Last Game [Chapter 43]

Summary of what had happened: Staying for the night with Yanagi, Kujou encounters the mother who came for a visit. While Yanagi looks aghast, Kujou thinks that it is Yanagi’s mother. Covering her mouth, the mother says in disbelief, “Nao-chan, you..because you didn’t come home that I.. What are you doing with some other family’s precious daughter..” Yanagi screams that it is a friend, and it is because of all kinds of reasons that he made her stay over!! “It’s a misunderstanding!!” Going near Yanagi, his mother says, “Nao-chan, mama doesn’t recall at any time that I have taught to secretly stay with a girl at the back of your parents. Of course, I’m not rebuking you for courting a girl. I’m just asking you why you are doing it sneakily.” Scared Yanagi says that he said that she is mistaken. Kujou thinks that it seems that his mother has misunderstood into thinking that she and Yanagi are already going steady. “In the end, Yanagi already has someone he likes. It’s my turn to appear..!” As if she is on a mission, Yanagi firmly tells the mother that it is true. “I have forgotten to bring out my house key and I have no place to stay. So, due to his good intention, he let me stay for the night. WE ARE TRULY FRIENDS.” Yanagi holds his chest for it seems that knives are stabbing it. Sweatdropping, the mother says is that so. Then, she recognizes Kujou.

The mother asks if she is the one and only Miss Kujou whom Yanagi brought home and made him so uneasy while waiting for her text, that Miss Kujou. “You shouldn’t be the Miss Kujou who came to my humble home during high school..?” Kujou says that it is indeed she, and she was under her care [/yoroshiku]. The mother whispers to Yanagi that didn’t this child already dumped him. Yanagi angrily whispers back that he seems to have never said that he was dumped even if just now, once again, it is confirmed that they only have friendship between them. Yanagi scratches his head and complains what’s up with this. He tells his mother that after eating breakfast, he’ll drive Kujou home then, he’ll come over so she can go ahead.. To his surprise, his mother is already inviting Kujou to their house. Yanagi asks his mother why. She laughs and tells him that it is no problem, leave it up to her for mama will come and be his representative [/sales person]. She goes to Kujou and invites for lunch. Kujou tries to protest but the mother tells her that it will be sushi, they’ll definitely eat sushi. Yanagi thinks that Kujou is being deceived with some delicious food. Yanagi says that perhaps, Kujou has some other important thing to attend to. Kujou says that in the evening, she’ll be tutoring though basically, she won’t be working since Kana [guesswork from 佳奈] just insisted on making her stay.

To Yanagi’s dismay, his mother says that since it will start in the evening then there’s no problem at all. Yanagi scowls for this is a rare opportunity for the two of them to be alone in the morning and how come it has no way of progressing smoothly--!! At the house, Ryouko opens the door to see the trio. The mother says that this is Miss Kujou. Kujou says that it has been a long time. While Yanagi is looking at the side, the mother says that it just so happen that Kujou was staying overnight at Yanagi’s place so she called her out to come over. The mother invites Kujou in and to go upstairs with her. She calls out to Yae [guesswork from 八重], the housekeeper to help her in making some tea. Ryouko asks Yanagi about Kujou staying over. Yanagi says that it is simply offering some lodging and it is a pleasure from helping others. Ryouko clicks her tongue and asks if Yanagi made a move on Kujou. Aghast Yanagi is about to deny it but blushes really red and says that he didn’t made a move on her. <- blushing upon recalling it. Since she can see through Yanagi, Ryouko thinks that it is an unsuccessful attempt and beside it is only up to a kiss. Yanagi thinks that it is really bad and he really regrets it for in the end, he shouldn’t have done that kind of thing and how can he look at Kujou in the eye.. In the room, the mother is showing a picture of baby Yanagi nipping on a green pepper that caused him to snivel♡  

Yanagi screams in disbelief over what his mother is making Kujou see. With a huge pile of books on the table, his mother happily says that it is photo albums, which followed him all the way up to his 20 years. Yanagi screams to quickly not look, it’s very humiliating!! His mother darkly asks in what part in his life has there been something which seems humiliating. Yanagi immediately apologizes and she is right so there is simply no issue at all. The mother says that’s right, then, she is relieved. Yanagi is gloomy for in the family, he is in the lowest layer. Ryouko tells Yanagi that he is foolish to death for he would unexpectedly go and refute their mother. Sitting on the dining table opposite of where Kujou and his mother are, Yanagi has some tea and thinks that this is why he thinks of his family as..  <- Even if he isn’t willing to listen but he is also worried that if he isn’t around, he won’t know what they are talking about so all the while, he has no way of leaving. The mother tells Kujou that this is grade 5’s sports meet. Kujou says ah, it is the time when she transferred to the school. The mother says that’s right for it is the first time her son has lost in a relay race that he got so terribly angry. There is a picture of Kujou with number 1 and pouting-sulking Yanagi is number 2. Kujou says is that so. Scowling Yanagi thinks that it is her [Kujou] fault, and he said not to take that picture.

The mother says that besides that, he would unexpectedly propose that he won’t go to cram school which surprised her. Kujou says is that so. Trembling and aghast Yanagi thinks that is also her fault. The mother says that Yanagi would stick around with his father and originally, he always enthusiastically imitates his father’s mannerisms but afterwards, he suddenly won’t imitate anymore that for some time, it made his father quite depressed. Kujou says that rebellious stage has arrived. The mother agrees for during first year junior high, he would have a stiff face and say, ‘I don’t know’ and ‘I don’t need it’. Then, when his father rebukes him, he would retort back, ‘adults basically do not understand my feelings’.. Really embarrassed and crying Yanagi tells them that’s enough, quickly shut up already!! <- someone exposing, one by one, his dark history in front of the girl he likes. Yanagi whines why he isn’t very cute at all. Patting his head, Ryouko says right, right, he is so cute. He begs them to not say anymore. Kujou giggles over it. The mother says that very soon, papa would quickly come over from Hong Kong and isn’t it great. Yanagi angrily says that it isn’t good at all. Yae tells the mother that the sushi will be delivered soon so the mother says that she’ll go and prepare things a bit. After she left, Kujou looks at a picture of young Yanagi with his father. She wonders what kind of person his father is.

Then, Yanagi takes the album and says no, it is strictly forbidden for her to look at it. Kujou says that obviously it is very fun and just now, she is at [his pictures of] junior high. Yanagi angrily asks what’s fun about it. Kujou says that it is very fun [/happy] for he is really extremely doted on by his family. “Besides, speaking of that, we are also together during junior high.” Yanagi starts crying and says that’s right, always until now, he stopped thinking about it. <- he totally made himself to forget how it was between them during junior high. [<- I guess it is because she always beat him in everything] And, sushi has arrived. While everyone is eating, the mother tells Kujou to eat a lot. Yanagi says that Kujou likes pickled salmon roe right so he’ll give his to her. Kujou asks if it is okay. Upon learning this, the mother and Ryouko give her their pickled salmon roe that is high in cholesterol. Kujou tries to decline for there are a lot. The mother tells her that it is alright, don’t be shy. Kujou continues to decline by saying that she already made them spend a lot of money so how can she still take so many. Yanagi lightly knocks her head and says that during this kind of time, do not hesitate to take it. Ryouko says that’s right, if being polite is excessive, it makes people feel unhappy and she is still the same as before, extremely very rigid. Yanagi says, hey.

Smiling, the mother says that is right, they want to give it to her so won’t she accept it. Kujou relents and says that she’ll take it then. Kujou is bursting with joy upon eating the sushi. She notices the three looking at her and thinks that it seems that they like giving people food. Then, someone says that the mother likes shellfish so this is for her. Kujou smiles over this. Later on, Ryouko says that she wants to eat something sweet, a dessert so she orders Yanagi to buy Elan’s truffle chocolates. Yanagi complains that she is going to make him go to some far place. <- Ginza. Ryouko says that it is nothing if he drives his car and he’ll be there quickly. Yanagi asks if she is joking. Ryouko whines that she wants to eat, wants to eat, really wants to eat. Yanagi relents. He stands up and says that he cannot do anything about her. He asks their mother if he’ll buy her some namagashi [type of wagashi, snacks used in the Japanese tea ceremony. Namagashi may contain fruit jellies, other gelatins, etc Source: wiki] at Ryokupudo [guesswork from 綠風堂]. The mother says that’s good and she’ll be troubling him. Putting on his coat, Yanagi offers to drive Kujou to her house while going there. Kujou says that she wants to look a bit more at the albums. Thinking that she is abandoning him, Yanagi screams that he’s going then coming back. The mother laughs about this for Yanagi is really... Ryouko says that even if his mouth says a lot but he is very considerate.

The mother notices Kujou smiling and saying that’s right. Since she is a mother who’ll make discreet inquiries to find out the real situation for her son, she asks Kujou what she thinks of their Yanagi. Kujou bluntly says that there are times when Yanagi troubles people since he would suddenly squat down and wildly shout. There is also a time when she would suddenly notice that he is standing behind her that it startles her. There is also a time when he would make all sorts of demands regarding her actions so it increases the annoyance. The mother can only feel a bit uneasy upon becoming aware of her son being like that. Yanagi would shout this is no good and that is also no good! Kujou says but, it is because of that kind manner [/way], he got in touch with her. It isn’t as bad that she’ll end up alone but thanks to him, she was fortunate to experience happiness, joy, sadness, suffering, and made this life have the joys and sorrows of life. “..if it is possible, I would want to also accompany him from here on.” Ryouko and the mother look surprise about this. The mother happily says that it is simply like a marriage proposal and Kujou really has manliness and she [mother] likes that! Surprised Kujou says that she didn’t mean it that way. Later on, Yanagi comes back and says that he bought the things.. And, he finds his mother telling Kujou that Yanagi is made to write a pledge of ‘I won’t disobey my sister-sama for the second time again’. Ryouko says that she approves of that.

Embarrassed and angry, Yanagi exclaims if she wasn’t listening when he said not to look at the albums. Kujou says but..she wants to see them. Thinking that he mustn’t let her be alone between those two, Yanagi takes Kujou’s hand and tells her to go with him. The mother is sad about this while the sister is chuckling. In his room, Yanagi thinks that next, he’ll naturally be at ease at his own room, then he realizes that they’re alone together. Yanagi nervously tells Kujou to sit wherever she likes. Sitting beside the bed, Kujou continues to look at the albums. Yanagi is silent as he starts to regret about what happened yesterday. Then, Kujou asks him if the old couple in the picture is his [paternal] grandfather and grandmother. Yanagi says that’s right. Kujou says that it is a Japanese style residence. He tells her that it is a hotel, his father’s home. Even if this family hotel has been there since earlier on but it seems that business hasn’t been quite good and it is his father who re-established it. Even if their family’s company is now into the hotel and restaurant business, but it is only at that place, in accordance to grandfather’s wish, the hotel’s outer appearance has been retained. Kujou recalls Shiori mentioning that, it became a big company in just one generation. Yanagi says that even if the building is already old and the place isn’t big but it is taken care of in every corner down to the smallest detail.

Although it isn’t luxurious, but it wins in its being cozy and pleasing, that there are many repeat customers. He also feels that it is a pretty good inn. Kujou smiles and thinks that it seems that he really likes it. Yanagi says that in the previous years, he would visit the place but lately, he basically doesn’t go anymore. He doesn’t know if his grandparents are doing well or not. Kujou suggests that they go there together with the astronomy club. Kujou thinks that the place that Yanagi likes, the family that brought him up, Yanagi’s family members, Yanagi’s past, she really wants to know more of it. Kujou tells him that she wants to go and see the place. Upon seeing his surprised expression, she asks what it is. Yanagi says that it is nothing, he is only thinking that he didn’t think that those words will come out from her mouth.. Doing her best, she says that it is because she wants to find out more about him. Yanagi thinks that she wants to dig in further to know about his dark history. <- didn’t understand what she meant. Hugging a pillow, Yanagi says..ah, but wanting to understand [/find out more about] him, the more the better. Kujou blushes. Lying on the bed, Yanagi says okay, he’ll try contacting Fujimoto though he doesn’t know if the senpai-s will go but then, who knows, they might still be looking for work..

Kujou notices that Yanagi has fallen asleep. Looking at him, Kujou thinks that perhaps, he didn’t get to sleep and could it be because yesterday, he lent his bed to her. She finds his hair to be very supple that she really wants to stroke it a bit. She goes near him to stroke his hair when her hand slips. She exclaims in surprise. Yanagi wakes up to find Kujou on top of him. Freaking out, Yanagi wonders what this is since he is suddenly being pushed down. He didn’t think that Kujou is actually a carnivore. Wondering what to say at this time, Yanagi exclaims that just now, it is true he said that he wishes that she understands him more but he doesn’t mean this at all..!! Standing up, Kujou apologizes and says that her hand slipped. After a pause, Yanagi covers his humiliated face. He thinks that it is as he guessed, and he really wants to die. Kujou starts apologizing to him. He tells her that it is okay, quickly move aside. Just when Kujou is apologizing, they hear someone making a sound. Peeking at the door, Ryouko tells the mother to sshh--. The mother says that they are found out. She tells aghast Yanagi how he can cause the girl to lose face! Ryouko is chuckling for this is another brand new dark history. Yanagi shouts for them to get out-!! And from the bottom of Yanagi’s heart, he swore that he won’t bring Kujou back to his house anymore.

Comment: And, the comedy in this chapter is really out of Yanagi’s expense. I feel sorry for the guy like how I feel sorry for the coyote in the Roadrunner cartoon. ^^; Amusingly instead of being turned off by his embarrassing moments in life, Kujou is very curious of them. ^^ Of course, he misunderstands her reason for it. Yanagi’s mother is so adorable. She really loves Yanagi and would want to help him out in ways that he doesn’t want her to. =P It is nice to see how fond she is of Kujou. In a way, I think one of the reasons why Yanagi isn’t into Tachibana is because she is so much like his sister who kept on bullying/ordering him around. ^^; The way she somewhat scolds Kujou about being overly polite reminds me of Tachibana, among other things. Anyway, for now, it seems that Yanagi’s family also knows of Kujou’s feelings for him. I guess it would be some sort of joke that everyone in the series know except for the two knowing that their feelings for each other is mutual. ^^;; Anyway, the mangaka has set up what we’ll expect in the future chapters. It would be meeting the rest of Yanagi’s family specifically, his father and grandparents. I wonder if we’ll have more scenes like in this chapter for Yanagi because it is still about his family. The poor guy.. =P Scans by 红莲汉化组

Word of the day:

Think of the things that others do that make your life better. Then try to do things like that for your family and loved ones. ‘Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4’ ~ 101 mottos for success by J. Richards and M.S. Fontaine.