The princess living in this small kingdom
was raised in this small castle with the uttermost of utmost care.
Even though she only just recently proclaimed that she'd be independent from the queen...
Just so you know, no matter what happens,
Kahoko is going to stay with her family! Because she wants to!
In the end, Hajime-kun, you just can't understand how Kahoko feels
because you have no family!
Just like you said, from the get-go, I've never understood what family is and have no desire to!
Unlike you, I don't believe even the slightest bit in something like a "family's love"!
Let's break up.
I couldn't sleep at all...
This is the worst~
- Oh. Good morning. - Ack!
G-Good morning.
- Are you okay, Kahoko? - Hm?
You've been holed up in your room ever since we got back home yesterday so I was worried...
Ahh, I'm totally fine! I uhh...I was fast asleep like a baby.
I'm glad to hear that but...W-Why are you hiding your face?
Umm...I was sleeping so soundly that I ended up getting lines on my face.
I thought it looked too bad to let other people see it.
Then you can go ahead and wash your face first, but there's something I need to talk to you about.
Okay. Ah! By the way, where's Mama?
Ahh... She spent the night yesterday at your Gran Gran's house.
Why?
After you left, Gran Gran told us all the truth.
- About her condition. - What?
I don't want to look at any of you anymore!
Not even for 1 more minute or 1 more second! If you're going to be like this, Gran Gran will...
Gran Gran will be too pitiful!
- Kahoko?! - Hey, hey...Kahoko!
The reason Kahoko was trying so desperately hard
is all because of me. Everything is my wrongdoing!
I'm...
going to die soon.
What happened after that?
"I want to die in my home, just like this, without having surgery or being admitted to the hospital."
...is what your Gran Gran told us.
- And we were all at a loss for words. - Ah, thanks.
Sorry.
You've known about it for a long time, right Kahoko?
- It must have been so difficult for you to keep quiet about it. - No, it wasn't that bad.
You don't have to worry about it by yourself anymore, okay?
We decided that we're going to listen to what the doctor has to say all together and then have a family meeting about it.
I see...
- Where's your Papa? - He said he has no appetite.
Oh my... That's exactly why I didn't want to tell him.
There's no helping it. Let's just eat as the two of us.
There.
- What's wrong, Izumi? - Isn't it obvious? I'm angry, of course.
I told you already. I don't want to have surgery because...
- That's not why. - No?
Why did you ask Kahoko to keep it a secret?
Do you have any idea how much she was suffering because of that, Mama?
I'm sorry. That was never my intention.
Why didn't you just confide in me right from the start?
Am I that unreliable?
No! That's not what I meant at all!
It's just that, when Kahoko found out about my condition,
it felt like it was fated to be.
That maybe I could entrust our family to that child.
What do you mean by that?
- Gran Gran? - What's the matter, Kahoko?
Ahh...I heard that Gran Gran told Mama and the others about her condition.
-I'm so sorry, Kahoko. - Huh?
Your Gran Gran made you suffer through such a difficult ordeal.
Don't worry about it! Kahoko is full of energy and feeling as tip top as can be!
-What...? - Hey, guess, what! Guess, what!
Kahoko has decided that starting today she's gong to hunt for a husband while learning homemaking skills!
Kahoko wants to find her perfect husband without wasting even a single minute or second,
So she's all fired up! Yay~
W-what? But what about Hajime-kun?
- Ah, me and that guy are over. Broke up. - What? Why?
Well... It's just...
From the start, I never really got the sense that we clicked, you know what I mean?
Look, it was just like Mama said.
Our life plans and values are completely different. I guess I just finally realized it?
- Kahoko, are you okay? - Hm?
- You're kind of acting strangely upbeat. - Really?
- Yeah... - But, umm.. you know!
It's times like these that you need to keep looking forward instead of getting yourself down.
I'm going to quickly find a wonderful husband that Mama and Gran Gran will both like
and pop out a cute baby
so you gotta keep yourself kicking till then, right Gran Gran!
Yay! Yay! Yay!
That was exhausting...
[Q18 Your current opportunities for meeting people?]
None
[Q19 When do you want to get married?]
As soon as possible!
[Q20 Love in a marriage?]
Don't need it!
Kahoko? Can I come in?
Yes! Come on in!
I heard from Mama that you're going to a speed dating event?
That's right! Ah! Papa, good timing!
Hey, hey, listen to this! Which one of Kahoko's outfits do you think will make a man fall madly in love with her?
- I think both of them are cute.... - Geez, be more serious about it!
Kahoko's betting her life on this, you know?
- Say, Kahoko - Yeah?
- Are you really okay about Mugino-kun? - What about him?
I mean, didn't you really like him?
You just don't get it, do you~
Once a girl sets her mind on something, she bounces back quickly.
You can't just stay hung up on the past forever, right?
Then how about you delete his mail address and number?
- Huh? - You don't need them, right?
If you really don't want to look back on the past anymore.
Of course.
- Are you sure about this, Kahoko? - Yeah, yeah. Absolutely!
It's fine. Just fine!
[Are you sure you want to delete this contact?]
If you'd like, shall Mama do it for you?
Ah...Yeah. I'll think I'll have you do that then.
I mean, I don't want to have to second guess myself over deleting them or anything later.
[Are you sure you want to delete this contact?]
[Deleted]
[Are you sure you want to delete message history?]
[Deleted.]
[Are you sure you want to delete all 18 photo album items?]
[Deleted.]
There. Good luck with the speed dating.
- Papa? - Ah, coming.
Good.
Tch.
Ahhh, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop!
Ugh, it's too girly!
Could it be that you thought I was Kahoko?
Of course not.
What is it? You need something?
The other day at my birthday party, after you left, something really funny happened.
What was it?
My grandmother confessed that she was dying soon!
And then everyone got hilariously flustered over it!
- What about you? - What?
"What"? Aren't you sad? You're grandmother is dying.
The reality of it just won't set in, is all. She doesn't look like a sick person or anything.
Apparently, you and Kahoko knew already?
- What happened with her afterwards? - Don't know!
- We broke up already. - W-what? Why?
No reason, really. I just realized that she and I aren't a good match for each other.
I thought so, too.
Thank you for gracing me with your esteemed approval.
Hey, if you want, why don't you just go out with me?
Excuse me?
Let's use this to go all out and have some fun, just the two of us.
We can blow off all the steam that's been bothering us.
Wait, isn't that the money your Gran Gran and Pop Pop gave you for your futur-
So? I'm free to use it however I want, aren't I?
Those two just don't get it.
This measly amount of money is nowhere near enough to study at a music school abroad!
Alright.
- Let's go out. - Really?
Yeah. A girl like you suits me much better, after all.
Right?
Now, then... shall we get right to it and start kissing?
W-what?
Ah.
Before that, can you take your clothes off?
What?
Woah, don't get the wrong idea, okay?
I just want you to model for me.
It's always been a dream of mine, you see,
to paint a nude picture of my girlfriend like Picasso.
Oh? Oh dear. Whatever could be wrong?
You've gotten hilariously flustered!
And yet, you can still make fun of your family for it, huh?
Are you an idiot?!
I'm an idiot~
[Welcome to the first step towards marriage]
Thank you for your time. Please excuse me.
- Please treat me well! - Please treat me well!
I surf the net at home on my off days.
Since everything I need can be done on the internet.
As long as I have a computer, that is.
Oh. But someone I know told me once,
"The really important things in life can't be found on the internet."
[Occupation: Manufacturing Worker]
I got my current job thanks to my parents connections,
but I feel like there's a better job out there
that will allow me to really use my skills, you know?
What exactly are you bothering to work for in the first place?
-E-excuse me? - Ah.
...is what someone I know asked me once...
[Occupation: Part-timer]
I'm going to inherit my fathers company
I'm going to inherit my fathers company,
so I'm confident that I'll never have problems in my life.
[Occupation: Professor] I have monster parents,
but my school principal only says that, no matter how unreasonable they are, I just have to put up with it.
[Occupation: Company Employee]
My higher-ups are power abusers so I'm suing them.
Because it's too hard for companies to fire employees these days for them to fire me over it.
It's because of sheltered people like you that Japan is going down the drain!
Parents spoil their children.
schools pander to parents, and companies overindulge their employees!
At this rate, this whole country is going to become a kingdom of sheltered people!
Ah.
...is what somewhat told me...a long time ago...
What am I even doing...
I'm home~
Oh, Kahoko! Welcome back!
Oh, Gran Gran! What are you doing here?
Everyone is gathered at my house having a family meeting right now,
so I kind of escaped to here.
Is it really okay for you to not be admitted into a hospital?
Let's not talk about that topic anymore.
What about you, Kahoko? Did the speed dating party go well?
- Did you find a good man? - No...
There wasn't really anyone that great there.
Hmm. So you say, but aren't you really just trying to force yourself to forget Hajime-kun?
What? No way! Of course that's not true.
Ah. I decided to narrow down my target a little more for when I go to the speed dating party again.
I've got a good feeling that my prince on a white horse will be there this time for sure~
Ah! Hey, hey, Gran Gran! Since this is a good opportunity, would you teach Kahoko how to cook?
Once I find my Mr. Right, I want to be able to cook him lots of delicious food!
I don't mind...
Wait for me, my destined prince! Yay~
It's a lie, it's a lie, it's a lie. It can't be true! No~
For goodness' sake, Papa, please get a hold of yourself!
You've been crying nonstop ever since you found out about Mama's condition.
But the thought never even crossed my mind before
that she could die before me...
I understand how you feel, but
we need to seriously think about what to do next.
I'll have to leave that to the rest of you. I still can't get my head around this at all...
Then I'll just go ahead and say it.
No matter what Mama says,
I believe that having surgery done on her as fast as possible is the best option.
But that's not really physically possible for her to handle.
and the chances of her making a full recovery are low.
And plus, Mama already said she wants to die here in her home-
That's why we need to all work together to persuade her, no?
Are you alright with just letting Mama die while we do nothing like this?
- You're not, right? - Well, that's true, but...
Then let's go ahead and have her admitted into Atsushi-kun's hospital.
If we have one of the doctors that Atsushi-kun knows take a look at her,
maybe we'll find a way to cure her!
But I already asked a reliable doctor about it after the other day,
and he said that surgery would most likely be difficult-
Well, we can't really know that until we've tried, right?
Isn't there any other more reliable doctor you can ask?
Someone like from Black Jack and Shiroi Kyouto (movies about genius doctors).
I'll try asking around some more but...
- I'll be counting on you, then. - Yes...
It's starting to feel kind of negative here, Izumi
Perhaps you should be a little more amiable...
Also, I hate to say this but,
I was looking into some things yesterday and discovered that Mama and Papa don't have a lot of money.
What? No way!
Once Mama is admitted to the hospital it's going to require more and more money.
So I expect for us sisters to all pitch in equally to make up for what's lacking. Okay?
J-Just hold on a minute! We don't have that kind of money to spare...
I quit my part-time job already and we don't even have any savings.
Come on now, how can you say that? Have you no idea how much Mama has done for you because of Ito?
- No, no, I know but.... - Then I'll be counting on you.
Tamaki, you're okay with this too, right?
Actually, Tamaki, what's wrong? You've been quiet this whole time.
It's because Mama's condition is all my fault.
Huh?! What are you saying?
She's been blaming herself like this ever since she found out about Mother-in-law's condition.
- Why in the world would you do that, Tamaki-chan? - She's right.
I've already told Kahoko this but,
ever since I was young,
I haven't been able to stop shoplifting.
W-what...?
Thanks to Maa-kun, I've been able to keep myself in check lately but,
just the other day, for the first time in a while, I ended up doing it again...
Come on now...don't be like this. I'm partly responsible, too, you know. Since I couldn't stop drinking.
If you confess something like that at a time like this,
the rest of us won't know how to react.
Then what am I supposed to do?
Ahhh! Everything is my fault, after all~
- It's my fault the family has become like this... - Really. Papa! Please stop sulking and crying to yourself!
Someone please tell me Mama's condition is a lie!
Papa, that's enough of that. Umm...How about you rest upstairs for a bit?
- We'll just explain everything to you later, okay? - Fine...I understand...
- I understand~ - Oh my. Papa!
Hey, since we're on the topic already,
if Mama dies, what's going to happen to this home?
- Is Papa going to be alright by himself? - That's not very likely now is it?
Setsu, how about you move in with him then? You're indebted to them the most, after all.
Don't say that! I already have Ito to take care of. I can't take care of Papa, too!
Then Tamaki can do it since you don't have any children.
That's impossible! I've been sick lately because of my asthma.
And I don't have the confidence to be able to take care of Papa well either.
Geez. You're all so heartless.
If you're going to say that, then you can just live with him, Izumi-chan. Right? You're the eldest, after all.
That's right! And besides, aren't you a little too happy? Even though Mama is sick...
Yeah! Are you even really sad about it, Izumi-chan?
Excuse me? Don't say something so disgraceful! I'm sadder than anyone-
Ahh!
Papa...say something already! They're incriminating our family!
W-What?? That's..uhh..well...
How about we all calm down a bit first?
American general Colin Powell once said,
"What's important is..."
- Ah. Nevermind. It's nothing. - Huh? Why'd you stop in the middle?
It's just, everyone told me before that they thought I was looking down on them,
so I'm worried that I might make them angry again...
Don't start saying such pitiful stuff too, Papa!
No, no. I won't... "What's importa-"
Right now, the whole family needs to work together all for one. Yes, indeed.
This has bothered me before but, it's not "work together all for one," rather it's "work together as one," isn't it?
I actually really wanted to say that to her, too.
Must you get held up on such little thin-
It's "hung up on." Hung up.
Anyway! I'm going to to let Mama know the general consensus that we've reached today so,
Any problems with that? No, right? Then that's settled.
- Papa, let's go home. - H-Huh? O-okay...
- Do you think you can stop trying to order the rest of us around like that, Izumi-chan? - What...?
She's right! You always start and end everything by only saying what you want to say and then going off on your merry way!
W-What are you saying? If you've got a problem with something, then just say so!
Even if we try, you never listen!
You can't even imagine how many times over the years I've stabbed Izumi-chan's tongue with a knife in my mind.
Even if you did it, she'd probably still manage to talk.
I know, right?
Now, now, Tama-chan. That was going a little too far.
That's right. Setsu, your sister has just been trying her best.
- That's right, everyone. "What's important is being calm-" - I see how it is! Fine!
You all can just do whatever you want then!
I don't care anymore.
You always start sulking as soon as things aren't going your way.
- That part of her is just like Papa! - Hey! Don't put me on the same level as Papa!
- P-please, calm down first, Izumi. - How can you say that!
They keep criticizing me but you haven't said a single thing back!
- That's not what I meant.... - Anyway!
I don't want to see such obstinate people like you all anymore.
By all means, go ahead and decide everything about Mama without me!
Good-bye! - W-wait, Izumi!
- Why's she got to get angry with us? Right? - We're the ones that should be angry!
Geez, all we did was be honest!
Umm...everyone, "What's important is being calm and kind-"
Nevermind.
Mm. Have a taste.
Yum!
It's so good it's a shame to have to swallow it!
Yuuum!
Ahh, but Kahoko wonders if she'll be able to make it this well.
It'll be okay!
Your Gran Gran wasn't always good at this, you know.
- Really? - Yes.
In the past, my in-laws used to tell me my cooking was absolutely terrible.
So I thought to myself, "I'll show them!" and studied really hard from then on.
- I see. - Yes. That's why, Kahoko,
You don't need to feel like you have to be great at things right away.
If you keep doing it every day, slow and steady,
you'll be able to make your family happy with great cooking skills.
Yeah. I understand. Thank you, Gran Gran.
- Ah. - Hm?
Ah...I think your Gran Gran needs to rest for a bit.
- I got a little too excited... - A-are you okay?
Yes, yes. I'm fine. Just fine. I'll feel better as soon as I take my medicine.
Ah, water! Water, water....
Water, water, water...
I'm sorry, Gran Gran. I asked you to teach me how to cook even though you're ill.
What are you saying! I'm happy to help!
I was able to talk with Kahoko about all sorts of things, as well, because of it.
Ah. Sorry, just a minute.
What is it? A message from Hajime-kun?
No. no! Not at all!
Umm..it's just an seat confirmation message for the speed dating party tomorrow.
- Hey, Kahoko. - Hm?
Won't you please stop thinking that you need to rush into a marriage?
But...umm...Gran Gran wants to see Kahoko in her wedding dress and...
But making a wrong important life decision because of me, isn't what I want for you.
I doubt it will be easy to meet another man like Hajime-kun, anyway.
I wonder about that... Well...
- We're home! - Welcome back!
I can't believe this! Just what in the world was all that?
Ah, I'm sorry. I asked Gran Gran to teach me how to cook.
- Whaat? - Huh?
Gran Gran is ill, you know! What were you thinking?
Ah, I'm sorry...
It's fine, Izumi. I wanted to help.
- Even so-! - Ahh...I apologize.
A lot happened at the family meeting and...
What do you mean, Papa?
She got in a fight with Tamaki-chan and Secchan.
- Ohhh... - What was with their attitudes?
I was only making all sorts of suggestions because no one else would have said anything if I had just let them be!
Yet I have to be accused of ordering everyone around and trying to decide everything by myself?!
T-there, there. L-let's calm down. There you go.
Hey, Kahoko, you should say something, too. Tell your Gran Gran she needs to be quickly admitted to the hospital.
Ahh...but I wonder if that's such a good idea?
Of course it is. Don't you want her to get better?
Y-yes, but...umm...it's not good to disregard Gran Gran's opinion either...
- Are you against me now, too, Kahoko? - No, that's not it! But, umm...
Hmm...It's just that I don't know.
I think what Mama thinks is right
but I also want to do what makes Gran Gran happy...
All Kahoko wants is simply for Gran Gran to live even just one day longer.
Isn't that how everyone else in the family feels, too?
That's why, Mama, do you think you can just make up with Tamaki-chan and Secchan?
Kahoko is going to try to think of what's best to do, as well.
"My grandmother is saying she doesn't want to be admitted to the hospital,"
"but I want her condition to get better."
"But the doctor says that surgery isn't possible."
Hmm...
Of course an answer isn't going to come up...
Ahhh...I want to ask Hajime-kun for advice...
Call me...
As if that would actually work...
Oh!
Auntie Kyouko?
[Kahoko, would you come with me somewhere tomorrow?]
What?
- Hey, Kahoko? - Yes?
Would you come with me to take this kid to the police station?
I mean, one of your relatives is a police officer. right?
Sure but, why?
Mom's been passed out asleep ever since I brought him here,
and what's more, I don't want to get caught.
- Huh? What do you mean? - I found out while I was searching on the web,
that no matter how much the child followed me of his own will, if I leave him here with me, I'll be considered a kidnapper!
Really?!
"Where's your home?" "What's your name?" "Why are you here?"
No matter what I ask him, this kid won't make a single peep.
I see...
But is it really okay for you to get rid of him?
- I mean, didn't he follow Auntie Kyouko here because he likes you? - No way!
Isn't that why?
- Like hell it is. - Woah. He talked!
Ah..then why don't you want to go to the police station?
Is there anyone that would want go to a police station?
That is indeed true.
Ah, this isn't the time to be impressed. - Sorry.
Then
why do you want to be here?
I don't know what kind of circumstances you have, but you can't stay here forever, right?
Well...you know... I'm sure a lot has happened.
For now, do you want to just stay another day and we can go to the police station tomorrow?
No!!
You can't go tomorrow. Go today!
- What happened to you, Grandpa? - Yeah.
Why are you saying the opposite of what you've always said?
The other day, when Kahoko told me,
"for some people, there is no tomorrow," my eyes were opened.
This child might be harboring a huge pain in his heart, but
is it alright to keep postponing the problem?
For a child's future, every day is an irreplaceable period of time.
If something happens to him that we can't turn back,
will you be able to take responsibility for it?
T-that's...wait....
Mom, say something to him, will ya?
Your old father is back!
Grandpa is so cool!
From now on, I'm going to stop putting off our family's problems
and start cleaning them up.
I'm sorry, but can I ask you to go with Kyouko to the police station?
Got it.
- Hey! Give me a hand! - Okay!
Sorry about this...Here, here!
What was that all about? Sheesh.
Yes. The neighborhood with Setsukawa Supermarket. Yes.
Yes, thank you for your help!
I just asked if any missing reports have come in for a child like this one, so please wait just a bit while they check.
- Sorry for the trouble. - Thank you, Uncle Mamoru.
Not at all! Ah. I forgot.
Kahoko-chan, I'm so sorry for saying all those horrible things to you the other day.
- Oh! It's alright. - What happened, Kahoko?
You see, I had no idea that Kahoko-chan was trying so hard all for Gran Gran's sake,
and I ended up telling her to stop acting like a busybody.
That's alright. I'm not bothered by it at all!
Then at your birthday party next year I'll be sure to get you a gift better than all the others I've given before.
Ah! Christmas is before that...
Is there anything you want? I'll get you anything as a present.
Ah, excuse me real quick.
Hello? This is Yatsukawa police box. Yes...
Ah, is that so? Please wait a moment.
They found one. Apparently, this child ran away from an orphanage.
Oh. Is that so-?
W-wait! Where...where are you going?! Huh?
Wait...wait a minute!
Are you okay? Ah, I apologize.
My goodness, what did you run away for?
- You're so annoying. You're just an overprotected girl. - ...What?
It's people like you that irritate me the most.
You don't have to suffer through anything. You're protected by your stupid parents and grew up carefree.
What could a princess like you that doesn't know the real world possibly understand!
What? Gotta problem with that?
Ah, I'm sorry.
I just thought of someone I know, that's all.
Kahoko-chan!
- Is...Is everything okay? - Yeah.
Hey, now. What's wrong? Why'd you suddenly run?
Hm? You just took off all of a sudden. Right?
Tamotsu! I was so worried! Where did you go?
If you'd allow me to, I can explain the details of the situation,,,
Then please, come in.
I apologize for the trouble I've caused you.
No, not at all...
Your name is Tamotsu?
So? What about it?
- What about your age? How old are you? - Do I need to tell you that?
Again with that rude way of speaking! "I'm seven," right?
It's okay. That's fine.
Well, then...Take care.
He just came to us recently,
but he has that kind of an attitude. It's quite a problem.
Please excuse me.
- Shall we go home, Kahoko? - Okay.
What's wrong?
Ah, it's just that,
Kahoko knows someone else that told her he was put in an orphanage at 7 years old,
so she was just wondering if maybe he was like that child.
Auntie Kyouko,
Can you go on ahead without me?
Kahoko has something she wants to ask about.
Um, excuse me?
- Is there something I can help you with? - Well...umm...
Did you used to have a boy named Mugino Hajime-kun here before?
I apologize. That's confidential private information so I can't tell you that.
Then, even if I asked at other orphanages...?
That's right. The law right now is very strict about that.
I see...
Why is it... that you want to know so bad about that child?
Ahh..umm... He thinks that his mother threw him away when he was younger,
But I wonder if maybe there was some other reason behind it.
That's why, if it's possible, I'd like to help him meet with his mother.
But...I don't know how I can do that...
So if he happened to be from...
T-This...this is...
Is something the matter?
This is definitely a drawing of you, isn't it?
Even though it was drawn by a child...This is...
Magnificent!
Could it be that Hajime-kun drew this?
No, he probably did. I'm sure he did!
Just what exactly is your relationship...
- with Hajime? - Huh?
Excuse me~ Is Mugino-kun here....?
He hasn't been coming here lately.
- W-what? Why? - Who knows? Isn't he probably just busy with his part-time job?
It looks like he hasn't been drawing at all lately either.
Umm, do you have his numb-
Nevermind.
Please excuse my interruption.
[One rank up premium speed dating]
- Please treat me well. - Please treat me well.
Ah, sorry. Just a moment, please.
Hajime-kun?
[Why don't you just give up on that speed dating party thing? It's pointless.]
[That's up to Kahoko to decide!]
- Ah, sorry about that. - No, not at all.
Umm...I believe we met before at the party the other day, didn't we?
Pardon? Ah, ahhhh!
You're the one that said you only surf the web at home...?
Ahh...yes...
You haven't found anyone good yet?
Yes...umm...If you're knowledgeable about computers,
Do you happen to know how to retrieve a mail address that has been deleted?
I do.
Ohhh! Please teach me!
How do you do it? How? How??
T-to start with, you can do it by either restoring the phone software or without restoring it.
- Which method would you like to use? - Ahh...umm...
- Thank you for your time. - Ah! No! Don't go!
Do you know how to retrieve a mail addr-
What the heck are you doing?
Th-that's my line! You want to get married?!
Of course not! I'm here for work! Work!
...What?
Parties like these need good-looking guys like myself in order for people to get excited about them.
Is that what people call "undercover marketing"?
Pretty much. Look. Even my resume is for an upper-class young master.
"Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Ayanokouji Hajime."
"My salary is 8 million yen a year. My father is the CEO of a first-rate company."
"I'm an only child and my mother overprotects me,"
"so whenever I see a woman I turn right to mush."
...I just have to talk like that and I'll snatch the girls' hearts like it's nothing.
Hm? What could it be this time?
Your face looks like someone who just discovered an abandoned dog's poop on the side of the road.
Don't you think that doing that is disrespectful
to the people here that are seriously trying to get married?
Says you! Isn't this a bit too quick of a rebound?
I thought you'd be a little more depressed after breaking up with me.
I just want to do something to make Gran Gran happy, even if it's just a little.
She's treated me so amazingly well up until now, but I haven't been able to do anything for her in return.
Do you really think that doing something like this will make your Gran Gran happy?
W-what about you? Instead of doing such a stupid thing here,
shouldn't you be off trying to properly solve your own problem?
Excuse me?! What are you trying to say?
The other day I just so happened to go
to the orphanage you were raised in.
What...?
The headmistress was really worried about you, you know. Since you haven't visited her since you graduated high school.
And she gave me a message for you.
That she has something very important of yours and she wants you to come and pick it up.
What is it?
A letter from your mother.
Don't...Don't you think that if you read that you'll finally be able to understand,
why your mother left you like that?
You want to know too, don't you Hajime-kun? Why she did something like that.
Oh my! What a shame. I hope you meet a wonderful person.
- Good luck! Bye, now. - Come on...Hajime-kun?
It's nice to meet you. I'm Ayanokouji Hajime.
Well, I work in IT and my salary is 8 million yen a year...
My Papa is the CEO of a first-rate company and I'm a only child so my mother overprotects me.
So whenever I see girls I turn to mush right away.
Stop looking at me like that!
Let's go, Hajime-kun.
Um, as for hobbies, I enjoy surfing and traveling abroad...
Let's go?
Hajime! Have you been well?
I apologize for not keeping in touch, Headmistress.
[Mr. Mugino Hajime]
Right after you graduated from high school and left this place,
your mother brought this.
If you can, I'd like you to go and meet with her.
Are you sure?
If you're reading this letter,
then I'm sure it means you've become an admirable adult.
You're living every day with your all, right?
But when you were seven years old
I left you behind like that.
I doubt you've forgiven me for that.
Ever since you were a young child, I had been suffering
from the debt your father left because of his gambling addiction.
Even after your father died, every single day I wanted to escape the hard reality constantly hanging over my head of having to repay his debt.
And so
I ended up turning to drugs.
I kept telling myself I would quit. But it was no good.
I became scared and thought of trying to kill the two of us together.
But at that time,
the sight of you holding that red paint tube in your hand made me come to my senses.
My whole body started to tremble in fear at the thought of what I had just tried to do.
I thought to myself that I must not take away the future of this child.
So I had you put into an orphanage
and decided to turn myself in to pay for my crimes.
Hajime-kun?
But even once I was released from jail,
I ended up committing the same crime again.
That's why I didn't have the courage to face you.
Years later, thanks to the grueling efforts a male employee at my rehabilitation center went through to encourage me,
I was finally able to get back on my feet
and decided to become a family with that man.
But he already had children from his previous wife who had passed away,
and so I couldn't bring myself to tell him about you.
I know I don't have the right to say this, but, right now,
my only wish is that my son, Hajime, who told me that he would one day surpass Picasso and give me a comfortable life,
will become successful through the art that he loves creating and will create a happy family of his own with a wonderful partner.
- We're home! - Welcome back!
- Hey, do you wanna try? It makes a rainbow! - No way! Really?
- Look! - Let me try!
- Wow, that's amazing! - Oh, how pretty!
So pretty...
Wow! It's all 7 colors!
Look, you two, you're clothes are all wet so you should hurry inside and get changed.
Okay.
- I've got snacks out waiting for you! - Yay!
Go on...In-introduce yourself or something. - Huh? Me?
It's your first time meeting each other, right?
Ah. That's true.
Nice to meet you. I'm umm...Hajime's umm...how should I put this...
an acquaintance of his. My name is Nemoto Kahoko.
Umm, I apologize but, I was given permission to read the letter that you left with the orphanage headmistress.
Um, even now, Hajime-kun is still working very hard to surpass Picasso
and I believe he is likely to become an artist who creates many amazing drawings that will make people happy.
No, I have no doubt that he will.
Ahhh..oh, yeah. Um.
He's still been holding on to the red paint tube that you had bought for him.
Oh. Actually, it's missing now, but he really had been holding onto it and...
Ahhh, enough already! You're talking too much.
Sorry.
Hajime...
I'm sorry....
Ahhh, geez. You don't have to apologize for it.
I'm bad with that sort of thing.
- I'm sorry. - Yeah.
If you're worried about me, I'm fine.
I'm living a pretty happy life.
Right? - H-huh? Yeah.
And besides....
One day I'm going to make one hell of an amazing family of my own that will rival yours
So!
If you don't keep living a happy life from now on, I'll never forgive your ass!
...about sums up how I feel?
See ya.
Please excuse us.
Darn it! It's 30 more minutes until the next bus!
Aww, man. I'm kind of starving.
Oh, I have onigiri. I made it myself but...
Oh, sorry. You probably don't want it.
- I want it. - Huh?
I'll eat it.
In fact, I'm seriously craving onigiri right now!
Ah..o-okay...
This one is bonito flakes, and this one is salmon, and this one is...
Oh, I have some tea, too.
Does it taste okay?
It's good...
Really really good...
Am I actually crying right now?
Woah, woah, woah...am I some kind of idiot?
After my mother left,
I decided I would never cry again and yet...
You can cry.
Kahoko will lend you her chest.
So cry your heart out.
Ka...Ka...Kahoko~
O-ooh...I see you're a pretty loud crier too, huh?
Is that bad?
It's not bad. Not bad at all.
Kahoko~~~
Ah, we appear to be making a scene.
Kahoko~~
Yes, yes....I'm here~
- Kahoko~~ - There, there...
You've been holding it in all this time, haven't you?
Um-hum.
I missed you, Kahoko~~~
Huh...?
Don't say that we should break up ever again! Kahoko~
Umm, Pardon me for saying this, but
weren't you the one that said to break up?
But Kahoko agreed to it!
That is true. Sorry, sorry.
There, there...
When I thought I'd never see you again, I got so scared I couldn't handle it.
I thought I'd be all alone again for the rest of my life!
Please don't go anywhere anymore.
When you're not with me, Kahoko,
I start to hate myself.
And I start to hate this world that I live in.
I don't want to feel like that anymore...
That's why...
That's why...?
Wh-what did you just say?
Please allow me
to marry Kahoko-san!
Of course, it goes without saying that I'll work whatever part-time jobs or anything necessary so I don't cause Kahoko-san to have to suffer.
And I'm going to work hard to one day become a self-supporting artist.
Ka...Kahoko is also going to work hard and get a job, and do her best not to cause trouble for the two of you anymore.
Kahoko-san gives me the strength to believe that it's okay to believe in things like love and goodwill.
Whenever I'm with her,
I don't feel negative or envious of other people anymore.
I gain the courage to stand under the sun (live life positively and happily).
That's why...
Please allow me to become a family with Kahoko-san.
What...what do you think we should do, Izumi?
- What do you think we should do, Papa? - H-Huh? You're asking me?
If I say something first, I'll just be told that I'm trying to decide everything on my own again.
- No, no! That won't happen! - Besides, you're the head of the house, aren't you?
Ah. Ye...yes.
Well...Your Papa thinks...
I understand how you feel but...
Don't you think it would be better to approach this a little more level-headed?
Reality isn't so simple, after all.
Getting married because your Gran Gran might die and you want to make her happy,
- Don't you think there's something wrong with that, Papa? - Ah..Yes, that's right.
Mama, Papa
That was Kahoko's intention in the beginning, but
it's different now.
This time, I really want to marry Hajime-kun from the bottom of my heart.
I want make everyone in the family happy together with Hajime-kun.
If you're wondering why I'm suddenly thinking like that...
Just now...Just a little earlier...
This is...
the first time for me.
Just a bit ago,
when Hajime-kun was calling my name, "Kahoko, Kahoko," I realized it.
I realized that hearing someone call your name,
can actually give a person so much happiness.
I realized that the more a person you love calls your name, the happier you can become from it.
And when I thought of that,
I started to wonder that Kahoko must be a super super happy person.
I mean, Mama, Papa, Gran Gran, Pop Pop,
everyone in the family up until now, has called my name, "Kahoko, Kahoko," so so many times over the years.
That's why now, I, too,
want to give back that feeling many times over!
I want to call everyone's names myself many many times, and live my life in a way that I can bring happiness to everyone.
When I'm with Hajime-kun, I feel like I can do that.
Because Hajime-kun is an amazing person who has the ability to make everyone happy with his artwork.
That's why, Mama, Papa, please.
Please allow me to marry Mugino Hajime-kun.
Please.
I understand.
Really?!
I understand that you two are serious about this, that's all.
W-what...?
That's why I, too,
am going to be serious and oppose this.
Th-This might be the scariest I've ever seen her!
Ahh, I'll answer it.
Hello? This is the Nemoto household.
Ah, Secchan? What's wrong?
I understand. We'll be right there.
What's wrong, Papa?
Your Gran Gran collapsed.
No way...