There's no rain that doesn't let up.
There's no night that doesn't dawn.
And there's no winter that doesn't end.
Someday for sure,
all things come to an end.
This bleak living arrangement, too,
will finally come to an end.
So when are you going home?
What do you mean going home?
To Yaizu. You promised, remember?
Yeah, but actually,
Megumi-chan's nursing school will be posting the results of the exam today.
Oh yeah, that's right. All the more reason you can decide on the day of your departure.
Kota, you'd better go to school even when you get back to Yaizu.
All right.
Both of you enjoy your life there.
I, for one, will enjoy my life here all by myself...
- Turtle! - Suppon (soft-shelled turtle).
Shige-chan brought it for us yesterday.
What's a suppon doing on the floor of my kitchen?
Shige-chan brought it...
If you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, any winter is bearable.
Don't worry, spring is around the corner.
Heck, it looks delicious.
Brings back memories.
Of the time you were born.
Why are you looking at those old pictures?
Reminds of the the good old days.
When you grew up, I thought
we could be like friends who could tell each other everything.
I'm heading out then.
What? Are you really going to work?
I feel bad about taking 2 days off for a minor cold like that.
- Work's piling up too. - Oh, dear.
I'll see you later.
Okay. Have a good day.
This time, a suppon was crawling on the floor.
- Suppon? - It sucks, but it's okay.
This lifestyle will soon come to pass. Dad should be moving out soon.
Oh...Yozo-san's going home, huh? I'm happy for you.
It doesn't look like things are going too well for you, huh?
Not really.
Why can't it be Kazuya-san?
She won't tell me anything.
- You know, you could always tell Ritsuko-san... - No.
There's no point in telling her now and making her cry.
- Are you all well now? - Yeah, almost. Oh, here.
Thanks for the power stone.
It worked like I told you, didn't it?
Restores troubled relationships.
Oh...kinda.
Didn't you get the problem with the client settled smoothly?
Client? Oh, it went well.
Kumagai-kun, I'm glad it wasn't anything serious.
I'm sorry for causing you much worry.
Hanako-san, these are the documents that piled up while you were away.
I have them sorted by priority.
The ones that need attention today have pink tags.
I put blue tags on things that can wait until tomorrow.
Okay. Oh, who told her to do this?
- Not me. - Chief?
- It wasn't me. - Me neither.
Then who told you?
Oh...no one.
But I thought it might be helpful if I did.
Oh, did I do something unnecessary...
Tanaka-san...
I'm extremely impressed right now.
Take a look at this, Chief. She used her own judgment to...
- On her own? - Wait, isn't your expectation too low?
- The written estimate. It's correct. - It's correct.
- It's easy to read~. - Amazing.
What? Is Master going back to Yaizu?
There's no reason for him to be in Tokyo anymore.
Why can't you all live together?
Then you take them in. My place is for single people.
It wasn't meant for three people.
- It's going to get lonely. - Not at all.
It's just going back to the normal state.
Let us know when the date of departure is decided. I'd like to thank him properly.
- That's not necessary. - Aren't we having a farewell party?
- We should, huh? - It's not that big of a deal...
That's right! We have to have a farewell party.
We'll all get together again.
- Listen, guys... - Why not for the last time?
They're going back to Yaizu, right?
We won't be able to see Master or Kota-kun anymore, right?
That's why I said...
Wait a minute. If we throw a farewell party for him,
even Dad will have to make up his mind.
You're right, Sasaki. It's the last time.
I'd appreciate it if you could send off Dad with a bang.
All right, the farewell party's on!
We'll have it at your place, okay?
At my place?
I'll let you know when the details are worked out.
Thanks. Okay, let's go have our project meeting.
That's right.
I'm going to put an end to my winter.
Fight.
It's there.
It's there!
I did it. It's there~. I passed!
Look, look. My number's up there.
I passed!
You passed?
Good job, Megumi-chan.
Thanks, Yo-chan.
Now, I can finally take my first step forward.
That's a giant leap forward.
I'm home.
Kota's home. Here he is.
It's Megumi-chan.
Hello?
Kota, I passed.
Congratulations.
Thanks.
The notebook you gave me,
I'll be sure to treasure it.
I'll do my best.
Kota, congratulations.
Thanks, Mom.
- I'm home. - Hi.
Are you going somewhere?
I'm thinking about going back to Kawakami Village around next week.
I've had my share of fun here.
Actually,
I was hoping I could be of more help to you but...
Oh, I have your laundry folded over here.
Thanks.
Yes.
All things come to an end someday.
Even if that comes at an inopportune time.
You're doing good...
Because people are creatures who mature and change.
Good night.
There's no winter that doesn't end.
This lifestyle that's been trampled on by Dad, too,
shall end soon.
Good job hanging in there, me.
We've been approached by Dearmount Co. about the possibility of
completely renovating this place for their first chain of cafes.
There aren't too many offices around here. Nor is it a community for students.
- It's not suitable for Chain Store No. 1, right? - You have other proposed sites, don't you?
- Yeah. - I'll go get the car. You guys just wait here.
What?
I was just thinking how good you two look together.
I would've loved to see your wedding.
Get your fill to your heart's contents at your own wedding.
- You want to get married as soon as possible, right? - Yes.
But I changed my mind just a little.
I thought I wanted to get married as soon as possible and become a housewife, but
lately, I'm thinking that I may want to continue working even after I get married.
On second thought, Anne of Green Gables was a career woman too.
Anne worked as a schoolteacher to sustain herself and then built a family.
That's the great thing about Anne.
Yes. That's why I think I should give it a try too.
I'm finding out that work is fun when it goes well.
I know. It is, isn't it?
It would be nice if someone can teach me how to work at love too.
I wonder how Nagasato-san feels about me.
I don't think he dislikes you.
I know, right? If he didn't like me, he wouldn't go out with me, right?
He teaches me a lot about road bikes too.
Well, yeah.
But he won't ask me out himself.
I'm afraid I might drive him away again if I try to get too close.
Don't you think it's better not to overanalyze too much?
If you take the straightforward approach, or should I say, if you tell him in earnest,
I think he'll respond then.
I see~.
I know, right?!
I see.
Welcome.
Sorry to bother you.
Tanaka-san has something to tell you.
Tanaka-san.
- We'll get going then. - Please stay.
Both of you, please stay here.
Then we'll be sitting over here.
Okay.
Well then, what would you all like?
I'd like the same one as Daisuke-san.
I don't understand how you can order this beer
- without knowing what it is. - I'm sorry.
They're all beer just the same.
- You just don't get it, do you? - Each beer is completely different.
It's just like coffee.
- If someone says they're all the same...you know? - I know.
It's like I don't want people drinking beer without knowing the difference.
Hey, have that discussion when you guys are alone.
- Right now... - Sorry.
Let's start with three of the same beer.
Certainly.
Uh...
I like you. Please marry me!
- That's a super straight ball. - Its a hard fast ball, huh?
I want to live with you for the rest of my life.
I said it...
OMG, I said it.
You're doing fine. We heard you.
I'll be waiting for your answer!
What are you going to do?
Heck if I know. If you were me, Takase-san, what would you do?
Well... Tanaka-san's a nice girl.
- Sure, she's a nice girl, but... - But what?
- Do you have a gripe with her? - Huh?
I think she's too good for a high maintenance quirky guy who's almost 40.
Why won't you give her an answer right away?
Why do I have to be pressed for an answer by Complainer Hanako?
Is complainer relevant right now?
The e-mails that came to the company's website yesterday.
Oh, those. I wrote a few when I was hospitalized.
- Don't write complaints to kill time. - I'm not talking about that now,
I'm talking about Tanaka-san.
- Why are you evading the issue? - I'm not evading it.
Why are you mad at me anyway? It doesn't make sense, does it?
Well, no...
Forget it. Good night.
I'm not mad. Right?
Really? You looked pretty edgy to me too.
I'm just
envious, maybe?
That she can be so direct with someone like that.
Is that all?
Daisuke, congratulations!
What are you celebrating?
Did Tanaka Rina-san propose to you?
Yozo-san! I asked Daisuke-san to marry me!! Just so you know. Rina
Damn, you beat me to it.
But since it's you, I'll let it go.
Why do you know about it?
I was taking a peek at Master's Facebook and I saw the message from Rina-san.
- When are you giving her your answer? - I dunno.
Daisuke, the sooner the better.
There's a lot of preparation to be made if you're getting married.
I'm not getting married.
But she's the daughter of the company that makes those tissues, you know.
So what? I'm not even thinking about getting married.
Are you still stuck on that idea?
We're talking about Rina-san, you know. Who's young and cute. Right?
Look. Even Kota-kun says she's cute.
We have no right to refuse
a proposal from someone like her.
- Let go. - Daisuke.
What are you gonna do?
Heck if I know.
Sasaki, go home. Dad, go to bed.
Daisuke!
Hey...
I just want to cherish the time with Master and Kota-kun.
Just know that I'll be staying here until the farewell party.
I'm so jealous. Of your proposal.
What's so different about you and me?
I dunno.
Maybe I'll go to the gym 6 times a week too.
Not a good idea.
- Or buy a road bike. - An even worse idea.
Things don't even work out for me at a matchmaking service.
You're really too greedy.
Don't kick me.
I know I...
Daisuke.
Yeah?
You'd better respond to Rina-chan
with your utmost sincerity, you hear?
Rina-chan must've
mustered all her courage to propose to you.
In either case, respond to her with sincerity.
Rina-chan, did you reserve the conference room for this afternoon?
Rina-chan?
Kumagai-san.
Tanaka Rina's progress didn't even last a week.
What's with that sigh of a maiden in love?
Say, Tanaka-san.
You promised you'd get your job done properly, right?
Yes, of course. Chief, I have conference room A1 reserved.
- Oh, you have? - Yes.
Oh, and Yamane-san. Here's your documents.
Already? It's done correctly.
If you want to be in love, you have to do your best at work too.
- Yeah, sure. - Oh, Ando-san.
Good evening, Kumagai-san.
Hi.
I'm just amazed at how she's maturing.
Huh?
Tanaka-san.
I thought for sure she'd be in no mood to work today.
- Good evening. - Hello.
While she was worried about your answer to her proposal, she was performing her job admirably.
Proposal?
My junior at work proposed to him.
- You mean Tanaka Rina-san? - Yes, that's her.
What?! Since when did you become that close?
- That's uh... - Seems like they've dated several times already.
I think Tanaka-san wants to make it official...
Don't go spreading my personal information!
Seriously though,
why don't you just give her your answer?
I think Tanaka-san's waiting nervously.
- It's too bothersome. - Bothersome?
It's hard for me to deal with making things clear or conveying my feelings.
Are you that type?
Like when it's time to break up with your girlfriend,
you drag it on and let the relationship end on its own?
Oh, too many things come to mind?
- Somewhat. - Oh.
I'm not sure what it is. I don't dislike her.
But she wears me out.
Like when I'm having dinner with Tanaka-san,
she's attentive to me in various ways.
She's too attentive,
I feel I have to be attentive too.
Why don't you just tell her that?
If you tell her, I think she'll change.
She's a straightforward girl.
I don't know about a girl who'd change just because I said something.
Sounds like a luxury problem to me.
That's what happens when you've been single too long.
You're a fine one to talk.
I know, huh?
But you have to give her an answer.
To the person who's straightforward with you,
you have to be straightforward too.
??Fight!
Is this Hana-chan?
What a cutie.
She must've been about year and a half old.
It seems like just yesterday.
Ricchan...
Are you going back to your husband after all?
I guess so.
I was hoping I could be a confidante to Hanako, but
before I knew it, she was all grown up.
I should know better, but no matter how old she gets, I can't shake off the feeling that she's still a child.
But they're all finding their own path, right?
I'm glad but it also makes me feel somewhat lonely.
I know, huh?
Although I don't know
if I can be there at the end of that path.
- Hm? - Nothing.
I was just wondering if our parents were thinking the same thing.
- This is Ricchan holding her. - Yeah, that's me.
And Hana-chan's crying. That's great.
She's so cute.
Hello.
Hello? This is Rina.
It's about Saturday, tomorrow.
Can we meet?
Sure.
- Good morning! - Good morning.
They say you can see a school of tuna up close here.
- Tuna. - Yes.
So cute~.
Aren't they cute?
Yeah...they sure are.
Oh, over there!
Just spending our day off like this
and if we could stay together until we're old,
we could be happy, right?
- Uh... - Oh!
- Listen, Tanaka-san... - Just call me Rina.
Listen, Rina-san...
Oh, it's time for the dolphin show. Let's go.
They're so cute and amazing.
Listen. About the answer for the other day.
I'm in no hurry to get the answer.
Actually, I'd like to put it off too.
Putting it off and dragging it out
and waiting for you to give up on me
would be easier for me.
It's easier, but
I thought it would be cowardly for me to drag it out
when you're being so honest and straightforward with me.
You haven't given me your answer yet, but
by the way this conversation is going,
I'm going to get totally rejected, aren't I?
Well...
I guess you could say so.
Just so I know, can I ask you the reason?
I think you're cute and
I think you're a nice girl.
But I can't imagine being with you all the time.
Like living together, or getting old together.
What if I said we don't have to get married?
You're a man who don't want to marry, right?
Then why don't we just date? Just see each other like this...
But you want to get married, right?
You said you want to get married and have a family.
That's my dream.
Then don't give up on your dream so easily.
There's sure to be someone who won't make you give up on you precious dream.
Look for someone like that.
I see.
I understand.
I feel better now that you told me honestly.
I'm...sorry.
I'm all right. Believe it not, I'm pretty strong.
Bye then.
Excuse me.
I gave her my answer.
You turned her down, huh?
Yeah.
I'm beat~.
If you told her your honest feelings,
I'm sure she'll be all right.
She's much stronger than we think.
Although she'll probably cry all day today.
I'll give her a call tomorrow.
I hear you're having a farewell party for Yozo-san.
Yeah. Tomorrow.
Mine too. Sounds like she's getting ready to leave soon.
Oh, yeah?
She's going home, huh?
You sure you want to leave things as they are?
It's none of my business, but
why don't you just tell her?
Why don't you just tell Ritsuko-san?
It's kinda too late now.
Things are going to come up in the future too.
Like when people ask aren't you planning to have kids at all.
At times like that, isn't it best to confide in Ritsuko-san?
You say you don't want to cause any worries for her, but
she did pretty much what she pleased with you
like bringing in the piano, right?
Get back at her a little.
Get back at her?
Yup.
Cause her to worry, cause her trouble.
Wouldn't that make Ritsuko-san happier?
Of course, it's none of my business.
You're home.
- Stew? - Yeah, right you are.
- Smells good. - Doesn't it, though?
Mom.
I'm not planning to have children anymore.
In my case, there's always in-vitro fertilization, and
well, next year or the year after next,
I might change my mind, but for now...
Hanako.
What are you talking about?
I didn't tell you all this time, but
I figured I should tell you.
The thing is, when Kazuya and I were newlyweds,
I went to the hospital to confirm something.
I was told I tested positive for pregnancy, but
they couldn't see the gestational sac.
I was told there was a possibility of a tubal pregnancy and that I should beware.
But I was busy and I just let it go.
Then one day, I suddenly got a stomachache.
When I rushed to the hospital, they told me I needed emergency surgery.
No way. I never heard anything about that at all.
It happened in the middle of the night and I told Kazuya not to let you know.
Because, Mom, you'd worry, right?
And after the surgery...
It was tubal pregnancy and there was a lot of blood in your stomach.
We went in with a laparoscope and removed the right Fallopian tube which had ruptured and was bleeding.
Also,
when we checked the left Fallopian tube during the surgery,
we found out that it was blocked, but we were unable to separate the adhesion.
Since the right Fallopian tube was removed,
natural pregnancy may be difficult in the future.
Even then, at that time,
we weren't considering divorce at all.
Kazuya-san? Did he say something?
Kazuya...
Kazuya was busy at that time too.
You know, he was going back and forth Japan and Germany, remember?
Anyway, some time after that, Kazuya told his mother about it.
It seems his mother
said she won't be able to see her grandchild
and cried.
Then his mother, out of concern for me,
went and gathered information on hospital and things.
But at the time, my mind couldn't keep up with what was happening.
I wondered
if I had to go that far to have a child.
If I wanted a child that badly.
Then it got to be too painful to be with Kazuya.
And I asked him for a divorce.
Hanako...
Why didn't you tell me?
I didn't want to see you cry.
The one to cry wasn't me, was it?
What I didn't want even more was for you to see me cry.
Because I'm a grown up now.
Dummy.
You're such a dummy. I've seen you cry
since you were born.
Thank you.
Message from Kumagai Hanako
I'm glad I told her.
I'm happy for you then.
Someday for sure,
all things come to an end.
Winter ends, and
Slow down.
spring arrives.
I'm getting kinda nervous.
How should I introduce myself?
"I'm Nagasato Yozo's wife"?
They're all nice people.
Let's go.
Yes, it all comes to an end someday.
Congratulations!
It's just a little bit longer
that I'll have to bear with these folks.
Megumi-chan, I bet you were surprised.
- I was. - I was a surprise victim too.
- Ritsuko-san. - Hello again.
- Sasaki-san. Irie-san. - Hello.
- Yuka-san. Ayumi-san. - Nice to meet you.
Sawa-san. The Miyama Family.
Shige-san and...Tomo-san, Taka-san.
Perfectly done. Wonderful.
This is my mother.
And my wife.
Thank you for everything you've been doing for my husband and son.
I'm sorry for causing you worries.
Come, Megumi-san, this way.
Kota-kun, go sit by your father too.
I'll get it.
- Hello. - Hello~.
Rina-chan, what's with those glasses?
It seems she got rejected and her eyes are swollen.
You mean by Daisuke?
- Hey, who do you think... - Never mind that.
- I just... - Such a shame.
- Not you too, Irie. - Rina-chan, come here.
Take off those glasses. Much prettier.
- You look perfectly fine. - Really?
Let's get back in the spirit now.
In celebration of Nagasato Megumi-san's acceptance at the nursing school,
and in commemoration of the departure of our Master and Kota-kun...
Oh, and Ricchan's also going back to her husband.
Now then, in commemoration of everyone's departure,
- Cheers! - Cheers!
- See you, Daisuke-kun. - Thanks~.
Thank you for coming.
Master, when you decide on the date of your departure, call me any time.
Yaizu's close by so come back anytime.
- Hey, that's enough. - Daisuke, make sure you give Master the spare key.
- Okay, okay. - Sasaki-kun, let's go.
I'm all right.
- Elevator's here. - Coming.
Daisuke, see you...
I'll see you around.
So you'll be attending nursing school for the next 3 years, huh?
Even on days I don't have classes, I'll have my hands full with assignments and part-time job.
Then during that time, Kota-kun will be living with Yozo-san, right?
Ah~ Sorry. Wait, wait.
You've improved your skill.
You look so sweet but you're so cold-hearted.
So...
- When are you going back? - Huh?
To Yaizu.
We've got to take steps to get Kota transferred so you'd better decide soon.
When will that be?
Daisuke, uh...
Can we stay here a little longer?
I'd like to spend a little more time with you.
Excuse me?
But Yo-chan, you can wait for me at Yaizu like we originally planned.
Yeah, well...
I would if I could.
Yozo-san.
Ricchan,
Hana-chan,
Kota.
Since you're all close to me,
I'll say it.
I'm
going to
die soon.
Excuse me?
Oh please, Yo-chan. Stop joking like that.
Megumi-chan.
I'm not joking.
Right? Shige-chan.
What?
What does that mean?
It seems
I
won't last until summer.
I was told
I'll die
by then.
I'm sorry.