comfort me, right?” There’s a note saying that this is all from Kotori’s viewpoint. She looks at Keshikeshi [formerly Ken-ken; I’m using it as pronounced in the raws. Also, Keshi means opium =P ] who ‘says’, “Look into my eyes. Do you know how long we have been living together? Come, tell me all of the things you want to say.” Kotori mutters, “Keshi-keshi.” She then imagines Keshikeshi as some naked good looking guy with a collar who is under the sheets, saying, “I just can’t leave you alone, come here. I will tightly hug you.” Kotori screams, “Keshi-keshi...” Then, hugs the toy. There is a long “...” [which I think Kotori is thinking that she’s an idiot unless it is Keshikeshi =P]

At school, the homeroom teacher comments that it seems that Yukito is late again and it can’t be helped. Kotori just sits in class with the desk behind her empty. At the hallway, the girls are gossiping about the break-up <- they haven’t been seen together lately and for them to go steady is actually quite unexpected. Kotori becomes gloomy about this and thinks that since then, she hasn’t met Yukito again and the times when she sees him around has also decreased. She then sees Yukito laughing and talking with a couple of girls. She quickly turns around and leaves as Yukito watches her. She thinks, “That’s not it. I don’t want to see him because I’ll see that kind of scene so I deliberately avoided him.” After school, Kotori gloomily walks home and thinks that today is finally over. “Speaking of that, it has been a long time since I went home alone. Natsume has work today. Usually, it is either with Yukito or Natsume...perhaps it is because I’m already used to going home with someone, so it feels..No..I’m not one bit lonely..How could I even be lonely-ah-ah-ah” She is surprised to hear a couple of guys joking around about something. She looks up to see Yukito and Abe walking ahead of her. Kotori is flustered and thinks, “Ah..geez, why is it like this, if I continue like this, I’ll soon catch up with them. I always go to the station through this road...should I slow down my pace or maybe I should just turn and go to a bookstore to pass time..? Honestly, I want to keep on watching him from behind, even if it is just his back..please do not look back..” Someone interrupts her thoughts by calling out to her, “Ah..can I disturb you for a moment?” She turns around to see a guy slightly blushing at her. She wonders who he is. She asks, “You are..?” The boy suddenly exclaims, “Ah, about that, I’m really sorry for suddenly disturbing you. I’m Kozumi High’s freshman, Shitara..” He gives her a piece of paper and exclaims, “This..” A bit surprised, Kotori takes the paper. The boy is still blushing as he says, “Although I know that you have a boyfriend..but if your feelings [for your boyfriend] has changed and you’ll contact me, I will be very happy..Goodbye.” The boy runs off. Kotori opens the piece of paper and reads, “I saw you before when I was going home in this road and I’ve always been curious [interested in you]. If it is okay, please contact me. Shitara Keigo. 090-XXXX-XXXX. XXX-XX@XXX.CO.JP” Kotori blushes and exclaims mentally, “Is..is this..Kya-ah-ah-ah?!” At the corner, Abe asks Yukito if he just saw that. Yukito looks flustered.

At school again, blushing Kotori looks at the note and wonders what she should do about it. “Is this the legendary..that..that thing..what..what should I do! No matter what, it should be better to send an email, right? Ah..but..Natsume, come quick~~~” She looks at the note again and thinks, “I never imagined that a male student from another school would have a good impression of me. Can..can this be true. This is the first time that this has happened to me...This person doesn’t know that I’m only a pure otaku [geek] girl..” She exclaims in surprise when her homeroom teacher slightly hits her on the head with his folder. “Can I hold you for a moment, Kotori Kaiji of the Two Kaiji-s? Although I’m sorry but from today on, together with that Yukito, can you be my class representative?” Kotori’s eyes widen and she protests, “Se-sensei! Why is it always me..shouldn’t other people be also okay?” Looking up, her teacher says, “Huh? Because..you guys are Two-Kaiji-s? I feel that it should be like that.” Kotori is speechless and mutters, “Sensei is really baffling.” Walking at the hallway again, Kotori thinks, “Why is it like this again..” She remembers her teacher telling her that for the time being, since the first period is his class, she’ll go to the clinic to get Yukito and then, both of them will go and prepare the materials listed on the piece of paper. Kotori laments that now, she can’t avoid what she wanted to avoid. Looking at the list [of stuff which I can’t read because it’s blurry], Kotori thinks that even one person can prepare all of it. After thinking, she goes to the clinic. She pulls away the curtain to see Yukito sleeping on one of the beds. “He’s really here..what now? Although he told me to wake Yukito up..until now, I haven’t really looked at Yukito’s face..it’s because when we are going steady, I’m too shy that I always look somewhere else..really..it’s a very normal face..speaking of that, this situation has happened before, too..” She remembers looking at sleeping Yukito when he suddenly holds her hand. [That’s in chapter 3] Kotori blushes after remembering what happened before. She turns around and decides that she be the one to do everything [get the things in the list]. Before she can leave, she is surprised because Yukito is holding her hand. She turns around and sees Yukito opening his eyes to look at her. Blurb: “Will this be the opportunity for them to make up?”

So, the two indeed broke up with each other because of Risa and Kotori not feeling anything when he kisses/hugs her sometimes. In the end, they didn’t call up each other and things are pretty much ‘sealed’ when Yukito looked at her necklace as if asking why she is still wearing that. I have no idea why he did that or what he is thinking when he did that but I thought it is pretty much obvious that she still likes him. I find it interesting that Kotori isn’t crying over the relationship. Rather than thinking that her feelings for him isn’t that deep, I thought that is her way of coping with the break-up. It is really different from other girls. Hehe, she daydreams and it’s really amusing that the two Kaiji-s have the same imagery of Keshikeshi if he’s human. ^^; Now that I think about it, has Kotori cried before? I don’t remember her ever crying, she’s just usually gloomy. Also, it’s nice that Natsume is there to comfort her. Of course, Natsume is going to side with Kotori and she is more mature than Kotori. I think Ryosuke is stupid to give her more tickets than Kotori because it is obvious that he is trying to woo Natsume and his motives are too obvious. He should have at least get on Kotori’s good side so that Natsume might think more highly of him rather than calling him a gorilla ^^;; Apparently, Natsume isn’t an ‘easy’ girl. For her to call him a gorilla, she reminded me of Gintama’s Otae. As for the new guy, I’m wondering if he is just Natsume in disguise or he is really a new character. If it’s Natsume, she has great acting skills. If it’s Natsume, it is risky if she is discovered and Kotori might think that Natsume is ‘doing a trick on her’ but maybe she’ll understand if it is for the purpose of making Yukito jealous.. Well, whoever that guy really is, it is really effective =P Ha, it makes Yukito think that there are other guys out there who would want Kotori. ^^ Too bad, Ryosuke seems to be no longer in the running. It made me wonder if it is because he is infatuated with someone else or he knows that Yukito still loves Kotori so they might be back together again. I find their teacher amusing..hehe, he treats the two as if they are some sort of duo/combi. I wonder if he knows that the two went steady and Yukito is back to his ‘delinquent’ stage because of something happened between those two so he is sending her to ‘work’ with Yukito. Lastly, I hope that Yukito will be the one who’ll make the move for them to make up rather than for Kotori since the break up is mostly his fault =P Since the author is making things light-hearted even after they break up, I guess that pretty much says that those two will make up soon ^^

Quote of the day:
The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake. ~ Meister Eckhart

Weekly Jump: Bleach, Naruto, One Piece, Beelzebub, Reborn, and PSYREN
Monday, August 24, 2009

In Bleach [c. 370], Soifon is caught by Omaeda after firing her bankai. It turns out that she usually can only fire it once every three days. Before she and Hacchi can do a little chat, it turns out that Barragan is still alive. He quickly spread his decaying energy to finish Hacchi while sprouting about being a god so how dare they do that to him and his power is absolute. Hacchi is getting hit that Soifon got worried that she shouted his name. Barragan stops his speech when he noticed that Hacchi’s hand which was hit by his decay is gone. It is too late when Barragan realizes that Hacchi has teleported his arm into Barragan who ends up being destroyed by his own power. Well, that is a more convincing way to finish of Barragan. Also, for being arrogant and everything, it usually spells ‘doom’ for any antagonist. Well, it seems that it is a standard for espada to be ‘killed’ then still be ‘alive’ before the final blow. Is the girls vs Harribel up next?

Then in Naruto [c. 460], Raikage prepares to go ‘Sasuke-hunting’ after learning from Zetsu that Sasuke is there. Karin realizes that they were betrayed so Sasuke starts killing the samurai guards that are going after them. Karin realizes that something is odd with Sasuke since his chakra has changed into something ‘colder’. Suigetsu complains that Sasuke is killing when Sasuke told him before not to. While Karin is asked to track down Danzou, Raikage has found Sasuke. Elsewhere, Naruto is moping when Tobi/Madara appears near the window and wants to talk. Yamato and Kakashi quickly go on defense-offensive. Madara tells them that he just wanted to chat since he is curious what Naruto did to make Nagato betray him. Ignoring that, Naruto exclaims what he has done with Sasuke. Madara decides to tell him the story of Sasuke who is filled with hatred. Ah, I wonder if Raikage suddenly say something about Naruto and that will ‘tame’ Sasuke or Naruto will be heading there. Anyway, when Madara appeared there, I felt like laughing at the scene because while Naruto is moping and everything, the enemy is already there. Luckily for them he just wants to talk else, Naruto will be already badly injured or dead—wait, they need him alive. Hm..I wonder if it was mentioned if the host dies, where would the tailed beast go? Dead too or it will be free? I also wonder what Madara is planning..why would he want to chat? Well, I can guess what he is planning with Sasuke, just like what villains will do with traitors = dispose of them. Well, that is bound to happen to a traitor.

One Piece [c. 554] is pretty much more ‘show-off’ of powers. Marco is a phoenix which is kind of cool. Since an iceberg is going to be thrown to the marines, Admiral Akainu destroys it using his magma powers. Then, there are more fighting when Little Oars Junior who is part of Whitebeard’s group appears. Soon, it seems that the Shichibukai are going to make a move. I think the abilities of ‘earthquake’ and ‘magma’ show what kind of ‘disaster’ is going to happen here. It’s really like a royal rumble and not a ‘one-on-one’ that is happening in Bleach. Basically, no strategies, just fight head on and the strongest wins. It makes me wonder how Luffy will save Ace since if he charges heads on, one of the more powerful marines will obviously notice him. Then, in the cover page, Chopper manages to hide while the natives fight the birds.

In Beelzebub [c. 25], after being beaten by Aizawa, Oga fights back but he fails to land a hit on him. Before Oga is going to be punched again, Aizawa suddenly stops because of a phone call. After taking the call, Aizawa bids Oga goodbye and that he’ll play with him next time. Oga asks him who he is. Aizawa just says that one of Toujou’s top underling. Oga returns home to find only sick BL. He was informed by his sister that Hilda is missing. Oga then ends up taking care of BL by changing the wet towel on BL’s head until he falls asleep. Soon, BL wake up. When it is morning, BL is missing. Furuichi is surprised to learn that both BL and Hilda are missing. Oga is very happy about it until his sister forces him to bring them back else, don’t come back to the house. While walking, Oga claims not wanting to go find them but he says that they should cool off from the heat neat the riverside. Furuichi remembers that is where Oga first found BL. At the riverside, they were surprised to see Aizawa and Toujou there especially since BL is hanging behind Toujo’s back. I guess BL decided to go to the one who ‘seduced’ him since he doesn’t look sick anymore but then, he looks as if he is in a trance because his eyes aren’t clear. Since Toujou wants a fight, I wonder if Oga can win especially since he can’t beat Aizawa and he no longer has the seal. Maybe this will be Oga’s first defeat. I’m thinking if they can get BL to cry so that he’ll electrocute Toujou but then, he seems quite strong that he’ll be able to withstand it.

While in Katekyo Hitman Reborn! [c. 254], everyone is shock about Uni. Millefiore are shock because she is moving and talking on her own while Tsuna is shock because she is the other Millefiore boss and Reborn knows her. She calls Reborn, ‘uncle’ as the friend of her grandmother. They learn that Byakuran gave Uni some drug so that he can ‘manipulate’ her since she wasn’t able to move or talk. Uni informs Byakuran that just like him, she also has a power to transverse worlds so her soul is safe. Uni tells Byakuran that she wants a rematch with Vongola. Since Byakuran refuses, Uni decides to quit his group. To Tsuna’s shock, Uni asks him to protect her and the pacifiers. With ‘souls’, Uni made the pacifiers glow which is needed for 7^3 so Byakuran wants her back. Uni refuses but because Tsuna is indecisive, Reborn takes action and warns him not to touch the boss of the Acrobaleno. Kikyou and others try to get her by force but Squalo and Hibari block them off since they are itching to fight already. Ah, Tsuna..still a wimp and undecisive. Oh well, I guess he is like that without the dying will. I’m surprised that Tsuna still thinks that Reborn is just a ‘baby’ ^^; After all that has happened, he hasn’t realized that Reborn might not be just a ‘baby’. ^^;; I’m amused because it seems that ‘weak’ cute girls are ‘attracted’ to him ^^; I’m also amused that it seems that he can’t handle his own men = they are doing whatever they want especially when he’s confused ^^;; I do think that Uni is pretty clever to have a ‘back up plan’ in case Byakuran doesn’t agree to another match. So, maybe the ones who haven’t fought yet will show their powers or will be there another ‘choice’ game?

Then in PSYREN [c. 83], it seems that Miroku has retired and left everything to Grana. Grana informs him about the resistance that they have encountered and that they will crush them. Miroku mentioned that this kind of world which he wants is still in its initial stage. Meanwhile, the woman continues her explanation on how they got there with the use of her power on the telephone booths. When she says that she really doesn’t owe them an explanation nor to tell them their final destination, Yoshina blows his top off because she doesn’t care about the people who got killed because of this game just to know how her brother did all this. After Yoshina left to cool his head off, the woman tells Amamiya that Yoshina got angry for Amamiya’s sake since she is the reason why he played this game. She also tells her that she can no longer care about anything because her heart is already ‘dead’. Later on, Yoshina goes to the woman again to learn the whereabouts of Hiryuu and Oboro. [Opps, so that other guy that Van is healing wasn’t Oboro ^^;] The woman just tells him that she’ll just show an image of Nemesis Q to them. And, in the last scene, it seems that Oboro has changed and can ‘destroy’ creatures with a touch. Hm..I guess all of this mess is brought about by two selfish and ‘numb to everything’ siblings. ^^; Well, Yoshina could only shout at her but then, I wonder what he’ll do with Miroku if they meet. I wonder what happened to Oboro and if they can change him back to normal. Is he hunting for those ‘spheres’?

Quote of the day:
Self-conceit may lead to self-destruction. ~ Aesop

Stardust★Wink [Chapter 7]
Saturday, August 22, 2009

Narration: “Even if it is because of one sentence that I’ve said, ‘If someone said I’m cute, of course, I will be happy.’” There is a scene of Hinata saying, “Very cute.” Narration: “Even if that sentence seems to mean, ‘Then, I’ll say it to you [for you to hear].’ It is as if one is being pressured to say it!” Anna’s mother shouts for Anna to go buy some miso paste for her because she is going to make miso soup. Anna didn’t seem to hear her mother because she is busy looking at the mirror. She laments that her face is still red. “Why? When Mashiro-kun said I’m cute, I’m only a bit happy but when Hinata said it, I was embarrassed or rather, I felt uneasy to the point of not knowing what to do...” Anna’s mother slams the door open and shouts to Anna if she heard her. “Go buy some miso!” Anna is aghast as she shouts, yes! While Anna hurries to wear her shoes, she thinks that maybe she is just mistaken since Hinata usually don’t say that so she is just startled by it. Someone calls out, “Miss Koshiro, I have something for you.” Anna exclaims that she’s coming. When she opens the door, she is shock to see Hinata with her pet squirrel, Coco on his hand. Hinata says, “Thank you very much-- Here, I give you back your squirrel.” Anna is shock to see him. She stutters while asking what Hinata is doing there. Hinata explains that when they went out/forced out by her, Coco-chan also came out so he is just bringing it back to her. Blushing and looking away, Anna tells him that he should just return it like how he usually does. Anna thinks that she can’t face Hinata right now because of what happened earlier but it will be strange if she keeps on looking down. She is surprised when Hinata says, “Very cute.” This embarrasses Anna since he said it again. She exclaims that even if she said that, he shouldn’t always say it in such a careless way. Hinata replies, “But- it is very cute. Why don’t you look at it.” Coco seems to be pointing to itself and crying about Anna not wanting her back nor wanting to see her. Hinata says that this little one definitely knows that it is very cute. Anna looks away and mutters, “What, so you were talking about Coco.”

This slightly surprises Hinata that he asks her whom does she thinks he is talking about. This made Anna blush that she shouts, “It’s nothing. I’m going to buy miso. See you!” Hinata asks about Coco. Anna just shouts for him to just leave Coco in her room. While running, Anna wonders what’s wrong with her and why she is so embarrassed. She begins to wonder what if Hinata will go with Sou tomorrow to study in her house. “Won’t that be really awkward? Please God, I pray that tomorrow will pass by peacefully.” On the next day, Mashiro is going to teach Anna English when to Anna’s surprise, the doorbell rings. Mashiro wonders out loud if it is those guys again. Sou opens the door and greets them a good morning. Mashiro happily greets him and says that he is expecting them. Sou darkly says that obviously that isn’t what Mashiro really feels and he shouldn’t tease them [youngsters]. Anna asks where Hinata is. Sou says that Hinata is a traitor [run away] for he said that he has other things to do. Anna looks surprised and thinks that is right since it is GW after all. [GW = Golden Week] She remembers that everyone would not want to study and be in this situation. Mashiro looks at Anna then starts to laugh. He tells Anna, “So, that’s it..I thought it is somewhat strange yesterday. Anna likes Hinata. ♥” This surprises Anna that she asks him what he is talking about. Mashiro says that it is because she looked disappointed and there’s no need for her to be embarrassed. Anna tells him that she isn’t embarrassed. Mashiro then says that ever since before, the people in their apartment are gossiping about the three of them and who will end up with Anna. “Hahaha..it turns out that in the end, Hinata is the winner.” Anna angrily shouts, “So, I’VE SAID THAT IT ISN’T LIKE THAT!” Anna exclaims that she knows Hinata since they were young. “We take a bath together. We sleep together. Even if in school, it causes a bit of a disturbance but for me, CHILDHOOD FRIENDS, ABSOLUTELY CANNOT BECOME LOVERS! But this is like a – ‘What the heck is this’ feeling for me. For me, this is because we are only childhood friends. It is absolutely not that ‘Love’ type.”

Mashiro is a bit speechless by her outburst. Sou angrily slams the table. Sou darkly says that Anna is too noisy and she is always saying childhood friends this and childhood friends that. Anna asks what he is unhappy about. Sou shouts that of course, he is unhappy. “Do you really know the meaning of childhood friends?! According to the dictionary, it is ‘friends whom you played with when you were young’. If that’s how it is then, Mashiro is also a childhood friend, right? Then, you think of Mashiro as your first love. Isn’t that like a contradictory!” While Mashiro looks surprised, embarrassed Anna is shock and shouts how Sou could say that in front of Mashiro. “Do you even know the meaning of how to be considerate?!” Sou angrily shouts for her to quit joking around for she doesn’t have any right to tell him that. While Anna is hitting Sou, Mashiro mutters, “..Anna’s first love is..” Embarrassed, Anna admits it that it is him. Mashiro has this ‘Heh’ expression as he sighs. Anna is stunned while Sou angrily looks at him. Mashiro quickly tells the two not to look at him like that and he apologizes for that is not what he meant. Still laughing, Mashiro says that it must be some sort of misunderstanding. “Anna’s first love isn’t me.” Anna is puzzled as she tries to tell him that she just said it is so. Mashiro replies, “But, when we were young and I asked you about it, you said that you want to be married with that guy.” This surprises Anna that she exclaims, “What? Are you joking?!” Mashiro happily says, “It’s true♪ It’s true♪” Anna nervously asks if that really happened and why can’t she remember anything about it. Mashiro says that maybe Anna wanted to forget that memory. Sou tells Mashiro that what he said is unbelievable and who would prove what he is saying. Mashiro evades the topic by saying that chatting is over, it is time to teach them/study. Anna gloomily says that she has enough of studying. Mashiro says that it is just the second day. Anna says that even if Mashiro is her teacher, she doesn’t want to be always studying on GW. Mashiro says that it can’t be help, he’ll talk with Anna’s mother. Anna is surprised then becomes happy when Mashiro says that he’ll ask permission if she can go out and have fun with him. Anna is really happy about this. Mashiro asks Sou if he and Hinata will also come along. Sou says that he is going (to watch over them) and (he is going to force) Hinata to come along. Anna freezes from celebrating upon hearing that. Mashiro poses [wink and tongue out] and says, “Good- then it is decided ☆ I just thought of a place where I’ll bring the three of you to--” Anna is puzzled while Sou looks aghast.

Later on, Anna exclaims that it has been a long time since she went to the amusement park. Sou says that it is such a boring place though he thought that it is great when they were young. Hinata says that it is just an amusement park like others. He looks at Anna who looks stunned. She quickly points to some place and shouts to Sou that there is a gaming center there. Hinata is speechless. Sou quickly grabs Hinata and drags him to the gaming center. While Hinata is dragged, he can only complain why they are going there when they are in an amusement park. Anna is relieved. Mashiro laments that Sou really doesn’t know to play together. Anna asks if this is the place where he wants to bring them. Mashiro says that he heard that amusement park will be sealed off [closed?] this year’s summer so he wants them to go there at least once before that happens because when they were young, they went there many times. Anna happily says that even their parents came along. Seeing the carousel, Anna says that it is very nostalgic since she really likes it the carousel. Mashiro calls out to her and asks her if she want to know who her first love is. Anna just says, huh. Mashiro asks if she isn’t interested for it seems that unlike what he thought, she isn’t the type who’ll want to know the answer. Anna says that it isn’t because she is not interested in it but rather, because she forgot about it, so there is no need to remember it. Mashiro starts laughing again and says that even if he thinks that the three of them haven’t change but it seems that Anna is the one who hasn’t change the most. He tells her that whether she remembers it or not, only the two of them knows what happened. Flashback: The trio along with Mashiro and Rui were in the amusement park. Pointing at the carousel’s carriage, Anna said that is where the princess sits. She exclaimed that she wanted to ride it. She told Sou to ride on the white horse so that he’ll become the prince. Anna is surprised when Sou asked if he turned into a prince, will she marry her. Anna happily smiled and said, “Yes! Let’s get married together with Hinata ♪” Hinata is riding on an elephant. Sou became gloomy. Hinata told her that he is riding on an elephant. Anna shouted that he’ll become an elephant prince.

Mashiro laughed his head off while Rui pities her younger brother. Mashiro told Anna that bigamy is a crime. Anna is confused. Mashiro told her that she can’t marry two people. “You can only choose one of them.” Mashiro narrates that in the end, Anna didn’t choose anyone because her answer is... Young Anna raised her hand up and to Mashiro’s surprise, she exclaimed, “Then, Anna will just marry Mashiro!” End flashback. Anna is aghast by that. Mashiro says that answer really shock him. Anna apologizes for evading the question. Mashiro says that it could be because she can’t say whom she really likes or maybe both of the boys are very important to her. “But I’m curious-- so later on, I brought you aside and asked you.” Mashiro whispers something to Anna. Anna is startled. They were interrupted by Sou who calls out to them to see the things that he won. Carrying a lot of stuffed toys, he looks very pleased with himself. Mashiro says that it’s great and if the two of them were the ones who got those toys. Hinata says only Sou because he is an expert in getting stuffed toys. Mashiro says that it seems that Sou is still going to play so about those stuff.. Sou says that he is going to leave it in the car. Mashiro tells him not to say it that way as if the car is Sou’s. He tells Hinata and Anna that they will be going to his car first and they should just wait there for them. After they left, Hinata asks Anna if she is still angry. Anna is surprised and asks why he asked. Hinata says that it seems that Anna doesn’t want to see him and she is acting a bit strange. Anna says that she isn’t angry. Hinata says, really, then that’s good. She then asks Hinata if she really hasn’t changed. Hinata is puzzled. Anna explains that that Mashiro told her that ever since before, she hasn’t changed a bit. Looking at her, Hinata says, “Ah-ah..no change. You haven’t changed a bit!” Pointing at him, Anna complains if he is just complimenting her. Hinata just says, “I know.” [as in I know if you’ve changed or not] Anna is stunned as Hinata smiles at her. Flashback: Mashiro asked young Anna, “Hey, Anna, between Sou and Hinata, who do you really like? Tell me and I won’t tell anyone.” “I like both of them.” “Yes, I know that..but honestly, which one?” “Honestly, the one I really like is, Hinata.” End flashback. The last scene is of Anna and Hinata just standing.

And, there you have it. Hinata is the guy who turned out to be Anna’s first love but then, I guess she treasures their friendship as in ‘childhood friends forever’ that is why she ‘erased’ that memory and insists that there be no ‘love’ between friends. The next problem will be is does Hinata like her romantically? I guess Hinata is the type who knows everything about Anna unlike Sou who tends to quarrel with her. ^^; I think it is only right for Sou to get angry at Anna about that childhood friends stuff since she claims that Mashiro is her first love when he is a childhood friend. I guess Sou might be doomed to be with Beni ^^;; From the looks of it, Mashiro is so bored that he would play cupid with his childhood friends. ^^; Well, the ‘evil’ poses he made before probably imply that if Anna realizes this fact, their friendship will start to crumble and of course, things won’t be the same anymore. There’s lots of cute expressions here. It seems like Mashiro likes to act cute and laugh so he turns out to be a good guy in a way in the end. =P Scans by xiuxiu/咻咻 and Amyangel19910323 for BW.

Word of the day:
Unchanging God who reigns above, His truth remains forever; And from this faithful God of love, no earthly trial can sever. ~ D. De Haan from Our Daily Bread

Free Talk: Vampire Knight [Chapter 53]
Saturday, August 22, 2009

Bwehehe..I knew it. It ends with Yuuki and Zero seeing each other. Anyway, I won’t bother doing the teaser because sagakure already wrote one and the Chinese sites don’t have the scans yet so those who are interested in knowing in advance, go read it in her blog. Those who can wait, sagakure wrote that the scanlation might be out tomorrow. Lol, Kaname did Yuuki’s manicure. I give you a few bsho points for that, Kaname and please don’t be too emo anymore. ^^ Hehe, I wonder what else he can do. Zero is pretty much like Naruto’s Sasuke with that ‘kill, kill Yuuki’ stuff. Geez, who is Kaito ^^;; Vampire hunter? Good..but I want a girl one. Hm..it seems that he is an old acquaintance of Zero just like Touga is. Well, there is a Takuma-Shiki-Rima reunion, too. Takuma demoted to a waiter..is he doing some undercover job as if no one will recognize him? ^^; Hehe, can’t wait to see their outfits and of course, Kaname who supposedly looks hot in some scenes ^^ Saw it here. I'll say, Yuuki looks great..like a lady. Scans by WTAC.

She Is Mine [Chapters 2-3]
Friday, August 21, 2009

Chapter 2: One week after the opening ceremony, during lunch break, Yasushi asks Mirei where she plans to eat for lunch. “The truth is, a sempai told me before that there is an Italian restaurant near school. It seems that a lot of people go there to eat during lunch so today, if I can, I also want to go eat there.” Holding a bento box bag, Mirei says that’s not bad. “Then, take your time and go. This afternoon, I have already agreed to eat with Haru and Ryotaro.” Yasushi becomes gloomy and just says okay. He thinks that he was rebuffed again. Mirei tells him that it’s good that he’ll get to eat delicious food. Overhearing the conversation, Ryo [I’ll be using his nickname; he is also Ryotaro] asks smiling Haru if they agreed to eat with her. Haru says they didn’t but nevertheless he is very happy about it. He hopes Mirei will quickly go to their side. Ryo looks at Haru and tells him that it seems that he haven’t learned his lesson after how he was treated before -> Haru was just used so that Mirei can dump her boyfriend. Haru [cutely] poses with a gun-sign on his chin and tells Ryo that if one is scared just because of one setback, then one won’t be successful in love. Ryo comments that Haru is quite an optimistic. Ryo says that he isn’t an expert in dealing with that unreasonable type of girl so he’ll just leave it to Haru. While whistling, Haru smiles and says that honestly, Mirei is a bit different from the type that Ryo likes. Ryo shouts why he is smiling about. Still whistling, Haru says that he isn’t smiling. Mirei goes to them and apologizes for making them wait. She innocently asks them what they are talking about. Ryo is a bit tense as to what to say. To his shock, Haru tells her that they were talking about Ryo’s type of girl which is a queen-type of girl who has huge breasts and wearing lace [bra?]. Mirei comments that for a virgin, Ryo sure aims high. Flustered, Ryo shouts for her to shut up and don’t just believe that. He gets angry at Haru who just laughs. Ryo tells him not to give him a ‘haha’ and he better explain things to Mirei. They were interrupted by a black haired girl wearing glasses. Holding a notebook, she tells Ryo that she just met the teacher at the storage room who told her to give the period’s exercise notebook to him. Ryo seems smitten by her. He takes the notebook and thanks Ueno Kogami. Kogami blushes and says that he’s welcome. She looks up to him then blushes more. She bids him goodbye. Ryo blushes, too and says, okay. Kogami goes back to her friends who welcome her back. Ryo keeps looking at Uneo. Haru is looking really happy at Ryo while Mirei looks puzzled at Haru’s expression.

While eating at the roof, Haru says that Ryo likes Kogami. Flustered, Ryo exclaims in surprise. Haru laughs and says that he knows the type that Ryo likes -> the serious type. Haru says that he is quite cute because since the start, he can’t escape from that type of girl. Ryo is embarrassed. While eating, Mirei innocently asks Ryo that wasn’t his original type are those with [huge] breasts. [I think it is a typo because she mentioned Kogami’s name so it is either that or she is asking if Kogami used to have big breasts.] Ryo tells her not to be annoying and he never said that. “Speaking of that, why are you eating with us?” Mirei brightly says, “Ah- but, if only two guys are eating together, won’t it be very boring?” Ryo darkly tells her not to worry too much about that. After eating, Ryo tells Haru not to do anything or say anything to Kogami. Eating a sandwich, Haru says, okay. Ryo wonders if that is true. Mirei says that she’s finished eating. Haru says his lunch is delicious. Ryo says that he’ll go buy some coffee. Ryo listlessly goes down to buy. After Ryo left, Haru smiles and says, “Continuing on..” He goes near Mirei who is eating a banana for dessert. He tells her, “Mirei, come and help out, too.” While Ryo is buying a can of coffee from the vending machine, he remembers what happened in the past. Flashback: When he and Haru are in grade two, Haru asked Ryo if he likes Sumi. Ryo said he does. Haru asked if he confessed. Ryo replied that he doesn’t know what to say regarding that matter. Haru suggested that he writes a letter. “I saw in a manga that one will just leave it in the shoe locker. I will help you write it like ‘I like you, please go steady with me.’” Ryo thought that Haru is really great. After school dismissal in class 2-4, Haru and Ryo are in cleaning duty. Sumi went to them and said that she got the letter. Ryo blushed. Sumi said, “About that..I also from the start, like Haru-classmate.” Ryo and Haru are stunned. Later at the playground, Haru looked at the letter written on a stationary with teddy bear and basketball. ‘To Sumi, I really like you. Please go steady with me. Sorry if my writing is a bit crooked. Murakami Haru’ Haru apologized to gloomy Ryo that he unconsciously wrote his own name out of habit. He is so clumsy that his writing is also very crooked. End flashback. Going back to the roof, Ryo thinks that if Haru helped him, nothing good comes out of it but Haru still likes to meddle in other people’s love affairs. “If I don’t properly avoid..” He then sees Haru playing DS. He asks where Mirei is. Haru says that she went down to buy a snack so he also asked her to buy them some snacks, too. Ryo comments that Mirei sure likes to eat. Haru then asks Ryo if he wants to play with his DS. Ryo hesitates since it is Haru’s. Haru tells him that it is okay. While Ryo is seriously playing, Haru is smiling. [Distraction = success ^^]

In room 1-4, Mirei looks up the sign and remembers what Haru told her. Flashback: After eating a couple of bananas, Haru told Mirei that he thinks that Kogami is also interested in Ryo so he thought that they should help those two’s progress by getting them in a place together. “Ryo’s a late bloomer so no matter what, he’ll forever not initiate things. So, let’s help those two get together. And if the mood is good, Ryo might confess.” Mirei just nodded to everything Haru said. Haru told Mirei that it is her responsibility to conveniently bring Kogami there at the roof. “Since Ueno seems to be also they shy time, do not let her put up her guard. Do not let her know that Ryo is waiting for her here.” Mirei nodded to everything he said. End flashback. Mirei slams open the door and repeats to herself, “Do not let her notice.” She goes to Kogami’s group and calls out to Kogami. Kogami asks what it is. Mirei asks her to go with her to the roof. Kogami asks why. Mirei thinks for a while and says, “It seems that a UFO has just flown over.” Kogami and everyone are shock. Mirei grabs Kogami’s hand and says that they should go quickly. Kogami wonders why it has to be her. Kogami’s friends wanted to go too but Mirei motions for them to stop. “Because, this is a private matter.” Kogami looks scared as Mirei tells her that they should go quick. The ones, who were left, wonder what is the private matter about a UFO. At the roof, Ryo complains that Mirei is too slow and where could she have bought the food. Haru tells him that she will be here soon. The door opens and just when Ryo is about to complain why Mirei is late, he sees Kogami behind Mirei. He asks why she is there. Kogami tells him that she also wants to know because Mirie suddenly took her there. Haru happily greets Kogami and says that it is a coincidence. Realizing what happened, Ryo grabs Haru’s collar and darkly says, “Why you..” Haru says that he suddenly became thirsty so he is going down to buy some drink together with Mirei. Ryo becomes nervous but Haru tells him that it is okay and he should just try to talk with Kogami. Ryo is complaining that Haru is an idiot and what is this he is planning. Mirei looks at Kogami and happily says, “The UFO stuff is just a lie.” Kogami exclaims in shock. Ryo is helpless as Haru tells them that they are going down and they will be right back. After they left, Ryo apologizes to Kogami for getting her involved in this situation. He says that even if it is sudden but he wants to know if Mirei said something strange to her. This made Kogami’s heart beat loudly. Ryo says that without malice, Mirei tend to say some superfluous [un-called for] things so he wants to know if Kogami is okay. Kogami says that she was shock but now, she is okay. Shock that it is true, Ryo nervously asks what did Mirei did. Kogami assures him that she is okay. Blushing, Kogami says that Ryo is really such a nice guy. This made Ryo blush. He tells her that he isn’t. She says he is. Well, that is pretty much how the conversation goes that they start to laugh at each other. At the other side of the door, Haru and Mirei are eavesdropping. Haru asks if she hears anything. Mirei says that there are some laughing and Ryo probably feels good about it. Haru says that the mood is really good and if this continues, those two might get together. Mirei smiles and says that it will be good if those two get together. This captivates Haru. Then, someone shouts, “I found [her]!”

At the roof, Kogami tells Ryo that is her nature and she doesn’t have any experience with men so at first, she doesn’t know what to say. “But it seems that Sano-classmate isn’t the same as the other guys. You seem like a serious and kind guy. You’re also very quiet..so if I get along with you maybe perhaps it will become more than friends.” Kogami blushes a bit. Ryo blushes really red. Ryo then says, “...me, too. I think of Kogami classmate..” [Basically, it’s a, “I like you” confession] But, they were interrupted when someone shouts, “I told you that you can’t go there!” The two looks at the door. Some other person says, “But didn’t a UFO just flown over?” “Ha?! Where did you guys hear about that?” “Quickly open the door.” Kogami’s friend tells Haru that Mirei told them so and Kogami is definitely there since Mirei said something about some private matter. Haru frantically tries to stop them from going to the roof as he wonders what kind of method did Mirei used to get Kogami up there. He exclaims that basically, there is no UFO. They ask why they won’t let them go up. Haru is surprised when Mirei goes in front. Sparkling, Mirei shouts, “Ryo and Kogami are together right now and they are in the CLIMAX so you guys shouldn’t interrupt them-!!!” Mirie scowls and pouts at them. Everyone is totally shock as they thought, “Climax?” Then, there is a sound of someone running. Ryo opens the door. Blushing really red, Ryo shouts for Mirei to tell things clearly that they are just talking. “We are not doing anything!!” Kogami is blushing and nods repeatedly in agreement. Kogami’s friend asks her if she is okay. Kogami says that she is and apologizes for worrying her. Her friend asks about the UFO. Kogami tells her that she’ll just explain later on. Ryo is still embarrassed and just mentally apologizes. As the others head down because there’s nothing interesting happening there, Kogami turns around and smiles at Ryo. This surprises Ryo. Haru is really happy about this development. Ryo becomes gloomy again when Mirei innocently asks if he get together with Kogami. [The way she says it is like they had H ^^;;] Ryo darkly tells her that they didn’t. He tells her not to just say those things casually and they were just talking so how could she just say that they are in a climax. Mirei just happily says that it’s good that they weren’t interrupted because she thought that if everyone went in, it will be really bad. Ryo sweatdrops and tells her that isn’t the problem but rather, saying those kind of things out loud. “You’re also too inconsiderate!” This surprises Mirei. Putting his arm around Ryo’s shoulder, Haru tells him that is enough and he shouldn’t be too shy. Blushing Ryo denies he is shy. Haru tells him that judging from Kogami’s reaction, it seems that things are going well so isn’t that good. Ryo tells him not to be annoying. Ryo goes down stairs. Haru tells Mirei that they should go, too. Still looking a bit surprised over what Ryo said, Mirei just lamely says yes.

The next day, Haru gives Ryo a AV [adult video] about a next door ‘sister’. [Sister <- girl older than you; not blood related] Ryo is nervous and asks Haru what he is thinking for giving that to him so early in the morning. Haru proudly says that the day when Ryo becomes an adult is not that far anymore. Haru suggests that Ryo study it first. Keeping the video in his bag, Ryo asks if Haru is an idiot but he still hasn’t done anything. It seems that Ryo is going to lend the video anyway. Surprised Haru asks didn’t Ryo confessed to Kogami. Haru tells him that judging from yesterday, it feels like things will work out. “In my opinion, if you don’t do anything at this time, then you’re not a man.” Remembering Kogami telling him that she would want to be more than friends, Ryo slightly blushes and agrees with Haru. Haru happily exclaims that’s good so how about inviting Kogami for lunch and surely, Kogami will be happy, too. Ryo shouts for him not to talk too loud about it. Soon, it is lunch time. Carrying her bento box, Mirei goes to Haru and asks where Ryo is. Haru points to the side. The two look at Ryo and Kogami. Ryo goes to Kogami and asks her if she wants to eat lunch together. Kogami is a bit speechless but with the urging of her two friends, she agrees. Haru and Mirei are happy about this development. Kogami follows Ryo to his desk while he gets some money from his bag to buy some juice. While Ryo is looking for his wallet, the AV falls out. Ryo and Kogami is stunned. Haru is surprised-nervous. Mirei just looks at the videotape. To Ryo’s surprise, Kogami screams, “YU—CK!” Ryo tries to explain but Kogami looks totally disgusted. She shouts for him not to go near her. She accuses him of being the same with the other guys who would watch that kind of stuff even if they are still in first year high. “GROSS!!!” Ryo is stunned. Soon, their other classmates start gossiping - asking what happened, it seems that stupid Ryo brought an AV and he’s disappointing and disgusting. Kogami’s friend asks if she is alright. Kogami says that seeing that kind of thing is really disgusting. Then, someone shouts that Ryo made Kogami cry. Ryo is shocked speechless. Trying to defuse the situation, Haru explains that he is the one who lend that video to Ryo. Kogami’s friend says that means that the two of them are exchanging videos to watch that kind of stuff. Kogami angrily shouts that is really gross. The two guys are speechless, aghast and can’t answer back. Ganging up together, the girls are shouting that guys are really disappointing. After watching everything in silence, Mirei approaches Kogami and tells her with a smile, “Kogami-classmate, you know the history of mankind has always been all about sex.” Kogami says, “Huh?”

Mirei continues, “Since 6 million years ago, humans continuously flourish and it started through the act of sex so from start to end, it has always been like this.” At the background are animals like penguins, turtles, pigeons and beetles having sex. The two guys are speechless about what is coming out of Mirei’s mouth this time. Sparkling and smiling Mirei adds, “Because of this important thing, perhaps this gives people a lewd feeling but it is natural for people to think of sex as interesting since it is a necessity.” The other guys in the classroom are happily smiling and saying to each other that it is good that they are lewd then. ^^;; Kogami still looks aghast as she says, so what about it. To Ryo’s surprise, Mirei says, “So, Ryotaro isn’t gross nor does he make others think that he’s disgusting.” Kogami just looks at smiling Mirei. Soon, some of their classmates start to defend Ryo about the AV and it is no big deal like how the girls are reacting. Ryo goes to the two girls and tells Mirei that is enough. He tells Kogami that it seems that he isn’t the kind of guy she thinks he is. Ryo then heads out of the classroom while Haru calls out to him. At the roof, poor Ryo is frozen as he looks somewhere gloomily. Haru and Mirei just look at him. Mirei asks if Ryo isn’t going to eat because since from the start, he isn’t moving. Haru says that he feels a bit responsible so just let Ryo be like that for a while. Ryo thinks for Kogami to suddenly scream like that, it really startled him. “Girls are really scary...Next time, I’ll keep this in mind..maybe it is better to just keep this on hold.” [Not sure if he is referring about having a love life or being depressed] He then overhears Haru telling Mirei that she’s eating a banana again, two days in a row. Mirei just says yes. Ryo remembers how he reprimanded Mirei earlier and how she defended him. He sits beside Mirei and says, “Nakagawa..thank you [for what you did] a while ago.” Ryo blushes a bit as Mirei looks at him. She then smiles and says, “Okay.” Ryo thinks that having someone like her is also okay. Haru asks Mirei from whom did she heard about what she said earlier. Mirei answers that it is Hiroshi. She tells them that she asked him why are they going to do those lewd stuff and that is how he answered her. The two guys are surprised at what Hiroshi taught her. Then, Mirei asks, “By the way, Ryotaro, what do you mean by considerate? I can’t figure it out since yesterday?” The two are speechless because she is wonder what he meant by considerate = 1. concerned about, 2. meticulous or 3. cautious.

Haha..I love this chapter ^^ Mirei is such a riot with the things coming out of her mouth which are usually totally out of this world. She can easily totally get people surprised and drop their guard =P It’s pretty obvious that her brain is just wired differently. I think it’s a nice twist to the typical naive, clueless lead girl character. Just like what Ryo thought, Mirei doesn’t have any malice when she says those things bluntly so she isn’t really the type of girl who would play around with guys with deliberate intention of breaking their hearts as I thought in the first chapter. I actually start to like Mirei since she doesn’t come out obnoxious. She can actually say those things with a smile so I can somewhat understand why Haru fell for her. I guess the author had fun in this chapter about what are the worst things that could happen when someone tries to intervene in a love affair even if that person means well. Geez, the way Haru is directly/indirectly messing things up for Ryo, I feel sorry for Ryo. I thought that maybe this is why Ryo never had a girlfriend. ^^; Haru kept on intervening and it ends in disastrous results. Well, if it isn’t that, Ryo is probably traumatized by such incidents that when he recovers, this kind of thing happens again. ^^; I guess Ryo has let go of his precaution about hanging out with Mirei. I hope the author can keep this up and doesn’t disappoint later on. ^^ I really enjoy reading this series so let’s get chapter 3 started.

Chapter 3: On Sunday, at the Sano residence, the television is showing a yes and no pillow advertisement to give as a present to newly weds couples. [Maybe it is a tv shopping program] Ryo and Haru are cooking in the kitchen while watching the television. While Haru is chopping and Ryo is mixing something, Haru says isn’t that yes or no pillow quite delicate. He then asks if it is okay if he uses up all of the green onions. Ryo says that it is okay and later on, he should add the shiso leaves [Perilla frutescens; used in Japanese cooking]. He then asks what he meant by delicate. Haru says that generally speaking, if someone else said no, it is a bit depressing and even if the person said yes, it is totally pressuring. Ryo says that they cook the omelet first. Haru wants to cook the fried rice first because omelet is more delicious while eaten while it’s hot. They were interrupted when a young woman wakes up and greets them a good morning. Haru greets Noki a good morning even if it is already afternoon. [I’m guessing Noki’s name because it isn’t written in kanji, I can only find the first syllable ‘no’ and based on how the Chinese translators translate her name, the closest that I can find is ‘Noki’ from Nokia ^^;;] Noki says that it smells delicious and asks Ryo where their parents are. Ryo tells her that their father went to play golf while their mother went to play tennis. Noki says that they always go every week. She asks them to leave her some food for her while she go and wash her face. After she left, Haru asks Ryo if Noki is still living separately. Ryo says yes. Haru asks if Noki’s husband won’t come and get her. Ryo says that he doesn’t know. He asks Haru to give him a plate. Haru exclaims why he doesn’t know, isn’t that too cold-hearted of him [not to ask her/care about her]. Ryo says that it is because it seems that Noki didn’t tell their parents the reason and his mother tells him not to mind Noki. Haru tells Ryo that if he is worried about Noki, he should use a special attack as a special service unit. [Haru sometimes tend to talk in ‘military terms’ so I think he is saying that compared to Ryo’s parents, he can get the reason from Noki.] They were interrupted when Noki slides open the door and shouts that she is hungry. The guys quickly gets busy and say that it will be finished soon. Today’s lunch: Egg omelet, huge plate of fried rice and a bowl of soup made by Haru and Ryotaro. Itadakimasu! With sparkles, Noki says that it is really delicious and they are really good since she hates cooking. Noki happily says, “If in the future, I get a divorce, how about the three of us live together?”

Ryo ‘attacks’ by asking if it is really okay if she doesn’t go back to her home. With a sign of ‘keeping them out’ [of her business], Noki darkly tells him that it is alright. Ryo ‘retreats’ as he and Haru just shoves the food in their mouths. Noki says that compared about things with her, how are they doing. The two guys are surprised. Noki asks if they have found girlfriends. Ryo nervously drinks some juice while Haru says, Gochisosama-deshita. Noki says, “..ah” Haru exclaims for her not to pity them. “No!! We have made friends with a super cute girl but..” Noki says that’s good. She asks if it is because they can’t fall in love with that girl. Haru looks at Ryo then says, “Speaking of love..” Noki is puzzled. At the living room, Noki calmly tells the shocked boys that the girl has totally planned it out already. The boys ask if that is so. Noki says that is so. Noki tells them that ‘clueless’[?] girls are popular lately that it is quite unimaginable how guys are mesmerized by them. [About the ‘clueless’, I’m not really sure if that is correct because it is translated a bit differently and I can’t figure it out ^^; I think it is either clueless or strange type of girls] Ryo says that is what they thought at first. Haru says that even so, there is something ‘off/wrong’ about it. One of the guys says that doing that thing again doesn’t seem to have any benefits. [being friends with Mirei?] The other guy agrees. Noki looks glum and she puts down the ice cream cup she’s eating. Noki looks dark and angrily asks, “..why..why are guys like that?” This startles the guys then they become scared upon seeing Noki’s reaction. Ryo asks what it is. All fired-up Noki angrily shouts, “Why do guys have no resistance against that type of girls!! Calling someone’s wife at 3am in the morning and crying to say, ‘I can’t go home because I can’t find a taxi.’ What the heck is that!!! Why don’t you just go home!!! Even if it’s the same thing but still, you shouldn’t just throw a tantrum [acting like a spoiled brat] like that!!” The two boys think that it seems that..[is the reason why she isn’t going home] Haru tells Noki to calm down. In a dark mood, Noki says, “Speaking of that, from the start, I thought that it is really strange but why is Haru always hanging out in our house!? Every Sunday, the two of you are together. Do you love each other that much!!” The guys goes into shock, “Love?!” [Ah, the word for love use can also mean ‘adore/admire’ but love has more impact and it’s a synonym of admire =P ] Noki shouts, “If you guys continue on being like this, you’ll never be able to go steady with a girl for the rest of your lives!!” Ryo is still in shock while Haru tries to say that they didn’t do anything.

While watching tv again, the two are washing the dishes. Ryo washes and Haru dries. Haru asks if what was talked about earlier true, regarding Mirei planning everything. Ryo is surprised and then says that generally, maybe not. Haru is happy that he thinks that way and maybe Noki is just mistaken about those things that she said. Ryo says, but they don’t know anything about Mirei. He tells Haru that it is definite that girl isn’t some bad person but he thinks that her logic [way of thinking] is a bit of a mystery. Haru asks if his problem with Mirei is her logic. Ryo says that he is curious how Mirei grew up that she became like that. Haru says that it seems that Mirei doesn’t have any siblings. Ryo replies that if they know how Mirei lives then maybe they will come to understand her more. Haru says that maybe it is to fix/confirm things rather than to understand things. “..Do you want to go and see? Mirei’s house” Ryo is surprised as Haru tells him that they give her a house visit, a chance to ‘attack’. Later on, the two finds Mirei’s house which is a Japanese-styled house. [I don’t know they knew where she lived. Maybe they asked before or asked someone because Haru is holding his cellphone before they arrived there. Unless, it is a GPS system] Haru says that he feels a bit nervous. Ryo asks if they should email first. Haru says if they do that then it won’t be called a ‘attack’. Ryo says that speaking about ‘attack’, what should they do. Haru says that it isn’t easy to go there so why don’t they surprise Mirei. Ryo says that they still don’t know if Mirei is there or not. They press the door bell. To their surprise, an old woman comes out and asks who they are. They stare at each other as the boys are a bit speechless to see a granny coming out of the house. The two boys introduce themselves [surname] to her. The granny imagines them with sparkles and thinks that they are really good looking. Haru smiles and says that since they are near the place, they want to see if Mirei is at home. The granny laughs and says that they are Mirei’s friends. Looking flustered, the granny says that it’s the first time they met, she is Eiko. The two boys are taken aback by her reaction. She invites them in. Haru tries to ask about Mirei but Eiko insists on inviting them in. She says that child went to buy the ingredients for tonight’s dinner so she will be back soon. The two boys look at each other whether they should go in or not. In the end, they accepted the invitation.

They enter the living room as Eiko picks up some books which Meiko seems to have left scattered. Eiko tells them to wait while she goes and prepare some tea. Ryo exclaims not to worry about them but Eiko tells them to just sit down. After she left, Ryo begins to have doubts about suddenly going in there. Haru says that it is unavoidable given the mood just now wherein they can’t refuse and the granny is very cordial. He says that isn’t this good. Ryo asks what he means. Haru says that this way, they can talk with the granny and get to know more about Mirei. Ryo says perhaps. Then, Eiko comes back and apologizes for making them wait. Holding a tray of drinks, she asks if cola is okay. The boys are stunned because Eiko is wearing a t-shirt and a skirt [which are for teens as compared earlier which are house-type clothes for her age.] Eiko says that she is really happy that she is able to talk with such cute kids. She asks them to please sit down. The two boys are getting nervous as they wonder why she changed her clothes. Eiko asks what their names are. They tell her their names. While Ryo is drinking, Eiko says, “Ah, so ‘the Ryotaro who really likes to watch AV’ is you.” Ryo chokes on his softdrink and spills it on his clothes. Eiko says that she has heard of their names. She tries to dry him off and says that his clothes have become dirty. Ryo tries to tell her that it is okay but she suddenly says that it would be better to wash it so why don’t he take off his clothes. Ryo exclaims in shock. Having an idea-> hitting her palm with her fist, Eiko suggests that it would be good for the two of them to take a bath together so that they will be clean since just now, she just warmed the water. The guys are in shock. Ryo exclaims that there is no need for that. Eiko says that it is alright because their bathroom is really big. Ryo exclaims that isn’t what he meant. Eiko becomes sad and says, “..really..” Facing away from them and drawing on the floor with her finger [moping], Eiko asks if they are uncomfortable because an old woman like her has warmed up the water for bathing. The two boys are speechless but in the end, they ended up in the bathtub together. [I like these two idiots =P They’re so cute.] The two are blushing. Then, Ryo exclaims if Haru doesn’t think it’s strange and what the heck are they doing. Haru covers his face and says that he is taking a bath during the first visit of a classmate’s house and the person herself isn’t at home. Ryo exclaims if he doesn’t find that strange. He says that they went there to know more about Mirei but they only know is that the granny is quite ‘demanding’ and loves to pretend to be young. Haru tells him that they know one other important thing. “That is, Mirei talks about us at home.” Ryo remembers Eiko telling them that she has heard of their names. Ryo agrees with him so Haru asks if he is happy about that. Ryo just says that even so, it seems that Mirei isn’t saying anything good about him -> Ryotaro who really likes AV. Haru is speechless and agrees with him. Elsewhere in the house, Eiko has finished washing and drying Ryo’s shirt. She thinks that those two guys are really cute when she earlier thought that those two were just brats. She is surprised when the door slides open and Mirei, together with her grandpa, arrives home. While grandpa is putting down the groceries they bought, Mirei shouts, “I’m home-- Grandma, the biscuit that you want aren’t available today.” Eiko quickly runs off. Mirei notices two pairs of rubber shoes at the door.

At the bathroom, Ryo has already wear his underwear while Haru is about to wear his when Eiko suddenly opens the door. The guys are in shock. Eiko frantically tells them to dress up. Haru tries to say that is what they are doing but Eiko exclaims that grandpa/her husband has come back and if he sees this kind of scene, it will become quite troublesome. Eiko freezes when Mirei calls out, “Grandma? Who came?” She opens the door to the bathroom. She looks surprised to see the guys just as the guys are shock to see her. A loud scream by embarrassed Haru echoes in the house. Then, Haru shouts for Mirei to close the door. Ryo quickly tries to find his pants. Unfazed by the sight, Mirei asks why they are there. Haru shouts that they’ll explain later so close the door quick. Grandpa arrives and shouts, naked young men. He exclaims at his wife what she is doing. Eiko shouts that she isn’t doing anything. He shouts why she is dressed up differently from what she wore a while ago. Mirei says that her grandma is really something for wearing her clothes. Eiko says that she just borrowed it. Grandpa shouts that whenever Eiko sees young guys, she becomes lewd. Haru is aghast that they are quarrelling there that he shouts, “About that..would you guys please go out~~” Later on, at the living room, grandpa is drinking tea. He tells the two boys that they turn out to be Mirei’s friends from school. “Sorry about that..I thought you were..” The two boys nervously wonder, “Who do you think we were.” They then overhears from the kitchen, Eiko is telling Mirei that she is too wasteful in how she is cutting the vegetables. “Didn’t I just teach you..” Mirei says in a sing-song manner that she can do it so leave it to her. Eiko exclaims that it is because she can’t do it that is why what she’s reminding her. Haru asks if Mirei’s parents are out today. To their surprise, grandpa tells them that Mirei’s parents had passed away a long time ago. He says that even if her parents are very lively but they are always away/outside because of work. Eiko joins them and tells the boys that they, the grandparents, are like/has become Mirei’s parents. Eiko sits down and complains about Mirei just making curry yet she isn’t doing it right. “Although we plan to raise her up properly, I want to ask, is that child really doing her best or she is a deviant [unusual]? What is she like at school?” The two boys are speechless and can’t quite answer because of the stuff that Mirei did -> ‘I’m not a virgin’ introduction, kissing Haru repeatedly, there’s a UFO and the history of mankind is a history of sex. Mirei goes in and reprimands her for still worrying about that. “I’ve already told you that there’s no problem at all.” Eiko exclaims that it is because until now, there are many questions so she is asking that. Eiko says that during a PTA meeting, the teacher told her that Mirei has a ‘lack of cooperation’ type of personality and she can’t get along with her classmates. The guys realize that Mirei has been like that from the start. Eiko says that she is very worried that Mirei will still encounter these kinds of things when she enters high school. Mirei brightly smiles, “..even if it’s like that, it is also okay.” The guys are surprised by that. Eiko asks what she is meant that it is okay. Mirei then exclaims that the curry must be burning because it stinks. The two head back to the kitchen. Eiko reprimands her for messing up the curry and Mirei apologizes. Haru is mesmerized by Mirei’s answer about it being okay even if it is like that.

It’s already night. They apologize to the boys for keeping them there so late. They thank them for entertaining them. Eiko tells them to come again, even if it is okay for them to come everyday. This gives the guys a chill. Grandpa angrily shouts at his wife. Mirei tells her grandparents that she is going to walk with the guys, part of the way home. They tell her to be careful as Eiko hopes to see them again. While walking, Mirei says that spring night is quite nice. Haru asks her why she said, ‘even if it’s like that, it is also okay’. Mirei is puzzled. Haru says that surely, she would feel depressed if others think that she is strange. He asks if it is because she just doesn’t mind her surroundings. With a smile, Mirei says, “One should say that to be hated by others is also my fault, right? An ‘odd’ person like me is no good, right?” Haru nervously says that since it is that way, then she should learn more on how to act ‘normal’. He looks at Ryo who says that is right for if she did that, she will have more friends. Mirei says, “That’s right. If I have many friends, I’ll naturally be happy but, if it isn’t the ‘real me’ then it has no meaning at all, right?” Mirei smiles while the two guys are surprised by her answer. Haru blushes as he remembers what other people say about her -> she is planning something, how did she grow up, not able to get along with others. It is alright with Mirei because if it isn’t the real her, it has no meaning. Mirei asks if they want to eat some ice cream. She suggests that they go to the convenient store. She happily says that she wants watermelon flavor -> watermelon shaped ice pop. Haru is speechless while Ryo says that Haru usually eats that flavor during summer. Haru didn’t reply so Ryo calls out to him again before Haru snaps out of it. Haru then says that when they talk about watermelon, one thinks of summer. Ryo just says right. He is a bit puzzled by Haru’s reaction. After Mirei bids them goodbye, the two walks home silently. Ryo tells Haru that from the start, his face is always red. He asks what happened since his expression scares him a bit. After a pause, Haru confesses that he has fallen in love with Mirei. This surprises Ryo that he tells Haru that he has already said that before so why he is saying it again. Haru exclaims that it isn’t the same because before it is just from his first impression of her. He says that for him, this is the first time he felt this way. Ryo asks why is he saying first when he used to have a girlfriend. Haru sheepishly laughs and says that basically it was just infatuation. Ryo sweatdrops and asks what about Mirei. There is a scene of Mirei holding a watermelon ice pop and happily saying that the ice drop like that is meticulously made. Blushing a bit, Haru says, “Mirei is..we just said goodbye to each other a while ago..yet now, I want to see her again..[her image] is always in my mind and won’t just disappear. I always think that perhaps I really like her.” Ryo is surprised.

And, it’s another funny chapter. ^^ I’m amused that these guys can cook. Just like what Noki is suggesting, it does seem that these two are a couple since they are always together. It made me wonder if this is one of the many reason why they have a hard time getting girlfriends =P Judging from how they are easily ‘manipulated’ and ‘scared’ by women, Noki and Eiko in this chapter. I guess it is no surprise how Mirei can easily handle them. It’s also amusing how they accidentally found out why Noki left her house. =P Too bad for them, Noki vents her frustration at them. Haha, it’s really funny how easily Eiko got them to take a bath in her house. I think if these guys marry, they will be submissive husbands. ^^; Haru’s reaction on being seen naked is hilarious. Do guys usually scream like that? I think it is usually girls who do that and Mirei doesn’t seem embarrassed at all. ^^; Poor guy, I guess this is payback for the humiliation that Ryo has gone through the last chapter. I do like Mirei’s positive outlook and her answer to them as to ‘why she doesn’t conform/pretend to be someone she isn’t, just to get friends’ is really nice ^^ I can understand why Haru is smitten by her. Well, since this is a two guys and a girl series, I think sooner or later, it will become a love triangle which I think will surely affect the two guys’ friendship. Scans by elinor for both BW and Iieye translation group.

Quote of the day:
The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique. ~ Walt Disney

Hadashi de Bara wo Fume [Chapter 31]
Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Sumi is flustered while Nozomu hugs her tightly. Sumi thinks, “His arm [around her], his cheek [on her face] are so hot.” Soichiroh passes by the room and opens the door. He is surprised to see Nozomu helping Sumi with the shogi pieces. Soichiroh asks why Nozomu is there. Smiling, Nozomu tells him that he came to apologize about what happened before. Flustered Sumi says that is true. Soichiroh doesn’t believe him. Nozomu takes his leave and Sumi thanks him for specially coming there [to apologize]. After he left, Soichiroh asks Sumi if something happened between them. This made Sumi blush even more. She quickly turns around and denies that something did. She then tells him that she is leaving. Back at Ashida residence, Sumi, together with maid A, arrives and hears a loud scream. Maid B is trying to get Atari to go down from a post but Atari doesn’t want to. Maid B explains to Sumi that she is just trying to get Atari to change into some Western clothes but he went up to that place. Sumi shouts for Atari to get down but Atari just sticks his tongue out. Sumi sees Keiko passing by. She exclaims for Keiko to help them but Keiko just listlessly passes by and sighs. Sumi wonders what happened to her. Later on, Atari got down and Sumi asks him why he isn’t listening to them. Atari says that he doesn’t want to go to school alone because he wants his other ‘siblings’, Fuku and Tomi to go, too especially since the others also wanted to come and see their sister, Sumi. Sumi looks sad and tells crying Atari that if all three kids go there, Soichiroh will not allow it. She tells him that they should wait for some time before trying to ask if Fuku and Tomi can go to school, too. Sumi suggests that they go check out his school.

At the school, the students are saying goodbye to their teacher. Sumi tells blushing Atari that a lot of kids are wearing kimono. Atari just says that he hates wearing Western clothes. The teacher notices them and nicely asks them if they have business there. Sumi apologizes for disturbing. She explains that Atari, the child with her, will be going to that school starting next week so they went to check out the school. The teacher recognizes them from Ashida family. He introduces himself as Aoyama Shinpei, the teacher there. Shinpei comments that she is such a young mother. This comment surprises Sumi that she tells him that Atari isn’t her son. Just then, Soichiroh arrives and tells Sumi that school is going to start next week [for Atsumi] so why are they there. Sumi says that they are just checking the school out. Shinpei asks if he is Ashida Soichiroh. Soichiroh says that he is. Shinpei exclaims that it is really him. He bows to Soichiroh and thanks him for always giving financial aid to the school. Soichiroh says that of course, because that school is founded by his grandfather. Blushing a bit, Shinpei asks if that lady is his.. Holding Sumi’s shoulders, Soichiroh says that she is his wife. Embarrassed, Shinpei says is that so. His reaction startled Soichiroh. Holding glum Atari up, Sumi happily tells Shinpei that starting next week, Atari will be under his care. At the Ashida residence, Soichiroh roughly pushes Atari to a room and shouts that it is his room from now on. Soichiroh then slams the door. Sumi tells him not to be so rough on Atari. Soichiroh shouts that she is so annoying. He grabs her hand and leads her away. Sumi realizes that Soichiroh is in a really bad mood today.

They go to their room and Soichiroh slams the door close. Soichiroh shouts that she is an idiot. “Did you forget that you are my wife?” Sumi asks what he is talking about. Soichiroh exclaims for her not to show that cute expression of hers in front of other men aside from him. Sumi is still puzzled by what he is talking about. Soichiroh shouts that she shouldn’t do that, even with Nozomu. Sumi blushes really red when he mentioned Nozomu. This made Soichiroh holds her shoulder and shouts what happened between her and Nozomu today. “There’s definitely something, right?” Sumi looks away and tells him that nothing happened. This angered Soichiroh. He pushes her into the bed and starts forcing himself on her. He kisses her and starts touching her thigh. Sumi tries to protest. Then, Soichiroh says, “If you won’t talk, I’ll ask your body.” [^^;] Soichiroh continues being rough and starts kissing her chest. Sumi shouts, “Don’t...Stop!” She is already crying. Soichiroh asks, “Don’t you like me?” After a pause, Sumi says, “I don’t like...” This surprises Soichiroh. He moves away from Sumi who is looking away from him. She looks unhappy-sad. Soichiroh then goes out and slams the poor door again. Sumi sits up and mutters his name. During dinner, Atari eats a lot. Then, he asks Sumi why Soichiroh isn’t there. Before Sumi can answer, maid A tells them that Soichiroh went out alone a while ago. Sumi asks if he said when/what time he is going to come back. Maid A says that he didn’t and he didn’t say anything. When it is mentioned that it is going to rain soon, Sumi suddenly stands up and goes out even as Atari calls out to her.

Walking around town [I think], Sumi is calling out to Soichiroh. [Why are you looking for him as if he is a lost kid? ^^;] She frantically tries to find him as she wonders if he is angry because she said, ‘I don’t like’. “But..‘I will not love you’ ‘And, you also cannot love me’ It’s because we agreed on that so I..” [^^;;] Drenched in the rain, Sumi is still calling out to Soichiroh when someone with an umbrella calls out, “Miss Sumi!” Why, it’s Nozomu who asks her what happened. Sumi tells him that she’s looking for Soichiroh. Nozomu asks if they quarreled. Sumi didn’t answer. Nozomu tells her that she might catch a cold like that so he invites her to his house. Sumi accepts his invitation. Nozomu walks her to his new house. Sumi is a bit surprised [why it is not his old residence] but Nozomu just says that is his villa. He suggests that she changes her clothes and they will go look for Soichiroh together. Sumi smiles and thanks him. While taking a shower in Nozomu’s place, Sumi thinks that she should properly apologize to Miu if she meets her again. She wraps herself with a towel and goes out. She is surprised that her clothes that she is going to change into are missing when they are supposed to be on the sink. Sumi is flustered because she didn’t expect them to be gone missing while she is taking a shower. [Apparently, she also forgotten to close the door or Nozomu has a key because] Nozomu opens the door to the bathroom which surprises Sumi. To her surprise, Nozomu goes in without saying a word. He is blushing. Sumi can only mutter, “Nozomu..kun..”

Hehe..and a classic case of the lamb going into the tiger’s den. Sumi is just too trusting and oblivious about men. Maybe her brother should have taught her. ^^; After Nozomu hugging her tightly in the clubroom, she didn’t put two and two together to realize that Nozomu is still very infatuated with her. She also didn’t realize that Soichiroh has already fallen for her. As I mentioned before, she puts too much focus on what Soichiroh said rather than what he is doing. Maybe she thinks that Soichiroh is just ‘pretending’ with all that since he did it before. ^^; As for Soichiroh, I guess he now realizes how attractive his wife is. =P He obviously doesn’t know that Sumi doesn’t think she is and she isn’t really conscious of ‘leading guys on’. As for his ‘don’t want to talk, I’ll ask your body’ speech, I have heard that before in some other manga and honestly, I think that is the lamest excuse to force oneself to one’s wife/lover. I would have puke if Soichiroh got away with it and Sumi let him do so without protest. Thankfully, he stopped. Else, I might start rooting for Sumi to end up with the new guy =P Haha, but I’m cautious now, maybe that guy ends up into something ‘different’ just like Nozomu ^^; Well, Soichiroh also has himself to blame as to why Nozomu is crazy over Sumi. And, well, if only Sumi explained what happened instead of making Soichiroh think that something happened. Hm..if Sumi did tell him, I think things might still end up that way, too ^^; Just how clueless Sumi is about her situation is evident in that last scene. She is just blushing and everything when Nozomu just entered the bathroom and her clothes are missing. Shouldn’t she be freaking out or something? But then, I would fall of my chair if he says something like, “Ah, Miss Sumi..you see, I’m doing this painting of you..naked so can you please pose for me?” Oh ya, Keiko being passive and everything amuses him. Where is her ‘fire’ before? I find it odd and would have wanted her to be the same as she was, though the things she does will be directed at Natsuki. =P I guess being ‘lovesick’ tames her. ^^;; Anyway, we will wait for a long time to know what will happen next because this is the last chapter before the author took a break, more specifically, a maternity leave. The author I know who took a maternity leave before is Kimi ni Todoke’s author. That lasted about a year so, that’s how it is. Scans by xiuxiu/咻咻 for BW.

Quote of the day:
The world needs more warm hearts and fewer hot heads. ~ Author Unknown

Skip Beat! [Chapter 145] Teaser
Monday, August 17, 2009

欣子-凡 has shared this latest chapter in BW. ^^ Yay! I actually thought she won’t anymore because she found some site took her scans without permission and even removed her logo from the scans. ^^; Anyway, I’m not going to push my luck and post a scene from her scans here so the picture below is just a tracing of the jaw-dropping incident that happened in this chapter. I’ll just replace it when other scans from other groups are out. [Edit: As mentioned by adma, this chapter is out in baidu. Scans are shared by yoming513.] Also, the author is a S(adist) ^^; It’s a major unexpected cliffhanger and we have to wait a whole month to know what happens next. So, what happened in this chapter based on looking and not understanding Japanese except some kanji: It starts with a little narration of Shou, I guess because it is a scene of younger Kyouko happily giving younger Shou a box of chocolates. Kyouko is happily chatting with others until Ogata points out to her who’s here. Why, it is Shou with a totally huge bouquet of orchids. The smile on Kyouko’s face disappears. Passing by surprised Ren and Yashiro, Shou heads straight to Kyouko. Yashiro is getting really tense as he is probably thinking, first, the ‘hate’ chocolates and now, bouquet. Yashiro looks at Ren who is observing what will happen next. Shou says something and this made Kyouko furious. I think something about the flowers but then Shou says that it is her type before. Kyouko looks at the bouquet closely and indeed there are elements there that she likes butterfly-looking orchids and different decors like the lace, etc <-flashy stuff. Soon, Kyouko has sparkling eyes and blushing-shaking <- yes, she likes it. Shou says something again then tosses the flowers to Kyouko who catches it. Shou kept on saying ‘before’ and congratulates her about something. Then, he ends it with something about she is a good match/going out with VG. Yashiro and Ogata freak out. Ren is just surprised. The other girl actresses seem to agree that Kyouko is a good match with Reino probably because of being dark. I guess they meant Kyouko’s character in Dark Moon ^^; Kyouko angrily protests. She puts down the flowers then starts pointing and shouting at Shou regarding yesterday. Yashiro wonders about yesterday and Shou, probably thinking about those chocolates before. Shou mentions about the chocolates again regarding what he saw what was written on it.

So, Kyouko made him sit and she shows on the blackboard what was really written in the chocolates and how it ended up that way. This surprises Shou and Ren, who along with the others, are ‘watching’ the lesson. =P Kyouko angrily shouts about probably Reino using her weakness. Then, when she points to Shou, she goes into shock upon seeing that Ren is also there, listening to her ‘lecture’. Kyouko goes in a daze and probably thought that Ren is going to get angry. Yashiro then realizes what happened. He looks at Ren who has his ‘heavenly smile’ on. I guess he understands what happened to Kyouko and those chocolates for Reino. Yashiro is relieved. Shou’s reaction isn’t shown while the two actresses are talking. Then, he smiles. I guess both guys are relieved that there is nothing romantic between Kyouko and Reino =P Kyouko is still facing the blackboard. She’s really scared of how Ren will react. She remembers Reino taking her little demon and her past encounter with Reino regarding Corn and Ren so I guess it’s like she failed Ren in protecting herself from Reino. Shou goes beside her and tells her something that made Kyouko dark again. She starts shouting and mentions about Dark Moon. Oh wait, I think she is telling him to whom she gave chocolates so she says it is less than 10 people including people in Dark Moon. Shou is surprised that he looks back at Ren. Shou asks what about Ren. Kyouko can’t seem to give a proper answer that Shou will accept and she can’t seem able to explain. [Edit: She says that she just didn't prepare chocolates for him. Shou asks what did she give. She refuses to say.] In the end, she just says that it is none of his business. She looks away from him but Shou notices that Kyouko’s blushing and her ears are all red. Shou is very displeased. I don’t think that Ren and Yashiro can hear what they are saying though Yashiro thinks that it is related with Ren. Ren is looking serious and he’s somewhat scowling. Ogata then tells the others that the set is ready so they should go back to shooting. Everyone faces Ogata then he mentions about Kyouko. Ren turns around to probably call Kyouko. He looks stunned - shaken. Everyone else is totally stunned with the girls blushing. Shou has grabbed Kyouko’s collar and gives her a kiss on the lips.

Okay, that is enough for Ren x Kyouko fans to go wild. I totally didn’t expect that. I guess those who were waiting for a kiss finally gets their wish but then, it is Shou who stole her first kiss. The author is really good, she made me complacent that everything will be okay since Ren is smiling then boom then, what, one month wait on how Kyouko and Ren will react?! I think first kisses for female leads are important in shoujo-s and they usually make a big deal about it. I’m sure Kyouko will make a big deal out of it. I wonder if it will awaken her because of all the people, I’m sure she doesn’t want to be kissed by a guy who used her and trampled on her heart. I don’t think Ren has a right to punch Shou or do anything like that because he isn’t Kyouko’s boyfriend and well, if he moves now, he might also scare of Kyouko though from the looks of it, she already unconsciously likes Ren. So, I’m hoping on Kyouko’s demons to do something to Shou unless of course, they are busy puking over the kiss ^^;; Ah, Ren is going through too much emotions on V-day. So much for his anticipation for V-day, may it be chocolates or his birthday gift but the author made it into a ‘something you don’t want to happen in V-day -> your crush’s first kiss stolen by the rival while you are standing right in front of them.’ I guess Shou did it to provoke Ren and well, he is jealous, too. He might think that he can get away with it. Maybe he is playing a wild card that Ren will blow his top -> get angry at Kyouko -> Shou wins = no one gets Kyouko. ^^; [Edit: It is either that or Shou plans on making Kyouko always remember him even if is out of hate.] I’ll say, that is a rather rough way of stealing a kiss..he is grabbing her collar. ^^; So, to cap this entry, the next chapter will be out on 9/18.

Word of the day:
When tempted to lose patience with others, remember God’s patience with you. ~ Our Daily Bread

Reimei no Arcana -Dawn of the Arcana- [Chapter 6]
Monday, August 17, 2009

Nakaba’s eyes widen as she thinks, “The one who killed Caesar is..” Holding on to Loki, Nakaba exclaims, “Lo..Loki..” Loki asks her what it is. She calls his name again but she faints. Loki carries her back to the bed. Lito comes in and asks if Nakaba is alright. Lito goes to the bed and seems to want to climb up [but he can’t quite reach it] so Loki just carries him up to see Nakaba who is ‘sleeping’. Lito says, “Loki, you can protect Princess Nakaba, right? Even if I hate humans and royalty, I like Nakaba.” Later on, Nakaba wakes up with a start. She realizes that she has fainted. She wonders for how long she was sleeping there. She sits up and tries to get out of bed. Her legs are weak that she falls down but she stands up again and runs through the hallway. While running, she wonders about the possibility of that ‘vision’ being true. “That person unexpectedly is going to kill Caesar!” In Caesar’s room, a drop of blood falls on the ground. Caesar is in pain as he says, “Darn..quite strong..” Someone says, “It’s better for you not to move recklessly, for your sake. I’ll quickly relieve you [of your pain].” A sword is raised. Nakaba quickly pushes the door open and shouts, “Stop...! Loki!” Loki rushes towards Caesar and swings his sword. There is blood splattered on Caesar’s nightgown. Nakaba shouts, “Caesar!” Looking at Caesar, Loki holds a bloodied sword. Caesar kneels on the floor. Nakaba goes to Caesar and shouts to Loki, “Loki..! Why did you that..” She didn’t finish what she is saying because on Loki’s sword is a dead snake. Loki says that the poisonous snake is dead while Caesar says that there is a poisonous snake there. The dead snake falls down on a pool of blood on the floor. Nakaba’s knees weaken so she kneels down on the floor and mutters, “Poiso..Poisonous snake.” Loki says, but Caesar is still bitten by it. Caesar says that he has to get the poison out of his blood -> stopping the blood flow using bandages. Nakaba offers to do it for him. Noticing that Nakaba’s hand is shaking, Caesar then covers Nakaba’s eyes from the side in order for her not to see the dead snake. He tells Loki not to let Nakaba see the blood. Loki says yes, he will [do that]. His bloodied sword is on the floor.

Later on, Belias and a half-human child attendant are there to look after Caesar so Caesar tells Nakaba and Loki that they can go back to their room. While the two are going out of the door, Caesar asks Nakaba if it is because she is worried so she went there. At first puzzled, Nakaba then says yes. Caesar says, “..Really..and also, half-human..I will remember this kind act of saving my life..” Loki didn’t reply and [I think he was the one who] says, “..why don’t you just rest well.” While walking back to their room, Nakaba wonders if she was just mistaken. She looks at Loki who smiles at her. Nakaba’s hand is shaking yet she is really relieved. They enter Nakaba’s room. After Loki closes the room, Loki confesses, “You’re right--I originally planned to kill him.” Nakaba is surprised. “It doesn’t matter if I use a snake or a sword, for any method will do.” Nakaba hits both of her clenched fist at Loki’s back and shouts, “Loki!” Her hands are trembling. She stutters while telling him that to kill a person is a very terrifying thing. Loki replies, “Terrifying? Why do you say it like that? Is it because, you have come to like Prince Caesar?” Nakaba shouts it isn’t so but rather, if someone dies, she can’t see that person anymore. She remembers her mother. She also remembers what Caesar did -> gifts and shopping. She tells Loki, “To be treated nicely or wanted to be treated nicely by him..he won’t be able to do such things again..” Loki holds Nakaba’s shoulder and says, “But, he is the prince of the enemy country.” Loki tells her that Caesar looks down with contempt at half-humans. They despise everyone apart from himself and his royal family. If they [Nakaba and others] do not treat this foolish royal family as enemies, they might not be able to survive. “And his father has [indirectly] killed your mother.” Nakaba turns around and exclaims that it has nothing to do with Caesar. Loki says, “Then, [that means that] I can kill the Belquat king, right?” Covering her ears, Nakaba shouts that isn’t what she meant. “This thing..is so strange..” Loki says, “What’s strange is..this twisted..world. I’m going to change this world.”

Surprised Nakaba turns around to face him. Loki tells her that by just using his/their superior strength as half-humans, they can overthrow those royalties. “Obliterate those royalties who should be protecting the common people but for their own benefit and desires, they use the common people like chess pieces. You should also have some profound experiences regarding this. Because of the color of your hair, you also had painful and sad memories.” Nakaba looks flustered and holds her hair. She nervously tries to say, “but..changing the world..” Loki tells her that the village where he grew up has been destroyed so he ran away to the country of Senan. “I passed the days filled with hatred for the Belquat king. Do you think that I’m just wasting time while those days passed by? I already have control over Senan’s half-humans. Half-humans possess the strength which is multiple times stronger than that of humans. It isn’t a problem for half-humans to gather together and revolt to overthrow this twisted sovereignty...The only thing left is to gather together the half-humans in Belquat. ..Just now, I have said that I planned to kill Prince Caesar.. All of that is true. My true goal is to help him in order to gain his trust in order to stir up Belquat. The crucial point is he is a prince of Belquat! An enemy! So, Princess Nakaba..I wish your heart won’t forgive him..” This surprises Nakaba. She then protests that Caesar has become kinder than before. To her surprise, Loki hugs her and exclaims about Nakaba calling that guy’s name and that guy calling her name. “I..really regret that I didn’t kill him!” Nakaba is surprised by Loki’s outburst. Loki is grinding his teeth then he calms down. He bows down and apologizes to Nakaba for his rudeness. He asks her not to forget what he just told her.

The next day, while Nakaba is eating with Lito while Loki is standing by, Belias goes to Nakaba’s room to tell her that Caesar is looking for her. Nakaba looks flustered. Loki’s reaction is not shown. Nakaba just says, “..I understand.” When Nakaba enters the room, Caesar greets her with a slight smile. She looks away then approaches his bed. She asks him how he is. Holding his bandaged arm, Caesar says that it is a bit numb but it doesn’t bother him. Looking away, Nakaba stutters to say that is nice. Noticing this, Caesar touches her face and asks if she is okay. Nakaba blushes while looking at Caesar’s soften/worried expression. She suddenly becomes flustered that she slaps his hand away. “Do not touch me.” Caesar looks sad-surprised. She tells Caesar that she is going back to her room. Nakaba goes out of the room and thinks, “When I’m in pain, when I’m sad, the one who is always beside me is always Loki, who’s important to me. If Loki can’t forgive, then I won’t forgive. -But, I have already forgiven that, what should I do? I unexpectedly made him show that kind of expression..” She remembers sad-surprised look of Caesar. She breaks down and cries. “Ah, Loki, my heart feels like it is going to break apart.” From what Loki said, I suspect that he was the one who put in the poison in the meatball before so when Nakaba is going to eat it, he stops her. But then, he didn’t mention about it during his conversation with Nakaba. I guess he was indeed planning to kill Caesar but then, Nakaba interrupted. Of course, the snake is probably used as an alibi in case things didn’t turn out alright. Regarding what he said about using common people like chess pieces, I wonder if that is implying what happened to Lito or rather, his mother. I think Lito is an ally to Loki’s revolt so they do plan to spare Nakaba but then, they didn’t expect Caesar to become nice and gentle all of a sudden that Nakaba can’t help falling for him.

I still don’t know if Loki is frustrated because he likes Nakaba or Nakaba will be siding with Caesar or maybe both. Obviously, he is also frustrated with himself for not stopping Nakaba from falling for Caesar. I don’t know if Nakaba can ‘heal’ Loki’s hatred for the royalty but right now, he is bent on revenge. Both Nakaba and Loki have a dilemma. Nakaba doesn’t know if she should follow the advice of her ever loyal protector/companion or following her own heart. Well, for now, she is doing the former. Then, will Loki continue on being loyal to Nakaba or continue on his goal to kill Caesar. If he does kill Caesar, that will make Nakaba sad who’ll probably made her sad and hate him which I think he doesn’t want to happen. I guess the key to this is for Caesar to do something to make Loki forget about this plan of his. Of all the three characters, I’m pleasantly surprised that it is Loki who has the ambition to change the world. ^^ Hehe, what I want to happen is going to happen. Well, those other two characters seem helpless and okay with what’s going on in the world. I think it would be interesting if Loki becomes ‘king’ or something later on. Hehe, consolation prize for not getting the girl =P But then, he just said ‘change’ not ‘rule’. Also, I do wonder if he is also guilty of ‘using people as chess pieces’ because it seems that he ‘used’ Nakaba to get to Belquat but then, I don’t think he planned for the ceasefire to happen = marriage. He doesn’t seem to plan on using Nakaba’s power either because he did plan to just use their own strength to overthrow the royalty. I guess time will tell. But then, wanting to change things, one does need people though I guess it is not technically ‘use’ because his cause isn’t a selfish one. Well, maybe a bit with the revenge thing. =P

When he said that he wasn’t wasting time then, I felt that he is practically saying, do you think I’m wasting my time babysitting you and others while in Senan. Hehe..I guess Loki is a man of action aside from his long speeches as of late. It will indeed be such a waste for him to be just a ‘bodyguard’. I guess he really trained hard to hone his fighting skills for the upcoming revolt and it’s not just for protecting the princess. =P So, I guess things will get messy later on since even if Loki might let Caesar off, I don’t think he can do that with the king. And, I don’t think Caesar is going to watch that happen and Nakaba will still be caught in the middle. Lastly, I wonder why the author drew Loki in the cover with casual clothes when the others – Nakaba and Caesar are always in their ‘ancient’ clothes in the covers. Is it because to give Loki fair chance for an outfit change which he haven’t been doing in the series or Loki is the author’s favorite? =P Hehe, I edit the picture a bit = moved the title logo. I think he looks good in it ^^ Scans by xiuxiu/咻咻 for BW.

Quote of the day:
Be careful with hatred. . . . Hatred is a passion requiring one hundred times the energy of love. Keep it for a cause, not an individual. Keep it for intolerance, injustice, stupidity. For hatred is the strength of the sensitive. Its power and its greatness depend on the selflessness of its use. ~ Olive Moore

Koibana! Koiseyo Hanabi [Chapters 40-41]
Saturday, August 15, 2009

Hanabi’s mother begs Chikai, “Can you? Please, go steady with Hanabi!” No reaction from Chikai. Hanabi is sweating profusely and thinks, “What is she saying—” Hanabi shouts for her mother not to say anymore. Hanabi’s father tells his wife that this is too presumptuous. Hanabi’s mother snaps at him that this is regarding his daughter’s life. [like, for her future] This made the father hug Nanpa and mope. ^^; With a pleading look, Hanabi’s mother says, “Is it okay? What do you think, Chikai-kun?” Hanabi’s sisters who are blushing a bit hope that they will have a handsome brother-in-law. Chikai says, “Ah..” Hanabi covers her ears and think that the answer is too obvious and she can’t believe that she will be rejected in front of her parents. She should be used to this because she had repeated in her mind all sorts of rejection lines that Chikai would tell her. Chikai says, “Then--Sure.” Hanabi uncovers her ears and looks surprised. Her mother and sisters are happily surprised. Her father is gloomy. Nanpa just stares at them. Hanabi thinks, “Ha?” Hanabi’s mother then comforts his husband to not be so gloomy. Picture..picture..so a picture to commemorate the occasion. They take a picture of Chikai and Hanabi’s father. They invite him for dinner then have a toast. [I find it amusing because it is like a shotgun marriage ^^;] They then happily bid Chikai goodbye. Hanabi’s mother pushes Hanabi out and tells her to walk her boyfriend. While walking, Hanabi still cannot believe what just happened. Hanabi starts to laugh and thanks Chikai for cooperating and surely it is hard to say no in front of other people’s parents. “Is this the so-called ‘if you ride on a tiger, it’s hard to get off*’? When Chikai-sama is in front of adults, he will also turn into Chikai-kun.” [*That is an idiom which means impossible to stop halfway] There is a pop-vein [angry] on Chikai who is walking ahead of her. Hanabi continues, “I can understand the situation so I’ll go and clearly explain things to them.” Chikai answers that obviously, she wants to go steady with him. This embarrasses Hanabi. Hanabi angrily shouts that he is a S[adist]. Chikai asks if he is so. Hanabi exclaims if it’s a wrong then it’s a wrong. [Idiom for make the best after a mistake] Chikai turns around to face her and tells her that even he can’t just casually lie in front of other people’s family. “So, how about we be like this (temporarily)?” Hanabi is surprised and mutters, “Temporarily?” Chikai says, “As boyfriend-girlfriend temporarily. If you want to be a real boyfriend-girlfriend, then you should make me have an idea of wanting to ‘kiss’ you.”

This made Hanabi surprised and think, “Ki—kiss!!?” Chikai tells her that the time limit will be until White Day. [March 14, one month after Valentine’s Day] “But, I think you won’t be able to do it. ♥” Hanabi just looks shock and stiffly waves Chikai goodbye. She thinks, “So-called kiss! Kiss!? Is it that kiss?!” At home, Nanpa licks Hanabi’s lips. She suddenly screams kiss that surprises Nanpa. Hanabi starts to wonder how she should do in order to make him want to kiss her. “Something that I have never done before even once, how should I know what to do!” The next day at school, Chikai and Hanabi are walking together at school. Chikai is aghast to see Hanabi pouting her lips. Chikai looks away and says that it is too obvious, too naive and too disgusting. Hanabi is embarrassed that she suddenly hits her lips to probably cover it. She exclaims that it is because she doesn’t know what she should do. Chikai then notices the Hanabi’s lower lip is slightly bleeding. Chikai says that it seems that she really doesn’t understand. As Chikai walks away, he tells her that before a kiss, she should first make his heart be moved by her. “Try first to make me be moved by you, idiot.” [Basically, make him fall in love with her] Then, Chikai adds that he thinks that she won’t be able to do it. Hanabi mutters, “Move one’s heart.” As he walks ahead, Hanabi is in a ‘high’ as she thinks so that’s it, before a kiss, she has to move his heart. “I only need to make Chikai Uno desire me, right?” Freeze. During the break, Hanabi calls out her friends and they group together at the hallway. She asks Kareshi and Mii as to how their respective partners moved their hearts. Kareshi can’t seem able to explain since she is embarrassed. Mii tells her that Shinichi’s perseverance has moved her heart. Atsumi asks Hanabi why she is asking about this. Hanabi tries to explain that even if it is temporarily, she didn’t expect things to turn out that way and regarding this, she can only say this.. She whispers to them what happened. The girls congratulate Hanabi and they are happy for her. Hanabi interrupts to say that it will be for real if she manages to move his heart until White Day. Mii tells her to do her best on Valentines’ Day. Hanabi blushes a bit and thinks, “I will do my best. But...what will move his heart?!” Hanabi tries to think of the moment when Chikai has moved her heart but it seems useless to think about it because even if she is treated like a dog, she is very happy and that guy is definitely no-good. [I think she meant Chikai is an awful guy but she still falls for him ^^; so how she falls for him can’t be used as basis to win Chikai’s heart.] “Now that I think about it, is it because one’s heart is moved so it turns into ‘like/love’ or is it because one likes, so the heart is moved?”

At home, Hanabi is baking something from a cookbook for Valentines’ Day. There are some clothes on the bed. After she is finished wrapping the baked goods, she is about to email Chikai. She wonders if his email is the same as before. [Part of Chikai’s email is Yukine’s birthday] She sends the message then thinks that even if she doesn’t understand things very much, but talking about kiss, she thinks that just moving his heart already seems far away. “If Chikai Uno’s heart still has parts of Yukine..” On Valentine’s day, ding-dong. Hanabi opens the door. It is Chikai who tells her family minus Minato that they are going out. On the way out, Chikai pats Nanpa’s head. He looks back at Hanabi and holds out his hand to her. Hanabi is puzzled. Chikai says, “Your hand.” Embarrassed, Hanabi asks if it is really okay, this is a really huge ‘charity’. Chikai tells her that this is an exception since it is a date, he is going to hold her hand. “This is my style.” Hanabi blushes and holds his hand. She thinks that [instead of him], it is her, whose heart is moved. Nanpa narrates to Hanabi that honestly, he knows how holding hands is really such a favorable thing. Chikai asks where they are going. Hanabi replies, “Let’s go to where you and Yukine used to go.” While looking at the two, holding hands, Nanpa narrates, “Although being free can be fun, but it makes me a bit lonely. Hanabi..Hanabi, do not leave me.” In the zoo, Hanabi says, what a cute color -> flamingo, what cute claws -> tiger, what cute eyes -> giraffe. While feeding some animals, Hanabi says, “How cute..” Chikai says that she is like an idiotic girl for always saying ‘cute’. Hanabi exclaims that it is because it’s really cute. “Anyone, no matter who, comes to this place will say that it is cute..” She then pauses and says, “..ah..I think..” Chikai tells her not to say it too many times then. Hanabi looks at Chikai and remembers asking him to go with her to where he went with Yukine before. “This is the place where Uno Chikai and Yukine had their first date.”

After finish feeding the animals, Hanabi exclaims that they go see the sea lions because it is going to be their feeding time soon. A sign says that they should wash their hands if they pat/fed the animals. Hanabi goes to the sink and realizes that water faucet closes the water flow if she lets go of it. To her surprise, Chikai presses down the water faucet and tells her, “—Quickly wash, you slow-witted girl.” Hanabi is surprised since there are some people who are waiting behind her. While Hanabi washes her hands, she wonders if Chikai also did this for Yukine. Then, she presses the water faucet for Chikai, she wonders if Yukine did the same thing as she did. “How did he smile? How was his heart moved? I have already prepared myself before going here. Although it’s for myself, perhaps his remaining painful memories..” Chikai walks ahead and holds out his hand to her. Hanabi takes his hand. Chikai complains that it is wet. Hanabi exclaims that his hand is wet, too. Elsewhere, Shinichi is crying tears of joy for the chocolate with glasses design given by Mii. Holding the chocolate, he says that it is really great for Mii unexpectedly gives him handmade chocolates. Mii just tells him to consider it as wasting/spending energy. Atsumi is greeting some people at the mall then sees Sasa going in the gift shop again. She is a bit flustered then says, “Sasa-kun..that is impossible..” At some store where Masato works, Masato exclaims if she is going to give this to him, too. Holding a bag, Masato says that she has already given that cake to him before. Kareshi says that this is something simpler than the other one including the ingredients. Masato blushes and thanks her. Masato tells her not to force herself too much and doesn’t she also have work later on. Kareshi blushes but they were interrupted by someone who calls out, ‘Good work’. Masato turns around and greets Chidori who is smiling at them. Kareshi freezes. Looking at the package, Chidori says that it is nice. “Is it a Valentine’s gift?” Masato says that it is. Chidori says, “How sweet. It’s really nice, that it makes one envious.” Masato opens the bag and wonders what is inside since it is heavier than it looks. “It’s a pound cake!” Kareshi is flustered and stunned upon seeing Chidori looking really serious and displeased at her. Since she is behind Masato, he didn’t see what Chidori just did. Chidori says that there are many customers coming in. Masato bids Kareshi goodbye since he has to go back to work. He thanks her and tells her that he will send her an email tonight. They went in and Kareshi just stood there.

Back at the zoo, the two are still holding hands while watching the sea lions. A guy suddenly goes near Hanabi, making her feel ill. Noticing this, Chikai quickly pulls her away from the guy. She blushes while Chikai says that girl/s are troublesome. Hanabi thinks, “It’s alright. It’s alright even if you say that I’m troublesome, say that I’m slow-witted, say that I’m an idiot who always say ‘cute’..Because right now, the one standing here is me.” At a bench, Hanabi gives her gift to Chikai while saying, “Happy Valentine’s Day!” She gives him fortune cookies which are slightly dog shaped. Chikai tells her that she knew that he can’t eat Cleo-chan so is she looking for a fight. Hanabi says that this time it doesn’t look very similar. [Not really dog shapes] “Eat one piece per day because inside, there is a strip of paper with a fortune.” Chikai breaks one cookie open and it reads, “You..might smile today!” Chikai says that it didn’t happen. Embarrassed, Hanabi shouts that good fortune isn’t what he feels inside but is something that might happen in reality. “A wish is not something that will become reality just by waiting. ..there is a reason for coming here today. This place, for you, should be ‘a place where I went with Yukine’, right? (How many times have you thought of Yukine today?) But, later on..it would be nice if it becomes ‘a place where I went with doggie’ (But next time..I’m afraid it will be okay, too, even if it’s just one place)..” [I invented the ‘doggie’ because in Chinese, it means a playboy ^^; I think it’s a name of a dog or something so I used something generic. About her last sentence, I think it is like they will only go to just one place where Chikai used to date with Yukine.] Chikai looks a bit surprised at her. With tears in her eyes, Hanabi says, “But, coincidentally, if I successfully made you remember too many memories, I’m sorry. And if you ask me, it’s also quite painful [for me.]” Hanabi thinks, “I don’t know of any technique to move his heart. But, compared to that, at first, I want Uno Chikai’s heart only to have a lot more space.” In the last scene, Chikai smiles. [Not sure if forced or if he is laughing at her ^^;] But whatever the reason, the fortune in the fortune cookie came true.

I guess Hanabi now knows what it feels to win a jackpot. I wish her luck because I do think that one month is too short for her to make him fall for her especially if he is currently nursing a heartbreak. I guess she isn’t going to think much like what if she can’t do it, it’s too unreasonable, etc. I guess she’ll just have to do what she can with no regrets later on, because this is an opportunity given by her family and Nanpa. I do wonder if Chikai will admit that he has fallen for her even if he close to it. Also, I think here, it shows that Chikai isn’t just a pretty face. Even if he can be a S and full of himself, he knows his manners. In short, he is a gentleman. I think he really knows how to treat girls since even if it is like just ‘pretend’, he would act/treats Hanabi like how he treats a girlfriend with that holding hands, helping her wash her hands, and pulling her away from something that bothers her. From Atsumi’s reaction, I think she now knows the boss and Ami’s relationship. Shinichi is in a ‘high’ because of Mii’s gift. Kareshi is currently having problems. I find Chidori really cheeky to do that in front of Kareshi as if she is the girlfriend and not Kareshi. Unfortunately for Kareshi, she seems timid that Chidori manages to get away with it. Also, it seems that Masato is totally clueless about it. I think this relationship will end in a quarrel really soon especially if Kareshi confronts Masato about it. I guess Kareshi is now experiencing what Yukine did before but unlike Hanabi, Chidori seems to be the type who’ll do anything to get the one she likes. Scans by xiuxiu/咻咻 and yukitokaji for BW.

Quote of the day:
A smile can conceal our pain and lighten our despair, but trust in God gives inner peace and joy beyond compare. ~ Sper from Our Daily Bread

Hapi Mari -Happy Marriage!?- [Chapter 8] Teaser
Friday, August 14, 2009

At the office, Hokuto holds Chiwa’s resignation and probably asks what’s the meaning of that. I think he asks if she plans to become a fulltime housewife. Chiwa remembers what Sakuraba-sempai told her and probably says that she is going to move to a different company and the marriage will be still as it was. To her shock, Hokuto refuses to accept her resignation. When Chiwa asks for his reason, I think he just said that because “You are mine.” [Hehe, not so sure if this is the part he supposedly said it or somewhere else in the chapter based on the comments in BW ^^;] This made Chiwa teary-eyed that to Hokuto and Taeko’s surprise, Chiwa excuses herself and left the office. She went to see Sakuraba again and probably told him that she wasn’t able to resign. Talk and talk afterwards, they go out after finish eating in a restaurant. Then, Hokuto who is going to ride on a car sees them. He sees Chiwa happily walking and talking beside Sakuraba. At home, Hokuto shouts for Chiwa to come out of her room. Talk again and Hokuto mentions some background about Sakuraba. Chiwa asks if this is investigated again by Taeko. He is flustered and says something that moved her but then, he adds something else which irritates her. ^^;; More shouting and talking, teary-eyed Chiwa who closes the door even if they aren’t finished talking.

Probably in need of comfort, she goes to see Sakuraba again. Before they can go to wherever it is they are going, Hokuto appears in front of them. Sakuraba looks nervous and seems to know who Hokuto is. While Chiwa and Sakuraba are talking with Hokuto looking dark and serious, Hokuto then tells Sakuraba that Chiwa is his wife. Sakuraba is shock. Chiwa is embarrassed. Chiwa grabs Sakuraba and seems to try to make a run for it but Hokuto angrily stops her. Chiwa is teary-eyed again and soon, another shouting match between the couple, probably what he did and she did that pretty that made Sakuraba uncomfortable. After they are tired from screaming their lungs off, Chiwa tries to get away again with Sakuraba but Hokuto grabs her wrist. Hokuto says something really embarrassing about Chiwa and probably mentions about the sexy lingerie. Hokuto says something surprising Chiwa – probably something that made her heart soften. So, Sakuraba has enough of this two and tells Chiwa something regarding the marriage that made Chiwa protest and everything. He bids her goodbye even as Chiwa is teary-eyed shouting, “Sempai..sempai..” Then, Hokuto gives her a kiss. More fighting between the two then something Hokuto said made Chiwa blush. I guess they pretty much made up that they eat dinner together. Chiwa cries about needing Sakuraba’s help in making okonomiyaki while Hokuto is complaining to her.

So much for the love rival..until the next obstacle because I think they haven’t really resolved their core problem which is, does Hokuto really loves her or not. I can interpret what he did as something about his pride, he doesn’t want to lose something what is ‘his’. Well, at least the little communication problem is somewhat fixed since they finally get to release all their frustration and what they wanted to say to each other. Then, cap it all with a kiss to make things okay for now. I’m not too satisfied but then, I guess it is okay. As usual, just wait for the English scanlation for clarification and details. Scans by Shuro for BW.

Quote of the day:
Marriage is one long conversation, checkered with disputes. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Koi, Hirari -Addicted to You- [Final Chapter]
Thursday, August 13, 2009

Sumire are walking together with Umeko when Umeko notices a butterfly on Sumire’s head. She says that butterfly must have thought that Sumire is a flower. Sumire shoos it away. Umeko comments that is cute and mentions that she [Umeko] doesn’t have any nectar to attract butterflies. Sumire is puzzled. Sumire explains that men and butterflies are the same. “Waiting until a woman no longer has any nectar, then he will fly to some other women. Don’t you think so?” She then apologizes to Sumire in place of Haruka regarding how rude Haruka treated Sumire before. Sumire is shock that Umeko has seen Haruka kissing her. Umeko says that one should say that it’s the fickleness* of men who dances Japanese dances though not all of them are like that but she already wants to give up. [* hehe, I can’t read it so I just imagined what would be the closest thing to what they are talking about ^^;] Sumire tells her not to do that. “If you like him, then you should believe in him.” Sitting at the theater, Umeko shouts, “A match?!” She covers her mouth as Sumire ‘sh’ her and the other audience are looking at her. Umeko repeats the condition for the match: loser gets to lose the family position and lover. Umeko says that basically Haruka cannot win against Kazuki. Sumire tells Umeko not to be like that since she doubts Haruka. “You should believe in Haruka-kun more and I’ll also believe in Kazuki. ..Although among the two of them, one of them will definitely lose.” Sumire thinks that this is the only thing that she can do. In the dressing room, Haruka tells Kazuki that he told their match to their father so if he wants to back out, it’s not too late yet. Kazuki tells him that is what he wanted to say to Haruka. He tells surprised Haruka that he knows whom he is comparing himself with while doing his best. “You can’t win against me. You’re also conceited and stubborn that you weren’t able to notice what’s really important.” Haruka just tells him to say what he wants but when the performance is over he will say all those things back to humiliate Kazuki. Back at the audience, Sumire is surprised to see Kazuki’s father sitting beside her.

The performance starts with Kazuki dancing with an Japanese umbrella. The female audience are blushing and praising Kazuki’s excellent performance. Remembering that the judges are the audience and the brothers’ father, Sumire looks at Kazuki’s father who has no expression at all. Then flower petals are floating down. There is a lady in a kimono with a fan. It is Haruka. Sumire and Umeko blush as Haruka performs. The audience say that Haruka is so beautiful and even if he is so young, he can already perform that well. Sumire becomes tense. She glances at Kazuki’s father to see him smiling a bit. This made Sumire nervous. Kazuki is watching the performance backstage. Haruka manages to get a glimpse of the audience who were amazed by his performance. It made him smile and unfortunately made him lose concentration that he steps on his kimono. To everyone’s surprise, he fell down. Suddenly, the lights are turned off. The audience wonders what happened and why is there no electricity during the performance that they can’t see anything. Haruka is still stunned by what happened. He is then called out by Kazuki who tells him to stay there [sit position] and they will do it in accordance to some michiyuki – kind of a journey wherein a couple reminisces their happier moments before the double suicide. Kazuki asks if he can do it. Haruka protests that if they do that, then Kazuki will win. Kazuki asks if he plans to ruin himself. He tells Haruka that the audience has not yet realized of his mistake. “..What are you going to do?” In the end, Haruka give way and they did it as Kazuki suggested. After the curtain falls down, everyone starts clapping and giving them a standing ovation. Haruka says that it is quite ironic that Kazuki helped him. While the girlfriends are going backstage, Haruka says that it doesn’t matter anymore and in the end, even if he doesn’t become the heir, it doesn’t matter to others. “I’ll fulfill my side of the deal. I will not go onstage again..” They were interrupted when Sumire calls out to Haruka. Sumire exclaims what he meant by that - it doesn’t matter as if no one cares about him. “Do you really think that way? Quickly open your eyes already.” Haruka sees flustered Umeko behind Sumire. Umeko then goes to Haruka while Sumire goes to Kazuki. Kazuki sighs and tells Haruka that since he won, Haruka won’t make a move on Sumire again and isn’t that the ‘only condition’ to their deal. This surprises Haruka and Umeko. Kazuki admits that he got a bit scared of Haruka’s talent and Haruka will definitely become like him later on. He advises Haruka that if he can even momentarily remember about protecting his most important person, perhaps next time, he’ll [Kazuki] be the one who’ll lose. Haruka and Umeko are together, probably talking while Kazuki and Sumire happily look at them. Their father watches everything and smiles.

In Miyamoto residence, Kazuki’s father tells Sumire that the two brothers have different mothers. Holding a picture, Kazuki’s father says that he couldn’t marry a woman like Kazuki’s mother and only as a lover, she can stay beside him but in the end, the pressure is too much that she died. He doesn’t want Kazuki to go through the same experience so he objected from the start. He smiles then frowns. He starts shouting some orders on how Sumire should act which Sumire followed until she is exhausted. Kazuki’s father says that it isn’t easy being a daughter-in-law in their family so starting today, she is going to receive strict training. After he left, Kazuki who is looking for her comes in. He is surprised to see exhausted Sumire on the floor. Haruka, who is followed by Umeko behind, passes by and tells Kazuki that Sumire just got their father’s strict training because it isn’t okay if Sumire isn’t brought up to be more feminine. Haruka has a proud look on his face. This made Kazuki angry that soon, those two are fighting each other again. ^^; While beating each other up, Kazuki says not to look down on Sumire and Haruka exclaims that it is because Umeko is a really gorgeous girl. Umeko takes Sumire aside and whispers if Sumire has already used ‘that’. Sumire is puzzled. Umeko says that it seems she still hasn’t. She puts something in Sumire’s hand. With sparkles, Umeko tells her that they are really happy and this is all thanks to Sumire’s help. She wishes Sumire luck. Haruka calls out to Umeko that they are going so Umeko happily waves goodbye and follows Haruka. Kazuki can only say, geez, that guy. Sumire looks at her hand to see what Umeko gave her. It is a condom. This made Sumire embarrassed that she throws it up. She notices that Kazuki is looking at her. Then, he smiles at her. He slides the door close. He asks her if she wants to do it. “You decide.” Sumire blushes then says, “...About that..I’ve always believed in Kazuki. ..Only, Wi..Will..Will I really do..” [It is like if it is okay if she is the one whom he chose.] Kazuki smiles and holds his hand to Sumire. He says, “You will do.” [Sorry, I can’t think of something more romantic than that ^^;;] Then, it ends with some narration about a flower and a butterfly. Last scene, the two are hugging together and Sumire says, “Hey, Kazuki, just for you, I’ll always be in full bloom.” Then a couple of butterflies are flying together. The end.

So, it’s finally over. Too bad for Haruka, he wasn't concentrating on his dancing but is more focused on his assurance of winning against Kazuki. I guess this will teach him a lesson that he should just concentrate on what he should do rather than comparing himself with others. If Kazuki is always looking at Sumire's reaction in the audience, he won't be dancing that well. Honestly, his role is different from his brother so it doesn't seem right to compare them. ^^; It's nice of Kazuki to just make Haruka quit bothering Sumire but what about being heir? I think even if who is the heir, both brothers need each other for Kazuki acts the male roles while Haruka acts the female roles. The father is quite intelligent since he covered all possible roles so actually, if I really think about it, Sumire just needs to be a 'suitable' wife who'll support Kazuki because Haruka is already doing a fine job in female roles =P It's nice that both couples will be happy from now on. I think it's nice for the author to hint about the possible kind of future Sumire can have. Both her in-laws will be teasing her on training and not being feminine enough. But after those things she went through, I guess she will be more determined to do all that is asked of her and I'm sure she'll succeed because Kazuki will be there for her just as she is there for him ^^ There is also Umeko who will give her some extra help and an ally since they will be in the same household ^^ Nice ending even if I would want more lovey-dovey in the end. =P Scans by §星空ツ泪 and Amyangel19910323 for BW

PS. My internet is very slow since yesterday. I learned that it is because of a fault in the cable caused by typhoon Morakot. It seems that many parts in Asia are also affected. So, I can’t properly access BW forum and if I did, the scans are loading in a snail’s pace. It’s already a miracle that I can still post summaries with much ease = less waiting ^^ I’ve read that it will be okay by tomorrow, well, hopefully. Maybe by then, I can write a teaser for Hapi Mari’s newest chapter.

Quote of the day:
You will find that if you share your brother’s burden, both of you will walk a little straighter. ~ Author Unknown

Kanojo wa Uso wo Aishisugiteru [Chapters 2-4]
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Chapter 2 starts with a flashback of Aki as to how he got into music. His first memory is piano music playing of Shun when they were still 5 years old at Shun’s huge mansion. He doesn’t any feeling for music then yet he felt it is quite intense so he is always scowling. Since Shun is really rich, he always gets to eat cakes and play Shun’s mountain of toys. Their favorite toy was Shun’s father’s cd player. It is a rock and roll music which surprised them since the volume is loud and they are near the speaker ^^; Shun’s father who had put in the cd just laughed at them. When Shun is 10 years old, he got an electric guitar. This surprises Aki that he went out of Shun’s house and shouted that he wants one but can’t because his family is poor. Soon, he always went to Shun’s house to play with the guitar from 7am while Shun is still sleeping until night – Shun’s sleeping but Aki put on headphones while playing the guitar. Aki’s father can no longer bear with the situation so on Aki’s 14th birthday, his father gave him a guitar. Aki will never forget the proud look on his father’s face. His family is poor and he had three siblings – sisters Haru [Spring] and Natsu [Summer] and younger sibling, Fuyu [Winter]. [Amusing names..Aki means Autumn so they are the 4 seasons =P] They celebrated Aki’s birthday in a simple way – cake = omelet [I think it’s omrice] then their electricity is cut again. His father had even skipped meals just to save money for that guitar. Upon giving the guitar to him, his father told him that it is great that he has found something that he is passionate with and there are those who never found it until they die. Holding Aki’s left hand with bruised fingers from playing the guitar, his father said that Aki will definitely depend on the guitar to live so he should use it properly and be better than Shun. With tears of joy, Aki hugged the guitar tight. Later on, he quickly went to Shun to show it off. Shun thought that Aki’s father is cool. [Ya, I also think so ^^] They opened the case and they are puzzled why it only has four strings. They realized that it is a bass guitar so Shun laughed. Hugging the guitar, Aki asked what’s funny, it is the best. Shun kept on laughing and exclaimed that maybe Aki’s father went to a music store and asked for the most expensive guitar. After Shun laughed his head off, he told Aki that with it, they can now form a music band. From that time on, Aki is always with that bass guitar as his ‘partner’ and until now, he still cherishingly used it. End flashback. Aki takes his bass guitar and narrates that it is already been 7 years since he made music as his profession. While the television is on a soccer game, Aki starts playing his guitar while thinking that it just started for fun but now, it is work but only now, he doesn’t work together with friend/s.

His cellphone is ringing and it is Takagi Soichiro. He looks displeased and didn’t answer it. Then his doorbell rings, He answers it and it is Soichiro who says, “So you’re at home, useless brat--Why didn’t you answer the phone!” Aki laments his carelessness as he opens the door. Soichiro complains that he’s slow and his room is still the same, very messy. Aki tells him to make an appointment first before visiting. Seeing that Soichiro is about to smoke, Aki tells him not to smoke in his house but Soichiro smokes anyway. Soichiro sits down on the chair and asks him if Aki likes the smell of perfume better. Aki looks surprised. [Hehe..it’s Mari’s perfume =P] Calling Soichiro sempai, Aki is about to say something when to his shock, Soichiro takes a lyrics sheet from his table. To Aki’s embarrassment, Soichiro reads the lyrics about a one-sided love yet still loving that person. ^^;; Aki manages to grab the paper from him. Soichiro says that it isn’t bad since it is one’s true feelings. He said that it is sellable. [I’m not sure if he is saying that the lyrics can be sold or he is hinting that Aki’s talent is like for ‘sale’ regarding Mari] Flustered, Aki asks why he is there. Soichiro says do you need to ask, of course, soccer game. In the soccer field, Soichiro puts his arm on reluctant Aki and exclaims that it is nice that his friend is in his humble abode so it is very convenient when they lack members. Upon learning that their opponent is Sakurai-sempai, Aki says that he wants to be in their group. Soichiro grabs his collar and shouts that until the game ends, he belongs to his group. Aki tries to protest but Soichiro tells him to just stand there for he is the goalie. So, Aki did as told and a ball passes into the net. After a long scolding by Soichiro as to why he just stand there and Aki saying that he told him to just stand, Aki has finally caught the ball when it is about to go in the net. Soichiro is really happy about this and exclaims that he is such a good kid. He jumps on Aki and to everyone’s shock, gives Aki a kiss on the lips. This made Aki shout for him to quit while he’s ahead or else. After the game, in the guys’ locker room, Sakurai gives Aki a bottle of water [Procari Sweat, advertising? ^^;] He tells Aki that their relationship is still very good. Aki mutters ‘their’ and ‘still’ but Sakurai says that Soichiro really likes Aki. Aki tells him not to say such disgusting things because in his heart, it is about hatred for that guy. Sakurai tells him that he would dare say that because he knows that Soichiro won’t be angry because of that little thing. Aki asks if it is like a stupid dog biting its master but he doesn’t remember Soichiro saying he’ll look after him [Aki] yet he has given him [Aki] a leash/collar so of course, he’s angry. To Aki’s shock, Soichiro has opened his bag and starts to check out Aki’s cellphone which just rang. Looking at a message of Koeda Riko telling Aki of her email address, Soichiro asks who this ‘Kinoko’ [Japanese for mushroom] is. In Aki’s phone book, he wrote Riko’s name as ‘Kinoko’.

After school, Riko is looking for Yuu. To Sou’s shock, he found Yuu ‘dead’ in the comfort room – sitting on the toilet with a lot of toilet paper. ^^; [I’m thinking he is either venting his frustration on the toilet paper or crying. In the English scanlation, Sou’s name is So but it might be confused with the word ‘so’ in English so I used Sou instead. I translated his name as Sato before ^^; Hehe, same kanji can be pronounced in two different ways ^^;;] After recovering, Sou says that Yuu’s shock makes him nervous. Yuu laments that Riko suddenly had a boyfriend. Sou tells him that he did tell him to confess early. Yuu exclaims that he didn’t expect Riko to be an easy girl and he had a wrong impression of her. Sou says how he could say that she is easy when he should know that Riko is only a pure [simple] girl. Yuu starts to imagine how Riko would react if he only confessed first but he didn’t confess. Sou reprimands him for his speech [how he talk] because it seems like he is a girl. Back at the locker’s room, Aki quickly grabs his phone from Soichiro and exclaims that only this girl doesn’t have any relationship with Soichiro. He then tells Soichiro to quit putting up an act and just say it, whatever he wants to tell him. Soichiro asks if he has to say it for him to understand. “When did you become slow-witted?” Aki tells him not to avoid the question. Soichiro says that he is putting up an act and anticipating, but what Aki really wants is for someone to figure out his thoughts and tell him what he wants to hear. “..Mari is crying..” Aki is flustered and shaken that he asks why Soichiro told that to him. Aki asks if Soichiro thinks that he is thinking that he wants to make a clean break from Mari who had H with him and also Soichiro or is Soichiro showing off his talent. Soichiro says that it is none of those. Aki asks what it is then. Soichiro says that he is just trying to figure out Aki’s thoughts. Hitting the lockers with his fist, Aki shouts that in order not to interfere with work, even if it’s society or people, he absolutely doesn’t acknowledge Mari crying. Soichiro says that Aki is really infatuated with Mari. Aki tells Sakurai that Soichiro really says such disgusting things. Sakurai laughs and tells him not to involve him. Aki covers his eyes [probably on the verge of crying] and tells Soichiro to let him return to how he was before – work, friends and lover, all things in his life are either related to music or has a relation with Soichiro that puts him in a bad mood. “I just want a surrounding that isn’t related to you and music.” Soichiro says that is impossible. [Rightly so, because there is a scene of Riko singing, probably practicing in her band =P]. The two just look at each other. Aki puts his coat on and says that he is going to see Kinoko, not as Crude Play’s Aki. Soichiro asks if he thought that it will be okay if he didn’t tell Kinoko. Soichiro asks, isn’t Aki’s core value is music. Before leaving, Aki says that is why he wanted someone who isn’t related to music. While Soichiro sighing, Sakurai tells him that he is a bit overprotective of Aki. Soichiro says that it is because he is Aki’s protector/guardian. He is worried if like this, Aki can write again some nice music. Sakurai says that he is jealous because of Soichiro’s care/attention for that Aki.

While walking, Aki thinks that upon learning that Mari is crying, he wants to quickly go to her. He starts to anticipate a bit that Mari had somewhat begin to like him a bit. “It’s like anticipating a broken radio to make a sound.” While he is thinking and humming a melody, he emails Riko that he is near the park and if they can meet. While waiting for her reply, Aki felt that the melody is like water surging in him. He gets a reply from Riko telling him that it is okay and how about they meet at Tower Records [music store] in Shibuya. Aki looks up and wonders again if Mari has come to like him a bit. “When the melody is born, I already decided what lyrics to fill in.” In Tower records, near the J-pop section, someone calls out to him. He turns around to see a mushroom in a school uniform. He is in shock that he rubs his eyes then looks again to see that it is Riko. He starts laughing at himself for his ‘delusion’ then walks towards her. Aki narrates that while walking to her, he heard a clear sound, and the truth is at that time, he has already sensed it as to why she wanted to meet him in that place. “In that noisy place, the reason for that tiny yet clear sound of debate, but I pretended not to be aware of it, is that she is also someone who’s life is all about music.” Then, chapter 3 starts with an interview of Shun and his band for some fashion magazine. When Satou Kazumi, female interviewer, mentions about asking some fundamental questions, Shun asks if she meant his email address. Shun flirts that if she tells him hers, he’ll tell her his. Blushing, Satou takes out her cellphone and exclaims if she really can. Shun’s manager pushes him aside and exclaims, of course not. Shun complains that now he can’t because his manager said so. Shun then tells Satou that it is rare for him to meet someone and it usually doesn’t develop into love. Satou exclaims in disbelief that Shun doesn’t have a girlfriend. The manager laughs and says he doesn’t. Shun tells him not to say it that way as if he really has. He tells Satou that he seriously doesn’t have a girlfriend. Satou says that’s too bad. Shun asks her what does she meant by too bad. At the side, Shinya tells the others that every time it happens, he thinks that Shun is an expert in interviews. He explains that when people are weak towards the person they are interested in, especially for an interviewer who is interviewing a celebrity, so she is very nervous. If her feelings aren’t that good, she might not be able to ask the questions properly but if she is interested in the interviewee, of course she will be happy. Looking at Shun and Satou, Shinya says that they seem to be having a ‘good time’ as they talk with each other honestly since Satou is thinking that Shun is a nice guy. And when the interview is over, Satou would have become a fan of Crude Play and will do her best to cover their story in a way that is beneficial to them. One member thinks Shun is just a natural in that. Another member says that he is just charismatic. Shinya thinks that Shun is being manipulative. Before going in Tower Records, Riko thinks that the things she likes are: friends, onions, Crude Play, acoustic guitar, audio mixing, Tower records and.. Riko looks around inside trying to find Aki then upon finding him [seeing him standing with his back facing her], she calls out to him. “And..my boyfriend whom I recently went steady with.” Riko exclaims why he is laughing. Aki apologizes and says that he just thinks that for them to meet again for the second time, it seems odd that they would met in a crowded place like Tower Records when they haven’t quite remember each other‘s faces yet so he thought that they might not be able to find each other. Aki stops talking when he notices that Riko is staring at him. Aki bursts into laughter again and says no wonder it is love at first sight. This made Riko blush. As she twirls her hair, she thinks that actually, seeing his back already made her think that it is him and when she thinks of that, it seems that her heart is going jump out. Riko suddenly looks up then smiles at Aki. [I guess she is probably trying to calm herself down.]

They were interrupted when someone says, “Is this the guy?” Riko turns around to see dark Yuu with apologetic Sou [probably because they followed her.] Riko introduces her friends, Kishima Yuu and Yamazaki Sou to Aki. Aki just says that he is Ogasawara [surname]. Yuu is really suspicious of him so he asks Aki what his work is. Aki says, “What I do..” Riko exclaims that she also wants to know. They look at him as Aki tries to think of something and finally saying that he is a NEET. [I think it is a typo in Chinese scans which translates it as NEAT ^^; NEET means people who are not in education, employment or training] Yuu exclaims, NEET? Riko asks what a NEET does. Aki nervously says that it is the so-called NEET. Yuu asks how old he is. Aki says 25 years old. Yuu exclaims that he is already 25 years old yet he doesn’t have any work. “As a guy, how can you be like that?” Aki just says that he’s right because it is the citizen’s duty to work. Riko suggests that Aki help out at her family’s greengrocer [vegetable store]. Yuu angrily shouts for her to shut up. Looking at the stand with Crude Play’s albums, Aki tells them that even if he is a NEET, he has an income so there is no need to worry about that. Yuu asks if he is living off his family or he is a young master of a rich family. Aki can’t seem to answer so Riko tells Yuu that it doesn’t matter to her. Yuu shouts that she just said she also wants to know. Riko then asks Aki if he already had a girlfriend and for how long. This surprises Aki who looks at the stand filled with Mari’s cd. He nervously stutters that he never had/doesn’t have a girlfriend. Riko exclaims if he is a DT. Aki asks what a DT is. Riko goes to him then whispers, “It means a [male] virgin.” This surprises Aki as Riko stares at him and says, so he is a DT. “It’s alright, I like DT!” The two starts to laugh. Aki nervously wonders that this is a problem. He feels left out because he can’t keep up with the conversation, is it a generation gap and what does she like about a DT. Riko and Yuu are arguing while Yuu is just watching them and Aki has a spotlight on his head. [Lol] Back at the interview, Satou is surprised that Shinya isn’t a childhood friend. Shinya asks what’s with that expression and it seems that she is a newbie because they already let everyone knew about it. Satou apologizes. Shinya explains that Aki, Shun’s friend has decided to leave when they are going to debut so he substituted Aki. Satou asks what led to Aki’s decision to leave the band. Shinya says that no matter what it is, it has nothing to do with him. [I think probably because of how Shinya arrogantly answered it,] Shun calls out Shinya’s name. Shun says how about considering that question as a NG [blooper/edit out] because Crude Play’s music are all made by Aki so Aki is the real bassist of Crude Play. Shinya says that he is just a stand-by member until Aki comes back so he thinks that his interview isn’t necessary. Satou is a bit speechless about it. While Shun is lighting up a cigarette, Shinya asks if it is the same with Shun. Will he be happy if Aki returns? The other two band members look at Shun who just says, it is also okay.

Back at Tower Records, Yuu asks Aki why he is a NEET and a DT. Aki says that even a NEET and DT have human rights so he doesn’t need to be interrogated like that. Yuu exclaims that Aki must be a NEET and DT representative. This surprises Aki. Riko tells Yuu that is enough because this kind of questioning has become quite annoying. Sou agrees. At the elevator, Riko comments that there is a camera in the elevator = they can see what’s inside the elevator from outside the elevator. As Riko looks in the small monitor, Sou says that it is true. Aki and Yuu are still arguing. Yuu says that as a NEET and a DT, he is quite disappointing. Aki says that it is okay to be criticized as a NEET but then, a DT.. He then asks if Yuu is a DT. Yuu denies it but Aki says he is lying. Yuu denies he is lying but Aki insists that he is that Yuu is a DT. The elevator door opens and Riko thinks that Aki isn’t looking at her when she is obviously his girlfriend. To their surprise, Riko pushes Aki inside the elevator. She goes in and pushes the close button. Before the door closes, Riko makes a face at her friends and tells them not to follow. Riko giggles and turns around to tell Aki that she has resorted to force [for them to get away]. Aki thinks that in a quiet place like that, upon hearing her voice, it is unexpectedly quite low. “I’m comparing it with whom?” He becomes flustered since he remembers Mari. The scene temporarily changes to Shun who tells Shinya that if Aki returns, isn’t it okay to just use two bassists. “Unlike you guys, I do not depend on music to live.” [Yup, because he’s really rich already =P ] Shinya says that what Shun said is nice to hear but for him, it seems like Shun is ‘two-timing’. Back in the elevator, Riko tells him that from since then, she still hasn’t forgotten about it. Aki is puzzled. Riko tells him that melody that he is humming before. Tapping her foot to the rhythm, Riko asks what the title of that music is. She had let her friends listen to it but they don’t know what song it is. “It isn’t a music that should be just hum in a soft voice but rather, it should be sung out loudly.” Aki looks really tense when she is saying all this. Riko opens her mouth and is about to sing. Aki holds up his hand. Outside the elevator, while pressing the ‘up’ button, Yuu can’t believe what Riko did and she is now alone with that DT and he doesn’t know what they are doing. Sou tries to calm him down. Yuu exclaims how Sou could be relaxed like that. Sou nervously tells him that he might destroy the push button. Yuu goes into shock when he sees in the monitor that Aki is covering Riko’s mouth. “What is he doing, that pervert!” Inside the elevator, Aki is still covering Riko’s mouth who tries to talk. When Aki realizes what he is doing, he immediately let go and apologizes. Riko asks what happened. Aki says that he is afraid of hearing someone singing. “..Generally, I detest songs/music.” Riko asks why. Aki didn’t answer and just kept his eyes closed. Riko asks, “Ogasawara-kun, why are you crying?” “I’m not crying.” “But, you are going to cry soon.” Aki is surprised that he is indeed crying when he notices that tears are falling down from his eyes. This surprises Aki. He wipes his tears and says that this is very unsightly and disappointing. He apologizes to Riko and tells her not to look. Riko sadly looks at him and thinks, “Why is he so sad? Is he hurt by someone? Why when it is obvious that he is a mature guy, way older than me..what should I do..I’ll definitely protect him. This person, I’ll definitely protect him well.” Aki is surprised when Riko hugged him [er..hold his head]. She tells him that she isn’t looking. He smiled then he pushes her away slightly. He touches her face then gives her a deep kiss. It must be so passionate that she drops her bag and she is breathing hard. Aki realizes that Riko is someone who needs/loves to sing. Aki tells Riko not to sing. “I hate [female] singers.” This surprises Riko. Aki narrates that he used this really awful lie to hurt Riko so that she won’t be taken away by that guy and right now, thinking about it, that is really certain [going to happen].

Finally, in chapter 4, Yuu narrates that his first impression of Riko is that she is a small girl. There is a scene of him holding down her head as Riko protests. Then, in Shibuya Tower Records, in the close circuit camera, he sees that Aki is kissing Riko. “What is this scene..” Yuu is flustered upon seeing Riko’s blushing face. He quickly runs off and starts running up the stairs. Sou chases after him and tries to stop him. Yuu exclaims if that kind of scene is okay with Sou. To Yuu’s anger, Sou says it is okay and it’s nothing to him. Yuu exclaims that he absolutely doesn’t agree to that. Yuu thinks that even if Riko isn’t a pretty girl but.. He remembers watching Riko sleep on her desk at school, taking her earphones and asks why it is Crude Play again, laughing that Riko can’t reach her shoe locker then he helps her, then walking home together. And because he likes her so much, he cannot just casually confess to her but..she suddenly says that she has a boyfriend. [Too bad..] Breathing hard and frustrated, Yuu thinks that he is already prepared to continue/take over their greengrocer. “Riko isn’t a girl someone can just lay their hands on so don’t just touch her casually like that.” In the elevator, Aki is still kissing Riko. He thinks that Riko’s heartbeats are quite intense and hearing it makes him feel embarrassed. Aki stops kissing and it seems like Riko is gasping for air. Aki wonders if she just had stopped breathing. He thinks that it isn’t good because she seems to be really cute. Aki pulls her closer and is about to kiss her again when she asks him to wait. She asks if he still wants to continue kissing. He asks if she wants to stop. He hugs her and she says that she doesn't want him to stop. Aki thinks that he is still hiding a wish but it is alright. “I think I can like her.” The elevator door opens and Yuu reaches it. [Is the elevator slow? ^^;] He sees the two going to kiss each other again one more time. Yuu can’t bear it anymore that he goes in and gives Aki a karate chop on the head, “You are really such a lewd NEET!!!” [lol] After some time, all four are hanging around the stairs while Aki kept on holding his head bump which hurts. There are arrow notes on top of their heads. Yuu<-has no right to get angry. Riko<-conflicted on how to react. Riko is crying that Yuu saw it all and Yuu hit Aki’s head. Aki<-kissing his girlfriend and made into the culprit. Sou<-outsider. Sou gives Aki a cold can of beverage for his head bump. Aki thanks him. Yuu exclaims that it isn’t such a grave injury. Riko shouts at Yuu. Yuu asks if it is because Aki is a NEET and DT that he is always staying at home so his body is really weak. Riko protests that it isn't so. Yuu calls Riko an idiot that is why she doesn’t understand and she should just dump Aki/drop the topic. Riko shouts for him not to call her an idiot. Soon, the two are arguing about this. Aki looks at the two then pretends that his head hurts. Riko quickly goes to him and asks if he is okay. He holds her hand and kisses it. Riko blushes and Yuu is angry. He lightly knocks Riko’s head and says that she got a zero on her short quiz. Riko pulls her hand away from Aki and exclaims how Aki knew and she cheated in the test. Yuu says that maybe her way of cheating is wrong so as he said, she is stupid. Riko exclaims that she copied other people’s work. Yuu calls her stupid and Riko says that he is acting weird. Aki looks at them then holds Riko’s hand. To the other’s surprise, he says, “Okay--we are going.” [Hehe..Aki is not acting his age ^^;]

While Riko is looking back and forth to who is talking, Yuu tells Aki that Riko is going to the same train/bus stop with him so he’ll walk Riko home. Angry Aki says that he is also going to the same stop. Yuu tells him that he is going to tell Riko something so why don’t Aki go on ahead. This made Aki angry and grabs Riko hand. He tells Yuu that he is Riko’s boyfriend so they are going together. Outside, Aki and Riko are walking while Yuu and Sou follow them behind. Yuu kept on looking at them that he bumps on a guy. After apologizing, he sees Aki calling a taxi and tells Riko to go in. Just as Aki is going in the taxi, he looks at Yuu and says, goodbye. Sou tells frustrated Yuu that it is a crushing defeat. Yuu just says that he feels that guy isn’t really serious with Riko. In the taxi, Aki thanks Riko for agreeing to ride in. Aki mutters not to look down on a taxpayer. A recording or the taxi driver is telling them to fasten their seatbelts. He is surprised to see Riko looking timid and quiet at the side. Aki asks what’s up with her. Riko says that she isn’t sure but somehow, she is feeling really nervous. Blushing, she says that it is because they are [sitting] too close and this is the first time she rode a taxi. Aki asks, “Being kissed is also your first time, right?” This embarrassed Riko so she frantically denies it [to the driver]. While leaning to her to kiss her, he tells her that it is okay because the driver won’t mind. This embarrasses Riko that she leans back and hits the window. ^^; She says that it hurts and she really can’t do it. Aki says that he was refused. Riko tries to protests then Aki gives her a kiss. He tells blushing Riko that it is common for taxi drivers to see back passengers doing ‘lovey-dovey’. He is about to kiss her again when there is a ringing which interrupts them. Aki says that it is his. He looks at his cellphone and is surprised to see who is calling. He opens the flip and asks if Riko minds. Riko shakes her head. Riko hears him talking on the phone. “Ya. Yes. Yes. Why don’t you let me go..” Aki says that from now on, it has nothing to do with him. According to what he knows, he can understand that it feels like the caller is blaming him but forget it, it’s too troublesome and there is no need to explain. “Let’s make it final, I can go. [It’s actually cannot not go so two negatives is positive, right? ^^;] Yes. Okay. Although I’m not happy about it, tell this to that idiot, ‘Even if it is troublesome, I will go.’” Aki hangs up and apologizes to Riko and tells her that he has to go. This surprises Riko. Aki tells the taxi driver that he is getting off at the next stoplight and gives Riko some money – 10,000 bill. He tells her to be good and go home. He then asks the driver to drive Riko home. Riko looks at Aki as he gets out of the taxi, hails down another taxi that went to the other way. Riko thinks, “A bad feeling arises from my heart. Basically, he is not a NEET or a DT. Although he said, ‘he hates [female] singers’, right now, he is going to see a ‘[female] singer.’” She remembers him asking if she believes in love at first sight. Riko thinks, “Perhaps, everything is just lie.”

Riko tells the driver to stop there because she is getting off. She paid the driver with her own money – 1000 bill. She looks at the money bill that Aki gave her while walking in the park. Suddenly, there is a gush of wind. She pulls down her skirt then looks up to see some doves flying. She starts singing, “Rohto, Rohto Rohto♪ Rohto Rohto Rohto ♪” Someone sings with her, “Rohto♪ Pharma-ceutical♪” [They are singing a CM of Rohto Pharmaceutical that has pigeons flying. I've edited it since the other translation said it is a 'Peace Contract' song] Riko looks at the man who is singing along with her. It is Soichiro. [Ha, Aki, that’s because you left her =P] Aki goes to a huge building. He is welcomed in a restaurant, which is reserved for the day, by some bodyguards. A glasses guy [Mari’s manager?] apologizes to him. He sees Mari sitting down in one of the tables. Aki stands beside her and tells her that she shouldn’t have reserved the whole restaurant. Mari says that if she didn’t do that, it will be more troublesome for the restaurant. Aki tells her that she shouldn’t have called him to that place. Mari says that it is because Aki said that he likes that place so she wanted to go there once. Aki is speechless. The waiter takes his coat and helps him sit down on the chair. Mari says that she also wants to go to the Museum Shop to buy something. She then notices that some people looking in from the door and taking pictures of Mari while wondering who the guy she is with is. The bodyguards try to shoo them away. Mari says that picture might be sold to a weekly magazine. Aki just calls her name. Mari asks what she should do for them to be okay. What place does he want her to bring him in order to make him say that he does ‘not want to break up’ with her and continue on being with her. She starts to offer him all sorts of things like business office, be president, a place where he can work, inn, etc. With tears, Mari holds Aki’s hands on the table and asks if it will be better for her to just wait for him at the door of his apartment. “Regarding that thing with Takagi-san, I was always afraid that you’ll know.” She tells him that she wasn’t forced but it is all because she met Soichiro that she was able to make her debut and her talent enabled her to sign up with a recording company. She says that when Soichiro expresses a desire towards her, she cannot refuse. “I’m very afraid. I don’t want that person to hate me. And, I thought that I will come to like him. That person has some cute sides to him, right? Although he is a great man, yet he’s very easy-going, very kind..” [When she is describing Soichiro, she has a loving look that made me think that she is in love with him. ^^; Stupid Mari, you shouldn’t be saying that to Aki ^^;;] “The first time I met him, he told me, ‘What is this, I discovered a genius’.” There is a scene of blushing high school girl Mari when Soichiro told her that. Mari puts her hands on her face and says, “The one who discovered me, is that guy...” Switch to present Soichiro laughing together with Riko. Riko laughs as she says that as expected, doves make one think of that Rohto CM. Soichiro says that Riko has a trained voice. “How long have you been practicing?” Riko asks, huh? Looking into his jacket for something [like a business card], Soichiro says, “You're definitely used to singing, right?” Riko asks how he knew. Soichiro says, “I'm right, huh. Why do I know?” Pointing at her, Soichiro says, “What is this, I discovered a genius. I found you.” Riko looks at him as the wind blows her hair and some leaves.

So, it seems that Aki cannot escape fate. ^^; Of all the girls that he can pick, it has to be someone who is into music and later on, discovered by Soichiro. I wonder what Riko will do. She obviously likes singing but then, would she give it up just for Aki? Riko’s womanly instincts are also really good even if she looks like a kid and seems to be one. She already senses that he is lying to her and he probably likes a female singer. I guess Aki’s actions and reactions also gave him away. Aki is a poor liar =P Interestingly enough, she didn’t notice Yuu’s feelings for her. I wonder if Yuu hid it too well or she just thinks of him as a friend – everything that he has been doing for her. I guess Yuu will forever regret his whole life that he didn’t confess to Riko earlier. Yuu’s instinct is good too because he also felt that Aki isn’t serious with Riko. Well, Aki did meet with her because he is bothered about Mari crying, probably to forget about Mari in the meantime. Since Aki doesn’t really love Riko yet, I guess it is his pride (do not want to lose) as a guy that made him 'take her away' like that from Yuu. I do wonder about those kisses..is he imagining Mari or forcing himself to like Riko? For a songwriter who probably writes about love at times, he obviously doesn't realize that falling in love isn't done only with one's brain since he is always rationalizing that he can fall for Riko but he should know that falling in love is also done with one's heart. Poor Mari because she is greedy and doesn’t appreciate what she had, so now, she might lose everything and it will all be given to Riko. From how Mari sounded with her talk with Aki, it does seem that she is trying to win Aki back because she needs her rather than loves him. She obviously didn’t know him enough because she is offering him some material things which he doesn’t want. Actually, for a sexy beautiful singer like her, her womanly instincts aren’t that good because she didn’t realize that Aki is really in love with her. She chose the wrong words to tell him there. If she said that she likes him and anything along that line, I’m sure Aki would quickly go back to her. Actually, I’m wondering if the meeting there is a plot so that people will take pictures of them together and well, it will make others know that ‘Aki is taken’ or something if it is published. Actually, it seems that she is using sex as ‘trade’ for Aki’s help with her single and gratitude to Soichiro for helping her in her career. Is she a prostitute? ^^; So, we learn that Aki is actually from a poor family. I wonder if something happened to them so Soichiro is his guardian but then, maybe it is a case of guardian while in the music industry. It does seem that Aki has some sort of rivalry with Soichiro who seems to have ‘taken’ everything from Aki but from some scenes, I don’t think Soichiro is such a bad guy and I would even fault Aki for hitting on his guardian’s ‘girl’. It turns out that Aki has a really long relationship with Shun. I find it interesting that Aki isn’t into material things even if he got an opportunity to ‘have/use’ them while playing with Shun. I also find it interesting that Shun’s parents are such a nice couple since they don’t mind their son playing with a poor kid. There is no discrimination at all. I guess it is all because of Aki’s closely knitted family and he prefers it simple. Of course, Shun is used to a luxury life. I do think that Shinya might be a problem later on especially since he is just a ‘replacement’. Lastly, this series somewhat reminds me of Nana. They have a problematic bassist and a singer, love polygons, music, narration of what is happening seems to be all in the past, etc. If you read Nana, just imagine who the characters here is like some characters in Nana. =P Scans by §星空ツ泪, zhu520/fema and xiuxiu/咻咻 for BW and iieye.

Quote of the day:
Lying about people annoys them very much, but sometimes telling the truth annoys them a lot more. ~ Author Unknown

Kyou, Koi wo Hajimemasu [Chapters 42-43]
Monday, August 10, 2009

Narration: “My once in a life time love has sloppily ended.” While poking her Santa bear, Tsubaki tries to convince herself to forget about it because they weren’t originally compatible and earlier, she didn’t thought that day will come so.. She holds the Santa bear and remembers the Christmas candle lighting before wherein Kyouta told her that if she likes ‘Tsubaki’ very much, then it is also okay that one day, her surname will also be ‘Tsubaki’. [So that is why the candle is Tsubaki-Tsubaki, I guess. It is pretty much a wish that they will get married.] She shouts out another ‘I didn’t expect it to happen’ then looks at the wastebasket which is filled to the brim with everything given/related to Kyouta. She remembers the time they spent together then tosses the Santa bear into the wastebasket. Pulling up her sleeve, she happily exclaims that she can finally concentrate on her studies and start focusing on getting into a famous university by studying hard. She freezes when Sakura who is standing by the door tells her that it will only make it more painful. She goes into the wastebasket and starts rampaging into it. She says that she knew that Tsubaki will throw everything related to Kyouta away. Embarrassed, Tsubaki shouts for her not to touch them. Sakura throws Tsubaki’s cellphone back to her and exclaims how she could throw that away, it might cause her problems later on. [I think she meant that it is bought by her mother so she will be reprimanded for it.] Tsubaki remembers Kyouta telling her that they have the same phone. Taking the dress and the high heel shoes, Sakura tells her sister that she’ll help her take them away and finally, she has them. Tsubaki unconsciously grabs the dress. Sakura sighs and says that it seems Tsubaki still can’t let go of Kyouta. Tsubaki is embarrassed. Sakura says that it is because of Tsubaki that they broke up. This surprises Tsubaki and remembered her message about asking Kyouta to keep his distance from her. Tsubaki exclaims how Sakura knew about it. Sakura says that of course she knows. “It’s definitely because you refuse to have H with him!” This stuns Tsubaki. Sakura hugs herself and says that it is already half a year already and they still haven’t done it so of course, it’s unavoidable that she’ll be dumped. Tsubaki angrily shouts that it isn’t because of that, and there is a different reason.

After explaining, Sakura shouts, “What-?! Kyouta-kun violated Haru-sempai’s girlfriend!?” Tsubaki tries to tell Sakura to keep her voice down. Sakura says that it is hard to believe. Tsubaki says that even if she knows that Kyouta likes to tease girls, but she cannot believe that Kyouta would do that and she became scared of him. Sakura says that Tsubaki is quite disappointing. She angrily shouts, “How could Kyouta-kun violate someone!” Tsubaki asks how Sakura could say that without hesitation. Sakura says that even if Kyouta looks [at girls], it is always the girls who make the first move because he is popular so if the other person doesn’t want to, he won’t force her. Tsubaki starts to think carefully about what happened before. Kyouta will play around with girls but if they fall for him, he dumps them. It’s also the same when she got the dress. He stopped when she is stiff and when she seriously doesn’t want to do it. He did promise her that he won’t do anything until the first night. She realizes that she didn’t believe someone important to her again. Tsubaki asks if crying Haru is just lying. Sakura exclaims that’s not it either. This confuses Tsubaki. Sakura tells her that for her [Sakura], the most suspicious person is the girl who said she was violated. Tsubaki says if that is how it is, why Kyouta didn’t defend himself. Sakura says of course, he can’t because in front of him is someone who doesn’t believe in him deep down in one’s heart. Sakura tells her that it is because she is always misunderstood, that is why she understands this situation. Tsubaki comments that Sakura is always misunderstood because usually, she doesn’t seem to reflect on what she is doing. This made Sakura angry. Sakura shouts that even so, she understands that little problem, and if this goes on, Kyouta won’t be able to defend himself even more. “For someone like you sis, who is overly conservative, regarding what Kyouta did, maybe you won’t be able to understand it in your whole lifetime!” Sakura leaves and slams the door. Then, Sakura opens the door again and sweetly says that if she really wants to throw the dress and high heel shoes away, Tsubaki should definitely give it to her. After Sakura left, Tsubaki thinks that Sakura is right, she really doesn’t understand anything and she doesn’t have that many love experiences like Sakura has. “The truth about Tsubaki-kun’s past, and why his hand is shaking when we broke up, I don’t know anything. I don’t want this romance to have an unclear ending.” Looking determined, Tsubaki looks at her cellphone then writes a message to Kyouta that she would want to see him again so that they can talk properly. She thinks that this love isn’t mature yet and she hopes that there will be another chance [to fix it].

At the park, sitting on a bench, Kyouta is reading an English astronomy magazine when his cellphone rings. Before he can answer it, he is surprised to see Haru, covered with cats, calling him and for making him wait. After closing his flip cellphone, Kyouta tells him that he doesn’t remember calling a group of cats. Taking the cats away from him, Haru says that he can’t help it because he used to be a cat in his past life since they are always following him like that. Kyouta asks why he is talking about that again. While holding a cat, Haru says of course, because his Rika said so, so it’s definitely true. Seeing the magazine, Haru asks if Kyouta can now understand it without it being translated. Haru/Kyouta says that just like this, sitting side by side, looking at the moon, it reminded him of the time when they just met. Looking up the moon, Haru asks if that is a first quarter moon. “You taught me about it before..” Haru is surprised when Kyouta asks if he is happy because he succeeded in his revenge. Remembering the time he promised to ruin Kyouta’s relationship when Kyouta found his precious person, Haru replies that he is very happy since Kyouta has finally understood his pain. Haru says that he did that revenge because he wants Kyouta, as his bestfriend, to also have a part with the pain he experienced. “Because you are my bestfriend so I wanted you to know...and I’ve waited until the time for you to also understand [what I felt], then our relationship would be really okay again, just like before.” Haru smiles at Kyouta who says, “Haru..That..” Kyouta is surprised when Haru interrupts to say, “It’s impossible, right?” Haru stands up and says that the cruel thing that Kyouta did to Rika, he thought that if he only tried it then he would be able to understand that kind of feeling but he wasn’t able to do it. He is really in anguish because he can’t forget that crying-shouting face [of Tsubaki]. Kyouta clenches his fist. Haru tells Kyouta that he already can’t become Kyouta’s bestfriend again. “That’s all I want to say, goodbye.” Kyouta says that it seems that both their hearts are connected. “I also think the same way.” Kyouta kicks Haru down. Grabbing Haru’s collar, Kyouta says, “It’s now my turn to extract my revenge [on you].” Haru asks what he is saying. Kyouta tells him that if Haru wants revenge then it would have been enough if Haru just hurt only him. Remembering crying Tsubaki, Kyouta angrily says that Haru doesn’t have any reason to hurt Tsubaki. “All the pain that Tsubaki experienced, I’m going to return it in full to you right now..!” Kyouta starts punching Haru. The next scene is a cat is licking itself...licking away the blood that has splattered on it. A policeman holds Kyouta away from passed-out Haru who is checked by a policeman if he still has a pulse, I guess.

Next day at school, during lunch break, Tsubaki looks at her cellphone and there is no message. She thinks that Kyouta doesn’t want to see her. She is surprised when some girls shout that they’ve got bad news. They have heard that Kyouta has beaten up Haru so now, he is suspended. The others realize that is the reason why Haru is absent today. The others are aghast when the girl says that if the police didn’t arrive, Kyouta would have killed Haru. Tsubaki asks the girl what happened. She says that no matter how many times the police asked Kyouta for the reason, he won’t say a word about it. Because the school authorities are quite perplexed by it, they can only suspend him for a week. Right now, Haru wasn’t able to tell them what happened either because he lost consciousness. To Tsubaki’s surprise, the others start badmouthing Kyouta for being cruel for beating up his bestfriend until he passed out. Another guy says that he heard that Kyouta making a move on Haru’s girlfriend before. Some nerdy-type guys say that they were unhappy with Kyouta even before with that ‘the world revolves around him’ attitude of his. Tsubaki becomes nervous when everyone started saying that they are going to avenge Haru. Tsubaki hits the blackboard with her hand and shouts for them to wait because Kyouta isn’t the type of person who would do that kind of thing for no reason. Some girls say that she is already dumped yet what is she saying. They accuse her of protecting Kyouta in the hope that his feelings for her would return and it is already too late for Kyouta has already gone and ‘played’ with that other girl. [Sorry, the picture is blurred so I can’t quite read but basically, Kyouta went out with that other girl before and had sex.] To everyone’s irritation, Tsubaki scratches the blackboard with her nails then tells them that it doesn’t matter to her. “I’ll always believe in Tsubaki-kun until the time that he’ll explain the reason with his own mouth!” She doesn’t want to doubt her most important person again. An embarrassed girl shouts that she also believes in Kyouta then reprimands some guy about the revenge on Kyouta. Taking out her cellphone, Tsubaki thinks that she doesn’t know why Kyouta would suddenly do that terrible thing. She looks at her cellphone and there is still no reply. She has something that she wants to tell Kyouta and she can’t wait for a week.

After school, Tsubaki finds herself in front of Kyouta’s apartment. She walks back and forth while thinking that if she just go there, it would quite. She tries to call him on the phone but she only gets a voice recorder for a voice mail. Tsubaki thinks that since she can’t reach him on phone, she has to do this. She finally presses the doorbell. Someone replies. Thinking that it is Kyouta’s voice, she says that it is her, Hibino Tsubaki, there is something that she wants to tell him but she can’t reach him on the phone or via email. She is surprised when he asks her to wait. She blushed and wonders if Kyouta is willing to meet her. An older man appears and greets her. Tsubaki is shock. “Who is this man!!?” The man smiles and asks why she is looking for his son. Tsubaki realizes that he is Kyouta’s father. His father says that since she is wearing the same uniform, she must be in the same high school as Kyouta. Tsubaki says that is true and it is because she can’t contact Kyouta since yesterday so she is a bit worried. Kyouta’s father exclaims so that is why she went there. He thanks her. Tsubaki thinks that it is the same as what Nishiki told her before – Kyouta’s father is a teacher in junior high who is like a teacher in a television drama. [A nice teacher type?] Kyouta’s father tells her that he’ll go and call Kyouta out. He closes the door and Tsubaki bows then waits. She thinks that their voice sounds alike that she wasn’t able to distinguish them. Kyouta’s father comes out again and tells her that Kyouta said that he doesn’t want to see her. Shaking, Tsubaki says is that so. His father apologizes since she went there on purpose. Tsubaki says that it is alright and that she’ll go. Tsubaki is in near tears and tells herself that this is obviously going to happen because she didn’t believe him so now, he doesn’t want to listen to her. She regrets not writing properly from the start but no matter what, she wants to convey these feelings. She holds the grills of the window and thinks that Kyouta is obviously just opposite this window. She is surprised to see that the curtain is hanging outside the window. She contemplates whether to peek in or not. In the end, she decides to do it because today might be the last time.. She wonders what he is doing so she pulls away the curtain to look inside. She sees Kyouta’s father kicking the door open and starts kicking Kyouta’s stuff around. Kyouta’s father shouts, “That horrible guy, he’s obviously suspended, where could he have gone off to! You wanted to smear my face [reputation] again!” Tsubaki is shock to see how violent Kyouta’s father is that she wonders if he is really the same guy earlier. “During elementary, his mother left home, so has Tsubaki-kun always been living with this kind of person?” Kyouta’s father suddenly notices that the window is open. He looks out the window but he didn’t see Tsubaki who is bending down. He closed the window and shouts that stupid Kyouta is really going to get it if he sees Kyouta when he comes back. Tsubaki wonders where Kyouta went.

Tsubaki goes to the karaoke bar and finds Nishiki there who told him that Kyouta is suspended so he came to substitute for Kyouta. Tsubaki thinks that Kyouta isn’t at work either. Tsubaki asks him if there is any place Kyouta would go. Nishiki exclaims in shock that Kyouta isn’t at home. Tsubaki tries to ‘sh’ [quiet] him. Nishiki cries about it because he substituted for Kyouta when he is supposed to have a date with Sakura. Tsubaki threatens him to shut up else she won’t let him date her younger sister. Nishiki nervously tells her that the most possible place for Kyouta to go is.. Tsubaki runs to the park and no one is there. Tsubaki thinks that if Kyouta doesn’t quickly go home, his father would be more.. She then notices a telescope near the bench with a bag and some magazines. She remembers Kyouta looking in the telescope of the observatory before. Looking at the telescope, she wonders if it is Kyouta’s. She notices some foreign magazines about astronomy [telescope] in English so she somewhat doubt that Kyouta is there. She wonders if he is looking at the moon. She remembers him saying that if one wants to look at a heavenly body, then it should be the moon. She bends down to peek in the telescope when someone tells her not to just touch [it] as she pleases. She turns around to see Kyouta holding a bottle of softdrink. Flustered, Tsubaki exclaims, “Tsu..Tsubaki-kun!” to expressionless Kyouta. This chapter pretty much confirms that Tsubaki may have good grades and everything but she is really 'stupid' in terms of social relationships. Sakura is pretty much her opposite so Sakura easily believes that Kyouta isn't the type to rape a friend's girlfriend. For someone who attempted to rape one's ex-friend's gf, Haru is quite cheeky to even talk with Kyouta. From the way he talked, I think Haru would still want to be his friend but after everything that has happened, he believes that it will be impossible. Unfortunately for Haru, he had to mention that Tsubaki is crying and everything. I guess Haru is stupid in a way because of that. I guess he underestimated how much Kyouta loves Tsubaki and this mess has happened because Kyouta underestimated Haru's love for Rika. It goes to show how dangerous it is to underestimate one's feelings for another especially in this case because Haru is almost killed. Also, after all this, I think that their friendship wouldn’t be the same anymore even if they become friends again.

Well, it's nice that Tsubaki defends Kyouta from gossiping students even if she is now an 'ex-girlfriend'. If she wasn’t able to stop them, I think the ‘cycle of revenge/tit-for-tat’ will never end ^^; As for Kyouta's father, he is really violent so I can somewhat understand why Kyouta turned out like that. Hm..I guess violence is their way of expressing their anger. Kyouta did beat up Haru until he's unconscious, maybe that is also what is waiting for him at home so Kyouta left home and stayed at the park. Since I browsed through the chapters before, I don’t know if Kyouta’s father became the violent type after his wife left. I was thinking that maybe he is originally like that that is why his wife found some other guy and left them. Then, maybe that is why his wife wanted to get Kyouta back. I think this is a classic case of 'doing two wrongs doesn't make it a right'. If Kyouta just explained things to Haru then things wouldn't have turned out that way. Haha..but then, there won't be any story =P So, now, he is in deep trouble even if Kyouta did say it is because Haru attempted to rape his girlfriend, and it is his 'right' to beat Haru almost to death. I do commend him for keeping his mouth shut about what really happen to the police and others because he doesn’t want to drag others into their problem and they might interrogate Tsubaki later on about it, she’ll have to re-live the experience. Also, I want to believe that it is also partly to protect Haru’s reputation. I’ve been wondering though if Haru’s parents are also there in Japan. Won’t they be frantic when they learned what happened to him? Or, maybe his parents are pretty much like the ones Kyouta has. I guess Kyouta can thank his lucky stars that the police came because if he killed Haru, I think he might have to kiss his astronaut dreams goodbye..ah, that is if being an astronaut or something similar type of job disqualifies you if you have a ‘record’ ^^; One thing that I’m not too happy about this series is how lightly the characters get away with the awful things they did and I meant those girl bullies before and that almost rape + picture they did to Tsubaki before. Anyway, I think it is really sad how the best friends ended up like this because of some stupid girl and I mean, Rika. I think Kyouta should have explained to Haru and Tsubaki even if they don’t seem to believe him. At least, they would know but Kyouta has to let Haru nurse a grudge so I think he is partly to blame for all this mess created by Rika. Teaser: From chapter 45 raws in BW, it seems that what Rika did to Haru is pretty much like what the ex-girlfriend of Strobe Edge’s Ando did. She used Haru to get close to Kyouta. Since she can’t get him, Rika cried rape. ^^; Since Haru seems to believe Rika, Kyouta never bothered to explain. ^^;; That’s my impression of what happened..to be confirmed when the Chinese scans are out. =P §星空ツ泪 and Amyangel19910323 for BW.

Quote of the day:
When anger lingers in our hearts, it poisons all we think and do; But faith seeks ways to show God's love and keeps our spirit strong and true. ~ D. De Haan from Our Daily Bread

Weekly Jump: Bleach, Naruto, One Piece, Beelzebub, Reborn, and PSYREN
Monday, August 10, 2009

In Bleach [c. 369], Barragan makes a little speech about everything ages and dies. Hacchi builds a huge wall to stop Barragan from getting near them. He quickly asks reluctant SoiFon for help and she only agrees to help after a little deal. Hacchi builds a barrier to ‘stop’ Barragan’s movement then blasted him with SoiFon’s bankai. The little deal is in exchange for her help, Hacchi is going to seal Urahara in a barrier for 1 month. I guess SoiFon really hates Urahara. Geez, for just telling others about her bankai ^^; Maybe it is also because he ‘stole’ Yoruichi from her. I’ve started to imagine how Urahara is going to ‘live’ = basic needs, in a barrier but then, I guess Hacchi can just seal him in his house =P As for Barragan, if he is finished with that, I think it will be too easy especially since he is number 2 espada. It does seem somewhat lame if that making things age is his only power even if it is a strong kind of power.

Then in Naruto [c. 459], of course, Raikage protests about the Hokage being made leader. Mifune explains the pros and cons why Hokage is chosen and not the others. One of Mizukage guys feels uneasy about something so he uses his byakugan and realizes that Danzou has some guy named Uchiha Sensui’s eye and arm. He accuses Danzou of ‘manipulating’ Mifune into making that decision earlier. Then, before a fight can start among themselves, they are interrupted by Zetsu who is supposedly looking for Sasuke after having a little chat with Tobi. Elsewhere, Ino is crying over whatever Shikamaru and others have decided. Inside the tent, Sai is telling crying Sakura that they shouldn’t depend too much on Naruto. Shikamaru agrees with Sai and has decided that they will be the ones who’ll stop Akatsuki and Sasuke so that there won’t be a war later on between the two villages because of those two problems which will lead to a cycle of revenge. When Shikamaru learns where Naruto is, Sakura decides to be the one to tell Naruto about their decision as her way of making up for what she did. Meanwhile, Naruto is in some snow village wondering about Sasuke. From what’s happening, I think that Madara/Tobi is indeed going to incite a war and he’ll be using Sasuke as the reason for it. I guess he is somehow going to frame Sasuke like attempting to cause harm/kill the kages especially since he and his group sneaked in there. If that happens, I wonder what will happen with Shikamaru and the others plan. Hehe..maybe the author is also planning some sort of ‘war’ just like what’s happening in One Piece.

With huge tidal waves threatening to engulf everyone in One Piece [c. 553], Aokiji quickly freezes the waves. That pretty much starts everything. Whitebeard attacks him and Aokiji falls into the bay and instantly freezes it else he drowns. Using the frozen bay as foothold, the pirates charge in. The marines stand guard, waiting for them. Hawkeye wants to test how powerful Whitebeard is. He tries to slice off Whitebeard who is still in the ship but it is stopped by third squad, Jose who ate the ‘diamond’ fruit. Then, Kizaru tries to attack Whitebeard but he is stopped by second squad, Marco who seems to have the power of a blue flame. It seems that everything that is thrown at them can be countered so I wonder if it will just be a ‘tie’ then while everyone is busy, Luffy and others rescues Ace =P

Then in Beelzebub [c. 24], Hilda is feeding BL when the bottle crack from the heat within BL. BL makes a 2-sign then starts making fighting movements before passing out. By then, Hilda realizes that the seal on Oga’s hand has disappeared. Hilda says that means that Oga can’t get any energy from BL anymore. Of course, this makes Oga really happy. Oga becomes serious again since Hilda looks displeased at him. He asks if it will be alright and surely BL won’t die from it but Hilda just snaps at him that she doesn’t know. Oga insensitively asks if he can now move far away from BL so Hilda kicked him out and told him never to go back there again. While Hilda swore something to sick BL then left, Oga is enjoying his freedom with a tinge of guilty conscience about not caring about BL. Suddenly, he is attacked by Aizawa, Toujou’s underling to test how strong Oga is. So, before Oga can find Toujou to get rid of his problem, his problem left and Toujou’s underling has come to him. ^^; I guess Oga has gotten too happy about getting BL off him that he was a bit insensitive to Hilda’s worries about BL. I wonder what Hilda is going to do. I guess BL had unconscious transferred the seal to Toujou that is why he has it and probably why Toujou became insanely strong. Well, maybe that is why BL is sick because his power is being drained by Toujou unless he is already that strong before.

In Katekyo Hitman Reborn! [c. 253], Irie isn’t finished explaining. Byakuran has become insanely powerful through the knowledge of all the possibilities of himself that is why he managed to produce some ‘miracles’ including how Genkishi is cured of his illness and the knowledge about Bel’s twin. Because of Irie’s numerous time travels, Byakuran’s subordinate used him to awaken Byakuran of the past. He wasn’t able to do anything about what Byakuran is going to do because his 5-year memories and knowledge of time travel are erased by his future self. He was ordered to shoot the others with the 10 year bazooka by his future self and he gets close to Byakuran in college. Even if those times are really happy for Irie and it is during those times when they completed the choice game, his memories have returned. He realized that of all the parallel worlds wherein Vongola is destroyed and the rings taken, this is the only one wherein they have a 1/8 chance of winning against Byakuran because he has met Tsuna and later on made the Vongola boxes. Irie informs them the good news that future Tsuna is alive because Irie changed the bullet into a dying will bullet so it would seem that Tsuna is dead. Future Tsuna is optimistic that his present self has the highest possibility of defeating Byakuran. Tsuna says even if he understands everything, they’ve lost. Byakuran and group arrive and ask for their rings. Irie tries to get another match by saying that he won before and Byakuran allowed Irie to be able to ask a favor of him. Byakuran denies he did this and as Millefiore boss, he rejects granting that request. Uni arrives and says that she objects to that because she is the part Millefiore boss of the black spell. Reborn’s pacifier is glowing. Well, I guess part of the reason why future Tsuna destroyed the rings is for Byakuran not to be able to rule the world. From the way they are ‘raving’ about their present selves, I get an impression that they are stronger because well, they are young and using their resolve to protect others + get back home. Since explanation is over, I think Uni can help them get another chance. Maybe this is the reason why Uni joined up with Byakuran in the first place. For the next choice game which I think will happen, I wonder if we will have a new set of players or it’s a mix of old and new. Of course, the next round would pretty much be ‘win’ then they go home. If that is so, I guess it will be just the others who haven’t fought yet showing off their powers.

Lastly, in PSYREN [c. 82], Yoshina is furious over the woman’s taunts after all they did for her. Since they can’t do anything else, they waited for her to heal up and the others rested because they are tired from the trip. Later on, the woman calls Yoshina and Amamiya to talk to them. She tells them that she has no name and only goes to be known as experiment no. 7 of the Grigori’s. She shows them an ‘illusion’ of the time when she used to be a human. She is a normal always smiling kid living in Harukaze Orphanage until some men from some research lab decided to use gifted children as experiments. She tried to go against what was tasked for her to do by always choosing the wrong card but unfortunately, it made them realize that she has a power so they took her and locked her up in a cell. When she is already useless, she is taken to that island. When the disaster happened, she survived while in that capsule. Since she doesn’t want to just wait and die, she created another self as Nemesis Q and sent it to the past on a whim. She admits that she didn’t do that to save the world but rather to send them to the final destination where ‘he’ is there. ‘He’ is Miroku, Grigori’s experiment no. 8, her twin brother. In some place, Miroku remembers his sister. Okay, she just said that she has no relatives so how come now, she has a twin? Could it be that he is sent to a different orphanage but because they both have powers, they ended up in the same laboratory. I can see now why Miroku hates people and wanted them to change before ‘doomsday’. I guess after what people did to her, it is not surprising that she isn’t doing this to save the people/world. Even if the creator said those things, I think part of her just used psyren as a ‘game’ to pass time and entertain herself. I think even if she hated humans, she learned to trust Yoshina and Amamiya for why would she bother asking for them for help. Hehe, of course, she did just use them and maybe, her survival instincts kicked in. ^^; So, does this mean that if Yoshina and others just make these two twins meet in the past, everything will be okay and things won’t turn out this way? Or, will they be stuck in that world?

Quote of the day:
Good plans shape good decisions. That's why good planning helps to make elusive dreams come true. ~ Author Unknown