A sandwich that tastes like basking in the sun...

Yes!

It might be the world's most inexpensive luxury.

I think so, too.

I have...

I lied to you.

But was there any chance of getting something from a fake kiss?

No.

Then...

Then...

Can I throw this out?

Tae-chan, this one.

No.

What is it, may I ask?

Culatello

That bike has been following us.

What is that?

Possibly one of those paparazzis.

There's no need to worry.

Drive faster.

Yes.

He's going through a lot of trouble.

I think I have to find a new love.

Otherwise, the paparazzi might lose his job.

It's only been a week since we announced your love to the common person.

There's no need to show any concern.

Really?

Be seeing you.

Thank you for your good work.

She's already pressed the reset button?

That's very bad.

Right now, Reiko-chan is talking to the press about it.

What are you saying? Of course they're really in love.

When I met them at the restaurant,

they were really having a good time.

They spent the night on the bank of the Tama River.

Hikaruko-san has lost her interest in celebrities.

She even rejected Hitchy's marriage proposal.

Anyway, they're really really in love right now.

Will you leave us alone?

Yes.

You, too.

President,

since we must deal with a common person and not a celebrity,

we must proceed with this matter very carefully.

I see, you're right.

Her press conference was well received by the common people.

If they find out that they have broken up after only a week,

the media will start bashing Hikaruko.

What will happen to Hikaruko, then?

2 Movies and 1 NHK's long-running "Taiga Drama" would be cancelled.

6 out of 10 commercial contracts will be lost.

That much damage?

But it was a fake press conference to begin with.

We must not allow the fall and the decline of her image.

Help me with a good plan, if there's any?

There is one.

Please forget Kirishima Hikaruko as fast as possible.

And become healthier.

I am fine, now.

Kirishima Hikaruko has given you a great week.

I say, you should be happy.

Yes, I think so too.

Have you ever wondered that you could really be in love with Kirishima Hikaruko?

Of course not.

If you kissed Kirishima Hikaruko,

there was no way to know it was just a lie.

No way, of course.

Sousuke!

Tell us your true feelings.

We all want to heal your broken heart.

Understand?

Let out your true feelings and you'll feel better.

So tell us now.

Well, then...

as a matter of fact,

Yes?

just for a second,

I thought I could really be in love with her.

{\a5}Damn! What crap! Who do you think you are!

{\a5}Come here, I'll teach you.

{\a7}Say it one more time.

{\a7}Say it one more time.

Don't stop him in the middle. Let the chief show his feelings first...

{\a6}Saegusa!

{\a6}Call the police immediately!

Let's go back.

President.

{\a6}Excuse me?

{\a6}Who shall I say is calling?

{\a6}We're here to talk with Nakata Sousuke-san.

{\a7}I am Takigawa of Office Claudia.

Thank you.

{\a10}KIRISHIMA HIKARUKO FAN CLUB
Membership # 120006

I am fan club member #120006

SAN MARCO HAM
BRANCH MANAGER(SHO-CHO)
KOGANEI AKIRA

My name is Koganei Akira.

What a cool business card with your fan club # printed on the back.

Thank you.

You're a branch manager at this age.

President,

I am a Sho-CHO(branch manager) and you are
There is only one word difference,...

May I have a word with you?

Yes.

Please use that room over there.

Ushiyama-kun! Tsubomi-chan! Please come over here.

I don't know if you like it or not. But I have some sake, too.

Hurry, hurry up!

Please be seated.
You too BIG & TALL person.

This is Shochu Liquor.

Thank you.

Would they feel offended if I didn't drink?

President, maybe we should go somewhere else.

I agree.

We should talk outside the company.

Don't worry about us.

{\a7}We have no interest in your industry.

{\a7}I'll go home.

That's good. We're all going home.

Ushiyama-kun! Tsubomi-chan!

Please take your time.

{\a5}Please be comfortable
and take your time.

{\a5}See you. Take your time.

So, may I ask what you want?

We're here about the press conference.

For just a little bit longer,

can you pretend?

Probably you can understand the situation

her love cycle is very fast.

The longest so far is about 6 months.

She pushes the reset button for a new love around 2 or 3 months

but one week is way too short.

So, for one more month,

for the sake of appearances,

we want you to pretend that your relationship with her is going well.

What do you mean?

It is to save Hikaruko from press bashing.

{\a5}Sousuke! Don't become a puppet of these nasty guys!

{\a6}Hold! Hold!
You are ordering Sousuke-san to lie?

{\a7}One lie leads to the beginning of a thief.

Sousuke!

Hold it.

I must tell them.

I must tell them good.

Tsugiya-san, tell them.

Why must Sousuke-san lie for Hikaruko?

Hey, you.

I know you are in the entertainment business,

I know you're rich,

but do you think common people

like us have to do whatever you want?

{\a5}What? What? What?

What is this?

It's a Kirishima Hikaruko's Trading Card!

{\a7}It's a LIMITED EDITION!

Please see to it then,

for Hikaruko's sake.

For Hikaruko.

I understand...

{\a5}For those waiting for the movie Love Supreme, please proceed to...

Excuse me!

Hikaruko-san, why didn't Nakata-san come with you?

My relationship with Nakata-san has...

been wonderful.

Why?

{\a7}So we gather that a relationship with Nakata-san is going very well?

With Nakata-san,

she is very much in love with him.

Why?

We must hurry.

Hikaruko-san, Hikaruko-san, we can hardly hear what you said.

Your fans are in favor of your love relationship with a common person.

It's better not to disappoint your fans' dreams for now.

Therefore,

we must pretend that you are still in love with Nakata-san.

Hikaruko.

I'm sorry that I must ask you to do something like this.

In the past we've done similar fake things more than 10 times.

What does he say?

You mean Nakata-san?

Both of you have already talked to him, right?

Yes!

I was worried at first, but he accepted it whole heartedly. Really.

It seems that he wanted to be a part of celebrity after all.

I see.

I understand.

Now, let us welcome our guest, whom you've been waiting for...

the actress from Love Supreme.

Kirishima Hikaruko!

Let's welcome her!

Hello, everybody.

I'm Kirishima Hikaruko with a great love life.

Thank you, everyone.

Lately I have been thinking...

without a good love relationship, I can't have a great acting career.

I'm sure you will feel the same way after watching this movie.

In love or in the movies, the most important thing is to

listen to your heart.

With Salary-man Nakata Sousuke-san

I am having a great time.

She really is a pro.

I wonder...

What is it?

This is the first time Hikaruko-san has shown any concerns towards a man she has broken up with.

That's nothing. It's because Hikaruko must deal with a common person.

Then, it is time for Love Supreme. Please enjoy the movie.

Life is based upon two things.

Zero and One.

One and Zero.

Everything in life,

We reject all of them.

I wonder if it's really possible.

You can't lie so easily.

I think I can at least pretend somehow.

Excuse me, are you that Salary-man Nakata-san?

You're the lover of Hikaruko-san. Right?

Yes, he is.

He is Nakata Sousuke of San Marco Ham

and I am his superior...

Let me shake your hand.

Me, too.

Sousuke, Run!

{\a6}Stop! In the name of love

{\a5}Before you break my heart

{\a7}Stop! In the name of love

{\a5}Before you break my heart

Stop! In the name of love

{\a5}Before you break my heart

{\a10}Stop! In the name of love

{\a7}{\a10}Before you break my heart

{\a10}Stop!
Be seeing you.

President, can I talk with you?

Which company are you with?

My name is Yajima.

{\a10}Weekly "Target" Editorial Department
YAJIMA NAOKI
CAMERAMAN

At the press conference, wasn't it a bit fishy?

I've been following Hikaruko-san for a week.

She hasn't been in contact with Nakata-san at all.

As he is a common person,
she must consider the consequences.

That explains it.

We should hold another press conference.

Yes, we better do that.

Hikaruko is fine, but I wonder if the common person is doing his part.

I'm sorry.

It's not possible.

Now that you are Kirishima Hikaruko's lover, you can give me a discount.

I'm very sorry but we cannot go lower than our manufacturing cost.

Really?

Nakata-san, this is "With Morning" TV show.

Tell us how you met Hikaruko-san to begin with.

I'm sorry.

We must go outside, otherwise this restaurant will be in trouble.

Is this live?

I'm no longer interested in your ham. Leave the premises!

Get the hell out of here!

Let me pay for the damages.

President!

I heard that the movie is a great hit. In some theaters there's standing room only!

Yes, that's right. It's breaking records.

Something's weird.

You look cute.

I've heard about the movie over
100 times since this morning.

I'm sorry.

I'm so happy about the result.

Love Supreme is a blockbuster flop at the box office!

It's like a flip-flop barbecue...

Like a roasted pig?

Good morning.

Good morning.

Hikaruko-san.

Did you hear about the movie?

It's a flop.

It's a box office hit.

I've heard about it more than 100 times so far.

I see.

But movie business is so cruel...

Reiko-chan, you have work today.

We have to hurry. Come, hurry.

We don't have time.

{\a5}Roasted pig! You know, Roasted Pig!

Saegusa!

Yes.

What's a Roasted Pig?

I have no idea.

Something is weird.

Here he comes.

Nakata-san, Let us have an interview.

Nakata-san, How is your love life?

Hello, everyone. I'm Nakata.

Nakata-san, please tell us how you met Hikaruko-san.

The first time I met...

Can I take a picture of your workplace?

Sure.

May I get the OK from my superior?

They say they are coming into our office, Chief.

Should I change my clothes?

Will you step aside?

Maybe I should change my clothes, shouldn't I?

If things keep going this way the movie will be canned.

We must come up with something fast.

It's going to be her first flop ever.

How about asking the fan club members or hired-extras to go to the movies?

How about getting a loan of ?,000,000 from the bank

and buy all the tickets?

Let's do it that way.

Saegusa!

{\a5}Our office would have to declare bankruptcy.
Is that OK?

Yes, that's OK.

To save Hikaruko.

We can fool their sales figures, but we cannot create total number of movie goers.

Anyway, we must not give Hikaruko any damaging news.

Shall we go bankrupt?

Good work today.

I'm back!

Amamiya! Champagne!

Yes!

For the celebration of the biggest hit at the box office.

Congratulations!

Hikaruko-san, Congratulations.

Let's toast!

Kanpai!
Kanpai!

Wow, you are something, senpai.

You're not down at all by the flop of the movie. Who cares about the roasted pig?

Roasted pig?

Who said that kind of crap!

The movie is a hit!

Reiko-chan, let's go home together. You have an early morning shoot.

Yes. That's right. You better leave.

No, I want to stay. I want champagne, too.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Roasted pig?

{\a5}No, you can't come in. I'm running a business here.

{\a7}No, no. no.

Kiyomi-san, I'm sorry for causing trouble.

Sousuke-san, Can you really make it for another month?

Once you've lied, you must keep on lying till the end.

Lie after lie! Living hell you're gonna see.

{\a5}Stop it already!

Seems chaotic, doesn't it?

I'm sorry.

Please have a seat.

Hikaruko-san isn't here today.

I just watched her new movie.

Yes, I went to the movie theater at Tokorozawa with my daughter.

{\a7}I watched it 17 times.

{\a7}Each time there were empty seats everywhere.

It can't be helped.

There are two types of movies.

One is an instant hit and the other is the one that takes time.

But to me, it's simple. Just like I prefer crowded kyaba-kura to empty ones.

That's very philosophical.

It is very educational, indeed.

Director.

Is that movie really really good?

Yes.

I can vouch for it.

Hey, hey, I'll take you to the best kyaba-kura.

Don't tell lies. A lie is the worst thing in life.

OK. I'm counting on you.

Sure, I'll take care of your kyaba-kura needs.

I don't get it. The movie is good, yet the theaters are so empty.

You didn't see any people inside?

Almost zero.

Totally empty.

Saegusa!

Tell me the truth.

What is it?

All of you, aren't you hiding something from me?

About what?

Saegusa...

Yes.

Forget it.

Good night.

Hello?

{\a5}This is the Weekly Fact.

{\a5}We'll be featuring the love story of the Salary-man and the Star...

I'm sorry. Goodbye.

{\a5}Nakata-san!
Nakata-san, you're in, right?

{\a5}Nakata-san!

Make it tomorrow, please.

Roll it. Roll it.

Nakata-san, can I shoot inside?

SILENCE!
Don't you know what time it is!

Sorry. I'm very sorry.

Nakata-san. Oh, I see. Your room is...

To avoid annoying the neighbors, can you come tomorrow?

Hello.

Dad?

The press came to you, too?

What? Bad back pain?

I'm sorry you were surprised that much.

I'm sorry.

Yes, you're right.

You didn't know that I was dating a celebrity.

I don't know.

It's not a lie.

Yes, I'm in a relationship with her.

Yes, I am.

Dad, take care of your back first.

I'll call you if anything new happens.

Yes. Yes. Goodbye.

One Adult, please.

?,800

{\a5}What would you like to have?

{\a7}Milk tea, please.

{\a5}Yes, Ma'am.

Yes.

It's been a long time.

I wanted to meet you, too.

But it's not possible.

I don't believe in miracles.

I want to know your true feelings.

Excuse me, I would like to ask you a question.

Yes.

Did you find this movie interesting?

Yes, of course.

I see.

See you.

See you.

{\a5}There goes Kirishima Hikaruko.

Will you shake hands with me?

Let me shake hands, too.

{\a7}Isn't that Kirishima Hikaruko's boyfriend, Nakata-kun?

{\a7}Let's shake hands with him.

{\a7}Are you on a date?

Sousuke-san!

We were spotted by everyone.

Shall we go together now?

Let's go to that place.

Try this one now.

Wow, beautiful.

Are they still following us?

Yes.

Then,

we must be together all night.

Welcome, Kirishima-sama.

Good evening.

This is the first time I've gone into the hotel as a couple without hiding my face.

Please enjoy your stay.

Thank you.

We don't have to be together anymore.

{\a6}Please enjoy your dinner.

Thank you.

That person's job seems to be tough. Does he intend to stay up all night?

Shall we eat now?

Delicious?

{\a5}I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

What?

What is it?

{\a5}An order from the customer over there.

Hello?

{\a5}Hey, Sousuke, where the hell are you?

You disappeared from work suddenly.

Everyone is waiting for you.

Let's drink! Drink!
Buy some sake and come here.

I can't make it tonight.

{\a5}Can't make it? What are you saying? Can't you follow your Chief's order?

Excuse me, will you bring me a bottle of liquor and a magazine?

The liquor is in the refrigerator and the magazine is in my bag.

Me?

{\a5}Excuse me. I brought them here.

Come inside.

Will you bring them here?

{\a5}Here.

Thank you very much.

Would you bring me a bottle of body shampoo, too? It's on the shelf.

{\a5}Body Shampoo?

It's the biggest bottle.

Thank you very much.

Thank you. It's your turn now, Sousuke-san.

What an ass! He hung up in the middle of Chief's call.

He isn't picking up.

Let him treat us.

Hello?

A woman answered the phone.

Who are you?

A woman?
No way!

Yes. This is Hikaruko speaking.

Hikaruko-san?

Hold on.
Give me a phone!

This one is from Hikaruko-san, too.

Hello! You tricked me!

Kirishima Hikaruko speaking.

Hello. Do you remember me? I'm branch manager, Koganei.

Good evening.

I'm sorry, but Sousuke-san can't come to the phone because he is bathing right now.

Bathing?

I'm sorry to ask but...

Where?

At the hotel room.

A ah... Hot...

{\a7}Sousuke-san?

{\a7}There's a phone call from your company.

Yes.

Here.

Thank you.

Hello?

Sousuke! That's all! Up to the bathtub.

Never ever go to the next stage such as the bedroom!

Look! Chief has lost consciousness.

How far do you have to go as Kirishima Hikaruko's love toy? Idiot! Stupid! Idiot! Stupid! Idiot!

Idiot? Those who call someone an idiot are idiots.

It's a school excursion until we go back home.

Sousuke-san?

You're still here.

Yes.

I'm going to bed. Which side of the bed do you prefer?

Wall side? Window side?

I'll take the sofa.

I see.

Then, good night.

Good night.

Delicious.

I should take some.

I thought they'd be great for souvenirs. I'm sorry I woke you up.

I won! I won again!

What do we do next?

By the way, what was that?

Was that some kind of slogan?

Yes?

Those who call someone an idiot...

I see... that one... It's

what I had learned from my elementary school teacher.

I was a weakling and bullied by others very often.

That teacher was a female teacher, but she was also a strong-minded one,

she always cheered me up with that saying.

Those who call someone an idiot are idiots.

It's a school excursion until you go back home.

What does it mean?

You don't know?

Until you go back home, you're still on a school excursion. So you must be careful of many things.

My home town is very rural. There are many gravel roads

and very often there are tanks for holding waste in the paddy fields.

Tanks?

Well, those are...

very dangerous places if you fall down.

Sounds like fun.

You go to school by walking through such places.

How were your elementary school days, Hikaruko-san?

Mine?

I couldn't go to school often.

Tutors came to the set or location.

So you've been a star since your childhood.

But I really wanted to go to school.

So sometimes I walked to school.

Everyone was kind to me, just like my old friends.

But they weren't my friends, after all.

Everyone was very courteous to me. I was treated differently.

The situation is still the same, even today.

There's no one around me who tells me the truth.

Say, did you really find today's movie interesting?

I said interesting last time

but to me...

it was rather hard to understand.

The same here.

I couldn't really understand the movie

but at least I understand what the "roasted pig" means.

Yet, I liked the movie.

Which part?

Hikaruko-san, you were beautiful in the movie.

I'm sorry I could only give you such a childish opinion.

Yes, you're right.

But I am very glad to hear it.

Thank you.

Nobody is watching us, so no need to do that.

You're right.

Help me make a pyramid of cards.

Let's do it.

That female teacher...

When we were totally beaten in a baseball game, she gave us another saying.

What did she say?

The scores on the scoreboard are not the only scores you judge.

Even if we lost, what we must do is try again harder next time.

She must have been a great teacher.

Yes.

Wow! I could only build up to the 3rd level.

It's true if you put your mind and soul in it, there is nothing you can't do.

Maybe this room is the key to building a pyramid of cards.

You may be right.

Let's do it again.

We can do this when we meet again.

It's not right.

This kind of happiness should only come to me once in a lifetime. Even once in a lie.

You're right.

What have I been saying?

Hikaruko-san

I'll keep on lying for a full month. There's no need to worry.

Don't overdo it.

No, I'm not overdoing it.

It's actually fun

to be surrounded among your fans.

Being asked to shake hands, take commemorative pictures.

Also, I like interviews. I can talk about anything I like since I'm your boyfriend.

Sousuke-san, you're not good at lying.

Suddenly you're speaking too fast.

I don't think so.

See? You're sweating like this.

You got me.

Telling lies is a bit tiresome.

How can I describe it...

I feel as though I'm not myself.

Should we quit and sleep?
It'll be morning soon.

Good night.

Good night.

The first train is now available. So I am leaving now.

I will do my best for another month. Don't worry about it.

Yes?

Good morning.

Good morning.

At 11:00 A.M. you have a press conference for the new drama.

Then, I'll change my clothes and come out.

I'll be waiting for you in the car.

Yes.

I don't think there will be questions on your private matters,

if they ask such questions...

I know what to do.

We understand that this drama is made for a Christmas Special.

To Hikaruko-san, do you have a memorable Christmas?

Yes.

I have many good memories

but I think I'll have a very special Christmas this year

and this Rainy Christmas drama might give my fans a special meaning...

{\a7}Everything is fine.
There are no private questions.

special memories as well.

The movie, Love Supreme is not doing well in the box office.

Do you have any comments on that?

{\a7}This is bad.
Stop the question.

Yes, you're right. There are many empty seats in the theaters.

It's a very difficult movie.

Even though there are only a handful of movie goers,

there was one person who liked the movie.

But I liked that movie. Hikaruko-San, you were beautiful in that movie.

Telling lies is a bit tiresome.

I feel as though I'm not myself.

And

there is one thing I must
apologize to all of you about.

What? What?
Is this listed on our agenda?

No.

The announcement I made about the
relationship with Nakata Sousuke-san

is a total lie.

Hold. What does that mean?

Nakata-san, himself told us that everything was well.

You went to the hotel with him last night, didn't you?

Saegusa! I am dead.
I'm not feeling well.

What's going on?

Hikaruko-san,

does it mean that Nakata-san has

participated in lying as if he was a star himself?

If so, how come you made a Love Relationship Announcement with such an idiot?

Those who call someone an idiot are idiots.

It's a school excursion until you go back home.

I learned a very important thing about life from him.

To tell a lie is a bad thing.

It is much worse to force someone else to lie.

Such a thing, even an elementary school kid knows,

I did not know it.

I have caused a lot of trouble for Nakata Sousuke-san.

I will apologize to him officially using this platform.

I am very sorry.

I'm not in a relationship with Nakata Sousuke-san.

I don't think we shall ever meet again.

Yes, I'm Nakata Sousuke, a Salary-man.

I am seriously in love with Kirishima Hikaruko-san.

What? All lies? Kirishima Hikaruko confessed?

Then, who the hell is this guy?

Forget this guy!
We have to rush back to the press conference room.

Hikaruko-san really told the truth.

Well,

will it cause trouble for our sponsors?

6 companies might cancel commercial contracts.

How about TV?

Possibly there might be a problem in the next year's Taiga drama.

I'm sorry.

Hikaruko-san.

I have to say that it was a great and dignified press conference.

Thank you.

And the movie,

I'm sorry I didn't tell the truth.

Even if we lost, what we must do is try again harder next time.

Scores on the scoreboard is not the only scores you judge.

Star No Koi Episode 3 (May 23, 2003)
Prepared for friends at alt.binaries.multimedia.japanese