I didn't know these things before I entered high school two months ago...
The hem of my school uniform, soaked by a stranger's umbrella.
The smell of mothballs clinging to someone's suit.
The warmth of bodies pressing against my back.
The unpleasant breeze of the air conditioner against my face.
Shinjuku.
Thank you for riding with us. Shinjuku. Shinjuku Station.
When I was little, the sky was so much closer.
That's why I like rain, which brings the smell of the sky.
On rainy mornings, instead of transferring to the subway,
I often leave the station.
June
Chocolate and beer?
Still, I think I've seen her somewhere...
Here.
Thank you. Here.
Um, have we met before?
No.
Sorry. My mistake.
That's fine.
It could be fitting.
A faint sound of thunder
Cloudy skies
Perhaps it will rain
Shall you not stay?
The Garden of Words
This morning, the Kyushu, Chugoku and Shikoku regions report the start of rainy season
five days earlier than usual.
The activity is due to the seasonal rain front, and Nagasaki, Kasuga, Kumamoto and Kagoshima,
a very wide area, is experiencing rain.
Currently, heavy rain and flood advisories are--
I'm home.
Welcome back.
I bought some croquettes.
Thanks. Dinner's almost ready.
Thank you.
Where's Mom?
She left us.
Lucky. That leaves us all the croquettes.
There was a letter saying not to look for her.
Is this really okay?
To Takao & Sr.
Leave her be.
She always come back after fighting with her boyfriend, right?
I've picked out a place. I'll be leaving next month.
Living alone?
With my girlfriend.
Couldn't that be why Mom left?
You talked to her yesterday?
I wish she'd learn to let go of her children.
She's the one making the rounds, dating younger men.
Well, fine! I'm gonna go live with my boyfriend, too!
She has those youthful looks, after all.
Cause she's had it easy her whole life.
You're the one who's gonna age.
All done.
You can do the dishes. So I won't age.
Won't you be glad to have more space?
I guess.
Help me move.
Sure.
Hey, Bro. Have you heard this?
What is it? A haiku?
It's a tanka.
Why would I know that?
Ask Mom when she gets back.
A faint sound of thunder Cloudy skies Perhaps it will rain Shall you not stay?
The world is...
On sunny mornings, I transfer to the subway and come here.
But I think to myself, "This isn't the time to be doing this."
Rain.
Hello.
Hi.
Say...
Huh?! Say...
No school today?
And your office? Is it closed today?
I'm skipping again.
And drinking beer in the park in the morning.
Beer alone isn't good for your health.
You have to eat something, too.
You know a lot for a high school kid.
It's not me. My mom's the drinker.
I have snacks, you know.
Want some?
You just thought “This woman's a freak,” didn't you?
Uh...
It's okay. We're human, after all. We all have our quirks.
We do?
We do.
Well, it's about time for me to go.
Heading to school now?
I make it a point to skip school only on rainy mornings.
Then maybe we'll meet again.
Perhaps when it's raining.
It was the first day of the Kanto area rainy season.
About the Entrance Exam
Tuition and Fees Course Costs: 735,000 Yen
A shoemaker?
I know it sounds dated,
but I like thinking up and making shoe designs.
Of course, I'm still terrible at it.
It's only natural.
But if I can, I want to make this into a career.
I've never told anyone that before.
Dude, do you know what time it is?
You know why you've been called here, yes?
Hey. Bro!
At night, before I went to sleep...
In the morning, when my eyes opened...
I realized I was praying for rain.
On sunny days, it felt like I was in a terrible, childish place.
And full of impatience.
Her normal world is one of jobs and companies, so very far from me.
She seemed to represent the secrets of our world.
There are only two things I can say for sure:
At 15 years old, I'm just some kid to her...
And making shoes is the only thing that can lead me to a different place.
For your safety, please stay behind the yellow line.
The doors on Track 1 are now closing. Please be careful.
Good morning.
I thought you might not come today.
I'm surprised you haven't been fired yet.
Wow! Is that a shoe design?
Hey!
I can't see?
It's not something to show others.
Really?
Yes.
Go on, please sit over there.
I'm going to eat breakfast. Care to join me?
Thank you. But I brought my own today.
You made it yourself?
What? I cook sometimes, you know.
Huh.
Well, let's trade side dishes.
Wait, I'm not really...!
Not so confident. With my cooking.
It's your own fault.
You're clumsier than I expected.
Hey, come on!
Sorry. But it's tasty in its own way.
It's firm.
You're making fun of me.
Can I have another?
Hurry up!
Wait, Bro!
Takao, be careful.
Happy birthday, Mom!
Thank you.
What could the three of you have gotten me?
Say... Do you think it's too late for me?
And you know what? Those boxed lunches actually have taste.
So it's gotten better. Your taste disorder.
I wouldn't go that far.
But not too long ago, alcohol and chocolate was all I could taste.
I think making up your mind to quit work was for the best.
Yeah, maybe so. Thinking about it, before...
You speak to me so gently. As if touching something fragile.
But back then, when it hurt even to breathe,
you didn't believe me. You only listened to those around you.
Well, we'll start your exit paperwork after the holiday.
I'll tell the bosses.
Okay. Sorry for all the bother, even after we've broken up.
I really am glad.
About the old woman you've met.
You know, the one who brings her lunches to the park.
It's good for both of you, light?
Okay, get some rest.
Ever since then, I...
It's nothing but lies.
Rain.
The Kanto area will see rain all day.
Here at the Shinjuku Station South Exit, everyone has umbrellas--
July
Here. By way of thanks.
"Thanks"?
Because I always end up eating your food.
You said you wanted it, right?
This book is so expensive!
Thank you. Very much.
It's my pleasure.
Um, I...
I'm making a pair of shoes fight now.
Wow. They're for yourself?
I haven't decided who they're for yet... But they're women's shoes.
I haven't been able to get them fight. So..
You know, I...
Before I knew it, I couldn't walk properly anymore.
Are you talking about your job?
Yeah. About lots of things.
I still don't know anything about her.
Her job, her age... What worries she carries.
Not even her name.
And yet, I can't help but be charmed by her.
Today, the rainy season for the Kanto area is officially over, 10 days later than usual.
The current temperature in Tokyo is 26 degrees.
As if someone had flicked a switch, the sunny days came one after another.
A bit late, I find myself thinking, "I'm glad that boy has fewer excuses for skipping."
But the truth is, I wish...
the rainy season hadn't ended.
This park sure is big.
I can't believe we're in Shinjuku.
Oh, excuse us.
Not at all.
This is the Japanese gardens, right?
Where should we go next?
Isn't there a greenhouse? Wanna go see it?
Yes, let's!
On sunny days, it's like I don't even know this place.
Thanks for the help.
Say, why not come eat dinner with us, Takao?
Sorry, I've got my part-time job today.
This late?
And I don't want to impose.
Just the opposite! I'll be living with HIM from now on, so at least today--
Hey, I can hear you.
Well, see you later.
He's a cute kid.
Did you notice his shoes?
They're handmade.
What? No way!
They're just ugly moccasins, though.
He's got a bright future, huh?
You think he'd make shoes for me, too?
Who knows? Teenagers' interests change on a whim.
My brother moved out, and the rainless days continued.
I had no excuse to go to that place...
August And then summer vacation came.
I worked part time almost every day over the summer.
Well, how about our cashew chicken stir fry?
That sounds delicious!
It does, huh? That sounds delicious!
Okay, I'll have that.
Thanks very much.
I wanted to earn what I could for tuition for vocational school.
Tools and leather cost money, too.
I still miss that woman, but...
Simply clinging to those feelings will always keep me a child.
That's why, more than anything, I want to make shoes that will make her want to walk.
I've made up my mind.
"Let tomorrow be... sunny!"
I'm not at all smarter at 27 than I was at age 15.
I've always been here, in this same place.
September
Damn. Looks like it was really Tsukishima.
I had that confused for a week!
English class is no big deal.
Cause you're graded on a curve.
Akizuki!
Hey. It's been a while. You guys got tans, huh?
We went to the beach a lot.
You're still as pale as ever.
What'd you do over summer break?
Worked the whole time.
The whole time?
That's a sad way to spend your high-school days.
School, work, chores. School, work, chores.
And skip school sometimes.
Come to think of it, you were late a lot, Akizuki.
Yup. He won't come to first period when it rains.
It's an illness. I can't ride the subway on rainy mornings.
Cut the crap.
Faculty Room
Miss Yukino?
Ma. am!
Sato...
Ma'am.
Sato, save it for later.
Ma'am! Sato, save it for later.
Miss Yukino!
The same for you two.
Sony, everyone. The same for you two.
I'll be here till after fifth period.
If you like, we can talk later.
Yukino came to school?
You didn't hear about Yukino quitting?
No. I don't even know who she is!
You have old man Takehara for classic lit., right?
Apparently, Yukino was always fighting with the third-year girls.
Yeah, but Miss Yukino didn't do anything wrong.
Somebody's boyfriend fell in love with her.
Everyone in class treated her terribly to get back at her,
spreading fake rumors even to their parents.
It got to where she couldn't come to school anymore.
Yukino's way too kind.
She should have taken all that to the police.
We told Mr. Ito again and again!
But he didn't want to make trouble for the school in public.
Hey, what is it?
Those upperclassmen...
Do you know their names?
Miss Yukino!
He totally sucks at it.
You're so cruel.
Jeez, Shoko, you sure go through 'em.
What do you want, frosh?
Are you Aizawa?
You an admirer?
Who are you?
It seems Miss Yukino is quitting.
Huh?
Like I care about that slutty hag.
The hell are you doing?!
What...?
What's your deal?
Let's go tell a teacher.
Who is he? Don't know him, huh?
What's with you? Fallen for that old hag?
Yuck. Does he know how old she is?
How sad. She must've tricked him.
She might go for him now, though.
Since she ain't a teacher no more.
Got that right.
You should thank us.
I'm waiting for the rain.
A faint sound of thunder
Even if rain comes not
I will stay here
if you, too, stay
Yes. That's the answer.
That's the response to the tanka I told you when we first met.
"If it rains, will you stay here?"
In response to that, I answer...
"I will be here even if it doesn't rain."
it was in our classic literature textbook...
Miss Yukino.
I'm sorry.
I thought you'd realize I was a classic literature teacher.
I also thought everyone at school knew about me.
But you're always in your own world, aren't you?
Say, what happened to your face?
I acted like you and drank some beer.
I got drunk and fell off the Yamanote Line platform.
Oh, no!
I'm kidding. But even I can get into a fight.
We look like we just swam across the river, huh?
I think this might...
This might
The happiest...
Time of my life.
Yukino.
Hm?
I think I've fallen in love with you.
Not Yukino. MISS Yukino, remember?
I'm moving next week.
Back to my hometown in Shikoku.
I made the decision a while back.
I was practicing how to walk on my own, there in that place.
Even without shoes.
So...
So I want to thank you for all you've done, Akizuki.
Um, thank you for these clothes.
I'll get changed now.
But they're not dry!
Well, I'm going home.
Thank you for everything.
This lunch was for me, but I made too much.
If you like...
I haven't decided who they're for yet...
But they're women's shoes.
I acted like you and drank some beer.
I got drunk and fell off the Yamanote Line platform.
"A faint sound of thunder Even if rain comes not
"I will stay here
"if you, too, stay"
Um...
Yukino.
Please forget what I said earlier.
I... Sure enough, I hate you.
From the moment we met, you were...
Just an awful person.
Drinking beer in the morning, spouting off some ridiculous tanka...
You'll listen to others all day
but never say a thing about yourself!
You knew I was a student, didn't you?
That's just cruel!
If I'd known you were a teacher, I never would have told you about the shoes.
You'd just think it's hopeless, that I'll never amount to anything!
Why didn't you say anything?
You thought you'd humor the little kid's fantasies for a while?
No matter what... No matter WHO I want, it will never happen.
It won't come true!
You knew from the beginning!
You should have said something!
That I'm just a pain!
That little kids should run along to school!
That you hate me!
You!
You've done this your whole life!
You never say what's important!
You pretend it has nothing to do with you!
You'll be alone your whole life!
Every morning!
Every morning I put on my suit to go to school...
But I was scared!
I just couldn't go.
But in that place...
.---
You saved me!
Kotoba dekizu, koeta mama de Frozen, unable to form the words
Hitomae de wa yasashiku ikite ita I lived on, gentle before others
Shiwayose de konna fuu ni, zatsu ni Like this, clumsily and annoyingly
Ame no yoru ni kimi o dakishimeteta I held you in my arms on a rainy night
Dourowaki no bira to kowareta jouyatou Flyers by the roadside and broken night lights
Machikado de wa, sou, darerno ga isoideta On the street corners, yes, everyone was rushing
Kimi ja nai, warui no wa jibun no hageshisa o It's not you, but me
Kakusenai boku no hou sa And the intensity I can't hide that's to blame
Lady, kimi wa ame ni kemuru Lady, seen only dimly in the rain
Suita eki o sukoshi hashitta You jogged toward that deserted station
Doshaburi demo kamawanai to Unconcerned about the pouring rain
Zubunure demo kamawanai to Unconcerned about getting soaked
Shibuki ageru kimi ga kieteku Splashing through puddles, you disappear
Rojiura de wa asa ga hayai kara Morning comes quick in the back alleyways
lma no uchi ni kimi o tsukamae So I'll grab you now while I have the chance
lkanaide, ikanaide, sou iu yo And say, "Don't go, don't go"
Summer ended, and it came time to switch to our winter uniforms.
I got terrible grades on my final exams.
I wasted many pieces of expensive leather.
I worked part time over winter break.
And every time I added extra clothing to go out,
I thought to myself, "How is she doing?"
Betsubetsu ni kurasu That sky that lives apart
Nakidashisou na sora o Seems about to rain down tears
Nigirishimeru tsuyosa wa ima wa mou nai I no longer have the strength to hold onto it
Kawarazu iru kokoro no sumi dake de kizutsuku yo na You're hurt simply by the recesses of an unchanging heart
Kimi nara mou iranai And I no longer need you
Lady, kimi wa ame ni nurete Lady, you're all wet from the rain
Boku no me o sukoshi miteita You looked into my eyes for a moment
Doshaburi demo kamawanai to Unconcerned about the pouring rain
Zubunure demo kamawanai to Unconcerned about getting soaked
Kuchibue fuku boku ga tsuite iku I walk after you, whistling a tune
Zuibun kimi o shirisugita noni I knew far too much about you
Hajimete arasotta yoru you ni Like the night that we first fought
lkanaide, ikanaide, sou iu yo I say, "Don't go, don't go"
Kata ga kawaita shatsu The shoulders of my shirts dried
Kaisatsu o deru koro When I exit the station
Kimi no machi ja mou ame wa koburi ni naru There's only slight rain in your town now
Kyou dake ga ashita ni tsuzuiteru Only today continues into tomorrow
Konna fuu ni kimi to wa owarenai Things with you can't end like this
Lady, kimi wa ima kou shite Lady, even now you do this
Chiisame no kasa o sasazu ni Not even opening that small umbrella
Doshaburi demo kamawanai to Unconcerned about the pouring rain
Zubunure demo kamawanai to Unconcerned about getting soaked
Shibuki ageru kimi ga kieteku Splashing through puddles, you disappear
Rojiura de wa asa ga hayai kara Morning comes quick in the back alleyways
lma no uchi ni kimi o tsukamae So I'll grab you now while I have the chance
lkanaide, ikanaide, sou iu yo And say, "Don't go, don't go"
Doshaburi demo kamawanai to Unconcerned about the pouring rain
Zubunure demo kamawanai to Unconcerned about getting soaked
Kuchibue fuku boku ga tsuite iku I walk after you, whistling a tune
Zuibun kimi o shirisugita noni I knew far too much about you
Hajimete arasotta yoru you ni Like the night that we first fought
lkanaide, ikanaide, sou iu yo I say, "Don't go, don't go"
Akizuki, I hope each day finds you well. And I hope warmer weather gets here soon. I'll be wearing these. Feb. 3, 2014 -Yukari Yukino
I was practicing how to walk, too.
I think that now.
One day, when I can walk much farther on my own...
I'll go to her.
This story is a work of fiction and bears no relation with real persons or groups. The park that appeared in this story is modeled on the Shijuku Gyoen National Park, but please be advised that alcohol and tobacco use are prohibited on the premises.