haha wo koroshita mou hitori no otoko

 

the one other guy who killed my mother

 

 

As Kirino waits for a reply to her question "Just who are you protecting?" Kitayama stare at her & then smiles "Why are you trying so hard? For an amount like 890 yen as compensation, an amount that can't even buy a lipstick...the judicial costs & lawyers' remuneration, where are you going to scrape up the money from?" Kirino merely replies "My client's objective is to find out the truth...as for the judicial costs, that will be paid by the side that loses...." Kitayama coolly says "Then, you will be paying won't you...that's going to be tough...what about your remuneration?" Kirino replies "That's none of your business..." to which Kitayama retorts "Then, whoever I'm protecting...is none of your business...." With that, Kitayama turns to her car, opening the door. Kirino, not giving up, questions "The way you've been talking...so you are protecting someone aren't you..." Kitayama smiles "You really like that boy a great deal don't you....a kid brimming over with a sense of justice...isn't he rather inexperienced & lacking in something?....have you slept with that boy?" At that catty remark, Kirino says "I am only pursuing the hospital's lies & cover up....as a lawyer...." Kitayama's quick to hit back "Me too...I am merely trying hard to protect my nurses...for the sake of the hospital...." With a rather snide looking smile, Kitayama gets into the car, leaving Kirino standing alone in the street....

 

At school, Mari comes running up "Nao!" Nao & Kota turn around to see who called. Mari tells Nao "Yesterday, the lawyers from the hospital came to our house to ask about your mother..." Nao looks surprised "Eh?" Mari ponders "I wonder if he came to find out about your mother falling on the steps at the shrine...when I got there, I sent them away...." Nao replies "Thanks...." Mari continues "Looks like they're going around the other shops & asking the folks...." Kota suddenly interrupts "Ah...they also came over to my place & asked...'leaving the okonomiya restaurant to Nao's mother alone to run....Nao's father drinking & gambling'...." Mari says agitatedly "You said that?!" Kota replies "No...the lawyer purposely asked in that manner....." Mari half mutters to herself "Why?...talking as if Nao's father merely idling away...." Nao listens & ponders, frowning....

 

what their objective was...

I couldn't immediately understand....

 

At the okonomiya restaurant, Shiro & Yuka greet "Welcome...." & then look up in apprehension as the lawyers from the hospital enter the restaurant. One of the lawyers ask "Do you have the 890yen kim-chee special?" Shiro, stunned, barely manages a "yes...." as the men converge around a table, looking rather intimidating.....Shiro & Yuka exchange wondering glances....

 

it appeared that the hospital.....

was gathering material for their counterargument

at the next court session.....

even now, the hospital still insisted

that Mom died suddenly.....

that so-called karoushi.....

 

In the little garden, the family dog Wasuke turns around at the sound of Ikezawa's voice "Good afternoon..." Runa looks up & sees Ikezawa approach them asking her "Is this the dog that your mother used to take out for walks?" Ikeawa crouches down "Really cute...what's his name?" Runa replies "Wasuke..." as Ikezawa pets the dog.....

 

that was the hospital's explanation....

the hospital that we once believed in....

that were now checking up on us....

 

Ikezawa says to Runa "Your mother died of karoushi....that is what the hospital said...." Runa nods & Ikezawa continues "Your mother took the dog out for walks, looked after the house, looked after the restaurant...did everything by herself...maybe she collapsed because she got tired....when the hospital said that your mother died of karoushi, your father, your sister & your brother...what did they say? What were you thinking?" Runa looks down & recalls crying to Nao at the crematorium "...because I broke mom's chawan (tea cup)? I should have helped out more...I should have helped Mom more...."

 

At that moment, Nao bursts into the restaurant & seeing the lawyers, tells them "Please leave! Please leave!" As Shiro stares at Nao, Nao notices his little sister missing "Runa?"

 

Ikezawa says "...so that's what happened....if everyone had helped out properly, your mother wouldn't have died...." Ikezawa looks up as the door suddenly slides open. Nao asks angrily "What are you talking about?!" Runa gets up, tears in her eyes "Oni-chan!" Nao puts his arms around her & angrily asks Ikezawa again "What are you asking my sister?!" Ikezawa calmly replies "The name of the dog...." Nao shouts "Liar!" Ikezawa looks at Runa "So he's called Wasuke...thanks for telling me..." & then to Nao "Sorry for intruding...." & walks away, Nao & Runa staring....

 

that was a really mean way &....

 

In the restaurant, the lawyers leave "Thank you, gouchisousama deshita...." Shiro & Yuko reply "Thank you very much..." as they leave but when they clear the table, they find the food untouched & money, notes & coins left on the table. Without a word, they exchange glances....

 

Outside in the garden, Nao holds on to Runa, consoling her.....

 

it wasn't because of anything concrete that we got hurt.....

but I was too naive.....

because of the trial....

to hurt....

to get hurt.....

the battle in our hearts that our eyes couldn't see......

that was the beginning.....

 

At the Nonaka Lawyers' office, Nao tells Kirino agitatedly "The hospital's trying to prove it was karoushi....that's why they're asking all the folks in the shopping area about my father's reputation...making it sound as if he was idling away....they're trying to get evidence...." Kirino merely puts a cup of coffee in Nao's hand "Your exam's just round the corner isn't it?" Nao asks "Exam?" Kirino replies "The university entrance exam....go home & study..." Nao retorts "I don't feel like studying....why is the hospital still insisting that Mom died of karoushi? When you revealed that the X-rays were wrong...what's with that now?" Kirino smoking a cigarette, quietly replies "It hasn't been revealed..." Nao's surprised "Eh?" Kirino explains "We can't get proof nor evidence that the X-rays were wrong...." Nao asks "Then...what are we going to do?" When Kirino doesn't reply, Nao gets upset "What are we going to do?" Kirino finally answers "Why they are insisting on karoushi is because they lied from the very beginning...." Nao doesn't understand "Eh?" Kirino explains "When they carried on with their lie, there was no way they could retract their very first lie...they have no choice but to build on that lie...but there are a lot of people covering up that lie....by chance eventually, the stories won't match & something will slip out....don't worry, go home & study....." Nao thinks & then suggests to Kirino "How about changing our strategy?" Kirino's turn to look surprised "Eh?" Nao explains "...that the hospital lied from the beginning.....destroy it....."

 

Shiro gets a phone call & nervously asks "...eh? What's....all...that about?" From Kirino's office, Nao tells his father over the phone "I thought about that....Dad you'll get on the witness stand...." In shock, Shiro tells Yuko "He said 'Dad will get on the witness stand'..." Yuko asks "Who's Dad?" Shiro stammers in fear "This Dad..." Yuko gets up to the phone in a hurry "What is he saying....." taking the phone from Shiro. To Nao, Yuko says "Wait a minute! Do you think Dad can speak properly in front of other people!? Isn't the first one on the witness stand that nurse called Kikui?" Nao explains "The hospital settled Mom's cause of death as karoushi...but they neglected in their duty to properly explain it to us....that's what we're pursuing...that's to say, the hospital lied from the beginning regarding karoushi...if we can destroy that lie...that's why Dad  himself has to testify that Mom did not die of karoushi....." Kirino listens in silence as Nao persuades his sister...

 

then, on top of my exam studies.....

Dad's 'study' for the trial was added to it.....

 

In the restaurant with the whole family watching, Shiro stands up "At the hospital meeting room...." Kirino tells him "You don't have to stand up, please sit down..."

 

under Kirino-san's guidance....

he practiced the responses of the testimonial questioning....

 

Kirino poses a question to Shiro "Alone in the meeting room, Dr Minami suddenly suggested performing an autopsy...." Shiro replies "Uhm, ah...." & Kirino tells him "You can't give vague answers....yes or no....if you can't remember something, say you don't remember....if you're vague, the other side will pounce on it...."

 

Joining Nao at studying at the table, Shiro falling asleep repeating "At the hospital meeting room...." as Nao asks "Are you alright?"

 

poured over the documents from the other party....

 

Shiro crouches behind the counter, muttering & practising the answers to himself when Yuko says "Dad! We're working! There're customers here..." Shiro gets up & greets a couple "Sensei..." & Yuko tells him "Go wash the dishes..." Shiro grins & mutters "...regarding the autopsy at the hospital...."

 

Dad was working very hard.....

for the sake of my late Mother....

getting onto the witness stand & fighting....

 

& then before my father's....

the day of the exam arrived....

the challenge of the entrance exam......

 

In a classroom, Nao & his friends sit for the university entrance exams....

 

At the breakfast table, Ami looks at the newspaper article, reading the note on the university entrance examination. Anxiously, she glances around & hears her mother walk in. Akiko says "Ah, today's the university entrance exam isn't it...which university & what faculty is he intending to go to?" Ami replies "We haven't been in touch so I don't know...." Akiko looks at her "Oh...then leaving home after you graduate now has no meaning, has it....that was just to scare me wasn't it....if it's not going well, forget about that boy already...." Ami says "Even if it isn't going well, my feelings won't change...my feelings will never change...." When Akiko doesn't say anything, Ami gets up & goes off to her room....

 

Halfway through the exam, Nao glances at the amulet Ami gave to him, sitting in his pencil case....

 

As Ami sits in her room, she suddenly hears her mother call her "Ami..." Through the door, Akiko says "Will you listen to me? The day that that boy's mother died, there's one thing that I've kept to hidden...." Ami opens the door "What? What is it that's hidden?" staring at her mother.....

 

At the hospital, Ikezawa says to Isetani & Minami "All right, shall we speak out once & for all? Even if we are carrying on with completely denying everything the other party claims, I want to know everything.....why is there a need to protect Professor Sasaki from the Chuou Medical University?" Isetani looks up sharply at Ikezawa "Professor Sasaki?" Ikezawa asks "Didn't you know?" Minami sits back "Wow...." Isetani asks him "What's this about?" When Minami doesn't reply, Ikezawa says "The one who performed the surgery on Masaki Teruko was..." Isetani looks at him in shock "What are you saying?" & then grabs Minami by the collar "Minami!? You!! Why did you hide this?!" The other lawyer gets up & tries to pull Isetani away "Stop it!" Isetani yells "Let me go! Minami! Why?! Why did you do that?! Minami! Minami!" Minami doesn't react, Ikezawa stares at him in silence....

 

Nonaka returns to the office "Looks like a lot of things happened while I was away...is that alright, putting that father on the witness stand..." Getting a cup of coffee for Nonaka, Kirino replies "That's my client's wish...." Nonaka mutters "If you push the matter ahead without consideration, this might take years for the case to be settled....." Kirino thinks & then asks "Ah, speaking of which, what about that case of yours?" Nonaka sighs "You've got to be kidding...it's going to take years for that to be resolved....it's a country & government problem...." Clearing the table, Nonaka puts a bag on the table "Souvenirs..." Kirino smiles "Thanks...." Nonaka takes something out of the bag "This is rare....a quill....can scratch your back with it too...." Kirino accepts it with a smile. As Nonaka mutters to himself "I've always wanted one when I was younger.....ah, this shouchuu (clear liquor made from sweet potato, rice etc)....", a thought crosses Kirino's mind & she says "Nonaka-san, I've got a favor to ask of you...." Nonaka looks up at her wondering....

 

In front of their mother's altar, Runa puts her hands together & says "May oni-chan pass his exam...may Dad's wit...ness..." Yuko tells her slowly "Witness testimonial...." Runa repeats "May Dad's witness testimonial proceed smoothly...." Yuko smiles as both sisters say a prayer together....

 

Shiro sees Nao off who says "As soon as I take a look at the exam results, I'll go to the courts right away...." Shiro tells him "Even if you don't make it, don't feel bad..." Nao adjusts Shiro's tie "I'm more worried about you....until the witness testimonial is over, don't worry about me, just concentrate on testimonial....check with Kirino-san one last time before going into court, & got to the toilet before that..." Shiro gives Nao a paternal whack on the head "Kids aren't supposed to be worried about their parents!" With a smile Shiro sends Nao off. Nao turns back "When it's time comes, do it well!" Shiro holds up his documents "Then let's meet in court!" Nao turns around & holding up his examination result notification card "Let's meet in court!" As Nao walks off, Shiro's composure cracks & he nervously says "Toilet...." disappearing into the house....

 

Witness for the prosecutor     Masaki Shiro

 

the judge that day at the trial was a woman.....

the fact that among those in the judge's seat passing judgment.....

was a woman about my mother's age...

was reassuring.....

 

In court, Shiro says ".....made me feel that the autopsy was a wretched thing...." Kirino says "Then, the need for an autopsy, & any further explanation were not made...." Shiro firmly replies "Yes...." Kirino continues "When you rushed to the hospital, what did Dr Minami say to you?" Shiro replies "That it was karoushi...." Kirino adds "In a vague manner saying karoushi, could he not think of a name for the illness?" Nao, Runa & Yuko watch the proceedings in silence....

 

Kirino-san's assertion that the original explanation was insufficient....

went smoothly as expected.....

 

Kirino produces an exhibit "This is an essay from Bunka Elementary School 1st grade class 2, the teacher in charge Yasaki-sensei?" Shiro replies "Yes, that is my younger daughter's essay...." Kirino places a copy in front of Shiro "Could you read it aloud please?" Shiro replies "Yes..." & standing up, reads it aloud "Becoming a elementary grade 1 student....Masaki Runa, 1st grade class 2.....Becoming a grade 1 student, I was very happy. Mom & Dad were very happy for me. During the entrance ceremony, Mom said that the fact that I had grown up peacefully was all due to Dad's hard work. But Dad said that it was all due to Mom. I said that to me it didn't matter whether it was Mom or Dad. Mom laughed loudly. Mom would send me off to school everyday with cheerful greetings. Now that I've become a grade 1 student, not only do I have to help out in the restaurant, I have to work hard at school too..." Nervously, Shiro looks at Kirino "That's it..." Kirino says "Thank you...when was this written?" Shiro replies " April 10th...." Kirino says "3 days before Masaki Teruko was sent to Shoei Sogo Hospital?" "Yes..." "What does your daughter help out with in the restaurant?" "She wipes the table, arranges the chairs, simples things like that...she often helps out with the household chores too, laundry ....my wife was always very pleased...." "Then, please tell us Masaki Teruko's prior condition..." "She was healthy...never caught a cold....a strong & healthy wife...." Kirino says "The questioning is over..." Shiro looks over at his kids with a smile. One of the court officials says "Will the witness please sit down...." Shiro sits down "Yes...." & the official adds "We'll proceed with the questioning by the defense...." Ikezawa stands up "I am defense attorney Ikezawa..."

 

At the Yoshida store, Mari asks her mother "The lawyer's from the hospital? They came again?" Kayo replies "Yes...they bought a lot of fruits too...." Mari frantically asks "Mom! You didn't..." Kayo looks at her "Of course I didn't talk about her falling on the stairs at the shrine, didn't say anything about it!" Mari gives her mother a look & Kayo suddenly pauses......

 

In court, Ikezawa proceeds with his questioning "Of course you knew about the fact that your wife spoke to the people in the shopping area about what was troubling her at home?" Shiro looks nervous "Huh?" Ikezawa prods "What your wife confided in others, you didn't know?" Shiro mutters "People in the shopping area...." Ikezawa presses "Please answer clearly....." Shiro replies "I....I didn't know about that....." Kirino listens as Ikezawa states "On April 13th, your wife went to the shrine & confided in someone from the shopping area about your son....presenting document No. 19, according to Yoshida Kayo of the Yoshida store, she said that your wife was troubled over your son, could not understand his feelings & were not on speaking terms...that their relationship was deteriorating & she was very hurt over it....." Nao looks away, realizing for the first time his mother's concern about him. Kirino interrupts "Objection! This is not directly related to the case..." Ikezawa continues "Then, you said just now that your wife never caught a cold, document No. 18 your wife bought cold medicine at the Takei Pharmacy, surely you know about that?" Shiro looks at a loss "Huh?" Ikezawa tells him "April 10th...ah, it's exactly the same day as the your daughter's essay just now that was irrelevant to the case...do you know for who she bought the cold medication for?" Shiro stands up "This...this is not directly related to the case...." One of the judges tell Shiro "Will the witness please answer only what is asked...." Shiro mutters "Ah..." & sits back down. Ikezawa presses on "Generally in most households even when the mother catches a cold, she never stays in bed, especially women that work...& generally in most households, the father of course knows absolutely nothing of what the mother's worrying about, thinking about, or tired about...." As Nao looks on helplessly at his father, Kirino announces "Objection! Seeking the witness' opinion..." Ikezawa continues unperturbed "Then, documents No. 13 to 17....these are statements from the people in the shopping area with regards to their experiences going to & staying at Shoei Sogo Hospital....in here there is a statement from someone who has had the experience of being someone being hospitalized due to an intestinal blockage...." Shiro nods "Oh...." Ikezawa says "This person states that the chief physician Minami-sensei explained in detail the all the facts of the course of medical treatment & the development of the medical problem.....what do you think about this?" Shiro can only answer "Eh?" Ikezawa continues "Then let's change direction....every year Minami-sensei returns to the university he graduated from Kyuou Medical University , an excellent doctor that is invited back to the medical department for seminars...there he presents to the students, his clinical experience to the students....." Kirino interrupts "Objection! Isn't this questioning out of line?" One of the judges looks at Ikezawa "How is this related?" Ikezawa approaches the judge "Ah, there is a class at Chuou Medical University Hospital that is held by his former teacher Professor Sasaki...every year, Professor Sasaki invites him...." The judge interrupts "I'm not asking about the relationship of the hospital..." Ikezawa explains "This is the thesis that the students have written regarding Minami's seminars....I'd like to use them as reference today.....these is document No. 22....in here it it states that he often copes with the medical treatment from the viewpoint of the patient...." Walking up to Shiro, Ikezawa crisply continues "Of course as stated by the prosecuting attorney, karoushi is not a medical name...neither can is it possible to explain that as the direct cause of death....however, do you understand what sort of condition is 'Saturation 86'?" Puzzled, Shiro says "Huh?" Ikezawa presses on "That's to say oxygen concentration in the blood falls below 50ml HG causing low blood pressure...starting from the arteries, the nervous system goes into shock, the internal respiratory organs are artificially sustained, open heart massage is performed but the patient died....how is this explanation?" When Shiro returns a blank look, Ikezawa asks again "How is this explanation?" Shiro gets annoyed "I don't...I don't understand!" Ikezawa says "That's why karoushi was used to explain so you could easily understand...." With Shiro & Kirino looking helpless, Ikezawa continues "Going back to that statement just now regarding the father & son....Kashiwano of the cleaning store....according to him, when his son was in the hospital with intestinal blockage, Kashiwano asked about his son's medical condition & Minami-sensei explained in detailed..."

　

At that moment, Kota arrives home & happily tells his father the good news of his having passed the university entrance exam.....

　

Back in court, Ikezawa says "...that's to say, Minami takes into consideration the most suitable  way of explaining to various patients...." To Shiro, Ikezawa spits out arrogantly "Because you have absolutely no medical knowledge whatsoever, he explained in such a way that even children could understand, using such terms like karoushi to explain that the heart stopped due to an irregular pulse...." Kirino stands up angrily "Objection! You're insulting the witness!" The judge cautions "Counselor..." Ikezawa merely adds "I too have a taciturn but kind father...however, in the house without my mother around, he doesn't know where anything is....he depends completely on my mother for everything, has his humiliating characteristics....I hope that you're not a man like that..." With that sarcastic remark by Ikezawa, Kirino stands up "Objection!" but Ikezawa curtly replies "No more questions....." Shiro sits pitifully in the witness stand, recalling the conversation with his wife that morning the day she died. Kirino, Nao, Yuko & Runa stare at their father, feeling sorry for him....

　

for my sake, Dad cooked okonomiyaki for us.....

I.....I passed the university exam.....

in celebration of that.....

　

At the okonomiyaki restaurant, sitting at the counter, Nao looks glumly at the plateful of okonomiyaki in front of him & then at his father slumped over at a table, totally depressed. Runa comes in with a bottle of lemonade & puts it in front of Nao "Here...congratulations!" Yuko smiles "Congratulations..." Nao looks at his sisters "Thanks..." Yuko goes round to the counter "Let's eat! Dad cooked this...it's great!" Sitting down, she starts dishing out the food "A big piece...." handing it to Nao. Suddenly, Shiro mutters "When....is it going to end? The hearing...the hearing.....how long is it going to go on for?" Yuko, Runa & Nao look at their father, upset to see him feeling sorry for himself. Nao gets up "Dad...." when Yuko says "Until...it's proven that Mom was happy....getting married to Dad...why Mom, living healthily, had to die....until we understand that...." With her face wet with tears, Yuko repeats "Until we understand that...." Suddenly, in that heavy, sad atmosphere, Runa tells them "You're not allowed to cry!" With tears rolling down her cheeks, she goes up to Shiro & yells at him "You're not allowed to cry! Not allowed to quit!" Nao & Yuko looks at their younger sister encouraging Shiro, touched. As Yuko reaches out & holds Runa close to her, Nao goes over to his father & puts his hand over Shiro's. Both father & son exchange nods, Shiro with tears rolling down his face. Nao puts a jacket around his father's shoulders, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder before going back to the counter & telling his sisters "Let's eat...." In silence, they split apart their wooden chopsticks & start eating the food Shiro cooked in celebration of Nao's passing his exam.....

　

As Minami writes up his medical report with a fountain pen, the patient says "That's a nice pen....do you use it all the time?" Minami looks up "Yes...." A nurse walks in with some X-rays "sensei, the X-rays are ready...." Minami asks "Have you verified the name?" "Yes...." replies the nurse chirpily & Minami says "Right..." & puts it up on the panel, looking at it "Looks like everything's normal..." The patient replies "Is that so?" As he finishes dressing, the patient turns around, it's Nonaka, the lawyer Kirino works for. Minami says "Take care..." Nonaka gets up "Thank you very much....." Minami giving him a thoughtful glance as Nonaka leaves...

　

In the office with the late afternoon rays shining through the window, Kirino fingers the quill Nonaka gave her. Recalling the courtroom scene with Ikezawa explaining to the judge "Ah, there is a class at Chuou Medical University Hospital that is held by his former teacher Professor Sasaki...every year, Professor Sasaki makes invites him to...." Kirino tiredly runs her hands through her hair....

Late at night as Ami waits at the train station, she recalls what her mother told her earlier "...there's something that's kept hidden....the day that boy's mother died....."  Suddenly her cell phone rings & stares at it for the long while before accepting the call. Without a word, she listens to Nao calling her from home "Hello....I've been accepted to the university....Mita Kokuritsu University business faculty.....&.....that's why......thank you for the amulet....thank you....that's all I wanted to say....." Finally, Ami speaks "This....this selfish character of yours....when you're a college student then you should get rid of it...." Nao replies "Eh?" Ami tells him "I was waiting for you to get in touch with me...." Nao explains "I thought of getting in touch with you after I got through the exam...." Ami says "I was waiting all this time for you to get in touch with me....did you go to sleep for the winter or something?" Nao asks "What's this sleeping during winter...I was studying!" Ami says softly "I wanted to see you....I wanted to see you...." Nao doesn't reply & Ami tells him, tears in her eyes "I'll find out for your sake....even if you don't like it, I'll find out...." Nao doesn't understand "Eh?" but Ami merely tells him "I have to find out....that's why this time, it's your turn to wait....." Nao asks "What are you saying?" only to hear Ami reply "Goodbye...." & hang up. As the train pulls into the station, Ami's eyes are filled with determination....

　

At the lawyer's office, Nao asks Kirino "Find out what?" Kirino smiles "Don't know...why don't you ask her?" Nao replies "She's surprisingly stubborn....even if I start to speak she won't listen...." Kirino smiles, sitting across the sofa from him "Just like you...." Nao looks suprised "Eh?" Kirino explains "The fact that you both try so hard...very similar...." Nao ponders & Kirino quietly says "Someday...it'll be great if you can accept her completely...." giving him a nod & lighting a cigarette. Nao starts to speak "Kirino-san...." but suddenly pauses. Kirino looks at him expectantly but Nao changes his mind "Nothing....you smoke too much..." taking the cigarette from her hands & puts it into the ashtray on the table. Kirino looks at Nao in surprised & then with a smile, puts out the cigarette. Nao apologizes "The witness testimonial didn't go smoothly, sorry....." Kirino replies "It's not your fault....that's Ikezawa's style....." Getting up & getting some coffee, she continues "...he rubs people the wrong way on purpose, paralyzes one's feelings....someone experiencing the first time in court or unused to it will feel defeated....until that person won't care what happens after in court.....& will give up his demands...." Nao looks at Kirino "You mean drop the lawsuit?" Kirino replies "Yes....on your side...." Nao listens frowning & Kirino asks "How's your father?" Nao tells her "Runa....my younger sister said 'not allowed to cry'....I'm sure she's the one most hurt by all this & yet....she's the strongest....that's why...." Nao looks at Kirino & gives her a determined nod. Smiling, Kirino returns it & reaches for her pack of cigarettes. Nao gives her a look & Kirino smiles, putting it aside.....

　

that was the end of winter.....

& the start of spring.....

　

Nao & Kota enter university & start their campus lives.....

　

the few months after that.....

I attended college.....

& helped out at the restaurant sometimes.....

　

Standing behind the counter at the restaurant, Nao looks up as someone says "Hello!" & is happily surprised to see Kenji & his friends from high school. Shiro asks "What would you all like to eat?" Kenji replies "New on the menu....fruit-yake...." Behind the counter Nao frowns & signs to his friends about their order but Shiro makes it for them anyway telling them "Eat more!" Kota & the rest frown as they try to eat the food.....

　

Dad tried to come up with some new menu....

but he didn't seem to realize that it wasn't that popular.....

　

Runa comes home from school & goes into the garden "Wasuke I'm home!" & gives the dog a pat on the head. Hearing Yuko's voice, Runa peeps inside the house.....

　

my younger sister entered second grade....

my elder sister got involved in arranged marriage meetings.....

we seemed to recover slightly, the distance between us &

the folks in the shopping area......

　

Torii shows Yuko the photograph of the potential marriage partner & she laughs "What's this?!" Torri grins "He's suitable!" but Yuko says "No way!" In the restaurant, Shiro & Nao talk & laugh with Mari, Kota, Kenji & the others.....

　

we were living normal lives.....

as if we had completely forgotten about the hearing.....

　

　

At the hospital as Isetani cleans up, he says "That lawyer called Kirino is working behind the scenes...presenting signed affidavits to the courts....however if the death & the causal relationship isn't proven, Ikezawa will find a way out of this well enough...." Kitayama asks "How's your daughter? She's seeing that boy who's prosecuting...." Isetani replies "We've persuaded her....they're not seeing each other any more...." Kitayama insinuates "But your wife still doesn't know, does she....what happened that night....." Isetani looks at her "She knows that I wasn't here at the hospital...I left everything to Minami & attended a party for Diet members.....even I am responsible for this too....." Kitayama stares at Isetani & smoothly adds "Looks like the other party might have gotten hold of that lead on Professor Sasaki....." Isetani expression changes as Kitayama turns away with a sly look on her face....

　

In her room, Ami finishes a conversation on her cell phone "....I see....thank you very much....." & hangs up. The tone of her conversation heavy, the expression on her face one of torment as she broods over something....

　

I kept waiting for her to get in touch with me....

　

Ami comes out of her room & approaches her mother Akiko who's arranging a bouquet of flowers in a vase. Quietly Ami murmurs "Mama...." Akiko turns around & looks at Ami. Both mother & daughter exchange looks with heavy hearts, as if Ami had found out what had been kept hidden that day Masaki Teruko died..... 

　

...but the phone call never came.........

after that I faced the new reality that Kirino-san had struggled to find....

　

As Nao & Kirino wait at the Chuou Medical University campus, Kirino suddenly spots Sasaki & starts approaching him "Excuse me, you're Professor Sasaki from Chuou Medical University aren't you...." When Sasaki nods "Yes...." Kirino introduces herself, giving him her card "I'm a lawyer....name's Kirino...." Sasaki takes the card "Lawyer..." Kirino glances at Nao "My client..." Sasaki looks at Nao who takes two steps forward & bows "Thank you for looking after my mother...." Sasaki looks surprised "Eh?"  Kirino explains "Last year on April 13th.....the unidentified woman who passed away was his mother...." Sasaki stares at Nao, not saying anything. Nao looks directly into Sasaki's eyes "Did you let my mother die?" Sasaki looks away, remaining silent. Nao stares at him "The one that killed my mother.....was you, wasn't it............"

　

　

あなたが．．．僕の母を．．． 死なせたんですか．．． 僕の母を殺したのは、あなたですね．．．