History
Sweet and Sour Calamari is a recipe of Fried Calamari that is tossed in a sweet vinegar glaze. It can be found on many menus across the country and is a spin off of traditional Italian style batter fried calamari and Chinese Sweet and Sour Chicken. The Sweet and Sour version differs from the traditional Italian in the sense the sauce is tossed instead of served on the side. When made properly, the crisp breading (usually a combination of corn and wheat flours) is still intact as it is tossed with reduced sweet vinegar glaze. Also this breading style differentiates it from the Asian namesake Sweet and Sour Chicken, that is made with a fluffy Tempura or baking soda enriched batter.
This dish is popular in the Western Massachusetts area, a spin off the Calamari found down the East Coast in Rhode Island. Since the East Coast borders on the Atlantic Ocean, much seafood is consumed in these areas. Pioneering Chefs Chris Albano and introduced it to many Western Massachusetts area restaurants like , ,, Sonoma, and . As the dish grew in popularity so did the amount of restaurants in the area starting to produce the dish.
Varieties
----
Chefs across the country each have their own style, even TV Chef Emeril Lagasse does his own version.
The varieties most found in Western Massachusetts are "Wok Fried" and "Flash Fried", where they are quickly cooked to avoid becoming tough and then tossed in their respective glazes.
The "Wok Fried Calamari" version made popular by Chef Chris Albano is lightly breaded and cooked in a Deep fryer, then glazed in a hot wok with sliced Banana peppers and a piquant sweet chili sauce. The "Flash Fried" Calamari version by Chef Cousin is similarly fried first then glazed with a honey and Chipotle Coulis.
Massachusetts based Seafood Chain Legal Sea Foods, boasts three preparations; Spicy, Rhode Island, or Sweet and Sour Asian with Pienapple.
Sweet and Sour Calamari is a recipe of Fried Calamari that is tossed in a sweet vinegar glaze. It can be found on many menus across the country and is a spin off of traditional Italian style batter fried calamari and Chinese Sweet and Sour Chicken. The Sweet and Sour version differs from the traditional Italian in the sense the sauce is tossed instead of served on the side. When made properly, the crisp breading (usually a combination of corn and wheat flours) is still intact as it is tossed with reduced sweet vinegar glaze. Also this breading style differentiates it from the Asian namesake Sweet and Sour Chicken, that is made with a fluffy Tempura or baking soda enriched batter.
This dish is popular in the Western Massachusetts area, a spin off the Calamari found down the East Coast in Rhode Island. Since the East Coast borders on the Atlantic Ocean, much seafood is consumed in these areas. Pioneering Chefs Chris Albano and introduced it to many Western Massachusetts area restaurants like , ,, Sonoma, and . As the dish grew in popularity so did the amount of restaurants in the area starting to produce the dish.
Varieties
----
Chefs across the country each have their own style, even TV Chef Emeril Lagasse does his own version.
The varieties most found in Western Massachusetts are "Wok Fried" and "Flash Fried", where they are quickly cooked to avoid becoming tough and then tossed in their respective glazes.
The "Wok Fried Calamari" version made popular by Chef Chris Albano is lightly breaded and cooked in a Deep fryer, then glazed in a hot wok with sliced Banana peppers and a piquant sweet chili sauce. The "Flash Fried" Calamari version by Chef Cousin is similarly fried first then glazed with a honey and Chipotle Coulis.
Massachusetts based Seafood Chain Legal Sea Foods, boasts three preparations; Spicy, Rhode Island, or Sweet and Sour Asian with Pienapple.
Thomas Michael Burke (February 10 1956 -), son of Robert William Burke and Eleanor Mary Kelley
Family Life and Work
He was born in Summit, New Jersey, February 10, 1956; admitted to bar, 1981, Missouri; 1982, Illinois and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri. Education: University of Notre Dame (B.A., 1978); Saint Louis University School of Law (J.D., 1981). Listed in Who's Who in American Law. Member, Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, Review Committee, St. Louis Region. Sustaining Member, Workers' Injury Law and Advocacy Group. Member: The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (Executive Committee, 1992-1996; President, 1996-1997; Workers Compensation Committee, Trial Section); Illinois State and American Bar Associations; The Missouri Bar (Member, Board of Governors, Vice President, 2006-2007; President Elect 2007-2008; Executive Committee, 2004-2005; Chair, Finance Committee, 2002—2007; Workers Compensation Committee; Professionalism Committee); The Lawyers Association of St. Louis (Member, Executive Committee, 1987-1992; Board of Directors, 1993-1996); Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys; St Louis Bar Foundation (Vice-President, 1987-1996). Fellow: Missouri Bar Foundation; Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (Board of Directors, 1996-1997); Missouri IOLTA Foundation (Member, Board of Directors, 1997-2002; President, 2001). Practice Areas: Workers Compensation Law(75%); Personal Injury(25%); Medical Malpractice; Products Liability.
He is married to Nancy Robin Mogab also a Lawyer and the daughter of Charles A. Mogab a Lawyer, and his wife Colleen Margaret Richey, who's great-great-great grandfather John L. Richey faught in the Revolutionary War. John L. Richey's great-grandfather John Retue/Richey was given 250 acres of land by William Penn. Tom and Nancy's children are:
* Colleen Margaret Burke, April 28, 1988.
* Michael Thomas Burke, May 23 1990.
* Brendan Robin Mogab Burke, March 13 1992.
Tom's son Michael, is very into his fathers family history and has the family back to Edmund Burke, through his great-grandson Timothy Burke.
Admissions
* Admitted to Missouri Bar 1981; Illinois Bar 1982; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri 1982
Memberships
* Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
* American Bar Association
* Missouri Bar Association
* Workers' Compensation Committee
* Professionalism Committee
* Association of Trial Lawyers of America
* The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
* Workers' Compensation Committee, Trial Section
* Lawyers Association of St. Louis
* St. Louis County Bar Association
* Illinois Bar Association
* Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group
* Missouri Bar Foundation
Executive Positions
* Missouri Bar
* Board of Governors 1998-
* Executive Committee 2004-2005
* Chair, Finance Committee 2002-
* Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
* President 1996-1997
* Executive Committee 1992-1998
* Lawyers Association of St. Louis
* Executive Committee 1987-1996
* St. Louis Bar Foundation
* Board of Directors 1993-1997; Distinguished Fellow
* Interest on Lawyers' Trust Account (IOLTA)
* President 2001
* Board of Directors 1997-2002
* Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
* Board of Directors 1996-1997
* Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel
* Review Committee, St. Louis Region
Professional Recognition
* Who's Who in American Law
* Martindale Hubbell, AV Rating since 1986
* Bar Register of Preeminent Attorneys
* Personal Injury
* Workers' Compensation
Family Life and Work
He was born in Summit, New Jersey, February 10, 1956; admitted to bar, 1981, Missouri; 1982, Illinois and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri. Education: University of Notre Dame (B.A., 1978); Saint Louis University School of Law (J.D., 1981). Listed in Who's Who in American Law. Member, Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, Review Committee, St. Louis Region. Sustaining Member, Workers' Injury Law and Advocacy Group. Member: The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (Executive Committee, 1992-1996; President, 1996-1997; Workers Compensation Committee, Trial Section); Illinois State and American Bar Associations; The Missouri Bar (Member, Board of Governors, Vice President, 2006-2007; President Elect 2007-2008; Executive Committee, 2004-2005; Chair, Finance Committee, 2002—2007; Workers Compensation Committee; Professionalism Committee); The Lawyers Association of St. Louis (Member, Executive Committee, 1987-1992; Board of Directors, 1993-1996); Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys; St Louis Bar Foundation (Vice-President, 1987-1996). Fellow: Missouri Bar Foundation; Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (Board of Directors, 1996-1997); Missouri IOLTA Foundation (Member, Board of Directors, 1997-2002; President, 2001). Practice Areas: Workers Compensation Law(75%); Personal Injury(25%); Medical Malpractice; Products Liability.
He is married to Nancy Robin Mogab also a Lawyer and the daughter of Charles A. Mogab a Lawyer, and his wife Colleen Margaret Richey, who's great-great-great grandfather John L. Richey faught in the Revolutionary War. John L. Richey's great-grandfather John Retue/Richey was given 250 acres of land by William Penn. Tom and Nancy's children are:
* Colleen Margaret Burke, April 28, 1988.
* Michael Thomas Burke, May 23 1990.
* Brendan Robin Mogab Burke, March 13 1992.
Tom's son Michael, is very into his fathers family history and has the family back to Edmund Burke, through his great-grandson Timothy Burke.
Admissions
* Admitted to Missouri Bar 1981; Illinois Bar 1982; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri 1982
Memberships
* Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
* American Bar Association
* Missouri Bar Association
* Workers' Compensation Committee
* Professionalism Committee
* Association of Trial Lawyers of America
* The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
* Workers' Compensation Committee, Trial Section
* Lawyers Association of St. Louis
* St. Louis County Bar Association
* Illinois Bar Association
* Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group
* Missouri Bar Foundation
Executive Positions
* Missouri Bar
* Board of Governors 1998-
* Executive Committee 2004-2005
* Chair, Finance Committee 2002-
* Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
* President 1996-1997
* Executive Committee 1992-1998
* Lawyers Association of St. Louis
* Executive Committee 1987-1996
* St. Louis Bar Foundation
* Board of Directors 1993-1997; Distinguished Fellow
* Interest on Lawyers' Trust Account (IOLTA)
* President 2001
* Board of Directors 1997-2002
* Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
* Board of Directors 1996-1997
* Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel
* Review Committee, St. Louis Region
Professional Recognition
* Who's Who in American Law
* Martindale Hubbell, AV Rating since 1986
* Bar Register of Preeminent Attorneys
* Personal Injury
* Workers' Compensation
History
X-Pong was invented in 2001 at Penn State University. The first game was played with Franzia boxed wine. The second game was played with actual beer, which was much better. X-pong became a "pre-gaming" favorite of the members of the Pointe complex and its popularity slowly spread. It was decided that games would be played with water and the losing team would just do shots. However, that game has evolved since the early days. Since then it has spread to other schools including Kent State, Pittsburgh, University Of California, Santa Barbara, University of North Carolina. There is a rapidly growing facebook group focused on the sport.
Rules
Object of the Game
Being Extreme
*The object of X-Pong is, first and foremost, to be extreme.
*Being extreme involves playing each game to the greatest possible degree, extent or intensity.
*Bounce the ping-pong ball into the cup opposite on one bounce then bounce the ping-pong ball into the middle cup on two bounces before the other team.
Equipment
The Table
*The table can be any flat, rectangular surface, ideally a kitchen table.
*A standard ping-pong table is usually too big, thus lowering the extreme nature of the game. Also, the net gets in the way.
The Chairs
*X-Pong should be played with 4 chairs placed at each corner of the table.
*Each player gets a chair.
*This is to ensure everyone gets to relax during the game and allows for extreme diving for wild bounces.
The Balls
*The ball should be spherical, with a diameter of 40 millimeters.
*The ball should weigh 2.7 grams.
*The ball should be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and shall be white or orange, and matt.
*Translation: The ball should be a ping-pong ball.
The Cups, Part I
*A total of 5 cups are required for X-Pong.
*All cups must be the same.
*Each cup should be 16 oz.
*Each cup should be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and shall be red or blue.
*Translation: Each cup must be a standard Beer Pong or Beirut cup that Solo® must be making a killing on because college campuses must go through millions of them each semester.
The Beer, Part I
*More beer = More extreme.
*Any cheap, pale lager will do the trick.
*Favorites include Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Light, Milwaukee’s Best, and, of course, Natural Light.
Music
*The most extreme music known to man is techno. Therefore, as it has always been played, techno must always be playing the background.
*
Start of Play
Teams
*2 extreme teams of 2 extreme players compete against each other in this extreme battle.
*Each player on each team sits at opposite corners of the table.
*1 player on each team should have a ping-pong ball in hand.
*Both ping-pong balls should be at the same, narrow end of the table.
The Cups, Part II
*1 cup should be placed at each corner of the table.
*1 cup should be placed it the middle of the table.
The Beer, Part II
*Two beers are required for each game of X-Pong.
*Approximately 1/3 of a beer should be placed in each corner cup. The remaining 2/3 of a beer should be placed in the middle cup.
Getting Extreme
3…2…1…Extreme
*One (1) person in the room, not necessarily one of the four (4) players, must scream “3…2…1…Extreme!”
*The balls begin flying.
One Bounce
*Each player must bounce the ping-pong ball towards the cup in front of their partner in an X pattern. Hence the X in X-Pong.
*The object is to get the ping-pong ball into the cup on one bounce.
*If the ball goes into the cup on anything other one bounce the result is a loss (Except for a "hammer" shot. See Below)
*If either player on the same team notices that the ping-pong ball is not going to bounce in on one bounce, they may prematurely grab the ball and toss it to their partner.
*Each player’s partner catches the ball and tries to bounce it into the cup in front of their partner.
Drinking
*When your partner sinks their throw, you must chug the beer in front of you as quickly as possible. Upon finishing your beer, you continue to try and sink your throw into your partner’s cup.
*Your partner returns the ball to you as quickly as possible, repeat single bounce until made.
Two Bounces
*Upon both players sinking the ping-pong ball into the cup in front of their partner, the empty cups are put on the floor and the players both stand up.
*Each player attempts to bounce the ball into the middle cup on two bounces.
*If either player on the same team notices that the ping-pong ball is not going to bounce in on two bounces, they may prematurely grab the ball and toss it to their partner.
Extreme Diving
*Players are encouraged to dive on the floor or use any other extreme means to catch and return the ball to their partner as quickly as possible.
Balls Colliding
*In the event that both balls collide (whether intentionally or not), the balls become up for grabs, and the first player to grab a ball claims that ball for their team and play continues. The other ball then belongs to the other team and they are forced to get it.
*Though extremely rare, if the balls collide and one of the balls goes into a cup prematurely the game is restarted with all cups being refilled.
*Even more rare is when both balls collide on the inital toss of the game and bounce off the table. Due to the extremeness of this occurance, the amount of beer in each cup is doubled and the game is restarted.
"The Hammer"
*One of the most rare occurrences (though it does happen) is "The Hammer" shot. This is when the ball is bounced normally, either for a corner or middle cup, and the ball falls short of its target and hits the side of the cup. The ball then procedes to defy the laws of physics, ricochet off the table, and get enough spin on it to bounce into the target cup.
Interference
What is Legal?
*In the event that a ping-pong ball accidentally falls near an opponent, said opponent may not intentionally interfere with the other team’s extreme efforts to recover their ball. Such a violation results in a loss.
Losing
*A cup is knocked off the table.
*The ball bounces into a corner cup on anything other than one bounce.
*The ball bounces into the middle cup on anything other than two bounces.
*The ball bounces into the middle cup before both corner cups are eliminated.
*The ball bounces off either player and into any corner cup or middle cup.
*The Maloney - A player throws the ball into the middle cup directly, on zero bounces. This move is named in honor of the first player to accomplish this boneheaded move: Kari Maloney.
Winning
*One team successfully eliminates both corner cups on one bounce and the middle cup on two bounces before the opposing team.
*The losing team drinks all remaining cups between them. (i.e. two corner cups and the middle cup)
Controversy
The partying public's preception of X-Pong is interesting to say the least. People who have never played X-Pong before always seem very hesitant to try a new drinking game. The reason is that everyone has always played beer pong and have never seen anything else.
Variations of Gameplay
*It is also a common practice to turn the lights low and have a strobe light going. The most extreme version of gameplay is with all the lights off, glow in the dark balls and cups, a strobe light going, and the techno music playing at a very high volume.
*After each game, players rotate counter clockwise, winning team stays.
X-Pong was invented in 2001 at Penn State University. The first game was played with Franzia boxed wine. The second game was played with actual beer, which was much better. X-pong became a "pre-gaming" favorite of the members of the Pointe complex and its popularity slowly spread. It was decided that games would be played with water and the losing team would just do shots. However, that game has evolved since the early days. Since then it has spread to other schools including Kent State, Pittsburgh, University Of California, Santa Barbara, University of North Carolina. There is a rapidly growing facebook group focused on the sport.
Rules
Object of the Game
Being Extreme
*The object of X-Pong is, first and foremost, to be extreme.
*Being extreme involves playing each game to the greatest possible degree, extent or intensity.
*Bounce the ping-pong ball into the cup opposite on one bounce then bounce the ping-pong ball into the middle cup on two bounces before the other team.
Equipment
The Table
*The table can be any flat, rectangular surface, ideally a kitchen table.
*A standard ping-pong table is usually too big, thus lowering the extreme nature of the game. Also, the net gets in the way.
The Chairs
*X-Pong should be played with 4 chairs placed at each corner of the table.
*Each player gets a chair.
*This is to ensure everyone gets to relax during the game and allows for extreme diving for wild bounces.
The Balls
*The ball should be spherical, with a diameter of 40 millimeters.
*The ball should weigh 2.7 grams.
*The ball should be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and shall be white or orange, and matt.
*Translation: The ball should be a ping-pong ball.
The Cups, Part I
*A total of 5 cups are required for X-Pong.
*All cups must be the same.
*Each cup should be 16 oz.
*Each cup should be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and shall be red or blue.
*Translation: Each cup must be a standard Beer Pong or Beirut cup that Solo® must be making a killing on because college campuses must go through millions of them each semester.
The Beer, Part I
*More beer = More extreme.
*Any cheap, pale lager will do the trick.
*Favorites include Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Light, Milwaukee’s Best, and, of course, Natural Light.
Music
*The most extreme music known to man is techno. Therefore, as it has always been played, techno must always be playing the background.
*
Start of Play
Teams
*2 extreme teams of 2 extreme players compete against each other in this extreme battle.
*Each player on each team sits at opposite corners of the table.
*1 player on each team should have a ping-pong ball in hand.
*Both ping-pong balls should be at the same, narrow end of the table.
The Cups, Part II
*1 cup should be placed at each corner of the table.
*1 cup should be placed it the middle of the table.
The Beer, Part II
*Two beers are required for each game of X-Pong.
*Approximately 1/3 of a beer should be placed in each corner cup. The remaining 2/3 of a beer should be placed in the middle cup.
Getting Extreme
3…2…1…Extreme
*One (1) person in the room, not necessarily one of the four (4) players, must scream “3…2…1…Extreme!”
*The balls begin flying.
One Bounce
*Each player must bounce the ping-pong ball towards the cup in front of their partner in an X pattern. Hence the X in X-Pong.
*The object is to get the ping-pong ball into the cup on one bounce.
*If the ball goes into the cup on anything other one bounce the result is a loss (Except for a "hammer" shot. See Below)
*If either player on the same team notices that the ping-pong ball is not going to bounce in on one bounce, they may prematurely grab the ball and toss it to their partner.
*Each player’s partner catches the ball and tries to bounce it into the cup in front of their partner.
Drinking
*When your partner sinks their throw, you must chug the beer in front of you as quickly as possible. Upon finishing your beer, you continue to try and sink your throw into your partner’s cup.
*Your partner returns the ball to you as quickly as possible, repeat single bounce until made.
Two Bounces
*Upon both players sinking the ping-pong ball into the cup in front of their partner, the empty cups are put on the floor and the players both stand up.
*Each player attempts to bounce the ball into the middle cup on two bounces.
*If either player on the same team notices that the ping-pong ball is not going to bounce in on two bounces, they may prematurely grab the ball and toss it to their partner.
Extreme Diving
*Players are encouraged to dive on the floor or use any other extreme means to catch and return the ball to their partner as quickly as possible.
Balls Colliding
*In the event that both balls collide (whether intentionally or not), the balls become up for grabs, and the first player to grab a ball claims that ball for their team and play continues. The other ball then belongs to the other team and they are forced to get it.
*Though extremely rare, if the balls collide and one of the balls goes into a cup prematurely the game is restarted with all cups being refilled.
*Even more rare is when both balls collide on the inital toss of the game and bounce off the table. Due to the extremeness of this occurance, the amount of beer in each cup is doubled and the game is restarted.
"The Hammer"
*One of the most rare occurrences (though it does happen) is "The Hammer" shot. This is when the ball is bounced normally, either for a corner or middle cup, and the ball falls short of its target and hits the side of the cup. The ball then procedes to defy the laws of physics, ricochet off the table, and get enough spin on it to bounce into the target cup.
Interference
What is Legal?
*In the event that a ping-pong ball accidentally falls near an opponent, said opponent may not intentionally interfere with the other team’s extreme efforts to recover their ball. Such a violation results in a loss.
Losing
*A cup is knocked off the table.
*The ball bounces into a corner cup on anything other than one bounce.
*The ball bounces into the middle cup on anything other than two bounces.
*The ball bounces into the middle cup before both corner cups are eliminated.
*The ball bounces off either player and into any corner cup or middle cup.
*The Maloney - A player throws the ball into the middle cup directly, on zero bounces. This move is named in honor of the first player to accomplish this boneheaded move: Kari Maloney.
Winning
*One team successfully eliminates both corner cups on one bounce and the middle cup on two bounces before the opposing team.
*The losing team drinks all remaining cups between them. (i.e. two corner cups and the middle cup)
Controversy
The partying public's preception of X-Pong is interesting to say the least. People who have never played X-Pong before always seem very hesitant to try a new drinking game. The reason is that everyone has always played beer pong and have never seen anything else.
Variations of Gameplay
*It is also a common practice to turn the lights low and have a strobe light going. The most extreme version of gameplay is with all the lights off, glow in the dark balls and cups, a strobe light going, and the techno music playing at a very high volume.
*After each game, players rotate counter clockwise, winning team stays.
is a fictional character and the school treasurer of Kaibara High School in the manga entitled Fruits Basket. Machi is a quiet and shy character, and appears to be sensitive and rather isolated. She only appears in the Fruits Basket manga and drama CDs, where she's voiced by Yuki Kaida.
Role in the story
Machi makes her first appearance in Chapter 49 (Volume 9) of the Fruits Basket manga. When Yuki Sohma attends his first meeting as the school president of Kaibara High, he enters the school president's office only to find it trashed horribly, with a young girl sitting miserably on the floor in the middle of the mess. Yuki struggles to approach her, but she suddenly violently stands up and apologises somewhat coldly, stating that she will clean the mess up immediately. Yuki, not knowing what to say, is then abruptly "introduced" to Kakeru Manabe, the new school vice president. After saying a few things about himself, Manabe then introduces the previously mysterious girl to Yuki. Her name is Machi Kuragi and she is the new student treasurer.
Machi is a very quiet character, though she later begins to show her more stubborn side. She also appears to be quite humble towards Yuki and the other council members, often doing whatever they say and rarely speaking up for her own wishes-that is, if she has any. Despite all such things, however, Machi is a deeply kind and caring girl on the inside, as shown by her heartwarming reaction to when Yuki gives her a momiji leaf as a gift after he returns from his class trip to Kyoto. It seems that after that, she may most likely become an important character in the future. In chapter 94 Yuki asks if Machi likes the color red, because she showed great interest in the maple leaf then he says his question was finally answered, while Machi blushes. Later in the end of the chapter, Manabe remarks that "She likes red, huh?" with a double meaning, indicating that she likes the color and that she likes Yuki (since Yuki, as the Student Council President, has been assigned the color red by Manabe).
When for incomprehensible reasons of his own (which we later can infer are that Kakeru thinks Yuki may be able to get through to his sister), Kakeru drags Yuki to Machi's apartment, it is revealed that she is scared of perfection, which is why she trashes the student council room. She feels threatened by perfection. When Kakeru Manabe and Machi were younger, their mothers fought over who should be their father's heir. Her mother pushed Machi to be absolutely perfect, always complaining, threatening, and reprimanding her for so long that Machi became emotionally traumatized but still tried her hardest. However when her younger brother was born and the matter of inheritance was resolved, her mother claimed to her friend "to be honest, Machi's a little, how do I say this . . . I mean look at her . . . she's got no personality at all . . . quite the boring child . . . sure, she does fairly well on her grades but its never anything outstanding . . . it's useless if one only knows how to study." Machi asks what has she done wrong and Machi's mother says not to put the blame on her and that maybe there is something wrong with the way she brought Machi up. When Machi arrives home, reflecting on what her mother said, she snaps and trashes her room. The reason why Machi currently lives on her own is that she got kicked out since her parents chose to believe that she tried to strangle her brother. The truth is that she thought he was cold so she tried to cover her little brother with the blanket; her intention was not to hurt him. As she put it "My actions were already decided by them. I couldn't make them understand."
She tells Yuki even a sheet of fresh snow bothers her, and she feels driven to ruin it by making footprints; he responds that the next time it snows, they'll make footprints together, and for the first time, she wishes it to snow. Yuki proves that he cares about her and her fear the next day when they are sitting together at a school council meeting. A box of new chalk is placed between them, but before Machi has the chance to push it off the table, Yuki snaps one of the pieces in half so the box is no longer perfect.
When visiting Ayame's shop, Ayame and Mine insist on putting dresses on Machi. Meanwhile, she seems to take great interest in the large Mogeta charm which Ayame scribbled on. As an apology for the embarrassing visit, Yuki gives her a Mogeta paperweight which is much smaller. Manabe is unsure of whether Machi likes it or not, but Yuki is sure she enjoys it when he sees her carry it around even with her normal expression. Machi says to herself that the gift is something to be treasured. Hoping to give Yuki a return gift, she asks him what he wants, to which he replies, "Fertilizer?" as he is unaware of Machi's intentions. Taking this literally, she does give him fertilizer when buying a present for Tohru, a bubble bath set (which she asked Yuki to deliver as it would be awkward since they've never met and never do meet). This is when Tohru is hospitalized after the incident with Akito.
In one of the last chapters, Yuki resolves to admit his true feelings for Machi and goes to find her.
Relationships
Relationship with Kakeru
Machi is the half-sister of Kakeru Manabe. Manabe is very protective of her and can often be seen ordering her around, more out of brotherly love than sibling superiority. Before Yuki realized they were siblings he seemed to have noticed a strange aura between them; though not as a romantic relationship. Since he is aware of her extreme dislike of perfection, he helps her clean up the Student Council Room after she has trashed it and keeps Yuki and everyone else from asking Machi too many questions as to why she did it. Kakeru realized very early on in the history of Yuki/Machi's relationship that they'd make a good pair; and that Machi was starting to like Yuki.
Relationship with Yuki
It has also been hinted from her reaction to Yuki's gift to her from the class trip, that she may not only feel humble to Yuki, but is starting to really like him. In Chapter 125, Machi is able to tell Yuki of her feelings and they are walking away holding hands.
In an earlier chapter where Yuki and Machi's relationship is beginning to develop, Machi throws a paper flower at Yuki (which he comments is deformed), which is an omen because after traditional Japanese weddings, you usually throw flowers at the bride and groom.
In a later chapter, Yuki had to tell Machi something, and asked her if she had free time to meet him. Shortly before she arrives, he is freed from his curse and is able to hug her for the first time, much to Machi's surprise. It is speculated that Yuki was going to tell Machi about the curse. At the same time Machi asks Yuki if she can call him by his first name (which he responds yes to).
In Chapter 131, Yuki kisses her. They start a relationship with each other, while Kyo starts one with Tohru. In the last chapter of the manga (136), Yuki is shown giving Machi a key to his apartment, telling her not to worry about him being unfaithful. Machi tells him she'll try to catch up to him; to which he responds he'll wait for her. This is the last we see of Machi in Fruits Basket.
It is not revealed how their lives actually turn out, however, people think (based on an image of Kyo and Tohru's son with his wife in chapter 136, and the fact that Tohru and Kyo's grand-daughter is shown with a rat plush and a cat plush) that Yuki and Machi's daughter may have married Kyo and Tohru's son.
Kuragi, Machi
es:Machi Kuragi
Role in the story
Machi makes her first appearance in Chapter 49 (Volume 9) of the Fruits Basket manga. When Yuki Sohma attends his first meeting as the school president of Kaibara High, he enters the school president's office only to find it trashed horribly, with a young girl sitting miserably on the floor in the middle of the mess. Yuki struggles to approach her, but she suddenly violently stands up and apologises somewhat coldly, stating that she will clean the mess up immediately. Yuki, not knowing what to say, is then abruptly "introduced" to Kakeru Manabe, the new school vice president. After saying a few things about himself, Manabe then introduces the previously mysterious girl to Yuki. Her name is Machi Kuragi and she is the new student treasurer.
Machi is a very quiet character, though she later begins to show her more stubborn side. She also appears to be quite humble towards Yuki and the other council members, often doing whatever they say and rarely speaking up for her own wishes-that is, if she has any. Despite all such things, however, Machi is a deeply kind and caring girl on the inside, as shown by her heartwarming reaction to when Yuki gives her a momiji leaf as a gift after he returns from his class trip to Kyoto. It seems that after that, she may most likely become an important character in the future. In chapter 94 Yuki asks if Machi likes the color red, because she showed great interest in the maple leaf then he says his question was finally answered, while Machi blushes. Later in the end of the chapter, Manabe remarks that "She likes red, huh?" with a double meaning, indicating that she likes the color and that she likes Yuki (since Yuki, as the Student Council President, has been assigned the color red by Manabe).
When for incomprehensible reasons of his own (which we later can infer are that Kakeru thinks Yuki may be able to get through to his sister), Kakeru drags Yuki to Machi's apartment, it is revealed that she is scared of perfection, which is why she trashes the student council room. She feels threatened by perfection. When Kakeru Manabe and Machi were younger, their mothers fought over who should be their father's heir. Her mother pushed Machi to be absolutely perfect, always complaining, threatening, and reprimanding her for so long that Machi became emotionally traumatized but still tried her hardest. However when her younger brother was born and the matter of inheritance was resolved, her mother claimed to her friend "to be honest, Machi's a little, how do I say this . . . I mean look at her . . . she's got no personality at all . . . quite the boring child . . . sure, she does fairly well on her grades but its never anything outstanding . . . it's useless if one only knows how to study." Machi asks what has she done wrong and Machi's mother says not to put the blame on her and that maybe there is something wrong with the way she brought Machi up. When Machi arrives home, reflecting on what her mother said, she snaps and trashes her room. The reason why Machi currently lives on her own is that she got kicked out since her parents chose to believe that she tried to strangle her brother. The truth is that she thought he was cold so she tried to cover her little brother with the blanket; her intention was not to hurt him. As she put it "My actions were already decided by them. I couldn't make them understand."
She tells Yuki even a sheet of fresh snow bothers her, and she feels driven to ruin it by making footprints; he responds that the next time it snows, they'll make footprints together, and for the first time, she wishes it to snow. Yuki proves that he cares about her and her fear the next day when they are sitting together at a school council meeting. A box of new chalk is placed between them, but before Machi has the chance to push it off the table, Yuki snaps one of the pieces in half so the box is no longer perfect.
When visiting Ayame's shop, Ayame and Mine insist on putting dresses on Machi. Meanwhile, she seems to take great interest in the large Mogeta charm which Ayame scribbled on. As an apology for the embarrassing visit, Yuki gives her a Mogeta paperweight which is much smaller. Manabe is unsure of whether Machi likes it or not, but Yuki is sure she enjoys it when he sees her carry it around even with her normal expression. Machi says to herself that the gift is something to be treasured. Hoping to give Yuki a return gift, she asks him what he wants, to which he replies, "Fertilizer?" as he is unaware of Machi's intentions. Taking this literally, she does give him fertilizer when buying a present for Tohru, a bubble bath set (which she asked Yuki to deliver as it would be awkward since they've never met and never do meet). This is when Tohru is hospitalized after the incident with Akito.
In one of the last chapters, Yuki resolves to admit his true feelings for Machi and goes to find her.
Relationships
Relationship with Kakeru
Machi is the half-sister of Kakeru Manabe. Manabe is very protective of her and can often be seen ordering her around, more out of brotherly love than sibling superiority. Before Yuki realized they were siblings he seemed to have noticed a strange aura between them; though not as a romantic relationship. Since he is aware of her extreme dislike of perfection, he helps her clean up the Student Council Room after she has trashed it and keeps Yuki and everyone else from asking Machi too many questions as to why she did it. Kakeru realized very early on in the history of Yuki/Machi's relationship that they'd make a good pair; and that Machi was starting to like Yuki.
Relationship with Yuki
It has also been hinted from her reaction to Yuki's gift to her from the class trip, that she may not only feel humble to Yuki, but is starting to really like him. In Chapter 125, Machi is able to tell Yuki of her feelings and they are walking away holding hands.
In an earlier chapter where Yuki and Machi's relationship is beginning to develop, Machi throws a paper flower at Yuki (which he comments is deformed), which is an omen because after traditional Japanese weddings, you usually throw flowers at the bride and groom.
In a later chapter, Yuki had to tell Machi something, and asked her if she had free time to meet him. Shortly before she arrives, he is freed from his curse and is able to hug her for the first time, much to Machi's surprise. It is speculated that Yuki was going to tell Machi about the curse. At the same time Machi asks Yuki if she can call him by his first name (which he responds yes to).
In Chapter 131, Yuki kisses her. They start a relationship with each other, while Kyo starts one with Tohru. In the last chapter of the manga (136), Yuki is shown giving Machi a key to his apartment, telling her not to worry about him being unfaithful. Machi tells him she'll try to catch up to him; to which he responds he'll wait for her. This is the last we see of Machi in Fruits Basket.
It is not revealed how their lives actually turn out, however, people think (based on an image of Kyo and Tohru's son with his wife in chapter 136, and the fact that Tohru and Kyo's grand-daughter is shown with a rat plush and a cat plush) that Yuki and Machi's daughter may have married Kyo and Tohru's son.
Kuragi, Machi
es:Machi Kuragi