Hibi Chouchou [Chapter 62]

As they arrive at Café Bell, Aya asks Suiren if she’ll really go on Tuesday. Suiren nods. Aya tells her that it is really okay for Suiren to be like this. Then, she tells Suiren that Kawasumi has already arrived so see you tomorrow. Suiren takes her seat at Kawasumi’s table. She thinks that it is better to tell Kawasumi about it. Kawasumi tells her that in class, even if there are people who really dislike them greeting each other, but it is good for her not to mind it. She timidly tells him not to take responsibility for everything by himself. Just now, she has seen Atohira, and she had asked him how to make her heart [inner being] become strong and then, he would probably give her some suggestions on Tuesday. Kawasumi asks how come she would say that kind of thing to Atohira, and not come to look for him. Suiren says that it is because he’s very nice so.. She thinks that person [Atohira] is also very like her [<- having fans].

Kawasumi asks if they’ll meet alone. Suiren says that Aya will also.. Suiren thinks that saying this in front of Kawasumi but she knows that if she doesn’t go alone, it has no meaning. As they walk home, Suiren thinks that Kawasumi didn’t say anything, is he angry? She is surprised when he suddenly looks at her and holds out his hand to hers. Suiren blushes and holds his hand. While walking holding hands with her, Kawasumi casually says that it will be a year soon since they went steady. She blushes for he is thinking about that kind of thing. And speaking of that, Meguna.. Flashback: In the toilet, Meguna told Suiren that about the opportunity to kiss, for Suiren, isn’t it very good to use the anniversary as a basis to do it. Yuri asks if there is a need to first agree on it. Meguna says yes, that is also not bad at all. On the day of the anniversary also has a good ambiance so on that day, go chu [sound of kiss]. This made Suiren and Yuri blush really red. End flashback Suiren nervously thinks even if she feels that it is very hard to accomplish, Kawasumi wouldn’t think of that kind of thing, right?

Suiren recalls how he had held her to him before [at the roof]. She is startled when Kawasumi is already bowing to her. They have already arrived at her place. He starts to walk away when he suddenly stops and turns toward her. He goes back to her and hugs her tight with one arm. He tells her that if Atohira told her some disagreeable [/loathsome] things, tell him immediately, okay. The two blushes. Kawasumi pushes her away and runs off. On Tuesday, at the café, Aya asks if it is really okay for her to go alone. Suiren nods. Aya says that Yuri is also on duty today. When the door opens, Atohira asks Suiren if there is meaning if a friend coming along. While Suiren trembles, Aya tells Atohira that she is going home now but it is because it is dangerous for Suiren to walk alone. Atohira says that she is really considerate and the reason why Suiren is very weak is related to that situation just now. Aya looks surprised that Suiren says that she is very week so she dotes on her, and it isn’t at all Aya’s fault. Somewhat flustered, Aya says ya, quickly go in.

Atohira is already sitting at the table. Suiren tells him to please do not hurt Aya. Atohira says that he isn’t hurting her, he is only calling her attention to it, that’s all. Suiren couldn’t answer back. Suiren thinks that Atohira is totally different from Kawasumi. The way he is talking, the pitch and atmosphere is different. Atohira asks if she isn’t going to sit. While a co-waitress is puzzled over Yuri tensely watching the two, Suiren takes her seat. Atohira asks what’s troubling her. Becoming tense that she is going to have a conversation with a person whom she isn’t good with, trembling Suiren says that she only greet with Kawasumi, and everyone around would.. Atohira says that is quite annoying. While cheesecake is served, Atohira says that she only greets Kawasumi, guys will be resentful with that kind of special treatment, and always hesitating would bring about an uproar so isn’t it better to greet everyone. This starts to make Suiren tense. He tells her to give a hi-five at one side then say goodbye on the other side—that kind of thing. She asks him if he would do that kind of thing. He says that he won’t, okay, starting tomorrow, she do that.

Suiren immediately writes it on her notebook. He tells her that if she doesn’t strive hard, she won’t change. He asks her if she doesn’t like being very popular. Suiren is puzzled by this. She tells him that ever since before, she isn’t good in dealing with guys. He asks if people took her things, and there was a ‘catch me/each other race’ quarrel [/slapstick]. Atohira muses that when he was young, it is always like that. During the junior high school’s graduation, his buttons, uniform and even bag are all gone. [<- it is somewhat of a tradition to take the button especially the one near the chest from the crush/lover as souvenir. If you’re popular, the joke is everything is taken away by fans as if s/he is an idol.] Aghast Suiren asks if he isn’t afraid. Looking away, Atohira says that he is facing girls so even if it is very annoying, anyway, he doesn’t dislike being popular. Even if it is annoying, it is just her, right, and for him [Atohira], it is that kind of timid [/coward] feeling. [<- sorry, I don’t quite understand what he is implying] Atohira recalls resting by a bench when he sees Kawasumi running. He wondered where Kawasumi is going when a couple of guys ran and called out to Kawasumi. End flashback. Atohira thinks that no matter what he thinks, first ask that person..where does this girl... [<- something like where did he find this girl/where did this girl come from]

Atohira asks if it is already enough, can he go home. Suiren tries to pay for the bill but Atohira says that there’s no need. Atohira thinks that probably, he really wants to know the strong point of Kawasumi’s girlfriend. As he walks away, he overhears a couple of guys asking timid Suiren what she is doing here and is she by herself. Atohira sighs and calls out Suiren’s name [<- first name]. Suiren quickly goes to him so the two guys think that she is with someone. Soon, they walk together. Atohira looks at her and sees Ichi. He rubs his eyes and looks to see that it is Suiren again. He thinks that this girl is the same type of person as Ichi. Soon, they arrive at her house. Atohira quickly starts to walk away when she goes in front of him. She does her best to hold out both of her hands towards him. She timidly says goodbye. Atohira gives her a double hi-five and smiles. Suiren looks surprised then bows to thank him. Before she heads in the house, Atohira tells her that in the end, it is better not to do that hi-five. Suiren looks puzzled and tense. Atohira walks away with a slightly blushing face.

Comment: Aya thinks Suiren is fine as she is. I guess that shows that Aya is fine with being her bodyguard or perhaps, she might lose her purpose if Suiren becomes strong. There is also, she likes and accepts Suiren as she is, why change. But then, Suiren has to change for she doesn’t want to cause hassle/trouble to her and Kawasumi. She doesn’t want Aya to always play bodyguard with her. She wants to be able to easily deal with the guys who aren’t exactly the type that she can handle. As the boyfriend, I guess Kawasumi is a bit jealous and helpless that Suiren is asking another guy’s help on this. It is nice that Suiren mentioned it to him so that there would be no misunderstanding. It is also nice to see that Kawasumi is becoming more proactive and even mentioned the anniversary. That is something to look forward to and there’s the kiss. In the end, it seems that Atohira didn’t teach Suiren much but just to hint on treating the others the same.

That would be hard because Kawasumi is special. So of course, she’ll treat him special and no matter what, the fanboys will be jealous. Atohira do not have that kind of problem because he doesn’t have a girlfriend. It does seem that he is feeling her out on what made Kawasumi like Suiren. I think he found out at the end of the chapter. She’s so cute and strives hard. I do wonder why he told her to forget doing the hi-five. Maybe it would make the fanboy fall for her like he did? I’m not sure if he has fallen for her since before this hi-five thing, Atohira seems to be more concerned on Kawasumi. I wonder what that flashback is all about. It is amusing though that Suiren is indeed somewhat like Ichi. Doesn’t it seem like Kawasumi is dating his brother? ^^;; Scans by all★wink汉化组

Word of the day:

Communication takes effort, but its rewards, which are friendship, harmony, and mature relationships, are well worth the energy spent. ‘As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17’ ~ 101 mottos for success by J. Richards and M.S. Fontaine.