If Kudo-san would draw once more...
...at that time I will become your number one fan.
A one flower garden.
This is what I wanted to tell you.
By all means, I want you to design the garden for this house.
Sorry for doing that out of the blue.
No. Ah... um...
It seems I've come to love you.
Couldn't we start seeing one another?
I'm sure saying that so suddenly is a problem for you.
But, those are my honest feelings.
It's been a long time since I've had such feelings.
I wonder if you could give it some thought?
Ah...
You don't have to hurry with your reply.
Welcome back...
Welcome home?
Haruko-san.
I was kissed.
By whom?
Someone from work.
Someone from work?
He was sent from Headquarters the other day. His name is Takahara-san.
He's someone who really appreciates me...
...and who confessed to me.
He says he wants to start seeing me.
And?
Chiharu, how do you feel?
How do I feel?
About being told he loves you.
Ah. I...
...was relieved.
- Relieved? - Yeah.
Having nothing to do with past promises...
...or conditions...
...he seems to be someone who fell in love with just me.
Somehow when I thought that...
...I felt incredibly relieved.
Tokimeki no kaze ga fuitara If a thrilling wind blows
Sono kimochi oritatande Fold that feeling up
Kowagarazu ni tobashite goran And set it flying without fear
Shinjitei koi wa kami hikoki Just believe... love is a paper airplane
Heiwa Fansubs Presents: Kekkon Shinai - Unmarried
Episode 9: "The Roller-coaster Ride of a Woman's Friendship! Tears of the Slap?!"
- Good morning. - Good morning.
- 'Morning. - Good morning. I'm sorry.
- 'Morning. - Good morning.
Good morning.
Tanaka-kun.
Good morning.
Could you spare me a moment?
Truth is, at the start of the new year, we'll be having our reorganization.
Yes.
There was a notification from above that we need to reduce our staff members.
Ah...
Yeah.
Well, it's this era that's why it's so harsh.
And so, your contract renewal is up as of next month, Tanaka-san, right?
Yes.
I'm very sorry...
...but I won't be able to renew that contract.
Ah. Eh...
You will be contacted with the details by someone from the Human Resources Department later on.
I'm very sorry.
What's the matter? You look out of it.
Eh?
Did something happen?
No. Nothing at all.
Chiharu-san?
Ah, look. It's time to open the store.
Hello? Is this Professor Tanigawa?
This is Kirishima of Maison Floral.
Um... I wanted to let you know...
...I'd really like to do the garden design for your parent's home.
- Yes. - Good morning.
How about tonight?
Yes.
Um... Do you know Cafe Sunnyside in front of the train station?
Yes. Well then, at 8.
Yes. Thank you very much.
A date?
You scared me. 'Morning.
Good morning.
And? Was that for a date?
You're wrong.
Professor Tanigawa has asked me to personally undertake...
...the design of the garden for his parent's home.
And you're meeting him in front of the station at 8.
Right.
That's a date.
You're wrong. It's just a meeting.
Hmm...
I've been invited out on a date by Yamada-kun, too.
Whoever invites you out on a date is fine, but it's different for me.
- Mai-chan, good morning. - Good morning.
Ah, poinsettias.
Yeah. I bought them as stock for today.
That's right. It's already December, isn't it?
Yeah.
Ala? Couldn't sleep?
I think I was bothered thinking about laying in the stock and then it got late.
Did you stay overnight at the store again?
Yeah.
That's...
Ah, sorry. I left it behind. I'll put it in the back.
You painted a drawing, didn't you?
Yes.
Junpei-san, you've started painting again?
Yeah.
Incredible.
- What's the painting of? Please let me see it. - No...
Actually, I was thinking of re-drawing it.
Redrawing it?
Yeah.
You're at a loss, huh?
Because it's possible to correct a painting...
...it's possible to re-draw it and sharpen it as many times as you like.
So when a painting is completed can only be decided upon by the person who paints it?
When I say "it's completed"... In my case...
...it's when I feel I can part with it.
When you can part with it?
When I can bring myself to say goodbye to it...
...that's when I can sign the painting for the first time. Since long ago.
Say goodbye to it?
Kinda sad, isn't it?
Ah.
Go ahead and take it.
Excuse me.
Hello, Kono?
For lunch?
Yeah, I think I can get out.
Economizing on your lunches?
Ah, Takahara-san.
May I keep you company?
Sorry about this, making you keep me company.
It's fine.
I just happened to want to eat a convenience store onigiri.
I heard your contract won't be renewed.
You heard?
The Manager called me in a little while ago.
Because he wasn't going to be able to renew Tanaka-san's contract...
...he said it would be okay for me to take you off as support on that project.
Is that right.
Of course I told him I wanted to work with you until the very last moment.
Ah. Is there anything that I can do?
Eh?
Well, look. In addition to eating convenience store onigiri together with you...
...if there was anything that I could do for you.
Takahara-san.
If you said you wanted to go somewhere as a distraction...
...I could take you anywhere.
Or if you suddenly said you wanted to eat something delicious...
...I could make a reservation at some nice restaurant.
Such things may be all I can do, though.
Thank you very much.
But, I'm fine. I'll do my best alone.
I feel that until now...
...I've always just relied on my family and friends.
And that I've been troubling those around me by wanting something.
When I was told they wouldn't renew my contract...
...and I'd be thrown out with a pop...
...that's when it soaked into me.
That I'm at an age where I can't be irresponsible and have to do things for myself somehow.
"Somehow"? What will you do?
Hmm... For now, since tomorrow's my day off, I'll go to Hello Work.
(Hello Work - Japanese government's Employment Service Center)
Because I'm a beginner when it comes to unemployment, I'll start with the basics.
Then...
...I wonder if I couldn't support you in your career change.
That would be wrong.
After all, you'll be busy at work.
What are you saying?
I'll do anything for someone who's important to me.
What I told you yesterday...
...were my true feelings.
You say you'll do your best alone...
But if ever you feel like giving up...
...you can take my help at any time.
A Paris hotel?
I thought Senpai and I should choose it together.
I'll ask Chiharu-san to make the reservations for us.
- Chiharu-san? - Yes.
Ah, Chiharu-san. You're just in time.
Ah. Let's see... Is it regarding the hotel?
Yes.
I'll go first.
I've set up a few advance orders. Please come in.
Yes.
Chiharu-san!
Are you going to marry Takahara-san and retire at last?
Ah, Mariko-chan, um... I have customers.
Huh?
I'm sorry.
Not at all.
Have a seat.
I can make reservations for you here and here.
Yes.
Senpai, what do you think?
Eh? Ah.
That's right.
Ah. It's from the Paris office.
Could you wait just a moment?
Yes.
Bonjour...
Ah...
...did you do a painting?
Yes.
Then you have at last.
Yes.
Congratulations.
Ah.
To celebrate your fresh start as a painter.
You, too, Chiharu-san.
Eh?
On getting married and retiring.
He's a wonderful boyfriend, isn't he?
Ah. No...
I'll just copy this.
Yes.
Ah, welcome back.
I've returned.
You saw Chiharu?
Yes.
I met Chiharu-san's boyfriend.
Boyfriend?
He's a wonderful person.
Those two really go well together.
"Japan's Largest Site for Those With Career Changes In Their 30's"
"Unemployment Office" "Unemployment - Re-employment Manual"
"New Paris, Old Paris The Enchanting Paris"
"Ground Cover Plants"
"Yes. This is Tanigawa."
"I can't come to the phone right now."
"Please leave your name and message after the beep."
"I will return your call at a later time."
Would you like me to refresh your water?
If you would please.
Um... Would you like another water?
I've had enough, thanks.
Yes. I see.
- Can I have the check, please? - Yes.
"Tanaka Chiharu"
"Licenses, Qualifications"
Qualifications...
I'm home.
- Welcome back. - I'm back.
Sorry I'm so late.
Did you eat dinner?
Ah, I ate.
I see. That's good.
Ah, poinsettias.
Yeah. They just arrived today.
Ehh... It's unusual to see a bouquet made from poinsettias.
Is it a present for someone?
A "present"?
A Professor from Mai-chan's University...
...has asked me to design the garden for his parent's home.
You could call that my thanks. Well, since they're in season.
Hmm...
Have you started doing garden designs again?
Well... this is just a little one.
I don't know if it's a job I could make ends meet off of though.
If you were going to give this poinsettia to that person, why is it here?
Ah. I didn't meet him.
Ala. Did some urgent business come up?
I think so.
I haven't heard from him, so I'm not sure.
Eh?
Could it be you were waiting all this time for him?
Yeah. Well.
I did think there must have been some circumstances.
This is rare.
For someone who's so clear, it's refreshing for Haruko-san to have something like this on her mind.
Really?
Could it be that...
...perhaps this garden could become Haruko-san's garden before long?
No way. What are you saying?
I'm joking. Oh my.
Rather than that...
...how about you, Chiharu?
Ah. About Takahara-san?
About Kudo-kun.
He made a painting, didn't he?
Yes.
Are you really okay with how things are?
It's okay.
It's his dream to go to Paris.
You love him, don't you? Kudo-kun, that is.
I've stopped that already.
You've stopped it?
Yeah. Junpei-kun... He came into my store today to make reservations for going to Paris.
Along with Mizuki-san.
Him and Mizuki-san?
The two of them are going to Paris.
So there's nothing more I can do about it.
I really can't do anything.
I guess there's nothing I can do at all.
Even if Haruko-san does change jobs...
...your goal of being in garden design goes unchanged, doesn't it?
I love it, so I have no reason to change.
I'm so hopeless. When the time comes, I have nothing.
What are you saying?!
After all...
...you're going to stand on your own before long and leave this house to become independent, right?
- "Become independent"? - Yes.
You've set up a project at work and you're facing forwards, aren't you?
At work, too, huh?
Huh? Something happen?
No. Nothing.
That's true.
I have to shape up already and stand on my own. Yeah.
Okay.
- Good night. - Yeah. Good night.
Stand on my own, huh...
"Hello Work, Yokohamahigashi Yokohamahigashi Community Placement Office"
"Lecture Canceled In Charge: Professor Tanigawa Shuji Lecture: Contemporary Sociology"
He canceled.
- Seriously?! - Seriously?! All right!
Yes!
It's rare for Professor Tanigawa to cancel a lecture.
Right. Isn't this the first time?
That's true.
Since we have free time until this afternoon, we'll head over to our club.
- Yeah. - See you later.
Mai. Let's go.
Ah, sorry.
Say, Mai.
Are you going to confess to him?
Yeah...
Eh? To who?
To Yamada-kun.
Why would I do such a thing?
Because you like him, don't you?
I can tell just by looking.
Well. Wait. That's not true. What are you saying?
Then, have you tried asking your heart?
Asking it what?
"Who is the most important person to me?"
I've returned.
- Ala? Mai-chan. - Thanks for your hard work.
Ah, Junpei-san just finished having lunch.
I see.
Ala? Weren't you supposed to be in by this afternoon today?
That's because Professor Tanigawa's lecture was canceled.
Canceled?
He hasn't done that up until now. Suddenly canceling like that.
- Um... - Huh?
Manager, who is the most important person to you?
Eh?
I wonder what sort of person...
...a most important person could be?
Excuse me.
- Welcome. - Welcome.
I'd like to request a bouquet.
Yes.
What type would you like?
Something pretty for a friend who's having their birthday...
"Yes. This is Tanigawa."
"I can't come to the phone right now."
"Please leave your name and message..."
Tanaka Chiharu-san. You're 35 years old, aren't you?
Yes.
Having a job offer come in right now from a travel agency company...
...would be a little unlikely for someone like you, to be frank.
But nothing has been said about there being an age limit.
Those are the country's regulations.
They can't openly write, "35 years-old or younger preferred," the way they used to...
...but in fact during job interviews...
...the reality is that they show a preference towards younger people.
Do you have any qualifications?
Qualifications...
Even when a company does agree to hire someone who is 35 or older...
...because they won't qualify for the same salaries that the younger staff receives...
...they do hope for someone who has suitable skills.
So if you have some qualifications...
I don't have any.
I see.
Um...
I was always on that side of the desk while giving the customers advice.
Some of the customers could be quite embarrassed.
Ah...
I never once thought I would find myself...
...on this side of the desk.
Ah, Manager. Professor Tanigawa was on the phone just now.
I see.
It was for a delivery of flowers.
- A delivery? - Yes.
He wants the flowers to be delivered to this address.
"Professor Tanigawa Poinsettia Flower Pots x 16 Wishes it to be delivered today"
He's asking for nothing but poinsettias.
Professor... He canceled his lecture to take the day off.
I guess it was to make preparations for a Christmas party, wasn't it?
"Tanigawa"
"Mourning"
"In mourning"
Kirishima-san.
- Thank you. - Ah. Here you go.
I'm sorry about yesterday.
Don't be.
Truth is, my Mother died yesterday.
I intended to contact you, but then it became late.
I'm very sorry.
No. Don't be in the least.
Um...
I feel your grief.
Since I wasn't able to do anything filial for her...
...I thought at least I should have her farewell from this house.
I see.
I thought I would decorate the altar with these.
With poinsettias?
I know having red poinsettia flowers at a funeral is somewhat outside of common sense...
...but it was in her Will.
Her Will?
She wanted to be seen off with poinsettia flowers.
They were the flowers my Father gave her when he proposed to her.
For the proposal.
I was surprised.
From the time I was a child...
...my parents were always quarreling with one another.
Do you know what poinsettias are in flower language?
No.
Let's see...
Since they were used for a proposal...
Perhaps "For your happiness"?
Good try.
"Praying for your happiness."
Praying for your happiness.
Yes.
It may be that...
...what is called marriage is just that sort of thing.
That two people who had been strangers until that day...
...promise to live together and then...
...after half a century has gone by...
...if either of them disappears first...
...the one left behind leaves this world before long, too.
Yes.
Until the time of their deaths...
...they pray for the happiness of the person most important to them who is left behind.
Praying for the happiness of the person most important to them...
...until the end.
Well, I wasn't able to do that, though.
To be...
...silently married to one another all your life...
...might be the best way.
That's right. It's true.
Please take one.
Thank you very much.
"Hall Staff Wanted!"
"Women under the age of 35"
Then, excuse me. I'll be leaving first.
- Thanks for your hard work. - You worked hard.
"Poinsettia Flower Language "Praying for your happiness"
"To Kudo - I want to see what kind of flowers bloom from these."
"In Flower Language, Novarra are "Rising From the Pain" - Tanaka Chiharu"
I've returned.
Welcome back.
I'm quite late, aren't I? I'm sorry. You can leave the cleaning up to me.
Not at all.
Um, Manager.
What's the matter? You're so formal.
I'm sorry. Though I'm just a part-time worker here.
Ah.
You've decided you won't be coming here forever, right?
When do you go to Paris?
The week after next.
Then... Since you'll have all sorts of things to prepare for...
...shall we have some drinks next week?
Sorry for making such a fuss. In the end, it got close, just like that.
No. This was a huge decision for you.
That takes time.
Though it was for a short period, I was under your care.
And I was under yours. Thank you very much.
Kudo-kun...
...you'll be going with Mizuki-san to Paris, right?
Ah, yes.
She...
Kono, that is...
...when I had become useless at painting...
...she believed in me...
...and encouraged me the entire time.
That's why...
...I thought I should live up to...
...her expectations.
I'll just go put this out.
Thank you.
This is...
"They have rather cute white flowers, don't they?"
"Yeah. They're small, but they bloom in profusion and are very pretty."
"I'd like to see Novarra flowers, too."
Are you about ready to go?
Yeah.
That painting.
I was thinking it's about time for me to put my signature to it.
Your signature...
Your goodbye to it?
That's true.
I think it's the best way.
You've finished your painting, haven't you?
Kono.
I've been looking for you.
Senpai, you haven't been answering your cell phone at all.
Ah, sorry.
I didn't even notice.
I thought you might have come here to paint.
Senpai. You've always liked it here, haven't you?
Yeah.
Would you show it to me?
Do you...
...still have your promise to show it to someone else first?
No.
I've already...
I've said my goodbyes to this.
Somehow, I've gotten really hungry.
Shall we get something delicious to eat on our way back?
Yeah.
I'm home.
Ah, welcome back.
Kudo-kun will be having drinks with us next week for quitting his part-time job.
Ah. Is that right.
He said he'll be leaving the week after next for Paris.
Ehh...
That's soon, isn't it?
Yeah.
Say, Chiharu?
What is it?
Is it okay to part like this?
Eh?
Without telling Kudo-kun what your feelings are.
I told you it was okay. It really is, geez.
Because I wish for Junpei-kun and Mizuki-san to be happy.
Ahh...
Maybe I should get married and retire.
- Marry and retire? - Yeah.
Going out with Takahara-san...
...and then getting married and retiring would be a dream.
Yeah. That wouldn't be bad, now would it?
I've always wanted to get married.
And Takahara-san...
...is a good man.
Since we both have the same tastes and objectives...
...if I could marry him, that would be best...
Chiharu.
Should you marry a person you don't love?
Shouldn't you get married in order to make everyone happy?
The person you feel is most important to you...
...is Kudo-kun, isn't it?
However important I feel he is to me...
...I'm just no good for him.
I just can't...
...make Junpei-kun happy.
You don't know that, now do you?
I do know.
By going with Mizuki-san to Paris, he will be happy.
Junpei-kun and I...
...are already walking along different paths.
So, even if I did tell him how I felt, it's too late.
But it's those feelings that are the most important...
I can't live just on those feelings!
Please... Please just leave me alone already.
Because this is best for everyone.
Aren't you just trying to convince yourself by saying that?
In that case, I think you're wrong!
How would you know if it's wrong?
Isn't it you...
...who's being stubborn by trying to force this on me?
Truth is, aren't you the one who's regretting it, Haruko-san?
That it would have been better if you had gone with that boss of yours.
Pretending to be strong just because you're unmarried...
You aren't being honest, Haruko-san!
This is my way of life.
It is the choice...
...that I properly decided upon for myself.
I'm different from someone like you...
...who always keeps someone close by so you can go over and lean on them.
Is there something wrong with living by leaning on someone?
Can't I believe that he could become my most important person to me?
What will you do when it just becomes the most convenient thing for you?
Aren't you just going to lean on that person this time?
Why can't you just walk along your own path?
Being babied by someone forever...
...and being influenced by people's words.
When I...
...first accepted you, Chiharu...
...it was because...
...you were struggling to try and find your own path.
Even if you were somewhat impudent...
...and a bit of a bother...
...you were trying with all your might to move forward.
And yet, what are you now, Chiharu!?
Suppressing your own feelings...
...and pretending to be satisfied with that.
Even so, you become defiant and say...
...you should be permitted to make a life where you lean on someone.
I couldn't forgive...
...a freeloader like Chiharu who'd do such a thing.
If...
...you want to...
...go with this feeling of being babied forever, then...
I should "get out"?
Haruko-san...
...you're always correct...
...aren't you?
But...
...always being correct isn't necessarily everything.
Because I cannot become strong like you are.
I was under your care.
Where can I go?
Yes?
"Praying for your happiness," huh?
I'll take you to the station.
Yeah.
I don't want to go home.
Senpai.
You really want to be with me, right?
Yeah.
I'm uneasy.
Senpai, you're kind.
It's because you're far too kind.
That's why...
Tanaka-san.
Takahara-san.
Thank goodness.
Since I couldn't reach you by cell phone all this time, I got worried.
Ah, I turned it off when I was at Hello Work.
I'm sorry.
No. Since nothing's wrong, that's fine.
What's the matter?
No. It's nothing.
But...
No, it's true. There's nothing.
It's what I said the other day, isn't it?
When I said if you ever felt like giving up...
...you can take my help at any time.
I'm just hopeless.
I'm just so hopeless.
I will be the place where you belong.
"At Long Last To the Story's Climax!"
"Next Episode Preview"
"This Drama is Fictional"