Meiji Tokyo Renka
What do you think?
It's lovely.
It's very nice.
Do you like it, Little Squirrel?
I do!
Huh?
Have you forgotten? This is the dress you will wear to the party.
Party?
Where I will formally present you.
Eh? This is for me, then?
Yes.
You will look like a princess from a fairy tale, Mei-san.
Syunso!
Yes?
What do you think?
Well...
It's nice.
It truly is, isn't it?
I was especially particular about this part of the design.
Ah, yes. It's very nice.
I knew you'd get it, Syunso.
Ready, Fumi-san?
Yes!
Measuring, measuring, measuring!
You help measure, too, Syunso.
A-All right.
Measuring, measuring, measuring!
Umm... Can you actually measure her like this?
Measuring, measuring, measuring!
Measur—
Very perceptive, Syunso.
Leave this to us.
Please come this way, Miss.
Let's leave these things to the professional tailor.
Now, Mei.
Uh, yes?
These are the final touches, my little squirrel.
No... My fiancée.
O-Okay.
Chat Noir Won't Look Back
Oh, dear...
What is it, Fumi-san?
Well, I was planning to shave the bonito flakes,
but this...
Huh? It's full of brushes.
This is Syunso-san's brush case.
The box looks somewhat similar to the bonito shaver,
so he must have grabbed that one on his way out by mistake.
Huh? On his way out to where?
School.
School?
Oh, that's right. Ougai-san did mention that Syunso-san is an art student.
Syunso-san must be missing this.
You're probably right. I'll take it to him.
Where is his school?
It's the Tokyo School of Fine Arts in Ueno.
Got it. I'll get going.
Mei-san, what about lunch?
I'll eat a bunch when I get back!
Okay!
Tokyo School of Fine Arts
Self-Study Draw the Air Okakura Tenshin
Huh? What the heck?
What's "draw the air" supposed to mean, Okakura-sensei?
Hey, Syunso!
Hey!
I'm talking you, Syunso!
What's that?
What're you bringing bonito to school for?
T-Taikan!
You know this an art school, right?
Not a cooking school.
You're being too loud.
What's going on?
Syunso brought katsuobushi to school.
Is this a new technique? That's so you, Syunso.
Come on, Syunso. Don't go getting all mopey.
I'll let you borrow my stuff, so cheer up.
First things first, what does this even...
Excuse me...
Sorry to bother you, but I'm looking for someone...
It's you!
Oh, Syunso-san!
Syunso-san?!
I'm so glad I found you, Syunso-san!
H-Hey...
I-It's a girl! A girl, a girl, a girl!
Syunso's girlfriend!
Wha?!
Syunso, you jerk!
Take that, and that!
Inexcusable!
I'm so jealous!
Wait! Syunso!
Wait, hey!
Why did you come here?
Oh, I came to bring you this.
Do you not actually need it?
Should I not have...?
No, I need it.
They're my painting tools, after all.
I'm glad.
Thanks.
Sure.
Sorry about that. My classmates were making a fuss.
I'm sorry I made them mistake me for your girlfriend.
It's fine.
Huh?
I don't mind.
Oh, okay. Huh?
Syunso!
Taikan.
You're holding out on me, Syunso.
I can't believe a blockhead like you has such a cute girlfriend.
You'd better introduce me.
It's not like that, though.
I'm Yokoyama Taikan.
Syunso's best friend.
Nice to meet you. I'm Ayazuki Mei.
Mei, huh? Even your name is cute.
Well done, Syunso! You jerk!
Stop it.
Y-You're mistaken. I'm not Syunso-san's girlfriend!
Huh? Is that true?
Yeah...
That means I can be a candidate.
Hey!
Just kidding.
You brought Syunso the stuff he forgot, didn't you? Thanks for that.
Come on, Syunso. You thank her, too.
K-Knock it off all ready.
Feeling better now?
I get worried when you get all bent out of shape.
The exhibition is coming up.
If you can't keep painting, all our ambition will be ruined.
Our ambition?
We talked about it long into the morning just recently.
We're going to revolutionize the art world at the next exhibition, aren't we?
Yeah, that's right.
How's your progress?
I'm just putting the finishing touches on things.
What about your black cat painting?
The black cat?
It'll be ready in time for the exhibition, right?
Syunso?
I might not make it.
Hey, what's that supposed to mean?
I can't paint.
Huh? What're you talking about?
What's that?
Isn't that a katsuobushi shaver?
You can't mean...
Hey, Syunso, weren't you supposed to go to the doctor?!
You didn't go?!
D-Dumbass!
What the hell are you thinking?!
You're really not going to be able to see at this rate!
Why?
It might get better if you have the surgery, right?
Surgery?
Syunso.
Say something, Syunso.
Are you giving up?
Are you really okay with that?
If you're giving up, then I'll just do it myself!
Hishida Syunso won't be the one to revolutionize the art world.
Yokoyama Taikan will.
I will make the world notice me!
That's what'll happen if you don't go to the doctor!
Is that what you really want, Syunso?!
Fine! Do whatever you want!
Please, go to the doctor!
Umm...
I didn't know about your eyes.
Is it that bad?
If having the surgery means you can get better, I—
There's no guarantee
I'll get better if I have the surgery.
If it fails, I will go blind.
I don't have the black cat to show at the exhibition.
And I can't keep my promise with Taikan to revolutionize the art world.
It's all over now.
I will search for the black cat all day, every day, starting today.
So please don't say it's all over!
Go to the hospital...
Syunso-san!
It's all over now.
You can't just give up!
Please just leave me alone.
All I see when I close my eyes is darkness.
This calms me more than looking at blurred scenery.
I don't want colors, shapes,
or anything anymore.
Why do you look at me like that?
I can't paint anymore.
Syunso-san!
You always shine so brilliantly.
It's so bright...
I can't see anymore.
In truth,
I'm afraid of the dark
and the future I can't see.
Syunso-san!
Syunso-san, here you go.
Some of them got a little dirty, but I think this is all of them.
One was caught in a tree,
another fell into a puddle,
a few of them were in the grass,
and a dog almost ate another one.
It was pretty tough gathering them all up.
You...
Syunso-san, you made me a promise.
Do you remember?
You were going to paint me.
Please paint me.
But I...
My eyes...
I want to paint you.
I've always wanted to draw you.
These gentle and graceful curves...
This skin, soft and supple like fruit...
This long, flowing hair...
I have always admired you within the light.
Syunso-san...
This feeling may be a fleeting thing,
but if I can make it last forever by reproducing it in a painting, then I...
I want to paint you.
I want to paint.
I want to paint again.
I don't want to give up!
Syunso-san.
Wait!
We found the black cat.
The black cat!
Syunso-san, let's go!
We've found the black cat.
Where are we going?
Back home.
It came back...
Welcome home.
Marvelous.
How absolutely marvelous.
You finally finished it.
Ougai-san.
Syunso.
Yes?
That's a good expression.
Congratulations, Syunso!
I am so happy. Truly wonderful indeed! That's my Syunso.
Come on, no, s-stop...
I am so, so glad.
Ougai-san...
Little Squirrel.
Yes?
What kind of magic did you use?
What? I-I didn't do anything so special.
Honestly, you are something else.
Syunso, starting today, you will no longer call her Little Squirrel,
you will call her Madame Squirrel.
You're the only one who calls her Little Squirrel.
I finally got to meet the black cat.
What a beautiful cat.
Its black fur is so soft.
With golden eyes that remind me of the moon—
Mei!
Koizumi Yakumo
Mori Ougai Anthology
Mei...
Mei!
I remember...
everything.
Meiji Tokyo Renka
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Embraced by the Strawberry Moon
I was able to truly be myself because Ougai-san was there.
I love you, Ougai-san.