There are people who like to rate people like Guy A
commenting that this girl is 5th cutest in the whole year. There are those who
hate being rated by others like Guy A being praised for his drawing skills but
not good enough compared to 00 and △△.
He would darkly say that he doesn’t want to compete against them. Election,
that is the activity called wherein one has to overcome oneself and listen to
the others comments about oneself. It is a frightening activity wherein in
front of others, one will know who are one’s supporters through voting. And,
their school is currently in an election. With pictures of Sayuri, Yabuki and
Otabe on the board, the other students are commenting about the three. Kanoko
is making a mock survey from their comments. She thinks that in the end, these
three are the ones who attract the most attention. Taking her notes, Tsubaki
asks what this is. She tells him that she is investigating who attracts the
most attention. Tsubaki comments that it is these three. Kanoko says yes, but
one can’t say if there will be a dark horse. She tells him that one must get
the data gathering by oneself. Tsubaki sighs and tells her to quit playing
around and go to the club. They arrive at the club and are surprised to see
Hitoyoshi and Okyou already there welcoming them. Kanoko still felt that
Tsubaki is out of place in their club as if ‘a talented person is in an
insignificant position’. Hitoyoshi says that they are going to discuss about
the division of work in getting election information for publication. There is
the retrieving of surveys and interviews. Kanoko offers to do that. Hitoyoshi
is a bit hesitant until Tsubaki volunteers to go with Kanoko. Walking at the
hallway, Kanoko thanks Tsubaki for this way, it won’t be suspicious when she is
gathering information about the candidates that concerns her. Her duty in this
election is to make Yabuki win as president. They go to section 3-A and asks
Yabuki for his time for an interview. Yabuki tells them that they’ll talk in a
different place. At the conference room, Kanoko looks around and claims that it
is her first time there and can students go here. Sitting down on the sofa,
Yabuki tells her to quit pretending for she would occasionally go there. Kanoko
becomes quiet and Tsubaki is freaking out over this. She actually goes there to
take a nap since no one goes there. Kanoko thinks that Yabuki is a vigilant
person. Yabuki asks if they came regarding winning the election. Kanoko says
yes, she thinks that it is best to collaborate with Sayuri. Tsubaki exclaims in
disbelief over this since Sayuri is their rival. Kanoko tells him that if their
interests are the same, there’s no need for them to cross swords. Because
Yabuki is currently in third year, it isn’t definite if he can continue to stay
in the school council. The elected members this April will be organizing the
June’s cultural festival and it will definitely be difficult [based on what
happened last year with those pestering students].
Sayuri’s camp goal is only to make her the first female
president of the school so make her a vice-president first then, before March,
Yabuki would be president then after April, Sayuri would be president. Yabuki
says that’s quite disappointing for he was anticipating a brilliant scheme but
it unexpectedly became a compromise. Kanoko smiles and says that his goal is to
change the student council/clubs’ tenure limit. Yabuki admits that she is right,
winning is very easy but choosing the way to win. Tsubaki objects for there is
still the problem of whether Sayuri’s camp would agree or not. Yabuki tells him
that his protest is in vain. This made Tsubaki dark. Yabuki says that when he
said ‘talk in a different place’ to Kanoko, it wasn’t necessary for him to
come. Tsubaki says that he is a member of the newspaper club. Yabuki tells him
that this isn’t a club activity and he had noticed that Tsubaki is excessively
interfering with Kanoko. Yabuki tells Tsubaki that Kanoko isn’t his possession
so he doesn’t have the right to hinder Kanoko’s actions. Tsubaki is surprised
when Kanoko says that Tsubaki can, because of the the fact that is he is always
thinking of her, so she’ll listen to Tsubaki’s advice. At the newspaper room,
Kanoko is looking at some papers and saying that no matter what is said, it is
absolutely better to collaborate with Sayuri now. Tsubaki asks that isn’t she
going to listen to his advice. She says that she’ll listen but it’s hard to
follow. Tsubaki thinks that the reason why he is displeased is because they are
relying on Yabuki. He recalls Kanoko telling him that because during the first
year, they had a lot of interaction with Sayuri and Hijiri, they already know
how they work and compared to their interaction with the student council, it is
quite few so they don’t understand much about that. Although ‘do unto
others/eye for an eye’ and there are many components in governing people but
‘know yourself and know your enemy’ [in order] to be ever victorious. Fufu. Tsubaki
gloomily thinks that means Kanoko is interested in Yabuki. Kanoko prepares to
get the broadcasting’s views through indirect questioning but Tsubaki insists
on doing it because until now, Hijiri thought that it is all his schemes so it
is more natural for him to go. Since Kanoko didn’t answer, Tsubaki assures her
not to worry for he won’t deliberately provoke them so that they would refuse
them. Kanoko says that it isn’t like that because about what Yabuki said a while
ago, on contrary, she wonders if she is willfully always sticking to him.
Tsubaki rubs her head and calls her stupid for he is always only just concerned
of his own interests. Happily thinking friendship, Kanoko says that she’ll
leave it to him. While going out, Tsubaki darkly thinks that it is true for he
absolutely won’t let Hijiri get close to Kanoko for it would be his problem if
they had a good relationship.
At the broadcast club, the twins arrive and inform everyone
that like yesterday, nothing happened. Today, the homeroom teacher talked with
Otabe about his absences and if he keeps it up, he’ll repeat a year but Otabe
is okay with it. Sayuri comments that even if Otabe joined the elections, he is
bidding his time. Hijiri agrees with her and they don’t know the reason why he
joined the election so they don’t know how to react against him. Underling guy
says that Otabe’s reputation is bad so he ought not to be voted by the others
so the enemy would only be Yabuki. Both Sayuri and Hijiri tell him that he is
too naïve and defenseless. Hijiri asks the twins what they know of Otabe. They
start saying he is the computer club president, lolicon, likes money, grades
good but always absent during exams, etc. Hijiri says that people are quite
knowledgeable about Otabe even if they didn’t interact with him. Rumors about
him being a ‘pervert’ is spreading because this election, a lot of people would
start to know about him. Hijiri concludes that Otabe joined the election not as
a student but to become a ‘celebrity’[/famous person]. Underling comments that
Sayuri and Yabuki are also ‘celebrity’. Sayuri tells him that if there are bad
news about her and Yabuki, their popularity will fall but since Otabe’s
reputation has been bad from the start, it won’t be affected at all. They were
interrupted by Tsubaki who asks to talk with Sayuri. Hijiri asks him what it
is. Tsubaki says that it is about the election. Hijiri tells him that he’ll
talk with him in some other place. Behind the school building, Hijiri is
telling Tsubaki about being troubled and Sayuri’s reputation affected if there
is a picture taken with him and Sayuri alone so he [Hijiri] doesn’t want him to
be seen with Sayuri during election period. Tsubaki thinks that he isn’t an
idol. Hijiri accuses Tsubaki with a smile about trying to ruin Sayuri’s
reputation by getting near her. Tsubaki says that he isn’t thinking of that.
Hijiri asks him what he wants. Later on at the newspaper room, Kanoko asks
Tsubaki how it went. To her surprise, Tsubaki tells her that they were turned
down. Kanoko exclaims why for they should be afraid of Yabuki. Tsubaki
apologizes so Kanoko immediately says that she isn’t blaming him. Tsubaki
comments that her plan is too ‘hard-line’[/tough]. Kanoko asks what it is but
Tsubaki says that it is nothing, he’s going to buy some juice. Kanoko thinks
that Tsubaki’s expression seems like ‘don’t bother me’. She knows something
happened but as a friend, she also wants to give Tsubaki some space and that is
how adults do it. She decides to go back to work. While drinking juice at the
bench at the courtyard, Tsubaki recalls what had happened. Flashback: After
Tsubaki explained things to Hijiri, Hijiri said that he doesn’t want to
collaborate with him so don’t come back again. End flashback. Tsubaki wonders
what he did to make Hijiri angry. Is it because he took away Kanoko during
summer vacation while they were talking and he is still holding a grudge?
He is startled when Kanoko suddenly sits beside him. She
asks him what had happened for he is a bit weird just now and she knows because
she is always with him. Thinking that pretending to know and give space isn’t
being an adult, she tells him that if anything happened, she will do her best
to help him out. After looking surprised, Tsubaki tells her that it is no big
deal at all. Kanoko is shock that she starts to think that she is unreliable
for he refused her help. Troubled Tsubaki sighs and tells her that it is really
no big deal for it has been a long time since he talked with Hijiri and he
became a bit cold. Tsubaki thinks that is really bad way of putting things and
he isn’t a girl. Tsubaki laughs it off and says that it is no big deal. Kanoko
says that it definitely is because to be unexpectedly treated coldly by a
friend, anyone would become depressed. Tsubaki tells her that Hijiri isn’t his
friend and possibly, he is mistaken about it. Kanoko tells him that even if he
is mistaken, if he felt being treated coldly by the other, he would feel hurt
and common people are like that. She tells him that he must not desperately act
like an adult by pretending that it is alright, in front of her. Tsubaki thinks
that she doesn’t know that when he act strong, and desperately acting like an
adult by pretending that it is alright is only when he’s in front of her. When
Tsubaki lets out a laugh, Kanoko exclaims what it is. He tells her that he didn’t
expect that she would unexpectedly tell him ‘common’ <- during junior high,
Kanoko asked if so-called friendship is commonly like this. Kanoko proudly says
that she matured a lot. Tsubaki calls her stupid, for she’s totally a kid. He
asks her to forget what he just said. Kanoko asks why. He tells her that it
makes him feel humiliated to be hesitating/indecisive. She tells him that it is
nothing and common people would get depressed. Tsubaki says that he hates ‘common’
because he wants to be special in her eyes and he wants her to forget his humiliation.
“Please.” Tsubaki thinks that Kanoko is quite low-profile, yet she has the
elements to be popular – fair clear cheeks, raven black hair, strong-willed big
eyes and luckily, she’s pure so he can heave a sigh of relief. Kanoko says that
she understands. Just when Tsubaki is telling her not to mention it again,
Kanoko adds that she also has humiliating stuff. Tsubaki is surprised. And
their faces are quite close to each other. Kanoko says that he felt humiliated over
what he said that he doesn’t want others to know so as an apology for hearing
it out, she will also tell him her humiliating stuff. Getting close to him,
Kanoko continues to say that she also doesn’t want to broadcast out her
shameful stuff so she also won’t tell anyone what he just told her. Tsubaki
sweatdrops and thinks that he told her to forget it, not keep it a secret.
Back at the news room, Kanoko tells him about wanting to
have an ordinary school activity with everyone when she just got in high
school, after getting in the newspaper club and getting busy with the cultural
festival, she doesn’t hate it and it is thanks to Tsubaki who forced her to
join the club. Since she always likes acting alone, she didn’t realize that she
actually likes acting with everyone, and that is quite humiliating. Tsubaki
thinks that he totally doesn’t know what is humiliating about it and he knew of
it in May when Momoka mentioned to him that Kanoko actually likes hanging out
with everyone. But then, he didn’t know that she is very thankful to him for
making her join the newspaper club. Soon it is late in school, Kanoko tells
Tsubaki that she’ll get the bicycle so wait for her at the gate. While walking,
Sayuri calls out to him and says that it is quite late. Tsubaki says that there
was a bit of trouble at the club = Okyou lost the voice recorder so everyone
has to help in searching for it. Tsubaki stares at Sayuri and comments that her
make-up is unexpectedly thick. This irks Sayuri. Tsubaki asks Sayuri if it is
okay to talk with him when they are enemies. Sayuri is puzzled. He tells her that
Hijiri had turned down the proposal of collaboration. Sayuri exclaims if that
is why he came to the broadcast club today. Tsubaki is surprised that she didn’t
know. Then, Kanoko arrives with the bicycle. While the two rides the bicycle
home, Tsubaki tells Kanoko that when he thinks of it in detail, since choosing
an election collaboration has been rejected, has she thought of a new tactic.
He says that staying late for club activity like this is a waste of time so he’ll
do her club work and from tomorrow on, she concentrate on helping Yabuki out. Kanoko
wonders if Hijiri thinks that Tsubaki is with Yabuki’s camp so he acted coldly
and she doesn’t want to trouble Tsubaki with her willfulness again. Kanoko says
she understands and she’ll leave it to him. At the broadcast room, Sayuri
confronts Hijiri that he told her that Tsubaki came only for an interview for
the newspaper club so why did he lie. Why did he refuse when it isn’t bad that
Yabuki would be president before March and after April, she will be president.
Hijiri tells her to calm down. Sayuri says that Hijiri also knows that in this
election, if Otabe starts acting like a good person in front of the whole school,
they have no way of winning. She asks him again why he didn’t tell her about
refusing Tsubaki’s proposal. Hijiri denies it and says that they ought to
observe them a bit. Sayuri sternly tells Hijiri that didn’t she tell him to
absolutely not lie to her so why didn’t he tell her the truth. Hijiri silently
bow his head. Sayuri says that she’s leaving. After she left, Hijiri looks
flustered and mutters that she also won’t tell him what she talked with Tsubaki
before. The next day, by the shoe lockers, Tsubaki calls out to Yabuki who had
just arrived in school. After greeting him a good morning, Tsubaki wants a bit
of his time [to talk]. Yabuki smiles and asks if he wants to use the conference
room.
Comment: Hehe, Tsubaki is already hinting a lot there and
Kanoko still thinks that it is all in the name of friendship. =P It seems that
we are in for a lot of misunderstandings. Tsubaki thinks that Hijiri likes
Kanoko but actually, Hijiri likes Sayuri and thinks that there is something
between Tsubaki and Sayuri when in truth, there is none. It does seem that Otabe
is a ‘wild card’ in the election. The collaboration thing is indeed a bit lame
and plotwise, it is good that it is been refused so that we can see a more
brilliant tactic. Based on the brewing conflict inside Sayuri’s camp, if that
is known by Kanoko, she might use ‘divide and conquer’. I’m not quite sure how
she is going to handle Otabe though. I wonder what Tsubaki wanted to talk with
Yabuki. In the end, after everything is said and done, it is indeed true what
Kanoko said, everything Tsubaki does is indeed for her..and a bit of for him to
protect her from other prospective suitors while she is clueless over his
feelings for her. =P Gambatte! I also like how supportive he is of her. I like
couples like that especially if one of them is exceptionally brilliant. ^^ Scans
by 红莲汉化组.
Word of the day:
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s
purpose that prevails. ~ Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)