Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 47] -Fin-

Narration: “If I haven’t met you, I probably have already given up right now.” At Tokyo station, Uki tells Yusa that is enough with the crying. While Nanami is holding a box of tissues for him, Yusa says that it is be..because.. Then he starts to ask how come Makoto isn’t crying. Makoto admits that of course, she feels lonely. Yusa tells him to show a bit that she is lonely. Makoto says but, they can call each other on the phone and also sent messages, right. She happily looks at Iriya who smiles back at her. Uki says that she heard from Makoto that he’ll attend school at that side. Iriya says ya, he’ll temporarily go to a nearby school there. Uki laughs and says that if it is Iriya, girls will once again surround him. This made Nanami stomp on Uki’s foot. She angrily grabs Uki and asks why she is saying things that would make Makoto uneasy at this kind of time. “Do you understand the current situation?” Uki apologizes for casually saying that. Yusa teases Uki for being scolded at. This made Uki furious that she shouts back that he was crying a while ago. Iriya laughs that everyone is still the same as usual. Makoto starts to feel uneasy but she told herself not to be like that. She calls out to Iriya and gives him her Bunny doll. She asks him to bring it along with him. She explains that she doesn’t wish him at all to treat it as her substitute though in any case, she washed it.

Iriya protests for isn’t it her very important thing. Somewhat teary-eyed, Makoto admits that it is and she is already okay.. To her surprise, Iriya holds Bunny to his face and says that it has her scent. She scolds him not to smell it and give it back to her. Iriya laughs and says that he doesn’t want to. Then, there is an announcement that the train is coming so Iriya’s mother tells him that it is almost time. Iriya tells her that he’s going. Makoto couldn’t say, ‘bon voyage’, ‘I’ll wait for you’ nor ‘goodbye’. She just says, “..ya.” And, Iriya waves goodbye to her. She waves goodbye to him with a happy smile. After the train left, that is the time when Makoto breaks down to cry. Her friends comfort her and say that she did her best in restraining herself. At school, the fangirls are shock over learning that Iriya has transferred school. It caused a ruckus that one of girls asks Makoto what is the reason for it. Makoto apologizes for she cannot tell her so the girl started accusing her of being cunning since she’s the only one who knows. Uki quickly goes in front and says that is enough. Makoto tells Uki that is okay. After the girl departs with her friend, Makoto overhears her classmates complaining about not being in the mood for the cultural festival when it is rare for them to be classmates [with Iriya]. Nevertheless, everyone still busy themselves for the preparation. Narration: “Even if it is like this, time gradually passes by. For everyone, the school that doesn’t have Iriya had also become ordinary.”

One night, Makoto’s cellphone rings. It is a message from Iriya asking how she is and he apologizes for not contacting her that much. He mentions about not being quite used to the new uniform but in short, things have stabilized at his side. Makoto is delighted that Iriya even sent her his picture while he is in uniform. Iriya informs her that everday, he goes to the hospital in the morning and after school [that the nurse praised him for it. It is still the same as before with his [biological] mother who doesn’t remember him even for one bit. There is a scene of Shiori refusing to eat the green pepper that Iriya is feeding her that he asks if she is a kid. He also helped braid her hair. Iriya tells Makoto that anyway, he feels that this is right. He tells her that he is good at braiding right now and he’ll braid her hair next time they meet. Makoto smiles and replies to him, then, she’ll leave it up to him. She holds her phone and thinks that she really wants to see him. She thinks that when Iriya is at her side and for him to be able to like her, she felt that no matter what happens, it doesn’t matter but in case they parted, in the end, she is still lonely. She becomes uneasy and the weak her has not totally disappeared but.. Later on, she learns that Yoshiaki went to some other place since it was mentioned that he wasn’t around during the opening ceremony. [<- when they are third years] Uki says yes and asks if she forgot to tell her that he went to some island and it is inevitable. Uki laughs it off and Makoto just look surprised.

During lunch, Makoto learns of news that Nanami plans to take an exam to a college that specializes in dress-making. Nanami says that it was decided on yesterday’s interview and even if she is going to leave the two of them.. Makoto thinks that perhaps, she isn’t the only one who is like this. There is a scene of Rika calling out to Makoto who is sound asleep on her desk. Rika comments that she is still studying.. During early winter, they really have entered the ‘prepare for exams’ period. Then, Iriya informs her that yesterday morning, Shiori had passed away. He wonders if this is okay that until now, he still doesn’t know.. There is a scene of Iriya putting a flower near Shiori’s head while his parents watch at the side. Iriya tells Makoto that he wants to move forward and now, he knows. A very strong person doesn’t exist from the very start. Everyone has all sorts of striving hard due to the want of becoming strong. And, that is definitely the so-called, ‘strong’. This made Makoto teary-eyed. It is spring and it is the opening of school. Makoto is greeted by Uki who asked if she cut her hair. She says no, and sorry for she overslept. Uki asks her if she contacted Iriya for she said that right now, she couldn’t quite contact him. She also heard that there is no return message to Yusa. There is a scene of Yusa shouting why. Yusa is repeating third year [due to low grades]. Makoto says ya, and it seems that there are a lot of things holding him up.

She explains that his mother’s family seems to be from a famous family and everyone is quarreling about the inheritance and who’ll succeed the family business that the grandfather won’t let go.. Uki complains that rich people are truly annoying. Then, some girls ask what their course is. Uki replies that it is [Japanese] language. They decide to all go together to the lecture hall. They start telling the two about what is the second language that they’ve chosen. They heard that the German language teacher is very good and is a very friendly person. Makoto is amazed over how informed they are that she has to properly catch up. Then, one of the girls says that if they know that there is a new student representative and he is the most handsome in the medicine department. Uki says that if he is the student representative, that means he is number one in the entrance exam. The girl says yes. She points to a crowd and says that it is that guy! In the middle of the crowd, Iriya turns to look at them. Makoto is surprised as Iriya happily calls her name. As the girl is surprised that they know each other, Makoto’s soul has already floated up so Iriya has to wave in front of her face to call her attention. When Makoto snaps out of it, Iriya gives back her Bunny.

Holding Bunny, she asks why..and when did he took the exam. He tells her that he had a hard time checking things that he barely submitted the application form. He is also nervous whether or not he’ll meet her at the testing site. She sweatdrops and says that isn’t it good for him to just tell her. He sheepishly says that it is quite humiliating if he didn’t pass and there is also no time [to tell her]. Uki comments that he still got first place which really irritates her. [<- as if he would fail] He apologizes to Makoto for hiding it from her. He promises her that he won’t go to some other place again and he’ll always be at her side. And, they hug each other. Then, he asks if she had become cuter. She asks how can that be. He insists that she became cute.. While the other girl is depressed that Iriya has a girlfriend, Uki looks at her watch and apologizes for interrupting their lively moment but they do not have time [since they will be late] and they also have an audience. Iriya smiles while Makoto freaks out about that. Holding out his hand, Iriya tells her, then, let’s go. Makoto takes his hand and walk together with him as Uki walks with them. Narration: “Definitely, there will still be things that make one depressed. It is okay when that day that one thinks as ‘it is already alright’-whatever doesn’t come. No matter how many times, I can believe in the me, whom you liked.” The end.

Comment: And, that is the usual shoujo reunion ending. ^^ I guess in some way, Makoto has grown for she can let go of Iriya to support him on what he has to do. She may hurt and be lonely but like what Iriya said, through hardships they can become stronger because of that through the will to become strong. She also didn’t complain nor become overly clingy. In a way, she also believes that Iriya will come back for her and he did. Overall, I think the series is okay. There are some nice themes here which unfortunately, the mangaka didn’t seem to totally explore it. I guess the last part has lost some steam that the mangaka decide to fast track the rest of the story to the point of the reunion in one chapter. I guess the mangaka also doesn’t want to do some extreme character development for Makoto and wants to keep her being still Makoto in her own way as she somewhat grow and become more confident of herself. As for Uki, it seems that her love life is open-ended. Anyway, thanks for reading my summaries for this series ^-^

Word of the day:

A diamond is a lump of coal that was put under pressure and became better for it. ‘The refining pot is for silver and the furnace is for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts. Proverbs 17:3’ ~ 101 mottos for success by J. Richards and M.S. Fontaine.