Balloon Club: Afterwards
September 12th, 2001
Can I do it now?
Yeah, yeah, yeah...
Hello?
Hello! Nishimura?
- Yeah. -What are you up to?
Making lunch.
Wow! What is it today?
Curry!
Curryyy? Your curry is so delicious!
Sure is!
- Want some? - Yeah!
Then come by and eat!
Now doesn't work!
What, a guy?
More or less.
So you're calling to line up your next play time?
Who is it?
Hiroshi.
- Oh, Nishimura? - Yeah.
Party hard?
Sure did.
What are you up to today?
- You well? - Yeah.
Is this girl chasing after you again?
No, you goof.
Then why are you calling Nishimura?
I can do what I want, right?
Oh, my phone.
Later!
- Hello. - Hi, again!
Hey, Murakami got into an accident.
Murakami?
Murakami of the Balloon Club.
- In a bit, I guess! - For real?
Yeah.
When was this?
Yesterday.
What?
- How well do you know him? - About what?
Uh, we weren't really that close.
I don't know much about him.
Me, neither.
You ran into him 3 years ago
at a concert in Shinjuku, yeah?
Yeah, I did.
That was the last time?
Probably.
On another note, where are you?
I hear Midori, so at her place?
You're with her, right?
- Crap, I have no reception. Can't hear you. - Can you hear me?
I can't hear you! What did you say?
Still can't!
- Oh, we're good. - You know Mitsuko, right?
She was Murakami's girlfriend, right?
I think so.
Do you know how to get a hold of her?
I do.
I knew it. You were fooling around with her.
The hell?
That reaction is suspicious!
Hardly, you idiot! Don't be dumb!
Whatever, man. Just let her know about Murakami.
She needs to know.
- Got it. - It's on you, now.
Sure.
How many guys are you hoarding?
Way too many, for sure!
You're my Saturday guy!
What?
The most fun guy!
I'm not happy to hear that.
Heyyy!
Can I see you tonight?
Tonight?
Is Jirou coming, too?
Jirou will get drunk somewhere else!
You're an evil girl.
That's me in a nutshell!
- Murakami-san had an accident. - Huh?
- Murakami-san. - I don't know him.
- Hey! - Murakami-san had an accident.
For real?
Were you close with him?
Not that close.
Do you remember his girlfriend's name?
That girl... who was she?
Mitsuko-san.
Right! Mitsuko-san!
Do you know how to get a hold of her?
No idea.
I see...
Well, if you knew, I'd have asked you to let Mitsuko-san know...
How bad was the accident?
I'm not too sure.
- Who told you about it? - Masayuki.
- Masayuki, huh... - Hold o--
- Yeah. - Was he close with Murakami-san?
- Masayuki? - Yeah.
I don't think he was all that close...
So Masayuki doesn't know how bad it was, either.
Yeah, that's why I don't know.
Anyway, I'll tell Mitsuko-san if I find a way to contact her.
Alright, got it.
- But you should try, too. - Sure.
We don't really have anything to do with Murakami-san, though.
Yeah, we don't.
Hearing he got into an accident is still a shock, though.
But we never see him.
- Yeah. - Yeah.
Wait, didn't a lot go on between you and Mitsuko-san?
- Don't say that! - I heard that! You've got stuff going on with Mitsuko-san?
Nothing, really!
- You're not lying? - It's true!
- It's not how it sounds? - Something up? - Not at all! - Hm? No, it's nothing.
Oh, do you know Mitsuko-san's number?
I do.
Then give her a call!
Why?
Tell her he had an accident!
She probably already knows. She was his girlfriend.
But... they dated quite a long time.
Girls don't care about their past boyfriends. They wash their hands of it all.
- Oh? - Yup.
Maybe we don't need to call her.
Of course not!
Don't worry about it!
Girls don't care about the past.
- Okay.
So she says.
Roger.
- Talk to you later. - Sure.
- Bye. - Bye.
This takes me back.
-- you were watching the sun set.
And I could see the signs of our end
all over your face as I watched you by your side.
I wonder if he died?
No idea.
You didn't know him at all?
Nope.
But about 5 years ago, you...
What? I don't know him!
No, you were there! Back during the hot pot party, you were there!
Was I?
You were!
- Was I...? - You were.
I introduced you to Murakami-san, too.
Mitsuko-san was there, as well.
They were dating at that point.
"They"?
Oh, I remember now!
Natsuko!
Natsuki was with Masayuki. - Forget those two. This is about Murakami-san and Mitsuko-san.
Was Natsuko there then?
Are you okay?
Do you have Alzheimer's?
-No way. - Alzheimer's.
- But I'm the one who introduced you! - Hello!
- Hey, how are you? - Forgetting that is odd!
It's been a while!
Listen, I know this is sudden...
Do you remember Mitsuko-san?
Oozawa Mitsuko.
The one who dated Murakami-san.
Yeah, I know her.
You do? How about a phone number?
- Is this about the accident? - You already know?
Yeah. Everyone is trying to get a hold of her.
- Who is "everyone"? - All the guys.
She is a beauty, after all.
Does that matter at all here?
No, not really.
Anyway, let me know if you can contact her.
I've been asked to.
Sure, I'll tell if you I find out.
Okay.
Also,
if you happen to have time,
wanna go out?
Yeah, sure.
- Really? - I'll call you some time.
Understood!
- Also... - Hm?
I'm with Mitsuru and Yuuki
making takoyaki!
Yuuki and Mitsuru?!
Those are some old names!
Who are you talking to?
Midori.
Midori?!
Hello?
Can you hear it?
- What is that? - That girl at one of our events
we all sang with her!
Oh, that did happen!
Anyway, let's end it on that note.
Sure. Talk to you later.
Yeah, let's! See you!
Bye bye.
Telephone.
Your phone!
- Your phone! - Coming!
- Hello? - Oh, hello!
She says she doesn't know.
Oh.
What, still worried?
Well...
She went home after the break-up, right?
I heard the same thing.
- Then you don't need to worry too much. - Yeah.
I get it.
Good.
I'll call again.
- Okay, got it. - Later.
Later.
Mitsuko-san must not have any idea about it...
We tried.
(Balloon Terminology)
[Balloon Car] = the car that follows a flying balloon, typically the Toyota HiAce.
Where is Murakami-san?
We don't see you, Murakami-san!
Come closer to us!
There he is!
- Where?! Where?! - Over there!
I can see him!
Does anyone have a light?
Murakami-san, wave your hand at us!
He did it!
Do it again! Do it one more time!
Are you okay?
- And there was... - Hm?
12:30 P.M.
another person on the bike with Murakami-san?
Who?
Probably his current girlfriend.
Hello?
Just a moment ago...
What happened?
Just moments ago...
Murakami-san...
passed on.
He hung up.
Call him back.
- Quickly. Call him back. - Okay.
Hello?
Are you okay?
You're at the hospital, right?
I'll be right there!
I'm hanging up.
Hey!
Let's go.
- Yeah? - Where are you right now?!
Outside.
Who did you call?
Nakano Aiko.
- Just Aiko? - Yeah.
Got it. Be right there.
Hello?
Hello.
- He died. - What?
He died.
I didn't make it?
No.
He's dead?
Yeah.
Wait a minute...
When?
Now. Literally just now.
No way...
The triage nurse was saying that surgery looked like it might go well.
- I'm on my way there. - Okay.
Hold on! Don't hang up yet!
What is it?
What I want to say is...
he had a great life!
Greater than yours or mine. His was something!
I really want you to know that.
We are...
What? What?!
We are...
We...
"We" what?!
We are...
Nevermind.
What were you going to say?
I'm on my way!
I'll be right there!
Are you okay?
I'm on my way.
Got it.
Yeah?
- Hello? - Hey.
Can I come by now?
- Where's Jirou? - Already gone home!
Are you dating him?
More casual.
Will you ever settle down?
Don't worry about me! Can I come by?
- Okay. I'll be waiting. - Okay!
Is the curry good?
I think it's quite good.
Really? Okay, good to know!
See you!
Where's everyone else?
One day, 5 years ago, in Watarase.
Okay, everyone, let's get the balloon out!
Now let's spread it open!
Here we go!
No problem? Looking good?
All good! No problems!
- All good? - Yeah.
Everyone, do you want to ride the balloon?!
Up I go!
Heyyy!
Do you want to soar through the sky?!
- Bye bye! - Murakami!
It's really nice up here!
That sure is something!
Sure is!
Time for us to go grab some ice cold beers.
Let's cool off with some beer!
I don't drink, though.
- At all? - Nope.
So go on ahead. Get me some juice.
- Sure. - Thanks.
Okay, off we go! Be careful ahead!
Hello. Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you, too.
I'm Kita Jirou.
Kita Jirou-kun?
Yeah, that's right. Jirou.
May I sit?
Sure, go ahead.
Everyone has left, so...
will he be okay?
Yeah.
He will come right back here.
He's coming back?
Balloons are amazing.
They sure are.
Do you ride them often?
You've never done it?
- Nope. - You just wait for him?
Seriously?
It looks like it'd be a great time.
- Do you want to ride one? - I do!
High into the sky?
For sure!
I bet it feels great up there.
(Balloon Terminology)
[hebiru] = to clean up
Alright, let's pack it up!
Pack it all up!
We need to get the air out, so start on this side!
How's it coming?
Open it up!
Last step! Last step!
I never went to Watarase again after that.
I grew more distant from the balloon club,
and I heard the club was disbanded at some point.
Hello. I am currently unable to answer the phone.
Please leave a message.
It's great!
Right?
Hello. I am currently unable to answer the phone.
Please leave a message.
Uh, it's Kita Jirou.
Um...
Please contact me A.S.A.P.
Hello. I am currently unable to answer the phone.
Please leave a message.
Uh, it's Kita.
Uh...
I've heard Murakami got into an accident.
Um...
So I'd like you to call me as soon as you can.
Please.
I remembered something from 5 years ago.
The balloon club's very first drinking party.
Why was I fated
to have love taken so far from me?
Hold up, hold up... why are you singing that song?
I have a broken heart! Okay?!
I'm comforting myself!
The world will stay dark--
Time for the flute!
While seated at the window,
you were watching the sun set.
And I could see the signs of our end
all over your face as I watched you by your side.
The words shared between us showed no care
and the days merely passed us by.
It wouldn't take long at all
for twilight to shift to darkness.
Why was I fated to have love taken so far from me?
The world will stay dark
even if I were to die right this moment.
Everyone! At this point, we should introduce some newcomers!
Stand up! Introduce yourselves!
I am, uh, Kita Jirou.
I want to go to Watarase and fly in a balloon!
I'm Nishimura Hiroshi!
I came here thinking I may be able to meet some new people.
I'm Sachiko! Nice to meet you.
I'm Michiru!
- I'm Tomorou. - I'm Akibashi!
I actually...
I'm Yuuichi!
Tomorou's senpai!
And I'm your singer, Shunko!
didn't really care
I'm not really a member, but we're an item.
about balloons at all.
I'm Arakawa Takeshi! Nice to meet you!
- I'm Kimura. - I'm Hiroki!
- I'm Toshiya! - And I'm Natsuko! - She's Nacchan!
Balloons were completely irrelevant to me.
And who might this girl be?
I might have to smooth talk you!
What's your name?
Midori!
I want to be the star of the show!
Okay, okay! Are you all listening?!
I'm Murakami, the president of this here balloon club!
Do you all want to fly way up in the sky in a balloon?
Will it change our shitty lives?!
Cheers!
Another, another!
Nice! That's wonderful.
- Murakami-san. - Yeah?
Is it fun to ride in a balloon?
It's great!
What's fun about it?
It's... you know...
something about it...
it's just fun!
Putting it in words is hard, but when you're up there...
I want to ride with you!
It's a group thing!
Are you okay?
Do you believe...
in the balloon man?
[a reference to Suzuki Yoshikazu - disappeared trying to fly across the Pacific tied to balloons]
What I mean is...
doesn't Murakami-kun seem like the balloon man?
Does he?
A balloon club is... just...
Will you come back inside?
I'm good right here.
Got it.
Balloon Club jargon. A location, inside a large balloon, for club events.
[Balloon Bar]
Why was I fated
to have love taken so far from me?
The world will stay dark
even if I were to die right this moment.
What do you think about our "Balloon Bar"?!
Let's all soar into the sky together!
Fueled by a little bit of guilt, I dropped by again the next day.
Oh, hello.
Oh, good afternoon, Jirou-san.
Good afternoon.
Uh, your sign fell down.
No problem. It happens all the time.
Oh.
Murakami-kun is in his study.
Thanks.
Excuse me. Coming in.
Go ahead.
Murakami-san!
Hello!
I'm coming in.
What's all this?
Shaped balloons.
Yes?
Out there in the world,
there are many balloons flying around with special designs.
They are called shaped balloons.
- This right here... - Yeah?
was made by Forbes in the shape of Kinkakuji.
[Malcolm Forbes: founder of Forbes magazine] [Kinkakuji: famous temple in Kyoto]
Wow!
But I'm trying to come up with the most beautiful of them all.
It's called Giant's Ward.
It'll be about as tall as Tokyo Tower!
- That's huge! - Very!
This one will run through the sky above Mount Fuji!
- That's great! Really great! - Right?!
We have that one balloon, the yellow one, that we call Balloon Bar, yeah?
- Yeah. - I want to make that into one of this giant's eyes!
- That will be the eye? - Isn't that awesome?!
That's great!
I think it's a good idea.
Head downstairs for now for some coffee! I'll come down soon!
Oh, okay.
Excuse me.
It can even have a mole!
That...
yellow balloon.
He said it'll be the giant's eye, right?
Can he really make it that big?
Do you want him to?
Do you want to see a balloon that stupidly huge?
I do!
You know, I...
I just want to put all kinds of holes in them.
But these balloons are... how can I put it?
They're carrying people's dreams.
Does it hurt?
Things are more romantic down here.
Yeah?
Did I forget an earring there?
I'll look later.
Check now.
So? Do you see it?
Hello?
I'll have a look.
Put it somewhere safe.
- Bye. - Sure.
Hello. I am currently unable to answer the phone.
Please leave a message.
Don't move!
- Why not? - I'll make noises.
At times like this, it's always Midori.
Hello?
Yeah?
Did you find the earring?
I'll look around.
Okay. Also, about Mitsuko-san...
No!
Hello?
Hello! I let Mitsuko-san know about it.
I told her.
You told her... what?
I told her about the accident.
You got through to her?
Yeah.
You did?!
I did! Why?
Then... she knows?
Yeah. I also told her that everyone has been looking for her.
Oh.
Yep.
So... find the earring, okay?
Okay.
Hey.
Hey, did you hear?
What?
Murakami-san died.
So, did you get a hold of Mitsuko-san?
...died?
Yeah, he's gone.
D...
He's dead?
Yeah.
He's... dead.
You're that surprised?
Maybe a little.
Even you get surprised by that...
Anyway, did you get through to Mitsuko-san?
Seems like it.
What does that mean?
Midori says she did.
Oh, did she?
Well, what should we do? We were members, after all.
But we weren't really in contact with him or anything...
But his vigil will be tomorrow.
Anyway, let everyone know that Mitsuko-san is aware.
- Okay? - Sure.
Also, we might all get together tonight.
We will?
By the way,
do you remember?
Remember what?
We fell asleep again that day, right?
Hey!
Hey.
There's something nice to see over there. - What?
Are you retarded?
I had a wet dream that day.
It wasn't about Mitsuko-san's panties or her thighs... but the thought of a balloon high up in the sky.
That memory came back to me...
Isn't that weird?
A balloon flying in the sky isn't sexy at all.
Was it not sexy?
What, exactly?
That, uh...
balloon in the sky.
Why would it be?
- I'm not sure, but... - But what?
Yeah, I'm not sure, but...
But, dude, it's a balloon.
Balloons are...
round...
and shapely, so that's why...
they can fly through the sky.
What's up with you?
- Nothing. It's nothing. - Huh?
It's nothing?
Is his death a big shock?
No, it's not much of one at all.
What are you laughing for?
Nothing. I'll call you later.
Okay.
Hello?
Hey.
Hey, what's up?
We got a hold of Mitsuko-san.
Oh, really? Good to hear!
I'll let Aiko know.
Cool, later.
Bye.
Hello?
- Aiko? - Yeah.
We got Mitsuko-san's number.
Oh, really? Thank goodness.
- Yeah. - Also, Takeshi called a while ago asking if we should all get together.
In memory of Murakami-san.
Will you come?
That's... iffy.
Why?
Because... I don't really know the others.
That's not the point here.
Tell people about it.
- Riiight. - Got it?
- Do it. - Okay.
- Bye. - Later.
Everyone's pretty cold.
5 years would do that to us.
Would it?
Well, it's 5 years.
But there's a flower that takes 5 years to bloom... which was it?
- That desert flower-- - 5 years is a long time for us humans.
Hey, stop the car.
Okay.
Hey.
Kiss me.
What about our 5 years?
They were a good 5 years, I think.
Is this the only connection we had with everyone?
Here.
Take it.
I'll leave it with you.
Today, if I run away from everybody...
toss the phone away.
Okay.
Got it.
Tomorrow is garbage day...
- It's your turn. - I know.
I'll come back.
Okay.
Anyway...
Let's go see everyone one more time.
- Yeah? - Tonight, the ballon club
is getting together to remember Murakami-san.
- You're going? - No way!
- Maybe I'll pass, too. - Right?
We're not even that... you know.
Yeah.
Pass it on to Hiroshi, though.
I know what he'll say, though.
- Do it anyway. - Right.
Thanks.
Got it.
Hey, Hiroshi?
Hm? What is it?
Hello!
Uh, hello... Midori?
It's me.
3:43 P.M.
Heyyy, been a while!
Oh, this voice...
Aiko is here, too!
Shunko? It's me!
What's with you?
Why are you so emotional?
Because...
I was around so much I should get an award for my attendance, you know.
You were only there for drinking parties.
Don't giggle at me.
Yeah, you're right.
Hand it to me.
Tomotou wants to talk.
Tomorou?
Uh, hello?
Hey, been a while!
Sure has.
- Yeah, it really has. - Do you have my n--
Th-th-that's enough. Let me talk.
I'd rather not be working late right now.
I want to head over there right now,
but I'll do so as soon as I'm off.
- Right. - Is everyone going?
She's asking if everyone's going.
We are, we are! Everyone is!
There you go.
You say everyone, but who is "everyone"?
A lot of the time when I was there by myself,
someone would drop by and say:
"Huh? Nobody's even here yet."
But I was there!
Who exactly is "nobody"?
Hello?
Sachiko?
Good to hear from you! How are you?
- I'm good. - Good, huh?
I'm pretty excited for later, now!
You went up a lot, yeah?
You went up into the sky a lot, yeah?
I was always off buying beer while you or Murakami-san were up there.
Just looking up at the sky got boring pretty quick.
It's the same thing as going to sakura viewings.
People drink and end up not watching the sakura fall.
That's because...
there are too many things falling at once.
[a pun on literal and deep meaning - falling things vs. lost things]
Hey.
Do something about this guy!
Don't put it like that!
Do something!
- Hey! Tomorou! - I know, I know...
Have a beer!
Do that somewhere people can't see you!
I threw up so much I think I need to go to the hospital!
There will be plenty to replace all of that with later.
Welcome back. That's a lot of beer!
Takeshi, there's more beer!
Watch out there. It's... dirty.
You've already drunk too much!
Hold on.
That's enough, man.
Hold on, hold on, hold on.
- Ladies and gentlemen! - What are you doing?
Boys and girls!
Shall we go
to the balloon club
one last time?!
Let's go!
- Are you going?! - I'm going!
Shall we
soar into this sky one last time?!
We're going up!
You're too quiet!
We're going up!
You're too quiet!
It's been 5 years since we all met.
Even those without any contact
I'm here!
showed their faces
Oh, Aiko!
You good?
As expected.
for once in a long time.
7:31 P.M.
It's pitch black.
Is there power?
Oh... does anyone know where the uh...
the switch... Yeah, the breaker. - The breaker?
- Oh, I know where it is. - Thanks.
It should be...
It's so dark in here.
Sorry.
It's been 5 years since we all met.
I got them!
Good work!
Welcome back!
It had been a while,
but I showed up.
Jirou! Jirou! Jirou!
Oh, by the way! Hey!
Do we still have Balloon Bar?
- Somewhere! - It must be somewhere.
- Hold on... it's useless by now. - It's totally here!
- Can it even rot? - Don't say that it's useless!
It might still be here, so let's have a look around!
- But it's been like 5 years. - We should still check!
Okay, let's go look!
Wait for me!
This was supposed to be the giant's eye.
A balloon...
It's still floating.
It's lasted a long time.
Okay... everyone.
"Pretty much" everyone.
Everyone here
who could only fly 5cm
and then meet the ground again.
Will now be "everyone".
On this day,
this balloon club of ours
will formally disband!
Thus,
we will return this balloon
this poorly maintained balloon...
Let us all go put this balloon to rest!
Let's go put this to rest!
Let's go!
- Okay. - Okay.
Louder!
Okay!
Louder!
Okay!
6:15 A.M.
How are you this morning, balloon club?!
The fan! Get the fan!
Okay, spread it out some more!
Open up that end a bit more!
Excuse me!
Hey.
I'm coming in!
Wow, there are so many balloons!
What are you drawing?
- This?
This... is a giant.
Wow!
A giant, huh? That's awesome.
This will be a balloon, and fly through the sky.
Just like that!
What do you think?
About topics like this.
It's coming along quickly! - Very good, very good!
We're not quite ready yet.
Life without dreams is shit!
Those who can't let go of those shitty lives are even shittier!
Being able
to hold onto our dreams and fly into the sky
is proof that we are alive!
Go Balloon Club!
Life without dreams
is shit.
Those who can't let go of those shitty lives are even shittier.
Being able
to hold onto our dreams
fly into the sky
is proof that we are alive.
Hey, what's up?
Sorry, sorry!
Can you see?
Anyway, why did Murakami-san have to die on a motorbike?
A motorbike! He should have died on a balloon!
He really shouldn't have gone that way!
Mitsuko-san didn't even come, hey?
- She didn't... - I wonder if they were still dating when he gave up balloons.
If you take balloons out of Murakami-san, what's left?
I just remembered.
-What? - Remembered what?
Can I even say this?
- Just say it! - Say it!
Okay, okay, okay... I get it.
Listen.
Murakami-san...
took Mitsuko-san up in a balloon one time.
Just the two of them?
So I've heard.
Is that a true story?
What's wrong with you?
Being up here...
a cell phone can't ring.
Nobody can get in the way.
Yeah, that's true.
I...
would like you to marry me.
I'm very...
I'm very happy, but...
Well, I do think receiving a ring up here in the sky is
very romantic of you.
But...
Murakami-kun.
I'd like you to present this to me on the ground.
If someone calls me when you do, I'll make sure to ignore it.
Present it to me on the ground.
It's nice up here!
Sure is!
Perfect weather, isn't it?
It's quite perfect!
I love it.
That's a lie.
Murakami-san said to Mitsuko-san:
"Let's get married!"
That definitely never happened!
- I just don't see it! - I only heard that it happened.
- From who? - Who told you?
From... I heard it from Mitsuko-san.
- Mitsuko-san?! - Should you have told us this? - That's why I wasn't sure if I should!
But... maybe with all of his balloons, and his focus on balloons...
she just got tired of him?
That would happen.
It would...
That might be a pain.
Okay then!
- What?! - Okay, guys! - What is it? - Jirou?
- What is it, Jirou? - You feeling alright?
What is it?
Shall we go to Watarase?
Takeshi, you're too loud!
Damn, we're so high!
Okay, everybody!
Everyone, please, listen up!
What do you want?
I am very sorry to interrupt at the height of celebration, but...
This club of ours will soon be officially disbanded.
All of you, our long-time members, thank you for being a part of this for so long!
And the two people who were only with us for one month:
Jirou and Hiroshi!
Everyone!
We may never see each other again.
Therefore, we will now
delete the phone numbers and e-mail addresses of every other member from our phones!
Delete them!
This is a stepping stone into our futures!
Do you understand?!
So... let's get to it!
On that note, please delete
Kita Jirou's phone number and e-mail address!
Please delete Yuuichi's phone number and e-mail address!
Please delete everything you have for Natsuko.
Ready? Please delete all your memories of Midori!
Delete Sachiko, too!
Delete the baseball guy!
Please delete both Nakano Aiko and Nakazawa Shuu.
Where's Aiko?
She has already left.
- Okay. - Please do it!
Well then. Please delete everything for Hiroshi!
Delete Yuuki's as well.
Shunko. Everyone, delete Shunko.
Delete Mitsuru from your phones!
Please delete...
- Don't cry! - Stop crying!
Please delete Tomorou's phone number and e-mail address!
Delete Masayuki, too, please.
Please delete Arakawa Takeshi!
Okay!
All done!
Have you all deleted each other?!
Okay! Then we are now disbanded!
We will never contact each other again for the rest of time!
The balloon was meant to be burned,
but we will just abandon it here!
It is the representation
of our shitty dreams
that we've already left behind, after all.
That's that, everyone! Farewell!
Farewell!
Bye bye!
Farewell!
Why are you still here?
Because I'm tired.
I guess.
Oh.
Then sleep.
Sure.
Your curry...
is really good, hey?
Yep.
I want to eat myself to death with it.
Sure.
Is it...
too late for us?
Yeah.
Not that.
Right.
Hiroshi!
Hold up!
He--
Hey!
Man.
I remember now.
You sure like it, don't you?
The balloon.
I don't care for balloons.
I'm waiting for the day that
he looks at me here on the ground
rather than up in the sky.
This is Murakami. The wind is picking up.
Okay, got it.
We'll start heading west.
Can you see me from down there?
I can, I can!
Hey,
what about me?
Can you see me?
I can see your smiling face! I'll be coming down in 10 minutes!
Roger!
Understood!
That story was true.
A year has now passed since that day.
I've gotten better at living in the working world.
Yes!
Thank you for your business as usual! Yes, it's Kita.
Hello, this is Kita.
Yes.
Alright, got it.
Yes, thank you.
Hey, Mom?
Yeah. The baby is doing well.
He's growing well.
The name, huh... I haven't decided yet.
If you think of a good one, let me know.
A balloon!
Heyyyyy!!!
And just like that, our youth...
was brought to a close.
It's a bit of an afterthought, but if you put together all the pieces... the balloon club got its start this way.
Starting today, this will be the balloon club's base of operations!
What do you think?
It's great, isn't it?
My senpai is lending it to us for free.
The sign is on the ground.
That's what happens when you fight gravity.
We can just let it do its own thing until it floats.
Float?
Yeah.
Okay, let's head inside!
It won't float.
It wasn't locked.
It's wonderful.
Mitsuko-san.
Yes?
I actually...
have a letter I wrote you to tell you my feelings.
Please accept it.
Okay.
Here.
Well... let's just leave it there.
Read it once the balloon comes down.
A balloon like this should come down in 2 or 3 days.
Nahhh.
Even though it looks to be a pretty tiny balloon,
I bet it is full of surprises.
Do you not want me to read it?
I do want you to.
You seem to be good at leaving people hanging.
With your head in the sky.
["uwano sora" means to be inattentive, but is literally "the sky above"]
That's good!
Airheads!
"Airheads" is great!
That's sooo good!
Let's go with "Airheads" for the club's name!
Its name?
Shouldn't we think about the name a little bit mor--
I think it'll be pretty hard to find people as airheaded as you.
No.
There should be plenty out there.
Let's reach out to the whole country to find them!
We'll gather up a lot of people
and put together a huge balloon!
If this small balloon is just by us, it should fall quickly.
My dreams... don't fall.
I want to read this letter.
I want you to understand my feelings.
What are you up to?
This...
This... the balloon is a different color! It fell, right?
I just changed it to suit my mood.
That's against the rules!
Is it?
That's a lie.
It fell and you put it back up on a new one, right?
No, that's not it.
No, no, no.
No need to rush, Mitsuko-san!
My feelings won't change.
My love for balloons
or my feelings for you.
A giant balloon?
What is this?
I thought I'd write my thoughts like this and have them float with balloons.
Eventually the room will be filled with them!
What about that one?
That one.
That one is floating in the hallway.
Mitsuko-san, you were breaking the rules!
Right, Mitsuko-san!
They don't need to follow the rules!
I'll make a shaped balloon that breaks all the rules!
Thank you, Mitsuko-san!
Thank you, Mitsuko-san.
It's not there.
It's not there!
What isn't?
Hey, it's not there!
- What isn't? - That one!
- That one? - That one!
What's with you?
The balloon.
They're everywhere.
That balloon is not there!
It should be around.
Ar--
Around... ?
Around then, people started hanging out there.
Is there a person
who thinks this thing right here
will somehow just float all on its own
somewhere in this house?!
Float?
Is such a person here?!
This thing...
should
be right here
nailed
to the pole.
Floating defies the laws of gravity!
Don't you think he meant something else?
Yeah! That's just a sign, you know.
Oh.
I don't get what that was about!
"Oh."
Mitsuko-san!
A balloon...
It's still floating.
Within half a year, the balloon club was dissolved.
Midori and I were only around for a month.
Shortly before the club fell apart, Midori dropped by just one time.
According to her, it went something like this.
Excuse me!
Hey.
I'm coming in!
Wow, there's so many balloons!
What are you drawing?
- This? It's a giant. - Yeah.
A giant? Wow!
As a balloon, this will soar through the sky.
- Wow! It'll fly? It's so huge! - Also...
And if we don't shape this well, it won't have that futuristic appeal.
- Right here? - Yeah.
- Wow! - If we don't make it a bit thinner,
it might not be able to fly.
That sort of thing matters?
Yeah. When it starts to take off,
the air resistance would be slightly different around here
so we need to account for that.
Or it might not take off.
- Even the small details matter... - Yeah.
What do you think?
About topics like this.
This is...
Kita Jirou's girlfriend.
Kita Jirou's...?
- No, not quite. - ??
You're Jirou-kun's girlfriend?
No, I'm not!
I'm going to go roast some coffee!
Okay.
Good to meet you.
My name is Midori.
Midori-san.
That's right.
What do you think about him?
I think he's an interesting guy.
Then... what about all this?
This?
I think it seems like fun.
Are you okay?
Then...
perhaps...
only if you happen to notice.
Yes?
That.
Right there.
There.
You see the balloon?
Yeah.
Can I ask a favor?
It just...
it just won't come down.
It won't?
Is it important to you?
If...
it comes down from the ceiling
while I'm not around...
I'd like you to let me know right away.
Yeah...
There is a very important message
attached to it.
So that's why...
I've been waiting a long time for it.
But it just won't come down.
So...
Midori-san.
Yes.
Can I ask this of you?
Yeah.
Even if...
I'm somewhere...
very far away...
or just plain gone...
I'd like you to get a hold of me.
Please.
I understand.
Thank you.
Well then.
It's a promise?
It's a promise.
I read it.
And...
what was written in there
stays with me.
Subtitles by Euphoric Translations