Good evening, I'm Blast!
Good evening, I'm Beast!
Good evening, I'm Toast!
I'm Quest!
I'm En-Suto [Engine Stall]!
Good evening, I'm Ghost.
Let's go! One, two...
If you look up at the sparkling lights of the sky...
Will your overflowing tears start sparkling too?
I want to see you with a sparkling smile on my face.
Let's leave yesterday behind.
When did I start looking down all the time?
I had no time to see the different colors of the seasons.
Every time I take a deep breath, the wind blows through my heart.
Come on, let's spread our arm.s
If we all dream a big, sparkling dream...
Will all the time we spent worrying disappear?
I want to get there with sparkling eyes...
...to reach that faraway future.
GIRL'S HIGH
Hey, Kouda! What's up with you?
Staring out the window and sighing like that...
Oh...it's nothing.
Kouda?
FAREWELL! AKARI KOUDA
Huh? Come to think of it, Kouda's not around...
She said she had something to take care of.
Oh, yeah?
I wonder what's going on?
She really seemed out of it today, you know.
You think so? I thought she was just the same as usual...
Hmm, I don't know about that...
Hello?
Daichi? What's up?
What, broke your leg?
Jeez, Daichi, you didn't have to give me a heart attack like that!
It's just a sprain!
Yeah, but it hurt so much I thought it was broken for sure, Big Sister!
Well, let's just be thankful it wasn't anything serious...
Huh?
Kouda...
Exam Room?
Doctor, is that the truth?
Yes, unfortunately...it's too late. There's nothing we can do to save you.
What's the name of my illness?
Acute bone marrow hemolytic hepatitis B myocardial infarction syndrome...
It's a terminal disease for which medical science has no cure.
But...that can't be...
Kouda has an incurable disease...
...and can't be saved?
Huh? That's funny, I could've sworn I just heard something...
Hey, you!
You've been coming into the exam room without permission and muttering...
But I'm doing this to prepare for my role!
See, I've got to do this in a real exam room or it just won't feel authentic.
Huh?
Enough of that nonsense! Just get yourself out of here if you're not a patient!
Hey! Wait! I have some really good reasons for doing this...
Doctor...is that the truth?
Yes, unfortunately...it's too late. There's nothing we can do to save you.
What's the name of my illness?
Acute bone marrow hemolytic hepatitis B myocardial infarction syndrome...
It's a terminal disease for which medical science has no cure.
The big day's coming up this Sunday, huh?
The beautiful new nurse, stricken with a terminal disease...Akiko...
Such a complex role...a desperately ill woman who may not live till tomorrow.
This audition isn't like any of the others...
But if I pass, it will pave the way to my becoming a world-famous actress!
In order to win the role of Akiko, I'm going to seal away my true self!
Just watch, I'm going to be Akiko, mind, body and soul!
What? You mean Kouda has an incurable disease?
There's no way in hell! Really, now, Eriko...
But it's true! I even heard the doctor say the name of her disease!
Hey, let me guess! "I'm the center of the universe"-itis!
Or maybe it's "Always Positive" Syndrome!
Or Demented Cosplay Fever?
I'm telling you, you're wrong. That's not what she has!
Oh! Good morning, Koudacchi!
Good morning.
You won't believe this, Kouda! Eriko was just telling us...
To die...just what does it mean, I wonder?
You'll never know until the moment it happens...I suppose...
If I'm going to become Akiko, I've got to get into that mind-set, first of all.
What do you think we should say to her? To Kouda, I mean...
Yeah...
Well, let's at least do whatever we can to cheer her up, even just a little!
Okay?
Yes, you're right...
But...
Eriko...
Hey, hey...Kouda!
Huh?
Um, you wanna go get a foot massage on our way home?
Foot massage?
You like those massages, don't you?
It'll make you feel good again!
Well, yeah, a foot massage sounds nice...
Wait, no! I can't feel good! I'm playing an invalid, after all.
I'm sorry, but I don't have time for that today.
I've got to stop by the hospital.
Oh...wait, Kouda!
She's going to the hospital again?
That Kouda...so her disease is that far along, huh?
Koudacchi!
We shouldn't be crying, for God's sake!
If she sees us crying, it'll only make it harder on Kouda!
You're right.
No tears allowed, okay? Eriko...
Let's try to help Kouda any way we can.
Maybe around here?
Oh, man!
Cheap makeup tricks aren't going to make me look like an invalid!
Now that it's come to this...
I'm going to fast!
H-hold up...what's up with this?
I had Momoka make this special lunch for you!
It's supplement-rice!
It's chocolate curry!
Yuma's lunch might be okay...
...but I think she'll get sicker if she tries Ogawa's or Eriko's.
Kouda! I baked some cookies for you, too!
See? Have some! Have some!
I appreciate it...but I think I'll pass.
Huh?
B-But, Koudacchi, you've got to eat! You'll get sicker!
Come on, just take one bite...
I couldn't eat any of that, even if I wanted to!
Hey, wait, Kouda!
I guess her illness is so advanced now, she can't even eat anymore.
And look at us, practically rubbing it in...
Ugh, this is for the audition, remember... control yourself!
It's not that I don't appreciate everybody's support...
...but I just can't give in now.
Wait...
But how did they find out about my audition, anyway?
Kouda...
Sorry about that.
It's all right.
I know you guys were just trying to cheer me up. And that made me happy.
So you knew about it...
Yes. I just happened to overhear you at the hospital...
How long have you known?
I was first notified... I guess it was last week.
So it was really sudden, then.
Yes, I didn't think it was that big of a deal, but once I got the details...
...it's pretty mind-blowing.
K-Kouda...
We'll always be friends to the end, all right?
Huh?
Oh, right, Sure!
Even after I've moved on to another world, I promise I'll never forget you guys!
Moved on to another world?
Augh!
Somebody, help me!
Kouda...
What was that all about? That Eriko...
Kouda's going...to hell!
Let's at least try to do something for her that she'll always remember.
Kouda? What's the matter?
Staring out the window like that...
Hmm?
Oh, I was just thinking how beautiful the rain was...
I can't believe Kouda just said something so poetic!
I'll bet that's how she must feel... this Akiko...
You're so strong, Kouda...
Huh?
If it were me, I'd probably be a total mess!
Thanks for all your worrying.
Himeji...I'm going to be fine.
This is my destiny. No matter what happens, I'm going to rise to the challenge!
Kouda!
That's right...
It's my destiny to become an actress!
I've never sat out gym before, but I need to know what's going through Akiko's mind.
This must be the first time Kouda's ever sat out gym!
It must be all she can do just to stand up...
Today we'll be playing basketball! Let's get started right now!
Okay, first off, let me show you my magnificent shooting technique!
Take that!
Uh-oh!
Kouda!
Look out! Kouda!
Huh?
Yuma?
K-Kouda...hey, are you all right?
Am I all right? For God's sake, I should be asking you if you're all right!
Uh-oh, I did it again!
Augh!
You guys...what's going on here?
For crying out loud... what are you talking about?
Well, you see, I said that just for today, I'd let you have...
...Shimotakatani as your boyfriend!
Huh?
Because! It would be too sad if you had to leave us without ever having...
...dated a boy!
You have a point...especially since I won't be able to date in public from now on.
Still, if it means I have to date Shimotakatani of all people, I don't know...
Ms. Kouda, just for today, please feel free to call me your Prince!
Huh?
Ayano!
Shimotakatani!
For God's sake, you guys...
Koudacchi, are you really going away for good?
It's not really that far, it's still in the city, you know, around Aoyama!
Aoyama! AOYAMA CEMETERY
Koudacchi, I promise I'll visit you during the Festival of the Dead!
Why?
Kouda...wonder what she's up to now?
I don't have much time left before the audition.
I've really got to nail down this character! Today I'm going to become Akiko!
She's probably at the hospital, going through all sorts of tests.
I'm going to check your blood pressure now!
This is how Akiko treated her patients... with kindness!
Hey, you!
I've had enough of you!
Impersonating a nurse... you won't get away with that one!
She probably doesn't have the energy to run around anymore...
Oh! Please forgive me!
Come back here, you! Oh! Please forgive me!
I wish we could at least do something for Kouda that she'll always remember.
Put on a play?
But we'll need time to get ready and rehearse.
We don't have a lot of time...
Why don't we take her on a trip?
But if we go by ourselves, I'm sure the grownups will give us a hard time.
Hey! Then you guys... what do you think of this?
Ugh...
That was some serious trouble I got myself into...
Having to run like crazy when I haven't eaten all day!
That's it! Akiko...
I get it now! What's going on in Akiko's mind...
Fasting morning, noon and night, getting real-life experience at the hospital...
All my hard work and suffering till now... it wasn't for nothing!
The audition this Sunday is mine for the taking now!
What's going on? Making me come out to see you on the weekend...
Oh, come on, Kouda! Just come with me, okay?
But this is...
Oh, right. You haven't been to Yuma's place yet, right?
Welcome, Kouda!
Go on, Kouda...go inside, will you?
Oh, okay...
Um, Kouda?
Huh? What is it?
Is it true that you'll be leaving us soon?
Huh?
Oh, that's right, very soon... tomorrow, actually, to be precise.
Tomorrow!
No matter what the outcome is, I'm going to give it my best shot till the very end.
I want you to have a good life, even after I'm gone...
Kouda...
SLEEPOVER GUIDE
Here! SLEEPOVER GUIDE
Eriko...what is this?
Your Sleepover Guide!
Guide?
We made this for you, so you'd at least have something to remember us by.
Because we want you to have a good time...
Eriko... Because we want you to have a good time...
What on earth is going on here?
Making me a guide like this... wait a minute, could this be...
"Crying Out Love in the Middle of the World" screenplay
Found it!
Akiko's friends throw her a sleepover party, and hand her a guide.
It's exactly the same!
I get it, those girls are giving me a chance to rehearse for tomorrow's audition!
The scene has already begun. I'm not going to let their efforts go to waste!
All right, we're going to kick off this sleepover party now!
Yay!
First up, Eriko Takahashi, who will sing the school anthem!
Pure, Right, and Beautiful
Carrying the nobility of his new flower in your hearts...
Eriko...
I can't believe Kouda's leaving us...
Let us go forth...
To the school where the river of wisdom flows
You guys...
Thank you.
I'm so touched that you all care about me so much.
Life is short. You never know when it will be extinguished...
But I'm really glad that I got the chance to live my life to the fullest with you.
Kouda...
And so, I just want to have a good time with you guys till the end!
Right!
Okay, let's party our butts off till morning!
Yay!
Everybody fell asleep, huh?
Looks like it...
Did you have a good time, Kouda?
Yes! I'll always cherish the memory of this night...
I'm so glad!
I mean, who knows when we can ever do something like this again?
I don't want you to go, Kouda...
Eriko...
Please...
...don't go.
Eriko...
Thanks so much...that was the best present anyone's ever given me!
Couldn't be more perfect! Exactly like the script till the end!
Now I know I'm gonna nail that audition today!
Oh wait, there's just one more scene left...
Can't forget this, can I?
All right, gotta go now. To take my first step towards stardom...
GOODBYE
Eriko...all of you, thank you so much.
What's this?
Goodbye? But we didn't even get the chance to tell her goodbye!
Kouda...
Eriko, look!
Look on the other side of her note. There's a map!
Kouda...this must be the place she picked out to die!
You guys, let's go after her!
I've got all my lines down. Now all I have to do is give it my all.
So everybody's support won't go to waste...
I'm going to become an actress no matter what it takes!
Just you wait, everybody!
Even after I've become a great movie star, we'll always be friends!
AUDITION
All right, next on the schedule...
...we'll be auditioning the role for Akiko's deeply worried friend.
Kouda!
What's the meaning of this, you girls?
Where's our friend Kouda?
Please tell us!
Huh?
Kouda, where are you?
Koudacchi! Kouda, where are you?
Kouda!
Kouda! Kouda!
Kouda...
Please, save her...
I beg of you...
Please save my friend Kouda!
Please save her...please save her...
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE ERIKO TAKAHASHI
Never mind this, we still haven't found Kouda!
Where the heck did she disappear to?
It's getting late, it's night...
I wonder if she turned into a little star. Koudacchi...
Kouda, the rest of us will never forget you, as long as we live!
You and I may overdo it sometimes, but crying when you want to cry is all right.
I can be confident for no reason. It's okay, 'cause I'm included in your life.
Nobody told me that's how I should feel...
What did I do, acting on my own.
My heart may understand, but my heart won't let me do it.
Because I'm not running at the same speed as everyone else.
As long as we're deceived by "the right way to be happy"...
...or the meaning of the word "ready-made", we'll never be together.
You and I may overdo it sometimes, but crying when you want to cry is all right.
I can be confident for no reason It's okay, 'cause you're included in my life.
Miss, this is the last stop.
Miss? I need you to wake up now!
Next Episode
Yoohoo! It's Ogawa!
And this is her guardian, Himeji.
Hey, Himeji, how come you're wearing glasses today?
What about you, Ogawa? Why are you wearing glasses today?
Hehehe, starting today, we're gonna be the Glasses-girl Sisters!
Next episode of Girl's High...
Glasses! Glasses! Glasses!
I have no idea what the story's about...
Well, you never do, Himeji!
Don't worry about it, don't worry about it!