August 16, 2016

Kono Oto Tomare [Chapter 49]


Narration: “Upon opening a musical score, a lit path of musical notes would appear in the darkness. And, I’ll blindly follow forward the lit path. In order not to be swallowed up by the darkness, I carefully pay attention and didn’t stray away from it...

...One step and another step. Sincerely going in front. *gloomy expression* It is always like this for a long time now. I can only play this way.” Outside the auditorium, Chiharu looks up the sky. Coming out of the building, Doujima calls out to her.

With a sheepish smile, Doujima apologizes for she suddenly remembered that there is a little something that she has to do so she’ll be going ahead. After a pause, Chiharu says that she’s going so she doesn’t plan on listening to it.
Chiharu tells her that didn’t Akira think that she should also come and listen to it. Doujima says about that..even if she seems to have no right to say anything but until now, listening to one or two high school performances, nothing will also change.

“I’m already going to be 70 years old this year. Right now, for me to start to want to undergo change is already impossible. ..but if it’s you, the head, then perhaps, there’s still time for change. *turns to leave* Then, I’ll..” She is surprised when Keishi calls out to her that she also came. “It has been a long time, grandmother.”
Back inside the auditorium, Hakuto are still performing. Tsukaji wonders if this is a classical. “Wrong, I recall that this group plays original pieces.. –this space is quite calm [/quiet].. It is simply like letting out a tone [of voice] for someone to listen to. From its appearance, it is very simple. There is not one bit of vitality that a high school student should have but-”

Chika looks tense and thinks that it is that again. “Obviously, there is no imposing manner, and the melody isn’t at all very easy to comprehend but it makes people become deeply immerse into the music he is playing and one cannot remove one’s sight of him. ‘His way of playing is like the correct answer--..’.”

Tsukaji thinks, “Ha ha.. this is indeed very amazing. Basically, it isn’t a high school level performance. –But, all the more it gives credit to THE PIECE ITSELF being very good.” Suzuka thinks that it can be said that the way the soloist and the other three sound group’s sound are arranged and how it flows together is exquisite.
“Sitting in the middle, that person and the surrounding members appear to have a considerable huge gap between their strength.. but the soloist doesn’t excessively stand out because during composing the piece, one had thought over this gap and through a perfect calculation, had caused them to maintain balance...

...This rhythm makes people who listen to it feel very comfortable. This beat’s ‘interval’ makes one feel entranced..” Satowa thinks that Hakuto can unexpectedly write this kind of piece.. Suzuka looks at Taishin who looks on tensely and thinks that he’s terrifying.
Tsukaji thinks that this level is considerably high for not only is the piece good, but it is also really amazing that this piece can be played well. “--it is just that, after listening to Himesaka’s performance, it already feels kind of ordinary..”

Flashback: Uta’s mother [/koto teacher] told young Mio that his playing is so exact that it makes her feel that it is like listening to a performance’s correct answer. “It is definitely because you’re really good in understanding the composer’s thoughts!”

Mio wondered is that so when he obviously didn’t think of that. He is merely just looking at the notes and playing it as usual, that’s all. “It is because I only know this way of playing so I played it that way.” Sitting at the porch, he told Uta that he doesn’t want to continue on playing koto.
Uta exclaims why when everyone likes listening to him play the koto. Mio said yes, he likes the sound of the koto but when he played it, he couldn’t play out the sound that he likes. “If I were to play it, the koto’s sound will die.”

Uta is puzzled. She told him that she doesn’t quite understand what he meant but no matter who, it is impossible for one to play the sound that one wants from the very start!” Sitting up, Mio asked if that is true. While saying yes, Uta thought that it is probably so.
Mio asked if he played for a very long time, he would be able to play the sound that he likes. Uta said about that..they have to see since he has to strive hard, right. While playing the koto, Mio wondered if by merely, playing always, one day he’ll be able to play the music that he likes.

“It is like water. It is like the wind. Nothing can restrict it. It is the freest thing. A sound that has life. If I can also play that kind of sound, then I should be quite happy. But, one year passed. Three years passed. Five years passed. I wasn’t able to play that kind of sound.”

Two women [probably aunt and mother] told Mio that he is thinking too much because he played really well and confidently. They also told him not to think too complicated for he just has to play it happily. They suggest that he participate in a competition once or perhaps, perform in an ensemble for a chance of mood.
Mio gloomily thought that it is annoying to death. Uta told Rin that everyone is praising his playing for he played it very skillfully so.. Mio said that what other people say has nothing to do with him for he only wants to play the sound that he likes. Uta can only mutter his name.

Mio wondered how come it felt so painful. “I don’t know what I should do. Even if I always see the music but I always couldn’t go to the place I want to go. *lying down on the lit musical note path* I’m so tired. *path became dim* I’m so tired.. *path vanishes*”
He is jolted awake when Taishin shouted to let him write the piece that will allow Mio to SURPASS THE CORRECT ANSWER, and he also wanted to listen to the ‘music that surpassing the correct answer’ that Mio is talking about. Mio has never seen that kind of dazzling radiance. “A shock.” End flashback.

DOng-- Chika and Takezou perk up. Tsukaji thinks that the sound has changed. Flashback: Looking at a musical score, Mio asked excited Taishin if he wrote music through calculations. Taishin exclaimed yes, actually music and math have a totally inseparably close connection [/relation].

To Taishin’s shock, Mio said that he doesn’t like the melody brought about by calculation.
After a pause, Taishin exclaimed that he’ll calculate another piece for him wherein he won’t be able to hear [/notice] that it is a piece made out of calculation. Dong- After Mio played it, Taishin asked what he felt about this piece. Mio said that it is okay.
To his surprise, Taishin took the musical score and said that he’ll re-write. “I promised you that I’ll write a ‘music that can enable you to surpass the correct answer’ so first of all, I have to write a piece that will make you feel ‘I want to play this!” DoNG-- At the roof, Taishin asked if he can only play the music that he can see.

Mio said yes, except for that, he doesn’t know how to play it in any other way. “I can see the music that has lit up to become a path but all around it is pitch-black and there is nothing else there. If I walk away from it, I’ll definitely fall into the darkness.” Taishin said but he felt that the moment Mio walks away [from the lit path], a new path will appear below his feet! “—so, this time around, it becomes your own path!!” End flashback.
DONG- Chika wonders what’s going on, for it felt that the heart is a bit confused [/disorderly].. Tsukaji thinks that starting from right now, the soloist is merely repeatedly playing a single note.. He wonders in the end, how many times he plans to PENETRATE DEEPLY into this one sound..!!!

Flashback: During the Kanto Music festival competition, Mio and others waited for their turn backstage while Tokize are playing onstage. He thought that he doesn’t understand what Taishin said. He found Tokize’s playing chaotic to death and the koto’s sound is quite impure. “I’ll also definitely become like that if I were to deviate from the PATH--”

Then, he became surprised over this sound [Chika playing] for it felt that he can feel their feelings when he obviously didn’t know these people. “This music is smiling. It’s happy. The music is alive that it is simply like these people are just like my own self--”
Then, he recalled Taishin saying to it becomes your own path!! End flashback. In the darkness, Mio stops walking along the lit path. He starts to walk out of it. Everyone watch in anticipation when Mio stops playing. They think that obviously, there is something just now..

Then, Mio has a crazed happy expression. Chika and others become tense. Uta and others are puzzled. While Mio is happily playing, he is giggling and laughing as he keeps on walking out of the lit path. Everyone wonders what this is.
The music is not at all very powerful and it isn’t very imposing either, perhaps, the rhythm is very quick but he is merely sparing no effort in playing it softly! It is obviously just like that but it is pulling people into it..!!! [<- think black hole =P]

While watching Mio play and numbers floating around, Taishin thinks that this is so amazing for there is a vast and endless universe within just 13 [koto] strings. Aragaki mentally calls out to Mio that this isn’t his solo play so don’t ignore them.

Mio mentally apologizes to her and says that he is so happy. Aragaki is surprised when Mio holds out his hand and urges them to come together, he is going to bring everyone to the ends of the earth. Narration: “There are 13 strings altogether yet, despite that, I feel that no matter where, we can go anywhere.”
Mio recalls Uta telling him if he knew that their teacher will resign after the preliminaries because his father has fallen ill. He also recalls that in the end, they really want to let Taishin hear a good performance one more time. Mio looks at Taishin and happily smiles. Moved Taishin smiles back.

Flashback: Taishin asked if he knows what kind of flower a katakago is? Mio said that he didn’t know. *Looking surprised, Chika and others continue to watch Mio’s performance at the present time* Taishin explained, “Katago is a plant which after germinating, whether a year had passed or three years, or even five years, it won’t blossom. But.. every year, bit by bit...

...*flashbacks of Taishin composing and giving a proposal to write for Mio* It grows bit by bit. It wasn’t easy as it uses almost 10 years time for it to bloom a single flower. *Taishin watches Mio and the others finish their performance in the present time* -Kanzaki, it has also been 10 years since we had come across the koto.” The last scene is katakago flowers blooming.

Comment: That analogy was quite good. No wonder the title of the piece is like that. Is Taishin also a biology teacher or he just knows about that plant? ^^; As a teacher, I think that is Taishin most defining moment since he managed to help Mio achieve his goal. He has indeed made a mark on Mio’s life and with that, there will be a lot of possibilities as vast as the universe.

Aside from Taishin’s credit, it is indeed thanks to Chika that Mio has decided to try walking away from the lit musical path. There is also Uta who kind of ‘tricked’ him that things will change later on because if Mio had given up at that time, he wouldn’t have met Taishin. It goes to show that a lot of people and situations can contribute to the growth one person as long as that person doesn’t give up.

Based on the performances, Himesaka does excel in techniques and skill to impress the judges. It seems more like wow, they can play a difficult piece so well. For Hakuto, it seems to make people unconsciously like the piece. It is subtly bringing them into Mio’s world so it is more focused on him.  Before it was just a vacuum-type, now it is a black hole type of sucking them in =P

Based on their previous performance, I can surmise that Tokize is more on moving people to actually feel their emotions as they conveyed it through music. Tokize’s music seems more powerful in terms of how it can change lives. In their previous performance, it opened the doors for Mio. The same for Suzuka who seems jaded about music until then.

So now, I think we can expect emotional wounds and relationships will be healed during their performance here. I cannot help but imagine the Doujima siblings giving high five to each other. Akira brought the two women there. And, just when they/Doujima are/is going to ‘escape’, Keishi is going to keep them there. =P So, they’ll have no choice but to listen to Tokize’s performance.

Apparently, Doujima had become grown tired to care about koto especially in terms of how it can still change her. It’s like been there, ‘done that so many times and it’s all the same’. Strangely enough, wasn’t she impressed with Satowa’s performance before? Perhaps, she wasn’t since she still thinks that it is too late for her to change how she was and how she currently views koto music.

For her, it is somewhat more of a tool to get ahead and have a position/be recognized by others rather than playing koto for the love of it. We’ll have to see if Tokize’s performance will change all that and perhaps, make her realize what she has been doing wrong with her grandchildren when they are all the family she has now. The same goes with Chiharu. Scans by 二次元秘店

Quote of the day:
If we are growing we are always going to be outside our comfort zone. ~ John C. Maxwell

34 comments:

  1. Good for you Mio. I wonder if this will hurt their chances in making it to Nationals. Thanks for the recap! :-D

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    1. Yup, Lidy ^^

      Hm..Tokize? It depends.

      Thanks for reading ^-^

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  2. Thanks so much, Kat!! I always look forward to the next chapter and it totally makes my day when I discover you've posted it!! I can't wait to read about Tokize's performance! I'm glad that Mio discovered something new during this performance, but I was disappointed that the growth seemed so singular. Oh well, still excited for Tokize... :D

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    1. You're welcome, Hikari ^-^

      =)

      Yup. Hm..in what way? Merely being able to play as he wants?

      Ya ^^

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  3. Thanks Kat, as always, good chapter and good work. The world really needs more Taishi like teachers.

    Also, I'll be late now, but couldn't help it, saw more KoT, had to read and to read it had to make a lil' ritual of selfsoothing through music so yea, can't help beeing late, but definitely worth it.

    Mio kinda reminded me of Mozart, genius kid with inborn talent. Wonder if aplies only to koto, since he's able to draw people in, can't help but imagine what kind of sound would it have then with other instruments as well.

    And that was his first smile, wasn't it? Mio's finally bloomed or is still blooming?

    At the end, this chapter hyped me up to Tokize. If Mio was this emotional, black hole, what'd Tokize be?^^

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    1. You're welcome and thanks for the comment, Fê ^-^

      Yup.

      Hehe, is that so ^^

      Indeed. What would it be like. It is nice though the mangaka showed us how to visualize Mio's dilemma like how exactly he 'sees' music/plays it.

      Ya, a full one, at that. I would assume he is still blooming since it was implied that there will be a lot of possibilities like universe. I would imagine what other sort of expressions he can use to make different paths, and using different pieces/composers, ensemble etc.

      Hehe..the life changing group =P Or perhaps, the type who can make one's life flash through one's head and reflect on them. I'm 90% sure that there will be crying. =P

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    2. Yes, it's the first time I got the feels from a genius perspective. Normally, I just can't enter his world even whe the author dedicates lots of chapters to it, but now, with only one, I could. Or I'm getting more experienced/old or this author knows her stuff, lol.

      Definitely, if we go to the possibilities, irl, it'd be infinite for sure. There's no limit to combinations of notes and chords, so it's kinda scary to imagine what someone who can not only see/feel sounds, but also play an instrument with some many potential.

      And a nice touch, at least for me, is that the author doesn't make the genius omnipotent. Like Shizuka hears composes, Taishi are only able to compose, Mio and Akira's bro play, Satowa'd be the exception, but even she needs to improve and work hard her fundamentals. There's no absolute one.

      Oh, of that I'm 100% sure, lol.

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    3. Lol..I would think the mangaka knows her stuff..I mean, she should have done some research regarding the title of the piece in relation to the flower.

      Yup ^^

      Indeed..their imperfections make them more human and easy to relate to even if one may or may not have experienced it oneself. And, in this case, it focus on teamwork. Things work not just because of one single person but from different people's influences. ^^

      Yup ^^

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  4. She's quite talented, must give her that. It's not so often that I feel dragged to the story and chars like I am with KoT, and that's coming from someone that loves to immersive himself in whatever he's reading, even the most disturbing things, lol.

    Yea, we have our geniuses, but even them are portrayed as only humans and more prone to mistakes than we imagine. And the whole story of wanting to be understood is quite well done, guess readers of all ages can actually relate to that, not only teens.

    I mean, I'm knocking on the thirties and can relate so well with Chika and Take. Less with Satowa, 'cause, y'know, she's way too cute, lol.

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    1. Hehe...is that so. Disturbing things can be hard to get off from the head. =P

      - - -

      Indeed ^^

      Lol...just because she's cute? I think her situation isn't that common. Actually, it is nice that she still try to reach out to her mother after everything that had happened.

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    2. Tell me about it, there are things that I've read a long time ago and still can't shake it off, lol.
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      Yea, no way I can be that cute, lol. Truthfully though, I had a fallout with my dad when I was younger, went out of home and all. One of those things you don't regret it 'cause you learnt too much with it, but at the same time, you have that wishing to know better at the time, you know? Just glad I sort out with my dad and we came to understand each other.

      In that light, I don't think is that uncommon, though I admit that it's quite extreme and this extremity is.
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      I'll answer our other talk here, since it's quite troublesome to keep two pages, lol.

      So it's a matter of time? We were having the feeling that the manga were going to end soon, but now I don't know, I mean, there's a lot of issues to solve right now if what we're talking really comes to play a piece. Sho's feelings and 'confrontation' with Shizuka, the outcome and even then, we must see how he fares and face Yuki after knowing what have transpassed. It's quite a lot, and I don't even consider having some fb to see/know his ex and why it seems it's only him and his sister at home.
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      Yea, things didn't work out. The doctor didn't even look at me exams nor did even to check me and went and refused my sick leave. Quite a piece of work he is, should've tried beating him with crane so at least he'd seen how hard it is for to walk, lol. Now I have to appeal and there goes time and some money. Patience too, lol.
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      Hahaha, I doubt it, lol. My 'enlightment' is just my way of staying out of troubles, don't need any more than I already have. And I can't change things that are out my control so I don't really see a reason to fight it or beeing to dramatic over it, lol.
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      Yea, uniqueness is quite rare. Though it's easier to distinguish mangaka's art than directings or writing styles. In film making, I can only say it's Tarantino's 'cause he's the only one I knowl.
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      I heard Durara is quite good, though I myself couldn't work up the 'courage' to see it. Lack of interest, I guess. Magi is nice, though sometimes cringy, I'm more than happy that my ship had been 'canonized', lol.

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    3. Is that so. Well, that's good. Things turned out well with your father. ^^

      - -

      It's fine ^^

      Well, if the issue didn't blow out of proportion = make a big deal out of it, then, the manga is ending..well, if it ends after Yuki's graduation. I'm not too sure if this series will go for a wedding scene finale.

      Ah, the ex..that isn't shown yet..though not sure if she'll show up. Actually, the mother had showed up already. She was in the house while Shou is sick.

      - -

      Ah, during the appeal, would it be the same doctor? I guess you cannot get some other doctor you wanted, right? It is the first time I heard of such an incident though it is probably common in your place? It makes me wonder if the doctor was waiting for a 'gift' from you. ^^;

      This is just for a sick leave, right? Paid sick leave? Or, this is needed for the surgery? Sorry for the questions. I cannot believe how unreasonable that is and I'm under the impression that it is easier here. Just go to some charity/government funded charity, have them check you or verify your ailment. Then, they give you free/discounted medical services. That's it. If you have a sob story, they might even feature you on TV to ask for donations.

      - -

      Hehe, good point.

      - - -

      I see. True, it is easier to distinguish by art. Hehe, is that so.

      - - -

      Durara has a different way of telling the tale that honestly, I can get somewhat confused. It has a lot of characters. The story isn't exactly linear. It seems more like a slice of life type of series of 'not so human' characters with humans in a gangster-type world. Gangster as in groups like yakuza or teen gangs. In short, not that good that I want to watch again but then, not that bad...just watching for the sake of watching since I started it and it is not bad that I would want to drop it.

      It is the same with Magi. Though, I don't seem to specially like any characters in Magi. Strangely enough, I like the Sinbad spinoff better. ^^;; Hehe, is that so. That's good ^^

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    4. Yea, and I'm most glad that we understood each other rather fast 'cause not long after my dad was diagnosed with cancer, so yea, I'm just glad.
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      I don't know, maybe is just me wanting to go longer, I guess? lol There are some things that could take a while to explain, but none seem to be a must, like Sho's flashback and his ex or Yuki bringing him home to meet the family, though I'd find it funny. Really? I haven't read yet, just took a glance at your comments and the last sentences.

      It does have this feeling, right? I too never pictured a wedding scene here, wonder why? lol.
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      No, the appealing is just me sending a 'letter' to them so they review, sometimes I need to do another exam, though it never happened to be the same doctor, and sometimes they just say yes or no to the letter requesting.

      Yes, it's quite common indeed. I can't say he wanted something from me, but I can say there's quite a mafia going on with them. Couple years ago I had worked with a guy who'd constantly get sick leaves and nothing was wrong with him, when we asked him how he did - 'cause it's pretty rare to be out so many times even when you're clearly incapable of working - and he'd always say he was friends with the doctor, and like I said, it's pretty rare to get the same doctor twice...

      My case would be paid sick leave so I can get the surgery and treatment faster, but it's tough. Here, all the public services are awfully bad, if I were to get treated by the public hopsital I'd still be waiting in line, and that's because I was re-scheduled thrice already. My only hope to be treated with some dignity and faster would be if the midia backup with reporter all around or if I showed up with some bones fractured and exposed at the hospital, otherwise, I'd have to do what I'm currently doing, paying the treatment from my pocket and hoping to get the sick leave so I can continue to pay the bills and wait for the surgery, since I don't have the money to pay for it; Ofc, sometimes they skip my sallary when the sick leave is late like this time around.

      I don't mind the questions and it is hard to believe. Actually, I find it more hard to believe that it's that easy over there, lol. Seeing how troublesome it is here, and it's about to get worse, if the new agenda for public healthy care gets approved. T__T
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      True, but don't show me some Van Gogh or Rembrandt 'cause I won't know. Maybe Picasso, lol.
      -
      I see. Well, people often tell me it's like a masterpiece and I should definitly watch otherwise I'll miss one of the best anime of all times and so on, and then I just get overwhelmed and tired of listening to it that I lose all possible interest, lol.

      But, since you mentioned supernatural and human slice of life, I remembered Flying Witch and how relaxed and feel good series that it is/was. Like, after a long day of hardwork I'd sit and read the manga and it'd make me grin like some mad crazy eyed cliched villain - I can smile like a nice/decent guy lol - and the anime cought the right vibe/atmosphere, so good that I'll just download and watch again, lol.

      Yea, I share the same feeling. More interested in Sinbad, and my friend only got me to read Magi 'cause he said I was too much alike Sinbad when he first showed up, and then I laughed hard 'cause the da*n Sinbad was drunk and naked, lol.

      I don't want to spoil things, but I was quite glad my ship turned canon, 'cause, while I don't really like the chars, I'm somewhat fond of the female lead and after some scene, had the urge to see her happy and couldn't bare the thought of her with any other pair, lol.

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    5. Oh.. Anyway, it's good that things turned out well for both of you ^^

      - - -

      Hehe, I see.

      Ya..weird.

      - - -

      I see. And the letter has the x-ray results, etc, right?

      Oh..something is indeed going on behind the scenes. So, perhaps, he knows the doctor who knows the other doctors? But, it should be random.

      Ah, so media coverage happens here, too. Hopefully, the delays won't put you in the poor house. Well, that is what I know here but we have overpopulation so there might be others who are in much worse condition = not health care at all. I heard that in some provinces, there are no public or private hospitals/doctors so they usually have to go to a city for treatment.

      - - -

      Lol. Well, there are a lot of abstract artists..I think I would know Van Gogh and perhaps a bit of Rembrandt more than Picasso ^^;; <- looking at his paintings I don't recognize them except perhaps, any woman drawn with mismatch face. =P

      - - -

      Okay..masterpiece huh. Hm..I didn't get that kind of impression for it. ^^;;

      Ah..an anime that clicked. ^^ True..sometimes I think it also depends on the mood.

      Lol..that scene also catch my attention that I kept on watching Magi. I find Aladdin and Alibaba a bit too emo. ^^;

      Female lead..the girl who fights really well? She's likeable ^^ Is this in season 2 or still not animated/manga? Thanks for not spoiling ^^

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    6. One of the few things I'm actually proud of.
      -
      Itching to read, even more so now, but I'll restrain myself a little more. Reading a chunk of it is better in my case, lol.
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      No, just so you can see how laughble these things are over here. There's a protocol to follow and you just send it with the sick leave my doctor gave me and the other one refused.

      I don't really know how the mafia works, though I tend to follow my path in all honesty I can, sometimes I do have a really huge urge to send all to hell and get things the easy way. I know as well that if I did that I woudn't be able to look at myself anymore, so is kinda good thing not to know how goes the mafia and how to 'enter' one.

      Over here is pratically the same, there's too little the gov provides and even that is badly provided and some people have to travel, and I mean actually travel like 100km just to wait some hours to be attended or have and check up scheduled. It's horrible.

      Just hoping to get ir over already so it's a one less thing to worry about.
      -
      Yea, that'd be why I could recognize him, 'cause those 5y drawings is hard to miss - and people get mad at me when I say it like that, lol.
      -
      People nowadays call anything they like masterpiece, so I myself always look at it with doubting eyes when reccomended like that.

      Yea, Flying Witch is just too relaxed and relaxing. No matter how stressed I am, if I sit to watch/read it, I'll be grinning, lol.

      True, but I find them to be more like growing kids. The emo one, at least in my eyes, is Hakuryuu. Something just stops me to try and relate to him, though he has a good scene at a time that just breaks my claimings of him beeing too emo, lol.

      It's not animated yet, it was only in recent chapters. Aah, no problem, while I don't mind spoilers at all, actually I tend to spoile myself so I can see if I'll like it or not, I do know that most people avoid spoiler like the plague, so I try not to, though sometimes it just slips my mouth, have to be more vigilant when talking about shows, otherwise I spoil everything without even realizing, lol.

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    7. Hehe...

      - - -

      Hm..really seems the other doctor is asking for something. ^^; Maybe a quack one.

      Ya..though it is really tempting. I mean, you don't even know until when you'll get treated/sick leave and your health doesn't seem to be holding up. Hm..if you did it that way, are you going to be 'tied' up to it? Like, there's always something they want from you or it is a one time pay up to get things moving?

      Here, it tends to be always. Every time you pay taxes, licenses, etc..so called inspections from the city hall with really dubious requirements that are too troublesome so just pay up and that's it until next year/renewal. Even if you try to pay right, they'll still find some other 'faults' for you to be so hassled that you really just have to pay up or close shop. The bad thing is, how much they ask tend to increase, too.

      Indeed. Of course, the bad thing is when you get the 'come back again tomorrow'.

      Yup, hopefully, things work out soon for you. Ah, the appeal won't take months, right?

      - - -

      Lol. But it is indeed like that. I couldn't quite appreciate abstract and couldn't believe that people would pay a lot of money for it. I recall this huge ink calligraphy painting of just one circle and it is called infinity. I always recall it for the price was really expensive.

      - -

      That's good. Better watch more of that kind of series ^^

      He's also emo. Yup, they're growing so hopefully, they won't be too emo later in the series ^^

      I see. I heard that it is ending, is it?

      I get your point but I guess I was 'traumatized' when someone just blurted out who the female titan was when I was watching AoT anime, trying to play guessing game on who it is. Or, this other series, when I suddenly read huge bold letters about a character is dead. And, that character is the main reason I was reading the series. orz

      Somehow it spoils the fun of thinking of things/what will happen next while reading it...so I also tend to avoid raws.

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  5. That's why I fully understand when people got batcrazy in those times, I mean, it's pretty hard to keep calm when the medic who doesn't even ask your name is supposed to be a perit and has, pretty much, the power to make your life even more miserable.

    AFAIK, you pay and are done with it, since most of the times are random doctors, but like I said, I don't really know how this system works and though tempted, I'm not ready to through what little I have down the drain like this. Better be with clean conscience all the time, it's hard though, lol.

    I see, overhere it's not quite the same, but it totally feels like it. We pay abusive taxes that just keep increasing. It's in the law so it's not really illegal, but if you stop to read it, you'll see it as it is, just a means for the gov to take your money and get away with it. There's a solution, but it's not very pratical, don't own anything in your own name so we don't need to pay for it.

    Shouldn't take even a week, but I expect to be out in two or so. Everything that could actually help people tend to take a lot of more time, sadly.
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    I know this piece, lol. I recall when our school went to the museum, man, did I cause trouble 'arguing' with the girl working there, explaining all the meanings and such, lol. Must have been her worst day at work, poor girl, now I almost feel bad for her, lol.
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    Yea, it's so laid back that I don't have any other words to explain when reccomending it, lol.

    Aah, don't worry about that, while I still think Hakuryu is quite emo even now, Aladin and Alibaba are quite are alright recently.

    It seems that way, it must be in it's final arc, or big battle arc.
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    I see, it was recently, though? I wasn't spoiled nor surprised with the big revelations in Shingeki. I mean, some friends and I had a bunch of theories and guesses that we could actually call who the armored titan was way before the anime was even aired. So the female was even easier, that's what I like about the manga, the way the author give us hints and foreshadows things with litle details between the frames.

    And god, I played the game a little, it was horrible. I'm much too old for that kind of gameplay, lol.

    What series was that the chars died? Like I said, I don't mind spoiler, so feel free. And I get you, I do, it's just that I function the other way. I don't if it's 'cause I read too many things and mostly can guess where the story is going, that I have to be spoilered in a way that I'll say: aahm good thing it went that way, let's see how it was 'till there. Or, thank god didn't waste my time with it, lol.

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    1. So, there are actually people who go 'crazy'/'went amok' because of that? Indeed..and makes you wonder what they'll do with more power.

      Indeed, it is very hard.

      I see. How often do they increase the tax? Here, aside from what I mentioned, make creative ways of get money. Lately, there is this city that wants any delivery/supplier vehicles that have any business in the city have stickers or else, they didn't mention but probably a huge fine. It's a yearly thing, according to the notice.

      These days, the new government promised to lower income tax but apparently, they realized that they have to find new revenues for lowering that. ^^; They make a suggestion by leaking it out in the news and check the public's reaction. For example, how about there will no longer be senior citizen discount or increase the value added tax.

      Hopefully, you'll get good news by then ^^

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      Really..there is such a piece there? So, who won the argument? =P

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      I see.

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      Ya. I actually never heard of the manga until the anime. ^^; I didn't read the manga until the anime had finished its run. I even had a bit of fun later on trying to figure out which part are fillers and which are not. I was actually discussing theories with a reader on who she is..then someone interrupted by dropping the spoiler bomb. Maybe I'm just picky but the surprise/excitement of looking forward to know if it is her or not is gone.

      Really? I assumed that it was like this Spiderman..PS2 was it game..swinging along and defeating enemies.

      It's a shoujo series, Reimei no Arcana. Did you read that series? It is a finished series. After the spoiler, I ended up wondering, is this the chapter when beep died..then it's this one.. ^^;

      I see. Before, I actually don't mind but strangely enough, but now, I prefer not to be spoiled. I think that's like how my mom watched those Korean dramas before when it was a huge fad here. She watches a few of the episodes. Then, jumps to the ending..then go back to where she stopped and watch onwards. <- better to know the ending or wasting one's time.

      I recall that there was one which she watched successively then, you know what happened in the end. The couple are going to get together = happy ending, when the guy crossed the street to pick up something the girl dropped. Toot toot..the truck hit him. ^^;; And, he's dead. I only read the plot about this love polygon and got to watch that ending. I always remember that ending since it is 'unique'. =P

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    2. Yes, there are/were. Then the media and some some social warrior took the doctor's side, though no one knew the circumstances. I understood then and now I fully sympathize, but can't really say that I support the attitude, lol.

      Yearly, most of the times. There were times when were almost monthly, saying it was because of the crisis so the gov had to increase taxes everywhere and stuff like that. Ah, we already have that kind of 'service' here, and it's not only delivery and vehicles, if you have any kind of work/company/estabilishment, no matter how small they are, you have to pay, and if you're not properly registered to the prefecture, pay even more.

      Yea, those tatctics are very well known around here. And now that it's election time - again - i honestly can't keep it up anymore.

      And guess what? It didn't work out so I'll have to make another appointment with my doctor and then another one to schedule other exam by the perit. There goes all my patience.
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      I guess this piece is pretty well known. And I'm fairly certain the teacher made me shut up out of embarassment and anger, so she won? lol.
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      Ah, I understand. And this kinda thing is pretty uncalled for and obnoxious. I'd only get mad 'cause the interruption, but I can understand the feeling and dissapointment.

      Never were into spiderman, so I never played and thus can't play Shingeki now, lol.

      No, never heard of, tbh. But I can see the feeling, well, it's now, right? I'm like that when watching GoT, lol.
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      Korean dramas is kinda a thing here for a while now. But we have our own soaps opera that my god, I can't take, lol. And I totally get your mom, lol. It's not much about wanting to know how it ends, but if it's worth the time, you see? Like, we all know that Sho and Yuki will end up together, but how will it go? It'll be worth? I actually have done that with some recent series, so much that I didn't even go back to read what I have missed 'cause it wouldn't be worth the time spent, even if I have waited to end so I could binge in one or two go.

      I'd be pissed as hell, lol. I can only imagined how people felt about such ending, lol.

      There's an author over here that made something very similar to that, though it's quite old. I laughed 'cause I couldn't take anything in the book serious, but there were some people that got truly mad, even more so 'cause it was a must read for exams to college so...

      But wow, I'd be pissed, lol.

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    3. Out of curiosity, what are the 'crazy' things that they did? Try to beat up the doctor? That's interesting though..here, they would side with the victim.

      Is that so. Maybe our politicians copied it. =P Hm..let me guess, it is a crisis the government created then people got to pay for it + service doesn't improve. That happened to the trains here. They increased the fare = better service. A few years after, the situation continues to deteriorate.

      Does the election happen after the impeachment or it is just a coincidence? Here, the vice-president takes over then there are succeeding other officers until the official election day.

      Oh, you have to do it all over again? A few months again of waiting until any possible approval?

      - - -

      Ya, she won by technicality/intervention by the higher ups =P

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      GoT is..? ^^;

      - - -

      Yup. I get your point. ^^

      So people there also would want their happy ending?

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    4. As I've know, as we have a 'attention' note in the paper that we use to schedule and have to bring to the perit, it seems people actually threatened the doctors with guns or bats. Yea, but then it was said that the poor doctors were only 'doing' their jobs so these wretched nuts had no reasons to assault/threaten them and so on...
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      It goes exactly the way you said, but it's applied to all public sections. The transport, bus and metro/subway are the ones clearer tho.

      Somewhat coincidence. The elections now aren for prefectures, though it's obvious what they tried to do by having such 'scandal' so near the next ones.
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      Yes and no, while I do have to do all again - alredy did by now/tuesday - I have to wait the consult to the perit and that can't take some time, tho this year is quite faster then last one. So maybe a week of waiting and hoping to go well. By the meantime, I can't work so I won't be getting paid any time soon plus my salary'll be cut 'cause the time I'm out.
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      Game of Thrones, I don't really like the series, but it's one those cases I told you sometime ago, it's one those titles that I always go back and can't drop it flat, lol.
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      Actually, there's a few instances where I'd be glad if he character were to be ran over, lol. Kimi ga Nozomu Ein - don't know if wrote it right - is one. I mean, I couldn't get behind any char and the only one that was slightly nice, imo, got the worst possible end, while I wish the other ones would suffer, lol. I'm quite terrible when I stop to think about it, lol.
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      Oh yes, yes and yes. The majority here only care for happy ends, there're some that wish for the break of cliches, but when it breaks, they diss and get angry at all. Don't understand, really.

      I only wish for a good written story and a satisfactory ending, doesn't need to be happy, just well written to match the rest of the plot.

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    5. Guns and bats huh...and they ended up jailed?

      - - -

      I see. So the one currently in charge is? Ah..do you have a vice-president?

      - -

      Pardon the word but that sucks. Hopefully, things turn out well.

      - - -

      Hehe..I actually haven't watched a single episode of that series. ^^; It was only a part when I was at my sister's house. Didn't quite like it or perhaps, it was at the boring part. ^^;;

      - - -

      The moral lesson of that series must be life isn't fair. ^^;;

      - - -

      Can't please everyone =P

      True.

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    6. It's been a while, but I guess so. It was in some kind of protest that they were assaulted, not while actually working.
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      Yes, we have and he's the one in charge right now. Don't like him one bit, but I didn't like the last one either, lol.
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      Yea, it does. And don't worry, I myself use lots of other words and have to be constantly watching myself to not scare people around, lol.
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      Tbh, I wouldn't recommend. It's too much cringy and edgy and most of times I get the impression that it was written that way just so it could shock/cause a commotion. There are some good things about it, I actually have seen it before it went 'viral' at college in foreign literature, but like I said, too edgy for my taste.
      -
      Hahahaha, maybe, maybe. I don't always wish for that, even if the end don't quite match or just push too far. HnK always come back to mind when speaking about those things, lol. And strangely enough, her Sugars work continues to be one of my fav shoujo story. Maybe 'cause it doesn't have only one mc? I'll never know, lol.

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    7. I see..

      - - -

      Lol..all the same huh? Ah, from the same political party? Here, if the vice isn't from the same political party, better be careful for there's a possibility that they'll try to oust you.

      - - -

      Hm..does that mean there are 'forced' cliffhangers to keep people watching?

      - - -

      Sugars isn't a love triangle story, right? Love triangle can be disappointing if one's favored pairing didn't happen or well, didn't quite match from the anticipated. Basically, it is really like a sports game. Good if you root for the winner, if not..well, you know. =P

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    8. Not the same, but everyone knew he was the vice when voting for the other candidate. And yea, it's all the same 'cause here we don't actually have differences in politics views from other parties, the only thing that sets apart is who's ruling now, so the other side opposes, but not really. so yea, kinda stuck with the bad and there's no lesse evil, just evil all around, lol.
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      I wouldn't say cliffhangers per se, but they do force a lot of drama, sex and violence that, imo, are there only to shock for the sake of shocking.
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      There's some stories that involve love triangles or even polygons, but like I said, I think the difference, in a good note, is that there are more than on mc and lots of povs from almost all characters. It progresses smoothly even in the heartbreaks part.

      Don't like cheering 'cause I always choose the losers side, lol.

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    9. Lol, sounds like the situation here. Unlike in the US, it is more on personality based politics rather than the party. So, usually, the ones who get a lot of charisma/popular gets to win even if they have almost zero experience.

      If a certain party wins, we just watch the other thick-faced politicians of other parties jumping into the winning party to get perks, etc. Like the current winning party, it used to have 3 members and now, it is almost 300 with alliances with other parties = who helped paid for the election campaign. Only very few are loyal to one party since the start of their political career.

      Is it the same there or they stick with the party no matter what? Nobody wants to be with the losers?

      - -

      I see..but for it to be able to do sex and violence for the sake of shocking..is it 'new' or more intense than the usual stuff shown in movies/tv/anime?

      - - -

      I see.

      Lol..is that so...even if the losers win a bit?

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    10. We actually have some winners with zero experience that won from some positions. Sad part is, few of them really tried to do something, but got stuck/stopped 'cause no one in any party'd sanction/approve so...

      That's the same here, candidates jump parties like they were actually in a party - bad pun, but it's true, lol. And like I said, there's no different political view, they oppose 'cause they're not ruling, even if they have alliances, and the sooner the ruler is not in power anymore, the faster they are to oppose again, with zero difference in proposals and changes in politics, only 'attacking' the ones that rule now.

      Repeat the cycle, lol.
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      It's pretty explicit, so that's what 'shocks'. Like rape and other gory things, but there's literally nothing that adds to the show, just shock. I watched a movie some time ago where those shocking things were left off screens, but we knew what happened, and I gotta say, it was very well done and much more touching than the shock of explicity.

      It seems like the producers are saying, look people, watch our show, it has free di**, pu***, ti** and all the blood we can have and it's free, furthermore, explicit. Come watch now, we know you want it, sort of thing.
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      Yea, it's true. If I happen to have some char that I like more than any other I just know from the start he/she will die. If it's romance oriented, he/she won't get his/her love or will get cheated on and all the bad stuff will happen to them before they get and ok ending, lol. It has been this way since I remember watching and reading stuff, lol.

      Then, my way to avoid this is liking everyone or hating all, lol. Usually I like everyone and have some few that I dislike, I don't remember really hating, though, lol.

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    11. True. Same here so these days, the 'good people' tend to avoid politics due to it being dirty, they'll end up dirty later on, tattered reputation, not worth the hassle, don't have a lot of money to throw around, so guess who are left in power?

      Wow, it's the same here.

      - - -

      I see.

      Hehe..I actually didn't get what was censored by you. ^^; The ones I know are 'tame' like sh*t. ^^;;

      - - -

      Is that so. As for the romance, I often hear that comment in the Chinese comments..the mangaka is going to make the lead/s suffer again.

      Same here. It is really rare for me to hate a character..perhaps, if they are really awful mean characters who are evil for the sake of that. Still, there are times that just rub me the wrong way = cannot bring myself to like the character.

      - - -

      AoT is out. There is that usual 'why me' drama...but the last part, I suddenly thought of Claymore. We'll talk about it more when you read it.

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    12. It seems politicians are all alike, no matter the place and time, huh? Quite disturbing, tbh.
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      Lol! Then let's just say it contains explicit nudes even when it's a sex/rape scene, lol.
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      Yea, don't remember any char that I liked best that didn't die or end up getting the a very meh closure, if at all. Romance is asways like I said, despite having otp's, don't usually like one char best, if I do, I just know nothing good will happen to him/her, lol.

      For me, is just having the, oh really? feel, you know? Like, I don't like, nor hate nor anything, it's easier than actually disliking/hating.
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      I read it and yea, it does really bring Claymore to mind, though this kind of setting are taking place in movies too.

      And finally the basement, huh? I confess I was on the brink of flipping my table when the key didn't fit and Eren was about to give up. Thank God Levi was there, giving no fuc*s, to kick the door and represent my feelings at the moment, lol.

      Now it begs to show more of the other side than ever.

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    13. Indeed.

      - - -

      Oh..so it is indeed for shock value.

      - - -

      Hehe, is that so. You know what, it makes me wonder if the mangaka of those series don't exactly 'like' the characters that you like so that happened to them. ^^;; If it was deliberate = it's a conspiracy! =P

      - - -

      Well, hating is usually from love. Apathetic is said to be the opposite of love =P

      - - -

      True. Some comments in mangastream mentioned of the movie, Village so I ended up reading its summary in wiki. It seems very similar to that one. But then, Planet of the Apes also had that kind of twist.

      Lol..true. And, I wondered what was the bad news at that time...the key just won't fit. If Levi wasn't there, do you think Mikasa would do that or they would really go back and call someone to break the door? =P

      True. So, it seems that the 'titans' are the good guys who wanted to free these people inside the walls? Or at least, get back what belongs to them.

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    14. Yes, though I wrote it wrong, you understood. There's explicit in about everything even when it's not needed, and not only nudes. The plot is quite good got admit - the book's I mean - but not much to my taste.
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      Hahaha, maybe, maybe. I often like the ones that aren't so popular, though I guess Jiraiya from Naruto'd be quite pop, but I digress, lol.
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      Yea, then I'd be apathetic in most cases, I guess. Not too sure about it, lol.
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      I don't read much comments there, they're too biased so I mostly tend to be away from those. I watched Village long ago and it does resemble, but I'd say it looks much more like Claymore setting's still.

      I think they'd go back. Mikasa is just too much passive if Eren isn't in danger or eager to put himself in, and Eren wasn't, despite all things, didn't show much eagerness when the key didn't fit. I honestly thought they'd go back, lol.

      I don't have much theories on that yet, but at least, they don't look like villains now. And that prompts me back to Claymore settings and the questioning, how are the other humans? Are they somewhat fanatics like those cultists? Fascists? And so on...
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      Took a peek at new Namaik, was considering binge now, but after reading yout comment, resolved it'd be better to postpone again, though I still have a question. Do we know the reasons from Sho's almost overbearing jealousy? Or is it(seems to be) just in his nature?

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    15. Oh, Jiraiya..well, the death of that other one..Hinata's brother..Neji seems to be just for shock value.

      - - -

      Is that so. Hm..because it seems more like an experiment = people inside the wall? I only read the wiki summary of Village. I would think there are also elements of someone 'running away from reality'.

      Lol, really. At first, I thought it was some sort of big problem aside from the key doesn't fit because of his reaction. Don't they have their equipment at that time? Can't they hack and slash the door?

      Reiner and others seem to think that they are 'saviors/heroes'. Save Eren/Krista from the people in the walls. But for the others, depends...probably totally oblivious that this is happening somewhere in the world?

      - - -

      It isn't mentioned yet. Seems to be his nature, for now.

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  6. Thank you for the recap. I'm not Japanese and I can't find the updates on the web easily. Feels lucky to run into your blog accidentally. Please keep it up!

    This is a wonderful manga that I hope will be animated soon!

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    1. Thanks for reading ^-^

      Hopefully...or when it ends so that it would more or less guarantee animating the whole thing ^^

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