Kyou, Koi wo Hajimemasu Chapter 83…FINALLY!

Today I present you (probably one reader, if that) new developments in Kyou, Koi wo Hajimemasu, chapter 83 (newest chapter out in Japan).  This is a short chapter as most likely Minami-sensei had to work in the dark (due to the planned power outages in Japan) and so we only get 17 pages…But oh, what glorious 17 pages they are!

SPOILER ALERT, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK:

So now the third year of high school starts, and Tsubaki is in the same class with Miho (3 for 3, yea!), Haru, and Nishiki.  Of course, Sakura is crying because she cannot be in the same class as Nishiki (but duh, she’s one year younger!).  Tsubaki knows she should be happy, especially because Kyouta is also placed in the same class…But as we know from the previous chapters, Kyouta is focusing on his rehab efforts and will be absent for an extended amount of time.  And just like a cruel joke, his empty seat happens to be the one next to Tsubaki…!

One month has passed since the start of the new school year and Tsubaki has been slacking with “finding her path.”  She has no idea where to start and is feeling overwhelmed by it all.  She’s aimlessly flipping through a thick college guide when she sees a hair salon in front of her.  As she sees the stylists at work, she feels a pang of sadness and remembers the time in junior high when her mom was upset that Tsubaki wanted to be a hair stylist.

She quickly turns around to leave and as she’s waiting at the crosslight, a strange man (!!) comes from behind and grabs a lock (well, more like a big chunk) of her hair.  Startled, she looks back and the tall stranger says, “Oh, sorry…It’s just that your hair is so beautiful…I can’t believe I met someone like you…I must be really lucky! …And you’re also really lucky!”  Tsubaki is completely bewildered at this point and then he draws in close to her and says, “I will make you a model.”

As he’s in the process of taking out his business card, our straight-laced-to-the-core Tsubaki thinks he’s a scam artist, so she quickly manages to run away.  The strange man is disappointed that he left an odd impression on her.  He notices that Tsubaki dropped her pen as she was hurriedly running away and he picks it up.  Then we see his face for the first time (hawt, slightly older guy) and he says, “When I finally met the girl who’s completely my type…”

Tsubaki is now safe & sound at home and she is telling her mom about the strange encounter she had today, as Sakura walks in.  Sakura is wondering why Tsubaki isn’t visiting Kyouta at the hospital anymore, and Tsubaki tells her that they’ve decided to take a break so that Tsubaki can figure out her future career path.  Sakura is beside herself and tells Tsubaki that Kyouta will dump her.  Tsubaki puts on a strong facade and said that the decision was mutual and that they trust each other…But in the last scene, Tsubaki’s hands are shaking as she’s eating…

So…That’s it’s for this chapter!  The next chapter should get reeaaallly interesting with this new mysterious man!  I’ve SO SO SO wanted a new male rival for Kyouta for the longest time and it’s finally happening!  And woot @ the fact that he seems a bit older!  My guess is that this new guy is a famous hair stylist or photographer, and Tsubaki will maybe model for a bit for him but ultimately, with this guidance, she’ll blossom as a successful hair stylist who can hold her own.  I absolutely cannot wait for this arc to play out!

And my issue of Margaret hasn’t come in yet but most likely will in the next week or so.  I’m really looking forward to reading and reviewing Aruitou by Nanaji Nagamu.  The new heroine looks absolutely spunky and fresh and strong…Perfect!  From reading various Japanese sites, “Aruitou” in Kobe dialect means “Aruiteiru,” or “(I’m) walking right now.”  Hmm, maybe, “Walking On” or “Just Keep Walking” may be a better, less literal, translation.

Look forward to it!