Book 15 Chapter 06 ＭＡＣＨＩＮＥ ＨＥＡＲＴ

[quaint_twilight]

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: Kotarou meets up with Takaya; Irobe and Kaizaki have a little chat

Comments

[madammina]

Wow! That was a very powerful chapter. I'm definitely going to have to reread that to make sure that I let everything sink in.

Thanks so much for translating!!!

[meganinhiding]

I haven't fully absorbed the chapter yet but I'll try putting down some thoughts.

First the Kagetora POV; while we've seen Takaya refer to Kagetora in the third person I believe this is the first time Kagetora has referred to Takaya in third person. Since it was few chapters ago that he described the students as two years older than rather than 400 years older this is something of a milestone. He describes the time when he was amnesiac Takaya as the only gentle time in his relationship with Naoe; I wonder if this has something to do with why he's referred to solely as Takaya in Book 20. Kagetora did not originally want Naoe's worship but ended up craving it; he also notes that he has a need for approval.

Kotaro's POV breaks my heart; particularly when Kagetora tells he's forgotten how to kiss.he was rather outstanding. However, Kotarou did not dwell on feelings of inferiority or desires of surpassing him, he was not in psychological conflict with Takaya. He would never even think about comparing himself with Takaya in the first

[quaint_twilight]

Sometimes, I think Kagetora hates being Kagetora from the sheer amount of self-loathing that he has hence the emphasis on 'Takaya', a new him in a sense. Kagetora also seems to be rather fond of Naoe's usage of 'Takaya-san'.

Kotarou... I don't want to spoil too much but IMO his attempt to save Takaya and the subsequent confrontation with Kaizaki were really his finest moments (in ninja form) and perhaps his most heartbreaking since he was experiencing an overload of emotions, possibly too much for him to handle at once.

[meganinhiding]

Beginning Part two

Naoe's POV; oh god where to begin.... I'll start with Irobe. He appears to be the only one of the Yashashuu who knows about the deeper issues in Naoe and Kagetora's relationship and comes off as feeling pessimistic and helpless. Naoe says that Kagetora was like a son to him and my reaction was "just what Kagetora needs; another father figure".

Irobe notes that Naoe seems stronger the past year and wonders if its because he now has direct proof that Kagetora loves him. Naoe states that he's know he's always loved him though a small part of him is gratified to have proof. He notes his need to surpass Kagetora and Irobe says that his leadership over the past year has impressed him and should be enough for him not to feel like a loser but Naoe notes that being apart from Kagetora has made him realize how he's been influenced by Kagetora which takes away from any satisfaction he gets.

Have to leave now. Later

[quaint_twilight]

just what Kagetora needs; another father figure
Yes, another father figure who seems to think that Kagetora will be fine with his self-hypnosis and the whole backstabbing attitude of Kenshin covertness of the shadow!Uesugi which would eventually lead to a replacement in leadership without Kagetora's knowledge. Kenshin's paternal instincts is probably rubbing off on Irobe. (Sorry, just very irritated with Irobe at the moment.)

[meganinhiding]

Yes, I noticed Naoe's mention about damage to the soul nucleus and I just wanted to scream at both him and Irobe to tell Kagetora or at least Nagahide and Haruie about that. As much as I feel for Naoe, his not informing Kagetora about his soul breaking down is like hiding a diagnosis of cancer although the one person who really should be talking to him about that is Kenshin and then perhaps putting him on "sick leave". Rather than say set up the ShadowUesugi, actively conceal information from him, and conduct unethical schemes involving high school students. I share your anger; their number one concern regarding Kagetora seemed to be Kotaro rather than Kagetora's condition.

[fantasygirl49]

thanks for the new chapter translation, kotarou seems to be under takaya spell as wel,l and kaiyaki/naoe discussion with irobe enlighten alot of the issues between kagetora and naoe...it was really great ^^

Deareiji here! (For some reason I can't login).

[anonymous]

Thanks for the chapter; great work. I can't wait to see how Naoe will force Takaya to remember his death! *giddy*