Chihayafuru Manga Synopsis: Vol. 9.5 (Chapter 52)

Chapter 51

Opening scene:  Sumire, out of breath, following Taichi from the station (TN:...stalker...)

Mashima-senpai!
Mashima-senpai!


Where is he going?  Study group?  Part-time?  Meeting up with someone?
I want to know everything--

She stops short when she see where it is he's gone.  The sign outside says "Shiranami Society Karuta Group."  She falls to her knees in defeat.

Not again...with the karuta...!

Scene: inside the Shiranami Society

"Hi everone!"
"Oh, Taichi-kun, it's rare to see you at this time of day."
Taichi notices Tsuboguchi in the corner of the room.
"Tsuboguchi-san...?" he asks tentatively.
"I was tricked," Hiroshi-kun sobs.  "Because it was public, I naturally thought it was a co-ed campus.  But from this year and continuing they've created a separate school for male students, so it's just as though it was an all male school...if I knew this was going to happen, I should have decided to take one more year of college courses..."
The club assistant explains to Taichi, "This year Tsuboguchi-san, got a job as a high school teacher after a lot of difficulty.  But as soon as he took the job at this school, the campus was down to 8 female students...."
"You can't be held back a year in college!  You have to at least be better than Suoh Meijin in that respect!!" Taichi shouts.  His words pierce through the heart.  0_0;  Hiroshi-kun turns around and sees Taichi bowing low on the tatami in respect.
"You--!" twitches Hiroshi-kun in anger.
"Please allow me to be your first opponent today."  Tsuboguchi smiles at the look of determination on Taichi's face.

Sumire, who, like a true stalker, is peeking at Taichi from a sliding door at the far end of the room, thinks to herself, I don't understand any of it, what the hell are they doing? Oh! She (Chihaya) explained it to me once.  They have 15 minutes to study the positioning of all 50 cards.  Is it possible to remember all that?

It's impossible!
Impossible!
Impossible!
There's no chart to identify them, and they're all in Hiragana!  And, the opponent's cards are upside down!

As they play the recording and begin to play, Sumire is amazed.  She takes her karuta chart out and thinks, How can they take the cards so quickly?  That's right, there was something called "decisive syllables." Not only do the players have to memorize the poetry, they have to memorize them by their "decisive syllables?"

Sumire continues to watch in shock and amazement as Taichi continues to play.

I don't understand!  Why the heck would someone like him choose karuta of all things?

While playing, Taichi realizes how strong Tsuboguchi-san is.  He completely broke my defenses.  He's also really calculating when sending over 'penalty' cards.
"I'm going to rearrange my cards," Hiroshi-kun announces, as he holds one hand up in the air to pause the recording.
Damn! I have to memorize them all over again! Taichi thinks in frustration.  He remembers what Meat bun told him once about only memorizing half of the cards, approximately.  So that really is the better method? Damn!!

I want to become stronger!
I want to become stronger!
Let this second...not be just an ordinary second!

Meanwhile, Harada-sensei suddenly sneaks up behind Sumire.
"EEK!" Sumire exclaims in surprise.
"What?  Are you here to participate?  Do you want to join our group?" Harada-sensei asks excitedly as he clutches his kneeling cushion.
"Ah? No! Um..." says Sumire.  Harada pulls her aside.
"We'll disturb the players here, let's go over there and talk!"
"Uh, no! I'm not--"
They continue their conversation a bit further away from the door.  "Ka-" she begins.  "Karuta.  What's so fun about karuta?"
"That sort of thing," grins Harada-sensei, "you won't know until you play!"
That's true....
"But," continues Harada, "the more you play, you still won't understand!"
WTF?
"Take it from me.  I've been playing 45 years and I still don't understand."
"45 years?!"
"All this time, I still don't understand.  It's because I don't understand that I continue to play."
? ? ? ? ? ? ? 
IMPOSSIBLE...

Cut scene:  Kana-chan running to the club room (her class is the closest) to do her daily duty

Kana comes into the club room to see Chihaya cleaning the mats.
"Chihaya! You're here early.  What are you doing?" asks Kana.
"Ah--" smiles Chihaya in response.  "Kana-chan always comes early to tidy up, right?  I figured I should at least do the same.  I'm so sorry I haven't noticed until now."
Kana-chan is touched and starts to tear up.
"It's OK, Chihaya! I only do what I notice needs to be done.
"Well," says Chihaya shyly.  "I was only cleaning up a little bit."
"It's OK!  It's OK!" exclaims Kana.  She looks down and notices the cloth Chihaya is holding is damp.  Kana is about to pop a vein.
"Tatami mats need to be wiped down with a dry cloth!  Otherwise, you have to use a cloth that's wrung so dry you can't wring it anymore dry!  Don't underestimate the effect of water!"  Chihaya nearly collapses under the wight of the lecture.
"If you want to help clean, then I have to teach you starting from the basics."
"O-kay!" stammers Chihaya.
"It's time to go.  The freshmen are already gathered.  First do the work that's designated to you!"
"I'm going!" says Chihaya in farewell.

Kana remembers what Desktomu-kun said about Chihaya.  "I think Ayase-san's changed a little."


Chihaya... thinks Kana.  She looks down and sees a piece of paper Chihaya dropped.  On it she's scribbled new designs for the team shirt.  The shirts have themes like "strength" and "Japan's No. 1."  Kana closes it hastily.

Cut scene: Chihaya making an awful face at how the number of recruits has dwindled (4 left)

She is in complete shock.
"It's probably because the first week is really dedicated towards finding a club to join.  The others probably went to see what the other clubs were like," says one recruit apologetically.
"Right!  That must be it," joins another.
It's because I took all 100 cards during the demonstration... thinks Chihaya in defeat.

This is so hard...I really wanted to show everyone how fun karuta was....


But it turned out to be really hard....

Cut scene: Sumire after school

"Hanano-san?" calls Hinako.  "What's wrong?  Are you still thinking about karuta club?"
"Ah--" responds Sumire, "no, absolutely not."
"You're right about that," says Hinako.  "Today we'd probably be separated from Mashima-senpai again.  Besides, I already found someone else of interest.  Class 2's Tashima-kun is really cute."
"You mean you guys weren't all that serious about Mashima-senpai?"
"We were just going with the flow, you know?  He's certainly cute, but karuta is just so hard.  There's just  no way I could work that hard."
"S-so it was like that," responds Sumire.

See? This is what you'd call normal.  There's no way a normal person would choose to obsess over a person involved in such a tedious thing.

As they sit down and eat at a fast food place, Sumire and the others do their own thing.

These are friends I just made in high school, and yet already we've run out of things to chat about.  If I don't join a club, is it always going to be like this?  How scary!  I have to get a boy friend as soon as possible.  Although, I can't insist on getting the most handsome guy in school now...

In a tiny voice, Sumire begins to recite the "hanano" card.
"The color of sakura blossoms...."
"Huh?" asks Hinako.
"What was that?" asks her other friend.
"N-nothing," says Sumire hastily.  She suddenly receives a text from her phone.  It's her ex-boyfriend saying hello and asking if she has some free time if they could meet.  Sumire goes pale and starts shaking.
"A-are you OK?" asks Hinako.
This guy on the one hand tells me he wants to break up with me...and now on the other hand, without even an apology, is asking to meet with me...


Selfish beyond belief....


I finally see right through you!

Suddenly she remembers what Harada and Taichi told her.

"All this time, really, I still don't understand."


"I want to be the one to choose, and then give it my all."

I want to know!

Cut scene:  ...and then there was one....

Chihaya is shocked beyond belief.  She drags the remaining guy to the club room.
"Huh?" asks Meat bun.
"There's only one left?" asks Kana.  By this time, Chihaya is in tears and is still clutching the recruit desperately by the wrist.
"This is 1st year Class 10's Tsukuba-kun," she sniffles.  "Since there was only one left, I just brought him here.
"T-there's no helping it, Ayase," consoles Meat bun, patting her on the shoulder.  "Once you get rid of all the Taichi fans, this is what happens."
"I'm so sorry, everyone!" Chihaya apologizes.
"It didn't matter who was the one to train them, it still would have ended up this way," Meat bun continues.
"I'm sorry!" she cries.  "We...should really be the strongest karuta school...."
Don't worry about that!  We don't have that kind of aspiration! the others think in unison.
As he watches her cry, Taichi makes a fist.  This is why I didn't agree...to Chihaya being the one to teach them.

But Chihaya isn't crying for herself.  Poor karuta cards--!  Chihaya thinks.  You haven't received anyone's affection...you poor things!

Just then, Sumire opens the club room door.  Everyone is shocked to see her.
"Because the other classroom was empty, so I thought we're meeting here today?" she explains.

Taichi grabs her hands excitedly.  "Thank you so much for coming!  Hanano-kohai!  Thank you!"

Sumire goes into her own hazy dream at being so close to Taichi.

That's good!  That's good! everyone thinks.

Cut scene: the karuta bringing out the tatami mats for practice

"Well, the first years probably haven't memorized all the poems yet, but..." starts Meat bun, "as long as they take it slow it should be fine, so let them practice along with us."

Kana-chan then notices Sumire's finger nails and offers her a nail clipper to clip them short.
"What?  I painstakingly grew them out so they could be this beautiful...."
"But if you try to take cards like that, your opponent is going to get hurt," explains Kana.
"Don't worry," smiles Sumire.  "I'm not at the point where I can actually take cards fast enough to touch anyone's hands."  Kana stares at her.
"I-it's all right!" says Chihaya forgivingly.  "When you first start, there isn't any way you could take cards quickly.  Let's just start with one match and see."
"R-right!" says Desktomu nervously.

As Desktomu begins to read the opening poem, Sumire blurts out, "How annoying!"  She pulls out her compact and adjusts her make-up.  "I became a raccoon back then, how annoying."  Kana looks as though she's about to have a conniption.
"Hanano-kouhai!" she interrupts.  "Let's go outside for a bit!"  She pulls Sumire up and out of the club room.
"K-Kana-chan!" calls out Chihaya, following them outside.

Cut scene:  Out in the hall...

"Hanano-kouhai, what are you thinking?" demands Kana.
"You're still asking me what I'm doing...can't you see I'm re-applying my make-up?" she says.  "What's wrong with making yourself up to be bright and pretty?"

Both Chihaya and Kana recall words said to them (by Oe-san?).

"As a woman, you need to maintain and accentuate your charms."

"That's...that's what some people say, but--" begins Kana.
"Besdies, if you're not cute you won't get a boyfriend," reasons Sumire.
"Hanano-kouhai...." Kana says, unable to take it anymore.  "IF ALL YOU THINK ABOUT IS DATING THEN THAT'S JUST VULGAR AND BORING!"
"Really?"  Sumire closes her compact calmly.  "But all of the poems in the Hyakunin Isshu are love poems, aren't they?"
Kana is shocked by the statement.  (TN: I can't imagine why)
"People's minds," Sumire continues, "beginning from the days of old have been filled with 'love' and 'dating'.  Certainly, I'm not one to obsess over karuta, but I've already decided to stay for love.  Because my objective is Mashima-senpai."
Chihaya is astonished by her words.
What a headache... Kana thinks.  It's an unyielding...LOVE IDIOT.  (Chihaya is the karuta idiot)

Cut scene:  the guys back in the club room -- collective silence

..........

"The girls...are OK, right?" asks Desktomu-kun nervously.
"Don't mind them," grumbles Taichi.  "In those types of situations, men best not interrupt."
"No kidding," adds Meat bun-kun.  "Scary...."  He notices the new guy.
"Oh, you're Tsukuba-kun, right?"  Meat bun thinks he really resembles Hiro-kun.  "Sorry about that.  You just started and had to witness a fight."
"Have you memorized all the karuta cards?" asks Desktomu-kun.
"I-I've only memorized about 20 of them," the new guy responds.
"Really?  Well, just take it slowly and you'll be fine," encourages Meat bun.
"But," Tsukuba-kun adds, making a scary face, "I'm really strong."
The guys collectively think: ??!!

TN: So there you have it.  The Mizusawa Karuta Club has officially picked up a pair of wierd characters and weak players....I'm really not sure what the mangaka was thinking here...but I guess it makes it interesting? ^_^  One's a certified stalker and the other is just...*shudders* creepy looking when he opens his eyes....  Put him in a starchy black and white uniform and he could be one of the Arrancar...creepy.


One more chapter left and we can get back to the competitions! Yay!

Chihayafuru Manga Synopsis: Vol. 9.4 (Chapter 51)

Chapter 51

Scene: Sumire buffing her nails in class

She gets a text message from her friend, asking her if it's true that her boyfriend broke up with her  [especially during Spring -- how lonely :-(]  This pisses Sumire off and she angrily texts back an excuse that she's already found someone better, a 2nd year senpai who is cool, and tall, and first in his class.  She's even joined the same club as him and she's determined to date him.  Sumire even offers to send her friend a picture.  In return she gets an approving text response from her friend.

You just don't get it, Nami, Sumire thinks.  For a girl like me who's at a higher level of 'cute' than your average pretty girl...I can use tenderness as a weapon!  (She's read a lot of 'how to' magazines...)  If this were a shoujo manga I would be the leading female character!  I will overthrow the beautiful leading antagonistic love rival! (Chihaya)

Cut scene: Meanwhile, the beautiful leading antagonist love rival Chihaya is deep in thought during Classic's class

We only need the five of us to compete for the High School Championship.


The only ones who need to win tournaments are us five, right?

While her doddering teacher is lecturing, Chihaya passes a note to Meat bun (who sits next to her in this class) on her Daddy Bear stationary.

"Perhaps after we teach the freshmen how to appreciate karuta, someone among them will emerge as a strong player?"


"There are only 2 months until the High School Chapionship, there's no way we could train them fast enough.  If you really want to train them, wait 2 months and we'll discuss it again!"


"If we ignore them for 2 months, we won't be able to retain a single member!"

He tosses a note back to her and it hits her in the face. "Isn't that OK too?"

Chihaya is shocked by Meat bun's response.

Not the same!  Concerning the karuta club our ways of thinking are all different...

The difference (in opinion) is so vast--

Cut scene:  Back in homeroom, class 2-1, Government (Ms. Miyauchi)

Ms. Miyauchi is explaining how every class will start with a pop quiz and all students should purchase a copy of the prep materials.  Also, preparation for college entrance exams really begin during sophomore year.  Once they've chosen a school, they can't be idle and must start preparing.

Chihaya--  Taichi thinks.  That brat just doesn't understand.  Our time right now is precious!  Without even hesitating she just wants to do what she wants to do.  He thinks back to when she lost to Shinobu.  Her dream is becoming the Queen.  When she lost, she was clearly crying!

I have to...stop her.

Cut scene: Chihaya dragging Meat bun down the hall

"Meat bun-kun, what were you doing?" Chihaya demands.  "I clearly said we're going to have a meeting at lunch time."
"Well, because I ate my lunch early in the morning, I was going to get in line and buy a pineapple bun."
"I'll share half my lunch with you."
"That's not enough!"

They come into the club room and see Kana-chan cleaning the mats.
"Kana-chan, you got here fast," comments Chihaya.
"That's because class 5 is closest to the club room."
"Oh, everyone's here," says Desktomu-kun as he comes in.
"Class 1 is really far," remarks Taichi.
When they finally sit down for lunch, Taichi begins, "Concerning the issue with the freshman recruits, there's no way our club room can accommodate all 20 entrants...."
"ME!" cries out Chihaya, raising her hand.  "Let me use another empty classroom and teach the 20 recruits!"

At that point, Taichi is about to pop a vein.  "Chihaya...The most important thing for you right now is what?  By insisting on taking this upon yourself, do you think you can win over Shinobu Wakamiya?"
"Let me be the one to teach the freshmen.  Even if some of them drop out, what's important is to teach them properly from the start," says Kana.
"As long as we have enough members to keep the club room, that's all that matters to me, even better if they want to join in on club activities," comments Desktomu-kun.
"If there are 20 people noising about, can we really do our best during practice?  The competition is in June!" says Meat bun.
"What about you, Chihaya?" asks Taichi.
"I..." she pauses.  "The first thing right now is for Taichi to become A rank."  Everyone is shocked to hear it.
What? thinks Taichi.  Chihaya is actually thinking about my issues?
"And then our goal should be...BEING VICTORIOUS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP!  AND THEN EACH OF US WINNING OUR INDIVIDUAL RANKED COMPETITIONS!  AND FINALLY, TO TRAIN THE FRESHMEN SO WE CAN BE A KARUTA CLUB JUST LIKE HOKUO ACADEMY--"  Her speech pushes everyone over the edge and Meat bun actually falls backwards in his chair.
"What?  What's wrong everyone?" Chihaya asks.  Then she offers a hand to Meat bun.  "Are you okay?"

She's so greedy!  I've never seen anyone so greedy! everyone thinks as they are shocked speechless by her aspirations.  Taichi puts his head in his hand.

"....Chihaya...." (he feels a headache coming on)  "I understand the other goals, but becoming a school with a strong karuta club....and like Hokuo Academy...is impossible without a proper instructor."
"I..."she begins, "If I had kohai, even if I graduated I would still come back and teach karuta."  Everyone is amazed by her words.

Never seen anyone who was so greedy.  Or anyone who loved karuta more.

Cut scene: Chihaya teaching the freshmen

"Today, we're going to use this empty classroom and learn karuta together!" she says happily.
"What?"
"Isn't Mashima senpai going to teach us?" asks Sumire.
"The other sophomores are busy right now practicing for the upcoming high school competition in June. As soon as you guys understand the basics of karuta, you can join the Shiranami Society and afterwards we can all practice together."
"Is it OK for you to be here, senpai?" asks a freshman.  "Is it because you're not the strength of the karuta team that you got stuck teaching us?"
"Are you the back-up player? Though I don't really understand the rules," says another.
"I'm the TRUMP CARD!" Chihaya declares with a scary face.


Huh? Trump card?

Cut scene: back at the club room

"Well, we'll use the recordings today," says Tsutomu (no one to read).
"Sure, are we starting?" asks Meat bun.
"Well..." begins Taichi.  "Would any of you mind if I headed to the Shiranami Society to practice?  I just need to go on Tuesdays or Thursdays during the week.
Meat bun grins.  "Why are you being so polite?  Just go!"
"He finally asked!" smiles Desktomu.
"And Harada-sensei and Tsuboguchi-san are there as well," adds Meat bun.

Taichi looks at them gratefully and heads out.

"First I want Taichi to become A rank."

"I think Ayase-san has really changed," says Desktomu.  "Certainly she still does everything by winging it, that hasn't changed, but...it started since I told her that she had 20 single syllable cards."
"Has she changed?" asks Meat bun.
"I can't explain it really well," begins Desktomu, "but, you see, because she said something like that...it finally opened Taichi to start thinking about himself."

Cut scene:  during karuta freshmen training

Sumire is thinking that it's so obnoxious to have to study karuta poetry and not have Taichi there to look at.  Just as she's feeling sleepy she notices there's a guy sitting next to her.  (The only guy in the crowd).  But then she notices the "hanano wagami" card.
"Memorizing the poems is, of course, a good thing but there are better ways of memorization.  It would be faster to memorize the first few syllables of the first phrase of the poem, and the first few syllables of the second phrase of the poem."  Chihaya notices that Sumire is tearing up.
"Sumire-chan!  What's wrong?  Was it a ghost?  A bug?" she says hurriedly, handing her a box of tissue.  (TN: ...what...?)
"T-the poem..." Sumire sobs.  The "hanano" card is based on a poem about the fleeting beautify of flowers and the poet makes a comparison between the flowers (sakura) and her youth.
"It's...so true...." Sumire concludes.

Youth and beauty...always fade over time.

To not live for love...how is that possible?!

Sumire quickly excuses herself.  The other recruits also pick up on poems they really like or have some significance for them.

Chihaya remembers the words Kana once said, that the poetry and not the competition was what held the most significance for her.  If you start off loving the poetry for what it is, you will always see it as poetry in your heart.

Cut scene: Sumire at the station

She's been looking for Taichi.  (TN: stalker)

Found him!

"Mashima senpai!" she calls out.
"You are...?"
"Wow, what a coincidence.  I was heading home early because I had a headache."
"Oh, you're Sumire-chan, right?"
Oh, he called me Sumire-chan!
"What's your last name?"
"Hanano."
"Well then, Hanano-kohai," says Taichi.
"You can call me Sumire," she responds immediately.
"Do you think you can continue with the karuta club?" he asks.
"Of course I can," Sumire answers.
"Really?  That's awesome."

Wow, his voice is so beautiful!

Isn't this great?  Isn't this great?  As they step onto the train, Sumire thinks she super lucky because they seem to take the same route to and from school.  A wind of good fortune is certainly blowing my way!
"Oh, there's an empty seat," says Taichi.  "Why don't you sit down?"
"Oh no! How can I just abandon you and sit down on my own? Besides...I always think, 'What if there's someone who is even more tired than I am?' so even if there is an empty seat, I never sit down," she answers.  (TN: *throwing up a little in my mouth--I actually work with someone just like her ^_^*)

There, using my strongest feminine attack, I can win his heart, she thinks deviously.  (TN: she actually says "I can clear right through" in the Chinese translation)
"It's OK, Hanano-kohai, you're not feeling well right now," he responds.  She sits.  Other girls on the train are commenting amongst themselves how good looking Taichi looks.  Taichi is standing a little ways from her when she strikes up conversation again.
"Ma...Mashima-senpai, you seem to be admired wherever you go."
Taichi takes note of what she says.  "That again...do you think so?"
"Absolutely!" Sumire says with confidence.  "A lot of girls have confessed to you, haven't they?  You don't have to worry about getting a girlfriend."
"Ah--" Taichi sighs.  "Lately, I'm beginning to think that I understand those sorts of things more...  I keep thinking lately 'how does a guy get chosen by a girl?'  But...I want to be the one doing the choosing...and then give it my all."  Sumire stares at him, wide-eyed.

Announcer: "Bubaigawara. Bubaigawara."  (TN: Bubaigawara Station (分倍河原駅 Bubaigawara-eki?) is a railway station in Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Keio Corporation. c/o Wikipedia)


"Since you're cute, Hanano-kohai, a lot people would choose you too, wouldn't they?  Well, I'm off."

I can already feel it.  Mashima-senpai absolutely won't choose me!
No!  I have to be chosen!

Sumire's thoughts fall back on the "hanano" poem.

I absolutely don't want to be someone who would recite a poem like that! she thinks as she hops off the train and chases after him.  (TN: stalker...)

Cut scene:  Chihaya vs. 3 recruits

Caption:  Currently not caring about the winds of love, the Captain meets with no resistance as she takes all 100 cards