Zenbu Kowashite Jigoku de Aishite - Vol. 5 Ch. 23 - Overflowing

[MangaDex]

 

[Mistilteinn]

I really wasn't expecting this chapter to turn into a Whodunit. But since it did, I'm going to lay out the motives.

Mine - Her plan was to socially isolate Isanuma, so that Isanuma would have no one left but her to turn to. This plan failed as of last chapter due to Kudou's interference. She was cold to Kudou this chapter, so her taking steps to ruin Kudou's plans is likely. She also wears the same dark socks the girl carrying the paint bucket was wearing.

Kudou - While her initial plan was to use the photo she took of Kurumi to stress Naoi out enough so Naoi'd agree to a date with her, if Naoi didn't show up, Kudou may have resorted to Plan B. Which is to socially tank Naoi enough that Kurumi would in Kudou's mind have no choice but to cut ties with Naoi due to peer pressure. Kudou also wears the same dark socks the girl with the paint bucket is seen wearing.

Naoi - She's struggling with keeping her anger under control. Rather, she's trying to suppress it entirely, which obviously isn't working as she has no healthy coping mechanism to vent stress. All the things with her family and her insecurity over Kurumi abandoning her were likely amplified this chapter when Kudou sent Naoi the photo of Kurumi having fun with their classmates, especially Kokoro, while she wasn't around. Rather than meet up with Kudou, Naoi may have deemed it slightly healthier to take out her anger on an object instead of a person. Alternatively, Naoi might be trying to self-sabotage and force Kurumi's hand, basically make Kurumi abandon her before Kurumi decides to do it on her own. She also wears dark socks.

Kurumi - She's struggling with being separated from Naoi, even starting to fall into the same mental space as Kokoro and her mother. While she is aware that wanting to help someone can lead to harm if taken in the wrong direction, she also made it clear she doesn't just want to leave the current situation alone. Her desire above all else is to be with Naoi. The paint might be Kurumi's way of trying to reconnect with Naoi, similar to the things they did together in volume one. Plus, Kudou has been using the festival preparations as a tool to keep Kurumi away from Naoi, which I think Kurumi has caught onto.

Isanuma - Accidental. She was the last known person to be alone in the room with the arch. It's possible she was trying to finish the behind schedule signboard as a surprise for everyone, but things took a turn for the worst and she dropped the paint bucket while working. If true, she won't confess to doing it, since she'd be worried about the class disliking her again. Plus, if the prime suspect is Naoi, then it'd be easy on Isanuma's conscious, since Kudou already convinced Isanuma that Naoi's a bad person.

Though I have to wonder if someone could make that much of a mess and not get a single drop of paint on them, so it's possible there could be a lingering clue. My guess for the culprit is Mine, since it feels like direct retribution for Kudou ruining her plans. Who does everyone else think did it and why?

Also, for Kudou's actions this chapter, I don't buy her harsh words at the hotel. Chapter 20.5 contextualizes Kudou's actions quite a bit. I think Kudou was doing what she thought Naoi did to her in the past, breaking her down until she has no choice but to become hers. Whether Kudou is the culprit or not, I could easily see her trying to turn things around in her favor. She clearly wouldn't want Kurumi to side with Naoi during the incident. So, Kudou might provide Naoi with a fake, undesirable alibi by claiming they were indeed at a love hotel together the night before. Problem is that due to Kudou's face injury and what she told Isanuma about Naoi, Isanuma would likely think Kudou was being forced into covering up Naoi's involvement, leading to yet another fight.

And finally, this new incident could very well test Kokoro's resolve to support Kurumi as a friend. This is especially true since Kokoro worked on the arch together with Kurumi this chapter, so there could be some sentimental value for the arch there. If Kokoro thinks Naoi is guilty, this might be when she finally blows up with the negative thoughts about Naoi that Kokoro managed to hold back in chapter 10. Depending on how Kokoro reacts, Kurumi might have to make a serious decision about their friendship and if it's possible to maintain it with Kokoro's unrelenting distain for Naoi.

Chapter 24 is currently scheduled to be in next month's issue of Yuri Hime, but it tends to get an unscheduled break at this time, so hopefully it'll be in the finalized list for next month.

 

[tbvp]

ty for the chapter!

 

[youdontknowwho]

I really wasn't expecting this chapter to turn into a Whodunit. But since it did, I'm going to lay out the motives.

Come on. Leave some discussion for the rest of us.
Just kidding. Very thorough analysis as always. I'll just throw in another (unlikely) suspect: Akane secretly has a crush on Kokoro and she doesn't want Kokoro to make up with Kurumi, hence the reaction on page 5.

 

[Mistilteinn]

Come on. Leave some discussion for the rest of us.
Just kidding. Very thorough analysis as always. I'll just throw in another (unlikely) suspect: Akane secretly has a crush on Kokoro and she doesn't want Kokoro to make up with Kurumi, hence the reaction on page 5.

Based on the Japanese text, it seemed like Kokoro was actually apologizing to Azuma for making her uncomfortable by inviting Kurumi over. Plus, the joke on that page is that Kokoro and Azuma's words were completely the same. It's possible Akane likes either Kokoro or Azuma and is starting to dislike how insync the two of them are. Imagine trying to cheer up both your crush and your friend, only for them to potentially start to like each other.

Though it's also possible Akane is upset at Kokoro seemingly backsliding by inviting Kurumi over at all.

 

[ShaneARang]

I think it’s between Mine and Kudou, and I’m leaning towards Mine as well.

Isanuma was likely the last person there/is in charge and was involved in the previous ‘incident’, so the class might turn on her first, which would be to Mine’s advantage. The class was already polarized against her, and the students comment that they were surprised she went along with the cafe idea at all. They might think she ruined the arch because she secretly hated the idea or something.

It might backfire on Mine though as Isanuma might try to blame Naoi since Kudou has been setting her up for that. Then Kudou could back her up, and since Kudou is so well liked, the class would probably listen to her. Naoi hasn’t been coming to school, so maybe Kudou will claim Naoi destroyed the arch out of spite for the festival or something. Then it would be up to Kurumi and possibly (unlikely) the Kokoron Squad to defend her (if only because Kokoro knows what Kudou is actually like, and even though she doesn’t like Naoi at all, she does/should know Naoi cares enough about Kurumi to take care of her while she was sick after even after Kokoro assaulted her), but Kurumi doesn’t know who did it.

I think her instinct would be to defend Naoi because she’s down so bad, but Naoi’s erratic behavior could easily give her cause to think she did in fact do it. I do think she’d still stick up for her (and could make the opposing argument that since Naoi hasn’t been coming to school she wouldn’t even have known about the arch. It would mean Naoi just brought paint and planned to destroy whatever was in there which is a bit flimsier of a plot). I think it would be a stronger story point for Yoshizawa to stand by Naoi regardless of what happened, especially since she still cares about Naoi despite everything that’s happening with Kudou. Otherwise it’d risk rehashing old ground again. Could go either way though.

Kurumi defending Naoi in spite of everything could give Naoi the push she needs to rely on Kurumi a bit more and soothe her fear of abandonment. That in turn could push Kudou into going nuclear on the situation, which you know, drama is fun. Kurumi does have some credit with the class because she did come clean about the desk and the photo, and ended up coming out better in the aftermath than Isanuma for it, so that could help her case too.

Assuming Naoi DID meet with Kudou after school due to her provocations, Naoi would have an actual excuse to give to Kurumi, but she’d have to admit she’d been meeting with Kudou, which seems unlikely.

I don’t know if Mine would try to somehow keep the pressure on Isanuma from behind the scenes. If Naoi gets accused publicly (as seems the most likely) Mine won’t be able to just go “Isanuma did it” because she wants Isanuma to have no one but her, not hate her. It could also push her to take even more drastic actions.

 

[Astriasa]

I really wasn't expecting this chapter to turn into a Whodunit. But since it did, I'm going to lay out the motives.

Your comments are always a delight to read. Helps cement the story in my head

 

[sebaasdf]

Hey at least the 3 non toxic girls are doing fine by themselves, that's good

 

[MapleMakarov]

I don't think it's Naoi, her expression on the last page looks a bit shocked. I'm gonna guess it's Mine, since she set up an alibi and left early. That lets her go hide away somewhere and come out when she hears people leaving. Feels like she's setting Isanuma up to take the fall so she can have her to herself, and the trigger was Kudou joking about going on a date with Isanuma afterwards.

 

[Mistilteinn]

I don't think it's Naoi, her expression on the last page looks a bit shocked. I'm gonna guess it's Mine, since she set up an alibi and left early. That lets her go hide away somewhere and come out when she hears people leaving. Feels like she's setting Isanuma up to take the fall so she can have her to herself, and the trigger was Kudou joking about going on a date with Isanuma afterwards.

Kudou's "probably date" was Naoi. She was trying to trigger her into a meet up with the photo of Kurumi. Isanuma was asking Kudou questions about the date, so maybe Mine took that as jealousy.

 

[MapleMakarov]

Kudou's "probably date" was Naoi. She was trying to trigger her into a meet up with the photo of Kurumi. Isanuma was asking Kudou questions about the date, so maybe Mine took that as jealousy.

Oh, yeah, I see it now. I missed the little poke SFX, so I thought it was Kudou being a brat and pointing.

 

[NinjaGoemon]

I really wasn't expecting this chapter to turn into a Whodunit. But since it did, I'm going to lay out the motives.

I'd say Mine. For a the bare minimum there's no reason to draw attention to her leaving otherwise.

Kudou definitely not as ironically she's been peace making everywhere to deisolate Kurumi and further isolate Naoi. This is counter productive to her. Though she might take advantage of the situation to red herring Naoi.

Naoi probably didn't do this because Naoi turns her anger inwards or at whoever's nearby.

Kurumi in comparison turns her anger towards objects: theft, cutting desks, breaking glass, breaking windows, etc. It fits more in with her MO, but she's been more focused on Naoi than others. Unlikely had motivation in this case.

Good job writing all this out.

 

[momentofzenkowa]

Thank you for the translation!

I also think Mine is the culprit for all the reasons others outlined. That said, I think there's a lot we still don't know about Mine's intentions. It seems she wants Isanuma socially isolated so she can monopolize her, yet she didn't seem to mind Azuma being part of their friend group for months before Azuma "grew a conscience" in Chapter 12. I think there's more going on with her that isn't so obvious.

Also we finally get a name for the girl with the wavy hair who occasionally calls out Isanuma on her shit! Welcome to the cast Nana!

 

[Mistilteinn]

Thank you for the translation!

I also think Mine is the culprit for all the reasons others outlined. That said, I think there's a lot we still don't know about Mine's intentions. It seems she wants Isanuma socially isolated so she can monopolize her, yet she didn't seem to mind Azuma being part of their friend group for months before Azuma "grew a conscience" in Chapter 12. I think there's more going on with her that isn't so obvious.

Like in chapter 8, Azuma was basically treated like a servant.

 

[TanyaTheEvil]

Thanks for another great chapter and thanks for the translation

 

[Mistilteinn]

Isanuma was likely the last person there/is in charge and was involved in the previous ‘incident’, so the class might turn on her first, which would be to Mine’s advantage. The class was already polarized against her, and the students comment that they were surprised she went along with the cafe idea at all. They might think she ruined the arch because she secretly hated the idea or something.

It might backfire on Mine though as Isanuma might try to blame Naoi since Kudou has been setting her up for that. Then Kudou could back her up, and since Kudou is so well liked, the class would probably listen to her.

I don’t know if Mine would try to somehow keep the pressure on Isanuma from behind the scenes. If Naoi gets accused publicly (as seems the most likely) Mine won’t be able to just go “Isanuma did it” because she wants Isanuma to have no one but her, not hate her. It could also push her to take even more drastic actions.

Nice observations. I'd like to add a few points. The cafe idea was from Nana. The same girl that was making fun of Isanuma in chapter 20 and that called out Isanuma's attitude in chapter 21. There's also the fact that Isanuma got mad at Nana in chapter 10, because she called her "full of it". This means that there is long-standing tension. And Nana got a decent amount of focus this chapter along with her name, so odds are she will be the main one accusing Isanuma of messing up the arch. Maybe she thinks Isanuma messed it up to spite her.

And speaking of Nana, she was one of the first girls to befriend Kudou. If Nana calls Isanuma out, then Kudou has to choose who to side with. Even though Nana likes Kudou's fake personality, it's hard to say she'll listen to her when tensions are running so high. Nana had clearly become very emotionally invested in the festival, especially after her cafe idea was used.

If Mine was the one behind the paint, then she could've done something to make sure the finger would be pointed at Isanuma, like say plant some paint on her desk or something.

Also, I've been reading on various forums, and so far the top choices for the culprit are Mine and Kurumi. Mine for obvious reasons, while Kurumi's motive is generally seen as destroying the "cage" of the festival that Kudou trapped her in. Plus, a few comments I saw think that Kurumi underreacted to seeing the messed up arch.

 

[AnnieAturday]

Plus, a few comments I saw think that Kurumi underreacted to seeing the messed up arch.

While its definitely possible, and she certainly has motive for destroying the arch for the outlined reasons, Kurumi very much so has generally muted reactions outside of when she goes manic, so I doubt her reaction to the arch is actually a point of suspicion, or at least I wouldn't see it as such, personally.

 

[MsW0lf]

I really wasn't expecting this chapter to turn into a Whodunit. But since it did, I'm going to lay out the motives.

Mine - Her plan was to socially isolate Isanuma, so that Isanuma would have no one left but her to turn to. This plan failed as of last chapter due to Kudou's interference. She was cold to Kudou this chapter, so her taking steps to ruin Kudou's plans is likely. She also wears the same dark socks the girl carrying the paint bucket was wearing.

For a second I forgot that Mine was a character and you weren’t actually nominating yourself as a suspect in the archway sabotage and spelling out your own motivations. You want to isolate Isanuma?!? You monster! Hasn’t she suffered enough?

Anyway, I say it’s much too early to make assumptions about the culprit. But one thing I wanted to point out is that we’re just assuming that Kudou sent that picture to Naoi. I mean, that’s what the author wants us to think, but they also deliberately obscured who she sent the messages to. She could very well be sending the photo of the arch to a different third party and “Wanna do it?” Being an invitation to destroy it. Cahoots! Conspiracy!

 

[emmadrew]

I feel like I need to re-read again. I don't remeber who any of the characters outside Kokoro, Kurumi, Naoi and Kudou are xd

 

[Deitess]

Don’t get me wrong, I’m so thankful for the translations - but I have no idea wtf is going on anymore