Hajimete No Aku 118

I'd rant about Yuki, but this chapter resonates on a deeper level than that. I'd say it leaves me with a warm feeling, but its hot enough in the states as is.



(Top- FUJIKI SHUN.)

(Side text- Certainly as long as you try your hardest, someone will notice.)

(Bottom text- A commemoration for reaching 10 volumes! 10 special illustrations and signatures! Get your Volume 10 July 15th!!)

Chapter 118: Midoritani's determination.

HAJIMETE NO AKU.

002

(Side text- High school; 3rd year! Which means?!)

???: I'm handing out the life survey

You've got till tomorrow to fill it out.

Kyouko: Wha? Another Life survey....?

(Sfx- Wai wai)

Yuki: Well it's totally the third year. So it's expected they'd like test us again.

Aki: Kyouko, have you decided on what you're gonna do?

Kyouko: No...I still haven't decided on anything....what should I do?

Jiro: Hahah....What nonsense are you speaking of?

You needn't trouble yourself with a decision, since you will serve as my underling at the organization!

(Sfx- Garaaa clatter)

Kurosawa: Hold it right there!

Watari-san, with your physical strength, you should join me!

On the side of justice!

003

Jiro: Fool! To take Kyouko from me means you have guts if nothing else!

(TN- That stance, lol. Is Jiro gonna have to crane kick a bitch?)

Kurosawa: It's obvious that she should travel down the road of righteousness! Begone, evil!

(Sfx- Garaaah clatter)

Luna: My group welcomes you with open arms!

Yuki: See, Kyouko-chan? You've totally got lots of choices!

Kyouko: Would it be too much for me to ask for yanno, NORMAL choices?

(On paper- Kandagawa art college.)

Jiro: I thought you'd choose a university for the arts.

Midoritani: Not that I'm sure I'll get in....

Kimura: Art school huh? I wonder if I’d get in?

The aspect of painting naked ladies tickles my fancy.

Aki: And that is why you will never be accepted.

Kimura: Okay, how about ally of justice?

(Sfx- Bikuu poit)

Kurosawa: Wha?

Kyouko: Oh yeah, Yuki?

Yuki: Like, totally not planning!

004

Hana: Senpai! I waited for you~

Yuki: Hey!

Oh?

Hana: Ah, big brother!

Yuki: Working hard huh? Is that why you didn't go home?

Midoritani: Hana. Shinonome-san...

I wanted to enter a contest but I couldn't get finished in time.

I lost track of time and got left out here though.

Yuki: Oh, no biggie!
Ooh, let me see!

(Sfx- Hyoi wiff)

005

Yuki: This looks totally fine though...

(Handwritten- Yeah.)

Midoritani: Nah, it's not so great.

There are people so much better than me out there.

Yuki: Ooh.

Sounds tough.

Hana: Okay then, brother...

Yuki: We'll see you laters~

Midoritani: Allrighty.

Hana: My brother's so cool when he draws isn't he?

Although he's not too confident...

Yuki: Hmm, you think so?

More over, Hana-chan...did you like, memorize your lines for the next performance?

Hana: About half...?

006

Yuki: Good morning!

(Sfx- Zawa zawa dooom)

Yuki: Hm? What's wrong?

Midoritani: Good morning.

Jiro: Shinonome...

Midoritani is...

Yuki: Art school is looking like a no go....
Midoritani: Well, it's been like this for a while...even if I haven't said anything about it.

007

Midoritani: My Dad is a government worker...and as straight laced as they come.

When I told him about my life survey he immediately shot me down.

Aki: So that's how it is...

Midoritani: Yeah...though I get where my dad is coming from...

Yuki: Huh? You're not...like going to give up on art school are you?

Midoritani: Not quite. I'm still negotiating with him.

He says that if I can win an award with the painting I did, he'll acknowledge my wishes.

My dad is the sort of guy who won't argue with results....

But I don't have any confidence.

I guess I can't just keep drawing just because I like it...

Kimura: Akuno, don't you have an invention that can give him a hand?

Jiro: As this is Midoritani's issue, I can't say I do.

008

Yuki: You've gotta totally keep trying Midoritani-kun!

I like, think your drawings are the best!

If you need help, just tell me!

Midoritani: Shinonome-san?

Yuki: Midoritani-kun...

You know I....

And the drama club are going to have a public performance soon.

Hana-chan is going to be the lead role.

If Hana-chan isn't worried about doing that, you shouldn't worry either! Go for it!

(Sfx- Baaaan)

Kimura: Awwright, I guess I'll help.

Aki: Yeah! We'll all give ya a hand!

Midoritani: Everyone...

Yeah!

009

{And so Midoritani's challenge began.}

{Although drawing can seem to be a lonely affair...}

Aki: Draw your head off dude!

(Sfx- Hyuoooooo fwooooo)

Midoritani: I can't in this wind!!

Jiro: It appears he's fallen asleep during class.

Kyouko: I'll take notes for him then.

Yuki: I made you a boxed lunch for stamina!

Midoritani: What's this?

Yuki: Snapping turtle.

Kimura: You will draw something badass.

Onlyonehotcheerleadersquad: Yay yay! Midoritani!~

(Handwritten- Yay!)

Midoritani: I'm already quite inspired...so you guys don't need to do that.

{In the end, Midoritani is the only one who can do this.}

{But time continues to slip on by.}

010

{I have to draw something better than I have ever drawn...}

{Shinonome-san and the others have given me time and attention after all.}

{The day before the deadline.}

Yuki: It's totally done!

???: Man it looks awesome doesn't it?!

Midoritani: Yeah, thanks!

I'm sure to win with this....!

011

Midoritani: The rest is up to prayer.

Yuki: No way! You're totally in the zone!

(Sfx- Zah tmp)

Jiro: Midoritani.

Midoritani: Jiro-kun.

012

Jiro: You don't have the look of a man moments before his victory.

Midoritani: Yeah...I'm sorry.

I didn't tell everyone...

I'm trying my hardest to enter a picture better than anything I've ever drawn.

And I think I'm pretty close to exceeding my limits, but...

Something's not right.

There's something in me; in my soul that says this is incomplete.

Jiro: What's that?

Midoritani: Sorry...I'm not sure how to say it.

But I don't have time to worry about it.

If I want my dad do acknowledge my dream, I have to get this in on time.

013

Jiro: Midoritani, I will admit...my knowledge in the arts is lacking.
But I will tell you this.

Draw whatever it is you like with your heart and soul!

(Sfx- Zah tmp)

(Sfx- Pon pat)

Jiro: This is of course, the path you desired!

See you tomorrow.

(Sfx- Patan clack)

Midoritani: The path I desired...!

014

{The next day.}

Yuki: Eh?

Midoritani: I decided not to enter that painting...

In the contest.

Jiro: Eh?

Aki: Eh?

All: EEEEEEEEEEEH!?

Kyouko: Wh—Wh...what?!

Kimura: What the hell is wrong with you dude?!

(Sfx- Wata wata wiff wff)

Aki: Are you feeling okay?!

015

Jiro: Wait! I told you to do what it is you love....but dropping out of the contest was not what I meant!

Midoritani: Ah...well that's...

(Sfx- Hah gasp)

(Sfx- Haaah)
Yuki: Dummmy!! (furniture)!!

(Sfx- Pekiii twok)

Midoritani: Nguh!

(TN- I'm not sure why it says furniture either.)

Yuki: Like, what's wrong with you?! You worked so hard...

And like, just barely made it in....just to give up?!

Hana-chan's going to be so totally bummed too!!

I can't believe you'd give up on your dream so...so...easily...

(Sfx- Puku wibbidy)

(TN- Mooeeeeeee dies)

Midoritani: I'm sorry Shinonome-san.

I understood though...

016

Midoritani: What was missing was my feelings.

A drawing isn't anything without feeling.

Yuki: I'm in the picture...?!

Jiro: I'm there too...!

Midoritani: I thought about how to get my dad to approve of me....too much.

I've got to remember that my happiness is important too...if I don't consider myself I'll never draw anything decent.

017

Midoritani: This picture is thanks to all of you. So that's why I added you all to it.

Now my picture is complete!!

While I wasn't able to get the scenery and the subjects in the painting in time for the contest...

I realized something much more important in the prcess.

Drawings are all about feelings. They're inspiration.

My dad will come around eventually...No, I'll make him understand my feelings!!

Thank you all so much!!

(Sfx- Fuuuh)

018

Aki: What are you goin' on about Midoritani?!

(Sfx- Wah)

Kyouko: You nearly gave me a heart attack!

Kimura: There will be other chances though! We're not backing down!

(Handwritten- Wow, this really does look like me though.)

(Handwritten- Hold on, is that really me? I'm so much slimmer than that dude.)

(Handwritten- Nope, that's about right.)

(Sfx- Wai wai)

Yuki: I see....

Midoritani: Shinonome-san, please take this...

I'd really like you to have it.

Yuki: Here....

It totally fits! I like it!

Yuki: 'My brother is so cool when he's drawing'....huh...

Yeah, Hana-chan, I like, totally agree!

(Side text- Good luck Midoritani!! Your dreams are just in reach!)

TO BE CONTINUED IN ISSUE 32.