WataMote Chapter 18

Chapter 18
Information
Volume Number	2
Chapter Title	Because I’m Not Popular, Summer Will End
Published	May 3, 2012
Previous Chapter	Chapter 17
Next Chapter	Special Edition

私がモテないのはどう考えてもお前らが悪い!

Watashi ga Motenai no wa dō Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui!

No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys' Fault I’m Not Popular!

Synopsis

Around 5 P.M. as the higurashi cry, Tomoko realizes that summer is almost over and she has done nothing. She decides to do something with her brother, but her mother informs her that he is at camp.

Lying on her bed depressed over her lack of accomplishment, Tomoko hears her television announce that the Cygnus constellation and a "shooting star" will be viewable in her area that night. Tomoko goes to a convenience store, buys a cup of ramen, and eats it on a public bench in the "OX Park." As she waits, she wonders if she feels sad because it is the end of summer, her worry over starting a new term, irritation, or her realization that she sits alone eating ramen at the end of summer. She thinks of the saying that hard and painful things are the spice of life. As her eyes tear, she tells herself that she cannot think that way or she will want to kill herself "while looking down in a dark place." Instead, she chooses to keep looking up: "I came here to see the stars."

She sees a shooting star and thinks about a wish. After discarding some silly ones, she decides that she wants to watch the stars with a guy. On cue, a cat comes out of the bushes. When Tomoko gives the cat half of her onigiri, the cat responds by rubbing up against her legs. Tomoko happily plays and tickles the cat, which allows her to discover that he is a male cat.

The next day, Tomoko dons her school uniform and prepares herself for the "next stage." She feels she can manage it.

Characters

In order of appearance:

• Tomoko Kuroki
• Mrs. Kuroki
• Tomoki Kuroki (mentioned)

Referbacks

• Tomoko recalls what she did during her summer break, which include her kneeling on the ground in chapter 15 and the handshake event in the previous chapter.

Trivia

• Episode 9 adapts this chapter.
• Cygnus

Cultural References

• Onigiri: staple of any manga character's diet.

Memorial Moments

• Tomoko shows a more mature insight. She examines herself honestly, including her faults, and starts her new term with a more realistic determination.

Quotes

• "Even though the sole reason for your existence is to support your older sister . . . die! – Tomoko
• “I can't think like that… Otherwise I'll want to kill myself while looking down in a dark place. I need to keep looking up… I came here to see the stars…” – Tomoko
• "A meteor will strike the school . . . a serial killer will come into the classroom." – Tomoko
• It's okay . . . I managed to see the stars with a guy. I can do this." – Tomoko

Gallery

Tomoko Wishes upon a Star