I'm seeing someone...

... who works for San Marco Ham.

His name is Nakata Sousuke-San.

I've started going out with...

Koizumi Tsubomi-San.
I hope to marry her.

Kirishima Hikaruko, the star, is very happy to hear your charming story. I hope you have a blessed and happy life.

Sayonara

If I knew we'd come to this,

I wouldn't have loved you,

I wish we'd never met...

but...

...with your memory in my heart,

I'll live on.

{\a5}Cut!

Saegusa, I have an interview with

a magazine after this, right?

No, I cancelled it.

Cancel.. why?

You've been working too much lately.

Perhaps you should take a break.

I'm perfectly OK.
I'll take any interviews.

But you have no off-days
until next week.

I won't have to rest for another million years.

But...

{\a5}Hikaruko-San, please come back to work.

Yes.

I'll work hard.

What a goof.

Anything wrong?

I wish that we could take every day off.

Tsubomi-Chan, you sound like a little kid.

Don't I.

What am I saying?

It's your turn now, Tsubomi-Chan.

Sure.

{\a6}I DID IT!

Tsubomi-Chan, you're awesome!

Thank you.

Director Kanetanaka!

Thank you so much for sparing
a bit of your valuable time.

I just finished a bit of work..

the script for the story about

the chair is done.

We'd like to read your script by all means.

If that's the case, I'll send you one.

Thank you very much.

I'll have Hikaruko read it.

Things are going very well, I presume.

The story of a chair...

will surely add to your successes.

Thank you for saying so.

Surely,

I'm betting my career on it.

However, because I've put
so much emotion in it,

I cannot find an
actress whom I can trust with the role.

I don't have the slightest idea.

Is that right?
The casting seems to be very difficult.

Offer him more.

Let me...

Thank you.

So he indicated that
Hikaruko could not cut it.

Seems that way.

Saegusa?

Yes

What do you think of Hikaruko lately?

She's working very hard.

I have an idea.

eh?

How about having her
act in a play?

How would Hikaruko-San react to it?

She's received a
few good offers.

Why?

Why did you decline
a role in a special drama?

I have made it clear that
I don't need a break.

Yes, but...

Yes, but what?

I want you to do a play, instead.

{\a10}Tooi Natsu
Distant Summer

Stage?

I want you to put your
mind and soul to it.

I'll refuse all other work.

If you do that,
then I won't do a stage work.

Aren't we getting good offers?

Yes.

There are...

Hikaruko,

Have I ever asked a favor of you before?

For once in your life time,
you should do me a favor.

Do you insist?

Yes, I insist.

I'll end up with a lot of free time, then.

No, you won't.

A stage performance
needs a physical training.

Sixteen!

You know what?

I really don't have to do this...

Let's get married.

You must promise me that
you'll come back here.

Yes, of course.

{\a5}By the time sunflowers
start to bloom,
Ouch!

Everything will be back
the way they used to be.

Why must we have a war?

Why must Reiko jog?

Reiko-Chan, the entertainment
industry is a harse world.

Thirty.

Why must I?

I really don't know.

Let's get married.

You must promise me that
you'll come back here.

Yes, of course.

By the time sunflowers start to bloom,

Everything will be back
the way they used to be.

Why must we have a war?

Why must we run together?

It's the flow of our negotiations.

{\a5}Why!
Why????

Let's get married.

You must promise me that
you will come back here.

Yes, of course.

By the time sunflowers start to bloom,

Everything will be back
the way they used to be.

Why must we have a war?

We live in the same country.

Soldiers don't need reasons.

They just follow orders.

You must promise me
that you won't die.

{\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

{\a6}Stop! In the name of love

{\a5}Before you break my heart

{\a7}Stop! In the name of love

{\a6}Before you break my heart

{\a10}Stop!
STAR NO KOI

Heart warming couple,
maybe I should have said.

They are dating at Sousuke's dirty,...

Sorry, I should have said,
at his "cozy room,"

they have Nabe together.

As such,

I want you to back off.

Kindly refrain from this type of
interview with him in future.

For your reference,
Sousuke's room looks like this.

They ate Nabe?
Why didn't I know that?

I donated this TV set.

On the other hand,
Hikaruko-San's room looks like this.

And, something else! I'm very proud of the fact

that I have visited Hikaruko-san's room!

CUT IT OUT!

I'm sorry to say this: COuld you leave?

I have nothing to say about Hikaruko-San.

Please leave.
Please Leave

We don't know how to deal with these people.

I'll do an inventory check.

Why was he so angry?

Was that the first time he got angry like that?

I'm so surprised.

Nakata Sousuke-San, who became the most
famous salaryman in Japan by having
a love-relationship(?!) with a Star.

He was outraged!
"Stop talking about that!"

Currently, he is in love with a co-worker.

Tsubomi.

They are enjoying Nabe.

Kopuchan Jyongoru Nabe!

You seem to know a lot.

Why was he outraged?

He doesn't want to be asked
about Hikaruko-San.

How come?

Maybe he cherishes a
relationship with Tsubomi-Chan.

So, he truly loves Tsubomi?

Good morning.

{\a10}Good morning.

Good morning.

Senpai, a salaryman and an office Lady,
they seem to be an item.

They haven't married yet.

Married?

Tsubomi! Right here. Here, here, here.

I ordered Kama Miso lunch for you.

Reiko-San, didn't you have
something to tell me?

You're the one who should tell me something.

I have nothing to say.

Why are you talking like that? We're friends.

Are we?

Why do you call me Reiko-San?

Tsubomi is older and
we are already friends.

So we are friends.

Marriage!
Aren't you gonna marry Sousuke-San?

Marriage?

{\a5}Marriage?

{\a5}Marriage?

Why didn't you tell me?
Be a sport.

Tsubomi, you're too shy?

Where did marriage come from? I don't know anything.

You are pretending, aren't you? Hikaruko-San has told me.

Hikaruko-San?

She heard it from Sousuke-San.

Sousuke!

Yes

Sousuke!

You and Tsubomi... Marriage....

Huh?

You are wrong.

Think hard.

Is Tsubomi a woman of your destiny?

First look back how you two met.

When you first met her,
did you hit it right off?

The answer is NO, isn't it?

You understand?

You just casually met Tsubomi
at work.

And naturally,

"How are you? I'm Koizumi Tsubomi."

And she took a desk right in
front of you. Isn't that right?

Yes, you're right.

Even Hikaruko-San was the same.

She just showed up and sat on a chair.

That's not fate or destiny.

Hikaruko-San?

eh?

You are still dragging Hikaruko-San?

What are you saying?
Don't say such crap.

I've got to work.
Don't bother me with wild stories!

I'm sick and tired of this kind of nonsense.

Everyone fought to protect their families and the Nation.

Nation?

You call the Confederacy a Nation?

They are a gang of people who've betrayed
God for money.

No, you are wrong!

How am I wrong?

What happened?

I'm sorry.

That movement wasn't in the script.

You think that I made a mistake?

No.

Director!

Isn't this much better?

I think so.

Go on.

I'm sorry.

Sousuke!

Do you know that Hikaruko-San is performing on stage?

No.

Let's go see her play?

Count me out.

Why not?

I'm not the theater sort of guy.

Is that so?

I wonder how Hikaruko-San is doing.

I have no idea.

I wish I could drink with her again.

I feel the same.

Sousuke

Is trying to forget Hikaruko-San
your new mission in life?

Huh?

It is not Tsubomi-Chan whom you love
but Hikaruko-San, right?

Chief, What are you saying?

Am I wrong?

Yes you are.
Your first mistake is to compare
Tsubomi-Chan with Hikaruko-San.

Listen up.

Hikaruko-San...
She is Hikaruko-San, that STAR.

She's not the kind of girl
who guys like me can get.

What are you talking about?

If you have time to write something like
this, go to church for Confession.

Whatever I do in my spare time,

It is my privilege and freedom.

CECIL!

Yes

WRONG

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Whatever I do in my spare time,
It is my privilege and freedom.

WRONG

WRONG

Whatever I do in my spare time,

W-R-O-N-G!

Stop. That's all for today.

May I do it again?

Kirishima-San!

You should stop it.

It's one of those days.
Nothing works.

Thank you for your hard work.

Thank you for your hard work.

Everyone, let's drink together.

Let's go to a nice place.

I don't need that.

Sousuke!

Yes

Why did you fall in love with Tsubomi?

Would you stop with that?

Don't be shy. Tell us.

Well, why do I love her ?

Tsubomi-Chan is very family-oriented.

She is a good cook and

she repaired my torn jacket.

It's the way she thinks.

I think that such a person
is the best fit to me.

Let's stop sidestepping the issue.

Don't you have someone whom you really love?

Huh?

You love Hikaruko-San.

What are you saying?

I am not wrong.

You are wrong.

You must understand that

Hikaruko-San lives in another world.

I accidentally met her.

What was that?
She came to our neighborhood for movie shoot.

And she came to our office for a short rest.

She is what she is.
No more, no less.

Why don't you work, instead?

When things are not going
well, nothing goes well.

I still don't understand why the
president is particular about the Theater.

Did you know that the Drama Special
we turned down happens to be the one
the network is pushing to the moon?

I found so many actors whom
I wanted to be part of the cast.

Now that we've decided on a play,
we must work hard for that.

The show will start soon.

Why am doing theater Work?
What purpose does this serve?

It's for your own good.

In what way?

because...

Because what???

You will know once
the curtain opens.

I don't understand what the
president is saying at all.

In fact, I don't have any clue.

If things keep going this way,

I'll know that I shouldn't have
agreed to act in a play.

Tae-Chan, let's go.

Yes.

President, I would like to ask a question, too.

I don't understand why she's
doing a stage performance.

I see.

But I'm sure she'll understand why.

Sousuke-San?

Yes.

The other day, I met Reiko-San.

Hikaruko-San told her that myself
and Sousuke-San were going to get married.

I wonder why she'd say
something like that?

That's because...

I told her that I was in a
relationship with Tsubomi-Chan.

I would be much happier if you
could have told me and not Hikaruko-San.

You're right.

I'm sorry.

Sousuke-San!
Let's go to the Tokyo Tower.

Why?

I've dreamed of going there after I'd found a boyfriend.

And let's eat delicious food later.

Kopuchan Jyongoru Nabe!

Kopuchan Jyongoru Nabe?

{\a6}Ah?!

{\a6}President!
Nakata-San!

How is Hikaruko-San?

Hikaruko?

She is just fine.

I see.

Yes.

Then, I'll be leaving now.

Say!

Let's have tea, together.

Yes.

Do you need any sugar?

Six.

Yes.

Anything wrong?

I had some argument with Hikaruko.

It's our first time.

I want Hikaruko to be much bigger.

Hikaruko has been a Star.

And she will be a Star, of course.

But some call her an IDOL ACTRESS

Most of the time, it is only jealousy.

Some even criticize me for using Hikaruko as a luxury.

But I have been protecting
Hikaruko all of my life.

Check, please.

From womanizer directors for example.

That reminds me
of a snail like director.

You must listen to me. The travel I enjoyed most with Hikaruko was a trip to Paris.

I felt that Hikaruko was great!

In Paris, she was nobody. But everyone,
I mean everyone, turned their heads to look at Hikaruko.

That's why

Anyhow,

I want Hikaruko to feel the joy of
acting. Theater work will give that to her.

She is restless now.

I'm worried that she might not be
able to grow into a true artist.

Say,

Will you meet Hikaruko?

Huh?

It looks like she needs you
at this very moment.

What do you mean by that?

No need to think.
Just meet her.

So why?

I understand. Do what you have to do.
But you'll do inventory all next week.

See you.

What happened to Sousuke?

Urgent matter came up. So he will
not come back to the office today.

I bet he wants to take a break without a good reason.

So he's an executive now!?

Tsubomi, you know anything?

Hold on a minute. Why on earth
would Tsubomi knows anything about him?

Ushiyama-Kun

No matter how much you resist, dark eyebrows are...

CHIEF!!

Sousuke-San doesn't really love me.

Shall we start?

Where are you reporting to?

Richmond.

That's a real fierce battlefield.

Yes.

It's worth fighting for.

By summer, this war will be over.

After the war,
let's get married.

You must promise me that
you will come back here.

Yes, of course.

By the time sunflowers start to bloom,

Everything will be back
the way it used to be.

I must apologize to you.

You should stop now, Father.

But...

An old soldier like me survived....

while young blooms like Stanley died.

That's what war does.

Whatever I do in my spare time,
it is my privilege and freedom.

Freedom?

You Southerners need more education.

Stanley!!

Stanley?

I'm a journalist.
My name is Crane.

John Crane.

Lastly,

To Mr. John Crane, who has
suggested that I publish my work

I would extend my gratitude and appreciation.

"I love you."

John, I accept your proposal.

That's a Wrap.

Thank you for your work.

After a break, I will go over scenes
that we must improve.

Kirishima-San

From the top of the 3rd Act,
will you rehearse with me?

Please.

I wonder why I must ask you to begin with.

I get it...

You're a star.

Sousuke-San loves Hikaruko-San.

Why do you think so?

Because I love Sousuke-San, I can feel that.

Everyone, you feel the same way, don't you?

Tsubomi-Chan

Even though Sousuke loves Hikaruko-San,

Nothing will happen.
That much we all know.

Hikaruko-San is really that
Kirishima Hikaruko, we all know.

The world we live in is too different.

I know that.

I know it, but...

by watching Sousuke-San who truly
thinks of Hikaruko-San that much,

I don't get it.

What about it?

Hikaruko-San and I, we are
living in a different world.

You are correct.

Hikaruko-San and Kane-Chan,
they live in the same world.

Kane-chan?
You mean Director Kanetanaka?

Sure. They live in the same world,
as a Star and a movie director.

If that is the base of understanding,

Myself and Kane-Chan lives in a different world.

But yet,

Myself and Kane-Chan...

We are friends.

What do we mean by "a different world"?

It's because ...

What is it?

It's because...

It's because...

It's a fact that Sousuke-San
loves Hikaruko-San.

When you're in love with someone,
should the world they live in matter?

It was marvelous.

I really mean it.

Hikaruko-San was acting, right in front of me.

I was excited and moved.

You're so happy.

You stood on this huge stage
and receive applause from all the audience,

You must have a feeling of
achievement that I can't even imagine.

I am jealous.

That's not really true.

eh?

Did you like the play?

Of course.

Which part?

I'm sorry.
I was watching only Hikaruko-San.

Hikaruko-San was marvelous.

Was I good?

Yes.

Was I really?

Yes.

I watched a play for the first time.

It has so much appeal and intensity.

But...

But?

I wished Hikaruko-San would enjoy acting.

What do you know about acting?

I'm sorry.

I don't want to be criticized by someone who knows nothing.

You are correct, but...

But what?

What I am trying to say is

Stage looks showy,
but that's not all.

Don't you ever give me
carefree thoughts!

Hikaruko-san asked for it.

I didn't ask for it.

You asked.

I didn't.

You really asked me.

It is strange, isn't it?

I'm arguing with you about the play.

Yes, it is strange.

When we first met, I went to Sousuke-San's
work place during a break,

and slept there.
That was all there was to it.

And you gave me this.

This piglet.

Sousuke-San,

From my perspective,
Sousuke-San, you are much happier.

eh?

Because Sousuke-San, you can be
with someone you really love.

I must return this to you.

We should never meet again.

Please have a happy life
with Tsubomi-San.

How do those sandwiches taste?

Welcome home.

It's delicious.

It's delicious.

Have a happy and blessed life.

Good morning.

You are early today.

Chief, I'm sorry I had to leave early yesterday.

Yep.

I'll work late today.

No, you can't.

eh?

Sousuke!

Did you know that Kane-Chan is a great director
and it's much more difficult
to talk to him than to Hikaruko-San.

But with me, I call him Kane-Chan
and he calls me Ushi-Chan.

We even go to cabaret clubs together.

I didn't know that.

Sousuke!

Can you make a guess what Hikaruko-San told
my daughter at her autographing session?

Her dream is to be a bride.

The desire to become a bride to someone
you like is the same, whether you are
a star or a common person.

Well,

Sousuke, do you remember...

When my daughter, Chika, was bullied at school,
it was Hikaruko-San who rescued her.

It is impossible to conceive that
Hikaruko-San can come to her school.

The reason is simple. Hikaruko-San is
the same Kirishima Hikaruko, the Star.

But yet, she came to
her elementary school.

Everyone, what do you want to say?

Sousuke-San, you are not only
rude but also a butt head.

Rude?

You belonged to someone else,
yet you dated me.

Tsubomi-Chan.

I've been telling you over and over.
Our world is different from Hikaruko-San's.

And I realize now that
it had nothing to do with love.

I feel the same way.

There is no barrier between
you and Hikaruko-San.

If there is any,
you created it.

Once you fell in love, where you
live in has no significance.

You want to go to Hikaruko-San. You should go.

There's no reason
for you to lie to yourself.

Your heart is full of Hikaruko-San, isn't it?

I won't allow you to work overtime.

You got it?

Sousuke-San

This is a ticket for Hikaruko-San's play.

{\a10}DISTANT SUMMER
Starring Galeria Theater

Senpai, you're so beautiful.

Reiko is rooting for you.
Break a leg.

Thank you.

Director Kanetanaka and a salaryman
are coming to see this play, I heard.

Sousuke

It's about time.

Then, I will be leaving now.

Everyone, thank you very much.

Tsubomi-Chan, I'm sorry.

You'd better hurry,
or you won't make it.

Yes.

Sousuke-San?

I made Culatello sandwiches.

Thank you.

Tsubomi-Chan.

Enjoy the show.

Excuse me?

Hikaruko-San

5 minutes to the opening.

I know.

You rehearsed it over and over.

Nothing to worry about now.

Enjoy yourself.

And the audience will feel it.

I wish that Hikaruko-San
would be happier.

Would be much happier.

Would be much happier.

Yes.

Where do you report to?

To Richmond.

That's a real fierce battlefield.

Yes.

It's worth fighting for.

By summer, this war will be ended.

After the war, let's get married officially.

You must promise me that
you will come back here.

Yes, of course.

By the time the sunflowers start to bloom,

How is she?

I must apologize to you.

You should stop now, Father.

But...

An old soldier like me survived.

while youngsters, full of hope, like Stanley, died .

Yet that's what war means.

By summer the war shall be ended,
Stanley told me.

Surely the war was ended.

Stanley did not come back.

By the time sunflowers start to bloom,

Everything will be back the way they used to be, he said.

Cecil

Tsubomi-Chan, Sousuke is not the only man.

Look around,
you might find a nice guy nearby.

I'm also single.
But your dark eyebrows are...

How about Ushiyama-Kun?

Ushiyama is a big guy.

I don't like it. Why must I pick
someone at this place?

There are many men.
Right? Ushiyama-San.

Ushiyama, you are in a pinch.

Compose yourself, Ushiyama-Robot!! Go.

If you have time to write something like this, go to church for Confession.

Whatever I do in my spare time,
It is my privilege and freedom.

Freedom?

You Southerners need more education.

Not that I hate you...

as your teacher,

I have a responsibilty to reform
you to be a good person

I'm a journalist.
My name is Crane.

John Crane.

John Crane

You must have mistaken me for someone else.

I was not alone.

I felt my love for family grow deeper.

And I have determined not to lose hope.

It was rewarded today.

Without prejudice,

for all those judges who had voted me

I wish to extend my deepest gratitude.

And let me pray

so that the hatred, conflicts and dispute shall disappear from this country

Lastly,

To Mr. John Crane, who has
suggested that I publish my work

I would extend my gratitude and appreciation.

"I love you."

John, I accept your proposal.

Kirishima-San

Yes?

You were splendid.

Thank you very much.

I enjoyed myself today.

What are you doing?

They are waiting for you.

eh?

She's a wonderful actress.

She is a genuine star.

Thank you very much.