Hibi Chouchou [Chapter 64]

At his school’s gate, girls are squealing that it is Atohira-senpai-♡ Then, Daisuke walks beside Atohira as they head to the school building. Daisuke comments that basically there are very few engineering female students looks at him. Since Daisuke looks in a good mood, Atohira asks if he is going steady with Yuri. He says no, not yet but today, they called each other in the morning. Atohira lamely says, eh- This made Daisuke tell him to feel a bit interested about it. He asks Atohira if he plans to go steady with Koharu. “Do you want to go on a double date?” Atohira says that he won’t go. Daisuke comments what type would Atohira like. Atohira says rather than what type of person, and right now, he temporarily doesn’t give it any consideration. He thinks that he doesn’t want to give it consideration and it is fine not to think of it. Meanwhile, school life of the couple is the same as before – doing each others’ thing and walk home together. Narration: “Regardless of whether it is Wednesday, that day repeats [/duplicates] so many times. From that day, wasn’t able to say, ‘like you’ really well. Like you. Like you. ..like you. *remembers the kiss* Not a bit afraid [to say it].” And they walk home together.

With the falling of leaves, autumn has arrived. A hand reaches out to Atohira while he is walking on the street. It is Koharu. She says that it has been a long time and is he still doing his best in karate. Holding a couple of tickets, she tells him that there will be a cultural festival in their school but this year, it seems that people cannot get in without tickets. She asks him to come and to her surprise, he immediately says good [/very well]. While Atohira is thinking of Suiren, Koharu is surprised then says okay, sorry.. [<- not sure why she is apologizing ^^; Maybe because Atohira is declining the offer or not enthusiastic about it.] She asks if she had not made him anticipate even once. Atohira asks why she is doing it this. Flustered Koharu says that she isn’t sure, perhaps, it is simply just wanting to be in love, that’s all.. “Thinking of it like this, perhaps, it is only for me not to get hurt, that’s all. Actually..I obviously can go steady with someone else early on. Why would I.. always have this ‘difficult to forget love’ with you. *looks at Atohira during karate practice* Looking at you.. your expression of ‘really having concentrate towards anything’. It is the first time--.. that my mind had become blank.”

Atohira asks if she knows what’s inside of him. She tells him to tell her, and when she knows, she’ll absolutely become more sincere. Looking away, Atohira says the girls obviously are the ones who first decide, but will give the choice to the guy. Koharu asks, ..ha? Atohira says that she has already totally like him. Koharu becomes flustered. She shoves the tickets to him and runs off. He looks at the cultural festival tickets which is for October 25-26. He thinks of the girl who doesn’t like him rather, it is a totally different person. Later on, Atohira and Daisuke arrive at Café Bell. Daisuke greets Yuri. After they are seated, Yuri takes their orders, milk coffee for Daisuke and coffee for Atohira. Atohira drinks his coffee as Daisuke talk with Yuri. Ka-ching. Suiren and Aya enter the cafe. Just when Yuri is inviting Daisuke to their cultural festival, the two girls pass by them. Atohira asks if they’re waiting for someone.

After [Yuri/Aya] says that it is a freebie, Yuri immediately goes to get some pudding. Aya just tells Suiren that they go to that side. As Aya takes her seat with Suiren who is already sitting, Diasuke asks Yuri what her class will do for the festival. Yuri says that it is a takoyaki [batter balls with octopus and toppings] stand. Atohira suddenly stands up. He holds Suiren’s wrist and pulls her up. This made Aya protest that Atohira says that he is going to borrow her for a while. The two girls and his friend are surprised by this. While Atohira is quickly walking and pulling Suiren, aghast Suiren wonders what is this, and where are they going. She immediately starts shaking her head sideways and resists being pulled any further by stop walking. Atohira says that he is very bothered by that thing before. This made Suiren more aghast and tense. Sitting down by the fence, Atohira tells her not to have that kind of expression. He asks her what makes her smile. This puzzles Suiren. He asks if she is in front of Kawasumi, does she smile, get angry and cry? “Did this happen?”

Still puzzled what this is about, Suiren nods. Atohira asks how they greet each other. After being surprised by that, she timidly says that it is quite good. Just then, Kawasumi arrives. He goes to Suiren and asks what she is doing here. Atohira looks at Kawasumi and Suiren talking. They are surprised when Atohira stands up and says that it is nothing, he just wants to ask something. Before he leaves, Atohira calls out to Kawasumi and says, sorry. This surprises Kawasumi that he mutters wasn’t he [/Kawasumi] the one who should apologize. [<- for interrupting them?] While walking, Atohira thinks that for Suiren, it absolutely has to be Kawasumi. He wonders what to do next, even if he can go to Hajime’s house. Then, he passes by the dojo to see Koharu standing outside. Upon seeing him, embarrassed Koharu exclaims that today, it is only by chance that she came to hang out nearby, and it isn’t because she came to see him. Atohira lamely says, eh- She tells him that from that time on, she thought a lot, and it felt that she is causing him trouble.

He says that it is okay, and he also felt that he is a bit harsh in treating her. She says that it is okay, she knows herself that there is no hope, on contrary, she possibly would continue on thinking of him but she still doesn’t want to confess. He says that is very good. Koharu says that he is very nice today. “Could it be that you have someone you like?” He didn’t reply immediately that Koharu looks flustered and closed her eyes. Atohira looks at her and recalls Suiren. Atohira says that even if there is none, but there is someone that he nearly likes. [/almost fall in love with] “But it is absolutely impossible with that person.” Koharu looks at him who has a slightly flustered expression. Koharu says that it is the first time she saw him with that kind of expression. “..didn’t you already fallen in love with that person?” Atohira didn’t seem to react much [/is slightly surprised]. Koharu turns around to leave. She thinks, “Goodbye.. *starting to cry* wasn’t able to confess again..” As she leaves, somewhat flustered Atohira looks away then goes the opposite way. Narration: “This thing isn’t something that can disappear just because one tells it to disappear.”

Comment: Tough luck for Koharu. It is the second guy she lost because the guy likes Suiren. Well, maybe someday, she’ll find the one for her. In a way, it does seem that the two are similar. They can be aloof and mature. It is amusing how Koharu told Atohira back what he told her earlier about ‘you’re already in love’. Well, it remains to be seen if Atohira will pursue Suiren. Well, with a love rival, it usually causes the couple’s relationship to progress further. Of course, trying to steal someone’s girlfriend, and that it is the girlfriend of his friend’s younger brother, that is quite low and desperate. ^^; In a way, it does seem that Atohira can now empathize with people in love especially to those who are stuck in a one-sided love.., perhaps like his fangirls and it would make him kinder and gentler with them as he was with Koharu in the latter part. When Atohira is taking Suiren away, I’m glad that she has enough ‘self-preservation instinct’ to immediately stop him from taking her away further. Anyway, cultural festival is coming soon..will some major thing happen there?

Quote of the day:

In the arithmetic of love, one plus one equals everything, and two minus one equals nothing. ~ Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966