Last upgrade: 21-May'02

Hot Gimmick manga synopsis.

These synopsis are done by Zahara Medina and can't be used anywhere else without her consent. As she is just a student of Japanese, there are bound to be mistakes. If you spot any mistake, please report it to me, thanks! :) (comments are also appreciated....)
Please remember to support your favorite authors by buying the Japanese tankoubon or official translations.

Note: B/w scans are from the magazine, where the print is in low quality paper and different ink colors so it sometimes scans pretty bad and leaves lots of noise in the picture. The tankoubon quality is, of course, much better (perfect, that is).

Note 2: Ryouki is the direct katakana reading used for the kanji in his name, but the romanization of it seems to be Lyoki. I'm using Ryouki because it's easier for the reader.

Part 15 (Feb'2002) [ vol.04 ]
Azusa (now with bleached hair) talks to Hatsumi, but she slaps him. He says that he was obsessed with her father, and that's it's ok for her to hate him. After he leaves, Hatsumi thinks she wants to hate him (but...). Meanwhile, two neighbours have watched this exchange, and say they must tell Ryouki's mom about Hatsumi meeting Azusa this late in the night... Later on Ryouki's mom has a war council with the other housewives... Next day, Hatsumi ignores Azusa, while Ryouki cracks his brain on the Hatsumi+slave+girlfriend problem (literally!). One of his classmates happens to have a magazine with Azusa on the cover and Ryouki tears it in half in anger, remembering Hatsumi's almost confession of her liking Azusa. When Hatsumi returns home that day, she finds that all the housewives totally ignore her no matter how nice she tries to be with them. Akane and her mother have also noticed it and Hatsumi's mother is desperate because she had managed to get along so well for the last ten years (since it's an appartment building owned by the company for their workers, social status inside the community is rather important, and Ryouki's mom is "queen"). Hatsumi goes to get her little brother from the day care room and finds that the women working there are trying to ignore him and the other kids abuse him with no consequence or reproach from their moms. But Azusa happens to pass by and delivers a deserved slap to the abuser, then takes her and the brother away. Hatsumi is confused about her feelings and Azusa's "nice boy" acting. Ryouki returns home to find them together, but Hatsumi stops him before he attempts to kick Azusa's behind, saying that she has something to talk with him about. Once they are alone, she says she is sorry for what happened the day before, and Ryouki is quite suspicious of that... Hatsumi thinks that she wants to protect her family. She asks him to stop the harasing to the other members of her family, and do it just with her. Ryouki hasn't the foggiest idea of what she is talking about and says that he didn't know about what she is saying. Hatsumi doesn't listen and goes on, saying that's it's ok to be his slave again and that she has been a bad girl. Ryouki's expression is heartbreakening as he takes in what she just said... He says that she is wrong, and before going away, says that her being his slave is not what he wants.
Part 16 (Mar'2002) [ vol.04 ]
It's been a week already, and Hatsumi and her family are still ignored by the rest of the people living in the building. As Ryouki watches poor Hatsumi trying to ingratiate herself with her neighbours to no avail, Azusa appears and teases him. Ryouki's mother sees them and comes to ask Ryouki to be home at 7 since his new private teacher will be there. She also says that it's a pity that poor Hatsumi is being treated like she is because of Azusa. Ryouki demands explanation and she tells him that some neighbours saw Azusa and Hatsumi hugging and that's what started it all. She also asks him to stop seeing her, but Ryouki is still in shock about the hugging part. Hatsumi has a bad day and tries to ignore Azusa during school. When returning home, she finds Ryouki waiting for her. Subaru and Akane see them go away and Subaru defends Ryouki when Akane starts saying bad things about him, thinking he is who started their "neighbour harassment" problem. Ryouki drags Hatsumi away and asks her if she really hugged Azusa. Hatsumi wonders what he is talking about, and he tells her that it was that why they are being ignored by the other neighbours. Hatsumi is surprised and spurts out that she thought it was he who started it all. Ryouki gets very mad and Hatsumi is scared, but to her surprise he calms down right away and takes her to... the nursery/day care room, where he proceeds to clear any misunderstandings referring himself and Hatsumi's family! He acts all cool and nice and charmy, and a happy life for Hatsumi's little brother is successfully assured. (^^; ) Hatsumi is very happy and relieved now and tells Ryouki that she and Azusa just talked and that nothing happened between them that one time. She says she doesn't understand why her whole family was harassed when it was just about something she supposedly did. Hatsumi breaks down and confesses to Ryouki, even if she tells herself she doesn't want to tell these things to him, that she doesn't know anymore what is right and wonders who is going to help her. Ryouki of course is up to the task (^^;;; ) and takes her to Shinogu's current part-time job in a 7-11, who is not too happy at him taking his sister's hand... To both he and Hatsumi's shock, Ryouki tells Shinogu to teach him math! Ryouki and Shinogu arrive at Ryouki's place, where his mother is waiting with his new private teacher, while Hatsumi waits outside. Ryouki tells her mother that he wishes Shinogu to be his teacher. Her mother wonders what he is thinking, as his teachers have been always from T-dai (*), but he replies that he had sexual harassment problems from his previous T-dai teacher (Hatsumi has something else to say about that...) and that Shinogu's family are much more known to them; besides, he says, he is very confident that with Shinogu's help he will be able to pass the entrance exams! Ryouki's mother is delighted and impressed by his speech and not only agrees on it, but readily visits Shinogu's mother all sweet and nice to ask her for her son's help. The rest of the women see this and soon Hatsumi's mom is back into full acceptance! Hatsumi is very happy to see this and runs to find Ryouki and thank him (to Shinogu's discomfort). She tells him that she is very thankful and happy, but he cuts her and tells her that she really doesn't get it. He asks her if she understand why he has done so many things just for her sake, and Hatsumi blushes and nods. He then goes away saying that it's enough "thanks" for him if she knows that "why." (^^) ( * - T-dai, short for Tou-dai (Toukyou Daigaku), or Tokyo University, is the most famous and hardest-to-get-into university in Japan.)
Part 17 (Apr'2002) [ vol.04 ]
v.1.1 After a talk with Hatsumi about her being scared of Ryouki, triggered by the revelation earlier that Ryouki is supposed to go to Hatsumi's place for the lessons with Shinogu, Akane looks around and sees Subaru using a toy machine (the type that has balls with small toys in them and you get a random one each time), and her heart skips a beat! Akane hits Subaru with her school bag for doing otaku things, and he complains that the machine has Gundam toys and... Akane internally wonders why the heck her heart jumped like that when seeing Subaru. She remembers the times he was nice to her or when she was impressed by his words... it can't be that she is starting to feel something for this otaku!? Akane shakes herself out of her stupor thinking it's gotta be a joke, and talks to him about Ryouki and Hatsumi. Subaru wonders if Akane likes Ryouki, and she says that she hates him and gave up on him. Subaru smiles and says that it's good she is so cheerful about it... and Akane's heart jumps again! Akane hides her confusion by accusing him of tricking her... She thinks that it can't be possible that she has feelings for such a little (physically) otaku, she doesn't want to! She then says aloud that she has decided to make Ryouki and Hatsumi attached to each other, and that she needs Subaru's colaboration! Subaru doesn't seem too happy with the idea and attempts to say something, but Akane runs him over and says that they shall meet later that day at six in front of the toy machines. At school, Akane is busy trying to decide how she looks cuter and rejects the offer from some guys about going out after school, saying she already made a promise. As she returns home and is very careful with what to wear and how her hair looks, she keeps telling herself that it's not about being with Subaru, it's all just for Hatsumi's sake! Akane arrives at the meeting point ten minutes too early. She checks on her looks and tries to stop hear fast beating heart. She sees the machine Subaru was trying earlier and decides to try her hand and gets a ball. Some time later, Akane calls Subaru's home and overhears the fact that Subaru is watching some anime... He had forgotten about her--Akane can't believe it! By the time Subaru arrives at the meeting place, Akane is nowhere to be seen. Subaru is really sorry he forgot (especially when imagining Akane beating him to a pulp for it) and goes to check at Akane's house. Hatsumi tell him that she called earlier and said she was at a game center and offers to give her a call, but he says not to worry. After Hatsumi closes the door, Subaru looks back with a sad-like expression. At the game center, Akane is trying (really unsuccessfully) to get a cute teddy bear from a UFO catcher machine while the guy from school flirts with her. Akane is thinking really hard about what happened and remembers Subaru trying to say something... Akane realizes that maybe Subaru feels something for Hatsumi. Subaru finally arrives, saying he is very sorry for making her wait for him in the cold, but Akane is harsh on him while she thinks that she is really angry... and doesn't understand why. As they walk away, Akane tells Subaru that she knows he is not too enthusiastic about getting Hatsumi and Ryouki together because he likes Hatsumi, and then turns into her usual high-handed mode and tells him that he is really a fool because he is really no good and... Akane turns to look at him and is shocked at Subaru's heart-breakingly sad expression. She is left speechless regretting her words as poor Subaru says that he understands that... but it's not really that. He says he was feeling bad about breaking his promise and that he didn't do it intentionally. Akane looks very confused and runs away. Shinogu finds Akane sitting in the building stairs in front of her house door, thinking what a fool she is, and that she didn't know... she made Subaru have that expression on his face. Shinogu wonders what is wrong with her, but Akane says it's nothing. He then gives her the teddy bear she had been trying to get from the UFO machine, and tells her Subaru told him to give it to her. As Akane hugs the doll, Shinogu wonders if they fought and this is an apology... Akane asks when did he gave it to him, and Shinogu says it was just now. Akane runs down to Subaru's place, thinking all the while that it was she who was bad. Subaru is very surprised to see Akane and immediately thinks that he got the wrong bear, but Akane just pulls out the ball she got earlier from the toy machine and gives it to him. Subaru is very happy when he realizes that the toy is a rare piece he had never seen before. He happily thanks Akane and says he is very happy she gave it to him. Then he realizes Akane's weird expression and starts babbling about that of course she wants it back to sell and... But Akane hugs him hard and says that she likes him! Subaru is in total shock and panic and blushes furiously as Akane tells him to please grow to like her more than Hatsumi or Gundam. Back in home, Hatsumi wants to talk to Shinogu about Ryouki, but he asks her very seriously what her feelings towards Ryouki are. He wonders if it's not hate what she feels but only fear. Hatsumi tells him not to say silly things, it's hate! But neither of them seems completely sure about that.
Part 18 (May'2002) [ vol.04 ]
v.1.1 Hatsumi remembers all what has happened to her since Ryouki and Azusa entered her life, with special attention to Ryouki's stunning revelation of why he is (lately) doing so many things for her... But there is no way, Hatsumi thinks as she sweats profusely, she is turning into the girlfriend of this scary guy! As she prepares her things to go to school, she sees the cellphone Azusa gave her and thinks she has to return it... Outside her apartment's door, Ryouki is waiting for her! Ryouki is not happy that she is so late and says that Subaru already left. Hatsumi wants to say that he doesn't have to wait for her, but knows better... (^^;; ) Ryouki tells her that he is still waiting for her to say it. Hatsumi of course, has no idea what he is talking about... As it turns out, he is just happily waiting for her to ask him to make her his girlfriend! (Poor Hatsumi... ) Back to seriousness, she tells him she is not... prepared for that because that kind of feelings don't exist (right then). During school, Hatsumi is surprised to hear that Azusa is sick. Subaru later talks with her and asks her if she knows anything about it, but she says she doesn't know because there is nothing anymore between them. Subaru tells her that because Azusa is now with his father, he will be sick and alone in home (while his father is at work?)... After school, Hatsumi finds there is no one in home, and after remembering Subaru's concern, she decides to gather courage and go to return the phone. Just to return the phone. (Just that. (Really.) (Really, really.)) Azusa opens the door with the security chain on and Hatsumi is worried at his paleness, but then closes it on her face. From outside, she tells him she came to return his phone, since she is no longer his girlfriend or anything... and... um... has he gone to the hospital, she wonders... She asks if he has eaten anything since he is alone, but he tells her to stop worrying and to throw the phone away. He doesn't want to be friends with the daughter of the guy who let his mother die. Hatsumi leaves as he crumples down to the floor covered with sweat and obviously running a high fever... he knows he's been bad to her. As she returns home, she drops the phone, and before she can retrieve it, Ryouki appears suddenly and kicks it away! He is very mad and reminds her that Azusa just told her to throw it away. Hatsumi (rightly) guesses he saw what happened and he drags her back to her appartment. He hugs her and tells her passionately not to care about any other guy but him, that it's an order. Hatsumi is too stunned at his words and manner to react. He repeats his words and says that he is saying what he feels while she just says that those feelings don't exist... he looks into her eyes and says that it's she who is ignoring people's feelings. As Hatsumi's heart starts to beat faster and louder, they kiss. Shinogu enters the home after they separate and is surprised to see them there. Shinogu takes Ryouki to his room and is worried about Hatsumi's weird behaviour and blushed face. She tells him it's nothing and goes to make tea... Once alone, she blushes even more and thinks that she wasn't afraid (of Ryouki), she was excited!!
Part 19 (Jun'2002) [ vol.04 ]
Alone in her room, Hatsumi ponders about the things that just happened with Ryouki. She realizes that her feelings today towards him are very different from the ones she usually has and keeps on wondering about her excitement about Ryouki. Meanwhile, Ryouki and Shinogu aren't exactly advancing in their study time together... Shinogu looks at some of Ryouki's tests results and is impressed (and slightly depressed ^^; ) at Ryouki's incredibly good grades, so he asks him why on Earth he needs a teacher. Ryouki answers that it's all for Hatsumi's sake, and Shinogu realizes he is really serious about her. Hatsumi's mom arrives home and asks Hatsumi if Azusa is sick. Hatsumi realizes that her mom has no idea about the feud between Azusa and her father. Her mother tells Hatsumi to deliver some food she is going to cook for Azusa. She doesn't want to do that at all, but in that moment Ryouki gets out of Shinogu's room and says that he will go with Hatsumi to deliver the food. Hatsumi sees that Shinogu is not having a very happy face and asks him if there is something wrong, but he says with a strange face that nothing's the matter. Back in his room, Shinogu tells himself that he must control himself... Later that evening, Ryouki finds that Akane and Subaru have been added to the "food expedition." Ryouki tells Hatsumi that he understands she doesn't want to go alone to see Azusa because she is scared. On their side, Subaru and Akane seem to be running into difficulties in their relationship. When the group arrives at Azusa's door, they see Rina calling on it! Azusa opens the door and tells her to come in (to Hatsumi's slight shock) but then notices the "food expedition" group. Rina happily salutes them all and wonders if they came to bring some get-well presents to Azusa. She introduces herself as KATSURAGI Rina, Azusa's model-club boss and kind of his manager. Akane is all impressed while Hatsumi remember Rina's words after the Azusa incident and sees how differently Azusa acts towards each of them. Hatsumi interrupts the conversation and says that they just came to give Azusa some food cooked by their mother. She says that they were worried because of Azusa being alone and sick, but now that Rina is there, everybody will be relieved. Hatsumi then turns to Ryouki and after grabbing his jacket, tells him they should leave... now... The group leaves (as Akane keeps dropping hints about who she is, how old she is... ^^; ) and Azusa notices Hatsumi's hand still grabbing Ryouki's jacket, and is confused and not too happy about it. At the elevators, Ryouki tells the others to go first, and then follows Hatsumi. Hatsumi breaks down and tells Ryouki about her shock when seeing how Azusa treats Rina in comparison to how she treats her, and that even though she fully understands she's been an idiot... why this shock? Ryouki comforts her and tells her that it's because she is silly, but at least she tries hard, so it's ok. Hatsumi is surprised at his words and attitude and stops crying. "However..." Ryouki then taps her head and says that she is still going on with the "Azusa Azusa" thing! (Which he told her not to do!) Ryouki says he is using the elevator first because he lives upstairs, and she can use it when it goes down. Hatsumi's heart beats louder as she looks at him, and he ends up going back and hugging her! He tells her she is very cute and Hatsumi blushes a lot. However, when her heart starts to be way too loud for her taste, she breaks apart and runs down the stairs, mad at her own excitement. As she arrives to her floor, she finds Shinogu. Shinogu sees that she is upset and wonders if something happened with Azusa, Hatsumi doesn't want to tell him, so she says he doesn't look too good himself. He is upset about Ryouki's words earlier on when talking about Hatsumi and says that his head hurts. Hatsumi finally tells him that she is confused because she feels weird. At the elevators, Ryouki decides to go down and confront Hatsumi. Meanwhile, Hatsumi tells Shinogu about her confusion at her excitement even though she supposedly hates and fears Ryouki. Shinogu doesn't reply and Hatsumi regrets telling him these things, so she tries to pass it as a joke. Before she can leave, however, Shinogu seizes her hand and then hugs her from behind, just as Ryouki arrives to the scene!

Next Chapter...

All images © Aihara Miki (except backgrounds)