They came like a bolt from the blue.
O-o-ki-san.
Say, Ooki-san.
If you don't mind, would you join our group for the upcoming field trip?
How about it?
Okay...
Yay!
She said okay, Chizuru-chan!
Then let's get our shopping done on the way home today.
Okay...
Snack Heaven
Are you sure?
I thought you preferred being alone.
I can't decide!
If you eat half of something that costs 300 yen,
that means you only spent 150 yen, right?
Makes sense.
All of a sudden, I found that I now had
glittering, happy days full of fun and,
for the first time in my life,
friends that I cherished with all my heart.
Amanchu!
I told you it'd be hot outdoors this time of year.
"The Story of the Memories You Can't Erase"
It's such great weather.
Lunch with the zun directly above uz...
We have the bezt zeats in the houze!
Yeah, though it's a bit hot.
Whoop!
You can feel the coming of summer with every inch of your body.
Well, it is hot.
Cha...
Cha?
I make it a point to always photograph the wonderful things I encounter.
And when I look at the pictures,
no matter where I am,
I can remember exactly how I felt when I took them.
Saving
Each photograph
holds a precious memory I never want to forget.
And my phone displays one of them at random
each time I open it up.
Thanks to that,
I can see my prized treasures at any time.
You took another picture, Teko?
Y-Yeah.
You did say you make it a point to always photograph things dear to you.
Yeah.
In that case...
Come on.
Uh, I'm not done eating.
Come on!
Right away.
Gimme that for a sec, Teko-chin.
S-Sure.
Here.
Take a picture to mark this wonderful time we spent as the Diving Club.
I don't get to be in it?
Not that I mind.
Get closer!
Get clicking!
Okay, okay.
Cha!
Huh? Teko-chan.
It says the image memory is full.
See?
Oh, dear.
Looks like you can't save this picture unless you delete an older one.
Do I really have to delete something?
Oh, no.
If you move the image data to the memory card,
you'll be fine for the time being.
Move?
Then she'll be able take pictures until the card is full?
Yeah, but...
The random wallpaper only works with images in your phone's memory,
That's right.
I know.
Those pictures are
so keep that in mind.
nothing but data that you can move
or delete with the push of a button.
I always knew that...
But for some reason, I felt like the moment I had it spelled out to me,
something that was propping up my heart
came crashing down without a sound.
Wow, Teko-chin! You took enough pictures to max out the memory?
But this phone has a rather large capacity, doesn't it?
Memory is full. Do you want to delete another image?
That means she must've taken loads.
What's wrong, Teko?
Oh, nothing.
Sealers, Packers, and Movers
Akane-chan
Akane-chan?
How'd it go, Futaba-chan? Did you make it there all right?
Yeah.
I'm unpacking at our new place, as we speak.
Awesome.
What's it like? Can you see the ocean from there?
Oh, I haven't checked yet.
But it's really close.
Lucky you.
C-Come visit sometime!
I sure will.
I'll come hang out in Tokyo, too.
Sure.
Also, uh...
Hm?
I got the strap.
Oh, thank goodness.
I was worried you wouldn't get it in the midst of all the moving chaos.
No need to worry anymore. I did get it.
Happy birthday, Futaba-chan.
You remembered?
What? Why wouldn't I?
I'll take good care of it.
Good care? I hope you actually use it.
Chizuru-chan said
you were more likely to put it away somewhere and never use it.
Hello? Futaba-chan?
Y-Yeah?
Are you all right?
Sorry, you must be exhausted from all the moving.
Nah, I'm fine.
Deep down in my heart, I already know.
We won't get many chances to see one another or talk anymore.
Well, you see...
We'll gradually grow more distant...
There's nothing I can say.
All the words that come to mind are dripping with sadness.
Because this phone call we can't end is the crossroads where we part ways.
You see, Akane-chan...
Hm?
I know that whoever gets hung up on would be more scared.
But I also know that whoever hangs up would be in more pain.
Thank you...
for the birthday present...
The words of gratitude I finally mustered up
somehow feel like parting words instead.
And, even though I received such a wonderful gift,
I'm just so sad.
Teko?
Are you okay?
Yeah.
Lunch break's almost over.
Oh, yeah.
Let's do our best at club again today.
Sorry...
I'll be leaving first.
Okay...
Where's Teko-chin?
She left earlier by bike.
She was acting weird during club, too.
Does she not want to move the photos?
How should I say this?
I think those photos are very important to her.
They contain not only image data,
but also what she felt when she took them,
her memory of that moment,
and several other intangibles like that.
Ah, I see.
I get what you're saying.
I totally get it.
Hey, you also keep loads of pointless stuff!
Whether it's pointless or not is for the owner to decide...
Quiet!
I found your locker filled to the brim the other day, too!
Teko's shiny treasure box
got filled to the brim, huh?
Big Sis-senpai! Little Bro-senpai!
May I have some of your time tomorrow?
My past self...
The person I was
until I met Akane-chan and Chizuru-chan in junior high
would always be surrounded by people
but would never be with them.
I was just there.
A hollow existence that did nothing but exist.
Image Folder Images
But it all changed in a flash.
For the first time, I talked to someone until late at night.
For the first time, I cried in front of someone.
For the first time, I laughed with all my heart.
The void within me quickly got filled by happy memories.
I was sure things couldn't get any better...
I had the best friends
and the best times of my life.
Now that we're far apart,
every single one of those things only grows more valuable with time.
Memory is full. Do you want to delete another image?
All I have to do is push this button
and move a bunch of photos to the memory card.
It's as simple as that.
But I don't want to.
Amanchu!
Sorry to make you drive us, Mato-sensei.
Huh?
I don't mind one bit.
But what are you looking for here?
A massive treasure box!
Wouldn't a hardware store be a safer bet?
Wait. She's not listening.
How about this one over here?
Whoop, whoop, whoop!
This may be just the thing!
Sorry to keep you waiting, Mato-chan-sensei!
Did you find what you wanted to buy?
Sure did!
So let's-a-go to the next point!
All right.
You can count on me and Pokoten the Third here.
Want to take a detour and go on a drive first?
No, thanks. Take us straight to our destination, please.
Right...
That was amazing, huh?
I'm really glad we came.
Reminds me of the first time I saw her.
Missy!
Oh, Pikari's grandmother.
Hello.
Here to see Pikari?
Sorry to say, but she said she had somethin' to do.
She hasn't come here.
Oh, is that so?
Thank you.
What did I come here for again?
She ain't the same missy she was then.
Looks like she'll be just fine.
Such a beautiful sky.
But I can't store any new memories like this.
Message from Pikari
Pikari?
Hey, Teko!
There she is! Teko-chin!
Hey, Teko-chan.
You sure got here quick, Teko.
Cha!
H-Hello.
Warmarina Ito's Largest Footbath
Rest Area Ito Marine
Natural Spring Water Straight From the Source 1,000m Underground
43m Long Free Footbath!!
Would You Believe It
Get in the footbath first.
Get your feet warmer in a Warmarina!
You're laughing too hard, Sis.
This way, Teko!
Feel good?
Yeah...
Here you go!
What's this?
One moment please, Pikari-san.
Whoop?
Teko-chin would hold back if we just gave her a present,
so we were supposed to make it sound like a very belated birthday gift.
Wasn't that your idea?!
Whoop...
That's right.
Why would you suddenly hand it over without a word?
Listen, it's not too late.
Casually make it seem like a birthday present.
Roger!
Sis...
We can hear every word you're saying.
Big Sis-senpai...
This is all your fault, Stupikari!
Whoop...
I don't see why you'd give me a present.
You'll see when you open it.
Okay, then.
Cha!
Whoop...
Cha.
Is this...
A digital photo frame.
It comes with a memory card that can store a huge number of photos.
Cha.
It can even display pictures at random, a feature you seemed to be fond of.
Was I making you all worry?
Well, yeah.
You haven't seemed yourself ever since your phone memory got maxed out.
You haven't taken any photos since then, have you?
But, Teko-chin,
it's all good now.
Store the pictures you take with your phone in there.
That way, you can save all your photos from Tokyo,
and you can take as many here as you want.
Huh?
I don't mind...
Even though I'll still have to move the images.
That's your treasure box.
Now you can hoard a lot more treasure.
Thank you.
No, thank you, Teko!
What are you saying, Stupikari?
Whoop!
I mean, presents make givers happier than the recipients.
The fun only lasts a second for the recipient,
but the giver gets to spend time brainstorming,
choosing the perfect one, and waiting for the right moment all excited...
A whole lot of time having fun!
So, Teko,
thank you!
Words of gratitude that aren't parting words.
Words of gratitude that turn a wonderful gift into an even more wonderful treasure.
Pikari changed them for me.
No...
It all depended on how I saw it.
It's been something wonderful all along,
but I'd taken that away.
What matters is your approach and mindset!
You don't have to let things you don't like get you down!
The great times I spent with Akane-chan and Chizuru-chan...
I thought I'd never get to experience anything like that again,
but I was wrong.
It all depends on how I see it.
I want to talk to Pikari a whole lot,
laugh with all my heart by her side,
cry in front of her sometimes,
and go diving in the ocean with her here.
Why didn't I realize it until now?
I also have a place to cherish right here!
Th-Thank you...
Thank you so much!
Whoop!
Teko!
You're all good now!
Thank you, Pikari!
Cha!
The places I cherish,
and the places I love...
Be it back then or right now,
they only grow more and more beloved with time.
Save image?
Image saved
H-Hello?
Wow! You answered right away.
I was actually just about to call you, too.
What a crazy coincidence.
You can say that again.
Yep. I'm so glad.
You sound great.
We haven't been able to talk lately.
Yeah.
Well, you get lonely really easily,
so I was worried you'd be crying all by yourself.
Thank you,
but I'm fine.
Say, tell me
about the school I don't know about.
And let me tell you
about the new school you don't know about.
They're both wonderful, beloved treasures...
A new chapter in our lives.
Pikari, what would you do if you lost your way?
Look at a map!
Yeah, uh... That's not what I mean.
"The Story of Losing Your Way In Today"
Next time, on Amanchu!:
"The Story of Losing Your Way In Today."