Chihayafuru Vol. 15, Chapter 79

I am totally procrastinating!!  Hahah, I have this awful meeting next Thursday and I have to pull a miracle out of nowhere to get two sides who don't want to agree, to agree!  So one of my bosses is breathing down my neck making sure everything is going well, second guessing all my decisions.  On top of that, the client trusts him more than he trusts me, probably because I'm a woman.  For real?! But if both sides continue acting like children there's nothing I can do about that.  So besides getting my blood pressure checked at the doctor's tomorrow to see if I have stress induced hypertension, there's still time to procrastinate! >_<  Being an OL is hard... TT__TT  Really wish I was independently wealthy....

Let's start with Chihaya, and how I think she broke her finger in the last chapter... (really...?)  After this I'm going to finish Harada's route in Hakuouki: Stories of the Shinsengumi ^_^ and get the trophy for unlocking all CGs....  Whoohoo!

Chihayafuru Vol. 15, Chapter 79

Even Rion looks a little concerned as Chihaya clutches her finger close.  Her teammates are certainly worried.

Can it be... she's injured??!!

Has Chihaya also injured herself?? Taichi thinks, almost getting up.

"Excuse me," says one of the overseers/referees thinking she might need to forfeit.
"Ah!" Chihaya says, flexing her hand.  "No, I'm alright."  Her teammates all look at her in exasperation.
"Scared me--" says Meatbun.

Rion looks a bit relieved and her team captain, Makoto eyes her.
"Please excuse me," Chihaya states as she gets up and stretches to buy herself some time.

The Oe card takes experience and skill, thinks Makoto. Rion that girl...  Because she relies on 'feeling' the way she takes cards is unrefined in comparison.  How irritating...

Chihaya is still trying to recover as she stands.  Originally I wanted to take the other card (TN: the Chinese version recounts the "ocean island" card, which doesn't really exist in that form.  But the first five syllables of the Oe Mountain card are exactly the same as this card)

It's really not easy taking the Oeyama card!

Next time I've got to turn the tide.  One card at a time... One card!

[Throb...sting...stab...pain...]  Chihaya's concentration is broken by her finger injury.

...one card....

Meanwhile, as the match starts up, Taichi is cornered by his opponent.
Ah! Shoot!  Penalty!  Taichi laments as he took the wrong card.  I still haven't forgotten the prior games' memorization order.

He recalls Desktomu's lecture from before the game.  "You have to be careful.  Emuro Ryoga won't make any mistakes during the game."

Damn!  He looks over at his silent opponent.  He's already into his fifth match and yet he maintains that completely professional facade...  Isn't he tired?  Surprisingly he still makes no mistakes...

Emuro looks up at him and grins as if taunting him, "I'm not like you because I'm A-ranked!"  (Just by looking at him Taichi can hear Emuro's inner voice)

He checks his teammates.  Not good!  Every one of Fujisaki's players...is controlling the direction of the game.  Even Chihaya, she's....

Chihaya loses another card to Rion.  That last card...I could have taken it...  What's wrong with me?  That was right in my opponent's lower right quadrant!

[Throb...throb....throb....]

What is this? she clutches her hand.  This kind of shocking pain... it's not at all like the usual finger bruising....?

What's going on?
[Sharp...throbbing...pain]
What is this....

Meatbun notices her expression.  Ayase?

"Fine!" she says quietly as she stretches.  "Just start now!  Start now!"

She recalls the words Kana said to her when she had to bow out of the last game.  "I'm so glad it was me.  I'm so glad the one who got hurt wasn't the team's wild card, Chihaya..."

"The situation is to our advantage!"

I can't!  Chihaya stretches her arm and hand.  [Throb...throb...throb] I can't let Kana-chan's advantage disappear!

Meanwhile, Shinobu is dozing off in a corner as those around her marvel at Fujisaki High's strength.
Fujisaki really is that strong....
All five players are taking the lead...
All of their players are pulling ahead.
There's just no comparison in rank.
Will they just keep pulling further and further ahead...

"Ah...Ah...ACHOO!" Shinobu sneezes into the sleeve of the poor guy next to her.
(TN: -_____-;)
"I'm so sorry!" she apologizes as she tries to wipe his sleeve clean.  I guess I should really just go home...

The older overseer recognizes her instantly as the reigning Queen.
"Wakamiya-san, you've come!" he whispers.  "Please don't just stand around in a place like this.  Come closer to the front.
"No, no," she protests.  "How could I impose?"
"If everyone sees that even the Queen has come to observe, they will all work even harder." he beams.

So....he sits her right in the middle of the Fukisaki - Mizusawa front line....
(TN: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.  Everyone has their wut? faces on)

.......

Shinobu isn't really thrilled to be put on the spot.

They're just saying the same thing...

"There must be someone who can be encouraged by this, "Arata had said.
"If they see that the Queen has come to observe, they will all work even harder," the overseer had told her.

The crowd titters.
Omigosh, isn't that the Queen?
That's Shinobu Wakamiya.
She got skinnier...
How odd.  This is my first time seeing her.

What the heck.  How could that possibly be?  Shinobu thinks.  She notices Chihaya in the far corner.

I've seen her before...  Another card is called and Shinobu grimaces as Chihaya is unable to take another card.  Tch, perhaps my feeling was wrong.

Here...there is no one who who can face me as an opponent!  Shinobu feels alone in the crowd.

[Throb...throb...]

Rion notices Chihaya is starting to sweat.  That's strange... during the first half of the match her reaction was swift and fierce...  Rion notices that Chihaya is gripping her right hand.

She's hurt...

Rion is distracted that she misses the next card and yields it to Chihaya

That's good!  She can still take cards by pressing on them.

Chihaya notices the look of sympathy on Rion's face.  Chihaya takes the next card as well.

That's odd...  for someone whose 'instincts' are good, she should have been skilled enough to take that card... (TN: I'm not bothering trying to translate the card name/meanings this time around)

She remembers something Harada-sensei had said to her.  "The best thing is to not get hurt.  You cannot get hurt!  But...there will always be that opportunity!  When you get hurt... Compared with the one who actually got injured, the one who committed the injury will be even more shaken."

What am I doing? Rion asks herself.  I have to be more attentive at listening to the sounds.  I have to win!  She thinks about how both her teacher and Makoto are watching her.

I have to win, I'm only here to win...  So I...

Flashback: to Rion with her club members.
"Yamashiro-san, you're only enthusiastic when you put the CD on...  You're clearly dissatisfied with the way senpai reads the cards!  Even with us it's like being criticized by your arrogant, bored stare! It's annoying!" *end flashback*

There's no shelter.

There's no shelter...here...

I have to win here!

"Yeeeesh!" Chihaya declares suddenly, snapping Rion out of it.  She dramatically clutches her injured hand.  "It's no problem.  I yield this card to you."

The audience:  EH?

She surprisingly yielded a single syllable card... the overseer observes.  Even if she was using it as a counter attack, that's still a little rash!  Is she just giving it up?

Chihaya takes a deep breath.  Right now it's just my right index finger that's hurting.
[Throb....throb....]

I've always just done it... with my right middle finger against the side of the cards in practice.  (TN: like Shinobu)

[Throb...throb...]

Chihaya focuses only on that finger.  When the next card is read, Chihaya tries but again jams her injured finger.

SO PAINFUL---------aaaaaaahhhhhh!  Tears come to her eyes as she tries again.

Even more focused...more...  until there is only one finger in my right hand.  A player who follows her ears!

Even as the reader picks up the next card and opens her mouth to read, Chihaya reacts.

"Tatsuta no kawa no ~"  (TN: chose card 69 because it describes the river's current as translated in Chinese.  There are 3 cards though it might be, I picked this one)

Chihaya touches the side of the card and flicks it by the edge with lightning speed.

Everyone, including the reader, is shocked.
What? gasps the overseer in surprise.
So...so fast!
Besides the Queen, there's actually a player who's also that fast?

Shinobu finally realizes.  Ah!  I remember!  Last year the one who stole the single syllable card in my left lower quadrant!  I remember you...

CHIHAYA!

"Oooh," Chihaya has some trouble reaching for the card she just took.  Rion just stares at her in shock.

Yama...Yamashiro....
..... (Chihaya's forgotten her first name.... -__-)
...... (still trying)
......Yama-chan.  (She gave up)

It doesn't matter that I'm injured!  Don't be like that!  Grasping a professional reader's color intonation, let's grasp each syllable to determine the winner!

She looks at Rion in challenge.  If you don't focus your energy, you will be cast aside!

Heh, idiot.  Just how naive is that girl with the bob?  She put the single syllable card her opponent handed her own lower right quadrant.  Obvious mistake.  It was easily in sight of her opponent's attack.  She needs to heighten her guard and slightly back away.  If it were me, I would not have been so foolish... If it were me....

She's leaning forward to observe the match, but Sakurazawa-sensei is frowning.  You're leaning too far forward!

Ayase has taken a string of them!  thinks Desktomu
Four in a row! thinks Tsukuba.  Awesome!
Even though she's still down six cards, thinks Taichi, but... that expression!
That expression... thinks Meatbun.

Ayase... even if you're trying to hide it, sitting next to you I still know.  Both the girls on our team gave so much that they were injured!  At this most important time I've continued to lose... and even now there's a guy who's posed like a ground excavator continuously pressing down on me as we battle...  When will I start giving it my all?

When?

Meatbun gets up to break up the game's momentum.  "Excuse me."

Just then he notices Taichi has done the same thing.  Taichi notices that Tsukuba and Desktomu have also done the same.  They stare at each other knowingly, and all together they slap themselves to focus.  (TN: teamwork!)

Everyone stares at them in surprise.

The one who...

...takes her passion and transfers it to us...

...has always been Chihaya.

But what is this feeling? thinks Taichi clutching at his shirt.  Surging upwards!  Like a scorching hot sensation from my gut...  like magma...

Each group is trying to dominate... thinks Makoto.  Don't think you can reverse this!

We know....this burning sensation... are five wills saying...  "DON'T GIVE UP!"

~Chapter 79 end~

Wow, pretty exciting stuff guys!  Pull your heads out of your butts and fight!  Don't make the girls do all the work.  I'm glad I could translate this chapter quickly (with the exception of the poetry I skipped).  I found this awesome app on my phone that helps me translate twice as fast.  Yay technology! -Kero

Chihayafuru Vol. 14, Chapter 78

And here we are again....

Volume 14 might seem a little slow, but I think it's the buildup the mangaka wanted us to feel with the Mizusawa team as they grow and learn together.  They're like a band of bushi (sorry, I have samurai on the brain) with a similar ideal, learning ideals like integrity, sportsmanship, teamwork, and ambition to be the best at what they do.  Essentially, it's like every sports manga out there...ha.  

But what makes them different is the game they play.  I've always had a soft spot for Japanese prose and poetry, starting back when I took courses in Japanese literature in college (pre and post Meiji era).   But the waka poetry in this chapter was REALLY hard.  I'm sorry if I didn't get the cards properly translated.  It was hard to differentiate between the Chinese translation, and what the Japanese version would be; there was some speculation on my part, a LOT of Google searches of the Hyakunin Isshu text in Romanji/English, and plugging in the Chinese verse into Google Translate when all else failed to search for the poem in Japanese instead.

So many images of autumn leaves, rivers and tears on sleeves swimming through my brain right now....

-KERO

Volume 14, Chapter 78

Sakurazawa-sensei watches the match cooly.
"Put Mizusawa on the defensive."  (TN: the translation in Chinese literally means to completely advance and threaten, giving your opponent the chance to feel how powerful you are.)

"Furusato samuku, koromo utsu nari..."  (TN: closest match was poem 94, that describes both Mt. Yoshino and the autumn wind.  Yoshino was also a village near the old capital of Nara -- pre-Kyoto 710-794 A.D.)

Meat-bun kun is staring at his opponent's sitting position.  He's down so low!  His form is like a spider, at an angle low enough to be parallel to the perfectly organized cards.  Just how strong are his back muscles?

Flashback to Desktomu's pre-game lecture: "This girl (referring to Makoto)... Her demeanor is clearly like a gruff older sister.  (TN: Wut?)  But during a match she's like a hot-blooded man.  Extremely forceful!"

She hits the floor with such force it makes a poof, boom sound!

Who in the hell likes Rion?  Who would like that kind of girl...?!  (TN: Ummm....you?  Repressed much?  Someone needs to relax and embrace her feelings....)

Meanwhile, Tsukuba is distracted by the strange visage of his opponent (Ichimura Mitsuki).

So weird....so weird...

"Miyoshino, yama no aki kaze sayo fukete--"

After taking a card, he strikes a pose: Secret ability. Lightning Strike!

This guy is seriously weird--!

Meanwhile, Taichi is also struggling against his opponent.

"Koromo katashiki, hitorini kamo nen--"  (TN: randomly choosing Poem 91 here; it was the closest fit I could find from the Chinese, but those who have seen the Japanese raws can clarify)

He loses the next card to him.  Already.....With his hand he's already blocked off all the 2 syllable cards....He's quick to move his hand, quick to stop it....  Is that the capability of his rank?

They all have really strong physiques! 

Sakurazawa-sensei...  

Flashback: 
Sakurazawa is talking to a group of students.
"I also started learning karuta at age 6, and I was able to practice consistently and nonstop....  So the first rule of the game is to maintain your physique!  Both before and after practice you must complete 30 minutes of physical warm up and warm down, 30 minutes of slow jogging, and 3 muscle building exercises...  which is all added into your regular competition practices!"  The group of students starts to mumble with uncertainty.

If Sakurazawa-sensei...

She sexy pose demonstrates the waist stretching exercise, the bicep/tricep/deltoid exercise, the rib cage and obliques exercise.  (TN: maybe I should start training for karuta....)

"Physical strength!"

...says so...

The boys watching are breaking a sweat: "It's not like she was doing anything pornographic."
"You're such a porno freak!"  (TN: Boys....)

...it doesn't matter how grueling the practice, we will accomplish it!   

Caption: There are 50 members of our club.  Fujisaki High School is karuta....

The members regularly train and jog in groups.  "Wow, the karuta team works really hard!" says a watching bystander.  "Their about to enter the national competition.  That's really incredible!"

Caption: No one on campus would ever say, "You know, that thing they call karuta!"

Flashback: Sakurazawa gives out her instructions.  "First years, you're doing recitation, second years start practicing your arrangements, third years you work with the cards.  One by one until they become an extension of yourself!"

Caption: Its trained students for 12 years now....  These are Sakurazawa-sensei's credentials...

This is the pride of the Fujisaki team!

Everyone in the Mizusawa group watches the match nervously.
"Are their opponents really that strong?" asks Kana-chan.  "Right from the start, they've suppressed us."
"Oe-senp--" begins Sumire but she notices the distressed look on Kana's face.  Kana is watching Chihaya intently.

Chihaya...

Chihaya seems frozen by her opponent and has not taken a single card.  The next card is drawn.

"Misebaya na --"  (TN: Poem 90 is the only one that starts with 'mi' and has to do with "sleeves") 
"Ojima no ama no / Even the fishermen's sleeves
Sode dani mo, / On Ojima's shores
Nure ni zo nureshi /Though wet through and wet again,
Iro wa kawarazu. / Do not so change their colors.

Rion is the first to claim it.  Makoto watches in dissatisfaction.  So stupid!
Sakurazawa-sensei...why did you let Rion participate in the final round?  What is she compared to the third years who've trained so much harder!

Rion is especially reactive to sound, a genius....  But even if you didn't have that ability, you could still win!  You could still defend Fujisaki's proud title!

Chihaya is quite shocked.  Why.... How...How is she able to make her move just by hearing the vowel 'mi'?  Even with the other two syllable cards, she was able to take the card just by hearing the first syllable.

She recalls something the reigning Meijin had said.

Flashback: "There are 28 single syllable cards."  (TN: meaning he can draw any of his cards at the first syllable.)  Is she like Suo -san?  But her decisiveness is far too quick!  What exactly is it that she hears?!  What is it---

Sakurazawa-sensei watches quietly.  Coincidentally she's up against the girl from Mizusawa with the strong intuitive style...  From the start Rion hasn't given her any leeway...  She must win as quickly as possible...

Caption: From an advantageous situation her progress is natural.

Can you continue like this?  Rion--

Shinobu is also watching.  But her expressionless face suddenly cracks a yawn.

Geez, this is so boring...  But the card reader, isn't she Yamashiro Kyoko-sama, one of the 7 certified readers?

As the next card is read, the players are all of the same notion that it is a "blank" card.

"Fuku kara ni /It is by its breath
Aki no kusaki no / That autumn's leaves of trees and grass
Shiorureba -- /Are wasted and driven. (TN: chose 22 that mentions grass and autumn wind.) 
Mube yama kaze o /So they call this mountain wind
Arashi to iuran/The wild one, the destroyer.

As she reads, Kana can picture the scene of the poem and the tall grass waving in the wind.

The next card is also a "blank" card.

"Kono tabi wa 

Nusa mo toriaezu
Tamukeyama --"  But Chihaya also begins to see the imagery of the poem as Yamashiro-san reads it and remembers Kana's words.

Flashback: "My favorite reader is Yamashiro Kyoko."

Her tone is so rich and colorful.

Chihaya sees it.  She sees the scene the author saw as the verses were written.  The sound, the noises... are so rich and colorful!

Chihaya is entranced.  

From the day Kana-chan first told me...

Caption: "Only "Chihaya" is a brilliant bright red."

I've felt the same way.  There are a few cards that leave a strong impression... and you can actually see their colors.  But... the way a card is read can also give it color.... 

She's...listening to that color---

Shinobu thinks quietly to herself, Yamashiro-sama,  the way she reads gives too much away.  Even if I thought the others wouldn't lose [to Hisashi Suo].... But with Yamashiro-sama as the reader in a match, Suo-san would be very difficult to deal with....

The same with that girl... [Rion]   Is she also difficult?

An organizer in the back reviews the team profiles and notes that Rion is only a B ranked player.

She's only B rank? Then why...?

Caption: Rion...

Yamashiro Kyoko reminisces, From a young age you've come to my karuta society to practice.  Even if it's just a grandmother's bias, I've always felt that child was a genius....  I've always had the greatest expectations for her.  But....

Flashback to when Rion was a child, her grandmother holding her hands.

"Why would you want to quit competing, Rion?  It was the same at the last meet as well.  You just need to keep pushing through until the very end...."  Rion looks uneasy and turns away.

"The reading... isn't pretty at all!  It's very hard to play!  They way you read it Grandma is much better."

If karuta cards also had what is called 'absolute timbre' then Rion would be like that.  Amid the competitions there are various readers of the opposite sex reading the waka.  Rion had never won those competitions.  She will never be the Queen.  But... be grateful!  Rion....

The teams move and strike the next card.  Ichimura Mitzuki strikes another pose: Dance of the undying bird! (TN: wut..?)

Your team has given you the opportunity to be a winning champion!

Taichi: Damn it!

Meat bun-kun: So strong!

Tsukuba: Weirdo!

Desktomu: ....

Chihaya: We're already down 6 cards!  Stay calm...!  If we're going to stop them from continuing to pull farther away from us, I have to do what I did last time... I just need to cut the distance, the single syllable cards are increasing, even I can--

Chiyaha notices Kana in the audience, eyes closed in meditation.  Chihaya!  Concentrate on the waka!  Be wholly absorbed... devoted to... listening to the waka!

Chihaya takes a breath and closes her eyes.

The rain has stopped... The sun is setting... The smell of sweat.... and tatami mats.... and the cards....  The sound of the air conditioning....

She slowly opens her eyes.  

Summer, the desire to meet again; mist, birdcalls, wanting to meet; darkness, noises; loneliness, sakura; friends, flame....  

The image of a smiling young Arata comes to mind.

Her eyes are open now as the reader chooses the next card.

"Na--"

Both Chihaya a Rion reach for a card opposite each other.

"ni--"

Chihaya's hand stops on hers.

"wae no --"

The others make their move.  Ichimura Mitzuki poses: Leaping crab style! (TN: I can't...even...)

The overseer pauses at Chihaya.  The cards remaining still include nanishi, naniwaga and natsu... at the first syllable she guarded, and by the second syllable she selected naniwae.  Actually naniwae and naniwaga are already difficult to differentiate.. but is her intuition really that good?

Chihaya looks at the card she took.  

Kana-chan....  Meanwhile Kana sits in awe.

Flashback to Kana's waka lesson: "Naniwaga is the color of winter's withered black reed, that kind of gloomy green color; Naniwae is the color of emerald green reeds...  you should try thinking of them like that."

I don't really have a lot of ability to follow the sound of the colors to connect the right waka...taking the cards like that is dangerous, I can't do that repeatedly.

But... Sensei....  She pictures her teacher, Harada Hidehiro (he's still alive, of course).

This is how you turn the tide isn't it?  Sensei!  (TN: In Chinese, it literally translates to this is how you take back the pennant.  It feels like the pennant you use in sports or in battle.)  

Yamashiro picks up the next card.

"Oeyama --"  By now everyone recognizes which card they must take.
"Ikuno--"  Chihaya tries to reach the card before Rion.  I don't think so!

 "no michi no --"  But both of them hear a "crack" as Chihaya's finger goes down on the mat.
"Ah!" Chihaya cries out.  Her teammates watch in horror as her finger is at an unnatural angle.

Chihaya!!

End Chapter 78, End Vol. 14

Chihayafuru Vol. 14, Chapter 77

So I actually got Xillia 2 out of my system!!  But Tales of Zestiria will be delivered to my door on October 22!!!  Before I get lost in my little world of JRPGs, I thought I'd translate another chapter of Chihayafuru.

I'm also watching Nirvana in Fire - Lang Ya Bang - 琅琊榜 And I totally find it fascinating.  I think I like it more than I liked Splendid Politics.  It's really well written and produced and that's surprising from a Mainland China drama.  I never thought I'd like Mainland dramas, but the people are really well performed actors, and I totally admire the characters.  No love triangles.  Just politics.  And hidden identities.  And kung fu masters whose qi gong lets them fly through the AIR! Yeah!  A little Crouching Tiger, a little Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and a little Saiunkoku Monogatari.

For a girl who was raised on Hong Kong TVB period costume dramas, this is totally up my alley.  I encourage everyone to watch it.

Volume 14, Chapter 77

[We last left Arata in shock when he is told by Hiro/Retro that his friends and their team have made it to the Omi Jingu final match against Fujisaki High.]

Taichi and Chiyaha....

Are moving forward to the final round to be Japan's best team?!

Hiro lingers, and closes the sliding door shut with a light 'slap - pak.'

Shinobu grins.  Hee...

"It's just a high school kids' competition, whatever does he mean by "Japan's best" even?  I just don't get it.  Just.  Don't.  Get.  It.  Everyone's 'really strong' right?  Arata!"

Before she finished that though, Arata's hand lunges past her face to the door latch.  She is completely aghast, and Arata pauses, before huddling down as he remembers he's still forbidden to enter the competition hall.

"So after all that, you really aren't going, right?" Shinobu asks.

"If I go now, I can forget about tomorrow's individual competition..." Arata says woefully.
"What?" Shinobu chides.  "Arata, you finally realize the individual competition is actually more important?"

"Arata!" says one of his teammates, "As long as you quietly sneak out you won't be caught.  There's so many people in there.  Just go.  Wasn't this your goal in the first place?"

"Breaking the rules and not getting punished for it is not something the Omi Jingu council takes lightly, Sho!" Arata exclaims.

His friend and Shinobu are shocked by his sudden outburst.

Hiro's words still echo through the room: Aren't you going to go...support them?

Taichi and Chihaya... are in the final round....

Arata sits stoically in seiza style.  (Translation Trivia: This word actually derives from two Chinese characters 正座, which literally means quiet/peaceful sitting)

They are competing to be Japan's best!

Shinobu suddenly stands and takes off her pants, revealing her snowman boxers.

"OMIGAWD STOP!" one teammate cries, covering his face.  "Don't take off the bottom half!"

Shinobu changes back into her uniform, now dry.

"Man, you're just like an old fogie (so old fashioned)," says another teammate.

"I just think about tomorrow and then I'm already really agitated!" says Shinobu. "I should hurry up and go home.  Laters."

"Shinobu!" calls out Arata.  "Some people are actually really motivated by it (team matches). Just for a bit, why don't you go watch the team competition?"

"....  That's.... highly unlikely, don't you think?"

Caption: Any high school competitor, no matter how many competitions...  For the sake of ensuring the competition goes smoothly...  will in advance have all the groupings of 50 cards at the start of the game.

Announcer: "Please shuffle the cards."

Caption: Then the two opponents will mix the cards together.... each of them receiving 25 cards, turn them face up and group the cards accordingly.

Panel: Everyone studies their cards intently

Chihaya: ...
Desktomu: This is...
Tsukuba: Omigawd I'm so nervous...
Meat bun: I only have one 'single syllable' card, yet I don't have any cards beginning with "chi".  This would have been be very detrimental to Chihaya.

Chihaya looks up at her opponent and notices for a brief moment she is smiling as if she is in on a little secret.  The smile disappears as soon as Chihaya takes a closer look.

Suddenly all of the Fujisaki players bow respectfully to request a break, before the male players get up and leave the room.

In the audience, they are shocked. They've just arranged the cards. They're already getting up to take a break?  The lot of them together?

"They've already gotten up?  Such bravado..."

I don't get it, thinks Miyauchi-sensei.
How fearsome, comments Kana.  Sumire just gawks in shock.

In the audience, Nayuta (Hokuo team) thinks, Mizusawa....  That's just how Fujisaki does things.  From the very beginning they set the pace of the match.  Don't let it throw you! (TN: don't let them intimidate you)

When everyone looks at Mizusawa's team, each of them are stretching or spending the time repositioning themselves.

They're all so calm, thinks Miyauchi-sensei.

Not a problem, not a problem, thinks Taichi.

Flashback to one of Desktomu's tips: "There were five matches in total inclusive of the final round.  Even with Fujisaki's third years their minds would be weary.  In order to not feel like last night's leftover meatloaf, Meat bun's description by the way,  I think they're not going to remain seated.  Maybe only the female addition will remain."  (TN: Not sure how it reads in Japanese but the Chinese translation uses "tai lao" where I used an English equivalent to convey the meaning, leftover meatloaf.  'Tai lao' are sacrificial meats of male animals - bull, ram, and boar - offered at the altar in ancient Chinese religion, appropriate since the Fujisaki strength is mostly male, and the captain a tomboy.  Leave it to Meat bun to come up with a turn of phrase that relates to food....)

Master Deskotumu, thinks Chihaya, you really are remarkable.  You predicted everything correctly!
She takes a deep breath.

Karuta is.... thorough memorization.... thorough forgetfulness....  and then repeat!

Memorize then forget...memorize then forget!  She concentrates hard through her past matches today.

An image of Megumu Osaka comes to mind.  Forget...I have to forget her.

If I can't forget her....  Her heart is pounding loudly in the background.  Boom.  Boom.  Boom. Boom...  I won't be able to beat someone who just entered her first match....  I need to clear my mind!

Outside, the Fujisaki players are all stretching.
"Where's Rion?" asks one of the players.
"Just shut it," reprimands the captain (Makoto).  "What does it matter?  Is it a good thing?  That little brat clearly lacks stamina, but insists on not doing stretching exercises?  Even if it's not compulsory."
"You guys really coddle Rion," she continues.  "I mean it's true! Her talents are really shocking.  But it's it really evil how her face has no expression?  Why would anyone welcome someone like that?"
"Also," she comments as they continue stretching (TN: clearly she rants about Rion ALL THE TIME since her teammates are largely ignoring her), "She's consistently remained a B ranked player.  Tsk, just because she's maybe a bit cute."
"Hey, Makoto!" says one of her teammates.  "I do have a girlfriend."
"Me too!" chimes in another.
"What?! Really?" asks Makoto.
"My girlfriend is first year Shino Mimi," says Kanata bashfully. "We started dating in the spring."
"I started the spring semester.  Mine is Ayami Seno. (TN: totally guessing her name here)
"I'm shocked!" declares Makoto.  "What about you Emuro?  Don't you like Rion?"

He stares at her blankly.  "Rion's chest... is like that of a preschooler, right?"

Oh my gosh, that's right  Emuro you....!!  Because you're so perverted your nickname is 'Ko-ero'! (TN: that's a guess on my part, because it uses part of Emuro's name with the word 'perverted'.)

Emuro continues muttering in his own little world, "At least let her be an E cup or something...it doesn't matter what her face looks like... Of course what her ass looks like is also important..."
(TN: As a woman I am completely offended and disgusted with Emuro's character and he needs to die.... are karuta cards sharp? Someone should ninja star one right between his eyes...seriously...  But I believe the author wanted to portray that he isn't anything like Arata, even though they may resemble one another -- according to Taichi)

"Well, this is what I think," says Kanata.  "Isn't it you, Yamai (Makoto) who actually has feelings for Rion?" (TN: I replated "like" with "Has feelings for" because the connotation is that she likes Rion romantically)

Wha---?!  ME?!  What the hell did you just say...?  Makoto blushes furiously.  She grabs Kanata by the collar and declares, "Who the heck would like that 'mask'...?"
"Well that's--" argues Kanata defensively.

In the background a shadow of a girl looms and continues getting closer.

"Don't say such disgusting things, Kanata!"

It gets closer...

"That little monotone sneak, whose only good quality is that she can listen well..."  Makoto suddenly feels a malevolent force behind her and turns around sharply.

She and Kanata note no one is there.  (Shinobu has already left)  (TN: Shinobu is like a malevolent ghost, attracted by strong feelings of hatred -- hahahaha)

"What was that?" she demands.
"I didn't hear any foot falls," comments Kanata.
"How creepy..."

Caption: This power of acute hearing... can be the competing team's strength, and she among the top players... Happily gathering together, loudly making noise...  separate from karuta...

Shinobu thinks of Arata, still under house arrest in the Fukui West sitting room.

Today is the day for the team competition! 

Arata!  Why?  Arata?  (TN: Shinobu lives for the karuta cards, so to make friends that are not karuta cards is something she cannot fathom)

Caption: Break time is limited to 15 minutes.  Ten minutes have already lapsed. 

Meatbun and Tsukuba are waiting in agitation.  Desktomu is mentally preparing by studying all of the cards in front of him.  Think quickly! First plan out...how to move, how to steal, how to give it away...  Think of all possible combinations!

His thoughts earlier [I probably...won't be able to win...  it's not that easy.]
I want to exceed...even my own analysis.  (TN: Desktomu wants to push his own limits, and exceed his prior prediction that he won't win).

Taichi is lost in own thoughts until his opponent returns.
"Forgive me," says Emuro, bowing from his seat.

On the outside...he really does resemble Arata.  Does everyone who studies karuta have that same quality..... Taichi wonders.

The national arena for team competition... my opponent is Fujisaki's wild card... An A rank...  I'm the one who wanted to fight him!

If I can prevail here... or possibly change something--

"Oh, I remember!"
"What?"
"You're the B rank student who competed against us last year....  I remember!" Emuro smirks.

The implication of his words: So then... you're still a B rank, eh?

I've just been snubbed!  (TN: the Chinese version says bei hua xia le yi tiao xian, or a line has been drawn, meaning he's been classified into his own rank, or Emuro has distinguished between their classes/levels)

I've just been sized up.  Aah... and in a very rude way...

Emuro's thoughts are taking a completely different direction.  Actually, I really wanted to see Mizusawa's other female player (Kana-chan) take the stage, thinks Emuro.  To think an H cup would be jiggling in front of my face...

Kana: Why do I feel like I'm being ogled...?

Oh wells...

If I win this time around Sakurazawa-sensei will let me touch her F cup beauties.... (TN: I think I'm thoroughly disgusted with this guy...)

Sakurazawa: [Just continue your A rank style of wishful thinking]  TN: Dream on, buddy.

Makoto is still making an ugly face and clearly agitated: What the hell kind of nonsense was Kanata spouting, that guy!  He actually said that I liked Rion... What the heck, I like Rion....  What 'like'... (TN: clearly she has issues she should sort through....)

Meanwhile Kanta looks over to his twin in the audience.  Manata!  Just watch me, Manata!

Ichimura stretches: This time around, should I use that to compete? Knight... fighter...

What is this? Kana watches.  Fujisaki seems so relaxed...

Announcer:  "Let the match begin!"

The orator begins the opening verse and everyone in the audience, especially Kana, listens in awe.

Orator: Naniwa-zu ni
Sakuya kono haana
Fuyu-gomori
Ima o haru-be to
Sakuya kono hana

(TN: "In Naniwa Bay, now the flowers are blossoming. After lying dormant all winter, now the spring has come and those flowers are blossoming." As written by Wani, a semi-legendary scholar from Baekjae.  Baekjae is one of the kingdoms in Korea's Three Kingdom's period, circ. 18 BC - 660 AD.  Back then everyone who was educated read/wrote poems.)

It's so different.  So this is what a master sounds like, thinks Chihaya.  Competition!  I'm with the others in this competition!

Orator: Okuyama ni 
Momiji fumiwake
Naku shika no Koe kiku toki zo
Aki wa kanashiki 

(TN: Totally winging it and guessing what this next poem is -- so if I'm wrong, please advise!!!  But it mentions "red leaves" in the Chinese version so I'm selecting Poem 5.  I'm wondering how accurate the Japanese-Chinese translation is here.... "In the mountain depths, Treading through the crimson leaves, The wandering stag calls. When I hear the lonely cry, Sad--how sad!--the autumn is." )

Rion is able to take the cards before Chihaya and she sits bewildered.

What--?

What is this?  It's different!  This is totally different!  The reaction, the feeling both!

Sakurazawa watches quietly.  Rion... you've only entered this one match... and the orator is your maternal grandmother, Yamashiro Kyoko, of the 7th rank  Will you have an enjoyable performance?  Everyone else, also...

A Kanata raises his hand to halt the pace of the game again.

You just need to take five cards... then you should be able to...

Skewer Mizusawa...

Until they've completely lost all resolve....

Why...Arata? asks Shinobu, sulking with arms crossed in the back of the room.  Everyone near her is shocked to see her there.  Surely this is going to turn out to be a boring match....

Chihayafuru Vol. 14, Chapter 76

Since I was prompted, I dug up my volume of Chihayafuru again.  I think it's therapeutic to get away from my infatuation with Elize and Gaius of Xillia2, and even though Gaius is HOT, I don't think it's healthy to obsess so much in drawing the male figure with all those glorious abs since in RL men don't look like that.  (No one I know, anyway!  Most office workers are not really in good shape and they tend to smoke and drink to excess!)  I need to keep reminding myself that 2D characters are fun to look at but unrealistic to expect to run into in life.  (She says as she reaches for josei/shoujo manga to read...)

Anyhoo...when I read about the Fujisaki team my impression of them was...weird.  But strong.  These opponents, Megumu, Rion...these are all people Chihaya needs to beat before she can even get to the Queen.  This is going to be one really really really long manga....  Do I dare continue my #Chiharata ship???  I swear, mangaka nowadays just play with our feels...

After being having my heart gouged and trampled by Naruto's ending last year I've been absolutely paranoid about all my other manga ships.  #Narusaku4ever.

-Kero

Chapter 76

"Tsubuka-kun, you have to win..."  Kana chan simply hides her face in her good hand in defeat, hiding her right hand behind her.
"Kana-chan," says Chihaya before she takes Kana's hand and notices her right middle finger is really bruised.
"You..." says Chihaya in shock.  "You injured yourself during the last match."
"It looks really swollen!" says Desktomu.

Kana simply smiles behind her tears.  "It's....it's a good thing it was only me.  It's a good thing it wasn't Chihaya who was injured."
"Kana-chan," says Chihaya, holding on to Kana's hand, "what kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

Instead, Kana grasps her hand passionately.  "We're really fortunate!" she insists.  "We're fortunate that the team's trump card wasn't injured, and that we've finally become a legitimate competitive first year team... This situation is our, no, Mizusawa's time to shine!"  (TN: the translation actually says, "stage" here, but I think the English equivalent would be spotlight.)

Everyone marvels at her words.
"Could it be, Tsubuka-kun, you already knew...?" asked Sumire, "that Kana-senpai was injured?"

"O-Of course!" he insists nervously.  "I had been watching Oe-senpai all this time!"
OMG, you're such a liar, thinks Sumire.  You're always lying through your teeth.

I was actually only worried about her stamina.  I had no idea she was injured, he thinks.

"Just kidding! Tsubuka-kun you have to win...."

The way that Oe-senpai lies and the way I do are completely different... (TN: meaning that Kana lies to protect and support others, while he lies only for himself.  I think he finally feels his shame acutely)

Meanwhile, Miyauchi-sensei tends to Kana's injury in the lounge.  "Just put ice on it, Kana.  I brought medicated bandages too."
"Bandages?" asks Kana.  Miyauchi-sensei opens up a bag and explains, "I have medicated bandages, elastic bandages, antiseptic...  Oh!  I also have ointment!"

Caption: She definitely coaches sports...

"You still won even when you were injured like this.... It's probably a sprain.  It's possible that it might even get more swollen after this."

Kana just smiles at her coach.  "I'm okay."  Miyauchi-sensei stares at her.

With such a small hand, she thinks as she helps patch Kana up.  Not only Oe, but also Tsutomu...  How can they make these concessions and yet... even though they're backing down, they're still giving strength to the others.

Meanwhile, back in the hall, the Hokuo players are in a huddle and Sudo-kun overhears them.
"What?  Someone on Mizusawa's team was hurt?"
"Don't change the subject.  Focus!"
"Everyone needs to exert their full power!"

Insert: Sudo and the others from Hokuo sit and wait for the match to begin.  We're watching.

"For anyone to say, that color red is irritating so I don't like it, or, I'm not going to wear it.  Our senpai  all wore the same T-shirt to come out here and support us.  We are not the only ones!"

We're watching.

The defeated Hokuo camp sits proudly in the audience to watch to the end, despite their loss.

But there's also another person who isn't our senpai in the crowd... (referring to Meat-bun's sister)
"Don't worry about that one!"
"Man, don't make me gag!"
"Don't say that, she came to support us!"

Hiro looks down silently.

(TN: don't really know what the point of that panel was -_-; it's like the mangaka is just drawing panels with filler...or I've lost something in translation...)

Yamashiro Rion.

The Fujisaki captain, Makoto Yamai, is pondering her coach's decision for the last match's roster.  I can't believe she made the cut.  Her.  How scary....  All of the third year guys adore her.  It's so unreal...

Even her hairstyle is just copied from mine...  That's too creepy!  (TN: wow, conceited much? I think she sees her kouhai as a rival.)

"Captain!"

"It's because I watched the Mizusawa match, and I have an impression of each players' style..." says Rion.
"So what?" Makoto cuts her off.  "You wanna lecture the third years?  No thanks!  Besides, what the hell did you ever do to become an actual member?  You can't be ignorant of the fact that the third year members have always been the backbone of the team!  Why didn't you just refuse?"
She points an angry finger at Rion.  "We could win even without you!"
"Makoto, that's enough," says Ryouga.
"Why is everyone so damn protective of Rion?  Her face has no expression, and it gives you the creeps... It's like she's wearing a mask!"
"But," interrupts Rion.  Her face is without any emotion.  "Ever since I've joined...we've been winning.  Also, the person who should decline this match isn't me."
"You don't have to tell me that, you little iron masked freak!"

I already know!  Fujisaki's real terror is---

Team coach Midori Sakurazawa sits in the lounge and thinks to herself, This year isn't the problem.  It's next year... The third years are going to leave the team and there's not a single prospect among the freshmen.   But still, should I not have chosen Rion and broken protocol by promoting a first year?  No!  This time, I absolutely had to let Rion play....

Or once again switch a third year to let a first year play, she thinks coldly.

"Sakurazawa-sensei," calls out Hokuo's coach, Mochida-sensei.
"Mochida-sensei, it's you," she greets.
"Congratulations on making the final match.  It is you guys, after all.  But I just saw you take out a third year player, is that right?  He was actually the player who beat out my student Kameda-kun very early on in the last match..."

She stares at him blankly.

"Sakurazawa-sensei is really something," comments another Fujisaki student in the audience.  "You can't just remove a third year from the team so lightly."
"Yeah but Manata-sempai is really strong....  It's totally understandable that he feels that way."

Manata Suzuki is actually sobbing in a corner of the lounge alone, disappointed that he can't play his last team match.

Meanwhile, Manata's twin, Kanata Suzuki checks in on him.
"Manata... your leg injury isn't serious right?  It's still not too late, so why don't you go talk it over with Sensei?"
"Kanata..." his brother says before breaking down into heavy sobs.
"Manata?!"
"I'm f-fine!  I'm j-just thinking of all the hard work and effort I put into ..."  He tears up and falls back into a little ball.

"Suzuki Manata is a marvellous competitor," Sakurazawa sensei remarks to Mochida.  "For tomorrow's individual match, I've placed my hopes on him."

Mochida sensei then thinks to himself, This is how Hokuo lost.  It's my fault.  I don't have that sort of strength, or Sakurazawa-sensei's mentality for dealing with third year competitors, and putting all her team members to good use.... This is a champion's strength!

Faith....

Meanwhile, Kana reaches out an injured hand up to the moon as she gazes out the window.  Tearfully she recites tanka poetry.

Nageke tote
Tsuki ya wa mono o
Omowasuru
Kakochi gao naru
Waga namida kana 

(TN: I can't translate Chinese at that level but it is about the moon on a lonely night, so my best guess is Poem 86, "Should I blame the moon For bringing forth this sadness, As if it pictured grief? Lifting up my troubled face, I regard it through my tears."  Since Kana mentions the monk Saigyou, I think my guess is right, since he's the author of #86.)

"Oe-san?" asks Miyauchi sensei.
"This poem represents the feelings in my heart," laments Kana.  "What sort of troubles did Master Saikgou have when he recited this?"
"I-I'm...glad you're feeling better," says Miyauchi-sensei.  (TN: probably bewildered that Kana lives and breathes tanka poetry)

Kana takes a break from her recital to see her teammates.
"For this last match I fully believe in my notes, 100%," announces Desktomu.  "Everyone gather round."

"Fujisaki's team consists of all power players, and it would kinda be like facing five Sudos from Hokuo's team."

"Wha-aa?" exclaim Meat-bun and Chihaya simultaneously.
"Why are you saying things that make people even more nervous??"

"There's no real difference in achievements among them but their characters are totally different, and their player roster has been ordered as 1. Emuro Ryoga, their wild card, 2. Ichimura Mitsuki, 3 & 4 twins Manata and Kanata Suzuki, 5. Makoto Yamai."

"What's this question mark?" asks Meat-bun referring to Desktomu's notes on Makoto Yamai.
"I'm not really sure what to make of that person," confesses Desktomu.  "I can't tell if it's real strength or just coincidence."

Taichi takes a glance at Emuro Ryoga and thinks, He resembles Arata.  I don't know if it's his build or the glasses on his face.... Prior to this, did I already forget what Arata looked like?  Before I was clearly able to remember what he looked like.  Is it because I've lost my energy...

...during this team competition?

(TN: I think Taichi is coming to the realization that he might not have the stamina to face Arata during the individual competition.)

"But, it's ultimately up to the members of the semi-finals," continues Desktomu-kun.  "In the final match one of the twins is likely to be switched and one of the first or second years will step up into the formation."
"What? How do you know?" asks Meat-bun.
"I thought you just said all their players are A-ranked 3rd years?" asks Chihaya.
"Right, even so...I think they're going to add a female first year."
"How the heck do you know that?" demands Chihaya.
"Based on various aspects of my analysis.  Also, I've watched 3 of their matches."

Rion Yamashiro is a formidable girl.

"One other thing," he continues.

This is all I can do for you guys.

I most likely have no ability to win my match... it won't be that easy.

But....

But....

Announcement: *Attention.  All competitors, please return to the main hall.  The competition is about to begin.*

The hall is filled with the teams from the semi-final match as well as the finals once again.  The audience is all abuzz.


"Hey, Nakayama!  It's going to be a mad rush if we finish watching this match and then catch the Shinkansen.  Will we be all right?  It'll be all right, yeah?"

What a tense atmosphere, thinks Manabu Nakayama.

(TN: For those of you who don't know, the Shinkansen is a speed train that runs long distances in Japan.  If you ever get a chance to ride it, it's fun.  I think I rode it ages ago to see Osaka castle during cherry blossom season.  I don't think they run it to full speed though... >__<)

In the audience, Sumire checks on Kana who seems bowled over with tears in her eyes and asks, "Oe-senpai, are you alright?  Did you really want to play that badly?"
"Of course I wanted to play!" answers Kana.  "Or rather, if I knew that it would turn out like this I would have definitely played!"
"What?"

This worked out well..  She gave such a straightforward answer, thinks the match organizer as he observes the orator who has just arranged the cards in front of her (TN: that old man who put Arata under house arrest, I forget his name).  For a high school competition this is a very impressive gift.

The orator for the final match...  is Yamashiro Kyoko.  (TN: the Chinese version refers to her as "qi duan" which literally means 7 sections and I think it's a TW turn of phrase for excellence, or top level)

"For high school competitors this is too high an honor," Kana cries.  "She's a superb orator!"
"Ha ha," laughs Sumire.
This world is too deep for me, thinks Sumire.  I don't get any of this at all....

 This is it, thinks Kana, tied up in her emotions.  This is the final match, at Omi Jingu no less....

In the highest competitive arena, 

With one of the best orators in the nation,

I really want to play....

In the background Manata Suzuki weeps loudly next to Sumire.

"I will now announce the finalists roster for both teams," says the organizer.  "Fujisaki High School, Yamashiro Rion and Mizusawa High School, Ayase Chihaya."

Yamashiro? thinks Kana.

Someone in the audience murmurs, "From an A-ranked 3rd year perspective, Fujisaki's manpower seems lacking...."
"She's pitted against a sophomore no less."

The organizers both recognize Rion, finally.
I've seen her before.... So she's a student at Fujisaki?
Is that why she responded to quickly and agreed to do it?  (TN: OMG how could you not know?? Isn't this cheating??)

Flashback to Rion and her captain:  "You'll be first on the roster.  If you lose, I won't even acknowledge you, Rion."

Flashback to Desktomu's pep talk: I don't know which girl is going to be added to the roster, and I have no notes on her.  But Ayase, you...

You want to be Queen, don't you?  (TN: meaning even if she's powerful, Chihaya needs to find a way to beat her to make it to the top)

"Fujisaki High School, Kanata Suzuki, and Mizusawa High School, Nishida Yusei."

As they're both staring at one another, they each think, "Sorry but, I'm going to eliminate you."  (TN: OMG Meat bun please redeem yourself...)

"Fujisaki High School, Emuro Ryoga, and Mizusawa High School, Mashima Taichi."

The audience gets louder and someone from the Fujisaki camp marvels, "Whoa, it's a duel between wild cards.  Expect no less from the finals!"

This is unexpected, thinks Desktomu, their tactician.

Flashback to Taichi: "Let me handle the wild card."

It ended up not being Ayase, and became Mashima's challenge instead....

I won't back down....

Even if my opponent was Arata in the team competition... bring it on.  (TN: the literal translation in Chinese is "I'm not afraid," but Taichi was just so cool in prince mode, that I gave him another line.  I do like him, and I usually fall for princes like him, but I'm still with the moody dark horse on this one, #teamChiharata).

"Fujisaki High School, Ichimura Mitsuki, and Mizusawa High School, Tsukuba Akihiro."  Tsukuba-kun is shaking in his boots. His opponent wonders what's up with him.

Flashback to Desktomu: "For this match, as long as you can maintain that expression, you'll be fine."

This time I will break through everyone's low expectations of me, and I will become the hero!

"Fox-eye?" asks his opponent jokingly.
"What?!  Did you just give me a nickname?!" Tsukuba asks suddenly. "How can a squinty eyed guy like you even qualify to give me a name like that?"

"Fujisaki High School, Yamai Makoto, and Mizusawa High School, Komano Tsutomu."

"Huh?" Makoto grunts as she sizes him up.

"So, Mr. Spy.  You guys qualified?  Impressive.  But... don't even think you can win against us.  Of course, even the champions couldn't hold their title against us."

"I would say the same to you, Yamai-san," says Desktomu calmly.  "Don't feel bad when the wind from the force of my hand smacks you in the forehead."  (TN: Desktomu, good job trash talking! She has a really large forehead...I bet she's self conscious about it.)

Makoto looks really pissed off.

"OMG, they're grandstanding!  They already announced the roster?" ask the Hokuo members (TN: were they lost in their own little world until now...?)

"Everyone," announces Chihaya to her team.  "Actually I'm really greedy."
"What? This we already knew," comments Desktomu.
"Compared to becoming Queen...compared to becoming the best female karuta player in all Japan, playing together with you all to become the best karuta team in Japan will be much harder than any of that."  (TN: and that's a challenge she wants to face with them.)

They all gather round and put their hands in to rally.

"Mi"
"Zu"
"Sa"
"Wa"
"GO!"

Meanwhile, back in the detention room....  Shinobu checks on her uniform and decides to change....right there....in a room full of boys.... (TN: Really?)

The Fukui team members start to panick.  "S-Stop!  Don't just change right in front of us!!  Can't you warn us first??" (TN: u might go blind >-<)

Suddenly, Hiro/Retro from Hokuo opens the door to their room.
"What? Who are you??" demands a member from the Fukui team as he peeks from behind his fingers.
"Who is that?"
"I don't recognize him."

"Retro!"  Arata recognizes his shirt.  Hokuo, is a high school in Tokyo.  The champions of their division.  So Retro continued to play karuta as well....

Flashback to Taichi's words: "Even if I lose in the first round at tomorrow's competition, today, I want to win every single round." 

Hiro grips the sliding door.  Mashima's an idiot.   What good is it to go all out in the team competition... He above all others wanted to be A-rank!

And probably even more than me...

"Wataya-san," says Hiro.  "You...Aren't you going to go...and support them?"

"Mashima and Chihaya have made it...  to the final match to be Japan's best karuta team!"

Arata just stares as it sets in.

Chapter end.

Chihayafuru Vol. 14, Chapter 74, Manga Synopsis

Translator's Notes:  

SOOOO... here we are (finally) at the end of the semi-final match between Akashi Girl's High School and Mizusawa High School.  The Author finally gets this slow torture over with -- although it doesn't quite end the way I thought it would.... :-[

BUT, we finally see what Arata and Shinobu are doing (together?) while Chihaya and the others are battling to the last, with their all.  Don't forget, there's also the Final Round for the Omi Jingu Championship Title to go....  I'm getting tired just thinking about it. ^_^;

Now that I've finally cracked open Volume 14, I think you guys will like it too.  So here's another post.  By popular demand, you can find the Chinese Raws onine here.  Unfortunately you have to plug the Chinese title into your web engine search to find it....  

-Kero (3/18/13)

P.s. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again: Shinobu is just REALLY CREEPY...

Volume 14, Chapter 74

(Opening page, Arata and Taichi Art <3)

Scene:  After sundown at the Omi Jingu facilities dorm

The sound of a soft voice uttering the recognized syllables of each of the Hyakunin Isshu cards drones on continuously in a dorm room like a eerie incantation.  One of the members of Fukui's team shudders as he watches, unwillingly, unable to peel his eyes off her.  Her hands continuously and fluidly shuffle the cards with inhuman speed.

"Ai. Sa. Nageki.  Wasura.  Koi.  Harusu.  Tsuku.  Me.  Ogu.  Mikaki.  Wasure.  Tatsu.  Akika.  Asabo.  A.  Mu.  Tsuki.  Konu.  Haruno.  Yasu.  Taka.  Mikano.  Taki.  Ooe.  Chigiriki.  Wata Ko.  Tachi.  Wabi.  Asabo U.  Shino.  Momo.  Kazaso.  Hitomo.  Ooke.  Se.  Nagara.  Oku.  Kore.  Kono.  Ho. Kasa.  Tama.  Kaku. Awaji.  Su.  Tago.  Miyo.  Yae...."

[Author's Note:  Looking through all 100 cards and reading out the named syllables as a type of practice.  The purpose is to familiarize oneself with card sight recognition matched with speed, but in this case, the entire run-through must be completed within 1 minute as a first level standard]

The Fukui team member who has been watching her trembles as he timidly whispers to his team mate, "Sho-chan, she hasn't taken a breath...not a single breath!" (TN: he's likening her to a ghost or a ghoul as they don't need air and are identified among the living as not having breath)

Meanwhile, Sho is being emotional on the other side of the room, tears streaming from his face as he stifles his tears and clutches a manuscript in his hand.  "Arata... the piece you wrote isn't a penalty essay, it's pure literature!"

"Geez...don't read it," Arata says as he continues writing in his corner.
"You could surpass even Kawabata Yasunari and Soeseki Natsume!" (TN: Soeseki (1867 - 1916) and Kawabata (1899-1972) are among Japan's modern classic (post Meiji - era) authors who penned beautiful intellectual novels with traditional beauty and modern day angst.  Among my favorites are Kawabata's Snow Country and Soeseki's Kokoro.)

"You're exaggerating," mutters Arata.

"Arata," says Shinobu as an afterthought.  "Are you not going back?
"I'm going to wait here as part of my punishment, and so here I'll stay until the team competition concludes," says Arata stiffly.
"Ah, ha ha ha," Shinobu laughs.  "Such a responsible effort could really make people weep bitterly and drip snot for you.... But, I'm just waiting for my clothes to dry and then I will be going back."

Suddenly, hurried footsteps outside their dorm room are heard outside.  The sliding door whips open with a crack and Fukui's team advisor and missing player rush in.
"Oh my goodness, we've come too late!  Too late!" they exclaim.
"Teach, what took you guys so long?" demands one of their team members.
"We're so sorry!  So sorry!" Their teacher apologizes.  "Just as the competition was starting we came upon a collision site that needed an ambulance and fire rescue crews.  Then, there was road construction after that...."
"But since we already lost our game, we headed out for beef teppan yaki before getting here," declares the other late team member.
"WHAT?" demands Sho.
"Oh, Queen Wakamiya!" says the newcomer, suddenly realizing her presence.
"Haah," says Shinobu disdainfully.
"Wah!" says the newcomer, unaffected.  "It's really you!  How did you become so thin?  What dieting method did you use?"

His teacher clears his throat and calls his name in censure.

He changes the topic.  "I was downstairs watching the conclusion of the first semi-final round.  Kyoto's representatives were really pitiful... They lost to Tokyo's Mizusawa."

At that, Arata looks up with a start.  Shinobu merely smiles.
"Aah," she says cooly. "Is that so?  That is truly pitiful... If only I had gone to cheer them on--"
"Mizusawa!" Arata exclaims, interrupting her.  "Mizusawa won the pre-semifinal round?  What about now?"
"Tch," snorts Shinobu.  Arata sits and talks quietly, almost to himself.
"That means afterwards, the four strongest teams go head-to-head.  Hokuo Academy and Akashi First Girl's High School entered the semi-final round.  Even though they're a no-name school in karuta circles, that's certainly really impressive!"

Win!  Fight on... Taichi!  Chihaya! Arata hopes in silence.

Shinobu's expression fades as she notices Arata's thoughts are drawn away to his friends.
She puts on her smile and says, "Oh, the team competitions are so delightful!  It is such a happy diversion."  Her smile turns pointedly frightful as she adds, "The thought of such a thing as karuta, to be 'enjoyed by the masses' is even more amusing.... To see it makes one's heart feel so at peace." (TN: Image.  I added emphasis because I can just imagine her biting at every word slowly and making fun of team competitive karuta in her smile. >_< ┌∩┐)

The Fukui team members shudder at her words and feel chills down their spines.
Oh my god, I don't feel at peace AT ALL!!

Arata watches her shuffle the cards again, looking silently and a bit remorseful as he thinks back on what he said to Chihaya during their last phone conversation.

Team competition is only for people who don't really love karuta.

Shinobu retreats to her own little world as she recites the cards again.  But as she goes through them she suddenly stops at the cards "wata" and "ya".  (TN: his last name)
"Arata!" she announces.  "Even though I am deficient and cannot even compare... but right now, right here, let us play a match!"  She smiles darkly at him.  "Certainly we can at least kill a little time."

Again, the Fukui team members shudder and clutch at each other at her expression.  With that look... it isn't TIME that she wants to KILL...

Arata looks at her without expression.  "I decline," he says flatly.
"Why not?" she asks.
"Because today is the day of team competition," he answers.  She looks at him blankly.
Arata continues, "And that... would be disrespectful!"

With that, Shinobu turns away from him and back to her cards wordlessly.

You've got guts, Arata! Sho whispers to him.

To Shinobu, even a practice match is simply a means to kill time for her.  She's really too strong, he concludes.

Shinobu sits silently with her cards stacked in front of her, a single hand gently touching the top card, as if retreating to the company of her only friends.

***

Meanwhile, back in the competition hall, the Mizusawa and Akashi teams are still in play, with no wins and no losses yet on either side.

Sumire looks at everyone in the room.  Why is everyone still looking here?  Is the other match such a one-sided game?  Hokuo already has 3 defeats --

Sudo, who was focusing so intently on Chihaya's game suddenly turns to Hokuo and notices their shameful state.

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!

So strong, observes the chief referee as he gives Fujisaki a once over.  This years Fujisaki compared to the rest is really in a league of their own.  But... I never thought that in comparing the Hokuo - Fujisaki match... that the Akashi - Mizusawa match would be even more intriguing...  This is Mizusawa's first entry into national competition...  And they don't even have a teaching advisor who is versed in karuta.  Even so, those kids could compete to this stage--

.... What to do?  He thinks back on Arata's explanation that he had come to cheer on his friends from Tokyo.  If the team Wataya Arata came to see... was Mizusawa High... It's already too late!  The competition is nearly over...

Meanwhile, Meat bun comes to some realizations (albeit too late).  He can't decide if his opponent is simply incredible or just really strong.  He admittedly shrinks back whenever she gives him a serious look (because he finds it very un-feminine) (TN: Holy cow, dude, come out of the Stone Age with your chauvinism).  Truth be told, he doesn't like to fight with girls, but once he catches a glimpse of her strange little guy phone charm he finally decides what he must do.

Enough!  In my eyes, you are simply a guy!  
He loses a card to her.
You are weaker than Megumu.
He loses another card to her.
I will not lose to the likes of you!

"All right!" she shouts triumphantly.  "I won!  First win for Akashi!"  Everyone looks up in surprise.

Not...not again... thinks Meat bun in defeat as he falls over.  (TN:  WEAK!!)

What they heck are you doing, Nishida-senpai?  thinks Sumire in a panic.  Really... I should start calling you Meat bun-senpai instead!

The other members of Akashi start grinning and feeling hopeful but Megumu remains silent and stoic.  (TN: Megumu says something here that was difficult to translate, "率先獲勝的殊榮被小夕搶走了" but she seems upset that the glory of being the first victor was stolen by her teammate.)

Her stalkerazzi notice her perturbed expression and become enchanted with cameras ready.

As the next card is read, Chihaya takes it.  The Akashi team members are shocked because the "Mu" card is a namesake card of Megumu.  The chief referee is shocked to the core.

That girl playing the Western Japan representative...just what is she?

--Megumu's flashback--

"Osaka Megumu," said her friend.  "It's as if your name is just meant to play karuta!"
"What are you talking about, Yuu-chan?" Megumu had asked.
"It doesn't matter if it's Osaka, or Megumu, there are so many single syllable cards that match... Me, Mu, Su included.  Suminoe would be considered one as well?  Speaking of the Suminoe card, that's just like your dream, isn't it, Megumu?"
"Ah, ha, ha," Megumu laughed.  "Since you put it that way... Even if my opponent is the Queen, I can't let her take away my namesake cards!"
--End Flashback--

Megumu watches painfully as Chihaya retrieves the Mu card, the poem's characters visible in the grip of her opponent's hand.

Just then, Kana-chan shouts out with all her might, "YUISAWA, ONE WIN!"
HUH? her teammates puzzle over her faux pas.  She clasps her mouth in embarrassment at not getting her school's name correct.

Tsubuka ignores it and in admiration focuses on the fact that Kana just won a hard-fought battle.

An audience member rooting for Akashi realizes that the teams are tied and Yuu's first victory is no longer important.  The audience seems to agree and even Murao is surprised at Mizusawa's ability.  The chief referee observes that there are only 6 cards left to play.  He wouldn't be surprised if the tides turned in either direction.  At this point, he wouldn't be surprised if the Western Japan representative Osaka lost.  He hadn't realized that there was still such a strong player outside the immediate karuta circles.

Six cards left, ponders Taichi.  Even though it took us until the very end, but that's not the issue.  Does she realize it as well?  He looks up at his opponent.  He goes over each of the cards that has already been read in his mind, and he counts that there are this 18 empty cards yet to be read.

Apparently, she does not.  As the next card is read his opponent strikes first but realizes too late that the card is an "empty" verse card.

Good, thinks Taichi.

Meanwhile, Megumu is still angry at the fact that both the "Su" and "Mu" cards have been taken by her opponent.

You.... Ayase Chihaya....  (TN: She actually remembers her name.) She looks up at Chihaya in challenge and Chihaya equally meets her gaze.

Reader: "Chi--"

Immediately as the card is read, Megumu strikes first.

"--haya--"

Desktomu and Taichi both claim this card.

"--furu--"

"MIZUSAWA, SECOND WIN!" calls out Taichi.  Kana is just about to cheer her team until she notices Megumu and not Chihaya is the one getting up to retrieve this card.

She didn't take it?? her team members puzzle over Megumu's triumphant strut.  Megumu holds the card up to her face, flashing the letters of the Chihayafuru card for her opponent to see.

This is for the "Su" and "Mu" cards, Megumu retaliates.

Chihaya watches silently and the stalkerazzi flash away their cameras in ecstasy.  (Image.)

The Mioka captain realizes that the "Chigiriki and Chigirio cards have yet to be read, and so even his Bellatrix (Chihaya) showed some restraint.  But this time, it was the four-eyed Queen's challenger that showed a little more guts.

This is a match between two Queen's challengers!

The stalkerrazzi puzzle over their camera shots and realize that the movements were too quick and none of them got a clear shot of that last move.  They realize that this is the fastest Megumu has ever been, and that reason is because of the opponent she faces now.

Another pair of the Hokuo-Fujisaki match bow in conclusion and Sudo realizes in irritation that the match ended as 1 win and 4 losses for his home team.  The Hokuo team looks extremely embarrassed.

Everyone watches the Mizusawa-Akashi match in anticipation.

I want to see... what happens with strong allies by your side... while facing strong opponents... the real you at the end of it all!

 Chihaya and Megumu face each other once again.

Megumu ---

We must do our best!  We must!

We can't... let Shinobu be alone up there forever without a challenger....

Back at the dorms Shinobu turns around and looks out the window.
"What is it?" asks Arata as he notices her sudden reaction.

Is it the "Ai" card? she thinks.  Back at the match, that same card flies off into the air after being struck.

"I thought I heard someone calling me," answers Shinobu, looking out the window into the darkness.

---End Chapter---

Chihayafuru Manga Synopsis Chapter 73, Vol. 13

TN: Gomen! Gomen!  I haven't had time to do this in a while.  I thought about it before Thanksgiving.  Then I thought about it before Christmas.  But, I never got around to it.  Meh.  

I've also been watching Park Shi Hoo (Prosecutor Princess) in the currently playing Cheongdamdong Alice.  The Alice reference is from Alice in Wonderland.  The lead character is a normal,  hardworking girl who finds she cannot change her unlucky fate no matter how hard she tries.  So after being beaten down by life, she decides she will emulate her archenemy, and become a ruthless girl who is determined to marry up into the fantastical world of Cheongdamdong.  (Haha, no, I don't want to be like her)  That theme song by K-pop rookie Baek Ah Yeon, Daddy Long Legs, made me cry so much when it played for the first time. TT__TT  

**If any of you have ever read the book or seen the play, "Daddy Long Legs," you know the significance of the title in relation to the main characters in Cheongdamdong Alice.  (Cheongdamdong is the ritzy, artsy part of Gangnam District.  Thanks to Psy, I'm sure you all know about Gangnam...so I won't explain further)**

Heh, if you don't see me post anything after this, it's 'cause I'm still watching Cheongdamdong Alice.... Sorry.

It's cold out, and I'm settling down with a nice cup of hot chocolate.  Yum.  Let's finish the last chapter to volume 13, shall we?  (Is it me or is Megumu getting annoying? LOL I think the author wants us to realize what a big impact Megumu will have on Chihaya.)

Chapter 73

The chapter opens with Megumu reconsidering her opponent, Chihaya.

The way that she takes single syllable cards...
The way she broke through my defenses...
With every inch of her body, she's declaring, "I want to become Queen!"

I have to topple her! Megumu concludes with resolve.

Meanwhile, Chihaya is retrieving the card she's just taken.  She stares at the card and holds it close to her face, as if in prayer.
I did it!
Everyone, I did it!
I was able to do it-- she thinks triumphantly as she recalls the hard work everyone put into supporting her.

The whole room is brimming with anticipation.

The flow of the game... has changed, observes Sudo-kun.

Then, the sound of the stalkerrazzi's cameras going crazy brings our attention back to Megumu, who is now exuding a dark, ominous aura.  Her fan boy club is thrilled by it.

Building on her efforts, Taichi, Meat bun, Kana-chan and Desktomu are able to take the next card.  Taichi glances over but Chihaya has lost this card to Megumu.

"Good," declares Megumu darkly.  Her aura dampens the spirit of the Mizusawa team once again, and they release a collective sigh at the advantage that just slipped passed them.  (TT__TT)

Her stalkerrazi notice however, that Megumu said "Good" and not her usual chant of "Good...one more card..." (TN: this is probably significant b/c Megumu is no longer playing for her team, but for herself)

The overseers, Murao-san included, are still shocked by Mizusawa's game and think this team rather odd, and particularly, the chief overseer reconsiders Chihaya.

There's a good feeling....  More importantly, she has a wide filed of vision... hasn't missed any cards...  No matter how a card is taken, she is always able to calm down again-- (TN: I'm not sure if the author is referring to Chihaya being able to calm down no matter what card Megumu takes, or no matter what Chihaya takes for herself, but I think the former makes more sense than the latter, no?)

"I'm sending over a card," declares Megumu.  The card she sends is the same one Chihaya recently sent over to Megumu.

(TN: In this panel on this page, Hokuo's teacher comments that, 那孩子绝对也是超级虐侍 or "That girl is definitely of superior lineage."  Something might be lost in translation here, but I think he's commenting on what a ballsy move Megumu just made.)

Unfortunately, as the next card is read, Chihaya is unable to claim it, even though it's on her own side.

She is able to block her enemy from taking cards on the opposite side with a very, very low guarded hand...

I was completely blocked out from reaching that poem, admits Chihaya in shock.

In contrast, Megumu thinks triumphantly, Of course I would use the ultimate barrier defense tactic... Because I had practiced it earlier especially for the Queen's Competition...

I practiced with everyone...

Something like the Queen's title isn't even worthwhile...

But if I don't win, there's just no way I can make the others happy.

I must defeat you here!!

Chihaya notices the look in Megumu's eye.

Ah!  She's angry?  Chihaya recalls how she first observed Megumu at the beginning of their game as the most calm competitor she had yet faced.  The contrast is rather disturbing.

So strong....  I was so far behind on the Oe card as well, so harsh....

But, she thinks as she wipes the sweat from her face, I've discovered something.

(Flashback)

"Sensei!" Chihaya calls after Harada-sensei.

(End flashback)

The room is silent with tension and Chihaya and Megumu ready their stances for the next card reading.  Sumire notices that the number of people watching the Mizusawa match has increased.

Here I thought the Akashi team was really just a one-man team consisting of Megumu Osaka...  thinks Meat bun.  But this is the first time I've faced a girl's academy and felt so exhilarated!  Just as he thinks that, his opponent violently takes another card from him.

Meat bun is still shocked.  So strong!!  She's got practically a guy's strength!

All of Mizusawa's team has lost this card, and Akashi's teacher watches on.  Akashi's engine might be Megumu, but the other players are really in the zone with their strength.

He starts tearing up.  Setting the goal of crowning a new Queen as they practiced against competitors, that's exactly what happened.  They just needed this motivation, and became so strong!

Now the Akashi team has become strong for Osaka-san!

The Akashi team captain retrieves her card and glances over at Megumu.  Megumu... you aren't saying anything to us.  Is she really strong?  That girl...

Both Megumu and Chihaya are out of breath as the next card is read.  Megumu moves first, then Chihaya strikes.   She still loses the card to Megumu.

Missed it by a little bit... Chihaya observes.  I need to be more exact... more precise...

Everyone watches and Chihaya closes her eyes.  That centimeter... that little bit... that card's edge...

Chihaya concentrates and as the next card is read, her hand that was resting at her side strikes like lightning and takes it before Megumu could even come near it.   Megumu becomes frozen in her spot.

That girl... thinks Sudo, mouth agape.  Has she become the type of player who can claim a card with such speed just by touching its edge?  I could have sworn Osaka's movement was quicker, but that move was pierced through--

It's incredibly just like... he thinks in astonishment.  Shinobu Wakamiya comes to mind.

Megumu.... Megumu is like me! thinks Chihaya as she retrieves the card and Megumu looks on helplessly in shock.  Chihaya thinks back to when Harada-sensei told her not to try to beat her opponent's speed.  She's the me before I ever had someone say that to me!

Chihaya gets back into position, and it's almost as though Harada-sensei is right there with her.  Chihaya is able to claim the next two cards.  The audience notices that Chihaya has taken successive cards and that she's pulled ahead of the game.  Megumu despairingly notices that her lead has disappeared.

Suddenly, the captain screams out, "ONE CARD!!  JUST CLAIM ONE CARD!!"  The entire Akashi team is startled by the sudden outburst.

Shoot, she thinks, I was a little too loud.  That's because I'm not used to doing stuff like that.

The next card that is read is a "blank" card, but Akashi's captain still goes through the motions with ferocity.  Meat bun is very startled.

She goes after a blank card with such force, she really is just like a guy....

Megumu! Akashi's captain thinks. I absolutely don't understand your way of thinking.  Or maybe... you really don't want to go down that road of being Queen... and you just want to continue happily practicing with everyone else. (TN: Bingo)

"Megumu," Akashi's captin says quietly.  "I'm going to claim a victory first... so you needn't be so anxious."  Megumu pauses to think of her words.

Certainly, I may not understand Megumu, but... Beside her, Meat bun has become frightened of his opponent, thinking how scary she is.  (TN:  Face.  Palm.)

She recalls Megumu's words previously, "This year I'm going to enter the Queen's competition!"

Becoming strong...doesn't mean that you've forgotten how to be happy, right?

Megumu, you really are a kind-hearted girl, the captain thinks wistfully.  

(Flashback to when the team gave her the head band)

"I want to let everyone be happy, in exchange for their expectations."

(End flashback)

This type of feeling is the breadth of your power.  We know, but we... want to see your desires fully realized.

Megumu is deep in thought and the stalkerrazi notice her changed expression and get excited again.
TN: (-__-;)

Megumu claims the next card, but it seems like both she and Chihaya claimed it at the same time.  Chihaya knows it's hers by rule, since it originated on her side, but Megumu challenges that conclusion, saying she was the quicker of the two.  Her Akashi team members are completely shocked that she's arguing.

"Well, then, as you please," says Chihaya suddenly admitting defeat.  A shock shoots through Meat bun (TN: since this was exactly what he counseled her not to do before the game started).

Don't say courteous words to me, little twit, thinks Megumu in anger.  The person to take on the mantle is me, the one who will make everyone happy is me, the one who will challenge the Queen is me....

"IT'S ME!!" she shouts suddenly.

Chihaya gives her a WTF expression, and her Akashi teammates look puzzled.  The stalkerrazi brim with pride.

Certainly she conceded the argument, but to get Megumu riled enough to react angrily to words of concession makes the situation clear, thinks Desktomu with a smile.  Ayase, this is good.

The real Megumu shows herself.  Now Chihaya can be herself, thinks Taichi.

"All right," says Taichi.  "From this point forward, we attack, MIZUSAWA!!"
"Yes, sir!" they respond in unison.

"F-fine..." the Akashi captain stammers.  "One card--"
"ONE CARD AFTER ANOTHER!" shouts Megumu suddenly.

Sumire realizes that the attention of the entire room is drawn to the Akashi-Mizusawa match.  The chief overseer watches them intently.

Both sides are testing their strength... their morale...

The pressure from these two forces...collide!

(End Chapter 73, End Vol. 13)