i think we're gonna get a deeper look into koto's mental state soon and i know it's gonna be rough. i'm very excited

I just looked up "ominous" in the dictionary and it came with this picture.

She feels pretty one note and maybe that is the point: her will to live is constantly influenced by Aya and the story is telling us about how unhealthy her fixation on Aya is...but yeah hope we see more from her soon.

I think this is exactly the what the conflict at the end is hinting at when Aya asks Koto about her life. I think Koto was traumatized after Aya disappeared. I think it was all Aya 24/7 in that dome of hers. I feel this has massive drama bombs that will hurt reallllll bad to see!

I just looked up "ominous" in the dictionary and it came with this picture.

Came to say much the same thing—“So it’s all fine, right?” Um, maybe not . . .

I find myself overly-concerned with the question of the mechanics of what happened to Aya in high school (much more concerned than the story seem to be, at least at this point). It appears to be a not-untypical “one-weird-premise-just-go-with-it” manga conceit, one that doesn’t suggest that this is a “magic works, kinda” storyworld where that kind of thing can happen regularly.

But as others have suggested, the fact that the society as a whole just blandly accepts that a girl disappeared for seven years then reappeared apparently unaged and with no memory of the intervening time is a bit hard to fathom. (If this were a Yoshitomi Akihito story I could imagine scenes of Aya—scantily clad and barefoot, no doubt—laid out on a lab table with scientists in white coats bustling around her.)

I’m well aware that the story is telling me “Look, this story is about interpersonal relationships, so please pay attention to what matters,” but I don’t seem to be listening.

last edited at Dec 21, 2023 8:34AM

I find myself overly-concerned with the question of the mechanics of what happened to Aya in high school (much more concerned than the story seem to be, at least at this point).

Aya is a middle schooler. She is 14.

But as others have suggested, the fact that the society as a whole just blandly accepts that a girl disappeared for seven years then reappeared apparently unaged and with no memory of the intervening time is a bit hard to fathom. (If this were a Yoshitomi Akihito story I could imagine scenes of Aya—scantily clad and barefoot, no doubt—laid out on a lab table with scientists in white coats bustling around her.)

Because no one would really believe her time traveling, except the one already knew her seven years ago. There's a lot of people actually don't look like their age especially in Asia.

I find myself overly-concerned with the question of the mechanics of what happened to Aya in high school (much more concerned than the story seem to be, at least at this point).

Aya is a middle schooler. She is 14.

I stand corrected .

But as others have suggested, the fact that the society as a whole just blandly accepts that a girl disappeared for seven years then reappeared apparently unaged and with no memory of the intervening time is a bit hard to fathom. (If this were a Yoshitomi Akihito story I could imagine scenes of Aya—scantily clad and barefoot, no doubt—laid out on a lab table with scientists in white coats bustling around her.)

Because no one would really believe her time traveling, except the one already knew her seven years ago. There's a lot of people actually don't look like their age especially in Asia.

But it’s not just a matter of Aya’s report or of her looking young. She was reported missing years ago; a search was made for her. Now she has returned with no explanation. She has a social identity. There are official files on her that were closed that needed to reopened. But nobody seems to more than mildly surprised.

last edited at Dec 21, 2023 10:28AM

Now getting a glimpse of Erika’s job as both model and actress - it makes me think of how the tanzaku wish could have been about “catching up” to Aya (assuming this is how Aya disappeared - wished away, or wished to be held on “pause”). Because had Aya grown up at the same time as them, it’s easy to imagine Aya having the same things Erika has in the current timeline - Actress and Model. Clearly the competitive streak is still there between them, though I can imagine it might have been even more so as adults with careers.

There’s so much ambient tension, almost a feeling of dread, hanging over everything. It’s so good. I can tell it’ll be a little before things really pop off, but I’m already so excited for it!

Blastaar posted:

But it’s not just a matter of Aya’s report or of her looking young. She was reported missing years ago; a search was made for her. Now she has returned with no explanation. She has a social identity. There are official files on her that were closed that needed to reopened. But nobody seems to more than mildly surprised.

Well, there was a police investigation. People confirmed her identity and she's legally an adult. If she says she doesn't know what she did in the last seven years, they may think that she just doesn't want to tell and leave it at that. They may think it's none of their business. And since no crime has been committed, what else can they do? Harass her?

For all intent and purpose, Aya is 21 year old in the eyes of society and can do whatever she wants.

I really like this manga. I’ve never been in a relationship where I’m madly in love/obsessed with someone, not quite sure if that’s healthy/unhealthy.

Way do i have a feeling Aya will willingly breakup with Koto so she can be with Erika?(making the title of the manga becoming true) but that makes no sense, in 7 years are you telling me Koto never though of Erika in an romantic sense? so what makes Erika so sure that after Aya comes back Koto can some how get over her and be with Erika?….unless Koto already has feelings for Erika but can’t be with her becaue of Aya gone missing, so now she can be with her after getting some closure?

Another thing is the dumb Erika thinking she can be with Koto after she breaks up with Aya, like I said, unless Koto has some feelings with Erika what makes her so god damn sure Koto will chose her? and not start falling in love with some one else!

there is something more going on between Erika and Koto but the Erika bitch only cares about getting in between Koto legs LOOL so she ain’t telling Aya anything! like that comment about Koto changing and going in the right direction? clearly the outcome Erika wishes which is way she pushed Koto to talk with Aya in the first chapters, in hopes of Koto starting to move on faster from Aya…..the more i think about it the more i think Aya will end up brokenhearted T^T

last edited at Dec 24, 2023 12:01PM

Blastaar posted:

But it’s not just a matter of Aya’s report or of her looking young. She was reported missing years ago; a search was made for her. Now she has returned with no explanation. She has a social identity. There are official files on her that were closed that needed to reopened. But nobody seems to more than mildly surprised.

Well, there was a police investigation. People confirmed her identity and she's legally an adult. If she says she doesn't know what she did in the last seven years, they may think that she just doesn't want to tell and leave it at that. They may think it's none of their business. And since no crime has been committed, what else can they do? Harass her?

Good thing Japan doesn’t have a tabloid press or “Real-Life Mysteries” TV then, because if they did they’d be all over “Schoolgirl Disappears For Seven Years, Reappears Physically Unchanged With No Memory of What Happened.”

Way do i have a feeling Aya will willingly breakup with Koto so she can be with Erika?(making the title of the manga becoming true)

That's definitely not going to happen imo. Aya was dumped by her mother. People like her can only fall in love with someone who already loves her.
That's why Aya obviously didn't have feelings for Koto at first, but "somehow" attracted to her after Koto's first confession. Just no way Aya would like Erika.

but that makes no sense, in 7 years are you telling me Koto never though of Erika in an romantic sense? so what makes Erika so sure that after Aya comes back Koto can some how get over her and be with Erika?….unless Koto already has feelings for Erika but can’t be with her becaue of Aya gone missing, so now she can be with her after getting some closure?

Because…Aya is still a child? Maybe Erika believes Koto can get over her after realizing the difficulty of actually being with a child.

Another thing is the dumb Erika thinking she can be with Koto after she breaks up with Aya, like I said, unless Koto has some feelings with Erika what makes her so god damn sure Koto will chose her? and not start falling in love with some one else!

This is exactly what I think!!! Even Koto breaks up with Aya, still no proofs she would like Erika.

there is something more going on between Erika and Koto but the Erika bitch only cares about getting in between Koto legs LOOL so she ain’t telling Aya anything! like that comment about Koto changing and going in the right direction? clearly the outcome Erika wishes which is way she pushed Koto to talk with Aya in the first chapters, in hopes of Koto starting to move on faster from Aya…..the more i think about it the more i think Aya will end up brokenhearted T^T

You probably misunderstand her.
The only reason Erika didn't tell Aya was because she thought it's Koto's business. Koto is the one who has the right to decide.

last edited at Dec 25, 2023 4:52AM

chapter 3：
一週間ぶりの人にこんなにされるの、変な感じ
→To think we just met not that long ago. It feels weird.

last edited at Jan 6, 2024 8:09AM

chapter 3：
一週間ぶりの人にこんなにされるの、変な感じ
→To think we just met not that long ago. It feels weird.

No?

1週間ぶり => for the first time in a week
の人に => by someone
こんなに => like this
される => to be done to someone

Or "It's the first time in a week someone has done this to me", or "You're the first one to do this to me in a week".

I don't know where you get that translation, but I stand by mine.

chapter 3：
一週間ぶりの人にこんなにされるの、変な感じ
→To think we just met not that long ago. It feels weird.

No?

1週間ぶり => for the first time in a week
の人に => by someone
こんなに => like this
される => to be done to someone

Or "It's the first time in a week someone has done this to me", or "You're the first one to do this to me in a week".

I don't know where you get that translation, but I stand by mine.

That's how I read it. Not translation I got form the internet.
1週間ぶりの人→ for the first time you see a person after a week.

That's ok. If it let you feel offended, I would delet it. I am sorry if I let you feel uncomfortable.

Edit：Japan have a song called 三年ぶりの人だから by 原田悠里さん.
I would be curious how would you translate the name of a song.

Edit2：I am really grateful for your translation. As you can tell, English is not my first language. It's happy to see so many people discuss my favorite yuri manga in english. To me, that's the one of the best way to learn a language. And all of this have to thank you.

last edited at Jan 6, 2024 10:51AM

I'm not offended. I'm just wondering what makes you think this interpretation is correct.

The important bit here is the particle に

週間ぶりの人に = for the first time in a week BY someone.

There's no "meet" or "see" in that sentence, even implied.

It's been a week since Aya came back and the President is the first one to hug her in that time. I just can't fathom why you'd interpret that sentence any other way.

I'm not offended. I'm just wondering what makes you think this interpretation is correct.

The important bit here is the particle に

週間ぶりの人に = for the first time in a week BY someone.

There's no "meet" or "see" in that sentence, even implied.

It's been a week since Aya came back and the President is the first one to hug her in that time. I just can't fathom why you'd interpret that sentence any other way.

I have edited my reply.

Edit：Japan have a song called 三年ぶりの人だから by 原田悠里さん.
I would be curious how would you translate the name of a song.

It's not the same thing, because of the lack of particle.

So, it can be interpreted in various ways. "It's been 3 years since I was around", "it's been 3 years since I saw him/her", "It's been 3 years since I've heard of him/her," "It's the first time in three years I've seen...", "Because he hasn't been here in three years..."

Without context, there's no much that can be done. That's why AI will never be able to translate accurately.

I'm not offended. I'm just wondering what makes you think this interpretation is correct.

The important bit here is the particle に

週間ぶりの人に = for the first time in a week BY someone.

There's no "meet" or "see" in that sentence, even implied.

It's been a week since Aya came back and the President is the first one to hug her in that time. I just can't fathom why you'd interpret that sentence any other way.

I have edited my reply.

After rehashing that sentence, I can see how it could also be interpreted as "to be treated (done something) like this after a week of not seeing each other, it feels weird".

ぶり can be interpreted both ways.

Edit：Japan have a song called 三年ぶりの人だから by 原田悠里さん.
I would be curious how would you translate the name of a song.

It's not the same thing, because of the lack of particle.

So, it can be interpreted in various ways. "It's been 3 years since I was around", "it's been 3 years since I saw him/her", "It's been 3 years since I've heard of him/her," "It's the first time in three years I've seen...", "Because he hasn't been here in three years..."

Without context, there's no much that can be done. That's why AI will never be able to translate accurately.

Have you found out all of the interpretation you gave ultimately is "The person I haven't met in there years".
You also can see the content of the song.
And you can absolutely have your own perspective. It's ok.
But from my perspective, I read that sentence in my way. Aya felt weird because she just met the President a few days ago to get this kind of passionate hug imo.

It's fine. After thinking it over, you're probably right. At least, it makes more sense in context. Tbh, when I had translated it the first time, I recall having struggled with how to interpret it and went with the "first person in a week" because of the 人.

Goes to show I still have much leeway to improve.

It's fine. After thinking it over, you're probably right. At least, it makes more sense in context. Tbh, when I had translated it the first time, I recall having struggled with how to interpret it and went with the "first person in a week" because of the 人.

Goes to show I still have much leeway to improve.

We just can't learn to be enough when Japanese is not our first language. Actually, there are a lot of sentences I can't really comprehend in this manga.
Like chapter 1:
何かにつけふと思い描いてしまうんだ
WTF

Thanks for your kind and detailed explanation.

last edited at Jan 6, 2024 11:54AM

It's fine. After thinking it over, you're probably right. At least, it makes more sense in context. Tbh, when I had translated it the first time, I recall having struggled with how to interpret it and went with the "first person in a week" because of the 人.

Goes to show I still have much leeway to improve.

We just can't learn to be enough when Japanese is not our first language. Actually, there are a lot of sentences I can't really comprehend in this manga.
Like chapter 1:
何かにつけふと思い描いてしまうんだ
WTF

Thanks for your kind and detailed explanation.

That one wasn't that difficult.

何かにつけ is when someone does something all the time, more often than they (or others) would like to. It has a negative connotation, like, it would be better if they didn't do it. The てしまう form implies it's something done involuntarily, by accident.

Hence, my translation, "More often than not, I find myself suddenly envisioning it..." which, I think, carries the nuances.

That one wasn't that difficult.

何かにつけ is when someone does something all the time, more often than they (or others) would like to. It has a negative connotation, like, it would be better if they didn't do it. The てしまう form implies it's something done involuntarily, by accident.

Hence, my translation, "More often than not, I find myself suddenly envisioning it..." which, I think, carries the nuances.

Thanks：）