WataMote Chapter 127

Chapter 127
Information
Volume Number	Volume 13
Chapter Title	Because I'm Not Popular, I'll Get Into It
Published	December 28, 2017
Previous Chapter	Chapter 126
Next Chapter	Chapter 128

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

The Girl with No Eyes

In the beginning of Chapter 125, Yoshida told Yuri she cannot accompany her and Tomoko's group since she already made plans with her other friends. Later they find a surly Yoshida alone with a bruised and swollen left cheek. Chapter 127 opens as a flashback to the beginning of the day with Yoshida taking her two friends to the children's County Bear Band despite their protests. They are the only three people at this first performance. One of her friends whose name is later revealed to be "Reina" refuses to participate clapping along and opines, "Those pandas look dumb as shit." Yoshida punches her in the face. Her other friend's name is much later revealed to be "Anna".

The chapter returns to the present time with Yoshida absent-mindedly rubbing her bruised cheek. Mako asks her if she wishes to go to a particular ride before the afternoon parade. Yoshida eagerly suggests "Meeting Kowarith." She happily sits with Tomoko, Yuri, Hina, Mako, and Uchi. The performance opens with the character greeting the audience. Both Tomoko and Yuri notice that Yoshida knows the hand signs and phrases of the character. A picture of an audience member appears on the screen as Kowarith calls out the person. He first calls on Hina, and the hostess places a microphone in front of her so Hina can tell the audience about herself. Tomoko inwardly panics, but she then notices that Yuri, who is sitting next to her, is also shaking.

Not Shown: "Socially Adjusted"

Kowarith announces to the audience he is looking for a girlfriend. Uchi is the next audience member chosen, and she reveals her first name is "Emiri." She refuses Kowarith's request to be his girlfriend since she claims she already has someone she loves. Kowarith then leads the audience in a song. Hina, Mako, and Uchi sing along, but to avoid notice Tomoko tries to feign sleeping. Yuri, sitting next to her, decides to follow suit. Yoshida glares at them and loudly reminds them to sing along "together!" On cue, a father who is not singing is shown on the screen and called out by Kowarith. His young son scolds him, and his father promises to sing. Tomoko realizes that no one is safe from joining in. To Yoshida and Yuri's surprise, Tomoko claps along and shouts "Kowarith is cute!" on command.

Yuri sadly concludes that Tomoko is different than her since Tomoko can join in while she cannot. Tomoko grabs Yuri's wrists to make her clap and severely whispers to her that if she does not "fake it" she will be called out like the father. As she eagerly repeats Kowarith's words with the audience, Tomoko warns Yuri that it is better for her to embarrass herself now than be singled out and embarrassed more. To Yoshida's delight, Tomoko and Yuri join in repeating Kowarith's commands and imitating his signature hand gestures. Mako notes to herself that this is the first time she has ever seen Yuri join in such an activity. Tomoko's plan backfires as Kowarith singles out her, Yuri, and Yoshida for their participation. Each must then announce her name and hometown to the audience.

Outside, Yuri blames Tomoko for having to endure the embarrassment. Tomoko snaps that she simply wanted to help "you" (お前・おまえ・omae) since she knew how Yuri would not want to be put in the spotlight. Yuri angrily reminds Tomoko not to call her "you," but she is interrupted by a beaming Yoshida who hugs them both asking if they are talking about Kowarith. Yoshida excitedly shows them that on a screen outside a sleeping Kowarith holds a picture of the three of them and runs off to snap pictures of it with her phone. A calmer, but shrouded in darkness, Yuri then asks Tomoko if she knows her first name. With some hesitation Tomoko correctly answers "Yuri." A now Smiling Chibi Yuri rsponds that it is thanks to Tomoko that Yoshida is so happy, and she can "forgive" Tomoko since she only wanted to help.

A Sweating and Disturbed Chibi Tomoko remains mystified, musing to herself that she does not understand what introverts are feeling, and she wishes Yuri would just be a delinquent like Yoshida.

Masaki utterly beams as she takes pictures with her phone.

Characters

In order of appearance:

• Masaki Yoshida
• Yoshida's Two Friends (unnamed)
  • Reina
  • Anna Haruna
• Mako Tanaka
• Tomoko Kuroki
• Yuri Tamura
• Hina Nemoto
• Emiri Uchi

Referbacks

• "I Walked into the Door Again!": The opening explains how Yoshida received her bruised and swollen cheek in Chapter 125.

Trivia

• "A Girl has a Name!": Uchi's first name "Emiri" (笑美莉) is revealed.
• "An Otaku has a Nickname!" Hina creates a nickname for herself.
• "A Mojo has a Nickname!": Hina creates a nickname for Tomoko.
• "What Do You Mean, 'You People?!": as noted the term お前 is very rude. Japanese eschews pronouns, and the ones suggested for "you" are actually quite rude unless one is very intimate or close. Its use in the title conveys Tomoko's disgust towards all the imaginary "you" she blames for her problems. In many instances, Tomoko can be rather formal and bristle when others do not address her formally. Yuri, who has trust issues, is similarly offended since it seems, to her, that Tomoko and others never bothered to know her name. For her part, Tomoko feared using Yuri's last name all of a sudden would seem odd. These levels of formality and familiarity have significance throughout the series – Arg! – and Hina's insistence on Tomoko only calling her by a nickname not only suggests that she expects she is a close acquaintance, it causes her to come off as very forward.

Cultural References

• Grin and Bear it: The Country Bear Band is a reference to the Country Bear Jamboree
• Keep Us in Stiches: Kowarith is a reference to the character Stitch.
• "I Say 'Hello!' You Say 'Goodbye!'": Waiha: Kowarith's greeting may be a reversal slang for "Hawai" or "Hawai'i."
• Shaka Sign: the hand gesture Masaki appears to make.

Memorial Moments

• There can be no further doubt that Yoshida loves cute and childish things.
• "Don't Poke the Bear!": Until this chapter, Yoshida has tolerated denigration from her two friends that she would not tolerate from others like Tomoko. This includes ridicule of the amusement park back in Chapter 106. Her currently unnamed friend Reina finally crosses a line for her.
• Emoji X Mojo: Whilst avoiding spoilers . . . there be . . . Arg! . . . Emiri clearly wants opportunities to be with Tomoko. Thus far, she has not tried to have a conversation with her. She curiously stares at Tomoko. For her part, Tomoko gives her little regard and is surprised when Emiri asks her a question. While she is completely shocked when Tomoko reflexively clutches her hand, she throws a tantrum hoping it will happen again. Meanwhile, she imagines that Tomoko and Hina are flirting with one another in the open. Finally, she frankly declares that she has "someone" she loves. In retrospect, this means Arg! Spoilers there definitely be lads 'n lassies! Arg.
• Yuri X Hina: "What we've got here is. . . ." Hina comes on strong, forcing herself upon the others. While Tomoko quietly grouses about this, it clearly upsets Yuri. On the other hand, Hina over-reads Yuri's dislike. She does not understand that Yuri is not glaring at her from behind, she is scared of roller coasters and upset at Emiri for insisting they ride one again.
• "Popular?": others, such as Mako, are surprised by Tomoko's seeming ability to relate to a diverse group of girls. For her part, Tomoko probably would not recognize this.
• Yuri is inwardly surprised that Tomoko can fake going along with everyone, which she cannot do.
• Tomoko recognizes that Yuri suffers from an anxiety.
• Yoshida becomes very happy watching Tomoko and Yuri seem to join in something she likes.

Quotes

• "Those pandas look dumb as shit!" – Reina
• "Oi, why aren't you two clapping? She said clap!" – Masaki Yoshida
• "I already have someone I love." – Emiri Uchi
• "This is the first time I've seen Yuri get so into something, I never thought she'd sing along to a show like this..." – Mako Tanaka
• "Well it's thanks to you that Yoshida-san's so happy right now." – Yuri Tamura
• “Man, I can never figure out what introverts are thinking. Why are her feelings so complicated? Just be more like this delinquent.” – Tomoko Kuroki

Gallery

Yoshida's friends do not share her love of cute things.

"Emiri"

Shown:
Fear of Delinquent Overcomes Social Anxiety

Yoshida is happy thinking that Tomoko and Yuri enjoy the show.