Skip Beat [Chapter 216]

And, Kyouko happily looks at a tray of takoyaki [battered balls with octopus]. Ah~~it has such a Japanese feeling to it when she obviously doesn’t really like takoyaki. Nom. Nom. So delicious~~ It turns out that on her way out of the airport, her stomach is rumbling and she heard some kids telling their parents that they want takoyaki. Since Kyouko slept soundly in the plane, she didn’t get to eat the airplane meal and ended up being hungry. Putting her snack aside, she decides to check when the Narita express train will be passing by. She opens her cellphone and sees that it is about 2pm so there should be one coming soon. She is startled when her cellphone starts ringing. After reading her message, she rushes through the airport meeting area and meets up with Yashiro. They happily greet each other. Yashiro says that it is great that he managed to find her for he has no way of contacting her while she is on her mission. After thanking him for helping her with her luggage, she asks him what’s up for she is startled that he would unexpectedly fetch her.

Yashiro tells her that he wanted to know the situation at that side but then he has no way of contacting during the mission because Ren’s perfect in pursuit of his goal. [<- probably very good in covering up his tracks] Yashiro says that even if he wanted to know the situation, there is also someone else who wanted to know so he was sent over. Yashiro explains that he wanted to get a taxi but considering that it is a classified secret. Yashiro gestures for Kyouko to please get in the limousine. Kyouko lamely asks if it is Lory, the other person who wants to know. Yashiro sheepishly nods. Kyouko gets in. The driver helps Yashiro in putting the luggage aside. Kyouko is surprised that Lory isn’t inside. Yashiro says that Lory has some work that he has to do so he cannot come. While saying is that so, Kyouko rudely thinks that Lory would actually properly work. And then, Kyouko tells Yashiro what happened. Yashiro says is that so, so there is no mishap in Guam and the shooting went smoothly. Kyouko says yes, even the intense heat.

And on contrary, it is already scheduled in advance that Setsuka would collapse from the intense heat that she would stay in the room and won’t come out since her protective brother won’t let her go out. And then, they set things up that she will go back to England ahead of her brother. Yashiro says then, Setsuka would naturally disappear from the sight of the film crew. Kyouko says that’s right. Yashiro asks if this means, her job is finished. Kyouko happily shows him her reward from Ren. She tells him that Ren told her that he’ll properly make the seal when he gets back. Yashiro smiles and says is that so, then, at that time, please also let him give her [one too]. This made Kyouko happy that she thanks him. Yashiro says no problem, for he felt that she really had done quite well. He adds that because it is Ren, he thinks that even if Ren is by himself, he can do it well. But without anyone’s help, a mysterious person [/riddle] like Cain Heel, is still quite strenuous. Kyouko looks surprised when Yashiro says that even if Ren is acting the part of a mysterious person, he himself is a mystery. Kyouko wants to ask something but she immediately says that it is nothing. She tells him that she thinks that even as a manager, it is impossible for one to know everything about the actor/actress.

Yashiro tells her that it is because this industry is quite extraordinary that he thinks that the people working in this industry, has a special situation and it isn’t a few who do not want the public to know [of that special situation] at all costs. Kyouko wonders if she also within that group who has a special situation but then, her past is also something that she doesn’t want others to know at all costs. Yashiro thinks that there are times when Ren would go overseas for a modeling job, and they would separate when he goes. Speaking of that, he was also personally chosen [/matched up] by Lory to become Ren’s manager. His manager [sixth] sense told him that he shouldn’t wade too deeply into Ren’s lost [/missing] part [of his life] though at most, he can surmise that Ren was a delinquent before. Kyouko decides to give it up and not be interested with that part of Ren which ordinary people do not know, even if she is really interested in his real name. She also decides not to ask anyone again until one day, Ren himself would willingly tell her. Both Yashiro and Kyouko think that waiting for that moment might take a lifetime. They look at each other and laugh.

Then, Yashiro starts telling her that it seems to be the first episode yesterday, and he watched it. He says that he was startled for it is a totally different temperament ‘villain’ compared to her Mio. Even if he had seen her dressed up at the recording of Dark Moon before, but in the drama, she is simply like a different person from the action, mannerism and language, that in a while, he couldn’t react. He happily tells her that really, no matter how one sees it, it is a super charismatic high school girl. Then, after looking somewhat puzzled, Kyouko exclaims that’s right, Box R’s first episode was broadcast yesterday. Yashiro thinks that like before, Kyouko isn’t too interested in the drama that she is in. He thinks that from the looks of it, she shouldn’t be interested with the ‘result’ because after all, it doesn’t have the same big pressure like that time with Dark Moon. [<- since it is a re-make, they are pressured to make it better than the original.] After Kyouko bows and thanks Yashiro for fetching her, she starts walking through a building, and spots Amamiya and her manager. She happily greets Amamiya with a formal bow.

After greeting her back, Amamiya sighs and says that she is still quite vigorously energetic. Kyouko asks her what’s up for she seems listless. Amamiya tells her that the rating for yesterday’s first episode is at its extreme point that she doesn’t even want to mention the figures. Realizing that she meant Box R, Kyouko asks how it was. Amamiya and her manager stare at Kyouko. Amamiya angrily asks if she totally didn’t care and that stupid attitude of hers is quite infuriating. She also asks Kyouko if she didn’t get some information from her office [/LME] or rather, there was a summary of ratings for the new dramas in this morning’s news program. Kyouko sheepishly apologizes that she has some other things to do so she wasn’t able to get any news until now. Amamiya says is that so, then it cannot be helped. She tells Kyouko that it is quite depressing for there are a lot of favorable criticisms before but right now, it is such a sorry sight. Kyouko protests that one cannot know the real essence of it just by watching the first episode and the group have totally not yet showed their capabilities.

Kyouko tells her that Box R is a slowly warming up [/slow in the built up] television drama. The more hateful the villain is, the more the audience will have a heroic substitute feeling and when the hero reverses the position, one would have this purified feeling. The manager nods in agreement. Giving her a thumbs up and a wink, Kyouko tells gloomy Amamiya that it is no problem, they can play the loathsome villain, then the ratings will go up, the future is healthy and secure. Also, the shooting is going to its enjoyable stage so let us do our best!! Amamiya still feels gloomy and depressed. She mutters that as the ratings go up, her feelings would go down...anyway, for it to come to this situation, it is also okay if the drama isn’t popular for there is no other way to rise up its reputation. Kyouko says that didn’t she said before in order for the image of villain role in the drama not to be restricted, one must act in some entertainment program. Amamiya thinks that’s correct for if one doesn’t change one’s image and can only play that kind of show. She had already decided not to act [but] when she wanted to act, she wanted it so much that she felt she is going crazy until.. She’ll only be staying in Box R because she cannot just give up midway, so she still has to continue..

Kyouko worriedly asks if as expected, it is still no good..could it be that the comedian said something to her. This immediately made Amamiya furious. While her manager is freaking out, Amamiya furiously glared at aghast Kyouko. Soon, walking back to the Daruma restaurant, Kyouko is holding Amamiya’s poison notebook. Her demons are happily saying that it is quite an intense captivating smell as they go around the notebook. Kyouko thinks that she felt that there is quite such a wrathful wave inside the notebook that she won’t dare open it. It is because the two have to quickly start preparing that there is no time to talk so Amamiya only gave her this. She wonders if it is such a big issue that cannot be clearly said with words so she’ll just slowly read it when she gets home. She puts the notebook in her luggage. She checks the time and it is 11:40pm. She decides to enter the back kitchen washing dishes area in order not to disturb the store. She thinks that she can help out a little at the store today. Outside, two customers are thanking the couple and ask if they can have a reserve order of mackerel. Okami [Daruma wife] tells them to wait until it is its season.

After bidding them goodbye, she sees Kyouko who happily greets her. Okami asks if she ate. Kyouko says that she did. While pushing her luggage in, Kyouko asks if there are still guests. Okami says that there are still two. Kyouko says that the bowls and chopsticks ought to be still piled up so she’ll help her out after she puts her luggage aside. Okami asks what she is saying, she just came back so she is definitely very tired. Kyouko happily assures her that she is really okay for she’s really strong both mentally and physically. Okami says that even if she also knows that and very happy that Kyouko has that kind of heart but it is alright today, she should properly rest up. Feeling sad, Kyouko thinks that she is really okay.. Okami says that she doesn’t know how to tell her but there is a guest. Pause. Kyouko asks if it is those two. Okami says no, not the store’s but hers. Kyouko is shock for at this time [late at night]. Okami says that because she doesn’t know if she’ll come back today or not so she made that person stay at the living room. Daruma boss comes out and tells his wife that the customer is going to pay his bill. Okami says okay. Kyouko quickly bows to the boss and says that she’s back. The boss just says, ya.

Putting her hand on Kyouko’s arm, Okami says that while she’s away, that person already came so many times, saying that no matter what, wants to directly tell Kyouko something face to face. Standing in front of the living room’s closed door, Kyouko recalls Lory saying that she directly got her ‘guardian’s signature’ and that time, there is no contact at all--? Kyouko wonders if it is her mother. She clenches her fist, prepares herself mentally and opens the door. And, she sees Shou eating by the table. Nom nom. Kyouko’s eyes widen. She rubs her eyes, and puts some eye drops. While her eyes are still dripping wet from the eyedrops, she stares at Shou with huge eyes. There is Shou holding out a bowl and telling her that he wants another bowl of bamboo shoot rice. Stunned Kyouko shouts, “WHY THE HECK ARE YOU IN THIS PLACE AH AH AH AH AH AH ke cou..cough..cough..ugh..my throat is bleeding..!!” After covering his ears, Shou asks if she thinks that he got nothing to do and came here for her [/came there for no reason]. Holding her neck, Kyouko angrily looks at him. Kyouko is surprised when Shou says, “..I heard that you got a passport, right? Aunt Saena [<- not blood related, just being respectful to someone older] have contacted [me].” Next chapter will be out on October 20th in Japan.

Comment: Okay, from the looks of things, Saena is indeed trying to get in touch with Kyouko or at least, know how she is doing. Acting as an adviser for a drama is a possibility of that, but for her to get in touch with Shou, it pretty much confirms it. She probably asked Shou what Kyouko has been up to. I’m not sure why she would contact Shou instead of directly contacting Kyouko. Most likely, she is probably ashamed/not too thick-faced to do that to someone whom she has abandoned. Hmm..pride is also a possibility. Though, it makes me wonder if Kyouko would rather face her mother when she opened that living room rather than seeing Shou. ^^; And, Shou is really thick-faced to ask her for a bowl of food. It makes me want to smack him with something. =P Nevertheless, it seems that Kyouko has entertained the thought that her mother might get in touch with her after she asked for that signature. Hm..somehow I think the Daruma couple more or less know the reason why Shou is there since Okami seems to be quite sober about not making Kyouko work and somewhat making her prepare for the guest.

Now, I’m wondering if the mangaka is just tricking us into thinking that Kanae would do something in regards with Saena and Kyouko, or that was just a set-up for Saena’s entry to the series. I mean, it turns out that Shou is also connected to this so Kanae might not be the ‘in between’ for them. Most likely, it is Shou. Also, I guess Shou is unusually calm in a way because he knows how Kyouko was affected and abandoned by her mother. I wonder if he can keep up that composure when he realizes how far did Kyouko and Ren’s relationship had progressed =P Then, we also get information that Box R is currently not doing well. In worst case scenarios, that might put Kyouko is a bad light. I’m not sure if Shou or her mother would start blah-blah that she better quit acting because it isn’t for her, etc. Of course, like Kyouko mentioned, it is too early to judge a series with just one episode especially if it is a slow-paced drama. Wait..isn’t the mangaka referring to her own series. When it was mentioned that Yashiro and Kyouko thinking that it might take a lifetime to know Ren’s past, I really think that the mangaka is referring to the readers’ thoughts. ^^;; How long will Kyouko even know of his real name? =P

Well, it makes me think if this arc about Kyouko facing her past will somehow coincide on Ren telling her about her past. The theme might be about the two’s past and how they somehow help each other with it though Ren already got a big help from Kyouko earlier on. Hm..I also wonder if the mangaka is also planning to do something about the other two Love Me members. Kanae seems to be in a more ‘community’-type of shooting whereas, Amamiya would have to overcome her gloominess and loss of enthusiasm for her current role. Oh ya, it is also interesting how Kyouko mentioned about the ‘essence’ of Box R. That can be applied to this series on how Kyouko is bullied and everything, and now, she is almost there in achieving her goal and in a way, ‘be purified’. ^^ Actually, it always happens in each acting arc when there is that nice feeling when Kyouko teaches those bullies a lesson or show them what she is capable of. Well, it is quite nice that Kyouko is quite optimistic about the drama even if it has low ratings. Apparently, Kyouko still doesn’t think too highly of her acting skills. I guess that it is because she still feels that it is still inferior compared to Ren’s. Well, it seems that we are still in the set-up stage..a long way to go for the exciting climax part of the arc..and once again, one month wait for the next chapter. Scans by 红莲汉化组

Word of the day:

Life is full of challenges and problems for which solutions need to be found. Rather than looking at that as negative, look at it positively – as an exciting daily opportunity! ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. Hebrews 13:6’ ~ 101 mottos for success by J. Richards and M.S. Fontaine.