Chapter 54: Cherry Blossoms Branches Shake

Release date: April 1st, 2008

Word count: 33,267

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Thoughts: After taking a few weeks off, I've returned to the best arc of New Trials. The Veil, the Memory and the Fantasy are going to play such huge roles and it's going to be a roller coaster ride for our beloved S&S like never before. 

The way Wish-chan describes Sakura's new Arc 4 haircut is pretty spot on with CCS:CC Sakura's hairstyle. 

It's so strange for a Westerner like myself to picture Japanese students starting a new year after spring break in April and not summer break in August/September.

Kai and Meilin talking for hours when she visited him the day before his surgery makes me happy.

Oh my gosh, I completely forgot that Kaho is Sakura's homeroom teacher again! Yet I do remember Kaho donating blood. So I guess the operation happened before Sakura's first day of school despite the fact that Kai's operation and the first day of school were alternated scene by scene, suggesting that the two events happened simultaneously. But actually the Hong Kong scenes talk place a whole day before the Japan ones.

I love how it's only when these kids are in high school that Wish-chan has their interest in the opposite sex peak. I'm still at the beginning and there's already two mentions of that.

Sheesh, Sakura is no longer Card Mistress because she over extended herself and now she's participating in all the clubs to the point of overdoing it.

Kai being in the same grade as Miho because he failed middle school is kind of funny. I love the way he'll propel himself forward later on.

Why haven't I made the NT vs CCS:CC dream parallel before? NT!Sakura is constantly dreaming of blue eyes while CC!Sakura sees the mysterious cloaked figure. Well, CCS!Sakura had lots of prophetic dreams as well.

Eron is officially no longer wearing the eye necklace. I'm looking forward to following his journey into becoming the Light One. The fact he is wearing the broken Gemini charm from Christmas is really sweet continuity.

So my question about whether Miho knew that Kai was the Kaitou Magician is answered in this chapter! She doesn't, which surprised me. Fun signs of the times sighting: to compliment Miho's collection of newspaper snippets, she has news segments recorded and stored on tapes for the VCR! Anyway, it was pretty hilarious when she concluded that it was Syaoran.

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.

Chapter 51: The Third Wish

Release date: August 27th, 2007

Word count: 28,931

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Thoughts: It's been one year since I've been running this blog and re-reading New Trials! Though it would have been nice to be finished with Arc 3 for the occasion, one cannot rush through these chapters. 

Between Ch 50 and Ch 51 there are two interludes that are only on FanFiction.net. They were originally empty spaces because uploading Wish-chan's chapters was giving me a hard time and she ended up making good use of the real estate. Ch 50.5 is Miho's interlude and if there's one thing to take away in this intro-to-Hayashi-Shulin-Landon interlude is Eriol's comment on how Sakura succeeds at the new trials because she has a circle and doesn't take all the burden on herself. Ch 50.75 is Tomoyo's Interlude before the Arc 3 finale. What's fun about this segment is Wish-chan teasing out Dark!Tomoyo through schemes, which we end up seeing in CCS:CC. But it's a bit confusing for first time readers because it should be Ch 52.5 since it talks about Syaoran's upheaval to Hong Kong. I took the liberty to place it before Ch 53 and confused some fans about the mysterious update.

Real talk~ because this is one of the few chapters where I originally thought there was no fanart, and because the really big events happen in the next two chapters, I remember so little of it! The title reminds me of Sakura's role as Subaru's fairy godmother but that's it.

There is a two year upload gap between Ch 50 and Ch 51 making it the longest break between two consecutive chapters and that explains the heavy recapitulation at the head of this chapter.

I loved how Wish-chan conveniently inserted an explanation of the plague in a nutshell via history class.

Eron telling Sakura to either choose him or he'll do something stupid has all the markings of a toxic relationship. No one should ever be put in that position. It was great to see Sakura stand up for herself.

To anyone wondering why S&S aren't together: "Truthfully, I see no future for us, as long as the Dark Ones continue looming in the shadows,” ~ Sakura to Tomoyo about Syaoran. Sigh. I've actually seen this happen in shows and movies. When heroes allow themselves to pursue a relationship, it's even harder for them to forgive themselves when they aren't able to save their world from peril. Ultimately, Tomoyo's thought about how there could be no future until they fix the present sums it up the best.

Chapter 50: A Winter's Conundrum

                                         

Release date: September 6th, 2005

Word count: 64,027 

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Thoughts: Kirei-chan told me that this was the longest chapter so far. Instead of regretting that I never included word counts in these summaries, I'll mark this summary as the first time I'm starting this trend and I've back-tracked to include the other word counts. Thank you for the stats, FF! 

This is the chapter where the long awaited Emotions are released. Things are definitely going to get harder for Sakura and friends.

I really like the way that ski trips, camping trips and shrine events are both part of the CCS-verse and NT-verse. It makes NT feel like like a real continuation because there are always references to the canon material. I wonder where exactly in Japan they traveled to for skiing. 

There's nothing like bringing up Truth or Dare to remind Sakura of split personality Syaoran. And they've been doing so well lately too.

I love how Wish-chan was able to weave in the myth of Yuki Onna into NT.

If I was a Seiju Middle School student, I would not have enjoyed participating in the Winter Competitions. We had Field Days in elementary school and those were the worst. At least the activities are not all sporty as they include storytelling and sculpture building.

I was always disappointed that Sakura wasn't on Syaoran's team but it actually makes things more interesting and it's the only way for the reader to support both teams instead of hoping for just one to win. The Red Team are the definite underdogs but I'm happy to say I have no recollection about who wins! It's also fun to visit pouting Syaoran when he sees Sakura with either Eron or Eriol.

When Wish-chan created Yutaka Ichiro, I thought this was her painless way of splitting apart Rika and Terada-sensei. I was surprised with the outcome!

I wish instead of Sakura being so open with Eron about how she knew she loved Syaoran she would just tell Syaoran that she loved him!!! Their whole conversation was a blur for me. Is this the first time he talked about breaking away from his ancestors?

Chapter 49.9: The Turning of the Wheels

Release date: January 1st, 2007

Word count: 21,955

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Thoughts: In CCS canon, Tomoyo does have feelings for Sakura but in NT, Wish-chan writes her with just as much devotion and leaves out the romantic aspect. I do like how Tomoyo is still envious of the relationship that S&S have, though.

Eriol recognizing Clow's sadistic humour in Fujitaka is actually pretty great.

Syaoran asking what Sakura was doing on New Year's Eve reminds me of a line from my favourite movie, The Holiday.

Even though Miho and Sakura's fantasies were in a fairy tale-esque realm, I love how NadeRyuu's was in modern-day New York. 

Wish-chan's line during Ryuuren's performance about how his carefully gelled back hair was falling into his eyes was a head scratcher. So basically the gel isn't doing its job?

Nadeshiko only ran into Ryuuren because she stepped out to buy potato chips. I guess a Japanese model's diet is more lax? 

I wonder how the string quarter feels about performing in front of Li Ryuuren, the famous violinist. At first I thought that anything but strings would be suitable to entertain them but then it made sense because they had to play Star Crossed together.

The commercial shoot was fun! Ryuuren's description of Nadeshiko rivals Syaoran's description of Sakura in Chapter 73.5. 

There's something so poignant in that moment Nadeshiko, Ryuuren, Miara, Keisuke and Reiji all met up at the museum. Just one Reed away from assembling the circle. 

NadeRyuu's New Year's Eve was so bittersweet. It was touching to see them milk every second of the experience but at the end of the day a fantasy is a fantasy. 

Ryuuren: "For someone like you who always has hope in her heart, you will never be able to seal the Fantasy". Well, something must have changed because Sakura definitely seals the Fantasy in Arc 4 and that girl's always hopeful.

It wasn't until Miho started to gush about winning something at every booth that I remembered that the Fortune was out an about. 

I wonder why Rika calls Terada, "Terada-sensei" despite the fact that they're dating. 

Eriol piggybacks on Takashi's story about New Years Eve kisses and tells a tale about how a couple's kiss on the cheek led them to successful lives but as friends. Now that S&S have pretty much earned their spots in the magical world as of Ch 73.5, can they be together? 

Fanart spotlight: Wish-chan used this Sakura in a Kimono and Syaoran fanart as a panel in her New Year's omake, I'm so glad it's also a stand alone drawing. Sakura's yutaka is so pretty and it's not often we see her dress in traditional clothes in NT. I'm glad that Wish-chan captured this sweet moment when Syaoran kissed her on the cheek... even if it was to capture the Fortune.

Chapter 49.75: New Trials Christmas Special

Release date: February 29th, 2004

Word count: 32.591

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Thoughts: I still can't believe this chapter came out before Ch 48! When I was looking at my Chapter Release Date timeline I thought it was a mistake until I cross referenced the dates. 

It's Winter Wonderland time again! Do S&S go together? I really don't remember. I just remember their gifts. His failed attempts at asking her are pretty funny, though.

Wolfie-chan is making so many appearances in these last couple of chapters. I remember why. Things are going to get so dark after Ch 50.

Ahhh, this is the chapter with Sakura's Love-Love Action plan for E&T!! For the whole list, check out my annex!

Subaru's in this chapter too! He meets Nina and it's amusing to see these two brats meeting their match (haha, that's exactly what Miho said).

Wow, is this the first direct mention of Rika and Terada-sensei's relationship?! I never know how CCS authors would approach this. Personally, in my Destined Love series I broke them apart and in my Before They Remembered series I paired them together.

I'm going to take a moment to appreciate Syaoran holding Sakura's hand and announcing that he needs alone time with her to leave E&T alone. And then they continued holding hands!! There's not enough of that in NT or CC for that matter.

Oh, I forgot that Syaoran asked Sakura by stopping her from saying yes to Eron! At least he did it.

For a fluffy chapter, we have the twins' first real fight. Despite the contant "we'll never leave each others' side" there's foreshadowing about the schism between the Changs.

Kai going all the way to Hong Kong to ask Meilin to the dance was amazing!

It's cute that Miho was Aki's date for the Winter Wonderland. Too bad that didn't develop into something more. She would have done a great job in keeping his ego in check. 

Such a great chapter for hand holding! S&S do it again when they run away from the dance floor instead of dancing on it. But they do get to dance outside, which is something that I love seeing my OTPs do. 

I can't believe I forgot the entire amusement park plot in this chapter! The adventures were a lot of fun but my favourite part was Syaoran refusing to put Sakura down after their roller coaster escape. 

Fanart spotlight: The couples' watches that S&S give each other are probably my favourite gifts in NT and designing them with Paint was a lot of fun. I used to have interchangeable watch bands to match with my outfits but I never owned anything that elaborate.