uragiri to sayonara

 

betrayal & goodbye

 

 

In the Kendo club room changing after practice, Nao's friends talk among themselves, not realizing he's hidden behind in the corner, changing quietly. "Lawsuit?...Lawsuit...Nao's family's formally bring a lawsuit against the hospital...but my father said...can hate the crime but not the person...taking revenge against Shoei Sogo Hospital for the sake of his mother...better to settle out of court...what's do you mean settle out of court?...don't you know anything idiot?...but then again, he's really something....no matter what, going to court, he's not going to be popular with the girls..." As the guys gossip, Nao suddenly steps out. Kota looks away & the guys seeing Nao, tell him "Go for it...the lawsuit...lawsuit & Kendo both..." Nao nods "Yes...since I've returned, I will...will give my best for the District Preliminary competition too..." The guys cheer up hearing that & Nao quietly says to Kota "Even with the lawsuit, it won't involve the people in the shopping area...it's only Okonomiyaki-ya Shiro's problem..." Kota nods & Nao walks out, saying "bye..." to everyone...

 

I, until now, words like lawsuit....

had nothing to do the life of a common high school student...

even now, things haven't changed...

except for filing the lawsuit regarding the medical error...

 

As Nao walks home, he recalls what he & his family has discovered so far about his mother's situation in the hospital...

 

the whole family made a promise...

to lead a normal like as far as possible....

no...rather, more than before...

happier....

 

we can't lose...

even facing up to a long & intense medical lawsuit...

first, we have to overcome the sorrow of losing Mom...

 

Dad, a changed man, re-opened the restaurant...

little by little, little by little...

Mom's death gave us the strength to live on...

linking us together....

 

In front of the restaurant, the whole family gather together as they prepare for the re-opening the restaurant....

 

At Shoei Sogo Hospital, lawyer Ikezawa says "You've underestimated the other party haven't you...." After a long pause, Isetani Keizo says "Will you accept the case?" Ikezawa looks at Isetani, not replying...

 

Kirino, camera in hand, smiles "Alright, come one...stand closer to your Dad, towards the center...." As Shiro nervously fingers his sweater, Yuko tells him "It's fine...looks cool...ah wait..." Yuko reaches down & carries Wasuke. As they pose together, Kirino with a smile says "Taking it! Ready....." & presses the shutter....

 

Kirino tells Nao & Yuko "When I receive the response from the defense, I'll get in touch with you..." Nao replies "ok..." but Yuko asks "Response from the defense?" Nao explains "What the other party intends to do with regards to the lawsuit..." Kirino continues "After we get that we'll think of our strategy...regarding your Mom injuring her back & that nurse, I'll continuing working on those..." Nao & Yuko thank Kirino "onegaishimasu..." At that moment, they hear someone say "Good afternoon!" Turning to look, they see Ami & a couple of her girlfriends walking up. Nao greets them "Welcome!" Ami smiles at Kirino "Good afternoon..." & Kirino returns a pleasant smile "Afternoon...."

 

As Yuko walks Kirino to her scooter, Yuko voices her reservations "My brother seeing the defendant's "daughter"....legally that should be alright isn't it..." Kirino asks "Emotionally, it's unforgivable?" Yuko honestly replies "Of course I don't like it...don't like it but...I still don't know her well enough...Kirino, are you alone?" Kirino looks at her "Yes..." Yuko says "See...I don't know you all that well either....do you have a boyfriend?" Kirino smiles "I'm alone..." As Kirino takes her keys out of her bag, Yuko asks "Why did you except this case? Going beyond the scope of a lawyer's work...doing your best for us...why?" Kirino asks in reply "Why do you ask that?" Yuko explains "My brother trusts you...innocently, frankly believing in you...please don't betray those feelings...my brother's an idiot but please don't abandon him....my brother...yoroshiku onegaishimasu (take care of him)...." As Yuko walks off, Kirino recalls someone telling her "yoroshiku onegaishimasu...." & a teenage boy similar in age to Nao yelling at her "Get out!" Shaking off the memory, Kirino puts on her helmet, starts the bike & rides off....

 

At the okonomiyaki restaurant, the girls go "Ah! I'm so full! gochisousama-deshita...it was delicious!" As Shiro comes by to clear the table, he asks Ami "Does your mother know?" Ami looks at him "Eh?" "Coming hear today..." When Ami doesn't reply, Shiro mutters "Came without telling her?" As the mood changes, Nao says "Dad!" & Ami's friends decide to leave "Let's go...gochisosama deshita....we'll come again...." Nao turns to look at Shiro "I called her...re-opening the restaurant so told her to bring her friends along..." Shiro tells him "Hiding it from her mother & sneaking about is not good...I don't want to create a mess  but sneaking about is worse than making a mess of things..." Nao says "What are you saying...." Shiro comes back & serves something to Ami, stating firmly "In any case, that is that!" & walks away. Nao stares at what Shiro's placed on the table & then looks at his father going back into the house. Quietly, Ami says "I'm sorry...." but Nao tells her "He's not angry.....Dad's not angry...." Ami looks at him "But...." Nao tells her "Because he served you tea...Mom used to do that....serving tea to the customers that finished their meal...but Dad didn't think it was necessary, so the both of them would often quarrel...." As Nao looks at the tea & a plate of snacks placed on the table in front of Ami, he recalls his parents fighting "What's wrong with it?" asks Teruko & Shiro replies "I said there's no need to serve tea..." Teruko merely says "A piece of senbei (cracker) & tea is alright...." Shiro tells her "Serving these...the customers will linger & not leave..." but Teruko replies "They can linger....I want to hear them sigh 'ah, it was delicious'..." Nao tells Ami "That's why Dad refused to serve this...but Mom, no matter what sort of customers, she'd serve this to them at the end....saying 'please come again...'....that's what it means....." Ami reaches out for the tea cup "...please come again..." & takes a sip....

 

Putting the groceries away, Akiko says to Ami "Oh? So you just came back from eating okonomiyaki? That boy's father didn't drive you away..." Ami tells her "I will go on seeing Nao...." Akiko asks "What's so good about that boy?" Ami starts getting upset "I like him...don't talk bad about him!" Akiko continues "Because of that boy's lawsuit, do you know how difficult it is for your father..." Ami retorts "Just find out what happened! Why Nao's mother died...not covering up for Minami-sensei...why can't Dad just find out what happened for them?...I want...I want Dad to help Nao...." With a deep sigh, Akiko says "Even if it wasn't our hospital....no matter which hospital she might have been brought to....it's just her fate to die...you don't even know anything so stop talking as if the hospital is responsible!" Tears in her eyes, Ami runs off into her room.....

 

At the hospital, Ikezawa finishes reading the documents "I see...like this you'll lose..." Minami speaks up "Wow...but I'm not at fault am I..." Isetani adds "It's the result of wanting to save her & doing everything possible to deal with it..." Ikezawa adds "Well, in this case it's fine...whatever the judge can be made to believe in...what the courts believe in is the truth..." The secretary-general Matsuo says "Please do whatever you can..." Minami asks again "I'm not the one at fault am I..." Isetani continues "I don't want to harm Shoei Sogo Hospital any more than this...." Ikezawa scratches his head....

 

Outside the Ichigiya Obento & Sandwich store, Kirino waits along. Looking up, she sees Kikui approach & goes up to her "You're early today...not buying any obento?" Kikui walks off ignoring her but Kirino persists in following her "Talking about that movie the last time...I can't recall the title....but there's one scene that I can't forget....one day, the leading character got into a cab & didn't say anything to the driver...the driver asked 'Where to?'...then with an extremely tired expression, quietly answers..." Kikui stops & says "Stop trying to ask me questions...I don't know anything....I really don't know anything...." With that, Kikui walks away as Kirino watches in silence....

 

As Kirino returns tiredly to the office, Nonaka says "Welcome back..." Kirino smiles & then stops short as she sees someone at her desk. Nonaka says "Well excuse me..." & goes out. Ikezawa replies "Thank you....it's been a long time....simply coming in here & waiting....this is the family isn't it...the case you're handling right now...." Kirino asks "What did you come here for?" Ikezawa gets up & walks towards her "I'd like you to let me help...leaving the mesu behind, demanding 890 yen as compensation has gotten a lot of interest....a fascinating case isn't it..." Kirino smiles "You haven't changed..." Ikezawa continues "In any case you're having it tough aren't you....before long, those smiles will disappear...." referring to the photograph of the Mazaki family that Kirino took. As Kirino stares at Nao's picture, Ikezawa says "That boy reminds me of that case you were in charge of before...." Kirino recalls an old case with a the young teenager angrily throwing things about "Why wasn't he caught!!? Get out! Get out!" Ikezawa says "Kirino, won't you work with me?" Kirino looks at him without replying...

 

In her room, Ami says on her cell phone "Please...I want you to tell me...how your mother died..." Nao comes down the stairs & walks into the living room "Why ask that all of a sudden? We agreed not to talk about it..." "But just leaving things as is....I can't sort out my feelings..." "What sorting out your feelings? When we're together, I don't take this to heart..." "But I was thinking if I could do anything...." Yuko sticks her head in from the restaurant "Nao, come help with the cash register...hurry up..." Nao nods & says to Ami "Nothing at all....I'm hanging up...." Before Ami can say anything, Nao hangs up. Sitting alone, Ami thinks....& suddenly coming to a decision, the expression on her face one of determination....

 

At the office, Kirino pours herself & Ikezawa some coffee "The medical records have been altered...thinking about it now....knowing about leaving the mesu behind, the circumstances have all been re-written from the beginning..." Ikezawa replies "That's natural, doing something like that..." as he flips through Kirino's copies of the medical records. Kirino places a cup of coffee for him on the table & as he says "Thank you..." Kirino continues "The hospital underestimated what they assumed was merely an okonomiyaki restaurant that didn't know anything...now that we've stared to take action, they're doing so in a fluster...I'm certain that they've gotten a new lawyer....." Without a word, Ikezawa looks at her & smiles. Kirino asks "What?" Ikezawa laughs "Nothing...you're still the same.....speaking so rapidly....how about going somewhere else? Since it's been so long since we met again...having something light to eat.....but I think, even a ham sandwich will do...." Both lawyers exchange smiles....

 

At the hospital, Ami sneaks into the room where the medical records are kept & starts searching the shelves. Outside along the corridors, Kitayama pushes a cart, going on her rounds. Ami comes to the section "ma-wa" & as she reaches out for the files, her cell phone suddenly rings. Outside as Kitayama goes bye, stops short as the sound catches her attention. Ami takes out her cell phone & stares at the name on the display, Masaki Nao. Coming to a decision, she cuts off the call & Nao on the other end, hangs up, wondering. Ami reaches out to grab a whole bunch of files & they all tumble to the floor. In a panic, Ami puts her phone down on a shelf & picks up the files. Kitayama quietly opens the door & enters the room. Walking around, she doesn't see anyone. Suddenly, the phone rings & picking it up, Kitayama presses a button. Nao, thinking that he's gotten through to Ami, says "Hello....uhm, you wanting to know how Mom died...I understand your feelings of wanting to know the truth...I understand but I don't want to get you involved...&..." Suddenly the line is cut off. Surprised, Nao looks at his phone & then hangs up with a sigh. Kitayama looks at Ami's cell phone in her hand & then turning around, suddenly notices all files in a mess, some missing from the shelves...

 

Having a meal together at a restaurant, Kirino says "Generally in other medical treatment, it's not possible that a mesu is left behind. I'm certain that it was left during surgery..." Ikezawa tells her "You don't have evidence of that...." "But...." "What you've been saying is akin to a child having eaten daifuku & the mother without a thought, scolds the child.....we as lawyers cannot look at the daifuku floor smeared on the child's mouth & simply judge & scold....on top of that, the types of daifuku are not just one type...also need to verify that the daifuku that's disappeared is also the same type.......moreover, the types of daifuku flour...." Kirino smiles "daifuku, daifuku...really persistent..." They exchange smiles & Ikezawa suddenly says "Even if the other party denies everything, you haven't got any trump card up your sleeve to counter them..." Kirino's face changes & doesn't say anything. Ikezawa asks "You're still working after this?" Kirino smiles "Ah, not anymore today...."

 

Kirino-san only realized what that meant....

after the reply from Shoei Sogo Hospital was received....

 

Kirino drops the document on the table & sits back with a frustrated sigh. Nao asks "What does this mean?" Nonaka explains "The other party is sticking to their view that they left the mesu behind after your Mother's heart stopped & they performed the heart massage..." Nao says in surprised "Eh? What about the possibility that they left the mesu after they operated on her abdomen?" Nonaka replies "The deny it completely..." Nao goes "Eh?" In frustration, Kirino runs her fingers through her hair, muttering "That daifuku...." Not understanding, Nao murmurs "daifuku?" Nonaka explains "The new lawyer the other party's engaged...her friend..." "Eh?" Nonaka adds, giving Kirino a glance "Her.....ex-boyfriend..." Nao looks up at Kirino making a phone call "Hello..."

 

At a restaurant, Kirino & Nao sit a table, waiting. Nao asks "uhm...does he look like a daifuku?" Kirino looks at him "Who?" "The lawyer who's coming now...." Kirino explains "No matter what we're talking about, he always using daifuku as an example...'on top of that, the types of daifuku are not just one type...also need to verify that the daifuku that's disappeared is also...'..." Kirino stops speaking as something suddenly occurs to her. Not noticing, Nao continues "Is he really your ex-boyfriend?" Ignoring Nao's question, Kirino says, half to herself "...one type...it's not one type!...Why didn't I think of it before!" Nao asks "Eh? What's that?" Kirino excitedly explains "The mesu that you found are the kaeba (interchangeable blades) type....that's why I kept thinking that those kaeba type mesu are used by Shoei Sogo Hospital....but there's not only one type of mesu...depending on the type of surgery, different types of mesu are used...if we can find out if the mesu that was found is used in surgery...evidence of that surgery can be linked...." At that moment, Ikezawa walks in "Sorry sorry...shall we go elsewhere?"

 

Outside in a park, Ikezawa says to Kirino "Although I once rejected them...but deciding to take on the case formally for Shoei Sogo Hospital was after meeting you...." Kirino replies "Thanks to you, after our meeting, the number of cards in my hand has increased..." Ikezawa doesn't say anything & Kirino continues "I came here intending to give your a slap but forget it....it's tough having to continue protecting children who's eaten daifuku but insist that they haven't...." Ikezawa smiles without saying a word. Kirino says to Nao "Let's go...buy daifuku & go home..." Nao looks at Kirino "ok...." & follows her. As they turn to walk away, Ikezawa calls out "You're Masaki Nao?" Kirino & Nao turn back to look at Ikezawa stand up & walk towards Nao "I wonder if you know...Kirino once accepted a case for a young boy like you & then abandoned him....was really pitiful....in the end that boy....." Kirino stares at him "Stop it!" Nao turns to look at Kirino without saying a word. Ikezawa sarcastically says to Nao "I'll pray that you don't fall into the same trap as that boy...." With that, Ikezawa nods & walks away. Nao turns back to look at Kirino who starts walking away slowly...

 

Kirino lights a cigarette, leaning on her scooter, staring out into a river. Nao, standing next to her "Please tell me about it....that boy....Kirino-san....." Finally, with a painful look on her face, Kirino tells him "His father had died....in a company's corruption case....that boy's father in the Accounting department...it was discovered that he jumped from a hotel room...but that boy...." Kirino recalls the young boy telling her "No way Dad committed suicide...he promised me....was looking forward to seeing me in the soccer match...." Kirino tells Nao "I thought it wasn't natural....I thought that perhaps he was killed in order to end the corruption case..." The boy bangs his hand on the table "The president! The president killed my father! Please get him! onegaishimasu! onegaishimasu!" Kirino continues telling Nao "Just like the boy said, that president suggested over & over again to the boy's father to commit suicide...driven into a corner, that boy's father....the police decided that it was a simply a case of suicide...the president couldn't be charged with murder..." Kirino recalls the boy yelling at her "How come he wasn't caught! Dad couldn't possibly have committed suicide! Get out! Get out!" Kirino asks Nao "If it were you what would you do? Even if the truth is known, & not only is the truth not buried in your heart...but only hatred is left behind...if only hatred towards Dr Minami is left behind...." Nao thinks "I...." Kirino continues "That boy....passed judgment  with his own hands....he......killed that president...." Tears roll down her cheeks as Kirino thinks about the young boy stabbing the man to death. Nao says "But, that's not your fault..." Kirino says painfully "What I regret most...is that I didn't save that boy's feelings...."

 

Kirino-san was crying....

but I...couldn't find appropriate words to say...

 

Quietly, Nao walks away along the river....

 

if it were Mom, I could have said....

'what are you crying for? There's nothing to cry over...'

If it were my younger sister, I'd stroke her head & hold her....

but to Kirino-san....what I could do for her....

I didn't know.....

 

Nao stops & turns to look back at Kirino when he suddenly notices the sunset. Kirino, putting on her helmet, pauses & looks into the sky.....

 

At that moment, I....

we....

looked at the same sunset....

just only that........

 

At the Isetani house, Akiko walks to Ami's room & through the closed door, says "Ami, if you can't find you cell phone, just buy a new one....Ami?" When there's no reply, Akiko opens the door & looks into Ami's room, not finding anyone inside. The doorbell rings & opening it, Akiko finds Kitayama. Holding Ami's cell phone in her hand "I came to return your daughter's cell phone...." Akiko asks in surprise "How come it's with you? Ah, did my husband...?" Kitayama cleverly avoids the leading question & returns it with another "Why would your husband ask me?" Akiko says "Please give it back..." Kitayama tells her "I wanted to return it right away but to think that your daughter would steal things, I couldn't believe it...." "Eh?" "Right now no one else knows...the stolen medical records, please return them....stealing other people's things....are robbers...." With that statement full of implications, Kitayama holds out the cell phone to Akiko....

 

On the way home crossing a bridge, Nao sees Ami carrying a big bag & runs up to her "What happened? I called your cell phone but couldn't get through...." Ami merely says "Sorry..." "Where are you going?" "Friend's house...one who came the other time to have okonomiyaki together....her house is nearby...I'm in a hurry, bye..." Ami leaves in a hurry, wanting to get away from Nao....

 

Yuko comes into the house & calls Shiro out "Dad..." When Shiro follows her out into the restaurant, he finds Akiko waiting for him "Is there anything?" Akiko says "It appears that my daughter has stolen medical records..." Shiro looks surprised "Eh?" "Your son asked her to..."

 

On the street outside below Nonaka Lawyer's office, Ami meets Kirino....

 

Akiko continues "If she wasn't asked she wouldn't have stolen them...I don't want to make this public...take the responsibility & return them...." At that moment, the door slides open & Nao comes back. Seeing Akiko, Nao says "Good evening..." Akiko says "Return them..." Not knowing what is going on, Nao looks at her in surprise "Huh?" Barely containing her anger, Akiko tells him  "Return the stolen medical records..." Nao asks "What's this about?" Akiko reaches out & slaps Nao on his cheek "Stop pretending!" shocking the others with her action. In a trembling voice, Akiko says "Turning my daughter into a robber...." Yuko interrupts to defend Nao "My brother is not someone that will ask anyone to do something like that!" Akiko spits out "Then why would my daughter need to steal something like that!?" Nao frowns, thinking. Shiro asks "Nao, what's going on? Nao?" Nao recalls meeting Ami by chance on the bridge, carrying the big bag in her arms...

 

In the office, Ami says to Kirino "Please don't tell Nao....I did this on my own...." Kirino doesn't reply, merely looks at the stack of medical files on the table....

 

Yuko says "Nao wouldn't do something like that! We have all the records from the perpetuation of evidence...there's no need to steal them!" At long last, Nao speaks up "No...I....I asked her to..." Akiko looks away "You're too much..." Yuko looks at Nao "You're lying...." Shiro mutters in disbelief "You...." but Nao says "It's true...I...." Yuko yells "It's a lie!" but Nao retorts "It's not  a lie! I asked her to...I asked her to...for my sake...that's why the one at fault is me....I'm very sorry.....I'm sorry, very sorry...." Yuko & Shiro look on in silence at Nao bowing to Akiko in apology.....

 

Kirino puts the files on back on the table. Ami asks "Did you find out anything?" Kirino asks instead "Proving that Dr Minami is wrong would mean that the entire Shoei Sogo Hospital is prosecuted...your father's hospital...is that ok?" Ami replies "In his position....if he hated me it would not be strange...yet he's accepted me....that's why I am on the side of Nao..." With a smile tinged with sadness, Kirino says "Then...always be with him....when the judgment is passed on Dr Minami...whether we win or lose, I'm sure he will be hurt...when that happens, be there to console him..." After a pause, Ami nods & Kirino says "Then return these back to their places...." Ami smiles "Yes...."

 

At home, Nao sits alone, staring at his cell phone....

 

I kept waiting for her phone call.....

what she did....I wanted to react properly to it....

I had to react well to it for her....

I was thinking....

 

the feelings I had of her mother putting the blame on me....

I.....

a lot of things.....a lot of things from now on...

if I didn't react well to them....

I was thinking....

I.....

 

As Nao takes a bottle of lemonade from the fridge & is about to open it, his cell phone rings. Answering it "Hello....oh.......I want to see you......right now.....when we meet, there's something I want to tell you....."

 

With two bottles of lemonade in hand, Nao goes to the meeting place. With a smile he holds up the two bottles but when Kirino merely stares back at him, that smile disappears....

 

As they open their bottles of lemonade, walking along the water front, Kirino asks "What did you wanted to talk about?" Nao asks instead "Why did you call me?" Kirino replies "I say Dr Minami's records of his other patients...." "Records of his other patients?" "The same day & time as your mother...the patients that Dr Minami was treating...comparing these records & those of your mother's, discovered that the pens used were different....looks like it's possible that Dr Minami rewrote the records ...I could've told you about it tomorrow, but I wanted to report to you before I told you the truth...." "The truth?" "I stole the records to take a look...but I returned them immediately....just took a quick look at them...I was worried about this deadlock....that's why I was taken in by that daifuku as well.....that's all I wanted to say....what about you?" Nao stares at her in silence....

　

 

Kirino-san's lie.....

felt sad & lonely....

　

　

After a pause Nao replies "No, nothing....it's ok.....it's ok....." Kirino smiles "Then, let's drink this & go home...." Nao changes his mind "Is it ok?" "Hm?" "Can I say it?" Nao half asks himself. Kirino looks at him with a smile "What?" Nao takes a seat, facing the water not looking at Kirino "When the truth is revealed....it's possible to the extent of killing someone, I might have that feeling of hatred towards him....when that happens....at that moment....will you be there for me?....you'll be there for me won't you...." Nao looks at Kirino who remains silent, looking away. Quietly, Kirino says "My duty is only up to the moment that judgment is passed....I won't be with you forever....when the truth is revealed, that will be the end..." With sad eyes, Kirino says "Because I'm a lawyer...." Staring at her, Nao bravely agrees "That's true.....that's true...." looking sad. Raising his bottle of lemonade, he says "Cheers...." Returning his smile, Kirino says "Cheers...." taking a sip....

　

　

In truth, I felt like I had been betrayed.....

that night....

　

　

Kirino walks away, leaving Nao alone, overlooking the water....

　

 

far far away....where the truth was.....

that our parting was waiting for us.........

was something I felt for the first time......

 

that was the start of my 18th, hot summer.....

 

　

As Nao stares out into the water, beside him stand the two empty lemonade bottles........