http://dynasty-scans.com/chapters/stretch_ch22_5#14

That smile means something. What it means is up for interpretation. Maybe her mother lives in Touhoku?

^^^^^ that is one hell of a speculation. Same goes for the one above it. From how Prism and the previous chapters of Stretch have been written, I doubt Shou is "that" dark. Now I could be wrong because he has revealed some very dark issues from Keiko's past and when the chapters get dark and twisty (to borrow a phrase from Grey's Anatomy), they are dark, but they are top-layer dark with the one exception of Keiko's dream sequence. By top-layer dark I mean the issues are definitely emotional. in some cases the topic is very painful to either relive or to tell another person. So if you are correct, I will be even more impressed with Shou than I already am. But right now, nothing points to thoughts of death on the part of Keiko nor ill wishes for her mother. (so prove me wrong. which chapters would you be refering to?)

Man hitting on Keiko (wel, not hitting on her actually, but being a scum) :
http://dynasty-scans.com/chapters/stretch_ch22#7

The mother treating her badly after the miscarriage, not giving her any comfort and Keiko having a grudge on her because of that :
http://dynasty-scans.com/chapters/stretch_ch14#7
http://dynasty-scans.com/chapters/stretch_ch11#last

after that we have this :
http://dynasty-scans.com/chapters/stretch_ch22_5#14
and this :
http://dynasty-scans.com/chapters/stretch_ch22_5#15

Seing how Ran's dad is dead, we can suppose that Keiko and Ran's hometown is in tohoku. Keiko having a fresh grudge against her mother, probably only thinking about that, her ex and her couldbe child and the next thought after smilling creepily being "did I really consider that..." with a shocked face, it's not hard to suppose she had evil thought about her mother.
She just lost her child and had no comfort from her mother, it's not that dark and unreal that in her weak moment, she thought things like that.

I'm betting for this theory because apart from this one, I can't think about any thought with the epicenter being in Touhoku as trigger that could end with this creepy smile.

last edited at Apr 1, 2015 3:16AM

As for Shou not being "that dark", even if Prism is mostly light hearted, the homophobia scene, where the girls could have been beaten up, or worse, is an indication that he knows everything can't be rosy. If he had continued Prism, he may have wanted to tackle more serious issues about the implications of two girls being together in today's Japan.

And anyway, Stretch's target audience is more mature I think, so that the characters would experience darker moment is consistent.

last edited at Apr 1, 2015 5:42AM

As for Shou not being "that dark", even if Prism is mostly light hearted, the homophobia scene, where the girls could have been beaten up, or worse, is an indication that he knows everything can't be rosy. If he had continued Prism, he may have wanted to tackle more serious issues about the implications of two girls being together in today's Japan.

And anyway, Stretch's target audience is more mature I think, so that the characters would experience darker moment is consistent.

x2. That scene is always kinda freaky to read because it's a group of much older people (always assumed college aged) physically assaulting two young high school age girls in the open like that. It really would have been interesting to see him continue it, ah well...

And I like the story in Stretch, it's always been mature when it comes to the dramatic moments.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32130599

Well, now Ran and Keiko can have a marriage certificate from the government of Shibuya, xd and now Shou must have a smile on his face. By the way, I want to see the certificate in the series in the very near future, xd.

http://yawaspi.com/stretch/comic/036_001.html

Anyone remember when Dynasty Scans brilliantly fooled us with a NSFW tag on a Stretch "chapter" last year for April Fool's? xD I wonder where is that page now .__. I had a good laugh after reading it haha

Ah, I see luggage, they will go to Keiko's mother place very soon. Next chapter if Shou doesn't pick up after them visiting the mom... x)

last edited at Apr 1, 2015 2:57PM

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Shou is a troll. I almost punched my computer screen

Don't worry, when the storyline picks up, Spiderman will be there to give us our monthly stretching lessons

So far, we know a lot more about Keiko than about Ran. Between her graduation and the time she got to meet Keiko again, we don't know what she's been up to, beside studying medicine.

I don't know, I've always thought of Ran as a goal oriented person and an overachiever (just look how serious she is about stretching), it will not surprise me if we found out that she was only dedicated to studying without much of a life outside of it.

The initiative always comes from Keiko, since the beginning. She's been using Ran to heal herself and she's been giving very little back. But isn't it what Ran wanted all along ? Help people, heal them ? Hell, she does that just by being herself.

Keiko keeps on saying that she has been interested in Ran because she was cute and she sees her as a little sister, but the thing is that Keiko herself doesn't seem to realize the real reason.

I honestly believe that Keiko has been interested in Ran from the get go because she is different from her, be it from her looks, family life, background, personality... etc. Ran is the breath of fresh air that Keiko so desperately needed and still needs.

It's a little too cliche I think. You may be right but I sure hope Akili has something better in stock.

Yes, it definitely is! Hopefully we will get something different.

Keiko seemed to have a death wish (smiling at the earthquake) and her encounter with Ran seems to have "saved" her.

Just like @trafi said, my interpretation of this scene was that Keiko wished for her mother to be dead (same as when she was a teenager).

On the other side, Ran has a huge problem of self-control and that could be dangerous.

Ran looks like an alcoholic or an alcoholic in the making, being away from Keiko will destroy her for sure, unless she acknowledge her issues.

There are many many paths the author can lead us to and I sure hope he doesn't deliver one of those "after a grand confession and some drama, both finally accept they are in love with each other, they kiss, make babies and live happily ever after, putting that stretching lessons to good use".

That'd be a waste.

I think we will end up with an open to interpretation ending, some will label them "friends" and others will think of them as future romantic partners

We have to wait and see, but if anything this manga is entertaining regardless of the yuri.

https://plus.google.com/photos/+DelgerLhamsuren/albums/6132954199510582369

translated

On the other side, Ran has a huge problem of self-control and that could be dangerous.

Ran looks like an alcoholic or an alcoholic in the making, being away from Keiko will destroy her for sure, unless she acknowledge her issues.

Not only alcohol. Food too. Or when it comes to tidy up the appartment, she makes excuses for not doing it. She's a child in a woman's body.

If they ever separate on some misunderstanding or some external event, Ran AND Keiko will drown, for sure. They need each other at the moment.

I think we will end up with an open to interpretation ending, some will label them "friends" and others will think of them as future romantic partners

We have to wait and see, but if anything this manga is entertaining regardless of the yuri.

I don't know. Shou can write yuri, though Stretch isn't anywhere near the mood of Prism.

Anyway, I like closure personally. So I hope the ending is not TOO open.

And yes, I was surprised at how good this one turned out, even if the romance is almost non-existent.

https://plus.google.com/photos/+DelgerLhamsuren/albums/6132954199510582369

translated

I read that.

Heart skipped a beat.

Shou is a troll.

https://plus.google.com/photos/+DelgerLhamsuren/albums/6132954199510582369

translated

I read that.

Heart skipped a beat.

Shou is a troll.

those two are such idiots.

These two sure are special...

These two sure are special...

You mean special special or special in a mentally challenged way? Just asking because that's how almost everyone always uses that word here...

Jokes aside, latest chapter still adds substance to their relationship. Ran keeps on pushing the envelope and Keiko's more and more flustered by her own reactions. I like how she doesn't really believe that Ran would get a boyfriend. How would she know ? After all, Ran is really attractive

Anyway I have a feeling of impeding doom and drama to come, because this relationship is evolving wayyy too nicely.

last edited at Apr 2, 2015 4:37AM

Oh Lord, they seriously need to get married.
http://uk.businessinsider.com/afp-tokyo-district-oks-japans-first-same-sex-partner-certificates-2015-3?r=US

I was scared for a second, since it's April 2nd so Dynasty could not have pulled another prank on us. And I completely forgot about the possibility of Shou doing that.

These two sure are special...

You mean special special or special in a mentally challenged way? Just asking because that's how almost everyone always uses that word here...

Hahah, more like in a dorky way. Guess it depends on where you're from. I really liked their interactions this chapter.

These two sure are special...

You mean special special or special in a mentally challenged way? Just asking because that's how almost everyone always uses that word here...

Hahah, more like in a dorky way. Guess it depends on where you're from. I really liked their interactions this chapter.

This chapter? I liked their interactions in all chapter, I wish this never ended, but all the good things always end... Maybe it's not because where I live but because it's been years since I interacted with anyone new, I don't have any social life outside my job... I'm from Brazil, and you?

oh god... my heart.. i just.... damn it shou!!!

I like this manga, but I don't want it to be the last thing I ever seen in my life.....
April Fool damn you to hell!!