TN: Well, I had some spare time last night and this morning...So I thought I'd just finish vol. 8 first :-D
Chapter 47
Broadcast: "Challenger Yamamoto attacked and took 3 cards consecutively to open the 2nd Queen's match...leading us to believe that she had taken control of the direction of the game.... But, the Queen responded in kind with her speed, thus taking 6 cards consecutively in return. Blocking Yamamoto's attack, in one breath the Queen has changed the pace of the game!" (TN: the translation repeats the phrase "6段" in this arc to describe both Yumi and Keiichi, suggesting that there are distinctions of status within the A ranks. A 'level 6' player may be a high rank, I'm not certain. The word 段 means "segment" as well, so it could be referring to the number of matches, though I doubt it since this is only their 5th match overall together, and 2nd match of this tournament.)
As Taichi, Chihaya and the others are watching the Queen take cards from Yumi not even the camera is able to pick up her exact movements.
"How incredibly sharp!" remarks Taichi.
"It's like watching her unsheathe a sword!" comments Meat bun.
"It's not like that!" insists Chihaya. "It's not that horrific."
"What?"
She doesn't have that kind of attitude as if she's drawing out a sword.
Chihaya recalls the words Harada-sensei once told her when he first handed her a set of karuta cards. "Consider it as though you have one-hundred really good friends. Please get along well with them!" Chihaya starts to tear up.
Why is she crying?! thinks Desktomu.
Why is she crying?! thinks Meat bun. Taichi watches silently as Chihaya watches the match in silence.
I want to practice...
I can't sit...
I can't stand...
I want to practice right now!
I should just go with her, thinks Taichi to himself, thinking he would accompany her if she wanted to leave. That's not right. He remembers her words to him at the last competition.
"Next year, everyone in the A rank will be your enemy! Taichi, you have to go watch!"
The next card is read but Yumi takes it instead.
Broadcast: "I really thought the Queen had taken that last one as well, but it seems like she missed it entirely! Could it be that she became overconfident at the turn of events and so overcompensated with speed?"
When the telecast replays that last move in slow motion, it appears a card flying out of nowhere apparently struck Shinobu in the back, making her lose her concentration. It appears the card came from the other side of the room, where the Meijin competition is occurring at the same time.
So, the card first struck her, causing Shinobu's movements to become discordant, but that would mean...the person who sent the card flying has speed even greater than hers!! Can there really be such a person--?? (TN: meaning, if both games are being held at the same time, the Meijin took that card in his game before Shinobu did in hers)
Shinobu is incredibly annoyed, but takes a deep breath and returns her attention to her own game.
It's coming (back)! My dispersed concentration! thinks Shinobu. She stares at her opponent. Behind her, the Meijin has an even more ominous look on his face.
You're a hindrance! (TN: it's hard to decipher by the panels b/c the pictures themselves are a bit confusing, but I think Shinobu and Suoh are both thinking "礙事" which literally means, "hinder thing." So, you can interpret that as saying something more rude, like "Troublesome thing. Get out of my way.")
Caption: The strongest momentum attack!
Broadcast: "And so, it's over! It's over! Wakamiya Shinobu keeps her consecutive title of karuta Queen!"
The 20+ Midorikita karuta group cheering squad goes into despair, as does Meat bun.
Broadcast: "The second match resulted in a loss by 13 cards. Only 16 years old, and her attack is just that overwhelming. Only time will tell how much stronger she will evolve---"
Cut scene: Yumi in the preparation room
There were even 20+ group members from Tokyo who came here to cheer me on...Even though they knew the chances of winning were slim, they still believed in victory-- (they even had strategy meetings)
But all they had to do was open their eyes to see the vast disparity! Yumi thinks angrily. She's too fast, there's no way to even debate that! (TN: I could have told you that...wait, I did!)
No matter how I try to change my situation...! Yumi breaks down and cries into her hands. But then she stops and opens the sliding door to the adjacent hall. Her mentor and the 20+ cheering squad were all listening at the door, apparently checking on her to see if she was OK.
Sensei...
Yumi bows in front of Kitano and says, "I would like to come here again...I hope you will continue to guide me." (TN: masochist...?)
Cut scene: Shinobu's victory circle
Shinobu is smiling happily as the cameras take her picture. When the broadcasters praise her tactics, she plays humble and says, "What attack strength? I still have so far to go." When they ask how it was to play the former Queen as a challenger twice now, and Shinobu reveals she had no recollection of ever playing Yumi in the first place.
"Ah! That chick doesn't even remember playing Yumi last year!" cries out Meat bun.
"It was a real eye-opener," Shinobu responds to the questions. "It has helped me understand how immature I still am."
Not yet...thinks Chihaya as she watches sullenly. Not yet... I'm still not like Shinobu...or like Kana-chan...to have developed that kind of connection to the cards.
"Taichi? Do you have karuta cards?" she asks immediately. Taichi chooses to ignore her. He hears her, but there is something more important he must attend to. Meat bun throws a pillow at her and tells her not to be such a thoughtless idiot.
"Don't think just because the Queen's match is over that the broadcast is over as well! You've got to be kidding!" cries Meat bun. "For us guys, what comes next is the main event!"
"This is the only time of the year any of us can watch the Meijin Suoh Hisashi play!" insists Meat bun. In fact, everyone who wants to topple him is glued to their screens.
Inset art: A formidable foe
Cut scene: the Meijin duel
Suoh-san is annoyed that the NHK only started broadcasting his match with the remaining time from the Queen's tournament.
Broadcast: "The Meijin lost by 5 cards in the first match. But in the second match he dominated with a difference of 15 cards. That's curious. The result of his matches reflect the Queen's matches exactly."
He's so lax, thinks Shinobu. (TN: the translation indicates she thinks, 差劲的兴趣, which means "poor interest." This suggests that Suoh lost on purpose to make it interesting or, he's just really that careless and he's barely taking his opponent seriously.)
Broadcast: "Well then, let's introduce the players for the Meijin match. The challenger is the High German Court College's karuta group member, Keiichi Takesaku-san, level 6. On the one hand, he is a government employee, working for the chiropractic ministry, and on the other hand, he hones his karuta skills in his college karuta group. This year, he finally made it to this seat, his desire bringing him to the Meijin competition."
(TN: This part was hard. The translation says 西国老家担任府骨师, which means "seifu" or government "home parliament chiropractor" -- what does that mean?? Either he is learning to be a chiropractor for the government, or he works for the chiropractor's union/ministry in the government? Lol, whatever. Something to do with chiropractors and government)
I've had enough, the challenger Keiichi-san thinks. I just want to go home and get a massage.
Broadcast: "Hopefully he will be able to counter-attack in this third match."
Wishful thinking after wishful thinking... after doing my best...but I might actually...
I might actually hate karuta now.
Broadcast: "And receiving the challenger is the Meijin for the 3rd consecutive year, Suoh Hisashi-san. According to the pre-game introduction, we know he is sure to stay yet another year in University. Oh, that is really too bad."
Held back a year?? thinks Chihaya
Ah-- thinks Meat bun in shock.
"It must be because he's handsome that people can put the disgrace aside and feel sorry for him," comments Kana-chan. Those watching in Arata's karuta club are wondering if that's something that should be broadcast and if he's in his 6th or 7th year now. Taichi thinks back when he first met Suoh, and the Meijin offered him a pastry snack.
Are you in the A rank?
Then, none for you.
"Ayase!" says Meat bun. "The Meijin is certainly someone of note for the rest of us (guys), but it's important that you should take note of him too.
"Huh?"
"You might be thinking you need to learn Shinobu Wakamiya's technique in order to beat her, but it might be faster for you to learn Suoh's technique." Chihaya looks at him in wonder. Desktomu get's an epiphany and pulls out a pen and pad and starts taking notes.
Cut scene: back at the match
Suoh notices who will be the one to read during the 3rd match. He exudes loving thoughts towards the older woman, 山場今日子 (Yamshiro? Kyoko-san)
I love you!! he thinks, blushing.
She picks up on it, and it gives her the chills... -_-; She reads the opening poem, and everyone watching the broadcast tenses.
But even before she is done reading the first syllable of the first card, Suoh's hand has already claimed it effortlessly. Everyone watching, and especially Keiichi his opponent, are wide-eyed in shock.
Broadcast: "Did everyone see that?! For the 2 syllable card, "kaku," the Meijin's hand already reached out at the first syllable. The one syllable cards have "mu," "su," "me," "fu," "sa," "ho," and "se," these 7 in total. But during the introduction interview, the Meijin responded that according to him, there are 28."
(TN: meaning, there are 28 cards that Suoh can distinguish as if distinguishing a single syllable card, the easiest cards to take. Therefore his ability makes taking these particular cards like second nature to him.)
---End Chapter---
Showing posts with label volume 8. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volume 8. Show all posts
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Chihayafuru Manga Synopsis: Vol. 8.4 (Chapter 45)
TN: Man, I have been waiting to translate this chapter for a long time. It makes me think that Chihaya is really in love with Arata, but just doesn't know it yet. She is a clueless girl when it comes to anything not karuta. This really is turning out to be a "josei" as opposed to "shoujo" genre, even though the mangaka won a shoujo award for Chihayafuru.
Chapter 45
Scene: Mizusawa High, Karuta Club meeting room
Meat bun-kun and Kana-chan bow and mutually exchange thanks after their practice duel. Lost by 14 cards, thinks Kana. Meat bun-kun is really strong.... She notices that Taichi and Chihaya are still dueling. Taichi is down by one as he has 7 cards left and Chihaya, 6. They are both intensely dueling as Desktomu-kun reads the next card. Meat bun and Kana watch in surprise as Chihaya takes the next card but Taichi was close.
Damn! How unfortunate! Taichi thinks.
That was close! thinks Chihaya. Taichi's style has become really keen. He's not easy going at all.
As Meat bun and Kana leave the room, he comments that he feels those two have changed since the last competition, their auras have become quite alarming--not just Chihaya but also Taichi.
"Meat bun-kun, at the East West Conference, our karuta society celebrated Yumi-san's win as if it were our own, and joined in her happiness. It must have been the exact opposite at the Shiranami Society. Even if they themselves were not the ones defeated, Chihaya and Mashima-kun must have felt dissatisfied. And so, they want to become stronger."
Cut scene: Chihaya and Taichi completing their match
Not satisfied!
I can't accept it!
Caption: "It's good that we felt dissatisfied that day" -- is a phrase I hope we can say with a smile someday in the future.
Cut scene: Chihaya's homeroom, the students are checking their report cards
"Chi-chan!" says her friend, Michiru. (TN: I'm not sure about that name, but I vaguely recall reading Sailor Moon in Chinese, and Sailor Neptune's name was also 満. So, Michiru it is!) "I'm worried about you!"
"Michi-chan, it's not a big deal!" she exclaims. "The second semester I've risen to 290th (in rank)! I'm working my way up!" Chihaya waves the report card in her friend's face.
"I'm not talking about school," says her friend. "Chi-chan, you're so passionate about karuta! But is that really a good thing?"
"I don't understand what you're trying to say..." Chihaya says honestly. Michiru exclaims that she wants her to broaden her horizons and hands her a flier. First year, class 2 is hosting a party for Christmas Eve.
"You don't have any plans anyway," insists Michiru.
"I do!" Chihaya insists. "I'm gonna practice karuta!"
"OK everyone!" Michiru announces to the class. "Ayase Chihaya will participate!"
Cut scene: the karuta club door; a sign that reads, "New members are VERY welcome"
Taichi comments that his class is also planning a function that night, though he doesn't want to go. Kana-chan says class 6 is going to put together a hot pot dinner. Meat bun-kun says his class is planning a bowling night. Everyone goes silent.
"So I guess, we'll take a break from karuta on the 24th."
Cut scene: during Class 2's get-together
Everyone is stunned at how stylish Chihaya looks (100% donated from her sister's wardrobe).
"Ayase-san, your outfit is cute! Super cute!
"Can I take a picture?"
"It's so lucky that I decided to come!"
Chihaya is embarrassed by all the praises.
"You're so cute!"
"Your legs are so long!"
"You're so cute!"
"Your face is so small!"
"Come join us inside!"
She makes a dash for Tsutomu-kun, and the other guys are a little annoyed. "Desktomu-kun! Let me sit with you!"
"That would defeat the purpose!" he says as he pushes her far away. "Go away!" (TN: Cold, Tsutomu...really cold). And so, Chihaya is forced to sit with other classmates.
"Ayase-san, I hear your sister's a model? You don't have those kinds of aspirations to try it too, do you?"
"I never really thought about it...." Chihaya responds truthfully.
"That's too bad," says another (male) classmate. She proceeds to stuff her face (TN: to avoid talking?).
"But you're really hard working at karuta," comments another (male) classmate. "Certainly the club is small and unnoticeable, but every time I see the karuta club I can't help but think you're all doing your best. I'm a member of the rock climbing club myself."
"The rock climbing club has it's own speed competitions, they're always practicing in the courtyard," chimes in another.
"That sounds really fun," says Chihaya.
"It's not fun at all! And, it turns you into a monster."
"Speaking of monster, isn't this guy the only male member of the ceremonial tea club?"
"Come on! Don't say stuff like that now! The ceremonial tea club is really cool. And you learn how to make all sorts of desserts, it's really interesting!"
"Right, right."
"We should've invited the Empress so she could treat us!"
"Impossible! We'd be the ones to end up treating her!" Everyone laughs. Chihaya smiles at the lively scene.
Cut scene: Kana instructing her classmates the order in which the ingredients for hot pot should be boiled in order to get the optimum flavor.
Cut scene: Meat bun-kun making a perfect bowling strike.
Cut scene: Taichi looking incredibly bored since the female students of his class tricked him into coming to their karaoke party, but he's the only guy invited. Liars!
Cut scene: back at class 2's party
Everyone toasts cheers for the 5th time. Tsutomu tells Chihaya with a blush that he talked a lot to a girl for the first time. Even though she was mainly asking about Taichi, he really enjoyed it.
"That's awesome!" Chihaya cheers.
"Ayase-san, you look surprisingly happy too."
"I know we're all in the same grade, same class, but there are so many people I've never spoken to.... But if the club members were here, that would be even better!" she smiles. Her team members are all probably thinking the same thing.
"I've read about this in a book once," Tsutomu comments. "To think 'if only they were here, that would be great' about someone, really means that person is 'family' to you. It has nothing to do with dating or the depth or shallowness of the relationship."
If only you were here.
Cut scene: the members of class 2 leaving the restaurant
"OK, stage 2! Those who want to go to karaoke--"
"It's Christmas Eve, so it might be really crowded."
In the background: Hahahahahaha!
Chihaya steps aside on the sidewalk and dials a number on her phone. Riiiiing. Riiiiiiing. Riiiiiiing~
Someone picks up.
"Hello? This is Wataya."
Chihaya stands alone, silent and staring at the sky. In the background, her friend calls out, "Chi-chan! Let's go!"
"....? Who is this?"
Chihaya is unable to answer.
"....Chihaya?"
A blush rises to her face.
Cut scene: Arata's karuta society members partying like it's 1999... (TN: I just aged myself again, didn't I....)
"I'm...I'm sorry! I'm at the Nagumo Society's Christmas Eve party," Arata says hastily. He turns around and scolds, "You guys are so loud!!"
"Ah, sensei's doing his belly dance," someone in the background says. Arata goes somewhere quieter.
"It's Chihaya, right?
Split scene: Arata and Chihaya on their cell phones
"Chihaya?" he asks again. Chihaya thinks of a karuta card where the poet is distanced from his loved ones, and compares the vastness of the 'heaven's river' (Milky Way) to their separation.
Chihaya finally speaks. "Arata." Chihaya thinks back during one of Kana's "lessons" about this particular poem.
Magpies used their wings to build a bridge, so that the Star Weaver Girl and the Ox Herder could meet again over the Silver River (Milky Way). When you read the words "ferry" and "bridge" together, it means "to meet." In the background: "Chihaya, hurry!" calls out Michiru.
"Arata, cell phones are really the best--just like magpies."
"...?"
"To hear your voice is really the greatest! See you again!" CLICK.
"Ah--!" Arata is unable to get a word in before she hangs up. "....Magpies?" he wonders.
Cut scene: Taichi's house
Caption: The new year, the second Saturday of January, the Meijin and Queen competitions will take place at Omi Jingu. We would be watching it as it broadcasts through satellite programming.
Taichi stares at her on his front porch. "Hah? So...why are you here at my house?"
"Of course it's because your house has a 60 in. TV!!" Chihaya says, exasperated. "Of course I could watch it at the Shiranami Society with Harada-sensei and the others, but Kana-chan, Desktomu-kun, and Meat bun-kun aren't with the Shiranami Society and Kitano-sensei would put up a such a ruckus if he found out (once Harada-sensei looks after them).
"That I understand, but right now...."
"I'm sorry for the intrusion!" apologizes Chihaya. But what Taichi meant is that his mother was home.
"Oh, Chihaya," says his mom. "Come over to play? I haven't seen you in a while." Chihaya freezes in shock. (TN: Goodness, girl why don't you ever think ahead?)
"Well, I thought my play was scheduled for the afternoon, but it's actually for this evening. But, since you're here, it's a good thing I'm home." (TN: total double meaning here... -_-;)
"Ah! N-no..." Chihaya stammers, leaning against the door in fright. "I was just leaving...."
"Why is that?" his mom asks with an evil glare. (TN:Ah! I'm scared!) "Since you've come inside, why don't you take your time and play? It must have been because of your influence that Taichi's joined the whatever karuta club at school," she says menacingly. Chihaya does a pose comparable to Edvard Munch's "The Scream" painting.
Chihaya and Taichi are sitting at the dining room table but Chihaya can't sit still and her tea cup is shaking uncontrollably. She's mumbling, "She hates me. She hates me. She hates me," over and over, as well as, "She's looking this way! She's looking this way! She's looking this way!" Taichi eventually invites her upstairs to his room. Even though his room is 'small' it also has a TV. With his mom present, there's no way any of them could comfortably watch the tournament.
She remembers what he said once about going to his room. "Don't casually invite yourself to a guy's room. I wouldn't casually invite myself to your room."
Caption: This is a strange feeling...like my heart's beating fast...IT'S BEATING REALLY FAST!! Chihaya can feel Taichi's mom's wrath behind her. (TN: I think I saw this in a horror movie once!)
Cut scene: Taichi's room
"Ah! It hasn't really changed," exclaims Chihaya.
"Why would it change?" asks Taichi.
"I haven't been here since elementary school."
"Originally, I thought your room was big, but somehow it seemed bigger before."
"Naturally, since you've gotten bigger!"
"There were a lot of toys and models before." As Chihaya reminisces about his room in the past, she sits down on the bed, which makes Taichi a bit uncomfortable.
"What wrong?" she asks.
".... Nothing," he responds.
"No, seriously, what's wrong?" she insists.
"Well...when you're in my room, I feel--" he starts. Suddenly his mother interrupts them. She is pissed.
"It's only proper to keep the door open....The rest of your friends are here."
"Yes," responds Taichi immediately.
"Of course," responds Chihaya in kind.
The gang comes into Taichi's room and they are in awe. Meat bun-kun comments that Taichi has described the TV in his room as small, as he touches the screen with both arms out, but if this is small, what does that make the rest of the TV's in ordinary folks' homes? Desktomu-kun says his house still has an analog TV.
Cut scene: Taichi in the kitchen with his mom as he fixes refreshments for the others
"I always thought this before, but your karuta club members are really an unsightly bunch," she sneers. "Isn't it a bit of a stretch for you to be associating with them, Taichi?" He turns around to leave, saying nothing.
"How much longer are you going to play this karuta thing?" she calls out after him.
Cut scene: back in Taichi's room
"Has it started?" he asks.
"Not yet," says Meat bun-kun.
"Ah, Mashima-kun, we've troubled you," thanks Kana-chan taking the tray from him.
"Oh, the program is starting!"
Taichi notices that Chihaya is now sitting on the floor in front of the TV.
Go for it, Yumi! thinks Meat bun. The TV announcer introduces the programming to the audience.
Caption: Our dream...the world of karuta's highest competition! To go head to head with the Queen of karuta...Shinobu's karuta!
(TN: BAM! Apparently, no one told her she didn't have the eat ALL of the ice cream just to mail in the proofs of purchase....She is sportin' that fancy Snow-Snow hair clip, so maybe no one will notice the pounds she's packed on?)
Needless to say, everyone is in shock by Shinobu's appearance.
---End Chapter---
TN: Yeah, I was totally doing the forehead smack when I first read the interaction between Arata and Chihaya in this volume. But there is another layer to interpret here.
For those who didn't know, the story of the Ox Herder and Star Weaver Girl is a love story. Because she was an angel and he a human, the Emperor of Heaven thought to separate them permanently. The Star Weaver Girl was transformed into a star, and the Ox Herder chased after her, and also turned into a star, but as such they could never meet again.
Once a year, you can see them with the Milky Way in between, and the story goes that a goddess took pity on the lovers and sent magpies to form a bridge between them so they could meet. This day is also known as the Magpie Festival or The Festival of Sevens (b/c it falls on the 7th day of the 7th lunar moon in the Chinese calendar). That is why, during a certain season, there is a period when no magpies can be found b/c they are all committed to their yearly duty. The celebration of "Tanabata" in Japan is modeled after the Magpie Festival.
--end of folk tale lesson--
So, combined with what Chihaya was thinking beforehand, "There's so much I want to say to you" and "If only you were here," the magpie reference about two lovers who can only see one another sparingly is almost like...a love confession...??!! LOL, Chihaya, your cluelessness is astounding.
BUT, one thing I can say for sure, if she marries Arata, she'll never have mother-in-law issues.... (Arata's an only child and his mom always wanted a daughter...Taichi's mom freaks me out a bit....) X-[
Chapter 45
Scene: Mizusawa High, Karuta Club meeting room
Meat bun-kun and Kana-chan bow and mutually exchange thanks after their practice duel. Lost by 14 cards, thinks Kana. Meat bun-kun is really strong.... She notices that Taichi and Chihaya are still dueling. Taichi is down by one as he has 7 cards left and Chihaya, 6. They are both intensely dueling as Desktomu-kun reads the next card. Meat bun and Kana watch in surprise as Chihaya takes the next card but Taichi was close.
Damn! How unfortunate! Taichi thinks.
That was close! thinks Chihaya. Taichi's style has become really keen. He's not easy going at all.
As Meat bun and Kana leave the room, he comments that he feels those two have changed since the last competition, their auras have become quite alarming--not just Chihaya but also Taichi.
"Meat bun-kun, at the East West Conference, our karuta society celebrated Yumi-san's win as if it were our own, and joined in her happiness. It must have been the exact opposite at the Shiranami Society. Even if they themselves were not the ones defeated, Chihaya and Mashima-kun must have felt dissatisfied. And so, they want to become stronger."
Cut scene: Chihaya and Taichi completing their match
Not satisfied!
I can't accept it!
Caption: "It's good that we felt dissatisfied that day" -- is a phrase I hope we can say with a smile someday in the future.
Cut scene: Chihaya's homeroom, the students are checking their report cards
"Chi-chan!" says her friend, Michiru. (TN: I'm not sure about that name, but I vaguely recall reading Sailor Moon in Chinese, and Sailor Neptune's name was also 満. So, Michiru it is!) "I'm worried about you!"
"Michi-chan, it's not a big deal!" she exclaims. "The second semester I've risen to 290th (in rank)! I'm working my way up!" Chihaya waves the report card in her friend's face.
"I'm not talking about school," says her friend. "Chi-chan, you're so passionate about karuta! But is that really a good thing?"
"I don't understand what you're trying to say..." Chihaya says honestly. Michiru exclaims that she wants her to broaden her horizons and hands her a flier. First year, class 2 is hosting a party for Christmas Eve.
"You don't have any plans anyway," insists Michiru.
"I do!" Chihaya insists. "I'm gonna practice karuta!"
"OK everyone!" Michiru announces to the class. "Ayase Chihaya will participate!"
Cut scene: the karuta club door; a sign that reads, "New members are VERY welcome"
Taichi comments that his class is also planning a function that night, though he doesn't want to go. Kana-chan says class 6 is going to put together a hot pot dinner. Meat bun-kun says his class is planning a bowling night. Everyone goes silent.
"So I guess, we'll take a break from karuta on the 24th."
Cut scene: during Class 2's get-together
Everyone is stunned at how stylish Chihaya looks (100% donated from her sister's wardrobe).
"Ayase-san, your outfit is cute! Super cute!
"Can I take a picture?"
"It's so lucky that I decided to come!"
Chihaya is embarrassed by all the praises.
"You're so cute!"
"Your legs are so long!"
"You're so cute!"
"Your face is so small!"
"Come join us inside!"
She makes a dash for Tsutomu-kun, and the other guys are a little annoyed. "Desktomu-kun! Let me sit with you!"
"That would defeat the purpose!" he says as he pushes her far away. "Go away!" (TN: Cold, Tsutomu...really cold). And so, Chihaya is forced to sit with other classmates.
"Ayase-san, I hear your sister's a model? You don't have those kinds of aspirations to try it too, do you?"
"I never really thought about it...." Chihaya responds truthfully.
"That's too bad," says another (male) classmate. She proceeds to stuff her face (TN: to avoid talking?).
"But you're really hard working at karuta," comments another (male) classmate. "Certainly the club is small and unnoticeable, but every time I see the karuta club I can't help but think you're all doing your best. I'm a member of the rock climbing club myself."
"The rock climbing club has it's own speed competitions, they're always practicing in the courtyard," chimes in another.
"That sounds really fun," says Chihaya.
"It's not fun at all! And, it turns you into a monster."
"Speaking of monster, isn't this guy the only male member of the ceremonial tea club?"
"Come on! Don't say stuff like that now! The ceremonial tea club is really cool. And you learn how to make all sorts of desserts, it's really interesting!"
"Right, right."
"We should've invited the Empress so she could treat us!"
"Impossible! We'd be the ones to end up treating her!" Everyone laughs. Chihaya smiles at the lively scene.
Cut scene: Kana instructing her classmates the order in which the ingredients for hot pot should be boiled in order to get the optimum flavor.
Cut scene: Meat bun-kun making a perfect bowling strike.
Cut scene: Taichi looking incredibly bored since the female students of his class tricked him into coming to their karaoke party, but he's the only guy invited. Liars!
Cut scene: back at class 2's party
Everyone toasts cheers for the 5th time. Tsutomu tells Chihaya with a blush that he talked a lot to a girl for the first time. Even though she was mainly asking about Taichi, he really enjoyed it.
"That's awesome!" Chihaya cheers.
"Ayase-san, you look surprisingly happy too."
"I know we're all in the same grade, same class, but there are so many people I've never spoken to.... But if the club members were here, that would be even better!" she smiles. Her team members are all probably thinking the same thing.
"I've read about this in a book once," Tsutomu comments. "To think 'if only they were here, that would be great' about someone, really means that person is 'family' to you. It has nothing to do with dating or the depth or shallowness of the relationship."
If only you were here.
Cut scene: the members of class 2 leaving the restaurant
"OK, stage 2! Those who want to go to karaoke--"
"It's Christmas Eve, so it might be really crowded."
In the background: Hahahahahaha!
Chihaya steps aside on the sidewalk and dials a number on her phone. Riiiiing. Riiiiiiing. Riiiiiiing~
Someone picks up.
"Hello? This is Wataya."
Chihaya stands alone, silent and staring at the sky. In the background, her friend calls out, "Chi-chan! Let's go!"
"....? Who is this?"
Chihaya is unable to answer.
"....Chihaya?"
A blush rises to her face.
Cut scene: Arata's karuta society members partying like it's 1999... (TN: I just aged myself again, didn't I....)
"I'm...I'm sorry! I'm at the Nagumo Society's Christmas Eve party," Arata says hastily. He turns around and scolds, "You guys are so loud!!"
"Ah, sensei's doing his belly dance," someone in the background says. Arata goes somewhere quieter.
"It's Chihaya, right?
Split scene: Arata and Chihaya on their cell phones
"Chihaya?" he asks again. Chihaya thinks of a karuta card where the poet is distanced from his loved ones, and compares the vastness of the 'heaven's river' (Milky Way) to their separation.
Chihaya finally speaks. "Arata." Chihaya thinks back during one of Kana's "lessons" about this particular poem.
Magpies used their wings to build a bridge, so that the Star Weaver Girl and the Ox Herder could meet again over the Silver River (Milky Way). When you read the words "ferry" and "bridge" together, it means "to meet." In the background: "Chihaya, hurry!" calls out Michiru.
"Arata, cell phones are really the best--just like magpies."
"...?"
"To hear your voice is really the greatest! See you again!" CLICK.
"Ah--!" Arata is unable to get a word in before she hangs up. "....Magpies?" he wonders.
Cut scene: Taichi's house
Caption: The new year, the second Saturday of January, the Meijin and Queen competitions will take place at Omi Jingu. We would be watching it as it broadcasts through satellite programming.
Taichi stares at her on his front porch. "Hah? So...why are you here at my house?"
"Of course it's because your house has a 60 in. TV!!" Chihaya says, exasperated. "Of course I could watch it at the Shiranami Society with Harada-sensei and the others, but Kana-chan, Desktomu-kun, and Meat bun-kun aren't with the Shiranami Society and Kitano-sensei would put up a such a ruckus if he found out (once Harada-sensei looks after them).
"That I understand, but right now...."
"I'm sorry for the intrusion!" apologizes Chihaya. But what Taichi meant is that his mother was home.
"Oh, Chihaya," says his mom. "Come over to play? I haven't seen you in a while." Chihaya freezes in shock. (TN: Goodness, girl why don't you ever think ahead?)
"Well, I thought my play was scheduled for the afternoon, but it's actually for this evening. But, since you're here, it's a good thing I'm home." (TN: total double meaning here... -_-;)
"Ah! N-no..." Chihaya stammers, leaning against the door in fright. "I was just leaving...."
"Why is that?" his mom asks with an evil glare. (TN:Ah! I'm scared!) "Since you've come inside, why don't you take your time and play? It must have been because of your influence that Taichi's joined the whatever karuta club at school," she says menacingly. Chihaya does a pose comparable to Edvard Munch's "The Scream" painting.
Chihaya and Taichi are sitting at the dining room table but Chihaya can't sit still and her tea cup is shaking uncontrollably. She's mumbling, "She hates me. She hates me. She hates me," over and over, as well as, "She's looking this way! She's looking this way! She's looking this way!" Taichi eventually invites her upstairs to his room. Even though his room is 'small' it also has a TV. With his mom present, there's no way any of them could comfortably watch the tournament.
She remembers what he said once about going to his room. "Don't casually invite yourself to a guy's room. I wouldn't casually invite myself to your room."
Caption: This is a strange feeling...like my heart's beating fast...IT'S BEATING REALLY FAST!! Chihaya can feel Taichi's mom's wrath behind her. (TN: I think I saw this in a horror movie once!)
Cut scene: Taichi's room
"Ah! It hasn't really changed," exclaims Chihaya.
"Why would it change?" asks Taichi.
"I haven't been here since elementary school."
"Originally, I thought your room was big, but somehow it seemed bigger before."
"Naturally, since you've gotten bigger!"
"There were a lot of toys and models before." As Chihaya reminisces about his room in the past, she sits down on the bed, which makes Taichi a bit uncomfortable.
"What wrong?" she asks.
".... Nothing," he responds.
"No, seriously, what's wrong?" she insists.
"Well...when you're in my room, I feel--" he starts. Suddenly his mother interrupts them. She is pissed.
"It's only proper to keep the door open....The rest of your friends are here."
"Yes," responds Taichi immediately.
"Of course," responds Chihaya in kind.
The gang comes into Taichi's room and they are in awe. Meat bun-kun comments that Taichi has described the TV in his room as small, as he touches the screen with both arms out, but if this is small, what does that make the rest of the TV's in ordinary folks' homes? Desktomu-kun says his house still has an analog TV.
Cut scene: Taichi in the kitchen with his mom as he fixes refreshments for the others
"I always thought this before, but your karuta club members are really an unsightly bunch," she sneers. "Isn't it a bit of a stretch for you to be associating with them, Taichi?" He turns around to leave, saying nothing.
"How much longer are you going to play this karuta thing?" she calls out after him.
Cut scene: back in Taichi's room
"Has it started?" he asks.
"Not yet," says Meat bun-kun.
"Ah, Mashima-kun, we've troubled you," thanks Kana-chan taking the tray from him.
"Oh, the program is starting!"
Taichi notices that Chihaya is now sitting on the floor in front of the TV.
Go for it, Yumi! thinks Meat bun. The TV announcer introduces the programming to the audience.
Caption: Our dream...the world of karuta's highest competition! To go head to head with the Queen of karuta...Shinobu's karuta!
(TN: BAM! Apparently, no one told her she didn't have the eat ALL of the ice cream just to mail in the proofs of purchase....She is sportin' that fancy Snow-Snow hair clip, so maybe no one will notice the pounds she's packed on?)
Needless to say, everyone is in shock by Shinobu's appearance.
---End Chapter---
TN: Yeah, I was totally doing the forehead smack when I first read the interaction between Arata and Chihaya in this volume. But there is another layer to interpret here.
For those who didn't know, the story of the Ox Herder and Star Weaver Girl is a love story. Because she was an angel and he a human, the Emperor of Heaven thought to separate them permanently. The Star Weaver Girl was transformed into a star, and the Ox Herder chased after her, and also turned into a star, but as such they could never meet again.
Once a year, you can see them with the Milky Way in between, and the story goes that a goddess took pity on the lovers and sent magpies to form a bridge between them so they could meet. This day is also known as the Magpie Festival or The Festival of Sevens (b/c it falls on the 7th day of the 7th lunar moon in the Chinese calendar). That is why, during a certain season, there is a period when no magpies can be found b/c they are all committed to their yearly duty. The celebration of "Tanabata" in Japan is modeled after the Magpie Festival.
--end of folk tale lesson--
So, combined with what Chihaya was thinking beforehand, "There's so much I want to say to you" and "If only you were here," the magpie reference about two lovers who can only see one another sparingly is almost like...a love confession...??!! LOL, Chihaya, your cluelessness is astounding.
BUT, one thing I can say for sure, if she marries Arata, she'll never have mother-in-law issues.... (Arata's an only child and his mom always wanted a daughter...Taichi's mom freaks me out a bit....) X-[
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Chihayafuru Manga Synopsis: Vol. 8.3 (Chapter 44)
Chapter 44
TN: <GASP> Goofy looking guy asking Chihaya out? Blech.
"So...um...I see you every morning at the station, Ayase-san. I always think, "Wow, she's really cute!" If it's OK with you, why don't we go out?" (TN: Get in line, buddy!)
Chihaya: ..... <too shocked to speak>
Cut scene: back at the club room
"YOU SHOULD HAVE TURNED HIM DOWN ON THE SPOT!!"
"But Kana-chan, how can you be so quick to make that decision?" asked Chihaya, confused.
"Of course!" responds Kana matter-of-factly. "He's just someone who pays attention to outer appearances and doesn't know the first thing about you."
"But! BUT!!" Chihaya interjects. "This is the first time someone has told me 'Let's go out.' If I make a misstep here, this may be the very last time anyone says that to me for the rest of my life!"
"A noob at first confessions?" asks Meat bun (TN: eating a meatbun...cannibalism?). "She really is a 'wasted' beauty."
"Well, ever since I got to know her, I haven't considered her beautiful," says Desktomu honestly. (Although in the beginning, he did)
"I get the feeling that people at our school don't like her because Mashima-kun is always by her side, that's definitely a huge factor," says Kana.
"What? Why?" ask Destomu and Meat bun at the same time. (TN: apparently they haven't noticed Taichi is gorgeous)
"Isn't it great?" asks Taichi without looking up from his seat at a table. "You should go out with him," he adds casually.
"Taichi..." says Chihaya.
"If you don't experience it for yourself you won't know," he concludes, "that it absolutely won't work out. Going out with someone who is totally unaware that you play competitive karuta will only end in disaster." Chihaya is shocked by his words.
"Is...is that so?" she asks. "But there are so many missed calls from him already."
"YOU GAVE HIM YOUR CELL NUMBER?" demands Kana. "You have to tell him you refuse!" Before she can continue, Taichi snatches the phone away from Chihaya and hastily texts something and sends it.
"I've sent a refusal for you," he says calmly.
"Eh?"
"Starting tomorrow you're going to get up early and start taking the same train with me to school," he concludes. Kana blushes at his words (understanding their meaning). His words remind her of a pair of poems written in 960 A.D. Ancient poems about quiet love that could no longer be hidden. (TN: the Chinese version says "隱藏不住的暗恋和歌," literally "hidden no longer quiet love poem," so I think my translation is accurate to a degree)
In the background, Meat bun-kun says he's never had to screen his calls before and Tsutomu says neither has he. Certainly, our dopey team members don't get it, but I understand, President! Kana-chan thinks enthusiastically. (TN: here, Kana says "糊塗蛋" to describe her teammates. These words together can mean "dopey." Literally, they mean "paste," "smudge" and "egg" but it could also translate to "paste for brains" (Nishida) "smudge for brains" (Tsutomu) and "egg for brains/idiot" (Chihaya). See for yourself. Kana is pretty harsh -_-;)
Chihaya checks her address list on her cell phone (which is pathetically small), but focuses on the two last entries, "Wataya Arata: cell" and "Wataya Arata: home."
I can't communicate with him...even though Taichi went out of his way to give his contact information to me....But Arata lost in the 4th round of the Western Conference...
Arata...how is he feeling right now? How much regret is he feeling?
There are too many things I want to say to him.
Cut scene: Arata giving out a dark vibe in class
Other classmates go to his neighbor, Yu, who is also apparently in his class.
"Yu-chan, did something happen?"
"Why has Arata-kun been making that sort of face lately?"
"Arata!" says Yu, going up to him. "Was the Western Conference that dissatisfying? It's the first time you entered and you still ended up in the top 8. Isn't that good? And now you have a rest period. You just have to do better next year..." Yu stops as she realizes her words are falling on deaf ears. Arata is steadily playing karuta in his head, apparently not listening to a word she says. He is reliving the cards of his last match and is very far away...
Cut scene: Arata riding his bike home
It's not enough!
Practicing...
Doing my best...
Making spare time...
I can't be away from it! Not even for one day!
I can't be away from karuta!
Cut scene: Arata practicing at the Nagumo Society
He exchanges bows and thanks to his opponent. He recalls his opponent who beat him at the Western Conference, (Takesaka/Takesaku?)-san, who will go on to compete against the (male) champion of the Eastern Conference. Certainly, his wasn't a highly sophisticated form of karuta but he's won 4 titles just this year. And, he had the stamina to go through all 6 levels of the Western Conference to win.
Every duel should be taken seriously. I should treat practice as if it were a real competition, and feel the real stress of competition. Even if it's just practice, I have to earnestly compete.
The practice coordinator calls out to Arata and says his 3rd round sparring partner is...a C rank little boy...
The little boy is shocked and claims Arata-nii san is too scary to duel with. Arata duels him seriously and the whole time the kid is crying out, "Scary!"
The other society members are talking about how Murao never comes to practice anymore. No one has seen or heard from him since the November competition. Their other top player is busy trying to graduate (from college) so he hasn't been practicing either. There are certainly not enough skilled players to duel with Arata.
Arata thinks back at what Mr. Murao told him. Listen, just do your best and that's it.
Cut scene: At the Murao residence
Murao comes home to a lively atmosphere. Arata is apparently being force fed by his family's hospitality (heaping bowl of rice) as they sit around the tonkatsu and have hot pot. His mom berates him for being so late, since Arata has waited for a while.
"Good...good evening!" Arata says as Murao's little brothers try to force feed him meatballs and shrimp.
Cut scene: Arata and Murao outside after dinner
"Sorry!" says Arata. "I took advantage of your family's hospitality and even stayed for dinner."
"Don't be. I can probably guess what happened. Every family is alike, and my mother's the same way. She'll invite anyone inside, so..."
After a brief silence, Murao asks, "Was there something you needed? You probably came to tell me to practice, right?"
"...Right..." responds Arata.
"That's not like you to be such a damn busy body," comments Murao. "Aren't you the last person to be telling me that, since you gave up karuta for an entire year and a half?"
Murao turns to go back inside. "I'm sorry...and it's at a time when you need to practice to be strong, but I can't be your sparring partner. Say hello for me to those at the Nagumo Society, will you?"
"I really..." Arata begins, trying to find the words. "I really regret...."
Murao stares at him.
"I really regret running from karuta...at that time.... We just can't be apart from karuta for too long, Murao-san!" he exclaims. "Becoming Meijin is my goal," he says steadily.
Murao looks at him in wonder and then starts to get the chills. He tells Arata that that way of thinking is quite scary, to want to be Meijin and nothing else. He sighs.
"Arata, I have no way of going back to living by that mentality...but if you want a dueling partner to play with, you can come find me. Good night."
It's not like you to be such a busybody.... Arata thinks back to when Chihaya and Taichi came to see him in Fukui. (TN: perhaps they've rubbed off on him...) Murao watches him leave from the upstairs window.
I will come visit again...
Cut scene: November
Caption: At the Tokyo Karuta Commemorative Society Center, East meets West as the respective champions gather to duel to decide who will be the ones to challenge the current Meijin and Queen.
"You seem really happy, Kana-chan," Chihaya remarks as they make their way into the center.
"Because! Because! I finally get to see a match where the competitors are wearing traditional clothing!"
"Yeah," says Chihaya, her thoughts turning to those they are going to watch.
Caption: Wearing traditional Japanese clothing through 3 consecutive matches. Yamamoto Yumi (24) of the Midorikita Karuta Society, (Akashi) Karuta Society's Saka Megumi (17) (TN: Totally think I'm mispronouncing that one!), Shiranami Society's Tsuboguchi Hiroshi-kun (22), and a member of the High German Court College Karuta Group, Keiichi Takesaku-san (28) (TN: not sure about the pronunciation of this one, either). The first to win 2 matches will prevail, and in a month's time, move up to duel the reigning Meijin and Queen.
The girl from the Akashi Karuta Society trips over her hakama in an unsightly way and bumps into the coordinators. Kana comments that the Western Conference champion isn't used to wearing traditional clothing, and her hem is too long. Harada comments that even though she made it this far with her determination, the focus now is on her lack of experience. He declares that the members of the Shiranami Society are among the most experienced and informed.
Hiroshi-kun is apparently wearing fever reducers to keep his forehead and neck cool. (Apparently, they brought 9??) Just then, someone tells Harada to move his big head because he's blocking the television crew's view.
As Chihaya watches she thinks, I can't help it. I really want to. Will I be able to make it to this stage? Will I be able to sit up there?
As she is thinking, she notices Hiroshi-kun peeling off his fever reducers. Hiroshi thinks back at what he said to Taichi and Harada when he lost his prior competition, when Harada asked how Hiroshi could be so easy going. It's just the way I am!
But the only reason I'm the Eastern Conference representative is because during Harada-sensei's decisive match, he tired out his opponent, and I was able to beat him after that. Just watch, sensei!
Just then, Megumi pauses and asks if she can wear her headband. Inside, there's a sewn inscription "Good luck, Megumi!"
I have too high an opinion of myself. I can't believe I thought that all I had to do was "do my best" and I'd end up sitting up there. Those sitting up there are the East/West Representatives. They represent all of us! thinks Chihaya.
Announcer: "Let the competition begin!"
As the first card is read, Yumi stakes her claim by verbally contesting the first card. Hiroshi is working hard as well. In the next panel we see Yumi taking another card.
Cut scene: Arata's mentor talking on the phone while Arata duels that little kid in the background. "Scary!" the kid cries.
Arata bows and thanks the kid after their match. The boy says he's going to to try hard, become stronger, so he hopes Arata won't be annoyed that he has to duel such an inexperienced player like himself. Arata smiles.
"Everyone!" announces Kuriyama. "The outcome of the match has been decided. The Meijin Challenger will be Keiichi Takesaku and the Queen Challenger will be Yumi Yamamoto."
Shiranami Society's Tsuboguchi Hiroshi-san lost? thinks Arata.
Cut scene: Chihaya, Taichi and the others watch speechlessly as Hiroshi fans himself.
"Oh my gawd, so tiring! How annoying to duel the same person 3 times! On top of that, Takesaku was like a war horse!"
"Hiroshi-san," says Chihaya.
"Ah, I really want some beer!" Hiroshi-kun says. But the minute he sees Harada-sensei his face changes.
Shiranami Society's players...someday one of our own will ascend to the seat of Meijin.
Hiroshi breaks down and collapses, crying into Harada-sensei's lap. Chihaya and Taichi watch silently, also feeling his loss acutely.
Cut scene: Suoh-san walking out of the Center's front entrance.
"Wow, I am flying HIGH!" he says to no one in particular. He dials up a number on his cell phone.
"Ah! Shinobu?"
CLICK. (She hangs up on him again)
---End Chapter---
TN: <GASP> Goofy looking guy asking Chihaya out? Blech.
"So...um...I see you every morning at the station, Ayase-san. I always think, "Wow, she's really cute!" If it's OK with you, why don't we go out?" (TN: Get in line, buddy!)
Chihaya: ..... <too shocked to speak>
Cut scene: back at the club room
"YOU SHOULD HAVE TURNED HIM DOWN ON THE SPOT!!"
"But Kana-chan, how can you be so quick to make that decision?" asked Chihaya, confused.
"Of course!" responds Kana matter-of-factly. "He's just someone who pays attention to outer appearances and doesn't know the first thing about you."
"But! BUT!!" Chihaya interjects. "This is the first time someone has told me 'Let's go out.' If I make a misstep here, this may be the very last time anyone says that to me for the rest of my life!"
"A noob at first confessions?" asks Meat bun (TN: eating a meatbun...cannibalism?). "She really is a 'wasted' beauty."
"Well, ever since I got to know her, I haven't considered her beautiful," says Desktomu honestly. (Although in the beginning, he did)
"I get the feeling that people at our school don't like her because Mashima-kun is always by her side, that's definitely a huge factor," says Kana.
"What? Why?" ask Destomu and Meat bun at the same time. (TN: apparently they haven't noticed Taichi is gorgeous)
"Isn't it great?" asks Taichi without looking up from his seat at a table. "You should go out with him," he adds casually.
"Taichi..." says Chihaya.
"If you don't experience it for yourself you won't know," he concludes, "that it absolutely won't work out. Going out with someone who is totally unaware that you play competitive karuta will only end in disaster." Chihaya is shocked by his words.
"Is...is that so?" she asks. "But there are so many missed calls from him already."
"YOU GAVE HIM YOUR CELL NUMBER?" demands Kana. "You have to tell him you refuse!" Before she can continue, Taichi snatches the phone away from Chihaya and hastily texts something and sends it.
"I've sent a refusal for you," he says calmly.
"Eh?"
"Starting tomorrow you're going to get up early and start taking the same train with me to school," he concludes. Kana blushes at his words (understanding their meaning). His words remind her of a pair of poems written in 960 A.D. Ancient poems about quiet love that could no longer be hidden. (TN: the Chinese version says "隱藏不住的暗恋和歌," literally "hidden no longer quiet love poem," so I think my translation is accurate to a degree)
In the background, Meat bun-kun says he's never had to screen his calls before and Tsutomu says neither has he. Certainly, our dopey team members don't get it, but I understand, President! Kana-chan thinks enthusiastically. (TN: here, Kana says "糊塗蛋" to describe her teammates. These words together can mean "dopey." Literally, they mean "paste," "smudge" and "egg" but it could also translate to "paste for brains" (Nishida) "smudge for brains" (Tsutomu) and "egg for brains/idiot" (Chihaya). See for yourself. Kana is pretty harsh -_-;)
Chihaya checks her address list on her cell phone (which is pathetically small), but focuses on the two last entries, "Wataya Arata: cell" and "Wataya Arata: home."
I can't communicate with him...even though Taichi went out of his way to give his contact information to me....But Arata lost in the 4th round of the Western Conference...
Arata...how is he feeling right now? How much regret is he feeling?
There are too many things I want to say to him.
Cut scene: Arata giving out a dark vibe in class
Other classmates go to his neighbor, Yu, who is also apparently in his class.
"Yu-chan, did something happen?"
"Why has Arata-kun been making that sort of face lately?"
"Arata!" says Yu, going up to him. "Was the Western Conference that dissatisfying? It's the first time you entered and you still ended up in the top 8. Isn't that good? And now you have a rest period. You just have to do better next year..." Yu stops as she realizes her words are falling on deaf ears. Arata is steadily playing karuta in his head, apparently not listening to a word she says. He is reliving the cards of his last match and is very far away...
Cut scene: Arata riding his bike home
It's not enough!
Practicing...
Doing my best...
Making spare time...
I can't be away from it! Not even for one day!
I can't be away from karuta!
Cut scene: Arata practicing at the Nagumo Society
He exchanges bows and thanks to his opponent. He recalls his opponent who beat him at the Western Conference, (Takesaka/Takesaku?)-san, who will go on to compete against the (male) champion of the Eastern Conference. Certainly, his wasn't a highly sophisticated form of karuta but he's won 4 titles just this year. And, he had the stamina to go through all 6 levels of the Western Conference to win.
Every duel should be taken seriously. I should treat practice as if it were a real competition, and feel the real stress of competition. Even if it's just practice, I have to earnestly compete.
The practice coordinator calls out to Arata and says his 3rd round sparring partner is...a C rank little boy...
The little boy is shocked and claims Arata-nii san is too scary to duel with. Arata duels him seriously and the whole time the kid is crying out, "Scary!"
The other society members are talking about how Murao never comes to practice anymore. No one has seen or heard from him since the November competition. Their other top player is busy trying to graduate (from college) so he hasn't been practicing either. There are certainly not enough skilled players to duel with Arata.
Arata thinks back at what Mr. Murao told him. Listen, just do your best and that's it.
Cut scene: At the Murao residence
Murao comes home to a lively atmosphere. Arata is apparently being force fed by his family's hospitality (heaping bowl of rice) as they sit around the tonkatsu and have hot pot. His mom berates him for being so late, since Arata has waited for a while.
"Good...good evening!" Arata says as Murao's little brothers try to force feed him meatballs and shrimp.
Cut scene: Arata and Murao outside after dinner
"Sorry!" says Arata. "I took advantage of your family's hospitality and even stayed for dinner."
"Don't be. I can probably guess what happened. Every family is alike, and my mother's the same way. She'll invite anyone inside, so..."
After a brief silence, Murao asks, "Was there something you needed? You probably came to tell me to practice, right?"
"...Right..." responds Arata.
"That's not like you to be such a damn busy body," comments Murao. "Aren't you the last person to be telling me that, since you gave up karuta for an entire year and a half?"
Murao turns to go back inside. "I'm sorry...and it's at a time when you need to practice to be strong, but I can't be your sparring partner. Say hello for me to those at the Nagumo Society, will you?"
"I really..." Arata begins, trying to find the words. "I really regret...."
Murao stares at him.
"I really regret running from karuta...at that time.... We just can't be apart from karuta for too long, Murao-san!" he exclaims. "Becoming Meijin is my goal," he says steadily.
Murao looks at him in wonder and then starts to get the chills. He tells Arata that that way of thinking is quite scary, to want to be Meijin and nothing else. He sighs.
"Arata, I have no way of going back to living by that mentality...but if you want a dueling partner to play with, you can come find me. Good night."
It's not like you to be such a busybody.... Arata thinks back to when Chihaya and Taichi came to see him in Fukui. (TN: perhaps they've rubbed off on him...) Murao watches him leave from the upstairs window.
I will come visit again...
Cut scene: November
Caption: At the Tokyo Karuta Commemorative Society Center, East meets West as the respective champions gather to duel to decide who will be the ones to challenge the current Meijin and Queen.
"You seem really happy, Kana-chan," Chihaya remarks as they make their way into the center.
"Because! Because! I finally get to see a match where the competitors are wearing traditional clothing!"
"Yeah," says Chihaya, her thoughts turning to those they are going to watch.
Caption: Wearing traditional Japanese clothing through 3 consecutive matches. Yamamoto Yumi (24) of the Midorikita Karuta Society, (Akashi) Karuta Society's Saka Megumi (17) (TN: Totally think I'm mispronouncing that one!), Shiranami Society's Tsuboguchi Hiroshi-kun (22), and a member of the High German Court College Karuta Group, Keiichi Takesaku-san (28) (TN: not sure about the pronunciation of this one, either). The first to win 2 matches will prevail, and in a month's time, move up to duel the reigning Meijin and Queen.
The girl from the Akashi Karuta Society trips over her hakama in an unsightly way and bumps into the coordinators. Kana comments that the Western Conference champion isn't used to wearing traditional clothing, and her hem is too long. Harada comments that even though she made it this far with her determination, the focus now is on her lack of experience. He declares that the members of the Shiranami Society are among the most experienced and informed.
Hiroshi-kun is apparently wearing fever reducers to keep his forehead and neck cool. (Apparently, they brought 9??) Just then, someone tells Harada to move his big head because he's blocking the television crew's view.
As Chihaya watches she thinks, I can't help it. I really want to. Will I be able to make it to this stage? Will I be able to sit up there?
As she is thinking, she notices Hiroshi-kun peeling off his fever reducers. Hiroshi thinks back at what he said to Taichi and Harada when he lost his prior competition, when Harada asked how Hiroshi could be so easy going. It's just the way I am!
But the only reason I'm the Eastern Conference representative is because during Harada-sensei's decisive match, he tired out his opponent, and I was able to beat him after that. Just watch, sensei!
Just then, Megumi pauses and asks if she can wear her headband. Inside, there's a sewn inscription "Good luck, Megumi!"
I have too high an opinion of myself. I can't believe I thought that all I had to do was "do my best" and I'd end up sitting up there. Those sitting up there are the East/West Representatives. They represent all of us! thinks Chihaya.
Announcer: "Let the competition begin!"
As the first card is read, Yumi stakes her claim by verbally contesting the first card. Hiroshi is working hard as well. In the next panel we see Yumi taking another card.
Cut scene: Arata's mentor talking on the phone while Arata duels that little kid in the background. "Scary!" the kid cries.
Arata bows and thanks the kid after their match. The boy says he's going to to try hard, become stronger, so he hopes Arata won't be annoyed that he has to duel such an inexperienced player like himself. Arata smiles.
"Everyone!" announces Kuriyama. "The outcome of the match has been decided. The Meijin Challenger will be Keiichi Takesaku and the Queen Challenger will be Yumi Yamamoto."
Shiranami Society's Tsuboguchi Hiroshi-san lost? thinks Arata.
Cut scene: Chihaya, Taichi and the others watch speechlessly as Hiroshi fans himself.
"Oh my gawd, so tiring! How annoying to duel the same person 3 times! On top of that, Takesaku was like a war horse!"
"Hiroshi-san," says Chihaya.
"Ah, I really want some beer!" Hiroshi-kun says. But the minute he sees Harada-sensei his face changes.
Shiranami Society's players...someday one of our own will ascend to the seat of Meijin.
Hiroshi breaks down and collapses, crying into Harada-sensei's lap. Chihaya and Taichi watch silently, also feeling his loss acutely.
Cut scene: Suoh-san walking out of the Center's front entrance.
"Wow, I am flying HIGH!" he says to no one in particular. He dials up a number on his cell phone.
"Ah! Shinobu?"
CLICK. (She hangs up on him again)
---End Chapter---
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Chihayafuru Manga Synopsis: Vol. 8.2 (Chapter 43)
TN: And so, the tearful conclusion to this story arc... I guess the mangaka is going to drag out this manga for as long as it will go because I've read through vol 9 and I really think vol 1 -7 were much more interesting! But there are sweet tidbits of Chihaya, Arata and Taichi here, so it's still worth the read in terms of character development. By now, if you're still reading this, you've emotionally invested in this manga anyhow, and you (like me) will read until the end.
Chapter 43
Opening panel: Chihaya breathes heavily, but Yumi seems composed
Chihaya is down by 3 cards as she has 9 and Yumi only has 6 left. Taichi watches them duel and thinks how scary it is.
This type of battling technique....Chihaya, who was at the onset bright and bold ...suddenly became a wilted, stiff mess who lost to her own mistake...I had no idea willpower made such a difference in the game! (TN: the Chinese translation uses words like 气勢, which could mean number of things. Literally, the words are "air" and "influence" which could mean in English, "aura" or "momentum" or in this case, "willpower." Like many Chinese words, it could also mean all of the above. Such a complicated language.... -_-; When describing Chihaya, Taichi uses the phrase "气勢如虹" whereas he's likening her to a rainbow, literally. Using those words combined, 气勢 could mean "willful" and 如虹 could mean "bold" and "brightly colored" to describe how Chihaya was when she thought she could win)
Willpower...however strong or weak....
Yumi contests another card that Chihaya and she apparently took together, saying her hand was quicker in touching a certain part of the card. The peanut gallery is commenting how strange her battling type is.
"So you can actually duel like this...?"
"Isn't she the prior Queen of karuta? She fights like this?" (TN: That's what I said! A true proficient wouldn't even give these arguments the time of day b/c there wouldn't even be room to argue!)
Don't mind them Yumi, thinks Meat-bun (TN: who's side are you on??) It's natural to contest cards that are taken simultaneously. No matter what, fighting through debating may seem unsightly, but Yumi's way of karuta is even more careful and more just than others.
Caption: To be able to get to this point, must have been very difficult. Everyone here can understand...
The match is over. Harada gives a look of surprise. Kitano smiles victoriously. Yumi bows and thanks her opponent. Chihaya is unable to do the same as she is still in shock over her loss. Yumi repeats the gesture and Chihaya simply stares at her blankly. Yumi leaves to report her victory by 4 cards to the registration desk.
Her mentor rushes over to her and exclaims that she has finally obtained the will to reclaim her title of Queen. The heavy burden of expectation falls on her shoulders once again.
"Shiranami Society's bright prodigy is nothing compared to you!" he exalts. "Did you see that, Harada??" he jabs. He tells her to rest, as she still has 4 more competitions to go. Kitano's hand falls on her shoulder. She thinks, If I didn't have this kind of expectation (to support me), I would have run away long ago. (TN: uh, no...you'd probably live a happier, less stressful life...)
Yumi notices Chihaya coming out of the room, looking as though she is about to cry. As soon as she is out, Chihaya makes a mad dash elsewhere to not embarrass herself in public, ignoring Taichi calling after her.
I can't run away, Yumi thinks as she watches. I can't run away! (TN: *muttering* Now that you've crushed another hopeful's dreams in your half-assed desire to be Queen again, you'd better not back down...)
Chihaya makes it into a broom closet in the prep hall before Taichi can catch her. Taichi and her other teammates call out to her to come out. Desktomu-kun makes her an offering of chocolate. Suddenly, Sudo comes along to gloat.
"Is it really so depressing to be one who fails?" he smirks. "I think a bald head is quite becoming on a beautiful girl!" Everyone is shocked by his words (TN: they forgot about the bet).
"Which one is Ayase's cell phone? I'll use the infrared exchange to send my email to her mailbox, so she can send me a pic. Kana remarks on his callousness. Taichi hesitates for just a moment but then offers his, Desktomu and Meat bun-kun's shaved heads in exchange for Chihaya's. (TN: quite a gallant effort, but you didn't ask the others if they consent...?) In solidarity Kana offers her head as well, and Meat bun tells her that's unnecessary.
Harada-sensei interrupts. "What are you all talking about?" When he learns of the bet, Harada then tells Sudo if he (Harada) beats him, the promise is forfeit. Sudo remarks that his next duel isn't against Harada.
"Does it really matter? You don't intend to lose, right? Sooner or later, we'll meet," Harada smiles menacingly.
Sudo snickers at him. "Then, please don't lose so easily before then."
"Same to you," Harada responds.
Harada-sensei! You're so COOL! Kana-chan thinks as she falls in love with him (briefly). Meat bun and Desktomu make a weird face at her.
Meanwhile, Taichi is staring at the broom closet doors.
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why??
Chihaya goes over the duel in her head over and over, holding her head in her hands.
Why??!!
"Do you think she fell asleep in there?" asks Meat bun after a while. "It's just like that idiot. It's already been an hour and she hasn't come out yet." Kana has no comment.
"It's...possible..." says Desktomu.
Taichi tells Meat bun to go cheer on Yumi and the others to go downstairs and watch the competition. He says he'll watch Chihaya alone. Kana wants to stay, but seeing his expression, she takes her queue and leaves with the others.
She's not sleeping.
He remembers the time she lost to the Queen. She's crying and trying to understand where she went wrong. Taichi then gets a message on his phone.
"Chihaya..." he groans. "Arata passed the 3rd round competition." Silence...followed by shock from inside the broom closet.
"We've become correspondents recently. When this competition is over I was planning to give you his contact information." More shock.
"He's amazing isn't he? That bastard..."
Like water...like flowing water... she thinks. In her mind's eye, she pictures Arata's straight, broad back as he duels a stranger.
Taichi looks at Arata's message. He is also inquiring after Chihaya. Taichi thinks back to what Arata said about not knowing whether they were dating or not.
Suddenly Kana returns saying that Harada is matched against Sudo. Taichi tells her to come out so they can root for Harada-sensei.
I know... I understand how it feels to invest everything into a competition, only to fail miserably...and that feeling of not wanting to see anyone after that...
I know...and yet I feel as though none of my words could reach her right now. If it were Arata, then maybe...
Chihaya suddenly bursts out of the broom closet and Taichi falls in.
"What are you doing?" Chihaya asks. She is sclearly crying and her tears splash down on Taichi's face. "You have to go Taichi! You have to go watch the match between Harada-sensei and Sudo-kun! In next year's competitions, everyone in the A rank will be your competition. It's not to go cheer anyone on, but it's to watch (their techniques)!"
"Chihaya, the team president was worried about you, that's why he stayed here," Kana explains.
"Oh, about that, I'm so sorry. Sorry!" she apologizes to Kana. "Let's go, Taichi," Chihaya says staring straight ahead as she crouches down and drags him out behind her.
It's no use...I... Taichi thinks. I'm in love with Chihaya!
Cut scene: Harada cries out as he makes his killing move (he's a very loud karuta player)
Kitano, who is watching from outside, mumbles "How loud!"
Harada has to shift position, and Sudo wonders if it's his body is giving out on him because of old age. (he also brings his own pillow). He can understand it, but it's not something he dares say to an opponent like Harada.
Cut scene: Chihaya watches Yumi compete in the next round
Because I was annoyed with her verbal contesting of the cards, I used speed that I shouldn't have to beat her at taking cards, which resulted in my own mistake that I couldn't undo. I didn't know there was a power like that.
Taichi looks down at her and asks if she's cold. He lends her his jacket. Chihaya asks her teammates had been standing here all along cheering her on while she competed. She asks if Kana is cold to which Kana responds it's still fairly warm in the middle of the day. Meat bun-kun comments how scary it is in the competition room that people inside will react to any little noise.
Always standing outside...Chihaya thinks as she watches her team.
"Thank you, everyone!" she says. "And, I'm sorry!"
Even if it's one card, I won't let them take it!
She remembers what she thought inside the room while competing and realizes for a moment she could only see herself when she lost, though others were also concerned.
Harada-sensei makes his final killing move and saves the day. Harada walks away with his kneeling mat clutched to his chest and self-satisfying smirk on his face. Sudo's mentor runs up to him and says "How dissatisfying! How really disappointing! To only lose to Harada by 3 cards!" Sudo grimaces and calls his mentor a bear for really knowing how to rub it in.
In the background, Harada's assistant hands him a cup of water. Everyone cheers because Harada has saved their heads from being shaved.
"What? What are you talking about?" he asks, apparently he forgetting entirely. They go silent. He was only thinking of his victory at this time...that's so him!
Announcer: "10 minutes until the next match!"
Harada looks at Chihaya.
"Chihaya!" he says sternly. "At the end of your last game you did not give thanks and bow...That is unacceptable. No matter how dissatisfied you are with the outcome." Chihaya realizes her mistake.
"Yes sir!" she responds earnestly. The announcer comes to claim Harada as it is time to start.
"2 more matches, eh?" Harada sighs. Clearly, his age is catching up with him.
Caption: Regretfully, that would be Harada-sensei's deciding match. The champions of this year's Eastern Conference would be Yumi and Shiranami Society's Hiroshi. One month after the prize ceremony, they will compete against the winners of the Western Conference in 3 matches. The winners of that decisive match will go on to play the Meijin and the Queen.
While watching the ceremony, Chihaya notices Sakura-san, who bows her head in acknowledgement and tells her, "See you next year!"
Caption: And so the long journey ends in a day, the defeated to start again in one year.
---End Chapter---
Chapter 43
Opening panel: Chihaya breathes heavily, but Yumi seems composed
Chihaya is down by 3 cards as she has 9 and Yumi only has 6 left. Taichi watches them duel and thinks how scary it is.
This type of battling technique....Chihaya, who was at the onset bright and bold ...suddenly became a wilted, stiff mess who lost to her own mistake...I had no idea willpower made such a difference in the game! (TN: the Chinese translation uses words like 气勢, which could mean number of things. Literally, the words are "air" and "influence" which could mean in English, "aura" or "momentum" or in this case, "willpower." Like many Chinese words, it could also mean all of the above. Such a complicated language.... -_-; When describing Chihaya, Taichi uses the phrase "气勢如虹" whereas he's likening her to a rainbow, literally. Using those words combined, 气勢 could mean "willful" and 如虹 could mean "bold" and "brightly colored" to describe how Chihaya was when she thought she could win)
Willpower...however strong or weak....
Yumi contests another card that Chihaya and she apparently took together, saying her hand was quicker in touching a certain part of the card. The peanut gallery is commenting how strange her battling type is.
"So you can actually duel like this...?"
"Isn't she the prior Queen of karuta? She fights like this?" (TN: That's what I said! A true proficient wouldn't even give these arguments the time of day b/c there wouldn't even be room to argue!)
Don't mind them Yumi, thinks Meat-bun (TN: who's side are you on??) It's natural to contest cards that are taken simultaneously. No matter what, fighting through debating may seem unsightly, but Yumi's way of karuta is even more careful and more just than others.
Caption: To be able to get to this point, must have been very difficult. Everyone here can understand...
The match is over. Harada gives a look of surprise. Kitano smiles victoriously. Yumi bows and thanks her opponent. Chihaya is unable to do the same as she is still in shock over her loss. Yumi repeats the gesture and Chihaya simply stares at her blankly. Yumi leaves to report her victory by 4 cards to the registration desk.
Her mentor rushes over to her and exclaims that she has finally obtained the will to reclaim her title of Queen. The heavy burden of expectation falls on her shoulders once again.
"Shiranami Society's bright prodigy is nothing compared to you!" he exalts. "Did you see that, Harada??" he jabs. He tells her to rest, as she still has 4 more competitions to go. Kitano's hand falls on her shoulder. She thinks, If I didn't have this kind of expectation (to support me), I would have run away long ago. (TN: uh, no...you'd probably live a happier, less stressful life...)
Yumi notices Chihaya coming out of the room, looking as though she is about to cry. As soon as she is out, Chihaya makes a mad dash elsewhere to not embarrass herself in public, ignoring Taichi calling after her.
I can't run away, Yumi thinks as she watches. I can't run away! (TN: *muttering* Now that you've crushed another hopeful's dreams in your half-assed desire to be Queen again, you'd better not back down...)
Chihaya makes it into a broom closet in the prep hall before Taichi can catch her. Taichi and her other teammates call out to her to come out. Desktomu-kun makes her an offering of chocolate. Suddenly, Sudo comes along to gloat.
"Is it really so depressing to be one who fails?" he smirks. "I think a bald head is quite becoming on a beautiful girl!" Everyone is shocked by his words (TN: they forgot about the bet).
"Which one is Ayase's cell phone? I'll use the infrared exchange to send my email to her mailbox, so she can send me a pic. Kana remarks on his callousness. Taichi hesitates for just a moment but then offers his, Desktomu and Meat bun-kun's shaved heads in exchange for Chihaya's. (TN: quite a gallant effort, but you didn't ask the others if they consent...?) In solidarity Kana offers her head as well, and Meat bun tells her that's unnecessary.
Harada-sensei interrupts. "What are you all talking about?" When he learns of the bet, Harada then tells Sudo if he (Harada) beats him, the promise is forfeit. Sudo remarks that his next duel isn't against Harada.
"Does it really matter? You don't intend to lose, right? Sooner or later, we'll meet," Harada smiles menacingly.
Sudo snickers at him. "Then, please don't lose so easily before then."
"Same to you," Harada responds.
Harada-sensei! You're so COOL! Kana-chan thinks as she falls in love with him (briefly). Meat bun and Desktomu make a weird face at her.
Meanwhile, Taichi is staring at the broom closet doors.
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why??
Chihaya goes over the duel in her head over and over, holding her head in her hands.
Why??!!
"Do you think she fell asleep in there?" asks Meat bun after a while. "It's just like that idiot. It's already been an hour and she hasn't come out yet." Kana has no comment.
"It's...possible..." says Desktomu.
Taichi tells Meat bun to go cheer on Yumi and the others to go downstairs and watch the competition. He says he'll watch Chihaya alone. Kana wants to stay, but seeing his expression, she takes her queue and leaves with the others.
She's not sleeping.
He remembers the time she lost to the Queen. She's crying and trying to understand where she went wrong. Taichi then gets a message on his phone.
"Chihaya..." he groans. "Arata passed the 3rd round competition." Silence...followed by shock from inside the broom closet.
"We've become correspondents recently. When this competition is over I was planning to give you his contact information." More shock.
"He's amazing isn't he? That bastard..."
Like water...like flowing water... she thinks. In her mind's eye, she pictures Arata's straight, broad back as he duels a stranger.
Taichi looks at Arata's message. He is also inquiring after Chihaya. Taichi thinks back to what Arata said about not knowing whether they were dating or not.
Suddenly Kana returns saying that Harada is matched against Sudo. Taichi tells her to come out so they can root for Harada-sensei.
I know... I understand how it feels to invest everything into a competition, only to fail miserably...and that feeling of not wanting to see anyone after that...
I know...and yet I feel as though none of my words could reach her right now. If it were Arata, then maybe...
Chihaya suddenly bursts out of the broom closet and Taichi falls in.
"What are you doing?" Chihaya asks. She is sclearly crying and her tears splash down on Taichi's face. "You have to go Taichi! You have to go watch the match between Harada-sensei and Sudo-kun! In next year's competitions, everyone in the A rank will be your competition. It's not to go cheer anyone on, but it's to watch (their techniques)!"
"Chihaya, the team president was worried about you, that's why he stayed here," Kana explains.
"Oh, about that, I'm so sorry. Sorry!" she apologizes to Kana. "Let's go, Taichi," Chihaya says staring straight ahead as she crouches down and drags him out behind her.
It's no use...I... Taichi thinks. I'm in love with Chihaya!
Cut scene: Harada cries out as he makes his killing move (he's a very loud karuta player)
Kitano, who is watching from outside, mumbles "How loud!"
Harada has to shift position, and Sudo wonders if it's his body is giving out on him because of old age. (he also brings his own pillow). He can understand it, but it's not something he dares say to an opponent like Harada.
Cut scene: Chihaya watches Yumi compete in the next round
Because I was annoyed with her verbal contesting of the cards, I used speed that I shouldn't have to beat her at taking cards, which resulted in my own mistake that I couldn't undo. I didn't know there was a power like that.
Taichi looks down at her and asks if she's cold. He lends her his jacket. Chihaya asks her teammates had been standing here all along cheering her on while she competed. She asks if Kana is cold to which Kana responds it's still fairly warm in the middle of the day. Meat bun-kun comments how scary it is in the competition room that people inside will react to any little noise.
Always standing outside...Chihaya thinks as she watches her team.
"Thank you, everyone!" she says. "And, I'm sorry!"
Even if it's one card, I won't let them take it!
She remembers what she thought inside the room while competing and realizes for a moment she could only see herself when she lost, though others were also concerned.
Harada-sensei makes his final killing move and saves the day. Harada walks away with his kneeling mat clutched to his chest and self-satisfying smirk on his face. Sudo's mentor runs up to him and says "How dissatisfying! How really disappointing! To only lose to Harada by 3 cards!" Sudo grimaces and calls his mentor a bear for really knowing how to rub it in.
In the background, Harada's assistant hands him a cup of water. Everyone cheers because Harada has saved their heads from being shaved.
"What? What are you talking about?" he asks, apparently he forgetting entirely. They go silent. He was only thinking of his victory at this time...that's so him!
Announcer: "10 minutes until the next match!"
Harada looks at Chihaya.
"Chihaya!" he says sternly. "At the end of your last game you did not give thanks and bow...That is unacceptable. No matter how dissatisfied you are with the outcome." Chihaya realizes her mistake.
"Yes sir!" she responds earnestly. The announcer comes to claim Harada as it is time to start.
"2 more matches, eh?" Harada sighs. Clearly, his age is catching up with him.
Caption: Regretfully, that would be Harada-sensei's deciding match. The champions of this year's Eastern Conference would be Yumi and Shiranami Society's Hiroshi. One month after the prize ceremony, they will compete against the winners of the Western Conference in 3 matches. The winners of that decisive match will go on to play the Meijin and the Queen.
While watching the ceremony, Chihaya notices Sakura-san, who bows her head in acknowledgement and tells her, "See you next year!"
Caption: And so the long journey ends in a day, the defeated to start again in one year.
---End Chapter---
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Chihayafuru Manga Synopsis: Vol. 8.1 (Chapter 42)
Chapter 42
Caption: Even if it's just one card...I don't want to let someone who's already given up take a single one!
The room is getting hotter. Yumi looks beyond the players towards her sensei where the shadows of onlookers stand behind the windows. Outside her sensei complains that he can't see through the glass anymore, since the condensation has fogged up the windows. His karuta society members tell him to calm down, and he tells them to go to hell.
Yumi looks towards her opponent, whose ferocious aura is quite apparent now. The next card that is read is an "empty" card, and Chihaya moves to attack, but averts when she realizes there is no need to take a card at this time. Yumi wonders why Chihaya even bothers moving when she knows it's an empty card. Chihaya's eyes are full of determination.
"Autumn wind--"
While Yumi is still distracted, Chihaya takes the next card. Meat bun notes that this is Chihaya's fifth card in a row. Even Yumi notices that she's actively attacking now.
Why is that? Before she was so cautious... It's as if she knows....
She knows she's going to win...
Going to win...?
This strikes a nerve and Yumi rallies against Chihaya as she presses and cracks her knuckle against the tatami mat.
Outside, the peanut gallery is commenting how all the glass in the competition grounds have fogged up at this point and how the difference in temperatures inside and outside must be significant enough to do that. Someone asks if they could possibly crack open a window.
Tsutomu comments to Kana that he didn't know A rank competitions were this scary. There movement and speed is on a whole other level. Kana agrees, but also comments that it's also beginning to feel a little uncomfortable because everyone inside the tournament room has a "killing aura" about them as they listen to the next poem in that unbearable heat. Tsutomu has to agree with her there. But, Kana can still hear the card reader so clearly, resounding, as if there was no window barrier between them.
Yes, this is poetry.... It's not that she's reading it aloud...she's chanting it. (TN: in its ancient form, "poetry" is not just "詩" but also "詩歌" which literally means "poem song." In ancient times, poems were sung, hence Kana's reference that she is connecting to the poem in its original, purest form)
Tsutomu notes that the card readers are really something. Not only is the selection process stringent, they must also take tests. Those who are qualified to read during the Meijin contests are only about 10 people in all of Japan. Kana gets an awestruck look on her face and comments how difficult it must be to become one... (TN: perhaps she aspires to be one...?)
Chihaya...Listen even more carefully to these 'songs'! Kana thinks.
I can win! I can win! Chihaya thinks.
Yumi notices how Chihaya's aura has become formidable, comparable to even Wakamiya Shinobu. This pisses Yumi off as she recalls the look on Shinobu's face when they dueled. A look of satisfaction that came naturally after attaining one's own momentum.
I've lost that sort of thing a long time ago! Yumi thinks irritably.
At this point Yumi comes to some realization that she can see clearly now, and challenges herself to make a comeback from here.
Chihaya makes a mistake with a "chi" card, and Yumi takes the correct one, which is incidentally on Chihaya's side. Yumi starts her attack and everyone is surprised (except her mentor, who still can't see past the glass)
Yumi thinks how pathetic it is that the "former Queen" of karuta should score a point only because her opponent made a mistake. She's gone from being 7 cards behind, to only 4. Because she's dueled hundreds of times like this before, she decides she will make her comeback starting from here. Meanwhile, Chihaya is berating herself for making a mistake in hearing "chihaya" incorrectly.
Just as Yumi wonders if she can begin from here, her mentor throws open one of the windows. She wonders if his actions have helped Chihaya snap out of her funk more than anything. He gives her words of encouragement, (And also letting some fresh air into the room!) to steady herself and "firmly grasp" her own way of karuta. Everyone in the room takes his advice to heart.
My own karuta...my own...the karuta that I've practiced with everyone, Chihaya thinks as she takes a deep breath.
At the next card, Yumi and Chihaya take the card at the same time, but Yumi verbally contests Chihaya's claiming the card. (TN: apparently they are quite verbal in their karuta club about card disputes) With her vocalization, Yumi has found her own strength again, remembering that she was once the champion. She starts to intimidate Chihaya by telling her to stay behind her boundary. Chihaya quickly apologizes.
Even if it's become hard to compete, Chihaya thinks, I must calm down and take the cards I am able to take. She notes that the cards she can take (TN: single syllables?) are all lined up next to her opponent. But as the next card is read, Yumi attacks and takes it.
Did I get something wrong? Chihaya thinks. Taking the single syllable cards are like second nature to me, but...
She recalls what she said towards the beginning of the match. "Even if it's one card, I won't let her take it."
What was I thinking? My opponent is the former Queen of karuta! What was I thinking?
--End Chapter--
TN: Lame. Really lame. For her to lose to Yumi like this...is super lame!! We don't even know what Yumi's strength is. We don't know how she can be better than Chihaya except we know she grows a backbone again. Very discontent with the story arc! Everything about Kitano and Yumi annoy the hell out of me. Yumi wins by pulling her weight with intimidation and Kitano's disruption should have disqualified his players immediately. It almost feels like they were cheating or something...and to have Chihaya lose after all this is just so dissatisfying.
Caption: Even if it's just one card...I don't want to let someone who's already given up take a single one!
The room is getting hotter. Yumi looks beyond the players towards her sensei where the shadows of onlookers stand behind the windows. Outside her sensei complains that he can't see through the glass anymore, since the condensation has fogged up the windows. His karuta society members tell him to calm down, and he tells them to go to hell.
Yumi looks towards her opponent, whose ferocious aura is quite apparent now. The next card that is read is an "empty" card, and Chihaya moves to attack, but averts when she realizes there is no need to take a card at this time. Yumi wonders why Chihaya even bothers moving when she knows it's an empty card. Chihaya's eyes are full of determination.
"Autumn wind--"
While Yumi is still distracted, Chihaya takes the next card. Meat bun notes that this is Chihaya's fifth card in a row. Even Yumi notices that she's actively attacking now.
Why is that? Before she was so cautious... It's as if she knows....
She knows she's going to win...
Going to win...?
This strikes a nerve and Yumi rallies against Chihaya as she presses and cracks her knuckle against the tatami mat.
Outside, the peanut gallery is commenting how all the glass in the competition grounds have fogged up at this point and how the difference in temperatures inside and outside must be significant enough to do that. Someone asks if they could possibly crack open a window.
Tsutomu comments to Kana that he didn't know A rank competitions were this scary. There movement and speed is on a whole other level. Kana agrees, but also comments that it's also beginning to feel a little uncomfortable because everyone inside the tournament room has a "killing aura" about them as they listen to the next poem in that unbearable heat. Tsutomu has to agree with her there. But, Kana can still hear the card reader so clearly, resounding, as if there was no window barrier between them.
Yes, this is poetry.... It's not that she's reading it aloud...she's chanting it. (TN: in its ancient form, "poetry" is not just "詩" but also "詩歌" which literally means "poem song." In ancient times, poems were sung, hence Kana's reference that she is connecting to the poem in its original, purest form)
Tsutomu notes that the card readers are really something. Not only is the selection process stringent, they must also take tests. Those who are qualified to read during the Meijin contests are only about 10 people in all of Japan. Kana gets an awestruck look on her face and comments how difficult it must be to become one... (TN: perhaps she aspires to be one...?)
Chihaya...Listen even more carefully to these 'songs'! Kana thinks.
I can win! I can win! Chihaya thinks.
Yumi notices how Chihaya's aura has become formidable, comparable to even Wakamiya Shinobu. This pisses Yumi off as she recalls the look on Shinobu's face when they dueled. A look of satisfaction that came naturally after attaining one's own momentum.
I've lost that sort of thing a long time ago! Yumi thinks irritably.
At this point Yumi comes to some realization that she can see clearly now, and challenges herself to make a comeback from here.
Chihaya makes a mistake with a "chi" card, and Yumi takes the correct one, which is incidentally on Chihaya's side. Yumi starts her attack and everyone is surprised (except her mentor, who still can't see past the glass)
Yumi thinks how pathetic it is that the "former Queen" of karuta should score a point only because her opponent made a mistake. She's gone from being 7 cards behind, to only 4. Because she's dueled hundreds of times like this before, she decides she will make her comeback starting from here. Meanwhile, Chihaya is berating herself for making a mistake in hearing "chihaya" incorrectly.
Just as Yumi wonders if she can begin from here, her mentor throws open one of the windows. She wonders if his actions have helped Chihaya snap out of her funk more than anything. He gives her words of encouragement, (And also letting some fresh air into the room!) to steady herself and "firmly grasp" her own way of karuta. Everyone in the room takes his advice to heart.
My own karuta...my own...the karuta that I've practiced with everyone, Chihaya thinks as she takes a deep breath.
At the next card, Yumi and Chihaya take the card at the same time, but Yumi verbally contests Chihaya's claiming the card. (TN: apparently they are quite verbal in their karuta club about card disputes) With her vocalization, Yumi has found her own strength again, remembering that she was once the champion. She starts to intimidate Chihaya by telling her to stay behind her boundary. Chihaya quickly apologizes.
Even if it's become hard to compete, Chihaya thinks, I must calm down and take the cards I am able to take. She notes that the cards she can take (TN: single syllables?) are all lined up next to her opponent. But as the next card is read, Yumi attacks and takes it.
Did I get something wrong? Chihaya thinks. Taking the single syllable cards are like second nature to me, but...
She recalls what she said towards the beginning of the match. "Even if it's one card, I won't let her take it."
What was I thinking? My opponent is the former Queen of karuta! What was I thinking?
--End Chapter--
TN: Lame. Really lame. For her to lose to Yumi like this...is super lame!! We don't even know what Yumi's strength is. We don't know how she can be better than Chihaya except we know she grows a backbone again. Very discontent with the story arc! Everything about Kitano and Yumi annoy the hell out of me. Yumi wins by pulling her weight with intimidation and Kitano's disruption should have disqualified his players immediately. It almost feels like they were cheating or something...and to have Chihaya lose after all this is just so dissatisfying.
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