Title: 妹 (Akane) Vol. 5 "Last Smile"
Artist/Author: 山花典之 (Noriyuki Yamahana)
Book Size/Pages: B-6, 223pp., w/o furigana
Volume: 5/14
Original Serialization: Weekly Young Jump Vol 15, '01 - Vol 27, '01
First Printing: 9/24/01
Rating: 4/4

Another deep chapter, this time it focuses on Akane and her biological mother. The story about how she ended up being his stepsister is revealed. Meanwhile, it's no longer a secret that Akane has a crush on Shinpei.

Bonus is a first color page with Akane styling with blue hair!

46. ゆうやけこやけ (Sunset Glow): Chappati goes back and is told that she has to perform a difficult tightrope stunt by tomorrow, despite the fact that's she's quite tired. She trains and trains, but never gets it right. However, she is determined to as the manager says her colleagues welfare depend on her performance.

47. 声援が呼ぶキセキ (The Miraculous Cheer): She falls during the performance and becomes depressed. However, she becomes a hero again when she saves a little girl from a burning building.

48. 家族旅行 (Family Travel): Akane takes a part-time job so she can save enough money to bring her brother to the countryside to watch Sakura bloom. She had promised their father before that she'd bring the 4 of them here, but Shinpei is the only family member she's got. The manager of the inn thinks they're a lovely couple.

49. 桜の夜 (Night of Sakura): They spend the night on the same futon (because of the manager thinking Shinpei is just shy). The next day they bring the photo of their parents to see Sakura bloom.

50. 危ない感触 (Dangerous Touch): Suzu sees Akane trying to hold hands with Shinpei as they're walking. Although they may be able to do that, Suzu knows that they'll never be able to kiss, and that's where she thinks she has her opportunity.

51. あの人の足音 (The Sounds of That Person's Footsteps): Suzu and Shinpei go on a date on Sunday. At first, Shinpei tells Akane he's got work, but Tetsu, who wants to get closer to Akane, tells him the truth. Akane's not too happy at Shinpei's deceit. Meanwhile, a lawyer representing Akane's biological mom pays a visit to the auto shop.

52. Confession - 告白: Shinpei concludes his date with Suzu. Mio is at the shop and hears from the lawyer that Akane's mom wants to see her. Mio pays a visit afterwards to Akane, intending on telling her the situation. However, Akane is excited that Shinpei is coming back and tells Mio that she loves Shinpei.

53. 母・・・登場・・・ (Mother...Appears): Shinpei knows about the mother and seems to be a little disturbed by it. He goes to a fancy hotel where he finally meets her.

54. おもかげ (Image): The mother explains to Shinpei why things happened the way they did. She became a famous jewelry designer, and baby Akane had come in second to her job. That was the reason for the divorce and their separation.

55. Last Smile: Shinpei finds out from the lawyer that the reason why the mother came back for Akane is because she has a sickness and may only live for at most 10 more years. Shinpei goes back to the apartment, not telling Akane anything.

56. 母として (As a Mother): Shinpei and Akane are at his workplace when Shinpei sees the lawyer and mother spying on them. The mother is happy to see her daughter again, even if it's in secret. Shinpei tells them to visit his mom's grave. Later, the mother decides to leave, but she collapses in her car.

57. 涙の決意 (The Resolve of Tears): After visiting his mother's grave again, he goes to Akane's mother's sickbed and tells her that he'll return Akane to her, but only after she's done with high school.

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