Last Game [Chapter 36]

At home, Yanagi’s mother complains over his sighing when it is rare for him to be home. Giving him a cup of tea, she tells him that it is really great that he and Ryouko are in good terms for he went to participate in her cultural festival. Yanagi says of course not, he went because a kouhai from his club is there and it has nothing to do with his sister. His mother says that his mouth says that but in the end, the two of them came home together. Yanagi exclaims that it is because at that time, she really flipped out that he basically cannot do anything. A while ago, Yanagi tried to calm down his sister who was furious at her boyfriend for daring to stand her up when he said he’ll go to the cultural festival. His mother says that it would be good if Ryouko becomes a tiny bit like a [wise and virtuous] lady. Looking towards his mother, Yanagi says that a little bit would be enough. Then, he exclaims what the heck that decoration is. He sees a framed small long envelope. His mother happily says that it is a chopsticks pouch [/paper pouch used to put disposable chopsticks]. She tells him that it is the first time that he used his money from work to treat her out to eat so she wanted to keep that happy memory by keeping it. Yanagi exclaims for her not to kid around and don’t frame it. Hugging the frame, her mother says that she couldn’t help it. Yanagi is quite embarrassed. Then, Yanagi thinks that actually, he bought a gift for Kujou and he’s so disgusting because there is no occasion for it..and for the meantime, he totally wasn’t able to give it to her.

He starts to reflect on what Kujou was like these past days -> even if he isn’t quite sure but she suddenly started to have self-awareness *he got cocky* -> then on contrary, it became overly aware and perhaps because of Souma’s confession *he decided to just keep quiet and wait for her to calm down* -> But suddenly he got told to be friends with her for life *he lost control of his emotions*. Holding his head, he groans that there is a problem with that one..everything..what should he do. While his mother asks if his head hurts, Yanagi gloomily wonders what’s up with Kujou and Tachibana. He thinks that it is good if nothing happened. Meanwhile, while the other two girls are eating pizza, Tachibana shouts so from the start, she thinks that Kujou is a living land mine[/eye sore] tsk, an idiot for saying ‘Yanagi, Fujimoto, Souma and also senpai, I like them all’. She also exclaims how come Kujou doesn’t become fat when she eats a lot, and this infuriates her. She hates eating pizza for she’ll become fat but it’s delicious. With that, Tachibana takes a big bite of the slice of pizza. Fujimoto says that she really spits it all out [<- her gripes]. Then, holding a ‘show restrain’ t-shirt, Fujimoto asks if they would wear her sleepwear. Kujou says okay and Fujimoto asks what’s up with that strange t-shirt. When they are in bed, Kujou wonders over ‘is this so-called romantic love?’ Fujimoto asks if she is still awake. Kujou says yes and she couldn’t sleep. Kujou wonders out loud about, in the end, how she views Yanagi. Fujimoto says that she’s the only one who knows that and she must depend on herself to confirm that. She also advises Kujou that it is the same with Souma, she must give him a clear reply.

Fujimoto teases Kujou for choosing to avoid those two by going far away. Kujou says that what Tachibana said is right, she’s too finicky and in want to return to the past, she is running away from things. Kujou mentions about Tachibana saying that she likes Yanagi, and even wishes her to support her. Fujimoto says is that so, then about this thing, Kujou must also leave it to herself to find the answer. Kujou wonders what is ‘like’[/love] and what does she want her relationship with Yanagi to become. Fujimoto giggles and says that speaking of Tachibana, even if she knew earlier on that Tachibana is putting up a role but she didn’t think that she would be so full of life [/violent] and if senpai [/president?] knew, he’ll cry to death but then, for her, she likes Tachibana’s original self. Kujou agrees and fortunately, Tachibana had got angry at her. It turns out that Tachibana is still awake and she heard that. So, Kujou decides that she must clearly confirm it and not run away again from her own feelings. Going out his apartment, Yanagi thinks that even if aunt Miwa told him to take care of Kujou but just depending on that, he basically couldn’t resolve the problem. And for things to reach this point, he can only kneel down and beg for forgiveness with all sincerity. His thoughts were interrupted when Kujou timidly calls out to him. He is shock to see her and wonders why he is there. Kujou tells herself not to run away again, and first, she must apologize for avoiding him and then-- She looks at him and starts to emit smoke for how can she confirm that it is love, how would she know, and what is love???

Seeing her confused, Yanagi waves his hand in front of her and asks if she is okay. Just before he can touch her face, Kujou says to wait..wait for her to study first. Kujou runs off. Gesturing for her to stop, Yanagi can only wonder what’s going on and he missed the opportunity to apologize. At the library, amused Fujimoto asks then what..look at it [/meaning] in the dictionary? Kujou says yes. Fujimoto says that it is her style so what is written about it. ‘to Love/attachment’ refers to showing love towards the opposite sex and corresponding to those feelings. Romantic love. ‘-it is ignorance’ for it makes one lose the capability to differentiate. Basically refers to not being able to attract and get the other party though not limited to the opposite sex. Depression from not being able to be satisfied while in love. ‘I’m going to teach you to become knowledgeable by throwing some small type of insects into the fire until it burn into ashes, dashing on without a care type of cherishing feeling’ as follows. [<- sorry, I did my best with that and I don’t quite get it but basically, it is more like the bad side of blind love. ^^; The insects seem to be for making a love potion ^^; What kind of dictionary is that. ^^;;] Kujou is confused over what is that insect and depression that was mentioned. Fujimoto nervously tells her not to distress over it too much for her personality is a ‘decent’ one. She changes the topic by telling Kujou that for the autumn festival, they’ve decided to have a yakisoba [stir-fried noodles] vendor stand. She had told everyone that tomorrow, they are going to have a taste test. Then, Kujou realizes that it is the 6th tomorrow, and it is her mother’s birthday. She couldn’t believe that she forgot about it. She apologizes to Fujimoto for she couldn’t go.

At home, Miwa is surprised to see Kujou apologizing to her because she didn’t prepare a gift for her birthday tomorrow. Miwa thinks that after Yanagi, it is her daughter who is kneeling to apologize to her. Miwa says that she thought something is up that it startled her to death but about this small thing, it is alright. As Kujou tries to protest, she is depressed for not only, she wasn’t able to treat Yanagi with sincerity, she also forgot her mother’s.. Miwa becomes nervous over Kujou’s depression that she says that tomorrow, she’s on a day shift so she can eat together with her. Miwa says that compared to a gift, she likes the meals that Kujou makes so can she make delicious ones. Realizing that her mother is taking her into consideration, Kujou says that she’ll make very delicious ones and even bake a cake. Her mother says okay. This made Kujou happy for it is great to eat with her mother and she’ll definitely make it a splendid birthday so that her mother won’t worry about her again. The next day, Kujou finished making a lot of dishes. She takes out from the oven her mother’s favorite, a cheesecake. Then, she recalls making a cheesecake when she visited Yanagi’s house during high school and at that time, she doesn’t have an inkling that one day, her mind would waver this much because of him. Her cellphone rings and she answers it. It is her mother apologizing that there is an emergency patient who got hospitalized that she couldn’t quickly go home. She apologizes and asks if she already cooked. Kujou says that it is alright, she still didn’t cook and not to worry. Her mother apologizes again.

Kujou tells her that it is okay, and ‘gambatte’ for she’s working hard. Her mother says that she’ll make up for it next time. Kujou assures her that it is fine, gambatte and bye. After hanging up, Kujou wonders what to do with the food. She’ll just leave some for her mother then eat the rest by herself. After sitting down on the dining table, she realizes that they’ve used up the cling film [/plastic wrap] so she has to buy some. While walking outside, she wonders about the taste test went and what everyone is doing. She thinks that it is too late to go now and even if she went, perhaps, she won’t be able to properly talk with Yanagi. She becomes more negative as she starts to think that maybe it is better that she isn’t there. She finds it really strange for could it be that she is afraid of loneliness when obviously, before, no matter what situation she encounters, even alone, she would consider it as an inevitable thing. There is a scene of her eating alone when she is young. Starting to become teary-eyed, she recalls Yanagi and thinks that it seems that unknowingly, at some time, she isn’t suited to live a life alone. To her surprise, Yanagi is in front of her and calling out her name. He asks how come she’s outside and is she crying. Surprised Kujou asks why..? He tells her that aunt Miwa sent him a message and even if he cannot substitute for her.. Kujou asks why, how about the taste test. He tells her that he slipped away. She asks why. He says for her to ask why..it is because she is alone and how can he let her be. She tells him that she was obviously avoiding him like that. He says ah.. Crying Kujou starts to say that she was also wrong, and she hates him.

Surprised Yanagi tells him to forget about that, he is just arbitrarily getting angry and didn’t he tell her before, it is basically impossible for him to hate her. While wondering why he would appear at her side at this time, Kujou starts to cry some more. Freaking out Yanagi exclaims why she is crying and is she that lonely without aunt Miwa. Wiping her tears, he asks her not to cry and wonders what’s up with her this time around. Kujou thinks that no, it isn’t because she is lonely, it is because she’s very happy. After calming down, Kujou mentions that she’s going out to buy cling film. He holds her hand and says let’s go. She tells him the hand.. He asks what, does she hate it. To his surprise, she says no..she doesn’t. Then, she complains that his hand is so cold and sweaty. <- caused by Yanagi’s nervousness. Embarrassed Yanagi exclaims that she’s annoying to death. Kujou thinks but somehow, it is so warm..just like that time.. [<- chapter 3, I presume when he held her hand when they go to the hospital] using this kind of method to calm her down. At that time..right now..from today on..may there be more holding hands like how it is right now. Whether it is Tachibana or anyone else, she doesn’t want them to take this hand. “Only I can, forever.” Then, she recalls someone saying about wanting to monopolize the person one likes, and want to spend a lot time with her, and is she willing to only pay attention to him. “That kind of thing is called ‘like’[/love]” Kujou looks at Yanagi. Then, Yanagi mentions that he bought cake and red wine but it seems that she doesn’t drink. Kujou smiles and says, “..not at all, I like.” Yanagi smiles and says,..okay. While they hold hands and walk, Kujou thinks, “..like Like. I like Yanagi.”

Comment: And open that red wine and let’s eat some cake..finally. Finally. Yay. Everything is going back on track again. ^^ Plus, she finally realizes it without depending on some weird dictionary. I’ve forgotten who mentioned that to her in the last pages, but along with that, these circumstances, Fujimoto’s advice, Tachibana’s scolding and even that holding hands, it finally made Kujou realize it. And even if Miwa was unexpectedly busy, she still send Yanagi which helped patch things up between them. ^^ His timing is good ^^ Ah, Yanagi’s mother is such a doting mother. I guess for Kujou to be quite doting to her mother, she is a thumbs up approval for Yanagi’s mother ^^ I wonder if Tachibana would drop her fake act soon and be more her real self. She did hear that the two like her for being her blunt lively self rather than some overly nice pretentious girl. Okay, realization is one thing but the confession is...ah, we’ll just have to wait and see where this leads. Oh ya..what could be his gift for her? ^^ Scans by 红莲汉化组

Word of the day:

Try looking at the future like a mystery unfolding, as a parcel of surprises that are unwrapped, one by one, at each stage along the journey. ‘Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory. 1 Peter 1:8’ ~ 101 mottos for success by J. Richards and M.S. Fontaine.