#i guess the difference is thst now i understand what's happening so part of my brain is sitting back like: this is stupid while the other

[sailorspazz]

After the last update with Aki being like "bruh, what's wrong with you", I hoped that it'd be the push Suzuki needed to finally break free from his shackles of angst and go to his fucking man already. And wow, he's actually doing it!! When he said, "I'm such an idiot", I couldn't help but yell YEAH WE KNOW lol.

Side note, his hair is very bouncy and cute as he rushes around the city in this chapter.

Another side note, this one about language use, it's interesting to see the development here from earlier chapters. Before, Suzuki was mainly using English while speaking to Norman, then started mixing in Japanese, and then in this chapter addressed him solely in Japanese (with the exception of one line in Spanish, which is also not Norman's native language but presumably one he knows a little bit). Granted, he didn't have a lot of dialogue, and wasn't saying anything particularly complicated, so he assumed Norman could understand well enough. And maybe it's been a while since Norman had a significant number of lines, but I noticed particularly in this chapter that his English (as portrayed in Japanese) includes regular use of somewhat archaic terms and grammar. Now knowing his secret background, I'd guess it's done to give him a bit of royal flair. Just one of those interesting things that stuck out to me, and makes me appreciate the detail that goes in to this series.

So the main content here is the conversation with Norman. It's fascinating to see the dichotomy between Norman's inner and outer dialogue here, my man is having two entirely different conversations lol. It hadn't seemed up to this point that he really cared about Suzuki; even his inner thoughts in 39 when he saw Sugiki and felt sorry not sorry about fooling around with his fave, he was still thinking "we're just using each other". Whether that's what he really felt or just what he was telling himself so it wouldn't hurt when it ended isn't clear. From the very first time they slept together, he thought about how kind and compassionate Suzuki was and that it might be hard to let him go. So maybe he enjoyed the companionship and closeness they shared and didn't want to give thst up, rather than truly falling for him in a romantic way...

But then Norman went and gave him a watch of incredibly high monetary and sentimental value, and now I don't know what to think. From the start of this fuck buddies arrangement, I wasn't sure if they were joking about Norman paying Suzuki to sleep with him, and I guess the answer is nope, they meant it. Suzuki is now officially a (very highly paid) sex worker lol. I looked into the watch brand Norman mentioned, on the low end you're looking at products in the $20,000 range, going up into hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars! Given that Norman's was an inherited royal heirloom, it has to be on the higher end of that scale. So he has to care about Suzuki quite a bit to give him something so valuable, even though he was trying so desperately to appear like he didn't care. I don't know if Suzuki realized anything, but he is a good-hearted man (despite being told he's awful lol), and his expression looked gentle, maybe a bit pained. He's definitely not in love with Norman, but is concerned for him and didn't want him to be hurt by this. Norman may have successfully held in his feelings until Suzuki left, but if Suzuki looks up the value of that watch he might suspect something. I also wonder if he's going to start wearing it (doesn't really seem his style to wear something so valuable, unless for a special occasion), or give it to someone. Norman would be seething if he gave to Sugiki I'm sure, it seems bad etiquette to regift something from a client(?!) to your boyfriend lmao. He did suggest someone "trustworthy", which Suzuki has called Saichi before...though that would probably be an overly extravagant gift for him as well. Depending on if anything happens with it, this parting gift could possibly result in some kind of drama.

I felt bad for Norman when he broke down. He's my problematic son, a bitter bitch who's wormed his way into my heart. Don't worry, babygirl, Max is there to comfort you! I had to laugh a bit when he showed up, since I thought he might be the one to console Norman, but I didn't think it'd be so immediate, like literally as he's still crying from getting dumped lol. And he's brought a bottle of sake, I guess he knows the way to man's heart is through his alcoholism. As always, I have questions about his motivation, like is it really as simple as just wanting a drinking buddy, or did he think about Sugiki's accusation that he *gasp* likes Norman and decide to give it a shot? And will that bottle of sake lead to Norman making some questionable decisions, possibly opening his heart and legs to Max? I'm invested in these two becoming a couple, so I'd like to see this scene continue.

But most exciting of all is our main couple of stupid Shinyas finally seeming to be on the right path. Suzuki is running, Sugiki is sensing him, they just have to reunite in the next chapter! And what will happen once they do? A serious conversation about what they need to figure out to be a couple? A passionate haze of making out? Pent up emotional release through dance? They desperately need all of these, I genuinely don't know what I want to see most. But I very much want them to fuck sooner rather than later. I am salivating at the thought of the next chapter, and am more hyped than ever to see where this leads!

10 Dance - chapter 41, part 2 summary

Suzuki comes to a decision upon hearing Aki's love advice. After stopping to have an important conversation with Norman, Suzuki heads down a new path.

Full summary and highlight images under the cut.

Chapter 41, part 2: Time to Say Goodbye, and

Published online on March 8th, 2024, available to purchase on Comic Days, or rent for 10 days on Yanmaga.

Suzuki places a call to Saichi as he runs down the sidewalk, telling him that their photoshoot is finished and asking if he can come pick up Aki. Suzuki says that he has something he needs to take care of alone, and thinks about what a complete idiot he’s been as he recalls Aki urging him to be happy with the one he loves.

Suzuki arrives out of breath at Norman’s place, who greets him with the comment that he didn’t think Suzuki would be coming to see him anymore. He asks if he wants to come in and have some tea, but Suzuki chooses to stay in the entryway. He states that this is the last time he’s coming here, and Norman asks if that’s because he’s in love with Sugiki. Internally, Norman wishes that Suzuki would choose him and be his Lovely, but aloud he says that Sugiki is now as vulnerable as a kitten due to his situation with Suzuki, and in his opinion Suzuki should take advantage of that and beat him while he’s down. However, Norman found out on the day of the Japan International what sort of relationship the two Shinyas shared. Suzuki says that makes no difference, and he's still going to win. Norman declares that their “lover’s contract” is hereby terminated and takes off his watch, saying that Suzuki can have it as payment for the use of his body. Norman thinks that he wishes he never met this man, and is peeved that he has to hand him over to Sugiki of all people. He internally recalls when Sugiki took the championship title away from him, and remembers the feelings he had while watching him dance that day, thinking that Sugiki was masculine and powerful yet still elegant, and his dynamic lead showed how competitive dance would evolve from there on; he was the man-made epitome of the ideal man. Aloud to Suzuki, he explains that this is a Patek brand watch, and he inherited it from a princess. It would probably fetch a very high price if he sold it, but this isn’t the kind of thing that should be sold off. It has some wear since Norman has used it for a long time, so he suggests that Suzuki could change out the band to a new one. If he doesn't want to keep it for himself, he should give it to someone trustworthy. Suzuki says that he can’t take such a valuable watch, but Norman insists that he have it, so Suzuki accepts and says he’ll take good care of it.

Suzuki says “Thanks for everything” in Spanish and reaches forward for a hug, but Norman puts his hands up to stop him, saying he never wants to touch him in that way again. He says Suzuki truly is an awful man except when he's dancing. Dance is nothing without connection, and all sorts of feelings can arise when paired up with a partner. As the lead, they need to carefully envelop their partner like a treasure, and it's their duty to make them contentedly enjoy the dance; Norman came all the way to Japan to drill this idea into him. If a man who ruins people like Suzuki does can manage to incorporate Norman's technique, he may truly become unbeatable. He says starting today he will no longer be Suzuki's teacher and will instead become his master. With that, Norman tells him to get going; he's sure Suzuki has somewhere else he needs to be, so he shouldn't keep dawdling here. Suzuki thanks him and heads out the door. Once he's gone, Norman breaks down in tears.

Suzuki rushes through the train station, thinking that he needs to see Sugiki right away. Meanwhile, at his studio, Sugiki raises his hand up and seems to sense something through the intangible thread that connects the two of them.

Max, holding a bottle of sake, suddenly peeks in from the porch at Norman's place, asking why he's crying (addressing him as Edward). Norman yells that he can't just show up uninvited and to get out of his house. Max explains that he just wanted to share his sake with someone, but Norman tells him again to leave.

Previous chapter: #41 part 1

Next chapter: There is currently no information on the next release date.

[opens-up-4-nobody]

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