Last Game [Chapter 26]

At the café, Yanagi tells Fujimoto to please stop coming to his work place. While Kujou is busy studying, Fujimoto asks Yanagi what’s with that attitude towards a customer when they are contributing to the sales so just give them Café au lait and red tea. Kujou apologizes to Yanagi for she did tell Fujimoto that coming over would bother him. Thinking that he wants her to come often, Yanagi timidly says that it isn’t really a bother, and it is just because it is a workplace so someone might see, and it is also okay with him as long as they don’t keep on talking with him. After Yanagi leaves with their orders, Kujou asks Fujimoto about that travel magazine that she’s holding. Fujimoto tells her that it is almost time for the summer camp so she is looking for a place to stay. Unlike the one in spring wherein they stayed overnight, this time around it will be three days and two nights. Since they are low on budget, she’s looking for a cheap place and it isn’t good to always lend Yanagi’s villa. She asks Kujou if there is any place where she wants to go. Kujou says not really, she is happy just being with everyone. This moves Fujimoto that she hugs Kujou and exclaims that Kujou is so cute. Yanagi angrily tells the customer to quit doing that intimate thing. Fujimoto tells him that he’s annoying. Kujou tells Fujimoto that before camp, there’s an exam. At the canteen, the president tries to sell his notes for 10 yen per page. No one takes his offer since Yanagi just came from a review [<- cram school?], Kujou wants to depend on herself in studying and Souma has no money. The president is in tears when Fujimoto reminds him to finish the report which is due tomorrow. Fujimoto asks the others about the summer camp. They went to Tochigi last year so she wants to go somewhere else this year. Fujimoto notices that Souma’s cellphone kept on ringing and he keeps on turning it ff. Fujimoto mentions this and Souma apologizes for it. He tells them that after telling his parents that he won’t be coming home during summer vacation, they kept on calling him ever since then. Fujimoto asks how come he doesn’t want to go home. He tells her that it isn’t easy to come to Tokyo so why would he wish to go back to the province. He also doesn’t want to meet his father. Fujimoto asks if they had a fight. Souma says that his father particularly opposed his coming to Tokyo that until now, he kept on saying that he is unfilial [/ill-mannered] for yearning for Tokyo so in short, his rigid-minded father puts him in a bad mood. Souma is speechless when Kujou says that it is wrong to say that for weren’t they helping out with the tuition fees.

Just when Fujimoto is telling Kujou that at times saying the truth offends people, Souma exclaims that anyway, he’ll just be ordered around if he goes back when basically, it is just a ryokan [hostel] that no guests would go to. Yanagi says that it turns out that his family runs a farm ryokan. [<- because there is always vegetables sent to Souma] Souma becomes nervous since Fujimoto’s eyes are all sparkles. Fujimoto darkly says that didn’t Souma mentioned before that he is fed up with watching stars at his home so they can see stars there, right? Putting on a smile, Fujimoto urges him to go so that his parents would be happy and they [club members] would also be happy to find a place for their camp so there’s no problem at all, right? Souma says that he has a problem. Putting wood into the fire, Yanagi tells him to at least go home during summer vacation, and Kujou says that his parents are pitiful. Souma’s phone is ringing again. Since Yanagi is happy over this opportunity to torment Souma, he tells Souma to answer the phone. From the heart, Kujou agrees and tells Souma not to ignore his parents for that’s quite mean. This made Souma answer the phone and he got screamed at for not answering the phone. Souma tensely says that he is eating with his club’s senpai-s so he’s going to hang up. His mother wants to greet them but Souma insists that there’s no need to do that in Tokyo. To his shock, Fujimoto grabs the phone and introduces herself. She mentions of the ryokan, Souma coming home and their need for a place for the summer camp. Souma’s mother is delighted to hear that and would give them a cheap price. While Souma is dumbfound, Fujimoto already made arrangements to go there on the second week of August. So, Fujimoto is mission accomplished and Yanagi pats loser Souma whom he slightly pities. Fujimoto tells everyone that there is still a week before the exams so their club activity is only for today. They plan to go to a planetarium [theater] for today. At the train station, Tachibana arrives slightly late and exclaims that she’s excited for the planetarium. She asks where the others are [= president, etc]. Fujimoto says that they have things to do like a report, etc. Thinking that this is great, Tachibana says that’s too bad. Souma knows what Tachibana is really thinking. At the train, Kujou gestures to the empty seat beside her and tells Tachibana to take it. Tachibana still doesn’t quite know how to face Kujou. They casually talk about when Tachibana’s school is going to have their exams. It turns out to be the same with theirs. Fujimoto mentions about someone’s birthday [I think her boyfriend?] on Tuesday after the exams so she asks everyone to free that day for the celebration. They are going to have some sort of octopus [takoyaki] party with guests having their own wares and do it Russian flavor. Fujimoto asks Yanagi if they can borrow his place. Yanagi says okay since he has no way of opposing Fujimoto. Tachibana is excited over this.

Fujimoto tells her that she heard that it is huge since he is living alone at a 2LDK [2 rooms with living room, dining room and kitchen.] Yanagi says not really for at first, he and his sister are living.. Then, he sees Kujou yawning. This made Yanagi asks if she hasn’t been sleeping enough before the exams. Touching Kujou’s face with the back of his hand, Yanagi tells her to take a nap while they haven’t arrive or else, she’ll fall down like before and hurt her head. Kujou says okay. Tachibana and Fujimoto think that they are lovers. While Kujou is taking a nap, Fujimoto observes that Tachibana quickly starts probing Yanagi about what he eats while living alone and isn’t it troublesome. Yanagi perfectly evades the question by saying that it is okay and occasionally a housekeeper[/nanny] would help him out. When Tachibana is excited about this housekeeper, Yanagi puts his guard uup by saying that lately, he has started to learn to cook for himself. And, Tachibana attacks again by exclaims about wanting to eat the food he makes. Souma thinks that city people are scary for is that love or some fighting style. Fujimoto is happily observing ‘Tachibana’s attack’ and ‘Yanagi’s defense’. Soon, they arrive at the planetarium. Fujimoto is glad that it is quite empty because it is an ordinary day. Yanagi and Tachibana are tired from talking. Yanagi felt that it is hard to deal with Tachibana’s brazen multilayer moves[/tricks]. Tachibana thinks that Yanagi has an impenetrable defense that no matter where she attacks, he managed to evade it. Fujimoto calls out to them that she bought the tickets. Inside, Kujou says that it is like a theater. As Kujou takes her seat beside Yanagi, he tells her not to fall asleep. The movie starts. Yanagi thinks that it has been a long time since he watched a planetarium projector. Kujou thinks that this is bad for she feels like sleeping. The two are surprised when they touch each other’s hand on the same armrest. Thinking that it is Kujou’s, Yanagi wonders if he should move his hand away. Kujou wonders if Yanagi doesn’t plan on moving his hand, so should she move hers? Long silence between the two for they had lost the opportunity to move away their hand. While the narration is talking about the summer triangle, Yanagi isn’t listening for he really wants to hold Kujou’s hand. He wonders if this is okay, even if until now, they have unknown numbers of holding hands because of some reason and this situation is a bit different. Kujou has already decided not to mind it and just let it be. It seems that the two think that only lovers can hold hands. Kujou is surprised when Yanagi slightly moves his hand and touches her hand a bit. Yanagi chickens out that he still couldn’t, but.. Kujou is puzzled over why her heart feels like it is going to jump out. Yanagi thinks that it is bad for he couldn’t concentrate on the film. Kujou hopes that he stops moving his hand.

Just when they feel that it seems that some heat is rising up while touching each other, the film ends. They let go of their hands. Tachibana says that it’s beautiful and Yanagi facepalms to say ya. He nervously laughs and tells Kujou that it’s beautiful. Kujou lamely agrees. Actually, both didn’t watch it. =P He tells Kujou about buying gifts at that side and Kujou says okay. Tachibana frowns over this. While sitting on the bench, Kujou wonders why her face is so hot. Tachibana asks if she can sit beside her. While Tachibana is talking about the beautiful starry sky, Kujou thinks that Tachibana is back to her original self. The guys are at the gift shop. Tachibana starts asking Kujou what she thinks of Souma since she thinks that Kujou and Souma’s feelings are quite good. Kujou asks is that so. Tachibana tells her that there are things she always consult with Souma so she thinks that it would be nice if she can solve Souma’s problems. Kujou says that is great. Just when Tachibana is saying that she always thinks before that Kujou and Souma are very good.., Souma immediately whacks Tachibana’s head. Souma tells Kujou that it seems that Tachibana isn’t feeling well so he’ll take her away. Kujou is puzzled for didn’t he just hit her but oh well, their relationship is quite good. Somewhere else, Tachibana complains over how awful Souma is to hit a girl. Souma exclaims that serves her right. He scolds her for putting that thing on to him just because she wasn’t able to confront [/win] Yanagi. He tells her that it isn’t like she doesn’t know that those two mutually like each other so she ought to give up already. Tachibana asks how can she give up for that’s her ideal – handsome, rich, can do anything and nice – and she cannot accept that kind of guy is interested in Kujou. Souma tells her that isn’t something she can decide on. And what about his family is rich and he looks handsome, Tachibana only has to think of that day wherein she won’t be able to attain Yanagi’s love. Souma tells Tachibana that she basically has no hope so quit doing humiliating things early on. Tachibana says for him to say that, doesn’t he also like Kujou. Has he forgotten that he said that he is the ‘type who doesn’t fight if he cannot win’ at the amusement park. Isn’t he like an idiot for in the end, he is only afraid of getting hurt. And, please don’t push that defeated dog disposition on to others. Souma denies that he’s doing that. Tachibana sternly tells him, “If you do not act, there would be no change. And the thing that can be changed would remain the same. Whether to back down [/attain it?] or not, but with only a thread of possibility, even if it looks humiliating for others, I won’t say give up. I’m not the same with you.” Tachibana leaves him. Souma mutters how annoying to death, he clearly knows that the most.

Comment: Hm..a couple of things to possibly anticipate in the future chapters are mentioned in this chapter. First, there is the summer camp. Souma just got an unfortunate case of bad timing. Hehe, if he only put his cellphone in silent mode..well, they are going on a trip soon..hopefully something eventful happens there. The other one is possibly the takoyaki party at Yanagi’s place. I’m not sure if that will actually happen or it is brought up for the sake of conversation. As usual, everyone except the main couple knows that they are acting more than friends. The slightly holding hands scene is amusingly silly yet nice. Kujou is still clueless over her reactions and Yanagi still hesitates too much until it is too late. Interestingly, Yanagi already has his guard up against Tachibana. Tachibana’s attitude is quite good and what’s wrong with her approach is her underhanded ways of attaining her goal. Since there is no progress with Yanagi, she is going to use Souma and pair him with Kujou. Hm..though again, I think it is partly because of pride rather than love since she mentioned of not being able to accept that her ideal likes someone like Kujou. I laughed when Souma hit her and took her away. =P And, that lead to the conflicting views of should one give up or not. Even if their feelings are mutual, Yanagi and Kujou are not yet going steady so that is Tachibana’s hope. On contrary, for the feelings to be mutual is enough for Souma to give up. Is it about how serious one is about one’s goal? Tachibana is driven enough to do what it takes to get Yanagi even if she might be wasting her time and effort. Souma would rather not do it. I think it is amusing how this chapter shows three different kinds of approach to attaining one’s goal: Yanagi’s patient subtle approach even if it seems futile (well, he thinks so), Tachibana’s aggressive approach even if it seems futile and Souma’s giving up approach since it seems futile. There is also a slight mention of Souma’s family wanting him to come back for summer. Is he the only child? I think his father discourages him from going to Tokyo is because he wants him to inherit the family business. It is the common problem for youngsters who are lured away from the provinces to the cities and usually, they don’t want to go back after getting used to modern life. Aside from hoping something to happen during the summer camp, I have a feeling that something between Souma and Tachibana will also happen because of the cover page and what happened at the ending. Hehe, it is amusing to end up with someone not exactly one’s ideal or had a bad first impression of. =P It seems that part of the comedy in this series is how the girls wittingly or unwittingly drive the guys in circles =P Kujou does it unwittingly. Tachibana does it subtly yet deliberate. Fujimoto who is really good at it, does it up front. Scans by 红莲汉化组

Quote of the day:

Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. ~ Helen Keller, The Story of My Life