The fact that the two of us met that day...
I wonder what many miracles...
...happened in the world before it?
Who should I thank for it?
Ah, I'm sure that your future...
...will be suited for me.
There are nights that I can't say as much, and I feel like crying.
Eternity, eternity, even past it, the colors don't fade.
I wait in the wind under the sky.
If I believe, if I believe, your smile...
...will become a flower for me... I'm sure.
Kaoru-dono.
Do you remember when I first met you, Kaoru-dono?
Y-Yes...
Honestly, I hated you.
Even before we first met.
But seeing how Aoi-sama had been since she met you...
What she had thought...
What she had felt...
And what she had longed for...
I finally understood a little bit.
If that is the case...
No matter what happens, I will protect you!
Episode 23 Determination
Welcome back
I'll be right back. -Kaoru This was posted on the door to Kaoru's room. I'll be right back. -Kaoru
What? What does it mean?
Did Big Brother go somewhere?
I don't know.
What do you mean you don't know?
When I say I don't know, I don't know!
What is that irresponsible answer?
What's irresponsible?
You're irresponsible because you are!
What?
Oh, stop it, both of you...
Saionji-san...
From this note, I don't think you should worry all too much...
You say I shouldn't worry, but...
What's Kaoru thinking at a time like this?
What? You're saying this is Hanabishi-sama's fault?
What? You have a problem with that?
Jeez, where did you go, Big Brother?
This is...
Kaoru-sama!
Kaoru-sama...
Kaoru-sama!
I'm so glad...
I thought something happened.
Miyabi-san.
Sorry to trouble you so...
Thank you so, so much.
No problem.
Aoi-chan...
Did something happen back home?
It is all right.
It was nothing much.
But...
May we go on a short walk?
Go ahead, but I have errands and cannot accompany you.
Thank you so much.
Let's go, Kaoru-sama.
It really is fun to walk together with you, after all.
R-Really?
Oh, Kaoru-sama, look!
So cute...
The cheeks bulging out like that...
Oh, there's a shrine in a place like this?
Yes.
There is a god of romance here.
You're right.
All the wishing plates are about relationships.
Delicious.
Huh?
That tree...
Aoi-chan, I've been here in the past, haven't I?
Yes.
This is the place where I first spent time together with you.
That day, when I first met you, Kaoru-sama...
...I was slightly scared, honestly.
You projected no emotions on your face...
Or rather, you had no emotions.
But I was surprised when we came out to these woods.
Wait, Kaoru-sama!
Come on, Kaoru-sama!
The real Kaoru-sama was very cheerful...
...and slightly mischievous.
- Surprised? - Kaoru-sama, you're mean...
Are you all right, Aoi-chan? Ouch...
Here, Aoi-chan.
But you were a very kind, wonderful person.
Come on, hurry.
Okay...
I think I was a little nervous when I first met you, Aoi-chan.
Nervous?
Because your hair was so shiny, and you were so cute...
You looked like a doll.
So it was fun to see such a cute girl laugh and be surprised.
Then that was...
Honestly, that's why you pulled those pranks?
Sorry.
It was really fun when I played out here back then...
You were really having a great time, Kaoru-sama.
Because the Hanabishis hardly let me play.
Oh, Kaoru-sama!
So that's why that time...
Hey, wake up!
What?
No, it's nothing.
It's huge.
Oh, that's right.
I think it was around here...
Oh, here it is! I found it, Aoi-chan!
Wow, you're right. Aoi Kaoru Wow, you're right. Aoi Kaoru Stand here, Aoi-chan.
What is it, Kaoru-sama?
Wait just a minute.
No, another frog?
Nope, it's this.
Wow, it's pretty!
Let me see, Kaoru-sama! No, you have to stay still.
This is my greatest treasure.
Aoi-chan is this line, and I'm this one. Aoi Kaoru Aoi-chan is this line, and I'm this one Aoi Kaoru
All right!
I'm taller!
What? Do it again, Kaoru-sama!
No!
- One more time! - No!
It was the next day that we said goodbye...
Kaoru-sama!
Aoi-chan.
Kaoru-sama, I don't want you to go home!
I'm sorry...
Are you fine with this?
Don't you want to be with me?
That's not it!
I want to spend more time with you, too.
Then stay here longer!
I don't want to go home, either.
But...
Aoi-chan.
I'll lend you this.
But that's your treasure...
It's all right.
Just give it back when we meet again.
Oh, yeah.
We'll compare heights again when we do.
Okay?
I understand, Kaoru-sama.
That's a promise!
That key...
...was really something my mom gave me.
It was the key to her jewelry box.
The box itself was burned with all the memories of my mom...
Kaoru-sama.
I will return your dear memories...
...that I had held on to for all this time.
Thank you.
Because you protected that key all this time, Aoi-chan...
...one memory of my mom has returned to me.
Kaoru-sama...
I am so glad I met you, Kaoru-sama.
I am truly glad the first person I ever fell in love with was you.
Me, too...
Miyabi
Aoi Kaoru
Kaoru Aoi
Ai Yori Aoshi
I have a sudden errand, so I will excuse myself. I will come pick you up tomorrow morning.
Aoi-chan, this means...
Until the morning...
We are all alone...
- Um... - Um... Oh, I apologize. N-No, you don't have to apologize...
T-That is true...
U-Um, Aoi-chan?
Y-Yes?
- Can you pass the soy sauce? - Oh, sure. - Here. - Thanks.
It is a little far.
A little.
Um, Kaoru-sama?
May I go over there?
This feels like a honeymoon.
You're right...
A honeymoon...
That means...
Kaoru-sama.
Say "ahh..."
What's this all of a sudden?
I apologize.
I went out of my way...
I was looking at you, and I just thought...
How'd you know?
I was just thinking how I wanted that.
Really?
Then say "ahh..."
Ahh...
Tasty.
Then next would be this one?
Amazing, you're right again.
Ahh...
Do my emotions show up on my face that much?
No, it's not like that...
I just have a good idea since I've watched you all this time.
I like how you look when you're happy...
...and how you look when you're thinking.
But your smile is what I like the most.
Aoi-chan...
Did you eat too much?
Yeah, quite.
Because it was so tasty.
K-Keep looking and you'll get tired of me.
No.
I will never get tired of looking at the face of the person I love.
Oh, that's right. We should go take our baths.
A-Aoi-chan, you should go first.
Kaoru-sama?
Shall we bathe together?
Excuse me.
May I sit by your side?
Your back really is big, Kaoru-sama.
Really?
Another of my dreams came true.
Dreams?
I have always wanted to scrub your back like this, Kaoru-sama.
Sorry.
It's not a pleasant sight, is it...
It's all right.
I don't mind at all.
Um...
Do these wounds still...
Well, yeah, sometimes.
But it's strange.
I think it was about when you wiped my back in the apartment.
The pain is slowly starting to go away.
I think it's because you've been steadily healing my wounds.
Aoi-chan?
I...
I have many dreams.
Getting dinner and a bath ready...
...while waiting for you to come back from work.
And when you come back...
...I want to say, "Welcome back."
On your days off...
...we sit on the ledge together and eat sweets that I made.
When you're tired, I want to massage your shoulders.
And when it gets cold, I want to sit in a heated table with you.
But...
But my greatest dream...
...is to be...
...is to be your wife.
Kaoru-sama!
I can no longer think of a life without you, Kaoru-sama.
Please let me stay by your side from now on.
Please, Kaoru-sama.
What happened?
- An arrangement for marriage? - That's right. His father is a trader thriving in America...
...and I can't object to the family.
I met him the other day, and he had good manners...
...and seemed to have a very strong will.
I have no complaints with him as your partner.
And the day you'll see him...
Please wait, Father!
I had not heard of such a thing!
Besides, Kaoru-sama, who in my heart...
Aoi!
It's true that this marriage benefits the Sakuraba family...
...but more than that, I want you to be happy.
Then if you are thinking of my happiness...
...let me be with him!
Enough make-believe!
He is no longer one of the Hanabishi household!
He is a plain man who has lost the Hanabishi crown!
There's no way that he can make you happy!
Forget about him!
I've kept quiet all this time, but that ends today, understood?
No.
I cannot do that.
I cannot have an arranged marriage!
I won't allow you to leave this house for a while!
Please wait, Father!
Aoi-sama...
Please meet with the other side at least...
No, I will not see him.
Won't you please think this over?
Aoi-sama...
If I go to the arrangement...
...I will no longer be able to stay at Kaoru-sama's side.
I will be forced to marry someone other than him.
I...
I am Kaoru-sama's wife!
Aoi-sama, will you rid yourself of the Sakuraba name?
At this rate, you will only seek the master's wrath...
...and be forbidden to return to this house.
You will no longer be able to see Kaoru-dono, either.
I understand.
But I have one wish.
Before I do it, I want to see Kaoru-sama one last time.
Such a thing went on?
I apologize, Kaoru-sama...
...for keeping quiet.
I love you so much, but I only trouble you.
Aoi-chan...
But now that I have seen you like this, I understand things well.
This is the place I belong, after all.
I am yours and only yours.
So...
I don't want to be apart...
I won't let you go anymore...
I am sure Aoi-sama and Kaoru-dono have already left.
My duty is to protect Aoi-sama's happiness.
This is all right.
This is what I should be doing...
Aoi-sama! Kaoru-dono!
Why?
Aoi-sama...
I hope I can be with Kaoru-sama. Aoi Sakuraba
What is the weakest thing in this world?
Even so, it exists to protect the two.
Because there's as much of it as there are stars above.
I wanted to hear it from your voice.
So tell me it's love.
Tell me that it really is love.
Even if the two are like unknown flowers...
To fall in love...
To become very strong...
Because I want you to feel the same thing...
...a small, fragile love.
This sky is blue as far as you can see.
It continues forever and ever.
Next Episode Aoi
I will always be at your side.