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

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

Layout Credits:
Diamond Beat pic is from Betsucomi's Official page. The quote's author is unknown. Edited in Photoshop CS2. The background is from GRSites. Fujoshi Kanojo's Yuiko is from Tuku.cc Pleinair by Takehito Harada is from JumpC. Gin and Pleinair edited and animated in Photoshop. Moyashimon germ and Rabi gif are taken from ikunlun forum. Onion is from BW forum. VBR's Ageha is scanned by Amyangel19910323. SB! gif from lynncomic in baidu and Yoru Cafe chibis are from Petit official page. KKwH picture in the latest entries is a Shocomi's wallpaper shared by spi684 in BW.

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Past Dreams:
2010

01/20/03 - 02/20/03

Blog by pitas

Image hosting by Photobucket, Imageshack, and Xtupload.

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

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

To God Be the Glory!

Free Talk: Regarding the Poll + Help
Sunday, February 7, 2010

I’ll close the poll [posted on Jan26] tomorrow because I’ll archive tomorrow. Hehe, I planned to close it until I finished Koibana! but as I mentioned before, manga dump has started earlier. ^^; Anyway, the results haven’t moved that much anymore but there is a small difference between some Cheese! magazine series ^^

PS. For those who can read Japanese, can you tell me how the names in the picture above are written in romanji/pronounced? This is for Akatsuki no Yona. I tried using the kanji to romanji dictionary but they just sound odd or I don’t know which pronunciations to match the kanji with. ^^; I ended up asking in order to save time. I’ve only just read until chapter 3 and browsed through the script until chapter 6, where the generals’ names are, to find other names to ask. ^^; There are now, 11 chapters. After I read all of the chapters, I’ll just ask about the others’ names later on if they are important and if I find the names of the other characters like that adviser of Suwon.

Free Talk: About The One and WSJ Series' Reaction
Friday, February 5, 2010

For those who are waiting for The One, whitesunnie from BW wrote that there is no chapter in this month’s publication. I like the last page of Beelzebub [c. 47] ^^ Nice, they are all together in one classroom. Weird..I thought the others are older than Oga. I wonder if anyone gotten the wind that they are responsible for what happened to their old school so they are all in one class. I hope that next time, Oga brings everyone along to the demon world =P Katekyo Hitman Reborn! [c. 276] and Bleach [c. 391] are somewhat similar and different. They are the same because it is many vs 1 wherein the villain is insanely strong. The only one remaining underling of the villain is just watching on the sidelines. ^^;

One difference between the two is Byakuran is winning and well, Aizen seems to be losing. The problem is Aizen is into illusions so maybe they are all just ‘hypnotized’. The other difference is Tsuna is fighting Byakuran while others are watching while in Bleach, it is the opposite for Ichigo. As for One Piece [c. 573], it is intense..I don’t know if it will be good for my heart if Ace dies especially after all Luffy has gone through just to save him. Well, hopefully, they will survive this. Whitebeard..not sure but I think readers will make a bigger ruckus if Ace dies so the author might not kill him off. As for Naruto [c. 481], well, from the way the plot is going, it seems that the author is just going to trim down the cast by killing off characters. Obviously, Karin is quite naive for thinking she’s special. She has underestimated Sasuke’s willingness to ‘use’ people for his own needs. Actually, everything he did so far proves it from using Konoha to using Orochimaru, to become strong.

Word of the day:
God provides the power we need to persevere. ~ Our Daily Bread

Hadashi de Bara wo Fume [Chapter 32] + Side Story
Thursday, February 4, 2010

“I’m Soichiroh’s money-bought woman.” A brief recap by Sumi: She became Soichiroh’s wife in order to pay off the debts of her brother. Soichiroh has told her that he will not love her and she shouldn’t love him. That is their arrangement. In the bathroom of Nozomu’s house, Nozomu approaches flustered Sumi who is clad with only a towel. Nozomu blushes and calls her name. Sumi can only close her eyes and wonder what she should do. To her surprise, Nozomu just tells her that he’ll leave her change of clothes on the sink. Nozomu leaves. She remembers what happened in the day [hugging her at the shogi room]. While looking at the polo shirt, she thinks that Nozomu already has Miu as his wife and wonders what kind of feelings he has for her. [^^;;] After wearing the shirt, Sumi goes out and tells Nozomu that she wants to go look for Soichiroh so she would want some clothes.. Carrying a tray of tea and some cookies, Nozomu tells her that it is still raining outside so why doesn’t she stay there for a while. Sumi tries to protest but Nozomu tells her that he already made tea so please drink a cup. Sumi is surprised that he made the tea. She asks about Miu. Sumi is surprised when he tells her that Miu isn’t there and he’s living there alone. He then tells her that he has a favor to ask her and that is to be the model for his painting. At the red light district, Soichiroh is standing in the rain. A couple of women approach him. One of the women holds her umbrella to him and says that he’ll catch a cold so does he want to come in to avoid the rain. Soichiroh tells them to get lost. This made the women angry as they shout what’s up with him, he looks handsome yet he’s so rude. Soichiroh walks away and remembers the time when he told Sumi that he’s going to buy her and Sumi answered that she can abandon love after he asked her if she can abandon love for money. Then, he remembers the time when he asked Sumi if she loves him and she replied that she doesn’t. Soichiroh looks flustered and frustrated.

Then, Natsuki calls out to him. Natsuki muses out loud that it’s quite rare to see Soichiroh in a place like that. Soichiroh just looks at him. Natsuki tells him that he won’t tell anyone that he is there. Holding his umbrella to Soichiroh, he asks if he wants to walk with him because there is a nice place nearby. Soichiroh exclaims that he didn’t come to play around. Natsuki is surprised when Soichiroh just walks away. Meanwhile, Sumi is flustered as she repeats Nozomu’s offer to be his model. Sumi exclaims that she should be asking Miu instead of her. Nozomu repeats that Miu isn’t there and she is in the yamate [uptown] residence. “She isn’t here.” Sumi still looks puzzled until Nozomu tells her that in simple words, they have separated. Sumi is shock as Nozomu is somewhat showing a boyish smile. Sumi wonders if it is because of the time when Miu hits her with roses during the party. Nozomu is surprised when Sumi shouts that she is going to apologize to Miu and if she didn’t dance with Nozomu, Miu wouldn’t have done.. Before she can go, Nozomu grabs her arm and says that there is no need for that. With a cold expression, he tells her that he and Miu are only married because of convenience. The marriage has been decided because Miu belongs to a reputable but poor family of a Count while Nozomu’s father who wants to have a relationship with a prestigious family. “From the very start, we are a married couple with no love.” [I’m not sure if it’s because of what he said or his cold expression when he said it but] Sumi looks scared-flustered. Nozomu goes back to his normal expression and tells Sumi to agree in becoming the painting’s model. He made her lie on a sofa then he takes out his painting. Sumi thinks that such a marriage of convenience is the same with her own. “No, not the same..Soichiroh-kun, where are you right now..?”

Nozomu stops painting and tells Sumi to please hold up her arms. Sumi raises them and asks if it is like that. Nozomu says no. Nozomu demonstrates and the two starts blushing because they are so near each other. Then, Nozomu decides to push his luck by asking her to open up her chest area because he wants to see her beautiful chest. Nozomu starts unbuttoning her shirt. Even if Sumi says no, Nozomu continues and finally, he gets to see her cleavage. Sumi suddenly stands up and shouts for him to stop, she’s going home. Nozomu grabs her arm and tells Sumi that he isn’t going to let her go. She shouts for him to let her go. She is stunned when Nozomu tells her that he knows that she and Soichiroh are also married because of convenience. Sumi couldn’t believe that he knew. Nozomu is smiling evilly over this. Nozomu hugs her and says, “The one I love is Miss Sumi, you’re the only one I love..” Flustered Sumi tries to push him away but Nozomu grabs her face and gives her a kiss. He keeps on calling her name and kissing her. Sumi couldn’t move her body as she wanted to. “Someone [help me]..” Suddenly, the door opens and Keiko calls out to Sumi. Keiko shouts that she has been looking for Sumi. Sumi quickly goes to her and holds on to her as Keiko is saying that it is raining hard yet Sumi unexpectedly went out alone. Nozomu is about to say something but Keiko looks at him [somewhat sternly]. Keiko bows and thanks him for take caring of Sumi. Then, she brings Sumi out with Nozomu just looking on. As they go down the staircase from Nozomu’s house [I think], Keiko asks Sumi if she is alright. Sumi just says that it’s really great that Keiko came. Then, they notice someone is in front. It is dripping wet Soichiroh. They look surprised at each other. Soichiroh calls out her name and Sumi calls out his name.

Side story’s title: Gift Young Eisuke calls out to young Sumi that he’s home. Sumi happily calls out to her brother then says goodbye to young Johnny who is carrying a baby behind his back. Eisuke then tells Sumi that her sleeve is torn. At home, Eisuke sews Sumi’s sleeve and tells her that it will be her birthday soon. “What do you want for your birthday?” Sumi exclaims that she wants food for tomorrow. Eisuke sweatdrops and tells her to ask for something other than food. After thinking for a while, Sumi cries that she doesn’t know. Eisuke just smiles and tells her that it’s okay. At the street where Eisuke shines shoes for a living, he wonders what to give Sumi. He then sees a carriage passing by. In it, there a mother and a little black haired girl are riding. [Miu, is that you?] Eisuke has thought of something. So, Eisuke starts to work early in the morning to earn extra money. After doing various jobs, he goes to the store for women’s clothes. Unfortunately, the money he earned isn’t enough to buy socks/stockings. Eisuke comes home depressed that Sumi asks if he had a stomachache. He apologizes to Sumi and says that today is her birthday. “I can only give you this..” He gives her a bouquet of small flowers. Sumi smiles brightly and says that they are beautiful. She thanks him. This made Eisuke smile and he tells her that he bought some ‘dango on a stick’. While they were eating, Sumi tells him that she already knows what she wants. Eisuke asks what. Sumi says, “I want younger brothers and sisters!” Eisuke is surprised and says, okay, he’ll think about it.

Well, everything is pretty much like what I mentioned in the teaser except that Natsuki didn’t say anything about where Sumi is. So, why is Soichiroh near that place? Coincidence? Will we have another misunderstanding or those two will finally kiss and make up? It turns out that Sumi is totally clueless about what Nozomu feels for her. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised because she still hasn’t figured it out yet that Soichiroh has fallen for her. Well, Nozomu has beaten Soichiroh to the confession. I wonder what Soichiroh will do if he learns about it. Soichiroh seems to still believe that Sumi likes Nozomu that is why he easily gets jealous but then, it is the mess he had made after all, he used Sumi to ‘seduce’ Nozomu. Soichiroh probably underestimated Nozomu’s grudge and possessiveness. I somehow think that Nozomu is just ‘fishing’ when he mentioned about Sumi and Soichiroh marring for convenience. That smile after seeing her reaction seems to be like, ‘I guessed it right’ and he probably based it on how Soichiroh treated Sumi before. As for Sumi cannot move, I wonder if it is some sort of rape trauma which was hinted in her flashback before or she really cannot move because of fear-something. Luckily for Sumi, Keiko came before Nozomu got any further than his kissing and attempted stripping of her clothes. Lol, knowing Nozomu, he might spend the night smelling and touching the things that Sumi used. After all, this is the guy who kept the onigiri she made. The good thing here is at least Sumi would now be careful around Nozomu. I think Soichiroh should get someone whom he can trust to guard Sumi who tends to be ‘unaware of nasty people pretending to be nice’. Right now, that person seems to be Keiko. Hm..has she mend her ways or is there an ulterior motive to all of this? I think it will be great if Keiko will be there for Sumi. Keiko is a smart girl and it will be a waste if she just let herself be used for bad purposes by Natsuki. I’m sure Sumi and Soichiroh would treat really well and reward her more handsomely than Natsuki could. As for the side story, it is really nice. I think it somehow explains why Eisuke desperately want to be an entrepreneur/businessman even if he sucks in it. It is because even after he work really hard and everything, he is still paid a few bucks. And well, he has a tendency to splurge most of his money on his family that he doesn’t save much. ^^; Anyway, based on this, I think he will definitely work hard in Soichiroh’s company all throughout because he is already used to it. Also, the side story explains why Eisuke ‘adopts’ a lot of kids. Hehe, it turns out to be Sumi’s wish though maybe she forgot about it since if I remember correctly, she believed Eisuke’s claim that the kids are ‘investments’. Lastly, this also explains why Sumi still loves her brother even if he put her into this mess. Scans by xiuxiu/咻咻 and yukitokaji for BW.

Quote of the day:
Every gift which is given, even though is be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection ~ Pindar

Skip Beat! [Chapter 152] Teaser
Wednesday, February 3, 2010

This teaser is from 2CH. From baidu, 大豆最高 translated it to Chinese. There might be some mistakes because I’m not good in translating text only without seeing the pictures and 大豆最高 said that s/he won’t be accountable for mistakes. The title is, “Violence mission phase 1” ^^ The details of the missions given by Lory are: Chiori is to participate in a variety show. Kanae is going to do act as a crazed stalker in some period drama. Kyouko will be Lory’s representative in receiving a guest. The foreign guest whom she’ll receive is named Cain/Kai Hill Heel. At first, she went to Tokyo station to meet him but the person didn’t appear. She was informed by Lory that the place has been changed to the Hachiko statue [dog statue in Shibuya where people usually meet] ahead. Then, she asked how old this Cain guy is and what he looks like or any distinctive characteristics. Lory says the guy is ‘indecent/improper’ and a nervous/easily become violent type of person. Basically, he is some sort of dangerous guy, who doesn’t tolerate people who are late. Kyouko imagines herself being punched around like a sandbag for being late and Kanae visiting her at the hospital. In the end, Kyouko arrives at the meeting place after 30 minutes. She then sees a guy who has a ‘want to kill’ dangerous aura. Kyouko wants to run away but she wants to apologize for being late so she decides to at least greet the guy. From the guy’s clothes, she notices how muscular the guy is [from exercising everyday]. The hands and feet are long that can surround/grab[?] a lot of people. She becomes curious what kind of person this guy is. She approaches the guy. While Kyouko is standing by his side, the guy gives her a sharp, intense look. After Kyouko and the guy look at each other, Kyouko, who is trembling with fear, says, “Tsuruga..san..?”

Fufufu..I actually guessed it right. =P Lol, I can’t wait to see how Ren lies/trick her to get out of this. Ren probably wants to wring Lory’s neck for setting him up like that. And, we still don't know what Ren's gift is. ^^; Hopefully, he brought it along with him so that we can know about it in the next chapter.

[Edit after seeing the scans]: Okay...Ren really did a good job since all those other girls around are scared of approaching him. He looks really psycho-‘do not mess with me’ or else. Ya..killer type that no girl in her right mind would want to fall in love with at first sight =P Not what I expected but then, I don’t know what I’m expecting ^^; Somehow the idea of a ‘bum’ crossed my mind since he looks untidy. So, I wonder how Ren or Kyouko will react later on. Will Ren trick her or tells her that it’s him? I don’t think that he can shout at her or anything because well, she already knows it him and it will give him bad points later on..oh wait, Kyouko used to be in character before when she was Kuon so maybe Ren can still be in character and apologize later on. Actually, since Kyouko easily recognized him, maybe he needs to improve his disguise..like dye his hair or something =P Still wondering if Kyouko recognizes him because she has been studying Ren’s physique so closely for her dolls that she knows it is him right away. I hope those other girls won’t hear her ask if he’s Ren else, those girls would have mobbed him ^^; I’m also wondering if Kyouko will scold him later on for chain smoking and littering. Or at least be curious when he learned to do it since it isn’t the type of thing that squeaky-clean Ren would do. Too bad we can’t see Ren’s reaction..maybe the next chapter will start with his perspective. Does he know that it will be her who is going to fetch him? From Lory’s ‘fun’ look, it seems not =P Hehe..I wonder if he got one of his people like the one who is with Kyouko to film the scene for Lory’s viewing pleasure later on. I think the blurb is saying if Kyouko made a mistake about it being Ren or not. ^^; Also, it seems that Ren is doing a BJ and not a mysterious actor X. Nah..if it’s BJ then Ren will be pre-empting the movie unless it is a promo. If that is mysterious actor X then it won’t seem like he’s acting BJ if he’s pretty much that character. Also, why does Ren have to pretend to be a guest of Lory? Why acting in public? Is it to see other people’s reaction to his character? Unless, of course, it is Lory’s suggestion. Maybe things will be cleared up after reading the English scanlation..if not future chapters. Anyway, the chances of knowing the birthday gift in the next chapter has gotten lower ^^;; Scans by rawparadise and the next chapter will be out on 2/20

Quote of the day:
Courage is about doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared – Eddie Rickenbacker.

Free Talk: Manga dump is early ^^;
Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Okay...the manga dump has started earlier than expected. ^^;; Not sure how fast it will all come out because last month’s is quite slow. Since two new chapters of Chitose, etc are currently being uploaded. I’ll wait for that, in order to finish all 5 chapters so that, this series will be updated. Then, I’ll do Akatsuki no Yona. Hopefully, by the time I summarize Koibana! a new chapter will be out, if there is a new chapter. Then, Kyou, Koi wo Hajimemasu chapters 52-55. Hehe, it’s obviously the winner in the poll. And thanks for waiting ^^

Free Talk: Excited over SB! 152 (hopefully, not in vain ^^;)
Monday, February 1, 2010

Yes, I’m getting excited over it and hopefully, the next chapter is a good one. From the official page, the preview is Kyouko and Ren have new trouble. So, I’m really hoping that the ‘dangerous mission’ involves Ren. My wild theory is: Remember Ren is supposed to be playing BJ and a mysterious actor X playing that role? Maybe Kyouko will be like a temporary manager for mysterious actor X. =P It will be totally fun for Ren to keep on hiding his identity and probably Kyouko getting scared of this ‘killer/dark’ guy ^^ I wonder if there will be some sort of love triangle if Ren’s mysterious actor X sports the same hair color like Kuon’s? =P Anyway, I’m getting too hopeful but I still hope that the author will finally get to the things we want to learn about Ren after all, on Feb 15, the series will mark its eighth year running. ^^ Lol, unless the author wants to reach up to its tenth year. ^^;;

Well, if it didn’t get to that, the least hope is that we finally know what Ren’s birthday gift is. For those who are still confused, the above picture by baidu’s 那須 illustrate that Ren got two gifts on Valentine’s Day. Also, in HtY issue 3 [Jan 5th], there is a special card collection with the male lead characters data from different series. It does seem to be pre-empting any possible love triangles in the other series. ^^; Does it mean that Shou is really out of the picture? ^^;; The picture above is his picture for the card collection. Ren’s updated[?] data is: Birthday = Feb 10, Blood type A, 21 years old, height = 190 cm, and an answer to the question: Where do you want to date? His answer is: Any place as long as I’m with the person I like. Hehe, such a ladies’ man answer =P Iirc, it’s somewhat similar with VK Kaname’s answer in the fanbook. Ren’s pic is scanned by prinz927 for BW. For the rest of the pictures of the cards, check out SBlossoms's blog

Sengoku Danshi Hana no Ran [Chapter 4]
Saturday, January 30, 2010

Ran’s katana is centimeters away from Hana’s face. To their surprise, Bou pulls Hana away while Riki stops his brother. Bou shouts for his brother to stop. The two brothers then push Ran away from Hana while Ran is still shouting for them not to hinder him. “Could it be that you two are siding with her? Making you two lower your guard...is her motive! Because she plans on deceiving us” This angers Hana. To everyone’s surprise, she splashes water [from a bucket used to clean graves] on Ran. She then angrily says, “I’m not deceiving anyone..you don’t know anything yet you’re randomly suspicious of anyone and would even threaten others...you’re really disappointing! It’s best that you get arrested for violating the sword control law!” She then runs off as Bou calls out to her. Ran looks stunned. He turns around when Nobunaga starts laughing out loud that it is the first time he saw someone throwing water on Ran. “Ran, how about it..that girl can confront someone who has a drawn sword, right?” Ran just looks thoughtful and serious. Then, Hana is sitting on a bench in front of a store. She couldn’t believe that she just threw water on someone. She blames it all on Ran for being mean since he would shout about killing then he’ll quickly slash someone. Since ‘deceive’ is mentioned, she wonders if Ryou really did deceive her since she still can’t believe it. She berates herself for thinking about him again. A man then calls out to her and tells her to please not sit down on the bench of his store because it is troublesome. Hana apologizes. The man tells her that bench is only for his customers who bought from his store so if she doesn’t need anything, will she please.. He notices something so Hana looks at the direction where he is looking. They see Ran unsheathing his katana. The two are nervous about it. Ran rushes towards Hana that she freaks out and starts running + screaming, ‘no’. Ran manages to grab her wrist while Hana shouts for him to let go. She thinks that this time around, she will definitely be killed. Ran whispers to her that His Majesty wants him to bring her back because she had helped in untying the unclear situation. Hana angrily shouts at him that whoever brandishes that sword around, anyone would run away. She continues to shout at him that anyone who is carrying such a dangerous sword could be arrested especially since he suddenly rushed towards her as if he’s going to cut someone. The storekeeper is now calling the police about a girl being in danger because a man with a katana is attacking her. Hana nervously tells the man that it isn’t true and it is only a movie props.

Back at the cemetery/temple, Ran tells Nobunaga that he has brought Hana back. Ran is surprised when Nobunaga apologizes to Hana for recklessly pointing his sword at her. “Because he’s my vassal so I’m the one who’s responsible.” Ran looks glum. [Eyes are not shown but his frowning.] Ran notices Riki looking around. Ran asks Hana where Bou is because he went to the Amitabha [Buddhist statue] to look for her. Hana is puzzled and says that she didn’t meet him. Everyone realizes that Bou is lost. After a pause, Ran takes charge by saying that the day is still long so they should quickly find Bou. He suggests that he, Riki and Hana will look for Bou around the area. Since they aren’t familiar with the surroundings that much, they can’t go farther than that. He tells Nobunaga to stay there because he shouldn’t force himself. He then asks Grandpa if he can contact the house if Bou went there. Hana is quite surprised by all this that she mutters that it seems like Ran is a different person. Nobunaga tells her that Ran is normally like that. No matter when, he looks calm without any expression on his face and even if he had a tense face, he can do things skillfully and easily which one would call as ‘capable’. Hana goes into shock because for her, he just seems to be some arrogant guy like some dog that will recklessly bite anyone. Ran tells her not to chit-chat since they are going already. Hana nervously says okay. Smiling, Nobunaga tells Hana to be careful because Ran is a vengeful type of person and he might want to get back at her for splashing water on him. Hana just sweatdrops. Meanwhile, Bou realizes that he is lost so he decides to go back to the temple but unfortunately, he doesn’t remember how to go back. He starts to run around until an old woman calls out to him and asks him to help her carry the groceries. He asks her where the temple is but it seems that she is clueless about it. He asks if she knows someone named ‘Shinoki’..[maybe it’s a typo and it should be Sasaki – doctor’s surname]. The old woman asks about the address and telephone number. Bou didn’t know that the woman comments that youngsters these days don’t remember cellphone numbers nor addresses. After walking her home, Bou looks at the setting sun and wonders where he is. He mutters that if this continues on, what will happen, he’ll be all alone. He slaps his face and decides to continue on walking around but the houses look all the same to him.

Meanwhile, Hana is still looking around for him. Riki meets up with her and he just shakes his head. Hana is surprised to see Ran behind her [didn’t notice his presence] as he asks her if she found Bou. She says no. She becomes nervous when he just looks away. She thinks that he gives her a very calm/cold impression yet why is her heart beating so fast. They all meet up at the temple. Grandpa also learns that Bou didn’t go back to the house. Grandpa also mentions that no one at the temple has seen him either. Nobunaga sighs and says that Bou is a type of person who has a bad sense of direction. Ran notices Hana looking worried. She asks out loud if Bou will be okay since he didn’t bring anything with him, not even money. She hopes that he didn’t get into a traffic accident or went in some strange stores. Hana asks her grandpa about informing the police. Grandpa says that it will be troublesome to involve the police since Bou is from the past and a teenage guy is unexpectedly lost. With arms held up, Hana asks if there is no other way and something about going up the tree to look for a cat. Grandpa tells her to calm down. Hana is saying out loud that if one wants to find someone, they usually use the cellphone’s GPRS and necklace/collar.. The two then had an idea. They look at Hideyoshi who thinks that they want to play. Hana holds on to Hideyoshi’s head and tells him that they only have him to depend on. Grandpa let Hideyoshi smell Bou’s clothes. He starts sniffing around then goes back to Riki because he wants to play. Hana sweatdrops and shouts if Hideyoshi has already forgot what she just said. She is going to reprimand him when Nobunaga calls out to Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi quickly sits up straight in attention. Nobunaga orders out loud, “This is a very urgent matter! Go find Boumaru, the owner of that kimono! Quickly go!” Hideyoshi barks then runs off. Hana and Grandpa are shock. Hana thinks that Hideyoshi wants to be treated like a human than a dog. Nobunaga seems to be quite pleased. Soon, they arrive at a festival. Hana asks if it is a celebration because there are a lot of people. Then they hear someone saying that he didn’t come there to dance but rather, he should go home. It is Bou. They finally find him with some grannies who try to bring him some place. They call out his name so Bou looks at their direction with his eyes wide open. Bou cries as he goes to them while calling out his brothers’ name and Hana.

Later on, Bou apologizes for the trouble. Grandpa says that it’s okay since he’s fine. Crying, Bou says that he really thought that he won’t be able to see them again. Grandpa pets Hideyoshi for a job well done. Hana notices that Ran is patting Bou’s head and says that if their father is healthy/there, he would have hit Bou’s head. Bou just says ya. Hana smiles and is relieved that the brothers are together. Bou shows Ran the box of chocolates he wanted to give Ran. Ran is puzzled what it is. Bou says that even if he is hungry, he didn’t eat it. Walking around, Riki asks Hana about the catching goldfish with paper net booth. Hana tells them about it and decides to demonstrate it to them. Looking serious, she notices that the fishes suddenly go away from her. Hana looks back to see irritated looking Ran. She wonders what’s up with him. Ran asks if she is going to draw a sharp object or just use karate/hands only. [I think he’s referring to what happened before] Hana stands up to him and asks him what he is unsatisfied about. “Do you hate me that much?” Ran is surprised by this. He tells her that hating her never entered his mind. Somewhat smiling, he says that unless she endangers His Majesty, he doesn’t care if she ignores or hates him. Hana nervously wonders that everything Ran is doing is all about/for Nobunaga, His Majesty. She then realizes that all the times he has been shouting and pointing his katana at her is also because of Nobunaga. She thinks that even so, he isn’t apologizing for doing that to her with his sword. She then tells him to stand over that side. Ran is a bit puzzled. Soon, Hana is happily catching some fishes with her net. Riki is glancing at Ran. Then, Ran flicks the water at Hana. Hana can’t believe what he just did. She then notices that her paper net is broken. She shouts to him that he destroyed it. Ran smiles with satisfaction. [Vengeful type indeed =P] Pointing at Ran, Hana starts bickering with him while Bou tries to calm her down. Nobunaga and grandpa are amused by Ran and Hana’s antics. Grandpa comments that Hana hasn’t been that energetic for a long time and he never imagined that will be the result of the experiment. He tells Nobunaga that he’ll go get the car. Hana is going to play again and probably tells Ran not to come near. Ran goes to Nobunaga who tells him that they also should just relax and have fun. Ran says to just let those three enjoy themselves. Nobunaga says yes. Looking out to the city lights, Nobunaga tells Ran that they don’t know about that place and there is a mountain-load of things that they haven’t seen nor heard. “No, we don’t comprehend anything! We need to know a lot more things. [I] only want to check out this world.” Ran just looks thoughtful-serious at Nobunaga. Soon, everyone heads to where grandpa is. Hana shows the goldfishes to Nobunaga. Bou seems to have a stuffed toy cotton candy [thanks SBlossoms] while Riki bought a mask.

In Tokyo, Ryou lies down on the sofa. He says that he’s really tired and what’s with that director. Shibata, his manager, tells him about riding the Shinkansen early in the morning for a three day shooting of ‘Shitsuji-sama’s Love [Affair]’ in Kyoto then he’ll return to Tokyo for a rehearsal. Then, on his break during the shoot, he will have a meeting with a magazine reporter. Shibata tells him that the details are already handled by the company. Putting a throw pillow on his head, Ryou says, yes, yes, competent manager Shibata. Shibata asks if she’s really in Kyoto, not long ago when he came from there. “..in that propaganda activity, Hana came?” Taking off the pillow from his head, sad-looking Ryou says, ya. Poking his cheek, Shibata says, “Still rambling on endlessly.” [Referring to Hana?] Ryou slaps her hand away. He sits up and exclaims that even if that girl came, he just acted like she’s not his partner/girlfriend[?]. “It will also be like that later on. With that, isn’t it enough?” Shibata goes out the door and says, “Ha..quite scary.” Ryou throws the pillow on the closed door. Ryou looks flustered as he thinks of Hana. And, the two main guys really remind me of the guys in Skip Beat! Ran is like Ren because he can take charge = independent and starts in a not-so-pleasant meeting with the female lead which would lead to some sort of teasing/bullying. Then, Ryou is like Shou who needs to have a manager to take care of him. Both also prioritize their career over love that they can just abandon the girl who has been helping them achieve that position in their careers. Amusingly, both guys’ names are somewhat similar in pronunciation with the names of the guys in Skip Beat! =P Coincidence or deliberate? Of course, the surprise is Ryou is already missing Hana. It made me think that he really did love her but he just want to get ahead with his career. Hm, it made me think that his manager doesn’t want him to be with Hana because of her connection with his past agency otherwise, I think it is okay for Ryou to still see Hana. I’m sure Hana can be discreet about their relationship. Could he be thinking of going back to her when he is already very famous? If he goes back and explain things to Hana now, I think, he still has a chance. Hana seems to be a very understanding girl. Of course, if he let things be, he will soon regret it especially on how he just breaks up[?]/snubs her. Well, as I mentioned before, it is thanks to the new guys in her life to help her forget about Ryou. They are actually like a ‘family’ here. Somehow, I can’t help but think that Nobunaga is stealing the spotlight of the series. The guy never ceases to amuse me. I like how he orders Hideyoshi like that and even giving advice to Hana regarding Ran. It’s good that he’s a nice guy because I thought that maybe after knowing more of the new world, he might want to conquer it =P He is known for that in history, right? I’m also amused that Bou attracts grannies in this chapter...hehe, useful if he goes to showbiz. Anyway, Ryou is going back to Kyoto..and there’s a high chance for him to meet with Hana and others. I wonder if he’ll be jealous to see Hana with Ran. I hope so, to make him think that Hana already has a ‘replacement’ for him =P

Word of the day:
Because, like the shepherd who went out into the darkness to find one lost sheep, God seeks us. He is waiting for us to realize our lostness and reach out to Him. He will pick us up, embrace us, and give us His peace. ~ Herbert Vander Lugt from Our Daily Bread

She Is Mine [Chapter 5]
Friday, January 29, 2010

Ryo is really nervous when Mirei is holding his arm and Haru is visibly irritated. Haru asks him what he is doing there. While Ryo is trying to explain, Noki arrives and says that they were quickly found. Haru is surprised to see her. Noki reprimands Ryo for standing in a place where he’ll be easily noticed. Ryo shouts back that she was the one who told him to wait there because she is going to the toilet. Haru exclaims why Noki is there. Noki just laughs it off that Haru shouts that this isn’t something that can be ignored just by laughing about it. Ryo introduces Mirei to his sister. Mirei smiles and introduces herself. While thinking that Mirei is cute, Noki also introduces herself. Mirei says that she didn’t know that Ryo has an older sister and it is really great that she’s happy. Ryo asks what’s so good about it. Mirei says that having such a cute older sister makes one envious of Ryo. Sparkling, Noki holds on to Mirei’s shoulder and tells Ryo that Mirei is a perfect girl, a nice kid. Soon, Mirei and Noki are talking regarding Noki’s age which is 24. Mirei says that she thought she is still a college student. Flattered, Noki wants to exchange Ryo with Mirei who is a much nicer kid. Haru has had enough that he shouts for them to stop. He tells Ryo to come with him. Noki is nervous while Mirei is puzzled. Haru takes off Ryo’s cap and asks, what is the meaning of all this. Ryo repeatedly apologizes to him. Haru asks him if he specially came there just to make a fool of/tease him. Ryo says that isn’t true for he just told his sister that Haru is on a date but no matter what, Noki wanted to go see them so.. Haru shouts that is what’s called ‘teasing’. Ryo apologizes again. Ryo is puzzled when Haru asks if it is really only that. They look at each other then Ryo asks if Haru thinks that he came to interfere with them. Haru says a little bit. Ryo exclaims is disbelief and asks why would he do that for didn’t he told him that he isn’t concerned about things regarding Mirei. Haru remembers all the time when Mirei keeps on looking/asking for Ryo. He then says that he may say it that way, but if it is really like what Ryo said that then, he should quickly bring Noki home. Ryo says okay.

The two guys walk back to the girls. Mirei asks what they talked about. Haru says that it is nothing. Noki is relieved because it seems that they didn’t have a fight. Ryo decides to take this opportunity to tell them that he and his sister will be going ahead. But while he was saying it, Mirei tells them that she was just discussing with Noki about all of them going to ride on a ferris wheel. The guys are stunned when Mirei tells them that Noki said that it is okay. Ryo cannot believe what his sister said as Noki just implies that she can’t help it. Mirei asks Haru if he doesn’t want to. “Don’t you like ferris wheel?” Blushing a bit, Haru says that he likes. So, they decided to go. The girls walk ahead while the boys follow behind. Haru seems depressed as Ryo tells him that soon, the two of them will be irrelevant. At the ferris wheel, [I think] Haru suggests that they sit per two in each carriage. Mirei wants to sit with all of them together since a carriage can accommodate 6 people. Ryo helps Haru with the suggestion by saying that it is better that way since it will be spacious. To Haru’s dismay, Mirei agrees and says that she wants to sit with Ryo. Ryo is stunned. When the ferris wheel stops, Mirei tells him to hurry. Standing by the door, Ryo shouts for Haru to climb in but Haru tells him to forget it, Ryo should just get in. In the end, Ryo did as told. In the ferris wheel, Noki is happily exclaiming about seeing the sea and different places but she can only nervously smile upon seeing Haru sulking at the opposite seat. Noki then keeps on apologizing to him. Haru says that it is no big deal, only that Noki invited Ryo along. Noki says what’s with Mirei for obviously, Haru is her date yet she wants to be with Ryo. Haru says that didn’t Noki just said that Mirei seems to be a good kid. “This isn’t a date..it’s only a ‘let’s go and have fun together’ so it can’t be called a date. I think that Mirei never thought of it that way so she would want to sit with Ryo. And, I’m just being depressed by myself--” After a pause, Noki says that it feels like Mirei likes Ryo. Haru corrects her that it is totally possible that she likes Ryo. Noki says that from the point of view of a girl, if a girl doesn’t like the guy [she’s with] then she won’t invite the other guy, just like what happened now. Haru is shock that his suspicions are correct. Noki continues, “But, if one isn’t with the person one likes, then I also absolutely won’t go out together with just the two of us [‘date’], like this. If it’s me.” This surprises Haru. Smiling at Haru, Noki asks, “She also considerably likes Haru, too, right?” Haru then exclaims why would then Mirei would go with Ryo. Noki just says, how would she know.

Meanwhile, Mirei is looking out and says that they are up so high. She also says that the trip around will take 15 minutes. Remembering Mirei telling them that she’ll ride with him, Ryo is nervous and wonders, “Why me?” He wonders if it is because he just happened to be there but then, Haru is also there. He also wonders about the happy feeling he had a while ago and could it be that he was mistaken about it. “Could it be..” He looks up to see Mirei smiling at him. He looks surprised when Mirei says that she’s really happy. Ryo nervously wonders what that is about. Mirei is wondering why lately, she is always with Haru and this is good because it has been a long time since she’s with Ryo. Mirei tells him to look down at the cute penguins below. Ryo just nervously says, really. He then sees depressed Haru at the other carriage. Ryo looks serious. Mirei is still exclaiming how cute the penguins were and she’s really, really had fun today. Ryo tells her to also tell Haru what she just said [about having fun] later on. “Haru had spend a lot of time checking out the places which he thinks is interesting for you and also because he really anticipated this day so if you said those stuff to him, he’ll definitely be happy.” After remembering Haru asking him about the places where she would want to go, Mirei smiles and says, “Yes.” Soon, the girls are eating crepe/ice cream together. Haru went to buy something in the store and just snubs Ryo. In the end, Haru and Mirei are in front of her house. Mirei thanks him for bringing her home and she really had fun today. Haru becomes dark when Mirei adds that it’s because it has been a long time since she rode on a ferris wheel, she made friends with Noki and it’s great that Ryo was able to come. “I hope that we’ll all have fun again next time.” Haru just lamely says okay. He then takes out something for her from his pocket. Mirei looks at it and it is the fish/whale phone strap that she is looking at earlier and said that it is cute. Haru says that she looks like she really likes it so that is something for her to remember today. Mirei then looks for something in her bag. She then gives him something, too. She tells him that it is something she bought to thank him for today. She urges him to look at it. It turns out to be the same phone strap. “We unexpectedly thought of the same thing. We both have a good [secret] understanding [of each other].” Mirei wonders where to put the strap on. Remembering what Noki told him, Haru asks if she really thinks that they have a good understanding of each other. Mirei smiles and says yes, and she had fun with him. Mirei is surprised when Haru asks her, “Will you go steady with me?” Haru continues, “I’m also particularly happy when I’m with you. I want our relationship to progress to another step because I came to like you more and more.” Haru blushes really red. Mirei is about to say something but Haru tells her not to answer quickly. Covering his face, he says, “..please think about it a little more. See you tomorrow.” He runs off as Mirei just looks at him go.

It is 0:15 and Ryo couldn’t sleep. He thinks that when Haru told him to get in the ferris wheel, Haru sounded annoyed. He thinks that he’s increasingly doesn’t understand what Mirei is thinking. His cellphone rings. To his surprise, he sees on his phone that it is Mirei. Freaking out why Mirei called, Ryo answers his phone. She asks if he’s already sleeping. Ryo says he isn’t. Mirei apologizes that she called in the middle of the night. Hearing some sounds, Ryo asks if she isn’t at home. To his shock, she tells him that she’s in front of his house. Ryo quickly opens the curtains and sees her in front of the gate. Ryo is still wondering why [she is there] while he heads out to meet her. Ryo asks what she is doing. Mirei just says that she’s just taking a stroll. Ryo nervously thinks, “In the middle of the night?! Why at my house?!” Mirei starts sneezing repeatedly that Ryo asks if she had a cold. Mirei says no, she just a bit cold because she just took a bath. Ryo asks if she wants him to lend her a coat. After Mirei whispers her ‘I’m coming in’, Mirei says that it’s very convenient that his room is on the first floor. Ryo tells her to just sit wherever she wants and he’ll look for a coat for her. While getting a coat from his drawer, Ryo thinks that he couldn’t think of anything else to say but invite her in, yet he doesn’t know what to do afterwards. He glances back to see Mirei looking at a manga. His gaze wonders to her neck and legs. He looks back at the drawer and thinks, “In this current situation, what is a healthy 15 year-old guy suppose to do?!” It’s late at night and it’s only the two of them + Mirei is wearing shorts since she just took a bath. Then, Ryo asks if a windbreaker would do. Mirei says yes and wears his jacket. Ryo tells her that after wearing that, he’s going to bring her back home. Mirei says it is fine but Ryo ignores her and says it’s okay, let’s quickly go. Ryo is surprised when Mirei protests that she wants to stay there for a while. After recovering a bit, Ryo asks what she is saying, she should quickly leave. She grabs the back of his shirt and says that honestly, she isn’t taking a stroll. “I came because I have something to tell you. I don’t know if I should say this or not. I’ve been thinking about this, but I still want to hear your opinion about it. Actually, I..”

I do think that Ryo also likes Mirei but isn’t giving it full thought on behalf of Haru. He probably denies his feelings. I actually wonder if Ryo hasn’t told Mirei to tell Haru about saying that she had fun that day, will she still say it? I feel sorry for Haru of course that those two ruined his ‘date’ but I think it helped him realize his fears that there is a possibility that Mirei likes Ryo. Just like Ryo who tends to be clueless, it seems that Mirei has a tendency to be clueless, too. Well, it is no surprise because she is known for being inconsiderate to others’ feelings. She just does what she feels like doing. That of course, that reinforces the possibility that she likes Ryo. Haru is partly to blame because it seems that making Ryo always leave the two of them made Mirei long for him. She misses his company whether as a friend or whatever she thinks of him. Anyway, I’m curious what she is going to ask Ryo in the middle of the night. Is she going to ask about is it okay to go out with Haru or is it a confession? For a win-win solution though, Mirei would have to ‘give up’ both so that the guys’ friendship won’t be broken apart because of her. The two can just laugh this little incident off and move on. It’s actually a good story to tell to one’s children..if it ends happily. A ‘let’s all be just friends’ solution might work, too. =P Well, I’m also curious about Ryo’s reaction to whatever Mirei is going to say. For now, it seems that Ryo would prioritize Haru more than Mirei, after all, they have been friends for so long. But then, there is still a possibility that Mirei doesn’t have any romantic feelings for either guys so maybe she that is a reason she would consult Ryo’s opinion on what to do. Scans by elinor for bw and iieye. By the way, usually this series is scanned first in BW before being translated but there are no future chapters after this one so I’m no longer sure if this will still be be scanlated in Chinese and I think it only has 8 chapters.

Quote of the day:
A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference. ~ Winnie the Pooh

Kurobara Alice [Chapters 8-9]
Thursday, January 28, 2010

Chapter 8: Narration: “If a female is worthy enough to stop a clan from becoming extinct, then you are our queen.” Alice narrates that the old house which is the residence of the vampire is 10 minutes away from Shibuya station via walking. It is in a small road leading from the main chaotic street. Their way of living has totally thrown away all her previous presumptions about vampires. They love to sunbath and sleep in the sun. [One of the twin sleeping] Their reflection can be seen on the mirror. [Another twin is washing up] They aren’t afraid of the cross. [Leo is wearing a necklace with a cross pendant] The one characteristic that affected her is that they tend to sleep in the morning and wake up at night so in order to accompany them, she also adapted to a ‘living at night’ lifestyle but right now, she is still not that used to it because the time difference makes her lazy to get up. They call out to Alice a ‘good morning’. At the dining room, Alice happily exclaims that it’s meat curry and looks really, really delicious. Looking away, Kai says that it is because she said that she wants to eat curry. Alice happily says that even if she said that, she didn’t expect it to be nicely made like that. Kai just blushes but still looking away. Her chef is Kai who makes the most delicious dishes. He seems to be the ‘scared-of-strangers’ type and even if he won’t dare make eye-contact with her, he still did his very best in making the dishes. “He gives me the impression that he’s quiet and serious.” Kai asks what she wants to eat tomorrow. Alice thinks that if she ever says that it isn’t good, he will make the dish again. She feels a bit apologetic that she bothers him everyday. Alice asks how about a sandwich. Still not looking at her, Kai says okay. Reiji tells Alice that the dessert is made of whipped apples. He asks her what kind of herbal tea she wants. Alice narrates that her desserts are made by Reiji and his food is also very delicious. She asks how about lemon and ginger tea. Reiji says okay. Reiji makes her feel that he’s a bit shy and treats everyone nicely. He can easily remove the rift between others since he’s someone who is approachable. And for someone like him to make deserts, he gives her a ‘friendly farmer’ feel. Leo arrives and says that it smells delicious. He asks if it is curry and can he have some of it. The twins say him to say it in a cool way. Alice doesn’t know what it is about so she asks Leo what happened. Leo nervously says that it’s about the origin of his name. Leo explains that he was very nervous then upon meeting the president of the company that he kept on making a mistake about his name while he was introducing himself so the president just told him that his stage name would be Leo. Embarrassed, Leo says that is what happened. The twins are laughing as Alice smiles and thinks that even if the way Leo acts is ‘bright/flashy’ he is also surprisingly very delicate.

Dimitri arrives and says that they just woke up yet they are all lively already. The other guys greet him a ‘good morning’. Dimitri greets them back and asks if he can have some brown coffee. Alice thinks that because Dimitri is a foreigner, he looks more like a vampire because of his outstanding looks. Even if black hair and black colored pupils are normal, Dimitri’s ‘black’ gives people the feeling that they are special/different from others. His posture is always straight, his stance is elegant, his movements are done leisurely, and his whole body has a graceful style to it. It is as if time is passing slowly, a really inconceivable existence. Even if he is in front of her, it seems like she is ‘looking at him through a [movie] projector’. Dimitri then asks her what it is, why she is always staring at him. “Could it be that came to like me?” Alice then says that it’s because he is always staring at her so she looked back at him and think that ‘even if this guy look like this but the truth is, he is just an old geezer’. She tells him that throughout the major events in history, he must have witness it all. The twins and Leo kept on laughing about what Alice told Dimitri. Dimitri replies is that so and he did seen through a lot of intense wars/battles that he has already forgotten how many he had witnessed those fights like vhs vs betamax and LD vs HD. The twins say that they are always troubled as to which one to use. Alice just looks dumbfounded by his answer. Leo asks her if she knows that Dimitri died because he was run over by a horse so basing on that, one would know as to which era Dimitri lived, since there are still horses then. Dimitri protests that there were cars driving around already then and it is an era wherein there are both cars and carriages in the streets. He adds that until now, there are still carriages in Vienna. Kai asks wasn’t that used only for sightseeing. Dimitri defends himself by saying that they have no right to call him an old geezer because they were all born in the 20th century. The twins are surprised while Leo laughs that Dimitri using century as a basis to defeat them. Alice glances down and thinks that from hearing that story, in the end, everyone had it hard because they died at a young age. After Dimitri left, Leo tells Alice that he shouldn’t laugh at Dimitri because after all, before he died, he was carrying a lot of stuff down the stairs but he lost his step and fell down, hitting his head. He felt his head hurts but the next day, he died..he should have gone to the hospital then. [The drawing made it seem funny since he’s drawn as a stick figure in a cartoon..tok, tok, tok down the stairs and splat.] The twins have no memory of the time when they died, but.. Leo is interrupted by the door bell. He says that it must be the things he had ordered. He tells Alice that he’ll go upstairs first and asks her to wait. Later on, he shows Alice the beautiful bottles and containers of cosmetics on the dressing table with a mirror. [Ah, the table and mirror are included as his gift.] Alice is really delighted to see them. Leo says that girls like those things and if she put on make-up, she’ll definitely look like an angel. Alice tries on a lipstick that she really likes. She comments that it is grape-flavor. Leo asks what the flavor is. Alice turns around to tell him again when he kisses her. Alice is surprised as Leo says that she is right. Alice thinks that it is because everyone is laughing and everything, she has forgotten that they are competing against each other as to who will breed with her. To Alice shock, Leo goes out to tell the others that he kissed Alice. Holding his arm, Alice shouts why he is reporting that. Leo says that it’s because they are fighting fairly with each other. Reiji is shock that happened so fast. Leo says that the one who kisses Alice’s lips first is the man and that’s him. Kai blushes and looks away as he remembers Alice kissing him before while she’s half-asleep. Reiji exclaims if Alice thinks that way, too. Dimitri says that it is better to go with it slowly and don’t Reiji think a woman would also think that way. Reiji is shock by that and asks Alice if that is true. Alice tells Dimitri to please do not mislead Reiji.

Back in bed, Alice thinks that they are all good guys. Each has something good about them and ‘choosing’ is such a luxury but if she doesn’t choose any, they will always be serving her like that so she should choose one. She then tells herself that she shouldn’t think of the insects that come out from their mouths and she should just accept it since those good-looking guys treated her so graciously and there is no such thing as an ‘innocent/perfect story’. She tells herself that she ought to accept their inhuman/eerie strangeness and love them. In the twins’ room, Kai fixes the bandage/band-aid on the back of his neck and tells his twin who is blow drying his hair that even if Dimitri says that they are all rivals but in reality, it isn’t like that and the truth is, just Leo would do and they should.. After he stopped the blower, Reiji asks Kai if he is saying something. After a pause, Kai is about to repeat himself but Reiji complains that Leo did a pretty ‘smooth’ method so it made him anxious if he’s slow. While he goes to bed, Reiji continues to say that it’s very obvious that Leo is an expert in going into someone’s embrace. Regarding Dimitri, Reiji doesn’t know what he is thinking right now but if he is really serious about it, he can easily win this in a flash. “Can we even win against them?” Sitting on his bed, Kai asks if Reiji likes Alice. Reiji says he does and even if he doesn’t understand it but he feels somewhat strange upon looking at her while she is still ‘sleeping’. He’s looking at it for 10 years already, but when there is a soul inside, it seems that she is changing like a flower bud that is gradually opening so he feels that he likes her. He asks about Kai. After a pause, Kai somewhat clenches his fist and says that since Reiji say it that way, he’ll just support Reiji. Reiji asks if he isn’t interested in Alice. Kai says that he doesn’t hate her but then, what he thinks of her is only up to that level so he’ll be Reiji’s supporter. Kai asks if that is true. “It’s a promise, right, Kai?” “..Yes” Someone says that there is still Leo. They agree about not wanting to use their ‘advantage’ but in this situation, [it’s inevitable]. The next day, everyone did their round of ‘good mornings’ but this time, Leo kisses Alice’s cheek. Alice seems somewhat nervous about it that Leo asks if she doesn’t like it. She says not really but then, this is Japan. Kai then puts Alice’s sandwich on the table. Alice is delightfully surprised upon seeing the ‘pretty’ sandwich with strawberry on top and a bit of salad around. Alice’s expectation is exceeded because she is expecting a plain sandwich. She happily exclaims that it looks luxurious and delicious. Leo thinks that he was defeated by sandwich and it seems that Alice is more moved by food than kisses. After some more squeals of delight, Alice thanks Kai for his hospitality [food] everyday and that since Kai and Reiji are really good, they should open a store. Reiji says that they actually have one. Alice asks if it is a restaurant. Reiji says that it isn’t great like that but rather, it is more of coffee and snacks kind of store. Alice exclaims that it is a cafe. “Is it one since it seems like one?” Alice is somewhat puzzled when Reiji seems to be hesitant about telling her where it is located. He then tells her that it is at the side of the mansion but it’s in the basement. Alice happily exclaims why they didn’t tell her before. The twins say that honestly, it isn’t a place one can show off. Alice tells them not to be modest about it.

They leads her to a basement. The name of the cafe is ‘shijima-kan’ [quiet hall/place]. Alice is displeased to see the worn out place – wallpapers peeling off, broken chandelier, tattered chairs, etc. Reiji says that he did say that it isn’t something to show off. She complains about the ruined stuff which cannot be called ‘ancient/antique’. She asks if people still come even if it is like that. Reiji says that they do. Alice is shock. Reiji says that occasionally there are one or two people who drop by but then, they don’t always open. Kai says that is right, it depends if they are in a good mood. Alice exclaims how they can run a business like that. Reiji explains that it isn’t for business. If she sees the sign, there is a ‘rose symbol’. There are a lot of vampires out there who don’t know that they became vampires so when they breed, they lose their life. Reiji shows Alice the ‘rose symbol’ at the back of his neck and tells her that is the sign that one is a vampire. If they notice this and see that sign board, they will come in and they will explain what happened to them. Through that, perhaps there would be more people in the nest and that is how they met Dimitri. While Kai is putting back the bandage on Reiji’s back neck, Alice interrupts by saying that what is most important is to work properly so how can they earnestly pass the time like that. Kai tells her that it is okay because Dimitri has a lot of money. Reiji says that is true and the master of the nest is Dimitri so they left it all to Dimitri regarding earning money. Alice lectures them that they aren’t young anymore so how could they not feel ashamed. “Most important of all, you guys are NEET! [unemployed; Not in Education, Employment or Training] Who will help NEET kids [like you]! If you guys really want to show me how ‘manly’ you are then you should properly run this cafe!” The twins just glance at each other. Alice says that they have to renovate the interiors. She asks to see the menu. Written on it is ‘Coffee ¥500, Red tea ¥500, Snack, Dessert, Just ask the staff’. Alice exclaims what that is, she is really disappointed with the lack of effort and they should re-do it. “Don’t you feel that it is a waste?! Well, I feel that it is a waste!” She tells them that the food that both Reiji and Kai looks good and delicious. [Ah, for Reiji is looks *very* good and *very* delicious; unconscious comment?] She wants them to properly serve those kinds of food to the customers and it would be a waste if she’s the only one who gets to eat them. Alice blushes when Kai exclaims that he doesn’t think it’s a waste because he made it just for Alice. Reiji looks at his twin. Kai realizes what he just said that he quickly looks away and says that he is saying that on Reiji’s behalf and it isn’t so with him since Dimitri forced him to, so he is doing it.

Leo arrives and asks why they are so lively. While Kai is blushing and looking away, Reiji tells Leo that Alice wants to renovate the place and really open a cafe. Leo hugs Alice from behind and says that he approves of it for currently, this place won’t do that it couldn’t be called a store. “Do you need help? You can ask for anything. How about going shopping with me for the interior decorations?” Dimitri arrives and says with a smile that it seems that they are having fun. He tells them that he has overheard that they are planning to do a renovation of the place. Alice asks him around how much money is indeed for the renovation. Dimitri tells her not to worry for he can fully satisfy her as long as it is within three hundred million because his assets’ value has been reduced because of the financial crisis. Alice retorts back that they don’t need that much money and that is why she called him a ‘not in touch with this [common] society’ aristocrat. This surprises Dimitri. Then he somewhat looks sad-smile as he looks down. Alice thinks that it’s like when she was a teacher, in order to see through everyone’s attributes, it is better that she will keenly watch them. “No matter how small, even if it’s just playing around, it doesn’t matter. Compared to carelessly and peacefully passing the days, I can more effectively observe them this way.” There are some scenes of Alice shopping with Leo and the twins re-doing their menu. At the living room[?], Alice puts down some thick books on the table. She tells Dimitri who is reading the newspaper that they are samples of wallpapers. She wonders out loud which one to choose and just looking at them makes her happy. Dimitri says that he’s really anticipating what will become of that dirty place after they are done with it. Alice asks why he isn’t doing anything when everyone is doing their best and just moving the piano is very hard. Dimitri asks if it isn’t okay if he just gives them the money. Alice is speechless. Folding his newspaper, Dimitri says that if it’s the queen’s order then it can’t be helped. He asks her if she wants to throw away the piano so she’s moving it. Alice says no, they are just moving it in a different place for she wants to retain it for the store. Dimitri then offers to tune it up. Alice decided to engage Dimitri about that [since she thought he’s just saying that/lying] by telling him that it won’t do if the tune up isn’t done using the skills of a professional. She asks if he is going to do it using ‘magic’. Standing up, Dimitri tells her that if it’s about that kind of skill, he had that since he was young. “Because, while I was living, I was a singer.” Facing away from her, Dimitri tells her that he is the son of gypsies who were roaming around in different places. They live either by music or metal work/craft[?]. He was then taken in by a Viennese marquis who likes to find novelties and was brought up as a singer. While singing plays/dramas in different places, he is surrounded by/mingling with aristocrats at one side while on the other side, he thinks that he wants to also become one of them and recklessly climb up. “—always until I died at the age of 26.” Dimitri walks away and Alice remembers what she told him about being an aristocrat who doesn’t know about ‘the common world’. She shouts his name and runs after him when he kept on walking. Dimitri is surprised when she grabs his arm. She apologizes and says that she learned that the owner of the body is an aristocrat lady/ojousama so she also thought that he is.. “For saying such inconsiderate words, I’m really, very sorry.” Dimitri tells her that there is no need to apologize. “..Hand..your hand..can you please let go..” It turns out that Dimitri looks nervous and is blushing really red. Alice didn’t see this. Then, the two look up to see that Leo is looking at them with a serious expression.

Hehe, that is such an awkward scene. Last chapter Dimitri is pushing Alice to Leo and gets angry when Leo is telling Dimitri about regretting it later on and now, he’s caught blushing like that just because Alice is holding his arm. ^^; Well, it goes to show that Dimitri isn’t always ‘cool’ and composed. Alice and Dimitri obviously have some chemistry and they have a tendency to ‘love quarrel’ or ‘tease each other’. It’s like a word war in a light-hearted way. It already shows Dimitri’s interest for her when he even made it a point to tell his background to her regarding her misconception of him. If he really doesn’t care about her, he should just let her misunderstand him so that she will just like the other guys and think the worst about him. I’m amused with Reiji’s description of Alice being like a flower/rose = title and also, because well, they are insects. The imagery is quite sexual =P I do think that Kai want Leo to just win Alice’s hand because he doesn’t want to lose his twin but based on his sudden outburst, he might also like Alice contrary to what he says. After all, he did have the first kiss =P I have a feeling that he might not be able to fulfill that promise to his twin. I feel that those who aren’t actively and deliberately courting Alice might actually have a better chance with Alice. And I mean Dimitri and of course, Kai who can win her heart through her stomach. By her description of the food of the twins, it does seem she favors Kai’s cooking than to Reiji’s. It has ‘really’ delicious to it when she described it the second time around. Leo does seem to be moving too fast and it might be bad if Alice gets used to his lovey-dovey. Alice isn’t a teenage girl so she won’t easily fall for such things. I’m also amused that her being a teacher before still shows here. She really did lecture the twins about not working and just depending on Dimitri for their financial needs. It does seem that Alice’s type is an independent man and since all the money they are splurging on Alice seems to be from Dimitri. The possibility of liking him is up another notch. =P

Chapter 9: One of the twins ask if Alice has decided on the interior designs. While eating some pancakes, Alice says that she thinks that a ‘Shibuya cafe' feeling would be good. She says out loud that she’s wondering if it will be a fast and modern feel to it or classical/middle ages feel to it but then, Reiji’s pancakes should be put in the menu. It is good but then, that store opens from midnight to morning so would people who come there at night want to eat pancakes. Reiji says that they will because what does it matter since they couldn’t sleep. Alice says that will be reckless. At the study room, Dimitri asks Leo how’s the progress. Leo says that he already kissed her. Dimitri asks, “And then?” Dimitri tells him that even if she looks like that, she isn’t a child. If he kissed her roughly in a vulgar way, she might look down on him. “Do you think that’s okay?” Leo seems to nervously comment about how Dimitri could describe his kiss like that. Dimitri says that it is impossible for a guy like Leo to lose to the twins. Leo says that even if he didn’t plan this but it doesn’t matter if Alice is given to the twins since Maximilian can leave behind offsprings. Dimitri tells him not to understand/trust those two too much for even if they are living together for 10 years, it is hard to guess what they are really thinking. Leo agrees with that observation because he finds it hard to believe that they don’t remember how they died. Dimitri wonders out loud if they are just lying. Leo says that Reiji would only lie for Kai and if that is how it is, then it doesn’t matter/this is all a non-issue. Dimitri says that it makes one feel that vampires are mind-boggling because compared to the others who had attained Maximilian’s seed, Leo, who had pass through many generations, has exceptionally still inherit Maximilian’s looks. Leo is looking at him that Dimitri says that he’s complementing Leo though and it isn’t because he doesn’t respect Leo’s individuality. Then, Leo says that let him ask Dimitri a question as a carbon copy of Maximilian. “If I and Alice proceed to breed, then the one would be most hurt, will be you. Seeing you in obvious pain [referring to the awkward situation in the last chapter], it made me think what’s really going on here.” Dimitri looks away and tells him that it is nothing and not to mind him. He says that he is just perplexed for a moment there. “I don’t have an attachment with that body. I don’t have the right to touch nor do I want to be touched [by her]. I really want to abandon that old issue without hesitation. I won’t let myself be forgiven for the sins that I have committed. Murdering my friend-relative and forcing myself on Agnieska. In the end, I trampled her choice to die with dignity. Because of my selfishness, I made her body live forever. Even if I generally will forever carry this cross but [I guess] it is also okay if I can let it go physically...somewhat like, I should let her go earlier to liberate her from my selfishness. I want to destroy her body. It’s totally possible that it’s a way to attain happiness. I planned this as an atonement of my sin towards Agnieska. Even if the soul isn’t the same, but that dazzling smile and that body is really Agnieska’s.” After a pause, Dimitri takes his cup of coffee/tea and says, “I also caused Maximilian to not be able to find happiness. If you and the person I like breed, then at least, that’s somewhat my justification.” Leo somewhat smiles and says that he, Kai, Reiji and even Dimitri can be chosen by Alice. Dimitri says that it will definitely be Leo, if he is a girl, he’ll do that. Leo says that is if Alice acts according to Dimitri’s script. Dimitri tells him that this isn’t the time to be complacent unlike those other two guys. Leo says, “I’ll do my best. For you. For vampires. And also, for myself.”

Later on, it’s already night again. Leo greets Alice a good morning. Alice greets him back. When she opens her eyes, she sees Leo in bed with her. She asks why he is there. Leo kisses her forehead and says that she won’t wake up so he took advantage of her deep sleep and got in bed with her. Alice just says, is that so and goes back to sleep. After a pause, Leo hugs her and asks what her type of guy is. Alice says, ‘A guy with resolve [/driven]’. Leo thinks that she is still half-asleep that is why she answered quite truthfully. Leo exclaims if that is so then the twins won’t do. Alice says that right now, it seems so..but then, it can’t be said later on, because now, they have an obligation to do so they will do their best. Leo says that certainly, guys, who doesn’t have goals nor obligations, would only know how to play and are forever youngsters/boys. Alice opens her eyes and asks Leo if he is also a NEET. Leo nervously says with a smile that lately, he’s working at night and doing some part-time job like being a guard and jobs like that. Leo hugs her again and tells her that based on her criteria of being ‘driven’, among them, it is most certainly Dimitri. He tells her that Dimitri is into the shock market and through it, he acquired a lot of properties. During the bubble economy, he earned a lot of money. “And also, have you heard about that guy’s skill?” Alice asks if it is singing. Leo tells her that it’s the ‘capability to get a lot of moneyed financiers’ that makes one envious of him. After a pause, Alice says that doesn’t seem to be the type of ‘driven guy’ that she mentioned. Leo asks, “Really?” The scene changes to Alice knocking at Dimitri’s room. There is no answer so she looks in and asks if he’s inside. She sees a lot of bookshelves in his room with a chandelier = study room. There are also a couple of laptop computers on his table. At the side, there is an inner room where she sees a canopy bed with a necklace + cross pendant on the bedpost. She goes closer to the necklace to examine it. She muses that it’s very beautiful. Dimitri arrives and says that she really doesn’t care about going into a guy’s bedroom and she’s still quite careless. Flustered, Alice apologizes for barging in and it is because she was told that he is in his room so she.. Dimitri tells her that he cannot guarantee what he might do to her because he isn’t a ‘Mr. Nice Guy’. Alice gives him some papers and says that is the estimated cost for the renovation. Dimitri says that there is no need to show him. Alice protests that he should at least see where the money will go. In the end, Dimitri leads her to his ‘study room’ and looks at the papers there. Alice then asks him why he came to Japan. Dimitri says that someone introduced him to Count Izumi Koji who likes to collect vampire type of mysterious things. He also tells her that he cannot stay in Vienna then and he should go to a really far away place so I relied on the Count for that. He never thought that he’ll end up as the Count’s adopted son. Thanks to that he was able to establish himself there, doing as he pleases, he built a nest there. “I’m very good in finding dependable financiers. Don’t you think that this is a talent that should be inherited by the next generation?” Alice just says that he is right for it is best to have that kind of talent since they are living this way. Looking away, Dimitri tells her that he is just kidding.

Looking out the window to the city, Alice says that it’s quite inconceivable that he came from a far away place. Dimitri says that during that time in Vienna, the economy boom is continuing and society is becoming prosperous that there is now a haze [decline?]. For people to escape that hopeless feeling that they started to become intoxicated with entertainment and arts, going to an illusionary world that is far from reality. Dimitri thinks out loud that he feels that this country is the same during that time in Vienna. Alice glances at him. He then looks at the papers again and says that is only his feeling. He tells her not to think too much about it because that is just his opinion. Alice asks if she can ask another question. “When did you know me..as ‘Kikukawa Azusa’?” Dimitri tells her it is when she’s playing Chopin’s Mazurka No. 5 at the music school. He uses a familiar [dragonfly] and his eyes stopped to look at her. Blushing, Alice says that she really sucks in playing that piece. Dimitri says that is true her playing is so clumsy that he finds himself chuckling over it. It is too amusing that he can’t get his eyes off her. Since he is killing time, from then on, he’s always watching her. “That Kikukawa Azusa, that love, ..and also that unfortunate accident which happened in a flash.” Alice just looks at Dimitri who then looks serious. He then says that he said too much and he wants to go to sleep again. Alice says okay and she apologizes for interrupting him. She looks at the things [figurines, stuff] in Dimitri’s room including the chandelier. Dimitri is surprised when Alice tells him to forget about that estimate earlier for she has changed her mind and she’ll re-think about how to renovate the place. After a time skip, Alice happily exclaims that the twins look handsome with their neckties. Leo nervously asks if Alice likes neckties. Alice keeps on saying it’s cool and that way, they will definitely have a lot of female customers. “Everyone will have an increased opportunity to meet other people. It is also possible that you’ll meet a good partner.” Reiji exclaims what she is thinking. Leo asks if she plans on giving them to other women when they were obviously doing their best [for her]. Alice says that it is because they told her to think of the vampires’ future. Dimitri has arrived [and I think he was the one] asked if she’s saying that she had considered it to that extent. Alice asks him what he thinks of the newly opened store. Dimitri somewhat smiles and says that it seems to be a Viennese cafe. Alice says that she went to Vienna once during a graduation trip and she made this in accordance to the feeling that she had of that Viennese cafe she went to before. As a result, it lacks the feeling of a modern day cafe. Dimitri looks at Alice and asks, “Is it for me who cannot go back to Vienna?” Blushing Alice looks at him in surprise. Looking away, Dimitri walks on and says, “Thank you, I’m very happy because I plan to bury my bones here.” Dimitri goes to the piano and says if she would want to play it after he tuned it up. Embarrassed, Alice says no because her playing is awful and it will ruin the mood of the place. Dimitri asks her about trying it because those hands of hers were previously very good in playing mazurka.

Alice narrates that their place is 10 minutes away from the Shibuya station via walking. From that chaotic street to a small road, there is a lone cafe there called, ‘shijima-kan’. It will soon be spring after a few more nights. Gradually, after renovating, it opens for business again. Originally, it isn’t a store to attract people. Even after the major re-modeling, there is no dramatic change [=lots of people come in]. It took after a few months before people gradually came and the place starts to have frequent visitors. When there are no visitors, Alice plays the piano from time to time and she’ll chat with the others. Alice asks Leo, “Why is your reason for living?” Caught by surprise, Leo blurts out, it’s to breed. Alice looks at him with a blank look. Leo exclaims that it is because she suddenly asked about it. Alice says that is why it’s more fun that way. Leo exclaims if it is some kind of test. Alice asks the twins their answer. Reiji says that it is a hard question but lately, he has a real feeling since he started to fully understand what is known as happiness and what he is living for. Reiji tells her that answer is only for himself so he doesn’t know about Kai’s While cooking, Kai says that his will is irrelevant for one should first ‘live’ for things to become reality. “As long as one lives, one can act one’s role. In order to achieve this goal, so he is living.” Leo nervously exclaims that everyone answered so well and they are all so cool..he’s in danger. Smiling, Dimitri says that is a very interesting question. “Anyway, are you going to ask me, too?” Looking at him, Alice says, “..okay then I’ll ask you. What are you living for, Dimitri?” Dimitri answers, “I live for you to attain your happiness, Alice.” The reactions are: the twins just play with some string, Leo’s smile froze and Alice looks bored. Dimitri exclaims that he’s speaking the truth and they are all so cold-hearted. Later on, at the living room[?], there is a small tray of fresh fruits with a knife on the table. Dimitri is talking with Leo who is facing towards the window. He tells Leo that, after that happened, the twins apparently also started to become busy. “When someone else enters in one’s circle, there can really be a great change in a person’s life and attitude. Leo, aren’t you going to the store today? Together with Alice--” Dimitri is puzzled when Leo didn’t reply. He approaches him and notices that ants are falling down from Leo’s mouth. Suddenly, Leo collapses on the floor. Dimitri shouts his name and quickly opens Leo’s shirt. Leo’s tattoo rose has already encircled his neck. He quickly looks around and sees the fruit knife. He quickly slashes his neck. While his neck is bleeding, he let some of his blood fall on Leo’s partly open mouth. Leo stutters as he apologizes to Dimitri that it is earlier than he predicted and he can only maintain it that much. He mutters his disbelief as to why it is so suddenly. Dimitri tells him that is enough and just drink his blood. Leo asks if he’s into exchanging of blood/tree sap [tree sap is the word used ^^;]. Dimitri tells him that Maximilian told him before that once this [action] is used to prolong life, it won’t end. “..And it will create unnecessary love-hate [feeling] between vampires [comrades].” Leo says that he also have that kind of opinion. “Because I’m Maximilian.” Dimitri shouts, “It’s only just this time! Do you plan on dying this way? Even if you don’t drink my blood, it will still continue to drip down!” Leo looks at Dimitri’s bleeding neck. He closes his eyes then holds up to Dimitri to pull him close. Leo says, “—only this once..there won’t be a repeat..” then he licks Dimitri’s blood. He then lies on top of Dimitri, hungrily sucking Dimitri’s blood. [I think] Dimitri is breathing hard. At the cafe, Alice stops playing the piano and wonders what happened because Leo is late.

I think this author is really good with her cliffhangers. Just when things are going smoothly, something happens at the end of each chapter and the direction of the plot can change because of it. It does seem that Dimitri hasn’t change for he still tends to do things with dire consequences later on. Well, it’s a life and death situation so it really can’t be helped. He did what is temporarily for the best but in the long term, it might come to haunt him again. Also, I think it is part of his atonement for what he did before, that is why he stubbornly wants Leo to be the one who’ll end up with Alice else, it won’t do. Of course, to fulfill his ‘perfect plan of atonement’, Leo has to live and win Alice’s heart. So that pulling of Leo’s collar before is just reminding Leo about what he has to do before Leo’s time is over. Since there is no antagonist here currently, I think it will be Leo because of what the mentioned symptom of drinking blood of another vampire. I don’t recall anymore if vampires heal fast but it seems not. Dimitri needs to suck a lot of blood through insects to ‘heal’ himself. Those two will have a lot of explaining to do later on unless they hide it well and unless Alice witnesses it later on. Hm..will Dimitri sport a scarf or something to hide his wound? I wonder why Dimitri didn’t just slash his wrist..why throat..for more blood? Or, is he just imitating how Agnieska killed herself? I’m wondering if the author is hinting on some sort of BL between those two because after all, they came a long way..Maximillian and Bradley, whose seed made Dimitri a vampire. Hehe, and of course, there is a woman between them. It does seem to be a love triangle from way before is repeating again with reverse as to who is offering the woman he loves to breed with the other vampire. I do hope for a happy ending this time but currently, it seems unlikely as how things are turning out and well, tragedy seems to be always following Dimitri. I wonder if making a cafe is related to the plot later on because it doesn’t seem to contribute much to the story as a whole. Is it to make the readers assume that there might really be a cafe like that somewhere in Shibuya? Or, will it be used later on to introduce other vampires especially since the author might have no qualms in killing off her characters? I find it amusing about the twins vs older guys style of courting. The twins seem to be the innocent type while the older guys’ is the playboy type. =P I find Dimitri’s bed amusing. When I first saw it, I thought, that’s the bed that Skip Beat!’s Kyouko wants =P Hehe, I guess such a bed helps suit his purpose or has a practical purpose because the curtains can hide what’s happening inside like insects crawling in and out of his mouth. Maybe later on, more ‘blood sucking’ because based on the cover of volume 3, I think the blood sucking won’t end here and Dimitri might have another thing he’ll regret to compound his many regrets in life. Scans by 動漫花園S組.

Quote of the day:
Self-sacrifice is never entirely unselfish, for the giver never fails to receive. ~ Dolores E. Mcguire

Faster Than A Kiss [Chapter 32] Teaser + Poll
Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Just browse through the raws by filion in BW, It’s really funny and romantic. I love it ^^ It’s pretty much everything but the kiss on the lips and anything else beyond that =P They are going to celebrate their anniversary on a ship..cruise?..of course, with everyone else. Kazuma still avoids kissing Fumino that she flipped. She decides to take matters into her own hands. With Meg’s help, Fumino got herself a makeover. She looks really mature = older and beautiful =P But, Kazuma still avoids Fumino’s kiss. She got herself drunk because of it. There is an almost lovey-dovey scene with Shoma..feeding him with a olive/cherry but Kazuma arrives in time to take over. It really does seem that Shoma likes Fumino. Kazuma brings Fumino to their room. She wakes up later on and starts to ‘attack’ Kazuma. Lol To satisfy her, Kazuma just ‘share a chocolate’ with her. To his shock, Fumino clings on him and pushes him down – near the wall. He was on top of her earlier. She kisses his eye, his ear..he’s blushing =P But, he stops her before she can kiss his lips. I’m not sure over his reason why he doesn’t want a kiss yet..maybe until she graduates since he is still her sensei? Unfortunately, Shoma and Meg interrupt them. Before they opened the door, they share a mutual kiss which is separate by glass/window. Nice ^^ In the end, everyone celebrate together though Shoma is pouting…because of a misunderstanding? The last part is Fumino complaining about her aching feet. I’ll reserve my other comments after I read the Chinese scans when it is out ^^

Regarding summaries, for those who don’t know, I’m still summarizing in accordance to the special poll held last month. The one that should be summarized next is Sensei, Kiite yo but there are no new chapters of it. I think there are only three chapters for that series. The Chinese group who is doing that, hasn’t released any new ones. I saw from baka manga that that there is an English group which had already released a chapter so... I’m currently writing Kurobara Alice. Then, next is She is Mine 5, Sengoku Danshi Hana no Ran 4 (and maybe 5 if it is out by then) and finally, Chitose, Etc 2-4. After that, I want to do Akatsuki no Yona to bring it up to date since it is promising and for now, seiryou is continuing to translate the raws that others uploaded for BW. I don’t want to be too far behind. Then, I’ll summarize Koibana 50 because something great happened there. I’m so happy for you, Hanabi ^^ The rest is anything goes. So for more interactivity on this site, let’s do another poll ^^ It will be closed when I’m finished with the mentioned series to be done I'm going to archive, not including teasers and summaries done on a whim ^^; Stardust★Wink 12 in Chinese isn’t out yet as of now but it might be later on, so I’ve included it. This time, you can only choose three series maximum. Happy Voting ^^ Edit: Poll Closed.

Quote of the day:
There are two primary choices in life; to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them. ~ Denis Waitley

Kaichou wa Maid-sama! [Chapter 46] Teaser
Saturday, January 23, 2010

Usui’s past turns out to be pretty dramatic..poor guy..somehow he turned out well. It begins, 17 years ago, in the Usui residence, a new life is born. Two ‘parents-looking’ scientists with an old scientist are laughing about finally, after a long time, Takumi 001 android is born. I think Misaki told Usui to quit it but Usui continues to tell her that it is a very high-tech product, etc. Misaki shouts who’ll believe that. Usui still continues on with his story that Misaki grabs his collar and prepares to punch the living daylights out of him. Usui just sheepishly smiles/laughs. Usui then notices Misaki’s somewhat pained look. Misaki lets him go and nicely sit down to continue listening because I think Usui told her to let him finish if she really wants to know about it. Misaki is infuriated when Usui starts to mention about being an alien. More shouts from her and more calm stuff from Usui. I think he then mentions about usually home alone and reading books. Then talk about some more stuff which seems to be getting nearer to his real background. There is a short part from the three idiots about some goal regarding Misui..to please her? Then, they seem to talk about Usui – if he is some rich guy to ah..evil spirt? Anyway, about Usui’s background is based on 随处小翻’s short summary in baidu. It is indeed possible for Usui to be considered as young master of a wealthy family but he had never seen both his biological parents. He is a product of an extramarital affair of his mother with a Japanese man. His mother’s home is in England. [Hehe, if OHHC’s Tamaki is France, Usui is England =P Competing for a sob story, it seems ^^;] His maternal grandmother is Japanese and his maternal grandfather is British so Usui has 1/4 English blood. His mother has a husband and a child in England. That is the brother whom Usui referred to before. Even if that is the case, his mother still likes to travel overseas and in Japan, she met Usui’s father. After giving birth to Usui, she died. Usui’s father brought/dumped Usui to Usui’s mother’s home then severed his ties with Usui. But they [Usui’s mother’s husband’s family] give importance to etiquette and prestige so Usui’s existence is something that shouldn’t be allowed. They decide to send Usui away to the house of his maternal grandmother in Japan. He became the adopted son of his maternal grandmother’s older brother’s oldest son.

Because his true identity cannot be known by the people outside, since he was young, they always locked him up in the mansion. His studies are provided by private tutors but it cannot be denied that Usui is a very gifted boy. Whatever the tutors would teach Usui, he will easily learn it. At that time, Maria’s mother is one of those tutors. Later on, it has been decided that when Usui arrives at a certain age, he will have to leave the house and live alone. It won’t do that he doesn’t have a diploma. So without much thought, they send him to Seika High School. Well, I guess basically, he now lives alone and goes to school where he met Misaki. I think he tries to flatter her like being cute that she hits him and there seems to be some lovey-dovey before the scene changes. Then, there is a scene of Maria meeting with Tora. At Misaki’s house, Misaki tries to internalize what she just learned about Usui but it seems that she still has a lot of questions that she wants to ask. I think Usui probably says that it is late and leave the other questions for tomorrow. At school, Misaki continues to ask Usui some questions and I think Usui just tells her with some attempted lovey-dovey much to Misaki’s discomfort since she’ll end up blushing. It seems that Misaki is doing some patrol work and the talk is interrupted when they hear a low crying sound. It turns out to be Sakura who is crying at the stairs. She tells them about her problem . Sakura wants to confess to Kuuga [thanks Cuddly for reminding me the name] on his[?] birthday which will be on this holiday/Sunday. She bought 2 tickets to an onsen/hotsprings. Misaki is totally freaking out over this but it seems that Sakura did think that it seems too much if only the two of them went so she ended up buying 4 tickets. It seems that she wants to go with friends there but Shizuko refused and Kuuga’s bandmates can’t go/she can’t ask them since they are all guys..well, she just can’t think of anyone else to invite. It seems that those onsen tickets are too expensive if it’s refund..30% non-refundable? Perhaps, Sakura mentioned about taking the initiative that Misaki remembers kissing Usui on her own initiative. She’s blushing that Sakura got an idea. She asks Misaki if she can ask her a favor..can Misaki and Usui go with them to the onsen? And, just like a couple of chapters ago, Misaki goes into a state of shock and disbelief.

Okay..Usui is practically disowned just because he is an unwanted child. I have totally forgot about my theories before regarding his past because it has been a long time but then, I guess, this is somewhat unexpected. I’m just curious why they are bothering him now when they just ‘threw’ Usui away before. Could it be that his brother is a failure and after realizing how talented Usui is, they want him back? Ah..well, maybe not that since Maria seems to be from his mother’s side so probably they want a proper heir for the mother’s side. And, since Usui won’t go back and the major reason is Misaki , who is probably deemed as ‘improper’ for someone of Usui’s status, they decide to somehow get rid of her? I wonder if Usui’s brother will make an appearance =P Well, this explains about Usui’s ‘mysterious’ aura, since he is already well-educated and an ‘alien’ since he is a super fast learner. The ‘loner’ aura is he isn’t with people his age and I guess he is used to being alone except for servants and tutors. The reason why he doesn’t want to have a girlfriend is probably because of what happened with his parents. I’m curious why he has fallen for Misaki and not for those other girls? Is he looking for a disciplinarian mother-figure type? Is it because Misaki seems to be ‘different’ like himself yet still persevere for the good of others? Or, is it because she isn’t ‘easy to get’ and she’s a challenge in compared to how he can easily learn stuff? If it was already mentioned before, tell me because I had skipped some parts of this series. ^^;; Also, I now highly doubt that Usui will leave Misaki. After being always being ‘abandoned’, I don’t think he wants to be like his awful relatives. Oh ya, maybe that is partly a reason of their ‘connection’..they were abandoned by their fathers. Anyway, I wonder if we will get to see some lovey-dovey in the next chapter..onsen =P and maybe, about whatever Maria and Tora talked/plotted about will come later on, unless they 'gatecrash' into the trip ^^; Scans by rawsparadise.

Word of the day:
Jesus loves you in spite of all the conditions that cause others to turn away. He wants to change you to be like Him, but He loves you as you are and will never abandon you. You are family; you will never, ever be alone. ~ David H. Roper from Our Daily Bread

Ouran High Host Club [Chapter 78] Teaser
Saturday, January 23, 2010

This is a quickie since it is already late and as usual, lots of dialogue but the turn of events is more or less, easily understood. Tamaki learns about the news that his father is trying to boot out his grandmother from the company. During the board meeting, Tamaki’s father got the upper hand and grandmother is forced out. She’s quite depressed that Tamaki calls out to her but she just rides on the car, ignoring him. Kousaka explains something to Tamaki, probably what happened. What happened has become the hot topic in school. Tamaki returns home and is infuriated by the gossips of the household help. He finds his grandmother depressed in the garden. Well, it got to hurt to be ‘betrayed’ by her son. Then, Tamaki’s father comes home. He exclaims why Tamaki is home and if he is sick. His father tells him of the good news that they can be together again, just the three of them and the people from the second residence will come back. His father is shock to learn that it turns out that Tamaki wants to include his grandmother. Tamaki is really crying and depressed about what happened. At the company, Tamaki’s father is somewhat depressed. He talks with Kousaka and something he told her, surprised her. It seems that it has been 5 days and Tamaki still didn’t go to school. Kyouya informs them that Tamaki is snubbing his father and grandmother is snubbing Tamaki. Haruhi is aghast to learn about this. They all decided to pay Tamaki a visit which seems to be Haruhi’s idea. Tamaki did come to see them at the gate but he didn’t let them in probably because of his current family problems. His eyes really look dead and I guess, he is already emotionally drained. Kyouya decides to pay Tamaki’s father a visit. The others go with him. Tamaki’s father tells them about his past and I think what he did is somewhat of a payback for separating Tamaki and his mother. Then, there are lots and lots of talk that in the end, Kyouya lost his composure that he starts shouting at Tamaki’s father about family and stuff regarding Tamaki. This somehow surprised Tamaki’s father and made him really sad.

At Haruhi’s house, the twins talk a bit about what happened then Hikaru tells Kaoru to go ahead. Hikaru talks with Haruhi about Tamaki and probably about how to make things okay with him. I might get this wrong but I think Hikaru just told Haruhi to confess to Tamaki. *shock* At home, Tamaki uses a different tactic to get through his grandmother and that is by playing the piano. It seems to be working because she asked the servant who is playing and says that it is a beautiful sound. At the airport, some men calls out to Tamaki’s father who looks worn-out. He then welcomes back, Anne, Tamaki’s mother. *shock* And the next chapter will be on 3/24. It seems that everything is accelerating to the..what, the end? It really goes seem that all the problems are going to be resolved soon. I have a feeling that grandmother objecting to Haruhi won’t be an issue anymore if she accepts Anne. So, with Anne there and Tamaki slowly getting into his grandmother’s good graces, I think in a short time, Tamaki’s dream will come true and if Haruhi does confesses, then it will be a happily ever after. Hm..could the ending be like in the anime wherein they greet the viewers or here, readers, ‘welcome to ouran high host club’? Scans from rawparadise PS. I’ll do Kaichou tomorrow (ah..23th, it's already midnight here ^^;), hoping that 鏡花水月 will put up some notes which I can base the scans on by then. Nothing dramatic about Usui..it seems. He’s a 1/4 British and 3/4 Japanese, it seems his mother travels a lot and a bit of complicated family. The fun part is in the end, it seems that Usui and Misaki will be going to hot springs with Sakura and that band guy..forgot his name ^^;

Quote of the day:
You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~ Desmond Tutu

Hyakunen Renbo [One-shot] part 2
Friday, January 22, 2010

[Good news, it turns out that 妄想scans is going to scanlate this series. According to their site, it will be out around this month but since I have already told yuu_Chan that I’ll summarize this chapter in return for allowing me to put her raw scans up in BW, and seiryou has already translated this for me so I’ll write up this summary. ^^] It starts with a narration of Eva that she is loathed by humans and has been alone for a hundred years. Eva wakes up to some rustling as if someone is climbing in her bed. She then see half-naked Louis beside her. Louis tells Eva that she won’t wake up and it’s cold outside so how about they sleep together. He then hugs Eva who’s freaking out. There’s a loud slapping sound as Eva shouts leave, pervert. Eva narrates, “That’s is so, until I’ve met this guy. He is the fifth prince of the ‘Feiernasite’ country, Louis Braxton.” While serving tea to Louis, Eva tells him that it’s all over for this country because their king would actually climb into a woman’s bed at midnight. Crying while holding his slapped face, Louis says that it’s okay because after all, they are lovers. Eva snubs him. Eva narrates that witches are a clan who lives multiple times longer than humans. They are experts in medicine which humans would assume as magic so that kind of belief is actually just fiction. They met ten years ago when he cured the first prince and in exchange, she got the fifth prince. She originally thought of saving this weakling kid but it turns out that she was saved by him instead. Louis seems to be complaining of the cold while drinking his tea. He then notices that Eva is looking at him. He asks if there is a grain of rice on his face. Embarrassed Eva looks away and says no. Eva narrates that young Louis managed to break the tradition wherein the first prince should become king. He plans to undo the misunderstanding about witches and their engagement has been officially acknowledged. Because of this goal, Eva decided that no matter what, she’ll also do her best. Eva asks him about the reason why he came there so early. Louis seems hesitant to tell her. Eva asks him again. To Eva’s surprise, Louis tells her that since they are engaged, this is unavoidable because Gilbert, his older brother, has given them an invitation to an evening ball.

At the palace, Louis, who is carrying her bag, accompanies her inside. Eva comments that it is still spacious as ever. Louis tells her that the evening ball is specially prepared by Gilbert for Eva. Eva says is that so and she remembers that Gilbert is the first prince. Louis says yes. Eva begins to think that it is the guy whose position to be king has been snatched away by the fifth prince. She wonders if he is basically a ‘hopeless’ guy or.. Gilbert appears and greets them by saying that he has been waiting for them. Louis greets his brother. Eva is surprised to learn that man is Gilbert. Gilbert tells Eva that she rarely comes there but he apologizes that his parents are currently away on a trip so he’ll greet her on their behalf. He smiles and introduces himself as the first prince, Gilbert. Eva also introduces herself. She thinks that this guy is quite an earnest guy so if it’s like that, why... Louis asks his brother why he is going to hold an evening ball. Gilbert laughs it off and says that it’s quite strange for Louis to ask that. Gilbert just says that he just feels that since Eva has locked herself up for a hundred years, she might not understand much about the world outside so he just wants her to know more about it. Eva notices how cold Gilbert eyes were. Gilbert tells Louis that it’s time for a regular meeting so just leave it up to the maids to bring Eva to her room. He tells Eva that he’s going to lend Louis for them to go to the meeting. Louis bids Eva goodbye and he’ll see her later on. Eva just says okay. Then, she overhears some girls talking if Eva is a witch because of her jet black hair and they feel uncomfortable about it. She turns around to see that it is the maids talking. They are arguing who’ll walk Eva to her room and they don’t really want to, else they’ll be cursed. They push the new maid towards Eva and shout for her to be the one to go. The new maid falls down in front of Eva so Eva goes to her and asks if she is alright. Before she can touch the new maid, the girl shouts for her not to. This surprises Eva. The new maid then realizes what she just did so she quickly bows to Eva and apologizes. Eva says that it is alright. She thinks that witches still have that kind of impression. Somewhat smiling, Eva asks the new maid if she isn’t injured. “Just tell me where it is and it’s fine if I go by myself.” The new maid seems surprised by Eva’s request. Eva thinks that even if Louis became king and she’s engaged to him, a witch is still a witch and from start to end, this won’t change.

Later on, Eva goes to Louis’ study room. Seeing him reading a book, Eva apologizes and asks if he is working. Louis says that he isn’t but he’s only just investigating about some things. He wants to study about the strong points of the other countries because it’s for the best to first understand the other party. Upon seeing the many books on his table, Eva says that even if it’s very easy to become king, but it’s still hard when he is already king. Louis tells her that it seems so but it’s something that has to be done and he finds it interesting. Eva asks Louis about his other brothers, if they aren’t in the castle. Louis says yes and just like in the tradition wherein the eldest son will become king, the lower princes would just assist the king or just running about. His second brother Keith is currently negotiating some commercial trade issue with another country. Rey, the third son is currently in a ‘cultural exchange’ wherein he’s studying abroad and the fourth son, Edgar is surveying all the other countries = going around the world. [And since he looks like a playboy, maybe he is doing that in search of beautiful women =P seiryou comments that she finally realizes whom Louis and Eva resemble because of the name, Edgar..it’s like the lead couple in Hakushaku to Yōsei /Earl and the Fairy. Now that I think of it, I agree. The girl is ‘different’ and knows all sorts of ‘healing stuff’ and the other one is a royalty with new ‘responsibilities’ because of his ‘new title’. ] Louis says that from hearing that, she’ll know that the lower the level of the prince, the less important they are and he’s the result of that. In contrast, Gilbert has been brought up in a special way and groomed to be king. He is always separated from the other brothers and only exists to be king. Because of this, Gilbert has a strong and magnificent presence that can be scary that one can’t help but be mesmerized by him. Louis admits that up until now, he still isn’t capable to doing that/not used to that so Gilbert told him that his way of thinking is too naive. He believed that in order to govern this country, there should be some sacrifices that is hard to avoid. In order to defend the country, the use of military force is needed and basically, all of that is right but his brother seems to not care for any national sacrifices as long as the country will become great. That is why Louis doesn’t want to give the throne to him..luckily or not, the ‘title of king’ which Gilbert only has, had been taken by Louis. “He definitely detest me, his younger brother who had humiliated him..” In his study, Gilbert closes a book and says it’s boring. With a cold look on his face, he says “Really, it’s too boring.”

On the second day, Eva notices a ruckus happening because everyone is busy talking nervously. She finds Louis and asks him what happened. Louis says that he just concluded a peace [good relations] agreement and dispatched some delegates to the neighboring country ‘Gerasi’ but it seems there has been a misunderstanding there since one of the delegates has opened fire/gunshot. Eva is shock by this. Louis says that it’s really strange for he originally didn’t let anyone bring a gun so that misunderstood shooting shouldn’t have occurred. Just then, Gilbert arrives and says is that true and strange things do happen but no matter what, this should be handled swiftly because his country had attacked that other country and that other country’s reaction can be quite intense. The worst case scenario is that it might lead to war. Eva couldn’t believe what Gilbert is saying. Louis holds Eva’s shoulder and tells his brother that he knows this and the responsibility of his subordinates is also his responsibility. Louis apologizes to Eva about tonight’s evening ball. Louis is pleasantly surprised when Eva assures him not to worry for as his lover, she only needs to keep her chest and head up high. She’s smiling and blushing at him. Louis smiles and blushes back and says, yes. Louis then remembers something and starts whispering something to Eva. Gilbert leaves with an evil smirk on his face. In her room, Eva thinks that even if she said that, but she is really uneasy to the point of not knowing what to do. But her first problem is how to fix her hair. There is a knock on the door. It is the new maid who gave her something which Louis ordered to be given to Eva. It’s a beautiful rose-decorated hair accessory. Eva angrily thinks what Louis meant by that when Louis knew that she’s really clumsy [ that she can’t fix her hair]. To her surprise, the maid offers to help her prepare if Eva would let her and if it’s no problem with her. Eva remembers what Louis whispered to her that she’ll be fine for Eva’s kindness won’t be wasted because there will be definitely be someone who would notice it. “Definitely.” Eva smiles at the maid and tells her it’s okay, she’ll leave it up to her. Eva thinks, “Nothing has changed is because I haven’t tried to change. If I want to change, I should be the one to take the initiative to take the first step.”

And so, Eva goes to the ball by herself. The people start gossiping loudly about Eva having black hair, is Louis really going to be married to that witch, why did Louis choose that kind of person. Eva angrily thinks that even if she is already used to it but being rudely talked about while she’s walking really infuriates her. Her thoughts are interrupted when Gilbert says about those people are born from rich families and from the aristocracy so because of their position, since they were young, they don’t have any misgivings in their words and actions regarding others. If they have something to say, they would just say it out loud without restrained. Eva mentally thinks that she met the one whom she doesn’t want to meet the most. Gilbert changes the topic and asks how she is enjoying the evening ball. Eva says that she isn’t in the mood for it. He asks if she is worried about Louis. Eva replies but of course. Gilbert asks, isn’t she Louis’ greatest worry and if she is here, doesn’t Louis have to work very hard. “Upon arriving in the castle, surely you realize this. A witch is a witch and no matter what, this also won’t change.” Eva nervously wonders what’s up with this guy. Eva stammers as she says that about that, how would one know if one hasn’t tried one’s best. Gilbert takes a glass of wine from a waiter and offers it to Eva. He says what if that glass of wine is specially prepared for her. Can she truly believe that there is no poison and would she drink it? Eva is frustrated and afraid. Gilbert says that she’s shivering but then, this is reality..no one in this castle welcomes her. Eva thinks that what Gilbert is saying is corroding her heart. “Nobody wants you to be with Louis, if Louis continues on with the marriage, what awaits you will only be more suffering, right?” Holding her hair, he says that everything will be okay with a lone sentence of ‘I’ll give up the kingship’. “Following the tradition, give this country back to me. And later on, the two of you can quietly live your lives in some place and it will be okay just to let him, [Louis] treasure you dearly once more and most importantly, protect you.” Eva thinks, “I--”

They were interrupted when Louis pulls and hugs Eva to him while saying, “Will you please not bully her too much? Because Eva is my most important person.” Eva is surprise to see him. Louis says that he came back safe and sound. Gilbert says that he seems to have resolved it quickly in such a short time so what did Louis do. Louis says that he didn’t do anything special, he just sincerely apologized and told them that his beloved person is waiting for him to return so he doesn’t wish for a war. Gilbert is surprised to hear this. Louis continues, “Do you know why this country intensely abhors invasions? It’s because the king is a person who really loves his wife. So after this man who fights to protect his beloved heard what I’ve said, he also changed his mind about the dispute. There is no need to resort to military force in resolving a dispute.” Gilbert seems displeased. He then smiles and prepares to leave while saying that’s good and he should just spend the night comforting Eva. He stops walking when Eva shouts for him to stop. Gilbert turns around to see Eva drinking the wine he gave her. She declares, “I won’t run away. I clearly know that I’m not welcomed and that is why I spend a hundred years avoiding contact with humans. But, I came to understand that even if I hate this situation and just reject everything, it also won’t resolve any issues. The truth is you possess more of the demeanor of a king.” This somewhat surprises Gilbert. Louis is nervous and ‘right on target’ when Eva says that Louis loves to be spoiled/flirt, and if he has free time, he’ll just play with kids. I really understand your worried feelings for the country.” Louis blushes when Eva says, “But—it’s because of that, everyone wanted Louis who thinks of them in the same perspective [as if they are equals], to become king. That is why he is loved and respected by everyone. Louis is my only pride. I want to support a person like Louis. So, I won’t run away, no matter what happens, I will face those difficulties! Gilbert, how about going out to the world outside? And, maybe you’ll more or less, see clearly the kind of world just as what Louis described?” Eva pulls Louis’ arm and leave. It seems that Gilbert is thinking that there is no retreat when one proposes a declaration of war and surely, what would happen next is for them go onwards with it. Gilbert smiles and muses out loud that Eva is really such an arrogant woman. He is surprised when Louis says that won’t do. “I’m the only one who is capable of bullying Eva and teasing her to tears.” Outside, Eva thinks that she shouldn’t lose to her cowardly thoughts and she wants to be able to grandly and walk upright beside Louis. While putting a coat on Eva, Louis exclaims that the stars are beautiful. “But of course, Eva is more beautiful compared to the stars.” Louis goes into shock when Eva tells him, “…Louis, later on, don’t come to my house to look for me.” Somewhat freaking out, Louis asks why, is it because she is tired of what just happened. He nervously wonders if Eva has overheard what he just said to Gilbert awhile ago. Eva thinks that she must walk a step with strength. Eva says, “..I will..” While Louis is looking tense, she turns around to Louis. Blushing, Eva shouts, “Because I’ll go to you myself!” She thinks, “So, please, use that loving smile of yours to welcome me.” Louis breaks into a smile and says, “—okay!”

And in the end, I still blame their parents as to why things ended up this way. Geez, they would even go travelling somewhere and leaving Louis by himself to deal with the country and Gilbert who was suppose to be king. They are living in the same roof..and didn’t it occur to their parents that Gilbert will resent Louis? Or, are they hoping that Louis being a people-person can somehow think of something. Even if Gilbert is a coward type of person since he does things underhandedly like causing an almost war incident and ‘scaring’ Eva, I guess he isn’t that despicable to want to kill Louis if he really, really wants to be king. Hehe, he is actually an ungrateful person, too because it seems he forgot that it thanks to Eva, he is still living right now. Wait..maybe that is why he dislikes Eva, too. He doesn’t want to live that long with the hopes of becoming king and be trained to be one – just imagining all the hardships he went through and being isolated that as Eva hinted, they probably just kept him inside the castle, then, only for all that he worked for to be taken away on a whim. So basically, I do think he has a reason to resent Eva for making him such an awful life but I do hope he takes her advice and just travel like his other brothers to widen his perspective. Well, actually, she probably said that as an answer back to him when he mentioned that he is doing her a favor of ‘knowing the outside world’ through a night ball. It made me think that Gilbert and Eva are similar in some ways because they tend to believe in ‘tradition’ and ‘things won’t change – it will always be like that’. I was also thinking why Gilbert turn out that way after all the training but then, based on his parents, I shouldn’t wonder why for his parents did sacrificed Louis just to save Gilbert. Perhaps, they only realized later on that kind of upbringing is wrong so they got Louis to be king instead.

So, Gilbert, the poor guy seems to be just bored out of his wits since he is now ‘useless’ that he decides that it will be fun if there is war so that at least, he’ll be doing something like use what he trained for before and well, he seems to be very capable in plotting stuff. He’s also way bored that he would bully a woman..trying to psyche her into doing what she would want to do – be comfortable in some place and just give up on all the hardships even if it will later on be rewarded. That is exactly what she used to do when she locked herself up for a 100 years. Of course, it won’t hurt if he manages to get his ‘title’ back with her help. I think both Gilbert and Louis are good in psychology/analysis and they can easily affect people but in opposite ways. Regarding that other country, Gilbert uses his knowledge about that country which can easily be provoked to war while Louis defuses it by going to the root of the reason why they can be easily be provoked. It’s the same with Eva. Gilbert uses her fear of resentment and would want to go the easy way out and Louis has somehow reminded Eva about her resolution to fix the misunderstanding and to always support Louis. It is true that if one wants to change something, it has to start with oneself so hopefully, Gilbert will learn from this and would change himself with the help of good influence from Eva and Louis just like how that maid changed her view of Eva. And, ..perhaps if he did change, Gilbert might get his title back..and if not, he can always find some other goal in his life..like be a king of some undiscovered country =P Hehe, I just think it’s a waste if he didn’t use all that training he had before. Regarding Eva, I guess she will be more proactive later on. If Louis is the sun, I think Eva is the moon so with the sun lending its light to the moon, the moon also shines..so everyone will also learn how great Eva is. As I mentioned before, she is after all, the one who brought him up well ^^ So, maybe, Gilbert also just needs that kind of person to be with him. Hehe, I do wonder if this will end up in a love triangle later on =P

Quote of the day:
Talents are best nurtured in solitude, but character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Strobe Edge [Chapter 28]
Thursday, January 21, 2010

[Some minor corrections. Ren didn’t join ōendan, he just happened to be in the gym with everyone else who were briefed by their respective groups/classes. That is why Mao, Andou’s ex-girlfriend is also there. Also, I didn’t mention it before but it turns out to be important in this chapter. Before the field trip, some girls are asking why Ninako can easily talk with Ren and asked if she likes him. In order to protect/cover for Ninako, Tsukasa, Ninako’s friend with the curly bangs, told them that no, they are just friends which Ninako affirms since currently, they are currently just friends. [Ah, tell me if the friend’s name is wrong ^^;] Ren and Andou overheard it. The two had a conversation: Andou daring Ren to do something to make Ninako like him more, Andou decides to continue to pursue her, Ren told him about the possibility of Ninako liking someone else, Andou doesn’t care and even if Ren accuses him of being self-centered, he will just continue on doing something to make Ninako like him even if Ninako already likes someone else. Okay, continuing from before..] Ninako is surprised when Mao tells her that in order to get close to Ren, she used Andou. Ninako remembers what Andou told her before about what happened between him and Mao. She realizes that the ‘other guy’ is actually Ren. She tells this to Mao who seems to look sideways then looks at Ninako again. She admits that it is true because Ren would only hang out with Andou. Ninako remembers Andou telling her that Mao never once even ‘look at’ him [as a boyfriend]. Somewhat looking down, Mao tells Ninako that her plan still didn’t work because Ren rejected her and because that incident was known, those two guys become distant from each other. She ruined the relationship of the guy she really likes and his best friend. She says that she regretted this. Looking at Ninako, Mao wants to know if Ninako likes Ren because it seems that Andou really likes Ninako and if Ninako likes Ren then Mao thinks that kind of feeling will just trouble Ren just like what happened with her that time. If Ninako does that, it will cause a greater rift between those two. Mao asks again if Ninako likes Ren. Ninako denies that she likes Ren and Mao says that’s very good. Then, Tsukasa calls out to Ninako why she is there for they should be at this side. Ninako notices Mao leaving. After the general meeting, Andou quickly goes to Ninako and worriedly asks her if Mao did something to her. Ninako says nothing and they just talked. Andou is relieved by that and tells her that if something happens, don’t hesitate to tell him.

While everyone is busy preparing for the festival, Ninako is constantly looking at either Ren or Andou for she didn’t know that those two were really good friends. Everyone then takes a break. Ren is looking out the window and seems to be thinking of something. The girls are whispering about how cool Ren is and what could he be thinking. Andou appears behind the girls and tells them what’s so cool about Ren for Ren couldn’t think of any grand stuff. With an all-knowing look, he tells them that right now, with that expression on Ren’s face, he’s most probably thinking of what he’s going to eat in dinner because Ren’s an idiot. The girls don’t believe him. Andou tells them that it is true because Ren is that kind of person. Manabu decides to see if it’s true so he calls out to Ren and asks what he is thinking. Everyone is speechless when Ren says that he’s thinking about wanting to eat tempura/fried shrimp for dinner. Ren is puzzled when everyone suddenly burst into laughter. The girls think that Ren is cute, Manabu says that Andou guessed right and Andou is aghast that he guessed it right. This made Andou shout at Ren to please not think about that because he is embarrassed for Ren. Ren says that he thought of it by his free will. While those two are quarrelling, Tsukasa and friends mention about not knowing if those two’s relationship is good or not and it’s quite inconceivable because those two usually don’t hang out together. Ninako looks a bit flustered and tells the others that she’ll go wash the paint brushes. She turned out the offer by Tsukasa to accompany her. They seem to notice that Ninako looks down/depress. While washing, Ninako remembers Andou telling her that others don’t understand that guy, only he does and he is that kind of special friend to him. Ninako then sees Ren. She quickly goes back to washing and asks if he is also going to wash something. Ren just says that he’s going to wash his hands. Ren asks why she looks down today. Ninako says that she’s fine. When he didn’t reply back, Ninako looks at him and he tells her that he’ll be concerned if she looks down. Ninako blushes and thinks that she really doesn’t want to think of Ren and Andou’s feelings and just tell Ren all of her feelings but..

She changes the subject by talking about Ren thinking of dinner. She asks about their relationship before during junior high. Ren says that they become classmates during the second year and Andou took the initiative to talk with him. Ren admits that he is a loner so he originally thought that those stuff aren’t important. Even if he thought that way, Andou continues to talk with him and generally, Andou was just casually chatting but it really made him happy. He also realizes that he is only pretending that it is okay to be alone and the one who ‘took him away from that kind of thinking’ is Andou. Then, after that, they usually hang out with each other. Ninako asks what about now. After a pause, Ren just says that guys are like that, they won’t always be hanging out together. Ninako notices the sadness in Ren’s tone and she thinks that Andou will always be someone special to Ren. She then remembers what Mao told her. Ren tells her that he never told this to anyone but only to her. Ninako thought that he is saying that because she’s a friend so she put on a happy face and says that she’s really happy that she is a friend whom he can trust. She leaves and Ren mutters that it isn’t like that. Andou arrives and exclaims about Ren being together with Ninako and while he’s away, Ren is making a move on her. Andou mentions about Ren saying before about the possibility of Ninako liking someone else. To Andou’s surprise, Ren replies back about, doing his best to make Ninako like him..just like what Andou replied before. Andou just says that he is just telling himself that. Ren says that right now, they are forced to become friends and he would want for it to be always like this but even if this is also lost, and even if this time, Andou will really sever his relationship with him, he [Ren] won’t back out and he’ll still continue on. After a pause, Andou says that even if he didn’t like that tone of Ren’s voice because it seems that Ren is going to take Ninako but it seems that this is something that Ren has already thought of thoroughly. “It’s okay for me to know this but~ I don’t plan on giving her to you, okay?” Ren says that is what he wanted to say [to Andou]. The two look at each other – somewhat smiling. They go in the opposite direction. Andou calls him, stupid Ren while Ren calls him stupid Andou.

Later on, the Toda, sempai in charge of ōendan, calls out for his members for a practice in section 3-4. During practice, Ninako is really bothered about Ren, Andou and her being a dependable friend that she kept on making mistakes with the moves. Calling Ninako a beansprout, Toda starts shouting at Ninako for always making mistakes. Andou speaks out that if Toda keeps on shouting like that, she won’t remember the moves. Toda decided that Andou take Ninako with him somewhere and teach her the moves. Ninako apologizes about this but Andou says that it’s fine and rather than apologizing, she should just do her best. Ninako thinks that he’s right for being gloomy like that just gives others trouble. Soon, she learns how to do the moves and they take a break. Ninako then apologizes to him because he is going home late [the others have left already] because of her. Andou just happily says that he is already very happy if he can help the girl he likes. This made Ninako think again about the situation of the two guys. She is surprised when blushing Andou is standing in front of her. He asks, “Ninako, what should I do in order to surpass Ren?” He bends down to her and continues to say that he likes her that way and is it enough for her to like him, too. “How should I like you [to make you like me]?” The scene temporarily changes to Ninako’s friends who are eating at a fastfood restaurant. They were talking about whether Ninako can confess or not and Sayuri is optimistic that Ninako will do her best from now on after realizing what she wants. Back at school, Ninako thinks, “I like Ren. This won’t change. So, there is only one answer.” She says, “Andou-classmate, I’m sorry..” Holding her hands with his head bowed, Andou asks, “Why do you want only Ren” Ninako thinks, “And I also have this only answer..” Ninako says that she no longer likes Ren. This made Andou look up to her in surprise. Ninako continues, “But, I also couldn’t return your feelings. I’m sorry..” Toda interrupts them by asking if they are finished. Ninako shouts back yes. She tells Andou that she will get some new forms/materials because hers are ruined. She says that she’s going ahead and thanks him for today. Still kneeling, Andou just looks at her direction as she left. Running at the hallway, Ninako remembers Mao telling her about Ren will be troubled with those feelings and those two guys will be pulled further apart. She thinks that there is only one answer, what is important to Ren and Andou, [referring to their friendship] she isn’t going to destroy it again. She goes to section 3-4 to ask for some forms. Toda turns around and becomes nervous upon seeing Ninako crying. Ninako thinks that from now on, she has decided to thoroughly give up on Ren.

So..Andou just got rejected again. His chances from zero have just plunged down to negative numbers. ^^; As someone in BW mentioned, it seems that no matter what Andou does or how many times he asked, Ninako’s answer will only be one – I’m sorry. filion asked why is it that Andou likes only Ninako and Ninako likes only Ren. Someone replied that it’s because this is shoujo. Rightly so..anyway, I’m curious about Andou’s next move. Will he continue to pursue Ninako or give up? That would also depend on what he’s currently thinking after Ninako said that she doesn’t like Ren anymore. Knowing Ninako whose feelings usually show on her face/expression, I think it will be easy to know that she’s lying. Also, Andou has good instincts regarding people since he is able to guess right what Ren is thinking and he knew that Mao is faking her ‘regret-sadness’ expression in chapter 26. So, I’m expecting for him to know that Ninako is bluffing about that. I wonder if he can put two and two together and think that Mao is behind what Ninako said about Ren. If he did, the question now will be, would he help those two or just leave those two on their own? I would actually understand if Andou doesn’t want to do it though, but then, it seems that at times, he just can’t help it – he can’t help but still want to help Ninako who already rejected him and he can’t help but still want to somehow stay friendly in some way with Ren. So, it’s highly possible that he will help those two especially if he learns that Mao said something to Ninako. I’m still wondering if he would really server his ties with Ren if Ren gets Ninako. Right now, it seems to be a ‘fair fight’ between those two and it seems to be ‘no matter who Ninako ends up with’, our relationship would still be like this...well, maybe a little worse than this ^^;; But, I somewhat doubt it will be a total no-communication type because unlike before, Andou knows what he’s getting into and I think he already knows the feelings of those two for each other. Of course, Ninako doesn’t know this else, she would have done something else. It does seem selfless of her to do this. A part of me thinks she’s stupid to easily believe Mao but then, she did remember all the stuff that the guys told her about their ‘past friendship’ which somehow verifies what Mao said. It does seem that she’s underestimating those two’s friendship and if they knew, I think they might not like what Ninako is doing. Haha, maybe I’m overestimating it ^^;; She also didn’t consider that Mao might have an ulterior motive. Well, it does seem to be a consolation for Andou that Ninako won’t end up with Ren..for now ^^; As for Mao, remembering how she tried to fake it with Andou, I have a feeling that she deliberately said those stuff to Ninako, not because of regret but rather, it’s either she wants another crack at Ren or she’s thinking that if she can’t have Ren, neither will Ninako. And some funny stuff I thought of, I wonder of the possibility of Manabu thinking that the one Andou likes is Ren..he did think before that Andou might actually like him. ^^; So, what if he thinks there is something else between those two who are always like having a ‘lovers’ quarrel’ =P Then, I wonder if Toda will have a role later on..like he would be mistaken as the one whom Ninako likes or, will Toda think that something bad happened between Ninako and Andou that is why Ninako is crying. I guess part of the direction of the plot will depend on what Andou will do next..and I’m curious about that. Scans by filion for BW

Quote of the day:
People's behavior makes sense if you think about it in terms of their goals, needs, and motives. ~ Thomas Mann

Free Talk: Thanks + Teasers: Black Bird [Chapter 39] and Dengeki Daisy [Chapter 32]
Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Free Talk: Time does flies so fast and it’s that time again. The 7th anniversary of this blog from personal entries to manga summaries =P Of course, it’s also time to give thanks to the ones who make this possible ^^ First of all, I would like to thank God for all the blessings He has given me in the past, present and of course, the future. Everything that I have and attained now is all thanks to Him ^^ Also, thanks to my parents and family who provide my needs and wants ^^ Then, thanks to the people who upload Chinese scans and raws, etc which serve as material for this blog especially those from BW forum ^^ Thanks to free hosting picture sites, free blog, free counters, etc ^^ And, of course, thank you, dear readers, who read my imperfect summaries ^^ Thanks to those who tag in their thanks, shared their views about the series, correction, etc ^^ I admit those encourage me continue in doing this, else I would feel really silly for doing all this ^^; even if I like doing it =P For the first time, mangafox has surpassed google as top referrer of my blog. So thanks to those who used my summaries then, credit me and put a link back to my site ^^ Not only those from mangafox, but from other sites as well, thank you ^^ I really appreciate it and thanks to that, I have achieved my dream (way, way before I even got a blog) to at least have a million hits in a website ^^ Well, it is over than that now ^^ Some people ask me to keep on doing this. Well, I do plan to do that as long as I’m able to and have the opportunity to do so ^^ So, rather than be anxious about that, I’ll just keep on doing this and hopefully, you guys continue to enjoy reading the summaries ^^ Let’s ‘enjoy each other’s company’ as we ‘read’ through our favorite and not-so-favorite series, like and dislike the characters, be delighted or irritated by plot twists, enjoy the art, and learn through them for us to somehow become better persons..well, that last part, I’m speaking for myself =P To cap this ‘little speech’, Cito Betlran wrote that ‘Thank You’ are two words that goes beyond appreciation, it is recognition, it is affirmation that what we have done matters and has effect in other people’s lives. So, once again, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! ^^ Now, on to the teasers..

In Black Bird 39, Misao and others learn about the extermination of the whole Nue clan. They wonder who could have done it as Buzen details what happened to the Nue clan. Misao had a bad feeling and asks if it is possibly that it is Sou because of a same goal. They didn’t reply so it reinforces Misao’s feeling that it is true. Then, there is a mention about Kyo’s father going to that village. Then, Kyo asks Buzen something about his parents. Buzen mentioned about the past wherein he met a beautiful woman and was really blushing over her beauty until Sou came and told Buzen that she’s his mother. He mentions that Yo is always silly and smiling but he is strong when fighting. I think Buzen then swears his loyalty to Kyo. Kyo seems to be saying something somewhat funny to Buzen based on Misao’s silly expressions. They were interrupted when Sagami arrives with news from their village. Sou has come back to the village carrying a bloodied wooden container which has the severed head of the leader of the Nue clan. This confirms to them that Sou is the one responsible for the extermination and I think he wants to talk with Kyo. Misao is really nervous about this development. It seems that Kyo is taking her with him to the village. I’m not sure if it is for her protection or to protect her family. Without the knowledge of her parents, Misao packs some of her clothes and stuff in a bag. The next day, Kyo and others arrive in the village. People are blushing as they talk about Kyo and Misao. Kyo seems to be complaining something regarding Sou. They arrive at a residence wherein a woman with sleepy-looking eyes meets up with them. She then leads them in, where Sou is. It seems that Kyou knows the woman but can’t remember where he has seen her before. They go inside and see Sou standing near the bamboo groves. When Sou turns around, Kyo and the others felt a strong pressure/aura from him. Sporting an eye-patch, Sou greets his brother. Kyo seems to be thinking about the possibility of Sou finishing up the Nue clan by himself. It seems that Sou is telling them something about what happened afterwards before but there is the kanji of ‘regret’ so I’m assuming that he killed off their enemy as a way to get back into the village and ‘win people’s hearts that he have changed’. Misao seems to be really bothered about Sou losing his left eye because he pushed her away before as the house collapsed..she’s not sure if he did it to save her. Sou notices her and smiles sweetly at her..probably saying that it’s nice that she’s fine. Misao looks really tense and scared that she is gripping Kyo’s coat too tightly that Kyo has to mention about it to her else she tear his coat. It seems that Misao grabbed his coat again that Kyo looks a bit flustered over Misao’s reaction.

Then, there is some talk between Kyo and Sagami as Buzen leads Misao somewhere where she’ll stay. In the bedroom, Misao is blushing really red. She glances back and there is only one futon. She thinks that they will be together like that everyday, while staying there. When she hears Kyo entering, she quickly pretends to sleep but she can’t fool Kyo =P I think he mentions about her gripping his coat while they are talking with Sou. He holds her hands up and disrobing her. He is saying something and the only thing I can understand is ‘cute’. She is just teary-eyed and blushing really red then before she knows it, Kyo falls on her and probably tells her not to look like that in front of Sou. He covers her face and says something before kissing her and soon, that leads to some love-making. It seems that Misao senses that Kyo is really uneasy. She wakes up to find Kyo gone. She seems to be unhappy about this or something. Tarou mentions about her wanting to take a stroll. Misao says that she wants to go alone. She then sees the woman earlier, who lead them to Sou, carrying a lot of stuff so Misao approaches her and offers to help. She is saying something then, later on, Misao is walking with her. Around this time, Kyo suddenly realizes who that woman is. She is the daughter of Rou/lang – ah, the guy with Kyo’s mother before whom I think is Kyo’s mother’s brother = Kyo’s uncle. So, that woman is Kyo’s cousin and the one mentioned before as dead is actually that guy. ^^; I’m not so sure but it seems that Rou has a grudge on their clan. Well, Kyo must be tense because that woman might be in cahoots with Sou and Misao might end up in trouble again. Hehe, double angst for Kyo because he already brought Misao there with him in the village and yet, he didn’t guard her properly so if anything happens, he is going to really regret it. He’s pretty careless especially since Sou is in the village. Sou has really gotten strong and I wonder what the source of his power is. If I recall correctly, one will become strong if one make love with Misao, right? So it seems that Sou doesn’t need her and well, if he does, he would become stronger. It is a valid reason for Kyo to be uneasy. He might lose his title and Misao. That is of course, depends on what Sou’s motive is. Is he really willing to reconcile with his brother and everyone else? That seems to be very unlikely. At most, he would want Kyo to feel what it is like for everything he has to be taken away from him. Sou does seem to be a take all or destroy type of character. Well, if he is out to do something bad, I think he will do a different tactic as compared to what he did before. Acting nice and doing devious things behind would make him a formidable enemy. I wonder if their father would somehow intervene between those two. I was hoping it will be Misao but from Misao’s reaction from Sou, it seems that she is unlikely to do anything productive except make love with Kyo =P Misao is such an easy target that I thought of another use for her, that is to help Kyo power up because he needs it when protecting her from other stronger enemies =P After all, she is a classic damsel in distress heroine.

While Dengeki Daisy 32 starts Souichiro waking young Kurosaki up and gives him a cup of coffee. They had a short talk. It seems that while Souichiro is patting his head, he is giving Kurosaki some brotherly advice. I can only read ‘past’, ‘regret’, ‘memory’ so I’m assuming that he’s telling him not to do something which Kurosaki will regret later on. Kurosaki seems to be a bit embarrassed then mentioned about it’s late already 1:55am[?] and won’t his younger sister be worried or something. I think Souichiro says not to worry for he would just give her a kiss on the cheek later on in bed while sleeping beside her [I assume because that is what it looks in the drawing ^^;]. Kurosaki called him a weirdo/pervert for doing that to his younger sister. Souichiro says it isn’t so and mentions something about an angel..he’s like an angel to Teru? He seemed to have told Kurosaki that their tastes are the same. Kurosaki angrily protests that is not so, for he isn’t interested in junior high school girls and he isn’t a pervert. Souichiro becomes ‘dark’ and probably says that if he doesn’t want her, then he’ll take her. *insert some giggle* The next scene changes to the next day, on top of the roof, Kurosaki is really gloomy as he tells Onizuka that he had a bad dream about Souichiro. Onizuka mentions about the time when she met a certain guy who seems like Souichiro at the grave. She mentions about the guy’s voice, etc but it seems that she is really bothered by that ‘crazy smiling look’. She tells him something important..that guy’s name is ‘Akira’, and about that guy having long black hair so I think they assumed that ‘Akira’ is the one who kissed Teru and probably the one who blackmailed Arai. [It might be a fake name.] Someone is holding a better drawing of the culprit + description. At the bus stop, Teru is typing a message on her cellphone to Daisy when someone holds her shoulder. She turns around. It is Kurosaki who is surprised to see her wearing a mask. The kanji on the mask is ‘one day one good*’ [*do something good each day] Kurosaki asks about it and she seems to say that it is to ward off that kissing by at least 99%. She then shows him a burnt corn cob and dances-sing about it regarding what she’ll do if she sees the guy again. Kurosaki acts amused but later on, hits her head to probably quit fooling around. He removes her mask and says something that made Teru smile. Then, I think Teru asks him where he is going. He seems to say that he’s going to meet with Takeda. At the playground, while Teru is playing with the Takeda’s puppy, Kurosaki and Takeda are talking probably about someone, probably the Akira guy. Kurosaki mentioned about Teru which I think if Takeda mentioned something secret to Teru. Takeda looks somewhat aghast so probably not and something about some ‘news’. Kurosaki somewhat smiles upon seeing the puppy which doesn’t want to go and give back the ball to Teru. Kurosaki then starts going emo and depressed regarding Souichiro but thanks to good timing, he snaps out of it when Teru calls out to him and he got hit on the face by the ball which Teru uses to play catch with the dog.

After the apology and Teru going back to play with the doggie, Kurosaki and Takeda smoke and talk about something which seems to be important regarding Kurosaki and Teru. There is a mention of ‘hell’ and ‘the girl you really love’ so I’m assuming it is like it’s okay to go through hell if it’s for the sake of the person you love. They then go to Teru who gives him the ‘news’ that the doggie finally got the ball and returned it to her. The three are walking as Kurosaki is doing some internal monologue. Then, it’s only the two of them walking around. They seem to be looking for a place to eat and Teru’s stomach is already growling. Kurosaki mentions about some ‘hanabi/fireworks’ place but Teru angrily shouts about something..ah, want to eat in a good place with Kurosaki? They arrive at a place but to Teru’s shock, it is only for customers above 18 years old. While they were walking again, Teru starts to mention something about her brother. It seems about the time when Souichiro is lost his way, much to young Teru’s shock. Teru starts telling Kurosaki about what Souichiro told her before about being lost and going towards one’s goal..following your wish, choosing your way towards the goal, etc. This made Kurosaki realize something as if Souichiro is giving him an advice again. He starts laughing about it that Teru thinks he’s laughing because her brother is really silly. While she is still happily saying something with arms outstretch, a tear falls from Kurosaki’s cheek and he holds her hand. The narration seems to say about holding the hand of the girl you love and walking each step with her. Teru is surprised-puzzled when Kurosaki pulls her to him and hugs her tight. Teru is puzzled by what he did. While Teru is calling his name, Kurosaki tells her that the two of them are going out tomorrow and he’s going to tell her something important. The last narration seems to be about going through hell but still having hope and believing. So, will we have another ‘finally he’s going to reveal it to her and us’? The other one is Kaichou wa Maidsama! This part somewhat reminds me of Akuma to Love Song’s Shin who realizes something, laughs and finally does something..in Shin’s case, it is to confess. In this case, it’s Kurosaki confessing the truth..wait, maybe while he’s at it, he can also confess his love to Teru ^^ Two birds in one stone. With events like this happening left and right in shoujo, I hope Skip beat!’s Ren will also be having his own ‘confession’ soon like within this year. ^^ I do think that it is a nice touch that it is Souichiro is still ‘indirectly’ giving advise to Kurosaki and who finally gives him the ‘final push’ to tell all..if that is what he’s going to tell her, because Kurosaki is quite stubborn even if the others urged him to do that before. I do hope that everything will go smoothly and it won’t be obstructed in one way or another like ‘Akira’ appearing to cause trouble.

Word of the day:
When your mind turns to anxious thoughts about the future, remember that “your heavenly Father knows” (Matt. 6:32) and will give you what you need. ~ Cindy Hess Kasper from Our Daily Bread.

Mei-chan no Shitsuji [Chapters 75-78]
Monday, January 18, 2010

Kento shouts that there is a sand storm so they should quickly hide behind the camel. Kento quickly grabs Mei and made her sit behind the camel. Since everything is happening in a flash, Mei’s mind is in total chaos. Kento pulls the hood on her head and tells her to close her eyes. Kento hugs her tightly to protect her. Mei blushes a bit. Then, to her surprise, there is a loud sound. Something has hit Kento’s back. Mei worriedly asks Kento what is that sound and did something hit him. Kento just says that he’s alright even if Mei knows he is lying. Kento tells her to calm down since as long as she is safe, it couldn’t be compared to any serious injury. Mei just closes her eyes and hold tightly on Kento. Then, the storm has passed. Kento is breathing hard and he asks Mei if she is alright. Mei tells him not to care about her first but how he is. Kento says he is alright but of course, Mei doesn’t believe him. She calls out to Irufan to help but Irufan is in pain shouts that he can’t move his foot. Kento says that if it hurts that much then it might be a fracture and they would need something to make a splint with it. Mei quickly goes to look for something as she thinks that she’s the only one who’s fine because Kento has protected her. Kento applies first aid on Irufan’s broken leg and bandaged it. Kento is breathing really hard that Mei asks him if he is alright. Kento apologizes that he couldn’t pitch a tent and tells Mei who is carrying a blanket that it will be a great help. Mei puts the luggage beside them. Someone says thank you then to Kento’s surprise, Mei says she is going. Kento asks where she is going. Putting her hood on, Mei smiles and says that she is going to the palace to find Rihito. Irufan calls her stupid and does she think she can do it alone especially since there are two butlers there who want to kill them. Kento says that Irufan is right and it would be better if she heads west to the town instead since it will be lighter with her alone on the camel, she’ll get to town faster.

Mei asks how much faster. Kento says about two days and she can bring the water they have which can supply for two days. He tells her to ask for help from the army. Mei says that means if she didn’t do well, it is possible that she is the only one who’ll be saved. Kento says no for one should say that even at the worst case scenario, at least, she’ll be saved. Mei turns around and says that if she heads to the palace then she’ll arrive there by half a day. Kento protests for her to listen to him because even if she reaches the palace, what if Rihito is no longer there and what if she unexpectedly.. “I..How could I face deceased uncle and aunt..!” [Ah, he means Mei’s parents] Mei turns around and shouts, “But, the only way for everyone to be saved is this..!” Kento looks surprised. Mei exclaims, “I will save everyone, all of us! Shibata-kun, Irufan, Rihito-san and myself. Not one will be left out, I’ll do it and show you all..!” Mei thinks that even if the chances are almost zero but there is still, this only way. Kento just looks surprised by what Mei declared. Irufan starts laughing that Mei is still that arrogant girl who doesn’t fear anything. Irufan tells Mei to bring some water and she can access to some clean water when she arrive at the palace. Holding up a water bag, Mei says that she already has one – for one person. Kento forces himself to stand up and says that if that is how it will be then he’ll also.. To Kento’s surprise, Mei asks him, “..say ‘gambatte’ to me, Shibata-kun.” [Gambatte = like good luck/do your best] Mei waits as Irufan urges Kento to say it. Kento pauses then mutters, “...gambatte..” To Mei’s surprise, Kento smiles and shouts, “Gambatte, Mei...! Quickly bring Rihito back here..!” Mei happily smiles and flashes a v-sign. She thinks, “..Perhaps this might be the last time we’ll see each other, so...I’ll leave him with my best smiling face.” Mei rides on the camel and tells it to gambatte. “Wait for me, you two...Wait for me..Rihito-san..”

In a somewhat make-shift tent using the blanket, Kento continues to breath hard as he lies to his side. Irufan asks if he is alright. Kento just replies, “..Ah.” Irufan tells him to wait for Mei to return since if he already breathed his last, he won’t know what Mei would say [when they meet again]. “If you don’t want that to happen..you better not die!” Kento starts giggling. Irufan angrily shouts what’s so funny when he is already saving face by telling that to Kento. Kento asks, “Don’t you find it delightful? If Mei is alright, then we will also be saved. If Mei dies, so will we. This is called the fate of dying at the same time..” He thinks that among lovers, it isn’t dubious like that. [Not to sure about that, maybe he meant lovers won’t think of that] Irufan sweatdrops and asks if Mei is like that before. Kento repeats his question then says she is like that. “..No, before somewhat more..” He thinks that during the middle of that desperate duel- There is a scene of Mei happily saying, “Let’s win this, then later on, save Rihito-san!” Kento sadly says, “..in the end..it’s still Rihito. That guy..is always buried deep in Mei’s heart, that is her existence’s driving force..” Kento thinks, “It’s not me--” Irufan says, “..Really? From my point of view..” Kento asks what it is. Irufan still doesn’t want to lose to Kento so he decided not to tell Kento about his observation. Kento then asks if he heard something. Irufan is puzzled and says that he didn’t. Suddenly, the blanket is pulled over by Rihito who glares at Kento and asks them where Mei is. Kento nervously points towards the palace and says that she went to find him at the palace. To Irufan’s shock, Rihito punctures their water bag. Irufan shouts what he is doing to their precious water. Rihito shows him a bottle of water and says that he has prepared a thoroughly ice cold water for him. Irufan reaches out for it but Rihito pours it in the sand. Irufan shouts what he is thinking of. Riding on his black horse, Rihito shouts that he won’t allow them to drink first ahead of Mei. The two guys are speechless. Kento starts laughing again. Angry Irufan asks what’s so funny. Kento tells him to look at the display. Irfuan gloomily says that there is still 44 minutes [before the dead line] and darn it, what’s with them butlers. Kento winks at him and happily says, “It’s truly regrettable, your highness.” Kento/Irufan narrates, “You’re great, Mei..you’ve won this duel.”

In the desert, Mei has fallen off the camel. She is breathing hard and her body won’t move anymore. She tries to tell herself to stand up because.. She looks at Rihito’s S pin and tells herself that she wants to see him. “I want to see you, Rihito-san..” The camel perks up and Mei looks up to see something approaching her. Upon seeing that it is Rihito, Mei gathers her strength up to go to him but she falls down again. This time, Rihito catches her and tells her to persevere. Mei is a bit teary-eyed that Rihito is safe. Mei seems to lose her strength so Rihito apologizes for his rudeness. He drinks from the bottle and takes this chance to kiss her..er, I mean, give her water via mouth-to-mouth. =P “Again again, again and again, again and again, Rihito-san relieved my parched mouth..” Then, Rihito fires a flare gun up the sky. Everyone sees it. Daimon exclaims that it is Rihito’s signal so they should head there to rescue them. Izumi and Claris give each other a ‘hi-five’. At the desert, leaning on the luggage of supplies, Irufan says that Rihito has already found her. Kento just says, ya. Irufan tells Kento that honestly, he thought that he’ll die with Kento like that, there. “I totally didn’t believe that girl..Mei..and then..she’s really something, that girl..” Kento stands up that Irufan shouts if he’s listening to him. Kento says yes, he’s listening. Kento smiles as he covers half of his face in relief and thinks, “We can still meet..I can still see you once again..” Outside the royal hospital, a doctor[?] calls out to Rihito that they have contacted each other earlier. He reprimands Rihito that his body is already like that, yet he still went outside. The doctor doesn’t know what Rihito is thinking. He shouts for Rihito to quickly get inside for his treatment. Rihito says that before him, they should treat Mei first. Mei tells him that she is alright now so he can already rest. Rihito tries to protest but Mei says, “And..” To Rihito’s surprise, Mei smiles and says, “I should wait for Shibata-kun to come back. I want to tell him, ‘See, I did it!’.” Mei notices something then looks out the desert. The doctor already tells Rihito to go inside. Rihito looks somewhat sad as he glances at Mei who is waiting for Kento.

At the royal palace, Mei and others confront Salamu who happily exclaims that it’s great that Mei and Irufan are alright. He mentions that it seems that only those two butlers are gravely injured so everything is pretty much okay. This angers Mei that she shouts in protest but Irufan who is in a wheelchair asks if Salamu is saying that as a huge price has already been paid from his side. [Somewhat like payback for what the Shibata brothers did before.] Salamu exclaims if it is alright if he doesn’t go and rest. Irufan laughs and says that if he dies, then the throne will be given to Salamu but regrettably he’s still alive. Salamu denies it and says that the one who plotted it is Kalafu. Irufan says that Kalafu might be the one who started it but who is the one implementing it behind the scenes. Salamu exclaims that he doesn’t know anything. Irufan laughs and says that only for Salamu, he won’t make things difficult for him. Salamu’s relief is short-lived when Irufan exclaims, “As the crown prince, I order that all of my brothers be executed!” Salamu and Mei are shock by this. Irufan’s two butlers are thrown in front of him. Irufan says that he’ll start with them. “I originally wanted to chop off your hands and feet then toss you off in the burning hot desert..Rejoice, I’ve decided to finish you off with my own hands! Bastards, who betrayed their master, die..!” Irufan takes out his gun and points it at his butlers but Mei shouts for him to stop. She goes in front of the butlers. Irufan shouts for Mei to move aside but Mei doesn’t want to. Irufan tells her that there is a limit to being a ‘good guy’ for those two wanted to kill them before. Irufan is surprised when Mei glares at him and takes a deep breath. He sweatdrops and become puzzled when Mei exhales slowly. She asks, “..and then?” Irufan is stunned-silly. He angrily exclaims what she meant by that. Mei asks weren’t they rescued. Irufan angrily asks, “Ha?!” Mei smiles and says, “It’s thanks to them that I came to like Irufan.” Irufan blushes and asks her to please repeat that. Mei says, “I have liked Irufan ♡” Claris nervously points at Mei and looks at Izumi who tells her that she thinks it just means, ‘as a friend’. Daimon and Aoyama look aghast and dark as they mutter that it is a brilliant idea that the Shibata brothers stayed at the hospital else they would have killed Irufan. Irufan tries to hug Mei as he shouts for her to become his number 1 crown princess. Mei escapes and says that this and that are two different things. Mei angrily exclaims that she won the duel and thinking about it, it is all because he kidnapped her. Mei and Irufan are surprised when Salamu exclaims about the fact that Irufan kidnapped Mei and that it is an unpardonable ‘crime’. Salamu shouts for the troops to arrest Irufan since someone who committed such a crime cannot become king. He also shouts for them to take Irufan out the palace for a trial. Mei tries to stop them and tells them to calm down.

The king, together with Rika, comes out and shouts for them to quit creating such a ruckus. They all stop in reverence to the king. Mei asks Izumi why Rika is beside the king. Izumi just tells her that there were some reasons to it. Salamu tries to tell his father about Irufan but his father tells him that he has already heard about it. His father asks Rika for her opinion. Mei sweatdrops and wonders, why he is asking Rika. Irufan and Mei become nervous because of the awful first meeting they had when Irufan was so arrogant with Rika. Mei is puzzled when Rika just says, “..I, do not want a commoner, who couldn’t become future king, as my husband.” The king says that there are other princes. Rika says that an old geezer [older than her] absolutely won’t do. So, to everyone’s shock, the king tells everyone that since that is darling Rika’s wish then Irufan will still be the crown prince. Mei thanks Rika but Rika just says she is just returning the favor she owes Mei. Mei asks if the ‘husband’ she mentioned refers to Irufan. Rika says that she should know already that her hand in marriage will be given to someone from that country. Mei tries to protest but Irufan says that Rika saved him so he will thank her.. Rika glances at him and says that it is nothing. “I’ve only said the truth. What I meant is-- if you are not the ‘crown prince’ then what else, is your value? Fufu..it’s also not bad for my future husband to owe me a favor, let’s go, Aoyama.” Irufan is speechless. Aoyama thinks about Rika’s choice of husband is someone who would-be king but he snaps out of it when Rika calls out to him again. They left as Mei looks worried for Rika. At the palace’s party, Izumi asks Claris if she has seen Mei. Claris says that she hasn’t. At the garden, Mei is walking alone when Irufan who is in a gazebo, calls out to her. Sitting with Mei, Irufan says that it is tiring to go to a banquet after surviving a life-threatening incident. Mei agrees with him. He asks her why she was looking for him and she obviously wanted to say something to him. Mei exclaims for him to please let Rika go for the one Rika really likes is Aoyama and it is just a political marriage arranged by her parents else she won’t be marrying Irufan. “Isn’t it the same for you, Irufan, since you don’t really love Rika? Then I beg of you to please cancel this marriage..!” Irufan says that it is impossible especially since his father is already bewitched by Rika. Irufan explains that this isn’t something that can be done just because he said so because it involves the affairs of both of their countries. Rika is a child whom no one should know about so perhaps, in order to cover all traces of her existence, she was brought up in some ordinary place. “..But due to her stunning beauty, she is being used, used by adults. In order to ensure the supply of oil, she is send to our country to become a bride.” Mei exclaims why it has to be like that. “The king and my grandfather are acquaintances, right? Then..” Mei is surprised when Irufan tells her that old people will die one day. “Perhaps, you still don’t understand. Everyday being served by people, there is an obligation that one must shoulder for living such a life of extravagance and luxury.” Teary-eyed, Mei says that she doesn’t understand that. “I totally don’t understand...that kind of thing! But, if I stand at Rika’s place..and to be informed that I must leave Rihito-san then..” Irufan looks somewhat surprised then asks, “It’s ‘Kento’, right?” Mei looks at him in surprise and asks, “..why..?” This also surprises Irufan who tells her as the wind blows, “Eh? But..the person you really like should be Kento, right--?” Mei looks stunned.

At a huge building, the girls want to go shopping but they weren’t allowed because it seems to be a place only for royalty. Claris exclaims that she is a princess but the manager doesn’t believe her because she is wearing casual clothes. Rika arrives with Aoyama who is carrying a lot of boxes that Rika bought from shopping. She asks the manager if they can go in. She flashes her ring with a figure of the king. Upon seeing it, the manager exclaims is the rare ring which shows that Rika is a VIP. The manager and staff bow to her and let them in. Everyone seem to be shopping for souvenirs since Izumi wants to buy a dress which suits Fujiko, Daimon wants to buy a dress for Miruku and Claris is buying stuff for her parents. Claris tells Mei to choose something but Mei doesn’t seem to be listening. Claris and Ryan are puzzled. Izumi has realized something that she tells Mei that it will be visiting hours at the hospital soon. Daimon offered to drive her there. Mei thanks them. She side-glances at Rika and asks her to buy her a camel t-shirt. Rika angrily shouts for her to buy it herself. Driving her to the hospital, Daimon tells Mei that the brothers are alright since their physique is quite good that the doctors are surprised for it seems that they only attained light injuries. Mei just says, yes. It turns out that Mei is really bothered by what Irufan told her that she really likes Kento. “..what the heck he is saying..that is absolutely impossible..” At the hospital, Mei is carrying flowers and looks at the two patient sign in front of the doors – Shibata Rihito and Shibata Kento. She looks at Kento’s sign then enters Rihito’s room. Mei asks him if he is alright. Rihito apologizes for looking like that but Mei tells him that it is alright. Rihito tries to protest but Mei insists that it is alright since he is a patient. Finally, Rihito stops protesting. Mei happily thinks that it is the first time she saw him in pajamas. While Mei is arranging the flowers on the vase, Rihito says that he heard that everyone went shopping. Mei says that they did but since she already bought what she wanted so she came to visit. Mei thinks that because she wants to see him and after seeing him, verify her true feelings. She opens her sheep-designed bag and gives Rihito his S-pin. Rihito asks why she has it. Mei says that it is Kento who found it. Rihito looks at the pin and somewhat sadly mutters that it might as well be simply lost. Mei asks, “what..” Rihito dismisses it as a joke and thanks her because she saved him the trouble from going through a lot of procedures to replace it. Mei tells him that if he wants to thank someone, it has to be to Kento since he was really worried about Rihito before. Mei’s smile freezes when Rihito says, but, Kento as a butler is a failure because in that situation, Kento should just make all of them three to wait to be rescued or make Mei go to the west to get help from the town. “Yet, even if Kento knew how dangerous it is, he still let Mei go to the palace.” Mei tells him that Kento did suggest those things. Rihito then asks, “So why?” Mei is flustered that she shouts while crying in a funny way, “You’ve unexpectedly asking ‘Why’? Do you really want to know? But of course, it’s because I really, really like Rihito-san, so I’m very, very worried about Rihito-san! You don’t even know this fact. As a butler, you’re more of a failure..I should say..as a man, you are a failure!”

Rihito looks at her in surprise as Mei is breathing hard for saying all that without breathing. Mei is then teary-eyed and flustered. When Rihito giggles, Mei in a dark mood asks if he is laughing at her. Rihito says that he isn’t but rather, he is laughing at himself for such a thing to happen after he got his pin back. Rihito is surprise when Mei asks if it is okay to disregard it..disregard it, at least, while he is in the hospital and just forget about work. Rihito asks her if it is alright if he forgets about it. Before Mei could answer, Rihito puts the pin on the table and asks her to sit beside him on the bed. He says that since he is injured, he couldn’t easily move so would she please take the initiative to come over. [That’s obvious a lie, after all, this is the injured guy who just rode a horse throughout the desert to find her =P ] Mei wonders if Rihito thought that she doesn’t know the meaning of that. At Kento’s room, he just wakes up and freaks out that it is already dusk. He falls back to bed and says that he still wants to go to sleep. He closes his eyes and remembers the time when Mei called out to him to ask if he is alright. Flashback: Kento just told her that he unexpectedly can still see her hard-to-look-at face and they really have gone through a lot. After looking surprised, Mei smiled and said, yeah! End flashback. Kento hugged his pillow and asks forgiveness from God that he lied again for she’s not one bit hard-to-look-at but rather, she’s quite cute. He looks flustered as he thinks that he has heard from that stupid prince that Mei has some things that she can’t talk about like her sadness and her pain even if he couldn’t totally understand them but he wanted to stay by her side as much as he could, no matter what and totally accept.. Kento suddenly stands up and wonders if Mei came to visit. He goes to the toilet to fix his hair with some water. He wonders of the possibility that she already came but he dismisses it because if she did, he definitely would have noticed it. He wishes for Mei to quickly come. Well, Mei is currently being hugged by Rihito. She’s thinking, “Do I really..is Kento the person I really like? I don’t want to know, I don’t want to hear about it--”

Mei thinks about Rihito’s warmth, heartbeat, breath, and penetrating that thin cloth [pajamas], she felt Rihito’s everything. It’s the first time she knows about this during the four years he is beside her. She remembers the time, not long when Kento left.. Flashback: Mei complained about not being able to take it anymore because she is already at her limit as her studies become more and more difficult. Rihito told her that the question is somewhat the same as before so she should just need to find the root problem. Mei isn’t convinced as she complained what’s the use of that difficult kind of math in her life. Rihito smiled and told her that the goal isn’t getting the answer but rather, what’s more important is the method she used to go about it. He also told her that she can get into any university in this whole world if she passed the curriculum of St. Lucia Academy. She asked if that is true. Rihito said it is. But, it isn’t enough for her as she complained that she still doesn’t understand the problem. Rihito told her that there are a lot of things she has to learn in order to get into a good school so that she would become more like a wealthy young lady. Mei asked, “..And then? What happens afterwards..? If..I’m still at Shikoku, and be an ordinary student like everyone..haha, I’m just talking casually..if it is like that, then, essentially, there is no need for a butler.” Mei is surprised to see Rihito’s stunned [lonely and perplexed] expression. From then on, Mei has decided never to say the words ‘if’ again. Regarding Rihito’s expectation of a world’s no. 1 ojou-sama, even if she doesn’t know that it really implies and even if she doesn’t have any confidence that she will be that person but while attaining that objective, she can stay beside Rihito and it will be okay as long as Rihito won’t show that kind of expression again. “So at that time..I honestly do not want to give..the precious water to that man..” It was very hot then and she thought that if this keeps up, they might really die. “Why..why did I do that for a man whom I’ve never met before..why..if I’m a true ojousama, will I do that? At that time, even if I didn’t give that man the water, even if I abandon Rihito-san, Shibata-kun and others and just head west to the town, definitely, no one will begrudge me about it and they might even tell me, ‘It isn’t easy at all and you really did your best.’ But, in that instant, [she ‘sees’ Rihito] I..I won’t become Rihito’s ojousama again..[she ‘sees’ Rihito taking the hand of someone else]”

She snaps out of it when Rihito calls out to her. Rihito says that it seems that she is shivering a bit. Holding on to him, Mei tells him that it is nothing. Rihito tells her to maintain that position for a while since he has something to tell her and it is about when he was trapped inside the palace rubble to the point of thinking that he might die. Mei says that she has heard about it and thanks to Tami’s animal-like instincts, they have found him. Rihito says that is right and while being trapped there, he has realized something. When Mei asks what it is, he hugs her tighter and says that he won’t endure anymore. “In the future, no matter what kind of man will become Miss Mei’s fiance, or what kind of man Miss Mei would like in the future..[I think Mei just thought of Kento]..I will not let go of Miss Mei.” This made Mei blush and thinks/says, ‘..yes..’ To her surprise, Rihito suddenly pulls her off him. He tells her that they will return to their country tomorrow so starting tomorrow, they will return back to their position/status so today, they should rest well and Mei should go back to the palace. Mei wonders if there will be no kiss. Rihito smiles and tells her that about the thing she likes, he would like to hold/do that until the end. Mei goes out of the room then blushes really red. She thinks that it is as if Rihito said something lewd. She blushes and feels really happy as she recalls Rihito saying that he won’t let her go. She then glances at Kento’s name tag. She flips the tag upside down then runs off. Rihito is busy blushing in bed as he thinks that Mei is really cute and this is the only thing he can think of right now. The next day, Kento angrily shouts at Mei as to why she didn’t visit him when he was always waiting [so eagerly] for her. Mei just says, what of it, after all, he’s already discharged. Kento shouts that isn’t the question but rather, isn’t it an ojousama’s duty to visit her injured butler. Mei stutters that that she has some other reasons. Kento asks her what kind of reason. Kento is puzzled when Mei blushes and mutters, “Th..that..” while looking at Rihito who seems to be looking away, too. While those two are arguing, Rika asks where Izumi is. Daimon tells her that Izumi got a call from Miruku just now. Inside a room, Izumi talks with Miruku via video-phone on her laptop and asks her what happened that is so urgent when they are getting ready to leave and they will be at the academy at around half a day. Looking away, Miruku sweatdrops and says, “The..the truth is..that, Izumi..” Then, crying-blushing red Kiba goes on screen and shouts, “I’m very sorry, Miss Izumi.” Izumi just speechlessly smiles as she has a very bad premonition about this. Still crying, Kiba says, “Please..please save us..we have been captured..” The scene is Miruku and Kiba are tied up and surrounded by fully armed men in black with helmets. Izumi sweatdrops and says, “..what?” Meanwhile, those three - Kento is still asking Mei what is the reason why she didn’t visit him. Mei is still avoiding the question by telling him why he kept on asking about it. And, Rihito just quietly stands by.

And, as I mentioned before, I know that for Kento to end up with Mei would be equivalent to a miracle so I would wished the author would stop giving me hope about this issue. ^^;; But no, Mei has to falter, and be confused about it. Well, as a Kento fan, I’m just consoling myself that in the end, Kento will benefit from this if he ends up becoming friends with the suitors later on, like how he did with Irufan. Hehe, he’s pretty much a male-version of Mei-chan. =P I really like his moments in the desert and I really feel for the guy regarding his unrequited love for Mei. I’m still wondering why Mei didn’t visit Kento. Is it because she doesn’t want to confront her feelings, or she doesn’t want to be confused especially if they are alone and she’s sure of her feelings because what Rihito told her? I think she would have visited Kento if Irufan didn’t tell her about his observation since she did wait for Kento earlier. I also like Mei’s little outburst at Rihito. It does seem that Kento is always one step ahead regarding what he feels for Mei rather than Rihito. Before, Kento doesn’t care about butlers shouldn’t fall for their ojousama and here, he realize she is cute and would want to stay with Mei, a bit ahead of Rihito. I wonder if the author really planned this or it is just a coincidence. I’m not too sure what to think regarding Mei pretending to be a ‘great ojousama’ for Rihito’s sake because it is good since she is ‘doing good’ and bad since she isn’t true to herself. As I mentioned before, she seems to pretend to be someone else when she’s with Rihito but she’s more herself when she’s with Kento. So, from the looks of things, Kento wants to stay with Mei, Rihito wants to stay with Mei and Mei..seems to want to stay with both guys else she would have ‘shoo’ Kento away. Because of Rika’s situation, I’m prone to think that this second arc is all about coming of age for the girls wherein they would be moving on from the ‘butler escorted stage’. But, since this is somewhat like an ‘anything-goes’ series, I cannot really imagine the girls without their butlers. I guess that makes this series really unpredictable and fun to read. So, the love angle is going to be put aside for now since they seem to have more suitor problems. I’m guessing as to who is the culprit. And, my guess is that it is either Damien, the American guy or Shinnosuke, the idol manager guy because it involves Miruku and Kiba -> Izumi. I think Mei and others would get into deeper trouble later on and the butlers better brace themselves for more injuries. Hm..Fujiko is missing though, I wonder what happened to them. Are they hiding within the academy? Since Claris is still around even if she is already out of the race, I have a feeling that Irufan might be giving them a helping hand. Scans by 草莓defer for iieye and 星空ツ泪 in BW

Thought of the day:
Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another. ~ George Eliot

Free Talk: WSJ Series' Reaction
Saturday, January 16, 2010

So after waiting for WSJ to resume again, it failed to excite me. ^^; I thought there would be some decent fighting in Bleach [c. 388] but well, it is mostly Aizen taunting and provoking Ichigo before the others decide to be his back-up. I suddenly thought what’s Aizen’s real job is..since he is into hypnotizing and how he can move people just by using his mouth, he is actually a psychologist. =P Given that, I’m still curious how he can actually fight except for being super strong and fast. Can Ichigo really defeat this guy just because he didn’t see Aizen’s initial release? And, maybe, when they are all busy with Aizen, Gin is busy destroying those pillars =P Naruto [c. 478] is still Sasuke vs Danzou. And, One Piece [c. 570] is still rescuing Ace..so near yet so far. I wonder if Luffy will really fight his grandfather or someone else will intervene. Garp might just pretend to hinder him since he is still a marine yet Luffy’s blood relative. I believe that Garp has an influence on Luffy on how his character is like that. Beelzebub [c. 44] is just meeting Angelica and why those guys kidnapped her. Hehe..she turns out to be a pretty girl..lucky of Furuichi but then, at the back of my mind, I think he’ll luck out soon. =P Katekyo Hitman Reborn! [c. 273] is well..getting outrageous. Okay, so Ghost is Byakuran from some parallel world but then, for Ghost and Tsuna to try to out-absorb each other’s flames..^^; What happened to box-flames fights? It’s like some deus ex machine that Ghost just finish off the other enemies in order not to drag this out. I tend to frown on ‘bad guys’ who kill off their loyal allies when they could still cause trouble for the ‘good guys’. Maybe Kikyou will change sides. In the end, it might just be Byakuran..maybe like what’s happening in Bleach. PSYREN [c. 102] is somewhat exciting when Ageha got angry..too bad, it’s just some illusion. It seems to be another premonition that Ageha has the possibility of turning bad.

Kanojo wa Uso wo Aishisugiteru [Chapter 9]
Thursday, January 14, 2010

Narration: “There’s something big that is starting to move. And I, will I resist it? Or, will I ignore it and just leave?” Flashback: Shun looked disgust at a dripping wet doorknob. Aki narrates that for everyone, there is always something which makes one utterly disgusted. [Like a pet peeve] “For someone like Shun, if the door knob of the public toilet is all wet, his mood for the day is ruined.” At Aki’s room, Shun is whining about the different kinds of stuff he’ll think if he sees a dripping wet doorknob. “It’s too much. Just seeing that water makes one feel very suspicious of it, right? Also! Weren’t most of the sinks in the public toilet usually splattered with water? I’ll rather pass than unconsciously touch those things.” Narration: “For me, if my musical instrument has been touched by others, I’ll feel disgusted. Pet peeve, for a person like this, there’s definitely a lot.” Back to the present, at the recording room, Shinya pushes up his glasses and says that it feels like he just got himself a new musical instrument = Riko’s voice. “If it is used in a different way, there is a possibility that the feeling from listening to it would also change. One should also be careful in handling else, harmonics would sound very melancholic. ..But, it’s not bad. I think it’s a pretty good sound.” Souichirou just quietly listens to Shinya’s talk then sighs. Shinya continues, “That is the musical instrument which you originally wanted to give Aki...No matter at what age, children continue to not obediently follow their parents wish on where to go [/what to do].” Souichirou muses out loud, “..children, huh..so what about you? Do you think of yourself as Aki’s older brother?” Pushing up his glasses, Shinya says, “How awful of you. Of course, I’m Aki’s younger brother. After looking closely at my older brother’s failure, the smart and clever younger brother takes away [from his older brother what the parents want to give him].” The scene changes to Aki who is still listening music at Starbucks cafe when someone holds his shoulder. He turns around and it turns out to be Sou. Sou tells Aki that they were told that it will take a long time so they can go home first. Surprised Aki asks if they left Riko by herself at that place – recording studio. Sou asks somewhat displeased Aki if in the end, what they did isn’t right.

Meanwhile, Yuu is riding on the subway by himself. He remembers Riko asking how many times they thought of debuting this way. Flashback: Shinya told him and Sou that it would better if they go home first. Pushing up his glasses, Shinya said, “As for Riko-chan, can you guys lend her to me for a bit more? It’s alright, I’ll take up the responsibility of bringing her home.” End flashback. After remembering that, Yuu looks flustered. [Angry at himself?] It is already 7:02pm and Riko finally finished singing. She goes out and is surprised to see Shinya there all by himself. Shinya greets her, ‘good work’. She also greets him back and asks where Yuu and the others are. Shinya says that he made them go home because it seems like she is going to take a long time to finish. Riko says, is that so. Riko freaks out when Shinya offers to bring her home. She exclaims for him not to. Shinya asks if he can’t. Still freaking out, Riko exclaims how she could let Crude Play’s Shinya to... “Ah! I’m really sorry for keep on calling you Shinya without the honorifics! Because! That! It’s because! I’m used to calling [you] that!” Shinya says, is that so. He then asks if she would like to greet Souichirou before she leaves. Riko says yes. She takes her bag and notices that she has a message on her cellphone. Riko apologizes and asks him to wait for a moment. I think Shinya tells her to take her time. She reads her email from Aki who wanted to see her. The time of the message was 16:03. She blushes then goes into shock that three hours had already passed. Riko quickly types a message, “I’m so sorry for replying you back very, very late (>o<)(>o<)(>o<)(>o<)” [(>o<) = emoticon means panic] Riko becomes embarrassed when Shinya reads out loud, “I also wanted to see you very much!” Riko screams that reading other people’s email is a crime. Shinya just comments in surprise that it is amazing that she had put in a lot of emoticons. Riko timidly asks if guys would be cold [indifferent/corny?] about it. Shinya says ‘freeze to death’, at least for him. Riko asks about leaving five emoticons. Shinya says that that one is the most extreme. Riko exclaims in shock, “Only one!!!” Riko starts deleting the other ‘♥’ after the ‘I also wanted to see you very much!’.

Shinya asks if it’s her boyfriend. Riko says that it is. Something seems to happen to Shinya while he is looking at Riko writing that email because to her surprise, he suddenly says, “In the end, I still think that I should bring you home.” Shinya takes Riko’s guitar, for him to carry it and tells Riko to tell her boyfriend, ‘Even if I really wanted to see you, but today, I really couldn’t do so.’ Back at Starbucks, Aki gloomily reads Riko’s message about sorry for replying so late (>o<)(>o<)(>o<)(>o<), she also wants to see him ♥ but.. Then, another phone rings. Sou says that it is his. Aki becomes gloomier while Sou becomes tense when Sou shows the message from Riko, ‘It’s a total shocker. I’m going to eat dinner with Shinya! Totally outrageous! Why did you guys left earlier (>o<)(>o<)’ Aki smiles ever so painfully and tells nervous Sou to quickly ask her, ‘What are you guys going to eat’. At a huge building, Riko is totally nervous to the point of becoming teary eyed. [If I were her, I’ll also be reacting the same way.] The automatic sliding door opens as a female receptionist takes the guitar from Shinya for safe-keeping. Shinya thanks her. Riko replies back, “It’s French food (>o<) A place where one can see Tokyo Tower. It’s really scary [to be here] (>o<)” Thinking of a place where there is French cuisine and one can see Tokyo Tower, Aki wonders out loud, “Is it the Ritz?” [Ritz is of course, the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Click the link to see the spectacular view of Tokyo that Riko will see in that short slideshow. She is doing to eat at the restaurant called Forty Five. There’s also a menu there so check out the prices of the food there =P] Sou goes into shock and a nervous fit when Aki orders him to quickly check it out. Pointing the direction with his thumb, he says, “She should be at the 45th floor of that huge building opposite from here. Thanks.” Sou exclaims in disbelief again. At the restaurant, Shinya and Riko are looking at the menu. They are sitting near the window where the illuminated Tokyo Tower can be seen. Shinya looks up and sees Riko looking really tense-dizzy. Shinya giggles and says that her shoulders are very stiff. Flustered, Riko exclaims that it’s because she’s too nervous and it would have been better if she just went home. Shinya says that she’s quite cold-hearted. “I really don’t like eating alone.” Riko exclaims in disbelief. “You’re already a grown up so even if you are alone, surely you can still eat.” Shinya defiantly replies, “No.” Riko nervously exclaims again in disbelief.

The waitress asks what they will order. Shinya tells her his orders. He asks Riko what she would want. To Shinya and the waitress’ surprise, Riko nervously tilts her head and says, “...water?” Shinya asks if she isn’t hungry. Riko says that it isn’t that. “It is..it’s because I didn’t bring that much money.” Shinya looks at her in surprise. He tells her that he won’t let her pay using her own money. Riko exclaims that won’t do. Shinya asks why not. Riko says that if she lets him pay for it then it would be like a date. Shinya replies, not so. Riko exclaims, “How can it be not so!” To Riko’s shock, Shinya gives back the menu to the waitress and tells her that Riko will also be having what he’s having. While unfolding the napkin and putting it on his lap, Shinya asks, “For instance, how is it done if you and your father went out and eat together?” While putting the napkin on her lap, too, Riko answers that her father will pay for it. Shinya asks what if it’s her uncle. Shinya looks surprised when Riko tilts her head and asks, “..uncle will pay?” Shinya smiles and says that if she is with a grown up guy, it is okay for her to be nice and just let herself be treated out. Riko replies back that as a grown up, he should at least learn to eat alone. Shinya laughs and comments that her mind is unexpectedly quick. Riko tells him that it is rude for him to say ‘unexpectedly’. Shinya just giggles and changes the topic by asking her what kind of person her boyfriend is. While the first course [looks like salad] is served, Riko tells him that her boyfriend is a very handsome guy. Shinya asks if the guy is at her same age. Riko replies that he’s an adult. Shinya asks what his work is. Shinya is surprised when Riko exclaims that he is unemployed. Then, Shinya laughs. Riko asks why he is laughing. Shinya says that it is nothing. “As an adult, I’ll just give you some advice. When one is obviously already an adult yet one is still unemployed, then he’s only just a trash.” With a serious look, Riko tells him to please not say bad things about her boyfriend. Shinya says that he isn’t saying it with malice. “We are just discussing, right?” Riko puts down her utensils. Shinya notices this and Riko tells him, “Music. His work is more or less related to the music industry.” Riko looks somewhat flustered. To Riko’s surprise, Shinya asks her what her boyfriend’s name is. Shinya explains that he might know the guy because this [music] circle is surprisingly small. At Starbucks, while holding his cup of coffee, flustered Aki mutters, “Oh great..if I knew earlier, I wouldn’t have said that lame lie..” At the Ritz, Riko tells Shinya that his surname is Ogasawara. Shinya perks up and repeats the surname. He asks what the guy’s given name is.

Back at Starbucks, Aki seems uneasy as he puts down his cup of coffe. “Ah-ah. If Shun learns about it, I am so going to be laugh at for the rest of my life.” At the Ritz, Riko says, “Shinya” [Hehe, silly Aki =P] Shinya asks if it’s the same as his name. Flashback to the time when they first met: Riko asked Aki what’s his name is. Aki said, “Ah..I’m called Ogasawara..” Riko is a bit puzzled since he didn’t continue. Suddenly thinking of something, Aki continues, “..Shinya.” Aki became nervous when Riko called him as ‘Shinya-san’ and asked how it is written in kanji. With a somewhat blank-smiling look, Aki told her that he hates to be called by his given name so could she please call him by his surname and ignore how one should call another’s name. [Since they are lovers, usually, call by name] He shook her hand and said that he’ll be under her care. Somewhat puzzled, Riko asked isn’t the name Shinya pretty cool if it is the same as Crude Play’s Shinya. After looking surprised, Aki’s expression somewhat soften and said, “...yes, it’s very cool. Truly is very cool..is that how it should be said?” The two look at the giant billboard of Crude Play on top of a building beside Mari’s billboard. In the billboard, Shinya is facing away from the ‘viewers’. Aki asked if saying it that way gives him a somewhat strange feeling of being inferior [to Shinya]. End flashback. At Starbucks, Aki looks flustered as he thinks, “A feeling of inferiority.” Sou has arrived at the entrance of the restaurant as a rich-looking couple go inside. Sou becomes nervous as he thinks that this place is really amazing for it is really a world for super adults/big shots. He feels that he is in the wrong place since he is just wearing ordinary t-shirt, shorts and sneakers. Sou freaks out when the receptionist welcomes him and asks if it’s a table for one. Sou exclaims, “No?! About that!!!”

Sou returns teary-eyed to Aki. Bowing down to Aki, he shouts, “I’m very sorry!! I’ve went but I couldn’t bring myself to go in!” With a blank-stupid look, Aki says that is right. Holding Sou’s hand, with sparkles all around, Aki says, “Sorry for forcing you to go and do something that you can’t do. On this day, I came to like Sou-chan more.” Aki complains that speaking of that, it is all because of Shinya and also the one who went with him to that Ritz restaurant. After a pause, Aki stands up and walks away. Sou calls out to him. Without turning, Aki says that it can’t be help, he’ll just go there himself to bring her back. Aki goes to the Ritz. While going to the lobby, checking where the restaurants are [45th floor] and going to the elevator, Aki wonders what he is going to say, how he is going to say it and what does he want to say. Ding- 45th floor. The receptionist welcomes him and asks if it’s a table for one. Aki tells her that his friend is already inside so can he go in and look for his friend. The receptionist obliges. Aki goes in as some customers are looking at him. He looks around and they are no longer there because Shinya has already brought Riko to the train station. Shinya offers again that he’ll drive her home on his car. Riko tells him that there is no need for she likes trains. Shinya giggles again that Riko asks what it is. Shinya says, “How should I say this..actually, you just said some ordinary stuff but one by one you wonderfully killed my defenses by saying those things. Generally, it is one of your inherent abilities. Let me ask you, were you usually asked directions by people?” Somewhat puzzled Riko says yes. Shinya continues, “You look easy to strike a conversation so even if there isn’t much reason, one would want to talk with you. It’s like some kind of attraction. This is a kind of talent. The talent of making others easily like you. So, I’m saying.” Riko looks expressionless with eyes wide in surprise when Shinya leans towards her as if to kiss her but he stops, probably upon seeing her expression. “What is it?” Preparing to leave, Shinya pushes up his glasses and says, “Ah- Forget it. It’s best that we take this slowly, step by step.”

I’m really amazed at how the author is fleshing out these characters that she even gave them/showed us their pet peeves, habits, realistic reactions, personality, etc which is still related to the plot. I’ve come to believe that this series is more character-driven and development in the future rather than plot-driven. Even with the plot moving at snail’s pace, I get to know more about the characters and beginning to like them with their good points, flaws and all. Even if the story’s timeline, which is all over the place, is somewhat irritating, I do think that the author really thought this series through so that she can pull it off. For example, I was wondering before why Riko would always call/introduce Aki by his surname that I thought he didn’t told her but it turned out that he lied about his name and asked her to call him by his surname. I guess later on the series, I will be having more of ‘Ah, so that’s why’ expressions. =P So let’s talk about the characters in this series. Shinya is obviously the center of attraction in this chapter. His character is somewhat like the devious type of glasses guy stereotype but then, he has something that makes me admire the guy. I find it odd that there are times when Shinya always pushes his glasses up then I checked the times he did. It turns out that he has a tendency to do that when he is saying something sly/sarcastic and something that favors him. In short, it is when he is plotting something and deliberate saying those things. Is he doing it unconsciously? The surprise here is how he treats Riko out. Wow, the Ritz..he really knows how to spoil his would-be ‘talent’. I do somehow feel that there is some ulterior motive to it or is he probably just jealousy over her boyfriend but then, for him to do that can really make a good impression on a girl. This early, it is obvious how Shinya can dominate Riko. He even made her erase those other ♥ in the email. Well, maybe she puts importance to his point of view as a guy. This expensive dinner also enabled Shun to know more about Riko and her boyfriend =P Shinya is a really driven guy. This guy really knows how to grab opportunities and treat those opportunities [like Riko] well so I believe later on, this guy is really going to be a successful man probably like Souichirou is.

Riko does seem to be naive but she has her very good instincts which help her. I think Aki never told her what his real job is so I believe that Riko just guessed it to defend Aki to Shinya that Aki isn’t trash. Aki did hum a ‘never-heard-before’ tune when they first met and he does seem to be in love with a singer. So, most probably, Riko put two and two together. I also think that she knows that Shinya is lying about not being able to eat alone that Shinya mentions that she is unexpectedly a quick-thinker. Maybe just like Shinya, she is a good observer that she can tell if one is lying but then, it doesn’t seem to extend to knowing if a guy truly likes her or the possibility of Yuu liking her. Riko also knows how to draw the line. She doesn’t want to be treated by him but Shinya manages to do that in the end, but she gets her way about not driving her home. I like Shinya’s observation about Riko being approachable. It’s true for one would easily want to approach her rather than someone like Mari if one would want to ask for directions. It made me think that maybe it is because of this ‘ability’ that Aki talked with her in the first place, contrary to what Aki believes that he just pick some random girl on the street. Actually, I think that charm of Riko might help her build a harem soon =P At chapter 9, we now have three good-looking guys interested in her, one way or the other. Of course, if she has her debut + interviews to show off more of her charm, I think her admirers will easily increase. ^^ It seems that Sou is somewhat like Riko. He easily follows what Aki told him to do. Is it because they were adults that they can easily manipulate teens? It made me think that something more happened between Aki, Shun and Sou meeting earlier. Maybe we’ll get a flashback about it later on. Sou does seem to be pretty loyal to Shun and Aki to the point of reporting to them what’s happening to their recording and Riko. Maybe Sou feels that he can trust these two more than Souichirou or Shinya. For Sou to easily find Aki at the cafe, I think they had talked about the meeting place beforehand. I also wonder if Riko emailed only Sou about the dinner with Shinya. Could she also have emailed Yuu? Hehe, that will really make Yuu regret leaving her alone. =P Well, even if she didn’t, Yuu seems to be regretting how he replied to Riko’s question and for leaving Riko behind. As a guy, he should have quickly thought that something is up and how could he just easily trust Shinya like that. He did have an unfavorable impression of Crude Play before because of his jealousy. But now, what if Riko also likes Shinya or they might get to know each other more? He will push further back from Riko’s heart as a potential boyfriend. As for Shun, I think his pet peeve is quite logical because after all, he is from a rich family and something, that is drippy wet = dirty, will definitely disgust him. He’s probably the type of guy who’ll avoid public toilets if he can. I wonder how he survived his school years. He must have a lot of bad mood days then or Aki had been listening to Shun’s rant a lot more before =P Luckily for Aki that when Shun went in the company’s toilet, it isn’t that wet else, Shun will be complaining more about his pet peeve to Aki rather than his lack of guitar skills =P

Quote of the day:
Life is made up of constant calls to action, and we seldom have time for more than hastily contrived answers. ~ Learned Hand

Hyakunen Renbo [One-shot] part 1
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

This is a 40 page one-shot story published in 2009/Oct issue of Lala. There is another chapter in the Feb issue but filion who scanned this chapter for BW didn’t buy that issue. I was able to summarize this because seiryou translated it in Chinese ^^ This is written by Mashiba Nao, another new mangaka for Lala. The plot is a love story about a prince and a witch. It seems like a reverse of Hana to Akuma. The title means, “Hundred Year Love” ^^

In a bedroom, the king tells Eva, the witch that his first born prince is ill with a sickness that none of the doctors can cure. The king asks her to use her powers to heal him and they will give her anything that she wants. Eva sees a young sickly boy coughing while standing near the door. She tells the king that she wants that youngest prince there, whom she’ll use as her food to be eaten later on. Eva wakes up as she thinks that is quite nostalgic, the first time she met Louis when he was young. Older Louis approaches her and tells her to wake up because the weather is very good today. She is surprised-irritated when Louis tries to kiss her on the forehead. There is a sound effect so maybe she hit him. Eva thinks that he has grown up to become a spoiled guy/guy who likes to spoil/flirt with her. At the dining room, Eva asks Louis if he can’t even wake a person up normally. Louis tells her that he always try to wake her up in an ordinary way but she won’t wake up so he thought that maybe she was put under a witch’s spell which can be broken with a prince’s kiss. Eva tells him blankly that she is that witch. Louis whines that he’s only kidding and a witch doesn’t really do that. Eva says that nobody thinks that way. They believe that a witch’s jet black hair is unlucky and that belief is so ingrained within the country that everyone detests a witch. Eva says that the truth is, she just belongs to a race that lives longer than humans. She cannot use magic nor curse people. She is surprised when Louis says that she doesn’t eat humans either. Eva thinks that she’s only an expert at medicines which is the only thing she attained after living for such a long time. Blushing, Louis says that he knows that rather than a bad person, Eva is a goddess who saved him. Eva mentally [introduces to the readers] that Louis is the fifth ‘airhead’ prince of the country [name 菲尔奈斯特/ Fei-er-na-si-te in Chinese]. Eva exclaims for him not to think to highly of her for a witch is doomed to be detested so it is better for her to just live her life quietly and alone. Eva thinks that Louis has become an expert in using flowery words when he’s just a weakling [always sick] brat. Louis says that she’s deliberately saying those things again. He starts coughing. This made Eva worried that she quickly goes to him and asks if it is acting up again. Louis holds her hand and says that he’s joking. “Were you worried? Sorry~ I just want to prove that Eva is really nice.” Eva is stunned and fuming in anger. Louis smiles at her and says, “I do not need anyone else.”

Eva recalls that her half-joking request was granted. Flashback: Eva put some medicine in the soup and told young Louis if he is really frustrated then he should drink it in order to make them regret for abandoning him. “If the pain is too unbearable then, you can just cry out loud. An extremely obedient kid is disgusting.” It is only then Louis start crying out loud. End flashback. Louis tells Eva that it is thanks to her that his health has great improved and because of that, he is currently there, to be with her everyday. “As I grow up, I gradually realize that is clumsy Eva’s kindness. After realizing this, I cannot suppress my feelings anymore. Perhaps, unexpectedly, I’m not the kind of brat that you perceive me to be?” He touches her hair and kisses it. This made Eva blush really red. She punches him away and exclaims that for her, he is really just a kid. Louis then asks her where she is going since she had put on her hood. Eva exclaims that she is going to do her monthly shopping for their supplies. Eva thinks that it is quite strange that he becomes troublesome when he grew up. Louis accompanies Eva to the market. A kid wants to play with Louis but he says he can’t because he is currently doing something else. Eva overhears some women talking that it would be nice if Louis becomes king for the country because with him on the throne, the country will definitely become greater. Eva is surprised by this because she never considered it since Louis is no longer a contender for the throne. She smiles and also believes that Louis will be a great king. Just then, a female storekeeper drops an apple from her stall. Eva helps her pick it up. Just when the storekeeper is thanking her, Eva’s hood came off. The storekeeper is shock upon seeing her black hair. The woman exclaims that she’s a witch. “Don’t touch me! You’re really disgusting..” This made Eva run away and passes by Louis who asks her what happened. Eva kept on running. Before he can ran after her, the storekeeper stops him and tells him that woman is a witch who only pretends to help her but she is really going to curse that apple. Louis got angry when the storekeeper accuses Eva of seducing him in order to get the country in her hands. Louis tells her that as a prince, he is very nationalistic and would want to protect the country. “But, as a man, regardless of who it is, I will not forgive those who hurt her, understand?” Later on, Louis manages to catch up to Eva. Louis asks her if someone said cruel words to her but for him, it is great that she’s a witch. Grabbing his collar, Eva shouts what’s good about it since a hundred years ago, it’s also the same. She had dyed her hair before and fell in love with a man. Then, that man got an incurable disease. Because of this, Eva had confessed who she really is and promised to find a way to cure him. To her shock, the man accused her as the one who had caused his illness. Nevertheless, Eva still tried to find a cure in the hopes that if she cured him then everything will be back to normal. After 50 years, the medicine is finally finished but that man has already passed away. She hated her stupidity that she locked herself up in her house for another 50 years. She has finally realized that a witch shouldn’t walk outside under the sunlight. “For someone such as me, you [Louis] are too dazzling.”

Sitting on top of Louis, Eva tells him that he is just like that man so she thought that if she helped him and be saved by her, perhaps she can write off those 100 years of being such a stupid woman. “That is why I chose you. I only treated you as a replacement.” She thinks that there is no need for him to bind himself to someone like her for she only wanted her freedom. Louis smiles and touches Eva’s face. He tells her that she is wrong. “It’s because that guy looks like me that is why you liked him. Thank you for waiting a hundred years to meet me and I’m sorry for making you all alone for a hundred years.” Eva breaks down to cry as she hugs him tightly. Eva thinks that it seems that those words from this kind of guy have saved her. The scene changes to Eva getting a letter from Louis telling her if she’s up and he isn’t there because some group from the castle came to see him. Eva realizes that he isn’t at home today. She thinks that it is because of the sunlight that she woke up. It seems that ever since that day, she had covered all the windows in order to hide her miserable self but unknowingly, she had let a warm sunlight in because that small light [Louis] cannot be covered up. It seems that she removed all of the barricades from her window or that is just an illustration of the condition of her heart. She is surprised when Louis came back, looking sad. She is about to ask him why he came back so early but she notices that the king and queen are with him. After serving drinks, the king informs Eva that he would want Louis to succeed him even if he had abandoned Louis before. The king recognizes that Louis had grown quite independent, talented, and strong. Louis also endeared himself to the people who wanted him to become king. She remembers the woman before saying that if Louis becomes king, the country will become better than it currently is. She realizes that Louis isn’t only her ray of light but everyone else’s, too and compared to this kind of house, he is more suitable in standing underneath the sun. To Louis’ surprise, Eva calmly says that she understood and she no longer needs Louis, he can go back to the city. The king thanks her and says that in exchange, they are willing to do anything she wants as long as it is in their power to do so. Eva believes that this is for the best. The king tells Louis that they are leaving. Louis keeps on looking at Eva with a sad expression. Eva thinks that it seems that their unexpected separation is quickly over and done over with.

Then, Eva is moping. A witch can talk/understand animal language. A bird calls out to her and asks if she is crying. Eva denies it but rather, she is very angry because of spoiled Louis. She is furious that he said before that he won’t leave her yet he didn’t even cry when they are going to be separated. The bird says that it’s because Louis is unexpectedly strong for surely, he thought about the country. Eva says that today is the coronation day and surely, his engagement will also be announced. With a twinkle in the eye, the bird says no wonder, since Louis is good-looking. Eva exclaims what’s good about him when he always tend to hang around with her everyday and without her, surely, he is still happy as he was before, because they aren’t really in that kind of relationship. The bird asks if she is lonely. Eva denies that she is lonely as she shoos the bird away. Eva thinks that is impossible for her to feel that way since she has been alone for a hundred years. Her heart is already tired and she did decide not to have any relationship with anybody and be alone until she dies. At that time, it is only an accident that got in contact with that young human. He doesn’t want to stay at some nearby houses. He would come there everyday and without her permission, he cooks and cleans for her. On his own initiative, he came to stay [/sleep] by her side. “Without permission, he starts to occupy my heart.” She sits up from bed and imagines/remembers Louis smiling at her and saying, “Eva, Eva, I really like you.” Eva finds herself crying. After recovering her composure, she quickly puts a hood on and rushes outside. She goes to the place where everyone has congregated to watch Louis’ coronation. Among the crowd, Eva wonders if it has already started. She reprimands herself for being so stupid when she is already at this age. “When it’s so obvious that the most important thing in this world is already by my side.” She watches as Louis is crowned. She thinks that Louis is a prince and she is a witch, it’s obviously impossible for them to be together but.. “I do not want to give up.” Removing her hood, Eva tells the person in front of her to move else, she’ll take his life. This made some shout, “A witch!!” Everyone quickly moved away from her and Louis looks down to see her. Eva walks towards where Louis is. She thinks that even if she is alone, she will open the path to him. Louis mutters her name. The soldiers quickly grab Eva and accuse her of wanting to curse the newly appointed king. They had bound her hands and made her sit on the floor. Eva says that she is indeed going to curse him with ‘Love only me’ curse. The soldier exclaims what kind of nonsense she is talking about. Teary eyed, Eva thinks that there is nothing wrong for a witch to like somebody. “I will not give this person to anybody.” Eva asks, “Louis, to whom do you belong?” Louis replies, “Yes, I belong to Eva. Belong to Eva who gave me a place to stay.” He approaches her and frees her. Carrying her, he kisses her forehead and says, “This time, I will protect you. Do not let go again. So it turns out that ‘loosening the reins in order to grasp them better’ is such a brilliant idea.” This made Eva blush-surprise. Louis says that finally he can publicly announce it. He puts her down and happily exclaims, “We’re getting married ♡” Eva blushes and says, ‘What-’ Everyone is shock that he is getting engaged with a witch and is it some sort of mistake. Louis says that they’re too cruel for saying such things. The people shout back, but of course, they will think that way because his partner is a witch. Louis tells Eva that it will be alright for he will definitely clear up the misunderstanding about witches. “Just wait with your head and chest up. But then, I didn’t expect for Eva to do this kind of thing with her utmost strength.” Eva tries to protest but Louis smiles and says, “Eva, you’re so cute. And, the only one whom I want to marry is you.” Eva thinks that she takes back what she said before, this guy didn’t grow up to become a spoiled man but rather, he became a cunning man. Blushing Eva looks away and asks him what he plans to do if she didn’t come. Louis says, “But I’m absolutely sure, you will come. Because, the one whom Eva really likes is me, right?” Louis holds her face to look at him and he slightly bend down to kiss her. Narration: “But because I waited a hundred years for the person I’ll love the most, no matter who you are, I’ll also will love you.”

I think this oneshot can be made into a series. There will be many obstacles later on like getting everyone’s approval, making people accept the truth about witches, Louis brothers who may be not as nice as him because they are brought up by such parents who can easily abandon and get back their son for their own convenience, age gap issues, he might not live long like her unless she creates some longevity potion, and will there also be objections from her own race if they exist, other than his own countrymen. I wonder if Louis’ parents will agree because they did gave their word to do whatever she wants as long as it’s within their power. But then, these parents can easily take back their words as long as it’s convenient to them and the country. I think they should even thank Eva for taking Louis in because I think he became someone qualified to be king because of her. I think with his winsome personality and Eva continuing to have a positive influence on him, they would not protest that she is bad for him and their country. ^^ On a side note, Louis somewhat reminds me of VK’s Takuma (funny, serious and char design) but the love story is like Ichiru and Shizuka’s =P

Quote of the day:
Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring. ~ Oscar Wilde

Papillon -Hana to Chou- [Chapters 29-30]
Monday, January 11, 2010

Chapter 29 Title: True Hayato picks up a small container of incense sticks beside the pail that Rena has left behind. He then notices Ageha has returned. Seeing her looking sad and flustered, Hayato asks what the matter is. Ageha says that Rena has told her so many things that she is really confused. Hayato asks her what Rena said. Ageha tells him that she was told that Hayato let go of Arisa’s hand in order to save himself and after Arisa had passed away, he started to court Rena. Hayato just says, “Is that so..” Hayato is carrying his flowers again and it seems he put Rena’s flowers on the grave. Ageha is flustered since Hayato isn’t denying it. “Could it be true..?” Ageha holds on to him and says that there’s definitely some sort of reason that is why he doesn’t want to say anything. Looking sad, Hayato says, “Sorry..I can’t talk about it now.” At home, Ageha is moping as she hugs her pillow tight. She wonders what Hayato meant by what he said and does it mean that he’ll tell her about it one day but it really feels as if she is rejected. “Sensei..don’t I have any way of supporting you? If sensei is in pain, I should do something to help him because I want to be his strength..” Hana knocks on her door and tells her, “Miss Rena said, that Kyuu-chan killed someone and you [Ageha] shouldn’t go near him. Do you believe that?” Ageha looks surprised as she shouts that it’s impossible for Hayato to do that kind of thing. Ageha is surprised and sweatdrops when Hana says that’s right for she also thought that Rena is lying. “That woman is really suspicious.” Seeing Ageha’s expression, Hana asks if she didn’t find it strange for an average person won’t reveal that much information when they only met once. Ageha is surprised and shouts that Hana is right. She did thought that something is not right since Rena kept on blabbing non-stop that she even mentioned about that. With twinkle in her eyes, Hana exclaims what Ageha heard. Ageha tells Hana about what happened. Smiling slyly, Hana says that it becoming more like Rena is indeed lying. Ageha asks Hana why would Rena lie since there will be no good advantage to Rena if she does this. Hana calls her twin stupid. “Of course, it’s to make you leave Kyuu-chan. I understand that feeling.” Ageha is surprised after Hana mentions about the possibility of Rena liking Hayato.

At the hospital, Hana got her wound checked by the doctor who told her that the stitches will be removed after a week. On her way out, she is happy to see Hayato at the hallway. Before she can call him out, she is shock to see him going to see Rena. At the cafe, Ageha is thinking that what Hana told her is right for that would explain Rena’s behavior. She wonders why Rena hasn’t confessed if she really likes Hayato. Her cellphone rings. She takes out her phone and sees that it is a message from Hana. She is surprised to see that it is a picture of Hayato and Rena together. Back at the hospital, Hana is hiding behind a pillar while taking pictures of the two. Hayato returns the box of incense sticks to Rena. After taking it, Rena says that since he specially brought that to her, that means that he is using that as an excuse to see her. Hayato admits that is true. Hana looks surprised. Hayato asks when she came back. Blushing Rena says a month ago. When he asks if she is staying at her old home, she says that she is, momentarily. Hana is making faces like ‘ugh’. Rena asks Hayato if he is really going steady with that girl. Hayato admits that he is. This surprises Rena and she is flustered. She asks if he doesn’t care about her anymore. Hayato says he does. Walking away, Rena shouts that he is lying. Hayato grabs her hand before she can leave. He puts a piece of paper on her hand and tells her that is a way for her to contact him so if there is something he can help her with, she can just tell him. Later on, at the cafe, the other staff of the cafe is pleasantly surprised about Ageha having a twin who looks exactly like her while Shinobu just keep on wiping a tray. Hana shows shocked Ageha of the picture of Hayato giving the paper to Rena. Hana tells her that Rena definitely has feelings for Hayato for she even took the paper without much protest. Ageha exclaims that if Rena likes Hayato, why she appears here only now. Hana says that it seems that she used to work at a different hospital. Hana asks Ageha how she knew. Ageha says that she only heard of it just now. “The question is, what does Hayato feel for that woman--” Hana is really curious about what happened in the past between those two. Hana asks Ageha if she has seen any of Hayato’s friends or co-workers so that they can ask them about it. Ageha says no. This made Hana say that she’s useless. Ageha says that Hayato has a brother and she has seen Hayato’s sister-in-law. Hana asks if she means Ran. Ageha is totally shock as she exclaims how Hana knew about Ran. Hana ignores her as she says out loud that Ran might know something and it would be good to check this out.

They arrive at Ran’s store. Ageha is still asking Hana how she got Ran’s calling card. Hana tells her to keep quiet and not mind about that non issue. Ran turns around to greet her ‘customers’ when her eyes widen upon seeing the twins. She exclaims in shock and excitedly asks if Ageha has a twin and that they would be like how her own twins would look like after they grew up. “So cute~” The twins mention about the pretty bottles on display. Ran tells them that it is Aura Soma oil wherein one can read the ‘current mood’ and ‘future’ of that person in accordance to the color that one chose. Ran asks if they want to try it. The twins say that they want to. Ran tells them that the first bottle is the ‘soul bottle’ wherein one can see the color of one’s soul. Ran says that it is suppose to be four bottles but for now, one bottle would do. While Hana is squealing about which bottle to choose, Ageha has already chosen one. Ran tells Ageha that her bottle is ‘guardian angel’ – someone who can open a person’s heart in order to change, a peaceful emissary. Ran also tells her that it seems that she is lacking in self-confidence and right now, it is a must for her to be proactive in confronting someone. Ageha exclaims in shock how Ran knew about that. Hana happily exclaims that is really great for it is a bull’s eye. Ran asks if there is something troubling her. Holding Ageha’s shoulder, Hana tells Ran that Ageha has been depressed ever since she met the younger sister of Hayato’s ex-girlfriend. “She wants to know if you know this person named Kitajima Rena.” Ran is surprised as she exclaims if Ageha has seen Rena and where. Ageha says at the hospital. Hana says that afterwards, they met again at Arisa’s grave and that Rena said that Hayato is a killer, who kept on wanting to get close to her [Rena] and other such strange stuff that it really shocked Ageha. Ran is angry about that as she hits her fist on her other hand and says, that brat would actually say those things. Ageha is shaking her head that Rena didn’t say that. Hana motions for her to keep quiet. Hana asks Ran if what Rena said is true. Ran seems to be flustered to tell them or not so she asks them if they have asked Hayato about it. Hana says she did but he only said ‘can’t tell you right now’. Ran apologizes that she can’t tell them if Hayato doesn’t want to tell them. She just wants them to just believe that Hayato is not a killer. Hana asks if it is because Hayato wanted to save himself that is why he let go of Arisa’s hand. Ran is shock that Rena also told Ageha about this. The twins look at her with pleading looks that Ran shouts for them that she really can’t and please don’t look at her like that. The twins heightened up the pleading looks. Quick thinking Hana clasped her hands [as if begging] and says, “Mama..” Ran is in the verge of giving in. Ageha[?] asks, “How can Louis and Mari [Ran’s kids] believe in something they didn’t know. Right now, we are really troubled, what should we do?” Ran shouts for them not to say anymore. Ran imagines her kids saying, “Mama, tell us.” Ran hugs the twins as she calls her own children’s name. “Please don’t tell Hayato that I was the one who told you girls.” The twins happily say, “Of course!”

Ran serves some drinks and tells the twins that she became friends with Arisa during high school. Rena who is a year younger than them always went out with them. Arisa met Hayato when she is already in college. Flashback: While Ran is walking together with Arisa, Hayato approached them and mistook Arisa for Rena whom he was with during some ski training. Arisa told him that he is mistaken for she is Arisa, the older sister of Rena. The one who first met Hayato is Rena and they hit it off during that first time so they agreed to meet each other again after the ski training. Hayato approached Arisa and Ran again. Ran complained, you again. Hayato asked Arisa to help him meet with Rena. Arisa doesn’t want to. Hayato explained that his phone has malfunctioned after it got wet in the water so he has no other way to contact Rena. To Hayato’s shock, Arisa told him that Rena already has a boyfriend. Seeing Hayato all gloomy, Arisa smiled and asked, “Won’t I do?” So soon, those two ended up going steady and their feelings for each other gradually progressed. Rena has seen the two. At home, Rena shouted at her sister why she is going steady with Hayato. Arisa said that it is because Rena already has a boyfriend. Rena shouted that she doesn’t have one and she only told Arisa that she likes someone. Rena accused her sister for being cunning because the person she likes is Hayato. Rena doesn’t want to give up so she even chased after Hayato to college. Rena invited herself to a camp that Hayato, Rena and friends are going. Then, that accident happened. The happy trip has becoming a shocking tragedy. Hayato stayed near the river bank to help rescue people. [Rena and Arisa are in the middle of the river; Hayato and others were saving the ones nearer at the bank first] The one who is holding Arisa’s hand is Rena. Rena is holding on a boulder as she tried to pull Arisa. During that time, a floating log has hit Rena’s shoulder that made her let go of Arisa. Arisa is then swept by the strong currents as Rena and the others can only watch in shock. Rena keep on hanging on that rock as Arisa just disappeared in the currents. After half a day later, they found Arisa’s corpse. After Rena recovered consciousness, she starts to sprout some unbelievable words. At the hospital, Rena is shouting at Hayato as to why he didn’t save Arisa. Ran tried to tell her that it was Rena who is holding on to Arisa but Hayato stopped her. Hayato told his sister that since Rena couldn’t accept the truth, she had twisted reality. Hayato said that Rena’s heart might fall apart if she learns the truth. [Become catanonic/crazy?] Hayato decided to shoulder the blame and this is for the best. Since that is what Hayato had decided, everyone, who was in the trip, decided to treat that as the truth. Hayato believed that one day, he can help Rena recover. End flashback. Ran asks the twins to empathize with Hayato’s feeling and not to mention this to Rena. Ran bows and says, “Please.” The twins didn’t reply as Ageha thinks that it turns out that Hayato is innocent. Hana asks Ran that after Arisa died, what’s up with Hayato chasing after Rena. Ran says that she doesn’t know and wonders if he really did that. Ran’s theory is that Hayato has been trying all sorts of ways to heal Rena so perhaps that gave Rena the impression that Hayato is chasing after her. Then, Ageha realizes that Hayato become a guidance counselor because of Rena. Ding dong. Hayato answers the door and is surprised to see Rena looking flustered and glum. Hayato asks her what the matter is. Feeling confused, Rena mutters that she had a dream about that day which she really wanted to forget.

Chapter 30 Title: Cursed On the way home, Hana tells Ageha that Rena is really strange [to blame Hayato] when he didn’t do anything wrong. She asks Ageha doesn’t it make her feel that Rena is too cruel to say such things to Hayato. Rena had passed over the blame to Hayato while Rena totally forgot about it and acting as if she’s the victim. Hana believes that they should just tell Rena about it. Ageha exclaims what if Rena’s heart collapse if they told her. Hana says that it has been four years already and it shouldn’t bad to let Rena know about it now. Hana smiles at Ageha and whispers to her about tell Rena. Ageha shouts that they can’t because they promised Ran and also, Hayato has decided to help Rena with her condition so they shouldn’t meddle. Hana asks when Rena will recover and if this continues, Hayato will always be entangled with Rena so it’s best to just let Rena know. Ageha holds Hana’s shoulders and shouts that they must not and they shouldn’t just do things on their own. Hana asks why Ageha is that agitated. Hana tells Ageha to think about it, Hayato has already wasted 4 years in trying help Rena recover but from looking at her, Rena’s wound is still very deep. “It is for the best that we, as outsiders, cannot just easily meddle in this. Let’s leave Miss Rena’s affairs to sensei.” At Hayato’s apartment, Rena is sleeping on his sofa while he closes the curtain. Ding- rings the oven toaster with some slices of bread inside. This woke Rena up. Hayato greets her a good morning. Rena sits up and exclaims her disbelief that she has fallen asleep. Hayato laughs and says that she slept really soundly. [snoring, perhaps?] This made Rena really embarrassed that she quickly goes towards the door and exclaims that she’s leaving. Hayato invites her to eat first even if he only has some toasted bread. Rena blushes and accepts his invitation. She asks him why he isn’t asking her anything. She says that before, he’s way too annoying that he kept on recounting what happened on the day when her sister passed away to the point of thoroughly investigating her family. Hayato spits out what he’s drinking. While wiping the mess, Hayato says that it is true that it is annoying. He apologizes and says that he is just doing some reflection/soul-searching before, so he didn’t realize how annoying it is to listen to others talking. While washing the rag, Hayato tells her that being annoying to her while thinking of a way to make her understand seems to be such a very strong/forceful method. “So, right now, I think that if you are happy and everything, then I can be at ease. Speaking of that, if the person doesn’t want to go after happiness by oneself then no matter what one [another person] does is meaningless. At that time, I don’t know this.” Hayato smiles and apologizes for making her tense. Rena blushes a bit while looking at Hayato.

When Hayato returns to the table, Rena comments that he has changed. “You’ve really changed a great deal.” Hayato is surprised about this. Rena says that he has become talkative/good conversationalist. She asks if she can go there to whine if she can’t sleep at night. Hayato is surprised by this. While he is saying, ‘but of course’, ding dong, his doorbell rang. Hayato goes into shock when he sees that Ageha is outside the door. Rena asks if he had a visitor. Hayato peeks out then quickly goes out and closes the door. Ageha happily greets him a good morning. Flustered, Hayato asks if something’s up. She happily tells him that she baked some bread and can they eat it together before going to work. Hayato exclaims, bread and why so sudden. Ageha tells him that it will be ghost/obon festival (July 15 in Japan) soon and they haven’t planned about their trip yet. Ageha suggests that they look at some vacation brochures/booklets that she brought while they eat together. Hayato looks surprised and it seems he has totally forgotten about the trip. Ageha grabs the door knob and says, “I’m coming in.” To her surprise, Hayato grabs her hand to stop her. To her shock, Hayato apologizes and admits that Rena is inside. The door then opens and Rena goes out. She tells Hayato to let Ageha in for she is going home anyway. Goodbye and Rena left. Hayato is freaking out and nervously looks at Ageha’s shock expression. With hands together, Hayato exclaims, “I’m sorry!” Inside the house, Ageha is flustered as she exclaims that she really can’t believe it. Opening the bread from the bag, Hayato tells her not to worry for nothing happened and for a change of mood, how about they look at those vacation brochures. Hayato eats her bread and exclaims that it is really delicious. Ageha says that she’s very disappointed with him because he didn’t ask her first about letting Rena stay for the night. Ageha seems to be jealous since she thinks that Rena likes Hayato because Ran has told her earlier about Rena and Hayato. Hayato looks somewhat sad-flustered. He tells her that this is the first time and it happened unexpectedly for this is the first time Rena took the initiative to see him. He explains that Rena dreamt of Arisa and her face looked really tired. After ten minutes from entering the room, she has fallen asleep. Since she was able to peacefully sleep there, Hayato decided to not to wake her up. Hayato apologizes again that Ageha should be displeased no matter what about this but Rena came to see him and he can still help her, so it’s possible that there will be more time wherein he will be with Rena. This made Ageha flustered. Looking at the vacation brochures, Ageha asks about the trip, has he decided not to go. Hayato exclaims that of course, they are going, he is really anticipating it. Ageha looks at him doubtfully. Hayato just grins nervously. Doing a pinkie promise with her, Hayato declares that after she finished her work today, they are going to a travel agency together. Ageha isn’t too happy about this.

At work, Ageha happily greets the customers but within herself, she had a bad feeling because what Hayato implied was, for her to just endure the situation between him and Rena. She doesn’t want for their [Hayato and Rena] relationship to be closer because from what Ran told them, Hayato originally likes Rena very much. She fears that something might happen then, those two’s feelings for each other before would be rekindled. “I don’t want that!!” She mentally screams while she is with Hayato at a travel agency. Hayato comments that there are a lot of brochures on local travels. He happily asks her where she wants to go, sea or mountain. Ageha gloomily says sea. Hayato exclaims in glee and tells her to choose a bikini swimsuit. He then says, “Then, what’s really important is that, right?” Ageha has no clue what he is talking about. He whispers, “Will we be going back on the same day or staying overnight?” Ageha is surprised by this. She starts hitting him and calls him a lewd wolf. Hayato says that staying overnight is no good because her parents will get angry. He asks her if she can get the help of her friends, those three girls to cover for her. He says that it’s quite rare to be in a vacation so they should take their time to enjoy it. Hayato imagines that they watch the stars at night, play fireworks, take a bath together at the hot springs and ‘lap pillow’ [using her legs as pillow] while wearing yukata. Hayato happily says that they should just go to a hot spring resort and it would be like a dream. Ageha is somewhat surprised at Hayato who is really excited like a kid. Hayato then happily tells her to look at that brochure wherein the food looks really delicious. His excitement has infected Ageha that she can’t help but feel happy about this trip and she thinks that Hayato has always cherished her. While happily looking at the brochures with him, she thinks that it isn’t easy for them to go on a trip together and it would be waste if she goes with such a bitter melon expression. Later on, Ageha tells Hayato that it is fine with her if he’ll need more consultation time with Rena in his room since the only one who could lighten Rena’s pain is Hayato. “Even if the time we will meet, will lessen and I’ll feel lonely, I’ll endure it. Since sensei is acting as Miss Rena’s support then, I will become sensei’s support.” Hayato blushes in surprise as Ageha smiles at him. Hayato happily hugs her that Ageha is a bit embarrassed since a foreigner is looking at them. Hayato happily thanks her and he is really happy that she can empathize [/understand the situation]. Ageha also somewhat hugs him.

At home, Hana sees a booklet about a trip to Kinosaki [hot springs resort] on the dining table. Hana asks her mother if someone is going on a trip. Her mother says that Ageha will be going out with her friends. Hana feels that something is up since she doubts Ageha will go with her friends. Hana stands beside Ageha’s room and the door is open. She eavesdrops on Ageha’s phone conversation with Hayato. Ageha tells Hayato that there is no problem at her side and her friends also have agreed to help. Hayato says that he will then book an overnight stay reservation online. Ageha tells him that she’ll help him pay for the expenses using the money she earned from work. After hanging up, Ageha is really happy that Hayato seems to be very happy and she is able to be of help to him. She exclaims out loud how happy she is. Ageha hugs her pillow and happily hopes that she can help Hayato in many other things. She doesn’t want to be depressed again regarding that stuff with Rena. “I just need to be a bit self-confident to become a girlfriend who protects and stands his side. After the trip, I’ll definitely be able to attain it. More and deeper bonds, using my huge heart to hold on to sensei” Realizing whom Ageha is going with for the trip, Hana is filled with jealousy that she crumpled the booklet about Kinosaki and throws it in the garbage bin. The next day, Hana waits for Rena at the hospital lobby. She greets Rena upon seeing her. Hana asks if she can talk with her but Rena says that she is busy. Not to be deterred, Hana asks out loud if she still likes Hayato. This made Rena turn around in surprise. Putting on a fake smile, Hana says that the one whom Hayato should originally go steady with, should be Rena but it’s quite unfortunate that he was stolen by Arisa. Flustered Rena nervously asks how she knew. Hana says that if it was her, she would generally not forgive Arisa for it and it is most probable that she would even wish Arisa would just disappear. This made Rena nervous that she tries to leave but Hana grabs her hand when Rena is about to go downstairs. Hana asks Rena if she also thought that way. “So, when you let go of Miss Arisa’s hand, you felt guilty, right?” Rena just looks at Hana who remembers Ageha’s words about Hayato wasting four years to help Rena recover, Rena has deep wounds in her heart and not to do anything before Hayato does. To Rena’s surprise, Hana tells her that during the accident, the one who is holding Arisa’s hand is Rena. Rena asks what Hana is talking about. Hana tells her that even if she lost her memory, surely, she still remembers it – the feeling of holding Arisa’s hand that day. This has made Rena to somewhat remember what happened then. Rena quickly let go of Hana’s hand and shouts, “No!” Rena quickly tries to run down the stairs but to her and Hana’s surprise, Rena lost her footing and fell down. Rena lays unconscious mid-way the stairs. Meanwhile, Ageha is cleaning the toilet and is surprised that her butterfly necklace has fallen down. She quickly picks it up and is happy that it isn’t broken. She washes it on the sink and wonders why it fell down when she put it on properly. Happily holding the pendant, she is eager to go to the trip. Talking to the pendant, she says that she can’t wait for it to see the sea with her.

Okay..Hana is currently is a big mess right now. At first, I was thinking why she is confronting Rena right now. Is she planning for Rena to go on a break down so that Hayato can’t go on the trip? Or, she is trying to get bonus points from Hayato if she is able to ‘cure’ Rena? I have the impression that she wanted to do something for Hayato than what Ageha can do but then, she is running on jealous and ‘misery loves company’ = ‘I don’t want Ageha to be happy ahead of me’ so she might want to destroy everything. So, what now..will Hana do the coward thing of running away from it? That would ruin her ‘good points’ with Hayato unless of course, Rena had another amnesia and forgot all about it..nah, that’s too soap opera-ish. Whatever Hana will do later on, I think this could be a life-changing moment. Since the series ends in volume 8, I do think that Hana will change for the better from here on. I actually like how the twins teamed up to learn about Hayato’s past. They can actually get along if they want to. Hana is very vocal that I think it is partly thanks to her that Ran told them about it. It seems that Hana’s gut feel is very good, too. She immediately sensed that Rena likes Hayato and Ageha isn’t really going with her friends to that trip. I do think that the trip won’t happen. I actually think it’s good because I think it is risky. For momentary fun, Hayato is risking ruining his reputation to the parents even if they tell them that nothing happened between them that night. They might not be able to trust him again. Of course, in these two chapters, it shows why Ageha is ‘the girlfriend’ because she is the one that Hayato needs who is patient and understanding. I’m curious though what would Hana’s Aura Soma reading so that we can more or less know what will happen to her later on or if ever, who’ll she end up with. As for Hayato, maybe it is part of ‘counseling’ to make his ‘patients’ feel at home but then, maybe he ought to quit ‘inviting patients’ especially females in his home or else, people will really misunderstand so ya, Hana is a very understanding girlfriend and good thing that Hayato isn’t the type to play around though he does seem to flirt a lot for counseling purposes. Hehe, interestingly, Hayato doesn’t seem to have a trauma regarding falling in love with one of the sisters wherein both loves him. =P He does seem to be just hesitant to fall in love again. Unfortunately now, he has another ‘accident’ in his hands courtesy of a ‘jealous sister’ ^^; And, that ends volume 6. Volume 7 in Chinese is out but no one has scanned it so, this is it for now. Scans by fema for iieye.

Quote of the day:
In jealousy there is more of self-love than love. ~ Francois de la Rochefoucauld