Akai Ito [Chapter 36] -Fin-

April 5th. 19:40pm at Tachibana residence. Chihiro is taking a hot bath in the tub. She sighs and says that from tomorrow on, she’ll be in second year. She suddenly clasps both hand together and start gloomily praying, “Bless me and Sho to be still in the same class.. Bless us to absolutely, absolutely be able to be together! I swear that I absolutely won’t fail a test again so please do not separate our class..!! Rino and Kiritani, too. I hope that the four of us can be in the same classroom. In case I won’t be in the same class with Sho, I also hope that I can be together with Rino. In any case, suppose that someone has to be separated..! If it is possible, I wish that it would become me and Sho ∙ Rino and Kiritani. 2 pairs..ah. But, if Rino isn’t around, then, I would have no other girl to share private words with [/confidences]..  *looking ill* Still..I still absolutely [want] for the four of us..to be together..” Then, Souta opens the door and calls to their mother that sis soaked for too long that she fainted. Later on, her mother put Chihiro on the bed. She asks if she is alright for tomorrow is already the opening ceremony so what’s up with her. Chihiro can only groan. Yuuto comments that he still truly admires Chihiro’s boyfriend. [<- hinting on how could Sho bear with Chihiro] This made Chihiro sit up and shouts, “Ha?! What do you mean by that..” Then, she becomes dizzy again. Lying in bed, she looks at her cellphone and Sho has written a message. He wrote that tomorrow, they are in second year already and around 7:45am, he’ll go and fetch her so, goodnight~~ and he also anticipates the bento box♡ Chihiro smiles over this. She goes to sleep and thinks that even if everyone passed to become second year, it is good that they all can still spend it happily..

At 20:05pm in Hinase residence, Sho’s mother asks Sho, who is lying on the sofa, if he is already prepared for the opening ceremony tomorrow. Sitting up, Sho says that even if she say prepare but he only has to wear his uniform and go to school so there is nothing that he must prepare for. His mother asks if he doesn’t need a bento and doesn’t he still have club activity. Sho’s sister tells their mother that Sho has a girlfriend so there’s no need to make a bento box for him. This surprises the mother that she asks if this is the same girlfriend whom Sho went steady last year and are they still going steady? Sho scowls and asks what she meant by STILL. The mother says that because it is him so she thought that he’ll break up early on, and switch to another girlfriend. The sister agrees for after all, Sho is quite a player during junior high school. The mother tells him that speaking of that, he also had brought back a girl here occasionally. Shocked and embarrassed Sho asks them not to bring up his dark history and by all means, do not say it to Chihiro. Sho’s mother says that even if it is like that, she is glad that Sho has not repeated a year [/flunked] since he was really just passing during junior high that she wondered what would happen now.. Sho angrily complains that she isn’t listening to him. Sho is surprised when her mother starts praying to the altar for her deceased husband. She asks him to please continue on protecting Sho now that he will be in 2nd year. Sho smiles a bit. He kneels beside his mother and prays, “Papa, please relax for I’ll be protecting mama and sis.”

His mother and sister smile over this. Sho notices his sister kneeling beside him. She says, “Papa, if Sho makes his girlfriend cry, please do not hesitate and bestow upon him heaven’s punishment.” Sho asks if it has to be up to that extent. Soon, all three are laughing together. At 20:46pm in Kiritani’s residence, Ren calls out that he’s home. Nao, his mother, welcomes him and says ‘good work’ on today’s training. She happily asks if he’ll take a bath first, eat, or practice his suburi [/kendo swings]. Ren freezes and looks aghast. He says, eat.. Nao says okay, it is already done so first wash his hands and don’t forget to gargle. Ren thinks that even if 16 years had passed, he also still couldn’t get used to that kind of mood.. Soon, Ren looks surprised over the dishes made which included red bean rice [<- usually for celebrations]. Ren says that the red bean rice looks very delicious so what’s up with this, did his older brother or someone get promoted. His mother laughs and says that this is.. Party poppers got popped as everyone [grandfather, mother and older sister] shouts their congratulations to Ren. With tears in his eyes, his grandfather says that Ren was able to grow up healthy even if he is of premature birth..and this year, he peacefully ascend to the next grade and there is no other thing that makes him happier..! His mother and sister are sparkling and moved by it. Dark Ren looks so serious. His sobbing sister says that when she is young, she almost got attracted to Ren and she is very happy to be here like this. She congratulates Ren for becoming a second year student.

His mother says that today, his father has a very important search meeting so he isn’t around and his older brother has a riot police’s urgent mission so even if they cannot celebrate with them, this is the two’s telegram!! She gives him two letters with a frog prince picture. [<- based on Rino’s toy?] + happy anniversary written on it. Ren looks gloomy then smiles. He thanks them and says that he is very happy with everyone’s feelings. “About—that..I still would..go do some suburi for a while then afterwards, I’ll go eat..” Nao says is that so, then, after he finishes practicing, she’ll warm the food up. After going out to the porch, he thinks that he is careless. While swinging his shinai, Ren thinks that if he can complete a thousand suburi then he’ll be able to be classmates with Rino. “What.. I’m unexpectedly making a wish, I’m also becoming strange..” At 21:25pm in Sakuragi residence, longer haired Rino looks at her freshly baked cookies and says that they look quite good♡ She tastes one and says that it is so delicious. Putting them in a box, Rino wonders if there is no problem for using these as gifts and it would be good if everyone in the club also thinks that they are delicious. But then, the one whom she wants to hear it from the most is Ren saying, “This is very delicious, Sakuraki-chan.” Rino blushes really red and looks out the window. It is a full moon. She looks at it and thinks that tomorrow, they are going to change classes and would she still be in the same class as Ren.

Rino also thinks that unknowingly, without doing anything special, she has already ascended to the next grade. “After becoming a second year [student], would there be a bit of progress? But then, I also do not want to separate from Chihiro and the others because I want to always be noisy together with everyone. Ah, that’s right! Three days after the school opening ceremony is the entrance ceremony [<- new students] Will Yuu-chan also join the kendo club? I’ll send him a LINE [<- internet messaging app] tomorrow to ask.” At 21:43pm in Nanjouu residence, ka-ching, someone makes a toast. Touya’s father says that Touya is already in second year. He asks if Touya will continue on his momentum during first year on to the second year. His mother says that if it is Touya, then there’s no need to worry. “In short, congratulations for ascending to the next grade.” Smiling Touya thanks them and says that he’ll still do his best. His father says that since Touya got performance records in both in studies and kendo [/it is actually an idiom for fine scholar and soldier], is there something that he wants. “If there is, I’ll buy it for you.”  Touya says that right now, there is nothing special that he wants.. “..no, there is but then, it is alright.” His mother is curious that there is something that Ren wanted so how about telling it to them because if it is his father, even if it is something hard to get, he’ll definitely prepare it for Touya. Touya thanks them and says, that isn’t a material thing. He thinks that it is already a new school year and it is about time that he goes to Shiyo Academy and look around. “What will I do this time around?”

Then, it is 7:35am. Chihiro’s mother tells her daughter to quickly get up, and geez, as a girl, that is such an unsightly look. Chihiro is posed like a frog swimming on her bed while holding her cellphone. She suddenly sits up then bends down in pain. She complains about her body being all numb all over. Her mother says that it is because she is lying in bed in that kind of position. “You still won’t get up? Hinase will be here soon, right? Didn’t he say that he’ll go and fetch you for school?” Chihiro exclaims that she forgot. Meanwhile, Yuuto has finished putting on his necktie. He wears his uniform coat and turns to look at himself on the mirror. He puts his thumb under his chin and thinks that he’s handsome. His mother asks how is the new school uniform and is there anywhere that he feels tight. She says that if there is anything wrong then say it so that she can help him alter it before the entrance ceremony. Yuuto says that there’s nothing particular that needs to be changed. She asks is that so. His cellphone rings. It is a message from Rino greeting him a good morning. She wrote that they will be together in the same high school soon and after the entrance ceremony, will he join the kendo club? ‘I’ll really anticipate it~~ (^o^)/’ This made Yuuto smile. Souta teases his brother that he is embarrassed and that is definitely from Rino- “So proud. So proud.” Embarrassed Yuuto tells him to shut up. Just then, Chihiro exclaims that she’ll be late and bumps into Yuuto who held on to the mirror. Chihiro apologizes to him. Yuuto shouts that is very dangerous. Chihiro complains what to do for she is too late from personally making Shou’s bento box. Her mother tells her that it is inevitable so for today, she just first buys something for Shou and just put up with it.

Chihiro complains that Sho said that he really anticipates her bento. Yuuto angrily shouts that he said that’s very dangerous and isn’t she listening. Chihiro asks Yuuto what is it, and from the start, he’s grumbling and whining, so annoying. Yuuto shouts that it is obvious that she is the one who’s making a ruckus. Souta calls out to Chihiro to listen to him that after Yuuto saw the LINE from Rino, his face.. Yuuto covers his mouth and tells him to shut up and not say a word. Chihiro asks what it is this time around. A cellphone is ringing. Souta says that it is from Mika-chan [guesswork from 美佳]. Chihiro asks if it is his new friend. To his siblings’ shock, Souta says yes, it is his girlfriend. Chihiro grabs the cellphone and tells Souta not to show off and let her see that. Yuuto puts Souta in a head grip and says that he is obviously just in grade 3. Trying to grab back the phone, Souta shouts that he is already in grade 4. Yuuto says who cares about him and he’s not allowed to play card games. Souta groans. Chihiro is surprised when her mother informs her that Sho is already outside waiting for her. Chihiro rushes out and apologizes to Sho. Sho greets her a good morning. She apologizes again and says that she had overslept. Sho says that he knows and let’s go for if they don’t hurry, they won’t be able to catch up to the ceremony. She says okay. At the station, it is already 08:03am. Together with Ren, Rino says that Chihiro and the others haven’t arrived yet and if they don’t ride this train, they might be late. Ren says that he feels that it is like they went back to the time when they are going to take the entrance exam before. Rino agrees with him.

Ren says suggests that they first send a LINE to tell the two that they are going ahead and it is better for them to wait for the others at the school gate. Rino smiles and agrees with the idea. Both think that the two of them can go to school together alone by themselves. Then, it is announced that the train’s door is about to close. Chihiro and Sho manage to get in before it closes. After catching their breath, Chihiro says that it is great for they finally catch up. Sho says that if they didn’t catch it, then, it is possible that they’ll be late. Chihiro agrees. Sho says that he doesn’t know where Ren and Rino are and they definitely won’t be like this catching up with the last train. Looking at her cellphone, Chihiro says that they have sent a LINE to her and they had already gone ahead to wait for them at the school gate. She notices Sho looking at her so she asks what it is. Sho says that it is because they were in a hurry just now that he forgot to say that her hairstyle today feels quite exceptionally messy. This freaks Chihiro out. Asking if that is true, she tries to fix her hair. She complains for him to tell her earlier about it. Sho says that it isn’t that bad since it is just a bit messy. He tells her to turn around so that he can help her fix it. She says that it is because she directly fell asleep while looking at her cellphone. Sho says that he knows already and how about letting her hair down. He lets her hair down. Chihiro blushes a bit and thinks that it is obviously, not a very intimate body touch but as he caresses her hair, she doesn’t know how come she unexpectedly felt tense.. She notices him looking at her from the glass. Her heart beats loudly. He says that this is okay. She turns to him and thanks him.

Just then, the train suddenly stops. He tells her to be careful. She ends up kissing his neck. Holding her mouth, Chihiro apologizes. Sho holds his neck and says, ya. Chihiro is really embarrassed for this is a public place. He says that her face is really red. She tells him not to dare tease her again. Sho says that he felt that it is like they returned to that time during third year junior high. She asks if it is when they took the entrance exam. Chihiro recalls that it is at that time, when they rode the wrong train and that was an embarrassing thing. Sho says that they are already in second year and unknowingly, it felt that time passed by too quickly. Chihiro agrees and says that she has this kind of strange feeling that it will be soon a year since she has gone steady with him. Sho calls her mean for saying that it is strange. She explains that when they are together, it felt that time doesn’t passes and it is kind of a very natural or perhaps, very comfortable feeling.. She thinks that for her, he is an essential existence in her life. Sho blushes over this and based on his expression, she thinks that he was embarrassed. She thinks that lately, she is able to sense him more that she is able guess what he is thinking based on his very subtle actions.. Sho asks about what is today’s bento box. Chihiro says that today, she has bad news and that is because she doesn’t have time, so she can only prepare nori [seaweed] bento without appetizer. Sho exclaims what!? He laughs and says but he likes it since he likes nori bento, super likes it, and it’s great. Chihiro asks if he is for real that it is okay without an appetizer. Sho says that it is okay and they can buy a bit of something at the canteen if they want.

He looks up and says, —ah.. [<- he saw the stations where the train will stop next] Chihiro asks what it is. Sho gloomily says that he is also going to tell her some bad news.. He says about that..just now, he was too much in a hurry that he didn’t notice that this train is an express train.. [<- it will skip some stations to immediately reach its final destination.] There is an announcement that this is an express train so it won’t stop midway. Chihiro couldn’t believe it that the next station is the last stop. Sho muses that this is the same when they are in third year junior high. Chihiro asks what to do for the next station is the last one. Sho says that it is good for they can slowly go to school. Chihiro says that isn’t a bit okay. He tells her to forget it and kisses her. Blushing red, Chihiro asks what’s up when they are in the train. He asks if she has calmed down. Chihiro asks calmed down, what.. Sho smiles and says that he really likes this part of Chihiro for being very serious about things. She blushes and says, gee..geez.. Soon, at the school gate, Rino, together with Ren, calls out that here they are, you guys are so slow, quickly come over. Sho and Chihiro are running. Sho apologizes as Chihiro tells him to wait for her. Sho turns to her and holds out his hand. He calls for her to be quick, your hand! Chihiro gives Sho’s her hand. He grabs it as they happily run towards school. Narration: “Unknowingly, the person I really hate has become the person I love the most and also the person the treasure the most.. I believe that from today on, it will also not change. Definitely..” The End.

Comment: This chapter is both a prologue and an epilogue. An epilogue for this series and a prologue for the next series, 10-manbun no 1 or 10万分の1, which will focus on Ren and Rino. In a way, it is nice that everything seem to have gone through a loop for the main couple. They are repeating the things that they have done when they first met yet things have already come a long way for them. ^^ I find it interesting that the mangaka showed everyone’s family except for Rino’s. Does she come from some problematic family? In a way, the next series is a good start to focus on the potential Ren x Rino x Yuuto x delinquent [?] love triangle/polygon since Yuuto will already be in high school and probably in the same kendo club. Even if Rino isn’t romantically interested in him but her concern for him ought to be enough to make Ren jealous and bring out his dark side ^^ Maybe, they’ll have a new transfer student and it would be the boy who ‘bullied’ her before. I don’t know if Touya would actually still cause trouble but probably enough to ruffle up Sho. ^^

Overall, the series is good and enjoyable because of the character’s monologues, funny scenarios and romantic stuff even if the plot is a common. After reading her previous series and this one, I really think the mangaka’s forte is more on character interactions whether it is funny, romantic or otherwise rather than the plot. Just like her previous series, this ends after the H scene of course here, the aftermath is shown. I guess the mangaka is wise enough to end it if she thinks that any other scenarios will just drag things. She now wants to focus on the other couple. As for the new one, like what I mentioned last time, I’m not inclined to summarize it since the faster Chinese scanlation won’t be doing it and it is quite a hassle if they do it like before wherein they put up all these red marked warnings on scanlations especially on this last one. The other group had become not so active like they used to be. Anyway, thank you everyone for reading my summaries for this series. ^-^ Scans by 深雪汉化组

Quote of the day:

Strong relationship is the one which both sides choose satisfaction, accepting each other, value what they have, care, love and treat each other like they're the only species left in the whole world. ~ Author Unknown