tasukete kudasai, imoto wo

save my sister, please

Manato sits at the dining table, motionless.

 

あの時僕は静かに、
そう静かに興奮を静めていた

 

At that moment I was quietly

quietly suppressing my excitement

 

この小さなお城に侵入する、
いかなる外敵からも彼女を守り抜け

 

I would protect her from

whoever the enemies were

that would invade this little castle

 

 

Bringing up a tray of food for Yui, Manato walks up the stairs & enters her room.

 

だから君のことを忘れないよ

 

that is why I will never forget you

 

 

Yui smiles "Was it Papa?" Manato remains silent. Outside, Saeki turns back & stares at the Irie home.

 

たとえばそれが、
君の待ち望んでいる、

あの、王子様であったとしても
 

even if it was the prince

that you were waiting & hoping for

 

 

Manato puts the tray down on her desk "Uhm." Taking a seat by her bed, he smiles at her "It was Papa."

 

In the rain, a crowd of students check out the exam results posted on the notice board, jostling to find out if they made it into college. Carrying an umbrella, standing apart from the others, Manato stares silently at the notice board, his face expressionless. Turning to walk off, he is surprised to see someone waiting for him "Sawamura!" With a smile, Haruka replies "Congratulations." Manato stares at her for a long moment before nodding, a hint of a smile finally appearing on his lips.

 

Moving to a fast food restaurant, Manato asks "Why did you come?" Across the table taking a sip of her drink, Haruka replies "Well, I was afraid that you might get a shock & kill yourself or something." "So you thought I wouldn't make it." "That's because you weren't exactly confident when you spoke about it." "I was shocked myself. I was thinking that I would have to make applications at some prep school first." "So we'll be together again when spring comes." "Yeah, that's right." "Shouldn't you call & let your father & Yui know?" "There's no need to." "Ah, you want to let them think that you didn't make it & see their reactions?" Manato shakes his head without replying, getting up to clear his tray from the table. Haruka awkwardly apologizes "Ah, I'm sorry, I forgot that Yui's still not feeling well." Without looking at Haruka, Manato quietly says "Saeki came by yesterday." "Eh?" "To see Yui." "I see." Turning to stare at Haruka, Manato adds "He said he heard about it from you." Haruka returns the stare "I shouldn't have told him?" No, it's not that you shouldn't have. I was just thinking that the both of you are really insensitive, that's all." "Insensitive?" "Weren't you the one to say that Yui's probably in shock over Saeki? & to tell Saeki himself to come see her, isn't that being insensitive?" "I didn't tell him to go see her..." "& for him to actually come see her, he's totally insensitive!" Haruka stares at him as a thought dawns on her "You turned him away?" Manato looks at her "Of course!" "Did Yui-chan say that?" Losing his cool, Manato retorts "I didn't have to ask! It's understood isn't it?!! Yui's trying to forget about him." "Did Yui tell you that?" "I don't have to ask! I know!" Haruka half mutters under her breath "But you're not her!" Manato stares at her. Haruka continues "You keep saying that you understand her, but you're not Yui-chan!" Manato sighs irritably "You're acting as it you're trying to reason with a child, stop it. It's obvious! She's ill! Instead of prying into every little thing, isn't it better to do something for her instead?! Unlike you, half playing in jest, thinking this is fun...." Haruka stops him "Wait a minute! I'm didn't tell him for fun! It's just that Yui-chan.....wants to see Saeki-san...." In anger, Manato raises his voice "Yui doesn't want to see him! & you're not her either so how would you know!?" Everyone in the restaurant turns to stare at a furious Manato. After a moment's silence, Manato turns to walk off when Haruka adds "Yui-chan was at the bus-stop." Manato pauses "So what about it?" "She was in school. She must have been watching him from somewhere. Because she can't see him in person anymore, at the very least from somewhere else...." "You're jumping to conclusions. She might have been waiting for me to come home." "Is that what you really think?" "How would I know, I'm not her," Manato throws back a last word & turns to stride off. Seriously quiet, Haruka says without thinking "Are you trying to kill Yui-chan?" Manato freezes in his tracks. Slowly, he turns around & stares at Haruka. Realizing she's gone too far, Haruka stammers "Ah, sorry, I......sorry....." Without another word, Manato walks off. Haruka calls out "Irie-kun! Your umbrella......" but Manato's gone. In the pouring rain, Manato walks with angry strides.

 

In the music room, Saeki plays his soulful "T's Waltz" on the piano.

 

Manato stops by at a supermarket & picks up some groceries. Finally with the rain having let up, Manato trudges up the wet slope towards home. Coming through the front door, Manato sees Yui's wet boots in the foyer. Turning to the umbrella stand, he pulls out Yui's umbrella & rain water splatters all over. His expression darkens.

 

When he walks into the living room, Yui, sitting on the sofa, greets him "Welcome back." In a bad mood, Manato replies irritably "You should be in bed." "I thought you'd be home soon." "Don't lie to me!" "Eh?" "I said that if you lied to me I'd know right away. Where have you been?!" "I didn't go anywhere." "Your shoes are soaked, & your umbrella's wet." "Ah, I went to check the mailbox." "The mailbox?" "Uhm, I was thinking that maybe Ai-chan's letter would have arrived. I've been waiting but it didn't arrive today." Manato stares at her "You telling me the truth?" "Thinking about it, I guess it would take a while. She's in Niigata after all." Manato turns away "Uh..." & sits down on the sofa beside her. Yui asks "So, how was it?" A little lost in his thoughts, Manato mumbles "Hm?" "You seem a little out of sorts, so you didn't make it after all?" "What?" "The exam results." "Ah." "What do you mean 'ah'?" "I got in." "Really?" "Uhm." Yui grins "Congratulations! This is great! You're great! So you're going to be in college in spring!" Yui's enthusiasm finally gets a weak smile from Manato.

 

Having dinner at Mariko's apartment, Saeki says "Speaking of which, I nearly forgot," taking out a little white box from his pocket & putting it on the table. Mariko looks up in surprise "What is it?" Saeki replies "Two lovers are having an intimate dinner together when suddenly the guy rather sheepishly produces a small little box.  I'm sure you can figure it out. At the very least it isn't a container for a stool examination. Ah, sorry, we're eating." When Mariko doesn't move, Saeki pushes the box towards her "Open it." Mariko gets up from the table without looking at him "I'm not accepting it," going into the kitchen. Nonchalantly, Saeki picks up the box "I thought you'd say that. You don't like the idea of something bought with the allowance I get or from my grandfather's fortune. However, I emptied what little savings I had to get this. When I was a kid I'd save the otoshidama (money given as a gift at the new year), pocket money that I didn't spend. Of course it's a little hard to say that it's something I sweated for," Saeki getting up from the table moving towards Mariko while he speaks. Quietly, she replies "Thank you." "It's not all that expensive but then again, neither is it a toy." "I appreciate your intentions but..." Mariko replies, turning away. "What am I suppose to say to that? There's a limit to being jealous you know." "If that's how I've made you feel, I apologize." "Then what should I do?" "Leave things as it is." "Leave things as it is," repeats Saeki. "I have no intentions of marrying you." "Just a moment please." "Yes?" "You like me. OK so far?" "Of course I do." "& you don't believe in being single forever. & I apologize for bring it up again, but you were even willing to marry someone you didn't love." "That's true." "This is the simple arithmetic of one plus one. Even kindergarten kids know this. You marrying the person you love, me. Bingo." Mariko shakes her head with a smile. Saeki continues not giving up "Ok, lets move onto high school mathematics. Here I am, still young, a student on the time axis that is about to begin. Let's add classical writings & Japanese history to that. Even the boring sense of morals of an older teacher." However Mariko simply says "I won't marry you." "& the reason being?" When Mariko doesn't reply, Saeki adds "Not because of Yui?" "It's got nothing to do with her." "That's true too. If you kept on that subject I'd start to dislike you." "The reason is simple." "I'd really like to hear it, before I go crazy!" With a smile, Mariko says "Because I love you." At her answer, Saeki finds himself at a loss for words. Eventually a wry smile appears on his face & with a scream of anguish, Saeki starts to fling the box away but stops. "If I had known this would happen....I'd have bought lots of candy & gum instead!" Grabbing his jacket & shoving the box roughly into his pocket, walks out of the apartment.

 

In the middle of the night, Manato hears a knock at the door as Yui calls out "Manato?" Turning on the lamp beside his bed, Manato sits up "Yui?" The door opens & Yui, dressed in her pink pajamas appears "Were you asleep?" Worried, Manato gets out of bed & approaches her anxiously asking "What's wrong? Are you feeling ill?" Yui shakes her head "No, just couldn't sleep." "Couldn't sleep?" "Uhm, well I am feeling kind of listless but...." "Oh," "Can I sleep together with you?" Stunned, Manato stares at her "Huh?" "Maybe I'll be able to get to sleep then." "Ah...." Yui looks at Manato ever so innocently "No?" "Uhm...well, ok...." Happily, Yui mutters "Great!" & quickly hops into Manato's bed, pulling the covers over her "Hurry up!" Manato merely nods "Uhm," closing the door. Walking to his bed, Manato awkwardly gets under the covers when Yui grabs his arm "If you sleep that close to the edge you'll fall off!" "I'm fine." "Come over a little closer. Ok." Reaching out for the lamp, Yui turns it off & sighs "Ah, it feels safe." Quietly, Manato answers "Really?" Yui nods "Yeah." "That's good." A pause & then Yui confesses "Actually, I'm rather timid." "Really?" "Uhm. When Mama decided to get married again, I felt really scared." "Uhm." "It wasn't so much Papa but rather his son, that's to say, you Manato." "Uhm." "I was wondering what kind of person you were. Maybe you were a bully, or some punk kid & scary, or a weird nerd or something. I was thinking all sorts of things." Manato smiles "So that's why you were following me around." "Yeah, it was fun playing detective." "So?" "Uhm?" "What's your impression?" "Of you?" "Uhm." "You want to know?" "Well, yeah..." With a quiet smile, Yui says "It's the same." "The same?" "The same as what you feel for me." Manato's face clouds over at her words. "I like you very much," adds Yui. Manato turns to look at her as she continues "I'm sure that even real brothers & sisters don't get along as well as we do. That's why as long as you're happy, I'll be happy too. That's because I like you very very much. You feel the same for me too, don't you?" Finally Manato nods "Uhm. I feel the same way too." Looking away, Manato adds "As long as you're happy, I'll be happy too. Even if the whole world is sad, as long as you're happy...." Yui smiles "Uwa~...that's going a little over." Manato chuckles "I guess a little...." "But I'm glad." "You are?" "Uhm," replies Yui, snuggling up closer to Manato.

 

Noon & Yui finally awakes, sitting up in Manato's bed, dazed from sleep. Reaching into her pajama pocket, she takes out her key ring, staring at the pink colored bell.

 

Seated in the foyer, dressed in her red coat, Yui puts on her boots & leaves the house.

 

Looking pale, Yui leans weakly against the bus stop post. The bus arrives & Yui slowly gets up the bus, not noticing someone running up the bus just before the door closes. Catching his breath, Manato, with a cap pulled low over his eyes, flashes his pass at the driver & walks past Yui, looking away, avoiding her. However Yui, in a world of her own, finds a seat, not noticing Manato's presence. Manato slides into a seat at the back of the bus, pulling his cap lower, staring at Yui.

 

At the same time In the music room, Saeki & Haruka are having lunch. Saeki asks "You're having obento?" Unpacking her lunch, Haruka replies "I cooked too much last night so this is just leftovers." Saeki looks into his paper bag, "Shall we swop?" Surprised, Haruka says "Huh?" Walking up to her, Saeki declares "I miss the taste of mom's cooking," placing his bag on Haruka's table. Affronted, Haruka retorts "I'm not old enough to be anyone's mother!" "What's the big deal? I'll just take the side dish, wow, it looks delicious!" Saeki takes the chopsticks from Haruka's hand & picks up the lunch box before she can protest. Sitting down at a desk behind her, he digs in "Itadakimasu." Giving up, Haruka takes out a bread roll from Saeki's paper bag "So what did you want to speak to me about? Everyone in class will start to talk." "About you & me? So what? We're going to graduate soon." "I guess so." "It's absurd, don't worry about it. This is delicious." A little embarrassed, Haruka says "Don't look at me while I'm eating." Saeki stares at her "Why not? I can't see your......underwear." (Play on the words pan - bread & pantsu - underwear) Haruka turns away with a pout & Saeki changes the subject "But it's great that Manato got into college." "Makes no difference to me." "Really? It means that you've got another four year chance. You'll be moving about in the same circles again." "I haven't thought about it." "Look who's kidding herself. & here I was thinking of giving you a hand." "Eh?" "I can get back with Yui." Surprised, Haruka turns back to look at him "What?" "If I do that, Manato might give up & get back with you." "So you know who Manato's in love with?" Saeki gives her a brief all knowing grin "Well, I do have some common sense you know.  When he sent me packing I kind of felt it, somehow. & of course with your leading questions as well...." Haruka keeps silent at her own blunder & Saeki continues "So I was right after all. Don't get upset. I'm telling you this for your own sake." "I'm not upset." "Huh? How come?" "Because I really had no intentions of doing that. If anything, I'm helping the both of them get together." "Help them? How?" "The letters. Anyway, it doesn't matter." "What a self tormenting love affair." "In any case, talk about being irresponsible. You've already got Mariko & now you're talking about getting back with Yui? You've got to be kidding." "Let's not talk about Mariko." Haruka peers at him curiously "Did something happen?" "Nothing, it's just the same as you & Manato. She can't quite come to terms with her true feelings so she's kind of edgy." From his pocket, Saeki fishes out the white box & opening it, places it on the desk. Haruka looks at the diamond ring "That is....?" "From the 100yen toy vending machines. If you'd like to you can have it." "I don't want it." "Oh," Saeki nonchalantly picks up the box & looks at the ring, adding "You sure aren't the least bit popular," putting it back into his pocket. Looking at a rather absent minded Saeki, Haruka starts cautiously "Hey, your parents are living overseas, aren't they." "Uhm." "So you're always home alone?" "How come you're asking me this all of a sudden? Doing a family background survey?" Haruka ignores him "What about friends?" "Eh?" "Thinking about it, there's also the age difference between you & everyone else at school, & you always seem to be alone." Saeki gets up, clearing his throat "What exactly are you getting at?" "I was just thinking that the truth is, you're afraid." Saeki replies jokingly "Me? Hey, are you telling me off?" Haruka smiles "Perhaps even more afraid that Irie-kun & myself." Saeki's expression darkens as he listens to Haruka "That's why you're always joking & laughing. Although you feel really lonely, you laugh it off. Aren't you the one that can't come to terms with your own true feelings?" Suddenly Saeki leans forward & put his head on his hands over the desk, his voice teary "You're right. You're right about what you said. I am more alone, lonelier than anyone else. I'm afraid of losing anyone. If I had known that, I wouldn't have fallen in love in the first place. I am.....living in a world of lies." Haruka cast a worried look at him "Saeki...." All of a sudden Saeki looks up & grins "Just kidding!" Getting up, he spins around "La, la, la.....I should go for acting auditions." Without a word, Haruka grabs her lunch box & walks out of the classroom. Saeki calls out "Wait a minute! Mama, I haven't finished eating!" Alone, Saeki sighs heavily & takes out the ring from his pocket, his expression somber.

 

Manato arrives at the front of a building. With a worried frown, he pulls off his hat, staring up at the building.

 

Alone, in the music room, Saeki plays the rather forlorn T's Waltz, the ring on top of the piano.

 

With the pink colored bell hanging out of her coat pocket, Yui sits on the roof top of the building across, clinging onto the railing, listening to the music. Suddently sensing someone's presence, she turns around & sees someone standing there "Manato." Silently, Manato turns & listens to the soulful tune in the air.

 

That evening, Manato is peeling an apple for Yui when his cell phone rings. Taking it out from his pocket, he answers "Hello."

 

Approaching a playground, Manato sees Saeki up on the jungle gym, puffing on a cigarette. Turning around, Saeki greets him "Yah...there are no stars out, I guess it'll rain tomorrow." Manato walks up without replying. Saeki asks "Why didn't you tell me about Yui? There's no point in hiding it from me now. Put both your hands up & confess." Manato takes a seat at bottom of the slide but when he remains silent, Saeki continues with a slight mocking undertone "However I was really surprised to find out that your number one desire was Yui. I guess it was probably because I only found out much later that she was your step-sister. Input it all into the computer & that's the data I got. Just say it. I said so before, I'd help you out, help you & Yui get together." Climbing down from the jungle gym, Saeki adds in jest "When you tell her your true feelings shall I play a tune from Chopin or something? Or would you rather I get you an aphrodisiac from India?"

 

Whether in jest or seriousness, only Manato knows as he slowly takes out a fruit knife from his pocket & turns to stare at Saeki. Seeing the blade flashing, Saeki calmly says "I see. So the best thing for me would be to disappear completely." Manato gets to his feet & holding out the knife points it at Saeki, forcing him backwards. Holding his hands out, Saeki coolly says "It's ok, I don't mind. My heart is over here. But please, make it in one shot. I'm not a masochist so I don't care for suffering too long.  I'm told that stabbing from above at a slight angle will work. When I fall, wipe off your fingerprints & put my hands around the knife." All of a sudden, the tension between them disappears as Manato's expression softens & he asks "Apple?" Saeki returns a questioning look & Manato reaches into his pocket, taking out an apple "Would you like it peeled or would you prefer it as is? I bought too many. It's sweet & delicious." With a grin, Saeki accepts "I'll take it whole."

 

Biting into his apple, Saeki listens to Manato "I was just playing for time. That's what I thought. Once you graduated you'd be going to New York. " "Uhm." "If that happened, Yui would in any case have no choice but to forget about you. That's what I thought." "Well, I think strategically that would be correct." "But what I'm more worried about is if Yui's health will hold up until then." "But that's odd. She had boyfriends before me didn't she. She's wasn't a virgin." Realizing his blunder, Saeki looks at Manato "I'm sorry." Manato shakes his head, smiling "I already knew." "I see. So? She would have broken up with someone before meeting me. But she got over it completely." "I thought so too." "See?" "I wonder if it's different with you. Perhaps her ex-boyfriend was the one that went after her, & maybe Yui was the one that initiated the breakup. But for you it's the reverse. Yui was the one that went after you, & you were the one that initiated the breakup." "The dynamics of love?" "Yeah." "& your relationship with Yui too?" Manato gives wry smile "Yui's the princess, I'm not the prince, more like a retainer I guess." Saeki grins "You're being really modest." Manato laughs "A little masochistic too I guess." Saeki laughs & then adds "That's why you won't tell her your feelings, no, more like you can't." A little sardonically, Manato grins "It'll just end with a 'Thank You'." "Will it ?" "To be honest, there were many times I wished that you weren't around. I also thought of giving up many times, I even went to a hotel with Sawamura. But when I found out about your affair with Mariko, I thought there was still a chance." "A very simple way of looking at things. My apologies, continue." "The strawberry on the shortcake...." "Hm?" "Do you remember me asking you before?" "What I started eating first?" "Yui also eats the strawberry first." "I see." "But I always leave what I like to the last. No, not only me, Sawamura does that too. I think most people do that. They'll start from the edge of the cake first, & then finally eat the strawberry on top of the whip cream. Even aesthetically it looks odd too doesn't it, a cake without the strawberry." "But if you don't eat the strawberry first, it might be eaten up by someone else." "Who's going to eat it?" "I'm just saying as an example." "No one's going to eat it." "Is that strange?" "It is." "But from where I stand you're the one that's strange." Manato pauses "Yui probably thinks the same way too." Saeki asks "Your values are different?" "Yes, that's why unfortunately, for Yui, no one can take your place." "That's not necessarily true. Simply speaking, all you have to do is eat the strawberry first," Saeki says as he comes down the slide. Manato looks at him & Saeki grins "Right?" Manato remains silent, the expression on his face one of having tasted defeat again at Saeki's hands.

 

The next day. It is pouring with rain but as always during lunch, Saeki's in the music room playing the piano. & as always, Yui, crouched against the railing of the building opposite, watches him, a smile of contentment on her face. Only this time, as she looks up, Manato's standing beside her. Holding an umbrella over her, sheltering her from the rain, he asks "You're not feeling cold?" Yui nods "I'm not." Manato adjusts the muffler around her shoulders & she replies "Thanks." Getting down on his heels next to her, Manato holds out the thermos "Would you like some cocoa?" Yui smiles "It feels like an excursion." "Yeah," a warm smile on Manato's face.

 

As Saeki plays a soulful tune on the piano, different from his usual T's Waltz, Yui closes her eyes, entranced by the music. Manato merely looks at Yui with a gentle loving expression, mindless of the rain beating down on him. When the bell sounds, Manato says "I guess break's over." However Yui's eyes remain shut &  there is no reaction from her. Not realizing anything wrong, Manato adds "Yui, let's go home. I'll bring you here again tomorrow," getting to his feet. Yui suddenly falls over & frantically, Manato tosses the umbrella aside "Yui! Yui, are you alright? Yui!" Manato shakes her trying to wake her up "Yui! Yui!"

 

At the hospital, Yui's lying unconscious, a drip attached to her as a nurse checks in on her. Their father, Irie, mutters in worry "When did she start getting so thin?" Upset, Irie grabs Manato on the shoulder "What were you thinking of?! The state she's in now, why didn't you take care of her?!" With eyes cast down, Manato mutters shakily "I'm sorry...." Suddenly a weak voice says "Please stop." Irie looks at her "Yui-chan!" Yui turns to look at them "It's not Manato's fault." Manato gets to his feet "No, it was me...." "I was the one that said I didn't want to. I'm not sick. I don't feel hungry, that's all." Manato adds "She hasn't slept much either," sitting despondently back down on the chair by the bed. The door opens & gets Irie's attention "Doctor, what's wrong with her?" Taking Yui's chart from the nurse, the doctor replies "We don't know. In any case we'll put her under observation & run some tests." From the bed, Yui protests "I don't want to. I want to go home." Irie persuades "Yui-chan, listen to the doctor." "But there's nothing wrong with me.Manato, I want to go home." However, Manato only answers her plea with silence, a sad look on his face.

 

At Mariko's apartment, Haruka looks out the window at the pouring rain. Bringing in a tray, Mariko enters the living room "Let's have some tea." Turning around, Haruka starts of shyly "When I first..." "Hm?" "When I first found out about your affair with him, to be honest I didn't like it at all." "I see." "I might be old fashioned, but I don't think a teacher & student should...." Mariko agrees "I think so too. I ended up hating myself." "Even now, it doesn't mean that I agree with you but I guess you could be a special case." With a little laugh, Mariko pours a cup of tea for Haruka "How come?" "Hm?" "What made you change your mind?" "Simply, that you suit each other I guess." "Really..." "In a more complex sense, I feel sorry somehow." "Feel sorry?" "Not sensei." "For Saeki-kun?" "He's smart. Probably good at sports too. He comes from a rich family too doesn't he." "Yes." "I think he's someone who could get anything he wants." "That's true." "But what he really wants isn't what other people want. I guess that's you. When I think about that, I get upset sometimes but I end up feeling a little sorry for him too. I know you love him but I wonder why you won't marry him." In all honesty, Mariko replies "Because I'm afraid....of taking away all that he is capable of. Just like you said, he is very talented in many areas. I am very normal, completely ordinary. Although I try to act like an adult, it's tough to keep up with him. All I want is ordinary happiness." Haruka asks "You love him but can you leave him?" Mariko merely nods & Haruka looks away "I don't understand." Mariko nods, her smile sad.

 

That evening, Haruka looks out the window as she draws her curtains shut, looking across at Manato's bedroom window. The phone rings & she answers "Yes, this is Sawamura." "Hello." "Irie-kun?" Calling from a payphone by the nurses station, Manato replies "I'm at the hospital right now." Surprised, Haruka replies "Hospital? Yui-chan?" "Uhm. She fainted again. She's worse than the last time too." "Is she alright?" "She's on a drip right now." Haruka sits down at her desk & turns on the light "Is there anything you need? I'll bring it over." "It's ok, my Dad's here too. It's just.....I need something from you." "What is it?" A long pause & Manato asks "I want a letter." Thinking, Haruka ventures "From Ai-chan?" "I know we got upset the last time & it's hard to ask but...." "Don't worry about it. Ok, I'll write it right away." "Thanks. When your.....ah, Hirase's reply comes, I'm sure it will cheer Yui up a little." "Uhm." "She's under medication & sleeping right now so tomorrow will do." "Uhm." "Even if it isn't postmarked, I'll just let her read the letter." "Uhm. It's ok, I'll write it." "I'm relying on your...." ".....literary abilities." Manato smiles "Uhm." Haruka nods "Uhm. Bye," hanging up the phone. Reaching out for a sheet of yellow writing paper, Haruka stares at it, thinking of Manato's touching love for Yui. Back in Yui's room, Manato sits silently by Yui's side, his expression dark.

 

The next day, two sheets of the yellow colored letter are in Yui's hands. Visiting, Haruka asks "What's that?" With a smile, Yui replies "Letter from Ai-chan. Manato brought it over this morning." "Who's Ai-chan?" "Don't you know her? She transferred away during junior high." "You mean Hirase Ai?" "Yes. Manato's first love." "I see. I didn't realize anything at all." "It looks like Ai-chan liked Manato too. No, likes him even now." "I see." Seeing Haruka's faraway look, Yui says "I'm sorry." "Hm?" Sitting up slowly, Yui explains "I actually wanted things to work out between you & Manato. But when I found out that Manato liked Ai-chan, I asked him to write to her." Haruka nods silently as Yui adds "I was thinking that if there was someone else in his heart, I would feel sorry for you. No, actually more than anything in the world, I just want Manato to be happy."

 

With a bouquet of flowers in his hands, Saeki takes long strides towards a Manato waiting for him in the hospital lobby. Stopping in front of Manato, Saeki takes a glance at the flowers & then asks Manato "You're sure about this?" Suddenly Manato bows to him "Thank you. Please.....save Yui." Saeki stares silently at Manato. In an agonizing tone, Manato adds "The strawberry on the shortcake......I'm afraid I can't eat it first." A heart wrenching moment of tension, & suddenly Saeki grins. Seeing Saeki laugh, Manato ends up smiling. Saeki steps around Manato & heads inside, Manato watching & going the other way.

 

Back in Yui's room, Haruka's packing up a few things & Yui's still reading the letter. A knock on the door & Haruka answers "Yes?" Sliding the door open, surprise appears on her face "Saeki-kun?" Closing the door behind her, she steps outside into the corridor as Saeki explains "Manato asked me to come." "Irie-kun did?" Saeki nods. Haruka mutters "I see." Saeki shows her the flowers & shrugs, eliciting a smile from Haruka "I'll go get a vase." As she walks off down the corridor, Saeki gives a big sigh. Sliding the door open, he sees Yui staring out the window. Saeki calls out "You're not going to be able to see from there......your prince." Surprised, Yui sits up "Senpai!" Saeki walks up "Ah huh." A beautiful smile appears on Yui's face.

 

Manato stares out over the water, standing by the railing of the bridge where he met Yui for the first time.

 

あの時僕は気がつくと、
彼女と出会った最初の場所にたどりついていた
何も感じず、何も考えてやしなかったのに、
どうして僕はここにいるのか
ひとつだけ確かなことは、通りすがりの誰かに質問されたら
こう答えただろう

 

At the time, before I realized it

I found myself back at the place where I first met her

I didn't feel anything, didn't think anything

why did I end up here?

The only thing I was certain of was this

if I was asked by any passer-by

I would probably answer like this

 

 

Manato hands slowly slides down the bars of the railing, ending up on his heels. Tears welling up in his eyes & he starts to cry in anguish.

 

だから君のことを忘れないよ
そこの君、もしかして死にたいのかい？
ええ、そのとおり、僕は消えてなくなりたい
 

That is why I will never forget you

Perhaps, are you wanting to die?

Yes, that's right, I want to just disappear forever