Forget-Me-Not Chapter 2

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119 Responses

  1. Gabriella says:

    Hi, You’ve got so much talent as a writer – Ms Puddle! Have you written stories which are not CC-related? Even though your fanfiction is based on Nagita’s characters, your style of writing is your distinct own.

    And thank you for answering my questions in the previous post. I really appreciate it.

    Cheers!

    • Ms Puddle says:

      Thank you @Gabriella for your kind words ❣️ I enjoy writing very much (more like entertaining my imagination). In fact, many of you are talented writers, judging from the submissions to the writing contests last year. 👍👏

      You’re welcome and take care!

      • Gabriella says:

        I agree with you about the sterling quality of the submissions for your writing contests. Everyone in this forum seems to have an excellent command of the English language even though for many it’s not their mother tongue.
        I’ve got to admit, however, that one of my favourite contributors is Alex even though her work is not based on fanfiction but on providing an authoritative and scholarly analysis of the CCFS. The “Myths of Candy Candy” series is one of the best and the collaboration between you and Alex really paid off to the fullest extent. Great job!

        • Ms Puddle says:

          Yes, @Gabriella! I agree with you 💯%. It’s also an honor to be selected to participate and publish the myth series.

  2. Irana93 says:

    Amazing story, so far! Can’t wait for the next chapter to read what happens, thereafter.

    I have a question involving the illustration you’re using from the manga. Do you know if those quasi-spherical shapes behind Candy and Albert signify anything? Based on various tropes and symbolism used in manga, the swirling shape (akin to a vortex) usually denotes angst, fear or despair. However, such shape is not behind Candy and Albert in this particular illustration. Does it have any specific meaning, if you happen to know?

    Thank you for your time and for sharing your creative content with us.

    • Ms Puddle says:

      Thank you @Irana93 for your encouraging words❣️ Thanks for reading. 🤗

      About those elliptical shapes, I don’t know the answer, unfortunately. But different artists have different styles even though they do share some common effects to signify the passage of time, angst, anger, speed etc. What I usually do is to compare Igarashi’s drawings to her own but in different scenes. My guess is whenever Candy has inner monologue or feels emotional, these elongated (distorted) ovals will appear in the background, forming wavy lines behind Candy. The more emotional she gets, the more there are, it seems. What do you think? Do you have the manga version?

      • Irana93 says:

        I’ve got the manga version in several languages but I would like to look into this aspect a bit further. I’ll do a bit of research and let you know about my findings.
        Thanks and kind regards.

  3. DreamCatcher says:

    Awesome chapter and I like the way it ended even if it’s a bit of a cliff-hanger. LoL

    As for Lynn’s comments about the main CC/CCFS characters, she’s spot on and I agree 100% with her analysis.

    I’ve got a question for you though and it’s on a different topic. Have you got the old novel in its entirety or just segments of it? Have you got any other books by Keiko Nagita? I’ve happened to come across this one on the internet:

    archive.org/details/eaair0000nagi/page/n247/mode/2up

    Have you ever heard of it?

    Thank you for your time and talk to you again soon.

    • Ms Puddle says:

      Hello @DreamCatcher, I’m delighted to hear that you don’t mind the cliffhanger lol 🤗 Thanks for reading❣️

      No I don’t have the old novel myself and only read bits and pieces from various sources. I haven’t read any other Nagita’s novels or stories either.

      No I haven’t heard of this “Air”. Anything special about it that you want to share?

      • DreamCatcher says:

        Do you know anyone who has the entire book (the “old novel”). Based on what I’ve read online, this old novel was first published during the late 1970s and underwent several revisions until the early 2000s. The final versions were deprived of Igarashi’s illustrations, presumably, due to the infamously ongoing legal battle between Nagita and Igarashi.

        With regards to other works by Nagita, I have read those published by Arechi Manga-“Reineta la manzana dorada” and “Bajo el cielo azul de Lorient”. They were alright but nothing special.. The Arechi Manga professional team (editors and translators) did a fine job, however, especially based on the rather mediocre primary material they had to delve into. I also prefer their official translation of the CCFS (or CCHD) along with PIKA’s official translation. Both editorial teams put much effort and hard work into the translation as well as design of their books.

        Moreover, I have enjoyed reading Nagita’s renowned work which is the “Fuko and the Ghosts” series.

        As for “Air”, I only happened to find it on the internet whilst browsing for other info on archive.org.

        It seems that most of Nagita’s work hasn’t been translated into any other language. Are there Japanese websites or links you could share with us which could assist us in finding other works by Nagita and Igarashi?

        Thanks again for all your help!

        • Ms Puddle says:

          Hello @DreamCatcher, I’m sorry to disappoint you but I don’t know the answers to most of your questions. 🙁

          However, I’ll try my best to tell you what I know. You’re right about the Old CC novel. It was first published around the time the manga was completed. It was meant to be the novelization of the manga with additional materials, including what happened after Albert’s confession on the hill at the end of the manga. Therefore, back then the readers got to read more about Albert’s past as WAA through his replies to Candy’s letters.

          This old novel did go through several rounds of revisions, and each time the author revised existing contents or added even more. For example, Candy’s letter to Captain Vincent Brown was added later, I was told. DreamCatcher, you’re also right that the last edition was text only. There was no illustration from Yumiko Igarashi.

          If I’m not mistaken, Candy Candy was the first collaboration between Nagita and Igarashi, and it might be the only one. I might be wrong though. If you find out otherwise, please feel free to correct me. 🙂

          I heard that Igarashi has published many works since her debut but it seems that her most successful publications are CC and Lady Georgie.

        • Ms Puddle says:

          Hi DreamCatcher,

          You might be interested in this link re Nagita’s works:
          https://www.amazon.com/Books-Keiko-Nagita/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AKeiko+Nagita

          Do you know Mariela, the page owner of Albert y Candy Manga Color (https://www.facebook.com/candycandymangacolor)? If I remember correctly, she has a collection of Old CC Novels and many other CC goodies / magazines. Please check her wonderful Facebook page. You’ll be fascinated for sure 🙂

          • DreamCatcher says:

            Thank you very much for this information, Ms Puddle.
            As for Mariella’s FB page, I sure am aware of it. It’s one of the best and well-informed fanpages within the CC community as it offers such a diverse range of information and always with respect to the author-Keiko Nagita-and the the manga artist-Yumiko Igarashi.

  4. Leda says:

    Hi @Ms Puddle,

    Your fanfic is kicking off as particularly interesting. I like the dynamics between Candy and Albert even if there’s a bit too much tension between them. Apparently, Candy feels apprehensive because she’s still unsure and insecure about her feelings for Albert and whether he feels the same for her. I remember in the novel that Candy had expressed similar angst regarding Albert’s feelings for her and she even found him exasperating because she couldn’t decipher his thoughts and emotions. She had her inner monologue concerning her feelings for Albert which were neither brotherly nor fatherly-related but based on other feelings she found difficult to explain and, above all, admit. Candy no longer felt comfortable around Albert but she was also so attracted to him, simultaneously. She had experienced similar inner conflict in the past as well when she didn’t want to admit that she had fallen for Terry. Such tension usually emerges during the initial stages of a romantic relationship when the prospective couple has its initial misgivings and dread of getting humiliated if there is no reciprocity. Such was the case for Terry and later on after many years for Albert. In turn, Terry was also very insecure about Anthony and Albert was apparently insecure about Terry. Such conflicts are virtually inevitable in relationships which develop into romantic ones.

    Can’t wait for the next chapter..

    Hope you’re doing fine and I wish you all the best.

    • Ms Puddle says:

      Well said, @Leda! I couldn’t agree with you more! I only want to add that I think both Candy and Albert went through some tough times in CCFS after her discovery of his true identity, unlike the manga. That was why it took him so long to confess Pony’s Hill, and Candy could not stop shedding tears of joy as soon as she understood he was her prince. 😍

      Thank you for reading! 🤗

      • Leda says:

        It is without any shadow of a doubt that Keiko Nagita placed greater emphasis on the depth of the bond between Candy and Albert in the novel than the creators of the anime or manga had done. Their relationship is far more complex, profound and sophisticated in the novel. It’s obvious that this ‘ineffable bond’ between Candy and Albert is immensely important to Keiko Nagita and this is irrefutably confirmed in her CCFS novel where Albert remains relevant throughout the entire novel and intensifies in significance from Section 3 until the end of the story.

        Yet, there seems to a ‘trend’ amongst certain otherwise rather confused and irrational fans that Albert was not the creation or inspirational source belonging to Nagita but to Igarashi. Such claims are laughable and pitiful at the same time. Not only that but it seems that Terry’s role is the one which diminishes in the novel and that’s in stark contrast to the anime and manga where his role remained significant and omnipresent throughout the story. In the novel, however, Terry stops bearing a protagonist role after the end of Section 2. He had his ’15 minutes’ of fame and that was in the second section of this novel. After than, he remains a long and distant memory..

        More importantly, the legal verdict in the Japanese judicial system confirmed and thus vindicated Keiko Nagita as the exclusive intellectual property owner of ALL the CC/CCFS characters. By ALL characters that means ALL the characters of this story including Candy, Anthony, Albert, Terry, ​Eliza, Neal, etc. If Albert was not Nagita’s creation, she would have omitted him from her new novel since she wouldn’t have any copyright claim over this character. The opposite happens, however. Not only is Albert Nagita’s undeniable creation but he gains far greater importance in her new novel. If Albert wasn’t Nagita’s creation and if he did not constitute an important character for her, she wouldn’t have devoted so many pages and time into elucidating and developing his character. Whilst Terry’s role is limited within the 2nd section of the novel, the relationship between Candy and Albert becomes increasingly more significant and, in particular, from the 3rd section of the novel onwards culminating with the Epilogue. Nagita wouldn’t have dedicated so much material for Candy and Albert unless their relationship as well as their individual characters were essential to her.

        Best to set the record straight here because there’s too much BS being spread online by certain erratic and paranoid fans who have far too much free time in their hands. Would be wise for them to get a proper job and a meaningful life instead of fixating on make-believe lovers. Needless to mention that the focus should be on indisputable textual evidence and facts instead of clownish theories and mere wishful thinking. Fortunately, the greatest majority of the members of the CC community shun, ignore and ultimately disregard and mock such sludge-monster fans for their unlimited imbecility and pettiness.

        • Michelle says:

          Well said, Leda!
          Such rubbish arguments about Nagita and one of her beloved creations-the character of Albert-have been spewed by an insignificant minority of fans whose lunacy is easily comparable to that of QAnon supporters. Even most folks within their own echo chambers don’t take them seriously. Those morons simply spit out hysterical beliefs which have no textual or factual backing as undeniable evidence. Indeed, they have a sordid habit of taking words and other material out of context and disingenuously distorting the meaning. In addition, they tend to deliberately omit significant sections which not only contradict but obliterate their pseudo-arguments. In most cases, nonetheless, their pretentious and cunning-foolish claims are based on sheer fabrications coming from their own deranged and disturbed minds.
          At the end of the day, what matters and what holds water is what Keiko Nagita and her authorized personnel have to report about this novel as published in 2010. Nagita herself has made it crystal-clear that we should not take into consideration anything from the past alluding to the Candy Candy narrative. Instead, the one-and-only focal point must be what is stated in the Japanese original 2010 Candy Candy Final Story, including the official translations of Kappalab, PIKA and Arechi Manga. Nothing else. This has been clarified by the sole and legitimate author of this novel-Keiko Nagita-in the “Author’s Note”/”Prelude” of this novel and all readers, irrespective of their personal preferences and interests. ought to respect that. Besides, they have no other choice because the intelligent and well-educated people focus on facts and textual evidence and not on sleazy vilifications and cheap & shallow pseudo-debates.

  5. Christine says:

    How are you, Ms Puddle? Hope you’ve been fully vaccinated because the pandemic doesn’t seem to be abating any time soon. As for me, I’m finally fully vaxxed but time will tell whether we’re sufficiently protected from the new mutations and variants of this virus.

    Changing the subject, I found your second chapter fascinating. You’re adept at delving into the characters of this story without moving away from the original concept concerning their traits as depicted by Nagita. It’s a pity that we don’t get much character development in the original novel and I mean that for all the characters involved-main as well as supplementary. I think that the anime and manga did a far better job in terms of providing character development and interesting plot. It’s not just the visuals but the actual storyline as adapted by TOEI and the collaborative work of Nagita and Igarashi in the manga.

    I’m so pleased you’re back into writing fanfics and I’m sure your next chapter will be just as fascinating-if not even more.

    Take Care!

    • Ms Puddle says:

      Hi @Christine, thanks for asking! Like you, after getting my second dose, I consider myself fully vaccinated too. However, cases are rising everywhere due to the highly transmissible Delta variant. 😕 You’re absolutely right that the pandemic is not abating any time soon. Sigh… I’ll keep wearing a mask whenever I go out even though the restrictions are lifted now.

      Thank you for reading this chapter and so happy to hear you found it fascinating❣️ I’ll try my best to keep up. You take care too, @Christine 🤗

      • Christine says:

        I agree with you @Ms Puddle. It’s best to maintain all necessary precautions as this global pandemic seems to be exacerbating and not abating any time soon..

        • Ms Puddle says:

          So true, @Christine, especially there are still many anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers out in the wild.

          • Christine says:

            It’s insane, isn’t it? We’re half-way into 2021 and there are still people who believe in such nonsensical conspiracy theories against scientific research and progress.

            • Ms Puddle says:

              I know, @Christine. Now that a lot of restrictions are lifted, the number of confirmed cases just doubled recently. 😣

  6. Michelle says:

    Hi!

    Really enjoyed this new chapter. The suspense is intensifying and I like the way you’re keeping it fast-paced but at the same time you’re not reducing the significance of character development. The conflicting emotions permeating both Candy and Albert are highlighted well in this story so far and I can’t wait to read what will happen next.

    Thanks for sharing!

    • Ms Puddle says:

      Thank you so much @Michelle for your kind words. You made my day❣️

      Glad you enjoyed the character development so far. I will try my best to keep it fast-paced too. Thanks again 🤗

      • Michelle says:

        One of the strongest points of your writing style which should be highlighted is that you’re never verbose. I’m fed up with the flowery and superfluous language which is often endemic in such fanfiction tales based on Candice White. On the other hand, I’ve come across quite a few really awesome fanfiction but they take a bit of time to find along with some online digging.

        • Ms Puddle says:

          Thank you @Michelle❣️ Some writers are quite verbose indeed, but everyone is free to choose his or her style as long as the storyline is compelling. In fact, some writers said details are important and I tend to omit a lot. I don’t know. I’m trying my best to strike a balance. 😀

          • Michelle says:

            A writer could provide the relevant details to a story without being verbose. For example, Hemingway was renowned for deploying such a style; he could get so much meaningful information across to his readers without being superfluous.
            I agree with you, nonetheless, that there are writers as well as poets who are rather wordy but retain their appeal as being one of the finest contributors in literary and cultural history. Such a noteworthy example is Edgar Allan Poe.

  7. moira78 says:

    Ops, dimenticavo! Personalmente per la cronologia ho pensato a date un po’ diverse nelle mie storie, ma le date sono davvero una spina nel fianco e non c’è un punto di vista giusto o sbagliato, secondo me. Grazie anche a fonti di altre appassionate sono giunta alla conclusione che Candy è nata nel Maggio 1899 e Albert il 28 Giugno 1888. Inoltre, in una mia fanfic (che non ho ancora pubblicato, tra l’altro), ho immaginato che Albert cominci a pensare di tornare in America dall’Africa proprio dopo quell’attentato nel 1914, mentre la guerra comincia a delinearsi ma riesca a tornare a casa solo parecchi mesi dopo… senza spoilerare, la loro convivenza l’ho immaginata che cominci nel 1915, quando in effetti Candy ha 16 anni. Non so se ti sono stata utile ho ti ho solo confuso più le idee, potresti benissimo aver ragione tu e torto io, qui ci vuole una cronologia VERA dalla Nagita, santa pazienza! XD

    • Ms Puddle says:

      Thank you @moira78 for providing your chronology. Mine is a mixture of the timeline in the manga and that in Candy Candy Final Story.

      Yet, as you said, nobody is absolutely sure about the chronology. 😐

      I got some hints here and there in the novel. For example, Albert sensed the unease and left Africa before the onset of WWI, if I’m not mistaken. On his way back he boarded the train in Italy and someone detonated a bomb. He lost all his memories and was eventually transferred to a hospital in Chicago. Therefore, it was likely the late summer or fall in 1914 when Candy and Albert began living together. Again, just a guess. 😀

  8. moira78 says:

    Carissima! Quando ho visto che avevi pubblicato il secondo capitolo della tua nuova storia mi sono precipitata qui: adoro come tracci il carattere dei personaggi in maniera assolutamente IC e spontanea. E perdonami se mi ripeto, ma per me leggerti è splendido sia da lettrice che adora Candy e Albert, sia da autrice di fanfiction che ha scoperto questo fandom da poco più di un anno e tenta sempre di entrare nel cuore di questi meravigliosi personaggi: poche autrici, soprattutto straniere sono in grado di tracciarne così bene le sfumature di carattere e tu sei una di queste. Ogni volta che ti leggo so che ho qualcosa da migliorare nel mio stile, qualcos’altro da affinare nella descrizione dei sentimenti dei protagonisti per renderli più veri e altra strada da percorrere per arrivare alla qualità descrittiva che hai tu. Insomma, quando leggo una tua storia mi delizio e imparo al contempo!
    Mi piace tanto la prospettiva che hai scelto per questa trama in particolare: hai semplicemente colto il momento in cui Albert decide di acquistare i terreni della Casa di Pony e hai fatto tornare l’infermiera che somiglia a Candy proprio adesso. Ed ecco che si crea l’equivoco, con i nostri due biondi che ovviamente si tengono nel cuore il meraviglioso sentimento che già li lega. In tutto questo, persino il signor Cartwright ha i suoi sani dubbi, perché si è creato… l’equivoco nell’equivoco! Insomma, non oso pensare a cosa accadrà ora, soprattutto perché Albert, con quella frase alla fine e il suo abbraccio a Kim convince Candy che il suo interesse è puramente dettato dall’amicizia. Ma quell'”Albert!” gridato alle sue spalle… mi fa ben sperare. Oppure è una mia pia illusione e i due continueranno a negare i propri sentimenti ancora a lungo? E perché apparentemente Albert sta portando Kimberly con sé? Insomma, anche io nelle mie storie ne combino di tutti i colori ma pure tu non scherzi, il triangolo amoroso mi sembra già tracciato! Un abbraccio e scusa se mi sono dilungata, inutile dirti che non vedo l’ora di leggere il terzo capitolo, sono già in fermento!

    • Ms Puddle says:

      Ciao @moira78, grazie mille 💕 Thank you for your compliments and highly encouraging words. I won’t say much about my story because I want you to keep reading to find out. 😉 I’m honoured to have you here. Best wishes to you as a fanfic writer! 🤗

      Congratulations to Italy’s Euro 2020 victory! Here in Vancouver and other cities in Canada, the Italian communities are celebrating too. I happened to drive by the crowds today and many young men wore the blue jerseys. Some of them were good-looking too 😍

  9. Lynn says:

    Dear Ms Puddle,

    Thank you for considering my commentary. This is most appreciated.

    I will get back to you soon to provide my thoughts on your new chapter. I am looking forward to reading it.

    Kind Regards,
    Lynn

    • Michelle says:

      Both your comments about Terry and Albert are intelligent and you definitely know how to present a rational argument. I couldn’t agree more with everything you have elucidated.

    • Ms Puddle says:

      Hi @Lynn, no I’m the one who should thank you for your contributions! No rush but I hope you will like the new chapter ☺️

  10. Sarah says:

    Hi, Ms Puddle!

    Got to finish reading both chapters of your new fanfiction and they are intriguing to say the least. Introducing a character from Albert’s past is astute from your part. It will be interesting to see how this story unfolds because I have the impression, based on the initial reading of this narrative, that Albert has feelings for Kim. Even in the original story by Keiko Nagita (CCFS), Albert appears to be favourably impressed with that young and beautiful American nurse because he actually took the time to mention her in his letter to Candy. Those two had spent a considerable period of time together in Africa and they also worked together at the medical clinic in Kenya. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to assume that the two of them had also become a couple.

    Who knows? Maybe that’s the reason why Albert was so understanding and patient with Candy’s turmoil in overcoming Terry. Perhaps he had also experienced an intense romantic relationship with the aforesaid nurse in Kenya.

    What do you think?

    • Lynn says:

      You’re making a valid point, Sarah, and I agree with your thoughts about Albert and the possibility of him having developed a romantic relationship with the American nurse during their employment in Africa.

    • Ms Puddle says:

      Hello @Sarah! Thank you so much for reading. So glad to hear that you find it intriguing! 🤗 I won’t say anything about the nurse in this fanfic yet, but I do agree with you about Albert in CCFS or the manga. Of all the coworkers he did specifically mention this American nurse in his letter to Candy, and indeed they worked together probably for about a year or so in Kenya.

      Sarah, interesting thoughts! Albert’s past experiences might also be the reasons why he could be so understanding and patient with Candy later. 😉 Aren’t we all like that? We may be able to sympathize with our friends’ troubles if we’ve had similar ordeals before.

      • Sarah says:

        Yes, that seems to be the case.

      • Lynn says:

        It would make sense for sure.. Albert had travelled all over the world and he would have accumulated a plethora of life experiences possibly comprising his love-life as well. It’s most certain that Terry and Albert had experiences with other women prior to Candy. Back in those days, it was quite common for men to be sexually active whilst the patriarchy restricted women within the confines of hypocritical chastity. So glad those awful times belong to the long and distant past..

        • Ms Puddle says:

          Hi @Lynn, I’m not sure if Albert has traveled all over the world. He’s likely been to various cities in Europe and who knows where else he traveled while he was in Africa. 😉

          Yes, back in those days single men in high society might be sexually active, but of course in shoujo manga they won’t mention anything about that. 😂

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