So?
- You too? - Mm.
The black one is Sid. The orange one is Nancy.
Call me when you get back from LA.
I don't want to leave you.
Thanks for the goldfish.
You're welcome.
Thanks for the tree.
You're welcome too.
Merry Christmas.
Thanks for being with me.
Thanks for existing.
What do you mean?
Please... don't run away.
You're so silly.
I was so stupid back then.
I heard from mom that you've lost the last 4 years of memories.
- Wow, that sucks. - Yu...! - But it was just those 4 years of memories, right?
It's probably the worst period. Do you remember it, Yu?
Those times during the first year of junior high? What were you thinking, mom?
Did you think how we'd feel being the Afro Twins?
I don't want to recall those days.
Anyhow, have we met before?
Yes. But we didn't like each other much.
You were at that "annoying high school kid" age.
That's not a nice way to put it.
But you seem grown-up now.
What is that?
They're for a photo projector.
Miwa...! Stop making her do such stupid things. And without a helmet on.
- A helmet? - For the sake of her head. What if she injured herself again?
No, it's none of my business. See you.
It's lucky he didn't see all of what we were doing. But you would've looked cute in a helmet.
- Ah... ah, the camera! - Ah!
- Chief is tails. - Why do you choose?
- Would you rather be heads? - Letting the other person choose is polite.
Heads or tails?
- Heads. - Okay.
- You should have chosen tails, Chief. - Yeah, whatever.
It wasn't that I slipped or that I fell. It was just an accident.
I consciously chose to take the dive.
Diving is a way to miraculously cheat gravity.
I'd chosen to do that myself. I was heading toward something.
Or maybe I was trying to escape from something.
I decided not to tell anyone that I'd remembered it.
In a way it didn't matter.
Because nothing had changed anyway.
- Yes... that's what I told myself. - Are you alright?
This is like what happened to me. It was meant to be kind of Jackson Pollock-y, I guess.
More about the process than the pictures.
Wait up!
Long time, no see.
How was your winter vacation?
- Not bad. And yours? - Mm, mine wasn't bad either.
- It felt good to take a break. - Yeah.
See you. Since you're not coming back to the yearbook, I have to pull the weight of two people.
Sorry. I'm really...
You're doing well?
Mm.
I was just thinking about you, Mirai. I am...
Hi, Winnie.
- I... I should go. See you, Mirai. - See you.
Yuji! Yuji~!
I found this in your locker, Yuji, when I was looking for my textbooks.
If you'd like, I'll open it for you.
- You're that afraid of not getting in? - Leave me alone.
Sorry.
Congratulations! It's the university you wanted to get into!
I hadn't planned on it.
You? Don't flatter yourself. I just don't want to play tennis anymore.
Don't go near her!
Yuji! We were just talking!
Stop it, you guys! You're just hurting Naomi!
Naomi, are you alright?
Why would they have done such a thing?
Hey!
There are a truckload of things I should be doing.
I have to decide on photos for all the clubs.
I also have to decide who will be the campaigners for the yearbook.
As you know, we're short of people.
Everybody has things they have to do.
Hm~ you too?
Your schedule is full of dates with your emotionally unstable boyfriend.
- He's been suspended from school. - You reap what you sow.
Who started it?
Yuji is a bit of a worry.
Here goes!
Yuji...
What's with all of this?
My mom said I should go to the USC freshman orientation.
But I don't know what to do. I don't know if I want to go to my first choice of schools.
- Why not? - Like, my emotions don't seem to be so stable.
I get into fights and get suspended.
My mom's worried.
Sukuse, you seem different too. I can see that bruise on your eye from the fight.
People have looked at me that way before.
I'm just concerned about you, Yuji. But my feelings for you haven't changed.
If you get depressed at USC, I'll fly over there to cheer you up. I promise.
- Your dad won't let you. - I'll make up some excuse. Let me think of one now.
I could say it's for taking photos for the yearbook or something.
- For my sake. - What are you talking about, Yuji?
I... fell down those stairs just so I could meet you, right?
I get it. Please keep your promise.
The yearbook campaign!
- How are you feeling? - There's a flight out of Narita tomorrow morning.
I'll pay for the airfare.
I want you to come over here.
Please fasten your seat belts for landing.
This is Miwa Yuji.
Hadn't we planned on meeting two hours ago?
I was caught in a traffic jam. This is LA, right?
I'm so glad you came!
Hop in.
- Right, I suppose we'll go to your university first. - Is that what you want?
Well, I've never been to USC before.
- You came here for that as well, right, Yuji? - Yeah, but wouldn't you rather go to the beach?
I've always wanted to take you surfing, Naomi. Let's go to the university tomorrow, okay?
That's fine.
- Oh, darn. - What's wrong?
- I need to bring my surfboard. - It's fine. Let's just relax here for a while. I feel a bit sick.
I'll go get a board from dad's house. Wait here.
No! Stay here with me!
I'll be back within an hour.
They got cold, so I threw the old ones away and bought some new ones.
Sorry, I called you, but your phone was off, Sukuse.
I'd left it in the car.
I see.
Are you angry?
- Please don't be angry. - I'm not that angry.
- But I was worried. - Sorry.
I'm terrible.
No, you're not.
I'm terrible.
Terrible... terrible...
Don't say that. Yuji...
Look at me.
What happened?
I went to get the surfboard...
I'd gotten in the car to head to dad's house.
But then I realized that I was alone in a graveyard.
Marilyn Monroe was right in front of me.
I wonder why I'd gone to visit her grave?
I don't really understand it myself either.
Quite a bit of time passed and then I worked out what made it different from the other graves.
It was the color. The color.
Many people had kissed it and touched it, so the gravestone had turned pink.
I realized that and...
I felt deathly depressed.
Nobody kissed my brother's grave or touched it. Nobody even thinks about him anymore!
Because he's just a kid who died.
So I thought I should change his grave's color. I'm the only one he has.
But... for starters, I'd forgotten where his grave even is.
So I wandered round in circles in the graveyard.
My brother's grave is right away on the far side.
Even though I knew it wouldn't change anything, I stupidly searched endlessly for his grave!
Yuji...
I love you.
I can't stop thinking about things.
I thought you'd say the same thing once your remembered something.
Yuji, you love me.
I love you.
Let's leave.
Dad's away on a business trip.
You've been here alone the whole time?
Let's go to bed.
Wait. It's okay not to talk, but stay with me a bit longer.
- I want to sleep. I haven't slept properly for many days. - Can't I be beside you?
Naomi...
Naomi, I want to be with you too, but...
I'm too depressed. Good night.
Is that you, Naomi? Are you in LA now?
Mm.
I talked to Yuji's mother on the phone. We'll book the first flight out tomorrow, so come back straight away.
Make sure you go back to school.
Papa found it from my room.
Songs for a Teenage Amnesiac
The Naomi that Naomi has forgotten
The Naomi that Naomi remembers
- Hello? - Hello. This is Naomi.
What do you want?
I'm in the airport now. My phone's battery is dead.
Is it?
Earlier I watched the birthday present that you gave me, Mirai.
It was really moving.
I wanted to tell you that.
Yeah...
- Thanks. - Yeah.
That's good.
- And I am... - Um, hey...
I'm about to meet Winnie for a date.
Oh, are you? Sorry.
And? Was there anything else you wanted?
- Bye, Coach. - Bye.
Hand over your phone.
- The battery is dead on it. - And let's leave it that way.
You're grounded.
What should I do about you?! Going off to LA by yourself! You never would've done such a thing in the past!
What is up with you, Naomi?
- I was worried about Yuji. - So why didn't you talk to me about that?
It wasn't just Yuji. It was me too.
I.... remember.
- Remember what? - Everything!
Since when? Why did you keep it quiet?
Because... I finally found out who I was.
I couldn't even consider doing everything all over again or going back to who I was.
- And I was afraid of losing Yuji. - Why would you have lost him?
You may not get this, but the one thing we have in common is that we have no past.
That's probably why Yuji likes me.
I'm sure it's more than just that.
- Yes, hello. This is Miwa. - Um, is Yuji there?
- Naomi? He's in hospital now. - How come?
What do you want?
Um, Coach... I'd like you to come to Nagano with me tomorrow.
Why would I have to do that for you?
You're right. Sorry.
Bye.
Hey, Naomi...
Don't you think it would be much more fun to be with me than it would be with your crazy boyfriend?
Mm.
I have to finish off the yearbook and do it all by myself.
- I know that. - And I have a girlfriend too.
That's right.
But I just want you to be aware that my life doesn't revolve around you.
Nice touch.
They're all artists who are crazy or committed suicide.
There's Ozaki Yutaka, Jeff Buckley, Elliot Smith and Nick Drake.
There are love songs on it too, but they're ones about how they're in pain.
Thanks.
I'll wait out here.
- I wanted you to come in with me. - Why?
Because Yuji may not want to see me.
So I want to use your name, Mirai, to ask him to see us.
He's doesn't know that you're coming today, Naomi?
Nope.
That is quite a battle order you may have set up for yourself.
I'm Hasegawa Mirai. I'd like to speak with Miwa Yuji.
Just a moment, please. I'll tell Miwa you're here.
Hasegawa, has something happened to Sukuse?
So?
You once said that if I remember everything, I should leave you, didn't you, Yuji?
Because you're full of bad parts.
Being with you wouldn't be a waste of my time.
Right?
Yes.
I remembered everything.
Two months ago I did.
But I still like Yuji though.
It's not because of gratitude or amnesia. I just like you as is.
I know that Yuji is a little crazy.
But everyone is that way. I don't care about that.
- You'd lied? - Unbelievable.
Why hadn't you said anything?
I don't know.
I'm sorry.
- Really. - I'll be waiting outside.
Let's go outside too.
Just like always, you're so cold.
Sometimes I was so envious of your amnesia, Sukuse.
I'd kept wanting to forget my past.
I'd been so busy thinking of that, so I couldn't move forward.
I'm older now than my brother was when he passed away.
I have to live the life my brother didn't get to.
I think this is the best timing ever for me to stand up and face everything.
I wanted to meet you at a different timing, Sukuse.
When I was more grown-up.
When I was able to process various things.
I used to be like that too, before things got all mixed-up.
I'll keep that aside until you get out of here. Yuji.
I promise.
- When do you think you'll be released? - I don't know.
At the very least, I want it to be in time for graduation, but I'm not sure yet.
I'm glad you came.
But it's embarrassing too.
I hadn't wanted you to see me here. I'd wanted you to think I was perfect.
Even I know that you're not perfect, Yuji.
Yeah.
I know, but... I'd wished you'd think I was.
You'd promised to buy me dinner.
So... when you said you're remembered everything, had you?
- Mm. - Really? Everything and anything?
Mm.
About that day...
Normally I would've gone to get the camera. I wouldn't have left it up to a coin toss.
Our relationship had changed, but I didn't like to pressure you, Naomi.
You were overly aware that we should just be friends.
It wasn't your fault I fell, Mirai.
On that day I was really depressed.
It had seemed like meeting at the planetarium the day before meant nothing to you, Naomi.
Of course it had meant something. You're my best friend, Mirai.
I thought I should've said something on those stairs.
But when that chance came, you forgot everything. Even my existence. Everything.
Then you met Yuji. And you quit the yearbook.
I was too slow with everything.
But the worst part was after you'd broken up with Zuckerman.
Even thought that should've been my chance, I didn't say anything to you.
But I don't love you, Naomi. Even now.
Mirai...
I don't love you... Not that much.
Mirai and are I just friends and barely that.
You're not wearing a coat.
Wear this.
It's really over.
Yeah.
I'm so uncool.
- That's not true. - I'm terrible.
Chief... you're great.
Go ahead!
Yeah.
Ah, okay.
What about our fight and everything?
Like?
I'm warning you - I'm totally out of practice.
Okay. Why not?
Ace! Notice anything special about me?
Shut up, Ace!
Yeah.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry too.
Things hadn't been good for a while, had they? Even before my accident, I mean.
Male porcupines hear the screams that proclaim the start of the breeding season.
The female hears their return sounds, but pretends not to hear them if they don't want to accept them.
The females that accept the sounds will face the male stomach to stomach and eye to eye.
Go ahead and answer it.
No, why?
Ah, excuse me, I'd like to know Hasegawa Mirai's condition.
Are you his parent or guardian?
Aren't you the patient who injured your head in September?
I never forget a patient's face. How have you been?
I've been well. But one of my friends may be dying.
- Could you tell me how Hasegawa Mirai is? - Hasegawa isn't dying.
He just has pneumonia. It's a bad case. His lungs aren't functioning. He's sleeping now. But don't say I told you.
Ah, that's lucky.
- Ah, I'd like to leave a memo saying that we visited. - Ah, sure.
Thanks.
Dear Coach, I'll come again tomorrow. I hope you'll see me then. From Chief.
- Visiting hours are from 11 o'clock. - Okay.
Well?
I hadn't been feeling well recently, but I'd ignored it thinking it was just stress or a simple cold.
Then yesterday I suddenly collapsed. They were surprised that I'd been able to put up with it for so long.
My lungs are full of bacteria and aren't working.
- That's shocking! - Right?
Apparently it's more complicated than normal pneumonia.
Not being straight forward is very Mirai-like.
I'd like to talk to you seriously.
Ah... um... about the memo I'd left.
- I... - I want to ask you something very important. Naomi?
- Leave it to me. I'll bring you your homework or other things. - Nope, I've asked Winnie to do that.
Ah, Mirai? I don't have much time to talk because things are about to get crazy. - I know.
- I thought of going to help. - Ah, you mustn't!
I gave up on the idea. Even if I went there, you'd probably kill me.
- So how does it look? - Really wonderful, Mirai. I'll bring you a copy as soon as we've handed them out to everyone.
I'm glad you helped out, Naomi.
Hey, aren't you glad you were a co-editor?
Even when you injured your head, as your partner I took over, Naomi.
Even after my lungs stopped working, as my partner you were able to cover things.
It really was a perfect system to have.
Ah, Mirai, should I get Winnie to bring a yearbook to you? I'm sure she can visit you sooner.
No, I want you to bring it, Chief.
I could get Mrs. Hasegawa to take you it, but Robert or Ben might be able to take it instead.
I want you to do it, Naomi.
Okay.
It's mainly Mirai.
I will.
Thanks for coming again. Could you leave by 9 o'clock to give him time to rest?
- Sure. - You seem tired too.
The presentation ceremony!
Here you go.
We only just got this page done on time.
I'd wanted to edit this page.
- There was nothing to do. - Yeah.
- How about this one? - Ah, it's not brilliant. - Yeah.
Well, it's fine since we're all laughing.
- But don't you think it being plain white was a good choice? - Mm, really good. Everyone at school complimented it.
On Friday I'll take the day off school to go to Izoshima for Papa and Arisa Risa's wedding.
- I see. Time's really flown by. - Yeah.
- Why didn't you invite me, Chief? - Because you've been sick. Mrs. Hasegawa wouldn't let me invite you.
That's probably true.
Besides, you're with Winnie.
Ah. Winnie, yeah.
She dumped me. Hadn't you heard?
I hadn't heard it from her, so I'd been ignoring what I'd heard.
- I'm not a good boyfriend. - No way.
- You'd treated Winnie so well. - No, it's not like that.
- I never forget people's birthdays and I always keep my promises. You know that, right? - Mm.
She accused me of being in love with someone else.
What a terrible scandal.
Hey, Mirai, every year you always reserve a huge space in my yearbook. Why do you always do that?
There's so much I want to say, but I could never find the right words. So I just chose the perfect songs to express that instead.
How's Yuji?
I don't really see him anymore.
Yeah. These things happen.
But when you get to my age, there are many things that you forget.
For starters you forget what you studied at school.
Especially things you studied in algebra class. I've forgotten all of that.
I've forgotten the names of all but one or two of my teachers.
I'll probably forget their names soon too.
I've forgotten what happened in classes, my grades and when my friends' birthdays were.
I've forgotten the lyrics of songs I've heard hundreds of times.
- Like, I've forgotten, um, um, what's it called again? - What? - Um... you know. You know...
Ah, like Simon & Garfunkel songs.
And slowly, very slowly, you also forget the tastes of things and things that really hurt.
Even things I thought I would never ever forget slowly faded into lost memories.
Guys from the past, guys that were awkward, girls who were cute, girls who were smart,
who went to what university, whose parties were great, you end up forgetting all of that stuff.
People you said you loved...
People you truly loved...
Even the people who you think you'll remember till the very end.
Mm, but that's why the waves of memories get thinner.
It's because it's possible to forget those things that it makes it possible for us to love someone else in the future.
Papa...
Congratulations. I mean it.
How was the wedding?
How can I explain it? There's so much love between them that it's hard to explain.
- When are you going home? - About 9 o'clock.
I'd really missed you this weekend. I guess I'd gotten used to seeing you every day again.
I sound stupid, right?
I'd missed you too. I wish I could've gone too.
Naomi?
Could I take a photo of you?
Yuji, put your arm around Naomi's shoulders.
- No, thanks. - Smile. It's a sunny day. Okay, say cheese.
Ah! Is this that camera from that day?
How sentimental.
Pose.
Congratulations on graduating, Yuji.
Thanks.
Your hands are cold.
Just as always. But it's May already!
Are you in the club room now?
Mm, but I'm just locking up now.
- Come by here later. - Mm.
Hey! Why didn't you come up to the club room?
You have my key, so I thought I'd wait out here.
That is just a pathetic excuse.
Long ago I used to be a student here.
And I was the editor of the yearbook.
Hm. I don't remember that.
I heard rumors that these stairs were a real danger.
- I can go down them by myself. - No, hold onto my arm since you've had such a year of ups and downs.
- What if you fell down them again, Naomi? - I didn't fall, I dove. - Yes, yes, you dove. Whatever.
It doesn't matter which it was, but I don't think I could cope with you forgetting me again.
Hold my arm, Naomi. I'd like to carry your bag for you, but I imagine you'd refuse to let me.
I can't remember which of us said it first anymore.
But at the end one of us said this:
We did a coin toss several months ago.
It was just because we didn't want to have to go up these stairs again.
And then the other one of us answered:
It would be fine it if was even longer than it is. As long as we can walk these stairs like we are now.
After then neither of us said anything for a long time.
I wasn't used to Mirai's silence, but it didn't worry me.
I know everything about Mirai and he knows everything about me.
That's why the silence between us sounded like a melody.
Without even knowing what song it was or who sang it, it seemed like a song we could hum along to.
It was like a song that we'd known for years with a nostalgic melody.
Hurry up! Hurry up! Come on!