Firstly, I acknowledge and even appreciate the misdirection in the first couple of pages, but also you do not fucking do this to a person.

??? What misdirection?

Dang, this is the second time this manga tricked me into thinking it'd be a slower burn, only to be like "SIKE! IT'S FULL SPEED AHEAD", lol. I'm looking forward to seeing what Asako's parents are like. Hopefully they're as fun as her sister-in-law was.

rainbow8 posted:

Firstly, I acknowledge and even appreciate the misdirection in the first couple of pages, but also you do not fucking do this to a person.

??? What misdirection?

Misdirection: an ex texting Asako instead of her sister in law.

rainbow8 posted:

Firstly, I acknowledge and even appreciate the misdirection in the first couple of pages, but also you do not fucking do this to a person.

??? What misdirection?

Misdirection: an ex texting Asako instead of her sister in law.

It's been so long since Asako's most recent traumatic ex was mentioned as anything except the historical past that I myself never gave it a thought, certainly not in the time it took to turn the page and see who was actually texting her.

In fact, Asako's been shown as being traumatized by her whole string of exes, not by any particular one, so it's hard for me to see an unexpected "It's been a while" text as some kind of underhanded "misdirection" by the author.

rainbow8 posted:

Firstly, I acknowledge and even appreciate the misdirection in the first couple of pages, but also you do not fucking do this to a person.

I think you mis read that text. It's from Asako's Sister in Law, so there's no misdirection there?

Waaaaaa we made it!!

Waaaaaa we made it!!

rainbow8 posted:

Firstly, I acknowledge and even appreciate the misdirection in the first couple of pages, but also you do not fucking do this to a person.

??? What misdirection?

Misdirection: an ex texting Asako instead of her sister in law.

It's been so long since Asako's most recent traumatic ex was mentioned as anything except the historical past that I myself never gave it a thought, certainly not in the time it took to turn the page and see who was actually texting her.

In fact, Asako's been shown as being traumatized by her whole string of exes, not by any particular one, so it's hard for me to see an unexpected "It's been a while" text as some kind of underhanded "misdirection" by the author.

I do admit that the thought crossed my mind when I saw a so far unknown name pop up there, but that's probably more due to remembering the discussion here on Dynasty than anything in the series itself. And as we were quickly shown, I was right about no ex showing up anymore all along.

So the most minor of points: the "hates bell peppers" trope. I'm personally not a huge fan of green bell peppers (I like red or yellow ones much better), but they're in lots of dishes that I like, and so I eat them.

Is this an actual Japanese cultural thing about bell peppers specifically, or just a conventional narrative stand-in/shorthand for "food little kids and childish adults won't eat," like broccoli or asparagus in the US?

Yeah, it's pretty much treated exactly like broccoli is in the US. It's the typical food that kids hate to eat.

rainbow8 posted:

Firstly, I acknowledge and even appreciate the misdirection in the first couple of pages, but also you do not fucking do this to a person.

??? What misdirection?

Misdirection: an ex texting Asako instead of her sister in law.

It's been so long since Asako's most recent traumatic ex was mentioned as anything except the historical past that I myself never gave it a thought, certainly not in the time it took to turn the page and see who was actually texting her.

In fact, Asako's been shown as being traumatized by her whole string of exes, not by any particular one, so it's hard for me to see an unexpected "It's been a while" text as some kind of underhanded "misdirection" by the author.

I do admit that the thought crossed my mind when I saw a so far unknown name pop up there, but that's probably more due to remembering the discussion here on Dynasty than anything in the series itself. And as we were quickly shown, I was right about no ex showing up anymore all along.

I've seen various forms of this scenario play out beat by beat in various other stories, so that's where my mind went.
I do think it was intentional, though. In any other story, this would've been a setup for something, but here it's benignly shrugged like many other potential sources of conflict, maybe that's the point? Either case definitely more of a silly "haha got'em" than an elaborate ruse to pull the rug under the readers' feet devised by the author and their accomplices.

Oh no, you better watch out Miyako, she might fall in love with your disguised self. LOL

Dang, I was hoping for a parents visit, but I'll definitely take a cute, fluffy date chapter any day. Also, the first couple pages definitely threw me off; it took me a bit to realize it was the landlady in disguise.

Absolutely fucking precious!!
But also, I kinda am worried about the fact that the manga will eventually have to touch on the topic of a former idol being in a same-sex relationship, and how this will inevitably bring in some Aaaaaangst

I don’t want that. So the possibility will keep me awake at night. Specially after the Vol.1 afterword where the author said it was initially supposed to be a relaxed series but further down the line to serialisation it lost it. We can’t expect the plot to not move and demand 15 chapters of wholesomeness in a row.

these two are so sweet.. i know the plot might kick their ass a little later on but they'll get through it together ᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ

The cliffhanger got me a bit confused, is there a problem with Miyako hanging out with the girls from elm. Is there a problem with myako being in touch with her former group

Thanks so much for translating!!! They both are so damn cute

My words that was waaayyy too wholesome for my heart. And I love it!
Now, the ominous ending got me a bit worried though..

That deep lore dump in the translator notes was kind of like reading the wiki after finishing a fantasy book.

Making the strongest bond. ^_^

That deep lore dump in the translator notes was kind of like reading the wiki after finishing a fantasy book.

I bothered this time, but if people want to stay ignorant (or do it themselves) it'll save me the trouble.

That deep lore dump in the translator notes was kind of like reading the wiki after finishing a fantasy book.

I bothered this time, but if people want to stay ignorant (or do it themselves) it'll save me the trouble.

I feel like their comment was an approving/good-natured one. At least to me, I find a lot of enjoyment in wiki-hunting nuances from movies/games I've watched. I also appreciate you doing this regardless, as it was an interesting read so thanks.

In any case, a lovely and adorable chapter. I am not sure what needed to be kept a secret or why at the end there, and I'm intrigued to find out what the "ominous silhouette" was. But truth be told, the thing that caught my eye most was "this manhole is lovely" because that is not a sentence I ever expected anyone to ever say. Like, maybe in a wretched doujin or something. Not literally and unironically.

last edited at Mar 18, 2023 7:43AM

That deep lore dump in the translator notes was kind of like reading the wiki after finishing a fantasy book.

I bothered this time, but if people want to stay ignorant (or do it themselves) it'll save me the trouble.

I quite liked it, gives me ideas of where to go in JP if I ever visit. If you don't do it in future, though, that's totally cool! It was just really sweet to have extra context to their date.

This chapter was so adorable but I completely forgot that they're actually going out now... so it was double sweet.

But also, I kinda am worried about the fact that the manga will eventually have to touch on the topic of a former idol being in a same-sex relationship, and how this will inevitably bring in some Aaaaaangst... I don’t want that. So the possibility will keep me awake at night...We can’t expect the plot to not move and demand 15 chapters of wholesomeness in a row.

I actually want that. The series is amazing but it's setup is what makes it unique, so I'd rather that it does utilize the fact of her hiding out from the world as part of the centered narrative more. Otherwise it starts to feel like a more typical series (with typical dates etc.) when it has such a relatively fresh hook to make it standout. I like the balance it's had between her past and fluff; and I'm happy that the ending suggests we will see some return of Landlord's past and current situation. It's better this way because there needs to be some narrative push to sustain this momentum (or create new momentum) and I'd rather that push comes from things outside their relationship instead of the cliche "new love interest" or "misunderstandings" or something else overdone. Pressure from society coming down on an ex-idol who is hiding out with her girlfriend is a better and more natural form of complication compared to what is normally be done.

The cliffhanger got me a bit confused, is there a problem with Miyako hanging out with the girls from elm. Is there a problem with myako being in touch with her former group

She decided to retire on a whim, without informing her company, announced it during a concert and went missing right after that, which almost certainly violated whatever contracts she signed, ruined her company's schedule and forced them to do lots of damage control. Some fans still suspect Ruri might have done something to take over the group (worsened public image) and both the company and the public likely prodded the group a lot for any information on where Miyako might be or if there was anything that led to the disappearance. The company finding out the girls are in touch with her or even were involved somehow may cause more trouble for the girls or lead the company to discovering Miyako's whereabouts (at which point they may force her to come back or to compensate them for any losses they suffered).
Scratch that, I completely misremembered the backstory chapter. But then, the only validation for keeping their meetings a secret I can think of after she got the approval for the retirement is some sort of 'no further contact allowed' clause in fear of tabloids finding out.

But - so far all the drama turned out to be a setup for more wholesomeness, so I wouldn't worry about it yet.

But truth be told, the thing that caught my eye most was "this manhole is lovely" because that is not a sentence I ever expected anyone to ever say.

Read up on Japanese manhole art. Or their traffic cones. Or any other mundane object present in Japan, really; nothing is safe from moeification.

last edited at Mar 18, 2023 9:35PM

That deep lore dump in the translator notes was kind of like reading the wiki after finishing a fantasy book.

I bothered this time, but if people want to stay ignorant (or do it themselves) it'll save me the trouble.

Thank you so much for the details. It is as interesting as the chapter itself and very helpful for non-Japanese readers. Also thank you for your quick translation too!