I was just thinking... Do you remember that day? The day that we met?
Poem 12: Nanako and Eiji
Crap, I'm lost...
Pretty sure it should be around here somewhere...
It's funny...
I never would've even considered doing something like this six months ago...
I'm sick and tired of fighting all the time!
I'd trade in my fists
If it meant livin' a life
Of laughter and smiles!
Man, it had such a satisfying rhythm...
Who would've guessed that was a senryu?
SENRYU POETRY WORKSHOP
And now I'm totally hooked...
This must be it.
256th Senryu Poetry Workshop Theme: "Christmas"
Sounds like we have a latecomer.
H-hello! The name's Busujima!
I'm excited to be here! I-it's nice to meet you!
C-come in...
We're just about to wrap up, but sit wherever you like...
Nice.
I feel like I blend right in.
Let's see... Up next...
With her third poem for the evening, Nanako Yukishiro-san.
Her uniform... She's from that one middle school...
Merry Christmas!
I love my dad, but...
His Christmas costume was, well...
It wasn't the best.
Not what I was expecting, yet oddly charming.
Seems about right for someone her age.
My first senryu in the wild...
Would you care to elaborate on your poem, Yukishiro-san?
Nothing to add?
If that's the case, you can go ahead and take a seat.
Now that we've all shared, let's call it a-
Uh, I was just kidding!
The thug-
I mean, we haven't heard from you yet, young man!
Our theme for today is "Christmas"...
Gotcha!
All done!
Dear Mr. Santa,
Can you convince my old man
Not to smoke in bed?
Huh? She's clapping for that...?
What a strange girl...
Well then, our next meeting will be in the new year. Have a great holiday!
Goodbye!
Hey! Wait a sec!
Earlier at the workshop... You clapped for my poem, didn't you?
That made me really happy. Thanks a lot!
Well, see ya!
Huh? Um, listen...
People might start lookin' at you funny if you hang around me too much.
If we ever run into each other again, teach me how to write some cool senryu, 'kay?
And if using 5-7-5 is how you're most comfortable communicating,
that doesn't bother me none.
I was just thinking...
Do you remember that day?
The day that we met?
Did I really say somethin' like that...?
Sis?
YUKISHIRO
Hey, Sis!
Hurry up and eat your breakfast!
Did you stay up late studying for your entrance exams?
You need a nutritious meal if you want to keep your mind sharp!
Look! Look at the yummy wiener, Nanako!
You better snap out of it, or I'll have to eat it myself!
N-Nanako, you... You don't like wieners?
Or do you just secretly hate me? Tell me the truth.
You're going to be late for work, Dear.
Thanks for breakfast.
Still thinking about the boy you met at the poetry workshop?
Wow, how did you know?
I didn't say anything...
Is it obvious?
It's pretty much written all over your face.
I don't know why, but...
I keep thinking about him.
I just can't help it...
You've got it bad.
That workshop was just supposed to give you a break from studying...
I'm guessing you forgot to ask for his number?
Then you'll just have to go to the next meeting, won't you?
You might end up running into him again.
In the meantime, try to focus on studying, okay?
Go on, eat your breakfast.
The dim-witted young man, yes?
I've seen him around a few times since then,
but he hasn't shown up to the poetry workshop.
Though he has been writing senryu
and leaving them on the bulletin board over there.
Karai News Bulletin Senryu Corner
I think he may be worried about scaring other people away.
I got exams soon, But I plan on comin' back And readin' some stuff -Eiji
We have plenty of tanzaku inside. You're welcome to borrow-
Oh my, aren't you prepared!
Goodness, two poems!
I'll come back again.
I'll write to him every day
Until my exams!
Of course. Drop by whenever you like.
I hope he reads your reply.
What? Sis, it's snowing! You're going out now?!
Hello! How are you?
I really like your poems.
They're so creative!
Reading them is fun.
In a way, it makes me feel
Like we're connected!
Thanks for sayin' so! I dunno who you are, but... That makes me happy! -Eiji
So you were saying
You have your exams soon, right?
I'm in the same boat!
Whoa, for real?! No way! Guess we both gotta work hard... I bet we'll do great! -Eiji
Today during class,
My stomach growled super loud...
So embarrassing!
It's hard to study... My old man and my rabbit Keep distractin' me... -Eiji
Eiji-kun...
February
So listen, Ei-chan...
You've seen the cherry blossoms
At Nishi Park, right?
They haven't bloomed yet,
But now that it's almost spring,
I'm sure they will soon...
What if we met up
And practiced our senryu
At the park sometime?
Sure, sounds good to me! Just lemme know when they bloom And we'll meet up then! -Eiji
March
Hey! Guess what, Ei-chan!
Remember what we promised
Like a month ago?
The cherry blossoms
Finally bloomed at the park!
Now we can meet up!
Oh, Ms. Senryu Girl! If you're looking for your thug friend,
I don't think he's coming.
I believe he mentioned something yesterday about not being able to drop by anymore...
Perhaps he had to move away unexpectedly...
Be careful, my dear!
Not a clue. I doubt a hooligan like that would be interested in senryu, anyway.
I haven't seen him. Besides, this is a shogi hall.
SHOGI
What's a "senryu"?
No, it can't be true!
Why would he just stop coming?!
Why?! I don't get it!
Please, please don't tell me...!
Did he really move away?!
He couldn't-
This can't be the end!
There's still so much more that I
Want to say to him!
I have to see him...
It has to be in person!
I have to tell him!
If it weren't for him...
If it weren't for what he said
That one time, then I...
I'd still be alone...
I would be all by myself,
Locked up in my room!
I have to thank him!
I have to make sure he knows!
So he can't just leave!
His voice, his warmth, all of it...
More than anyone...
I want him right here...
By my side, right next to me...
I can't let him go!
Hm... This color's kinda hard to describe...
Ei-chan...!
Alright, I got it!
Like a hippo's sweat,
The cherry blossoms are a
Bright, pink-ish color!
It's perfect!
I feel like coming right out and comparing 'em to
a hippo really captures their beauty!
Whoa, where'd you come from?! You scared me!
Hello! How are you?
I really like your poems.
They're so creative!
You think so?! Thanks a lot!
I'm actually pretty proud of this one.
Writing senryu is my hobby.
I even got a pen pal who I write senryu to every day!
Speakin' of, I'm supposed to meet 'em here soon...
Huh?
Hello! How are you? I really like your poems. They're so creative!
Your senryu looks kinda familiar...
Waracchau kurai mattaku chigau watashitachi It's almost funny how different we are
Show window utsuru sugata sae Down to our reflections in the shop window
Taiyou mitai ni anata ga hohoemu to When you smile as brightly as the sun
Odayaka na kuuki ga nagareru A peaceful feeling washes over me
Arikitari na nichijou de sae mo Even my trivial, everyday life
Anata to nara kagayakidasu Begins to shine when I'm with you
Tatoe nani ga okita toshitemo Even if something happened
Tamani kizutsuki kizutsuketemo Even if we hurt each other sometimes
Nanigenai hi o shinjiteite Believe in our ordinary days