| Route Kingdom | |
|---|---|
| ACT.290 | |
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| Character/s in the cover | Juliena Hizuri |
| Volume | Volume 47 |
| Original Release | January 20, 2021 |
| Arc | Route Project arc |
| Chapter Guide | |
| Previous | Next |
| ACT.289 | ACT.291 |
Route Kingdom is the 290th chapter of the Skip Beat! Manga Series. This is the fourth instalment of thirteen chapters that precede under the same title.
Plot[]
Still at DayJowey Land, Kyoko struggles with the 'request' made to her by Ren which is to send a selfie. She ends up requesting help from Sarah. Ren is happy to receive the requested selfies however gets quite a shock when he sees a certain foreigner in one.
Summary[]
Kyoko inwardly reports while staring at him phone screen, that the incident began at 0900 that day. She was exhilarated about being able to enter DayJowey Land, a kingdom she has always yearned to enter. The email that she wrote because of the urge to dance. Why did she that email? Why did she send it to him at that time? She truly regrets behaving so foolishly and doing something she would never normally do. However there is something more violently upsetting. It's an even bigger problem than the cute, kingdom-maniac girl who is delightfully transporting her lunch refills for the third time (Sarah carrying an overfull tray back). On top of that, Kyoko herself is now cornered into a critical situation. Yes right now she's on the most challenging mission of her life as she stares disbelievingly at Ren's reply text to her. Ren telling her that he's glad she's having fun. But ideally he would like to see not just the look of the kingdom and the food but also photos of her (smiling sweetly). The last phrase echoes through Kyoko's mind "would like to see photos of you ->smiling sweetly<-". She stutters mentally as she realises that maybe, perhaps Ren is asking her to take a selfie...? She recalls several such groups doing so inside the kingdom. Girls and boys with lost of self-confidence do it sometimes. Panicking she wonders why is he making her perform this deed?! No...it's impossible right?! She's heard you need a licence for that Kyoko reasons as she tries to escape from reality. If you do it without permission you will be imprisoned instantly she reasons desperately. She doesn't want a criminal record! She really doesn't' want it but... Ren's request echoes once again "would like to see photos of you [smiling sweetly]". This last part [smiling sweetly] amplified an absolute sense of command that does not allow refusal. The deliberate disuse of emoji and then [smiling sweetly] closed in paratheses! Is there anyone else who can accurately express this sort of false-gentlemanly smile in words?! As expected of Ren! Even his emails are overflowing with expressive talent!
Meanwhile Kanae is still watching Sarah polish off her third helping in bizarre fascination as she notes that Sarah's use of her chopsticks is so neat yet she never slows down. Kanae glances over at Kyoko, asking if something is wrong? Kyoko jumps, unexpected at the call out. Kanae says she does look kind of troubled. Kyoko waves her concern off awkwardly, everything is fine, she's not troubled at all! Which is a lie, she's super troubled. Even Kanae looks at her weirdly but doesn't pry. But Kyoko knows she can't asks Kanae for advice. How to take a selfie? If she asked that she'll be questioned 'who are you going to send it to?' and then what will she do?! She'll definitely be asked that because she only has a friend, Kanae, who's allowed to perform such happy tasks. Kanae dismisses it as she gets up, she tells the others in English that she is going to buy some tea. Both Kyoko and Sarah wave to her as she leaves. Kyoko glances to Sarah furtively, if she can't rely on Kanae then there's only one straw which she can cling to. Sarah suddenly turns back to Kyoko after Kanae has left and stares at her carefully. Kyoko blinks in surprise at the scrutiny, asking what is it? Sarah wonders what is troubling Kyoko? Kanae just now mentioned she looked kind of troubled. Kyoko laughs a little sheepishly as she admits she is a little, she has something that's slightly difficult to ask Kanae. Kyoko then realises something as she replays her conversation with Kanae, confused she says questioningly to Sarah that she was sure that Kanae said that to her in Japanese... Sarah lets out an exclamation, then a deprecating laugh as she admits she made a blunder. Kyoko is shocked as its in Japanese. Sarah apologises as she didn't mean to deceive them, Hirotaka told her that Kyoko and Kanae might be more welcoming if she didn't speak Japanese. Director Date asked that? Sarah confirms that it was for the sake of Kanae's near future. Kyoko lets out an ahhh of realisation as that this was likely from Producer Kuresaki or Director Morizumi potentially regarding Kanae's job in America. Switching gears, Sarah comes back to the original topic and asks what was actually troubling Kyoko that she found difficult to ask Kanae about? Kyoko stares at Sarah embarrassed yet hopeful.
Sarah is speaking English again as she tells that girls that when it comes to photos location is the best as she lines them up in front of DayJowey Castle. With Kyoko's phone she gets ready to take Kanae and Kyoko's photo, telling them to do a cute pose, which baffles the two girls. She's about to take another one when Kyoko goes on high alert, then yells wait as she sprints down the park. Both Kanae and Sarah run to catch up with her. Sarah gasps in shock when she sees Kyoko. Kyoko is in front of a princess, taking a knee asking the princess to please have mercy on her devoted servant. Sarah is amazed, citing that that princess is the human version of the Mermaid princess. A super rare princess that's seldom encountered! Well done Kyoko, she did so well in spotting it! Kanae is watching this all, she can't hear nor understand everything but she has figured out that that princess is rare. She doesn't know all the princesses though, but it seems as if one can distinguish them by the gist of their costumes. Sarah is taking rapid photos of Kyoko with the princess. She gets one with Kyoko and also Kanae posing. Kyoko then calls Sarah over to have one with her. Sarah gets starry-eyed as she's obviously a huge fan, as she quickly spins around and gives the guard her phone too. Then dashes to pose in the photo with the princess too.
Kyoko sends her photos off to Ren with happy blush and also a sense of relief that she has accomplished her 'mission'. She jumps guiltily when Sarah asks from behind who she sent it to. Sarah stares at her. Kyoko faces her then wonders if Sarah is going to press her on this. Sarah then says tentatively, boyfriend...? Kyoko goes red as she stutters out indignantly it that its not like that! Sarah concludes that its someone she likes though. Kyoko's blushes heats up further as she silently nods. Sarah seems to realises she's teased Kyoko a bit much so she wishes that Kyoko can have a wonderful relationship with that person. Sarah heads over to Kanae and asks if she's finished with the first issue of Inner Star? Kanae tells her that she is to some extent, she has sent it to the office previously. She wonders if she can check it over. Sarah asks what photo she decide to use? Kyoko stares after the woman, she thinks it might have been her imagination but Sarah's voice seemed to be tinged with a hint of melancholy.
Meanwhile Ren has received Kyoko's reply text while in the car, telling him that she met a super rare princess thus she has a feeling something lucky will happen after this! Ren smiles warmly and chuckles at Kyoko's message which has the photo of Kanae, the princess and Kyoko attached. He is surprised that there is another photo below the first so he scrolls down. Ren is shocked when he sees a certain foreigner included in the group shot. What is Ren's relationship to Sarah? Why is he so surprised to see her?
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
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