Translator’s Column

Hello, everyone! My name is Molly Lee, and I was the translator for Kokoro Connect: Precious Time. And all the other books in the series. At long last, it’s finally over.

So, let’s talk about the title.

As a refresher, “kokoro” means heart, but it can also mean mind or soul. Paired with “connect,” it suggests a linking of hearts. This is the overarching theme for the entire series. Then there’s the subtitle for volume 11: Precious Time—

“Wait, what? Where’s the Random?” I hear you asking. Well, you see, each side story anthology is demarcated with the naming convention of “[x] Time” instead. And to its credit, “Precious Time” is actually the most sensible title in the entire series! I can see what they’re going for: the desire to cherish every last second together, because that time is running out. So in this case, I’m not quite as eager to propose a replacement title—but if I had to pick one, I think I’d suggest something like Treasured Moments. Same idea, just slightly different word choice that maybe gels better.

Over the past two years, dear reader, you and I have watched these kids grow up. Now it’s the end of the final volume, and like a couple of middle-aged parents, we have to let them leave the nest. In my Translator’s Column for the other two short story anthologies, I provided some story review and commentary; this is now my final Translator’s Column, so I’d like to do that again, one last time.

The Rina Report is set three-fourths of the way through the CRC’s second year, before volume 9 or thereabouts. It’s a comedic opener that conveniently reintroduces the reader to the main cast through the lens of a side character—a story about a jealous little sister who doesn’t quite know how to cope with Taichi growing up and leaving the nest, or in other words, a reflection of the average Kokoro Connect reader’s feelings at the start of the book. Alas, Rina never quite stops being a brat, but that’s okay.

Couples’ Battle Royale is easily the book’s longest chapter. Set in the spring of the CRC’s third year of high school, well after volume 10, this story pairs everyone up and makes them compete against each other in a random grab bag of challenges. Naturally, shipteasing ensues. Was I the only person who groaned when Iori was paired up with Katori? Either way, that ship gets sunk by the end of the book, the Fujishima/Watase ship is made canon, and the Chihiro/Shino ship… is lampshaded mercilessly while nothing concrete is stated. (I can live with that.) The story ends with no sign of the underdog victory Fujishima hoped for; instead, Iori wins due to author bias—I mean, uh, due to her talent at everything, apparently! Alright then! Honestly, Fujishima content is enough of a win for me.

In Fly High, New Kid!, Anda-sensei dumps us in the lap of a first-year we’ve never met to experience Yamaboshi High School through his cynical, socially anxious viewpoint. This story jumps back a few weeks before Couples’ Battle Royale to show us the start of a brand-new school year. Although the previous story was longer, this is the one that drags the most in my opinion; the titular “new kid” isn’t exactly compelling since he’s so painfully bitter. But that’s okay—the story isn’t really about him, but rather the CRC kouhai having now risen to the position of senpai. And of course, if Anda-sensei was going to write about that, then he needed somebody to be their kouhai. Reading this story for the first time, I kept thinking “Just join! Just join! Just join!” And when he finally does, it’s such a relief. Still, I wouldn’t have minded if Anda-sensei had fleshed out the rest of the new recruits to the CRC, although I can understand he might not have wanted to waste time setting up names and backstories for characters he was never going to keep writing about.

Lastly, The Rest of Our Lives is set in December, just a few short months away from graduation, and told from Iori’s point of view. Everybody else is busy studying for college entrance exams, but Iori already got into college on recommendation, so she’s just kind of There. You really get a feel for her loneliness as she watches all the other characters from the sidelines. That, more than her physical appearance, is what makes Iori such a tragically beautiful character to me. I’ve always posited that Iori is Anda-sensei’s favorite, and I feel like it really shows here. Still, I’m glad he didn’t shoehorn in any last-minute romance for her. Not everybody has to find their soulmate in high school, after all.

Before I go, I’d like to thank everyone at J-Novel Club, particularly my editor, Adam Fogle—you have been downright indispensable over these past two years, catching my term inconsistencies and misused idioms. Kokoro Connect was the first light novel series I ever worked on, and a part of it will always stay with me. And to the author, Anda Sadanatsu—I saw you made a website at andasadanatsu.com and I eagerly await your next update.