While holding on to surprised Shino, Mitsuru exclaims, “I’m actually
a guy. Since the time that I’ve met you, I really like you, Shino-chan..!!” Asuza
overheard this and looks surprised. Shino blushes and lets out a giggle.
Mitsuru is shock that he was laughed at. Shino gestures, “Geez, Mego-chan. You
are obviously quite cute, and you would unexpectedly say you’re a guy..”
Realizing that Shino thought that he’s joking, Mitsuru wonders if he has to take
off the wig and strip down. Before Mitsuru can do that, Shino gestures, “Thank
you. I also really like you. Yes. If Mego-chan is a guy, I’ll definitely like
you. Always protecting me. Very kind and very cool. It would definitely become
a happy [romantic] love.” This made Mitsuru’s eye sparkle for he has hope then.
He asks if what she is saying.. To his surprise, Shino is crying. She gestures
to him that if it is like that, she would definitely be not be distressed like
this right now. She takes out her notepad and writes to ‘Mego’ that her heart
clearly knows that even if a girl like her, likes Kouji, he also won’t give her
a glance. “There are many mature and beautiful girls at his side. They can
clearly hear sounds and can also talk very normally with him. The me, who
cannot even make an ordinary conversation with him, would definitely just give
him trouble. He is a very nice person. If he knew of my feelings, he would
definitely be very distressed. *Mitsuru is reading out what she wrote* I really
know that even if I like him, this romance also cannot happen.” Then, Mitsuru
and Azusa are surprised when Shino starts sobbing. Mitsuru thinks that it is
the first time he heard the sound of her crying. It is like the cries of a
young child who cannot find confidence and as if her chest is tightly grasp by
some incomparable pain. As Mitsuru hug to comfort sobbing Shino, he thinks that
it turns out that she unexpectedly have deeply fallen to an intense unrequited
love.
On the second day, at Akechi Academy, Mego has just helped
in painting a huge poster for the sports meet. The guys praise ‘him’ for
drawing really well. While drinking from a canned juice, Mego happily
anticipates this week’s sports meet to see Aoi’s heroic form. A cap guy points
at ‘Mitsuru’s drink and asks for a sip of the juice. Just as Mego is giving it
to him, Aoi grabs the drink and drinks from it. While they others wonder why
the AKC head is in the first year classroom, Aoi hands to cap guy the drink.
While cap guy and friend shares the drink, Aoi whispers to Mego that she’s an
idiot, do not be seen outside, taking turns in drinking with other guys at a
male school. Mego blushes and thinks that if seems that for Aoi to do this, he
is ‘protecting her’. Mego smiles and thanks him. This made him blush. She
thinks that right now, as a ‘girl’, she is more treasure by him than before.
Aoi thinks that the more he’s worried, the more he cannot just let things be. On
the third day, while the teacher is teaching, Mitsuru wonders what he should do
for even if Shino and Kouji mutually like each other but Shino always thinks
that she cannot be together with him. “I only have to conceal it and not say
anything and those two won’t somehow be involved [with each other]. If I were
to revert back to being a guy and confess one more time. Shino, who is pained
because of love, would definitely throw herself into my embrace. *recalls Shino
crying* But, is this really okay? For me, the most important thing is..” In
1-A, the teacher is telling the students what will be in the exam. Shino and
Azusa look flustered and not listening to the teacher. Suddenly, Mitsuru slams
open the door and apologizes for the interruption. Azusa and Shino blushes in
surprise. The teacher shouts what is F-section Kobayashi doing and isn’t there
a class now. Mitsuru grabs Shino and says that they are going to Kouji right
now. “There’s no time to lose. Go right now. Go to Ishida and confess that you ‘like’
him!!”
This made Shino blush. Azusa is surprised. Shino holds back
and shakes her head. Mitsuru says that it is alright, there’s nothing to feel
inferior about it. “Shino, compared to other people, you are not inferior at
all. (Even if it is not the way that I hoped for but I can do this with my
utmost effort and confess to you) *holds her hand tightly* Have confidence.
Shino-chan is the world’s most beautiful and cutest. I like you the most.” Suddenly,
Mitsuru carries Shino on to his shoulder and runs off with her. While the
teacher shouts where they are going, the other students are whispering. Azusa
is blushing and speechless. Soon, Mitsuru brings Shino to Kouji’s university.
Kouji is surprised to see them. The couple talk[/confess] then, Shino looks
surprised and happy. They hug each other and Mitsuru looks away. Narration: “For
me, the most important thing is for you, the one I like the most, to become the
world’s happiest person. Expressing their feelings for each other and that face,
blossoming out a joyous expression like a flower. That’s right, ever since I
met those eyes that are filled with sadness. What I want to see the most is
definitely the current Shino showing the most beautiful smile.” While walking
in the street, Mitsuru mutters that this is good. He rubs his eyes and says
that it’s dusty. He is trembling and starts to cry. “How frustrating. My heart
really hurts. But, for the first time, I had helped someone attain happiness
and I also feel some pride for myself. Shino-chan. *recalls memories*
Shino-chan. I truly, really like you.” In the classroom, the door opens and
Azusa goes in. Inside, Mitsuru has taken off his wig. He has fallen asleep
after crying. Azusa scolds sleeping Mitsuru for being stupid to remove the wig
for what will he do if he was found out. As Azusa recalls how Mitsuru told
Shino to confess and carried her off, Azusa says, “Stupid. You’re really a
fool..” She kisses sleeping Mitsuru at the side of his forehead. Then, after
putting a coat on him, she wipes his tears and pats his head. Narration: “It is
as if I had a soft sweet beautiful dream. The subtle surging heartache seems to
be had been lightly and totally contained. Autumn is gradually moving away. Accompanying
us is the still unnoticed footsteps of a brand new romance.” Blurb: “Next, wonderful
love starts a new development. Intense second year [high school] chapter
opens!!”
Comment: So,
Mitsuru did the right thing even if it hurts. And he didn’t know that someone
is watching him and has probably fallen more in love with him. =P Actually,
maybe that act of unselfishness would drive Azusa to become a nicer
person..well, he is already unintentionally making her become one. Her reaction
to crying Shino seems more of a surprise like it is the first time she has seen
her like that. It makes me wonder if it made Azusa realize that Shino can be
very vulnerable compared to what she think and Shino also has a lot of issues
which she doesn’t really express. And so far, things are going very smoothly
for Mego and Aoi. I think this point of the story would diverge Mego and
Mitsuru’s love experiences = things that used to happen at the same time. I
guess the mangaka isn’t going to dwell too much on Mitsuru’s heartbreak for it
is already announced that they would be in the second year already by the next
chapter. Lastly, it does make me wonder if the mangaka deliberately used ‘villain
surnames’ based on Sengoku Basara for Shino and Kouji because of the pain they’ll
bring to Mitsuru. Though I wonder if there will be more to it since Takenaka
and Ishida are both loyal retainers of Totoyomi in Sengoku Basara. Scans by 夜莺工作室
Quote of the day:
Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of the one you
love, is by far, the truest type of love. ~ Henry David Thoreau
