17-sai Kiss to Dilemma [Chapters 15-17]

[Free Talk: Just want to inform you guys that I will be going on a vacation trip with my sister's family to Hong Kong next week. So, I'll try to summarize whatever I can this week and the rest will be done when I come back. Most likely first week of November.]

Chapter 15: After the sports test, everyone had paid attention to Yuu since unexpectedly, he is quite manly. At the shoe lockers area, the couple is surprised over the love letters that were left in Yuu’s locker when he took his school shoes. Later, outside of the school, Ririka is spying on Yuu who is with a girl. The girl apologizes to him for suddenly calling him out. Ririka couldn’t hear that they are talking about. Upon seeing Ririka behind the bushes, Yuka asks her what she is doing. Ririka tries to tell her to be quiet when Yuka notices a girl with Yuu. She exclaims that Yuu is being confessed to again. Sweatdropping, Yuka asks if Ririka is spying on him and no wonder she is his girlfriend. Ririka says that it isn’t that..but in the end, she is a bit worried. Yuka says that it is human nature since that girl is very cute and it is possible that Yuu would be moved by her. This made Ririka nervous. Yuka smiles and says that she’s teasing her for she heard that Yuu had rejected all of them when obviously he’s quite a coward. Ririka smiles and says is that so. Yuka exclaims in disbelief for what’s with that, Yuu likes her so much that she still fells uneasy. Flustered Ririka says that no, it isn’t about being uneasy but thinking whether or not, she’s a qualified girlfriend for he is quite good at sports and she heard that he was able to solve all the math questions. “But, Yuu, he... *There is a scene of smiling Yuu saying that it is only a coincidence and he did it as if his life depended on it, just for her.* But he told me that. Regarding Yuu.. I unexpectedly don’t know anything at all. When obviously, we are always together since we’re young..” Yuka sighs and angrily pinches Ririka’s mouth. Ririka tells her that it hurts. Yuka calls her stupid, for if she doesn’t know, then work hard in knowing[/understanding] him. “Or, if a girl who knows Yuu better than you appears, you’ll be frustrated when that person steals the girlfriend position, right?!” Ririka holds Yuka’s shoulder and exclaims, no, it cannot be. Yuka smiles and pokes Ririka’s forehead. She tells her like that, she should work hard in knowing Yuu. Ririka is touched. She grabs Yuka’s hand and thanks her. She exclaims that she’ll work hard. She walks away and wonders where she should first start in knowing Yuu. Yuka whispers her good luck[/gambatte] to Ririka and hopes that she learns how much Yuu likes her. Ririka waves both hands and thanks Yuka again.

Smiling Yuka waves back and wishes her good luck again. Yuka thinks, “So like that, if you don’t know then, it would be good that you try to know more. Understand Yuu more and more. I hope that you’ll be able to always like Yuu.” Realizing over how much courage one has to have to invite someone, Ririka asks Yuu if they can go on a date. This made Yuu blush and exclaim in surprise. In front of the chess club room where some people are already playing inside, Yuu nervously asks if Ririka wants to date here. Thinking that this is the place where he usually goes, Ririka says yes. Yuu protests that she didn’t know how chess is played and it is pretty much boring. Ririka angrily says that it is alright for she only wants to know about the things that he likes so she came here. This made Yuu blush. Ririka exclaims why he is blushing. Yuu says that it is because she’s quite proactive. Embarrassed Ririka denies it. Yuu holds her and says, ya, but he’s very happy. He smiles and tells her that they go inside. Ririka blushes over his rippling smile and it seems that he’s nervousness is also infecting her. An older man exclaims that it is Yuu. Yuu greets the man as Okazaki [guesswork from 岡崎] and says that it has been a long time. Okazaki  calls out to the others and says that the future chess champ has arrived. A lot of guys greet nervous Yuu who tells Okazaki that he isn’t a champion or anything.. Okazaki laughs and tells him not to be modest for the only one who can win against Yuu here, is Minami [美波; can used as a name or a surname]. Ririka realizes that Yuu turns out to be quite amazing. Then, Okazaki looks at Ririka and exclaims, “You..you are..!” Surprised Ririka asks if he knows her. While the others are smiling, Okazaki says that the people here know her because she is the person whom Yuu likes. This made Ririka blush. Embarrassed Yuu exclaims how come they know that when he never told anyone. Okazaki explains that ever since before, at the start of an important match, he would always carefully take out Ririka’s picture and looks at it. “Even if you don’t tell, everyone knows. So, smiling at one side, we’re protecting you! This is youth, after all.” Yuu is totally embarrassed that he exclaims for Okazaki-san not to say such strange things. Okazaki tells Ririka that for them to come here together is quite significant for this is the result of Yuu’s unrequited love blooming, right?

Ririka blushes really red. Okazaki starts clapping that embarrassed Yuu tells him to don’t say anymore. Recalling Yuka’s advice about knowing more about Yuu, Ririka smiles and mentally thanks Yuka for it gave her a bit of confidence. Soon, Yuu checkmates Ririka. Ririka laments over losing again and comments that Yuu is really amazing, why.. Yuu laughs. Ririka says geez, he is always laughing at her. Smiling Yuu strokes her head and says that he is very happy that he was able to be with her. This made Ririka blush and look away. Holding the soldier chess piece, Yuu asks if they can have a competition. Bending close to her and with their noses almost touching, he says, “If I win, you’ll kiss me, okay?” This made her blush for there’s no need to seriously ask her for she’ll feel shy about it. Blushing Yuu asks if she hates kissing him. She couldn’t refuse so Ririka says okay. Then, Yuu manages to get Ririka’s queen that she scolds Yuu for being too vicious. Yuu smiles and says that it is because this can get him kissed by her. He touches her lips and asks if she still wants to play. Just when he is about to kiss her, someone shouts if Yuu is here. A boyish glasses person comments that Yuu expectedly brought a girl over and Yuu really cannot be underestimated. Yuu exclaims in surprise, “Mi..Minami.” While Ririka is puzzled, Minami kneads the sides of Yuu’s head and complains about being lonely because Yuu hasn’t been coming over lately. Yuu asks what that about being lonely, when they play chess on the internet everyday. Ririka thinks that it is the first time she sees Yuu’s relationship to be quite good, a male friend, huh.. Minami tells Yuu not to bring a girl to this kind of place and think about her feelings. Ririka nervously says that she was the one who asked him to. This surprises Minami. Minami smiles and says, “You haven’t changed a bit- RIRI?” Ririka is surprised that Minami knows her name. Minami says that he knows a lot because they know each other for a long time. Yuu explains that Minami is his chess teacher. Minami exclaims what he is talking about, for they are rivals now. Minami takes the horse/knight piece and moves it near Yuu’s king piece. This made Yuu stand up and tells Minami not to hinder him. Minami tells Yuu not to treat a girl like that for as a knight[/genteleman], he shouldn’t be like that. “Okay, it’s your turn next.”

Soon, the two are playing chess that Ririka feels uneasy for she couldn’t intervene since their relationship is quite good. In the end, Ririka exclaims about that! Minami smiles and asks, “Ah..sorry, Am I hindering you guys?” Yuu says that is right so go to that side. Minami complains about Yuu being cold when obviously, they haven’t seen each other a long time. This made Ririka guilty so she smiles and tells them it is okay, she’s fine, she is quite glad to see a different Yuu. Putting the elbow on Yuu’s shoulder, Minami telling Ririka that it is because Yuu didn’t show his cool side to her. Yuu pouts over this. As the two continues to play, Ririka laments over her stupidity for why is she so serious and just think of the kiss next time. “It’s a rare date.. If I knew early on, I should have refused. ..I’m such an idiot..” At school, the bell is ringing. Running at the hallways, Ririka thinks that it is bad for the bell has rung and it is Yuu’s fault for oversleeping that she’ll be scolded again. “Also, this is a matter of life and death. What’s up with that- Since yesterday, I’m out of luck. The fortune-telling program today about my horoscope is also the worst.” Then, she turns to corner and is surprised that there is someone there. She bumps the person and a box of chalk falls down. As Ririka apologizes and picks up the chalks, the person says that she didn’t pay attention and is she alright. Just when Ririka is saying that it is okay, she looks surprised at the other person. The woman asks, “Ah? Riri?” Ririka is speechless for Minami turns out to be a woman. Minami says that she came over as an intern. “Okawa Minami, yoroshiku [/nice to meet you] *looks around* Ah!? Where’s Yuu? Didn’t you guys go to school together?” Ririka says that Yuu overslept. Minami asks that it is because even after leaving the club yesterday, they are always playing chess and geez, Yuu is really a kid who is stubborn about hating to lose. Ririka is clueless about this that Minami realizes something and says that is right, Yuu would always act nice in front of her. Since Ririka is flustered, Minami says that this is bad, it’s a secret. “Don’t tell him that I’m the one who told you, okay~~ *Flustered Ririka is already trembling* Yuu is really a child who loves to act spoiled that you cannot just leave him without a care.”  Ririka realizes something for the divination program mentioned, ‘A love rival will appear’, and it overlaps [in her mind] with Minami’s face.

Chapter 16: Ririka thinks that just by seeing Minami, she felt uneasy. It is school dismissal, Ririka thinks that Yuu is quite slow[/late] for isn’t his homeroom [class activity] over yet and their dating time is decreasing. She looks at her horoscope on her love life warning her to pay attention to a love rival and she’s unlucky this week for an interfering person is aiming for her boyfriend. Ririka is sad over this kind of fortune again. Then, Minami comes in to ask if Ririka has seen Yuu. Calling her Minami-san, Ririka tells her that it seems that Yuu’s class activity isn’t over yet. Minami suddenly hugs Ririka and complains that Ririka is quite mean for she’s using polite language towards her, and isn’t Yuu her relative, so for her, she is one of them [/part of the group/family]. Minami asks if this is okay. Ririka timidly says okay. Ririka thinks that Minami likes to touch people and she is this close with Yuu so it isn’t because ‘Minami likes him’, and perhaps it is simply just because their relationship is quite good. Ririka felt a bit relieved about this until Minami says that it is troublesome for she wants to ask for Yuu’s help and should she go to F section to find Yuu. This made Ririka suddenly grabs Minami’s hand. While Minami is puzzled, aghast Ririka is quite speechless. Later on, Ririka cries over being an idiot for what is she doing that she refused that after-school date. She is currently helping Minami assort the papers and stapling them together. Minami says that it is finally over and it is unexpectedly quite dark. She tells Ririka that she saw her sending a text, could it be that she actually has something to do. Ririka denies it by saying that it is alright. She mentally calls herself an idiot for how can it be okay and she’s a rottenly good person but it is because she doesn’t want Yuu to help [Minami] out. She nervously wonders if her desire to monopolize Yuu is quite strong because at that time, she suddenly grabbed Minami’s hand. Minami offers to drive Ririka home since it is already late. She tells Ririka not to tell anyone about it since it violates the rules, so just wait for her at the parking lot. [<- maybe teachers/interns cannot drive students home to avoid misunderstanding?]

By the gate, Ririka thinks that Minami is truly a good person unlike her. She thinks that her heart must be quite narrow for her not to want them [Yuu and Minami] to be alone together. Then, Minami arrives and apologizes for the wait. Ririka is surprised over how beautiful Minami looks after changing into a sexy outfit. Taking off her glasses, Minami giggles and says, makeover. Ririka comments that it is quite a surprise for it is totally different. Minami laughs and says that she’s going on a date later on so she decided to dress up first. This surprises Ririka and makes her think that Minami has a boyfriend, so that’s how it is. In the car, Minami comments over how popular Yuu is with all those love letters that he is getting. She tells Ririka that Yuu is especially good with sports that after chess club, they would ride [/play] skateboards together. She asks Ririka if he still rides skateboards. After the initial surprise, Ririka says that Yuu doesn’t ride skateboards. This made Minami timidly asks if Yuu also didn’t tell her that, then don’t tell Yuu about this. Holding her necklace, Ririka felt uneasy and thinks that Minami is wrong for Yuu is scared of skatesboards that he won’t dare ride on it. Glancing at Ririka, Minami asks if she isn’t feeling well, is she dizzy [motion sickness]. Ririka struggles to say something for she cannot tell her that she’s just holding her necklace. Then, Ririka sees that Minami also has the same snowflake necklace along with the pearl necklace that she’s wearing. Ririka asks her about it and Minami nervously laughs that Ririka was able to see that it is the same as hers. She explains that Yuu careless broke the necklace from holding it too tightly so she helped him fix it and because the design is so cute, she also.. Seeing Ririka’s nervous expression, Minami apologizes for making her unhappy. Clenching her skirt, Ririka wonders why, didn’t Minami already have a boyfriend, so why would she buy the same one as hers, when obviously, that necklace is something that has a special meaning for her and Yuu. Ririka takes off her seatbelt and says that she’s getting off. Minami calls out to Ririka who is already running off. Yuu is playing chess in his room when Ririka suddenly enters and tells him to play chess with her. Surprised Yuu asks her what it is. Flustered Ririka tells him that she’ll properly remember the rules so do not play chess with Minami again. Ririka is trembling and on the verge of tears. Yuu holds her arms and asks her what it is. “Could it be that you quarreled with Minami? *smiles* What happened, tell me, okay?”

Ririka pouts and to Yuu’s surprise, she starts crying out loud. Yuu tries to calm her down but she shouts stupid, stupid, stupid while throwing chess pieces at Yuu. After exclaiming that hurts, Yuu grabs her hand and tells her to calm down. Ririka tells him that their necklaces are the same.. “I thought that I’m the only one who has it.. And, speaking of that, your relationship with her is quite good.. Always playing chess at night.. When obvious..you are my Yuu..” Ririka notices that Yuu’s grip stiffens so she looks up to see Yuu blushing. She angrily asks why he’s blushing. Yuu says that it is because it is the first time she’s jealous because of him. This embarrasses Ririka that she tries to deny it. She exclaims forget it, she’s leaving. Before she can leave, Yuu hugs her from behind. She shouts for him to let go. Yuu tells Ririka that he won’t play chess with Minami again, and he’ll always be with her at night. “For me, the most important person is only you, Riri.” This made Ririka hug him tightly. She thinks that she was obviously quite jittery but because of Yuu’s words, she is able to smile. Yuu touches her face and she smiles. Then, they kiss. Soon, Ririka is sound asleep in his bed. Yuu stands up and apologizes to Ririka. Sitting by the sea wall, Minami exclaims that he’s quite late, he’s late by two hours when it is rare for her to change and put on make-up. Looking at her cellphone, Minami says that the only place they can go is the family restaurant. Yuu walks towards her and asks what she is thinking. Looking serious, he says, “You deliberately got close to Riri and then, hurt her. Isn’t that so?” Minami smiles and jumps down from the sea wall. Reaching out to Yuu, Minami says geez, she is only teasing her. Yuu holds up his hand from Minami’s outreached hand and says that it seems that he was mistaken. “I thought you are the same with me, who is only interested in chess, so I’ve lowered my guard..” Minami tells him that for her, he’s a very important person. Getting ready to leave, Yuu replies, “For me, Riri is always the one who is important.” As Yuu leaves, Minami bites her nail over this putting her in a bad mood. “Your girlfriend unexpectedly cannot play chess. She’s a stupid girl who wavers with just some casual teasing words.. *pulls the snowflake necklace from her neck and breaks it* Hey, Yuu? No matter what happens, would that important Riri of yours love you, like how you love her?”

Chapter 17: As the moon appears from the clouds, Ririka wakes up. She sits up and looks around. Yuu is missing but she dismisses it by thinking that it is troublesome if they sleep together and he must have slept at the other room. She decides to change from her uniform to Yuu’s clothes. Then, she recalls the snowflake necklace of Minami. She felt guilty over her willfulness [for Yuu not to play with Minami again, I assume] when it is only because of having the same necklace but still, she really hates it. Then, she starts blaming Yuu for loving to play chess too much, for ignoring her and always chatting with Minami. She becomes flustered about that. She laments over loving to get jealous and she’s really stupid to death. She calmed herself down and decides that she must learn how to play chess and even if it is only for a bit, she wants to play chess with Yuu. She sits on Yuu’s desk with the chess gameboard and reads a book. Holding the queen chess piece, she thinks that the queen is the most awesome one..and no wonder the king can always be eaten by it. Yuu comes back and is startled that Ririka is no longer on his bed. Then, he notices that she is sound asleep on his desk. Yuu sighs over being startled by this, and how come she is sleeping there. He carries her up and a book falls down. It is a book on chess. He is surprised by that and smiles when Ririka is muttering about the queen. Blushing Yuu happily puts her on the bed and she is somewhat holding on him. He takes her hand and kisses her finger. “I like you, Riri. *kisses her* I will always be at your side.” Then, he strokes her hair. The next day, the school bell rings for lunch break. Walking at the hallway, Ririka tries to recall what to buy – strawberry milk for Ann and orange juice for Yuka. Just when she’s wondering what she’ll eat, she bumps into Minami again at the corner. Ririka apologizes to Minami-san. Laughing Minami says that this is the second time, and if she doesn’t properly look in front, it can be quite dangerous. Ririka is surprised when Minami suddenly hugs her and says she is relieved to see that Ririka is alright. “You looked quite unwell yesterday and I’m worried.” Ririka nervously wonders if Minami is a natural airhead and could it be that she didn’t know that she was angry yesterday so she got out of the car. Minami apologizes to Ririka for not noticing that she got dizzy in the car. “And as atonement, I’ll give you this, okay?” Ririka tries to protest over the pictures that Minami are giving but Minami insists for she thinks that it is better for Ririka to have them. Ririka looks at the pictures of young Yuu with some older men. Ririka thinks that she also has that at home. She no longer protests since it is quite cute.

Then, she sees a picture of young Yuu riding on the skateboard. Minami happily tells her that she remembered that Yuu is quite amazing on the skateboard. Flustered Ririka tightly holds the pictures and wonders why Yuu would lie about being scared of riding skateboards. Then, she sees a picture of older Yuu and Minami sleeping together with chess pieces scattered all around. Minami exclaims over her carelessness for getting that mixed in. Minami tells her that there is absolutely nothing strange about that picture, and it is only one time at the competition, they were together with everyone and discussed things until late night that.. Ririka thinks that this is the first time she saw this. Aside from her, Yuu, who is quite shy with strangers, would sleep in front of someone like this. “Hey, Yuu- I thought that the person beside you is always me. It turns out that the one closest to you is Minami-san, right?” While Minami is fretting, Ririka manages to smile and says that this is so cute, the young Yuu playing chess. Minami nervously calls Ririka’s name. Ririka happily asks if she is really going to give these to her, then she is going to show it to Ann and others-♡ While saying that, Ririka thinks that if she didn’t smile, if she didn’t use her smile to cover it up, it would be bad since she feels like crying. While the school bell is ringing, Ririka is with her friends at the roof. Yuka exclaims in disbelief over this unexpected thing. Ririka tells them that the bell has rung and classes are starting. Ann tells her that compared to that, this is more important. Holding the picture of sleeping Yuu and Minami, Ann says that as the girlfriend, it is definitely unbearable to see this kind of picture and it is very normal that she would feel uncomfortable. Yuka adds how it is possible for Minami not to notice that and just gave it to her. “It’s definitely deliberate!!” Slightly smiling, Ririka says that Minami really looks like a natural airhead and it isn’t deliberate. Yuka angrily shouts, geez, it is because Ririka is too naïve that this kind of thing happened. “Why don’t you directly go and tell her that Moriya is your boyfriend. Please don’t go near him!!” Ririka mutters, but.. Yuka angrily kneads Ririka’s forehead and scolds her no buts just go and say it. Ann thinks that if it was deliberate, Minami might be a vicious[/tough] character. Yuka advises Ririka again to directly say it since she is having a hard time about it and she couldn’t accept it. “And, you even unexpectedly heard about those two’s past! This is really infuriating! And by the way, didn’t you also have his pictures when he was young..”

Ririka starts crying that it is because she feels sad if that picture is with Minami. Her friends couldn’t say much. Ririka wipes her tears. Forcing herself to smile, Ririka apologizes for suddenly crying over this. She stands up and urges her friends to go back to class. Ann suddenly grabs Ririka’s arm and gives her a hug. Ann exclaims for Ririka that it is okay to cry for that means she also likes Yuu. “It’s because it’s the person you like that even if it is mutual feelings, there are occasions, when there are some things that makes one feel uneasy to the point of being scared. Weren’t I not in the same school with my boyfriend? It is always because of being uneasy that we had disputes. But that is also proof that I like him so much, right?” Pinching Ririka’s face, Yuka says, geez, such a crybaby, and this isn’t like her at all. “You should have more faith in Moriya. Geez, you have such a lot of worries. Moriya also like you a lot!” Ann exclaims that’s right. Ririka is somewhat convinced by this so Yuka reminds her again to go and say it. “And also, this is coward and useless Moriya so how can he possibly do this difficult thing of two-timing, right?” Holding her friends, Ririka happily says that’s right. Ririka thinks that she only has to believe in Yuu for he isn’t a person who would lie. After school dismissal, Ririka gets an email from Yuu apologizing to her that he has something to do today so he cannot go home together with her. Ririka wonders if it is make-up[/supplementary] class. While fixing her bag, Ririka thinks that Ann went on a date with her boyfriend so she already left while Yuka has extra-curricular activities. Taking her bag, Ririka thinks that if it is a make-up class, she’ll just wait for him at his classroom. Then, a classmate exclaims that it is raining. She goes to the window and exclaims that she doesn’t have an umbrella. Then, from the window, she spots Yuu and Minami in a room. Yuu has his hands in his pockets while Minami is looking around. Just when she is wondering why the two are together, the curtain of the window is drawn. Ririka quickly runs to the multipurpose room. She peeks in from the door’s window and sees Minami touching Yuu’s lips and saying something. Ririka recalls Yuu telling her that he won’t play chess with Minami again and he’ll always be with her at night. Holding a cellphone, Yuu puts his arm around Minami and somewhat leans to her. It seems that they’ve kissed. Ririka starts to cry for isn’t Yuu a person who won’t lie. She runs off while thinking that it is a lie. While Yuu looks at the side and seems to be touching his lips, Minami is holding his chest. Outside, maybe a bit farther away, Ririka sits down on the floor and cries over who’ll tell that this isn’t for real.

Comment: Okay..we have a new love rival and this one is quite good in making the couple’s relationship head for the rocks. Of course, things are in Minami’s favor since there are things that Yuu lied to, and still lying to Ririka regarding his real/other nature, and of course, Ririka being a weak and naïve girl, she’s easily to fool and manipulate. I thought Minami would only focus on shaking up Ririka with the pictures so I’m guessing that because Ririka put up a smiling front, Minami stepped up her game and went for Yuu instead..unless, it is still part of her plan. Minami probably used Ririka as a reason for that kiss, if there was a kiss or probably blackmail him. Was it part of Minami’s plan to make Ririka see them? If it wasn’t, then it is an added bonus for her. Since it is already established that Yuu would do anything for Ririka, it isn’t exactly surprising if he kisses Minami if it is related to Ririka. Of course, for the girlfriend to forgive that is a different story. I’m somewhat curious over what her friends would say now about that. Still, Yuka’s advice seems good and I did wonder if Ririka actually did that rather than running away and crying. I think things are bad until Ririka realizes that Minami is up to no good or at least, confront Yuu about it including the fact that he can ride a skateboard with picture as evidence. Actually, it does seem that Yuu and Minami are quite similar in terms of personality. ^^; They have a ‘fake’ persona. I mean Minami seems tomboyish but when she dresses up..wow, and she acts nice but isn’t really nice. They both lie to get the person they want. Well, Yuu lies about himself, while Minami likes about things to make Ririka think she’s innocent and nice, to lower Ririka’s guard down. They both like chess and ought to be quite intelligent in their ‘moves’ towards their goal and sharp on the intention of others. Yuu already knows Minami’s intention. It somewhat puts Ririka out of place between the two. ^^; So, in Ririka’s quest to know more about Yuu, would she still like him after knowing it especially the lying about his real/other nature? Or, as Minami puts it, would she love him no matter what happens? For now, Minami has the upper hand. And, I somewhat wonder if Tsubasa would still appear in this series since it might be interesting how he can ‘complicate’ matters. Of course, maybe he’ll help out Ririka or something as a friend like what Yuka is doing. Scans by 离境汉化组

Quote of the day:

Lies were like acid, corrosive: They could dissolve trust in a heartbeat. ~ Rob Thurman, Nightlife