Last Game [Chapter 46]

After the club members had dinner, Fujimoto exclaims that it is really delicious. Yoshida asks if they want to play UNO. [<- card game wherein you’ll have to say UNO if it is your last card or else, you’ll draw another one. The one who puts away all of his/her cards wins] Everyone agrees with the idea. Yoshida says okay, he’ll win and the last one will be punished! And, 10 minutes after they started the game, Kujou lifelessly says, ‘UNO’. While the others are still playing, Kujou is wiping the table with a rag. Fujimoto comments that afterwards, Kujou is concentrating on cleaning the room..and it turns out that she is that type who would work upon encountering something unfavorable..really nice.. Tachibana asks if Fujimoto remembers that at the onsen, Kujou would wipe the washbasin. Souma, who has already UNO too, asks Fujimoto what had happened. Still holding her cards, she tells him that just now it is because of this and that. Souma looks sideways and goes ha. Fujimoto asks if he was sneering at Yanagi just now. Yanagi seems puzzled over what they are talking about. Fujimoto comments that Yanagi has already recovered to his original self and his heart must have become very strong since he used to easily become downcast..

Souma says that if it isn’t like that then where was he able to get that strength to support him throughout this ‘10 year no progress’ unrequited love. Fujimoto says that he’s a masochist. Souma agrees. He is startled when Kujou offers him some barley tea. Fujimoto also goes UNO. Yanagi holds up his glass and asks Kujou to also pour him some. He is puzzled when Kujou darkly looks at him. In Kujou’s view, Yanagi has an ‘I couldn’t care less’ expression, and because complaining to [/blaming] the other party, who doesn’t know of her feelings, arouses some sort of resentment. Kujou turns away from him and says that it has nothing to do with her so why doesn’t he pour tea for himself. This shocks Yanagi that he asks why when she obviously poured for Souma yet she won’t pour for him. Putting on airs, Kujou says that he’s annoying to death and who cares about him. Yanagi shouts if this is rebellion stage, could this be rebellion stage!? Fujimoto tries to suppress her laugher that Tachibana calls her attention that she’s laughing too much. Yoshida exclaims that he also got UNO so Yanagi is the last one. Yanagi is surprised for he isn’t in the mood for that. Someone shouts penalty game! With a sinister smile, Souma calls out for Yanagi to call out Kujou’s name, Mikoto.

This shocks Yanagi. He wonders what kind of plot is this and even if he doesn’t quite understand, according to the present situation.. He finds Kujou scary for she is simply not looking towards him. Blushing Yanagi starts to say, “Ah—eh..Mi..Mi..Mikoto” Walking away, pouting Kujou says that she doesn’t want to hear it. While Souma is very satisfied over the outcome, Yanagi can only cry and shout that he is also unwilling to say it out, stupid! Looking out the night sky, Kujou sighs and wonders what’s up with that kind of attitude she is assuming..unexpectedly having a fit towards Yanagi.. She tells herself to reflect.. She recalls him saying, ‘but, in the end, it won’t do if it is not her. For me, this girl is cuter than anyone.’ Kujou thinks that she knows that Yanagi already likes someone but she still..really.. Her thoughts are interrupted by Fujimoto who tells her that the weather is very cold yet she would unexpectedly open the window when it is December right now. Kujou apologizes and says that she just wants to clear her head up a bit. Tachibana asks if she is in some Buddhist religious training, spare her. [<- it is like monk sitting underneath waterfall or monk splashing cold water while praying and reflecting].

Going inside the bedroom, Kujou asks if they are not yet going to sleep. Fujimoto says that they are going to finish this drama. Kujou asks if it is interesting. Fujimoto says that it is this..on the way to school, the female lead bumps into a handsome transfer student but actually, it is because of a family rule that he is the chosen future fiancé so from then on, the two started living together under one roof. Then, he [I think] encountered an accident that caused him to lose his memories but the feeling still gradually deepens. But, in last week’s drama, the girl found a picture of some unknown girl in the guy’s card [/ticket] case so right now, she is crying bitterly. On the television, the girl weeps that it is already no good..already over..didn’t think that he already has someone he likes..how can he look towards [/like] a person like her..! Tachibana says that in the end, she’ll definitely find out that it is the guy’s younger sister. Fujimoto agrees. The two are surprised when Kujou says that she has discovered that even if the past her was never able to understand this kind of thing..but the current her feel that she is able to understand it already.. The two girls had telepathy that Kujou unexpectedly had understanding towards the speech of an emotional drama. She has grown up but it is impossible to substitute feelings to this television drama..!

The next day, Fujimoto greets Souma a good morning and says that they go eat breakfast. Sleepy Yanagi curses and wonders why Kujou is so unhappy yesterday so he decides to first think of a way to make her happy. He is about to call out to her but he stops himself. “Wait, Naoto. Is this really okay? Wasn’t I treating Kujou too weakly? I’ll go as far as to think about wanting to ‘make her happy’.. Just like right now, wait until we’re married, it’s thoroughly over for me. The hierarchy of the family would be no. 1 Kujou, no. 2 dog <- forecast that sooner or later they’ll have a pet dog and no. 3 Yanagi. Since lately, his position as husband is actually already persistently falling down.. (<- haven’t even started going steady yet he is already concerned about married life) I have to take advantage of this opportunity to take back the husband’s prestige..!” Scowling Yanagi calls out to Kujou and asks what’s up with her attitude yesterday. Kujou darkly turns to him and asks, “Ha?” <- afterwards Kujou watched so many television drama on Fujimoto’s tablet computer that she didn’t get enough sleep. Yanagi immediately goes timid and asks her if she wants to eat some tamagoyaki [egg rolls] or how about more fish. As he is about to put more food on her bowl, Kujou sweatdrops and asks why.

Aghast Fujimoto says that Yanagi couldn’t have thought that just by feeing Kujou, everything is fine in the world, right.. Souma says who knows about him.. After breakfast, Fujimoto holds a map and says that there seems to be a very big [temple] shrine nearby and she wants to go there. Yanagi says that they can walk to that place. Fujimoto whispers to Kujou that she heard that place is famous for praying for fated marriages. Granny calls out to Kujou and asks if it is convenient for them to talk. While Yanagi is surprised, Granny goes very near to Kujou and says that let her see how she should say this. “Currently, you are going steady with Naoto, right. Then, that means, that you plan to marry him, right. As Naoto’s wife, that also means that you have to burden yourself not only with this hotel but also Yanagi Resorts [/vacation village]. Do you have awareness of agreeing..” Yanagi interrupts by calling out to his granny. Holding granny to him, gramps tells Yanagi not to mind that and go have fun. Granny says that what she’s saying is important. Yanagi thanks gramps. While walking, Fujimoto playfully asks if the in-laws great war has started. Yanagi groans and begs her not to say anymore. He apologizes to Kujou and that he’ll properly talk with his granny.

Kujou says that it is okay. Souma says that although it isn’t strange but this main street is filled with inns. Yanagi says that it has already decreased a lot. He explains that because of low birthrate and aging population, the domestic market is already at its limit and if they didn’t think of a way, it will epitomize into the other stores to soon quickly close down. Fujimoto teases him to do his best and give birth to a lot of kids. Yanagi angrily tells her that isn’t what he’s talking about. Kujou looks quite thoughtful over what Yanagi just said. Soon, they arrive at the shrine. Yanagi and Kujou clap their hands at the altar and prepares to pray. Yanagi prays, “I wish that Kujou falls in love with me. I wish that Kujou falls in love with me. I wish Kujou falls in love with me.’ and repeat that 10x more. Kujou prays that she and her mother will live a healthy life. “Wish that I and everyone would get along harmoniously and also..if it is possible..I want Yanagi to be able to fall in love with me but I also clearly know that this depends on my own effort so I won’t mention this unreasonable request but I always ask..” After the two finishes, Fujimoto says that they prayed for such a long time. Kujou thinks that before, she obviously only prayed for her mother’s health..and she got careless for she got greedy..

Souma says that one doesn’t have to guess yet would still know the contents of what Yanagi is thinking. Yanagi tells him to shut up. Fujimoto says that Tachibana is still praying. Souma thinks that he can also know what she’s thinking without guessing. While walking again, Souma calls Tachibana pitiful for she is staking [/risking] everything. Holding an ema [wooden plaque to write one’s wish/prayer], Fujimoto tells him not to mind her. Fujimoto tells Kujou that there is an omijuki [fortune telling paper strip] over there. Kujou says that she never tried that before so Fujimoto happily tells her to go and ask the fortune telling regarding her and Yanagi’s future. While opening her paper strip, Kujou doesn’t think that just relying on this kind of thing, she’ll know what will happen later on.. And she got ‘Great curse’ : “In any matter, all are incapable of complying to people’s expectations. At a loss and perplexed, continuous suffering” This is a blow to Kujou. This made Fujimoto tense that she tells Kujo to look, at the love part, it is written, ‘confess for it to be fine’ so it says to confess for luck! Fujimoto continues to say that it is said that on contrary, ‘great curse’ is good! Overhearing them, Yanagi takes Kujou’s omijuki and asks if it is for real, she got ‘great curse’ how weak. He holds up his ‘curse’ [<- lowest level of bad luck] and laughs that his is ‘curse’ so this time he wins! Hahaha. Souma pitifully looks at Yanagi for he is showing off his ‘curse’ omijuki.

Yanagi stops upon seeing Kujou’s glum expression. Terrified Yanagi tries to call out to depressed Kujou and say that it is a small issue and what happened. Souma tells Yanagi that he is truly unreasonable. This made Yanagi tense and says that isn’t what he meant. When it is dark, Kujou walks around and thinks that it is a nice styled courtyard. She recalls her ‘great curse’ and the girl in the drama saying that it is impossible for him to look at a person like her [as love interest]. Kujou thinks that in the end, it is truly like that. Just then, Yanagi calls out to her. He says that it turns out that she’s here when it will soon be dinner time. He comments that the sun sets more early lately. Kujou asks him what’s up. He takes out an omamori [amulet] and gives it to her. He sheepishly says that he thinks that it is possible that he excessively teased her this morning so he bought it. Kujou blushes a bit and thanks him. He tells him that even if he doesn’t quite know what’s going on but cheer up! He tells her that the omijuki isn’t just one standard. And, he unconsciously made the reason of Kujou’s sense of loss more serious. Holding the omijuki, Kujou thinks that even if she’s happy but it’s so sad..her feelings are so complicated..

Yanagi is puzzled why the mood became heavy again. Yanagi says ah, that’s right! He tells her that he had already resolved the misunderstanding with his granny so it is already okay. Kujou recalls granny telling her about having to burden with the hotel and Yanagi Resorts. She asks Yanagi if he won’t succeed the company. This surprises him. She explains that she overheard him talking with Yoshida about the business. Yanagi comments that she heard about that. Kujou says that she thinks that his granny appears to consider him as the successor and wasn’t he planning to do so? He says that right now, after all, the family is into the business and abuse [/corrupt practices] should be many, right. Kujou asks is that so. Yanagi says that it is so, and moreoever, in a company, the outstanding talent would grasp a large.. He asks how come she’s asking. Kujou says that didn’t he say that he really respects his father and looking at him, he doesn’t seem like he isn’t interested in the business so she’s pondering on the reason. Yanagi scratches his head and admits that he isn’t at all not interested, after all, he can see his father’s work and besides, his father faintly expressed that desire but it can be said that he’ll be relying on his father’s legacy, relying on his father’s original work which isn’t really his own.. Kujou looks at him.

Then, he becomes gloomy and says but as it is, currently, he doesn’t have any company that he wants to get into or perhaps a job that he wants to do. So he also doesn’t have the right to be arrogant and criticize Yoshida. And besides, Kujou also have already decided early on taking the accounting path.. He bends down and asks why he is telling these to her. He says that it is already enough just forget what he said just now. “Don’t tell it to anyone! You’re the only one whom I told these things! This is quite humiliating-!” Thinking that he bent down again, Kujou asks if he only told her. He exclaims yes! This made Kujou blush. Sitting beside him, she thinks that if the relationship between Yanagi and the person he likes smoothly progressed, could it be that later on, they [she and Yanagi] cannot get along together like this. Yanagi sighs and wonders why he always becomes a loser [good-for-nothing] in front of her. Kujou thinks, “..and what about it. If you say more what’s on your mind. It should also be quite good if only to me, you won’t hold anything back [/tell me about everything].” Yanagi continues to complain that he doesn’t want it anymore for he wants her to know of his cool side. He glances at her and she blushes a bit. Wondering what happened, Kujou asks, “.w..why?”

Slightly blushing Yanagi says, “..what why. This kind of thing..” Kujou thinks that her heart is quickly going to.. And, she sneezes. Yanagi says that is quite a loud sneeze. She apologizes. Putting his coat on her, he tells her not to go out without wearing a coat so, wear this first. She tells him that it is alright and look, his physique is weaker than hers. He tells her that she talk too much, quit talking nonsense and quickly wear it. She looks at him and thinks that in the end, she still wants to stay at the place closest to him. “But, Yanagi is already quite serious when he mentions about the person he likes so what should I do. –what should I do in order for it to move further.” She remembers about the fortune’s advice to confess. Holding the coat’s collar, Yanagi tells her, “Okay, okay. Be nice and listen to what I say, okay. Mikoto. *Kujou looks surprised* ..just kidding.. *Kujou is blushing* Kujou..?” Kujou thinks, “—confession. Confess..!” Kujou opens her mouth and says, “..ah. *Yanagi looks surprised as she holds his coat* About that..!” Meanwhile, Michiyo opens the door and greets her husband who had come back. Her husband says that he’s back and asks where’s Naoto?

Comment: And, Naoto aka Mr. Yanagi is about to be confessed to if everything goes smoothly. Will it finally happen? His 10 year wish. That 10 years in the making long pursuit. Will that masochist patience finally pay off? I really want to see that finally happening, his and her expressions when they realize whom the other is really in love with. Will the mangaka make it happen next chapter? Anyway, Souma is really rubbing things in for Yanagi. I still feel sorry for Yanagi but who knows, his suffering, regarding his very long courtship, will soon end and he’ll have the last laugh. At the start, even Kujou is making him suffer. ^^; It turns out that granny just wants to make sure Kujou is serious with Yanagi and what she is going to get herself into if she gets married with Yanagi. Yanagi’s prayer is very simple indeed. Will it finally be granted? The fortunetelling’s advice is quite helpful ^^

It turns out that Yanagi is really taking what Kujou told him before about achieving things on his own very seriously. I wonder if she realizes that she is the cause, and she’ll somehow remedy it since Yanagi is inclined to succeed their family business. Since the father’s arrival is at the cliffhanger, could he be the hindrance for the two later on? Is he the ‘great curse’ the fortune hinted on? And, we seem to be talking about marriage already instead of going steady ^^; Of course, the things that are happening to them can pretty much be considered ‘going steady’. Maybe the ‘Last Game’ is getting married and not just with the confession. ^^ But first things first, will the confession happen or not? Lol, I kept repeating that don't I? We’ll know next month if we’ll start popping open those champagne bottles or we’ll collectively groan over whatever possible hindrance that will happen after all, we got interrupted here by a sneeze =P Scans by 红莲汉化组

Word of the day:

Don't think that you are finished, Just trust God's love and care; Delays are not denials; Persist in faith and prayer. ~ Jarvis from Our Daily Bread