This is it, right?
This is the town you were born in, right?
Yes, it is.
You disappeared suddenly. Everyone is worried.
Aren't you glad your name was still there?
Yeah...
How many years ago?
Ten... no, twelve years ago. During my graduation ceremony.
When you were still a cute little boy.
I guess I'm not cute anymore.
Will my name be here for ten or twenty years?
They're closing this school down next spring.
It's going to be gone?
They'll probably tear it down.
It doesn't matter. I'll remember it.
Even if my name was next to yours just for a second.
Everyone is worried. We have to call them.
Did you worry, Kanji?
Of course, I did.
Why?
Eh?
Why did you worry?
Did you have some business with your ex-girlfriend?
Just joking!
Hey, take me on a tour.
Hm?
A tour of the town you grew up in.
Oh...
You have to keep your promise.
We're not together anymore, but a promise is a promise.
Right?
It's getting warmer.
It'll be spring soon.
Yeah.
I guess your spring is back in Ehime right now.
Satomi, why did you let him go?
He may not come back to you anymore.
It's okay. That's for him to decide.
Can you bear this?
But I have to be patient.
You're going through all this and you're only 24.
I'm already 24.
Yo!
Is it okay for you to come out like this?
You're the one who asked me to come out!
We're preparing for the graduation ceremony today.
Good.
Here.
Thank you.
When something troubles me, I come here to get it off my mind.
Did you think I'd be down?
About Nagao-kun?
Thank you.
Should you be seeing your ex-girlfriend like this?
What?
Seeing me like this. Won't your girlfriend be jealous?
No.
After all, I know what it's like.
She may be home looking at your photo and crying.
She got married.
She's probably in Australia taking photos with koalas.
I see.
I wonder if Nagao found Rika.
If you need a shoulder to cry on,
feel free to use mine.
I won't cry anymore.
Thanks to you, I seem to have run out of tears.
Is that so.
So, you ran out, huh?
Now we can smile together.
Huh? Did you say something?
No.
You're no good.
You want to try this?
Sure.
So...
The most exciting events of the year are typhoons.
The most exciting?
The river floods, the siren sounds and the adults...
...look frightened, but we all get excited.
We used to run around all day.
All the kids in this town were my friends.
You're so lucky.
Hm?
I was always changing schools.
I see.
I've never had to transfer schools.
There were times when I barely stayed a month.
Just so many goodbyes.
You must've gotten used to it.
No, you never get used to that. You never get used to leaving your friends.
I tried hard to make the best of the time I had.
I used to make sure I was smiling when I saw my...
...friends for the last time, because we had so little time together.
That's what I think.
Thank you.
It smells like you.
What're you saying...
I'll return this to you later.
Let's go pray.
Hey, is that the train station?
No. You can't see the station from here.
You came to Tokyo from this town?
Yes, I did.
How do you like Tokyo?
Hm...
It has its pros and cons.
Yup.
This place probably suits me better.
But I like Tokyo too.
Don't you ever think of coming back here?
Heh?
Don't you ever wish you could go back to the years...
...you spent your childhood here?
Why not?
I've done a lot of things and met a lot of people.
That's what makes me the person I am today.
I can't throw away the memories of all those people I've met.
Am I included?
Yes.
Good.
Rika.
Yes?
Why did you turn down the offer for the transfer?
You can still go. I've talked to Mr. Waga.
Hey, which way is it to your house?
What happened?
I threw it all away.
What?
Everything.
As soon as I got there, I got on another flight and...
...came straight home.
What about the groom?
He was crying.
Your parents?
They were crying.
Don't laugh!
I will!
You're terrible!
Just like you!
What?
Thank you.
Let's go over there.
Okay.
Kanji-san.
Yes?
Did you come here to convince me to go to L.A.?
That too. But that's not the only reason.
I'm going.
What?
I'm going... I'm going to L.A. I've decided.
Your expression tells me, I'm not the one anymore.
Yup, I'm going to L.A.
Always remembering that I loved you.
Don't look like that! Get a hold of yourself.
Let's have a toast!
There was a store a little ways back.
I guess they won't have champagne so I'll get some beer.
Hey.
It's okay. I'll be right back.
Rika.
Yes?
Live an easier life.
You too, Kanji.
I'll wait for you at the station.
I checked the schedule and there's a train at 4:48.
One more hour. Please come if you change your mind.
If not, I'll just be gone.
This is my last request!
Well, I'll see you at 4:48.
I want to see you there so I won't say goodbye.
Excuse me.
Yes?
Was that the 4:48 train?
Yes, it was.
Hm...
Have you seen a girl in a white coat?
A white coat?
Oh, yes. She was standing over there.
Where did she go?
She got on the earlier train at 4:33.
Bye bye Kanchi
Rika.
Bye bye Kanji!
What's your name?
I'm Kyota.
Kyota-kun?
What's your name?
My name is Rika.
Riko?
No, Rika.
Rika.
You got it.
Rika, Rika.
I like your hat.
Want to borrow it?
Sure!
I can't see.
I have some candy. Would you like some?
Yes!
Thank you.
We'd have "bon odori" festivals here.
We'd eat yakitori and then watch the fireworks.
That's nice!
I carved my name at school when I...
...graduated. "6th grade 2nd class Nagao Kanji."
21, 22, 23... You came to Tokyo this year.
The most important event of your life happened this year.
What was it?
I met Akana Rika.
You're still 24 years old.
I don't want to be alone anymore.
I don't want anyone else.
I'll never let you go.
Will you come to the Himalayas for me?
I will.
Will you bring me oden?
I'll bring the whole shop.
What if I want to have a Beatles concert?
I'll bring them.
What about John?
I'll sing in his place.
What if I tell you to make a rainbow with magic?
I can't do that...
You can forget it then.
But I can use magic!
What kind?
I thought of leaving but I was afraid I...
...might be haunted by a ghost at night if I did.
Let's go in somewhere.
It's no good.
The batteries are dead.
We just can't seem to go home tonight.
There are nights like this.
Let's turn around at the same time!
Okay.
One, two!
You didn't do it!
Kanji!
What is it?
Kanji...
What!
Kanji...
What is it?
Kanji!
I love you!
Here.
Thank you.
Good morning.
What's the matter?
Hey, Rika's orders have been posted.
Oh, there's big news.
What?
Remember Ms. Nagasaki?
Ah, yes. I heard she got married.
She left her honeymoon and came back home.
Why?
To be with Mikami?
Really?
Rika left for L.A.
Hi, Kanji.
Or is it good evening?
I want to say goodbye to you.
It's a little sad but not just sadness.
In any case, I'm so glad that I was given the chance...
...to walk the same road with you during the same season.
Kanji, I treasure this moment and I can think...
...preciously of this moment as I say goodbye to you,
so I think that I'll be okay from now on.
I was lucky to meet you.
I won't say goodbye, and will make no promises.
But we'll meet again, won't we?
Akana Rika.
P.S. How are you?
3 Years Later
Section Chief.
Yo.
We'll finish negotiations and sign the contract next week.
Good.
And also, I'll be in charge of the programs next week.
Ah, okay.
Don't you have a wedding to attend today?
It's at 1 o' clock.
You should've taken the day off.
No, I can't do that.
Yes?
I was just thinking. Now you could make things work with Akana.
Or maybe you were forced to grow up because of Akana.
I guess I shouldn't speak hypothetically.
You still don't know where she is?
No. She quit the L.A. office in 6 months and...
...we haven't heard from her since.
I wonder where she could be.
Sorry.
Waited long?
Here. Is there some place you can change?
I can change there.
Mikami said to dress casually but...
It wouldn't be right when all their relatives will be there.
Only friends will be at the ceremony.
What?
They haven't received permission from Naoko's parents yet.
I see.
Mikami Kenichi, do you take Naoko to be your wife?
Yes, I do.
Nagasaki Naoko, do you take Kenichi to be your husband?
Yes, I do.
Then let us all...
Father.
This is embarrassing.
I've never seen you so nervous.
Congrats.
Thank you.
We better get going.
Sorry, but we have to go out with her parents.
No, it's okay.
I'm really sorry.
You don't have to apologize.
But we invited you and...
I'm just glad to see you're finally growing up.
Congrats.
Thanks.
Bye.
Naoko was beautiful.
Mikami looked happy too.
I think she's going to be the stronger one.
Ah, your shoelace.
I got it.
What's the matter?
Oh, nothing.
Rika!
Yo!
It's really you, Nagao-kun.
Yeah.
Long time no see, Satomi!
Eh... did the two of you?
Yes, we got married.
I thought so.
So, you came back to Tokyo.
It's been 3 years.
I haven't been able to contact you.
I'm going shopping.
It's been a long time.
Why don't you two have a reunion?
Just the two of us?
Yes, just the two of you.
Bye.
You've grown up.
Really?
You have.
I guess it has been 3 years after all.
I see.
How about you?
I haven't changed much have I?
No, you haven't.
Hello?
I've become even more beautiful haven't I?
Yes, you have.
Do you regret breaking up with me a little?
Maybe just a little.
I'm going to tell Satomi!
Go ahead.
I will then.
You found a nice wife.
How about you?
I'm used to being alone.
Don't get used to something like that.
Rika?
You don't fall in love that many times in your lifetime.
It's so fast once you do fall in love.
But that's why I still treasure the fact that I once loved you.
That's what I think.
Knowing that I loved you and you loved me...
...will be something that I'll treasure forever.
You don't fall in love worrying about what will happen tomorrow.
Because of what happened, I'm the person I am today.
I can say to myself, "You did a good job!"
What are you doing now?
I'm not going to tell you.
Why not?
What I'm doing now doesn't matter.
I guess not.
Well, I don't have much time.
Want to get something to eat?
Mr. Waga is worried. Leave your phone number with me.
Okay.
It's better this way.
We'll run into each other again, just like today.
Maybe again in a few years.
Well, I have to go.
Okay, see you.
See you.
Bye bye.
Later.
Also...
Give me a call at the office sometime.
Okay.
Take care!
You too.
Good luck!
You too.
Thank you.
For what?
We just can't seem to say goodbye.
Remember? This happened once before.
It did.
Let's turn around at the same time, just like we did then.
Okay.
One, two.
Kanji.
Kanji!
TOKYO LOVE STORY
The End