oh lord new obsession...

[A review] Sky colored eyes - by Alaena F. Drangonstar

Link to the full fanfic

Disclaimer:

I am a wordy person, hence it might take a long paragraph to shoot my point.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am very bad at English, I am sorry in advance if anything I wrote underneath is vague or easy to misunderstand. If anything is, I will try my best to explain/fix it later.

Finally, this review is absolutely wholeheartedly entirely my opinion and will heavily spoil the whole fic.

If you are ready, here we go!

Hey!

When I heard the topic of fanwork day was "classic", my head immediately popped back into the summer of 2014, in high school with a brand new Nokia Lumia 520 in hand. I first got the feeling of reading and understanding English, opening a whole new world of information that I never dreamed of learning before. That was when I first searched "kaishin" and the results were not only in my mother tongue. That was when I found "Sky colored eyes".

😎 Of course, the first thing I have to mention is the background, and "Sky colored eyes" begins with mid-grey tones. For Kudo Shinichi, at least: he has just finished 2 long years of fighting for his family, friends, and his own life. Such heavyweight pressed on a little 7 years old child's body must leave so many dents and cracks, because it changed him inside out. After his absence, Shinichi, aside from suffering the side effects of seizures that can drop him anytime, came back to find no one was waiting for him. He was way out of touch with his classmates, Ran became distant because - in the author's word - "she looked at him as though she was wondering whether to believe what he'd just told her or not". I realized, making your childhood friend pour her heart and soul out to take care of an illusion of a brilliant younger brother can strike scars in one's heart. It is fair for Ran to be mad, to yell, to resist, and in this version, to unconsciously doubt his every word. Naturally, Shinichi started to lose the confidence he once had in the past, he second-guessed his decisions: kept Ran waiting for him, away from the danger, while using her father to seek information... of course, crying over spilled milk never helps. Instead, he slowly closes himself off, rarely communicating even with the detective boys, or the closest friend Heiji Hattori. Maybe the reason was Conan - the lying version of himself that he ran away from, or maybe, he just doesn't know how to be Shinichi anymore. The modern Holmes became stuck on being a kid yet to reach puberty and an over 19 years old young man at the same time.

So he ran away. You might call it a moving school because Teitan High's study pace won't help him graduate on time, but to me, he was stuck and he got what he needed when he needed it. Ekoda High would be a forgiving grace, a place far away from Mori's Detective Agency, from Teitan Junior, or anywhere that the haunting hands of Conan have touched. Perhaps it was the right call because as the story progressed, Shinichi became more open to both others and himself. The group friends of Aoko, Kaito, Hakuba, Keiko, and even Akako welcomed him with open arms, dragging our main character into their crazy yet lively school life. Finally, "The new-old detective" gets what he deserves - to live as a normal high schooler again (aside from passionately solving murders and mysteries, of course).

The two met in such a scenario, completely unexpected and abrupt. Both Shinichi and Kaito don't know about each other's aliases. Their first meet was just that of a high school detective and the class prankster. Without masks and lies, Kaito genuinely approaches Shinichi out of curiosity (and "The last thing he needed was Hakuba corrupting Kudo into taking up said blonde's attitude." 😂), blow the detective's world away with magic shows, investigations of scary rumors, and then lunches, dinners, and desserts (heck, a lot of sweets). On the other hand, Shinichi genuinely was reluctant about this Kuroba toomuchenergy Kaito at first (well, just a tiny bit 🤏), but he loves all the fun they had. The modern Holmes - a guy used to strictly think with logic - begins to believe in magic, and indefinitely trusts the phantom magician.

😳 Ah, I cannot spend all this review to describe just Shinichi and Kaito, can I? Let's talk about the second thing I love most, the plot. Unlike the original Dcmk, or any other kaishin fanfic I've read so far, this story is quite unique, it has the style of a teenager mystery novel: simple and small pieces of puzzles, which make it easy to follow. "Sky colored eyes" spend words on what we see less in canon or other places. Such as the research phase, looking through tons of files and records, websites, newspapers. Or the work Kaito pours into his performances: where he finds inspiration for disguises, how he spies on others, practicing, etc (all that he shows to Shinichi alone to impress him. Well, impressed the detective was, but he is too slow on this he rarely gets the cues). Each member of the team, which contains Shinichi, Kaito, Hakuba, and Aoko, has a strength and purpose following the case. Other fun adventures were there, too, like solving the mystery of disappearing pets, finding the treasure at Shiratsuki Lake, or fighting a dangerous birdbath. Reading it reminds me of many closed cases in DC, meanwhile, the romance between two main characters advances with a slow and steady pace - my favorite kind of pace, really - I have no complaint.

🥰 Third, about the broad starring, the Ekoda cast is just how they were in the early years of Magic Kaito. With Aoko's swinging broom and her complicated love-hate relationship with Kid, her gentle care and sympathy for others who lack fatherhood. The mysterious yet proud "class witch" Akako's knowledge of the dark art, of life itself. A confident and sassy Hakuba. A Kaito - I love everything about this bold and vibrant daily life-Kaito, so many new quirks, I don't know where to begin. His favorite activity is to make others smile (and to make school a living hell for Hakuba) with grand performances: transport the whole classroom to the ceiling, turn all the students, tables and chairs into fruits, calling people random nicknames like Akako - "our class witch", or Hakuba - "a Nuisance". He loves to gossip about scary stories and rumors everywhere, he always says - I still remember vividly - "A magician never reveals his sources". I first learn about sarcasm, and smugness from this hilarious Kaito (I have this fanfic to thank for that). Cannot forget his soft side, one he stores for Ahoko - his childhood friend. Kaito kindly (though not fondly) leaves her a safe space for the relationship between the girl and Hakuba to bloom, protecting her both physically and mentally from harm's way - a true friend. This Kaito has Kid as an unchangeable part of him, and he brought that into everyday life. He may have a mission on finding Pandora, but that doesn't stop him from enjoying his last year of high school with friends. A guy that, is truly hard not to love.

🤨 Finally, I have to admit, with 51 chapters and still, ongoing, I can't write enough about this fanfic, but I have to tell you how it means so much to me. It was not just a story about kids investigating mysteries and finding love, it also contains a big part of my fandom memories. I actually grew up with Dmck, kind of, it is such a popular series that everyone around me is guaranteed to have read at least 1-2 volumes of it. But only around 2010 that I found out I can ship two guys together and imagine whatever the hell I want to in my head, and 2014 to start reading in English. This fic glues to my excitement and happiness whenever I have time to read after school (I still do now, but, life), to find new people who share the same passion, only in different languages. The memory of once I planned to translate this very fic, I even got the permission, then my laptop crashed with all of the translation o(-< (I am so sorry, Alaena). All in all, I don't know if I will find time to work on it again - my literature needs polishing haha - or if the story will ever be finished, but I know for sure that "Sky colored eyes" will remain an unforgettable fic in my fanwork library.

So that is it! There are still things I have yet to touch on about this fic, but I hope you like this review!

Thank you so much for reading my nonsense!

MK Treasured Edition Commentary

From here, here, and here.

Volume 1

Hello, it's me, Aoyama. 

In the course of the republication of Magic Kaito I take the liberty to show my memories of this time straightforwardly. (grin) 

The Revived Phantom Thief The memorable first chapter! Actually I became a Mangaka because I wanted to write about a high school phantom (grin) and so I drew it under great tension! Well and back then I was short of money which is the reason why his hatband around his tophat isn't shaded with screen tone… 

The Police Are Everywhere The original title „Keikan ga ippai” referred to a movie... „Taiyou ga ippai”, a movie with Alain Delon („Purple Noon”). Detective Doron is an allusion, too, because „Delon” is written as „Doron” in Japan. (grin) By the way! The words „When you bend them, they...” Kaito announces the light-emitting diode were literally written on the package of one of those things I purchased on a public festival as a kid. (grin) Appearantly they're actually known as „glow stick”.

 The Clockwork Heart A science-fiction-thriller! A rarity for Kaito (grin). I recall that I perceived it as really exhausting to draw all the parts of the robot and that I had no computer, so that I had to write Kaito's farewell letter by hand (Haha!). By the way! In the panel the robot says „I'm Kuroba Kaito... Haha!!” Kaito's pupils look kinda strange (?). There I mimicked Akemi Matsunae of which I was a big fan back then. (grin)

 Kaitou Kid's Busy Day Off Back then, the 3D movie „Captain EO” starring Michael Jackson was being played in cinemas and has been satirized in this chapter, although I never thought 3D movies could have been revived because of „Avatar”... (grin) By the way! When I read the closing scene today I think that the phrase „But, ice cream... still tastes great!” is my most embarrassing quote ever (grin).

The Pirate Ship Unsurfaced A sea adventure with Kaito? This is a rarity, too! (grin) I can't remember at all why I wanted to draw this story, but maybe I wanted a confrontation between a thief from the mainland and a thief of the seas...? (Ha!) Well, and so Kaito brought his costume of Kaitou Kid even to this place...?! (grin)

The Scarlet Temptress There she is! Mistress Akako! To be honest, she, as practitioner of black magic, is the reason who drove me into the corner the most during Kaitos appearances in Conan. Well, you just have to accept these works as parallel universes. (grin) By the way, Kaito Kuroba is written on the handkerchief, this probably was a prank done by his mom (Chikage)... (grin)

Aoyama Kid ♥

 Volume 2

 Stay Away From Him Although it's more of a romantic tale than a thief story I really like this one ♥ Especially the panel with „Well, excuse me for being an idiot...“ is a real gem, because of how often I had to redraw it! (laughs) Additionally, Superman and Top Gun appear... which is according to my taste! It's also revealed in this story that Aoko is flat-chested. (laughs)

Japan's Most Irresponsible Prime Minister A story I used one of my then-favourite actors Hitoshi Ueki, who has passed away in the meantime, as model! I also dared to use the Japanese prime minister - this was probably really audacious... And then characters appear who look like the past leaders of the USSR and the USA, Gorbachev and Reagan... (sweating). By the way, did anyone notice the „Akako balloon“ in the night sky? (laughs)

I Am the Master! This story was purely written because I felt like it! Anyway, I really wanted to draw how Kaitou Kid makes a balls to the wall ride down the facade of a building... (laughs). I would be nice if they one day made an Anime out of it ♫ Oh well, even if Cleopatra's Vanity case should really exist, two thousand years later one probably couldn't use it anymore... (laughs)

Would You Grow Up If I remember correctly, the hang-glider associated with Kaitou Kid lifted the first time in this story. Well, one could also say that Kaitou Kid could have fled from the get-go with it, instead of stretching a rope to the Tokyo Tower first (laughs). I'd really like to bring the motorized roller skates again.

The Boy Who Bet on the Ball It has also been really daring to take real professional baseball player as a model... (laughs). I think the story was created after I talked with my editor in charge about how thrilling it would be if Kaitou Kid appeared on a pole in Tokyo Dome. Well, the Yomiuri Giants are working together with Conan in several ways anyway, so I hope they can turn a blind eye to this... (fierce laughter)

Ghost Game If I remember correctly, I was frantically busy because I had to draw „Tantei George no Minimini Daisa-kusen“ („Detective George's Mini-Mini Big Strategy“) three weeks in a row for the Sunday magazine, so I finished this chapter in a very short time... (laughs). Directly afterwards my series „Yaiba“ started, because of which „Magic Kaito“ had to pause for a while. Hard to believe that the series is continued until today...! (laughs)

Hustler vs. Magician Originally this was the true second chapter of „Magic Kaito“! But... it was rejected! Since my debut in „Sunday“ there was never a story before or after it that was rejected. It's real luck that it made it into this volume! (laughs)

Omake „Magic Kaito“ was the first Manga I was allowed to publish as a Mangaka, which could be the reason I drew this story with zest and high motivation... Oh well, this probably was my youthful enthusiasm... (laughs)

Aoyama Kid ♥

Volume 3

Star Wars The first „Magic Kaito“ story I drew in the Heisei era (since 1989 -editor's note). There are several stories in which someone tries to gain profit from using a false Kid, but this is the shining first one! At the crime scene Kid announced a lot of Kid fans have assembled and shout "Kid! Kid!". Pretty clever idea, huh? Because this has developed to a classical element until today.

The Great Detective Appears!! Entrance of Saguru Hakuba! No, not only that, the chief inspector also shows his face...! Perhaps the junior was just worried because the top policeman never appears at the crime scene? (grin) By the way, Kid is so bad at ice skating because I'm so lousy in it myself.

Kaitou Under Scrutiny The skirt of Aoko's school uniform is so long and Kid's television is so big! From this you can tell the time! (Haha!) Apropos, the newspaper appearing on the last page is called „Oshima Daily Paper“ in the original version. Most of the newspapers shown in „Magic Kaito“ were named after my then editors. I beg your pardon. (grin)

Akako's Delivery Service Kaitou Kids measurements, 1.74 m (~ 5'9") and 58 kg (~ 128 lbs), naturally are my measurements from back then! The same goes for his blood type! (grin) Back then I thought it's really cool that it's possible to figure out skin colour and age of a person just by a single hair, but today, with DNA analysis you can figure out the whole identity of the person the hair belongs to. The progress of science is frightening... (Haha!)

(Extra Chapter) Yaiba vs. Kaito! I was told to draw a short, self-contained story and this dream sequence is the result. Back when I was a kid I already loved collaborations like „Mazinger Z vs. Devilman“, so I wanted to draw something like this. This is also the reason Kaitou Kid appears in Conan... (grin)

Blue Birthday The first time the gem Kaitou is after is the name origin for the title! Because this was the first „Magic Kaito“ after a very long time I debuted Kaitou Kid's arch-enemy and I can remember how much this motivated me... but it's also a story about a nightly firework in the midst of the city which must have made a lot of trouble in the surroundings... (grin)

Green Dream Oh well, this story is nothing special, but to be honest, it's this story which grew dear to my heart. (grin) What should I say about it? The rhythm is felicitous. This story was the first time I drew Kid's „signature“ we've grown so accustomed to. You can also tell from the name of one of the persons appearing that I really loved „Furuhata Ninzaburō“ back then - a japanese police detective drama.

Aoyama Kid ♥

Volume 4

Hello, it's me, Aoyama.

Since Magic Kaito is being republished I allow myself to show my memories about the past without further delay. (grin)

Crystal Mother This is the Kaito-train story I always wanted to draw! Including some allusions to "Lupin III" or "Sherlock Holmes" it became a story during which I could live it up... (grin) Snake, who got severely hurt in the tunnel returns in the following chapter completely unharmed. That's what I call "tough“! (Ha, ha!)

Red Tear Back when this story was published the first time, the thre first pages were in color! In fact, this created a mystery: „The gem on page 1 is blue, but the one on the cover page is red... Why oh why?“ Great that we can revive this mystery in all its glory! (grin) By the way, the closing scene in which all the photos containing the fondest memories are projected against the wall is an homage to the closing scene of the movie  „Cinema Paradiso“. ♪ I used this highlight again in „Detective Conan – The Last Wizard of the Century“. (grin)

Black Star The first confrontation with the one and only Shinichi Kudo! In this story, Kaito says: „The inspector couldn't catch him even if he used a satellite system!“ But really, it's kind of surprising that he hasn't caught him before, isn't it?! (grin) Shinichi is firing a pistol? Akako wants to use magic to get rid of Shinichi? Little Kaito is flirting with Aoko? What a crazy story! (grin) Well, the scene in which Akako uses her magic powers was cut from TV syndication, but it was restored for the DVD, so everyone who wants to watch it, can do so now. ♥ Oh yeah, the title „Black Star“! I believe there are some readers who ask themselves why this gemstone served as the namesake of the story even though it's just mentioned in passing at the end. That's because Kaitou Kid himself is the "Black Star" after all ★ – hence the title! ♪

Golden Eye The first duel of the phantoms! (... maybe.) Catherine Zeta-Jones was the model for the character Ruby Jones. ♥ Well, they don't look very much alike... (Ha, ha!) In this story it's made clear that Kaito was born in June and Aoko in September! Exactly... Kaitou Kid may be a thief, but he is also a magician, so it really delighted me to slip in the name of the grandiose real-life magician Harry Houdini. (grin) There are a lot of tricky moments that show how much Detective Conan "poisoned" this story... (Ha, ha!)

Dark Knights The mask Nightmare is wearing is based on one I bought during a vacation in Spain, because I really liked it. It now hangs at the wall of my living room. (Ha, ha!) Again, in this story is a lot to analyze and moreover, it ends in a thought-provoking, grim mood, which isn't very typical for „Magic Kaito“. On the other hand, this isn't bad either, isn't it? Superintendent Chaki, an old acquaintance from Detective Conan, had his origin in this story. Further on, Hakuba's nanny „Baaya“ has her very first appearance in here! Actually, it's said that there is another nanny for him who has a more docile personality, but that's a different story altogether... (He, he...)

Phantom Lady (Preannouncement) This story revolves around how the original Kaitou Kid obtained a wonderfully beautiful jewel for the first time. ♥ It will be the first in Volume 5... I wonder when it will be released? (grin)

Volume 5

Hi, it's Aoyama ! Since a new volume of ''Magic Kaito'' came out, I have to delve into my memories from the past. PHANTOM LADY I wrote this story about Kaito's parents four years ago. I had stopped writing Magic Kaito for Conan and I thought : ''Wow, so much time has passed ?'' (laughs) If I recall correctly, his mother mutters ''Kaito, it's time for you to know'', and the story's finally here ! It's this story that finally revealed that Kaito's mother's name is ''Chikage''. It was my first time digitalizing a manuscript, I was glad I managed to portray the security sensor similar to phantom thieves stories so cooly, but I had to drew one night scenery after another, and that took time and so I almost didn't make it in a deadline. By the way, this story leads to Conan's Ryouma case, in volume 70. Read it if you're interested ! MIDNIGHT CROW When it was decided to animate the series, I had a meeting with the animation staff. We asked ourselves ''How are we going to finish the story ?''. So I suggested : ''Why not do one about a black Kaitou Kid that would be published in the Sunday ?''. And that's how I wrote Midnight Crow. I will never forget the staff's face when I told them ''Actually, Touichi is alive'' (laughs) Ikeda-san, Touichi's voice actor, had difficulty saying the line ''When you come in contact with an audience, it's a scene of duel...'' quickly ! <3 The ''sucker trick'' line comes from Kaito Kid's anime screenwriter Kunihiko Okada, who I thank very much. In the Phantom Lady chapter, Kaito's work as Kid was given by Chikage, but in Midnight Crow, he's supposed to quit because a lot happened in Las Vegas... but it's another story (laughs) SUN HALO This chapter was written to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Magic Kaito, so it had to be a love comedy <3 When I drew the chapter, Kaito's bike is a Suzuki GSX 250 R. I had forgotten that it was supposed to be broken, so I had Jii-chan say that a ''doctor friend'' helped him... I leave that to your imagination (laughs) Speaking of characters, Lucifer appears again ! As I thought, Akako uses red magic ! (Fortunately Akako doesn't exist in Conan's world (laughs)). The entrance hall in the chapter is based on Tottori's entrance hall, so please go there if you visit Tottori ! By the way, in Sun Halo, Aoko rides the bike with Kaito ! NONCHALANT LUPIN It's a short story I sent to a shounen magazine, and I got an award for it. As you can see, it was a prototype for ''Magic Kaito'' (laughs) The forms are different but there's no card gun. I drew this because the editor I had at that time told me : ''Show me a story you want to write''. It's my second work ! Now that I look back, I'm embarassed because it looks bad. (laughs) Anyway, the hero's name is Lupin, and the name of the story ''Nonchalant Lupin'', but I don't know where he's nonchalant... (laughs)

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Arc Chapter 13 Translation

Here is full translation for Chapter 13. Thank you again to @chibiyuuto for the scans, and to @meimi-haneoka and @rispen-hortensie for their suggestions and proofreading.

☆★Translations Notes Reminder★☆

Disclaimer: These are just fan translations. Please support the official release.

Chapter 13

Color Spread Caption:  I hope I can be friends with everyone forever.

P1 Sakura:  This is… Syaoran:  This isn't natural wind, is it. Sakura:  Yeah, it's got to be a card again...

P2 Sakura:  Release!! Sakura:  Secure!! Sakura:  Kyaa!!

P3 Sakura:  I’ve been closed in… Sakura:  What should I do?

P4 Syaoran:  Wind, come forth! [Lit: Fuuka Shourai!]

P5 Syaoran:  Just as I thought, this magic [Lit: technique] won’t work… Syaoran:  <quietly mutters an intelligible spell>

P6 <Syaoran breaks through and releases Sakura> Syaoran:  Sakura!  Change it into a card! Sakura:  Y-yes!

P7 Sakura: You who is without a master, by (the power of) this staff of dreams, I command you to become my strength. <Sakura seals the new card: Spiral>

P8 Syaoran:  Are you okay? Sakura:  Yeah… Syaoran-kun, you saved me. Syaoran: … Sakura:  Ah! Sakura:  The bento!! Syaoran:  Ah!! <Later> Tomoyo:  Oh no, so the bento ended up… Sakura:  Everything got flipped over when that happened.  In the end, we just ate hamburgers from the Botanical Garden. <quietly> The burgers were delicious…

P9 Kero:  The brat got to eat a little bit though, right? Sakura:  Yeah, he had a little bit. Kero:  What did he say? Sakura:  <blushing> He said “It’s delicious”… Tomoyo:  It’s too bad about the bento, but that’s great (that he said that). Kero:  You can make one again too. Tomoyo:  That’s true. Sakura:  Yeah! Next time, I’ll try even harder.

P10 Sakura:  I need to get ready to make dinner soon. Tomoyo: Ah, I’m sorry to have kept you! Sakura:  No, today both dad and onii-chan aren’t here, and I’m alone… Kero:  I’m here too!! Sakura: …So I can take my time making whatever I want. Kero:  You can make whatever I want too!! Sakura:  <quietly> I know. Tomoyo:  Shall I come over and help you? Sakura:  You’re going out with Sonomi-san today, right? Don’t worry about it. Tomoyo:  Then, next time! Sakura:  Yeah! Later <Sakura hangs up>

P11 <Phone ringing again> Sakura:  Wah!! <Later the doorbell rings> Sakura:  Yes? Akiho:  Hello!

P12 Sakura: Welcome! Akiho:  Is it really okay (for me to come over) at this hour? Sakura:  Of course!  Come in, come in! Akiho:  It smells good. Sakura:  I tried my best because you were coming over.  You'll have something to eat right? Akiho: Won't it take a while? Sakura:  Doing it alone was a little lonely, so I'd be happy!

P13 Sakura:  Have you told Kaito-san? Akiho:  Yes! I told him. Ah! Akiho:  This is from Kaito-san. He said to eat this with everyone! Sakura:  Thank you.  (Dinner) will be done in just a short while. Akiho-chan, will you help me? Akiho: Yes! Akiho: Is it alright here? Sakura:  Yeah!  Are you okay with onion? Akiho:  I like them.

P14 Sakura:  Is there anything you don’t like (to eat)? Akiho:  Not really… Akiho:  Ah! Akiho:  I don’t really care for konjac jelly… Sakura:  Is that so! ? Akiho:  It’s not that konjac is that bad, but the texture… Sakura:  Me too! Akiho:  Huh?

P15 Sakura:  I can’t eat konjac jelly! Akiho:  You too, Sakura-san!? Sakura:  It’s okay! Sakura:  Even if we don’t care for konjac, the people we care for will eat ours for us. Sakura:  For me, that’s probably onii-chan. Akiho: Come to think of it, Kaito-san also likes konjac. <Text behind them reads “Yeah… we’re probably okay…”>

P16 Sakura:  If that so, then we're definitely okay. Akiho:  Yes! Kero:  <From behind the door> What kind of problem is that!! Sakura:  I hope everything tastes alright. [Lit: It's would be nice if I made this well.] Sakura:  Bon appetit! Akiho:  I'm digging in.

P17 Akiho:  It's really delicious! Sakura:  I'm glad.  I've made this several times and I tested the flavor, but I was a little bit nervous. Akiho:  It has a very mellow taste.  But I have a feeling the beef stew I ate overseas was a little different. Sakura:  There's a little bit of miso in this. Akiho:  A hidden flavor! Sakura:  It's nothing too grand, but my brother taught me how to do it. Akiho:  So everyone in your family cooks? Sakura:  Yes!  We take turns.

P18 Sakura:  When I was little, I wasn't good at making things that used a lot of oil, but I've gotten better at it since becoming a junior high student. Akiho:  You made this too? Sakura:  Yeah.  I'm still practicing that one too though. Akiho: <to herself> It's delicious! Sakura:  Do the people in your family cook? Akiho:  Everyone in my family is busy... So (we've/I've) always left things up to the people who care for (us/me). Sakura:  Like Kaito-san? Akiho:  Yes.

P19 Sakura:  That's really amazing. Akiho:  It's not amazing! Akiho:  I do what I can.  You're (and your family) are much more amazing, Sakura-san. 

[Note: Akiho says this to mean “You and your family are much more amazing because you do your own thing by yourselves.”]

Sakura:  That's not true.  I've also only learned (from others) and gotten help. Akiho:  If it's not too much trouble, Sakura-san, would you please teach me how to cook!? Sakura:  Eh!?

P20 Sakura: B-but… I’m not great at it… And what’s more, Kaito-san would be able to teach you much better than I could… Akiho:  I want to become good at it without letting Kaito-san know. Sakura:  Is it that… you want Kaito-san to eat what you’ve made? Sakura:  I understand that feeling.

P21 Sakura:  You want the person you like to eat something delicious. Akiho:  Yeah… Sakura:  Then, let’s get good (at this) together! Akiho:  Together?

P22 Sakura:  I'm also still practicing, so let's do our best together. Akiho:  Yes! Sakura:  Would you like some more beef stew? Akiho:  I'll have some!

P23 <Akiho starts to get sleepy because of the fluffball> Akiho:  I'm sorry! Sakura:  Did you (have trouble) sleeping last night? Akiho:  No, it's nothing like that. Akiho:  H-huh? Sakura:  Akiho-chan!

P24 Kero: WHAT HAPP….<realized Akiho was there and got quieter>…ened?! Sakura:  She fell asleep suddenly Kero:  What, really? [Lit: What did you say?]

P25 Sakura:  That! Kero: What? [Lit: Which?] <Sakura reaches for the object> Kero: That fluffy thing caused her to fall asleep? Sakura: I think so. Sakura:  I’ve gotta do something about that or else Akiho-chan will stay asleep… Kero:  Gotcha. We’ve gotta do something.

P26 Sakura:  I'll definitely turn it into a card. Sakura:  Wait for me, Akiho-chan. <Sakura starts to chase the fluffball> Sakura:  Wait!

P27 <Sakura and Kero chase the fluffball through the house>

P28 & 29 Sakura:  I'll definitely catch (you)! Sakura:  Release! Sakura:  Flight!!

P30 Sakura: <to the card> You seem really happy! Kero:  Seems like quite the attached friend.

P21 Sakura:  Let’s do this, Flight-san. [Lit: I’m in your care, Flight-san.] Sakura:  Let’s go, Kero-chan! Kero:  Yeah!

P32 Narration:  Just wait, Akiho-chan! Sakura chases the “fluffball” into the sky!! <Reservation deadline for the Special Edition of Volume 3 is Friday, July 14th> <To be continued>