At the optometrist, Sakurai Kazumi
is having problems putting on her new contact lenses. When the optician
suggests that she'd not try to force it & go back to wearing glasses
instead, she says "No, for the sake of changing my life, I'll wear the
contacts." & puts them on.
Walking along the street, with her eyes smarting
from her new contact lenses, she tells herself "It's fine, everything's
ok"...
The scene fades into an argument she had with her
father..."What do you mean no problem? running off to America alone. Why
does it have to be America? Even if you wanted to build a snowman you could
do that here in Japan! Quitting your job & just heading off to America,
you must be joking! I will never agree to this!" Kazumi tries to interrupt
"Why won't you understand? This is my life, now when I still have a friend
over there to help me find an apartment & school..."Kazumi, what's
with you? You're not the kind of person that says these kinds of silly
things. Really, this world is not as wonderful as you think. Why can't
you think a little more clearly? Aah, I understand I understand, you've
been influenced by your friend in America." Kazumi retorts "No such thing,
it was my decision. I'm not the same as you. Not only in terms of looks,
my character is like mom's. I'm not like you." Her father says heatedly
"Your mother was never that stubborn. She was someone who would listen
to reason." "Sorry, but it can't be helped. I inherited the stubborn DNA
from you." Kazumi interjects. "What stubborn DNA? Don't put the blame for
that bit of unbecoming character on me. When you were born, you were 2900
grams, 51 cm, when I brought you out, all the neighbors said "So cute!
Has daddy's eyes!" "You're joking, all the neighbors said that I look nothing
like you, I'm a pretty girl they said." says Kazumi. "In any case, I won't
allow it!" shouts her father.
Back to the present, she consoles herself that everything
will be fine. As she crosses the road, a guy bumps into her & she says
"Sorry...ah, my contacts!" & bends down to look for it. "Where is it?
Where is it?" she asks herself searching. The light changes & people
start to cross. "No, no..." & then she spots it. As she's about to
reach for it, a little girl comes running across & Kazumi says "No,
it's my life!" & just as the little girl is about to step on the contact,
some one lifts the girl up & Kazumi picks up her contact gratefully.
She looks up but can't see who it is as the sun is behind the guy. He asks,
"Your eyes ok?" "Yes, thanks" Kazumi says. The guy tells the little girl
"Scared you huh!" & puts her down. The little girl runs off to her
mother & the guy walks off before Kazumi can say anything.
That evening at the sake bar called TSUKUSHI, Kazumi’s father is drinking
& muttering to the bar owner “Kazumi’s going off to America, really
The bar owner just smiles & goes on cleaning up (his mannerisms are
a tad feminine if you catch my drift…) Kazumi comes in & greets the
bar owner “Konbanwa” just as her father slumps over on the bar counter,
he’s had too much to drink. The guy says “sorry, had to call you so late…”
but Kazumi quickly says “sorry for being such a bother” & then goes
over to her father “Come one dad, wake up, let’s go home.”
The bar owner asks “Where’re your glasses?” Kazumi says “Changed to
contacts” when her father grumbles “Noisy, noisy…” looks up at Kazumi &
gruffly asks “what are you doing here?” The bar owner says “You’ve had
too much to drink, that’s why I called her.” Kazumi’s father says grumpily
“I’m not drunk, mind your own business, really…give him 3,200 yen” he tells
Kazumi & continues muttering “Even if you don’t call my daughter, I
can still find my way home..."”& wobbly walks out. Kazumi apologizes
& pays the bar owner when he tells her “You’re really something Kazumi
chan, have to be mother, wife…neighbors all think very highly of you, all
very proud of you. Kazumi is a tad embarrassed & replies “Nothing of
that sort, well, goodnight.” & leaves. The bar owner says to himself,
“If I were a man, I would definitely like her, she’s a good girl.”
Outside, Kazumi’s father site on a stone bench (you can see that he’s
wearing those Japanese clog shoes) waiting for Kazumi. When he sees her
he gets up & starts walking with Kazumi 2 steps behind. Her father
asks “What happened to your glasses?” “Changed to contacts.” Kazumi replies.
& her father gets annoyed “What does that mean? Going against your
parents? Not happy with the body you have? Putting glass in your eyes,
really hurts me.” Kazumi just answers “They’re not glass, they’re contacts.”
Her father getting more exasperated “Glasses are fine, they’re just fine.”
Right then he stumbles, the strap of one of his clogs break & as he
picks it up, Kazumi says “I’m not asking you to understand me…” & walks
on. Her father says, holding up his broken clog, “This is not a good omen,”
“This is my life” says Kazumi. But her father goes after her “This is not
a good omen, I’m not joking…”
Back at the house, which has a photo shop at the side…Kazumi is upstairs
in her room, alone thinking. She looks at a family photo of both her parents,
her brother & herself, & asks “Mom, why is dad so stubborn?” when
her younger brother Taku comes in “Sis, you can have your bath now.” Kazumi
says “thank you” & Taku asks “How is it? Going to America” “Um, I’m
going” “Already decided?” “Um, that instant when I changed to wearing contacts…”
Kazumi says, half to herself. Taku doesn’t quite catch what she says &
goes “huh?” & Kazumi just says “Nothing…” Taku encourages Kazumi “Give
it your best…Dad, I’ll take care of…” “I'm sorry” she tells Taku. “It’s nothing” says Taku
as he goes out of her room.
Alone again, Kazumi goes over to her dresser & takes out her contacts…there’s
a flashback to when she dropped her contacts & the guy just picking
up the little girl before she steps on it…& Kazumi, back in the present,
says “Thank you”. She looks in the mirror & asks “Can I change it (my
life)? I can…”
At the airport, Taku helps Kazumi with her luggage “Can you handle this?
“It’s ok, once I check in…” they hear someone call “Kazu!” & look around
to see their Aunt Michi. “Glad I just made it on time!” she says. “Don’t
you have to go to work?” asks Taku. “No, I have something for Kazu.” “For
me?” Her aunt says “Kazu, because you made such a firm decision…” as she
takes an envelope out of her bag. “It’s from your father” she says handing
it over to Kazumi. “From dad?” Kazu opens it & takes out a letter.
There’s something else & when she tips the envelope over, a ring falls
into her hand. “This is what mom left behind…” Her aunt nods. Kazumi opens
the letter & reads. Taku peeps over, reads the opening & laughs.
Kazumi gives one of those looks & reads it aloud. “To my un-filial
daughter…” Her father’s voice then comes on as she reads “To my un-filial
daughter, if this is useful to you, use it…” Kazumi is touched & says
“Dad…” After a pause, she continues “This is the ring dad gave mom right?”
asking her aunt. Her aunt nods “Sis wore it all the time” & Kazumi
looking at the ring, repeats to herself “wore it all the time…”. Taku looking
on says “Is that so?” Aunt says “Brother in law is too much, wants to give
a present to someone, should do it himself, really…” Kazumi puts the ring
on as both her aunt & Taku look on “I’ll certainly become a jewelry
designer” & both aunt & Taku tell her “Ganbare” (go for it!) &
Kazumi replies “Ganbaru.” (I will.)
The plane takes off with Kazumi, she looks out the window…
With Amuro Namie’s theme song “Can you celebrate?” playing, the Statue
of Liberty & the skyline of New York, scenes of Kazumi’s life is shown.
Kazumi comes out of the hair salon with a new hairdo (frizzy). Scene changes
to one of her in class designing…& her voice comes on cheerfully
“Taku, how’s life in the university? Dad & aunt Michi are fine? I’m
working hard at a famous accessories company. It’s slow but step by step
I’m becoming a jewelry designer. As I thought, America is the land of dreams.”
& the scene changes to show Kazumi writing on a postcard in a park.
She puts her pen down & says “All lies…”
Kazumi is at a bookstore browsing thru a book on jewelry design. She
buys it & as she leaves, she bumps into a someone & both their
packages drop. Both are in identical paper bags. Kazumi apologies to the
guy whose face is not shown, he’s blocked by a display cabinet & he’s
wearing this gold watch. He bends down to pick up his package while she
picks up hers. He opens his & sees the jewelry book that Kazumi bought.
Kazumi opens her package & realizes that they both bought identical
books! Kazumi surprised says “E?” & smiles at the man. Next couple
of scenes, they’re both having dinner at a top of a building’s open terrace,
spending time together, holding hands crossing the street…at various places
in New York. (All the while the man’s face is never shown).
Back at her apartment, Kazumi writes a letter to Taku…”Taku, America
is a beautiful country. It’s given me a wonderful & expected wonderful present. Next
time I come home, I might me coming home with somebody…” & this guy
(shown from shoulders down only) comes into the room & sees her writing
her letter…
In the next scene, Kazumi is running to meet this guy up at that sky
terrace restaurant. She has something to tell him as eagerly says “Umm…”
& then the guy’s bottom half of his face is shown & he’s saying
something to Kazumi. You don’t hear what he’s saying, the theme song plays
really loud & Kazumi’s face turns to shock. “What?” she asks
in disbelief. The guy puts his hand on the table, showing gold watch &
then he leaves. She sits there stunned, & holds the ring she’s wearing…
Kazumi is on a flight home, sitting by the window. The next seat to
her is empty & she hears this thumping sound. The guy in the aisle
seat is thumping his feet away in rhythm to the music only he can hear.
Kazumi starts to get annoyed. When he starts tapping away with a pen she
gets even more irritated & says “Excuse me…” to the guy (Kaoru) with
headphones on. All of a sudden, she gets nauseous, gets up, says “excuse
me”, squeezes past the guy & rushes off to the toilet. The guy just
says “What?” & looks down the aisle after her…
In the toilet, Kazumi holds a handkerchief to her face & the water
in the basin runs while she looks at herself in the mirror…
Kazumi finally emerges from the toilet & goes back to her seat.
The guy starts thumping his feet & pen to the music again & Kazumi
stamps her feet trying to get his attention but he doesn’t hear. Kazumi
says “Excuse me” when all of a sudden the guy bursts out “Ah, so it’s like
this, I was wrong!” & bends over to get something from his bag at his
feet. Suddenly Kazumi feels nauseous again & frantically tries to get
him to move out of the way but it’s too late, she throws up on his lap!
Momentarily stunned he bursts out “What!!” Kazumi says apologetically “I
was feeling sick & you wouldn’t get out of the way…” He repeats in
disbelief “…wouldn’t get out of the way…”
The cabin is darker now & the guy emerges from the toilet. He’s
changed into cut off jeans & is holding a white plastic bag. Back in
his seat, Kazumi apologizes “I’m really sorry” “It’s ok, never mind.” Kazumi
insists “I’ll clean it & give it back to you” & tries to take the
bag from him. He doesn’t let go & keeps saying “It’s ok” when the bag
opens, each holding on to one side. Kazumi says “It stinks…”; he looks
at her saying “Well, you did it…” & Kazumi looks sheepish “Yes, I did…”
The next morning, as the stewardesses are serving breakfast, the guy
asks Kazumi “Jewelry designer? You?” “Tamago” (literally means ‘egg’ but
is a saying for a “budding actor / designer“etc) ”Like an egg, small
but…” Kazumi half says to herself when the guy asks “Which sort of egg
are you talking about, a mantis’? those green things…” & Kazumi replies
“I’m still studying”. The guy slides over into the middle seat & says
“the kind that can’t become a designer, the kind that return to Japan with
broken dreams? There’re a lot, these kinds of girls…don’t know how many
there are on this plane.” Kazumi says “you’re wrong, rubbing salt into
wounds. I’m doing my best to walk this path I’ve chosen. & what kind
of person are you? asking such questions?” looking back at him. “Oh, nothing,
just simply asking your profession.” Kazumi just continues staring at him
& he awkwardly says “excuse me” & slides back into his seat.
All of a sudden, Kazumi starts crying. The guy looks over, thinks it’s
his fault & says “I’ve already apologized for saying too much…” Kazumi
says “My father is critically ill…”
Scene changes to show Kazumi’s father lying in front of the family alter,
with a white cloth over his face. Candles are burning & Kazumi’s mother’s
picture is on the alter…
Kazumi is touching the ring on her finger. The guy just looks at her
& asks “where are you staying?” slides over next to her again &
explains “ah, normally sitting next to one another, have to say something.”
Kazumi says “Really too much, at this time trying to get fresh…” The guy
says “Who?” & looks affronted, then slides back into his seat insulted.
Both look at each other for a moment & then both turn away in a huff.
At the arrival hall, Kazumi comes out ahead of the guy. She makes a
call home but doesn’t get through…”like this I won’t know which hospital…”
As she pushes her luggage, someone bumps into her. She turns around
with a pout, then realizes that she’s dropped her contacts. “No way!” she
says & tries to look for it. People are walking all over & she
pleads “no, don’t come over here, I’ve dropped my contacts!” as she keeps
searching. She spots it & as she reaches for it, a little girl comes
by & the split second she’s about to step on it, the little girl is
lifted into the air. It’s the same guy carrying the girl & asks Kazumi
“eyes ok?” Kazumi says “thanks” & the guy turns to the little says
“there’s a good girl. Scared you huh, sorry”. Kazumi realizes at that moment…flashback
to the first time on the street when he said the same thing to that other
little girl…the mother calls the little girl & she runs off saying
“bye bye”…
“Ah, you…don’t remember…” Guy doesn’t know what she means but says “If
I didn’t do that you’d be in a bit of a bother” Kazumi just says “ah” &
the guy grabs his stuff, & leaves with Kazumi looking at him. All of
a sudden, she goes after him & pushes her bag out & boards the
bus.
She goes up to him & asks “umm…” ‘What…you’re going to throw up?”
the guy asks a little worried. Kazumi says “Would you like a bit of work?”
Guy just looks surprised “E?”
Same scene of her father lying in the house in front of the alter…
“Pretend to be your fiancé?” the guy asks in surprise. “Yes,
please” Kazumi is half begging. “What are you saying?” the guy can’t quite
believe what he’s hearing. “Just once, just to keep my dad from knowing…30,000
yen…50,000 yen…” “50,000 yen! Really!” the guy gets exasperated, &
moves to another seat to get away. Kazumi follows & pleads “I’m serious, because I wrote in my
letter that the next time I come home, it would be together with my fiancé.
I thought that people would be against the idea but didn’t know that my
father would care so much & look forward to seeing us come home together.
So, just to let my father have peace of mind, to let him that that I can
marry & find happiness, that’s all…” She continues ‘When I went to
America, it was against his wishes but because I have a fiancé,
he’s happy for me. But I can’t say how grateful I am. He’s worked hard
to bring us up by himself & all I’ve done is cause him to worry.
The guy asks “Did he dump you?” The bus starts its engine, & Kazumi
doesn’t say anything. “That guy is too much...” says the guy &
moves back to his original seat. Kazumi
pleads again “Please, just for today, after that I can tell that you have
to go back to America to work or something. Please help me one more time.
You’ve helped me twice so help me 3 times.” The guy doesn’t know what she’s
talking about “What are you saying twice, 3 times?” Kazumi keeps trying
“In any case, if 50,000 yen is not enough, then 100,000 yen!” The guy looks
away, then something occurs to him & he says “50,000 yen, no 30,000
yen is enough.” Kazumi looks relieved & says “thank you.”
Bus gets ready to pull out & an announcement says “Next stop is
Narita Airport Hotel…”. The door closes & the bus pulls out of the
airport…
At home, Kazumi’s father wakes up & says “what? What does Taku think
he’s doing? Putting this cloth…” He turns to his wife’s picture, prays
& says to the photo “now’s not the time to sleep, right?”
On the bus, the guy introduces himself “I’m Yoshimi Kaoru” to which
Kazumi says “I’m Sakurai Kazumi.” “My profession is a free-writer (free-lance
writer)…” when Kazumi says “Free, free…” & the guy says, “I guess that
doesn’t make anyone feel secure. What about working for a publishing firm?”
Kazumi enthusiastically replies “My father likes that sort of job!” Kaoru
then says “Then, be a worker that parents are sure to like…” “My father
loves this type” Kazumi says with a smile. “Then that’s fine” Kaoru agrees.
Tentatively, Kazumi asks “What sort of job does your father do?” &
Kaoru replies “My parents aren’t around any more, there’s only me…” &
when Kazumi grimaces. “…don’t give me that face, I couldn’t help it…by
the way, I’m 24.” Kazumi is shocked “You’re younger than I am?” Kaoru is
surprised “You’re older?” Kazumi says “26” with a pout.
Back at the house, Kazumi’s father
asks Taku, who’s on the phone, “Isn’t it about time now?” & Taku
hurriedly says “Ah, I’ll call you back.” & hangs up. His father
grumbles “…forever on the phone, what if Kazumi calls & can’t get
through?” & Taku looks at the clock “Is it time already?” &
hurries back into the kitchen. He’s making sushi rice when his father pops in
& asks “what time is the flight suppose to arrive?” Taku considers
“What time? Should have arrived already…” His father suddenly says
“Don’t tell me something happened!” & rushes back into the living room
& switches on the TV. The regular program comes on so he’s relieved.
From outside Michi
calls “Kazu!” & Taku says “Ah aunt Michi, good afternoon…” Michi
asks surprised “Eh? Not home yet? I was so busy but I rushed out…” “Why
so flustered? Narita is so far away, takes time getting here…” says her
brother-in-law (Taku’s father). She just says “Haven’t seen her in a year,
of course I’m anxious…eh? Don’t tell me something happened?” &
rushes into the living room & flips on the TV. Normal programming comes on
so she’s relieved too & both of them squabble about the title of the
program being shown.
Michi then says
“Wait a minute, you should be resting. Although it’s not serious, you’re
no longer young” & gets him to sit at the dining table, helping him put on
a sweater. “You have to take good care of yourself. Kazu’s coming back
because she’s worried about you right?” “I’m alright, must have been
that doctor the bar owner recommended that isn’t good, said I was so seriously
ill, then called Kazu in America & made her worry…” Taku overhears &
says as he brings that barrel of rice into the dining room, “You speak so
lightly of it now. When you first heard it you were in shock, & now you’re
grumbling.” Taku sits at the dining table stirring the rice while Michi fans
it. Taku’s father grouchily says “Whoever drank as much as a basin full of
medication would not feel comfortable.” Michi retorts “whatever, it helped
your condition improve, my dear brother-in-law” Taku still stirring the rice
nods in agreement “That’s right”.
All of a sudden
Taku says “Speaking of which, who called sis & said that Dad’s seriously
ill?” Michi looks at him in surprise, “You mean it wasn’t you?” “No, I
didn’t say anything” Taku quickly replies. They both look at their
father/brother-in-law suspiciously & he says “Couldn’t have been me
either, at the time I was unconscious…” Taku says “Ah, then sis doesn’t
know?” & they sit around looking at one another before Michi says “It
fine…she’ll find out once she gets home. It’s a good thing too, isn’t
it?” & Taku agrees, trying to convince themselves that everything’s ok.
His father says “not being together over the new year isn’t right wither
right?” & everyone agrees awkwardly. His father then asks, “What’s
today?” “What are you saying? It’s the 7th” says Taku. Michi
butts in “Ah, you slept so much you’ve forgotten?” He gets up flustered
& frowning “What are you saying, it’s already the 7th, 7th!
Today’s nanakusa!! (7th
of January custom where people eat rice gruel cooked with 7 different kinds of
herbs) Taku & Michi suddenly realize “Ah! Right! Right! So!” Taku’s
father gets up & tells them in a fluster “Why are you still sitting there,
hurry up! Have to get ready, Kazumi’s coming home soon, have to go
change…”
At the Narita
Airport Hotel lobby, Kaoru is on the telephone “Is this Arikawa? It’s me,
Yoshimi” “Kaoru? How are you? Where are you now?” & Kaoru replies
“Narita, just arrived." At the Arikawa Publishing Co…Arikawa Jun says
“Then hurry up & come back, I’ll wait for you…eh? You have something
on? So…then tonight? Doesn’t matter how late, I’ll be at the office
tonight in any case. You must have plenty of interesting material huh, look
forward to seeing you.” Back at
the lobby, Kaoru says “You too, bye”, hangs up & says to himself
“plenty of interesting…” Kazumi comes by & says “plenty of…?”
Kaoru shakes his head & says “nothing, so did you call?” “Still
can’t get through” “ah, well, let’s go.”
As they leave the
hotel at the entrance, a girl calls out “Kaoru!” & he turns around in
surprise “Kiri!” She runs up to him, looking him up & down “Long time
no see, you’re looking good!” Kaoru looks a tad uncomfortable “What are
you doing here?” Kiri says “I came by to meet a friend, but this is really a
coincidence!” Kaoru agrees “Yeah, what a coincidence…” when Kazumi says
“Um…” Kaoru goes “ah, this is Onda Kiri…ah, like a kid sister.” Kiri
says to Kazumi “Um, used to play together, like his sister…pleased to meet
you” then asks Kaoru “& she is…?” Kaoru says “This is Sakurai
Kazumi” then quickly puts his arm around Kazumi’s shoulders & adds
“She’s my fiancé!” Kazumi looks surprised but smiles & just nods.
Momentarily stunned Kiri says “Fiancé? Eh? Kaoru getting married?
Congratulations! But Kazumi? Ah, this guy? He’ll get you into trouble…”
Kaoru interrupts “Oi! Kiri!” so Kiri says, “Kidding, just kidding.
Kaoru’s a good guy, I know that best.” Kazumi nods & Kaoru looks
awkward. “Well then, be happy” & Kiri walks off leaving Kaoru looking
relieved. Kazumi tells him “You didn’t have to lie just yet, saying I’m
your finance” Kaoru says decidedly “No, she’s the first person that has to
know…let’s go” & they both get back on the bus. Kiri turns back just
as the bus pulls out, “It’s not a coincidence”, hops into a waiting taxi
& follows the bus. (Kiri speaks Osaka ben – Osaka accent)
Back at the house,
Kazumi’s father looks outside, goes back in & slides the door shut. In the
kitchen Michi is making tea & says to him, “Kazu’s late…” He agrees
“& she didn’t call either” & walks into the hallway. He stops
suddenly when he hears Taku on the phone. “Taku, who are you on the phone
with? Another long conversation, what happens if Kazu calls?” Taku quickly
hangs up & says “No, she didn’t, ah I’ll go have a bath” &
disappears to avoid his father. Michi comes into the living room & he says
“A bath is good…Kazu’s finally coming home…”. Michi smiles “Both you
& Taku look very happy”. He laughs & denies “no, no, I’m same as
always” but Michi just laughs at him & says “nothing of that sort,
nothing of that sort…”. However, he admits “Honestly, very happy,
haven’t seen my daughter for a year…Kazumi’s always been a good child,
like sunshine…”. Michi agrees with him “Yes, sis died when Kazu was only
8, she’s a really good kid…”. He goes on ironically about Kazu “That
girl’s really a good child but sometimes too serious…never lied before, very
trustworthy person…” & looks at his wife’s photo…
Suddenly the phone
rings & he goes to answer it “Hello, Kazumi? Ah, ah, Kono san, what can I
do for you? Passport photo? How many? 20 people?…ah excuse me, I’ll transfer
to the office line, just a second…” As he goes off to the shop he reminds
Michi, “nanakusa”. Taku comes in right after “Dad’s gone to the shop?
Great” & looks at the phone “Damn, he’s using it.” Michi asks Taku a
little anxiously “You think Kazu will bring her fiancé with her?” Taku
replies “Ah, I’m also a little worried.” “So? Will she bring him
home?” asks Michi again. They both look at each other & then Taku says
“no, no, won’t…” Michi also agrees “no, won’t won’t…” then
“Taku! Come give me a hand!” his father calls & Taku goes off grumbling.
Michi heads off into the kitchen saying “nanakusa, nanakusa” & heads out
through a door in the kitchen…
A taxi pulls up in
front of the house. Kaoru helps Kazumi with the luggage & doesn’t see
another taxi go by with Kiri in it. Kiri tells the driver, “Just stop up front
please…”
Kazumi tells
Kaoru, “I’ll go in & check things out first…” who waits outside.
Kazumi opens the door & goes in calling “Aunt Michi? Taku! Aunt Michi?
Taku!” but no one’s around. She goes upstairs “Aunt Michi? Taku! Are you
in?”
Outside Kaoru
smokes a cigarette waiting. Kiri watches him from across the street hidden round
a corner. As she watches, she recalls…scene changes to one of her in a
darkened bedroom looking at a guy sleeping. She leaves a note “thanks for the
memory, I’m going back to Osaka, Kiri”. The guy asleep is Kaoru… Back at
the present, she sees Kasumi’s father come out & she dodges behind the
corner…
Kazumi’s father
asks Kaoru “Who are you?” but Kaoru asks instead “Isn’t the shop
closed?” “No, not yet.” Kaoru, unknowingly says “Must be hard on
you…isn’t the boss sick? Such a small shop, if the boss falls ill, won’t
be good. Yes, yes, if shop closes, you’ll have to start all over again looking
for a job, what a pity…this time look for a boss that is healthier…” he
takes a pack of cigarettes from his pocket offers it “Smoke?” All this while
Kazumi’s father is annoyed & getting more irritated with every word
Kaoru’s saying & replies “Don’t smoke!” Kaoru just says “so,
health conscious huh! Ganbare!” & throw his cigarette butt on the ground.
Kazumi’s father gets angry with that & says “Cigarette! Cigarette!!”
& points to the one Kaoru just threw on the ground. Kaoru thinks he wants a
cigarette, takes one from his pack & put it in Kazumi’s father’s hand!
Kazumi’s father is spitting mad & scolds Kaoru, “Don’t throw your
cigarette butts on the ground when you’re smoking in front of other peoples’
house!” & flings the cigarette Kaoru gave to him on the ground! He goes in
but all of a sudden turns around & says “Pick that one up too!” pointing
to the one he just threw on the ground. Kaoru says to himself “didn’t have
to be that angry, understandable I suppose, at his age, having to look for
another job…”
Kazumi comes back
down & Kaoru pops his head in at the front door “How?” Kazumi says “No
one’s in, doesn’t matter, you might as well come in.” “Would they be at
the hospital?” asks Kaoru. Kazumi replies “I don’t even know which
hospital” & walks into the living room with Kaoru following behind. Kazumi
wonders “Where’s everyone gone?”
“Kazu!”
“Aunt!” & then Taku comes running in “welcome home sis!” Kazu asks
“where did you all go?” but Michi & Taku just stare at Kaoru “This
wouldn’t be…” Kazumi explains “I wrote in my letter…”
Father enters the
house still upset grumbling “that guy…”
Kazumi tells Michi
& Taku “This is my finance Yoshimi Kaoru…” Kaoru greets them
“Pleased to meet you, I’m Yoshimi Kaoru, her fiancé…” (Then the
commotion starts!) Just then Kazumi’s father bumps into the wall & shouts
“Fiancé!” He comes into the room holding his face & Kazumi says
“Dad!” & Kaoru in surprise says “Dad?” Her father says “What’s
this about a fiancé? A foreigner?” Kaoru laughs when he sees who ‘dad’ is,
quickly stifling his laughter apologizes “Just now, sorry…” Kazumi
surprised “Just now?” Kaoru explains “Just now in front of the shop…”
Her father cuts them off “Don’t say anything, first explain to me, your
father, what’s this thing about a fiancé??!!” Kazumi shoots back “Dad
too? Why are you at home? Aren’t you suppose to be in the hospital??” “ah,
that…” & all three of them, her father, Michi, Taku look away “hmm,
ahh…” Kazumi gets upset “You lied to me just to get me to come home?”
All three of them deny vehemently “no, no…” Michi said “No, he really
was ill…” Taku adds “also serious…” when his father abruptly say
“Enough! Enough! What’s this about a fiancé? You’ve got to be joking!”
Kazumi & Kaoru look at each other. Her father continues heatedly “Such a
rude…young man!” Kazumi not understanding “What are you talking about?”
Her father ignores her & says to Kaoru “I don’t know how you got to know
Kazumi in America…in any case, coming home to visit, dressed like this!!”
& points to Kaoru’s cut off jeans. Kazumi says “Wait! Didn’t I already
write & explain in my letter? I said I’d come back with my fiancé!”
Taku yells “ah!!” Michi tries to calm her brother in law with Kazumi
continuing “Didn’t you say you looked forward to meeting him?” Her father
retorts “Look forward? I’m in pain!” Kazumi takes a letter out from her
back “I even have the letter…” but Taku snatches it from her & falls
onto the sofa… His father asks “what are you doing? What are you hiding?”
“Nothing! Nothing!” yells Taku. Kazumi gets even more upset, asks
“What’s going on?” & then suddenly gets hit by nausea. Kaoru grabs a
hold of her “Are you alright?” Taku & Michi “Sis! Kazumi!” Kaoru
turns to them & explains, with his arms still around Kazumi “Even on the
plane, she’s hasn’t been feeling well.” Kazumi assures them “I’m fine!
It’s nothing!” Michi looks on knowingly & asks hesitatingly “Kazu,
it’s not…morning sickness..? Kazumi looks away & doesn’t answer, her
father has this incredulous look on his face & Kaoru looks stunned. Taku
goes “Morning sickness, morning sickness…sis, you’re pregnant?!” His
father says “Michi stop it! What are you saying! Kazumi isn’t married!”
Michi says to Kazumi “So you brought the father of your child home right?”
Her father looks at Kaoru angrily & Kaoru goes “I…” & is
speechless. Kazumi’s father goes on a mini rampage “How can that be? I
wasn’t looking forward to this!” Kazumi insists “It’s my fault!” which
momentarily silences everyone. Taku & Michi go “Sis! Kazumi!” Kazumi’s
father bumps & crashes into the table, Michi & Taku turn to help him.
Kazumi feels sick again & Kaoru tries to help her. Taku calls “Sis”
& Kazumi quietly says “I’m having the baby…” & everyone looks on
in silence…
