Ashita mo Kitto Koishiteru Volume 1

Title: Ashita mo Kitto Koi Shiteru [I'll Still Be in Love With You Tomorrow]
Volume: 1 (of 4)
Mangaka: Fujii Akemi
Translated by: Oceansportrait
Translation Completed: August 25, 2008

Legend:
// - action
[] - translator's notes
() - character's thoughts

Pg 9:
Mitsuki: (...Talk about bad timing!)
Mitsuki: (I don't even have enough time to go home and change)
//slam//
//Sorry!//
Mitsuki: (Ughhhh this sucks!)
[bell reads: 5pm---
I'll be waitin---]
Mitsuki: (//sighs//)
Mitsuki: (He finally sends me the message I've been waiting for so long, and THIS is what happens?---)
Mitsuki: (Not to mention, It's my first time in two weeks seeing him too!)
//clang clang//
Mitsuki: Ah...
[sign reads "Tea"]

Pg 10:
Mitsuki: Imai-san!
Imai: ...Mitsuki
Mitsuki: Sorry, I'm late. I had some stuff to do at school.
//Welcome back!//
Mitsuki: (I'm glad he's not mad)
//sigh of relief//
Mitsuki: (Well, it's not like I've ever seen him mad anyways)
//laughs//
Imai: Did you run all the way here?
What do want to drink? [SL: You're probably thirsty, aren't you?]
Mitsuki: [SL: Ah, yeah] I'd like an orange soda please
Mitsuki: (The suit looks really nice on him,
he looks like, how do you put it...all mature, you know?)
Mitsuki: (I'm always nervous when I'm around him...)

Pg 11:
Mitsuki: Are you drinking
iced coffee?
Imai: Yeah.
Mitsuki: ...Could I have a sip?
Imai: Sure,
but I didn't put any sugar in it
Mitsuki: I-I
can still drink it!
//laughs//
Imai: ...Go ahead.
Mitsuki: (Yayy! I guess this is what you call an indirect kiss. Haha]
//clank//
Mitsuki: (This is so couple-like!)
Imai: Did you get your ears pierced?
Mitsuki: What?
Mitsuki: Oh!

Pg 12:
Mitsuki: Y-Yeah...I got it done last week
Imai: Was your school okay with it? [apparently alot of Japanese schools are really uptight about hair length/style, piercings, jewellery, yada-yada-yada. Some schools ban piercings, and this is why he's asking her this ^^]
Mitsuki: The place I got it done told me that I shouldn't take it off for at least 3 weeks,
so I've been putting a bandaid over it.
And anyway, my sister got hers done in grade 11....
Mitsuki: (Maybe I don't look good with it...?)
Imai: Oh, right...
yeah, Chizuka comes across as the type to like that kind of stuff
Imai: How is she anyway?
//I haven't seen her around lately//
Mitsuki: ....She's been...doing great...
Mitsuki: (...I wonder what's the punishment
for telling a lie?)

Pg 13:
Mitsuki: (I think Imai-san
might've been in love with my older sister)
Mitsuki: (While he was going to uni, he was my tutor,
but originally, he was a classmate of my sister's, who's seven years older than me)
[papers read: English Exams
Practice Sheet for Entrance Examinations]
Mitsuki: (They seemed to be really close.)
Mitsuki: (There's no way a kid like me could match up to someone like her)
Mitsuki: (She was already dating someone else at that time,
but I was too afraid to tell him how I felt)

Pg 14:
Mitsuki: (And then as time passed and he graduated and started working,
I saw less and less of him)
Mitsuki: (About half a year ago,
I saw how close they still were despite them working different jobs)
//Yayyyy! I'm homeee//
//Imai: I'm sorry, a bunch of our friends from university got together and she had a bit too much to drink//
//Imai: I'll be leaving now
Sister: Okayyy! Thanks for cominnngg!
Mom: Now, now.//
Mitsuki: (That time, my sister had just broken up with her boyfriend)
Mitsuki: I---
Imai-san?!
Mitsuki: (That's why I....)
Mitsuki: M---My
sister has a new boyfriend already!
Imai: Huh...?

Pg 15:
Mitsuki: She has someone she likes already,
Mitsuki: so why
Mitsuki: not me? Or am I not good enough?
Mitsuki: I really like you...
Mitsuki: (It was because...)
Mitsuki: (I was afraid my sister would take him away from me)
//clang clang//
//thank you very much!//

Pg 16:
Mitsuki: (It's not that I wanted to lie to you)
//honk honk//
Imai: ...It's seven.
I guess seeing a movie's out.
Imai: Want to go somewhere to eat?
//What do you want to have?//
Mitsuki: I can go home a bit late! They won't mind!
Imai: No.
Imai: You have to get back by 9, right?
And anyway, I can't go walking around with a high school girl late at night
//tap//
Imai: Today I came straight from work so I don't even have my car with me
so we should head back even earlier than usual.
//stab...//
Mitsuki: (...But...this is the first time we've seen each other in two whole weeks
well yeah....you have your work, and I understand that....but didn't you miss me...?)
Mitsuki: (Weren't there ever times that you wanted to see me...?)
//honk honk//
Imai: ...Everything okay?

Pg 17:
Mitsuki: ....Do you....
Mitsuki: think I look like Chizu-chan? [her sister]
//What?//
Imai: Why are you asking?
You don't. Not at all.
//stab//
Mitsuki: (He's treats me really kindly...)
Mitsuki: (We've been going out for half a year. We haven't been able to spend that much time together,
but we haven't fought once. We've even kissed a couple of times)
Mitsuki: (...but still,
he's never told me that he liked me)
//squeeze//

Pg 18:
Mitsuki: (Whenever he's around me
I smell the faint scent of cigarettes)
Mitsuki: (But...)
Mitsuki: (I wonder if this smell...
really belongs to me?)
//click//
[sign read "Kawano"]
Mitsuki: I'm back....
ah.
Chizu: Welcome back, Mitsuki
Mitsuki: Hey, you're heading out? At this time of night?
Chizu: //chuckles// I'm going on a date.

Pg 19:
Mitsuki: (...I'm so jealous...
she gets to see the guy she likes whenever she wants...)
Mitsuki: What kind of guy are you dating anyway?
Chizu: That's a secret //giggle//
Mitsuki: What...?
//sniff sniff//
Chizu: You don't smell.
Mitsuki: [SL: Smell?] Of what?
Chizu: Cigarettes
Mitsuki: Huh?
Chizu: Imai-kun smokes, doesn't he?
Chizu: Has he done anything to you that'd make his smell stick to you?
//blushes//
Mitsuki: WHATTT!
Mitsuki: He wouldn't!! He's not like that!
You pervert!!
//hahaha//
Chizu: Tell them I won't be back tonight!
//See ya!//

Pg 20:
Mitsuki: She won't be...
//blushes//
//slam//
Mitsuki: (....If)
Mitsuki: (I was a grown up like my sister,
would I be able to spend more time with him?
...If
I was her....)
Mitsuki: ("You don't. Not at all")
Mitsuki: (I don't know if that time,
she had someone she liked.)
Mitsuki: (I wonder if, Imai-san's going out with me because I'm her sister?)
//throb//
Mitsuki: Ow...

Pg 21:
Mitsuki: (I can't shake this feeling of guilt)
Girl: //Wow!// A ring!
//noise noise//
Girl: From your boyfriend?!
Girl #2: Yup, but it's a cheap one.
But it's more about his feelings, you know?
Girl #3: Yeah, you're totally right
//Wowww I'm soo jealous!//
//Wowww//
Girl: What kind
of rock is it?
Girl #2: It's a fake topaz.
//Wowww//
Girl: When I broke up with my ex-boyfriend though, I couldn't figure out what I should do with all the jewellery I got from him.
It's like, they were a sign that I was his, you know? Especially the rings.
//I was seriously creeped out//
//ahaha hahaha//
//munch munch//
Girl #2: Hey! Don't rain on my parade!
Girl #3: //Ah// I don't mind if it's something
that's really good quality!
Girl #2: You just be quiet.

Pg 22:
Mitsuki: She's so lucky....
Girl: What?
Mitsuki: I want a ring too....
Girl: Why? You have so many already.
Your sister works at a jewellery store, doesn't she?
Mitsuki: Yeah, but they're all hers.
I don't mean like, generally, but more like, you know....
Girl: Why not try asking your boyfriend?
Your birthday's coming up soon, isn't it?
Mitsuki: I can't.
Girl: But he's already graduated uni and started working, right? I'm sure he'd give you one if you asked
//You are his girlfriend, after all//
Mitsuki: (Yeahh...but if I ASK him, then there's no point in it...)
Mitsuki: He's really nice....
//sighhh//
//Well woo-hoo for you//
Girl: GEEEZZ~ Are you trying to pick a fight with me? You went out yesterday night too, didn't you?
It must be so great having a grown up boyfriend~
Girl: He probably teaches you a lot of things, doesn't he? //hehe//
You know, like "grown up play"?
//Nooo~~My virgin ears~//
//snap//
Mitsuki: Imai-san's not like that.

Pg 23:
Mitsuki: He makes sure to take me back to my house at least five minutes before my curfew,
and whenever he's with me he doesn't smoke OR drink,
and he won't let me into his apartment because he lives alone
//he said it wouldn't be safe//
//clatter//
[bag of chips reads "Good Potatoes" ^^]
Girl: WHATTTT! NOOO WAYYY!
Woww now THAT'S a tough cookie to crack!
//Maybe there's something wrong with him?//
//snap//
Mitsuki: But those are the things I like about him!
Girl: Oh...
really?
//What's the point in all this?//
//beep beep//
Mitsuki: Ah! [SL: That's me]
Girl: Your bell?
Mitsuki: Yeah
Girl: Did you stop carrying around your cell?
Mitsuki: Imai-san doesn't like talking on the phone.
I knew it. It's from Imai-san.
Girl: [SL:...Oh, really?]
[reads: "I have to work late tonight, so I won't be able to see you. Imai"]
Mitsuki: (If he's busy)

Pg 24:
Mitsuki: (then I'll be the one to go and see him!)
Mitsuki: (I want to see him everyday if I can,
even if it's just to see his face.)
//woww...//
Mitsuki: (Ummm...)
//sliddee//
Mitsuki: (Ah!)
Mitsuki: (Great timing!)
Mitsuki: (This is awesome!)
Mitsuki: Imai---
sa-----
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
//thump//

Pg 25:
Imai: Mitsuki...?!
Imai: Is everything okay? Didn't you get my message?
Mitsuki: I did. But I was just hanging around with my friends near here and so I thought....
Mitsuki: (----I don't know why,
but he seemed really far away,
even though he was wearing the same suit he always does)
//stare stare//
Mitsuki: ...I'm sorry...
Mitsuki: (I did something really stupid...)
Mitsuki: I shouldn't have come and got in your way
Mitsuki: (He's working and I...)
Imai: ---Sorry,
I can't take a break right now.
Mitsuki: No, that's okay---
Imai: I'll walk you to the station.

Pg 26:
Mitsuki: It's okay. Really, I can go there by mysel---
//thump//
Imai: Mitsuki?
Mitsuki: Ah, it's nothing.
Mitsuki: I can go home by myself.
Imai: But---
Mitsuki: Really. I'll be okay.
I'm sorry to bother you at work.
//See you//
Mitsuki: (...I shouldn't have come here in my school uniform)
Mitsuki: (All I did was embarrass him.
I even look out of place standing next to him)
Imai: Mitsuki!
Imai: I'll leave
Imai: tomorrow open!

Pg 27:
Imai: So think about where you want to go to eat!
Mitsuki: ...Okay!
Mitsuki: (Imai-san...!)
Mitsuki: (Yayy! We're going on a date!)
Mitsuki: (I can be with him all day!)
//honk honk//
//swipe swipe//
Mitsuki: ...I don't look weird, do I?

Pg 28:
Mitsuki: (These are Chizu-chan's clothes,
so I think they look a bit grown up...)
Mitsuki: (even though I'm lacking in the chest department...)
Mitsuki: NOW we'll look like a real couple!
//hey hey//
Guy: Are you waiting for someone?
//smiles//
Guy: If you're not doing anything, want to hang out?
Mitsuki: My boyfriend will be coming soon
Guy: We saw you here standing here alone for a pretty long time.
Why don't you just dump that boyfriend and hang out with----
Mitsuki: ...Ah

Pg 29:
Imai: Does that happen to you a lot?
Mitsuki: What?
Imai: ...Guys hitting on you.
Mitsuki: Ah....
sometimes.
//When I'm hanging out with friends//
Imai: ...Oh...
Mitsuki: ...Are you mad?
Imai: Why would I be?
Mitsuki: (...Aww....
so he's not jealous?)
//snaps out of it//
Mitsuki: AHHHH!
Mitsuki: (He's not wearing a suit!!)
Imai: What?
Mitsuki: N-Nothing!!

Pg 30:
Mitsuki: (I'm such an idiot!
It's a SUNDAY. Of course he wouldn't be wearing a suit!
You idiot! You retard!
Ugghhh I TOTALLY missed the mark...)
//depressed//
Mitsuki: (I should've just worn that dress I bought a couple of weeks ago)
//hahahahaha//
//thud//
Mitsuki: Ah...
//pulls//
Mitsuki: (My back feels hot...)
Mitsuki: (With the scent of cigarettes
my heart beats faster...)

Pg 31:
Mitsuki: That was AMAZING!!
Imai: You enjoyed it?
Mitsuki: Definitely!
//This is dessert//
//laughs//
Imai: You showed off some pretty impressive eating skills there.
It was worth taking you here.
Mitsuki: It's my first time eating at a place like this!
//whisper//
Mitsuki: But, is this really okay? I mean, it's probably super expensive.
I wouldn't have minded going out to eat ramen, or to some fast food joint.
Imai: Haha, don't be silly
Imai: Even if you ate enough for three people, I have enough
to get us by
Mitsuki: I don't eat THAT much...
//blush//
Imai: [SL: Here] Do you want this too?
Mitsuki: Yeah!
Mitsuki: (Yayyy! I'm so happy!)
Mitsuki: This is great!
Imai: Today was partly to make it up to you too

Pg 32:
Mitsuki: [SL: Huh?] "Make it up to me"?
Imai: I have to head off to Kyushu tomorrow for work,
so I won't be able to see you for a while.
Mitsuki: (What...)
Mitsuki: U-
Until when...?
Imai: I'll be gone for a week. I'm planning to be back by Saturday night
Mitsuki: (I won't be able to see him again...)
Mitsuki: But....that's...
//clank//
Mitsuki: (One whole week...?)
Imai: I'm really sorry
Mitsuki: (But....
next week....
next Friday is my...)
Mitsuki: Oh...yeah...
....well....
Mitsuki: (is my....)
//stab stab//
Mitsuki: Well, it's work. There's not much you can do about it.
Yeah, thanks for letting me know
Mitsuki: (Oh no...I feel like I'm going to start crying...)
Imai: ...I know it's a little early----

Pg 33:
//tap//
Imai: but here's your birthday present
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
Mitsuki: (no way...)
//thump thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: Is this...from Chizu-chan's store?
Imai: Yeah, I don't really know any jewellery store besides hers.
Mitsuki: (...Don't tell me...)
Mitsuki: (this is....)
Mitsuki: C-Can I...
open it?
Imai: ...Go ahead.
Mitsuki: (Is it----)

Pg 34:
Mitsuki: (They're earrings...)
Imai: Sorry, do you not like it that much?
//snaps out of it//
Mitsuki: N-No, no. I do!
Mitsuki: I was just a bit surprised because I'd never gotten something this expensive!
Mitsuki: (I feel so stupid)

Pg 35:
Mitsuki: It's so cute!
Thanks, I'll take good care of it!
//stab stab//
Mitsuki: (I was disappointed because I thought it would be a ring.
....I'm being too greedy.
God's going to punish me for wanting too much.)
Mitsuki: I'll be able to take the ones I have in right now off in about a week,
so the next time I see you, I'll wear these, okay?
Imai: ...Okay
Mitsuki: (...Still)
Mitsuki: ("A sign that I'm his")
Mitsuki: (Still...)
Imai: Oh, it's about time you head back.
Imai: Let's go

Pg 36:
Mitsuki: (Imai-san,
if I hadn't gotten my ears pierced,
would you have gotten me a ----?)
Mitsuki: (Or...)
Imai: ...Mitsuki?
//clank//
Mitsuki: (Do you like me?
Do you like me
enough to want to keep me to yourself?)
Mitsuki: (Do you like me...more than my sister?)
Mitsuki: I...
Mitsuki: don't want to....
Mitsuki: go home...
yet.

Pg 37:
//thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: I-I...told them I'd be late today...
Mitsuki: (Do you like me
as much as
I like you?)
Mitsuki: So....
//tap//

pg 38:
Imai: I-diot.
//tears up//
Imai: You're still in high school. You shouldn't be hanging around at night.
You have school tomorrow, don't you?
//tap//
Mitsuki: (Why....)
Imai: ...perfume...?
Mitsuki: What?
Imai: Are you wearing something tonight?
Mitsuki: No, not really....
Imai: Ah.

Pg 39:
Mitsuki: Maybe it's the clothes?
Imai: Your clothes?
Mitsuki: Yeah, these are Chizu-chan's,
and she always wears perfume, so maybe---
Imai: Oh...
Imai: right....
so it's Chizuka's....
//throb//
Mitsuki: (---I did something stupid again)
//squeeze//

Pg 40:
Mitsuki: (even if I try to be like my sister
and copy her clothes...her piercings...and her hairstyle....)
Girl: ...Mitsuki,
you're not going home yet?

Pg 41:
Mitsuki: Nooo....
Girl: [SL: Whoa] You're not looking too good [SL: Are you okay?]
Mitsuki: Yeah, I'm fine. I just didn't sleep that much last night
Girl: [SL: Well, as long as you're okay] Are you sure you don't have to head home?
It's your birthday, isn't it? Didn't you make any plans with your boyfriend?
Mitsuki: ....No,
he's away on business.
Girl: No way!
Mitsuki: (...He hasn't phoned me)
Mitsuki: (I haven't heard his voice in over five days)
Mitsuki: (I know he doesn't like talking on the phone)
Mitsuki: (but still....
even if it's just to say hi....
at the very least, he could leave a message on my bell...)
Girl: Well that's a bummer.
Then wanna hang out somewhere? [SL: The bill's on me]
Girl: Oh, but
is he gonna call you? You know, like give you a birthday call?
//snaps out of it//
//clatter//
Girl: WHOA!

Pg 42:
Mitsuki: Sorry! I'm gonna go home!
//dashes off/
Girl: Mitsuki?!
Mitsuki: (That's right!
It's my birthday!
He'll definitely call me today!)
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: (He'll definitely call me....
I'm sure he will...
I'm sure he will...)

Pg 43:
Mitsuki: (...Why?)
Mitsuki: ...idiot...
Mitsuki: (I wonder if he ever thinks of me at all.
Everyday, all I think of is him,
and I'm always wanting to hear his voice,
but is it different for him?)
Mitsuki: Why....
why....
Mitsuki: (Maybe this is my punishment....
to not be loved as much as I love him...)
//ring ring//
//ah!//

Pg 44:
//ring ring//
//click//
Mitsuki: Hello?
Imai: ...Mitsuki?
Mitsuki: ...I---
//thump//
Mitsuki: ..mai-sann......
Mitsuki: (...I want to see you)
Mitsuki: Imai-san...
Imai: Mitsuki
Mitsuki: //hiccup// Imai-sann....
Imai: Mitsuki,
sorry I couldn't call you sooner.
Mitsuki: Imai-san....//hiccup//
Imai: Yeah....
Mitsuki: (I want to see you.
I want to see you)

Pg 45:
Imai: Happy 17th birthday
Mitsuki: (If I'm just hearing your voice,
I can't smell the scent of cigarettes)
Mitsuki: Imai-san...
//hiccup//
Imai: I'll be heading home tomorrow
Mitsuki: C-Can I...
come pick you up?
Imai: ...No, it's okay. I'm not sure about the exact time.
Mitsuki: (But... I want to see you)
Mitsuki: Then I'll wait for you at your place....
Mitsuki: (Even if it's 10 minutes...even if it's 5...)
Imai: No, it'll be late.
Mitsuki: ...but...
but....
Imai: ...Mitsuki...//sigh//
//thump//
Mitsuki: (Even if it's just for a minute...)

Pg 46:
Imai: I'll call you when I get back
Mitsuki: (all I want is to see you...)
//throb//
Mom: Mitsuki,
what're you walking around holding the phone for?
//If you're going to use it, hurry up and use it!//
Mitsuki: Okay, okayy
//walks back and forth//
Mitsuki: (I wonder if he's back yet?)
Mitsuki: (He did say he would call me...)
Chizu: I'm back~

Pg 47:
Mom: Chizuka!
Where were you last night?!
Chizu: [SL: Sorry~] I crashed at my friend's place
Mom: Couldn't you have at least phoned home?
It was Mitsuki's birthday yesterday, you know!
Chizu: AH!
Chizu: Mitsuki!
Mitsuki-chan~ I'm soooo sorry!
Mitsuki: What're you looking so happy for?
You're creeping me out
//thud//
Chizu: Happy birthday!
Mitsuki: Chizu-chan...
what is this...? [SL: A diamond ring?]
Chizu: Ah...
Mitsuki: Don't tell me you're...

Pg 48:
Chizu: Keep it a secret for a while longer, won't ya?
Mitsuki: (The smell of cigarettes...?)
Chizu: I'm starving~
Mitsuki: (This smell....)
Mitsuki: ("Has he done anything to you that'd make his smell stick to you")
Mitsuki: (...No, it can't be)

Pg 49:
Mitsuki: (He's away on business...
there's no way they could've been together...)
Mitsuki: (There's just no way...)
Mitsuki: ("Yeah, I don't really know any jewellery store besides hers")
Mitsuki: ("Tell her I won't be back tonight")
Mitsuki: ("No, it'll be late")
Mitsuki: ("Keep it a secret...")
//clank//
Mitsuki: (No...that would never happen...)
//ding dong ding dong//
[sign reads "Imai"]

Pg 50:
Imai: Who is it...?
//I got it, I got it//
//click//
Imai: Mitsuki..?!
//wheeze wheeze//
Mitsuki: ....Why
are you here?
Mitsuki: You said...
you'd call me as soon as you got back...
//tears up//
Imai: Yeah...
but I just came back...
Mitsuki: (the scent of cigarettes can be found anywhere)
Imai: In any case, come on in.

Pg 51:
Imai: Why are you out so late at night?
It's already past 10:30
Mitsuki: ...Is it a bother for me to be here?
Imai: I didn't mean it like that.
What did you tell your parents when you were heading out? I'm sure they're worried
Mitsuki: ...It's my first time seeing you smoke.
Imai: Huh?
Oh, sorry...
//sizzle//
Mitsuki: Why are you stopping?
You smoke in front of my sister, don't you? //mumble//
Imai: What...?
//rustle rustle//
Imai: Once you're finished drinking that, I'll take you home
Mitsuki: (No...)
//thump//

Pg 52:
Mitsuki: ...Let me stay for the night
//clank//
Imai: ...No.
I'll go home with you and we can apologize together. [SL: Come on, stand up]
Mitsuki: Y-You don't have to!
I said I'd be staying over at my friend's house!
//thump//
Mitsuki: (Imai-san...)
Mitsuki: So okay? Can I stay here?
Imai: No. Go home.
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: Why?!
Imai: Mitsuki!
Mitsuki: No! I'm staying here!

Pg 53:
Imai: I SAID GO HOME!
//tense//
//tremble tremble//
[SL: Imai: Geez...]
//tense//
Mitsuki: (...He's mad)
Imai: Let's go.

Pg 54:
Mitsuki: (I can't believe he snapped at me...)
//click//
Imai: Get in.
Imai: Mitsu---
Mitsuki: ...Were you really away on business?
Imai: What's that supposed to mean?
Mitsuki: T-Tell me
the truth! You knew this whole time about my lie, didn't you?!
Mitsuki: You both knew about it and you guys were just making fun of me, weren't you?!
Mitsuki: About me telling you that Chizu-chan didn't have a boyfriend...

Pg 55:
Imai: A lie...?
Mitsuki: B-But....
Mitsuki: if I didn't tell you that...
I thought you wouldn't look at me otherwise!
Mitsuki: (It's not that I wanted a ring)
Mitsuki: (I just wanted to have his feelings in a form that I could see)
Imai: What are you---
Mitsuki: (because I would begin to doubt myself otherwise)
Imai: Mitsuki---
what's---
Mitsuki: NOO!
Mitsuki: (Because I didn't have any confidence in myself)
//NOOOO//
//tense//

Pg 56:
Mitsuki: No....
Imai: Mi---
Mitsuki: I'm....
tired of this....
Mitsuki: I want this...
to end...
Mitsuki: I'm always the one....to be jealous and to be doubtful
and to want to see you

Pg 57:
Mitsuki: It makes me really tired...
Mitsuki: I'm so tired...
so just let me go....
Mitsuki: (Is this what I get for lying?)
Mitsuki: (But...all I did was like him)
Mitsuki: I'm---

Pg 58:
Mitsuki: (All I wanted, was for him to like me back)
//slam//

Pg 59:
Mitsuki: (---I fell in love, in the summer of grade 10)
Mitsuki: I don't need one!
//No wayyyy!//
Chizu: No, dad asked me to find someone.
Imai-kun!
//Come over here!//
//bows//
Imai: Hi,
I'm Imai Nobuyoshi.
Imai: Nice to meet you.
Mitsuki: (He smiled at me, introducing himself politely to a kid seven years younger than him)

Pg 60:
Mitsuki: (And it was that moment that I...)
//slip//
//splat//
Mitsuki: O-Ow....
//wheeze wheeze//
//cough cough//
Mitsuki: (There's no way a love based on lies could last)
//wheeze wheeze//
//cough cough//
Mitsuki: (because from the very beginning, there was nothing to believe in)
//cough cough//

Pg 61:
//cough//
//wheeze//
//throb throb throb//
Mitsuki: (But it's true I liked him.)
Mitsuki: (I did. I really did)
Mitsuki: Wahhhh....

Pg 62:
Mitsuki: (That was the one truth in all of this)
//wahhhh//

Pg 63:
Man: And now, the Sunday morning news report---
Mitsuki: ...Ugly pig!
Mitsuki: Ughhhh....
I look like a little kid
//oink oink//
Mitsuki: Idiot!
Retard!
Mitsuki: (He ended up...
not noticing my earrings...)

Pg 64:
Mitsuki: (Oh, right. There's no way he would've noticed
in the first place...)
//throb//
//hmmm///
Chizu: Looks like I lost this time around [SL: And I call myself a pro?]
//tense//
Mitsuki: O-onee-chan....
Chizu: Those are from Imai-kun, right?
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
//tense//
Chizu: I recommended he get you the gold ones. [SL: Since you're always wearing my gold ones, and the platinum gets damaged really easily]
but he was really set on getting you those ones
Mitsuki: W-Well...it's not like I look good in either.....
Mitsuki: (I should've just
taken these off...)
Chizu: Hey, that's not true

Pg 65:
Chizu: It fits you perfectly.
It fits you better than the flashy ones I wear
Chizu: He has a good eye, I have to admit
Mitsuki: (What...?)
//giggles//
Chizu: But to think a player like him could change so much~
he's like a mother hen
Mitsuki: Huh?
Mitsuki: (A "player"...?)
//ding dong//
Mom: Mitsuki---Chizuka---
could someone get the door? [SL: I'm a bit busy right now!]
Mitsuki: Okay!
//click//
Mitsuki: Yes?
Who is---

Pg 66:
Mitsuki: (...Wh---)

Pg 67:
//thud//
Chizu: Ow!
Mitsuki: (Imai-sa---)
Mitsuki: (Why....?)
Chizu: Hey, Imai-kun!
come on in!
//tense//
Mitsuki: (No! Why?!
After last night, I don't have the guts to face him!)
Mitsuki: (What am I going to do?!)
Mitsuki: (What am I going to do?!)
//dash//
//whoa//
Chizu: Hey!
Mitsuki?!
Where are you---
Imai: Mitsuki.

Pg 68:
Mitsuki: What...?
//blank look//
Mitsuki: (What is...this)
Imai: It's non-refundable, so don't even try.
//grabs//

Pg 69:
Mitsuki: (W-Wait! Wait!)
Mitsuki: I-Imai-san?!
//awawawawa//
Mitsuki: Imai-sa---
Mitsuki: (What the heck is...)
Imai: Please excuse me!
Mom: Oh, Imai-san!
We haven't seen you in a while---
Mitsuki: (Eh...?)
Imai: I'm sorry to intrude on you like this out of the blue,
Imai: but I came here today because I had something I'd like to ask of you

Pg 70:
Imai: Please let me
Imai: go out with your daughter! [To be more specific, he's asking them he wants to go out with Mitsuki with the intention of eventually getting married [so in other words, a courtship, in olden times XD]
//wow//

Pg 71:
//turns to stone//
Mitsuki: ....Wh....
Mitsuki: What are you...
saying...
//thump//
Mitsuki: Imai-san...?
Mitsuki: (No way....
this has got to be some kind of joke...)
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: What did you...
just say...?
Mitsuki: (No way....)
Imai: I'm the one who's filled with doubts.
You're still in high school, so I was worried you'd run out on me.

Pg 72:
Imai: I thought if I got jealous,
you'd get scared and hate me.
Imai: If you hadn't told me you liked me that day,
I probably never would've been able to make the first move.
Imi: I'm sorry.
Mitsuki: (Imai-san...)
Mitsuki: ...So you
like me?
Mitsuki: (You've always liked me...?)

Pg 73:
Imai: I love you
Mitsuki: (Imai-san....)

Pg 74:
Mitsuki: You've got your ordering all messed up! [she means that he should've told her he loves her BEFORE asking for her parents permission for her hand in marriage XD ^^]
Mitsuki: (Don't let me go!)

Pg 75:
//snaps out of it//
Chizu: Well not like I mind,
Chizu: but looks like she got around to it before me [SL: For now, anyway]
//geez, she got first bids?//
Mitsuki: (More than any eternal promises,)
Mitsuki: (continue to love me everyday.)
//rip//
//wait a second! You're still too young for that!//
//Oh, why not? Quite frankly, I'm relieved!
W-Wha-wha---//
Mitsuki: (Please love me tomorrow too)

Pg 76:
Mitsuki: (because everyday,
I think of only you)
Imai: (...If I was to be completely honest)
Chizu: Geezz~and to think the only one I could find was a player like you![SL: The only good thing about you, is you get good grades]
I'll kill you if you make my sister cry!
//mumble mumble//
Imai: You've gotta be kidding me.
I'm not THAT desperate that I'd lay a hand on some brat in middle school
Imai: (Back then,
even if I didn't fall in love,
I had no troubles finding women to date)
Chizu: My sister's really cute, so I'm worried!
Imai: Yeah, but she's a kid, isn't she?
//miii miii// [cicadas crying]

Pg 77:
Imai: (---That day)
Chizu: This is my little sister, Mitsuki.
Mitsuki: Nice to meet you
Imai: (I was caught hook, line, and sinker)
Imai: (I'll never be able to tell anyone
that it was my first time falling in love though)

END OF CHAPTER 1

Pg 78:
[no text]

Pg 79:
Girl: Wowww! It's a real engagement ring!
Girl: That's so awesome! [SL: It looks super expensive! It's so pretty!]
Mitsuki: I can't wear it while I'm in school [SL: So I keep it like this so I won't lose it]
Girl: So he proposed to you, right?!
What'd he say?!
Mitsuki: (---During the fall of my 17th year)
Mitsuki: (the small rock in my hand
sparkled more than any star)

Pg 80:
Ashita mo Kitto Koi Shiteru

Pg 81:
[no text]

Pg 82:
[text reads: "Summer of 1997. This is the picture on the postcards I sent as replies"]

Pg 83:
[bell reads: "6:30 in front of the train station. Imai"]
Mitsuki: (It took me more time to change than I thought!)
//wheeze//
Mitsuki: ---Phew,
I made it in time [SL: At least, I think]
Mitsuki: (I'm so glad!
If I'm in my school uniform, then it would just embarrass Imai-san)
Mitsuki: (Plus, it wouldn't look good with my ring...)

Pg 84:
Imai: You're grinning.
Mitsuki: Whoa!
Mitsuki: Imai-san!
Imai: I'm a bit late, aren't I? Sorry.
Mitsuki: No, don't worry about it.
I just got here too!
Imai: Where do you want to go?
Imai: You're probably hungry, right?
Mitsuki: (Two months ago,
my boyfriend, who's seven years older than me
proposed to me)

Pg 85:
Mitsuki: (He's busy as always with his work, and we still don't get to meet that much,
but I'm happy just having this ring with me.
I'm so happy I feel light-headed.
My ring finger feels like it has a heartbeat of its own)
Mitsuki: (It's like it's professing out its love for Imai-san on its own)

Pg 86:
Mitsuki: (My feelings for him grow with each passing day,
and I like him more than the day before)
Mitsuki: Yeah, and
apparently my sister's gotten into a fight with her boyfriend again
Mitsuki: She tells me I can't pick up the phone even if it's ringing,
but if I do pick it up and I hang up without letting her know, she yells at me! She's like a little kid
Imai: Haha, it makes me wonder what kind of position she must be in to be thought of as a kid by you?
Mitsuki: Heyy~ what's that supposed to mean?!
Mitsuki: ...But it's the first time I've seen her acting like this to her boyfriends.
Ever since I could remember she was a bit more on the cool side, you know? She's never shown this kind of side to me.

Pg 87:
Imai: It's probably her first time having someone in her life she can let her guard down with.
I'm sure they'll patch things up soon enough
Mitsuki: ...yeah
Mitsuki: (To be honest, even now...
I'm still a bit jealous of him being so close with Chizu-chan)
Imai: Well, we better get going
Mitsuki: Whattt! Why? It's still 8:30!
//Thank you very much!//
Imai: If we don't head back now, we won't make it in time for your curfew
[SL: Imai: since I don't have my car]
//vrooommm//
Mitsuki: ...but it's the first time in three days that we've met....
Mitsuki: (...I don't want to go home yet...)

Pg 88:
Mitsuki: Whenever we talk on the phone, I'm always the one that's doing the talking
...and I don't get to see you that often.
Mitsuki: They wouldn't care if I'm just a teeny bit late...
Mitsuki: (I want to be with you for a bit longer...)
//thump//
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
//squeeze//
Imai: ...Maybe next time
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
//thump//

Pg 89:
Mitsuki: (....I thought he was going to kiss me)
Mitsuki: (He's really nice to me,
but whenever I act like this, he always brushes me off)
Mitsuki: (Doesn't he ever want to be with me?)
Mitsuki: (He always makes sure I get back on time
---and he never goes beyond a kiss)
//blush//
Mitsuki: (---W-Well, it's not like I want MORE than that...but still...)
Imai: Mitsuki?
Mitsuki: Ah!
Sorry!
//dashes//
Woman: Imai-kun?

Pg 90:
Woman: I knew it was you!
Guy: Ah!
Woman: I thought you had important plans?
Were you just heading back?
Imai: Whoa, this isn't good
Mitsuki: Who're they?
Imai: They're guys from work. [SL: Geez]
Mitsuki: Eh...?
//thump//
Mitsuki: (WHATTTT?! What should I do?!)
Imai: Hey
Mitsuki: (I should greet them properly!)
Woman: You're with a girl!
Woman #2: Oh my
//tense//
Guy: So THAT'S why you didn't go out with us tonight?!

Pg 91:
Woman: Is she your little sister...?
//pouts//
Imai: ...No she's not
Woman: Haha, yeah. No, I didn't think she was.
I'm sorry, it's just that you look so young.
//giggles//
//squeeze//
Mitsuki: (I should've dressed more grown up.
...This is embarrasasing)
Guy: Hey---
Guy: isn't she the girl that was in your purikura?! [They're those little tiny photo stickers that are popular in Japan ^^]
She's that high schooler that was in that pic in your notebook!
Woman: [SL: No wayyy!] You're in high school?!
Imai: Hey! When did you see that?!
//blush//
[SL: Guy: Whoops]
Guy: Uhhh...I just got a quick look at it...[SL: I was just curious, that's all]

Pg 92:
Guy: 'Cause you know, you never talk about your girlfriend.
Guy: So I was a bit curious to see what you were hiding!
Mitsuki: (Huh...?)
Mitsuki: (...I talk about Imai-san
to my friends....
so why does he hide the fact he's going out with me...?)
//thump//
Mitsuki: (Is it just because he's a guy and guys don't talk about those sorts of stuff?
...Or is it...)
Guy: You're pretty cute!
What's your name?
//honk honk//
Mitsuki: K-Kouno Mitsuki. [SL: Nice to meet you]
Guy: Your voice is cute too!
Did this bad man try anything on you?
Guy: Like ask to do it with your loose socks still on? [They're these stretchy loose socks that high schoolers wear ^^]
//punch//
Mitsuki: What?
Imai: Saeki!!!
Imai: What are you, a perverted geezer?!
I bet you're drunk! You reek of alochol! [SL: How much did you have?!]
//Owwwww//
Guy: Well, so what?! [SL: Imai-kun! No fair!]
//blinks//
Mitsuki: (I-Imai-san's yelling...)

Pg 93:
Woman: Now, now.
Woman: We're on our way to another bar. Want to come with us?
Imai: Not you too!
Don't go around asking underage girls to a bar.
And anyway, it's about time she went home
//Oww//
Mitsuki: Ah...
Guy: What're you being so uptight for! High schoolers these days are used to hanging out at night
righttt?
Mitsuki: U-Um...
errr...
//tense///
Mitsuki: (ewww..
he reeks of alcohol...)
Mitsuki: I-Imai-san...
Imai: Saeki~~~
//tap tap//
Woman: There, there, Saeki-kun.
We shouldn't intrude on their date!
Guy: Whyyyyy!
Woman: Sorry about that.
Mitsuki: ....Ah.

Pg 94:
//I want to hang out with a high school girl too~//
//So what, we're not enough for you?!//
Woman: Hey, Imai-kun!
The project is probably going to be deliberated on soon.
Imai: Whatt?!
Imai: So soon?
//It's going to get busy, that's for sure!//
//chuckles//
Woman: The section chief's most likely going to bring it up at the meeting tomorrow.
We're expecting that your smooth-talking will win him over!
Imai: Hey, hey, why're you saying it like that?
Who's the REAL smooth-talker here anyway?
Mitsuki: (Are they talking about work...?)
//smiles//
//thump//
//slide//
Woman: I'll see you
tomorrow.
Woman: Good night.

Pg 95:
Mitsuki: (What was that?!
And why did she smile just now?!)
Mitsuki: (What is she, making fun of me?!)
Mitsuki: (She probably thinks I'm just a kid!)
Mitsuki: (Well yeah, maybe to her I am,
and I can't talk to Imai-san about stuff like work...but still....)
//munch//

Pg 96:
Mitsuki: I wonder if Imai-san likes being with me....
//depressed//
Girl: Why are you asking that now?
//rustle//
Mitsuki: ...Because. If I wasn't in high school,
then I could've gone out drinking with them.
Mitsuki: They're people from the company he works at. Even if I wasn't his fiancee, he could've introduced me as his girlfriend at the very least...
Mitsuki: (He didn't even officially introduced me to them...)
Mitsuki: And plus, he never smokes when he's around me
Girl: Maybe he's just worried about the smell getting on your uniform?
Mitsuki: Yeah, but he doesn't smoke when I'm in my normal clothes either
//wipes off//
Mitsuki: ...I'm starting to think that maybe he's embarrassed because I'm a kid....
and that's why he never told them about me.
//rustle//

Pg 97:
Mitsuki: (And maybe that's why he never thinks about wanting to be with me
And maybe that's why he doesn't kiss me that often)
//slap//
Mitsuki: Ow!
Girl: Hey!
Girl: It's harder to believe in someone than it is to doubt them!
Girl: You're taking the stuff you DO have for granted!
//Your diamond ring's about to cry!//
Mitsuki: ...Yeah
Mitsuki: (---I do have this.)
//Hehe//
Mitsuki: ...Even when I'm happy, it's not like my doubts all disappear...
Girl: Ughhhh you're pissing me offf!
//I won't give you anymore!//
Mitsuki: Nooo waitttt!
//Give me the chips!//

Pg 98:
Mitsuki: (That's why
no matter what anyone says,
no matter what happens,
as long as I have this with me
I can be by his side)
Girl: Don't you have a date with him today?
Mitsuki: He's away on business [SL: This time, it's in Kyoto]
//slam//
Girl #2: Heyyy everyone! They're gonna be checking our stuff during the extra long homeroom!
Girl #3: No wayyy!
Girl #4: Hide this!
Mitsuki: (What?! No!)
//Kyaaa Kyaaa//
//beep beep//
Girl #2: Hey, someone's phone is ringing
Girl: Mitsuki, isn't it coming from your locker?
Mitsuki: What?
Really?
//NOOOO waiitt!//
//beep beep//
Mitsuki: Yes?
Hello?
Mitsuki: (I wonder who it is?
Maybe it's my sister?
Since if it was Imai-san, he'd probably call me on the bell...)
[arrow reads "He hates cellphones"]

Pg 99:
Imai: Mitsuki?
Mitsuki: I----
Mitsuki: (No wayy!!)
Mitsuki: Imai-san?!
Imai: Sorry, you're still in school, aren't you?
Mitsuki: W-Why?!
What's wrong?! Where are you right now?
Imai: I'm still in Kyoto,
but it turns out that I can get home sooner than I thought
//noise noise//
Mitsuki: Whattt!
Imai: Would we be able to meet tonight? [SL: I have some souveniers I want to give you]
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: Of course!
Mitsuki: (Woww! Woww!)
Imai; Come to my place once you're finished school
Mitsuki: O-Okay!
//thump//

Pg 100:
Mitsuki: (This is the first time something like this's happened!)
Mitsuki: (I'm psyched!)
//thump thump//
Imai: Let's have dinner together too.
Mitsuki: Ye---
Woman: Imai-kun!
//beep beep//
//clank clank//
Imai: Oh, sorry.
The bullet train's here
Imai: I'll see you soon. //click//
//th...ump...//
Mitsuki: (What.....
was that just now...)
Mitsuki: ("Imai-kun!")
Mitsuki: (It was a woman's voice...?)
//thump//

Pg 101:
//thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: (...It's okay.
I should have faith in him....
Imai-san...?)
//thump thump//
[sign reads "Imai"]
Imai: Here's the present.
The cookies are for your parents [SL: and Chizuka]

Pg 102:
Mitsuki: ...Okay,
thanks.
Imai: The one for you is oil paper. I heard they're really easy to use.
Girls use that kind of stuff, don't they?
[reads: Kyoto's Oil Blotting Papers"]
Mitsuki: ...Yeah.
Mitsuki: (A woman's...)
Imai: Is everything okay?
Should I have gotten you something else?
Mitsuki: N-No! I'll definitely use it.
Thanks.
Mitsuki: (I must've just heard wrong.
...I'm just)
Imai: Did something happen at school?
Mitsuki: No, it's nothing.
Mitsuki: (overanalyzing things too much)
Imai: ...Mitsuki?
//pat//
//tears up//
Imai: Did I do something wrong...?

Pg 103:
Mitsuki: (There must be something wrong with me
for me to doubt him)
//rustle//
Mitsuki: I-I'm...
sorry...
Mitsuki: It's nothing...
Mitsuki: (...Still)
Mitsuki: (Still...)
//stab//
[paper read's "Kyoto's Oil Blotting Papers"]
Mitsuki: ("Imai-kun!")
//stab//
Mitsuki: ("You never talk about your girlfriend!"
"You're in high school?!")
Mitsuki: ....woman...
Imai: Huh?
Mitsuki: Were you with another woman...?
Mitsuki: (...Why?)
Mitsuki: ...your call...

Pg 104:
Mitsuki: When you called me today...
I heard someone calling out your name....
Mitsuki: (Why are you making me feel insecure about our relationship?)
Imai: Oh...
so that's what this is all about?
Imai: Come on now, don't cry.
Imai: She's someone I work with.
Rememeber? You met her before. She was the one with the short hair
//thump//
Mitsuki: ...Then you really were with her?

Pg 105:
Mitsuki: (No way...)
Mitsuki: That's why you said you were at work...?
//thump//
Mitsuki: (No way....)
Mitsuki: You were with her?
A-Are you always with her on business trips?
Imai: Well, no, there are times I'm with other people too.
//thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: (All this time that I was thinking of Imai-san,)
Mitsuki: Why didn't you tell me?!
Mitsuki: (he was----)
Imai: Hey, hold on a second.

Pg 106:
Imai: I don't know what kind of misunderstanding you're having,
but it's work!
Mitsuki: B-But....
you could've at least told me..!
Imai: What's the point in talking to you about work?!

Pg 107:
//bites lip//
Imai: ...This is ridiculous. Let's just stop it.
//sigh//
Imai: I don't want to get into a fight with you over something like this.
Mitsuki: (...I knew it.)
//stab//
Mitsuki: (He doesn't need me
as much as I need him)
Mitsuki: Yeah, well

Pg 108:
Mitsuki: I'm an idiot, so what?!
Mitsuki: I wouldn't know what you're talking about if you mention stuff about your work anyway!
Mitsuki: Tell me the truth! You probably want someone grown up like her, don't you?!
Because I'm a kid....because I'm some brat....
Mitsuki: (I don't get him at all)
Imai: Hey, I never said that----
Mitsuki: (Imai-san, do you really like me?)
Mitsuki: That's why you're embarrassed about me enough to not mention me to other people!!

Pg 109:
Imai: That's...because...
Mitsuki: Idiot!
//runs//
Imai: Mitsuki!
Imai: Mitsuki!
Hey!
//slam//
//ring ring//
Imai: Mits---
//ring ring ring ring//

Pg 110:
//step step step//
//wheeze wheeze//
Mitsuki: ...Idiot.
Mitsuki: (I wonder...
if he wants to marry me at all...)
//tense//

Pg 111:
Mitsuki: (Where's my ring?!)
Mitsuki: No....
this can't be happening...
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: ("They're checking our stuff---")
Mitsuki: W-Where...
did I put it...
Mitsuki: (Ah...I almost freaked out for a sec there...)
Mitsuki: I took it off in a hurry and...
I put it...
//thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: Ah!
Mitsuki: There it is....

Pg 112:
//rustle//
Mitsuki: (It's gone!)
Woman: I'm sorry
to call you out like this.
Woman: You really saved me.
Imai: Don't worry about it. It's work. What can you do?
And anyway, I should've made sure to gather all the materials together, so it's partly my fault
//I'm exhausted!//

Pg 113:
Woman: I bet you made plans to get together with your girlfriend?
I consider myself pretty lucky since I almost never get to go out drinking with you //laughs//
//lights up//
Imai: Yeah well, it's already past her curfew anyway
Woman: Oh, my
Woman: Now that you mention it, she did seem like she'd be a handful
Woman: To be straight out with you, I'm surprised you're going out with someone like her.
I thought you'd be the type to be into a more casual relationship.
Imai: Thanks to you things are going great
Woman: Haha, realllyyy~
your relationship's on the rocks right now?
//laughs//
Woman: If you need a shoulder to cry on, I can lend you mine //chuckles//
Imai: I'll pass
Woman: You didn't even think my offer over!
Don't tell me you're serious about a high school girl like her?
//clank//

Pg 114:
//ring ring//
Chizu: Yes, this is the Kouno residence
Imai: I'm sorry to be calling late. This is Imai---
Chizu: Hey, Imai-kun?
Imai: Oh, hey, Chizuka.
....How's Mitsuki doing?
Chizu: ...What?!
Chizu: Isn't she with you?!

Pg 115:
//dashes//
Woman: Wh---
Woman: Hey---
Imai-kun?!
//clank clank//
//rustle//
Mitsuki: //wheeze//
Mitsuki: //wheeze//
ugh....

Pg 116:
//wheeze wheeze//
Mitsuki: Ah...
//cough cough//
Mitsuki: (This is my punishment...)
//thud//
Mitsuki: //wheeze//
//wipes//
//rustle//
Mitsuki: Nnn...
Mitsuki: (for getting jealous over stupid stuff...
and for acting like a selfish brat...)

Pg 117:
Mitsuki: (This is my punishment...)
Mitsuki: ...No...
//wheeze wheeze//
Mitsuki: No....
Mitsuki: No.....
Mitsuki: (If I don't find it,
I won't be able to be by his side anymore!)
Cell: ...The number you have dialed
cannot be completed as dialed. Please try back another---
//click//
Imai: ...Damnit.

Pg 118:
//tense//
Mitsuki: Ah....
//slap//
Mitsuki: I'm
sorry....
//pulls//

Pg 119:
//sigh of relief//
Imai: ...Don't make me worry.
//tearrs up//
//squeezee//
Mitsuki: Imai-san....
//wahhhhh//
Mitsuki: I----
Mitsuki: I can't...
Mitsuki: I can't find my ringg..!
//wahhh//

Pg 120:
Imai: Your ring?
Mitsuki: I'm so...
sorry...
Mitsuki: I tried...
l-looking...
Mitsuki: all over for it....
//hiccup//
Mitsuki: (...What am I going to do?)
Mitsuki: but I can't
Mitsuki: find it!
Imai: And so you were looking for it this whole time?
Mitsuki: I'm sorry...!
Mitsuki: (Imai-san,
what am I going to do?)
Imai: Yes,
she was just searching for something she lost.
...Yes
Imai: once she calms down, I'll make sure to bring her home.
Okay, goodbye.
//tense//

Pg 121:
//tears falling//
Imai: Hey, if you cry that much your eyes are going to swell up
//chuckles//
Mitsuki: A-Are....
Mitsuki: you...sick of me now...?
//hiccup//
Mitsuki: D-Don't....
Mitsuki: (Please...)
Mitsuki: hate me.....
Mitsuki: Don't hate me, okay?

Pg 122:
//kiss//
Imai: Mitsuki, do you not want to marry me
Imai: if you don't have that ring?
//thump//
Mitsuki: I-I do!

Pg 123:
Mitsuki: B-But you...
don't like me anymore---
//thump thump//
Imai: That's not true.
If I need to, I can buy you another ring,
Imai: and I'll propose to you however many times it takes.
Imai: To be honest with you,
I never want to let you go home.

Pg 124:
Mitsuki: ...I don't need the ring.
This is enough.
Mitsuki: (I'd forgotten.)
Mitsuki: (---I love him---)
Mitsuki: (It wasn't about the ring.)
Mitsuki: I'm sorry!

Pg 125:
Mitsuki: (What he really gave me that day,
was what I'd always wanted.
It was his heart.)

Pg 126:
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: Mmm....
Mitsuki: (Imai-san...)
//thump thump//
Imai: Mitsuki...
Mitsuki: I-Imai-san...
//thump//
//rustle//
Mitsuki: AHHHHHH!
//tense//

Pg 127:
Mitsuki: The ring!
I found it, Imai-san!!!
//Look! Look!//
//gets up//
Imai: Huh...?
Oh...
//KYAAA!//
Mitsuki: No wayyy!
Why is it here!?
//KYAAA!//
Imai: Maybe you dropped it when you were over here earlier today
Mitsuki: I'm so glad....
Mitsuki: (This is great...!)
//squeeze//
Imai: ...Mitsuki
//snaps out of it//
Mitsuki: ...Eh?
Ah....
//thump//

Pg 128:
Mitsuki: (W-What....)
Mitsuki: U-Um....
//blush//
Mitsuki: Errr...
Mitsuki: (just happened...right now...)
Mitsuki: I-I better get home!
Mitsuki: My parents are probably worried about me!
Imai: Ah,
yeah.
Imai: I'll go get my car
Mitsuki: No, that's okay
//thump thump//
Imai: No, it's not safe for you to go home alone.
Mitsuki: Don't worry, I'll grab a cab.
//Plus, you've had something to drink, right?//
//thump thump//
Imai: ...Then I'll walk you there!
//click//
Mitsuki: T-That's okay!
Really!
Imai: Mitsuki---
hey----
Mitsuki: ...Good night.
//slam//

Pg 129:
Imai: What just happened...
Mitsuki: (In my hands is a tiny star)
Mitsuki: (What's sparkling, you ask?
It's Imai-san's feelings for me.)

END OF CHAPTER 2

Pg 130:
[no text]

Pg 131:
Mitsuki: Ah [SL: This looks nice]
Mitsuki: ...if it's this I could probably afford to buy it...
Mitsuki: (It'll probably look really nice on Imai-san)
Mitsuki: But...hmm.....only one necktie...? [SL: Hmmmm...]
[sign reads: Shirt: 17,000 Yen [approx. $170 US] Necktie: 9,800 Yen [approx. $97 US]
Mitsuki: (He always takes me out to dinner, and he always gets me souveniers when he goes away because of work...)
Mitsuki: (and the ring he bought me must've been really expensive too...)

Pg 132:
Mitsuki: (Well, yeah, I know it's the thought that counts,)
Mitsuki: (but this is going to be my first Christmas with him)
Mitsuki: (If I get a part-time job though, I won't be able to see him as much...[SL: And it's probably too late to start anyway])
Mitsuki: (Even though I'm not a Christian,
Christmas IS a big deal
for couples)
Mitsuki: (It'll be a romantic night out in the sparkling city.
I'll be dressed up to the max,
and I won't even care about my curfew.
It'll be a night just the two of us)

Pg 133:
Mitsuki: (A night...)
Mitsuki: ("I don't want to let you go home")
Mitsuki: (I ran away from him that time....
but...) [SL: Maybe....]
//blushes//
Mitsuki: KYAAAA!
//tap//
Woman: Oh, sorry, did I surprise you? [SL: Don't scream]
Mitsuki: (H-Hey...
isn't she....a coworker of Imai-san's...?)
Mitsuki: U-Um....
//thump thump thump//
Woman: I knew it!
Woman: [SL: Errr] Mitsuki-chan, right?
You remember me...don't you?
You were glaring at me that time. //chuckles//
//blush//

Pg 134:
Mitsuki: (I don't like her...)
Woman: [SL: Hey] Do you have time right now? I was thinking of going to get some coffee,
but it'll be boring going by myself. Why don't you come with me? [SL: It's a really great place]
Mitsuki: Whatt...?!
//tense//
Woman: Of course, the drinks are on me.
Mitsuki: U-Um...
I-I....
Mitsuki: (Why do I have to...)
Woman: I'll talk to you about how Imai-kun is at work
Mitsuki: Huh....?
Woman: You're curious to know, aren't you?
//smiles//
Woman: Phew!

Pg 135:
Woman: I'm exhausted from walking around all day. [SL: My feet are swollen, I tell ya!]
Oh, do you mind if I...?
Mitsuki: Oh, no.
Go ahead.
Mitsuki: (...I should've just said no.)
Mitsuki: (I feel like such an idiot...)
//chuckles//
Woman: That necktie you were looking at just now...
were you thinking of getting that for Imai-kun?
Mitsuki: N-No! Um... [SL: Err...]
//blush//
Woman: Oh, was I wrong? You made plans to spend Christmas Eve with him, right? Since you two ARE a couple
//stab...//
Mitsuki: ----Ah....
Mitsuki: umm....
um....
Mitsuki: He hasn't...asked me yet...but...
Woman: Oh? So that's how it is?
Then

Pg 136:
//chuckles//
Woman: maybe I'll ask him out?
Okay?
//thump!//
Mitsuki: WHAT?!
Mitsuki: (W-Why...)
Mitsuki: (is s-she...)
Woman: ...h--
Woman: [SL: HAHAHHAA] I'm just kidding!
Woman: You're too cute! You totally believed I would! [SL: That's hilarious!]
//blush//
Mitsuki: (Wh---!!)
Mitsuki: (I knew it! She's just making fun of me!)
//chuckles//
Woman: Are you about to cry? I'm sorry, I am!
Mitsuki: -----We're...

Pg 137:
Mitsuki: not just a couple!
We're engaged!
Woman: What?
Mitsuki: (That was so mean!
That was so mean!)
Woman: Oh, really?
Woman: Oh, okay.
Yeah, and so what?
Mitsuki: Huh...?
//sizzle//
Woman: Imai-kun's very popular at work [SL: especially with the girls]
Well, with those looks it's a given, but he gives off a nice personality on the surface on top of that, you know?
Woman: There are probably some girls that are serious about him [SL: They're being deceived by him~]
Woman: I do admit that he's pretty sharp,
and yeah, for a 24 year old he's pretty mature
Woman: but I'd say his weak point is, he pouts like a kid when you bug him too much.
Oh, but maybe he only acts that way to his friends?

Pg 138:
Mitsuki: Don' say bad things about Imai-san!!
Mitsuki: (She's gone too far!)
Woman: Oh don't get me wrong. I'm not bad-mouthing him.
That's what I like about him, actually.
Mitsuki: I-Imai-san's....not that kind of person...!
//thump thump thump//
Woman: //chuckles// Do you think of him as your perfect prince?
//blush//
Woman: The cruel, evil sister has a message for
Woman: the princess.
//smiles//
Woman: Falling in love can happen in a flash
//thump thump//
Woman: but if you're serious about keeping the love alive, then you both have to work at it

Pg 139:
Woman: You have to accept
every part of him, the good and the bad.
Woman: Or else, you two won't last.
//thump thump...//
Mitsuki: (...There's...)
Imai: ...Mitsuki?
Are you not feeling hungry?

Pg 140:
//snaps out of it//
Mitsuki: N-No! I'm am! [SL: This is great!]
//munch//
Imai: Really?
//chucklces//
//You don't have to eat so fast//
Imai: I thought you lost your ring again and were feeling down about it
Mitsuki: You're bringing that up again?
I told you, I'm keeping it somewhere safe! I won't lose it again [SL:Geez]
//munch//
//chuckles//
Imai: Why don't you wear it though? [SL: Since it is a ring]
Mitsuki: I decided to only wear it for special occasions!
Imai: Special occasions?
Mitsuki: Yeah, like anniversaries or...Christmas. [SL: Stuff like that]
Mitsuki: ("You two won't last")
Mitsuki: (There's nothing for me to be worried about!
I can't even think of one bad thing about Imai-san!)
Imai: Oh, right. Christmas.

Pg 141:
Imai: What do you want to do on the 24th?
We'll probably have to make reservations for dinner. [SL: Any requests]
Mitsuki: ...Yeah! [SL: Hmm...let's see..]
Mitsuki: (There! See?)
Mitsuki: (He's always the grown up...
and he's always really kind...)
[SL: Imai: Want try going to that restaurant again?]
Mitsuki: (There's no way there'd be something about him that I wouldn't like)
Mitsuki: (The "working hard" part she mentioned must probably be all on my part...)
Mitsuki: (That's right!)
Mitsuki: Imai-san!
I'll make you dinner at your place!
Mitsuki: I'll bake a cake too!

Pg 142:
Mitsuki: We're always going out to dinner,
so if we do this we can spend time just the two of us!
Mitsuki: And---
Mitsuki: (It's our first Christmas together.
I want it to be really special!)
Mitsuki: ...Ah...
or....
//shrivels up//
Mitsuki: would you...rather not...?
Imai: ...I have to work
in the afternoon on the 24th
//clank//
Imai: so I'll leave this with you

Pg 143:
Mitsuki: Eh....
Mitsuki: (Is...this...)
//thump//
Mitsuki: (W...ow....!!
This is Imai-san's spare key!!)
Imai: You can use anything you find in the kitchen.
Imai: I'm looking forward to it.
Mitsuki: (Imai-san's always...)

Pg 144:
Mitsuki: (giving me all sorts of things...)
Mitsuki: Ummmm...
Mitsuki: And now I have to put in...a pinch of salt...
How much is a "pinch"...?
[book title: A Chic Dinner Meal]
Mitsuki: (He's always the one
doing something for me.
Now's my chance to do something for him!)
Chizu: Mitsuki?
Are you okay?
Chizu: I think I smell something burning...
Mitsuki: Onee-chan.....[means "big sister"]
//sizzle sizzle//
//bubble bubble//
[SL: Chizu: What did you make?]

Pg 145:
Mitsuki: (Ugh...I am such a loser...)
//sizzle//
Chizu: [SL: Yeah, that's right] Press it down lightly.
If you press it down too hard the cheese'll come out
Chizu: And now, while that's cooking you can place side dishes on the plate
Mitsuki: Okay!
//sizzle//
Chizu: It'll probably be a good idea for you to bake the main part of the cake the day before
Mitsuki: Okay
//giggles//
Chizu: [SL: Oh, really~] So you're going to have a home-cooked dinner with Imai-kun?
Mitsuki: What are you going to do?
Chizu: I cook year 'round!
So I'm going to get him to take me out somewhere!
//sizzle//
Mitsuki: ...Did you guys have a fight again or something?
Mitsuki: ...Do you have stuff you don't like about your boyfriend?
Chizu: ...Well yeah, of course!
Chizu: He's self-conceited, pushy,
and selfish!

Pg 146:
Mitsuki: Oh...
Mitsuki: but you still like him anyway?
Mitsuki: (Even though they seem to fight alot, and she's always complaining about him,
they seem really happy)
//Err...//
Chizu: ...Mitsuki,
don't tell me Imai-kun's passed on that rotten personality of his on to you too!
Mitsuki: Hey! He doesn't have a rotten personailty!
Chizu: ...It's burning---
//sizzle//
Mitsuki: AH!
Mitsuki: (But....I....)
//squeak//
Mitsuki: Yep,
and I just baked the cake.
Imai: Oh really?
Mitsuki: It turned out really good too! //heh//

Pg 147:
Mitsuki: Oh, but I made it so it's not too sweet.
I'm pretty good at baking sweets.
Mitsuki: Don't expect too much for the main course though. I'm not great in that department
//chuckles//
Imai: I don't mind, as long as it's edible. Even if it's just cup noodles---
Mitsuki: Hey! I did put some effort into learning you know!
//hahaha//
Imai: Then I look forward to it
Mitsuki: ...Even though I don't have that much confidence in it
Imai: Don't worry, I have Tums ready just in case.
//hahahaha//
Mitsuki: Heyyy~
Mitsuki: ...I'm taking really good care
of your spare key
Mitsuki: I'll see you tomorrow
Mitsuki: (I was really happy)
Mitsuki: (Imai-san)

Pg 148:
Imai: I'll try to get back as soon as I can
Mitsuki: Okay. I'll be waiting...
Mitsuki: (Let's make this an unforgettable Christmas!)
[sign reads "Imai"]
//thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: I-I can...
go in, right?
O-K!
//slide//
//click//
//THUMP!//

Pg 149:
Mitsuki: I-It...
opened...
//thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: I'm coming in...
Mitsuki: (T-This...
is really nervewracking!)
Mitsuki: [SL: Oooh~] He always has everything neatly organized
Mitsuki: I was kinda looking forward to cleaning up too~
//thump!//

Pg 150:
Mitsuki: I-I
better get started on cooking!
//blush//
Mitsuki: (It's as if I'm in a dream)
Mitsuki: (waiting for my boyfriend
in his room,
while he's not there)
Imai: Once I'm done with my rounds I'll be going straight home [SL: I'll leave the rest up to you]
Guy: What! Not you too?! You have date?
//WHATTT//
//Idiot~//
Guy #2: Of course he has a date. This is Imai we're talking about, remember?
//hahaha//
Woman: [SL: Ah!] Imai-kun!
Do you have a sec!
Mitsuki: (I'm filled with butterflies, and my heart's beating like crazy.
I wonder if he's just as happy as I am?
I wonder if his heart's beating as fast as mine?)

Pg 151:
Mitsuki: (If we marry, I wonder if it'll be like this everyday?)
Mitsuki: Err...
Mitsuki: (I feel tingly inside!)
Mitsuki: (Let's make this...
a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas Eve!)

Pg 152:
Mitsuki: ("I'll get back as soon as I can")
[TV: Kyaaa~ The illuminations are so beautiful! This is amazing!]
[TV: The town's filled with couples!
TV: Now I'm feelin a bit jealous!
TV: Why don't we go interview some of them?]
Mitsuki: (W-Well, I'm going to be spending Christmas with Imai-san!)
//click//
//sticks tongue out//
Mitsuki: He's just late because of work!
I have his spare key with me!
Mitsuki: ("Maybe I should ask him out?")
//thump//
Mitsuki: (...Oh, now that I think about it
he's with her at work...)

Pg 153:
Mitsuki: Ughhhhh~
I'll just get started on cooking the hamburger! [In japan "hanbaagu" isn't like the meat-in-between-bread thing, it's just the meat itself with a sauce [usually tomato based, but can be others ^^] over it.]
Mitsuki: (I'm not going to let what she said get to me!)
//KYAAA!//
//The cheeze is burning!//
Mitsuki: (I shouldn't say stupid things
to make him upset again.
I can't be selfish.
Because if I am, he'll think I'm a kid)
Mitsuki: (I have to become a woman who he'd want to show off to his friends!)

Pg 154:
Mitsuki: (Imai-san
knows my good and bad sides, and he accepts it all.
That's why I should be understanding about him and work!)
Mitsuki: I'm hungry~
//thud//
Mitsuki: Imai-sannnnn
Mitsuki: (----Ah)
Mitsuki: (It smells of cigarettes...)
//inhale//
Mitsuki: (...His smell.)
Mitsuki: ("To tell you the truth,
I never want to let you go home.")
Mitsuki: (I-If he continues where he left off that time...)
Mitsuki: (Ahhh~ what am I going to do?!)
//thud thud thud//
//KYAAAAA//
//rumble rumble//
Mitsuki: I'm an idiot! Idiot!
Mitsuki: Ah...

Pg 155:
//stab//
Mitsuki: (---If you...don't hurry...)
Mitsuki: (Christmas Eve is going to be over...Imai-san)
Mitsuki: (..."You two won't last")
Mitsuki: (Come home already...)
//stab//
Mitsuki: (Hurry...)

Pg 156:
Mitsuki: (You promised me you would)
//chirp chirp chirp//
//click click/
//slam//
//click//
Imai: ...Mitsuki?

Pg 157:
Imai: ...Don't tell me...
you've been here since last night...?
Mitsuki: ...Yeah.
Welcome back.
//yawwwnns//
Mitsuki: I just took a quick nap [SL: Hehe]
Imai: ...I'm sorry.
I couldn't get out of work.
Mitsuki: ...Yeah, it's okay. I understand, it's work.
But you're done now, right?
Imai: No...I have to get back as soon as I change.
Mitsuki: (...I can't be selfish)
//stab//
//stab stab//
Mitsuki: ....Oh...
okay....
Mitsuki: (I can't say stupid things...)

Pg 158:
Mitsuki: I...understand...
Mitsuki: (I can't stop myself...)
Imai: ...Mitsuki
//squeeze//
//slap//
Imai: I'm sorr--
Mitsuki: ....y...
Why....
Mitsuki: (How could he?)
Mitsuki: It's always work work for you!
Is it THAT important to you?!
Mitsuki: It was Christmas!
It was our first....
Mitsuki: (How could he?!)

Pg 159:
Mitsuki: It was supposed to be special...
Mitsuki: It was our first Christmas together!
Mitsuki: (I was really looking forward to it...
I was waiting for you....)
Mitsuki: (I believed you would come home...)
Mitsuki: I was waiting for you...!

Pg 160:
//rustle rustle//
Imai: ....right.
Imai: I know work isn't a good excuse.
That was stupid of me. ...I'm sorry.
Imai: How can I get you to forgive me?
//stab//
Mitsuki: (...It's not that
I wanted to make him upset like this)
Mitsuki: (...In my mind)
//stab//
Mitsuki: (I know that...)

Pg 161:
Mitsuki: (I know that things aren't always going to go smoothly
between a high schooler and a grown up...
...but that's why...
that's exactly why....)
//grabs//
Mitsuki: Phone me
Mitsuki: whenever something like this happens.

Pg 163:
Mitsuki: Don't forget.
Even if it's just to tell me you can't make it.
Mitsuki: I want to hear your voice more than a message on my bell.
Even if you don't like cell phones, call me.
Mitsuki: (Don't)
Mitsuki: (make me doubt what we have)
Mitsuki: Even if you don't have time, call me.
Mitsuki: (Because I believe in you)
Mitsuki: Even if I wouldn't understand the stuff you're doing at work,
talk to me about it
Mitsuki: (Let's make an effort
together)

Pg 164:
Imai: Okay,
I promise
Mitsuki: (So that our love will continue to grow)
Mitsuki: ...dinner's
gotten cold
Imai: Sorry.
Mitsuki: I even decorated a tree.
Imai: Yeah,
it looks great.

Pg 165:
Mitsuki: //coughs// I even prepared a present for you
Imai: Sorry.
Mitsuki: Don't think
I've completely forgiven you yet!
Imai: Yeah.
Sorry.
Imai: ----Oh yeah,
did you make sure to call home?
//Errr...//
[sign reads "A kid"]
Mitsuki: ...Imai-san, you're more strict than my dad

Pg 166:
Imai: ...Well I don't want to lose your parents trust
//Hmmm//
Imai: Well, even if that happened, I wouldn't give you up, but still...
Imai: If they're against our relationship,
it'll probably be that much harder for you.
Mitsuki: (It was the first time
I saw him look...a bit shy and a bit sulkish at the same time)
Mitsuki: ...Is that why you force yourself not to smoke or drink in front of me...?
Imai: It's not that I'm forcing myself not to.
Not at all.
//thump//

Pg 167:
Mitsuki: It'd be okay.
Mitsuki: Because I wouldn't give you up either.
//squeeze//
Mitsuki: (Imai-san
always gives me many things)
Mitsuki: (Not just things that can be seen by the human eye,
but something much much more precious...)

Pg 168:
Mitsuki: (something that grabs ahold of my heart)
Imai: Thanks for waiting for me.
Mitsuki: (---Let's celebrate our first Christmas together)

Pg 169:
Mitsuki: (Even though the hamburger was a bit charred and hard,
and the cake was a bit crumbly,
we laughed and ate it all)
//clank clank clank clank//
Mitsuki: You're gonna be a bit late
Imai: Don't worry about it. I did an all nighter yesterday, so they'll understand.
//clank clank//
//yawwwnnn//
Mitsuki: AH!

Pg 170:
Mitsuki: You must've not gotten any sleep!
I-I'm sorry, I---
Imai: Hey, it's not your fault
//chuckles//
Imai: ...Later I'll go to your place and apologize to your parents
Mitsuki: D-Don't worry about it!
It's Winter break, and I did tell them I'd be over at your place. Plus! They trust you
//snaps out of it//
Mitsuki: (W-Whoa....i-is this what they call..."the morning after"?!)
//KYAA! KYAA!//
Mitsuki: (This is super embarrassing!)
Mitsuki: (I wonder if that's what the people around me are thinking?!)
Mitsuki: (---Well yeah, I DID stay over at his place...)
Mitsuki: (but still! But still!)

Pg 171:
Mitsuki: (It's not like we continued on where we left off from "last time"....)
//shakes head//
Mitsuki: (What am I thinking?!)
Imai: Mitsuki?
Your face is red
Mitsuki: WHATT!
//M-Maybe it's the air conditioning!)
Mitsuki: Oh!
Right!
Mitsuki: I better give this back to you
Mitsuki: before I lose it
Imai: Oh, yeah.
Right.
Mitsuki: Here.
Imai: ...Hmm...
//This is a bit hard...//
//clink clink//
Mitsuki: (Well I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit disappointed...)
Imai: Mitsuki

Pg 172:
Imai: Here's a present for you
//clink clink//
Mitsuki: (What...?)
Imai: If you have a keychain on it, even if you drop it, you'd realize it, right?
//thump//
Mitsuki: (No...way)
Mitsuki: (No way!)
Mitsuki: I-Is it really okay for me to have this?
Mitsuki: (No way!)
//thump thump thump//
Imai: Of course.
Feel free to come any time.

Pg 173:
Mitsuki: (I'm so happy!)
Man: ---Those getting off at---
Imai: I better get off. [SL: Whoa, it's freezing]
Oh yeah
Imai: I managed to get a 3-day holiday during the winter break!
So let's go on a little vacation!
Imai: I'll call you later.
//slideee//
Mitsuki: ---Huh?

TO BE CONTINUED

END OF VOLUME 1