If you haven’t picked up a bottle of Zen Green Tea Liqueur yet, what are you waiting for?  I usually try out a little of everything.  Nothing stops me from buying a bottle of this and a bottle of that.  A recipe comes along with something I have never tried before and I put in an order to my favorite liquor store manager and have it in hand within a few days.  But, I must admit, the Zen had me a bit skittish.  I drink tea with frequency, but never with sugar, cream or even lemon for that matter.  I could not imagine what a green tea liqueur must taste like and then to stir it up in a cocktail?!  The Zen had my head shaking. 

Then Brian at Myth in the Old Market said he had something he wanted me to try.  Honestly, I was excited he had the Zen.  I had been bypassing it in the liquor aisle for months.  I could try a taste without breaking in an entire bottle.  One little sip and the Zen had me hooked.  This delicate green liqueur captures the flavor of green tea without the bitterness of incorrectly steeped tea.  There is an underlying tone of lemongrass and possibly honey, but the sweetness is not overdone.  It has a lilting effect on the tongue rather than being weighed down in sugary burden.  This is an exceptional summery liqueur indeed. 

Appropriately, my first cocktail experience with Zen was a Zen Moment.  This is a rather simple drink, but effective for capturing the essence of the Zen in something chic and summery.  The original recipe for the Zen Moment can be found in the pages section under Zen Liqueur Recipes.  The recipe below has been altered to fit my palate which presumed to like more Zen in the drink.  After all, if it is a Zen Moment, let’s taste the Zen! 

Intoxicologist’s Zen Moment

2 ounces Zen Green Tea Liqueur

3 ounces Sauvignon Blanc

Squeeze of Fresh Lemon

Place ice in a wine glass.  Pour in Sauvignon Blanc.  Layer Zen on top.  Squeeze in fresh lemon and float in drink for garnish.  Include a cocktail stirrer to sip and stir.  Side note:  Since this is an iced drink it becomes watered down the longer it sits.  Drink up!

Researching the Zen at home proved to be a quite tasty treat.  The Zen Harajuku looked interesting with the grapefruit juice and crystallized ginger.  Harajuku is an area in Toyko known globally for its youthful style and fashion; an apt description for the Zen Harajuku.  It is fresh, light, and cutting edge with the crispness of the grapefruit and the slight twist in flavor the ginger weaves into the drink.  I did a taste test comparison with and without the ginger.  The Zen Harajuku cocktail is wonderful with or without the ginger.  If you are not a fan of ginger, leave it out.  The ginger adds dimension to the cocktail, but is not a deal breaker if it is taken away.

Zen Harajuku

1-1/2 ounce Zen Green Tea Liqueur

3/4 ounce Citrus Vodka

1-1/2 ounce Fresh Red Grapefruit Juice

1 Slice Muddled Crystallized Ginger

Place Zen into a cocktail shaker with ginger.  Muddle.  Add vodka and grapefruit juice.  Add ice.  Shake for 10 to 15 seconds.  Strain into a well chilled martini glass.  Garnish with a slice of crystallized ginger if you wish.  Side note:  Some grocery stores carry tubes of fresh ginger in the produce section.  A small squeeze will do in a pinch in place of the crystallized ginger without the added step of muddling.  Add all ingredients in the cocktail shaker.  Shake, strain and serve. 

Of course my experiment would not be complete without the Zen Margarita.  Being a Patron fan I did have to substitute Zen’s recommendation and go with my favorite.  I found the website recipe to be a little weak on Zen and no bar syrup needed, so below is my spiced up version.

Intoxicologist’s Zen Margarita

1-1/2 ounces Zen Green Tea Liqueur

2 ounces Patron Silver Tequila

1/2 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

Lime Wedge for Garnish

Combine all ingredients except garnish in cocktail shaker filled one third full of ice.  Shake for 10 to 15 seconds.  Strain into a well chilled martini glass.  Garnish with lime wedge. 

End note:  The Zen is excellent as a sipping liqueur and tastes great when mixed, however the color does not shine in cocktails.  My first thought in each cocktail was that Zen will definitely be the first liqueur I reach for when concocting new drinks for my next Halloween party.  The green is a perfect hue for any witches brew.  Then again, the Cosmo pink is becoming a little cliché in the day to day girlie cocktail.  Zen is about cutting edge.  The Cosmo may just turn a little green with envy. 

To find all the Zen Green Tea Liqueur Recipes from the Zen website click here http://intoxicologist.wordpress.com/zen-liqueur-recipes/ or go directly to the Zen website found in my Blogroll section. 

Mooching through some newsletters of the Arms and Armour Society today I came across a deeply sarcastic reference to a myth I'd never encountered before. It was with reference to Dan Cruickshank's "What the Industrial Revolution Did For Us". In a frankly hilarious scene that I'd really love to see myself, Cruickshank, dressed in a Napoleonic Rifleman's uniform and in cover behind a tree, uses his long sword bayonet to skewer a loaf of bread and place his shako on top. He proceeds to wave this contrivance in the air in order to draw the fire of the enemy and allow his imaginary brothers in arms to pinpoint the location of the shooter and return fire.

Just, as they say, "wow". As this blogger's comment suggests, this doesn't even pass the BS sniff-test, let alone stand up to analysis. But debunking myths is fun, so I thought I'd have a go at this one myself.

OK, firstly, where does this come from? It surely can't have been made up by the programme's producers, yet it's not prevalent online, particularly not pre-2004 (air date of the programme in question). I found a permutation of the same myth on this site, but again, it's a recent arrival online (2006):

The term "Use your loaf " comes from WW1 when trench warfare played a large part in battle. Sniperfire was rampant so if a soldier who had been lying in a trench for some time and popped his head up to see if all was clear he'd be likely to lose it. So instead they used to stick a loaf of bread from their rations on their bayonet and raise that in the air instead. Just thought i'd share that one for ya readers.

Yes, thanks for that. Some sort of evidence might have been nice. Hell, just a reference to follow.

And so we have to go straight to alternative explanations. This one is easy. So easy, that people seem to prefer to assume it must be both older, more interesting, and more romantic. Hence the load of old trousers offered by Dan and the gang. The best and most parsimonious explanation is also to be found in just about every book on slang ever published. Not to mention on many, many more websites than the mythological explanation (for once!). "Use your loaf" is undoubtedly (20th century) Cockney rhyming slang...

Use your loaf.
Use your loaf of bread.
Bread = head.
Use your head.

If only Dan had.

I would say that this explanation immediately renders the BBC explanation redundant, but I suppose it's just possible that the latter might somehow have been in currency before entering Cockney English. So let's look at the history and the practicalities of the scenario.

The form of bread supplied in British rations of either period is unlikely to be the sort of large light-coloured loaf that we're familiar with today. Most likely large dark coloured flat loaves or little rolls, especially if we're talking about rations portable in a soldier's knapsack or beltkit. Nothing large or "white" enough to pass as a British soldier's noggin, even just as a filler. We also have to consider the reason for even using a lump of bread. If an enemy soldier can be confused by some bread and a hat on a bayonet, they can surely be equally bamboozled by the world-beating field expedient measure of...just using the headgear.

Then there's the tactical advantage (if any) afforded by doing this. Granted, it makes a certain amount of sense in trench or even urban modern warfare, to do something like this to reveal the location of a sniper. Papier mache heads were certainly used in the First World War, as no doubt were more ad hoc measures. If there's any truth in the myth, bread products notwithstanding, I think it lies in that conflict. But here, we're talking about the age of linear tactics, smokeless powder, and brightly-coloured uniforms. Accurate individual weapons were in their infancy, making encounters between riflemen pretty rare. Your average infantry soldier fighting in an open field wouldn't have the opportunity, means, ore the skill to engage a man hiding behind cover. Finally, even the rifles of the age were effective only at a couple of hundred yards. If you couldn't glimpse your enemy (who, let's remember, is already firing at you and therefore producing smoke and muzzle flash) in order to return fire at that range, I would suggest that getting him to fire one more shot at something that wasn't you, wouldn't help.

Needless to say, something like this scenario may well happened at some stage - but it was never doctrine, there's no written evidence of it, and using a loaf to do it makes no logical sense.

So this was either a bad joke at the expense of the viewer, or just another example of lazy thinking, ignorance, and crap TV research. Which reminds me of the legendary cannon-firing dog of Fontenoy!

Dr. Carter was one of the best professors I ever had. He turned me and many others on to thinking about philosophy not just as a dry, abstract discipline but as a real, living phenomenon.

The first task of the other gods was to sing as the High God created. The High God gave each of the gods an instrument to play, or a voice to sing. All for the purpose of a song which would play until he had finished all that he felt needed to be created. The lesser gods did as commanded and were glad to do so, for The High God had created them and allowed them to see his work as he created still more.

He created a dark blanket from the hairs of each willing goddess and laid this blanket in the sky. This was one of his many heavens. For the world The High God took one of the goddesses whose song was quite energetic and he cupped his hands in a ball shape around them. When he had let go he hung the world in among the blanket of the heavens and thus Gaia in form was created, though only water existed. But the gods could not see this wonderful creation so Sophia first born of the gods asked that she might see the High God’s great work. The High God beamed with joy that his creations asked to see and from this light was created.

That was day one but still the gods were commanded to sing. The High God looked at the world he had created and with a frown; he knew he was not yet done. Taking Gaia he gave her two brothers, he created another heaven and placed Shamu, one of the gods to be lord over that. Then for the waters he placed Aegir, another brother with which to protect his sister. Although in the later years the two would fight, while Eldest Brother in the sky would watch and frown. But for now everything was in perfect harmony and this was the second day of the High God’s creation.

On the third day during the creation, the High God noted that it was not entirely good that Gaia was covered by Aegir so he commanded her to have freedom in part. So the High God commanded Aegir to back away from his sister in some parts. Thus dry land poked out of the oceans and so there was land and the great seas, ruled by Aegir and Gaia. Gaia was bare however so The High God clothed her with a beautiful dress. This became the plains of old and the great trees that filled the earth, each bearing fruits of all sorts.

Seeing this all the High God ended the third day though the gods were still commanded to sing. On the fourth day God took from all of the gods the jewel crusted pin which held together their robes and intertwined theses into the blanket that he had first created. These became the stars which filled the sky. Then looking at this twinkling blanket he was still not happy and decided for himself that there was still two pieces needed. Radegast choose to be the great light in the sky after he found that Nikkal had chosen to be the lesser light. He now chases her eternally, which is why the sun and moon changes places at night and day and will continue until The High God’s Beaming face lights all again. After seeing Radegast start the chase for his beloved the High God was pleased for the fourth day.

As the song of the gods continued Shamu was found to be well content with his place in the sky. Zipping through the great expanse, he at times went high into the heavenly blankets of near where there was chasing. All that while in his play he began to sweat and as the beads drops the High God smiled and each one he transformed into creatures that filled the air and continued to play with the Shamu who became all the more joyful to the High God. Still though the High God was not done, he saw that Aegir looking high in the sky with amazement. Therefore the High God touched the water and soon creatures of all sorts filled the oceans. Aegir eyes became wide and into the dirt he fell to praise the High Creator. Thus was the High God pleased the fifth day with what he had done.

The next day began the gods still singing their eternally beautiful song. Looking at the creatures in sky and sea, the High God decided to add more upon world quite green. He took from the gods each a different musical note and from each note he began to fashion creatures of great wonders, which would become legends of their own. All the while upon Gaia he formed creatures with a tap of his fingers just the same as we see all the time. These creatures filled the land but those special creatures went from sky to land, to the oceans depths. Unicorns and Dragons, Leviathans and Phoenix, all the great creatures of legends both those still known, and those forgotten.

When all of this was done the High God smiled, and then with a command he stopped all the music. He went down toward the earth and in the stillness he created Man and Woman both, formed by his own hands and by his own dust. He breathed into man personally and gave them his image a gift not even given to the gods or the rest of his creation. Then when all of this was done, the High God gave this new creature called man over all of creation. He then saw that this sixth day was another good one and thus the sixth day had ended.

Upon the seventh the High God rested, the gods sang just a little, while man upon the earth played with all of the High God’s creation…

Athens, Greece Zeus Temple 2007

Originally uploaded by Titanas

Zeus The son of the Titan Cronus and Titaness Rhea, Zeus is the chief of the second generation Greek gods, usually arrayed with thunderbolts and an eagle.

Zeus had numerous offspring with several different goddesses, the most famous being Aphrodite.

He apparently had amorous relations with his young male cup-bearer, Ganymedes.

The mythologer Robert Graves says

The Zeus-Ganymedes myth gained immense popularity in Greece and Rome because it afforded religious justification for grown man's passionate love for a boy.

The Greek Myths, Combined edition, London: Penguin, 1992, p. 117.

Zeus' Roman equivalent is Jupiter.

» Aesculapius, Aliens and Extraterrestrials (ETs), Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Castor and Pollux, Demeter, Dionysus, Dyaus, Fates, God, Hera, Hercules, Hermes, Hesiod, Jupiter, Muses, Odin, Olympians, Orphic Mysteries, Persephone, Poseidon, Romeo and Juliet, Shapeshifter, Titans, Tyche

Add to this, report errors, suggest edits or voice your opinion by posting a comment

Check out this great reason.tv spot on the middle class in America.

Nos llegó un pequeño resurtido que conseguimos casi de milagro solo para ustedes; es una cantidad limitada de Thanatos y es la última remesa de esta figura que nos llega ya que ahora si esta mas que agotada en Asia.

No dejes pasar mucho tiempo, si te interesa la figura haz tu pedido hoy mismo, porque volarán.

Saying his name 3 times will make him president

First myth appears in the first sentence of the second to last paragraph.

<blockquote>In the last presidential election, the Libertarian Party candidate received fewer than 400,000 votes.</blockquote>

The less than 400,000 votes does not matter a whit in American presidential politics for two reasons. One, consider that the nominees from the Democratic and Republican parties received a combined 121 million votes in the 2004 presidential vote. The votes for the Libertarian Party candidate represent a proverbial drop of water in the ocean. Thus, the vote total represents a vapid argument.

Two, unlike in France, the United States fails to contest a national election for the presidency. Because the United States relies on the Electoral College, the United States conducts 50 separate elections to choose a president. Despite the fact that these 50 separate elections are held on the same day, the United State fails to conduct a national election.

If the Libertarian Party's less 400,000 votes occurred in California or Connecticut, which are two states the Republican Party nominee lost by less than 400,000 votes, then Lou's argument may hold credence.

Except it does not because Lou relies on a second myth that he presents immediately following the first myth.

<blockquote>Still, the ultimate fear for Republicans is that Mr. Barr or some other third-party candidate might do to them what some say Ralph Nader as the Green Party candidate, did to former Vice President Al Gore in Florida in 2000, stealing away just enough votes to make the difference in a close contest.</blockquote>

Nader's presence on the Florida ballot cost Gore the general election because voters in Florida cast their lot with Nader instead of Gore. Gore's supporters as well as Bush's detractors sit around a proverbial camp fire, wool blankets draped over their shivering folders, attempting to find warmth from the embers of this myth against the cold reality that Gore ran the worst presidential campaign this side of John F. Kerry.

The myth relies on Hoteling's discussion of distance. Researchers in economics but not researchers in retailing and marketing enjoy Hoteling, who espouses that when a consumer's choice becomes unavailable, the consumer will travel the shortest distance in order for the choice to become available. Economics researchers like Hoteling because they measure choice without actually directly asking consumers (i.e., conduct a survey) about their choice. Economics researchers avoid survey research methodology like intelligent design researchers avoid data collection.

Retail and marketing researchers, who fully embrace survey research methodology like biology researchers embrace data collection, know that consumer choice is not bounded by rationality and certainly distance. Consumers often fail to consider utility, let alone attempt to maximize it.

Hoteling's idea provide cover for the Gore supporters and the Bush detractors. Besides Gore, who was more liberal than Nader, the myth asks, ignoring the Socialist Party candidate. The myth answers, if Nader were not on the ballot, then those consumers would have travel the shortest distance to the next liberal choice as embodied by Gore.

To accept this myth, Lou must ignore two facts. One, Gore ran the worst presidential campaign save for Kerry's effort. Two, consumers who vote for third party candidates like Ralph Nader of the Green Party generally refuse to vote for candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties. That is, if Nader or the Green Party had not appear on any state's ballot, then those voters more than likely would have chosen the candidate from the Natural Law Party, the Libertarian Party, the Communist Party, etc., or stayed at home (i.e., not voted at all).

Finally, the staff at Blipverts offers three pieces of advice for Michael Lou. One, challenge your myths. If representatives from the Democratic and Republican parties provide you with information, then challenge it. You will be the better writer for it, your employer will be the better paper for it, and your readers will be the better citizens for it.

Two, write stories that contain more than two cited sources and two anonymous sources. In this era of Judith Miller and Jayson Blair, your copy appears suspect. Because both worked for your employer, your copy must be purer than Ceaser's wife. That is, the Portland Oregonian may get away with a poorly sourced story like this story, but the New York Times cannot.

Three, learn about the American electoral process.

Here is the final version of my part of the project on Russia. I hope to be able to publish here the team's final report, which includes an analysis of competing hypotheses on Russian Reorganization of the Civilian Nuclear Energy Sector, a cost benefit analysis of Russia - Ukraine energy security relations, and a social network analysis of Dmitry Medvedev's Leadership Network. However, I'm waiting for the permission of the other team members and the instructor to do so.

A brief evaluation of the effectiveness of the technique in relation to the topic

Using situation assessment to analyze Russia’s foreign policy toward the Balkans has as both its principal advantage and disadvantage the flexibility and resulting breadth of scope it offers. On the positive side, this flexibility functions to fill deficiencies in more formalized methodologies, where restriction of sub-methods and limitations of scope can result in an exaggerated focus on the particular details, failing to detect an over-arching pattern or structure. On the negative side, the potentially limitless options this method offers to the analyst can result in either oversimplification through generalization, or a lack of focus altogether. One way to avoid losing the string would be to commission situation assessments not of individual analysts but of an inter-disciplinary team. I believe this would only add to the potential multi-faceted direction this method is open to, while at the same time, keep the more wild fancies on a leash of peer review.

The elements I chose to include in this situation assessment, which in retrospect were best suited to the topic were the various IR theories on power and regionalism. In this spirit, I would advocate the use of open source analyses by various think tanks, especially if the analyst is not an area specialist. The potential pitfall of arriving at politicized information could be safeguarded against by a thorough source reliability check, which would take an infinitely shorter time than self-education of the analyst on a broad theme under the duress of a deadline.

Finally, the informal, descriptive nature of a situation assessment is conducive to writing in a narrative style, which is less prone to jargon and offers the analyst the opportunity to engage and “talk” to his/her client/decision-maker as the analysis unfolds. Not only does this make the reading experience of a person tired of reading report after report with uninspiring technical and/or management, or worse, bureaucratic language, but has the potential to establish good rapport between the two sides, minimize misunderstandings hidden in vague and ambiguous language, and add a dialogue-element to the analyst’s otherwise rather lonely job.

Do we appreciate one another?
In a healthy family, the members express a high degree of appreciation for each other. Several families even created projects around the house to stimulate praise. For example, one household of five could have creative events with funny, attractive title. Every few months, the family members could meet and each could spend one minute praising every other member of the family. There could even be a family post box placed in a central place. Each member, at their convenient time, could drop small chits of appreciation or positive quality of other members. Such creative fun events are certainly stimulating and inspirational.

Do we have quality time together?
The healthy and happy families spend a great deal of quality time together. They genuinely enjoy being together. They worked at doing things that involved every member of the family. It is a wonderful team where all members are self-motivated directed. They share responsibilities and create synergy.

Do we effectively communicate?
The successful families have good communication patterns. They spend time talking to each other. The key to effective communication in a family is that members listen and work at understanding each other.

Are we committed to one another?
The healthy families have a strong sense of commitment. They actively promote one another's happiness and welfare. An example of this commitment is in how these families handle themselves when things become too hectic, causing them to spend less time together. In your home, each family member could make a list of his or her individual activities. The things he or she really doesn't want to do or that isn't very important are scratched to provide more time for family involvement.

How strong is our religious orientation?
The next common ingredient is a high degree of religious orientation. These families participate in religious activities together. They are committed to a spiritual lifestyle.

How do we handle crisis situations?
The happy family has the ability to deal with crises in a positive manner. This isn't to say that they enjoy crises, but even in the worst situation they are able to find some positive elements, no matter how tiny, and focus on that.

So make all efforts to have a healthy and happy family. Enjoy life and help built a happy nation.

Rod Serling - Interview Pt 1

I finished downloading the manga Honey and Clover, but I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for the continuing chapters in season 2. Probably, the Shoujo Magic hasn’t finished scanlating it, well, no wonder, it is hard to translate such difficult series.

However, if you have the full copy of the season 2 (and so on) scanlated manga, please let me know!  I only got three chapter- scanlated copies of the volume two, that is from chapters 10-12, but since it is still ongoing (whatever happened, please do continue Shoujo Magic!) I’m still waiting here!

I love the Honey and Clover manga. And I’ve also seen its season 1 and 2 anime version that premiered on Animax. However, I haven’t seen yet the live action series (or is it movie?).

I made a summary out of the season one Honey and Clover manga because I love it so much. If you planned to read the manga and wishes not to get spoiled here, DON’T READ BEYOND THIS because it might definitely spoil you! But if you welcome such things, then continue at your risk. *laughs.

Chapter 1

“Well, well, the cherry blossoms will start blooming soon.

It’s getting warm, this is so relaxing.”

- Shuuji Hanamoto

Here we found out the life that college students would experience in Tokyo. The prices skyrocketed high. Mayama Takumi (22, a fourth year architecture student), Yuuta Takemoto (19, second year architectural design student), Morita Shinobu (24, sixth year art student) and with the other guys shared their lives in a cheap apartment of 9 square meters and no showers. Morita, after his disappearance for twelve days, came home with lots of korokkes, (fried mashed potatoes covered with bread crumbs) for his board mates. Mayama-sempai said that Morita always go out somewhere for days, and they didn’t know where. Morita came back exhausted with a mysterious amount of money in his pocket. But everyone had no idea where Morita was working or what. While other mates were saying that Morita was only snickering at their poverty by buying only korokkes and not meat, Mayama asks why Morita wasn’t sleeping in his room. Takemoto answered that he was told off by his sempai Morita to wake him up at eight tomorrow. Morita, according to Mayama, missed one requirement in a class when he was a first year, and went on forgetting it for the last three years so that he wasn’t able to graduate. Then, Morita stayed another year because he lacked one hour worth of class attendance but failed to comply it, that’s why he had to repeat another year. Morita, says Mayama, also repeat his second year because he overslept a lot of times. It was already 9:30 in the morning, and both Mayama and Takemoto were trying to wake up Morita. Just as Takemoto gave up on him by saying “If you end up repeating another year, don’t hold a grudge against me!”, Morita suddenly opened his eyes and readily went to school with Mayama’s kickboard (a wooden cheap version of scooters he made for Mayama). Because he was rushing so much, he bumped into some department cart and said, in excuse that it was not him who destroyed the cart, but Mayama, who had just passed by.

With their art professor Shuuji Hanamoto, Mayama and Takemoto talked about Morita’s unusual behavior when suddenly Mayama noticed a little girl he mistaken as Shuuji’s daughter. But it was found out that it was Shuuji’s cousin’s daughter Hagumi Hanamoto (nicknamed Hagu) who had just entered the university as a first year art student. Surprisingly, she was already 18 years old, although when one looks at her, she looks like a middle school student. While Shuuji was preventing Mayama to introduce himself, on one corner, Takemoto asked Hagu to eat the korokkes with him (which he brought to eat for his lunch).

While Hagu was drinking her tea, Mayama was about to say something to Takemoto but he stopped short at Takemoto’s expression. He realized that his friend was in love at first sight with Hagu.

Suddenly, Morita arrived to thank Takemoto for waking him up this morning, and because of that he can now graduate. In an instant, Morita caught sight of Hagu, and ran away from the room to a yam field behind the university. Then he came back and gave Hagu a fuki leaf (butterbur leaf) and said “Korobokkuru!” Korobokkuru is a character in Ainu myths, and also means a person under a fuki leaf. Hagu was scared while Morita was taking photographs of her. Takemoto was saying that Hagu might cry if Morita won’t stop soon. Shuuji was smiling by saying Hagu looked cute in whatever she was doing. Mayama on the other hand, realized that Morita was in love and reflected that this is another way of falling in love, but apparently nobody realized because of its “unusual method of emotional communication”.

Chapter 2

“How I’d like to see the world through Hagu’s eyes.”

• Shuuji Hanamoto to Yuuta Takemoto

Mayama and Takemoto were staring at the clay footprint of Hagu, which was compared to a stick of cigarette in length. Hagu, who was taken a copy of a footprint yesterday, was terrified of Morita and was now venting her stress on some artwork. Mayama and Takemoto went to see how she was doing and they were shocked at the huge statue Hagu was working upon. The statue would be displayed at the lobby of an art museum at Minatomirai in Yokohama. This made Takemoto reflect about himself and his future. According to him, everyone was doing well: Hagu is so talented that she could enter any job, Morita had a serious job somewhere, and Mayama, who was about to graduate, was invited to work full-time at the design studio he was now working part-time. Mayama consoled him by saying that Takemoto was just a second year, and should do anything that would interest him.

The next day, Mayama and Takemoto noticed that Hagu was cutting out pictures of sandals, bags, and dresses. It was found out that she was making a notebook about them because she could not buy it. Then a person came and noticed Hagu, and said ‘Korobokkuru’ which made Hagu startled. That person said that he saw a person just like Hagu in the internet, and surely they checked it online and found a website which Morita made about the ‘Korobokkuru’. They found out that Morita was earning money from it because 50% of it was commercials, but according to that person, lots of maniacs like him were looking forward to the updates of the website. Suddenly, Morita arrived and gave Hagu a paperweight out of her footprint. Due to her anger Hagu threw all sorts of things to Morita, and one of it was her notebook about the things she wanted. Morita kept it in his pocket. Takemoto invited him to come at the Teppanyaki party with Mayama at Shuuji’s apartment in a week’s time. Morita answered that that he had a work for that night which would take a week. Mayama, on the other hand, asked the person to keep the whole situation as secret as Hagu was Shuuji’s niece.

So for over a week Morita was gone again. After a week, as he was about to go home, he passed by a certain shop and bought a pair of Miu Miu sandals for 32,000 yen. Then he headed off to Shuuji’s place and met Takemoto, whom he gave the one kg. of beef. Takemoto was extremely happy about it.

Morita caught sight of Hagu hiding behind the curtain, and approached her, handing her the pink patent leather Miu Miu sandals. Because the Miu Miu brand is a famous designer brand in Japan, Hagu was so happy. Morita, meanwhile, collapsed because he was exhausted from work. Takemoto took him on his back to take him to the futon.

While carrying Morita, Takemoto felt a pain in his stomach because he was hungry. But Takemoto has to realize that it wasn’t really the pain in his stomach that ached him, but the pain in his chest. He never realized that the guy he was carrying on his back was his love rival.

Chapter 3

“Girls like Morita because he isn’t influenced by what other people say. But he doesn’t have a girlfriend because he doesn’t listen to what other people say at all.”

Morita was sleeping at Takemoto’s room, while Hasegawa (a board mate) was reading about a survey of three hundred girls about the kind of guys that they hate: a self-centered guy, a guy who acts suspiciously, a guy with a long hair that doesn’t take care of himself, the guy who still wears his gym clothes – all of these descriptions perfectly suited Morita, but then again, Morita still got free bento lunches from girls. This irritated Hasegawa. Mayama, on the other hand, explained what really happened. At that time, Morita was eating plain bread for lunch, and this was noticed by a bunch of girls, who took pity of him. They each gave their bento lunches, believing that Morita was so poor to have them. But then suddenly Mayama remembered the time when he asked some girls for a drink, and all of them said that they were going if the guy who wears his high school jersey would go too – and the guy they were talking about was Morita. This irritated Mayama too, like Hasegawa.

Still preoccupied by it, they took it out with Shuuji. Shuuji explained that probably girls like Morita because he was not influenced with other people and just go on with his life doing what he wanted. He also said that in a manually-driven society, it was so hard to find guys like that and that the guys that the girls hated most could be the guys that are influenced by the surveys. These ideas stuck in Mayama and Takemoto’s thoughts as they went out. They both saw Morita by the water fountain pouring water on his head. But later they realized that Morita was taking a bath! The girls nearby were shocked by this action, but later one of them tossed floral scent soap.

The sky gave threats of rain. Morita caught sight of Takemoto and Mayama, and Morita asked Mayama to lend him his pants. Takemoto and Mayama ran away thinking why the girls would like a guy like him.

When they were far enough, they discussed more about Morita. Takemoto asked if Morita has a girlfriend because he was so popular. Mayama was confused what to answer so they just went in to a shop to buy some drinks when they noticed Morita there, wearing, what looked like robes. But those ‘robes’ were just the curtains in Shuuji’s classroom he had stolen.

Chapter 4

And it was thought that their juicy and their fortunate days would never end…

Morita was crying over his noodles. Weeks had passed since they haven’t eaten meat, and Morita was throwing a tantrum by rolling on the floor because of only eating noodles, and no meat.

While passing by the corridor, Takemoto asked Mayama who stayed at the room 103, and why it remained closed ever since he got there. Mayama said it was Romaiya-sempai’s room, who was taking a break in his school to help her family managing the farm as his father was ill. Takemoto couldn’t help but notice the pain expression in Mayama’s face. Just then, as though some miracle, Romaiya came back! All the other board mates, except Takemoto, welcomed him as though he was the savior. Then, Takemoto realized why because Romaiya brought with him sausages, ham, and other meat products. Romaiya said that since he was starting with his ham delivery, he would be able to bring ham again. Takemoto was introduced to him, as he was the newest boarder. Romaiya even said to all of them that they could come to their house and promised them that they would have something to eat, if they have no place to go.

For two weeks, Morita, Hasegawa, Takemoto and Mayama were extremely happy about their situation. They were even uplifted in their creative spirits. But then again, Romaiya came back to his house because his father fell ill again, leaving the guys ‘juicy memories and empty stomachs’. Farewell juicy days.

Chapter 5

But during the whole summer, in the back of my eyes,

the small fireworks that I saw on that riverside,

continued to flicker lightly.

-Yuuta Takemoto

Shuuji, Hagu, Morita, Mayama and Takemoto decided to have a vacation in a nearby beach. Mayama was teasing Hagu by asking her to hold a small size watermelon. Then all of them were satisfied to see that the watermelon looked like a normal sized watermelon for her. Then suddenly, the watermelon slipped between her hands, and Morita shouted, “The Korobokkuru let the dessert float away!” causing her to slip too, so that she was soaked and wet. Takemoto took of his shirt and let Hagu wear it, and it became a one-piece dress for her.

After eating, they lighted up the fireworks. Mayama was shocked because Morita was starting with a 5,000 yen fireworks set (very expensive!). While Morita was dancing with the light of his fireworks, Mayama and Shuuji were talking about Takemoto and Hagu, who were having their conversation. Shuuji said that it was okay since it was a party and they would go to Nagano for summer vacation anyway, but he jokingly said that he would kill Takemoto if he would get fifteen centimeters closer to her.

The next day, Shuuji and Hagu went to Nagano for summer vacation. It was longest summer ever for Takemoto.

Chapter 6

“Her eye lashes are long

that they cast shadows on her face.”

- Yuuta Takemoto, while looking at Hagu

Morita, Mayama and Takemoto talked about how they haven’t seen Hagu and Shuuji for a month. Morita was thinking about what they would bring for souvenirs. Then suddenly, Takemoto’s phone rang. It was Hagu. She called to tell them that her uncle Shuuji wanted to know what they would want for souvenirs: whether its buckwheat noodles or vegetables. Takemoto asked the two, and Morita said “Meat!”. Shuuji, on the other hand, decided it should be buckwheat noodles then.

Takemoto told the other two that they were coming home tomorrow and that they would have to come tonight in Shuuji’s place to get the noodles. Mayama was worried because he wasn’t able to finish the work Shuuji assigned to him. Morita readily offered his help, saying he only have to pay 2,000 yen per hour. Mayama grudgingly refused, while Morita said, “Let me help you Mayama! Aren’t we friends?”

While Takemoto was reflecting about Hagu’s return and how her call made him nervous, Mayama asked about his ring tone of his phone. Takemoto answered that it was “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, and it rings if someone calls that is not registered on his phone book. He also said that he has a different ring tone for Mayama and Morita. He then asked Mayama if he also does that, and Mayama answered that it was fun at first but then he used the same ring tone for any call. When Morita was asked he answered that he doesn’t have a cellphone. Then suddenly, Mayama phone rang, and the tone was familiar to Takemoto. It was “Moon River”.

Then suddenly Mayama went off, while Morita said, “It’s a woman”. This surprised Takemoto that Mayama might have a girlfriend.

The next morning, Takemoto noticed that somebody was inside Mayama’s room. He went there and was surprised to see Morita curling up due to the freezing coldness of the room. It seemed as if Morita was trying to save his electricity bill by using other people’s room, in this case, Mayama’s room. He brought with him his game console, and left the air conditioner and fan on all night. Takemoto was worried about him and asked him if he could still come to Shuuji’s noodle party tonight. Morita answered that he wanted to see Korobokkuru’s face – so that he could take more pictures and update his website.

While walking to school, Takemoto thought if the time will come if a guy like Morita would fall in love with Hagu and whether he will be able to win. Realizing that it was embarrassing to think about it when he’s not even dating Hagu, he shoved off those thoughts.

Meanwhile, a guy came to Morita’s room saying that a weird request came in and asking if he was available. Morita was still curling up with his blanket saying that he’ll have Korobokkuru and noodles for tonight. But the guy offered that if he finished it tonight the pay would be 60,000 yen. Morita got up in his bed and said that he’d do it.

While in the car with the guy, Morita caught sight of Shuuji and Hagu walking in the street. He then closed his eyes. <Probably he was depressed because he can’t see korobokkuru for that night>

In the end, it was only Takemoto who joined the party that night. Shuuji was a bit surprised, and they shared the food altogether. Hagu showed Takemoto her room, and her tiny bed, and her collection of tiny dolls of which she made them clothes. But then Takemoto realized that she doesn’t have a closet for her doll’s clothes and offer to make one for her. Hagu was extremely happy about it, and asked Takemoto to build a rococo style, of which Takemoto was shocked because it was difficult to do so. Shuuji, on the other hand, lent books about rococo style structures to the stressed Takemoto to study on.

Chapter 7

No matter how mad you get at me,

I probably won’t change.

It would be much easier for you to find some other guy to like.

- Mayama Takumi to Ayumi Yamada

Takemoto was walking to school, still plagued with thoughts of rococo style, when he saw Mayama coming out the car. He was with a woman. The girls around him noticed it too, saying that Mayama must have spent the night with her. Suddenly, somebody shouted Mayama’s name, and attacked him. It was Ayumi Yamada, 21 years old, who is nicknamed as the Iron Lady for running 6km to school every morning with her dog during her first year so that the dog would lose weight. She was known in the school with her womanly strength, and she is extremely famous among guys. She is also good in pottery.

She was furious about Mayama’s hooking up with different girls. This is because other girls from different colleges constantly inquired about Mayama from Yamada, and this irritated Yamada. While Yamada and Mayama were fighting, Morita was taking pictures of them, with his optical zoom and 4.32 million pixel-camera, and this irritated Yamada because Morita bought an expensive camera without paying his debts to her. While Morita and Yamada were fighting, Mayama sneaked away. In the end, Yamada’s high-heeled kick made Morita unconscious and brought him to the school clinic.

While walking at the corridor, Takemoto the woman with whom Mayama was thought to have spent the night with. She was walking with a walking stick. Takemoto was curious why that woman went to Shuuji Hanamoto’s room, and why his Shuuji-sensei knew her.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Shuuji prepared a coffee for Rika. She was good friends with Shuuji, along with her husband who died in the accident. This accident left Rika badly scarred on her back and damaged her leg, that’s why she couldn’t walk at long periods without the help of a walking stick.

Shuuji asked her how she was doing, and Rika answered that she was busy but Mayama helped her out a lot. It was Shuuji who introduced Mayama to Rika to work part-time at Harada Design which Rika and her former husband managed. Rika visited Shuuji to borrow a chair she could use at her office for the meantime.

Takemoto, on the other hand, noticed Hagu looking at some home made pudding displays which she intended to give to her uncle Shuuji. Takemoto said that the professor was having a visitor so he wouldn’t probably eat it. Then he noticed that Hagu was hungry and bought her a treat even though he was broke. Takemoto reflected why Hagu was not frequently seen with a group of friends. The café was filled with lots of people talking, and suddenly Hagu felt a pain in the stomach, of which Takemoto accompanied her back to Shuuji’s.

Back at Shuuji’s place, Takemoto asked about Rika, and whether she was Mayama’s girlfriend. Noticing that Shuuji stopped short at this question, Takemoto added that Morita told him that Mayama has a girlfriend, and that there was a phone call to which Mayama responded readily, and the thought that Mayama didn’t came home that night, and him witnessing Mayama coming out the car with Rika, before finally rephrasing his question whether Mayama and Rika were going out. Shuuji was silent for a moment and told Takemoto that their relationship wasn’t the kind that he’s thinking of, and changed the subject by presenting Takemoto more books about rococo style.

Meanwhile, Yamada finally found Mayama lying down somewhere where there was no person in sight, and asked him why does Mayama ran when things weren’t going well. Mayama grudgingly answered that it was because Yamada ran after him, and Yamada fired back that it was because he was always running away. Yamada told him to get himself a job and not just to keep working at Rika’s place. She also asked him why he hasn’t told Rika that he liked her, and whether he would just go on with his life without a definite answer. Mayama answered her back, by asking “Why me?” and that Yamada should find another guy to like because he wouldn’t change. He said it would be better for her to forget about him.

Suddenly, Mayama received a phone call. He left the crying Yamada and dashed off to help Rika carry the chair. Mayama offered to accompany her, but Rika said he need not to.

Alone at the classroom, Yamada was crying while making pottery. Morita came offering her a can of water, and said she had to drink it because she might be drained because of her tears. To lighten up the atmosphere, Morita praised Yamada’s work and told her to send the pots off to a ‘broken-hearted’ restaurant. He also called Yamada as its ‘boss’. Yamada kept on telling that Mayama was an idiot, who put up a nice image but ran away when he couldn’t help it. Morita, confused, asked Yamada that if Mayama was an idiot, then why did she like him, and Yamada answered him back that she didn’t know why. She said that even though she hated Mayama, she still wanted to hear his voice or touch his hand. Then suddenly Morita finally understood it all, and said to Yamada that it was love, and that Yamada was in love with Mayama.

Chapter 8

Is the moon seen through Hagu’s eyes,

different from the moon seen through my eyes?

• Yuuta Takemoto

Mayama reminisced about the time that he listened to Rika singing a song. It was a theme song of a famous movie. At that time, he had just woken up because he stayed late finishing his work with Rika. He didn’t know that Rika does that, and so he held his breath and didn’t move so that Rika wouldn’t notice that he was listening nearby. Suddenly, he remembered the words he said to Yamada, and was disturbed. He noticed Yamada was walking to his direction, and he hide in the bush so that she wouldn’t notice him. He didn’t know that Yamada did notice him hiding there.

Mayama’s phone rang. Morita appeared to annoy Mayama’s ring tone, by singing the lyrics of Moon River. But he fled away when Mayama angrily shouted at him.

Rika called Mayama because she just arrived in school to return the chair to Shuuji, the one he borrowed. Rika asked Mayama to deliver a letter to Tsukamoto-sensei because she was going over to Shuuji’s room. She also thanked Mayama by increasing his pay by 30% because their job was almost finished, and said that she wouldn’t need him for quite a while.

While at Shuuji’s room, Rika was thinking about the past when they were still students. Then Shuuji asked Rika if she had plans for that day because Mayama was waiting outside.

Shuuji stopped by his car in Mayama’s direction. Rika was in her car. Mayama asked where are they going and Rika said that Shuuji will accompany him to buy some wallpaper samples. She also said that a certain Asai-san has tickets for a soccer game and advised Mayama to go with him because it looked like he favored Mayama. Then they rode off while Shuuji was saying whether it was okay if Mayama get snatched away by the other firm. Rika said that if it would happen, then it would.

Meanwhile, Yamada had just finished eating in a cafeteria when Morita came up, greeting her as ‘heart-broken boss’. This fired up Yamada and punched Morita, knocking him half-conscious.

Hagu was about to buy something when she heard a group of students talking about her which made her stressed. She ran to her room and finished her artwork when the metal wire snapped across her cheek. Right on cue Morita arrived to annoy her Korobokkuru again, making her mouse number one. Then suddenly she noticed that Hagu was spaced out, and didn’t move. Then, Takemoto arrived and Morita told him that his mouse number one wouldn’t move. This angered Takemoto because he was suspecting Morita did something to her. Takemoto took Hagu away. Morita on the other hand, decided to follow, but was held off by his professor because of his unfinished work.

At the clinic, the nurse was explaining to Takemoto that Hagu was stressed. She said that everyone around Hagu anticipated another great work from her, when they should make it easy for her. Morita came in, still feeling terrible. Then Shuuji came in late and took her niece away, expressing thanks to both Morita and Takemoto.

Chapter 9

Might she be

trying to cheer me up?

- Yuuta Takemoto, on Hagu

Takemoto was feeling the December blues. Morita, trying to dress in a Santa Claus outfit came in giving him a Christmas invitation at a party. Morita also gave Mayama an invitational card, to which he said that he was already 22 years old to attend and that he should do other things. But Morita ran away before hearing it all, and this irritated Mayama.

Shuuji also confirmed to Takemoto and Mayama that he received a card too, and was surprised because he didn’t know the party would be held in his room. The card said that they should bring snacks and a present of under 1000 yen to exchange. But because Hagu was happy about it, he just consented to Morita’s idea.

Morita also gave Yamada an invitation, and Yamada said that she might not go because Mayama might be going and he might not want her to be there. Morita became serious, but then he hugged Yamada and said “Let me smell the scent of love!” Yamada gave him a wrestling maneuver, which knocked him down and she earned cheers from her male admirers.

And so Christmas Eve came.

Hagu and Takemoto were going out to buy their presents. Hagu was happy and jolly, but Takemoto was still having what he called the Christmas blues. It is because he used to spend Christmas at the pediatrics ward of the hospital. He was living with his mother who was working as a nurse there. That’s why every time he thought about Christmas, he automatically associated it with the smell of the hospital. Hagu noticed that he was spaced all through out, and tried to cheer him.

Mayama went to Rika’s place, and noticed that Shuuji’s car was parking in front her apartment. Mayama asked if they were going out somewhere with Shuuji, and Rika said yes. Mayama didn’t answer, instead he gave the coffee to Rika and said to drink it in the car. Then he left.

When Rika went inside the car, Shuuji asked what was she holding and Rika said it was a thermos of coffee that Mayama brought. Shuuji was worried, thinking that Mayama might kill him someday.

At the Christmas party, Yamada didn’t know what to do with the 8 kg. pile of croquettes Morita brought, but then later decided to make a salad out of it with the cabbages that Morita also brought. Mayama came, bringing with him a party bucket (what looked like fireworks) and was teased by Morita that Rika rejected him. Mayama was surprised to see Yamada, who was already gulping bottles of alcohol, and was drunk already. Mayama tried to get the alcohol out of her hands, and Yamada fell down, revealing her sexy, long legs. Hagu cried because of her envy of Yamada’s legs, and tried to comfort her by saying that she might have those if she’ll be older, but this only aggravated the situation. To cap it all, Morita was also crying because of Hagu’s contagious tears. Mayama went out the room.

Then, Shuuji arrived and Mayama asked her where Rika went. Shuuji answered that she went to her husband’s grave, and Shuuji asked him if he knew about it. Mayama said that he knew about little by little. Hagu went outside and saw her uncle, and they all went inside.

When it was past midnight, Shuuji’s room was a chaos. Yamada was drunk, and everyone was sleeping on the floor. Shuuji and Mayama decided to bring the girls home and came back there to clean up. Morita, who was still awake, invited Mayama to drink. They both noticed the smile on Takemoto’s face when he was sleeping which annoyed them.

They didn’t know that Takemoto was having a good dream: he and Hagu had just finished decorating the Christmas tree and was shouting, “Merry Christmas!”

-END- vol.1

***

Whew! That was one heck of a summary! Yep, to be more specific, it is a by-chapter summary of the season 1 volume.

The manga series was created by Umino Chica, and was published by Queens Comics. Really great thanks to Shoujo Magic who scanlated it for fans like me! (I saw it in the manga copy that I have). I’m really grateful to you guys, especially –

to the editors siana, cutedevil, and lelei;

to the translators jekyl03, taisa, pochi, yuwa, nexx, thestripedone, and kechi;

and to sayuri, sophendolbot, argentum_telesto for your quality checking abilities.

I really want to thank you personally for coming up with this wonderful love-filled manga. Please visit their site http://shoujomagic.net or their irc channel #shoujomagic@irc.irchighway.net.

Made by the fans for the fans like me!

]]> http://kyrillevin.wordpress.com/?p=32 Thu, 15 May 2008 03:28:16 +0000 kyrillevin http://kyrillevin.wordpress.com/?p=32

I finished downloading the manga Honey and Clover, but I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for the continuing chapters in season 2. Probably, the Shoujo Magic hasn’t finished scanlating it, well, no wonder, it is hard to translate such difficult series.

However, if you have the full copy of the season 2 (and so on) scanlated manga, please let me know!  I only got three chapter- scanlated copies of the volume two, that is from chapters 10-12, but since it is still ongoing (whatever happened, please do continue Shoujo Magic!) I’m still waiting here!

I love the Honey and Clover manga. And I’ve also seen its season 1 and 2 anime version that premiered on Animax. However, I haven’t seen yet the live action series (or is it movie?).

I made a summary out of the season one Honey and Clover manga because I love it so much. If you planned to read the manga and wishes not to get spoiled here, DON’T READ BEYOND THIS because it might definitely spoil you! But if you welcome such things, then continue at your risk. *laughs.

Chapter 1

“Well, well, the cherry blossoms will start blooming soon.

It’s getting warm, this is so relaxing.”

- Shuuji Hanamoto

Here we found out the life that college students would experience in Tokyo. The prices skyrocketed high. Mayama Takumi (22, a fourth year architecture student), Yuuta Takemoto (19, second year architectural design student), Morita Shinobu (24, sixth year art student) and with the other guys shared their lives in a cheap apartment of 9 square meters and no showers. Morita, after his disappearance for twelve days, came home with lots of korokkes, (fried mashed potatoes covered with bread crumbs) for his board mates. Mayama-sempai said that Morita always go out somewhere for days, and they didn’t know where. Morita came back exhausted with a mysterious amount of money in his pocket. But everyone had no idea where Morita was working or what. While other mates were saying that Morita was only snickering at their poverty by buying only korokkes and not meat, Mayama asks why Morita wasn’t sleeping in his room. Takemoto answered that he was told off by his sempai Morita to wake him up at eight tomorrow. Morita, according to Mayama, missed one requirement in a class when he was a first year, and went on forgetting it for the last three years so that he wasn’t able to graduate. Then, Morita stayed another year because he lacked one hour worth of class attendance but failed to comply it, that’s why he had to repeat another year. Morita, says Mayama, also repeat his second year because he overslept a lot of times. It was already 9:30 in the morning, and both Mayama and Takemoto were trying to wake up Morita. Just as Takemoto gave up on him by saying “If you end up repeating another year, don’t hold a grudge against me!”, Morita suddenly opened his eyes and readily went to school with Mayama’s kickboard (a wooden cheap version of scooters he made for Mayama). Because he was rushing so much, he bumped into some department cart and said, in excuse that it was not him who destroyed the cart, but Mayama, who had just passed by.

With their art professor Shuuji Hanamoto, Mayama and Takemoto talked about Morita’s unusual behavior when suddenly Mayama noticed a little girl he mistaken as Shuuji’s daughter. But it was found out that it was Shuuji’s cousin’s daughter Hagumi Hanamoto (nicknamed Hagu) who had just entered the university as a first year art student. Surprisingly, she was already 18 years old, although when one looks at her, she looks like a middle school student. While Shuuji was preventing Mayama to introduce himself, on one corner, Takemoto asked Hagu to eat the korokkes with him (which he brought to eat for his lunch).

While Hagu was drinking her tea, Mayama was about to say something to Takemoto but he stopped short at Takemoto’s expression. He realized that his friend was in love at first sight with Hagu.

Suddenly, Morita arrived to thank Takemoto for waking him up this morning, and because of that he can now graduate. In an instant, Morita caught sight of Hagu, and ran away from the room to a yam field behind the university. Then he came back and gave Hagu a fuki leaf (butterbur leaf) and said “Korobokkuru!” Korobokkuru is a character in Ainu myths, and also means a person under a fuki leaf. Hagu was scared while Morita was taking photographs of her. Takemoto was saying that Hagu might cry if Morita won’t stop soon. Shuuji was smiling by saying Hagu looked cute in whatever she was doing. Mayama on the other hand, realized that Morita was in love and reflected that this is another way of falling in love, but apparently nobody realized because of its “unusual method of emotional communication”.

Chapter 2

“How I’d like to see the world through Hagu’s eyes.”

• Shuuji Hanamoto to Yuuta Takemoto

Mayama and Takemoto were staring at the clay footprint of Hagu, which was compared to a stick of cigarette in length. Hagu, who was taken a copy of a footprint yesterday, was terrified of Morita and was now venting her stress on some artwork. Mayama and Takemoto went to see how she was doing and they were shocked at the huge statue Hagu was working upon. The statue would be displayed at the lobby of an art museum at Minatomirai in Yokohama. This made Takemoto reflect about himself and his future. According to him, everyone was doing well: Hagu is so talented that she could enter any job, Morita had a serious job somewhere, and Mayama, who was about to graduate, was invited to work full-time at the design studio he was now working part-time. Mayama consoled him by saying that Takemoto was just a second year, and should do anything that would interest him.

The next day, Mayama and Takemoto noticed that Hagu was cutting out pictures of sandals, bags, and dresses. It was found out that she was making a notebook about them because she could not buy it. Then a person came and noticed Hagu, and said ‘Korobokkuru’ which made Hagu startled. That person said that he saw a person just like Hagu in the internet, and surely they checked it online and found a website which Morita made about the ‘Korobokkuru’. They found out that Morita was earning money from it because 50% of it was commercials, but according to that person, lots of maniacs like him were looking forward to the updates of the website. Suddenly, Morita arrived and gave Hagu a paperweight out of her footprint. Due to her anger Hagu threw all sorts of things to Morita, and one of it was her notebook about the things she wanted. Morita kept it in his pocket. Takemoto invited him to come at the Teppanyaki party with Mayama at Shuuji’s apartment in a week’s time. Morita answered that that he had a work for that night which would take a week. Mayama, on the other hand, asked the person to keep the whole situation as secret as Hagu was Shuuji’s niece.

So for over a week Morita was gone again. After a week, as he was about to go home, he passed by a certain shop and bought a pair of Miu Miu sandals for 32,000 yen. Then he headed off to Shuuji’s place and met Takemoto, whom he gave the one kg. of beef. Takemoto was extremely happy about it.

Morita caught sight of Hagu hiding behind the curtain, and approached her, handing her the pink patent leather Miu Miu sandals. Because the Miu Miu brand is a famous designer brand in Japan, Hagu was so happy. Morita, meanwhile, collapsed because he was exhausted from work. Takemoto took him on his back to take him to the futon.

While carrying Morita, Takemoto felt a pain in his stomach because he was hungry. But Takemoto has to realize that it wasn’t really the pain in his stomach that ached him, but the pain in his chest. He never realized that the guy he was carrying on his back was his love rival.

Chapter 3

“Girls like Morita because he isn’t influenced by what other people say. But he doesn’t have a girlfriend because he doesn’t listen to what other people say at all.”

Morita was sleeping at Takemoto’s room, while Hasegawa (a board mate) was reading about a survey of three hundred girls about the kind of guys that they hate: a self-centered guy, a guy who acts suspiciously, a guy with a long hair that doesn’t take care of himself, the guy who still wears his gym clothes – all of these descriptions perfectly suited Morita, but then again, Morita still got free bento lunches from girls. This irritated Hasegawa. Mayama, on the other hand, explained what really happened. At that time, Morita was eating plain bread for lunch, and this was noticed by a bunch of girls, who took pity of him. They each gave their bento lunches, believing that Morita was so poor to have them. But then suddenly Mayama remembered the time when he asked some girls for a drink, and all of them said that they were going if the guy who wears his high school jersey would go too – and the guy they were talking about was Morita. This irritated Mayama too, like Hasegawa.

Still preoccupied by it, they took it out with Shuuji. Shuuji explained that probably girls like Morita because he was not influenced with other people and just go on with his life doing what he wanted. He also said that in a manually-driven society, it was so hard to find guys like that and that the guys that the girls hated most could be the guys that are influenced by the surveys. These ideas stuck in Mayama and Takemoto’s thoughts as they went out. They both saw Morita by the water fountain pouring water on his head. But later they realized that Morita was taking a bath! The girls nearby were shocked by this action, but later one of them tossed floral scent soap.

The sky gave threats of rain. Morita caught sight of Takemoto and Mayama, and Morita asked Mayama to lend him his pants. Takemoto and Mayama ran away thinking why the girls would like a guy like him.

When they were far enough, they discussed more about Morita. Takemoto asked if Morita has a girlfriend because he was so popular. Mayama was confused what to answer so they just went in to a shop to buy some drinks when they noticed Morita there, wearing, what looked like robes. But those ‘robes’ were just the curtains in Shuuji’s classroom he had stolen.

Chapter 4

And it was thought that their juicy and their fortunate days would never end…

Morita was crying over his noodles. Weeks had passed since they haven’t eaten meat, and Morita was throwing a tantrum by rolling on the floor because of only eating noodles, and no meat.

While passing by the corridor, Takemoto asked Mayama who stayed at the room 103, and why it remained closed ever since he got there. Mayama said it was Romaiya-sempai’s room, who was taking a break in his school to help her family managing the farm as his father was ill. Takemoto couldn’t help but notice the pain expression in Mayama’s face. Just then, as though some miracle, Romaiya came back! All the other board mates, except Takemoto, welcomed him as though he was the savior. Then, Takemoto realized why because Romaiya brought with him sausages, ham, and other meat products. Romaiya said that since he was starting with his ham delivery, he would be able to bring ham again. Takemoto was introduced to him, as he was the newest boarder. Romaiya even said to all of them that they could come to their house and promised them that they would have something to eat, if they have no place to go.

For two weeks, Morita, Hasegawa, Takemoto and Mayama were extremely happy about their situation. They were even uplifted in their creative spirits. But then again, Romaiya came back to his house because his father fell ill again, leaving the guys ‘juicy memories and empty stomachs’. Farewell juicy days.

Chapter 5

But during the whole summer, in the back of my eyes,

the small fireworks that I saw on that riverside,

continued to flicker lightly.

-Yuuta Takemoto

Shuuji, Hagu, Morita, Mayama and Takemoto decided to have a vacation in a nearby beach. Mayama was teasing Hagu by asking her to hold a small size watermelon. Then all of them were satisfied to see that the watermelon looked like a normal sized watermelon for her. Then suddenly, the watermelon slipped between her hands, and Morita shouted, “The Korobokkuru let the dessert float away!” causing her to slip too, so that she was soaked and wet. Takemoto took of his shirt and let Hagu wear it, and it became a one-piece dress for her.

After eating, they lighted up the fireworks. Mayama was shocked because Morita was starting with a 5,000 yen fireworks set (very expensive!). While Morita was dancing with the light of his fireworks, Mayama and Shuuji were talking about Takemoto and Hagu, who were having their conversation. Shuuji said that it was okay since it was a party and they would go to Nagano for summer vacation anyway, but he jokingly said that he would kill Takemoto if he would get fifteen centimeters closer to her.

The next day, Shuuji and Hagu went to Nagano for summer vacation. It was longest summer ever for Takemoto.

Chapter 6

“Her eye lashes are long

that they cast shadows on her face.”

- Yuuta Takemoto, while looking at Hagu

Morita, Mayama and Takemoto talked about how they haven’t seen Hagu and Shuuji for a month. Morita was thinking about what they would bring for souvenirs. Then suddenly, Takemoto’s phone rang. It was Hagu. She called to tell them that her uncle Shuuji wanted to know what they would want for souvenirs: whether its buckwheat noodles or vegetables. Takemoto asked the two, and Morita said “Meat!”. Shuuji, on the other hand, decided it should be buckwheat noodles then.

Takemoto told the other two that they were coming home tomorrow and that they would have to come tonight in Shuuji’s place to get the noodles. Mayama was worried because he wasn’t able to finish the work Shuuji assigned to him. Morita readily offered his help, saying he only have to pay 2,000 yen per hour. Mayama grudgingly refused, while Morita said, “Let me help you Mayama! Aren’t we friends?”

While Takemoto was reflecting about Hagu’s return and how her call made him nervous, Mayama asked about his ring tone of his phone. Takemoto answered that it was “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, and it rings if someone calls that is not registered on his phone book. He also said that he has a different ring tone for Mayama and Morita. He then asked Mayama if he also does that, and Mayama answered that it was fun at first but then he used the same ring tone for any call. When Morita was asked he answered that he doesn’t have a cellphone. Then suddenly, Mayama phone rang, and the tone was familiar to Takemoto. It was “Moon River”.

Then suddenly Mayama went off, while Morita said, “It’s a woman”. This surprised Takemoto that Mayama might have a girlfriend.

The next morning, Takemoto noticed that somebody was inside Mayama’s room. He went there and was surprised to see Morita curling up due to the freezing coldness of the room. It seemed as if Morita was trying to save his electricity bill by using other people’s room, in this case, Mayama’s room. He brought with him his game console, and left the air conditioner and fan on all night. Takemoto was worried about him and asked him if he could still come to Shuuji’s noodle party tonight. Morita answered that he wanted to see Korobokkuru’s face – so that he could take more pictures and update his website.

While walking to school, Takemoto thought if the time will come if a guy like Morita would fall in love with Hagu and whether he will be able to win. Realizing that it was embarrassing to think about it when he’s not even dating Hagu, he shoved off those thoughts.

Meanwhile, a guy came to Morita’s room saying that a weird request came in and asking if he was available. Morita was still curling up with his blanket saying that he’ll have Korobokkuru and noodles for tonight. But the guy offered that if he finished it tonight the pay would be 60,000 yen. Morita got up in his bed and said that he’d do it.

While in the car with the guy, Morita caught sight of Shuuji and Hagu walking in the street. He then closed his eyes. <Probably he was depressed because he can’t see korobokkuru for that night>

In the end, it was only Takemoto who joined the party that night. Shuuji was a bit surprised, and they shared the food altogether. Hagu showed Takemoto her room, and her tiny bed, and her collection of tiny dolls of which she made them clothes. But then Takemoto realized that she doesn’t have a closet for her doll’s clothes and offer to make one for her. Hagu was extremely happy about it, and asked Takemoto to build a rococo style, of which Takemoto was shocked because it was difficult to do so. Shuuji, on the other hand, lent books about rococo style structures to the stressed Takemoto to study on.

Chapter 7

No matter how mad you get at me,

I probably won’t change.

It would be much easier for you to find some other guy to like.

- Mayama Takumi to Ayumi Yamada

Takemoto was walking to school, still plagued with thoughts of rococo style, when he saw Mayama coming out the car. He was with a woman. The girls around him noticed it too, saying that Mayama must have spent the night with her. Suddenly, somebody shouted Mayama’s name, and attacked him. It was Ayumi Yamada, 21 years old, who is nicknamed as the Iron Lady for running 6km to school every morning with her dog during her first year so that the dog would lose weight. She was known in the school with her womanly strength, and she is extremely famous among guys. She is also good in pottery.

She was furious about Mayama’s hooking up with different girls. This is because other girls from different colleges constantly inquired about Mayama from Yamada, and this irritated Yamada. While Yamada and Mayama were fighting, Morita was taking pictures of them, with his optical zoom and 4.32 million pixel-camera, and this irritated Yamada because Morita bought an expensive camera without paying his debts to her. While Morita and Yamada were fighting, Mayama sneaked away. In the end, Yamada’s high-heeled kick made Morita unconscious and brought him to the school clinic.

While walking at the corridor, Takemoto the woman with whom Mayama was thought to have spent the night with. She was walking with a walking stick. Takemoto was curious why that woman went to Shuuji Hanamoto’s room, and why his Shuuji-sensei knew her.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Shuuji prepared a coffee for Rika. She was good friends with Shuuji, along with her husband who died in the accident. This accident left Rika badly scarred on her back and damaged her leg, that’s why she couldn’t walk at long periods without the help of a walking stick.

Shuuji asked her how she was doing, and Rika answered that she was busy but Mayama helped her out a lot. It was Shuuji who introduced Mayama to Rika to work part-time at Harada Design which Rika and her former husband managed. Rika visited Shuuji to borrow a chair she could use at her office for the meantime.

Takemoto, on the other hand, noticed Hagu looking at some home made pudding displays which she intended to give to her uncle Shuuji. Takemoto said that the professor was having a visitor so he wouldn’t probably eat it. Then he noticed that Hagu was hungry and bought her a treat even though he was broke. Takemoto reflected why Hagu was not frequently seen with a group of friends. The café was filled with lots of people talking, and suddenly Hagu felt a pain in the stomach, of which Takemoto accompanied her back to Shuuji’s.

Back at Shuuji’s place, Takemoto asked about Rika, and whether she was Mayama’s girlfriend. Noticing that Shuuji stopped short at this question, Takemoto added that Morita told him that Mayama has a girlfriend, and that there was a phone call to which Mayama responded readily, and the thought that Mayama didn’t came home that night, and him witnessing Mayama coming out the car with Rika, before finally rephrasing his question whether Mayama and Rika were going out. Shuuji was silent for a moment and told Takemoto that their relationship wasn’t the kind that he’s thinking of, and changed the subject by presenting Takemoto more books about rococo style.

Meanwhile, Yamada finally found Mayama lying down somewhere where there was no person in sight, and asked him why does Mayama ran when things weren’t going well. Mayama grudgingly answered that it was because Yamada ran after him, and Yamada fired back that it was because he was always running away. Yamada told him to get himself a job and not just to keep working at Rika’s place. She also asked him why he hasn’t told Rika that he liked her, and whether he would just go on with his life without a definite answer. Mayama answered her back, by asking “Why me?” and that Yamada should find another guy to like because he wouldn’t change. He said it would be better for her to forget about him.

Suddenly, Mayama received a phone call. He left the crying Yamada and dashed off to help Rika carry the chair. Mayama offered to accompany her, but Rika said he need not to.

Alone at the classroom, Yamada was crying while making pottery. Morita came offering her a can of water, and said she had to drink it because she might be drained because of her tears. To lighten up the atmosphere, Morita praised Yamada’s work and told her to send the pots off to a ‘broken-hearted’ restaurant. He also called Yamada as its ‘boss’. Yamada kept on telling that Mayama was an idiot, who put up a nice image but ran away when he couldn’t help it. Morita, confused, asked Yamada that if Mayama was an idiot, then why did she like him, and Yamada answered him back that she didn’t know why. She said that even though she hated Mayama, she still wanted to hear his voice or touch his hand. Then suddenly Morita finally understood it all, and said to Yamada that it was love, and that Yamada was in love with Mayama.

Chapter 8

Is the moon seen through Hagu’s eyes,

different from the moon seen through my eyes?