What?
We're not adults, but we're not children either.
We're not in our Springtime of Life yet, it's our Aqua Age.
I was quite lonely during my Aqua Age, but I managed to make some friends,
and we went through a lot together.
Memory Album 4
My First Friends
Junior High - 2nd Year, Winter
It happened after I got to know Yuu-chan at cram school.
Shougakukan Cram School
Entrance Exams
Practice Exams
Improve abilities
Courses
Kitano-san!
Yoo-hoo-hoo! Kawai here!
Yuu-chan.
You scared the life out of me.
It sure is cold today.
No kidding.
I spoke with some of my classmates this afternoon.
They don't like eating cold lunches every day.
Pass
Success
I see.
We're gonna sneak into in the science room tomorrow and cook some ramen.
Oh, that sounds like fun.
Hey! Why don't you join us?
You don't mind?
But I'm not in your class.
That's cool!
Bring some instant ramen.
Okay.
What's so funny?
Oh, it's nothing.
I just thought that this would be nice.
I've always eaten lunch by myself until now.
I see.
Hey! Taka-chan!
Pass
Over here!
Yuu-chan. Why you sitting at the front of the class?
I'd rather sit further back.
I can't read magazines without the teacher finding out.
You shouldn't come to cram school if you're not going to study, Takahata-san.
I'm not here because I want to be here.
My parents made me come.
Even so, you shouldn't waste your tuition fees like this.
That's none of your business!
Taka-chan!
Oh, forget it.
I'm going to sit at the back.
Uh-oh.
Why'd she get so mad at me, Yuu-chan?
I want to be friends with you, Yuu-chan, but I don't think I can get along well with Takahata-san.
Don't say that.
Taka-chan's a nice girl.
She's often misunderstood, and she used to argue with everyone,
but that was a long time ago. She's different now.
She gets along well with everyone now.
Oh, what am I saying?
Calm down, Kawai.
I've gotta write the kanji for 'person' on my palm and swallow it!
She gets along well with others...?
Photocopy: 10 Yen
Man, the lecturer picked on students who sat at the back today.
I got tired from being so nervous the whole time.
If you were ready for class, you wouldn't need to be nervous.
You're right. I'm stupid.
That's not what I meant.
Taka-chan, look! There's a good horoscope for Gemini this month!
Oh!
I'm a Gemini too!
When's your birthday, Mikarin?
June 15th.
I'm a Cancer, which is right next to Gemini.
Kaorin was born on the 27th of June.
I was born on the 31st of May.
Let's see... Sagittarius... "The stars portend great misfortune this month."
Are you a Sagittarius, Yuu-chan?
Yeah. I was born on the 1st of December.
What about you?
I don't have a birthday this year.
It's not a leap year. I was born on February 29th.
Oh, I get it.
Yeah.
Will you be having a birthday party?
We don't really celebrate it.
We just buy a cake and eat it together.
You study every day, even on your birthday, at Christmas and New Year's.
It beats not studying before exams, right, Takahata-san?
What's your problem?
Are you referring to me?
You think so?
That's what I hate about you.
U-um... say...
I'm leaving.
Kitano-san!
Thanks for coming!
Taka-chan.
I did it again.
I know that Kitano doesn't mean it like that, but it still gets to me.
Geez.
Why'd she have to say that?
Friends are more trouble than they're worth.
Kitano-san.
Didn't you bring ramen with you?
Oh, I forgot.
Sorry.
What is it?
I thought you were left-handed.
Oh, I used my right hand in primary school.
When we were eating lunch, and I thought I'd hit the person next to me if I used my left hand.
Then why didn't you sit at the far left side?
That makes sense!
But I hold chopsticks with my left hand at home.
Oh, that's convenient. You're ambidextrous.
It's no big deal.
Ready to go, Kitano-san?
Ta-da!
I brought a spare just in case!
Beef Ramen
Beef Ram
eef Ramen
Let's go to the science room.
Okay..
You're always bringing weird ramen, Yuu-chan.
It's not weird. This beef-flavored ramen is delicious!
I brought miso ramen.
Miso's also good! It's got seven spices in it!
I did it! I found a new flavor!
Banana-flavored ramen!
What?! Banana-flavored ramen?!
Look! It says "Banana Ramen".
Or so I thought, but it says "Benibana ramen."
I get it. It's got benibana oil.
Oh? You've heard of this, Yuu-chan?
Yeah. It's delicious!
Aw, man! I thought I discovered a flavor that no-one knew about!
I'll have lunch in the classroom.
Kitano-san...
Oh, look! It's already boiled.
What's her problem?
Taka-chan!
I was worried about this, so I brought some wet towels with me.
Ha ha ha! That was a close one, young lady!
Our ramen...
That was a close one.
What do you think you're doing?
Staff Room
Good grief! What were you thinking?!
We're very sorry.
I can't believe you would do something like that, Kitano.
I thought you would be more mature.
There's something wrong with your trumpet, Taka-chan.
It's fine!
It makes a weird high-pitched squeal.
That was rude.
The teacher will get upset with us if we sit together.
Yeah.
Yuu-chan. Taka-chan.
What's with Kitano-san?
She looks cold and unsociable today.
What can I say?
Huh?
W-Would you like to come to the convenience store with us?
Yuu-chan, don't come so close all of a sudden!
Kitano-san.
Sorry. I need to get home and study.
I see.
Bye.
BOX
Makita Electric
Kitano-san!
What is it?
I'm sorry I invited you to have lunch with us.
I didn't mean to get you in trouble.
See you tomorrow!
Computer games
Videos
BOX
Makita Electricity
Computer games
Videos
I don't think she wants to hang out with us anymore.
Kitano-san doesn't like hanging out with us anymore.
You sound like an old man, Yuu-chan!
Kitano's attitude tends to piss me off.
That's just it!
Kitano-san is just like you, Taka-chan!
What?!
She's strong-willed, and easily misunderstood.
That's right. People like you tend to piss me off.
Yeah.
Not you too.
I finally made some friends... I don't want to lose them.
What?! So I'll be home alone?
That's the gist of it.
Sis is going to ski with her friends, and you're going to Hiroshima to attend a wedding.
Thanks for the dinner.
Yuuko, you've got some rice on your face.
Just so you know, it's not our wedding ceremony.
Well, duh!
Sorry to trouble you. Please look after the house while we're gone.
But I'm worried about her being home alone.
She can't invite Hiroshi-kun over, can she?
That goes without saying!
I know!
Can I invite some girl friends to come over?
You've got some rice on your face.
Other side.
Yuu-chan, did you find another weird flavor?
That was rude!
Yuu-chan!
Kitano-san's here!
Okay!
Good timing.
I wanted to talk to you.
Wait a minute.
Um... I was at fault.
I'm sorry.
Oh, that's okay.
Thank goodness.
Anyway, I need to ask you something.
Okay.
Kitano-san, are you free on Saturday, February 28th?
Yes, but why...
I'll be home alone. Why don't you come over?
May I?
Only if you want to.
Okay. I'll ask my parents.
Yeah! I'm gonna go all out!
This'll be great! Yeah!
See you later!
Kitano
Oh, yeah! I need to buy a souvenir.
Big Hinamatsuri Sale!
Please give me two Hinamatsuri cream puffs.
Certainly!
Big Hinamatsuri Sale!
TL Note: Hinamatsuri means "Girls' festival". It is held on the 3rd of February in Japan. Young children are dressed up as dolls.
Thanks for waiting. That'll be 360 yen.
R-Right.
Kawai
See you later.
Don't forget to lock the door!
I know that!
She'll be fine, dear.
Look, we have to hurry.
Oh, my!
Good afternoon! My name is Kitano.
Oh, Yuuko told me about you.
Hey, Yuuko.
Kitano-san is here.
Hey, Kitano-san!
Well, we'll be going now.
I hope you'll have a good time with Yuuko.
I will. Take care.
Oh, I can't get these sandals on.
I wish you were as dependable as Kitano-san, Yuuko.
Geez! You'll miss your flight!
Oh! That's right!
Goodbye, Kitano-san.
We'll bring you a souvenir.
Y-You don't have to.
I wish you were as dependable as Kitano-san, Yuuko.
Have a good trip. Take care.
My room's upstairs, Kitano-san.
Yuu-chan, I got you a souvenir.
You did?
Oh, you shouldn't have.
This box, this wrapping paper... This is from a bakery, isn't it?
Yes.
"Please eat it immediately." I guess they're not rice crackers.
T-That's right.
They're cream puffs.
That should be okay.
Yuu-chan. You like sweets, don't you?
Oh, yes! I love them!
Thank you so much!
I'll put these in the fridge.
Aren't you going to eat them now?
Oh, well, look - you went to such trouble to get these.
I'll savor them later.
I'll be right back.
Is she on a diet?
This is a picture from our Christmas party in seventh grade.
And this is when we all went to see the New Year's Day sunrise.
And this-
You got lots of photos!
I only have pictures from the entrance ceremony and the class picture from eighth grade.
Okay! Let's take lots of pictures together!
Okay!
No time like the present!
She's here!
I invited Taka-chan, too.
Hiya! Glad to be here!
I'll carry one for you, Taka-chan.
Okay.
Wow! It's heavy!
You never said she was coming.
Sorry! I guess I should've, shouldn't I?
What's the big deal?
This is Yuu-chan's house.
Thanks for having me.
What's that?
It's for dinner.
You're going to make it yourselves?
Yep.
You don't have to cook. You're a guest here.
But you're a guest too, Takahata-san.
U-Um... Our kitchen takes a while to get used to, and this is your first time here.
Taka-chan's been here many times, so anyway, you don't have to worry, Kitano-san.
Make yourself at home. You can watch some TV.
Okay.
Tonight's
Weather
A cold front will be moving across the Kantou and Toukai regions until tomorrow.
Hey! Check this out!
What's the heck?! It's weird!
No worries.
Weather Forecast
Oh, look at the time!
Excuse me.
What?
I watch this show every week.
I was watching the news.
You can watch the rerun.
I want to watch it now.
...so, he was willing to participate in the incident...
You changed the channel!
There!
Huh?
There!
Hey! Kitano-san, you're blocking the signal!
We can tape your show, Taka-chan.
Okay?
Oh, forget it.
Watch your show, Takahata-san.
Yuu-chan, I'll help you cook.
Oh, you don't have to.
Why don't you go study somewhere?
Hey! What's your problem?!
Hey! Kitano-san, why don't you take a bath?
Yuu-chan.
The bath is at the end of the corridor, on the right-hand side.
Oh crap!
Oh, thank goodness It wasn't ruined.
That was a close one, Yuu-chan.
It smells sweet.
No biggie!
In the end, I'm all alone.
Maybe I should just leave.
Oh no! It's a blackout!
And we were nearly done, too!
Looks like we're stuck.
But the power's on next door, isn't it?
Why'd we have a blackout?
What's wrong?
Kitano-san!
You can't come in here yet, Kitano.
Why not?
Because I said so!
Huh? Were you using the hairdryer?
Yeah, but then the blackout hit, and I couldn't use it.
Oh, that makes sense.
Yuu-chan, the breaker's down.
Geez, we were using the microwave and the rice cooker.
It's not my fault!
Geez, cut it out.
You shouldn't quarrel with each other.
That's too bright, Yuu-chan.
You should try to get along.
Yuu-chan, can you lift the breaker?
I don't know where it is.
What'll I do?
Why don't you just check the walls?
Why don't we ask Naganuma-kun to come over?
That's it!
I'll give him a call.
It's dark, so be careful.
Are you talking about the Naganuma-kun who goes to our cram school?
Oh, did you forget about him, Kitano?
That was mean!
Now, now. You can't stay in the kitchen.
I was referring to the Naganuma-kun who goes to our cram school.
He lives next door, and he's going steady with Yuu-chan.
Hey.
You can't show yourself to a boy dressed like that.
I don't want you to scream when we get the lights fixed.
Hey.
There you go.
Thank goodness!
You should at least remember where the breaker is.
Don't worry. We'll be fine.
I know where it is now.
Oh yeah.
Kitano-san, this is the first time you've met Hiroshi-kun.
Y-Yeah.
This is Kitano Miyuki-san.
She comes to cram school with us, so you may have run into each other.
Nice to meet you.
Yuu-chan's nice. She wouldn't keep her friends away from me.
Oh? Something smells good.
Are you cooking something?
May I join you for dinner?
No!
Why not?
Because today...
Kitano-san. Um... Well...
Oh, you haven't dried your hair yet.
You'll catch a cold.
Come on, you have to dry it properly.
Yuu-chan...
Listen, today...
So, please go home, Hiroshi-kun.
Gotcha.
See ya!
Sorry about this.
I'm leaving.
Huh?
I'm going home!
Kitano-san!
Don't leave, Kitano-san!
I'll start serving dinner.
Dinner's ready. We should eat together!
I don't want any!
Kitano-san.
Bye.
Let's have dinner together, the three of us.
It would be better if just the two of you had dinner.
We can't do that!
We made dinner for three. It'd be too depressing without you!
It was depressing for me, too.
If we're all going to have dinner together, we should have made it together.
You and Takahata-san made dinner together, and it felt like I was in the way.
I was so lonely.
If this is how it's going to be, then I don't need any friends.
I've always been alone.
I don't mind being all alone again.
That's not good.
You're my friend, Kitano-san.
You were my friend ever since we met. Past or present.
I'll be lonely too if you say you don't need any friends.
If I make you lonely, then I'll be lonely too.
Oh, what am I saying?
I don't really understand you, Yuu-chan.
Sorry.
Everything's ready!
Kitano-san. Close your eyes.
Okay.
Okay! You can open your eyes now!
Isn't it lovely?
We made a cake for you.
Oh yeah! There's one other thing!
Here it is.
February
th
February
th
February
There!
February
Happy Birthday!
February
Happy Birthday!
th
We'll pretend that it's February 29th.
It's time to celebrate Kitano Miyuki's 14th birthday!
Here we go.
My...
Kitano-san. Have a seat and blow out the candles.
Kitano-san. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
T-Thank you.
Don't mention it.
The chopsticks are on the left side.
You don't have to worry about anything.
You can use either hand.
Okay.
Oh yeah. This was in the fridge. What is it?
Oh, that's the souvenir...
Oh yeah! That's the souvenir Kitano brought.
Let me open it.
Thank you, Yuu-chan.
Thank you, Taka-chan.
Yeah.
Oh, but what about you, Kitano?
Oh, I didn't know you were also coming, so I only bought two.
What's this green cream?
I'll share mine with you.
That's okay.
But you're good at slicing things.
I'll cut one too!
You suck!
The cream fell out!
The red one is peach, and the green one is mugwort.
It's good.
Hey, haven't you had enough?
I don't mind stopping, but Taka-chan...
I won!
Is it over?
Press the start button, Kitano.
You'll never beat me.
Oh, dear.
Taka-chan and Kitano-san are alike.
No, we're not!
That's right!
Yes you are!
I have many nostalgic photographs in my heart's album.
Next Episode Report
Hello. I'm Yuuko's father, Yasuo.
My wife and I have been married for almost twenty years.
It's the perfect marriage!
Well, I guess that's because I'm such a great guy!
Just kidding!
Dad!
That was rude!
You've got your head in the clouds!
Mom's gone out with a cool guy!
What do you mean?!
I-It couldn't be...
Next time on Mizuiro Jidai: Memory Album: Mom's Sweetheart.
Memory Album 5
Mom's Sweetheart
We hope you enjoy it!
You'd better get your act together, Dad!