Haikei, Arishi Hi ni Saku Hanatachi e - Vol. 3 Ch. 14.2

[MangaDex]

 

[Beltaro]

Link to the raw chapter 14.2.
The ending is so cinematic, turning from Mia's face popping up to her cover page in the present. Can't wait to see how Yamabe fumbled and unfumbles this. I love that Igarashi's working the anonymous letters back in too. It's a fun device HaruSumi sadly had to graduate from but I hope it sticks around for a while. Maybe Yamabe never even worked up the courage to let Mia know who she was? That could be part of why she regrets not taking her hand back then.

Interestingly, it doesn't seem like Mia had anything to do with the rejection letter Yamabe left in Hanamonogatari either. That and the original letter are likely saved for future pairs. Hanamonogatari's influence grows.

Little bit of trivia, Igarashi apparently studied architecture in university. She's surely pulling from experience with Yamabe's engineering college, which she described as getting to draw messy while Kasumi's school needs to stay idealized and dreamlike. Igarashi also admitted to being nervous her depiction of Mia could come across as mean-spirited towards non-native speakers, and you can feel that in how friendly her classmates are. In Igarashi's words, "I don't want to make a manga that hurts anyone [reading it]."

 

[ScherryNights]

Mia blushing from that note was super cute! I doubt anything will come of it, but I’d like Mia and Yamabe to really connect.

I feel like there’s some missing info about what, if anything, happened between them.

Also on a tangent, I just love how this series gives you at least one thing per chapter to gush over. Like Mia’s blushing face or our two sorta-lovebirds showing affection for each other.

 

[RozemynePower]

I also really liked Mia and her whole demeanor. She is going to a school in a foreign country and can't speak the language well but still leaves that cute note for someone to be her friend. Nice deduction from Yamabe also. Very cute chapter, love it.

 

[beThereShortly]

Look at the supposedly "jumbled", "misshapen", "awkward" writing of Mia in the tranlation notes (which are always appreaciated).

Compare with my own attempts to learn japanese.

I always knew I was bad. But I didn't realize it was that bad!

 

[UdenEmpati]

I got as far as page 8 before the tears started welling up.
I can't say I've ever experienced the extreme isolation that comes from a language barrier - you on one side, everyone and everything else on the other - but my time in high school was spent in considerable solitude because I could never turn my brain off and, coupled with my then-unknown executive dysfunction, I tended to put people off to the point I just stopped talking to everyone.

Clearly not the same thing Mia went through. Those around her wanted to let her in, and be let in. The inability to communicate was a hurdle that needed to be overcome, but the intent was there, and none of the malice.
But that sensation of removal and being adrift in a sea of the unknown and (seemingly) unknowable is something I can fathom. And it hurts to read, even in a fictional story where I can hope that things worked out and happy endings were found.

But Igarashi handled it beautifully, both visually and in terms of her narrative, I think. The softness of those memories of the school really do reflect how it appears in Kasumi's time now; that distinct "dream-like" state that I think evokes a fitting atmosphere for a story of girls across time searching for and connecting with one another in the abstract world of the written word, where borders and boundaries can be dissolved and stark identities can be set aside in favor of whatever ideal is desired.
And, whether or not Yamabe managed to reach Mia or not (and sadly...it seems she has regrets, so...yeah), Mia landing covers of fashion magazines makes me hope that she found her footing, and beat down the walls that language had built up around her.




Thansk for your continued time and care with this series, as always.

 

[strawberrymilk0192]

I knew she had a beautiful story, I knew it

 

[MsW0lf]

I think there’ll definitely be more to their story. One does not start buying every cover of a girl whom you just sent a note to and then didn’t follow up. My thinking is that Mia wanted more but Yamabe didn’t have the courage to “take her hand” unlike our other two relationships. Also: this relationship is different because they’re both the same age, no “older sister” pretence available.

 

[Serenata]

The empathy power is off the charts! that was so cuteee

 

[Colonel-Picquart]

That was so cuuuute! I'm hoping for a secret ending where Yamabe is buying those magazines despite the fact she has the real Mia at home! I couldn't bear these two not getting together in the end!

 

[jk5654]

Such a sweet chapter, I love how this could easily be its own oneshot but instead it gets to tie into this great overarching narrative

 

[rkbrillantes]

Man I love this manga and gay romance. Long live this author/mangaka and may they be happy and content with their work

 

[Baffled]

I really hope it's still not too late for them to become friends
Yamabe really regrets not trying to actually talk with Mia and "grab her by the hand", so I hope there's still a chance for them to connect

 

[useless]

Link to the raw chapter 14.2.
Igarashi also admitted to being nervous her depiction of Mia could come across as mean-spirited towards non-native speakers, and you can feel that in how friendly her classmates are. In Igarashi's words, "I don't want to make a manga that hurts anyone [reading it]."

Ok that is just even sweeter than the chapter haha. Thanks for the added context, analysis and translation!

 

[rudezki]

Oh god, she blushed like a lamp

 

[EchoGirl]

Aw cool She became a model too

 

[Attqqqq]

In Igarashi's words, "I don't want to make a manga that hurts anyone [reading it]."

But.. but mah heart..

 

[Doritos420]

I doubt anything will come of it, but I’d like Mia and Yamabe to really connect.

that's interesting, because i'm 100% certain something will come of it. i would bet 100 dollars in real life.

 

[MelonManic]

GOT ME MAKING SOUNDS MAN

This some peak right here, the unveiling of lore that I've begun to hear for recently and then the reveal at the end she be on magazines ahHA, Absolutely yes yes
Love how she breaks down what most likely happened based of logic and personal experience but she doesn't directly confront her to see if she was ring or not it merely influences her next action
Imma need there to be Yuri between these two now I dun got attached in a single chapter

HAVE A NICE DAY

 

[Zyte_X]

That is actually the cutest thing I've seen all year, holy heck. My heart isn't just full, it's overflowing man