Chapter 22 is the 22nd chapter of Kodocha, the second chapter of the fifth book in the Tankōbon Release, and the third chapter of the third book in the Kanzenban and Bunkoban releases.
Summary[]
Sana tells Tsuyoshi she's unsure she knows what love is, She prepares to leave for the film role she accepted, which means she'll be living in the mountains for two months. A classmate confesses his love to Sana, and she declines by lying that she and Naozumi are dating. As Sana leaves to film the movie, Akito tells her he has something important to say when she gets back.
Plot[]
Sana gets mad at the idea Tsuyoshi brings up of of Akito having feelings for her, and them being obvious in spite of the fact he's never said anything to her about them. She calms down and tells him that she's lost confidence in her ability to tell if she's in love or not because of what happened with she and Rei last year . Tsuyoshi feels sorry for her, and Sana ends the conversation.
On the bus ride back, Tsuyoshi thinks of how different of conundrums Akito and Sana have about their relationship, meanwhile Fuka assumes Sana and Akito are already dating (which other classmates are happy to hear be said straightforwardly, but Sana denies it).
At a press conference, Rei is upset to learn that Naozumi's role in the movie has been elevated to the main character in the final version of the script, but Sana is fine with it. Rei takes the opportunity to try and intimidate Naozumi into thinking Sana is the better actor and will upstage him. Back at Jinbou Junior High, Principal Narunaru plays the press conference on a television in the cafeteria given Sana is involved. Fuka, Tsuyoshi, and Akito watch. The interviewers ask leading questions to both Sana and Naozumi, egging them on to admit they're dating, but Sana fiercely rejects them. The director, Mikio Ono announces that they'll be filming the movie on location for two months in the mountains, and Sana's friends are all shocked to hear. Akito remembers his conversation with her while out on a jog and connects the dots.
Misako dwells on how this is the first job Sana has taken on by herself (without the pressure of My Daughter and I's release). Meanwhile Tsuyoshi firmly tells Akito that he should confess his feelings to Sana before she leaves to start filming the movie, but Akito gets mad and goes to karate practice.
Sana goes to school for the first time in a bit, and has a nice conversation with Fuka. She finds a note in her desk telling her to meet behind the school after classes. When she follows the notes directions, its Ishida (the fan of Sana's who got in a fight with Akito on the first day of Junior High) and he confesses he has feelings for Sana and would like to go out with her. Sana tries to figure out how to let him down gently, when Ishida brings up the rumors of she and Naozumi dating, so she uses that as an easy out. She tells him not to tell anybody, and he agrees and runs off, respecting the relationship. In the car with Sana, she feels guilty about telling a lie.
Akito is promoted to brown belt, and at home his dad congratulates him. Natsumi lets Akito know that Sana called while he was gone, saying she's leaving tomorrow for the movie shoot. Cut to the next morning, Sana is getting ready to leave when she sees Akito who's come to see her off. She congratulates him on getting his brown belt, and he tells her that they need to have a talk when she gets back. She assures him it won't seem long, and says goodbye. As the bus leaves, Naozumi tensely looks at Akito, while Sana gleefully waves at him. Misako meanwhile thinks about how long a few months can feel when you're Akito and Sana's age.
Characters[]
Author's Notes[]
"Remember in book 4, I promised to write character profiles for everyone? At an autograph signing last summer, a fan asked me what Sana's blood type was and I couldn't answer! I told her it was going to be in book 5 and ran away! By the way, thanks everyone,for coming to my signings and to conventions. Some of you came from really far away, and that makes me so happy! And thanks for all the gifts, too! You're all great."
Sana's Character Profile:
"Sana Kurata
Birthday: March 7th
Sign: Pisces
Blood type: 0
Her height: She's still growing! So that's not final. But she's a little taller than average.
I tend to make my main character a "good girl" and maybe sometimes I overdo it. But I really like Sana. (Please give her your support!) As I said before, I based her partly on the child actress Kie Arita and on my school friend "S," who was on TV a lot. When I came up with the way she looked, I had an image in mind of the actress Noriko Ogawa. She's a real actress. I love real actresses!"
Trivia[]
- This chapter was adapted into Sana Wasn’t Ready For Love and The Actress is Holing Up in the Mountains.