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.

Strobe Edge

Dear Strobe Edge fans,

This chapter is described as the last curtain call! Also, the website mentions that Strobe Edge has finally ended! Oh no! Strobe Edge is really coming to an end! I am reading this off the Bessatsu Margaret website.

I will get my copy of the magazine today. Let me plough through it and give you the translation as soon as I can. Also, I will let you know the status.

Btw, I just love the cover page. They look so good together!!!

Strobe Edge Poll

Dear Fellow Fans,

In a few days' time, I will get my hands on the latest chapter of Strobe Edge (finally)! I am hoping Sakisaka Sensei will detail out their first date after Ninako's confession. 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!! : )

I would like to find out from you. What are your thoughts of them going on their first date? Where do you think they should go? Please share them.

Mi Shounen Produce Chapter 14

Dear Fans of Mi Shounen Produce,

Here's Chapter 14!

It is during their common break time... The bell that signals the end of break time goes off... Kako tells Kousei that they should make their way back to class. Kousei touches her hair in respond. Blushing, Kako asks Kousei what he is doing. Kousei looking at her adoringly... replies: "Nothing in particular..." Kako blushes a deeper red tries to change the subject. She asks Kousei to meet Tomoe in school. Kousei is surprised at her request. She tries to explain to him what happened during the date with Tomoe. Kousei replies that he will not and pulls her close to him.

Looking into her eyes, he tells her that she should talk and think about him as if she is thinking and talking to someone she likes. As for Tomoe, she is not to look at him that way.

Kako blushes again and Kousei says:" I love..." At that moment, Kako slips. She screams out for Kousei and he grabs her hands and says:" I don't stop it anymore." (I suppose this means that he doesn't want to hide his feelings for her).

Narration:" We are no longer only childhood friends..."

Kako is walking and thinking that Kousei loves her and she wonders how much... At that moment Tomoe's assistant appears and asks to ascertain some information with her. He reads from an article stating Kako's personal information and her being Kousei's producer. Kako is smiling at him as he narrates the information but inside she is wondering how he comes to know these details.

In conclusion, he asks whether she treats this as a form of child's play. At that moment, Tomoe interrupts and tells his assistant to mind his words. At the same time, Tomoe invites Kako to his office for a meeting.

At Bright Productions Co. Ltd, Tomoe tells Kako that this company is renown to produce top talents. Not forgetting her role as Kousei's manager, Kako asks about Kousei's chance...

Tomoe, noting Kako's response to him with regards to Kousei's career, tells her that he is impressed with her professionalism and thoughts. He believes she has the requirement to be a professional. Kako wonders how this is going to affect her duties as Kousei's manager.

Looking at her expression, Tomoe quickly replies that he is not wanting to separate her from Kousei. However, he wants her to consider to become a trainee at Bright Productions as she continues to be Kousei's manager. He advices her to think through it carefully before giving him a reply. She can call him when she has made her decision.

Back at the studio, Kousei has finished posing for the camera and is ready to go back with Kako. Suddenly, he is stopped and asked to do a few more photo shots. He waves goodbye to Kako. Kako looking at him thinks that she has no concrete objection to Tomoe's suggestion.

Back at Bright Productions, Tomoe is getting ready for a perfume advertisement photo shoot. Kako approaches Tomoe and tells him that she is not equipped with talents and does not have the knowledge of the field. However, she wants to learn from him. She added that she is keen to do whatever he wants.

Tomoe is surprised and happy to get a positive reply from Kako. He tells her that he is especially please with her statement of wanting to do whatever he suggests. He grabs her hand and drags her to the photo shoot set. He tells her that they are now shooting an advertisement for the perfume.

Tomoe tells Kako that she is now undergoing training. She is to use the script given and convey the image the sponsors have. She pleads with Tomoe to let her leave as she wants to give this training a miss. Tomoe asks to what extent are both Kousei and her prepared for the training.

Meanwhile, the camera crew are asking who she is and commenting that she is not good looking. Kako is still thinking about Kousei's preparedness for her to be engaged in this training... Tomoe reaches out and takes her glasses away.

To help her get into the mood for the photo shoot, Tomoe tells Kako to think of him as someone she loves. At that moment, Kako grabs hold of Tomoe and pins him down under her. She tells him that is an unreasonable request.

She doesn't see him as a person she loves. The camera crew sees that look Kako has and is impressed by her looks. The cameraman takes the opportunity and photographs them.

As Kako walks home, she comments to herself that she must be the most egoistic person in Japan and that is why she didn't get to sign the contract.

Kousei overhears her and asks about the contract she mentioned. (XD I like the frog he is holding. Kawaii!!!) Kako is taken aback to see Kousei. She asks him about the overtime photo shoot to fend off his question.

Kako makes a mental note that she should not tell Kousei about the contract with Tomoe as she does not want Kousei to be unhappy with her. Trying to distract Kousei again, Kako points at a department store at a distance. As they look at the store, people around them are commenting about the advertisement and asking about the model with Tomoe...

Kousei and Kako stare at the advertisement on the Department Store. It is Kako and Tomoe...

Comments: I believe that Kako's thoughts about signing up as a trainee with Tomoe is to further Kousei's career. I'm not sure of Tomoe's intent. I wonder whether he likes Kako and wants to develop a relationship with her or is he serious about developing her talent. Or perhaps she stokes his interest and he is just curious. In any case, Kousei is very possessive of Kako. I wonder how he is going to react to this perceived closeness between Kako and Tomoe.

Sigh...the series is taking a break. It will be back after 2 months. The mangaka really knows how to stoke our interest.

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!

迷雾中的蝴蝶/Kanojo wa Uso wo Aishisugiteru Chapter 165

Here's the latest chapter of Kanojo wa Uso wo Aishisugiteru. Sigh... Nothing much happened!!!

Aki recalls Takagi san's words after he met Riko. He told Aki that after hearing Riko sang, instantly, he was sure that she is talented. He likes her voice, attitude , appearance and even musical mood.

Aki is staring at Riko as she hums the song she has heard. He seems overwhelmed and mesmerized by her singing. At that moment, Riko turns and asks him:" that song..."

Blushing... Aki: "Do you want tea? If not, how about coffee?" Riko:"No. Coffee is bad for the throat. This is because caffeine is bad for the voice..." As Riko answers, Aki runs to the kitchen without waiting for Riko to finish her reply. Riko, puzzled by what happened:" Ogasawara san!?"

In the kitchen, Aki tells himself that it is wrong, he should not even consider the possibility of taking up Takagi san's offer of training Riko... his issue with Takagi san and the lack of confidence he has towards Takagi san. But then, Aki recalls Shinya's description of Riko's quality of voice, he cannot help but agree vehemently that Riko has a very good voice.

As he wonders what he should do, Riko appears at the door of the kitchen:" Ogasawara san? What is it?"

Aki feeling embarrassed, blushes and comments that he is in a terrible situation. Riko:" Perhaps... That song I sang, where was it from?" Aki taken by surprise:"Why?" Riko quickly apologises. Riko:"I didn't mean to lie... I fail to mention even though you told me you dislike a girl to sing... I... sing and play in a band... because of that..."

Aki interrupts and asks why is she crying. Riko thinks that crying is not allowed...and he really dislike her...

Aki grabs hold of her hand and hugs her to comfort her: "When you cry, you can be taken advantage of by a man... a man will stretch out his hand and take the opportunity when possible." Riko laughs. Aki:"This is no a laughing matter! It is a serious matter!"...

At the same time, he kisses her. Riko pushes against Aki:" Wait... our pact is that 1 kiss a day... are you going to keep it?"

That ends Chapter 16. Like I said, nothing much happened in this chapter. Perhaps the mangaka is trying to bait us and leave us wanting more... Well let's hope that more things will happen in the next chapter.