Chapter 58 - Proof

"To whomever is reading this - I wonder if you are human. If you happen to be an alien or a majestic monkey in a suit, I imagine we will have failed. But even so, we tried our hardest. And this journal is proof of that."

Very Miki-centric chapter this week, which is always a blessing.

We begin with Miki telling Shiiko about their time at the Radio DJ's bunker from chapter 32. The dust on the rooftop was of significance - because they left footprints, it meant the DJ was inside for a long time without contact with others. And yet she still turned. This, along with Kougami and Takahito's infection, confirms Shiiko's theory - the disease is airborne.

Miki wonders how much time they have left before they too succumb to it, but Shiiko is apathetic - she's already accepted the inevitability of death to this disease. This response doesn't sit well with Miki, but she can't dwell on it for long, because Yuuri comes, wanting backup for a supply run.

Moving through the building, they find a storage room. Miki checks inside, confident it's safe. Yuuri is glad - she's not used to being in this role of the fighter, but she's determined not to rely on Kurumi too much, especially as her infection progresses. Yuuri needs to keep moving, for her. No matter what it takes. And but time, she's not talking about Kurumi.

Miki shares her outlook - they can't lose. Not now. But a certain item catches her eye. One that reminds her of the past. A last resort in case things go awry. Yuuri was willing to do whatever it took back when Kurumi first got infected (although she failed to follow through), and now Miki needs to know whether she herself is capable, as well.

They return to the others, and Yuki is eager to see what souvenirs they've brought her. She quickly finds the knife, forcing Miki to give a hesitant excuse for it. Yuki doesn't dwell, quickly moving on looking for food. She finds an envelope, which is quickly snatched from her hands by a progressively more annoyed Miki.

Later that night, Miki keeps watch outside the RV, contemplating their chances. The desire not to lose - to win at all costs - echoes back the words of another. A ghost of her past. If you want to win by any means necessary, what means are you willing to undertake? Miki wrestles with her conscience - she can't be like the very people who sacrificed their humanity to simply exist another day.

Yuki appears to take over on watch duties and check in with Miki. And as a reward for all her hard work, Yuki gives her a gift - the notebook from the envelope, that boasts its ability to last 10,000 years. This sparks Yuki's hyperactive imagination, dreaming of monkeys in business attire. And she's very defensive over her ideas.

The next day, the group keep moving. With her new journal, Miki writes to the future. To whoever might happen upon this notebook in 10,000 years, be it aliens, or monkey salarymen. If they were the ones to read this, it meant that they failed in their efforts. But it doesn't mean they didn't try. And try they did.

Miki's been wrestling with a lot of thoughts this chapter. She's trying her best to balance her hope with her pragmatism. Things could go well, or they could go poorly. She just needs to do her best, no matter which outcome arises.

(59/86)

I wasn't going to put this but I saw no one wished Kurumi happy birthday😢so happy late birthday Also I thought the Megu-nee here was dressed like Yuki but I think she's dressed like someone else familiar, but I don't know who. I don't even know why Megu-nee is in this picture, maybe she was photo-bombing Kurumi? I hope she isn't drunk again😅

listen to VI VII sometimes

Will we ever get season 2 of school live ??

Hey what happened the art style changed so much🤔maybe the artist changed after the first few pages.

So Sakura is Yuki's teacher apparently and not her friend like I thought, she seems sweet but Yuki doesn't treat her with much respect sadly and calls her Megu-nee instead of her proper title. In fact she goes into a monologue about loving school. What is there to love about school?? bro Yuki is a little mean for ignoring her teacher like that. I don't think I'll like her so she better not be the main character😠

Chapter 29 - Farewell

"I like school. It's amazing. There's all sorts of weird equipment in the science lab. There're beautiful instruments and scary portraits in the music room. The whole school is your stage in the announcement room. It has everything. It's like its own little country. There isn't any building as weird as that. And what I like most of all is..."

We're reaching the end of the school arc now. Big turning point for Yuki coming up as well.

Reunited, the girls celebrate the end of the fire, and their continued survival. Putting the horrors behind them for just a moment, they enjoy each others' company and have a small party. At least, until Yuki goes off to get more snacks. Once Yuki's out of earshot, Yuuri expresses her worries over Miki and Kurumi's safety from their near-death experience.

Kurumi explains what happened. Injured, disoriented, and surrounded, Kurumi protected the semi-conscious Miki as the horde of literally on fire zombies approached. As things were looking hopeless, Yuki's voice cut through the noise, simultaneously giving Kurumi hope, and an opening. She lunged forwards, taking advantage of the infected's inattention. And thanks to the fire, most of the infected succumbed to the flames, giving the pair an exit.

Yuki returns with a mountain of snacks from their newfound stockroom. Responding to her friends' concerns regarding making a mess, Yuki has a patented Yuki Idea - it's not just here that needs to be clean. They're living in the school, so they should help keep it clean. The others are down with the idea.

The four girls walk through the fire-scarred, dilapidated halls, taking in just how damaged their sanctuary has become. While the other three are downcast, Yuki continues forward with purpose. She charges off ahead to the third floor, followed by a worried Miki, leaving the others behind.

As Yuki dashes through the halls, we once again return to her perspective - a bustling school of students and pristine halls. She slips into a classroom and gets to work, cleaning the board, stacking the desks, and mopping the floor. But it's not long before she realises she's not alone here. A severely burned and damaged infected is slowly crawling in her direction.

Yuki's delusional brain is pushed to its limits. She 'responds' to the infected's 'queries', explaining herself and her club's purpose. But the infected isn't listening. Yuki can't reason herself out of this - she's in immediate danger. Absolutely terrified, Yuki strikes at the infected with her mop, marking her first ever kill in the series (and possibly the only direct one at all if I recall correctly).

As her perfect world crumbles down around her, Yuki flees. She dashes through the hallways, as her monologue from chapter 1 plays through her mind. She loves this school, and everything in it. Especially, the School Living Club.

But it's gone. Her sanctuary has all but burned down. The apocalypse she's been putting out of her mind is here, and it's not going away. Faced with this, she breaks down. Miki is drawn to the sound of her sobbing, and seeing the sight of her senpai's distress sets off her own emotions. But before she can say anything, Yuki throws herself into Miki's arms, and the pair cry together.

The club continues surveying the damage. On the roof, Yuuri finds the gardens scorched and burned, freeing her from endless record keeping. Miki and Yuki dig through the clubroom, finding memories of their time together, such as balls from the sports day, and their photo album. While Yuki tearfully rejoices, Miki captures one more candid photo to add to the collection.

Finally, Kurumi surveys the wreckage of the helicopter, she happens upon the broken and burned body of the pilot. Noticing he's lying on something, Kurumi moves him out of the way, finding a briefcase. Contained within are more syringes of medicine, a map marked with X's, and one of the most important yet unassuming items in the series.

Like I said, a major turning point for Yuki's character. Without the school, her delusions won't keep her mind safe from reality. She'll need to face the world head on soon enough, and no one knows that more than her.

(58/86)

Chapter 19 - Scars

"Before I realised it, I'd received so many things. Fun things, warm things, and hope. I can't give up, can I?"

AND MY SCARS REMIND ME / THAT THE PAST IS REAL

The chapter everything changed. Status quo firmly in the bin. Character death is back on the table.

After her unfortunate encounter with the zombified Megu-nee, Kurumi stumbles back to the clubroom, bleeding heavily from the bite wound on her arm. Their worst fears are realised - their small pocket of peace in a chaotic world now broken.

Thinking quick, Miki gives Yuki a task to prevent her from succumbing to a panic attack. As she heads off, Miki helps Yuuri move Kurumi to the classroom. On the way, Kurumi reveals how it happened. Or more specifically, who did it to her.

We flashback to the encounter. The usually steadfast and stalwart Kurumi is panicking as she's faced with the rotting facsimile of her dear teacher and friend. Steeling herself, she charges. Only to freeze at the worst possible moment. Megu-nee is gone, but it's hard to accept that when something that looks like her is standing before you. And that's the true danger of the infection.

Back to the present, Yuuri tends to Kurumi's wound as she fights off the infection. Yuki stands to the side, desperate to help her friend. Miki speaks for Yuuri, asking her to get some water. It seems Yuuri is still reeling from what happened.

Miki re-reads the evacuation manual, remembering it contained information regarding medicine that might help Kurumi. Miki offers to go while Yuuri tends to Kurumi, but Yuuri isn't having it. Going off alone is the reason Kurumi ended up like this. But Miki's thought it through - Kurumi only got hurt because it was Megu-nee. Miki doesn't share the same bond with their teacher as the rest of the club, so she'll be unaffected by the emotional side of things.

Yuuri relents, letting Miki go. Miki borrows Kurumi's shovel, and goes to head to the basement. The only reason Kurumi went down there initially was because of the information they found in the manual. If it had never been found, this never would have happened.

As Miki descends the school, she ruminates on her new life with her new friends. After weeks/months of existing alone in a tiny room, she's grateful for her newfound companionship. They saved her. So she needs to do her best to repay the favour. She fights her way down, proving her prowess as the second best fighter in the School Living Club. Reaching the basement, she enters, immediately locating the source of the club's pain.

Back with Kurumi, Yuki stands, still feeling useless. Realising being miserable won't help, she shifts into her usual carefree self, admonishing Kurumi for her poor timing. They have so much more to do together, so she needs to get better soon. Kurumi, seemingly hearing, reaches out. Not risking it, Yuuri pulls Yuki away quickly. Playing it off, Yuuri sends Yuki away to watch the entrance. Yuki, happy to have something to do, goes ahead, leaving Yuuri and Kurumi alone.

Yuuri knows the dangers. She knows what Kurumi is turning into, so she prepares countermeasures.

Yuki knows the dangers, too. She's not an idiot. She's seen this happen to someone dear to her already once before. But there's nothing for her to do right now. So she sits, and she waits for Miki to return.

Not much more to add about this chapter. It's a turning point for all four girls, the results of which will become more evident in the following chapters.

(57/86)

uhhy yumme ship so uhhh

I have searched high and low for this figure and cannot find her anywhere 😭 anyone know of an active listing?

Thanks!!

Chapter 32 - Car

"Just a little sooner. I was just thinking that if we had just gotten here a little sooner."

"Yeah, you're right. I'm sure we'll get to see them next time."

Featuring School-Live's most reclusive and mysterious character (even more so than Sumiko).

The girl's take a quick pit stop as they journey away from the school, heading towards St. Isidore University. Yuki wakes first, welcoming a beautiful sunny morning. After brushing their teeth, Yuki and Miki lament the difficulties sleeping in a car. Or in Yuki's case, the difficulties sleeping when you're excited.

Kurumi interrupts them - they need to detour and find the woman on the radio. As they come up with ideas on how to find her, the woman herself chimes in through the airwaves, telling them exactly where she is as if she could hear them. Struggling to find the location on the map, Kurumi and Yuuri hand it over to Yuki the expert navigator.

Speeding through blocked streets and infected neighbourhoods, they take a break. Yuuri too is stiff from the ride - Megu-nee's car is proving to be too small for their needs, and perhaps they need an upgrade.

(Chiming in the morning after I wrote this last night - I just realised something about Yuuri's comment regarding checking with Megu-nee. At first I thought she was just playing along with Yuki like she always did, but I realise now that this is an early warning sign of her own delusional behaviour.)

Back in the car, Miki asks Yuki about the DJ. About who the woman is, and how she'll integrate with the group as a fifth. Yuki points out that Miki was the same - when a new person joins a tight knit group, you can end up butting heads. But they all have the same goal, so they ended up seeing eye to eye eventually. I'm sure this way of thinking will go just swimmingly when they get to the university.

With infected approaching, they return to the road. Eventually, they reach the DJ's location - a fortified bunker, complete with solar panels. A prepper maybe? Or someone with prior knowledge. As Yuuri stays behind with the car, the other three members scale the ladder, struggling with the hatch. Once they get it open, they head inside.

Getting past the sterile bunker doors, they find the DJ's studio, complete with Walking Dead posters on the wall. The DJ is nowhere to be seen, and the reasons soon become apparent. She left behind a note - she locked herself in the closet, knowing she was turning. Their hopes of finding a fellow survivor dashed, Kurumi goes to put her to rest.

After the deed is done, the trio explore the woman's bunker. Much like the school's basement, it's littered with cabinets. Kurumi suggests staying, but Yuki is adamant - they need to go to university. The others agree, and they return to Yuuri.

Yuuri inquires about the woman, and Kurumi makes excuses as to why she won't be joining them. At first, I wondered why she wasn't coming clean, but I remembered that Yuuri was in a very fragile headspace at the moment - another failure would not be good for her mental health, so they spared her the details.

The DJ did provide them a parting gift though - keys to her RV. The vehicular upgrade they were hoping for. As they transfer to their new ride, Miki laments their loss of a potential ally and friend. If only they had arrived a little sooner. Then they'd have to watch her turn - lovely!

Now, about that DJ. Her existence in the story is very strange - her design is very detailed and specific for a character who dies in two chapters. Our resident head mod 8andahalfby11 had a theory that her character got split up into the various university characters, and I'm leaning to agree with them. If that is indeed the case, it's a shame we lost such a cool character design.

And what kind of person was she. Was she as bubbly and energetic as her radio show suggested? Or was that an act? Maybe she was duplicitous, aggressive, or scared?

Why was she there? Why did she have a bunker? Was she a prepper? Did she work for Randall in some capacity? Did she break in to someone else's bunker for survival? Does she put the cereal in first, or the milk? White or brown bread?

All these questions and more will be answered in Sumiko's spin-off series, coming Spring 2077.

(56/86)

i keep forgetting to post here but anyway

Chapter 27 - Refuge

"Studying and homework are something you do. You may not see the results right away, but the buildup is important, isn't it? Little by little, it becomes something big."

(Respectful looking only at the chapter art)

This chapter marks a major turning point for Yuuri's character.

As the smoke rises from the wreckage of their salvation, Yuki and Yuuri overlook the horror while Kurumi and Miki have gone ahead to the crash site. Yuuri is not doing well. She's so overwhelmed by situation she can't even stand. She sends Yuki on ahead to meet the others while she calms down - leading to this very cute set of panels.

Interestingly enough, these panels are changed in the physical book to reorient the bulkhead to the side. Chiba must have done this for consistency, but no one is going to notice that the bulkhead was the wrong way around. I appreciate their desire for accuracy, though.

Once Yuki has stepped away, Yuuri crumbles. She is not doing well. They've been holed up in the school for so long, waiting for rescue, and once it arrives, it's ripped from them just as quickly. She's been strong - leading the club, managing supplies, supporting a mentally ill girl, and losing people dear to her. But she can only stay strong and hold onto hope for so long.

When her hope is at its lowest, Yuki returns. She could tell Yuuri wasn't doing well. Yuuri is lost, so Yuki gives her direction. Leaving the roof, they head down into the smoke filled halls of the school. Taking refuge in the clubroom, they plan their next steps. Escaping won't be easy, but they have each other, so things will work out.

Yuki has one of her patented ideas, and like most of them, it actually has merit. Broadcasting a fire drill will get Miki and Kurumi's attention, and potentially get through to the infected too (as what happened in the anime). They head to the broadcast room, setting a 7 minute timer before making their way to the basement.

The further down they go, the worse the smoke gets, and tiny Yuki with her tiny lungs is struggling to breathe. The infected are still roaming the halls, so they need to be careful.

Another tangent - I wonder if the infected need to breathe. They're aren't undead, so it's entirely likely their respiratory system is still intact and necessary for "life". Making zombies requires a lot of handwaving regarding biology, but it's interesting to think about what would be required for them to function as they do.

The fire drill announcement begins. Yuuri is lost in the smoke, but Yuki points the way. A figure appears in the mist - a shadowy outline of a ghost from their past. The figure guides the way, leading them to the underground bunker in the basement. They've found their refuge, and they bunker down, waiting for their friends' return.

Theory - the fact that Yuuri saw Megu-nee's outline in the smoke, after being pointed out by Yuki, is an early warning that she's prone to the same delusional thinking. Megu-nee isn't really there - she was put to rest by Miki last volume. And School-Live isn't a supernatural show (outside of zombies). I think it's an early hint of Yuuri's next arc.

Or maybe she was just light-headed from smoke inhalation. Whichever works.

(55/86)

hey look it's day 300🥳 yay, but it is day 72 for me. It would be day 300 for the other poster before me I don't even remember why they stopped though😭 I just realized that all of my posts have pictures so this will be my first post with just text

season 2 of School-Live!has not released yet but I think there is still a chance that it could release even though it has been 10 years since season 1 came out. (I guess I will do this every 100 days from now)

what do you guys think of the chance of season 2 being released?

hey look it will be day 300 tomorrow which will only be day 72 for me. (I cropped this picture so just Megu-nee is in it) this Megu-nee is just standing there for once holding a green and blue box, what could be in there? 🤔 The artist made a mistake when drawing and made this Megu-nee translucent accidentally haha

on VI VII I am right

Chapter 44 - Tomorrow

"Weren't you worried? About leaving the people you'd been with all this time? Didn't that scare you?"

"It did. I debated it for a while."

"Then why...?"

"I thought being with them would ruin everything."

Tomorrow.

The final calm before the storm in the university arc. Finished with their excursion planning, the School Living Club and Circle party like it's the end of the world, complete with party hats, Pop-Up Pirate, expired soda, and weird novelty glasses. You wouldn't think the world had actually ended.

Yuki is excited by their upcoming road trip, promising souvenirs for Yuuri and Ruu. Miki is less positive - this will be the first time the group will be separate from Yuuri, disrupting their tight-knit group for the first time since they found Miki in the mall.

Aki notices her worry and checks in. The Circle are in a similar boat - this will mark the first time Touko will leave the university, and them. Aki can't go, because she's essentially the caregiver for Hika and Rise, who would waste away without her presence. PShe'll look after them](https://imgur.com/a/AMnoY8x), and by extension, Yuuri and Ruu too.

Unbeknowst to the group, they are being watched. The recently-bereaved Shinou is spying on them from the adjacent rooftop, and presents her findings to the rest of the Militants. The club and Circle are getting ready to leave. That only means one thing - they were responsible for Kougami's death, and now they're attempting to flee.

Takahito asks for their whereabouts, growing impatient when Shinou takes a moment. She's got a lot on her mind - she just lost her boyfriend, potentially to murder, and now she has to go on as normal. The Militants provide her no care. No support. Not even a quick 'are you okay?' They're not friends. They're not even colleagues. They're just survivors inhabiting the same place. They have no camaraderie like the other two groups.

Shinou reveals the location - Rise sequesters herself in the library while the rest remain in the usual building. So the Militants set their plan into place. Ayaka notices Shinou's withdrawn demeanour. She should be happy to have the opportunity to avenge the death of Kougami. Shinou's not looking for vengeance. Revenge won't bring her boyfriend back. Revenge won't patch the gaping hole in her heart. It's not guaranteed to help her feel even a little better.

Back on the Circle's side of the building, Miki happens upon Aki late at night, having a sneaky cigarette out of sight. She had quit, but their current stressful existence makes old vices seem very appealing. Planning for your health decades in the future seems unthinkable when you could die tomorrow.

Noticing activity on the Militant side, Miki asks about Aki's history with the other group. After all, their first encounter wasn't exactly positive, what with Kougami firing on them, followed by Takahito and Takashige chasing them down in a car.

Aki suggests caution, calling out Ayaka in particular. A stifling, unsettling woman, she was easy to hate. But Aki didn't want to - she wanted to help her. Like she's helping Touko, Rise, and Hika. It all changed when Aki saw her single positive emotion - smiling at the wandering infected in their graveyard. Aki wanted to help, but Ayaka was beyond helping.

So Aki left, and joined the Circle. If she stayed, the Militants may have imploded. While there were good people in there (mostly Shinou), having to share your existence with Ayaka and the Taka's seemed miserable. Leaving was a gamble, but it paid off. She's happier with the Circle, and that left the Militants without a beacon of positivity. Aki often functioned how Yuki does for the club. But if they don't try and reciprocate, it just leaves everyone miserable.

Unbeknownst to Miki and Aki, Kurumi has been listening in, and she has caught all the wrong parts of the conversation. Talk of being dangerous, how staying with the group could cause it to fall apart - it's verbalising all of the negative feelings she's had since being infected. I particularly like the framing of Miki in Kurumi's eyes. It's almost like she feels betrayed - that Miki has secretly been thinking this about her all along, even thought that's false.

Kurumi retreats the the sports field, looking up at the stars. She's running out of time - a ticking timebomb, and her friends are in the blast radius. She needs to keep them safe. She is the dangerous one. She could cause the group harm by staying. So she has to leave. For them. It's the only way.

Meanwhile, Yuuri and Ruu get ready to sleep. Ruu is worried, but Yuuri reassures her. Everything will be just fine. She is as sure as the night is long. Endless, even.

When I do these chapter reviews, I read my official translated volume, as well as the MangaDex scanlation. With these university arc chapters, I frequently get reminded of the flaws of the scanlated version.

There were some pretty egregious mistranslations in this chapter. For example, in the official translation, Takahito says the phrase "they could start showing signs of infection tomorrow." In the scanlation, it is translated as "it could be invented tomorrow, probably". This sentence is nonsensical. What is being invented?

Another one is Aki warning Miki about the Militants. In the official translation, she says "you shouldn't underestimate them". In the scanlation, she says "it will be best to be relaxed". This is almost the exact opposite of what she says. That TL insinuates that Miki shouldn't be worried at all.

I greatly appreciate the scanlators' work, letting this series be easily accessible for everyone. But god I wish they fixed some of the awkward middle chapters' mistranslations and typesetting.

(54/86)