Akai Ito [Chapter 21]

Chihiro is surprised when Sho calls the girl, Elena. While she wonders if this Elena is actually.., Elena happily says that it’s great to see Shou and it has been a long time. Sho says the she came and it is really such a long time. “Did you become short?” Elena giggles and says, no~~ Noticing Chihiro, Sho confirms her suspicion when Sho casually tells her that this is his ex-girlfriend. And Chihiro is caught off guard when Sho casually tells Elena that this girl is his current girlfriend. Pressured to say something, Chihiro greets Elena with a high pitch voice. Elena looks at her that Chihiro unconsciously looks away. This surprises Chihiro for she carelessly looked away. Pouting Elena holds Sho’s arm and asks him why he is introducing them with ‘THIS’ and ‘THIS GIRL’. Sho apologizes. Chihiro’s eyes are widening over how Elena is holding Sho’s arm. Sho asks Chihiro what it is. While thinking that he should have at least reacted, Chihiro nervously says that it is nothing. Elena smiles and introduces herself as Ninomiya Elena, a second year student at a nearby female college. Chihiro is shock that she’s older. While this fact unnerves Chihiro, Chihiro stutters as she formally introduces herself. Chihiro is shock when Elena suddenly holds her arm and calls her ‘Chihiro’ [<- calling first name means they are close]. Elena thanks Chihiro for just now. This made Sho ask what happened just now. Elena explains that she almost got defraud over a necklace at the jewelry student market and Chihiro came over to stop it. Elena tells Sho that person told her that it is cheap and he is selling it to her for a special price of 5000. Sho asks how it can be cheap with that kind of price in a student market. Elena says that’s true but then, the necklace is very cute. Sho teasingly tells her that she hasn’t changed at all for like before, she is easily lead away[/influenced] by someone. Elena happily says that anyway, it is alright [/nothing bad happened]. Chihiro looks flustered over that. Sho asks Elena if she came here alone today. Elena says no, she is with a friend and they’ll meet up later on. To Chihiro’s surprise, Sho invites Elena to eat lunch with them but then, they cannot eat leisurely since they still have a program. To Chihiro’s surprise again, Elena asks her if she’ll be disturbing them. Chihiro can only mutter that she made a bento box and made a lot so it is okay for her to join them.

Hugging Chihiro, Elena happily says really, and she’s quite happy [abut that]. Chihiro can only tell herself that she’s an idiot. Sho confirms with Chihiro if it is okay. Chihiro says that it is okay. Sho asks if the bento box is in the classroom. Puzzled Chihiro says yes. Sho tells Elena that there are benches at the courtyard so go and reserve one for them. Elena says okay. Sho tells Chihiro that they should go. This made Chihiro blush and wonders if this means that he’s treating her as the girlfriend. Glancing at Elena, Chihiro starts to feel inferior because as Sho’s ex-girlfriend, she is more beautiful and cuter, as well as cheerful and very intimate..and besides, she has a very fragrant smell. Sho is puzzled when Chihiro starts sniffing herself. Chihiro wonders how to have that kind of smell. She nervously thinks that Elena is her opposite though it isn’t like she is saying that she really stinks..though she doesn’t know that, and from Elena’s appearance, one can say that she is an Elena-type of person [/her appearance is as cute as her name]. Looking determined, Chihiro tells herself not to think too much, don’t mind it for the other is the ex-girlfriend and EX-girlfriend is the PAST. Chihiro keep telling herself not to mind it but when they arrive at the benches where Elena is waiting, Elena casually sits beside Sho. Chihiro starts to wonder if that is unintentional or she’s deliberately doing that..or she is just mistaken. Elena suddenly stands up and apologizes for being careless since it is something that she’s used to. Chihiro wonders if that means it is totally a habit for her to sit beside Sho. Telling herself to be calm for she is the current girlfriend, Chihiro smiles and says that it is okay for her to sit here [beside Elena so Elena is in between the couple]. Holding up the bento, Chihiro asks if she likes these, and eat up. Elena praises it for being cute and seems to be delicious. Sho praises Chihiro that it tastes good and urges Elena to try it for what Chihiro makes are really delicious. This embarrasses Chihiro that she says not really.. Elena says that it is really delicious and Chihiro is really good at cooking. She asks if Chihiro isn’t tired from doing all this. This made Chihiro say that actually it is unexpectedly very easy.

To Chihiro’s embarrassment, Sho reveals that there are still some frozen foods there. Chihiro tells him not to talk too much. Elena laughs and says that their relationship is quite good and she’s envious of those who can cook since she isn’t good at it. Sho agrees with that because before, he thought her cookies are chocolates for they were over baked and become coal. Elena says, geez, don’t say that anymore. Sho continues to say that when she came to his house, she even used dishwashing liquid to wash the rice. Elena admits that is true. While eating, Chihiro thinks that Elena had eaten at Sho’s house but then, that is a very normal thing since she is the ex-girlfriend. Elena starts asking Sho about his friend, Ren, and that Furuta guy at the kendo club. Sho says that they are okay. Elena asks about a certain Muromachi-sensei. Sho says that everyone is the same. Elena mentions about bumping into Yokoyama-kun. While the two are happily chatting, Chihiro thinks that she totally don’t understand their dialog when obviously, they’ve broke up yet even if their relationship is like that, they can chat quite well like this, and even directly calling each other’s names. She feels sad for they haven’t call each other’s first names yet and obviously he is quite near but it feels like Sho is very far away.. The two are surprised when Chihiro suddenly stands up and nervously tells them that she ought to be going. Sho stands up and says that he’ll also go. With a forced smile, Chihiro tells him to stay for a while because it has been a long time since they’ve seen each other and it seems that they are chatting quite happily so why don’t they take their time. While wondering what the heck she is saying, Chihiro tells Elena that she’s going, and bids her goodbye. While walking way fast, flustered Chihiro thinks that she’s running away and this would cause trouble [/inconvenience] to Sho again. Actually, she doesn’t want the two of them to be alone but then, she doesn’t want them to notice that she’s jealous. So, no matter what, she doesn’t want Sho to think that she’s an [overly] serious girl. She holds her head and thinks that she’s truly jittery[/angry]. Telling herself to calm down, Chihiro starts doing some deep breathes loudly that it scares some passer-by. Then, Chihiro has calmed down. She looks at her cellphone to look at their photo sticker kiss. She tells herself that it is alright, for Sho didn’t do that sticker photo kiss with Elena..even if there is no proof.

Pouting Chihiro thinks that in the end, she is still bothered by it and what could they be doing right now, sitting closer..but then, why did Elena come to the school festival for it felt like she came to see Sho. She starts to think that Elena wants to get Sho back. Her thoughts are interrupted when Souta suddenly clings on Chihiro’s back and shouts, ‘Saturn King Beetle’s Attack!! Surrender! Wicked Queen Chihiro of the Milkweed Butterfly’. Chihiro scolds Souta for doing that dangerous thing that she almost bit her tongue. Holding a ticket, Souta happily shows off the complimentary ticket he got from Chihiro. Chihiro asks if he hasn’t had enough playing those card battle games [<- since it is beetles and stuff, I think it is Mushiking.] and where is their mother. Souta tells her that she went to Yuuto’s. Souta asks where Sho is and is he also disguise as a youkai/demon. Chihiro has an idea. She darkly offers Saturn King Beetle with some snacks and in exchange, he is going to spy on that Dark Sex Demon Hinase. Souta says that for her to use snacks to order him around, don’t look at him with contempt, he is Saturn King. Chihiro tells him that it would be Le Patisserie Satie’s chocolate pie near the station and a [PSP] Vita’s second hand software [game]. Souta agrees with the deal. Chihiro shouts, “Go! Saturn king!” Souta runs off and shouts, “As you’ve ordered.” Chihiro is puzzled when Souta runs back to her. Chihiro sweatdrops when Souta asks go where? Meanwhile, Elena tells Sho that she is a bit nervous for it has been a long time since they’ve chatted. Sho laughs and asks if she’s kidding. Elena says that it’s true but it is a bit unexpected for it seems that his and his girlfriend’s personality are opposites because it feels that she is a bit cool girl. Sho says that even if that girl can be said, to be cool but one can say that she’s clumsy[/awkward. He tells Elena that even if Chihiro is quite earnest [/serious] but actually, she can be quite interesting. Elena asks is that so, and that is what he likes about Chihiro. This made Sho blush a bit and Elena teases him about it. Sho notices her looking at him that he asks her what it is. Somewhat timid, Elena says that it is nothing and he hasn’t changed a bit, as well as his kind side when she obviously did such an awful thing, yet he would still treat her just like before. This made Sho asks her what happened. Elena asks if he is willing to listen to her. Then, Sho hears the bush’s leaves rustling. He looks up to see two eyes peering at him from underneath a box. <- Souta.

At the haunted house, Chihiro wonders if Souta is okay. Then, Rino tells her that a customer is coming. Chihiro tells herself that she should concentrate for right now, she is a three eyes split mouth babaa who is out to scare people. Noticing someone coming, Chihiro comes out and shouts, she really hates~~~ Pause. Nanjou calls out her name and this made Chihiro embarrassed-shocked. Outside, Nanjou kept on chuckling over that being quite amazing and he was quite shock just now. Wearing her uniform, Chihiro timidly says that there’s no need for him to laugh like that. Nanjou apologizes. Chihiro is embarrassed for in the end, she doesn’t want that to be seen by her first love like that. Chihiro says that she didn’t think they’ll bump into each other here, and did he come with his friend. He says ya, and forget that. They were interrupted when a short curly haired girl says that based on that uniform, is he from Kazama High and it’s amazing so could he be Chihiro’s boyfriend. Flustered Chihiro immediately protests that it isn’t like that. The other girl comments that it turns out not to be like that. Chihiro freezes when Nanjou says that for her to resolutely deny it can make someone feel a bit hurt. While Chihiro is at a loss over how to react over that, Nanjou gives her a piece of paper which has his phone number. Chihiro is puzzled when Nanjou tells her that before she didn’t give her number so he’ll give her his number first and possibly, she might not want it but, on the day she wants it, she can contact him. Just as Chihiro is calling out to him over what he meant by that, Nanjou is already walking away. She looks at the paper and wonders what’s going on. She is startled when Karakasa [umbrella youkai] Kitamura says that in the end, Chihiro is with that Kazama guy. Chihiro protests that it isn’t true, and he is just a classmate during junior high. Kitamura doesn’t believe her. Then, Souta comes back with Sho. Souta points at Kitamura and shouts Karakasa. Kitamura asks if he wants a fight. Chihiro asks Sho where Elena is. Sho says that they just talked a bit and she left. Somewhat relieved, Chihiro says is that so. When Sho is asked to help out by some guy/Ren, Chihiro asks Souta how was it, regarding her request on what Sho and that person with him are talking about. Souta asks if she meant Elena, well, she smells really nice and she’s simply a goddess.

This made Chihiro put Souta in a head grip and tells him that chocolate pie and software offer is cancelled. Souta calls her a stinky old woman when he obviously did what she said. Chihiro asks, Ha? Souta apologizes for not knowing what he is talking about. Then, Souta holds out a piece of paper and tells his sister that Elena wanted to give it to her. Chihiro is puzzled for it is Elena’s phone number. Souta tells her that Elena wanted to talk some more with her and if she wants to, they can use LINE [an online texting/call program]. Looking at both Nanjou and Elena’s phone numbers, Chihiro wonders what’s up with today. She also wonders why Elena didn’t give her number to Sho but rather to Souta..and there shouldn’t be other meaning to it, right? While walking home with Sho, Chihiro wanted to ask him about Elena but she couldn’t bring it up. She wants to know what they talked about. Even if she doesn’t want to mind it, she still has all sorts of worries and they [she and Elena] are pretty much opposites. She also wonders about the reason why they broke up and obviously, this isn’t about competing but she is starting to compare.. She thinks that if it is Elena, at this time, she’ll definitely ask it out straight and she also want to be like that..holding on to his arm and cuddle[/act cute]. She wants to at least naturally hold Sho’s hand, and call him by his first name. Chihiro looks determined. She nervously stretches her hand and tells herself to call him ‘Sho’ and hold his hand. She mutters, ‘..Sho.. Sho..’ She coughs for her throat is a bit. Okay, she’s ready again. Just when she is calling out ‘Sho’, Chihiro freezes when Sho asks her what she has been doing just now. Startled, Chihiro can only blurt out that is..that Sho..it seems like there is an Shoujou [orangutan in Japanese] fly on him and she’s thinking whether to drive it away or not. While Chihiro nervously wonders why kind of fly is that, Sho looks up and sighs. He pokes her cheek and asks if she is bothered about it, regarding his ex-girlfriend. Chihiro is embarrassed that she was found out. She composes herself and denies it that she totally isn’t and what he is talking about, she isn’t thinking of anything. Sho looks at her and tells her to forget it, it is okay if she didn’t think about it. As Sho tells her that they’re going, Chihiro laments to herself over why she said such strange forceful words and now, the opportunity is gone when obviously, this would make it more difficult to bring that up again. She is flustered that she couldn’t be frank when she obviously doesn’t want to lose to Elena. Chihiro grabs the back of Sho’s shirt and says, “I..I want to go..I want to go to Hinase’s room..” Sho’s eyes widen. Chihiro snaps out of it and looks aghast for what kind of idiotic thing did she just say. Blurb: “Chihiro-chan..for you to say that, it means that..eh!?”

Comment: Hehe, Chihiro is digging her grave =P Oh well, maybe she’ll use a different alibi again like she meant she wanted to cook for him and eat at his room..something like that. Based on her previous works, this mangaka doesn’t exactly I guess it is natural to be jealous over someone like Elena. If Chihiro doesn’t handle it well, that might cause a problem with Sho. For now, it seems that Sho is very understanding and probably knows that Chihiro isn’t the type who can easily say what she thinks/feels. There is also that thing of Sho being very casual with Elena as if they are not ex-lovers. Maybe for guys like Sho, it is really nothing at all but of course, it can make the current girlfriend uneasy. Even if Sho lets Elena touch him among other things, he does give some consideration to Chihiro like asking her permission afterwards about inviting Elena to lunch..but then, he already invited her so Chihiro cannot exactly refuse ^^; and how he accompanied her to get lunch as well as offering to go with her when she left them. In a way, I think Chihiro wanted to be a very understanding girlfriend and cool about this ex-stuff. Though, as she noticed, she is somewhat forcing herself about it and I think it is pretty much exposed when Sho caught Souta spying on them. ^^; As usual, Souta is quite cute ^^ Now, what could be Elena’s reason for meeting with Sho again? Could it be to talk about her current love life or something..but then, that would be quite cheeky to ask an ex-boyfriend about that? So, probably what Chihiro also thought, Elena wants to reunite with Sho. Chihiro obviously doesn’t want to think badly about Elena’s actions but then, without knowing her real motive, Elena’s actions can indeed be misunderstood if one is to think about it naively = it wasn’t deliberate. But then, what if it is deliberate? When should one step in and how much should one step in without becoming the overly jealous girlfriend? Since Elena is quite older and given her personality, she can be a bit manipulative of Chihiro if she wanted to, and Chihiro isn’t quite confrontational unless provoked. So, why would she give her number to Chihiro though her younger brother? And why give her number to her? Then, there is Nanjou. Is Nanjou waiting for the opportunity for something bad to happen and he’s hoping that Chihiro would call him? Hm..could it be Nanjou wanted to catch her since she is the ‘fish that got away’? In a way, since Chihiro probably kept both papers instead of throwing them away, I wonder how Sho would react if he sees Nanjou’s or both of those. Well, based on the last chapter’s meeting of Chihiro and Rino in the toilet, things might not turn out well on the next day. Scans by 深雪汉化组

Quote of the day:

Jealousy injures us with the dagger of self-doubt. ~ Terri Guillemets