Standing outside his apartment’s room, Mitsuyoshi recalls
Shizuku passing by and telling him that she’ll be going in his house.
Mitsuyoshi thinks, “What, only the two of them!? Why here? No no, no way
(laugh). Let’s not talk about Haru but this is Shizuku-chan. No, isn’t this
good? They are already high school students that even if it something happens,
it isn’t strange at all, right? By the way, why am I so worried that I run to
check on these adolescents? Isn’t this the feeling of a father who has
children? (laugh) I’m obviously not at that age yet (laugh) And speaking of
that, I have no right to tell off others, right? *nervous* ..there’s nothing
bad about worrying. I am Haru’s guardian!!!” Embarrassed Mitsuyoshi goes in and
exclaims geez, he unexpectedly forgot to close the gas valve. He sees Shizuku
reading a book and Haru is busy cleaning. While Haru continues to clean the
floor, Shizuku tells Mitsuyoshi good job, and does he want to eat some onigiri,
too. Mitsuyoshi says that she is reading books and sorry for being noisy. Later,
Shizuku asks Haru if she can borrow these two books. Airing the quilt, Haru
says okay, and has she already finished looking around. Shizuku says yes, at
that time there are a lot of people so she wasn’t able to properly look at the
books. She comments that the books in his bookcase really have individuality,
which is totally unlike the one at her house, it’s very interesting. Haru
happily says that he also thinks that her house is like that. He happily tells
her to look, he aired out his quilt for the first time. Looking up the sky,
Shizuku says that she has already decided to go forward this route. Even if
nothing much has actually changed since she is going to continue on studying in
college and will be doing the same job as her mother. “Before, I was only
simply thinking that doing this would make my mother approve of me. Right now,
from inside my heart, I’ll use my own determination to ponder over it. (This is
definitely [because of?] Haru).” She tells him that she’ll try to consider once
again her accumulated studying strength and according to this, she’ll have the
freedom of choice and she is going to take advantage of her relationship with
her mother. Haru exclaims that she is quite astute and that’s really good.
“Isn’t this really good.” Shizuku asks if he is still going to catch tuna. Haru
says ya, he has already decided to properly catch one for her. While Haru
happily looks at the sky, Shizuku looks at the side and says is that so,
although she really likes tuna sashimi. Preparing to leave, Shizuku glances at
the picture of Kyouko. Then, she looks at Haru’s messy room. In school, Asako asks
what about career prospect, she hasn’t thought of it. She tells Shizuku that it
is still for next year and they should think of it after one year. “Isn’t that
so, Sasayan?” Shizuku tells her that one year from now, it is exam time. [<-
probably entrance exams for colleges] Sasayan says that he had more or less
decided to go to college. This surprises Asako that he is going to college.
Eating his melon bread, Sasayan says yes, though it would be within the scope
of his ability. This made Asako really nervous.
At the outdoor corridor, Asako is downcast when Chizuru
tells her the college that she is going to. Asako spots Haru but notices that
he is talking with Oga-sensei. Holding Nagoya, Haru says bye-bye to Oga. Oga
asks if this is really okay. Haru smiles back at him. On the streets, Andou is
talking with someone on the phone – okay, okay, I understand. Andou starts
staring at someone then calls out to Shizuku. [<- since she is carrying leeks,
she had just came from the grocery. She has a typical housewife look.] Andou
exclaims that it is such a coincidence, and just like before, she is dressed up
quite differently from the current high school girls in their prime. He asks if
he can help her carry those things. Shizuku declines his help and asks him
what’s up. Andou’s smile freezes. Eating a chocolate chip, Yuuzan opens the
door and is surprised to see Shizuku with Andou. Andou happily exclaims that he
got someone to help him out. Yuuzan angrily asks Andou why he involved Shizuku
without his permission. While Shizuku says that it is because Andou says that
she’ll get paid, Andou shouts of course, after all, it is just cleaning up some
pitiful guy’s room and look at her outfit, no matter how one looks at it, she
can immediately go into battle. Shizuku wonders what’s with this clean up
thing.. She glances in Yuuzan’s messy apartment and asks if he had just moved
in. A bit embarrassed Yuuzan says no, sorry but this is last month’s. It was
tidied up but now, it is already messy. Yuuzan tells Shizuku that he just found
a good place and it is near his college. While Shizuku observes that it is a
big place, Yuuzan asks if she wants to drink coffee and eat some chocolate
cake. Holding a bag of coffee, he asks if it is just dissolve in water and it
seems to open this way. Since he is spilling the coffee all over the place,
Shizuku offers to do it for him. While Shizuku makes the coffee, Andou carries
some boxes and tells Yuuzan that even if it is the girlfriend of Yuuzan’s
younger brother, having a girl in the house makes one’s heart beat with
eagerness. Blushing Yuuzan scolds him that is enough, and don’t be like that.
Soon, Shizuku gives a cup of coffee to Yuuzan. While sipping her coffee, she
asks if Yuuzan is living alone even if his living ability is awful. Muching on
a chocolate chip cookie, Yuuzan says ya, but he can live normally or rather, he
can have some distance from that family. He tells her that after the party, he
had this feeling of wanting to separate himself but he’ll definitely inherit
the family business and he is still waiting for the suitable opportunity. He
starts rampaging in a box and shows something to Shizuku. Looking at it, she
says that it is a rock. Yuuzan happily says that is right, he had told Haru
before that this is a moon rock. “I found it during the time when we came out
of the house. It’s quite nostalgic. When he’s young, Haru would always cry. I
picked up a rock from the courtyard and told him that it is a moon rock to
console him. ..afterwards, he suddenly told me, ‘this rock is a limestone so
this isn’t from the moon’. At that time, I was really shocked. Kids really grow
up so fast.”
Looking at the rock, Shizuku says that Haru previously
really like Yuuzan. Yuuzan sadly smiles and says that he felt unbearable going
to his current house, and it can be compared with Haru then. “That child caused
disturbances in order to leave that house. It is definitely because he felt
that if he is there, I would have a very hard time. Haru, he, is a very nice
kid.” Andou interrupts their conversation and reminds them that he is getting
busy all by himself here, is that okay. Soon, Andou seems to find some porn
video and Shizuku teaches Yuuzan how to fold his clothes. The two guys ask for
a break and drink some tea but Shizuku tells them that it is all done. After
throwing away the trash, Yuuzan drives Shizuku home. At her house’s gate, Shizuku
is quite happy over her pay. While eating a donut, Yuusan tells Shizuku that it
is also okay to tell Haru that she went to his house because compared to hating
Haru, he is more happy if he is hated by Haru. Shizuku sweatdrops. Shizuku
tells Yuuzan that she doesn’t think that Haru hates him. “Because in Haru’s
room, there are a lot of those rocks like that one [you showed me].” Yuuzan looks
surprised. At the cemetery, Haru is carrying some flowers and water pail.
Haru’s expression sours when he saw Yuuzan there. Haru asks why he is here.
Yuuzan says that it was Mitsuyoshi who called him there and what’s wrong with
visiting during his aunt’s third death anniversary. Haru angrily mutters that
Mitsuyoshi said that he is going ahead, but it turns out that this is the
reason. Yuuzan says that this is in front of the grave so let’s pay our
respects. After they pay their respects, Haru starts to toss some water to
clean the grave. He exclaims that even if Yuuzan didn’t say it, he can properly
do this. “Here, look.” Yuuzan says that a man called Kirigaya wrote a letter to
their family and he [Haru] ought to have gotten the invitation. Yet,
unexpectedly, his career prospective is tuna fishing. Yuuzan tells him that he
isn’t forbidding him but he doubts that the blood flowing in his body is the
same as his. Haru angrily asks if he wants a fight. Yuuzan asks if he is
worried about the expenses but whether it is Mitsuyoshi or Kyouko, they would
want him to go to college. “And even if it is me, who rejected you, also feel
that it isn’t necessary for you to do this.” Haru says that he knows, but it
isn’t the same, it isn’t only that because for him, he definitely can
accumulate a lot of things in this type of work. Walking away, Yuuzan says, he
understands, and geez, how come Haru turned into a person like this, when he is
obviously quite frank and cuter before. Haru tells him that at least, this isn’t
his fault, so there’s no need to be concerned about it. This surprises Yuuzan
and he smiles. Waiting with Andou, Mitsuyoshi asks Yuuzan how was it, did they
attack each other in front of the grave. Waving his hand, Yuuzan says that it
is no good, Haru totally won’t listen to him just like what he [Yuuzan] told
him [Mitsuyoshi]. He tells Andou that they are going. While walking with Andou,
Yuuzan recalls Haru telling him not to be concerned about it since this thing
isn’t his fault. Yuuzan says that he also really wants a girlfriend. Andou says
that it is impossible, just look at his room.
At night, Haru is looking at the invitation from the ocean
research institute. Soon, it is around 12:25am. In her house, instead of
studying, Shizuku recalls Yuuzan saying that Haru definitely thinks that his
existence caused him [Yuuzan] pain, Haru asking if he is bothering Shizuku, and
Haru saying that she and Yuuzan are annoying to death. And, she recalls Haru
happily smiling while looking above. She decides to call it a night. Just when
she is about to climb into her bed, she hears some tapping sound on her window.
She peeks out to see Haru getting ready to throw a huge rock. She freaks out
over this. Haru notices her and points to his cellphone. She whispers-shouting
what he is thinking, trying to destroy their window. Haru says that it is
because she shut off the cellphone. “It’s great for I thought you’re already
sleeping. Can you come down for a moment?” Covering herself with a blanket,
Shizuku quietly goes out and meets Haru at the gate. Haru happily exclaims his
apology. Shizuku had to tell him to keep quiet for her father is still sleeping
and what if he gets angry. Thinking that this is the first time she secretly
run out when it is obviously not a big deal, Shizuku asks him what’s up during
this time. Haru happily says that he came to see her. This surprises Shizuku.
Haru leans to her and kisses her. He hugs her. She calls out his name. Haru
says, “..ya, it is me, that’s right.” Shizuku tells him that they study
together. This surprises Haru. Shizuku says that he said before that if he has
some place he wants to go, then he must go. “If there is something he wants to
do, he should do it. If he feels lost, then he should ponder over it. Haru,
with me, the two of us, we’ll definitely find the answer.” Haru looks at
surprised Shizuku and asks if she went back to her bad habit of not wanting to
lose in exams. Shizuku angrily says that it is besides that.. Haru holds her
face and kisses her repeatedly [and I think there is a French kiss there].
Blushing Haru says, “Ya.. I’m going.” Shizuku goes, huh? Brroom...Shizuku
watches a plane flying in the sky. She is with everyone including Sasayan,
Asako, Chizuru, Yuu, Mitsuyoshi, Yamaken, Iyo and Yamaken’s 3 friends. Shizuku
mutters is..is this for real? Narration: “March. –after Haru finished saying
those words, like that, he first flew ahead. –by the way, that February, even
if there are all sorts of conversation scenario” In class, Shizuku exclaimed in
shock that Haru is going to an overseas research. Carrying Nagoya, Haru said
that is right, though he is only going as an odds-job guy. Shizuku exclaimed if
it is for that Professor Kirigaya. Haru said that he is an acquaintance of his
aunt. Holding a flyer to Kyoto, Asako tearfully asked if Haru can go here next
year. [<-probably school field trip] Narration: “I cannot forget his last
words.” At the airport, Haru happily said, “Then, I’m going. I’ll leave Nagoya
up to you.” Narration: “When he comes back, it would already be next year’s
spring. I never thought that there will be this dramatic change[turn of
events]..but, it is also not necessary to be shocked. After all, this is Haru.
..for me to think like this, it is only today at this time.” Blurb: “Two more
chapters to go.”
Comment: The
author really packed a lot of things in this chapter with that surprising turn
of event at the end. First, the Shizuku visiting Haru’s house, it is quite
amusing that Haru and Mitsuyoshi are already thinking of other things and
Shizuku is just concerned about checking out Haru’s books. ^^; Shizuku’s plans
for the future are still the same but instead of wanting to gain approval, it
is more on she wants to do it herself. It does seem to somewhat blur the
distinction of did she actually wanted to do it in the first place overlapping
with wanting mother’s approval. As for the tuna fishing thing, I don’t know if
for Haru, tuna fishing means ocean research or it was originally tuna fishing
but he changed his mind later on since everyone do not exactly approve of it and,
what Shizuku said that night is the final push for him to go. With everyone
planning what they’ll do in the future, it seems that Asako is the only one who
has no plans yet. And it seems that Haru has another thing that Yuuzan doesn’t
quite know how to do yet = household chores. Hasn’t Andou been teaching him or
it is only now that Yuuzan is asking for Andou’s help? That ‘somewhat’
resolution between the brothers is nice. I think what Shizuku and Haru told
Yuuzan helped ‘heal’ Yuuzan that he can move on with less guilt. And
apparently, Yuuzan knows that the change in Haru is because of Shizuku. Lastly,
Haru suddenly going abroad and he’ll be back next year’s spring. That is a fast
turn of events and I guess the mangaka doesn’t want to drag the potential drama
of that one. If I estimate it right that would be a one year skip. He’ll be
skipping third year high school and when he comes back they would be going to
college already. Somehow, I imagine Haru coming back with a huge tuna for
Shizuku, and there are sakura blossoms flying around. ^^; With two chapters
left, I wonder if we’ll get to see them as adults aside from possibly, what
happened to the main characters later on. Scans by 山贤赛高同好会. PS. This is a different
Chinese scanlator so there might be a bit difference in the flashback dialogues
and amusingly, this group is composed of Yamaken’s fans.
Quote of the day:
The decisions made today determine how tomorrow will be. ~
Author Known