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The Tale of Genji – Chapter 25 (Fireflies) – Summary & Analysis
There are several men making advances to Tamakazura, but Genji keeps them away from this child in his care. Genji is eager to marry the girl to someone worthwhile, so he arranges for Prince Hotaru to visit her. Then, when the prince is visiting, Genji carefully orchestrates a way for Prince Hotaru to actually see Tamakazura in the light of fireflies. Of course, Genji’s ploy works and Hotaru is taken with the beautiful woman. Unfortunately, it also throws Tamakazura into even more confusion.
On the second day of our detox course, I followed Okaasama around. We went to a beauty salon, and then a ganbanyoku “stone spa” where we lay on heated stones. At the yoga studio I was ecstatic when the instructor said I was good at it.
Outside of our meals I never saw Maihama-san so things were more or less peaceful.
That night, Madam Kaburagi appeared to have dinner together with us.
I realised while I was eating that although brown rice and other cereals weren’t bad once in a while, eating this every day was a little much. I was thinking about the food when Madam Kaburagi changed seats to talk to me. Uu…
“Reika-san, how are you finding the current course?”
“The course let me grow familiar with natural foods. It has been a very worthwhile two days.”
“I’m very happy to hear you say that. You’re skinny after all, so you don’t need to diet, after all?”
“Goodness, that is not true.”
Thank you for the flattery at least. I know better than anybody what the state of my body is. It was so obviously flattery though that I couldn’t even feel good about it.
I gave her a polite smile.
“How are you planning to spend your summer break, Reika-san?”
“A summer study course at cram school, lessons as usual, meeting up with some friends. Just a few things. Oh, and going on a trip with my family, I suppose.”
“My, that sounds fun. Where are you going this year?”
“My mother is thinking of Austria. She wants to see an opera on the water.”
Okaasama enjoys things like ballet and opera because she loves being immersed in worlds that are beautiful and fantastical. As to be expected from the woman who tried turning her daughter into a bisque doll.
“My, what a wonderful time that would be! I’ve been to see the Seebühne as well, before! It had incredible impact. Do you like opera as well, Reika-san?”
“Whenever we were in Europe, my mother would take us to the theatre if anything she liked was playing. I am ashamed to say that although I enjoyed myself each time I am not very familiar with opera in and of itself. I do understand that I would enjoy it more if I had a deeper understanding, but…”
“Well that’s not true! I think simply opening your heart and enjoying it the way you do is much better than going in there to analyse and evaluate it. Which operas do you like?”
“Although this is quite a mainstream answer, I like The Magic Flute and Lohengrin.”
“You like Lohengrin? Then what about Tristan and Isolde from Wagner as well?”
“It was very passionate.”
“My!” she smiled.
We continued to talk about opera for a while when she clapped her hands together.
“Oh, that’s right! I’m organising a firefly catching event. Please do come! I know you like fantasy worlds so I think you would definitely enjoy it!”
“Eh…”
That was a bit… If possible, I wanted to completely refuse. Even now I was only here because Okaasama had half threatened me into it.
I spent some time thinking about how to refuse when Mrs. Kaburagi called out to Okaasama sitting next to me and sealed the deal. Ugh!
“Firefly catching! That sounds wonderful. Isn’t that great, Reika-san? You liked the Tale of Genji, didn’t you?”
“Oh, Reika-san likes the Tale of Genji? Then it sounds like you must become the Tamakazura of the night.”
“My, hohoho,” laughed Okaasama, “Then who would Prince Hotaru be?”
“How about my Masaya?”
“My, Reika-san! How about it? Isn’t that great?”
Without any input from me, the two of them had begun getting excited all on their own. Please give me a break…
And to begin with, Okaasama, when did I say I liked the Tale of Genji? Why did the husband and wife of the Kisshouin family have a habit of suddenly making up lies.
Maihama-san’s eyes were something to behold as she listened to our conversation.
*
*
After finishing the 3 day 2 night detox course, we were finally going home today.
Okaasama had been in a terrific mood ever since I received the invitation last night. When we were back in our room she kept whispering,
“Masaya-san’s Okaasama seems to like you, so this is your chance to get close to him.”
like some sort of brainwashing tape, which was scary so I went to sleep with my futon covering my head.
We were gathered in the meeting room to listen to the staff recap the course when Madam Kaburagi appeared, along with her son.
The ladies around me squealed in excitement at Kaburagi Masaya’s sudden appearance.
“Everybody, thank you for the last two days. Today I’m here with my son Masaya.”
“Goodness! We’re overjoyed to meet with Masaya-san!”
The madams began to surround him like housewives swarming a popular Enka singer. Wow, so this was strength of Obasama Power. Even Maihama-san was overpowered by it, meandering here and there outside of the ring of madams. My own Okaasama wasn’t amongst them though. Thank goodness…
Anyway, apparently Kaburagi had been brought here as a reward for them. He was standing there congratulating each one on a job well done.
Hmm. Kaburagi might not have had a shred of courtesy while we were at school, but apparently he behaved like a proper heir outside.
Over the last two days, Akimi-san and I had become really friendly, so the two of us exchanged our email addresses.
Finally freed from the madams, Kaburagi came this way.
“Huh, you’re here too?”
“Gokigen’yoh, Kaburagi-sama.”
“Just so you know, this course isn’t going to lose you any weight. Exercise.”
Wow, flat-out denying the effectiveness of your own hotel’s course?
“I was simply here to accompany my mother… I was not here hoping to lose weight, you know?”
It was embarrassing so I pushed the blame onto Okaasama. And it was true, anyhow.
“Hmmm. Well whatever.”
If you don’t care, then don’t say it.
“But man, must be rough going on some diet course with your mum even though it’s summer break.”
“It was technically a detox course, though. And did your mother not make you do the same thing, today? It does not seem all that different.”
“Guess so.”
Maihama-san ran over and shot in from the side.
“Masaya-sama! I’m so glad that I could meet you today! We didn’t get to speak much at the last party. Do you have any plans after this? How about having some tea with me in the loungeroom downstairs?”
“Sorry, I’ve already got plans,” he said disinterestedly.
Despite that, Maihama-san continued to cling to him. Insistent, wasn’t she.
“See ya,” he said before turning around and leaving, all while still trying to get rid of Maihama-san.
Naturally, Maihama-san ran after him. She did remember to stop and glare at me though.
“Yesterday, Reika-san stepped on my foot~” she tattled to Kaburagi/
“Uh huh,” he replied without much thought.
I felt exhausted…
*
*
*
When I arrived at cram school, Umewaka-kun and I immediately discussed when to meet. It was going to be warm, so in consideration of Beatrice we decided on a place with an indoor dog park. We might have just meeting up because I wanted to meet Beatrice, but if we met up alone I was liable to be considered an enemy by Moriyama-san again. That’s why I suggested inviting everyone else along.
Moriyama-san was obviously fine with that. Everyone else seemed like they could come too, which was great. Umewaka-kun began passionately telling everybody about how much he loved his cute dog.
I got the feeling that recently I was hanging around a lot of passionate people… Well, by lots I just meant Mihara-san and Umewaka-kun, of course.
At night I received more lovey-dovey pictures of him and Beatrice, along with an email.
“I’m going to dress up in my favourite ribbon when we meet! How exciting! Do you have any clothes you want me to wear? Bea-tan, is really excited to meet you, Reika-tan!”
Yep, yep, I’m looking forward to meeting you too.
If partially because I want to see this trainwreck couple in person…
お兄ちゃん、やめてぇ！ 
Yayy! Thank you for all these updates!!! How nice, I don’t ship it but now Bakaburagi talks the Reika of hus own accord huh? :)
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Yayyy! First! –I swear to god my English!!! (Talks to Reika on his***) lol
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Soz but your second…
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Oh!!! Soz again, I thought u were second cuz I didn’t notice it was a reply and thought first wasa different person… >.>
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No, no. You were right in your first post. If you take time into account, Zai is both 1st AND 2nd. Congratulations to Zai for such an accomplishment
TToTT~so proud XDD
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Lol, y didn’t u take third as well?
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Thanks for the chapter! Tho something to mention lolol aha…
“My, hohoho,” laughed Okaasama, “Then who would Prince Hotaru be?”
“How about my Masaya?”
Me: //chokes
Ahahaha…no. Nuh uh. Nai wa. Get your nonsense out of my face. It’s too scary to think about ;; 7 ;; ))
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And then Reika and Bea-tan came in matching clothes.
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Hohoho, Masaya Mama, dream on.
I don’t want Kaburagi Ship. Apologies to the fans.
For the time being, Reika samaaaa is enough being a Lover Village Chief…….
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*Loner
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Thank you for the translation.. I do hope your group won’t stop translating wonderful web novels.. Thank you for the hard work…
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“‘But man, must be rough going on some diet course with your mum even though it’s summer break.’
‘It was technically a detox course, though. And did your mother not make you do the same thing, today? It does not seem all that different.'”
Uh-oh. They’re starting to find common ground. The flags, Reika! The flags!
“If partially because I want to see this trainwreck couple in person…”
I’m a tad scared here.
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Reika-sama is skinny?
*Looks at myself*
How about me? I have fats sticking out of my tummy, y’know.
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Gokigen’yoh
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Kaburagi and Reika as Prince Hotaru and Tamakazura?! Even for a joke it went to far!!
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Thanks for the chapter. I suspect Enjou & Reika will eventually be a thing, rather than Bakaburagi & Reika. One of the two has been watching Reika for a long time now after all (See one of the chapters from a different person’s perspective, can’t remember which), and I can’t see Bakaburagi being the one doing so. Plus, Enjou sometimes tries to ’cause trouble’ for Reika that somehow causes her to spend time with Enjou & Bakaburagi…
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” One of the two has been watching Reika for a long time now after all (See one of the chapters from a different person’s perspective, can’t remember which), and I can’t see Bakaburagi being the one doing so”
Actually Bakaburagi has been observing Reika quite a lot. Like her valse with Onii-sama, Deer-accident etc etc
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Including that one time to with the fan XD that was funny!
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The difference is Kaburagi bluntly points it out to Reika(i.e. Deer girl) while Enjou is subtle(i.e. pointing out she likes older men). The person watching her seems like a subtle person.
Yes, I’m on team Enjou bandwaggon
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Agreed. Bakaburagi definitely noticed Reika a lot too, but in that instance, it’s unlikely he’s the unidentified witness. He wouldn’t be able to resist making some sort of comment had he been ( like calling Reika “pigeon girl” or something).
#teamANYONEbutbakaburagi
#oknotbakatsuragieither
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Stalking is not a merit in Reika’s eyes.
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Or rather, doesn’t half the school seems to observe her while she being oblivious to it all? Most of different POV have someone looking at reika-sama and fantasize weird stuff out of her daydreaming about food or the like.
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Thank you Este!
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Thank you for the chapter!
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Reika-sama has been attacked by deers, poop bombed by a bird and then ambushed by a pigeon… We all know animals and Reika-sama does not have good compatibility… So I wonder how will Beatrice react to Reika-sama…? Oh, and the fireflies too, I guess… Hahaha…
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Fibbing and brainwashing is bad, Okaasama. Plus, didn’t Tamazakura end up with an old man (forcefully, at that)? IMO no ladies in that story end up happy…not the best scenario to aspire for your daughter.
I’m looking forward to see the trainwreck interspexies couple.
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*interspecies
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Thanks
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when Kaburagi-mama mentioned the firefly event, I’m seeing Bakaburagi in his Emperor mode while trying to catch most of the fireflies. Just thinking about it🤣 And Bea-tan!! Aaaah~ can’t wait and Bea-tan and Reika-sama’s first meeting. Now that is also something to look forward too.
Thank you sooo much for the update!!😊
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“when she clapped her hands together. Oh, that’s right! I’m organising a firefly catching event.”
I had a weird image in my head of Kubragimama swatting fireflies in my head… That’s ADD for ya.
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Forget Masaya or any of the guys being with Reika.
I support…Reika×Madam Kaburagi.
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I know EnjouxReika seems to be the forerunner, but I want Masaya to have a chance only because the Kaburagi parents would be over the moon.
…my ideal scenario is Reika gets pseudo-adopted and spoiled by Kaburagi mama and papa. She can get with whoever she wants after that.
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Ohhh, i also wanna see that. Kaburagi mama and papa kick their disappointed son aside and think of making Reika their heir, i can see Reika freaking out and binge eating to relieve stress while complaining to Sakurako/Aoi/Oniisama lol
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i would like to see Reika a bit more angry sometimes :D its infuriating that she never says something back she couldve atleast snapped back at her mother for that.
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Lol. Kaburagi already counting Reika as his ‘guy-friend’ I guess? He’s making small conversation and comfortable enough to share his misery with Reika, so at least the love flag is out of the way.
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Thank you very much
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Many thanks.
So Reika is going to meet her doppelganger. How fun. I’m really excited.
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Oh no, Kaburagi-mama has her target set on Reika! Duck, Reika, duck!
You, stfu, Bakaburagi! Stop talking about people’s weight! No asked you! >0
And Fake-Rococo really can’t take a hint…
Thanks for the translation!
But this part:
“like some sort of brainwashing tape, which was scary so I went to sleep with my futon covering my head.”
Was this the full sentence? It seems off…
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Well, has been whispering to her constantly like some brainwashing tape, in order to make her believe that the firefly catching party is some sort of opportunity to get Kaburagi..
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Like parents like daughter, you remember Reika being the same brainwashing tape to her tanuki? 😂
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Ah, okay. I think the formatting threw me off a bit there so I didn’t realize it was part of the prior sentence and not a separate paragraph. Thanks! XD
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Matchmaker between parents are terrifying…
Run, Queen, Run!
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I stand corrected. Kaburagi mama already joked about setting up her son with reika. Reika must been raising merit points nonstop with kaburagi mama.
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Reika may end up with Bea tan, wont that dog baka be so jealous :P
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Reika’s hit zone
Way older than her: mature, dreamy n dependable
Way younger than her : Cute n healing
Same age as her: Stalker, immature and baka
Not sure how Bakaguri, Enjou and etc camp going to survive
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There are exceptions:
Katsuragi (bird brain-kun) is not cute and healing (maybe in another way lol teasing him helps Reika to relieve stress)
Class Rep, Iwamuro, Akizawa, Mizusaki and Satomi are same age as her, and they are not really thought as hopeless as the certain emperor and scheming bastard xD
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Thanks for the chapter!
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“We went to a beauty salon, and then a ganbanyoku “stone spa” where we lay on heated stones. At the yoga studio I was ecstatic when the instructor said I was good at it.”
===
I took a sip of beer when I read this and made a conscious effort not to spit.
Yes Reika. You’re good at laying around. Damning with faint praise indeed.
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Oh shit, I misread that.
Oh well.
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Probably pretty close considering that there are beginners and out if shape middle aged women in the class.
Though any motion us good for the sedentary.
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Well it was too perfect if the instructor praised her for laying about on heated stones. Especially since Sakura basically pointed out that the only two yoga poses Reika did amounted to standing and laying down.
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a happy misunderstanding. ive decided to keep it that way.
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lol i meant the yoga sorry
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Thanks 4 the chapter!
Since Reika has little chance of getting Masaya out of her life, getting friendzoned by him may be for the better.
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…until Kaburagi ships her with Enjou. What could be better than his two friends being together.. lol
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Some primal masculine part of me empathizes with Kaburagi now. Blunt, truthful and hellbent on conquest.
I mean, insamuch as a teensy slip of a man could be “masculine.”
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By the by, I knew somebody who was basically a Moriyama.
He brought his dog to the last day of college before graduation. She was quite well groomed and loved. And when questioned, this man in question told me that any girlfriend would simply have to accept that she was a lower priority than his dog.
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An Umekawa, you mean. Umekawa is dog lover-kun, while Moriyama is the girl that likes him..
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Haha, yes! I’m also interested in meeting this trainwreck couple!ヾ(｡>﹏<｡)ﾉﾞ✧*。
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thnx for the chapter
and reika you canot escape fate, just surrender to it peacefully.
it will be better for you
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Meatbun Delivery~
Thank you for the chapter ( ●w●)
All the mommies are already onboard on S.S.KaburagiXReika ship..
Poor reika.. she got no ally in the spa..
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Thank you for the chapter~
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What an enjoyable dieting course of small fries… mmm fries…
on a side note I remember often being tripped by my friends when I was younger. I developed the cat like reflex of landing on all fours or calf 60-45-60 degree rotations in order to avoid anther incident where bones would pop out of my skin.
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