The soft ring notebook and C3 utility knife from Penna Co.'s GYMNOTE Series
have been selected for the Best Design Award~!
It's celebration time!
- You did it, Nagasato-san. - This is the first time since I started working here.
A word from the team leader.
I'm very happy.
Everyone worked hard. Thank you.
Now then, striving for even better stationery goods,
let's get back to work.
This calls for a celebration tonight. Shall we go out?
- Good idea. Daisuke, you're coming too, aren't you? - I guess so.
- What do you want to eat? - Wait. Sorry, today's the day
- I work out my abs and pecs. - What the heck.
Nagasato-kun, they want to put your picture on the company newsletter.
Also, give an interview as the team leader.
Okay, smile please.
Your expression's too stiff, Daisuke.
He's nervous. He's not used to something like this.
A smile is an armor of the heart. It hides our true feelings.
Then let's change the angle and one more from this side please.
Daisuke-kun, smile.
Be it fear, trepidation, or anger,
most emotions can be hidden with a smile.
Yes, by putting on a smile.
I'm
going to
die soon.
It seems
I won't last until summer.
I was told
I'll die by then.
Shige-san.
What's going on?
He has cancer of the lungs.
It's a quick spreading cancer called small cell lung cancer and it's inoperable.
It's already at Stage 4.
We had him try everything he could
from anti-cancer drugs to targeted cancer therapies, but...
Guys, don't look so sad.
Everyone dies some day, right?
It just so happens that I'll die soon.
That's all there is to it.
Having said that, Daisuke,
is it okay if
I stayed here a little longer?
Damn you.
Okay, that's it. Thank you very much.
- Thank you. - Daisuke, you look kinda scary.
- There's no use smiling at you. - I'm not telling you to smile at me.
Excuse me. You're Sasaki-san, right?
- Yes... - I thought so.
Do you remember me?
I didn't think you would. Excuse me.
When the picture and the article is done, we'll be back for confirmation.
- Hey, who's that girl? - I don't know. Was there someone like her at PR?
- Maybe she's new there. - What did you do to her?
- I didn't do anything. - She said, "Do you remember me?"
- Sounds like there's a deeper meaning. - What? Huh?
What about this one? I think it has distinctive cocoa flavor of San Martin.
Woah, you're starting to get it, Rina-chan.
I owe it all to Hanako-san. Right?
Hanako-san?
- Oh, yeah. These beans are sort of... - She wasn't listening.
It's unusual for Kumagai-kun to be absentminded.
I'm sorry.
Are you all right?
Didn't you know at all?
I can understand how you'd feel lost. To be told something like that out of the blue.
No, not at all.
I've gotten used to my dad's ways.
I'm fine.
Then give my regards to the people at Deer Mount Company.
- Thank you for your hard work. - I envy you. You're always so cheerful.
- Like you're having fun. - Not really.
- I just got dumped on Saturday. - What?
- You got dumped? - You mean that proposal?
- You proposed? To him? - Yes.
- But I was turned down in no uncertain terms. - You were, huh?
Still, didn't you bounce back awfully fast?
- Crying will only make my eyes swollen. - I see.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Here's the paperwork we're taking to Deer Mount and three bean samples.
Let's see...
Number's wrong. Just a minute, please. Made a mistake here.
Kumagai-kun's acting strange today, isn't she?
She was having a good time at the farewell party yesterday.
- Farewell party? - We all gathered at Nagasato-san's place, but
I wonder if something happened after that.
All right. Sorry to keep you waiting.
What's wrong?
How does one normally react at a time like this?
When your dad who you thought was nothing but presumptuous and troublesome
suddenly tells you "I'm dying."
Nagasato-san?
- Yes. - Okay, let's do it.
It's so exciting to think that the coffee store franchise we created will be expanding nation-wide.
Don't you think so, Hanako-san?
- Geez, you're spacing out again. - Huh? Oh, sorry.
- What? What? - Never mind.
- What happened? Something worrying you? - It's actually not about me.
Shall we go have dinner?
Oh, I'm going somewhere after this.
- Then I'll get going. Good night. - Good night.
- Makes you wonder, doesn't it? - Huh?
It's actually not about me, she said...
Then who were you worrying about all day, is what you were just thinking, weren't you?
- No... - Takase-san, it's quite obvious you're lying.
- Kumagai-san, good evening. - Good evening.
- What shall we work on today? - I'm not here for that today...
- We'll see you next time. - Thank you.
Hey, are you all right?
- Huh? - What happened after that?
Did you have a talk with Yozo-san?
- Good evening. - Good evening.
Listen, do you have a minute? At that cafe...
I have a prior engagement after this.
It's not like I'm the one who got sick, so I'm just fine.
Why? Why won't you get treatment anymore?
There are still things that can be done, like look for another doctor.
I told you, I've already tried every possible treatment.
I'm not giving up, you know. I'll take care of you and
- if necessary, I'll take time off from school... - Don't be ridiculous.
Not when you finally got in.
But...
Are you going to die?
Yeah.
Kota, I'm going to die.
Because that's my predestined life span.
What predestined life span! Please don't give up.
Please don't let the disease beat you. That's too cruel.
I thought
we were finally going to be able to live together.
And now this...
In regards to that, I apologize. I'm sorry.
Then why!
I know how you feel.
How can you give up so easily, right?
- You know, Yozo-san... - Sorry.
I'm tired today.
Bear with me. Sorry, sorry.
Did you know from the beginning?
Last summer,
Yo-chan told me.
That's why you said that.
I ask that you be patient and look at it in the long run.
Forgive me. Yo-chan
begged me not to tell anyone no matter what.
But honestly, he was in no condition to last until spring.
- That bad? - But he made a remarkable rally.
More than likely,
I think being able to live with you
did him wonders.
Aren't there any other treatments he can get?
That would be tough.
But even if there was, I think Yo-chan himself
would turn it down.
Yo-chan said this to me one day.
What have I been doing until now
as a father.
That with Daisuke,
as a father, as a person,
I've never had
a real talk.
Yo-chan, ever since he was a kid,
was an extremely shy guy.
His remaining time,
Daisuke-kun,
let him spend it with you.
What are you doing in the dark? You're home.
- Were you at Yozo-san's? - Yeah.
It's worrisome, isn't it?
I wonder if I should postpone
going back to Kawakami Village for a while.
- That would be nice. - What?
- You're okay with that? - I'm really worried.
That's a bad habit of his, isn't it?
Always withdrawing into his own shell.
I understand why he'd be upset when he's suddenly told that his father's dying.
I understand him not wanting to people to see how upset he is.
I understand, but...
I guess you're talking about Daisuke-san.
Huh? Yeah.
Of course I'm worried about Yozo-san too.
What does that mean?
You know...
I just wondered how could I not have noticed when he was so close by.
- Noticed what? - Huh? Oh...
It's worrisome about Daisuke-san too, isn't it?
It's worrisome indeed.
Daisuke-kun.
- Good evening. - Hi.
- Did Dad go to bed already? - Yes.
- Then... - Uh...
I'd like to stay with Yo-chan as much as I can.
Would it be okay if I stopped by again in between my part-time job and getting ready for school?
- I'll leave a spare key with Kota. - Thanks.
Daisuke-kun, can you talk him into getting treatment too?
I should, shouldn't I?
- I'll try talking to him. - Thanks.
Daisuke-kun, are you all right?
Yes, I'm fine.
I'll be seeing you then.
And that's how I lie.
With false smile and words,
I protect myself.
Kota, did you grow taller? Stand up for a minute.
Yeah, you did get taller.
Yeah, you're growing. I bet it's thanks to the egg over rice.
That's great, just great.
You're growing every day.
Sit down and eat.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
These kiwis and strawberries were given to us.
- I thought Yozo-san might enjoy them. - Thank you.
- Daisuke-san, you must be worried too. - No, I'm perfectly fine.
Thank you.
Daisuke, it's here. The draft for the company newsletter.
- Doesn't his smile look a little stiff? - It's a nice picture.
- May we use this one? - Use it all you want. It's a joyous occasion to
- celebrate the Best Design Award. - Talk about a joyous occasion,
how are things going with her?
The person you became a couple with at the party the other day.
Next, Bachelor No. 7 and Bachelorette No. 5.
To tell you the truth, I was at that party too.
Excuse me, but that's a touchy subject matter...
I had circled Sasaki-san's number.
But when I saw that a cute girl like that was my rival, I gave up.
Just a minute. By rival, did you mean
- rival for this Sasaki? - Yes.
I just transferred over from Osaka, and I'm seriously looking for a marriage partner.
Please keep me in mind if you know a nice eligible man.
Why didn't you choose that girl?
I didn't notice her.
That's why you can't get married.
- What should I do? - For now, run after her.
- You have to get her name and phone number. - Oh, okay.
Excuse me.
I know it's a little late to ask, but
your phone number...
Are you sure? What about her?
She was a marriage swindler.
I'm a hopeless idiot, aren't i?
Or rather, why me?
I liked your demeanor.
- Demeanor? - You looked kind-hearted.
Close to the person who only has a short time remaining in his life,
there's a guy who's about to find new happiness.
Won't you be so kind as to hold that move?
As for me, how I should act or say to Dad,
I have no idea.
This is an herbal tea called licorice.
They say it's good for the throat.
- Here you go. - Thanks, Ricchan.
It's sweet.
Yozo-san.
Aren't you scared?
Ricchan,
sure I'm scared.
I'm terribly scared.
Out of sheer desire to be cured,
I tried all the usual treatments, but
that's when I realized something.
Ah, this is
my predestined life span, I thought.
Every one dies some day.
That's right.
My turn has come.
When I thought of it that way,
I felt much more at ease.
So the time I have left,
I
want to be with
my family.
That's what I thought.
Am I being selfish?
- No. - Really?
Really?
It's sweet. And good.
I'm glad you like it.
- You're still here. - Yeah. What's up with you?
I had a meeting with the Real Estate Dept. about the first chain store.
I see.
What happened?
Something happened, right?
Yozo-san's
apparently very sick.
I've been thinking what would I do if I was in his place.
If my parent told me that out of the blue.
So that's what happened.
I imagine it's hard between father and son.
And man to man.
He puts on this forced smile.
I can't bear to watch him.
So that's what this means...
Excuse me for coming so late.
When I found these really cute cakes, I got this urge to share them with you two.
I'm glad you came. I was feeling a little down.
Are you worried about something?
It seems Yozo-san is very sick.
- Really? - It must be tough for Daisuke-san too.
There's a lot to deal with when a family member gets sick.
- Oh! - Hm?
I see. So that's what it was.
- Why are you here again? - I'm okay with it since it's you, Hanako-san.
- Huh? - I gave up on him completely.
Huh? What are you talking about?
- Look at this cake. Tada~! - How cute.
- Don't you want to eat it? - Yeah, I do.
Won't you come here and have a piece too?
Kota, don't overwater this one.
If you water it too much, the roots will rot.
Kota, Kota. I think that's enough.
- Good morning. - Hi.
I found a few hospitals that have good reputation for chemotherapy.
- Look, Yo-chan. - Megumi-chan, don't bother anymore.
Kota, pick those pansies and give them to your friends.
- You have friends now, right? - Don't you think so too, Daisuke-kun?
That he should try to get more treatment.
- Well, yes. - See, Yo-chan. Daisuke-kun thinks so too.
Megumi-chan, didn't I tell you?
This is my predestined life span.
What, Kota?
What does it mean to die?
To die?
See this ant here?
It's moving energetically.
It's moving around energetically but these ants will die some day too.
And they become nutrients for something.
Same as leaves.
Yes. That's right.
Look. See that ladybug?
That ladybug will die some day too.
They return to earth
and become nutrients.
And new ants and new ladybugs are born.
You know, Kota,
death
isn't a special thing for living creatures.
It's a normal thing that happens to everyone.
That's why I never thought I'm unhappy because I'm dying.
Because if you think of it that way,
you're heading towards unhappiness from the moment you're born.
But it's sad.
It's sad that I won't be able to see you anymore.
But you know,
when I die,
I'll return to earth and
and become everyone's nutrient,
and become the wind and become the rain,
and I'll alway be with Kota and Megumi-chan.
Okay?
But it's still sad.
It's sad, huh?
Yeah, it's sad, huh?
Let's take a picture.
Actually, the best thing would be to have a proper wedding
and have our wedding pictures taken, but
that's not really possible, so
let's go to a photo studio, and Megumi-chan, you rent a bridal costume,
- and let's get a wedding picture taken. - What pictures at a time like this.
If you have pictures when you miss me,
you won't feel so lonely if you look at them, right?
Hey, Daisuke.
- Sorry, but count me out. - Heck, it's only pictures.
Come on, man.
- I'm gonna die soon, you know. - Screw that bullshit.
What's this crap about dying soon out of the blue. You're just being too selfish.
I don't know if it's your predestined life span or what, but
we gotta get mentally prepared too. I...
I?
What is it?
Spit it out if you have something to say.
Forget it.
I'll have the same.
I was in Germany for 5 years, you see.
During that time, my father passed away.
I knew he was sick, but I never once went to see him.
Well, Germany's a long ways away.
Yes, but that's just an excuse.
The truth is, I didn't know what to say to him if I saw him.
But now, I regret it.
I wish my father was a cheerful person like Yozo-san.
You don't understand, Takase-san.
You may have had fun having dinner with my dad but that's because he's a stranger to you.
If he's your real father, he's unbearable.
- Maybe so. - Here you go.
Hanako was worried about you.
Will you stop making her worry?
I'm not doing anything...
I told her several times that I'm all right.
You don't get it, do you?
Nagasato-san, you don't understand Hanako as much as I thought, do you?
In fact, you don't understand her at all.
Do you really think she believes your lie that you're all right?
She's tough on herself as well as others, but
she understands people's weakness too.
Even more so
if that person is dear to her.
Let me tell you since you don't seem to understand.
Don't lie to her. She'll know if you're lying.
And...
and don't touch her books without her permission,
especially "Anne of Green Gables."
- Look, Takase-san... - Leave her alone when she's thinking about work.
She doesn't like to clean house. She likes to cook but doesn't like doing dishes.
She likes plants, but sometimes she lets them die, so
make sure she waters them.
I ask that you take a good look at Hanako as a person.
Please.
What did you want to talk about?
What a fool I am. What the heck am I doing?
Here I was, wanting to start over with you all this time.
- What's the matter? - Kumagai Hanako's handling manual,
I went and handed it over.
- Huh? - Hm? Maybe it's meaningless
coming from an ex-husband who got divorced.
What are you talking about?
You like him, don't you?
To the point where you're so worried you're making mistakes that aren't like you.
Are you perhaps talking about the resident on the floor below me?
- Who else would I be talking about? - That's what I thought.
But you misunderstand.
It's true we can say whatever we want to each other,
fight without any qualms,
and can vent our feelings when we're going through tough times.
He's just someone who's very comfortable to be with.
What more do you need?
For wanting to be with someone, what other reasons do you need?
- Do you think I like him? - You're asking me?
I know, huh?
Hello.
If you're looking for Nagasato-san, he left a little while ago.
Thanks.
Here you are.
What?
Um...
The other day,
you told me to tell you if things got tough again, right?
Yeah.
- Are you having a hard time again? - No, it's not that.
I cried on your shoulder last time, right?
So
I'm just saying I owe you one.
Huh?
It's your turn next.
Then we can call it even.
What's that supposed to mean.
I'm saying
I came to tell you to talk to me when things get tough for you.
Oh.
I'll tell you then.
I'm really pissed off right now.
You know all the mess Dad made, right?
Of course.
From the first smoked fish incident.
Not only once, but twice he made the fire alarm go off.
There were all kinds of smells too, huh?
He dried fish on the veranda.
There was the cow manure too.
He had squids swimming in the bathtub.
Squids?!
He's crazy, that Yozo-san.
For real. Damn him anyway.
Before he went back to Yaizu,
I was going to give him a piece of my mind, but
now that I know he's sick, I can't do that either.
There's no place to direct my anger,
and I don't know what to do.
The end.
I feel better now that I told you.
Stop that, will you?
Stop putting on that false smile.
What do you mean false smile...
Stop it already.
There's no one else here.
You don't have to force yourself to smile like that....
I'm just don't know anymore.
I can't tell him to get treatment.
I can't quietly watch over him either.
I can't let my emotion take over and cry like Kota.
I can't even get myself to look at Dad in the face.
How can he suddenly say he's dying. Damn him anyway.
When I thought he was going back to Yaizu as his usual self,
I was really looking forward to going back to being alone again.
But now,
now I'm scared.
Of being alone after Dad dies.
When I think that day is coming,
I'm scared.
When that happens,
when it gets tough to be alone, just come to me.
Get on the elevator
and up one floor.
Come to me.
There's someone just like you.
Right there.
- Good morning, Daisuke. - What do you want, first thing in the morning?
That girl from PR, Ariyoshi-san.
Yesterday, we went to see a movie together.
I came to report that to Master.
It's Sasaki-chan's fresh new first step forward, right?
By the way, I heard Master changed his mind about going back to Yaizu?
- Why didn't you tell me? - Sasaki-chan,
that hasn't been decided yet.
You can stay for a while since it can't be helped.
- Is it okay? - Of course it's okay. That'll be way better.
Do as you please. If you get to be too much for us to handle,
- I'm having you hospitalized right away. - Yes, I understand.
Even then, you don't have to be especially nice to me.
- I ain't giving you no special treatment. - Oh, okay.
It's business as usual for you and me.
Yelling and fighting. Keep me company that way, okay?
Huh? What's going on?
Master...hospital?
W-what are you talking about? Daisuke?
Hey, wait. Kota-kun?
I sense a go home aura from Daisuke.
Wait a minute. What's going on? Why is he getting hospitalized?
Daisuke, why hospitalized? Why?
Hey, Dai...
He locked it.
There's natto on the floor.
No use fighting him. I guess I'll grant him his one self-indulgent wish.
When you take off the armor, your heart becomes lighter.
If you can take off the heavy armor for even a moment,
you can probably put on a smile again when necessary.
- Uh, my hands. What should I do with my hands? - On your side.
- Side? Would this look funny? - What difference does it make?
Oh really?
Unbelievable~. Wow~.
Wah~ I'm so happy.
You're truly beautiful.
- Amazing. - Thanks, Yo-chan.
Very beautiful. Now then, shall we get started?
Very nice. Sir, Sir, look this way please.
That's lovely. Okay, here we go. Good, good. Okay.
Excuse me. I'd like to have a family picture taken too.
- Sure, go ahead. - Daisuke, Kota, come on over.
Kota.
Okay, all the members of the Nagasato Family are here now.
You two in the back, let's move in a little closer.
Face the photograph straight this way please.
Here we go. Are you ready? With a smile.
Okay, go ahead. Lovely, lovely.
- Daisuke, are you smiling? - Smile please.
- I'm smiling. - With a smile now, here we go.
But when that day arrives,
whether I'll still be able to smile,
I'm not confident at all.