Kinkyori Renai/Close Range Love Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Uni's Good Friend

This chapter opens with the mention that 3 years ago, a 14 year old girl ruled the gangster world. Her name has since been forgotten in the gangster world. Her name is Nami.

Then, Nami was a transferred student. She looked very rebellious. Students gossiped about her past. There were rumours saying that she tranferred to this school because she had a violent outburst in her previous school. That left her with a scar on her cheek.

At that time, no student would talk to Nami except for Uni. Once, Nami was sitting alone when Uni walked towards her. Nami stared at her and tried to intimidate her:" What are you looking at ?!"

Unfazed, Uni gave her a curtsy (which shocked Nami) and in a very formal tone, apologised for disturbing her but she would like to make an observation. Uni told Nami that she noticed that their panties had the same teddy bear figures. Shocked beyond words, Nami quickly put her legs down. From then on, Uni would come up to her and talk to her. Nami could not help but be attracted to Uni's unique qualities. Soon they became best of friends.

Scene switches but to current.

Uni noticed that Nami was ignoring her. She thought that Nami must be angry with her for keeping her relationship with Haruka a secret. Uni tried to start a conversation. She cooked Nami's faviourite dish and asked her to join her for lunch. Nami refused. When Uni tried to persuade her, Nami shouted at her and walked away.

Uni gave chase and tried to talk to Nami again. Nami shouted at her:"Stay away from me!" Uni noted that they had not spoken to each other for 3 days. Her classmates noticed that too. One of them commented that Nami seemed angry and upset. Haruka overheard the comment. He tried to look for Uni to comfort her.

Haruka found Uni sitting alone at stairwell with her lunch box. Gently he lifted up her chin and told her she should not blame herself. Uni eyes were filled with tears. He told her he was to be blamed instead. Haruka leaned forward to lick away her tears... Uni pushed him away and told him that this is between Nami and her. Haruka made an observation that Uni took too many things upon herself. He told her he would find an opportunity to speak to Nami. Uni felt that Nami has every right to be upset with her for not being open. Haruka felt that Nami could be upset with something else.

That after school, Uni was taking the train back home. She caught sight of Nami. As she walked towards her, Uni overheard Nami's phone conversation. Nami told the person on the line that she would meet them at the alley. Uni followed her quietly. Uni saw Nami talking to 2 guys. She wondered whether they were her friends from the past. Uni thought that Nami must be tired of her friendship and was seeking her old friends instead.

Back in school the next day, Uni saw Saki (Nami's boyfriend) looking totally listless and depressed. He had been missing school since the beginning of new term. He told her he has been dumped by his sweetheart Nami. Uni was shocked to hear that. Saki told her that his pride could not it. He needed to find answers to him being dumped. Saki produced a handphone. He told Uni, he has stolen Nami's handphone. Uni was shocked and told him that he should return the handphone immediately. Ignoring her, Saki showed Uni one of the messages from the handphone.

"Your reputation as the feared person in the gangster world must be a joke. Bring the money to us as soon as possible or we will seek out your friends and hurt them. There will be a bloodbath if you fail to give us the money."

Scene switches to Haruka and Nami. Haruka approached Nami and told her to have a chat with him. Nami immediately told him that she had no intention to forgive Uni for lying to her and keeping their relationship a secret from her. Haruka looked at her and told her to stop lying. He was very certain that Nami would not break a friendship over such frivolous reason. He insisted that Nami to tell him the truth.

Nami told Haruka her past. She told him she used to be a gangster. Now and then, someone would seek her out for a fight to gain instant fame. If they could defeat her, they would be famous as she was infamous. She would often fight in school. At first, Nami thought that Uni, like everyone else in school, feared her but she realised that Uni was fearful for Nami's safety. Uni came up to Nami after she was involved in a fight to clean her up. Uni told her that Nami should stop fighting as she was a girl and fighting could leave scars. Nami could not explain it but she decided to stop fighting then.

She told Haruka that now, when gangsters sought her out to fight, she would pay them. Her intent was to protect Uni and now she has hurt Uni instead.

Suddenly, Saki shouted at them. He told them that Uni has ...

Scene switches to the 2 guys squatting in the alley. They wondered where was Nami and why was she late. They were laughing thinking that Nami was such a coward and they could not believe she was rumoured to be a "Violent Nami". They said they would make her kneel down at them. One of them said that would take photos of her doing so.

At that moment, Uni appeared. She claimed she was violent Nami. The 2 guys said they had seen Nami and but they had not seen her. Uni told them that was someone who tried to imitate her. Uni claimed that was the real Nami. In truth Uni looked hilarious. She looked like she had walked out from a movie. As she had no idea how a gangster should look like, she could only based it on her own imagination (or the lack of it).

The 2 guys laughed at her and told her she didn't look the part at all. In fact she looked so tiny and weak, they were quite sure they could easily break her into half. Uni took out a piece of meat patty and a dining knife. She told them they would eat their words if they were to see her being violent. With that, Uni proceeded to cut up the patty viciously. The 2 guys were not impressed. They told her not to look down on gangsters and started to throw punches at her. Uni jumped out of range. She turned around and stared at them:"How dare you hurt my best friend!" Using her palms, she pushed them away and told them not to come near her friends again. The 2 guys were confused. They have never encounter a fight like that. All Uni had done was to push them around?! One of them took out a pole and wanted to hit Uni when she was not paying attention!

At that moment, Nami came. With a scream and a violent look, she kicked the guy away and slammed both of their heads into the wall, creating huge craters in the wall. With a scary face, she told them she was the real "Violent Nami". With that she kicked them into the air... Uni dashed towards Nami and gave her a hug. She apologised for not realising that Nami had been protecting her from harm. Nami apologised for hurting Uni's feelings and ignoring her. Nami assured Uni that she would support her relationship with Haruka. They made up.

Haruka and Saki quietly observed the two. Later on, 4 of them went back together. As they were walking, Nami asked Haruka when Saki and Uni were out of earshot:"Are you serious about Uni?"

Haruka told her he was very certain and he hoped to marry her one day. Haruka looked at Nami and told her:"If something happened to us, please give your support to Uni." Nami assured Haruka she would take care of Uni.

Suddenly, Uni noticed a luxury car parked at the side of the road. She could not help but felt that someone inside the car was staring at them. She thought it must be her imagination.

Unknown to all of them someone who looked very much like Haruka was observing them from the car window.

That ends Chapter 24. The story is getting very interesting. I wonder what role will Haruka's dad play? What trials and challenges await Haruka and Uni? That ends volume 6. I don't have Vol7 with me now. Will wait for it to be available.

Kinkyori Renai/Close Range Love Chapter 23

Chapter 23 : Uni's New Year

Here is Chapter 23 of Kinkyori Renai. In the previous chapter, Uni and Haruka reconciled. This chapter begins with Uni's Dad insisting that she celebrates the new year with the family. He disallowed her to go out with Haruka.

Uni's mom and brother came up with a scheme to distract Dad. Uni's brother hypnotized the father such that he mistook a cat doll as Uni. Uni's mom instructed her to be back home in 4 hours as the effects of the hypnosis would wear off by then. (Hahaha... this part is rather hilarious cos the Dad was talking to the cat doll as if it was Uni)

Haruka was waiting for Uni outside of Uni's house. They were going on a date to the temple to make a love wish. (It is customary for Japanese to do hatsumode, or the year's first visit to the temple/shrine to make wishes or purchase lucky charms). Haruka expressed his surprise that Uni's dad was willing to let Uni go out with him on New Year's day. Uni lied to Haruka that her Dad was willing to let them go out. Haruka rambled on to say that he did not want to do things that would lead to Uni's dad distrusting him. Upon hearing that, Uni felt very guilty and mentally apologised to Haruka as she really wanted to go to the temple with him.

Haruka suggested that they take stroll to the temple. Uni made a mental calculation and decided that it would take about 40 mins to walk there. As she had limited time to spend with Haruka, she decided against it and suggested that they take a cab. Haruka mumbled that it's not romantic...

At the temple, Uni saw a large crowd making their way to the insides of the temple. She was not able to concentrate and enjoy Haruka's company as she was worried that queueing to get into the temple would take too long and they would have shorter time to do other things. Haruka expressed that he noticed that Uni seemed distracted and stressed. Uni was quick to assure him she wasn't. At the same time, Uni noticed two young men trying to cut queue in front of them. She tried to stop them by imitating a particular Japanese comedian. Not only did the two men apologised, Uni also attracted the attention of people around them. Haruka, stood aside, wondered what was going on.

Finally, it was Haruka and Uni's turn to pray and make their new year's wish. After that, Uni told Haruka that she would like to purchase a pair of amulets so that the two of them can write their wishes on the amulets and hang them in the temple. Haruka was embarrassed and told Uni that he would not write lovey-dovey stuff on the amulet like some idiotic lovers. To spite him, Uni commented that she would ask for him to be more courageous. Haruka commented that Uni was still hurt and affected by him jilting her due to his fears. Hearing Haruka said that, Uni thought of how that moment when Haruka appeared to ask to come back into her life, he mentioned something about him always not being able to get things he really wanted. Uni clarified that she was not hurt or affected negatively, on the contrary she was very touched then. As it was the first time he opened up to her and told her things about his past. Touched, Haruka leaned forward to kiss her... At that moment, Uni's phone went off. Afraid that it was her dad, Uni pushed Haruka away. She picked up the phone and realised that it was her mother who sent her a photo of her dad with the cat doll. Her mom assured her that her dad was still under the hypnosis. After that call, Uni thought that she had better ceased the day and not waste precious time. She went about doing all the customary deeds with Haruka at the temple ground like a whirlwind, trying to do as many things as possible.

Looking at her, Haruka commented that she seemed very distracted. Uni was about to disagree when Haruka pushed her away and told her to hide. It was her classmates. Uni was relieved they did not notice her. At that moment, Uni's mum called and told her to come back quickly as her father had woken up from the hypnosis and was looking for her. Her mom lied and told him she went to the convenient store. Haruka appeared and told her he had to accompany the classmates for awhile and asked her to wait for him for about 30mins. Uni told him she would not be able to do so. Thinking that Uni was feeling jealous, he tried to explain that it would be weird if he left his students immediately. Uni tried to explain that it was not that. Haruka told Uni that he understood and told her to take a cab her. Before he left, he asked her :"Uni, you don't want to be with me today?" Uni was shocked as she stared at Haruka's departing figure.

Haruka was with the students who were trying to hang their amulets after writing their wishes. One of the students spotted Uni's amulet. She commented that Uni's didn't look like wishes. What Uni wrote looked more like a declaration. Curious, Haruka bent down to take a look. Uni wrote on her amulet:"One day, I will make you feel blessed." Haruka was surprised...

Back at Uni's house, her father questioned her on her whereabouts. Uni, still thinking about Haruka's parting words, decided to tell the truth. She regretted not doing so earlier. She thought if she had done so, she would not have to lie to Haruka and thus causing him to misunderstand.

Uni bowed down and with tears in her eyes she apologised to her father and told him that she was with Haruka earlier on. Her father angrily shouted that it must be Haruka's fault for dragging her away from the family. Uni explained that she was the one who decided to go out with Haruka and lied to both of them.

Suddenly, Haruka appeared and he understood why Uni seemed so distracted during the date and had to leave earlier. Haruka told Uni's father that it was his fault. He expressed that this is the first time he wanted to spend New Year's day with someone and in the past he had no such desire. In the past, he didn' think New Year was a big deal, but now he found someone he really liked and wanted to spend New Year with her. He told Uni's father that he was the one who had been looking forward to this date. Uni's dad was furious. He shouted at Haruka and told him that he would never approve of him.

At that moment, Uni's mom ticked the father off. She told him that he was a hypocrite for saying such things as he made her pregnant when she was 17 years old. Uni's dad was shocked that his wife exposed his past. He lamented that now he had no right to control Haruka. Uni's mom declared that the matter was resolved.

Outside of Uni's house, Uni apologised to Haruka. Haruka told Uni not to be think too much of it. He told her he was very happy as he saw something that touched him alot. He bent down and told Uni:"You must make me feel blessed." Blushing, Uni claimed ignorance to Haruka's words.

In a more serious tone, Haruka asked Uni whether she knew of the actor by the name of Haruka Reo. She answered yes. He told her that man was his father and that one day he would tell her about his dad and his past. Afterwhich, Haruka kissed Uni passionately much to her discomfort as it was outside her home...

Back in school, Uni met Nami along the corridor. She greeted Nami but was ignored. Uni wondered what was going on...

Ok. That ended chapter 23. I love this chapter. Very sweet chapter. I like Uni's straight-forwardness. This is one key reason why I like this manga. Also, it is no wonder Uni is such a breath of fresh air, in fact, I find her family members hilarious and interesting. Her father, who seemed the most normal and ordinary person in the family, but when placed with the family, he seemed like an odd ball. : )

Last but not least, Haruka finally is ready to face his past with Uni. I wonder what is it about his past. I believe his past will be an obstacle or another hurdle for them to clear.

Do you like this chapter?

Kinkyori Renai/Close Range Love Chapter 22

This Chapter is entitled Uni's Wish. We pick it up from the previous chapter. If you recall, Uni was resting in the infirmary. She asked Azusa who was beside her whether he was the one who saved her. Azusa, who was in love with her decided to lie and told her that he was the one who saved her. Uni was heart-broken as she thought that no matter how she called out for Haruka, he would not respond to her anymore...

Chapter 22 opens with Uni's academic position in school sliding down to Number 2 in her cohort. Saki is Number 1. Her good friend, Nami, expresses her disbelief. Uni stares at the grades and comments in her heart that it is her English that pulls her down. She scores 52 for English.

Haruka walks past and tells her to see him in his office later as her grades for all have remained the same except for English and he wants to talk to her.

Meanwhile, Azusa looks on and decides to speak to Kou Sensei to find out more about Haruka's behaviour. Kou is shocked to learn that Haruka has broken up with Azusa. Azusa tells Kou that he knows that Haruka is still in love with Uni but he doesn't understand why he did what he did.

Kou tells Azusa that she used to be in love with Haruka when they were in the university. He seemed so cool and distant and was always surrounded by girls. Even so, he seemed aloof and private and didn't want to talk about his past or himself. Kou heard some rumours that Haruka is estranged from his father and has been staying alone since 17 years of age. However, she noted that his personality has changed drastically since he going out with Uni. He smiles often and seems really happy.

Kou asks Azusa:" Don't you want the person you love to be really happy?"

Azusa:"You mean you want me to tell Uni the truth?"

Kou tells him she prefers he gives Haruka a punch as she believes... (the scene switches to Haruka and Uni sitting in the career counselling room).

Haruka tells Uni that he is concerned of her grades and if she has any questions she must approach him. All Uni can think of is that Haruka is smiling at her. At that moment, Azusa barged into the room and pushed Haruka to the wall. Azusa calls him a coward and that the reason for him to hide his love for her is because he is afraid that she will leave him for another person. Haruka leaves Uni first so that he can prevent himself from getting hurt in the future. Azusa confesses to Uni that Haruka was there to save her too during the sports meet.

Upon hearing that Uni assures Haruka that she will not like anyone else. Haruka maintains that he doesn't know what they are talking about and he leaves the scene.

Uni tells Haruka that she will confess her love to him everyday. (the rest of the scene depicts Uni's hilarious methods of confessing her feelings)

On the last day of school before the winter vacation, Uni goes in search of Haruka to confess her feelings. One of the staff tells her that Haruka has left for the train station to take a train back to his home town. Uni is hurt and discouraged to know that Haruka has gone home to avoid her. Azusa seeing her despondent look decides to help her get to the train station on time. With Uni sitting behind him, Azusa cycles to the train station as fast as he can. Along the way, Azusa asks her for the cat clip he has given to her. He tells her that he fell in love with the girl who was so happy to receive the clip from him. He wants to see her with that smiling face again.

Uni manages to get to the station just to see the train leaves. She rushes up to Haruka and with tears in her eyes she tells him that she loves him today and will continue to love him tomorrow. Although she cannot promise she will love him forever, but she knows that by his side she can conquer all difficulty. As the train departs, Uni shouts after it telling Haruka that she will wait for him to come back to look for her.

Days past and Uni has not received any news from Haruka. On Christmas day, Nami asks Uni to help her sell cakes to earn some part time income. Nami asks Uni whether she is will be going out with her mysterious boyfriend later on. Uni tells her that he has not contacted her for a long time. Uni thinks that Haruka has given up on her. Overwhelmed with emotion, Uni covers her face with her hands as she cries. Nami tries desperately to calm her down. Suddenly, a hand reaches out to uncover Uni's crying face. Haruka looks at Uni and tells her he is back.

Nami, unaware of their secret relationship, thinks that Haruka is here to buy cakes from them. Haruka asks Nami to be quiet and he apologises to Uni for lying to her and hurting her. He asks her to take him back into her life. Nami, in shock, stares at Uni. Uni slaps Haruka in a desperate attempt to prevent their relationship from being exposed. They start to call each other names. Nami is too shock to react. Finally, Haruka holds Uni's face in his palms and tells her that he is afraid of losing her. He did what he did because since he was born, he lost things he really wanted. He says he believes what she said and he will believe in them.

Uni is touched. She asks Haruka:"Nami is in shock now. Is it alright for her to know about us?"

Haruka:"I'm ok. Come here."

Both Uni and Haruka hug while a shocked Nami looks on.

Ok. That ends chapter 22. A sweet chapter. I like it that Haruka, a cool guy on the exterior, can lose confident when it comes to relationship. I like it that he has opened up to Uni and is beginning to tell Uni about his past. I believe Haruka's past will be an obstacle for them both in the later chapters. I like Uni's straightforwardness in expressing her feelings towards Haruka. I like Azusa's sweetness too. : ) I like this chapter.

Kinkyori Renai/Close Range Love Chapter 21

Thanks to Bebexiu, I have in my hands several chapters of Kinkyori Renai. Bebexiu has kindly offered me this opportunity to translate this manga. Thanks a million!!! I must confess that I have the chapters sometime ago but due to work commitments and many other distractions, I did not sit down to look at them until recently. I apologise for the delay (to Bebexiu and for those who were waiting).

After ploughing through the chapters in Japanese, I love how the story is developing! Some of you may know that I collect this manga and only 5 volumes have been translated into mandarin. Can't wait to get my hands on vol 6 and 7 (in mandarin). I love this series. I love the humour and I love the drawing style, especially Haruka Sensei (so cool!!!). Enough of me drooling...

Originally, I intend to give a brief summary but after ploughing through the chapters, I could not help but give a more detailed summary. Please let me know if you prefer a shorter version. : )

I mentioned in my last entry that Haruka has broken up with Uni. Reasons were not given and Uni is heart-broken. Let's pick up from there.

Chapter 21 (Uni's Lost Love)

It is the school's ball game tournament. The winning class will get lunch vouchers of unlimited value for a week. The whole class is excited. Some of the classmates comment that Uni will be the key person to help them win the tournament. However, Uni's response was out of character. She seemed rather upbeat. The class looks at her and wonders what has overcome her.

Azusa, Uni's childhood friend, asks her what happen when they are alone. She tells him she has been jilted. Azusa is taken aback but is secretly rejoicing as he likes Uni and habours the thought of getting together with her. Azusa takes the opportunity to express that for Haruka, a teacher, to meddle in a relationship with his student is not becoming and a horrible thing to do. However, Uni, surprises Haruka by saying that she sees it differently. She thinks that she deserves this and she has lost her confidence due to something she did. The only thing that is clear to her now is that her heart is broken.

On the day of the ball game tournament, Uni wakes up feeling slightly feverish. However, she turns up for the tournament and tries her best to help and concentrate despite feeling feverish. In order to take her mind off Haruka, Uni throws herself into the various ball games and plays all the games. Of course, she excels in all the games much to her classmates delight and their competitors despair.

After which, whilst taking a break, Uni finds herself feeling light and dizzy. She is thinking of eating some food to regain her energy when she suddenly feels faint and almost falls down a flight of stairs. At that moment, Haruka Sensei passes by and grabs hold of her hands. He chides her and tells her that her condition today is terrible. He insists that she goes to the sick bay and rests. Uni thinks to herself that no one notices her bad condition except Haruka. She cannot help herself but grabs hold of him from behind and asks him whether he will find her bothersome if he continues to like her. With a serious look, he tells her it is useless as he will find it a bother. Uni is hurt...

At the resting area, 2 boys from another class approach her and tell her that there friends would like to discuss some matters with her and seek her views. Thinking that they can be of help to her lost love situation, Uni immediately agrees. They trick her to the store room and lock her in there. Uni, who is already unwell, coughs and begs for someone to open the door.

Meanwhile, back at the ball tournament. Uni classmates realise that Uni is not around. When Haruka hears of it, he is worried that she may have fainted somewhere as she has not been feeling well. Azusa, is surprised to learn from Haruka that Uni is unwell. Azusa is also surprised by Haruka's response towards Uni's disappearance. Azusa follows Haruka to search for Uni.

Haruka and Azusa fail to find Uni. Haruka wonders whether Uni has taken a bus home. At that moment, they overhear someone talking about Uni being locked up. As Azusa and Haruka confront the group of boys, the key drops to the lower floor. Without hesitating, Haruka jumps to the lower floor to retrieve the key. Azusa is shocked: " Are you okay?" Haruka replies:"No worries."

At the storeroom, Haruka and Azusa find Uni unconscious. Haruka stops himself from touching Uni and tells Azusa to carry Uni to the sick bay. Haruka claims that he has to leave to attend to some other task. A confused Azusa asks Haruka to explain his frantic behaviour a moment ago as opposed to his current indifferent demeanor. Haruka walks away and tells him Azusa does not need to understand his behaviour.

At the sick bay, Uni asks Azusa whether anyone help him to rescue her. Azusa tells her he was the one who discovered her at the storeroom and brought her to the sick bay. Uni is sad and disappointed. She thinks Haruka will never look at her like he used to again...

My thoughts: Sigh... It is clear to me that Haruka obviously loves Uni and cares alot for her yet he broke up with her. Haruka did not explain his behaviour. It is frustrating. I don't understand why he thinks that is a mature way of handling the situation. Well, the next chapter is about Uni's wish. I took a peak at it and I do believe that the mangaka will end this agony and put the two back together. YES!

Himitsu no Ai-chan and Kinkyori Renai/Close Range Love

Dear Fans and Followers of Himitsu no Ai-chan,

Fujioshi will be taking up this project and giving you the summary of the latest chapter. I will stop doing so and concentrate on other projects. : ) I'm so happy to be doing things this way. It is like working to together to share our love for various mangas to fellow fans and friends. Do visit her blog http://fujioshi.blogspot.com/ for Himitsu no Ai-chan's updates!

Talking about working together, Bebexiu from BebeXiu©Shoujo Home came to know that I'm a fan of Kinkyori Renai and has approached me to translate and summarise the series. I'm so honored to be given this opportunity. : ) She has lent me several chapters (thank you so much Bebexiu!) and I'm in the midst of translating and summarising. Those of you who are fans, I will be summarising from Chapter 21 onwards. All I can say is that I love how the story is developing. Do look out for it. Like I say I love this way of working together to share our love for mangas to all.

Ganbatte Kudasai!

Kinkyori Renai/Close Range Love Vol5

What an exciting week for me! XD

My head is still spinning with so many exciting developments from the various manga series I've been following. Gosh! Where do I start?!

Finally, Kinkyori Renai Vol 5 is out. How can I resist it?! : D

Some very exciting developments in Vol 5. Uni's childhood friend is back from overseas. He came back just to fulfill their childhood promise (they are espoused to each other?!). Needless to say, his entrance wreck havoc in Haruka and Uni's relationship. The volume ends with a cliffhanger. Haruka broke up with Uni! I need volume 6...