げんしけん: 二代目Chapter 79
Genshiken Nidaime Manga Chapter 79

Upon hearing about Madarame’s S&M videos that Saki had found years earlier, Kenji tries to defend him, but makes it sound worse. Saki suggest Kenji look harder, leading Madarame to state that he had nothing to hide before remembering his secret stash of photos depicted Saki in cosplay. His pause is noted by everyone, causing Kenji to realize what Madarame is desperate to hide — those photos. His reaction causes Madarame to wonder, leading Kenji to whisper what it is, which in turn causes Madarame to flee the Genshiken area under the pretense of getting something to drink.

Later, Keiko corners Kenji outside of the clubroom, wanting to know what it is that Kenji knows. She suspects it has something to do with Saki, so Kenji asks if everyone knows. Keiko figures everyone does, though she’s not sure about Saki as the two have never discussed it.

Back at the clubroom, Saki and Ogiue chat about things. Saki asks if Madarame still comes by, to which Ogiue says he doesn’t, today being the first time in quite some time.

Meanwhile, Keiko finds herself getting annoyed by Kenji’s “girl” attitude, but she presses forward on wanting to know what Kenji knows. Kenji decides that Keiko probably already knows about this, so he tells of the photos. The news shocks and amuses Keiko, who hadn’t known, but Keiko decides that she and Kenji will get Madarame to confess his feelings for Saki. Kenji isn’t sure, but Keiko figures this is the best time since both are here. Kenji still hesitates, so Keiko threatens to spread rumors all over about Madarame and his photo stash. Keiko reminds Kenji that Madarame ran away because he’s no good at these kinds of things, so Kenji decides to give Madarame a call, only to have the line immediately disconnected.

As Kenji worries about whether Madarame hates him, Sue reveals her presence.  When Kenji asks if she knows where Madarame is, Sue leads Kenji to the courtyard, indicating Madarame is back in the club room. To Sue’s surprise, Kenji makes another call to Madarame, apologizing for his earlier behavior as well as his discovery of Madarame’s secret. Madarame is OK with things, so Kenji asks him to stay in the club room, then phones Keiko to get Saki over. Keiko does that, but when she, Sue, and Kenji leave Saki at the door, Saki reveals that she knows exactly what’s going on, and that it is all up to Madarame.

Entering the Genshiken club room, Saki is stunned to see Kousaka there in female cosplay in addition to Sasahara and Madarame being there. Keiko peeks in and isn’t pleased at what she sees, leading Kousaka to tell Sasahara that they have to leave. Telling Madarame to stay put, everyone leaves. Saki sits down and starts talking to the panicked Madarame.

Bwah!ha!ha!ha!ha!  Oh, Kio-sensei, you naughty, naughty manga-ka you. *lol* Seriously, what a cliff hanger, eh?

Other than Kenji’s presence, this chapter was all classic Genshiken, including Sue since that’s where she got her start. I like the idea that one way or another, the whole issue of Madarame’s attraction to Saki will be resolved…or will it?

The thing is, while I know there are a lot of Saki x Madarame shippers out there (and I don’t have an objection to that pairing), I just don’t see how Saki gets to a point to where she loves Madarame, or that she’s even in love with Madarame now. Yeah, so we learn that she’s well aware of Madarame’s crush on her, but she’s never acted on it (and wisely so).

Assuming that Saki’s relationship with Kousaka is based purely on a physical attraction, which is how things got started for her and Kousaka in the first place, combined with the fact that she then remembered him from her childhood, is that enough to make her leave Kousaka?  What would Madarame offer that Kousaka couldn’t?  Other than Kousaka’s female cosplaying, which is something Madarame wouldn’t do, what reason would she have for leaving Kousaka for Madarame? Assuming Madarame lets her know about the photos, would she be touched or find it sick, considering what he might do with said photos?  I just don’t see the bridge.

Still, assuming Madarame actually confesses, other than hearing Saki turn him down in person, thus closing the book on that fantasy (though lets be honest, he could still fantasize a scenario where she actually said yes and deny reality), where does that leave Madarame?

As to Kousaka, he’s always been very clever, which is why he immediately knew what was going on and got himself and Sasahara out of the way.  In the off chance that Saki somehow decides to date Madarame, I think Kousaka would be fine with it. He just seems the type to just roll with things.  (As an aside, the biggest laugh I got was Saki walking in and having a horrified reaction to seeing Kousaka in drag cosplay.)

As to Sue, I’ve no clue what she’s thinking, and Kio-sensei kept her yapper shut. I got the feeling she was tailing Madarame, then noticed Kenji but for whatever reason, wanted to stay hidden until Kenji called for her. Then when Sue knew what Kenji wanted, she seemed enthused about showing him where Madarame was. When Sue realized what Kenji was doing by helping set up a meeting between Saki and Madarame, she seemed surprised and disappointed.

One thing I noted is how Keiko addresses Saki as “Saki-neesan.” I do hope that survives in the official translations. It does show how much Keiko respects and admires Saki.

So, the long wait begins for the next chapter to emerge, where we find out what Kio-sensei has planned for us.