Hey, do you know?
Why teddy bears...
get so dirty?
From us girls'...
all...
our...
drooling.
Hey.
Sorry!
Wait!
Hello.
- Yes, that's fine. - Okay.
This is interesting. You should read it.
- It's good? - Yeah.
Maybe I'll give it a go.
"Monet Water Lilies"
So?
"Training Certificate"
This is...
Yoshiike's...
wife?
It's a coincidence.
- But... - I looked into it.
She became an assistant instructor in Akishima.
Ah, that's where her parents live.
She's given it up now.
She might have felt guilty.
- Why? - I mean...
if someone instigated this...
You destroyed my marriage, didn't you?
I'll never forgive you.
You're overthinking it.
To a woman, marriage is an important occasion.
We would never get close to someone we dislike,
and bear their child.
In the first place,
did you feel anything unusual
about how you first met?
No.
Takuma.
Let's return to reality.
I'll do the same.
These six months...
how do I put it...
there were many things I couldn't accept.
So many...
and I was like that, but...
- That shows how much we-- - I think I can finally get out.
I like someone.
You're joking.
You're not like that.
- You couldn't easily-- - It's not easy!
It's not easy.
But I'm trying.
I'm sorry.
What's he like?
No...
if you don't mind telling me.
Well...
"48 Tips for Love"
"New Arrivals"
I don't really know yet.
But, he's a good person.
He fixed my bike.
Bike?
I think he might...
fix me, too.
"48 Tips for Love"
He'll carefully...
fix...
my broken parts...
one by one.
I wonder...
if you can call that love?
"Born to be a Flower"
"Episode 4"
What? Those two were a couple?
- Really? - Well,
we divorced two years ago.
That's right.
I'm home.
Welcome home.
So, she's your daughter?
Ah, that's why I always see you together.
Can't I come? My beloved daughter is here.
There are couples.
In many shapes and forms.
But, we're not a couple anymore.
You know,
couples are just strangers to start with,
but as you live with them, they become family.
You get shameless,
or lose your sense of delicacy.
You each show your honest self.
Even with close friends, you start to forget courtesies.
That's true. I need to jot this down.
It just takes one piece of paper.
No matter what you say or do,
a little won't hurt the relationship.
Being too relaxed, however, can compound problems.
Problems such as discontent,
- grumbling or stress. - I understand.
Not talking to me is a kind of moral harassment.
But, you two look friendly.
We divorced before we truly started hating each other.
I didn't hate her at all.
If you wait until you hate them,
it leaves women emotional.
I might not have let him seen her.
It's because you say that,
I had no choice but to back off.
If we didn't break up over hatred,
I thought we might have a chance to make up.
That'd be nice.
Good luck.
- Good luck. - Okay.
You get a contract renewal
on a house or apartment every two years.
I think that might be better
for the whole marriage system.
It's true,
that might maintain healthy tension and consideration.
But children would be passed around and their names would change.
It's much better than staying in an unhappy home.
- I see what you mean. - Yes.
Does it get easy between couples?
What makes it go wrong?
Each couple falls into their own pattern.
There usually is something.
Stop it. Not in front of our daughter.
Hey!
So you did cheat!
Hey!
Forgive me! I'm sorry.
Hey, Pooh!
What are you doing?
Reading.
- It's upside down. - Huh?
What's up?
You haven't even looked at Momo since she got here.
That's not true.
The way couples should be,
isn't it time for your whiteboard explanation?
What's up?
I'm concentrating on my reading.
Ah, is it because we kissed?
Huh?
- Is that true? - Really?
Kazama!
You did it.
Shouldn't you be more tactful?
I'm sorry. They feel like family and I've lost my delicacy.
That's why you can't look Momo in the face.
Are you a teenage girl?
Of course not!
He's avoiding the one he likes.
- That's it! - Oh my!
So cute!
That's not it!
Peeking and glancing. You silly bear.
- Idiot. - Don't avoid her!
That's right!
Whatever.
Say what you like.
Could I also have a chance?
Of course,
I know I don't have as much talent as my sister,
- but I'd like to try! - You? The next headmaster?
I know my sister is the first in line.
That custom only applies to boys.
Unfortunately, I have no boys.
Headmaster.
Fine.
You sisters will work hard and improve the Tsukishima Style.
It is a joyous thing.
Thank you!
Why are you interested in it again?
Because--
Marry the headmaster.
That is my fate.
It's fine.
Come to the warehouse later.
I can use the mirror room?
Yes.
Nana.
I'm so happy.
I've been waiting a long time for you to say that.
I know.
Here you go.
Thank you.
"Free, Pump"
"Kazama's Bicycle Shop"
"Tokyo Bicycle Association"
Do you borrow books every week?
Yes.
It's free.
Free...
worrying about money again?
Money, money, Monet, Monet.
That's why you like Monet's paintings?
Money?
You mean Monet?
It's not just Monet,
I also look at sculptures.
It's like I'm attracted to artists.
In what way?
Hm, how to put it...
Because they can see things
that ordinary people like me can't see.
But maybe they can't see things right in front of them.
They're easy to fool, or maybe they're
a bad judge of character.
Being left by their family as they grow old.
Aren't there many who die lonely and sad?
Or they die of loneliness after their hearts are broken.
Rather than lonely,
I'd call them aloof.
They're different from ordinary people.
Isn't that kind of cool?
What is cool?
- Huh? But-- - But,
no one understands them!
That would be painful and hard.
Don't you feel sorry for them?
Yeah, when you put it like that.
You look at them with strange fascination and call them cool.
Aren't you embarrassed?
But, you see...
their names outlive them.
Their art lasts a long time,
and they're talked about even after they die.
Huh?
There's no way they're happy about it after they're dead!
Who cares about their art?
If God asked them if they'd like to be reborn,
they'd say "No way! Give me a break.
I've had enough."
I'm sure they've all lived such hard lives.
But, not everyone can move people like that.
I'm saying...
they don't really create things to move people.
People making universal things that aren't affected by fads
aren't business people.
Universal things?
Like the sky,
or the sea,
or love,
or romance, or flowers.
- I see. - That's right.
For example, something new now will be old in 10 years.
They know deep inside that chasing fads is pathetic.
It's so hot.
I'll close the window and turn on--
Watermelon is supposed to be eaten when it's hot!
Who would eat it shivering at the North Pole?
I guess polar bears would.
You seem...
to be in a bad mood.
Well...
women...
I'll hit you if you say "on that day" or something.
No, I'm sorry.
I inadvertently...
- stepped on a landmine. - Boom!
You may have.
I'm sorry.
No...
I was being weird.
It's like...
I was trying to pick a fight.
I'm sorry.
No...
What's so funny?
Um...
- Huh?
Alone with a woman.
Everyone used to wonder what we'd talk about.
Didn't you talk with your mother?
Well, it's different with my mum.
I mean,
it's tense if you're strangely aware of a woman.
I really didn't know what to talk about.
I didn't think I could do it.
But, Momo...
- you just keep on talking. - Keep on?
Uh...
in short...
it's easy.
Really?
What else did you borrow?
I see you read some difficult books.
I just pick up what I feel like reading.
"Transparent Human"
"48 Tips For Love"
What's this?
Oh! That's...
Well...
Whoa...
It says kissing
is the fuse
for sex.
After all that talk about artists.
- I thought I'd try something new... - Try!
Really!
Oh boy.
The first kiss...
is a fluke.
Fluke...
Is there a girl you like?
If you do, it feels warm and light.
I wouldn't know.
We're not friends.
Don't be stupid.
I'll block you.
Fight-o, fight-o.
- One, two. - Louder!
Fight-o, fight-o.
- One, two. - Good. Keep it up.
"Around Japan"
Fight-o, fight-o.
Disgusting.
So annoying.
What? Me?
No, no.
There're lots of kids with cameras at the comic convention.
That's what's annoying.
Don't you want your photo taken?
Cosplayers love the characters.
They love them too much and become them.
So, aren't you happy they take photos?
I don't like the pervert way they look at me.
Open your legs a bit more,
or look upwards, they say. I'm not a gravure idol.
Oh.
I don't want to be seen sexually.
It makes me disappointed.
Those idiots.
Is it just you, Akiho?
- Huh? - No, I mean...
not wanting to be seen sexually.
It depends on the type of woman.
I'm sure some are happy to be seen like that.
I'll be careful.
Pooh, do you look at me like that?
No, not you.
Oh, then it's Momo?
How do I say this...
I'm strangely aware of her.
Since she kissed you?
Who told you?
Momo did.
Ho ho ho!
She said it's funny how you've been acting.
Why did she have to kiss and tell?
Normally, girls are demure, right?
We're more open these days.
Girls' school talk is so extreme boys would faint.
Really?
Only some really rich girl
would be demure these days.
Is that how it is?
Or maybe she kissed you just for something to talk about.
- Huh? - I'm saying,
the kiss was only a ploy,
so she just wanted a laugh and doesn't feel embarrassed.
That might be right.
The first kiss is a fluke...
or a ploy.
Like truth or dare?
A game?
A game...
Don't get so down.
See, Momo can't forget her ex.
So, she can't suddenly be serious for you.
Otherwise her story wouldn't be consistent.
That's true, but...
Well, don't rush things.
Set your trap and make her fall for it.
I don't have a trap to set.
You don't have the looks, and you don't have money.
I don't.
Well, I'd prefer a man like you.
Competitiveness makes me uneasy.
Huh?
Hm?
Do you...
look at me like that?
Huh?
No way. Pooh, you're disgusting.
Really disgusting.
Die!
I was kidding.
That was a long distance.
Are you doing a triathlon?
I couldn't.
I can't ride a bike.
I came to thank you.
Thank me?
Nana has gotten motivated.
She told the headmaster she would like a chance.
- To inherit the Tsukishima Style? - Yes.
I see.
You said something to her, right?
That's all it could be.
That's in hindsight.
That's unusual.
Even you can be humble.
It's hard to become the headmaster.
Yes, it is.
First, we have to do something about Momo.
That's not what I meant.
Huh?
The world of traditional arts...
Flowers,
tea ceremony,
and dance.
Customs, manners and artistry.
The headmaster enshrined at the top...
isn't human.
They are revered as a god.
Just a word from them, and people will
wail like a believer...
or even faint.
They can't complain or grumble...
because God
wouldn't do that.
There is a limit to loneliness.
Do you want to put your daughter in that position?
Yes.
I do.
"REVE STAGE"
Hey, sister.
You're actually really good at this.
I was trained by Kin and Gin.
You learn everything faster and better than I do.
Keep going. It feels good.
It's frustrating.
- Huh? - I've never felt that,
because I always looked up to you.
Grazie.
But, I've realised that's no good.
Like that I...
could never beat you.
Beat?
I'm learning "arranging from behind" in the mirror room.
From the headmaster.
I see.
I also...
have been given a chance to inherit the title of headmaster.
Isn't that great?
Are you laughing scornfully?
Because I'm no match for you?
- I don't think that. - You're lying.
What's wrong? What is this?
You kept saying you couldn't do it.
I don't want to be pushed around anymore.
Pushed around?
I don't want to be pushed around by you.
You left Tsukishima to join Yoshiike.
When you announced that at the meeting,
all the instructors looked at me.
Anxiously.
- That's-- - Then, your wedding was cancelled.
Everyone was surprised,
and there were a lot of rumours.
But, the words everyone whispered were...
"It's fine."
"Now Tsukishima is secure."
It's because they all expected you to be the successor.
Do you know how I felt then?
It's always about you.
Have you ever once thought about how it hurts me?
- Nana, I-- - Don't make a fool of me!
- Everyone looks down on me! - Nana, calm down.
I'm not a doll!
- I have feelings! - Of course you do!
I hate everyone!
You, and mother, and that person, too.
"That person"?
Nana! Wait...
Takai?
Nana is coming down. Take her home.
Certainly.
Don't give me your opinions again.
To...
me.
Idiot...
Headmaster?
You were out?
Yes, for a little while.
Please stand and show me.
Dear?
Why do you hesitate?
You are beautiful.
Your white skin...
is like a cast-off shell.
It's empty.
Can't women clean up a little?
Who would make their manager do it?
Really...
"Secluded Ladies"
"Momo Tsukishima"
She's a real crane.
Why do all men cheat?
He cheated too.
- Right? - It's not right.
Though I did.
These days women do it, too.
That's because men make us lonely.
Is cheating so common?
Stop trying to get points in front of Momo
by pretending you wouldn't.
Pooh doesn't know, because he's never had a girlfriend.
Does that matter?
Well, when it becomes humdrum...
Or you fall in a rut.
My dad didn't.
You don't know that.
Your mother might have cried in the shadows.
She would've told me if anything happened.
She had so long to talk about her memories.
That's true.
Everyone finds it amusing to talk about on talk shows,
but I don't think it's that common.
No, it is.
It really is common.
But "cheating" is a matter of definition.
I wouldn't do it.
Wow, he's made a declaration. Are you already drunk, Pooh?
But, I wouldn't want it to happen to me.
How could I do something I wouldn't want my partner to do?
How could I, if I love her?
- Game time! - Yay!
Okay.
Hey, hey, hey.
Hey, Pooh!
The first kiss is a fluke, right?
So, you need to try for a second!
- Here you go, Momo. - What!
Oh well.
A special service for Pooh who declared he won't cheat.
Yay!
Pooh, take the other side.
No.
It's a game.
I'm going home.
What's he doing after we did all this for him?
He's no fun.
"Training Certificate"
I know everything.
- Dear... - But...
I want to hear it from you.
Because, we're a couple.
We shouldn't hide things.
Don't you agree?
Don't worry.
Nothing will change.
There's no way it could.
You've got our child...
in your belly.
Right?
I was told by the head office...
The headmaster's...
Yeah.
"Kazama's Bicycle Shop"
I left early.
I'm sorry.
- For what? - Well...
I...
Acted pretty goofy.
YOU were awesome.
Huh?
Your father was...
and you are too, Pooh.
I wonder what...
the second kiss will be like.
Good night.
"Kazama's Bicycle Shop"
I wonder, too.
He won't do something he doesn't want done to him.
Because he loves her.
Are you returning those?
Huh?
Oh, yes.
It had been checked out.
- This one? - Yes.
Someone I know...
loves Monet's water lilies.
Oh.
Claude Monet spent about 30 years...
painting almost only water lilies.
The water, lilies and light in the pond.
Just that.
The background rapidly diminishes...
and just before he died...
his paintings became almost abstract.
Then...
on his final canvas...
It's as if...
he just splashed on the paint.
Huh?
I wonder if he saw something an ordinary person couldn't.
You...
I'm sorry. Thank you for waiting.
Huh?
It's not possible for her.
- You shouldn't look down on her. - I'm not.
I'm saying she can't come to this side.
Her heart...
is too honest.
Yes.
Purity and murkiness.
Love and hate.
And...
flickering light and shadow.
The essence of Tsukishima.
I told her to hate you.
I don't intend to compete.
Not with anyone.
Especially not my sister.
Is the decision yours to make?
It will make everyone unhappy.
Ridiculous.
Those who are unhappy started with unhappy souls.
They're empty.
For example,
two people are raised in the same inferior environment.
One becomes a criminal,
the other saves the world.
It comes down to their soul.
Do you think you're one of the chosen?
Does becoming the headmaster
makes you look down on everyone else?
If so, then I won't do it.
I don't want to be that kind of person.
If...
mother...
- If my mama was alive-- - Don't talk about your mother.
You would never push this pain on me...
that I don't want...
- if mother was alive. - Stop it.
- Your mother-- - Make Nana
the headmaster.
Even while...
her heart is still pure.
Make Nana...
the headmaster.
Impossible.
Don't talk childish.
You have no choice.
I'm quitting flower arranging.
Not this nonsense again.
You can't do anything other than flower arranging.
You must have realised that.
You now scorn those idiots
who are blinded by love.
You have learnt that sweet words...
whispered in your ears, are all phoney.
How could I do something I wouldn't want my partner to do?
How could I, if I love her?
I've decided to...
try believing them once more.
Headmaster.
No.
Father.
Just once more.
Oh!
Oh, my lady.
Those who believe will be saved.
My lady, me too.
Is it really her?
I'm going to check again.
"Secluded Ladies"
"Momo Tsukishima"
Alright.
"Blooming like a dignified flower"
A flower out of reach.
You came alone.
Isn't that immodest for a lady?
You look like you didn't get my joke.
Sorry for the mess.
I'm practising for
tomorrow's TV demonstration.
I don't want to be pushed around.
I said horrible things to my sister.
Even she has things to criticise.
I don't think that.
The headmaster...
Told you to hate your sister?
Saying it out loud.
Putting it into words...
He told me to hurt my sister.
I see.
Hey.
Can't I master flower arranging without doing that?
Flickering light and shadow.
Purity and...
murkiness.
What is the other me?
What does it mean that the reflected one is fake?
I don't understand.
I don't understand anything.
Because, that's--
You're not psychic.
Of course you can't see invisible things.
I said that once, a long time ago.
But, they looked surprised and asked me...
Ryuichi,
can you really not see it?
It's right there!
You're a scaredy cat.
Was that a joke?
No.
It's the truth.
Sit down there.
What?
It's okay.
The reverse is also true.
Now, try arranging.
I'll be your assistant.
"Momo
Yes.
Pooh?
Yes.
Come out to the street.
Um...
Did you see the magazine?
Huh?
I'm the one...
who left it in that store.
Oh.
Is that so?
"REVE STAGE"
"Tsukishima"
Come in.
I am Momo Tsukishima.
Art book?
The bicycle repairman did?
The uneducated are pretentious, you see them at art exhibits.
He's one of those?
Is it coincidence?
It was Monet's paintings.
Water lilies?
Yes.
The ones your late wife loved.
I don't mind you speaking her name.
No.
Takai.
Does it hurt?
Is it painful?
- To be so close to your daughter-- - Headmaster.
And not tell her you're her father?
It's my...
punishment.
Yes.
That's right.
There are two types
of women
in this world.
Women who take.
They will take everything you have.
Money, children...
and finally even your life to collect life insurance.
You should run away
from women like that.
The other type...
is women who give.
They try to give, to offer anything and everything.
If the man is worth it, she'll give even her body and mind.
Not to brag,
but your mother was a giver.
Ah, that was...
just like...
the dragon's palace.
Men...
think they want to be the first man.
Women...
think they want to be the last woman.
Really?
But...
I...
Am greedy.
So, I want...
to be your first...
and last woman.
If you betray me...
I'll cut it off.
I'm kidding.
Um...
Hm?
Can we...
turn the lights off?
Are you a girl?
"To be continued"
- I'm dating to get married. - We'll have the ceremony soon.
- Is this Tsukishima's house? - Yes.
You shouldn't get close to a flower on a cliff.
I broke your marriage, because I promised your mother.
My mama?