Kono Oto Tomare [Chapter 81 - Another Option]

Michi is surprised to see Tetsuki standing at the door way. Tetsuki asks if he can come in. Michi says yes, but right now, he is going to fetch Hana because it seems that she has a fever. “I might also have to go to the hospital--...”

Aki and Momo see Tetsuki. They call out to him and hug him. Tetsuki tells the two that it has been a long time and they have grown. The boys ask if Tetsuki came to play with them but Michi tries to tell them to stop it.

Tetsuki says that it is alright, he’ll go and watch over the two. “You go and fetch Hana-chan.” Michi hesitates. Grabbing an umbrella, Michi apologizes and says that he’ll come back as early as possible. Tetsuki says ya, take care. Tetsuki watches Michi leave. Then, he sighs.

In the club, Natsu has just finished playing the drums. While Natsu is catching his breath, glasses boss comments that it is such a loud sound but that is merely noise. “Does it have something to do with the club again? Lately, it is quite rare to hear your sound like, it seems you’re enjoying it.”

Natsu stares at him and says, ha? This surprises glasses boss that he tensely calls out to Natsu. Natsu stands up and says that his ears aren’t broken, right.

Then, he recalls Atsumu telling him that he didn’t properly see Michi being quite serious so Natsu can say casually say those words. ‘How come you’ll say that kind of words...!!!’ <- Michi ‘You look down on us’ <- previous club members.

Natsu smiles and thinks, “Ah, ah, in the end... *mutters* it is still the same as before. *thinks* Doing the same thing together at the same time, if it isn’t like that---” He takes a towel and hold it tightly.

Carrying Hana, Michi returns to his house. He enters inside and wonders what’s that nice smell. He is surprised to see the living room all cleaned. The toys are all put inside a container. All the shirts are folded neatly at the side.

The boys welcome him back and ask if Hana is okay. Michi says ya. They tell him that dinner is about to be ready. Michi asks if they made it, and also cleaning the room. They say no, all of it is done by Tetsuki!

Tetsuki says that he’s back and he just borrowed the kitchen for a while. Michi quickly apologize for it but Tetsuki says it is alright since Momo and Aki also helped out. The boys giggle.

Holding the broken makeshift koto, Tetsuki tells him to ask Chika to make him a new one since Chika is an expert on this. He bends down to the two boys and says okay, the two of them still has something to tell their brother, right.

The two boys timidly apologize to Michi for destroying his important thing. Michi acknowledges the apology.

Later on, the boys perk up upon seeing karaaga [fried chicken nuggets] and salad on the table. They exclaim that it looks really delicious. Putting a bowl on the table, Tetsuki says that for the meantime, is it okay for him to make congee for Hana. Michi apologizes to Tetsuki again.

Hana declares that she wants to eat karaaga. Michi tells her to wait until she’s well. The boys scream itadakimasu!!! They take a bite and exclaim that it is delicious, Tetsuki is a genius!!!

While Hana is glaring at him, Michi takes a bite and becomes teary-eyed. He says, “Ah...really delicious...” Tetsuki smiles over this.

While Tetsuki and Michi are washing the dishes, Michi thanks him for today. “Honestly speaking, if you didn’t come, I’m afraid that I would have gone crazy.”

Tetsuki tells him that when things are really bad, he should contact them whether it is night or early morning. “Anyone will do. Me, Chika, Sane, Kouta and the other koto members. Everyone are your friends [/nakama], right.” Michi looks surprised. Ding Dong. Tetsuki says, speaking of the devil...

Drenched in the rain, Chika, Sane and Kouta arrive. Sane says that the rain is so strong. Chika angrily asks how come they don’t have an umbrella and it is too strange for three guys to share one umbrella. Kouta says that he thinks that they can barely pull it off with an umbrella. 

Michi says, you guys... They apologize to Michi and ask if they can borrow a towel. Michi watches them as they complain about their soaked shoes. Michi quickly turns and says that he’ll quickly get it. Kouta thanks him.

Later on, Sane exclaims what, Tetsuki made tonight’s dinner!? Chika asks Tetsuki for his share. Tetsuki says that he’ll only have the leftover smell [of the chicken]. While Tetsuki fends off Chika’s attacks, Momo asks Sane and Kouta if everyone came here today to play.

Sane apologizes to him and says no, they didn’t come to play today, rather, they came to chat with his brother. This surprises Michi. Michi nervously asks talk about what. Sane tells him that starting tomorrow, they will take turns in helping him out in his house. Michi looks surprised and says huh?

An has arrived and notices a lot of shoes in front of the door. She wonders if Michi’s friends came over. Michi asks what are they saying. Sane says that regarding fetching Hana, making dinner and other things, they’ll also think of a way to do them.

Kouta says that three days in a week, he, Chika and Sane will share the burden [/help out]. “Tetsuki will be responsible for Saturday. That way during 5 days in a week, you can put in all your effort to join the club activity. It can be done if we think of a way.” [<- I don’t quite understand how they are splitting up the time ^^;;]

Flustered Michi protests, no, this will be quite a hassle. Chika asks him if he wants to do his best in playing this current piece [/you don’t want to simplify the musical score, right]. Michi bites his lips and says ya...

Sane says that if it is like that then, it can only be like this! Kouta agrees. While everyone is posing with the boys, Sane happily says, “It is possible that the pressure [/burden] is huge for one person but if we were to share it together, then there’s not much pressure anymore!”

Michi is on the verge of tears. Tetsuki says but, there’s no need for the others to help because just by himself, it is already enough [/he can do it alone]. “I’m not joining any club.” Sane calls him stupid and tells him not to say that since it isn’t easy to be cool while being determined.

Someone asks if Kouta can cook. Kouta[?] says that it is amazing. Someone says that it is obviously an original creation <- the food you make is very ‘unique’. Kouta says, so mean. Clenching his fist, Michi says everyone, I’m really grateful...really sorry, thanks.”

Sane and Kouta smile. Sane says that if they encountered the same situation, he’ll definitely also help them out like this. An looks thoughtful. Soon, Chika and others bid Michi goodbye and that they’ll see him tomorrow.

After they left, An calls out to Michi. Michi says that she’s back and today, Tetsuki and others came over— An says she knows and she overheard everything. “In a while, is it convenient for us to talk?” Michi looks surprised.

The next day, lost in thought Michi is folding his futon. Then, his cellphone beeps. It is Chika asking if he is awake. “Right now, I’m outside your house.” Michi quickly opens the door to see Chika holding a koto, a paper bag and his school bag.

Chika greets him a good morning and apologizes for coming in the morning. Michi says that it is nothing so what’s up that he came over now. Shoving the koto and paper bag to Michi, Chika says he wants to first lend him this and he can use it at home.

Michi looks at the koto and says that this is...this is his grandfather’s koto. Chika says ya. Michi calls him an idiot for lending out something very important. “You have seen it right, that cardboard koto!!” Pointing to the bag, Chika says the remade koto is in that bag. “But, it’s better to practice with the real thing.”

Michi says no, that is true but what if it is scratched. Chika says isn’t that good, it has this feeling that it has been practiced on for a long time. “I want to lend it to you. It’s alright. Also, gramps’ koto isn’t that fragile. *turns to leave* It’s okay for you to return it whenever you want. Bye.”

Michi calls out to Chika and says that for him to receive all this kind of... “I obviously don’t play that well yet right now [doing this for me] *looks down* and even lend me this very important koto...”

Chika looks at him and says, “Didn’t you join the koto club with me? *surprised Michi looks at him* You obviously totally have no interest in koto but you still joined in order for the club that gramps created to continue on existing. You’ve joined the koto club together with me.”

Chika turns to leave. Tears start to fall down Michi’s face. He cries as he holds the things that Chika brought for him.

At school, Hiro exclaims in disbelief over what they did and she wants to help out too. Satowa also wants to help. Sane says there’s no need since the president, vice-president and Satowa are the club’s foundation and they still need to support the club side.

Atsumu goes, me, me, me... Chika tells him to do his own thing [/play well] first. While Kouta comforts dejected Atsumu, Hiro says but, it is really good. “Even if this thing happened, still want to know what the outcome will be. There is a bit of hope! Right, Kurata!!” Takezou slightly smiles at her and says ya. Chika looks at him.

In the faculty room, Suzuka holds a piece of note. He mutters, didn’t hang in there... It is notice about quitting the club by Natsu due to wanting to increase his [parttime] work.

Comment: Well, one problem is somewhat resolved. Michi’s burden will definitely be lighter with the others helping him out with the chores. It seems he is really bothered about troubling others so he didn’t ask for help.

I think what Chika did and say ought to be a boost of self-worth for Michi. That’s a lot of trust Chika is giving Michi. And for someone like Michi who is practically a loner, this is a huge thing. In a way, it is like helping out/being friends is greater than any material thing even if it is a treasured thing.

After all, what if he damaged the koto. Will Chika still be okay with it later on? Of course, Chika probably trust him enough to be careful with it. After what happened earlier, his siblings would most likely be careful too ^^ I wonder what An wanted to talk about. It made Michi lost in thought the next morning.

Tetsuki really knows how to deal with the kids and housework. After all, he had practice with Chika ^^ I think the other guys can handle most of the things to do except cooking. ^^; Thinking about it, is it normal for a rich kid especially male, to know how to do household chores?

Natsu is indeed bothered by what they have told him as evident in his playing. What they told him are in some ways similar with what his ex-club members said. They think Natsu belittles them, and they assume that Natsu doesn’t know that they are playing very sincerely.

Without Natsu, I think they will be forced to revise the musical score. What would be easier, let him be or get him back? If they are going to get him back, who’ll do it? The club leaders or the ones who caused the issue? And, how are they going to do it? Scans by 诺大王 of baidu.

Word of the day:

By working together through life's challenges we can help to strengthen and support one another when times are hard. ‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2’ ~ Our Daily Bread