www.anime-avatar.net #anime-avatar@irc.rizon.net
Encoded by Winterbird
I'm...
back...
Hi!
Hi.
Where's the manager?
She went to her parents' place.
Her mother's really ill with a cold or something.
Really?
What's with that look?
Maybe they're making her meet another prospective husband.
Well, that is a possibility.
It's not often she gets to help her parents out.
It's not like she's never coming back.
T-That's right.
She is coming back, isn't she?
Daddy, carry me!
No, Etchan. Your Dad's exhausted.
I'm all right. Just a minute...
There!
Yay!
I'm home.
Ritsuko, how are you feeling?
Hi, Dad!
K-Kyoko?!
W-What're you doing here?
Kyoko, why are you...?
Kyoko!
Can't you tell? I'm here to fill in for Mom!
I see. You came here for us.
I see.
Dad, your shoes.
Oops.
I'm carrying my shoe...
Hey! Mom! Kyoko's here.
Why are you yelling like a child?
It's Kyoko! Kyoko's here!
I asked her to come.
Why did you bring your shoe in here?
What? Oh, this...
He sounds so happy.
Delicious. I'm so glad I asked you to come.
I haven't been able to take care of your dad lately.
Whenever she pushed herself, her fever came back.
Must have been hard. Here, Dad.
Ohh. Thanks.
We're so glad you're here.
Oh? So she'll be gone for 2-3 days?
It's lonely without her.
It's like the lights have gone out.
Yeah, right!!
Weren't you studying?
Even with my headphones on, when you're making such a racket...
I can hear you!
Let's see...
It's an English lesson!
How could you!
I know you're sad...
but I'll take good care of you while the manager's away.
Oh, you're so nice!
You're like a manager yourself.
Don't be ridiculous!
The bathroom light bulb is still out...
and no one's fixed the leaking faucet.
Godai, does the manager's job include fixing these, too?
It broke open...
That cost me 38,000 yen.
-What'll we do? -Dunno.
No way we can fix that!
Two, three days went right by.
Mom, you seem to be doing really well now.
You think so?
I wonder.
I still feel weak.
Let's see.
I think you're still feverish. Say "ah."
I think your tonsils are still swollen.
Oh?
One, two. One, two. One, two.
I WILL BE BACK IN 2-3 DAYS --MANAGER
Four days went by, and five days went by...
but the manager didn't come back.
I wonder when she's coming back?
Hey, Soichiro! Let's go for a walk.
Uh...
Mr. Ichinose! You're home already?
Uh-huh. I had the early shift.
You weren't waiting for the manager?
N-No. I was just walking the dog.
How about a drink?
Oh, uh...
Sorry I dragged you along.
Not at all.
You think the manager's mother is really that ill?
I don't know.
Is something the matter?
Watching you brings back the days of my youth.
I had one, too...
a woman I adored.
I guess she's what you call...
a "jewel in a dunghill."
She was at a tiny little company where I was hired after college.
Thanks.
She made me happy just looking at her.
I made excuses just to be able to talk to her.
Why do I remind you of all that?
One night, we had a company party.
I was hoping that this would give me a chance to get to know her.
But it was that night--
Mr. Ichinose, wanna have a drinking contest?
Yeah! Great idea!
I heard you can really drink, too.
Hanae was one year senior to that woman.
"Hanae"?
Her name is beautiful isn't it?
Hanae, if this is a contest there's gotta be a prize.
That's true.
If you win, Mr. Ichinose, I'll be your wife.
Yay!
We'll be the judge. Drink till one of you drops!
I'll take care of the bill!
I told myself, "Do not win."
Th-Then how did you win?
She told me after we got married...
but Hanae had pretended to be drunk.
Oh, Boy. I just can't--
I lose! I'll marry you like I promised!
No! I--
That's entrapment!
Apparently, it was just her own way of proposing to me.
Another sake, please.
Here you go.
And I just went along with it.
But you know...
Now, I'm happy that I married her.
Is that...how it goes?
Uh-huh.
Shall we get going?
Thanks!
Um...
That "jewel in a dunghill" woman...
Where is she now?
I don't know. I'm sure she's happy somewhere.
Jewel in a dunghill...
I haven't eaten in the kitchen in a while!
Mom, you're all right now, aren't you?
I'd like to go back to Maison Ik--
That reminds me! Remember when Kyoko was in high school?
Oh, yeah. She was in high school!
Right?
Yeah. She used to eat a lot of peanuts.
I can't let that building go for more than a week.
This is a very critical stage in getting over a cold.
You're fine.
What do you mean?! She needs to rest for two, three more days.
Let's see... I ate the toast drank my milk--
Dad, it's time.
That's right! Gotta go to work!
I'm going to come home early today.
See you.
Have a nice day.
Make sure you don't let her go.
We are going to enjoy our time as a family as long as possible.
Who knows when she'll be back again if she leaves.
Keep her here.
What were you talking about?
Oh...
nothing.
I really need to go back to Maison Ikkoku.
I'm the manager.
I have responsibilities there.
They'll call you if they need you...
and no one's called yet.
It's fine.
But I thought I'd be here just two or three days...
so I didn't bring much change of clothes.
Go shopping. I'll give you money.
Don't be silly. That's being wasteful.
You know, you ought to think about your father.
Your father and I are not trying to keep you here...
because we want you to quit your job...
or change your name back, or get remarried...
or anything like that.
Have we said any of this?
All we want to do is enjoy having you around.
Well...
You had me around for more than a week!
Right?
You really want to go so badly?!
Let me go without making me feel bad!
Because...because I...
What?
I can't get a good night's rest without my own pillow.
Pillow?
Uh-huh. It's got to be the one I use at Maison Ikkoku.
Really? Pillow? I see! A pillow!
Time out!
Yes, yes, yes...
This is Maison Ikkoku.
The manager's mother!?
What? Her pillow?
Yes, she insists!
Mom!
Hello?
Godai?
M-Manager!
It's no trouble! I have time. I'll take it to you right away!
What? N-No, wait--
Where're you going?
Back off! I have an important errand to run!
What'll I do...?
Here.
You sure she wants you to bring this?
That's what the manager's mother said.
I'll take this to her.
No!
If you take it...
you'll sniff at it and nuzzle it and make it smelly.
Eww!
Give it back! I'll give you instant noodles!
I want a cutlet bowl!
All right!!
That's a promise!
This is my ticket to see Kyoko!
I'm off!
What's he thinking?
Maybe he thinks he's going to talk marriage.
Donning a suit A young stallion woos The woman of his dreams
CHIGUSA
Hey, you--
You are--
I'm Godai.
That's right.
You're the college student.
Dad!
I'm home.
Hello.
Godai...
So you brought Kyoko's pillow all the way here?
Thank you so much for your trouble.
Not at all.
Enough formalities. Make yourself at home.
I'm sorry, Godai.
No problem.
But what is he doing...
wearing a suit?
So, you... What year are you now?
My name is Godai. I'll be a senior.
Then you'll be job-hunting soon?
Yes.
Where are you planning to apply?
Well...I'm not sure yet.
What?
Oops. I'd better sound more confident.
Well, I'd like to apply to the big corporations.
What college do you attend?
Don't be rude with so many questions.
Godai, I'm sorry.
It's okay.
It's not such an embarrassing school, really.
Well, thank you for what you've done today.
Now Kyoko can stay longer.
What?
Really?
I never said that!
I said I need to go back to sleep on my own pillow.
So, Mr. Student, you must have a girlfriend, don't you?
I don't have a girlfriend...
but I am in love with someone.
Unrequited love?
Yes, well...
What's she like?
Mom! Stop it!
Well...
She has long hair...
and she's kind.
And...
she's two years older than me.
And she's very adorable.
It's hard to explain.
Two years older?
Is she a working woman?
Yes.
Cut it out, Mom. It's none of our business.
Why not?!
He's enjoying his youth.
So what does she do?
Mom!
S-She's...
She's a manag--
She's a m-managerial officer.
Managerial officer?
Yes.
Godai.
Yes!
So, it sounds like this woman you're in love with...
I...
The woman you're in love with must be...
a very admirable woman.
But if she's so admirable...
you really have to become worthy of her.
You're so right about that.
I wonder if Kyoko got what I said?
She must have.
What's Kyoko doing?
She must really love that pillow of hers.
Whatever.
Whatever it takes to make her stay a bit longer.
You gave me quite a big shock, Godai.
Those words were so unexpected.
I--
But...
thank you.
I had a hunch but Mitaka really hates dogs.
Yeah? I thought so.
Next: "Mitaka's 'Call of the Wild'! How Can You Love When You Fear?"
Dogs know who's boss.
Let us train you!