Namaikizakari [Chapter 76]

At the clubroom, Himiko writes a letter to Yuki and Amamiya. She asks them how is life in college. Well, their club is still the same. She felt that she is still not that reliable like Yuki even if she is already in third year. Until now, she still always mutters, ‘it is good if Yuki is still around’.

Yuki already graduated and so did Shou and the others. She always felt that it seems that happy days are over. She is interrupted by Usami-kun who asks if she didn’t leave yet. Himiko tells him that she is making recruitment posters for the new members.

She starts to mutter about being uneasy and as an unreliable older grade student, can she really hold the team together. Usami-kun says that it has nothing to do with grade level since there is still him and the others. Himiko smiles and says yes, everyone do their best together.

Usami-kun is so mesmerized that he said,...this is bad. Sakuraba suddenly comes in and tells Usami-kun, who allowed him to be alone with Himiko. Himiko thinks but right now, this isn’t the ‘end’, right now, they will welcome a new start. She ends her letter with a PS for Amamiya to do his best in his club.

It is April and it is the day for the opening ceremony of the new students at Osaki University. A guy passes by. The girls are blushing and muttering about how tall and handsome he is... At the auditorium, Yuki is helping set up the chairs.

A guy apologizes to Yuki for calling her out before her club activity but she has been a great help. Yuki says that it is alright since the practice will start in the afternoon. The guy is really thankful that Yuki noticed that there aren’t enough chairs. Yuki casually says that it is because there are still so many chairs left in the storage.

Outside, Usami-san calls out to Yuki and says that she brought some greeting gifts for the club. She is going to use it as an alibi to see the new students. She also plans to greet Yuki’s boyfriend. Then, she exclaims, there he is.

Wearing a Western suit, Shou says that he found Yuki. Yuki blushes and thinks that right now, he is a college student. Usami-san congratulates him. Yuki used the wrong word to congratulate him for entering college. He corrects her and mentions that Abe is also coming.

Abe immediately pushes Shou’s back and screams that he’s an idiot since they agree to meet at the gate. Shou says that it’s scary there since there are many people staring at him. Abe screams that it is scarier that no one would look at him. Yuki congratulates Abe. Abe thanks her.

He suddenly blushes upon seeing this beautiful older girl looking at him. <- Usami-san. Usami-san thinks that this is boyfriend-kun’s friend, a midget. Abe asks if she is Yuki’s friend. Usami-san tells him her surname. He asks for her name but she refuses to tell him.

Yuki says that it is almost time for her to prepare for the practice so they go ahead to the opening ceremony so that they won’t be late. While walking, Yuki thinks that she feels more nervous now compared to her own college school opening ceremony. She wonders why and is it because Shou’s suit doesn’t quite suit [/fit] him.

She is startled when Shou suddenly holds her hand. He asks her if the suit is weird. She says yes, ah, actually, it isn’t weird. He says that she obviously said ‘yes’ without thinking. Yuki insists that she said that it isn’t weird.

He gives her a quick kiss. He tells her that is the first and he’s going to count how many kisses they’ll have in college. She nervously asks what is the meaning of that? He tells her that they started going steady in the middle of high school. She reminds him that college is a study place.

He says yes, and it is a place where they can eat lunch together. They can also go home together and participate in the same club. He can also watch her from the window as she busily goes around the place. He holds her hand and kisses it. He says that it makes him happy when he thinks that ‘I can see senpai when I go to school’.

She blushes then tells him to quickly go to the venue. He says that he doesn’t feel like going. She asks why he came then. Yuki thinks that it isn’t at all that she isn’t happy. When they separated, there wasn’t time to feel uneasy and once again, they are able to be in the same school at a distance where they can see each other. The start of a new life.

At the auditorium, Abe exclaims that there are so many people. Shou asks if they can sit anywhere but then, the seats are quickly being occupied. Some girls are shouting to Shou that there is a seat here. Abe shouts that they need two seats.

Abe says that this is bad since he’s so nervous that he has to go to the toilet. Shou says that there are two seats over there so he’ll go reserve it. Just when Shou sits on the seat, someone else sits beside him. Shou is apologizing since his friend is going to sit... He stops upon realizing that it is Shizuka who sat beside him.

After a pause, Shizuka is in aghast-shock while Shou looks annoyed. Shizuka screams in disbelief. He stands up and asks what he is doing. Shou says entering college, and what is he doing. Shizuka shouts, entering college so that means that, they...are going to be schoolmates for four years!?

At the gym, Yuki learns from Suwa that Shizuka is going to join Osaki’s basketball division. Yuki nervously wonders if Shou knew, no, but he didn’t say anything. She is startled when Shou calls out to him. Shou says that this is bad, the ceremony has just ended and it is better for her to hide first. Yuki asks what he is saying.

Shou says that guy unexpectedly chased after her up to college. Shizuka arrives and shouts to Shou that it isn’t like that and do not say that kind of strange stuff. Yuki mutters in surprise that he got into Osaki. Shizuka says that it is because she didn’t ask him so he felt that it is weird for him to specially tell her.

Shou says that it is very weird and everyone is totally not interested in his future aspiration. Shizuka darkly tells him that is his line and if he knew that he was there... Shou says so what if he knew, quickly quit school, stalker.

Suwa happily asks what’s this, their relationship is quite good. Shizuka screams that it isn’t!!! Yuki thinks that she is totally unaware. Even if there are times when Shizuka went to the convenient store, but she deliberately avoided mentioning about the exams... So, is this really okay for these two to be in the same college?

Outside Amamiya and others are busy recruiting new students for their club. He calls out to Shou and says that it feels that the suit doesn’t totally suit [\fit] him... He stops upon noticing Shizuka standing beside him. He screams in disbelief. Fangirls squeal in delight.

The fangirls start to cling on Shizuka and say that he’s so cute, his body built is good, come and join the tennis club over there. Blushing Shizuka looks stiff. Yuki is worried about him. Some girls go to Shou and say that the two guys are so tall.

They ask Amamiya who are these two kids. After snapping out of it, Amamiya pats Shizuka’s shoulder and says ya, forget about it, SHIZUKA. Shizuka is puzzled over the change of attitude. Amamiya also pats Shou’s shoulder and says the same goes for him. He tells the two to take advantage of this opportunity to let go of their high school grudges and resentment.

“Everyone, let’s just get along with each other. Let’s join the welcome new students’ party-!!” Amamiya grabs hold of Shou who says that he doesn’t want to go. A guy shouts that there is a nice guy here so get the girls together. Yuki thinks that this is bad since Shou is being taken away, what to do...

Then, some girls scream that there is a lipstick stain on Shizuka’s coat. They try to rub it off but Yuki tells them to stop since it will spread. She suggests that they use dishwashing liquid to quickly deal with it. She tells Shizuka to come with her since there is dishwashing liquid and water at the club room.

Blushing Shizuka says yes. Shou glances at Yuki who hurriedly goes to the club with Shizuka. While trying to clean Shizuka’s coat, Yuki thinks that she has no choice but to leave Shou but then, if it is Shou, he can definitely easily resolve it. She is more at ease in dealing with this lipstick stain.

She tells Shizuka that she has removed the stain a bit so afterwards, use water to thoroughly clean it then dry it in the sun. She turns to see nervous and blushing Shizuka saying okay, thanks. She suddenly recalls him telling her that he won’t give up on basketball as well as liking her.

She realizes that she shouldn’t just easily be alone together with Shizuka. His face is so red and basically, there is no way to resolve this. Shizuka asks if this is the basketball division’s club room. He thinks that he’ll even ask a question wherein one will know even without asking. She says yes, he also joined the basketball division. Shizuka says that he planned to.

Yuki becomes nervous over the possibility that Shou and Shizuka would be in the same basketball team. She cannot imagine it since she can only imagines them always at odds with each other. After glancing at her, Shizuka says that actually he is very perplexed whether or not he’ll go to Osaki.

He was invited by the coach there and he probably already decided to go when he watched their practice. “But I have also thought that it is possible that you might feel troubled because of that... but, *stands up* right now, I already won’t think again whether you are here or not. *takes his coat from her*...

...If I lose my concentration and be at a loss over whether you’re here or not, then I have no way of properly playing basketball. I don’t want to look quite awful in front of you.” Wide-eyed Yuki says, ya. Shizuka quickly covers his head with the coat and shouts, ‘yes’ is...! He wonders if she understands [what he is saying] or not.

She tells him that his coat isn’t washed with water yet. He shouts that it is alright! She grabs his coat and says no, it will be all wrinkled. He holds her wrist and says that it is better for her not to do this again. And, let him say it clearly, he still really likes her. This made Yuki aghast.

She thinks, is...is that so! Their distance between each other is a bit hard to grasp... The two are surprised when there is a noise behind them. From the door, Shou peeks into the roor. Thinking that he is okay, Yuki asks if he is alright, did his suit and shirt get dirty. Shou says it’s fine.

Relieved Yuki thinks that Shou had endured being persuaded but then, he doesn’t quite like going to welcome parties-whatever... She is surprised when Amamiya shouts for Shou to hurry because everyone is waiting. Shou says ya. Abe asks Amamiya how about him. Amamiya says that it doesn’t matter if he goes or not.

Abe shouts then ask him to go with them. Soon, the two are happily laughing. Turning to leave, Shou tells Yuki that Amamiya said that even if he doesn’t join the club, at least join the welcome party so he’s going. Clinging on to Shou, a couple of girls squeal that they caught him. Yuki and Shizuka are shocked. Yuki thinks, you’ll go? And, college life starts.

Comment: Well, as expected that it would be like Slam Dunk, the two guys are in the same school and would most likely be in the same club. I’m not sure though if they’re in the same course. ^^;; It must have totally slipped out of Yuki’s mind over the possibility that Shizuka might study there after all, he got an invitation before.

Things are ‘the usual’ until the club recruitment part. I think Shizuka is Yuki’s weak point since he is really like a younger brother whom Yuki cannot help but help him out in his little problems especially if she can easily resolve it. In a way, she did assume that Shou can handle himself.

Amamiya does have an ulterior motive for the two to get together so that they’ll join his welcome party to get new recruits. Or probably, for them to attract more girls so that he can get a girlfriend =P I did entertained thoughts that it would be interesting if Abe and Usami-san became a couple but we’ll see.

For now, Shizuka had declared that he would concentrate on basketball even if he still likes her. I’m not too sure if the two can totally avoid each other. Actually, since Shizuka won’t give up on basketball, what is the possibility of Yuki quitting being a manager instead? But for the story, they will stay in the same club for potential ‘jealous/rivalry conflicts’ and perhaps, comedy and misunderstandings.

For the last part, as usual, I’m not sure what Shou is thinking. Is he trying to make her jealous by being with the fangirls since she was with Shizuka? Will they all end up together in the welcome party? Anyway, college life has started. Scans by 红莲汉化组

Quote of the day:

Everything that occurs teaches and prepares you for the next stage of life. Nothing is lost. ~ Zig Ziglar