ai no kiseki.......

 

miracle of love.....

 

With the sound of the siren piercing the air, the ambulance races towards the hospital. Inside, Seiji frantically instructs the paramedics "This patient has a heart condition.....monitor her heart beat, hurry....& watch her blood pressure....." Yuki, semi-conscious, mumbles "Natsuo....." & Seiji looks at her anxiously "What is it, Yuki-chan...." Yuki mumbles "Natsuo.....I won't get to see it, will I.....the summer snow....." Her hand falls off the side of the stretcher, the chain & pearl pendant dangling from her fingers.....

 

In the store, Natsuo & Hiroto are assembling a new bicycle with Natsuo showing Hiroto how to fix the pedal on the bicycle "....like this...use the wrench & holding it, & swing it around quickly like this...." Hiroto nods "Got it....." & tries it out. Natsuo watches as Hiroto follows his instructions "...get a hold of it, & then swing it around....yes that's it...." Hiroto looks pleased "....like this?" Natsuo nods "Yes....you remember how to put together a new bicycle, that's great...." Hiroto grins "Thanks....." "Makes me happy...." "Great...." Hiroto suddenly says "Yuki-san's left hasn't she...." Natsuo nods "Uhm...." Natsuo tries to encourage Natsuo "But women are as countless as the stars.....you'll be ok, Natsuo-san.....you're still young, you'll meet....." Natsuo cuts him off "You're one to talk....if you have all that time to worry about me, you should worry about yourself first....your parents, school, the baby.....you have a lot more to worry about.....there's a time & place for everything.....dragging things out like the way you do, nothing will ever be resolved....." Hiroto tilts his head "How did it end up you preaching to me......" "This isn't preaching, it's advice.....think about it..." Just then the phone rings & Natsuo answers it brightly "Hello....this is Shinoda Cycle....." Suddenly his expression sobers "...yes....I'll be right there......" Throwing the cordless phone to Hiroto, Natsuo says "Take care of things....." rushing out of the store......

 

Yuki lies in the intensive care unit, unconscious. Outside grimly waiting, Shogo says "Natsuo-kun....." Natsuo replies "Yes...." approaching Shogo. From his pocket, Shogo takes out Yuki's chain & pearl pendant "My daughter got this from you didn't she...." Natsuo nods "Yes...." taking it from him. Shogo tells him "She was holding on to it.....calling your name....." Natsuo looks at the chain in his hands, not saying a word. Shogo continues "...it was just my selfishness....although I understand yours & Yuki's feelings....yet I forced you apart....." "Katase-san....." "...because of that, I've just shortened my own daughter's life.....if anything happens to her......no matter how much I regret it.....what am I going to do?" Natsuo, fighting back tears himself, doesn't say anything as Shogo starts to cry. Suddenly Sakurai comes running out of the ICU "Shogo-san, the director would like a word with you....." Quickly drying his tears & getting up, Shogo gives a sober nod "Alright......" & walks off with Sakurai, leaving Natsuo alone, gripping the chain & pearl in his hand.....

 

The doctor grimly tells Shogo "She's made it through the critical stage....." Relief coming over him, Shogo bows "Thank you very much....." The relief is short-lived however, as the doctor adds "But Katase-san.....Yuki's heart won't hold out for much longer.....unless she has a heart transplant immediately, there's is no other way......" trailing off. Shogo, shock on his face, turns to look at his daughter lying motionless in bed, medical equipment attached to her......

 

Waiting anxiously outside, Natsuo suddenly hears Seiji coming out of the ICU, giving hurried instructions to some nurses "....bring the X-rays up at once....you check out the donor registry....hurry......" Natsuo rushes up to Seiji "How is Yuki?" Seiji replies "I'm getting her transferred to the hospital I work at.....there's no way we can do a transplant surgery here...." walking off. Natsuo calls out "Can you save Yuki?" Seiji stops, turns around & looks at Natsuo "That depends if a suitable donor appears or not......Yuki's got only a month left...." Stunned, Natsuo remains silent & suddenly finds Seiji standing right in front of him "Just when we were about to leave, Yuki's cell phone rang once & stopped....you were the one that called....." Natsuo replies"....I wanted to say last words to her....to hang in there for the surgery....but in the end I couldn't say it...." Seiji tells him "She knew it was you....that's why she suddenly started running back & had that attack....." Angrily, Seiji grabs Natsuo's shirt, shoving him onto the floor "Don't do things half heartedly!!" & strides off, leaving Natsuo sitting on the floor......

 

At a jewelry store, Natsuo places the chain & pearl pendent on the counter "The chain's broken but can it be fixed?" The salesgirl looks at it "Yes, please wait a moment....." as Natsuo repeats anxiously "Please fix it just like it was before....." Outside the store with the repaired chain & pendant in his hand, Natsuo makes a call home "Hello.....Chika, it's me....I'm going to visit Yuki for a while.....yeah, can't see her but I just need to hand her something....." Driving along in his van, Natsuo looks at the chain & pearl in his hand. Suddenly, he notices a little boy riding wobbly along the side of the road "Hey, a new rider...." Sounding his horn & calling out "Oi!" Natsuo finally gets the little boy's attention & stops. Getting out of the van, Natsuo tells him "It's dangerous on the road, ride on the sidewalk..." carrying the bike onto the sidewalk for him. The little boy says "Sorry....." Natsuo asks "When did you just start riding?" "Yesterday....." "Wouldn't that be better to practice at the park?" "My friends & I have an agreement....." "With your friends? Well, agreements are important.....in that case be careful, especially of cars!" "I understand!" Natsuo looks on worriedly as the little boy rides off "Be careful!" & then mutters to himself "Will he be ok I wonder....." The light at the crossing turns red but the little boy doesn't notice & rides across the road. Natsuo rushes forward & grabs the boy, just then turning to see a motorcycle coming straight at them.......

 

At the Shinagawa Hospital, the cardiac ward, Yuki has finally regained consciousness. Seiji enters her room & makes an adjustment to the medical equipment. Yuki says "Seiji-san....." Seiji looks at her "Hm? What is it?" "When can I have visitors?" "Eh?" "I want to see Natsuo...." Seiji pauses, & then quickly says "Unfortunately for the time being you can't have any visitors....." Staring at her intently, Seiji adds "Yuki-chan.....actually a suitable donor has been found just today......the surgery will be carried out this evening....right now everyone's busily preparing for it......" Quietly, Seiji walks out, leaving Yuki alone. Suddenly, Yuki hears someone call her name "Yuki!" Looking around, she sees Natsuo in a corner "Natsuo!" Natsuo puts his hand to his lips "shhhhhhh!" as she adds "You came!" Natsuo tells her "Coming here has got me on edge....I was wondering if they'd find me....the security around here's really tight.....actually I wanted to come see you earlier....sorry I took so long...." Yuki shakes her head "What happened to your arm?" Natsuo looks at the dark bruises "This? I got hit by a bike, that's why it's like this......but I'm fine....but it looks like the bike's still in the repair shop....." Natsuo reaches into his pocket "This.....I got the chain repaired......here....." putting the chain & pearl into Yuki's hand, closing it in his. Yuki smiles. Natsuo says "I just heard that you're going to have the surgery.....hang in there......" Yuki replies "If I don't wake up, you'll call me?" Natsuo nods "I told you that I'd come clanging on a bucket.....it'll be so noisy you'll wake up...." Tiredly, Yuki adds "I want to live....to be with you forever......" Putting his hand on hers, Natsuo assures her "It'll be alright....the surgery will go smoothly.....that's why you don't have to worry about anything......" Drifting off into unconsciousness, Yuki nods.....

 

Waiting outside the operating theatre, Shogo says grimly "Yuki, hang in there....." Sakurai assures him "It'll be alright, Shogo-san.....Natsuo's with her......." Shogo replies "Yes....." Behind them, Natsuo stands against the wall, waiting anxiously.....

 

At the Shinoda's, Jun, Hiroto & Chika are having dinner. Suddenly, Jun looks at Natsuo's setting "Hey, where's aniki's portion?" Chika smiles "I've kept some for him...it's his favorite kinpira gobou...." Jun grins "I see...aniki will be very happy....." Suddenly, Hiroto puts his chopsticks down "I've got something I'd like to discuss with you....." Chika asks "What is it?" Hiroto explains "I want to quit school & work here at the store....." Chika looks at him "What are you saying all of a sudden? You have to graduate...." Jun adds "Yes, aniki said that too....." Hiroto in all seriousness, replies "That's why I intend on going to night school.....then I can work at the store as well.....I can graduate from high school that way too...." Chika, touched, says "Hiroto....." Hiroto adds "I'll talk it over with my father....& get him to accept you & the baby....I've been running away all this while.....I used to rely on them all the time......but I can't keep running away anymore.....Natsuo's taught me that.....I've got stand on my own two feet......" 

 

In the operating theatre, the surgery is progressing smoothly. Yuki has a dream.........hand in hand, diving with Natsuo......Natsuo says "Yuki, let's go see it someday.....deep in the ocean, a scene of white.....if possible, summer would be great....snow's normal in winter right?....so I want to see what can't be seen......summer snow....." 

 

Walking tiredly out of the operating theater, Seiji thanks the team of doctors "Thank you very much....." When Seiji enters the lounge where Shogo & Sakurai are waiting, Shogo asks anxiously "Seiji-kun, how's Yuki?" Seiji announces "The surgery was a success!" Shoulders sag with relief. Shogo looks at Seiji "Thank you Seiji-kun...." Seiji adds smiling "Now we'll just have to wait to see if her system will reject the heart but I think it should go smoothly....." Both Shogo & Sakurai give a bow to Seiji as his walks off, Sakurai saying happily "That's great Shogo-san!" Standing off to the side, Natsuo also bows to Seiji as he passes by, not saying a word, a smile appearing on his face......

 

Condition improved, Yuki is moved to a regular ward. Sakurai smiles at her "You look like you're progressing nicely...." Shogo adds, smiling widely "I met Seiji-kun just now...he said that you're doing well....." Yuki smiles "Hmmm....I feel it myself......like I've been born again...." Shogo replies "That's great, Yuki..." Yuki suddenly says "Will you let Natsuo know that I can have visitors now?" Shogo & Sakurai exchange glances before Shogo hesitatingly answers "...Oh....yes......" Yuki smiles "So....I'll be able to see him soon....." reaching for the pearl neckless around her neck.....

 

Alone in her room, Yuki reaches for a photo album, looking at the pictures Natsuo took on his dives. Suddenly, she hears Natsuo call her name "Yuki....." Smiling, she sees Natsuo smiling at her "Natsuo...." "Hi.....you look well.....it's great, the surgery was a success.....that's really great....." taking a seat next to her bed. Yuki smiles at him "Thank you....." "What for?" "Because you were holding my hand all the time....." "I was?" "During the surgery, I had a dream.....the two of us, hand in hand, diving in the deep ocean......" "We were?" "You were with me all the time so I wasn't afraid at all....." "Feels kind of weird.....I didn't do anything & yet you're thanking me..." "Natsuo...." "Hm?" Yuki holds out her hand & Natsuo looks at it. As he's about to reach out, she suddenly says "Achi muite hoi!" & as usual, Natsuo gets taken in again. Yuki laughs "You haven't learnt anything Natsuo....." A tad insulted, Natsuo pouts "Sorry....." Suddenly, there's a knock on the door & a nurse walks in with a thermometer "Time to take your temperature.....I'll be right back......" Not seeing Natsuo, Yuki looks around "Natsuo?" Under her bed, Natsuo says "I'm here....." Yuki asks "What are you doing?" "But if I get found out I'll get into trouble....." "But I can have visitors now....." "Oh, is that so? Then you should have said so earlier!" mutters Natsuo, crawling out from under the bed "I was trying to hide too, knock myself on the head....." "Are you alright?" 

 

Sittiing outside, Shogo says to Sakurai "You've been looking after Yuki for a long time....." Sakurai thinks back "Since Yuki-chan first came to the hospital......it's been 16 years......" "16 years....I've grown older...." "Me too....." "That's true....." "Hey, is that the way to talk to a lady?" "Ooops...." They both laugh & then Shogo suddenly says, hesitatingly "After Yuki's settled down.....I have something to talk to you about.....about us.....yoroshi....uhm...." Smiling, Sakurai puts her arm in his, surprising Shogo "Eh?" Sakurai answers "I've been waiting for 16 years already....."  

 

Returning home, Hiroto sits on the sofa as his father says "So you finally came home....so how was it, living out there in someone else's home? I'm sure you've finally realized how good it is to have parents.....well, you won't be ready for the college entrance exams next year but you can take the following year's...." Hiroto calmly says "I won't be going to college.....I've also quite high school....." His father looks shocked "Quit?" Hiroto explains "I went & notified the school today....instead, I'll be going to night school instead....." Angrily, his father retorts "What do you think you're doing?! You don't know anything about the world out there! You have to think about your future!" Hiroto merely replies "I will marry Chika....I will become the baby's father.....I'll work & bring up my family...." His father gets up to his feet "Don't talk rubbish! Do you think you can?!" With that, his father turns to leave but Hiroto gets up "There's a time when one has to do what one has to do....that's what Natsuo-san taught me.....that time for me is now......right now it's the time for me to do my best....." His father stares at him but then says "So naive....next time you come make sure you talk some sense...." storming off. Hiroto's mother tries to persuade him "Please talk to Hiroto....." but Hiroto tells her "Never mind....right now it must seem unreasonable....just making you worry all the time....but I'll do my best from now on....until Dad accepts it too......"

 

At the maternity clinic, Hiroto accompanies Chika as she goes for her scan, seeing the image of the fetus on the monitor. Hiroto points out "Ah, it just laughed....." Chika smiles "No way......ah, it's laughing......"

 

In his room, Jun pours over his books, smiling.......

 

Yuki, asleep in bed, Natsuo watching over her.......

 

In the store, Hiroto works on a bicycle, teaching Jun as well. Sitting on a ladder in a corner, Natsuo watches them, smiling to himself. Chika comes up & says "Onichan, time for dinner....." Natsuo nods "ok......" Going back to the table, Chika claps her hands "Jun-nichan, Hiroto....go wash your hands...dinner's ready......"

 

At the hospital, with Yuki sitting outside in a wheelchair, Natsuo relates "Hiroto went to see his father a few times......he went alone too......looks like his father's relenting....he's accepting Chika & the baby....." Yuki smiles "Is that so? That's great isn't it, Natsuo....." Natsuo takes a seat on the bench next to Yuki. "Uhm.....it's going to be tough but I'm sure Hiroto will be able to handle it......Hiroto's finally growing up......" Yuki says "I have something good to tell you too....." "What?" "Dad & Sakurai are going to get married...." "Are you serious? But then again whenever Katase-san is in front of Sakurai-san, he gets surprisingly nervous....your father's life starting now......just like yours, Yuki....." Yuki nods, smiling "Uhm....." Suddenly, she hears a little child's voice call out "Yuki-chan!" Looking in the direction of the sound, Yuki says "Yukari-chan!" as Yukari comes running up "I came to see you....." "Thank you....." Holding out a drawing, Yukari says "Here, a present....I drew onichan & Yuki-chan's faces....." Looking at it, Yuki says "This is good....looks like us doesn't it, Natsuo?" Turning around & looking at the bench beside her, she finds it empty "Natsuo?" Yukari says "Yuki-chan.....onichan isn't here....." Yuki looks at her "I wonder where he's gone......."

 

Seiji, pushing Yuki along in her wheelchair, teases her "What have you been eating, getting better so quickly....tell me, I'll tell the other patients....." Yuki smiles "When I leave the hospital, can I go diving?" "Hmmmmm.....not right away but eventually....." "Great....." After a while, Seiji suddenly stops "Yuki-chan.....what is 'summer snow'? You said it in the ambulance....." Yuki explains "Thousands of meters under the sea, it snows.....it's actually called marine snow.....I made a promise with Natsuo that we would go see it....." "Is that so....." "He said let's go see it together in summer......" Suddenly, Seiji says "I have to apologize....to Natsuo & to you....." Yuki looks at him, not understanding "Eh?" Seiji explains "I said that I would save you....but in the end I didn't do anything...." "But you did the surgery....." "You're wrong.....everything is fated.....it's a miracle.....that you're alive at this moment...."

 

In her room, Yuki says "Natsuo.....I'll be able to leave the hospital soon....." Natsuo smiles "That's great.....congratulations....." Happily, Yuki continues "When I get out of here, I'll be able to live a normal live....I can even run! I'll be able to walk up the stairs! Ah, I can even ride on a roller coaster! I want to do that! I can go back to work too.....talk to you everyday on the phone....." Natsuo looks at her "Everyday?" "Uhm..." "Then what are you going to do if I'm busy at work?" "Then I'll wait for you.....you're always waiting for me.....waiting for me when I finish work......the surgery too.....& even the first time I entered the water, you were waiting for me....that's why next time it'll be my turn....." Natsuo smiles. Yuki adds "From now on I want to have lots of good memories with you.....so many that they won't fit into an album...ok?" Natsuo looks at her, not saying a word. Yuki asks "Not ok?" Natsuo answers "Isn't that being a little too greedy?" "That's ok....I've got a lot of albums......" replies Yuki. Natsuo tells her, turning serious "I'm happy enough with the memories that we've already made.....I'm glad that I met you....." Yuki smiles "Natsuo......" Natsuo gets up, leans over & kisses her. Smiling a little sheepishly, Natsuo says "Looks like no one's around to disturb us this time...." getting a smile back from Yuki. A little embarrassed, Yuki suggests "I'll make us some tea....." With her back to him, Yuki makes tea "I still want to go to the ocean.....I want to go diving together with you....." Natsuo nods "Uhm....." Yuki pauses "Ah, we can dive in winter too, can't we? But it might be too cold I guess.....but as long as I'm with you it doesn't matter if it gets cold......" Natsuo stares at her, not saying a word, tears in his eyes.  Yuki turns around & Natsuo's not there. Looking around, she says "Natsuo?" Standing alone in the room, she suddenly hears Natsuo say "I'm always by your side, Yuki......always with you......."

 

Yuki visits the Shinoda's. Walking into the store, Yuki looks around. A smile appears on her face "Natsuo?" Hearing Yuki's voice, Hiroto turns around "Yuki-san?" "Ah, Hiroto-kun...." Yuki realizes her mistake. Hiroto comes up to her "Ah, you're allowed to come out?" Yuki nods "I got permission....." Hiroto replies "Is that so....." & then calling into the house "Hey Chika!" Chika & Jun appear "Yuki-san....." Yuki smiles "I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble.....I'll soon be able to leave the hospital......" Chika quietly says "That's good....." & Jun adds "Congratulations....." Yuki replies "Thank you.....where's Natsuo? Out on his deliveries? If he's nearby maybe I'll go wait for him....." Taking a few steps towards the door, Yuki suddenly realizes the silence among Hiroto, Jun & Chika. Turning around & looking at the sad faces, Yuki asks "What is it?" Blinking back tears, Jun says "Yuki-san.....I want you to be calm & listen....." Chika, swallowing hard, says "Onichan died a month ago......" Yuki stares at them in disbelief "Eh?" Looking at the altar, Yuki sees Natsuo's picture next to his parents....

 

Chika, holding onto Natsuo's picture in her hand, tells Yuki "That day....when onichan was on his way to see you at the hospital.....he was hit by a motorcycle......according to the witnesses....he met with an accident as he tried to protect a little boy riding on a bicycle...." Hiroto continues "It's just like Natsuo....to be helping people until the very last moment....." Struggling to fight back tears, Jun adds "When we rushed to the hospital, aniki was already unconscious....." Chika, in tears, says "We decided not to tell you until you were completely recovered......" Yuki finally speaks "You're lying aren't you.....that Natsuo's dead....why are you lying?" Chika looks at her "Yuki-chan...." but Yuki refuses to believe "Chika-chan.....Natsuo's around somewhere, isn't he.....Chika-chan let me see him!" Chika loses her composure "We don't want to believe it either but onichan isn't around anywhere anymore!!! not around anywhere anymore!" Jun & Hiroto remain silent, tears in their eyes. Yuki tells them "I don't believe it....I don't believe that he's dead.....he came to see me so many times....even this necklace, he came to...." Chika cries "But onichan isn't here anymore Yuki-san!" Yuki covers her ears with her hands, crying "I don't want to hear this! The reason I wanted to live was because Natsuo was around......I wanted to be with Natsuo.....if Natsuo really isn't around anymore, it would be better if I had died!" Hiroto looks at her "Yuki-san...if you say that, Natsuo will be sad for sure...." Jun adds "Yes....because right to the very end, he was worried about you......" Chika moves next to Yuki "Yuki-san.....onichan wanted you & people like you to live....that's why.....he......" Yuki listens, & suddenly, Chika's words dawns on her......

 

Back at the hospital, Yuki sees Seiji & comes running down the corridor "Seiji-san!" Seiji, turning around "Yuki-chan! You still shouldn't run! If you do anything reckless you won't be able to leave the hospital....." Yuki looks at him "I've got something to ask you...." "What is it?" "Who's my donor? Who is it?" Seiji turns away, not looking at her "I can't tell you that....." & starts walking away. Yuki calls out "Tell me Seiji-san!" Seiji stops in his tracks. Calmly, Yuki says "It's Natsuo, isn't it....." Seiji turns around slowly "Yuki-chan....." Yuki says deliberately "Natsuo had a donor card.....his younger brother Jun & sister Chika agreed too.....so when Natsuo was declared brain dead, his organs would have been donated to patients who were waiting for transplants....am I right? At that moment, I was the only one waiting for a heart transplant.....my heart.....is Natsuo's....." Seiji finally tells her "Yuki-chan.....I can't tell you....rules are rules....." Yuki, tears in her eyes, says "That's why you said it was a miracle....." reaching out to touch the pearl hanging on the chain around her neck.......

 

Walking along a crowded sidewalk, Yuki stops & takes her out her cell phone. Dialing Natsuo's number, she gets the recording "The number you have dialed is not in used....please verify the number & dial again....."

 

Glumly, Yuki purchases a train ticket & waits for the train......on the train, Yuki takes out an album from her bag & looks at the photographs Natsuo took, coming across the note "An ocean as beautiful as this...let's go see it together......" A smile tinged with sadness appears on her face as she recalls......meeting Natsuo when the little boy learning to ride crashes into her when she was out on her rounds.....Natsuo cheering her up.....diving in after her the first time she jumped into the pool.....catching him with the kids game "achi muite hoi!"....Natsuo holding onto her hand on her first dive together.......leaning over to kiss her at the bus stop......running after her & getting on the bus to comfort her.....sitting outside the police station in the rain.....taking her to the aquarium.....holding her close the night she stayed over in his home....

 

The train approaches the sea & Yuki looks out into the ocean, hearing Natsuo's voice "I'll always be by your side, Yuki......always together with you......" Tears well up in her eyes & roll down her face. Reaching out, she grabs her chest, the pearl necklace around her neck.....

 

One year later......running with a smile on her face, Yuki arrives at the beach to find Chika, Hiroto & Jun waiting for her "Yuki-chan!" Yuki replies, catching her breath "Sorry I'm late.....traffic was heavy....." Chika says "We just arrived too....." Jun adds "The weather's great too...." looking up into the sky. Smiling, Yuki walks up & looks at Chika's & Hiroto's baby "Hello....haven't seen you in a while & you've grown big!" Chika says "Say hello...'hello Yuki-chan'....Haru-chan....." talking to the baby. Hiroto smiles "Haru's still too young to speak yet....." Just as Yuki gets up, Jun asks "Are you going to dive right away?" Yuki nods "Yes, I'm going to change now...." "Alright, then I'll get the things ready...." replies Jun, running off. Yuki calls out "If it's too heavy it's alright....." but Jun grins "Leave it to me...." Hiroto tells the girls "Jun joined the diving club at college....that's great, he's popular with the girls....." Chika looks at him "What....you look envious...." Hiroto quickly replies "Ah, no.....I have Haru & you, that's good enough..." Chika elbows him "Liar....." "I'm serious...." "Yeah right......" Yuki looks at them, a smile on her face......

 

Diving alone, Yuki takes pictures of the fish & coral. Suddenly, she hears Natsuo's voice "Yuki...." Looking around, she sees white particles falling around her, as if snowing. Natsuo's voice continues "....the pure white snow is falling in the ocean.....it's beautiful isn't it, Yuki......it's really beautiful....just like we promised, the both of us are seeing it together......seeing what isn't possible to see.....summer snow....."

 

Suddenly Natsuo appears next to Yuki.....hand in hand......diving together in the deep ocean.......surrounded by summer snow.......

 

 

 

~~~~~

 

 

~ CJ's final thoughts ~

 

 

Well, as far as storyline went, I certainly didn't think much of Summer Snow. Then again, I guess I shouldn't really be too critical, knowing that Komatsu Eriko's dramas are usually simplistic to the point of being predictable. I accepted the ending for what it was....well, Komatsu did title the last episode ai no kiseki (miracle of love) so what can I say......

 

It was nice to see Dohmoto (Natsuo) in a comedy role for a change, although at times I found his performance a little forced....first time I see Hirosue (Yuki) in a feminine role, not her usual portrayal of a spoilt brat.....Oguri (Jun) was the one that impressed me most with his performance, so much so that before I realized who he was, I thought he really was hearing impaired.......

 

Komatsu Eriko mentioned in her book that the theme of this drama is about living....that no matter how tough it gets, no matter how painful it gets, as long as one has life, one goes on living.....& as long as one does that, there will be light.....night will brighten into day, the sun will rise.....the theme song, written by Komatsu Eriko & Iwasato Yuho, reflects that as well.....

 

 

~ Summer Snow ~

 

It's summer snow in the deep blue sea
I try to touch, but it fades away
It must be a dream I will never get
Just like my love that's crying for you

If there were something not to change forever
We could feel it deep in our heart
Today is over with a million tears
Still everyone has a wish to live

Oh, I do believe everlasting love
And destiny to meet you again
I feel a pain I can hardly stand
All I can do is loving you

~

 

 

What I liked best about this drama was the contradiction weaving throughout.....in the beginning Natsuo wants Chika to abort her baby, then realizes that there are kids just fighting to stay alive.......Yuki, wanting to live her life normally, puts it at risk.....in risking her life, Yuki is happy, but others worry....Seiji's the doctor, but Natsuo's the savior.....& Natsuo, in saving Yuki's life, loses his......

 

Then of course the names Natsuo & Yuki....Natsu (without the o) means Summer, Yuki means Snow......& just like the impossible combination of Summer & Snow, Natsuo & Yuki don't end up together.....but I guess miracles do exist after all, as Natsuo becomes a part of Yuki.......& there you have it....Summer Snow.....

 

 

....owari