Chapter 25 - Month of Victory or Defeat (or The Decisive Month) from I"s Volume 3 and Shounen Jump 1997 #45 Translated by Ben Williamson and Jim Z Presented by Jim Zubkavich and the Masakazu Katsura Shrine *- indicate lines that I'm not quite sure of Page 157 Ichitaka But it's true... From the beginning, they were requesting a nude photo shoot. Naturally she refused, but they kept on insistently asking her. *Finally they published her snapshots as publicity for Wanda high school and calmed down. Teratani Hey, check it out! My intel (as in military intelligence) was accurate. Ichitaka Yeah, it would of been even more wonderful if you had all the details. Page 158 Ichitaka Regardless, there's more. Iori seemed like she was really going to take nude shots. "Why?", I wondered. That "Nirasawa publishing" guy who came to the appointment was a real idiot. He didn't exactly tell me that she had refused. *I didn't know where they were shooting, so it seemed bad. But somehow I made it to the shoot, and when I saw Iori-chan I suddenly became angry for no reason! Heartbroken and downtrodden, I entered the scene! Page 159 Ichitaka Upon seeing my valiantly charging form, Iori-chan swooned. "If you don't wipe off that sweat, you'll catch cold", she said! And she gave me this hankerchief! Teratani Gave? Don't you think it's that she didn't want it back with your sweat on it? Ichitaka Then she could of told me to wash it and send it back! Teratani No matter what happens, you'll see a deep meaning. But if she really liked you, I bet she'd keep a thing that you used. Page 160 Ichitaka You bastard! Why do you have to drag my feelings down! Didn't you say you'd encourage me! Teratani You're naive! I'm human! Humans have highs and lows, that's the way it is! *squishy booger noise* Ichitaka Gah! Why'd you do that! Pow! Teratani Doh! Ichitaka I'm not confident that she really cares for me. But it's certain that I'm feeling better. Little by little, things are going to get better. Page 161 Ichitaka What I learned this time is that by taking a timid attitude... (not sure about end of sentence) I said what I felt! This is progress! It looks like Mr. Running-backwards (the little demon guy you see later in this chapter) has been sealed! (Sealed, as in sealing a demon. So maybe call him "The imp of the perverse") Teratani In that case, you better confess your feelings soon. Ichitaka No, please give me a bit longer. There's something I'm waiting for in October, so I've decided upon that time. Teratani You ... Teratani Wiped my booger off with Iori's hankerchief. Ichitaka Ah! Shit! Ichitaka This time, I'm not just being complacent. Ichitaka Since that day, I've felt natural around Iori. It's a good feeling. Page 162 Ichitaka Now days, when Iori doesn't have club practice, she goes home with me. If I think about it, our progress is a wonderful thing. (It doesn't seem impossible any more) A half year ago, I never would of been able to even contemplate it. *I don't close my eyes whenever I enter some store anymore (I guess he can go shopping with her?) Iori-chan still only talks about theater, but... I was incredibly happy. But every happy day passed quickly. The feelings followed, and soon it was... Page 163 Ichitaka October Page 164 Ichitaka The decisive month. October. The month I decided to make my confession. Since the affair with the nude photos, the distance between us has unexpectedly shrunk. When it becomes October, I've decided my heart. (Decided what he's going to do) Because if I've noticed, the month has already changed. Yoshizuki... I still haven't made all my preparations but There's still two days! (There's still time until the day after tomorrow) I'd like to talk with you. Is today okay? Page 165 Iori Sorry, today I have a club meeting. Ichitaka Doh! Unexpected plans... What should I do? I wanted to tell her today, but... By phone, maybe? No, by phone is bad. Iori Will you wait for me? Page 166 Iori Meet me on the landing by the vending machines in front of the main gate. Ichitaka Okay Iori sure is sweet... Ichitaka Saying "There's something I want to say" would seem strange, so I'm glad I said "I'd like to talk with you" instead. But having a meeting and going back together really seems like we're lovers. Ah, happiness... Page 167 Iori Seto! Ichitaka Huh? Is it already over? Iori I felt bad about making you wait, so I've got some time. Ichitaka Really? The treatment of that feeling was a little lonely. (I have no idea what he's trying to say, but that's a literal translation -ed.) Iori But, what did you want to talk about? Ichitaka Um... here is probably... Iori Oh, okay. Let's go to the park that's near here. Ichitaka Okay. Page 168 Ichitaka Now that she mentions it, this is the park. Where I saw the near-naked pictures in the magazine with Iori that I bought at the bookstore. Sound effect Doki doki (heartbeat) Ichitaka I don't know if doing that and then being here with the real person is embarassing or terrible. Iori What's bothering you? Ichitaka Huh? Iori You wanted to talk about something. Ichitaka Oh, I wanted to request something Iori Oh, is that it? Page 169 Iori Okay, tell me! If I can do it, I will. (she's a nice girl, ain't she -ed) Ichitaka Um..err..uh...ah...um.... Crap! At this crucial moment I'm getting nervous! But if I think about it, it's more than just requesting a date. If I say this before I confess, will my feelings be revealed? But maybe I ought to confess. No way! No good! Planning is vital! I'm still not doing what I planned! Is there no good way of saying this? Iori Since when... Page 170 Iori have we been able to talk in this way? When we were freshmen, we never talked, and I didn't think you liked me at all. Ichitaka Huh? Iori But then I noticed that you (went?) with, stayed (in a hotel) with me, went to the lake with me. It was fantastic/mysterious. Page 171 Iori Ichitaka seems to be a friend of justice (a good person, basically) Ichitaka Huh? Iori And before... when I was seemed I was going to take nudes... look. Ichitaka Some how I... She won't understand, but this is (stressful?) Iori Some how you...? Ichitaka Uhh Crap! It's the thought-to-be-sealed imp of the perverse! Page 172 Iori Seto... um... what do you think about... (me) Ichitaka Huh! What's she saying? She's asking me my feelings? Isn't this a good atmosphere (omen)? Page 173 Ichitaka Doesn't this mean it's okay to confess my feelings? Iori Um... Demon Say "Oh, I don't have any special feelings towards you" Ichitaka Crap! The demon! Yoshizuki! Iori Yes! Page 174 Ichitaka My birthday is the day after tomorrow... October 3rd. Itsuki and Teratani can't do anything, but do you have free time? Would it be okay to have a meal together? Page 175 Ichitaka Agh! Did I say it wrong? Will she say no? Iori Sure. Niko -> smile Ichitaka She said yes! Even though I ran around in circles, I still get a victory! Iori You're request... that was it? Ichitaka Uh... yes. thank you, thank you! But... I wonder if I've lost the "atmosphere" of just now. It's okay I guess... I didn't give in to Mr. running backwards/imp of the perverse! Woo hoo! On the appointed day, I'll definitely confess my feelings! Itsuki Hm? End of Chapter 25 and Volume 3 of I"s ----------