Kimi ni Todoke [Chapter 96]

Sawako dreams of the time when Shouta hugged her and confessed in the classroom. She wakes up in fear for what if all of it was a dream, and ever since first year’s summer, it always feels like a dream so it shouldn’t be a dream, right? Nope, it is almost a year since they are going steady and the school festival is coming soon. At the aspiration guidance room, Pin asks Kent if he is serious and has he already decided. Kent says that he is. Later on, he bumps into Ayane. He informs her that he got another school’s recommendation so he won’t go to cram school anymore. He will be going to college to study interior decorating-related type of stuff. They wish each other good luck for the college entrance exam. Later on, Ayane tells her friends that she will be going to the library. She bumps into Kent by the door again. Kent lets her pass through as he talks with some girls. Sawako and Chizuru comment that they really broke up yet do not mutual avoid each other. Sawako mentions that it is avoiding, as much as possible, letting the other party have any misgivings.

Surprised Chizuru exclaims if it is like that and they are so mature. Sawako agrees and says that it is probably because they value each other. After Chizuru agrees with her, Sawako asks about her and Ryu. After some ahh..about that..etc, Chizuru says that it can be considered going steady. Sawako is relieved by that for she thought that Chizuru ought to have complex feelings but in the end, that’s great. Chizuru says yes, and thanks Sawako for it is good to say things clearly. Chizuru mentions that she will also tell Ayane about it. She tells Sawako that it feels that both of them couldn’t proclaim about going steady, and it is a bit hard to say out. Sawako asks what happened. Chizuru blushes and whispered to puzzled Sawako. Sawako blushes and backs away in surprise. Chizuru says that it is embarrassing to say out. Sawako congratulates her and says that this is quite fitting. Chizuru says but then, it is just that and nothing more. Sawako says is that so but she thinks that Ryu’s feelings is not that casual. Chizuru agrees with her and asks about her and Shouta. Sawako smiles and says that she still sees him every morning. One morning, Sawako arrives in school and finds Shouta sleeping in their classroom. She thinks that even if she thought that she is early but he is earlier than her. She puts her bag at the side and sits in front of him.

Later on, Shouta wakes up and sees Sawako sleeping in front of him. He strokes her hair which wakes up Sawako. As he continues to stroke her hair, he says that actually, no matter when, he is satisfied as long as she is around. He is really satisfied with only this.. Sawako blushes as Shouta closes his eyes and mutters, ..at his side. Then, Shouta’s eyes widen. He goes into shock that Sawako is there and when did she..she should have woke him up. Blushing Sawako apologizes for she had also carelessly fallen asleep. He apologizes and asks if he said some strange things. Waving her hand, she says that he didn’t say anything. Sawako thinks that he is still sleepy then. Shout comments about the guys riding the public transport coming here soon and he slept for too long. Sawako recalls what he murmured while half-asleep and wonders if he really thinks that. She decides to keep it a secret. Then, she notices that he is looking at her. Blushing a bit, he tells her that he is really startled, for when he woke up and seeing the face of the girl he likes, to be so close him.

Soon, everyone is busy with the fitting of their costumes. Joe is wearing some Masked Rider type of costume. He is very excited about it and thinks that it suits him. A couple of girls are talking about how unexpectedly easy is the preparation for the costumes because in this parade, they are practically wearing civilian clothes. The theme is what kind of person [/character] one wants to be when one is young, and usually it is about one’s profession-type of thing but then, there are others who are like Joe’s. Chizuru asks Ayane what she’ll be wearing. Ayane says that she isn’t decided yet on what she’ll do in the future and she doesn’t have a dream when she is young. If she has to do it, then she feels that it has to be a female president. She is debating whether to wear glasses or not. She asks about Chizuru who couldn’t answer. Ayane says that she still has time but do not just wear a uniform on that day, and her future dream must be to forever be a female high schooler. Crying Chizuru exclaims that she’ll think of a way before the day.

Then, Sawako arrive. She says that she finished changing and she is wearing her mother’s skirt. Her friends look dumbfound and exclaim isn’t that ordinary Sawako. Shocked Sawako asks if she isn’t like a teacher for she made herself neat and orderly but in the end, does it look old fashioned. Ayane holds Sawako’s hand and tells her to come with her. Chizuru overhears someone asking Ryu if he is finished with trying out the outfit and is he going to do the colorful decorated float. Ryu says yes, anyway, it is something he usually wears, a baseball uniform. The friend asks isn’t that the usual Ryu..ah, he is going for professional baseball athlete, a dream when he is young. Ryu says that it isn’t so, it is because he wants to win in the summer’s tournament. The friend exclaims is what it means, but then, good luck. Chizuru just looks at Ryu with friend. At the toilet, Ayane tells Sawako not to button the blouse up so high. She unbuttons the first button which reveals Sawako’s star-shaped pendant necklace. Ayane tells her not to be picky with props. Just when, Shouta comes in the classroom and complains how hot it is outside that he’ll rest here a bit. Chizuru asks about the progress of the float’s construction. Shouta laughs and says that as usual, smoothly falling behind.

Then, Ayane goes to the classroom with makeover Sawako – sleeveless blouse, short skirt and glasses. Chizuru says that it is not bad. Ayane says that it really fits Sawako that she wants her to try wearing high heels. Ayane wants to get a prop for her by asking to borrow Pin’s book but Pin holds it up high so that she couldn’t take it. Sawako sees Shouta. Thinking that it is very embarrassing, she asks if it is very strange. Upon seeing her necklace, Shouta slightly blushes and says that it has a feeling of a mature teacher. This surprises Sawako and starts telling him that even if she really becomes a teacher, what she’ll wear ought to be almost the same with what she wears now because she won’t wear glasses since her eyesight is good. Shouta says that even if it is only cosplay, but it has a feeling of reality because after they graduate, it will continuously become nearer. Sawako asks if that is so, though before that there are lots and lots of exams and tests.. Wondering if she is indeed gradually going nearer [to her dream], Sawako says that she anticipates his costume about what he’ll wear, is it a baseball uniform. He says that for now, it is like that.

At a lounge, Sawako, Ume and Ayane look at the results of their mock exam. Sawako exclaims Ume is amazing for her grades went up. All fired up, Ume exclaims that she’ll stake everything on this. Sawako asks about Ayane’s. Ayane says of course it slide down but the important thing is after today, she has to strive her best and give all her effort based on this results. After Sawako says yes, Ume says that it is because they break up so she can now concentrate on studying, that’s great, gambatte. Ayane thanks her. Ume says that Sawako’s grades also went up. She says yes. Sawako felt very happy or perhaps it makes her happy to get the results of her studying because studying is like her interest[/hobby]. She is satisfied with giving her all in school exams but she doesn’t mind too much about the results. Ume exclaims that they’ll pass the college entrance exam together!! Recalling Ume wanting to be a teacher Sawako exclaims yes, let’s pass the college entrance exam together so let’s do our best together, then afterwards, become a teacher. This made Ume ask her if she is also going to the normal university. After looking surprised, Sawako says no.

As Ayane watches them, Ume sighs and exclaims it made her misunderstand things. Sawako apologizes for saying it too vague. She says that even if the school is different, but their intentions are the same. Ayane backs up Sawako by saying that is the meaning that she heard. This made Ume pout. She exclaims that even if she went to misunderstand it but then, she doesn’t have any expectation for it since she doesn’t want to go in the same university with Sawako. This shocked Sawako into tears. Ume exclaims for her not to mind it too much and she absolutely does not want that. Tearful Sawako just says yes..yes. At the station, Ayane bids the other two goodbye for she is going at the other direction. After some ‘take care on your way’ and ‘see you tomorrow’, Ayane wanted to say something to Sawako but in the end, she says no, in the end, it is nothing. As Ume watches thoughtful Sawako, Sawako is wondering what she meant when she exclaims those things to Ume. It felt that she is too happy that she just blurted it out but then, she didn’t think of parting with Ume. Shouta calls out to Sawako which caused her to snap out of her thoughts. Her food is about to drop from her fork. Shouta asks her what’s up for she’s absent-minded.

Sawako tells him that she unknowingly thought of Ume who is very amazing since her ranking in the mock exam rose up. They are also preparing for to summer study camp wherein Ume will be going to her house. Shouta muses out loud that their relationship is quite good since Ume agreed to stay at her house. Wondering if their relationship did become good, Sawako says that she really likes Ume since she’s very frank, has a lot of passion, wholeheartedly go forward, really striving hard, and when she’s with her, she also becomes fully enthusiastic. Shouta asks if there is a resonance and because she is also like that. And those are some of Sawako’s areas that he like – striving hard and thinking of a way in doing things, very serious and doesn’t lie. Sawako blushes. He also says that her smile is very cute. Holding her face, embarrassed Sawako says that she is frequently told by people that she’s gloomy and stiff. Shouta smiles and says that isn’t her real smiling face, and didn’t she notice, she already always shows that real smiling face which is great. Shouta says but when she is tired, he is here so she can rest. Patting his left shoulder, he tells her that this is dedicated to her. 

While Sawako leans on his shoulder, Shouta says that this time, it is the last school festival and too bad that it is the last year. Sawako agrees. He says that they’ve gone steady for a year and so many things had happened. After the school festival ends, then, it would be the monotonous exams. Narration: “No matter what a third year student does, it is the ‘last’. One by one, the activities decrease. Bit by bit, really advancing towards graduation. Really want for it to be always like this. Forever. Be with everyone forever. Be together with Kazehaya-kun forever. I’ve made friends. Encountered a formidable opponent. Have a person I like. So many important things happened. Experienced so many many things. But, now, all those that had happened has already.. all of it had become the past.” Sawako suddenly stands up and exclaims that next, it is his turn. They laugh as Shouta leans on Sawako’s shoulder. Narration: “The gradually approaching future is also meaningful. Right now is about to end.”

Comment: And that seems to pertain to the ending of the series. ^^; For now, it is still uncertain whether Sawako will stay or temporarily leave for college. It is amusing about how things are with her and Ume that I almost wonder if Shouta is jealous of Ume in regards with studying and having the same dream with her. Ayane seems to have a hint regarding what Sawako might unconsciously be thinking but I guess she might want her to figure it out by herself. Kent has moved on. Pin’s teasing might be a fanservice for Pin x Ayane. So, it seems that Chizuru’s relationship with Ryu is already in that level. Hm..a bit different from the usual couple since there isn’t much lovey-dovey and it seems a bit distant for they are doing each other’s thing but I guess it is because Ryu is way too busy or that is how it is with them. Shouta seems to be subtly letting Sawako do whatever she wants yet feeling a bit, I don’t know anxious of the future as it approaches. Lastly about the parade, strangely enough, I’m thinking that someone will wear a bride/groom costume. ^^; Scans by 夜莺工作室

Word of the day:

You’d probably be surprised at how many thoughtful little things you could find to do for a loved one that would cost almost nothing and take almost no time. Become a master of the five-minute favor. ‘Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love. Romans 12:10’ ~ 101 mottos for success by J. Richards and M.S. Fontaine.