KM@ 🐠

Hi Anon... here we go... “Now equals... their new relationship begins...”

SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT!!! TURN BACK NOW... TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSTITUTED!!! :P

chapter 3 of Crossroads is up!

- Since when do you call me John?

While I was reading chapter 32 spoilers I noticed that this statement by Yashiro might be lost in translation, so I thought about elaborating it for those that are interested. Explaining how second person is used in the context of Japanese conversation is actually pretty damn complicated but hopefully I can explain it in a way that makes sense ^^

In general, Japanese people avoid using the word “you” when conversing with others as it is impolite under most circumstances. If the person has a title, you would use that e.g. Sensei, Kashira, Senpai. If not, you use their names e.g. Yashiro, Yashiro-san etc. to avoid using the word “you”  

So, when is it appropriate to use the word “you”?

Before we get to this, it’s helpful to note that there are several ways of saying the word “you” in Japanese. I’ve listed the most common ones used nowadays (in order of politeness)

Anata (あなた) – most polite way of saying the word “you” (tend to be used more by girls than guys but can be both genders). In general, only used when referring to someone equal or lower than yourself, can be both formal and impolite depending on the context you use it in.

Kimi (君) – used when referring to someone equal or lower than yourself (used more by guys than girls) less polite compared to Anata but much politer than Anta/Omae

Anta (あんた/アンタ) – can be used by both genders, comes from the word “Anata” but way more informal. Impolite way of saying “you” in most context

Omae (お前) – used only by guys and similarly to Anta, impolite in most context  

Teme (てめえ)/Kisama (貴様) – used only by guys and rudest way to say the word “you”. You often hear it in anime/manga to insult/express anger at another person but in real life it is not generally used  

So back to the question about when it is appropriate/okay to use the word “you” without necessary being rude…

1.      When older person is using it to refer to someone younger/less authority (e.g. teacher to student, boss to his subordinates, senpai to kouhai)

Yashiro often refers to his subordinates (Doumeki/Nanahara) as “Omae” and Misumi refers to Yashiro as “Omae”. While older person can refer to someone younger/less authority as “you”, in general, younger person should never be using the word “you” at someone who is older/has more authority unless they want to be disrespectful.

2.      When there is strong desire/need to emphasise the word “You”

e.g. I like you [Kimi/Anata ga suki], I need you, what is your name? etc (but even in this case, it is unusual for someone younger to use the word “you” when conversing with older person and whether it’s rude or not is very context dependent).

3.      Between two people that are intimate/close

Husband can refer to his wife as Omae and wife can refer to husband as Anata and it can be an endearment in certain context (more commonly accepted in western Japan than eastern).

Similarly, close male friends can use the word “Omae” especially in the context where their relationship is solid enough that formalities don’t matter. (e.g. Yashiro and Kageyama)  

So how is Doumeki using the word “you”? From volume 1-3 there is two instances where Doumeki uses the word “Anata (you)” at Yashiro

“I’ll do anything if I can be by your side” (volume 1, chapter 3)

“I can’t ask for it to stop if that’s what you want to do” (volume 3, chapter 15)

We see Doumeki using the word “Anata (you)” during a more intimate scene with Yashiro when there is only two of them together. While he should really be saying “Kashira (boss)” instead of “Anata (you)”, he uses it here to emphasise the word “you” and to make his statement more personal by breaking the boundary between boss/subordinate relationship. While Yashiro is clearly noticing this, he doesn’t comment on it. If it was coming from any of the other subordinates, like Nanahara or Sugimoto I’m pretty sure they’ll be thoroughly beaten up. (He later does mention that he has a soft spot for Doumeki and it shows in this instance too)

From end of volume 4 onwards we start to see Doumeki use “Anata” much more frequently. He says it a total of 5 times at Yashiro during the time they spend together at his apartment.

Some examples: “I have always loved touching your hair”; “No if I hadn’t met you I would be…” (volume 5 chapter 24)

Here the word “Anata” conveys a more possessive tone akin to those exchanged between lovers.

In chapter 32, Doumeki again refers to Yashiro as “Anata”

“I will not leave your side”

Yashiro repeats the word “Anata” back  at Doumeki to make a statement that he is overstepping his boundaries as it is not a term that should be used between a boss and his subordinate. He also states right after that it was a mistake for him to sleep with Doumeki (Just because we’ve slept together, don’t think that you can boss me around is the undertone here)

4 years later, they meet again.

Contain Spoilers of Chapter 43

Saezuru Chapter 3

Doumeki asked if Yashiro was interested to have sex with him

And this is Yashiro reaction

It seems like Doumeki got him and it startled him for seconds until he decided to answer with

Then here we come 40 chapters later

Saezuru chapter 43

Doumeki asked or more like stated that Yashiro hasnt changed after he saw a phone call from Inami

Yashiro, just like what he reacted in chapter 3, didnt expect Doumeki would say that so it startled him for few seconds before he responded.

And Yashiro answered him with

I always think Yashiro tends to stop for seconds before telling lies especially when it comes to questions that he hasnt thought before. A lesson learned from living like yakuza is always telling lies because it was the easiest thing to do to end the conversation or simply to avoid arguing with others. Just like what Doumeki did to Kamiya in chapter 40

And to avoid arguing with Kamiya, Doumeki think it was better to just agree with Kamiyan's guess

But Kamiyan knows Domeki was lying. Yakuza is all but lie and acting.

So, in my conclusion

Yashiro has changed. He hasnt slept with anyone in those 4 years. (But I might be wrong though lmao)

Note:

1. this is just my personal stupid analysis and it doesnt have to be taken seriously.

2. I do not own translation for saezuru chapter 3 above. It was from official June translation. I do not own translation chapter 40, it was from stevescan translation.

It’s Saezuru Chapter 42 Eve!! Here is something we never saw translated, so now you can see it too!!

Thanks to Domeyashiro, we know that Yashiro is both blind, and is keeping that fact quite secret. This is very typical behavior for him. He keeps what he considers a true weakness completely secret–his emotional vulnerability/love, his physical failing, etc.

OTOH, he is saying outright that he doesn’t remember Doumeki. And I simply don’t believe him.  Most times the stuff he says loudest is a cover for hidden vulnerability, and I really think he remembers Doumeki just fine, but it’s in his current best interests to have him gone. 

Yashiro’s a planner, and I think he has a plan. And also, he’s absolutely scared and freaked out. But I believe he loves Doumeki, as he did Kageyama, and he’s shown that he will risk all and persist through terrible sacrifice to protect someone he actually does care about.

So, looking forward to developments.