Sukitte Ii na yo [Chapter 16]

Summarized by: Carolyne

The last chapter ended with Yamato bumping into Kai and Mei along the hallway. Kai greets Yamato and asks if he still remembers him. After some thought, Yamato, appearing shocked, shouts out Kai’s last name. Kai gives a smile as though glad that Yamato remembers him. A teacher breaks their reunion by chasing them to return to class. Kai bids goodbye to Yamato unhappily while Yamato was still staring in disbelief. Mei asks whether Kai is an acquaintance and Yamato tells her that he’s that guy whom he told her about previously, the one whom he was close to in middle school but transferred out due to bullying. (Refer to the last couple of pages in Chapter 4.) Yamato remarked that he was surprised to see how much Kai has grown and also how come Mei knows him. Mei tells Yamato that Kai is a frequent customer at her part-time job. Somewhat relieved, Yamato then comments that Kai’s a great guy. Mei agrees half-heartedly wondering if that is really true after that poor first impression he gave. Yamato was also puzzled as to why Kai is a first year even though they are of the same age. Asami comes running to them complaining that she’s not in the same class as Mei, Aiko and Yamato. Though Mei comforts Asami by telling her that Nakanishi is in the same class as her, Asami is not contented. Megumi passes by and greets Asami while saying that she’s glad to be in the same class as her. After Megumi walks away, Asami admits that ever since the incident with Mei and Yamato, she finds Megumi scary. Mei assures Asami that she will accompany her during breaks and lunchtime so that she will not be alone.

The scene switches to Kai who’s reading a book in his classroom. A classmate pats him and tries to strike a conversation. He complements Kai for having a great body, making him stand out. He noticed that Kai was speaking to Mei earlier and asks if he knows her. Wondering what’s with this guy, the classmate continues that he’s heard rumors that Mei is often picked at hence he was thinking if Kai was friends with her. Kai questions his motive and the classmate replied that if possible wouldn’t it be better not to have any relations with such kids. Kai gestures to the classmate to lean nearer. Curious, he moves closer to Kai only to see something which completely changed the expression on his face. Kai has exposed his right shoulder which was heavily scarred. Following that, Kai told his classmate that he did not get these scars from a fight. He received these one-sidedly from others and then sarcastically adds that shouldn’t he not get close to him too. Kai sternly states that people like him make him sick and warns him not to talk to him again. Scared stiff, the classmate retreated back into his seat while Kai went back to reading his book. Back to Yamato and Mei, Yamato tells her that it has always been on his mind to apologise to Kai for not helping him back in middle school. Mei disagrees saying that it is not right to be angry with Yamato over what has happened. It is natural for one to protect oneself moreover the thought of saving others cannot be forced. Mei thinks that Yamato has done enough by having been beside Kai and not leaving him alone. Yamato thanks Mei for her encouraging words. Kai calls out to Yamato and Yamato tells him that their meeting and his entrance as a first year is unexpected. Kai explains that before he knew it, he was made to repeat a year as his studies were affected due to him hiding. He thought it was better for him to start all over again back in his hometown. Kai wanted to became stronger for his own sake. Before Yamato could continue, someone informs Yamato that the teacher-in-charge was looking for him. With that, Yamato bids goodbye to Kai and Mei is left alone with him. Kai asks Mei if it was true that she gets picked on often. Seeing that Mei doesn’t know how to respond to that sudden statement, Kai tells her someone in his class told him and that she’s also somewhat famous. Kai admits that as he used to get bullied a lot, he understands how she feels. Truthfully, he returned to get back at those who bullied him and in order to do that, he spent one year training. Thinking that Mei has similar intentions, he offered to help her get back at her bullies. But Mei replies that by getting back at them wouldn’t it be falling to the same level as them. Rather than gaining any benefits by repeating such actions, wouldn’t there be more pain instead. To Mei, even if she was bullied or even if time was wasted, she would be glad if she was able to get to know that person better. Unable to accept Mei’s viewpoint, he flares up saying that ignoring the bullies cannot suppress his anger and questions if Mei is a saint. Mei counters by questioning Kai if what he wants to do is something to be proud of. Why is he telling her all this but not to Yamato. Kai wonders what’s this feeling of being looked through accurately. All he wants is to return the ‘favor’. Mei returns to class and finds Yamato waiting. Yamato tells her that he left immediately after meeting with their teacher and asks whether Kai said anything in particular or was he angry. Mei replies that he didn’t say anything nor was he angry. Hearing that, Yamato lets out a sigh of relief. In her heart, Mei tells Kai that he has a wonderful friend by his side.

Back to Kai who is now working out in a gym. As he gazes at the mirror, he recounts one particular bullying event. Young Kai is being pinned on the floor while he pleads for them to release him. When young Kai asked what their reason for doing this to him was, they answered that it was because he looked weak and girly and they taunted him to fight back against them. They even stripped him to check if he’s a guy. =( In his heart, young Kai was reflecting how weak he was for not being able to resist two guys of the same age as him. The head bully decided that letting Kai feel pain would make him stronger. As the cigarette butt approaches Kai, he ultimately shrieks out in pain. This explains the scars he got on his shoulder. The final words to the sobbing young Kai were ‘It’s your own fault for being so weak.’ Kai is now on the train and he arrives at the gates of another high school. Kai feels that the current him has a tougher body, an air of coerciveness and the look of a delinquent. Looking at the students walk pass, Kai remembers to take extra notice of someone with a face full of pimple marks and a mole near the mouth. Without much trouble, Kai managed to spot the guy that was the root of his bad memories. The guy was approaching Kai with his head down. Many thoughts came to Kai’s mind and he tries to calm down by telling himself that he is no longer who is used to be. Unexpectedly, that guy bumps into Kai but before Kai could react, that guy apologises for bumping into him. Kai wonders if the guy did not realize that it’s him. Just because his appearance changed a little, is it so different that he can’t recognize him. Or is it that his existence is just a forgettable part of his past. Kai realized that he had been dragged down by such a guy, and he ponders if he going to continue living in such a way. Before he came to a conclusion, he decided to head home first. Kai feels that his one-sided feelings made him seem like an idiot, following that he recalls the words that Mei said to him.

Kai drops by at Mei’s part-time job to inform her that he kinda understands her perspective. Confused by the sudden declaration, Kai continues telling her that he went to meet that guy who bullied him. Finally realizing what he meant earlier, she asked if Kai took his revenge. Kai defends himself by saying that he didn’t. After such a long time, he became aware that it wasn’t that big a deal and the bully couldn’t even recognize him. Kai really wanted to beat him up when he was in front of him but somehow he lost interest. Relieved, Mei tells him that it’s more than enough for him to pick up the courage of facing his adversary even if he didn’t settle his scores. She wishes to have such courage as well. Puzzled as to why Mei thinks that she doesn’t have that courage, Kai tries to tell her otherwise but before he could complete his sentence, Mei offers him some rusk (a type of biscuit) which she received earlier. Because she noticed that Kai tends to buy sweet pastries while she herself doesn’t really take sweet stuff. Mei informs Kai that though Yamato is delighted to meet Kai again, he’s regretting not having helped him in the past. Hearing that, Kai decides to look for Yamato and make things clear with him. Kai, as though released from a burden, tells himself that he won’t be laughed at anymore. Back in school, Kai tells Yamato to not neglect their friendship even though he has many friends in this school already. Glad to see the two of them getting along well, Mei smiles and watches as they walk away. Seeing that Mei is now by herself, Asami glomps onto Mei while telling her that she should engage in girls’ talk every now and then instead of always hanging out with Yamato. Mei’s day today is again fluffy, light, nice and warm.

Translator's Commentary: Kai had such a sad past. =( But he managed to overcome it! What else awaits our cute couple?? P.s. Phew… No cliffhanger this time! **End of Vol. 4 TO BE CONTINUED**

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