Mangahelpers Translations

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 44 by JinHea

2012-09-16T09:16:00+00:00

*Only for use by LAS

tl by JinHea

69
- I— / see you every morning at the station— / and I was thinking, damn she’s cute, you know?
- So you wanna go out?

Insert: 44th song

70
- You should have refused.

- Eh? / So quickly, Kana-chan!?
- Of course. / He’s from another school and doesn’t know a thing about you.
- But! But!

- That was the first time I’ve been asked out!
- This might be the only chance I get!

- Her first time? For real? / She really is a waste of a beauty…
Bold SFX: psst psst
- But it’s true that the more time I spend around her the less I think of her as pretty. / I only thought it at first.
- I think the fact she’s not popular with guys at our school… / has more to do with how Mashima-kun is always around her.

- Eh?
- Why’s that?

71
- I think you should…
- go out with him.

- Taichi…
- You won’t understand if you don’t go through it, Chihaya.

- How it’s impossible.

- For you to go out with a guy who doesn’t know you play Karuta.
- It’s out of the question.

72
- Oh…
- I get it…

- But he’s already texted and phoned me heaps…
Phone: Brrrrrrrr
- You gave him your number?
- I’ll call and refuse him properly…

- I’ve blocked his number.
- Eh?
- Starting tomorrow, you’re getting up early and taking the train with me.

73
Card 1: Taira no Kanemori / Shinoburedo / ironi ideni keri / waga koi ha / mono ya omou to / hitono tou made [Translation of this poem by Professor Mostow: Even though I hide it / it shows all over my face / such is my longing / so that people ask me / “What ARE you thinking about?”]
Card 2: Taira no Kanemori / Koisu tefu / waga naha madaki / tachini keri / hito shirezu koso / omoi someshi ka [Translation by Professor Mostow: My name already / is bandied about with / rumours I’m in love— / though, unknown to anyone, I thought, / I had only just begun to love her!]

- The pair of songs that vied for first place in the Tentokudairi Song Contest hosted by Emperor Murakami in the year 960.
- When I look at our club president, these songs appear in my mind.

- Songs of secret passion kept barely hidden.

- Even if those blockheads in the club don’t get it…
- I sympathize with you, club prez!
Nishida aside: I’ve never blocked someone.
Komano aside: Me neither—
Chihaya aside: Bye bye, Watanabe-kun…
Dark shaded blocks: Those / block / heads

74
Screen from top down: Watanabe Ayumu / Watanabe Satoru / Wada Marimo / Wataya Arata. Cell / Wataya Arata. Fukui home

- I can’t text him.
- Even though I had Taichi tell me his number and all…

- Arata lost in the 4th round of the West Japan Qualifiers.

- Arata, what was he feeling?
- How frustrated did he feel?

- There’s so much I want to say…

75
Rightmost bubble: Did something happen?
- Yuu— why is Wataya-kun always making that face lately?
- Love trouble?
Below bubble: turmoil

- Arata.

- Are you that torn up about the West Japan Qualifiers?
- You entered for the first time and got into the top 8, that’s really good. / Especially considering you took time off from playing.

- Just try harder next yea…

76
- It’s not enough.

- The amount I practice…

- The effort I put in…
- The time I’m spending…

- I shouldn’t have stop playing.

- Not even for a day.
- I shouldn’t have put down those cards.

77
- All-Japan Karuta Association / Fukui Prefecture Karuta Association

- Thank you very much.
- Thank you very much.

- The one who beat me and became the West japan representative, Takemura-san—
Aside: proud of his muscles
- wasn’t very skillful, but…

- He had momentum from having placed four times this year…
- and the stamina to last six rounds.

78
- People play for keeps in a competition.
- I’ll need to make it a tension-filled match every time at practice.
- It may be practice, but play for keeps.
- Arata-kun / your third match…

- is with Daisuke-kun. He entered C Class last month.
- Eh— / I don’t wanna! Big brother Arata’s scary—
Aside: 1st year middle school

- Gya— I’m scared—

- Murao-kun isn’t coming today either, is he.
- He hasn’t come since November. / And Horiiwa-san’s struggling with his graduation thesis, so he’s absent…
- There aren’t enough opponents for Arata-kun, sensei.

79
- Listen…
- As long as YOU work hard…

Nameplate: Murao

- I’m home—
- Shinichi, Shinichi!

- What have you been doing? You’re late! / Arata-kun’s been waiting for you—
[NB: I just really want to say Arata looks so cute all stressed out in this panel!]
Aside: eat / eat—
- We started cooking the hotpot already.

80
[NB: Once again, too cute!]
- G-
Aside: It’s yummy— Eat—
Below rice: huge
- Good evening…

SFX: bubble bubble

- I’m sorry. I went in and even had dinner…
- No… I can imagine what happened.
- They all do it, don’t they. / My mother would invite anyone into our house…

- So, what is it?
- You came to tell me to go to practice?

- Yes…

- It’s not like you.
- I don’t remember you being this meddlesome.

81
- You just up and stopped playing Karuta for over a year and a month.
- Can that you really tell someone else, “come practice”?

- I know you want to get better… / but I can’t practice with you.
- Give everyone Nagumo Meet my regards.

- I…

- I’m…
- regretting it…

82
- I regret running away from Karuta.
- I regret the time I wasted…

- You can’t separate yourself from it too long.
- Murao-san.

- My goal is to become Meijin.

83
- …t…

- terrifying~~~ / that idea is terrifying~~~
SFX: brrr—
- There’s no Karuta but that which aims to be Meijin~~~

- Arata.
- I can no longer play…/ at that level.

- Look me up if you just want to play for kicks.
- Night.

84
- “It’s not like you”.
- “Meddlesome”

- Arata—

85
- Clack

- I will…
- come again.

- November Xth / Held at Tokyo Karuta Commemoration Ootsuka Hall is… / the Meijin/Queen Challenger Playoffs between the East and West Japan representatives.

SFX: excited excited excited

- Kana-chan, you look happy.
- Because, you know!! / They’re finally playing in traditional clothing!

86
- Right…

- The Challenger Playoffs…

- where players wear hakama and play a set of three matches.
Megumu description: West Japan Representative / Akashi Meet / Ousaka Megumu / 17y.o.
Yumi description: East japan Representative / Suihoku Meet / Yamamoto Yumi / 24y.o.
Hiroshi description: East Japan Representative / Shiranami Meet / Tsuboguchi Hiroshi / 22y.o.
- First person to get two wins becomes the representative…
Keiichi description: West Japan Representative / Koutokuin University Karuta Meet / Takemura Keiichi / 28y.o.
- and gains the right to challenge the Meijin/Queen in January at Oumi Jinguu.

87
- Kyah!

- Bump

- Bam!

- It appears the West Representative girl isn’t used to wearing hakama.
Aside: her hem’s a little long
- Even if you can get through the Qualifiers relying on your vigour… / it’s a question of whether or not you have experience from here on out…

- Frankly, we of Shiranami Meet take pride in our depth of experience!!

SFX: fufu…
Aside: Cooling packs / (on his back and lower back too)

- Nine cooling packs! It’s a flawless counter-measure against the heat! / It’s especially important to keep the head cool—

- Tsuboguchi-kun, the others are fine. Just take off the one on your forehead.
- Nwha!?
- The TV crews are coming…

88
- Whatever I do…
- I can’t help but wonder…

- if I hadn’t played such a hasty match…
Sign: Meijin/Queen / Hosted by the All-Japan Karuta As
- would I have been able to come here?
- Would I be the one sitting over there?

SFX: sigh…

- Peel / peel

89
- “Well, this is as far as I go—“

- I got to…

- become the East representative…
- because of Harada-sensei. He wore down Kotegawa-kun for me in the semi-finals.
Box 1: Semi-finals
Arrows: Koteguchi-kun
Harada aside: yeahhhh!
SFX: wheeze— wheeze—

- Watch me, sensei.

90
- Excuse me.

- May I put on a headband?
- Headband!?

Headband: Fight on, Megumu!

91
- I was conceited.

- Thinking something like “I’D be sitting there if I had tried harder.”

- The ones there…
Sign: Meijin/Queen Challenger Playoffs / Hosted by the All-Japan Karuta Association
- are the east and west “representatives”.

92
- OUR representatives.
- Match start.
Sign: Meijin/Queen / All-Japan Karuta

93
- That was my card.

94
- Hmmm
- Hmmm
- Gyah— I’m scared—

95
- Thank you very much.
- Unh / hic
- ugnh

- Big brother Arata…

- I’ll get better. / I’ll work hard.
- So don’t stop playing with me. / Please.

- All of you!

- We have our challenger!
- Takemura-kun to challenge the Meijn, / and Yamamoto Yumi-san to challenge the Queen!

- Shiranami Meet’s Tsuboguchi-san…
- Lost—

96
- That was intense— / Aw man, playing against the same person three matches in a row is just~~
- Plus Takemura-san was like a heavyweight tank—

- Hiroshi-san…
- Can I take this off now—? / Ah— I want some beer—

97
- Shiranami Meet’s dearest wish…

- for our Meet to produce a Meijin someday…

98
- Fufu [heart]

- I’m getting chills.

- Ah, Shinobu-ch-
- Click

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 43 by JinHea

2012-09-09T05:21:15+00:00

*Only for use by LAS

tl by JinHea

37
- 43rd song

38
All 6 bubbles: hahh

39
- Scary…

- Karuta is scary…

- Chihaya was on a roll, but now…
- she’s shrinking back…
- stiffening up, making mistakes.

- To think strength of feeling would be such a vital factor…

40
- Feeling…

- Strength of feeling—

- I was faster just now, wasn’t I?
- Eh?
- See, I touched here…

- She’s really bickering of every last card—
- She’s dragging out the match.
- The former Queen, bickering?

- Pay them no mind, Yuumin!
- Her plain face and style of playing…
- makes her bickering stand out no matter what she does.

- But Yuumin’s Karuta…
- is, compared to the other players’, just a little more conscientious, just a little more accurate.

41
- Everyone here are very well aware…

- of how difficult it is to achieve that “just a little more”.

42
- Ah…

- Thank you very much.

- Thank you very much.

43
- Yamamoto Yumi. 4-card difference.
- Got it.

- Yuumin!!
- You’re well on your way to getting back the Queen’s title!!

Word in the 2 round burdens: Expectation

- That Shiranami Meet girl was nothing! Did you see that, Harada?!
- Yuumin, go take a rest! / Four rounds to go before the finals! [arrow text] expects her to win them all
- Oof… / his expectations… / so heavy…

- But…
- I would have run away long ago if it weren’t for this expectation.

44
- clack

- Chihaya.

- Chihaya!

- I can’t run.

45
- I WON’T run.

- Chihaya…

- Wh…

- What are you doing!? / Don’t whole up in such a narrow space! / that’s a closet?
Kana: Chihaya-chan, please come out!
Tsutomu: Ayase, I have chocolates, come out—
Nishida: I’m sorry I was only cheering for Yuumin, okay—
- Pfft

46
- There’s nothing to get so depressed over, you know?
Aside: Oops, I lost—
- Beauties look good even when bald, I hear.
Box: won round 2

- Is this Ayase’s phone? / I’ll send her my number via infra-red.
- Doing whatever he pleases...
- While I’m at it, I’ll tell her to send me a picture once she’s bald [heart]

- Sudou-san… / Nishida, Komano and me will all shave our heads, so please let Chihaya off the hook…
Arrow: having fun
- Eh—
- I could do a short cut if you really…
- You stay out of this, Kana-chan!

- What’s up?

47
- A wager that the first one to lose shaves their head? / Chihaya-chan’s quite dense, isn’t she…
Aside: That’s right! Our captain is really dense!

- In that case, Sudou-kun…
- If I win against you, then the wager’s off.

Linked: but my third round opponent doesn’t seem to be Harada-sensei…
- Is that of any relevance?

- You don’t intend to lose, no?
- We’ll meet up in the later rounds.

48
SFX: sigh
- Make sure you don’t just simply lose before we get matched up, alright?
Harada: That goes for you all the more.
Komano aside: He’s overpowering him.
Nishida: so strong

Kana aside: So… / so cool…
- Harada-sensei…
- Whaaa—

49
- Why?

- Why?
- Why?
- Why?!

50
- Why…

51
- Hey…
- Did she fall asleep in there…?

- She always does that, right? / She hasn’t come out for almost an hour, you know—
- That’s a very real possibility…

- Nishida, you can go down to the hall, you know. / You have Yamamoto-san to cheer for, after all.
- Ah, right…

- I’ll stay behind so… / Ooe-san and Komano, you go too.
- Eh? / It’s okay, we’ll staying too…

- I know she’s not sleeping.

52
- A straight line.
Above hand: Direct.
Below hand: Memorize the cards perfectly.
- Direct.

- There’s no way she CAN sleep.

Phone: Brrrrrrr

53
- Chihaya.
- Arata said he won the third round.

- Me and Arata became text-pals recently.
- I was thinking I’d give you him number once the qualifier’s over, you know. / honest

- He’s amazing…
- Don’t you think?
Phone: Text received / Wataya Arata / [text body] I won round 3. How about Chihaya?

- “It’s as if it was flowing… / like water.”

54
Phone: [see above]

From: Wataya
Body of text: [see above]

- “We went our separate ways… / so I wouldn’t know.”

55
- rattle

- Harada-sensei and Sudou-san both won their matches!
- And… / they’re opponents for round four!

- We have to go support sensei…!

- Chihaya.
- Come out.
- We’re going to cheer sensei on.

- Chihaya.

- I understand, all right?
- The frustration felt when you lose after having given it your all…

- And that feeling of not wanting to see anybody... I understand.

56
- Even though I understand…

- I feel like nothing will get through if I’m the one to say it.

- The one to say it has to Arata.

- What are you doing…

57
- Ta-Taichi… / You’re the one who has to go watch!
- Go see Harada-sensei and Sudou-san’s match!

- All of us are going to be rivals in the A Class matches next year, aren’t we?
- It’s not about cheering anyone on, Taichi! / You have to watch it!

- Chihaya-chan… / President stayed behind because he’s worried about you…
- Ahh! That’s right! / I’m sorry!

58
- Sorry.
- Let’s go, Taichi!

- Ahh…

- It’s no good. I…

59
- I really like Chihaya…

59
- Awwwriiiight!

- Shut up!

60
SFX: huff huff

- This is doing a number on your knees.
- If you don’t take care of your body at your age…

- As if!
- This isn’t an opponent I can afford say that to!

SFX: hfff hfff

61
- Kokoro ateni—

- I didn’t like her bickering…
- so I tried to get the cards faster than I should.

- My rhythm was disturbed…
- and I couldn’t concentrate.
- I didn’t know such a strength existed.

62
- Aren’t you cold? / Wear this.
- Eh? / I’m fine.
- Wear it. Just watching you makes me feel cold.

- All of you were standing outside and cheering us on. / You weren’t cold, Kana-chan?
- It was still quite warm at noon.
- It was scary being scowled at by people inside when you made a noise.

- They stood the whole time…
- outside…

63
- Thank you.
- I’m sorry…

- “I don’t want even one card taken from me.”
- I’m sure…

- I lost the moment I lost sight of everyone other than myself.

64
- He did it!
- Harada-sensei!

SFX: huff huff
Below panel: personal cushion

- Sudou-kun, it’s so frustrating! That was such a shame— / A 3-card difference against Harada-sensei!
- Mochida-sensei…

- That is not a himan…
- That is a bear who has learnt human speech.
SFX: growll
Arrow text: salmon
SFX: sigh—

65
SFX: huff huff

- You did it, Harada-sensei!
- Thank you so much! / Now Ayase doesn’t need to shave her head!

- Hm? / What are you talking about?

- Ah! / That’s right!
Fist: pff
- He wasn’t thinking of anything but his own victory!! / that’s our sensei

- Semi-final begins in ten minutes.

- Chihaya-chan…
- You didn’t give your thanks after your last match.

66
- That was rude of you.

- No matter how frustrated you feel…
- it’s important to give your thanks.

67
- Yes!

- Could the players please enter now.
- Oh. / It’s time.

- Two more wins…

- Two more, is it…

- Harada-sensei…
- narrowly lost in the semi-final.

- The East Japan representatives for this year... / Tsuboguchi Hiroshi of Shiranami Meet for the Meijin Title…
- and Yamamoto Yumi of Suihoku Meet for the Queen title.

68
SFX: clap [x 4]
- One month later, these representatives will play against… / the West Japan representatives in a three-game match.
- Only the winner in that match will be able to challenge the Meijin/Queen in January.

SFX: clap [x 4]
- Kanai-san…

- See you next year.
- The long day come to an end…

- and for those who lost, another year of struggle begins.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 42 by JinHea

2012-09-06T10:00:03+00:00

*Only for use by LAS

tl by JinHea

5
Logo insert: 42nd song

7
- I don’t want even a single card…
- to be taken by someone who has completely given up.

8
SFX: huff huff
- So hot…

- I can’t see! / I’m genuinely unable to see anything but for the condensation!
- Kitano-sensei, you need to be quiet. / Doesn’t this happen every year?
- Don’t be absurd!

9
- Eh?

10
- Meguri aite—

- Wasn’t that a ghost card!?
Text beside panel: Though only 50 cards are used in a match, all 100 are read out. The cards read out but which are not in play are called ghost cards.

- Kasasagi no—
- Why such an aggressive stance… / for a ghost card!?

SFX: pant pant

11
- Fu-

- -ku-
- -kara ni—

- 5 consecutive cards for Ayase.
- Yuumin…!

- She’s playing so desperately.
- How come?
- She’s been so careful up until now.

- It’s as if…

12
- she intends to have an overwhelming victory—

- An overwhelming victory?

SFX: grip

13
- Hmmm. / It’s become hard to see.
- Just how large is the temperature difference inside and out?
- If only someone inside could wipe the windows—

- Kana-chan, / the Class A matches really are something, huh. / Their agility is on a totally different level!
- Yes. / But…

- I feel a little sad…
- Eh?
- ‘Cos…

- None of the people here…
Big text: Bloodthirst!!
- are listening to the “songs”…

14
- Th-
- That’s just…

- you might have a point…

- But…

- Aite mite no—
- nochino kokoroni kurabureba—

15
- mukashi ha mono wo omowa zarikeri—
- This ringing.

- It’s not the window panes.

- It’s “song”.

16
- Not being “read”, but rather…
- it’s being “recited”.

- Readers are amazing, aren’t they?
- There are different classes of readers, exams… / less than 10 professional readers are qualified to read for top level tournaments like the Meijin Tournament, I heard.

- A professional reader…

- Just how difficult… / is it to be one, I wonder…
- Chihaya-chan.

17
- Please, listen more to the “songs”…

- Win.
SFX: huff huff
- Win!

- That’s an intense desire to win—
- What is this?
- Be it Wakamiya Shinobu, or this girl…
Flash: They both act like having energy is a given!
- I lost that kind of thing ages ago!

18
- But…
- on the other hand, I see…

- Are you sure you should be getting fired up?

- Chi-

19
- -gi-

- -rio kishi—

20
- It was “Chigirio”, but she went for “Chiha”.

- No way…
- Chihaya misheard “Chi”!?
Text beside panel: [asterisk] Getting one card penalty for the read card that got taken from one’s own territory and other for committing a fault by touching a card in the opposite territory resulting in the penalized receiving two cards is called “Double Fault”.

- What’s more, the read card was from her own territory, AND she faulted in the opposite one!
- A double fault[asterisk]!!
Sensei: I can’t see!
- jump
- jump
Aside: Only tall people can see in right now.

- …wh…
- What did I…

SFX: sigh—
- She miscalculated.
- Without a doubt, I just got to “pick up” the right card.

21
- How pathetic…
SFX: heh
- The former Queen got saved by her opponent’s mistake...

- From a 7-card gap to a 4-card one…

- I’ve done this hundreds of times, so I know.
- The best time for a showdown is now.

- What did I just do!? / I can’t afford to make such a silly mistake at this crucial juncture!
- To think I’d mistake it for “Chihaya”… / why…

- Can I still do it…?
- From here on—

22
Text below panel: Good kids should not emulate.

- Eh!?

- Whoa.
- It’s gotten cooler.

23
- Ki-
- Kitano-san!

- What do you think you’re doing? We have a tournament going on!
- Blockhead! / They’re going to suffocate! Don’t you feel sorry for them!? / You wipe the window on that side!
- Here, a towel!

- Kitano-sensei…

- The one that got refreshed with such good timing just now…
SFX: phew—
Chihaya: Nice and cool…
- was the opponent, though…

24
- You’re still in the game!
- Play your Karuta!

- Geez— please get ahold of yourself! / Close the window!
- If you don’t want it opened again, wipe the window at 10 minute intervals!
- Eh—
- Kitano-sensei…

- My Karuta…
- That’s right. Play MY Karuta!
- My Karuta…
Non-bubbled text: Just now…
- I completely forgot! I need to play MY style of Karuta!!
- My Karuta…
- you accidentally encouraged all the simple-minded people, you know…

25
- M…
- My Karuta…
Arrow: simple-minded

- “My karuta”…

- You’ll get your revenge against Wakamiya next time for sure.
- Aren’t you looking forward to that, Yuumin?

- You get to be a challenger again.

27
SFX: hahh

- “My Karuta”…

SFX: phew

- The…

Nishida: Yuumin…
- Karuta…

- all of us practiced…

28
- Michi nokuno—

- Yes!

- I got it!
- Eh?
- Wait a moment.

29
- I believe I was the one who got that card.

- Eh— / But—
- I sent it flying—
- You may have sent it flying…

- But my little finger touched it before you did... / like this.
- Eh!?
- You just applied pressure afterwards to send it flying.

- B-but…
- Honestly, my hand touched the card, didn’t it?

30
- I saw it quite well. / My little finger was the first to touch the tip of the card.
- But… / Eh~~ I thought I touched it first. [font getting smaller]
Aside: what’s going on?
- Then you came from above and sent the card flying. / See, it was like this…

Taichi: What happened?

- Uh-
- Uh- / Ummm…

- In that case…
- You can have… / the card…

- She…
- She’s returned…!?

- The legendary…
- Bicker Yumi!!

31
- “Bickering”.
- To quarrel without backing down when it’s difficult to discern who got the card first—
Spark: Yuumin was… (contrary to her plain looks)
Aside: I got that card just now / I’m sure of it!
Spark: famous for her bold bickering.

- However, since everyone else’s matches are interrupted while the quarrelling goes on…
- it isn’t seen as a good thing. / So…

- she sealed it away, as it was unbecoming of a “Queen”.

- That was okay, wasn’t it?

- I’m a “challenger”, right?

32
- This…
- This is really tough…
Below panel: Not used to bickering.

- You’ve gone behind the match line. / your right hand
- Eh?
- Ah! Sorry!

- It’s really tough…
- Concentrate.
- I have to concentrate.

- Even if it’s tough…
- concentrate…
- and get the cards I’m supposed to get.

- The cards I’m good with are still there!

33
- Se-

- wo-
- hayami—

- Aren’t you misunderstanding something?

34
- When it comes to 1-syllable cards in one’s own territory…
- being fast is a given.

35
- I don’t want even a single card taken from me.
- What… / am I…

- Against the FORMER QUEEN, what am I—

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 41 by JinHea

2012-07-18T13:12:54+00:00

*Only for use by LAS

tl by JinHea

153
- A match with the former Queen…
- Yamamoto Yumi-san.
Logo insert: 41st song

- Th-
- This is…!

Top box: Yamamoto side
- There are 5 one-syllable cards in my opponent’s territory!? / And there are 7 three-syllable cards, with all the rest being two-syllable cards.
- A formation that lets me attack as much as I want…!!
Bottom box: Chihaya side

154
All 3 arrows: Her favourite
- Lucky!

155
- I missed watching this year’s Queen Tournament, but…
Arrow: deer
Mat arrow: tiger
- we all watched last year’s tournament at Harada-sensei’s house. / in a living room that reminds you of a yakuza hideout
- Player Yamamoto, congratulations on winning your first ever Queen title.

- You earned your first title in your last year of university! / How do you feel?

- Kitano-sensei…

- Honestly, I don’t remember exactly what happened during the matches. / Just that she hung in there until the third round and didn’t give up.
- Kitano irritates the hell outta me, but this girl is a model student! / Guys, become Meijin or Queen and call my name!!
- But… / those tears when she called her coach’s name…

156
- Years and years of sitting with her hands pressed to the tatami…
- formed those calluses.

- She’s someone who worked really really hard and realized her dream.

- “She’s strong.” / Though she’s a plain girl…

157
- “But Chihaya-chan, you are already…
- at the stage where you can make your own call.”

- Even if your opponent is a former Queen…
- play a good match!

158
- So she’s Ayase’s oppponent, huh. / I’ve met her before at Suihoku Meet…
- Still, we’ve never seen her practicing, have we. / She’s an office lady, so our times never match up.
- Umm… / I don’t really remember…

- Nishida, you’re a Suihoku Meet player, so you’ve known her since you were a kid, right?
- What kind of player is this Yamada Yuri-sa… [NB. Taichi got her name wrong, so cute!]

- -n… / what the!?
Aside: hundred and two / hundred and three / hundred and four…
Arrow: ants

- Nishida.
Aside: that loss just now’s slowly sinking in, like taking a body blow…
- Hey, Nishida!
- I had but a textbook idea of what a super-sadist was… / I got burned… a 20-card difference…
Sudou asides: It’s a shame you’re inedible even if I use Karuta to cook you. [NB. Let me explain the joke here. In Japanese “ryourisuru” can mean both “to cook” and “to deal with”. Get it?] / Cuz you seem bad for the health.
- Ayase’s amazing to have won against him…

- Scary— A-Class is scary— It’s full of nothing but monsters! No way can I win— / [SFX] shiver shiver
- A- / Ah well…
- Anyhow, what kind of player is this Yamada Yuri-san?

- It’s YAMAMOTO YUMI!
SFX: snap
- Aka Yuumin!

159
- S-
- Sorry…
Aside: Yuumin?
- Yuumin’s Karuta is…

- strong-willed and persistent… / particularly after she became Queen, she’s been polite and cautious…

- But, the real Yuumin is—

- Blockhead!

- Quit yakking with Shiranami Meet’s people and com’ere!
Arrow: a true Tokyoite
- Kana-chan, Komano-kun, you too! / You’re our kids, ain’t’cha!
Komano: Eh!
Kana: Kitano-sensei…

- We’re rooting for Yuumin!
- We’re gonna watch her take back the Queen title!

160
- Go cheer for her!

- Coach…

- Begin.

- Rrrrrrrrrr

- Rrrrrrrrrr
Paper: [star] on sale [big text] Snowmaru Snow Daifuku [smaller text] Exclusive Pouch and Han / 100 to give away [above pictures of Snowmaru] 5 applications per [bottom box typed text] Please write your comments and requests below [bottom box handwriting] Please make Snowmaru bedsheets and calendars.
Star: New product
Snowmaru: springy temptations
Name: Snowmaru Snow Daifuku

161
- Rrrrrrrr
- Wakamiya here.
- Hello?
- Good day.

- Click

- Rrrrrrrrrr
- Rrrrrrrrrrr

- What is it, Suou-san? / My ice cream’s melting.
- What a coincidence, I’m in the middle of eating taiyaki, too.
- Sorry for intruding while you’re eating taiyaki. It is a shame, but let us talk at a later date. (monotone)

- Come on, don’t say that.
- It’s the East and West Qualifiers today, so… / I was wondering what you’d be doing, Shinobu-chan.
- I told you I’m at home eating ice cream, didn’t I?
- I went to see the East Japan Qualifier.

162
- Is that so…
Aside: Ah—
SFX: droop—
- Heehee—[heart] / I was so excited. / Everyone’s working hard so they can play against us.
- What a nice hobby of yours that is.

- If I don’t see that scene…
- I just can’t get worked up.

- Aren’t you the same?

- …… I am still new to this Queen business, and by no means a match for you, Suou-san.
- I barely managed to take the title at the last Queen Tournament…
- There you go again. / Round 1 was a complete victory. / And in round 2, you gave your opponent no room to catch up.

163
- I was / thinking…
- I’d like to have a game with you.

- In that case, why not participate in the Takamatsuno Miyashi Cup that’s held the day after the Meijin Tournament? / If you participate, Suou-san, I will too.
- crush
SFX: Gya—!
- I don’t wanna play Karuta 2 days in a row!! / I dunno how many rounds I’ll have to play before I get matched up with you, Shinobu-chan!

- CLICK
- Ah.

- So he CAN speak up…
SFX: phew—
- still, annoying as hell…

164
- “I’d like to have a game with you.”

SFX: clap clap
Aside: Mommy— the post box isn’t a shrine, is it…
Mom aside: Shhh

- “An opponent I want to play”…?

165
- I’m sure Wakamiya Shinobu…
- doesn’t even remember me.

166
- Her strength was that overwhelming.

- It’s hotter now that it’s noon.
- If we don’t take time to out the room…
- the players might collapse.
Text at lower right corner: condensation
Aside: hard to see—

- I was unable to play my style of Karuta against that 15 year old girl …

- Nani shio waba—

- Ugh.

167
- Compact movements.
- An accurate sense of distance.
- Her territory’s fixed positions are drilled into her body.
SFX: huff— huff—
- And no wonder…
- Hah!

- Even the air breathed in is warm.
SFX: huff—
- “This tournament is a battle with heat!”
- You’re absolutely right, sensei!!

- Huff—
- Huff—
- Still…
- This is great.

- Normal people can’t enter.
- All the players are A-Class level.
- Caring about even the tiniest sounds…
- They are all people who know the importance of “sound”.

168
- Even the reader for the Meijin and Queen qualifiers… / is the best of the best.
- katunk

- Asaborake…
- uji no kawagiri taedaeni—

- Ahh I knew it! A long shot card!

- What’s more, my opponent is…
- the former Queen!

169
- This is fun.

- This is fun!

- Yamamoto-san is being pressed.
- Her opponent’s the won that beat Ririka-chan earlier.

- She’s quite pretty. / A real looker.
- Maybe the same age as the Queen?

170
- It’ll really be something if she keeps winning.
- Interesting…
- Yamamoto-san— / she was at her strongest up until university.
- Her time is now over.

- Card differences in the first half are no big deal, idiots!
- Win this, Yuumin!

- I-
- ma-

- ha tada—

171
- Consecutive captures!!
- She got one of those three-syllable cards she’s so bad with!

- You haven’t made any faults today.
- Keep it up.

- Yuumin…

- It’s still okay, Yuumin.
- Time to put your special skill, tenacity, to use!

- Capture it.
- Capture it.

173
- Eh…

- Omoi wabi—

- Nooo! Poor Yuumin… / This’ Ayase’s 4th consecutive capture…!

174
- Heh

SFX: shiver
- Eh?

- Come ooon! / Just once, okay? Let’s play Karuta!
- Is it really fun, Chihaya-chan?
- We can play 1 against 3.

175
SFX: heh

- Aww man— / Chihaya-chan, this is impossible—
- We can’t possibly play this---

- Why do you guys laugh?

- She’s played Karuta all this time…

- but she’s not getting into position.
- Not stretching out her hand until the last second.

176
- Her focus… / scattered…

- She’s the former Queen…
- she’s someone who achieved her dream…

- Why isn’t she making any effort!?

- The real match begins now!!

177
- This time was unfortunate—
- You started working and got to practice less, that’s all, Yuumin!
- Next time you’ll get your revenge against Wakamiya for sure!

- You placed 8th in the National Japan Championships? That’s a shame—
- You could’ve done better, Yuumin. What’s wrong?

- You lost in the 2nd round of the Kanazawa Tournament?
- Everyone has days like this, Yuumin.
- Don’t worry, you’re number 1 when it comes to actual ability!

- I understand…
- I’ll work hard.

- She’s tired.

178
- Not tired of losing.

- But tired of not being able to live up to his expectations.

SFX: huff
- It’s so hot / I’m gonna die!

- Ah~~~ condensation~~~~
- Just how hot is it in there?

SFX: huff huff

179
- Don’t fog up, you good-for-nothing window!
- Yuumin won’t be able to see us like this!

- You can still turn this around, Yuumin!
- You can win!

- Even if I win…

- The one waiting at the end is Wakamiya Shinobu.
- I can’t win.

180
- It’s so hot, yet…
SFX: huff huff

- Her heart is freezing up…

- Chihaya-chan, you’re already…

- at the stage where you can make your own call.

182
- Harada-sensei,
- I…

- do not want someone who’s completely given up to have even one card.

- / serialized in BE-LOVE 2009 no.16~20, 22

184
- Bonus 4-panel comics
Asides around Arata’s head: Actually, he looks at them / when the manager’s out.
Arata: Wahh / that was a shock!!
Manager aside: I can see through you, Arata-kun.
Magazine: chan / sexy compilation

- Promise out of love

- Between Chitose and Chihaya…
- there is a very very important promise.

- Chihaya— I’ll give you this as well. / It’s last year’s fashion so I’m not wearing it anymore. / I bought the latest design.
- Ah— thanks!

- Big sis!
- This is a new design too [heart]

- …that looks nice… / as indoor wear…
Aside: So— cu—te
- A promise between the sisters made out of love, / “Thou shalt not go out wearing anything other than Chitose’s hand-me-downs.”

184
- Try to sum up friends’ personalities with four-character idioms!

Chihaya: Ummmm…
- Yakiniku set. [NB. translations are obviously not four characters]

Nishida: Eh!? That’s how you start off!? / This is why I said I didn’t wanna go after Ayase!!
- Ummmm…
- Gathering intelligence.

Komano: That’s completely wrong! / Those two aren’t even proper four-character idioms!
Bold text: Geez
- Kana-chan’s personality would be…
- Verses and strain.
Arrow: Meaning the recitation of chinese poems and japanese songs, and the playing of instruments. Also the general term for literature and music.

Kana: Oh! To be described by such a beautiful expression… / I’m flattered…
- Ah! Club president? / What’s the president like? Umm ummm…
- J-
- Jack of all trades and master of none? [NB. finally, an actual English expression!]

SFX: shock
Taichi: Flawless…
Arrow: returns to Chihaya

Kana asides: That’s not what I meant, president! / They demanded I make a joke…

185
- Plug

- Chihaya, eat this. / It’s chocolate from this place called “Couverture”.
- My little sister’s crazy about these chocolates for some reason.
- Yay— lemme eat!

Chihaya: Taichi… for some reason, I…
Chihaya: I want to fall in love…
Taichi: huh…? / ?
- I know it! “Couverture”, right? / It’s a chocolate shop run by a pair of beautiful brothers. / I feel like falling in love too!
Empty text: Love and chocolate / are waiting for your patronage.

186
Bubble: and “Chihayafuru” vol 7
- ture” on sale now!!

- Into the chocolate shop run by two handsome men

Guy: yo.
- —Taste of Winter—
- The whereabouts of a heartrending love that comes by annually…?

- —Taste of Fall—
- The youth does not forget the superior taste!!

187
- Packed / sweetness [heart]
Fluffy bubble: full of
- “Couver
Above: BE-LOVE comics

- surges bittersweet love!

Bubbles: Are you / eating here today?
- —Taste of Summer—
- To the 65 year old Natsumi, this is a parallel universe!?

- Turned to look back every 50m.
Box 1: Summer clothing
Box 2: Winter clothing
- —Taste of Spring—
- I want to convey all my courage!

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 40 by JinHea

2012-07-02T06:41:46+00:00

*Only for use by LAS

tl by JinHea

123
Logo insert: 40th song
Nishida’s shirt: aflame

124
- Tachikawa Ririka lost?
- Ayase Chihaya? Who’s that?
- She was kept under wraps by Shiranami Meet’s Harada-san, apparently. / She started competing this year, and has been making progress since.
- Ohh—
Bubble above Sudou: That was some speed in the second half!
- I heard she won against Hokuou’s Sudou-kun in the High School Championship Qualifiers.
Sudou: irk
Other side of Chihaya: What the heck? She’s a real pretty one—
- S- such a small face~~!
- Is she this year’s dark horse?

125
- Chihaya-chan, / your hand.

- It’s Ririka’s lucky mark.

- G-
- Good luck!

- I guess Ririka-chan wasn’t up to it.

126
- They made her out to be the next Wakamiya Shinobu, but…
- I guess she’s not that talented after all.

SFX: hahh

- CHOCOLAAATE!!

- Oh. / Oops.

127
- Mom.

- Here you go, Chihaya-chan, good work.
- Chocolate… / here!

- Whoa!
- Ehh!

128
- I think…
- you have a talent for Karuta Ayase-san.

- Ririka-chan, too…
- must have had someone say that to her in the beginning.

- “You have the talent.”

- We came this far treasuring those words.

129
- My lucky mark.

- Please don’t trample them so easily.

130
- Excuse me. / I’m just going to sent a text.
- Okay.

Phone: Text input / Chihaya got through round one.

- Round 1 was really tough! / Wakamatsu’s Morita-san was so tenacious.
Bubble on shirt: Round 2 is in 10 minutes?
Sensei (forgot his name): Ahh Sudou-kun, it’s so frustrating! I lost!
- Sensei, weren’t you competing just for the sake of it?
- No~~~

- Now that I finally have the right to play A-Class matches… / I’m aiming for Meijin~~~
- That is unexpected.

Phone: Text input / Chihaya got through round one. Arata, you give your best too

131
- No, don’t give your best.

- Don’t give your best!

132
- Are you…

133
- an A-Class player?
Package: Chestnut

134
Bag: Imamuraya

- Eh? / I beg your pardon?
- Are you playing in the qualifiers?

- Ah… [aside] his voice is really low / no, I’m here today to cheer someone on…
SFX: tch
- I’m not giving this to you then.

135
- badump
- badump

- You an A-Class player?
- Here’s a chestnut daifuku.
Bubble on guy’s bag: You gonna be playing too?
- Huh!?
- Ahh what a shame, you just lost? / Look forward to seeing you next year.
- N- / no way.
- You like taiyaki?
- You A-Class too?

136
- You…
- No thanks.

- Eating solids right before a match facilitates drowsiness which less than ideal…
- Suou-kun.

Empty text: I knew it!

- Suou…

137
- Congratulations on your triple consecutive victory, Suou Meijin.
- Thank you.
Center sign: Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Karuta / Meijin, Queen finals
Left sign: 5⃝th Queen title
- Ah, please lean closer to the mic and speak louder. / Please comment on defending your title…
Paper: Authorized persons seating
- I want to get 5 consecutive victories and become Eisei Meijin as soon as possible… / and retire.

- Suou Hisashi

138
- The current Meijin.

Cup: sweet bean jelly juice [star] drink [small words] Chuuri Manufacture
- Quite right. / Here.
- Hmm / thank you.

- You change your appearance somewhat and no one would know it’s you. / Gone and grew a beard…
- Plus you never play in general tournaments.

- Even though there are a lot of people who want to play you…
- Sensei—
- So you only show up at the Meijin Tournament?

139
- Eh? / What?

- “Sorry.”

140
- “I don’t want to play anyone who isn’t strong…”

141
- Suou-kun came, you say!?
- Suou-kun, you should collaborate more with the Karuta Association. / Help with management, hold some lectures…

- Wah.

- Hey, wait! / What is with that unshaven face?
Aside: Why is a grown adult running away so desperately!?
- Do you think you can finally graduate this year!? / Suou-kuuun!

- He is…
- Suou Meijin…

SFX: crush

142
- crush / crush

- It irritates me…
- to think that… / everyone is frantically competing in order to play against THAT…

- Wakamiya Shinobu I can still understand. / I can see that she’s been devoted to Karuta since she was little.
- Crush / crush
- crush
- But Suou-kun began playing Karuta in university and became Meijin in 3 years. He’s now had 3 consecutive victories.

- Doesn’t it frustrate you?

143
- This year for sure…
- I’ll challenge the title!

144
- She needs weapons.
- So that she doesn’t get crushed by geniuses…

- Sensei…

- Never mind that, what am I supposed to do? / Can I keep making fast captures from now on?
- Never mind that!?
- I’m up against Suihoku Meet’s Yamamoto Yumi-san next!!
- Ehh—!?

145
- wahh
- wahh

Phone: Text input / Chihaya got through round one. Arata, you give your best too

- Yamamoto Yumi-san? Really?
- Please take your seats.
- Really! This is bad!
- Chihaya-chan, you have no luck! / See you later—

- Our weapon is…
- the fact that Harada-sensei is there for us.

- Not telling, but rather inspiring us to do our best.
Phone: Text / sending

146
- Shiga Prefecture, Oumi Jinguu

- Eh!?
- Murao-san lost!?

- It’s true. / He lost to a 1st year from Seijou Uni.
- It shouldn’t have been possible for him to lose against that opponent, but… / halfway through he double-faulted and the match went downhill from there…

- Even though he challenged the Meijin 2 years ago, that Murao-kun!
Overlapping bubble: Did he lose his focus after that?
- He hasn’t been practicing lately, either.

147
- Hey.
- You won the first round? / Congrats.

- ...I’m glad that…
- …you came back.

- Suihoku Meet has a lot of members, but… / there aren’t that many who can be expected to “become Meijin”.
- Haha / well, all that focus came to me.

- All eyes will be on you from now on.

- But…
- there’s no advancing beyond challenger.

148
- You can’t win against Suou Hisashi.

- Murao-san, Murao-san.
- Play a match with me, too!
- You got stronger, Arata.

- Guess I’ll have to become Meijin before you surpass me.

149
- vrrrrrrr
- vrrrrrrrr

- vrrrrrrr

- incoming text / Mashima Taichi

- Received text / Mashima Taichi // Chihaya got through round one. I’ll definitely aim to become the East Japan representative, so you become the West Japan representative, Arata.

150
- Round 2.
- Players please check the match-up chart and take your seats.

- Ayase Chihaya-san…

151
- L-
- Let’s have a good match!

- A pretty girl, just like the rumours said…

- She’s worlds apart from me, with my commonplace name and face…

- I hate it. / What’s with those sparkling eyes?
- This is a tough one…

- The 15 minutes memorization time for round 2 begins now.
- You have until that clock reaches 11:17.

152
- Ahh, honestly, why am I…
- playing in the qualifiers again…
- Yamamoto Yumi. 24 years old.
- Former Queen.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 39 by JinHea

2012-06-24T06:16:53+00:00

*Only for use by LAS

tl by JinHea

93
- Tachikawa Ririka.
- Currently in 6th grade, she’s a speed star.
Ririka: Um…
Insert: 39th song

94
- Eh?
Empty text: Um! Um!
- Someone told me... / that you’re a very fast player, Ayase-san.

- It’s…
- a pleasure to play you today.
SFX: throb

- Oh no… / it’s my pleasure.
SFX: stare—

SFX: stare—
- badump badump badump

- Excuse me. / There are a lot of contestants, so please watch outside.
- Ah. / I beg your pardon.

- Ririka, good luck! / I’ll be watching!

95
- How nice…
- My dad and mom came to watch once, but…
SFX: ahaha
Arrow: dozed off
- It’s too difficult, I can’t get my head around it—

- Fight!!

- “Genius Ririka.”

- “The expectations heaped upon her are different from those for a no-name like you.”

96
- But I DO have expectations placed upon me.
- Chihaya-chan, good luck!!

- Whoa! / Sensei, what about your match?
- A default win for the first round.
- Lucky. We get to save our strength.
- Huh? / Hiroshi-san, you won by default too?

- Ah— Chihaya-chan’s against Tachikawa Ririka, huh.
- W- will Ayase be all right?
- She won’t lose against a grade schooler, will she!?

- Sensei, / you told Chihaya-chan to “stop making fast captures”, didn’t you.
- Hunh?
- Weren’t you jumping the gun a little?

97
- Whichever way you look at it, Chihaya-chan’s weapon is her extraordinary “perception”.
- And she’s still developing. / Won’t your words limit that special advantage she has?

- Especially considering that her opponent is Tachikawa Ririka…

98
- Good, Ririka!

Empty text: Ohh—

99
- So light!

- Even when her entire body darts out, she’s light.
- And fast.
- She isn’t afraid of faulting.

- I understand why everyone expects so much of her.

- Good ears, too—

100
- Ririka…

- Her ears are a little big, like mine.
- And she was bullied a lot because of them, but…

- Oh my, what happened, Ririka?
- Mommy, tie my hair?

- The Karuta Coach at the Community Hall said Ririka has good ears.
- He said they can hear really well.

- Anything is fine.
- Karuta… anything’s fine.

101
- She’s faster than Chihaya!?
- No way—

SFX: phew—

- Chihaya’s…

- …retreating from the match line—

102
SFX: phew—

- I-

- Ma-

- ha tada—

- Ah…

103
- I was in sync!
- Just now…
Aside: I feel a hot gaze…
- My breath was in sync with the reader’s—!!

Ririka aside: Huhh—?

SFX: phew—

- Capturing not “quickly”…
- but “just at the right moment”.

- It may be a simple thing to those who are able to do it, but…

104
- to me…

- Ha-
- Na-

- sasou—

105
- I’m making…
- progress… / (slowly and steadily)

- She got it, but really slowly.
- enlarge and playback

- She got it, but really slowly.
- (enlarge and playback again)

- She got it, but really slowly.

106
- S…

- Sorry…

- She’s like me…
- so I understand Ririka-chan’s feelings well.

- Happy to be able to play amongst adults…
- feeling delighted when told she’s fast…

- It looks like Ririka-chan has the upper hand, but… / the card difference isn’t reflecting that.
- She’s picking them up well. / Which Meet does her opponent belong to?

107
5th panel SFX: ah—
Aside: a fault

- The card Ririka-chan focused on…
Aside: is obviously this one
- I’ll send it… / and attack.

- I won’t let the cards Ririka-chan doesn’t focus on get away.
- Carefully.
- Carefully.
Box: “I’m playing girl that’s only fast, lucky.”
- “Stop going for fast captures.”

108
- I finally understand what they meant.

- Things aren’t looking good for Ririka-chan.
- The opponent doesn’t look all that strong, though. / Come on, you’re a “genius”, aren’t you?

- Stay cautious and you’ll be fine, Chihaya.
- As long as she’s careful, her opponent will make mistakes.

- Huh?
- Keep it up, Ayase!!

109
B/w panels: Good children should not do this during a match.
- You can make fast captures!

- Go!
- Eh?

- I wonder…
- if I should believe in sensei…

- “You can make fast captures.”

112
- Shi-

- ra-

- tsuyu ni—

113
- kaze no fukishiku aki nono ha—

Empty text: That girl!!
- “shino” hasn’t even been read yet…!

- eh?

114
- Tsukubane no—

- ki-

- mi-
- ga tame—

115
- ariake no—

- ah! / A fault…!

- Ririka!

SFX: huff huff

116
SFX: huff huff

- Ahh, it’s okay…
- you don’t have to push yourself…

SFX: huff huff
- Ugnnh
- ugh

- ugh
- hic

- Murasame no—

117
- Ugh
- heheh

- Anything’s fine.
- Karuta… anything’s fine.

118
- I want you to come to love something.

- I want you to come to love yourself—

- Thank you very much.

119
- Holding it in

- Holding it in

- Why is it that even her opponent is…
Arrow: holding it in

- Ah~~~
SFX: sigh—
Sudo aside: boring
- jump
- She got through round 1! / Thank god~~

- “ “Stop making fast captures.”…
- won’t those words limit that special advantage she has?”

- Hiroshi-kun.

120
- I want to…
- give Chihaya-chan…
- a lot of weapons.

- Not just “perception”… / but also the ability to read a match’s development…
- breathing, accuracy…

Bold text on cups: sweet bean jelly syrup
Bubbles on cups: drink
Wrapping: Chestnut Daifuku (x4)
- sizzzz
Paper bag: Taiyaki Tarou [NB. store name, I presume]
- The most important thing in Karuta is talent.

121
- But there are differing levels even to talent.
- szzzzzzzzz

- Having just one advantage isn’t enough.
- She needs weapons.

- Pairing for round 2 shall begin.
- So that she doesn’t get crushed…

- ssssss
- by geniuses like the Queen…

- gyaaaa! noooo!
- and, above all, the current Meijin.

122
- It’s finally.
- round 2…
- huh.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 38 by JinHea

2012-06-19T08:23:22+00:00

*Only for use by LAS

tl by JinHea

65
- All right. Time’s up.
- Term exams finished.

- 3 more days until the East Japan Qualifiers.
- 38th song

66
- The passage writing for English this time was a piece of cake!
- Oh? / You weren’t fooled by the trap?
- Eh? What trap?
- It seemed like it was asking for the time, but it was actually asking for the speed.
- Eh?

- Hiru ha kietsutsu mono wo koso omoe—

- Yuusareba—
- Whoa! They’ve started already!

- Ayase couldn’t wait, could she. / I feel sorry for Desk-kun— / since they’re in the same class
Above door: can’t enter…
- They must’ve not eaten lunch.
- It can’t be helped. / Chihaya-chan didn’t talk about Karuta at all during exam period, after all… / she really held back.

SFX: hahh hahh

67
- Flowing…
- Like water…

- To imprint…
- that feeling into my body…

68
- Wabinureba—

- I got it. / Yes!

- If it’s the usual Ayase…
- Ah— dammit!
- Unghh / he got me—
- she’d tilt her head up or to the side after letting a card get away, yet…

69
- Her eyes aren’t moving away from the cards…

- Thank you very much.
- Thank you very much.

SFX: clatter
- You’re way slow!! / How could you start without us?
- Bff
- Zzzzz / Zzzz

- Get up Ayase!
- Fmwah?
- Play me too!!

70
- I’ll play! I’ll play!!
- Eh? Wai— / Let’s have a break… / and eat…
- I’ll play!
- It’s my turn as the reader, huh.

- I…
- really like Karuta.

- It brought Arata…
- back again.

71
- Ever since the national tournament in summer…
- she’d practiced like she was impatient for something, now though…

- Is it because she saw Arata?
- Ah— geez, I’m… / hung up over that again.
SFX: shuffle (x 3)

- I’m also…
- Let’s begin.
- changing.

72
- Tachi wakare—
- Inaba no yama no mine niouru—

- Yamagawa ni—

- Yuusareba—

- Ashi no maroya ni aki kazezo fuku—

- Hototogisu—
- Nakitsuru kata wo nagamureba—

73
- Tada ariake no tsuki sono koreru—

- Thank you very much.
- Thank you very much—

Taichi aside: phew—
- boff
- Ma… / Mashima…

- You don’t have to do that! / Humans don’t have to be that perfect!
- Ah… / I didn’t get anything wrong?
- It was perfect!

74
Linked: what happened?
- Chihaya-chan, / didn’t you notice?

- In our match just now…
- Mashima-kun was reciting the cards…

- Huh? / Whassat mean?
- It MEANS he was randomly reciting the cards without looking! / All off the top of his head!

- No— you see… / I read somewhere that it’s good for memorisation practice—
- He recited all 100 of them completely at random without repetition!?

Nishida’s shirt says: paw [NB. literally “meat ball”]

- I got it! / That’s an advantage and a disadvantage.
- There’s nothing but words in that head of yours!

75
- Of course knowing which cards have been read is important, but… / you have to properly feel the cards that are constantly moving in the territories!
- See them as pictures!

- You don’t do any practice swings cuz you think it’s embarrassing, right?

- Get used to the distance between you and the cards!
- Playing Karuta requires both your head and body!

- “Even though I keep thinking faster, faster… / My arms can’t keep up”

- Head and body—

76
- You so hated to lose when you were little. The reason you came back… / was because of your friends.

- You’re right, Coach. I understand now.

- Practice swings…
- I want us to get stronger together.

- I wanted us to attend the East Japan Qualifiers together.

- What I’m saying is, you shouldn’t remember everything like that. / I can only remember half of the initial positioning myself.
- How do you win like that?

- Get them in during the match! / into your head
- I’d be too afraid of faulting to get the cards!
- Like I’m saying—

77
- Ah.
- Ayase-saaaan!
- Empress…

- I went around asking the teachers…
- they said you didn’t fail anything this time!!

Bold: Eh!
- Sensei is so loud…
- That’s great!!

- Work hard for the Queen qualifiers!!

78
- I…
- really like Karuta.

79
SFX: ruffle ruffle ruffle

- I really do.

80
- October Xth.
- Determining the challengers for the titles of Queen and Meijin, the East Japan Qualifiers.

81
- Chihaya-chan! / Here.
Above Taichi and Komano: supporters
- I prepared a brand new hakama for today’s tournament!

- Forehead-chan, I’m sorry, but this tournament is a battle with HEAT. / We’ll hold off with the hakama.
- Eh!? / Forehead-chan?

- Air conditioners are used during most tournaments, but… / in this tournament, even windows aren’t opened. Even ventilation fans aren’t turned on, let alone air conditioners… / which makes it REALLY HOT!! / not to mention it’s October…
- Wh- why is that?

- Because “sound” is important.

82
- Where’s Meatbun-kun?
- Ah. / He’s over there with the people from Suihoku Karuta Meet.

- Ooe-san and Komano, you also belong to the Suihoku Meet, right?
- Yes. / Since they help us out at times… / Meatbun-kun got us to join.

83
Bold: hmph!
- Somehow…
- I’m guessing there’s bad blood between them…

- Chihaya is concentrating.

- Looking good.
- Don’t lose focus…

- Don’t lose focus, and the 1st match—

84
- Ah!
- The one that lost to the Queen with a 20 card difference is here.

- Don’t run away.

- Sudou-san, you’re a 3rd year, so what’re you doing here? / What about studying for entrance exams…
- I’m studying. / My first choice is a national uni, after all.
- Although I did get runner up at the High School Championships…

Empty test: owww
- High School Championships? What’s it got to do with anything?
- Idiot, you didn’t know?

85
- If you win or get runner-up in the high school championships…
- you’ll be able to get into universities like ⃝⃝ Uni or XX Uni on recommendation. [arrow: famous private universities]

- By the way, becoming Queen can get you into a good university by recommendation as well.

- Uh-oh…

86
- Right now, Chihaya’s head…
Black text beside Chihaya: Karuta… / can get me into university!?
- is filled with a whole lotta unnecessary stuff~~~!
Sudou aside: Hmph!
- He’s the worst—!! / but we already knew that

- Ah well, it’s impossible for you.

- It’s said that Wakamiya Shinobu might be even stronger than the current Meijin. / You’ve seen it in your dreams, haven’t you? The Queen’s smile.
Arrow: enjoying himself
- You can’t imagine yourself winning, can you.

Text above Chihaya: psst
- But I won against Sudou-san…

- Let’s have a bet, then.

87
- The one who loses first today…
- shaves their head!!
- Y- / you’re on!

Bold text: Blockhead!!

- Him being bald and you being bald are two different things, you know!? / He’s definitely the type that won’t let it go as a joke!
- I c… carelessly…
- You carelessly bet your life as a woman--

- And things were looking so good…
- The opening ceremony is beginning.
- Carelessly… / carelessly…
Chihaya: wobble wobble…
- Now she’s gotten needlessly competitive…

- Careless… / careless…
- Um— today… / is without a doubt a good day for Karuta—

88
- Um— at this moment… / in Oumi Jinguu, the West Japan Qualifiers are also being held.
- On November ⃝th, the final match between the East and West Japan representatives will be held here in this hall—

89
- If you become number 1 in Japan…
- you’ll be number 1 in the world.

- It begins.

90
- Please check the match-off chart and take your seat immediately.
- It begins.

Number 13 slip name: Sudou Akito
Number 14 name: Nishida Yuusei

- Burn you.

- Ayase… I’ll protect your hair…
- O- okay.
- You give it your all too. / Even if your first opponent is a difficult one…

Above 28: Ayase Chihaya
28: Tachikawa Ririka

91
- A difficult opponent? / Why?
- You really don’t know anything, so you!
- Ririka-chan, can I take a picture?

- How are you feeling?
- Are you thirsty?
- I’m okay.
- Ririka, your ribbon…
- That’s a big shot for you. / She placed in the Chiba Tournament that was held over the summer too.

- Tachikawa Ririka. / Born in Sendai and entered A-Class in 4th grade, same as the Queen.

- They say she’s Wakamiya Shinobu’s successor.
- It’s almost time to go.
- She’s expected to become the youngest challenger in history.

- “Genius Ririka.”
- The expectations heaped upon her are different from those for a no-name like you.

92
- Currently in 6th grade, she’s a speed star.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 37 by JinHea

2012-06-10T13:13:11+00:00

*Only for use by LAS

tl by JinHea

33
SFX: huff huff
Insert: 37th song

- strong…

- he’s strong…

- Tsuboguchi Hiroshi-san…
- of the Shiranami Karuta Meet…
- One more card. / One more card!!

34
- Come on, “Kiri”! / It’s gonna be “Kiri”, “Kiri”! / “Kiri” for sure!!
- “Kiri” “Kiri” “Kiri” “Kiri” “Kiri”“Kiri”“Kiri” come o----n! / “Kiri”!! “Kiri”!!

- I see Harada-sensei within him…

SFX: huff huff

35
- Kiri girisu—

- Ugh!

36
- Thank you very much.
- Ah…
- I got it!? / Yes!

- Alright— Alright—

- But…/ I was lucky just now.
- I moved quickly because I had my eye on that card.

37
- Nevertheless, he caught up.

SFX: breathe—
- If it had been the other 2 cards, he would’ve taken them.

SFX: hahh—

38
- The semifinals will begin in 10 minutes.

- Could the players get ready please.

39
- …re slow.

- Hiroshi-san is…
- our ace, you know.
- He ain’t losing to some guy who hasn’t played for over a year and a half!

40
- Nn…

41
- Chihaya, / you say someth…

- how do they take cards like that? / why don’t they move when it’s a ghost card?
- How?
- Why?
- What are they thinking when they take time to send a card? / What?
- Why?
- How come?

- Hey, Chihaya. / Hey!

42
- Eh? / What is it?
- Sit.

- Eh…

43
- Goodness.

- You’re making such a scary face…
- even before the match starts?

46
- Chihaya-chan!

- What do you think you’re doing?
- Eh? / Eh!?

- Kana-chan, you came…
- You know everyone wants to cheer on our club president!
Arrow: Secretly came as a representative to cheer for him
- But instead, Desk-kun was kind enough to help you revise for the tests… / yet you just go and do things on your own!
- Are the glasses for disguise…?

47
- Arata-kun, come get your certificate for 4th place. / We’ll be leaving right after.
- Okay.

- You’re going back?
- Nobody from Nagumo Meet got this far, and we all came in one car, so… / Even if we leave now, it’ll be almost midnight by the time we arrive in Fukui.

- In that case, Arata, tell her yourself.
- Eh?
- Give Chihaya your number yourself.

- Leaving it to me to tell her “if necessary” is really problematic for me, you know?

- We going back to school, Chihaya-chan.
- Eh? Already!? Right now!?
- Of course!

48
- No… but… / I have no idea…
- About what?

- I left you guys…

- so I have no idea if you and Chihaya…
- started going out or…

- No… / we’re not.
- Really?
- That’s surprising. You thought about a lot of things, huh…

49
- Heheh.

- I left you guys…
- Come on, Chihaya-chan, / don’t space out!

- I’m not letting you waste a single second. / Look at the textbook!
- Uhhh…
- That’s not what the test will be covering. / Start from page 92 for classical literature!

Book: The Tale of Genji / Murasaki Shikibu // Paulownia Pavilion

50
- Meguri aite—

- “Meguri aite…” [NB. for those who don’t remember, this means “fortuitous meeting”]

- Murasaki Shikibu?
- It reminds me of Arata… / I only get to see him for but a moment…

- Though it sounds like a love song…
- it describes parting with a girl who’s a childhood friend.
- It fits this situation perfectly.

- “It sounds like a love song?”

51
- fwish
- grab
- No practice swinging in the carriage!

- Flowing...
- Like water…

52
- I gulped down…
- that gentle water.

- Ko- / Komano-sensei, I sincerely apologise…
- for slipping away…

53
- Kana-chan texted me about how Mashima did.
- Ah… yeah. / He lost in the 3rd round…
- Was he not depressed?

- Ah…
- Um…
- Mashima…

- spends so much time on Karuta, / yet he’s never dropped from being number 1 out of our year group.
- He told me he’d be made to quit Karuta if he wasn’t number 1.

- In order to give your all doing the things you want to do…
- you also have to give your all doing the things you don’t want to do.

55
- I’m very sorry. / I’ll do my best!
- Even my English is flawless by now, I’ll have you know
- I’ll catch up!

- Excuse me— / we close at 7, so…

- I’ll lock up.
- Miyauchi-sensei.

- I’ll watch them.

56
Boxes boths say: lost in the semi-finals

- I’ve got an excuse… / but you went down in flames, Hiroshi-kun! An 11-card difference!!
- Well— I was satisfied having had a good match with Wataya-kun—
- Aren’t you frustrated!?

57
- Ah, well, this is how I am—
- How was it? / Your match with Arata…

- I don’t like that guy~~~ / I really don’t like him~~~
- Eh…
- I have no idea what he’s thinking, but he’s thought of everything~~~

- Still…

- that type… / is likely no match for Suou Meijin…

- Meijin.

- Bringing up the Meijin’s name in the same breath…
- as a match with a 1st year high schooler who just became A-Class.

58
- “This is how I am.”

- Hiroshi-san says that…
- Okay— I’m going this way…
- bye bye—
- but he’s seen the Meijin Tournament too.

- I should’ve watched it.
- Their match…

- I should’ve watched it from the start.

59
- Eyelashes-kun.
- Out of service train transiting through line 2.
- I’ve been thinking…

- you’ve been the B-Class tournament runner-up twice this summer…

- It’s a great achievement. The regulations allow advancement to A-Class with this.

- Though the Shiranami Meet has a different rule…
- Will you advance a class and play in the East Japan preliminaries?

- Chihaya-chan and Glasses-kun…
- are waiting for you in A-Class.

60
Linked: Advance a class…?

- Frustration doesn’t have a long shelf time.

- If one is not rewarded…
- now and then…

- one cannot continue.
- Haha!

- Please stop, sensei. / This isn't like you.
- Eh?
- Sensei…

- rather than becoming an A-Class player…

61
- I want to become someone who doesn’t run away…

- Ohh Arata-kun’s sleeping.
- Cuuute [heart] / take off his glasses
- He was nervous about possibly meeting his childhood friends.

62
- I wonder if he got to catch up with them properly?

- Drink it in.
- Drink it in.

64
- Some fun competitive Karuta basics / part [circle] four

-[Participating in tournaments]
- Tournaments organised by the All Japan Karuta Association (hereon referred to as the Association) are called Official Tournaments, or Formal Tournaments. Those who place in these tournaments are granted the right to advance in rank. In Official Tournaments, 4-Dan and up are A-Class, 2- and 3-Dan are B-Class, with Shodan being C-Class, but players participating in matches of C-Class and above all pay the Association a yearly fee of 5000yen (6-Dan and above pay 10000yen) to become an official Association member and to register as a participating player. Furthermore, player registration requires the player to state the Karuta Meet s/he belongs to, so players also register with one of Karuta Meets affiliated with the Association (applications for Dan ranking also goes through these affiliated Meets). Dan-less D-Class and E-Class beginners have no special restrictions.
- [“Card splitting” seen in tournaments]
- Frequently in tournaments, up to 7 rounds are held before the finals take place. In order for matches where many groups are competing at the same time to go smoothly, the competition committee members arrange the 50 cards to be used in the matches into the same combinations beforehand. By doing this “card splitting”, each group has the same ghost cards, and there’s no need to change cards as long as there are no faults, which saves time.

- Ah! A ghost card!?
- I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
- Committing a fault by yourself when it's a ghost card is very embarrassing.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 36 by JinHea

2012-06-01T13:23:34+00:00

*Only for use by LAS

tl by JinHea

0003
- Huh!? By “cover” you didn’t mean the one in colour!?
- And I especially bought this from Ooe Traditional Wear!!
- The proprietress said
- Pink suits you [heart]
- that…
- can they tell that it’s pink—!?

02
- Characters & Story
Chihaya: Ayase Chihaya / In 6th grade, she met Arata and came into contact with competitive Karuta for the first time. Naturally blessed with sharp hearing, she began utilizing this exceptional ability once she started playing Karuta.
Arata: Wataya Arata / The one who led Chihaya into the world of Karuta. His grandfather holds the title of Eisei Meijin. After graduating from primary school, he returned to his hometown of Fukui with his family in order to look after his ailing grandfather, leaving behind Chihaya and everyone else. [NB. Eisei Meijin – literally Eternal Meijin, bestowed upon players who have served as Meijin for 5 consecutive periods OR who have served as Meijin for a total of 7 or more periods]
Taichi: Mashima Taichi / An all-round athlete and honours student. He dislikes losing, and began playing Karuta out of antagonism towards Arata, who had grown close to Chihaya through the game. Co-founded the Mizusawa High Karuta Club with Chihaya.

03
Kana: Ooe Kanade / Daughter of a traditional clothing retailer, loves the classical period. Joined the Karuta Club out of desire to wear hakama.
Nishida: Nishida Yuusei / Faced off in Karuta against Chihaya and co. during primary school. Joined due to this history. Commonly known as Meatbun-kun.
Komano: Komano Tsutomu / Once fixated on studying, he joined the club after being moved by Taichi’s passion for Karuta. Commonly known as Desk-kun.
Shinobu: Wakamiya Shinobu / Became an A-Level player during 4th grade. Youngest ever Queen. 1st year student at Tsusaki High School in Kyoto.
- The members, each having laid down their own goals, play their first ever formal match. Under the watchful eyes of Chihaya, who had lost against veteran player Kanai Sakura, Taichi, playing against Nishida in the B-Level Finals with a view to rise to A-Level, lost by one card after a gruelling match. Wanting to catch up to Chihaya and Arata – with impatience in his heart, Taichi entered the Yoshino Meet Tournament by himself, but Arata’s also playing in that tournament…?

05
- I’m going to cheer on Taichi.
Insert: 36th song
- Ugh!

06
SFX: clink

SFX: clap clap

SFX: murmur murmur

07
- Ah…

- Kuriyama-kun!!

- Harada-kun!!

08
- Whoa!
- Goodness if it hasn’t been a long time!! Kuriyama-kun, you came all the way to Kantou!
- My knees are acting up. / But there’re a lot of people from Nagumo Meet participating this time, and having been put in charge…
- Let’s play Karuta together again after your knees’re better!!
- Yup, yup!

- I heard that Harada-sensei and Kuriyama-sensei have been rivals since they were young.
- Kuriyama-sensei?
- The president of Nagumo Meet, which I’m currently a part of.

- 3rd round matches for A- and B- Levels. / Please be seated according to your number.
- Ah…

- Taichi, / wait up.

09
- I had a little misunderstanding.

- I thought you’d be…
- playing as an A-Level today, Taichi.

- Tell that to Chihaya too… / if necessary.

10
Paper: Wataya Arata [bottom] cell phone

- Arata…

11
- Arata is here.

- Wait! Wait!

- Safe!

- Ah! Wait!
- The other… / the other side—!

12
Cell: Isn’t looking away from what you should be doing right now a form of escape? / from Komano-sensei

- What a calm way to get angry…

- What am I doing…

- Be it studying…
- or Karuta…
- I’ve made no progress at all when it comes to my own matters…

13
- Still…
- Whether Taichi wins…
- or loses…

- how would he feel if he’s all by himself?

- Yoyogi— Yoyogi—
- Ah!
- Gotta transfer. / to one on the other side.

- I don’t want that.

14
- Ah!

- Taichi!!

- How is it? You giving your all? / Which round is it now!?
- I lost. / In the 3rd round.

15
- …Ah…
- I…
- I see…
- Chihaya.

- Arata is playing.

16
- Eh?

- Konu
- hito wo—

Name: Wataya Arata

17
- matsuho no ura no yuunagi ni—

- yaku yamo shio nomi mo kogaretsutsu—

19
- Meguri aite— [NB. this means “fortuitous meeting”, thought I’d include this since it’s relevant to the current situation]

20
- Gotcha!

- Thank you very much.
- Going into the finals with a margin of 11 cards… / I’m on a roll!!

- Oh. / Chihaya-chan came too.

21
Paper: Wataya Arata / cell phone

24
- Kakuto dani—

- Moro tomoni—

- Kasasagi no—

- Kaze wo itami—

26
- I lost.
- In the 3rd round.

- It’s not Arata’s fault.
- But…

27
- But—

SFX: grab

- oh

28
- Taichi.

- Taichi.
- We did it!

- We did it!

29
- We’ll get stronger and wait for him.

- Because Arata WILL…
- come back.

30
- Taichi.
- We did it!

31
- A part of me isn’t happy about it…
- but still another part of me IS.

- We did it.

32
- Arata came back.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 35 by JinHea

2012-05-20T08:55:04+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

159
- Fukui Prefecture, Awara City
- Katsugi Books
Logo insert: 35th song

- The three books come to 1520yen.
- Ah, I don’t need a bag.
- I beg your pardon.

Magazine title: Weepy heaven
Magazine corner: November issue

- Thank you very much.
- See you.

Mag: November issue

160
- Boring!
- Eh?
- Not enough flirting!!

- Your grandpa used to be called the Clint Eatwood of Awara City, so I’m really… / looking forward to seeing you turn into a CHARMER like him!
- I’d rather not be subjected to pressure to live up to an image built up by questionable magazines.
- Arata-kun! Arata-kun!

- Someday, this shop will be filled with charming ladies… / not middle-aged ones…
- My daughter missed out on buying the assigned reading for her high school…
- It’s a novel with the name of an animal in its title, but I can’t recall!! / even though I was told about it just this morning… / Do you have it!?

161
- Our store has 12 novels with animal names in their title… / 8 are paperbacks…
- Eh?
- Among those, the one likely to be assigned reading in high schools is…

- “Sarumaru Genshikou”. [NB. Literally “Sarumaru’s phantasm journey”. Saru means ape.]
- Ah! Right, something like that!
- Manager, / innermost middle shelf, 3rd row down, 5th book from the right. Please bring it here.
- Don’t order your manager around!
- Whoa, it’s really here!

- You’re the only dependable one around. / Don’t you quit working here!
- Thank you very much.

- Don’t get ahead of yourself…
- Eh…

Paper slip: Julia strips!
Book below slip: Julia
Middle book: Fantasy / Matsuda Erika

162
- Now then— what’re you gonna do? Huh?

- What’re you gonna do when you’re asked to recommend something of the small-breasted variety? / Well? Well?
- People who buy these kinds of books don’t ask clerks for help…
- Is that so? / I hear it plenty often.
- It’s to do with personal virture…

Cover: Ayase Chitose / [NB. Chitose = Millenium] First photo book

- Ah~~~! Nuh-uh, don’t do that to the merchandise! / Thank goodness it’s wrapped in vinyl.
- This is, you know— Ayase Chitose, you know---? / Chicks that start out as models don’t have enough sex appeal, you know—
Manager: I’d prefer her to be a bit more plump---
- Amazing! Amazing! Amazing!
- Chihaya’s big sis!!

163
- They’re sisters after all. So alike…
- If she wasn’t made up, she’d be more…

- Ayase Chihaya

- Bam / bam
- So amusing!
- This is why I can’t give up the “show Arata-kun erotic books game”!

- Arata—
- Ah! / Mom!
- Mom!?
- I took care of the contract you asked me to. / what’s going on?

164
- Ah! / So there really are people who don’t have cell phones in this day and age…!

- Why does it have to be this neon pink colour?
- Isn’t it cute? / I was chatting with the staff about how I actually wanted a girl!

- Now gimme the money.
- For the cell!
- Ah—

- Manager.
- Ah—

- It’s pay day today

165
- Okay, I’m going. / Thanks for the hard work!
- Go on, be off with you!

- Manager-san… / Don’t you think Arata’s changed?
- Eh? / It’s nothing you need to be concerned over, mother!

- Ah! But he did say he wanted to reduce his shifts!
- What’m I gonna do!?
- You know, Arata…

- started playing…
- competitive Karuta again.

166
- Ah!
- Murao-san!

Hard to make out the words but above 420: West Japan Company Lines
Beside 420: yen trip
Below 420: Children 210 yen
- Hand in ticket when alighting

- Huh? / Where are you going? / Today’s a practice day…
- Ahh… / Something’s come up, so…

- Eh? / That reminds me.
- The west japan qualifiers are going to be held at the end of the month…

167
- Listen up.
- You just have to do your best.

- I’m a bit…
- tired.

168
- Corporate body / National Karuta Association / Fukui Prefecture Karuta Association

- Guess I’m the first one here…

List: B-Level // 1st place / Nishida Yuusei // Runner-up / Mashima Taichi

- clack

170
- Would you laugh at me for being impatient?

- But, far away…
First two names: Nishida Yuusei / Mashima Taichi
- my friends are doing their best.

- I aim to be the west japan representative at the Meijin qualifers.

171
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you very much.
- All right, then. / We’ll have our 2nd match after a 15 minute break.

- Chihaya-chan, I’m off to the shops. You want anyth…
SFX: sigh—
Shirt: Karuta

Shirt: Karuta Club

- I can retreat 7 rows behind the match line when playing Kana-chan.
- Around the same number goes for when playing Desk-kun.

172
- Meatbun-kun and Taichi are getting stronger.
- But, don’t be impatient.
- I’ll try retreating 3 rows.

SFX: fhhh---

- Three syllable breath.
- Four syllable breath.

- “Ha. Na.
- Sa”

- “Ha. Na.
- No”

173
- “A. Ra.

- Shi”

174
- The breath is important…
- and care is paramount. I know that.

- Still…

175
SFX: huff

SFX: huff

- What do I need to do…

- for that left hand to disappear?

177
- Apart from being fast, how…

Linked: That concentration…

- If she used even one tenths of that on her studies… / she would not be the 5th worst student in our year…
- Wah!

177
- I heard from Mashima-kun about the Tournament in Kawaguchi City this Sunday.
- Ayase-san…

- I cannot allow you to participate.

- Wh… why, sensei? / The Yoshino Meet Tournament is the final one held right before the Meijin and Queen Tournaments, and…
- it’s the last chance for us to practice, so we all gotta go…!!
- The Monday after the tournament, what day is it?

- Sea day?

178
- It’s the first day of the term tests! / Ayase-san, keep this up and you’ll be held back a year!
- bam
- Eh!? / For real?
- For real? You serious?

SFX: sigh…

- I know that you put your all into Karuta.
- But… / you still haven’t filled in your career form, have you?

- You have to start thinking about your future.

179
- Queen
- East Japan Qualifiers
Chihaya: My future…
- Shinobu-chan
- food
- Yoshino Tournament
Box: map of what’s been on her mind lately
Arrow points at: my future
Box: first appearance
SFX: poof
- New daddy bear merchandise

- And on that note, this is your exclusive tutor.
- Please strictly teach her all the materials.

- I don’t wanna~~~ Desk-kun~~~
- Call me Komano-sensei.
Kana aside: So many failing marks…
- Ko… / Komano-sensei…

- Please provide me with your guidance…
- Meatbun-kun…
- I’m kinda failing maths and english… / just a bit / it ain’t pretty…

- So what about the Yoshino Meet Tournament? / Are we holding a study meet?

180
- I’ll go.

- The Yoshino Meet Tournament is for A-Levels and B-Levels only anyway.
- I’ll go by myself.

- No club activities today?
- Then I’m off to Shiranami Meet.
- Hey, Mashima…

- I’ve been thinking of asking you this for a while… / you got runner-up at both the high school preliminaries and the Saitama tournament, didn’t you.
- Normally you’d be able advance to A-Level after achieving runner-up status twice. / How about you ask your coach?

181
- Nah. / Shiranami Meet has just one requirement for rank advancement – get first place. I heard about it before.
Box: Different Karuta Meets have different policies.
- So yours is like that too! Strict, isn’t it! / We have the rule of first place advancement too, so everyone works their butts off…

- That’s why the other day… / when I went to tell them that I got first place…
- You’re awesome, Yuusei!!
- Finally, you’re an A-Level player!!
Arrow: Coach
- It’s thanks to my Coach and my senpai…

- Hbfft!

- Don’t get uppity!
- You so hated to lose when you were little. You returned…

- thanks to your friends.
- Aren’t I right!?

182
- Since winning’s the only way, I’ll do it..

- I’m off.

- The Yoshino Meet Tournament…

- The last chance to enter this year’s…

- east japan qualifiers.

183
- It’s too late to change your very brain at this point in time! / In any case, memorise like your life depends on it!
- Think of it as a match and remember it all!
- I’ll forget right away like that…

184
- huff
- Made it through round 2!
- huff
- good!
- I feel like today is… / going well.
- huff
- Starting from the 3rd round, matches are held in the big hall together with the A-Level ones. Finally!

- Eyelashes-kun!

- You’re winning your way up!
- How is it going for you, Harada-sensei?
Aside: My floor cushion
- I’m winning! Obviously! / I’m going all out today!

- Lots of strong A-Level players aiming to play in the Meijin Tournament participate in the Yoshino Meet Tournament.
- There are players from Kansai and Kyushu too. / It’s a good chance to test my abilities.

185
- They’re aiming for the Meijin Tournament…
- all the A-Level players…

- I’m the same.
- Oh, that’s right. Have you seen him yet?

- Eh?

188
- scritch scritch [ad infinitum for the bubbles in this panel]

- …hey… / Isn’t Ayase taking her time…
- scritch scritch scritch
- in the bathroom…?

- It’s gotta be number two! / Or maybe she’s sleeping.
SFX: chala-la— chala-la—
Arrow above panel: Theme song of rocky

- I forgot to set it on vibrate…

- Ah!
Cell: Komano-sensei I’m sorry. I’m going to cheer on Taichi. / Chihaya
- That girllll!
-

189
- Extra 4-panel comics
- my treasure

- Love

- I’m sure of it.

- The most thorough reader of my photo book in the entire country is…
- my little sister.

190
- Eyes [circle] 1

- I must work up the courage to make sure…
- if he really is the one!

- Desk-kun.
- Ah. / Big sister.
- I have a request. / Could you take off your glasses for a sec?

- I’m sorry!
- Eh?
- I know this is an impossible demand… / but please forget about me!

- Eyes [circle] 2

- Why’s Desk-kun all down?
- He was dumped by Meatbun-kun’s big sis…
- Eh—?
Aside: He’s feeling down?
- Apparently she ran away after he took off his glasses.
Aside: That would be quite a blow.

- But my big sis is the type that thinks Mashima and Ayase are ugly.
- Maybe it’s just his eyes that are – surprise! – like Brad Pitt…
- Or he might have pretty eyes. You never know.
SFX: whisper whisper
- Nah, but the orthodox appearance should be…

- Which?
- I’m definitely not showing you guys!

191
- The loneliness of the club prez [circle] 1

- Taichi, what are you thinking so hard about?
- Do you want to talk about it?

- Chihaya…

- I’m bad when it comes to the lower left part of my territory too. The middle section’s also difficult. It’s really easy to fault around that area, no? / I read somewhere that you should try using your left hand to practice. Let’s try it out next time.
Below panel: Nothing but Karuta talk

- The loneliness of the club prez [circle] 2

- Mashima… / we might not be able to help much, but we’ll listen.
- Tell us anything.

Linked: yesterday, I found…
- a strand of chest hair…

- You! What you just said cut the female votes by around 30%, you know!? / Think before you speak!
- But the male votes might’ve gone up by 20% or so…
- Don’t talk about chest hair in a shojo manga!
- But people call this a shonen manga too…

Square: Hyo
- I'll probably be on the cover of volume 7!

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 34 by JinHea

2012-05-10T22:40:45+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

129
Logo insert: 34th song
- A-Level / C-Level and D-Level matches have finished.

- Only the B-Level finals is left.

130
SFX: haa haa

SFX: haa

- Defending your own card to the last is the fundamental rule in Fate’s hand.
- It is an absolute rule.

131
- But Mashima attacked.

- I can’t let my guard down.
- The problem is…

- whether there are other unread “a” cards left apart from the “ashi” I have…
- Lessee… lessee…

- There’s definitely more.

132
- He’s going to attack again.

- Both sides have one hard left.
Top arrow: Meatbun-kun
Arrow: Taichi
- If each of them just protects their own card, the chances of winning or losing is 50-50.

- But Taichi is trying to increase his chances to more than 50%...
- by attacking…

133
- Tsuki mireba—

- Waga sode ha—

134
- Momo shikiya—
- Another ghost card!!

SFX: sigh—
- It’s exhausting…

- The instant the card is read is like the initial charge in sumo.
- Ready… Ready…
- Concentrate, relax. Concentrate, relax.
- You get tired even though you’re not moving.

- I hate consecutive ghost cards!!
- I don’t care which card it is, just hurry and read it out already!!

SFX: Sigh—

135
- It won’t solve anything.

- Because it won’t be good either way…
- Since they both want to win…

136
- A-

- ri-
- ma yama—
- fft

137
- Another ghost card.
- But “arima” is now out!

- So there was still an “a” card. I knew it…!

SFX: haa haa

- Still, there shouldn’t be another one.
- “Se” and “a”, the one whose card is read wins.

- It’s 50-50.

SFX: haa haa

- Eh…
- There’s more…?

138
- Chihaya…

- If it was you, you’d know, wouldn’t you.
- The sound before “a” is formed. The sound before “se” is formed.

139
- Chihaya…

- If it was you…

140
- Ashibiki no—

141
- Thank you very much.

143
- Sigh—
SFX: crack crack
- Alright— I’m gonna head to the lobby first—
- Y-yeah. / Go on. Go on.

- Nishida.
- In the finals, did you know which cards were left?

- …umm… / wasn’t it just “se”?
- “se” and “kiri” were left.

- Eh? For real?
- Yeah, that’s what they were. Right, Mashima?

- How nice.
- You got lucky.

144
- What…

- …am I lashing out for?
- My loss had nothing to do with luck.
- I should have won before it came down to a one to one face-off!

145
- How many cards were there during the first half that I should’ve been able to take!?
- Nishida handled my half-hearted attacks with ease.
- Even when it came to protecting the long-shot cards, he was better.
- I could have done so much more.

- This is brutal.
- I can’t even…

- say “I worked hard” as an excuse…

SFX: plop

146
- Sorry.

- Ah!

- Taichi… / Meatbun-ku…
- I’m…

147
- …glad you’re the Karuta club’s president, Mashima.

- What’re you talking about, Nishida? / That was awkward…
- Cuz, you know— / Take someone like Ayase—

- who gives people weird nicknames like Meatbun and Desk, and then for some reason gets forgiven for using them… / compared to a NATURAL IDIOT like her…
- you’re a way better choice.

148
- Besides, the only one who actually calls me “Nishida”…
- is you, Mashima.

- Me and you, we’re gonna keep doing our best.

149
- Yeah…

- Now then, everyone, / nothing left behind?
- We’re going!

- I’m sorry that you even have to drive us home…
Van: Ooe Traditional Clothing
- It’s no problem. / But really, Mizusawa Karuta Club is amazing! / Out of the 5 of you, 4 got placed and 3 advanced in rank!!

150
- Eh? Is that so?
- Now that you mention it… / those who placed in the top 3 in D-Level advance to C-Level, / so Des… Komano-kun also advanced a level!

- I was surprised today.
Komano aside: Komano-kun?

- In De… / In Komano-kun and Kana-chan’s match…
- it wasn’t for all of the cards, but Kana-chan made her captures very smoothly. / Soundlessly, effortlessly…

- If only I could get cards like that…
Aside: Sigh—
- Huh? / You can already do it, Chihaya-chan!

- In the final match against Hokuou back in summer, that last card…
- I am unable to forget that moment.

151
- I don’t remember…
- Kya— / I can’t believe you!! / A smooth and direct capture like that is so rare!
- What a waste~~~~

- I think…
- I was able to give 120% in today’s finals.

- But that was… / probably…
- because my opponent was Desk-kun…

152
- Disregarding the match outcome and play my own style of Karuta…
- I didn’t have that desperation for winning, so…

- Desperation…
- Desperation, is it…

153
- Me and Taichi…
- we’re nothing but desperation.

- I want to play the team matches.

154
- I want all of us…
- to be a team again…

- If we’re to play team matches now, we’d be pretty strong! / Two A-Levels, one B-Level, two C-Levels!
- Yeah. And at the next A-Level tournament… / Meat… / Ni… Nishida-kun might get me as an opponent!

- Ayase, what’s up with you all of a sudden? / Don’t tell me you heard what I said before!?
- It’s fine, geez. You can keep being a natural idiot. / the mood’s all wrong otherwise
- my precious…

155
- team…

156
- Thank you very much.
- Murao-san was…
- Thank you very much.

- Ohooo!

- This kid’s Karuta is, how do I describe it…
- Rather than quality or technique, before any of that… / the feeling is different…

- It’s like even if we abruptly give him the role of challenger for the Meijin Tournament…
- he’ll take it in his stride and start playing Karuta like it’s the most natural thing…
- Umm, Kuriyama-sensei… / you’re speaking your mind out loud.

- Eh!? / You heard everything just now!?
- Perfectly [star]
- No way—! How embarrassing!

157
- Ahh, that’s…
- the ranking list for the Saitama Tournament that was held over the weekend.

- Our Murao-kun played in the A-Level matches and got 3rd place.
Aside: Was just defeated by Arata
- Kantou has some tough players.

- You said you weren’t sure about it, but…
- have you made up your mind?

- The West Japan qualifiers for the Meijin Tournament…
- is coming up soon.
Table: A Level // First place // runner up // 3rd place // 3rd place / Murao

- I’ll play.

158
Table, text in rows above index finger: B Level // First place / Nishida Yuusei // Runner-up / Mashima Taichi
- I aim to be…
- the west Japan representative.

- Well!
- Aren’t you eager.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 33 by JinHea

2012-05-06T00:48:45+00:00

*only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

97
Logo insert: 33rd song

98
- I’m going to steal anything I can!

- Kana-chan and Desk-kun…
Text on wrist: aren’t all that much different in terms of their “perception” or speed.

- But the gap between them is increasing little by little.

- Desk-kun’s faulted twice.

- As for Kana-chan…
- zero times…

99
- Those faults…
- gave the opponent an unconditional 2 card lead—
- I’d always thought that taking 2 cards would help me regain that ground again, but…

- When I played against Kanai Sakura-san, I realised…
- faults are fatal when facing an opponent who doesn’t make mistakes.

- What’s really terrifying isn’t just the difference in cards…

- You get impatient.
Teeny bubbles: Haa / haa
Above Kana: I have to regain my ground.
Star: Your rhythm is disrupted.
- I faulted twice with Kana-chan as my opponent. / Not good.
- Not good.
- Conversely, you’ve given your opponent an advantage.
SFX: phew

100
- Those influences are more deadly than a mere 2 card difference.

- Kono tabi ha—

- Yes! I finally got one from the opponent’s territory!
- My counterattack… / my counterattack starts here!!

101
- Huh?

- How come—!? Even though I’ve never sent a one-syllable card before—

SFX: phew—

SFX: haa haa haa

- I’m faulting…
- I send the wrong card…
- Why are things going so badly for me?

- It’s as if, apart from Kana-chan…
- I’ve become my own enemy.

102
- Desk-kun…

SFX: haa haa

- I’ve practiced with him, so I know…
- when Desk-kun keeps losing ground until endgame…
- his mindset changes to one of “I’ll work harder in the next match”.

- It’s endgame, there’s a difference of 8 cards.
SFX: haa haa haa
- There’s no hope for me. / An 8 card difference is just…

- It’s the finals!
- There IS no next time, Desk-kun!

104
SFX: haa haa

SFX: haa haa

- With victory on the line…
- Let’s train to…
- get a body that can compete for 10 hours straight.

105
- Please wait a moment.

- I’m moving my cards.

- Eh?

106
- Eh~~~~~!
- All moved

- You’d put them together when you have around 4 cards left in endgame, but… / 10 cards?
- Is that allowed?
- How brash.

- When it’s 2 cards vs 10…
- Haru sugite—
- The likelihood of one of the 10 cards being read is, of course, higher.

- His strategy is to sweep away all the cards in his own territory…

107
- To think he’s taking one by sweeping them all away… / he’s gambling on the hope that only cards from his territory are read.
- Don’t get caught up in appearances. / Go for it, girl! Aim for your opponent’s territory!

- 6 cards’ difference…
SFX: haa—

- I’m okay.
- Having them all together like that make it easier for me too. / I’m okay.

108
- Meguriaite—

- Ah!

- The one-syllable card he sent earlier!
- Desk-kun went for it!

109
- I attacked with the conviction that I’d get it!
- I…

- I don’t want to lose to Kana-chan either, but…
- I really don’t want to lose to myself.

SFX: haa

SFX: haa…

110
- 5 cards’ difference…

SFX: phew—

- Concentrate.
- Listen.
- Even if Desk-kun sweeps away all of his own cards, I still have a chance to get it.

- I reach only for the correct card.
- Directly…
- Quickly…

- Like when Chihaya-chan played against the Queen…
- a neck-and-neck match…

111
- Miyoshino no—

- Doing it all of a sudden,,.
- is asking too much—!

SFX: haa haa

- But…

- Chihayaburu—

112
- Kana-chan was so quick with “Chihaya”!
Big text: Awesome!

- Ngh…

SFX: phew—
- Desk-kun was mindful of the “chigi” in my territory.
Small text: Thank goodness.

- Moreover…

- Just like how Desk-kun was faster than me when taking “Ooe” earlier…
- somewhere along the way…

113
- the card my friend’s good with became a card I am good with…

- One more card…

- One more card!
- No.

114
- No.

- I won’t allow it.

- Takasago no—

116
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you very much.

SFX: haa—

117
- Kana-chan…
- congratulations.

- Kana-chan, your wrist movement’s are too big!
- You aren’t using the move I just taught you!
- Desk-kun, that’s where you thrust!
- Concentrate!

118
- Kana-chan…
- Desk-kun…

119
- You guys got first place…
- and runner-up.
- You did great.

- Yes!

120
- I…

- I…

- I forgoooooooot!
- I’m the worst!

121
- Hyoro-kun! / Hyoro-kun, tell me, what’s going on!?
- Hey!

- F-
- Fate’s hand!!

122
- Fate’s hand…

- When both sides have only one card left…
- and the match outcome depends on which one’s card will be read first – a situation that is completely left to fate—

- Meatbun-kun…
- Taichi…

- They got this far, and it’s come to a Fate’s hand!?

123
- Fate’s hand really is all about luck.
- The absolute theory is to protect your own territory…

- I watched this thinking that I’ll steal anything I can, but…

- there’s nothing to steal.
Bold text: clearly
- I am much better when it comes ot “perception”, memorization and speed!!

- But…

- These guys…
- came all this way, giving their all…

- And now it’s all up to fate?
- “Ashi”.
- Come on, “Ashi”! / Come on, “Ashi”!
- Come!
- I’m protecting it to the end!!

124
SFX: haa haa

- Reassess…

- Reassess.

- I have “se”.
- Nishida has “Ashi”.

- There are still 6 ghost cards that haven’t been read.
- “Amano”, “Arima”, “Tsuki”, “Kiri”, “Momo”, “Wagaso”.

- His card still…
- hasn’t become a one-syllable card.

125
- A-

- ma no hara—
- whff

126
- He…

- He attacked!!?

- That guy! He intends to get the opponent’s card when it’s Fate’s hand!?

127
- Why…

- Why couldn’t there be two of me?

- Why didn’t I…
- what such an important match?

SFX: huff

SFX: huff

- “Se” has the advantage, since it can be taken in an instant.
- As for “A”…

- They were all read, right?
- Or are there still some left!? / There’re 16 of them, after all.

128
- Fate’s hand?
- You gotta be kidding me.

- I ain’t leaving this up to fate!

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 32 by JinHea

2012-04-29T22:48:43+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

67
Logo insert: 32nd song

63
- Mizusawa High School Karuta Club

Arrow: captain
- Aside from their Captain…

- The other 4 have all advanced to the Finals.

69
- To think…
- something like this would happen…

- Where should I look?
- Who do I root for?
- As their Captain, what should I do?

SFX: fsshh

- I’ll go out and take a breather… / while it’s still memorization time…

70
- Hyoro-kun!?

- Hy… Hyoro-kun… / you were competing too…
- How did it go? / Are you with the other Hokuou people?

- Don’t even ask!

- I was up against Mashima again in the first round and lost by 3 cards…
- Even though the game flow was totally going my way!
- That was a textbook example of winning the battle but losing the war!!

71
- Amakusa-senpai and them went back as soon as they could, but…
- I lost, so I’m going back—
- I…

- I’m going to…
- steal anything I can from those who won!

72
- The East Japan qualifiers for the Meijin Tournament is next month.
- This might be my last chance to advance in rank.
- I’ll win. / I will win.

- …and that…
- is sure to be what Mashima’s thinking.

- I’m not that interested in the Meijin Tournament…
- but…

- I can’t let Mashima get ahead of me!

73
- I…

- …respect Kana-chan.
- Her Karuta’s courteousness…
- tenacity…

- Those qualities show in her numbers.
- She averages 0.6 faults per match. / Ayase averages 3.2 per match.
- 74% of practice matches result in a come-back win.

- On the other hand, her small stature means she cannot mount a powerful attack no matter what…
- and her disposition tends to overly focus on defence…

74
- I know Kana-chan.
- I can win.

- Everyone competing in the finals with rank advancement on the line…
- This development won’t happen ever again.

- I have to see this…
- with my own eyes.
- Nani wazu ni— / Sakuya kono hana fuyu gomori—
- Ima wo harube to sakuya kono hana—

75
- Aimite no—

- Wabi nureba—

- Impossible. / Impossible.
- I’m not understanding either one of these matches.

76
- I want to watch them properly though. What do I do~~~
- Who took that one just now!? / Who!?
Aside: Geez—
- Quit moving!

- Huh?

- Kana-chan…
- Her waist isn’t drooping…

- The result of muscle training?
- But that’s too quick…

77
- Could it be…

- the hakama!?

- Koisucho—

78
SFX: rise

- I beg your pardon.
- Thank you very much.

SFX: tup tup

SFX: ah! / fsh

79
- Come to think of it…
- this is my first time really watching Kana-chan play a match in hakama.
- Wow.

- Those tinny-tinny movements are so precise!
Arrow pointing to “tinny-tinny”: limited vocabulary

Flashback panel 1: going to retrieve the card
Flashback panel 2: A one two— / three four—
- Completely different from me.

- When wearing kimono, always maintain good posture…
- Hold your stomach taut…

80
- As if a board has been inserted between your stomach and spine…

- My obi…

- “I want to wear kimono, but it’s a hassle.
- I don’t like how the obi’s really tight—“
- I wonder why…
- kimono – the obi – is disliked…

- Sabishisa ni—

81
- Kana-chan…
- successfully attacked without reserve!?

- The obi is…
- supporting me.

- It reinforces…
- my centre.

82
SFX: haa

SFX: haa

- Fukukara ni—

- Yes!!

83
- A satisfying capture!
SFX: haa haa
- I was really quick!! / just now

- Well… / not as fast as Chihaya, though.

- She’s not watching.

- Mashima is looking over here…

- “Hyoro…! I’ll win, so watch me!”
- “That way, you’ll count as runner-up.”

84
- Don’t get conceited!
Bold text: geargh—!
- If it’s going by actual ability, I’d be first place! Not runner up!!

- So beautiful…
Across from that: How lovely… / If you can move like that in it, I want to wear one too…
Below: Kimono really is nice. / No doubt.

85
- Chihaya-chan is a very pretty girl, but… / that doesn’t change even when she wears western clothing.

- Kanade is by no means a beauty, but…
- she knows how to BORROW THE KIMONO’S POWER.

- She’s the REAL advertisement for Ooe Traditional Clothing.
Arrow: Catalogue

- As a woman…

- one must be beautiful.

86
- Even in battle.

- tup

- Even her card-handling is beautiful.
Bubble: tup
- Graceful—
- Even though her hands are quite plump…

- “Kana-chan’s attacks become more successful when she wears hakama.”
- write / write
Thick brackets: making mental notes
- “She reaches 100% when wearing hakama.”

87
- Alright!
Booklet: Kana-chan info
- fwap!!

- While we practice together like that every day…
- a new side to her surfaces during matches. It’s amazing.

- But…
- the usual Kana-chan is sure to be there too.

- In a match…
- between Kana-chan and me…
- there is a card that I’ll always take, without fail.

- Ooe yama—

88
Bold SFX: d- / do—oom
Rieko SFX: flap flap—

Komano SFX: phew—
- It’s no theory.
- Just as Ayase gets worked up about “Chiha”…
- Kana-chan thinks of the “Ooe” card as her own.
- Since she’s Ooe-san.

- That was a shock…

SFX: glance
- Moreover…

- Aki no tano—
- Ah!
- Kana-chan tends to check “Araza” after “Ooe” is read out…
- and her reaction to other cards is slowed.

89
Top card arrow: daughter
Card: Koshikibu no Naishi / ooe yama / ikuno no michi no / tohokereba / mada fumi mo mizu / ama no hashidate
Arrow: mother
Card: Izumi Shikibu / arazaramu / konoyo no hoka no / omohide ni / ima hito tabi no / afukoto mo gana
- Because Izumi Shikibu and Koshikibu no Naishi are mother and daughter.

- Desk-kun is keeping his cool.
- He stopped Kana-chan’s winning streak!

SFX: glance
- Kana-chan’s way of confirming the cards…

SFX: glance
- is different from the others, who decide based on sound alone.

90
- After Ariwara no Narihira is read, she checks Chuunagon Yukihira (because they’re brothers).
- After Seishou Nagon is read, she checks Kiyohara no Motosuke (because they’re father and daughter),
- and then she checks Murasaki Shikibu (because they’re rivals?).
- Kana-chan values the cards’ meanings and background.

- But…
- in the end, competitive Karuta is all about “sound”.

- Everyone is listening to the sound…

- just the sound—
Sign: Use prohibited while competition is in progress

91
- I’m the same.
- Konu hito wo—

- Uh!

- No! I faulted!
- I’m bad at distinguishing “konu” from “kono”~~~

- Even if I consider sound to be important…
- Desk-kun’s awesome!!
- He was able to react right after “ko”—
- there’s no way I can be like Ayase!!

SFX: phew—
- So… / which card will Kana-chan send!?

Card: Fushi no taka / neni yuki ha / furitsutsu

92
- Kana-chan…
- when sending a “ta” card, why do you send “tago” first?

- If it was me, I’d send “tachi”.
- Isn’t it easy to distinguish if it’s “chi”?

- My ears aren’t as good as Chihaya-chan’s, so…
- “Taka”, “Taki”, “Tago”, “Tachi”, “Tare” and “Tama” are all difficult for me.

- But… / I feel that big things have magnetism…

Card: Yamabe no Akahito / Tago no ura ni / uchi idete mireba / shirotahe no / fuji no takane ni / yuki ha furitsutsu
- (original song) / The bay of freshly planted rice fields, / Go amongst them and look, pure white / snow falls upon the formidable peak.

- Formidable peak.

93
- The formidable…
- image’s…
- magnetism…

- Tago no ura ni—

94
- There was no sound.
- No wasted movement.
- Directly…

95
- I’m not here to root for anyone.
- I’m not here as their captain.

- “I’m going to steal anything I can!”
- I’m doing that too.

- I’m doing that too!

96
- Meanwhile, next to them—

- A FIERCE BATTLE IS BEING WAGED. Though only Hyoro-kun is watching.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 31 by JinHea

2012-04-21T01:09:42+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

37
Logo insert: 31st song

38
- to have an opponent who’s just fast…
- I’m so lucky.

- Why…

- Today’s goal was to play “Karuta that’s not too fast”…
- yet why am I having that pointed out to me!?

39
- Momo shiki ya—
- A ghost card!!

- Shino buredo—
- Another ghost card!!
Text outside panel: In matches 50 cards are used, but all 100 cards are read. Because of this, there are cards read which are not in play, and these are called ghost cards.

- Chigirikina—
- Ugh… / Again…

- Hoto togisu—
- Another one!?

- Michi nokuno—

- 5 ghost cards in a row…

40
- Takasago no—
- 6 ghost cards in a row!!

- Still…
- it’ll come any moment now…

- The next one’s it for sure.
- irk
- irk
- irk/irk
- The next one.
-The next one.

- Actually…
- I just want to move!
- Hana-

- no iro ha—

41
- 7 ghost cards in a row! / I faulted~~~~!!
SFX: droop
- You couldn’t help yourself, could you.
- Lucky [star]

- Now then… / the card I’ll send is…

- This one.

- Ahh~~~~
- And finally I get “Chihaya” sent to me~~~

42
- Heehee [heart]

- Get it.
- Get it.
- Get it.
- Get it.

- O-
- Get it!

- O-

43
- -eyama—

- Again, lucky me [star]
- Gwahh~~~

- I should’ve been able to get it. / If I’d prepared to return from “Ooke” to “Ooe” properly…
- Because I can react faster.

- Calm down. / This is my first A-Level tournament…
- I can’t lose here.

- These people…

- These female A-Level players…
- If I don’t become the strongest out of all of them, then I can’t even challenge her.

44
- I won’t be able to play Shinobu-chan.

- How tedious.

- Ayase-san…
- it’s like the cards are the only thing you’re playing against.

45
- Eh…?

Asterisk below panel: 2 cards begin with “shi”, “Shiratsuyuni” and “Shinoburedo”. Because “Shinoburedo” was read earlier “Shiratsuyu” becomes a one-syllable card that can be taken at “shi”.

- Whoa! / [asterisk] She sent me “Shira”, which has become a “Shi” card! / Why does she keep sending cards I don’t want to get—
- It’s hard to play—

SFX: oh!

46
- She’s making it so that I find it hard to play…
- Now that I think about it…

- I send “cards I’ve marked beforehand as the ones I want to get from the opponent’s territory”…
- and somewhere along the way, the right side of my opponent’s territory is thinning…
- a formation that doesn’t lend itself to a battle of speed.

- “How tedious.”
- “Ayase-san, it’s like the cards are the only thing you’re playing against.”

47
- Calling me by name…
- seeing through my Karuta…

- I’d position three syllable cards in the areas Ayase has trouble with: the left sides of my and my opponent’s territory
Book: [circle] Tsu [below] strategy notes
- and it’s not just me, I’m sure this strategy is used by a lot of people.

- I beg your pardon.

48
- She moved back…

- Even though she was right up against the match line…
- 10cm…
- 15cm… that much?
- I wonder if she’ll be able to reach…

- My habit of going for every card quickly like they’re one-syllable cards…

- is the reason my captures become awkward.

49
- In that case, there’s nothing for it but to draw back the starting line.

- Just a little bit is enough.
Below Kana: Starting line
Below Chihaya: Starting line
- Look for the position that will let me reach the goal first!

- She’s really thought it through.
- How great…

- It’s so great to be young!!

50
- Yo-

- wo komete—
- Oops! A ghost card.

- That was close.
- Su…

- Such long arms!
- I can’t make any more mistakes.
- She has ample reach in all directions!

51
- If this girl…
- But I can reach all the cards.
- Good!
- were to get a handle on the rhythm of each card—

- I’m going to rearrange my cards.

- Ahh!
- The “Yomo” card that’d finally become a one-syllable “yo” card…

- Heehee.
- Do please be troubled.
Aside: Ahh my goodness, inexperience is so cute!
Chihaya asides: Confirm. Confirm. / Hmmm Hmmm
- Go on. Be troubled, young one!!

52
- Mika no hara—
- Lucky me [star]

- Aimite no—
- Aha [heart]

- Kyah! / I simply must pick up cards that are just waiting to be picked up, no? [heart]

- Wa…
- Waiting to be picked up, she says…
- Don’t tell me everything was calculated…
- too late

- Look.

- Look.
- Look…
- at this person’s Karuta.

53
- In it is something I lack.

- Hfff

- Hfff

- Hahh

- Hahh

54
- Wa-

- su-

55
- ra-

56
- …ahh

- Just now… / we took the card…
- with the same – three syllable – breath.

57
- But because we took it simultaneously…

- owner’s privilege [heart]

58
- Three syllable breath…

- breath…

- Kanai Sakura-san!

- Yes?

59
- So… cute!
- I know [heart]

- So she knew— / I see—
- Thank you very much for today.
Box: Lost with a 6 card difference

- I will work hard to become a player who doesn’t just rely on speed.
- I want to become… / Queen!

Bold text: Oh dear
- I want to become Queen too, you know.

60
- Eh…
- [aside] Oh dear [normal] Is that odd coming from an old lady who’s been playing Karuta for 35 years—?
- 35 years!?

- I was so much cuter 20 years ago… / when, like you, I was called the idol of the Karuta world…
Arrow: never been called that
Arrow: never been called that
- Oh…

- I have never won any great title…

- I play my very best…
- though I keep getting overtaken by the younger players…

61
- Because I love Karuta.

- Even now, my dream is to be Queen.

62
- Eh— then Tsubaki will become Queen too—
- Oh my, we’re rivals then.
- Kanade will become Queen too—

Aside: Well then…
- See you at the East Japan Qualifiers.

- Arata…

63
- The dream we found…
- is so…
Box: At this time…
Box: I, who had been eliminated after the first round of A-Level matches, still had no idea…

64
- that on this day…
- a little while later…
- I would experience the greatest anguish of my life.

65
- Nishida Yuusei
- B-Level Finals
- Mashima Taichi

- Ooe Kanade
- D-Level Finals
- Komano Tsutomu

66
- Wh...

- Which one...
- Which side...
- should I support...
Boxes: C-Level / D-Level / A-Level / B-Level

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 30 by JinHea

2012-04-13T01:58:38+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by RaikouNeko and JinHea

02
- Characters & Story
Chihaya: Ayase Chihaya / In 6th grade, she met Arata and came into contact with competitive Karuta for the first time. Naturally blessed with sharp hearing, she began utilizing this exceptional ability once she started playing Karuta.
Arata: Wataya Arata / The one who led Chihaya into the world of Karuta. His grandfather holds the title of Eisei Meijin. After graduating from primary school, he returned to his hometown of Fukui with his family in order to look after his ailing grandfather, leaving behind Chihaya and everyone else. [NB. Eisei Meijin – literally Eternal Meijin, bestowed upon players who have served as Meijin for 5 consecutive periods OR who have served as Meijin for a total of 7 or more periods]
Taichi: Mashima Taichi / An all-round athlete and honours student. He dislikes losing, and began playing Karuta out of antagonism towards Arata, who had grown close to Chihaya through the game. Co-founded the Mizusawa High Karuta Club with Chihaya.

03
Kana: Ooe Kanade / Daughter of a traditional clothing retailer, loves the classical period. Joined the Karuta Club out of desire to wear hakama.
Nishida: Nishida Yuusei / Faced off in Karuta against Chihaya and co. during primary school. Joined due to this history. Commonly known as Meatbun-kun.
Komano: Komano Tsutomu / Once fixated on studying, he joined the club after being moved by Taichi’s passion for Karuta. Commonly known as Desk-kun.
- Having dominated the fierce Tokyo preliminaries, the Mizusawa High School Karuta Club attained the right to participate for the very first time in the National Tournament’s group matches. However, Chihaya had no choice but to forfeit in the middle of the match due to poor health. The next day, Chihaya roused herself for the individual matches, only to be soundly defeated in the face of the Queen Wakamiya Shinobu’s overwhelming strength. Faster than ever, sharper than ever – chasing the Queen’s shadow, Chihaya throws herself into training, but…!?
Shinobu: Wakamiya Shinobu / Advancing to A-Level as a 4th grader, she is the youngest Queen in history. A 1st year at Tsusaki High School in Kyoto.

05
Shirts all say: Karuta Club
Logo insert: 30th song

06
Chihaya: Eh…?

Harada: Stop going for fast captures.

Chihaya: Harada-sensei…?

07
Chihaya: What do you mean, Sensei? / If I don’t get them quickly, I won’t win!

Harada: Chihaya-chan, what was the Queen’s Karuta like?
Chihaya: Super fast!! Shockingly fast!!

Harada-sensei: What else?
Chihaya: Her accuracy!!
Chihaya: She moves like she’s already decided on which part of the card to touch… / but it’s fast!!

08
- There’s no one…

- who wouldn’t be awed by that speed—
Harada: It’s okay even if you’re not fast.

Harada: How many cards are you good with, Chihaya-chan?
Harada: 5 cards? 10 cards?

Harada: Even if there are cards you can take extremely quickly…
Harada: if the rest are all taken from you, you’ll lose the game.

09
Harada: Cast aside that attachment to speed.

- Harada-sensei…
- is serious.

10
- He intends to teach me the kind of Karuta…

- that will help me become Queen—

11
Title: First Career Choice Survey // Year 1 / Group / Name
- University // Department/Specialisation // Reason
- First Choice
- Second Choice
- Third Choice

Writing: Queen

Miyauchi: Submission deadline is this Thursday. / Reference materials have been gathered in the career guidance room, please go and consult them.
Miyauchi: It’s your own future, so be sure to think about this seriously!

12
Sign: Karuta C / Welcoming new members
Kana: They handed out the survey in my class too.

Kana: I have a good idea of which department I want to enter, but I haven’t decided on an university yet…
Komano: Kana-chan, you’ll be going to an university that offers classical studies, right?
Kana: So… / is Chihaya-chan like that because of the career survey?

Kana: Leaving that aside for now…

Kana: What’s wrong with those two…?

Nishida: It ain’t easy…

Nishida: Advancing to A-Level ain’t easy at all!! / Ayase, quit curling up and play me!
Taichi: Ah! Nishida you cheater!
Nishida: I won’t make any progress if I don’t play strong opponents!

13
Nishida: Come on, Ayase! / We’re playing!!
Chihaya: ‘K- / ‘Kay…

- No matter how fast you are…

- You don’t scare me, Chihaya-chan.
- No matter how fast you are…

14
Nishida: What’re you doing, Ayase? / Get serious!
- complete defeat
Nishida: I can’t concentrate like this!

Kana: Chihaya-chan?

- Eh?
- Harada-sensei said something like that?

15
- Take speed away from Ayase, and what are you left with? / It’s not like she’s any good at strategizing, either.
- Thing is, her good “perception” has turned into a weakness, right? / In other words—

- Could it be…
- she’s really agonizing…?

- Normally, she doesn’t even take 10 seconds to think when faced with a difficult question…
Chihaya: Lessee…
Arrow: Answer page
- THAT Chihaya is agonizing!!
Nishida aside: I look at it too.

16
Chihaya: I don’t get it.
Chihaya: Telling me not to go for fast captures… / I don’t get it.

Komano: The next rotation is Nishida vs Mashima, and Ayase vs me. / Let’s begin.
Nishida: Alright—

17
- Chihayaburu--

- That’s it!! / That idiotic speed is what he was talking about!
Aside: Not even one “Chi” cards been read yet, you know!!
Chihaya: Aah!
Chihaya: This?

Chihaya: This is, umm, my body just moved on its own…
Taichi: Are you a wild animal?
- Geez— / Come on, guys, I’m going to read the next one.

- Tatsu no kawa no nishiki nari keri –

18
- Hito mo oshi –

- Waga sode ha

- Uugh!

- Hito togisu—
Chihaya: Yes!

Chihaya: I’m not losing to Desk-kun anytime soon! / 15 card difference! Yes!
Komano: Me and Ayase have had 28 matches against each other during August and September.

Komano: Proportion of cards taken from Ayase are as follows: / right side of opponent’s territory [circle] A, 1 percent…
Notebook: Tsu
Komano: left side of my own territory [circle] C, 32 percent…
Above squares: Chihaya
Below squares: Komano
Komano: right side of my own territory [circle] D, 0 percent…
Komano: left side of opponent’s territory [circle] B, 67 percent.

19
Nishida: Ehh!? / You took data in that much detail!?

Big aside: Amazing!
Aside: And me? Me?

Chihaya: Ohh—! / You mean I’m taking almost 100 percent of the cards in [circle] A and [circle] D?
Aside: All right!

Komano: But! / On the other hand, for areas [circle] B and [circle] C…
Komano: even I can take a considerable number of cards from them.

Komano: I can’t beat Ayase when it comes to one syllable cards, but… / with three syllable cards, there’s plenty of opportunity.
Komano: So I’d position three syllable cards in the areas Ayase has trouble with: the left side of my own territory [circle] B and the left side of the opponent’s territory [circle] C… / and it’s not just me, I’m sure this strategy is used by a lot of people.

20
- Even if there are cards you can take extremely quickly,

- If the rest are all taken from you, you’ll lose the game.

Kana: Chihaya-chan faults a lot, doesn’t she?

Kana: When you want to get the card quickly, there are times you take a stab in the dark as you make your move, right? / Like with the “Naniwae” and “Naniwaga” cards.
Chihaya: Lots of people find them difficult! / Cos the ambience of the songs are really similar…

21
Kana: Silence!
Chihaya head: Eh!?

Box: The Hyakunin Isshu songs are ordered by the year in which they were composed, then numbered.
Kana: “Naniwaga” is number 19, / “Naniwae” is number 88.
Kana: In terms of era, there’s a gap of approximately 200 years!

- Era—!?

Kana: Both composers are female, and the scenes they describe are similar. / Even with a 200 year gap, the sentiments poured into these songs are the same. That, for me, is deeply moving. / Moving on…
Chihaya aside: era…
Aside: I’ve never thought about it before…

Kana: Chihaya-chan, before you said that you see the “Chihaya” card as bright red, right?

22
Kana: Composed in the 10th century, “Naniwaga” is the dull green of withered reeds in winter… / Composed in the 12th century, “Naniwae” is the green of much younger reeds. / Try thinking of them this way.
Kana: It is also said that at the time number 88 was composed, Naniwa Bay had a lot of prostitutes, so… / a more lustrous shade of green—

Chihaya: Kana-chan…
Chihaya: you really like these songs, don’t you…

Kana: That is because to me…
Kana: Karuta is “meaning”.

23
- Ahh…

- I…
- was sad.

24
- Because “speed”…

- WAS “Karuta” to me…

25
- Library

- Goodbye, Miyauchi-sensei.
Miyauchi: Goodbye.

- Ayase-san is in the library!? / No way…
Aside: in any case, she stands out
- do they have manga in here!?

Miyauchi: Ayase-san. / You still haven’t handed in your career survey.
Miyauchi: Hurry and…

Title: A Commentary // Ogura Hyakunin Isshu // Shokou Mamiko / Takiguchi Wami / Collaboration

26
- Desk-kun’s strength…
- Kana-chan’s strength…

27
- Sports Centre

- Hyakunin Isshu Karuta Tou

Rieko: Mashima-kun [heart]
Rieko: It’s been too long [hearts]

Taichi: We’re much obliged to you today too… / Ooe-san’s mother.
Rieko: aww / Call me Rieko. Rieko [heart]
Nishida: Kana-chan, do we really have to wear hakama to EVERY tournament~~~?
Kana: That’s a given! / It’s a distinctive feature of our club!

Komano: I wonder…
Komano: should I learn to put on hakama by myself?

28
Kana: Desk-kun, Ooe Traditional Clothing has a co-op agreement with a class that teaches you how to wear traditional clothes!
Komano: Eh?
Rieko: Desk-kun, Ooe Traditional Clothing has added a line of cotton hakama. It’s the most suitable choice for competitive Karuta!

Aside: Whoa
Taichi: Okay. Now then, everyone…

Taichi: We want that first win! / Aim to climb the ranks and attain victory!
Taichi: Let’s keep our eyes on the prize!

- Yeah!
Komano: Mashima is all fired up. [aside] Though Meatbun-kun is too…
Kana: I’m fired up too!

- Since becoming A-Level…
- this is my first time playing in a regular tournament that’s not just for high school students.
SFX: phew—

29
Kana: Chihaya-chan, are you nervous?
Aside: Huh?
Kana: Aren’t you quite accustomed to playing in tournaments already?

Chihaya: Kana-chan, I…

Chihaya: feel like a fresh out of high school rookie about to make my debut in the professional baseball world…
SFX: ba-dump ba-dump ba-dump
Aside: kyaaa
Kana aside: Eh!?

- A-Level...
- it has a different atmosphere compared to the other levels.

- I’ve been longing for this.
- The A-Level Tournament…
- Oh my— such a pretty hakama—

30
Chihaya: Eh?
- How nice. Hakama really is gorgeous.

- My first round opponent – Kanai Sakura-san…
Chihaya: Ah…
Chihaya: Thank you very mu…

Chihaya: ch!

- If I were a little younger, I would have worn a gorgeous hakama.
- Aha [heart]
- Oh!
- Ohh~~

31
Chihaya: Really cute!
- I know [heart]

- I can’t get worked up.
Aside: She knew— / I see—
SFX: phew—
- Today’s theme is…

- not too fast…
- faultless Karuta.

- Left and right of my own territory, left and right of my opponent’s territory. Karuta that takes cards evenly from all four of these areas.

32
- Kaku toda ni—

- Uwahh— I can’t believe I did that!
Sakura: Oh dear, so fast.
- I shouldn’t have done thaaat!

- Young people’s “perception” really is amazing.
- Goodness, I can’t keep up at all.
- Aha.

33
- Urami wabi—

- Ah!
- That’s not the one!

- Fault~~~
- Oh dear! / You have really good “perception”.

34
- Such people are much more likely to confuse “Mura” and “Ura”. / The sounds are similar, no?
- Lucky [star]

- She…
- She’s right.

- “Good perception” and “good ears” are useful tools, but…
- they’re also a treasure trove of potential mistakes.

- Stop going for fast captures.

- That’s why sensei said that.

35
- Ah!
- Lucky [star]

- Lucky [start] / I got to pick up another one.

- It’s hard to attack.

- Somewhere along the way…
- it’s become a formation that makes it hard to attack….

36
- A-Level…
- I’m so lucky [start]

- to have an opponent who’s just fast.
- This is A-Level—

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 29 by JinHea

2012-04-07T01:09:04+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

159
- The long-awaited main event for the second half of the Mizusawa High School Athletic Festival is about to begin.
- Let’s introduce the 6 teams that made it to the final round of the team relay.
Sign: Mizusawa High School Athletic Festival
Logo insert: 29th song

- As expected, it’s the track and field club, our favourite for this event!
- The soccer and baseball clubs have also assembled their best players!
Arrow: baton

- Playing their way into the Nationals, it’s the tennis club! They’re not bad at running either!
Arrows: baton / baton
- Running in basketball shoes with a basketball as their baton, the basketball club is a sight to see too!

- But! The most eye-catching of them all…
Arrow: baton
- somehow squeaking by at number 6… / it’s the star of the cultural clubs – Karuta Club!

160
- Assume positions!
Armband: referee

Shirt: Karuta Club
- Ready…

161
- Why!?
- The Karuta Club made the smoothest launch from their crouching start out of all the teams! / They’ve dashed forward and closed the gap!

SFX: ohh—!

- Now, pass that baton! / The track and field club and the Karuta club hand their baton over almost simultaneously!
Chihaya: Taichi!

SFX: grab

SFX: kyaaah

162
- The Karuta Club’s second runner is another fast one!
- They’re keeping pace with the track and field club!

- Uh-oh! The basketball club and soccer club slipped up on their baton hand-over!
- The tennis club and baseball club are also in trouble! Taking this opportunity…

- The track and field club and the Karuta Club take the lead, making their way to the third runner—

SFX: Ohh!

- Here we have an extremely big cheer from the crowd! / you can do it!
- You can do it, Karuta Club!

163
- Uh-oh! With the hand-over to their fourth runner, the track and field club takes the lead!
Aside above bat: so hard to run—
- The soccer club and the baseball club are also catching up—

- Each team hands over to their last runner!

- So fast! / this is unexpected
- Who said the Karuta Club was a cultural club?! / This is a bona fide athletic club!!

- Huh!?
Armband: Broadcasting club

- Ahh! / The track and field club’s baton flew off when they turned the corner!!
- Our favourite to win drops out at the final moment—!!
Bold text: Ahh—! / Idiot—

164
- A surprising development! / It’s a neck-and-neck battle between the Karuta Club and the baseball club!!
SFX: ooohh
- They turn the last corner… / And the first one to arrive is—

SFX: bam
- I don’t believe it! / It’s the Karuta Club!!
Shirt: Looking for new members

SFX: cheer

165
- No one’s coming…

- Even though we worked so hard… / and stood out so much…
Aside: Chihaya-chan, you’ll get scolded for lying about like that.
Kana: There were people who came to observe our activities, weren’t there? / Though they did say it was impossible after watching us play and left.

Komano: We only got first place by luck. / I was really slow, after all.
Kana: What are you talking about? You were fast, Desk-kun! / It’s thanks to the running we did over summer!
Komano: You think so…?

Taichi: Guys, / I did some research.

166
- Karuta Tournaments are held around the country all year round, but… / noteworthy tournaments held in districts you can get to from Tokyo are…
- the Saitama Tournament held in the last 10 days of September, and… / the Kawaguchi Tournament held in the first 10 days of October.

Taichi: Also, / there’s the East Japan qualifiers for the Meijin and Queen Tournaments held in the last 10 days of October…
Taichi: but only players at A-Level and above are allowed to participate.

- The East Japan qualifiers.

- Where the one with the right to challenge the Queen next January –
- the East Japan representative will be determined!

167
- The most important tournament of the year.
Kana aside: Hot!
Taichi: Oookay / In any case, / Chihaya, you’ll be accruing match experience and improving your playing ability.

Taichi: Me and Nishida will be aiming to take first place in B-Level matches at tournaments somewhere…
Bold text: roger!
Taichi: and advance to A-Level.

- Ooe-san and Komano, you’ll be aiming to take first place in the D-Level matches… / and qualify for Dan-ranking.
- You can advance to C-Level and B-Level as long as you work hard.

Taichi: Let’s do our be…
SFX: riiing riiing

- Ah. / Time out.

Taichi: Yeah… / Yeah…

Taichi: I get it. / Let’s break up.
SFX: Eh

168
Taichi: Now then, let’s each do our best to achieve our goals!!
Phone: click
SFX: Eh—!
Komano: President, just now!?
Chihaya: So quick!
Nishida: He said “break up” like it was nothing!?
Kana: You had a girlfriend?

Chihaya: That was cold—
Aside: The girl that was calling you Taa-kun…
- My head…

- is completely filled…

- Arata…

- I wonder…
- if he’ll play in the West Japan qualifiers...

169
- I want to make it in time.

- I want to advance to A-Level by October…
- and play in the East Japan qualifiers.

Komano: …

- The practice over summer break…
- was hard work, but it was fun.

170
- Much more fun compared to last summer break, when I did nothing but study all by myself.

- But…
- despite having done the same amount of exercise…

- despite that…

- I’m small…
- and it’s hard for me to build muscle…

171
Chihaya: Kana-chan, / when you’re at home, if you have time, you should hone your abdominal and dorsal muscles.

Kana: Eh?

Chihaya: It’s something I noticed after watching all those matches at the National Tournament. / The girls and guys with slight builds…
Chihaya: their waists tend to droop after getting into position.

Chihaya: It’s like they’re playing Karuta using only their upper bodies…
Komano aside: Eh… / I guess it’s like that for me too.
Chihaya: I think it’s cos they don’t have enough muscles to support their body…

Kana: I have been doing muscle training at home, but… / I have not been able to see much change…
Chihaya: I see— / you might be the type who finds it hard to build muscle. / It’s okay, it’s okay! Be patient and keep at it. / Toilet break.

SFX: phew

172
Kana: What is it, Desk-kun?
Komano: Ah, um…
Komano: I just thought that you’re practicing swinging really diligently…

Kana: I thought a lot about it! / I may not be a match for Chihaya-chan and the others when it comes to cards placed far away, but…
Kana: for cards placed close to me, if I do this… / by recoiling in a compact motion, even I can get them.

173
Kana: Since it’s not like I can’t reach cards placed further away, as long as I aim in a straight line… / and take advantage of my opponent’s fault to get the card…
Kana: Even if athleticism isn’t my strong suit…

Kana: After the athletic festival… / everyone was saying how the Karuta Club is like an athletic club, but…
Kana: in my view, we are a cultural club.

Kana: With one body, males and females are able to engage in competition together. As such, it is culture.

174
Kana: I will not lose, Desk-kun.

- It really is impossible. / I don’t get it.
Aside: though they have cute girls…
- Karuta, schmaruta—
- Saying “Karuta, schmaruta”…

175
- and passing it by – I’m glad I didn’t do that.

- I can change. I’m sure of it.

- Not just my body…

- Not just my heart…

176
SFX: clap / woosh / clap / woosh

Taichi: Hey. / Is there a point to this exercise?
Chihaya: Dunno, but I’ll do it anyway!
Chihaya: An exercise to move the body in response to sound!!

Chihaya: Once the “perception” is honed, it’ll become a reflex like thi—
- Clap

SFX: woosh
Taichi: Too slow.

177
Taichi: You know…
Taichi: I’m… / thinking of participating in the Kanazawa Tournament that’s held over the weekend.
Taichi: You coming?

Chihaya: Eh?

Chihaya: Huh? What about the one in Saitama?
Taichi: That one’s next week. / Since a tournament for A- and B-Level players before that is pretty hard to come by…
Chihaya: Uwaah— I’m going!

Chihaya: Ah!

Chihaya: Is Kanazawa…
Chihaya: really far away…? / What’s the travel cost?

178
Taichi: The trip by overnight bus is 8000yen one way. / Including the entry fee, it’ll cost a little under 20,000yen.

Taichi: Well, it’s pretty far, and it’s probably impossible for the others, so… / I’ll go by myself.
Aside: That’s so sneaky— / Taichi’s sneaky—

Chihaya: How nice…
Chihaya: Kanazawa, huh…

Chihaya: It’s close…
Chihaya: to Fukui…

179
SFX: clatter

180
- clap
SFX: woosh

Taichi aside: Awesome!!
- Sneaky and detestable…

- that’s me.

181
- Be it one step or two, even if I have to steal a march on them…
- I want to get stronger before everyone else…
- and, I want to go somewhere with Chihaya, just the two of us.

182
- Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City / Hokkoku Karuta Tournament

Taichi: Phew—
Taichi: Although it’s nervewracking being in an unknown place… / match venues have pretty much the same atmosphere wherever you are…

- Ah! / Sorr…

183
- Here’s another sneaky one!!
Taichi: What are you doing, Nishida?
Nishida: A senpai from my Karuta Meet invited me to enter the Hokkoku Tournament with him... / We took a chartered ride last night to get here.

Taichi: A chartered ride!? Quit messing with me!
Nishida: How did you get here, Mashima?
Taichi: By plane. [arrow] Being by himself, he had more freedom with spending money and so changed plans
Nishida: This bourgeois guy / So you were plotting to get to A-Level first by yourself, huh!!
Taichi: Right back at you!

184
- Municipal Cultural Center

- Chihaya-chan… / she’s made progress.
- It was a good stimulus for her to have been able to play the Queen.

- Play her and you’ll see. / She’s gotten extremely fast.

- Chihaya buru—

185
- You can’t even get near the cards she’s good with.

- If it’s with just those cards, she’d be a match for the Queen.

- Like seeing a dream…

- That speed…
- That sharpness…
- I want to catch up to it.

186
- I won’t lose in a battle of “perception”!

- Chigirio kishi—

- Ah!
- Oh no!

- Ah~~
- That fault just now, she aimed at where “Chiha” used to be.
- So she still makes those kinds of misses, huh… / “Chiha”’s presence is too fresh in her mind.

187
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you very much.

Chihaya: Unhhhh… / And I was doing so well up until halfway through…
Chihaya: I got slaughtered by Hiroshi-san in the end…
Hiroshi: Haha!

Hiroshi: No matter how fast you are…
Hiroshi: you don’t scare me, Chihaya-chan.

- Eh…

188
Harada: Chihaya-chan.
Harada: Stop going for fast captures.

189
- Bonus 4 panel comics
Sudou: Those who haven’t memorized the entire Hyakunin Isshu are insects to me.

- The fate of the team t-shirts

- Leading the Karuta Club…
- to victory at the athletic festival’s team relay, it’s the…
- made-to-order team t-shirts
Nishida’s shirt: Karuta Club

Taichi: It’s good, / but, you know…
Shirt: Ka
Chihaya: I really like it! The “Go!” and stuff.
Kana: The words “Karuta Club” on the back help promote the club too.

Taichi: But when we play in tournaments, everyone there are in karuta clubs, you know?
SFX: Ah!

Chihaya: A… annoying!!
- At this point, even if you say you’re the Karuta Club…
Back of shirts are all: Karuta Club
Kana: The promotion is pointless!

190
- Voice from the heavens

- Having consigned the t-shirts from earlier to event and practise use, they decided that each of them would think up a new design.
Chitose: What are you doing, Chihaya?
Aside: Umm / Umm
Chihaya: Homework… / A design for our team t-shirts…

Chitose: Silly girl. There’s no way you’d be able to think up a design. / Let me take over for a bit.
Chihaya: Eh!?

Chihaya: Sooo cool!!
Chihaya: Big sister, this is perfect!!
Chitose: Heh / Being a talento’s all well and good, but I could be a designer too, no?

SFX: Ah!

Chihaya: I’m… / I’m hearing a voice from the heavens.
Aside: sharp ears
Chihaya: It’s saying “Those are a pain to draw so no thanks.”
Chitose: Whaaat!?
Below panel: Those are a pain to draw so no thanks.

191
- Finally a decision is reached

Box: The designs each of them brought along… / among them… [aside] Chihaya’s having been rejected by the voice from heaven…
Top down: Taichi / Meatbun-kun [shirt] victory / Kana-chan [shirt] Mizusawa / Desk-kun
Big sister: Geez, you’re all just hopeless without my help!
Big sister: But this is the last time, alright?
Box: having said that, Meatbun-kun’s big sis chose…

- Desk-kun’s simple t-shirt design!
Komano: Eh?
Komano: For real!?
Arrow: It’s just the school emblem.

Chihaya: Ohh— that’s great! Desk-kun, it’s really cool!
Komano: Y-you think…?

- Desk-kun’s been marked by big sis!

- Lock on to volume 6!

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 28 by JinHea

2012-03-25T22:42:57+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

129
Logo insert: 28th song
- Taichi is in…
- the finals!

SFX: mutter mutter mutter mutter

130
- Taichi—
Plaque: National High School Division Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Karuta

Nishida: You’re late, Ayase! / What have you been doing?
Nishida: Come here! / I saved you a seat!

131
- Nani wagata—

- Ah…!

Komano: Ah! / A fault…
Kana: That’s rare. / He aimed for somewhere completely different.

Nishida: Trace memories from earlier matches are left over. / As fatigue settles in, forgetting gets to be more difficult than remembering.
Nishida: And this is Mashima’s 6th match.

Nishida: No matter how much he concentrates, he WILL make mistakes.
- Dammit…!

132
SFX: huff huff

- It’s okay.
- Reassess the cards again.
- It’s okay.
- Reassess…

- “Hanano” was read. I’ll attack “Hanasa” at “Hana”.
- There’s “Moro” but “Momo” hasn’t been read. I have to be careful.
- “Tsuku” was read. I’ll get “Tsuki” at “Tsu”.
- For “Hisa” and “Hitoha”, “Hitomo” hasn’t been read so I have to take care not to fault.
- “Mikano”’s like card “Mikaki” is in play. I’ll attack it.
- There’s my “Michi” and “Mise” from the left side of my opponent’s territory. They’re likely to be read soon.

133
- “Yononakayo” has the like card “Yononakaha” in play. I have to remain alert as I use Covering Hand.
- Whichever it is, I’m taking it!
- With “Ooko”, “Ooe” and “Ooke” were read so attack at “Oo”. And be ready to take “Omo” from the left side of the opponent’s territory.
-“Kiri” is a one-syllable card now that “Kimigatameha” and “Kimigatamewo” have been read, so I’ll attack at “Ki”.
- I’m definitely taking “Se”. He won’t get an opportunity to protect it.
- “Nagaka” and “Nanihaga” were read. I’ll attack “Natsu”, then return to take my territory’s “Nanihae”!

134
SFX: huff huff
- My brain is numb.
- I can only see straight ahead.

135
SFX: huff huff huff

136
- Straight ahead is all I need to see.

SFX: huff

SFX: huff

137
- I will it to move faster, but…
- my arm won’t respond.

- Move more!
- Snap out of it, brain!!
- Faster…

138
Banner: Certain victory Fujisaki
- You did it! / Yoda-senpai!

- Thank you very much.
- Thank you very much…

- Kyah—
- Congratulations! / You did it, senpai!

139
- The opponent was a Fujisaki 3rd year student.
- A 3 card difference isn’t bad.
- I’m runner-up.
- That’s enough.

140
SFX: urk

Black text: It’s like a painting of
White text: abject misery!!
- Ugh…

Chihaya: Ta…
Chihaya: Kuh..

Komano: …!

Nishida: …So...

141
Nishida: frustrating… / Isn’t it frustrating?
Nishida: Be… / Being runner-up is the most frustrating of all…

Nishida: Guh…

143
- Don’t cry.
- Not yet…

- I haven’t put so much on the line that it’s okay for me to cry yet.

SFX: clap clap clap
- Just feeling the frustration is enough.
Sign: National High School Division Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Karuta Championship Tournament

144
Miyauchi: Facing defeat is a difficult thing to do, even when one becomes an adult.
Miyauchi: But…

Miyauchi: Not one…
Miyauchi: of those children comforted each other.

Miyauchi: Hurry, we need to catch the bullet train on time. / Make sure you don’t forget anything.
Miyauchi: Walk faster!

146
SFX: huff huff huff

- Oh! / Running this early in the morning? / Is it the track and field club?

- Karuta Club!?

147
- Why’re we doing track when we play Karuta?
Text along arm: leaving him behind.
- After playing in the tournament, I’m sure that each of us is now aware of our own shortcomings.

Taichi: However, there is one thing that all of us need…/ physical strength.
Taichi: Concentration that isn’t broken by fatigue… / A body that can play for 10 hours straight, with victory on the line…

Taichi: We’ll train over summer break.
- Are those…
- words you usually hear in Karuta club ?

- I wanna get stronger…
- via a easier method!

148
- Kana-chan and Desk-kun are keeping up pretty well.
- Say you don’t want to do this, guys.
- Say you don’t like things being so tough—

SFX: huff huff

SFX: huff

- This is most likely…
- the aspect of me that’s lacking.

SFX: huff

- Mashima…

- I don’t think…
- Mashima’s surpassed me in terms of ability.

- But…
SFX: huff huff

149
SFX: hmph

Nishida: Hnggh—!

Chihaya: foom

- Don’t get left behind.
- Keep up!

150
- We’re rivals.
- Rivals!

151
Chihaya: Hwagh!

Kana: Ah! / Chihaya-chan’s up.
Chihaya: Ah!

Chihaya: I was… sleeping?
Kana: Yes. / For about 10 minutes.
Chihaya: [aside] I see. [normal text] I guess it’s cos Meatbun-kun caught up to me today—

Chihaya: Every day for the past few days…
Chihaya: I’ve been seeing Shinobu-chan in my dreams. / snowmaru-kun, too.

Nishida: By Shinobu-chan, you mean the current Queen? / I saw her matches on video. Her strength is terrifying, huh.
Chihaya: Yeah. / She’s terrifying, so I call her Shinobu-chan.
Taichi: Pfft

Chihaya: Even though…
Chihaya: I was able to meet Arata at the National Tournament…

152
Chihaya: He doesn’t… / show up in my dreams…

Kana: If we’re talking about dreams…
Kana: it’s got to be “Sumi no e”!!

Chihaya: Eh?

Card: Fujiwara no Toshiyuki Asomi / Sumi no e no / Kishi ni yoru nami / Yorusa he ya / Yume no kayohichi / Hitomeyo kuramu
Kana: “Sumi no e” is a song with many interpretations, but…
Kana: the one I believe to be most fitting is…

153
Kana: “Like waves breaking upon the bay, I think of my desire to see you, be it night or day…
Kana: “Yet even in a dream, you would undertake to conceal yourself from my gaze…”
[NB. rhymes are unintentional]

Chihaya: So romantic!!
Kana: Right?
Chihaya: I’ve never thought about anything that romantic before!
Mashima: Bfft!

Kana: It’s not like I’ve thought about something like that before either.
SFX: mngh
Kana: Because Hyakunin Isshu has a lot of songs with “I want to see you” as the theme…

Kana: I wonder if I’ll come to understand it too one day… / and I like to ponder it.
Chihaya: It’s romantic!!
Komano aside: She’s hopeless.
- I want to see you…

154
- not just in a dream.

Package Middle: Fukui product / Habutane Mochi
Panel bottom below box: again

- Yes? / Who did you say is here?

- …Ahh.
- You came, at last.

155
Arata: Kuriyama-sensei…
Arata: Please / let me join the Fukui Nakumo Meet.

- In order to meet again…

156
- Haru no yo no—

- Kainaku tatan nakoso oshikere—

- Takasago no—

157
- Semester two.
- The autumn of Karuta arrives.

158
- Some fun basics of competitive Karuta / part [circle] three

- [Criterion for rank promotion in Karuta]
- Competitive Karuta tournaments are held nation wide. Individual matches usually split Level A to Level E players into their own separate levels. The National Karuta Association allocates rankings from Level A to Level E as follows: individuals are ranked on a Dan basis, from first Dan to tenth Dan; 4 Dan and higher – Level A, 2 and 3 Dan – Level B, 1 Dan – Level C, those without a Dan ranking – Level D, and beginners – Level E. Those who place 4th place and higher in the tournaments receive prizes. The top 3 players from Level D qualify for 1 Dan and advance to Level C, and by the same token, the top 3 players from Level C qualify for 2 Dan and advance to Level B. However in the case of Level B, although the top 3 players qualify for 3 Dan, in order to qualify for 4 Dan and advance to Level 4 players need to either place first overall, or achieve runner-up status twice.
- [Level A players]
- Level A is obtained after an arduous struggle of winning each tournament and incessantly climbing up the ranks. Although the rank of Level A would not be revoked even if one continues to lose in Level A matches, the thick barrier of skilled players in the upper levels is difficult to surmount, and winning in Level A tournaments is no easy feat. However, a Level A player who repeatedly places first will be called “Super Level A” and become a figure that fellow players aspire to.

Picture: A-Level / B-Level / Rankless

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 27 by JinHea

2012-03-15T01:07:16+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

99
Logo insert: 27th song

100
- Chihaya’s…

- made 2 consecutive captures!
- The Queen couldn’t do anything!

- Keep attacking.
- The match is turning in my favour.

101
- A chance to send a card! / She’s displayed her resolve.
- Still, look at that difference in cards! / The Queen has 7 left, and her opponent has 23.
- Nothing’s changed.

- But the Queen is a girl in her first year of high school too.

- I wonder which one will break down first?
- Above all, that long haired girl’s been making consecutive captures ever since the second half of the match began. / She’s still got fight in her.

- Well… / rather than saying that she’s still got fight…

102
- Isn’t it more like she’s determined to win? That look in her eyes…

- Chihaya! / Why on earth are you so…
- easy to see through!?

- It’s too late, though. There’s a 16 card difference.
- The Queen will win as long as she plays like usual.
- With that trademark smile…

- Oh!

103
- Whoa…

SFX: huff huff

SFX: phew

104
- Kimi ga tame / ha

- Urgh!

- Asaborake—
- Another long shot card!

105
- Ariake no tsuki to
- Aahh!

- Miru made ni—

- The Queen’s smile is back.
Aside: scary
Taichi: Chihaya!

- She can’t keep up…
- Just when the match seemed to be turning in her favour, the long shot cards that she’s bad with keep coming up…

- But, there are only 30 cards left in play.

- Chihaya.

106
- Go, Chihaya!
- Shiratsuyu ni—

- Even if it’s impossible with 50 cards…

107
- Once it’s down to 30 cards, even Chihaya can lock on to the card she wants to capture more easily.
Aside: A monkey could do it.

- As the match goes on, the ruling letters change…
- and the 1- and 2-syllable cards that Chihaya’s good with increase in number.
Chihaya: My 3rd card…

SFX: huff huff
Chihaya: Oh!

- Because the Queen kept taking cards since the match began…
- I didn’t have to retrieve cards, so there were few opportunities for me to stand up and leave my seat.

SFX: huff huff

108-109
- My body that had stiffened up…

- is moving.

- Ahh, I want to…
- move more freely…
- in the match.

- Even when facing an opponent so strong that my body is paralyzed…
- Move freely…

110
- Freely…
- Freely…

- I can’t express it very well, but…

111
- Is this what they call “strong”…?

112
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you very much…

- In the end…
- I could only get 5 cards…

113
- The difference between me and the Queen…
- is 20 cards.

- Fast!
Text above Shinobu: and silent

- Whoa!
- Wakamiya-san, / you’re already finished?

114
- That’s just like you.
- How many cards’ difference?

- Tokyo Prefecture, Mizusawa High School, Ayase Chihaya.

- Mizusawa High School, Ayase Chihaya.
- Ayase Chihaya.

- Chihaya.
- Chihaya!
- You won’t get a single card next time!

115
Chihaya: Ah…

Chihaya: Um…
Chihaya: Th…
Chihaya: That Snowmaru shirt… / is really cute.

Aside: That character has a name? / Someone actually knows it.

116
Taichi: Chihaya!

- Nure nizo nureshi iro ha kawarazu—
Taichi: Oops!
Box: When the last part of a song is being read, walking in the vicinity of the match location is a no-no. That same goes for talking.

- Kokoro ateni—

- What’s this?
- I’m the one feeling down.

- For Chihaya to lose with a difference of 20 cards…
- To think there’s someone that good…

117
- Chihaya… / I wonder if she’s okay.
- Mu
- rasame no—

- Chihaya…

- No. She likely…

- went straight to sleep in someplace weird.
Taichi: Whoa! / I knew it! She’s sleep…

118
Above arm: Precisely… // in a straight line… // Precision…
Below hand: I have to memorize them perfectly, or else I won’t / make it in time.
- Memorize..
- Memorize…
- Precision...

119
Above arm: Precisely. // Quickly.
- Listen well…
- More…
- Even more…

120
- “It’s not like it’s impossible. / Besides, the Queen this year is the same age as us.”
- “Eh!? The same age!?”

- “You’re not serious about this at all, are you? / You’re just saying it because you’ve been influenced by Arata.”

- Against that girl…

- How do I win!?
- How do I win!?

121
- Ahh…
- On this day…

- At this moment, Chihaya’s dream has finally…
- become a tangible dream.

122
- A tangible dream…

Writing: See you in the match next time. / Arata

123
- It’s decided!
- An overwhelming victory for Wakamiya-san!

Sudou: Since I’m in my 3rd year… / I thought you’d let me win.

Shinobu: Eheheh.

Shinobu: Sudou-san, you’re strong. / I really thought I was going to lose.

Aside: With a 12 card difference?

124
- Ah— So it’s Wakamiya Shinobu’s win. I knew it.
- She’s really strong.
- She’s not in any Karuta Meet, right?
- For real?
Chihaya’s 4 bubbles: mutter // mutter / mutter // mutter
- How were the other levels‘ matches?
- A girl beside us was muttering and waving around. Really scary!

- Chihaya-chan.
Chihaya: mutter // mutter // mutter
- Chihaya-chan. / Chihaya-chan!

Chihaya: Ah! Kana-chan. / How did your match go?
Kana: I lost in the third round. / quite a while ago / You’ve only been watching the A-Level matches, so…

Chihaya: Ah! / That’s right, I’m hungry!!
Kana: Chihaya-chan… / This isn’t the time for that…

Kana: Mashima-kun is… / …playing in the B-Level finals!!

125
- Eh!?
Kana: Let’s go cheer him on!

- Tsuyu mo mada hinu maki no hani—

- Kiritachi noboru aki no yuugure—

- Taichi is…
- in the finals.

126
- Oto ni kiku—

- Yo wo komete—

- Harada-sensei…

127
- “Even if I put the entirety of my youth on the line, I can’t surpass Arata.”

- “Say that after you’ve put it on the line.”

- Harada-sensei…
- Can I really do it?

- Can I really forge ahead…
- through defeat and tears?

128
- To where…

- Arata is?

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 26 by JinHea

2012-02-25T08:18:42+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

67
Logo insert: 26th song

- I can’t…
- imagine myself winning.

69
- As the card difference increases…
- Aggressive Karuta becomes disadvantageous.

- There’s a higher probability that cards from your own territory will appear.
- One is drawn to “defend”.

- What’s more…

- going by how good she is with cards in her own territory…
- the Queen plays Defensive Karuta.

70
- You can’t just attack.
- But attacking is the only thing to do. / Hang in there, Chihaya!

- Ooke naku—

- How come she isn't attacking!?
- Why!?

71
- Huff
- Huff

- Ahh…
- Again…

- Everyone is all fired up, at first.
- A match with the Queen!
-I’ll bring you down!
Beside arm: I’m gonna win!
- But…

72
- As the match goes on, it becomes as if I’m playing Karuta by myself.

- Ah well…
- it doesn’t matter.

- “That girl will get stronger – so much so that she’ll be all alone in her strength.”

- I’ll end this quickly.

73
- huff
- huff

SFX: click

- Eh?
- What?

- Whoa!
Aside: I accidentally pressed it.

- I’m sorry! / I’m sorry!

74
Sign: National High School Division Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Karuta Championship Tournament
[NB. can’t make out what the scroll says, sorry]

75
- Hang in there, Chihaya!
- Taichi…
- Ayase-san... / Hang in there!
- Sensei… / But—

- I don’t know what I should do.
- I can’t get even one card…
- using the style of Karuta I’ve been playing.

- This is the first time—

76
- Fast!
- Fast!

77
- I won’t…
- go easy on you.

- So frustrating...

- I want to get at least one card.

- I know the first half of that card!
- It’s “Se wo hayami iwa ni sekaruru takigawa no”.

- Just that one…
- even if it’s just that one card—

78
- Even just one card…

Chihaya: I beg your pardon.

Taichi: Huh? / That’s rare.

- When the match progresses unfavourably…
SFX: phew—
- Sudou-san would stand up, wouldn’t he? (Like he’s all that)

- Huh!?
Aside: Normally placed on the side of the non-dominant hand
- Could it be the Queen is left handed!?

79
- Uwah~~ And I only noticed just now!
- How wound up was I~~~~!?

Chihaya: I beg your pardon.

- How can my resolve…
- lose to that of the 12 year old me?

80
- Huh?

81
- She recovered…?

- Hmmm…
- How long will she last, I wonder?

82
- Kaze

- wo itami—

- Ah!! She attacked!! / And returned.
- This is critical! / Who got it!?

Taichi: Ahh~~~ it was the Queen.

- Compared to the speed with which I return to my territory after attacking…
- the Queen, attacking in a straight line, is faster.

83
- But, what I have been learning is Aggressive Karuta.

- Chihaya-chan…
- you’ll understand if you think about it.

- For someone who has confidence in their defence, having cards taken from the very depths of their own territory…
- Just how much of a shock would it be?

- Favourable developments are attracted this way.

84
- Nani

- Our hands collided?
- So that’s what they call “a close shave”.

- Hmm…
- pretty amazing.

85
Taichi: Alright, Chihaya!
Taichi: That first card!

Chihaya: No.

Chihaya: We touched it simultaneously… / and it was from your territory, so it’s your card.

SFX: Ehh—!
Taichi: How come!? / Just take it, Chihaya!!
- Normally you wouldn’t refuse it!!

86
Shinobu: I see.
Chihaya: Ah! / I messed up!

Chihaya: I did something that Harada-sensei’s Karuta would never allow!
Aside: All the cards are your own cards. / Keep insisting that you were the one who got the card.

- But…

- This is the Oumi Jinguu Hall of Learning.
- Both the Meijin and the Queen tournaments are played atop this same tatami.
- I don’t want coincidences.

87
Sign: Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Karuta // Meijin / Queen Title Playoffs
Board: --th Queen Tournament
- The first ever card…
- I take from this girl…
- will be linked to this seat when January rolls around.

88
SFX: phew—

89
- Strange girl…

Sign: gura Hyakunin Isshu Karuta Championship Tournament

90
- Fu

91
- ku kara ni—

92
- huff
- huff
- I got a one syllable card…

- from the side of the Queen’s dominant hand!!
Box: Going to retrieve the card.

- Whoa— That’s a first. / A one syllable card was taken from the Queen.
- She got it at the same time as the “Fu” of “Fukukarani” was read out?!

- F-sound!

- Harada-sensei said…
- that Chihaya can hear the sound before “Fu” is formed.

93
- The faint vibration of “F”…

- “Fukukarani” is also a card that Chihaya’s good at.
Chihaya: The first card.

- Once again, this…
- is my first card.

94
SFX: b-bmp

95
SFX: b-bmp
- Chihaya…

SFX: b-bmp b-bmp

96
- Chihaya buru—

97
Miyauchi: She…
Miyauchi: got it!

- One shot!!

- Chihaya!

98
- This card…
- is linked…
- to the future Queen.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 25 by JinHea

2012-02-25T06:39:36+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

37
Logo insert: 25th song

38
- B-Level, second match round.
- Please confirm your match-up and be seated according to your number.

Taichi: Ah. / A default win.
Box: In a tournament where only the winners advance, in order to adjust the matches, default wins are quite common.

Nishida: Mashima, that’s sly! / You’re gonna go watch the D-Level matches and cheer on Kana-chan, aren’t you?!
Taichi: Why does it have to be Kana-chan?

39
Taichi: Umm.
Taichi: Chihaya’s opponent is…

Below 7: Wakamiya Shinobu
Below 8: Ayase Chihaya

Taichi: Wakamiya Shinobu…?

40
- Chihaya is…
- …competing against the Queen!
Sign: National High School Division Ogura Hyakunin Is

41
- Vvvvvvvmm
Both boxes have: 20x zoom

- Vvvvvvvvvvmm

- Miyoshino no—
Miyauchi: Ahh!

- Too fast!
- I can’t make head or tail of what’s happening!

42
Miyauchi: But…
Miyauchi: even I know that…

- the number of cards in Ayase-san’s territory has yet to decrease.

- Oo

- -e yama—

43
- So…

- fast!!
- What was that?!

44
- Chihaya was quicker to move when the card was read out.
- She heard “Oo” and aimed for “Ooke” in her opponent’s territory.

- Even when it turned out to be “Ooe” from her own territory, she was in the perfect pose to return for it.

- However…

- the Queen didn’t move…
- until she had heard up to “Ooe”, the ruling-letter.

Taichi: No way…
Taichi: How could she have made it in time?

- Despite moving only after she’d heard…
- Straight toward…

46
- This development again?
- Wakamiya Shinobu really is in a class of her own.
- A 10 card gap already?
- I pity her opponent.

- Pretty soon that girl’s gonna lose her will to fight too, huh—?

- Ah! / Sorry.

- Chihaya…
- If it’s a card she has her eye on, she should be able to get it with a speed that by no means loses out to the Queen’s.

- However…

- There are still around 40 cards in play.
- She can’t possibly keep her eye on all of them.

47
- But the Queen can?

- Calm down.
SFX: huff huff
- Calm down.

- Even the Queen isn’t flawless.
- Take “Naniwae” and “Naniwaga” over there…

48
- “Nanishi” has been read so those two can be taken at “Nani”, yet she hasn’t separated them.
Harada: Unbelievable! / I can’t believe you didn’t separate it as soon as possible!

- Target acquired.

- Get them.
- Get them.
- I’ll get both of them at once!

- Chihaya…
- You’re an open book.

49
- Wasura ruru—

- Arima yama—

Taichi: Ahh you idiot!!
Taichi: It’s because you’re too gung-ho about the cards you’re targeting!

- But…

- You really want that first card, right?
- You haven’t lost your will to fight, right?

50
- Show everyone your Aggressive Karuta, Chihaya!

- hff
- hff

- hff
- hff
- Na

- Ni
- There!

52
Miyauchi: Hey, Mashima-kun. / Which one of them got it just now? / I couldn’t see it very well.
Taichi: Ah, yes.

Miyauchi: There are times when even the players are unsure, right? / What happens then?
Taichi: Well, in those cases… / the players either reach an agreement between themselves, or they listen to the referee’s ruling…

53
Taichi: But…

Taichi: The more advanced the player…
Taichi: the better they are able to see.

- I…

- made my move, intending to get those 2 cards.
- But…

- the Queen…
- just now…
- went for that one point with precision.

54
- Chihaya-chan…
- attack.

55
- Rather than defending your own territory…
- I’d rather you remain ever vigilant of the depths of your opponent’s territory.

- Harada-sensei…
- what should I do?

- Even though I’m attacking…
- Even though it’s the only thing I can do…

56
Shinobu: Daddy Bear!?

Shinobu: Pardon me.
Chihaya: Eh!?
Chihaya: Huh!? / She means this shirt?

Chihaya: Come to think of it, the Queen’s shirt…
Chihaya: that’s Snowmaru!!

57
- Snowmaru! The sole Official Shop is based in Osaka, so it can only be purchased through mail-order.
Arrow: This is my charm point.
- When the bucket’s taken off, a topknot is revealed! It’s a super cute character!

SFX: Ah!
Chihaya: No, no. / Concentrate on the match, the match.

Chihaya: That’s right…

- She’s the Queen, but…
Shinobu: Not good.
- she’s a 16 year old girl like me.
Shinobu: Focus.

58
- I CAN win this.
Shinobu: Focus…

- Yo

59
- no
- A five syllable card.
- Covering hand.
- na / ka

- yo

60
- Eh!?

61
- Huh?
- W-Wow.
- Did you see that?

Miyauchi: Hey, Mashima-kun, what was that? / That move was odd, right? / Was the card taken from Ayase-san again?
Taichi: U-um, you see…

Taichi: Chihaya had “Yononakayo” in her territory and the Queen had “Yononakaha”… / The ruling letters are long, so both sides used a move called “covering hand”.
Miyauchi: Covering hand?

62
External text: [asterix] 2 cards that have the same first 5 syllables such as “Kimigatame” and “Asaborake”. Because the card can only be gotten after hearing the 6th syllable, it easily turns into a battle of technique.
Miyauchi: They don’t know if the sound after “Yononaka” would be “ha” or “yo”… / so until that syllable is read, each player covers their own card so that the other can’t take it. That is called “covering hand”.
Miyauchi: S-so there’s something like that!
Box: Without touching the card, cover it.

Taichi: Chihaya is bad with Long Shot Cards…
Taichi: so she covered her own “Yononakayo”…
Taichi: and the Queen also covered her own “Yononakaha”.

Taichi: The card was Chihaya’s “Yononakayo”. / So Chihaya just had to press her own card.
Taichi: However—

63
Taichi: Before Chihaya could press the card…
Taichi: the Queen’s hand…
Taichi: through the tiniest of gaps…

65
- Even in terms of technique, Wakamiya Shinobu is superior.
- It’ll end with that girl unable to get even one card off the Queen.

- This is what you’d call a public execution.
- I do NOT want to go up against her.

Taichi: Chihaya?

- “Pretty soon that girl’s gonna lose her will to fight too, huh—?”

- I can’t do it.

66
- I can’t…
- imagine myself winning.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 24 by JinHea

2012-02-20T01:05:18+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

02
- Characters & Story
Chihaya: Ayase Chihaya / In 6th grade, she met Arata and came into contact with competitive Karuta for the first time. Naturally blessed with sharp hearing, she began utilizing this exceptional ability once she started playing Karuta.
Arata: Wataya Arata / The one who led Chihaya into the world of Karuta. His grandfather holds the title of Eisei Meijin. After graduating from primary school, he returned to his hometown of Fukui with his family in order to look after his ailing grandfather, leaving behind Chihaya and everyone else. [NB. Eisei Meijin – literally Eternal Meijin, bestowed upon players who have served as Meijin for 5 consecutive periods OR who have served as Meijin for a total of 7 or more periods]
Taichi: Mashima Taichi / An all-round athlete and honours student. He dislikes losing, and began playing Karuta out of antagonism towards Arata, who had grown close to Chihaya through the game. Co-founded the Mizusawa High Karuta Club with Chihaya.

03
Kana: Ooe Kanade / Daughter of a traditional clothing retailer, loves the classical period. Joined the Karuta Club out of desire to wear hakama.
Nishida: Nishida Yuusei / Faced off in Karuta against Chihaya and co. during primary school. Joined due to this history. Commonly known as Meatbun-kun.
Komano: Komano Tsutomu / Once fixated on studying, he joined the club after being moved by Taichi’s passion for Karuta. Commonly known as Desk-kun.
- As a young girl in 6th grade, Chihaya met Arata, a transfer student from Fukui, and came into contact with the world of competitive Karuta. Arata was already a National level player, and Chihaya’s inborn listening ability gradually drew out her aptitude for the game. The two of them influenced Taichi to play, and somewhere along the way the trio became fast friends. However, Arata returned to Fukui right after graduation……
- With the bond Karuta forged between them and Arata in their hearts, Chihaya and Taichi set up the Mizusawa High Karuta Club. Along with fellow enthusiastic club members, they dominated the Tokyo preliminaries and gained the privilege of participating in the National Tournament group matches for the very first time, but poor health led Chihaya to collapse during a match, leaving her with no choice but to forfeit halfway through.
- The Oumi Jinguu of Chihaya’s dreams. What have her friends decided—!?

05
Left grid:
- Round 1 / E Block
- School
- Name / Nishida / Ooe / Komano / Ayase / Mashima
- Win/loss
- Name / Rin / Kida / Ki / Yamamoto / Mori
- Win/loss
- Name / Midorikawa / Shiroda / Chabatake / Aoshima / Kurosato
Second grid:
- Round 2 / E Block
- School
- Mizusawa High / Name / Nishida / Komano / Ooe / Ayase / Mashima
- Win/loss / [under Ayase] Forfeit
- Ootokawazoe High / Name / Midorikawa / Akai / Shiroda / Chabatake / Aoshima
- Win/loss
- Takechi High / Name / Ki / Kida / Rin / Yamamoto / Mori

Logo insert: 24th song
- We lost the second round, but we still have a chance.
- We can advance to the finals as long as we win the next round.

Kana: Chihaya-chan… / I wonder if she’s okay…

Taichi: Gather around, everyone.

06
Taichi: You all understand, right?
Taichi: Chihaya is the one who most wanted to be here.

Taichi: If we lose so easily…
Taichi: Chihaya will definitely cry her heart out.
Taichi: We must win.

07
- Let’s win this, Mizusawa!
- Yeah!

08
Bag: Medicine

- I can’t believe it…

09
Sudou: I can NOT believe it…
Chihaya: Gyahah—!?

Chihaya: Nooooo! Gyaaaah!
Sudou: Oh / You’re unexpectedly energetic, huh. / Don’t close the door!
Chihaya: Why is someone from Hokuou here?

Sudou: I’m competing in the individual matches tomorrow. / Our school stays at this inn every year.
Sudou: Aaanyway.

Sudou: Forfeiting due to poor health?
Sudou: Do you realize that you were in this as Tokyo’s representative!?

- You forfeited the match.

10
Sudou: You’ve gotta be kidding me!
Arrow: Enjoying himself
Sudou: You think you’ll be forgiven if you cry? / How will you make up for it if people start thinking of Tokyo as small fry?

Taichi: You!
Taichi: What are you doing?

- Chihaya-chan…

11
- Chihaya-chan, / are you sure you should be up?

Chihaya: E…
Chihaya: Everyone, I’m so sorry.
Chihaya: Sorry—
- Eh!?

Kana: What are you doing, Chihaya-chan? / You don’t need to apologi—
Komano: Ayase, I…

Komano: won for the first time ever today!!

12
Kana: That’s right! All four of us won against Kisei High, / then in the finals, we beat the school from Okayama. / Desk-kun won twice in a row!

Komano: Ahh… looking back, it was when both sides had 7 cards left… / I successfully predicted the next card and got “Shira”…
Komano: that card decided the outcome of the match.

Komano: We lost to Fujisaki in the finals… / but I really wanted to keep competing…
Chihaya: Um…
Kana: I feel the same way, Desk-kun!!
Nishida: Individual intra-level matches are being held tomorrow. / I’ll get my revenge on those Fujisaki guys!! [NB. Individual intra-level matches – matches of A-Level vs A-Level, B-Level vs B-Level etc]

Komano: Ayase, you won’t be recovering anytime soon, right? / Maybe you should take the first shinkansen back tomorrow morning?

13
Chihaya: I WILL recover!!
Chihaya: I’ll participate in tomorrow’s individual matches with perfect health!!
- Chihaya.

Chihaya: Taichi.
Taichi: How’re you feeling?
Taichi: Komano’s getting good at mouthing off, huh.

Taichi: Reckon you’ll be able to participate in tomorrow’s matches?
Chihaya: I will participate!!

Chihaya: But today… / I was a complete mess…

14
Chihaya: Arata… / I wonder if he’s disappointed with me…
Chihaya: And he came all this way… / I wanted to show him a better side of me…

Taichi: Ah well. / You were pretty heavy, you know.
Chihaya: I was!?
Taichi: I thought you’d be lighter, but you were REALLY heavy.
Chihaya: Eeeek!!

Taichi: Here, it’s from Arata. / He got the overseer, Yoshioka sensei, to pass it along to us.
Chihaya: Eh?
Taichi: I think it’s a souvenir from Fukui.

- Habutae Mochi? / Ooh— / I wonder what they taste like…
Text below panel: They’re fluffy and yummy.
- He’s pretty mindful of the little things.

15
Package Middle: Fukui product / Habutane Mochi
Writing: See you in the match next time. / Arata

Writing: See you in the match next time.

16
Arata: You don’t get it?
Arata: I’m not playing Karuta anymore. / I won’t play.

- Look, Arata! These are my friends! / Come see us at Oumi Jinguu! / Chihaya

17
- Arata.

- Arata.
- We got through to him.

18
- Go forth.
- Go forth.

- Onward.

19
Sign: Oumi Hall of Learning / (Institution) Tenchi Seitoku Educational Foundation

- Unlike the group matches, individual matches have no elimination rounds, / so there are more than 400 players entered.
- 31 A-Levels, 107 B-Levels, 95 C-Levels, / 198 D-Levels (rankless).

Miyauchi: You’ll all be competing at different locations…
Book: Karuta Rulebook
Aside: I spent all yesterday researching so I’ve got a pretty good idea of what goes on.
Miyauchi: You’ll be facing rivals from around the country. Go try out your strength. Don’t hold back!

Chihaya: Yes!
Chihaya box: A-Level
Kana: We’re rivals today, Desk-kun!
Box: Both D-Level
Nishida: Kana-chan said we don’t have to wear hakama. Thank god!
Nishida: I’ve got my eye on a complete victory today!
Box: Both B-Level

Writing: See you in the match next time. / Arata

20
Taichi: B-Level…
Taichi: So I can only play against other B-Levels, huh…

Nishida: That’s a given…
- Fufufufufu

Hyoro: You guys are super sweet [asterisk]!! / [asterisk] naïve [NB. in Japanese, the word for sweet also means naïve]
Hyoro: ‘Cuz yours truly is in B-Level too!
Nishida: You came…

- With individual Karuta matches…

Box: sheets with players’ names are reshuffled after each match and match-ups are decided randomly.
Paper: Ayase Chihaya
- Please check who your opponent is…
- and be seated according to your number.

Chihaya: I’m playing Hanamoto, from Kagoshima.
Chihaya: I wonder who it is?
- Ayase.

Chihaya: Wah! Sudou-san!
Sudou: Ayase.

Sudou: The Queen’s participating.

21
Sudou: Amakasu from my school is facing her in the first match.

Sudou: Wakamiya Shinobu.
Paper: Wakamiya Shinobu.
Sudou: She achieved A-Level in fourth grade.
Sudou: Currently a first year high schooler in Kyoto.

Sudou: She is the youngest Queen in history.

22
- It’s that girl.
- The one I passed at Oumi Jinguu yesterday—

Linked: Predictably dowdy today, too.
Aside: The shirt’s even tucked in!!
- Now that’s dowdy. / It’s July though, why a snowman? [NB. In Japan, July is the summer season]
- She’s pretty cute, but… / she sure lives up to her reputation for dowdiness!!

Shinobu: Oh my.
Shinobu: Sudou-san, you’re here.

23
Sudou: Hello, Queen.
Shinobu: Do please stop with the Queen nonsense. / When I saw that my first opponent wasn’t you, Sudou-san, it was such a relief.

Shinobu: But for you to enter the individual matches when group competition was out of the question…
Shinobu: You must like Karuta quite a lot.

SFX: irk
Shinobu: Well then, should we meet in a future match, do go easy on me.

Sudou: I’m taking her down.
Chihaya: Ehh!?
Sudou: She was spewing sarcasm with a straight face!!

Sudou: I’m bringing you down too!
Chihaya: Ehh!?
Sudou: It’s payback for what happened at the prelims.

24
- The Queen…

- She is Japan’s…
- best female Karuta player.

- My goal.

- What style of Karuta does she play?
- Just how strong is she?

- Please treat me kindly.
Amakasu: Wah— what a weird shirt.

- Win quickly.
- Please treat me kindly.
- I want to see her Karuta.

25
- Taki no oto ha—
- Alright!

- Koisu cho—

- Ashibiki no—
- Ugh!

- Thinking “I want to hurry and win”—
- kashan
- I was naïve.
- Every single person here is A-Level, after all!

- Carefully…
- Memorize and confirm the cards’ positions.
- Take this one at a time.
- Thank you very much.

26
- Finished already!?

- Against Hokuou’s Amakasu Nayuta…
Paper: First match / Hokuou / Amakasu / [circle with 24 beside it] / Kyoto // Second match // Wakamiya Shinobu
- a 24 card difference…

- In other words, he was only able to get one card off her?
- So strong… / that’s the Queen for you.

Aside: She has her own water flask.
Aside 2: Hot water in the summer?

27
- The Queen…

- I want to play her.
Sudou: I’ll take her down.
- I don’t want to play her.

- I do NOT wanna face her. / Too scary.
- I don’t wanna.

- I want to play her.
- I’m doing match-ups for the second match now.

- I don’t want to play her.

Name slips: Wakamiya Shinobu // Ayase Chihaya

28
- I want to play her.

29
Name slips: Wakamiya Shinobu // Ayase Chihaya

- Let’s see… / this is the switch for video mode…
- Hmm hmm

Miyauchi: Ah. / Ayase-san.
Miyauchi: I borrowed a video camera from Ooe-san’s mother. / I’ll film everyone’s matches toda…

30
- A-Level, second match round. Could all participants / be seated according to your numbers please.

- Please treat me kindly.

31
- Memorization time lasts from now until quarter to.

- I’m seated right in front of the reader.
- If it’s Harada-sensei…

- He’d say “The seat to surefire victory!!”
- This is an advantageous position.

- So close.
- An exhale.

- An inhale.

32-33
- Listen!

- That initial sound…

- Ho

Miyauchi: What just happened?

Miyauchi: Even when played in slow motion, I can’t see …

34-35
- Mika no

- Sailing through the air…
- needle-like…

36
- soundless Karuta.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 23 by JinHea

2012-02-08T04:15:41+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

155
Logo insert: 23rd song

156-157
- Taichi.

- Chihaya.

158
SFX: huff huff huff

SFX: huff

SFX: huff huff

159
- Hito mo

- oshi—
- I won’t lose.

- I won’t lose.
- I must attack.
- I must attack!

- I won’t let it end!

160
Taichi: Please wait a moment.

161
Taichi: Ayase forfeits.

162
Taichi: Excuse me. [linked] Please make way.

Taichi: Excuse me. [linked] Make way...
Taichi: Excuse me…

Arata: Taichi!

Arata: Taichi,
Arata: what happened to Chihaya?

163
Taichi: Arata, take care of her.

Taichi: Even if it’s just the 4 of us…
Taichi: we’ll still win.

164
Miyauchi: Who would you be!?
Arata: Ah, [linked] I’m…
Miyauchi: A friend of Ayase-san!?

Miyauchi: Move her to a waiting room, hurry!
Rieko: I’ll help.

165
Miyauchi: Lay her down in here. [linked] I’ll put out the seating cushions.
- Mind your footing.

Miyauchi: It looked like she had a headache. Let her hair out.
Rieko: I’ll remove her hakama.
Arata: Eh!?
Rieko: She has a shirt and shorts on underneath.

SFX: huff huff huff
- She’s burning up… [linked] but shivering.
- Is there something to cover her with?

Arata: There’s a woollen blanket…
Miyauchi: You.

Miyauchi: Can you stay with Ayase-san for a bit? [linked] I’ll go get a taxi and make arrangements with a hospital.
Arata: Uh…
Rieko: Sensei, I came by car.

Rieko: I’ll drive it here from the parking lot.
Miyauchi: That would be great, Ooe-san’s mother. [linked] All right, we’ll leave her to you!

Arata: Uh…
Arata: Ah, [linked] yes!

166
SFX: huff huff huff

SFX: huff huff

Arata: Hot.
Arata: Such a high fever…

SFX: huff

SFX: huff

168
Linked: I…

Chihaya: I… [linked] the match…
Chihaya: I have to go…
Arata: Chihaya.

Arata: You need to rest.
Arata: You forfeited the match.

Chihaya: Forfeited?

169
Arata: Chihaya!

Arata: Stop! You have to rest!
Chihaya: No! [linked] Let go!
- Forfeit…
Arata: It’s no use! [linked] You can’t return to the match!
Chihaya: No!

170
Chihaya: No!
Arata: Chihaya!

- Forfeit…
Chihaya: Noooo!

Chihaya: We worked so hard to come here… [linked] Karuta…
Chihaya: We all…

171
- Ugh…
- Augh…

172
- Uwaaaaaa
- aaaaaaaah

173
SFX: waaaaaaah

174
Arata: Chihaya…
Arata: You’re always so earnest…

175
Arata: I’ve…

- been thinking.
- About Karuta…

- And…
- about Grandpa, too…

- “I don’t want to be left behind by everyone else.”
- “I want to hurry and advance to A-Level!”

176
- “You must be thinking that if only he wasn’t around, you’d be able to practice—”

- And about myself…

177
Miyauchi: Thank you for helping us move Ayase-san.
Aside: Though I don’t know who you are…

Arata: No problem…
Miyauchi: We’re going to the Municipal Hospital’s emergency ward. [linked] I’ve contacted Mashima-kun and the others via mail.

- I hope that girl is all right.
- She had been looking poorly since the first match started. [linked] She was in the second match out of sheer willpower…

- Oh—
- Aren’t you… [linked] Wataya Arata-kun?

178
Arata: Ah… [linked] Yoshioka-sensei.
Yoshioka: You remembered! [linked] I was so worried, since you haven’t been in any tournaments since last year!

Yoshioka: But you’re participating in this one! I knew it! [linked] Are you Fukui’s representative!?
Arata: No, I…
Yoshioka: I look forward to it!!

Yoshioka: Now I can meet Wataya-sensei again.

Yoshioka: Your Karuta is just like Wataya-sensei’s, you know.

179
Yoshioka: Oh! [linked] The second match is finishing up soon.
SFX: tup tup tup

- Now I can meet Wataya-sensei again.

181
- Grandpa…

- Grandpa, I…

- …really like Karuta.

182
- I really like Karuta!
-

183
- Extra 4-panel comics
Aside: I’m shamelessly appearing again. What do you think?

- The creature called “big sister”

Chitose: You’re still playing Karuta? [linked] Lame!
Chitose: Can’t you find a cooler hobby?
Text below panel: Looking through her own pictures

Chitose: But you need money for the tournament, right? [linked] Pay me back when you get your New Year’s money.
Chihaya: Darling big sister!
Text below panel: Always wants to have the upper hand

- You’re in high school and you’re still playing Karuta? [linked] Boooring.
- No way can you get a girlfriend like that. [linked] It’s not like you’re all that bad-looking, either.

- But you guys need team shirts, right? [linked] I made them in advance. Make sure you use them well!
Nishida: Big sister, ma’am!
Text below panel: Always wants to help out

184
- The team shirts are done

Taichi: Nishida… you…
Taichi: didn’t properly explain the rules of team competition to your sister, did you…

Taichi: With this design…
Taichi: this order…
Right to left: Girls size S / Boys size M / Boys size L / Girls size L / Boys size S

Taichi: and this order are the only sequences we can go in.
Nishida: Ah! …

Nishida: Just so you know, that first sequence was ordered according to how much big sis likes your looks.
- Ohh—
Chihaya: Eh? I’m last!?
Taichi: 2nd to last!?

Komano: First!?

185
- Girls’ secretive chatter 1

- Hey, Chii-chan, Kana-chan…
- If you go out with someone from the Karuta Club, who would it be?
Text below panel: Classmate Michiru-chan

Michiru: Well, it’s pretty obvious, I’m sure I didn’t need to ask—

Chihaya: Kana-chan.
Kana: Eh!?
Text below panel: winner

- Girls‘ secretive chatter 2

Michiru: Not like that! I’m talking about boys!
Michiru: If you go out with a boy, who would it be? [linked] They don’t have to be from the Karuta Club.
Text below panel: Obsessed-with-love Michiru-chan

Chihaya: Is it okay to answer honestly?

Chihaya: Ha-…
Michiru: Wait!
Michiru: It’ll be a hindrance to this volume, so don’t say it!!

Box: Ha
Harada aside: See you in volume 5

186
Black text: Finally, Arata enters the fray! / The club members, bereft of Chihaya, put in their all… / Offering the star of victory.
Black text beside Sudou’s panel: Hokuou’s Sudou enters the individual matches!

Film reel panel: If we were to lose so easily… / Chihaya will cry her heart out for sure. / We have to win.

Sudou: I don’t believe it…

Chihaya panel: Forfeiting due to health issues? / You were Tokyo’s representative in this tournament, you know!?

187
- At last, Chihaya faces the Queen. Their…
Star: intense
- individual match is imminent. But…

- Please treat me kindly.

188-189
- Chihaya, helpless against the Queen’s unprecedented Karuta style!
- Flying through the air…
- Like a needle.

- Soundless Karuta—!!
- Chihayafuru / Five / June 12 / (Fri) on sale

190
- We just want the star of victory. Oumi Jinguu – National Tournament!!
White shadowed text: Chihaya, who’s barely hanging in there…

- Who is this person—!?

- Competitive Karuta is hot!! / “Chihayafuru” is / selling amidst critical acclaim!
Text in O: RRP 370yen / (tax inclusive)
Text below O: (Out on the 1st & 15th of every month)
Text beside E: from

[Comments: this chapter and the previous one (ch22) were translation heaven! (at least to me they were) Not a lot of text, so I breezed through! Yeah I'm lazy *hohohoh*]

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 22 by JinHea

2012-02-08T04:13:01+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

127
SFX: zing zing

- Ama no hara—

- Tago no ura ni—
Logo insert: 22nd song

128
- Chihaya!?

Arata: I THOUGHT I was going the wrong way.
Arata: I’ve come here so many times before, though…

129
Arata: I always… [linked] came by car…

130
- Paralysis?

- Yes— [linked] Grandpa will have some trouble moving the right side of his body.
- He’ll be needing a wheelchair to get out and about… [linked] Arata, you might be a little shocked…

Kid Arata: Why?
Kid Arata: Grandpa is Grandpa!

131
- Grandpa. [linked] Look, Arata’s here.

- A…

- A…
- Arata…
- Arata…

132
- Grandpa is Grandpa!

- The fact is…
- Grandpa was Grandpa.

- Arata! [linked] Here’s a new arrangement for you!
- Take it down, hurry!
Kid Arata: Eh…
- Before it gets mixed up!

- I wondered what you were doing… [linked] You haven’t given up Karuta, Grandpa?
- Of course I haven’t! For Arata’s sake.

133
- Even with paralysis, Grandpa was able to walk by using handrails as support.
- He was full of vigour… [linked] and went through rehabilitation with a positive attitude.
Kid Arata: For real!

Kid Arata: The primary school in Tokyo had 4 floors, [linked] and me, Chihaya and Taichi practiced in an unused classroom.
Kid Arata: Chihaya has really good “perception”. [linked] I wanted to teach her a lot more stuff…

Kid Arata: Taichi’s a good guy, too. [linked] He’d give me his hat to wear…

- Arata, [linked] are you lonely, being apart from them?
Kid Arata: Huh?
- You talk about them a lot.

Kid Arata: It’s not like that. [linked] ‘Cos I have Grandpa!
- Hahaha I see.

134
- In that case, Arata, [linked] help me down from the bed.

- Okay. [linked] That’s it.

- Ahh it’s fine now.
SFX: huff huff

- Phew—

- Grandpa
SFX: huff huff
- …can play Karuta again, even if it’s only with my left hand.

135
- Once again broadcasting live from Shiga’s Oumi Jinguu, [linked] it’s the Meijin and Queen tournaments!
- Anticipation is high this year, as always.

- Challenging the current 3-year-consecutive title-holder Meijin Miki is… [linked] Suou Hisashi, currently a university student.
- We look forward to his first attempt at the title.
Kid Arata: Hey, Grandpa…

Kid Arata: What’s being in the Meijin Tournament like? [linked] Do you get nervous too, Grandpa?
- Not at all.

- Although, there are things like posing to have your photo taken before the match, [linked] when it feels somewhat like you’ve become a celebrity.
Kid Arata: Ohh—

136
- Arata,
- try to imagine.

- Imagine yourself there…

- Under the lights’ brilliance and heat…

- The crowd is looking your way...

- With the strongest Meijin before you…
- And the sound of tatami echoing through the Oumi Hall of Learning…

137
- Imagine yourself, victorious.

Sign: Oumi Hall of / (Institution) Tenchi Seitoku Educational Foundation

138
Arata: Gotta hurry back.
SFX; huff huff huff
Arata: Grandpa’s waiting for me.

Arata: Recently, he’d fuss if I’m not around.
Arata: I wonder why? [linked] His memory’s getting worse too…

Arata: Grandpa!?

139
- It’s a mild attack. [linked] Grandpa’s heart is a little weak.
- They’re keeping him under observation, but he’ll be released tomorrow.

Arata: I see. [linked] Thank goodness…

Arata: Grandpa! [linked] You gave me a start! Even the ambulance ca…

- Who…
- would you be…

140
- We’ve detected atrophy in the brain.
- It’s early stage Alzheimer’s.

- Lies.
- Lies. [linked] Grandpa…

Arata: Grandpa.
Arata: What is this?

Arata: How about this one?

141
- Nn…
- What… [linked] is that…

- What is that…

Linked: L-

- Lies.

Arata: Uh… [linked] wah…
Arata: ahh…

142
- Ugh… [linked] uhhh…
- Lies.
- Lies.
- Ahh…

- Grandpa!

143
- Arata. [linked] Arata!

- Shouji won yesterday’s tournament. He’s an A-Level now!
- He’s bragging over there!
Arata: Eh…

- I was sure you’d be the first to get to A-Level, Arata… [linked] but it can’t be helped that you can’t enter tournaments or go to practices…
- Wataya!

- I know you’re proud that your Grandpa’s a Meijin, [linked] but now it’s a whole different story, huh!
- You must be thinking that if only he wasn’t around, you’d be able to practice—

144
- Ah! [linked] Fast!

- Kya— [linked] teacher—
Text beside SFX: Fight! Fight!
- What are you guys doing?

Text on sign: Wataya

Arata: Ah! [linked] Chihaya!
Letter: Wataya Arata-sama / Ayase Chihaya

Arata: “I’m a C-Level now”—
Arata: She’s really working hard! [linked] Though she wrote that she’d entered the track and field club…

Letter: and won / You must be playing Ka / Keep working hard! / Let’s have a match again! / Chihaya

145
- Arata, [linked] I have a class reunion in Osaka this Sunday at noon. [linked] Can I leave Grandpa to you—
Arata: Ah, [linked] no problem.

- Oh, good— [linked] I’ll come back as soon as possible.

Arata: There are more white hairs on Mom’s head…
Arata: Looking after Grandpa’s taking its toll…

Calendar: Fukui Tournament
Arata: So I won’t be going to the Fukui Tournament either…

Arata: Grandpa, [linked] whoa— look out!
Arata: It’s gonna spill! Put it down for a sec.

146
Arata: Ah! He’s sulking… [linked] geez—

Calendar: Fukui Tournament

- Hakama…

- Bring out my hakama. [linked] I have to go to the Fukui Tournament.
Arata: Eh!?

- It’s cos Grandpa oversees the tournament every year...
Arata: G-Grandpa, [linked] you won’t be going this year.

Arata: Kuriyama-sensei is overseeing the tournament this year.
- Is that so…?
Arata: That’s right.

147
- Why aren’t YOU going, Arata?
- You have to go to the Fukui tournament, don’t you?

Arata: Eh? [linked] Grandpa…
- He’s back to his old self!?
Arata: But…

- No buts! [linked] Why aren’t you making the tournament your first priority?
Arata: Ow!
- Go!

148
- I want to go.
- I don’t want to be left behind by everyone else.

- But what about Grandpa?
- Dad gets home after noon…

- I want to go.
- I want to hurry and advance to A-Level!

- Arata.

- Imagine.

149
Arata: Yeah!

150
[NB. if you’re wondering, the SFX on this page are the sound of cicadas, so… crrrrk crrrk]

151
Sign: Oumi Hall of Learning / (Institution) Tenchi Seitoku Educational Foundation

153
- It hurts…

- My ears are ringing…
- I want to collapse…

- It hurts…

Sign: National High School Division Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Karuta Championship To
- But...

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 21 by JinHea

2012-01-31T00:32:40+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass SCans

tl by JinHea

97
- Shiga Prefecture / Oumi Jinguu
- Established to enshrine Emperor Tenchi, this national cultural treasure is a model of contemporary shrine construction.
- A large number of Hyakunin Isshu competitions, including the Meijin and Queen tournaments, are held here each year. It is the holy land for Karuta.

98
- Wow—
Logo insert: 21st song

99
Chihaya: It’s red, Kana-chan! It’s red!!
Kana: I’d say it’s more vermilion than red. [linked] So pretty…
Taichi: You’re way too excited!
Komano: So this is Oumi Jinguu—

Chihaya: Oumi Jinguu…
Chihaya: is right there…

Kana: Speaking of red, your eyes are super red too, Chihaya-chan.
Chihaya: That’s cos I couldn’t sleep a wink last night!
Kana: Eh? Are you okay? [linked] The National Tournament’s group matches begin today…
Chihaya: I do have a tiny headache, but…

Chihaya: I’m okay! [linked] I’m okay…
Miyauchi: Now that you’re all keyed up…

Miyauchi: Let’s go pay our respects.
Miyauchi: And pray for victory.

100
Kana: You can’t walk right in the middle. [linked] The center of the flight of steps, called Seichuu, is exclusively for the god’s use. [NB. Seichuu literally means “middle”]
Chihaya: Eh?
Miyauchi: You’re very well informed, Ooe-san.

- The shrine up there’s pretty plain.
Chihaya: What’s this? Do I go through it?
Nishida: Just go through. It won’t hurt.
Sign: Eliminate disaster [rest of the text blocked by Nishida] / Cogongrass ring

Miyauchi: When paying your respects, the basic rule is to “bow twice, clap twice, final bow”. [linked] Understood?
Kana: Izumo Shrine is an exception to that rule, though.

Miyauchi: Greet the god, toss in your coin offering, [linked] then bow deeply, twice.
Miyauchi: Clap twice, then pray.
Miyauchi: Lastly, another deep bow.

101
Miyauchi: You may think the ritual and actions are troublesome to perform, but…
Miyauchi: the gods are not always magnanimous.

Miyauchi: Be sure to make your wish in proper form.

102
- Dear god…

- I don’t need a miracle.

- Please don’t let anything bad happen to any of us.

- I wish everyone will be able to perform as well as they did during practice.

103
SFX: zing

Miyauchi: All right. It’s about time we got going. [linked] The match itself is held at a different location, right?
Taichi: Yes. It’s held in the building next to here, the Hall of Learning.
Kana: We still need to change, let’s hurry!

104
Taichi: They’ll gather up everyone later and have a ceremony where we pay our respects again. [aside] According to Hyoro-kun’s info.
- [aside] Eh— [normal] Everybody will be coming here again?
- The Meijin Tournament does it too. With everyone paying their respects together.

- Arata…
- I’m finally here at Oumi Jinguu

- My dream is still…
- the same as it was then.

105
- Then, Ayase would be…

- Queen.

108
SFX: zing

109
SFX: zing zing zing

110
SFX: zing

Taichi: Chihaya?

111
Sign: Oumi Hall of Learning / (Institution) Tenchi Seitoku Educational Foundation

Nishida: It’s ho~~~~t!

Nishida: It’s hoooot! Kana-chaaaan! [linked] Let’s not wear hakama~~~
Kana: My mom brought these by car especially for us! [linked] It’s our first National Tournament! We’ll face this challenge in formal attire!!
Komano: I hear the hall below has air conditioning.

- Kanade!

Kana’s mom: Leave Mashima-kun’s fitting to mom.
Kana’s mom: You start preparing for your match!

112
Kana: Mom, what about Chihaya-chan’s outfit?
Rieko: I finished. [linked] She’s so slim, the adjustments were tough—
Box: Ooe Rieko (40) // (Store) Ooe Traditional Clothing / Manager // Johnnys’ fan
Arrow text below panel: Johnnys’ type [NB. Johnnys – a talent agency famous for representing lots of handsome guys]

Rieko: Still, Chihaya-chan is so reserved and elegant! [linked] Our kimonos suit her perfectly!

Rieko: Of course, Mashima-kun suits them too [heart]

- Matches are played 5 against 5… [linked] The team with 3 or more wins in a match receives 1 point…
Book: 3Xth / National High School Division / Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Karuta Championship Tournament
- The team with the highest number of points becomes the League Representative… [aside] hmmhmm

Miyauchi: All Japan Karuta Association tournament clause number 3: players must keep their hands behind their territory. [linked] Additionally, before the opening phrase is read, a player cannot extend their head beyond their own line of cards. [linked] Clause number 4…
- Wow—

- Who’s that? [linked] She’s way gorgeous—
- Matsuda, look! Look!
- Why hakama!?
- I know, she’s one of the Tokyo reps, right?

- Rumours say she’s gonna debut as an actress.
- [aside] that ain’t right [linked] Isn’t it her sister who’s the actress?

113
- When she doesn’t move or speak, she really is a beauty!

Komano: Ayase!

Komano: Are you okay, Ayase? [linked] Are you nervous?
Chihaya: Hm? [linked] I’m not nervous. [linked] I’m fiiine. I’m fiiine.

Komano: R-really?

Nishida: So we’re in E league.
- Alright! We’re not up against any formidable teams.

114
Nishida: According to Hyoro-kun’s data and the Tournament booklet… [linked] the one we really need to watch out for is Shizuoka’s Fujisaki High.
Komano: Where? [linked] Which ones are they?
Nishida: A local school, Zentokuji High, is another frequent competitor. They’re pretty strong.

- Hyougo’s representative, Ootori Girls, have been participating for 25 years straight. [linked] Schools like them probably receive diligent coaching from their teachers.
- It’s so crowded, I can’t pick them out.

- That girl…
- Isn’t here…
- Fukui representative, [linked] Kunimi High School—

- They beat Hokuou in last year’s Tournament preliminaries. [linked] But they didn’t have enough points to advance to the final round.
Paper: Regarding Fukui’s representatives / Attributes:
- They’re “strong, but inconsistent”.

115
Nishida: Wataya Arata… [linked] isn’t entered in tomorrow’s individual matches either.

- Over there?
- Which is the strong one? [linked] I hear they’re the Tokyo representatives.

- They must’ve defeated Hokuou Gakuen to come here.
- Which one did Hokuou’s Sudou lose to?
- No way!! Sudou-kun lost?
- Just how strong are they? [linked] Only 3 months as a club and they’re already Tokyo’s representatives!
- Gotta check up on them.

116
- Our first match is against…
- Saga’s Takechi High…
Paper top: E Block

Komano: They strong? Are they strong!?
Nishida: Lessee— They have 2 B-Levels, the rest are rankless. [linked] They shouldn’t be all that strong, but…

Komano: We’re…
- Rankless
- B-Level
- A-Level
- Rankless

- We must plan the order we’re going in.
- So? Do we go with the order we had when we faced Hokuou?
- You have a point. [linked] That’d be bes…
- Wait!

117
Komano: I… [linked] don’t mind being a pawn.
Komano: I’ll face the strongest of our opponents!

Chihaya: Huh?

Chihaya: What are you saying, Desk-kun? [linked] That’s—
Komano: It’s fine!

Komano: It’s fine if I lose, as long as the other 4 of us win. [linked] I’ll do anything if it improves our odds of winning.
Komano: We have to advance. [linked] Because we came as Tokyo’s representatives.

118
Taichi linked: Understood.

Nishida: Putting good players at each end or in the middle is common practice.
- In that case, we’ll have Komano be first… [linked] as for the rest…

- We were able to make it this far because everyone was here.

- Mi-
- zu-
- sa-
- wa
Chihaya: Fight!

- We have to advance!

119
- Saga Prefecture / Takechi High School

- Totally off the mark!
Chihaya: Me and Taichi are facing the B-Level players.
- All right, please arrange your cards.

- Eh?

120
SFX: zing

Rieko: Oh my, so many handsome boys! [linked] Duly noted!

- Memorization time start. Please remain silent.

Miyauchi: How strong are those kids? [linked] Do the rankings apply nationally?
Book: Karuta Rulebook

Miyauchi: Aren’t they nervous? [linked] With so many people watching...

121
Miyauchi: Oh dear. [linked] Now I’M nervous.
- Time’s up.

Sign: National High School division Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Karuta
- Nani wazu ni—
- Sakuya kono hana fuyu gomori—
- Ima wo haru beto sakuya kono hana—
- Ima wo haru beto sakuya kono hana—

122
- Ake nureba—

Rieko: Ka-Kanade...
Rieko: moves so fast!

- Taki no oto ha—
Nishida: Ah! [linked] Shoot!

Taichi: Ah!

Komano: Uwah!

- They’re on edge.
- so obvious

- The first game, so they’re tense. [linked] If they don’t snap out of it soon…
Taichi: Everyone! [linked] We’ll go for one card at a time!

123
- Yeah!
SFX: haa haa

Taichi: Chihaya?

SFX: haa haa
Outlined SFX: zing

- Hot…
SFX: huff huff
- This hakama is too hot.

Outlined SFX: zing
- Too many people.
- So noisy.
- Hot.

- No.
- Cold.

124
- Cold…

SFX: zing zing zing

- Dear god, why?
- I prayed to you.

125
- Please don’t let anything bad happen…

[The first sign doesn’t need translating]

Sign: Prayers, weddings / Oumi Jinguu / 15min from Ootsukyou Station

126
- I don’t need…
- a miracle.

[Comments: Regarding the “National High School Division......Tournament”, those who pay close attention may notice the name’s changed a bit from those in prior chapters – eg. on the stack of paper beside Chihaya’s (Ooe’s?) brochure in chapter 14. Much as I’d like to maintain consistency, I made the change because it’s more precise and sounds better.]

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 20 by JinHea

2012-01-24T02:34:03+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

65
- I heard from Mashima-kun that the Karuta Club will be competing in the National Tournament.
Sign 1: Mizusawa High School Drama Club will compete in National Tournament
Sign 2: Mizusawa High School Tennis Club will compete in Inter-High Championships
- Congratulations.
Text beside logo: 20th song

Miyauchi: So,
Miyauchi: about 4 schools competed in Karuta?
Box: Science Teacher / Miyauchi Taeko (50) / Advisor to the Tennis Club, Badminton Club, Chemistry Club and Karuta Club

Chihaya: It’s 12 schools, sensei. [linked] It was extremely tough!
Miyauchi: I beg your pardon. The Badminton Club had a match on the same day so I couldn’t go watch your performance. [linked] Mashima-kun did tell me you’d be fine on your own, after all.

66
Miyauchi: So, the competition will be held in Shiga’s Oumi Jinguu, you said?
Chihaya: Yes! It’s the Koshien for Karuta! [linked] We’d like you to take us, sensei. [NB. Koshien stadium is where top sports teams go to play]

Miyauchi: Oh, I can’t possibly do that! It just so happens that the tennis club has training camp at the same time…
Miyauchi: They made it into the Inter-high Championships, you know!

Miyauchi: Have you heard about the miraculous turnaround in the finals? [linked] If not, I’ll tell you all about it…
- No… that’s fine.
Miyachi: [aside] Oh, what a shame. [normal text] Our team this year got so strong after I became their advisor!!

Miyauchi: Ah. That’s right.
Miyauchi: You need someone to take you, right?

Miyauchi: I’ve discussed it with Shibata-sensei, and he agreed quite readily.
Shibata: Hello—
Miyauchi: Be careful on your trip.

67
- Thank you very much…
Miyauchi: Komano-kun.

Miyauchi: Your grades for the monthly assessments have dropped, haven’t they.
Miyauchi: It’s good to be devoted, but… [linked] everything in moderation, and that includes club activities, understand?

Komano: Yes…
Komano: Excuse me.

Shibata: Still, I had no idea… [linked] that there’s a National Tournament for Karuta.

Miyauchi: The tournament’s held in a shrine. [linked] It’s just like a festival, don’t you think?

68
Miyauchi: In any case, if you’d like to take over as their advisor in my place…
Shibata: No, no.

Shibata: I…
Shibata: …just want to see the Birdman Rally that’s being held at Lake Biwa on the same day!

Shibata: Will this year’s Distance Division make a comeback? [aside] 36km!!

Chihaya: The Empress… [linked] If only she’d care about the Karuta Club as much as she does the Tennis Club…

Chihaya: She probably thinks we’re just playing around, like the Go Club or the Shogi Club!
Chihaya: But whichever way you look at it, we’re an athletic club! [linked] Still, I’m glad we have a teacher supervising us.

69
Chihaya: Right—

Chihaya: Please don’t quit, Desk-kun!!
Komano: Huh?

Komano: Eeh!?
Chihaya: I’m really sorry for making you practice 4 days a week! [linked] And even Saturdays are packed with practice lately… [linked] But! It’s just for now!! It won’t be like this forever!! [aside] (lies)

Komano: What’s with you? I’m not gonna quit.
Chihaya: But, your grades dropped cuz of Karuta…
Komano: Well— I guess they did, but… [linked] even with the drop I came in 5th place, so…

70
Chihaya: 5th place! Wow! [linked] I’m 5th from the bottom up!

Komano: Rankings and stuff…
Komano: Lately, I don’t care about them as much.

Komano: But Ayase, you really should care.
Komano: 5th from the bottom up…

71
- Hyaaaah!

Chihaya: Guys!
Chihaya: Make sure you shout when practicing!

Taichi: Eeh?
- Stuff like “Mizusawa fight”? [aside] you don’t mean…
Chihaya: Mizusawa fight!

Nishida: Mizusawa fight!

72
Chihaya: Ooh! [linked] Good one, Meatbun-kun!!
Taichi: Nishida’s really pumped up, huh.

Taichi: He’s been practicing at the local Karuta Meet even on weekends, apparently.

Taichi: He’s the only one…
Taichi: who’s actually been to Oumi Jinguu, after all.

Chihaya: Kana-chan... [linked] You’re making a really glum face. What’s wrong?

73
Chihaya: What are those cards?
Chihaya: They have ruling-letters written on them…

Nishida: Ahh— those. [linked] Suihoku Karuta Meet’s coach lent them to us.

Nishida: They’re for use by beginners. [linked] Since it seemed Kana-chan isn’t used to the “ruling-letters” yet.
Kana: I remember the ruling-letters!

Kana: But, marking up the cards like this… [linked] don’t you feel sorry for these cards?
Nishida: Eh— [linked] Oh yeah, Kana-chan, about your recent arrangement…

74
Linked: What the? Why this arrangement?
Aside: weird…

Right upper: Spring songs’ area
Right lower: Summer songs’ area
Left upper: Autumn songs’ area
Left lower: Winter songs’ area
Middle box: Non-seasonal area

- Eh—!?

- [aside] whoa— [normal text] It’s my first time seeing this kinda arrangement!

Miyauchi: The Karuta club… [linked] As I thought, they’re playing around.

Chihaya: How come? [linked] You’ve been using the arrangement you thought up with Meatbun-kun all this time…
Kana: I wanted to think up one on my own… [linked] besides, this arrangement is easier to remember.

75
Nishida: Even if it is easier to remember…
Nishida: whether a song is a spring or a summer one has no meaning in Karuta.

Nishida: You can’t deny that the basics are crucial. [linked] On the whole, have single syllable cards in the lower part of your territory, and long-shot cards on the side of your dominant hand. [linked] Separate like cards the best you can… [NB. single syllable cards are cards that can be pinpointed for capture after hearing only one syllable]
Nishida: When sending cards, make sure you decide which card to send beforehand…

Nishida: At the risk of sounding obvious, there’ll be lots of strong schools at the National Tournament. [linked] Being overwhelmed by Oumi Jinguu’s atmosphere is another possibility.
Nishida: If we don’t make the proper preparations, we won’t win.

Nishida: Take the “Oku”, “Oto”, “Omo”, and “Ogu” cards…
Kana: Meatbun-kun… [linked] Let me hear you recite the “Oto” song in its entirety.

76
Nishida: “Oto” matches up to “Kake”.
Nishida: I don’t remember the entire song.

Card: Yuushinaishin no Ukenokii / Oto [in box] ni kiku / Takashi no homano / Ada nami ha / Kake [in box] ja sode no / nure mo kososure
Bracket text: In a veritable showcase of skill, this song gracefully rebuffs a player’s advances. [NB. Just for clarification, the “player” in this case means a guy who fools around with lots of women]

Kana: These songs endured the baptism of millennia. You dare…
Chihaya: Ka- [linked] Kana-chan. Kana-chan!

Chihaya: I’m not saying that meaning isn’t important.

Chihaya: But, right now… [linked] “competitive Karuta”…

Chihaya: …is what we must get stronger at, as Tokyo’s representatives.

77
- Stronger…

- as Tokyo’s representatives—

- Thank you very much, Miyauchi-sensei.
- Goodbye.
Miyauchi: No problem. Goodbye.

Miyauchi: The Karuta club’s still here?
Miyauchi: And school will be over soon, too…

79
- Su

- mi noe no—

Taichi: Nishida! [linked] You should’ve been able to get that one! You’re too slow!
Nishida: As for you, Mashima, attack your opponent’s territory more!

Chihaya: Desk-kun, if you don’t put more effort into your capture you won’t be able to do it in the actual match!
Komano: You have too many wasted movements, Ayase!!

- Waga sode ha

80
- Hyahh!

Chihaya: Who put the trophy in a place like that?
Taichi: Wasn’t it you?

Taichi: Hey, Captain… [linked] I know it’s precious to you, but you’re going overboard.

Chihaya: It’s getting dark, huh. [linked] I’ll turn on the lights.

81
Kana: “Akane sasu, murasakino yuki shimeno yuki, nomori ha mizu ya, kimi ga sode furu.”

- Huh?

Kana: Ah! I apologise.
Kana: It’s my favorite song.

Kana: That song was by Nukata no Ookimi, empress to Emperor Tenchi – the composer of “Akino”. [linked] Within the grounds of her husband, Emperor Tenchi, the empress’ former husband Prince Ooama no Miko waves at her. She would be ruthlessly interrogated should the guard happen to observe this exchange. The song expresses her feelings of joy, tempered with trepidation…
Chihaya: Eh? [linked] Could it be that it’s not from Hyakunin Isshu but from another world entirely?
Kana: It’s from Manyoushuu. [NB. Manyoushuu – literally “Collection of 10,000 leaves”, it’s a compilation of poetry/traditional song]

82
Kana: This would be the scene. [aside] probably
Round bubble above blob (sun): Akane [NB. Akane means crimson. I leave it in romaji to link back to the song]
Bubble above guy: Former husband
SFX: hey—
Bracket text: the grounds of her current husband
SFX: b-dmp b-dmp
Bubble beside girl: Empress
- Ohh—

Kana: Her heart quickens at her ex-husband’s stealthy approach… [linked] Her feelings, both in the past and now, haven’t changed.

Kana: Ah! [linked] Look at me, going on about these things again!
Bold text: I’m sorry
Chihaya: It’s okay—
Chihaya: Kana-chan, you know a lot. [linked] and your picture’s really good—

Kana: I’m already…
Kana: …accustomed to saying things like “Arima” or “Akino”.

83
Kana: And I really, really, want to win at Oumi Jinguu. But…

Kana: I do not wish to forget the fact that Karuta is “song”.

84
- The tournament’s held in a shrine.
- It’s just like a festival, don’t you think?

Miyauchi: What are you all doing? [linked] School will be over soon!

85
Chihaya: Wahwahwah! [linked] Empress…
- Miyauchi-sensei!
Miyauchi: Hurry and clean up! [linked] Get changed too!
- Hawawawah…

Chihaya: Kyah!?

Chihaya: What are you doing, sensei~~~
Miyauchi: I’m taking it to the principal’s office.
Chihaya: Please wait! [linked] That’s our precious…

Miyauchi: The best spot in the case in front of the principal’s office. I’ll put it there.
Miyauchi: It’s your precious trophy, after all.

86
Shibata: Ah.
Shibata: Miyauchi-sensei, good work today.
Book: Shiga – Lake Biwa

Miyauchi: Matsumoto-sensei. [linked] May I borrow this book for a little while?
Matsumoto: Ah— please help yourself?

Book: The world of Hyakunin Isshu
Miyauchi: Shibata-sensei.

87
Miyauchi: I will go… [linked] to Oumi Jinguu.
Book: The world of Hyakunin Isshu
Miyauchi: Please watch the Birdman Rally on TV.

Blackboard: End of semester ceremony / yay!

Book: Karuta Rulebook

89
[Reckon I don’t need to translate the sign]

- Akane sasu (Crimson rays shine)

90-91
- Murasaki no yuki shimeno yuki (upon the lavender plains, you approach the forbidden plains)
- Nomori ha mizu ya (unseen by the guard of the plains)
- Kimi ga sode furu (You wave to me)

Chihaya: Kana-chan. [linked] I…

Chihaya: Ever since you told me about it…
Chihaya: “Chihayafuru” has been the only card I see as bright red.

Chihaya: Within the territory, it glows…

92
Chihaya: bright red.

- Arata…
- what’s Oumi Jinguu like?

- It’s where lots of big Karuta Tournaments are held, right?
- Arata, you’ve been there heaps of times, right?

- What it’s like?

93
- Bright red.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 19 by JinHea

2012-01-20T01:05:21+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

35
- Mizusawa High School,
- congratulations on your victory.
Text by logo: 19th song

Trophy plaque: Champion // National Karuta Championship Tournament // High School Division – Tokyo Preliminaries // Courtesy of / the All Japan Karuta Association, Incorp.
Trophy left ribbon: Heiwa year 21, June 21st / Champion / Mizusawa High School

- It’s a trophy.
- Our first ever trophy.

- We all worked together to win this.

36
- We won.
- Yes—

Komano: Unbelievable! [linked] Our first competition and we won!
Kana: Is this okay? Did we really win? [linked] Did we just become Tokyo’s representatives?
- What’re you saying, Kana-chan? You saw the reporters here just now!

37
- Whoa!
- Ooh!?

Chihaya: What’re you doing, Hyoro-kun? [linked] What!?
- You’re scary.

Hyoro: This trophy…
Hyoro: From the time I entered Hokuou’s middle school division… [linked] it was always in the club room.

Hyoro: It was always there! Always!!

38
Hyoro: We’re definitely getting it back next year!!

Sudou: Let’s go, Hyoro.

39
Sudou: As Tokyo’s representatives…

Sudou: If you give an unsightly performance, I will not forgive you.

- Sudou-senpai, I’m sorry.
- I’m really, really, sorryyyy!
Sudou: Don’t apologise. What’s with you guys?
- ‘Cuz, this was your last tournament, senpai!

40
- “Last tournament”—

2nd to last panel starting from 2nd ribbon: year 19, June 20th / Champion / Hokuou Gakuen // June 12th / Champion / Hokuou Gakuen

Every single ribbon panel says: Champion / Hokuou Gakuen

41
- “Champion”—

- clip [linked] clip [linked] clip
Mom: Chihaya.
Mom: Hold on, Chihaya!

Chihaya: Eh?
Mom: Are you stirring it properly? [linked] The curry’s going to burn—
Chihaya: Ah!

Chihaya: Hey, mom…
Mom: Hm—?
Chihaya: The Karuta Tournament’s preliminary matches were held today. [linked] Everyone worked really hard, and we won…
Mom: Oh my—

42
Chitose: I’m home!

Chihaya: Oh, big sister. [linked] Welcome home—

Chitose: Hey dad!
Chitose: Why isn’t the TV on?

- Eh? What’s going on?
Chitose: I told you I’d be appearing on a quiz show! [linked] ‘Course it’s been set to record but…
Chihaya: Eh— That’s today, big sis!?
Mom: Wait a… oh dear! Wasn’t it next week?

43
Chihaya: Aah! There she is!
- Chihaya, shush!
TV Chitose’s nameplate: Ayase Chitose
Announcer: Joining us for the first time, a model currently in high school. It’s Ayase Chitose-chan!
Chitose: Hello— Thanks for having me—
- Amazing! So cute!!

Dad: … [linked] Chitose…
Dad: On a quiz show, if you don’t press the button first the camera won’t focus on you.

Chitose: Haah—
Chitose: I knew it. I don’t have what it take to be a talent.

Chitose: And it’s one rejection after another for my drama auditions—
Chihaya: But big sis! You’re the prettiest out of all the people on TV!!
Mom: That’s right! Mother thinks so too!
Chitose: Anyhow, I’ll…

44
Chitose: …keep doing my best in my current job until I can appear in a historical drama, so…
Chitose: I hope you’ll continue to support me.

Chitose: And then I’ll repay every single cent of the loan on this house.

Dad: What are you saying, Chitose! [linked] The only thing you have to do is be your brilliantly sparkling self!
Mom: That’s right! The loans are your father’s reason for living!

Dad: That and making scrapbooks of my daughters’ activities!!
Bold text: Reason for living!!
Dad: Looks like we’ll be needing a whole lot more scrapbooks for Chitose—

45
Books’ spines: Chitose 2 / Chitose 3 [etc…]

Chitose: Mom, I’ll be shooting the magazine’s next special instalment in Saipan. [linked] Get a suitcase ready.
Mom: Oh my, how marvellous! Don’t get too tanned now!

- Dad, mom, big sis…

- I’m going to compete in the National Karuta Tournament.

Chitose: Mistress Deffi’s perfume was sooo cloying—
- Ah! That expression just now was cute!

46
Chihaya: I knew it.
Chihaya: Arata didn’t reply either…

- We’ve become Tokyo’s representatives.

Chihaya: Everyone!
Chihaya: Let’s join the Shiranami Karuta Meet’s practice sessions.
Sign: Karuta Club / New members welcome

Chihaya: There’s less than a month until the National Tournament!
Chihaya: Let’s go see my coach and level up!

47
Nishida: Nah… [linked] we’re all good.

Chihaya: Why?!

Chihaya: We’re Tokyo’s representatives!
Chihaya: We have to do all we can…
Chihaya: Let’s work even harder!

- Eh…
- No, um…

Nishida: We’ll be attending Suihoku Karuta Meet’s practice sessions. [linked] Cuz my coach is good at teaching the basics. [aside] Desk-kun and Kana-chan too.
Chihaya: Eh…

Nishida: We’re off!

Taichi: Amazing. [linked] They’re well aware of which areas they’re lacking in.

48
Chihaya: Let’s go too! To see Harada-sensei!
Chihaya: Let’s go right now!
Taichi: Eh?

Taichi: Chihaya?

Building: Municipal Cultural Center
Sign: Family-use cooking oil

Harada: Chihaya-chan, Eyelash-kun, good timing!
Harada: I have lots of advice for you!

49
Taichi side: Eyelash-kun, you make few mistakes and your precision’s good, but your will isn’t strong enough! [linked] “Read this next!!” should be what you’re thinking! Use your will and call the card to you!
- Also— Rise a little from your position and attack fiercely! It’s a good strategy and shocks the opponent besides—
- Nails! Cut them a bit more! You’ll hurt somebody with those.
Chihaya side: Chihaya-chan, your attention’s all over the place! Concentrate on the cards more! [linked] You’ll be seeing lots of even bigger oddballs at the National Tournament!
- The card-sending in the finals! What was that? Why aren’t you separating like cards early on?!
- And your wrist movements are too big! You should be aiming directly for the card in a straight line! [linked] Listen carefully to the ruling-letters!

Harada: All right.
Harada: Now then, everyone, begin your matches.

Harada: Eyelash-kun’s opponent will be Hiroshi-kun.
Hiroshi: ’Sup.
Harada: He has the 2nd highest winning rate out of all our members. You have been warned—

50
Harada: Chihaya-chan’s opponent will be…

Harada: Me.
Harada: Let’s begin.

- Harada-sensei—
- I’ve yet to win even once against him.

- “If you give an unsightly performance, I will not forgive you.”

- “We’re definitely getting it back next year!!”

52
- Thank you very much—
- Goooodbye—
- Goodbye—

Taichi: Hiroshi-san was strong— [linked] I’m told he practices diligently even in university.
Taichi: He’s also entering this year’s Meijin tournament. [linked] How was Harada-sensei?

- Why…
- shock

- Why can’t I attack fearlessly the way sensei can?
- Why was there a 15 card difference?
Text beside Chihaya’s left arm: Why do I always suck at long-shot cards?
Smallest text: Why did I mess up the card-sending?
Text on bag: Why did I hear “Tachi” and “Tare” wrong?
- Why did I fault on “Konu”?
- Why is my Karuta all over the place?

53
Taichi: …[linked] Wh…

Taichi: What’s wrong, Chihaya? [linked] What is it?
Chihaya: N-Nothing…
Taichi: It’s not “nothing”!!

Taichi: You’re no good at hiding what you’re thinking!!
Taichi: Tell!

Taichi: Bfft!

Chihaya: …Taichi, I think…
Chihaya: I’m scared of the National Tournament.

54
- “As Tokyo’s representatives, if you give an unsightly performance, I will not forgive you.”

Chihaya: What’re we gonna do if we lose miserably, Taichi?
Chihaya: Our club just popped out of nowhere… [linked] Nobody’s going to cheer us on.

55
Chihaya: “We should have gone instead”…
Chihaya: What’re we gonna do if the Hokuou people think that way…

56
Chihaya: Ugh… [linked] Ow~~~~
Taichi: Quit whining.

Chihaya: Taichi, what’re you do…
Taichi: This thing… [linked] I wanted to show it to everyone at the same time, but…

File: National Tournament Countermeasures [oval] top secret

57
Taichi: Hyoro-kun brought this to me yesterday.
File: National Tournament Countermeasures [oval] top secret
Taichi: It’s info on strong teams from other prefectures that Hokuou Gakuen’s been compiling up until now.

Chihaya: Eh!?

Taichi: Information such as the styles of the teams that regularly participate each year… [linked] As well as how to use the facilities in Oumi Jinguu’s Hall of Learning.
Hyoro: Hmph
Taichi: Even an introduction to the inn that the Hokuou team stays at regularly… [linked] Frankly speaking, it’s saved us a lot of trouble.

Taichi: And despite all that? [linked] You’re thinking of the school that lost to us as a burden. Why?
Taichi: You gotta be kidding me!

58
Taichi: There’s nothing to be ashamed of!
Taichi: We went all out and competed fair and square.

Taichi: It’s still lingering within you, right?

59
- That feeling you bring to each match…
- …is your closest companion!

60
Paper slip: We’re going by car to pick up your sister. Be back around 10 o’clock. Microwave the oyako-don to eat. [circle] Mom
- Dad, mom…

- I’m going to compete in the National Karuta Tournament.
- Everyone worked really hard, and we won the final round.

- I want to go to Shiga’s Oumi Jinguu.

- Sooo, about the travel and accommodation expenses…

61
- The loan’ll…

62
Darker colour spine: Chihaya
Lighter colour spine: Chitose

Chihaya: Whoa!?

63
Arrow: A real shame!
[NB. quick explanation of the relevant bit of the text: Chihaya in her 3rd year of middle school came 2nd place in the girls’ 100 meter dash with a time of 12.53sec. Text circled says “Ayase Chihaya”]

Article title: Stately figures in hakama / Mizusawa Public High School Karuta Club qualifies for National Tournament
- Appearing in hakama, a rare sight even in the whole country
- Tokyo’s representatives in the Karuta Championship Tournament has been decided. Defeating the five year consecutive champion team from Hokuou Gakuen and receiving the Tournament entry ticket for the first time, this club from Mizusawa Public High School has been established for a mere two months. Their refreshing hakama-clad appearance drew much attention as they launched a rapid assault. Their activities at the National Tournament in July will be much anticipated.
Notes: 200X / June 23rd / Morning News [circled] Chihaya’s amazing!

- My reason for living is…

- Making scrapbooks of my DAUGHTERS’ ACTIVITIES!!

64
- That feeling you bring to each match…
- …is your closest companion!

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 18 by JinHea

2012-01-10T01:26:45+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

02
- Characters & Story
Chihaya: Ayase Chihaya / In 6th grade, she met Arata and came into contact with competitive Karuta for the first time. Naturally blessed with sharp hearing, she began utilizing this exceptional ability once she started playing Karuta.
Arata: Wataya Arata / The one who led Chihaya into the world of Karuta. His grandfather holds the title of Eisei Meijin. After graduating from primary school, he returned to his hometown of Fukui with his family in order to look after his ailing grandfather, leaving behind Chihaya and everyone else. [NB. Eisei Meijin – literally Eternal Meijin, bestowed upon players who have served as Meijin for 5 consecutive periods OR who have served as Meijin for a total of 7 or more periods]
Taichi: Mashima Taichi / An all-round athlete and honours student. He dislikes losing, and began playing Karuta out of antagonism towards Arata, who had grown close to Chihaya through the game. Co-founded the Mizusawa High Karuta Club with Chihaya.

03
Kana: Ooe Kanade / Daughter of a traditional clothing retailer, loves the classical period. Joined the Karuta Club out of desire to wear hakama.
Nishida: Nishida Yuusei / Faced off in Karuta against Chihaya and co. during primary school. Joined due to this history. Commonly known as Meatbun-kun.
Komano: Komano Tsutomu / Once fixated on studying, he joined the club after being moved by Taichi’s passion for Karuta. Commonly known as Desk-kun.
- As a young girl in 6th grade, Chihaya met Arata, a transfer student from Fukui, and came into contact with the world of competitive Karuta. Arata was already a National level player, and Chihaya’s inborn listening ability gradually drew out her aptitude for the game. The two of them influenced Taichi to play, and somewhere along the way the trio became fast friends. However, Arata returned to Fukui right after graduation……
- Even apart, the bond that Karuta forged between the three of them will not change…... is what Chihaya believed, but the death of his grandfather caused Arata to distance himself from Karuta. Even so, with the promise – “As long as we continue playing Karuta, we can meet again” – they made back then in their hearts, Chihaya and Taichi vowed to reunite with Arata, and founded the Mizusawa High Karuta Club. Their goal – to participate in the National Tournament’s group matches. The results of the prefectural preliminaries are—!?

05
- 18th song

06
- Fukui Prefecture, Awara City

Arata: Welco…

07
Arata: Manager.
Manager: Hm?
Manager’s magazine: Lovely breasts
Arata: May I use the store’s computer? [aside] Since there’re no customers…

Manager: No porn sites, okay?
Arata: My home computer’s slow and run down. [linked] I just need to check my messages…
Computer: click [linked] click

Arata: Well, I don’t text all that much though… [NB. In Japan texting is actually a form of email-sending, thus the reason for Arata using a computer to check his messages]

Manager: What? [linked] Spam from porn sites!?

- Thank you
- Chihaya here. Arata, thanks for the birthday message! / I was really surprised! I didn’t think you’d remember. Taichi keeps giving me uncalled-for advice / but

- Documents for Tokyo Preliminaries received
- We did it---! / Now that we have five club members, we can enter the competition! Just got the documents today,

08
- Mizusawa High School’s first victory!
- We won--!! / Taichi and Meatbun-kun were / Kana-chan and Desk-kun / worked hard relentlessly / Our first match as a team

- Preliminary League won
- Conquered B League with 3 wins 0 losses! Everyone’s completely wiped out though. We all need a good rest. [diamond enclosed] Chihaya

- Final round held after lunch
- Off to battle! [diamond enclosed] Chihaya

Manager: Hey Arata-kun, [linked] didn’t you say you don’t text all that much?
- click
- click
- click
Manager: Why’re you checking your messages every 10 seconds?

09
- Off to battle! [diamond enclosed] Chihaya

SFX: huff huff

SFX: huff

10
- I’ll win.
- With my…
- Aggressive Karuta.

Paper: Hyoro / Prediction / Nishi / Ooe / Mashima / Komano / Ayase

11
- Thank you very much.
Box: Ryuugasaki / Ooe (17 card difference)

- Thank you very much.
- Takuma / Komano (15 card difference)

- Hokuou has 2 wins.
- Just one more win.

Hyoro: Sudou-senpai and Amakasu-senpai are having a harder time than expected.
Hyoro: I’ll be the one to save the day!

- Except—
- why is he so persistent!?

12
- mutter
- mutter
- mutter
- Of the 100, 4 are “Ya” cards. “Yae”, “Yamaza” have been read, so I can take the final 2 from my right territory as soon as I hear “Ya”.
- As for “Yo” cards, 2 “Yononaka” have been read, but with “Yomo” there’s still “Yoo” to be read so I must be careful capturing at “Yo”.
- “Chigirio” has been read so I’ll take “Chigiriki” and “Chiha” from my opponent’s territory at “Chi”.
- Don’t hold back!
- “Kiri” can be captured at “Ki”. The 2 “Kimigatame” were read ages ago.
- 8 “Na” cards. “Nagara”, “Nagaka”, “Nanishi”, “Natsu”, “Naniwaga” have already been read.
- “Nageke” and “Nanihae” are still live. Gotta be alert for the ghost card “Nageki”.
- Listen hard! Don’t be fooled!

- I…
- mutter
- mutter
- …don’t have Chihaya’s acute “perception”, nor do I have Nishida’s ability to predict how the match will develop.

- Nage

- ki tsutsu—
- Unh!

13
- Huuuh~~~? I faulted!?
- “Nageki” hadn’t been read yet~~~~~!?

- mutter
- mutter
- Monitoring ruling-letter shifts is the one thing I AM good at.

- Everyone’s relying on me.

- Make a mistake?

- Like I’d even let that happen!

14
- Thank you very much.
Box: Kinashi / Mashima (8 card difference)

- Mizusawa has 1 win!

16
Sudou: I beg your pardon.

SFX: phew—
Sudou: 6 more cards…

- I didn’t expect such an even match…
- No matter how much I attack, I can’t completely dominate it.

- Right now…
- Right now, I really don’t want the cards in my territory to be taken—

Chihaya SFX: huff

- Na

17
- ni

- wae no—

Sudou: Damn!

- He’s trying to protect his own territory.

Mochida: Attac…

18
Mochida: I’m sorry! I’m sorry!
Mochida: I beg your pardon!

- Mochida-sensei…

19
- I’m the Karuta Club advisor, Mochida.
- I will teach you the basics, but…

- since my dream is also to become Mejin…
- I will be practicing for my own sake!!

- Eeh—?
Small box: 7th grade
Box: Despite saying all that…

- there was nothing formidable about sensei’s Karuta.
- I quickly overtook him in terms of ability.
Box: 9th grade
- But…

20
- “Having an aggressive mindset is very important.”

- Japanese blades are able to cut not when you push, but rather when you pull, right?
- First attack the opponent’s territory…

- …from that position, it’s faster to return to your own territory.
- Hmmmm

Sudou aside: Ah— you’re right— / That was a piece of cake—
Box: Whether things are going right or wrong…

21
- Nageke tote—

- Sensei was the one who taught me the joy of playing Karuta.

Nishida: I got it!
Nishida: I got it!!

- Mizusawa has 2 wins!

22
- ……ngh

- Mochida-sensei…
- Everyone…
- I want to take us all to the National Tournament.

- I want to win.
- I want to win!

24
- Chi

26
- Thank you very much.

27
- Whoaaa!
- Chihaya!
- You did it!

- TOO SCARY—!! There was still “Chigiriki” left but you captured at “Chi”!
- Whoa! I knew it! She’s asleep!
Kana: Chihaya-chaaan!
- We came this far…
- How was she able to get the card like that?

28-29
- With eyes that no longer held any desire to win, even…

- Chihaya…!

30
- Arata…
- Look, Arata!

31
- New message

- We’re going to the National Tournament!

32
- Look, Arata! These are my friends! / Come see us at Oumi Jinguu! [diamond enclosed] Chihaya

34
- Some fun basics of competitive Karuta / part [circle] two

- [Ruling-letter shifts during the match]
- Players can determine which card to get when it’s read up to a certain point. The syllables up to that point are called “ruling-letters”. The 100 cards range from “one syllable cards” – where just hearing “Mu” or “Su” is enough for the capture – to “six syllable cards” like “Asaborake a”. At the quickest, hearing just 1 syllable is enough for players to identify the card, and even at the slowest only 6 syllables are needed. As the match progresses, the ruling-letters change too. For example, there are 3 “Chi” cards – “Chihayaburu”, “Chigirikina” and “Chigiriokishi” – but once “Chigirikina” is read the ruling-letters for “Chigiriokishi” change from “Chigirio” to “Chigi”. Furthermore, once “Chigiriokishi” is read the ruling-letter for “Chihayaburu” becomes “Chi”, and it becomes a one syllable card. Every time a card is read, players must readjust their memory of the ruling-letters, the accuracy of which is a key contributory factor to the match outcome.
- [Like cards]
- Cards like “Harusugite” and “Harunoyono”, where the first few ruling-letters are the same, are called like cards.
- [Long shot cards]
- Cards like “Asaborake” that have 6 syllable ruling-letters are called long shot cards.

Kana aside: The basics, huh.
Komano aside: Hmm, I see.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 17 by JinHea

2012-01-04T03:04:53+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

155
- U
- karikeru—
Text in logo: 17th song

156
Chihaya: Got it!!
Chihaya: Consecutive captures!!

- Chihaya!
- Yes!

- That wasn’t a consecutive capture!

157
- But…
- her speed just now—
- She made her move right after hearing “U”.
- Even though “Ura” has yet to be read…

- Was she willing to risk being wrong when she aimed for that card?
Chihaya: We’re taking the next one too!

- Yeah!
- No way…

158
Harada: Mochida-kun, [linked] how many readers have there been today?
Mochida: Huh? [linked] Since it’s the high school preliminaries, that woman’s been doing all the reading…

- Then it’s the 5th match already…
Harada: Pbfft
Harada: Ah, I beg your pardon.

Chihaya: Focus on getting the cards!
- Yeah!
- I’ve never seen such a boisterous Chihaya-chan before.

- How much have you absorbed in this one day, I wonder?

159
- Sigh—
- Even that reader’s habits…

- your ears… [linked] have already caught them, right?

160
- Oo

- e yama—

Box: Going to get the card

161
- Whoa!
- It really is a consecutive capture this time!

- Good!

- A consecutive capture for Chihaya.

- Good!
- Chihaya-chan’s recovered.

- I know that the atmosphere around everyone is becoming lighter.

162
- This card of mine… [linked] …is no longer just a card.
Chihaya: Going for the 3rd consecutive capture!!
- Yeah!

- Chihaya-chan’s…
- finally aware that she’s the team’s ace!?
- That was slow!
Harada: Fufufufufu…

- Huff
- Huff

- Chihaya-chan may have caught the reader’s habits, but there’s more to winning than just that.
- It only means that she’ll “happen to get it right” from time to time.

163
- Still, it makes an impression.

- Ashi biki no—
- And leads to mistaken judgement.

- A double fault!! [asterix]
Chihaya: [aside] Ooh [normal text] Lucky—

Asterix: One player takes the correct card from their opponent’s territory while the other player commits fault, in which case 2 cards are sent to the penalized player. This situation is called double fault.

164
- Su- [linked] Sudou-senpai!

Sudou: I beg your pardon.

Harada: Taking a break so as to cut short the unfavourable development. [linked] He has good timing.
- It’s okay. [linked] Sudou-kun’s cool-headed.

165
- Phew—
- Aah, I knew it…

- Looking down is really calming…

- Okay!
Sudou: Hokuou!
Sudou: Let’s do this one card at a time!

- Yeah!

166
Sudou: True…
Sudou: …her “perception” speed is amazing.

- But
- Wata no hara [linked] ko
- Karuta isn’t just about “perception”!

- A long-shot card. [asterix]
Asterix: Pairs of cards beginning with the same 5 syllables, like “Wata no hara” or “Asa borake”. It’s often a battle of technique with these cards, since the correct card can only be determined after hearing the 6th syllable.

167
- Brilliant Covering-Hand.
Mochida aside: Yesss
- With that big hand covering the card so closely, she can’t get to it.

- The kid plays Karuta like an old man.
Sudou: Hmph

168
Sudou: What…? [linked] Did she fall for me?

- Covering Hand, for when the opponent assaults your territory.

- Arata was good at it, too.

- I wonder…
- if Arata’s hands have become this big…

169
Sudou: I’m moving my cards.
Chihaya: Eh?

- Over there!?
- Dammit~~~

Sudou SFX: ignore
Chihaya SFX: phew—

- But, it’s fun.

170
- Stop.
- Don’t think too much.

- That’s my special card, so…
- my hand will reach it no matter where it is…

- As if drawn by a magnet.

- Wasura ruru—

- Shira tsuyu ni

171
- Mika kimori—

- Sudou-kun’s being pressured.
- What’s the current difference in cards?
- Both have 13 cards!?

- Ayase caught up…
- …to Hokuou’s ace.

- Amazing.
- Meatbun-kun.

172
Nishida: Hah?
- Your nickname’s Meatbun-kun? That’s so awesome! [linked] You’re Suihoku Karuta Meet’s Nishida-kun, right?

- I thought you quit playing Karuta.
- Since you weren’t in any tournaments…

- What a shame, you were really strong…

- Oh yeah!

- Ugh!

173
- Amakasu…
- Amakasu-senpai…

- We have two aces!
- No problem!

Aside: Got it // Got it—
- Amakasu Nayuta…

- To think he’s gotten this strong…

- When we met at the practice Meet…
- flap [linked] flap

- he was still a beginner…
Amakasu box: 7th grade
- He was older, but he was no match for me.
Nishida box: 6th grade
- Yuusei, you’re a hard worker. [linked] You’ll become an A-Level player soon.

174
- An A-Level player…

- He moves well.
- His Karuta lacks finesse, but…
- This kid is the one setting the pace.

175
- Hm [linked] Hmhmm [clef]

- Hm [linked] Hmhmhmm [clef]
- “What a shame, you were really strong…”

- What on earth was I doing?

- Joining the tennis club in middle school even though I couldn’t play at all…
- Spending less and less time practicing Karuta…

- Yuusei…
- It’s been so long since I’ve seen my coach…

176
- I thought you quit playing Karuta. [linked] Since you weren’t in any tournaments…
- Why…?

- Why did I…

- Yama zato ha—

Kana: Ah! A ghost card!?
Kana: My apologies! My apologies!
Box: Being the only one to move when it’s a ghost card is super embarrassing.

177
- Yo wo komete
- Ah! [linked] Damn!

- And here I thought I could’ve taken that one…
Komano: No no no…

Komano: I was faster just now, wasn’t I?
- No, you’re mistaken.
Komano: Look, my little finger was below, like this…

Komano: You came from this way… [linked] but it was above my finger, wasn’t it?
Aside: Like this // like this
- You’re really bad at giving up.
Komano: But that really is my card!!

- Now now you two… [linked] In that case, count it as owner’s privilege… [NB. Owner’s privilege – when both players touch a card at the same time, the card goes to the player whose territory it belongs in]
- Eh— [linked] That’s…! Please listen!

178
- National Tournament, primary school 5th grade division champion… [linked] Wataya Arata-kun.
- Runner-up, Nishida Yuusei-kun.

- National Tournament, primary school 6th grade division champion…
- Wataya Arata-kun.

- Ahh, I see.

- I gave up.

181
- Whoa! One whole revolution!
- What’s with that guy!?
- He’s way too into it!

Taichi: Nice going, Nishida!

- I’m not giving up.

- Meatbun-kun!

- I’m not giving up.

182-183
- This isn’t just my match.

- Ahh… coach, if only…

- I had practiced more.
- I want to win.

184
- I want to win!

-

186
- Extra 4 panel comics
Box: Kana-chan and Desk-kun are still wearing their gym clothes as practice gear.
Logo on shirt: Mizusawa
Box: It’s about time they got some suitable t-shirts.

- Meatbun’s t-shirts 1

[NB. harapeko – absolutely starving]

[NB. 大盛 – a big serving]

[NB. 山盛 – tall as a mountain]

[NB. 特盛 – a huge serving]
Nishida: I wonder where Meatbun-kun buys his t-shirts?
Kana: Yeah…

186
- Meatbun’s t-shirts 2

Nishida: My big sis’ hobby is handicrafts, and she makes whatever I ask.
Nishida: I’ll ask her to make shirts for you guys too!

Komano: Eeh!?
Kana: Meatbun-kun, it’s- [linked] it’s okay, you don’t have to—
Bold aside: Leave it to me // leave it to me
- We want normal ones…

[NB. right to left the shirts say: song / Traditional clothing Ooe / ten thousand leaves]

[NB. right to left the shirts say: The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary (literal translation: 3 years on top of the tatami) / Tsutomu]

Sister: It’s not that I like to make these things, you know!! [linked] I only did it cos he insisted!!
Sister: If you need someone to make team shirts, tell me, ‘kay?
Taichi: Tsu-tsundere!?
Chihaya: Pi-Pizzabun!! [aside] that’s the vibe I’m getting

187
- Men’s secret talk 1

Nishida: Ayase and Kana-chan.
Nishida: Which one would you want as your girlfriend?

Nishida: Kana-chan!
Komano linked: Kana-chan…

Nishida: Ah! Mashima, how ‘bout you? [linked] Keeping secrets is just mean! Tell us!

Nishida: Don’t hold back! You’d definitely go for Kana-chan too, right!?
Nishida: No way it’s Ayase, right!?

- Men’s secret talk 2

Taichi: You guys…
Taichi: it’s the BOOBS, right?

Taichi: It’s cos Ooe-san has big boobs, right?
Nishida: Ah! This guy! We didn’t say nothing about that!
Komano: Th-

Komano: That’s not it! [linked] Kana-chan’s cute, and she has a good personality…
Komano: I can imagine going on a date with Kana-chan, [linked] but…

Komano: I can’t imagine a date with Ayase!! [linked] It always turns into Karuta practice!!
Nishida: Yeah! Yeah!
Taichi: You have a point…

Tone box: End
- Let’s meet again in volume 4.

188-189
- Will it be Hokuou / or Mizusawa?
- Who will represent Tokyo!?
- What will be the outcome of their first team competition!?
- Chihayafuru [circle] four
- On sale 13th March 2009

190
- Playing Karuta with friends like this is the best!!
Chihaya panel: Arata, watch us!
Arata panel: Will they be able to meet at Oumi Jinguu?

- Competitive Karuta is hot!! / [Chihayafuru] is / selling amidst critical acclaim!
Text in O: RRP 370yen (tax included)
Text below O: (On sale the 1st and 15th of every month)
Text beside E: from

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 16 by JinHea

2012-01-04T03:03:36+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

125
- Come on, y’all! [linked] Hurry up!
Text beside logo: 16th song

Harada: Today’s tournament was brutal. [linked] I can’t believe no one made it into the top 8.
Harada aside: I lost too, but still…
Box: People from Shiranami Karuta Meet

- Cheer up, Harada-sensei. [linked] Thanks to that, we can now come support Chihaya’s team for the High School prelims.
- But if they’ve lost already, then we came for nothing.

Harada: Mami-chan, don’t be so negative…

126
- Ugh…
- They lost…?

Taichi: The problem is our ordering strategy for the final round.

Taichi: Hokuou Gakuen is said to have two A-Level players. [linked] That slit-eyed guy is probably one of them…
Nishida: That really short guy with the round eyes is the other one.

Taichi: Nishida, you know him?
Nishida: He started playing pretty early on. [linked] I’ve met him at practice Meets. [aside] He’s 1 year above me.

Kana: But we don’t know which order the Hokuou players will be in, do we?

Taichi: That’s true. Still…
Chihaya aside above her head: Ummm / Ummm
Taichi: …if we know their order, we’ll have a better chance of getting 3 wins…
Chihaya aside: So we’re trying to avoid being matched up with the A-Level players? / Who the? / What the?

127
Chihaya: Enough already!
Paper: Final Round / Mizusawa High School // Meatbun-kun / Kana-chan / Taichi / Desk-kun / Chihaya
Chihaya: We’ll go with this!

Taichi: Chihaya, [linked] don’t just randomly write down whatever. [linked] And don’t put down people’s nicknames!
Chihaya: It’s not random!

Chihaya: I… [linked] …thought this up during our match against West High.

Chihaya: The person who can shout the loudest, and who’s best able to see the overall situation, should be in central position. [linked] In our team, that person is Taichi.
Chihaya: It’s not a position for someone like me, who can’t see anything beyond her own match.

Chihaya: On the other hand, the positions at both ends should be occupied by people who focus on their own matches and can win quickly.
Chihaya: That’d be me and Meatbun-kun.

128
Chihaya: Kana-chan and Desk-kun will be… [linked] …positioned between me, Taichi and Meatbun-kun, and derive encouragement from us.
Paper: [highest bubble] monitoring overall situation [6 bubbles below that] Chihaya / Desk / Taichi / Kana-chan / Meat / working hard [lowest bubble] working very hard
Chihaya: Rather than base our order on Hokuou’s…
Chihaya: …I want our formation to be one where we can all perform at a hundred percent.

Chihaya: Because we will win, no matter who our opponents are!

- Chihaya…

129
- a little while ago,
- you looked like you were about to cry, but now—
Paper: Round / Final Round // School / Mizusawa High School // Nishida Yuusei // Ooe Kanade // Mashima Taichi // Komano Tsutomu // Ayase Chihaya
- Here is Mizusawa High’s ordering sequence form.

Harada: Eyelash-kun. Eyelash-kun.

Taichi: Harada-sensei!
Harada aside: Ah— thank god // thank god
Harada: You’ve been racking up the wins, I hear. And now you’re in the final round. [linked] Chihaya-chan’s in top form, too.

Taichi: Sensei, I… [linked] had no idea that even Chihaya gets stressed out…
Harada: Eh? [linked] Chihaya does!? [aside] that’s rare

- “You’re the only one who absolutely cannot lose.”

130
Taichi: Chihaya’s usually so resilient…
Taichi: …but I said the wrong thing…

Taichi: …and nearly caused her to have a breakdown…

Taichi: I don’t even understand CHIHAYA. That won’t do, will it?
Taichi: I’m the club president, after all.

Taichi: Well then, I’ll be on my way.

- This is why…
- …I can’t look away.

131
- “Even if I put the entirety of my youth on the line, I can’t surpass Arata.”

- The fact that you’re here…
- …is proof that you’ve changed, don’t you think?

- Harada-sensei. Harada-sensei.
Harada: Hm?
- I found a kid that hasn’t changed a bit over there.

Hyoro: Hyorot Answer!
Card: Hyorot

132
Hyoro: So it’s 1) Nishida 2) Ooe 3) Mashima 4) Komano 5) Ayase. [linked] Going for a drastic change in ordering, are they?
Aside: totally confident

- You know— we don’t need to go this far against them, do we? [linked] It’s not like they’re all that strong.

Sudou: For some reason… [linked] I smell yakiniku.

Sudou: Aah! Was it you, Mochida-sensei?
Mochida: Eh? [linked] But I didn’t eat yakiniku.
Sudou: Huh, that’s even more amazing.

- Mocchi always smells yummy, huh—
- I wanna eat meat now. Meat—
Sudou: In any case,
Sudou: 5) is my opponent.

Hyoro: Alrighty! [linked] 3)’s Mashima is my opponent!

- Eh? [linked] Why him, Hyoro-kun?
Hyoro: We were in the same Karuta Meet in primary school, [linked] and I’ve never lost against him.

Hyoro: He must be reluctant to face me.
Bold text: self-assured

Aside: Is… is that so…
- I’ll randomly allocate the rest then.

133
- It’s the preliminaries, so let’s finish this quick. [linked] This year we’ll get our revenge against Shizuoka’s Fujisaki for sure.

- Let’s all win our matches and go to the National Tournament!
- Of course!

Mochida: Everyone, [linked] focus only on what’s in the distance and you’ll get tripped up.
- Yeah, yeah. Sensei, could you hand this in for us?

- You’re probably tired of it, but…
- you’ll be taking us to Oumi Jinguu this year too.

- Now then, [linked] I’ll read out the order…
- …for the final round between Hokuou Gakuen and Mizusawa High School.

- Hokuou Gakuen, Amakasu-kun.
Aside: Ah! That’s me!

- Mizusawa High School, Nishida-kun.

134
- Hokuou Gakuen, Ryuugasaki-kun. [linked] Mizusawa High School, Ooe-san.
Aside: Eek!

- Hokuou Gakuen, Kinashi-kun.
Aside: Here!
- Mizusawa High School, Mashima-kun.
Aside: Wha—

- Hokuou Gakuen, Takuma-kun.

- Mizusawa High School, Komano-kun.

- Hokuou Gakuen, Sudou-kun.
- Mizusawa High School, Ayase-san.

- All correct!!
- Hyorot cards are terrifying!!

135
- That’s a traditional school for you.
- They’re in a league of their own.

- Please treat us kindly.
- P- [linked] Please treat us kindly.

136
Sudou: Ow

Chihaya: Ah! [linked] I’m sorry!

Sudou: Where’s your “my apologies”?

Chihaya: Huh?
Aside: There it is.
Sudou: Where’s your “my apologies”?

Chihaya: I said I’m sorry.
Chihaya: Did you not hear it?

Sudou: I won’t be satisfied if it isn’t “my apologies”.
Chihaya: Huh?

Chihaya linked: What’s with this guy?

- Time. Please arrange your cards.

137
- Wh…

- What arrangement is that!?

- Calm down, Chihaya-chan.

- He knows Chihaya-chan’s special card and is trying to shake her up.
Hyoro aside: It was me who told him, obviously.
- Going so far as to disturb his own set arrangement… he’s rather confident—

138
Harada: Aren’t you Mochida-kun from Harukawa Karuta Meet?
Mochida: Wah! Harada-san.
Harada: Well well. So you’re coaching Hokuou Gakuen.

Mochida: You can’t really call it coaching. [linked] I’m not very good. I just like playing.
Mochida: I- [linked] I can only pray for them.

Harada: That kid on this end made an odd arrangement.
Mochida: Ahh… honestly, Sudou-kun is an odd kid. [linked] He’s fond of doing things that annoy people…

Mochida: …but if he didn’t have that side to him…
Mochida: He’s capable of becoming Meijin someday.

Harada: That may be so, but he just might lose to my student.
Mochida: No no, I doubt it. That girl’s only a 1st year in high school, isn’t she?
Harada: Oh no, I’m serious.
Bold text: Doting coaches

139
Harada: I believe she’ll be Queen in the future.
- Begin.

- Nani wazu ni sakuya kono hana fuyu gomori—
- Hokuou, let’s win all 5 matches!
- Yeah!
- Ima wo haru beto sakuya kono hana—

Nishida: Mi
Kana: zu

140
Taichi: sa
Komano: wa

Chihaya: FIGHT!

- Ima wo haru beto sakuya kono hana—
- Mizusawa didn’t do any cheering before, did they?
- Maybe they thought it up just a while ago?

- Don’t be confused by this “Chihaya”.

- Just play like usual…

- Focus on attacking.

141
- Ta
- chi wakare—

142
Harada: He sent out both “Tama” and “Tachi” from Chihaya’s territory.
Harada: So he also plays Aggressive Karuta. [NB. Aggressive Karuta focuses on attacking cards in the opponent’s territory]

Mochida: Sudou’s S is stands for “striking relentlessly”.
Aside: good going

Harada: And Chihaya-chan went for “Taki” in her opponent’s territory.
Harada: Not bad. [linked] Good luck, Chihaya-chan.

Hyoro: I kept it!

- Nice! I got it too!

- I captured it!

- Sudou?

Sudou: I got it, naturally.

143
- All 5 of them…

Taichi: The fight starts now!
Taichi: Mizusawa, attack!!

144
- Attack.

145
- It’s okay even if you’re unsure.
- Reach out…

- …assault your opponent’s territory.

Hyoro: Well well, Mashima, [linked] you’re pretty worked up. Were you always like that?

- Attack.

146
- Kaze wo itami—

- Ima wa tada—
- The cards are…

- I want to attack, but the cards are no help.
- They keep coming from my own territory.

Sudou: Here [heart]

Sudou: Here [here]

147
- “Aggressive Karuta”…

- …is a style that involves actively acquiring cards from the opponent’s territory.
- It serves to deal mental damage to the opponent, but more importantly…

- …it allows the player to organize their own territory advantageously through the sending of cards.
- Chihaya-chan…

- …don’t get caught up in his pace—
- uneasy

- Calm down.

- Calm down.
Chihaya: Haah
Chihaya: Haah
- Confirm each cards’ position…

148
- Its presence dominates my vision.
- This “Chihaya” is really irritating!

- Ah!?

- Just when…

149
- a card from the opponent’s territory finally appeared—

- “My apologies”…
- Since you wouldn’t say it…

150
- Got it!

Komano: I got it!
Komano: I captured a card! [linked] Yesss!!

- Wh-
- What’s up with him? It’s just one card.

Chihaya: Desk-ku…

151
Komano: Ayase!
Komano: Even I got a card from my opponent’s territory! [linked] You can’t…

Komano: You can’t let your attacks be thwarted!!

152
Komano: Yes! [linked] I can do this.
Komano: I can do this. [linked] Let’s take another card.

Nishida: I got it too!

Taichi: I kept it as well!

Kana: I’m definitely getting the next one!

- When playing individual matches…
- …a card was just a card.

153
- But now—

- Hoo—
- Now—

154
- I’m going to get a card for my team.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 15 by JinHea

2011-12-28T01:34:44+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

95
Text to left of Chihayafuru logo: 15th song

- …only recruited so you’d have enough people to participate in the National Tournament!
- What should I do?

- To think Desk-kun thought that way—
- Alright, time to begin.

96
- Nani wazu ni sakuya kono hana fuyu gomori—
- West High for the win!!
- Yeah!!

- Hunh?
- Ima wo haru beto sakuya kono hana—

- Ariake no—

97
- I got it!
- Nice, Ecchan!!
- A keep for me too!
- Alright, Sano-senpai!
- Good going, good going. [linked] Okay, we’re on a roll!!

- Eh!?
- None of us got the card!?

- No.
- Taichi and Meatbun-kun got theirs.
- It’s an even game, yet…

- We’ll get the next one too!!
- Yeah!
- We can do it!

98
- I have to focus.

- We’ll do this one card at a time!
- I have to focus.
- Keep it up!
- I have to focus.
- Yeah!!

- Anyhow, win and advance to the final round

- …so that Komano will compete with us once more.

- If we lose here…

- All that effort everyone put in…
- All that time…
- Everything would be wasted—
- “You’re the only one who absolutely cannot lose.”

100
- Chihaya buru—

101
- Yes, got it!

- This is the one card we have to get!

Kana: Got it!!

Taichi: Okay, we all…

- Nice, Sano-senpai!!
- “Chiha” kept!!
- Good going!

102
- “Chihaya” got
- taken from Chihaya!?

- haa—
- haa—

- haa—
- The sounds…

103
- are so far away—

- West High is making a racket, as usual. [linked] That straightforward spirit is intimidating…
- although there’s nothing to fear from them ability-wise.

- Okay, the match is going our way!
- Yes!
- Whether you shout or not has an effect on the amount of tension in the body.

- There is no such thing as a strong team that remains silent.

104
Sudou: Hyoro, you’re sitting out too this time? [linked] What’re you up to?
Hyoro: Sudou-senpai.

Hyoro: Not with tarot cards, but rather Hyorot cards…
Hyoro: I’m predicting the order our opponents will be in for the final round.
Card: Hyorot

Sudou: It’s pretty amazing how those predictions of yours have an 80% success rate…
Hyoro: But if this keeps up, we’ll be facing West High in the final round. [linked] In which case we won’t need an ordering strategy.

Sudou: If Mizusawa High were to win, [linked] I’d like to play against the girl with long hair.
Hyoro: You mean Chihaya? [linked] Why do you…

Sudou: I want to bully a pretty girl.

105
- Sudou’s S stands for sadism’s S.

- But at this rate…
- …West High’s gonna win.

- No good.

Taichi: Chihaya, focus on getting one card at a time. [linked] Pull yourself together!

Chihaya: O…okay…
- No good.
- Chihaya isn’t her usual self.

- “It’s an order from your club president.”
- Saying something so arrogant to Komano…

106
- I’m the one who needs to pull himself together.

- Wasureji no—
Chihaya: Oh…

- Nice, Sano-senpai!!
- You have a 6 card lead!
- We can do this!

- How was I…
- getting the cards up till now?

- I can’t remember.

107
- I can’t remember—

- Nanishi owaba—

- Eh…

108
Hyoro: That was a flashy capture.
- Is he getting desperate?

Taichi: My apologies.

- Pat [linked] pat
- pat

109
Taichi: Nishida.
Taichi: Let’s have you win first.
Nishida: Huh?

Taichi: That way everyone will calm down.

Taichi: Ooe-san, you persevere too.
Taichi: Currently, your situation is the best. [linked] You can win.

Taichi: Chihaya.

Taichi: You…
Taichi: …can win just by breathing.

- Breathe…?

110
- Ah…
- So this is what…
- …my opponent looks like.

- The one that was shouting the loudest.
- She’s sweating bullets…

111
- I have 8 cards left. My opponent has 2 left.
- I really took a beating.

Chihaya: Haa—

- kachiiing
- kachiiing

- vwoo—

112-113
- The sounds…

115
- Ka

- kuto dani—

- Eh?

- Fast.

116
Chihaya: Alright!

Taichi: Y-
Taichi: Yes!

Nishida: Yes!

Kana: She did it!

117
Komano: 4 cards behind.

- Vigorously attacking in a situation where she cannot afford to incur penalties…
Sudou: That girl must be S too. [NB. S – sadist]
- things are suddenly looking up.

Komano: 3 cards behind.
Komano: Come on! [linked] Come on!!

Nishida: I won! [linked] 1 win for Mizusawa!

Taichi: Same here. [linked] 2 wins for Mizusawa!

Kana: Ungh…
- 1 win for West High!!

118
- The 6-card difference…

- has been turned around!

Komano: …C-

Komano: Come on, Ayase!!

119
Kana: She did it…

120
- Mizusawa High School, 3 wins. Tomihara West High School, 2 wins. Mizusawa High School is the victor.
- Thank you very much—

Taichi: Ah! She dozed off!
Taichi aside: I just knew it
Nishida: Uh, Kana-chan!?

Kana: Desk-kun!

Kana: Don’t run away! Don’t go back! [linked] What’s the matter? Even your obi’s crooked…
Komano: Ah! [linked] Awawah…

Kana: I’ll fix it, so stand properly!
Kana: Sheesh…

121
Kana linked: Did you notice?
Komano: Huh?

Kana: The insteps of the people here…
Kana: the skin there’s hardened to form calluses.
Kana: Those feet have been kneeling upright on tatami for many years.

Kana: Is it not natural, then, for us to be unable to win?

Kana: Let’s work hard until we have calluses too.

122
Komano: Kana-chan…
Komano: Your first win earlier… [linked] …congratulations.

- Komano…
Chihaya: Zzz— [linked] Zzz—

- When seeking fellow players,

123
- I’d prefer someone who can continue to work hard on the tatami.

Komano: I’m sorry…
Komano: I’m sorry, everyone…

124
- Once more, together with everyone…
Sudou: Now then,
Sudou: let’s win this quick and go to the nationals, shall we?

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 14 by JinHea

2011-12-23T00:28:54+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

65
- June. [linked] Amidst the rainy season.
- 14th song

- National Karuta Championship Tournament, High School Division – Tokyo Preliminaries.

66
- 14th song

67
- Wh… who’s that? [linked] A campaign girl?
- So thin! So tall!
Chihaya aside: A one-two- / three-four—
- Is that her? The beauty from Mizusawa High everyone’s talking about…
- Are we supposed to compete wearing hakama!?

- Think about it. [linked] Both the Meijin and Queen matches require the donning of hakama.
Paper: Lounge / Please be considerate of one another when using this room.
- It doesn’t hurt to accustom oneself to it.

Nishida: I don’t wanna— It’s not like I’m aiming for the Meijin title anyway—
Aside: Don’t wanna / don’t wanna—
Komano: No other high school is wearing them, you know!?
Kana: What are you saying!?

Kana: Meatbun-kun.

Kana: Desk-kun.

Kana: Compared to the school uniform or gym outfits, this suits the both of you much better!
Kana: It’s like a touring theatre troupe, or Shichi-go-san…!! [NB. Shichi-go-san is a Japanese festival held to celebrate children turning 7, 5, and 3 years old.]
- Ehh—

68
Paper: National Karuta Championship / High School Divisio / Tokyo Preli

Taichi: Ooe-san’s business sense… [linked] is not to be underestimated…
Aside: and Chihaya’s the model…
Box: The Karuta Championship Tournament will be held at Shiga’s Omi Jingu [NB. A shinto shrine] in July.

- Basically, one team representing each prefecture will be able to participate.
- And Tokyo, with its large number of entries, is…
- ...one of the country’s few places where competition is fierce.

69
Taichi: Chihaya, why’re you zoning out? [linked] The opening ceremony will begin soon.
Chihaya: Isn’t this amazing, Taichi?

Chihaya: Everyone here plays Karuta.
Chihaya: They’re all Karuta maniacs!

Taichi: Nah. [linked] I doubt that there’s anyone more of a maniac than you…
Aside: You’re being rude to everyone.
Bold text: Alright!
Chihaya: I gotta text Arata.

Taichi: You… [linked] You’ve been texting him a lot since your birthday, but have you ever gotten a reply?
Chihaya: Never, actually. I’m pretty surprised. [linked] But I’m sending them anyway.

Chihaya: I wonder why he texted that to you? [linked] He should have my number too. [aside] I wrote it on memos and letters to him.

70
- Received text / Taichi, sorry about before. Tell Chihaya happy birthday for me. / Wataya Arata

- I know why.
- Kacha [linked] kacha
- Somehow,

- somewhere along the way,

- we began to think
Taichi: Sorry. [linked] No pictures please.
- that Chihaya “belongs to both of us”.

Aside: E-excuse us.
- Taichi’s been acting odd recently.

71
- He’s changed…
- without my noticing.
- I see you’re using an incomprehensible method to attract attention, as usual.

- I didn’t expect you to enter the group competition. [linked] Chihaya.
Aside: waist pouch

Chihaya: Ah! Hyoro-kun?

Hyoro: Eh!?
Hyoro: Wait? That reaction just now, you forgot about me!?
Aside: waist pouch

Chihaya: I forgot, but I remember now!!
Hyoro: What did you say!?
Bold text: Long time no see—
Chihaya: [aside] Wow— [normal text] Hyoro-kun’s school is competing too? [linked] We’re rivals!!

72
Hyoro: Rivals?
Hyoro: Such a foolish thing coming from a newly formed Karuta club. You’re really putting me on the spot.

- We, Hokuou Gakuen, are a school with a tradition of Karuta. [linked] We’ve participated in the National Tournament 5 years running.
- Of the 5 people who’re competing, 2 are A-Level.

Chihaya: Eh…
- 2 are A-Level!?
- Awesome team, right? [linked] To tell the truth, I’m also one of 8 who were selected to sign up within just 1 year…

Chihaya: My team’s amazing too!
Chihaya: We’ll beat the likes of you without breaking a sweat!
- Nwha’d you sayyy!?

- What should I do?
- I knew it’d be like this, but…
- what should I do?

- Only 1 team can go to the National Tournament!
- Ah, [linked] Chihaya-chan.

73
Chihaya: Wah— Kana-chaaaaan!
Kana: What’re you all worked up about?
Chihaya: Y’see—

Kana: That’s no good, Chihaya-chan.
Chihaya: Eh…
Kana: A woman, [linked] whether she’s cleaning the floors or putting out futons to dry, must always conduct herself with grace.

Kana: Naturally, the same goes for when she’s battling!

74-75
- 12 schools are competing. [linked] After the preliminary leagues is the tournament.
- It’s good that we’re not up against Hokuou Gakuen. [linked] In any case, we can advance if 3 out of the 5 of us win our matches.

- I got through that gruelling overnight trip. [linked] And I stayed up all night yesterday practicing.
- I should have improved.

- Out of all these people, the one who loves traditional song the most is me!!
- I want to win.

76
Paper

: Match / First round // Team name / Mizusawa High School // Order / Name // Mashima Taichi // Nishida Yuusei // Ayase Chihaya // Komano Tsutomu // Ooe Kanade

77
- What’s with that school? [linked] Aren’t they going a bit overboard?
- They said, [linked] “Both the Meijin and Queen matches require the donning of hakama, so we have to become accustomed to it.”

- No way, that’s impossible! [linked] If they knew how strong the current Queen is, they wouldn’t say th—

- Ama

- tsu

78
- Kaze—
Box: The card is retrieved by the person who got it.
- Eh?

- Eh?

Chihaya: Ah!

Chihaya: No good.
Chihaya: Gracefully! Gracefully!

- We’ll win
- and go to the National Tournament

79
- as a team!

- Ehh!?
- Ayase-san won already?

- Mashima and Meatbun-kun won too!?
- Are the opponents that weak!?
Chihaya aside: good luck / good luck

Komano: Ah!

- Despite practicing so much…

80
- I’m completely unable to get cards the way I want to.

Paper top: B Lea
Left to right: Eikou Daifuzoku High School / Mizusawa High School / Shuuryuukan
Top down: Eikou Daifuzoku High School / Mizusawa High School / Shuuryuukan

- How do I put this…

Taichi: The opponet Komano faced was probably Eikou’s strongest player. [linked] You were just unlucky.
- Eh?

Komano: R…really?
Nishida: Yup, yup. Who you face is really a matter of luck.

Nishida: Mashima, I know you said it’d be better to have Ayase in the middle of our lineup, but [linked] shouldn’t we put more thought into it when we go up against strong opponents?
Taichi: Hmm…

81
Taichi: I wonder if Hokuou’s lineup will be dictated by theory? [linked] Who could the two A-Levels be?
Nishida: Only me, you and Ayase have to win. [linked] We’ll have Kana-chan and Desk-kun face the two A-Levels…

Kana: That reminds me, where’s Chihaya-chan?
Nishida: She’s over there. Texting [linked] like her life depends on it.
Kana: Again? [linked] She’s doing that a lot lately.

Nishida: Is it that guy? [linked] Wataya Arata?
Taichi: Ah…
Kana: Who is he?

Nishida: The one who taught Ayase Karuta. [linked] He’s really strong.
Nishida: He’s in Fukui now, though.

Nishida: Ayase wants to see him again at the National Tournament.
Nishida: That’s probably why she formed this club.

82
Kana: The…

Kana: The river flows rapidly, divided briefly by boulders… [NB. I translated this as Kana’s referencing Chihaya and Arata’s situation]
Nishida: I reckon she just wants to face strong opponets, since she’s crazy about Karuta…

Taichi: Let’s get going. [linked] Time for round 2.

Kana: Is the team from Shuuryuukan strong?
Nishida: They look pumped up and raring to go, [linked] but you just take it easy, Kana-chan…

83
Paper: Arrangement Chart (Komano Tsutomu)
- Vm
- Vm

Box: Round 2 against Shuuryuukan
- Nani wazuni— sakuya kono hana fuyu gomori—
- Ima wo haru beto sakuya kono hana—

- Ima wo haru beto sakuya kono hana—

- Taki

84
Chihaya: Whoa, sorry.
Komano: Eh?
Komano: Ah!

Chihaya: Sorry, sorry, I used too much strength…

Komano: Ah…

- Thank you very much.

Komano: Eh!?

- Ah, Kana-chan won!
- Her first victory!

85
Chihaya aside: Good luck / Desk-kun / Good luck

- Wasureji no—
- Ah…

- Thank you very much.

86
Kana: It’s…
Kana: my first victory!!

Chihaya: That’s amazing, Kana-chan! [linked] Congrats!
Nishida: Shuuryuukan really put the pressure on us guys. [linked] Even I thought I was gonna lose. [aside] Their faces were scary
Taichi aside: Yup yup

Kana: Today was my first time feeling like I can “attack”. [linked] Being able to take cards in my opponent’s lower right section that I’ve had my eye on feels really good.
Chihaya: I know, right?
Nishida: We’ve made it through the preliminaries. [linked] 2 more wins in the tournament and we’ll make the cut, right? [aside] We just might be able to go.
Taichi aside: That’s a miserly bento…
- But it’s all over if we lose even one round.

87
- We can’t let our guard down.
- Our lineup is vital. [linked] The 3 of us absolutely cannot let the opponent take all our cards.

- Our next opponent, Tomihara West High, has just one super-strong player.
- Then we’ll have Desk-kun play against that one.
Chihaya: I don’t really get all the logic behind determining the lineup...

- Chihaya-chan!
Komano: Um, can I...

Komano: …leave now? It’s not like you need me.

88
- Eh!?

Kana: What’re you saying, Desk-kun?
Nishida: We DO need you.
Bold text: Iiidiot

Komano: Cos… [linked] You have a good chance of winning even without me.
Komano: Besides, I haven’t won even once…

89
Kana: Uh…

Kana: Oh, was that it? [linked] You don’t have to worry…
Komano: Don’t be too pleased with yourself just cos you scored a win off of someone who went easy on you!

Kana: Eh…
Nishida: Desk, what’s wrong with you?
Komano: She may be having fun playing, but Ooe-san

Komano: was only recruited so you’d have enough people to participate in the National Tournament!
Komano: Anyone would’ve done. [linked] Even if it’s not Ooe-san,
Komano: even if it’s not me…

90
Chihaya: You’re…

Chihaya: You’re wrong, Desk-kun…
Komano: I’m not wrong! You want to participate in the National Tournament, don’t you?
Komano: There’s someone you want to meet at there, right!?

Komano: That’s all you think about!

Komano: Anyway, I’ll be going home now.
Komano: Tests are coming up, [linked] and I didn’t sleep yesterday.

Taichi: …Komano.

91
Taichi: You can sit out on one round and one round only.

Taichi: You’ll participate in the final round.
Taichi: It’s an order from your club president.

- Mizusawa High School, please make your way over.
- It’s time for the tournament.
Chihaya: N…

Chihaya: No, Taichi, why!? [linked] Have Desk-kun participate in this match too!
Chihaya: The 5 of us are a team!
Taichi: You think he can get cards feeling the way he does right now?

92
Nishida: I agree. Best to leave someone like that alone.
Taichi: It’s not Komano’s fault.

Taichi: We’re still…
Taichi: …playing Karuta with the mindset that it’s an “individual battle”.

Taichi: We haven’t become a real team yet.

93
Taichi: Anyhow, win and advance to the final round. [linked] The 4 of us MUST get 3 or more wins
Taichi: so that Komano will compete with us once more.

- Mizusawa High School, I’ll be reading out the lineup.

Taichi: Chihaya,
Taichi: You’re the only one [linked] who cannot lose.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 13 by JinHea

2011-12-13T01:17:22+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

35
- You’ve gathered 5 members, so…
- you’d like to officially form the “Karuta Club”… [linked] you say?
Paper: [heart] Miyauchi-sensei [heart] / FIVE Karuta Club Members have been gathered!! / [bear’s bubble] Member intro / President 1 – 2 Ayase Chihaya / [bubble] Will someday be Queen of Karuta / Vice-President 1 – 1 Mashima Taichi / [bubble] A lesser skilled B-Level / Secretary 1 – 2 Komano Tsutomu / [bubble] Smart new recruit / Apparatus 1 – 8 Nishida Yuusei / [bubble] Probably the roundest one in B-Level / Treasurer 1 – 6 Ooe Kanade / [bubble] Reliable traditional-song-otaku / Please treat us kindly [heart]
Text within logo: 13th song

- I’ll allow it as long as someone other than Ayase-san is President. [aside] What are you playing at with the member introductions?
Aside: Here, fix it and resubmit.
Chihaya: Eeh!?
- In any case, I’ll be your club advisor. [linked] That’s all. Dismissed!

36
Taichi: How shall we practice?
Box: President: Mashima Taichi

Nishida: In brief, me and Mashima will take turns being Ayase’s opponent.
Box: Apparatus/Prop Supervisor: Nishida Yuusei
Nishida: And whoever’s free can teach Kana-chan and Desk-kun. How’s that sound?

Komano: That‘s TSUTOMU. [linked] Meatbun-kun.
Box: Secretary/Match Records-keeper: Komano Tsutomu

Nishida: Desk
Tsutomu: Meat
Nishida: Desk
Tsutomu: Meat

Kana: Most importantly, with only 3000yen in club funds, [linked] there’ll be nothing left after buying the cards.
Box: Treasurer: Ooe Kanade

Chihaya: Alright!
Chihaya: I’ll be playing against Desk-kun and Kana-chan today!
Box: Captain: Ayase Chihaya

37
Taichi: Listen up, Chihaya. [linked] No matter how we look at it, you’re still an A-Level. Pitting you against beginners can’t even be called practice.
Chihaya: But I wanna play!
Taichi: And it won’t be any fun for Ooe-san and Komano either… [linked] you don’t hold back at all
Chihaya: But I really wanna play!

Chihaya: Club-President and Club-Captain – which one ranks higher!?

Aside: Which one, I wonder…
Kana: Im…

Kana: Impossible! I can’t compete against Chihaya-chan! [linked] Even I know full well the difference between our skill levels!
Chihaya: Kana-chan.

38
Chihaya: When I first started playing Karuta, I also…
Chihaya: had an extremely strong opponent.

Chihaya: If he’d gone easy on me,
Chihaya: I wouldn’t have come to like Karuta so much.

Chihaya: I won’t go easy on my opponents either.
Chihaya: I’ll go all out [linked] so that everyone will get stronger.

39
Chihaya: During summer vacation, the 5 of us…
Chihaya: will compete in the National Championship‘s group matches.

Text on package: Yakisoba Bread

40
- We’ll start from the basic rules.

Taichi: There are 100 cards for Hyakunin Isshu, but only 50 are used in a match. [linked] The 50 unused cards are ghost cards.
Kana aside: The basics, right!
Komano aside: Hm hm

Taichi: Each person takes 25 cards each and arrange them in 3 rows.
Taichi: There’s what’s called the match line, which is 87cm. [linked] The length from the elbow to the hand can be used to gauge its length.
Text along panel bottom: Approximately 87cm

Taichi: Take the card that’s been read out before your opponent does, [linked] and first player to clear all the cards in their own territory wins.
Komano: I understand my own territory, [linked] but what about when I take a card from my opponent’s territory?

Taichi: In that case you pass one card from your territory to your opponent.
Chihaya: That’s called “Sending Cards”--
Taichi: Sending Cards is a vital point, but don’t worry about it right now.

Taichi: An even more vital point is [linked] “Arrangement Fixing”.
Komano: Arrangement fixing?

41
Taichi: We don’t really memorise 100 percent of the cards’ positions under match conditions, [linked] instead we have what’s called “Arrangement Fixing”.
Nishida aside: Yup yup
Chihaya: Right! Right! We have!
Taichi: That is, you determine the card arrangment in your own territory beforehand…

Komano aside: I got fooled
Komano: So there’s a trick like that!!

Kana: I have determined mine, for the most part. [linked] I put the cards I like in the lower right so they stand out [heart] [aside] Being right-handed, they are the closest there.
Taichi: Placing “Haru su” and “Haru no” together like Ooe-san does [linked] makes them easier to get for yourself, but the same goes for your opponent.

Taichi: I’m not saying it’s a bad idea, [linked] it’s viable as long as your “perception” is more acute than your opponent’s.

Taichi: How should I arrange it so I can get my cards easily?
Taichi: How should I arrange it so my opponent will have trouble getting them?
Taichi: By practicing hundreds of rounds, [linked] the arrangement that is unique to you will be imprinted into your body.

42
Chihaya: First we must build up experience! [linked] Let’s have a match, Desk-kun!

Komano: Wait…

Komano: I’m left-handed so maybe I’ll put the cards I like on the left…? [linked] Is it okay for it to be so simple…?
Komano: I wonder, are there any theories to Long Shot Cards[asterix]? [linked] What about the 16 “A” cards?
Asterix: Cards that require 6 syllables to pinpoint.

- I knew it. He’s well suited for this.

43
Kana: Please teach me too! About arrangements without weaknesses!!
Kana: I don’t want to lose to someone who joined after me!

- Arata

- I’ve also made friends.

- I’m not alone.

- That which I received from Arata is expanding.

44
- School ended a long time ago!
- Hurry and go home!
- Wah!

Nishida: We can only practice after classes finish, so there’s only time for around 2 matches…
Kana: For me, that is not enough.
Taichi: Most importantly, we can’t build endurance in that amount of time. [linked] Once we’re at the Championships there’ll be at least 4 matches a day…

Chihaya: I remember for the Shiranami Meet, we stayed for 2 nights at Kawaguchi Lake on an overnight trip in summer. [aside] So that was for endurance-training…
Bottle: We! / Kiwi

Kana: Overnight trip!!
Komano: An overnight trip sounds good. [linked] Let’s do it!
- Eh? [linked] But there aren’t any places close b…

45
Taichi: Hm?

- Luckyyy! [linked] Taichi’s parents went to Kobe to attend a wedding.
Package: Bargain Store / today / tomorrow
- It’s the anniversary of the school’s founding, so we can play a whole day of Karuta on Sunday!

46
Chihaya: Still, your house is as luxurious as ever… [bold aside] wow—
Taichi: You can use the rooms, and we have enough futons for everyone, [linked] but are you really planning to stay over too, Chihaya?

Chihaya: Of course. [linked] I’m the captain, after all. [bold asides] wow— / huge—

Chihaya: Oh yeah!
Chihaya: Taichi, lemme see your room before everyone else arrives.

Taichi: Eh?
Chihaya: We used to play computer games together, didn’t we? [linked] Did they buy you a gigantic TV or something again? [linked] Lemme see, lemme see!
Taichi: You know…

47
Taichi: You shouldn’t just casually enter a guy’s room.
Taichi: And I won’t let you.

Outlined SFX: ding-dong

48
- Mashima… [linked] For the first time since I was born, I realise the concept of wealth disparity…
Taichi: What’re you talking about?
Taichi: Anyway, did you bring it?

Nishida: Of course!

49
Kana: Still, I am rather excited at the prospect of an overnight trip! [linked] What do we do for dinner?
Nishida: Wonder if there’s a cemetery nearby? [linked] Let’s have a test of courage! Test of courage!

Taichi: You guys…
Taichi: …are way too naïve.

- The purpose of Mizusawa High School’s Karuta Club’s first overnight trip is—

50
Chihaya: To play 15 matches in 2 days!

Trio: 15…!?
Chihaya: I made a match schedule too!

Paper: [bunny] Match Schedule [bunny] First day
Text below 1: Reader / Taichi
1: Desk-kun vs Kana-chan / Chihaya vs Meatbun-kun
Text below 2: Reader / Meatbun-kun
2: Desk-kun vs Meatbun-kun / Chihaya vs Taichi
Text below 3: Reader / Chihaya
3: Desku-kun vs Taichi / Meatbun-kun vs
Text below 4: Reader / Taichi
4: Desk-kun vs Chi / Kana-chan v
Kana: Chihaya-chan, this… [linked] Me and Desk-kun are playing every single match…
Chihaya: Yup!

Text above panel: 1 match takes at least 1 hour.
Chihaya: Right now playing actual matches are what you really need. [linked] Just focus and practice, one match at a time!
Chihaya: So that you can get stronger!

51
- Kana-chan, you’re swinging your wrist too far.
Kana aside: hup
- You’re not using the movement you were taught.

- Desk-kun, that’s where you have to press.
- Focus!

- I want you to get stronger.

- I want you to win.
Komano: Damn! [linked] It takes all my effort just to look for the cards.
- I want you to win!

- Right now, practice is everything.

- Chihaya, [linked] let’s call it a day.

52
Chihaya: Eh?

Chihaya: Why? [linked] We’ve only had 5 matches—
Kana: Hff [linked] Hff
Kana: Nagara eba mata konogoro ya shi no baren… [linked] ushito mishiyozo ima wa koishiki…

Kana: Should it come to pass that I may possess long life, mayhap even the anguish-filled present will be remembered in nostalgia… [NB. I was debating whether to leave this in romaji, but the song’s meaning can also be interpreted as an apt description for how Kana and Komano must be feeling, so I’ve translated it instead]
Kana: This is official Fujiwara no Kiyosuke’s… [linked] …traditional song examining thoughts of the past, present and future, and…
- Those two have hit their limit.

Chihaya: It’ll be much tougher at the championships. [linked] We have to practic…
Taichi: Chihaya.

Taichi: They’re doing their best for us. Do you want to ruin them?
Taichi: We’re calling it a day.

53
Text in circle: [exclamation mark] Wait until it’s done
Duck: Yummy

Nishida: Thank god Mashima’s club president. [linked] I thought we were gonna die~~~
Komano: I’m not hungry…
Kana: Me neither…

Kana: But we won’t last if we don’t eat!
Kana: There’s still tomorrow, Desk-kun!

Chihaya: Kana-chan, we gotta get away.
Kana: Eh?
Chihaya: Don’t talk, hide!!

54
- Oh my, Taichi…
- you have friends over?
Taichi: Mom!?

Taichi: Weren’t you staying there overnight?
- Well, Rika suddenly said she wanted to come back—
- Cuz, if we’re not going to USJ then there’s no point.

Chihaya: That was a close call… [linked] We’re going to the front door to get our shoes, then we’re coming to my house, Kana-chan.
Chihaya: Mrs Pressure would never allow girls to stay over…

Chihaya: Kana-cha…

55
Arrow text: given to be used as a body pillow but got turned down

- They’re doing their best for us. Do you want to ruin them?

56
Chihaya: Now that I think about it, people said it a lot... [linked] …that Chihaya-chan “only cares about Karuta”.
Chihaya: Nobody’d keep playing Karuta…

- I’m no good.
- No good…

- jump

57
Chihaya linked: What…

Kana: We are going, Chihaya-chan.

Chihaya: Eh… [linked] Kana-cha…
Kana: Shh.

Chihaya: What’s wrong, Kana-chan?
Chihaya: It’s already midnight.

Chihaya: Where…

58
- Happy birthday!

Above happy birthday: Chihaya

59
Chihaya: …eh…?
- At any rate, hurry up and eat! [linked] Before Mashima’s mom comes out of the bath!
- Ah! These’re spoons. [aside] I made a mistake…
- Shoot! We forgot about the knife!

- Ah well, we’ll just eat it like this. [aside] dig in
Kana: How ill-mannered!
Taichi: Here, Chihaya, the chocolate plate.

- Hurry! Hurry!
- Yum!
- What’s this yellow thing?
Text on plate: Chihaya

Taichi: Chihaya

Taichi: When you’re smiling, Karuta is fun.

60
Taichi: It’s true.
Taichi: Captain.
Choco plate: Chihaya

Chihaya: I like the tart’s pastry. [linked] Can I eat allll the pastry on the side?
- You a monster?
- I’ll get fat— but it’s so yummy—
- Mashima’s mom’s kinda scary. [linked] Someone go and lock the bathroom!

61
- Vrrrrrr [linked] Vrrrrr

Taichi: Unknown sender…

Chihaya: Taichi

Chihaya: I’ll give you the last bite of pastry—

Chihaya: Just kidding. It’s mine. [aside] Ah—

63
Taichi: An email… [linked] …came.
Chihaya: Eh

Phone: Received Mail / Taichi, sorry about before. Tell Chihaya Happy Birthday for me. / Wataya Arata
- 16 years old

64
Phone: Tai / Tell Chihaya Happy / for me / Wataya Arata

- Today is

- the best birthday ever!

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 12 by JinHea

2011-12-06T04:11:23+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

05
- Chihayafuru
- 12th song

- The opponent has 3 cards left,
- I have 6 cards.

- 2 ghost cards left…
- I’m sure this one’ll be read soon.
- This is the

- accumulated experience of 10 years playing Karuta.
- When it comes to reading the flow of the game, I have the upper hand.
- Come! Let’s finish this!

06
- Nagara eba—
- —Correct guess, but I can’t get it fast enough—

Chihaya: phew—
Nishida: Geez, I’m fed up. You go next, Mashima.
Taichi: But Nishida, your ability is more on par with her.
Kana: Chihaya-chan, you’re really good.

Chihaya: I see. I should’ve taken out “Michi” then…
Chihaya: if I’d waited some more before making my move…

Nishida: Instant slumber!! [aside] There it is!

07
Nishida: I rely heavily upon my finely-honed “perception” to specialise in an aggressive game of Karuta— [linked] but if the card I have my eye on is sent flying the moment it’s read out, there’s nothing even I can do.
Kana: “Perception”? What is that, Mashima-san?
Taichi: It’s…

Nishida: Well, Kana-chan, it’s
Nishida: a Karuta term for one’s reaction speed to the readings. [linked] It’s considered the most important ability in the game.

Nishida: It’s something you’re just born with.
Arrow: the whites of her eyes
Nishida: Ayase gets the cards using this ability. [linked] It’s infuriating, but she’s got the makings of a genius.

Kana: Amazing!!
Kana: Then Chihaya-chan wearing my family’s hakama and battling for the title of Queen isn’t just a dream, right? [linked] And ON NATIONAL TELEVISION! [linked] Although I’m just thinking of the business.
Nishida: No… [linked] there’re quite a lot of geniuses at A-level… [linked] from what I see.

08
Taichi: This also goes for Ooe-san, [linked] but I’m really glad you joined, Nishida.
Nishida: Eh?

Taichi: Cos I haven’t won even once against Chihaya. [linked] I’m not aiming to be a celebrity, so it doesn’t matter if I don’t win, but…
Taichi: …she can’t improve playing against me.

Taichi: It was tough with just the two of…

Nishida: Then would you
Nishida: make her stop calling me “meatbun-kun”?
- Meatbun-kun.

Chihaya: Let’s have another match later.
Nishida: Don’t call me Meatbun-kun!
Chihaaya: I’ll just be off doing some scouting.

Kana: Scouting? Our 5th member?
Taichi: Who is it?

09
Chihaya: The scholar ranked 2nd place in our entire year level, right after Mashima Taichi,
Chihaya: Desk-kun from my class!

- That guy’s sickening. [linked] Rather than Tsutomu-kun, more like Desk-kun? [NB. Desk is tsukue in Japanese, which sounds similar to Tsutomu, this character’s actual name]
- He doesn’t leave his desk at all except to go to the toilet.
- [aside] Ahahahahaha [normal text] You know, he looks like a jelly bean.
Tsutomu: I don’t like school.
Tsutomu: Because it’s filled with discriminating idiots.

- scritch

- Good, I solved it!

10
Tsutomu: But I like studying.
Tsutomu: If I work hard, the class average will be better. [linked] I’m doing this for those idiots’ sake too.

- But isn’t it sad? [linked] Even being that attached to his desk, he’s only 2nd place.
- I know right—

- Thinking about it that way, Mashima-kun of group 1 really is amazing. [linked] He’s not nerdy at all, yet he’s first place.
- I wish they’d trade classes, honestly.

- Compared to 2nd place’s Desk-kun, 1st place is a major hottie! [aside] Kyahahahaha

Chihaya: ‘Sup there, I’m Ayase Chihaya!
Package: Jam bread
Arrow: bribe
Chihaya: Komano-kun, I came to scout you! [linked] Let’s play Karuta together in Karuta club!!

11
Package: Jam bread

Chihaya: Komano-kun, you’re 2nd place in our year level, right?

Chihaya: Karuta is (apparently) a sport that really suits smart people.
Chihaya: If Komano-kun joins we’ll have 5 people and get to form a proper club. [linked] Beginners welcome!

Komano: …I don’t understand what you mean…
Chihaya: [aside] ah [normal text] Karuta is centered around Hyakunin Isshu, you know…

Komano: What’s the point?
Komano: Can Karuta get me 1st place?

12
Chihaya: Um…
Komano: There’s no such thing as a Karuto pro, is there?

Komano: It’s just a game.
Komano: What good’s it gonna do?

Komano: Is it gonna help my studies?

Komano: Is there any merit to playing?

Chihaya: I don’t care how many reasons you have for not playing!
Komano: Eh!?
Package: Jam bread
Chihaya: Quit your excuses and just play a round!

13
Nishida: Mashima.
Nishida: “It’s tough with just the two of us”, [linked] I think I get what you mean.

Taichi: What do you get? [aside] He’s eating a meat bun again.
Nishida: Ayase— [linked] she’s really into Karuta, no?

Nishida: We probably don’t have what it takes compared to her. She’s going all out. [linked] I starving.
Nishida: People with goals are different. [linked] She aiming for Queen, right?

- Arata

14
- Someday, with Arata…

Chihaya: Everyone!
Chihaya: Teach this guy!
Chihaya: Teach him the appeal of competitive Karuta!

Taichi: Huh?
Komano: You’ve gotta be kidding! [linked] If there’s time to play Karuta, I’d rather use it to study… [aside] Don’t drag me here against my will!!
Chiahaya: Komano-kun, you want to get smarter don’t you?

15
Chihaya: Playing Karuta requires heavy use of the brain. [linked] To begin with, you must memorise the cards’ positions.
Chihaya: Really fast people can memorise them in 3, 5 minutes.

Chihaya: This memorisation ability is, without a doubt, incredibly useful for your studies!!
Komano: Memorise? All the positions? [linked] You lie!!
Kana: Another uncouth person…
Chihaya: I’m not lying! It’s the basics! [linked] That’s why I’m telling you to watch!

Komano: Besides, why do I have to…
SFX: Ah!

- Mashima Taichi!?
- He’s the one who takes 1st place on every single monthly test—

16
Chihaya: It’s memorisation time, so just wait a bit, okay? [linked] The match begins in 15 minutes. [aside] I’m playing Meatbun-kun.
Nishida aside: Eh— meeee?
Komano: H… hold on.

Komano: Memorisation is the basics, right?
Komano: If Karuta players really do have amazing memorisation abilities,

Komano: I’d like to see you play with all the cards face down.

- Eh!?

17
Chihaya: Eh—!? [linked] We’re not trying to get neurasthenia here! [NB. Neurasthenia is extreme fatigue of the nerves. Chihaya sure knows some big words!]
Chihaya: With the cards being moved on top of that, there’s no way…

Komano: You went on and on about “memorisation time”, yet you can’t do it.
Komano: In that case, it’s nothing amazing. [linked] Good-bye.

Chihaya: Uwaah! Wait! Don’t go!
Taichi: Chihaya… What’s the deal with that irritating shortie?
Chihaya: But Taichi, you said I should get smart people…

Aside: smart…

Nishida: No way. I don’t wanna do something like that.
Chihaya: I don’t wanna either! [linked] But that’s what he said, and we can’t back down, right?

Kana: I understand. [linked] That being the case, allow me to…
Nishida aside: She’s bold at the oddest of times!!
Chihaya: Kana-chan can sit out.

18
Nishida: Mashima, you go!

Taichi: Chihaya, let’s try it. [aside] We don’t have a choice.
Chihaya: You sure, Taichi?
Taichi: It’ll get confusing if we send the cards flying, so just press them.

- Face down Karuta…

- It can’t be done. [linked] To accurately memorise that many cards within the 15 minutes of memorisation time they have…
- It can’t possibly be done.

- Nani wazu ni sakuya kono hana fuyu gomori
- Ima wo haru beto sakuya kono hana
- Ima wo haru beto sakuya kono hana—

19
- Ukari keru—

- Oto ni kiku—

Kana: Wow, amazing! [linked] That’s correct.

- Once you’ve undergone Karuta training, up to a certain point it’s possible to get even face down cards.
- But in the latter half when most of the cards have been read, how much concentration can they muster to do so?

20
- Waga iho wa—

Taichi: Huh?

Chihaya aside: I did remember, but…
- Chihaya isn’t as aggressive as usual.

- She isn’t self-assured.
- Since she’s always used a vague method of memorisation…

- I…

- I might be able to win…
- against Chihaya—

21
Chihaya: I’m still okay. [linked] Over there, it goes “Harusu”, [linked] “Taki”, “Kore”,
Chihaya: “Ooe”, “Koi”, [linked] “Tare”…
Taichi: I’m moving the cards.

Chihaya: Eeh!?
Chihaya: Hold on! Hold on! [linked] What’s with that?

22
- Yamaza

- Se

- This isn’t…

23
- the Taichi I’m always practicing with.

SFX: haa haa

SFX: phew—

24
Nishida: He unerringly aims for the correct cards. [linked] He even follows the words closely as they arrive at the decisive syllables…
- Naniwa gata

- “It doesn’t matter if I don’t win”

- How can it not matter?

- Chihaya

25
- The one in front of you is me!

Kana: They did it!

- Thank you very much.
- Thank you very much.

Chihaya: I can’t believe it…

26
Taichi: Wait up!

Taichi: After making us go through that grueling match, you’re just gonna leave without a word?
Taichi: Um—

Taichi: What was your name again?

27
- Why does someone like him exist?
- He has good friends,
- he’s talented…

- Who’s notes are these? Desk-kun’s?
- It’s so perfect!
- Lemme see! Lemme see!
- Me too—

- Thanks, Desk-kun!
- Place 1st on the next test too, ‘kay?

- 1st place…
- I’ll get 1st place.
- I’ll win.

- But, I know.

28
- Even if I get 1st place,
- I still won’t be able to enter that circle.

Taichi: Hey,
Taichi: if you’re even the slightest bit interested, the Karuta Club—

Komano: No way I can play Karuta! [linked] I don’t have the talent!
Komano: I’m not like you!

Komano: Apart from studying…
Komano: apart from a desk…

Komano: there’s nowhere else for me to belong!

29
Komano: Aah!?

Taichi: I don’t have any talent for Karuta!

30
Taichi: It’s tough, but I keep playing.
Taichi: I lose, but I keep playing.

Taichi: Cuz when I win,

Taichi: the thrill is indescribable…!

31
Taichi: What’s wrong with me?
Taichi: How crude…

Taichi: …but the way I see it,
Taichi: when seeking fellow players,

Taichi: rather than a Karuta “genius”,
Taichi: I’d prefer someone who can continue to work hard on the tatami.

32
Komano: Wh…

Komano: What’re you going on about? [linked] Stuff like on the tatami, Karuta…
Komano: I dunno what you’re trying to say…

Komano: Yeesh, look at my desk…

Taichi: I see… [linked] Sorry ‘bout that.

33
- It’s tough, but I keep playing.
- I lose, but I keep playing.

- When seeking fellow players,
- I’d prefer someone who can continue to work hard on the tatami.

34
- Later, Chihaya’s…
- attempts at revenge in face down Karuta only landed her five consecutive losses.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 11 by JinHea

2011-11-21T23:31:50+00:00

*Only for use by Lazy Ass Scans

tl by JinHea

159
- Returning from Fukui,
- I’d often dream of Arata.
Big text: Chihayafuru
- 11th song

160
- Huff
- Huff
- Huff

- What is that…
- Tatami…?

- I know, it’s Ayase Chihaya. [linked] The one who put up the Karuta Club posters.
- Isn’t that guy with her the one who placed 1st in the ability test, group 1’s Mashima?
- Karuta Club~~~~~?

- With such an eye-catching pair,
- It’s useless.
- A useless club.

161
- Haa—

- Finally, we’re here…

- Alright! Time for round two. [linked] We left 3 more tatami back there.
- Eh—
- Aren’t these enough? Besides, we can still practice with just 3 tatami.

- The empress said once we have 5 members she’ll assign us a teacher as our club advisor.
Text above arrow: empress
- As more fellow players join it won’t be enough no matter how many tatami we have.

162
- Isn’t it fine even if we don’t go all out to recruit fellow players? [linked] Since you’re aiming for the title of Queen.
- I was surprised.

- To think Chihaya thought that way.
- “If there is something in which even I can become world-best,
- I want to try becoming it, I thought.”

- I can’t tell you enough how tough it is. [linked] Cos this year’s Queen is the same year as us.
- Eh!!? [linked] The same year!?

- How could you not know!?
- Well— In winter, I was studying for the entrance exam… [aside] after all…
- You’re not serious about this at all, are you!? [linked] You’re just going through the motions after being influenced by Arata…

163
- We have 3 more tatami to bring back, [linked] then it’s practice!
- Aah, okay, whatever.

- Haru sugite
- Natsu kini kerashi shiro taeno—

164
- I hosu chou ama no kaguyama—

- Ooe-saaaaan!

- Ooe-san, where are you—? [linked] Disappearing in the middle of running practice…
- Senpai are getting angry—

- Ooe-saaaaaaaaan!

- I am sorry.
- But, as I thought, it’s no good.

- Why are we running wearing hakama!? [NB. Hakama are wide-legged trousers]
- I can’t do something so improper.
- It’s a given that I’ll never hit that target in my lifetime!

165
- I just want to wear traditional Japanese clothing!

SFX: sniff…

Poster top text: Competitive / KARUTA CLUB / let’s form it together!
Poster bottom text: Please give Ayase Chihaya of Year 1 Group 2 a shout!

- Year 1 group 2, Ayase Chihaya-san.
- That gorgeous and refined personage who turns everyone’s heads
- is recruiting fellow connoisseurs of Hyakunin Isshu.

166
Sun rays bubble: The door I should be knocking
Sun rays bubble 2: was over here.
Chihaya: Oh dear, it has been taken yet again.
- Oh, but Chihaya-sama is strong also.

- Miyauchi-sensei definitely said they’re using what had been the student council room…
Text beside figure: Miyauchi-sensei (Empress)
- What should I do if they have already received too many applications… [aside] Could it be that I am too late?

SFX: b-dmp b-dmp b-dmp

- Mu

167
- rasame no—

- You’re really good at making decisions with just one syllable to go on, huh—
- Heheheh—
- ?? [linked] Eh!?

- Arashi fuku—

- Miseba yana—

168
- Wh
- What is this…

- You mean
- This is “Karuta”—!?

- Thank you very much.
- Thank you very much.

- I won— [linked] But Taichi, you’re unexpectedly strong.
- You completely dominated the first half.

- I [linked] believe I know the reason you’re weak with the opening…
- Huh?

169
- You rely on your exceptional listening ability and don’t try to memorize.
- Or rather, you can’t remember.

- It’s not like that. Today was just chance. [linked] At the Shiranami Meet, I did well in the first half too.
- You haven’t been practicing since the Meet, have you.

- Fellow students’ arrangements are similar so it’s easy to remember, that’s all.
- In the first half, a lot were from my arrangement. [linked] Well, that just means

- you’re an IDIOT.

170
- Losing to an idiot makes you a bigger idiot. [linked] Iiiidiot!!
- Only an idiot says that. Iiidiot.

- Welco [linked] me [linked] buh!
- Kya—

- Wait!
Text beside Chihaya: Former track and field member

- Why’re you running away!? [linked] Wait!
- I am sorry! I am sorry!
Text beside Ooe: Quickly captured

171
- You came because you’re interested in Karuta?
- You like Karuta!?

- Y…
- Yes, [linked] well…

- It goes without saying. Ogura Hyakunin Isshu was Kamakura period’s songster Fujiwara no Teika’s [linked] compilation, collecting the most outstanding traditional songs of one hundred songsters who run from the gifted emperor to Juntokuin and ordered chronologically. [linked] It is said that the songster-general Utsunomiya Yoritsuna’s Kyoto villa, Ogurasan Villa’s golden paper was commissioned for the compilation. This juncture very much fascinates me. [linked] That which holds the beauty of much decorative appeal being chosen was also due to the selection’s objective being traditional songs on coloured paper— a brilliant perspective! [linked] There are 79 male and 21 female songsters, and I am capitivated by the female vitality.

- The sense of the seasons, refinement, the beauty of words, and so on, none of which may be felt in modern songs—
- As reverberations originating a thousand years ago reach the present day, how may I best express such intensely vivid poignancy that assaults the senses? I am still at a loss for words—

172
- R-right.
- So do you like competitive Karuta?

- Do you not wear hakama?
-Hakama? [linked] I haven’t worn it before— [linked] Taichi, you haven’t either, right?

- Why?

- Song games are played by those in the palace. [linked] Even if ceremonial clothing is not possible, at least hakama should be worn!
- Kendo Club, Archery Club, without hakama they are not established!

173
- Wh…

- Why, I wonder… [linked] Because it’s expensive?
- That it’s a hassle to wear is possibly another reason.

- …For generations,
- my family has been selling traditional clothing.

- Even though we love kimono, [linked] and we want people to understand its merits,
- only cheap yukata are selling, [linked] and with business doing badly we can’t even hire a model for next year’s catalogue…

174
- If you do not wear hakama then the archery club may be the better choice.
- I have made much trouble for you.

- What a completely different meaning to “liking Karuta”—

- Let’s not listen to them as songs anymore. [linked] You don’t understand the meaning of lots of them anyway, do you, Chihaya?
- That girl doesn’t suit competitive Karuta.

175
Book: Yamamori Masao / Higashiyama Culture and Modern Japan

- Eh— [linked] hey hey
- Cuuute. [linked] She’s here.

- Wow— [linked] That’s an amazing book you’re reading.

176
- Ah, [linked] Ayase-san!
- I searched group by group. [linked] So you’re called Ooe Kanade-san. [aside] I’ll call you Kana-chan.

- Kana-chan, you like Karuta, right? [linked] Let’s play it together.

- My like and your like are fundamentally different in nature. [linked] Competitive Karuta lack appeal and enjoym…
- But I do have ones I like as songs. [linked] Like “Chihayafuru”.

Card: Ariwara no Narihira Ason / Chihaya furu / kami yo mo kikazu / tatsutagawa / kara kurenami ni / mizu kukuru toha
- I also know the meaning.
- Tatsutagawa means a very beautiful scene with water that’s been dyed bright red— [aside] it’s written in a book

- The fascination of traditional song lies in knowing its background.

- I think this is a passionate love song.

177
- Eh… love…? [linked] It isn’t a song about scenery?
- Of course, that’s the common interpretation.

- Did you know that Ariwara no Narihira had an intense love affair with Nijou’s empress before she entered the palace? [aside] It is an extremely famous story
- I didn’t… know that. [aside] Sorry

- This song was an accompaniment to a screen that was presented to the palace inner. [linked] It is also said to have been commissioned by Nijou’s empress after she entered the palace.
- It is said that Narihira was never able to forget about her. [linked] I like to interpret it as concealing passion among scenery.

- “Chihayafuru” is the makurakotoba for “god”, [NB: makurakotoba literally means pillow word. Check wikipedia for details]
- and something powerfully intense.

178
- “Mizu kukuru” holds both the meaning of to pass through water and the meaning of tying the iris
- I think the red colour of momiji passing through water [NB. Momiji are red autumnal leaves] [linked] represents the heart in love that, even apart, cannot exist unconcealed.

- If you try thinking thusly,
- even that Karuta printed in black ink,
- already appears as nothing but the deepest red, would you not say?

- Do you understand?
- The way I enjoy songs and the way competitive Karuta is enjoyed are diff—

- …Amazing.
- Eh?

178
- Amazing… [linked] Amazing amazing amazing!!

- Kana-chan, tell me more!
- Eh…

- From “Aki no tano”!
- Eh… all one hundred of them?

- “Sashi mo gusa” refers to wormwood, you see.
- It also signifies combustion…
- is that why it follows with “Moyuru omoi wo”? [NB. Moyuru omoi wo means burning feelings]
- I didn’t know.

- I didn’t know.
- On the other side of the cards, [linked] there’s a world filled with colour and warmth.

180
- I didn’t know.
- I didn’t know anything.

- Ooe-san was born in the wrong time period, don’t you think?
- True, true.
- What do they call people obsessed with traditional stuff?

- Kana-chan, tell me.

- Tell me more.

181
- Yuu sareba

- Whoa

- Yo wo komete

- Ukarikeru—
- Until now,
- I hadn’t focused on anything other than “sound”.

182
- I can also associate them with their meanings.

- Look, the cards are already telling me
- through their many colours “we’re here”.

- Aah, dammit, how come? Quit celebrating!
- Chihaya, did you practice drills?
- Heheheh—

183
- Kana-chan.
Small text along bottom of panel: skipping practice again

- My teacher told me

- to get along with Karuta and become friends with them.
- Kana-chan’s already friends with all one hundred of them.
- Becoming strong.

184
- I…
- I have conditions…

- Okaaay
- Relax and smile—

- Really~~~~?

- You’ll really join the Karuta Club?

- You have to!

- Also, all members will wear hakama for matches.
Aside: The catalogue came out nicely.
- In… in case someone doesn’t own a pair…
- They’ll rent a pair.

186
Aside: This is my first time doing this kind of thing… I’m like big sis
- Why do you want me to join the Karuta Club so much?

- Karuta doesn’t require fellow players, does it?

- Heheh.

- Chihaya!

- I found something really bad!
- I found meat bun!

187
- Found you—!!
- Meatbun-kun—!
- Eh.

- You’re a veteran so join the Karuta Club—
- Join—

- I want to
- play Karuta with Arata again.

188
- “Karuta is fun!”
- “Having friends is fun!”
- I want to tell him that.

- “Chihayafuru” is
- a song of a bright red love.

Text across bottom of page: Continued in volume 3

189
- Chitose and Chihaya 1
- Big sis hasn’t appeared much, [linked] so I’m giving her plenty of face time in the extra pages.

Bottom newspaper headline: Pop… / Popularity Number… / At last AYASE CHITOSE / makes her drama debut
- I always wanted to try acting in a drama.
Top newspaper headline: A date with the producer!?
Starburst: 20 year age difference
- …unrestrained

- Chitose
Starburst: Reverse cougar! [NB. Original text meant a killer of older men but I think reverse cougar sounds better]
- Intimate mood with Supervisor Oohara / This time it’s a 27 year age difference

- [aside] Sigh— [normal text] Chihaya [linked] Is there someone you like?
- Me?
- Karuta’s Harada-sensei [heart]

- 40 year age difference
- I lost!!
- Eh?

190
- Chitose and Chihaya 2

Box 1: 167cm
Box 2: 159cm
- If only I had your height, I could’ve been a Paris Fashion Week model for sure…

- Chihaya, it’s not too late to start now. [linked] But don’t replace me as a model, okay?
- Eh…

- Then, big sis, Don’t replace me in Karuta…
- I won’t.

- Chitose and Chihaya 3

- Wh
- What is this!?
Catalogue: Traditional clothing [big text] Ooe / Thanks to everyone’s patronage, we have arrived at our 120th anniversary

- Ah— that was a favour for a friend.
- Looks like I also made my debut as a model—

- I’m not playing Karuta though!?
- Huh?

191
- Daddy Bear Friends Association

- Chihaya-chan, I don’t have anything other than my school gym uniform… [aside] I don’t have practice clothes…
- Alright then! [linked] Let’s go buy a cute T-shirt!

Sign 1: All neckties 50% off
Text above sign 1: Come on
Sign 2 around bear’s neck: Done Bathing set
Sign 3: Hangover version / 500yen
- Gyaaaaa, Mamaaa!

- Kana-chan, they have everything here, you know.

- Daddy Bear Popularization Board

- These do not suit me…
- No problem! Daddy Bear suits everyone!

- Chihaya-chan, please don’t be depressed.
- It’s not that Daddy Bear doesn’t suit me, [linked] it’s because T-shirts in general don’t suit me.
Text on bear head: Bye-bye

- Fin
- I’ll put my all into volume 3 too.

[English] [Translation] Chihayafuru 6 by cmertb

2010-11-15T05:50:40+00:00

Reserved for Irie and tyresonance.

3
Chihayafuru
Chapter 6

4
Chihayafuru

5
p1
I can hear it

p2
Taichi's breathing to the right
It's quick
He's still nervous

p3
Arata's nose is stuffed, he's suffering
But he is quiet and deep

p4
I am

6
p1/2

p3
Not alone

p5
Chihayaburu----

p6/7

7
p1
Ohhh!!
All three captured the "Chiha" card

p2
...
Wha-
//What?

p3
xxx: It's because the name of their team is "Chihayafuru"
//xxx: It's their specialty, so the opponent team had to guard against that
messy bubbles:
1: Why are you letting her take from your own formation?
2: But even Tacchan had a card taken
3: It's you who should concentrate, Nishida
xxx: And yet not a single one managed to hold on to the card

p4

p5
This is where it gets interesting
//There is flow in a team match
Watch this, Hyoro-kun

8
p1
Now each one of them has grasped the flow

p2/3/4/5

9
p1
What's with her?
There are cards she won't even touch
But others she jumps at with incredible speed

p2
This is bad
Aren't both Tacchan and Oda being held back as well!?
The card difference is now...

p3/4

p5
This concentration

p6
She's not even looking this way anymore----...

p7

10
p1
They're shrinking

p2
There were only 100 cards

p3
And they're shrinking

p4
I don't want this to end

11
p1
Ayase-san is amazing!!
//She's taking cards from the opponent's formation
That round kid has had his rhythm destroyed, hasn't he?

p2
What are you doing, Nishida-kun?
//How are you losing to an amateur's attack?
Shuddup!!
//She's somehow difficult to deal with

p3
What do I do?
Even though there's no way I should lose to a girl like this
Even though both sensei and senpais are watching

p4
I should disrupt her pace
It's simple
Startle her by raising my voice
Or bump into her on purpose
SFX: Goho! Geho! (coughing)

p5
SFX: Geho! Goho!
Arata: Excuse me
//Arata: May I get a sip of water...?
Chihaya: Arata, you alright?

p6

p7
Only one card left...!?

12
p1
Almost a perfect game against Tacchan!?
Even though he's suffering?

p2/3

p4
The Wataya Arata I fought against last year in the Nationals
Was much, much stronger than this girl

p5
And I

p6
I made that champion suffer!!

13
p1
...
So quick!

p2
The flow

p3
Has changed again

p4

p5
He's regained his real strength
For Chihaya-chan, it's still...

p6

p7
Two wins for Suihoku Karuta Center, one win for Team Chihayafuru
Suihoku Karuto Center team is the winner
Thank you very much
Thank you very much

14
p1
Thank you very much

p2
Thank you very much
NB: We lost

p3
It's all over
Playing Karuta with the three of us---...

15
p1
Geho! Goho! Mmmgoho!

p2
SFX: Goho! Geho!
Oi, you alright?

p3
Taichi: Put this on {small}: It's warm
Arata: I'm alri---... Goho!
Arata: Hehe // Taichi // Geho!

p4
I wanted to give a trophy to Chihaya

p5

16
p1
...
I'm

p2
I'm sorry!!

p3
?

p4
Even though I knew that Chihaya's opponent was at a much higher level
//Even though I had to win no matter what
I'm...
I'm sorry I didn't win

p5
I'm sorry!!
Ta-
//Taichi...

p6
Taichi: But if you tell anyone I knelt in apology, I'll kill you
Arata: D-... Don't do it then!
Arata: I don't really...
Arata: Chihaya, say something too...

17
p1/2/3

p4
I...
I just...

18
p1
I just wanted
The three of us to keep playing Karuta~~~
I didn't want this to end~~~~

p2
I'm so sorry~~~~

p3
...

p4
Sob
Sob

p5
SFX: and more sob
...
Why are you crying?

19
p1
This was really fun...
Uwaaaaaa
Aaaa

p2
East Oosato Grade School 32nd
Graduation Ceremony

20
p1
Chii-chan, let's take a picture
Kyahahaha
Take mine next-

p2
Is that a Kaimeisei Middle School blazer?
//Looking good
Come over to read some magazines, Taichi

p3
Everyone, how about getting something to eat?
Bring these kids too
Yes, let's-
Arata

p4
Mom: I'll go say hello to the landlord
//Mom: Go home first and pack up tableware and such
Arata: Mmm
Mom: We're moving tomorrow, so your things as well

p5
Yeah

p6
Kyahahaha
You closed your eyes--

p7

21
T-shirt: Te[am] Chihayafuru

22
p1
Arataaa!
Don't leave by yourself!!

p2
!

p3
Arata: Wha-... What are the two of you doing?
Uwaaa You're really moving
//So it's tomorrow?

p4
Th-
That's right...

p5

23
p1
Play Karuta with me, Arata!
A real match!!

p2
Taichi: Chihaya, you're amazing. Even though you know you'll lose-
Chihaya: I'll win
Taichi: Where's this unfounded confidence from?
Chihaya: Taichi, can you read the cards? Can you?
Taichi: I can, but...

p3
Ah, it's impossible?
You're busy packing?

p4

24
p1
I am
A man who won't go easy even on a 5 year old

p2

p3
Chihaya: I've definitely gotten much stronger than before
//Chihaya: I'll win
Arata: I'll be the one who'll win

25
p1

p2
Naniwazu ni---
//Sakuya kono hana fuyugomori---
Wow, Taichi, you suck!!
//It's monotone!!
Shut up!
*This poem is recited first in competitive Karuta.

p3
Arata: There's the 4-3-1-5 method to reading cards
Taichi: I know, it's the way of making pauses

p4
Even I studied Karuta
//But it's not that easy

p5
Naniwazu ni---
//Sakuya kono hana fuyugomori---
Ima wo harube to sakuya ko no hana---
Ima wo harube to sakuya ko no hana---

26
p1
Inishie no---

p2/3

p4
Wasuraruru

p5
Kaze wo itami---

p6
...
I told you

27
p1
I'd be the one to win

p2

p3
That's right
This was the room where we played Karuta for the first time

28
p1
Let's do it!
I've got a tape!

p2
It's my dream to become
Karuta Meijin
*tl note: Meijin = highest title in Karuta for men.

p3
What I learned then wasn't Karuta

p5
It was passion

29
p1
Arata's

p2

p3
I won't lose!
Even I

p4
Fell in love with Karuta after meeting you, Arata!

30

31
p1/2
Chihaya buru---

p3
Mmm!!

p4
Same time!
//Sensei said that if both players touch it at the same time, the player whose formation it was in wins
Chihaya: I win!

p5
Come on, let go, Arata
It's my "Chihaya"...

p6

32

33
p1
...
....Th..
//Thank you...

p2
For letting me play Karuta together with you
Both Chihaya and Taichi
But
NB: We probably won't meet again...

34
p1/2

p3
---Why?

p4
We still have Karuta
We can meet again, can't we?

35
p1/2

p3
We we continue, we can meet
We can meet for sure!

p4
In the Naniwa Harbor
These flowers bloomed. In winter they slept.
Now 'tis spring. The tree flowers bloom.
*tl note: My translation of the "Naniwazu ni..." poem Taichi was having difficulties with.

36
p1
Neither I

p2
Nor Taichi
Nor Arata

p3
Think that it's going to change
Sakura is only beginning to bloom