Volume 3 Discussion Thread 
Start Date: May 29th
Previous: Volume 2
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Volume 3 Discussion Thread
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Week 1 - Chapter 12
Start Date: May 29th
Previous Week: Volume 2 - Chapter 11
Next: Week 2 - Chapter 13
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Thanks for organizing this again! Also happy cake day 
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Thank you 
Also, this time we got a happy cover. 
I forgot if this has been discussed in a previous thread already but I noticed that in the character introductions the author keeps using the phrase 身体はXだが、心はY to talk about the trans characters. In English, phrases like this aren’t that popular among the (younger) trans community anymore, usually preferring something among the lines of “I am X and therefore my body is also an X body”. Does anyone know how the Japanese trans community feels about phrases like the one the author is using?
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I remember @Ditto20 mentioning something like this:
So, according to the above, author did research&interviews.
I’m thinking it is possible Japan is still a little behind on this, similarly to how it is in Poland. I still see the phrases about people “trapped in the wrong body” in Polish media all the time. Of course, it depends on the person - Polish people who also use English (social) media will be up-to-date with recent trends, but when a Polish mainstream news website tries to talk about a trans celebrity, it’s usually a little clumsy (even if the intentions are good), and consequently, people who only rely on that type of source of information, wouldn’t even know that anything changed in that regard.
But I’m not an expert with terminology anyway. And that’s still guesses based on Poland situation, not really an info about Japan situation.
Hm. @Naphthalene lives in Japan. Do you maybe know anything about this topic?
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I can’t remember at the moment 
I don’t think I have heard the
pattern, but I’m not sure. (I don’t even remember seeing it in the first two books either, so maybe it’s just not registering 
)
That’s the kind of topic I only talk about with people I trust, and we talk in English or French. (That kinda reminds me of a recent comment on the forum about spending X years in a country and not being able to speak the language… well, that’s how it happens).
At the same time, I remember that when my workplace got more transgender-friendly rules a few years ago, one of my Japanese colleague (and friend) asked me what was the difference between transgender and homosexual 
That’s just one point of data, but I think it reflects the level of awareness of the general population in Japan.
In that context, saying something like
would probably just confuse people. But, again, I don’t know. 
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This volume starts us off with a much more light hearted chapter. I really needed that! There are so many funny moments like Suzu’s brain just saying no. Also is there anything Tenchan can’t do?
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I think it came up once or twice when Tetsu was talking about his older sister before, I just didn’t question it as much when it came from a character in the story.
To be honest, I think it’s the same here in Germany, even though the general understanding of being trans seems to be slightly above confusing it with sexual orientation nowadays. But outside of progressive circles, something along the lines of 身体はXだが、心はY is probably much clearer to the average person.
And after getting over my initial negative reaction, I almost like that phrase? It’s seem like a nicer and probably easier to understand way of saying “sex =/= gender” to me. I don’t think I’d want anyone to introduce me like this but there are definitely situations where that kind of phrase could be useful.
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Despite this being a school manga, there weren’t too many school scenes until now, so characters were sort of ageless for me (especially since Mogumo lives alone and Tetsu seems to be living only with his sister and the main focus of the plot is the job) and it was an interesting reminder that yes, these kids are still schoolkids 
And I guess this chapter supports forgetfulness as a Mogumo’s trait, although they weren’t the only ones who forgot
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Oh, I just saw it’s from the character introduction page.
Yeah, uh, not so sure about this one, but again, the general audience probably doesn’t know what transgender means… at the same time, I feel like the editor/manager/whatever should trust that anyone who made it this far would know better.
In my previous reply, I was thinking about the case where, say, I would describe myself (probably not though), or would explain what gender dysforia feels like, or something like that.
In this situation, I really don’t see why they did that A random person, I assume, would not start by checking the character list of the third volume…
Really? Even if we ignore the fact they look much younger than the adult characters (well, ok, てんちゃん looks almost adult), the dual fight/confession scene from last volume reeked of teenage angst/hormones (in a good way 
若いっていいなー)
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Hmm. During corresponding week I mentioned I thought it actually went well:
Of course, it was a little awkward, but also very mature and accepting, and would it be that different in case of 20somethings year olds? I’m not saying they look like they’re in their 40s 
(But idk, I think admitting that you’ve fell in love with someone is stressful enough for it to possibly be awkward at any age)
Anyway, now I feel like my impressions about this manga are completely different from anyone else’s
- Kotone being a teenager not an excuse, because in my experience teenagers are usually the ones more open-minded than adults
- me not understanding a scene because I didn’t think it was normal to remind a friend about a trash day
- and now about feeling the characters are late teenagers/young adults without any specific age
and technically about a confession too, although here at least @NyappyTiramisu agreed, so I guess I got some backup for once
EDIT: it turns out I didn’t catch the irony
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…I’m pretty sure I used the word smooth in an ironic way in that case 
But I’m pretty much with you on this point! I still saw them as high school aged but I never really thought about how the cafe is just a part time job for them and that they probably still spend a lot of time on schoolwork. In my mind it almost seemed like it was just their regular day job, especially since some of them seem to live on their own, as you mentioned. But it makes perfect sense from a storytelling point of view to focus on their cafe activities of course
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I thought it went very well too (in the sense that it was successful and made them bond in a positive way), but that’s because of their age. I don’t think that would work if they were 20 something. Or, more likely, I don’t think it would possibly turn out that way, if they were in their 20s.
(But maybe I’m just misremembering what it is to be a 20 something )
My reaction was pretty much the same as 鈴, by the way.
That’s possible too! High school isn’t mandatory in Japan, so they may have just stopped after junior high and started working. It turns out that’s not the case, but it could have been.
Still, I feel there was a bunch of high school scenes recently because I read volume 2 in a single sitting (well, except for chapter 1 I had read before )
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I was actually wondering whether that’s an option in Japan, thanks for clearing that up!
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Week 2 - Chapter 13
Start Date: June 5th
Previous Week: Week 1 - Chapter 12
Next: Week 3 - Chapter 14
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Participation Status Poll
If you’ve read it before but will join in the discussion (or have read ahead), please select “I’m reading along”!
- I’m reading along
- I’m planning to catch up later
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Wait isn’t 直也 the random dood who said “いけるかも” about Mogumo?
Hmmm checking volume 1 maybe not… the hair color is different…
Anyway it was a nice chapter! Tetsu’s friend are so, well, friendly and understanding! And Tetsu being more open is a huge step forward and I’m glad it went well.
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What exactly does Tetsu mean by あまのじゃく on page 40?
I was a bit worried that his friends would need some time to come around, so I’m also really glad it went that smoothly. And bonding over a game was such a nice touch
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I don’t know how to translate that correctly, but (in this context) it’s someone who is being negative or antagonistic on purpose. (In other words, an angsty teenager).
From weblio:
あまのじゃくとは、ひねくれた性格という意味のこと。人の意見に反対したり人からの称賛を喜ばなかったり、などの態度をとる人のことである。
Jisho.org has the definition “contrarian” which is kinda true but also fails to provide any nuance.
Just to be clear, he is saying that about Mogumo
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