Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 47] -Fin-

Narration: “If I haven’t met you, I probably have already given up right now.” At Tokyo station, Uki tells Yusa that is enough with the crying. While Nanami is holding a box of tissues for him, Yusa says that it is be..because.. Then he starts to ask how come Makoto isn’t crying. Makoto admits that of course, she feels lonely. Yusa tells him to show a bit that she is lonely. Makoto says but, they can call each other on the phone and also sent messages, right. She happily looks at Iriya who smiles back at her. Uki says that she heard from Makoto that he’ll attend school at that side. Iriya says ya, he’ll temporarily go to a nearby school there. Uki laughs and says that if it is Iriya, girls will once again surround him. This made Nanami stomp on Uki’s foot. She angrily grabs Uki and asks why she is saying things that would make Makoto uneasy at this kind of time. “Do you understand the current situation?” Uki apologizes for casually saying that. Yusa teases Uki for being scolded at. This made Uki furious that she shouts back that he was crying a while ago. Iriya laughs that everyone is still the same as usual. Makoto starts to feel uneasy but she told herself not to be like that. She calls out to Iriya and gives him her Bunny doll. She asks him to bring it along with him. She explains that she doesn’t wish him at all to treat it as her substitute though in any case, she washed it.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 46]

While Iriya goes to fish his mother out of the water, Uki and others shout down from the bridge over what they are doing. Makoto shouts that the mother jumped down into the river. While Iriya pulls his mother into the shore, Uki offers to call for an ambulance. Iriya starts slapping his mother’s face and shouting for her to wake up. He asks what kind of joke is this for she suddenly disappears on a whim, reappears on a whim so don’t just go die on a whim. Iriya kept on calling for her while performing CPR. And the ambulance came. At the hospital, the doctor says that for the time being, they did first aid on her and they cannot relax until she wakes up but for the time being, her life is not in danger. Iriya thanks the doctor and Uki says that’s great. Makoto looks at Iriya and recalls him shouting for his mother not to die on a whim. She is about to say something when Sayuri [guesswork from 小百合; Iriya’s mother/aunt] came and apologizes for the plane was late.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 45]

Makoto is walking around the hospital’s hallway. She had already run over here so early in the morning but how should she start the conversation with Iriya. If she is asks too deep about it, he would wonder who is she [to ask] and what’s up with her mother [for not teaching her some manners] but then, she wants to hear him say his sincere words. She feels like crying for she really doesn’t know how to talk. She is startled when Iriya appears behind her and calls out to her. She asks how come he isn’t at the ward. He tells her that he was discharged this morning so he wants to greet [/thank] the nurses. Makoto asks if he is already okay since he is discharged. Iriya says yes, and Yusa’s uncle will handle the discharge procedures later on. She says is that so. Iriya thanks her for coming over for he thought that she’ll hate him because of what happened yesterday. Makoto protests how can she possible hate him, and about that.. Iriya smiles and pats her head. He tells her that the thing yesterday is really already over. Looking away, he says that everyone believes that mother-child relationship is very good but there are exceptions. This made Makoto silent so Iriya apologizes [for making her feel awkward]. He asks a favor of not mentioning it since his mother is coming back today.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 44]

And, in the classroom, Iriya sees Makoto with his mother. Makoto realizes that this person is truly Iriya’s mother and she’s so young!! “Isn’t she his older sister!? So at least, she’s thirty years old..!? She totally doesn’t look like it. Ah, this isn’t the time to think about that..!” [ I’ll use ‘Iriya’s mother’ instead of ‘Shizuka’ since in the other scanlation, she is ‘C-chan’. ^^;;] His mother smiles. Iriya says, “You’re still alive huh.” He looks surprised and covers his mouth. He says that he wanted to say that. His mother says indeed, that’s right. Iriya calls out to Makoto and tells her to come over to him. She did as told. Iriya’s mother says that her older sister is currently in Europe, right. She overheard it from the mothers nearby who were talking about it at the streets. “Are you very worried [about Makoto?] that you ran over here?” Makoto remembers that Iriya’s mothers are sisters. Iriya tells his mother that it has nothing to do with her and by the way, how come she came here. He asks Makoto if she did something to her. Makoto tells him none..nothing dangerous.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 43]

[Free talk: It is currently around 9:20pm here (+8 GMT), and there is no sign of Skip Beat at their forum. <- indicator if it will come out soon in public manga sites. I thought that it is because it is Chinese New Year but then, Akatsuki no Yona is recently up in their forum around half an hour ago...and, then, Kamisama. ^^; So I guess, SB! might be the last one for tonight? Anyway, it is too late to do AnY and it isn't out in public sites yet. ^^;; Saw part of SB...someone is coming back ^^ ]

At the hospital, Iriya apologizes to Makoto. Carrying a basket of fruits, Makoto shakes her head and says not really, and it’s great that it isn’t a huge issue..! Iriya says but he was really careless for lately he always have a nightmare that he didn’t get enough sleep. He mentions that it is quite humiliating and he really wants to eat her cake. Makoto assures him that it is okay for she can just make them no matter how many he wants to eat at any time! “And what about the birthday, there is always a birthday the next year and the year after that! Right!?” Iriya smiles and touches her cheek. Then, Iriya recalls something. He looks at her right arm and says that he heard from the paramedics that she broke the glass in order to get in at that time. “Did you get hurt?” After looking surprised by that, Makoto is about to tell him that it isn’t her when three nurses happily come in and say that they are going to check his body temperature so visitors please go out. With that, they toss Makoto out. Iriya tells them to wait, she isn’t the person in charge and how come three people are needed to check the temperature. They say that it isn’t fair for he’s such a cute high schooler. Makoto decides that it is time for her to go home.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 42]

At night, Iriya kept on tossing and turning on the bed as he dreams of a certain long haired woman. Narration: “It has already been 10 years. I also have not seen a picture. Memory is also very vague.” And he wakes up from the sound of the alarm clock. Later on, his mother greets him a good morning as she starts to set the table for breakfast. Looking lost in thought, Iriya greets her back. His mother is surprised to see him unexpectedly lost in thought since it is really rare. “Didn’t you sleep well?” Iriya says ya. She says that it is very stifling hot last night. “Do you want coffee or is it black tea?” Taking a sit, he says cocoa. This surprises her and asks what’s up, he’s like a kid. “Is cold also okay?” He says ya, thanks. He looks at her prepare the cocoa and says, “Mama.” She asks huh--? He says ..no, it is nothing. While she gives him the cup of cocoa, she asks what’s up. “Strange child. Ah, that’s right. Regarding the summer vacation thing, is it really okay for you to stay alone in the house for two weeks? Right now, we can still think of a way of buying a plane ticket for one person..”

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 41]

At Togetsukyou bridge, the couple watches the night view of Kyoto. Makoto says that everyone went to Yasaka shrine. Iriya says that even if there seems to be some lights activity [<- festival?] but it is only on December 3. She says is that so. She is glad that right now it is June for her eyes are clearly swollen so right now, it is probably far from good but thankfully, it is quite dark that he won’t be able to see them clearly. She’s quite embarrassed by it. She finds the wind blowing quite comfortable that she hopes the swelling would decrease. Then, Iriya asks her what is the reason that she has been avoiding him lately. While Makoto looks aghast, he says that just now she contacted him, could it be about this issue? While sweating profusely, Makoto nervously tells him that her sister, she careless saw that..her sister and Shouki in an intimate scene. There is chibi Shouki shouting for her to please don’t recall that, how embarrassing. Chibi Rika asks if he is a girl.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 40]

While they are riding the train to Kyoto, Uki holds a peeled tangerine and asks, “Ha~~? ‘Iriya really seems like a guy’~~? He is basically a guy. No matter how you look at him, he’s a guy.” Makoto says that it isn’t like that, for until now, he is a prince. Uki says that a prince is also a guy. Nanami says but Iriya would unexpectedly really suit wearing girl clothes and she wants him to try it once. Uki tells her that this isn’t the time to talk about that. Uki laughs since that is the reason why Makoto has been avoiding Iriya earlier. She tells Makoto to quickly reconcile, geez. Teary-eyed Makoto thinks that kind of rejection [wherein she pushed him away] ought to have hurt Iriya. But then, she doesn’t know how to apologize for the reason is quite shameful that ‘I’m thinking about you doing some vulgar thing which is more forceful than usual, and that attitude gave me a fright’-type of thing. Bunny calls her too foolish. Meanwhile, Iriya is lost in thought by the door. Yusa asks him what’s up that he isn’t on his seat. Iriya says that he is thinking of some things. Yusa happily asks why, could it be about Makoto, break up already!! Iriya is speechless and asks why he is so happy. Then, Yusa says about that, speaking of Kyoto, that is his relatives’.. Gloomy Iriya says ya..he just thought of a horrid thing. Yusa starts apologizing and exclaims that he is really an idiot.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 39]

While walking home from school, Iriya asks Makoto if their class has already decided on the groupings for the school field trip. Makoto says that they have not, so has section F already grouped together. He says yes, and each group has to submit a report but then, in reality, it seems that whether they are grouped or not, they can freely assemble together since the report is only by name. [<-it isn’t a fixed group so they can group with anyone on the actual trip since they only have to write the name on the report as a group.] Makoto asks if he had gone to Kyoto. Iriya says that he did a number of times with his family but then, it won’t feel the same if it is with her and the others so he really anticipates it. Makoto smiles over this. They arrive at her house, so Iriya gives her a goodbye kiss and bids her goodbye. Makoto thinks that there are all sorts of disturbance which had temporarily come to an end. There is a scene of Uki scratching her head and telling her ‘fans’ = Nanami, Yusa and Yoshiaki, that it is troublesome to be famous, and Yusa shouted for her not to be cocky. Blushing Makoto thinks that it is light and soft, like cotton candy, her gentle everyday. She thanks Heavens for this.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 38]

[Free talk: Ah, the tagboard is down on my side. Not sure for the others so I won't be able to answer tags. =( ]

After Nanami told Yoshiaki that he’ll be expelled if that thing about him and Uki going steady got exposed, Yoshiaki says perhaps, but why does she have that kind of expression. Nanami looks flustered for she knows that even if she does this, it is of no use. At the shoe lockers area, Makoto looks inside one of the lockers and tells Uki that Nanami’s shoes are still inside so she shouldn’t have gone outside. She also tells Uki that Iriya told her that he also wasn’t able to find Nanami at the west building. They were interrupted by an announcement at the PA system calling for Uki and Yoshiaki to immediately go to the office. Everyone hears this. Then, the teacher had let Yusa off since he got something to do. He just tells Yusa to wait for him later on in class. After Yusa goes out of the room, Makoto and Iriya meet up with him and mention that Uki is.. Yusa asks if she was called but he didn’t expose them. Makoto says that they also don’t know what’s up. Nanami rushes to Makoto and asks her what to do. Makoto tells her to calm down for they still don’t know what’s up. To her shock, Nanami says that Yoshiaki also got called to the principal’s office.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 37]

While holding an umbrella, Makoto comments that it is raining hard. Walking with Nanami, Makoto cheerfully says that it is great that PE class’ marathon will be cancelled since that is quite tiring. Nanami lamely agrees. Makoto thinks that in the end, Nanami is still depressed. She decides that it is inevitable because that kind of thing happened. Makoto observes that Nanami usually curls her hair inward but now, it is more flat than usual. Bunny asks if it isn’t because of the humidity. Makoto mentions to Nanami that there is a new café that opened in front of the station and she heard that the pancakes are very delicious. She tells Nanami that they call everyone to go together and try the place out, or.. Then, they see Iriya. Makoto calls out to him. After they greet each other good morning, Iriya asks if they came together this morning. Makoto says yes, they met up at the station. Looking at his cellphone, Iriya says is that so. Noticing this, Makoto asks him, what’s up. Iriya says that this morning he texted Yusa to bring along a notebook that he had lent him. He tells them that Yusa would usually reply back in the speed of light but today, he still hasn’t replied back. Makoto says that is indeed quite rare, and maybe he carelessly left his cellphone at home. Iriya agrees over that possibility.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 36]

The ‘U’ [雨 = rain] in Uki’s name doesn’t mean Japan’s usually seen pitter-patter rain, but rather the southern island’s howling wind shower. Yoshiaki has just kissed Uki. Uki mutters, you.. Then, she instantly smacks him with her shoes and tells him to go far from her, pervert teacher. While dizzy Yoshiaki mutters that it hurts, Uki prepares to go out of the door and shouts, goodbye. He tells her to wait and holds up her shoe. She shouts that she won’t. He mentions that her shoe fell, and is she going to the club. Grabbing her shoe, Uki says that it is almost time for the inter-school qualifying competitions so she doesn’t have the energy to pay attention to him. Yoshiaki just smiles as Uki leaves him. Meanwhile, Makoto has called up Nanami and apologizes for not answering immediately because she isn’t used to her new phone. She asks what’s up. Standing by the pedestrian bridge, Nanami says that it is nothing.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 35]

It is a beautiful spring day. With blooming sakura trees around them, Makoto has a picnic with her friends. Uki says that it is such a nice hanami [sakura flower watching] day. Nanami says that the bento is also quite nice. Makoto comments that it is a truly nice weather and starting tomorrow, they will be second year students. Her smile freezes and she gloomily says that she really hates changing class sections. To Makoto’s gloom, Uki exclaims that it is impossible for them to be together. Nanami tells Uki that she’s digging into someone’s pain [say some hurtful things] again, and at the same time, swiping Makoto’s sandwich. Uki tells Makoto that compared to that, shouldn’t she be more worried about Iriya because there would definitely be a ruckus among the kouhai-s [/underclassman]. This shocks Makoto and says is that so. Nanami informs her that during junior high, whether it is senpai-s or kouhai-s, Iriya is very popular. Sweatdropping Makoto admits that it is so. She starts to hope for Usa[gi]-man [/super rabbit] to help her for she wants to just continue on being a first year. Uki laughs and exclaims that it is Makoto’s crisis. Nanami quietly smiles over the scene. Uki asks her if she’s cold and does she want to wear her jacket. Nanami declines. She says that she is thinking that if they are in different sections, this ought to be the last time when they can gather together like this. Uki exclaims what she is talking about when from today on, they are still friends. Uki tearfully cries over not wanting that to happen or else, she won’t be able to eat such delicious sandwiches and chicken nuggets. Nanami smiles and says ya. Holding Makoto to her, Uki exclaims that Makoto’s bento is also very delicious. And, it is back to school. Iriya brightly greets Makoto a good morning. Makoto greets him and says that everyone is already there so have they seen the change class form. Iriya says that he hasn’t, and he is just going to look at it. Iriya and Makoto look at the list together. In section E, it has Makoto, Nanami, and Uki. In section F, Iriya and Yusa. Makoto is shock and Iriya sweatdrops. The girls and the boys are totally separated. The girls sweatdrop for Makoto while Yusa rejoices. Tapping the shoulder of the one distributing the forms, Yusa laughs and says that it is because of his accumulated good works – ‘one good turn deserves another’. The student tells him to please go to his own classroom. Yusa exclaims if it is his and Iriya’s love class[/nest], understood.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 34]

Makoto is panicking that she’s late for school because she didn’t consider the cooling time and the time to pack the chocolates. Rika asks if these are Valentines day chocolates. Packing the chocolates, Makoto says ya, but the sweet ones are difficult to do and she failed once. Rika says that nevertheless she did very well. Eating a piece of chocolate, Rika tells her that Iriya would definitely be happy. This made Makoto blush for it is the first time she’ll give a chocolate to a guy and it would be nice if he’s happy about it. Makoto quickly wears her coat. Ding dong. Shouki comes in and thanks Makoto about before. Rika had asked him to help her out with her luggage for the stay-in shooting and they are preparing to go together at the meeting place. Makoto asks about her school. Rika says that it is mostly self-study during third year’s third term and she had already decided to go to AO college[/university] on autumn. Their mother comes in and asks if they have a guest. She greets Shouki as a staff member who came to pick Rika up. Rika pulls Shouki to her and formally introduces him as a photographer, HER BOYFRIEND. While Makoto thinks that they are quite lovey-dovey, their mother is in shock. She asks if he is a famous photographer. Super honest Shouki says that he totally isn’t, and Rika probably earns more money than him. Rika scolds him for being like that when she told him not to mind that kind of thing. This made Shouki timidly apologize and says that she is right. As the two left, their mother is in total shock for the child she brought up.. Makoto quickly takes her leave and muses over things becoming very interesting. “Gambatte, Senda-san~~” At school, Nanami holds a package and greets her friends Happy Valentines Day. Makoto and Uki are amazed that Nanami made sweets and even mittens. Nanami tells them that she really likes a day that is related to deserts because she is a fairy from Dessert Kingdom. Makoto gives her friends the chocolates for them. Uki immediately eats the chocolates and says that Vday is such a nice holiday. Looking at the gifts on Uki’s table, Makoto says that Uki is very popular among girls. Uki says that it is giri [friend/no romantic relation] choco heaven. Nanami comments that Makoto’s choco is delicious.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 33]

After Junya asked Rika to go steady with him, they were interrupted by Makoto who came in the room and called out to her sister. Makoto tearfully asks if she is alright and is she injured. Rika says that she’s fine and Iriya also came with her. Iriya tells her that he just happened to be with her. Patting Makoto’s head, Rika apologizes for making her worry. Makoto tells her that their mother will be coming soon. Since her family came and he should leave, Junya tells Rika that he’ll wait for her answer next time. Rika tells him to wait, and she cannot go steady with him for she isn’t the ‘person she likes’. While Makoto and Iriya are surprised by that, Junya says that she refused him quite bluntly but forget it, he likes that kind of character. Rika looks at him and asks if he is a super M[asochist]. Junya didn’t deny it. He just tells her that he’ll see her in the next photo shoot. Makoto is surprised for she recognized Junya being a popular model and no wonder it is her sister who rejected him. She asks her sister if she is alright. Rika smiles and says that she’s fine. Walking out the hospital, Iriya says that it’s quite lucky that Rika is alright. Makoto says ya. Then, she spots a guy loitering around by the hospital’s gate. Thinking that it is a weirdo, Iriya quickly goes in front of her to protect Makoto from the suspicious person. When the guy turns around to face them, they realize that it is Shouki. Makoto asks him if he is going to see her sister. She thanks him and starts to tell him the room number. Shouki asks if it is okay to see her. Makoto says that she thinks her sister would be happy so.. Then, she notices that Shouki is looking away. Makoto asks him if he really wants to break up with her sister. Shouki says that he thinks that for Rika, she’ll definitely find a suitable person who will.. Makoto realizes that she was saying the same thing to Iriya before and that is why Iriya had that kind expression. Finally understanding the reason, Makoto asks if what he is saying is really because he’s thinking of her sister. This surprises the two guys.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 32]

Cover page: “There is no so-called reason, because like is like♪ Don’t care the surrounding voices, forward on, forward on~~★” Flashback: At the shoe lockers, Rika’s classmates told her that from today on, they do not want to go home together with her. Surprised Rika asked why. The girls said that it is because they are at a disadvantage when they are with Rika. “The guys would totally praise Rika so we already do not want to go together with you again. Anyway, you still have others you can go home with, right? By the way, won’t it be good for you to just go home together with a guy. Ya, that’s right, do that. Let’s go~” And, they left Rika by herself. End flashback. Rika is sleeping while sitting on the chair when a guy with a drink is calling out to her. Rika wakes up. The guy asks her if she had just fallen asleep and here’s her drink. Rika says ya, she dozed off for a bit. The guy asks if she also had a photo shoot yesterday and it is quite awful that she also has a shoot on New Year’s Eve. “By the way, is your boyfriend, Senda-san, [guesswork from 仙田] still okay?” While drinking, Rika says that she doesn’t know because she couldn’t contact him. “He ought to have suddenly died on the street, right?” The guy says that luckily she has always been able to endure until now since she wasn’t able to contact her boyfriend whom she’s going out with, during Christmas and New Year. “If you choose me, this kind of thing won’t happen- I’m quite serious when I say that.” Rika looks thoughtful and her cellphone rings. It is a message from Makoto. Makoto wrote: “Emergency! Sis, do you know this guy *sweatdrop*” There is a picture of passed out Shouki <- looks like he just died on the street. Pause. Rika suddenly stands up and shouts, “Geez, this guy..” The guy asks if Rika is leaving. A female model grabs on to the guy’s arm and says, “Junya- [guesswork from 淳矢] come over and chat with us-” Then, she jealously looks at leaving Rika. At a Go Go’Z family restaurant, Makoto and Iriya watch Shouki quickly gobble up the food. Iriya mutters if it is alright for him to suddenly just devour the food wildly like that. Makoto mutters, ya..even if he did tell her that ‘there’s no need to pay for the camera, just give me something to eat’..

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 31]

That night, Makoto couldn’t sleep. She kept on thinking of being kissed by Iriya. Tossing and turning on her bed, she thinks that she also had slept throughout the day. She calms down a bit and recalls how the kiss made her feel – very elated and fuzzy upon recalling it. With that, she hopes to go into a long sleep. Then, she hears some noise. She realizes that it is her sister. Makoto quickly sits up and thinks that she must thank her sister. Before Rika goes in her room, Makoto calls out to her. Rika asks why she hasn’t slept yet and doesn’t she still have school tomorrow. Makoto says that it is because she wants to thank her. Rika teases her that something really good must have happened that she deserved to be thanked. Rika smiles and says, that’s great. Makoto timidly says yes, so she is really thankful to her. “Also today, thanks to you, sis, that Iriya-kun stayed over and also.. for so many other things.. Thank you. And, and.. I’m sorry.. (Until now, there are so many times which I had one-sidedly became envious of you.)” After Rika flicks Makoto’s forehead, her cellphone rings. It is from Shouki who wrote that he is serious. Makoto thinks that it is already late. She asks if it is Rika’s boyfriend. Rika admits that it is. Makoto sheepishly says that her boyfriend ought to be lonely since she has to work on Christmas Eve. Rika recalls Shouki telling her to properly think about that thing. Makoto timidly asks if her boyfriend is an actor, hair stylist, or a model like before. Rika says that he is a photographer. She tells Makoto to quickly go to sleep or she might have a fever again. Makoto thinks that her sister is amazing for the guy is a person from the industry but unlike before, she won’t have that feeling of inferiority again. Snuggling her bunny in bed, Makoto thinks that everyone in the world is happy. “So-called love is really amazing. Iriya-kun is truly an awesome person...” In school, Uki pops a party popper to Makoto and greets her a Merry Christmas. She tells Makoto that she heard that Iriya went to see her yesterday. “You won’t say that nothing has happened, right?” Nanami asks if she doesn’t have a fever anymore and they are bit worried since she is late. Taking off her coat, Makoto says that she is already okay. She is a bit late because it will be dawn soon when she managed to sleep. Iriya comes in and calls her, ‘Makoto’. He asks her if she no longer has any fever. Makoto says yes.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 30]

Makoto thinks that it seems like angry, also sad and perhaps, perplexed..it is the first time she saw that kind of expression on Iriya. Makoto turns around and tells him to wait. To Iriya’s surprise, Makoto grabs him from behind and shouts for him to wait. On the floor, Iriya is speechless for this is the second time his face got hit. <- Makoto had pushed him down on the ground and his face got hit ^^; Makoto tearfully tells him no, that isn’t what she meant, it isn’t about her not believing him. Recalling how the other guys are badmouthing Iriya being good-for-nothing and trash, Makoto tells him that she obviously isn’t feminine and because of her people are saying those kind of things about him. Iriya is puzzled over what the ‘feminine’ and ‘those words’. Makoto continues to say that if she gives him trouble, if it’s that kind of her.. Iriya tells her to slow down, he doesn’t feel at all that she’s giving him trouble. Makoto tearfully protests that at some unknown time, she might possibly do some foolish thing that exceeds his imagination. “I don’t want.. to do something that you’ll hate. *wipes tears* I absolutely don’t want that.” Iriya sighs and says is that so. He tells her to first not care about those and watch the Christmas tree together with him on Christmas Eve. Makoto looks surprised. She asks him if he was listening to what she just said. Iriya smiles and says yes, this year’s Christmas tree at the [shopping] stores street seems to be very beautiful. “Or are you saying that you don’t want to go? *Makoto shakes her head* That’s great. I want to go with you. And if you were to refuse, I would be very- lonely.” This made Makoto blush. She apologizes to him for saying such disappointing words. She recalls their promise. Makoto wonders why she still feels very useless when she obviously decided to do her best, want to become stronger, and a lot of areas that she needs to strive hard on. Iriya helps her up and tells her that they should go to the classroom to eat lunch. Makoto apologizes to him again and asks him what she should do in order for her to be full of self-confidence. Before Iriya can answer, Uki, together with Nanami, call out to them at the stairs and asks what they are doing. Nanami tells Makoto to hurry for they have 10 minutes left before lunch break is over. This made Makoto say that she should quickly eat. Iriya calls out to Uki to ask something but then, he says that it is nothing.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapters 28-29]

Cover page: “Spending the winter season together with you. That is definitely, definitely, the most warmest--”

While walking with everyone, Uki complains that it’s so cold. Nanami says that lately, the sun is setting early. Yusa suggests that they eat udon. Iriya refuses since he’ll just steal what others are eating. Uki points to a store window and exclaims that Christmas decorations are already on display. Makoto and Nanami look at the beautiful Christmas tree. Iriya mentions that it is already that time and he really likes Christmas. While Uki talks with Iriya about excited over Christmas, Makoto is tensely wondering what to do for it is their first grand occasion since they went steady. Who will invite who? Uki asks the two how they are going to celebrate it. Iriya says that it hasn’t been decided yet. He asks Makoto if she wants to celebrate it with him. Makoto exclaims that she wants to. While Makoto is gloomy over biting her tongue after saying that, Yusa grabs on to Iriya complaining no, what about him and the cake. Makoto is quite happy for she’ll have a Christmas date. Uki whispers to Makoto that this is great. She thanks Uki. Uki tells her to seriously choose a gift. Recalling that he gave her a birthday gift, Makoto wants to give him something, too. Nanami whispers to Makoto that she also has to beautifully dress up for the Christmas date. Makoto gloomily thinks that is right, date, gift and outfit..costs money and her wallet will die. Uki says that she remembers that Makoto’s pocket money every month is 5, 000 yen. She suggests to Makoto to work parttime temporarily until the date. While the others walk on with Yusa bugging to eat udon, Makoto spots a help wanted poster on the convenient store. In the kitchen that night, Mrs. Kisaragi calls out to Makoto to help out with the shrimps that she’s cooking. While peeling the shrimps, Makoto tells her mother that she wants to work. Her mother asks why and just save money if she wants something. Makoto tries to tell her that it isn’t like that. Her mother refuses to let Makoto work because she is clumsy and impulsive[/reckless] that she’ll only trouble others. Makoto tries to protest but her mother tells her to just wait for the New Year gift money from her grandmother then just wait until New Year to buy what she wants. She tosses some potatoes at Makoto and tells her to peel them.

Sugar*Soldier [Chapter 27]

Cover page: “What kind of dream would these two have? I’ve become Iriya-kun’s girlfriend!! My heart beat frequency is in its highest value, everyday is quite new” Text message: “Good afternoon Kisaragi-chan✽ Are you okay since then? During that time, I have so many things that I’m grateful to you. After that, Watase had successful persuaded the teachers. He had smoothly transferred to the ordinary-type class. Even if there are times when he isn’t quite lively, but I think if I can be his support, and it would definitely be alright. Please greet Iriya for me. Good luck [/gambatte] to you, too! Toyoda Shiho [guesswork 志帆].” Makoto is glad over this outcome. She wonders how she is going to reply and it is nice if she can see those two with a smile. Her thoughts are interrupted when Yusa is shouting he hates it, hate, hate, hate for he cannot approve of them going steady-whatever!!! Iriya tensely tells Yusa not to shout out loud and don’t cry. Yusa angrily shouts that they are totally incompatible for Makoto is like that. The fangirls overhear this that they start to ask Iriya if it is true that he is already going steady, got a girlfriend, no way, it is Makoto. WHY-!? Makoto becomes timid for it is an avalanche of thorough exposure. The girls ask why Makoto since if it is Iriya, he can find someone better and they couldn’t accept it. Hiding at the side, Makoto thinks that she always knew that Iriya’s ‘girlfriend’ should have a very high position but then, what should she do, it really hurts to go out. Iriya notices Makoto hiding at the corner. Walking towards her, Iriya tells the girls not to ask him that why-type of questions again. He pulls up Makoto and tells them that he was the one who confessed to her. The girls are shocked. The other girls decide to let it go since it is mutual feelings. Yusa still looks displeased. Iriya calls out to him but he turns around and leaves. Makoto overhears some girls that say that even if it cannot be helped but they have no way of accepting it. Makoto wonders what she must do to make everyone approve of her.