Senpai...
What was that back there?
Sorry, Hasumi-kun!
I'm actually going to Germany next week.
I wish you two happiness.
It's not a joke.
So...
let's have a good time for the remaining week...
Master.
Sumire-chan?
Oh, yeah, I forgot...
I better make that omelette rice.
You're just trying to trouble me, aren't you?
By teasing me, that's why...
Were you able to fool Hasumi-kun all right?
Really? Then I'm glad.
Momo, didn't you say that you'd always stay here?
Always and forever, until I became a grandma...
There's no way we could do that, realistically speaking.
It's wrong to keep doing this.
That's what you said yourself.
I don't know, but we were probably both thinking that deep inside...
that this would end someday.
Right?
Even so...
You can't just decide on your own like that, with just a week left!
Well, to be specific, more like six days and two hours.
But then Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday...
I think I should leave here around Thursday.
I also have to go home and pack my bags.
You're seriously serious?
That's what I've been saying this whole time.
It was a pretty prestigious competition.
Although I did have the confidence to get in.
For how long?
About three years.
I think it's about time I went back to being a human.
What?
What do you mean, "what?"
How am I supposed to know what to say after you suddenly pop that kind of news to me?
Don't make a face like that.
But, Momo!
You're selfish, aren't you, master?
Even though you'll forget about me within a week.
Even though you're going to forget about me and be sleeping here with Hasumi-kun.
So you don't have to make a face like that.
Why don't you just leave me alone? I'm just a pet anyway.
If you're lonely, there are a lot of dogs and cats and guys around that could fill my place.
They'll obediently stay at home,
and you can pet them or play with them whenever you want.
What are you saying?! Do you seriously mean that?
Momo's not like that!
You know yourself that you're not like that!
Then what?
What am I?
What am I to you, Sumire-chan?
Momo...
Momo is...
I understand, Momo.
Let's just enjoy the rest of our short time.
You are my pet
9. On the last night.
Three more days
This is the data I told you about pertaining to the EU member nations' summit.
Oh, thank you.
It's really helpful to have it organised like this.
No problem.
This place has gotten a little less popular with the introduction of the online database, hasn't it?
Yeah, but I like this place. I can randomly search through data.
What kind of relationship are you two in?
He is...
At that moment, if I had told him the truth...
I wonder what senpai would have thought of me?
There you go, looking troubled again.
Come to think of it, when you were giving that bouquet of flowers,
you seemed like a totally different person.
Not at all...
Really, with him, we're just childhood friends.
I know. I believe you.
Well, I'll call you tonight then.
Okay.
I wonder why I'm questioning her like that.
There you are, Goto-chan!
Can you hand this over to your chief?
All right, got it.
Oh...
Don't go.
I like you, Hasumi-san.
Hasumi-san, phone call for you on line 2.
All right.
Feel each other's consciousness.
Yes, like that.
Guten Morgen! (Good morning!)
How are you?
Thank you!
I'm doing very well!
Thank you, thank you.
Huh? What are you two saying? Thank you, thank you.
Huh? What are you two saying?
I'm impressed, Takeshi! You can speak German!
I've been there a few times when I was a child.
Wait, what?
Good morning.
So are you going to Germany after all?
Don't come with me, I'm going to change.
Then what do you mean? Did you break up with her?
Nope. I told her I'd leave first.
Because if she threw me away, I would've felt like dying.
Hello.
What happened with your dog, Momo-chan?
It seems he's going to Frankfurt.
What... Frankfurt?
Yes.
He won a prestigious competition.
What, really?
Wow, I'm surprised. I didn't know you were such a brilliant top breeder.
No, it's just that he was brilliant.
The grace period has ended. If you'll excuse me.
Could it be that Iwaya-san's Momo-chan is...
I may be soft, but I am not a pet.
But to desire something that you lack, I think it's okay to call that love.
Perhaps a boy with a gentle smile.
Heh, a boy?
But don't you think one person and a pet is a lot better than just one person alone?
I'll always be by your side.
I have to see him off properly.
I can't believe she'd throw Takeshi away.
Takeshi's always been admired by everyone.
But I'm glad he decided to go abroad. He has so much talent, after all.
I'm home.
Welcome back!
Look, look. You were in the evening paper. Here.
Wow, I'm already in it?
Yup.
It's so amazing, when you're dancing, you seem like a totally different person.
I guess I shouldn't call you Momo.
Umm...
Goda Takeshi-san.
This reporter was saying it too.
That it must be such an honor for me to be a childhood friend of Goda Takeshi.
He wanted so badly to do a report on you that he brought senpai with him to see you.
I see.
He said he's never seen such a high grand jet. He was really impressed.
It's so cool-looking.
So strong and beautiful. It even made me happy.
I guess it's odd for me to be bragging about it, when I have nothing to do with it.
It's so awesome. It's almost absurd that someone like you stays here.
So I'll cheer for you from now on too...
That's enough.
What's that? It pisses me off.
What do you mean, it pisses you off?
I wasn't like that at all, was I?!
What... what are you saying all of a sudden?
Calling me Takeshi-san and stuff? You know me, don't you?
I was such an awful bum!
I can't do anything, I'm stupid, and I fail easily.
Totally irresponsible and useless...
That's what you said yourself!
You know me! Didn't you understand me?
Then why do you say things like that?
What I mean is, I don't want to hear words like that come from your mouth!
Why do you say that you have nothing to do with me?
You said I was useless but that you still needed me...
I thought that you alone understood...
Sorry.
It's okay now.
Sorry. It's okay.
You're a good boy.
It's okay.
Whatever kind of Momo...
Wherever you go, Momo...
Always.
I'll always love you.
I realised that the reason Momo was here was the same reason why I wanted him around.
A place where we could be our true selves.
Someone who would unconditionally accept who we were.
In a little while,
I'll lose it forever.
Oh, no...
I think I'm starting to feel a bit of lust...
What?!
Two more days
Hey, Sumire-chan! Two more days
Hey, Sumire-chan!
Let me come down!
Forgive me! I regret it!
How can I forgive such a horny male dog?
But it's a natural phenomenon!
I wasn't thinking of anything perverted, but my body just did it on its own...
All lies.
I'm telling you, it's not a lie! My lower body, on its own...
Enough! I don't want to hear any more of such a detailed excuse.
Hey, why are you so angry about it? I'm being so honest.
What do you mean, why? It was a bit of a shock.
I was caring for you as such a cute pet, and then...
It's not like you're the mother of a son who's going through puberty
and found pornographic magazines in his room.
Yeah, I think it's close to that feeling.
Are you serious?
I'm not stuck here for the rest of the time, am I?
Punished for the rest of the time?
Yup, I'm not so soft a master as to exempt you from punishment just because there are only two days left.
Wait, wait a sec. Like this? Really like this?
Oh, tonight I may be just a little late.
Wait, hey! Wait a... Hey! Hey!
Damn. I wonder how many years it's been since I've cried in front of someone.
Iwaya-san, the organisation from Kansai asked for you to call them back.
Oh, thank you very much.
Higuchi-kun, can you give this to the revision board?
Roger.
Iwaya-san, could you look over this for a moment?
With this, I don't think there's anything wrong with the structure.
I think the revision board will check this notation.
Consult the stylebook.
Oh, got it. Consult the stylebook.
Oh, got it.
Iwaya-san, there's a phone call from the Visual department.
All right. Iwaya-san, there's a phone call from the Visual department.
All right.
Iwaya, I think we're going to go with this for the next cover story.
The interaction between a pet and a human
Pets?
Yeah. I remember you owning a dog or something.
Pet.
Pet
Stressful society
Healing power
Pet and human
That's really low of you, to make a young man a pet.
...won't last forever. Which are you going to choose? ...won't last forever.
I believe in you.
What am I to you?
I'm sorry!
Iwaya-san?
I apologise. I'm the one at fault. I understand that well.
I'm sorry. I'll return your call later.
Are... Are you all right? Get... get a hold of yourself.
Oh... I... I'm sorry. Uh, umm...
I'm really sorry. It's just that all of a sudden, things just started spinning inside my head.
But I'm fine now.
Are you sure?
But that was so unlike you.
Huh?
It happens to me sometimes too.
In the middle of the night, when I have night duty.
All of a sudden, I get this urge to yell something like, "Stupid idiot!"
Oh, yeah, me too.
There was one time that I went to the snack room
and took all the paper cups out of the drawer and put teeth marks on all of them.
Are you serious? That's gross!
I also threw my shoes at the boss's desk once in the middle of the night.
Hey, hey... why am I always the bad guy?
I got it! I'll take you all out to eat as my treat sometime.
Are you for real?!
Sure, the women too.
Don't say you won't stick around after 5 o'clock.
All right, it's nice once in a while.
You too.
It's okay that I can go too?
Of course.
And we all want to hear the truth behind all those rumors.
Plus, you don't seek any advice from your primary supervisor.
Oh... I'm sorry.
Umm...
Thank you so much, everyone.
It's no big deal. We're all coworkers, right?
No. I don't want to go if it's not Maldives.
But I don't want it to seem too much like a newlyweds thing.
That's what's so great about it!
How about Hakone, like last time?
No! We went there already. How about Hakone, like last time?
No! We went there already.
Oh...
Oh, I'm sorry. Excuse me...
Oh, no! Have we been found out?
Huh?
Actually...
We got engaged.
It's surprising, isn't it? I'm sure you're surprised.
Yes, very surprised.
Yeah, it's a surprise for me as well.
Oh, you have to come to our wedding too, Iwaya-san.
Oh, but by that time, she may already be in Rio de Janeiro.
Oh... I don't plan on going to Rio de Janeiro yet...
You're kidding, you're not going?!
Why? Why aren't you going?
Hey, you shouldn't go digging into people's business like that.
I'm sorry.
Aww, Nobu-chan, you're too cute!
I don't even know why myself. Aww, Nobu-chan, you're too cute!
I don't even know why myself.
If you'll excuse me.
Why am I so tangled up and immobile?
I don't have the courage to get married nor to go to Rio de Janeiro.
Not even the courage to ask Momo to stay...
I'm just a coward.
You're going to turn down the marriage?
No, I'm going to ask him to wait.
You're running away again.
It's just for now. Just for now.
I'm finally getting used to work, and I like my job, after all.
It's really hard, but I'll just have to continue it long distance.
I'm thinking of mustering up the guts to tell senpai that tonight.
Why don't you at least get the marriage certificate, and have a separated life for a while?
Or maybe you can just have an engagement.
But I don't like to leave things half-done like that.
But long distance, without any promises?
It's on the other side of the world, isn't it?
Yes.
Here.
That kind of place is an extremely long distance away.
Yup. The direct flights there are only four times a week.
At the shortest, it takes twenty-five hours.
The time difference is twelve hours. If I make phone calls in the morning, it'll be the best time for him.
You can make calculations like that?
Yeah.
And Momo is here.
That's pretty far too.
Can I ask you something?
You really don't have any self-awareness?
Of what?
Why do you seem sadder about your pet?
That's...
That's not true, but he's leaving soon, so...
Are you sure that's all?
Of course.
Yeah...
He's only a pet, after all.
Within this month, I plan on leaving this apartment.
Oh, is that so?
Yes.
Due to business-related matters.
Shimizu-san, you were a very good resident.
You were very good about disposing of your trash and in terms of your daily practices.
No, not at all.
Then let's do this. Why don't we swap email addresses?
Oh, that's a good idea.
Then how about on this dustpan, in permanent marker?
Where's that permanent marker...
Oh!
Hey, it's you! Your dancing was great!
Oh, you came to see me?
Yes.
But I'm sorry. I don't remember which floor you reside on.
Oh, that's because I wasn't a resident.
I was a pet, owned on the fourth floor.
A pet? Could it be Iwaya-san's?
Yup.
Yes, but this doesn't mean that Takeshi-san lives off women's money or anything.
By next week, he's going to be studying abroad at a dance school in Frankfurt, Germany.
Really...
Yes.
Time to say goodbye to this apartment too.
Oh.
If you're looking for Sumire-chan, I think she's at Hasumi-kun's.
No, that's fine.
I just wanted to tell you to forget about what I said.
So you're giving up on Hasumi-kun?
I'm just changing my plan of action.
I see.
Hey, do you think if I took Hasumi-san away, that woman would come and take him back?
Hmm, I don't think so.
Yeah, that's what I think too.
But then, what does that mean? Doesn't it mean she doesn't truly like him?
I think she does like him, like a normal person.
But you know, she probably doesn't want to get all resentful, or show her true self.
Meaning she's just a jumble of complexes?
Hmm, when she has those great looks.
If I had those brains and that face and body, I would take advantage of them a million times better.
But well, because she's that kind of a person, you want to be near her.
Because even if you ran away, she wouldn't come chasing after you.
You want her to come after you, don't you?
I did want her to come after me.
Although I knew it was too much to ask.
You're spoiling your master too much.
Why do you think there's an increasing number of women who can only love their pets?
These are mostly women with careers and high educational backgrounds.
In other words,
they always have their armor around their hearts in order to stand up to the pressures of society.
So there is a larger gap. In private,
they want to take that armor off and have someone towards whom they can be unconditionally gentle.
But they can't take their armor off in front of a man.
That's why they love their pets too much.
An armor...?
Oh, yes, a heavy, super-hard armor. An armor...?
Oh, yes, a heavy, super-hard armor.
You know, with those elite, highly educated women,
they have this aura that screams, "Don't touch me!" It's so impudent.
That's why, honestly, men back off.
"Oh, really? Then go live your lives however you want to!"
That's how they respond to women like that.
I understand. I'll live my life as I want.
What, why?
It seems that I am a disciple of Iwaya-san's.
But on your resume you wrote...
I lied. I'm currently in my fourth year at the Literature department of Tokyo University.
Because you wouldn't have hired me if I was a smart woman, would you, doctor?
Correct.
Come to think of it, you've never stayed over at my place before, have you, Iwaya?
Oh, yes, that's right.
Last time you came over, you rushed home saying you had to feed your pet.
Hey, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?
Oh... it's fine.
It's not that big of a deal anyway.
Actually, today... my boss called me to his office.
It's been decided that I have to return to Rio de Janeiro next month.
Is that... so?
It's been decided?
Won't you stay over tonight?
Oh... but...
Why not?
You make me feel uneasy. You've never once worn that ring.
Oh, that's because I didn't want to get any scratches on it.
And I didn't want the people back at work saying things either.
Umm... it's not that I don't want to get married.
It's just that there's my job, and I just haven't been able to sort out my feelings yet.
Is that really the only reason?
Honestly, I have no idea what you're thinking.
At least in front of me, I want you to show me your true self.
My true self?
The true Iwaya, as she is.
What is "as I am" anyway?
What kind of face should I show?
What kind of person am I in your mind?
I just...
I just wanted to be liked by you, to become the person you think I am.
I can't even thrust my feelings at you.
I don't even know what part of me you see.
It's not so easy to show who I really am.
The real me...
is a lot worse than what you think.
The worst.
Iwaya...
That boy... Iwaya...
That boy...
That boy whom I gave the flower bouquet is not my childhood friend at all.
He's my...
He's my pet.
I kept him at my home as a pet.
Pet?
Then Momo...
I'm so sorry I lied to you.
I just didn't want you to misunderstand me.
There is nothing between me and that boy, just a good relationship.
A good relationship?
Are you seriously saying that?
Wha...
Can I ask you to leave?
Please.
I need some time to think alone.
Can you leave?
I'm sorry.
Calm down.
Calm myself down.
Oh, Sumire-chan. Welcome home.
Ouch!
Huh?
It's over.
Everything is over.
What did you end up telling him?
I lied so many times for your sake and you ruined it.
Geez...
I'll cook something.
I don't mind staying like this.
I don't mind if we just stay like this for the next two days.
Because you can only cry in front of me.
People need someone with whom they can be truly selfish.
That's why...
That's the reason I was tied down here all this time.
One more day
Hey, where's Iwaya-san?
It seems she's taken today and tomorrow off.
I suppose she's really not feeling well.
Boss?
What?
This is for you.
Request for resignation
Please take care of it.
All right. It's done!
Tada! Meal requests for today and tomorrow.
Aren't there a lot of carbs?
Who cares?
Oh well, I'll make them for you.
Score!
Who is it?
This is your schedule.
You made something like this?
Yes. I'll come pick you up tomorrow morning.
Please get your baggage together by then.
No, I don't need anyone to pick me up. Please get your baggage together by then.
No, I don't need anyone to pick me up.
I can go home on my own.
No, it would be awful if you got into an accident on the way.
I won't.
No, you're actually pretty spaced out at times, so it's a necessary precaution.
And we will take you straight back to your home in Chiba, and we will finish packing.
Three days later, on June 14th, 13:00,
your plane is scheduled to leave from Narita Airport.
Hey, you...
Yes?
You should take up ballet again.
I think you'd be better suited for it than doing stuff like this.
Yes, I'll give it a thought.
Umm...
Shall I prepare some tea?
Who is it this time?
My, my... Shimizu-san, you were here?
Yes, I got here before you.
Takeshi-kun, here's a globe for you. I think it'll be useful when you get over there.
Thanks.
Then maybe we should all have some tea.
Who now?!
What?! How come there are so many people here?
That's what I'd like to know.
Oh, hello, sister.
My, long time no see, my younger brother.
How about you, Yuri-chan?
What, me?
I just came to see him one last time.
I guess things are more cheerful than I expected things to be.
Yuri-chan...
You know, Hasumi-senpai?
I told him the truth.
Do you mean about that pet?
Yes.
I knew it!
What do you mean, you knew it?
I knew you wouldn't be able to hide that pet from him for long.
What do you mean by that?
He was such an important existence for you that you were unable to hide him any longer.
I'm sure Hasumi-san himself knew in the back of his mind
that there was a secret you were keeping from him.
For a while, I thought you might actually choose him instead...
What's that supposed to mean?
It's okay!
Do you know the vow of marriage? It goes, "In sickness and in health..."
There are not many people you can be with like that in this world.
Even when you're sick, or healthy, when you're depressed or want to cry...
Even on a deserted island,
even without makeup on, someone you want to have around wherever you go.
That is what's special.
But he's going to be gone...
Now, everyone, I think it's about time we all left.
But we're still eating... Oh, it's time to do my rounds!
Right? But we're still eating... Oh, it's time to do my rounds!
Right?
I must hurry along. Thank you for the food. Right?
I must hurry along. Thank you for the food.
Well, spend the rest of your time together well, just the two of you...
Tomorrow...
Bye, thanks!
Now, what should we do?
Hmm...
How about a bath?
Mmm, that feels good!
Ouch, that's hot!
It's not hot, hold still.
All right, I'm done!
Wow, I feel like I'm in paradise.
I feel like a prince today.
Hello?
Oh, hello? Hello?
Oh, hello?
Hey, this is your comrade!
Oh, hello.
You know, I've been thinking this for a while.
That the reality of eternal love is that it's actually just a trade-off.
That love is actually something dirty, where you compete with and deceive each other.
And you just soak in self-satisfaction by pretending to care for one another.
The one who falls in love is the one that loses.
I see.
It's impossible to unconditionally love a person the way you love a dog,
without treatise, not caring about the quality or background of the person.
But...
But I think I'm all right now.
What?
Oh, tell Momo-chan that I said hello!
Tell him that I would've liked to meet him once.
Was it someone from work?
No, a doctor.
He said to say hello to you.
He's a good person. Always carrying around a Chihuahua.
He seems like an interesting person.
And... what else? Is there anything else you want to do today?
What else...
How about a foot massage?
Sure.
That tickles!
What is it?!
Then I'll do yours.
No, no, you don't have to. I'm ticklish too.
What?
If we don't decide soon, the night will be over.
Then how about telling fun stories?
Stories?
Yeah, stories about love.
Like, "When was your first love?" and, "When did you lose your virginity?"
Stuff like that.
I don't want to talk about such things.
Then I'll go first.
Fine, when was your first love?
Hmm...
A long time ago, in a certain kingdom, there was a princess who couldn't shed tears.
A princess?
Yes.
The princess who couldn't shed tears was extremely beautiful, serious,
and smart. However, because she wasn't able to express her emotions very well,
she was always alone in the castle.
Could this be about me?
Just listen, since the good part is coming up.
And one day, after the princess was dumped by a guy,
she found a cardboard box with a dog inside on the way home.
The dog was really a human,
but because it was so happy to be rescued by the princess,
he became a dog and came to live with her.
He was actually planning on going home right away.
But before he knew it, the dog came to really like the castle.
Why? Because the princess who couldn't shed tears
would shed beautiful tears, only in front of the dog.
But, right after that, there appeared a handsome prince before the princess.
The dog was slightly shocked, but as long as he stayed a dog, the princess treasured him.
So he decided to continue being a dog for a little while longer.
Momo...
One day, the prince finally proposed to the princess.
The dog decided to go home.
Momo, that's enough now.
The dog thought,
"Man, if only I was a real dog, I could have always stayed by her side."
The dog realised at the very end that this feeling...
was love.
What do you think, was it interesting?
I copied a little off The Little Mermaid.
I...
liked being Momo.
The role was a little difficult.
And playing it was sometimes painful.
But I felt that however I was outside,
whenever I came back here, I could be Momo, so I was happy.
I was happy to be held by you, Sumire-chan.
I liked you, Sumire-chan.
There, there, don't cry.
Here.
I'm not crying.
Then now it's your turn.
Me?
I...
I don't have anything to say.
Everything I think is always read by you anyway.
You always see right through me, so it's kind of annoying.
Even now, you can probably tell that I'm feeling really sad.
Even if I don't put it into words, you'd probably...
Please...
Don't go.
Don't go anywhere.
Don't go away.
Sumire-chan?
Don't leave me behind.
Hey, Sumire-chan?
What?
Can I kiss you?
Because...
Because this is the last time.