Name:
=3Kat

About this blog:
I usually write about the manga that I'm currently reading. At times, I write about the anime/tv shows I watched and the PS2 games I played. 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:
The blog picture is from shel's Wind & Clover artbook scanned by YIXIN for JumpC. Ouran Xmas pic from Billwang. Quote is by Amanda Bradley. Edited in Photoshop CS2. The background is from GRSites. The GB animated gif used to be from this site, Gin-san of Gintama is a screecap from piyopiyo2006 in Youtube and 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.

Persona 3

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Past Dreams:
2008

01/20/03 - 02/20/03

Blog by pitas

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Manga pics from
Sky-fire, Iieye, & Billwang.

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

Hana to Akuma [Chapter 7]
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 @ 05:41 p.m.

It all started when Felton asked a stupid question. While having tea, Felton asks Hana when is her birthday. Hana just happily says, she is already 14 years old this year. Felton asks doesn’t she have one. While reading a book, Vivi grumpily says who knows when her birthday is when he found her, she is already born. Felton exclaims how about making that day to be Hana’s birthday. Vivi asks do you think I will remember the day when I picked her up? Vivi tries to remember and says, it is winter, yes, and it seems to be falling.. Hana asks, snow? Felton gets angry and pulls Hana to him. He shouts, Vivi, that is too vague, quickly decide on the birthday, for we will definitely celebrate it this year! Think about the lady’s heart! Enough, while you are thinking of the birthday, I will let Hana have a grand birthday party! Hand over Hana to me.. Vivi has already tossed a book in Felton’s face to shut him up. Vivi gloomily asks why do they have to celebrate the birthday every year. Felton asks Hana that he will celebrate her birthday for her so when does she want her birthday to be. After thinking, Hana says if Vivi doesn’t want one, then it’s okay with me. Felton is shock that he goes moping at the side.

Hana takes the bird with her and says she is going out. Vivi says it is snowing outside. Hana says it doesn’t matter. Vivi tells her not to go out of the house. Hana says she will be just at the door. After she left, Vivi looks up and wonders out loud what have she eaten [that she wants to go out] when Hana doesn’t like snow. Felton still crying asks, is that so, but isn’t it snowing. Vivi says yes, when she was young, she is very afraid that she won’t even go to places where it is snowing. Hana stands near the door with the bird on her head. She happily says that she will only stay there. She then lies down on the floor and looks up to the snow. Why is it when I look at the snow, I feel so lonely? So lonely and so afraid? As if I’m the only person in this whole world. She imagines herself as a baby crying. She closes her eyes and remembers Vivi telling her that he found her on a winter day when it is snowing. She quickly opens her eyes and sits up.

She hurries inside and shouts to Vivi that she would want to celebrate her birthday. Vivi grumpily says, huh. Felton is overjoyed that Hana wants to celebrate. Hana goes to Vivi and happily tells him to think of the day of her birthday. Vivi says no, I don’t want to celebrate that day nor am I in the mood for it. Hana pouts as Vivi asks, will you be very happy if you have a birthday. Hana smiles and says, very happy. Vivi’s mood grows darker. He stands up and says if you want one, do what you want. Felton calls out to Vivi as Vivi leaves the room. Felton is about to comfort Hana but Hana says, okay, I’ll celebrate it on my own. Felton is puzzled as Hana goes out. While walking, Vivi gloomily thinks what’s to celebrate about, on one’s birthday. Tony meets him at the hallway. When Tony is about to tell him about tonight’s dinner, Vivi angrily stomps on Tony’s head and says, hey, listen, if Hana manages to live up to 100 years old, from now on, how many more years will she live. Tony asks what’s with that mood. Vivi insists that he answers. Tony says 86 years. Vivi leaves and tells himself, 86 years..roughly 86 years. Tony is confused what is that about. Vivi narrates, what birthday, what’s to celebrate. The time keeps on moving and the time that Hana has left is getting smaller and smaller.

Later, Vivi asks, Hana can’t be found? Tony says they only realize it when they are going to call her for eat. Tony tells another servant of all the places where they should look for Hana and also he should ask the maids if they know of Hana’s whereabouts. Felton offers to also help in looking for Hana but Vivi angrily shouts to let Hana be, she will come back by herself. Tony says but Hana didn’t say anything [where she will go]. Felton asks why is Vivi’s mood really foul. Vivi can only curse that Hana is quite troublesome. Soon, a maid calls out that they have found Hana. Tony helps Hana remove her coat and asks if she returned because it is time to eat. Hana says yes. He asks where did she went that Vivi also went out to look for her. Hana is surprised that Vivi did. They were able to contact Vivi and he should be arriving back. Vivi arrives back with Felton. Hana looks nervous as Vivi is visibly angry. Hana quickly apologizes but Vivi hits her head. Hana is in tears as Vivi tells Tony that he is going to take a bath.

In the bathroom, Vivi is in the tub when Hana enters. Tony is shock and tells her that she shouldn’t enter. Hana apologizes again. Vivi says didn’t she hate the snow so why did she went out. Holding a Camille flower, this..I went to the forest to find this winter flower and this is a gift for Vivi. Vivi looks surprised then puzzled. He says wait a minute, it is suppose to be your birthday so why are you giving me this gift? Hana puts the flower on the water and kneels on the floor. She says, I thought that my birthday is the day when I first met Vivi. The day when Vivi picked me up. It’s also the day when I want to say ‘thank you’ to Vivi. It is a very important feeling, a meaningful ‘thank you’. Also, the day when I start to be together with Vivi and also, the day is when I start to pass time with Vivi. Vivi thinks, really, isn’t birthday about one’s ‘leftover time’, instead it is the many months that they are happily together. Vivi smiles and says Hana really thinks about a lot of things. Hana is puzzled but she just smiles. Tony is happy about this. Vivi stands up from the tub and says, so let it be as you said. Tony quickly turns Hana’s head away from Vivi and tells her to go to her own room and also take a bath.

As Hana is about to go out, Vivi thinks, think too much? She is really stupid, really, a naïve person. Vivi tells Hana that he has decided that her birthday will be tomorrow. Hana is shock and brightens up. Hana runs at the hallway. The maid asks Hana where did she went, she should quickly take a bath. To her surprise, Hana hugs her. Vivi narrates, but, being naïve while passing the time, isn’t it also good? When Vivi comes out of the bathroom, Felton asks if he has already decided on the birthday. Vivi looks at him and asks why does he keep on coming there without persmission. Felton laughs as he wonders what kind of gift will he be giving Hana. Vivi just towels his hair and says he is hungry. The Camille flower is then put on a glass vase with water. Last scene is of Tony who is looking at his diary. He thinks actually I have recorded the day when Vivi has picked up Hana.

It does seem somewhat similar to Skip Beat!’s Maria’s birthday arc. In this case, it is more on the meeting, and being together. I guess Vivi can’t help but think that birthdays is like a countdown on how long Hana will live and be with him that is why he doesn’t want to celebrate it. Since Hana put it differently, Vivi agrees to celebrate her birthday. Hehe Hana is really so sweet that she goes to the length of going to the forest on a snowy day just for a flower as a gift for Vivi when she used to be afraid of snow. I guess she is too eager on doing that she forgot to tell others where she went. So, the next chapter will be her birthday..hehe I guess I was wrong for I thought it will be Valentine’s day from last chpater. =P What will be Vivi’s present for her? ^-^ Scans by Hiromao for BW.

Quote of the day:
The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. ~ Oprah Winfrey

Shuukatsu!! -Kimi ni naitei- [Chapter 3]
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 @ 04:19 p.m.

Yuri is in another job interview. The interviewers say that she wants to do business planning so what does she feel about transferring her to the publicity division. They were a bit stunned when Yuri smiles and says she doesn’t know. Yuri says but then, she recognizes that everything has a purpose and she wants to know the things that she can do. If it is the shortest route to attaining the goal, I think that isn’t life. The interviewers are pleased with her honest answer. Yuri goes out of the building and stretches. She thinks she has understand it a bit that there are things she can do and things she can’t do. She feels great that she is amazed with herself that she smiled during the interview and she is quite calm. She feels as if she can do anything. She thinks she will succeed and realizes that it is because of that simple thing – she manages to get Ryoji’s luck. Later on, while she is busy thinking if she should thank Ryoji when they see each other again, the ticket seller asks if she is going to ride on a free seat to Tokyo. Yuri gets embarrassed and quickly says she will. While taking some money from her purse to pay, she changes the ticket to an assigned seat. She doesn’t want to lose like last time. Wait for me Tokyo! From behind her, Ryoji asks what is she so enthusiastic about, when it is hot in summer. Yuri freezes as Ryoji bends to her and asks could it be that something good happened that she is quite enthusiastic? She is embarrassed that she looks away and tells him about the companies that she has been going for job hunt then notices that he isn’t listening. Ryoji is already at the counter buying some tickets.

She becomes curious as to where is he going so she decides to look at his tickets. Going to Tokyo..and the date is.. When Yuri exclaims loudly, she surprises Ryoji and the seller. Ryoji looks at her and asks what’s the matter. Yuri looks away and says, no, on that day, I’ll be at Marunouchi, and she also have another test. There is no other meaning to it. Yuri looks at him and asks could it be that he plans to hinder her job test again. Ryoji angrily looks at her and says, he doesn’t have time to hinder her and does he look like he has a lot of free time. It’s an adult business. Yuri looks at him in surprise and thinks, is that so. Ryoji tells her not to be blind and don’t look for jobs just because everyone is looking for jobs. If she doesn’t know the reason why she has to look for work, then everything is meaningless. It is good to be passionate but you should also use this. He points to her head and says goodbye. After he left, Yuri thinks, what, treating me like an idiot, what is that about ‘adult business’. Even if looking for work isn’t meaningful, I still have to look for work. Yuri gets frustrated that when Ryoji say things like that, it really bothers her. Mitsu watches her from behind and thinks, of course, one will be bothered. A small scene of a report about a typhoon that will be coming.

While having some drinks, Mitsu says that Yuri’s voice is quite loud. Yuri is a bit puzzled. Mitsu says since entering college, other than being interested in lacrosse, she has been engrossed in graduating and that. Mitsu points behind where a couple of girls are looking out the window and exclaims, it’s Ryoji. Yuri sheepishly smiles. Mitsu asks what are the many things that Yuri has been thinking of doing together with Ryoji. Holding hands and going on a date? Eating together? Kissing? Yuri imagines all of that but stops at kissing as she can’t imagine. Mitsu asks, sleeping together. Yuri exclaims for Mitsu to stop. Mitsu asks is it too much when she is still talking about normal things. Yuri says no, at this point, she doesn’t really think of going steady with Ryoji. Mitsu is surprised as Yuri looks out the window to see Ryoji with his friend near the vending machines. Yuri says she knows that falling in love, it’s is quite rash. But right now, I just want to see him and talk with him again. Before she knew it, she has been happily staring at Ryoji. She catches herself and exclaims to Mitsu, that is all there is to it, besides he could already have a girlfriend. Mitsu says he doesn’t. When he was in first year, it seems he is seeing somebody but right now, he is single. Yuri looks at Mitsu in surprise. Mitsu smiles and says unattached and no pressure, what do you think, Yuri? If you are going to still think about it, I’ll tell you something good.

At Tokyo, during the test, Yuri and others are made to wait in a room as they are called one by one to the interview room. Yuri thinks Mitsu is really expecting, wow, she is really good. Mitsu has told Yuri Ryoji’s mobile telephone number. Yuri becomes a bit nervous as she tries to calm herself with Ryoji’s advice that she will succeed if she just be her honest self. Her seatmate tells her that the test there is quite strict and she has heard that someone is cried because of the pressure during the interview. This made Yuri more nervous because someone cried. The girl says if one isn't prepared, it will be quite troublesome and scary. She tells Yuri do your best, since it is already Yuri’s turn. Yuri becomes nervous and wonders why does that girl has to say those things now. While sitting in front of the interviewers, she tries to calm herself and just answer properly. They ask what other companies did she applied before. She says A – advertising company, B – publicity company and C – correspondence. The guy shakes his head and says generally, she wants to do publicity. What does she think of A advertising company. Yuri says she just registered her name but she wasn’t able to get in the cut [she is eliminated from the list]. Yuri freezes and reprimands herself as to why she just said that, it’s suppose to be a secret. Another man asks why does she want to go to their company instead of B publicity company. Yuri says because their company does a lot of commercials that she likes. The man asks what are those commercials. She replies, the one with many kids and monkeys. The man tells her a commercial with kids and monkeys are usually quite appealing. The man asks, what kind of commercials does she want to make. If it isn’t our company, can she also do those? What do you plan on doing in our company? Mitsu becomes nervous and depressed as she can only reply, I don’t know.

She goes out. The skies are quite cloudy and it is quite windy. She looks up and thinks that she has always been trying to find work yet in the end, there are many things that she haven’t thought about. Even if she goes to the interview and be honest, it won’t work if she herself isn’t familiar about things [in that company]. She has taken things for granted. She remembers Ryoji’s words about it is meaningless if she doesn’t know why she is looking for work. Even if she doesn’t want to admit it but what he said is right. She calls to Ryoji and says that she is Yuri and she got his phone number from her friend. She is about to tell him about what happened but Ryoji says, sorry, I’m busy now. He hangs up the phone. This made Yuri more depressed as she realizes that of course he is in Tokyo because he has something to do. She remembers him telling her to use her head. She sits down on the bench and thinks, I don’t know, I’m just anticipating that he comfort me. She starts to cry. It starts rain and she is standing near the park [I think]. She haven’t finished crying as she is still reprimanding herself for calling Ryoji, what a nerve, when I’m not even his girlfriend. I’m really stupid that I can’t be saved. To her surprise, Ryoji appears and holds his umbrella to her. He says she should have brought an umbrella, didn’t she hear the news about the typhoon. He sighs and tells her that it would be better for her to wait at the station because she is now dripping wet. While thinking of wanting to see him, Yuri exclaims Ryoji said that she will succeed. She didn’t lie but they asked her difficult questions that she becomes confused. I’m really baffled that it’s really bad that I think I’m finished. I’m really frustrated. Ryoji then apologizes. This surprises Yuri that she looks at him. Ryoji says isn’t it better not to have stayed at that company, how about saying that she doesn’t have ‘fate’ with that company. Yuri thinks, ‘don’t say it easily like that’, is something she wanted to say but at that moment, she feels as if she is saved. Ryoji tells her that they should go to the Shinkansen first.

In the train, they sit together. Yuri looks out the window and glances at Ryoji’s reflection as he is tinkering his phone. She thinks that she is really embarrassing to have cried like that. She always gives Ryoji trouble. She apologizes to Ryoji about earlier calling to him when he is busy. Ryoji tells her that she isn’t at fault, and honestly, at that time, he wants for it to finish soon so when she called, she has helped him. Yuri blushes over this. Just then, there is an announcement that the train won’t be moving because of the typhoon. They will have to wait for it to pass. The other passengers grumble about it. Yuri looks out the window and wonders if the weather will improve. To her surprise, Ryoji bends to her to look out the window. He asks it [typhoon] doesn’t seem to be moving. Yuri blushes and thinks that if the train won’t move, they would be together for a longer time. Would they be together until the morning? Yuri quickly tells herself, you’re getting ahead of yourself. Ryoji notices a woman passenger angrily complaining to the conductor as to how long should they wait. The conductor tries to apologize and tells her to be patient. Just as Yuri is about to text her family about the situation, she is surprised that Ryoji gets his things and says he decided to stay outside. He says looking at the situation, it seems that it won’t clear until the morning and it is noisy there. He won’t be able to sleep in that hot place. Yuri can only think, ah!? No, why? While walking in the rain, Ryoji hears someone calling out for him to wait. Ryoji is surprised to see Yuri breathing hard from chasing after him. Yuri shouts that she will also find a place to stay. Don’t just leave a girl behind, it is quite dangerous. Ryoji looks at her and says, let me tell you.. Yuri looks up and asks, huh? Ryoji blushes a bit and says, do you really want to stay with me? Yuri is puzzled by what he meant. Ryoji says, remember this, it’s you who came with me, I won’t be responsible. Yuri wonders, responsible? After walking a while, Ryoji says I plan to stay in this place. Yuri looks up and it is a hotel called Gerard. Yuri blushes and thinks, no way. This is a lovers’ hotel. What is he thinking --!? Ryoji looks at her and says, what do you think?

Hehe, it seems Ryoji deliberately lead her to that place. Will she agree to go in with him? If ever she did, I doubt something will happen because it seems Yuri is quite ‘innocent’ about love matters that she can’t even imagine herself kissing with Ryoji. It does seem that Ryoji is teasing her for being naïve enough to follow a guy where he goes. But then, this is josei. I think she is more depressed over Ryoji telling her he is busy than failing that job interview. She does seem to be venting her frustration on him again. Good for her, Ryoji knows how to comfort her. From her interviews, it seems that Yuri is a business student majoring in advertising. Yuri does seem to need to impress her potential employers more rather than just trying to win them by her frankness. Also, I’m still wondering if the place where she is crying is a place where one tend to pass by when going to the Shinkansen or Ryoji deliberately tried to look for her there. Hehe, an ex-girlfriend is mention..in shoujos, that ex would come out to cause trouble. =P Scans by Hiromao for BW.

Quote of the day:
We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success. We often discover what will do, by finding out what will not do; ~ Samuel Smiles

Weekly Jump Update:
Bleach, Naruto, D. Grayman, Reborn, Gintama and PSYREN
Monday, March 10, 2008 @ 07:52 p.m.

Bleach [c. 313] starts with more flashback of Nnoitra who told Nel that he has been recklessly attacking in a suicidal manner just for that ‘high’ he can get when he is dying. He got his wish when Kenpachi finishes him. The only one who is sad of his demise is Tesla. Kenpachi breaks Inoue’s barrier that is holding Ichigo. He tosses Ichigo to get his zanpaku. Kenpachi tells him to get Inoue, and leave since they will handle the rest. He tells Ichigo that it is his job to protect the town. Kenpachi calls for Inoue to heal his wounds. Just as Inoue is about to go to him, Stark [lazy espada] appears before her. He apologizes and says that he doesn’t like troublesome things but she is coming with him. Before Ichigo and Kenpachi could attack Stark, Stark has already vanished with Inoue. Inoue finds herself on top of a staircase wherein Aizen, Tousen and Gin are standing. Aizen asks what’s with that face she is making. She should smile and for a little while it will be okay. He tells her to wait there for a while since they are going to destroy Karakura Town. This goes to show how much fun Aizen is having. He gives Ichigo hope that Inoue is now right there and when they finally defeated the enemies there, in an instant it is back to square one. It feels like the goal of saving Inoue in all that chapters for more than a year already goes down the drain. ^^; It seems that Aizen still needs Inoue for something and he wants to change the battlefield. They are now going to fight in Karakura Town and isn’t giving ‘weaklings’ [Ichigo’s group is technically defeated] a chance for training to power up. I’m surprised that Aizen and the two others are going there themselves. I’m really hoping for Aizen and others vs Urahara + Isshin + others, or even Shinji + others, etc. Ohh, that would be fun.

Susano turns out to be a demon-armored thing in Naruto [c. 392] that is like Naruto’s frog, Sasuke’s snake, etc. Since Sasuke is really tired, the snakes along with Orochimaru which he has sealed within him has managed to break free. They try to defeat Itachi’s Susano but it was futile, Itachi’s stronger. He has sealed Orochimaru. Well, if it weren’t for that sword, Itachi would have had a hard time. Don’t tell me anything that it gets to cut/stab..anything as in those frogs, snakes, slugs, etc, will instantly be sealed. Ah..will Sasuke sport an eye patch or blindfold next chapter? Will he be saved by someone? I’m still thinking that if Itachi got Sasuke’s eyes, will he still be able to use his Mangekyou since Sasuke never got to learn that?

After all the silly introductions and interactions with Camie and Pappagg, the starfish in One Piece [c. 491], Nami tries to ask where Fisherman Island is. Luffy wants to eat the takoyaki first. Camie calls Hachi but learns that he was kidnapped to be sold by some guy called Makuro with the help of Flying fish riders. Camie is told to go to the Flying fish rider’s headquarters. Nami feels that she has heard Hachi’s voice before. Luffy keeps on insisting about his takoyaki but Camie says she has to rescue her friend. Nami proposes that the others would rescue her friend and in return, they show her the way to Fisherman Island. Luffy and others are convinced to do it when they realize that Hachi runs the takoyaki store where she works and has the best tasting takoyaki in the world. Camie asks some help of fishes to show them the way. On their way, Pappagg says that Makuro and gang engages in people trading wherein mermaids fetch a high price. The place they are going are filled with many gangs. Hachi must have went to Makuro thinking that Camie was kidnapped when she is missing. Zoro and Sanji wonder if it is the same Hachi they fought before and won’t want to rescue him if it is indeed that Hachi. Pappagg also tells them about the Flying Fish riders who are new and creating a commotion lately. The group’s leader is Duval. Duval has an iron mask and has been looking for someone. After some time, the fishes that were leading them quickly left. They were then under attack by men riding on flying fishes. The men says it is Strawhats, Duval will be happy about this. Duval informs Makuro’s group that they have found Camie in a pirate ship which he has been looking out for a long time. He will kill them..they who ruined his life. Ah, is that you Crocodile? ^^; That is the first thing on my mind when I see that outfit. Did the marines just put him on an iron mask so that he can still roam about freely? It seems that this arc is about meeting former enemies.

L4 attacks the elevator and it crashes in D. Gray-man [c. 151]. Rabi goes to check if Komui is okay. Rinali wants to go, too but Malcolm stops her and says that they can’t get the innocence anymore since the elevator is destroyed. He orders Hevlaska to implant the innocence in Rinali. Meanwhile, Komui is safe because Kanda shielded him with his body. While Kanda recovers his body, the two finders asks if Komui is okay then they crumble into dust. Rabi arrives. Komui sees Rinali but then L4 is already there. Kanda and Rabi prepare to fight. Hevlaska prepares Rinali so that she can insert the innocence but they weren’t able to do so when L4 attacks Hevlaska. Rinali hits her head that it seems that her eyes have become semi-blind [?]. L4 throws down unconscious Kanda as Rabi is also defeated. Komui seems fine for now. Rinali tries to get the innocence and says now, she truly wants it. L4 is already stepping on her head. Yup, still doom and gloom in this series. If Rinali gets her innocence, I think she can truly power up now. I think it is like Allen when he really ‘merged’ and accepted his innocence. The ones who are still okay in that place is Komui and Malcolm so maybe they will be able to do something.

Tsuna is planning to use X-burner on king mosco in Katekyo Hitman Reborn! [c. 184] but he thinks king mosco is too fast to be hit by it so he plans to destroy the thrusters of king mosco. Spanner tells Tsuna that king mosco’s weapons isn’t limited to short range attacks. It fires at Tsuna with missiles in flames. Tsuna can’t absorb it so he tries to evade. While evading, king mosco has destroyed the ice below so Tsuna is worried that he won’t be able to do his X-burner because he needs to stand on something. King mosco keeps on attacking Tsuna who thought he become overconfident since king mosco turned out to have much more power than anticipated. Just then, Reborn contacts Tsuna and tells him that he doesn’t need something to stand on. He just needs a soft and hard flame to do X-burner. Tsuna did just that as he did his X-burner while on air. Ah, he just used his ultimate technique on a mosco who isn’t even the main bosses. Spanner also seems to be watching him. I don’t think that’s good. Oh well, I guess if one is in a pinch, you just don’t have time to reserve special attacks. Ah, I guess Reborn is monitoring everything while in Vongola headquarters. If it weren’t for him, Tsuna might be in really grave danger.

In the beach, Shinpachi has been practicing some dancing moves with his gang for Otsuu in Gintama [c. 203] . As usual, he forbids others from looking at other girls until he himself gets a bottled message from a girl who asks if he/she believes in fate and in it, a picture of a cute girl. Otae goes to Gin to asks help for Shinpachi has been locking himself inside his room and tossing out crumpled pieces of paper. Shinpachi is just thinking of how to write the letter but Gin and Otae are thinking that he is doing something perverted. After Gin learns what Shinpachi is doing, he helps out by just writing a letter of Shinpachi’s name, a picture of his glasses and a note that says he just bought a new pair of glasses. The rest of the chapter is practically Gin insisting on that kind of letter. At the end, the girl in the picture runs and tells her sister who wears glasses that someone has answered her letter. Mm..why do I get tragedy vibes from glasses girl. ^^;; Anyway, I guess Gin is right to emphasize on that glasses. =P Yoshina ends up not doing being able to show any psy powers in PSYREN [c. 13] so he was made to promise to come back to Amamiya’s place for more training. Yoshina’s sister tied him up for coming late and made him watch a show about Psyren whose guest is Oboro. It mentions about Elmore, a rich woman who offers a reward for uncovering the secrets of Psyren. Just when Oboro is about to tell something about Psyren, he suddenly couldn’t breath and collapse. Nemesis appears behind him and the card’s ‘eye’ opens. Oboro manages to live thanks to Elmore and Van who ‘healed’ him. Somewhere else, the other guy who came alive with Yoshina and others had tried to call up Elmore for the reward but ends up turning to dust by Nemesis when the card is destroyed. It has been a few days already and Yoshina still can’t ‘touch’ Amamiya using his power. When Amamiya sense that Yoshina has been forcing it too much, she tries to stop him but it was too late. He just made a huge hole in her wall. Hehe Good thing she lives alone else, how will they explain that hole. It seems that Yoshina becomes powerful when he is emotional. I think Elmore and Van used to go to Psyren, too. Just like Matsuri, they want to know more about Psyren. I think it will be interesting if they get to team up with Oboro. Maybe Yoshina will get on his sister’s good side if he gets Oboro’s autograph. =P

Quote of the day:
Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working ~ Author Unknown

Yoru Cafe - My Sweets Knights - [Chapter 2]
Saturday, March 8, 2008 @ 09:26 p.m.

At 4pm in Queen’s Café, while helping the guys set up, Hina asks, welcome party? Nozomu tells her that they talked about it last night and decided to take a day off tomorrow Saturday. It is to improve their camaraderie. Hina is pleased with this and thanks them. Soushi asks where will they do it. Yoshizumi and Nozomu quickly turns around and says, ‘jakenpon’ [rock-scissors-paper game]. Soushi is the loser since he uses rock when the others use paper. Yoshizumi pats Soushi’s shoulder and says then fix your apartment for tomorrow. Nozomu also pats Soushi’s shoulder and says he always uses rock during the first round, he should learn to change it. Soushi can only look at his fist. Hina smiles and says so she just have to go next door. Soushi says yes. Hina smiles and says, she can’t wait. Hina narrates that this morning, she only realizes about the café is just below the TT building where she lives. She has slept at the staff room and it was when they [Yoshizumi and Nozomu] woke her up that she went back to her own room. Flashback: The two woke her up telling her that it is already 2am. That morning, Hina went out to the balcony as she thought that her body is aching, probably because after moving, she has cleaned the kitchen [at the café] then made some late night snack for the guys. She is surprised when someone called out good morning. To her shock, Soushi is at the other balcony, hanging his clothes. She didn’t know that Soushi is her neighbor. Then, she is surprised when she passed by the garbage collection area since Nozomu is there who asked if she slept well.

When she went next door to greet the administrator of the building, and it turned out to be Yoshizumi who asked what is it. Hina is confused and asks why are everyone there. Yoshizumi didn’t she heard about it from Kunikazu. Hina apologized and said she didn’t because she had been busy. Yoshizumi explained to her that there are six rooms in TT building. Soushi is at 202, Hina is at 203, Nozomu is at 302, Yoshizumi is at 303. The ones in 301 [guy] and 201 [girl] are workers in the corporation and are unrelated to the café. There is a girl [other than Hina] there so it is okay. Yoshizumi is the representative of the administrator who isn’t there. Yoshizumi smiled and told her that this is a singles apartment so everyone is gathered all together there. So, not only at night but the whole day, she is in a ‘circle/group’ with the workers. End flashback. Nozomu asks wasn’t the kitchen a bit messy. Hina smiles and says not really. She thinks but it is really messy. Hina asks don’t they ever use the kitchen. Nozomu says they don’t have any experience in cooking but Yoshizumi learned how to make red tea and coffee. Nozomu laughs that they don’t even have a menu and all the cakes are bought from outside. Hina wonders why aren’t they that enthusiastic about the store. Nozomu looks at her and says that’s why the food she made was delicious. It is because we always eat store bought bento boxes [packed meals] so we think it [the food she cooked] is really delicious. Hina says it is just an apology for eating their dinner.

Nozomu exclaims, it’s okay, if she always make them food, they will be really happy. Yoshizumi and Soushi are just keep quiet. Nozomu says, how can I say it, it tastes like home[family]-made. Hina is really happy about this that she offers to cook for them from now on. Nozomu exclaims, really, I’m very happy. Yoshizumi whispers, Hina is really naïve. Soushi whispers, that’s so true. Hina goes out and says she will go to the store to buy some vegetables. Nozomu happily shouts, we’ll eager wait for it, take care on your way ♥. After she left, Soushi says he is really good at deceiving people. Yoshizumi asks why didn’t he just frankly asks and not do it cunningly. Nozomu angrily shouts at them, why, didn’t you guys also said you can’t bear to eat bento anymore. The two sweatdrop as Soushi says that’s true. While Hina is buying some vegetables which she think are inexpensive, Hina thinks, Kunikazu, even if I can do this small thing, I feel that I have find a place where I can be a bit useful. I hope to protect this place, and that I can slowly become a ‘needed’ person here.

On the day of the party, all the guys are already in Soushi’s room. The doorbell rings so Soushi answers it. He is shock to see the two piles of bento boxes that Hina is carrying. Soushi exclaims what is that. Hina smiles and says, this, it’s food, don’t worry, I’ll eat most of it. The three guy gloomily look at her and think, ‘Eat most of it’ – what? Hina says that she just carried it from next door and some of it are theirs. After the boxes are unpacked and beer cans are spread on the floor, Nozomu leads the toast for Hina, their new boss. They shouts cheers and to Soushi and Yoshizumi’s surprise, Hina just drinks her beer straight. Nervously, Yoshizumi asks if she can hold her alcohol. Hina says she doesn’t know because no one has told her before. Yoshizumi offers her some more. Nozomu whispers to Soushi not only she eats a lot but she is also a drinking demon. Soushi says even Hina is a bishoujo [pretty woman], that trait is quite unexpected. While they were eating, Hina asks why is Kunikazu’s death anniversary encircled on the calendar at the staffroom. Soushi is about to answer but Yoshizumi says it is because they weren’t able to go to the funeral. Nozomu says it is only relatives who can go to the ceremony. Hina says that’s right, it is his last wishes. Yoshizumi says so they have decided to at least to go and sweep the grave because he was an important boss to them. Hina says, is that so, I’m really sorry, I have been married to him for two years but I’m not exactly sure about his work so please tell me, what kind of boss was Kunikazu.

The three look at her then Nozomu changes the topic. He asks, I have an impolite question, why did you marry Kunikazu? He is already married before and the age gap is quite large. Hina blushes and playful pushes Nozomu. She says, of course because we have fate. Do you want to hear? Do you want me to tell you the story on how we met? Nozomu [?] laughs and says no need, you really love Kunikazu. Hina looks thoughtful and says, yes, I think those two years has been my most happiest years in my life, liking someone to that extent, such a man won’t appear again. They look at her in surprise. Nozomu is about to ask, what about the lawyer but Yoshizumi quickly covers his mouth and asks, does it mean that she won’t fall in love anymore. Hina smiles and says yes. Yoshizumi looks a bit sad about this but Nozomu exclaims but this is really something. Nozomu holds both of Hina’s hand and shouts even if a good guy like me would woo you, you won’t waver, always maintaining the flame for your deceased husband, I really like that spirit! Hina exclaims really!? Do you want to hear? My and Kunikazu’s love story? Nozomu shouts I will, I will, of course, I will listen. Hina says so I’ll begin at the time we met. Soushi looks at them and repeats in his mind what Hina said that a person whom Hina would love to that extent won’t appear anymore. Nozomu reprimands Soushi for drinking gloomily alone and he should also come and listen. Nozomu tells Yoshizumi to imitate a mountain goat. [I don’t get this neither did Hina ^^;] Then, they laugh.

After some time, Nozomu has passed out as Hina tries to wake him up saying that she isn’t finished with her love story. Yoshizumi thinks Nozomu just listened to the love story for roughly three hours already. Soushi thinks, [Hina] still kept on insisting, it would be better for you Nozomu to just peacefully sleep. They tell her to just let Nozomu lie there and sleep for Nozomu will have an exam soon. Hina is puzzled. They tell her that Nozomu is still a student and in the morning, they have their own things to do. Hina asks is this the reason why the store opens at 6pm. Yoshizumi says that’s right for they have their own work. Queen’s Café is originally a not used so they decided to put up a store there. When Kunikazu bought it, he is very satisfied with the renovations of the interiors as if he decided to stay there. Because of that, Kunikazu said there is no need to be really into that business. Yoshizumi says that is Kunikazu’s wishes but now, she is the boss so she can do what she wishes. Hina asks where is he going since Yoshizumi looks as if he is going out. Yoshizumi smiles and says he is going to buy some drinks for it seems she can still drink some more. Hina blushes as she burps. After he left, Hina looks at Soushi. After some silence as they drink, Hina says that she feels he was quite cold to her yesterday. Soushi says talking is Yoshizumi and Nozomu’s forte, he just tend to follow them. Hina asks could it be because she said that she is his fans that he is embarrassed. Soushi denies it though it is obvious that he is since he is blushing now. Hina says he doesn’t seem to play anymore and from that room, there is no display of anything related to tennis. Soushi didn’t answer. Hina says she didn’t tell Nozomu but the first time she saw Kunikazu was during Soushi’s tennis match. It is such a coincidence, it seems that Soushi is the bridge for them to be together. But saying it now, it seems that Kunikazu knew of Soushi’s experience that he is brought to that café.

Soushi says it isn’t a coincidence. Kunikazu has always been going to my competitions because he is my sponsor. Hina asks so they knew each other before. Soushi says yes. He was 14 years old when he just won the championship of a major youth competition. Flashback: Kunikazu told young Soushi, that he has heard that he is really good. When he was young, he is a fan of tennis but then, he don’t have the talent. Soushi seemed to have a talent that can earn some money so he will give a proposal to him. He will give Soushi the best training environment and coach but he should keep on becoming a winner in world competitions. That is the exchange. Young Soushi doesn’t have any reaction. End flashback. Soushi says he isn’t interested in being a replacement of someone’s dream nor of a rich guy’s hobby but he still accepted the proposal because he has a reason that he wants to fulfill while playing tennis. But, later on, his career as an athlete is cut short. Still, Kunikazu didn’t abandon him. Someone like you [Hina] who had previously stayed at Kunikazu’s side would know the reason why. I will never finish in repaying back his kindness. Hina says yes, is that so, the one who had trained by my idol Soushi, is Kunikazu. It’s quite an unimaginable fate, I’m really happy. Hina happily smiles and says it is also the first time in her life to have joined a happy drinking party. She never had this opportunity in her life even when she is married. Soushi sweatdrops and says really. He doesn’t quite understand what she meant. Hina continues saying that it is really good, their [guys] relationship, it is like a family, how envious.

Soushi looks surprised at her as she then bows down as if feeling ill. Soushi thinks she better not fall down else she would be heavy to carry. He remembers her crying and thinks family..she said before she is an orphan. Soushi holds her shoulder and says can’t do anything, I’ll give you something. [Maybe for her to puke on] To his shock, Hina grabs him and pushes him on the floor. Soushi is angry as he says ah, boss, playing to that degree.. He wasn’t able to finish as Hina looks at him then kisses him on the lips. Soushi becomes nervous and thinks, wait..wait..what is this? Should I send her to the door? What kind of game is this? Can’t resist her desire or is she testing me? But then, didn’t she just said that the man whom she love to that extent won’t appear anymore? Soushi is getting more nervous as Hina is now giving him some tongue service and she seems to be quite experienced. Soushi tries to tell her to wait a minute, if she continues, it will be quite troublesome. Hina then stops and hugs him. She says, Kunikazu..

Nozomu wakes up and sees the two. Nozomu shouts Ah..Soushi! Don’t surprise attack the boss! Blushing really red, Soushi is pinned down by Hina on the floor. Soushi angrily exclaims, does it look like I’m attacking her? Just then, Yoshizumi arrives and says I’m back. Soushi calls out to Yoshizumi. Yoshizumi looks at the two and tries to access the situation. Hina looks at him. A pause then, Soushi shouts for Yoshizumi to escape. Nozomu shouts for Yoshizumi’s name, too. Soushi shouts for Nozomu not to watch and help out. After the ruckus and finally separating, Hina is still fast asleep on the floor. Yoshizumi and Nozomu looks at Hina while Soushi is at the corner, looking ill as if he was just being raped. ^^;; Nozomu exclaims why didn’t Hina attacked him, too. Yoshizumi reprimands him saying wasn’t he talking about chastity earlier. Nozomu says it’s really too much, she eats a lot and drinks a lot that she becomes crazy drunk. They should forbid her from drinking that much ever again. Yoshizumi agrees. He then asks where is Soushi going. Soushi says he is going to the roof for some air. Nozomu asks him was it really intense. Soushi just nods his head and goes out. Yoshizumi sighs and Nozomu says that they are pretty much baffled by everything. Nozomu pouts and complains why only he..[wasn’t attack] then he calls out to Yoshizumi. Yoshizumi looks serious and says, really..[she is] difficult to cope with..Kunikazu. Hina talks in her sleep saying I can’t eat anymore.hahaha. At the roof, Soushi is angry and still blushing. He shouts, really, what a really hypocrite boss! He remembers Hina smiling and saying that loving a man to that extent won’t ever appear. Soushi shouts, saying it like that..then don’t just kiss some other guy!! Ah [5x] Making me feel like that, what should I do-do--do!! In Soushi’s room, Yoshizumi say ah, we have to wake her up again. Nozomu angrily says, this is the second time already!

Hehe, how would they have known that Hina is the type who goes ‘crazy’ when drunk? =P It somewhat reminds me of the women in Moyashimon. I think it is really hard for Soushi since she unconsciously did all that while thinking of Kunikazu. I guess she is lucky that Soushi is a nice guy else, he would have taken advantage of her. We get to see the different sides of the guys here. From the way Yoshizumi acts and talks, I have a feeling that Kunikazu has already told him about Hina coming there and asking them to take care of her. He asks Hina about not falling in love. I think Kunikazu has asked him to help Hina move on and fall in love again. Nozomu is the young and playful type. I really find it funny that he has fallen asleep from Hina’s storytelling and about being unhappy that Hina didn’t attack him. Soushi is the shy and easily bullied by the other two. From his flashback of looking apathetic, it does seem that Kunikazu’s kindness and generosity has humbled and touched him that is why he is nice, easily excitable, and everything now. =P Since fate is mentioned, it is easy to guess that Soushi will be paired with Hina. Hina met Kunikazu in Soushi’s match and it is because of Kunikazu that Hina meets Soushi again. I somehow think it is deliberate on Kunikazu’s part to make Hina meet her tennis idol. For them to be a couple? It isn’t a surprise as to what attracted Hina to Kunikazu. The guy is really nice and generous. He helped Soushi and even after Soushi is injured and couldn’t fulfill the ‘trade’, he still helped Soushi out. I think it is Kunikazu has somewhat helped these three guys in one way or another that they are in debt of gratitude to him so they are ‘taking care’ of Hina as her ‘knights’. ^-^

Word of the day:
The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself. ~ Proverbs 11:25

Shuukatsu!! -Kimi ni naitei- [Chapter 2]
Friday, March 7, 2008 @ 05:24 p.m.

Yuri looks at whom Mitsu is pointing and is surprised. That’s Ryoji Manabe, no way. What is the meaning of this? ..is this true? Because it is a coincidence that I and this person met each other at the job exam in Tokyo then it is also a coincidence that we meet each other while riding on the Shinkansen [Japanese bullet train]. I thought we would definitely not meet again. To her surprise, Ryoji notices her. She blushes and her heart starts to beat loudly. To her dismay, Ryoji points to her and shouts, ‘Candy girl.’ Yuri gloomily thinks why is he still calling her that. Mitsu is surprised and yet puzzled about this. Ryoji says it is such a coincidence that you are also a student in our school. He asks why doesn’t she greet him back. Yuri finds his presence a bit too glittering for her that she quickly uses her magazine to cover her face. Mitsu wonders what’s wrong with Yuri as Ryoji looks at Yuri a bit puzzled. Yuri is really blushing and tells Ryoji, you got the wrong person. Yuri thinks that she doesn’t know what kind of expression she would use to face him. Ryoji’s friend calls out that the discussion is about to start. Ryoji looks at Yuri grumpily. Yuri thinks, hey, someone is calling you, quickly go. Ryoji taps her magazine and says, if I got the wrong person, one won’t do this. Then, see you next time, Asaoka-kouyuu [schoolmate]. Yuri is surprised by this that she peeks out to see Ryouji rejoining his glasses friend who asks him what is that about. Ryoji sighs and says it is nothing. Yuri thinks, he said see you again, we saw each other again, Ryoji Manabe. Yuri happily smiles then returns back to earth when Mitsu asks her to please explain what is that all about.

While sitting on the bench, Mitsu exclaims in surprise Ryoji went to find work. Yuri says that’s right for they are coincidentally in the same group during the test. Mitsu teases Yuri that separating like that [with Ryoji earlier], it won’t go smoothly with Yuri. Yuri looks nervous that Mitsu says she is just joking. Mitsu says it is quite strange because Ryoji shouldn’t be looking for work. Yuri is puzzled. Mitsu says that’s right, Yuri doesn’t quite understand Ryoji. He is in a legal course, so when he was in third year, he had already participated in law exam and should have already passed. Yuri asks when she said law exam..would that be to become a lawyer. Mitsu exclaims Ryoji is the cream of the crop, why would he still go and tries to be employed in an ordinary business company. Yuri can only say yes, it’s really great and it can be quite irritating. Mitsu angrily says I have said that he is quite famous. Yuri thinks, really, I also feel it’s strange, while he was there [at the test], he doesn’t seem to be an ordinary person, it is already July and he is still looking for work. It seems, it’s like that, he isn’t serious [in looking for work].

At the cafeteria, Yuri is filling out her resume when she realizes someone standing in front of her. She quickly tries to hide her resume but that someone has quickly put his hand on her resume. Looking at the resume, Ryoji says, it seems I didn’t get the wrong person. Ryoji asks if it was someone else, won’t she also call out to that person. Yuri caught herself staring at Ryoji that she quickly blushes and looks down, telling herself not to stare at a bshonen [pretty guy]. Ryoji asks what’s wrong with her and it seems that he haven’t introduced himself. He is about to tell his name when Yuri already says it. Ryoji is surprised as Yuri says she already knows and she heard that he is quite famous. Ryoji sits down on the table with her then smiles at her. Yuri is surprised by that and wonders what is the meaning of that smile since it is really suspicious. Ryoji takes her resume and starts to read it. Yuri stands up and shouts for him not to just read someone else’s resume, give it back. Ryouji reads out Yuri’s full name and says she is better in writing than in speech. Yuri tells him to shut up. Then, she notices that everyone around them are whispering who that girl is, haha, she isn’t a good match for him. Yuri gets embarrassed then looks at the direction of the people talking. She thinks, how irritating, don’t say bad words behind someone’s back, is it that girl? Ryoji tells her not to mind the others, nor look at them, if she lets those idle people bother her then it will never end. Yuri looks at Ryoji and thinks, idle people, isn’t that too mean? You are to talk, you are the one whom people are looking at, not minding about little things. Yuri sits back down and thinks maybe because he just have self-confidence. Ryoji looks at her puzzled as to what is she thinking. Yuri remembers what Mitsu said about Ryoji being handsome and intelligent that no matter where he is, he attracts people. Yuri thinks that if she was him, she would be quite depressed about that but this person definitely isn’t.

Ryoji looks at something on her resume and calls out to her. Yuri goes to blushing mode again and thinks that she shouldn’t neglect him else he will distract her. Ryoji asks what’s wrong with her and points out to her picture in the resume. He asks why does she have glasses in the picture. Taking the resume, Yuri says she thinks she will look smart that way. She laughs, isn’t it? Ryoji says it’s nonsense, does she think that this is cosplay, but then, could this be what he mentioned about ‘being fake’. Yuri shouts that isn’t what I meant. The other students wonder what is happening with those two. Ryoji lectures her that if she decided on something, she shouldn’t use photo booths and just go to a proper photo studio to take a nicer picture. Yuri gloomily thinks can’t she do it the easy way. Ryoji takes the resume and says, confiscated, just give it up. Yuri is irked by this. Looking at the magazine which Yuri has encircled, Ryoji says have she decided on that, this isn’t just about trying to get something, if she go to some uninteresting place, very soon she will no longer be enthusiastic about it. She should choose a place where she can be sincere [in work]. Yuri replies back, who are you to say that when you obviously are not serious. Your future is already decided, being carefree isn’t bad at all. Ryoji looks a bit surprised and asks, ha? Yuri says he is just confusing her. I don’t know if you are just playing or just teasing someone. Why don’t you give the opportunity to those who are earnestly looking for work? While saying all of this, Yuri’s mind keeps on telling her to stop saying those for she is just venting her frustration on him. Yuri is tense as there is an awkward silence between them. To her surprise, Ryoji laughs and says, so what? Even if I’m just treating ‘looking for work’ as a game, what has that got to do with you not being able to find work? What you want to do, it isn’t my business. You should think about this. While you are hesitating, the thing that you really wishes for might disappear into thin air. Ryoji takes his things and left.

While watching some girls playing lacrosse, Yuri gloomily thinks about things. I know. I also haven’t been taking the tests seriously. It is because things aren’t going smoothly, so I vented my frustration on him. People who have the ability doesn’t understand.. She pauses a bit and bends lower. But, he understands. I..must be irritating. Even if I didn’t understand things, I just allow myself to randomly say all those things to make that person angry. Yuri is on the verge of tears as she thinks that she is really stupid. She has messed up a rare opportunity. He won’t smile at me anymore. A couple of girls, who were playing lacrosse, call out to her as sempai [senior]. One of the girl asks if she has failed in finding a job again, even if she is depressed, things won’t change. It’s alright! Where is her fighting spirit during the league tournament? The other girl shouts a lifeless Yuri-sempai isn’t their sempai. They shout for Yuri to do her best. Yuri is touched by what they said and cheers up. She stands up and thinks that they are right. Yuri exclaims, Yuri-sempai will advance. The other two girls were happy that she has revived. She goes to her kohai [juniors] and plays lacrosse with them. Yuri thinks that she will apologize the next time they meet and she will have her picture [for the resume] re-taken. What will happen next, I don’t know, but she should just do what she can. She didn’t notice that Ryoji is looking at her from a building. Glasses friend calls out his name. Still looking at Yuri playing with the others, Ryoji just says..strange woman.

The next morning, Yuri is resting on a bench after jogging. Her muscles ache from playing lacrosse yesterday. Yuri thinks her body isn’t flexible as before so it is a bit vexing but the morning jog makes her feel more comfortable since it made her feel that she should also do her best that day. She takes a drink from her bottled water and to her surprise, she sees Ryoji jogging towards her. Yuri thinks, no way! She is a bit dizzy and nervous as she greets him a good morning. Just then, Ryoji hears a dog’s bark. Ryoji apologizes then pulls her to him. This surprises Yuri and wonders if he is protecting her. A dog happily stands up to Ryoji as Ryoji pats its head saying that it is as active as before. A man says that Ryoji is still quite energetic every morning. Ryoji greets the man a good morning and says that’s right, he won’t feel good if he didn’t jog. Yuri blushes as she smells Ryoji’s scent and that she is on a guy’s chest. After the man and dog left, Ryoji apologizes and says the dog would have charged into her. Yuri is blushing and feels her heart beating fast. Noticing that he is holding her shoulder, Ryoji quickly lets go and apologizes. Yuri says he doesn’t have to apologize for she is the one who should apologize. Looking for work haven’t gone smoothly, that she got into someone’s case, and saying all those things. I’m sorry. She bows to him. Ryoji looks surprised then blushes a little. He sighs and says he takes back what he said. Yuri looks up in surprise. He says he is wrong in telling her to learn to be ‘fake’. He slightly smiles and says, Asaoka, just be your true self and you will be victorious. No need for adornment, no need to be afraid. There should be many people out there who would want to work with an active, welcoming [friendly] person. Yuri blushes and wonders how could that be. [he just said that] To Yuri’s surprise, Ryoji asks if he can have her bottled water. Bowing her head, Yuri shoves it to him and says, take it. Ryoji looks surprised then his expression softens. He takes the bottle and thanks her. After he left, she looks at him and puts her towel to her face. She says this isn’t good. That is what I think at that time, I have already fallen [for him?].

And so they meet again..and again. ^-^ It is amusing as to how come they never met before in school when currently, they keep on meeting each other. Hehe I think their little fight stems from Ryoji lecturing her. Since Yuri feels she is being criticize even if what he says is true, she feels like she has to say something bad at him. I think it is human nature to do that. Good for her to know that she needs to apologize when she realizes that what she did was wrong. She does seem to won some points in winning Ryoji. It is somewhat obvious that he likes her else why bother lecturing/giving advice to some girl whom you practically just met. I do wonder why he asks for her bottled water. Is it because he is plain thirsty or there is a meaning to that. I do think she drank from it so indirect kiss? I really like the art of this series. For now, one more chapter to go till update. ^-^ Scans by Hiromao for BW.

Quote of the day:
Don't mind criticism. If it is untrue, disregard it; if unfair, keep from irritation; if it is ignorant, smile; if it is justified it is not criticism, learn from it. ~ Author Unknown

Papillon -Hana to Chou- [Chapter 19]
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 @ 06:02 p.m.

Title: Waver. Chou chases after Inoue and asks what does she mean by – Kana and teacher [Kyuu] have the same smell. Inoue asks doesn’t she understand, they had sex. Chou is shock that she repeats it and Inoue nods in agreement. Chou starts to laugh and says it’s impossible, how could teacher be two-timing. Inoue asks does the teacher have a girlfriend. Chou is surprised that she slipped so she just says that it seems he has one. Inoue says is that so, well, he could have sex with his girlfriend but then, why would he have the same smell as Kana. Chou nervously asks could it be that she is mistaken about that smell. Inoue exclaims if she is doubting her. Chou tries to say that she didn’t mean it that way. While walking alone at the hallway, Chou is thinking how could Kana be with Kyuu since Kana definitely came home late at night. She remembers Kana saying that she went into a guy’s house. Chou shakes her head and thinks that Kyuu wouldn’t betray her but then, why would they have the same smell and does that kind of smell actually exist. Chou asks Meiji and friend about it. Chou is shock when they tell her it is true since Inoue knew when they did it. Chou is relieved when they say it is still inconclusive that Inoue’s smell is 100% right since Inoue won’t be able to smell it if one wears perfume. But her friends still think it is true else, how come Inoue will always mention it and she knows about it. In the end, Chou goes to the girl’s toilet and kept on thinking whether to believe if Inoue’s smell is 100% accurate or not.

She then gets a text message from Kyuu asking her to meet him at the library. Arriving at the library, Chou asks why is the matter. Kyuu gets something from the book shelves and says he has something to ask her. Taking out a small gift and a big gift, he asks, there is a small and a big one, which one do you want? Chou is surprised. Kyuu teasingly says she only has one chance so which is it. Chou says the small one. Kyuu gives it to her. Chou asks what is it. Kyuu says she can open it. To her surprise, it is a butterfly pendant necklace. Chou exclaims it is cute and is it really for her. Kyuu smiles and says he saw it while walking home yesterday and he thinks that it suits her. Chou ‘cries in happiness’. Kyuu asks if she feels like crying. Chou nods her head. Kyuu asks her to give it to him so that he can put it on her. As Kyuu is putting it on her, Chou gets to smell him then she remembers what Inoue told her that it is a smell of one just had sex. Chou then shakes her head that surprises Kyuu. Kyuu asks what is the matter. Chou apologizes. Kyuu says she is like a dog. After putting it on, Kyuu says it really suits her and it is cute since it is his choice. Chou looks at Kyuu and asks why is he nice today. Kyuu says what is she saying, he always have been nice. Looking doubtful, Chou says eh--. Kyuu says what’s with that eh, if she doesn’t want it then give it back. Kyuu tries to get the necklace back as Chou holds tight to it. She apologizes and says she is just kidding. Chou thanks him and says that she will treasure it. Kyuu smiles and they kiss. He hugs her. Chou thinks, see, sensei also treasures me. Inoue definitely made a mistake. Chou then asks so what is in that big box. Kyuu says secret.

When Chou comes home, she overhears her parents talking with Kana. Her mother exclaims why didn’t Kana said it earlier. Kana says that time they just want to scold her so she just let them. Her mother says she doesn’t have to be that way because when she said ‘in a guy’s house’, her father is really in a fit of anger. Chou enters the living room and asks what are they talking about. Her mother tells her that Kana has made them really worried yesterday but it turns out that Kana is just going counseling with Kyuu. Chou is surprised. Her father complains if she just needed to talk to someone why does she have to go to some guy’s house and why not just talk to her parents. Kana sticks out her tongue and says there are things she can’t tell her parents. Her father asks where is she going. Kana says she is going to study because she has a test tomorrow. At the hallway, Chou asks Kana if it is true that she was with Kyuu yesterday. Kana says it is. Chou asks why. Kana says that they are just talking. Chou asks what do they have to talk that it takes all night and what are they talking about. Kana smirks and says do you wish that something happened between us? Kana smiles ‘evilly’ then leaves stunned Chou. That night, Chou calls Kyuu on her mobile phone. She doesn’t have the courage to ask so she just says she wants to hear his voice. Kyuu says didn’t they just meet at the library, does she think of him that quickly. Chou remembers Kyuu confession that she is a butterfly in his stomach. She asks Kyuu as a butterfly in his stomach, has the pupa grown. Kyuu says yes, it has grown a bit. This somewhat reassures Chou that she thanks him. She decides to wholeheartedly trust Kyuu.

At school, Inoue enters the classroom and exclaims to Chou that her father again -- Chou apologizes and says that the teacher asks her to go to the office so see her later. Chou thinks that even if she doesn’t understand things, she has decided not to talk to Inoue. Even if she believes in Kyuu, she is still quite curious as to why Kana and Kyuu have that same smell. While walking, she sees Ryuusei. She wonders if Ryuusei knows something. She approaches Ryuusei and asks if it is true that he and Kana broke up. Ryuusei sheepishly smiles and says it’s true. Chou asks why, is it because Kana do as she pleases. Ryuusei says it isn’t that. He becomes silent that Chou apologizes for asking too much. Chou says she just want to know why Kana treats her that way and right now, Kana seems to want to get close to her boyfriend. If things continue as it, it will be like before.. Ryuusei is surprised by this and says is that so, then maybe you should know. Kana keeps hatred within her heart since Chou stole her boyfriend. Chou is shock and asks what, I stole her boyfriend. Ryuusei asks didn’t she. Chou says of course not. Ryuusei says is that so, it is because Kana treats Chou as an enemy so he thought that it is the reason. Chou exclaims why would she steal Kana’s boyfriend. Ryuusei asks if it is really true. Chou says it is. Then, Chou remembers something. She wonders if it is when Kana’s boyfriend from before had confessed to her. Ryuusei says that could be it so did they go steady. Chou says she didn’t and they didn’t have any communication after that. Ryuusei says he doesn’t know why but it seems Kana considers that as Chou stealing her boyfriend. Chou exclaims that she didn’t do anything strange that warrants Kana to hate her and she is also troubled.

Ryuusei says even so, it has become a shadow [trauma?] in Kana’s heart. He tells her that Kana tests her boyfriends by pretending to be Chou and seduces them. If they fail, she will quickly cut them off and throws them away. Ryuusei confesses that it is embarrassing but it has happened to him. Chou is shock and wonders out loud why would Kana do that. Ryuusei says that for Kana, the most important qualification of a boyfriend is not to be seduced by Chou. Even if it is too much, it seems that Kana’s wound is quite deep. Chou is still shock as Ryuusei apologizes for he really doesn’t want Chou to know about this since from the looks of it, Chou is also suffering. While walking home, Chou is thinking over things that she just learned. She has thought that before, she feels it is quite strange for Kana to always be hindering her love life when she couldn’t even compare to Kana. She remembers Ryuusei telling her that Kana has kept hatred in her heart regarding this thing of Chou stealing her boyfriend. I don’t know, it seems that is what Kana has been thinking inside her. Chou realizes in shock and wonders if Kana pretends to be her then goes to Kyuu. She remembers Inoue saying that they had sex. Chou quickly runs and wonders if Kyuu didn’t know that it wasn’t her and they did it. That is why Kyuu has become quite nice and gave her that necklace. She quickly goes up Kyuu’s apartment. She is shock to see Kana and Kyuu going in Kyuu’s house though Kyuu looks a bit sad. Blurb: Wants to believe Kyuu, but?! In a situation like this, Chou will --

Can you guess? ^-^ So much for my theory, it turns out that Kana is telling the truth that she does go to a guy’s house. I’m surprised her parents aren’t freaking out that much. Do they believe Kana so much? I mean, tell your parents that you go counseling in a teacher’s house the whole night, would they like agree to that? Well, Kyuu has already win points with the mother but how about the father? Can’t they even suggest that they do it in their house or somewhere public? It isn’t just about trusting one’s daughter or something, it is just proper and well, to protect her from rumors/misunderstandings and what if that guy isn’t really nice as he pretends to be. Well, with a scene like that and everything that is going on, it isn’t surprising that Chou will be having doubts. The way Kana tells her about it seems to be quite taunting, too. After all what happened between the twins, Chou surely already has her guard up with Kana especially now that she knows what is the reason why Kana ‘hates’ her. What will Chou do? If she barges in and nothing is really happening, would that make Kyuu think that she distrust her. Well, she can hope that Kyuu will understand. She won’t be in this predicament if she just ask it straight from Kyuu. Also, if she can just let things be, she won’t have any peace of mind. From how Kyuu looks before entering the room, I think he does know that it is Kana. I don’t think he is stupid enough to fall for that trick twice. Why does he looks somewhat sad? I think it would have also been better if Kyuu mentioned this to Chou. He has to think that he already have a girlfriend and bringing another girl to his house can cause misunderstanding no matter how noble the reason is. As for Kana, I’m not quite sure if she sincerely is going counseling or it is still part of her ‘ruin Chou’s love life’ plan. I’m holding what I have to say about her later on until I’m sure. Honestly, I have no clue as to what they are doing that would have that smell. Hehe It is a mystery for me, too so I hope we’ll know what it is by next chapter.

Quote of the day:
You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment if you do not trust enough. ~ Frank Crane

Koibana! Koiseyo Hanabi [Chapter 7-8]
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 @ 02:32 p.m.

Chapter 7: After Chikai left, Hanabi feels uneasy. Her friends notice her being too hyperactive at the karaoke bar as Hanabi keeps on moving from one group to another as if she want to have fun to the max. At home, Hanabi gloomily looks at the wooden dog model that Chikai gave her. Nanpa looks at it and wonders if it is his toy. Hanabi scolds Nanpa that he can’t [play with it]. Nanpa goes away and thinks, so I can’t. Hanabi says but this thing is no big deal. Nanpa goes back and thinks, so give it me. Hanabi scolds him again so he whimpers and goes to the side. Hanabi looks at the wooden dog and remembers Chikai saying that it is for her. She wonders what does he mean by that. It’s so puzzling! When he tends to ignore her yet he said those words. Hanabi apologizes to Nanpa and says that there is something she want to show him. Hanabi shows the picture of the dog plant sculpture of the principal. Hanabi asks isn’t it cute. Nanpa howls that it is a beautiful ‘girl’ [dog]. To Hanabi’s surprise Nanpa bites her phone. Nanpa narrates that he has seen many female [dogs] but this one is really something though he wonders about that other one [the wooden dog]. At school, Hanabi’s friends were surprised that Hanabi has already finished drawing the design for the shorts that they are made to make. Hanabi happily says that she did it at home yesterday. Atsumi [Yuan Shi] exclaims that Hanabi is great since she is pretty much tired already from writing the report about the cultural festival. Hanabi freaks out for she has forgotten all about it. She quickly sweet talks Mii [Mei Yi] that they sold the onigiri together so if she lends her report, she will do whatever she asks. Mii quickly hands over her report. Hanabi quickly goes to a table and writes her report. Her three friends wonder what kind of shorts they will make. Atsumi wants to make a bloomer type since the round shape makes her think of meat buns. Kareshi [Xiao Xu] wants to make something with a ribbon which she can wear during a date. Mii wants to make a rugged one so that it will be easy to do.

At the store, Hanabi goes to buy some paper for her report. Sasa calls out to her. Hanabi quickly hides her face since Sasa is with his male friends. Noticing Hanabi’s discomfort, Sasa tells the others to go on ahead. Hanabi notes Sasa’s gesture for being considerate which other girls tend to do to her. She thanks him and says in this world, guys should be like that. Sasa laughs and asks what kind of guy is Hanabi’s type. Hanabi exclaims a guy who doesn’t look oily, sweaty, and hairy. Sasa looks surprised when Hanabi shouts, stupid, likes to bully, crazy, don’t know what he is thinking. Hanabi freezes when she just realized that she has been describing Chikai Uno. Sasa asks if there is something the matter. Looking unwell, Hanabi apologizes and says she just got too excited. Sasa gives her a candy which he says it is magic to calm her down. Sasa smiles and says just kidding, sweets can cure anything. Hanabi looks at him in surprise then smiles, Sasa is really different from that guy. Hanabi looks surprised when she sees Chikai and his friends passing by. Chikai glances at her direction while drinking a juice pack. Sasa waves and greets Chikai. Chikai waves back and greets Sasa as he leaves with the others. Hanabi wonders if Chikai is really just going away when before he always keeps on bothering her. It is really puzzling. Hanabi convinces herself that it is better that Chikai isn’t going to her. But then, obviously, she looks ‘disappointed’ about it. While walking away, Chikai’s friends ask isn’t he going to harass Hanabi, what is he up to. Chikai says nothing. Glasses guy urges Chikai to tell them. Chikai says he has cosplayed to the utmost limit to show off his ‘handsome-ness’ during the cultural festival. Angrily Glasses guy says, ha? Chikai continues that he is already satisfied, it is over. Glasses guy says if Chikai is an animal, would he be a cat. Chikai is puzzled and says, meow, that will be Hiroshi. [?]

Walking home, Hanabi is gloomy that Chikai has bothered and disturbed her. She angrily shouts in her mind, ‘Stupid!’ She wonders if it is her fault that she is bothered. Then, she sees a dachshund coming out of a corner. She happily thinks that it is cute. She hears someone saying, don’t go there, it is dangerous. To Hanabi’s shock, the one holding the dog’s leash is none other than Chikai and he isn’t alone. He is with his girlfriend as they walk holding hands. Chikai just looks at her and then walks away. Hanabi just stands there and thinks, I don’t understand, it is really puzzling. I don’t understand this thing called boys. I don’t know and I can’t perceive...boys especially Chikai Uno. The next day at school, Hanabi calls out Chikai’s full name. Chikai turns around and she shouts his name again before quickly running off. I’m really puzzled. At home, Nanpa is thinking of the plant dog sculpture and narrates, Hanabi..Hanabi, do you know? It is very painful, very depressing..it makes one tired. So called-love. So, Hanabi has finally seen Chikai’s girlfriend. It makes me wonder if Chikai lead her on that now, Hanabi seems to have fallen for him. I still think what he did before was an ‘ego’ thing for him since he pride himself for being good looking that he can’t believe a girl can resist his charms. So would that make that wooden dog a farewell gift or thank you gift for bearing with him? I wonder if Sasa asking what type of guy Hanabi likes is because he is just curious or he likes Hanabi so he wants to know. So far, Hanabi seems to think of Sasa as a friend – a guy who is like a girl whom she can easily approach. Would there be a love polygon later on?

Chapter 8: Chikai wonders what is that about. Somewhere else, Nanpa is chasing after acorns that Hanabi’s mother tosses while he thinks, ‘you’re in love..in love..in love’ Hanabi’s mother laughs at Nanpa since his mouth is filled with acorns. In the classroom, Hanabi wonders what’s wrong with her since she instantly called out Chikai’s name the moment she saw him. Is she some kind of dog [I’m lazy to look as to what kind of dog that is] just like Nanpa going crazy over acorns. A small illustration: Some dog-> dog food; Nanpa -> acorn; Hanabi [Me] -> Chikai. Hanabi stands up in shock. The teacher asks her question from what is being taught [I think] that Hanabi is suprirse. After Hanabi sits back down, she mentally screams at herself that it isn’t her business! That guy already have a girlfriend! He has a super beautiful..girlfriend. Hanabi calms down and holds her hand together as she remembers Chikai walking holding hands with his girlfriend. While Hanabi and friends are going outside to draw something on their sketchbooks, Hanabi overhears girls comparing pictures of Chikai that they have taken during the cultural festival. She wonders if they know that Chikai has a girlfriend. It seems that they know when she hears them say too bad that Chikai belongs to someone else. A girl protests not to say that, just let her keep on dreaming. Hanabi asks her friends if they knew ‘that’. Her friends asks what’s ‘that’. Hanabi says Chikai having a girlfriend. Atsumi and Kareshi say they knew while Mii just knew it from Glasses guy. Hanabi can’t believe they knew. Atsumi asks why is she asking. Hanabi is surprised and looks down as she says that she is just surprised that a girl would want to go steady with that kind of guy. Hanabi thinks, but I know already..only she [Chikai’s gf] understands Chikai Uno.

Chikai appears behind her and calls out her full name. Hanabi is shock that he appeared. Chikai puts his hands up like a dog begging. Hanabi wonders if he heard what they are talking about. Hanabi exclaims what does he want. Chikai asks this morning, what is that about. Hanabi looks at him in surprise. Kaneshi asks what happened. Hanabi replies that it is no big deal. Chikai asks didn’t she just called out his name. If someone calls out another person’s name, doesn’t one wishes for that other person to look back at him/her. Or, maybe she just likes to do that. So which is it, feeling hateful or disgusted. Hanabi looks at him in shock then thinks that Chikai would most likely can’t control himself that he has to call out his girlfriend’s name. Hanabi imagines Chikai playing with his girlfriend’s hair and calling out her name, while she is sleeping. Hanabi looks sad about this and thinks that it doesn’t mean like that. Hanabi lies that she is just looking for a quarrel and she has tricked him so he should feel angry. Chikai looks at her as Hanabi is feeling tense that it is such a bad alibi. She quickly runs off as the others follow. Mii looks at Chikai that Chikai asks huh. Mii just leaves which made Chikai angry. Moving some things, Chikai’s classmates call out to Chikai to not skip work. Chikai shouts he will to them. He then says [to Hanabi], my handsome-ness..do you understand it now? As Hanabi and others prepare to draw, Kaneshi asks Hanabi if she has fallen for Chikai. Hanabi denies it and says it’s impossible. Kaneshi says that she just called out a boy’s name. Hanabi exclaims that it is because that person makes her angry. Kaneshi says but Hanabi is always looking at him when he talks. Hanabi is surprised by this and she can actually imagine Chikai’s appearance from her head. Hanabi says..really..I understand. She then shouts, Could it be that I can also overcome this phobia of guys.

Hanabi quickly goes to a couple of guys [thin and fat one] to test it out. She asks them what is the time. The fat one looks at his watch as Hanabi looks dizzy when she sees the guy’s oily face, sweat stains on the uniform and hairy arms. She didn’t wait for the guy to tell her as she exclaims so it is already 12 noon because my stomach is already hungry, thanks. She quickly runs off and tells her friends she has overcome. They look at her and asks, really? Hanabi insists that she is now more motivated. She tries to convince herself that it is because Chikai irritates her, because she hates him, so she remembers his name, called out his name and remembers how he looks like. There is no other meaning to it. While Hanabi is trying hard to convince her friends, a woman is looking at her using her binoculars. She says that this year, there is a girl who is just discovering her feelings for the opposite sex. The other woman with her says, teacher, there you go again. The teacher says, she is all fired up but this type would seem hard to progress hence it will be quite troublesome. At the workshop, Chikai asks his friends if he gravely did something wrong. Glasses guy says most probably, even if many idolizes him [Chikai], he has many enemies. Two of his friends say that they belong to the part who idolizes him, even if Chikai can be irritating, but still, they like him. Glasses guy thinks you guys, too. Chikai says if love can come to that girl..incredible. In class, Aki, [? other woman earlier] tells them that she is going to introduce a guidance teacher for the first year students. That teacher comes every year when winter season is approaching. Holding a knitting ball, the woman [who is spying on Hanabi earlier] introduces herself as Knitting Princess Ami. Hanabi quickly gets interested in her as to what kind of person she is. Hanabi hears some classmates whispering if this is the one whom their sempai has been talking about – like a whirlwind making love [matchmaking] princess Ami. Hanabi thinks to herself, ‘Love?!’

Ami tells them that they probably heard from the second and third year students that every year she comes to teach the subject, ‘Knitting a gift for Christmas to give to the guy who you love.’ Hanabi is stunned. Hanabi quickly raises her hand and asks how about something to one’s father. Ami rejects. Hanabi asks how about one’s dog. Ami also rejects. Ami says she is the one-- All her classmates are looking at Hanabi as she looks tense. Hanabi asks what if one doesn’t have a guy whom she loves, what should she do. Ami points at her and says, ‘Go fall in love’. Hanabi is shock as the other girls laugh. The girls tell each other that every year Ami would go matchmaking a lot of pairs then leaves so they have an opportunity. Ami looks at her/them and whistles. Aghast, Hanabi thinks, no way..this must be a joke. Love is what!! Is it just me but I think Hanabi’s school is a fun school to go to. Well, Hanabi goes into denial mode that she has feelings for Chikai especially since Chikai already have a girlfriend. It does seem that she is a bit jealous. Too bad for her, the new teacher is a matchmaker and is into love. Good or bad timing? If ever, I think Hanabi has Mii who will side by her since Mii isn’t into love since it is troublesome. I think thanks to Chikai, she can now somewhat tolerate other boys. As for Chikai, he must be thinking of Hanabi’s behavior. Even if he may not like/love Hanabi right now, I think he is curious about her.

Quote of the day:
Love is like water; We can fall in it. We can drown in it. And we can't live without it. ~ Author Unknown

Weekly Jump Update:
Bleach, Naruto, One Piece, D. Grayman, Reborn, Gintama and PSYREN
Monday, March 3, 2008 @ 03:27 p.m.

It turns out that just using both hands to swing a zanpaku can be quite strong for Kenpachi as he gives Nnoitra a huge injury in Bleach [c. 312]. Kenpachi wants to leave already because there is no point to fight anymore but Nnoitra kept on shouting it isn’t over yet and taunts Kenpachi. Since Nnoitra kept on insisting, Kenpachi decides to fight him again. Then, there is a flashback wherein Nel reprimanded Nnoitra for killing colonies of hollows when they were just told by Aizen to find Vasto Lorde. Nnoitra replied he is just following orders and they might become rebels since they don’t join Aizen and if they are easily wiped out then they aren’t Vasto Lorde. He challenged Nel to a fight but Nel just said he is like a kid and left. Later on, Nel saved Nnoitra and said it is because she doesn’t want to lose an espada especially the way he fights which is suicidal. Nnoitra kept on complaining why does Nel kept on following him around. She told him because he is weaker than her. End flashback. Nnoitra thinks that he doesn’t want other’s pity and he just want to finish off everyone before they can fight back. Kenpachi finishes the job. Nnoitra fells and sees awaken Nel who says his name. This reminds me of a saying. I forgot the exact words but basically it says that the one who makes the loudest sound is the weakest of all. No wonder Nnoitra fights unfairly and tends to bully others, he is covering up his own weakness. Ichigo might even be able to win if he isn’t injured. Nnoitra defeats the others so that they won’t become stronger than him. Pity or not, Nel does seem to babysit him before and what he did to Nel is his ‘reward’ for all the things she has done for him. It makes one think that he really deserves to be sliced by Kenpachi to be taught that fatal lesson. I do wonder if Nel will save him later on, using her vomit/spit. The blurb says a new enemy is coming. Let me guess, Ulquiorra. ^^; I would be greatly surprised if it is Aizen.

It turns out that Sasuke’s new technique is controlling the lightning that is why he used a fire technique to the sky before in Naruto [c. 391]. He calls it Kirin then the lightning hits Itachi. After the attack, Sasuke looks at unconscious Itachi on the ground and thinks that it is all finally over so changes his eyes back to normal. He is surprised when Itachi asks if that is the his death that Sasuke has seen. Itachi is still alive even though he seems to be internally bleeding. Itachi tries to stand up as Sasuke quickly reverts to ugly mode. There is some skeletal structure form behind Itachi as he says without it, he will be done for. He commends Sasuke that he has really become strong and now, he is going to show Sasuke another technique of his, Susanoo which is probably related to that skeletal thing. This is why Naruto fights are predictable and dragging. One chapter is, one is defeating the other. Then the next is the rival defeating the other. After a few more that, it has become, ‘is that what you got, it’s my turn.’ ^^;; Then, when they ran out of techniques, the conclusion is finally shown. That is what is happening to Bleach lately. I do wonder what Itachi plans with that technique – kill Sasuke or just pin him down to get his eyes. I was wondering why he didn’t use it earlier, is it he underestimated Sasuke or because it is a technique that can kill someone. Even if Itachi wins, if he didn’t get Sasuke’s eyes, I think it will be over for him. The injuries he got from this battle and the fact that he is going blind won’t make him so formidable as before.

Strawhats say their goodbyes to Laura and others as they head off in One Piece [c. 490]. What happened to triangle have become a story that is being passed on to others as to how the Strawhats ‘solve’ the mystery. While they were sailing, they ask Luffy if it is really okay not to help Ace. Luffy says if they did go save him, Ace will just scold them for he doesn’t want to be look as weak. It seems that the paper will become normal if the person is okay again and that is when they will see Ace again. They have another round of toast to welcome Brook since they weren’t able to do it properly before because Zoro is sleeping. At the Marines, Sengoku is reprimanding Kuma as to why did he let Strawhats go. Garp kept on interrupting that Luffy won’t be bragging around that he defeated Moira. Sengoku says they will keep on chasing after Strawhats since they are approaching their headquarters soon. After more days of sailing, Strawhats finally reaches Redline and they are half-way around the world already. They stop over as they try to find Fisherman Island. They used the submarine to find it but the ocean floor is too deep. Just then, a sea rabbit attacks them but Luffy just punches it. It spits out something. It turns out to be a mermaid and a starfish. After the mermaid freaks out over humans, she thanks them from rescuing her and says she has always been eaten by sea monsters. She offers them takoyaki as thanks. When Luffy says he loves takoyaki, she asks him to pay 500 berries. The starfish hits her and exclaims that she shouldn’t sell them. Everyone looks shock. Ah, probably because the starfish is talking. ^^;; The mermaid is Camie, from the mini-arc of what happened to Hachi [octopus from Arlong arc]. I’m surprised that the author connects her to the present arc when I thought she is just some guest star in that mini arc. I kind of fear Luffy shouting, hey, want to be our nakama? Hehe Well, now they will know how to go to Fisherman island. About Ace, I forgot about Garp, I think Garp won’t let the marines kill his grandson but then, maybe what happened to Ace will make him power-up when we see him again.

Komui orders the evacuation as he prepares to get the innocence from Hevlaska in D. Gray-man [c. 150]. Kanda is going to accompany Komui. Komui doesn’t have much time to protest about it since Hevlaska tells Komui that Rinali and others are coming to her. Komui just quickly presses the elevator so that they can go down already. L.4 [level 4] decides to count to 10 before going after Komui. The elevator that Rinali, Rabi and Malcolm used turned out to be broken that it fell so fast but they turn out to be safe. Malcolm asks why Rabi is there, is it to record what will happen but then, he allows Rabi to do what he wants. Rinali is about to protest but Rabi tells her to let him be with her. Hevlaska tries to dissuade Malcolm from coming by saing that L.4 will be coming soon and they don’t have time to do experiments on Rinali. Malcolm tells Hevlaska that Rinali is doing it on her own free will and she already have seen it before. Hevlaska says that Rinali is her comrade but Malcolm says it is an order and she did that before to her own family. A flashback of young Malcolm saying that Hevlaska isn’t a saint for she kills her own family. He was slapped by probably his father even as young Malcolm stared at Hevlaska. Rinali is surprised about this. Just as they go down, Rabi recalls from the records that Malcolm’s family offered a girl from their clan to become a ‘saint’ and thus have a position in Black Order. They have been doing experiments on their own family members until Komui became supervisor. Rabi asks Malcolm what is he doing there. Malcolm says of course to defeat the Earl. Just as the elevator with Komui and others are going down, they realize that L.4 is coming after them. Komui shouts for Hevlaska just when Rinali and others go out of the door and see what is happening above. I think Hevlaska is a relative of Malcolm and is that girl whom they sacrificed to become a ‘saint’. That is why Malcolm hates Hevlaska and doesn’t want her to only experiment on their own family but also to others – to be fair? The last scene is quite intense and it really does seem that they don’t have a time to insert an innocence on Rinali. I’m sure Hevlaska will do something to save Komui. And I think Rinali will be even more willing to have an innocence now since her brother is L.4’s target. I wonder what will happen next. I think the two finders with Komui will not make it.

After that attack, Spanner talks to Tsuna about mosco-s about using the dying flame in Katekyo Hitman Reborn! [c. 183]. It seems Tsuna is converting the flames which is used to attack him as his own. Spanner asks by how much so Tsuna demonstrates it by destroying one of the mosco. Spanner computed it and says Tsuna makes the converted flame 1.7x powerful. To Tsuna’s surprise, one of the mosco absorbs the other two. Spanner says it is king mosco. It beats up Tsuna. Spanner tells Tsuna king mosco’s specs and that it is 10x more powerful after absorbing the other two. Tsuna asks if his calculation is correct and is that all a 10x powerful mosco can do. Tsuna says if that is his secret weapon then he also has one. Injured and wounded Tsuna prepares his attack. Ah, is that the new one he learned? It doesn’t seem to be because it is a different pose. Anyway, maybe next chapter, Tsuna will be able to finish that mosco. I think Hayato will freak out when he sees Tsuna’s condition. ^^;;

In Gintama [c. 202], it has become smoke-free in Edo that Hijitaka is having problems to get his smoke. He is looked down by people when he tries to light a cigarette and trash cans are made to explode if cigarette ash is being dropped in it. Hijitaka decides to go outer space. The story ends up being a spoof of Dragonball since Hijitaka somehow ends up helping ‘Goku’ in finding the dragon balls. ‘Goku’ seems to asked for panties. In the end, Hijitaka just decided to quit smoking to save him the trouble. I guess it goes to show the problems that smokers have lately since a lot of places have become non-smoking areas. It would just save that person all the hassles he have to do just to smoke if he just quit smoking. While in PSYREN [c. 12], Amamiya trains Yoshina and Asaga on one of three kind of powers in psy by making them touch her without moving from where they are tied up. Asaga manages to do it through projection and remembering their past. Of course, Yoshina wasn’t able to do it that he has to call his sister that he will be late. He has to stay for a while with Amamiya. I think he has a crush on her. =P Also, it turns out that Yoshina’s sister who had a crush on this actor is also goes into psyren. It not only is like gantz but somewhat like death note because of the media coverage. ^^;; I like the interaction of the three leads as it is quite amusing even though as of now, nothing much is happening.

Quote of the day:
A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves. ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Shuukatsu!! -Kimi ni naitei- [Chapter 1]
Sunday, March 2, 2008 @ 07:04 p.m.

[This is another josei series from Petit magazine. The English title according to kou is ‘Job Hunting -an informal proposal for you-’ and Ally’s translation for –kimi no naitei- is my offer to you. The Chinese title is crappy ‘Love Fresh Person’. ^^; Anyway, the story is about Yuri who is looking for a job and while doing so, met this guy so it will about job hunt and her love life kind of story. It makes me wonder if she finds a job, this series will be over if I base it on the title. The subtitle makes me think that proposal/offer is ‘want to be my girlfriend’. Hehe The art is nice and the story has a touch of ‘fate/destiny’ in it. From the three chapters and a bit of raws, it seems to be good. Oh ya, the author is Aki Yoshino.]

A woman in her 20s has been quite nervous as she is in a examination room with the others for a job hiring in a company. She has been writing ‘person’ [kanji] on her hand for 60 times that day. She tries to keep herself calm. Then a man in his 20s looks at his watch and tells the others that their group should start already. The woman thinks to herself that it has begun and tells to herself, Yuri, this is it, you must be the coordinator today. Just as she is about to raise her hand to say it, the man who is smiling already tells the others to allow him be the coordinator of the group. Yuri is shock that someone beat her to it. She gloomily thinks that it is her 49th try to become a coordinator. Why is she always one step behind but then, even if she becomes the coordinator, she isn’t that confident that she will be able to do it well. The man tells the others that the problem for that day is how to make the passengers in the taxi to not smoke. She looks at the man and thinks that she should be like that guy who is quite confident. While the other were discussing about how irritating it is to smoke inside the taxi, the man notices Yuri looking at him. He slightly smiles at her that she is surprised and quickly blushes. Yuri gets angry and irritated that he is looking at her for she didn’t mean to stare at him. The man then asks Ms. Asaoka [Yuri; he is looking at her name plate] as to what would be her suggestion on preventing passengers from smoking inside the taxi. Yuri is surprised that her head goes blank. The man urges her to say anything. Yuri is angry that the man is quite unfair since pressuring her. Bowing down, Yuri just lamely says that she feels if the passenger is given a candy then, he/she won’t smoke anymore. The others say that it is a typical answer from a woman and if they were able to do it, then, this problem would have been solved earlier. Another person says that if he is tired, he thinks that a candy will be helpful. Yuri is embarrassed and looks downcast that she didn’t notice the man looking at her and smiles.

Holding her luggage, Yuri prepares to go home and thought that maybe she shouldn’t tried looking for a job in Tokyo for there is no ‘love’ among Tokyo people. She feels really drained. She wants to go home already and sleep. Just as she is buying a ticket to Kyoto, she notices the man earlier is also busying a ticket to Kyoto – nonsmoking near the window. Yuri blushes and can’t believe that this guy is also a student from Kyoto. The man looks at her then sees her emitting a foul mood that he just leaves. Yuri angrily thinks what is that about, if he wasn’t at the exam before, she would have performed better. In the train, Yuri tries to find a seat but someone beat her to it that she ends up standing near the doorway for the trip back. She is eating some snack as she thinks it is quite hot [it’s summer] and she is a student going back and forth, made to sit down as they check her level, failing at tests, it gives her the feeling as if someone is saying ‘you are an excess/unnecessary’. Just then someone passes by and made her drop her box of snack. She goes to bend to get it but is quite tired and feels hot already that she feels she is losing her consciousness. Then, the man picks up the box she drops. Later on, she wakes up and wonders what happened to her, did she slept. She wonders if it is because she is anemic. She then wonders what’s on her and sees a coat [from a business suit]. She realizes that someone is leaning on her shoulder. She looks at the side and is shock to see that it is that guy. She begins to wonder what happened and why is she sitting there. The man then wakes up and realizes that he has leaned on her and had fallen asleep. He looks at Yuri and quickly realizes that Yuri is faking that she is sleeping. He bends to her as she becomes nervous and blushes. She wonders why is he so close. He whispers, ‘Wake up, Candy girl’. Yuri blushes and looks at him just as he fixes his necktie.

Yuri is infuriated that it is because of him that she said that about the candy. She exclaims even if he is playing around, there should be some discretion. Yuri quickly catches herself and thinks that she is stupid for making someone whom she saw for the first time angry at her. The man says she is really inappropriate in activities that it doesn’t seem she has brains even if she is already 22 years old..ah no 21. Is it quite inappropriate to be saying that when one just woke up. Yuri realizes that he was the one who brought her there so she quickly thanks him. She thinks that it is because that he is bad/vile towards her. He looks away and says it’s no problem and if she is okay, she should go back since that is his seat. Yuri looks surprised at his reply and says that he is right. She quickly stands up and wonders could it be he is thinking that she is bad/vile. She puts his coat on the seat. Suddenly, she loses balance and falls on the man’s lap. The man asks what’s wrong with her, can’t she stand up. He quickly apologizes to the man beside him. Yuri didn’t move. He is about to ask what is wrong with her as Yuri is infuriated with herself that it was really embarrassing. She quickly covers her mouth and tries to stop herself from crying so that she won’t embarrass herself any further. To her surprise, the man says move and puts her to the other seat. He tosses his coat on her. He stands up and asks for her ticket. She gives it to him. Holding her ticket, he tells her that his ticket is in the pocket of the coat. Yuri is confused that she calls for him to wait and where is he going. Just then, she sees the conductor checking the tickets of the passengers. Yuri wonders if she made a misunderstanding since she isn’t good at reading people so she believes her own judgment but..

Yuri goes to the doorway where the man is standing while looking out the window. She tells him that the conductor has already left so he can return to his seat. She gives him his coat back and says the ticket is in there. He declines and tells her to go ahead and sit there since that seat is empty after that. Yuri says she doesn’t want to because that is his seat, and she would only sit on a seat that she paid herself so thanks for his help. He takes his coat and asks didn’t she think of what it would mean [for him, as if he is not a gentleman] if he says ‘is that so’ then go by himself to sit there. Yuri says but she doesn’t have the guts to say ‘then I’ll go ahead’ and sit on a stranger’s seat. Yuri wonders if he is a gentleman or just faking to be one. Maybe he is.. The man frowns and says she is so un-cute. Then Yuri blurts out, are you very welcoming/popular. The two look surprise at each other. She quickly covers her mouth and blushes. She quickly says that she has been saying quite impolite things and she doesn’t deliberately want to blurt it out, but she is just like that. She thinks that she is really stupid that the man would really hate her. She stammers, please go. She closes her eyes and waits for his response. She opens them again when the man says she is a strange woman. She blushes and shouts isn’t there anything else he would say. She is then surprise to see the man smiling and tells her that she is very frank. What she says and do has always been like that, is it. Yuri looks at him in amazement and thinks that she is right, this guy is really great and his smile can kill someone.

They finally arrive at the Kyoto station. The man sighs a relief that they finally arrive. Yuri apologizes for sitting at his seat. The man says it is okay for he always sits at the middle [empty] seat and it is okay as long as no one knows about it. Flashback: A scene of Yuri sitting at his seat [I think the man is sitting in upper/business class so Yuri wasn’t sitting in that section] and asked if it is okay. The man motions for her to be quiet about it. His seatmate pretended not to hear them. End flashback. The man gloomily says that if there is a mistake, it won’t be him but then, if they are discovered and someone has to leave, and if it would be him.. Yuri wonders what’s with that evil look. The man says but since she is quite fidgety, she would quickly be obvious. Yuri looks surprise and thinks that he is right. He says that she just thought that he is right. He tells her that it is obvious from her facial expressions. During the test, she wasn’t able to easily say an interesting opinion since she obviously doesn’t have confidence, it doesn’t give a good impression. From a person’s view, I doesn’t hate that kind of person but it would be better for you to learn a bit on how to ‘feign/pretend’, Ms. Asaoka. Yuri blushes but then, she is knocked by someone. The man has already left when she looks up. She tries to call him by shouting wait. Everyone is rushing outside that she can’t see the man anymore. Yuri thinks that she haven’t quite understand him yet but it seems that something has happened. Everyone has already left and she is the only one at the station. She says, ‘Asaoka’, he still remembers it clearly. It would have been better if I had asked his name, stupid. If I did that, then I could have called out his name.

At the university, Yuri is checking a magazine for job openings. Her friend calls out to her and asks how is the trip to Tokyo. She sees Yuri is still looking so she says it seems it didn’t went well. Her friend invites her to a drinking party, there are some handsome guys there and Yuri should occasionally socialize. Yuri declines. She says right now, she should not be focused on other things and it isn’t the time to fall in love. Her friend looks at her in surprise and says that she doesn’t know what happened but it is okay since she isn’t that depressed anymore. Yuri is surprised by this and blushes. Then, they hear a couple of girls saying, have you seen Manabe-sempai, he’s so handsome. They would want to talk to him even once. Yuri looks at them and asks who are they talking about, the freshman are so young. Her friend is surprised at Yuri and exclaims, no way, in our school, you don’t even recognize that name. His full name is Ryoji Manabe, 4th year legal student 22 years old and blood type O. He is quite intelligent and good-looking. No matter where he is, he is the kind of guy who easily makes people pay attention to him. Yuri says, Mitsu, you really know a lot. Mitsu says it is she who knows little. Yuri sighs and says that she doesn’t really have any ‘fate’ with that kind of gorgeous world [guy]. Mitsu exclaims, look, it is that guy, the one who is standing nearest to us. Mitsu is pointing to a couple of guys and a girl standing near the vending machine. Yuri looks in surprise for it is the man whom she met earlier. Mitsu says, that’s Ryoji Manabe.

Hehe, contrary to what Yuri thinks, it turns out that she does have ‘fate’ with that kind of guy. =P Yuri seems to concentrate only on her studies and job hunting that she doesn’t even know nor care about the ‘biggest crush’ in their school. It does seem that Ryoji is somewhat interested in her. About finding a job, I think Ryoji is right about her being too honest/transparent can prevent her from finding a job. In the workplace, one has to be a bit of a ‘hypocrite/fake’ to please others so that the work would go smoothly. If just from the interview, she easily shows her lack of confidence then no one would want to hire her. It does seem to be the story of a ordinary shy timid girl who falls for a handsome talented boy. It would be typical in a school life setting so I think in an after college setting, it will be a bit different and new. They do look like a cute couple. So, how things will work out for the two, until next chapter. ^-^ Scans by Hiromao for BW.

Word of the day:
If we are trusting the Lord, we need not panic or despair when our plans fail or when our life abruptly changes direction. It is wise to make plans, but the Lord is the One who ultimately directs us as He wills. And His way is always so much better than we could have chosen. ~ David C. Egner from Our Daily Bread

Ouran High Host Club [Chapter 59]
Saturday, March 1, 2008 @ 11:16 p.m.

It is the mid-December, Ouran members are busy wearing something. Hikaru says his face can’t be seen. They are having a hard time but yet they have to hurry because the guests are coming soon. The girls have already open the door when they aren’t finished. They are cosplaying Japanese fairy/folk tales – Momotaro [Peach boy], Urashima Taro [Fisher lad] and Hanasaka-jiji [The Old man who made Sakura/trees Blossom]. Everyone is in panic as Tamaki is gloomily sulking at one corner. The girls say that today’s host club seems to be plain but then, Mori looks great as Momotaro that it seems he will protect them from demons. They say that Hikaru, Kaoru and Haruhi are respectively the monkey, pheasant and the dog who accompanied Momotaro. Honey is Hanasaka-jiji. And then, Kyouya and Tamaki are Urashima Taro and the sea turtle. They laugh at Tamaki that this made Tamaki complain to Kyouya as to why they have changed the theme when it was decided on early on. He shouts that he should be Momotaro. Kyouya says that playing the turtle is really hard and if it isn’t done well, he will be laughed at. Tamaki angrily exclaims that he is already being laughed at. Hikaru shouts for Tamaki to quit complaining for at least his face can be seen. Hikaru complains to Kyouya why is he the monkey when Kaoru is a beautiful pheasant. Kaoru says he can’t do it with such finesse. Hikaru angrily shouts, what did you say. Kyouya smiles and tells the animals to calm down. He says the truth is that it is an idea that was told to him a few days ago and he decides to test it. Isn’t it interesting to try new and different things. Tamaki and Hikaru complain about it that they don’t care about this new plan and whose idea is it anyway. To the two’s shock, Haruhi raises her hand..it is Haruhi’s idea. Lol

Haruhi apologizes and says that no matter how she thinks of it, she feels that Mori is more suitable to be Momotaro since he has a chick and a tanuki by his side. Haruhi asks Tamaki can’t he be a turtle. Tamaki blushes and says it isn’t like he is rejecting it. Haruhi apologizes to Hikaru for giving him a bad memory and it is all because a monkey is noisy and happy that she thinks it suits him. This made Hikaru blush and says there is no problem because a monkey is clever, also they are together since the three of them are Momotaro’s animals. Kaoru says that the three of them should go serve the guests together. Unfortunately for them, Honey grabs Haruhi to go with him to the guests. The twins were furious as they wonder if Haruhi as a dog is actually Hanasaka-jiji’s Pochi [dog] in the story so they are going to serve the guests together. Kaoru wonders what’s wrong with Haruhi ever since she got well from her cold, she has been quite proactive. Hikaru says being proactive is good but then to be like that. Kyouya tells them that he thinks that theme is better than the ones that Haruhi had thought of like takoyaki [octopus balls] and sushi cosplay. The twins wonder why is it all food. At the table, Haruhi explains how the food is inspired from the theme – mochi [sticky rice ball], sakura color cake [based on Hanasaka-jiji] and Taiyaki [red bean filled fish shaped waffle; taiyaki = sea = Urashima Taro] Honey says it is delicious and a girl says it is her first time eating it. She loves Japanese sweets. Haruhi then happily asks what other things she likes because she wants to know about everyone and want to talk with them about it. It made the two girls blush as the girl exclaims that Haruhi finds her interesting.

The twins sweatdrop and say that Haruhi is being proactive again and it could be said that she has become quite dangerous and it would be better to be more subtle about it. [not sure about the last part since I can’t barely read it] They look at Tamaki who is still blushing and murmuring to himself that Haruhi is really cute but then, she is cute even more now, what was it that she said during her sleep. The twins start to bully Tamaki as a turtle. Tamaki cries for them to stop. Kyouya arrives and tells them to stop bullying Tamaki. Tamaki is happy that Kyouya is going to help him. Kyouya happily gestures his hand to a coin and tells Tamaki that before he helps him, how about handling the reward money first. Tamaki cries and sulk over this as Urashimaru is quite selfish when he is just an innocent turtle. Honey says that in those kind of tales, there is usually about finding treasure. The twins say then what should they dig up. Haruhi says she can’t for if she can, she would have self-financed herself in Ouran. Just then, Ritsu comes and calls out to Haruhi. They greet him and asks what is the matter. Ritsu says there is something he wants them to help. He was making a flower terrace for the garden club then while digging he has found this. He shows them a map. They were shock that it is a treasure map, is it just a coincidence? They all look at Haruhi. After Haruhi thinks really hard and exclaims even if it cannot be believed but then this is experience and since this is still doubtful, it is good that they research it first. Everyone rejoices over Haruhi’s proactive-ness.

The next day on Saturday, after class, the group meets at the library. Kyouya divides the work. Since they have found some articles and a map, they still don’t know if they are related so they should research about it. Mori, Haruhi and Kyouya will be studying the article while the twins and Honey will study the map. Ritsu can join any group he wants. Ritsu says he wants to join Haruhi’s. The twins asks where is Tamaki. Kyouya says he have to go to the hotel to study and even if he made a fuss about wanting to go treasure hunting, he still ends up going. Kyouya sighs and says it can’t be help and he fears that days like this when Tamaki isn’t there would become more frequent and he hopes that they understand. The twins look sad about this. While they are researching, Kaoru tells Hikaru that it feels less lively when Tamaki isn’t around. Hikaru agrees. Kaoru teases Hikaru if he has been able to control his irritation now and it seems that Haruhi has become quite calm. Honey says that before Haruhi is quite uneasy and nervous that he wonders what happened since it makes him curious. Embarrassed, Hikaru tells them to shut up. He says that there is still an opportunity during the ski trip. He tells them that there is something that he can’t quite understand. He feels that before Haruhi has always been quite obvious in showing her consciousness of everything that concerns Tamaki but he can’t quite understand why is Tamaki the ‘sea turtle’. They imagine Tamaki as a sea turtle then burst out laughing about it. They quickly quiet down when the librarian [old man] coughs out loud. Hikaru says that even if he doesn’t know the reason, even if Haruhi tend to be quite enthusiastic things regarding Tamaki, Tamaki is also quite busy so he thinks he should also start doing his best to temper himself. Kaoru and Honey hug Hikaru as they say he is cool and cute. The librarian just kept on coughing.

They then meet together to compare notes. It seems that the map is from the of the Meiji era. They realize where the X is when Tamaki arrives and asks if they found the treasure. They were surprised that he is there. Tamaki says he is really curious that he quickly came back after he is finished at the hotel. Looking at the notes that Haruhi is holding, he asks how is the research, papa, along with her, will also do his best. Haruhi blushes since he is too near that she uses the notes to push him away. Tamaki shouts for them to start digging. The news of the treasure hunting spread that everyone wants to join and help in the digging. As everyone discuss where to dig, the twins were surprise that when Tamaki came, everyone wants to join. Haruhi says she is glad that everyone is going to help because she thinks it will be quite troublesome if she have muscle pain. They look at her that Haruhi is embarrassed. She quickly goes to one spot and tells them that they dig there. While they were digging, Kaoru asks why have Haruhi been quite enthusiastic lately. Haruhi says that she has been reflecting a bit and realizes that she haven’t been quite proactive. ‘Everything is an experience’ wasn’t this always mentioned by Tamaki. If she let things be, there won’t be any change. She shouldn’t allow herself to be afraid of being troubled. She has realized that she also has her own goal and for that goal, she must do her best to improve. Hikaru asks, really..it is because of Tamaki. Kaoru looks sad for Hikaru as he calls his name.

Just then, someone calls out that they have hit something. The guy calls out to Tamaki and Mori. Haruhi and Kaoru tries to get Hikaru to go with them to see what it is. Hikaru looks depressed and says he will continue on digging there. Haruhi is puzzled. Tamaki holds the box as everyone eagerly anticipate what’s in it. To their surprise, it is empty. Everyone starts to laugh about it. Kaoru sweatdrops and wonders if it is some kind of ancient joke. Haruhi smiles and says even so, everyone is happy. So-called treasure isn’t really something that has shape and form. She tells Kaoru [and probably Hikaru heard it] that she thinks Tamaki is like the turtle in the story of Urashima Taro. Everyone always makes fun of him, even if he cannot drive away demons [like Momotaro], but he can guide everyone to the Dragon Palace. Kaoru tries to tell Hikaru to stop digging since he won’t find the treasure when they see water coming out from the big hole that Hikaru has dug. Hikaru exclaims what is it. Kaoru says it is hot. Haruhi exclaims could it be a hot spring and so everyone then joined a dip in the hot spring. Kaoru is worried about Hikaru as to what is taking him so long. It turns out that Tamaki has asked Hikaru to help him get all of the shovels. Tamaki happily pats Hikaru’s head and says that he never thought that the treasure is actually a hot spring. He tells Hikaru that Honey and others were talking about hot springs and it would be nice to go to a snow hot spring. Tamaki says weren’t his class going to a ski trip next week, this time, he would want to hitch a ride -- Hikaru is surprised by this that he quickly shouts, no. Tamaki is surprised and calls out his name. Hikaru says, what he really wants to say is he likes Haruhi. Tamaki is surprised as Tamaki is about to return the shovels to the shed. Hikaru says even if he is more childish compared to Tamaki, but it isn’t the same as how Tamaki likes Haruhi as a daughter, he [Hikaru] really likes her. So, I’m really sorry, I don’t want ‘dono’ to come along to the trip. I don’t want you to come!! Tamaki looks surprised/sad. Later on, the hot spring goes back to the ground that night as if it is some fairy/folk tale and this story has been passed around in Ouran. Next time, the snow mountain chapter.

This chapter pretty much connects what will happen to the next. It shows how Tamaki has changed Haruhi and it makes Hikaru jealous. It also provides us a reason of Tamaki won’t be joining the snow trip. I think no matter how Hikaru said it, it would seem like a rejection to Tamaki and well, I guess he will be a bit more uneasy now. Would this make Tamaki re-examine his relationship with Haruhi? How would things go smoothly within host club after that has happened? I can actually imagine Tamaki will lessen hanging around with the club and use the going to the hotel to study as an excuse. Things will be more complicated when Haruhi realizes that Hikaru likes her. Hikaru doesn’t know yet that Haruhi has more or less realized her feelings for Tamaki. Anyway, let’s wait and see what will happen at the ski trip.

Word of the day:
You can't store up treasures in heaven if you're holding on to the treasures of earth. ~ Our Daily Bread

Skip Beat! [Chapter 119]
Saturday, March 1, 2008 @ 07:37 p.m.

Kyouko is surprised that the man in the box is Maria’s father. Kyouko remembers Maria telling her before that even if she gives her father an invitation, he won’t come because he is busy. Kyouko is really happy that her father came anyway so she tells Maria that it’s great. Maria asks why which confuses Kyouko. It turns out that Maria didn’t give her father an invitation. Kyouko is shock for isn’t her father the one whom she wanted to see the most on her birthday. Lory asks if she is surprised. Lory points to Maria’s father and says that ‘this’ is his gift to her for making such a blissful party. He is brought there by Tora though forcefully. Lory says his gift doesn’t even need to use money to buy and her father is Lory and Tora’s gift for her birthday so why don’t she go there and get her present. Tora urges her to go but Maria is hesitant. Tora whispers to Maria that if she didn’t do this at the party, it will be a blow to Kutcher [Maria’s father]. Maria is surprise and tries to explain. Tora gestures for her not to tell him but tell it to Kutcher. Maria goes to the stage where his father waits. Ren overhears some people talking that it is the first time they see Lory’s son and they remember that after his wife passed away, he and Maria weren’t in good terms but then, it can’t help to have a grudge and it could be because he rejected Maria before. Ren looks a bit sad about this then he looks at Kyouko who is looking at the scene quite hopeful.

Maria is on the stage and tries to say, ‘ah..this..’ to her father. She tells him that she didn’t give him an invitation isn’t because she doesn’t want to thank him and it isn’t because she thinks he isn’t important. Her father says he knows why Maria didn’t give him an invitation and it is because she thinks that she will bother his work. Maria bows down and apologizes. Her father bends down and says that he should be the one who should apologize for making Maria bear it until now. She can be capricious [do as she pleases] once again for it isn’t good to blame herself. It will be bad if it is because of him that Maria won’t be capricious just like before. He knows that this isn’t the place to say it but it is hard and maybe Maria understands it. He hopes that Maria will let him spoil her. He doesn’t have the qualifications of a father that he doesn’t even know how to get Maria to let him spoil her again and until now, he is quite perplexed about it. He tells Maria that she doesn’t have to bear it anymore and just say things uninhibited, it is okay. Maria is in tears and shakes her head profusely. Her father looks sad as Kyouko and others still watch them. Her father is about to say something when Maria shouts that God is bad because if she say things uninhibitedly, God will definitely take away someone important to her. No matter how many secrets one has, God can still read one’s wishes in one’s heart. So if she thinks of something, God will definitely see it, then it will start, she will become afraid. Maria started to cry as she thinks that she really wishes her father to come even if he has work. Maria says if she said it, then he would go to her party on Dec 24th..then he will have to ride on an airplane. So, she is really scared that if her father rides on an airplane, he will.. Her father looks surprised at this then he smiles. Kyouko’s tears fall like waterfalls as she thinks that because of what happened to her mother, Maria begins to fear airplanes.

While Maria is still crying, her father tells her that he rode on an airplane to come and see her but see, he is alive and well. He opens his arms to her and tells her to come and see if it is true. Maria goes to him and hugs him. Her father thanks her for always loving him. My daughter, thanks for being born to this world. Maria, I love you. Lory winks at Tora who smiles back. Kyouko and others happily smile even if they still look teary-eyed. As Kyouko wipes her eye, Ren offers his handkerchief and tells her to use it. Kyouko wants to decline the offer but Ren smiles and it is a smile wherein she can’t decline. Kyouko is gloomy as she says she actually took it but she won’t dare use it because it is a high quality handkerchief. Ren just keep on smiling at her then looks at Maria and others. He says that he hopes Maria will use this opportunity to let her father spoil her. Kyouko says yes. The clock then strikes 12. Kyouko thinks and also, from today on, she hopes that Maria will always think her own birthday is a happy day. Kyouko thinks that 24th is over and it is already the 25th. Ren calls out her name and she looks to his direction and says, yes. Ren then gives her a rose and says it’s for her. Kyouko is surprised by this that she looks at the rose then at him. He then greets her happy 17th birthday.

And so, things with Maria and her father is finally resolved. They are now going to pick up where they left after her mother died. Her father thought that she still holds a grudge on him for what he did to her during the funeral but it turns out that Maria still loves him to even stop wishing that he would come to her birthday in fear that something might happen to him. As the author’s pattern to alternate arcs with Kyouko’s progress in work and in love, I guess it is time for progress in love. I have forgotten about it but it was mentioned that Shou also plans to release his single on December 25th so he also plans something for Kyouko, maybe it is a song dedicated to her. I think Kyouko will somehow more or less realize the two guys’ feelings for her. A guy doesn’t give a girl a single rose and not think that there is some romantic feelings attach to it unless of course, Kyouko still goes into denial mode. I’m sure Kyouko will have a lot of questions to Ren later on as to how did he know, etc. though I think Ren will not tell her that she is Kuon/Corn yet since he can easily say that he asks someone about it like, Sawara, Kyouko’s manager. Maria’s birthday takes three chapters, how about Kyouko’s? ^-^

Word of the day:
The greatest gift a father can give to his children is himself. ~ From Our Daily Bread

Hadashi de Bara wo Fume [Chapter 2-3]
Saturday, March 1, 2008 @ 03:28 p.m.

Chapter 2: The man is glad that Sumi agrees with his terms. He tells Komai that he is going ahead. He tells Sumi that from then on, she shouldn’t talk with other guys. Sumi is a bit surprised about this but Komai tells her that they are going. He puts a wreath of roses as her veil. Sumi thinks that it is these flowers [rose] again. Komai happily says that it suits her and asks if there is anything that she is unhappy with. Sumi sadly shakes her head. Komai says if that is so then they should leave. Sumi thinks that she doesn’t like the smell of those flowers. Riding on a rickshaw again, Komai tells her to just nod at everything that is asked of her and it will be okay. Komai tries to take the money she is holding but she won’t let go of it. Komai tells her that no one will get it and when they return, he’ll ask someone to bring it to her house. Wasn’t today the day when she should use it to pay her debt. Sumi is surprised by this that she let go of the money. She wonders how did he/they know. Komai thanks her for believing in him. He then asks for the handkerchief that she is holding since it is dirty, it should be washed. Sumi doesn’t want to give it to him. Komai relents and says that he will do that after the wedding. Sumi thinks that this handkerchief is given by her prince and with it, she can see him again. Komai tells her that they will arrive soon.

At the church, a couple of women are talking to each other that they still don’t know the name of the bride. They don’t know, is it because of ‘that’. At today’s wedding, there is no relative from the Ashida family. What is the son from Ashida family thinking. Handkerchief prince tells the women there to stop talking in that way and just ask Soichiroh about it, if they want, he’ll help them ask. The gossiping women addresses him as young master Ijuin [surname]. They were embarrassed that they quickly retreat away. Soichiroh is dress up in a white suit as a groom and calls Nozomu [Ijuin]. He tells Nanjo that he is quite busy yet he came. Nozomu tells him that it is his best friend’s wedding, of course, he should come and congratulate him. He asks where is his bride. Soichiroh says she is still preparing. Nozomu says it is quite unexpected for he even thought that he will be the first one to get married. Soichiroh says if it is Nozomu, he can choose any partner he wants. Nozomu sadly looks away and says that he doesn’t have that kind of freedom. Later on, Sumi is surprised that they are at a church. Soichiroh comes out and tells her that she forgot this [a bouquet of roses]. Soichiroh tells her to put her hand to his arm. Sumi asks what would she do next. Soichiroh says of course they are going to their wedding ceremony. Sumi remembers Soichiroh telling her that he will make her his bride. Sumi gets nervous and asks if this is really the ceremony. Soichiroh tells her to stop talking. She still want to protest but the door of the church has already open.

Sumi becomes uneasy when she sees that there are a lot of people there. She wonders why there are a lot of people but Soichiroh touches her shaking hand and tells her not to worry. Everyone is applauding as they walk to the priest. Sumi thinks that in her wildest dream, she never thought of actually getting married that way though she is a bit scared...but unfortunately, it isn’t with someone whom she really likes. A lady tells her seatmate, that is the heir’s wife, there is no big deal about her. Nozomu ‘ahems’ loudly so the lady quickly apologizes. Nozomu claps on as the couple passes by. The priest then asks Soichiroh Ashida if he will take Sumi Kitamura to be his wife, and will love her in your entire life? Soichiroh says, I do. The priest asks the same to Sumi. To everyone’s surprise, she exclaims, huh? She thinks that they are going to get married yet not love each other, how can she say ‘I do’ when they are in front of God. The priest asks what is the matter. Sumi is looking at Soichiroh and tries to say something. Soichiroh tells her to quickly answer. Sitting with the others at the last bench, Komai is nervous. Soichiroh glares at her and says she won’t be able to pay her debt. Sumi sweatdrops and says, I do. Sumi can’t believe that she just lied in front of God. She plans to confess later on. She was busy thinking of this that she didn’t hear the priest say you can kiss the bride. To her surprise, Soichiroh kisses her. She quickly slaps him in the face and shouts, no! She thinks she didn’t hear anything about this. Everyone is surprise again as Komai is really aghast over what she did. Soichiroh angrily looks at her and says, you.. Sumi looks scared.

Hehe, Sumi really got herself in trouble this time. I think she just did that as an instinct from perverts. =P Ah, the love triangle will be guy-wife-bestfriend. Hehe I don’t think Nozomu recognizes her. It does seem that Soichiroh has prepared everything in advance and took advantage of the fact that Sumi needs the money. I don’t quite like the art though and Soichiroh does seem quite arrogant for me. I have this urge to punch/slap him but then, Sumi already did that for me. =P I’m beginning to think that it is a bad thing if I’m starting to like the other guy ^^;; Anyway, this is one wedding that will make gossiping women a lot to talk about. =P

Chapter 3: After the slap, Sumi sees that Soichiroh is really angry and she thinks that she will be slapped back at. To her surprise, Soichiroh pulls her to him and apologizes for surprising everyone. He tells them that he didn’t inform Sumi about the customs of a western wedding and she doesn’t know this kind of things since she lives in some village. Nozomu is happy with this as well as the other girls who think it is cute but some older women doesn’t seem pleased. Soichiroh apologizes to Sumi. She is a bit confused and just says it is okay. Soichiroh tells the priest that it is quite impolite since they are in front of God so please continue. The priest then says they are now a newly wed couple. After they left, the women are gossiping that it is the first time they have seen that kind of girl and she gets into the Ashida estate through marriage to get a name. They wonder if it is because of the problem with a heir that this had happen since they have heard that the boss’s health isn’t good. They then notice a group of girls encircling Nozomu. The girls are asking where will Nozomu go next, why don’t he go to her house. Nozomu says that he is going to have an exam soon so he is going to the library to study. They wanted to join him but he apologizes and turns them down by saying that he can study better when he is alone. The girls blush over his reply as Nozomu leaves. The women gossips that after Nozomu graduates, he will be the lead the Ijuin estate because he is the only son.

At the back of the church, Sumi cries and apologizes to Soichiroh. Soichiroh angrily shouts does she think that just saying sorry will make things okay. That kind of wedding would reflect on his character. Komai tries to put an ointment on Soichiroh’s face but Soichiroh doesn’t want it. Soichiroh pinches Sumi’s whole face and tells her if it haven’t been for him, her whole family would have been sold off to a foreign country already. He threatens her that if she doesn’t listen to him next time, he will throw her off to the sea. Sumi becomes scared as Komai tells her that she has to change her clothes. Changing his coat, Soichiroh say there is another important thing that they will have to do and that is to report to his grandfather [formal way of calling a grandfather] about the wedding. At the rickshaw, Sumi asks who are they going to visit. Soichiroh says his grandfather. Sumi asks who is that. Soichiroh asks if Sumi can read and write. Sumi says she doesn’t because she never went to school. Soichiroh looks surprise that Sumi says he is perspiring too much. Soichiroh says grandfather just means grandpa [informal way of calling]. He tells her that no matter what is asked of her, she should only answer, ‘yes’. Sumi asks if she can’t do it. Soichiroh says, ‘into the sea’. Sumi gets scared and thinks, no! They arrive at the place and Sumi is surprised at how big the house is. They then go in front of a room as a butler knocks and informs that Soichiroh has arrived. Sumi is nervous and she notices that even Soichiroh is nervous. As they enter, an old man is on the bed. Soichiroh puts on his happy face and pulls in Sumi to inform his grandfather about his marriage to Sumi. Soichiroh tells Sumi to greet his grandfather. Sumi remembers Soichiroh’s words about answering only ‘yes’. So Sumi just says, ‘yes!’ Soichiroh is surprised and asks, Sumi..? Sumi shouts, yes! Soichiroh tells her, I said, greet so greet. Sumi is about to protest [that she is just doing what he told her to do].

Grandfather asks how old Sumi is. Sumi realizes that the grandfather is blind. She replies she is fifteen. Grandfather tells Sumi that Soichiroh doesn’t have any parents so please help Soichiroh. Grandfather is trying to hold up his hand. To Soichiroh’s surprise, Sumi holds his grandfather’s hand and says that it is cold. Grandfather tells Soichiroh that he manages to get married before the deadline and as their agreement, all of his property and assets will be given to Soichiroh. Sumi is surprised by this as Soichiroh breaks into a wide smile and thanks his grandfather. He pulls Sumi to him and says that he will greatly expand the Ashida estate. To the couple’s surprise, grandfather tells them to be happy. Sumi wonders what is it to be ‘happy’ since right now, it is the last thing on her mind. At the gardens, Komai says that the garden is really nice no matter how many times he sees it. He tells Sumi to look at the roses, they are beautiful. Soichiroh informs him that they will be moving there tomorrow since his grandfather will be moving to the house in Hayama. Komai says so that means. Soichiroh laughs and says this house and the company is now his. Komai congratulates him and says things will be now more stable. Turning to them, Soichiroh says it still not okay for the real battle is at the back. Sumi looks surprised. On the way back, Sumi wonders about the battle that he mentioned and her husband is really a scary guy.

As they go in the house, Sumi asks if she can go home since she is worried about the kids. Soichiroh tells her that she now belongs to the Ashida family so she can’t do as she pleases. Sumi protests that her brother has left so she is worried about the kids. Komai is then surprised to see Sumi removing her shoes and leaving them by the door. He asks why she did that. Sumi tells him because they are inside. Komai says that this is a Western style house so... Soichiroh shouts, poor girl, no matter how she is dressed up, her being poor can’t be concealed. Komai helps Sumi wear her shoes back. Sumi pouts and thinks but she is really poor. Soichiroh starts to get infuriated over Sumi that she reeks of poverty from the way she is pouting, the way she look at him, that it gives him the chills. Sumi shouts, the chills then she asks Komai if Soichiroh is scolding her. Komai is at a loss to explain it. Soichiroh orders Komai to teach everything that is there to know to this poor girl because after a month, he is going to show her off to the others. Komai is shock and shouts a month!? Soichiroh shouts that Sumi should become a wife who would match him, a lady. Komai looks aghast and says, a month.. Sumi asks what does he mean by ‘cai di’ [lady].

Hehe, so they ended up marrying each other for money. I guess that is the reason why Soichiroh picked her so at least they have the same reason for getting married. He did get more than what he bargained for when he begins to realize that Sumi is uneducated and unrefined that she will pretty much be an embarrassment to him in society circles or at least be everyone’s favorite topic in gossips. I do wonder why his grandfather made that condition. Is it to ‘tame’ Soichiroh’s arrogance or he just want to make sure Soichiroh settles down since he will be all alone when he dies? I have already forgotten the reasons usually used in this kind of marriages. I feel sorry for Komai, he will have a lot of work to do. This somewhat reminds me of Goong. ^^; I do wonder if Sumi is a slow-learner or a fast one but then, in a month. It seems impossible when such things are learned for years. Anyway, I’m sure Sumi will be doing a lot of things that will infuriate Soichiroh.

Word of the day:
When you look at others with their lands and gold, think that God has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings that money cannot buy ~ Oatman from Our Daily bread

Nana [Chapter 73]
Friday, February 29, 2008 @ 10:02 p.m.

The lawyer tells Shin who was fetched by Gin not to do the same mistake again. Shin says thanks him for his care. At the car, Shin is putting on his lip and ear piercing. Gin says he was happy over the outcome that the sentence isn’t too harsh. Shin then asks for a cigarette. Gin asks if Shin has really reflected on his deeds. At the dorm, the security guard greets them. Gin invites the security guard to the party at 8pm. The guard says he can’t since he is working. Shin is surprised that they are going to have a party to celebrate his release. Shin exclaims that there is need to celebrate for him. Shin quickly left as Gin is shock. Gin goes to inform Nana, Yasu and others that Shin has locked himself in his room. Gin is worried because Shin isn’t answering the door and that Shin may look okay in front of others but he is really in turmoil inside. Yasu says there is nothing they can do for Shin is still a kid. Nobu says that perhaps Shin is distress over how to face them. Nana shouts to quit joking around, it is because of Shin that they have to stop work midway [to go to that party], so someone quickly get him here. Gin says the door is locked. Nana grabs his collar and tells him to break it down. Mai quickly tells them that the guard would probably have a key. Gin says ah, yes. Nana says she wants to go because she wants to punch Shin so that she can release her anger. Yasu says he will go and why don’t Nana just decorate the place. Nana is shock and says that is so ‘kindergarten’ since Yasu is giving her a paper chain. Nobu volunteers to go with Yasu.

As they arrive at fourth floor, Nobu asks shouldn’t they get the key. Yasu says no matter how close they are, just opening the door will be quite impolite. Nobu says he has a point. Shin is lying on his bed when he hears Nobu knocking on the door, calling out to him. Nobu tells him to come out for everyone is worried about him. Shin just buries his face in the pillow. Yasu tells Nobu to move aside then he kicks the door which surprises both Shin and Nobu. Yasu asks Shin if he knows, because of him, how much debt they have to burden. Nobu is aghast thinks that Yasu is like a debt collector. Yasu tells Shin just locking himself inside, he will just wither and do nothing. He already had a month to reflect on his deeds and that is enough. Right now, he should think of what he should do and slowly put that into action. Shin looks thoughtful then is surprised when Yasu kicks the door again shouting if Shin has heard that. To Nobu’s surprise, Shin replies that he is listening. Yasu asks him what should he be the first thing he should do. Nobu looks tense then is relieved when Shin says he should apologize to everyone. Yasu shouts if he knows that then quickly do it! Nobu sweatdrops and tells Yasu that’s enough. Shin then stands up from his bed and opens the door. Nobu happily calls Shin’s name, that’s great, he seems well. Nobu sweatdrops and asks, did Shin just grew taller again. Shin is a bit sad and uneasy as he can’t seem to face them since he quickly look down when he sees Nobu. He looks sideways and sees Yasu smiling at him. Yasu says, welcome back, we have been waiting for you. Shin cries and apologizes to them.

At the lounge, Shin bows down to the others. Yuri says that’s enough, he can rise his head, everyone encounters defeats/mistakes, she too has many of those. Nana tells her that it has nothing to do with her so shut up. Yuri is shock. Nana tells Shin that she doesn’t want to talk about the past and if he realizes his mistake then he should kneel down and apologize. [It is a kind of bow wherein you apologize/asking a favor wherein you kneel down and bow your head to the ground] Shin looks surprised and looks up to Nana asking what that is. Nana is shock and angry. Nobu tries to calm Nana and tells her that Shin isn’t deliberately acting stupid [that he didn’t know]. Nana exclaims why doesn’t Shin even know this simple Japanese word [to kneel apologize], really, get out! Nobu shouts that isn’t Shin’s fault and the way she is asking him to do it is like she is bullying him. Shin remembers his brother telling him to study Japanese properly. Shin apologizes again and says but he doesn’t have any place to return to. He is in tears as he remembers Kashiwagi telling him, welcome back then a scene of her being taken by the police. Shin asks her to let him stay there. Nana shouts really – a grown up guy crying like that. Nana says she understands about that. She tells him that he has been taking things easy because he never had that perseverance when one had an adversity in the middle of fighting. Nana asks if he has decided on his resolve to fight the same battle there. Shin says he has decided. Nana shouts for him to look at her when saying that. Shin looks up to her and looks determined. He says, I have decided to follow what I had agreed with Nana. Nana looks surprised and asks what is it. Shin says this time, he will put all this effort in order to surpass Ren. Nana remembers that it is what Shin said when they first met. Nana offers her hand and Shin takes it. They shake hands and Yasu looks glad about it.

At her home, Hachi is happy to get a call from Shin. Takumi stops listening to some music as he listens to Hachi’s conversation with Shin. Shin asks how is she. Hachi says that she is a bit listless because she haven’t been able to encourage Shin. Shin says he is okay and apologizes for making her worried. Hachi cries and says he didn’t. He asks if he can see her some time. Hachi says of course, he can also come right now but then, papa is here. Takumi sweatdrops and asks if he is a hindrance. Shin says then he can’t go. Hachi says that’s right, and she doesn’t know what the reason is but Takumi has been coming home early lately and even brings his work home. Shin is surprised and asks isn’t that good. Hachi says she guess that Takumi got dumped by a girl, but it won’t be long before Takumi finds another woman. Her fight is really never-ending. To their surprise, Takumi asks to talk with Shin. Takumi asks Shin if he still likes Reira. Shin is surprised by this that even Hachi calls out Takumi’s name. Takumi asks why is she screaming like that when they are talking about a sensitive issue. While the two fuss about, Shin asks what happened to Reira. Takumi is telling him if he can be with Reira again. Shin protests that wasn’t it Takumi who lead things to where it is now. Takumi says but the situation has changed. Shin replies that his situation has also changed. He is going to concentrate on his new work and he no longer have any confidence to go see Reira. If he grows older and he still likes Reira, then at that time, he will go get Reira but he can’t promise it. Takumi looks sad and gives the phone back to Hachi. Hachi apologizes to Shin over about Takumi. Takumi goes out the balcony and have a smoke. Takumi reads a text message on his phone. She texts that she has calmed down after the last two weeks and have really thought over things. Her feelings for Takumi cannot be discarded but her feelings for Shin has not yet changed so if there is a chance, she would like to see Shin. Takumi bends down as he looks troubled and remembered what Shin said that it is because of him that things are that way.

He is interrupted when his phone rings again. It is Ren’s manager who tells him that there is something he wants to tell him. Takumi complains that he is already tired, is it something that should be really told to him. Takumi is then surprised when Hachi gives him a coat so that he won’t be cold. Hachi goes back in to talk to Shin on the phone. The manager tells Takumi that this is something he doesn’t know whom to tell other than Takumi. Takumi asks him what is it. While Hachi is telling Shin that she knows how he is feeling, Takumi tells her that he is going out for a while. Hachi asks if they can talk later. Shin says it is okay for he has go to back to the party. Hachi laughs and says if he has already arrange it, he can come anytime and until that time, he can call anytime. Shin thanks her. After hanging up, Hachi asks Takumi what happened. Takumi says he has an urgent work and he doesn’t know when he will be back so she should go to sleep first. Hachi apologizes and he must be have a lot of work and she wanted to say that it seems he looks as if he had a stockpile of complaints/problems. Takumi smiles and says he really look like that but he really likes that Hachi is there. After he left, Hachi blushes and wonders if she should be happy about that. Hachi thinks that it is the power of her love that Takumi has been nice lately.

Takumi goes to the boss office. The boss tells him he is impolite to just barge in without knocking. To his shock, Takumi punches him that his nose is bleeding. Takumi tells him that he knows that Ren is cute but don’t give Ren a toy [drugs] anymore. Hachi narrates about wondering if Reira can wait for the day when her lover [Shin] comes to get her. At the party, Nobu is sleeping that Yuri gets him to wake up and go to their room. Shin wins the mahjong. Yasu says that Yuri still has a month’s work with her company. Shin asks when will Miu come back from Hong Kong since he is going to apologize to Madoka [?]. Mai gets a text message and she bids them goodbye for she has work to do. Shin says it is already late. Nana complains it is too much when Mai’s salary is low. Yasu says even if it is work, Mai can protest. Mai tells them not to worry for she has already decided to accept the work no matter how many they are in order to protect Nana and Blast. In a parking lot, Takumi smokes a cigarette and calls Hachi. Sitting on a bed and reading a book, Hachi asks what is it. Takumi tells her to tell Nana something for him. If you do not want to lose Ren, you should go to his side right away. Hachi is surprised by this. Then, Takumi hangs up the phone and starts his car. On the phone, Nana says, huh, devil king’s order? Hachi says it isn’t devil king, it is Takumi. Nana says it is the same. Hachi tells her to quit joking and listen to her. Nana says she is and if something did happened to Ren, he won’t be saying it in just two sentences. Hachi says even so, it seems like a bad premonition. Nana dismisses it as something work related that because they have separated, work haven’t been going smoothly for Takumi. Hachi tells Nana that she is still worried so why don’t she call him. Nana tells her to be the one to call. Hachi decides to call and hangs up on Nana. Yasu asks Nana what did Takumi said.

Worriedly, Hachi waits for Ren to pick up the calls. She is really happy when Ren answers, hi honey. Hachi is really relieved and happy about this that she says papa [Takumi] is stupid, it’s okay, Sachiko. Ren asks who is Sachiko, is she a bishoujo. Hachi tells him that she is her baby. Ren tells her to put Sachiko on the phone. Hachi quickly tells him not to call her baby with that unlucky name, she might turn into a bad girl. Ren asks so what should he call her. Hachi whines that she has been trying to look for name for her. It turns out that she has been reading baby names books. Nana sweatdrops when she sees Hachi’s text and gives it to Yasu to read. Hachi apologizes for interrupting. Ren is okay. Ren has agreed to help her name her child. Ren said even if the name is Kodama, it is okay. It seems Kodama is a name of a cat that Yasu thinks of a cat when he reads that name. Nana asks how could a dog give birth to a cat. Shin asks if he can read it. Yasu tells Nana that Yasu won’t just say empty words like that. Nana says even if they are together, nothing will happen. Yasu tells her if she didn’t try it, she won’t know that for sure. Nana tells him to let her decide when they will see each other again. Shin looks sad over this and remembers Reira. Meanwhile, Takumi greets Reira at her apartment. Reira is shock and asks what is it. Reira remembers something and tells Takumi that Ren has already went home so he isn’t there anymore. Takumi says he knows. He tells her to wait for her prince to grow older and it will be many years so she should believe that he will come and get her. Reira looks sad and says it seems that Shin doesn’t want to see her anymore. Takumi says Shin didn’t say that but tells her to believe in him and wait. Reira says it won’t happen for she is a woman who would use money to buy love. Takumi sweatdrops and asks if she really used money to buy. Reira cries that she can’t be like the leading lady of a fairy tale. Takumi tells her, be a bit more romantic. Reira cries that it is impossible, that is just a dream, she won’t be able to live on, if they can’t see each other, she will die of loneliness. Takumi tells her that he won’t let her die. Reira is surprised as Takumi kisses her and pushes her into the room. Hachi narrates that she hopes that Nana can also call that cute name which Ren will give to the baby.

I think Takumi is turned on by women who are in distress. ^^;; Haha, I won’t be surprise if that boy who is with Reira in the future is the product of what happened that night. If something did happen. Reira does seem to be overly emotional about dying of loneliness, etc. I guess she just need to have a guy with her every night. Too bad for Hachi, it seems that Takumi won’t be coming home early anymore, again. Shin is really lucky to have such friends and it seems that Nana has forgiven him. The theme of this series seems to be it is hard to balance work and love. Just when Shin decides to focus on work, he has lost Reira who obviously isn’t going to wait for him. Maybe that is why he looks sad when he heard that Trapnest song in the future. He lost that opportunity to be with Reira. Then, there is Nana. We pretty much narrowed down what can cause Nana’s breakdown. She learns about her mother, she is okay. Her career and band is almost destroyed, she is still okay. But I think the final blow will be what will happen to Ren or something related to Ren. No one listened to Takumi because they except for Yasu, deemed Takumi is a ‘villain’. Well, Hachi’s womanly instincts are quite good that she did check on Ren and unfortunately, she didn’t think anything is wrong. Wouldn’t it be easier to just tell them that Ren is in drugs? It will be in the end, Takumi would say, don’t say I didn’t tell you. Ren won’t be getting his drugs anymore so things might get a bit problematic later on. Is this the reason why in the future, Ren haven’t been with the others? Nana is still insistent on not seeing Ren so maybe she’ll regret it later on.

Quote of the day:
Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you. ~ Author Unknown

Weekly Jump Update:
Bleach, Naruto, One Piece, D. Grayman, Reborn, Gintama and PSYREN
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 @ 08:45 p.m.

[Haha, this is late..^^;; I thought it is better to upload it today than tomorrow.]

To Nnoitra’s surprise, Kenpachi laughs at him in Bleach [c. 311] and says how can it be over when they are just starting. More fighting as Nnoitra can’t believe that Kenpachi still kept on attacking even if Kenpachi is bleeding all over the place. Nnoitra wants Kenpachi to die already so he cuts Kenpachi’s jugular vein. Kenpachi says he will really die if this kept on going on. Yachiru is worried about him. Kenpachi decides to use his zanpaku instead of relying on his own power. He puts both hands on the hilt just as Nnoitra approaches to attack him. I guess Kenpachi plans on a release and I somewhat expected that because this is the really good opportunity to do it. We don’t know when will Kenpachi re-appear again after this arc.

Itachi attacks Sasuke with his flame in Naruto [c. 390] but stops short so that he won’t injure Sasuke’s eyes. Sasuke manages to escape below after the second attack. Sasuke counters by transforming to ugly form and tries to fry Itachi. Finally, both Uchiha brothers are tired and Sasuke is now going to use the technique he has reserved to finally finish off Itachi. I wonder when Sasuke manages to defeat/kill Itachi, would Zetsu being there be a factor later on. Zetsu to save Itachi or ‘kidnap’ Sasuke.

Colored spread in One Piece [c. 489] practically tells us that Brook has joined the crew. The others ask why Brook isn’t playing it anymore. Brook says it is because of that final song that he manages to ‘live’ through his loneliness and since he has a new resolve, he is going to seal that dial again. He puts it inside his head. Brook plays the piano and tells Luffy says that song will be delivered to Laboon and he is really happy to be alive. He asks if he can join Luffy’s crew. Luffy says he can. After the initial shock, the crew welcomes Brook as their musician. Brook thinks that he is going to finish his journey and go back to Laboon as promised. Elsewhere, Crocus notices that Laboon is really happy. Brook introduces himself again and shows them his wanted poster = 33 million berries. He used to be known as Brook the Hummer who was a leader of some guards in a kingdom then become a crew of Rumbar pirates. They celebrate again. After two days, Franky, Chopper and Usopp made a grave for the rest of the Rumbar crew. They left him for some time alone. Brook sits down and starts playing the violin. He was interrupted when Zoro comes to bury his broken katana. Brook is about to tell him something regarding what Zoro said that Luffy will become pirate king to Kuma but he just tells Zoro that he is now in the crew.

Since Zoro is well, the crew plans to go to another adventure. Franky tells Laura and others that they can go on Brook’s ship since he has already fixed it. When Luffy and others talk about going to fishermen’s island, Laura and others tell them it is a great place and they came from there since they are from New World. Laura tells Nami that her mother is a pirate. She tears a piece of paper and gives it to Nami who is like her sister. Laura saying it will become handy later on. Nami asks what is a life card. It seems to be only available in New World. It doesn’t get burn or wet. It is made in a store and given to family members and new friends. Laura shows that the paper moves and it is the direction of where her mother is though the distance is unknown. Nami can use it to find Laura’s mother if she is in trouble and Nami can tell her mother that she is fine. Luffy says he already has that card. They remember that Ace gave Luffy one. Luffy takes out his card and wonders why it is becoming smaller. Laura is shock by this and tells them that the card also means the owner’s life. She asks if the owner of Luffy’s card is an important person. Luffy happily says it is his brother’s. Laura apologizes and says that person’s life is quickly fading away. Luffy is shock. I’m surprised that is the reason for the paper that Ace gave him. I thought it is a ‘key’ to pass through New World. I’m sure Luffy would want to save his brother so they might detour to Impel Down..the place where they rescued Robin from being brought there. I think going there would help increase their bounties, know more about the marines and what are they hiding, etc than going to Fisherman Island. I kind of think that Brook would be the last crew who will join unless they need some other members later on.

Komui decides to do as Hevlaska suggested and that is to evacuate everyone there and take the innocence away in D. Gray-man [c. 149]. Malcolm keeps on harassing Rinali to fight as an exorcist especially since there is an akuma there. Since her innocence has evolved, maybe it can fight the level 4. Rabi and the head nurse tries to protect Rinali but in the end, Rinali decides to go with Malcolm. She tells them that she can’t escape and she decided to become an exorcist for the sake of her brother who came for her. Rinali cries and apologizes to her brother who had told her to stay inside. Rabi is frustrated whether to act as an exorcist or as a bookman. He then heads outside. Just then, Hevlaska informs Komui that Malcolm is brining Rinali to her. Komui doesn’t have time to worry about Rinali since the barrier is breaking and level 4 is intent on killing Komui. It’s really intense now and even if I don’t like Malcolm, I think because of him, Rinali can finally get into action again with her innocence. I think it would be easier for Rinali to make a decision if she knew that the level 4 Akuma plans to kill her brother. Will we see Rinali saving Komui in the future? If Rinali will be at par with level 4, then she just made herself the most powerful exorcist. Well, I think synchronizing and getting there will take time so probably more deaths when that level 4 breaks the barrier. About Rabi, I wonder where he would go – to Rinali, Komui or Allen. I’m somewhat betting on Rinali.

As Tsuna fights the mosca-s, he remembered Lal telling them about the new models of mosca-s in Katekyo Hitman Reborn! [c. 182]. In that flashback, Tsuna is happy that there is no one inside so he can fight without hesitation. Tsuna thinks he was able to defeat one of them but it turns out to be still functioning. It pulled him down into the water. Tsuna manages to escape just when the other three mosca-s also enter the water. Above the water, Tsuna freezes it to trap the mosca-s. Spanner configures something into the mosca-s so that they will just melt the ice. Tsuna decides to use another more powerful technique when they come out of the ice. Then, there is a huge explosion. Usually, they put the battle of the lead character in the end after all the fights. I wonder if the author is trying to change things a bit and made Tsuna deal with small fries. I’m somewhat getting worried that the enemy might know all of his moves since they or rather Spanner is observing him. Though, he didn’t use his ultimate technique yet. It would be nice to see that animated unfortunately the studio that is animating this series isn’t that good.

After the owner was defeat, Tagosaku, the ghost behind her decided to suck everyone’s souls into him so that the owner won’t be lonely in Gintama [c. 201] . All of the ghosts go into Tagosaku including the spirits of living animals. The owner tries to stop Tagosaku but he kept on saying that he is doing it for her. Gin tries to get the others go inside of him to protect them but his soul ends up being thrown out of his body. They all try to go to Gin’s body but Xavier goes into it and goes into the inn. Gin and others freak out. The owner tells them to go inside her but Gin isn’t too happy about it since a ghost hand is sticking out of her. The owner loses her grip and starts to fly into Tagosaku. Gin tries to grab her but ends up flying as well as Rei, the female ghost. Gin and others manages to grab the owner but Rei is sucked in. Before she leaves, Rei tells the owner that she is not alone for everyone is there for her. The owner tells her sad story about losing her parents but the ghosts are always there for her so she decides to make that inn to help the ghosts pass on when they are happy. She became selfish that she wants them to remain with her forever since she became scared of being alone. She cries and thanks them. Her tears fell on Tagosaku and the souls that were sucked. They formed into their human forms again and tell the owner that she isn’t alone for they are always together. They then pass on. In the end, Gin and others bid the owner goodbye as they will come back again next year. Shinpachi asks won’t the owner be lonely. Gin says she isn’t alone. It turns out that Rei has come back to keep the owner company. And so, that is how this arc ends. The pattern the author uses is getting a bit predictable. Used to be villain in the end, he/she is nice and everything after Gin or others made them see the ‘light’.

In PSYREN [c. 11], more explanations about Psyren and training on how to use their psy [powers]. The pattern is basically get a phone call, then in psyren, go to the next phone booth and they will be able to go back to the present. Matsuri says the location is currently moving east of Japan. Matsuri makes Amamiya demonstrate an ability by drawing something using cream in the coffee. Matsuri says the ones who made that humanoid probably have psy, too and to fight him, one must have a stronger psy. The two boys try to imitate Amamiya. Asaga manages to do it but Yoshina wasn’t. They tease Yoshina about it. Matsuri tells them to train within ten days since they will be called back into psyren in two weeks by Nemesis Q. Matsuri shows them how powerful she is by making a cream ball from the coffee. As Matsuri leaves, she feels as if something is different about the coffee which Yoshina practiced on but she just dismisses it. Yoshina doesn’t want to give up as he and Amamiya decided to beat up the one who created the game. Amamiya tells the boys to follow her to her room for more training. When the waitress is cleaning the table, she notices a hole on the table from where Yoshina’s training coffee was on a while ago. Well, that isn’t a surprise because the lead character should be the strongest. =P Nothing much is happening here and it seems there will be more training. I wonder if Yoshina will fail in all of the trainings but when they are in psyren, he will be able to show his true power.

Quote of the day:
Friendship is like a violin; the music may stop now and then, but the strings will last forever. ~ Author Unknown

Faster Than A Kiss [Chapter 11]
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 @ 01:37 p.m.

’Can we really be like this until the morning?’ Fumino blushes and thinks that she has really said it. What now, I can’t escape anymore. No, this is also okay! I like sensei and am already his wife. She hugs Kazuma really tight that Kazuma has to protest that it is painful. ^^; She seems to have let go a bit but she is still blushing really red. Kazuma asks if she doesn’t have any strength anymore. Fumino says yes. Kazuma smiles and kisses her head/ear. Fumino convinces herself that it is okay because sensei is very nice. She then remembers what Shoma said that his brother has fallen that low is because of her. This startles Fumino that she shouts, Wai-wait! She then unconsciously kicks Kazuma in the stomach. Ouch. Kazuma crouches in pain. Fumino keeps on apologizing as Kazuma says it is okay. Kazuma pats Fumino’s head and passes off everything as a joke. While tapping her head, Kazuma tells her that she must be tired because of the cultural festival so why don’t they have a rest since tomorrow is a rest day. Kazuma retreats to his room. Fumino is gloomy over what happened. Inside his room, Kazuma sighs and thinks that was dangerous. The next day, the trio just spend the day at home, watching the rain from the balcony. Fumino stands apart from Kazuma and Teppei. Fumino mentally apologizes to Kazuma and wonders if she is childish but Kazuma’s own family said something ‘inappropriate’. Is it because I don’t have enough courage to accept this. [I think she means that she can’t accept that Kazuma’s own family badmouths him]

The day after, Ryuu comes and exclaims that it is time to go to the kindergarten for another day of fun. He haven’t finish talking when Fumino zooms out of the door. Kazuma is shouting for her to wait since she forgot her bento box. By the time, Kazuma is out the door, Fumino is already downstairs running outside the gate. Teppei goes to Ryuu as Ryuu asks Kazuma what happened, did they quarrel. Kazuma looks at him and says, it has started. Ryuu asks, did they H already? Kazuma tells him shut up. Ryuu starts to hit Kazuma’s shoulder and asks is Kazuma’s younger brother the reason why he is gloomy. Kazuma says more or less. At school, Fumino is still blushing and reprimands herself as stupid for she can’t look at Kazuma’s face. What would she do when they are in class. During the rest day yesterday, she keeps on looking down even when they are eating that Teppei wondered what’s the matter. She then freaks out when someone shouts, ‘Ro Ma’ [White horse which is Ro from Oji-Ro and Ma from Kazu/Sho-Ma] It turns out to be some girls going gaga over Shoma. They exclaims so he is from the US, do you have a girlfriend, your hair is nice, did you dye it, etc. Fumino thinks that they are from the next door class and are quite ‘welcoming’ to Shoma. With a serious face, Shoma says, I’m really sorry, when I woke up this morning, I don’t feel good. I don’t have any leisure time to answer those nonsense questions. He coldly looks at them that he froze the girls. Shoma leaves. [Since he is drawn with a crown, he is ice prince] Fumino wonders what is that all about.

During lunch, three of Fumino’s female classmates are happily talking about B section’s Shoma. They exclaim if they have seen the ‘ice prince’ and he is super cool. A cold guy is not bad. Fumino thinks that it is an unexpected reaction. Fumino falls back when she sees Kazuma smiling at her while holding a bento box. He tells her that she has forgotten her bento box. His alibi is that it was left outside his door and a note says it is from Teppei. A female student then calls out to Kazuma to discuss something. Fumino’s female classmates say that Kazuma and Shoma are quite different. Looking at Shoma, he is sharp and when you go near him, it feels he is like a gorgeous rose whereas Kazuma, as a person, he is really nice and he is a nice teacher, or should one say, very plain. Fumino pouts as she isn’t happy with their description. She quickly dismisses it and thinks to herself that it is enough for her to be the only one who know what’s cool about Kazuma. Fumino is shock when Shoma suddenly appears behind her to thank her for the other day. Her classmates see Shoma and say that the rumors are true. They are all outside the classroom. In the hallway, Fumino, Kazuma and classmates at one side while in some distance, Kazuma is talking with a student. Shoma says while he was there, he was lost and rained on, it is quite a difficult situation that he can’t bear it. Fumino exclaims that it isn’t her fault. The three classmates asks Fumino if her relationship with Shoma is really good since he even kissed her head during the cultural festival. Fumino is protesting about this. Shoma notices that Kazuma is looking at their direction. Shoma smiles at this that he quickly pulls Fumino to him and hug her. Looking at Kazuma, Shoma tells the others that’s right, I’m really pleased with Fumino and I want our relationship to become even more closer. One of the girls exclaims that he was really from abroad [foreigner] to just hug Fumino like that. Fumino is shock and Kazuma looks displeased. He just looks away. Shoma still hugs Fumino while sticking his tongue out. Ken is watching them.

At the house, Kazuma has just finished cooking [omrice] and exclaims to Fumino if Shoma comes near her, she should quickly run away. Fumino tells him yes but she will be happy if their relationship will become better. Kazuma slaps his plate on the table and shouts didn’t Shoma pushed her down before. Fumino says that’s right when she remembers Shoma pinning her down on the bench. Kazuma sighs then apologizes for everything is his fault. It is because he ran away that Shoma is now the heir of the family business. Shoma definitely hates him. Fumino remembers Shoma’s sad face and wonders if it is really hate. Teppei is happily drawing a face using a ketchup on his omrice. Fumino tries to ask about Kazuma’s family. Kazuma tells her that so-called ‘ancient family’ is a governing inheritance system wherein it could be said that person [Shoma] will have it whether he likes it or not. Fumino wonders what Kazuma is saying. To her surprise, Kazuma goes into Hell Kazuma mode and exclaims if that guy ever do something to his wife, he will definitely make minced meat out of him then he will make him into a hamburger as food. Fumino quickly covers Teppei’s eyes and exclaims for Kazuma to calm down. The two notice that they are too close to each other that Fumino quickly backs away to the wall just when Kazuma is about to call her name. Kazuma looks at her in surprise. Fumino is blushing and apologizes. She shouts that she is going to sleep and goes to her room. She hides inside the blanket. Teppei asks Kazuma if they fought. Kazuma says they didn’t, she basically just run off when he is about to touch/grab her. Fumino wonders as a ‘wife’ what should she do so that Kazuma won’t be angry.

After homeroom class, Shoma goes to Fumino’s desk and tells her, let’s go on a date. Fumino and everyone else look at Shoma in surprise. Kazuma is writing on the blackboard and smiles ‘evilly’ when he heard this. Shoma asks if silence means ‘yes’? Fumino blushes and exclaims that it isn’t and tells him to wait. Fumino whispers that it is better for him not to be too close to her. Shoma asks why. Fumino says that he will be chopped into minced meat. Shoma looks at Kazuma direction and notices the dark aura emitting. The others were looking at Shoma so they didn’t notice it. A girl is pointing to them which made Ken embarrassed. [Probably telling Ken that someone already made a move on Fumino] Shoma smiles and says he really hopes so. Shoma grabs Fumino’s hand and pulls her away. The students hear a loud noise. A student asks what happened. Kazuma says that his chalk has turned into dust. =P [Obviously he just crushed it] Outside, Shoma tells Fumino that the leg of his desk is broke so he was told to get a new one from the storage room. Fumino exclaims is that what you call a date. Shoma says yup, of course, even if he is sorry about it, and that time he has seen her already [naked], she isn’t his type. Fumino angrily shouts for him that this is where the storage room is so where is he going. Shoma has just passed by it. ^^;; [Ya, he is easily get lost] She wonders if Shoma really hates Kazuma since after looking enraged before, Shoma looks as if he is about to cry.

Inside the storage room, Fumino asks if it is really fun to bully Kazuma. Shoma says ya, wait here for a while. He looks at her seriously and says, but the game is already over. Fumino looks surprised. Shoma says you are a hindrance for the Kaji family, for brother, you are really unneeded. Leave my brother’s house. Shoma takes out an envelope. Fumino is stunned when Shoma says inside the envelope is money and it would be sufficient for her food and clothing needs until she graduates. You are really lucky that Kazuma whom you are going out with belongs to a rich family’s -- Fumino is angry that she slaps away the envelope and made all the bills of money fly all over the place. Fumino says she doesn’t need it. She then realizes what she did that she quickly apologizes and shouts that the money is scattered all over the place, they should pick it up. Shoma exclaims Fumino just deliberately did that. Just then some student [?] who is responsible for keeping things in order [forgot the term for it] passes by. He is listening to a music player on earphones then sees the storage room open and the key dangling outside. He thinks that someone just left it and forgot to close it. He promptly closes the door and walks away. While they are picking the money, Fumino and Shoma notice the door being closed. Shoma tries to open it and realizes it is lock. Fumino is shock for the door can only be opened outside. They shout out but the student just keeps on singing along with the music he is listening to.

At the faculty room, Kazuma is on the phone with Ryuu. He is surprised that Fumino is not there [kindergarten] yet. Ryuu says that he can’t contact Fumino on her mobile phone and he is busy at work. Ryuu tells Kazuma that Fumino always fetches Teppei from school, did something happen. Kazuma imagines red riding hood Fumino being harassed by wolf Shoma. Kazuma quickly rushes out that the PE teacher have to shout for him to stop running in the hallway. Meanwhile, inside the storage room, Fumino and Shoma ask each other what they should do since there is no signal on their mobile phones and no one hears their shouts for help. Shoma angrily tells Fumino if she just take the money then everything will be okay. Fumino angrily shouts, huh, does he mean to say that one who is carrying that much money doesn’t have any fault in this. What kind of family is Kaji family, anyway. Shoma says politician. Fumino is shock about this for she didn’t hear about this from Kazuma. Shoma says basically their family is the type that trains politicians even if he isn’t that sure, but the ‘world’ of their family is basically like that. When they were kids, brother is really amazing when they undergo the strict training. In studies and practice, everything Kazuma does is perfect. It is easily recognizable that Kazuma will be the next ‘heir of Kaji’. Then, Kazuma become juvenile delinquent and then, he ran away from home. Why did Kazuma become a teacher? I always want to surpass that person. Fumino looks surprise and thinks, so that’s it. Fumino smiles and says so Shoma, you like sensei! Is it because you don’t have a rival so you feel lonely?

Shoma looks surprised and loudly denies it. He tells her not to say those kind of things. Fumino still happily looks at him because Shoma is blushing and it is obvious that he is lying. Finally, Shoma confesses that he do like his brother. I finally said the truth, are you happy? Fumino sneezes and wonders if it has become cold already. Shoma takes off his uniform and tells her to wear it. He is wearing a t-shirt inside. Fumino thanks him and asks isn’t he cold. Shoma opens his mobile phone thinking which place have a signal. Shoma starts to shiver and have goosebumps as he denies he is cold. Shoma feels faint as Fumino throws his own uniform for him to put on. Fumino realizes that Shoma is hot [feverish]. She asks if his body is weak [sickly]. Shoma says that he got wet in the rain the last time. [Ah, it rained yesterday so he was lost for a whole day ^^;] Fumino hugs him to warm him up. Blushing, Shoma tells her he is okay. Fumino exclaims for him to be quiet. Fumino is about to remove her uniform while trying to call on her mobile phone. She thinks that they should quickly get out. Then, she sees that her phone has a signal. Just then, the door is opened by angry Kazuma. Kazuma is breathing hard and looks at her – seeing her uniform is open and Shoma’s head is in her chest but Shoma is unconscious. Fumino looks at him in surprise. Kazuma is furious and shouts, Sho-ma will be turned into mincemeat! Fumino keeps on protesting, it isn’t [what he think it is] Then, Kazuma carries Shoma piggybank-style to the clinic as the guy who closed the door apologizes to them.

At the clinic, Shoma is on bed. Kazuma keep on asking Fumino if something happened. Fumino angrily tells him that nothing happened. She tells him that there is something that Shoma wants to tell him. She says that Shoma also recognizes Kazuma as his really important ‘family member’ so be a truly ‘big brother’. Kazuma sits on a chair beside the bed. He apologizes to Shoma for haven’t done anything that would make him seem like a ‘big brother’. Shoma turns away from him and pulls his blanket to his face. He asks if Kazuma really wants to become a teacher. Is it because he is the son of second marriage. Thinking of his position, so that is why Kazuma left. A scene of Kazuma leaving. Kazuma tells him that it absolutely isn’t so, he truly wants to become a teacher. Kazuma touches Shoma’s shoulder as Shoma seems to be on the verge of tears. Shoma quickly sits up that it surprises Kazuma. Shoma slightly smiles at Kazuma and says, watch and see, I will definitely be someone who will be a more suitable heir than you. Shoma falls back to bed and adds that he still doesn’t recognize Kazuma’s wife...You’re really cool..you.. Fumino is surprised about that while eavesdropping on the door While walking home, Kazuma is walking ahead while uneasy Fumino follows behind. Fumino says she forgot to thank Kazuma for finding her. She thinks Kazuma is angry at her. She also apologizes for making him worried and she haven’t been a good wife. Kazuma turns around and interrupts her. He says when Fumino and Shoma weren’t there, he doesn’t know where they are and he feels jealous. He touches her hair and asks Fumino, what is wrong with him. Even if I want to protect well, but I usually want to ruin.. . Narration in between all that: It always hurts but the heart has become strong and something has come out. A warm night [regarding Shoma and Kazuma] and also a bit hot night [regarding her and Kazuma]. Last scene is Teppei is at Ryuu’s house. The two are reading a book. Ryuu asks does Teppei if there are things he is dissatisfied with and isn’t his sister always do as she pleases. Teppei says yes, yes, if I grow up, I also become a delinquent juvenile but for now, I will become a good kid. Ryuu is surprised by this.

So, Fumino learns Shoma’s true feelings which includes admiration for Kazuma and helps patch up the two brothers. Shoma just wants his brother’s attention and is jealous of Fumino. It is really amusing to see Kazuma being jealous. He does tend to be destructive when he is angry. I do wonder what trigged for Kazuma to become a delinquent. Is it because he feels ‘suffocated’ over the strict training that he wants to rebel? I think it somewhat comes from his father..perhaps Kazuma doesn’t want to be the heir and he just wants to become a teacher so he isn’t in good terms with his father. But still, training politicians, does seem to be partly the same as being a teacher. Shoma seems to have thought that he was the reason why Kazuma run away. About the money, I wonder if Shoma just want to buy Fumino off so that she won’t be the reason for Kazuma to have problems later on if they are discovered. He did admit that he admires his brother so it would jive if he wants to remove the ‘obstacle’ that can ruin his brother. Well, maybe he also thinks without her, Kazuma can pay attention to him. In the end, Shoma shows his nice side when he offers his uniform to Fumino even if he isn’t feeling well. At the end, it seems that Kazuma has a hard time coming in terms with his jealousy. Things won’t be easy later on because he have to endure keeping things a secret his relationship with Fumino when everyone else probably thinks that Shoma is courting Fumino. There is also Ken. Will we see more things destroyed? =P About Teppei, don’t tell me he is walking towards how Kazuma turns out to be. ^^;; Scans by Windgrey and scanlated by Tongs for BW. Oh ya, this is last month’s chapter and currently, there are no raws from this month's Lala.

Quote of the day:
There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother. ~ Astrid Alauda

Teaser: Nana [Chapter 73]
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 @ 10:31 p.m.

I haven’t finished Faster than a Kiss and it is late. I did find this teaser from BW. It is only in text so no pictures except for the covers. Pic above is from PSS. Cicola from BW says it is better for Takumi x Hachi fans to not read any further. From what I understand from her summary. Basically, Shin got out and they have a party for him. Then, Shin was asked by Hachi to tell Takumi who will in turn tell Reira later on, if he wants to see Reira. Shin doesn’t want to. He says if he grows up and if he still loves her, then he will go to her. Then at the company, it seems that Takumi knew that Ren is taking drugs and he punches the boss. He goes to Reira to tell Shin’s message about waiting for Shin to grow older. Reira replies, ‘I won’t depend on a dream to live, otherwise, I will die of loneliness.’ Takumi replies, ‘I won’t let you die’. He kisses her and they went inside the room. I guess you can guess what happened afterwards. Next issue will be out on April 26th.

Teaser: Ouran High Host Club + Kaichou wa Maid-sama + Faster than a Kiss
Monday, February 25, 2008 @ 10:15 p.m.

In Ouran High Host Club [c. 59] it’s December and the host club theme seems to be based on the Japanese folktale Momotaro. The unlucky mascots are Haruhi = dog, Hikaru = monkey, Kaoru = pheasant and for some reason, Tamaki is the turtle..and I don’t recall a turtle in the story. As usual, Tamaki is sulking about it and complaining to Kyouya. Then, even Hikaru joins the complaining. Haruhi said something that made the two ‘suitors’ flustered. Haruhi is taken by Honey to eat with the other girls. It seems silly as the twins are sweatdropping. The twins then notice that Tamaki is beet red. After some more stuff, Ritsu comes with a map. It must be some treasure map at the school. The twins and Honey research about it at the library. The twins laugh about Tamaki being a turtle. Tamaki got the whole school [?] to join the hunt. Haruhi says something to the twins about Tamaki that Hikaru that made me somewhat sad. They only find an empty box. They laugh over it. Haruhi says something again that is really making Hikaru sad that he hit something while digging. Water gushes out and it turns out to be a hot spring. Everyone has a dip while Kaoru is worried about Hikaru. Tamaki and Hikaru are walking together. Tamaki is happily saying something when Hikaru snaps and says something in anguish to Tamaki. Tamaki looks stunned. The last scene seems to be about the hot spring as everyone is sweatdropping. It seems that Hikaru can no longer bear his jealous over Tamaki.

In Kaichou wa Maid-sama [c. 24], while Tora visits the café, Misaki visits Usui at his apartment. He seems to have a fever and both arms are bandaged from what happened before. Since the guy is sick, in this kind of stories, the girl of course, takes care of him. Hehe She even feeds him with the congee she made since his hands are injured. I think more complains as Misaki is embarrassed. More talk then this chapter also includes Misaki undressing Usui to towel him down. =P Misaki said something that made Usui hug her. She push him away and says something while she is blushing. Then, more talking with Misaki irritated.

Raw scans are by windgrey for BW

In partially downloaded Faster than a Kiss [c. 11], Operation Jealousy is commencing. =P Victim : Kazuma. Perpetrator: Shoma. Person used for the operation : Fumino. Things will be interesting. ^-^ I’m not sure if I have time to do this tomorrow so maybe the day after that. *still 15 pages more to download* ^^;;

Quote of the day:
Lazy people are always eager to be doing something ~ French Proverb

Vampire Knight [ Chapter 37]
Sunday, February 24, 2008 @ 04:35 p.m.

Kaname walks at the hallway and tells Seiren that it is almost dawn so please get other people [from their group] who can still walk out at daylight to protect the ‘sun dorm’ and do not let any of the ordinary student to step outside. Seiren says, she understands. Kaname says so that they won’t know what strange thing might happen. After passing by Seiren, Kaname sees Ruka. Ruka tells him after sensing the scent of blood and air from the wind, she has pretty much speculated what the situation was. Kaname asks why does she have such a regretful [sorry] expression. Ruka says it is because she is a fool who only thinks of herself. She says always..until the the truth is right in front of her eyes..She bows to him and says she will also go to sun dorm. If I didn’t help you -- . Kaname apologizes to Ruka. While walking away, Ruka stops and clenches her fist. She says that she always do things on her own so there is no need for him to apologize. Kaname pauses then says that’s right, then let me change that, the truth is that – I trust you. Ruka stops walking and looks back at Kaname. She smiles and says, thank you very much. Ruka arrives at sun dorm to find Aidou and Kain there. Ruka tells Kain that it will be morning soon and he should continue on guarding the sun dorm like that, do not let anyone out. Kain asks her if she is okay. Ruka looks at Kain and smiles. She tells him that she would want to show that she is also a girl whom Kaname can depend on. From now on, the one who is in pain is not me but ‘her’. Ruka looks up the window of the dorm.

Yuuki is at the door thinking that even if it is her decision to come there, her hand still stops short at knocking at the door. Yuuki looks surprised as it seems she heard the clicking of the gun from inside the room. Zero is pointing his gun at Yuuki from behind the door. Zero says is this something that can be solved through just talking. He thought that it is a case of human turning into a vampire. He never thought it really is a vampire who has become a human. He has already sensed at the door a pureblood vampire who is playing with humans. Yuuki looks sad when she heard this and says that’s right..that’s good..you understand. The ‘Yuuki’ whom you knew is no longer here because she has been eaten by Vampire Yuuki. Yuuki quickly departs and goes down the stairs, outside the dorm. Aidou is waiting for her with a pair of shoes. Aidou tells her to wait and wear the shoes that Ruka has brought. Yuuki keep on running that Kain tells Aidou to chase after her. Poor Aidou has to chase Yuuki. He calls her Yuuki Kurosu then changes it to Yuuki-sama. He shouts up to when will she be barefooted. Aidou exclaims his fear that her foot might be wounded. He fearfully thinks if Kaname knew, he will be killed. =P Aidou bends down and puts the shoes on the ground. He angrily tells her that no matter what, she should wear her shoes, no, please wear shoes Yuuki-sama. Yuuki looks ill as she says that she never thought the day will come when Aidou-sempai will call her ‘-sama’, why don’t he just call her like before, ‘Yuuki Kurosu’. Aidou also looks sick and says that today he has made a lot of mistake in politeness. He asks her to quickly put on shoes and go back to the room else Kaname will be worried. Aidou puts on her shoes then notices that she is crying. Aidou says it is quite unexpected for a pureblood to cry in front of another person. Yuuki says allowing the heart to cry, it seems as if it is some crime.

Kaname enters a room. It is filled with furniture which were covered by cloths and there is a chained coffin. Holding a katana, Ichiru appears from behind the mirror. At first he says that this place is Takuma and Senri’s place then finally says that this is Rido’s temporary residence so what does he want. Kaname nicely asks Ichiru if he could please open the lid of the coffin but then, it is also okay if he doesn’t want to. Ichiru says no [he will] then he starts to remove the chains on the coffin. Kaname muses out loud that seems to be very similar and commends Ichiru for being so obedient. Ichiru seems a bit irked by this as he stops unchaining the coffin and looks at Kaname. Kaname says that it is the first time for him to see a living twin of a hunter, it is very peculiar and if one isn’t careful, one might.. He says that for a mother hunter to have twins, it usually ends up in still birth or a miscarriage. There is an instinct for the babies to suck the parent’s substance just like a vampire. Ichiru has finished unchaining the coffin and drops the chain. He tells Kaname that Shizuka has told him that it is the hunter’s punishment because it is their ancestors who first tried to get the vampire’s strength. It is the punishment of the first ancestor who ate a vampire. Kaname says even if it is rarely seen, it seems that it is like taking another’s life and strength so that the strongest hunter will be born. Kaname tells Ichiru that he haven’t even swallowed half, everything is over already..before being born, he is still in a innocent place. Kicking the coffin open, Ichiru says Kaname-sama, there is no need to discuss about our [he and Zero] situation. The coffin is now open. He alone cannot stop Kaname so do what he want. Doesn’t he want to eliminate Rido-sama? Kaname says, that’s right, I wanted to eliminate him. Ichiru says that Kaname has pretty much cut Rido into [sashimi..ah, joking I mean into] a thousands slices of meat. During their fight, Kaname is victorious but why didn’t he finish Rido, why is that. Is it because he can’t do it. Kaname just looks at him then at Rido’s body at the coffin. Kaname says if he eliminate this guy, the path that Shizuka has gone won’t be the same. He puts his hand on Rido’s neck and says, Come..Rido..the time you so awaited has arrived. To Ichiru’s surprise, Kaname grabs his katana and stabs into the coffin.

It’s morning. The light hurts Zero’s eyes that he quickly closes the curtains. Touga and the president enter his room. Touga says he rarely see him and what’s this all about. He is still the same moping inside. The morning is really bright and It feels as if last night’s snow is to fool people. Why doesn’t he open the window. Zero says he will do what he want, the light is too bright for him compared before. The president tells Touga that Zero is currently not in the mood since a lot of things had happen so please empathize him. Zero asks the president if he knew everything. The president slightly smiles and bows. He admits that he does. Zero angrily looks at him that the president freaks out and hides behind Touga. He exclaims for Zero not to be angry for it is scary..it is something that he want to say but he can’t say it since it is Zero, he should be able to understand why. Touga asks Zero whose blood did he drank since there is a different kind of feeling in his breath. Zero didn’t answer and asks why is he there, did he come to lecture him. Touga says that aside from Shizuka, there is still this unknown pureblood. He has been pursuing him/her but he was able to chase him there. On his way there, he also came with instructions from the association and that is, ‘Arrest one of the Kiryuu twin -- Zero’. Zero looks surprised and the president looks a bit sad.

A maid covers all the windows in a room and says to herself that Takuma has brought Rima back and Rima is injured yet he quickly left and compared before, he doesn’t seem to be himself. On the bed, Rima is sleeping and thinks, Senri.. Carrying unconscious Senri on his shoulder, Takuma is surprised to see Kaname in the room. Kaname seems to be stabbing something. Takuma exclaims what is he doing. He then puts Senri on a covered sofa and calls out to Kaname again. Kaname tells Takuma what is being frightful about, this is nothing. Even if he has cut Rido into a thousand pieces, he still can’t kill him so he will do what Rido also wished for, and that is to revive his body. It turns out that Kaname has stabbed his own hand and uses his blood to revive Rido. Kaname says, Accept it, Rido..do not try to resist since you also do want it, the purest of Kuran blood.

My, my, Kaname is quite generous with his blood lately. I’m not sure if I would attribute it to some hidden agenda of his or he just doesn’t care much about having Kuran blood/pureblood as others do. I can’t quite guess what good would it do to hasten Rido’s resurrection. Revive him then give the fatal blow? I think that is quite dangerous and stupid thing to do though quite possible since Kaname did manage to slice him into small pieces before. It made me think so why did Kaname have to drink/kill Shizuka if he is already that strong before. Another possibility is to maybe keep Rido from possessing Senri and make Senri hurt Rima. Kaname wouldn’t want his friends/comrades to be killing each other. After this chapter, I was thinking, don’t worry, Kaname if Yuuki dumps you, you still have ever loyal Ruka and friends at your side. Ruka is quite amazing to put aside her jealousy and do what really matters and that is to help Kaname. She even brought shoes for Yuuki! Once again, I thought that Kaname should be president/perfect of this school. He even get his ‘people’ to guard and protect the humans whereas everyone else are too caught up with their own problems. I somewhat think that Kiriyuu people maybe good hunters but they are really bad bodyguards. Their parents weren’t able to guard the children. Ichiru pretty much fails in it since Shizuka got killed and he let Kaname to Rido without a fight. I think it is Shizuka and Rido’s fatal mistake [Rido’s not yet =P] to go to Kaname’s territory and try to threaten to do something to Yuuki. Kaname deals with them swiftly and precisely. Oh well, I guess they just can’t wait and think of what to do first before going there. It does seem that they are underestimating Kaname.

Then, there is Zero who just throws all of it away just because he learns that the one he plans to protect and give his life to is of a species which he really hates. I can’t shake off the feeling that it might be vampires vs vampire hunters in the end. It turns out that vampire hunters have a past with vampires when they lust for their power and when they couldn’t get it, they try to kill vampires. ^^;; The curse is of course, making their future generations to become vampire-like hence no twins. I’m sure Yuuki is quite devastated over Zero’s reaction. My analogy for that is like a Japanese girl falling for a Chinese boy after the World War 2 then, the Chinese learns she is Japanese, he drops her like a hot potato since her race is responsible for the massacre of his race and let’s include his parents’ death. I do find Aidou-Yuuki scenes somewhat cute. Yup, it will be quite a twist if they ended up together in the end. Well, it seems that Touga will be taking Zero away or detaining him somewhere so we might not see him that frequently anymore and that last page of bloodied Kaname with Yuuki and Rido[?] page practically says where the story is heading for now. Haha, bloodied Kaname reminds me of how Zero is drawn that way before when the story focuses on him.

Word of the day:
Ask God for good judgment and courage to face unexpected events; To follow the teachings of Scripture is the best, most effective defense. ~ Hess from Our Daily Bread

Teaser: Skip Beat! [Chapter 119] + Random Blahs
Saturday, February 23, 2008 @ 03:11 p.m.

Maria and her father are finally reunited. It ends with Maria and Kyouko crying. Lory and Tora are happy over the outcome. For the fun part at the end, Ren offers a handkerchief for Kyouko. Then, the clock strikes 12. Kyouko is looking at the clock. Ren calls her and to her surprise, he gives her a rose and greets her a happy 17th birthday. So, it seems that Kyouko’s birthday is on the December 25th. Haha, my theory about the rose is wrong. I didn’t expect Ren to do that. ^^; What would be Kyouko’s reaction? What will be Ren’s alibi as to how did he know her birthday? The author goes to evil mode because the continuation will be on March 19.

Help: Do any of you have Japanese friends or you know how to read Japanese? I need to know the title of this series in romanji/English by Aki Yoshino. I think it is Job Hunting or something. In Chinese, it is Love Fresh Person ^^;; This is the link of the store which sells that manga in case you need to see the title in bigger font. ^^; Thanks in advance.

Link= http://www.7andy.jp/books/detail?accd=07195943

Edit: Thanks for the title: kou and Ally. ^__^

Blahs:Lots of scans will be coming out in the few days. ^-^ Well...maybe since the threads in BW are already opened. When they will be up depends on the uploader. These are: Faster than a Kiss 11, Koibana! 7-8 and Hadashi de Bara wo Fume 2-3. Aside from Yoru Café, I planning to summarize the series above. Yup, another josei since I plan to drop [stop summarizing] Spicy Pink. I’m still a bit lazy in summarizing Otomen. Maybe I’ll just do it 1-2 entry for the whole volume later on, after the shoujo manga uploads. =P As for Venus Cappricio, I’m still waiting for better scans. *goes to read this week’s Jump scans* ^-^

Word of the day:
It's easy to forget to talk to God when everything is going our own way; But that's the time we really need Him most, lest we depart from Him and go astray. ~ Hess

Teaser: Vampire Knight [Chapter 37]
Friday, February 22, 2008 @ 10:48 p.m.

Kaname goes for the source - attack Rido's body. You got brains. Thumbs up. It seems Rima and Takuma won. Zero did point his gun at her behind the door. Aidou puts on shoes for Yuuki-sama. Zero talks with Touga and the president. It does seem to be going to be Kaname x Yuuki. The anime will be shown on April 7

Why bother telling you the details when you can just watch it on youtube Hehe. This is the link from baidu:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tLZrJWiZ-fI

Happy watching ^-^

Bokutachi wa Shitte Shimatta [Chapters 11]
Friday, February 22, 2008 @ 09:48 p.m.

Yukito is eating lunch with a couple of his friends. He starts to giggle and laugh by himself as he is eating a bomb onigiri/rice bomb [I made a mistake before and thought it was a sandwich ^^; It is an onigiri shaped like a ball.] His friend says that he is quite scary to be too happy just because of eating a bomb onigiri. The other guy says that’s right, he wasn’t able to buy bomb onigiri the last few days. Yukito blushes and says that isn’t it. His friend asks so what happened. Yukito smiles and says it is nothing. His friends obviously don’t believe him. Yukito says but if you talk about that, it can’t be said that nothing happened..do you want to hear it? They say it is nothing. Yukito says he can tell them. They say no need, since he doesn’t want to tell them anyway. Yukito says, hear me out. They say they don’t want to. Yukito laughs and put his friend on a head grip. He shouts listen to me. His friend laughs and says it isn’t my business. Some girls pass by and complains that the boys are really noisy. His friend asks, is it about Kotori, did they kiss? Yukito blushes that his friends start to tease him about it. Embarrassed, Yukito tells them to shut up. Yukito sighs and says that he is really happy but then, he doesn’t know what he should do next.

Kotori chats in her DS and asks if Hikaru is there. She gets a reply that he is. Kotori is really happy about it for she thought that Hikaru won’t be there that day. She asks Hikaru if about that thing is already finished. Harada who is pretending to be Hikaru wonders what Kotori meant by ‘that thing’. She is standing at the corner of a structure at the back of where Kotori is sitting. Harada types, forget about that thing first, is something the matter [why you are looking for me], did something happen. Kotori blushes and types her message. Harada reads that they had a date and kissed. Harada then screams out loud that Kotori looks behind and wonders who it is. Harada has quickly hide behind the structure and feels faint. Harada types how about they meet so that she can tell him [Hikaru] more about what happened at the date. Kotori is surprised that Hikaru wants to meet and she does want to see him. Harada types I also want to see Kotori so let’s meet tomorrow at 16:30 at the water fountain behind the school. [The ‘I’ Harada used is what guys then to use] Kotori looks surprised and before she can type her message, she got another one from Hikaru that says I will be waiting, so if we meet, we don’t have to chat anymore. See you. Kotori shouts, wait and wonders if Hikaru is really a guy. She says to herself that she thinks that he is a guy but at times, it feels as if he isn’t. Kotori blushes as she thought that she will be able to see Hikaru. Pouting, Harada is gloomily looking at Kotori from the corner.

At class, Yukito touches Kotori’s back that Kotori exclaims in surprise. Yukito tells her not too loud and says isn’t her next class, art class, how about they go there together. Kotori stares at him that Yukito asks what is it. Kotori says it’s nothing. While walking to class, Kotori asks why did Yukito choose art class. Yukito says because it is a subject that one doesn’t need to use the brain. Kotori says his motive isn’t pure. He asks what about her. Kotori says because she wants to draw the characters of Memories of Falling in Love. Yukito says her motives isn’t pure either. Kotori wonders if this is what it is like to go steady but then, she is already going steady so how can she be saying that. Their homeroom teacher calls out to the two and asks if things are going smoothly for them. The two were embarrassed and exclaims what progress does he mean. He calls them ‘duty people’ and asks them to tell the class that signing up to clubs is only up to that month so if they want to join, they should quickly do so. Yukito informs him that they aren’t ‘duty people’ anymore. The teacher laughs it off and says is that so, either way, it’s okay and just tell the class. After he left, Yukito asks Kotori which club does she plan to join. Kotori says she still doesn’t know.

In art class, they are drawing a head bust. Kotori is thinking about joining a club and she has completely forgotten about it. In her game, joining clubs is fun. She imagines Hikaru happily inviting her to different clubs. She thinks that joining a club with a boyfriend would be pretty fun. What kind of club would Yukito join? If I say, let’s join a club together, would he agree? And if he agrees, will it be the soccer club? It turns out that Yukito has the same idea as he writes in his sketchbook, would you join a club with me? He then gets embarrassed by it that he erases what he wrote. He looks at Kotori and notices her looking at his direction. He blushes and quickly scribbles something on the sketchbook. He shows his sketchbook to Kotori wherein he wrote, don’t look fascinated [at me]. Kotori is shock and embarrassed that she also quickly writes something on her sketchbook and shows it to Yukito. She wrote, don’t be so full of yourself. Yukito writes back, idiot. Kotori writes back, stupid. The two then angrily look at each other since both doesn’t want to admit defeat. The teacher stands behind them and tells the two Kaiji-s to stop playing. The two blush and look at each other then they laugh. Kotori remembers something so she touches Yukito with her pencil to get his attention. She writes on her sketchbook that yesterday she has found the necklace which she thought was lost but she can’t put it together so until now, it is still broke. Yukito whispers to her, really? Kotori whispers back, yes, I brought it with me. She takes the necklace from her skirt pocket and gives it to Yukito. Yukito takes it and fixes it. Kotori blushes and writes on her sketchbook, I’m very happy ♥ Thanks! ^-^

Yukito offers to be the one who puts it on her. While the other students are busy drawing and the teacher is reading a book, Yukito puts on the necklace on Kotori. The two are blushing and after it is on, Yukito turns away and says, I’m finished. Kotori also turns away and says okay, okay, tha-thanks. Kotori thought that she has just stopped breathing. After class, they head back to their classroom. His friend tells Yukito that the class for PE will be outdoors again. Yukito complains about this as Kotori tells him that he should hurry [and change]. Yukito sees a note underneath the notebook on his desk. On the note, it says Kotori is chatting with a guy. It is already decided that they will meet tomorrow at 16:30 at the water fountain behind the school. Yukito picks up the note and wonders what it is. His friend urges him to hurry since the bell will ring soon. Yukito is about to call Kotori but sees her looking somewhere else.

At 7am, Kotori’s alarm clock rings. Kotori wakes up then notices that her pendant is gone. She quickly looks for it and sighs a relief when she finds it behind her back. She keeps on looking at it on the mirror before and after she dressed up for school. She blushes and thinks that she has look at it long enough. She looks at her mobile phone and remembers that she will meet Hikaru that day as noted on her phone. She wonders what she will talk about when they meet. Thank him for the idea that he gave her and report to him what happened at the date. Surely, they will talk a lot of things about ‘Memories of Falling in Love’ game. What would he look like? Would he be the same as in the game? I better not think about that. Can we be friends? I’m getting nervous already. At school, Yukito’s friends were talking about lending Young Sunday [magazine which features girls and seinen manga] and that tomorrow, there will be a PE test. They were glad that they don’t have to attend classes. Yukito is busy looking at the note that was left on his desk yesterday. He crumples it and says, can it be just a joke? His friend freaks out and asks if Yukito would rather go to class. Yukito who obviously wasn’t listening to them asks, huh? Then, he sees Kotori at the opposite window, where she is looking at the bulletin board. Kotori has take a flyer from the board for a gaming club. Looking at the flyer at her usual sitting place during lunch [where she also tend to chat with Hikaru], Kotori thinks that she doesn’t know that there is such a club. She wonders what she should do for she wants to join so while there in the club, she can play shoujo/dating games and it would be fun to be able to play with others. The problem would be if Yukito would agree on joining that kind of club. She then looks at the clock and it is 12:25. She thinks that it is still four hours away before 1630.

Kotori is surprised when someone hits her head with a magazine. Kotori is shock to see Yukito that she quickly hides the flyer. Yukito asks what is it. Kotori says it is nothing. Yukito says if it is nothing then show it to me. Are you playing DS? Yukito finally manages to get it and his face looks silly as he realizes that it is just a flyer for gaming club. Kotori looks ill as she wonders if Yukito will think of her as an otaku. Yukito brightly smiles and says it is just a club. Kotori asks huh. Yukito murmurs that he thought that it is about the meeting. Kotori wonders what he is saying then she happily asks is he interested in the gaming club. Yukito shouts, no way! Kotori becomes gloomy as Yukito holds up a plastic bag and says he brought lunch. While eating, Yukito tells Kotori that they go find a place where they can go after school. Kotori says she has something to do that day so she can’t go with him. Seeing Yukito’s disappointment, Kotori says they can do it tomorrow. Yukito looks a bit thoughtful then flips through the magazine. He tells her that there is a ‘pretty and flirtatious’ person in it and that is basically his type of bshojo [beautiful girl]. Yukito shows the picture to Kotori. [I’ll put the picture above because this is important since that picture/girl is the cover page of this chapter] Kotori sees a dark haired beautiful girl with black feathers, beads, etc. Kotori thought the girl is indeed ‘pretty and flirtatious’ as Yukito is smiling evilly. To his surprise, Kotori takes the magazine from him and looks at it. She laughs and says she is really ‘pretty and flirtatious’ I also like this type of girls. Yukito is surprised and asks why is she saying ‘pretty and flirtatious’. Kotori says but isn’t the girl ‘pretty and flirtatious’ so she is saying ‘pretty and flirtatious’. The two then angrily look at each other, blushing. They look away again. Kotori thinks what is this all about, it feels so weird.

Yukito asks her if she is chatting with someone. Kotori says yes. Yukito says what’s good about chatting, what do you chat about, when the other person is practically a stranger. After a pause, Kotori says even if it is so, it is still easier to chat/talk when you don’t see the face of the other person. Kotori is surprised when Yukito asks, compared to me? He looks at her and asks, did you also chat about our relationship? From Kotori’s reaction of somewhat looking sad, Yukito realizes that she did [chat about it]. Yukito quickly looks away and blushes. He quickly exclaims, no, just think that I didn’t say anything. Kotori is surprised by his outburst. Still blushing, Yukito tells her to watch him during the PE test tomorrow. I will get a grade which is superior to everyone else, you just watch. You won’t be able to take your eyes off me. With that, Yukito left. Kotori just looks at him and wonders what is all that about. She then hears some rustling of leaves behind her. To her surprise, it is the eye again which she saw looking at her before at the clinic. She starts to freak out as there are more rustling of leaves. She braces herself for whatever it is going out of the bushes. She then sees a light colored hair boy holding a bomb onigiri.

The boy looks like the pretty girl who gave Kotori a bomb onigiri before. Ah, I think this is Hikaru since he is there where Kotori usually chats with Hikaru. No wonder Kotori thought that Hikaru is neither boy nor girl when she is chatting with Hikaru, it seems that Hikaru is a ‘cross-dresser’. Now, is he a boy or a girl? It is interesting that the two word they used for the girl in the magazine ‘pretty and flirtatious’ [妖艷] in Chinese, if you change one character to the word ‘person’ [人妖], it means ‘she-male/transsexual’. I think Hikaru also poses for magazines and that person whom Yukito claims to be his type is Hikaru. It made me think that the thing Hikaru has to do before that he wasn’t able to chat has something to do with the photo shoot. If it is true, this person reminds me of the male lead of Kiken Junai DNA. I would love to see Yukito’s reaction if that is true, Hikaru is the ‘girl’ he claims to be his type. I do wonder how Harada’s plan will be thwarted. As for the lovers, I really love their scenes here and they are obviously in love. Haha, they fight like kids, too. =P I’m beginning to think that it is really Yukito’s first time to be in love with all the uneasiness and blushing. He obviously tried to make Kotori jealous when he showed the girl in the magazine but it backfired. And he is jealous over this guy whom Kotori chats with that he plans to show off during the PE test. Too bad for him, Kotori didn’t catch on what he is feeling/thinking. It is nice that Kotori isn’t that overly conscious of herself anymore when she is with Yukito. This chapter makes it really obvious how much of a loner Kotori is. Other than Yukito, she doesn’t talk with the others. She is always alone, eating alone when Yukito eats with his friends, walking the halls alone, etc. Hopefully, she will find her friend..that in the person of Hikaru who probably is in that gaming club. ^-^

Quote of the day:
A new friendship is like an unripened fruit - it may become either an orange or a lemon ~ Emma Stacey

Yoru Cafe - My Sweets Knights - [Chapter 1]
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 @ 08:36 p.m.

[This is the new series by Maki Enjouji. I don’t know if any of you have read it but she was the author of Private Prince. Her works are serialized in Petit Comic which is aimed for young women above 18 aka josei. So, obviously, there will be some smut/sex scenes. I like her previous work and I like her art so why not. ^-^ The story is about a widow who inherited a café and the workers in it from her deceased husband. I can’t quite remember but this doesn’t seem to be a ‘new’ idea for I think I have heard of it somewhere before. So far, there are 4 chapters out in Chinese, the fifth is still in the processes of being uploaded at BW and in Japan, I think, it is already at the sixth chapter so I think I can easily catch up. Oh ya, Yoru Café means Night Café. Since the story introduces three guys at once, I’ll use the cover picture below to point out who’s who. From right to left: Hina, Mr. Toudou {glasses}, Nozomu {blond}, Soushi {reddish} and Yoshizumi {blue hair}]

Some moving people has just brought the things of a woman to her new place. Because she is too busy moving to her new place, she wasn’t able to eat anything during lunch. She tries to go somewhere but ends up falling down on the street. She thought, sorry, Kunikazu, even if I know that I shouldn’t follow you, I will really die here now. Some women passes by and tell each other that they shouldn’t bother with the unconscious woman. A young man approaches her and tries to wake her up. He tells her not to just sleep on the street. He thinks that he can’t just leave her there while he call for the ambulance so he decided to bring her with him. At Queen’s Café, the young man enters it as another guy dressed up as a waiter calls out to him, hey, Soushi, what took you so long, don’t you know what time it is. He is surprised to see Soushi carrying a woman and asks what happened. Soushi says that he saw her unconscious on the street and it will be quite heartless to just leave her there. They are going to call 119 [Japan’s direct-dial free emergency number that connects the caller to fire and emergency medical services just like US’ 911] The other guy asks where is Nozomu. Soushi says he went to buy dinner. Before they get to connect to 119, they hear a really loud stomach growling sound from the woman. Soushi says it could be that the woman is hungry. Just then, Nozomu arrives with three bento and asks what is the matter. Soushi tells him to help in bringing the woman to the staff room. They put her on the sofa and cover her with a blanket so that she won’t be cold. Nozomu teases Soushi that he found a good thing since she looks cute. Soushi says that’s enough and just put the bento/packed lunch there on the table. Soushi puts a note on the bento boxes in a plastic bag which says please eat. Nozomu asks if it is really okay because that is his [Soushi] share. Soushi says it is. Nozomu says Soushi is really nice. Soushi tells him that they should go and prepare.

The woman dreams of Kunikazu, her deceased husband. She didn’t know that he was sick and she learned of it when they were married though she never thought that he would leave her so quickly. At the funeral, some people are gossiping that she is just 23 years old – a good looking and young woman who married someone who is like her father. What was their brother thinking. They think that she married Kunikazu because of his property and assets especially since as his wife, she will get a big share of the property as accordance to the will. The woman just keep quiet and thought it isn’t like that for she didn’t even thought of the property, her husband/relative has just passed away, why do they have to say such things there. She then wakes up as her stomach growls loudly. She quickly sits up and wonders where she is. She sees the note on the plastic bag and happily thought that at least there is still some people who are nice to her. Soushi is now wearing a waiter uniform enters the room. He goes to explain how he found her and that it seems that she is hungry because of her stomach’s loud growling. To Soushi’s surprise, the woman exclaims, Soushi Sawatari, are you Sawatari-san. Soushi says he is. The woman exclaims that she is his fan and she always watches his competitions. Soushi looks slightly embarrassed as the woman narrates his accomplishments as a tennis player starting at age 10 but then, a few years later, he injured his kneecap so he can’t.. Soushi just smiles and says she knows a lot of things. The woman begins to wonder why Soushi is there, where is she. Soushi then notices the empty bento trays that he exclaims did you just ate all three of those. The woman says she did because the note says, please eat. Soushi is freaking out that she ate all three and doesn’t a person normally just eats one. The woman apologizes. The other guy comes and tells Soushi to come down and help in preparing, he better not skip work. The guy then smiles when he sees the woman is awake. The woman asks, prepare. The guy says yes, this is a store, a café, Queen’s Café. Soushi gloomily whispers, the bento. The woman looks surprised.

The woman introduces herself as Hina Takatoh, and from today on, she will be the boss/manager of this place. She has inherited that café and the building from her deceased husband, Kunikazu Takatoh, nice to meet you. The three guys just smiles at her. Hina then gloomily apologizes for eating their dinner. The other guy laughs and says it isn’t her fault, it is the fault who put all three of the bentos together with that note. Nozomu introduces himself as Nozomu Nanjo, 21 years old. Nozomu is thinking isn’t she too young to be Kunikazu’s wife, they are like father-daughter. The other guy introduces himself as Yoshizumi Yukimura, 26 years old. He is thinking if Hina will give them the same salary as Kunikazu and would she complain if they don’t earn much at the store. Soushi introduces himself again as he kept on thinking why did Hina just ate all three bentos. The three guys stand up and say that they are going to prepare for the opening so they’ll talk again later. Hina asks what about the dinner. Nozomu smiles and tells her there is no need for it because they don’t much time to buy nor eat them anymore. After they left, Hina thought that she did something bad. Hina goes down and watches the guys clean up the place. She wonders what should she do. She knows that Queen Café opens at 6pm though she doesn’t know why it has to open that late. It seems that the store is managed by only the three of the guys. Even as all three are good looking, why are there no female workers, is it inconvenient. Hina asks if there is anything she can do. Nozomu turns around and smiles. He tells her there is no need. Hina just backs away. When someone calls for Soushi, Hina offers to do what Soushi is doing. Soushi quickly stops her and says she doesn’t need to do anything. He then leaves as Hina thought that he is angry. Could it be because she ate their dinner. Yoshizumi tells Hina that she doesn’t need to do anything because she is the boss and shouldn’t she be unpacking her luggage upstairs since she just moved.

Then, someone enters the café. Yoshizumi tells the man that they will be open at 6pm. The man says there is just something he needs to do. They were surprised when Hina calls out to him as Mr. Toudou. She asks him what is he doing there. Toudou says that he is nearby so he decided to drop by and check up on her when he heard that she has just moved to that place. Hina quickly bows to her and thanks her for all the work he has done for her regarding the will. Toudou says it is nothing for he is just fulfilling Kunikazu’s wishes. Soushi thinks that Toudou is a lawyer. Toudou expresses his sadness that Hina only manages to get the café and the building when she should have more since she is Kunikazu’s wife. Hina says it is okay for Kunikazu has already given an orphan like her a lot of things. She is already quite satisfied that he gave her a place to stay and to live on. She tells Toudou there is no need for him to say anything since she is now okay. He has already been taking care of her and she doesn’t want to bother him anymore. Toudou asks if he is a bother to her. Hina exclaims that isn’t so. Toudou says that he is worried about her and he would like to continue on watching over her just as Kunikazu had. Hina blushes and says okay. Toudou then asks if she has time, why don’t they eat dinner together. Yoshizumi thinks that Toudou is really smooth, no wonder he is a lawyer. Nozomu thinks she should watch out for Toudou. Hina exclaims dinner, then she becomes gloomy as she feels the dark aura from the other guys. Hina says how about next time. Toudou says that’s too bad. Looking at his watch, Toudou says he is going back to work. Hina asks who named the café, was it Kunikazu. Toudou smiles and says it is more like that and even if he doesn’t have the right to say it, but it is more like everyone please take care of Hina temporarily. Queen’s Café is Hina’s store. The other guys just looks at him while Hina is clueless over what Toudou meant.

At 6pm, the customers have started to come in. Two women are giggling that this is the place. Nozomu asks if it will be a table for two. Hina thought that it seems that it is a host club. No wonder there are no female workers, it is because the customers are mostly women ranging from OL [office lady] who came there after work to female students. Hina is sitting in one of the tables at the café. She then glances at Soushi who is serving some customers. Hina thought that he has replaced holding a tennis racket for plates and cups, and he would even smile. Before when he was a tennis player, at the court, he would glance at people who are near and has that look that makes one feel anger and distant. It seems that people do change. Smiling, Nozomu tells Hina if she could let go of her seat since there are many more customers who want to occupy that place. Hina retreats to the staff room and thought that she shouldn’t have stayed at the store. She thinks that she is the boss so what should she be doing. It seems that Kunikazu is boss only by name and didn’t really run the business so what is her work there. She tells herself not to think of it that way and just do whatever she can do. She decides to clean up the place when she notices a calendar wherein the Aug 9th is encircled. It is the day when Kunikazu passed away. She sees that all of the other months, the 9th is encircled. She then remembers when Kunikazu is at the hospital and she was crying. He told her that even if they were together for such a short period of time, he was really happy and lucky. He told her to find someone younger than him and he really wanted to spend more time with her but sorry, leaving her all alone again, this is his regret. She is still young and after this, she can still happily live on. Hina starts to cry and call out Kunikazu’s name as she remembered his words. I really wanted you to also bring me along, I don’t want to be alone but you gave me this store. I will not cry anymore, I will start living here from now on.

Soushi has already opened the door and sees her crying. He decides to leave. Nozomu asks Soushi why did it take him so long to get the coffee filter machine and asks where is the boss. He gives something to Soushi to take care of. Soushi says that she is crying. It seems she has seen the calendar and has seen Kunikazu’s death anniversary. Soushi looks solemn [his face isn’t shown] as the others look at him. Later on, Hina peeks out and asks Yoshizumi if she can use the kitchen. He tells her she can. She quickly goes back in as Yoshizumi thinks but it is really messy there. It is almost dawn when they closed the café. Nozomu says that it was quite busy that day and it is only when everything is over when he realizes that he is hungry. Yoshizumi says that they should go to the staff room and eat something. Someone asks where is the boss. Yoshizumi says that she is at the kitchen. Someone says but wasn’t the kitchen there quite messy. They were surprise to see four huge plates of food on the table and Hina is sleeping on the sofa. They say it seems that she made them some midnight snack and was waiting for them but she fell asleep. It seems they haven’t told her what time the café closes. Seeing one of the plates is empty, Soushi exclaims that she just ate that huge plateful of food by herself. Nozomu shouts but then, she just ate three bentos for dinner. The three gloomily look at sleeping Hina and think that she really must have a large stomach. While they are eating, Nozomu says he was worried what kind of woman who had inherited the café from Kunikazu but it seems that Hina is not bad and she even seems cute though he wonders what kind of boss she will be when they tend to do things by themselves. Yoshizumi complains that it seems Hina isn’t the type who would agree on ‘doing nothing’. He asks what about Soushi, he haven’t said anything. Looking at Hina, Soushi sighs and says how should he say this, it is basically that way, their situation isn’t that different. He then says that what they are eating is delicious. The two guys say that maybe they can use it [for the café].

And so that is the situation that Hina got herself in. She somewhat reminds me of Miaka [Fushigi Yuugi] with her bottomless stomach. No wonder she faints just because she haven’t eaten lunch. I guess she is lucky that she was found by her ‘knights’ instead of some other guy. The gossips about why she married a man half her age can’t be help since most people would think she is after the inheritance. She obviously does love him. She isn’t greedy and is quite satisfied with what her deceased husband left her. Even if she is married and everything, she does seem to have that ‘innocence’ to her personality that it made me think she doesn’t know that Toudou is ‘courting’ her. She does sincerely want to help them especially since she did ate their dinner but since they are used to doing things by themselves, they won’t let her help. About the guys, it does seem that Soushi has a soft spot for Hina. Yoshizumi seems to worry only about their salary = money. Nozomu is like the others who thought of the age gap between Hina and Kunikazu. Only Soushi’s past is revealed so maybe we’ll learn more about the other guys later on, it is just the first chapter after all. I think Kunikazu gave Hina the café so that the three guys will take care of her and help her move on as what Toudou said. I won’t be surprised if he actually handpicked the three guys who would work there. =P

Quote of the day:
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay for a while leaving footprints on our hearts, and we are forever changed. ~ Author Unknown

Skip Beat! [Chapter 118]
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 @ 01:27 p.m.

At 1045pm, Ogata and other Dark Moon staff arrive at the party. At 11pm, the inn couple also arrive. Kyouko goes about to entertain them. Maria is glad that Kyouko is really happy. There are more guests coming that Kanae says it is already 11pm so isn’t it really late. Maria says the party is extended up to the end of that day, the 24th to accommodate the guests who are coming late. Then, they hear that Ren and Yashiro has arrive. Ren is unfazed by the grandiose welcome while Yashiro is like the others who were embarrassed to death. Ren says that this is just typical of the president. Maria is about to rush to Ren to hug him but she stops midway. She then just curtseys and welcomes him. Ren bows to her and thanks her invitation. Kyouko also greets them as she carries a couple of cocktail drinks for them. Yashiro asks why is she wearing a chef uniform. Kyouko tells him that she is the one responsible for the chefs there. Maria informs Ren that Kyouko made all the dishes and desserts there even though she and Kyouko were the one who thought of the menu. Kyouko says she just made the first one and the chefs did the rest of it. Kyouko gives them their drinks which is accordance to how she envisions them. Yashiro’s drink is Night’s Tent while Ren’s drink is Dawn’s Golden star. Ren thanks her and says he will do his best to be a golden star that shines during dawn. Kyouko frowns and says that isn’t what it meant. Yashiro thought that he knows what Ren’s drink meant but what about his. A note says that ‘tent’ means covering or hiding something which Kyouko meant that Yashiro is like a ‘tent’ to protect Ren from his fans.

While Yashiro is still gloomily thinking what does his drink meant, there is a sudden brownout. Then, a voice tells them to calm down. It is Lory who is standing in front of the stage with a spotlight on him. He asks for everyone’s attention. He starts to do some theater tricks that astounds the audience. Below the stage, Tora and the other guy were speechless as they hear the people screaming. Tora thinks that Lory just doesn’t know a limit but then, everyone seems to be having fun. The other guy says a lot of people have been telling that to Lory but Lory just can’t hold himself in and even if he doesn’t want to admit that they are still blood related. Tora replies what is he saying, he has inherited Lory’s ‘want to take on challenging work’ so he ends up being quite a workaholic. The guy says even if he knows the reason for the mysterious box but he just can’t leave work aside for personal things. While the audience is bombarded by Lory’s theater tricks = water, lights, etc. The whole place is then filled with man-made butterflies. Below, Tora says it is time for him to go and tells the other guy to get ready after the mystery box. The other guy thanks Tora for performing in the mystery box. Tora smiles and says he thinks this performance will be a success and he just can’t turn down Lory’s request. Back above, Ren and Yashiro are amazed at how the butterflies are made. Ren then suddenly thought of what would Kyouko think of it. He looks at her direction and just as he thought, Kyouko is loving it as she is in ‘lala’ land. She then goes to put some of the butterflies on Maria. She says Maria is a flower fairy. Maria says she is more suited to be an insect eating flower.

Lory continues with his performance as he says that there is still one present , flower of happiness, left to give before the end of the 24th. He puts some seeds on the floor to grow a flower which will match the butterflies. Kyouko eager anticipate a huge flower to come out and within it, Thumbelina. ^^; To her dismay, it is only Tora. Lory keeps on performing and trying to do it but Tora is the one who kept on appearing. Everyone is having a good laugh while Kyouko is becoming more and more depress because she wants Thumbelina. Maria is at first stunned but later on, starts to laugh since Tora is the one who kept on showing up at Lory’s act. In a box, Lory says it is now 15 minutes before midnight and this is the last chance, he asks the audience to help him pray for the flower of happiness to appear. Kyouko doesn’t want to look anymore. At the count of three, some flowers falls from the box as it opens. Everyone looks surprised while Maria looks stunned. Since everyone is shouting, Kyouko looks up to see the flowers coming out of the box. She happily shows it to Maria who still looks stunned at the person inside the box. She asks Maria what is the matter but Maria just says, Papa.

Ah, nothing much to say about this chapter because it is just as I thought, it is Maria’s father. From how Tora and her father is talking, I guess Maria didn’t invite her father because she thought he will be too busy to go and well, she doesn’t want a repeat of the tragedy that happened before. With the appearance of her father, it pretty much frees her from her birthday ‘curse’. I wonder if Lory’s theater tricks is partly made with thoughts of Kyouko’s love for butterflies and flowers stuff or is it just a coincidence. I think Lory can also work part time as a magician. =P

Quote of the day:
We only deliberately waste time with those we love -- it is the purest sign that we love someone if we choose to spend time idly in their presence when we could be doing something more constructive. ~ Robert Foster

Ojousama wa Oyomesama [Chapter 10]
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 @ 07:32 p.m.

Towako and Yuuga returns to Towako’s house as Tsubaki and Towako’s mother greet and welcome them back. Her mother asks if they had fun. Towako says the scenery is nice and there are lot of good food. Towako shows to her mother the monkey that she brought home. An unfamiliar guy then greets Yuuga. Yuuga is shock to see a stranger there who knew him and wonders who he is. The man says if Yuuga is tried, why don’t he rest in the morning. Towako then addresses the guy by saying I’m back, father. Yuuga is so shock that he exclaims, you are father but isn’t the small chibi guy, the father. Towako asks if Yuuga has already forgot what her father look like. Her father laughs and says that hurts, Yuuga. Yuuga sweatdrops and says but everything is different – his face, body and nature/disposition. [Her father doesn’t talk much when he is in chibi form] Towako asks what is he saying, her father has always been like that. Yuuga is becoming puzzled. Her mother offers to tie up her father’s hair. After his hair is tied up, he changes back to small chibi guy again. While Tsubaki shows some gifts from the heads of other countries to Towako, Yuuga is surprised by this as he kept on looking at Towako’s father. Towako’s mother exclaims her husband looks nice. Towako’s father agrees. To their surprise, Yuuga pulls off the ‘rubber band’ that ties up the hair and Towako’s father revert backs to normal = not chibi. He asked Yuuga what is he doing. Yuuga just looks stunned and apologizes. Towako’s father says I already gave you my daughter but I’m not giving this ‘rubber band’ to you..haha..I’m joking. Yuuga feels faint as he thought that they really don’t look the same but then, it seems that he is the only one noticing it, maybe my eyes are bad..or maybe.. Towako calls out to Yuuga that they are going to their new place.

While walking with Towako and Tsubaki, Yuuga asks if their house will be apart from the main. Towako says that’s right and they will be living there later on. After her parents finished moving elsewhere, they will start moving there. Towako says that there is a name plate outside, how about putting Yuuga’s surname, would he keep it or use hers. Yuuga says he wants to use his since it will be quite problematic at school. Yuuga goes into thinking as Towako dreamily thought that they now have the same surname even if they have been calling each other’s name already. The two freezes and says, now that I mention it... At the same time, Yuuga shouts ‘school’ while Towako shouts ‘name’. While Tsubaki was helping Towako dress up in a yukata, Towako cannot believe that she have forgotten the most important thing..she has never heard Yuuga call her name yet. Tsubaki asks how could she realize that now when they have been together since that time until now. Towako shakes Tsubaki and exclaims that’s right, how can that be, and later on, they might just address each other as, ‘hey you’, ‘my husband’, etc but not the name and it isn’t the same. Tsubaki tells her if she didn’t do anything about it now, it will be like that in the future. Towako doesn’t want that so she decides to do something about it. She tells Tsubaki to accompany her as she goes to Yuuga. Towako is surprised to see Yuuga in front of a laptop computer with his glasses on. He asks name? She asks what is he doing. He says he is doing a summer report [homework during summer?] for school. He asks what about hers. Towako said she already did hers before she went to see him. Yuuga says he didn’t have a chance to do his. He tells her that this isn’t the time to discuss about calling one’s name, today nor tomorrow, don’t bother him and he will only call her if he is finished. Towako is tearful [half-way from crying] about this and complains, what do he mean by don’t bother him, she just want him to call her name. Tsubaki tells Towako that maybe Yuuga meant by ‘don’t bother him’ is he wants her to help him. Towako looks thoughtful over this.

Towako tells Yuuga that she can help him since her grades aren’t bad. Yuuga says no thanks but this is a report. Tsubaki then gives a tray of snack and drinks to Towako. Towako carrying the tray, asks Yuuga how about having some snack. Yuuga tells her to bring it inside. Towako trips as she enters and scatters everything on Yuuga. Towako is promptly tossed out of the room. Towako is unfazed and thought I won’t lose. She says that she will help improve the ventilation. As she enters the room, she trips on the wire and unplugged the laptop. Again, Towako is tossed out. Outside the room, Towako starts to become frustrated. She angrily complains about her name not being called so she must be a useless woman for Yuuga and she doesn’t have a right to become a wife. Since Yuuga can hear her, Yuuga wonders what is Towako thinking. To his surprise, Setsuna says her sister is pitiful when he thought Yuuga has a strength of spirit. Setsuna and Utsugi are sitting at the opposite of the table where Yuuga is sitting. Setsuna says the fault lies on Yuuga. Utsugi welcomes Yuuga back. Yuuga says it is just about not calling her name. Setsuna says isn’t Yuuga hurt seeing Towako like that and yet he is busy doing some report. Setsuna starts to tease Yuuga that nothing happened between him and his sister even if they were together for 3 days and 3 nights. Yuuga becomes embarrassed and shouts how did he know. Setsuna tells him that Utsugi’s intelligent/surveillance reports is one of Japan’s best. Setsuna happily shouts that Yuuga is quite embarrassing so let’s leave this son-in-law for he is busy, Utsugi. Setsuna goes out and greets his sister.

Yuuga goes back in front of the computer quite irritated. Before he can continue, he overhears their conversation outside. Setsuna asks about the monkey. Towako tells him that its name is Sawatari. Setsuna protests why is the monkey too ‘clingy’ on her. This made Yuuga angry, too. Tsubaki asks Utsugi why did he brought this annoying guy [Setsuna] there. Utsugi says don’t say it like that, Setsuna has already reflect on his deeds. Tsubaki says he patronizes his master too much. Utsugi says Tsubaki’s words are always hurtful. Towako laughs and says stop it, Setsuna. Yuuga keep on having many vein pops. ^^;; He can’t concentrate as they kept on talking outside the room. Setsuna is asking Towako to eat together tomorrow with him. She says she can’t just leave Yuuga. Setsuna says don’t bother with a guy like that. Then, they talk about the monkey. Tsubaki and Utsugi are also arguing. Finally, Yuuga can’t take it anymore that he goes out the door and gloomily tells them to stop talking and if they are being noisy, please do it elsewhere. He then grabs Setsuna and the monkey. He whispers to them that they better not do anything to Towako while he isn’t around or else, they will be dead meat. He then tells Tsubaki and Utsugi to help him look at the two [to behave]. Setsuna thought that he is the same with the monkey. Towako wonders what are they talking about. Yuuga darkly says now that you know, you can leave. He then closes the door, leaving the four outside, speechless.

Sitting at the porch, Towako tells Setsuna that she has made Yuuga angry. Setsuna tells her not to mind that kind of person who can’t even call her by name and making a fuss about that report. Towako says that’s right, Yuuga is giving more importance to a report than to her who is his wife. Towako becomes depressed and tells Setsuna what if Yuuga just doesn’t want to call her name. She thought that she shouldn’t assume things. Setsuna looks sad for his sister that he tells her that Yuuga just haven’t thought of calling her by name because there never was a need to do it. Since she is always near him, there has never been a need to call out to her. Towako blushes and asks is that it. Setsuna asks haven’t she thought of the reason why Yuuga has been trying his best to quickly finish the report. A scene of Yuuga trying to concentrate and try to finish the report quickly as he is worried about what Setsuna and the monkey would do [to Towako]. Towako exclaims is it is all for her. Setsuna laughs and says she should ask the person himself. Towako looks in surprise and says that right, so she should just wait patiently for she has already waited for him for 18 years already so what is a day for her. She happily smiles at Setsuna and thanks him. Her heart has lighten. Setsuna just slightly smiles. Behind them, Utsugi is in tears over what Setsuna did. Tsubaki tells him to quit it for it is annoying.

Towako decides to wait for Yuuga to finish by sitting outside the door. Tsubaki offers a blanket to her since the night is cold. Towako thought that Yuuga has told her no matter what the circumstances [they will be together] so she wishes to become closer to his heart. Yuuga is still working on the report and thought that 8 pages is quite long. Finally, he is finished. He removes his glasses and stretches. He decides to take a bath. When he goes out of the room, he sees Towako sleeping outside. Towako narrates: Having a little dream is okay, right? I wonder what would it be like when Yuuga calls my name. It will definitely be in a gentle kind voice, that when I hear it, it will tickle my ear. Yuuga smiles at her and kneels beside her. He pinches her cheek and leans to her ear. Yuuga says, sorry, thanks, Towako. Aww... Hehe, the two are really funny. I guess because of all that has happened Yuuga forgot about school while Towako didn’t realize that Yuuga haven’t been calling her by her name but just addresses her as ‘you’. Setsuna shows what a nice brother he can be as he actually helped Towako be at ease and it is an indirect help to Yuuga. I guess Utsugi cried because Setsuna did a selfless act. This whole chapter is basically, let’s annoy Yuuga. Hehe I’m really amused at how he threatens Setsuna and the monkey. I don’t quite get the fuss as to why Yuuga just save Towako the trouble and just call her name but I’m guessing, he wants to make it special rather than carelessly just say it. ^-^ So, the set-up will be they will live at Towako’s place and will still go to their respective schools. I wonder how the girls in Yuuga’s school would react when they learn he is married. Will they be wearing their wedding rings in school? Oh ya, before I forgot, Towako’s father is weird. Haha I guess it is a family trait for Towako also becomes like that before. ^^;; Scans by Hiromao for BW

Quote of the day:
A name pronounced is the recognition of the individual to whom it belongs...." ~ Henry David Thoreau

Weekly Jump Update: Bleach, Naruto, D. Grayman, Reborn, Gintama and PSYREN
Monday, February 18, 2008 @ 08:49 p.m.

After Kenpachi fell, Nnoitra decides to go after Yachiru in Bleach [c. 310]. Inoue becomes worried about Yachiru that she runs and uses her power to make a barrier to protect Yachiru. Ichigo tries to stop Inoue but his hand was repelled back when he tried to get out of the barrier that Inoue placed him in. Ichigo is surprised that Inoue’s powers is that strong. Before Nnoitra can attack Yachiru, Yachiru points to him and tells him to look behind. Nnoitra looks surprised over the aura behind him that when he looked back, one of his arms went flying. Yachiru tells Nnoitra that Kenpachi will be angry if he attacks her. Kenpachi denies it and says he was just thinking how to fight Nnoitra if he will use his arms to block all his attacks. He just decided to just rip off all of Nnoitra’s arms. Yachiru says if he did that then, Nnoitra has no arms to fight against him. Kenpachi says so let’s just leave one arm. Nnoitra tells Kenpachi that arm will be the last one Kenpachi can rip off him. Nnoitra creates another arm and tries to attack Kenpachi. Nnoitra gloats that Kenpachi is weak. They fight and Nnoitra manages to send Kenpachi flying to a building which broke upon impact. Kenpachi manages to fight back and asks if that is all that Nnoitra have since Nnoitra who looks that he have a hard time blocking Kenpachi. Before Kenpachi knew it, he was stabbed through by Nnoitra’s hand. Nnoitra says he won’t let him get another arm and he will use all six arms to defeat him. It turns out that Nnoita is a six-armed arrancar and the one that stabbed through Kenpachi is one of the new pair that Nnoitra ‘grew’. Hmm..I wonder if there is an insect that can grow an new ‘arm’/’leg’ after it is removed. ^^; So far, Kenpachi is losing because of the heavy injuries he sustained but then, I think he still have the strength that can easily defeat Nnoitra. The other revelation here is that Inoue’s barrier are actually quite powerful. I guess her powers did increase after all the training she did with Rukia way, way before. If Kenpachi will be ‘done/down’ for some time, hypothetically speaking, I wonder if Ichigo can break free from Inoue’s barrier. I do want to see Yachiru’s zanpaku release so I hope she’ll get to fight.

Zetsu informs us that Itachi’s left eye is for illusions while his right eye is for attacks in Naruto [c. 389]. Since Sasuke got the upper hand for destroying all of Itachi’s illusions, Sasuke quickly counterattacks. Itachi is still suffering from the effects of his technique earlier that he wasn’t able to dodge Sasuke’s shuriken. They then tried to ‘fry’ each other with their fire technique but it is a bit of a tie. Then, they do the fire attack again but it seems that Sasuke is winning as his fire is engulfing Itachi’s. Itachi closes his right eye then opens it again. It is already bleeding. Itachi’s fire suddenly became black as it engulfs Sasuke’s fire. This is the technique that Zetsu is waiting for as the black fire is said to destroy everything that in Itachi’s line of vision. I think Itachi will be blind after this fight. About the black fire destroying everything, what if Itachi can’t see anymore or can’t see far enough to Sasuke? There is no chance that Sasuke will be defeated here and well, he can just use that snake to teleport again just like what he did in Deidara’s fight before. If Itachi lost this fight or let Sasuke escape, he won’t have another chance to get Sasuke’s eyes anymore since his eyes are pretty bad already. Maybe he will just try getting Madara’s eye instead if Madara isn’t that all powerful. I always keep in mind the author’s motto for this series which is the future is for the younger generation so I think Sasuke will be able to rebuild his clan and Naruto will become hokage. Oh ya, Itachi’s black flame reminded me of Sai’s drawings. ^^;

Rabi protects Rinali when the whole place shook that there is a blackout in the medical ward in D. Gray-man [c. 148]. The head nurse reprimands the two when they try to tell her that they are alright. She tells them that they should take care of themselves and not to act ‘all powerful’. She then tells Rinali to wear shoes else she will get hurt. She offers her own to Rinali. Rinali tells them that she wants to synchronize with her innocence so she was barefoot. She then cries her heart out about making her brother Komui cry as if she doesn’t care about her life but she just wants to protect them all. They were interrupted someone announces that a level 4 akuma has got in they currently do not know what happened to the exorcists inside the lab. The level 4 akuma starts killing everyone and tries to kill Komui but only manages to injure Koumi’s shoulder since Kanda came to protect him. They had trap the level 4 akuma in a barrier as it laughs at them. Hevlaska informs Komui to get all the innocence within her and escape. Malcolm tells Hevlaska that he doesn’t want her to sacrifice herself and would rather it be Rinali. Hevlaska tries to protest for it will just kill the exorcist if the innocence is forcefully synchronized. He doesn’t care as he goes to the medical ward and calls out Rinali. Rinali looks a bit scared. I don’t think Rabi will let him take Rinali easily that way unless of course, Malcolm tells her if she doesn’t do it, her brother might die. It seems that Malcolm values Allen more than Rinali. ^^;; If anything happens to Rinali, I think Komui will get Malcolm’s head actually all of them might ‘revolt’ against Malcolm. As for Kanda, he can buy some time against the level 4 since he is ‘immortal’ though I’m not sure for how long he can do that since his tattoo is becoming quite big.

As Lal and others quickly hide while the alarm is ringing, Irie is shock that the Vongola are in their headquarters in Katekyo Hitman Reborn! [c. 181]. Irie decides to send a small group to check what is happening in Vongola headquarters. Iris, afro hair girl, tells Irie that the reason why they didn’t notice that they were infiltrated is because the surveillance system there has been tampered. They [Iris, Ginger and turban guy] realize it when there was a tremor in the hanger earlier. Suddenly, they lost contact. Irie orders that people go there at once. They say they don’t have any other people to spare since everyone went to the Vongola headquarters. Irie then learns that Spanner is near that area and tells him about that they are infiltrated. Spanner prepares to go with the use of four Mosca-s which according to Irie are higher level than the ordinary ones. Meanwhile, Tsuna and others are glad to have been able to destroy the enemies’ computer. Hayato wants Takeshi to spill the beans about Arcobaleno. He asks why Takeshi knew. Takeshi tells him that Reborn told him as a promise when he completed his training. Takeshi says he will tell them all about it after all of this is over which is also what he had promised to Reborn. Just when they are about to leave, Lal tells them to leave her behind. The guys refuse to do so as they plan to go back all together safely. The gates start to close. They have already anticipated it but they plan to use Lal for decoy but in that situation, they can’t do that. Tsuna decides to be the decoy even as Hayato protests but he couldn’t do anything about it since Tsuna has decided. He tells Tsuna to call if anything happens and gives him the map as to where he should go to intercept the enemy. After Tsuna left, Lal thought that Reborn’s students have grown quite well. At the tunnel, four Mosca are flying in then Spanner observes things in his monitor and says found it. In flame mode, Tsuna is waiting for them then he rushes to fight them. I wonder if the Mosca here doesn’t need the flame of the family to work just like when it did on the 9th before. I’m slightly surprised that it will be Tsuna who will face them off alone when it is usually the other guys. I guess separating him from the others will serve a purpose later on. I think Tsuna has really grown that he is going to face off the enemy by himself instead of being easily afraid like before. I do wonder why Reborn tells Takeshi not to tell the secret after everything is over.

The owner of the inn lets the ghost behind her to possess her in Gintama [c. 200] . Even if she did that, she manages to maintain her own self. Gin is easily defeated. She tells him about making the ghost happy while being there so he doesn’t have a right to send them away. Gin counters that she has no right to make them stay either. Gin is possessed by Rin, Shinpachi and others. They fight but the owner manages to remove them from Gin’s body. Gin senses that there is still one spirit within him and it’s gun trotting Xavier. They were shock that the owner was defeated by some unrelated guy. Ah, the silliness. ^^;; And Gintama is really boring lately. In PSYREN [c. 10], Yoshina realizes that Amamiya is a fangirl of Matsuri who gives a private concert for Amamiya. Matsuri is going to tell them about Psyren so they called in Asaga. Matsuri shows off her powers and informs them she manages to ‘win’ the game though technically that is surviving until her credit is 0. Amamiya suggests that the put the card of their foreheads to see how many credits they have and the rules and regulations of the game. They were surprised at the last line about changing the future. Matsuri says that she wants to know what happened to the future so she is helping them especially since someone or group is making those humanoids and insect monsters. Matsuri shows off again her power and will start to explain about their powers which they gained after being exposed to psyren’s atmosphere. Lots of explanations here but it seems that the next chapter will be more on training.

Word of the day:
God’s purpose for today’s events may not be seen till tomorrow.~ Our Daily Bread