Thanks for going into your thought process on your choice of narrative tense. Sounds like it could also work from present tense but ultimately you should write what feels best to you. I agree the past tense does feel a bit more reflective and introspective because when you're thinking deeply about something, you're usually thinking about what has previously happened as opposed to what's currently happening because you're too busy reacting to the present to think deeply about it.

Though, instead of talking about tenses, I feel like it's more interesting talking about the lengths I have to take to "make it make sense" in English sometimes. One of my personal pet peeves in translation is that well, it's common to not mention the subject of a sentence when speaking in Japanese, so it becomes normal to say the name of the person you are talking to when addressing them. Like, when Miyagi and Sendai are the only two people in the same room, the two of them will constantly say "Miyagi" or "Sendai-san," but they NEVER say "you." For example, if Miyagi is like, "hey, can you grab this for me," it's actually, "Sendai-san, grab this for me," which is NORMAL, but it gets weird when it gets translated like:

Sendai: How was your day?
Miyagi: Great, but it'd be better if Sendai-san wasn't here. (when in English, it would be like, "Great, but it'd be better if you weren't here.")

or

Miyagi: You're such a pervert.
Sendai: That's Miyagi's fault, isn't it? (when in English, it would be like, "That's your fault, isn't it?")

And that's only one of many "tells" that the translator isn't really trying to adapt and make it more... localized, I guess? But that's just at the top of my head.

Interesting! I didn't realize that was a tell on translation quality but it makes sense! I've definitely read more lower than high quality/professional translations and, when I think back, it's clear the lower quality ones pepper in the character names constantly.
I knew that the closest equivalent of "you" in Japanese like "anata", "kimi" and others is rude/harsh to use in conversation but hadn't put that together with constantly using the person's name instead.

Interesting! I didn't realize that was a tell on translation quality but it makes sense! I've definitely read more lower than high quality/professional translations and, when I think back, it's clear the lower quality ones pepper in the character names constantly.
I knew that the closest equivalent of "you" in Japanese like "anata", "kimi" and others is rude/harsh to use in conversation but hadn't put that together with constantly using the person's name instead.

It's a little less apparent in manga, especially because there aren't as many lines, but some things stick out like a sore thumb when it comes to novels. My translations aren't perfect either, and I've deliberately chosen to keep it more Japanese (for lack of better words) than like a real novel you might find on the shelves. But translating a series myself makes me more appreciative of the lengths professional translators take to localize the text. I wish I could do the same, but creative writing in English is hard. If I could, I would love to be able to turn Miyagi's flowery, poetic thoughts into something that flows well in English. Miyagi will occasionally say something that feels really delicate, like silk, and I'm just here strangling her words and turning them into something less comprehensible, LOL. But I realize maybe I'm being too harsh on myself.

Anyway, part 70 is up. Admittedly, seeing another translation pop up does feel like a fire is being lit under me, so there's a good chance you'll see part 71 up later in the day too... but probably after I pay a visit to the gym.

But translating a series myself makes me more appreciative of the lengths professional translators take to localize the text. I wish I could do the same, but creative writing in English is hard. If I could, I would love to be able to turn Miyagi's flowery, poetic thoughts into something that flows well in English. Miyagi will occasionally say something that feels really delicate, like silk, and I'm just here strangling her words and turning them into something less comprehensible, LOL. But I realize maybe I'm being too harsh on myself.

Remember that every translation will have "edited by" right next to "translated by". Don't measure your translations against professional groups of translators, particularly when they all have an editor whose primary job is to improve how well the text reads in English. Your translations are very well done and at the very least are worth every bit the readers have to pay for them ;)

Anyway, part 70 is up. Admittedly, seeing another translation pop up does feel like a fire is being lit under me, so there's a good chance you'll see part 71 up later in the day too... but probably after I pay a visit to the gym.

Link for the lazy: https://amawashigroup.wordpress.com/2024/09/11/part-70-miyagi-seriously-doesnt-know-when-to-hold-back-i/

And go get those gains! Or polish that cut! Or whatever you're aiming for!

last edited at Sep 11, 2024 8:23PM

Ch. 70 is another one of those "oh wow is someone about to find out about them?!" moments.
I swear the author likes to tease us with someone being on the verge of suspecting that there's something going on with Miyagi and Sendai only for it to then turn into nothing.
I'm accepting that this isn't too unusual in a heteronormative society, especially one like Japan that is more sexually conservative.

But come...on...author!
Maika more than anyone else should suspect something by this point in chapter 350 or wherever the JP is at. Miyagi and Sendai have had such a pattern of "weirdness" with their relationship that Maika has borne witness to. Chief among them is Miyagi lying about them sharing an apartment together and then Sendai having to hunt down Maika to find Miyagi when Miyagi ran away after the first time they had sex.
Several times it seemed like Maika may be hinting there's something more going on between them but then it goes nowhere.
And now we have Maika going to mixers with Mio (I think) when both Miyagi and Sendai are turning it down. Surely she's got to at least suspect something is up by this point, right?

last edited at Sep 11, 2024 8:51PM

https://amawashigroup.wordpress.com/2024/09/11/part-71-miyagi-seriously-doesnt-know-when-to-hold-back-ii/

71 is up now too. I ended up not going to the gym yet (and will be going after this for real, lol) as I felt like I could get this part out in one go.

Both 70 and 71 were shorter parts without much heavy introspection (just a lot of Sendai going, "oh god please don't find out I'm gay") and took about two hours each of full concentration. The power of caffeine is amazing, but also, it really isn't easy. I can't imagine sitting here spending 6+ hours a day just to pump out three parts unless it was my job (3 parts averages around 5100 words.). Again, I'm not the fastest translator in the world, but I think I'm relatively quick with zero distractions. It would be absurd to be able to catch up in 3 1/2 months' time if we're going by what the other new translator is hoping to achieve (I believe they said they were hoping to get 3-4 chapters out a day). I don't wish to belittle anyone or put their work down; I'm only pointing this out because of my confusion about how they plan to achieve this. But I acknowledge this could very well be attributed to the fact that I may not be as passionate about ShuuKura as others are.

last edited at Sep 11, 2024 10:07PM

I love your translations! Thank you so much for sharing them! It always brings me joy to be able to understand more of the story that I didn't understand through Google Translate. Take as much time as you need as we as readers do understand that your life isn't just this novel. Don't worry about "catching up" with the 350+ chapter novel, just do what you want. I do appreciate how you have localized the novel as it definitely made it easier to translate the nuances across into English rather than leaving moments feeling empty as it does in MTL.

I'm glad to be able to pick up on the subtle nuances happening between Miyagi and Sendai.

Back to the recent chapter of the novel, I have to agree that at some point I thought Mio and Maika knew about the thing going on between Sendai and Miyagi, but that was just my wishful thinking.... Time to write fanfiction then.

Does anyone know if there's any significant difference between the web novel and the published version? I downloaded the published version a few months ago but haven't started on it yet and want to know if there are any significant changes between the two before I make progress.

Sorry if this has been already asked before, I do not want to risk getting spoiled by going through the pages.

Sendai: How was your day?
Miyagi: Great, but it'd be better if Sendai-san wasn't here. (when in English, it would be like, "Great, but it'd be better if you weren't here.")

Somehow even the mistranslation is getting across how indirect their communication is LOL

But I acknowledge this could very well be attributed to the fact that I may not be as passionate about ShuuKura as others are.

press x to doubt

Maika more than anyone else should suspect something by this point in chapter 350 or wherever the JP is at

bro, Sendai's like publicly foaming at the mouth whenever Mio mentions Miyagi, like to a degree where Noto is stepping in like, hey haha please don't murder my girlfriend for speaking to your girlfriend haha. I'm waiting for chapter 900 or something when they can finally be a couple publicly and everyone in their lives just goes, "yeah we've been knowing this".

Comparing it to Umina in ch. 70 is kinda interesting because you really see the lack of interest Umina has in Sendai? She's pretty happy to talk about herself and her boyfriend and so it's a lot easier for Sendai to misdirect her. She says Sendai should get a boyfriend without any care to Sendai actually wants, so she's never going to figure out what Sendai actually wants, is gay. Whereas Mio is interested in Sendai and Miyagi to a degree where it makes me kinda concerned for her health. It's harder to tell what Maika suspects because her brand of kindness is that she doesn't try to pry into things that she senses would be uncomfortable for Miyagi. Which is kinda like Sendai, actually.

I love your translations! Thank you so much for sharing them! It always brings me joy to be able to understand more of the story that I didn't understand through Google Translate. Take as much time as you need as we as readers do understand that your life isn't just this novel. Don't worry about "catching up" with the 350+ chapter novel, just do what you want. I do appreciate how you have localized the novel as it definitely made it easier to translate the nuances across into English rather than leaving moments feeling empty as it does in MTL.

Thank you! That means a lot to me. I always find myself reading some of their more expressive thoughts and all of their dialogue out loud to myself to see if what I'm writing sounds natural in English. It kind of makes me feel like I've lost my marbles talking to myself so much, LOL.

Does anyone know if there's any significant difference between the web novel and the published version? I downloaded the published version a few months ago but haven't started on it yet and want to know if there are any significant changes between the two before I make progress.

Sorry if this has been already asked before, I do not want to risk getting spoiled by going through the pages.

I don't think the differences between the web novel and the light novel (published version) are that significant. As in, the major events and the sequence of them are largely unchanged. Most of the differences come down to smaller things, like grammar, rearranging when something gets said, phrasing things a bit differently, etc. I consider these to be insignificant changes, but that might not necessarily be the case for you.

press x to doubt

Lol, spam X all you want, I swear I lack the passion and motivation! I'm a slave to my whims, and I get distracted way too easily. I think I need someone to permanently light a fire under me.

I don't think the differences between the web novel and the light novel (published version) are that significant. As in, the major events and the sequence of them are largely unchanged. Most of the differences come down to smaller things, like grammar, rearranging when something gets said, phrasing things a bit differently, etc. I consider these to be insignificant changes, but that might not necessarily be the case for you.

Ah I see, thank you!

Maika more than anyone else should suspect something by this point in chapter 350 or wherever the JP is at

bro, Sendai's like publicly foaming at the mouth whenever Mio mentions Miyagi, like to a degree where Noto is stepping in like, hey haha please don't murder my girlfriend for speaking to your girlfriend haha. I'm waiting for chapter 900 or something when they can finally be a couple publicly and everyone in their lives just goes, "yeah we've been knowing this".

I feel bad for Noto. Feels like she's been nursing a longtime crush on a girl who seems to be straight. She also seems to be the only person with a functioning gaydar since in that one conversation with Miyagi she strongly implied she knew Sendai and Miyagi had a special relationship.

Comparing it to Umina in ch. 70 is kinda interesting because you really see the lack of interest Umina has in Sendai? She's pretty happy to talk about herself and her boyfriend and so it's a lot easier for Sendai to misdirect her. She says Sendai should get a boyfriend without any care to Sendai actually wants, so she's never going to figure out what Sendai actually wants, is gay. Whereas Mio is interested in Sendai and Miyagi to a degree where it makes me kinda concerned for her health. It's harder to tell what Maika suspects because her brand of kindness is that she doesn't try to pry into things that she senses would be uncomfortable for Miyagi. Which is kinda like Sendai, actually.

I think Mio is a SUPER OUTGOING ALWAYS BUBBLY EVERYONE IS MY FRIEND type of girl as opposed to being especially interested in Miyagi and Sendai's relationship. Sure she's interested and kinda overstepping their boundaries, but I imagine that's just the way she operates with her friends. And with the way she seems to often be inviting Miyagi and Sendai to mixers, I don't think she suspects too much about them.
But I agree with you on Maika. Girl does not pry into things often. Probably one of the reasons why Miyagi has stayed friends with her for so long.

Ch. 72 of Amawashi is up: https://amawashigroup.wordpress.com/2024/09/12/part-72-miyagi-seriously-doesnt-know-when-to-hold-back-iii
Been on a roll lately, huh? Don't push yourself too hard.

I'm glad the days of Miyagi causing Sendai pain is far behind us in the Raws. I know it often says she kicks Sendai's shin or steps on her foot but that's almost certainly just playful and not at all painful.
Miyagi does feel bad about hurting Sendai though and is much gentler with Sendai's ear when she's given a second chance.

Ch. 72 of Amawashi is up: https://amawashigroup.wordpress.com/2024/09/12/part-72-miyagi-seriously-doesnt-know-when-to-hold-back-iii
Been on a roll lately, huh? Don't push yourself too hard.

I'm glad the days of Miyagi causing Sendai pain is far behind us in the Raws. I know it often says she kicks Sendai's shin or steps on her foot but that's almost certainly just playful and not at all painful.
Miyagi does feel bad about hurting Sendai though and is much gentler with Sendai's ear when she's given a second chance.

My poor gacha dailies had to suffer for this!

It just occurred to me yesterday that even if I powered through 3 parts a day, it'd take 3 months to get caught up. Yeah, that sounds painful. As gambling associations like to say, "Know your limits. Play within it."

On another note, someone actually compiled the two volumes I translated so far into EPUBs that I'll be uploading soon. Makes me feel all fuzzy inside.

And finally, I just remembered that for a variety of reasons, I can't host any of the (mild spoiler) sex scenes on WordPress. I'll have to post it elsewhere or consider upgrading and migrating my site.

last edited at Sep 12, 2024 5:35PM

My poor gacha dailies had to suffer for this!

Nooo! Sure you finished 3 straight chapters...but at what cost? It'd be a terrible loss if you didn't have enough resources to pull the next waifu or husbando!

It just occurred to me yesterday that even if I powered through 3 parts a day, it'd take 3 months to get caught up. Yeah, that sounds painful. As gambling associations like to say, "Know your limits. Play within it."

I'll add another quote: "every journey begins with a single step". Or in this case, 71 72 steps!

On another note, someone actually compiled the two volumes I translated so far into EPUBs that I'll be uploading soon. Makes me feel all fuzzy inside.

Awesome! I'll definitely be downloading that for my digital collection.

And finally, I just remembered that for a variety of reasons, I can't host any of the (mild spoiler) sex scenes on WordPress. I'll have to post it elsewhere or consider upgrading and migrating my site.

But they're like not even that explicit (from what I remember)? Like maybe even PG-13 or just barely R rated? Definitely not near the level of pornography that Wordpress is actually trying to keep off their site.

Or am I misremembering and they're super spicy?

But they're like not even that explicit (from what I remember)? Like maybe even PG-13 or just barely R rated? Definitely not near the level of pornography that Wordpress is actually trying to keep off their site.

Or am I misremembering and they're super spicy?

I don't remember the sex scenes off the top of my head, but out of an abundance of caution, I'll probably find somewhere else to post it and link it from my blog or consider migrating off the free Wordpress. Even if it is barely R-rated, the biggest problem is that the free Wordpress apparently doesn't offer an explicit content warning, so I can't implement like a pop-up (the "I am over 18" thing).

But they're like not even that explicit (from what I remember)? Like maybe even PG-13 or just barely R rated? Definitely not near the level of pornography that Wordpress is actually trying to keep off their site.

Or am I misremembering and they're super spicy?

I don't remember the sex scenes off the top of my head, but out of an abundance of caution, I'll probably find somewhere else to post it and link it from my blog or consider migrating off the free Wordpress. Even if it is barely R-rated, the biggest problem is that the free Wordpress apparently doesn't offer an explicit content warning, so I can't implement like a pop-up (the "I am over 18" thing).

Maybe I'm misunderstanding. Are you worried about violating Wordpress Terms and Conditions (which I haven't read) that forbids(?) +18 content or are you wanting to include an +18 content warning out of courtesy?
Because if it's the latter, I'd consider it enough to include a simple warning at the top of the chapter like "the following contains sexual content that may be inappropriate for readers younger than 18. Reader discretion is advised."

last edited at Sep 12, 2024 7:34PM

I was rereading some earlier chapters looking for a particular part and ran across this beautiful thought, around chapter 320, from Sendai that I didn't remember reading before.

If I could wipe out everyone from this world except me and Miyagi, that would be the best way, but if I had that kind of power, I would have done it already.

Is she secretly an uber yandere? It's kind of crazy to see how drastically she has changed since the beginning of the story. Since way back when she was still trying to convince herself that she didn't really care about Miyagi.

last edited at Sep 13, 2024 1:25AM

But they're like not even that explicit (from what I remember)? Like maybe even PG-13 or just barely R rated? Definitely not near the level of pornography that Wordpress is actually trying to keep off their site.

Or am I misremembering and they're super spicy?

I'm pretty sure all the sex scenes have been PG-13 at most. None of them have ever even mentioned a specific body part that was being touched or what was being done to it. Some of them may have specified the chest but I'm pretty sure that's the most explicit they have been. All of them have been pretty heavily based on context so that the reader knows what's going on without any explicit explanation of what is physically happening.

I'm glad the days of Miyagi causing Sendai pain is far behind us in the Raws.

I think it was not too long ago, since they've been living together, that Miyagi absolutely bit the fuck out of her finger one time while they were hanging out in Sendai's room and she thought to herself how much it hurt. I remember specifically thinking that it would have been a great moment for Sendai to express some actual pain and discomfort in Miyagi hurting her. I really wish she would have stormed out of her room and run to the bathroom crying or something lol. I'd love to see how Miyagi reacts in a situation where Sendai actually gets upset at her for physically hurting her.

last edited at Sep 13, 2024 1:31AM

I'm glad the days of Miyagi causing Sendai pain is far behind us in the Raws.

I think it was not too long ago, since they've been living together, that Miyagi absolutely bit the fuck out of her finger one time while they were hanging out in Sendai's room and she thought to herself how much it hurt. I remember specifically thinking that it would have been a great moment for Sendai to express some actual pain and discomfort in Miyagi hurting her. I really wish she would have stormed out of her room and run to the bathroom crying or something lol. I'd love to see how Miyagi reacts in a situation where Sendai actually gets upset at her for physically hurting her.

I guess I'm putting a mental block or something on the moments when there's pain because I don't remember that finger biting incident at all. Damnit Miyagi!

Is she secretly an uber yandere?

YES the girl is down bad and it's EMBARRASSING. She keeps trying to put Miyagi in skirts so she can stare at her legs, like what an idiot pervert oh my God. When Miyagi gets sick, she wishes Miyagi would be sick longer so she can take care of her longer... Like isn't Sendai supposed to be smart? How is there room in her brain with all this gay

Miyagi is not a lot better, she spends a whole arc thinking about Sendai in a collar (necklace). Neither of them want the other to be employed bc it would be better for waifu to be at home. Massive dumbasses, I can't believe them

I'd love to see how Miyagi reacts in a situation where Sendai actually gets upset at her for physically hurting her.

I think Miyagi would be nice! I remember recently Sendai was pouting and sulking about Miyagi's part time job, and Miyagi makes it up to her by cuddling with her in her room. Without ever acknowledging that she was trying to make her feel better. It was nice to see Sendai acting spoiled, and as expected, folding like a fucking deck of cards.

I would like to see Miyagi propose some sort of next step in their relationship! While it's hilarious that Sendai goes, let's be roommates, then basically later clarifies that nowhere in the definition of roommates does it say that roommates can't have sex, it would be nice for Miyagi to demonstrate how she feels about their relationship... Otherwise sooner or later Sendai's going to pull out rings being like "will you be my forever roommate" and then later clarify by "forever roommate" she meant "married lesbian"

Is she secretly an uber yandere?

YES the girl is down bad and it's EMBARRASSING. She keeps trying to put Miyagi in skirts so she can stare at her legs, like what an idiot pervert oh my God. When Miyagi gets sick, she wishes Miyagi would be sick longer so she can take care of her longer... Like isn't Sendai supposed to be smart? How is there room in her brain with all this gay

Miyagi is not a lot better, she spends a whole arc thinking about Sendai in a collar (necklace). Neither of them want the other to be employed bc it would be better for waifu to be at home. Massive dumbasses, I can't believe them

In Sendai's defense, I believe wanting to put Miyagi in a skirt is just Sendai enjoying making her look cute. It goes hand in hand with doing her hair and makeup, which Miyagi finds just as disagreeable as a skirt.

But yeah, Sendai is smart but her brain turns to mush around Miyagi. She doesn't become too gay to function but it's close to that. I recall her getting jealous over inanimate objects in their house like one of her plushies that got to spend time alone with Miyagi in her room.
And then there's recent chapters where Miyagi is trying to get Sendai "real friends" by telling her to hang out with Mio. Yet all Sendai can think about while they're hanging out is "Miyagi Miyagi Miyagi!". Poor Mio...Sendai doesn't even want to be there with her because her gay brain is too filled with Miyagi.

Amawashi Ch 73 is up: https://amawashigroup.wordpress.com/2024/09/13/part-73-ill-be-fine-even-if-i-dont-get-to-see-sendai-san-i

One of those chapters where Miyagi is feeling very vulnerable. I know we often talk about how Sendai puts on a nonchalant mask that's frustrating for Miyagi, but Miyagi rarely shows any vulnerability either. Poor girl is depressed at the thought of not seeing Sendai for awhile(obviously the opposite of the title lol) but she still doesn't let that show at all.
We've described them as playing gay chicken but this is more like they're playing gay poker. Wish one of them would drop their poker face and fold their hand so the other could fold them in half. :P

Amawashi Ch 73 is up: https://amawashigroup.wordpress.com/2024/09/13/part-73-ill-be-fine-even-if-i-dont-get-to-see-sendai-san-i

Oh, what I like about this chapter is seeing Sendai not turn around when she asks Miyagi about her university plans again and her staying that way when she (supposedly) voices her disappointment over Miyagi rejecting her suggestion. I know she's organizing the bookshelf, but I like to imagine it's actually just Sendai trying to "play it cool" as she always does. Not only does she want to hide any trace of disappointment on her face, it's also easier to say things more nonchalantly when you're not looking at the other person. At least, this is the sort of bad (?) habit I have too.

Amawashi Chapters 74 and 75 are both up. Wow you've been churning out a bunch of chapters lately, huh?
https://amawashigroup.wordpress.com/2024/09/14/part-74-ill-be-fine-even-if-i-dont-get-to-see-sendai-san-ii/
https://amawashigroup.wordpress.com/2024/09/16/part-75-ill-be-fine-even-if-i-dont-get-to-see-sendai-san-iii/

In Chapter 74 we have Sendai once again suffering from Sendai's stinginess. Poor girl just wanted to watch Miyagi undress...and probably subtly sniff Miyagi's scent off her just worn shirt and enjoy any of Miyagi's lingering warmth that's retained by the shirt. Sendai is a bit of a pervert in that way lol.

And in Chapter 75 we finally see the necklace that Miyagi definitely has no plans to buy lol. She's such a hilariously unreliable narrator.

last edited at Sep 16, 2024 3:21PM