Hello, Madoka!
Hello!
Are you gentlemen visiting the shrine together?
Didn't you hear?
There was the first tug-of-war match in a while at the temple earlier.
I've been at the library all morning reading to the children...
Then again, I think maybe
Grandfather mentioned something about that yesterday.
Who was competing against whom?
It's going to be Sakai from the sake store and
that kid from the big city, you know?
You mean Kazuma?
Yeah, that's him!
He comes to my store too sometimes.
But why on earth was Kazuma competing
against Mr. Sakai in a game of tug-of-war?!
I don't know.
I only came to watch since he told me about it.
I heard it from a Yorozuyo waitress who came to my store,
so I don't really know the details...
What the hell?
You guys were getting all worked up
without knowing anything?
Since ancient times, the temple tug-of-wars
have always been about asking a girl's hand in marriage.
Wait, so...
I bet the kid asked for his daughter
and it threw the old man into a fit.
I see.
So I guess they decided the fate
of his only daughter through the match.
It sure takes me back.
I remember when I asked for my wife's hand.
Her father was dead against it,
and decided that we needed to settle it
in front of the temple in a tug-of-war match.
Back then, tug-of-war
was sometimes referred to as "tug-of-wife".
So that means Kazuma and Sakai are...
Since you were pulling both the rope...
But...
But we've just become friends!
And now you have to leave...
We'll always be friends.
We'll always...
be friends?
That's right.
Okay.
Minamikokubaru Daigo
Yes, hello?
Hey bro, it's me!
Daigo, what do you want?
Listen man, you gotta help me!
Huh?
Episode 10
A Ring, Floating...
Hello!
Hello, Koyori!
It looks like you're back from your trip.
Did you have fun in Hawaii?
I sure did!
And I brought back some souvenirs.
Is Madoka here?
She's here, but she's not feeling so well...
Is she sick?
I wouldn't go so far as to say she's sick.
I think she might be suffering a bit from the heat.
I guess...
She hasn't been feeling well
ever since the day of the tug-of-war match.
Tug-of-war match?
Isn't that how they used to settle disputes in the olden times?
So why did they have one?
I didn't really understand it myself.
Oh well, I'm sure seeing your face
will cheer her right up.
Why don't you go say hi to her?
All right.
I see.
You're saying she's been listless since the tug-of-war match.
Yeah.
Well, I guess Kazuma's the cause of that.
What?
Did he do something to her?!
Huh?
No, that's not what I meant.
But you see, Koyori,
in the old times, tug-of-war at the temple
was called tug-of-wife.
You see, both the rope and the wife were...
I would like to thank you all warmly
for joining me at the emergency
"Let's Get All Our Piled Up Summer Homework Done Together" meeting.
To enjoy the few remaining days of summer,
it is of tantamount importance
that we tie up the lingering threads of our home...
Kazuma!
Are you here?!
Yes.
What's up?
Kazuma!
Huh?
You bastard!
Is it true that you're marrying Hina?!
What?
Marriage?
Huh?
What?!
Oh.
So I guess you two aren't getting married after all.
Of course not!
Where did you even get that idea?
I didn't even know about this event.
I would've gone and cheered you on!
Well, it was...
I guess it's pretty decent of you to put yourself on the line
for Sakai's sake.
I guess I didn't hear about it because I was in Hawaii,
but as the official ears of Yamabiko,
I can't believe I had to miss an event like that!
My brother looked really cool in his loin cloth.
Geez, Ayumu, don't talk about it!
Then I'm going to go and report back to Madoka.
Why would you tell her?
Because she's been feeling down
ever since the tug-of-war happened
and Grandpa Gen said it was because
you and Hina were getting married.
So if I tell her that's not true, she'll...
Hold it right there!
So what you're saying is...
that Madoka is...
in love with Kazuma?!
You really think that's what's going on?!
You're asking me?!
Wait, did you get all worked up without understanding that part?
She's never been one for thinking things through.
Well, anyway, I'll go tell Madoka...
Hey, Koyori!
They're gone.
It looks like things just got a little more interesting.
You can say that again.
What then?
You made me trek out here in this god awful heat,
so this better be good.
That's right!
If it's boring, then it better be cold, sweet, and delicious!
Please keep your complaints
and the review of the parfait separate.
Daigo, don't forget why we're here.
You're right.
We wanted to talk to you
about setting up my bro and Madoka.
We'd really appreciate it if you guys assisted.
I mean, Madoka is a really shy girl
and even my big-city bro is pretty naive
and lost around these parts,
so we were thinking
us friends of theirs could play a little Cupid and...
This is idiotic.
What?
Hinata, you're against it?
I'm not for or against it,
I just don't see why I have to get involved in the first place.
What do you mean, "why"?
Because they're your friends!
Can't you do this little thing for your friends?
Whatever. I'm not helping you.
Ibuki!
Wait, Ibuki, wait!!
What's wrong?
You're not acting like yourself at all!
Are you okay with this, Ui?
Him and Madoka getting together?
Well, I...
I mean, to me,
Kazu is like an older brother.
So... well...
Fine.
If that's how you feel, then fine.
Ibuki?
You want me to go out with Kazuma?!
That's right!
We've discussed it with Daigo,
and we've all decided to support your love!
L-L-L-love?!
We've got a really good plan,
so the whole thing is smooth sailing!
We've invited Hoshino under the pretense
of going to the amusement park together.
Right before, we'll all call and say
that something came up and we have to cancel.
Then you'll be free to go on a date with him.
A d-d-d-date?!
We wrote you very detailed instructions in here.
Dating Guidebook
Make sure you read it thoroughly before you go.
A Bridge To the Starry Skies
Hoshizora E Kakaru Hashi
What the hell is going on?
At the last minute, suddenly neither Daigo,
nor Koyori, nor Kasane can come.
It's sure strange!
I wonder what's going on...
Ui and Ibuki had something planned
so they didn't bother inviting them.
Ayumu has another sketching meet up with the art club.
It looks like it's just you and me, Madoka.
We might as well have fun for the rest of them!
Yes!
Looks like it's going pretty well.
Hey...
That's good,
but did I really have to come dressed like this?
Of course you did!
Daigo and I are wearing disguises,
so you have got to wear one too.
What ride do you want to go on first, Madoka?
Hmm, let me think.
Umm...
The Dating Guidebook told me
1. Roller Coaster
to go on the roller coaster first...
I think I'd like to try the roller coaster first...
That's a surprise.
I would've thought you wouldn't like these kinds of rides.
Oh no, I like them just fine.
You're doing great, Koumoto!
First you get the mood up by
going on the roller coaster and screaming wildly.
That will make it easier to talk to each other.
Make it stop!
Make it stop! Let me off!
Mommy!!!!!!!
Are you okay?
Haunted Mansion
Madoka, are you sure you want to go in there next?
Of... of course!
I was raised in a shrine,
so the supernatural doesn't faze me one bit!
Next is the classic for couples, the haunted mansion
Nothing like acting scared and letting loose a scream
to get him to put his arms around you and strengthen your bond!
Haunted Mansion
Madoka, I think it's okay now.
I'm... so sorry!
Petting Zoo
Look Kazuma, he's eating it!
He's eating it!
The next stop is the Petting Zoo!
You start by feeding the cute bunnies
and as your hands accidentally brush and touch,
next thing you know, you're petting each other!
I'll try that too.
This one's a big eater!
He's just like Ui.
Wow!
They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
Bring a big, homemade lunch
Hungry Male
and you can wrap a hungry guy right around your finger!
Did you make all of this yourself?
Yes.
I got up early to make it.
I hope you'll like it...
If Ui saw this, she'd start drooling right away!
Thank you!
This is delicious!
Wow!
It sure is high at the top!
I had a lot of fun today, Madoka.
Yeah, me too.
We've got to come again, with the others next time!
You're right.
Next time, we should come with the others.
They're here!
Madoka doesn't look too happy.
That's why little kids don't get it.
What was that?!
What do you mean, Daigoro?
Looks to me like they are enjoying
that subtle and softly burning
embarrassment that comes after a kiss.
You're saying that Kazuma and Madoka kissed?!
I think so.
So now what?!
Are they going to get married?
Umm... aren't you rushing things a bit?
But, but... they kissed!
They're going to have a baby!
Then they have to get married quickly!
What?
What's so funny?
This is no laughing matter!
Kazuma?
Madoka?! Your clothes...
I felt like wearing something different,
so I borrowed this from Koyori...
You don't like it?
No! That's not it at all!
I was just surprised, because you looked different...
So how come you invited me
to go hiking with you all alone?
Well, I...
That's our bus!
Inner Yamabiko
I'm so glad we made it!
If we missed this bus, we'd really be waiting a long time.
Yeah.
So this is the mountain path Ayumu was talking about.
It's actually not much more than a hiking trail.
Even a child could easily walk up here.
I used to walk it myself all the time when I was a little girl.
Wow, really?
This is...
Kazuma, hurry up!
Okay.
I'll make us a spot here.
Got it!
Wait... were you that girl from way back then?
I'd never really gotten along with boys
so I didn't have anyone to play with in our neighborhood,
and I'd just come here by myself.
One day, I was up here again and this boy came over
and started to play with me.
He was different somehow from all the neighborhood boys.
He was so nice and wonderful.
He made me think of a prince.
We only played together that once,
but I never could forget him.
I've replayed that time in my mind
over and over again, until it felt like
we really had played together all the time.
Thinking about it now,
I'm wondering if it might have been love at first sight.
You could've just told me the first time we met.
You're right.
I should've,
but the first time we met at my temple,
it was so sudden, and after that,
I just didn't know what to do anymore.
I guess lots of things started happening
and the time was never right.
I guess that was one reason,
but I think I was hoping that
I wouldn't have to say anything.
That you would remember it and mention it yourself.
I had been thinking about you for so long
that I hoped, on some small level,
even if it was only a one-hundredth or a one-thousandth of all that,
you'd remember me yourself.
I wanted to think I had a place inside you,
however small it may be.
Even this outfit...
I picked it because I had worn something like it that day.
I was hoping you might remember if you saw it.
I'm sorry.
I had no idea you thought about me like this.
I mean, I was a little kid when that all happened.
I'm sure I had asked your name, but I'd forgotten.
And then, your hair was short back then and you've...
changed a lot since then.
It's fine.
It's enough for me that you remembered at all.
Madoka, I...
I know.
I know how you feel.
Kazuma, do you remember
what you said to me that day,
when we were saying our goodbyes?
Madoka...
Will you say it to me again?
This is weird, isn't it?
It's not like we won't see each other again.
And here I am, crying...
That's right, Madoka.
We'll always be friends.
Next time on A Bridge to the Starry Skies: Episode 11
Episode 11
Wet From The Rain