That's not why I let you stay.
Not at all.
We're just friends.
Is it because I'm still a kid?
No, it's not.
Because I don't have breasts?
No.
Then what?
I'll sleep here.
You take the bed.
Here is fine.
You might regret it later.
When I've turned into a woman,
you will realize that you missed your chance.
Goodnight.
Idiot!
Idiot, idiot, idiot!
Idiot!
I am gonna go first.
Why? We can go together.
No, I'm going.
Are you still mad about last night?
No, but it might be bad if we're seen together,
and we show up at school all happy.
I don't want to
get in the way of your love life.
See you.
You are so slow.
Why are you following me?
Because you're too slow.
Then why don't you go ahead?
But, then I'd feel sorry for you.
Shizuru.
Morning.
Good morning.
You really can cook!
Been doing it a long time.
For my little brother, too.
You have siblings?
Just my younger brother.
But he died. - What?
A week ago.
Disease. He was in hospital a long time.
Then you moved out?
Yeah. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted and it became difficult to stay.
I had a big fight with my dad and took off.
What did your brother die of?
Love. It can be fatal.
No... It was hereditary.
Oh.
My mother died of it, too.
When I was still little.
So, it's only me and my dad left.
Now you understand?
I have my father's blood.
That's why I'm not very lady-like.
Look at my hair. It's like wire.
Let's eat!
Can you drink alcohol?
I'll try.
Cheers!
Bon appétit.
It's good.
I know!
Really good.
See! I have confidence when I cook.
What?
I've never seen you eat anything but donut biscuits.
Well, I do.
Stop staring.
But I want to.
I'm gonna eat lots and become a real woman.
With a chest out to here.
And you'll wear low-cut tops, right?
Pardon me?
But you're already 21.
I am still growing!
Yeah, yeah.
You'll regret it. You'll wonder
"Why didn't I take my chance?"
Yeah, yeah.
Silly Makoto.
Are these onions?
Yeah. Cute ones.
They're small.
Again?
You never get bored.
Do you remember what today is?
What?
Today's my birthday.
Sorry, I forgot.
I'm not surprised.
I'm really sorry.
If you'd like to make it up,
I know a place you can take me.
Do you have some good news?
Kind of.
About you and Miyuki, I guess.
Whatever.
Actually, I want to ask what you think of photography.
Think of it?
As something you want to do in life.
For example, as a job.
I wanna become a pro photographer.
It'll probably take years, but...
your photos inspired me.
Mine?
Can't let you beat me.
I'm gonna take a shot
at entering this photo contest
Maybe you can, too.
If you enter, I will!
We should make a plan.
A strategy meeting?
Yeah, but first we need to take photos.
I can't wait! Where should we shoot?
Let's go on an excursion.
We'll make a theme while we explore.
I'm so excited! When do we go?
Let's see...
How about next Sunday?
Next Sunday's a little...
What? It's perfect!
I have plans with Miyuki.
What can I do? I made plans with her first.
You're really a devil.
You make me so happy,
then you toss me into the depths of hell
The depths of hell?
Is it a date?
No!
I'm going with her to some kind of wedding exhibition.
Oh, that. She said she wanted to go.
She likes to follow trends.
But it was you she invited.
Go with her, it's okay.
My heart's gonna be broken anyway.
When you choose Miyuki instead of me.
You're really...
What are you going to wear?
For the date.
The usual.
Don't you have a suit?
No.
You should go get one for tomorrow.
Are you serious?
Of course!
It will be like a dreamland to Miyuki.
and if the guy standing next to her looks shabby...
You have cash? -Oh...cash.
I'll get it ready.
Don't forget.
The clothes make the man.
Oh, be quiet.
I've gotta pee.
Are you that nervous?
Be quiet!
Wait! Stop! Your shoes...
Good luck!
See you!
Excuse me!
Shizuru...
That was beautiful...
Makoto?
What's the lineup for?
To get photos taken.
Photos?
Wearing the dresses from the show.
Let's go.
Thank you for coming with me today.
Don't you want to get a picture?
It takes time to do.
But I think you want to...
But you don't...
Your heart's somewhere else.
That's...
You seem like you want to go.
Is someone waiting at home?
Nobody!
I'm just joking.
It's okay. I've already had a great day.
Wait!
Okay, all set.
Why don't you hold hands?
Hey...Shizuru?
What?
Nothing.
Does it hurt?
Not at all.
Then why are you crying?
Because...
Which tooth fell out?
My right molar.
Let me look.
No way!
Show me the tooth.
You still have your baby teeth.
I told you, I'm still growing up.
Don't touch.
Shizuru?
Are you asleep?
Not yet.
How about you?
Not yet.
Try your best to count sheep.
Shizuru...When's your birthday?
I want to celebrate your birthday next.
You'll make me happy and then put me through hell, right?
I won't do that.
We don't need to celebrate.
Forget about me. You should think of Miyuki.
Think of your growing love for her.
Love doesn't mean you have to go out with someone.
One way love can be enough.
Besides, Miyuki's going overseas after graduation.
Why ruin a good relationship?
You are such a coward.
I'm going to sleep.
Okay, give me a present.
A birthday present.
Sure.
What do you want?
A kiss.
Kiss me.
What else do you want?
Give me one kiss and I can die happy.
What are you saying?
Did you kiss Miyuki?
Yeah. Five times.
So do it with me, too.
"Do it"?
I'm thinking of taking photos with a theme of lovers.
"Kissing Lovers"
Take a self-portrait with me.
For the contest?
Yeah.
You mean as a photo model?
That's right.
What day's your birthday?
Let's say tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
A little more.
Forward?
A little more...
Still more...
Okay! - Here?
Are you sure?
Yeah... It's just a kiss.
As my birthday present?
As a photo model.
Morning.
Wait a sec.
Your glasses?
I don't need them anymore.
What?
Nothing...
You seem taller than when we first met.
You finally noticed?
You really did grow.
My chest, too. Wanna see?
Not right now.
We should get going.
I'm gonna stay a little.
Really?
It's okay. You have class, right?
Let's celebrate tonight.
A wrap party for your photo shoot.
I'll cook dinner.
A special three course meal because I only know how to cook three dishes.
See you later.
Makoto?
Was there a little love
in that kiss?
What?
Never mind. See you.
Bye.
Goodbye. Thanks for everything.
Giving out a student's address is against policy.
I don't need the address,
but can you check if she got home okay?
Wasn't there a Satonaka in here this afternoon?
Yeah, you're right.
What did she say?
If it's the same girl, she dropped out.
Voluntarily.
I even told her it was a waste.
Sorry to bother you so late,
but has Shizuru come home?
I thought our first kiss in the forest...
would be the beginning of everything.
But...
if only I had taken that first step sooner.
I believed our happiness
would go on forever.
Who would know everything
would end so suddenly.
Shizuru...
How far is the hospital?
It's on the other side.
Are you okay?
He barely weighs anything.
Put me down.
He said something.
Put me down.
No, we're almost there.
You're too close.
You are gonna smell it...
Huh?
The medicine I use.
Say what?
He's delusional.
The medicine smells.
You've never smelled bad, man.
You always smell like women's shampoo.
Hang on, Makoto.
Hang on, man!
Don't let go.
Are you okay? Go...
Hey, wait for us to say cheers.
Oh, right.
First, a toast to saving this fool's life.
Cheers!
Please be quiet.
But seriously, we're glad you're okay.
Thanks a lot.
Now you owe me your life.
Aren't you a hero!
We all have some news to share.
First, everyone's found a job.
Shirahama got a job at the UN, and Yuka at Foreign Affairs.
Sekiguchi's going into film
and Saki into foreign securities.
Congratulations.
Wow. Everyone's going abroad.
Of course, that's why we studied English!
Big shot.
About Shizuru...
We all tried,
but we couldn't find out where she is.
I see...
Sorry.
It's okay.
Kind of surprised...
that two beginners in love were living together.
"Living together?"
Living together.
It's all right. That's love.
The more you hide it, the more arousing it is.
Were you aroused by that?
You sly dog!
Please be quiet!
Bye bye
Goodbye...
Living together...
Sorry.
Well, I'm not completely broken-hearted yet.
But maybe that's because I've never confessed anything.
I'm going to wait at the house until she comes back.
However long it takes...
Okay, now I am broken-hearted.
Makoto...
Let me ask you one question.
What?
The first time I spoke to you...
Hello, Makoto.
Why don't you come and join us?
You liked me, didn't you?
Yeah...You knew?
A lady knows.
You got me.
And so, everybody went their separate ways.
It was like I was the only one left behind.
I graduated from university and became a pro photographer.
No Trespassing
Makoto.
Miyuki?
Sorry.
Is rose tea okay?
I remembered you don't like coffee.
Thank you.
So, why was it you that showed up?
Just a minute. I'll explain.
Where's Shizuru?
About half a year ago, I ran into Shizuru in Chinatown.
But I didn't recognize her
because she had changed so much.
When she noticed me, she had a big smile on her face.
It was a familiar smile.
Then I knew it was her.
At the time, she was staying at her office in Chinatown.
I said "Why don't you move in with me?"
Six months ago?
She could've told me back then.
She didn't write until last month.
She had reasons...
Reasons?
It must've been cold out there. Sorry I was late.
Never mind.
What about Shizuru?
Sorry, Makoto.
She's in L.A. for business.
She was really looking forward to seeing you.
But this job in L.A. suddenly came up.
Unfortunately, you can't meet her this time.
I'm really sorry.
You don't need to apologize.
I see...That's how it goes.
It was for work. What could she do?
I can see her next time.
Considering how long I waited without knowing where she was...
there's no need to rush.
Tonight, please use Shizuru's room.
She told me to tell you that.
I'll show you her exhibition.
Thank you.
Anyway, how's she been?
She's doing well. You'd be surprised.
She's changed a lot.
She said that in the letter, too.
She is a woman now.
I can't picture it.
Did you sleep well? Please use this key.
Shizuru's exhibition opens tomorrow,
so just relax today.
I'll leave a message if I need to.
Please leave your//message after the tone.
This is Shizuru's father.
Thank you very much for your letter.
We finished Shizuru's memorial service,
and her ashes have been interred at her birthplace.
We deeply appreciate
your help until the very end.
When you come back to Japan, please visit us.
Goodbye.
I'm home.
Makoto, are you here?
Makoto?
I'm coming in.
Why are you sitting in the dark?
Where has she gone?
I told you she is in L.A.
Stop lying to me.
Shizuru's father called.
I heard the message.
He said,
Shizuru's... already dead.
It's not true, is it?
Miyuki?
Last month...
It can't be!
How did Shizuru die?
She had been sick.
It was an incredibly rare disease.
She inherited it from her mother.
She had the disease,
from the time she was born.
As she became an adult,
the disease progressed.
So she tried not to grow up.
But, Makoto...
Shizuru met you and fell in love.
She wanted you to love her the way she loved you.
Falling in love... killed her?
In a way.
You mean...
it's my fault!
No.
She made her own choice.
Even though it made the disease progress
she also felt loved.
She lived out her life.
She told me not to tell you about her illness.
Because she was still alive in your heart.
It may seem dishonest,
but she wanted to continue living inside you.
Her letters to you...
There are still many more.
We planned to keep sending them to you.
She wrote so many letters to you from her hospital bed.
She really enjoyed that.
More than anything.
She really looked happy.
Hi, please.
thank you.
Dear Makoto, How have you been?
It's been two years.
Were you surprised by my letter?
First of all, I'm sorry.
I suddenly disappeared without thanking you.
That day you kissed me...
I felt embarrassed.
Not by the kiss.
I realized I was immature.
I needed to grow up.
So, I decided to go on a little adventure.
I called it "Becoming Independent."
I came to New York by myself,
with only the camera you taught me how to use.
Even though I had decided to come here,
I didn't know a single person.
So I kept wandering around for days,
Finally, I found my current job.
MG Studio is the private studio
of a pretty famous photographer.
While I was working as his assistant,
I kept taking my own photos.
Somehow I ended up holding my own exhibition.
No matter what happened, I really wanted you to come and...
see my first exhibition,
and see the grown-up woman I became in the past two years.
If you saw me now you'd be surprised.
I became a real woman
Like I said I would.
Now you might regret
that you didn't go out with me.
But all that doesn't matter.
The only thing I want is...to see you.
I'd like you to be proud of me, and say things like
"You really did your best!" or "You're great!"
In the sweet way you talked to me that day:
There's a signal button at the crosswalk up the road,
Probably better to cross there.
"It's probably better if you cross there," you said.
I fell in love with you at that moment.
Makoto... I love you more than anything in the world.
It was the only kiss,
the only love I have ever known...
Makoto...
When we kissed...
was there a little love?
Yes...
Not just a little.
You're my whole world.
I...
I'm glad I was born who I am.
Not anyone else, just who I am.
I've never seen you eat anything but donut biscuits.
Well, I do.
When I become a woman, you'll be shocked by how pretty I am.
Everyone will love me.
Love. It can be fatal.
Give me one kiss and I can die happy.
Heading back today?
I've seen enough. I'm flying back to Japan today.
Makoto...
Do you still remember what I told you?
You hold one person's happiness in your hand.
I'm sure Shizuru received it.
Could you send me the rest of her letters?
I look forward to them.
All the silly lies she told me.
I still want her to lie to me for a little longer.
Excuse me, my name's Segawa.
These are for you.
How are you, Makoto?
Now I'm in Galesburg, Illinois.
It's a great town with a lot of nature.
Traveling and taking pictures makes every day wonderful.
I can't imagine that it'll all come to an end.
However...
Farewells always come sooner than expected.
Even though everybody smiles and says,
"Goodbye, see you again."
"Goodbye, see you later."
So, even that I'm far away,
I will say to you
"Goodbye. Let's meet again somewhere."