Chapter 49 is the 49th chapter of Kodocha, the third chapter of the tenth book in the Tankōbon Release, and the sixth chapter of the seventh book in the Kanzenban and Bunkoban releases.
Summary[]
Sana's condition continues to worsen. Fuka, Aya, and Tsuyoshi visit Sana and are supportive of her. As the Hayama's move inches closer, Sana and Akito discuss their options.
Plot[]
Akito talks to everyone at Jinbou Junior High about his move. They ask how Sana is, and he brings Tsuyoshi, Aya, and Fuka aside to tell them about her doll syndrome (since Misako gave him permission to tell anyone he feels can be trusted with the information). They're surprised to learn that Sana hasn't been around for a reason other than work, but get enthusiastic about helping Sana. When they arrive though, they're shocked to see Sana skinny (who has now been put on an IV to deal with her eating problems), and unexpressive. They stay in good spirits though, and leave still enthusiastic to come up with ways to try and help her.
Misako worries about Sana, it's much worse than her bout when she was seven, and even when she does eat - she can't keep it down anymore. She's comforted by Sana's friends though, who return with food and comics for her, treating her as normally as always. Misako also thinks about how she feels like she can rely on Akito more than any medicine, or doctor. At school, Akito admits to Tsuyoshi that he doesn't plan on leaving with Sana doing badly. He's willing to cut ties with his family if it means staying by her side.
Sana dreams a thought process about her illness. She knows somethings wrong, but doesn't know what. She feels like something is screaming "don't go!" and this is juxtaposed against the image of Sana as a newborn, abandoned on a park bench, crying. Sana jars awake (crying), and Akito happens to be visiting, reading comics. He wipes her tears (she admits to not remembering her dream that made her cry), and they share cherry mochi that he had a hard time getting due to it's popularity. She's touched by this, and he tells her how he's figured out how they can go to the theme park together. Sana is happy, but is interrupted by feeling sick.
Misako contacts a famous psychiatrist through her publishing connections, and he comes to assess the situation. Rei shares that he's seeing a through line with Sana - where she seems to have a fear of abandonment - citing how she was scared of Misako not wanting her when My Daughter and I was published. The psychiatrist comes up with a theory that this is stemming from Sana's abandonment as a baby, but Akito calls this bullshit - saying that even if that's true, they can't change the past, all that's important is what they can do for her right now. In response to getting worked up, he goes home.
The next day, Sana tells Akito she's been thinking about how the only reason he has to move with his family against his will is because they're kids - so she wants to be an adult. Akito doesn't know where she's going with this, when she shows that she's stolen some of her mom's booze. He gets the connection, that somehow she thinks doing something adults do will make her an adult. He contests this, but she takes a sip... that she then spits out. She decides to try smoking a cigarette instead, but no one in the house smokes, so she then starts unbuttoning her shirt (freaking out Akito). He initially resists her request for her to sit next to him while she's in an undershirt, but he concedes. They kiss, but she keeps giggling, so they stop. They just start talking normally like this, when Rei enters in and mistakes what he's seeing for something else.
Chaos erupts for a second, but they quickly explain the situation. Misako explains the obvious - that doing something adults would do doesn't make you an adult. And furthermore speaks to how they need to think things through more. Sana runs off, upset again at how Akito will leave soon - not allowing them to grow into adults together. Akito catches up with her, and she breaks down, lamenting how far off being adults, where they can make their own decisions, is for them. Sana falls asleep, and Akito catches her this time.
She sleeps for awhile, and later, when she wakes up, she tells Akito that she thinks they should run away together. Akito doubts the logistics, but she has money from her acting. They agree.
Sometime later, Akito's dad asks how packing is going, and Akito says fine as he's taking out garbage. His dad can tell somethings not right - but it's too late, Akito has already run off. Concurrently, Rei shows Misako that Sana is gone - but found a note saying her intentions of running away with Akito. Meanwhile, Sana and Akito meet up and hold hands at the train station.
Characters[]
Author's Notes[]
SPECIAL THANKS CORNER 2! - Ai-chan! (manga artist Aiko S.): "Ai-chan has been helping me out this year, and like Rie-chan, she spends about 10 days every month doing all-nighters with me. She's an integral part of my team! She's pretty new to doing manga, but she's already working hard at a kid's manga weekly. (I'll give you a clue - it's Kodansha's Weekly Morning!) And to be honest, she already can draw way better than me! Ai-chan, here's to both of us doing lots of great comics! And all of you -- if you see any of Ai-chan's work, make sure to buy it!
"I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Miss Obana. She's helped me out a great deal in becoming manga artist. I can't wait to see her next work I know it will influence a lot of young girls out there!" - Signed Aiko S.
SPECIAL THANKS CORNER 3! - Yuka Koizumi (manga artist): When I was short-handed, she came to my rescue! Yuka has helped out all over the place, but the most significant thing she's done is help me shading Naozumi's eyes. I know something that crucial should be my responsibility, but I was running out of time so I asked her to pitch in and help (back on volume 6) - and she did a better job than I ever could have! She's amazing. Thank you so much!"
"Miss Obana, thanks for all your great work on this series! I've learned so much from working with you, not just how to draw manga but all kinds of insider tips! And I hope I get another chance to learn how to shoot pool from you, too!" - Signed Yuka Koizumi
Trivia[]
- This chapter was never adapted in the anime.
- When Sana first tells Akito her plans of running away together, she shows him the manga Setsunai ne, a manga also by Kodocha's author Miho Obana - about a couple running away together.