20 Years Ago
Yuko and I first met at a church orphanage when we were young.
There were lots of children there who had lost their parents,
and Yuko and I were no exception.
One day, Yuko was adopted and left to go to a new home.
Even after she left, I stayed at the church for a long time.
And that was the only relationship I ever had with Yuko.
Only as for
Onii-chan!
Love, I've got to feel it
If you put your trust in me
I know what my life would be
Oh, you are all I ever need
I try to hear what you say
So I pray
But you're fading away
Don't go and break my fragile heart
We won't fall apart
'Cause you're my only star
I wonder why my tears come at night
Calling you, so like a little child
All the things you have in mind
I wish I could see your insides
My love, you've got to feel it
And if we put our trust in you and me
You know what our lives would be
Oh, you are the one, I believe
I remembered it again.
Now!
Stop by and take a look!
It might not speak to you in this season,
but this sweater is better quality than the ones you see every day.
And how is it different?
Yo, Himura!
You wanna buy this sweater?
I don't want to touch your hand-me-downs.
You're really cold-hearted.
I thought you didn't have to attend school anymore.
I need to sort out some things.
Is it about girls?
That's my top priority, and I've taken care of it already.
That's just like you.
How much is this?
You've really got a good eye for things!
Is it a gift for your boyfriend?
It might be.
Right, Himura-senpai?
Himura-senpai?
What do you want?
I'm not allowed to talk to you unless I want something?
Did you forget already? I told you not to come near me.
I remember precisely.
Then why?
You're free to say whatever you like, Himura-senpai.
But I'm also free to do whatever I like.
Do you mind coming with me for a little while?
Yuko, didn't you say that the Astronomy Club had disbanded?
Yes.
Then why do you have the key to the rooftop?
It's impossible to borrow the key now, isn't it?
The club was boring, but it had a long history.
An upperclassman probably broke the rules sometime in the past.
So he made a copy of the key without permission?
It's been passed down for generations, though.
I received the key when the club disbanded.
Isn't school life more enjoyable when there's a little bit of a thrill?
Unfortunately, I plan to lead a peaceful school life.
Oh? You're really mature.
I can't cause trouble.
Himura-senpai?
What?
Will you tell me some stories about what happened at the orphanage after I left?
Why do you want to know something like that?
I had always lived at the orphanage.
When I was accepted to this school, I finally left the place.
That's all.
You... never left the orphanage?
There wasn't anyone crazy enough to adopt me.
That's why I worked hard, so that I could stop relying on others as quickly as possible.
But... the tuition for Otowa isn't cheap.
I have a scholarship.
I'm exempt from both the entrance fee and tuition.
I didn't want to cause any more trouble.
In order to live in this society, I've been doing various things.
Hey, Yuko...
Yes?
I'll only say it once more.
Don't come near me.
Don't make me remember the past.
Why don't you just forget...
Why don't you just forget about the red watch?
How do you know about...
I knew it. You're still having the same dream.
The
Nice timing.
Good morning, Kuze-san.
Good morning, Mizuki-chan.
Are you sure you don't want to go somewhere?
Since you've just come overseas, isn't it a waste not to do anything special?
You say "overseas", but it's no different from the city of Otowa in Japan!
Well, you're right about that.
Besides, doing laundry with you is definitely something special.
Even on a precious weekend?
Every day is special for me,
whether it's a vacation or not.
You're such a positive thinker.
But isn't it more fun to think of it that way?
Oh, Kuze-san.
Good morning.
Morning, Renji.
Are you making progress on your exam studies?
It's so bad, it's not even funny.
Ah, I see.
Well, despair to your heart's content, young lad.
Anyways, Renji, we're going to do laundry, so gather up the clothes you need washed.
Huh? It's all right. I can do my own laundry.
It's a good opportunity, so go get them anyway.
I said, it's all right!
My mind's all jumbled up with my studies, so leave me alone!
Ah, I see. Well, if you're going to leave it at that, I'll have to take them by force.
Huh? Wait, Mizuki!
I don't care, just take it off!
Quit dawdling and hand it over!
Geez, don't go crazy!
Huh? What's with that towel?
Why are you giving us more laundry?!
Hand that over, too.
No!
Give me a break!
Geez...
He's not a girl or anything.
He doesn't have to start acting shy now!
He's at a sensitive age.
And? What should I help with?
You have to sort out the clothes that could bleed.
I wonder which ones are Sumire-san's underwear.
I separated them already.
Then what in the world did I come here for?
The best part of doing laundry is when you hang it up to dry.
The smell that fills the air as water splashes from the stretched sheets is wonderful!
Kuze-san, why did you start playing the violin?
Let's see...
I think the main catalyst was when I met Johann Mälzel's daughter in the Music Room.
Johann Mälzel's daughter?
She had a dull personality and was very serious.
Yet she was fair towards everybody.
That was my first love.
She taught me many things.
Justice, order, and the toughness of the world.
Eventually, I found out that she was born in 1815.
1815?
Wait, that's almost 200 years ago!
She wasn't your music teacher or something?
To me, she's still my teacher.
Her name is "Metronome".
Oh... geez!
Are you mad?
Do you want me to be?
Heh, you're cuter when you're in a bad mood, Mizuki-chan.
Wh-What?!
Th-The washing is done.
I'm going to hang it now, so please help me.
Kuze-san?! Kuze-san?!
What happened?!
An ambulance, an ambulance!
Geez, why isn't the call going through?!
Sumire-san...
I guess I can't leave him like this.
Well, I didn't mean any harm.
I hope this is okay.
Kuze-san?
Kuze-san, are you all right?
As long as an angel keeps smiling at me...
Yep, seems like you're all right.
Is this a dream?
Dunno. What do you think?
I can't sleep.
Huh?
When I'm by myself, I get bad dreams.
It's all right,
because I'm here.
Good night.
for
Huh?
Why am I...
Ah! Kuze-san, are you awake?
Mizuki-chan, was I asleep?
Yep, sleeping soundly!
Sorry about that, Mizuki-chan.
Your whole day has gone to waste.
Oh, it's okay!
I like to spend a leisurely day like this every now and then.
I'll make up for it tomorrow.
I look forward to it.
What's that?
Nah, nothing.
What are you doing?
Just a clean break from my sweet memories.
Are those from girls you've dated?
They came back because the recipient was unknown.
She probably sold the place where she used to live.
Are you okay with that?
What, are you saying that there's another option?
I thought everything was solved, but why did these come back to me?
They make me remember the past.
And worse yet, it happened at a time like this.
A time like this?
No, it's nothing.
So I guess her letters aren't the only things that came back.
I got rid of all my troublesome interpersonal relationships,
but why is this happening now?
Whoa! This is a rare one.
Hirono Nagi.
I wonder if she's well.
What did she say?
Who knows?
And? What do you plan to do now?
It's obvious, isn't it?
I'll throw them all away.
That's all.
The wounded heart is being healed
I heard a gentle sound
Akane.
Onii-chan!
Akane?!
Let's play!
Onii-chan, what's wrong?
Onii-chan?
Onii-chan!
Ah! You're so good at drawing, Yu onii-chan!
Stop calling me "onii-chan!"
Why?
Just because!
I'm not your brother!
Then... what am I supposed to call you?
Like I'd know!
Then... Yu-kun...
Yu-kun, do you like art?
I guess.
Yu-kun, you're really good at it!
I guess.
What do you want?
Yu-kun!
Yeah, so what do you want?
Nothing!
Hey Yu-kun, will you draw me next?
Huh?
Draw me!
Fine, I guess...
What's wrong?
I've decided not to.
How come?
It's a waste of paper.
That's cruel!
Yu-kun, you're so stingy!
I really don't have much paper left.
Oh, I see...
Well, then it's fine.
Whoa, you gave up pretty quickly.
And in return for that, you have to show me all the pictures you draw, okay?
Because I want to see everything you draw!
Sure.
Yu-kun!
What?
Yu-kun... you don't need a sister?
I mean... you don't want a sister?
Why... are you asking me something like that?
Just because.
Yu-kun...
Yu-kun?
I don't...
I don't need a sister anymore.
I... can't take it anymore.
Yu onii-chan!
Don't call me "onii-chan!"
My sister... died.
Right. I got it.
A few days later,
Yuko was adopted by some distant relatives,
and left the orphanage.
People... are always alone in the end.
Whether they're related or not,
someday, they'll be separated.
That's why I don't expect anything from others.
That's why I don't interfere with others.
That's why I've learned to live without relying on others.
And despite all that, why do you continue to follow me around?
Hm, I wonder why?
Senpai, I'm happy that I was able to see you again.
Do you understand why?
Who knows?
You're so slow, Senpai.
Just as always.
Are you trying to pick a fight?
I guess I'm left with no other option.
So I'll tell you why.
Himura-senpai...
you were my first love.
My first love hasn't ended yet, Yu-kun.
I'll make you forget.
I'll erase all of your sad memories.
Heart rate, 60.
Optimal range.
MM 60.
Largo.
Normal synchronization, all status clear.
Widely, and moderately.
Kuze-kun, you were a bit late there.
Yeah, it was sloppy.
Is your metronome really a musician's heart?
Is your heart really a musician's metronome?
The Zenmai spring is going to uncoil soon.
And who's going to coil it up again?
The ticking rhythm is the time remaining.
Kuze-san!
Mizuki-chan.
What's up at a time like this?
I couldn't really sleep, so I came out here to cool off.
I see.
Ah, Kuze-san! That's...
Did you get it repaired?
Repaired?
Oh! Um... sorry, it's still not fixed yet.
Oh... I see.
Bummer.
Yup.
It's never going to work again.
I listened to the CD you gave me.
Since I've rarely listened to classical music before, it was amazing!
A quiet piece is really pleasant,
and there are also some pieces that suddenly go boom, aren't there?
It was so cool, my back trembled!
Boom?
But the thing that surprised me the most
is that classical music turns out to be really sexy.
Sexy?
There are no lyrics or anything,
but it's as if someone is by your side, whispering in your ear.
It's as if they're whispering, "I love you".
It really made my heart pound.
Well, they do say
that the most famous songs are written while in love or suffering from heartbreak.
When I was thinking about that, I began to feel something for you, as the performer of the piece...
Huh?
Kuze-san, this is really sudden, but...
What?
I think... I've fallen in love with you!
Well then, see you tomorrow!
Man, I'm beat.
hikaru kaze odayaka ni
The shining wind calmly sways from gaps in the clouds.
kumoma kara yureru
hibikiau oto ga kirameite
The echoing sounds sparkle.
nakushikaketa kibou sae
Even if it's a hope that was nearly lost,
kitto mitsukerareru hazu
I should be able to find it again
anata no oto
Holding firmly onto your sound,
gyutto dakishime
I don't let go of your hand joined with mine.
tsunaida sono te wo hanasanai
wasurenaide taisetsu na koto
Please don't forget the important things.
egao wa mirai ni tsuzuiteru
A smile continues on into the future.
The facade is that of a clown.
The hidden emotion is gaudiness.
ef - a tale of melodies.
Union.
Can you hear it? The melody of truth.