Last Game [Chapter 41]

Yanagi walks with Kujou while holding her hand. He thinks that Kujou obviously said, ‘let’s forever be friends’ yet she would show that kind of expression.. “I totally do not understand what she is thinking--!! No, wait. I think I realize it already. My eyes have its own function wherein it has a strong unlimited beautification filter! In my eyes, it looks like this. *somewhat flustered Kujou clinging on to Yanagi* But actually, it is definitely like this. *drooling Kujou thinks that her stomach is bursting from eating that she wants to sleep* Okay, okay, okay, okay, calm down. I already won’t dare to casually get carried away again. (<- already has a considerable serious psychological trauma.) I’m afraid that she was just in a hurry that she held my hand. Surely, it is also simply because she didn’t think too much about it.” Looking at their held hands, Kujou thinks that Yanagi is constantly holding her hand. “He obviously has someone he likes, yet he would still hold someone else’s hand, why..? *Yanagi is puzzled over the cold chill he suddenly felt* (Rather than saying not thinking too much, one should say that it is, suspicious..)...

..Perhaps, between friends, holding hands is just a very ordinary thing..? But it’s wrong, if Yanagi holds hands with others, I also won’t feel happy.” She hazily imagines Yanagi holding hands with Fujimoto = between friends; where is spring. Kujou, who excessively likes Fujimoto, thinks it seems that she has no way of hating it..! And she wanted to hold hands with Fujimoto. She thinks no, her knowledge and experience is too few, that she couldn’t clearly determine the standard so right now, she can only get help from that book. That very doubtful romance guidebook.. Kujou snaps out of it when Yanagi asks where she wants to go. Kujou says to let her think. She wonders what is written in the book. Tip 42: ‘If you want to cut down the distance between him, going karaoke alone with him is also a good choice♡’ Kujou tells Yanagi that she wants to go to a karaoke-type of thing. Thinking that it is an unexpected choice, Yanagi asks why. Yanagi becomes scared when Kujou has a cold creepy smile as she says, “I.. I want to be alone with you.. I really want to be alone together with you♡” That is tip 43: ‘Use a cute and helpless looking look, along with a bit of pouting mouth to express the your thoughts♡’

In the karaoke room, Yanagi asks if this is her first time coming to karaoke. She says yes. Yanagi comments that he guessed it. Kujou asks why he is standing so far away. Coward Yanagi says that no, it is just a bit.. He wonders how he should comprehend what she just said a while ago. Even if he were to take the meaning literally, but that expression is really too.. He wonders if Fujimoto is behind this mischief and she has taught Kujou some cheap trick. Yanagi decides that it is better not to be careless. Brushing away the past feeling, he thinks of doing his best [/gambatte]. Holding a gadget, Kujou asks how this is used. Removing his coat, he tells her that is used to find the song that she wants to sing and after inputting it, the song will be played. He tells her to use the stylus pen to touch it. Kujou is confused so Yanagi offers to help her input it so properly watch. “By the way, what do you want to sing?” Kujou says, ah..that.. (<- she couldn’t say that actually, she totally doesn’t sing and besides, she doesn’t have any interest in it but she still said that she wanted to come here) And the song, ‘Butterfly’ is chosen. [‘Butterfly’ is the Japanese title for the German folk song and children song, Hänschen klein; from wiki].

Yanagi is aghast for she chose this song and there is simply no [musical] interval. After singing, Kujou says that compared to what she imagined, this is interesting. Looking gloomy, Yanagi says is that so, ya..isn’t that very good.. He thinks that for being well-versed with songs, he’ll definitely be more victorious against her but he totally couldn’t feel the joy of victory. Kujou asks what’s up with him. Then, she suggests that he also sing. He says okay, he knows this song. Kujou says okay. Kujou leans close to Yanagi and asks where to push this one. He looks at the gadget and notices that she is leaning close to him. He thinks that his situation isn’t reassuring for her shoulder is very close. Yanagi thinks that when karaoke is mentioned, isn’t that just the two of them alone in a private room with dim lighting which are some very big essential factors to have..! “But! With this degree, it is not enough to make me scared! I’ve already turned a new leaf..! *Kujou leans on him* Huh.. Wha..what!? What is this!? *holds up hand* (<- it is a conditioned reflex since he’s afraid that she will mistake him as a lewd wolf) A trap!? Could it be that she is sleepy? Is she sleepy? Are you that sleepy? In short, I must use all of my strength to restrain myself..! (<- going into the mode of ‘about to go to war’)”

Looking at the gadget, Kujou thinks that according to the book, ‘if nothing happens, stick close to the other party’ so that is what she is doing but there is basically no reaction from Yanagi. With her heart beating fast, she thinks that she is the only one with a fast heartbeat and she doesn’t know how to find the opportunity to break away. Looking away, Yanagi curses for what is going on, in any case, she should replace him by thinking of putting herself on his shoes. He asks if she already input it in. Kujou says probably..it’s in. Yanagi takes the microphone and gets ready to sing. Yanagi is aghast for the song is ‘Little Acorn Rolling, Rolling Down’ [どんぐりころころ from wiki]. Singing, ‘friends, let us all play together~’, Yanagi couldn’t believe that the great him is singing nursery rhymes in karaoke. Using tip 6: ‘Whatever is okay. In short, say some complimentary words☆’, Kujou says that he fully conveyed the feeling of the acorn. “Your diction is very clear. Also, I felt that your posture while holding the microphone is not bad.” Yanagi shouts if she is treating him as an idiot. Then, Kujou thinks that it is so strange, she praised him a lot yet he doesn’t look like he is happy. Exhausted Yanagi thinks that he would listen then hear a no interval nursery rhyme, then, he’ll sing a nursery rhyme and she’ll compliment him.

After they head out of the karaoke room, Kujou says to let her pay since he already treated her for lunch. Yanagi says that she is like that ever since before but then, even if he wants to pay, she definitely won’t listen to him. She says that’s right. Then, she recalls tip 63: ‘The more a girl acts headstrong, the more charming she is. ♡ Brazenly assume your queenly attitude☆” Headstrong 1: Thinking of being headstrong, Kujou gloomily tells Yanagi that he go and pay for it. Yanagi says that is rare, okay. Headstrong 2: Holding out her bag, Kujou tells him to help her carry her bag. Yanagi says okay. Headstrong 3: Kujou says that she suddenly wants to eat cake. Yanagi says then, they’ll look for a store so how about a store that has delicious cheesecake. Kujou looks aghast and uneasy. Unable to endure it, she grabs her bag back and exclaims that it is fake, just now, all of that is fake. She tries to give him the money for the karaoke. Surprised Yanagi asks what is the meaning of this. He asks tense Kujou what’s up with her, for today, her expressions are very strange. Kujou timidly thinks that she isn’t suited playing a queen. Yanagi asks does she want to eat cake or is she saying that she wants to buy a gift for Aunt Miwa. Kujou looks surprised.

Soon, at a bakery store, they look at some beautiful decorated cakes. Yanagi asks which one she wants to buy. She says cheesecake and chocolate cake. Just as Yanagi is ordering it, Kujou insists on paying it herself. (<- drawing a lesson from a set back; acting queenly?) Yanagi says, oh, okay. Kujou thinks that it felt that it basically has not way of going smoothly and why is that. She couldn’t take back what she said.. She recalls Tachibana laughing at her for Yanagi’s love experience is very plentiful that Kujou basically couldn’t measure up to him. Tip 52: ‘Calling the other party’s name or perhaps, an intimate nickname, using a different way of addressing him will definitely make him shock like a deer in front of headlights!’ Kujou decides to use this so let her think, what is Yanagi’s name.. Giving her the bag of cakes, Yanagi calls out to Kujou. Holding the bag, Kujou says, “Thank..thank you, Naoho [literally means: ‘still stupid’ ^^;] (<- what Kujou considers as an intimate nickname) Yanagi asks who she is calling. Soon, Kujou is speechless over her inevitable failure.

Looking at his watch, Yanagi says that it is 3:30, an awkward time. “Is there some place where you want to go?” Kujou tries to think of something since this time around, she’ll properly.. Looking at her, Yanagi bends down and asks if she is feeling unwell and want to call it a day? Thinking of Tachibana telling her that the first date is very important though she thinks that this isn’t a date, Kujou tells him that there’s no problem. Yanagi asks is that so. She tells him to wait while she thinks.. Then, some people kept on bumping on to her that Yanagi tells her to come over here for a while. He brings her to some higher place so that they can see the town[/city] below. Kujou is amazed that Yanagi says that the view is very wide open, right. Kujou says that she unexpectedly didn’t know that there is this kind of place. While buying a drink from the vending machine, Yanagi says that it is because it is in the middle of the crowded houses and this is something he found while going to cram class. He tosses a drink to her and says that a quiet place is very good. She says yes, but why..

Yanagi says that she is a bit dizzy from mingling with a lot of people, right? So, don’t force herself. This surprises Kujou. Yanagi thinks that actually, he wanted to do this more like a date and in the end, they ate, sang and bought cake so it’s over.. Yanagi tells Kujou to forget that, she isn’t feeling well so how can he let her walk around all over the place. Kujou wonders how come he is talking about her not feeling well. Yanagi says that besides, today’s Kujou, her words, actions and bearing is screaming to a person that her mind is not clear which on contrary, it makes him very scared. This shocks Kujou for she is doing that with good intention. Kujou says that but, like this, there is a gap in the level so.. Yanagi asks, gap? Kujou is surprised by what she said. Yanagi asks could it be that accounting is difficult. Thinking that even if it isn’t that, Kujou says that it is more or less like that. This made Yanagi happy and amused for she would [actually have something she isn’t good at]. This doesn’t make Kujou happy.

Pouting, she says but, there are some things that she couldn’t manage to understand. “I also know that I’m no good but I don’t know what to do for it to continue on going smoothly.” Yanagi is surprised to see her having that kind of face towards him. He smiles and thinks that she would do that kind of expression so it seems that it is a very difficult subject. He tells her, “..how can I say this. Do not think that you can learn everything in just one breath. In short, first consider the issue that is close at hand. Isn’t doing that also very good?” She thinks, “Close at hand.” Yanagi turns to her and says, “So, if you want a change of mood, we can still go out together like this next time.” Standing up, Kujou says, ..yes. Clenching his fist, Yanagi is glad that he had successfully reserved a next date. He praises himself for that trick got him progress. Kujou thinks that she is paying attention to the book’s suggestion which also has a connection with this kind of situation. “Even if I have paid attention, right now, those do not matter at all.” Kujou smiles and says, “..next time, I want to go somewhere a bit far away.” Yanagi smiles and says, “Okay.”

Then, he looks at her and says that her face is very red, could it be that she has a fever. Thinking that he’s near, Kujou claims that it is because of the sunset. Then she holds out her hand to his face and says that his face also looks very red. Blushing Yanagi claims that it is also probably because of the sunset. While walking, Yanagi asks if she doesn’t want to eat dinner. Kujou says yes because today, her mother is at home. Yanagi thinks that Aunt Miwa still always defeat him. Soon, the stars are shining above the sky. In front of her apartment building, Kujou thanks Yanagi for walking her home. He says ya. While standing in front of her house, Kujou realizes that she forgot her key. She rings the door bell and calls out to her mother that she’s home. Yanagi is puzzled to hear Kujou keep on ringing the doorbell. Yanagi goes to her and asks what’s up for she is ringing the doorbell a lot. Then, Kujou remembers that this morning, her mother told her that she has a change in her shift so she won’t be home tonight so remember to bring her key. In a hurry, Kujou said that she has to immediately go to Fujimoto’s place. End flashback.

In disbelief, Kujou thinks that she is engrossed with that book that she read it until morning so in the end, she was such in a hurry that she got careless. Yanagi asks if she couldn’t go in her house. Kujou says him that her mother won’t come back until early in the morning. Yanagi exclaims, no way! He asks about the landlord. She says that s/he went on a trip. Yanagi tells her to get Fujimoto to let her stay for the night. She says yes. She takes her cellphone to call Fujimoto but Fujimoto isn’t answering. Kujou says that she might as well stay at the university. Yanagi exclaims how can that be, it’s very dangerous! Kujou asks what’s dangerous about it. Yanagi exclaims that he doesn’t want her to. Kujou asks then what she should do. Just when Kujou tries to call Fujimoto again, blushing Yanagi suggests that she come and stay at his place. Kujou looks surprised.

Comment: And if Fujimoto still doesn’t answer the phone, the date will continue at Yanagi’s place. If the place he is talking about is the apartment which he shares with his sister, who sometimes comes home but mostly do not, then, they might be together alone for the night ^^ Of course, she might be sleeping at his sister’s room. Anyway, it would be amusing if Kujou keeps up her clueless seduction of Yanagi just for us to see up to what level is Yanagi’s restraint =P The book did suggest something where they can be alone but that turns out to be a karaoke bar instead of some hotel. Of course, if it is a hotel, I’m sure Kujou won’t dare suggest it. Sigh..apparently, the two really clings on to their respective way of thinking. He has his trauma. She has this idea that he likes someone else. ^^; In a way, for Kujou to have that creepy smile while suggesting that they be alone..it is like she is some ghost who is going to kill him when they are alone. ^^;; Even if there is no sunset, I think they will think of some other excuse over the blushing. =P Anyway, whatever the outcome of the overnight stay, if it happens, at least Yanagi secured a second date ^^ Scans by 红莲汉化组

Quote of the day:

You cannot change what you are, only what you do. ~ Philip Pullman