迷雾中的蝴蝶/Kanojo wa Uso wo Aishisugiteru Chapter 20

Dear fans of this series,

I apologise for the long wait and the long exodus. With this, I hope my momentum for summarising manga series will pick up.

The chapter begins with Shinya's perspective of the past. This is back to before Shinya was Crude Play's bass player.

Shinya was in the recording studio with Takagi. Shinya recalled that the first time he heard Aki's music, he was 17 years old. Takagi handed to Shinya a copy of Crude Play's song and asked whether he could help to play this song's bass.

At that time, Shinya's job was to listen to debut songs of newcomers. As he listened to Crude Play's demo tape, he commented that Aki was a good bass player. Takagi commented that Aki was 18 and of the same age as Shinya. Shinya corrected Takagi. He clarified that he was 17 and Aki is one year his senior. Shinya recalled that he was probably feeling competitive towards Aki even during then.

Takagi continued to ask Shinya what he thought of the song. Shinya told him he thought that Aki was very talented and that the song would sell well. Takagi brushed him aside and told him that he wasn't asking about that but his feelings about the song. Shinya wondered about Takagi's intentions...

Takagi pressed and asked Shinya why it is so difficult for him to answer that question. Shinya replied that he love the song and asked whether that was the answer Takagi was asking for.

Takagi ignored his outburst. He exclaimed that it was great that Shinya love the piece so much. Shinya replied that it is not important whether he love the song or not. Takagi explained that it is very important as he believed that the person who really loved the song should play it.

As Shinya observed Takagi's behaviour, he thought that the reason why Takagi was surrounded by people was because of his enthusiasm towards music...

Takagi told Shinya to listen to the whole song thoroughly. Shinya commented that Takagi seemed to really like the song very much.

Shinya remembered that at that time, Takagi looked really proud and satisfied. As Shinya listened to Aki's song, he commented that Aki was really very talented and gifted.

At that time, Shinya put in all his effort to play that piece as best as he could...

...it was his way of showing his love and appreciation for the song.

The first time Shinya met Aki, he could tell that Aki seemed uncomfortable. Shinya thought it was because Aki did not like the way he played his song. Shinya tried to experiment other ways of expressing the song to get Aki's satisfaction. He told Aki, he would play until Aki was satisfied.

Aki responded by asking Shinya whether he could do him a favour. Shinya gladly replied that he would do anything.

Aki asked Shinya to replace him as a member of Crude Play as he would never perform again. Shinya was shocked...

Takagi told Shinya that things turned out well afterall. He felt that Aki would be puffed up if everything went well for him. Takagi added that this humbling encounter may help Aki to write better music.

As Shinya listened to Takagi, he thought why no one bothered to ask him about his feelings.

Shinya thought that he was but an instrument that was selected to help cultivate a genius; he was the "hateful" character.

Shinya recalled that when Crude Play gave their debut performance, fans were screaming for Aki. They shouted that Aki was better. Aki fans had followed him since before the group was talent-scouted by Takagi.

...although he was not welcomed and loved, yet Shinya had to force himself to go out and perform...

The third single was Crude Play's number 1 single. And Crude Play became number 1 because of that song.

Shinya recalled that it was about that time that Mr Taki passed away. Mr Taki was a famous and accomplished bass player...

Shinya noted that although many famous stars appeared at his funeral, the media did not report this event. Shinya could not help but think that Mr Taki died an unknown hero.

Mr Taki left messages to many people including Shinya. Shinya looked into the note and saw the message for him:

" Shinya

Find your partners"

Since then, Shinya had been planning for his new band. Whether the name of the band is in English or Japanese, the letters must come before Crude Play. Shinya has also been scouting for a lead singer, someone better that Shun of Crude Play...

Shinya thought that no matter how talented Aki was. The band would not be so popular without a good singer. In one their practice sessions, Shinya could not help but conclude that Shun was a very good singer... Takagi laughed and commented that Shun has very good showmanship. Shinye concluded that would make Takagi the genius of spotting talented people.

At that time, Aki's music was about friends, family and day to day events. Shinya wondered whether Takagi introduced his own lover to Aki to help him further his music-writing career (to help him find love and write about love).

Shinya could not help but wonder whether to Takagi, Aki was that important.

Shinya continued to wonder whether Takagi planned everything. To introduce Aki to love using his own lover and to forcefully take her away from him so that he would experience a broken heart. And all this to help Aki write better songs... He wondered whether Riko was part of Takagi's plan to help Aki write better songs...

Shinya recalled the time when Riko took his hand and agreed to be his protege, he was so excited and happy then.

He recalled Aki stating that Riko is his girlfriend... Shinya thought that he would have to break them up. He absolutely MUST break them up...

What an interesting chapter! Takagi is such a scary character. Manipulative and crazy. I have no pity for Shinya. Although he was made used of by Takagi to further Aki's talents, Shinya had a choice. No one put a gun to his head and forced him to be Crude Play's bass player. Shinya is responsible for his choice and not Aki.

I hope Shinya will not end up the ultimate villian.

In any case, the story is picking up. Shinya has declared his intentions of breaking Aki and Riko up. Show time...

BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Dear All,

Here's wishing you a wonderful holidays. I will resume my hobby of summarizing the mangas after the holidays.

Have a great time. See you soon.

"For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten son that whomsoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Mishounen Produce Chapter 16

Hi All! I apologise for the long break and inactivity. Been very, very busy. Thankfully, my busy days will be ending soon. I'm so looking forward to the Christmas and New Year holidays! Yeah!!!

I have so many summaries to clear. I will start off with Mishounen Produce.

Chapter 16 begins with Kako's classmate pointing at photos of Kako that appeared in some magazine. They were asking who is this Kako and that she is beautiful. One of them mentioned that the girl in the photo shares the same name as their classmate Kako who is a nerd. At that moment, Kako appeared and interrupted their conversation. She wanted to get to her seat and one of the boys was sitting on it.

Roi stared at Kako. He couldn't believe his eyes...

He expressed his shock. He wondered how it was possible for Kako to transform to such a startling beauty. He asked whether Kako was interested to be an artiste (performer/actress)... Suddenly, Kousei appeared and hovered protectively over Kako. He told Roi not to touch Kako.

Kousei:"Kako..."

Kako thought that all she had done thus far was due to Kousei. She turned towards Roi and told him she would see him tomorrow and that she had to leave now for a selection interview. With that she left and ignored Kousei.

Kousei muttered that he would not allow her to go for the selection interview...

Roi:"Kousei, you have kept her locked up in a cage. Although, I can understand how you feel, but..."

Kousei:"But Kako can be happy like that..."

Roi:"She seemed placated but if she is unhappy, she will retaliate..." Roi told Kousei that he seemed rather childish...

Next Scene switches to Kako at the selection interview location. She was told that she was to participate in this selection interview for a"Miss Young Princess". She was to think of an item to perform. When her name was being called, she was to stand in the middle of the stage and perform her best. She was asked what was her talent.

Kako wondered what is her talent. She searched her bag and produced several comic books. Needless to say, that was not accepted as a talent. Kako had difficulty coming out with something she was good at...

Slowly, the other contestants streamed in. Kako could not help but made comparison. She was beginning to feel nervous.

Kako encouraged herself so that she could do her best and impressed Kousei. Kako realised that she was supposed to act as a princess from her favourite manga series "Rorebara"...

Kako was trying to psyche herself up for the role. She reminded herself that it was very much like how she prepared and trained Kousei for his various roles and projects. As she was doing so, she suddenly had a vision of Kousei calling her childish...

Kako tried her best to distract herself by making herself think of her good points. Without knowing, she spoke her thoughts outloud:"My good points..."

Shinobu san who was in the same room:"Isn't it too late to think about your talents?" Kako was surprised to see her. She asked her why she came and whether she came to observed as she was last year's Miss Young Princess. Shinobu was upset that Kako called her "last year's Miss Young Princess". Shinobu decided to hurt Kako...

Shinobu:"If you don't know what your talents are let me help you. None. You have no talents. If you don't know it yourself, how can others help you!"

Kako told herself not be swayed by Shinobu's cruel words. An announcement was made to commence the selection process...

Kousei arrived at the set and was looking for Kako. He was determined to stop her from entering the selection process...

Suddenly, he saw Kako crouched in a corner with her head down. He was shocked. At the same time, Kako's name was called out. It was her turn for the screen test.

Kousei:"What happened? What are you doing?"

Kako told him she could not think of any talents. She believed she has no talents... She said that it is no wonder she could not find any talents. She said she didn't even like herself because the person she loves said that she was childish. She asked Kousei:"Being like that, how am I suppose to have confidence?"

Kousei grabbed her and dragged her out towards the stage where the selection process was being conducted.

Kousei:"Please don't cry , Miss..."

Kousei:"I have locked you in this small world is because I wanted your smile to belong to me alone. I am sorry. You are very beautiful."

Kousei:"You being like that, you are already very beautiful." After saying that, Kousei slowly exited from the stage

Kako wondered whether Kousei is reading from the manga script...

Kako replied:"I... I'm not special and I don't have special talent and there is nothing on me that is like a princess but..."

Kako continued:"I like shoujou mangas and I love the Prince who helped me. This love I have is real and I am very confident of my love."

Kousei at the backstage commented to himself:"Am I a child?"

That ends Chapter 16. Sigh... I wish Kousei would come right out and tell Kako his feelings for her. Well, saying that she is beautiful and telling her that he feels possessive of her is enough for now but my patience is wearing thin... and Kako can be so dense...

Tonari no Kaibutsukun

I've not blogged about comics for quite awhile! Can't believe how terribly busy I've been. So many things to share about and so little time. ^^

I apologise to all who have been waiting for updates on the various series. Will try to get them out when I'm less tied up.

Having said that, last week, I was near the bookstore with no intention to buy new comics cos there are a few comics sitting at home waiting for me to summarise. Before I knew it, I found myself paying for a new series. Sigh... I could not help it cos this series is so interesting!!!

Tonari no Kaibutsukun. This series is relatively new. It is in its fifth volume in Japan. I have in my hands 4 volumes. Yummilicious!

I love the story. The mangaka, Robico has a humorous way of relating the story and the drawing is beautiful.

Mizutani Shizuku, our female lead, is a straightforward, cold-hearted kind of girl who speaks her mind not caring whether she will hurt a person's feelings. She cares only about her grades and her studies. She was bribed by her teacher to deliver lesson notes to Yoshida Haru, our male lead. (Teacher promised to get Shizuku a book she needed). Haru was in school for the first day and subsequently was suspended because he inflicted serious bodily injuries to a group of students. Shizuku was unaware of Haru's existence even though he was suppose to sit beside her.

Upon hearing that Shizuku was from his school, Haru jumped out of the window (from the 3rd floor!) in a bid to escape from her. He assumed that the class teacher has sent her to get him back to school. When he later found out that she was to deliver lesson notes to him and not to convince him to go back to school, he thought she was a kind classmate who (on her own accord) was concerned about him. (It is hilarious to see the assumptions Haru made....^^) Anyways, he was touched that Shizuku considered him a friend (again, Haru is assuming she cared, in actual fact, she was bribed by the class teacher). At first, Shizuku has no interest in talking to Haru, it is all very one-sided. But later on, through her observations, Shizuku realised that Haru is a very simple-minded, innocent person whose actions are misinterpreted by others. In school, people see Haru as an ultra delinquent who is very violent. In actual fact, Haru is scared of school because he could not understand why people don't like him.

During her visit to deliver the lesson notes, Shizuku realised that a group of deliquents were taking money from Haru by pretending to be his friends, she told him they were not his friends. Haru was so upset, he dumped his drink on her. Later on, Haru found out that Shizuku was right as Shizuku stood up for him against the delinquents and told them off. Haru was so touched he declared that he is in love with her! Haru is even willing to go back to school as long as Shizuku is nearby. Shizuku is convinced that Haru has misunderstood his feelings for her.

I love the humor in this manga. ^^ Apart from that, I like the way the mangaka explained the characters' background. Each character has an intriguing and touching past. I was laughing and crying as I read through 4 volumes in one sitting.

I love a manga with a cold-hearted heroine and a troublesome, innocent hero. What an interesting combination!

Mangafox has uploaded 5 chapters of it. Once I find the time and if you are interested, I will summarize the other chapters.

迷雾中的蝴蝶/Kanojo wa Uso wo Aishisugiteru Chapter 19

Hi Fans,

I apologise for the long wait. Very busy schedule... Anyway, let's begin...

Chapter 19 continues from Chapter 18.

Shinya takes the opportunity to tell Riko that Shun is not dating Mari. Aki is the one who is dating Mari. He asks whether they are shocked to hear this. Riko stares blankly ahead as she recalled what Aki has told her sometime ago in passing.

Riko recalls that Aki had mentioned to her that he kept company with a woman who sings.

Suddenly Riko bursts out laughing. Everyone stares at her in shock. She apologises to everyone. She tells them its nothing. Thinking to herself, she feels that that is what Aki would have done.

She thinks again that it is Aki. She realises that she has confirmed that Aki was dating Mari. Tears begin to flow.

Shinya is caught off guard again seeing her cry and he extends his hand to comfort her. Yuu puzzled by her behaviour asks why she is crying...

Riko sudddenly shouts for Sou. Sou responds and hugs her and explains to Shinya:"Please don't mind this." He explains that Riko is too happy.

Shun realises that Shinya is looking into the room and he closes the door...

In the room, Aki who has overheard the conversation thinks that Riko has cried and he's the one who made her cry...

Riko recalls the lyrics of the love song Aki has written. It is about his love for someone. Riko cannot help but feel pained as she thinks about that song and the meaning of it. She is sure that the song is written for Mari. It is a song about how much he can't help loving Mari.

Back at the recording room, Shinya passes a can of drink to Riko. He asks her whether she is ready to sing. Riko replies that she wants to sing. She is thinking that she needs to get rid of that song that is playing in her mind.

She wonders then, will her love for Aki disappear. Riko begins to tear thinking of that and she thinks that will be unpleasant... Suddenly, Shinya reaches down and takes away her guitar.

Shinya volunteers to play any of Riko's favourite song for her. Riko blushes and is surprised that that Shinya wants to play her favourite song for her. She is so taken aback she wonders out loud what should she do... Riko closes her eyes to think of a song she likes...

An image of Mari comes into her mind. Shinya tells her that one of the songs he likes is Cindy Lauper's "Time after Time". He asks whether Riko can sing that song. Riko replies that she is familiar with the melody but she can't sing it in English.

Shinya asks her to sing Andou Yuuko's song "Texas". Riko begins to sing...

Scene switches to Aki and Shun. Aki uses the analogy of going to the toilet to pass motion as a way of describing his songwriting process (makes me think he doesn't quite like his talent).

Shun digresses and makes an observation. He tells Aki that it could be observed that Aki loves Mari...

Shun asks Aki where he gets his inspiration from whilst penning his songs. Aki claims that the content and feelings in his songs are not recognizable. He goes on to say that as for that song, it was not describing Mari. But still during that time when the song was written, he loved Mari. And he recalls that as a bitterly shameful incident.

Scene switches back to Riko and Shinya. Shinya is still playing the melody and having Riko singing along.

Sou makes a comment that Riko's mood improve when she gets to sing and she looks so happy. Yuu stares at him. Sou wonders why.

Yuu is jealous of Shinya's abilities...

Well that concludes Chapter 19. Shinya seems to have achieved his intent of separating Aki and Riko. I wonder why Aki chose not to approach Riko when he found out that she was crying. Also, Yuu seems more aware of the danger Shinya can post. Hopefully Yuu will cause some trouble between the two.

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

I was re reading the manga again slowly and carefully and I realised that the song Riko recalled and the one Aki was talking to Shun about is the same song! Both of them talked about the "wearing duffle". I think the song is written for or inspired by Riko!