Namaikizakari [Chapter 31]

Yuki looks surprised as she sees Arisa kissing Shou in the classroom. Then, Arisa told him to close his eyes and treat her as Yuki. Yuki goes into shock and mutters, “--..eh.” Then, there is a click sound. Arisa hears this that she quickly turns around to look at the door. She looks back to Shou and asks who was there a while ago.. She is shocked to see that Shou is rubbing his lips. She shouts that he’s not allowed to wipe his lips. “Do not rub your lips in front of the person whom you kissed with. And doing it so calmly!!” Shou says that it seems that there is lipstick. Arisa shouts how he can say that kind of junior high line when obviously it isn’t his first kiss. Standing up to leave, Shou tells her that she is also quite awful. After he left, Arisa recalls that time during junior high. She called out to Shou who is reading a manga and said, “Hey- Hey- If, If I said that I like you Naruse, what would you do?” End flashback. Arisa hears Shou leaving and mutters, “..stu-pid..” Yuki returns to her house. The first triplet say that she’s back and she came back too late for they had already eaten up all of the pasta. Walking to her room, Yuki darkly says that it is alright. The twins ask her who that handsome guy is, a while ago. Yuki darkly replies that it is someone related to club activities.

She goes into her room and sits down on her chair. Then, she tensely holds her head and wonders what’s going on with that..!!! “Wh..why..why would Naruse and Ichii.. No.. it’s wrong to say, ‘why’ for that is because Ichii likes Naruse and besides, that is a very explicit declaration but looking at Naruse a while ago, he also didn’t refuse. That means, Naruse— ‘has given up on waiting for me’...?” Yuki is stunned by that realization. Then, her cellphone starts ringing. She quickly answers it and it is her friend, Sachi. Sachi asks if she has club activity today. “Today, Meiko [guesswork from 芽衣子] and I did our homework the whole day that our mood is totally gloomy already--” Meiko calls out that they are still not finished. Sachi asks if Yuki wants to go to a matsuri [/festival] tomorrow with them. The next day, at the matsuri, where there are a lot of food stalls, a couple of girls glance back to see scowling Shizuka in a yukata. They whisper what to do, should they go over, but he’s definitely waiting for his girlfriend but then, he looks like he got a stomachache. Ya, it seems that he is perspiring a lot.

Holding a couple of kakigori [shaved ice with syrup], Kira goes to Shizuka and tells him that if he has that kind of expression, girls won’t go near him. “And, why do you think that I made you wear a yukata for?” Aghast and trembling Shizuka says that he doesn’t know and by the way, starting from just now, he is always been stared at. Kira laughs and says that it is because he is bait so it is inevitable. Holding his hand over his eyes, Kira asks whether or not, Yuki will come today. Stirring his kakigori, Shizuka says that he also doesn’t know. Kira asks what’s up with him, is he going to give up so soon. Shizuka says that it isn’t a matter of giving up or not, right now, that person is only thinking of club activities. He thinks that if he ponder on it in detail, from the first day when they met at the field, that person really gives it her all. Shizuka is surprised upon overhearing Yuki asking Shou if he doesn’t feel frustrated [after the lost; chapter 9]. He recalls Yuki trembling and thinks that at that time, she isn’t at all crying.. <-correct. and right now, thinking of it, she isn’t the person who would cry her nose off over that small kind of thing.

In the end, just to act cool, he put that coat over her head and is he a clown. <- partly correct. “..if I can only..fight that person on the same stage then, I’ll be perfectly satisfied.” While thinking of that, a couple of girls say that he’s so handsome, and super melancholic. Somewhere else, someone calls out to Yuki. While Sachi is eating some yakisoba [stir-fried noodles], Meiko calls out to Yuki that they’re over here. Yuki apologizes for coming late because she helped her young sisters in wearing a yukata. Meiko tells Yuki that Sachi planned to wear a yukata today but in the end, her nephew [sister’s son], who came to play, puked on it. Sachi says that he really cried to death. Yuki glances at the side and thinks, matsuri huh..lately so many things had happened but she almost forgot about the matsuri appointment and it feels like just like during that time at the pool, she’ll meet up with so many acquaintances [/friends]. She had immediately noticed Tonomura. A girl in a yukata calls out to him and tells him to wait. Holding out his hand, he tells his girlfriend not to run or she’ll trip. Yuki thinks that perhaps, Shou will also come.

Then, someone calls out to her and says that if it isn’t manager Naruse. Yuki greets Shouji and Yashiro [guesswork from 八代] a good evening. Yashiro asks how come Yuki isn’t together with Shou. Yuki says that even if he asks her, she also doesn’t know. This surprises her friends that Meiko asks what’s up with Yuki and Shou. Yuki says that there’s nothing at all, and she’s going to buy some kakigori. <- runs away. Yuki offers to buy some for her friends since there are a lot of people. Meiko wants melon flavor while Sachi wants cola flavor. While walking, Yuki thinks that she obviously isn’t in the mood to go to the matsuri and have fun in various kinds of sense. “..Naruse definitely won’t come, right. He seems to really hate places where there are a lot of people. ..in the end, yesterday, because I was really at a loss on what to do that I ran away. I also didn’t know what they’ve talked about. *flustered* ..even if I really wanted to know but I’m really afraid.. *someone steps on her foot* That hurts!” People in front of her are squeezing ahead in order to look at the menu. Yuki thinks that there are really so many people.

Yuki tries to shout that she wants a cola, melon and ugh *someone elbows her face* matcha.. [green tea powder].. Then someone calls out for three lemon flavor. Then, Shou suddenly pulls her to him and calls out to the owner that he wants to order a cola, melon and matcha. Yuki looks at Shou in surprise and thinks that he came. While holding her hand and pulling her away from the stall, Shou tells her that she is really unsuitable with the crowds. Then, Shou gives her the three kakigori. Yuki thanks him. Recalling Arisa kissing Shou, Yuki wonders what to do for she felt that she couldn’t look straight at his face. Scratching his head, Shou asks her why isn’t she wearing a yukata and it isn’t a bit captivating if she wears casual clothes at the matsuri. Furious Yuki darkly says who cares about him. She thinks that she is now looking straight at him like the usual. Shou says, “Ah.. that’s right, one more thing..there is something that I wanted to tell you, senpai.” Yuki thinks that here it comes. Yuki asks what it is. Shou says, ah, about that- Then, they were interrupted by a couple of guys who call out that they had found Shou. They scold him by saying what he is doing for the place, where they’ll look at the fireworks, will be taken by others. Shou says forget it, he’ll call her later on.

After he left, Yuki thinks that it is no good..why did she breath a sigh of relief when she obviously decided to communicate with him frankly. “That’s right, I have to pull myself together and make my heart stronger..” Then, Arisa, who is wearing a yukata, calls out to Yuki. Startled Yuki’s strong heart suddenly had a major crack. Yuki thinks that is very dangerous for it almost became a strange love triangle thing = Yuki, Shou and Arisa. Yuki greets her a good evening. Arisa greets her back and says that there are so many people and she shouldn’t have worn a yukata. This immediately made Yuki remember Shou asking why she didn’t wear a yukata. Holding her cellphone, Arisa complains about her friends being late and when she sees them, she is definitely going to beat them up. Yuki thinks that Arisa is so cute and although she challenged ,her but with common sense, she is basically not a rival for this cute girl.. Yuki’s ‘strong heart’ has more cracks now. Then, Arisa asks Yuki if she has seen Shou. Yuki says that just how, he was at that side. Arisa asks is that so, since she thought that after she did THAT KIND OF THING yesterday, he won’t come here today. Arisa stares at Yuki who looks very tense since she missed the opportunity to ask, ‘what are you referring to as THAT KIND OF THING’.

Arisa says that in the end, the one she saw was Yuki. Yuki apologizes and says that she doesn’t mean to peek. Arisa says that it is alright, that is just her forcefully kissing him, that’s all. Surprised Yuki asks, really..? Arisa says ya, ya, generally, it is like that, and by the way, during junior high, she has been rejected by Shou once. Once again, Yuki asks, really..!? Arisa says yes, and it can be said that she was ‘rejected by him’ by.. Flashback: In 3-2 section, Arisa asked what if she said that she likes Shou, what would he do? Shou looked at her and smiled. She blushed. Then, looking at his manga again, Shou said that’s really disgusting, don’t joke around. This stunned Arisa. End flashback. Arisa said that Shou coldly smiled and ignored her. Aghast and tense, Yuki thinks that is really..truly quite nasty for one’s own confession to be ignored, it would be all sorts of being difficult with [/having tantrum].. [<- not too sure whose confession but probably Shou’s as chibi Shou says to properly think over it.] Arisa says, “But, junior high is junior high.. Right now, it is still unknown how it would be.”

Then, Arisa leaves while talking on the phone. She asks where s/he is right now, ah, eating takoyaki. Yuki thinks that Arisa’s cuteness isn’t at all because she is wearing a yukata. “Rather, it is because she dared to face her own feelings head on. Even if she gets hurt, even if she encountered defeat, she’ll still strongly face the difficulties--” Then, she sees a younger girl shouting that she also wants the pink one. Pushing the younger girl, her sister says no, the pink one is hers. The younger girl wails that her sister is a big idiot. Yuki recalls how she gave in to her wailing twin sisters by giving them her balloon. Yuki thinks, but she really hates facing difficulties. Flashback: Her grandmother called out to her and told her to hold hands with her. Yuki said okay, and held her grandmother’s hand. End flashback. Yuki thinks that she basically thought that being like that is okay. Yuki finds her friends looking dark and saying, “..Yuki..what’s going on.. *Yuki looks aghast* Can we trouble you to explain to us about Naruse-kun confessing to you? Why did you hide it from us-- How come you totally didn’t look for us to talk about it as good friends!! Why you!!”

Aghast Yuki apologizes and says that she always wasn’t able to find..an opportunity. As Abe and Hatori pass by to greet Yashiro, Shouji apologizes for he thought that they already knew so he said it out. Meiko exclaims what happened next, is she going steady with Shou or they are already going steady!? Yuki tensely says no..about that. Then, Shou arrives to say, “Not going steady. *eating a grilled squid* ..we are not going steady.” Meiko tensely says that it is Shou, himself who came..how dazzling. Sachi says that she really wants to ask Shou what kind of game he is playing right now. Meiko tells her to shut up. While Yuki is quietly watching, Shouji laughs and says that’s true, with just one look, and he already knows for no matter how Shou knocks as if his life depended on it, he cannot knock down and open Yuki’s impenetrable defense. Just then, Shizuka is throwing a bag of garbage when he notices Yuki and the others. While Shouji and the others are laughing about this, Shou says, “Ya, so.. *munch munch* I already gave up.” Everyone freezes and look surprised. Yuki wonders what he meant just now. Shou continues to say, “I no longer like Yuki-senpai.” This surprises Yuki. Shouji exclaims in shock. He shouts, “That’s really boring-- don't give up!!”

Abe shouts that Shou doesn’t have any perseverance- Shou ignores them. Then, Sachi calls out to Yuki since she is already walking away. Yuki says that before the fireworks start, she’ll go to the toilet first. As Shou looks away, Yuki walks away thinking about what Shou said that he wanted to say something to her, and then he said [now] that he no longer likes her. “—Geez, that guy was the first who gave the answer when I was half-heartedly beating around the bush, when I’m confused and dejected that I stopped from moving further, when I was gradually falling in love with him..” Near the wooded area, Shizuka is looking around and sees Yuki below. He is surprised to see her trembling shoulders. Shizuka goes to her and calls out her name. To his surprise, Yuki suddenly slaps her face hard. Turning to him, she greets Shizuka and says that he also came. Shizuka nervously asks if she is okay. Yuki says that it seems that her face is being stung by mosquitoes and it’s so itchy.. She turns away from him and says that it is alright, it’s nothing at all. *Shizuka notices that she is clenching her fist tightly* Crowds caused me to become a bit dizzy, and I only want to rest a bit..” To her surprise, Shizuka hugs her. Yuki calls his name and asks him what it is, let her go. Shizuka hugs her tighter and says, “—sorry, *looks really serious* I don’t want to let go.” And fireworks light up the night sky.

Comment: Ah..no wonder the going steady thing got dragged, it is indeed to give the love rivals a chance. So, Arisa isn’t going to give up even if Shou rejected her like that, wiped off her kiss and called her awful for pulling that off. It also helps that her rival isn’t that persistent and pushy like her. Even if that is good in a way, but then, where does one really draw a line when it is so obvious that the guy doesn’t like her? Is she hoping that he bumps his head and he’ll suddenly like her? Is she hoping that he’ll wised up and decided that she is better than Yuki? After all, with what she is doing, doesn’t that speak volumes of her love for him? That is in contrast to Yuki who is dilly-dallying and delaying things, that she couldn’t give her sole focus on him. And, based on what’s happening, after the dream, the kiss he wanted to say something to her and what Shou said in front of her and the others, it does seem that Shou had given up on her and doesn’t want to wait anymore. He even said that he no longer likes her. I guess Yuki would probably blame herself for that and would think that he got tired of pursuing her. She had also mentioned that she isn’t confrontational so unlike Arisa, she would most probably not try to win him back. As evident with her running away, she is a coward so she won’t be brave enough to do something more especially since Shou said it in front of her and others that he no longer likes her. Personally, I won’t either if someone rejected me. =P

Nevertheless, maybe Yuki would have a change of heart later on and finally conquers her weaknesses. And, Shizuka got his wish and it seems that he isn’t going to let go of this opportunity. But then, in the end, he’ll be heartbroken and probably just become a bit mature since this is a ‘fixed couple’ series and not a ‘love triangle’ so we already know who ends up with who. I do wonder if what Shizuka did would finally make Yuki realize that he likes her. As for what Shou is thinking, he is probably thinking that it is for the best that he let her go so that she won’t be troubled anymore between him and her duties as manager. He is probably thinking that he lie a bit so that everyone would stop bugging Yuki about it. But still, is it necessary for him to do it that way? Giving up and no longer like her are very heavy words that even if it is a joke, it shouldn’t be said with all seriousness like that. Someone will get hurt and would take it seriously. In a way, the ending of the chapter is nice because it seems to say that even if we make a mistake, and the other person has given up/no longer likes you for whatever reason, there is someone who is there for you. =P Again, since this is a ‘fixed couple’ series, Shizuka’s chances is none and nil. By the way, the mangaka is taking a break so the next chapter will come out after a month. Scans by 红莲汉化组

Quote of the day:

When you know you got something good...you better hold on to it. ~ Gee Linder