Skip Beat [Chapter 223]

Looking at Kyouko’s distraught expression, Shou says that in the end, she saw it. After a pause, Kyouko asks what he is saying. Shou tells her not to pretend that she didn’t know. “Today’s broadcast. The program that Aunt Saena took part in.” Then, Okami rushes out to see Kyouko with Shou. She recognizes Shou who sees her. After Okami nods in acknowledgement, Shou shakes his head. Okami starts going inside and thinks that regarding this kind of thing, it would be better to leave it to a childhood friend who understands the situation. Shou says that looking at her, it is impossible that she didn’t see it. Kyouko says that she doesn’t know. Shou says who she is deceiving. “..currently, your eyes’ expression is lifeless.” Kyouko lowers her head down and asks why he appeared. “..how come you are here.” He says, “..because there is a certain idiot who won’t answer the phone no matter how many times I called. *Kyouko didn’t answer* ..you..just now..where do you plan on running off to?”

Then, he remembers the time when they shot his PV, Kyouko told him that she would avoid him and she’ll go to a place to cry because she doesn’t want to make him feel awkward. Then, Shou asked if she went to some place to cry during the time when she suddenly disappeared. End flashback. Shou thinks that she plans to cry all by herself again. He tells her that actually, he doesn’t feel awkward and even if she bawls out here right now, he feels that he is capable of acting the role which is as good as probably the wild dogs on the streets. “But, there is someone who can warm you up rather than to be all alone, which isn’t good, right.” She didn’t react. Shou scowls and goes to her. He asks, “..hey..do you hear what I said? You girl.. *holds her chin* Hold your head up.” Shou is surprised to see her blank expression for it now totally devoid of emotion compared to the one earlier which seems to be in the verge of crying. He thinks that this girl made her feelings.. He goes near her and kisses her.

A few cars pass by and Shou ends the kiss. He looks at her and says, “..what..if it is the usual you, you’ve kick me and send me flying, right. If you do not want to cry in front of me, (at least) get angry at me.. (vent out that feeling--..!!)” Kyouko looks at him and says, “..truly annoying--..” This startles Shou. She continues, “..Shou--..tarou--.. I have... a request..” Shou asks what it is. She continues, “--..let me calm down a bit..” Shou scowls a bit about this. Back inside, Okami’s husband is busy cooking while Okami looks gloomy. He is startled when his wife suddenly shouted in surprise. She says that it is because she felt that it is very serious so she came back but just now, shouldn’t it be better for her to invite them inside. The Daruma couple peeks out the door but no one is there. They wonder where the two ran off to. And, at some park, Kyouko is sitting by her lonesome on a bench. She recalls Shou asking her where she wants to run off to.

Holding the small purse, she thinks, “--..Geez--..the place where I want to run to.. where to go--.. Obviously, there is no Corn’s forest in Tokyo. Obviously, there is no place where I can let go.. and cry out loud.. There is basically none-- *recalls Sho saying that right now, her eyes are lifeless* Basically, I thought that after a long time, I don’t feel it anymore. For things to reach this stage, talking about despair, talking about expectation, --but-- *Flashback: Kyouko received a mail and it is from her mother’s law firm. She looked happy about that. Takenori called her out and showed her profile on LME’s page. End flashback.* Holding the awareness that I’ll be ‘ignored’. Attempting to convey to that person my ‘wish’. It is to make that person turn into someone who cannot ignore me. This is the kind of method that I have chosen-- Including being on the home page. I’m afraid that she’ll be annoyed but she still signed the consent letter and gave it to me. *recalls her mother’s scowl* It isn’t at all because she values my future. Rather, that person.. *Saena saying that she doesn’t have a child* treated me, along with my everything, as never existed, so..”

A tear starts to fall that she quickly closes her eyes and holds the purse tightly. Slightly biting her lip, she thinks, “..it’s great--.. that this didn’t happen before meeting with Corn again.. –or else—  I will once again..” Flashback to young Kyouko who is crying in the rain and calling out to Corn: “Quickly come back. *wipes tears* I beg of you. Quickly come out. Quickly listen to what I have to say. Corn. *cries* CO-RN” Kyouko looks as if she is on the verge of tears. Then, there is a shadow of a person coming towards her. She looks up and sees that it is a man. And, she is surprised for it is Ren. She scowls and tears start to form in her eyes. She mutters, “..no..way..” Blurb: “The figure that appears in front of extremely sad and lost Kyouko. The frozen feelings unceasingly overflow!? Next chapter is a must read!!” The next chapter will be out on May 20th in Japan.

Comment: Ah, I’m having really good vibes here especially with that kind of blurb. Must read..so something amazing will happen, right? She is thinking of Corn, and he comes out. Would this be the ‘I’ll tell you everything’ when they meet again? Ren isn’t going to just return to Guam with her like that..and that kind of flashback. It is like saying that rainy day won’t happen again..well, at least, it is a build up for Ren to appear. I guess for Shou to come out first is some sort of comparison with how Kyouko will react/let herself be comforted. Kyouko must have used some exceptionally amazing acting skills to make herself look like that. She has a lot of pride and stubbornness to never make Shou see her crying. So, by next chapter, we’ll probably have a comparison on how Ren will comfort her. He hugged her before when she feared that Corn has died. Maybe, deliberate or not, he’ll do something Corn will do and that might reveal his identity? I recall he did some backflip when they were young. Then, that Corn looking like Ren at Guam makes sense now on why Kyouko would be so moved to cry to see him. ^^

Anyway, Shou really lacks the skills to do it as evident in this chapter. I don’t know if it is good that Kyouko got kissed by Shou. I mean, from her reaction and thoughts later on, that kiss was nothing to her. He no longer has that much impact on her. It somehow shows what he is to her now and that might probably worry Shou later on. I would like to know his expression if he knew that she wasn’t always crying alone, and with whom. So, with Kyouko like that, I don’t think Ren will bring up that kiss if he did see it. I hope Shou did leave her alone and not follow her because I want a major progress between the two. Hopefully, the mangaka isn’t just bringing my hopes up like what Kyouko did with her mother. Apparently, Kyouko had entertained hope that perhaps, things are different now but her worst fear is confirmed by what her mother said. It makes me wonder if all that is just for us to be here, right now...Ren/Corn to be there again when she needs him the most..unlike that rainy day. ^^ So, is ‘Corn’s forest’ = Ren’s house? =P Scans by 红莲汉化组

Quote of the day:

What we call despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope. ~ George Eliot