I've been slowly working my way through the Harudaki books/scanalations, and am currently on Book 10. On p.11 of the first chapter, "Hazard Map," Asano presents Iwaki and Katou with bouquets of flowers when filming of the movie ends, and I was just wondering if non-Japanese readers found that odd. Judging from the "making of" special features on Japanese dvds that I've seen, it seems to be common for the lead actors/actresses to be presented with bouquets on the last day of filming.

It also seems to be normal for guys in general to get flowers on celebratory occasions. I recall seeing an episode of the tv drama "Kinpachi Sensei" (about a junior high teacher who always seems to get the class filled with problem students) where a father buys flowers for his son to congratulate him on passing his high school entrance exams. Now, I know that real life is not necessarily like tv, but it's a fairly realistic drama and it was presented in such a matter-of-fact way that I got the impression that it's a common practice. (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.)

I just thought it was kind of interesting that in the US, we usually think of a gift of flowers as a romantic gesture from a man to a woman, and it would be unusual for a man to give another man flowers. And of course in Harudaki, we do have the underlying layers of Asano's interest in Iwaki, although the gift of the flowers in that scene appears to be a genuine expression of appreciation from a junior actor to his sempais. I assume Katou sees it that way, too, since he doesn't fly off the handle. ^_^

Although it would make a great plot bunny for Katou to get all jealous when some man (choose your favorite supporting character) sends flowers to Iwaki for whatever reason...maybe to congratulate him on winning on a role. Iwaki would tell him he's being silly and childish, and Katou would be crying, "Can't Iwaki-san see that he's only after your body?!"

Heh heh, maybe I am starting to get a feel for the characters! ^_^ I actually have a little plot bunny in mind, involving the gay actor Kikuchi from Book 2, but I want to let it percolate a bit more.

And speaking of Asano, does it seem like he's transferred his feelings from Iwaki to Katou in Book 10? In "Jamais Vu," he tells Katou, "Since the audition day, I couldn't erase the shadow of Katou-san from my brain." (Using the translation by the Haru Project.) Katou himself asks if Asano is changing targets. That really took me by surprise! Or maybe he wants them both now? I certainly couldn't blame anyone for wanting to be in the middle of an Iwaki/Katou sandwich!

Anyway, it was interesting that Katou was the one to stand up for Asano, given that he has every reason to hate him--hmm, much the same way that Iwaki tries to make things right between Katou and Miyasaka, come to think of it. I'm still not sure how I feel about that; sometimes I think that our boys are a little too forgiving, particularly of Miyasaka, even if he truly is remorseful. I did find Onozuka to be pretty cool and intriguing (Jeez, why doesn't Miyasaka go after him instead?), and I hope to see more of him in future chapters.