here’s the latest chapter of special a, one of my favorite mangas.
Released in Hana to Yume issue 20, September 20th, 2008. Will be in volume 16.
“I don’t want to see you right now.”
Kei remembers the moment he told Hikari that after the 2nd round of the hair arranging contest.
Hikari tries to talk to Sakura about it afterwards, but Sakura rubs in the shame by saying she is the worse. Sakura explains that the reason Kei got so angry is because she was sneaking around with another guy while she has a boyfriend. Hikari frantically asks her what she should do about it. Sakura says that she simply has to tell Kei the entire story and sincerely apologize.
However, Kei has a slightly different for being angry at that time. At home, he asks himself why he even did what he did. Ryu is at Kei’s house to talk about it. (Maybe Kei called him over?)
RYU: “Well, I understand your feelings. To sum it up, it’s like this, right? When you see Tokiwa and Hikari getting along, your facial expression turns into one that looks like you’ll kill someone, right?”
KEI: “Yeah. I didn’t want Hikari to see that facial expression and avoided her, but she suddenly saw me and she became afraid.”
Kei continues to decide on what he will do after this, but before he can finish his thought, Hikari calls his cellphone. Before Kei can say, “Hello”, Hikari yells over the phone^^.
HIKARI: “Takishima, I’m so sorry!! I hid from you that I was sneaking with Tokiwa to prepare for the contest! Besides, the truth is if Tokiwa becomes 1st place, it becomes a
matter to grant Tokiwa’s one wish. Well, he still hasn’t decided on something, but… First he told me, “Break up with Takishima”. Afterwards he said it was a joke, but it surprised me.”
Kei knows that she’s probably being serious and becomes angry again^^. What causes him to bow his top is when Hikari adds to the conversation that Iori has asked for her to be the model for the final round. Before he hangs up on her, he tells her that he won’t allow her to do it.
KEI THOUGHTS: [I probably should remove the person who is in the way.]
The next day, Kei goes to the B class P.E. session. They’re doing kendo that day, and Kei nominates Iori to be his opponent for a sample match.
The students on the side reflect on how startling it was for Kei to come to their class and ask Iori to do a sample match. They start to wonder why it was Iori specifically he asked for…
The kendo match begins, and Kei immediately strikes a blow to Iori’s chest. Iori regains his footing and clashes wooden swords with Kei. Kei begins to talk to Iori during this moment.
KEI: “It seems…you became 1st place and plan to throw out one wish as a condition to Hikari, right?”
IORI: “Oh. You heard? I’m going to tell her at the final judging of the hair arranging contest. I’ll say that I want her to be my girlfriend.”
When Kei hears this, he snaps and begins hitting again.
When the instructor ends the match, Kei declares to Iori that he has no intentions of giving up 1st place or Hikari. Iori looks downward with an angry look.
Later on when Kei is reading alone outdoors, Hikari nervously approaches him and plops a collection of documents on his lap. She explains that it is a collection of reflection. She no longer wants to be sneaky and hide things from him, so she made a reflection of what she had done. Kei is touched by this. However, this is shattered when Hikari cheerfully says she will properly report everything she does while helping Iori. Kei quickly tosses the papers behind him^^. Hikari goes to gather them while she asks why he did that.
With an angry, kill-someone expression, he straight out tells her that she will not be helping Iori. Hikari backs off and looks scared again…
Later on when he is alone, Kei smacks himself in the hallway for scaring her again.
Iori approaches Kei in the hallway and blames him for Hikari declining his offer to be the model. Kei sarcastically tells him that it’s unfortunate for him, but suggests going out to find another model to use. Iori, with a sarcastic grin, explains that the main selection of the finals requires the use of the same model. Kei grins and explains that he can change the rules for him. Iori asks if he’s joking and says Hikari is fine. Kei snaps and sarcastically says that he didn’t know… (Then they break out in an evil aura battle^^.)
The situation is explained to Hikari and she assures Kei that it will be easy to find another model because the final round of the hair arranging contest is taking place at the famous Tokyo*Gals Collection event. There’s bound to be people who will want to model for it.
KEI THOUGHTS: [Still, Hikari is being very careful. Perhaps if I say with a smiling face, "Please model"...then...]
We go into Kei’s imagination land, where he’s imagining Iori telling Hikari to be his girlfriend and Hikari agreeing to break up with him cheerfully^^.
This thought sends a swarm of evil, ghostly aura from Kei, which scares Hikari tremendously^^. Akira leads Hikari away from him, telling her to forget about him.
AKIRA: “In any case, it’s the usual jealousy.”
HIKARI: “Jealousy?”
AKIRA: “Geez, since the stupid matter is fine, shall we go buy some things together?^^”
However, as Akira leads her away, Hikari looks back at Kei, who still has evilness encircling him^^.
Later, Kei drops by Iori’s apartment to give him pictures of girls who can model for him. He tells him to use the one he likes the most. Iori, however, doesn’t take the offer and throw the pictures right back at Kei’s head. He then slam his door in his face.
While working on his computer at school, Kei reveals the results he has received from the investigation on Iori. He’s the 2nd son of the head of the hospital, he was presented a condition to become 1st place in Hakusenkan in order to become a beautician, and other than school expenses, he receives no financial aid.
Kei also remembers that the winner of this contest he’s participating in will get an all-paid offer to train and study at a salon in London…
He was so wrapped up in thought that Kei is taken by surprise when he sees Hikari sitting right next to him. Hikari looks a bit bashful at this time. Kei asks her what’s wrong.
HIKARI: “Are you feeling jealous, Takishima?”
Kei looks surprised to hear her ask this. She leans her head on his shoulder, still a bit bashful, and sincerely says she’s sorry. Kei puts his hand on her head and leans his head towards her.
KEI: “—-If I’m always just with you…I believe I’ll be okay.”
KEI THOUGHTS: [If that's so...then I won't be irritated or make her scared, right?]
Later on, Iori comes to Kei once again and challenges Kei.
IORI: “If Hanazono-san comes to the main selection this Sunday, then after that, you won’t interfere with what I’ll say to her. And then if Hanazono-san doesn’t come, then I will give up Hanazono-san completely.”
Iori declares that he will definitely obtain what he wants.
Kei agrees to it, and sees it as the finishing touch to his plan. Afterall, he will win and once he does, Iori will vanish for good…
However, Hikari is still confirming with Kei that no matter what Iori says, she won’t agree to be the model for him.
HIKARI: “Uh…Um, Takishima. Actually, no matter what Tokiwa says from before…the main selection’s model…”
KEI: “You can’t.”
HIKARI: “That’s right…huh…?”
Kei glances back an sees the tremendous disappointment in Hikari’s expression.
KEI THOUGHTS: [...I'm...being stupid, right? For Tokiwa, the key to grasping his important chance is Hikari. If she declines that, then after this, how will it hurt Hikari?]
Kei then says that he’s just kidding. He turns to her and says he wants to see her as a model. Immediately, Hikari’s expression brighten up.
Sunday, the day of the final round comes. Iori looks own at his watch while waiting outside the Tokyo*Gals Collection building. Suddenly, he hears a car screech to a halt right next to him and nervously steps back. Hikari steps out of the car and greets him, causing him to cheer up.
Hikari apologizes for being late, and tells him that Kei let her come. Iori, who is taken by surprise to see Kei there as well, asks why he did that. Kei answers that it was because Hikari doesn’t want to see them in a dilemma. So as long as Hikari is happy, then it doesn’t matter. Iori looks on as if he is still confused about it.
KEI THOUGHTS: [Even if I said I'd remove Tokiwa...surely the next "Tokiwa" will appear again.]
It is explained that the winner of the event will be decided on a combination of clothing and hair make-up, as well as popularity of the girl.
When Hikari comes out, she is an instant hit with her curly hair up in 2 pony tails put up with stars, her ringed earrings, and poofy short skirt with a vest over her shirt.
She spots Kei in the audience and blows an air kiss at him. This definitely makes Kei smile^^.
KEI THOUGHTS: [Above making efforts to remove him...I should have been making efforts to always make you smile.]
On backstage, Iori notices how happy Hikari is about this. He suddenly has a realization that Hikari truly loves Kei. Especially after Hikari comes over and thanks him for doing such a great job so she could make Kei smile.
The announcer announces later that the winner is Iori. When Iori hears this, he looks back at Hikari, more happy than ever. He is now ready to tell Hikari his wish.
IORI: “Hanazono-san My wish. Be my friend always, okay?”
The look on his face expresses happiness, yet sadness.
Hikari cheerfully agrees to it. However, with all that has happened, she came up with an idea to grant Kei’s wish as well. (Iori doesn’t know what she’s talking about^^)
After Hikari is done changing, she finds Kei, kneels in front of him, and holds out her hand to him. With a complete sparkle in both her eyes, she says, “Please be my husband.”
KEI NARRATION: {If you become happy, then I will do anything.}
Kei is so surprised that he is speechless^^.
credit to: sora-san for the summary of this chapter love it!
