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Encoded by Winterbird
It's the end of the year.
Come one, come all!
Open for business!
Fish Paste! Delicious herring eggs!
Hey, Mr. Hard-Working Student. Workin' for a noodle shop, now?
Yup. You want some noodles for New Year's?
Don't need it. We'll be visitin' relatives.
What'll you be doing?
I'll be leaving for home on New Year's Day.
I pity your parents. You should go home before New Year's.
I can't. I'm using my paycheck to get home.
Didn't your family already send you money for the ticket?
I kinda spent it.
I have no sympathy.
And what is Mr. Unsympathetic doing for New Year's?
I am returning to the nest. I've arranged for vacation time.
Your whole life's ''vacatlon time.''
What IS your job, anyway?
I'll never tell.
Godai, it'll be lonely spending New Year's in this wretched room.
Who asked you?
He's right. Not even a TV.
The chilly atmosphere strikes one to the bone.
Alone on New Year's Eve. That's especially harsh.
Indubitably.
So lonely!
Such despair!
Hey Akemi, you're not going home, either!
Where do you get off trying to depress me?
Me? I'm gonna be watching TV in the manager's room.
W-With the Manager? How nice.
Jealous, huh?
I'll be so jealous. I'll be so lonely.
--You wanna come, too? --Can I!?
One more'll make the party lively!
T-That's right!
Is it okay?
Of course it is. The more the merrier.
Okay, I'm off to work.
Do your best.
I'll be back at nine, and leave the noodles to me.
Since I work at a noodle shop--
New Year's noodles!
How kind of you.
Godai!
I'll accompany you.
Manager, a festive New Year's.
Come back soon.
Where is he going to?
Who knows?
We're off to the boonies.
You'll be back on the fourth, right?
No need to see us off.
Happy New Year!
Bye!
Dad, let's get a move on!
Soichiro, I've made it through another year.
Please protect me from here on out, too.
Coming!
Hello, Maison Ikkoku?
Just a moment, please.
Yeah?
Yeah, it's me.
Skiing!? I'm goin'!
Six o'clock; Ueno Station central turnstiles. Got it!
Bye!
Uh, oh.
To go skiing?
Yeah, with friends. But I can't, right?
I can't exactly leave you alone with Godai.
No one would be there to save you.
Yeah, I'll turn them down.
A-Akemi--
You DO want to go skiing?
I do, but--
Then go!
But--
I'll be fine!
And you won't be in danger?
No! You're reading too much into this!
You sure you'll be okay?
You've got to learn to trust Godai a little more.
You're right!
Of course I am!
Then I'd better pack! Bye!
S-Soichiro, please protect me from here on out!
Okay then Manager, I'm off!
Come back soon! Take care!
I'll bring you a souvenir, okay?
See ya!
W-What's your problem!?
What am I gonna do?
I'll just have to make sure the mood doesn't turn dangerous.
Manager--
Isn't Akemi with you?
N-No--
Should I tell him about Akemi?
--I love the smell of soap. --I DID just take a bath.
I'll see you later.
Okay.
Maybe I'm just being hypersensitive.
Freshly washed hair is such a turn-on!
If only we could be alone, it'd be heaven!
I'm gonna drink for two years straight!
Now drink it all down: chug-a-lug.
What a strong drinker you are!
I'm in a good mood, tonight! I'm drinkin' like a fish!
And then--
Now that we've no more distractions...
I washed myself thoroughly, hoping for such a moment!
Then you consent?
Please do!
Come in.
Welcome.
Thanks.
I've brought noodles for three.
T-Thank you.
And this.
Akemi can't ring in the New Year sober, can she?
Where is Akemi?
Would you like coffee or tea?
Coffee.
Okay.
Is Akemi--
One lump or two?
One lump, thanks.
So--
Here.
Thanks.
By the way--
I completely forgot about the milk!
Do you want milk?
No thanks.
As I was saying--
Yes?
Coming!
Yes? Hello?
Akemi?
We just got to the lodge. is Godai there?
Put 'im on.
I'll tell him what I'll do to him if he tries anything.
Y-Y-You don't have to. I-I-I'll be fine!
Okay, okay! But if he tries anything, scream your heart out.
W-We should trust him more.
Be careful!
Okay. Bye.
I'll have to trust him.
Akemi made it to the lodge safely.
Huh? Lodge?
To go skiing, of course! Didn't you hear?
First I've heard of it.
Really? I could've sworn that I told you--
Y-You did?
Then Akemi's not here--
I-It's kinda lonely, just the two of us.
Yeah, kinda.
W-We're alone!
It's my chance!
She could cry or ream, and no one would interrupt us!
Can I have an orange?
Sure!
Must be nice, having a TV.
Aren't you going to buy one?
Well, I've been so busy with my tests--
I may start saving up for one.
It really is nice to have one.
Sure.
Who cares about the stupid TV?
I'll grab her hand from under the table--
That's right! I left rice crackers under the heater.
The heat makes them crispier and tastier.
Good idea.
Okay, now in a single move--
Is the volume too low?
I-In one move--
I'll take her for my own!
Is something wrong?
Nothing--
That's right! We can't have crackers without tea!
You're right! My mouth was getting kinda dry--
Here.
Okay! It's time to get the noodles ready.
Is there any way I can help?
Just watch the television.
But I...
...don't wanna impose--
It's nothing to be worried about.
But--
Okay, bowls--
Y-Yeah?
--Get some bowls? --Okay!
Um... the bowls?
Okay!
Coming! Who could be calling at this hour?
Hello?
Mrs. Ichinose!
You left the pilot light on?
Sure! I'll take a look right now.
Goodbye.
I'll check on Room One.
Okay.
This is no good! I'm so close!
Dammit!
Just one move!
Dammit I wanna do it!!
D-Did you hear anything?
Yeah, a little.
Skiing! I wanna go skiing.
I was a little jealous of Akemi.
You want to ski?
Oh, dear. It was my mistake.
This year departs, leaving its memories, both good and bad.
That was delicious.
I should be going.
Already?
Yeah. We've had our noodles. So, Happy New Year.
And what memories might this temple bell be ushering in?
He didn't try anything.
Godai's a true gentleman.
I'm a coward!
Uh oh, I forgot!
I was unfair to him.
Yes, Godai's not that kind of person.
I'll never get that kind of chance again!
I choked under pressure.
I've decided!
I'll take him!
I should have taken her for my own.
Godai? Godai? You still awake?
K-Kyoko!?
Briefly, as I opened the door, I imagined her in a negligee.
Shall we visit the temple together?
S-Sure! I'd be honored to accompany you!
Ofcourse, Kyoko wasn't that kind of girl.
--I hope you have a good year. --You, too.
Do you have any wishes for the New Year?
Hmm. Just as long as it's a good year--
You're right.
This year, I'll take her for my own!
''Home is Where the Heart Lives,'' but Godai doesn't agree.
He's kept his whole body there for days on end!
Next: ''Kyoko's Ticking Timebomb! Godais Extended Absence.''
I hate to admit it, but I can't seem to smile without you.