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Chapter 47
The chapter starts with Kuni alone in his batting center office, wondering how it's been for everyone. Nori arrives, and he greets her with, “I haven't seen you in a while, Yakionigiri.” Then, correcting himself, says, “I mean, Yakinori!” (He's making a stupid food pun. He's called her “Yakinori” [baked seaweed] in the past.) Nori just stares at him, and he apologizes. He offers her something to drink, which she turns down. But, there is something she'd like to ask him about. Leaning in with a serious expression, Nori asks, “What sort of underwear do you prefer?” Kuni chokes on his coffee, and asks what she means. Nori asks him to think way, way back into the past, and recall his middle school days. What type of underwear would he have been interested in on a girl? Kuni replies that to be honest, any would have been fine. Looking disappointed, Nori grumbles, “Like I thought... I shouldn't be asking an old person...” Kuni tells her not to call him old, and asks, “What is this about? 'Underwear'... Is this for Haruna?” Nori turns red, and firmly denies that. This is about taking care of her personal appearance as a high school-aged girl! Kuni puts his head down and sighs. Nori has been all lovey-dovey... The old Nori wasn't that kind of girl... Nori notices the Christmas decorations, and Kuni boasts that he keeps up with the latest styles [of decoration]. Nori tells him that they aren't stylish, but the decorations do take her back. Kuni remembers that Saeka said the same thing, and Nori wonders aloud what Saeka is up to about now. Kuni asks what she means, and Nori explains that Saeka went to stay with Yanaidu yesterday. Kuni pauses, and says, “...I see.” Looking up at the Christmas tree, Nori wonders if Saeka climbed to the next level on the stairway to adulthood...
The scene changes to Saeka at the train station, with a text box that answers Nori's question: Saeka did not take that step. Looking rather apologetic, Saeka says, “Sensei, thank you. All I did the past two days was have you treat me to good food and completely empty your wallet.” Yanaidu tells her not to worry, and finds them a bench to wait for the train. Looking down at her hands, Saeka asks him if it's all right at work. After he broke off the engagement, his standing in the company... Yanaidu chuckles, and asks if that's a reason why she came. He goes on to say that, a while back, Saeka asked him what his dream was. Saeka's eyes widen in surprise that he remembers that. He recalls that he couldn't answer; maybe he's been dishonest with himself all along. Saeka gives him a questioning look, but just then, her train is announced. Yanaidu says, “It's time,” and Saeka picks up her bag. Before she goes, he stops her and says, “I liked your decisive writing style. Can I say something a little teacher-like? Get a good grasp on your own feelings.”The chapter switches back to Nori, who is walking home with a shopping bag. Speaking of the stairway to adulthood...
Nori figures she's up to about the “breasts” step. (Nori pictures the staircase, which features steps from “crush” to “confession” to “holding hands” to a few different types of kisses. Nori's current level is labeled “breasts,” followed by “unknown territory.” So, she's counting that accidental groping towards her progress.) Nori pictures herself on a vaulting horse and climbing a ladder. She wants to get herself over the top, but not to fall off the ladder somewhere. To that end... She just purchased adult-style underwear, three sets! Cute, refreshing, a little sexy... Blushing to herself as she looks at the bag, Nori wonders if Haruna would like them... She scrunches up her face: No, no, no!! She isn't really thinking about letting Haruna see them, just in case there's an accidental occurrence...
Nori stops, and sees Mio staring down over the railing toward the river. She thinks that Mio is a cute girl, but she hasn't seen her around there before. As Nori notices her crutch, Mio starts to call out, “Mii, Mii-chan, come back here.” Nori hears a “meow” from down by the river, and comes up behind Mio, saying, “Ah, it's a kitten!” Mio looks at her, wide-eyed, then narrows her eyes a bit in recognition. Nori backs away, looking slightly intimidated, and says, “Why don't I try to get her? It's dangerous down by the river.” Mio replies, “You, you will?” Nori starts to climb over the railing, and confirms that the kitten is called Mii-chan, right? Nori makes her way toward the kitten, calling its name, and Mio notices the lingerie store bag. (The look of displeasure she gives the bag is amazing.) Nori dives forward and manages to catch the kitten, and says to it, “There, I win! Are you all right?” Nori brings the kitten back to Mio, who puts on a cute act and thanks her. Mio tells her, “This kitten's name is Mio,” and Nori tells her that it's cute. Mio excuses herself and starts to walk away, but the kitten escapes again as Mio tries to hold it with one hand (needing the other for the crutch). Nori dives and catches it again, and they get it into its carrying case. Mio exclaims, “Amazing! You're incredible! Are you in high school?” Nori tells her she is, and Mio says that this her first time in this town. It's difficult with her leg treatments, but her family took a trip. She was looking for Mii-chan, who escaped... It's a nice place, here. Blushing, Mio explains that she's shy, so Mii-chan is her best friend. At that point, Takatsuki steps in, and says, “Ojou-san, we're going soon.” Nori repeats, “Ojou-san?” and Mio stutters a bit, saying you could call her that... But, if Nori wouldn't mind, could she have her email address? Nori is surprised, and Mio tells her it's all right if she doesn't want to. She just thought it might be nice if they could talk through email.... Nori smiles, and says she'd be happy to. They exchange addresses, and Takatsuki glares at Mio. Mio thanks Nori again, and they say good bye. Walking past Takatsuki, Nori wonders if she's a butler or something. Once Nori is gone, Takatsuki looks into the carrier, and asks Mio, “You adopted this kitten today?” Mio tells her that's correct. Glancing back in Nori's direction, Takatsuki says that she's a genuinely nice girl, isn't she? If Haruna knew about this, wouldn't he be angry? Even though he said he isn't going to high school here... Mio yells, “Quiet, Takatsuki!” She responds, “Yes.” (Simultaneous thought: “Scaryyy...”) Mio looks down the street and says, “It seems like I could make friends with her.” Looking at her phone, Nori sees that Mio entered her name as “Aki-chan.”
Elsewhere, Saeka is getting off her train in a kind of daze. She thinks that she's back, but... She may be lower than before. She got him to feed her anything she wanted, made a scene after she got him to kiss her, and used up his paid vacation... Saeka thinks, “I'm sorry, Sensei.” Remembering what he told her, she mutters aloud, “Get a grasp on my own feelings, huh?” As she leaves the station she notices Haruna on the other side of the street. A car pulls up, he talks to the person inside, and then the car drives away. Saeka notices that someone was riding in the back of the car, and it wasn't Nori. It was dark, so she couldn't really tell... Some people walk in front of Saeka, and once they clear, Haruna is also out of sight. The scene changes to the next day at school, with Nori reading an email from “Aki.” It says: “I'm back in Tokyo. I'm sending you another funny picture I took of Mii-chan.” The picture is of the kitten in a coffee cup, and Nori squeals over how adorable it is. Kyou arrives, carrying a towel (with a note saying he's just showered), and calls out, “Yo, Nori! A good run is the best! Working up a sweat early in the morning! Running! This is the sweat of youth! This is youth's shower! The refreshing feeling of youth!” Nori cuts off his rambling, telling him to stop it with the false cheerfulness. It's unsightly. Kyou thinks, “Damn! It was that obvious...” Kyou whines that now his first love has ended, and now all he has left is... His wealth, intelligence, athletic ability, and good looks, right? Nori looks at him witheringly, and asks if she can fill the void. Actually, about the basketball club... Nori's thought is interrupted when she sees Saeka down the hall, and the chapter ends with Nori starting to call out to her.
Sarah's notes: To be clear, Haruna isn't leaving immediately. Plans for him to leave in the spring just haven't changed. (I'm pointing this out because the past couple of chapters made it sort of sound like Mio was demanding an immediate return.) I found it sort of cute that Saeka made that trip to be a “real girlfriend,” then did nothing but eat for two days. Considering how crazy Mio seems, I'm wondering if there was any truth to her statement about thinking she could be friends with Nori. (The whole situation was clearly manufactured to manipulate her, but she seems to think intricately crafted manipulation plans will make Haruna love her, so...) Next chapter: Haruna finds his camera while cleaning out boxes, and we meet Tsujigane-senpai. Tsujigane is, best I can tell, the guy who got Kyou to quit basketball. He looks like he'll be fun!