Ashita mo Kitto Koishiteru Volume 3

Title: Ashita mo Kitto Koi Shiteru [I'll Still Be in Love With You Tomorrow]
Volume: 3 (of 4)
Mangaka: Fujii Akemi
Translated by: Oceansportrait
Translation Completed: September 1, 2008

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

Pg 7:
Fujii Akemi
Ashita mo Kitto Aishiteru

Pg 8:
Mitsuki: A two-bedroom apartment, huh?
Chizu: Yep
Mitsuki: Wow...so you guys're gonna be getting your own place...
that's so awesome...
//dreamy look//
//exhales//
Chizu: What's so "awesome" about that?
I feel sick just thinking about having to re-organize everything once we move in

Pg 9:
Chizu: I want the place to be livable by wedding day, so we have to start moving our stuff in a little bit at a time
Mitsuki: I'll help!
Chizu: //chuckles// Thanks.
Mitsuki: (Only one month to go
before her wedding day)
Mitsuki: But time sure does fly...
it'll be lonely here without you...
Chizu: I'll still be close by. You can come over anytime.
I'll be sure to stop by here too.
Mitsuki: Yeah! I will!
//chuckles//
Chizu: But I have a feeling your wedding day isn't too far off in the future either.
Mom and Dad'll probably be feeling a lot lonelier when that day comes
//blushes//
Mitsuki: What...!

Pg 10:
Mitsuki: T-That's...
//ding dong//
//blushes//
Chizu: Ah [SL: He's here]
Mom: Oh, hello. Please come on in
//footsteps//
//click//
Ozawa: Good evening!
Mom: Chizuka's just in that room over there
Ozawa: Yo, Chizuka!
How's that baby cookin'? Your stomach getting any bigger yet?
//punch//
Chizu: Idiot! I'm not going to start showing in just one or two days!
Mitsuki: (Chizu-chan's fiance, Ozawa-san
comes over everyday because he worries about how Chizu-chan's doing)
//giggles...//

Pg 11:
Mitsuki: (I do feel a bit jealous seeing how happy they look,
but I'm just as happy as them.)
Mitsuki: Ah...
//ring ring ring ring//
Mitsuki: ...Hello,
Kouno residence.
Imai: ..Mitsuki?
//grins//
Mitsuki: Imai-san!
Where are you right now? At your apartment?
Imai: Yeah, I just got back and took a shower.
Mitsuki: Welcome back!

Pg 12:
Imai: Thanks.
...Mitsuki?
Mitsuki: What?
Mitsuki: Is something wrong?
Imai: No...
Would you be able to meet for a bit tomorrow night?
Mitsuki: Y-Yeah...
Sure!
Imai: ...I have something I have to tell you.
I might be a bit late, but wait for me, okay?
Mitsuki: Okay.
//thump!//
//thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: (I don't know why, but I'm kinda nervous.
It's not like before,
where I ran off because I started feeling doubts.)

Pg 13:
Mitsuki: (This time, my heartbeat skips a bit,
like it's embarassed, or like it's a bit shy)
Imai: I'll see you at 6 at the place we always go to---
//clank clank//
//looks up//
//sorry!//
//You're late!!//
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
//sigh//
Mitsuki: ...Maybe he's busy with work.

Pg 14:
//clank clank//
Mitsuki: (It's not a particularly special day today,
but I might be the happiest here out of anyone here.)
Mitsuki: I wonder when Imai-san's gonna show up~
//Hmm...//
Mitsuki: (Oh yeah, I wonder what he wanted to talk to me about?)
Mitsuki: (Maybe he wants to tell me when his next long-weekend off's going to be?
...Or maybe it's to say that he's too busy to get a few days off in a row?
Or maybe...)

Pg 15:
Mitsuki: (he wants to say that he wants to go on a vacation with just the two of us again!)
//blushes//
Mitsuki: No, that wouldn't happen...
Imai: Sorry I'm late.
Mitsuki: WHOA!
//thud//
//taken aback//
Imai: Sorry I kept you waiting
//wheeze//
//thump//
Mitsuki: Ah...
Imai: Oh,
I'd like some ice coffee.
//Okay//
//exhale//
Mitsuki: You look like you're busy with work.
Do you want to go out somewhere to eat?
Imai: Oh...
yeah.

Pg 16:
Imai: I can't. I told them I'm just going out to grab a bite to eat.
So I have to get back right after this.
Mitsuki: Eh...?
Imai: Sorry.
Mitsuki: (Oh, so that's how things are gonna be...)
Mitsuki: Oh....
Imai: But I wanted to see you and tell you this---
Mitsuki: Imai-san?
Imai: ...Right.
Yeah.

Pg 17:
Imai: ...I wanted to tell you that I have to go to Kyoto for business.
Mitsuki: What...? Like on a business trip?
Mitsuki: (....Oh.
So it's just about work again...)
Imai: ...No.
Imai: I'm being temporarily transferred over there for half a year to work at the branch office they have there.


Pg 18:
Mitsuki: ...What....
//thump//
Mitsuki: (What...
did he just....)
Mitsuki: What do you mean "temporarily transferred"?
Imai: Huh?
Oh.
Mitsuki: (say...?)
Imai: My responsibilities are still with the main branch. That doesn't change.
Basically, it just means that Kyoto's opened up a branch office
Mitsuki: (Kyoto?)
Imai: and I'm going there to help them out, so to speak.
Mitsuki: (He's going somewhere that far away...?)
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: F-For....
half a year...?
Imai: Yeah
//wobble//

Pg 19:
Mitsuki: (....No.
No!
How could you!)
Mitsuki: (I don't want to be apart from you for half a year!!)
//tense//
Imai: ...Mitsuki
Mitsuki: W-When are you going to go...
//thump//
//squeeze//
Imai: This weekend.
Mitsuki: WHAT!?!
Mitsuki: (No way!)
Mitsuki: That's only in 4 days!
Mitsuki: Why...!

Pg 20:
Imai: ...I only found out yesterday too.
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
//throb..//
Mitsuki: ...But you're going to come back...
right?
Imai: [SL: Chuckles] Of course I'm going to come back.
I'm going to be staying in a dorm over there, so I'm going to be leaving my apartment and car back here
Imai: So you can go on and keep your spare key.
//throb//
Mitsuki: (I can't tell him that I don't want him to go...)

Pg 21:
Mitsuki: (B-But...this is just...too sudden...)
//clank//
Imai: Things are going to get pretty busy in the next few days,
but I'll make sure to go.
Mitsuki: (He's leaving in just four days...!)
//tears up//
Imai: I'm sorry to always have to make you go through things like this.
Mitsuki: (Imai-san...)
Imai: ...Don't cry.
It's only for half a year.
Mitsuki: ...Yeah.
Mitsuki: (No, Imai-san)

Pg 22:
Mitsuki: (You're going to go somewhere far away---)
Michiru: Kyoto?!

Pg 23:
Mitsuki: I never even considered...
Mitsuki: that he might have to go somewhere really far away...
//slide slide//
Mitsuki: (I won't be able to see him...!)
Michiru: Yeah, but it's not like it's NOT within travelling distance.
If you go by bullet train, you know? [SL: Hey, listening?]
Mitsuki: But it's two and a half hours away...
that's far.
Mitsuki: Even when he couldn't see me because he was too busy,
him being here and him being in Kyoto are completely different.
Mitsuki: (Even now,
I'm trying my best to not be selfish, and to hold myself back even though I want to see him)

Pg 24:
Mitsuki: (And just when I thought I've become a bit closer to Imai-san...)
Michiru: A long-distance relationship, huh?
//tense//
Michiru: You guys've have made it through fine up 'til now.
I'm sure you guys'll be fine
Mitsuki: (...Yeah, that's right.
It's not as if we're breaking up.
...But still...)

Pg 25:
Mitsuki: (Still...)
//ring ring//
Mom: Coming,
coming.
//ring ring//
Mitsuki: Wait! I'll get it!
Mitsuki: Hello?!
//click//
Imai: ...Mitsuki?
Sorry to call you so late at night.
//slam//
Mitsuki: ...No, that's okay.
Are you at home right now?
//sigh of relief//

Pg 26:
Imai: I'm still at work.
I'll be able to go home in a little while.
Mitsuki: ....Oh
Mitsuki: (Imai-san...)
//thump//
Imai: ...It's been decided that I'm going to head over there
Saturday morning.
Mitsuki: (Ah....)
Mitsuki: ...Can I come
and see you off?
Imai: ...But you have school that day...
Mitsuki: But still...!
Imai: You can't skip class.
...And anyway, the guys from work are probably going to come.
Mitsuki: (But...)
Mitsuki: (But...)
Mitsuki: ...Then I'll help you pack up...
Imai: I just need to bring necessities, so I'm pretty much set already.
Thanks for the offer though.

Pg 27:
Mitsuki: (If I'm not going to be able to see you anymore,
I want to see you as much as I can right now)
Imai: ...Sorry //exhales//
Imai: I really don't have any time
because I have to get the everything together for the others to take over my work while I'm gone
Mitsuki: (...He sounds really tired)
Mitsuki: ...Yeah,
I know.
Mitsuki: (...I don't want to make you more stressed than you already are.
Since I know you're the one who's feeling the strains over this move)
//rustle//
Mitsuki: ...Are you making sure to eat?
Imai: [SL: Chuckles] I just ate a bento box.

Pg 28:
Mitsuki: Make sure you don't work too hard, okay?
Mitsuki: (The words "Don't Go" caught in my throat,
and it made my chest hurt.)
[sign reads "Imai"]
Mitsuki: ...I better get home
//clink//
//squeeze...//

Pg 29:
//rustle//
//slam//
[letter reads:

Welcome back.
You can put this right into the microwave to warm it up.

Mitsuki.

PS Please call me on my cell even if it's late]
Mitsuki: (At times like this,
I think...only if I were older.)
Mitsuki: (Then I would be able to wait for him without worrying about the time.
Then I would be able to go with him.)
//click click click//

Pg 30:
Guy: Hey, Imai? Is this it--?
Imai: No,
not that one. It's the one with the blue label---
Mitsuki: (It's not like we'll never be able to see each other again.)
Mitsuki: (It's not as if we're breaking up.)

Pg 31:
Mitsuki: (There were even times up 'til now
when I couldn't see him for one or two weeks because he had to go away on bsuiness_)
Mitsuki: (I have faith in his feelings.
Everything'll be okay.
We'll make this long-distance relationship work.)
//looks up//
Mitsuki: ...I wonder why
he isn't calling...?
Mitsuki: ("I promise I'll call")
Mitsuki: (But no matter how busy he is,)

Pg 31:
Mitsuki: It's Friday already....
Mitsuki: (he'll make sure to come and see me before he leaves...right?)
//wheeze wheeze wheeze//
//clink clink//
//dashes//
//wheeze wheeze//
[sign reads "Imai"]
//swish//

Pg 32:
//wheeze...//
[it's the same letter she wrote earlier]
//throb//
[sign reads: Garbage Disposal
Garbage pick-up days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Please refrain from using this disposal if you do not live in this ---]

Pg 33:
Mitsuki: (...You won't go, without at least saying goodbye...right?)
//rustle rustle//
Man: Please refrain from rushing into the train as the doors are closing
//beeeeeep//
//swish//
//train moving away//
Mitsuki: (...I'll just be bothering him
if I try and phone him while he's working...)
Mitsuki: (but still...)

Pg 34:
//click//
Mitsuki: (...It'll be just a second.)
Mitsuki: (If it's only to tell him to call me later, then...)
//ring ring//
//ring ring//
//ring ring//
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: (I knew it...he's not picking up...)
//click//
//THUMP!//
Mitsuki: Ah!
Mitsuki: U-Um----
Operator: Your call cannot go through at this time.
Please leave a message after the beep
//BEEEEPP//
//th...ump//

Pg 35:
Mitsuki: ...This is Mitsuki
//thump//
Mitsuki: (...Imai-san)
Mitsuki: Um....
//thump//
Mitsuki: (Imai-san...)
//BEEP BEEP//
Man: A train is now arriving at platform 2.
Please stand back from the white line.
Mitsuki: It doesn't matter if...it's in the middle of the night...
please call me on my cell-----
//thump//
//clatter clatter//
Mitsuki: ...I want to see you...!

Pg 36:
Mitsuki: (Are you really going to leave without saying goodbye?)
//knock knock//
Chizu: ..Mitsuki?
Chizu: You should eat.
Chizu: ...Mitsuki, if you're going to act like this, how can Imai-kun leave in peace?
Chizu: This is how work is like.
He's trying his best----
//thud//

Pg 37:
Mitsuki: How would you know?!
You can be with Ozawa-san all the time!
Mitsuki: You can see him everyday!
Chizu: ..Mitsuki
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
Mitsuki: ...Sorry...
//creak//
Mitsuki: Just leave me alone...
Chizu: ...Good night
//click//
Mitsuki: (No...)

Pg 38:
Mitsuki: (It's going to be Saturday already...)
Mitsuki: (I don't care about school anymore...
I should've just asked what time his bullet train's going to be leaving)
Mitsuki: (If....
this might be the last chance to ever see him again...)
Mitsuki: ...No...
Mitsuki: (If he's just going to leave like that...)
Mitsuki: Nooo----

Pg 39:
//ring ring ring ring//
//click//
Mitsuki: Imai-sa----
//sits down//
Imai: ...Sorry, it's Saturday already.
Mitsuki: (...Imai...sa...)

Pg 40:
Mitsuki: ...U....
//splash splash//
Mitsuki: Uuu......
Mitsuki: (Imai-san...)
Mitsuki: (His...)
Mitsuki: (voice....)
Imai: I just heard your message
Mitsuki: Uuu....
Imai: ...Mitsuki,
Imai: look outside your window
//swish//
Mitsuki: (There's no way he would be...)

Pg 41:
//turns//

Pg 42:
Mitsuki: (No way...)
Mitsuki: (No way...)

Pg 43;
Mitsuki: (Imai-san!!)

Pg 44:
//squeeze//
//squeeze//
Mitsuki: Uuu...
Mitsuki: (Imai-san)
Imai: I'll try to come back on my days off as best as I can
Mitsuki: //hicc//
Imai: I'll make sure to be back for Chizuka's wedding
Mitsuki: ...Yeah
Imai: I'll make sure to call too.
Mitsuki: Yeah...
Mitsuki: (Imai-san...)

Pg 45:
Imai: I'll be back in half a year
Mitsuki: ...Okay,
...I'll be waiting...
Mitsuki: (I can't lose you.
The strength of your arms as you embrace me,
your low, quiet voice,
your warmth,
your scent)

Pg 46:
Imai: I love you...
Mitsuki: (everything that makes you you.)
Mitsuki: (...I want to be stronger)
[sign reads: The next train is ___]
//beeeeepp//

Pg 47:
//beeeepp//
Mitsuki: (No matter how far away you are,
my feelings for you won't change, no matter what.
"I love you."
I have to become stronger,
so that I won't be filled with doubts the days you are gone.)

Pg 48:
//clank//
Mitsuki: (So that I can walk along side you
towards the future stretched in front of us)

END OF CHAPTER 8

Pg 50:
Mitsuki: ...He told me over the phone last night that he's settled down a bit there
Mitsuki: His dorm and company are closer together now, so he said it's weight off his back
Michiru: Well, good for him.
I'm surprised though that you're handling this so well. I thought you'd be more depressed about it
//rustle//
//munch//
Mitsuki: Uu....

Pg 51:
Mitsuki: I wouldn't act like that!
//munch munch//
//giggles//
Michiru: Anyway, it looks like things are going pretty well between you two.
And if anything comes up that you want to bitch over, you know where to find me.
Mitsuki: (I promised myself I wouldn't cry anymore.)
Mitsuki: ...Yeah
Mitsuki: (It's been three weeks since Imai-san left for Kyoto,
and he's kept his promise of calling almost everyday.)
Michiru: And anyway, a little storm brewing every once in a while only adds spice to the relationship
//munch munch//
Mitsuki: (Who is she to say...)
//rattle//
Mitsuki: (And anyway, soon it'll be---)
Teacher: Is the class representative here?

Pg 52:
//clatter//
Michiru: Yes?
Teacher: Could you hand these out before today's homeroom?
Michiru: Okay!
Michiru: Oh...right
//scratch scratch//
Mitsuki: What is it?
//rustle//
Michiru: This
[paper reads: Survey of Post-Secondary Plans]
Michiru: I think our school's
pretty late doing this though. Compared to other schools, I mean.

Pg 53:
Michiru: Our school's an escalator school, so most are gonna go to the college associated with it.
Those who're gonna go somewhere else are just a fraction of us
Michiru: If they're wanting to go to high schools where you have to compete with others on entrance exams, then they probably would've taken care of that in grade 11
Mitsuki: ...Yeah...
Mitsuki: (Hmm...I never thought about it at all)
Mitsuki: I might be interested in going to a two-year college....
what about you, Michiru-chan? Have you thought about it?
Michiru: [SL: Hmm?] I'm gonna go to a college outside of our school.
Mitsuki: Whatt!
Mitsuki: Really?!
Michiru: Yeah, since I'm planning on following in my parents footsteps [SL: As a gynecologist]
Mitsuki: Then...
Michiru: Yep, medical school.

Pg 54:
Mitsuki: (No way...)
//schoked//
Mitsuki: W-Whoa....
Michiru: Since my older brother ran off, there's only me now, you know?
Mitsuki: Yeah, and since you're really smart...//sigh//
Ootsuka: What?! Who ran off?!
Michiru: Ew,
Ootsuka!
//hahaha//
Ootsuka: Did you guys just finish school?
Ootsuka: Hey, what were you guys talking about?
//clatter//
Michiru: HEY! What're you sitting down here for?!
Your friends are waiting for you over there!
Ootsuka: Nah, don't worry about it. I just went to sign up for cram school.

Pg 55:
Mitsuki: You're going to go to a cram school?
Ootsuka: What?
Oh, yep! What about you? Want me to introduce you to the place I'm going to?
Mitsuki: Have you already decided what college you want to go to?
Ootsuka: Yeah, for now anyway. But I still haven't cemented down what my first pick's going to be, you know? [SL: It's gonna be tough]
Mitsuki: Right, since you go to East High....
...so everyone's been thinking about it already, huh?....
Mitsuki: (University exams...)
Mitsuki: (But for me, there's nothing really that I want to do,
since I thought I'd be marrying Imai-san.)
Mitsuki: (Now that I think about it, we haven't really made any actual plans.)
Mitsuki: (I wonder what Imai-san's
thoughts are on this?)

Pg 56:
Mitsuki: I wonder what I should do about the survey....
Michiru: You don't have to rush it. It's not due 'till next week.
Ootsuka: If you're planning on taking university-entrance exams, then let's go to the same cram school!
//tense//
//CLATTER//
Ootsuka: This summer's gonna be an important one if you wanna do good!
They're having this open house thing this weekend, so if you wanna go, just say the word!
//slurrrpp//
Michiru: What are you? The cram school representative, or what?
Ootsuka: If you go, then I'll be sure to try my hardest too!
How does Saturday sound?!
Mitsuki: U-Um...I'm still not really sure if I'm going to even take the exams yet...
so tomorrow's a bit...
Michiru: Oh yeah, about the wedding!
Congrats!
Ootsuka: Huh?
Michiru: Imai-san's gonna show up too, right?
Ootsuka: A-A wedding...?
Ootsuka: Err...
what?
//pales//
Ootsuka: Who's marrying who?
Ootsuka: Don't tell me...

Pg 57:
Mitsuki: Yeah
//hehe//
Mitsuki: (Chizu-chan's finally getting married this Saturday,)
Mitsuki: (and I'll be able to see Imai-san for the first time in a while!)
Mitsuki: What?!
You have to go back on the very same day?!

Pg 58:
Imai: Yeah...
Mitsuki: But...it's Saturday! I won't have school the next day
Mitsuki: (Why...)
Imai: ...Sorry.
//wipes away//
Mitsuki: (Don't go there.)
Mitsuki: Sorry. Don't worry about me.
Mitsuki: It'll be great to finally see you though //heheh//
Imai: ...yeah.
//clatter//
Mitsuki: Imai-san, you have to get up early tomorrow, right?
Will you be able to make it in time for the church part?
Mitsuki: (...I'd be lying if I said the days I spend apart from him aren't lonely ones.)

Pg 59:
Imai: I'll definitely be there in time for the reception,
but as for the actual ceremony, I'm still not too sure about that...
Mitsuki: (To tell you the truth,)
Mitsuki: (there were times I cried abit after talking with him on the phone like this.)
Mitsuki: Oh...
well, then I'll be sure to take lots of pictures!
Imai: Yeah...//chuckles//
Mitsuki: (But no matter how little of a time we get to spend together,
I want to spend that time with a smile on my face.)
Imai: So Chizuka's finally making the big leap, huh?
Do you feel lonely?
//opens can//
//thump//

Pg 60:
//thump//
Mitsuki: Y-Yeah...
Mitsuki: ("Marriage")
Mitsuki: (...I don't know...should I ask him about it?)
[paper reads "Survey for Post-Secondary School Education"]
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: (But...how?)
//blush//
Mitsuki: Ah....
Mitsuki: (There's no way
I could ask him "When are we gonna get married?" outright.)

Pg 61:
Imai: Mitsuki?
Mitsuki: Ah...um...um...
today, I got this survey thing from school...
Imai: Survey thing?
Mitsuki: Y-Yeah...
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: (KYAAA! KYAAA!! I just brought that up out of no where! You idiot!)
Imai: Oh, right. Since you're in your last year of high school, huh?
Mitsuki: A-And...I got all confused because I didn't know what I should write down...
Mitsuki: Michiru-chan said she's gonna go to medical school
Imai: Oh, really?
Mitsuki: Everyone I talked to seemed to have thought it over already. I was really surprised.
//thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: (Should I write my #1 goal as "getting married"?)
Mitsuki: (Wah...but that would be so embarrassing!)
Imai: Hmm...well,

Pg 62:
Imai: there's no need to rush yourself.
I'll be there for you if you need someone to talk to.
Mitsuki: Eh...?
Mitsuki: (What...?)
Mitsuki: Ah...
y-yeah, okay...

Pg 63:
Mitsuki: (Well...that was...weird.
Maybe I wasn't being clear enough?)
Mitsuki: Thanks...
Mitsuki: (But now, it's even harder to bring it up...)
[same paper as before]
Mitsuki: (...Oh well)
Mitsuki: (It's something important, so I guess I'll talk it over with him once he gets here)
Imai: Well, I'll be there tomorrow.
Mitsuki: Yeah...
Mitsuki: (Since I can't see his face when I'm talking to him on the phone...)

Pg 64:
Mitsuki: (I want to see you)
Mitsuki: (already!)
//bells ringing//
//woww!//

Pg 65:
Woman: Congrats
Woman: Chizuka!
Woman #2: Ozawa-kunnn!
Mitsuki: (She looks so pretty!)
Mitsuki: (Wow...
I'm so jealous!)
Mitsuki: (This is awesome!)
Mitsuki: (I wonder if Imai-san's here yet?)
Mitsuki: (I can't believe he's missing out on this!)
Chizuka: Mitsuki!

Pg 66:
//rustle//
//whoa!//
Mitsuki: (I just know it that Imai-san and me are next!)
[sign reads: Reception Area]
Man: Long time no see.
Congratulations.

Pg 67:
Woman: We'll be starting the reception shortly,
so please have a seat.
Woman: Congratulations on your marriage.
Chizuka: Thank you very much.
Woman #2: Chizu-chan, you look amazing!
//looking back and forth//
Mitsuki: (Imai-san's late...)
Woman #3: Oh Mitsuki-chan! How have you been?
Mitsuki: Ah, hello!
Mitsuki: (Everyone's here already and he's still not...)

Pg 68:
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: Imai-sa---

Pg 69:
Man: [SL: Hey!] There you are!
Woman: [SL: Hi!] Haven't seen you in a while!
Imai: Huh?
Woman #2: Yay, it's Imai-kun! [SL: Kyaa! It's been so long since I've last seen you!]
Man #2: You're late!
Imai: Yeah, long time no see.
Mitsuki: Ah...
//shocked//
Man: I heard you're working in Kyoto now?
Woman: No way! Then you came all the way from there?
Man #2: You should've made it in time for the ceremony.
Pretty amazing, I tell ya.
//noise noise//
Mitsuki: (Imai-san!)
//shocked shocked//
Woman: Mitsuki-chan?! You've grown so much!
Do you rememeber? I'm your aunt from Nagoya!
Woman: How old are you now?
Let me take a good look at you! My, how pretty you've gotten!
Mitsuki: Ah....
//glances away//
Imai: Congratulations.

Pg 70:
Woman: Chizuka, congrats! [SL: Yay!]
Chizuka: Thanks everyone for coming.
//Kyaa!//
Imai: It's been a while.
Congratulations on your marriage.
MC: Everyone please have a seat
Mitsuki: (Imai-san's here)
//noise noise//
Mitsuki: (It's Imai-san.)
Mitsuki: (It's Imai-san!)

Pg 71:
MC: Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule
to attend this wedding reception banquet to celebrate the marriage between Ozawa Kyouhei-kun and Kouno Chizuka-san.
//glances around//
//glance//
Mitsuki: (...He's sitting so far away from me.)
Mitsuki: (I was so looking forward to this, but he's...)

Pg 72:
Mother: Mitsuki! Pay attention!
//snaps out of it//
Mitsuki: O-Okay!
Mitsuki: (He's right there...)
Mitsuki: (I wish I could talk to you sooner!)
MC: And now, may I welcome the bride and the groom!
MC: Please give a big round of applause!
[sign reads: Afterparty]
Man: Well then,

Pg 73:
Man: let's have a drink to celebrate the bridge and groom!
Bottom's up!
//Cheers!//
//Yay!//
Man: Congrats!
Chizuka: Thanks!
//lonely//
//noise noise//
Mitsuki: (...His friends from university's been sticking to him like glue for this whole time.)
Mitsuki: (I can't even get a word in with him...)

Pg 74:
Mitsuki: (There's no way I could just go up to them and start talking to him...)
Mitsuki: Imai-san...you're not being fair...
Mitsuki: (It's not as if we're keeping the fact that we're dating a secret...
so why can't he just tell them that I'm his girlfriend?)
Man: I never thought you'd get married this early though Ozawa [SL: Blew me away, to be honest]
We're still only 24.
//hahah//
Man: The idea of marriage doesn't really ring any bells, you know?
Kouhei: Haha, you think?
Man: And your wife's only 25, right?
Man #2: Yeah, for me anyway, right now I just wanna be free for a bit longer, you know?
Man #2: I don't want to be tied down yet.

Pg 75:
Man: Retard. You don't even have anyone who wants to tie you down!
//AHAHAHAHA//
//HAHAHA//
//tense//
Chizuka: Are you tired?
Mitsuki: Ah...Chizu-chan
Chizuka: Did you make sure you eat? [SL: I thought it was pretty good]
Chizuka: There's probably alot of people who haven't seen Imai-kun since graduating.
If you go up to them, I'm sure he'll let you in.
Mitsuki: ...I can't.

Pg 76:
Mitsuki: Hey, Chizu-chan
Chizuka: Yeah?
Mitsuki: How did you and him....
Mitsuki: (get married?)
Chizuka: What is it?
Mitsuki: Ah...
nothing.
Woman: Chizuka-sannn!
Let's sing together!
Chizuka: Coming!
Sorry, I'll be right back.
Mitsuki: Yeah.
Mitsuki: ("I'll make sure you'll get to wear one too one day.")
("I'll propose to you however many times it takes.")

Pg 77:
Mitsuki:(There's so many things I want to tell you...)
Man: [SL: What!] You're leaving, already?!
Mitsuki:(What...?!)
//clatter//
Man: Don't tell me you have to work tomorrow!
Woman: No way!
Man: Want us to see you off?
Imai: Nah, I'll just grab a cab.
//thump//
Mitsuki:(N-No...way....)
Man: Hey, Imai's gonna go!
Woman: Imai-kun!

Pg 78:
Mitsuki:(W-Why?!)
[SL: Chizuka: Thanks for coming today.
Kouhei: Be safe out there.]
Mitsuki: (No!)
Mitsuki: (But...
but....
no...!)
//click//
Chizuka: What're you waiting for, Mitsuki?
Go after him.
//tap//
Mitsuki: Y-Yeah!
//click//
Mitsuki: (Imai-san!)

Pg 79:
Mitsuki: Ah....
where'd he go?
//looks around//
Mitsuki: Imai-san...?
//thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: (No...)
Mitsuki: Imai-san,
where are you?
Mitsuki: (No...)
Mitsuki: Imai-san
Mitsuki: (NO!)
Mitsuki: Ima----
KYAAA!
Imai: Shh!

Pg 80:
Imai: Calm down.
Mitsuki: (Ima...)
Mitsuki: ..y--

Pg 81:
Mitsuki: you really scared me!
//thud//
Mitsuki: I thought you were some crazy person!
Imai: Haha
Mitsuki: (Geez...Imai-san!)
Mitsuki: You really scared me!
Imai: Sorry.
Mitsuki: Idiot!
Mitsuki: (Imai-san...)
Mitsuki: (I thought you really went back!)
Mitsuki: Idiot...

Pg 82:
Imai: Long time no see.
Imai: How've you been doing?
Mitsuki: Good....
//thump thump thump//
//inhale//
Mitsuki: (It's Imai-san's scent...)

Pg 83:
Imai: You know how people can get when they're drunk.
I couldn't slip out unnoticed for a while.
Mitsuki: //giggles// Yeah...
//thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: (There were so many things I wanted to tell you...
but it doesn't really matter anymore...)
Mitsuki: (I feel so safe just being in your arms.
I can feel you near me.)

Pg 84:
Mitsuki: (Maybe it's because we live apart that I feel it all the more,)
Mitsuki: (but this is what being near each other is like.)
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: (You can become happy with just the warmth of another person,
more than a bunch of words ever could.)
//pushes away//

Pg 85:
Imai: I better go.
Mitsuki: A-Already?
Imai: The last train leaves at 9:30.
Sorry.
Imai: ...If I held onto you like this for any longer,
I wouldn't be able to let you go.
Mitsuki: Let's go...
Mitsuki: (I don't want to be apart from you.)

Pg 86:
//beeeeep//
//tense//
Man: Nozomi No. 71 will be arriving at platform 3 shortly.
Please remain behind the yellow line as the train approaches.
Mitsuki: (I want to be with you longer...)
//squeeze//
Mitsuki: (I want to be with you...I want to be with you...)
Mitsuki: (I don't want us to part.)
//beeep//
Imai: Oh yeah,

Pg 87:
//train approaching//
Imai: How're you doing,
with that post-secondary survey?
Mitsuki: Eh...?
//thump!//
Imai: Did you decide on a two-year college?
//train approaching//
Mitsuki: Ah....
about that...
Mitsuki: yeah...
Mitsuki: (No...
what should I say?)
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: I-I've
never given that much thought to the future,
Mitsuki: since I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, you know? [SL: Heh]
Mitsuki: (My heart is beating like crazy.)
Mitsuki: That's why...um...
Mitsuki: I decided that I'll just do whatever you think is best...

Pg 88:
//slide//
Mitsuki: (What...?)
//BEEEEPPP//
Mitsuki: I-Imai...san?
Imai: Mitsuki.
Imai: Don't run away from it.
Think it over carefully.

Pg 89:
Mitsuki: (Wh...at...?)
//slide//
//clank clank//
//train leaving//
Mitsuki: (Imai-san...?)

Pg 90:
[no text]

END OF CHAPTER 9

Pg 91:
Mitsuki: ("Don't run away from it. Think it over carefully.")
Teacher: Well if you keep going as you are now, you're probably looking at a major in English or Japanese literature.
There aren't any particular problems with your grades right now.
Teacher: Just do your best to keep those grades from sliding.
Teacher: Well, that's it. You can go.
Call the next person in , all right?
Mitsuki: Yes....
Mitsuki: (I thought he would say that we should marry right away.)

Pg 92:
Mitsuki: (To think he'd push me away like that...)
Michiru: Why not? If you can go to a college, then you should take that opportunity.
Mitsuki: ....Well that might be good for you and all since you have a goal, but as for me....
Michiru: It's better to go to college than to waste your time doing nothing [SL: Your parents would probably be really worried for you]
Mitsuki: But...Imai-san said to me before...
that we were gonna get married...
Mitsuki: (I didn't expect him...to tell me what he did...)
Michiru: Yeah, but why the rush? There's no need to get married so young.
I don't know about you, but for me, marriage isn't even something I'm considering right now.
Mitsuki: Yeah...but if Imai-san and I marry, then I'd be able to see him everyday!

Pg 93:
Michiru: "Everyday"...?
It's not as if he's going to be hanging around his house all day, you know.
//chomp//
//blush//
Mitsuki: I-I know that...
still...
Michiru: ....Well,
if you're really set on getting married, then it probably doesn't matter WHEN, but you know...
Mitsuki: Imai-san thinks that I'm going to go to college...
//slurrp//
Michiru: He just probably thinks it's still a bit too early.
Don't you WANT to go to college?
Mitsuki: I wouldn't mind going if he told me to go...
but he's not telling me anything...

Pg 94:
Mitsuki: (Just being apart from him like this is making me full of doubts....
I can't read you at all...)
Woman: You're such a baby, as always, I see.
Woman: Long time no see.
Mind if I sit here?
Michiru: Sure
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
Woman: It suddenly started pouring,
and I panicked and ran in here, but it looks like it's not going to let up for a while [sL: And I'm wearing my heels today too!]
//clatter//
Michiru: WHAT! No way?!
We better buy an umbrella! [SL: Geez!]

Pg 95:
Woman: Why all the hate, Mitsuki-chan?
Personally, I've got a soft spot for you, I admit.
Mitsuki: Huh?!
//taken aback//
Woman: I tease you a little and you look like you're gonna cry. It's so cute!
Mitsuki: (I can't read her at all either...)
Woman: How're things with you and him?
You probably wouldn't even notice if he was cheating on you, would you?
Mitsuki: H-He wouldn't do something like that!
Woman: Oh, where does all that confidence come from?
You never know---if some Kyoto beauties work their magic on him...he IS a guy afterall...
Mitsuki: (There's just no way he would...)

Pg 96:
Michiru: Don't tease her too much.
She takes things way too seriously [SL: This girl]
//teary-eyed//
//chuckles//
Woman: Sorry, sorry.
You really don't have eyes on anyone but him. do you?
Mitsuki: W-What's wrong with that?!
//blush//
Mitsuki: (I-It's true what she says. What's wrong with that?!)
Woman: ...I told you before, didn't I?
Woman: If you depend on someone too much,
you'll ultimately end up becoming a burden to that person.

Pg 97:
Woman: ...Just kidding.
You probably think of me as some nosey good-for-nothing who loves to stick their nose where it doesn't belong, don't you?
Woman: But take it from someone who's been there and done that.
Mitsuki: What...?
Woman: I guess though, that your case is a little different.
You're going to see Imai-kun today anyway, aren't you?
Mitsuki: Huh?!
Woman: Oh...didn't he tell you?
He's come back here a bit for business.
//click//

Pg 98:
Imai: Why are you...
//click//
Imai: Where's your key? You should've just waited inside.
Come on in.
//slam//
//rustle//
Imai: You haven't gone home yet?
Imai: How long have you been here?
It's already past 10.
Imai: I'll get the car ready.
Your parents are probably worrie--
Mitsuki: Why didn't you tell me that you'd be coming back?!

Pg 99:
Mitsuki: Didn't you want to see me?
Mitsuki: (Why?)
Imai: I'm going back first thing tomorrow.
Imai: I didn't tell you because I came back for work.
//squeeze//
Mitsuki: (But...)
Mitsuki: To be honest...

Pg 100:
Mitsuki: I really hate being away from you.
I get all these doubts when I can't see you.
Mitsuki: I thought it was something that couldn't be helped...
...but...
Mitsuki: how long will this have to go on?!
Mitsuki: (I feel like I don't understand you anymore)
Imai: ...Mitsuki
Mitsuki: Do you really...
intend on marrying me...?

Pg 101:
Imai: Don't you believe me?
//tense//
Mitsuki: I-It's because...
you said what you did that I....
Mitsuki: Once I graduated...weren't we supposed...to get marri....
Mitsuki: (This is so embarrassing...)
Imai: ...Would you really be okay with that?
Mitsuki: Yeah, I'll do whatever you think is best!
Mitsuki: As long as I can be with you, I don't care about college!
Mitsuki: And anyway, if I went to college, then if you end up having to move to someplace else on business, I wouldn't be able to go with you
Imai: Hold on a second.

Pg 102:
Imai: Didn't you want to be a pre-school teacher?
Mitsuki: Eh...?
Imai: Back when I was your tutor, you mentioned something about it---
//thump//
Mitsuki: ("A pre-school teacher?"
"Yeah, since I like kids."
"Haha, they probably wouldn't be able to tell you guys apart."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!")
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
Mitsuki: There....
was a time when I thought that...but now....
Mitsuki: (I said that back then because I didn't think I would be able to ever go out with him.)

Pg 103:
//sigh//
Imai: ...Is that how it is?
//blush//
Imai: ...But,
I can't marry you. Not yet.

Pg 104:
Mitsuki: ....Wh--
Why...?
//thump//
Mitsuki: (Wh---)
Imai: YOU should decide what you're going to do with your life.
Don't let your thoughts wander because of me.
Mitsuki: Why...
are you saying this...?
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: (No...way...)
Mitsuki: (Why...)
Imai: ...I'll take you home.
Come on.
//slap//
Mitsuki: NO!
Mitsuki: (Why?!)

Pg 105:
Mitsuki: Liar!
Mitsuki: You said you wouldn't let me go!
Mitsuki: (Then why did we even get engaged?!)
//slam//
Imai: Mitsuki!
//splash splash//
Imai: Mitsuki!
You're going to catch a cold!
//grabs//
Imai: Mi...
Mitsuki: (Liar)
Mitsuki: NO! Don't touch me!
Mitsuki: (Liar!)

Pg 106:
//tense//
Mitsuki: I hate you!
Just go away already!
//splash splash//
Mitsuki: (Why?)
Mitsuki: (I don't get you.)

Pg 107:
Mitsuki: ("I can't marry you. Not yet")
//click//
//whoa!//
Chizuka: Wh...
Mitsuki...?!
Mitsuki: Chizu-ch---
Mitsuki: (Imai-san's hand, that was always held out for me,)
Mitsuki: (suddenly disappeared.)

Pg 108:
Chizuka: I phoned home telling them you're going to be spending the night here
Mitsuki: ...What about Ozawa-san?
//Here, have some dinner//
Chizuka: He's coming back any minute. But don't worry, he'll be fine with you being here.
Chizuka: ...They said Imai-kun called.
Mitsuki: Uu....
//thud//
Chizuka: ...Mitsuki?
Mitsuki: //Uu...// Why is it...
Chizuka: Hm?
Mitsuki: (Once I graduate, there wouldn't be anything in the way of us getting married!)
Mitsuki: He said...that he doesn't want to get married yet!

Pg 109:
Chizuka: Marriage? Did he really say that?
//Uuu....//
Mitsuki: H-He's horrible.
Why would he suddenly go and say something like that?!
Mitsuki: I-I can't trust him ever again...
I...can't---//hiccup//
Mitsuki: Ah...I-I...
//hiccup//
//cough//
Chizuka: Calm down.
//cough cough//
Mitsuki: I don't need anything else but him.
I told him I want to be by his side and he---
//uuu...//
Mitsuki: he started saying stuff like how...I should decide on my own about college.
He probably wasn't even serious about marrying me from the very beginning!
Mitsuki: (How could he?)
Chizuka: ...Mitsuki
Mitsuki: (How could he?)
Mitsuki: Why would he just push me away like that?!
I---
//slap//
Chizuka: Mitsuki!

Pg 110:
Chizuka: Calm down for a bit.
Chizuka: ..Mitsuki
Chizuka: I think you two are a bit too early to get married too.
Mitsuki: W-Why....
//hiccup//
Mitsuki: Why?! You get to do everything,
and I have to wait? It's no fair!
Chizuka: Mitsuki
Mitsuki: I-I'm always the one who's full of doubts...
I just want him to stay by my side...
Mitsuki: I don't want to be apart from him anymore!
Mitsuki: (That's all. So why?)

Pg 111:
Chizuka: Mitsuki, don't you want to go to college?
//uuu....//
//hiccup//
Mitsuki: I...I don't know.
If he tells me to go...I'll go...but...
Chizuka: Get a grip!
//tense//
Chizuka: Putting aside marriage,
whether you want to go to college or not should be YOUR decision!
Mitsuki: B-But....
//thump//
Mitsuki: (But....)
Chizuka: Mitsuki,
what would you do if something happened to Imai-kun one day?

Pg 112:
Chizuka: If he suddenly disappears one day,
are you going to just let someone else decide your life for you?
Chizuka: It's about time you started taking responsibility for your own decisions
Chizuka: If you are trying your hardest to decide, then there's nothing wrong with getting help from others,
but what are you really achieving by shoving your problems onto him like that?

Pg 113:
Mitsuki: ("If you depend on somebody too much, you'll end up becoming a burden to them")
//thump//
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
//thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: ("Don't run away")
Mitsuki: ("Don't let your thoughts wander because of me")
Mitsuki: (...I)
Mitsuki: //uu....//
//thump//
Mitsuki: Wh...
Mitsuki: (I...)
Mitsuki: That wasn't what I wanted to do....

Pg 114:
Mitsuki: I thought...if we married...
Mitsuki: we could be together...
that's what I thought...
Mitsuki: (...It wasn't that I wanted to get married right away.)
Mitsuki: (Somewhere in my heart, I was trying to test his feelings for me.)
Mitsuki: ("I want to become a pre-school teacher.")
Mitsuki: (He remembered a little tiny detail like that and I...)
Chizuka: ...You dummy.
Even after marriage, I'm putting in effort so that I can be with him.

Pg 115:
Chizuka: Because I want him to think I'm someone that he needs
Chizuka: more than anyone.
Mitsuki: (I was scared, because I thought he'd suddenly pushed me away.)

Pg 116:
Mitsuki: (Being in his arms feels so warm,
and he was always willing to give a helping hand,
that before I knew it,
I started taking that for granted.)
//noise noise//
Mitsuki: ...Yeah, sorry Michiru-chan.
Tell them I'm sick, okay?
Mitsuki: I promise I'll get back by tonight, so just keep them busy until then, okay?
...Yeah.
//beeeeepp//

Pg 117:
Mitsuki: I'm going to go to Kyoto.
Mitsuki: (I'm always saying I want to become stronger,
but it's all words and never action. I'm still the same person I was before.)
Mitsuki: (I thought that once I graduated, I'd be able to stand on the same level ground as Imai-san.)
Mitsuki: (It's only now that I realized)

Pg 118:
Mitsuki: (that there was never really a time when Imai-san wanted something from me.)
//slam//
//ding dong//
//ding dong//
Mitsuki: (...I knew it. I'm too early.)
//thud//
Mitsuki: (...A foreign city.)
Mitsuki: (So this is where he lives.
It's so far away)
//thump//


Pg 119:
Mitsuki: (I have to apologize to him once I see him...)
Mitsuki: ("I hate you.
Just go away already!")
Mitsuki: (And after that...)
Mitsuki: ("I won't accept returns")
Mitsuki: (I wonder what he does when he's tired? When he's in pain?
I don't know anything,
because I was always the dependent one.)

Pg 120:
Mitsuki: (He was alreadys the one supporting me--)
//ding!//
//click//
//snaps out of it//
//click//
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
//click//
//glances//
//slam//
//rustle rustle//
Mitsuki: (I have to get on the last train home...)
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: (...Maybe I should call him afterall.
But...)

Pg 121:
Mitsuki: (...Maybe
he isn't coming home tonight?)
//thump//
Mitsuki: (What am I going to do...)
//thud thud thud//
//squeak//
Imai: Mitsuki!
//wheeze wheeze//

Pg 122:
//qheeze//
Imai: I got a phone call...
saying a girl's waiting in front of my door...
Mitsuki: (...Imai-san)
//thump thump//
Imai: You surprised me //wheeze//
//thump//
Mitsuki: (Imai-san)
Imai: Come on in. //wheeze// //click//
Mitsuki: I-I....
have to get going.
Imai: What?!
Imai: You have to catch the last train?
Then we better hurry
Mitsuki: B-But...
u-um...I-I----

Pg 123:
Imai: First things first. Let's grab a taxi.
We'll talk from there.
//tap//
Mitsuki: (Imai-san...)
//vrooom//
//beep beep//
//vroooommmm//
//vrooomm//

Pg 124:
//thump//
Imai: It's not as if we can't get married
at the same time as you graduate
Imai: but for me personally,
I really don't have the time right now to think about something concrete like marriage
//thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: ...Imai-san

Pg 125:
Mitsuki: Am I just baggage to you?
Imai: ...No,
you're not. Not at all.
//squeeze//
//thud//
//thump thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: (My "love" for him beats,
at the same rate as my heart.)
Mitsuki: (I love you.)
Mitsuki: (I love you so much.)

Pg 126:
Mitsuki: (If only we were the only people in the world)
//noise noise//
Imai: Take care of yourself
Mitsuki: Um...
I...
//thump thump//
Imai: ...What's up?
Mitsuki: I-I'll...
Mitsuki: think things over about what I'm going to do after high school....
by myself. Properly this time.
//slide//

Pg 127:
Mitsuki: It's not that I'm returning this to you...
...I'm just asking you to hold onto it for a bit.
Mitsuki: I think it's a bit too early for me.
I think I'll end up depending on you too much again if I have this with me.
Mitsuki: (...I might be doing something really stupid)

Pg 128:
Mitsuki: What I'm trying to say is...
Mitsuki: One day....
Mitsuki: until the day you want to propose to me again...
Mitsuki: (I might live to regret this,
but still.
But still.)
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: I'll try really hard so that you will...so...
Imai: ...Okay.
//thump//

Pg 129:
//beeeeep//
//tense//
Train conductor: The doors will be closing. Please watch your---
Mitsuki: ...I---
Mitsuki: I love you!
Mitsuki: (Imai-san.)
Imai: I know.
//slide//
Mitsuki: (Imai-san.)

Pg 130:
//clank clank clank clank//
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
Mitsuki: (...Am I)
Mitsuki: Uuu....
Mitsuki: (someone in this world that you can't live without?)

END OF CHAPTER 10

Pg 131:
Man: How do you like it?
Mitsuki: (The summer that the word "Engagement" disappeared,)
Man: Your face is pretty small, so it suits you well.
It gives off a summer vibe. It looks really cute on you.
Mitsuki: ...Yeah.
Mitsuki: (I can't give in to my doubts.)

Pg 132:
[no text]

Pg 133:
Mitsuki: (I cut off the babying tendencies I used to have
along with my hair.)
Mitsuki: (Our feelings for each other won't waver.)
Imai: I'll be going back tomorrow night.

Pg 134:
Imai: Including Saturday, I've got a 5 day summer vacation. [SL: For the summer festivals]
Mitsuki: What?!
Mitsuki: Why didn't you tell me earlier?!
Imai: I thought I'd surprise you. Did you already make plans?
Mitsuki: No, not at all! Michiru-chan's going to cram school everday so I don't really have much to do
Mitsuki: I'm so happy!
You didn't mention it at all so I thought you were going to be working!!
Imai: [SL: Haha] Sorry.
Is there someplace in particular you want to go?
Mitsuki: (...In the beginning, it was a little awkward,
but he continued to call me everyday even after what happened.)

Pg 135:
Mitsuki: Nah, that's okay. Since you hardly ever get days off, and you know how everywhere's going to be overflowing with people
Imai: Haha, don't treat me like an old man! I've still got years ahead of me.
Mitsuki: Hahaha.
Mitsuki: ...But yeah, seriously.
We should just relax at home.
Mitsuki: (You haven't changed at all)
Mitsuki: I like that idea better than going out.
I want to be with you. Just the two of us.
Imai: ---Okay.

Pg 136:
Mitsuki: Oh yeah, and there's something I want to tell you!
Imai: What?
Mitsuki: Err...I'll wait until you get back to tell you.
Hey, do you want me to cook you something? I've gotten a bit better since last time
Mitsuki: (Even if the loneliness and doubts of not being able to see him haven't completely disappeared,)
Mitsuki: (these calm and kind days continue on.)
Mitsuki: (...I have to become stronger,
so I won't lose these kind of days,
and so that at times, I'll be able to protect Imai-san.)

Pg 137:
Mitsuki: (And one day,
if I could be his wife, how great that'd be...)
//clank clank clank clank//
[sign reads "Imai"]
//sigh//
Imai: It's so hot...
Guy: Yo,
welcome back.
//rustle//
//click//
Imai: Hey....

Pg 138:
//ring ring ring ring ring ring//
Mitsuki: ("I'll call you as soon as I get back tomorrow")
//click//
Guy: ...Hello?
Mitsuki: [SL: Ah!] Imai-san?
Mitsuki: [SL: Heh] Sorry, I couldn't wait.
Where are you right now? On the bullet train?
Mitsuki: ...?
Imai-san, are you there?
Guy: ...I just got back.
Mitsuki: Oh, then I'll just call you back on your home phone
Guy: Come out here.
Mitsuki: Huh?
Guy: Let's see...I'll be waiting for you at the West gates of the train station.
Come right now.

Pg 139:
Mitsuki: O...
Okay!
Guy: See ya. //click//
Mitsuki: Ah!
Mitsuki: (It's rare for him to ask me to go out to see him at a time like this...)
//snaps out of it//
//thud thud thud//
Mitsuki: (I have to hurry!)
Mom: Mitsuki, where are you going?
Mitsuki: To the train station! To Imai-san's place! He said he just came back!
I'm going to go see him for a bit!
Mitsuki: (Yayyy!)
//click//

Pg 140:
Mitsuki: (I thought I wouldn't get to see you until tomorrow!)
//noise noise noise noise//
Mitsuki: (...I wonder what happened to him?)
//glances//
//click//
Mitsuki: (He's still here...)

Pg 141:
Mitsuki: (He's so tall...he's almost the same height as Imai-san.)
Mitsuki: (I don't know why...but he seems kinda scary....)
Mitsuki: (Imai-san, hurry up already!)
//beep beep//
Mitsuki: Maybe I got the wrong gate....
//ring ring ring ring ring//
//beep beep beep beep//
//click//
Guy: ...Hello?
Guy: ...Hello?

Pg 142:
Mitsuki: WHAT?!
//rustle//
Guy: ...Huh?
Mitsuki: Ah...
um....
Guy: Don't tell me
you're the...
Mitsuki: (W-Why?!)
Mitsuki: (Who is this guy?!)
Mitsuki: (What is going on?!)
Guy: You've got to be friggin' kidding me...

Pg 143:
Imai: Yasuaki!
Imai: What the hell do you think you're up to?!
Yasuaki: Whoa
Mitsuki: Imai-sa-----
//pulls//
Imai: Mitsuki!
Yasuaki: I'm surprised you found me
Imai: I called her house!
There's no way I would make her come out here so late at night!
Imai: Don't use my cell without asking!
Mitsuki: (What?)
Mitsuki: (What?!)

Pg 144:
Yasuaki: What're you getting so worked up over? It's not like you.
Mitsuki: (His voice, is kinda...)
Mitsuki: Ah...
um...
//turns//
Imai: I'll take you home. I have my car outside.
Yasuaki: Hey, hey!
Yasuaki: YO!
Don't ignore me!
Yasuaki: If you do, I'll say "Onii-chan"!
ONIIIIIIII-CHAAAA----
//taken aback//
Mitsuki: (What?!)
//slam//
Imai: Cut it out, you're creeping me out.

Pg 145:
Yasuaki: Owww! [SL: Don't resort to violence!]
Imai: What the hell is wrong with you?
Yasuaki: It's cause when I went back home they were saying how you brought some girl with you on New Years!
If that's true, then don't you think you should introduce me to her too?!
Mitsuki: Ima---
Imai-san!
Imai: Ah....
oh right...
Mitsuki: Um....
Imai: He's my younger brother who's three years younger than me.
His name's Yasuaki. He was studying in the US for a long time...[SL: Whether he was actually studying or not is anybody's guess]
//geez....//
Mitsuki: (No way!)
//Ha!//
Mitsuki: (He has two brothers?!)

Pg 146:
Mitsuki: (Wow!)
Mitsuki: N-Nice to meet you! I'm Kouno Mitsuki!
Yasuaki: Mitsuki? Then this is her?! The girl you took with you back home?
How old are you anyway?
Mitsuki: I-I'm in...grade 12...
Yasuaki: Grade 12?!
Mitsuki: (Err....)
Mitsuki: (He seems...
really different from Imai-san....)
Yasuaki: ...Your taste in chicks've changed a lot... [SL: Whoa]
Imai: Just be quiet.
Yasuaki: I never thought you'd lay a hand on a kid like her.
The girlfriends you had in high school were a lot sexier than this.
Mitsuki: (Huh...?)
//thump//
Imai: Yasuaki!!

Pg 147:
Yasuaki: Oh yeah, I heard she divorced.
Things are crazy back at home 'cause of it, or so I've heard.
Mitsuki: ("She"...?)
Yasuaki: You haven't heard, I'm guessing?
//grins//
Imai: Yasuaki.
//throws//
Imai: Go back to my place ahead of me.
And go and get yourself something for us to eat.
Yasuaki: Roger!
//thump...//

Pg 148:
Mitsuki: (It's the first time I've ever heard about his past girlfriends...)
Imai: ...Sorry about that
//honk honk//
//vrooom//
Mitsuki: Huh?
Imai: About Yasuaki. It's already past your curfew, isn't it?
Mitsuki: ...No, that's okay.
I'm just happy I got a chance to see you.
Mitsuki: (What happened in the past is in the past. There's no reason for me to be worried about it.)
Imai: ...You cut your hair.
Mitsuki: Ah, yeah.
...Does it look weird?
Imai: No.

Pg 149:
Imai: It reminded me of the first time we met.
Imai: It was just around this time of year too, wasn't it?
Mitsuki: ...Yeah.
Mitsuki: (It was a really hot day.
Even now, I remember that day clearly.
I never thought,
that the love from that day,
would turn into something I treasure this much.)
Mitsuki: ...Um, yeah,
I decided about what I'm going to do after I graduate.

Pg 150:
Mitsuki: It's a local college, and I'm gonna take the elementary education program.
I think I'll be able to make the cut.
Mitsuki: I put a lot of thought in it, and that's the one thing I kept coming back to.
Imai: ...Is that right?
Mitsuki: Haha, but first I have to get through entrance exams, so I don't even know if I'll be able to take it.
Imai: Try your best.
Mitsuki: Yeah.
Mitsuki: (This is so that I can walk on my own two feet.)
Imai: You know I'll always be there for you.
//vrooom//
Mitsuki: Yeah. Thanks.

Pg 151:
Mitsuki: You know, I really feel bad about before.
So I've decided that I have to stop relying on you so much!
//Yeah!//
Mitsuki: That's why I'm gonna try my hardest!
If I don't decide what I wanna do, who's gonna decide for me, you know?
Mitsuki: (This is so that I'll be able to be at the same wavelength as Imai-san.)
Imai: ...That's good and all, but if you stopped relying on me completely that'd be kind of... //mumbles//
Mitsuki: What?
Imai: We're here.
Mitsuki: Oh, right. Thanks!
Imai: Do you want me to go and say hi to your parents?
Or do you think it wouldn't be a good idea this late?
//slam//
Mitsuki: Don't worry about it. I already told them I'm going to your place beforehand anyway.
Mitsuki: Well, I'll---

Pg 152:
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
Mitsuki: (It's been so long that...this is kinda embarrassing...)
//blush//
Imai: I'll come pick you up tomorrow at 11.
Mitsuki: Yeah...ah,
no, no that's okay. I'll go since we're going to end up going to your place anyway.
Imai: No.

Pg 153:
Imai: Don't come to my place for a while, okay?
Mitsuki: (What...?)
Imai: Don't call me either on my cell.
I'll make sure to call you.
Mitsuki: Wh...
Mitsuki: Why....?
But...
//thump thump thump//
Mitsuki: (Why is he bringing this up out of the blue...?)
Mitsuki: ...Oh, is it because your brother's there?
Mitsuki: You don't have to worry about me. He's part of your family, so---

Pg 154:
Imai: I said no.
Mitsuki: (Why?)
Yasuaki: Hey, bro. Are you seriously screwing that chick?

Pg 155:
Yasuaki: So you bring her over to this place?
Talk about committing illegal acts! //heh heh//
Yasuaki: How many chicks've you used this bed with anyway? You're fucking sick~
She probably doesn't know any of it, does she?
Imai: Don't tease her too much, okay?
Yasuaki: ...Huh?
Imai: What?
//scrub scrub//
Yasuaki: Nothing~
Well she is still a kid, but her face isn't half-bad. She's not my type though
Yasuaki: ...Hey,
you're not planning on letting me have her?

Pg 156:
Imai: ...Get OFF!
I can't sleep otherwise.
//creak//
//slam slam//
Yasuaki: OW!
What's your problem?! This is where I'm gonna be crashing!
Imai: No you're not. Find some place else on the ground.
Yasuaki: But I'm a GUEST!
Imai: You showed up here without a word. Who're you to say?
Yasuaki: AHLFJDKS?!
//thud//
//rustle//
Yasuaki: ...Fucker...
//mumble mumble//
//You're not even gonna give me a pillow?//
Imai: Don't lay one hand on her.

Pg 157:
Mitsuki: ("Don't come to my place")
Mitsuki: ("Don't call me either")
Mitsuki: (---But still...)
//ring ring ring ring//

Pg 158:
//ring ring ring ring//
Mitsuki: ("I'll come pick you up tomorrow at 11")
Mitsuki: (I wonder what's happened to him...)
//click//
Mitsuki: I can't reach him on his cell...
//splash splash//
Mitsuki: Ah...
Mitsuki: It's starting to rain...
Mitsuki: (You told me not to call...but you won't even call me...)
//click//
Mitsuki: I wonder if something happened?
Mitsuki: ("Don't come to my place")

Pg 159:
Mitsuki: (...Why can't I go over if his brother's there?
He even took me to see his parents,
and he told me that we should go see them again sometime. So why...?)
//thump//
Mitsuki: (Don't tell me...it's because I broke off the engagement?)
//squeeze//

Pg 160:
//clatter//
//pourrr//
//ding dong ding dong//
[name tag reads "Imai"]
Yasuaki: Yo, I'm coming.
How much?
//click click//
Yasuaki: Huh?
Hey, aren't you....
Mitsuki: Ah...

Pg 161:
Yasuaki: NOW I get it! You're the one that's been calling nonstop!
I didn't get it 'cause he told me he's seriously gonna kick me out this time if I answer the phone.
Mitsuki: Ah...
um...is Imai-san here?
Yasuaki: Nah, he's out right now.
Mitsuki: (I knew it...he's not here...)
Mitsuki: Around what time did he leave?
Yasuaki: Huh? Oh, you made plans with him or something?
Mitsuki: Kind of...
Pizza Delivery Guy: Excuse me! This is the Lucky pizza!
Mitsuki: Ah...
Yasuaki: Hey, you're here!
Yasuaki: Well, you might as well come in.
Let's have some lunch!

Pg 162:
//thud//
Yasuaki: Man,
I can't eat another bite!
//munch//
Mitsuki: (He's having beer...in the middle of the afternoon...)
Yasuaki: You eat so slow! It's gonna be all gone if you don't speed up.
//slide//
Mitsuki: Oh, go ahead. I'm pretty full anyway...
Yasuaki: Okay, suit yourself.
//gobble gobble//
Mitsuki: (Wow...
he ate nearly two whole pizzas by himself...)
Mitsuki: (Where did Imai-san go anywya....
don't tell me he's gotten in an accident?)
Yasuaki: ...Hey,
didn't my bro call you or anything?
//lick//
Mitsuki: Ah...
no....

Pg 163:
Yasuaki: Interesting...
Mitsuki: (Ah...)
//sizzle//
//thump//
Mitsuki: (...I didn't notice it yesterday,
but his atmosphere reminds me of Imai-san when he was still in university...)
Mitsuki: (Plus, their voices are really similar...)
Yasuaki: What?
Mitsuki: [SL: Ah] Nothing.
//blush//
Mitsuki: I just thought...how much you remind me of Imai-san.
//Err...//

Pg 164:
//Hah!//
//smoke smoke smoke//
Mitsuki: (Huh?)
//cough cough//
Mitsuki: (Did I say something I wasn't supposed to...?)
Yasuaki: How long've you been going out with my bro?
Mitsuki: (What...?)
Yasuaki: You know he hasn't gone long without a girl since back in middle school?
I wonder what # you are?
//thump//
//thump thump//
Mitsuki: (...Am I
just one of the many girls he's gone out with?)

Pg 165:
Yasuaki: He went out with a lot of older chicks.
I didn't go to the same uni as him, so I wouldn't know the details, but he didn't have any problems hooking up with 'em, if you know what I mean.
Yasuaki: And they were all pretty impressive,
it's been that way for a long time. His "possessions"'ve always been superior, you know?
Yasuaki: But he didn't really fix on anything.
If I whined a bit, he let me have most of 'em.
Yasuaki: Sometimes, I stole 'em from him, but he's never said a word about it.
//thump//
//crushes the butt of the cigarette//
Mitsuki: (Wh...)
//chuckles//
//leans in/
Yasuaki: ...I'm pretty interested in you too.
If you marry my bro, that'll make you my sister-in-law, right?
//blush//
Mitsuki: What?!

Pg 166:
Yasuaki: Last night,
I asked him
Yasuaki: if he'd let me be alone with you.
Mitsuki: (No....way...)

Pg 167:
Mitsuki: (Imai-san.....!!!)
Yasuaki: //chuckles//
Yasuaki: Don't take it seriously.
Sorry, but I'm into more of the sexy type.
//chuckles//
//shocked//
Mitsuki: (Wha....Wha...!)
Yasuaki: You're just the way you look.
Don't tell me my bro's the first guy you've ever gone out with?
Mitsuki: (Wahhh!
His personality's nothing like Imai-san!!)
Yasuki: Damnit.
//click//

Pg 168:
Yasuaki: There's nothing good on TV~
It's all news.
Mitsuki: (I wonder what could've happened to him...Imai-san...)
Mitsuki: (This is definitely not normal
for him to not give me a call...)
Yasuaki: ...Yo.
Yasuaki: There's no point in you waiting around here.
I don't think he's gonna be making it back tonight.
Yasuaki: This morning, he got some phone call, and he left right after that.
It was from a chick.
Mitsuki: What...?
//thump//

Pg 170:
//click//
Yasuaki: Hey?
//snaps out of it//
//dashes//
Mitsuki: (He's back!)
Mitsuki: (Imai-san!)
Imai: Why.....
Imai: WHY ARE YOU HERE?!
//grabs//
Mitsuki: ?! Ow!

Pg 171:
Yasuaki: So you're back.
I thought you were gonna be staying over at her place.
Imai: Yasuaki!!
Yasuaki: What? It's not like I called her over or anything.
Imai: Mitsuki! I told you not to come here!
Mitsuki: But...
it's because you didn't show up!
Mitsuki: (Why is he so mad at me?!)
Mitsuki: You're the one that broke a promise that we made first!!

Pg 172:
Imai: I'm sorry....
Imai: Something suddenly came up and I....
//thump//
//...stab//
Mitsuki: ("A phone call.
It was from a chick.")
Imai: ...I'll take you home.
I'm really sorry.
Mitsuki: (Why...?)
Mitsuki: (Why do we have to fight?
This is crazy.)
Mitsuki: (---For us, there's no ring to keep us together anymore.)
//pourrrr//

Pg 173:
Mitsuki: (Still, I always believed in my unwavering love for him.)
//vroooom//
//splash splash//
Mitsuki: What was so important that you couldn't call me?
Imai: ...I'm sorry.
Mitsuki: (This wasn't how it was supposed to work out.)
Mitsuki: (The doubts that I was afraid of,
is slowly starting to take shape.)

END OF VOLUME 3