April 15, 2014

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 33]

After Junya asked Rika to go steady with him, they were interrupted by Makoto who came in the room and called out to her sister. Makoto tearfully asks if she is alright and is she injured. Rika says that she’s fine and Iriya also came with her. Iriya tells her that he just happened to be with her. Patting Makoto’s head, Rika apologizes for making her worry. Makoto tells her that their mother will be coming soon. Since her family came and he should leave, Junya tells Rika that he’ll wait for her answer next time. Rika tells him to wait, and she cannot go steady with him for she isn’t the ‘person she likes’. While Makoto and Iriya are surprised by that, Junya says that she refused him quite bluntly but forget it, he likes that kind of character. Rika looks at him and asks if he is a super M[asochist]. Junya didn’t deny it. He just tells her that he’ll see her in the next photo shoot. Makoto is surprised for she recognized Junya being a popular model and no wonder it is her sister who rejected him. She asks her sister if she is alright. Rika smiles and says that she’s fine. Walking out the hospital, Iriya says that it’s quite lucky that Rika is alright. Makoto says ya. Then, she spots a guy loitering around by the hospital’s gate. Thinking that it is a weirdo, Iriya quickly goes in front of her to protect Makoto from the suspicious person. When the guy turns around to face them, they realize that it is Shouki. Makoto asks him if he is going to see her sister. She thanks him and starts to tell him the room number. Shouki asks if it is okay to see her. Makoto says that she thinks her sister would be happy so.. Then, she notices that Shouki is looking away. Makoto asks him if he really wants to break up with her sister. Shouki says that he thinks that for Rika, she’ll definitely find a suitable person who will.. Makoto realizes that she was saying the same thing to Iriya before and that is why Iriya had that kind expression. Finally understanding the reason, Makoto asks if what he is saying is really because he’s thinking of her sister. This surprises the two guys.
Makoto says, “Saying ‘someone like me’-type words or ‘a person more suitable for you’-type words, it seems like you are thinking of the other person but actually, it is searching for an alibi for you not to get hurt, right? I also said those words that if it isn’t me, other people would perhaps attain happiness. That is what I think and honestly, right now, there are times when I think that way. But, I’m only messing[/confusing] things up and making Iriya-kun very sad. So I’ve already decided that I must consider fighting my own battle against this meaningless thing. *wipes tears* So, Senda-san, please believe more in my sister.” Shouki apologizes and says that he’s going ahead for today. Then, he quietly leaves them. This made Makoto depressed for she wonders if she said too much for she acted as if she’s amazing that she couldn’t stop talking. Wondering if she should run after Shouki to quickly apologize, Makoto turns to Iriya for advice. To her surprise, Iriya hugs her. With a gentle expression, Iriya tells her that he’s very happy that she would think that way for him. While walking, Shouki recalls how Rika likes the pictures he took even if they are just for practice, and she even asked him to go steady with her which caused him to faint. Soon, at a photo shoot, Rika is back to work. After some greetings, Rika has to catch up with the work she missed while she was recuperating. Rika sees Shouki among the staff members. She snubs him. Just when Shouji is about to call her, someone screams in disbelief for a certain Fujisawa photographer couldn’t come over because of the snow. Someone explains that it is because it is heavily snowing that the Shinkansen [train] stopped its operations. The staff members are worried since they don’t have time for the shooting tomorrow and do they have some other photographer here. The head staff member exclaims in shock upon seeing Shouki there and asked how come he isn’t with Fujisawa. Shouki tells them that he brought the equipment there yesterday so he came earlier by driving.
To his aghast, they want him to try taking the pictures. This surprises Rika. The head staff member assures Shouki that it is alright, they can even put in that it is a joint photography work in the personal introduction of the illustration. The woman assures him that no matter how Rika’s picture is taken, she comes out very cute. Shouki timidly says that he isn’t worried about that for he cannot just casually use someone else’s equipment. The woman gives him the permission but Shouki kept on making excuses. So, the woman gives him an ultimatum, does he want to take the picture or not. To Rika’s surprise, Shouki says that he will. The woman explains to Shouki to concept of the photo shoot which is ‘Rika-chan without make-up’. Rika would be wearing a school uniform and light make-up, and then, they want him to capture her make-up less smile. Soon, Shouki tells Rika to do some natural poses. Rika did as told and the woman thinks that it’s quite good. Shouki suddenly removes the camera from its tripod and grabs Rika. Shouki tells them that they are going to the roof to take pictures and he’ll definitely take good pictures. The others are speechless as the two headed up to the roof. At the roof while it is snowing, Rika tells him not to do things on his own. Lying down on the floor, Shouki takes a picture and says that about the Rika without make-up concept, in the end, it should be that expression at that time. He asks if she remembered when she had that really impatient expression but he thinks that it is a very cute expression. He thinks that if she were to smile, perhaps, she would be cuter. Recalling how he told her about wanting to take her smiling picture, Shouki says, “..I’m sorry. I finally got the opportunity to take your picture but I couldn’t make you happily smile. I won’t be confused again. ..no, perhaps.. I will still be confused.. *kneeling down to her* I won’t run away again and would properly confront it. Please give me one more opportunity to turn over a new leaf. *crying* ..can you..” Rika smiles. She leans down to him and kisses him. She tells him that next time, to properly take the picture. Shouki holds up the camera and takes the picture of teary-eyed smiling Rika. Narration: “Even if [I have] gone through so much confusion, so many stumbles, I’ll definitely be alright because I believe you’ll wait for me.”
Comment: Well, things didn’t drag on here. ^^ It’s nice that Rika isn’t wishy-washy that she quickly rejected Junya since she isn’t interested in him romantically. He might be using her current vulnerability due to her love life problem but she is steadfast in knowing what she wants and who she loves. She seems to be quite professional since she didn’t let her problems with Shouki hinder her work nor did she interfere with the woman in charge in making the decisions. Usually, one would ask for that special favor to let him do it and it would be granted, but Rika didn’t do that. Hehe, though I’m not sure if that is due to her love quarrel with him =P It is nice how Makoto realized what she did earlier to Iriya and has decided to change. Iriya is quite moved by what she said. I’m sure what she said also made Shouki reflect on what he’s doing and decided to be a better man for Rika. True enough, both Makoto and Shouki admit that there would be times they will falter for their goal cannot be attained instantly but to have that kind of mindset, perhaps, such self-doubt and lack of confidence episodes would decrease in the near future to ensure the smooth progress of their respective relationship ^^ Lastly, I hope this photo shoot would be very successful to make that other model green with envy. =P Scans by allwink

Quote of the day:
People change not because they want to but because they have to. Pain makes us change for the better and to be the best. ~ Rogienel Reyes

20 comments:

  1. Even though there's no much scenes/panels for Makoto and Iriya, I'm quite satisfied with the story of her sister. At least she will not be a threat to her. Hahaha

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    1. True..and well, given her sister's fondness for Makoto and everything she did before, I don't think she would do that to Makoto ^^

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  2. I'm glad things work out between Shouki and Rika! thanks for the summary! <3 Tika

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  3. I like it when they didn't drag the problem too long ^^ I admire Rika that she didn't think twice rejecting Junya and telling him straight she didn't like him in a romantic way. I think it's good to see Makoto seeing what she's like before when she sees Shouki hesitating about his relationship with her sister. It makes me wonder though now what will happen next, if Shouki would be finally acknowledge of his skills as a photographer or if it would focus again on Iriya and Makoto's relationship.

    Thank you Kat for another summary! :)

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    1. Yup ^^

      I think it would be back to Iriya and Makoto though I would want to see that other model green with envy over Rika's latest photos =P

      Thanks for reading ^-^

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  4. I have a feeling this is about to end, unless the mangaka creates a rival , a female rival. But I think Iriya really loves Makoto very much, unless there;s a misunderstanding of some sort, like a female rival who's very aggressive, like Iriya's former co-worker who even forcefully kissed Iriya. . And I don't think there will be a male rival.... I mean, who can beat Iriya ?

    By the way, isn't Iriya a model too ? If he is, maybe a beautiful model will appear ? If not, the series will just end. Iriya and Makoto';s relationship is good ( unless makoto insecurities reappear again)

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    1. You do, megaworthit? It does seem to, though I wonder if Iriya's mother would still re-appear or, what's going on between Uki and Yusa. Since Rika is slightly focused here even if she's a side character, would Nanami also have some chapters? Maybe not, end it after their first year high school..or Vday? Unless, the mangaka is intent on really making Makoto be really confident and grow as a character.

      Female rival is possible and probably a vice-versa of Rika's situation? Like Makoto becoming more confident and not threatened? Hm..true, male rival seems unlikely unless he is a troublesome type...a more vicious one?

      No, Iriya isn't a model. I think he was offered to be a model before but he declined. He only agreed to a one time shooting before.

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    2. I don't want Iriya's mother to reappear anymore. What she did was almost murder by neglect had Iriya not survived. But maybe that's another side story the mangaka can tackle. I really can't think of another plotline that can create problem in their relationship besides another rival.. I don't consider Iriya's co worker a rival because Iriya didn't even give her the time of day. Maybe an ex- girlfriend will appear , maybe someone he was serious about ? I don't know. Iriya and Makoto's relationship seems to be stable.... and it feels like Iriya doesn't have any love secrets. Does he ?

      I have a feeling the mother will reappear..... she will agitate Iriya and makoto will heal and support him. The end.

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    3. Is that so, megaworhit. True..it is indeed almost murder.

      Maybe like the one who got tired of his 'being too nice like a perfect boyfriend'? It doesn't seem that he has from his story before - they all dumped him because of that. ^^;

      Ya..it usually happens.

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    4. Well he has had quite a few exes, and surprisingly, it was him who had been dumped. So that means, there was at least one whom he might have loved seriously , but had dumped him. He he

      I really don't know what else will come up that we can believe might cause a problem to their relationship. She loves him very much, and he's her one and only, but she;s not Iriya;s one and only, is she So there you go. I'm sure the mangaka will come up with something to rock the boat. =_=

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    5. Yup, megaworthit. There might be one..who is now regretting it, and wants him back.

      True..and if nothing else comes in mind..probably more on the side characters which other manga-s are doing. Or well, time to wrap things up.

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  5. Hehe ~ finally Rika's problem ended up happily ^v^
    I really like it when makoto said that kind of thing (I mean some sentences that make everyone surprise of her)
    It make her look really cool >3<!
    Wondering how will the story go by the next chapter :3
    Can't wait to read it Lol XD
    Really thank you for the summaries <3

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    1. Yup, Samila ^-^

      Ya..what would it be about next..and thanks for reading ^-^

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  6. wuoh this story is so far so good just as i expected. Mayu Sakai is the best!
    i wonder the author would bring the main character up until they get married? i hope so!
    i expected to see Iriya on suit and bouquet. He must be very handsome! *totally fallin in love*
    Makoto on wedding gown please!
    Thankyou for the summaries! <3 xoxo

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    1. Yup, Cynthia ^-^

      Ah..does she do that in her previous series? It would be nice to see them that way though.

      Thanks for reading ^-^

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    2. no she didn't. it just a scene that shown the main character lil child has born. i wish for more than that actually.
      her hand drawings are way too good!
      I'm waiting for the next chapter haha my pleasure!

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    3. I see, Cynthia ^^

      Indeed, her drawings are really nice ^^

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  7. There's a sort of scanned/translated one at http://mangalator.ch/index.php?page=gallery&gallery=780
    Hihihi. Also thank you for the translation!!!

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