-Where's Pliers? -Why?
Shinjuku is looking for him.
-That's not good. -Shinjuku the electrician?
-What's wrong? -He blacked out Chinta's house.
-Not again. -Didn't he just blow a fuse a few days ago?
-He broke a fridge too. -He can't help but take apart anything he sees.
Where's Pliers? Shinjuku is looking for him.
Oh, no.
Taking apart a clock now?
I'm about to put it back together.
Yesterday I got a call in the middle of the night.
Three days ago I was called twice in the same day.
Blow all the fuses you want,
but I have to drive 20 km every time.
What were you doing last night?
Tell me. I won't be mad.
-Say it! -Y-Yes, um...
I was making a dryer by connecting a fan and an iron.
Science is good.
I understand your urge to take things apart.
But I have my limits.
-Pliers! -Yes?
I know your house doesn't have electricity yet.
I feel sorry for you.
But still...
you can't take the electrician's car's headlight apart.
That's wasn't me.
-Liar. -I didn't do it!
My car's headlight! 5 days ago!
-It wasn't me! -Liar.
-I'm serious! -Don't lie!
It really wasn't me!
Mr. Kondo...
I don't understand.
Whenever I try to start a conversation, he avoids me.
I've been trying to talk to him about his future too.
I told him whether or not he goes to high school will determine his future.
But...
he won't say anything.
It's embarrassing, but...
it's getting difficult for me to understand him.
Kita no kuni kara -Hatsukoi- From the northern region -First love-
Translated by Chuks Edited by Dokaben
-Chinta? -He's head over heels in love.
-Who's the girl? -He won't tell me! But he said she's cute.
-I can't believe he got a girlfriend. -I know!
-Tell us! -Come on! Just say it!
I'll show you!
Next Saturday...downtown.
Where exactly?
-I said I'll show you! -How far have you gone?
How far...?
-Have you pushed her down yet? -Of course not!
Why not? Just push her down on the bed like this!
-Stop it! -"Chinta!"
Ouch!
Take this home for me.
Jeez, that hurts. Fine!
Who's that?
My sis.
She came back from Sapporo last month and works at the carrot factory.
"Chinta, please teach me. Chinta."
Hey, you!
Me?
Are you "Pliers"?
He is.
Is Sota your cousin or something?
Not cousin, but a relative.
Will you tell Sota that Tsurara said hi?
You mean, Yoshimoto?
Yup, that's her! Thanks!
Did you see her?
On my way home, I saw the machine.
It was behind the house of Osato, one of the nearby farmers.
The house was by the Nakanosawo river. I usually don't take that route.
What the hell is this?
A pan?
You know what that is?
It's a windmill. To generate wind power.
My dad made it a while ago.
But we haven't used it for three years or so.
He said it needs less wind to spin than propellers.
-Did you know? -What?
The Osatos have a daughter.
-You mean Rei? -You knew?!
I did.
She's cute, huh?
Is she?
Oh?
Are you jealous? Are you?
I'm not!
How old is she?
Same age as you.
Same age?!
Why doesn't she go to my school?
She goes to the school in Furano.
That family's a little strange.
Is she your friend?
-We say hi. -Since when?
Since a long time ago!
See! You are jealous after all!
Why?
You didn't tell me about her.
Why does that make me jealous!
'Cause it's weird!
Very weird. Isn't it?
You're so weird.
There was a windmill made of pans at her house.
If I can get it to spin somehow, it'll generate electricity.
I see...
I was excited.
The windmill needs less wind to spin than propellers.
Dad gave up on wind power generation because the propellers didn't spin.
As long as the windmill spins, we'll get electricity.
That's it! I'll fix the wind power generator that Dad gave up on.
I'll surprise him on his birthday.
No, I'm not "fixing" it. I'm making a new one.
Not with Dad's propellers, but with the windmill made of pots.
She said I can take it.
What would she say if I told her I'm making a wind power generator with it?
-"You're making it?" -"Yeah..."
-"All by yourself?" -"That's right."
-"You can?" -"Easy!"
-"Are you sure?" -"People call me Pliers."
"Really? How cool!"
I can't wait!
The next Saturday, Hirosuke and I went downtown to see Chinta's girlfriend.
She goes to a jazz dance lesson every Saturday.
-Wow! They're wearing swimsuits! -Those are called leotards, idiot.
Nice! So, which girl is it?
The girl in the second row. Second from the right.
One, two...
It's Rei Osato.
-You know her? -Of course. I flipped her skirt in elementary school.
That's the girl you like?
My heart was beating fast.
Her dad is just awful.
A cunning bastard!
-But she's not like that at all. -Think hard, moron.
Remember the class about genetics?
-She has cunning genes. -You think so?
Besides, imagine what her dad would do if he found out about you.
My heart was still beating fast.
It was her.
I like the same girl Chinta likes.
Why are you spacing out? Got a girlfriend?
How did you know?
Huh?!
-So you do have one! -No, I don't!
-Who is she? -I said no!
Let me see her! Does she have a sister?
-I said I don't have one! -You think I'll steal her from you?
-It's not like that! -Don't change the subject!
-How far did you guys go? -No!
Tsurara says hi.
There, I did my part.
Who told you that?
Ouch. Hirosuke's big sister.
Where is she?
She's working at the carrot factory. Let me go. It hurts.
It's been a long time.
Hello.
You look totally different.
Do I look better?
You were in Tokyo?
Tokyo...
Osaka.
Hakata.
Sapporo.
Doing what?
Many things.
Good things.
Sota...
Go ahead and ask.
Tsurara is doing well.
You saw her?
Yes, I did.
In Sapporo?
I won't tell you.
I don't think you need to know those things.
Okay.
But she's doing fine. Don't worry.
She got married.
Married?
She's having a baby soon.
Really?
Really.
Who is he?
-His occupation? -No.
Is he a nice guy?
Yes.
Too nice even.
He's like a god.
I see.
Good.
I'm glad.
When I told her I was returning to Furano,
she asked me to say hi to you.
She said she's happy, so don't worry.
Are you relieved?
What?
Oh, well.
Do you like to drink?
-I love to. -Let's go for a drink then.
-Sure. -Yeah? Then it's on me!
-Hey. -Hmm?
Are you dating anyone right now?
Nope. I'm available.
Good. Me too. I'm available.
I had no idea they were hitting it off.
The next day, I went to see Shinjuku.
-Did you come up with this on your own? -Yes.
Not bad.
Breaking electronics paid off, huh?
-Dynamo? -Is this possible?
I think so. But after adjusting this with a regulator...
use an inverter.
-Convert AC to DC. -I see!
-And connect it to a battery... -How much is an inverter?
Get one from a car.
-Get the battery and regulator from a car too. -Right, I'll look.
I'll look too. And...
-And about the windmill... -It's a brilliant idea!
The propellers at your house...
I-I'm getting off next.
Your chain came off?
Want me to fix it?
Thank you!
Yes!
Done.
Thank you.
Thanks a lot!
Are you going?
Why?
She was waiting for me!
Are you Jun Kuroita?
She knows me!
I see why you're called "Pliers".
Let's walk home together.
My heart was thumping.
What do I say if Chinta sees us together?
You're from Tokyo, right?
Yeah.
I can tell. You're different from the others.
You're quiet.
Like Ken Takakura. (Famous actor)
Really?
You don't look like him at all though.
It's starting to rain!
You should go.
-What about you? -I'm fine.
Trying to act cool?
Let's find shelter!
Our warehouse is nearby!
I'm soaking wet! Take off your clothes, Jun.
Um, but...
There's a stove. Hold on.
Come on, take your clothes off!
But...
You'll catch cold.
You're pale.
Sit down.
Oh!
-Want some? -Sure.
-Here. -Thank you.
Do you like music?
-I do. -Who's your favorite musician?
-Yutaka Ozaki. -Really?
Me too! Which song do you like?
Night at 15 years old.
Awesome!
Seventeen's map.
-Shelly, and Graduation. -Me too.
-How many do you have? -What?
Tapes.
None. I don't have a player.
You don't?
No.
I'll give you mine.
No, it's fine.
-I have an old one. -It's okay.
-I'll bring it next time. -No, really. I can't...
Really?
I promise.
You'll be a 9th grader this year?
-Yes. -Me too.
I know.
Which high school are you going to?
Furano High School, I think.
Furano High School?
I think.
I thought you'd go to Tokyo.
-Tokyo? -You have relatives in Tokyo, right?
I do, but I can't go to Tokyo.
Why not?
You don't want to go to Tokyo?
I do, but...
You'll fall behind if you stay here.
I'll go.
-To Tokyo? -Yes.
Really.
-Rei. -What?
I finally called her by her name!
What is it?
Do your parents have a lot of money?
Of course not! I'll work in Tokyo.
I'll get a job and go to dance school. I'll also go to night school if possible.
-How about night school? -Night school?
Right! You can work during the day.
It's possible if you have relatives.
There are about 100 night schools in Tokyo.
I was excited.
I'd never thought about it.
Going to Tokyo.
Going to a night school.
Work during the day and study at night.
On top of that...
Rei is going to Tokyo too.
But...
there's one problem.
What is it?
My dad said no.
Then you can't.
But Mom said I should go if I'm serious about it.
So...
if I decide to go,
I can't tell Dad.
I'll have to leave him behind.
How are you?
I'll get the bath ready.
Oh, do we have firewood?
It's okay, I'll cut some.
Hotaru, you look cuter these days.
What's freedom?
How can we free ourselves?
-What's with him? -He's been acting weird since he got back.
Are you living your life?
Jun!
-Jun! -Yes?
Don't walk around so loudly.
Okay! I won't! I'm sorry!
Jun...
How are you, Aunt Yukiko?
Don't tell Dad about this letter.
After I graduate from middle school next year,
I plan to get a job in Tokyo and go to night school.
Regarding that, I wanted to...
It only took three days until Rei's father caught me with the windmill.
Oh, no.
I was about to have a heart attack.
He was known for being a dishonest, cunning person.
You want it?
Um, well, if you don't, um, need it... um...
Are you trying to generate wind power?
Yes, I am.
Your father's way won't work.
Right.
-Is this your blueprint? -Yes, but... -Show me.
-Come with me. -What?
I'll give you this car. You can use it for parts.
What?
The parts are still good.
I was going to scrap it anyway.
It's yours.
But...
I won't tell your father.
Good luck.
How are you, Aunt Yukiko?
Don't tell Dad about this letter.
After I graduate from middle school next year,
I plan to get a job in Tokyo and go to night school.
I have a favor to ask.
Will you let me stay at your house?
If you'd say yes...
Oh, man, it's pretty bad on the eastern side.
The roads are covered with sand.
Hey, lend me someone.
Chinta! Chinta!
Go help over there!
Dig deeper.
Because of the chemical fertilizers...
The soil was spoiled.
I told him over and over. What an idiot!
Osato.
-Hey! -Goro!
Are you all right?
-Thanks for coming! -Don't mention it.
Chinta!
Come on, get up!
Everyone is here to help! Get up already!
Come on!
Dad.
Is Chinta's family in trouble?
What do you mean?
People say they'll quit farming.
Farmers are under a joint guarantee system.
When one is in financial trouble, the others help out.
But the soil of their fields are washed away again.
Just like last Spring.
I heard it's because they were relying on chemical fertilizers.
Are we okay?
Chemical fertilizers.
Who told you that?
Who fed you that story?
Who?
Jun.
You go to the Osato's a lot these days.
I heard you're chasing their daughter.
The rumor is going around.
Are you sure you have time for that?
Are you studying for the entrance exam?
It's none of your business!
It's not like that!
Why do grown-ups only think that way!?
Jun.
I was hurt.
Not by what he said...
But because Dad didn't get mad at me for yelling at him.
These days he keeps his distance.
That hurt me.
I got a letter from my Auntie.
What did she say?
She said I'm welcome to stay with her.
That's great!
It's just that...
she said I have to talk to Dad.
She said I can't leave without telling him.
Were you going to leave without telling him?
I can't tell him.
If I do, he'll try to come up with the money.
He's been like that lately.
He's holding back.
He looks pitiful sometimes.
He won't say anything even when I yell at him.
Is your father like that too?
My Dad's the opposite. He won't listen to me at all.
I'm jealous.
Why?
I just am.
Why?
Fathers are always fathers.
They shouldn't hold themselves back from their children.
So you're just going to leave without telling him?
Do you really think you can do that?
I've been thinking about it every day.
It's hard, but I can't help it.
Me too. I've been thinking about it every day.
Can I really leave my father?
You know how my father isn't popular.
So...
I feel really bad...
What was that?
-What was that sound? -There's something over there!
A bear?!
Oh, man!
Finally, a river!
-Oh? -What is it?
Hey, Chinta! Wait! Hey!
Shoot!
What should I do?
This is bad.
Why?
Don't worry about it.
That day, Chinta skipped school.
Hirosuke ignored me all day.
Wait, Hirosuke!
-He'll commit suicide. -What?
He definitely will.
Don't scare me. What did he say?
He didn't say anything.
What could he say in that situation?
-Did you do it? -No.
-Liar. Were her boobs big? -We didn't.
-Not that big, right? -I really don't know!
Don't hide it.
-He's gonna die. -Hirosuke.
The field is totally destroyed and his best friend stole his girlfriend...
-He must be desperate. He'll take his life for sure. -Wait, Hirosuke.
Working hard, huh? Have some tea.
Thank you, but don't mind me.
You're so smart. Is it almost done?
I don't know if it'll work.
Thank you for the tea.
Look at you!
You really did it! I can never win.
-You're amazing. -Chinta...
I totally respect you. I can't win.
-I'm helpless. -Chinta.
I'm ugly. And dumb.
-On top of that, we lost the field. -Chinta, I--
Pliers, don't worry.
My dad told me...
there are people born lucky and unlucky, and we are the latter.
There's nothing you can do about it.
I'm born unlucky, so... whatever.
But I was so surprised. For real.
You really did it.
You beat the electric company.
(Loan application)
What did Akiyama of the Agricultural Cooperative say?
He said if we all co-sign, he would take it to the top.
If he says so, why don't we do it?
I'm sure Nakatsu will try harder next year.
I'm against it.
-I'm not signing. -Osato!
Nakatsu, quit farming.
Hold on.
How could we sign for a 70,000,000 yen debt?
-Osato... -Goro.
Can you afford it?
Co-signing is more than just signing the paper.
You will be responsible for the debt.
Can we really come up with that much money?
Nakatsu.
I don't want you to keep dragging everyone under.
-It's all your fault. -Sir...
It would be fine if it were just a matter of a year or two.
In fact, we helped you out the last two years.
And it would be fine if it was purely an act of nature. But it was your fault too.
I warned you about the chemical fertilizers over and over, but you didn't listen.
This is the third time.
You're helpless.
Give it up, Nakatsu. Don't drag everyone into it anymore.
-Hold on, Osato. Don't say that. -Osato...
Don't think about it anymore. There's nothing you can do.
Osato has a point.
It was Nakatsu's fault too.
Nakahata.
I couldn't say anything.
I'm ashamed.
I'm ashamed of my ignorance.
Good evening!
Yes?
Is Jun home?
Yes.
Jun!
What?
Rei is here.
Good evening.
Dad told me to bring these to you.
-There are articles about wind power generation. -Thanks.
-Bye. -I'll walk you home. -It's okay.
Good night.
Are you the daughter of Osato?
Pardon?
Farmers have been helping each other out for a long time.
Back in the day, when your grandparents were in trouble,
Nakahata's father and my father lent money to help them.
That's how farmers have been.
All he cares about is himself?
-Tell him that's not right! -Dad!
Tell him he's not one of us anymore!
We don't give a damn about you anymore!
Stop it!
She has nothing to do with it!
Rei...
Jun!
Wait!
Rei!
See ya!
-Bye! -Bye!
What's wrong?
What're you doing here this late? Come in.
Lend me some money.
-How much? -100,000 yen.
It doesn't need to be right this second.
I need it for when I graduate from school next year.
Come in. Let's talk.
Come in.
I want you to keep it from Dad.
Jun.
I'm...
going to Tokyo by myself.
I'll get a job there...
and go to night school.
Hotaru!
Thank you for the letter, Jun.
It was a nice surprise.
We're doing well.
Daisuke is growing quickly.
I read your letter over and over.
I was surprised to hear your determination to go to night school in Tokyo.
In short, I'm all for it.
Your late mother wanted you to go to high school in Tokyo.
But, I'm against the idea of you leaving without telling your father.
I understand how you feel,
but I want you to talk it over with him.
Separating from your family is...
Dad?
What's wrong?
Separating from your family is...
not as easy as you think.
I, too, have experienced difficult separations.
"Happy birthday, Dad. Stay healthy for us.
I love you, Dad."
Is it really going to work?
Are you okay?
Hey!
Hotaru! Come out! Hurry!
Hurry!
Yes!
-Something you wanted to talk about? -Yes.
Actually, it's about Jun.
He wants to go to Tokyo alone after graduation.
It looks like he's made up his mind.
Did you talk it over?
No.
Not at all?
Naka.
He won't talk to me these days.
Here you go.
Thank you.
Here.
I already knew about it.
It's a difficult decision, so I was going to talk to Jun.
-It's just... -Nakahata.
Who told you?
Sota.
Sota knows about it too?
Jun went to Sota for advice.
Goro.
I was talking to my wife...
Unlike the other kids here, Jun lived in Tokyo until the middle of elementary school.
I don't know what you want him to be in the future, but--
Nakahata.
I'm not against it.
I'm fine with it, if that's what he wants.
I can afford to send him to Tokyo.
It's just...
I see.
Everyone knew.
Everyone but me.
-Come on, Goro-- -Oh, well...
It doesn't matter.
(Happy Birthday song)
Happy birthday!
This is a present from me!
Can you believe it? He did it on his own!
Let me introduce Aiko.
She's Hirosuke's big sister.
Nice to meet you.
This is from me, Dad.
Let's eat!
I brought pork. Help me, Hotaru.
-Aiko, you too. -Sure.
Surprised?
I used old pans instead of a propeller, so that it spins with little wind.
That's the trick.
It's on alternating current.
So you can listen to the radio...
See? We can use electronics now.
-The capacity is small, but-- -Turn it off.
What?
Turn it off.
I need to ask you something.
What is it?
Are you going to Tokyo?
You are, right? After graduation?
Um, well...
Go ahead if you want.
I'm not against it.
It's just...
-I-- -Goro! Here's the pork! It's still fresh!
What's wrong?
Since I'm not a petty man...
I can't get over how sneaky you are.
Why didn't you tell me? Why does everybody know but me?
Why is that?
Am I that unreliable?
-No. -Then why didn't you come to me?
I couldn't.
Why not?
Because I didn't want to burden you.
What do you mean by that?
Why do you think it'd be a burden for me?
Are you talking about money?
No...
Not just that.
Goro, let's not talk about it.
Calm down, Dad.
Not tonight.
Don't be rude. I'm calm.
Let's get it straight. Am I that unreliable?
You forgot the sauce, Sota.
Jun!
Stop it. We have guests.
It's your birthday today.
I made the wind generator for you. It took me a long time.
Why aren't you happy?
At Osato's house? By getting his daughter to help?
So pitiful.
What?
Who's pitiful?
Goro!
You are!
How am I pitiful?
You are pitiful!
You're so pitiful these days.
The reason I want to leave here is because...
I don't want to see you like that.
-Jun! -Stay out of this.
Dad.
Why aren't you happy?
I worked so hard.
It was a lot of work, but I did it...
Don't change the subject.
-I'm not-- -You are!
It's you that's changing the subject.
It's your birthday tonight.
Jun.
Jun!
Jun.
Calm down.
Want a smoke?
You've never smoked before?
My first smoke was when I was in the 9th grade.
I understand how you feel.
I also understand how your Dad feels.
Men are made of nothing but ego.
It doesn't matter how old they are.
I understand that you didn't want to burden him.
But he was shocked to learn his son thought of him that way.
That his son pitied him.
Men don't want to be pitied.
That's how men are.
That's how real men are.
Think about it carefully.
Frost warning.
It's that season already...
The warning sounded. I'm going home.
Thank you for coming.
See you, Goro.
-Going home? -I haven't bought beans yet.
-I'll help you. -You don't need to!
Don't worry. I'll drive you.
See you, Goro!
Apologize to him, okay?
Dad.
I'm sorry.
I...
Goro, can you lend a hand?
They need men at Osato's bean field.
They don't have a son, so he needs our help.
Wake up!
Don't you remember what he said to you?!
Load them on the truck. I'm going to the field in Kamino.
Frost came early this year.
Go to my field in Kamino. I'll bring tires.
Watch out for Mom!
No!
Goro!
I need your help! Osato accidentally ran over his wife!
He crushed her under some containers.
That's what happened at Rokugo this fall.
"How are you, Aunt Yukiko?"
I meant to write you sooner. It's already December.
About me moving to Tokyo,
I decided to give up on that idea.
I'll go to Furano high school.
It's not that Dad was opposed to it.
I decided this on my own.
After all,
it would be selfish of me to go.
How have you been?
Because you didn't contact me at all,
I was beginning to give up.
What do you mean by give up?
I'm sorry about what happened.
I don't know what to say.
My mother is dead too.
What did you decide about school?
I'll stay here.
I see.
I'm worried about Dad.
How about you?
You probably heard.
That we lost all our beans.
My Dad was expanding his fields, so he took on a lot of debt.
Let's not talk about such depressing stuff.
What are you doing for Christmas?
Christmas?
Are you free the night of the 24th?
Why?
I was wondering if we could meet there.
Where?
The shed, where we took shelter from the rain.
I was thinking.
Are you busy?
I had plans for that night.
Hirosuke, Chinta, and I had been planning it secretly for a long time.
And she was part of the plan too.
Is it okay if it's a little late?
Of course it's okay, but...
-don't force yourself. -No, I'm not.
I'll be there.
I went to Sapporo the other day.
I found a very nice cafe.
I wish I could take you there.
It had a skylight.
You can see the snow falling from the sky.
When is your graduation ceremony?
Um...
-I think it's the same day as mine. -I think so.
Do you want to go to Sapporo after the ceremony?
We can be back by midnight.
If we can't, we can stay overnight.
Are you afraid, Jun?
Will you be in trouble at home?
No...
I'm sorry.
I'm...
saying something...
very scary.
My heart was beating fast.
Too fast...
and I didn't know what to say.
Going to Sapporo with Rei.
But...
before that, we have a secret surprise Christmas Eve...
Jun!
Hey!
Over here!
I found it!
Ta-da!
You look good in it!
Hey, hook up the sled to the horse.
Are you sure you can do that by yourself?
Of course!
-Where to first? -Satoko's house.
Then Kumiko's house... and finally, Rei's house!
She broke my heart.
You may be able to win her over!
Merry Christmas!
My Dad might be there. Just pull over here.
The lights are out!
What? They're not home?
Maybe Rei isn't home.
Hey, go check.
No, you go.
What? It was your chance to shine!
Hold this.
Did they go to bed?
What's he doing?
-Should I go check? -Hold on.
Jun!
What's wrong?
"It's short notice, but we're moving out.
We cannot apologize enough to those we troubled.
To everyone, from Masakichi Osato."
They ran away.
-Where are you going? -Out.
Why don't you wait until Dad gets home?
What are you doing on the night of the 24th?
Can we meet at the shed where we took shelter from the rain?
Rei?
"We unexpectedly have to go somewhere far away.
I'm sorry I couldn't tell you in person.
I like you a lot, Jun.
I hope that many good things will come to you.
From Rei."
(Ozaki Yutaka)
"I love you.
I don't want to hear a sad song, not now.
I love you.
We ran and ran, and finally reached this room.
Since our love is forbidden,
we are just like two stray cats.
This room is like an empty box covered with fallen leaves.
So you cry like a..."
Rei's footprints were in the snow.
They went straight to the shed.
She walked out,
stopped, and looked back.
Rei...
How could you?
How could you disappear without telling me anything?
Not even where you're moving to?
You said we'd go to Sapporo after graduation.
What happened to our promise?
Dad is waiting.
Dad told me to tell you that...
He arranged for you to go to Tokyo after graduation.
He talked to Aunt Yukiko.
I'm happy for you.
It's too late.
It's too late for that.
Why?
Why is it too late?
You still have three months until graduation.
Hotaru,
Rei is...
Can you not talk about her right now?
You said you wanted to go.
So Dad went out of his way...
Did you want to go to Tokyo to be with Rei?
Not because you wanted to go to school in Tokyo?
Don't say that now!
I heard the Osato family left.
It's not uncommon around here.
Everybody leaves.
I also left here once without saying anything.
Jun.
Yes?
If you get tired, come back anytime.
If you feel smothered, come back anytime.
Dad.
Going back to your hometown isn't shameful.
I'll leave your room as it is.
Your bed will be waiting for you.
Okay.
I'll maintain the wind generator too.
Don't worry about us.
Nakafu's delivery truck is going to Tokyo, so I asked them to give you a ride.
Leave right after the graduation ceremony.
Dad.
Yukiko is looking forward to your arrival.
"Our appreciation for our teachers is greater than anything."
(Departure By Jun Kuroita)
"Many years have passed since we came to this school."
"When we think about it, the time has passed very quickly."
"It's time to say good-bye."
Jun Kuroita.
Certificate of graduation. Jun Kuroita. Born on July 10, 1971.
I graduated from middle school in March.
I was about to leave for Tokyo.
6 years have passed since I moved here.
C-Congratulations.
Mom,
I'm leaving for Tokyo soon...
leaving Dad and Hotaru here.
It's very hard for me to think about how they will miss me.
But,
when I think about my future,
I'll have to leave my Dad at some point in my life.
Rei said the same thing.
Rei,
I'm leaving for Tokyo.
To tell you the truth,
I planned to go to school with you there.
But,
it won't happen now.
Hotaru.
Take care of Dad for me.
I will.
Don't worry about us.
But write letters.
Okay.
To Dad.
I will.
Promise me.
Make sure...
you write every week.
Okay.
Hotaru.
To be honest,
I...
Dad...
I'll go get him.
Is this all you're bringing?
Sorry.
Sorry, this is his bag.
Thank you.
Take care.
Hurry up. He went out of his way to come here.
Please take care of him.
I'll let you know when I find out where Rei is!
Thank you very much.
"I love you.
I don't want to hear sad songs, not now."
I love you.
We ran and ran, and finally reached this room.
Since our love is forbidden,
we are just like two stray cats.
This room is like an empty box covered with fallen leaves.
So you cry like a kitten."
I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you.
Take it.
What is it?
Money.
I told your old man that I don't need it, but he left it anyway. Take it.
Um, but...
Just do it.
Save it.
But I can't...
Look inside.
The new bills have dirt on them.
It probably came from your old man's hands.
I can't take it.
Treasure it.
New bills are nice.
Keep it for the rest of your life.