Semi-update?

Hey guys!

Just wanted to drop by to say hi~  I apologize for the lack of updates, but I've been checking online for chapter 5 to be released frequently, and unfortunately, it's still not out yet.  On the other hand, volume 1 of Dear Brother is going to be released on March 8th in Japan, so for those who are interested, you can probably purchase around that time at your local Japanese bookstore.  As much as I love pretty drawings, I think I'm going to hold off this time on buying, given the dubious story so far.  I wonder if this is also another reason as to why our author hasn't been featured on the monthly cover yet?  I know that each series takes turn to appear on the cover on a rotating basis, but for some reason it seems to me that Hapi Mari was featured more often as compared to other series because of its popularity.

The author never contributes shorts to the extra mini volume that comes with every month's issue (I think it's because she's a big name and was riding high on the HM wave so she didn't have to), but I hope she draws a mini chapter for the extra...because I'm not sure if Dear Brother really suffices.

Meanwhile, to hold off the wait, I just wanted to let you guys know that I update the food blog more often with my friends than on here (about once a week).  So if you're interested in reading about cakes and whatnot, feel free to visit.  In fact I just updated a short while ago here about a coffee shop that serves Red Velvet Cheesecake, Red Velvet Latte, and Pistachio Mocha.  I would also like to thank those who already visit.

I'm considering picking up where I left off for the novels...but that's just a thought right now.  If I do, updates for those will be slow because I don't have much time to translate.  If there are people interested in helping out, I can definitely send you scans of the novel and it'll be a much quicker work.  Anyhow, just a thought.  Leave me a message if you're interested!

Dear Brother Chapter 4 Summary

I'm getting more and more confused about the development of this series...because I see a definite spark between Sougo and Momo, which is troublesome since they're brother and sister.  Unless some deus ex machina occurs later on to prove that they're not true blood siblings...I don't know if I can take it.  There have been many series of the brother falling in love with his sister (like boku wa imouto ni koi suru) that have floated around...but the premise of incest is too disturbing for me to look at.  Gin's reactions are very telling, and I think he knows something about Sougo that Aoba doesn't (or probably is too young to remember).  I don't know if this is merely his suspicion about the way Sougo acts or if it's some sort of secret he's hiding.  I'm hoping for the first (since secrets are so cliche and it's already been done so many times in Hapi Mari I'm getting tired of it).

Anyhow, I'll just go on with the summary and let you guys decide what to think of it.

Momo is sent to a branch office as punishment for her last incident, but she's optimistic about it.  After all, it's a place to start afresh and she wouldn't have to see her ex-fiance anymore.  Her coworkers are friendly, and she meets a woman named Sakura Honda.

She comes home to see Aoba eating one of her last popsicles and gets into an argument over it.  Angry, she decides to use the bathroom first and slams over the door, only to walk in on Sougo when he's changing.

Dear Brother Chapter 3 Summary

I'm so glad that they didn't have the December issue of Petit Comic in Kinokuniya when my friend helped me check...because I just saw it online today, read it...and...well, honestly I don't know where the story is going.  It's a bit contrived, and while we do focus more on Sougo...I don't see a progressive setup of the story.  It's a lot of pointless arguing again, and while I see that there are difficulties in restoring a sibling relationship such as one they had in the past...well...we're not moving anywhere!  Hapi Mari was quick to set up the plot and only later on did it start to drag.  It was chop chop chop.  Hopefully the next chapter will redeem itself....but anyways, on to the summary!

Again, I'm working off Chinese scans because that's all they have.  There are some lines I don't completely understand because well...it's translated into four-character idioms that are a bit obscure to me.  Anyhow, if you want to follow the images, please click here.

This chapter opens with Momo arguing with Gin and Aoba whether to make their omelettes sweet or salty.  While both brothers prefer salty, Momo insists on sweet since it was what their mother used to make.  Sougo walks into the kitchen wondering what all the fuss is about, having apparently moved in with the rest of the siblings since that night.

Flashing back...

What is with this wait?!

I've been checking daily for scans of Dear Brother chapter 3 online...and I don't think I can take it anymore.  So I've asked my friend to help me check if there are any issues of the December and possibly January issue of the magazine at the bookstore.  No guarantees on anything...usually Kinokuniya either sells out pretty fast (because I can never see that month's issue in the month I'm in), or they just don't stock it anymore.  I think they ship their stuff by sea, which is why although January issue is supposed to come out in December, I never see it until January.

On Food Blog

Hi guys!  Long time no see~  I've been checking frequently for raws of Dear Brother online, but haven't had the luck to find the chapter 3 ones yet.  I'm not sure if Shmook is still going to plan out for purchases of Petit or not, so until then, I'll just check online.

On the other hand, I've joined a food blog with two of my friends, basically for restaurant and food reviews.  All our initial posts will be about food/restaurants in US because that's where we're based, but given the chance, we'll write about travel and food overseas too.

Since it's a new blog, a lot of it is bare and incomplete right now, especially on the About page.  I wasn't able to write good mini-bios for the others, but that will be fixed later!  Cookies for those who can guess correctly which name I write under there!

Come visit us if you're interested!  You can find us at

Matcha Dipped Baguette

これからそちらもよろしくお願いしますね！