This was slightly confusing. My best guess is that it is an unpolished translation. In any case, Sun Jing is really not good at this. She is being too pushy, in my opinion. The chasing after the confession was already a bit too much, honestly, but if she had just limited herself to making sure Qiu Tong stayed on speaking terms with her, that would have been quite enough. Instead, she keeps going and going, literally shoving her feelings down on Qiu Tong, who is obviously not able to handle it at the moment. Not only is it counterproductive, it is also not a nice move in general. She should have just given her some time to process all of this.

Also, "Actually the reason I confessed was so that I could better pursue you". As opposed to what? Pursuing her while Qiu Tong was oblivious to said efforts? I have already stated my opinion on that particular aspect of the confession. The "not here to be friends with you" part. While I liked the directness of the exchange itself, that one sentence was really not nice, considering that Qiu Tong up until that point considered them to be really good friends. And with this "so that I could better pursue you" I am left with an impression that Sun Jing used their friendship (because that is what it was until now, even though Sun Jing's feelings were romantic in nature from the beginning) to get some kind of a foothold before she went in an all-out assault. She might not even fully realise this (or, alternatively, I could be reading too much into it), but it is still not fair towards Qiu Tong. Because this is not a case where one friend fell in love with the other, Sun Jing was in love before she even approached Qiu Tong, and pursued her from the start, only, she did not bother informing the other party of this, until they have already established a friendship.
In any case, I get why she did not start their acquaintanceship with a confession, but still, to build a friendly relationship, only to scratch friendship off the list later on (and retroactively changing what they already had between each other, by informing the other party all those things actually had a hidden meaning, basically), is a somewhat bastard-ish move.

"You don't need to refuse... I only ask that you don't refuse." Refuse what, exactly?

Qiu Tong said she liked someone, was that a lie...? or does she actually like someone?

Forgot about that... Considering her surprise over Sun Jing's feelings, and the general impression that she honestly did not entertain the idea of two of them being an item, I doubt her words referred to Sun Jing. At least, that is my opinion. A potential complication down the road, perhaps?

P.S. The time stamp finally managed to defeat my username... :|

As a person who is native to Chinese and proficient in English, I would say the translation was quite accurate. So in Chinese, we have a saying that one person being a "spare tire", which means that a girl would not reject her pursuer, instead just keep him hanging so she could always go back to him if she could not get her first-choice.

What Qiu Tong basically said was that she did not want Sun Jing to be her spare tire, so it is a clear rejection. Sun Jing did not care if she was treated like a spare time or not. She just wanted to be with her.

I was surprised that Tan Jiu was a girl. The way she tells the story is just too awkward. You can blame the translation, but I can't.

Damn. I was under the impression their ending up together was a sure thing. Mind you, I still think it will happen, it just looks like it will not be as drama-free as I first thought.

I removed the comment, Nez. Because you formulated your note so nicely, fully according with Rule #1.

I never told you to remove anything. Also, you weren't the only one, so don't pretend I was picking on you.

There are indeed other people with two paragraphs of spoilers, but mine was the only one with three. And it was blatantly the longest post here for quite some pages. You clearly saw no problem with others, since you commented after them, so I assumed it was directed at me.

last edited at Dec 30, 2015 11:20AM

I removed the comment, Nez. Because you formulated your note so nicely, fully according with Rule #1.

I think Qui Ting likes her back but is afraid these fluttering feelings she has now

Gods, I hope not.

last edited at Dec 30, 2015 10:23AM

"I love you, so I want you to be happy. And for that, you'll need to get married..." "...I know." sigh

Honestly, arranged marriages I can swallow, although, with some difficulties. But, this notion that female happiness lays in getting married (to a male, obviously), and then, in all likelihood, having children is just... Well, I detest it, in any case.

That being said, I actually liked this one. Probably because the grandmother provided an explanation for her choice (even though I find the explanation to be absolutely ridiculous, and childishly naive, but still, most stories of this type just stop after those sentences about "finding happiness"), and is not actually encouraging her granddaughter to do the same. If anything, it looks like she is subtly cheering them on in the exact opposite direction she herself took.

So overall, old, recycled idea, but with added actual explanations and debate what the right choice, or a choice without regrets is, and to actually have a grown-up person, an elderly one at that, supportive of the relationship, is kind of a rarity. All in all, I liked it.

Bittersweet maybe? But Grandma was happy with how it turned out, how can I then be sad?

She never actually says she is happy with it all. To her granddaughter's accusation of a "loveless marriage" she responds with "We raised three children. Isn't that enough?", and that bit about it being love in a broader sense. It seems to me more like she is putting forth rationalisations, rather than anything else. Also, she says she was proud of her choice. Not happy, proud. And, in the end there is this: "Maybe there's no one right answer. But there is most certainly a path with no regrets. I pray that they will be granted the opportunity to take it." Considering how supportive she seems to be, it stands to reason that the "path with no regrets" she hopes for them to take is the one she herself did not take. It also implies she regrets her choice.
Now, I am not saying she is miserable. She clearly managed to find a measure of happiness in her life, being it from her children, her grandchildren, or perhaps even her husband. But I would not say she is happy with how it turned out, since that implies she somehow made the right choice, and it all turned out well in the end. She would hold no regrets then. No, I think it is better to say that she made her choice, possibly a wrong one, but still managed to find some happiness in her life afterwards, regardless.

Nezbot.

Huh. It is rather lively, actually. There are quite a few Europeans, myself included, some Australians and Asians, and the people from the Americas, so you will find some of them there at any given time. Fun place~

All right. I would need a slight explanation, then. I am a regular on the channel, and I can not recall ever getting into an argument with anyone. The worst I ever did was slightly annoy Parn with some of my political views, and Nez on occasion with "Canada is a frozen wasteland". Also, yesterday I had several enjoyable conversations, not a hint of anything bad. Afterwards, I went to bed, then to work, and then I checked the channel, only to find it disconnected in the meantime. Only, when I tried to reconnect, I found myself unable to do so, because, apparently, I have been banned. You can understand my bafflement. In any case, being inept with this technical stuff, I tried to alter my nickname, I tried to connect from my mobile phone, but without any success. I assume there was an incursion by that spammer again, and I was probably banned by mistake during the clean-up afterwards. That is the only explanation that makes sense to me. In any case, if someone could please explain to me the current situation, I would appreciate it.

last edited at Dec 11, 2015 1:42PM

Is the Dynasty-Scans channel still running?

That puff... absolutely adorable!

Up until page 164 I was laughing really hard, and then... it started to horrify me really, REALLY fast. Awesome work!

last edited at Dec 7, 2015 6:22PM

It was also not a really nice move in general. I mean, I overall liked the confession, it was direct, it was bold, it was emotionally charged, but, that one sentence, "I'm not here to be friends with you", was really not a nice move. Because she was saying that only after they became friends, at least from Qui Tong's perspective, which is something Sun Jing should have considered.

Well, stalkerish is perhaps too much, but she definitively encroached on Qiu Tong's personal space. It was going overboard. In a way it is cute, for a manga, but imagining such a situation in real life... I doubt many people would find it endearing. And it is not really productive, as it might scare Qiu Tong away. Also, what is with that logic "annoying = our feelings complement"?
Still, my compliments for the sheer bravery of such an approach.

last edited at Dec 6, 2015 8:56PM

Weird choice from the author, though. That situation was clearly a sexual assault, and it looked for a moment like it might lead to a full-blown rape, regardless of what was actually being said. So for the author to choose a wording that actually makes it worse is, well, odd. In any case, thank you for the clarification, Alextasha.

last edited at Dec 3, 2015 5:09PM

She actually said "Don't worry, I am not the type to force someone". She saying she isn't interested in rape or something like that. She definitely didn't say sweetie.

Then it is the fault of the translation. The panel I read said what I have quoted. Perhaps some better preparation next time, scanlation team? Assuming the poster above is correct, I have no way of knowing that.

The situation still looked like a prelude to a rape, though.

I read all the way to chapter 14. I can tell you that there is no rape. Gunj just doesn't know how to treat people lol

Well then, one minus less for her. She is still in the negative, though.

She actually said "Don't worry, I am not the type to force someone". She saying she isn't interested in rape or something like that. She definitely didn't say sweetie.

Then it is the fault of the translation. The panel I read said what I have quoted. Perhaps some better preparation next time, scanlation team? Assuming the poster above is correct, I have no way of knowing that.

The situation still looked like a prelude to a rape, though.

last edited at Dec 3, 2015 3:16AM

The art is not great, there are certain panels that look somewhat awkward, but it is not that bad either. It is actually kind of refreshing, at least for me.

The writing, on the other hand, is sub-standard, and conversations in general seem rather unpolished. The very premise itself is rather unrealistic, and not very intelligent in its conception. Getting rid of super-persistent former customer/stalker --> girlfriends for rent --> random waitress that happens to walk in at the very moment the main character is reading about girlfriends for rent. Not only are these three not logically connected, but the sheer randomness almost reads as a plot for a porn movie.

And the whole encounter in the restroom seemed more like a prelude to a rape than... well, whatever it was going for(?).
"What if I forced myself on you?"
...If? What do you mean, if?!
Also, the waitress seems far too submissive. If she had any intelligence, she would just mail that shirt and be done with. Not that it will happen, obviously. If she is stupid enough to fall for it, and it turns ugly, well, she will get no sympathy from me. I mean, it is not like she will go blind into this, she is basically going to see a person who has already assaulted her once.
"I-I.... I'm afraid"
"Don't worry. I'm not going to rape you, sweetie."
Oh, alright then, if you say so. I would totally go into a dark alley or an empty apartment with such a person. After all, they gave me their word. That they will not rape me. ??? I am... honestly not sure which one of them is more out of touch with reality.

I expect the waitress to actually enjoy it, although, she will probably verbally protest. It just seems like it is that kind of thing. Also, chapter 2, "Excited". Which one of them is supposed to be excited, the would-be rapist, or the unfortunate victim?

The main character is a completely unsympathetic bastard.

Also. "You're 30 years old but you're still beautiful."
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA...............

Not gonna lie...I am here for the comments.

+1

last edited at Dec 2, 2015 6:13PM

I don't think this story is quite as sad as some of people believe. The girl isn't being taken advantage of (she sets the rules and the customers follow) and doesn't so desperately need the money that she's forced into prostitution. She can probably stop anytime but chooses to do this as a way to make cash. Legal age of consent is also ridiculously young in japan so the office workers arent committing a crime. There is an argument about valuing one's virginity more but not everyone believes that sex is that big a deal. She seems in control of things so I don't think it's necessary to look down upon her for her decisions. I look forward to her finding love in a place she didn't expect.

When someone says exactly what you are thinking... Not delving into enjo-kōsai in general, or the potential for abuse and creepiness, in this particular case, well, what hjyfun said, basically.

What I find intriguing is the office worker. She obviously has some experience with these sort of things, concealing her identity before the meeting, and generally being very confident throughout the entire encounter. I am not under the impression that this is her first time using enjo-kōsai services.

Also, she reminds me of Akane from Minase Ruruu's two-shot, although, there was no enkō there. But the physical features, the hair-style, and general behaviour look remarkably alike, even the story has some similar elements. Compare this, for example.

last edited at Dec 1, 2015 12:36PM

Ah it's the same but different. This one is kind of after Ga-Rei Zero (the anime), Kagura and Yomi's battle led Kagura to inherit Byakuei from her father in the anime but in the manga Ga-Rei it's like a whole different story with Kagura already having Byakuei and I noticed the character Nimura is in Ga-Rei, he was in Ga-Rei Zero (the anime) and his role was completely different there. So no Yomi in the manga.

I literally can't find Ga-Rei Zero as a manga, which sucks ~

"Ga-Rei Zero" (anime) is a prequel to "Ga-Rei" (manga), it is not a different version of the same. The anime provides the backstory for Kagura and Yomi.

So no Yomi in the manga.

She appears latter on. And becomes the most important character, next to Kagura. There even are some chapters which are openly yuri-ish, although, with a slight twist.

last edited at Nov 29, 2015 7:01PM

jtt

how they prefer to refer to themselves.

He or she. There are no trans people.

how they prefer to refer to themselves

Nevri, I have an acquaintance who is a transgender male. He prefers the term trans man. And he would take serious offence to "there are no trans people" statement. While there certainly are those who prefer just man, or woman, that is not true for the entire group. I have not actually asked him why he insists on that term, but my theory is that many trans people, sadly, go through a lot of anguish, not only because of their inner turmoil, but, even more reprehensible, because of society that lacks acceptance. So, in a way, the word transgender, and similar terms, accord them a measure of acknowledgment of the hardships they went through.

I must stress out that this is purely a personal speculation of mine, as I said, I did not actually ask him why he insists on that expression. I apologise if I unknowingly offended anyone, it was not my intention to do so.

last edited at Nov 29, 2015 6:45AM

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA..........................

That credits page... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA..............................

Way to make me remember something that most definitively does not go with the sweet atmosphere of this chapter.

last edited at Nov 27, 2015 5:05PM

In general Japanese (older generations anyway) will identify as non-religious then, when pressed why they nonetheless put so much stock in traditional beliefs like the kami, will say "Well, that's not religion, it's just true."

That reminds me of the way the Japanese worded their acceptance of the Potsdam Proclamation. They were worried about the Allies deposing the Emperor, and they wrote something along the lines of "the Emperor's power is divine in origin, and thus above reproach", which was then reworded into "the supreme authority of the Emperor", on the insistence of Baron Hiranuma, who wanted the message to match the wording of the Meiji Constitution.

"Well, that's not religion, it's just true."

Kind of like the Vorta in DS9.

last edited at Mar 22, 2016 1:00PM

i hope they cheat.

+1

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.........................
I have no idea if this is a reference of some sort, but it is pretty funny regardless.

Wow, this was... um... sweet? In a twisted kind of way... Still, I like it. Hatefully-loving violent TeruMoko is the best.

well, she sure keeps an eye on her

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA................