otsukiaisasete kudasai!

 

 

In front of a mirror, Natsuo mutters to himself "This one? or this one....." putting various ties in front of him, trying to decide which goes with his suit. Unable to decide, he asks Chika "Which one's better?" Chika replies "This one...." "Isn't it too gaudy?" "Then what about the sober one?" "Wouldn't that look like an old man?" "Well, in the first place you are an old man!" "Don't call me an old man!" retorts Natsuo & pleads "Look, look, which is better?" Chika stares at it in silence, then tells him "Which ever is fine..." Natsuo moans "Will you be serious?! Ah, Jun-kun, which do you think is better?" Jun looks at the ties & points "This one looks more serious..." "Ah, ok, ok, then I'll wear this one...Chika, can you tie it for me please?" Chika grumbles "Arrgh...." but does his tie. Natsuo says "Jun-kun, sorry but if you've got time, could you polish my shoes for me?" Jun agrees "Sure..." Washing up by the sink, Hiroto mutters "What a fuss....you're just meeting Yuki's father...." Natsuo replies "But of course! It's nerve-wrecking meeting your girlfriend's parents....on top of that her father's against me seeing her...." Chika grumbles "Stop boasting! Is this ok?" done with the tie. Natsuo nods "Thanks....well then...." Chika points to the table "The senbei is is wrapped over there...." Natsuo reaches out & grabs the package "Just like you to remember, Chika...." "Careful! They'll break!" "Ah sorry...." Hiroto adds "It's not like you're meeting for the first time...." & Natsuo retorts "Shut up!" Walking out to the front, Jun holds out Natsuo's polished shoes "This ok?" Natsuo puts them on "Thanks Jun-kun...." & then tells everyone "I'll do my best, don't worry!" Turning to go, Natsuo strides out with confidence but trips & falls, causing everyone to gasp.....

 

(-= CJ =- .....what a clutz!)

 

Nervously, Natsuo approaches Yuki's apartment & rings the doorbell. Yuki calls out "Coming...." & opens the door "Welcome...." Natsuo nods "Hi..." & Yuki smiles shyly "Come on in...." Awkwardly, Natsuo nods "Alright....uhm, does this make me look like an old man?" adjusting his tie. Yuki shakes her head & Natsuo adds "Too gaudy?" Yuki shakes her head again smiling. Natsuo looks relieved "I'm glad..." & enters the apartment.....

 

Yuki pull out a chair for Natsuo "Take a seat....." & stiffly, Natsuo takes it "I'm will...." carefully placing the senbei on the table. Yuki explains "My father's changing at the moment...." "I see....." "Which would you like? Cold ocha (Japanese tea) or English tea?" "Whatever your father prefers....ah, this is from Iseya, it's well known....." Natsuo points to the senbei. Yuki smiles "Then I'll make us some ocha...." As soon as Shogo comes out of his room, Natsuo gets to his feet "I'm sorry to bother you when you're so busy.....this is from Iseya..." picking up the senbei. However, Shogo ignores him "I'm going to work...." Natsuo follows him "I have something to say to you...." "Me?" Shogo replies, glaring back at Natsuo. Natsuo replies, taken aback "I mean Katase-san....." Shogo mutters "Excuse me, detectives don't even have days off on Sundays.....I'm going...." Slipping on sandals, Shogo walks out of the apartment, leaving Natsuo looking in shock "....sandals....." Yuki says "I'm sorry....I did tell him that you were coming over today...." but Natsuo laughs it off "It's ok, don't worry about it....he's a detective, he doesn't even have Sundays off....if detectives take Sundays off, robbers would be in business.....don't worry about it....."

 

Back home, Natsuo plops down on the floor moaning "He absolutely hates me....." Chika tells him "Cheer up...." as Jun adds "Yes, there's always a next time...." but Natsuo moans "If only that were true.....but he won't even look at me....aaa~~~~...." Chika looks at Jun & then gets up "I'll go get dinner ready....." & disappears into the kitchen. Jun looks at her for help "Chika!" & then says hesitatingly "Aniki.....it'll be alright....it'll work out somehow...." Natsuo suddenly asks Jun "When will that be? Which month, which date, what time, what second will it be alright?! Just trying to say encouraging words like that won't help, it'll have the reverse effect.....that's just the nature of humans...." With a sigh, Natsuo reaches out for the cash box & takes out the wad of cash & starts counting. Jun mutters "Sorry....." "You don't have to apologize, I'm not blaming you....what I want to say it that we're all human...." Natsuo suddenly stops his preaching & checks the money his has with the book, looking surprise. Jun asks "What's wrong?" Natsuo looks into the cash box "I'm short 30,000 yen.....hey Chika...." "Yes?" "Did you take money out to go shopping?" "No I didn't..." "It's strange...." "Didn't you say the same thing too before? Your math is terrible!" "I'm sure I added up everything correctly...." Chika come up & ruffles his hair "Maybe you were too nervous & your mind went blank!" Natsuo sighs "Maybe....."

 

Suddenly, the phone rings & with a huge sigh, Natsuo mumbles morosely "This is Shonoda Cycle....we are closed today.....ah Yuki!" cheering up in a jiffy. Yuki apologizes "I'm really sorry about today...." "Ah, no no no....I didn't take it to heart....what's up?" grins Natsuo to himself. Yuki suggests "I get my pay the day after tomorrow....I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me or something...." "Really? Of course I'll go! Eh? Your treat? Thanks!" Natsuo turns to look at Jun & Chika smiling away. "Yes...yes....I see...." smirks Natsuo......

 

Off in an alley, Hiroto, cornered by the guys he used to hang out with, tells them apologetically "I'm really busy.....I can't hang out with you like I used to....." They retort in contempt "Those that work seriously are different huh!" "You're working at that cycle shop over there aren't you..." Hiroto says "I don't have any money....." "There's a high school girl about our age there too huh...." "I hear she's called Chika-chan...." the leader of the gang mutters Chika's name. Hearing the implication in his tone, Hiroto hurriedly holds out an envelope "Here!" The guys grab it & open it "Only 30,000yen!" Hiroto pleads "Please! I don't have any money! Please!" "You're working aren't you?" The leader of the gang finally says "In any case we'll take it....." & saunters off.....

 

When Hiroto arrives home, he finds Natsuo, Jun & Chika already eating. As usual, Natsuo bossing & grumbling, this time at Jun "Don't take the all the vermicelli! & don't take all the udon either!" Chika moans "Why does it matter?! That's so much anyway!" Natsuo mutters "Take the plain ones...." Hiroto, watching the commotion from behind the wall, finally steps out "I'm back...." Chika dishes out some sauce for Hiroto "You're back late..." & Natsuo adds "You must be hungry...." Hiroto sits down "Yeah...." Natsuo suddenly remembers "Oh yes...you went to collect payment the other day didn't you? Did you put all the money back in the cash box?" Hiroto nods "Ah, yes...." Natsuo mumbles, his mouth full "Oh...so I guess I made a mistake adding up...." Hiroto looks away, not saying a word until Chika hands him the bowl "Itadakimasu...." & starts eating. Natsuo ventures "Ah, Chika-chan, I have a favor to ask...." but before he can say more, Chika replies "No...." "Eh? How do you know what I'm going to say?" "You want to borrow money right?" "Yes, that right....." Jun adds "Why don't you let Yuki treat you?" Natsuo looks surprised "You know what I'm thinking too?" Jun nods "Yes..." Natsuo tells them "But that's not nice...these days there aren't any girls that treat guys on the day they get their pay....besides, I can't accept the fact that the girl has to pay for the guys either.....that's why the box in the fridge...." Chika retorts "If you're thinking about that cash stashed away, there's none left!" Natsuo turns away disappointed "I see..." Hiroto says "Then things must have went well with Yuki-chan's father...that's great!" Across the table, Chika looks in dismay "Hiroto!" Beside him, Jun shakes his head frantically. Hiroto looks at Natsuo who nonchalantly stares back "Hey freeloader....want some myouga? (Japanese ginger) Everyone looks at each other in silence wondering what's with Natsuo. Seeing the blank looks, Natsuo adds "It's said that if one eats more myouga, one becomes forgetful.....that's why I said....." & stops short when everyone suddenly continues eating eating in silence. Ignored, Natsuo turns back to his noodles & gives it his attention.....

 

Sitting by the window fanning himself, Natsuo mutters "It's hot....." Hiroto enters the room & announces politely "I've just had my bath...." Natsuo looks at him "Oh, you're becoming to sound more & more like a guest...." Hiroto nods modestly "I'll pull out the futons...." & as he does so, Natsuo suddenly gets serious "Hiroto..." "Yes?" "Sit down...." At Natsuo's tone, Hiroto freezes, looking at Natsuo. "Hurry up, sit down...." Without a word, Hiroto sits tensely in front of Natsuo, waiting. Natsuo says "Don't you have something you have to tell me?" Hiroto looks away & Natsuo asks "What do you intend to do about high school?" "About high school?" Hiroto mutters in relief. "You intend to graduate from high school, don't you?" "That high school.....makes no difference if I graduate or not...." Natsuo raises his voice "You idiot! Finish high school!" Meekly Hiroto nods "I will...but if it's possible I'd like to work here with you...." Natsuo looks surprised "Here?" "Yes, I was thinking that working hard wasn't bad....I realized that there's something I can do....." Natsuo smiles "I see...but I think it's better if you look for a proper job.....when school starts again, I'll speak to your teacher & see if he can find something for you...." Touched at Natsuo's concern, Hiroto mutters "Natsuo-san....." but Natsuo says nonchalantly "Well, if I'm going to look out for you, I'll go all the way...." Hiroto smiles & starts arranging the other futon out. Natsuo grumbles "Oi, don't put the futons together..." "Why not?" "You toss & turn all night & end up on my side...." "Stop it!" Finally they stop tugging & Natsuo pants "This is tiring...." & puts it down away from the other futon......

 

At the bank, Yuki thanks a customer "Thank you very much, please come again...." Her colleague Suzuki comes by cheerily "Hey, hey...." & then looks to see their supervisor Arimura glaring at them. Suzuki whispers "Are you free today? I've got a favor to ask of you, we're short of one girl...." as Arimura comes up, hands on her hips. Yuki softly replies "Ah, not today....." 

 

Having lunch together, Suzuki says in surprise "You're seeing that guy from the bicycle shop? He's the one that came storming in here in a rage?" Yuki nods "Yes...." "Why?" "What do you mean why?" "Isn't he covered in sweat all the time?" "No..." "So he's just a substitute...." "No he's not...." "Then you go Dutch...." "Ah, no, it's pay day today so I'm paying...." "Eh?! Is that alright?" Suzuki looks shocked at the thought. Yuki looks back explaining "But he's always the one paying....." 

 

At a sushi store nearby, the owner tells Hiroto "I'll pay up, just hurry & mend the punctured tire....." Hiroto looks at the tire & mumbles "Ah...." "What 'ah'....where's the usual guy that comes?" "He's gone on a date....left me to do all the work....ah, it looks like a puncture...." "That's what I just said...." says the guy, giving Hiroto a bob on the head "So what are you going to do?" "I'll take it back to mend & bring it back to you...." "Then hurry up, the sushi will go bad...." As Hiroto walks off slowly with the bicycle, the owner waves him off "Hurry up! Hurry up!" Hiroto replies "Yes...." but continues on morosely at his own pace. His cell phone rings & taking it out of his pocket answers "Hello...." & hears one of those guys say "Hiroto-kun....we need more money....." Hiroto replies "Ah, that...." "Do you think 30,000yen will end things between us...." Suddenly, Hiroto finds himself surrounded by the guys "We're accomplices aren't we?" Hiroto panics "I don't have money..." & tries to ride off but they stop him "Isn't it dangerous to ride a bicycle with a flat tire?" The leader strolls up & says threateningly "How about we put a puncture in you too?" 

 

Walking into the empty Shinoda home, Hiroto opens the fridge & takes out the envelope where Chika's put her household money. Suddenly, Chika comes by after her bath & is shocked to see Hiroto with the envelope "What are you doing Hiroto!" Staring at him, Chika looks up to see blood on Hiroto's lip "Hiroto......" 

 

At a yakiniku restaurant, Natsuo says uncomfortably "This place looks expensive...." but Yuki assures him "It's alright, it's my treat tonight....." "I'll pay.....I don't want you to...." "Why not? I'm working too...." "I understand but having a woman pay is a little...." On purpose, Yuki says "So you're bothered by appearances huh....." "Appearances?" "Yes..." "I am not showing off..." "You are..." "Am not, all I said was that I'll pay....." "That's still a guy showing off...." "No it's not....it's just a way of showing one's kindness...." As Natsuo tries to explain, the waitress appears "Sorry to keep you waiting, would you like to place your order now?" Yuki replies "Ah, we're still waiting for two more people...." Natsuo asks, surprised "Someone else coming?" Yuki nods. Natsuo asks again "Who are they?" At that moment, Yuki waves to the late arrivals Shogo & Sakurai. Sakurai greets them cheerfully "Good evening...." Shocked, Natsuo gets up from his chair. Shogo, equally shocked, looks at Sakurai "I didn't hear about this...." Sakurai tries to placate him "Doesn't matter....sit down Shogo-san...." Shogo pulls away "No...." but Sakurai pushes him down into a chair "You're here already, sit down....if we hadn't done this you wouldn't meet Natsuo..." Shogo gets up "That's why....." only to have Yuki pull him down & Sakurai blocking his way "Never mind, let's have a toast!" To the waitress, Sakurai places an order "Excuse me, two more beers please...." Gingerly, Natsuo moves to sit back down in his chair but gets up again. Looking at Shogo's stern expression, Natsuo says "Sorry to have intruded the other day when you were so busy.....I'm very sorry..." bowing low to him. Shogo looks surprised at the apology "Doesn't matter....." Natsuo slowly sits back down & tense silence falls around the table. Trying to lighten up the atmosphere, Sakurai suddenly reaches out for the plate of starters "That's very delicious looking kim-chee.....is it alright if I start? It looks delicious...." However, the atmosphere remains tense & Sakurai tries again "I head that Yukari-chan's doing well....I managed to speak to her a little the other day on the phone.....everyone's making the senbazuru (string of a thousand origami cranes) & praying that everything goes smoothly....." Yuki smiles "Then the next time we go, we'll make some too...." Natsuo nods "Uhm..." Sakurai tells Shogo "Natsuo's very popular with the children...." However Shogo stubbornly refuses to join in the conversation & Sakurai mutters to herself ".....the kim-chee looks delicious...." The waitress arrives with the additional beers & Sakurai says "Ah it's here...let's have a toast....here....kanpai....." Yuki, Natsuo & Sakurai hold out their glasses but Shogo doesn't move. Sakurai & Yuki try to coax him  "Shogo..." "Dad..." Natsuo finally says "First I have to apologize....I promised Katase-san that I wouldn't see Yuki anymore & yet....." trailing off. Getting to his feet, Natsuo continues "....but I'll be really careful of Yuki's condition from now on....I won't take her diving either....." Shogo finally interrupts "I think that it's your fault that Yuki didn't want to undergo the surgery....." Yuki explains "But I made that decision...." Shogo retorts "But it's only after you start seeing this guy...that's why you didn't even discuss it with me, just did as you wished & turned down the offer of going to the US....." Yuki tries to stop his tirade "But I'm fine....." "That's why you should have gone for the surgery....& Seiji-kun tried his best to put you up as a candidate for the surgery...." "I know I owe Seiji-san an apology...but I still think I did the right thing.....if I had gone to the US, I would regret it for the rest of my life....." Sakurai adds "Shogo-san, there's still a possibility of Yuki having the surgery in Japan...." Shogo replies "There's no guarantee of that....." Looking at Natsuo, Shogo says "If anything happens to my daughter, I'll never forgive you......remember that...." With those words, Shogo gets up & walks out of the restaurant. Suddenly, Natsuo gets up & runs out after Shogo.....

 

Running out, Natsuo grabs Shogo "I'm sorry....I understand your feelings for Yuki....that's why I'm really sorry....I will be careful of Yuki's condition, so please, let us see each other.....onegaishimasu....." only to have Shogo walk off without a word, flag a taxi & leave. Yuki & Sakurai, running out of the restaurant as well, look on glumly.....

 

Seated on the floor in Chika's room, Chika quietly says to Hiroto "You took the money the other time too, didn't you...." Hiroto apologizes "I'm sorry....I haven't been able to break off with them....." Disappointment evident, Chika moans "Hiroto!" "I know! I was stupid & I really regret it...." Drawing the curtains shut, Jun says "What's done is done....but they said you had to hand over more money didn't they?" sitting down on the floor as well. Hiroto nods & Chika says "Let's discuss it with oni-chan....." but Hiroto immediately says "Don't tell him! Natsuo's been so concerned about me....& yet I did this....." Jun takes out an envelope from his bag "I'll pay back the money you took...." Chika looks at him "Isn't that you tuition fee for the autumn term?" but Jun assures them "It's alright...even if I don't go, I can study on my own....." putting the money in Hiroto's hand. Hiroto looks troubled "Jun....." Jun tells them both "It's better not to tell aniki.....he's finally thought better of Hiroto too....Hiroto, from now on, don't give them any more money...." Chika agrees "Yes, if you don't stop now, it'll never end....." Hiroto says "But you don't know what they're going to do...." but Jun tells him firmly "Don't give in! I'll stay with you....no matter what they say, don't listen to them....." When Hiroto doesn't reply, Chika worriedly puts her hand on his shoulder "Hiroto...." Staring at both of them, touched by their encouragement, Hiroto finally nods "I understand....." & both Chika & Jun exchange smiles of relief.....

 

Walking back & just as he approaches home, Natsuo hears sounds of glass crashing & sees some guys vandalizing his store "Oi! What are you doing! Stop!" Seeing Natsuo, they run off into the alley & disappear. Going into the store, Natsuo looks at the broken glass window & picks up a brick, muttering "What's this?! Damn it...." Chika, Jun & Hiroto come running down "What happened?" Natsuo replies "Someone threw a brick in...." Chika & Jun exchange glances & Chika merely says "I'll sweep up....." Hiroto doesn't say a word, a troubled expression on his face........

 

Working in the store, Natsuo gives Hiroto instructions "Hold it like that & pick it up....slowly.....you're getting the hang of it....." as Hiroto picks up a bicycle & turns it over. The door slides open & Natsuo turns with a greeting "Welcome......" He stops short when he sees who it is. The lady bows in greeting & hearing Natsuo mumble a "Hello....", looks up to see who it is. Surprised, Hiroto says "Mom......"

 

In the living room, Natsuo tells Hiroto's mother Toshie "He's doing his best working over there in the store every day...." Toshi looks over to see Hiroto working & nods "I see....." Natsuo gets up & goes over "Hiroto, come & sit down over here...." but Natsuo merely says "It's ok...this needs to be done in a hurry....." Natsuo offers "I'll do it....you go talk with your mother...." but Toshie says "It's alright....seeing Hiroto working hard, I feel relieved...." Natsuo nods "Oh...." as Chika comes in with refreshments "Here...." Toshie smiles "Thank you.....Chika, how's the baby?" "Everything's fine.....I'll be getting the boshi-techou (mother & child record book for medical & welfare records) next month...." "That's good....I would like to get everything settled properly but my husband is still......I'm sorry....." "It's ok, everything's fine....." Natsuo says "If it's ok, please ask your husband to come see Hiroto too.....if he see Hiroto now, he might change his mind.....he's stopped hanging around with bad company too...." "Thank you for taking all the trouble...." "No no, we've only done what we can..." Hiroto, guilt on his face, stares at the blue canvas sheet covering the broken glass window.....

 

As Chika washes up in the kitchen, Natsuo comes by "I'm off to the hospital....Jun, go ahead & have dinner....Hiroto, time to call it a day...." The phone rings & Natsuo picks it up "Hello, this is Shinoda Cycle...." but the line goes dead. Surprised, Natsuo mutters "A prank?" & puts the phone back "Well, I'm off...." Just as Chika & Hiroto wish him "Itterasshai..." sending him off, the phone rings again. This time Hiroto picks up the call "This is Shinoda Cycle..." The expression on his face darkens "....but I said I didn't have money.....please, stop doin this...." as Chika & Jun turn to look at him. Jun gets up & grabs the phone from Hiroto "Stop this nonsense! We're not giving you any more money!" & bangs down the phone. Chika says "The window last night....it was them after all...." Both Chika & Jun turn to look at Hiroto.....

 

In the playroom at the hospital, everyone's folding paper cranes for Yukari. Natsuo smiles at a little girl "That's three you've folded....that's great!" Looking at Yuki, Natsuo asks "How's your Dad?" Yuki sighs "....we haven't really spent much time together.....besides which there's we've got nothing much to say....I never thought he'd refuse to even try to understand....." walking off to the side. Following her, Natsuo says "Your father's really worried about you...." "I know...." "It doesn't bother me...." "But.....to say that if anything happens to me that it's all your fault....that's really too much....." "Don't talk bad about your father just because of me....if you do that it'll bother me....I'll wait.....I'll wait until your father understands....." Yuki looks at him without a word. The kids call Natsuo over "Oni-chan, come play!" & Natsuo cheerfully obliges. A nurse calls out "Katase-san, call for you!" & Yuki goes over to take it "Hello...." "Yuki-chan? It's me..." "Ah, Seiji-san...." "Yukari-chan's surgery's all planned, it'll start in about 5 hours...." "That's great....Seiji-san, all the best..." A doctor comes by & interrupts Seiji "Excuse me Seiji, I need to know Yukari's height & weight to determine the heart size..." Seiji replies "2ft 6inches tall, 16 kilograms in weight...." With a quick exchange, Seiji turns back to his call "Ah, I'm sorry.....this surgery will definitely succeed.....this is also for your sake..." "My sake?" "Yes....your turn's next.....I said so before didn't I? That I became a doctor to find a cure for you, not because I wanted to take over my father's hospital.....don't do anything reckless....don't do anything reckless before I come back....." "Alright....." "...because I love you, Yuki....." Yuki looks across at Natsuo in the playroom, not giving Seiji an answer......

 

Chika finishes preparing dinner "Dinner's ready!" & Jun comes take the plates "I'll put this on the table...." Chika calls out "Hiroto! Dinner's ready!" From the store, Hiroto replies "I'll just finish up & come over....." Suddenly, they hear a loud crash & hurrying to the front of the store, they see Hiroto's old friends kicking down bikes & making a mess "Yo! Hiroto! We came to get money from you..." Hiroto & Jun retort in anger "Leave! We don't have any money!" "Then let's look around....." & the guys move to the cash register. Jun flies over to stop them "What are you doing?!" Chika calls out worried "Hiroto!" Hiroto tells them "I've already said that I won't give you any more money...." "Well, that's a problem for us if you decide on that...." & punches Hiroto. Doubling over in pain, Hiroto spits out "No matter what you do I won't give any to you!" Chika runs over to the phone but one of the guys grab her "Calling the police?" as Chika tries to pull free "Let me go!" Hiroto yells "Leave her alone!" The guy lets go of Chika & sweeps the food off the table "Haven't seen you in a while & you've changed..." The guys beat up Hiroto as Jun & Chika yell "Stop it!" Hiroto yells "Go ahead & beat me up!" Suddenly the leader claps his hands & all movement stops "This store's been renovated beautifully...." With a kick, all the bicycles go toppling down with a crash "I wonder what's going to happen to it now....." giving his buddies a look & they start destroying the store. Getting beaten up in the process, Jun yells "Stop it!" as Hiroto yells "It's got nothing to do with Jun! Beat me up!" "Then we will!" & Hiroto gets another punch in the face, falling heavily onto the ground. Grabbing Hiroto by the collar, the leader threatens "I won't ever allow you to leave us.....we've got an event planned for tomorrow....if you don't have money, then come with us..." "We're friends aren't we?" "We'll meet at that pachinko parlor.....do you understand?!" When Hiroto doesn't reply, the leader gives another nod to his buddies & they proceed to tear the place apart. Hiroto yells at him "Stop it!" & the leader turns around "Then what's your answer?" Hiroto glares at him, Alright....." At his words, Chika & Jun look at him in disappointment......

 

Stepping into the store "I'm back....." Natsuo looks around in shock at the mess in the store. Running into the living room, Natsuo sees Jun & Hiroto all bloody & bruised, Chika attending to their wounds "What happened? Who beat you up?! Hiroto!!" Hiroto painfully gets up "The guys I used to hang out with came by...." Natsuo asks "Didn't you break off with them?!" Chika explains "They said they wanted money if he wanted to break off with them....." Natsuo looks at Hiroto "So you gave them money?" Jun interrupts "He didn't!" but Natsuo says in anger "I'm asking Hiroto!" Hiroto mutters "I did...once...." "How much?" presses Natsuo & Jun hurriedly says "It doesn't matter...." However, Natsuo barely contains his anger "How much?!" Finally, Hiroto says "30,000 yen...." Shocked, Natsuo says "...so it was the missing 30,000 yen...." Desperately, Hiroto gets down on his knees "Natsuo-san! I'm very sorry!" Chika adds "Sorry, onichan!" as Jun says "Hiroto's really sorry for what he's done..." Natsuo gets to his feet "The both of you knew about it all along huh...." Chika & Jun stare at him without a word. Upset, Natsuo says "Why didn't you talk to me about it?" Hiroto grimaces "It's all my fault Natsuo-san! I asked both Jun & Chika to keep it from you! It's all my fault!" Unable to control his temper, Natsuo walks over to Hiroto & grabs him by the collar "Why did you do that?!" Finally, Hiroto says "....I did it.....those thefts using the bikes....they used that to threaten me...." As Natsuo looks ready to give Hiroto a trashing, Chika stops him, crying "But Hiroto didn't do it! It was an old lady & he couldn't bring himself to do it!" Natsuo pushes Chika away "That's got nothing to do with it! I thought that Hiroto had something to do with it.....but living here together, seeing him work so hard, I believed that Hiroto had changed, that he was alright...but then you had to steal money from the store....you didn't change after all.....I shouldn't have believed you!" In anger, Natsuo overturns the table yelling at Hiroto. Hiroto finally says "....I guess I'm a hopeless case after all.....a good for nothing.....my father gave up on me....Natsuo-san helped me & yet.....but I really wanted to break it off with them! I was serious about starting over!" Natsuo spits out coldly "So you stole money from the store....." Jun & Chika look at him "Aniki!" "Onichan!" but Natsuo merely says "This is your answer....." "I'm sorry....I didn't know what to do...." "Stop behaving like a spoilt brat!" Natsuo shouts angrily, grabbing Hiroto & shoving him into the kitchen "You're always like this! Stop running away!!! You listen well! Once you commit a single crime, you have to commit more in order to cover that up! It all adds up & you end up doing nothing but bad things! When that happens.....no one on earth will ever believe in you again!!!" Natsuo finally lets go of Hiroto "I won't ever believe in you again...do what you want.....you can think about what you want to do yourself this time..." Walking into the store, Natsuo orders "Chika, help me clean up the store.....Jun!" With a nod, Jun slowly walks way, staring at Chika & Hiroto. Tears down her face, Chika whispers "Hiroto....." Hiroto, falling to his knees, mutters "I can't give Natsuo-san any more trouble......" crying as Jun & Chika stare at him in silence.....

 

Coming home from his tutoring class, Jun walks into the store "I'm home....." only to find it empty. Calling out "Aniki? Hiroto? Chika?" Chika, upstairs taking in the laundry, doesn't hear him. Looking around, Jun comes back into the kitchen & leaning against the sink, stops to think. Picking up a bowl from the ground, Jun suddenly recalls Hiroto saying "I can't give Natsuo-san any more trouble....." & the leader saying "There's an event planned for tomorrow.....if you don't have money, then come with us....." Suddenly, Jun gets to his feet & dashes out the door, not hearing Chika come by just in time to see him run out "Jun-nichan?"

 

At the police station, Hiroto & Natsuo sit on a bench along the corridor waiting. When Shogo & his partner Morimoto approach, they get up & bow respectfully. Shogo looks at them in surprise......

 

In the interrogation room, Shogo looks at Hiroto "You came to give yourself up....." Hiroto nods "Natsuo-san told me that I had to think for myself, so....." Shogo replies "I see...." Morimoto tosses a file onto the table "Then tell us exactly what happened....." Hiroto nods "Alright..."

 

At the same time, the gang arrives at the pachinko parlor on their bikes.....

 

Shogo comes out of the room & approaches Natsuo "We're taking his statement....he'll be allowed to go home soon...." Smiling at the news, Natsuo politely asks "Is that alright?" "It's an attempted offense....on top of that he came to give himself up...." Relieved, Natsuo bows to Shogo "Thank you very much....." "You persuaded him?" "No, this was his own decision...." Shogo half smiles to himself "You have the power to change people....whether it's him or my daughter.....since my daughter started seeing you, she's become more cheerful.....smiles a lot more often too....even when she smiled before, she looked sad.....but now, I guess she won't smile at me any more....." "I'm sorry...." "It's alright.....it's natural...you're a good kid.....& you treat my daughter well.....& Yuki looks like she really likes you....that's easy to see.....if I were a normal parent, I'd be very happy to have you as my daughter's boyfriend.....but Natsuo-kun..." "Yes?" "No matter what, I want my daughter to go on living....that's why...." Natsuo merely replies "I understand....."

 

Jun runs to the pachinko parlor & sees the bikes parked outside. Running inside, Jun looks around "Hiroto...." thinking Hiroto's somewhere in the parlor....

 

In the interrogation room, Morimoto shuts his file "We might need to ask you some more questions but for today, this is enough.....with this we can carry on investigating the crimes committed by the high school students....." "Excuse me...." "What?" "Actually.....there's an event planned for tonight....." Morimoto's eyes widen "Event?"

 

Running around the parlor, Jun continues to search for Hiroto as people begin to drift out as the place starts to close for the night.....

 

Shogo & Morimoto leave the police station together with police officers & head out to the pachinko parlor.....

 

Unnoticed by the employees, the gang sneaks into the gents toilet. Jun seeing them, rushes in & starts looking for Hiroto. The guys grab him. Jun yells "Let me go!" but the guys start beating him up, Jun's hearing-aid falling to the ground in the process....

 

As the employees check the cash for the night, the lights suddenly go off & the boys come around with bats, beating them & grabbing the money. The police cars screech to a halt outside the pachinko parlor & police officers stream out. All hell breaks loose as policemen rush in & try to capture the boys. Behind the counter, the leader makes a dash for the back door, only to have Shogo & company waiting for him "I was right after all, that you'd use the back door...don't use that...." as the guy pulls out a knife. However, the policemen overpower him without any problem....

 

In the toilet, Jun finally regains consciousness & walks out into the parlor. Without the hearing aid, Jun doesn't hear anything. Finally seeing a guy running, he grabs him "Hiroto! Where's Hiroto?" Morimoto, seeing them, runs up & goes after Jun "I said not to run!" Catching up with him, Morimoto starts trashing Jun "Didn't you hear what I said?! I said not to run!!" beating him until Jun passes out.....

 

At home, Chika sits waiting worriedly. As Natsuo walks in, Chika asks "How's Hiroto?" Natsuo assures her "It's ok for him to come back, but he's under probation....." Chika smiles in relief "That's great..." Behind him, Hiroto walks in "I made you worry again....sorry Chika....." Chika moves towards him & they hug each other. Natsuo chimes "Excuse me.....that is not allowed in the store....."

 

As they enter the living room, Natsuo asks "Where's Jun?" Chika replies "Not back yet....." Natsuo mutters "He went for the summer tuition class didn't he? How long does it take?" At that moment, the phone rings & Natsuo says "Maybe it's Jun...." picking up the phone "Hello, this is Shinoda Cycle....yes it is....Jun?" The ripple from the stone that Hiroto cast, returns with a phone call to the Shinoda home.....