Name:
=3Kat

About this blog:
I write about the manga I read , the anime/tv shows I watched and somtimes, the PS2 games I played. I tend to summarize them 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:
In the blog pic, the picture is by dochan.com taken from JumpC Quote is by Anne Frank. Edited in Photoshop CS2. The background is from GRSites. The GB animated gif used to be from this site, Gin-san of Gintama is a screecap from piyopiyo2006 in Youtube and Pleinair by Takehito Harada is from JumpC. Gin and Pleinair edited and animated in Photoshop.

Metal Gear Acid

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Past Dreams:
2007

01/20/03 - 02/20/03

Blog by pitas

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Manga pics from
JumpC, Gocomic, Sky-fire & Billwang.

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

Monthly Random Blahs: Anime and Dramas
Friday, April 20, 2007 @ 02:48 p.m.

Anime: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion has ended or rather in hiatus whatever, the last two episodes of the season will be aired on summer so it is more or less has ended. The last episodes were quite eventful as Lelouch unwittingly orders Euphie to kill all the Japanese and it also marks the time that Lelouch can no longer go back to his life before as his geass is now always on. I have read a comment as to why Mao shot many times still lives because of so called Britania medicine when they can’t even save Euphie because of just a single bullet wound. ^^;; I think in the end, Suzaku knew who Lelouch is. It somewhat reminded me of Gundam Seed wherein each party has killed the other party’s friend though here, it is a potential girlfriend and well, Suzaku haven’t exactly killed someone dear to Lelouch. It is interesting that Lelouch has no qualms killing off his relatives though he is pressured to kill Euphie while he usually think really hard if it is his friends are involved. It is really sad when Euphie died, she is still thinking of the Japanese happiness while they are calling out for her blood. Regarding who is right – Lelouch or Suzaku, I think it depends on who wins the war and how the history will be later written. For those in control, Lelouch/Zero is of course the bad guy/the rebel who tries to disrupt peace and has caused many people to die. If he wins, history will say that he fought for the country’s independence. Suzaku would be the one wanting peace in exchange for one’s freedom. He actually reminds me of those people in masks in WW2 in this country who would point out the rebels/traitors to the Japanese or those who suck up to the ‘invaders’ of the country. ^^; In the last two episodes before the second season, I’m assuming more deaths as the fight is nearing the school since Suzaku and Nina are out for revenge. I kind of fear if the second season will be titled, Suzaku of the Rebellion if Lelouch wins and Suzaku will be the one rebelling. Hehehe Well, maybe not since the emperor would probably be the next target in that other season and what is exactly CC wants from Lelouch. Overall, it is quite an entertaining series.

Ghost Hunt has also ended to where the current Chinese volume is in. The last arc isn’t that scary as the Blood Stained Labyrith. The last arc is about this resort wherein dead ghosts harass and possess people because of a certain stick god which wanted people to worship it else be punished. It goes to show that they can still somehow solve the case even if Naru is ‘out’. It mildly irritates me when Mai scolds at Naru and when Naru does it, Mai regrets it. ^^; It seems that Naru does have a certain power but he can’t quite use it since he tends to end up in the hospital as his body can’t handle the power. He used it to destroy the stick when the others couldn’t. He is just peeved that he got possessed. Finally, Ayako shows her stuff as she isn’t useless at all. Anyway, maybe if there are more stories from the manga, there might be a part 2 but then, it will be a long long time. Overall, there are only two really scary stories here, the doll and the labyrinth arcs but the rest seemed quite tame to me. The most boring is the first arc where they all met. And the funniest is the one about a ghost in the park. By the time, the series end, everyone showed that they each has something to contribute to the group and is not a ‘burden’. Red Garden has also ended and yeah, they finished their mission and everyone who are involved in this are dead. It turned out that they just need the stolen book of the enemy so that immortal dolls/girls can finally die while they, the female leads, wanted to live even at the price of losing their memories. Lise died though because the enemy put their blood in her and how Herve has to kill his own sister is really sad. There is an OVA to continue what happened to them after they woke up – with no memories. Overall, the series is okay though at first I have a problem with the character design and does seem to be a rip-off of Gantz. Each girl has their own problems and somehow because of the incident, they have their girl bonding to become stronger as they learn more of their fate and more or less, solve their problems/hang-ups. It can be quite boring at times though I like the silhouettes in the opening song and eyecatch.

I had surfed around and learned that episode 39 is the last episode of Saiunkoku Monogatari so I quickly finished watching it last night as I’m just 1 and half episode behind. Shuurei and others are finally back home where it all started as she showed her proposal of what she wanted Brown Province to become after fixing the internal problems of Brown Province. As I said before, I felt that there should be more to this story but things somehow ended up shallow or not that entertaining enough for me though it isn’t terribly dragging yet that I don’t bother to watch anymore. It is like I’m bored then perk up and wanted things to become more exciting but it didn’t get there then just repeat that cycle. ^^; I’m amused that it is only when the female chairman of the merchant alliance mentioned about balancing work and love when Shuurei remembered to thank those who helped her reach where she is now. I am already ready to say can’t you at least give a proper greeting, etc to your father for in the end, position/etc are useless as family is still important. Lol Oh well, good thing she came to her senses by then. By the last episode, it is still open-ended between Shuurei and Ryuuki. I almost laugh again there and started to imagine all sorts of scenarios. Ryuuki will wait for her forever..let’s see he do that when he is emperor and others will be pressuring him to have a heir. Since this seemed to be base on Chinese scenario, they might offer him concubines! Having a qualified heir is important, too else, all their plans like what would happen to Brown Province can go down the drain. I’m also amused when the two Kou brothers were saying that if Seiran is emperor, he won’t be at that welcome back party. I’m thinking if Seiran isn’t, won’t Ryuuki be there instead? Oh ya, maybe if Seiran is emperor, Shuurei might not be where she is now. I’m actually ready not to watch the second season of this one but then, I stumbled on a blog while trying to see what other anime in the new season is good to watch. That blog commented on the first 2 episodes of the second season and it is quite good reviews so well, I guess I will continue watching it then.

Bleach, One Piece and Naruto Shippuden is pretty much the same as to what happened to the manga though I do find it at times that it seems to be dragging. For Bleach, some scenes just kept on extending like Ichigo being beaten by Grimmjow, I thought it won’t end ^^; The recap at the start of One Piece seems to be quite long, actually longer than in Bleach while in Naruto, it is as if things are in slow motion at times that I can’t quite get excited at some of the fighting scenes. ^^; Only one new episode of Gintama fansub in this month about hot summer as Gin tries to buy an electric fan. How fitting, it is quite hot here right now around 35C & above and it will be hotter in May. Yay! ^^;; I’m still enjoying Kekkaishi and I can’t quite pinpoint why I like it...I guess it is more on the cuteness factor or something and well, Yoshimori has to balance many things aside from being the heir to their family – being a student that he sleeps most of the day, liking the rival, Tokine who seems to just see him as a youngber brother, sibling rivalry, want to be a baker/being a cake otaku, etc. I wonder if Tokyo Majin Gakuen is ending after I watched episode 11. I think most of the scenes shown in the opening and ending are already tackled in the series. Just when Aoi’s whines of being helplessness starts to irritate me though I think it is because she tries to stop the others and could have ended up hurting them instead, she became the enemy as she is probably brainwashed by the enemy, Kozuno. See, it is one thing being useless but it entirely a different thing when she is the cause of the problem/more problems for the group. Mm, would she be in more angst when she realizes that she tries to kill off her friends. Somehow, I think she is in the same predicament as Euphie of Code Geass, doing something she doesn’t want to do. I find her role as a damsel-in-distress yet powerful..ah isn’t that Yanagi in Flame of Recca. ^^;; It turned out that Tatsuma is somewhat of a heir of the arch-enemy of Kozuno’s ancestors. I still don’t quite understand that though. It is quite cute when he puts out things from his hood. Is he a wannabe-Santa? Weird, why do I tend to pair him up with the glasses-reporter girl? ^^;; As for the rest of currently watching anime, ah, I am way behind.

It is the new spring season and I’m checking the first episodes of various series to see whether I download the rest and not the mistake of downloading many episodes and ended up not watching them as I didn’t like the first episode ^^; Hehe. The first episode of Claymore is so-so and I don’t quite like the designs of the Claymores or the female with armors which are half-human and half-yoma/monster, I think. The setting seems to be feudal as villages have to call on them to get rid of yoma who eat humans and disguise as them. People usually fear them and call on them as a last resort. The first episode is of this boy Raki whose family is killed by a yoma and when Clare, a claymore finished her job, the villagers threw away Raki as they fear he is also a yoma in disguise. Clare saved him and by the end of the episode, they are traveling together. The episode is okay though there are some gory scenes. I will still continue to watch this as I read it will become better later on. Darker than Black is a series which much anticipation among anime fans. The setting is modern world wherein there are people called Contractors, who have special abilities and after using them, has to do something like one have the power of gravity but after using it, he has to break his fingers, and another can replace one matter with another but after using it, he has to line up stones. And there are Dolls, which are lifeless mediums. It is a mystery why this people exists and there is a so-called wall which seems to hide something. The sky is now replaced with artifical stars wherein when a contractor dies, a star falls down ala shooting star. There is a group of people Hei - a contractor with electricity as his power, Yin – a doll who can see things through water, Mao – a talking black cat and this old man. In the first episode, they are tasked to get a certain document which is stolen though it turned out to be a trap. The story seems to be episodic though in arcs like in Ghost Hunt though it is a bit interesting. I don’t quite get why others compare it to Wolf’s Rain aside for it being made by the same studio Bones, is it because the group are forced to cooperate with each other for a common goal? In the opening, there is a green haired girl with Hei and I though, it is CC. Lol

I checked out Hayate no Gotoku! Aka Hayate the Combat Butler for the hell of it, actually, I have no idea, why but the series turned out to be really funny that I liked it. It is the story of Hayate, a poor boy who is put to debt by his parents as their Christmas gift. He tries to kidnap a girl, Nagi but because of his wrong phrasing of words – I’m going to take you away, it ended up like a confession to Nagi. Being a nice boy and all, he saved her from real kidnappers and ended up as her bulter. At first, I’m wondering why does Nagi’s seiyuu is awfully familiar then I realized she is also the seiyuu of Louise in Zero no Tsukaima and Kagura of Gintama. It is the accent or something. Anyway, this series combines some references on other anime that it reminds me of Gintama. Nagi pretends to be Mask no Money as she seems to be channeling Sailormoon and Hayate imaginging himself as being made into wanted man by certain group [Black lagoon] and being captured by this pirate Monkey [One Piece]. I do wonder if it will be that funny if one doesn’t know the anime references. ^^; Also there is the narrator who is also really funny as Hayate sometimes even argues with him. Kaze no Stigma is also another random choice download. It is about this clan who uses fire as their abilities and fights monsters. Ayano is the one who inherits the sword Enraiha. Since the title is about the wind, Kazuma is a former member of that clan but he is kicked out since he can’t use fire arts and is defeated by Ayano in the rites of who will be the successor when they were young. After some years, he came back and to their surprise, he now uses wind arts which is used by the ‘servant’ family so his own father looks down at him as well as Ayano. It seems that the one whom Kazuma made a contract with is out to destroy the clan and puts the blame on Kazuma. From the opening, I’m guessing that it is Kazuma’s younger brother who will be the bridge between Ayano and Kazuma. The first episode is okay so I’ll continue watching this.

Then, there is Romeo X Juliet and I’m not really fond of that story but then, the anime is entertaining enough. Juliet’s parents were the rightful rulers according to some will but Romeo’s father killed them. Juliet managed to escape and when grown up, she has hidden herself – posing mostly as a boy or this red masked crusader to help the people wrong accused, kinda like Zorro and then met with Romeo who helped her escape during one of her escapades. In some ball, they met again. I’m amused that they put in William Shakespeare as a character here. I find the character designs quite generic though or ordinary..I don’t know..something like it doesn’t stand out. Anyway, it isn’t as bad as I thought it will be. Also there is Sola, I didn’t put in that in the list at the side since I’m not quite sure if I will continuously watch it. The story is about a boy who is obsessed with taking pictures of the sky meeting this girl who seems to be afraid of the light/daylight. The boy’s sister is sickly and seems to be a bit anti-social while a friend and sister is helping the two or rather seems to be living with them. Then, there is this guy who is with this little girl who sleeps in boxes ^^; is after the girl who fears the light. The boy got himself into the situation when he found them in the church as the guy is trying to attack/capture the other girl. The opening and closing songs are nice and the backgrounds are really pretty. I will have to watch a few more episodes to see if I will continue watching this. And, there is Lucky Star which isn’t that good as it is about girls talking about how to eat food and other stuff..I read it is based on a 4-panel comic but it isn’t good when the art is really not that good. I wonder if it will be better later on as like funny but then, the art..ah, this is a really low priority to watch. There are others that I’m still checking out.

Drama: I cheated that I don’t want to go through the rest of the episodes of Goong S that I skipped to the ending just to know if the lead does become king or not as I lost interest in the story like I already know where it is heading and I lost interest in the characters. Ya, he becomes king and gets to get the girl, too. Lucky him and actually, I’m okay with that. I am actually hoping that the other guy ends up with his father’s cool henchwoman. They are perfect for each other. Too bad, it didn’t show them together and only he is playing his guitar at some bar. And I finished Himitsu no Hanazono though I somewhat delayed watching the ending since I already know how it will end based on the preview. In the end, they all separated ways as mangaka and the title will be on hiatus. As a manga fan, I think that sucks for the fans. Can you imagine your favorite manga series is on hiatus for who knows when? Actually that happened with Clamp’s X and it is more irritating that they are working on other series and didn’t bother finishing it. It doesn’t matter what kind of excuse/alibi they have but the fact is, fans would tend to move on and just read other series, in my case, I did. Actually, it made me dislike Clamp a bit ^^;; as I try not to get into any of their new series in fear that they might just leave that hanging and make a new series. Am I traumatized? Back to Hamitsu, even if there is the love confession, it still does seem unsatisfying enough. I guess she really ruined the mood when she asked them to write more of the manga before the elder brother confessed. But the ending is as if nothing happened between them as she left while the brothers bond together. ^^;; Overall, it is an okay series.

The new drama I’m going to watch is Liar Game. Good thing some people are subbing it and they are fast. The first episode is only 30+ minutes when most are an hour. The story is about this too honest girl who is easily fooled by people. She gets a box filled with 100 million yet and if she opens the box, as written in the invitation, she is officially in the Liar game. She didn’t notice that note and played the tape. So, she is in the game. It is a nightmare for a really too honest for her own good to join this kind of game for liars that she is quickly duped by her own former teacher who turned out to be her opponent into giving her own money to him. The rules of the game is that you have to retain the 100 million yet and if you lose any of it, you pay for it and any money you get from your opponent, will be your reward money. She only wants her money back as her father is terminally ill and she doesn’t want him to worry about her having a debt. She asked help from a police and the policeman hinted about a swindler getting released in a few days to help her. She then gets his help in exchange, he will have half of the prize money 50 million yen. They begin their operation as they stalk the teacher as the swinder get hints on where the teacher is hiding the money before the 30 day deadline ends. The first episode is really fun and the editing is quite tight that it moves on pretty fast that I didn’t get bored. I actually watched it twice as the second time, I asked my mom to watch if she liked it so that we would watch together. She says it is okay. The music is quite good, too as it helps in the suspense. I think the lead girl is quite good especially the part when she realized that she is now in debt of 100 million yen. The lead actor is from HYD who played Sojiro and he is okay though I think his role is quite stiff. I do find his hairdo a bit weird but then, I guess they are copying it from the manga. I’m checked this out because I know this is based on a manga and I have seen it in some Chinese sites. The art isn’t that good so I didn’t bother though right now, I actually checked up to where the first episode is to check the differences. I don’t want to be spoiled so I won’t read further than that. I think the lead makes a mistake of thinking that it will be over after they got the money back from the teacher. The secretariat of Liar Game did mention that this is only round one. The opening showed her becoming more sophisticated so I wonder if later on in the game, she becomes an expert liar and lose her innocence.

I have checked out Sexy Voice and Robo’s first episode and I don’t like it. It is about this high school girl who witness a fight and befriends this mecha otaku who is in the telephone club – something like if you need someone you call that person on the phone thing. She then befriends one of those who are in the fight to learn that that guy can only remember what happened to him in 3 days so he is called 3days. They later on learned he is a assassin and they tried to stop him only for 3days to ended up dead for trying to break away from the group. The woman they saved has this shop and asks them if they want to be spies. So, I guess the story is about being spies and helping people or right against the enemies, something like that. I had been guessing for a while throughout the episode who the lead actor reminds me of, in the end, I realize that he is trying to imitate Tom Hank’s Forrest Gump. ^^; It pretty much bores me that I wanted the first episode to end already. Hehe Then, there is the Korean drama, The Devil/Lucifer which is intriguing but then, I can pretty much guess what will happened in the end. A girl has psychometry powers wherein she touches things/people and she can sensed what had happened. The two guys in her life is a detective and a lawyer. From the plot summary, when detective is young he unintentionally killed I guess detective’s mother and brother. It made the lawyer into a serial killer as he tries to kill the other friends until he can find who killed his mother and father. Obviously from how the series is made or the posing, the lawyer is the one who is referred to as the Devil and it alludes to the tarot cards that the girl uses. The detective is played by the actor who played Shin in Goong. Wearing nice clothes really makes him look good unlike in Goong and I’m amused as to how tall he is that he is taller than the detective who is older than he is. I’m thinking is he trying to be like Light of Death Note? And from the plot, detective and girl likes each other and lawyer likes girl. See, it is a love triangle and guess who gets the girl? Obviously, not the lawyer as I think he will either die in the end or be jailed. It is a series that I would just ask my mom, what happened in the end. This is shown on cable tv though a bit delayed for a few episodes so I don’t have to download it for my mom and it seems that she doesn’t quite like the story – killings, etc. The others that I’m interested in aren’t subbed yet so I won’t download yet. I’m going to watch Nodame Cantible as it is already past a season and the hardsub is no where to be found so I might as well content with the softsub [unchecked] as there are many good reviews on it.

Quote of the day:
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. ~ Henry Miller

Parfait Tic [Chapter 142]
Thursday, April 19, 2007 @ 05:42 p.m.

In Chinatown, [I researched a bit, they seem to be in Yokohama’s Chinatown since the welcome gate tower is the same as in the manga; fyi, it is the largest Chinatown in Japan] Fuuko happily shouted that it is really interesting, the smell of food is nice as there are some people selling steamed meat buns, and lots of pandas, it is really a fun place. Fuuko then gloomily thought that there is also an element that makes me really uneasy as the arrow points to Ichi. Ichi and Daiya are looking around as Fuuko is walking ahead. At a store, Ichi says to Fuuko, why, you are asking why [I’m tagging along with this group], it is to disturb you guys. Fuuko looks shock and is about to shout, what. Ichi looking at something says that he is joking, someone has asked a favor of him so they trade places. Ichi sticks out his tongue at her saying even so, he is very lucky. Fuuko is a bit angry and is about to shout at him when Ichi says while looking away from her that in any case, he still has time so he won’t disturb them. Fuuko looks surprised and thought, Ichi, those words, is it the truth, as if I can’t trust you. Fuuko then hears some laughter saying it is cute. A girl calls out to Fuuko and she sees Daiya wearing a panda hat while showing her a v-sign. Fuuko laughs and approaches him saying to give it to her, it looks warm. Daiya removes it from his head while saying that it can be used on winter. A guy laughs if he really would wear it in winter. Daiya smiles and puts the hat on Fuuko’s head as he laughs while Fuuko blushes, looking at him. Fuuko smiles and says it is warm. Daiya...that’s good, is it because they will separate soon? Fuuko then looks at Ichi who is somewhere else at the store. She remembers him saying that he won’t disturb them. Fuuko looks away again. Thanks. I’m sorry but Daiya still occupies my heart.

Smiling, Daiya asks where should they go next. Looking at a book, a girl says, it is Kanteibyo [Kuan Ti Miao Temple - One of the heroes in the romance of "The Three Kingdoms", 'Kanwu', is enshrined as the god of business in this magnificent richly colored temple, info from the net =P] it is like a shrine. Mako tells Fuuko that the streets are colorful as Fuuko agrees. She looks at the street signs – red, yellow, gold, all in kanji/Chinese characters. While walking with the others, Fuuko smiles and thought, is this the same feeling of the place where Daiya is going? They then arrived at Kanteibyo. One of them says that it is a god which can help improve the business. Another asks what to pray for. While walking up the stairs, Fuuko smiling asks the two boys if they would pray for Shinpo Kabushiki Kaisha [a type of business corporation defined under Japanese law. Many Japanese companies translate the phrase "kabushiki kaisha" as "Co., Ltd." while others use the more Americanized translations Corporation or Incorporated. – info from wiki]. Ichi says he is praying for something else. He then promptly leaves them as Fuuko is surprised and wonders if Ichi has thought of it thoroughly. [I don’t quite get that either Ichi is planning to do something else or Fuuko doesn’t need to say that ^^;] Daiya then asks if she has anything to pray for. A bit surprised, Fuuko smiles and tells him that there are lots. That’s right, I want to pray for Shinpo Kabushiki Kaisha’s expansion/growth.

They are then praying at the shrine. I want to think that Daiya going to China is the right thing. I pray that when Daiya isn’t here... I won’t...feel any regrets. They then happily eat steamed meat buns. Fuuko then happily says that they should take a picture. They are now at a bay walk overlooking the sea/river. Fuuko says it is for remembrance. Mako offers to take the picture so Fuuko gives Mako her camera. Mako then whispers to Fuuko, you are really something. Fuuko then looks flustered as she thinks, Mako, really, saying that to me, I would cry. Fuuko is on the verge of tears just as Mako tells them that she is going to take the picture. All of a sudden, Ichi passes by them and covers the two’s faces. Fuuko is shock and angry as she shouted Ah. You said you won’t disturb us!! Doing this make me really doubt you. Ichi just says he didn’t notice them there. Fuuko shouts that he deliberately did it. Daiya is sweatdropping. While Fuuko is arguing and Daiya is trying to pacify Fuuko, Mako takes this chance to take their picture together.

That night, while most of the students are sleeping. Fuuko wakes up thinking that she can’t sleep. She goes out of her room to get a drink from a vending machine. She thought that she is really tired and yet her feelings haven’t calm down yet. Daiya then calls out to her, saying that he is also thirsty because it is hot. Just then a teacher is making rounds, checking over the students. This surprises Daiya that he quickly grabs Fuuko and tells her to follow him. They found themselves at the emergency exit where there is a staircase. The two freak out as they are outside. Fuuko asks why do they have to run away. Daiya says that it is already lights out so they shouldn’t even go out of their rooms. Fuuko tries to open the door and somewhat panics and says that it won’t open. Daiya is looking away, calls out to Fuuko. Fuuko thought, Daiya isn’t even listening to her. Daiya then points out that it is Tokyo Tower. Fuuko also looks and says that it is, so small and cute. Daiya smiles and says he would want to use it as a keychain. Fuuko smiles and says that will be nice. Daiya agrees.

Fuuko then says that she really had fun today, Chinese streets are really different. I think it is Daiya who said that ate a lot of delicious food. Daiya is surprised when Fuuko says, she thinks that the city that Daiya will go will also be like this. Daiya then looks at Fuuko who is still looking at Tokyo tower. Daiya says it isn’t, it is a different place for the factory is located at a rural place. Just then, the lights of Tokyo tower closed off. They look in surprise that it disappeared. It is going to be over/finished. It will quickly be over. Daiya then holds Fuuko’s hand as they still stand at that ‘balcony’. Then we should say goodbye. Fuuko is in tears. Daiya then says, Fuu-chan, can I hug you? Fuuko looks in surprise at Daiya as Daiya looks serious.

Ah, would Fuuko oblige? It feels as if it is a goodbye hug though a part of me is thinking that someone will interrupt them. There are some nice moments of Daiya and Fuuko here that one might wonder, is it really over between them. Daiya must have realized what Fuuko is trying to do. I do find it a bit rare, as Mako noted, Fuuko is something, to want to create happy memories with one’s ex-boyfriend even if he is leaving already. It is obvious that Fuuko still has feelings and she doesn’t care if others might think that she is still ‘chasing’ after Daiya even after they separated. I guess Fuuko would want them to be ‘friends’ even after they have broken up. About Ichi ‘disrupting’ the picture-taking, it does seem deliberate but then, more on like it is because Fuuko looks as if she is going to cry and he did it so that Fuuko would be more at ease and they have a more memorable/nicer picture. I belated thought that they are in Yokohama ^^; I remembered that there is a Chinatown in Japan based on the drama Liar Game so I searched for it on the web. The picture taking seems to be that place where the two confessed to each other near the traffic light at night and where met again in the drama, Tatta Hitotsu no Koi though I didn’t watch the whole drama so I don’t know if the Chinatown is featured there.

Quote of the day:
Life gives us brief moments with another...but sometimes in those brief moment we get memories that last a life time... ~ Author Unknown

Parfait Tic [Chapter 141]
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 @ 11:00 a.m.

Ichi is looking at Fuuko as he is removing his necktie. He says, I want to do it, but...The next scene is they are in the train playing poker. [I’m not quite sure what kind of poker they are playing but one guy tends to ‘flirt’ to throw off the players. Fuuko managed to keep her ‘poker face’ while Ichi is flirting] Fuuko thinks that from this day on, she will be happy throughout the excursion. She is holding intently to her cards. One of the girl laughs and tells Ichi to do it again. Ichi is shocked. One of them says it feels perverted/horny. Ichi thought, perverted that he angrily says he doesn’t want to say it anymore. The others call out to him to say it. One of the girls then tells him to join up with Fuuko since they don’t seem to know this game. Fuuko then looks at Ichi and says, it is Ichi, huh. Ichi then says, sorry, it is me, can you really play poker.

Meanwhile, near the train’s door, Isocchi is busy whining to Daiya about Akiou who just sent him a sms/text message that saying, Then, go. Daiya asks what brought that about. Isocchi says it is because he earlier sent a message telling Akiou to talk about it when he returns from the school trip, is it really over/can’t they continue the relationship, can’t we talk about it first. Isocchi then asks Daiya if it is over. He then grabs Daiya shouting, don’t abandon me. Some girls are looking at them as Daiya tries to tell them that it isn’t him but a different person since they might misunderstand the scene. Isocchi calms down a bit and says because..but being separated/being far apart is problematic, if they separated, isn’t it like it is over. Daiya looks at him and then smiles. Daiya says it is. Isocchi starts to cry again and punches Daiya who tries to shield his blows with his hands. Isocchi calls him stone-hearted, isn’t he suppose to comfort him. Daiya says but it is like that, being separated means it is over.

Fuuko gets nice cards as her face lightens up. She then sparklingly looks at Ichi and thought, isn’t this really good cards. The others sweatdrop for Fuuko just gave away what kind of cards she have. Ichi then tells her to put on her poker face. Fuuko then looks surprised as Ichi notices it. Fuuko just sees Daiya walking down the aisle as someone offers a Pocky? stick [slender cigarette like biscuit with chocolate coating] to Daiya. Daiya smiles as that person asks where he went. Daiya then says, he will start. Fuuko then looks determined. Daiya looks at her and smiles while waving his Pocky stick. He mouths the words, do you want? Fuuko blushes and thought, what is that. Fuuko thought that is embarrassing as she kept on waving her cards and whispers, no use, no use. Ichi then pinches her face and reminds her to use her poker face. Fuuko looks at Ichi and apologizes as the other says they are going to play now. Fuuko then plays with the others as Daiya is looking at her. I will not pretend it didn’t happen, liking Daiya, if I didn’t admit it, then my ‘feelings’ would seem pitiful.

The students then walk around the lake, and ate lunch together. Fuuko is looking around as Mako calls out for her that they eat together. Fuuko wonders if Daiya ate already, it would most probably so. They then went to explore a ship while others pretend to do a ‘Titanic’ pose. While at the school excursion, there is a chance of being together, but I haven’t thought that there is a possibility of separating with others. At the bus, Fuuko thought that Daiya is seated quite far away why would the ‘energetic’ group sit at the back. Daiya and others are laughing at something. I want to have more memories, want to have more smiling her, to be the ones that Daiya will remember of her. At a field, Fuuko is shock that she missed sight of Daiya again. She kept looking around where Daiya is when Mako shoved Fuuko’s head sideways, telling her that person is there. Fuuko then sees Daiya with some guys looking at something. Just as Fuuko takes a picture of Daiya, Daiya looks at her. Fuuko is extremely embarrassed that she quickly grabbed Mako and runs away. Daiya’s friends are saying that it is hot and asks Daiya what he thinks but Daiya kept on looking at where Fuuko runs away. Fuuko thought that this isn’t the time to be running far away since Daiya is already leaving. Fuuko tells Mako that she has an idea.

Fuuko with Mako asks two other girls to exchange places with them. The other girls agree and asks what is the reason. Mako is going to use a different alibi when Fuuko tells them that she wants to be with Daiya. The other girls were shocked by it for didn’t they broke up already. Someone overhears them. Why is it at the school excursion, she no longer has that ‘hesitant’ feeling. This is already the last day as they are going to some different place. Time won’t stop, it will only move on. Fuuko goes up the bus as she notices that Ichi is looking at her while he is sitting on the seat with another person. The other person is saying that later on, it will be the girl’s turn to take a bath. Looking out the window to see the night sky, Ichi asks Fuuko if she asked to exchange places to Daiya’s group. Fuuko is surprised and asks how did he knew. Ichi says he eavesdropped. Fuuko is speechless. Ichi then comments that Fuuko is really proactive. Fuuko tells him that she wants to create many memories. Ichi then asks, then what. Fuuko is surprised and looks at Ichi who is looking at her while his head is resting on his hands. Fuuko smiles and says, that is all there is to it. Ichi looks surprised. Fuuko then shouts that she is leaving for the time to take a bath is soon over so Ichi should hurry up to. Ichi shouted, how can that be. Fuuko leaves. To create happy memories that I can keep, other than this, what can I do? This is the biggest limitation of the possible things that I can do.

While taking a bath, Ichi’s friend that they are going to Yokohama next and it will be a free day [do what you want]. The other guy then says that he has a favor to ask Ichi. As everyone are in the meeting place, excited as they can do what they want, Daiya is surprised that Fuuko and Mako are now part of his group. Fuuko smiles and says that they trade places. Daiya is speechless as they wondered where is the other guy/person in their group. Daiya then asks Fuuko, why. Fuuko turns around and smiles. She then grabs on to Daiya, pulling his right arm as she blushes. She says right now, stay by my side. Daiya looks surprise. Just then, someone slaps/slicing motion Fuuko’s hand from Daiya. They turned back and to their shock, it is Ichi. Ichi says I’m also included/there is still me *heart* Fuuko looks really irritated as a girl says that she heard that the other guy switched places with Ichi since the other guy is interested with the other girl in Ichi’s group.

Hehehe..there are some really embarrassing yet funny moments here. Fuuko’s reaction to the flirting of the two is quite amusing and obviously, Daiya’s flirting works on her that she really looks flustered. Fuuko is finally determined to be with Daiya that she even asked to switch places with the other girls. I do find that quite daring and even tell them that it is because she wants to be with Daiya. She has made it to a point to create happy memories for them to share so that they won’t be that ‘bitter’, I guess when they look back to the past. I have experience that taking picture when you thought no one is looking then suddenly that person looks at you. ^^; It is a stranger and I guess it will be more embarrassing if it is someone I knew. So, the next chapter will be free day with the two guys, won’t that be awkward? =P

Quote of the day:
The important thing is to concentrate upon what you can do - by yourself, upon your own initiative. ~ Harry Browne

Weekly Jump Updates: Bleach, One Piece, D. Gray-man and Naruto
Tuesday, April 17, 2007 @ 04:52 p.m.

Ichigo finishes his attack in Bleach [c. 271]. Neru then goes to him to ask if he is alright for his attacks takes a heavy toll on his body. Ichigo apologizes for making her worry and as he is about to leave, he is shock to find that Ulquiorra is still alive. Ulquiorra asks if that is all Ichigo got. Ulquiorra then uses his beam attack, Cero at Ichigo. Ichigo manages to survive it but is gravely injured. He is running while carrying Neru who seems to be unconscious. To his surprise, Ulquiorra is running beside him and kicks him into some pillar. Ulquiorra standing in front of Ichigo tells him to give it up for Ichigo can’t use his ‘mask/hollow’ power again. Ichigo uses his zanpaku to stab Ulquiorra as he says he won’t give up and he will win if he can defeat Ulquiorra who is the head of the espadas. Ulquiorra says it that so, then he pulls away Ichigo’s zanpaku which tore away part of Ulquiorra’s shirt to reveal the number 4 tattoo on Ulquiorra’s chest. Ichigo is utterly shock that Ulquiorra is only ranked four among all the espada. Ulquiorra stabs through him using his hand [ala Fuuma of X] as he tells Ichigo that Ichigo can’t win for even if he defeats him, there are other three more stronger than him so there is no chance of victory for Ichigo and the others. Ulquiorra then pulls his hand away as Ichigo falls down on the ground. So, Noitre could really be ranked higher than Ulquiorra and I wonder if Aizen chooses Ulquiorra to do some errands is because Ulquiorra is really loyal to him while Noitre tend to do as he pleases. If Noitre is up against Ishida, Ishida is up for some bad luck. For now, Ichigo’s group is down to only two who can still fight. One is Renji and the other is Ishida but the odds are against them since espada are quite insanely strong. I’m kind of thinking that maybe Neru will regain consciousness and will use her drool to heal Ichigo. =P

Luffy is playing around as he suit up in an armor while wondering where Sanji and Zoro is in One Piece [c. 452] Franky tells him to quit it as Luffy exclaims that a man likes to wear an armor. Robin then tells the others of the huge tents – kinda like those used in jousting contests. An armor zombie then attacks Franky whose attacks manage to hit and yet, the armor zombie kept on attacking. The pig laughed at them saying that these are warriors when they are alive and now they are immortal so all of them has no chance. Then, all sorts of armored zombies and others came out. The three then decides to fight it out until they can pass through that place. Just then, an ugly looking zombie with attacks Luffy using Zoro’s techniques. Since Luffy is still in the armor, he manages to get himself caught by the other zombies. Robin and Franky manages to get out but they can’t find Luffy anywhere. They wondered if Luffy is still behind as Franky calls out to Luffy. Just then, a coffin hanged up on a chain is being brought from one side of the building to another. They heard Luffy screaming to get out from inside. They try to run after the coffin only to be stopped by a huge monster spider with a monkey face. The spider notes that they caught another one. Franky wonders out loud what they plan to do with Luffy. The spider tells them they will know soon enough and they should be worrying about themselves rather than others. I’m thinking that maybe the zombies can ‘use’ the powers of their victims and also their mannerisms as what happened with Sanji and Zoro, even Ryoma who has Brook’s mannerisms. I kind of doubt that they transformed into zombies. It will be problematic as it is becoming like they have to fight each other in a sense the zombies has their comrades’ powers. Interestingly, why haven’t Usopp and others turned into those kind of zombies..is it because they can’t fight well. I kind of think that this arc will be a way for them to ‘fight’ instead of the strong ones like Luffy and others saving the day.

Tiki prepares to use his power to destroy Allen’s innocence in D. Gray-man [c. 114]. Allen remembers Komui’s warning not to get hit by it again for his innocence might really be destroyed. Allen apologizes to Komui for he has no way of escaping. He fight head on with Tiki and Tiki’s attack managed to crack Allen’s left hand. Allen got pushed back and smashes into the cube where Rinali and Chaoji are imprisoned. Tiki is surprised that Allen managed to survive it and says that Allen won’t last another attack. Tiki approaches Allen as Rinali and Chaoji tries to wake up Allen and for Tiki not to come near. Rabi finds himself on a boat with Bookman. Bookman calls his name and it is only when he calls out Rabi’s real name when Rabi turns around. Bookman then reminds him about being recorders for the war between humans and akuma as they become exorcists. Rabi then realizes that he is suppose to be with Allen and others fighting with Noahs so this is not the real world but something Rhode made. Rabi says that he has to go back when the other Rabi asks where does Rabi plan to go back, he has no where to go and he will just be an observer which is his punishment. Rabi says he already knows about that. Rabi then sees a coffin floating with Rinali in it. Rabi goes to Rinali as the other Rabi asks isn’t this all just part of ‘history’. Rabi is shock to see the large amount of coffins that surrounds them. Meanwhile, Allen manages to wake up as he prepares to fight even though his innocence is already cracked, saying he has no plans of running away from them. The talk between Rabi and Bookman is a bit confusing. I guess they are just saying that as Bookman, they have to disgard their previous identity thus Rabi has no place to go back to but just onward and he can’t be ‘attached’ with the people he observes/records. It seems that Allen’s innocence isn’t that strong enough yet to fend off Tiki’s attack. Somehow, I’m guessing that Rinali might actually do something if Allen is really injured. It is a typical shounen cliché =P

Naruto and Sakura have learned that Sasuke has killed off Orochimaru in Naruto [c. 350]. They wondered if Sasuke will be coming back to the village but from Tsunade and Jiraiya expressions made them think it isn’t the case as Jiraiya explains it to them. Meanwhile, Sasuke and his gang managed to get into the prison as Karin uses her power to see if Juugo, the source of the curse, is there among the cursed prisoners attacking them. Sasuke told them not to kill them as they attack the prisoners. Karin then found the keys and tricked Suigetsu to go to the other way. Sasuke and Karin finds where Juugo is and he goes to attack Sasuke as he opens the door. Naruto and Sakura still naïvely think that Sasuke is going is going back to them. ^^; Mm..that could be possible if ever Sasuke finishes his life mission – to kill Itachi.

Quote of the day:
Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more. ~ Anthony Robbins

Penguin Revolution [Chapter 28]
Monday, April 16, 2007 @ 03:23 p.m.

Still in the movie: Muroi looks at his friend, Satake who died in the accident. In the hospital, Misa just came out of the operation room. Her head and right eye are bandaged while there is a bruise on her left cheek. Muroi calls out to her but she is still unconscious. The doctor then tells him to calm down as he tells him Misa’s condition. Inside a hospital room, an IV and heart monitor machine are hooked up on Misa who is sleeping on her bed while Muroi looks at her. He remembered the doctor saying that her life is saved yet the current situation is still dangerous, it is still undetermined when she can regain consciousness. Muroi then says to himself that even if she is like that, it is okay as long as she lives. He asks if she feels him there. Just then the president of his ex-company came and he looks really surprised to see what happened to Misa. The president asks what happened to Satake. Muroi standing up from his seat tells him that Satake is dead. Muroi then says that on the day of that play, the two left earlier yet they were late in arriving, in the end, he only got a weird phone call from Satake. Muroi approaches the president and says that even Misa’s working papers have disappeared, does he know something about it. The president says so what if he did.

Muroi grabs the president’s collar and shouts as he asks what happened, why did the two ended up like that, why, why. The president asks if Misa will die. Muroi shouted that she won’t die even if he hated her so much. To Muroi’s surprise, the president says that he doesn’t want Misa to die but yes, he does hate her ever since he met her for the first time. Muroi then notices that the president is crying. A flashback of Muroi telling the president that Misa is his new discovery. Misa introduces herself as the president looks at her a bit stunned. End flashback. Muroi shouted what is with him, it is as if he actually liked Misa. Muroi is also crying as he tells the president that even if he doesn’t know what had happened but he does know one thing and that is they are enemies. Muroi then declares that he is willing to do anything for Misa. Soon, someone is saying that Muroi’s Heaven Company is soon catching up with his ex-company in terms of popularity and he haven’t thought that he will dare to ‘fight’ against that company. Muroi says that it isn’t really daring. Another scene is the employees are really surprised with Muroi who kept on working that they wonder if he ever sleeps. Another scene of Muroi looking lovingly at Misa who is still in a coma. Then, a scene of Muroi’s secretary telling him to rest a bit. Muroi says he will after he finishes looking at certain documents. The secretary then says she is going home as Muroi tells her it is okay. Muroi is looking at two documents wondering which one is better. He unconsciously turns around and asks Satake what does he think. He then realizes that Satake is no longer there.

Some kids are bullying Yukari/Yuu, Satake’s son as he goes to school. [Hehe, I changed it ..Yukari really seems like a girl’s name so maybe it is pronounced like in Chinese] Muroi then approaches him and calls Yuu by his name. Muroi then brought Yuu to the hospital where Misa was. Yuu looks at Misa and says that Misa is really beautiful. Muroi pridely says that she is. Yuu asks if she won’t wake up. Muroi says she will, definitely. Yuu notices that Muroi’s face softened when he said that. Muroi then bends down and pats Muroi’s head. Muroi asks Yuu if he wants to be his family member, his father is his bestfriend, he thinks that they will get along with each other. Muroi says that it is Yuu’s decision and he should slowly think about it. Muroi smiles and says that he will buy some drinks first. After Muroi left, Yuu is a bit surprised by Muroi’s proposal that he hugs the bed and thought, family, huh. He looks at Misa and says, so that beautiful lady will be mother. Yuu blushes and thought, if that is how it is, then she will definitely pat his head, caress his face, reaching out his hands, she will tenderly. Yuu is imaging all of this as a scene of Misa actually doing what he is thinking then a scene of Misa smiling and outreaching back to Yuu as he reaches for her. Muroi sees it and is stunned.

Yuu notices him and quickly stop what he is doing. Yuu approaches him as he tells Muroi if he is returning back, he should at least make some sound. Muroi is still a bit stunned then he hugs Yuu. Yuu calls out to him as Muroi says it is a dream, he has seen an illusion, a happy sparkling dazzling dream. Muroi is a bit in tears as Yuu says that it is weird that Muroi is already an adult and yet he is crying. Muroi is embarrassed as he laughs it off. Yuu tells him that he has decided, he wants to be Muroi’s family member. Muroi is a bit surprised. Muroi then holds Yuu’s hand. While walking outside, Muroi is holding Yuu’s hand. Muroi tells Yuu that generally speaking, Yuu has acting talent. Yuu asks what is that. Muroi smiles at him and asks if he wants to be a dazzling light. Yuu blushed a bit and says, yes. Yuu then happily tells Muroi that if it is morning, if it is daylight then that person [Misa] will definitely wake up. Muroi is a bit surprised and smiles back saying ya, [she] will definitely wake up. As they walk away, Misa did wake up and sit up as she looks out the window. The end of the movie. At the theater, everyone is applauding as many are in tears. Yukari smiles and asks if Ryou hears this noise, it is a sound of approval among the audience of his work and it is all for him. In a place/mansion overlooking the sea, there is a table wherein pictures of Ryou and others are on it as well as an envelop. A lady, who turned out to be Youko looks out the balcony to the see. Her right eye is covered by her hair. She then says, you have grown up, Ryou.

That is a surprise, all this time I’m thinking that Youko is dead for the president is the only one who has been taking care of Ryou and Ayaori that I thought he is a single parent. ^^; Don’t tell me it is only know she woke up from her coma because Ryou is ‘dazzling brightly’ ^^;; Maybe she is forced to live outside to recuperate and the press won’t hound her. It all still feels weird for me for the pictures look as if they are secretly taken and it is strange that Ryou doesn’t seem to miss his mother at all. Maybe the next chapters will say what happened then. The movie is actually quite good and it somewhat reminds me of the Romeo no Aoi Sora, an anime that is based on a novel. In that anime, Romeo is best friends with this other boy, Alfred and his sister. In the end, Alfred died and soon, Romeo and Alfred’s sister became a couple and they had a kid whom they named after Alfred. The story is about child labor. Anyway, the movie has omitted Ryou’s role that I wonder if he was born before the accident since he is at the same age, I think, as Ayaori. Now. Before I thought that the little girl showing up to Ryou is a incarnation of his mother and since his mother is still alive, I’m now thinking that girl is some sort of acting fairy. ^^;;

Quote of the day:
When the heart is enlivened again, it feels like the sun coming out after a week of rainy days. There is hope in the heart that chases the clouds away. ~ Sara Paddison

Papillon - Hana to Chou - [Chapter 8]
Saturday, April 14, 2007 @ 12:55 p.m.

Title: Self-Confidence. Chou and her mother hug each other in the hospital room. Chou thinks that before, she thought she is an abandoned, nobody-would-want child but the truth is she isn’t. Chou then thought that her mom’s embrace is warm. A scene of her mother hugging her as a baby, I’m guessing that for her mother, she finally can hug her baby without Chou crying. Chou’s mother then asked them to wait for them as she checks out of the hospital/settle the bills as they will go home together. After she left, Chou is in a daze as she thought that as if she is in a dream. Kyuu pats her head and says, it’s great. She looks at him as Kyuu smiles and tells her that her mother really wants to be by her side to take care of her. Chou seems a bit tearful and says that before, she thought that she is the only who is sad/she is pitiful but she haven’t thought that her mother is also in pain. Kyuu says it is the same as how she thinks of Kana, her mother didn’t show her pain/self-loath in front of her mother/grandma. Kyuu adds that she should understand that she doesn’t need to be in pain, yours and your mother’s bitter experience is the same. Chou cries a bit as she realizes this as both Kyuu and grandma looks at her.

The next day, Chou’s mother is showing her baby pictures in albums as Chou is surprised at the amount of pictures she has. Chou’s mother laughs and asks if she can’t believe it for those were taken secretly by her father. Chou’s mother says that her father likes to secretly look and usually spends a lot of time when he is in the mood to look at them. Chou looks at the pictures in surprise as there are even tags on some of the pictures: Chou-chan has grown bigger [Chou playing ball], In kindergarten, our family’s Chou-chan is so cute [Chou in her kindergarten uniform, and Chou is so cute [Chou playing on a swing]. Chou imagines her father looking at the album and thought, these pictures are all taken by her father, I didn’t know. She smiles and is in tears as her mother smiles. Her mother confesses that she is really happy when she heard those words from Chou. Chou is a bit surprised. A flashback on Chou saying that she really wants to be with her than grandma. Her mother is in tears as she says it would have been okay if only at that time, she fetched Chou. Chou is in tears as she happily says it is alright, for it could be said that her mother became depressed is because she loves her [Chou]. Her mother smiles. Chou then laughs that yesterday, she was a wreck for she really thought her mother won’t wake up again and her mother really acting is really good. She asked what did she and her teacher [Kyuu] talked about.

Surprised, her mother then tells her that Kyuu went to her bedside to tell her something important that he wants to talk about with her. She confessed that at first, she isn’t interested to listen but then she is really shock to learn that Chou tried to commit suicide. She couldn’t believe such a thing could happen. Kyuu had asked her if she wanted to save her daughter. Chou’s mother shouted but of course. Kyuu then suggested she play along with his little play. Chou’s mother then tells Chou that is how that came about thought at first she is really doubtful if such a play will actually save Chou. Chou is surprised about it and asked how could she do such a thing as her mother says she has no choice since she wanted to save Chou. Chou’s father hears them and peeks into the room asking why are they so lively so early in the morning. He then notices that they are looking at the albums. He quickly covers the album and tells them not to look. Her mother holds on the album saying that it is okay to just see it. Her father also holds the album telling her to return it for it is embarrassing. Her parents laugh as Chou joins in. She thought that she never thought that her parents cares her, something she haven’t noticed, that they love her. Kana is standing at the door, looking surprised at the scene.

In cooking class at school, Chou’s friends are surprised at how good were the cookies that Chou has baked. Vivi says that she wants to give some to her sempai. Meiji asks Chou if she wants a small bag of cookies. Chou smiles and says she wants one. Meiji then asks what happened to Chou’s eyeglasses. Chou tells them that it is broken. The other girl says that she looks better without the glasses. Holding the bag of cookies, Chou wonders if Kyuu likes sweets. She plans to use the cookies as a ‘token of gratitude’ and she will make it appear as if she is just passing by. When she is near Kyuu’s office, to her surprise, there are three other girls clinging to Kyuu. They were laughing and flirting with Kyuu as a girl says that she came there first. The other girl says that she has an appointment with him. Kyuu tries to tell them not to be too noisy and not to come in and out of the room. Kyuu then notices Chou standing, holding something. He calls out to her as the other girls glared at her. Chou quickly hides the bag of cookies behind her back. Kyuu asks if she came to see him and then apologizes for presently his schedule is full so could she come back later on. The other girls then tries to push Kyuu into the office as they tell him to hurry for their afternoon break is almost over. Chou looks a bit sad about that.

While walking away, she is kicking away a small rock when Ryuusei notices her. He notices that Chou looks sad and is about to go away when he then approaches her. He calls out to her and Chou is surprised to see him. To her shock, Ryuusei then bows down to her to apologize for what happened yesterday. Chou looks a bit confused and surprised as to what is it about. Ryuusei then says it is about the date and he stood her up/breaks it. Chou then remembers seeing Ryuusei and Kana kiss and then later on, gets a call from him, standing her up. She then tells Ryuusei that she forgot all about it. It is Ryuusei’s turn to be shock. Chou wonders how could it be when she is really sad yet in just one day, she totally forgot about it. Chou smiles and tells Ryuusei not to mind and that next time he is free, he can go see grandma and grandma will be really happy to see him. Ryuusei is surprised by Chou’s reaction. Chou thought that it is weird but what happened yesterday [the kissing incident], it feels as if it has happened a long time ago. She then smiles and asks if he would like some cookies which she made from a class earlier. She tells him that she plans to give them to someone else so she will only give him two pieces. She puts two pieces on Ryuusei’s hand. Ryuusei is a bit speechless. Chou tells him to eat it up quickly for they are really delicious. Ryuusei just says, yes then blushed a bit as he holds the cookies. He then says that he feels as if Chou has changed a bit. Chou is surprised by his comment.

Ryuusei says it is true for a while he has hesitated for a long time, not knowing how to call her for he thought that she will be really angry over what happened yesterday but it turned out that she really didn’t mind/isn’t bothered by it at all. Chou looks surprised and asks is it really, I do? Ryuusei says it is true for it seems that she has changed..how can he say it..it feels as if she became as what she was when they were young. Chou looks surprise. She then looks at the picture of her and Ryuusei when they were young and at the stolen picture of Ryuusei which Kyuu wrote, we are going out together, happily loving each other. Chou thinks that it is true for looking at Ryuusei’s face, she doesn’t feel even a little bit sad. Why did her heart sudden change? Could it be because of what happened yesterday? [She made up with her mother] Before yesterday, she always thought that only Ryuusei understands her. She then is happy as she thought of others who care for her – her parents, grandma, Meiji and friends, and Kyuu. Waiting at the entrance door of the school, Chou is holding her bag of cookies as she wanted to properly thank Kyuu. She then noticed him running. She calls out to him as she wants to give these..Kyuu runs past her apologizing for he has a date so they talk next time. Chou can only look from her behind to see Kyuu running out to the school gate. She looks at the bag of cookies and thinks that she still wasn’t able to give the cookies.

At the hospital, Chou greeted her grandma who is reading some newspapers. Her grandma tells her that Chou’s mother had just dropped by. She happily tells Chou that it has been such a long time since she has seen Chou’s mother really happy. Chou’s face soften. While sitting next to her grandma, she apologizes about what she said yesterday about not wanting to be with grandma but with her mother. Her grandma laughs and tells her not to think of it too much for it is normal for a child to want to be with her parents. Chou smiles and says that she really loves grandma. Her grandma looks surprise as they both laugh. While walking home, she wonders what should she do with the bag of cookies when she sees Kyuu walking at the opposite side of the street. She brightens up and is about to call him when she noticed that he is walking beside a beautiful woman. She noticed Kyuu smiling and remembers that Kyuu said he has a date. She just looks at them as they pass by.

At home, while sitting on her bed, Chou grumpily eats the cookies as she wonders who is the beautiful lady. Is she Kyuu’s girlfriend? She angrily bites through a cookie as she remembers the other girl students surrounding Kyuu. She thought, whatever, since he is really accommodating, having one or two girlfriends is really normal for him. She continues to munch on the cookie noisily and becomes gloomy when she noticed that she ate all of the cookies in the bag. She crumpled the bag and tries to toss it to the wastebasket only to make the wastebasket fall down on the ground. Chou hugs her pillow and looked a bit sad/jealous. =P How troublesome, her heart feels miserable, she thought. The next morning, she hears a phone ringing as she wakes up. Her mother says that it is her phone. Chou asks who is it. Her mother says that it is Kyuu. Chou is so surprised that she fell off her bed. Her mother laughs and asks what is she doing, she should be careful and she should properly thank him. Holding her head, Chou answers the phone. Kyuu asks her for a favor to come where he is quickly. Chou holding a piece of paper for directions, she finds Kyuu’s house/apartment. [It looks like a two story building] She then sees his nameplate on room/address 701, she rings the bell. She smiles as she wonders why he asks her to go to his house. To her surprise, a withered, haggard looking with eyebags Kyuu answers the door. She asks what happened to him. To her shock, there is a loud cry and she noticed that two kids [looks like twin boys] are hanging on to Kyuu, crying baba [papa?] Chou’s eyes widen and wondered baba?! [The words used by the kids are ‘hold/uproot’ then I wondered if it is really papa..both characters are pronounced as baba so..^_^]

So much for Ryuusei, it turned out it wasn’t love as Chou is just thinking that he is her last hope as someone would understand her when her family doesn’t care for her as he is her childhood friend. It is a bit obvious that Chou has fallen for Kyuu as she seems jealous upon seeing the girls and the beautiful lady with Kyuu. Kana doesn’t seem to look that happy over the little family reunion. I do wonder if she will go after Kyuu when she learns that Chou is interested in him. Also, Ryuusei will he go after Chou as she has changed back to the happy child – his childhood friend before. Ah, that will be like Peach Girl all over again. It would have been the same like PG as Kyuu seems to have a girlfriend, what changed here is that there are kids. I highly doubt she is his girlfriend/wife because he won’t call a student to help him out to help babysit unless he is really thick-face to do that. I kind of think that the lady is a relative of his. It is interesting of all the girls clinging to him, he calls to Chou. I’m guessing as a teacher he knows her number and maybe he thought she is a dependable type or maybe this is how she can repay him. Hehehe

Word of the day:
Thank God in your disappointment, celebrate His grace and love; Know that He will never leave you and will bless you from above. ~ D. De Haan from Our Daily Bread

Vampire Knight [Chapter 27]
Friday, April 13, 2007 @ 04:42 p.m.

A couple dressed in European clothes came as the Maria’s father called out to Maria telling her not to make them worry. Maria’s father hugs Maria saying that they were really surprised when she wanted to go to school so why don’t they all go back home now. Maria apologizes to her parents as the president and Yuuki happily look at them. Maria’s father then bids them goodbye. Maria looks back and then goes to Yuuki. She whispers to Yuuki if she can help her, to ask a favor from Zero that if Zero ever sees Ichiru again, could he tell Ichiru that she really wanted to see Ichiru again. Maria holds her hand together and asks Yuuki if she will do it. Yuuki smiles and says that she will. Maria smiles and blushes as she thanks Yuuki and bids her goodbye. Yuuki goes to her room to find Yori already packed and ready to leave. Yori says that she is leaving and on vacation, Yuuki should go spend time with her adoptive father. Yuuki says she will and wishes Yori a happy vacation. Yuuki waves goodbye and thought, everyone has returned home to see their parents, return back to their home.

While walking past the president, the president calls out to Yuuki to take a bath before dinner. While dipping in the bathtub, Yuuki wonders about her real parents, does she want to see them, to be honest, she doesn’t really mind, even if she has lost her memory regarding what happened 10 years ago, she will still try to live up to the present. She then corrects herself that is not right, for she should say that because of everyone [the president, Yori, Zero and Kaname] who supports her that she can live up to the present. Her 10 year life started when Kaname saved her from a vampire and when the president become her adoptive father. Since she doesn’t know anything, the president patiently taught her about everything including vampires. Even if she is afraid of vampires, but she knows that Kaname is “not like them”. This outstanding person would even rush/go out just for her and he is really a nice person beside her. At night, she is afraid because she can’t remember her past and is afraid of the night but she doesn’t know when her fear of the night has gradually diminished. Yuuki closes her eyes and thought that she remembers, it is when Zero came to her home. When she saw wounded Zero, she feels as if she wonders what should she do so that he won’t have new ‘wounds’ what should be done so he won’t disregard life but..Yuuki then puts her hands on her face. ..Zero didn’t tell her that he will become a vampire four years later and he even suck her blood that night. Soon, the one who made Zero into a vampire, Shizuka also came to the school. It has awaken Zero’s want for vengeance but has died away [Shizuka died] when Shizuka’s blood can actually save Zero so that he won’t fall into the destiny of a Level E but then, she hurt him again when she told him about her want to become a vampire to become stronger. She has secretly hidden her fear of not knowing of her past while watching over Zero but then, she can’t protect him and even done a horrible thing to him. Yuuki is in anguish as she thought that it cannot be that she cannot remember. She doesn’t want her problem to hurt Zero so she has to remember. She tries to force herself to remember.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Zero knocks on the door asking if she is alright for the president has gotten worried about her when she haven’t came out yet. Yuuki thought that it is Zero when suddenly, she saw the water in the bathtub has became blood. She is shock that she screams in fright. Zero worried, quickly shouted as if she is alright. Yuuki wonders what was that, everything is blood. Yuuki manages to say that she is okay and she will come out in a while. Zero says he understands and will wait for her outside. The door then opens as Yuuki holds on to Zero’s shirt while kneeling down. Yuuki apologizes and asks for him to wait for a while. Zero then notices that Yuuki’s hand is shaking so he just stands there. Zero asks if she just saw a ghost/apparition. Yuuki says that she is just thinking of her past, thinking of it many times but in the end. Zero then continues that she just remembers being abandoned in a place where there is nothing there but a vampire. Yuuki says that Zero’s parents are vampire hunters and somehow, those who are involved are being drawn in and she felt as if there is a reason for that situation but the president says that there is nothing of such sort is happening. Zero then tells Yuuki there are record books in the association [Vampire Hunter club =P] if she herself look through it, maybe she can find a new discovery [realize something that the others wouldn’t], would she want to try it. Yuuki looks surprised about it.

Walking into some old buildings/town, the president is following Yuuki and Zero as he asks if they are sure about it, even if he is being nosy but do they really want to do it, that place isn’t really good and they might come to regret it so they can still go back. Yuuki then asks Zero that there is a point to what the president is saying, is it really alright for her to go there. Zero asks why is she still saying such things for doesn’t she want to see it in her own eyes. Yuuki says she does. The president then says that he is actually worried about Zero for before normally he can go there but things have changed a bit as he is both a vampire hunter and a vampire so he might not be able to enter without arousing suspicion. Zero calls out to the president [to not say it like that] as Yuuki protests that they are just going to use it so. Zero covers her mouth and tells her that since they are in the association [territory], it is better not to say it after having lived in that town, they won’t help if one isn’t a vampire hunter. Zero then goes to a building as he tells Yuuki that what they are looking for will be most probably be there.

Entering into a building, Zero says that this is the main branch of the vampire hunter’s cooperative. Yuuki then noticed that some people kept on staring at them. Zero tells her to relax for they aren’t looking at her. The president tells Yuuki not to mind for that place is really like that. Yuuki thought that she didn’t like the place. An older man with a beard then says that he remembers a resilient vampire’s technique. [Have no idea but he seems to be insulting Zero since Yuuki is irritated] The man then says that [Zero] is able to go there because of how he is raised [as a vampire hunter]. He laughs and that it seems that Zero also has a mark [of being bitten by a vampire on his neck]. Angered, Yuuki shouted for him to wait a minute, is he the type of older person who likes to bully younger people. The older man then scratches his head and says, ah this brat is your master, that is really something. Yuuki gets more angry and murmurs, brat, what is with this place, they are more irritating than night class. Zero laughs that Yuuki shouted why is he laughing. The president tries to tell them not to argue there. An older woman dressed up in what seems to be Chinese robes came and greeted Zero who has come to them again. She then says that among the vampire hunters, Zero came from the outstanding family of the Kiriyuu and to have the powers of a vampire, he is now their trustworthy comrade. Zero just looks at her. The older man bows and apologizes to the older woman whom he addressed as association head for he wasn’t careful. The older man then says but still, he is a vampire. Much to the others surprise, the association head hits the older man’s head with her fan and tells him he talk too much. The older man then apologizes again and left.

The head then says back to the topic, she then looks at Zero and says that he has grown tall already. Zero says about the thing he asks about before. The head then looks at Yuuki and says so this is now your. Yuuki is confused and just says, huh, ah. Zero then says that they came here to look at the 10 year record book. The head then looks at Zero and says, Zero, you’re too cold. Zero didn’t answer. She then tells the president if there is something wrong with how he teach [as in he didn’t taught Zero manners]. The president laughs it off and says if they won’t want them to come, they will go back. Yuuki looks at the president. The head then leads them to a corridor as she says, okay, okay, I know already and if it weren’t for the president good relationship with her, so they are letting them see the book. Yuuki wonders that the head should be a ‘somebody’ and it seems that she and the president are close to each other. Zero then asks if he didn’t tell her anything. Yuuki says that when she asks, he then to tell her other things than what she is asking. The head then leads them to a room filled with books. She says that it is the records storeroom, here lies the history about the war between the vampires and the vampire hunters. Yuuki is a bit speechless that Zero asks if they should just go back. [I think Zero is being considerate to Yuuki’s feelings since she doesn’t really ‘hate’ vampires as represented by Kaname =P] Yuuki says it is okay for she wants to know of her past, she is just a little nervous. Zero then touches her cheek and moves away as he says that the 10 year record book is in that room. Yuuki looks at Zero in surprise as she touches her cheek where he touched her and she blushes. The president is carrying many books as he tells Yuuki why don’t she look at the books at the year before and after Yuuki is born. He smiles and tells her that he has investigated it before and didn’t find anything suspicious so maybe if Yuuki, herself reads it, she find a new discovery.

The head then calls out to Zero to come with her to investigate something else. Zero follows the head to a certain room wherein the documents are badly damaged. The head says that the records there are really damaged that it is troublesome to read them. Zero then starts to feel uncomfortable as he thought that he wonders about that place. The head then says that they got these records from a dangerous place. She then holds up a piece of the document which looks like a cloth with dried up blood and says that this is a thing which is fully moistened with blood. Zero then looks sick. Meanwhile, Yuuki reads a book, This is the last report, the mission to finish off three people is completed, PS in the future, recommend a study about the ‘appearance/nature’ of this occupation – Haien Kurosu. Yuuki muses that this is a record from 16 years ago. She wonders about the name Haien Kurosu for this is the president’s name. She turns around to ask the president who quickly hide his face in a book. Yuuki is surprised as she asks if the president used to be a vampire hunter. He apologizes for not having any opportunity to tell her but in the past, he had killed many vampires and he doesn’t want his adopted daughter to know about that. Yuuki is surprised that he actually said a lot. She closes the book and says..but father is still father..that fact won’t change. The president is a bit surprised and peeks out from the book and sweetly calls Yuuki’s name. He is touched by what she said. Yuuki blushes and says that he is mistaken for all of the records there are 16 years ago when the ones she needs to check out are the 10 years ago records. Yuuki then thought, yes, that winter of 10 years ago.

Back at that room, the head then says while looking at Zero who seems to be in pain, that it seems that ‘intense feeling’ has already started so that it, the hunger/thirst [for blood] has occasionally appeared and it will surely hinder in his work [as a vampire hunter]. She says that if one really thinks about it, whoever succeeds the vampire hunter blood of the twins will definitely have that curse as said in the legend through ancient times, it is something to watch out for. Zero breathing hard asks what does she mean as he is already sitting on the floor trying to bear the pain. The head then bends near him and asks, Zero, you should know Kaname Kuran, right? Right now, he [Kaname] doesn’t have much real power/authority but the family of Kuran’s blood is the highest among all the other pure bloods. If you can get his blood, you can surely delay the time of your degeneration to Level E. Zero looks surprised then says that he has no plans of extending this life nor doing it to that extent. The head then says that’s too bad for the person to be experimented on that they are looking for haven’t arrived yet [Take that one liberally as there is a Chinese word that I can’t translate] but she would want him to live longer for her. [I think she is saying that he live longer so he can work more for her – something like that ^^;] Just then, as Yuuki turned a page, it started to burn that she screamed in surprise. Zero heard her that he quickly left the room to where she is while the head just stays in the room. Zero arrives at the room where Yuuki and the president were and asks what’s wrong. Yuuki worriedly calls his name. Zero still breathing hard asks what is it. The head is now behind him, looks as if she knows something. Yuuki says that she doesn’t know but when she just went to look at it, the 10 year’s ago winter page suddenly. Zero then holds on to Yuuki as they and the president just looks at the burning page. The last scene seems to be young Yuuki in that snowy night.

Hehe, Maria has a crush on Ichiru, okay, it is already a bit obvious before. Seriously though, I really doubt that Zero can even tell Ichiru about Maria wanting to see him. ^^; It seems hard to suddenly blurt it out when they meet like oh yeah, Maria wants to see you. Four pages wasted on recap. ^^; First it is Zero, now it is Yuuki who is hallucinating. Mm..I wonder what had caused that or is it just a premonition. The big revelation here is that the president is an ex-vampire hunter. I’m sure he deliberately include that book among the other books to indirectly tell Yuuki that he was a vampire hunter before. I find that interesting because he has been friends with Kaname even more Yuuki came. Kaname did brought her to the president, iirc. From the records, I guess the president isn’t a hard core vampire hunter as Zero and Touga were and maybe somehow, made friends with Kaname. I’m interested in knowing how that came to be for Kaname isn’t your ordinary vampire, he is high class pureblood. They then collaborated to make the school where humans and vampire co-exist. I do find the head of the vampire hunter to have ulterior motives, she can’t be trusted. Yuuki has bad vibes about the place and the president isn’t keen on going there. She seems to plan on ‘brainwashing’ Zero to kill Kaname so that Zero can prolong his life. I’m thinking either because she needs Zero so he should live longer or Kaname might become a threat to them later on. I’m also curious about the vampire hunter twins curse. About the burned up page, I do wonder if the head deliberately did that or someone else so that they won’t know what happened then. The head doesn’t look a bit surprised about it. Maybe it is all in pretense that they/she is going to help Yuuki but really, she plans to tell Zero about killing Kaname. Okay, I’m assuming it is killing for it seems implied like why would Zero hesitate if it is just sucking Kaname’s blood unless he doesn’t want to owe something to Kaname. Also, if the head is telling the truth or rather, I feel as if she is just guessing that Kaname’s blood can delay the progress to Level E. Ah, but then, Kaname just got Shizuka’s blood, too. Anyway, I guess purebloods can delay human become vampire progression to Level E and it depends on the quality of the pureblood. Hehe, I guess there is a different classification of purebloods, too. I do wonder what Yuuki will do if she learns this. She can like just asks Kaname for some of his blood to help Zero though as I wrote earlier, I doubt Zero would want to owe something from Kaname.

Thought of the day:
It often requires more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Weekly Jump Updates: Bleach, One Piece, Gintama and Naruto
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 @ 05:36 p.m.

Ichigo is surprised to see Ulquiorra who starts walking down the stairs in Bleach [c. 270]. Ichigo calls out his name as Ulquiorra is amused that Ichigo remembers his name. Ulquiorra tells Ichigo that Rukia is dead after defeating no. 9, Aronico. Ichigo doesn’t believe it as he starts to leave. There is a brief scene of Inoue wanting to get out of the room, saying she doesn’t want this. Don’t how she ‘sees’ Rukia being stabbed though. Ulquiorra asks where Ichigo is going as Ichigo says he is going to save Rukia and he has no reason to fight with Ulquiorra who haven’t harmed any of his comrades. Ulquiorra asks really, even if he was the one who brought Inoue there. This irked Ichigo as he quickly tries to attack Ulquiorra and shouts that Inoue didn’t went to Huenco Mundo by herself. Ulquiorra muses that it seems that Ichigo went there with doubts on Inoue. Ichigo asks did he knew what he has done for he has made it look that Inoue is a traitor. Ulquiorra says but of course, if it wasn’t they would have failed. Ichigo is really angry as Ulquiorra asks if Ichigo has found his reason to fight him. Ichigo then tells Neru to go farther away for Ulquiorra won’t let him go his way. Ichigo apologizes that he is in a hurry so he will use his full strength on Ulquiorra. Ichigo transforms as Ulquiorra wonders if it is bankai. To his surprise, he sees Ichigo with a hollow mask. Ichigo attacks him as with the strike of his zanpaku, everything is black. Ulquiorra got pushed back as he wonders about Ichigo’s strength being like theirs. Ichigo says this is it as he waves his katana for his attack. A large black wave went towards Ulquiorra as he tries to hold it back with both hands. He then says, how can this be as the black wave hit him. Nice. This will be really nice when animated. With the repeated mention of Rukia being dead, I’m starting to believe it. ^^;; I guess I feel like Ichigo, can’t believe she is dead even if it is said so. Somehow, I don’t think Ulquiorra will be easily killed off when he haven’t shown his zapaku’s release form but then, I’m guessing he will be severely injured. Ah, this means that the fight with Grimmjow before, Ichigo is holding back.

Absalom has sent his general zombies after the Strawhats in One Piece [c. 451]. Then, a hippo-boar looking zombie is after Absalom and wanted to marry him. When Absalom mentioned about wanting Nami, the hippo-boar zombie wanted to finish Nami off. Perona is then going to the ship, Thousand Sunny to get the Strawhats’ treasure. Two squirrel zombies are carrying a coffin when one of the them trips and the coffin opens. Chopper came out and when the two squirrels try to beat him half-dead, Chopper transforms and punches them away. He then tries to wake Usopp and Nami up. They wake up as the squirrels ran off to get the others. They explore where they are as they found themselves at the back of the mansion outside – at a bridge way to a larger building. They don’t want to go back because of Ryouma. Nami even though scared and everything can’t help but think of the treasure that the zombies had mentioned, much to Usopp and Chopper’s dismay. Then, they see three zombie penguins as the third one will a bulldog face says he is the new member. Then, all sorts of zombie animals are out to get them. Usopp tries to fire at them but is beaten so was Chopper. Nami calls out to them then a hippo zombie is about to hit Nami when third penguin saved her by kicking the hippo zombie. The others were angry why did he saved Nami for she is the enemy. The penguin declares that he doesn’t know the girl and even if he dies, he won’t harm a girl and if they disagree, he will beat all of them. Nami and others were surprise by this. At the mansion, Luffy and others are still walking with the pig trophy who kept on laughing. They ask what is it hiding but the pig just denies it. Then, Luffy realizes that even Zoro is gone. Wow, I didn’t expect that Sanji has become a zombie penguin and I’m sure the others realize it, too. This arc is really interesting and I wonder what Zoro will turn into. Actually, I’m curious how that happened for Sanji-penguin seemed to have no memory of the others and how he turned that way. The enemies are really hard to fight with as they are ‘different’ from what the Strawhats have encountered before.

Hijitaka is thinking that he doesn’t want to see Ito’s face when he was beaten up earlier in Gintama [c. 159-160]. Kondou has a talk with him asking if there is anything wrong since he heard about it from Ito. He says about their creed of being a samurai and others looking up to him so it is really bad to see him kneeling down to the enemies, begging for his life like a coward. Hijitaka tries to warn Kondou of Ito’s ambitions and that he already have some people at his side and is just sucking up to Kondou. Kondou tries to defend Ito as he needs that kind of person and in fighting, everyone is a comrade. Hijitaka stands up and says that Kondou doesn’t understand a thing. To Kondou’s surprise, Hijitaka quickly runs away to his room. Hijitaka is then watching Sailormoon as he shouts that his body is doing things on its own again. To his shock, Okita is looking at him with a silly grin on his face. He says that he has seen it as Hijitaka is shock. Everyone in shinsengumi are talking about it as some still can’t believe it. Yamazaki says it will be pitiful for Hijitaka to be into Jump and to his shock, Hijitaka is reading Jump magazine. They were even more shock that he finds To Heart [title in Jump based on a dating sim] interesting so he wants to buy more of it. Then, Hijitaka holds a meeting with the others when someone is using his mobile phone. They thought that guy is going to get it but the guy is trying to apologize for his wife has just given birth. To their shock, Hijitaka’s mobile phone rings using a Precure [Pretty Cure – magical girl anime] ring tone. Hijitaka answers it and orders two DVD box of Pretty Cure.

Then, they were torturing this guy to tell where his hideout is but he doesn’t want betray his comrades. Hijitaka asks them to leave. They thought that Hijitaka is going to brutally torture the guy and peek to see what kind of hell Hijitaka planned for the guy. To their surprise, Hijitaka and the prisoner are in their separate futons as Hijitaka is asking about the prisoner’s love life. ^^; In a restaurant with Okita, Hijitaka wonders what is wrong for getting that new katana, he has been acting strange and that he could have really gotten himself a cursed katana. Okita laughs at him as he can’t believe it. Hijitaka says that his own character is vanishing as a different character is surfacing while the katana ‘awakens’. Okita suggests that he just throw away the katana. Hijitaka tells him that he would if he can actually do that. Okita asks if it is because of the cursed katana that he fought with Kondou. Hijitaka says that it could be. Okita says if Hijitaka continues to act like that, Ito can easily get his vice-commander position. Hijitaka says that if it is only Ito, he can’t do it for he needs the others but the current him, the other members has grown cold towards him. Hijitaka says that Ito is planning on a meeting the next day and if Okita is with him, they can thwart Ito’s plans. Hijitaka then prepares to leave as he has to work. Okita then calls to Hijitaka to buy him some sandwich and Jump magazine for him. [hehe, blackmail =P]

There is a meeting at 5 as Kondou wonders why Hijitaka is late when it is an important meeting. Ito says that they should begin even without Hijitaka. Ito then tells the others of Hijitaka’s cowardly behavior earlier and he isn’t suitable to become vice-commander. Kondou tries to defend Hijitaka when Hijitaka came crashing down on the door, he shouts that he has a sandwich [he has bought for Okita] and that Jump magazine is already sold out so..He is shock to see Ito and Okita sinisterly smiling at him. Hijitaka then realize that the two are collaborating with each other and he fell right into their plot. On a tv talk show discussing about NEET [Not currently engaged in Employment, Education or Training] as weak willed youngsters had become otaku [extreme fan of anime and manga]. The scene is of nerdy youngsters holding a small figurine. [It reminded me of the last scene in Death Note manga ^^;;] The host said that there are currently 100 otaku there and they will discuss about this phenomenon. Kagura and Gin are watching it as Shinpachi is in the show. Shinpachi tells his views on NEET and Otaku and he tries to hog the interview when the host wanted to ask the others. Before long, Hijitaka wearing sunglasses, gloves, etc argues with Shinpachi about his definition. I think it is about the number of girl idol/anime character an otaku has to like to be considered an otaku. Gin then notes that Kagura isn’t recording the show but just toasting a bread. Then Gin notices Hijitaka fighting with Shinpachi on the show and wonders where he have seen him before.

At Shinsengumi headquaters, the others are gossiping about how Hijitaka is on leave and Ito has taken over unopposed since Okita is siding with Ito. Ito is feeding some stray cats and says that it is unexpected that Okita is actually siding with him for he thought that Okita is really into Shinsengumi that he would naturally side with Hijitaka faction. Okita is leaning on the wall while listening to some music on his katana. He says that he didn’t know that there is a Hijitaka faction. Ito says that Okita is really good and what is his wish. Okita says but of course, to be vice-commander. Ito laughs and says that if Okita sides with him, he can fulfill that wish for him. After Okita left, Ito’s man, Xiao Yuan [I can’t find the romanji to the kanji ^^; so I’m using the Chinese pronunciation] asks if that is alright. Ito says the seats for vice-commander isn’t too few nor too many. Xiao Yuan wanted to discuss about Hijitaka but Ito asks if Xiao Yuan thinks that he is after Hijitaka’s position that is why he is ‘fighting’ against Hijitaka. At the Yorozuya, Shinpachi apologizes to Hijitaka for he doesn’t know that it is Hijitaka. Hijitaka says it is okay as long as he can get that female anime figurine. They tried to asks if he really is an otaku. Hijitaka then asks to take a picture of Kagura for she looks as if she is cosplaying Babaiya. Gin and Shinpachi begin to wonder if this is really Hijitaka for he acts like a different person. They then asks about his job in Shinsengumi then Hijitaka freaks out that he isn’t in Shinsengumi anymore. He then says that the work has become dangerous and irritating that he lost interest in it that he fails in every other work. Shinpachi then thought that he is really like a NEET. Hijitaka denies it then show them a dvd of To Heart and other things he wanted to sell them. He also wanted to sell the katana he has but somehow, it won’t leave his hand and it is somewhat of a cursed katana and when he wakes up in the morning, it turns into a bishoujo [beautiful girl] beside him. They looked dubiously at the katana.

At the blacksmith, Tetsuko looks at Hijitaka’s katana and says that it is a certain famous katana and it is cursed. Hijitaka asks if it really turns into a bishoujo and Tetsuko says it isn’t like that. Gin then kicks down Hijitaka as Shinpachi asks what kind of cursed katana is it. Tetsuko says that it is a katana used by a mother to kill off her otaku son and whoever has that katana will withdraw from society and be just confined to his room watching anime and buying anime related stuff [hikkomori] and will become a hardcore otaku. Tetsuko says that they shouldn’t belittle this katana as it can change the person’s character and the real person can’t return anymore. The trio is a bit surprised about that as they looked at Hijitaka. Back at the headquarters, Ito tells Xiao Yuan if he understands him for a samurai it is unfortunate if no one understands him. No matter how much talent or blood spilled, knowledge learned, etc, it is sad if one can’t understand him. He didn’t expect to find someone who would understood him and that is Hijitaka. While petting a cat, Ito says that Hijitaka knew that he isn’t interested in governing Shinsengumi nor to be under Kondou and that Hijitaka is the only one who knows what he really wants. Ito then stands up as the cat runs and I think chases some mice. Ito says that the one who understands him is also his enemy but it is okay if there is no one who understands him, he can just know himself and after that dangerous Hijitaka has disappeared, he will kill Kondou to make Shinsengumi his own.

Yamazaki overhears this as he thought that Hijitaka is right about Ito and he has to hurry and tell Hijitaka about it. To his shock, Ito knew he was there. Yamazaki is quickly running as he holds his arm – he must have been cut there. He shouts that he can’t believe that Ito is with that guy, he must hurry and tell Hijitaka. He is then intercepted by Kawakami [sunglasses + headphones working under Takasugi]. Kawakami then stabbed through Yamazaki. Meanwhile, Hijitaka tells Gin and others says that he can be himself one last time and he can’t believe that such a day would come but he can only depend on them. Hijitaka says it doesn’t matter if in the end, they would laugh at him. He asks them to listen since there is no more time, he wanted to say something, something important he wants to ask a favor, and could be his last request. He bows and asks them to take care of Shinsengumi, his Shinsengumi.

Wow, I didn’t expect that this arc will be good. I feel sorry for Hijitaka for what happened to him but it is quite admirable that he doesn’t care about pride, etc and asked a favor from them to protect the Shinsengumi. I think Ito has sided with Takasugi like if they can’t defeat Shinsengumi in a fight, they do it from the inside. They really took advantage of Hijitaka’s predicament. I wonder if Okita will still side Ito if he knew for he is extremely loyal to Kondou. It is amusing how the author combines the chapter about otaku and politics. Hehehe And lastly, in Naruto [c. 348], Sasuke and others are still in the process of getting another teammate who is the source of the ‘curses’ that Orochimaru used on Sasuke and other experiments.

Thought of the day:
Ambition is like love, impatient both of delays and rivals. ~ Buddha

My 'Educational' Tour to China
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 @ 12:19 p.m.

I’m back! ^_^ The trip is well..eh..is okay, could had been better but then, can’t expect much from a cheap tour. Obviously, if one isn’t having a good time when one wants to go home already. =P Before going to the trip, I had a mild food poisoning thanks to eating boiled peanuts. Lesson 1: Don’t eat things that might cause an upset stomach before leaving. Then, we are at the airport and the flight is delayed either by weather or mechanical failure. We arrived at Macau at 1030pm then have to run because the border to mainland China is about to close at midnight. We made it and went on bus to Shenzhen. We got on the hotel by 230am. We were met by the tour guide named Tina as she explained her ‘beautiful city’ Shenzhen, the population, etc, we were dead tired to listen and I wish I can stay awake to look at the place but I kept dozing off. We only have a few hours sleep as the next day we are on the road again at 9am. Their free buffet breakfast are Chinese-styled foods from congee to boiled vegetables and I opted for buns and sponge cakes. My mom ate boiled eggs throughout the tour. ^^;

From here, we went to some jewelry-jade store and then food factory. We then somewhat realized that these tour guides or their travel agency has a commission and has to bring us there to sell us stuff. We were ‘forced’ to buy something from the jewelry store else we can’t leave the dang place. We bought some food snacks though for ‘gifts’ to the others when we get back. After lunch, we were brought to this pearl store. One of our tour members guessed right the number of pearl rice in an oyster so we got some of those pearls – too small to made into jewelry as what it is called, it is the size of a grain of rice. Then, instead of going shopping, we opted for Window of the World place which is the famous place in Shenzhen. It is pretty much like a miniature of all the famous landmarks around the world. I think the one in Taiwan is much nicer for this one is pretty much like a park. At the entrace of Windows of the World, they say that the pictures is free so we happily got our pictures taken. Before we knew it, they made the family group pictures into plates bundled with some other pictures, they try to sell them to us. It is super expensive that none of us wanted to buy except for some girls in our group. We tried to bargain the price but the photographer wanted the full price. Then, we ate at this Mongolian-style restaurant. After that, we went to the airport for a late night flight to Shanghai.

Upon arrival, we were told to wake up early because we have a lot of places to visit. We were merged with another tour group here by the tour guide named Lawrence. After another short hours sleep, we went to the Bund for some picture taking of the famous building scene in Shanghai. It is a bit foggy/smoggy though and we are already wiser as there is another group picture taking by some photographer. We didn’t get our pictures taken as we stood at the side while the other got their pictures taken. Then, we went to a silk factory. They explained how silk is made and then, try to sell silk and blanket to us. We then went to a Thai-inspired restaurant for lunch. The tour guide wanted us to go for a cruise on the river but most of us don’t want or rather, our group don’t want and the other wanted. My mom has gone to Shanghai many times already and we were on this tour just for Beijing. She wanted to go to this famous large department store where she can buy lots of stuff. The tour guide doesn’t want to bring us there and went all grumpy when we don’t want to go to a cruise. We were duped to pay 30RMN for a flea market and he wanted to be paid before we leave for Beijing as we will return to Shanghai later on. My mom actually wanted to go on her own but the others wanted to join that it will be a hassle with them. It is hard to travel with a large group. Then, we went to this 100RMN store then to this scam Chinese medicine store as they tell you that you are sick so buy this and that medicine. Others have foot spa, I don’t want to even if I’m tired and all. I actually read this on the internet before leaving. Lol. Then, picture taking at some place with fountain. The dang tour guide is so grumpy that we didn’t get ripped off on the cruise that he is murmuring everything he is saying that I don’t understand a thing and didn’t know where we were just dropped off! To top it off, he lost all interest that he can't rip us off more than he wanted to that we left that place and he didn't bother to count his passengers! If it weren't for my mom exclaiming that two were missing, we would have probably be very far away already before he noticed that two were missing. The next time we came back, he is replaced by another tour guide, we learned that guy actually got promoted to manager! It isn't surprising, he is quite a talker and probably have more ideas on how to rip off people without them noticing. hehehe

After that, we were at a small department store. One of the others were duped when the seller did a switch-er-roo over the belt he bought like replaced it. He noticed it when one of the others tell him to check the buckle and to his shock, it was changed. He tried to complain but the seller denies it. ^^; Another one bought a bag and is about to leave when she saw a buckle that she complained about it to learn that there is a shoulder strap for the bag. My mom helped the family who joined the tour with us buy a polo shirt for the father. We didn’t buy anything here. Then, after dinner, we head back to the airport. While on our way there, this tour guide says that his driver is leaving so how about we give a tip to thank the driver for a job well done – for the day! ^^; We are tired and don’t want to argue so we shell out the money so that we can get over with it. Shanghai tour is really disappointing for I certainly don’t want to wake up early in the morning to go to places to sell stuff to me that I don’t need nor want. I should have just slept but then, the bus is going straight to the airport so I can’t do anything about it.

At Beijing, we were met by the tour guide, Yang Xi who seemed to be quite young and instead of that flag a tour guide carries, she has a cute little doll on it. The others went gaga over the doll ^^;; So, pitying us for late flights and early wake-ups, we can wake up a little late in the morning. This hotel turned out to be separated from the reception area to the rooms as we have to ride on a small ‘car’ or trolley to get to the townhouse-like apartments. If the beds in Shanghai is super hard, the beds here is really lumpy. On the morning, we went to see Pandas. They are caged up and always in some corner eating. I had actually seen a lake with swans at the side but for some reason, the tour guide is hurrying us up for we got other places to go. I get a bit suspicious and well, yup, it turned out to be another store, selling tea. My aunt got ‘forced’ to buy one and my mom helped buy another one to ‘ease’ the price and get a bit of freebie teas. After lunch, we went to the Forbidden City and Tienamen Square. It is okay if only the tour guide’s English is better for her accent is really bad that most of us don’t get what she is saying. I’m a bit tired that I don’t have the energy to dicpher exactly what she is saying.

The next day, we went to another jade-jewelry store. We talked that we just going to walk and leave but the others ended up buying this jade decoration for family – it is like a rattle with a large ball and small jade balls inside. Then, we went to the Great Wall. I realize that we are at a different side of the wall when I don’t see a cable car that my sister told me that was there when she went to this place. I didn’t reach the top. I only came to the first tower and for detail’s sake, I counted the stairs. Lol, how nerdy can I get? I’m just bored and might as well know how many stair I can walk up. The first group is 11 steps, 22 steps, 14 steps and the longest one is 310 steps. I have to take lots of rest while climbing that one. A Western woman even warned me to take care for I look really exhausted. Most of us only reached this one and since we still have a trip later on, mom and I went back down. It is already past 1pm and we just have to be toured to this Cloisonne [copper/bronze molding with enamel vase] and other stuff store on how to make it then ate at the restaurant above. Then, we went to the Summer Palace. I acutally wanted to go there for I wanted to see the stone/marble boat building. After a long trip, we were there and we were only half-way when the others don’t want to walk anymore and kept on saying shopping. I can’t really protest and it is only when we were outside when I realize that I totally forgot the reason why I wanted to go there! ^^;; I’m must be really tired that my brain is shutting off. No choice, then, we were brought to this ex-actor’s jewelry store. The guy is really good at talking and he used to be in the Philippines. He is actually a bit funny and he only brought us to a certain part of his store where his ‘cheap’ jewelry are located. We made a deal of Peking duck with the tour guide and ended up being duped to pay for the original asking price for a taste of the Peking roasted duck. This duck isn’t like the one I saw on a documentary and is pretty much like the ‘fake’ fast food style one. My mom told me that the one we ate at Shanghai before with my grandma’s ‘friends’ is much better and I kind of remembered it since it made me like Peking duck. We also saw the nest like stadium for next year’s Olympic games. The tour guide is talking about some folk dance and Olympic performance but it turned out to be just some lame dancing in the restaurant with the stadium near the restaurant. ^^; We should have just finished Summer Palace =(

Last day in Beijing is shopping at a small department store..is this what they call a flea market, they must be kidding and of course, they are just duping us. We managed to buy some clothes here and I bought three small key/phone strap as souvenirs for my niece, Asher and for a high school friend. The highlight of this day is I managed to eat ramen at a Jap resto. It is really yummy that I finished the whole large bowl even though there is just one slice of pork on it. ^^; We went back to the airport and back to Shanghai. By the way, I bought a book at the airport on the stories about the longest painted corridor in the Summer Palace. I wanted to buy The Romance of the Three Kingdoms but it is hardbound and didn’t buy it. Around here, I want to go back home already for Shanghai = rip off/waste of time and back to Shenzhen, we will just use up the day to travel from China-Macau border. Oh well, direct flight is much more expensive so might as well bare it. As one of the people said, it is like a penance/punishment/self-inflicted pain during Lent. ^^;; Haha. I’m too tired to think that I spend most of the time concentrating on using every free time to sleep when I could just watch things/look around while on the bus and trying to keep myself from getting sick as many are coughing and sneezing. Back at Shanghai, the tour guide changed as the other one realized he can’t rip us off anymore and we learned that he is promoted to manager. We also realized from the other group that the longer one is in the tour guide business, the more that person becomes corrupt and will rip the tourists off. It is just like politics/police/military here. Everyone is doing it so might as well do it for it is a common practice and the tourists won’t see you again anyway. ^^; Oh ya, I forgot to mention that the toilets here is a bit better than I came here before BUT it isn’t recommended if you are not used to the toilet-bowl-less kinds. You have to bend down to do your thing as the toile bowl is on the floor. Also, it depends on your tolerance for bad smelling toilets for others complain that it is really bad while I don’t think so for I have seen and smelled much worse than that. ^^;;

In Shanghai, we get to see the Pudong side of Shanghai – it is like New Shanghai were new buildings are built and one is trying to be the tallest building. After some picture taking and my camera batteries died out, we went to this Tian Di which is French-styled building though it doesn’t look like French to be for what is French here is the cafes with chairs outside the walk. We bought a cute tea pot wherein the leaves won’t fall out. Then, eat and went back to the same old department store before. We tried to complain but the others wanted to go back to the same store where a lot of them were ripped off ^^; We just went some other group to walk around but there aren’t other malls there and I think it is mostly residence areas. Then, to another mall which is much worse than the other one. Mom wanted to explore to outside but we were pressed for time. I bought an anime magazine which is cheap and something to pass the time. Nothing much inside that I don’t know and it is in simplified Chinese. =( This made me wanted to go home already. Hehehe Then back to the airport. After 4 hours sleep, back to the bus, to the border then airport then finally back home. Yeah! ^_^ The bad thing is that we left our handcarry of jackets, my tea pot Wah!, etc at the Macau airport restroom and we didn’t see it again as the janitor said she didn’t see anything and we are already boarding so we don’t have time to look for it when there is a 99% chance that it is already stolen. If this is Amazing Race, we won it ^_^ We were always last before but the urge to go home is really great that we didn’t wait for the others and it is hard to wait for others as there are many people on the border and it just waste time. Actually, I couldn’t care less anymore what they might think as I really wanted to go home already for I’m too tired and sleepy. I somewhat think that maybe losing the jackets is a kind of punishment for that. ^^;

I don’t want to go to this kind of tour again and mom said, it is okay to pay much more rather than waste time at those ‘selling’ stores places again and again. It has been an educational tour like how to keep your money and not get duped by the tourist guides and stores. It is really a great way to scam people as they are tired from the on and off flights that they tend to buy things, etc. It is a bit bad that the relatives I came here with turned out to be really ‘user-friendly’ they go to you when they need you and leave you when they don’t need you. The other people are okay for it could have been worse that by the end of the trip, we were already copying this couple who do things together so they are faster in everything. ^^; I think I failed in this test for my patience has run out partially thanks to lack of sleep. Well, maybe later on when I look back to this, it doesn't seem to be that bad. hehehe ^^;;

First thing to do when I get home, check on manga. Hehehe Vampire Knight is out. I just browsed over it and I think the end scene is going to tell about Yuuki’s snowy past that she forgot and I think Zero needs Kaname’s blood to prevent him from degenerating to Level E. So, any pure blood is okay? Don’t quote me on this, my brain is a bit dead up to now and I would have to re-read that one and there is lots of narration on Yuuki’s part. Papillon is out, too. It is going towards a love story as Chou seems to be falling for Kyuu. I have a feeling that Ryuusei will be after her later on. Jump stories are fun except Naruto. Since Jump summaries are easier, I will do that first after I rest a bit. Then, Vampire Knight and lastly, Papillon. Tentative schedule is Jump tomorrow, VK either Thurs or Fri and Papillon on Sat. ^_^

Thought of the day:
Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. ~ Chinese Proverb

Weekly Jump: Bleach, One Piece, D. Gray-man, Gintama and Naruto
Sunday, April 1, 2007 @ 01:13 p.m.

[I will be going to a China (Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing) tour tomorrow and I will be back on the 9th so would probably online by the 10th ^_^ Happy Easter, everyone!]

And liquids came gushing out of Aronico’s body after being stabbed in the face by Rukia in Bleach [c. 269]. Only a mask remains of Aronico as he kept on shouting that it is painful and calls for Aizen who had promised him to be free of pain if he joined Aizen. In the end, the mask cracks and he dies. Rukia is bleeding as she tries to crawl and live as she rememebers Kaien’s advice to not die alone. She remembers everyone and of the want to rescue Inoue, saying she will be there but in the end, her strength left her as she collapses on the ground. It isn’t good when the title is The End is Near. ^^;; Some of the other espadas learned of Aronico’s demise. It seemed that the other espadas have their own sidekicks. Meanwhile, Renji is all bloodied when Grants informed Renji of a ‘tie’ between an espada and a shinigami. Renji get angry when he learns that it is Rukia that he manages to injure Grants’ face. Somewhere else, Ichigo also sensed what happened to Rukia. Someone says that he didn’t thought that Ichigo can also sense such things. It was Ulquiorra who greets Ichigo. I actually wondered if it is Grimmjow or Aizen..didn’t expect it to be Ulquiorra. ^^; Like before, I don’t think Rukia is dead much like Sado is though Rukia seems to be in worse shape. So, three more left from Ichigo’s group with two down. It doesn’t sound good for Ichigo and others and since Ichigo will fight with Ulquiorra that means Noitre could be against Ishida = battle of the thin people. ^^;

Nami shouted that Hogback is not studying zombies but rather making zombies in One Piece [c. 450]. Hogback tries to deny it but Nami shouted that they knew that Cinry has already died. Hogback then orders the bodyguard named Ryuma, who is somewhat like Brook as he also asked to see Nami’s underwear, to strike them down and send them to the land of shadows [maybe to steal their shadows]. Since Ryuma is a samurai, the trio didn’t noticed they were cut and as they are about to run away, they fell down. Meanwhile, Luffy and others went into the mansion and are in the dining hall. Pig statue and other zombies tries to attack them but of course, get defeated easily as they can’t believe that these are the nakama of those ‘weaklings’ [Nami and others]. The pig trophy then says that the three are safe and they should just go up stairs to the room where they are sleeping. Then, they realized that Sanji is missing. Zoro noticed that the pig and others are laughing so he tells the others that a trick must have been played on them. Robin says that they really need to search for the three first as Luffy says that Sanji will be fine by himself. The pig tries to frighten them but they don’t listen to him and Zoro wanted to bring the pig along for directions since Robin said that the zombies won’t be telling the truth until forced to. The other beaten zombies tries to say that Moria is great and everything that the nakama that they lost would be ‘dead’. Luffy gets angry and tells them to give the message to their boss Moria if anything happens to his friends, he will destroy that island. Absalom got all the other zombies, the ones in the cemetery to surround the mansion. The zombies are dancing ala disco outside. ^^;; Absalom went to a room with armors and coffins as he call for his general zombies to prepare to defeat the Strawhats and give them to Moria. I think the general zombies including Ryuma are based on legendary heroes. Just when I thought it will just be combo fights with Luffy and others outnumbering the enemies, it turned out that more enemies are introduced so Strawhats are the ones outnumbered especially since three are down and one is missing. I do wonder why Ryuma is similar to Brook though..could it be that there is a connection between missing shadows and zombies?

Rabi looks around the checkboard floor and wonders if he is teleported somewhere in D. Gray-man [c. 113]. Then a figure of Rhode appears asking if Rabi is thinking if he is teleported. Rabi points his hammer to her and asks if she really wants to fight. Rhode doll says that she isn’t the enemy. Rabi then someone behind him – it looks like Rabi but doesn’t have the headbandage and hair down wearing a cloak. Rabi tries to use his hammer but the other Rabi says that it is useless as he touches the hammer and it crumbles. Rhode doll says that he is her dream as she is able to merge reality and her own she lives. Rabi looks a bit tense. Chaoji and Rinali are shouting for Rabi who in reality is just kneeling down and ‘lifeless’. Lero says that Rhode’s power is scary as Rhode wonders where to hit Rabi. Meanwhile, Allen is still fighting with Tiki. Allen is able to create a ‘rope’ that ties on Tiki’s left arm. Allen is about to tie him up when Tiki creates many teases. Allen manages to destroy all of it as he puts on his clown mask. Tiki is impress as he is going to use the hand that almost killed Allen before. And the author is going on a break for research. It doesn’t look good for Rabi and it seems that Allen has higher chances of surviving this but I still hope Rabi survives this. If I recall, what happens in Rhode’s ‘dreams’ will happen in reality as what happened to Allen and Rinali earlier. I didn’t expect that in ‘reality’ Rhode can still do something to the person while he is in ‘dream’ land.

In shinsengumi headquaters, some shinsengumi are discussing about new swords in Gintama [c. 158] They were then surprised to see Yamasaki’s ‘long ship M’ katana. Then, they were more surprised by Okita’s ‘Chrysanthemum RX’ katana with a build-in radio that has 124 hours life of battery. [I think this is a spoof on mobile phones – the flashier ones are ‘wow-ed’ by others..well, it is like that here, ^^; or maybe those things sold on home shopping.] Kondou asks what is the fuss about and they were shock to see Kondou’s ‘Steel Tiger 2’ katana which doubles as a roller –those things that collect dust and dirt as Kondou rolls it on the floor. Okita asks to borrow it for a while and being jealous, Okita destroys Kondou’s katana. Hijitaka overhears them as he smokes – looks a bit irritated. Hijitaka then goes to a blacksmith and is interested in a sword which is said to be cursed. [I’m amused for Hijitaka’s va is Zoro’s [One Piece] va and this scene reminds me of Zoro picking out his katana before they head out to Grandline.] While walking at the street, Hijitaka thinks that he doesn’t care if his katana is not expensive, can’t listen to music, though it is a bit ‘strange’ as the blacksmith said though he didn’t listen to the story about the katana. Then some hoodlums came asking if he is Hijitaka of Shinsengumi. Hijitaka prepares to fight as he wants to test his katana to his surprise, he finds himself prostrating to the hoodlums apologizing. Hijitaka’s body is moving on its own as he asks for his life to be spared and he would even lick their staw sandals. The hoodlums are laughing at him if this is really Hijitaka of Shinsengumi. Hijitaka started to panic as his body won’t listen to him and the blacksmith telling him that it is a katana he can’t use. Then he realizes that it is the katana’s fault but the hoodlums started kicking him.

Hijitaka tries to grab hold of the katana but he ended up kneeling offering his Suica [kind of train card] with 3000 credits in it and he won’t be able to go home with out it. The hoodlums beat him up and Hijitaka thought it is the end as one of the hoodlums is pulling out his katana. Then, someone – wearing Shinsengumi clothes and white hair [almost thought it is Gin ^^;] with glasses - saved him. Hijitaka is surprised and calls him Ito who asked Hijitaka what is he doing there. Back at the Shinsengumi place, Kondo toasts for Ito Kashitaro’s return. [I had researched his name though the kanji used here is different and he exists in Shinsengumi who has opposite political ideals with Kondo though Kondo admires him. He later separated from Shinsengumi and later killed by Shinsengumi] Ito then is talking about some weapons that they cau use and seems to be sucking up to Kondo. The others noticed this and that it seems that Ito is after Hijitaka’s position and they would clash later on for before, Ito is usually doing work outside. Hijitaka and Ito then passes by each other as they glare at each other. The two coincidentally asked each other if they hate each other. Ito says that Kondo has his eyes on him being a new comer that for Hijitaka, he is an eyesore. Hijitaka says that it is because Ito is ambitious but he won’t move from his position that for Ito, he is an eyesore. Ito denies it and Hijitaka says it is good they clear up that misunderstanding. Ito says eye sore. Hijitaka says isn’t a cute thing. Both says, for one day, it might get you killed as they glared at each other. A new character and seems to be after Hijitaka’s position..ah, did they forget there is still Okita who is after Hijitaka? ^^;; It seems that the earlier part of the chapter are other ideas of the author or a stand alone chapter but ended up being the start of this chapter. Hehe since I thought this chapter will be about katanas. hehe

In Naruto [c. 348], Suigetsu asks Sasuke why he wants to get a group as Sasuke because he needs them for a certain plan. They went to this prison and asks this girl, Karin to join them for she no longer needs to watch over the prison since Orochimaru is dead. Karin at first doesn’t want to but when Suigetsu gets to free the prisoners and asks them to break the news that Sasuke killed Orochimaru, Karin started to become flirty with Sasuke. Then, they are going to get this other prisoner who can’t decide which he wants – a boy or a girl. ^^; Nothing much can be said about this chapter but well, the people that Sasuke wants to use are sure are ‘strange’.

Word of the day:
The world is filled with so much good that brings us joy and pleasure, but true fulfillment only comes when Christ we love and treasure. ~ Sper from Our Daily Bread

Ouran High Host Club [Chapter 49]
Friday, March 30, 2007 @ 09:11 p.m.

Matsudaira is shouting for the cheerleading group to start cheering for victory for the White team. Mascots and cheerleading girls shouted, Do your best, White Team. One of the White team members says that the costumes of their cheerleading group is okay though he feels sad for the student president. The other says that it is a clever way to conceal their identities. Ayame tells Kyouya that they didn’t anticipate that Red team’s cheerleading could ‘energize’ the members. White team are all liven up. Another person said, that is right for didn’t Kyouya said that Red team will put everything into the cheerleading and thus, use up their energy. Kyouya says not to worry for even if Red team make a ruckus, it is already half the competition and they won’t be able to catch up also, in the next competition, Honey is their contestant. Honey goes to the tracks telling Mori that it is such a coincidence that he is the Red team’s contestant for the obstacle race and won’t he have a hard time at the tire obstacle. Mori tells Honey that he doesn’t like the way Kyouya does things for doing such devilish/unfair ways to fight is a violation of the Mitsukuni [Honey’s] school [of marital arts]. Honey says that is true but the things that Kyouya planned is highly dependent on coincidence and those things actually happened. Honey smiles and adds that Kyouya is really angry that he actually forgot about him [Honey] because for Kyouya, sports doesn’t ‘have even a little benefit’. Mori looks at him, speechless. [I think what is Honey is saying is that Kyouya could have used Honey to participate in all or most of the competitions instead of just one – he used those tactics because Kyouya doesn’t think much of sports that in turn became a disadvantage for White team.]

The announcer then says that the obstacle race is about to start and it seems like Honey vs Mori, everyone ready start. Red team are cheering for Mori. Then, the race begins, Mori is in the lead for Red team. The first obstacle is jumping over twenty pieces of vaulting boxes. No wonder it is Mori who easily jumps over the three towers of the vaulting boxes from one to another. Honey shouts ‘Rabbit’/’Usagi-chan’. He then jumps on one of the tower and jumps over the other, perfectly lands on the ground. The announcer screams that Honey flew over, he can’t believe it, could it be true in that Honey really used to be a rabbit [reincarnation?]. Honey easily jumps over the tires obstacle while Mori got stuck. And the next obstacle is to eat a whole cake. Hikaru and Haruhi said that is not an obstacle for Honey. Honey happily gets a bit when to his surprise, Mori swallowed the whole cake. Not happy, Honey says that cakes should be eaten properly, one should enjoy its taste/flavor else, it would be ‘pitiful/sorry’ for the chef who made it. Mori tosses the plate on the table saying he is finished eating, thanks. Mori started to run. Honey is tearful as he says the cake should...he then got really angry and started running after finishing the cake. He screams angrily...should be eaten slowly, that is the proper way to eat cakes. Mori sweatdrops but kept on running.

Angered, Honey quickly manages to catch up and pass Mori. Announcer says that the way Mori ate the cake has infuriated Honey that he is really angry/quite a terror, I don’t want to eat cake in front of Honey, Honey is like a rabbit, scrurrying underneath the net with all his strength. The last obstacle is a long pole jump. As Honey jumps, he made a mistake and hit the pole. Tamaki panicks as Honey is in danger. To Honey’s surprise, Mori manages to get hold of him as they land on the cushion. Announcer says that while on air, Honey made a mistake but is caught by Mori, what a beautiful display of brotherhood/brother’s love. And the winner for this contest is Red team as the referee raises the red flag. The announcer says that it is Mori who gets the first points for Red team as this is the first event won by the Red team. Red team are cheering. Kaoru says he can’t believe that Honey lost. Kyouya says it is okay for that is just one event, they would be able to catch up later in other...

Kyouya didn’t finish what he is saying when the announcer says that Red team manages to take get an advantage [in the obstacle race] with the help of Kuze and the other two American football members who could lead them to victory as Kuze is revived. Kanan blushes over Kuze being praised. Tamaki goes to Kuze as he praises Kuze and Mori for being able to get the points for them. Hikaru says that the American football team is really great, they can’t look down on the power of orange. Kuze goes to them as he angrily shouted that this isn’t the time to congratulate, they have to catch up with the points lost during the first half of the game and he will help to do it. He angrily points to Tamaki shouting that he will take control of the last half of the competition so that Kyouya won’t be so full of himself. Tamaki looks surprised at Kuze. Kuze hurried away as he is wildly devouring oranges while another one carries a pile of oranges. Hikaru whispers to Tamaki not to look at Kuze that way, it just seems that Kuze got taken in by their cheerleading act. Kyouya looks a bit tense as the next competition is the three-legged race. Another victory for Red team – Tamaki and Hikaru. Then, another victory for Red team in tug-of-war, acrobatics [circus acts – balancing ball, tightrope walk ^^; ] and 1000m dash courtesy of Kuze. Kyouya now looks a bit nervous.

Red team are now all hyper up as the difference became just 12 points with White team leading. The score board shows White team with 258 points while Red team with 246 points. White team members are surprised over the turn of events. The next contest will be deciding factor as 30 points will be given and it will surely be exciting as to who will finally get the victory. Kuze is huffing as two Red team members are holding him up and the others are giving him oranges. Kuze called out to Tamaki. Tamaki asks if Kuze is alright for this is the last contest. Kuze goes to Tamaki and tells him that he will leave the last contest to him so that in this last one, he can see the fair and square contest that he said earlier. A White team member are talking about a change in the contestants. Another said that Tamaki runs slower than Kuze so why did they decided on this for not using someone ‘who is expert in it’ [running] will lose. Kaoru overhears this then he calls out to Kyouya who is going to compete. Kaoru says there is something important he has to say. Kyouya asks what is it. Kaoru says that the school president is watching this competition, didn’t he decided from the start to give the victory to Tamaki, doing this it will really have ‘a great benefit’. Kyouya says that he can’t easily trick the school president and this isn’t about having a benefit or not. Before Kyouya leaves, he says that from the start, he has been really serious about this competition. Honey calls out to Kaoru as Kaoru tells Honey that it is like this. Kaoru smiles and says that generally what Tamaki is thinking is for Kyouya not to think of the ‘benefit’ and just be happy competing.

Tamaki goes to the field as he greets Kyouya and says that this is the last contest and it is a shame that he can’t compete with Kuze. Kyouya says should’nt it be a shame for Tamaki for from the very start, he doesn’t want to have a competition, even if our relationship is very good, but Tamaki’s overeager and meddlesome attitude has given him a lot of troubles, so he hopes Tamaki will remember this. Tamaki smiles and replies, troubles? like those super dark plots you planned and getting White team members to innocently participate. Kyouya popped a vein as he is angry. With sparkles and doing stretching, Tamaki says oh yeah, speaking of it, if I win, you will sign ‘Kyouya’s family kotatsu one year use visa/contract’ you haven’t forgotten about this, right? Kyouya says if I win at the start in host club, when receiving guests, you will wear a piece of cloth [I think it is a loincloth] and the split must be western style. Still stretching, Tamaki says if I win, next month’s special/extra studies trip/excursion [basically field trip] on the airplane, I will sit at the window seat. Kyouya says if I win, you alone will ride on a tugboat and for most of the time will be sitting on a ‘wiggle/crouch’ position. Tamaki is silent then he gets angry. He cries at Kyouya shouting, Ha, ah, ah?! Why!! Isn’t it too much doing this punishment/consequence game!! Isn’t that too lonely!! And you just have to add that condition [sitting in crouch position]!! Wah – that’s too much!! Kyouya angrily shouts back, Don’t cry, too noisy, think of all the added troublesome things, doing this is a ‘must’, you stupid fool! Tamaki angrily shouts back, What!! You just happily played/competed!! Doing this thing!! Don’t twist your real disposition!! Stupid –- Stupid -- Kyouya angrily answers back, Shut up!! You always do unauthorized actions, from behind your back, do you know how much work I have to do!! You gave me a lot of shame, stupid!!

Haruhi says Tamaki had said that in formal occasions, Kyouya will always be ‘secondary king’ position [Gomen, I can’t find the Chinese word they used, that is a wild guess] even if he says it is for benefit/advantage, he will take the crown that he has and will give it to Tamaki. Flashback: Tamaki hugging his teddy bear while talking with Hikaru and Haruhi. Hikaru says what Tamaki says is true but for Kyouya, there is no choice but to think of this way, Kyouya’s father is always watching. Tamaki says yes, so..I organize this sports competition so that Kyouya won’t think about his family/family problems/situation..and for Kyouya to dare win for himself, don’t you want to see an all-fired up warm-hearted Kyouya? End flashback. Host club members are watching Tamaki and Kyouya still quarreling. The twins say that it is really like a childish quarrel!..that kind of Kyouya. Haruhi sweatdrops and says ya, Kyouya can also have that kind of expression. Kyouya is still all angry at Tamaki – having a shouting match.

The announcer then shouts that the relay race has started and the first runners had run. This then makes Tamaki and Kyouya stop quarreling as the race is already starting. The Red team is ahead but at the fourth runner, Red team member has accidentally dropped the baton that White team member manages to catch up a bit. And it is finally the last runners as they got their batons. Tamaki and Kyouya started running. Tamaki does a monologue as he tells Hikaru and Haruhi before about Kyouya. When I came to Ouran, my first friend is Kyouya...he is really kind person...(Scene of Kyouya shaking hands with Tamaki, smiling) help me with a kotatsu, no matter where he would accompany me..(Scene of Kyouya irritated but still smiling while holding a guide book to Hokkaido and Tamaki is really happy/excited) making me feel as if Kyouya is like a Buddha...but I have noticed, I am ‘to be king’ (Scene of Tamaki leading in the race against Kyouya) Flashback: Haruhi asks Tamaki that despite that, they are always good friends, right. Tamaki smiles and says yes, because it is really interesting. Externally cool/ruthless yet filled with wild schemes/ambitions, also thinks deep of different tactics/plot so I feel that becoming friends with this warm-hearted person will be very interesting so I want to say many, many things to him..want to push really hard for him to honestly get along with him and so that he will become my good friend. The two really run really fast and it is a photo finish as they cross the finish line.

The two are breathing heavily as Kyouya removes his glasses. The announcer then says that the victory belongs to Kyouya so White Team wins. Some fangirls are shouting for Kyouya. Tamaki cries that they have lost, really frustrating..then he smiles as he says really frustrating!! But I’m really happy. Kyouya puts back his glasses and looks at Tamaki, a bit surprised. Tamaki smiles at Kyouya and says I’m really happy, Kyouya!! There is really a benefit from this, for having a contest among young friends can be really fun, right?! Kyouya looks at him and then says, I know that early on..not really, how can I be with you guys [I guess Kyouya is saying that don’t think that he would think like that, too.] Tamaki goes to the others and shouts, be happy everyone, we are second place. Twins and Honey shouts Yeah, that’s right. Mori doesn’t seem to look happy as Haruhi just smiles at them. Kyouya looks at them, thinking, even if I have won, why do I have this feeling of losing, did I made a mistake with my tactic but..From early on, I plan to just use school as place to practice on manipulating/ using people..so if I can come here, apprenhensive/afraid of one person is okay[have no idea whom Kyouya meant here – his father?]..as long as I can meet an irreplaceable friend, I will be satisfied --- ...

A couple of women [one dressed in kimono while another in a business suit] are talking with the school president. The woman in business suit telling the president that it is really an exciting competition that Kyouya has really gone all out and this should be reported to his father. The president smiles and says yes, Tamaki has really found a good friend. The other woman asks where would the second year field trip be held, for she heard that the place the students want has been investigated/surveyed thoroughly, is it already decided. The president says yes..though it is still in the deciding stage but this year it will be more or less be France. Kyouya calls out to Tamaki saying that he refuses to sign the authority to use the kotatsu but if Tamaki can bring a high-class snack, Tamaki can use the kotatsu in winter. Tamaki is happy as he says, no wonder you are my caring friend, how about soy-dipped fried mochi, crispy, crispy, I really like..!! I want to eat now *hearts* Kyouya gets angry and says I refuse to sign/rejected.

Hehe, the sports competition turned out to be about Tamaki-Kyouya friendship as their friendship has somewhat strengthen here and letting the others see this side of Kyouya. The only time I remember Kyouya being all this fired up is in the Tamaki-Kyouya meeting chapter. He actually forgot that he only ‘work/do things’ if there is an advantage/benefit for him and even using Honey for more than one competitions so that they can keep their lead. Their shouting punishment for the loser is really funny. I do wonder if Kyouya wanting Tamaki to be ‘king’ and only be behind the scenes is he consciously or even unconsciously doing it because he is the third son and won’t be given a chance to ‘lead’ the family. Tamaki wanted to show Kyouya that it is okay to be the best/winner and not always be at the side lines. Guess Kuze’s remark on Kyouya not being good for he is always ‘behind the scenes’ really fired up Kyouya. Hehehe Well, I guess Kuze won’t be insulting Kyouya anymore. And, aside from having a fun competition among friends, Kyouya didn’t realize that some people might report what he did to his father and that will really help Kyouya’s future. I do wonder if Mori is not happy about the win is because of his bet with Honey – 3 months worth of cakes. Mori did had a bad dream before of Honey becoming too fat. Hehehe Lastly, the field trip – wow, they are going to France. I do wonder if it is for Tamaki though it is only second year students so I do wonder if the others will somehow go with them. Oh yeah, Kaoru didn’t seem to have participated in the games ^^;

Quote of the day:
Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget. ~ Author unknown

Nana [Chapter 66]
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 @ 12:10 p.m.

”Anywhere is okay as long as I can see the sea.” “Getting engaged to the person I loved, getting a dream job has come true, in my hand, a piece of Nana, slowly destiny is becoming clearer.” Long blond haired Nana looks out the sea as it starts to snow. Back at apartment 707 by the table, Hachi, Nobu, Shin and Yasu are sitting down with pictures of Nana singing in a bar called Agorad. Both Nobu and Hachi exclaims, England. Yasu says no, it isn’t sure that it is in England. Holding a cassette tape, Yasu says that Nana’s voice in the tape, as if there is a guy’s voice in the background and it is English-type English. Both Hachi and Nobu asks English-type English. Shin says that it is English yet there is a big difference with American English. [I think they are talking about pronunciation and such ^^;] Hachi says is that so. Nobu sweatdrops and says that Shin really does know a lot and it does make them look stupid. Shin says that is because he also talk in English-type English though there is a bit of Swedish accent. Nobu and Hachi looks in surprise as they say, is that so.

Shin says there is a high probability that Nana is in England. Yasu says that talking in English type English doesn’t exactly mean it is in England. Hachi asks what are the possibility of Nana being in that unfamiliar country. Shin says that Nana likes Sex Pistols and Vivienne Westwood and both are from England and that while Ren is there, she could heard things about England from him. Hachi, Nobu and Yasu kept quiet. Hachi says that she also feels Nana is in England. Nobu suggests that they should investigate around if there is such a bar in England so how many people will be needed. Shin laments that England is such a huge place so he thinks that it will be a bit hard looking for that place. Yasu says that is true so how about looking at cities near the coastal area. Shin says that England is an island country so those kinds of cities will be a lot. Yasu sweatdrops and says, that is true. Hachi says that as long as there is a goal, it doesn’t matter if it is hard. Nobu says that is right for just learning that Nana is alive is already a huge progress. Everyone then becomes thoughtful as Hachi becomes teary eyed.

“As long as there is the sea, [I] can go die whenever I want. I don’t know why but thinking of it relaxes me. I want to try living for another day.” Hachi is washing the dishes when she hears someone playing the guitar. She looks in surprise to see that it is Nobu as he sits on a bed, playing a guitar. Nobu is equally surprised to see her and then he smiles. He tells her that he plays it once in a while since its owner is not around, the guitar might feel lonely. Hachi smiles and sits beside him. Then an awkward glance between the two. Nobu asks if it is okay for her to stay there so late when she should go home and take care of the child. Hachi is surprised and embarrassed about it. Nobu tells her not to mind him, she should go. Hachi says it is okay for Satsuki has gone to her family’s house since she is really busy in January dressing up people in kimono so she can’t take care of Satsuki, good thing that her parents are helping. Hachi adds that she will pick Satsuki up tomorrow. Nobu says is that so, she is still helping people wear their kimono as he puts the guitar to the side. Hachi asks what about Nobu, for during this time, inns are pretty busy. Nobu says that his father is still very strong and every thing he [Nobu] does, his father will always complain that he doesn’t know if his father wants him to be the successor or wants to kick him out. Hachi laughs at this.

Hachi asks how is the Live House, is it flourishing. Nobu smiles and says it is for at his hometown, there are many bands performing for there are many young energetic people that it makes things interesting – they can compete with other inns. Hachi says that it is a tremendous help that two of the bands who performed there became famous. Hachi adds that the youngsters who were fans of Blast and Trapnest has grown up to an age where they want to form their own bands that thinking of it makes her feel that she has grown old. Nobu says thinking of that way, it feels as if what they did before has more or less some significance/meaning. Hachi looks a bit surprised. Nobu smiles at Hachi saying that having many nice music is really a happy thing. Hachi smiles and looks at him. Nobu plays the guitar again. “One more final day, do my best for another day. Wanting to maintain this life.” Hachi then puts her head on Nobu’s shoulder as Nobu is playing. Nobu then stops and asks what about Ren, is it okay not to mind him. Hachi moves her head away as she says it is since Ren went to England. Nobu looks surprised and asks if Takumi is there. Hachi looks at him [sadly?] and Nobu says, is that so. Nobu laments that he can’t reach/contact Ren that in the end, Ren didn’t even go to last year’s fireworks display. Hachi says but he is still lively. Nobu asks if he still plays a guitar. Hachi smiles, whole day playing the guitar.

The radio music is playing loudly as Shin is driving a sports car and Yasu is at the passenger seat. Yasu says it is great that Shin got a role in a new spring drama. Shin says but he wants to do a movie acting a strange role – acting keeps one really busy. Yasu tells him not to complain for later on more offers will come then he will get that. Yasu adds that it is really cold as he feels his brain is freezing. Shin says that he knows for aside from this, he doesn’t really have talent like him [don’t know who Shin means] so he is really working hard on it. Yasu asks how is Misato [I think he means the fan of Nana, not Nana’s sister]. Shin says that she wants to see everyone. Yasu says then fetch her. Shin says but compared to him, Misato is really busy and has some apprehensions though the way she does things, it can’t be compared to Gin. Yasu laughs at this. Shin says that Misato is wondering who could be the one who has send the pictures and the tape, could it be a reporter/photographer still chasing after Nana. Shin adds that the pictures were taken secretly at an opportune time and nowadays such a gadget is rarely used also even if there is a lot of people, used a tape recorder. Yasu says that is also his guess and to record, there is no need to use new techniques though why not tell it to the world but secretly let Hachi know about it.

Shin says that is true so who does Yasu think it is, for they could just ask that person all the details they need to know. Yasu says that because the name isn’t on the parcel/letter, it will be hard to know who it is and all they can really do is just search and investigate all those stores/bars. Shin teases that Nana is staying there illegally and even went to public to sing so she might get deported one day and so, they don’t have to look for her. Yasu says that even if that is so, they still have to think of ways to protect Nana. Shin then looks serious and says that Hachi said it could be Ren who secretly left that parcel. Yasu looked surprised as he looks at him. Shin smiles at him and says that it could be a Christmas gift since there are no ‘details’ [I can’t find the Chinese word for it] so left it at the mailbox. Yasu says there is a chance as he looks a bit sad. Shin noticed it and he seems to look a bit ‘guilty’ then cue in the radio playing the 2001 hit song of super band Trapnest, Truth. Shin looks a bit teary eyed as I think he imagines Reira singing. “Hachi, if I want to die, I go to this place. [scene of the sea - snowing] Why do I still do this kind of thing up to now?”

An airplane flies over an apartment. Someone takes out his Seven Stars cigarette as he goes in room 601. Ren opens the door and no one is there. He then notices a bunch of comic magazines [Jump] on the table. There is a note from Nana with a chibi cat-Nana drawing wearing an apron – Welcome back, there is some delicious soup. Ren smiles at this. At Yokohama Arena, Nana and Nobu are surprised as to how big the place is. They are hopping in glee as if they are in heaven. Yasu asks whose kids are those, doesn’t have an upbringing [not properly trained]. Mai/Misato laughs at this. A glasses guy asks if all the band members there already, it is time for dress rehearsal. Mai apologizes and says that Shin haven’t arrived yet. Glasses guy is not to happy about that for they have to rent the stadium a day before the concert just to have the dress rehearsal and it is quite expensive. Gin tells glasses guy that there is still 15 minutes so he should relax, it will be alright. Mai says that Shin has informed her that he will arrive after 30 minutes, leaving from his home. Gin says then he won’t arrive on them. Yasu overhears this and asks Mai, home? Mai looks surprised.

Elsewhere, Reira is brought back to her apartment by her assistant. Reira thanks her for good work. Her assistant says she is really happy, it will be a really super album. Reira says yes, thank you very much. Before her assistant leaves, she remembers something and tells Reira not to forget that tomorrow, at Yokohama Arena, Blast will be performing so she is going to pick her up around 4 o’clock. After she left, Reira remembered what her two ex-lovers said. Shin: You should forget about me! Yasu: Even if I told you not to go, you will still go, right? Then she remembers what Ren said to her that no matter whom she liked/loved, in the end, she cannot abandon that position [to be beside Takumi]. Reira seems to be in anguish. Takumi smiles and says that he is back home. Hachi looks at him and asks, who are you. Takumi is speechless and asks why is she angry. Hachi cries that she is angry at him, he is so slow, that even if she has given birth he won’t know. Back to [future] Nana sitting on the beach on a snowy day. “Hachi, the sea breeze is embracing me, the sound of the sea waves are beautifully enticing, and this life that you have saved, I still cannot throw it away.”

And the search for Nana has started. They really should hurry for it seems that Nana is suicidal. The ending is still unsure for the author can still make this story a happy ending or a tragedy. It would really sucks though if they did find her and she is dead. ^^;; I’m hoping for a happy ending. The future look of Hachi somewhat confused me that I’m thinking if it is Hachi or Miu ^^;; I had to recheck the past scans. Hehehe The foursome seemed to have kept on touch with each other. I do wonder if Hachi is 'clinging' on to Nobu just because her husband is away like she is lonely or as friends only? I also wonder if Nobu abruptly brining up Ren is because he really just remembered Ren or he is uneasy Hachi leaning on him. ^^; About Hachi’s guess that it is Ren who left the parcel. Maybe since I doubt the reporter knows about that apartment and Ren just went to England so maybe he also went to search for Nana there – aside from Takumi being there. I’m thinking that the reporter gave it to Ren and Ren for some reason doesn’t want to keep in touch/see the group has left it at Hachi’s mailbox. If Ren doesn’t want to see the group, could the reason be something they did or he did or it would just be too painful for Ren to be reminded of Nana who used to be with the group. Also, in the future, Shin looked a bit sad when Trust is being played, did something happen to Reira, too? Well, maybe not, maybe he still loves her. The past Shin seems to be getting irresponsible as he is late for the rehearsal on their major concert. I think the next chapter would be on what happened in that concert.

Quote of the day:
The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. ~ Allan K. Chalmers

Skip Beat! [Chapter 103]
Tuesday, March 27, 2007 @ 06:19 p.m.

Lory is playing a dating simulation game for girls as he frustrates over what to do with the sleeping male lead. Should he as the female lead pinch his nose, kiss him or play with his hair? Lory wanted to choose kiss since he tends to be aggressive but the male lead is a ‘stubborn’ type so doing that might backfire. Lory wants to do this right for the first time for he doesn’t want to reset and do it again if he made a mistake. Just then, one of his servant tells him that he has a phone call. Lory asks if it is Kyouko. To his disappointment, it is Ren asking what is he planning. Lory denies it. Ren insists that he is planning something regarding Kyouko, sending her to that guy [Kura]. Lory thinks that it is too early for Kyouko to call crying for she won’t easily admit defeat. Lory says that it is just because Kura wanted to eat Kyoto-style food so he sent Kyouko to him and there is no other motive to it. Lory asks if that is all for he has to think of some important decision which can lead to bad consequences [the game] so he is going to hang up. Ren apologizes for the intrusion. Lory says it is alright and he will call back later on and hangs up. Ren sighs as he can’t catch Lory if he is hiding something or not and that it is useless to press on. He thinks that he is getting a bit worried ever since Lory brought up the question if he wants to see Kura when he never mentioned anything or any connection about that guy [Kura] when he came to Japan.

Back at the hotel, Kura is shock that Kyouko is happily reporting to Lory on the phone that there is no problem with her work and he is happily eating what she cooked though there are some problems at some areas, she will just do her best to do them. Kyouko then hangs up and gives back the phone to Kura. Kura asks why did she lie and didn’t cry to the president how he is maltreating her. Kyouko says that he isn’t maltreating her for he is just like a drunk guest. Kura is shock that Kyouko is treating him like a drunk salaryman. Kyouko says that people who are in the hospitality industry shouldn’t lose their temper over such guests. Kura thought that such an attitude is also needed in the showbiz industry so this could be Kyouko’s ‘determination’ he has heard about. Kura thought that he is definitely going to make her cry while he is staying in Japan. He then dumps all the food that Kyouko made into a trash bag and twists the bag. Kyouko is getting angry at how he treats the food that she painstakingly made. Kura says that this is the food she made so she should be the one taking it out. From one demon popping out of Kyouko’s body to multiple ones as Kura says for her to take it to the cast of Dark Moon to eat especially to that male lead of the drama. Kyouko’s eyes turned demonish as there is a loud sound in the hotel room. Kura is shock to see holes in the room as to what have caused it. It turned out to be Kyouko’s demons twisted like screw hitting the room’s walls and ceiling as Kyouko tries to restrain herself. Kyouko says that person’s name is Ren whose acting will soon surpass his so he better remember his name.

Kura looks surprised and then asks why does Kyouko reveres that guy as if she doesn’t treat her the same as others. Kyouko shouts of course, she respects Ren. After a pause, Kura asks if that is it. Kyouko says that Ren is her belief/like religion as she imagines Ren as a saint with a actor’s bible. Kyouko continues that as she wants to be an actress, Ren is the one standing on the clouds like a god so for Kura to ask Ren to eat the food he made into leftovers is unthinkable so Kura should eat the food for it is made for him and he made it into leftovers. Kyouko then serves the food on the bowl and it does look unsightly. Kura gets angry for Kyouko is giving him ‘cat food’, this girl is going to give me cat food to eat. [I don’t know in other countries, since I think that they feed their cats canned cat food and such but here, cat food for ordinary cats is like that a little fish and rice mixed together = leftovers, maybe it is also like that in Japan] Kura snapped as he shouted who does she think he is to be given that kind of food, he can get back at her using his status as a Hollywood actor. Kyouko shouted that she isn’t afraid for he is also a human and since he has left Japan, he doesn’t have much power to do that so let’s see if he actually can do that. Kura shouted how could she talk to him disrespectfully like that. Kyouko shouted if he is more respectful then she would be more respectful. Kura shouted so has he become a low person who couldn’t be respected. Kyouko shouted she didn’t say he is a low person but more of a person who couldn’t be respected. Kura shouted it doesn’t matter for he doesn’t want to be respected by a girl like her. Kyouko shouted what.

At 11:12pm the same day, Lory gives Kura a glass of liquor as he is lying down on the sofa. Lory asks how could Kura forget his objective and in the end just fight with Kyouko, are you stupid, for what is the use of getting angry. Kura sits up as he says he didn’t intend that to happen. He tells Lory that in order to make Kyouko cry, he acted as a bad guy and gave her an evil stare so how could things ended up like this. While eating, Lory says that Kura even get Kyouko to make such a meal for him and he even made it into leftovers so what is the point of him eating it. Kura says that is because: Flasback – Kyouko tells him to eat that food and if he eats it up, she will consider him a hero. Being dared, Kura takes the challenge as he shouted that he can eat it whether it is cat food or leftovers. But it turned out to be delicious that Kura kept asking for more and saying - as his alibi - that it is wasteful to not eat it when some people are getting hungry in the world. End flashback. Kura says that he is hungry and couldn’t suppress his appetite so he kept on eating. Lory says that Kura is being played around by Kyouko. Kura says it is like how Lory told him, Kyouko is competitive, determined and doesn’t like to lose. Lory says that he already told him that if Kura isn’t determined to do it, he can’t make Kyouko cry. Kura asks that he will try harder for while staying there in Japan, he has to make her cry so that she would go to ‘him’ [Ren] to complain.

He then asks Lory if Ren will really come. Lory says that Ren will definitely come and whatever emotion he has – angry, etc, if he comes then they will win as the five year gap will be forgotten. Kura then realizes why he got into a fight with Kyouko for it is because he is jealous of her as to how Ren treasures her. Kura says that he will use this jealousy feeling to act like a really rotten guy to achieve his goal so that there won’t be a time like today wherein she happily calls Lory and telling him that she will do her best. Lory looks stunned and asks what is he talking about. Kura says Lory has senile dementia that Lory pulls Kura’s ear saying that he haven’t heard of that. Lory says that that Kyouko did call but since he is on the other phone, Kyouko was told to call again but she never did call again. Kura then realizes that Kyouko acted throughout the call as if she is actually talking to Lory. Kura is angry for he, a world famous actor, got tricked by Kyouko’s little acting.

The next day, Kura is shock to find Kyouko bowing to him, apologizing. Kura thought how could he now say awful cold words at Kyouko now. Kyouko’s hands and face is all red as she apologizes for her behavior yesterday to have acted such a way when he is a respected sempai [in acting]. Kura smiles and thought that Kyouko is a nice girl but then, he quickly reminds himself to become an irritating guy and must not be moved by Kyouko’s words. Kura says that it is because Japanese are like this – overly polite and apologetic that he doesn’t like them so if she has time, why don’t she do her duty right away. Kyouko is extremely happy to hear this as she says she will and she will make breakfast right away. As Kura walks away, he is surprised to hear Kyouko thanking her. Kyouko then happily goes as she says that she is happy that she isn’t fired. Kura is surprised that Kyouko is acting really happy over that as she seems really dedicated to her work..it will be harder to deal with her [make her cry]. Kura smiles and sighs. Kyouko is thinking what kind of breakfast is she going to make when she overhears the television show mentioning about a musician if successful, he will break all music records from before, he will become a legend. Kyouko looks at the tv to see how it was – it is Shou.

It turned out that Kura actually just acting as a bad guy to get Ren to see him. As I thought before, Ren is avoiding Kura – he is in US, Kura in Japan and now Kura is in US, Ren is in Japan. Kura will have a really difficult time making Kyouko cry for the things that make her cry is about her mother and being ‘abandoned’ and not when people are bullying her. Aside from that, Kura turned out to be a nice guy so he might somewhat unconsciously restrains himself since Kyouko is really nice and all – after all, she manages to win the hearts of stubborn/anti-social people. Kura and Lory seem to be a believer of the ends justifies the means. I do wonder what Kyouko’s reaction to Shou’s new breakthrough record. She will be awfully frustrated when she learns that she contributed to it. Maybe Kura will learn more about Kyouko-Shou and get that lure Ren to see him. Hehehe The way Kyouko and Kura quarrel, reminds me of Kyouko-Shou quarrel. ^^; Oh ya, I wonder who paid for the damages Kyouko’s demons caused in the hotel room.

Quote of the day:
Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. ~ Saint Francis De Sales

Weekly Jump Updates: Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, D. Gray-man and Gintama
Monday, March 26, 2007 @ 09:14 p.m.

In Naruto [c. 347], Sasuke tells Suigetsu that they are going to get the others. It seemed that Suigetsu and others hated Orochimaru. Suigetsu whines about the others whom he can’t get along with and Sasuke gets to kill Orochimaru because he gets to be close to Orochimaru. He threatens to fight Sasuke but backs out when Sasuke stares at him. Suigetsu turned out to be Zabusa’s kohai as he asked to go somewhere before they get to the others. They went to the bridge and Suigetsu took Zabusa’s sword from his grave. Meanwhile, Konohamaru showed Naruto’s his new technique as he transformed himself and clone to two ladies = yuri/gl. Everyone reacted especially Naruto except Sai. Sakura punched Konohamaru for doing that and saying that it is a useless technique for no enemy would fall for it. Konohamaru then transformed again to two guys = yaoi/bl. [The scene is censored] Everyone reacted especially Sakura except Sai. Sai comments that it is him and Sasuke. Sakura snapped out of it as Naruto punches Konohamaru saying that he doesn’t want to see that. Sakura tries to say that he shouldn’t do it but the guys just look at her. Sakura denies that she likes that kind of stuff. Then the last scene is of a woman defeating a guy as she comments that Orochimaru is dead and then she senses someone. Sasuke seems to be gathering his group though I think they won’t be loyal to him. I think that Suigetsu is following him just because he fears Sasuke rather than for loyalty. I do wonder what is the goal of those people that Sasuke is gathering. Before it is to kill Orochimaru but since that is over, so just want to fight? Why would Sasuke need them anyway? To distract other Akatsuki as he goes for Itachi?

While being stabbed, Rukia remembered the past with Kaien in Bleach [c. 268]. The time when they practiced and what Kaien told her about not dying alone for that way that person can pass his ‘heart’ to the other which Kaien did when he died. With that in mind, Rukia manages to use her strength, she formed back her zanpaku and stabbed Aronico right into the face. Aronico is stunned as Rukia says that she remembered that Kaien has already passed on his ‘heart’ to her. Bye-bye Aronico. That is how Rukia is able to finish off Aronico. He is just too full of himself and let his guard down that Rukia manages to use the opportunity of being lured near him. But then, Rukia seemed to be gravely injured. So next battle could be Renji’s. I think what Kaien is saying about ‘heart’ is more like the memories of that person.

Everyone is surprised to learn that the one who steals shadows is a Seven Seas, Moria in One Piece [c. 449]. The man says that there are many of them who hides from the zombies and can’t get out for the fear of the sun and if they were lured there, that means Moria is interested in them. Luffy suggests that they defeat this Moria so that they can be saved. The man and others who are hiding, thanks them. Back to Usopp and others, they wer spying on Hogback and Cindry as they are about to make another zombie. Usopp and others wondered about the possibility of bringing people back from the dead. To their surprise, they saw Brook [the Bodyguard] who cut the door so that they got in. They are discovered as they were shock to see Brook not in skeleton form. [This Brook’s face isn’t shown though.] Usopp tries to deny seeing something as Hogback says it is time for ‘night strike’. Outside, the planted zombies courtesy of Luffy and others were told to get back on their feet by Absalom, the invincible man whose real face looked like a lion’s with a ‘crown’. The zombies obviously doesn’t respect him as they called him being a pervert. Then, the perona ghosts went into this girl with a crown, Perona. Three other zombies woke up a huge giant with his face hidden, Moria. They shouted that it is time for night strike and their guests are fresh from Eneas Lobby so he will surely be satisfied. It started to rain as Luffy and others finally noticed that Thriller Bark is actually a ship when they saw the flag above. The old man appeared again to explain that it is really the world’s largest pirate ship that even carries a town. Underneath the flag is where they will find Moria. The foursome leaders of Thriller Bark – Moria, Hogback, Absalom and Perona aawait the entry of Luffy and others into the mansion. This arc is really good and exciting. I wonder if the Brook they saw is a twin or if Brook is really a spy. I tend to think of the former or any other reason since when they met Brook, he seemed genuine nice. The upcoming fights will really be interesting. I wonder if Moria is the type of steal shadows to become stronger since the creatures says that Luffy and others will be his meals. I love the colored spread in this chapter though the one I got is a bit blurry.

Rhode captured both Rinali and Chaoji in a cube in D. Gray-man [c. 112]. She then asked Rabi that they play a game and if he wins, she will let them go. Before Rabi knew it, he is in a different dimension as a form like Rhose tells him if he manages to escape from there, he wins. Meanwhile, Allen is fighting against Tiki and his teases. Rinali can only watch helplessly. So, the fighting begins. There is an advertisement of trading cards of DGM. I like how Rabi is colored. ^_^ Didn’t thought that his scarf and his uniforms trimmings are colored red ^^; I thought it is white - because it isn't shaded in the manga.

In Gintama [c. 157], after learning that they will only have a potato chip per person, half of the women left. After 5 days, another half left until only six women are left – Kagura and others. They did meditation and helped clean around the temple. To survive, Kagura puts a trap by putting her own chip on the ground and when someone goes for it – Catherine – she will beat that person up and take their chip. One day, Kagura found Catherine lying down and while concentrating on her, Otose came and took her trap chip. Otae trips Otose as she took the chip and Kyuubei takes Catherine’s chip. They tossed the chip to Kagura. It turned out that Kagura has asked their help. They asked her to quickly run away and Kagura did so only to slip down. It is natto on the ground. Otose shouted it is 3 vs 3 as Sacchan is on their side. Kyuubei managed to get the chips before Sacchan. To their surprise, Kyuubei isn’t fat but faking it as she removed her ‘casing’. Kyuubei says she is there just because of Otae. Sacchan tries to take the chips only to get a banana which Kyuubei has been secretly stealing. Then, they all fell down on the natto as they tried to grab the chip. The old woman is happily eating potato chips as she comments that no one ever survives with just eating a potato chip per day. An assistant then says that there six who did. She is shocked about it and that this world really have those kind of people. The six then are on their way home but they looked horribly thin except Kyuubei, not sure about Otose though. So, it seems they have won the fight against themselves. What a corny ending. ^^; It goes to show that doing things 'over' is bad. Obviously this way of dieting isn't recommended. I wonder if the people in the temple just created this program so that someone will clean around their temple ^^;

Thought of the day:
Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ~ From the television show The Wonder Years

Papillon - Hana to Chou - [Chapter 7]
Saturday, March 24, 2007 @ 08:59 p.m.

Title: Six years of tears. Chou looks surprised as her mother screams at Kyuu what is he planning to do with her child. Kyuu looks surprised and asked if she is Chou’s mother, not sister. Chou and her mother looked a bit surprised. Kyuu then says that she [mother] is actually his type as the mother-daughter freaks out. Kyuu smiles and says that it is time he introduce himself as he shows his business card to Chou’s mother. Her mother is shock that he is a guidance counselor and what kind is he, teaching bad things to a student. Kyuu tries to explain that the student has a problem so he is actually helping her through counseling. Chou looks surprised as the two argues with each other. Her mother shouted that this is a hotel and she saw him trying to drag her daughter in. Smiling, Kyuu says that it is a misunderstanding so why not her mother join them in. Mother-daughter looked shock. He then tries to get the two in as he says that this is a golden opportunity, for he wanted to understand more [about their situation]. The two freaks out as Chou’s mother pushes Kyuu away. She shouted that she will take her daughter home and what happened today, she will report it to school so he better wait and see. Kyuu looks surprised.

Chou’s mother is dragging Chou as she is really angry. She shouts what is that guy thinking, wanting to do counseling at that place. She then screams at Chou for going with that guy as she asks if that guy went to get her at the hospital and he is ‘stalking’ [The scans is blurred, can’t quite read it] her. Chou defends Kyuu saying that he isn’t for he won’t do that, he is really helping her in counseling. Her mother shouts back what stupid things is she saying, at this time bringing a student to such a place, he isn’t a proper kind of teacher. There is no need to be an annoyance, just listen to mother and it is okay, I don’t want you to meet with that guy again, do you understand, her mother shouted. Chou looks a bit surprised as her mother shouted for her to answer back/promise her. Chou looked a bit timid then gathered her strength to tell her mother not to say bad things to the teacher. She angrily looks at her mother and shouted that the teacher is her savior, when she wanted to die, he listened to her and encouraged her, compared to her mother, he is more dependable. Her mother is stunned as Chou shouted that she just suddenly come out and imposes her will on her but the truth is she doesn’t understand her. Chou quickly runs away in anger and as she is crossing the street, a car is about to hit her.

Chou stops in her tracks when she saw the car as her mother quickly runs to her calling Chou’s name. Her mother shields her as the car tries to break. Kyuu then sees what is the commotion and finds to see the car hitting a post and Chou’s mother is shielding Chou as they lie on the street. Kyuu quickly goes to them and asks if Chou is hurt. It is Chou’s mother who is hurt as her forehead is bleeding. She says it hurts and quickly sits up Chou, asking if she is hurt. Chou says she isn’t. Her mother smiles and says that is good. Her mother then faints by her side. Chou then calls out to her mother. Her glasses is already broken as it lies on the street. At the hospital, she wakes up her grandma. Her grandma is surprised to see Chou crying that she asked what is the matter. Chou cries that her mother got in a car accident and is brought to the hospital. Grandma is surprised. She tries to go out quickly that she falls on her knees from weakness. Chou tries to comfort her by saying that things will be okay as her grandma cries for her mother. She then sees Kyuu talking to the doctor. She calls out to him asking what did the doctor said about her mother’s condition. With a sad look, he tells them that when her mother fell, she hit her head and the head injury to the brain is quite serious so they fear that...Chou and her grandma looked shocked.

In the room, grandma calls out to her daughter as Chou can’t believe that this is happening. Grandma calls out for her daughter to wake up and not leave her -- not to die. Chou then realized that her mother can die and it will be all her fault because her mother protected her, why did it happen this way. She begins to look flustered and tears started form in her eyes as she thought she can’t speak. Kyuu encourages Chou to call out to her mother. Chou did but in a soft voice. Kyuu tells her to call her mother louder and many more times so that her mother can hear what she is saying. She calls her mother many times as she really begins to fear about her mother’s condition that she started to cry. She then remembers her memories of her mother – the earlier incident with Kyuu + accident, taking care of her when she is sick and celebrating their birthdays. Kyuu observes Chou and tells her if there is anything she wanted to tell her mother for there might not be any chance later on if she don’t say it – it doesn’t matter if it is of hatred, anything will be okay, how about saying it. Chou cries as she shouted that she hates her mother for she only sees Kana and doesn’t care about her. Her grandma looks at her in surprise. Chou asked why did she [mother] abandoned her, is it because she cries at the middle of the night, she has waited for her mother to get her for without her, she is really lonely. She wanted to be cared like how she [mother] does to Kana. To be honest, she doesn’t want to be with grandma, she want to be with her. Chou then goes to her mother’s side and cries for her to open her eyes, and not to leave her all alone again.

Her mother started to cry and then hugs Chou as her mother apologizes. Chou and grandma are surprised that Chou’s mother is awake. Kyuu then tells them the truth that the head injury is actually minor and her life is not in danger. Chou and grandma is surprised by what he said. Smiling, Kyuu apologizes to the grandma as he explains that he just want the mother and daughter to understand each other so he did that little act. He tells grandma not to worry for the brain isn’t injured at all, it is a lie so relax. He thanks Chou’s mother for playing along. Grandma falls on her knees as she still can’t believe what just happened that Chou calls out to her. Grandma then smiles as she cries saying that it is a good thing everything is alright and nothing happened to her daughter. Chou’s mother cries as Kyuu asks her if she has heard what her daughter’s true feelings. Kyuu says that Chou thinks of herself as an unwanted child so she is greatly hurt, the father and the mother, everyone only likes Kana. Kyuu asks if this is true. Her mother shakes her head and says that it isn’t so for Chou is her precious baby. Kyuu says but she has great difficulty in handling Chou always cries in the middle of the night when she is a baby that she developed pre-natal depression and she came to hate Chou.

Her mother says it isn’t so, it isn’t like that, she is really frustrated because trying to make Chou sleep, Kana will cry and just when she is about to sleep, Chou cries. But what really makes her frustrated is no matter what she does – hug and cuddle – Chou won’t sleep but when her mother hugs Chou, Chou becomes calm and nice that she can’t believe it. Flashback: Grandma is carrying sleeping Chou as her mother wonders why is it when grandma carries Chou, she doesn’t cry. Could it be because of experience since her mother had three children but I’m Chou’s mother. Her mother looks frustrated as she tries to carry Chou but Chou is crying. Why? Why doesn’t she stop crying? Do you hate me that much? She then leaves Chou to the side crying. Don’t cry anymore, she cries. End flashback. Crying, her mother says that Chou crying nonstop makes her feel she is unqualified to be Chou’s mother. Kyuu asks if that is why she had pre-natal depression. Chou’s mother nods and says that she has become someone who can’t take care of children so she asked her mother to take care of them. Chou is surprised by this for it turned out that Kana is also left to grandma’s care. Chou’s mother says that after treatment and her depression has become better, she quickly went to get her children but then, carrying Chou, Chou still cries non-stop. She is really frustrated when this happened that in the end, she is forced to leave Chou to her mother’s care. She has brought Chou home many times but she always fails as Chou always cries. Failing..am I really not suited [to be a mother]? Chou’s mother cries being rejected by Chou, she really feels hurt, she really loves Chou, she is her beloved daughter that she changed and came to be afraid of Chou. Chou realizes that the one who first rejected her mother is her. Chou’s mother apologizes to Chou for not being a good mother and causing much grief to Chou. She also apologizes for not realizing it. Kyuu asks Chou’s mother if she can now give Chou a hug. Chou’s mother then pulls Chou and hugs her. Smiling, Kyuu says that her child has been waiting for her to hug her so give her 16 years worth of hug. The two mothers then hugged as Kyuu and grandma looks at them.

That is like 16 years worth of misunderstanding. With the help of Kyuu, it is finally cleared up why Chou’s mother acted that way. It is really frustrating to have one’s own baby always crying when she hugs the baby. She has developed a phobia for Chou, fearing that if she got to close to her, Chou might reject her. Unwittingly though, that caused much grief to Chou that is one of the cause she almost committed suicide. Now, the mother now has a reason..what about the father? ^^; For Kana though, I think it is more of jealousy over Chou or maybe she just hates Chou for being ‘wimpy’. I do wonder how Kana will react from this development. I think there is a symbolism to Chou’s glasses being broken. She no longer has to put up a ‘barrier’ with her mother using the glasses. Kyuu scored major points here. If the accident didn’t happen, the mother-daughter problem won’t be solved and yeah, he might just lost his job. ^^;; Their shock faces when Kyuu thought Chou’s mom is his sister and her mom is his type, they all go to the hotel and saying the truth about Chou’s mom condition is really funny. It is a good thing that nothing bad happened to her mother or else, it will be pretty bad for Chou. I wonder if this series is going to be short since that problem is now solved or is the author planning on concentrating on the love life after this family problem is now out of the way.

Word of the day:
The mother love is like God's love; He loves us not because we are lovable, but because it is His nature to love, and because we are His children. ~ Earl Riney

Blood+ [Chapter 16]
Friday, March 23, 2007 @ 09:49 p.m.

In New York, there is news about the sunken ship and there are some strange corpses in it. While in some huge mansion, Solomon welcomes bloodied Diva accompanied by Ansem. Noticing that Diva is in tears, Solomon asked what had happened. Ansem says they will discuss it later for now, they should revive Nathan as he gives Nathan’s head to Solomon. Solomon says that he already got Riku. Ansem says really. Solomon wonders why he said that as he tells him to get them [Diva and Riku] to meet. Ansem tells Diva to calm down. Solomon repeats that since they don’t know up to when Diva will live so they have to get her to meet/mate with Riku. Ansem says he knows. At a bedroom, Rikku is dreaming of his family – his father, Kai and Saya. Saya then hugs him asking where did he went, she is worried about him, let’s go home. Riku tells her to wait for his friend is there. Riku calls out to Karl to come, too. Karl tells him that he can’t go with him because Saya is there. Riku assures him that Saya is nice. Karl then becomes bloodied and says that Saya killed him. Riku wakes up and thought that it was a strange dream. To his surprise, he finds ‘Saya’ standing in front of him with only a towel to cover her body. He thought, Saya-sis when all of a sudden, Diva pushes him to the bed. Freaking out, Riku shouts for her to wait, what is she doing. Diva says to mate. Riku shouts what, wait a minute, what is happening as Diva is unbuttoning his shirt. Riku shouted for Saya to stop it. Diva stops as she remembers Saya tried to kill her. She then becomes teary-eyed and cries out loud for Saya. Riku is puzzled as he realized that this person looks like Saya but isn’t Saya. Riku then pulls a blanket and covered her, surprising Diva. Riku apologizes that he don’t know anything but could she tell him what is going on. A camera is spying on them.

Solomon and Ansem are watching. Solomon says that way things are, it won’t be successful. Ansem says that it is because Solomon is rushing for these things should be done nice and slow. Solomon is saying something about using up already 100 years for..but he stopped when he noticed that Ansem isn’t listening. He is looking at the monitor – at Diva’s chest ^^;;; He then proceeds to leave. Solomon asks where is he going. Ansem says he will leave to Solomon to confirm if they mate or not for he is going to check on the research of D67. Solomon then wondered if chiroptera can live forever through experimentation. Back in the room, Riku is thinking and tells Diva that he doesn’t really understand about this chevalier thing and he can’t quite believe it. Diva then wounds Riku’s hand. As Riku asks what is she doing, to his surprise, his hand started to heal. Diva says see, humans can’t do that. Riku then remembers Karl doing the same thing. Riku is stunned then he asks Diva about Karl/the name Riku uses is different a kid chevalier. Diva says she doesn’t know though there is one named Karl. Diva tells him that after the Vietnam war, she haven’t seen him and Ansem told her that Karl has something else to do so he can’t see her. Riku asks what does Karl look like. Diva says black haired boy around 12 years old. Riku realizes it is Karl and asks where is he. To Rikku’s shock, Diva tells him that Saya killed Karl.

Riku then remembers his dream of Karl saying that Saya killed him and Solomon telling him that Karl is killed by Saya. Riku says, liar, Saya-sis won’t do such a thing. Diva says but Ansem told her so. Riku says that person is lying. Angered, Diva shouted that Ansem doesn’t lie. Riku shouted that Saya doesn’t kill people as he remembers Saya sweetly hugging him. He shouted that it won’t happen. Diva remembers Saya telling her that she will kill herself after killing Diva so she protests. Riku says that even if he had lived only for a year with Saya, he can say that Saya’s strong point is that Saya is really a nice person, even if it is like that Diva is too much to say that Saya killed Karl. In tears, Riku says that Saya isn’t that kind of person to do that thing. Angered, Diva tries to strangle Riku. Riku tries to tell her to stop but Diva says it is up to him. Solomon then stops Diva. Riku is coughing as Solomon tells Diva not to kill him or else, she won’t have a kid. Diva slaps Solomon’s hand away and tries to hit Solomon. Solomon evades as he holds up Diva’s hands, telling Riku to go for it. Riku is really embarrassed as Diva struggles saying that she doesn’t want to mate with a person like him. While Solomon tries to make Diva agree, Diva scratches Solomon’s face. Seeing his face wounded, Solomon angrily throws Diva on the bed. Diva asks what is the matter and she shuts up as she notices that Solomon is really angry. Solomon starts to leave as Diva asks where is he going. Solomon says even if it is her or Ansem, things aren’t becoming interesting anymore.

Worried, Diva asks what..she then shouts that she is the one who made him into a chevalier because Ansem asked her to, he is ungrateful, she doesn’t need him and she hopes that he goes to a very far place. Diva then goes hide inside the bedsheets. Riku looks surprised/worried over her reaction. Solomon then says that it is as her wish. As Solomon went out, Riku chases after him, saying that he wants to go home. Diva whimpers inside the sheets. Ansem looks over the production of the medicine D67 with Vin which they will export all over the world and it can be activated when the patients hears Diva sing so that the whole world will be filled with chiroptera. Back at the mansion, Riku chases after Solomon saying that he wants to go home so where is the door out. Solomon asks if he is stupid for he just beat Riku to almost half dead. Riku naïvely asks, me for he has forgotten about it. Solomon then realizes something and holds Riku’s hands saying that he understands, he will bring him to Saya. Riku is happy thinking that Solomon is a nice person and asks, really. Solomon says of course as he notices a door. He says that they are going to bring that other one for he might be of use. When they opened the door, it is Karl/corpse soldier based on Karl’s dna is all tied up. [I think it is the one that Solomon captured earlier] Riku happily says that it is great that he is still alive as the clone is all confused while Solomon is puzzled. Riku goes to the clone Karl and says it is a good thing for Saya doesn’t kill people. As Riku frees Karl clone, Solomon thought that Riku is mistaken but then, he will know of it later on. Looking at Karl clone hand, Solomon thought corpse corp. chiroptera killer, having this, he can go against Ansem. When Ansem returns back to the mansion, he noticed it is oddly quiet. He called out to Diva and Solomon until he finds Diva in the bedroom, crying. Diva cries to Ansem as she tells him that Solomon and son-in-law [Riku] has left, even Saya, so she is all alone, will Ansem be with her. Ansem holds/hugs her and tells her that everything will be alright for if she asks him, only him is enough for her.

At a building in New York, Kai tells David and others that he doesn’t want to go back to Okinawa. Joel says but their organization is already destroyed. Lewis says that even if it is a cat’s paw, it [Kai] can still be of help. David says that it is actually surprising for Kai to be brave/not afraid after seeing all those things. Kai remembers Saya embracing him as he says that no matter what happens, Saya is her family member and he only things what is important to him. David looks at his cross necklace with a blood crystal. Joel then says that Red Shield is still the same, depending on Saya to defeat chiroptera. Kai says and the goal is still the same. Joel says if Red Shield won’t exist without Saya. David asks that is if Saya is still alive. Kai says that Saya can’t die that easily so let’s go find Riku and Saya.

With this chapter, it is really obvious that the manga is going for a happy ending. Riku lives and didn’t get ‘raped/killed’ just like in the anime. It is nice that Riku and Diva hit it off until Saya is mentioned. Also, ‘Karl’ is alive in a different way. ^^; I don’t quite get why the Solomon here wanted to get away from Ansem. In the anime, he has fallen for Saya. Here, I’m guessing he just doesn’t want to take orders/being wounded by Diva. He seemed to have snapped when Diva wounded his face. Now, Ansem has Diva to himself and I do think that he must have harbor romantic feelings for her when he left, not wanting to see her with Riku.

Thought of the day:
In all things it is better to hope than to despair ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Nana [Side story: Takumi]
Wednesday, March 21, 2007 @ 06:27 p.m.

Takumi monologue/narration [all the narrations will be of Takumi’s]: Asking about my hometown, I think it is much better not to ask, because I don’t like to talk about it. Are you prepared to hear it? I can say that she is like a singing queen/goddess. A young Western looking girl introduces herself as Layla. Takumi drinking tomato juice is stunned. He holds on to his sister who like him, is sweatdropping. Takumi’s mother says that she is cute as Layla is with her mother. [Must be new neighbors, greeting old neighbors] Takumi’s mother then asks her children to greet back. Takumi’s sister introduces herself and says that starting on April, will be grade 6 while this is her younger brother, Takumi grade 3, what grade are you in Layla. Layla just looked at them. Her mother then said that she is in grade 2 and apologizes that Layla’s Japanese isn’t good for she had lived before in the US. Takumi sweatdrops and thinks that Layla isn’t talking much, she is like a French doll or rather US doll. Layla sadly clings to her mother as her mother asks Takumi to be friends with her since the place doesn’t have much children at Layla’s age. In that small town of almost similar houses, the new ‘different’ neighbor has become the talk of the place. There are some housewives gossiping - the father is an American who died of illness, so young when the daughter is still young, if she is taught how to speak Japanese, it will be okay.

Soon, Layla has to go to school but she is really afraid for she can’t speak the language. A couple of boys are bullying Layla – foreigner, speak English. Layla is crying as she is kneeling on the ground and a boy is kicking her. Takumi to the rescue as he shouted what are they doing. He punched and kicked the two boys who ended up crying. A teacher then came shouting what is Takumi doing. Takumi shouted that the two boys are at fault for they are bullying Layla. The teacher shouted that even so, he shouldn’t use violence to hit boys younger than he is – grade 2. For a kid like him, that isn’t quite acceptable reason since at home, there is a older man hitting him for no reason but I don’t want to think of my father’s face so I erase it. While walking home holding hands, Layla happily thanks Takumi, saying that she likes him. Takumi tells her not to cry when she is being bullied for if she cries, it would mean she is the loser. Layla just looks at him. He asks if she understands what he said. Layla said a little bit. Takumi corrects her Japanese and says bery good. Layla smiles and ended up teaching him English, very good.

And that is how they spend most of their time as they teach each other’s language – he says it in Japanese, she says it in English and he finds it more interesting than how it is taught at school. There isn’t much things that he feels happy about..Layla likes to sing when she is young, I like to hear her singing for her voice lifts up his burdens and for a time, makes them disappear – worried about his sickly mother [at the hospital], irresponsible drunkard father, ‘unsettle’ [always going out] sister and him forced to eat instant food which he cooked for himself. A scene of Layla and Takumi visiting his mother as Layla brings flowers and another of Takumi asking her sister where is she going, he is hungry. Her sister shouted that there is still some instant food and a scene of Takumi eating some instant noodles. Another scene when they are a bit older, at the beach, Takumi listens to Layla singing Time after Time by Cyndi Lauper. Takumi sadly looks at the setting sun and thought if angels exists, they would sound like Layla. Layla then cheerfully says whose song it is. Takumi smiles and thought that angels will also smile like that. Takumi says it is nice to listen too and Layla can become a singer. Layla said that she wants to be one. Takumi says that she can do it. Layla tells him that she loves him. She then kisses him on the lips.

Takumi freaks out, asking what is she doing. Layla said kiss. Takumi shouted that she shouldn’t do this thing. Layla asks why not for her father kisses her, teacher, aunts at the complex, everyone kisses her. Takumi tells her but in Japan, those who do it is only for young lovers. Layla cries why is it. Takumi says that it is hard to explain why. Layla then says that Japanese don’t like her. Takumi tries to say she is wrong [she is taking it the wrong way]. Layla tearfully says but everyone looks weirdly at her and sometimes her own mother has this confused look while looking at her. Takumi asks if she wants to go back to the US. Layla says that she wants to see her father in English. Takumi thought, see her father and then, he kisses her on the cheek. Layla is happily kisses him back on the cheek. Layla says that she really likes him. Takumi sweatdrops and says, he knows. Takumi stands up and tells Layla not to do it with other people. Layla said she won’t. Takumi smiles and they went home, holding hands. Even if I don’t know the reason why not to kiss but I do know if people do it, they will be looked strangely by others.

That spring, I will be on grade 5 while Layla will be grade 4. It is around this time that I secretly went to work by delivering newspapers. Scene of Takumi delivering newspaper on a snowy day. I can’t expect my father to earn money and I am trapped in this kind of life. I think that the room of my deceased grandfather is god. [I’m guessing it is where he hides so that he won’t be beaten up] Then, one day, while eating with his sister, she tells him that she will be going to work and won’t go to high school anymore. It would seem that their mother will have to stay at the hospital for a longer period of time since they don’t have money, her illness can’t be attended to. Takumi is surprised and then smiles as he thanked her sister for it will be a great help. To Takumi’s surprise, she looked at him and started to cry. She apologizes to Takumi for being the only one suffering. Takumi looks at her and thought, why is she apologizing. She says that Takumi is still a child. Takumi thought but sis is also still a child. She says that she will truly work hard so he doesn’t have to worry about anything. Takumi then looked stunned as he thought that sis has become evil for he thought he has found a savior but it turned out to be none, I will really will be killed by that sleeping drunk of a father on the second floor.

At school, Takumi smashes the window using a bat as a teacher calls out to him. At the clinic, Takumi has a bandage on his face as the doctor/nurse asks him why did he do that, is there any problem, tell her. Takumi says it is nothing. She then tells him not to do such a thing again for it will make his mother at the hospital worried. The one who will be worried [for me] won’t be her [his mother], when will she be cured and come back, I’m already very tired. Worry, earn money, so many things to do, in my family, why does a child have to be responsible for all these things. Takumi is in the kitchen cutting some vegetables for dinner. His father then called out to him to buy him some liquor. After he left, Takumi begin to look darkly at the carrot he is chopping. I must not kill him. If I kill him then I will be the loser, that useless guy, how can I let him just easily destroy my future. Takumi destroys another window using his bat. Some girls freak out while some boys thought he is really weird. Yasu just looks at him as Takumi that is how it should be. His face is grazed by the glass as the cold wind starts to come in. I really wanted to go to a far away place, far away from this place.

Layla is knocking at Takumi’s room but he didn’t hear her since he is listening to music on earphones and reading porn magazine. Layla comes in asking if the uniform suits her. Takumi is surprised to see her that he quickly hid the magazine behind his pillow. Layla goes to him asking what is it. Takumi says it is nothing. Layla insists that she wants to see. Takumi tells her that if she looks at it, she will be cursed, a spooky story. Layla has lost interest. Takumi smiles and tells her that her uniform is made well, it suits her. Layla asks if it is true. Takumi says it is super cute – world’s number 1. Layla thanks him and kisses him. She then says that she has a new gossip. Takumi tells her not to kiss him again for they are already in high school. Layla is surprised and asks why not. Takumi puts out his cigarette and tells her that she should do that only to her boyfriend and that is how it should be. Layla then says how about me becoming Takumi’s girlfriend. Takumi is surprised and thought, what did you say, this isn’t a joke. Takumi smiles and says it can’t be because he already has a girlfriend. Layla is shock to hear this. He then says that since Layla is cute, she can easily find a boyfriend in high school. Layla quickly left. Takumi sweatdrops and proceed on reading his porn magazine while smoking. Do not mind it, it is definitely just infatuation – like siblings love though it could be fatherly love. Layla still doesn’t know where a baby come from – she probably think it is from a stork. I want to vomit for my deepest desire is to have sex with Layla, how deceitful of me.

In the comfort room, Takumi is making out with his sempai who is about to shout in pain but Takumi covers her mouth and tells her not to mind to much. The girl tries to protest but Takumi says not to say it for doesn’t she like it. There is a note 15 year old doing this, isn’t it ‘bad’. The girl says that she really likes Takumi. Takumi sweatdrops and thought I didn’t mean that, don’t change what I mean. The girl blushed as she says that he is really something, destroying windows and other things that no one else would dare do, seeing those things makes her feel comfortable yet painful [or maybe turns her on]. Takumi looks down on the girl and thought this girl is stupid, even if she is really stupid, he doesn’t hate her, it just makes him think he is stupid. The girl is then surprised as Takumi threw his cigarette into the toilet bowl. She asks what is the matter. Takumi tells her he doesn’t want to do it anymore as he buckles his belt. The girl asks why. Takumi says that anyone can destroy a window but how he does it, only he can do such a thing. The girl is awed by his answer. Takumi then poses around, walking at the hallway with his bat, thinking, what others cannot do, I can do it. A teacher then calls out to him to get in the classroom for they still have class. He then looks at a window which is boarded up. Is there really such a thing, does it exist? [Something only he can do while others cannot]

While Takumi is cooking some stew, his sister drops by and asks if he knows that Layla plans to go into showbiz. Takumi is surprised. She says that she heard it being talked about and asks Takumi what kind of stew is he making. She then says that Layla can since she looks cute. Takumi then thought there is something as he remembered Layla telling him that she wants to be a singer. Showbiz..in this provincial place, there is no such world, even if Layla is still a kid, she needs someone who can manager her as she goes to that place [showbiz]. This could be it. The doorbell rings as Layla in her nightgown looks out. Takumi happily greets her good evening. Layla asks what does he want for he isn’t even a boyfriend, it is already midnight. He asks where is her mother. She replies that at work. Takumi asks late that night. Layla says that lately her mother is busy so she comes home late. Takumi says ah..as he thought maybe her mother has a boyfriend already. He then asks that he heard her getting an award for a contest. Layla says it isn’t for singing, it is just an advertisement on tv regarding writing skill. Layla asks isn’t it great. Takumi is surprised and said it isn’t that kind of award – from one thing became another thing. Layla happily says that later on there will be other opportunity as she will be going to Tokyo on Sunday. Takumi asks why is she trying so hard when she wants to be a singer. Layla says that it is because being on many advertisements, she can become a singer later on. Takumi eats a biscuit as he says that she is too naïve for on tv, they would just think that she is cute and that’s it. Layla says not to think that way. Takumi tells her isn’t it true so she should forget it.

Takumi says that she has talent so if she wants to be famous as a singer, he will help her. Layla asks really. He then asks what kind of singer would she want to be. Layla says any kind as long as she can sing. She the happily offers him tea. Takumi then says if that is so, then leave that to him to think about. Takumi adds since that is what they have decided, so either get a huge money-making machine to sing stupid songs [I think to get a huge company to sing songs created by others] or be a creative [makes her own songs] singer. Layla says that she has no choice because she can’t write music. Takumi disappointedly asks really for he can think of never heard before music in his head. Layla is surprised and asked Takumi is that true. Takumi asks why is she so surprised. Layla exclaims that it is surprising for Takumi will make music for her. Takumi looks at her in surprised and realize something as he grabbed her arms and shouted, so this is it. Layla blushed as her heart is beating fast. Takumi thought that this is something he can do for no one else compared to him understands how beautiful Layla’s singing is. Takumi then tells Layla that the music that Layla will sing will only be made by him and no one else. Layla is happy as she hugs him. Surprised, Takumi pushed her away saying it is a deal. Layla is a bit sad about that as Takumi prepares to leave. Takumi turns around and tells her not to participate in other activities [advertisements, etc]. Layla smiles and says she knows. After leaving, Takumi is in a daze as he thought if he can really write music when he doesn’t even know how to play a musical instrument. In the end, I’m the one who is surprised to even say that I can write music but when hearing Layla sing, I can make all sorts of music along with it as if my brain unconsciously opens a previously locked door.

Going to school with Layla and still carrying his baseball bat, Takumi tells Layla that he feels something is not right. Layla asks what is it. Takumi says something about the music organization of the music she will sing should be neat. Layla asks what kind of music is it. Takumi asks what does she think of a band. Layla asks what kind of band. Takumi says the kind of music his father likes, rock which he also likes for he thinks that using Layla’s beautiful voice with that kind of music will be really interesting. Layla looked at Takumi in surprise. Takumi adds that he will study this kind of arrangement carefully for it gives a feeling of illusion/fantasy, she will be wearing a really beautiful dress, singing by her lonesome, it will be an interesting ‘way’ of performing. In my head, I have always imagined that and is what Layla is now – wearing a beautiful gown, singing a rock song, the one and only singing lady. Layla asks if he will be a member of the band, too. Takumi says of course, he will be the head. Layla happily says they should form a group. Takumi then worries about not having money to buy a musical instrument and stealing such a huge thing can be problematic but he has no choice. While Layla is happily singing, Takumi then hears a guitar sound. He then shouted, that’s right as Layla is surprised. If the baseball bat he is carrying is from the baseball club, then the music club would have music instruments so it would be okay to use things in a club if he would just have to join that club. He weeps as he looks at his bat near the window, thinking but the teacher won’t listen to his wish, irritating that I have changed into a delinquent. A teacher then shouts that he get back in class.

At the comfort room, Takumi says, student president, I want to form a small music group, how do I do that. Yasu turns around in surprise. Takumi is looking down on him from the wall of a cubicle as he laughs while putting his bat on Yasu’s head, saying if you help me, I won’t report this small matter. Yasu is speechless for he is caught smoking. Then, he secretly gathers name of those people who would want to join a band but he didn’t find anyone who suits the band he wants. While looking at a list of students, Takumi thinks that having a princess in the band, they need a another different model/imagery – something like a good looking majestic prince but no one fits from the list. He then notice Naoki walking with a couple of classmates. They were laughing and must have come from/going to PE because of their uniform. Takumi looks intently at Naoki, sparkling and laughing. I found it, stupid prince. [Lol] Holding a cassette, Takumi asks Naoki if he likes drums. Naoki with sparkling eyes, said yes and his mother has a lot of this kind of music which he came to like, would Takumi want a copy. [Note: from volume 9, Naoki side story, Takumi says if Naoki likes glam rock. Maybe it is a translation mistake or the author changed it.] Takumi says that he doesn’t like that music for he wanted something that would seem as if Layla is singing in her own world. Naoki cries..I...I.. Takumi leaves and thinks that this is his technique on getting Naoki into the band, if Naoki tries to escape, he will kidnap him. While practicing for the band..No stopping now, I can already see the distant future, the future when I can leave this place.

At home, Takumi is reading the newspaper as his sister exclaims, what? work? Takumi says that her sister doesn’t have to work anymore. His sister shouted, what did you say, I hate studying so it is okay, Takumi is intelligent so he should study up to high school. Takumi says that he also hates to study though more on hating school, they will just waste money on school. His sister shouted that it isn’t a waste for a high school graduate would have many options for job occupation and that is how it is so please keep on studying. Takumi tries to protest. His sister tells him that if he feels guilty/regretful for her then he just pay her back any time next time for it is her goal that he finishes high school, do you understand. Takumi looks a bit sad and says, I understand. His sister then says that if he isn’t able to get in private high school, he can go to a public one. Takumi says leave it to me. Her sister then smiles as she is relieved. During high school, I managed to get another skilled guitarist as a new member and now we can start going on Live House, it is becoming like a real live band. So every night they go on practicing and earning money on concerts that the reason to go to school is to sleep there. A scene of a girl bringing lunch to Takumi as he is sleeping and later on eats lunch with his girlfriend. Even if it is a indeed a waste of money for school, he managed to graduate without a problem but he hope that one day, his band will become really successful so that there will be a day when her sister can do what her heart desires. Just as my sister had said, even though her husband’s salary is just enough, she still gives him some money and even continue to support the needs of that drunkard of a father. Others would say that his sister is really strong and really ‘someone’ [to have done all those things] I feel like there is nothing to be regretful about.

At the staircase to the roof, while drinking coffee on tetra pack, Takumi is surprised to learn that his girlfriend is pregnant. He thought, oh no. He asks what does she plan to do..thinking, you will not say that you want to give birth, right. The girl shouted of course to have an abortion but the operation is expensive. Takumi looks at the girl speechless as he thought should be, huh, no, giving birth would be really troublesome. The girl says that she needs 100,000 yen, really expensive, what should she do. Takumi looks at her and asks, is that expensive, I never thought that ending a life can be that easy. The girl is stunned and shouted for Takumi to think of a way. Takumi says he will so don’t freak out. The girl shouted that it is all Takumi’s fault for not using contraception. Takumi says that she knows he haven’t and yet they still did it so how about this, he will be able to get around 50,000 so how about she try to figure out how to get the rest. The girl is surprised by what he said that she stands up, shouting, I’m really disappointed, really hate you, why don’t you go die. The girl tearfully runs away as Takumi just looks at her. What..calling me disappointing and then telling me to die..really bewildering. Takumi then goes to the hospital. But still, I have to think of something though I think that I can overcome this, but the getting the salary for the end of the month now would be too early. Takumi then opens the door to his mother’s room as he thought, am I going to use up the money to keep my mother alive to kill a baby, what should I do in the end. He then hears Layla singing Time after Time to his mother. His mother looked as if she is smiling while sleeping as Takumi’s look softened. Around that time, the doctor said that my mother doesn’t much time left, she lived until I’m in third year that summer. I feel very lucky, Layla. Layla’s singing voice gives people a feeling of hope, giving them strength.

Yasu gives Takumi an envelope of money as Takumi bows and thanks him. Yasu says that it isn’t for him but for the girl and if she is going to have an abortion, it should be done early. After a pause, Takumi looks stunned at Yasu. What the – having lots of money, giving it to me just because of a stupid girl...really odd. Yasu smokes as he reprimands him that it could be avoided if he used proper contraceptives, really, the two of you. Takumi looks at Yasu. I really don’t understand this guy, it will be winter soon so why would he shave his hair, does he want to change his image but at this time, I don’t want to say anything about it. Takumi holds the envelope as he thanks Yasu and that he will definitely return it next month when he earn some money. Yasu then brings out a paper and says that it is better to write it down. Takumi is stunned. He shouted does he distrust him that much. Yasu puts a pen on the paper as he says this is a normal procedure and the interest he will get is very low. Takumi shouts, there is interest. Yasu says but of course. Life is really hard. At school, a long black haired student calls out to Takumi that she has made lunch for him and they should eat it at student council room as she shows him a key. Takumi says sure, no wonder she is [student] vice-president. Two girls are angrily looking at him [I think one of the girl is his ex-girlfriend]. She says that those girls are looking scarily at them. Takumi holds her shoulder and tells her not to mind them. The ones who took the money and ran away, isn’t it you girls. It doesn’t matter if I’m lonely, girls are really impulsive, don’t want to get involve with them as much as possible but then, circumstances happen that this loathsome sexual desire/appetite can’t easily be stopped. Vice-pres is now sitting on top of him as she says she might lose her position of people see them, you bad boy. Takumi laughs and tells her then don’t sit on me, stop playing around. Vice-pres she doesn’t want to. Takumi thinks this girl is not bad, an excellent student yet lewd. Vice-pres then hugs him as he thought, this is really good..what now, in short, as long as my needs is satisfied, it is okay, no time to alone.

While walking home with Layla one night, Layla happily tells Takumi that she has decided to go to the same high school where Takumi goes. Takumi looks shocked as his beeper goes beeping. Layla asks what’s with that reaction. Takumi looks at the beeper and says it is nothing, it is okay if she goes but when at school, don’t talk to me for my girlfriend might get jealous. Takumi looks at his beeper, it is Naoki saying that the tickets are being sold. Layla looks sad and disappointed. As Takumi is going into his house, Layla calls out to him. He turns around to see Layla looking serious. Layla asks, what am I to you, Takumi? Takumi looked surprised at her. Who is this person? When did her speech suddenly become skilled? When not so long ago, her expression is so innocent. Takumi remembers Layla introducing herself when they first met. Takumi just looks at her as Layla is about to cry. It has been many years already, I thought that she will change into a really beautiful lady, she definitely will become more beautiful. Layla then says forget it as she quickly runs away. Takumi is a bit surprised and wonders what that is about. He then goes in the house. I really don’t understand women but since she said forget it, then I forget it then. That pretty much ends their brother-sister relationship. Takumi then looks thoughtful as he remembers Layla’s “what am I to you, Takumi?”

Spring then came that when Layla becomes a student, vice-pres graduates. Vice-pres waves to Takumi shouting bye bye, hope we can still do it in another place. Takumi is sad for he isn’t playing around – he might become a delinquent because of that. But later on, some undergraduate goes knocking on the door. A student tells Takumi that she has made lunch. Takumi is very happy. His ex is jealous, carrying a knife. But then, occasionally, outside of school, I still see my girlfriend because Live House has started and BandGal [girls that hang around bands] has started to gather around. Takumi meets with his girlfriend at a restaurant. There is never a shortage of girls. A scene of Takumi and the girl leaving a hotel/motel. The girl clinging on Takumi says that she wants to go to the amusement park. It is more like overflowing amount [of girls]. I’m really busy, maybe I should call it quits with this girl. At Blue Moon studio, Layla asks Yasu what time will it end. Yasu says 7 o’clock. Layla exclaims she, too. Yasu asks if she wants to eat out. Layla agrees. Takumi overhears them as he sweatdrops. When I realize it, Layla is already making those lovey-dovey eyes on baldie [Yasu]. Takumi imagined grabbing on to Layla as he shouted that there is nothing good going out with someone who takes advantage of people and he is really close with this bandgirl, don’t be fooled. I really wanted to do that but leave it be, I don’t want to get involved. He turns around and leaves as Layla notices him and looks at him sideways. I really wanted to quickly leave that situation. I feel as if I’m force to look at a scene that I don’t want to look – feeling anxious and uneasy.

At some bar while some girls are fixing up a Christmas tree, Ren and Takumi are sitting down on a sofa. Ren is smoking and drinking while Takumi is reading a book. Ren says, Layla and Baldie are kissing, my spring has ended, my heart feels frustrated. Ren looks at Takumi who doesn’t react. A girl then hugs Ren asking if she can stay there for she doesn’t have anywhere to go. Ren says, OK Baby. Later on, Takumi is still on the sofa while Ren is gone. Shion asks Takumi if he is sad. Takumi says he isn’t, he is relaxed. Shion looks at him and sits on the ground as she says, he is a pitiful man. Angered, Takumi shouted what about her. Shion smiles at him and says that her love for Yasu is a different kind of mysterious love. She then puts her cigarette on Takumi’s mouth and leaves. A girl thought that Shion is really something. Takumi thought that is really bewildering. I realize a little bit that Band girl can also feel pain. At Layla’s house, Yasu says that he should go home now for he still have to study. Sitting on the sofa, Layla holds him back saying it is alright for her mother will be coming late though she is really going out on a date. Yasu sweatdrops as he smiles and sits down again. Layla offers an ashtray as Yasu is about to smoke. Yasu says that there is a limit to his self-control. Layla smiles and says that they are lovers so there is no need to restrain himself, is he conforming to morals or just being a punk. Yasu then says that he really cherishes her. Layla shouted at him then don’t cherish me, I just an ordinary high school girl, do just do those things to have good feeling [she just means sex ^^;] Yasu sweatdrops and says that he knows. Layla shouts not like a bird here who continuously chirps. Yasu looks at her. Layla angrily shouts now, I can get over Takumi. Yasu removes his sunglasses and says don’t mention that guy again. Layla looks surprise as Yasu kisses her. Then, they make out.

Takumi is walking home as the snow is falling. Around that time, I had felt an odd kind of anxiousness. What I am to you, Takumi? A cannot be tarnished dazzling angel. Layla is my holy place. In this dirty polluted world, rarely can one see such a place. A billboard is showing Trapnest mtv of Trust as their costumes are like a marriage – Reira in wedding gown and Takumi in groom outfit. That dream has come true, a cannot be changed fact, gradually emitting brilliance. Having this as a dream job seems to be ridiculous but now as Layla’s singing is being broadcasted, maybe it can redeem/save someone some place so no need to say but you should continue on singing as long as I’m by your side. The last scene if of young Layla singing as Takumi looks out the sea.

Whew, finally finished. ^_^ Since I pretty much browsed through the past chapters, this is the first time I heard of Takumi having a drunk father and with no parents/grown ups, he pretty much became a delinquent. Because of his situation, he has to mature really fast so that he can survive. . He has been looking for a way to get out of his predicament/miserable life and Layla is his ticket out of there. Actually, Layla’s singing saved him from going much worse for he did mentioned that Layla’s singing can be people hope and strength. I kind of think that Takumi treats Layla as a sister before and now, more like a ‘savior’ and he wants to share Layla’s singing to other..though a bit of selfishness is that she must be at his side. I wonder if this could be a reason why Takumi is cold to Layla so that he won’t fall for her for he might ‘taint’ her or something. Like what if he got ‘bored’ with Layla as a lover then it would be problematic later on. As for Layla, she does seem to really like Takumi that makes me feel that she just ‘used’ Yasu or Shin to forget Takumi or make him jealous. As Ren mentioned before, Layla will always choose to be a singer – to be with Takumi. Yasu-Shion relationship really intrigues me though, it is really not your usual lover relationship and perhaps of all the Bandgirls, she is still there to help Yasu when he needs it. So, will Takumi end up with Reira/Layla in the end..anything can happen.

Quote of the day:
We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations. ~ Charles R. Swindoll