boku ha byouin to tatakau!

I do battle with the hospital!

 

Mom was dead...

from her ashes...we found a burnt mesu...

 

Nao makes a phone call to the hospital "...Minami sensei...he's not there!? When I called this morning..."

 

I called the hospital numerous times...

when I called that time, the doctor in charge wasn't there...

that time, my call was passed around back & forth...

I was told the same thing over & over, over & over again...

With Yuko washing the dishes & Runa looking tense as Nao raises his voice on the phone "Stop kidding around! We found your hospital mesu in the ashes! Tell Minami sensei to call us & explain!!" Nao hangs up angrily as Runa watches him, Yuko wipes the table, neither saying a word. With a sigh, Nao turns & sees his father slumped in drunken stupor over the counter in the okonomiyaki restaurant. Walking over, Nao mutters "What...sleeping here...you'll catch a cold..." & half carrying his father, helps him inside the house, Yuko giving him a hand...

When the call from Dr Minami came, it was past 9 at night...

Nao answers a call "Eh?" The whole family leaves their house, Shiro stumbling out the door...

We rushed to the hospital...

...we'll find out about Mom...

...just asking sensei & we'll find out...

in our hearts, there was a quiet excitement...

as if we were going to see Mom one more time...

When the family arrives at the hospital, two hospital security guards confront them "Were you the one that made the strange phone calls!?" Nao doesn't understand "Eh?" "You're the one that made the threatening phone calls?!" At that moment, a door opens & Minami steps out into the corridor "Ah...is this regarding the Masaki family?"  Walking up to them, Minami says in a condescending tone "My apologies...I couldn't place the name with the faces...I see a lot of patients everyday..." Turning to the security guards, Minami explains "They're the family of a patient that died here recently..." To Nao, Minami adds "The last person who received your call said the person was extremely agitated...thought without a doubt that it was a threatening phone call...I'm sorry..." bowing to the family. The guards say "So they really are the family of a patient..." "Yes...gokurousama deshita..." "Then excuse us..." "Thank you..." When the guards leave, Minami turns back to the family "Please...come this way..."

In a private office, Minami asks "...was it really a mesu? ah, never mind...if it's a mistake, then just stay it's a mistake...just apologize without protest...it's very common...at the crematorium, many things are placed together with the body....for example, the person's precious pen or accessories...I don't mean to be rude but perhaps you've made a mistake?" At Minami's rather insolent attitude, Yuko says "Nao, show him what you brought..." Minami smirks "You're really merciless...family out in full force...just what on earth are you scheming?" Yuko retorts in surprise "...scheming!?" Shiro interrupts to calm the situation down "Excuse me, but could you explain the circumstances under which my wife died?" Minami replies "That explanation has been told you already..." but Shiro pleads "...so that the children can understand, please explain in detail one more time....please..." bowing before Minami. Manami sighs half muttering to himself "Looks like I've got no choice...then let me get the hospital records for verification...please wait here..." Shiro replies "Thank you very much..." & Minami, looking rather disgruntled, walks to the door. As he's about to go out, he turns back & says to Shiro "Masaki..." Shiro stands up "Yes?" "You've been drinking haven't you...coming here drunk, really no common sense..." & with that sarcastic remark, walks out the door...

After that, we waited for nearly an hour...

& then another hour...without telling us the reason, making us wait...

going to a big hospital, waiting for an hour or two was a very natural thing...

at that time, we had the preconceived idea...

that hospitals were places where people were saved...

that what doctors said were always correct...

With Runa having fallen asleep, Yuko says to Nao "What if it's as Minami sensei says...we've made a mistake...what do we do?" Nao looks at her without saying anything & then turns away. With a look of conviction on his face, he says "It's definitely a mesu..." Shiro tells them "After listening to the details...& if they come to say a prayer for Mom that will be enough...no matter what happened, the doctors did their best for her...also for the sake of your mother, I'll believe that..." Nao & Yuka remain silent. Suddenly there's a knock on the door & Shiro stands up "Yes?" Isetani Keizo walks in "Excuse me...getting in touch with our legal advisor so it took some time..." Shiro says in surprise "...lawyer?" "In matters involving money...we let the lawyers handle..." Shiro replies "Money? When did we ever say we wanted money?" Isetani condescendingly replies "That's what everyone says in the beginning...that money isn't their intention..." Nao gets riled "It's got nothing to do with money!" Isetani continues "For example, if a customer says that there's a strand of hair in their ramen (noodles), suddenly being told that, the restaurant will only be flustered & be doubtful..." On hearing this, Shiro gets agitated & raises his voice "Where's the doctor? Where's the doctor just now?" Isetani merely says "It appears you've been drinking...a little drunk but awake now?" Shiro barely contains his temper "What happened to Minami sensei!?" "He's been called to emergency surgery..." "...surgery?" Angry at the treatment, Shiro grabs Isetani's collar "What the hell are you saying?!" Yuko tries to stop him "Dad! Stop it!" but Shiro carries on shouting out his frustration "Just what do you think of other people?! Considering ramen & my wife together! Don't treat us like fools!!" Nao looks on, undecided as to what to do as Yuko tries desperately to stop Shiro from hitting Isetani. Yuko yells "Stop it!" Shiro ignores her "Quit fooling around!" The ruckus wakes Runa up who cries "Dad! Stop it!" Hearing Runa, Shiro stops & breathing heavily tells his family "This is enough! Let's go...Runa let's go home..." Taking her hand, he says again "Lets go home!" Yuko grabs her jacket "Dad! Wait!...Wait! Dad!" & go after them. As Nao walks towards the door to leave, Isetani says "Next time we meet, please tell your father not to drink..." Nao asks him outright "Who are you? What sort of position are you in?" Isetani replies "I'm a doctor at this hospital's surgical department..." 'Did you take care of my mother?" "No I didn't..." "Then why are you...??" "I'm the head of the surgical department...that's to say, as Minami's boss, I have a responsibility as someone in charge..." "If you have that great a position as you say, then please listen to my story...normally, my father never drinks...it's strange, but after he got injured working as a plasterer, when he drinks, he said the wound would ache...that's why.....drinking now has only been since Mom died...in this hospital...after being cremated....becoming bones & ashes...& then, this..." Nao takes out the mesu from his pocket & shows it to Isetani. As Isetani takes it for a closer look, Nao asks "Isn't that a hospital mesu?" Isetani returns it to Nao without saying a word. Nao says naively "You believe what I say, don't you?" Isetani bluntly replies "There's no evidence..." Nao's surprised "Eh?" Isetani stands up "I...believe what Minami says...excuse me..." walking out to the corridor....

Nao goes after him "Wait a minute! Listen to me!" Isetani turns round & tells him "Your mother was not a patient at this hospital...she was brought here unidentified...none of the family members were here either...not knowing who or from where, Minami desperately tried to save her...you should be grateful for that!!" Spitting that out, Isetani turns to go but Nao, losing his temper, grabs Isetani "Wait a minute!" "Get out of my way!" "Then what is this mesu I found in her ashes?! At the crematorium, finding this mesu in my mother's remains! Just what is this?!!!" "Get out of my way!" "Wait a minute! Listen to me!!" The security guards, hearing the commotion grab a hold of Nao "What are you doing?! Stop this! This is a hospital!" but Nao struggles "Let me go! Wait! Then what is this?!! " yelling at Isetani, who just walks off...

Next morning, Nao wakes up, comes down into the living room...

Up to that point in time, we were just a normal family, one found anywhere...

waking up in the morning, a mother's there.....

a normal family where a mother is there...

 

Nao stands by the stairs & looks into the living room, recalling his mother laying out the table with breakfast, saying to him "Morning Nao! If you don't hurry you'll be late for school!" Nao walks into the living room & sitting down, looks into the kitchen, recalling his mother preparing food "Where's Yuko? What's happened to Yuko? Not awake yet?" 

 

At Nonaka Lawyers, Kirino walks in with coffee & donuts in hand. On the couch, Nonaka lies curled up under a blanket, asleep. Kirino takes a cigarette & opening the window, looking up into the sky. As she's about to light her cigarette, she notices someone looking up at her.....Nao....the both of them stare at each other....

 

Munching a donut, Kirino asks "...& then? What do you intend to do?" Nao puts the mesu down on the table in front of Kirino "That this mesu is Shoei Sogo Hospital's...I want to prove that..." "What do you intend to do proving these two are related?" Nao replies with conviction "That our story is not made up...I want them to understand that!" From the couch, Nonaka interjects "Taking on the hospital was terribly frustrating wasn't it...so you're accepting the case?" Kirino looks over at him "Nonaka-san..." but Nonaka simply tells her "Turning him away would be too cruel...help him out..." & then to Nao "Leave everything to her..." Nao replies "Yes...ah, I came here without telling my father...if I discussed with him about lawyers, he'd probably object..." Kirino asks "Why?" Nao replies "I think he doesn't want to know...the doctors did their best...for Mom's sake that's what he believes, he said..." Kirino adds "Then what about you?" but before Nao can reply, Nonaka reaches for the mesu "Let's take a picture of the mesu..." To Nao he asks "Is that alright?" "Yes..." Nonaka hands a camera to Kirino "Here..." 

 

As Nao walks away from the office, he looks up to see Nonaka give him a wave from the window. Saying to Kirino "If the civil case is handled carefully, a large amount of money will come rolling in to that boy & his family..." Kirino replies "That boy only suspects there's more to his mother's death & only wants to find out about that...not money..." "We're not investigators...rather than exposing the truth, our job is to think of our client's happiness...find a way to resolve the matter as soon as possible...with a large sum of money in front of them, that boy & his family will not be able to find an excuse to refuse..." Kirino doesn't reply, just continues smoking...

 

Back at school during Kendo practice, Nao defeats one of his friends "Don't go easy on me..." His friend replies "Your Mom just passed away, think we'd let you get hurt?" Nao brings his hand down on his friend's head who intentionally misses blocking Nao's hand. Nao smiles "So it's true..." both of them laughing...

 

In the changing room Kota says to Nao "You haven't been coming to school...we were getting worried...but you look great..." The other guys gather around Nao "Come here, come here...sit down...now that you've got your spirits back up, have you forgotten one important thing?" 

 

Isetani Ami says on her cell phone "...that's good...I'll bring some of my friends along..." Nao speaking on his cell phone at the club "Really sorry about this..." "It's ok...actually I was wanting to call you...hearing about your Mom...but I didn't know what to say..." "I'm fine now...right now everyone's around, all the guys..." The other guys grab the phone from Nao & say "Hello! It's us! Looking forward to going out with you girls..." Ami smiles, listening to them squabbling & Nao finally grabs the phone back from them. Nonchalantly, Nao says "Hello, so that's the way things are, bye..." & hangs up. The guys grab it back from him still squabbling, Nao smiles....

 

With a smile, Ami hangs up & goes out to the living room where her mother, Akiko, is preparing dinner "Mom, can we go shopping tomorrow?" "Why all of a sudden?" "Just got a call from Masaki..." "Ah...didn't you say his mother just passed away?" Ami nods "I asked one of my seniors...heard that she died of karoushi..." At that moment, Ami's father walks in to hear Akiko say "..karoushi?...ah, welcome back..." Ami turns around to see her father & smiles "Welcome back..." Isetani replies "I'm home...here's the mail..." Akiko says "Thanks...Ami, could you set the table?" "Alright..." replies Ami & heads off to the kitchen. Akiko follows Isetani into the study when he says "Just now you were talking about karoushi...?" "Ah, a mother of Ami's friend...they run an okonomiyaki restaurant...getting married to one who runs his own business & then dies of karoushi...really sad..." Stunned at the news, Isetani doesn't say anything...

 

Runa sits at a table in front of her mother's altar & draws a picture "It's finished!" Noticing the mesu at the altar, she stares at it. Yuko calls from the kitchen "Runa!" "Yes..." replies Runa, still staring at the mesu...

 

Yuko sets the table with food, packed from the store "We've got to buy a proper altar..." Shiro looks up from his paper "Hm? Oh..." Runa walks in & Yuko tells her "Runa, let's eat first...Nao's going to be late with his club activities anyway...come on..." Runa replies "I want curry..." Yuko & Shiro look at her "Hm?" Runa tells them "I want to eat the curry rice that Mom makes..." putting them in a spot...

 

At the office, Kirino's pouring over information on surgical scalpels, munching donuts & having coffee...

 

The next morning as Nao gets dressed to go out "...curry?" Yuko says "Runa loved the curry that Mom made...me too..." Nao replies "That? When I get back I'll make it for you..." Yuko retorts "You can't..." & then turns back to ask curiously "What's with you all dressed up? Not going for your club activities?" "I was asked by the guys at the Kendo club...it's a club activity!" Nao stresses...

 

Together with his friends from the Kendo club & Ami's friends, Nao spends the day at the amusement park going on rides & playing games. Nao wins a little soft toy & give it to Ami. Having a break later, Nao writes as Ami says "...then add vegetables & cook...then add paprika..." Nao asks "Papri...?" Ami nods "Uhm...paprika..." Nao shakes his head muttering to himself "What's that?" Ami looks at him "What's going on? Asking how to make curry all of a sudden..." Nao returns her pen "Nothing...thanks..." Ami asks "What shall we do next? Everyone's gone their separate ways..." Nao bluntly replies "I've done my duty so I'm going home..." & simply leaves the amusement park. As Ami follows him out, he says "You took the train didn't you? I'll send you to the station..." "Are you really going home already?" Ami asks, sounding a little disappointed. Nao starts to say something "Uhm..." "Yes?" "Forget it..." "What is it? What what?" asks Ami excitedly. Nao tells her "It's crappy...that soft toy..." "Eh?" "The clothes & face don't match at all...doesn't suit you....you like it? Isn't it crappy?" Ami retorts "It's up to me to decide whether or not it matches! I like it so it's up to me what I want to do!" Nao replies "What are you getting upset about?" "You're the one that gave it to me that's why..." "But that's just a cheap toy, you can find it anywhere..." Ami fiercely retorts "When you gave it to me, that moment became something that can't be found anywhere..." & then mutters to herself "...what a girl feels...absolutely doesn't understand..." Nao says "I'm sorry..." Ami tells him "Here's fine..." "I see..." Ami, surprised at Nao's response, stubbornly replies "Good bye!" Nao says "Good bye..." & walks off. Still smarting, Ami throws another "Goodbye!" at Nao who turns around, says "Goodbye..." again & coolly carries on walking...

 

Nao arrives home with packages of groceries "Arrgh....drives me mad....what paprika...really need it?!...." muttering to himself. Turning around, he sees Yuko clearing the table & asks "Who came?" Yuko replies "The secretary general from the hospital...came with flowers to pay his respects & then left without saying anything..." Nao stops what he's doing & asks "Why the secretary general...?" Going in front of the altar, he looks around "Aneki, where's the mesu?! Aneki!" Not seeing it on the altar, Nao dashes out of the house...

 

On a bridge in the distance, Nao sees Shiro bowing to a man. Yelling "Dad!" Nao comes running up to him "Dad!" & panting, asks "Where the mesu?" Seeing an envelope in Shiro's hand, Nao asks "What's that?" Snatching it out of his father's hand, he rips it open & then says "What's this?" holding out the envelope filled with money. Shiro replies "mimai-kin (gift of money as a token of one's sympathy) from the hospital..." Nao drops it to the ground in anger "Why did you accept that?! Where's the mesu?! You gave it back?! Where's the mesu?!" Shiro reaches into his pocket "No..." & takes out the mesu. Nao looks relieved but in the next moment, Shiro flings it into the weeds growing by the river below. Nao yells "What are you doing?!" Shiro bends down to pick up the money "This is the end of it..." Nao looks at him in surprise "Eh?" "With this money, everyone can have a good meal...& with that, it's over..." "Dad!" "The hospital will never admit that the mesu belongs to them...just being mad, it's useless..." "Wait a minute Dad...I've asked a lawyer for help...I've discussed & met them...there's a lawyer's office in front of the station...go with me next time?...let's go together & do it formally!" Shiro gently reminds him "We haven't got the money to engage a lawyer..." Nao can't find anything to say & Shiro says "It's enough...let's go back to our lives before...I want to go back..." Shiro walks back, leaving Nao standing alone at the bridge...

 

As the family has dinner...

 

That day, the curry I made was very different from Mom's...

although everyone ate without saying anything...

it was far from the taste of Mom's...

wasn't in the least bit delicious...

 

As Nao clears up after dinner, washing the dishes, Runa says to him "Oni-chan...gochisosama...gochisosama...it was delicious..." Nao & Yuji listen in silence, staring at Runa trying to be cheerful...

 

...can we go back?

....me...my family...

...to the family life we had before...

...can we go back?

 

 As Nao sits in contemplation, the phone rings "Yes, this is Masaki..." "It's Kirino..." "Ah, I was thinking of calling you..." says Nao, looking at his father slumped over the counter. Nao continues "Dad...ah, I mean...money...asking you for help, how much money is it going to take?" When Kirino remains silent, deep in thought, Nao lies "...we've...got money...we've got the money to engage a lawyer...although we do, I thought I'd better ask...hello?" Kirino at long last says "Before you go to school tomorrow, can you come by the office? I've identified the mesu..." 

 

The next day at the office, Kirino spreads out the catalogs of all the surgical scalpels in front of Nao "Right now the big hospitals are currently using scalpels that are mostly these types...the handles are made of plastic..." "Plastic?" "It'll be gone once it's burnt...when it's burnt only the stainless part will be left...so isn't this what you found?" Kirino places a photograph of the mesu Nao found on the table. Nao asks "So does this mean it isn't a mesu?" Kirino brings out another brochure "I didn't say that...there are various types...produced on a small scale are these ones...parts can be removed & change...compare it with what you found..." Nao does & says "It looks similar..." "That's the stainless part that was left after being burnt..." "Then after all..." "I've also identified the manufacturer...it's definitely a scalpel...on top of that, it's not an unusual product...but if Shoei Sogo Hospital uses it, they can't give any more evasive answers... let's go see Dr Minami together..." Nao asks "You'll go with me together?" Kirino nods "After school I'll meet you at the hospital...ok?" "Yes!"

 

Nao walks along the bridge & looks over the overgrown river bank where Shiro threw the scalpel. Jumping in, he starts searching for it...

 

At the hospital as Ami waits, she hears a couple of nurses gossiping "...Minami sensei?...yes, it appears to be quite serious...."

 

As Isetani gives Ami a ride, Ami asks "Did something happen to Minami sensei? The nurses were talking about it..." "Nothing...you came because you had a stomach ache?" "Actually, I was half faking it...actually I was just bothered about a little disagreement I had with a friend..." "Looks like you really like him, your boyfriend..." "Boyfriend?!" "Like him to the extent of getting a stomach ache & feeling sick?" "We're only friends..." Ami looks out the window & just as they're crossing the bridge, she says "Papa stop!" Getting out of the car, she says "Here's fine...I'll walk to school from here..." Isetani looks at his daughter running off...

 

Ami yells "Masaki!" Nao turns around & sees her smiling at him. Ami looks around for a way down. As she climbs down, she calls "Masaki!" & with a shriek, falls down. Masaki looks irritated & ignores her. Ami walks up to him "What are you doing here? What about school?" "What about you?" replies Nao from among the reeds. Ami asks "What are you doing?" "Looking for something..." "Eh? What are you looking for?" "Nothing to do with you..." "I'll help you look..." "No need..." "Even meeting by chance I'm happy...I guess you don't understand..." "I said there's no need..." "I'll help! What are you looking for?" Nao gives in reluctantly "...mesu..." Ami doesn't understand "mesu? (a female animal) a grasshopper or a praying mantis or something?" Nao replies irritably "mesu! mesu! A hospital mesu!" "Why look for that here?" "It was thrown here..." "Why?" "It was just thrown here so what choice have I got!" says Nao, exasperated. Ami gives a pout "I said I'd help you find it, you don't have to talk like that!" "I said there's no need, I'll do it myself..." "Even if you object, I'll look for it..." Nao sighs at her stubbornness & continues searching...

 

Up on the bridge, Isetani looks at the both of them...

 

Finally, Ami stands up with a sigh "Can't find it..." Nao says "A mesu is hard to find, not to mention a burnt mesu...it's hard to spot..." "Why is it burnt?" "I found it at the crematorium..." "Eh!? At the crematorium?" After a pause, Nao tells her "I found the hospital mesu in my mother's ashes...that's what I think..." Ami doesn't reply, thinking & suddenly spots something. As she bends down to pick it up, Nao continues "After this, I'm going to the hospital with the lawyer...to Shoei Sogo Hospital...to show the doctor in charge of my mother that the mesu is the hospital's..." Stunned, Ami mutters "Shoei Sogo Hospital..." Nao turns around to see Ami holding on to the plastic bag containing the scalpel "That's it! That's it!" When Ami doesn't get up, Nao asks "What's wrong?" Ami mumbles "My stomach..." "Huh?" "My stomach hurt so I left school early today..." "Why didn't you say so earlier? You'd better go home & rest...I'll send you..." "It's ok, I'll just catch a ride...you've got to go to the hospital..." "Sorry...thanks..." "It's great...you found it..." "You really helped me...thank you..." Ami merely shakes her head & with a smile, Nao leaves...

 

At the hospital when Minami enters the office, a waiting Nao stands up to greet him "Good afternoon..." Minami says "Hello..." & seeing Kirino, asks "Are you the lawyer?" I'm Kirino, pleased to meet you..." Minami says "Wow...beautiful & young..." Kirino gives him her card & taking it, Minami says "Wow...please take a seat..." Kirino asks "Is there anyone else?" Minami replies "Our lawyer isn't coming..." Nao asks "What about the head of the surgical department?" Minami tells him "He won't show up for closed cases..." Kirino asks "...closed cases?" Minami replies "Yes...but since you took the trouble to come, I'll listen..." Kirino continues "You're the doctor that was in charge of Masaki's mother Teruko when she was brought in..." Minami tells her "Could you make it brief, I've got patients waiting..." Nao says "Kirino-san has found out about the mesu..." Minami replies "Just finding out & know everything?" Kirino explains "The various types of mesu..." Minami acts dumb "Mind if I blow my nose?" & reaches for some tissue. Nao says "What I found at the crematorium is a mesu!" "A mesu from where?" asks Minami. Nao retorts "Of course it's this hospital's mesu!" Kirino tells Nao "Keep quiet!" & then to Minami "We don't know what types of scalpels this hospital uses but we can find out easily...our purpose of coming here today is to settle out of court..." Nao looks at Kirino as she says "Finding a scalpel in the ashes at the crematorium...where's that scalpel came from & who's is it...as soon as that's made public the media will pounce on it..." Minami replies "So this is it...money in return for not going public..." Kirino says "It'll be fine if that happens too..." Nao interrupts "Wait a minute..." but Kirino tells him "Never you mind...keep quiet!" Nao however, stands up riled "How do you expect me to keep quiet! I didn't come here for that!" Minami goes "Wow, wow, wow..." & then to Kirino "If it's money, it's been paid..." Kirino looks at Nao in surprise. A knock on the door & Minami replies "Enter...this is our hospital's secretary general..." "I'm Matsumoto..." says the guy & then to Nao "Thanks for the other day..." Shocked, Kirino stands up & asks Nao "What's all that about?" Matsumoto explains "We paid a visit with the mimai-kin...as a token of from this hospital at his mother's death..." Kirino looks at Nao "...mimai-kin?" Minami says "He took it didn't he, his father..." Matsumoto replies "Yes..." Kirino asks Nao "Why do that?" Before Nao can reply, Minami says "Didn't I say so? This is a closed case..."

 

Kirino stomps off with Nao going after her "Not telling you about the mimai-kin I'm sorry! But what about you?! Talking about settling out of court! I don't want money! I only want to know the real reason for my mother's death!" Finally Kirino stops & tells him "You're got the wrong impression! You know that the mesu is the hospital's but not the real reason behind your mother's death! The mesu was merely an entrance!" Nao asks "What do you mean?" Kirino says "You don't  think that Dr Minami forgot & left that mesu inside your mother?" Nao thinks "That's true...he forgot & left the mesu, that's why Mom died..." Kirino tells him angrily "If you think that then think calmly! How are you going to find that out?! When your family got to the hospital, your mother was already dead...didn't have an autopsy done & was taken away...then your mother was cremated at the crematorium...where the mesu was left...under what circumstances did your mother die...no one can explain that now! Except for that Dr Minami in charge of your mother..." Nao remains silent & Kirino walks away in frustration. Finally she says "Do you think he's telling the truth? Dr Minami & the hospital showing their tough stance means they've got everything in their hands...a doctor possesses confidence & doing his outmost best, people with no medical knowledge believe in him...feel grateful to him...didn't your family believe in him once? Not only do you have no leads, taking on an enemy like that is a serious matter...not only medically but proficient technically in personal relationships & needing financial assistance...a high school kid like you have all that? You don't even have the money to engage a lawyer, do you..." Nao looks at her, unable to say anything. Kirino lights a cigarette & then says "Sorry to be so harsh on you...but settling out of court & getting money is not something disgraceful...if it's done well, you'll get a large sum of money...you...& your family...don't you need money?...your bitter fight...do you think your dead mother approves?" Nao stares at her & then nothing to say...walks away...

 

Nao approaches his home & stares at it...

 

We...brother & sisters....grew up facing those steel plates...

looking at our father's back...

looking at our mother's face as she brought in sales...

 

Nao enters the house & sees Shiro slumped over the counter. As he goes to help his father to bed, his sisters come out & give him a hand...

 

the money made from the sales everyday...

the crumpled notes & loose change...

from there we got our pocket money...

for Mother's Day, I together with my sisters...

bought her carnations & a pair of sandals...

found it at a nearby store...a pair for 980 yen...

 

Nao slides the door the little garden open...

 

but Mom wore that...

 

Recalling what Kirino said to him "I used to see her often when she took the dog out for walks...wearing a pair of sandals...saying "good morning"...always with a smile..."

 

Nao sits down on the floor, looks over at his father asleep in the room where his mother's altar is...

 

At the court a few lawyers talk among themselves "Settle it out of court...for how much?....80million yen...& the other party?....200million...uwaaa....then the profit will be 120million...remuneration of 860 so you'd get 1,300?...yes....come one, give us some interesting cases too!" As they walk past Kirino, she turns & starts walking, stopping suddenly. In front of her stands Nao "I came to ask you to help me one more time..." Kirino starts walking past him without saying a word. Not giving up, Nao tags along behind her "I heard from the office that you were in court today...how was it?" Kirino merely replies "It's was a sure win case just by appearing in court...the rich won...so? What is it you want me to help you with?" Nao replies "No matter what I wanted to see you...as a high school kid without knowledge or intelligence or money...please help me fight on..." Kirino starts walking "When do you get disheartened? If you do, now's the chance...I'm not that good a person to sympathize with your family & help you for free..." Nao says "I'll pay you..." "How?" "Using my pocket money...even if it takes years, even if it takes a lifetime..." Kirino ignores him "I'm sorry...I'll introduce another lawyer to you..." but Nao insists "But I want you..." Kirino pauses "Why do you want me?" "Because you know my mother..." "...only to the extent of knowing her name & recognizing her face..." Kirino starts walking again & Nao says "My mother...." & then yells after Kirino "Because you know my mother's happiness!" Kirino finally stops & Nao tells her "Didn't you say so yourself? Wearing a pair of sandals...saying good morning...always a smiling, speaking to you...my family...I...even if we didn't have money we were happy....even with money in front of us, we can't ever go back...can't ever go back again...that's why I want to know....I want to know the truth!" Kirino asks "Aren't you afraid?...how your mother was treated in the hospital...how she died...all the personal details..." Nao replies "Not knowing...with my eyes closed...I'm more afraid of that...but for the sake of my dead mother...please...please help me...me & my family...please help us...please help us!!....please help us!!!" Nao stands outside the court, pleading Kirino.....