Namaikizakari [Chapter 26]

Yuki looks at the food set on the table. She double-checks the calories of each dish: cooked white rice 240 Kcal, grilled salmon 110 Kcal, tamagoyaki [rolled omelet] 90 Kcal, natto 80 Kcal, apple 26 Kcal, and miso soup at 60 Kcal. That amounts to a 606 Kcal breakfast. She thinks that a lot of people do not like eating carrots so she also had them chopped finely and put them into the miso soup. “No problem.” One of the cooks points to the pot and asks is it okay for her to make this curry as today’s lunch. Yuki says okay. She apologizes for occupying the place and she’ll go throw the garbage. The cook tells an older woman that Yuki is very hardworking. The older woman says that she hopes that Yuki will her idiot son’s wife. So, in Ryuhoku basketball club’s summer camp, even if on the first day she had wildly hit Shou [on the head] but luckily, it didn’t rigger any huge incident (probably). On the second day, an intruder came and he also left like a tempest. Shika leaves while warning Himiko not to let her guard down for there are still two days left, goodbye. Going ‘!?’, Himiko says okay. Finally, it is the start of the third day that should be all calm and tranquil. The guys are jogging. Yuki shouts that the first years are too slow, run faster. The first years shouts yes- Himiko shouts that it is the last lap. Yawning Miyoshi arrives and says that he’s so sleepy. He complains about being hungry and isn’t breakfast made yet? Yuki tells him that breakfast and morning run is already over.

Miyoshi complains why these guys can run when they slept at the same time, they’re so amazing. “By the way, I’m thinking that we will go back tomorrow, and it felt that these past three days passed by really quickly. For the last dinner, can you make a wasabi octopus, Machida.” [<- raw octopus in some seasoning which includes wasabi] Yuki says that they don’t have that kind of thing. Whap..a shoe flew and hit Miyoshi’s head. Holding the back of his head, Miyoshi exclaims at Shou what’s up with that. Shou claims that it is a weather divination. [<- I think he’s throwing the shoe to forecast the weather.] Miyoshi shouts for him to quit lying for basically, it doesn’t matter and if it turns rains, they will have a gym, you trouble-maker. Abe tells Miyoshi not to do that for he cannot lay a hand on Shou’s ‘older sister’. Miyoshi exclaims is that so, but then isn’t Yuki, everyone’s Yuki? While making an angry side glance at Shou, Yuki thinks that he would unexpectedly spark his hostile feeling towards a teacher and that is extremely troublesome. She decides not to mind him and prepare a meal [for Miyoshi?]. She recalls that night when she touched Shou’s hand when she said, ‘I know..’ after he told her that his feeling for her is more intense than that of Shika. Hugging the tree Yuki couldn’t believe that she said that and no matter how many times he said that same thing, she cannot answer that way. She is relived that nothing had happened for even if such a thing happened between them, there is no obvious change. And like that, they are on the third day.

At the gym, Nishiyama fails to shoot the ball in the basket. He says that it is no good, no matter how he wants to play from inside, he is too anxious. The coach asks to let him try by giving him a ball. Hatori exclaims if that okay coach. After he got the ball, the coach starts making some fancy moves against Shouji. The coach tells them that inside, in order to surpass the defender’s legs, one must step up the range of one’s strength in order to fully destabilize the opponent’s defense, and then calmly, shoot the ball. The coach shoots the ball and it is in. The others are really amazed at their coach that Abe wants to follow him. One of the guys says that in these two years, he saw it again..the coach’s devilish attack that Kido-senpai couldn’t stop. Yuki comments that the coach is old yet vigorous. She wants to also energetically  work. As she pushes the cart of basketballs, Shou stops the cart with his hand. He asks if he can go to her room tonight. She asks how is it possible that she’ll say, ‘Okay, please.’ Moving away the car, she tells him to move for he’s a hindrance. He whispers that obviously, tomorrow, they are leaving yet they totally haven’t talked about that issue. She whispers why she has to be specially talked about that during camp. He asks then when are they going to talk about it. He stops the cart again with his foot. Leaning close to her, he whispers that he’ll tell her clearly, since it reach this part, he won’t let her run away.

Just when Yuki angrily thinks that he’s too near, and about invading one’s  personal space , someone called out to Shou and asks if he’s flirting with the manager. After he left, Yuki thinks that she wasn’t thinking of running away-- At the cafeteria, everyone is excited about the curry and there are no carrots. Yuki corrects them that from the first day, she already minced the carrots and put them into the food because no matter what, she would make them eat [carrots]. They shout that she is so stubborn. Then, Shouji calls out to Yuki that there are no new towels. She tells him that the newly washed ones are in the washroom. She tells him to eat first and she’ll go change them. Hatori exclaims that the curry is delicious. Noda holds the plate of curry and says that he likes the manager. Ponytail exclaims that Noda if he is moved like Shika. Noda says that he recalled Akita’s [秋田] granny. [<- I don’t get this] Nishiyama says that means.. Amamiya says that in this few days that they are living together, it made him truly experience Yuki’s total ‘no flaw’. Tonomura says that it seems that she calculates the calories of the meals. This shocks Hatori. Someone jokes about wanting to marry Yuki. Someone laughs and says that it should be mother. With a spoon on his mouth, Shou seems to be fuming inside. Yuki thinks that she isn’t running away at all, and it is only because she is too busy that she totally couldn’t find the time to ponder on that issue.

At the video room, Himiko says that the DVD that they are going to watch this afternoon, is that video-recording of the last preliminary competition. Yuki says yes and it should have a note sticker on top so look for it. Yuki thinks that in the end, she is still thinking what is ‘going steady’ and she hasn’t totally gotten a clear understanding of it-- While looking at the DVDs, Himiko sees something and screams out loud. Yuki asks what it is. She looks down and saw a porn DVD, ‘Female teacher F’. Just then, Amamiya and the others scream out loud. Ponytail angrily shouts at Nishiyama why he hid it in that place. Nishiyama says that it is because he thinks that it can be concealed by blending it in with the other DVDs. Ponytail shouts that is how porno book is concealed.  While Himiko has a blank look from shock, Yuki hands the DVD to Amamiya and asks if it is theirs. She tells him that she’ll keep it a secret from the teacher so quickly get rid of it. Flustered Amamiya says no, it isn’t theirs, but actually, it is a trump card of the Ryuhoku basketball club. It is like a family heirloom that is passed from generation to generation. Past generation’s captain passed it to Kido who passed it to Shouji...it is like that. Yuki thinks that unwittingly, it taken the shape of an indecent tradition. Amamiya says and then, this year, they are going to pass it to Shou, which he is going formally give it to him today. Yuki sighs that it isn’t necessary to specially give it during the camp. Amamiya says no, so he’s saying.. “Isn’t Naruse’s birthday today?” Yuki goes !!? Birthday!?

While Shou is resting outside the gym door, Miyoshi orders him to go with him in purchasing something. He complains that because it is too hot, they have already eaten up all the ice that’s in the refrigerator. So, since he’s tall, he should at least help him in carrying the things. Shou complains that it is troublesome to death. Just then, Yuki holds a note and calls out to Miyoshi that there is a supermarket along the mountain road which is a drive for around 10 minutes so can she trouble him in driving that car there. Miyoshi asks why it isn’t Himiko but her. Yuki says that right now, Himiko is in a mild confused state. Then, she is shock to see Shou there. Holding the car keys on his finger, Miyoshi says that guy is going to help him carry the stuff so isn’t it better to get him to carry the water and ice. “Let’s go-” Yuki thinks that this is bad. Riding at the back of the car with Shou, Yuki wonders why Miyoshi always do such unnecessary thing no wonder his wife left him, right.. While Miyoshi wonders out loud if he is going to turn here, Yuki recalls learning that it is Shou’s birthday today. They told her that last year, Shou didn’t utter a word about it so everyone didn’t know. This is a rare opportunity that they want to give him something during the camp so this year, a lot of people prepared a gift for him.

Yuki nervously thinks, birthday.. She wonders if it is because she is too focused with the camp that she totally didn’t notice it, no, although she doesn’t have any obligation to prepare a birthday gift for club members. She glances at Shou who is looking out the car window. She thinks that it seems that his mood is particularly bad starting this morning. “What can it be!? Could it be because I do not have any reaction that it is birthday so he is angry..!? Isn’t that too childish..!! ..but then, I still have to say it, ‘happy birthday’, right..” Just when she is telling him that about today, it is his.. And, she sees him sound asleep. Miyoshi says that they are here and what, Shou is sleeping. Just when Miyoshi tries to wake him up, Yuki says that it is alright, she is fine alone. [Mangaka blurb: When I felt that I’m going to quickly reach my limit while drawing the manuscript, I’ll drink tomato juice as if my life depended on it, then I’m totally revived.] At Yasui supermarket, while buying some water, Yuki thinks that in the end, she must prepare something..for she did got a mug from him..but, if she suddenly gives him something, and even if she asks him what he wants, she thinks that he also won’t give her a decent answer.. Then Shou suddenly carries the basket she is carrying that is filled with bags of ice. He asks her why she didn’t wake her up. Yuki says that he slept on his own so don’t say such amazing things.

Shou says that Miyoshi told him to buy bacon, and he gave him his wallet. Yuki thinks that Shou isn’t ‘unhappy’, and she doesn’t know since when that Shou has become someone who loves to smile even if that is also rare. She has changed a bit and had become perplexed. Shou complains about Miyoshi being noisy and how about buying some wild garlic for Miyoshi. Yuki tells him not to for Miyoshi already gave him his wallet. Shou says that he cannot eat wild garlic. Yuki blushes and looks at him. She thinks that unwittingly, she become totally at ease as long as he is like the usual and stays at her side. Soon, they arrive at a convenient store. Miyoshi apologizes and says that he’ll go to the toilet for a while and they’re not allowed to drive the car on their own and leave him, or else, he’ll cry. Yuki says that they won’t. After he left, Yuki thinks that it is now..! She’ll casually and indifferently say, ‘Happy birthday to you’!! Yuki says that even if it doesn’t matter but today.. Looking out the window, Shou interrupts and says that it isn’t easy to spend the past three days with her but it isn’t happy as he imagined. Yuki angrily thinks that in the end, he is being difficult, and it is hard to grasp..have to be troublesome.. He says that as long as it is only him and her, the two of them, then it is okay but not a camp. Thinking that she isn’t running away and she must say it out, she whispers that she is properly thinking about it whether or not, to go steady with him..that type of thing but actually, she..doesn’t really understand this, ‘going steady’..

Shou says that in the end, she’s an idiot, “‘Thinking about it, thinking about it’, are you always thinking over that kind of thing? What is ‘going steady’? How can one possibly understand that kind of thing? It is through going steady that one understands that kind of thing. What I hope that you’ll think over is, in the end, senpai, what do you think of me. That is the only thing. ..Yuki-senpai, do you like me..? *Yuki blushes* ..if you like me then don’t move. *leans closer to her* Close your eyes and let me kiss you.” Her heart beats fast. When she is about to close her eyes, Miyoshi comes back and shouts that he finally feels good, sorry for the long wait. Seeing the two’s aghast grumpy look, he asks them why they are using that kind of look towards him. The two darkly says it is nothing. As Miyoshi starts to drive, he starts talking nonstop that there are many people in the convenient store’s toilet, and about a deer just passed by. Yuki blushes when Shou casually touches her fingers then they held hands. Yuki thinks that it seems that they are stuck in a rut but gradually changes are happening and she definitely likes him more than yesterday. At the hotel, someone puts on a ghost mask and shouts how this is. Abe laughs and asks if that is a gift for Shou. That person says no, it is for tonight’s ‘test your courage’ game. Amamiya holds another mask and says that he likes this one.

Hatori complains about this ‘test your courage’-something when it is okay for them to just have fireworks like last year. Someone laughs over Hatori being a coward. Then, Yuki and Shou arrive. Yuki asks if they still haven’t taken a bath. Abe welcomes the two. Yuki tells them that the dinner is prepared earlier than usual so quickly take a bath. As Shou goes inside the room, Hatori exclaims that’s right, he has decided to partner with Yuki. Grabbing Yuki’s wrist, Hatori exclaims that she emits a reliable feeling that those ghosts won’t dare come near him. Noda tells Hatori that he is being cunning for he is also scared to death. Yuki tells him that if they’re scared, there’s no need to force themselves to join it. Himiko peeks inside the room and is glad that Yuki is back. Amamiya teases Shou if that is okay since ‘older sister’ is going to be snatched away. To the shock of the two scared guys, Yuki says that she is actually tasked to play a ghost and since she is going to do it, she’ll do it seriously. Hatori exclaims that she is the only one whom he doesn’t want to play ghost. Shou is getting angry as he sees Hatori’s hand holding Yuki’s wrist. Shou says, “..it isn’t ‘older sister’. I never felt that she is my ‘older sister’. *Yuki and others are looking at Shou* ..I sincerely like Yuki-senpai.” Everyone looks stunned as they look at blushing tense Yuki. Narration: “It seems that the wish I prayed that the third day will be peaceful, was totally and easily smashed by him.” And, everyone screams in disbelief.

Comment: Even if it would be nice if Shou respect her wish not to reveal things between them but at the pace this is going, it is good that Shou did that. Yay, public confession and hopefully, Yuki will have to give her the answer as her birthday gift for him. =P I almost facepalm that she is still at that ‘thinking about what is going steady’. I thought that was resolved already, but then, I guess she was just carried away at those times. ^^;; Anyway, thankfully, the mangaka isn’t going to drag things any longer with all the people there, now know what Shou really feels for her. I cannot blame him for he has become really jealous and insecure as more and more guys are starting to like, rely and be spoiled by Yuki during this camping trip. Apparently, Miyoshi isn’t just useless, he is annoying too. I mean, he just replaced Shizuka in interrupting an ‘almost confession’. ^^;; I’m amused at how casual Yuki reacts about the porn. Maybe her younger brothers also have that. I guess for the others to see Yuki blushing like that, it means she has feelings for Shou since she is always stoic and everything. So, I’ll expect some fun horror stuff during their ‘test of courage’ and maybe Shou will whisk her away to some place where they can be alone. Then, at the end, go steady already since it is becoming apparent that that issue is being dragged. ^^; Scans by 红莲汉化组

Quote of the day:

Stay focused to the unexpected. Sometimes it's life's conundrums that take us exactly where we need to and least expected. ~ Kemmy Nola