Ichigo no Houseki - Part 3Ichigo no Houseki (Strawberry Jewel) – Part 3 By MIZUSAWA Megumi December 2001 Version 1.0 12/01 Notes: Hey, it’s already the last chapter of Ichigo no Houseki! That sure was fast o_O 3 chapters. So okay, here it is. Corrects, comments, and criticisms are very much appreciated! ^_^ Hope you liked the story! < > Thoughts or narration italicized text the side comments ;; sweatdrop Japanese words everyone should know: Un: sound effect meaning “okay” Hai: multiple uses ^_^ usually “yes” Itadakimasu: no good translation in English; used before eating Gochisousama: no good translation in English: used after eating Sensei: teacher Minori: Ah… I guess he heard. Minori tries to brush it off, but Suzu describes how she really liked that side of KATAGIRI. Suzu: The way he ate that strawberry cake… I like how he looked when eating it, as if it was delicious… She recalls all the times he was nice to her, and concludes that he’s really a kind person inside. But then remembers him saying “Sorry for killing your image of me,” with a sad face. Suzu: The next day, KATAGIRI-kun falls asleep in class and as the teacher asks him a question, Suzu nervously answers it. The girls giggle about how cool he is. KATAGIRI tells the teacher he’s not feeling well, so exits the classroom. After, more girls fawn over him, but the Minori steps in… Minori: How can you like somebody when you don’t even know them? You have this whole image built up, what if it’s wrong? Girls: Eh, eh… but Minori… you’ve always… what’s the matter? Mako-chan comments that people like KATAGIRI only have one side anyway, when Suzu starts to cry. Suzu: …and that’s about it. Mako: But you didn’t tell him. You didn’t tell him how your real feelings! Mako-chan argues that if Suzu doesn’t confess, then KATAGIRI will always think that she didn’t like his true personality, and then wishes her luck. Suzu: … un… Minori: KATAGIRI-kun? He looked like he was going home. Suzu: Thanks! Minori: Suzu!! I wanted to apologize, for dragging you along all this time. At first, I thought that KATAGIRI-kun would like the pretty, strong-willed type of girls. But that’s not true. Suzu: Eh… Minori leaves, mysteriously saying she knows what kind of girls he would go for. Suzu then takes off, her thinking about what Minori said, and then she sees… Suzu: Suzu: KATAGIRI-ku… and consequently trips over a chain. KATAGIRI: Sonoda…? Suzu: Ah… <…but this> KATAGIRI: Are you okay? KATAGIRI: You’d think the class nurse would be more careful, y’know? Suzu: KATAGIRI-kun, I’m really sorry… Suzu: about what you overheard at the café… KATAGIRI: …it’s fine. It’s doesn’t really matter… Suzu: You’re wrong! I!! I still really like you! I like the way you acted around all your friends. Suzu: The real KATAGIRI-kun… you looked so cheerful… that look… I really, really like that side of you… I guess, I’m sorry for not saying so earlier… KATAGIRI: Sorry, but me too. I didn’t say anything before. KATAGIRI describes how he never bothered to correct anybody when they all assumed he was quiet and cold, but cool. And then he says that he’s really happy that Suzu’s confessed because he was worried she only liked that “cool” side of him. KATAGIRI: I… like you too… Suzu: …rea… really…? But I’m not smart or athletic, and I’m so clumsy… KATAGIRI kun tells her that he really admired how hard and earnestly she tried during home ec, and baking that cake from home, and broadens that to say he likes everything about her, just as he pulls her into a hug. Suzu: Me too… I like everything about you, too… KATAGIRI: …thank you… Suzu: Next scene, KATAGIRI’s brought a CD Suzu had wanted to listen to. The both of them are loud and cheerful, and the girls in the class wonder about his sudden change, as Mako-chan feels proud for her friend. Minori kids Suzu by dissing her happy face, but then wishes the two of them luck. Suzu remembers what she had said about the type of girls KATAGIRI liked. Suzu: Ah, snow. It’s almost Christmas, huh? ~ End Ichigo no Houseki ~