Hitomi-chan is Shy With Strangers - Vol. 7 Ch. 84

[KaleRylan]

I read this chapter some time ago, and was surprised at the end when he said he liked her. Just got the official copy of volume 7.

I realize that the Japanese culture is more reserved, but the official translation, Usa-kun says, "I love you." I think that hit the nail on the head better than, "I really like you." I was concerned that the translators, or editor, had overstepped the boundaries, but seeing they actually kissed a few months ago, I think they got it right. Usa and Hitomi really love each other. In another year or so, they'll have a distance relationship as he heads to college, but that will make their bond grow stonger. I'm glad to the scalators that introduced me to Hitomi-chan.

I'd have to go take a look at the Japanese to be sure, but it's largely a matter of cultural difference leading to linguistic difference. The Japanese almost never use the word love, even when confessing their love for each other. They have a word for it, but generally speaking, 99% of the time they do in fact just say I like you and understand from the context what the person is saying.

So it actually comes down to your thoughts on translation in many ways. I'd imagine he did, literally, say I like you, because it's just very unusual for Japanese people to say I love you. Do you think the translator should translate the actual word used, or should they translate the 'intent,' which in English likely would be I love you (even if that's a bit dramatic for high school)?