Skip Beat Chapter 149 Translation Analysis

The phrasing she uses for Sho, "何を見ても、聞いても、アイツが頭を占拠する。意識がアイツに囚われる。自分では逃れることができないく らい、アイツの毒が私の身体中（すべて）を…" is slightly changed at the end, when she's using it for Ren: "何を見ても、あの男（ひと）が頭を占拠する。意識があの男（ひと）に囚われる。自力では逃れることができ ないくらい、あの男（ひと）が私の身体中（すべて）をオカシテイク"

Firstly, the verb "torawareru" (to be captured, to be seized) is using an uncommon kanji for emphasis, highlighting that this is not under Kyoko's control. Secondly, in Japanese, a lovely literary device is to give alternate readings for kanji to give them a double meaning. So we see "karadajuu" glossed with "subete." The first meaning "throughout the body" and the second meaning "all, everything." They're subtle differences here. Next, the use of "aitsu" for Sho, and "ano otoko/hito (note the double meaning again)" for Ren. Aitsu in this context shows her contempt for Sho, and "ano otoko/hito" not only shows her comparative respect for Ren, but his relative maturity.

Next is something that's really difficult for Japanese-->English translators everywhere, and that's subject-verb order. English is SVO, and Japanese is SOV. So in the last sentence in the first round, the verb is left out, so the structure goes something like this: "So much so that I could not run away, his poison throughout my entire body/my everything..." The verb is withheld until the very end for impact: "okashiteiku." Okasu is a violent verb, used for "to commit a crime, to transgress, to rape/deflower." In neither instance is this invasion welcome, no matter what fans wish to the contrary right now. Kyoko is losing her agency, and it's not voluntary.

And lastly, and most importantly, the "poison" of Sho's sentence is left out of Ren's repetition. The major difference between the two of them is not their method, but the result. Her love for Sho was self-destructive, and she's understandably reluctant to be vulnerable, but we see here a hint that this time will be different, and healthy, no longer laced with something sinister.

This is a companion piece to the translation found here.