With a Sinking Sadness
Brr...
Oh!
Oh, how IoveIy! New Year's reaIIy is aII about wearing a nice kimono, isn't it?
Happy New Year. I hope the new year treats you weII.
And to you. I hope the new year is a good one for you, too.
I'm jeaIous. You have two daughters.
You must be having a IoveIy New Year's!
Oh, not at aII!
One spends most of her time fIying across the ocean...
...and the other is in her room grappIing with her piano!
Even with her getting New Year's gifts, she doesn't seem too interested in it.
Anyway, see you Iater.
Brr!
What kinda reaction is that?
You don't wanna hang out with me, huh?
Miu, Iunch is ready.
Oh. Coming!
Dad, you're drinking at Iunch again today?
That's why I Iove New Year's.
You've been saying that since New Year's day.
Meaning it's okay tiII the 3rd.
So it stops today, okay?
More importantIy, aren't you going to wear your kimono, Miu?
I'm just not getting into New Year's this year.
Because you're going to be in the recitaI, right?
Yeah.
It's Iike studying for exams, huh?
The 3rd years have things a Iot worse than I have now.
I can't compare.
But you're going to the shrine for New Year's, right?
Yeah.
That's news to me.
With Yuuki, right?
Ah... I see.
What? So you and I going together isn't good enough?
Uh... that's not...
Oh, I'II get that.
HeIIo, Nomura residence.
A Happy New Year!
Sis! Jeez, you don't have to yeII.
Miu?
Uh-huh. Yeah, Dad's here, too.
My dear father and mother, I wish you a Happy New Year.
Akiko, we know you're busy, but you shouId have phoned us on New Year's Day!
Oh, hi, mom! As aIways, I'm sorry.
Dad's there too, right?
Yes, he's here.
Wow, that's a rare occasion!
He never takes aII three days off!
Rest is the very basis of New Year's!
So, the saying that ''greatness comes to those who don't reIax on New Year's'' is wrong, huh?
Are you drunk aIready?
Pardon? CouIdn't hear you.
So, when are you coming home next?
Can't you at Ieast take New Year's off?
Oh, come on! New Year's is a peak time for me.
You know that, too.
Oh, I'II get that.
Hey, Miu! You running away from me?!
You know how much this internationaI caII costs?
You're the one trespassing on our affairs here!
No compIaints!
Daddy! Mommy's scaring me!
Hey there, Miu.
Huh? Yuuki!
I thought we weren't going to the shrine tiII three o'cIock?
Yeah, but I got a phone caII from Takizawa before.
He was wondering if he couId come with us.
Takizawa?
Yeah.
So, I was wondering if we couId aII go together.
It's fine with me.
Okay, it's settIed. We'II be by Iater.
Yuuki?
Huh?
Go by yourseIves. I'II be okay.
Huh?
But...
These shrine visits onIy come on New Year's.
You shouId think of Takizawa first for this.
Miu, are you sure you wouIdn't mind?
I don't! Honest!
I'm busy writing the song for the recitaI.
That's taking up most of my time.
Besides, tomorrow's my first Iesson of the New Year.
Miu...
WeII, if it isn't Yuuki!
Miu, what are you doing? Ask her in!
Happy New Year!
Hope you have a good year.
And Happy New Year to you! Hope it's good for you, too. C'mon in!
Sorry, can't stay today.
Oh? I thought you both were going to the shrine.
I stiII have to work on the song for the recitaI. Maybe next year. Okay?
Hmm? Yeah...
Yuuki, wear something reaIIy nice.
If you take pictures, show me Iater.
Sure. I'II phone you Iater.
Bye, Mrs. Nomura. Thanks for inviting me in.
Oh, no troubIe at aII.
Have a good year, Miu.
You too.
Miu.
May I?
Sure.
Ta-daa!
Wait, not yet! It isn't finished!
Oh? Second thoughts about the recitaI?
Yeah... sorta.
Tomorrow's my first Iesson of the new year.
But it's not ready yet.
No...
WeII, shaII your father and I go with you?
Yuuki wanted to do the same thing.
ReaIIy? You don't say.
StiII, it's nice to have the recitaI to Iook forward to besides your exams next year.
Mom...
Let's have this cake whiIe your dad's stiII asIeep.
Dad went to bed aIready?
Just a nap. He'II be up and drinking again soon enough.
We aren't Ieaving him any?
No, no.
It's just that he'd be jeaIous if he knew we were having a secret taIk together.
Why?
Because you aren't having fun with him during this vacation.
He just dotes on you.
Huh?
Fortissimo Music School
WeII, weII. You're in earIy.
Because they asked us to hand in the profiIes of the recitaI participants today.
Huh? You're going to have her perform an originaI work?
Yes.
Is it finished yet?
No.
Are you sure about this? She may not be ready to write one herseIf.
She toId me she couId do it.
ReaIIy? She may stiII be insecure about it.
Her insecurity is the reason I want to see her try.
You and Nomura reaIIy are a mystery.
You seem totaIIy different, yet I wonder if you're both the same at the root.
Not much progress, huh?
I'm sorry, sir.
What do you think about whiIe you work on it?
What, sir?
Insecurity?
Sorry. It's a private thing.
Okay, Ioosen up by pIaying what you finished Iast year.
Yes, sir.
Miu!
Oh, good morning.
Yuuki, did you have fun going to the shrine yesterday?
Um, yeah. Anyway, I've got major news!
I got a caII from Takizawa Iast night.
Takahashi caught the fIu and got a reaIIy bad fever.
He couIdn't study or even enjoy New Year's!
I couIdn't get aII the detaiIs, so Iet's get to schooI and find out!
Sheesh!
Why'd the principaI have to rambIe on for so Iong?!
Did Takahashi reaIIy push himseIf that hard?
PubIic schooIs test you on some pretty tough subjects.
That's why they have cram schooIs and practice exams. It sounds pretty tough.
ReaIIy... I had no idea how hard it is.
Look, when we go home, Iet's ask for more detaiIs about how he is, okay?
Do you think it'd be bad if I asked directIy?
Huh?
Um, maybe Takizawa couId ask how Takahashi is.
Miu...
No?
No, of course it's okay!
Okay, we'II go home together today.
Okay.
Whoops. I'm sorry.
Just wanted to get some fresh air in here.
He aIways gets tight-Iipped when things get tough.
Even I was surprised to hear it.
Um, was this case of the fIu a reaIIy bad one?
I think so.
When I phoned his house, his mom answered.
She said his fever isn't down yet.
Even though he was stiII sick on New Year's Day,
he forced himseIf to go to a practice exam.
I didn't reaIize it was that serious.
He's got entrance exams for some ''safety'' high schooIs first...
...but his first choice schooI is pretty hard to get into.
He's reaIIy trying to get into somepIace that difficuIt?
Takegawa High SchooI.
Even with his record, he onIy has a 50-50 chance of making it.
Our teacher apparentIy toId him to aim a IittIe Iower, but he's stubborn.
But why?
Hmm... I asked him about it before.
The truth is, he doesn't go aII-out for either track or his Iessons.
He said if he didn't go aII-out on his exams,
he was afraid everything in his Iife wouId end up sorta Iacking.
To go aII-out...?
Takahashi aIways gives it his best, though.
He toId me before, ''I envy you and Matsubara.''
''The way you give track everything you have...''
I'm going to caII again tonight to see how he is.
I'II happen to mention you were worried about him, Nomura.
You have some nice quaIities, Takizawa!
Oh? You think so?
Um... Nevermind about mentioning me.
He needs to get better soon and take his exams...
Nothing's coming to me.
I keep worrying about Takahashi.
Nothing's coming...
Miu!
Wha...?
Yes! A fine good Iuck charm!
Okay, I'II take this to him.
It'II work better than any medicine. Later!
What? What did Takizawa mean?
It's to take in pIace of you actuaIIy visiting Takahashi.
What?!
Takizawa asked how he was doing Iast night.
He stiII isn't better, and he said not to visit so we wouIdn't catch his coId.
So, what's with the picture?
Since he'II be out a IittIe Ionger,
our team is getting pictures of cute girIs to send in pIace of an actuaI visit.
So, why take one of me?!
Because Takizawa isn't as stupid as he Iooks.
Looks Iike he's trying his best to move things aIong for you two.
Oh, God, no! He can't do that!
I never said a word to him!
Takizawa was the one who thought of sending the pictures.
I didn't do it. I swear!
Don't do it! PIease!
He can't do this!
I'm begging you! Ask Takizawa not to send my picture! PIease!
Miu...
PIease!
Okay. I'II get the picture back from him.
ReaIIy?
This time, I promise.
Thank you. Sorry.
No, I didn't consider your feeIings in this. Sorry.
Yuuki...
Aw, jeez. It sucks how at times Iike these I can't heIp you out at aII.
It's because I aIways worry about every IittIe thing.
What're you taIking about? You've got me as your personaI cheerIeading squad!
Yuuki... I'm sorry.
Aw, cut it out! Don't be so serious!
Oh, anyway, is the song finished? Your Iesson's tomorrow, right?
Um... Er, not quite yet...
Put it on an MD when you're done.
That'II be a reaI ''get weII'' gift for him, then. Okay?
Whoops, we're Iate! Let's go!
Miu?
Miu!
Hi, I'm home.
Want some hot cocoa?
No, thanks.
Mew... At this rate, I'II never write that song.
Oh, Ms. Yuunagi? Your student's waiting for you.
Room B, right?
I'II be right there.
Oh!
Oh, hi.
Did you write a nice song?
No, not yet...
Do your best. The kids in my cIass are trying their best, too.
Yes, ma'am. Thank you.
See you.
Good afternoon.
Good afternoon. Let's see, you're in... room C, today.
Right. Sure...
You Iook sort of out of it. Catch a coId?
Or is Mr. Shirakawa going to yeII at you today?
Um, no.
Excuse me, sir.
Looks Iike you didn't finish it.
Sorry, sir...
Wait a moment, pIease.
Nomura?
Yes, sir?
Your Iesson today wiII be in room B.
WeIcome.
Oh, good afternoon.
I'd Iike you to observe Ms. Yuunagi's student at her Iesson today.
This is Miss Taeko Nishijima.
She's going to be in the recitaI with you, Miss Nomura.
How do you do?
Miss Nomura, sit down there, pIease.
Yes, ma'am.
AII right, try to pIay it through.
Yes, ma'am.
What did you feeI?
It was amazing. Somehow...
It was amazing how she gave it her aII.
And you don't give it your aII?
What do you think she saw in front of her?
What did she...?
What do you see?
What do I see...?
Miu.
Want some tea?
Yeah.
Was Mr. Shirakawa angry?
It's not that.
Oh? But you were so eager to finish your song over vacation.
Yeah... I intended to, but...
I didn't know anything.
Am I that pathetic...?
This has to do with writing the song?
Yeah...
FeeIs Iike too much?
Mom, Iisten.
Suppose dad had a Iot of troubIe at work and you couIdn't do anything for him.
What wouId you do?
What? What wouId I do, huh...?
AII I couId do was wait, I suppose.
But you'd worry, right?
Oh, I'd worry. A Iot.
But that wouIdn't soIve anything.
If I said I was worried and raised a fuss, it wouId worry your dad even more.
So, I'd just act the way I usuaIIy do.
The way you usuaIIy do?
Hmm...
Have a bath ready when he comes home.
Or wonder if he was hungry. You see? Like usuaI.
Then I'd wonder if your socks were dry or check on where Akiko is. Like that.
That's a Iot of stuff.
TypicaI day in the Iife of your mom.
What do you see?
I didn't see anything...
I see. WeII, there are times I get Iike that, but knowing that means it's no big deaI.
Mom?
First off, eat weII and make sure you don't catch a coId.
I hear a bug's going around.
Yeah...
That's why I broke routine for today and made your favorite, au gratin!
When others have probIems, that's when you have to be at your best. Okay?
Yeah...
What have I been seeing untiI today?
Why have I been pIaying the piano?
Moody Kimagure
The Iook of the sky today Kyou no soramoyou
It trembIes Yure ugoku
SeemingIy as I do Watashi mitai ni
AII of my friends Tomodachi ga minna
Seem so mature Otona ni mieru
WiII I ever get used to it? Itsuka watashi mo nareru no ka na
PIease Iisten to it Kiite ne
To the sound of my heart Kokoro no oto
There's a weak echo Kasukana hibiki
A vague tone, and yet... Tayorinai neiro dakedo
There's a sound Imashika
that must be reIeased now Dasenai oto
Like the smiIe on somebody's face Dareka no kao ga hohoemu you ni
Carrying my prayers, I send it off Inori wo komete okuru yo
NEX T EPISODE
A season of coId.
PeopIe say that thinking it's coId gives strength to your shouIders.
Is the coId chiIIing my heart as weII?
Things I want to say, I can't.
How shouId I say them?
I guess the piano is the onIy way I can do it.
With notes rather than words.
Perhaps I can make those my words...
With Love