[Flere821]

... There haven't been much discussion, have there?

If that's the case, I might as well just post the rest of the summaries all at once. No point prolonging the waiting period if the goal of 'more discussion' failed miserably.

So without further ado, here's the rest of Vol9:

Chapter 3 - Suzutsuki Revolution

Spoiler for Chapter 3:

Next day, Kureha, Jirou and Usami is going to school. Since Jirou and Kureha don’t have motorbikes Usami is taking a bus with them.
Kureha asked why is Jirou now sleeping inside, and Usami gave the excuse it’s because they bought some eggs on special at the supermarket last night. The battlefield for specials as they fought housewives for the goods was intense enough that Jirou thought it’s like from the movie “Saving Private Ryan”.

Usami warned Jirou to not expose that they’re living together. Apart from the bad reputation they would get as two underage teenagers living together, there’s also the S4 and Mimamorugai that would go berserk if they found Jirou’s living with Usami.

Nakuru’s sister (what’s her name in English again?) came tackling onto Jirou as he came into school, asking him why does he look down this early in the day. Usami told her to let go of Jirou, and Nakuru’s sister asked if she’s jealous (insert tsundere responses here). Eventually she let go since Jirou’s choking from the hold, and was going to die from oxygen deprivation before his gynophobia even acts up.

Kureha asked Nakuru’s sister to stop calling other people’s brother as ‘oniichan’, and things almost escalated into a battle (which went from just seeing who’s stronger and having Jirou as the judge to a fight for the right to have Jirou). Usami explained those two didn’t get along too well, since their personalities are both alike and lead to familiarity breeds contempt of sorts. Jirou said a fight between Kureha and Nakuru’s sister is like a Kaiju battle.

Jirou stopped the fight before it started, asking why did Nakuru’s sister come looking for them this early in the morning. The fight’s postponed, and Nakuru’s sister told them she knew Usami and Jirou’s living together.

It turns out Nakuru saw Usami and Jirou going shopping together, and staked out the apartment (for the entire night) they both went backed into and didn’t leave until the morning. She also asked their neighbours and confirmed they’re living together. Nakuru is in tears, and Jirou thought it might be because he turned her down when she confessed publicly to him during the sports festival back in September (though that was just because she wanted to get closer to him and be able to get material for her doujins easier).

It turns out she’s anguished because she missed a lot of opportunity to gather information.
*snip comedy scene where Nakuru’s planning a harem ending with Jirou+Konoe, Nakuru’s lover#3 and Usami take #4*
While Nakuru’s taking out proof (cellphone pictures) the other students (which includes members of S4, Mimamorugai and fans of Nakuru’s doujins) overheard about how Jirou’s living with a girl.

Kureha tried to convince Nakuru that Jirou’s not Usami’s lover…
He’s her pet. (refers to how Jirou’s sleeping outside, and some of the conversation in Chapter 1)
Jirou told Kureha to stop saying things that would give misunderstandings. Nakuru’s sister looked in contempt towards Jirou thinking he has some interests in that direction.

Usami decided to bring everything to a close by declaring she’s going out with Jirou to stop rumours. And also Jirou’s not going out with Konoe since she’s his girlfriend.

Nakuru’s not accepting Usami’s explanation, and just when Jirou is starting to worry that things will be known to everyone as a Boy+Boy+Girl love triangle with him as the girlLover#3’s pet Kanade shows up.

Nakuru asks Kanade to give a explanation of all of this (being the founder of S4 and all). Kanade says as Konoe’s ojou-sama she can only say Konoe’s not in a BL relationship with Jirou.
Jirou barely had time to be relieved crisis is averted Kanade says “The one that’s going out with Konoe isn’t Jirou”. Kanade then dropped the bombshell that Konoe’s going out with her right now.

Everyone present is shocked and jaw dropped. After a while Nakuru’s the first to recover and said that’s not possible. Kanade then said her first love was Konoe, and that sent Nakuru into another fantasy. Nakuru admits being ojou-sama and butler and leading into a deeper relationship isn’t impossible since it also happens in Shoujo manga. Kanade then said Nakuru should be happy at how things turned out (forbidden love factor + love dodecahedron), and her writer side finally overwhelmed any resistance towards the idea.

Just as Jirou is wondering what the hell is Kanade planning, that even if she has schemes none of the ones before affected the entire school like this Kanade offered Jirou and Usami to on a double date this weekend. Usami agreed, much to Jirou’s surprise.

Jirou desperately tried to expose Kanade’s scheming (partly fuelled by he doesn’t want to go out on a date with Konoe after the rejection) by saying there’s no proof that Kanade’s going out with Konoe. Surprisingly (to Jirou) Kanade agreed there’s no proof right now…

So she said she’ll make one.

Kanade grabbed Konoe and kissed the butler on the lips (see colour pages) in front of everyone.

Amidst the fervent screams of fangirls (and Jirou being in a daze at the sight), this date (November 12th) from then on is remembered as the Suzutsuki Revolution.

Chapter 4 – Don’t come looking for me

Spoiler for Chapter 4:

After school, Jirou is talking with Usami as they got back to their apartment. Both S4 and Mimamorugai stopped activities after recent events. Jirou has no idea what Kanade is planning, setting up a incident this large.

Usami says she doesn’t mind that it’s Jirou, before quickly saying it’s that she doesn’t mind him after living together for a month, not that this is a confession.
Speaking of living together, Jirou wondered where has Kureha gone. No club activities today and Kureha left earlier than they did. Usami frantically came back to him after going inside first and showed him a note Kureha left behind:

“Gone travelling. Don’t come looking for me. By Kureha.”

Jirou thought Kureha ran away from home. He thought it’s understandable, considering Kureha had a crush on Konoe and she got along well with Kanade. Add to that she’s now living under the same roof as a official couple that’s going out it might have been too much for her.

Jirou decided he’s going outside to look for Kureha. He has no idea where she went, but he’ll start by searching this street. Usami told him to calm down, just charging off is inefficient and isn’t likely to find her. Jirou shouted back his sister ran away from home so it’s impossible to calm down. Even if she’s a wrestling fanatic she’s still his sister – his family.

Before he got outside Usami embraced him from behind. His head cooled down partially because his gynophobia is acting up and partially because of being embraced suddenly surprised him, but mostly because of Usami’s tearful voice.

She begged him not to run off like that. She understands that he needs to go look for Kureha but she doesn’t want him to go alone.

She doesn’t want to be left by herself again.

Jirou cursed his stupidity, realising he’s not the only one affected by Kureha’s sudden departure. She also lived with Kureha for a month now and they started to feel like family to her, and Usami had the feeling that if Jirou left he might not come back anymore either.

A phone call interrupted Jirou’s thoughts, and it turns out Nakuru’s sister called. Kureha went to stay at her place, and Nakuru’s sister called to tell him everything’s fine. Kureha went to look for somewhere, someone she’s familiar with to cling to in all this turmoil and she chose Nakuru. Jirou said he’s coming over to pick Kureha up, and Nakuru’s sister said he shouldn’t after everything that happened (she doesn’t blame him though). Kureha is now staying with Nakuru’s family, and Nakuru’s father is happy they have Kureha as a guest since now they can test out the toys their company produce for endurance at home (Nakuru’s father works for a toymaker company) – ie, Kureha is testing out wrestling moves on the toys and Jirou understood instantly she’s now have a new way of venting.

Nakuru’s sister told Jirou Nakuru gave up on the 3-dimensional world and devoted herself to work on the 2D world (ie, the doujins). Partially because she has a wide reader fanbase and she doesn’t want to let them down. (also that in fiction she can write the relationship however she likes; Jirou suspects the BL material in her doujins is going to get even more explicit.)

Jirou asked is it really alright, since she doesn’t get along well with Kureha right? Nakuru’s sister responded don’t look down on her, since she’s still vice-captain of their club and she helps the members when they’re in trouble.
Also, Nakuru’s sister is worried about Usami. Due to Jirou and Kureha’s influence, Usami’s starting to open herself to others and Nakuru’s sister is worried Usami will regress to shutting herself away.

Nakuru’s sister also said it’s alright to do a bit of H things, just don’t go into some perverted plays. Jirou snarked back even without her saying that he wouldn’t do that with Usami.

Before disconnecting, Jirou told Nakuru’s sister she’s a good person. (see coloured pages)
Good to the point she cares about her kouhai a lot and is very kind. Jirou continually heaped praises onto Nakuru’s sister. She told him to stop, since she hates being praised like this a LOT. Jirou responded he’s just saying the truth and wasn’t praising her. Nakuru’s sister cut off the call and said Jirou’s a baka, and she’s never calling him ever again. (Flere821 note: Romance Flag acquired :P)

Jirou told Usami Kureha’s staying at Nakuru’s place for the time being and the phone call was from Nakuru’s sister.

Usami blushed deep red and asked if that meant it’s now just the two of them living here. Jirou concluded that maybe it might have been better if he was the one that ran away from home, and inwardly begged for Nakuru’s sister to come and save him.

Chapter 5 – Double Date Crisis

Spoiler for Chapter 5:

November 21, Sunday.
11:45am

Jirou showed up early to the meeting place in the park, and Kanade came early too. Kanade remarked how Jirou looked tired today and has been this entire week, and this is probably due to him doing H things with Usami every night. Jirou says it’s the OPPOSITE: things have gone so awkward between him and Usami he can’t get any sleep. When he actually DOES attempt to do H things with Usami he goes into shock and gets massive nosebleeds.
Jirou cursed his gynophobia this week (Flere821 note: guess he’s still a male human after all :P)

Some of the awkwardness is lessened when Kanade came barging in and played around. Though Jirou and Konoe was still as awkward as before.

Jirou and Kanade talked about a bit more things, like why Kanade don’t get along with Usami. Kanade replied she doesn’t really know, that Usami seeing through all her facades is only part of it.
They’re supposed to meet up at noon, but since the other 2 isn’t here yet they talked for a bit longer. Jirou asked why is Kanade faking going out with Konoe, and Kanade responded she’s not faking all this. Jirou thought since he’s not Usami, he can’t tell if Kanade’s lying or not.

Kanade provoked him, saying if he doesn’t do anything she’ll steal Konoe from him (she doesn’t know Jirou was already rejected). Jirou responded Konoe doesn’t belong to him, so it’s none of his business. (since he’s already been rejected by Konoe before, anyway.)

Kanade is about to ask him is it really alright, since even she can tell he has feelings for Konoe but didn’t manage to get her question out. Konoe arrived and Kanade went to her ‘lover’ and played out a scene that made them appear just like they’re going out (embracing Konoe and almost kissing her).
Even knowing Kanade’s faking this relationship, Jirou still upset at the scene.

Usami arrived just on time, and Kanade taunted Usami that she can’t embrace Jirou like this due to his gynophobia. Usami then forcibly held onto Jirou, and having his arm in the softness of Usami’s chest made him also nearly have a nosebleed.
Usami let go before he collapsed, and Kanade asked where are they going. Jirou said should she have ideas since she’s the one that planned this double date, but she says the boys are supposed to be the ones that lead. Konoe’s a girl, so she has no idea where to go and looked towards Jirou for help.
Jirou didn’t want to discuss where to go with Konoe (being rejected and all) so he just say he knows a place they can go to. Kanade held Konoe’s hands and Jirou held Usami’s, then they all set off.

Throughout the past week Jirou has been asking his male friends where to take girls, and they mostly told the real-con (ie, someone who is successful in life), ie him, to go frak off. His best friend from back in middle school raged at how only he is that lucky and fought him.
After relying on his friends failed, Jirou went to look up things on the internet for ideas.

Jirou and others ended up at a café called ‘Rabbit Brass’ (TN: Brass as in brass band) – one of those cafes where customers can go pat the rabbits that’s also at a corner in the shop.
Usami can’t wait to get inside, and Jirou teased her about it. Kanade says she’s impressed that Jirou is being a good boyfriend and chose somewhere that’s very much to his girlfriend’s taste, and in response Jirou said it’s not just to Usami’s taste. Kanade doesn’t get it, until she saw Konoe also very happy coming here.

Kanade says she’s treating everyone, but Jirou knows it’s the guy that’s supposed to be treating the girl when on a date. He sold some of his manga collection earlier, and told Usami today that he’ll treat her. Usami’s embarrassed smile as she thanked him almost overloaded him by its cuteness.

Just as Jirou is thinking it’s more important to focus on conversation than food, Usami wolfed down the omelette rice she ordered quickly, and wanted Jirou to finish eating instantly. Jirou complained he still has most of his food left and Usami decided to try and force it down his throat. Jirou tried to convince her he can eat by himself and finished the food as fast as he can. After that Usami dragged him over to the corner where the rabbits are. Kanade and Konoe is still eating the food they ordered, Konoe’s unhappy that Usami and Jirou left early to look at the rabbits but she has to set her pace as that of her ojou-sama – and Kanade can’t just wolf down food like Usami since she’s a ojou.

Usami looked at the rabbits like a girl in love, and then was allowed to hold one of the rabbits. The shop clerk says she’ll come back later, and just ring the bell if they need anything. Jirou thought it’s probably the clerk giving them some space, since they looked like a couple needing some private time.
Usami’s in bliss that she’s holding a rabbit like this (due to the haunting and possession no animal liked her before). She thanked Jirou for planning all this out, and Jirou’s stunned by how adorable Usami looked right now.

Jirou asked why did Usami agreed to the double date today – didn’t she not get along well with Kanade? Usami went silent, before saying she’s been hiding this reason from him, and it might scare him if he hears it – even so, does he still want to know? Jirou has a bad feeling about this for no apparent reason, like this will ruin the atmosphere they have right now… but he still answered he want to know.
After living together for a month, he felt if Usami have problems then he needs to try and help her. They’re like family already.

In a voice like speaking of a wish she dreamed of long ago, Usami said she wanted to be friends with Kanade. That using this opportunity maybe she can get closer to her. Jirou is surprised at the outcome, since Kanade had said Usami’s her natural enemy… then he realised he never found out what Usami had thought of Kanade, having only knowing Kanade’s viewpoint thus far.
Jirou asked Usami why, since she was always competing with Kanade with test scores and arguing all the time.
Before she answered him however Kanade came in and interrupted them. She had a voice that frightened the rabbit into running away from Usami and crouched in a corner in fear, and had a cold look in her eyes. The smile she wore now is different to the one she normally uses.

Kanade said she’s been listening since Usami said she wanted to be friends with her. After commanding Konoe to not disturb them, Kanade came inside. She asked why does Usami want to be friends with her, and after hesitating Usami answered:

Because Kanade is like Usami. At the foundation of their being, they don’t trust other people.

Kanade lacks trust in others, and also lacks others’ trust in her. She wore the mask of a perfect student since she’s afraid that if her true self is exposed everyone will abandon her.

Basically, Usami is saying Kanade was like her that none of them had friends they can confide in; and she wanted to be friends with Kanade because they’re both alone at school, and she wanted to help Kanade.
Jirou noted that she fooled everyone from knowing her true nature – and thought the reason might be because she can’t trust other people. That’s the reason why Kanade don’t like Usami, even if she doesn’t know it on the surface; they’re so alike that Kanade subconsciously dislikes Usami.
During the school festival, Jirou remembered, Usami wanted to be friends with Konoe because ‘he’ was alone and didn’t have many friends too.

Kanade suddenly loudly denied that is the case. Violently denied it. Jirou haven’t seen this side of Kanade in the half-year he known her.
Kanade doesn’t deny she can’t trust people, but she denies that she’s all alone.

She wanted to declare that she have friends she can confide everything to, but half way she couldn’t get the words out.
Jirou and Konoe might be her friends, but now they also have hidden things from her (ie, Konoe rejecting Jirou). Even the other servants at Kanade’s place was lied to by Kanade, since they don’t know Jirou discovered Konoe’s a girl. Kanade felt she has been rebuffed and she doesn’t have friends that she can confide everything in anymore. All her relationships are tainted by lies.

Kanade ran away, saying she’s going back now and leaving Konoe, Jirou and Usami behind. Jirou felt Kanade’s unstable right now, and she can’t be left alone.
Jirou tried to run after Kanade, but Usami embraced him from behind like when Kureha was discovered missing. She said she’ll chase after her too, but Jirou told Usami she can’t run fast in high heels like the ones she wearing now.
Jirou’s actually glad he has the shoes as a excuse to keep Usami away from Kanade – for Kanade who have just found out by other people she has a lack of trust meeting Usami will only make things worse.

Jirou left the café, and tried to call Kanade; the phone was shut on her end. He tried to go to the bus station thinking she took a bus back to the apartment, when he saw Konoe approaching from that direction.
Kanade ordered Konoe to leave her alone. Jirou was wondering why didn’t Konoe just disregard Kanade’s orders like when she refused to say how he was rejected Konoe told him Kanade gave a ultimatum to her:

“If you don’t follow this order, I’ll fire you.”

Jirou thought Kanade’s even more unstable than he thought, as she said the one thing you don’t say to Konoe, considering how important being a butler is to Konoe. Kanade’s order was ‘wait for me somewhere else by yourself’, so Jirou thought Kanade’s preventing him from finding her. That makes the apartment unlikely to be where she went.
Jirou told Konoe they should continue to search. When they find Kanade, he’ll go talk to her since Konoe’s forbidden to go see her. They split up, and Jirou prayed Kanade haven’t gone too far.

Chapter 6 – Confession and Kiss

Spoiler for Final Chapter of Vol9:

Jirou’s wishes didn’t get granted; things have gone down to the worst case scenario.

Jirou and Konoe searched everywhere they can think of that Kanade would end up at, and they still didn’t find her. It’s been two hours, and they finally gave up.

Usami gave Jirou a text saying she’s going back first. Jirou felt very guilty that he left her alone, especially after what Nakuru’s sister had said earlier.

As they went back to the apartment (to see if Kanade’s there and also for Jirou to apologise to Usami) Konoe asked what made Kanade run off like that. Jirou, after a while, said he doesn’t know if he should say it or not, and that if only he was a bit more competent this would not have happened.
Jirou wanted to say sorry to Konoe, but he can’t even do that. Part of the reasons Kanade acted as she did was because they hid Jirou being dumped by Konoe, so if Jirou explained everything Konoe would feel guilty over everything.

Konoe then asked if Usami is really going out with Jirou. Kanade had told her they’re not, but Konoe wanted to hear from the person himself. Konoe’s worried, now that Kureha’s not with them. Jirou thought that Konoe’s just worrying because she’s one of his best friends.
Jirou replied he’s not going out with Usami. He thought (but didn’t SAY out loud) that the reason he’s appearing to go out with Usami is to stabilise the situation at school, to give Usami a reason to be able to go out and play.

He hasn’t got to that stage with Usami at this point.

At his response, Jirou then felt like he was stabbed in the chest at Konoe’s subconscious muttering:

“Thank heavens…”

Jirou wondered why he’s not going out with Usami would make Konoe this relieved. He asked Konoe why does she say that, and Konoe’s frantic response and denials only made him more suspicious.

Jirou asked what is Konoe hiding from him – if they’re best friends, then even after being rejected they’re supposed to help one another if they have trouble.
However, Konoe said she can't tell him no matter what.

For Kanade’s sake.

Jirou wonders what did Konoe mean by “For Ojou-sama’s sake”, and realised he isn't much better since he’s also hiding something. He didn't tell Konoe of the conversation Usami and Kanade had earlier that day (the reason why Kanade ran out from their double date); and they're not much of a 'best friend' to each other if they keep secrets like this. Even if they’re not kept secret because of malicious intent.

Jirou told Konoe they should stop being 'best friends' for the time being; because he thought they shouldn't stay together if all he does is hurt her. That every word they exchange will only deepen the wounds, and widen the gap between the two of them.
He also wanted some time to think all this through, and it would be better if he’s not so close to Konoe in this time. (Flere821 note: naturally, he doesn’t tell Konoe of these reasons…)

Konoe doesn’t want to stop being best friends. She misunderstood it to mean Jirou is abandoning her because she's keeping secrets, and cried that she still wanted be with Jirou even if she can't be his girlfriend (see Vol8 - it suggests Konoe turned Jirou down because she knew Kanade liked Jirou as well and wanted her Ojou-sama to be happy, instead of Kanade sacrificing herself for Konoe). Jirou didn't know the reasons why Konoe turned him down, and hardened his heart to walk away, not responding to Konoe's tears as she chased behind him, calling his name in a pained voice.

After the two of them ran the last 100m to where Jirou is currently staying they found Usami is waiting for Jirou. Jirou apologised for leaving her behind, and Usami forgave him.
After Jirou left, Usami have realisd many things. She ignored Konoe behind Jirou, like there’s only the two of them here right now.
Usami told Jirou it’s her birthday today. Jirou apologised once more for ruining her birthday, and despite Usami saying that’s not a problem he knew she was afraid that if other people knew about her birthday would they even bother doing anything to celebrate it. The month they spent living together made him more aware of her thoughts.

Usami waved aside the belated ‘happy birthday’ from Jirou and told him:

“I – want to become a true member of your family.”

She realised, when she was alone back at the café, that suddenly being by herself like that is lonely. She felt that loneliness even more after spending the past month with other people. And even though it is like this now like they’re really part of a family… one day this will end.
Kureha already left… and after their home is fixed Jirou would leave her as well.

Usami doesn’t want him to leave.

She wants to be by his side as a member of his family, forever.

“I love you.”

Even as dense as Jirou is, he can tell this is a confession.

==[from this point on it’s a Translation rather than a summary: I don’t think I can do the scene justice otherwise]==

“… Um, to be precise… It’s ‘I think I love you’. I want to be with you. So, I think my feelings are ‘I love you’.”

“Masamune…”

“So… I want to a real family member to you. If we’re really a family, then we can be together forever.”

“…”

“… Ne, baka-chicken… Today is my birthday right? So… Can I get a present from you?”

“… Um, well, I don’t mind that…”

Reflexively.

Since I’m confused by the sudden confession, I answer everything she said without thinking about it.

“… Hm. Thanks.”

As she said that, Usami gave a sweet smile.

Suddenly.

Abruptly.

Without warning.

Masamune’s lips… was pressed onto my lips.

- - kiss. (TN: ‘kiss’ is written in English as opposed to Japanese/Chinese)

This undoubtedly is a kiss.

A present.

This is probably the present she wanted.

A kiss from the boy she likes on her birthday.

Probably, for someone with no friends this is her first time kissing.

‘First Kiss’. (TN: this is also written in English rather than Japanese/Chinese)

This is the romantic present that Masamune’s girlish tastes thought up.

“…”

The time right now is sunset.

Under the setting sun, we kissed.

There is only one witness.

Subaru Konoe.

I directed my gaze over there, and the butler only stood and watched wordlessly at us and our kiss.

… That’s right.

I… kissed Masamune.

In this orange scene that looked as if it’s on fire.
[END Volume 9]