ame no barentain

 

~ a rainy Valentine's ~

 

 

Outside Haruka's home, a guy gets onto his bike & says to Haruka "Well then, when you get into college, we'll go to a go-con (party where guys & gals meet) together." Haruka grins "What? Trust you to say that!" "Idiot, I am a guy you know." "Then you go after girls?" "No, on the contrary, they come after me." "& then you'll go out with them?" "If they're as cute as you." Haruka sticks her tongue out at him "No one will show up." The guy grins "Well I'm off," putting on his helmet. "Bye bye," waves Haruka, seeing him ride off. Suddenly, Yui appears behind her, looking on curiously. Haruka, noticing her presence turns around "Yui-chan!" A little pensive, Yui says "It's cold today too, isn't it." Blowing out a breath, Yui adds "It's all white." Haruka nods a little sheepishly "Uhm." In English, Yui says "By the way...." Haruka looks at her "By the way?" "Who was that?" "Oh, he's my home tutor to help me out for the college entrance exams." Yui nods "Hmmmm, is that all?" "What do you mean 'is that all?'" "Sorry, I'm just a little jealous for Manato." Haruka gives a little laugh "For Manato?" Yui nods "Uhm, he seems a little out of sorts right now." Haruka adds in a resigned tone "I don't think he's jealous." Sitting down on the rail, Haruka continues "That's because he's in love with someone else." "You're giving up because of that?" "Yes, the thought crossed my mind. If I was truly in love with him, then I wouldn't think of doing that. Perhaps that is the way it is. Perhaps I'm not really in love with Irie-kun." "Then it's over, isn't it?" "Hm?" "If you're not really in love with him then it's better if it's over." Haruka looks away, unable to find an reply.

 

Walking around Saeki's apartment, Manato says enviously "This apartment's really something. Don't you feel lonely living here alone?" Pouring cups of coffee for the both of them, Saeki replies "Lonely? Someone asked me the same thing once." "Who?" "Your sister." Manato grins "Oh," & then suddenly pauses when a thought strikes him "You mean Yui's been here too?" Saeki replies "Twice or three times." Taken aback, Manato looks away & stares through the glass walls into Saeki's bedroom in silence. Bringing the coffee over to the living room, Saeki says "Sorry to call you over here all of a sudden." "It's alright. In any case I'm free now that the exam's over." Saeki hands Manato his coffee "gokurousama, ah, coffee's black." Manato takes a sip "Ah, what about you?" "You're asking why I didn't take any exams?" "Yeah." "I was thinking of studying overseas." "Studying overseas?" "Uhm, although it's not because both my parents are abroad." "Then you're going alone?" Saeki lights a cigarette "No. I haven't asked her but I think she'll say yes." Manato says hesitatingly "That's......" "...not Yui," finishes Saeki. "I see." "What do you think?" "What do you mean?" "Think she'll be shocked?" Manato replies "If she's really in love with you, she will be." "Really in love with me?" Manato doesn't look at Saeki "What do you think?" Saeki stares at him & then continues "Are you mad at me?" "What?" "Well, that's true too, I am a guy who's going to tell your adorable sister goodbye, this guy sitting right next to you." Manato gives a laugh "No, I'm not mad, on the contrary....." Saeki picks up on Manato's slip "On the contrary?" Manato gets up & walks to the window.

 

 

on the contrary, at that very moment,

I was desperately trying to hide the fact that

I was suppressing the smile threatening to appear on my face

 

 

Saeki adds "Well, with her character like hers, I'll bet that she won't mind at all." Manato nods "Yeah...."

 

 

that is why I will never forget you

 

 

"That's for sure," giving Saeki a smile. Saeki grins & Manato looks back out the glass window again, a hint of a smile on his lips.

 

 

suddenly without warning,

my turn had arrived at last

 

 

In the living room at the coffee table, Yui's flipping through a book when Manato walks in after his bath, towel around his shoulders & hair dripping wet. Seeing Yui, he asks "What are you looking at?" "Graduation album." Interest peaked, Manato grins "When?" "From junior high." Manato comes over "Let me see." Sitting down at the sofa looking over Yui's shoulder, Manato suddenly says "Hey!" Absorbed in the pictures, Yui mutters "Uhm?" "Isn't that mine?" Yui laughs "Yes it is. You really looked gloomy," pointing at Manato's photo. With a pout, Manato grabs the album & puts it behind him "Don't look at it without asking." Yui reaches out for it "Come on, it doesn't matter!" However, Manato quickly gets up & walks to the fridge with it "No way! You're invading into my privacy!" Yui pouts following him "You're being mean!" Getting a drink out of the fridge "Yeah I'm mean." "Is it the girl in the round picture?" "What?" "The one above the class picture." "What are you talking about?" "What do you mean what? The girl that you can't forget, the girl that transferred to another school." "Oh." "Her name's Hirase Ai right? A passionate love." (Ai means love) "You remembered her name?" Putting her hands together, Yui says "Please, let me see it again?" When Manato doesn't reply, Yui whines "Let me see..." Giving in to her, Manato turns around & quietly hands the album over to her. Happily, Yui takes it & goes back to the coffee table & takes another look "Hmmm, she wears glasses too." Taking a seat on the sofa, Manato replies "She might be wearing contacts now." "Where did she move to?" "How would I know?" "But you said you liked her!" Manato ponders "Probably somewhere around Niigata." "Did you ever confess to her?" Manato stares back in shock "Confess? No way! I've never even spoken to her before." "You really looked really gloomy, didn't you." "Forget it already." "Then that means you don't know what Ai feelings are." "Feelings?" "Perhaps Ai likes you too." "That's impossible." "You don't know for sure. Now that you've taken off your glasses you look really good." "Really? But I've never taken it off in front of her." "She might look really pretty too without her glasses." "You think so?" "Perhaps she was just like you, playacting another role & putting on glasses that she didn't need either." "No way." "Well, there's a possible that there are similarities between the both of you, not on the surface but deep down." "You're exaggerating!" "You can't keep thinking it's impossible all the time. For the sake of the future." "For the future?" "Finding our her address & writing her a letter." The phone rings & Manato laughs "Stop kidding already!" Getting up, Manato picks up the phone "Yes, this is Irie.....ah Dad? What's wrong?" Suddenly Manato's expression turns into serious "What? You're kidding me! Uhm.....uhm....alright." As Manato hangs up, Yui asks "What's wrong?" Manato quickly tells her "Go get changed. Ah, me too." Yui stares at him & Manato adds "The hospital....."

 

A taxi screeches to a halt in front of the hospital & Manato rushes out, Yui following closely behind. Running through the corridors of the hospital, Manato suddenly stops, when he sees his father "Dad!" Waiting on a seat outside the ICU, Irie gets to feet when Manato & Yui come running up towards him. Breathlessly, Manato asks "What's wrong? How come it happened so suddenly?" Irie solemnly replies "There's something I didn't tell you. Yurie didn't want it to affect your exams." "What do you mean?" "Yurie....never had long to live from the start." Stunned, Manato stares at his father "What?" Slowly turning to Yui, Manato says "Then, what you said before...." Calm, Yui turns around & looks at him, giving him a nod. In disbelief, Manato mutters to himself "It's not possible..." The door to the ICU slides open & a nurse approaches "Members of the family, please go in." With a nod, Irie takes two steps before turning back to look at Yui. With an encouraging nod from Yui, Irie enters without another word. The nurse tells Yui & Manato "Please go ahead." Struggling with the truth, Manato mutters "Wait a minute, I'm not ready....." but Yui firmly tells the nurse "We won't be going in." Manato looks at her in surprise "Yui!" "Let her be alone with Papa." The nurse nods & leaves. Worriedly, Manato looks at her "Yui...." but Yui merely replies "Mom's really fortunate, to have the person she loves watching over her when she leaves." Manato stares at her, unable to say anything.

 

Haruka sprints around the track working out. Done, she heads for the tap & takes a drink. Someone takes her towel & hands it to her. Looking up to see who it is, she finds Saeki in front of her "I saw you from the music room. Are you upset that I'm not the one you want to see?" With an awkward nod, Haruka takes the towel without a word. Saeki continues "I guess you're still mad at us for leaving you guys by the beach? It was Yui's idea. She was getting impatient with you guys. I was also looking forward to it but as your senior I was a little worried. I tried to call you about the time of the last train but....you switched off your cell phone, didn't you. Way to go! When it comes to crunch time, women are something else!" "It was the first time I went to a love hotel." "Oh wow, never expected to hear you say something like that! I'm fascinated!" "They had karaoke & things." "Even slides & swings?" "But....nothing happened." "Nothing?!" "Well, not exactly nothing but...." "So you're saying that you didn't go all the way. So who's fault was it? Ahhh, you suddenly got scared & started crying." Haruka shakes her head wordlessly & Saeki continues "So that's to say it was Manato. Before he entered he came." Haruka gives a little embarrassed smile & Saeki coolly continues "Sorry. That was rather vulgar of me." Haruka sighs "The problem was before that." "What do you mean?" "Well...." "Well?" From the sheepish look on Haruka's face, comprehension dawns on Saeki "So he couldn't do it. Well, I'm not trying to help him out here but sometimes when one's too anxious it happens." "You think that too?" "Me?" "Me....I'm the type that enjoys the pressure. Ah, I see. So that's why you're out running so early in the morning. I guess that's not surprising, you're wondering if you're attractive or not & all that. But you don't have to worry. I can guarantee you that. You're wonderful." "Thank you, even if it's just flattery." "You're really honest with me today." "I went home alone." "You left him alone at the love hotel?" Haruka nods & Saeki continues "I guess I understand your feelings. You were hurt." "Actually that wasn't it." "You weren't upset?" "I was really disappointed with him. Somehow I got the feeling that he was in love with someone else." "Really? I didn't hear anything about it." "But then again that's a different story." "So when nothing happened you were disappointed with him." Haruka laughs "Something's wrong with me today, telling you all these things. Must be feeling the blues, opening up to you like that." "You really are a some woman." "I know what you're trying to say. I'm finally understanding what kind of a woman I am, right?" "I don't mean it in a bad way." "But when I realized that I got a shock myself." Saeki laughs "That you're the 'other woman' type?" Haruka sighs "Hate it..." "So that's why you were out running. But that's kind of cute. Want to try it with me next time?" Haruka frowns "What?" Saeki covers his face with his hand in jest "I'm kidding! That's not possible anyway right?" Haruka laughs with a tinge of sadness "If there was no one else around I might ask you to." Haruka runs off with a rather contemplative Saeki watching her.

 

The funeral takes place for Yui's mother Sayuri. Manato however, seems to be in a world of his own, struggling to come to terms with his own feelings.

 

 

In the past few days

I've had been overwhelmed by a strange sensation

first, Dad, my own father

had been living in such a romantic love

no...

because I didn't think he'd be with someone who had no tomorrow

 

& then Yui

who had just lost her own mother

but didn't shed a tear

I couldn't quite understand either

 

to be sure

to be sent off by the one you loved at one's death

could perhaps be called happiness

but no matter how I wanted to understand it all

no feelings of any answers came to me

 

at that moment

I felt like I had been left all alone

impatient with the thought that

no matter how I tried

I just couldn't reach the place

where Yui & the others were

 

but whatever it was

there at that moment

there was a sense of calm in the air

 

 

Sitting on a log by the beach, Irie tells Yui & Manato "She never wanted to marry me in the beginning." Yui asks "How come?" Irie smiles "Because she said that the name Irie Yurie would sound weird." Yui laughs "I see." Manato stares at the both of them, feeling out of place & turns back out to look at the ocean.

 

In class, Taeko grumbles to Haruka "I did use this name & attached this as well." Haruka smiles "You said that the last time too." Suddenly Manato walks in & seeing Haruka, greets her "Morning." Caught off guard, Haruka gives Manato an awkward glance & then chooses to continue her conversation with Taeko "So did he reply in the end?" "Well, I've been waiting but....." Manato, looks at Haruka, & taking the hint, turns away.

 

In the music room, Saeki's playing another piece on the piano with Yui listening contemplatively. Suddenly she asks "Did you write that tune as well?" Saeki pauses "What? It's Mozart!" Yui smiles "Hmmm, but I think the tune you wrote sounds better." Saeki laughs "Those who know music well would never ever say that." "Then, since I know you well then can I say something?" "You know me well?" "Uhm." "Then what am I?" "Well...someone that I've grown to love." "Hm? &?" "Someone that I'll go on loving." "& then?" "Someone that I'll always love." Saeki takes an apple from behind him & gives it to her "Here, thank you, gokurousama." Taking the apple, Yui asks "That won't do?" "It's not that, but just your own subjectivity. You should be more objective." "I can't be objective. When something occurs to me, I just act." "But wouldn't things often go wrong because of that?" "Go wrong?" Saeki smiles "Nothing." Getting up from the piano, Saeki starts to say "I've got something to tell you." Yui looks on enquiringly "Something interesting?" "I don't know if it's interesting or not...uhm, I'm thinking of going to school abroad." "Going to school abroad?" "Uhm, I mentioned before that my parents are living in New York, didn't I?" "Uhm." "I don't particularly want to go to college here either." "Then you'll be moving away." "Uhm." "I see." "I'm very happy that I met you....." Yui suddenly interrupts "Okay." "What?" "I'll go with you too." "What do you mean go with me?" "It'll be alright." Saeki smiles "It's not as easy as that....what about your parents...." "They're dead." Saeki stops & stares at Yui as she adds "Mom's no longer around. That's why it's okay. I'll go with you." Saeki starts "Yui....." but Yui states adamantly "I'll go with you." Pursing his lips, Saeki says "Are you being subjective?" Yui tilts her head & replies "Probably." Saeki mutters "I see," & leans back against the wall, wondering how to get through to Yui.

 

After school Manato rushes down the stairs after Haruka, calling out "Sawamura!" Hearing Manato call out, she pauses at the foot of the stairs. Manato asks "Are you going home?" Sawamura nods "Uhm. A lot of things have happened, hasn't it." "Uhm." "Is Yui-chan alright?" "Yeah." "I see," replies Haruka & abruptly heads for the shoe lockers. Manato follows "You've been coming to school early recently? I don't see you at the bus stop in the mornings anymore." "The athletic meet is coming up soon." "Ah, your running club? I see. I was thinking that you might be trying to avoid me." "Not really." "Ah, are you free today? If you are, let's do something now?" "I'm sorry, I've got something on." "I see." "Bye." Surprised at the brush off, Manato mutters "Bye..." & watches her leave. Suddenly behind him, Manato hears Saeki say "When pursued, one runs." Turning around, Manato sees Saeki smiling back at him "What?" Saeki adds "If one runs, then one is pursued."

 

Having coffee in a cafe, Saeki says in a worldly tone "It's natural between males & females, nothing to get flustered about." Manato replies a little defensively "We're not pursuing or running away from one another." "You didn't sleep with her." Manato looks surprised "Eh?" & then grimaces "That Yui again." "No, I heard it from the person herself." "From Sawamura?" "I didn't think that she'd actually tell me all that either." Manato wonders in silence & Saeki says "&?" Manato looks at him "What do you mean '&'?" "Why? Was it that after all? The image of your first love appearing in front of you?" "No, not that." "That's true too. You don't look like the type to dwell over in a love that is impossible." Manato takes offense "In any case I was set up." "Calm down, don't get mad. I'm looking at it from an objective point of view." "Objective point of view?" "Uhm, you can even call it constructive if you like...ah, well, I guess it doesn't have anything to do with what I want to say." Manato waits for Saeki to continue & eventually Saeki says "I've told Yui about my plans to study abroad." "&?" "She said she'd come with me." "She'd go with you?" "That's to say she's wants to go with me to the United States of America." Manato frowns "No way...." "That's what I think too! But I don't really know if she's serious or just kidding though." "Since it's Yui, it's possible that she's serious." "What?" "She doesn't lie." "But that's really weird. She said that now that her mother's passed away, everything's alright. There's still her father & you, her brother...." "We're not related by blood." Saeki looks at Manato in surprised as Manato explains "My father remarried & Yui's her daughter." "What about other relatives?" "She hasn't any. Of course my father & I aren't really relatives either although she might consider us her family." "Puts me in a spot." "What do you mean? As long as you tell her that you're going with someone else...." "That's true but somehow I can't bring myself to tell her so. You might say it's underhanded but I don't want to her to hate me." "But...." "I know. That's why, I was hoping to ask you." "Ask me?" "Tell her for me." Manato stares at him & finally replies "That puts me in a spot. & you know Yui's character, she'll just go after you anyway." "Perhaps, but then it would cushion the effect instead of hearing it directly from me." "But...." "I'll return the favor. If you do that for me, I'll so something for you in return." "Well, I don't have anything...." "I'll play mediator for you." "Mediator?" "You know, that first love of yours. Don't look down on me, I'll be a nice assistant, a nice mediator for you." Manato gives a wry smile of resignation "That's impossible." "How come? Tell me who it is & I'll work it out for you." Manato merely shakes his head & takes a sip of his coffee.

 

Haruka goes out on a date with her home tutor Muroi, heading for a bar after some fun at a bowling alley. Putting a glass in front of her, he says "Juice for you, you're not old enough for alcohol yet." Haruka laughs "Ah, just like a school teacher." "A teacher is a teacher, even a home tutor." "Alright!" Taking a sip of their drinks, Muroi says "Why wrong? Calling me out all of a sudden. Something happen at home?" Haruka shakes her head "Nothing, just felt like it." "Just felt like it? Isn't that a little dicey? Calling me out just because you felt like it, it could be that you like me." Haruka bursts out laughing & he teases "Don't laugh! That's not appropriate." Haruka grins "Understood, sensei." "Don't call me 'sensei' here." "You said yourself that even a home tutor's a teacher." "I guess so." "Well then, Muroi-san." "Uhm." "Are you....popular with girls?" Muroi grins "Well, I'm good looking, happy by nature, & I'm a sweet talker. On occasion this face sends women wild!" "Then you've got the experience." Muroi stops short "Experience? 'That' experience?" Haruka stares at him & then nods "Uhm." "Well, yeah I do." "I haven't, yet." Muroi gives a little laugh "What's the matter with you? Are you drunk from orange juice?" Without looking at him, Haruka asks "What's it feel like?" "What do you mean what it feels like...." "Tell me." Muroi laughs & starts to say "Stop joking...." but when he sees that Haruka's dead serious, the smile disappears from his face.

 

Manato's sprawled out on his bed when there's a knock on the door. Not moving, Manato mutters "Yes?" Yui's voice follows "It's me, can I come in?" Manato sits up, muttering "Uhm." Yui enters with different colored packets of writing sets "Which color do you prefer?" "Which?" "Let's decide, red, blue, yellow....ah, this one has little bears on it." "Writing letters?" "Uhm." "Well, if it's you then I guess red." "You're the one that's doing the writing." "Me? To who?" "Hirai Ai-chan of course!" "Are you serious?" "Of course. I called your old junior high school today." "What?" "When I told them that we were arranging a class reunion, they told me Ai-chan's address right away. Seems like she really moved to Niigata." "Wait a minute...." Manato tries to protest but Yui ignores him "So what color shall we pick?" "Come on...." "Then green, it means evergreen." "Wait a minute! If I write out of the blue, what will she think?" "Just write naturally." "Like what?" "Stuff like 'when we were in junior high, I had a crush on you' etc, all sorts of things. & I'll help you think what to write too." Manato looks at her "Write? You mean the both of us?" Yui nods "Yes, the both of us." Manato turns away "Don't kid, I don't even know if she remembers me...." "You can't chicken out now. You've got to be strong." "Be strong?" "But if you stay like this, nothing will ever happen. Because you're always thinking about her, things haven't gone well with Haruka-chan, am I right?" "That...." Manato starts to protest again but Yui cuts him off "You said so.....you said that she was like an angel to you." "But......." Manato hesitates & walks to the window, upset "What is it with you?! Didn't you say that you hoped that things work out fine between Haruka & myself? & now you want me to do this. Don't you think that I'm being unfair to Sawamura?" "I don't." Surprised, Manato turns back to look at Yui "What?" Yui explains "Because you are more important to me than Haruka-chan. That's why as long as you're happy, that's what matters." "I appreciate your feelings but....." "Then if, writing to Ai-chan you then find out that she's not what you expected, then you can return to reality & go back to Haruka-chan." "Things aren't that simple...." "Come on, just write it, give it a shot." "Life isn't like that." Yui moans to herself "I'm running out of time." Manato looks at her "What?" "Ah, I said it," mutters Yui & then adds "I was thinking of keeping it from you for a while more.....I've decided that I'm going to leave together with senpai." Manato asks quietly "Where to?" "Uhm....where was it.....overseas." Manato turns away in silence, thinking. Yui puts her arm in his & continues chattering "Anyway, I haven't got much time left with you. That's why I want you to be happy now. I don't feel good if I'm the only one feeling happy. I've only ever had these kinds of feelings with you & Mom. But Mom's gone now." Manato stares at her & then looks away again, a crease on his forehead, not saying a word. Yui goes in front of him "You're not willing to write? Are you afraid if you find out that she has a boyfriend? Or....." Suddenly without a word, Manato moves to his desk & sits down "I'll write & see." A bright smile appearing on her face, Yui exclaims "Really?" Manato picks up the green colored letter set "Yes, with strong feelings." "Uhm!" "But if I don't get a reply, then it ends right here." "You'll get one for sure!" "I hope so." "Let's take some pictures afterwards. She's only got the image of you in glasses looking gloomy." Manato grabs a pen & starts "Hmmm, should I start with 'Dear' or not?"

 

Yui approaches Saeki's apartment building & suddenly stops. From her coat pocket, she pulls out a pink colored wrapped box tied with a red colored ribbon, a little card addressed to Saeki saying "I love you" on it. With a smile, Yui starts forward when she suddenly notices a taxi pull up in front of the apartment. Without noticing Yui, Mariko gets out of the taxi, going inside the building with a smile. A crease appears on Yui's forehead as she stares up at the building.

 

With hair still ruffled from sleep, Manato enters the living room, greeting his father "Morning." "Morning, hey, what about school?" asks Irie when he notices Manato's still in his sweatshirt & pants. "Exam holidays." "Oh." "Where's Yui?" asks Manato, looking around. "Looks like she's gone out already." From the table, Irie picks up a pink bundle tied with a red ribbon & holds it out to Manato "Here." "What is it?" "Chocolate. I've got one too." Manato takes it & staring at it, mumbles "Ah, so it's Valentine's today." Irie stares at him with a laugh "You mean you just realized it now? You're really haven't got it with the girls." "Leave me alone," retorts Manato good naturedly, sitting down at the breakfast table. "I get a ton of chocolates from the folks in the office every year." "But they're all giri-choco anyway, right?" (Chocolate that one is obligated to give.) Irie pauses & then gets serious "Manato, is Yui doing alright?" "What do you mean?" "Now that Yurie's gone, is she feeling lonely?" "Uhm, I think so, but I don't really know exactly how she feels." "I see." Manato asks "What about you?" "Hm?" "Don't you feel lonely?" "Uh...it's strange, I don't." "How come?" "Feeling lonely is just one's ego at work. In order to fulfill those feelings, one ends up making demands of somebody. & I no longer have any intentions of doing that." "Maybe that's because she's alive in your heart." "Yes, we have conversations everyday," replies Irie, looking at Yurie's picture on the cabinet. Looking past Manato, Irie suddenly adds "See, Yurie's standing there right now." Shocked, Manato turns around "What?!" Irie laughs "I'm kidding!" Manato grins, relieved "Stop it."

 

Saeki asks "So what are you going to do about work? Are you going to continue being a teacher?" Seated on the couch, Mariko explains "I've already told the principal that I'm going to get married & quit." "So the word's gotten around to the other teachers already?" "Probably." "That's really un-cool." "Right." "I've got a good idea." "A good idea?" Saeki goes behind & puts his arm around her "Come to America & marry me." "Stop kidding, even if we go there you'll still be a student." Saeki climbs onto the sofa plopping himself next to Mari "I've got the inheritance from my grandfather so it wouldn't be a problem getting by." "That's not the problem." "You don't have to worry about my parents either. They're practical & they'll like you. & as soon as I graduate I'll start work, they'll be very happy." "Even if you tell me all that...." "If you disagree I'll stay back another year." "Don't put me in a spot!" "I want to!" Mariko gives him a playful whack on the head "Idiot!" "Oww!" Saeki dodges & then pauses when the doorbell rings. Climbing over the sofa & seeing Yui's face appearing on the intercom monitor, Saeki says "This is bad." Mariko asks "What?" "She's here." "She?" "That Manato! He still hasn't told her!" Mariko gets flustered "Shall I hide?" Saeki pretends to get agitated "No, the window...." Mariko protests "We're on the third floor!" Saeki grins "Uhm. I just won't answer the door that's all." "Poor thing." Saeki pulls Mariko back down on the sofa "Can't be helped," & proceeds to kiss her. Down at the lobby, Yui stares at the intercom, pressing buttons but not getting any response from Saeki. Suddenly thunder rumbles & the skies open up, bringing down rain.

 

Sitting on his bed, Manato makes a phone call. "This is Sawamura." "Hello? It's me." "Yes?" "It's started to rain so I thought your laundry might get wet." "Thanks." "Uhm." Hanging up, Manato looks out the window & sees Haruka enter her room & take in the laundry. Sitting down at his desk, Manato takes the pink packet of chocolate in his hands when the phone suddenly rings. Answering "Yes?" & going to the window, Manato sees Haruka looking out her bedroom window back at him. Awkwardly, she says "Thanks for helping my brother with his homework. "It's nothing." "Then, bye...." Haruka's about to hang up when Manato suddenly says "Ah....are you avoiding me? You are, aren't you." "Why do you think that?" "Well, like today's Valentine's Day right? Normally someone like you would be making chocolates or something." "Did you get some from Yui-chan?" "What? Uhm, I got some, but so did Dad. It's giri-choco." "So the home made chocolate went to Saeki-san?" "Probably." "If you got some from me, would you be happy?" "Of course." "Even if it's just one or two, would you be happy?" "Of course because it would be different from giri-choco." "Talk about getting conceited," replies Haruka, turning away & leaning her back against the window sill. "Not exactly conceited, just taking things as they come..." "Right now I'm doing an experiment." "An experiment?" Still with her back to Manato, Haruka answers "To find out whether or not I really like you. Because I'm not sure..." "I see," replies Manato, in a muted tone, turning his back to the window as well. Haruka continues "I'm wondering that maybe it's because I feel safe with you. I've known you since we were kids. I feel really afraid of older guys. I'm really sorry, but I'm wondering if I was just looking for someone that made me feel safe, that maybe this wasn't really love. It's the same with you too, isn't it?" "Me?" "You weren't in love with me either, right?" "Well..." "There's someone else that you like, right?" "That..." "But that girl likes someone else so you gave up on her." Haruka turns around & looks out the window at Manato "It's Yui-chan, isn't it." Manato turns around & stares at Haruka, not replying. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to blame you. If I really was in love with you, I would probably also resign myself that it wouldn't work. But there are a lot of things that make me feel fed up, things about myself, your character, & probably.......you too." Manato stares at Haruka who adds "I want to change myself." Manato remains silent, looking despondent.

 

The doorbell keeps on ringing & finally Saeki gets up from the sofa "She's really persistent! I wonder if she knows that we're in." Mariko replies worriedly "Maybe she saw me when I came, & then..." "It bothers her?" "Of course!" "But wouldn't that normally make a person leave?" "She really loves you." "I guess it can't be helped. Shall I let her in & we'll talk?" "Wait a minute! Don't do that!" "Why not? Forget that you're a teacher & just explain it to her." "But...." "I didn't really want to hurt her since I'm the one in the wrong but..." "I'll go meet her." "What?!" "I'll go apologize to her." "No you can't. With your character, you'll pull back right away." "We can't talk to her here either, it's cruel somehow." "That's true."

 

Outside, Yui stands in the pouring rain, staring up at the apartment, the box of chocolates in her hand. Suddenly, a red umbrella appears sheltering her from the rain. Turning around, she sees Manato holding out the umbrella over her. With quiet understanding, Manato says "Let's go home." Yui stares at him with sad eyes & Manato nods "Okay?" "Right now, senpai's at home." Manato nods "Uhm." "I brought chocolate for him." Manato nods again "Uhm." "I made it this morning. It's the first time I've ever made any." "Is that so?" "Ah, but Papa's & yours were bought, sorry." "Don't worry about it." Yui slowly glances up at the apartment "Senpai....." "Hm?" "Has he gone back to her? Has he?" After a pause, Manato quietly says "So it seems." Tears in her eyes, Yui stares at a soaked Manato "Why? Because he hates me?" "I don't think so." "Then why? Why?" Manato struggles to find something to soothe Yui's pain but can't find any words. Yui cries "Manato...." Slowly, Manato moves towards Yui & putting his arms around her, holds her close.

 

Back home, Manato knocks on Yui's door "Are you changed?" "Uhm." Manato enters & seeing a Yui drying her hair, asks "Are you alright?" Yui sneezes in reply. Manato walks up to her & puts his hand on her forehead "Have you caught a cold? Doesn't look like you have a fever though." Suddenly Yui says "Hey, let's take some pictures." "Hm?" "To send to Ai-chan." "Right now?" "Uhm. You've finished writing the letter haven't you?" "Well, sort of." "Great! Then let's take some!" Grabbing Manato's hand, Yui excitedly pulls him out of her room into the living room downstairs. With an instant camera in hand, Yui instructs "Smile!" With a smile that looks more like a grimace, Manato grumbles "How many are you going to take?" "It's just like an omiai picture so we'll pick the best one of the lot. Right! One more! Ah, it's the last one." "It's enough already." "This time we'll take one of the both of us." "What?" "You can send one with your cute sister as well!" Sitting down on Manato's knee, Yui holds out the camera with one hand & takes a shot of the both of them.

 

Out into the night, Yui pulls Manato up a flight of steps "Hurry up!" Manato as usually grumbling "Wait a minute!" Panting, they both arrive at the top of the stairs where there is a red post box. Yui pushes Manato in front of it with Manato protesting "We didn't have to mail it today!" "As the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot!" "I wonder." "What are you worried about?" "Well, even if she's living an ordinary life, I don't want to disrupt things for her." "There are no girls around that will not like being pursued." "Really? Wouldn't she already have someone?" "If it's Manato she'll be very happy." Manato turns around & looks at Yui "Is that so?" Yui smiles, assuring him "If it were me I'd me thrilled." "Really?" "Uhm." Manato stares at Yui, starting to say "Yui...." "Hm?" "Well....it's not what happened to you.....that I'm about to say this but......" "What's wrong? You're fumbling with words...." "Well....." Manato hesitates & then turns away "Never mind." Changing the subject, Manato asks "Why did you decide on the color green for me?" "Ah, you're wondering about that?" "Uhm, sort of." "Because of oxygen." Oxygen?" "Uhm. When I'm with you, the air suddenly feels very fresh." "Is that so?" "The Manato that is green in color, gives me pure oxygen." "But even if there's a lot of greenery, without the red colored sun, photosynthesis can't happen." "Red color? Ah what is that! So it's thanks to me?" Manato nods "Uhm," & walks back towards the post box. When Yui follows, peeping over his shoulder, Manato turns the green colored envelop face down, & slowly drops it into the box. Pensively, Manato turns & takes two steps when Yui suddenly puts her hands together & says happily "Please let there be a reply from Ai-chan." Manato looks at her, deep in his own thoughts.

 

 

'Now is still not the time'

I kept telling myself then

over & over

someday

the time would come naturally

 

 

In her room, Yui stares at a photograph of herself & her mother Yurie.

 

 

that is why I will never forget you

 

 

As the bell chimes, Mariko's class ends "Alright, this is it for today." The monitor orders "Rise! Bow!" All he students bow respectfully to Mariko. Mariko calls out "Class monitor?" "Yes?" "Will you come to the staff room during lunch break?" "Yes." Mariko gathers her books & takes two steps towards the door when she suddenly stops, seeing Yui through the glass panel on the door. Staring intently at Mariko, Yui slides the door open. From her desk, Haruka looks up "Yui-chan?" as Manato's attention switches from his desk to the doorway. At his desk, Saeki also notices Yui approach Mariko in a trance-like state. Manato gets to his feet "Yui." Suddenly blood starts flowing out of Yui's nose & worriedly, Mariko offers her handkerchief "Are you alright?" Without warning, Yui suddenly attacks Mariko. Manato yells "Yui!" & rushes towards her.

 

 

ever since that time

I never got another chance to tell you