Bean Counter Episode 3 Review - One-Side Love For Now
There are a few things I really like about Bean Counter as a whole. First off, I do like that the leads have the same hair color. Anime and manga has this tendency where they make the leads have different hair colors in order to distinguish them. However, there are rare cases where the leads in a romance or even a non-romance story would have the same hair color. I think this is the first BL I’ve seen where the leads have the same hair color.
Also, I find it cute that this episode is mostly Aresh taking care of Seiichiro and he’s falling for him because of that. I think this is the first time where Aresh gets to truly know Seiichiro as a person. While he understands that Sei is a workaholic, he also understands the merits and demerits of knowing how to do your work. Sei is obsessed with working because he likes things being in order. Aresh never cared much for paperwork and knowing the importance of finance, he actually looks at paperwork for the first time, showing that Sei’s work ethic does have some positive outcomes.
Aresh is totally into him as he understands what Sei likes and dislikes in regards to eating habits. The fact that he’s willing to kiss him without second thoughts does show that he likes him a lot, but he’s not expressive. Also, it was so hilarious to see him upset over the fact that Sei isn’t into younger people as he is 22 and Sei is 30. Aresh, Orjef and I are rooting for you.
Though, there is one person who is appreciative of Sei’s efforts and that is Kamil. I did read the source material and I always found him a bit suspicious. The fact that he’s now on first name basis with Seiichiro is definitely going to tick Aresh’s buttons.
Yua has screen time in this episode. Her interactions with Norbert were so funny in that Norbert believed Japan was a country full of moving roads and people didn’t walk. Though, I did wish that they added in the firecracker and bungee jumping references. That part was funny. Still, it was funny seeing Norbert’s face when he learned that one of Sei’s “lies” was truth—which would be that girls in their world would wear skirts that go above their knees. He’s only 18, so he’s just a horny teenager. Still, I did feel a bit bad that Yua was about to heal Seiichiro but didn’t realize that he isn’t resistant towards magicules. I do wish that the communication between them would be a bit better as they are each other’s only connection to Earth. But, it makes sense as Yua is only a kid and Sei couldn’t be bothered.
Though, that one valet of Yua’s is annoying. I hated him. Why would he accuse Seiichiro of stalking Yua? I’m sure Yua would have explained that they had no prior relationship and were just strangers that met, yet he’s the one disobeying her words.
And speaking of annoyances, I feel like the anime took out a lot of small details that would’ve helped liven up the episode a bit more. Like, in the manga, Sei was shown to be a picky eater and wanted to give some of the vegetables that he didn’t like to Norbert, showing off a childish side that isn’t shown much in the anime. Sei also talks back to Aresh a lot, especially at the scene where he is taken away from the general store by him. Maybe it’s the voice direction, but it does feel as if anime Sei is a lot calmer than manga Sei, whom I’m more familiar with.
Kamil is voiced by Hiroki Tochi, who voiced Heiter in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Pantherlily in Fairy Tail and Baek Yoonho from Solo Leveling. I think the voice suits him a lot. Yua is voiced by Yuna Kamakura, who has been in two DEEN-produced BLs; she voiced Sasaki’s sister Satoko from Sasaki and Miyano and also Yuki’s mother from Tadaima, Okaeri. It’s probably intentional as the director of both animes is also the director of this one. Kamakura has good range if she’s able to voice an older woman in one anime and a young girl in this one. I honestly think she should get more roles; she’s very underrated as I enjoyed her as Ghost Girl from Yugioh VRAINS. Orjef is voiced by Kazuyuki Okitsu who voiced Zantetsu from Blue Lock; he’s also a BL regular, so it was surprising when I saw him in the cast list.
Overall, I did like the growing relationship between Sei and Aresh. Aresh is definitely possessive of him and is interested in him romantically, but it’s going to take a while for Sei to reciprocate. Let’s all root for them. Let me know your thoughts on this episode.
Uh, it's gonna take the stars to convince me
To prepare or to be far when it hits me
You be here or you be gone at the new speed
You a roam from the room and it gets me
- "Neighbors" by Theophilus London
A gift for @detectivedarling as part of the @honzuki-exchange Winter Socializing Event!
7th Time Loop Volume 4 Side Story: The Tale of the Imperial Guard Knight and Oliver, the Attendant
This is a bonus side story written by Touko Amekawa set around 7th Time Loop Volume 4! It's about Oliver, Arnold's most trusted attendant/secretary, and Kamil, one of the knights from Arnold's Imperial Guard.
Disclaimer: This translation is made by me for fandom purposes only. This unofficial translation is not affiliated with the official 7th Time Loop franchise. All rights reserved for 7th Time Loop to its respective committees, committee members, staff, author and rights holders. PLEASE DO NOT REPOST THIS TRANSLATION ANYWHERE.
The actual side story can be found in this link at Shousetsuka ni Narou's web novel link for 7th Time Loop!
I'm posting my Ko-Fi here as currently, I've been having financial troubles, so if anyone can donate, I would be much grateful for the help, thank you very much.
For Kamil, a knight from Galkhein’s Imperial Guards, the day had been nothing but a terrible one.
Because he made a big mistake during the day, he got reprimanded by his lord, Arnold.
His childhood friend, Elsie, witnessed him getting pathetically depressed. He pretended it was nothing and tried to help with her work, but he ended up dropping her laundry to the ground instead.
The worst part of the day was that when he was out in town to buy Elsie an apology gift, he saw something totally outrageous.
(Why did I see that at the worst time ever…)
While Kamil was taking a shortcut in the back alley, he saw a man and a woman kissing.
Just as he thought he just passed through the most awkward place ever, the other man, a silver-haired man, calmly called Kamil out.
“Ah, Kamil.”
“Mister Oliver?”
As it turned out, Kamil knew the man who was with the woman.
What was worse, however, Kamil absolutely didn’t know the blonde-haired woman the other man was kissing at all.
Turning a flirtatious gaze towards Kamil, the woman then asked Oliver, “Oliver, do you know this boy, perhaps?”
“Yeah. We know each other due to work.”
“Hmm.”
The woman stepped away from Oliver and gave Kamil a pleasant smile.
Seeing Kamil flinch, she chuckled. Then, the woman waved at Oliver.
“Well then, I‘ll be off now. See you, Oliver.”
“The streets at night are dangerous. Let me walk you home.”
“No need. If I’m seen walking with you, who knows who might stab me at some point.”
“Haha. That’s harsh.”
Oliver shrugged, seemingly not thinking about what the woman just said.
Kamil could smell the gentle scent of perfume the moment the woman passed him. She waved and said "Bye-bye!" to Kamil, who couldn't help but straighten his back and bow in reply.
After that, he asked Oliver, flustered.
"M-Mister Oliver! That lady, she's different from the other woman I saw on the streets with you the other day!?"
"The other day......"
Oliver tilted his head, having this truly confused look.
"Hm, who was it again?"
"That beautiful lady with long chestnut hair, and she was wearing that scarlet dress!"
“Ah, her!”
It seemed like he now remembered, but did remembering that usually take that long?
Speaking of Oliver, he did his job as Arnold's attendant perfectly, and was very friendly with the knights even though they were part of the Imperial Guards.
Kamil thought that the woman Oliver was with the other day was the latter’s lover. However, if that was the case, then who was the woman who was here earlier?
(C-come to think of it, my senior knights said, "Despite Mister Oliver looking like that, he's the enemy of women..." I thought they meant he was just too popular, but is this what they truly mean!?)
"Sorry if it seems like I’m playing dumb with my answer. Recently, I’ve been going out with a lot of friends, I couldn't immediately remember the woman you're talking about."
(...So that's how it is...)
The situation was rather unthinkable for Kamil, who was totally unfamiliar with women and had only gone out with them only a few times. If there was even the slightest chance Elsie would go out with him, he would never ever forget such a chance.
Thinking that far, Kamil’s expression went downcast as he remembered the mistakes he made today.
“……”
“That’s a long face you got there. Ah… that reminds me.”
Oliver looked as if he realized something, then he broke into this refreshing-looking smile.
“Kamil, do you have some free time after this?”
“Um, me? I have timed out of work today.”
“Excellent. If it’s alright with you, would you join me for a drink?”
“Huh……”
He was surprised at the unexpected invitation, but Kamil saw no reason to refuse.
While he was still bewildered, he was led down the back alley to a tavern, and ended up having a one-on-one drink with Oliver.
The tavern was very popular, having a lot of the common folk crammed in there, chatting loudly and making merry inside.
Kamil, who sat at the corner of a table, took a sip from his beer tankard and glanced at Oliver, who seemed quite at ease with the atmosphere there.
“This is surprising. Someone like you, Mister Oliver, drinking at a tavern like this.”
“Really? I myself* was once a knight cadet in the past, though. After training, my seniors often dragged me here.”
“‘I myself’*? So you can address yourself like that.”
“Yeah, I do. Except when I’m at work.”
As Oliver said that with a pleasant smile, Kamil got bedazzled by the former’s beautiful looks.
Even from a man’s perspective, Kamil thought Oliver’s looks were very well-groomed. But he couldn’t help but be convinced with this.
After all, Oliver didn’t look inferior even when standing next to Arnold.
He always had a smile on his face and always performed his tasks with ease, and these made him very popular with women.
If a woman knew a knight served as a part of Arnold’s Imperial Guard, she would normally ask, “Please give me information about Prince Arnold!” around ten times, or “I’d like to hear about the prince’s attendant, Oliver!” around three times.
Meanwhile, a woman from the tavern approached Oliver and smiled sweetly at him.
Oliver returned it with a gentle smile of his own, as if something was established between them two. However, Oliver then immediately turned to Kamil.
“Let’s get to the point at hand. Kamil, don’t worry too much about what happened today.”
“Today… Do you mean that beautiful woman earlier…”
“Not that. You got depressed after Prince Arnold reprimanded you earlier, weren’t you?”
Kamil’s eyes widened hearing those words.
“That was…”
“No need to hide it. It was clear after that moment, you looked as if you lost your energy.”
Kamil felt embarrassed, thinking he had been seen through that much.
A few days back, the second prince, Theodore, told him. “Kamil, you know, your face easily shows what you actually feel. Everyone except you, and probably Sister-in-law, knows you love Elsie.”
“Even so, I don’t want you to be too depressed. Prince Arnold only points out things to people who have potential.”
“......Is– is that true?”
“Yeah. Besides, if you weren’t among the ones that person recognized, you wouldn’t be appointed as a knight of his Imperial Guard in the first place.”
Perhaps Oliver invited Kamil out to give him some encouragement.
“No matter how much time has passed, I’m very inexperienced and I’m still of no use to Prince Arnold…”
“That’s not true. He only ordered people he trusts to guard Lady Rishe. He tasked you with this as he judged you, Kamil, and the other knights capable of protecting his precious fiancée.”
"...!!"
If someone else told Kamil that now, he would have easily burst into tears.
Oliver wore a wry smile as he swirled his wine glass.
“However, anyone would get hurt being reprimanded cruelly like that. I ought to give advice to Prince Arnold about that…”
“Please, no!!”
Realizing his situation was misunderstood, Kamil hurriedly shook his head.
“That’s not it! I wasn’t depressed as I was scolded by Prince Arnold.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“Yes. This is all my problem…”
Kamil wrapped both his hands around his tankard and gripped it tightly, continuing.
“Today’s training session required a high level of alertness. However, I let my guard down a little too early just before training ended.”
Arnold didn’t overlook that moment.
“His Highness reprimanded me, saying, ‘With that frame of mind, you will get injured even if this is just training.’ After being told, ‘If this was a battlefield, you would have died,’ I fully realized how naive I was. I guess I got a little conceited as it was just training.”
“Training injuries, huh.”
“While Prince Arnold’s training is very strict, he always takes very special care regarding injuries during training.”
Oliver then gave a wry smile. He couldn’t figure out the reason, but Kamil lowered his gaze away.
“I got depressed by my own lack of ability…… and I felt ashamed as I dragged my low spirits around and caused trouble for my childhood friend.”
“Well, I guess that won’t be a problem.”
“What do you mean?”
Oliver took a sip from his wine and continued.
“People who contemplate on the details why they were scolded instead of feeling down about being scolded themselves will definitely grow more.――If he sees that kind of change, I’m sure Prince Arnold will be satisfied with it.”
“Mister Oliver……”
A warm feeling rose inside his chest.
As if rubbing salt to Kamil’s wounds, however, Oliver smiled broadly.
“Besides, your childhood friend is Elsie, isn’t it? I’m sure she will forgive you for the trouble you caused her.”
“......”
Hearing that, he once again remembered what happened with Elsie earlier.
Seeing that Kamil dropped the sheets entirely on the ground after he said, “I’ll take the laundry”, Elsie looked at him with a worried expression.
“Kamil, are you all right? If you’re unwell, you should eat a lot and then sleep a lot…… Meat, fish, beans.”
“Elsie is…”
Slumping on the table, he then talked like a drunk person even if he wasn’t drunk.
“Elsie is… Elsie is an angel…”
(Kamil and Elsie from 7th Time Loop Episode 6)
“Hahaha. How enviable.”
For the next hour or so, Kamil continued to talk to Oliver, eventually downing three tankards of beer.
Finally, when they had to pay the bill, Oliver said, “I’ll pay for these.”
Kamil tried to turn that down with all his might, insisting on treating Oliver for the drinks after the latter listened to his concerns, but was told, “You don’t have to pay me. Instead, if any other knights of the Imperial Guard have trouble, I want you to lend them your ear and buy them a drink,” by the person himself. Truly, Kamil was very grateful.
“Besides…… you’re really amazing, Mister Oliver.”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“You’re great at your job, and you’re very considerate of a low-ranking knight of the Imperial Guard like me.”
“Hahaha. Thank you.”
What a kind person. He might be a little frivolous with women, but other than that, he was like a saint.
Kamil sincerely believed these thoughts, and insisted on it as he was about to leave the bar.
“Moreover…… you don’t hesitate to give a piece of your mind to Prince Arnold.”
“Ahー……” Oliver said, his face a little red from the wine, as he put his wallet in his coat.
“That isn’t something that’s difficult to talk about.”
“Huh? Really? But it’s with Prince Arnold, you know?”
“Yeah. It’s really not a big deal.”
Then Oliver, with his usual refreshing-looking smile, declared his words very clearly.
“Besides, I myself* don’t mind being killed by Prince Arnold.”
“――――――Huh…..”
Even though it wasn’t winter, the air then felt really cold.
But Oliver himself didn’t seem to care about it at all.
“Well, then, you should return to the barracks. I have a date after this, so I’ll say goodbye now.”
“Y-yes……”
He then waved goodbye, then saw off Oliver who started to walk away.
(After all, someone chosen by Prince Arnold as his most trusted retainer wouldn’t be an ordinary person himself……)
With this truth in mind, Kamil himself vowed to do his utmost best. And several days later, while Arnold commended Kamil’s swordsmanship, Oliver, who was just behind there, gave a small round of applause.
[End]
*Translator's Notes:
1. *Oliver addresses himself after work as 俺 (ore), which is a less-formal and more masculine way of saying ‘I/me’ in Japanese. While working, however, he usually addresses himself as 私 (watashi), which is formal but also a feminine way of saying ‘I/me’.
2. Touko Amekawa did say this in the LN
3. She also stated in this tweet, however
(Translation) Q: How many women is Oliver playing around with?
Has he decided on the next woman right now?
A: Right now there's four to five women, but usually they'll be changing in around half a year!
Oliver himself says he's not really that terrible for Arnold to look at him like he's trash, as all his partners are women who prefer to have casual relationships.
Basically Arnold's secretary is a well-known manhoe (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)
4. Kamil, who you might have seen in the anime, was actually chosen by Arnold to be one of Rishe's knights as he was known to be in love with Elsie! Rishe has six guards assigned to her from Arnold's Imperial Guard cohort, and the other five are married men who are very much in love with their wives. It makes one wonder why Arnold made that choice. I got the information from this Touko Amekawa tweet btw
(Translation) All except one of Rishe's six escort knights fall under the "married men who are deeply in love with their wives" category.
That one exception of a knight has been deeply in love with his childhood friend for years.
In short, the standard for selecting Rishe's escort knights is "men who wouldn't consider Rishe as a romantic interest", however, Rishe actually doesn't know this.
he spent most of his life up to now as an evil wizard's "apprentice"/servant, what will he do with his newfound freedom? follow in his teachers footsteps or find a new purpose?
