360° Material - [Chapter 15]

Translator - Sarah
Raw Provider - Shmook
Proofreader - Macka

Chapter 15: Might it be...?

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The chapter starts with the class choosing representatives. No one volunteers, and the teacher asks for nominees. Meanwhile, Mio is trying to convince herself to remain upbeat and thinks maybe she was just being too sensitive yesterday. After giving herself a day to calm down, it should stop bothering her. However, while Mio was distracted by her own thoughts, the two people chosen to represent the class were Taki and Hatano. Mio stands up then flops back down after reading the board. She then thinks if this is some sort of harassment. Shii and Yuni question whether the decision was based entirely on algebra test scores. Taki was out of luck there. Mio thinks that's true; of all things to have happen... Hatano seems to have slept through the decision and Taki approaches her as Hatano's friend is trying to get her attention. Mio strains to listen to their conversation. Hatano asks Taki if he still has the book from yesterday, and he says he's in the middle of it. He takes the book out, and Hatano's friend comments on how difficult it looks. Mio remembers that she got in the way of their conversation about that book yesterday, and recalls what Hatano said about her because of it. Mio hangs her head, thinking, “Calm down, calm down!” Also noticing how Taki has been hanging around Hatano, Shii says that she's been concerned about that lately and asks Mio if she’s OK about that. Yuni also expresses some concern, pointing out that those two seem to be enjoying themselves quite a bit. As Mio tries not to stare at them, she replies that it seems they're enjoying that algebra book. Mio goes into deep thought and thinks, “Algebra? But even at that, why does it still bother me?” Fidgeting, Mio tries to play it off, saying that they're just having a normal conversation. Yuni teases her about being a flexible girlfriend, but Shii-chan still looks concerned. That is an unusual thing to see Taki doing, isn't it? While thinking, “Flexible, huh?” Mio casts a concerned glance in their direction, and accidentally meets Hatano's eyes. Yuni shows Mio a picture that she and Shii have been looking at, and Mio gives an exaggerated laugh, wondering if it'll be all right (that Hatano saw her looking). Marui looks up, having been quietly listening to their conversation. Hatano glances back, presumably finding that Mio isn't paying attention anymore.

Some time passes, and Mio waves good bye to Yuni and Shii-chan. As Taki is getting ready to leave, Mio asks him where he's going. He tells her that he has a committee meeting (for the class representatives). She then asks him how long it will take. Taki tells her that he doesn't know and asks Mio if she’s going ahead. Mio smiles and tells him that she'll kill some time and wait for him. Smiling, she tells Taki to email her when it's over, since she might not be in the classroom. Taki smiles back affectionately, telling her that he will. Hatano sticks her head in the door telling Taki that they can't start the meeting without him, and the two of them leave together. Mio anxiously watches them walk away together, thinking that they're tied together because of a similar interest, right? It feels like those two are gradually getting closer. Mio goes to the vending machine, and finds that it's out of the item she wanted. She lets out a big sigh and slumps against the machine, thinking what a problem [Taki and Hatano's interaction] could be. Marui comes up behind her and comments on what a big sigh that was. Mio asks him if he has basketball practice, and he says he forgot something and as he was walking back, he suddenly heard that magnificent sigh. Mio tries to pretend that the vending machine didn't have the orange candy she wanted, and Marui points out that it never had orange candy in the first place. He starts to leave, but looks back and sees how sad Mio looks. He remembers Taki talking to Hatano earlier, and asks Mio if something happened. Meanwhile, Akane is on her way to the staff room, and she notices Marui (whom she refers to as the guy who failed his test) and Ootaka-san talking. Mio thinks that even if she talks to Marui, there's nothing she can do about it, and starts to tell him that she has a friend who's been worrying about something. She's a little jealous over something. (Marui's thought: “Friend, huh?”) Marui asks her what that is, and Mio explains that her friend's boyfriend and a girl he has a lot in common with... Marui says he understands. Those two have been getting friendly, and Mio's friend is jealous. Mio tells him that they share interests that the girlfriend doesn't, and they seem to get really fired up when they talk about that subject. The boyfriend seems to be enjoying himself. She told Mio, “I can't give him that sort of enjoyment.” How can Mio get him to see it's upsetting her…” Catching herself, Mio corrects, “That's what my friend said!” Even though she thinks she shouldn't worry, she can't help but be bothered. Marui responds, “I see. Hmm.” Mio is overwhelmed by his reaction and says, “Aren’t you going to say anything? Like, “That's silly” or “That's trivial!” Marui tells her that she'll worry no matter what someone tells her, right? He goes on saying that there are times when his feelings also aren't what he wants them to be, so he can sort of understand. Mio asks him what he does in those situations, and he answers, “I give up.” He's come to accept that changing one's emotions is impossible. Then, you can better maintain your composure in front of them. Mio wonders about her situation, and if she should give up on trying to push back her emotions. Someone from the sports clubs finds Marui, and tells him that they're setting up for the assembly. He starts to leave, then turns back again and hands something to Mio: Orange-flavored candy. He tells her that it's about half full, and it's a citrus mix, but there should be orange. Still watching them, Akane recalls Marui's reaction when she teased him about his unrequited love, and says, “No way...” Mio thinks that even if talking about this is all she can do, it's good that can at least do that.

As they leave the meeting for the student representatives, Taki returns that book he borrowed from Hatano. She asks if he read that whole thing, and he says, “Mostly.” She tells him that she can loan it to him again, but she thinks his being with her is making his girlfriend mad. Looking concerned, Taki asks, “Mio? Why do you say that?” Hatano answers that Ootaka-san seems to have been glaring at her since yesterday, and she might not like her. Taki laughs at that, telling her that that can't be the case. Facing away from him, Hatano smiles slyly, asking, “Is that so?” Taki replies, “Of course; Mio isn't glaring at you.” They go back to the classroom, and Mio smiles at Taki and says, “Welcome back.” Hatano pokes her head in behind him and replies, “I'm back.” Seeing her, Mio stands up awkwardly then forces a smile. Taki notices the tension, and on their way to the train station, he asks Mio, “Do you not like Hatano-san?” Mio is caught a bit offguard, and asks him what brings that up. Taki tells her what Hatano said earlier, and Mio tells him that she doesn't dislike her. Smiling, Taki says, “Of course.” Mio thinks that it isn't that she dislikes Hatano, it's just that she doesn't like her spending time with Taki. Enjoying algebra together, being class representatives together... Mio asks Taki if he thinks that, if she were as good at mathematics as him, that it would be more fun. He bluntly tells her that it would, and it might be interesting. This isn't quite what Mio wanted to hear, and she's somewhat upset on the train. She thinks that right now, it's just algebra, but it might grow into more things they have in common if they keep spending time together. Taki notices how depressed she is on the train, and when they get to his stop, Mio smiles and says good bye. Taki doesn't respond, instead he runs back onto the train and pulls Mio into a hug. He holds onto her for a while, and Mio starts to get embarrassed as everyone stares uncomfortably at them. Mio asks Taki what's wrong, and he offers to stay with her until they get to the station. Mio seems cheered up, and she thanks him for riding with her. Mio thinks that even if that was sudden, it was certainly welcome. As she starts to leave, Taki calls her back. Looking concerned again, he asks, “At times lately, you've seemed down. Is something wrong?” Mio realizes that was probably why he stayed on the train with her, and tells him that's it's nothing. She's all right, and thanks him for worrying about her. Taki takes that train back to his station, looking down sadly. Mio thinks that she was happy he's concerned, but it isn't something Taki can help her with. Her feelings are the problem, so she has to get past this on her own. Back at home, Mio commits herself to studying algebra, declaring that she will bring herself to his level!

The next day, Mio stumbles to the train. Even though she gave it her all, none of her problems were solved. Algebra is deplorable. As the doors to the train close, Marui stumbles in at the last second. He greets Mio, and notices how awful she looks. At the next stop, Akane finds Taki standing in the opposite direction of the train, looking dazed. (He doesn't seem to notice her until she starts dragging him toward the train.) As Akane asks him if he's awake, they see Mio and Marui already on the train. Mio brightens up when she sees Taki, telling him good morning. Marui comments, “Oh, she's fully recovered.” Taki asks what he means, and Marui says that up until now, she's looked on the verge of death from lack of sleep. She studied too hard last night. Taki asks Mio if that's true, and she says that well, yeah... Marui notices Akane glaring at him, and asks her what's wrong. She tells him it's nothing, turning away. As Mio and Taki talk a short distance away, Akane notices that Marui is affectionately looking in Mio's direction. The chapter ends with Akane once again recalling the time she asked him about his unrequited love, thinking, “Just like I thought...”

Translator’s Comment: Akane regularly refers to Marui as “Akaten Otoko,” which literally translates to something like “Failing Grade Man,” and I can't decide on what would be an English equivalent of that insult. It seems that Taki is himself so disinterested romantically in Hatano that it doesn't register spending time with her could cause jealousy. At the heart of it, though, I think Mio is concerned that Taki will get bored with her if she can't share his interests as much as she is jealous that he's spending time with Hatano.

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