After Daddy died, Kaoru and Tomoki were separated.
But Daddy's friend Marumo
said we could live with him.
Along with a dog called Mook.
That's so tacky~.
-Why? It's cute. -You're kidding me.
We made an Okite* Notebook (*rules/code)
so that the three of us can live together happily.
Kaoru and Tomoki are first graders now.
So this time the dog said "That's so tacky."
Yes. The dog said "That's so tacky."
And you're saying that the children even talked with him.
Yes. What does this mean?
Generally speaking,
I think you and the twins have the same symptoms.
What you have in common is
the fact that all of you just recently lost a loved one.
-So what should we do? -There are
several ways to treat auditory hallucination, but
in your case, the worst thing you can do
is to overreact.
Be careful not to overreact every time you have
an auditory hallucination, but don't ignore it either.
Just listen to the voice with a calm mind,
and try to appreciate the experience.
-I see. -If you relax and accept it,
it may go away naturally.
Got it. Relax, right? Relax.
Alright.
Before we being the class today, let's decide on the duties.
Have you all thought of which duty you might want?
Yes~.
I want health duty.
Me too. We get to take our classmates to the health room, right?
Yes. But you'd better think twice if you think
you can skip out on classes.
Listen. Duties aren't games.
I want you all to learn the importance
of doing your best through these duties.
And I want you to shine brilliantly.
-Brilliantly? -Yes.
That's my dream as a first time first grade teacher.
What a small dream.
My dream's to be an astronaut.
Mine is Precure*. (*anime series)
Okay, quiet now.
Anyway, our dream is not what matters now.
For the time being, let's decide on the duties.
Raise your hand for the duty you want.
If I get too many volunteers, we'll do rock paper scissors.
Okay, who wants the blackboard duty?
That's too bad.
Yeah. They're talking about suing us.
Good morning. What's wrong?
There's trouble in the PR department.
Takagi-kun,
I know it's sudden, but can you go to Tochigi tomorrow?
-Tochigi? -Our flyer
looks exactly like that of a stationery maker in Tochigi.
"Gentle to people, family budget , and earth"
The slogan's exactly the same.
-Seems ours came out later. -You mean we copied them?
Well, when we checked with the production company,
they said they knew nothing about it. They never saw this flyer either.
-Seriously? -Well,
I suppose there could be such a coincidence.
But even if we didn't know about it,
the other company's been using this slogan since
last year, and since ours is for a new product
I guess there's not much we can say if they accuse us of stealing their slogan.
-It's going to be nasty. -But why I am going?
Customer Service representatives are experts in dealing with claims.
I've been asked to send one representative.
You say expert, but
I haven't been here that long yet.
-It's more fitting that Mashima Senpai go. -Why should I go...
It sounds like Makimura-san's going from
the PR Department as the person in charge of the flyer.
What? Makimura-san's going?
-So will you go? -Yes. With pleasure.
Who wants the book duty?
Who wants the tidying up duty?
Who wants the distributing duty?
Kubodera-san it is. The last one is flower duty.
Onee-chan's so lucky to have the book duty.
I need one person for the last duty. Who wants the flower duty.
Me, me.
Huh?
It sounds like too much work.
That's a girl's job.
Don't say such a thing.
So Sasakura Tomoki-san will have the flower duty.
Thanks for raising your hand.
I'm happy that you did. Work hard to make a pretty flower will bloom.
Um...Yes.
I want some too.
Yeah, go , go. Put on lots.
Put on lots.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much. Crunchy.
-Marumo, you look happy. -Do I?
Oh, I have to go on a business trip tomorrow, okay?
-What's a business trip? -That means I'm not going to my usual office,
but to a different place.
I have a very important business tomorrow.
I might be a little late getting home, but
you two be good and stay home.
Okay.
I'll let Oji-san downstairs know too.
Have him feed you dinner for the time being.
And, you guys. About this guy, Mook...
Even if he talks, don't get rattled, remain calm, and act normal.
-Just relax. -We're normal.
Okay. Maybe it's normal for you guys.
But this is important, so I want you to listen.
Let's just chat with Mook only when the three of us are alone.
-Why? -Because people will think
we're strange if they see us talking with Mook.
Anyway,
the only time you can chat with Mook is when you're at home. Okay?
Okay. I don't really get it, but got it.
-Yeah, got it. -Got it.
Okay, that's good.
Maybe I'll ask her out for dinner.
[Thank you so much for coming today, Takagi-san.]
[If you'd like, shall we have dinner before we go?]
Just kidding.
Marumo, I put your underwear in the washer.
Mook pooped.
Come on, don't talk about things like underwear and poop.
-There goes my thoughts of ro-man (romance) -Marron?
-Ro-man. -Look.
We decided duties today at school.
I'm going to be in charge of books.
You like books, don't you? What about you, Tomoki?
-Flower duty. -What? What's flower duty?
Um..
I water the flower and give it water
and things like that.
All you do is water. But
if you water too much, the flower's gonna die, you know.
Really?
This looks good.
What should I do? I don't want flower duty after all.
I don't want the flower to die!
It's not even blooming yet.
I blew it!
Tomoki, flower duty's the best.
Ultraman and
Gachapin, and Gundam
all had flower duty, you know.
Really? Awesome!
Then what do I do? What should I do to make the flower bloom?
Huh, Marumo, tell me. Huh, Marumo.
Well, um...you have to do...that...you know.
It'll grow if you cast a magical spell...
-Probably. -A magical spell?
-What kind of magic spell? -Huh? Um...well...
Woo~ Mambo!
Cha-ra-ra-ra Woo~ Mambo?
Right, right. That's the magical spell.
Got it.
Woo~ Mambo.
Mambo.
Did it sprout yet?
It's not going to sprout right away.
Yes. Alright.
Yes. I'll let him know.
Chief, that was Takagi-san.
About the company in Tochigi...
The president was out and they were turned away at the door.
But he said he'll standby and wait with Makimura-san
-until they can see him. -Alright.
I wonder if the president will see them.
-Maybe they'll have to wait until tomorrow. -That means
-Takagi-san's spending the night with Makimura-san? -What?
Something might happen.
Naw, naw.
Well, even if something happened, I sure envy carefree single people.
Even if they have to suddenly spend the night away, they don't have anyone to worry about.
Well, yes, that's true..
Oh~!
-The twins. -The twins?
No, um, tw--twist cap. See this twist cap here...
Oh, there's Onee-chan's picture.
-Oh, I see Tomoki's picture there. -Yeah.
Tomoki-kun's picture's weird. There's no mommy in the family.
Kaoru-chan's too.
It's not weird.
But there's only your daddy.
That's not our daddy.
Then who is this person?
Marumo.
Is Marumo your daddy? Or your mommy?
Marumo is Marumo. He's not our daddy or mommy.
What~ It IS weird.
Marumo's amazing. He knows magical spells.
-Magical spells? -You lie.
It's true. It makes the flower grow.
Then say it, this magical spell.
Alright.
-What's that magical spell. -Dorky~.
Wait, wait. What's going on?
Sensei, Hayato-kun said Tomoki-kun's picture's weird.
You shouldn't be saying a thing like that.
But...
It's tough for Sasakura-san because they don't have their parents.
Don't you feel sorry for them?
You'd have a hard time too if you didn't have your mom and dad, right?
So I'm asking you all to be friends with them.
Try to get along. Okay?
Okay, let's begin the class. Return to your seats.
Takagi-san, I'm really sorry about today
That's okay, it's my job.
I hope the president will understand.
Yes.
I was told by my boss to negotiate for a settlement out of court
if we ran into difficulty.
You mean settle it with money?
Yes. I was told the money is ready.
All this happened because I was lacking as the person in charge.
Anyway, this is my fault.
I screwed up once too.
When I was on the product development team,
I got this idea to create a revolutionary product.
So I got the budget to do it and created it,
but it had some issues, and caused a huge loss.
Consequently, I was transferred to Customer Service.
Boy, was I mad at first.
I thought, why do I have to come to a place like this.
But recently, I began to think that
it's an important job to apologize sincerely too.
Takagi-san.
-Let's just apologize first and see what happens. -Yes.
I wonder if Takagi-san can get it done.
He might make them even madder.
-That's very likely. -Or rather, was it really necessary
for us to send a representative in the first place?
The PR department should take care of it.
It's a good experience for Takagi-kun too.
Did you make him go on purpose?
Is everything going to be alright? He's a little flaky.
I like the products he came up with.
Oh that one. That eraser that won't get smaller
-no matter how much you use it. -Was there such a thing?
The phantom eraser we had to stop selling because the other
companies all complained that they wouldn't be able to sell their erasers.
He thinks of weird things, that guy.
Haruka-chan. Do you want to come to my house today?
My mommy's going to bake a cake.
Manami-chan.
Oh, sorry Tomoki-kun, for talking about mommy.
No, that's okay. You don't have to mind me.
See you tomorrow. Bye bye.
Bye bye.
Woo~ Mambo.
Tomoki.
Onee-chan.
-Let's go home. -Is it
weird that we don't have a mommy?
-Here. I borrowed this. -Cinderella?
Cinderella didn't have a real mommy either.
But she lived happily ever after.
-Really? -Yes, so we'll be fine. Let's go.
Okay.
CHI-YO-KO-RE-I-TO (chocolate)
Rock paper scissors!
PA-I-NA-TSU-PU-RU (pineapple)
It's Hayato-kun.
Hayato-kun, aren't you going home?
Your family's going to worry.
-None of your business. -Hayato-kun.
You guys got it good. Sensei doesn't get mad at you.
-Huh? -He thinks you're pitiable because
you don't have parents. It's not fair.
-We're not pitiable. -That's favoritism.
It's not favoritism.
But he's giving you special treatment because he thinks you're pitiable.
We're not pitiable.
You wanna fight?
Help! Onee-chan's fighting with Hayato-kun.
-With a boy? -Is she hurt?
-There's blood. -I'll be right there.
Aya, wait.
-Take this with you. -Thanks. Where are they?
So the boy's the one who got hurt.
Kaoru-chan, did you apologize to Hayato-kun?
But I didn't do anything wrong.
But you made him get hurt.
You guys make up, okay?
Hayato-kun, where's your house? We'll take you home.
-Your mom must be worrying about you. -Leave me alone!
Wait, Hayato-kun.
Isn't Hayato-kun home?
Doesn't look like anyone else is home either.
Excuse me.
This is Taniguchi-san's residence, isn't it?
Yes. But they won't be home until
later at night.
-They both work. -What about Hayato-kun?
I think he's always watching TV by himself.
Maybe he went to the Children's Center.
So Hayato-kun's by himself all the time.
Maybe he was lonely even though he has mommy and daddy.
Maybe.
You should apologize to Hayato-kun at school tomorrow, okay?
For hurting him.
When you do something bad, you apologize.
Takagi-san does that kind of work every day, you know.
I think it's important to apologize.
Okay.
Marumo is family, isn't he?
Everyone said our family's weird today.
They asked who's Marumo.
Marumo's family, isn't he?
Even though we don't have daddy or mommy, Marumo's family, right?
That's right.
You're living together, so you're family.
Okay, let's go.
Sasakura-san.
Sasakura-san. No one's home?
Excuse me?
Is that right. That happened at school, huh?
Yes.
I've already cautioned the children in my class.
They're too young to be without parents.
I feel so sorry for them.
I'll do everything I can to support them.
Sensei.
I'm aware that I'm just an outsider and not their legal guardian or anything.
I know that, but
may I say something?
-Yes. -Don't you think your attitude towards them
is hurting them even more?
But I'm just really concerned about those kids.
I know. I know that, and
I'm grateful that you were concerned enough to come
to see how they were doing.
But,
your feeling sorry for them is, in itself, mistaken.
Well, so
can you treat those kids more normally,
like other kids?
Without any special treatment, just normally.
Isn't that the president?
-Let's go. -Yes.
Excuse me, we're from Akebono Office Supplies.
Akebono Office Supplies? I don't have anything to say to you. Please leave.
We apologize for the trouble we've caused you.
We're very sorry.
It was really a coincidence. It's not that we stole it.
Whatever the reason, everyone thinks that we're the ones who copied you.
That's the disadvantage of being a small business out here in the provinces.
-However... -We're being slandered on the internet,
and getting complaints and inquiries as to whether they're the same products.
Our reputation's been tattered.
Sir, in regards to that,
our attorney can work out something that's agreeable...
How can I be agreeable to anything.
Once the damage is done, you can't undo it.
You're an eyesore. Leave.
We're really sorry.
The responsibility is completely ours.
We recalled all the flyers as well.
So what.
That's not going to change anything for us.
Even so,
that's all we can do.
And apologize from the bottom of our heart.
-We're really sorry. -Enough of that.
But there's nothing else we can do.
We're really sorry.
You came all the way from Tokyo just to say that?
You must have a lot of free time.
We're very sorry.
-Thank you. -Thank you.
So Kaoru-chan has book duty and Tomo-kun has flower duty.
What duty did you have, Aya-chan? Me? I had...
What did I have?
Duty, huh? That was a long time ago. One shiro-ae up.
Alright. Just a minute, okay?
Didn't you have living creature duty?
Remember you used to take vegetables to feed the rabbit?
That's right. I used to take care of Pii-chan, the rabbit.
That sounds so cool.
-Welcome. -Are you full?
If you don't mind the counter, please come in.
We'll go back upstairs.
You can stay here as long as you want, you know.
But all we're just going to bed so....
Mook's there too so we'll be fine.
Are you sure? I'll be up later on to check on you then.
Alright.
Here you go, Mook. Sorry it's so late.
Onee-chan.
You know Cinderella.
She didn't have a real mommy, but I think she had a daddy.。
Did she?
See.
Is it different from the one I read?
It's been a long time since I read "Cinderella."
Maybe we are pitiable because
we don't have mommy or daddy.
What? Really? What a relief.
Yes. Alright. Thank you.
What a relief.
That was the chief of the PR department.
Nasu Bungu's president called to tell him
that he won't take us to court.
-Seriously? -Yes.
-What a relief. -Yes.
Yeah, what a relief. Really, what a relief.
Marumo's late, isn't he?
Yeah, I wonder when he's coming home.
Marumo?
-Is Takagi-san home? -Not yet.
Oh. Say, it's starting to rain.
Is your laundry okay?
Rain?
You're right, it's raining.
-We don't have any laundry outside. -Okay.
Then lock the door and go to bed soon.
-Okay, good night. -Good night.
What should I do.
It's coming down, isn't it?
Takagi-san, thank you so much for coming today.
No, no, don't mention it.
If it's alright with you, shall we have dinner before we go?
My treat, as a token of my appreciation.
Let's go.
Are there any good restaurants around here?
What are you doing?
Shh, Mook. Don't say anything.
Where are you going?
I'll be right back.
Kaoru.
Huh? Where's Tomoki?
Probably the school.
Huh? Why?
Oh no.
[I have a very important business tomorrow.]
[I might be a little late getting home, but
you two be good and stay home.]
Sansai's up for #3 table.
-Okay. -Katsuo no tataki'* for the counter. (*sashimi with grilled surface)
Okay, one tataki.
You're gonna be alright now.
[If you water too much, the flower's gonna die, you know.]
[Really?]
Tomoki. Onee-chan.
You shouldn't go out without telling anyone.
But the flower's going to die.
If you catch a cold,
there won't be anyone to water it.
Yeah, you're right.
-Let's go home. -Okay.
Are you alright?
This place is famous for their tacos.
I'm looking forward to it.
What a nice restaurant.
Let's party it up tonight.
Excuse me.
Sorry, I'll be right there,
so go on in first.
-Hello. -Marumo?
Yeah.
Didn't I tell you I had a very important business today?
I think Tomoki caught a cold.
-A cold? -He went out in the rain.
What was he doing? Is he alright?
I think he's alright.
Tomoki, it's Marumo.
Marumo, I'm alright.
Okay. Stay warm and go to bed.
Okay.
See you later then.
Onee-chan, I feel like I'm floating.
Go to sleep, Tomoki.
Let's get you to bed.
What's a family?
Where did that come from?
The kids asked me today
if Marumo's their family.
Oh, I see.
It caught me by surprise.
But even if you're not related by blood, you're family if you live together, right?
Well, I guess you become a family as you spend time living together.
Even a husband and wife aren't
related at all to start out with.
That's right, huh? Come to think of it,
Mom and Dad aren't related by blood, huh?
Family, huh?
Even though I failed at it.
You'll have plenty of opportunity in the future.
You're still young.
I've already learned my lesson.
You're too young to be saying that.
In the first place, your marriage was too short.
That's why you don't understand anything yet.
Two people become true husband and wife only after overcoming difficulties together.
I've had enough.
How do you know you've had enough
-after only 1 year of marriage? -Things happened after that too.
And I thought things might work out this time.
Are you sure you weren't part of the problem too?
No I wasn't.
Tomoki, are you alright?
What should I do?
Go ahead, call him.
What?
To our hard day's work.
Thank you for your hard work.
-Cheers. -Cheers.
But Makimura-san, that is,
won't your boyfriend get mad if he finds out you're having dinner with me?
I don't have a boyfriend.
Really? Is that right?
-Yes. -So you don't...
Excuse me! Two tequila here please.
Right away please.
Excuse me.
This is really good.
Don't you have to answer it?
No.
Okay, let's drink.
Excuse me.
Hello?
Tomoki's...
What's wrong?
He's having a hard time breathing. His face is all red too.
What?
He's breathing really hard.
But he said he was alright, didn't he?
But...
-Here you go. -Wait a minute.
Marinated cactus, chorizo plate, and
chicken tacos.
Please go ahead and eat. Sorry.
-And? -Fever.
Fever?
His forehead's really hot and he doesn't look good, Marumo.
Alright, I'll be back as soon as I can. See you.
Was it someone from your family?
Yes. No... Yes.
Is someone sick?
But...
Please don't mind me and go.
I'll be fine.
Alright.
I'm sorry. Seems he suddenly got ill from a sudden illness.
Sorry, I'm really sorry. Sorry.
Give me a break, guys.
Marumo? Yeah. Is Tomoki alright?
Hey, he has a really high fever.
Why did he go out in the rain?
-Because. -He's bound to catch a cold
if he goes out in this rain.
But he followed what you told him, Marumo.
Followed what?
You said that too much water is not good.
He went to the school to put an umbrella over the flower.
He was saying the magical spell too.
-Magical spell? -The one that goes Woo~ Mambo.
What?
The classmates were making fun of him but
Tomoki said "Marumo's amazing" and
bragged about you to everyone.
What magical spell...
Tomoki, are you stupid? For believing something like that.
Why did you believe what I said.
Tomoki, you...
Hey, hey. Look.
Doesn't he look like he's getting worse?
Let's take him to the hospital.
-Now? -Yeah. Okay, Tomoki, you alright?
Excuse me, can you tell me where the closest hospital is?
-Somewhere I can take him now. -What happened?
He has a high fever.
What about Nagashima Clinic? They have pediatrics there, don't they?
-Oh, yeah. -Nagashima Clinic?
Yeah, right past the Inari shrine, to the right.
Inari shrine. Got it.
I'll go too. To make sure.
Yeah.
Here's the Inari shrine.
Tomoki, we're almost there. Hang on.
Takagi-san, not that way. This way, this way.
-What? -This way.
Hello, I have a sick child. Please open.
Sensei, please.
Please open. Please.
Excuse me, please. Please open.
Excuse me, Sensei.
It was just a cold.
Looks like we overreacted, huh?
We even got Aya-chan involved.
Yes, but I'm relieved.
Sorry, Tomoki. You too, Kaoru.
When I heard he caught a cold, I knew I should come home,
but I left you two alone.
I'm no good after all. I can't do anything.
I can't take Sasakura's place after all.
Marumo.
You're not no good.
Tomoki was saying over and over while he was sleeping.
He was saying "Marumo"
"Marumo" over and over.
So, so...
Marumo.
Tomoki, are you alright?
Yes. Thanks for giving me a piggyback ride.
-Marumo's amazing just as I thought.
The flower's starting to sprout.
Wow.
You're alright now.
It's thanks to Marumo's magical spell.
I don't have mommy or daddy, but I'm happy because I have Marumo.
It's okay because Marumo's with us.
You guys.
Marumo's crying.
Sweat. This is sweat.
Ah~ it's hot in here.
-Seconds please. -You sure eat a lot.
Marumo.
I can go to school today, can't I?
I took off 3 times already.
I guess so, since your fever's gone too.
With that kind of an appetite, you should be fine now.
What's today's okite? Hm? Today it's...
Gargle, wash hands, don't catch a cold.
Prevention is the key.
But if you don't feel well, you have to tell me right away, okay?
Got it.
It's a superstition when they say fools don't catch colds.
-What does that mean? -Huh? Never mind.
Okay, we're all gonna make a promise.
Come.
Am I catching a cold?
-Marumo. -Marumo.
Marumo.
Marumo? Marumo.
Marumo? Are you alright?