Skip Beat [Chapter 220]

As Saena steps out of the elevator, she looks at surprised Kyouko. She looks at the Love Me badge. She looks down on Kyouko’s outfit. She looks back up to Kyouko as Kyouko looks back at her. Kyouko notices her mother’s scowl [<- knit one’s brow]. Kyouko looks tense as Saena passes by her then walks away. Kyouko snaps out of it when a couple of girls call out to her and ask if she is going to ride the elevator. Kyouko says yes, sorry. Later on, Kyouko shows Amamiya the printed scarf that she bought. Amamiya says that it looks good that is it really just 500 yen. After taking it out from her bag, Kyouko gives Amamiya the receipt. Amamiya says that it is obviously not cheap and Kyouko’s amazing. Kyouko says yes, at that time, she wondered if there is a mistake for it took out so many zeroes that she even confirmed it at the checkout counter. She felt that she had a 5 years worth of cold sweat. After paying Kyouko, Amamiya smiles and thanks her for she is a big help. Kyouko says that it is no big deal and it is the duty of a substitute manager. Removing her upper jumper suit to put on the scarf, Amamiya says but today, isn’t there a film shoot. Kyouko says that she got the director’s consent so it is alright because she only needs to have a couple of re-shooting of Natsu’s scenes. And today in the afternoon, she has some other work. She had asked the director if he can give her a break this morning.

Amamiya says that it seems that she would have to seriously apologize to the director because it will ruin his few opportunities to show off that he is a genius. Since there is some time before Kyouko leaves, Amamiya invites Kyouko for lunch with a specially prepared bento for the manager along with some delicious plastic bottled tea. Kyouko smiles and accepts her invitation. At TBM station, walking Kanae looks at her watch and it is almost 3pm. There is still time before the scheduled recording ends so she decides to eat lunch. Just when she is going to look for a place to eat, she sees Kyouko who turns to see her. Sparkling with flowers, Kyouko is about to call Kanae. Expertly hitting away the flowers, Kanae greets Kyouko who squeals over that ruthless [greeting] from Kanae that she has this sad unspeakable joy. Kanae asks if right now, she is going to film ‘Yappa Kimagure Rock’. Kyouko says yes. While walking together, Kanae says that even if she thought of it before but Kyouko would unexpectedly still do that chicken thing. She asks isn’t it time for Kyouko to get someone else to replace her in doing that. It isn’t a job for someone like her who is able to act in a serialized drama. Kyouko says that she’ll think of it if she can get somewhat like a leading role. Kanae thinks that right now, she is in a double starred television drama and not like that stupid acting. There is some cutie-cutie girl telling Kanae about how to call her own name properly.

Thinking that kid ate up Kanae, Kyouko exclaims could it be, obviously right now, the drama she is acting in isn’t made into a topic but is this the lead’s arrogance and pride. Kanae tells her that she didn’t think that, it is the nonsense of the television drama’s script and the actor’s ability is totally unproportioned. [<- I think she is talking about the period drama that Lory got her in wherein she hates the script and the actors are just randomly chosen; or any similar type of drama she is currently in] Kyouko takes the opportunity to ask her if she has seen the first episode of Box’R. Looking away, Kanae says that she didn’t. <- she actually didn’t watch it as scheduled. Kanae says that right now, she is in a new series so she is very busy. Kyouko is teary-eyed for she wanted Kanae to say that she watched it. Kyouko asks if she is talking about that ‘Mizumori Series’. When Kanae affirms it, Kyouko happily praises her and she’ll anticipate it. Then, Kyouko says that Mizumori Series isn’t at TBM. Kanae says that it isn’t because today, she came here as someone’s attendant [/accompanying someone]. Thinking that she is also a substitute manager, Kyouko asks if it is a Love Me work. Kanae pauses and says that she cannot really say that it is that. This puzzled Kyouko for it isn’t Love Me work yet she came..not as a substitute manger but an attendant..what’s up.

Kanae says that there is something that she wants to ask her since they bumped into each other. “Is your mother a lawyer?” After becoming speechless, Kyouko asks why she would suddenly. Kanae says that in this television series, there is a lawyer supervisor and their surnames are the same. “It seems that her name is Mogami Saena.” Looking thoughtful, Kyouko says that just now, she just so happen to meet her mother at Fuji station. She wonders out loud why when obviously her mother doesn’t seem to be the type who is related to the entertainment business. Kanae tells her that she heard that Saena is substituting for someone else. The supervisor of their television series should be someone else who is part of the main staff, a certain Katagiri Ken [guesswork from 片桐憲] who has all sorts of position and a critic. Very lively..a crocodile face. Kyouko exclaims that if he is also a funny crocodile faced lawyer. Kanae informs her that it seems that Ken has collapsed due to excessive fatigue so the jobs that he accepted before was passed over to his subordinate to finish them. The television’s supervisor seems to be the assistant, Kyouko’s mother so maybe she went to Fuji to work as a substitute. Kyouko says that is possible, for her to appear in that news program.

Kanae admits that yesterday, Sanae helped her a bit with the script. This surprises Kyouko. Kanae says that before, at the karaoke box, no..because before when Kyouko mentioned about the secret regarding her childhood friend, she mentioned about her mother doing some lawyer-related work. Upon seeing the script, the moment that Kanae saw the name, she wondered if this person is Kyouko’s mother but when she really met her.. Kyouko says that she definitely felt that it is absolutely impossible. Kanae says that she confirmed that they are definitely mother-daughter. Surprised Kyouko asks why. Kanae says that it is because the two of them are very similar. This totally freaks Kyouko out for they are totally not the same and this is the first time she heard someone say that. Kanae apologizes and says that she made a mistake, they are totally not alike even if their DNA is 100% identical but it is the degree that one would doubt during one’s life. Kanae corrects herself by saying that the person Saena is similar with isn’t the ordinary Kyouko but the television drama’s Natsu especially when she is expressionless. It is like a doll that completely lack emotion in one’s expressions and temperament. Looking surprised, Kyouko says that actually, Kanae saw her drama. This startles Kanae.

Kanae tries to deny it for she didn’t watch it on schedule but it is because of the television set recorded it on its own when she is just checking what was recorded. Happy Kyouko says that she understands for their television also records on its own <- daruma living room. If one has to input a keyword in advance, she’ll input Kanae’s name. She comments about how the latest television shocks the daruma couple. Looking at embarrassed Kanae, Kyouko thanks her for she is very happy since she is deeply loved. Kanae comments that for her, that emotion [Kyouko is showing] is quite reserved. This made Kyouko want to hug her as she shouts that Kanae is amazing and she’s so happy for she is deeply loved. Pushing Kyouko away, Kanae angrily shouts if she isn’t finished yet. Kyouko apologizes and says that right now, she feels a bit complicated. Kanae asks why. Kyouko says that it is regarding she and her mother seems to be very similar. Looking somewhat surprised, Kanae wonders a bit and asks if Kyouko hates that. Kyouko sadly smiles and says that it is her mother who hates that. At Viride General Law Office, Saena tells a sobbing woman that it is alright, they will do their utmost in accordance to her request and she’ll properly defend her. The woman bows and exclaims that she’ll leave it to her. Outside the room, the secretary is talking with someone on the phone. She tells the other party that she is very worried for if that fever continues, he has to be hospitalized but then..

She notices that Saena is looking at her. Hanging up the phone, the secretary apologizes. She explains that her child had a fever and was bedridden for three days so she is a bit worried. Saena tells her that it is alright but at least finish giving tea to the client. She reprimands the secretary to at least call on the phone after doing her smallest degree of work. As Saena leaves, the irked secretary calls someone and angrily complains out loud that just now, she got scolded by that iceberg lawyer, yes, that ‘unrivaled queen lawyer’ and she is just talking on the phone for 15 minutes, so what’s up with that..it isn’t like she is talking for an hour. What’s the big deal and just get someone who is free to pour the tea. She was telling Saena about her child being sick and that person definitely doesn’t have a child for if she did, she will definitely understand the feelings of a parent. Saena probably heard those rants but she looks unfazed. At a dining hall, while stirring her drink, Kyouko says that actually, there is no big issue that it can reach the news since it is merely an ordinary family’s parent-child relationship which is more intense [than normal]. A note says that Kanae’s stomach is grumbling so they are now at TBM’s dining hall. While eating a salad, Kanae says that a while, Kyouko said that she saw her mother at Fuji so what happened.

Kyouko says of course it is very ordinary, she ignored her. After pausing, Kanae says that maybe she just didn’t pay attention to her or because her hair became brown that she didn’t notice. Kyouko says that from the first look, it is probably like that but on the second time when their eyes met, she scowled. Kanae says that she is wearing that kind of outfit and ordinary people will also scowl. After a pause, Kyouko says that person won’t change her expression with strangers whom she had briefly encountered even if they are wearing a strange funny outfit. “Ever since before, that person will only show that expression when I did something that made her unhappy--” In her cubicle, Saena is reading an article about Box’R. It mentions about the ratings to be unexpectedly low on the first episode. This time the strongest killer weapon used here is Dark Moon’s Mio. The role by newbie Kyouko that is still fresh on people’s memory. Everyone anticipated a gloomy-like Mio that surpasses Mio. But actually it is far from Mio’s viciousness, thus the audience criticize it as ‘disappointing’. Even if it is said, ‘it just started so there is room for improvement’. After all, for it is foreshadowed that since it previously fallen so low, it can still rise up. So afterwards, it makes people anticipate the most, the progress of this drama. Then, Saena reads an information page of Kyouko on LME page which mentions her birthday, place of birth, height, blood type, expertise = carrot/daikon flower, hobbies, filmography and being part of Love Me. Saena scowls.

The scene briefly changes to Kyouko saying that person has indeed noticed her. Back at the lawyer office, someone says that her forehead has that deep Mogami river, just like in the past, which he hasn’t seen for a long time. [<- Mogami river is one of the three most rapid rivers in Japan]. As Saena looks at him, the man says that once her heart’s water supply overflows, it will definitely cause a torrent but then, he doesn’t hate that despite it wasting her good-looks. He tells her, but during work, it is better to be a bit callous [/unfeeling]. He praises her television appearance this morning. Saena says that if it is possible, she hopes that he doesn’t make her go in front of television again for she isn’t quite good at it. The man says that he is in favor of that and he’ll definitely get sensei [their boss] to quickly recover as soon as possible. A secretary passes and welcomes Fujimichi [藤道/the man] back. Saena tells him that furthermore, he must stop those showbiz activities. Fujimichi laughs and says speaking of that, didn’t she record some program a few days ago and it seems that to be after sensei has collapsed. He asks when she said that it will be broadcast, today or tomorrow. Saena closes her eyes and says, who knows, she already forgot. Back to the two, Kanae looks surprised over somewhat sad Kyouko who just told her, ‘Furthermore, she always felt that my existence is absolutely detestable. Always. *crying young Kyouko look at Saena who held up her hand and stared at her* Starting from childhood, --always--” Next chapter will be out in Japan on February 20th.

Comment: Kyouko had more or less handled the meeting well and I think it is also thanks to her Love Me friends whom she is with afterwards. She’ll probably sink in depression if they weren’t there. Amamiya did her part by thanking her for the scarf and inviting her for lunch. Kanae did her part by unconsciously mentioning about watching her drama and listening to Kyouko’s painful childhood. It is good to know that even if some people rejected/hated her existence, there are those who showed that they care and love her especially at this time ^^ Because of the hint, I wonder if Kyouko will be a lead in a series soon. And of course, most of us will hope that her leading man will be.. ^^ Also, Ren ought to know who Bou really is before Kyouko ditches that role. So, about the mother, it makes me wonder how can a mother hate her own daughter that much? Even if others say that it is better to be hated than ignored/’I don’t care’, but to be hated that way.. I do not know if it is something that Kyouko can move her mother to scowl compared to the other people she deals with wherein she tends to be expressionless. Obviously, she isn’t mother material for she would rather have that secretary do her work rather than talk on the phone regarding her sick child. So, it is more or less established that work is her priority.

So, it does make one think that Kyouko seems to be an unwanted child..something like an ‘accident’ that happened, or something worse than that. I mean Saena doesn’t seem to be wants to be touched by young Kyouko. So, it seems to be more than just not getting good grades that her mother left her. Actually, I would think that it is better that Saena left her rather than for her mother to always treat her like that until she is all grown up. That might be irreparable damage to Kyouko’s self-confidence and self-worth. Well, from her answer to Fujimichi, it seems that Saena doesn’t want to have anything to do with showbiz where Kyouko is. Yet, she is curious enough to check what Kyouko is doing then be displeased about it. ^^; I don’t think she volunteered to do the showbiz stuff to replace her boss though that would depend when she knew that Kyouko is in showbiz. Saena does seem to have really severed ties with Kyouko by treating her as if she doesn’t exist/as a stranger by ignoring her yet she cannot help but scowl. AThough I’m not sure if she will make the Fuwas do what she wanted. I mean, I’m not too sure if she disapproves of Kyouko’s showbiz career and wants her out of it thus get the Fuwas to convince Kyouko. That is based on what Shou mentioned before. Somehow, with the comparison with Natsu and Saena, it does make me wonder if it is possible for a cold-hearted person to raise a kid well. Anyway, we’ll probably know more about that stuff later on. Scans by 红莲汉化组

Quote of the day:

The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love. ~ Hubert H. Humphrey, Jr.