December 29, 2015

Skip Beat [Chapter 231]

[Free Talk: We will go to a family overnight outing tomorrow so this is slightly rushed. I had been busy lately with all sorts of family reunions and get together so updates are few, and pending summaries are increasing orz And, I finished late..have to wake up early..orz ]
Saena is taking a bath. She looks at the clock and thinks that 10 minutes had already passed. After she went out, Misonoi welcomes her back and asks if she wants to drink something. Holding her neck, Saena says that she doesn’t know why her throat feels a bit itchy from the start. Misonoi asks if it is a cold. Saena says that she doesn’t think so for she is always like this during this kind of time. She tells him that she only has to drink lemon tea with a bit of honey and she’ll be fine. Taking something from her bag, Saena says that it is available in a vending machine in front of the road so she’ll go buy it. Misonoi stands up and offers to buy it for her because she just got out of the shower and her hair isn’t dry yet. He says that even if it is nearby but it is still no good because today’s wind is very cold and she really might catch a cold. Holding her wallet, Saena says is that so, then, she’ll leave it to him, here’s the money. He says that there’s no need. He asks if she wants it hot, right? She says yes. He tells her to wait for a while, then he heads out. After he left, Saena slightly scowls and looks at her bag. She takes out her box and finds the diskettes in the correct order. She is relieved that it didn’t change.
Then, she thinks that it is possible that there is no reason to get it again because he already stole the information so it isn’t necessary-- She shakes her head and doesn’t want to acknowledge this kind of thing for she hopes that everything is only her mistake.. that kind of kindness <- telling her not to go out even if it is near, that kind of smile <- wait for him, she doesn’t want to believe that all of it is a lie..!! Soon, she is holding a honey lemon tea drink. Misonoi asks how is her throat. She says that it feels somewhat better. He smiles and says that’s great. She says ya. He offers to wash the bento box. Saena tells him that she’ll do that kind of thing. Misonoi insists that it is okay and she just go finish that drink slowly. While they both hold the bento box and Saena is insisting on washing it, Misonoi’s cellphone is vibrating loudly. This made Saena ask if it is his phone and is it okay for him not to answer it. She looks up at Misonoi and he is somewhat scowling. He closes his eyes then smiles at Saena. He gives her the bento box and says that he’ll leave it to her then. While Saena is washing the bento box, she overhears him on the phone, “-okay. No, that is alright. I’m already finished. ..I understand. Then, I’m going there right now.”
Just when Saena closes the faucet, Misonoi apologizes and says that something is up so he has to leave right away. She asks if it is his parttime job. Misonoi says yes. Outside the door, he bids her goodbye. She thinks that there is no ‘good luck with your job tonight and I’ll come back tomorrow’. Just when Misonoi is walking away, he stops and calls out to her. This puzzles Saena. With a scowling and somewhat anguish expression, Misonoi says, “I’m sorry..” This puzzles Saena. After he left, Saena suddenly realizes something. She quickly throws her bags on the bed and opens the box. She takes a diskette and immediately inserts it on her computer. The diskette is empty, it’s a fake--!!! This made Saena rush out and calls out Misonoi’s name. But he is long gone. End flashback. From that time, Misonoi had already disappeared as if this person ‘Misonoi Ichishi [guesswork 一志]’ never existed from the very start. There is no trace at all. No matter how many times she called there is no answer from a cellphone that has been already turned off. On the second day’s morning, the contract has been terminated. [<- cellphone contract] Of course, from the place where she heard that he is working parttime, she also got a recorded reply that they didn’t hire this person.
Saena tells Kyouko that for them to already live together, no matter how many times he went to her house, not a single fingerprint or a single strand of hair has been left behind. This surprises Kyouko. Saena wonders out loud when and how was he able to deal with all of the traces.. When she was conscious of it, his personal items had unconsciously disappeared like the soft and thick slippers. [<- for indoor use] Kyouko asks for her to mention about fingerprints, at that time, were the police also involved? Saena says no, regarding gathering the fingerprints and hair.. There is a scene of Fujimichi pushing up his glasses and offered to do it since gathering that is very simple. This surprises Kyouko for it is..simple..? She says forget about hair, but gathering fingerprints? Is that kind of thing something one can do just because one is intelligent? Is it easy? Saena explains that according to Fujimichi, when he was young, he and his brother had played with an identification kit that they got for Christmas and they searched for fingerprints all around the place. Kyouko thinks that searching for fingerprints can be considered as gathering insects..
Kyouko says, but something like a children’s kit and professional kit, in the end, can they be talked about on equal terms..? Pause. Saena informs Kyouko that in every generation of Fujimichi’s family, it seems that there is an unusual amount of people whose profession is related to the police. She’s saying that if Fujimichi can find any suspicious fingerpint, he can ask a relative to help out in secretly try to investigate it. Kyouko wonders if that kit [Fujimichi and brother is playing with] is possibly the real thing designed for police use and is it really okay to do that..? Saena says that in the end, only her fingerprints are found so talking about it is in vain. ..but, even if they really collected Misonoi’s fingerprint, they cannot report it to the police. Surprised Kyouko asks why for wasn’t the intelligence stolen. It cannot be said that it is copied for basically the diskette/s itself had been stolen. And, besides, this isn’t an intelligence that can determine the trial’s victory. Or it should be said that it can become a theft case. Saena says that’s right, and it is because this has already been passed around. It is an important intelligence of the trial’s outcome of this five year [legal] battle so they absolutely cannot allow it to cause any public disturbance that this thing had happened.
Not only was the intelligence stolen, there is also a damage on the reputation. As for being deceived by that man, in the end, it will create the end result of bringing enormous shame to the company. From the order above, no matter what happens, the intelligence is definitely from within the office. They are to conceal this [information] leak. Kyouko says, above..is it Ken..? Saena shakes her head and says at that time, they belong to the Ascham [guesswork from 阿斯卡姆] law firm. Even if right now, it is also the biggest organization in Japan’s law world and Katagiri is the leader of Ascham’s Kyoto branch. It is ordered from the Tokyo branch for him to step down. Kyoko thinks the Tokyo branch..obviously he only has to smoothly resolve this on-going 5 year trial, Ken can be promoted.. Kyouko becomes dark and thinks, --..promoted..but right now, the current firm and that name isn’t the same— Right now, it seems to be called, Viride General Law Office.. If it is that way, then it can be said..could it be..don’t even mention about promotion..
To Kyouko’s shock, Saena says that Ken has been expelled from Ascham and he assumed all of the responsibility. “The accumulative time as lawyer, whether it is track record, position or even a bright future, everything of that, I have snatched it all away from Katagiri-san--” Kyouko scowls and looks tense. She timidly asks that also means, that 5 year on-going case.. Saena says that the other party had exploited the data that they got means this is not a case that can be won. Kyouko thinks that means this so-called ‘Misonoi-san’, in the end, is a spy sent by the other company.. Even if she knows that it is very frustrating but it isn’t stated that this kind of thing is not allowed in spite of what the other party asserted. If there is no organization to protect oneself and even placed on a gag order--.. No..no good..there is no situation later on about proving that ‘Misonoi-san’ stole the intelligence and if the other party would make a false counter-charge, they will worry about picking faults.. those related to the development of the product shouldn’t be just one or perhaps, two people and there is a situation of possibly, other channels had been leaked.. Tsk..in the end, there is no way out..!!
Kyouko darkly mutters, Misonoi Ichishi..may this person until his grandchildren, go to hell 1000 times..!! Saena exclaims that is already desperate [/in a tight spot]..! In case something happens, those words’ hatred willpower can make her [Kyouko] as an important reference person. [<- Kyouko will be blamed for it since she mentioned that curse?] Kyouko covers her mouth and is surprised that she carelessly said that. She says that obviously a part of her hatred is rushing forth from her heart but doesn’t she [Saena] felt hate and could it be that after those years, the hatred had already become exhausted. Saena asks, hatred..towards him, she totally didn’t felt that way. This shocks Kyouko. Saena says that she felt that how he left the diskette [<- upside down 2] is a message for her, ‘This thing is my goal, you better be careful, don’t trust me too much’..that type. Kyouko asks why, obviously he came close to her to deceive her. Saena says that is it because she is on her way of being merciful or it is because she had feelings for him, even if she doesn’t know what the exact reason is.
Simply stealing the intelligence, he can do it the night when he gave her sleeping pills and take the diskettes. Maybe this thing is committed on the last night when she was taking a shower because without a doubt, it is true that she brought home the diskettes on that day. Kyouko looks at her then looks at the side. Saena says that Misonoi gave her two opportunities but she wasted what he had done. After this idea floated in her mind, the possibility that he is very suspicious, she wondered if she didn’t bring out the diskettes out from the company for the second time, if she didn’t go first to confirm the diskettes after he apologized and just go and chased after him first, if she didn’t insist on her own private feelings and just prioritized work, then she would have avoided this thing, she always think of that-- Kyouko looks at her mother who says, “I cannot forgive my shallowness and stupidity.” Unable to tell the truth to the public, Ken by himself became the butt of public criticism as the one found to be bearing that heavy responsibility. Compared to her, Ken was scolded to the point that she couldn’t endure that difficult situation.
Flashback: The client is scolding Ken. The others looked uneasy about it. Saena looked really awful that she suddenly covered her mouth and fell down on the floor. End flashback. Her body collapsed together with vomiting and an unwell body.  After that, it always constantly happen that she and even those around her thought that it is caused by her mentality. [<- psychological effect] “But, it really isn’t that, my belly already has you.” Kyouko just looks seriously at her mother. The scene changes to a Japanese looking inn [/hot spring inn?]. Ren looks stunned at his cellphone that causes Yoshiro to also look in shock. He asks Ren if Kyouko said that she is going to see her mother today. Ren says no..she didn’t tell him the precise schedule. Yoshiro recalls listening to Kyouko’s voice mail on Ren’s phone: “This is Mogami, sorry for interrupting but actually, I’m currently at my mother’s office..waiting room..ah ah ah..In short, we are going to talk.. sorry, I’ll report to you again later.. *hangs up*” The two guys look totally gloomy. Yoshiro thinks that is really quite scary for that girl’s ability to move [/go into action] is really quite scary. Even if he didn’t go, one can suppose and know that Kyouko is currently in the center of a snowstorm. Then, Kanae [I think] notices that Yoshiro and Ren sitting at the side.
Comment: I would assume that Misonoi has somewhat fallen in love/felt sorry for Saena that he did try to warn her but she is still in denial that he is indeed that kind of person. It is something for him to be sorry but then, he did what he has to do anyway so it means that his job/commitment to doing that is a priority. Saena is indeed stupid to bring out the diskettes again just to test Misonoi. And, I agree with her ‘what could have been’..those were really failures on her part. I’m amazed though over how good Misonoi was in covering up his tracks. Really..no fingerprints nor hair? Very meticulous. And no wonder Fujimichi is like that, he came from a family who is into the police. I’m really amazed with Ken. Even if he looks like a crocodile and make kids cry, the guy is amazing to allow himself take all the responsibility for what happened even as everything he had as a lawyer is ‘destroyed’..perhaps, temporarily? Still, that isn’t something that one can easily do. Then, we knew that Ken even helped Saena on who’ll take care of the baby. Hehe, and Kyouko is already cursing Misonoi. ^^; Strangely enough, Saena doesn’t hate him for some uncertain reason but rather, instead of going to blame Misonoi for everything, she blames herself and finds herself unforgivable. In a way, the mother and daughter had that similar experience but their reaction is in contrast. One is vengeful while the other is self-blame. So, what brought about her treatment towards Kyouko? And, with that scene at the last part, I guess, after that long talk, Ren and Kanae will be going to Kyouko to check if she’s okay. ^^ Scans by 红莲汉

Word of the day:
A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed. ~ Henrik Ibsen

74 comments:

  1. Thank you very much for this chapter !

    After the Cain brothers' arc, I thought we were close to see the relation between Ren and Kyoko proving but now, I'm afraid of Kyoko's reaction. With her experience and now knowing his dad is a failure...how could she trust in men again ??? She will repress even more her feelings for Ren for sure!
    One more time, the mangaka must love dancing the tango : one step forward, two steps back...

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    1. I hope kyouko doesnt have any trust issues with ren.that would be unbearable��

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    2. Yeah, I hope so. That would be really unbearable -_-

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    3. Thanks for reading, Gildaen ^-^

      Hm..possible though I hope it won't happen to the point of things being dragged on for say..another 50 chapters?

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    4. Well, well, well, 50 chapters wouldn't be so bad, it will take "only" 4 years. looool I don't know why but I have the feeling in 2026 we will still be there discuting about this manga ! XD
      Now with the Saena arc, we may be expecting for a Misonoi's arc, I think there will be a USA's arc with Ren revealing his true identity and visiting his family (the final one maybe)but before, we may hope for one with a Romance act between each other... and with all those a lot of surprises about the Kyoko progressing in her job, without forget little stories with Sho, Kanae, the president... Yeah, I bet, 2026 we will be here waiting for the end ! loooool

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    5. Hehe, is that so, Gildaen. I think it is a bit risky though..progress is already very slow but to regress... It can really test a reader's patience =P

      True..there are a lot of things that have to tackled with so I doubt that the mangaka would go with Kyouko regressing like have problems with men again after all the years for us/chapters that had passed for her character to already be at this point.

      I think it can reach that time, 2026..without resorting to that. =P

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    6. thanks for the awsome summary
      could u please give the summary of the next chapter
      thanks again

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    7. Thanks for reading, Unknown. ^-^

      Unfortunately, my summary is depended on the Chinese scanlation which is currently delayed due to some arrests regarding raw providers.

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  2. Otsukaresama deshita Kat-sama! I've read only the last part and your comment, thoughXP
    Really it was such a pleasure seeing Ren in this attire (I'm not sure of it's name. It's more like of what an archer would wear.. For me at least), but he looks sooo kakkoiiiiiiXD
    Thumbs up for Henrik Ibsen's quote. He's one of my favorite dramatists beside Shakespeare & Bernard ShawX)

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    1. Hehe, is that so, Lolli.

      Yup ^^

      =)

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    2. its chiori amamiya in the end i guess

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    3. You think so, Khushi...

      Well, I was indeed thinking if it is Kanae or Chiori..so I looked at the pictures on the net...Kanae's hair usually points towards the face so I would presume that it is her. Anyway, we'll know for sure in the next chapter.

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  3. Thank you very much for yet another chapter.
    Much enjoyable to read them like this.
    But I forget now, are Moko and Ren on a project together, or is that at the office?
    Does not look like the office. <_<

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    1. Thanks for reading ^-^

      =)

      No..I think she just happen to be there and saw the two = coincidence.

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  4. thank you so much for posting this! it was really really appreciated! :D

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  5. Thanks for updating fans with the latest chapter of SB. Can't wait for the next chapter. :)

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  6. Finally, thanks so much kat. x)
    To think kyouka would tell ren she is going to meet her mother,.hmm..i thougt she didnt tell about her mother to him before.
    Kyouko reaction is hilarious, saena too. Hehehe

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    1. Thanks for reading, kouya ^-^

      Hm..good point. She didn't. Maybe, Ren called her and she told him on voice mail that she's busy since she is at her mother's place?

      True.

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  7. It's weird to me that Saena has more tolerance of a man that lied to her, stole from her and disappeared, regardless of her own stupidity in allowing it to happen, and yet...can say such cruel things to her baby girl who is completely innocent of stealing or lying to Saena. It's like she took the hatred and blame and placed it on an innocent child who had no control over who or what her parents did before she was born. Do I feel for Saena? Kind of...except this chapter proved that she wasn't completely innocent. She could have avoided stolen data had she not taken the disks home again to test him. Also, he hinted and she didn't catch it. She also ignored protocol to leave confidential stuff at work. So her blaming herself is...sorry...understandable (we all make mistakes and must move on, right?). But the other person to blame is Misoni. Not innocent Kyouko. I am impressed Kyouko can forgive such hateful, resentful comments from a woman who can't see straight enough to place blame on the correct person.

    Thank you for your hard work, Kat!

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    1. That's right. It doesn't make sense so if that's all there is to it, Saena was indeed quite awful to do that.

      Thanks for reading ^-^

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  8. oh thank u soooooooo much KAT!I have been waiting for this..a perfect year ending treat ...happy holidays!!!!

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    1. You're welcome ^-^

      Happy Holidays to you, too ^^

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  9. Yay! Thank you, Kat, for the summary. I kinda understand how Saena feels. If you're pretty level-headed, what you'd do first is to look at your own short-comings. "I should've seen the signs.", is what I would exclaim to myself. I'm lovin' the story more and more. I wonder if we'll see Misonoi again. That would be cool, don't you think? Maybe he's a changed man. What if he was just also pressured to do that spying thing.

    Happy New Year, minna! Skip Beat for the win! xoxo

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    1. Thanks for reading ^-^

      True..and that is the usual 'aftermath' of 'what could have been'.

      We might see him again. I would assume that he is a changed man. It is possible that he is too ashamed of what he did that he never 'appeared' in her life again. Of course, he didn't know that he left her pregnant. He seems to be pressured..or rather, fallen in love/had feelings for her but he still has a job to do.

      Happy New year, too ^-^

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  10. Thanks for the summary! I feel that the reason she was so cruel to Kyouko is exactly because of how she was with Misonoi. I mean, her feelings were to blame for her performance at work. So I can imagine she doesn't want to be emotionally involved with anyone ever again to prevent something like that from happening. She probably feels that this child (a) reminds her of her own failure and (b) has the potential of making her mess up on a future case again.

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    1. Thanks for reading ^-^

      That is possible...she is already really prioritizing work. But in other scenes, it doesn't seem to be just that. Even if work isn't involved, she doesn't want to have anything to do with Kyouko.

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  11. xex, Misonoi is Toudou for real :D

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    1. Is that so. I don't read the English scanlation and I don't have raws to check it out.

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  12. For me, Kyouko is the real victim here. She suffered because of her parents'actions. Being treated like that as a child (although in Sanae's defense, it must really been hard to express her feelings), being declared nonexistent, and left with no one to accept her love, she became obsessed with Sho who turned out to be a betrayer like her father, and as she finds love again, she finds out the truth about her mother's past. I wonder who Misonoi really is, and how would things play out for him and Kyouko to meet? Although the story is once again drifting from the romance between Ren and Kyouko, I expected no less from the author of Tokyo Crazy Paradise (which i read first, and is also a great shoujo manga ♥)

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    1. True.

      Well, the story isn't only about Kyouko's romance. Well..from all the other characters, there is still that Mr. D.

      Yup..except for the abrupt ending.

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  13. I hope her dad is still alive so she can punch him. I don't want a Tokyo crazy paradise situation. Btw, when is the next chapter scheduled?


    Thanks

    Buff

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    1. Hehe..ya..or send him her demons. =P

      It's Jan 20 in Japan

      You're welcome, Buff ^-^

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  14. This makes me kinda sad because I was shipping Saena with her coworker Toudou. Freakin Misonoi -.- I hope they still get together in the present though. Maybe that could make Kyoko believe in love again... If not I still ship them.

    Anyways, thanks for the summaries Kat. Everyone is busy with holidays so we understand.

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    1. Ya..

      Thanks for reading and understanding ^-^

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  15. Thank you for this, Kat!

    I have to agree with my fellow SB follower who'd commented on this having an adverse affect on Kyouko and Ren's relationship, but we shall see. Perhaps the true test of her character's outlook on love will be how she reacts to the fact that Ren and Kuon are one in the same. So, excited!

    I hope you have a blessed time of family fellowship!

    best regards!
    ~may

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    1. You're welcome ^-^

      True. If it happens, hopefully, it won't be very, very long. ^^;;

      Thank you, may ^-^

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  16. Thanks for the summary,Kat!

    I feel that Saena saw the old her in Kyoko so that is part of the reason she treated her that way. However, it is unforgivable if based on a reason like that she turned from her own daughter. As for "Misonoi" I wonder if Nakamura-sensei is planning for him to show up. That would be a difficult situation to be in, knowing Kyoko she blames her father unlike her mom who was cursing herself. Maybe this is another step for Kyoko to move on from her hatred for Sho. Her nonreaction from his kiss from the previous chapter showed signs of that but I wonder how she'd react when she sees him again. Sho just might see her again just to be sure without trying to be suspicious.

    As for Ren, he and Moko might have a "truce" to support Kyoko through the wounds of her heart. I want her to be offered a role that is similar to what is happening now. At least the emotions and theme of the story.I'm excited to see a new role.

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    1. Thanks for reading, Brittany ^-^

      True. I think he'll show up later on. I also think that it might possibly help Kyouko in moving on from her hatred from Shou.

      I think so, too ^^ Hopefully..though do you mean a character like Saena? ^^

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    2. Kind of. More like the mother's hatred of a child. That type of thing.

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    3. Hm..probably in the far future? Unless, Kyouko is going to portray a very young mother.

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  17. ❥ Thank you so much for the great summary Kat! I wish you and your family a blessed, fun and wonderful new year!

    This is interesting! Just my silly theory. Talking about evidence (eg. fingerprints and hair), wouldn't the answer to find Misonoi be in front of Saena and Fujimichi?

    Being Misonoi's child, Kyoko's DNA may help trace or narrow down the search. If news about tracing birth parents with DNA is true, hopefully it's possible in Skip Beat's world. :P Poor Kyoko, her new hairstyle, smiles, consideration and cooking skills do resemble Misonoi to Saena. Can't imagine what will happen! Exciting!

    Don't stress yourself out!
    Have a fun 2016, Kat! ❤️ Cheers!

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    1. Thanks for reading, Cossette ^-^ Thank you and same to you ^^

      Hm..but they will still need Misonoi's DNA to compare it with, right? What are the chances that he had his DNA in police files or any other public accessible files? I don't think Kyouko is inclined to broadcast into tv about her missing father.

      True.

      Thank you ^-^

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  18. thank you for your summary Kat,

    It's interesting on how before, when we only had the image of Saena from Kyoko's pov, I can only think of her as a cruel and cold hearted mother. But now that we got a glimpse of her past, the image of Saena to me has changed. It seems that she's simply an awkward and often misunderstood person (due to her strict facial expression). As to how she treated Kyoko, I remember that in one of the chapter, when Kyoko asked her whether the reason Saena hated Kyoko was because she thinks that Kyoko is a cursed child, Saena said something like the one that is cursed is Saena and not Kyoko. So maybe, her refusal to touch or being touched by Kyoko is because she's scared that she will hurt Kyoko?

    Also, now that we got a little bit of background behind why they lived with Shou's parents, I think the reason why Saena said that she don't have a child is because she thinks that Shou's parents are more of Kyoko's parents than herself, and considering that she did left Kyoko's care to Shou's parents, she probably thinks that she has no right to claim Kyoko as her child?

    As for Misonoi, I wonder if the next Arc would be about him? And I really wonder who he is.

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    1. Thanks for reading, Anna ^-^

      Possible but it is strange that she acts that way towards Kyouko yet have a somewhat unexpected reaction towards Misonoi even if he did that to her. Maybe it will be clearer later on.

      Maybe..but she also mentioned that she doesn't want to have anything to do with her, iirc, doesn't want to touch Kyouko. If it was like that, why still let Kyouko know that she is the mother? It puzzles me.

      Maybe..but hopefully just a bit, and more on progress for Kyouko + Ren or her career ^^

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    2. It might be her guilty conscious? It seems that she really feels guilty towards Ken for destroying his career due to her "foolishness" so maybe like Ren, she thought that she don't deserve to be happy? Because I can't believe for someone who is so forgiving towards Misonoi would put the blame and hatred towards the child.

      It might also because of Ken? It might be that if it was left to Saena, she would have left Kyoko completely to Shou's parents since her birth, but somehow I think Ken convinced her to stay and let Kyoko knows that she's the mother. And because Saena feels that she owes Ken so much, she's willing to do anything that Ken asked from her (like showing up in the tv show as his replacement)

      Oh yes, I would love to see more Kyouko & Ren's scene. The last part showing Ren & Yashiro's expression was very funny.

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    3. For the reason why she denied having a child/Kyouko's existence, perhaps she just dont want Misonoi to know that she got pregnant.

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    4. Maybe, Anna.

      I see..perhaps, it is that..she tried but couldn't act like a proper mother to Kyouko.

      Yup ^^

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  19. Thanks for the summary Kat!

    Hmm... it seems to me that Saena may have distanced herself from Kyoko as a protective measure from Misonoi. I mean you wouldn't want an undercover spy who used you to find out that you had their child. Makes sense that Saena would put Kyoko with another family and then pretty much disown her so she would have no connection to her whatsoever. Then again I could be wrong, but I hope not!

    P.S. Kyoko seems to have inherited not only the smile and hair from Misonoi, but his "acting" as well ^.^


    Have a happy 2016!

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    1. Thanks for reading ^-^

      Hm..perhaps but why? Especially since she just hinted that she doesn't have any ill feelings towards Misonoi. Is it bad to have his child? They did try to find him..but of course, it might not be the same when she already know that she's pregnant.

      Yup, and also the cooking skills ^^

      Happy 2016, too ^-^

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    2. Even though Saena doesn't have any ill feelings towards Misonoi himself- his connections with his job and what he does isn't something a child should be brought into. The possible complications and links it would bring back to her and Kyoko could be life risking. We don't know much of anything of who Misonoi is and who he is working for and the fact that they can't find any information may speak for how powerful that network is. Lots of unknowns.

      Oh! Yeah he did cook well haha and thus another trait.

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    3. Currently, I don't think it will be overly complicated because the plot might go off tangent. It would be about spies and other underground stuff and that isn't the focus of this series.

      True, and to make it less complicated, we can just say that Misonoi is really good at his work/meticulous enough not to leave a single trace. I would even assume that he is an 'actor' who can easily blend in and do his job. He is so good at it that even if he passed by Saena again, she wouldn't know...somewhat like what Lory does.

      Yup.

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  20. thanks for the summary. ok so crocodile face lawyer is not only kind but also really forgiving person. just hope he doesn't say(or propose) anything about sho and koyouko relationship. since both mother and daughter received lots of kindness from him , i doubt they will be able to refuse . and its been bugging me for a while , y in the world Fujimichi was not invited for the case. just because he is bit weird he was left out of a important case like this . and i really admire how Saena hate herself but not the guy.

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    1. Thanks for reading, Iffat ^-^

      Yup. I'm not to think that he wouldn't. Shou's parents are already very embarrassed over what happened so I don't think Ken would force it.

      Well, Ken doesn't like him..it seems...because of his weirdness. Iirc, Saena is also in disbelief that is the reason for it.

      True..in a way, she is taking responsibility for it.

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  21. Thanks KAT for the summary , and I hope you had fun with your family , and happy new year ( I know I'm a little late ) , and as for the chapter , I have a mixed feeling about misonoi , I don't know how should I say it , it is like I like him , but I hate him for what he did , it is really complicated , and for saena , he hinted for her two times and she still did not understand , at least if she want to test him , use a faked one , not the real one , and I feel that misonoi really loved her , so maybe he did that because someone maybe have threaten him after they noticed that he loved saena , and if he do not do what they said to him , maybe they are going to do something for saena , anyway it is only a theory so I do not know , I hope we find about that soon , and I hope for misonoi to appear again and to know more about him , like his real , and what his reaction will be if he found out that he has a daughter and she is already 17 years old , and for as for ren I liked his expression , and also yashiro expression , and I'm wondering about what take kanae to where is ren and yashiro ? and i want to see more scenes for ren because I really missed him a lot and this is not enough to satisfy me and thanks again .

    ~reemy

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    1. Thanks for reading, reemy ^-^

      Thank you and happy new year to you, too ^^

      True..she should have used a fake one.

      Possible or perhaps, he owes the group a huge amount of money due to some debt/family problems.

      True..how would they react when they see each other again and is there some 'aftermath' after it. Meaning like this meeting with her mother, currently, I cannot imagine Kyouko and her mother being all close and everything all of a sudden after the talk.

      Maybe she has work there...LOVE Me related?

      Hopefully, there will be more of him soon.

      =)

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  22. Much appreciate your work, Kat . Very refreshing this month, even though I read the Spanish version at Christmas. Before your commentary, and a lot of your readers’ reactions, there was a bit too much optimism floating around (in English) for my taste.
    I don’t want a bad outcome for Kyoko at the end of this arc just so she can represent poorly-parented kids better, but I value the message that “Skip Beat” has given so far, a strong message that ‘family of creation’/support network is far more important than ‘family of origin’ (like Sho, who’s basically Kyoko’s foster-brother), at least for the unlucky people who don’t get both types of family as a package deal. Too often, it’s taken for granted that the package deal is universal from the start, or alternatively, that the fragments can always be patched back together into that form, and better late than never. (Not the case with Sho!)

    I don’t think Saena, much less Misonoi, could be lifted to ‘family of creation’ status quickly in a realistic way, and…well, I suppose things could move some distance in that direction realistically at a slow pace, but I don’t think Ms Nakamura can afford to focus on the guest stars of Kyoko’s origin story for too long when readers are clamoring for a return to the main cast (or maybe just to Ren ;)).
    The most I’d hope for is a tentative agreement, a work-in-progress, not a rapprochement. And I’m still expecting the ‘family of creation’ to get the star turn, as in rush to the rescue. Saena does seem to be about to deliver the sucker-punch part of her story.

    It’s an awful idea, but I’m wondering whether Saena completely missed the early signs of her pregnancy with Kyoko and only found out late, when an abortion would no longer be legal. I don’t know at what stage that would be in Japan.
    I mean, Saena did say literally that ‘she never tried to become Kyoko’s mother’, and we’ve seen that goes all way back to Kyoko’s unplanned conception.

    About Misonoi… Saena may be making a mistake about his ‘good intentions’. I wouldn’t be too sure he didn’t extract all the data that first night and delay handing it over to his boss so he could hang on to Saena a bit longer. Points to Misonoi for giving clues, but I wouldn’t automatically give him credit for giving them in time. He could also have saved the situation by faking not being able to extract the data in the end. He didn’t.

    About the DNA... I was reading a pop science forensics textbook and apparently in most countries it’s illegal to use family members’ DNA to identify suspects except in cases of serious crime (violent crime). English police had to get clearance to search their databases for 50% DNA matches with criminals on file. It might be too risky to run that sort of search ‘off the books’.

    A jolly good time to Kat and all over the silly season.

    Zozo

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    1. Thanks for reading, Zozo ^-^

      Indeed.

      I agree..and it usually happens. When there is no Ren around for an arc, a lot of readers are clamoring to see him again. So, it won't be good to delay the appearance for too long. One already need a lot of patience to read this series ^^

      What do you mean by 'get the star turn, as in rush to the rescue'? Get back to the story?

      Yup, hopefully it is good ^^

      That's possible..I didn't think of that. After googling, I found this:
      The Maternal Protection Act in Japan allows abortion for patients if the fetus is 21 weeks & 6 days or younger. If a fetus is 22 weeks or older, due to higher risks to the mother during surgery and ethical issues, abortion is not an option and must be carried to term. The procedure should be performed by doctors certified by this law at a designated facility.

      True. If he didn't extract all the data, that would mean he isn't a competent computer hacker. Maybe he hesitated twice or couldn't break into it twice? Then, there is his mixed feelings so he is giving a hint to Saena. But in the end, he just put in duplicate/fake diskettes and just get the diskettes 'unlocked' by someone else =P I think that call was the trigger. He must owe the 'boss' big time or something that in the end, that is what he chose to do.

      I see. And, in this case, I don't think Misonoi has a police record.

      Thank you ^^

      Delete
  23. Oh… I mean, when I say ‘rush to the rescue’, that I think Kyoko will get hurt by what Saena says, just as Saena predicted, and Kyoko will need support from a loved one.
    (That reminds me, after seeing Kanae/“Moko” at the end of the chapter, I remembered that I’ve been wondering for a while whether the family resemblance she noticed between Kyoko and Saena is going to be an issue. I think it might be something that makes Saena see how stupid it was to blindside Kyoko by claiming to be childless on television. The resemblance works against Saena’s ‘childless’ cover story, and so did shocking Kyoko so that she cried in a public place and confronted her mother in a parking lot.)

    Ah… Kudos for finding that info about abortion law in Japan. It’s a little earlier than I expected, 22 weeks. So it’s a little more likely to be still early enough to misread the signs.

    Certainly, things aren’t clear-cut with Misonoi. It’s very probable that he’s a ‘foot soldier’, not in control of the operation, nor getting a direct benefit. Very different from Sho, who clearly financially abused Kyoko. It was easier for Kyoko to make a clean break in that situation.
    I don’t really know what to think about Misonoi’s hints, but I’m cynical enough that they reminded me a little of gaslighting at first. I thought that was a bit extreme and looked for other possibilities.

    I really didn’t summarize the DNA info very well. To get permission to search for family DNA, it’s the relative whose DNA needs to be on file, as part of a criminal record (Kyoko doesn’t have one). Then you need the unidentified suspect’s DNA from a crime scene. But it needs to be a violent crime (Misonoi isn’t suspected of one).
    Of course, you can do whatever searches you like off the books, but if extracting DNA from nonviolent crime scenes to crack cold cases is lower priority, there won’t be many ‘suspect’ samples to match with Kyoko’s DNA.

    Zozo

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    1. Oh I see. Zozo. I think that whether or not Saena said something that will hurt her, after this, Ren or/and Kanae probably with Yashiro will be there for her since Ren knows that she went to see her mother. ^^

      That might be the consequence but I don't think that Saena said that directly towards Kyouko but to escape the predicament of 'being/appearing cold' towards a distressed mother asking for her help. Of course, she will most probably say that in private.

      You're welcome ^^

      True.

      Another interesting point..hehe, first time I heard about it though, 'gaslighting'. ^^; Perhaps, in a different type of series ^^

      No problem..I think got your point. ^^ It reminds me of a case here of a terrorist. They need to prove if he is really dead since they don't have his DNA. So, they got the brother's [also a terrorist] to kind of match it with the terrorist. Is it like that?

      Also, we don't know if it is Misonoi's 'first crime'. Fujimichi/Toudou has police connections. Won't a facial sketch help? Still, it is a crime that makes one 'lose face' so it is most probable that it is not reported to the police even if he had committed a lot of that kind of crime.

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  24. Well, a group hug kind of thing for Kyoko after this would be nice! I was only really counting on Kanae being there for Kyoko, though, because I thought Ren has to go back to the Tragic Marker shoot overseas very soon? (I’m not sure at all. Losing my sense of timescale after all the flashbacks.)


    Hmm… I very much agree that Saena was cornered on the tv program, and I’m aware that lawyers have a delicate balance to maintain between showing sensitivity on a personal level and giving professional advice all in a short time. But the program was pre-recorded. Saena totally didn’t have to blindside Kyoko; she didn’t have to let the program go to air without even calling Kyoko’s agency to give advance warning.

    I got the impression that part was a direct personal attack on Kyoko, the not warning her or her workmates bit. The insensitivity seems deliberate, but I want the stupidity of giving no warning pointed out to Saena, because it was aggravating to watch her criticize Kyoko for acting stupid when Saena’s done something stupider more recently. And for another reality check, Saena will actually need Kyoko’s acting ability, the one she showed complete disapproval of, if she’s expecting Kyoko to successfully lie for her in order to support Saena’s claim that they aren’t closely related – despite their resemblance.


    Say… I never thought of it this way before but actually, I think Ruriko tried something very like gaslighting on Kyoko. Using vague language to give false impressions of being weak and UV-sensitive, when she was just lazy, unfit and vain, then blaming Kyoko for ‘overdoing it’ and injuring herself while protecting her. Plus the fact that Ruriko aimed to permanently demoralize Kyoko. It’s really disturbing.
    I’d more expect comic gaslighting in a series like “Skip Beat”, similar to the episode in “Amélie” where she drives the nasty grocer into a nervous breakdown. I can totally imagine Kyoko’s psychotic facial expressions doing something like that. ;)


    Yes, only one person in the family needs to be a known criminal and in the DNA database in order to get a match with a sample from a suspect left at the scene.
    But normally that wouldn’t be the end of it. If the suspect can be traced, or is buried in a known grave, you can get another DNA sample from the suspect and check whether it’s a 100% match with the DNA left at the crime scene. That happened with the breakthrough cases in the book I read, but it doesn’t sound like it’s possible with the dead terrorist case you mentioned.

    Hmm… That would be a nice twist, if Misonoi is exposed by something as simple as a police sketch. But it would surprise me, because he didn’t have any hesitation showing his face. He even did attention-catching things like giving Saena a fright by kissing her in front of a restaurant. Whereas he eliminated hair and fingerprints.
    But then, criminals have been careful about leaving fingerprints for generations, and about leaving traces of DNA since the mid-1980s, when the sensitive polymerase technique was developed, according to the book. Kyoko’s birth seems to be in the 1990s (mid-to-late?). Misonoi would have had to start young to leave traces back in the era when crims were sloppy about shedding. Or, more innocently, commit more of a youthful indiscretion like hacking his school’s computer system. The trouble with hacking, though, is that the “crime scene” would have been recycled by now.
    Zozo

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    1. Probably soon, Zoro..a week or a few days..but currently, I think he was in Japan for two days [day 1: comfort Kyouko over the broadcast day 2: Kyouko met with mom] so I don't think he'll leave that soon.

      I think it is a live show. Kyouko only saw the recorded version, if I'm not mistaken. <- probably having a digital box wherein one can watch shows later on? I'm not sure if Saena can/will do that without revealing her relation with Kyouko. Unless, she has Lory's direct line. Also, if they did get an advance warning, they would have to tell Kyouko about it, right? Say, don't watch this program because your mother said something nasty. Won't that make Kyouko wonder what it is? And, Shou was there that night..won't Kyouko wonder why he is really there even if he say some lame reason?

      True. In a way, I don't think the public will make the connection. Correct me if I'm wrong but Kyouko's screen name doesn't include a surname, right? Only those who know her and her surname are most likely the ones who'll realize it.

      Hm..true. ^^ Ya..her demons unleashed..though to whom will she do that? If it ever happens, I think it will be just for a role/get in character since I don't think Kyouko will deliberately do such a thing being a good girl.


      Good point..so either start young or someone gave him tips to go about it. Including spying, computer hacking and acting or all of the above.

      Hm..what does 'crime scene would have been recycled by now'? Hm..tampered with?

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  25. I see, Kat. Okay, right, so pretty soon :).


    I just assumed that the program – “Kiro-notto”? – was the pre-recorded one Toudou asked Saena about. She had already been filmed for a segment on a show and Toudou asked her when the program would be broadcast. And then she expressed distaste for that kind of work (in the eye of the media). That echoed for me later, because I found distasteful the emotive, “feel my pain” behavior of the mother losing the custody case, especially when she tried to shoot the messenger. It’s not Saena’s fault the lady doesn’t seem to have a strong case.



    True, it might have been a little complicated for Saena to get a message through to LME without revealing her identity. But she’s smart enough to find a way and it would still be the less risky option.
    It’s true that people at LME would have still been in an awkward position if they had advance notice of the content of the program. But there were things they could have done to delay the inevitable and/or cushion the impact. Like how Kanae temporarily hid Sho’s chart-topping string of singles from Kyoko by inviting her to ice-cream. I’m sure Kyoko would be thrilled to sleep over at Kanae’s again. Or they could assign a temporary manager, the way Kyoko has been assigned to Ren multiple times.
    Instead, the support team wasn’t quite ready, and unsupportive Sho got there first.

    Presumably it wasn’t written that way mainly for dramatic effect. It also makes some sort of psychological sense for Saena not to warn Kyoko and Co. Maybe she doesn’t want to look protective? But it’s still unprofessional of Saena. Jeepers, when you need assistance in pulling off a cover-up, keep your co-conspirators informed!

    You’re right, Kyoko has no stage surname, but it’s not really the viewing public spotting the ‘Mogami looks’ I’m worried about. It’s entertainment reporters. They could have contacts at Kyoko’s school, where her real surname is known. Or do some digging in Kyoto.
    This would be a juicy little scoop. Saena made the story extra interesting by lying when she’s a lawyer.
    Looks like there’s a pretty good chance that Kyoko will have to do a convincing denial of the relationship to protect Saena’s reputation. Or maybe I just want that to happen, so Saena has to be grateful to Kyoko, heh heh.

    Hmm... Yes, there’d have to be someone pretty extreme and sneaky around to set off Kyoko’s dark side that badly. But it would more fun to watch than when she stalked Sawara. He didn’t exactly deserve it.

    Oh…By ‘recycled’, I just mean the ‘crime scene’ for hacking is computers and old computers get recycled. Except a few that go into museums. So, probably best to look for people who know Misonoi’s face, like you suggested. Likely to be the only trace of him.

    Zozo

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    1. Ah..I see. Forgot about that, Zozo ^^;; I had assumed that it was some other program not shown.

      Hm..good point. Well, plotwise, if that happened, things would be different = no crying and finally going to talk with mom. In real life, that is the ideal scenario but given that this is Saena, whether she said that deliberately or not to Kyouko, I really doubt that she'll give a warning to Kyouko. ^^; Well, if it was deliberate..she definitely won't warn =P

      Ah, okay..the reporters. If this is a 'more realistic' story, it would be extra interesting but I didn't think towards that because iirc, the mangaka mentioned that she doesn't want to involve reporters/paparazzi in the story since it will make things complicated so after the Boots reporter before..there was no such thing anymore..or rather, it doesn't play a huge role.

      That would be nice. ^^ For this kind of situation, I'm actually not quite sure on how it will be with them afterwards. Usually, in the most stories I read, the mother tends to be repentant/felt guilty over what one has done to one's kid then after some hesitation, there is bonding and forgiveness. Here, Saena isn't like that. I get the even after the talk, things will still be like that with them..in a way wherein they live each others' lives but Kyouko will definitely have closure regarding it.

      Lol..true..but it was funny ^^ It does have a 'nice lesson' to it to regarding perseverance ^^

      Ah, okay. True. Hm..speaking of that, if Kyouko were to pass by him, she wouldn't know it is him, right? Since she doesn't know what he look like unless Saena has a picture or described him-something.

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  26. Hi Kat...
    Thank you so much for the summary. Though English Scans of this chapter are uploaded fast but I loved to read the summary here. And I really thank you for effort you put in writing them for us even though you are busy or enjoying.
    THANKS a lot..

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  27. Hmm… I think deliberate. Saena does tend towards overkill with her ‘punishments’ for Kyoko. Maybe that’s what not warning Kyoko about the ‘childless’ cover story was. Hard to tell until we get more a bit more info on how pre-Kyoko Saena turned into that volatile, invalidating mom from hell.

    Ah… I had forgotten the media/publicity isn’t supposed to play a big role. But maybe only the threat of publicity would be enough to give characters a jolt? No need for it to become reality.

    Maybe is it that for the family to be patched back together, the parent who has misbehaved must be able to say to the kid “you deserved better, and I’ll treat you right in future”? Even if Saena reaches the headspace to appreciate Kyoko, she never developed the parenting skills to treat Kyoko the way she should.
    It’s so ambiguous, though, because telling Kyoko the awful truth can be seen as justice, plain and simple, or as Saena stepping down from her distant, critical position, which would be progress in relating.
    I mostly read non-fiction about this, and… put it this way, if Saena went on being a big quitter when it comes to caring about Kyoko, that would be the usual thing in the real world. Kyoko could still have closure for this arc, I guess, just by getting a little respect, not affection. Maybe not ‘case closed’, though – at least for Lory ;)

    Heh, yeah, horror-nightmarish funny. It’s also funny that this lesson/moral of “try, try again” includes dangerous driving by a teenager on a bike, among other illegal activities, and yet children are later warned onscreen not to make meals in the car…

    Mm… True, Kyoko wouldn’t recognize her father. Especially if he’s unrecognizable with a different hairstyle (inc facial hair, in his case) like Kyoko is. He’d be a bit old for a goatee now.

    Zozo

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    1. True, Zozo..currently, from the flashback and how she viewed Misonoi, it doesn't seem like she would become that kind of mother.

      Possible.

      Hm..true. Perhaps, it is like that.

      I think it is also the progress in relating...or something like she owes it to Kyouko after treating her badly before.

      I also lean towards that. Perhaps, understanding her mother more but I cannot imagine Saena suddenly becoming affectionate towards her after the conversation. Perhaps, it will help Kyouko move on rather than tearing up/cry whenever she recalls some bitter past about her mother.

      True. ^^

      Yup..so far, the only mysterious character who was mentioned but not introduced is Mr. D so I wonder if it is him. He's my suspect =P

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  28. I’ll pause here to thank you for exchanging views with me, Kat =). Very illuminating, without being depressing like non-fiction. (Hard to watch fictional characters suffer as well, but in that case it’s a necessary evil, to make the story dramatic.)

    Mm… I very much agree with all your points except the last. And only problem with the last point is that I’m not skilled with mysteries myself (I’m the super-lazy kind that skips ahead and reads the ending ^^;), so I would hesitate to hazard a guess on the true identity of Kyoko’s father. Also, I’m a bit worried about Kyoko’s reaction, after she blurted out that curse. Very disturbing, multigenerational curses.

    With appreciation,
    Zozo

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    1. No problem, Zozo ^-^

      Hehe, is that so. I got the impression that you are into mysteries. =P

      Indeed..

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  29. Ah, heh. Not guilty. Fans in the Zozo family, you see

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  30. I have to thank you for posting such awesome summaries! I read all of your Akatsuki no Yona summaries too!
    Anyway I dont care how much Seana reminises about the past.. the ultimate thing is that because of her Kyouko lead a horrible childhood.. No parent should behave as she did..

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    1. Thanks for reading them, fanfictionrocks ^-^

      Indeed.

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  31. What if Misonoi is Mr D? I mean nakamura sense I never just mentions a character for no reason, and chiori Only mentioned his name when she thought Kyoko resembled a magical fairy he was looking for. This would also explain why kyokos so good at acting.

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    1. That is my tentative guess, too. I guess it depends on what is Misonoi's real profession. Spy or Actor?

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