WataMote Chapter 204-3

Chapter 204-3
Information
Volume Number	22
Chapter Title	Because I'm Not Popular, It's a Little More Until the Cultural Festival (Final Part)
Published	June 15, 2022
Previous Chapter	Chapter 204-2
Next Chapter	Chapter 205

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

This third-part is also divided into titled sections that follow directly from the previous chapter. Chronologically, some sections continue the events of a particular section.

Live Sound (生音・namaoto)

Holding her phone, Tomoko announces to Kotomi, Asuka, Hina, and Yuri, who are sitting at the assembled desks, that because it is today, she is going to shoot an actual performance. Hina eagerly responds "Okay." The made-up Miho and Fūka stand. Miho smiles, happily, while Fūka has her arms crossed. Concerned Chibi Hikari announces, "From Nemoto-san's scene, go!" Chibi Hina begins making "sucking noises" with her hand. Chibi Kotomi remonstrates her not to let the obscene sound reverberate through the club room.

Shown: Stunned Hina Insisting that it is Not So

Hikari announces "cut," and a normal, but blushing, Hina exhales into a tissue. Smiling, Fūka compliments her "amazing" acting just then, which elicits an "E?!" from Hina. With her lascivious smile, Fūka continues that it was "reality," and it is a performance only and experienced person could pull off. A stunned Hina insists that that is not so. The panel pulls back to reveal that Fūka is standing in front of their desks. She continues that Hina does not have to be humble: "that vulgar sound I've never heard before." She then asks if that is a real sound. "No," Hina replies, "because I've never done it." Becoming increasingly agitated until she is yelling, Fūka questions that. "Could you make such a vulgar sound in your imagination?" Yelling, she demands, "What kind of life do you have to live every day to come up with such vile sounds?!"

Angry and blushing deeply, Hina screams back, "Because I'm playing vulgar eroge!!"

Student Council Director (生徒会役員・seitokaiyakuin)

Fūka genially continues, "In one week, we'll gather the members and meet on the field. So if you can beat us in baseball there, we will withdraw the abolition of the club." Upset Chibi Kotomi insists that it is a culture club and not related to baseball at all. Miho replies with an apology then continues to explain that the Vice Chairwoman is "meat head" so they will solve it with sports. She continues, happily, to ask Tomoko that, while she is playing the Student Council President, is not Fūka more like a student council president. Tomoko explains that in her mind both "Miho-san and F-Fūka" are a student council president.

Looking up at Fūka, Tomoko continues, "I have a lot of feelings for the Student Council President, and to have Fūka-san do it, even though it would be a disservice to that Student Council President." Fūka asks her what is her image of her, but Tomoko only thinks, "Beautiful Gorilla."

Emiri suddenly appears in the next panel and asks Tomoko, "What am I like?" Tomoko emits an "E?" The next panel is a collection of images which will be in the Gallery. In the top left corner, buildings fall and Emiri flees with many others screaming. Over her is the word "crowd." Below, there is a crowded audience drawn as anonymous mounds. One, however, is standing with a smile, and a "speech bubble" reveals her to be a happy Emiri with her normal emoji face. In front of that scene is the word "audience." Next to the "crowd" scene Emiri stands far away from Tomoko down a corridor next to an anonymously-drawn girl with long hair. In front of them is "background character."

However, it appears that that anonymous girl is walking down the corridor towards Tomoko as Tomoko thinks "extra." She finally replies, "If Student Council, secretary probably. . . ." Emiri looks at Tomoko but imagines herself, with a student council arm band designating her as "secretary," writing "キモい" on the blackboard.

Each Thoughts (それぞれの思い・sorezore no omoi)

Kotomi peers through a classroom door window while Hikari watches her. Inside, the blushing Akari acts with Tomoki. "Prince, as a last memory, will you dance with me?" she asks. "Understood, I'll dance," Tomoki replies. He is interrupted to stop for a moment. In the next panel, Director Glasses-Chan asks him if he could put in a little more emotion. She explains that the lines are broken so she thinks the "Prince" sounds more like a "monster."

Sayaka eagerly agrees and suggests that "Tomoki-kun" and "Akari" should embrace one another, "in that case, it'll be emotional, right." Director Glasses-Chan stammers, but Akari pleasantly interrupts, "Sayaka," to tell her that she should not bother anyone but her and to "go over there."

In the next panel, an upset Akari stands against the wall some distance away while another girl with black twin-tails approaches Director Glasses-Chan. The girl suggests that they just try it for now. Director Glasses-Chan considers it and states that they will due the previous scene with "Yoda-san." For her part, Akari addresses Sayaka from a distance: "Sayaka, come back."

Akari repeats her line, and Sayaka interrupts her with the standard "wait a moment!" She asks what "Cinderella" could be saying to the Prince, and would the Prince rather come outside with her. With a decidedly angry expression, Tomoki commands her not to talk or he will beat her to death. Concerned Chibi Director Glasses-Chan breaks in for them to stop. She now suggests that while it is a lot of emotion, those lines are completely different, and he is no longer a "prince" but a "punk." Calmer, and a bit sheepish, Tomoki admits it was bad but claims he was getting into the role. She admits that she does not understand, but he seemed like plain "Kuroki-kun" to her. He replies that he does have a few suggestions about the script and role for her. This elicits the "E?" from Director Glasses-Chan. Chibi Tomoko, over a view of Sayaka talking to Akari, explains that he wants to deliver a low kick during the previous scene. A large arrow points at Sayaka, who asks Akari if her acting is good. Akari politely, but visibly annoyed, assures her she is. Meanwhile, a Shocked Chibi Director Glasses-Chan exclaims, "what proposal?!" Normal, she explains that is because a prince does not low kick. Tomoki calmly asks if it is forbidden for a new prince. She explains that the original story is about a prince in a fairy tale, and not prince who commits violence.

The next panel shifts to a side view of Director Glasses-Chan who inwardly laments how hard it is to deal with everyone's selfish wants. Kotomi approaches rhetorically asking if she is the director. With Hikari observing behind her, she happily suggests that Tomoki wear instead of tights a baseball uniform for his lower half, "because it's so tight fitting."

"Who are you?" Director Glasses-Chan asks.

Acting Theory (演技論・engiron)

Hina happily announces that she believes that today's shooting is over. Holding her phone, Tomoko merely emits a "Un." In the center, Asuka looks at Fūka and remarks that she, too, was surprised at Fūka's performance. Fūka responds with a, "Sō?" Over the faces of Yuri and Mako, Chibi Miho, happily, declares that she can do anything but study. Chibi Fūka insists that she can also study if she tries.

The scene shifts to the entrance of "Nekowazawa" book store. Mako turns to Yuri and announces that there are "how-to" books here. Yuri's hand reaches for one as another hand also reaches for it. The panel reveals it is Tomoki. Chibi Yuri starts to say, "Tomoko's, . ." but Chibi Tomoki responds with a short greeting. Chibi Mako thinks that he has also talked to "Yoshida-san."

The scene shifts to a café. The trio sit at a table with drinks in front of them. Mako and Yuri sit on one side. Behind them is a long bar where various anonymous students including one with black hair sit. Mako turns to Yuri to pleasantly remark that she has a friend who is a boy. Yuri corrects her that he is not so much a friend as Tomoko's younger brother. She asks if Mako did not know that.

Shocked, Mako inwardly repeats, "Kuroki-san's younger brother?!" "Then Yoshida-san and. . . ?" She realizes this is the boy who saw her naked: "But in Kuroki's house, what kind of situation would she be naked?!" Recovering, she pleasantly turns to Yuri and states that she wants to ask him a few things, such as what his relationship with Masaki is and what she was doing with the "naked Yoshida-san." Yuri flatly emits an "E?" then responds that she will not. "YURIII!!" Mako inwardly screams.

A Sachi Darkly

The scene shifts to the perspective of the black haired girl at the bar who is the Faceless Sachi. She startles slightly. Meanwhile, Mako inwardly rants, "Yuri. . . !! Stop being selfish and listen to my selfishness . . . Yuri!!!" Sachi looks up with her face and stares darkly as she thinks, "That guy. . . ?!" "Besides Makocchi and Tamura . . . san? Seriously, he knows too many third years."

Back to the table, Yuri asks Tomoki why he wants to read a how-to book on acting. He explains that they are doing a play for the festival. As chibi, he confesses that he tries to act normally, but he can never do it, so he will study a bit. Chibi Yuri admits that she is also the same. She explains that she is also doing a movie and is struggling with the kind of acting wanted and the acting she imagines. With a smile transfixed on her face, Mako thinks, "N? Yuri?"

Yuri then explains the differences between Japanese dramas where young actors emote, and foreign films where actors have more natural and realistic performances. To herself, Mako asks why Yuri is "suddenly" talking about foreign films. Yuri continues that Mako and Tomoko only watch Japanese romance dramas and anime so that it the type of performance they want. Mako continues to inwardly marvel that suddenly she is criticizing her and everyone. Yuri complains that even if she has her own idea about acting, she has to match what the level the director and viewers want. Mako inwardly marvels that for someone who cannot act, she can talk about theories on acting.

Brightly, Yuri insists that no one realizes that her smile is just a mask and underneath she is silent with a "Noh-like" face. Mako continues to marvel that now she is bragging about her act.

Sarcasm and Restraint (皮肉と牽制・hiniku to kensei)

Tomoki stands and gives his goodbye. Mako watches Yuri silently sip on her straw. Mako turns to her and brightly notes that today she is very talkative and asks if something good happened to her. Yuri reacts and looks back at with surprise. Mako has turned her attention forward as she sips her drink. Meanwhile, behind them, Sachi stands.

She stands behind Yuri and calls out to her: "Tamura-san." Yuri turns to see Sachi with her face smiling. Sachi muses, "You were so quiet when you were hanging out with us."

"I see you can talk now."

Characters

In order of appearance

• Tomoko Kuroki
• Kotomi Komiyama
• Asuka Katō
• Yuri Tamura
• Hina Nemoto
• Miho Narita
• Fūka Sasaki
• Hikari Itō
• Mako Tanaka
• Tomoki Kuroki
• Masaki Yoshida (mentioned)
• Emiri Uchi
• Akari Iguchi
• Director Glasses-Chan
• Sayaka Yoda
• Track Suit Twin Tales-Chan
• Sachi Mima

Referbacks

• "Is that the real sound?": In Chapter 202-2, Tomoko called out Hina for of her lame sucking sounds. Hina started practicing by playing eroge games, and seemingly, she has improved greatly.
• Judgemental Eyes: Fūka inwardly rants about how condescending Tomoko's eyes appear.
• "A face that blends in just about anywhere": In TomoMote 10th Anniversary, after noticing the middle school-aged Emiri from afar, Kotomi suggested that she was clearly a background character.
• Good Question: Emiri asks Yuri the same question in Chapter 204-1.
• "Koto, that's not your class": The section continues the one in Chapter 204-1 where Komiyama barged in Class 2-4 during its rehearsal of its play.
• "You Know Nothing, John Snow Mako!": Yuri would tweak Hina over her ignorance that Tomoko has a brother 134. Here, she seems legitimately surprised.
• "But in Kuroki's house. . . ?": In a mini-arc contained in Chapters 168 and 169, Masaki, regretting riding her scooter in the pouring rain, came upon Kotomi who was rushing to the Kuroki home after Tomoko informed her that her brother had two girls – Akari and Sayaka – in his room. Kotomi demanded that she take her there. Since Masaki was soaking wet, Tomoko's Mum offered her a bath and clothes. This resulted in the embarrassing incident where Tomoki entered the room as she exited the shower. Rumors spread, and Mako confronted Masaki in Chapter 173, thinking she was "playing with boys" rather than concentrating on her future. Finally, until this chapter, Mako did not know Tomoki is Tomoko's brother. This is despite the fact she watched the conflict between Masaki and Kotomi in the cafeteria in Chapter 134 which involved Tomoki and resulted in Gropegate I: A New GrHope.
• "This kid knows way too many third years": When they first met time in Chapter 192-2, Tomoki unwittingly gave Sachi the impression of being a "playboy" when he complained about the number of third-year girls who came over his house.

Cultural References

• Meanwhile . . . in Japan: there is a historical Japanese woman with a similar story to Cinderella, sans the glass fur slippers and pumpkin.
• Noh Masks: link to a very detailed history of the masks.

Trivia

• A Tsuyoshi Yoda did play for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
• Student Council President: While a bit of a Referback, if not a Memorable Moment, Tomoko clearly appreciated the concern Megumi had for her. WataMote Wiki hopes the Noble Readership, and Viewership, requires no further explanation. Her words to Fūka are therefore interesting in that she would not expect Fūka to understand her reference. Despite her inner grousing, and Fūka's competition, Tomoko feels she can play the part. She also tries to convey to Fūka that she is playing a part that is important to her.

Memorable Moments

• "A Girl has a [CENSORED – Ed.]: Sasaki-san's apparent obsession with all things sexual does not appear limited to her belief that Tomoko looks down on her and judges her for her inexperience. She engages Hina over her sound of . . . drinking . . . beer . . . it is . . . beer. Fūka-chan appears embarrassed by her lack of experience to the point she cannot believe a girl could mimic the sounds of . . . drinking beer . . . unless she actually . . . um . . . sucked and swallowed drank . . . beer. It is beer. Leaving aside WataMote Wiki's sense of humor, why Fūka is obsessed with sexual matters has not, at the time of this edit, been revealed.
• "A Girl has a Name": Sayaka finally receives her last name "Yoda" (与田).
• "I Don't Know You": Mako really does not know a lot about Yuri.

Quotes

• "Don't let that obscene sound reverberate through the club room." – Kotomi Komiyama to Hina Nemoto
• "It was incredibly realistic, only veterans who've done it countless times can pull off that kind of acting" – Fūka Sasaki
  • "That's not true." – Hina
• "It's okay not to be humble; that vulgar sound I've never heard before. Is that the real sound?" – Fūka
  • "No, because I've never done it."- Hina
• "What kind of life do you have to live every day to come up with such vile sounds?!" – Fūka
  • "Because I'm playing vulgar eroge!!" – Hina
• "Hey, I know you cast me as student council president and all, but wouldn't Fūka be a better fit for that role?" – Fūka
  • "I have a lot of feelings for the Student Council President, and to have Fūka-san do it, even though it would be a disservice to that Student Council President." – Tomoko Kuroki
• "Just what is your image of me?" – Fūka
  • "Beautiful Gorilla." – Tomoko inwardly
• "What am I like?" – Emiri Uchi to Tomoko Kuroki
• "Ah, Kuroki-kun, could you put just a little bit more of emotion into it? Also, that prattle sounds more like it'd come from a monster than a prince." – Director Glasses-Chan
• "Sayaka, don't go causing trouble for people besides me. Go stand over there" – Akari Iguchi
• "Kuroki-kun, now that was the most emotion shown, but the line is completely wrong. You sound more like a punk than a prince." – Director Glasses-Chan
• "I want to low kick the princess' sister in that scene just now." – Tomoki
  • "What kind of suggestion is that!?" – Director Glasses-Chan
• ”It's surprisingly tough dealing with everyone's selfish ideas." – Director Glasses-Chan inwardly
• "I have a suggestion for the prince's outfit. Instead of tights for his lower half, you could make him wear a baseball uniform instead. It's so tight fitting." – Kotomi Komiyama
  • "E? Who are you?" – Director Glasses-Chan inwardly
• "Really, other than studying, you're good at everything, right!" – Miho Narita happily, to Fūka Sasaki
• "Yuri, you have a boy friend, huh?" – Mako Tanaka
• "But in Kuroki's house, what kind of situation would she be naked?!" – Mako thinking about Masaki Yoshida
• "Yuri. . . !! Stop being selfish and listen to my selfishness . . . Yuri!!!" – Mako inwardly
• "That guy. . . ?! Besides Makocchi and Tamura . . . san? Seriously, he knows too many third years." – Sachi about Tomoki
• "No one knows that I put on the mask of a smile, and that underneath it I am silent with a Noh-like face." – Yuri
• "You're really talkative today, Yuri. Something good happen?" – Mako
• ”You were so quiet when you were hanging out with us. I see you can talk now." – Sachi Mima to Yuri

Gallery

Original Art from Nico Tanigawa Twitter

Shown: She Plays Vulgar Eroge, Fūka-Chan

"An Emoji for All Seasons"

Sayaka's Surname