Akai Ito [Chapter 27]

Cover page: “I like Hinase. Like the most. With just this feeling, I don’t want to lose to anyone--...” “There are times when our eyes met in class, there are times when we hold hands while walking home, there are times when we secretly kiss, there are times when we get jealous, there are times when we are lonely, there are times likes so much that I cannot be myself. ALL OF IT IS THE JOY OF FIRST LOVE.” In a restaurant, scowling Chihiro is thanking smiling Elena for coming after she suddenly invited her. Elena giggles and says that her face is quite frightening. This shocks Chihiro. She apologizes. Chihiro thinks that it is because she is always thinking of not falling for Elena’s pacing that she carelessly overdid it too much. Then, Chihiro becomes aghast for she had also carelessly apologized. Elena asks if it is about Sho that she came to talk about. Chihiro says yes. Looking at Elena, Chihiro tells her that if she doesn’t want to get back with Sho, then please don’t come back and bother her and Sho. Elena looks at slightly tense Chihiro. Elena says that Chihiro said it quite bluntly when she thought that Chihiro is a more naïve child.

Elena comments that she never thought that she’ll be bluntly preached at by Chihiro. This made Chihiro apologize. She is surprised that she had apologized again. Chihiro answers back that she thinks that hiding one’s true feelings and beating around the bush is useless because if one hates something, then one hates.. Elena says, then she also hate. She smiles again and asks if she said that, what Chihiro would plan to do. Elena says that just now, the way Chihiro said it, it seems like if she wants to reconcile with Sho, then it is okay to trouble her [Chihiro]. Chihiro exclaims that if she really wants to get together with Sho, then she [Chihiro] will only have to do her best to make Sho chose her because this feeling of liking Sho will not change. Elena sadly says is that so, it turns out to be like that.. Chihiro becomes concerned over Elena for she looks pale. To Chihiro’s surprise, Elena suddenly puts her head down on the table. A black haired guy holds up Elena and complains over Elena ignoring his LINE [<- internet messaging app] and phone calls. Elena exclaims, Minato?! Minato holds Elena’s wrist and tells her to come with him. Elena says no.

Standing up, Chihiro holds Minato’s arm and tells him to wait, can’t he see that she doesn’t like it so quickly let her go. Minato shouts that that it has nothing to do with her how he wants to treat his girl. Chihiro is shock by this and she sees Elena is getting hurt with Minato’s pulling. Chihiro suddenly grabs hold of Elena’s arm and shouts that it has something to do with her. “If you are to ask why, it’s because we are going steady!!” Pause. Minato asks, ha? While Chihiro is also surprised by what she said, sparkling Elena quickly hugs Chihiro’s head and says that is right. She tells Minato that always until now, she kept it a secret but she really likes this child. “After trying to go out with you, Minato, I’ve found out my true feelings!!” Aghast Chihiro says that they are very affectionate, super affectionate. Elena apologizes to Minato and if he hates that kind of her. This made Minato aghast and gloomy. Flustered, he says that he thought that she is going steady with some other guy, but unexpectedly, it is a girl..and for her to say that, he should be okay. Looking at the two girls touching hands, Minato nervously thinks that there is no way...? He curses and leaves.

Just when Chihiro looks relieved at Elena, Sho comes and shouts what Chihiro is doing for it is dangerous to get involved with a guy. Chihiro exclaims why he is here. Surprised Sho says that he just so happen to pass by the store and he saw her, and it is really by chance. Chihiro doesn’t quite believe him. Then, Elena semi-faints and falls to her knees that made Chihiro ask her if she is okay. Elena mutters that she’s so hungry. In Elena’s apartment, Chihiro pushes a bowl of congee towards Elena. Elena is amazed by it. Chihiro tells her that since she’s been hungry for a few days, her stomach would be in shock if she suddenly eat [a lot] so she chose to make her some congee by borrowing her kitchen. Elena says that she is quite astonished for it turns out that congee can be made at home. Elena happily asks Sho if he knew about that. Sho casually says that he is more astonished to see for the first time someone collapsing over hunger. Chihiro asks why she didn’t eat for some days and does she always faint. Instead of answering her, Elena tells Chihiro that this is really delicious. Chihiro is aghast that Elena isn’t listening. While eating, Elena says that lately, she is short on money.

She explains that even if she started living by herself this year, clothes expenses are too much that her money isn’t enough. She thought that if she were to save on eating, she can also lose weight so that’s not bad. Chihiro asks her what’s with that, what is more important, clothes or the body? Elena says of course, it is clothes. Chihiro thinks that is such an immediate answer and it turns out that Elena is negligent or something.. This had surprised Chihiro a bit and made her unable to hate Elena. Then, the couple notices something. They both sit up straight and exclaims simultaneously to Elena over what’s up with this room, what did she do, that it became like this. It turns out that her room is very messy. Puzzled Elena asks what they are saying about her room. The couple is aghast. They both stand up and say that they are going to tidy it up. Grabbing her stuff, Elena exclaims no, if they move the things, she won’t know where it is placed. The couple tells her that she already didn’t know where it is placed. Elena insists no, it has already been decided where they are placed, she knows where it is. Chihiro exclaims that if she stays in this kind of place, she’ll get sick. Sho agrees. This made Elena giggle and tell the couple that they seem like a mother. The couple is not happy about that comment.

Soon, after the compulsory clean-up, the couple is quite happy over how clean the room is. Then, aghast Sho asks why they came here anyway. Agahst Chihiro says that it is better not to think about that. Pouting Elena says that it is now all neat and tidy. Chihiro exclaims that it is okay to be a bit neat. Opening the door, the couple tell Elena that they are going. Carrying a huge filled up trash bag, Chihiro reminds Elena to properly eat. Elena says okay. Sho offers to carry the trash bag. Chihiro thanks him. Elena watches Sho telling Chihiro to be careful of the steps. Elena says that Sho would have that kind of expression when he’s with Chihiro. She tells them that honestly, she plans to borrow Sho from Chihiro today. She tells Chihiro that she has seen her current boyfriend, and it is quite troublesome to break up. She smiles and tells Chihiro that she wants Sho to be her pretend boyfriend. Chihiro sternly says no, it is an absolute no. “Even if it is pretend, it is no good to treat the person you liked[/loved] before as a thing that can be used. *Sho looks surprised at Chihiro* I won’t let this kind of thing happen. Absolutely not.” With a soft expression, Elena just says ya, is that so.

Soon, the couple is walking the streets while holding hands. Sho asks what to do for he’s falling for her once again. Blushing Chihiro asks why he would say that all of a sudden. Sho says that he only felt like saying it. Chihiro shyly says that if it is like that, she’ll also.. She thinks that even if Sho and Elena’s complicated relationship hasn’t totally disappeared but for her, it is also okay..she clearly knows because above all these, this feelings of like for Sho won’t change. No matter what happens, in the end, she likes Sho that there is no cure for it. Holding his finger, she says, ‘yoroshiku’ [/I’m under your care] again. Bumping his head on hers, he says, me too. Holding her head, she asks what that is for and there is that loud bump sound. He tells her that it is punishment for making him worried countless times. She hugs him and apologizes. And, her stomach growls loudly. Sho says the mood. Then, his own stomach also growls. Pouting Chihiro says that his also.. Sho apologizes. Looking at his cellphone, Sho says that it is 17 o’clock soon so what are her plans. Chihiro wants to be with Sho for a longer time. She wonders what’s up for she doesn’t want to separate from him and this is more intense than before, wanting to stay with him but there is not enough time.

Then, Sho asks if she wants to go to his house. In his house, Sho puts the take-out bag from burger shop on the bed. While taking of his coat, Sho tells her to sit wherever she likes. Chihiro says okay. Looking around, Chihiro thinks that this is her third time here, but before, she is always nervous that she didn’t properly look at the room. Then, she sees a pair of glasses on top of the drawers along with some accessories on a tray. Chihiro asks if he is wearing glasses and is his eyesight bad. He tells her that is plain glasses. He puts it on her and touches her face. Chihiro backs away and exclaims that it is indeed plain glasses. She asks how about he wears it. He did and asks if he looks like a scholar. She says that she can’t say. She blushes and thinks, no, it feels a bit fresh [<- new image of him]. Then, while she is looking at the other accessories, he clings on her from behind and asks what. She backs away again and asks if he also wear a ring. She comments over how unexpected for she cannot imagine him wearing it. While Sho removes the glasses, Chihiro is testing the ring on her finger. She thinks that the ring is big and if she doesn’t do something, she cannot keep calm.

Sho hugs her from behind and asks if she won’t eat. He says that it would get cold if she doesn’t quickly eat. Chihiro says that she’ll eat immediately. Sho lets go of her and opens the take-out bag. Sho asks which one she is going to eat. She says the one with cheese. Then, she looks at him and felt that for him to suddenly let go, it felt a bit lonely. While they are eating by the bed, Chihiro thinks that obviously she is shy and nervous like this but staying at Sho’s side, she felt at ease. She finds this strange and she felt that her feeling is different today. Then, Sho asks Chihiro if there is still ice cubes in her drink, and if there are, can she give them to him. She says okay. As Sho opens the cover of the cup, Chihiro asks if he likes to eat ice. Munching on the ice, he says yes, he always eats them all up. Chihiro decides to remember this. Then, Sho leans toward her and kisses her. He asks if it is cold. She blushes and wonders what’s up. He holds her wrist and kisses her again. He slides the ice into her mouth from his. Chihiro had swallowed it. She is puzzled when Sho is looking at her. She suddenly remembers him telling her that he’ll wait until everything is resolved then he wants to properly do it. She looks down and wonders if shouldn’t be..right now..here!? She freaks out that he wants to do it, is that what it was. She looks away and thinks he didn’t clearly say that it is H [/sex] at that time and it might refer to something else.

She steals a glance to see Sho looking at her. She looks away again that he tells her to look at him. She won’t. He insists. She says that she couldn’t. He holds her chin and makes her look at him. He asks if she remembers what he said before when she was prostrating down to him [/dogeza] at the dojo. She turns away and asks what he is saying, she doesn’t quite remember. Looking scary, Sho tells her that whatever it is, it ought to be coming [to her head soon]. Chihiro asks what it is. He says of course, he is referring to H. Chihiro nervously thinks so it is indeed that. She timidly says, yes, it is..even if she thought of it, sorry for pretending not to know. Sho asks her if she doesn’t want to do it with him. Chihiro exclaims that it isn’t so, if it is him, it is okay and it is not, if it is someone else. She explains that she still cannot immediately do it. Flustered, she says that it is her first time and she isn’t emotionally prepared. Sho smiles and sighs. He says that he understands, he also thinks that [/it is because of that]. After getting a magazine from the book shelf, he gives it to her and tells her to tell him where she wants to go. Chihiro says that it is a commercial brochure [/advertising catalogue]. He tells her that he’ll wait until winter vacation and he’ll be very happy if at that time, she had properly sort out her feelings. Looking at the brochure, shocked Chihiro realizes that they are going on a trip. The brochure she is holding is about hot spring [/onsen] resorts.

Comment: And, Chihiro confronted Elena. She did quite well even if she unconsciously tend to be nice and polite that she kept on apologizing to Elena for every ‘rude’ things Elena pointed out that she’s doing. Somehow, Chihiro ended up helping Elena from her possessive boyfriend in a funny way, food for her hungry stomach and cleaning up her room with Sho. That is something that most girls won’t do for pesky ‘rivals’. ^^; Her boyfriend really treats her badly but I’ll say, he is good looking so that is probably what caught her eye? Elena seems to be the type who cares more how she looks but not about the place where she lives or her health. ^^;; In a way, she seems childish and irresponsible. Probably add selfish for she wants to use Sho for her romantic needs. Thankfully, Chihiro decisively turned her down about it. She won some points from Sho. Based on her expression, I don’t think Elena would be bothering them again after this. So, it is ‘we are going to do it’ time. That can drag for a long time like in the mangaka’s previous series though I don’t think that she’ll portray it graphically. ^^; Anyway, I wonder if the other couple would come along with them. ^^ Scans by Link同好会汉化

Word of the day:

When you treat people the way you want to be treated, it’s likely that they will return the favor by treating you with respect and kindness. It starts with you. ‘Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Galatians 6:7’ ~ 101 mottos for success by J. Richards and M.S. Fontaine.