Hibi Chouchou [Chapter 67]

After Atohira left, Kawata calls out to Kawasumi and tells him to quickly lead the way for there are many people lined up already. Kawasumi apologizes to him and runs off, leaving a surprised Kawata. At the takoyaki stand, while Aya expertly makes some takoyaki-s, Daisuke calls out to Yuri. A girl asks Yuri if it is her boyfriend. Yuri calls out to her as Haruka [guesswork from 美佳] and asks if it is time to change shifts. Daisuke tells her to accompany him in looking around the school. Yuri says okay. Soon, Atohira is walking the corridors alone as some girls are glancing at him with hearts around them. And a triple bun haired girl came rushing towards him from behind. It is Koume who shouts, captured--!! The others are quite happy about this except for Atohira. Koume says that she’s very happy that he can come. “It’s at this side☆” Atohira tries to protest but it is futile for she had already dragged him away. While Daisuke realizes that Atohira is gone, Yuri is pointing out the gym where the posters of the classes are put up.

While standing in front of section 3-A, Koharu holds a placard and tells passer-bys that they have a Japansese-style café so want to come and have a sit inside. After some guy comments that she’s very cute, Koume and another girl call out to Koharu. Koharu blushes upon seeing them, dragging Atohira. She says that he came. Atohira just looks glum. Koharu starts to mention to him their menu, mochi with azuki/red bean soup or perhaps, fiddlehead rice cake, green bean [/konjac] jelly, matcha ice cream, mitarashi dango or hojicha. He asks her if there is a fruit[-based] cake. Looking at him, blushing Koharu says yes! Soon, he is served with a round dessert and tea. After a pause, Atohira asks if it is a strawberry daifuku [confection consisting of a small round mochi Source: wiki]. Sweatdropping, she tells him that even if it is chestnut inside, isn’t it a Japanese-style dessert, ha ha ha. To her surprise, Atohira eats it and says that it is delicious. She asks if he wants another one. He says yes.

As she heads in the ‘kitchen’, Atohira looks out the window and sees Kawasumi meeting up with Suiren and Meguna. He notices that Suiren is blushing a bit. Just when Koharu brought back another daifuku, Atohira said that she already liked [Kawasumi] right, so what does she feel upon seeing that. Koharu sees Kawasumi together with Suiren and Meguna. Koharu tells him that she doesn’t feel anything. Somewhat flustered Atohira mutters, ha-.. Koharu asks how is it, if it is okay, in a moment.. Standing up, Atohira says no, he’s leaving. Koharu thanks him and says that she is very happy. And, she watches him leave. Somewhere else [/flashback?], Kawasumi is running towards Suiren and Meguna. Some guys are disappointed that Suiren already has a boyfriend. Meguna asks if it is a change of shift soon. Kawasumi says no, Atohira came. Suiren tells him that Yuri told her. Kawasumi looks glum and flustered. Suiren tells him that right now, she plans to go to the roof and eat takoyaki. “Before.. the change of shift.. I’ll be there..”

Kawasumi blushes a bit. Since Suiren is concerned about Meguna but Meguna tells her that her boyfriend will be coming soon. Kawasumi tells Suiren that it is a rare cultural festival.. Suiren shakes her head and says that it is..okay. Then, a guy calls out to Kawasumi to tell him that Kawata is telling him to quickly return. After Kawasumi tells Suiren see you later, she nods. Then, Kawasumi grabs the guy named Itou [伊東] and asks him to exchange shifts with him. Soon, Suiren is on the roof. She looks down to see Kawasumi looking around. Then, she sees him going after Atohira, who is heading out of the school. Kawasumi holds Atohira’s shoulder, and Atohira immediately hit his hand away. The two stare at each other. Kawasumi glances up to Suiren then faces Atohira again. Atohira says that he is about to leave. Kawasumi tells him that Atohira is the person he longs for [/his ideal], and..a friend. Atohira tells him that between him and Kawasumi, it is always rivalry, right. Kawasumi looks glum and flustered. Looking away, Kawasumi says what he is saying, absolutely not. Atohira says, “I know.”

Just then, Daisuke, together with Yuri, calls out that he has found Atohira. Daisuke tells him not to suddenly disappear. After a pause, Atohira says that isn’t it better for the two of them to be alone. While Daisuke and Yuri blush, Daisuke tells him not to say that, Yuri said she wanted the three of them to eat together. Atohira teasingly apologizes for making the two of them alone in school. Daisuke tells him to be quiet. Pushing Daisuke to Yuri, Atohira tells him not to mind him and quickly go. Daisuke asks if he is leaving. Atohira says that there is already no need to look for him. Waving goodbye, Daisuke says ya. Yuri nods to acknowledge Atohira before she left with Daisuke. After the couple left, Atohira says ‘bye’ to Kawasumi. Kawasumi says that from today on, he wants to properly cherish [/treasure]. Atohira glances at him and says is he proposing marriage. Kawasumi says that it is okay whether it is Suiren or Atohira. Atohira tells him that’s quite disgusting. As Atohira quickly leaves, Kawasumi mutters that he didn’t mean it that way..

Later on, Kawasumi goes to the roof and gives Suiren some okonomiyaki. Suiren thanks him. As Kawasumi set down the food as if they are on a picnic, he tells Suiren that it is alright now, Atohira already left and he exchanged shifts with Itou so eat up. Then, Kawasumi is bending his head down to his crossed arms. Just when Suiren is about to touch him, Kawasumi suddenly sits up. While separating the wooden chopsticks, he exclaims, “Sorry!! It’s nothing at all! It’s alright! Come- Let’s quickly eat-” While eating the okonomiyaki, Kawasumi says that he estimates that later on, they’ll change shifts together. Suiren tells him, “..about that..I..always, since always.. like only you, Kawasumi-kun.” Kawasumi blushes a bit and hugs her. He says, “Ya- Me, too.” He wonders why Atohira said, ‘I know’ earlier.

Comment: I somewhat feel sorry for Koharu since Atohira didn’t go there for her. I guess it is okay that she feels happy about him coming. And it is good that she didn’t know whom he really likes. Suiren has already sensed Kawasumi’s anxiety towards Atohira. She is really nice to volunteer to ‘hide’ at the roof just for him. Of course, he reciprocates it by asking someone to change shifts with him so he can be with her. And, it is very nice how she reassured him that he is the only one she likes from the start until now. ^^ It seems that Kawasumi wants to be in good terms with Atohira whom he looks up to and whom he wants to consider a friend. But for Atohira, he is a rival..both in karate and love. Atohira isn’t making any moves on Suiren and I don’t think Suiren would let him since she knows of how Kawasumi would feel about it. So, I guess, things might be more about the two guy’s rivalry among other things rather than a love triangle. Anyway, it is good that there won’t be any dragging misunderstanding-related issue happening...for now. Scans by all★wink汉化组

Quote of the day:

The supreme happiness in life is the assurance of being loved; of being loved for oneself, even in spite of oneself. ~ Victor Hugo, Les Misérables