Hibi Chouchou [Chapter 38]

When Suiren was young, she wondered why there are two days for Christmas and she thought that it is a bit baffling. And this year, thanks to it being two days, 24th which is Yuri’s birthday celebration and today, the 25th, a date with Kawasumi. The teacher calls out to Suiren if she is finished writing. She tells Suiren to answer question 7. Yuri is shock to see aghast Suiren trembling. And, today is the start of 3 day cram lessons during winter break. After the class break, Yuri and Suiren try to leave school like thieves in order for Kawasumi not to notice them. They were nervous to see some karate guys but thankfully, Kawasumi isn’t among them. It turns out that Suiren hasn’t told Kawasumi regarding the cram lessons and she’s worried what Kawasumi would think since for as a girlfriend, she studied [with the others] and yet, still has to have cram lessons. While staying behind the bushes and some fence, they spot Kawasumi. Suiren thinks that he’s doing his best. She thinks that the more she sees him, the more she becomes depressed. Just as they leave, Kawasumi turns toward their direction. Ryosuke asks what it is. He says that it is nothing. Ryousuke says that Christmas will be over in a while so the date is today. Kawasumi says ya. Ryousuke pesters him if he bought a gift. Kawasumi didn’t answer that Ryousuke exclaims if he was thinking, ‘do I have to give a gift on Christmas’. Kawasumi shouts back that he at least knows about that. Ryousuke asks then why. Blushing Kawasumi admits that he doesn’t know what to give her. Ryousuke says that is a problem for he also doesn’t know what Suiren likes so how about something one ordinarily uses so anything would do. Kawasumi says isn’t that too casual. Ryousuke tells him that as long as he’s the one giving it, she’ll like it. As Ryousuke is being called by the others, Kawasumi looks at him. At the house, Aya is munching on some rice crackers while Yuri is setting Suiren’s hair for the date. Trembling Suiren is thinking that they really didn’t see each other today and she just went home..and even if this is good, she felt that something will happen. Yuri had told her that there’s no need to deliberately tell Kawasumi about the cram lessons, and just tell him if they meet. Suiren is thinking that she accepted that suggestion and it would be okay to tell him when they meet. Soon, it is 10 minutes pass noon. Yuri comments that Kawasumi is late. Then she notices that Aya is changing Suiren’s hairstyle. It is already 12:15 that Aya angrily asks if Kawasumi forgot. Yuri says that maybe practice is taking a long time so she’ll call Ryosuke. Yuri is aghast when Ryosuke informed her that the practice ended an hour ago. Yuri exclaims that he’ll be here soon. Aya says that she’ll kill him if he didn’t come.

Suiren is imagining that something happened to him on the way home like Kawasumi got into an accident with a broken leg or he saw her at school and lamely muttered that she’s having cram lessons again. To her friends’ surprise, Suiren quickly grabs her things and rushes out. She wants to apologize to him first then confirm he didn’t get into an accident. Then, at the road, she meets up with running Kawasumi who apologizes to her [for being late]. Yuri chasing after Suiren and upon seeing Kawasumi, she looks happily at Aya. Kawasumi is puzzled when Suiren says that it’s great that he is alright. He then shoves to her a newly purchased book in a paper bag. Blushing, he says that it is because it’s Christmas. Suiren thinks that it is a Christmas gift specially chosen for her. She tells him about having to go to school for math cram lessons and she felt that she’s useless, sorry. Kawasumi tells her is that so, it is okay, he didn’t think too much about it, and it is good that what he bought is quite useful. Suiren opens the package and it turns out to be a math reference book. Kawasumi says that he doesn’t know what to give her even if he thought a lot, of the times when they’ve talked, yet he still couldn’t think of any. Suiren thinks that he was thinking of her while choosing. Suiren thanks him. Looking surprised, Kawasumi says, yes. Then, Suiren gives him a present. He thanks her. Suiren thinks that she wanted to give him a gift but after giving it, she’s uneasy. Even if she really wanted to see his happy expression, what should she give him..would it cause him trouble. While Suiren overthinks about it, Kawasumi opens the gift and thanks her. She is delighted to see him wearing his brand new gloves. Then, he notices that she isn’t wearing any gloves so he gives the gloves to her. This horrifies Suiren that she gives it back to him. He gives it to her again and says that he’s lending it to her. Kawasumi walks away while Suiren wears the gloves. She isn’t at ease about wearing it first so she takes it off again and tries to give them back to him. Kawasumi takes the gloves. In the end, he didn’t wear them but holds her hand while walking. Then, they slip down the snow. After a pause, Kawasumi apologizes and she shakes her head. After dusting the snow off, Kawasumi holds out his hand to her but Suiren is currently dusting the snow off. Then, she holds out her hand for him and he takes hold of it. While holding hands, they look at the huge lit up Christmas tree. She thinks that even if today is the start of cram lessons, she’ll use the reference book and do her best. “15 years old. This year is the best Christmas.” Looking at each other, they smile and greet, “Merry Christmas.”

Comment: And, this is their first Christmas. It turns out that the cram lessons is only half day so they can still have their date. I guess Suiren turns out to be worried that she has to have cram lessons when they studied together, and having cram lessons on the day of their date. Actually, if Kawasumi still has practice for the next two days, they can still go on dates or at least walk home together. It makes me think that Kawasumi is a typical jock who doesn’t know anything about romance. It is amusing to see Ryousuke panicking that he might not know about gift-giving during Christmas. ^^; Thankfully, this is Suiren since she is already happy being given math reference book. I think most girls would go -_-; I’m curious though why she would imagine him naked if he was in an accident ^^;; but then, it’s cute-looking so maybe that is what the mangaka is aiming for. =P Anyway, they both have the innocent anxiety over what to give. And being them, they are already quite happy whatever the other one gives. The gloves thing is quite cute though no one used them since he doesn’t want to wear them when she isn’t, and she doesn’t want to wear it first. I actually thought that they would share the gloves then just put the bare hands in the pocket but I guess they are not in that level yet. The timing and how to help after falling is a bit off for Kawasumi but everything turned out okay. I’m also amused over how protective Aya is of Suiren. Having these kind of female friends are really nice. ^^ Scans by all★wink汉化组

Word of the day:

Authentic love is a gift from God that we can keep on giving. ~ Our Daily Bread