h a t s u ● k o i

"I realized the person I want to spend the rest of my life with, is Kotoko and no one else." -Irie Naoki's proposal (manga translation)-

THE LOVE OF KIN-CHAN PART 2 His Happy Ending

I’ve had this post done last year after Episode 15 of the first season aired. It was a tribute to Kinnousuke, and ‘few of the many heroic moments as he declares his love for Kotoko.’

I also had this to say back then:

To me, this Kinchan is the best among all other Kin-chans. He had me in tears each time he appears and says something to cheer Kotoko up. His love truly is one of the best and most selfless I have seen, which is why I will sign all petition there is for a second season, because there we will see the person who will give him love, show him love, return the love he’s given Kotoko in triple amounts. To see the day Kin-chan receives love would be one of the greatest gift for all Kin-chan fans. I will wait for that day. “I’m very persistent~!” as Kin-chan would say. :)

And now, here we are: again, down to the second to the last episode of the Love In Tokyo series, but this time, I finally got my wish: the person who gave love, showed him love and return the love he has given to Kotoko in triple amounts is by his side now, and he is very, very happy. Just look at his big smile.

His character has always been the comic relief and truthfully, one of my least favorite characters. That was until Love in Tokyo. I adore how Director Koto Nagata made her Kin-chan. He was not like any other before him. This one was lovable, this one was understanding, this one has principles and pride of a man, this one was actually Kotoko’s friend, this one loved Kotoko dearly, unconditionally, truly. He wasn’t demanding anything of her in LIT’s version, at least he only did so when Kotoko was already technically dating him, and I guess in a way he had a right to demand then. All throughout in season one he was the noble guy and a true friend who supported her when everyone else, not even Satomi or Jinko, were there. My favorite scene of him was when he drove Kotoko, who was depressed learning about Irie-Matsumoto living in together, home and told her: I am always here. And my favorite line from him was: Can you go out with me again? I will find a place where you can have fun again. Don’t take it so seriously. Just think that you want to go out to relieve some stress and I happen to be the person with you. My heart broke for him over and over, but these two are the moments where I actually felt sympathy and love and decided that this Kinchan is one of the most beautiful character I ever encountered in any fiction.

While my heart as breaking for him all throughout the first season, I was also very hopeful and secretly excited. Maybe this is how God feels when we so desperately chase for things not meant for us when He knows He already had the best in store, and we just had to wait a little more. Because little did this noble Kin-chan know, that not long after, a certain Christine Robbins will come.

To me, Kin-chan’s story is very beautiful and everyone should learn from him because all of us are in his situation more often than we realize. Like I said, he is the prime example of people chasing after the wrong things, because we can’t help it: that thing is what I want, it is what will make me happy, I probably cannot live without it. And so we do all we can, we exhaust ourselves, we give what we have, just so it becomes ours but even then, after everything, it still isn’t for us. What we don’t know is that when the time is right, and often the right time is when we’ve finally had enough, finally given up on life, finally think we screwed up and flipped all the tables we could; when the right timing comes, we receive that one destined for us, created, designed and intended just for us, and it will be something more than we had ever dreamed or hoped for. Kinchan thought Kotoko was the love of his life and so he was bold into having her heart, and yet, even after everything he’s done for her, she still chooses to be with the cold-hearted Irie-kun. Because the one for Kotoko is Naoki and Kotoko is not for Kinnosuke–simple as that.

But it doesn’t end there.

When Chris came, it became the other way around: this time Kinnosuke was the one receiving love. And Chris’ love was even more powerful than Kinchan’s to Kotoko. She was more bold than him. She was more clingy. She was more determined. She was triple the love he showed and gave Kotoko. And you know what’s amusing? All her love is for Kinchan, he, who had given so much, received more.

This is where the above quote comes into play. It’s from a local movie recently popular in my country. It translates:

“(You know) A love like that seems impossible to not get anywhere. It will definitely come back to you, not necessarily by the person you’ve given it to, but I’m sure it will return to you.”

Now we understand why Kotoko is not for Kinnosuke: because Kinnosuke is for Christine and Christine is for Kinnosuke–and that is simple and that is a happy ending.

One of the points I was looking forward to was the ending of Kinchan and Chris, because as I’ve said, he deserves a happy conclusion after all that he’s sacrificed in season one. And I must say, I am very, very content with how season 2 turned out. Despite the change in director, they maintained the Kinchan I adored in the first, and they chose an actress who gave justice to Chris’ character–something that was a struggle for both the Taiwanese and anime versions. Overall I am very satisfied and very thankful for taking care of Kinchan’s character, Chris’ role and their love story.

THE LOVE OF KIN-CHAN Few of the many heroic moments of Kinnosuke as he declares his love for Kotoko. As we begin the countdown until the last episode of Love In Tokyo, let us remember the other character who, along with Kotoko, had his heart broken yet still tries his hardest to win the heart of the one he loves.

- - - - - One year after. Bringing this back because Kinchan is now happy and I am tearful. I’m so happy for him! :’)

ITAZURA NA KISS ~ Significant Moments (that go unnoticed) { one / five } The Parallel Kotoko: That Matsumoto, she confessed to you, right? How did you answer her? Naoki: How I answered doesn’t concern you. —INK Manga Vol4, Ch2—

I hope I wasn’t the only one who noticed this cute parallel between an earlier, small moment and one that is part of a very unforgettable scene. I’m sharing this so everyone will appreciate this~

The First Time: Kotoko strains her foot during the promised second Doubles Match between Sudo-Matsumoto vs Irie-Aihara, and Naoki is escorting her to her new house. On the way, Kotoko refuses to get a taxi and opts to walk (despite her injury because… yeah, you guessed, because she wanted to spend more time with Naoki, especially now that she and her father had just recently left the Irie house); she begins the conversation asking Naoki how he responded to Matsumoto’s confession, where Naoki responds with: it’s none of your business.

Sound familiar? Let me refresh your memory.

The Second Time: Fast forward to Sahoko arc, when Kotoko finally decides to give up on Naoki, for real this time, and starts going on dates with Kin-chan. Naoki goes to Tonan Tennis Club where he hears news that Kinnosuke has proposed to Kotoko and that today she is giving him her answer. He disappears, only to see him next waiting for Kotoko under the rain. He, again, escorts her home, but this time he is the one concerned about a certain confession, and asks her how she responded to Kinchan’s (this time it is a) proposal, where, as you have again guessed, she answers with: it’s none of your business.

I actually noticed this parallel in ISWK then had to check with the manga and voila, it’s there. In Love In Tokyo S1 though, instead of this conversation, they changed it to Naoki calling Kotoko by her name for the first time. It was actually a sweet modification, but I had to frown a little bit because I’m a sucker for parallels.

Their confrontation (before the kiss in the rain) became more meaningful because of this seemingly small moment. The first time this happened it was Kotoko worrying how Irie-kun responded to a beautiful and perfect girl’s confession–typical ItaKiss pattern; but the second time it happens, it was Naoki worrying how Kotoko responded to the guy who has loved her for six years and promised to protect her’s marriage proposal–perfect Role Reversal. We knew how Kotoko felt the first time: she loves him so she’s afraid he said yes to another girl; but this time it was Irie-kun in her situation therefore does that mean he is afraid that she might have said yes?

(Of course he was lol)

This is what I love about Kaoru Tada’s writing. She puts a lot of small moments in the early chapters that we think, oh so this cute thing happened this chapter, then brush it off as just that. But during the big, important plot-related events, these small moments come into play again, and then we are just left in that bittersweet feeling that, oh my god so that’s what it meant back then! I’m just filled with awe when she does this in the InK manga. I still have four more of these Significant but usually go unnoticed moments series, stay tuned? XD

“Well… It was like she had cast a spell. From day to night she would tell me ‘I love you.’ It was so annoying. But when I slowly got used to it, all of a sudden she says, 'I don’t like you anymore.’ I remember feeling mad. I should have been relieved but that didn’t seem to be the case.”

Sorry I had to post another one~ it’s just that, I’ve watched all versions and read the manga over and over, and this part is really one of my most favorite scenes from the whole manga.

When I first watched this from They Kiss Again, I cried so hard and got extremely touched at this line. Itazura Na Kiss is centered on Kotoko’s feelings, and somehow it has developed a pattern about how she looses confidence and becomes jealous to any girl who Naoki seems to be in good terms with, and then Naoki, as any male shoujo lead, would go after her and kiss her suddenly. Then we are reminded again how head-over-heels she is towards him.

But then these rare moments come, where it is Naoki who would admit just how important and influential she is to him. The first one would be him telling Kotoko’s father: “She just doesn’t know how much I am in love with her” during the pre-Kobe departure. This time, he openly tells Yuuki how he felt during season 1. It is in rare moments like this that I appreciate their relationship, no matter how most people disagree on it, but I think they just don’t understand what the author’s message is. There are those who say Kotoko is stupid and childish, there are even feminist qualms, and there are those who say Naoki is a jerk and an ass–well, they are. I don’t fully agree to their personalities, but even then, the way they affect each other make them better. Kotoko is encouraged to do her best for Naoki, while Naoki learns to be more sensitive towards others. And I think this is how a relationship should be, doesn’t it? You become better for and because of the other person, while also becoming that one person who would make them better as well.

“When you look at him now he’s just a normal handsome guy… It’s just Irie-kun who I was in love with.” – Aihara Kotoko, INK Manga Vol01 Ch02 Pg38—

Itazura na Kiss: Love in Tokyo Meme 9. Your favorite drama picture (post the picture) Among all the versions of the sleep scene, the most romantic shot for me was in Love In Tokyo. It helps that Miki looked so gorgeous with her hairdo, and the way she gazed at the sleeping Irie was a mixture of pain and admiration that it breaks your heart yet fills it with fluff at the same time.

It would have been better if she said the quotes above instead of just saying, “Irie-kun’s sleeping face.” This scene was for Kotoko to realize, while looking at Irie’s sleeping face, that he really isn’t that great as she had made him out to be, that he’s just a someone who happened to have a handsome face and an above average brain but all in all, he’s human too who’s not so different from other people… but then, why does he seem a lot different, a lot more handsome, a lot more special than anyone else in her eyes?

A variation of this quote is from Episode 03 ofIt Started With A Kiss:

“Looking at you like this, you’re just a bit better than the average person. Just a little more good looking, that’s all. He is only Jiang Zhi Shu who I’ve had a crush on and not some monster… nothing to be afraid of.”

Kotoko’s revenge :“>

I’ve always wanted to do an edit on Naoki and Kotoko’s versions of their stolen kisses. In the anime, the episode (ep 7) when Naoki kisses Kotoko on graduation night was entitled "Spiteful Kiss” while the wedding kiss which Kotoko stole (ep 14) was called “The Greatest Kiss.”

Ahh~ now I want to watch Love in Tokyo again ;A;

“I’m not good enough for him.” -Aihara Kotoko, ItaKiss Love In Tokyo Ep 3-

The quote was from Episode 3 of LIT where Noriko convinces Kotoko to like Naoki again and marry into their family. Kotoko smiles sadly saying she is not good enough for him.

The scene was from Episode 15 when Sahoko (invited by Naoki) came over to congratulate Iri-chan Papa from being discharged. She brings her cooking and impresses everyone, while Kotoko had to give up her seat and find herself somewhere else to fit in. Kotoko looks as everyone enjoy Sahoko’s cooking until finally her pretend smile disappears from her face.

This is one of the most heartbreaking scenes for me because of its deeper meaning. When Sahoko came, Ai Papa and Kotoko had to stand up and find another seat, with this Kotoko had to take a chair from the dining area since there are no seats left for her. It’s like a wake up call: this is Naoki’s family, and she has no place in it.

Another thing is when Sahoko said she learned her cooking from her mother. To me, someone who lost a parent would always find the topic painful; Kotoko also said before that she didn’t have a mother to teach her stuff girls should know, mainly why she isn’t good at cooking or knitting. On the other hand, there is this perfect girl who is everything she never was, and has things she will never have. Here is the girl who is good enough for Naoki, and Kotoko has to face the fact that it is not her.

THE LOVE OF COFFEE Continuing with the countdown to the Rain Kiss~ One of the things I especially like about Love in Tokyo is its emphasis on the coffee moments.

The symbolism of coffee for Irie and Kotoko is more than just a beverage he always asks her to make. In every version, there is a scene where Irie would ask Kotoko to make him coffee or pour him a cup, but it wasn’t really explained why, making it just one of the rituals they do every morning.

I, myself, didn’t know it’s significance until I read the manga, when Rika (Naoki and Yuuki’s cousin) stays in their house for a month. Rika’s part in the manga wasn’t included in They Kiss Again and the anime, and could have been the reason why the significance of coffee wasn’t touched, which is also why, I was extremely happy when this point was given emphasis in Love In Tokyo.

LIT coming up with the first time Irie tastes Kotoko’s coffee and shows him quietly enjoying what she made complements one moment in the manga which happens years later during their married life. From that day of their first weeks together until after years of marriage, Irie still loves Kotoko’s coffee. And the fact that he refuses for anyone to make him his coffee is a reflection of his loyalty to her (remember their honeymoon?) and how he loves her overall—despite majorly full of faults, that one special thing she is good at keeps him attracted to her.

To me, that is just… love. ;w;

#mine #itakiss