Last Game [Chapter 23]

Tachibana is shock to see Souma. She asks him why he is here. He tells her that his house is near here. She couldn’t believe it for she chose this place because she thought that it is far away and no one she knows would be there. Souma tells her that if she eats all of that, she’ll become fat. Since he mentioned the forbidden word, Tachibana asks if he came to laugh at her. Souma is puzzled but she tells him not to pretend for they are also laughing at her today. Souma asks laughing about what. Tachibana shouts that she was a fat pig before. The waitress tells Souma not to disturb the others so he ended up sitting down. He tells Tachibana that he doesn’t know what she is talking about and what is this laughing about her thing. She tells him that Kujou ought to have told him because she has seen her picture from before. Souma thinks that no wonder she is like that for two weeks. Souma tells Tachibana that because it is Kujou, he doesn’t think that she had noticed that the one in the picture is her, and even if she knew, he doesn’t think that Kujou announce it everywhere. Standing up, Souma says that it has nothing to do with him so.. Tachibana grabs his arm and seems to want to say something. Soon, it is lunch time at school. Kujou asks Fujimoto to taste test the bento that she made because she is trying out Western style and she wants her opinion about it. Fujimoto suggests that they also invite Yanagi. When Kujou calls, Yanagi answers it within a second. Kujou tells him about the taste test but Yanagi says that he wants to but he has to decline for he is doing something. Just when Yanagi is still trying to say something, Kujou hangs up on him and says that Yanagi cannot come. Fujimoto tells Kujou that there’s a problem with the way she hangs up the phone. They wonder what Yanagi is busy on lately. As Fujimoto tastes the food, she asks why Western style. They saw Souma with a girl. Fujimoto calls out to him but Souma tries to ignore her until Fujimoto orders him as the senpai, to come. Souma couldn’t refuse and asks her what it is. Fujimoto tells him to taste test Kujou’s bento. Thinking that the bento is used to lure him, Souma says that it should be Yanagi not him. Kujou asks why for even if she wants to hear Yanagi’s opinion, it doesn’t represent Souma’s opinion. Sitting down, Souma says that he’s picky. Fujimoto thinks that he has taken the bait. While eating, Souma says that he likes Japanese better and Kujou agrees with him. Fujimoto thinks that ever since Souma entered the club, he likes to intrude between those two but unexpectedly, when he’s serious, he won’t make a move though in reality, there’s no effect even if he intrudes. Fujimoto really wants to bully Souma for he isn’t the same with Yanagi. Souma asks Kujou why it is Western. Kujou tells him that she wanted to teach it to Tachibana. Souma realizes that in the end, Kujou didn’t realize it.

Flashback: Tachibana grabbed Souma and asked him to confirm that Kujou hasn’t realized it and didn’t tell anyone about it. Souma refused that Tachibana threatens to tell everyone that he likes Kujou. Souma angrily asked if she is even in the position to threaten someone. He complained about her nature and she complained about his accent. End flashback. Souma thinks that Tachibana is just reaping what she sowed. When Fujimoto asks how Tachibana is, Souma angrily says that compared to a rabbit, she is more lively in jumping around. The girls are puzzled so Souma tells them that he bumped into her earlier and she seems fine. Fujimoto exclaims is that so, then she’ll be coming back soon. Souma says no, probably not for the meantime since she has some activity in her college. Kujou is puzzled that she sighed in relief when she obviously want Tachibana to quickly come back. Later on, Kujou goes shopping with Fujimoto. Kujou tries some clothes. Fujimoto takes pictures and plans to send them to Yanagi later on. Kujou asks weren’t they going to buy a gift for Miyabe [guesswork from 宮部]. Fujimoto says that it isn’t in a hurry and it’s just an alibi to invite her. Fujimoto suggests that she tries another dress which is more of Tachibana’s style. Kujou asks her if Tachibana is really cute, for she isn’t only cute, she’s polite and a very nice girl but upon hearing that Tachibana won’t be coming back for a while, she mysteriously sighed in relief. She wonders why and it was a mean thing. Fujimoto cries tears of joy for Kujou has become an adult, she has learned jealousy. Puzzled over Fujimoto’s reaction, Kujou continues to say that right now, she is very happy that she hopes that these kind of days would continue on (no only everyone, but Yanagi being there when she turns her head around..this cozy warm place) though lately, this mood is starting to collapse bit by bit. Feeling that she has this uneasy agitation, Kujou asks what it is when Tachibana didn’t do anything wrong but she would have that kind of thoughts. Thinking that this is love, Fujimoto tells her that it isn’t bad, and there’s no one at fault here, and possibly, it [love] cannot progress smoothly if there is no hurt [by others] or hurting others, and nothing is constant/permanent. She just wishes Kujou good luck/gambatte and Kujou is puzzled what she is referring to. Fujimoto giggles and says that she’ll know soon for love is a fight. As she tells Kujou to try another dress, Fujimoto wonders why Kujou totally hasn’t thought towards the direction of love when they are already at this stage, and could it be that there is some reason. Soon, Fujimoto exclaims that she had fun and Kujou bought two clothes. Kujou is tired from trying out a lot of clothes. This made Fujimoto apologize for making it difficult for her but Kujou tells her that it is okay for it is the first time for her that the two of them to go out shopping. She says that this is a fresh experience though she doesn’t want to do it again soon.

Fujimoto suggests that they rest for a while at a café. Then, they overhear a couple of girls talking about a nice café with a good looking staff. Fujimoto immediately drags Kujou to that place. They peek inside to see who this good looking staff is and it turns out to be Yanagi. After Fujimoto shouts out Yanagi’s name, Yanagi calls out to Kujou but stops himself and, as the waiter, welcomes the two inside. Fujimoto says that this is what he is busy with today. After sitting them on their table, Yanagi asks how come they knew he is working there. They say that it is just a coincidence. Kujou comments that Yanagi tried to hide that magazine about work in his car before. Fujimoto asks why he is hiding it and it isn’t a necessity for him to work. Kujou asks what the reason is. Yanagi looks at Kujou before timidly saying what’s bad about it. Then, he changes the topic by asking for their order. Fujimoto orders iced coffee mocha. When Kujou is about to say her order, Yanagi says that it will be plain black tea. Kujou is surprised that she asks how he knew. Yanagi says that it is because that is what she always drinks. After Kujou agrees to Yanagi’s suggestion for it to be cold tea, he takes the menu and tells them to wait. Fujimoto comments over the details that Yanagi knows about Kujou but then, they were together since elementary so they should know each other to some extent. Kujou tells her that she totally doesn’t know what Yanagi likes though he said he likes tofu steak. Fujimoto wonders out loud what made Yanagi unexpectedly want to work and what could have changed within him. Kujou says that she doesn’t know. Kujou starts thinking that she doesn’t know much about Yanagi, the reason why he is working, why he is feeling down, and until the end, she doesn’t know anything. She realizes that the things she doesn’t know and understand are increasing so what should she do. The drinks are served. Kujou thinks that her tea is a bit bitter and there should be a bit some sugar. Then, Yanagi puts some sweets/cookies on the table. With a ‘secret’ hand gesture, Yanagi tells them that it is a special gift for he told his boss that they are his friends so they are giving this extra for them, it’s a secret. Kujou tries to give one to Yanagi but he declines since he’s working. Kujou thinks that since she is always asking from Yanagi, she wonders what she can do for Yanagi. And like this, she hopes that they can be together, forever unchanging like this. Recalling what Fujimoto said about nothing is permanent, Kujou wonders if it is no good for them to be like this. Meanwhile, Tachibana is furious that Souma isn’t replying to her inquiries regarding Kujou. She is angry at how useless he is but then, if this keeps up, the current situation won’t change. Preparing to go out, Tachibana thinks that she can only go forward and confirm it herself.

Comment: Amusingly, because Souma mentioned the forbidden word of ‘fat’, it was Tachibana herself reveal to him her predicament. And, Souma obviously doesn’t even care about it. It never occurred to Tachibana that the people she is with would actually not really care about it. Well, that might be a blow for her self-centered ego. ^^; And, apparently Kujou is becoming more jealous of Fujimoto though she doesn’t know that she is feeling jealous. In times like this, it does make one wonder if it would be better if someone tells her about it or just let things progress on its own. Since Fujimoto mentioned it, I wonder if there is indeed a reason for Kujou not to equate what she is feeling to be love. And her hint on ‘nothing is permanent’ is of course, change that leads towards the positive rather than the negative which is what Kujou is thinking. Anyway, because of this incident, Kujou might become more proactive in knowing more about Yanagi and doing things for him. Even little bit of that can already give Yanagi a taste of heaven. =P Since Fujimoto is on the move again, hopefully, there will be more progress on Kujou’s part in realizing that strange feeling she has. ^^ Regarding why Yanagi is working, I think he is planning to buy Kujou something with the money he earned himself. Scans by 红莲汉化组

Word of the day:

Not all change is pleasant, but when we’re being led to a better place by Someone[God] who loves us, we don’t need to fear it. ~ Our Daily Bread