Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 115

This seems like an epilogue-ish arc wherein everyone who needs to make an appearance is making one to put a closure for everyone. Tetsuki’s dad look so young. The exchanging of gratitude for Tetsuki’s role in Tokize and Chika’s life is quite nice.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 114

In the prelims, I don’t recall them practicing before the performance but here, they do. In a way, there is a pro and con. The pro is getting to feel the stage and make adjustments but it can really affect one’s psyche if the one performing before you are really, really good.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 113

 This series is really a feel good series wherein everyone isn’t innately bad and they do change for the better. Wow, grandma Doujima is being supportive that she’s going with her grandchildren to the Nationals. She is even concerned about Tokise especially Chika regarding the rumors.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 112

 The send-off to the finals makes me feel that this is the final arc. There is the contrast with now and their previous send-off to the prelims with Kurata. The principal and vice even took time to see them off. ^^ It has been a big development for vice principal from trying to destroy them, to being supportive of them, to the point of crying when the group bow to them.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 111

 Tsukaji is quite a responsible journalist that he would want to clarify the misunderstanding. Komaki’s philosophy though is good or bad publicity is still publicity. Somehow, I wonder if that won’t affect Tokize’s chances of winning.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 110

 It is amusing that Chika is reacting differently to what others had expected after the confession. In a way, there is a bit of maturity in it and perhaps, he isn’t clueless as one would expect.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 108-109

 It’s really great that Tetsuki informed the adults about what is going to happen/what might happen so that when it happens, Chika can easily clear his name. In a way, perhaps, Tetsuki learned how to deal with this better after what happened with Chika before.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 107

 Regarding the title, because of what happened to the couple in the last chapter, I thought it is about them. ^^; Well, it is really an apt description of Chika and Uzuki. Chika is the sun who lends its shine to the moon represented by Uzuki. Without the sun, the moon is all dark and it longs for the sun to make it shine again.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 106

It is nice how the characters in this chapter is ‘paying back’ each other for what the other has done for them before. Natsu is finally facing the truth about Uzuki that he has been ignoring because he doesn’t want to get involved. And before he beat himself too much about acting on it too late, Atsumu gives him a pep talk.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 105

Based on Chika’s childhood, apparently, things just got out of hand for him especially since he is left on his own to deal with things and even if he wanted to ask for help, he seems to not want others to get involve into what he gotten himself into. Hence, he didn’t mention his situation to Tetsuki.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 104

 This chapter has a lot of ‘hanging’ [wait for the next chapter/s to know more about it] scenes. ^^; Regarding grandpa’s request, at first I thought that it is about the keeping the koto club up and running. But the next scene is Chika thinking about finishing his solo. So, was the request is to play a solo koto performance?

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 103

Apparently, Uzuki is indeed the obsessive-possessive type friend who cannot move on that is common in twisted stalker-type thriller stories. The type who would do anything and everything for the other party to become theirs and theirs only.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 102

The meeting is intense. At first, it is because of Chika’s reaction. Interestingly, based on Uzuki’s reaction, it is the reaction that he wanted. And, apparently, the trio knew who Uzuki is. They probably just didn’t know the details of the incident since they have no clue about that note.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 101

 Thanks to the flashback, I now have a clearer picture of the dynamics between the three characters on the cover. I guess it is really ‘too bad’ for the two-timing parent/s. I do wonder though what are the chances in real life for kids to be so smart that they’ll investigate a family member because of this feeling they have.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 100

 At the start of the chapter, it is a normal goodbye with no extreme reaction from Natsu, it made me think that what Uzuki asked of him is something ordinary. It is indeed normal. Help me make up with my friend whom I had a falling out.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 99.5

We are shown a background story between Chika and Tetsuki. Apparently, earlier on, others have a bias towards them. Chika is largely ignored because he was assumed to be aloof and unapproachable. But then, those other two kids tend to isolate those who don’t cooperate with them. Tetsuki has an aura of being approachable though he is choosy with the people he’ll hang around with.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 99

With that kind of intro, we know that the author is now going to tackle Chika's past. Apparently, Uzuki is the type who doesn't want his hands dirtied. Like the main boss, he makes others do it. That is because I actually thought the ones who thrashed his grandfather's place were his ex-gang. It turned out that these people were hired. 

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 98

This chapter is like the calm before the storm. Everyone is pretty much polishing up their performance. Exams are coming soon. They most likely will be able to pull that off with Tetsuki’s help. It is nice that they acknowledge his contribution to the club even if he isn’t playing.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 97

And, everyone is still moved by their practice wherein everything came together. Natsu seems to be still confused over why he is trembling and Atsumu gave a hint, ‘it was so much fun’.

Free Talk: Kono Oto Tomare 96

Well, the ‘experiment’ has worked. Not only did Atsumu benefited from it, Natsu also did. Hehe, for them to have such a ‘high’ from this, it makes me wonder if they can top that in the actual performance. I guess by that time, there would be imagery just like in the prelims.