Corner of My Mind

I was reading chapter 106 English scanlation again today and noticed that Chika actually turned around to protect Satowa when Uzuki was about to hit them. 

I AM CRYING AGAIN. I didn’t notice this last time. Our baby Chika is always sacrificing himself to protect people he LOVES. <3

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Anon-san. I really enjoy talking about these things with fellow fans.

To be honest, I didn't see that initially. I was probably too excited and in much of a hurry to summarize the chapter. But now that you mentioned it, I agree with some of what you noticed.

Looking back, Chika has played an important role in other major characters' arcs but their "redemption/conclusion" was done by the characters themselves. For Satowa, Chika encouraged and inspired her but Satowa was the one who gained courage and wrote a letter to her Mom inviting her to attend the Koto performance. Satowa also looked for and found her Mom afterwards.

For Takezo-senpai, Chika also helped him gain courage and conviction but Takezo-senpai was the one who stood up to the vice principal and defended Chika and the club at the end.

With those in mind, I can see why you feel like Chika did not do much for his own story and why you felt a bit bad that he had to be rescued by everyone.

However, I also think that what happened with Uzuki was very traumatic for Chika. Almost losing everything important to him before, I think that Chika was very afraid at that moment and he didn't really know what he should do to prevent it. That fear may have hindered a lot of his decisions. Also, I think that he's genuinely surprised to see Satowa there and he's just trying to avoid fighting as much as possible.

Regarding Tetsuki's "patronizing treatment" of Chika, it does seem like a parent taking care of a child sometimes (I emphasize sometimes because most of the time, they act like friends on equal footing) but I think that in some ways, Chika is emotionally-stunted. From a young age, he'd had issues with his Dad, lack of guidance and self-destructive tendencies. Chika used to reject/push away people who care about him, so maybe Tetsuki thinks that a stronger/more direct/blunt/over-the-top caring approach will be more effective right now. In the future, when Chika is in a better place emotionally, their friendship will be in a better state as well.

Just to relate it to Satowa's confession, I used to think that Chika will confess first. But thinking back on it, Chika has been holding back a lot when it comes to how he feels about Satowa. This may be in part because he does not want to acknowledge his feelings, he is scared to get hurt or that he feels like Satowa deserves someone better. Nevertheless, if Satowa didn't confess directly/bluntly/forcefully in that situation, we may have waited for a VERY long time for Chika to do so. So maybe, at this point in time, this type of approach works better/is more effective for Chika. :)

Lastly, Chika's arc is not really finished yet. He has a lot of opportunities to deal/settle things with Uzuki and his Dad. Maybe he'll find more agency to write his own story now that he knows that everyone truly cares for him. <3

Hahaha. You're welcome. My brain cells have all left but my heart is full Anon-san. I edited the summary because I was so excited to post it that the last part was not included. :D

Let's all wait for the English chapter. There might be a lot of mistakes in my translation. SORRY in advance. :p

Raw: https://manga1001.com/%e3%80%90%e7%ac%ac106%e8%a9%b1%e3%80%91%e3%81%93%e3%81%ae%e9%9f%b3%e3%81%a8%e3%81%be%e3%82%8c-raw/

I’m making a raw translation because I am so excited but again, I am not a native speaker and may have tons of wrong things to say. So, take this with a grain of salt. :p Also, it is not a complete translation.

The chapter is entitled LOVE (with the Kanji for Love, which is also how Chika’s name is spelled). The line “All I needed was a bit of kindness” is written on the cover with Satowa giving a piece of strawberry cake to Chika.

It starts off with Atsumu and Momoya running together to where Chika is. Tetsuki sent the location via chat. This is a bit sad but Atsumu asks Momoya to show him the map because over many years of being bullied and chased after, he knows a lot of shortcuts and ways around this place.

Momoya says that he talked with his older brother on the phone and he said that he just wants to get Kudou back. Momoya continues on to say things about his older brother. His older brother is smart and how people don’t notice something because he looks excellent on the outside. On Momoya’s mind though, he thinks that “No, I was just pretending not to notice... the reason why you reached out to the son of your father’s mistress, why you contacted me regularly...”.

Momoya then remembers sitting on a swing with Uzuki and Uzuki saying things like “sometimes I think of destroying everything but everything is a hassle afterwards” and “I don’t even know myself when I’m in the middle of lies all the time”. Momoya then thinks that it has been Uzuki’s call for help (SOS) that has been going on for a long time. But at that time, Momoya chose not to get too deeply involved with his issues. Then he verbally tells Atsumu that this is the result of just continuing to look (not getting involved).

Atsumu pulls him to the right way and says that he noticed Uzuki’s situation now. It’ll be okay and they’ll make it in time. Awwww. These two!!! <3

The scene changes to Satowa and Chika and the thugs. Chika is surprised and tries to ask why she is here. Satowa shouts “Shut up Stupid (baka) Chika” hahaha.

She continues to scold him because he keeps choosing to do things on his own. Chika tries to explain that it wasn’t really like that but Satowa cuts him off with “I’ll tell you. I don’t want to be someone who is only protected behind you!” <3 Gaaah. Queen Satowa. Chika is left speechless! (I would too tbh)

The evil gang leader (forgot his name) interrupts and says things like he was surprised that a woman came to help Chika, etc. and continues to threaten them. He also keeps on calling Satowa “ojou-chan”, which is a way to call someone a “young miss” (from privileged families) and asks Satowa if she really understands the situation here. A goon comes a bit closer and Satowa kneels in front to Chika to cover him. Chika tries to pull Satowa’s arms and tells her “stupid, stop this” but Satowa turns around and hugs Chika.

THIS IS EPIC. Satowa said that if they want to hit, go ahead and hit her (while she’s hugging/protecting Chika). That is if they want to be caught by the police. She also says that they planned to make the Meiryo students their shields (pretending that Chika attacked the Meiryo student), but this will be the end of your stupid/dirty plan (if they hit her, she can just say the truth that they attacked her first). Some goons hesitate a bit but the stupid gang leader continues being stupid. 

Uzuki interrupts and asks “Why?” and “Who are you to Chika?” Uzuki continues saying that he has checked/investigated all the people around Chika and says that she’s not his girlfriend (NOT YET BUT SOON! HAHAHAHA). Uzuki continues with “You’re just in the same class and club” and “You’re certainly the young daughter of the clan head (Houzuki clan) and you’re on the opposite world from Chika”.

He asks why she is willing to do this much. He says that after this, she might regret this for the rest of her life. Chika tries to interrupt by calling her name but Uzuki keeps saying “you don’t need to go that far..”

Then Satowa hugs Chika tighter and Chika is left speechless again. Satowa says “Because I like you.” She then shouts out “About Kudou... I like you VERY much!” while hugging him and crying. T_T Chika is SUPER surprised. Hahaha.

Satowa continues to say, “so I don’t want you to get hurt, I want to definitely protect you, I want to cherish you, I want you to laugh always and I want you to always be happy”. GAAAAH! <3

Then she shouts (probably for Uzuki to hear), “Is that wrong/bad?! Do you have a problem with that?!” (Uzuki is also stunned) Then, back to Chika she says “so, I won’t let go forever” (Satowa uses the 絶対 zettai- forever/always word here again) and “I won’t leave/ won’t let go”. My heart promptly exploded here. <3

Then Chika remembers his grandfather in the hospital (after the attack on the Koto shop) saying that he has one wish/request for Chika. Gramps said that he wants Chika to be happy.

Gramps said that he already told Chika before but he should use his hands to protect things/people important to him. Use them to catch/get things that make him happy. Gramps said that Chika can understand it. Even though he might not be good at studying (hahaha. the shade!), Chika’s not stupid. But Chika (with his personality) might sometimes treat himself roughly, or give up on himself or cut himself off from others. For now on, Chika will have moments when he has to make various choices. When that time comes, don’t hesitate. Choose the path that will make you happy. That is something only you can do. No matter how much someone reaches out or pushes your back (supports you), whether or not you step forward, only you can decide if you grab that hand. (The scene is Chika’s hand starting to move around Satowa’s back) Then, with Gramps smiling face, he says “Be happy Chika”. (Gramps is the best. T_T)

Then the full panel of Chika hugging (reaching out to) Satowa back tightly. <3 

Uzuki is surprised and pulls the pipe from the leader’s hand. He is going to hit them with a pipe and Chika starts to react but DADDY Tetsuki comes to the rescue. He stops the pipe bare-handedly and throws Uzuki back. Everyone from the Koto club arrives and Hiro-senpai jumps at Satowa to hug her too! Hahaha. Hilarity ensues a bit because everyone is here.

Tetsuki asks the goons if they are not embarrassed because Chika is alone and there are 7 of them. 

Then, DADDY TETSUKI looks at Uzuki (with that cool-ass handsome face of his) and says “Anyway, that’s it Uzuki...” (In Japanese, the line is ここまでだ koko made da Uzuki, so kind of like... This is it/or this is where it ends/this is as far I'll let you go, you get the meaning I think! Hahaha)

Kono Oto Tomare! Chapter 106

OH MY GOD! I saw this low-quality photo in a Chinese website. We have A HUG!!! A TIGHT HUG and an EMOTIONAL confession guys! I can’t breathe!!! <3

Spoilers:  I can't see the other dialogue clearly because it is so small and pixelated but the upper right most photo is definitely saying the "About Kudou...I like you VERY much" line on it! <3

Gaaah. Amyuu-sensei posted this for Satowa's birthday.

Rough translation:

It is entitled 'Reason'.

Mom was asking if it's really okay to put the flower from Chika as a decoration in the front entrance of the house. Her mom was suggesting to put it in her room instead.

But Satowa insists that it's okay there. While blushing and remembering Chika giving it to her, she says that in the morning before going to school, she can think about doing her best. And when returning home, she can feel relieved. Gaaah.

You're welcome! Though it really isn't much. Hehehe

I don't think Chika knew that Satowa will follow him. He was out of the door before Satowa could pick her bag up. But she'll probably catch up to him soon enough.

Kono Oto Tomare! Chapter 104

Then, our baby girl Satowa (who was a goody two shoes before and didn’t want to skip classes since she was too shy then), stood up, brought her bag and followed her man.

Her thoughts were something along the lines of “If you want to stay away (or move away), I’ll NEVER let you be alone.” 

She uses the word zettai (絶対) again. Satowa always uses this word as a promise to Chika. It’s like saying absolutely or always. In this case, it’s like "I’ll always stay with you" or "I’ll NEVER let you be alone". T_T

Kono Oto Tomare! Chapter 104

Kono Oto Tomare Chapter 104

Satowa is the BEST GIRL. I needed to wake up from my hiatus and post these no matter what. <3

1st Pic: She’s saying that she won’t leg go of Chika’s hand (won’t abandon him). T_T

2nd-4th Pic: Chika wouldn’t eat lunch even though Tetsuki invited him so Tetsuki asks Satowa to eat with Chika. She sits in front of him, gives him strawberry bread and shares some of her food with him. GAAAAH... Chika says ‘It’s delicious’ and Satowa says ‘That’s good to hear’. <3

Hi Anon-san! The English Scanlation team is pretty fast in the translations so I kinda laid low for now.

Oooh me too. I've been looking for awhile but there's only a few in Fanfiction.net and Archive of Our Own. 😬

https://raw.senmanga.com/Kono-Oto-Tomare!/099

Hey! I’m back! All my usual disclaimers apply.

The chapter starts with a flashback from Chika’s past. The opening text says “The past that can’t be wiped/erased...”

It shows Grandpa Gen’s destroyed workshop with neighbors and police talking about the delinquent grandson. Chika is then shown fighting with the people who attacked it.

He asks one person why they attacked his grandfather’s workshop and he continues on to say that if they wanted to attack someone, they should have attacked him directly instead. He shouts that his grandfather had nothing to do with the situation. 

The perpetrator answers that they were just hired for money and Chika angrily asks “By who?”. The perpetrator says “Uzuki” (the guy from the previous chapter talking on the cellphone, was talking to this Uzuki guy). Then the police arrives and captures Chika. (Scenes from the first chapter happen where Chika tries to resist and says that he was not the one who attacked the workshop but the police answering that nevertheless he was the one to blame. T_T)

Chika stops struggling when he heard that and while he was being led by the police away from the scene, Chika remembers his Grandpa Gen’s smiling faces while thinking that “It is all my fault... Grandpa’s most important thing.... Everything...” (Awwww. Poor baby Chika suffered a lot because of this Uzuki guy!!!). Chika continues to think that “Gramps will no longer be able to smile/laugh with me.” (T_T Gramps is definitely smiling at you from heaven now. Huhuhu)

While he is being dragged away, this Uzuki guy is shown on the background wearing a hoodie. Chika sees him and Uzuki mouths a message that Chika can read (lip reading). He says “Welcome back/home Chika” (Gaaaah This stupid irritating guy. He has long bangs, smiling eyes and a mole under his right eye btw).

The next page is the chapter page with the title written as “Blurred, black”. The side text reads “Creeping past curse”.

The scene then changes to Satowa calling out Kudou’s name to wake him up. Chika was sleeping in the classroom and having a nightmare about those scenes. He is sweating profusely and suddenly raises his head to see Satowa and Tetsuki. Satowa says “You’re already awake. Until when do you plan on sleeping? It is already after school.” Satowa also asks “What with your sweat? It is messy. You slept too well.” Satowa gets her handkerchief from her pocket and wipes Chika’s cheek while saying “You look like you took a shower.” She is surprised with her action as well after putting her hand on his cheek. (HAHAHAHA. This is her caring reflex!!! <3)

Chika and Satowa are both surprised with her action and Chika puts his hand on top on her hand. Satowa blushes and does not know what to say so Tetsuki interrupts and says that club activity time will be shortened from today. Chika panics a bit, stands from his seat and says that they need to hurry. He starts running, pulls Satowa by her hand and says “Let’s go Houzuki!” (Call her by her first name already!!! HAHAHAHA). Satowa blushes while thinking “hand...”

Chika stops for a while and turns back to Tetsuki to say that he’ll go to his house after practice and plainly says “Omurice for today. Yoroshiku!” (Hahahaha. I want Tetsuki’s omurice too!) Tetsuki answers with you’re coming to study, right?

Chika and Satowa continue walking in the corridor holding hands and a random girl looks at them. Satowa notices and blushingly says “Ummmm... Kudou...hand... the hand...”. Chika notices and says “Sorry/my bad!” and  lets go of Satowa’s hand. (Gaaaah. Mind your own business random girl walking in the corridor and leave my babies to hold hands in peace.)

Chika thinks that “damn...unconsciously...” Satowa becomes serious for a while and asks Chika “ Are you ok? What happened?” and without looking at her, Chika says “It is nothing.” Satowa continues looking at him but Chika tries to change the subject by saying that “Anyway, the solo! I wanted to perfect it before we prepared for the test, but I couldn’t”.

Satowa says “It’s the same for everyone.” Chika says “Huh? You did it, right? You perfected yours.” Satowa answers with “Ha? Stop joking. That is not yet my perfected solo. That is not enough. I am just playing like that.” (Hahaha. Chika makes a face like he can’t believe it.)

Satowa explains that there is still an important part in the core of the performance that she is working on. This part can’t be done with technical skills alone. It is the most important thing. 

Chika is surprised and makes a face like he is a bit frustrated and doesn’t want to lose. Chika runs past Satowa and Satowa tries to call him back with “wait a minute.” Chika puts on his childish face and shouts that he’s going on ahead of Satowa (going to the club room) and that she needs to slowly (He repeats the word ‘slowly’ to emphasize it. Childish Chika is too petty and funny) come to the club room. He also tells her not to put too much difference/distance between them (I think he is referring to skills level but I’m a romantic so I’ll think of it however I want to. HAHAHA).

While looking at Chika’s back, Satowa says “What was that about?” She also thinks about Chika’s answer that nothing is wrong/bothering him. She remembers that he was sweating a lot and his hand was very cold at that time. She definitely knows that something is wrong. She holds her wrist and thinks that “a little while ago... I wish we had stayed connected.” (GAAAAH! HOLD HIS HAND AGAIN and HUG HIM NEXT TIME! Gosh these two! >_<)

The scene changes to Tetsuki walking home. He gets a call from an unknown number and answers it. The person on the other line says “Oh. Takaoka-kun. It’s been a while.” Tetsuki recognizes the voice and looks worried (This is the evil guy from the previous chapter talking to the Uzuki guy).

This evil guy asks if he already knows about him and Tetsuki says “Abiko, right?” (even his name sounds lame :P). Abiko says “Oh. Great memory! You’re smart Takaoka-kun, so I think you know. I saw Chika-chan on TV. Of course, Uzuki too! That’s bad Takaoka-kun. Why did you let them show it on TV.” He continues to taunt Tetsuki by saying that he can imagine what might happen now that Uzuki has seen it too.

Tetsuki says “Maybe, but why does Chika have to spend time worrying about what you see/what you watch? That guy... He tried hard to have the life that he has now. Even the TV appearance, it is okay for him to do that.” Abiko says “Woah. So cool! But that is not true for someone like us!” (Abiko, no one cares about what you and people like you think!!!)

Tetsuki coolly says “I know. Is that all you want to talk about? I’m cutting you off/dropping the call.” Abiko says “Wait wait... I haven’t said the most important part.” Tetsuki asks “What’s that?”

Abiko says “Actually, Takaoka-kun, the situation is much more interesting than you thought.” Tetsuki says “Ha?” Abiko continues to giggle and says “That is...” and Tetsuki is surprised but the scene changes to Chika arriving at Tetsuki’s house for the omurice.

They’re on the dining table eating omurice and Chika keeps on talking about how the practice time has been shortened and how Takinami-sensei will find out if club members are secretly staying longer for practice. He also mentions how Mittsu can do his best at practicing while the practice time is always shortened for him like this. Tetsuki is a bit absent-minded and just answers “yeah... that’s right.” Chika notices and asks what happened. He says that Tetsuki does not look okay. Tetsuki tries to deflect by saying that he is always like that. Tetsuki continues to change the subject by saying that before Chika came, he was reading manga. Chika says “What’s with that?! Before the test, you’re reading manga?!” (HAHAHAHA. Tetsuki is the smartest person in their grade and Chika talks to him about studying like this!)

Tetsuki says that unlike Chika, he usually studies (not just before the test). Then Chika says that “Uwaaa... Momoya says the same thing (about studying), so he can go to his part-time job normally before a test. He also stayed with Sane while he is practicing and Sane’s performance got really good after. He is really like a Superman/great person.”

Tetsuki interrupts by saying “Momoya...Is he really trustworthy/Can you really trust him?” Chika is surprised and asks Tetsuki “Ha? What’s that? All of a sudden asking that..”

Tetsuki tries to explain that from the first time they met Momoya in HS, he already knew about Chika before. (Momoya knew about Chika’s past). Chika answers that it is not unusual since they came from the same middle school. Most of the guys know about that time. Tetsuki is still serious and says “Oh... Well...” but Chika looks at him and kicks his knee under the table. (Tetsuki shouts “Don’t kick!”)

Chika smiles and says “Tecchan is worried right? It’s okay. Momoya...I like his sound. In addition, I am also different from that time.” (Awwwww. These evil guys should leave Chika alone!!! He’s so pure. T_T) Tetsuki agrees and Chika is super happy while saying “Thanks for the food. It was delicious. I’ll do the dishes.” Tetsuki says “Of course (you should)!”

Tetsuki is still thinking and it flashes back to Abiko talking to Tetsuki on the phone earlier. Abiko is saying “I wonder... being in the same club as Chika-chan..” Tetsuki is worried and says “Why?”

Abiko continues with “Chika-chan and Takaoka-kun don’t know, right? Natsu-kun’s identity. You don’t really know. If you knew, Chika-chan wouldn’t be with Natsu-kun.” (Dun Dun Dun Dun... T_T)

Tetsuki tries to clarify by saying “You... What have you been saying all this time? Identity...” but the scene changes to Momoya going into the bar where he usually plays the drums (I think this is one of the places where he does his part-time job; with the boss that speaks to him a lot).

The boss calls out to Natsu to say that a customer/guest came for him. Natsu says “Ha? For me?”

Uzuki removes his hoodie, shows his face to Natsu and says “It’s been a long time Natsu.”

Abiko’s voice says that Natsu is Uzuki’s younger brother.

Gaaaah! Can’t wait for the next chapter.