Chapter 53: Yesterday's Letter + Arc 3 Epilogue

Release date: November 28th, 2007

Word count: 48,025

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Thoughts: I re-read Tomoyo's interlude and it fits way better after Ch 52 compared to when it was before it. Hopefully nobody was too confused about "Syaoran's upheaval" mention but it's such a small snippet and his abduction is so out of left field that I doubt anyone would have unlocked its true meaning.

This is the chapter that broke the fandom's heart into pieces. Not too long ago I checked in with Kirei-chan (who is also doing the re-read) she started this chapter but trailed away instead of reading through. By now she has completed Arc 3.

It's fine that Sakura decided to not be the Card Mistress anymore, but shouldn't she be in the market for a successor?

I love how Naoko was the first to find out about Syaoran's transfer to Hong Kong. In real time Wish-chan uploaded the full first part of Chapter 73.5 and there have been so many wonderful Naoko moments during the last couple of new chapters.

I keep forgetting that Kai has been AWOL since the Plague was sealed. I'm glad that Wish-chan has been able to casually mention it in the text every once and awhile.

I always wondered why Terada-sensei was relocated instead of being flat out fired from teaching, but Wish-chan's extra detail of him being the principal's nephew is what saves him from losing his career. As I was reading this scene I thought it felt out of place but it was Rika running after Terada that inspired Sakura to go after Syaoran.

Sakura thought that she didn't sense Syaoran being gone for a week because she wasn't looking for him. I wonder if it's ever been revealed if she was unable to sense him because he no longer had magic.

Kai gives Sakura back the broken necklace. I know that it gets repaired later on but I don't remember how!

Rika telling Terada that she wants to be his bride may rustle the feathers of certain feminists, but I admire women who want to be homemakers with a husband and children.

When Kai returns the ruby earrings to Erika he reminds her that she would be needed them after she asked why he brought them back. Have we ever seen the treasures being used all together again post-Plague? Also, there's a portrait of Mayura at the Chang residence. That has so much more meaning now.

Chapter 52: On the Night When the Lone Wolf Calls

Release date: August 27th, 2007

Word count: 25,557

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Thoughts: The opening scene with Nadeshiko and Ryuuren with the cherry blossom trees before she was discovered by Mike Kant's father was so romantic. I am seriously hoping for some majorly sweet S&S fluff before NT comes to an end.

I wonder if Syaoran's paralyzed arm is the same one that gives him trouble at the beginning of Arc 4 or if it's another injury. 

With Yukito being a doctor with a gruelling schedule, I could only imagine what kind of situations he has to be pulled away from whenever Yue needs to be summoned. 

Sakura gets bitten by the Plague? I did not remember that. I thought she was only done in when she forced herself to use the Heal on Subaru and her diamond necklace broke.

Never has there been a card that caused more destruction over the generations like the Plague. The whole arc from its destruction to the process of it being sealed was epic and we'd never be able to see something like that on CCS:CC.

This whole chapter was brilliantly constructed. Sakura used everything she had against the Plague and should be dead but isn't. The fact that the only thing keeping her alive is by Syaoran's magic transfer is ingenious. How Wish-chan was able to put the pieces together when she was just in her early twenties is unbelievable.

Syaoran assuring unconscious Sakura that he will always be by her side is heartbreaking considering what's to come. At least it's good to know that he follows through with this in the long, long run. 

I have never disliked Touya more than in this chapter. Syaoran is more than just his powers but Touya makes him feel like useless garbage. At least there's redemption to come in Arc 4.