What? You're going to quit modeling?
Yeah.
Why?
Because I made Mei sad.
I made her feel uncertain about all sorts of things.
But you're just getting started...
No.
I never wanted to model so badly
that I was willing to upset Mei.
Mei is more important to me than anything else.
What?
You'll throw away your own potential for your girlfriend?
When it comes to people you really love...
You don't care about yourself.
You're not acting like a prince at all.
I'm not a prince.
And I only need Mei to look at me.
You fixed your bracelet.
Mei, let's go home together again today, too.
Mei-chan,
are you okay?
You seemed down yesterday.
Oh, um...
Sorry for making you worry.
Did you talk to Yamato?
Yes.
Then, everything should be fine.
That's great.
It's thanks to both of you.
Since you two were there for me.
Mei-chan...
Well, we'll always be there for you when you need us.
Hey, Asami-chan! Do you want to come
hang out at the studio today?
What?
I'm having a shoot with Ami-chan, the amateur model.
I'll introduce you to her.
You wanted to meet her, didn't you?
Yeah, but...
Don't you have plans with Nakanishi today?
Yeah.
Sorry, Megu-tan.
It's okay.
Another time, then.
Hey, Nao-chan. I'm seeing Ami-chan the model today.
Do you want to come with me?
That girl's always dangling some kind of bait in front of people.
What? Really?
Of course!
Should I invite some other models?
I don't think she means to...
Seriously?
Did something happen between you two?
It's just... she wasn't looking at you just now.
Megumi-san must still have feelings for Yamato.
But I...
Anyway, we were talking about how we wouldn't have as much time
to see each other with exams coming up, so we decided to study together.
That's great.
Isn't it? Isn't it?
Why isn't it me?
Why?
Did you have any trouble fixing the bracelet?
A little.
But you fixed it.
Whenever I wear this, I feel like you'll always be by my side.
It's like it's telling me that I'm not alone.
See you later.
We're already here?
That was quick.
Oh, I know.
There's something I want to buy in this area.
Would it be all right if I waited for you to finish work?
Sure.
Yamato!
Hey.
We're about to go to karaoke.
Do you want to come with us?
Sorry, I've got some shopping to do.
Where's Tachibana?
At work.
What are you shopping for?
It's, well, you know...
Why are you getting so embarrassed?
Come on, let's go.
Say "hi" to Tachibana for me.
Sure.
Aiko, thanks for yesterday.
Yeah, yeah.
What happened yesterday?
Nothing. Come on.
What happened? Tell me.
Hey, Aiko. Hey, come on.
You're so persistent.
Come on, let's go.
Welcome.
It's the big boy.
Welcome. Thanks for coming again.
Hey.
One more hour...
I'd like these.
Thank you very much.
If I could, I'd also like to get that...
You can't have it.
I know. I was just kidding.
You really do like Land, don't you?
I really do.
I have to ask.
Do you know about that key chain's jinx?
What jinx?
You really don't know?
And you're using it anyway!
S-Sorry.
See the ring on the side of the key?
If you write your wish on a yellow ribbon
Tachibana
and tie it on there, it'll come true.
If a couple attaches matching ribbons,
they say their love will last forever.
You have a boyfriend?
You're so straightforward. It's adorable.
Mei-chan, you should have told me you had a boyfriend.
You're such a secretive girl.
Sorry.
You're really interesting.
Good work today.
Sorry for making you wait.
It's okay. When I was modeling, I made you wait for me a lot.
Don't worry about it.
I'm really sorry.
It's fine.
What should I talk about?
I should have a lot to say...
There's a lot I want to say,
but the words never seem to come at times like this.
What?
I was just thinking the same thing.
I see.
Man...
We got here too fast again.
I wish you lived farther away,
so it would take us about three days to get there.
That wouldn't be good.
I see.
Why don't you use our dryer?
Huh?
Your shirt is wet.
Sorry.
With just girls here, we don't have a change of clothes for you.
It's okay. I'm not cold.
If anything, I'm sweating.
Your face is red.
So is yours.
Thanks for taking such good care of your bracelet.
Of course.
Here.
These will never break.
Open it.
They're pair rings.
So we both have one?
Why Kurosawa?
I've actually wanted to call you Yamato for a while.
I wanted you to call me that, too.
You did yesterday.
Today,
I... I think I'm nervous.
Me, too.
Sorry.
I just want to stay like this.
I like how you smell...
Mei!
I'm home!
Mei?
Help me make dinner.
Of course I'd have no make up on at a time like this.
I'm so sorry.
No, I apologize for my appearance as well.
It's fine. Make yourself at home.
No, um... I'm sorry.
You don't need to apologize.
But...
So, you're Mei's boyfriend.
Yes.
Sorry...
Mei, your boyfriend is feeling uneasy.
Sheesh. I'm sorry.
She's always like this at home.
Does she ever seem out of place at school?
Mom!
No, Mei is...
I mean, Mei-san is a strong and charming person.
I respect her a lot.
What? There's no need to exaggerate.
Mei-san isn't swayed by her peers.
She's sure of herself,
but she's still thoughtful towards others.
She's a wonderful person.
Really?
That's the first time anyone has said that about her.
But you're right.
She's been that way ever since she was little,
and I thought I was the only one who understood that.
I'm so happy...
Mom...
What am I going to do? I'm tearing up...
Marshmallow, good to see you again.
Thank you.
For meeting Mei.
Not at all.
I should be thanking you.
Yamato.
Thanks.
Huh?
That's the first time I've seen my mom look so relieved.
It's all because of you, Yamato...
Thank you.
Mei...
Mei-chan!
Is that a pair ring on your strap?
Yes.
Yamato bought it for you, didn't he?
Y-Yes.
That's great, Mei-chan! Congratulations!
It's not...
It's not an engagement ring.
But you must be so happy!
Mei-chan, that's really great!
Yes.
Anyway, the café's owner and
my agency's manager knew each other.
What? Really?
That's crazy.
They said I could stop by any time I like.
That's amazing.
Let's all go together sometime.
Seriously?
I started calling Kurosawa by his first name.
Even if it rains...
Or if it's sunny...
Even when the winter wind blows, and it grows cold...
I spend my days peacefully with Yamato and my friends.
I never imagined
I would spend my days like this.
Hey, Yamato.
Huh?
Hey.
It's me. It's Kai. Takemura Kai.
Hey, Takemura-kun! I told you to come to the faculty office!
Yeah, I'll be right there.
So Yamato's your boyfriend?
See you later, Yamato.
Yeah.
I had heard rumors, but Takemura-kun is really back.
You know him?
We knew him in middle school, right, Yamato?
Yeah.
I'm seriously surprised that Kai transferred back here.
A year below us, too...
Is he your friend?
Well... he might not think so anymore.
I told you before.
My closest friend in middle school
became the target of bullying.
I talked to him in secret,
but outwardly I couldn't do anything for him.
He ended up transferring.
That's him.
But he sure has changed.
He's so big now...
He likes Land, apparently.
Anyway, how do you know Kai?
He comes to the bakery a lot.
Really?
Yeah.
Well, see you tomorrow.
Yeah, work hard.
I will.
Hey.
Welcome.
It was good to see you this morning.
Senpai, I finally transferred.
You used to know Yamato.
Did he tell you about how I used to be bullied?
Actually, he told me about how he pretended not to notice.
Well, let me tell you something...
I came back to get my revenge on the kids who bullied me.
I bulked up and took a year off for that reason.
I don't think I'll lose now.
Wouldn't you just be doing what your bullies did to you?
Will anything change by bullying them?
People who haven't been bullied
wouldn't understand how I feel.
I have been bullied.
I only just recently made friends.
Even if it takes a long time,
I would be happy if the people
who bullied me got to know me.
I'll change what I can by using force.
Using my own strength.
Um...
If you'd like, you can have this.
It's a new product and they gave me one.
But I don't really eat sweet things...
You always buy sweet tasting breads, so I thought you might like it.
Thanks. See you later.
I'll show them.
I'm not the person I used to be.
Nishigaoka Private High School
He's relatively tall and intimidating.
He has acne scars and a mole near his mouth.
That's him.
That must be him.
I'll do to you what you did to me.
Raise your head! I'll hit you!
Hey...
I'm sorry.
Hey, wait! Hey!
It's me, Takemura!
He didn't notice?
What the hell?
He actually forgot that he used to bully me...
Was I really that insignificant?
Is this what I've been holding onto?
Will anything change by bullying them?
Kai...
Hey. You here to meet your girlfriend?
Yeah.
Tachibana Mei, right?
Yeah.
I...
I probably
like her.
Episode 9 - Each and Every
Behind closed doors with Yamato,
I was so nervous.
I'm kind of relieved and disappointed
my mom came home when she did.
Mother, you came home at just
the right time to save Mei!
Good job, meow!