eien no kataomoi

ลำดับตอนที่ #1 : ep1

eien no kataomoi

~ everlasting unrequited love ~

Irie Manato stares at the books lined up on the shelves in front of his eyes. Slowly, he reaches out for a math guide book & ruffles through the pages. Warily looking about, he sees the owner with a customer "Thank you very much." Staring back at the book in his hands & thinks "Do it! Do it!" Swallowing, he slowly unzips his bag "Don't be afraid of such a little thing like this!" Plucking up his courage, he starts to slip in the book into his bag when the owner calls out "Hey!" Startled, Manato drops the book onto the floor. Turning around, he sees the owner telling some kids reading "Don't read here! If you want to buy it first!" In a panic, Manato dashes out of the book store.....

Running & panting, Manato finally stops over a bridge, looking out into the water. Breathing heavily, Manato turns back & slides to his heels, sitting down leaning against the rails "I'm useless..." Suddenly a voice calls out "Hey!" Manato looks up through his fogged up glasses & sees a girl dressed in a red coat running towards him. Wiping his glasses with his fingers, he points to himself when she reaches him "You're calling me?" She smiles "Yes." Looking a little wary, Manato gets to his feet "What?" "You forgot something." "Eh?" Unzipping her coat, she takes the math book out & gives it to him "Here." Manato stares at it "Ah, that's not mine....." but she smiles mysteriously "I know. You were about to steal it, weren't you? But then you failed." Manato looks at her "You....." "I saw you. So I stole it for you instead." "For me...." "Aren't I something? Here." Cheerfully, she puts it into Manato's bag. Manato gives her a strange look & she frowns "Ah, now you're thinking that here's a cute girl but kind of strange." Manato, tilts his head, unable to reply & she smiles "I'm kidding! Actually I bought that book, look, I even have the receipt." Giving him the receipt, she adds "I only wanted to see your look of shock." Manato finally asks "Why did you do that?" "I feel the same way." "The same?" "I'm bored." "I'm not really...." "Feeling fed up, just wondering if there was anything interesting to do...the suspense of being a pickpocket, heart pounding...." Manato stares at her in silence & then glances at his watch "It's time for tutor class." Picking up his bag, he starts to walk away when she calls out "Hey, what color do you think the next car that comes by will be?" Manato turns back "I'm sorry but...." The girl ignores him "I think it's red. What about you?" Manato grunts & she pouts "Say something." Manato frowns "Probably gray." She smiles "Great, let's start the game." & walks to the side pavement. Manato mumbles "I'm going..." Looking out along the street, she says "Whoever's right has to jump out onto the road." "Eh?" "If it's red, I'll jump. If it's gray, you jump." Manato laughs "Don't be silly." & turns to leave. She watches him with a smile & then gets ready, red sandals on her feet. A red car passes by Manato, suddenly screeching to a halt. Manato freezes. Behind him a red sandal goes flying into the air, landing on the road. Manato mutters to himself in shock "No way! There's something wrong with her, I don't know anything! It's got nothing to do with me!" Without turning back to look, he starts running off, scared. However, conscience calling to him, Manato stops & slowly starts to turn around......

Manato, alone, walking among the sea of students heading for school.....

it's suppose to be the 21st century now

why I say 'suppose' is that

the way I was at that time

I felt no sense of reality

I didn't know what was real or what wasn't

that's why I will never forget you

because you were the one that saved me

I changed after I met you...

Manato in class, stares out the window & looks at the school gates. No one is there......

look at me,

I was a coward & all alone

the way I was back then....

In the school track & field grounds, Sawamura Haruka works out, practicing her sprints. Queuing up for lunch, Mizuno Taeko says "I thought you quit." Haruka replies "I did, but if I don't work out I don't feel good. & I can't sleep either." "So you're the healthy living type." "I am not." "Hey, there's a get together this weekend, come out once in a while....." "I pass." Suddenly Manato dashes in between them "Ah, sorry." In a rush he picks up the different kinds of breads & sandwiches "Where's the toasted bread? It's sold out! I'm going to be in trouble." Looking & seeing one in Haruka's hands, Manato asks "Can I have that?" Hesitating, Haruka finally nods "ok." Taeko however stops her "Stop it, you're being really thick skinned!" but Haruka tells her "It's ok." giving it to him. Manato gratefully takes it  "Thank you." Shoving his way to the top of the queue, he pays the lady "Excuse me." "Yes, thank you." Taeko stares at Manato with a pout "What a pain." while Haruka looks on, not saying anything....

Armed with goodies, Manato hurries back to a club room where four of his classmates are waiting for him "You're back! What took you so long?!" Manato quickly apologizes "I'm sorry, there were a lot of people..." One of the guys whacks him on the head with rolled up paper "Don't make excuses!" The guys sit down & grab at the breads "I'm hungry! Where's my egg sandwich? I'll swap with you..." Manato looks on, gingerly says "Uhm, it's 2,462 yen." The others react indignantly "What?! It's your treat!" Manato looks surprised "Eh?" One of them gets to his feet & glares at him "Say that again?!" Afraid, Manato backs down "Of course it's a treat, I just wanted to tell you how much it was...." "Trying to scare us?" Manato sheepishly smiles, nodding, scared......

In the counselor's room, Mariko, the English teacher, sits across the table from Manato, looking at his records "Recently your grades have dropped drastically, especially in science & math....& chemistry....." Manato however, pays more attention to Mariko's lingerie peeping out from under her vest. Mariko looks at him & Manato quickly removes his attention from her chest & looks down at the floor. Mariko tells him "If you don't try harder, you'll have to change your applications." Manato says dejectedly "Does it make any sense to try?" Eh?" "What I'm saying is, there's no more lifetime employment anymore, grades don't really matter too much either. Rather than....." Mariko interrupts "Irie-kun." "Yes?" "That's enough. Study harder." Obediently, Manato nods "I will." Mariko gets to her feet, keeping the documents. Manato looks surprised "We're done?" It's Mariko's turn to look surprised "Eh?" Manato smiles & shakes his head, taking his bag & leaves "Bye." "Bye." Left alone, Mariko gives a heavy sigh & looks sadly through the blinds, out the window.....

Manato heads down to the shoe lockers, muttering "I wonder....for a teacher to wear lingerie like that....." As he takes out his shoes to change, Saeki Tetsuya comes by to do the same thing "Hi." Manato nods politely "You came for class today?" Saeki replies "Yes, I was resting in the school infirmary." "Are you alright?" Manato asks, using polite Japanese. Saeki looks at him "You don't have to use polite Japanese with me. We're classmates after all, Orie-kun." Manato replies "I'm Irie." still being extremely polite. Saeki looks amused "I'm been held back two years already." Manato asks "What's wrong with you?" Saeki puts his hand on his chest "Here." Manato looks shocked "Your heart?" Saeki saunters up & whispers into Manato's ear "Lovesickness." Coolly walking back to his locker, he takes out a stack of love letters left for him by other girls. Manato looks shocked & envious "Wow." Saeki says "Bye bye..." & leaves. Manato talks to himself "Lovesickness...what a prig...." As he bends down to put his shoes back into the locker, Manato spots a letter inside. Taking out the blue envelope, he sees it addressed to 'Irie Manato-sama'. Manato stares at it in shock "You're kidding...." looking around warily..... 

Sitting on the ledge of a water fountain, Manato stares at his watch 6.08pm. Slowly, he pulls out the letter from his pocket & opening it, stares at the words inside "I'll be waiting for you at the fountain in front of the station at 5pm". Suddenly, someone in a red coat comes running by & in a flash, snatches the letter out from his hands. It's the same girl he met before. She looks at it "What's this? A love letter? "I'll be waiting for you at the fountain in front of the station at 5pm." Manato quickly gets to his feet "Give it back!" but she spins away "But it's past 6 already." "Give it back!" Manato grabs it back from her. She smiles "So you've been stood up!" Manato sits back down "No." "No?" "You need someone to stand you up, but I don't have anyone." "You don't? Did you write that yourself then?" "What I mean is, it's just someone making fun of me. It's just another prank." "So you're being bullied in school?" Manato nods "Yeah." "What do you mean 'yeah', isn't it tough on you?" "As long as I playact...." "Playact?" "I'm just playacting a kid who's being bullied. Although they're the one's bullying me, the script depends on me." She nods "Hmmm..." Manato looks at her "Do you understand?" She shakes her head "No I don't. Come on, let's play another game." "You'll just break the rules again." "I did not break any rules. This jumped in my place that's all." She kicks off a sandal towards Manato. Manato gets to his feet as she hops over towards him, steadying herself holding his shoulders as she puts the sandal back on. Manato asks "It doesn't matter but just who are you anyway?" "What do you mean who I am?" "No, just that it's such a coincidence meeting you again." "If meetings are coincidences, then not meeting are also coincidences." Manato nods "Hmmmm..." She asks "Do you understand?" Manato shakes his head "No I don't." As he walks off, she says "Are you going home already?" "Yeah, I've got to study." "What we talked about just now...." "Eh?" "If that script has already been written by you, how does it end?" "I haven't thought about it yet." She puts her hands on his shoulders & half whispers into his ear "Then do it." Manato looks at her "Do it?" "There are a lot of kids who are bullied end up killing themselves." "I didn't say I wanted to kill myself." "That's why I'm saying to do it to those guys." "I'll think about it." Manao walks off as she stares at him, smiling mysteriously.....

Coming home & opening the gate, Manato flinches & falls to the ground when the neighbor's dog scares him. Haruka comes out "Come on, let's go." Taking the leash, she brings the dog out for a run. Scrambling to his feet, Manato starts to say "Thanks for the toasted bread today....." but Haruka ignores him, walking down the flight of stairs. However at the bottom, she turns back & stares at Manato going into his house.....

Turning on the light in his room, tossing his bag onto the bed, Manato slides to the floor, leaning against the bed. Slowly, he takes the letter out from his pocket. Squishing it, he tosses it into the trashcan but misses. Picking it up & unfolding it, he spreads it out on his desk & looks at it. Opening a drawer, he puts the note in & closes it....

Mariko shuts the blinds & turns around, looking at Manato. She unbuttons her jacket "You're interested, aren't you." Manato, sitting at the table, looks surprised "Eh? What in?" Taking off her jacket, Mariko says "Don't play dumb", going over & sits on the table in front of him. Shocked, Manato mutters "Sensei, what are you doing?" Taking his hand, Mariko puts it on her breast. Manato looks away uneasily, muttering "This isn't good." Mariko asks "How is it?" "How what?" "How does it feel?" "Soft." "What are you going to do?" "Do?" Mariko sits on his lap "What you're going to do next?" "Do next?" "Go on..." "No...ah, well...." Mariko lifts his chin & moves to kiss him.....

Manato wakes up with a start, sitting upright in bed, breathing heavily. Feeling odd, he looks under the covers & grimaces.....

(-= Cj =- oops, a wet dream, haha!)

Manato sits on the floor, glumly staring at the dryer, watching the laundry tumbling dry. His father suddenly walks in, startling Manato "Morning, you're really early this morning." A little embarrassed, Manato asks "You're working on a Sunday Dad?" Shaving, he replies "Yes. Could you bring in the newspaper?" Manato nods....

Muttering "It's cold....." & shivering, Manato goes outside to take the newspaper. Haruka's dog next door barks at him, startling Manato & he grumbles "Shut up!" 

At the breakfast table, Irie reads the papers "Another high school kid killing someone...sudden rage? They just don't think....." Manato, chewing on some toast, mutters "They don't feel any sense of reality, that's all." Shocked, his father stares at him "You...." Quickly, Manato replies "Don't look at me like that! I'm talking about them, not me." "Of course! By the way, what we talked about before...." "What about?" "I meant...." "You getting married again?" "Yes." "Well, I don't have anything to say. I'm just another person that's all." "How can you say that? We're going to live together under the same roof. We have to get along...." "Sure. I'll just think of her has the housekeeper...." Irie gets to his feet & Manato hurriedly adds "I'm just kidding! It's a joke!" Irie lets him off & leaves for work "I'm going." Left alone, Manato nonchalantly takes another bite of his toast......

At her apartment, Mariko corrects a test paper. Saeki asks "How many marks did I get?" "96." "No way!" "Two careless mistakes." "Can't you give them to me?" "Nope." Saeki retorts "Stingy." lighting up a cigarette. Mariko looks at him "Hey, don't smoke." Saeki merely replies "I'm 20 already." Mariko gives in, getting to her feet "Then quit messing around & graduate." "I would like to if I could." "Because you're not feeling well?" "Yes, that's it." "You haven't attended enough days at school?" "Yes." Mariko reaches out to tap him on the head "Idiot." However Saeki catches her hand "I'm smart aren't I?" Pushing her down, he moves to kiss her. Just then the doorbell rings & Mariko quickly pushes him away. Saeki grumbles "Ouch! That's mean!" Mariko answers the door "I'm coming!" Hearing some voices saying "Hello!", Mariko opens the door to see Haruka & Taeko waiting outside. Taeko says "Haruko said to come over to visit." Haruko quickly adds "That's a lie! It was you!" Mariko hastily replies "I see, uhm, could you give me a minute? The place is a mess." Quickly, she shoves Saeki's shoes out of sight with her feet. Taeko assures her "It's ok with us...." but Mariko insists "Please wait as second..." closing the door. Saeki asks "Who is it?" Hurrying inside, Mariko grabs him "Shhhh! It's Sawamura & Mizuno!" "What are they doing here?" "There's no time for that!" "I'm your student too, there's nothing to be flustered about." Putting signs of having someone in her apartment out of sight, Mariko replies "Even then, we'll be asking for trouble!" "I don't mind." "But I do!" Hurrying to the veranda, she looks out in a panic. Saeki smiles "It's the second floor." Looking around, Mariko stares at the closet "Ah!" Saeki looks at her, eyes widening "What do you mean 'ah'?!"

Putting on the kettle to boil, Mariko says "I'll make some tea." Haruka replies "It's not necessary." However Taeko says "I'll like milk in mine please." Haruka looks at her in surprise "Milk?" "Yes, I want my bust to get bigger so I'm drinking loads of milk in my tea everyday!" "You're kidding!" The closet door slides open as Saeki's listening to the conversation. Taeko says "Sensei, you smoke?" Mariko looks at the ashtray nervously "Eh? Ah, sometimes when I'm in a bad mood, I'll just smoke one." Quickly coming up with an excuse. Inside the closet, Saeki grins. Taeko says "So you get into bad moods too. Do you have a boyfriend?" Opening up the doors to the veranda, Mariko replies evasively "I guess I'm not destined to have one." Taeko laughs "You're kidding! But all the guys in school have crushes on you, dreaming of having sex with you." Mariko gives an embarrassed laugh "No such thing!" Haruka adds "Are you being too idealistic?" "Right, or maybe the age gap too wide?" Mariko quickly replies "Eh? No, no such thing, someone younger than I am....." "Ah, you prefer the gentlemen with graying hair?" Mariko nods "Yes, yes....someone older...." Taeko asks "Ah, could I use the bathroom?" "Yes sure, it's over there." Mariko says to Haruko "The tea will be ready soon." Uneasily, Haruko tells her "Actually I wanted to come alone." "Did you have something you wanted to talk about?" "Well, yeah...." Suddenly Taeko comes back & interrupts "Hey, there's someone strange outside." Haruka & Mariko get up to look & Saeki finally slides the closet door open again, sighing.....

Peeping outside, Taeko sees someone wearing a hooded jacket taking a lacy bra from the washing machine "Ah!" Haruka asks "What is it?" Taeko shouts "It's a lingerie thief!" "What?!" Mariko tries to stop her "It's dangerous! We'll call the police instead!" However, Taeko hurriedly assures her "It's ok, I'll be careful." Haruka quickly puts on her shoes & goes after her "Taeko!" Mariko calls out "Sawamura-san!" but Haruka runs off after Taeko.....

The thief runs off down the side of the waterway with Taeko & Haruka hot on his tails. Taeko finally gives up, panting "I can't run anymore!" However, still fit from running, Haruka continues chasing the guy. Under a bridge, the thief finally trips & falls. Having caught up with him, Haruka says "Return it!" However, the guy doesn't reply, scrambling to his feet to escape. However, Haruka grabs him & he tumbles to the ground. Haruka stares in shock "Irie-kun?" Lying on the ground, Manato doesn't say anything. Taeko finally catches up with them "Did you get him?" At the sound of her voice, Manato gets up & quickly runs off. Taeko yells "He's running away again! Hey, doesn't that look like Irie?" Haruka shakes her head & starts walking away but Taeko is convinced "No way! It's him! That's sick!"

Ending up at the bridge, Manato stares at the water below. Slowly, he steps onto the rails & stands up. Spreading his arms wide, he closes his eyes & leans over.....

The cars go by, bringing Manato back to the present, leaning over the rail, staring at the water. Suddenly he hears a voice "So you're thinking of killing yourself?" Turning around, he sees the girl in the red coat walking up to him "So the ending of the script is that the kid who's bullied ends up killing himself? How boring." Manato steps back onto the ground "It's not that simple." She stares at him & spots the bra sticking out of Manato's pocket & pulls it out "What's this?" Manato quickly tries to grab it back "Ah, no...." but she flings it about out of his reach "Ah, so you like to dress up as a girl?" Manato replies "No way...." "Then just relieving stress from school? If that's the case I might understand." "I stole it. That's despicable, isn't it." "That's the worst." Shoving it back into his pocket, she says "It's bad to steal. Just tell me, I'll lend you mine instead." Manato looks at her in surprise "Eh?" "I don't think it's that bad to have an interest in lingerie." "Why not?" "It just means that you've got a rich imagination, that's all." Manato smiles "You're weird." "Compared to who?" "Ah, well, I mean...." "Thinking about it, everyone's weird, living everyday in total boredom." Looking sad all of a sudden, she stares out over the water. Manato looks at her "You don't want to live anymore?" She smiles "I don't know." Manato doesn't answer, just silently stands side by side next to her, staring out towards the water.....

Coming into school & taking his shoes out of the locker, a note falls to the ground. Manato picks it up & opens it, reading the words "I'm sorry." Giving a sigh, Manato mutters "Enough already....." As he enters the classrooms, his classmates pounce on him, pushing him onto the ground, tugging his jacket off.......

In the music room, Saeki plays a tune on the piano. Listening, Mariko asks "You wrote that tune?" Saeki gives her a glance & continues playing. Mariko adds "It's beautiful." Saeki stops "Even an English teacher can tell?" "Ah, talking that way, & here I was praising you." "That's not praise, just words. Which part & what's nice about it? Which phrase? & is that a personal feeling? Or what?" Nonchalantly, Saeki walks up to her & puts his hands on her hips. Pondering, Mariko replies "Let's see....." Saeki asks "If someone says you're beautiful, where does he mean? Your eyes? Your lips? Or the way you speak? You'd ask all of this wouldn't you?" Mariko smiles back "Not really. I'd be happy if someone said I was beautiful." Saeki frowns playfully "You're naive." "& you're thinking that I'm an idiot." "That's what I like about you." Saeki puts his hand on her chin & turns her face towards his own. The chime sounds & Mariko quickly says "Ah, it's time." Saeki pouts "You're evading the subject..." Mariko smiles "So what are you going to do? You're not coming to class again?" "Ah well, sometimes I guess I should attend class & listen to horrible English." "Look who's talking, you don't speak it any better having lived overseas." Saeki sarcastically adds in an exaggerated tone "This is a pen", following after her......

Mariko walks into the class to find everyone talking loudly "What's going on? Class is about to start." Everyone starts moving back to their seats & Saeki enters the classroom by the back door to see a bunch of guys huddling at the back. Mariko, noticing, approaches "Stop messing around & get back to your seats." They scramble back to their seats & Mariko, noticing someone in a girl's uniform, looks on in surprised. That person turns around & it's Manato, hair tied up & make-up horrendously drawn on his face. The whole class bursts out laughing, & a chuckle escapes Saeki. The boys snigger "Sorry sensei, we were just having fun." One of them by Manato gives him a kick "Hey Irie!" Looking at Mariko, Manato asks "Do I like pretty?" Everyone cracks up & one of them calls out "What an idiot!" Mariko orders "Keep it quiet!" Mariko tells him "Go & get changed!" but Manato plays along with the guys, pouts "Don't want to, this is my uniform!" Mariko gives in "Then just go get that make-up off & come back." Manato grins "ok." & waves daintily to the class. Saeki smiles, Haruka turns back looking troubled as Mariko says "Let's start the class. Saeki-kun, take your seat." Saeki mimics Manato "ok."

Manato stares at himself in the mirror "I look kinda cute." Taking off his glasses, he starts to wash off the make-up. Suddenly, he looks back up at the mirror, staring at his reflection, pain in his eyes......

At a club, Haruka looks at everyone dancing, feeling out of place. A couple of guys come up to her "Haruka, let's dance." "I don't know how to..." "It's ok, you'll learn." However, Haruka moves away "I wonder where Taeko is..." & runs off looking for her. Going up a flight of stairs into a different part of the club, she finds couples kissing. Taeko, in the arms of another guy, looks up "What's wrong?" "I'm going to leave." The guy gets up "Why? What are you saying?" Haruka walks off but Taeko tells him "Forget it, she's just being a goody two shoes....."

At the Irie house, Manato & his father are in the living room with a guest. Irie says "Until the junior high school reunion last year, how many years had it been?" Mizawa replies "About 20." Manato asks "What happened then?" Irie asks "What do you mean?" "Were you aware of each other in junior high?" Mizawa smiles "No, we hardly ever spoke." Irie however admits "I was, very much, that's why I couldn't speak to her." "Stop kidding!" "I'm serious!" Manato smiles "Dad's really taken with you. I understand cause you're really beautiful." Irie adds "She is." Embarrassed, Mizawa tells them "Stop it already, the both of you." Manato politely gets to his feet "I've got to go upstairs." Irie looks at his son "It's still early." Mizawa however, says "It's ok. You've got to study haven't you? It must be hard." Manato nods "Then, please take your time." Manato closes the glass door & starts upstairs. Irie grumbles "What's the matter with him." "It's ok, it'll take time for him to get used to the idea." "He just shy but I'm sure he's happy inside." "I hope so." "Ah, I'll show you the kitchen, I wonder if it's ok." "It's alright." "Ah, the dining table you picked, I've ordered it." "Great." Halfway up the stairs, Manato looks at them, feeling very much a stranger in his own home......

Haruka comes home muttering a tired "I'm home." Shocked to see her younger brother sitting on the stairs waiting for her, she asks "Satoru? What are you doing there?" "I'm hungry." Putting some spaghetti to boil on the stove, Haruka asks "Where's Mom?" Satoru, cleaning up the bottle of alcohol & glasses from the table, replies "She's gone to bed. She was drinking earlier." "Where's Dad?" "He's gone out again." "Did they fight again?" Satoru nods "Uhm." "I'm sorry, leaving you alone." "I'm fine. I'm used to it already." "I'll be done really quick, sorry." "It's ok." Tears start falling down her face as Haruka says again "I'm sorry....."

In his room, Manato stares at the note in his hands "I'm sorry." Pulling out his drawer, he takes out the previous letter & stares at them. The door suddenly opens & Manato hurriedly hides the letters away "You could knock." His father tells him "I'm going to send her back to the hotel." "Oh." "She'll be moving in the day after tomorrow." Irie puts his hand tentatively on Manato's shoulder "Please get along with her." Manato replies a tad irritably "I know." "Then I'm going." Manato looks at the opened door & gets up, slamming it shut. The phone rings & he picks it up "This is Irie..." Not getting an answer, he adds "If you're looking for my father he's gone out....." Manato give the phone a strange look & then hears someone say "Hello?" "Who's speaking?" "It wasn't me." "Eh?" "The one who told everyone about sensei's lingerie...." Manato turns & going to the window, draws the curtains open. Haruka in her room, looks back at him "I told Taeko to keep it a secret but she thought it would be fun." "It's ok, it's the truth in any case. & no one made a police report either." "I know." "Know what?" "The reason you stole the lingerie." "The reason? I didn't really have any reason....." "It's your mother, isn't it." "Eh?" "Because your mother left, you're wondering.....that's why it's not something perverted...." Manato chuckles. Haruka asks "Why do you laugh?" "Because it's funny. Why would I be interested in someone who's run off with another man?" "You're lying." "It's the truth." "You're the same as always, Sawamura." "The same as always?" "Really serious." "I am not! I went clubbing tonight." "You're kidding!" "No, it's the truth. I even had a drink." "Eh?" "It's been a long time since we drew the curtains back & talked like this." "Yeah, I guess so." "Yes, we used to get along really well when we were kids, we'd talk like this all the time." "Things changed after my mother left. After that Dad didn't talk with the neighbors anymore." "My home isn't any better." "No way, but you guys are...." "No. I think my Dad's having an affair. My parents might even get divorced." "Oh...." "If that happens I was thinking that we wouldn't get a chance to talk like this any more. I'm sure we'll move." "I see." "I wonder why." "Eh?" "They love each other & get married. & then slowly stop loving each other...." "Don't think about it too much." "Eh?" "It's bad for your skin." Haruka smiles "I guess you're right. I'm glad. You're the real Irie-kun right now." Manato looks surprised "Hm?" Haruka looks at him "You're not wearing those glasses." Manato is stunned into silence. Haruka adds "I know about it. There's nothing wrong with your eyes, is there...." Manato stares at her & then suddenly draws the curtains shut. Manato says "I'm hanging up." Haruka quickly answers "Wait! The shoe lockers....." However, Manato tells her "Bye." & hangs up abruptly on her. Haruka mutters "The letters....."

Outside, Haruka's dog barks seeing someone in a red coat walk up the stairs to the Irie home "Shhhhh! Anything interesting happening? You look kind of bored too." Curiously, she stares up into the house.....

Sitting alone on the roof top of the school, Saeki sees the guys from his class bullying Manato "Irie-kun, we've got a favor to ask. Could you lend us some money?" Manato looks back at the guys around him "Money? I already give you my tutor fees every month." "Just a little...." "Even if you say that, I know. I don't have the money you want. I could steal it from home but my father is really sharp. He's the type that knows immediately if I've stolen from his wallet in the middle of the night. I guess that must be the reason Mom left." "What are you muttering about?!" "What I'm saying is that if I do any more than that, it'll be a risk. If my father finds out, he'll come looking for answers. If that happens I'll have to tell him about you. Then my father would most likely come to school. You guys would be suspended from school, or worse, expelled." "Are you trying to threaten us instead?" "I'm just thinking about you. You don't want something like that to happen just before graduation, do you?" The boys exchange looks, not answering. Manato nods "I'm glad you understand" & saunters off. However, the guys pull him back & twist his arm behind him "Who do you think you are?!" Manato grimaces in pain "Ouch! You're getting violent!" "We just want some money, lend it to us or you know what's going to happen to you." Manato nods "ok, if you give me an IOU in return...." "Quit fooling around!" Saeki gets to his feet, watching them beat up on Manato. A knife falls out of Manato's pocket as the guys snigger "You're trying to scare us?! Who're you trying to fool?!" Suddenly, Manato turns around, the knife in his hands. The guys stop laughing as Manato gets to his feet.....

At the other corner of the roof above them, Saeki scribbles "KNIFE" onto the score sheet with him......

Manato stares at the knife in his hands "I got this by mail order." He starts walking towards the guys who are beginning to panic "Hey, he's gone crazy!" Manato smiles "It just arrived yesterday." The four guys take to their heels & scramble off. However, one of them trips & falls to the ground. He looks up at Manato who smiles, approaching slowly "What a suspense!" Frightened, the guy tells him "Stop kidding around!" Manato stares at him, as if in a trance "Kidding? Who's kidding about what?" Manato reaches out & holds the knife against his face. Trembling, the guy pleads "Stop it! Please stop! Please stop!" Inside him, Manato hears a voice telling him "Do it!"" Slowly, Manato raises his hand, about to plunge it into the guy "Do it!" About to bring his hand down, someone suddenly reaches out from behind & grabs his wrist. Saeki coolly says "That's enough." & then with a smile, tells the scared classmate "Don't tell anyone about this. & tell the others to keep their mouths shut too." Scrambling to his feet, the guy takes flight....

Slowly, Saeki takes the knife from Manato's hand. Manato slumps to the ground, leaning heavily against the rail. Folding the knife back, Saeki tells him "Alright, take a deep breath." Manato looks at him "Eh?" "Like this...." Saeki lifts his arms & takes a deep breath. Manato closes his eyes & breaths deeply. Saeki says "One more time....." This time, Manato follows Saeki's actions, lifting his arms & taking a deep breath. Saeki finally asks "Feeling calmer?" Manato nods politely "Ah, yes." Saeki waves the knife "I'm keeping this." & Manato politely replies "Please, go ahead." Saeki smiles "Stop speaking polite Japanese. We're classmates, Irie-kun." With a cool smile, Saeki gets to his feet "Well then, bye." Manato watches Saeki saunter off. Alone & a troubled look on his face, Manato reaches up & takes off his glasses.....

As Haruka comes out of class, Taeko comes running out after her "Will you go out with me?" "Sorry, I've got something to discuss with sensei." "Are you still mad about what happened?" "No." With a smile, Haruka walks off.....

Quietly, the door slides open. Mariko, listening to an English tape with headphones on, doesn't hear. Suddenly, she finds a knife by her face & she jumps in shock. Looking up, she sees Saeki "Idiot! Don't scare me like that!" Saeki pouts "But I wanted to give you a scare."  Mariko looks at the knife "What's with that? It's dangerous." "I bought it by mail order." "What for?" "To kill you & then myself." "Why do we have to die?" "Because we're living in sin." Mariko's expression changes & Saeki adds "It's a joke, I'm sorry." "If you want to apologize, then graduate from high school." "If you're willing to forget about him. There's nothing you can do thinking about a person who's dead." Looking out the window through the blinds, Mariko replies "In my heart he's still alive." "Don't you feel lonely that way?" "Sometimes." "Then I won't graduate." "Saeki-kun!" "Cause I don't want you to feel lonely even sometimes. That's why I'll always be with you. I'll stay in school forever." Saeki puts his arms around her. Mariko says "I'll become an old lady." "It's fine." "& I may never love you." Saeki nods, not saying anything. Mariko asks "Won't you feel lonely then?" Saeki quips "Not as long as you recharge my batteries in a while...." hugging her. Suddenly, Mariko sees someone & pushes him away "Sawamura-san?" Haruka, quickly replies "I'm sorry, I knocked but...." Hurriedly, Haruka slides the door shut with a bang & leaves. Mariko sighs "She saw us..." Saeki grins unaffectedly "She saw us....she won't say anything." "That's not the problem. I'm sure she wants to discuss something, she must have something she's troubled over." "If that's the case, I know." "What?" "Sex!"

Haruka hurries down the stairs & stops by the window, muttering to herself "How come I keep seeing those kinds of things......"

At the bridge, Manato stares out unseeingly over the water. Suddenly, he hears someone call out "Were you waiting?" Manato slowly turns around & looks across the road. The girl in the red coat smiles "Were you waiting for me?" Crossing the road, she asks "Are you feeling sentimental today too?" Manato turns back & looks over the water, not replying. Reaching him, she asks "Did you still lingerie again?" Manato quietly replies "No." "You didn't? Then anything interesting happen?" "I don't know if it's interesting or not." "What is it? Tell me." "I bought a knife by mail order." "A knife?" "I don't know what I bought it for. When I realized it, it was in my pocket." "& then?" "On the roof top of the school, in front of those guys, the knife fell out." "Those guys....the guys who were bullying you?" "Yes." "Did you do it? No way! I was only talking about it jokingly. You didn't really....what happened after that?" "I was stopped." "You mean you didn't do it? How boring."

Quietly, Manato says "I told you before didn't I? That I had written a script & am merely playacting another 'me'." She nods "Uhm." Manato takes his glasses off & looks at them "These glasses....they're actually not powered." Taking & looking at them, she says "It is!" & returns it to him. Manato takes it & puts them back on "I can't remember when but I started wearing these, & looking through a filter." "I see...you're surprisingly profound...." Manato turns around & slides to his heels "No matter what I do or what happens to me, even if there's no place for me at home or at school, as long as I'm playacting, it's not the real me." "It's difficult but somehow, I kind of understand." "But today, I realized something...." "What's that?" "That the guy I was playacting had completely taken over the real me." She gets down to her heels & looks at him "So the fake you has taken the real you away?" Manato nods "Yes." "That's scary." All of a sudden, Manato starts crying. Looking at him, she asks "& who's that crying? The real you? or the fake you? Who's tears are those?" Manato replies, still crying "I don't know....." Suddenly, she gets to her feet "Let's play a game." Blinking back tears, Manato looks at her "Eh?" "The next car that comes by, what color do you think it will be?" "That again?" "Doesn't matter, what color?" "Whatever color's fine." "In that case, whatever that comes along, you jump." Manato looks at her as she asks "Can you do it? You're a guy aren't you?" Manato nods & finally gets to his feet. A truck approaches & she says "It's coming." Nervously, Manato mutters "It's huge!" "You can do it with one step."

Manato stares at it & plucking up his courage, closing his eyes, he steps out onto the road. The truck sounds its horn urgently & at the last moment, she reaches out for his hand & pulls Manato back. Manato falls to the ground & she takes of his glasses, throwing them onto the road. The truck rushes by & crushes the glasses into pieces. Manato stares at them, not saying a word. She says "He's dead." Manato looks up at her & she tells him "The fake you is dead." Getting to his feet, he stares at her, getting a smile back "You're weird." "Compared to who?" Manato finally smiles. "Hey, by the way, I still don't know your name." Looking out over the water, she replies "It's Yui." "Yui?" "I'm Manato. Irie Manato." Turning back to look at him, Yui smiles "I know." Manato looks at her in surprise "Eh?"

Movers bring in furniture into the Irie house "Where do we put this?" Irie replies "In the room furthest inside. Be careful." In the living room, Mizawa smiles as she unpacks.....

In Manato's room, Yui goes through Manato's CDs, flipping through his books. Her mother walk in "You can't just walk into other people's room & mess around with his things." Yui replies "What's wrong with that?" "Enough of that, go change & get to school." "Alright." "Get along with him ok?" Yui pauses at the doorway "We're getting along pretty well already."

In class, Mariko is teaching English. Taeko whispers to Haruka "Is that really Irie-kun? He does look pretty cute!" Haruka stares at Manato beside her, not wearing his glasses, resting his chin on his hand......

it's not to much to say that

ever since that time,

I changed for you, is it.....

Manato stares out the window at the school gates. Suddenly, he sees Yui in her red coat walk in. With a smile, he stands up & walks to the window......

that's why I'll never ever forget you.....

Mariko looks up "Irie-kun?" Everyone turns to look at Manato sliding the window open. A gust of wind enters, ruffling the pages of his text book left on the table. Manato stares at Yui as she spots him, smiling & waving to him from below......

& when I was crazily & madly in love,

with my beloved younger sister.....