Strobe Edge Special Chapter (Curtain Call Chapter)

Yes. The special curtain call chapter of Strobe Edge. T _ T ...

I apologise for taking so long. Firstly, I was blinded by the electric currents Ren sent out. Also, I couldn't help but hyperventilate seeing their kissing scenes... *_* In addition, there were these fainting spells brought on by seeing Ren looking so intently and holding Ninako's hands to his heart... It is a miracle I could get this out!

Nevertheless, it is with such mixed feelings that I write this summary. I love every minute of it, yet I can't help but feel unbearably sad... this is my last entry for Strobe Edge. T _ T

Thank you Sensei for putting up a drawing of Ren with glasses! I love him with glasses. *faint*

The chapter opens with Ninako calling Ren. She thinks to herself that she has no special reason to call him. She just wants to listen to his voice...

Ren picks up the call: " Yes."

Ninako:"Good evening."

Ren:"Good evening."

(Kyaaaa! Ren in glasses again!!! *double faint*) Ninako asks Ren what he is doing currently. Ren replies he is studying Maths. Ninako is surprised to hear that. She wonders why he is studying Maths as the test just ended today. Ren explains that he is studying Maths because he likes Maths. (Ninako is so cute, she blushes when Ren mentions the word 'like'.)

Ren asks Ninako the reasons for her to call him. As she listens to Ren's voice, she is thinking about how great it is to be Ren's girlfriend. Ninako bids Ren goodbye and Ren wishes Ninako a good night's rest. After they hang up, Ninako stares at her handphone and thinks about Ren's voice over the phone and that she likes it... (she is so smitten... *__* me too...)

As Ninako continues to think about Ren and his voice, her handphone goes off. Ren is calling her.

Ren:"This Saturday..."

The scene switches to the next day in school. Ninako's friends are very excited to learn about Ninako going out on her first date with Ren on Saturday. They will be visiting one of the Kamakura temples. Ninako confesses that she is rather nervous about the date. (In about Chapter 30, Ninako and Ren went on a school trip together and Ninako mentioned that she wished to visit the temple and Ren mentioned they could come back again and all blushed. The mangaka is fulfilling all of Ninako's wishes ^^)

One of her friends commented that they are going out on a date so immediately after test period. Ninako blushes furiously upon hearing that.

Her friends teasingly wonder whether Ren will be kissing Ninako... Ninako is surprised to hear that suggestion.

Her friends in their excitement comment loudly: "Isn't it cool to have Ren as your kissing partner!?... Kyaaa!" (I totally agree! *_*)

As they are discussing, Ninako quietly disappear from the group. They were talking about the knowledge of kissing and Andou overheard the conversation. (Andou's expression...)

Ninako, hiding in a corner (^^ so funny, hiding beside a vending machine), cries when she thinks about her first kiss... It has already being taken away by Andou! She wonders whether she should tell Ren about it as this happened before Ren and her beccame a couple. She thinks it may be good not to say but she doesn't want to see herself coming up with stories to keep this secret.

As she was troubling over this... a hand reaches out to tap her shoulder...

She turns around and comes face to face with Andou...

Meanwhile, the friends wonder out loud where Ninako has gone to. Ren overhears the conversation and begins to scan the surrounding for Ninako. He sees Ninako outside through the door.

Andou tells Ninako she shouldn't be too tormented thinking about that incident. That is like an accident. Thus as for that kiss with him, she should consider it like her first kiss has not been taken away. Thinking to himself, Andou feels he really didn't do anything. (^^ Andou is a different category compared to Ninako)

Ren:"Huh?"

Both Ninako and Andou are shocked to see Ren.

Ren:""What did you just say..." (Oh dear me! He looked seriously upset!)

Andou:"For your information, I did it against her will."

Ren:"What do you mean?"

Andou:"This is before both of you became a couple."

Andou:"...so that is not a reason for you to break up." (Ninako looks really worried)

Ren:"That is right."

Andou to Ren:"A man who has no room in him should loose his love, right?" (or A man who is not broad-minded should loose his love)

Andou turns around and pats Ninako's head and assures her that things went pretty well.

Ren, upset seeing Andou being so familiar with Ninako, elbows him at the back and tells him off.

Ren tells Ninako that her friends are looking for her. He then pulls Andou by the ear and says: "As for this fellow, he will come with me."

Ninako thinks Ren looks like he is troubled and he minds. She thinks again that maybe Ren doesn't mind that much... To Ren, the taking away of the kiss should not be such a big deal...

Next scene switches to Ninako getting ready for the date...

Saturday... the day of their first date... As Ninako walks towards the meeting point, she catches sight of Ren. Ninako thinks to herself that she has seen Ren several times in home clothes but today he looks so good that her heart is palpitating...

Ninako:"Thank you for waiting."

Ren:"Then, let's go."

Ren gives Ninako her ticket. Ninako takes out her purse to reimburse Ren. Ren reminds her that this their first date and that he will pay as he is a man.

Ninako commenting that there are many people around. Ren holds her hand and tells her to not to get lost.

Ninako is very affected when Ren holds her hand. ^^ Suddenly, Ninako sees a couple walking past them. The girl has her head on the boy's shoulder. She thinks she will try that on Ren and see how he will react... ^^

Gingerly, she places her head on Ren's side. Ren thinks she is tired and suggests that they find a place to rest. Ninako thinks:"Mission failed." She is embarrassed.

Next scene is them at the dessert shop.

Ninako:"This is delicious!"

Ren:"My cake is nice too."

Ren looks at Ninako shyly:"Half-half, right?" (Oh mine! *faints*)

Ninako looking like she is in cloud 9:"Right!" (She's thinking that her love for Ren will grow too big)

Ninako:"This is enjoyable." (while enjoying herself, Ninako cannot help but wish that the day will not come to an end)

Ren:"Yes, this is enjoyable."

She observes and is pleased that Ren is enjoying himself. She thinks she is satisfied even if this love they have, there's a difference in size. (I think this could mean that even if she likes Ren more than he he likes her)

Ren steals a glance at his watch.

Ninako observes that for some reason, Ren has been looking at his watch. She thinks it is still early.

Ren talks about the route to take to go home. "We will take the Eno train and get out at Enoshima..."

Ninako thinks that even though she doesn't want to talk about going home, they have to. Suddenly, Ninako realises...

... that they have arrived at the train station. Ren tells her that he will purchase the tickets to go home while she waits for him here.

Ninako realises that Ren is talking about going home now. She doesn't want to go home.

Ninako:"I don't want to board the train..."

Ren was surprised:"Why?"

Ninako remembers Ren checking the time consistently...

Ninako:"Sorry, let's get on the train."

Ren observes Ninako's expression...

He grabs her hand and walks away from the station. Ninako looks at Ren and wonders whether he is angry...

Ren looks around and asks her where else she wants to go. He asks her whether she wants to check the guide map to see where she wants to visit.

Ninako squeezes Ren's hand...

Ninako: "I don't have to go anywhere. I'm just happy to walk with you."

Ninako:"Sorry... Only I like today." She apologises for being willful.

Ren sighs... He suggests that they sit down for awhile.

Still holding Ninako's hand, Ren apologises to Ninako.

He explains that his intention for them to go back early is for them to see the sun set at Enoshima.

Ren covers his face in his hand and says:"A man has no space in him because he is full." (I suppose this points to what Andou said earlier and Ren is saying that he has no space in him because he is full of his love for Ninako)

Ren looks at Ninako and continues:"You see... It is not true that you are the only want who likes today." He brings her hand to his heart. Ninako can feel his heart palpitating.

Ren:"Do you understand?"

Ren:"When I'm with you, I'm immensely happy but why at the same time, I become without space in me (I'm not broad-minded or better word possessive?)."

Ren: "I don't seem to be myself."

Ren thinks he desperately need to change this part of him. Ninako quickly resplies that he doesn't need to.

Ren looks at Ninako and tells her that actually, he was quite affected by Andou's kiss incident.

Bringing Ninako's hand to his lips, Ren tells her that he feels terribly sick and upset.

Ninako blushes.

With her hand to his mouth, Ren looks at her intensely and said:"I loathe anyone other than I touching you."

"Do I look bad now?" (No.... Nope... Not at all, in fact you look really HOT now!!!)

Ren leans forward. Ninako's eyes widen and all she could think is:"Wa... Waa... Waaaa..."

She wonders whether it is better to close her eyes.... She wonders about her breathing...

She puckers up her lips, (Bawahahaha... she looks so cute!!)

Ren leans closer and with half close eyes: "I like."

He looks intensely at Ninako and asks her:"Do you like?"

Ninako:"Like"

They lean ever so close... he places his fingers gently on her chin...

They kiss (Kyaaaaaa!!!!*faints* *blinded*)

Ren with his lips close to Ninako's asks:"Do you still think you alone?"

Ninako:"No, I don't."

She tries to explain herself:"but I think that certainly sometime I would feel lonely by myself. When that happens, again..."

blushing and looking at Ren look, Ninako says:"...again.... please" ^^ She is asking to be kissed or the whole works again? ^^Ninako is so honest with her love for Ren. ^^ Ren is enraptured! With that kind of look she gives him, he's speechless.

Ninako hugs Ren and looks contented and blissful. Ren thinks to himself that he is treading on dangerous grounds, he feels totally defenseless when it comes to Ninako. ^^

At the station, Ren suggests that they will visit the temple during Hatsumoude so that they can see the first sun rise at Enoshima.

Ninako smiles and agrees.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blows through them. Ren thinks to himself about the scent in the air. At the same time, Ninako articulates:" The scent of summer's night."

Ren turns around and looks at her. He smiles at her. Ninako wonders why he is smiling at her...

(Yes, they are soul mates... so similar in so many ways)

That ends the special chapter. I'm so in love with the 2 of them. Gosh...

Strobe Edge Poll

Dear Strobe Edge Fans,

The additional chapter and possibly the last entry for Strobe Edge will be out on 13 September (Monday). I'm likely to be able to get it on the same day, if the delivery is not delayed. According to Betsuma Website, this chapter will detail Ninako and Ren's first date. Ahhhh... I'm so looking forward...

Sometime last month, I asked what were your thoughts about their first date and where should they go. I have given my thoughts and some of you have listed your thoughts. Some were not ready then to give their thoughts. I thought to open it up for more to describe. Below are the entries I have received thus far. Let me know your thoughts. : )

Ankemaybe said...

Being an ardent fan, I've been imagining the likely first date of Ren and Ninako. I have a vision of Ren and Ninako walking hand in hand, going to a dessert shop and sharing sweet desserts. Ren likes sweet stuff but could not eat them when he was dating Mayuka out of consideration for her trying to maintain her weight as a model. I imagine a scenario where there will be lots of staring at each other and blushing... That will up the saccharine level between the two. Yummy!! : )

Anonymous said...

thanks for all of your hard work! i love strobe edge. i imagined the same thing. in ch 11 ren and andou were on the train and before the door closed he got off since ninako fell. they had to wait for the train and ninako was saying its nice that a guy liked sweets. dreaming out loud about a date at a cafe asking for separate cake sets and then splitting them with each other. i think this would be a cute first date for them.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Sakisaka sensei will totally surprise us. I wonder if it will be a date or not...but it has to be right? To be honest I think strobe edge is unpredictable and I love the way she tells it. Whenever I dream up a situation to satisfy myself (because I'm waiting for her brilliant next chapter) it never turns out right and I'm always waiting for your summary, haha. But your scenario sounds so cuute ~!

Priscilla said...

I do hope to see their 1st date. Kind of weird to see Ninako dating, but I'm happy it's gonna be with Ren. If sensei does show their 1st date, I too hope it will be dessert shop. Thank you for all of your hard work!

angelmiz said...

I want their first date to be in an amusement park, so that I can see Ren having fun with Ninako. =) They're so cute together!! They can still eat sweet stuff like ice cream or cotton candy there.

Anyway, I hope the Mangaka would fulfill our wishes and not have further obstacles for the couple. It's about time...

Thanks for your blog btw, Ankemaybe! I luv SE and Mi Shounen Produce. Can't wait for the upcoming chapters...

Freesiane said...

Sweeeeet :D I can't believe I haven't thought of this!

Actually, it's still a little too soon for me to imagine how their first date could be. So I've rather been imagining how they'll spend their first day at school as a couple :)
Some little Ninaren moments like Ninako observing Ren in class, when suddenly he turns his head back to look at her :D. A classic one, I know, but with Sakisaka Io's magic, any 'little moment' can turn out to be intense and gorgeous.

Another example: Ninako has always been impressed by Ren's handsomeness, hasn't she? (She teared up once when she saw his hair turn into glowing orange under rays of sunlight. At that time, she felt he looked like a 'god' if I'm not mistaken.)
So what do you think happens if, at the end of the day, Ren walks Ninako home and when they are about to part, in a sudden moment of boldness, Ninako stretches out her hand to touch his handsome face? xDDD

Haha, I know, I'm incorrigible! But I can't help it! One month's a lot of time and my imagination has no limits!

Ankemaybe said...

Anonymous: I do agree that Sakisaka Sensei is a great story teller and she has surprised me many a times. However, if Sakisaka Sensei creates an interruption and prevents Ninako from declaring her feelings to Ren, I may just strangle someone...

angelmiz: : )) I wonder how Ren will react to the rides at the amusement park.

Freesiane: Ohhhh... I just love your descriptions. So romantic... Io Sakisaka Sensei, please hear our pleas.

Lili said...

I can't wait for all of those things to happen. But, I'm very curious as to how Ren is going to react to Ninako's confession. I can just imagine both of them blushing uncontrollably the entire time. It'd be really nice if they end up holding hands by the end of the scene and Ren walks Ninako home.

Ollie said...

Hmmm....well.....since they like the same type of music....perhaps a concert ^^ For a first date it may be a expensive but you'll never know if Ren's parents give him 2 tickets to his favorite band ^-^

Strolling through the park hand in hand is romantic and enjoying each other company and course getting to know each other much better ^^

I like everyone's ideas too! It's so kawaiiii!!!

Looking forward to the next chapter! Thanks for your hard work Ankemaybe~san!

Strobe Edge Chapter 36

Dear Strobe Edge Fans,

This is the last chapter of Strobe Edge. I have such mixed feelings when translating and summarizing it. I wanted to get it up asap for all you fans (knowing that you are probably waiting anxiously for it), yet, I wanted to savour the moment. This is afterall, the LAST chapter. T_T.

Although, they didn't even kiss, but the mangaka was able portray the intensity of their feelings for each other. To me that is unforgetable lovey-doveyness. As Freesiane has pointed out, the smiling couple. Yes, they are the cover page of the last chapter of Strobe Edge. I so wish to see more of a smiling Ren...

Ninako is thinking that she wants to convey her thoughts and feelings to him...

Ninako blushes as she comes face to face with Ren. (Gosh... Ren is looking at her so intensely... ) Ninako: "Well... you see..." Ninako thinks to herself that she had refused him so now she must explain herself to him.

Ren: "Kinoshita San... I..."

Ninako to Ren :"I wish for you to listen to what I have to say."

Ren is surprised to hear this and he gives her his attention. Ninako feels Ren's eyes on her.

Ninako:"Perhaps, I am not apt at expressing and what I have to say may be long but... I wish for you to listen." Ren is looking at Ninako as she talks.

Ren:"Yes..."

Overwhelmed, Ninako tears. She quickly wipes it away. She wonders why she is crying and that she should not cry now as she has not said the things she wants to say. She wonders why her chest feels tight.

In between tears, Ninako pleads with Ren:"..listen, ok?"

Ren looks at her: "Yes, I am listening." Looking at her intently, he says:"I will listen properly."

Wiping away her tears, she says:" To like Ren and to have you said that you liked me, this is beyond my dreams and my thoughts... but at that time I could not give you any response... this feeling of guilt... at that time, I thought it is cruel for me alone to feel blessed... My thoughts were filled with hopelessness....

Ninako continues :"However, I was terrified of being moved...and each time, I tried to find a plausible explanation for my behaviour... I protected only myself... because of that..." Ninako wants to explain her feelings and thoughts clearly but she cannot. She wants to convey her feelings properly but she can't. Frustrated, she tears again.

Ren, looking at her struggling:"It's ok."

Ninako looks at Ren and tells herself to convey her feelings across. Ninako:"I have endured this confused state for awhile..."

Ninako:"I have various things I have to say but even if these are not said, there is one thing I must say to you..." Ninako wonders how would what she has to say next affect the feelings between them. She must tell him.

Ninako bursting into tears confesses:"I love you Ren Kun." She wonders whether he feels the same.

Ren:"Ki.."

Ninako interrupts:"Ren Kun, I love you. I want to become the most important person to you." Blushing and crying at the same time, Ninako continues:" I want to be able to do things like talk to you on the phone, send mails, share a cake with you, although I have a great appetite, I want to see you smile... I want to hold hands with you like a couple, I'm just saying it. We need not do that... but it does seem common to hold hands..." Ninako rambles on incessantly...

At that moment, Ren...

...reaches out and envelopes her into his arms. (T___T , I've waited so long, sooooo looongg for this...T____T, good job Ren. You are such a good, sweet boy. I just love this moment....sigh....)

Ninako blushing says:"I too, I want to hold you tight too... can I?... Ren blushes as he realizes what Ninako is asking... (so sweeeetttt)

Ren:"Please do." (this is unforgetable lovey-doveyness to me... I just love how they fit in each other's arms... sigh...)

Ren:"Don't let go."

Slowly, Ren pulls apart and looks into Ninako's eyes:"Kinoshita San, I love you, I love you very much." (the look that passes between them... Io Sensei, you are the best!!!)

Ninako:"Me too, I love Ren Kun very much..."

Narration: A world where the person you love, loves you too. Such a world glitters and sparkles...

Back in school the next day... Ninako is being surrounded by the girls in her class. Someone has seen Ninako and Ren at the train station yesterday. Some of her classmates express that they are shocked.

Someone asks:" Ninako, I thought you said Ren Kun is merely a friend?"

Ninako apologises:"I'm sorry, in truth, my feelings for him never did change since the beginning..."

Ninako's close friends teasingly calls her:" Hey, Ojousan (young lady), we can see that you are in a great mood." They wish her their blessings.

Of course amongst the girls, there are those who are not so enthusiastic with the news. One of the girls says:"Since Ren likes Ninako so there's nothing I can do..." One of them even says that she is surprised that Ren likes a commoner. Ninako is hurt to be called commoner.

Ren's buddies comment that they will support Ren's partner. Manabu:"I wonder how did Ren confess his feelings to Ninako, I'm going to tease him when he comes." At that moment, Andou who has been listening quietly to the comments stands up and leaves the class.

Andou bumps into Ren outside the classroom.

Ren:"Andou." Andou ignores him.

Ren calls out to him a few times but Andou refuses to acknowledge. Ren reaches out to stop Andou. Andou turns around tells him to hold the conversation. He doesn't want to listen to him now.

Andou to Ren:"Stupid bullshit!"

Ren calls him again. Out of frustration, Andou tells him to shut up and that he really doesn't want to listen to anything he has to say.

With a smile, Ren tells Andou that when he behaves in such a manner he is getting better (as in he is healing).

Andou replies Ren:"What do you know, idiot!" (Ren understands Andou : ) )

As Andou leaves the scene thinking how Ren can remain so calm towards him who has stolen Ninako's first kiss (I wonder how Ren will react when he knows this). As Andou leaves, a girl asks him whether he is free tonight and wants to play. Andou replies that he is sad and he doesn't want to go out. (Andou is healing...)

Back in class, Ren enters the class and sees Ninako telling about how Ren hugged her and she hugged him back... At that moment, Manabu sees Ren and announces:" Here comes the boyfriend!"

Ren walks up to Ninako:"Wait a minute, Kinoshita san..."

Ninako:"You heard it just now...

Minabu:" It's just sharing of happy tidings."

Teasingly, Minabu asks Ren:" Please teach us how you confess your feelings."

Ren with a straight face:" No."

Ren intending to silence further teasing tells the whole class:" This is between the two of us and it will remain a secret between us."

With that announcement, everyone in class turns a shade of pink at his bold declaration.

The class bursts into an uproar of teasing. They shout:" He says two of them.... their secret..." Ninako blushes furiously. Ren looks on and thinks that they are so noisy... Ren bends down and apologises to Ninako. He asks whether she has been harrassed by their teasing. Blushing as she replies Ren:"Actually, I'm quite happy (to be teased)."

Ren covering his blushing face replies:" In that case, it is good..." (So sweeeettt. Only Ninako can make Ren blush)

At the end of the day, as they leave school, someone shouted:" Ninako, Ren is going home. Do follow him. Please the two of you can you show more lovey-doveyness?"

Ren stretches out his hand to Ninako as they walk. In shock, Ninako stares at his outstretched hand and stares back at Ren.

Ren blushes and replies:"Isn't it common for people to hold hands? (he is repeating what Ninako said to him earlier).

Ninako lifts her hand slightly and Ren holds her hand.

Ninako comments:"I know I said about wanting to hold hands but I'm still feeling shocked..."

Ninako:"...I know this is common, I'm having difficulty. When will I get use to it .."

Ren:" You will soon..."

Ninako:"I feel a sudden tightening of my chest..."

Ren:" Me too."

Ninako is surprised to learn that boys feels so too.

Wanting to know more, she asks whether he feels his throat tightening too. Ren replies that he feels his collar bone creaking. (Bawhahahaha.... these 2 are so kawaii!!)

(Buchan, the cat has kittens!)

Again, love gathers.

Gosh. I'm overwhelmed. The sweetness level between the two more than hits the roof! Sigh... I am satisfied yet I want more... Io Sensei, please.... I love the ending statement. Love gathers or love piles up. I'm pondering over this phrase...

Ok. There will be a special edition chapter in the coming issue of Betsuma. The magazine seems to suggest that we will be able to see their first date! I am hoping we can see more lovey doveyness as well as a good ending for Andou. Ok. I would love to hear from you. Leave me your comments.